Emir Cup Draw Held in Gala Qatar-Oman Joint Investments Reach Ceremony More Than QR5.5Bn Published in QATAR Since 1978

BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Emir Cup draw held in gala Qatar-Oman joint investments reach ceremony more than QR5.5bn published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10786 April 12, 2018 Rajab 26, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets US Senate Majority Leader

In brief

QATAR | Cables Emir condoles with Algerian president His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of condolences to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the victims of the military plane that crashed near the Boufarik military airport killing 257 people. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent a similar cable to Prime Minister His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met US Senate Republican Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Ouyahia. Page 12 Mitch McConnell, at the Congress headquarters in Washington, DC. The meeting reviewed friendship and co-operation His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with President and Board ties between the two countries and ways to develop them. It also touched on the latest regional and international ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce Thomas Donohue. developments. UK moves subs within striking distance of Syria British Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered British submarines to move within missile range of Syria Trump demanded quick in readiness for strikes against the Syrian military that could begin as end to Gulf rift in call to early as tonight, the Daily Telegraph Economic ties newspaper said. Meanwhile, the White House said President Donald Trump has not laid out a timetable Saudi king: US offi cials for action in response to a suspected chemical attack in Syria, despite his Reuters the rift within the six-nation Gulf Co- note on Twitter that missiles “will be Washington operation Council be patched up with- coming”. Page 11 with US very in three weeks. A written White House readout of SPORT | Champions League n a phone call this month with Saudi Trump’s phone call with King Salman Real survive Juve Arabia’s King Salman, US President said that the US president “emphasised IDonald Trump demanded that the the importance of resolving the Gulf scare, Bayern advance kingdom and its Arab partners quickly dispute and restoring a united Gulf Co- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a end a nearly year-old dispute with Qa- operation Council.” stoppage-time penalty after robust: Emir tar that has left US allies in the region The readout, however, did not de- Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buff on fractured, according to two US offi cials scribe a US deadline for resolving the was sent off in late drama as Real QNA work hand in hand with the US. number of ministers, current and briefed on the conversation. dispute. Madrid advanced to the last four Washington US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur former members of Congress and am- Trump wants the rift healed to re- Trump also discussed the dispute in of the Champions League despite Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven bassadors, as well as prominent politi- store unity among Arab Gulf states and an April 6 phone call with Abu Dhabi a 3-1 home defeat. Bayern Munich, Mnuchin, President and Board Chair- cians and businessmen. present a united front against Iran, said Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, and meanwhile, sealed their place in the is Highness the Emir Sheikh man of the US Chamber of Commerce On the Qatari side, it was attended by the offi cials, who requested anonymity in a White House meeting on Tuesday semi-finals with a goalless draw at Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Thomas Donohue, President of the members of the offi cial delegation ac- to discuss high-level diplomatic com- with Qatari Emir His Highness Sheikh home to Sevilla. Hattended a reception held on US-Qatar Business Council ambas- companying the Emir and a number of munications. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Tuesday by the US-Qatar Business sador Anne Patterson, and HE the businessmen. Trump’s tone in the April 2 call with Welcoming the Emir , Trump said: QATAR | Notice Council and the US Chamber of Com- Minister of Economy and Commerce The Emir and the audience ex- Salman was described by one offi cial “He’s a friend of mine. He’s a great merce in Washington. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mo- changed views on ways to enhance co- as “forceful.” It was not clear what the gentleman.” Citizens asked to Delivering the welcome speech on hamed al-Thani spoke highlighting operation between Qatar and the US in king’s response was. The Emir said Trump “has been very clear camping sites the occasion, the Emir highlighted the the strong Qatari-US relations and various fi elds including politics, econ- “The president stressed that the helpful in supporting us during this The Ministry of Municipality and most prominent features of the Qatar- the co-operation in economy, trade omy, trade and investment. feud the Saudis and Emirates are hav- blockade,” and thanked the American Environment (MME) has asked US economic co-operation. He said and investment as well as the vol- His Highness the Emir held talks ing with Qatar makes no sense,” the of- people for being “very supportive”. citizens to remove their tents and there are more than 650 US companies ume of trade exchange between the with Thomas Donohue, Patterson and fi cial said. “We do not and we will not toler- other possessions from camping operating in Qatar and the volume of two countries. They also underlined Vice-President for Middle East Aff airs Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and ate people who fund terrorism. We are sites by April 30, following the trade between Qatar and the United the promising future opportunities Khush Choksy. Egypt cut off travel and trade ties with co-operating with the United States of end of the winter camping season States has reached $125bn, and that the in these areas for the benefit of both Discussions during their meetings Qatar last June, accusing it of backing America to stop funding of terrorism on April 1. Campers can obtain plan is to double this fi gure in the near countries. dealt with a number of topics of mutual Iran, and supporting terrorism. Qatar around the region,” the Emir stressed. a certificate after clearing the future. The speakers also lauded the strong interest, particularly with regard to the denies the charges and says the boycott The leaders also “discussed obsta- camping site and then proceed to The Emir pointed out that Qatar is Qatari economy and its rapid growth economic, commercial and investment impinges on its sovereignty. cles to restoring unity in the Gulf Co- the municipality concerned to claim the fastest growing economy in the despite the siege. aspects and means of enhancing them. A second offi cial knowledgeable operation Council,” a White House their security deposit. Middle East and expressed the hope to The reception was attended by a Page 28 about the call said Trump insisted that statement added. QP investment to generate 45,000 US jobs Cabinet hails outcome

During the last five years, US for many years, creating thousands contributed in community develop- the volume of trade of jobs across America. These include ment, building houses and hospitals. of Emir’s US visit between Qatar and the US partnerships with numerous American Qatar also provided $30mn in aid after companies, such as Boeing, ExxonMobil, Hurricane Harvey. that in light of the results of this impor- reached about $24bn QNA ConocoPhillips and Raytheon. Sheikh Ahmed said the Qatari private Doha tant visit and in light of the continuous In addition, 15,000 American citi- sector was also playing a major role in strategic dialogue between both coun- atar Petroleum’s $10bn invest- zens live in Qatar, where 5,000 highly US corporate social responsibility and tries, the Qatari-US relations will soon ment in a liquefi ed natural gas skilled individuals are currently work- cited the privately funded “Al Faisal he Cabinet yesterday welcomed witness further positive developments Q(LNG) plant in Texas will con- ing in the private sector. Without Borders Foundation,” which the results of the offi cial visit of in various fi elds, that benefi ts the peo- tribute to generating 45,000 jobs in the Touching on Qatari investments in launched many projects to help reha- THis Highness the Emir Sheikh ples, peace, stability and security, both United States, said HE the Minister of the US, the minister said Qatar Airways bilitate American ex-convicts. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the US. regionally and internationally. Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed alone provided a $92bn boost to the US Building on all these facts, Sheikh The Cabinet’s regular meeting was With regard to the tragic situation in bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani. economy through the purchase of as Ahmed said the fi rst stage of the ‘eco- chaired by HE the Prime Minister Syria, the Cabinet strongly condemned Addressing a reception organised by many as 332 American aircraft - a deal nomic roadshow’, targets 10 states in Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa the use of chemical weapons by the the US Chamber of Commerce in co- that supports more than 527,000 jobs. the US, and was kicked off in Miami, al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan. Syrian regime last Saturday in Douma operation with the Qatar-US Business He said $146bn worth of exports and Florida. Besides Washington DC, it will Following the meeting, HE the Min- in Eastern Ghouta, which led to the Council and the embassy of Qatar in orders to Qatar have generated one mil- be held in North Carolina and South ister of Justice and Acting Minister of death of tens of innocent victims. Washington, the minister highlighted lion American jobs that depend on doing Carolina. State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Hassan The Cabinet expressed deep regret at the bilateral relationship between the business with Qatar. The second stage covering other US Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi said the the inability of the UN Security Coun- two countries and Qatari investments Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has states will follow later. The roadshow Cabinet affi rmed that His Highness the cil to provide protection to the Syrians in the United States. also pledged to invest $45bn between refl ects Qatar’s keenness on taking bi- Emir’s talks with US President Donald from the brutal regime attacks that During the last fi ve years, Sheikh 2015 and 2020. Of that, $10bn will be HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin lateral economic relations to a new level Trump on Tuesday as well as meetings they have been subjected to for more Ahmed said the volume of trade between channelled into the infrastructure sector, Mohamed al-Thani addressing a and increasing co-operation between with a number of senior US offi cials, than seven years. Qatar and the US reached about $24bn, Sheikh Ahmed said, noting that these in- reception organised by the US the private sectors in both countries. have cemented the growing bilateral The Cabinet called on the interna- noting that 84% of the trade balance vestments represent 23% of Qatar’s GDP. Chamber of Commerce. The Ministry of Economy and Com- relations between both countries. tional community and the UN Secu- between the two countries, equivalent Highlighting investments by the pri- merce said more than 200 businessmen “The meetings also opened up new rity Council in particular to shoulder to $20bn, was in the favour of the US. vate sector, Sheikh Ahmed said private tions extended beyond trade and invest- and Qatari offi cials participating in the horizons and advanced the established its moral and legal responsibility and In 2017, the US topped as the source of companies have heavily invested in the ment and aimed at helping people of economic roadshow are looking to bol- strategic co-operation between both take the required measures to protect imports for Qatar. Last year, the US ac- US economy, with more than $5bn in both nations overcome challenges and ster investment partnerships with their countries, especially in the fi eld of the Syrian people, and hold the per- counted for 16% of total Qatari imports. technology, hospitality, real estate and capitalise on opportunities. US counterparts through economic fo- their joint eff orts to combat terrorism,” petrators of the crime accountable and According to Sheikh Ahmed, Qatar has household retail. Qatar has donated $100mn to help rums and bilateral meetings. it was stated. subject them to international criminal been increasing its investments in the The minister noted Qatari-US rela- victims of Hurricane Katrina, which Business Page 16 The Cabinet expressed confi dence justice. Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR

Deputy Emir visits National Service Authority Al-Marri seeks UN rights council intervention to end siege violations

QNA sions, international organisa- Geneva tions, international human rights offi cials and those who opposed these violations have hairman of the National conducted direct interviews Human Rights Committee with the victims of the siege, and C(NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh affi rmed beyond any doubt that al-Marri has demanded urgent the arbitrary and unilateral ac- intervention by the President of tions of the siege countries di- the United Nations Human Rights rectly aff ected the rights of the Council Vojislav Suc to end the citizens of Qatar, residents of the violations committed in the name country and citizens of the Gulf of siege by the Saudi-led quartet Co-operation Council countries. against Qatar and work to activate Al-Marri expressed the readi- ways to compensate those aff ected Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri ness of the National Human by the blocakade and reparation for Rights Committee (NHRC) to their harm. Geneva yesterday with the presi- co-operate with the Human His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani visited the National Service Authority at Muqdam Camp in Umm Salal Saudi Arabia, the United Arab dent of the Human Rights Coun- Rights Council in all eff orts to yesterday. The Deputy Emir toured various facilities including the training fields, lecture halls, sports halls and other centres aff iliated to Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut cil, where they discussed the re- preserve human dignity and the camp. The Deputy Emir was also briefed by senior off icers on the facilities and technical equipment at the camp. On the occasion, the diplomatic and transport ties percussions of the Gulf crisis on contribute to informing the Deputy Emir inspected the Muqdam camp academy and the shooting field, in addition to the health centre at the camp, which with Qatar on June 5, accusing human rights. Council about the impact of the provides all kinds of medical services to off icers and national service personnel, as well as clinics and emergency department. The it of backing terrorism, a charge Dr al-Marri gave an update on Gulf crisis on the lives of people Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and a number of senior off icers which Doha denies. the latest human rights viola- in the region, with documented accompanied the Deputy Emir during the visit. This came during the meeting tions resulting from the siege. reports and certiﬁ cates since the of the president of the NHRC in He pointed out that all mis- beginning of the siege on Qatar. Cabinet approves draft law on protecting Arabic

QNA to protecting and supporting the months from the date of its im- cal data, propose the necessary and deaths stipulated in Law No. ministrative units of the Min- eral competent authority agree- Doha Arabic language in all activities plementation. The Cabinet may annual statistical plans and pro- 3 of 2016 regulating the registra- istry of Culture and Sports and ment on automatic exchange of and events they hold. extend this period for one or grammes, and provide support tion of births and deaths shall be defi ning their terms of refer- fi nancial account information, The draft law also includes the more similar periods. to improve statistical work. formed under the chairmanship ence. It also approved a draft as well as the convention on mu- he regular Cabinet meet- commitment of ministries, oth- The cabinet then approved the It also approved the draft de- of a representative of the Minis- decision of the Minister of Cul- tual administrative assistance in ing, chaired by HE the er governmental bodies, public draft decision of the Council of cision of the Minister of Interior try of the Interior and the mem- ture and Sports to establish sec- tax matters, as amended by the TPrime Minister Sheikh entities and institutions, asso- Ministers to form a consultative to form a permanent committee bership of representatives of the tions in the administrative units amended protocol to the conven- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa ciations and private institutions, statistics committee and organ- on births and deaths. concerned authorities. of the Ministry of Culture and tion on mutual administrative al-Thani approved the draft law private institutions of public ising its work. The committee is competent Sport and defi ning their terms assistance in tax matters. on protecting the Arabic lan- interest and entities, whose The draft decision provides The draft law on to consider requests for change, of reference. The Council of Ministers re- guage and decided to submit it to budget is fi nanced by the state, for the composition of the con- protecting the Arabic amendment or correction of The Council of Ministers also viewed the memo of HE the the Advisory Council. to use the Arabic language in sultative statistics commit- language included data of a newborn or the de- approved participation in EPEX Minister of Administrative De- Following the meeting which their meetings and discussions tee set out in Law No 2 of 2011 several commitments ceased in the birth or death reg- India 2018 scheduled to be held velopment, Labour and Social was held at the Emiri Diwan, HE and all the decisions, regula- on offi cial statistics, under the such as all governmental isters, as well as consider birth in New Delhi from 28 to 30 June Aff airs on the outcomes of a the Minister of Justice and Act- tions, instructions, documents, chairmanship of the Minister of and non-governmental and death registration requests 2018. study on setting regulations for ing Minister of State for Cabi- contracts, correspondence, la- Development Planning and Sta- entities should commit to reported after one year from the The cabinet gave the approval the requests submitted by com- net Aff airs Dr Hassan Lahdan bels, programmes, publications, tistics and the membership of protecting and supporting date of birth or death, in addition for accession to the Marrakesh panies to approve the applica- Saqr al-Mohannadi stated that visual, audiovisual and writ- representatives of the authori- the Arabic language in all to requests that have not been treaty to facilitate access to pub- tion of the provisions of Article the draft law on protecting the ten announcements and other ties concerned. activities and events they registered, lost or duplicated. lished works for persons who are 6 (item 5) of Law No. 24 of 2002 Arabic language included sev- transactions they carry out. The committee is competent hold The cabinet also gave ap- blind, visually impaired or oth- regarding retirement and pen- eral commitments such as all The entities subject to the to provide advice on all statisti- proval for a draft decision of the erwise print disabled. sions to Qatari employees. The governmental and non-govern- provisions of this law shall com- cal processes; propose priorities Under the draft decision, the Council of Ministers to amend The cabinet took the necessary cabinet adopted appropriate de- mental entities should commit ply with the draft law within six to meet users’ needs for statisti- permanent committee on births the organisation of some ad- measures to ratify the multilat- cision on this matter. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 3 QATAR

Prime Minister receives ambassadors of France, Iran and Ethiopia

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the ambassadors of France, Iran and Ethiopia – Eric Chevallier, Mohamed Ali Subhani, and Metasebia Tadesse Woldegiorgis, respectively, yesterday. During the meetings, ways to develop and strengthen bilateral relations and issues of common concern were discussed.

PM meets Thai envoy Qatar to hold Second Occupational Safety and Health Conference

QNA experience in the fi eld of oc- cialised in occupational safety of workers at construction sites. prise inspections and awareness Doha cupational safety and health, and health. He stressed that Qatar gives campaigns, in order to lessen whereas the second one touches He said the ministry, which is great importance to the safety of workplace hazards, accidents HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah on the experiences of local enti- organising this conference for workers and provides a healthy and occupational diseases and to bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday met the outgoing he Second Occupational ties and companies in the fi eld. the second time, will give oc- and sound work environment provide healthcare to the work- ambassador of Thailand to Qatar Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, Safety and Health Con- The conference will end with a cupational safety and health top through setting occupational ers and to prepare appropriate in Doha yesterday. The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Tference organised by the roundtable discussion on the pro- priority in the coming years, safety and health legislation as accommodation for them. wished the Thai ambassador success in his future Ministry of Administrative De- cedures and plans to implement in light of the infrastructure part of Qatar’s Labour Law No 14 Quality and Safety Manager assignments and the relations between Qatar and Thailand velopment, Labour and Social the technical programme signed projects being implemented, es- of 2004, and the ministerial de- at Ashghal Engineer Khaled al- further progress and prosperity. Aff airs in co-operation with between Qatar and International pecially that the state has com- cisions implementing it. Emadi said the conference is Hawkama Centre will be held on Labour Organisation (ILO). pleted the enactment of laws and This comes with the aim to important to strengthen the oc- April 28. Head of international labour procedures for the protection of promote the understanding of cupational safety and health of Qatar reaff irms support for global The event will be attended relations department at Minis- workers’ rights. health and safety in the work- workers in Qatar and to benefi t by speakers from international try of Administrative Develop- He added that the occupa- place in Qatar, he added. from all local and international eff orts to protect human rights organisations, government in- ment, Labour and Social Aff airs tional safety and health awards Al-Shuaibi said the law oblig- experiences and expertise. stitutions and a number of rep- Faisal al-Shuaibi said the con- will be distributed during the es institutions to take preventa- Referring to Qatar’s strict sys- Qatar has stressed that it has always used all its resources to support resentatives from companies ference will be held under the conference to companies who tive measures for occupational tem on the health and safety of international eff orts to achieve development, protect human rights and and institutions from the private theme of ‘Safety and Health of have good performance on this safety and health in all work workers and in maintaining the promote international peace and security. This came in a statement sector. Workers First’, on the occasion of matter. areas and to provide a safe and safety of the worker, he said: delivered by HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics Dr Held under the patronage of World Day for Safety and Health With regard to safety at the sound work environment. “We have an integrated system of Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit at the 51st Session of the United Nations HE the Minister of Administra- at Work (SafeDay). He added workplace, al-Shuaibi con- He added that the labour in- occupational safety and health, Commission on Population and Development. The minister said that tive Development, Labour and that many international organi- fi rmed that, as the ministry has spection department represent- and we apply strict standards Qatar today faces an unjust siege and unilateral actions that lack any Social Aff airs, Dr Issa Saad al- sations and entities will partici- indicated, the workplace acci- ed by the occupational safety in this regard. We constantly reasonable or credible justification. He pointed out that the goal of the Jafali al-Nuaimi, the conference pate in the conference, starting dents are very low. and health department, works evaluate projects to avoid any ongoing siege, imposed on Qatar 10 months ago, was clear for all. It includes two main sessions. with the ILO, Building and Wood He added that Qatar is moving on consolidating the concept of defi ciencies or gaps, while con- was an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Qatar, stressing that The fi rst session focuses on Workers’ International (BWI) as forward towards more precau- health and safety at the work- tinuing to raise awareness and Qatar will not deviate from its policy of respect for international law as a the international expertise and well as other organisations spe- tionary measures for the safety place, through periodic and sur- educate all parties.” committed partner of the international community. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR

Lekhwiya team wins Armed Forces trophy Transport minister meets ICAO official

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti yesterday met Mohamed Khalifa Rahma, regional director of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Middle East Off ice. Chris Dalton, chief, Airspace Management and Optimisation (AMO) Section, ICAO and Elie el Khoury, ICAO regional off icer Air Traff ic Management, Search and Rescue were also present at the meeting, which was held at the ministry’s headquarters. The meeting discussed all updates related to safety and security in the civil aviation domain. Qatar Civil Aviation Authority chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Turki al-Subaey too attended the meeting. Qatar, Russia sign pact on judicial co-operation

QNA Russia, Yury Chaika, signed that the agreement also in- about how to investigate Moscow the agreement. cluded co-operation in the fan-related issues, as such HE al-Marri, who is vis- fi eld of major sports events, issues will benefi t the Qatari Under the patronage of HE the Staff Lieutenant iting Moscow, said that co- especially the organisation side in the management of General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, atar and Russia operation between the Pub- of the World Cup. sports events thereafter. Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, the team yesterday signed a lic Prosecution in Qatar and He added that Russia is He also added that a del- of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) has Qco-operation agree- its Russian counterpart is about to organise the FIFA egation from the Public won the Armed Forces trophy in a 4km run, ment in the fi elds of justice, not new, adding this agree- World Cup this summer and Prosecution of the Russian organised by the Military Sports Association at combating corruption and ment renewed the commit- that a group of Qatar’s dep- Federation is scheduled to Al Sayliyah Camp. The team won the trophy co-operation in the fi eld of ment of the two parties to uty public prosecutors are visit Doha soon to benefit after a strong competition with 10 teams from major sports events. consolidate their partner- scheduled to join their Rus- from Qatar’s judicial ex- the various units and branches of the Qatar HE the Attorney-General ship. sian counterparts to share perience and enhance bi- Armed Forces in addition to Lekhwiya, the US Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri HE al-Marri noted in a expertise and follow up lateral co-operation in this Force, and the Turkish Force with eight and Prosecutor General of statement after the signing events, in addition to learn field. contestants per team. The Emiri Air Forces team came second, and Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College Team third. HE the Chief of Staff honoured the winners. All set for ‘Autism Walkathon – A Walk against Stigma’

atar Institute for centres, public associa- nationally observed every Women and Girls with Au- Speech and Hearing tions, VIPs and residents April 2 to highlight the tism.’ Q(QISH) will be con- will take part in “this great need to help improve the For two days, entire ducting an ‘Autism Walka- event to spread the aware- quality of life and those building under QISH group thon – A Walk against Stig- ness on autism.” with autism, “so they can such as QISH, QISH Re- ma’ tomorrow (April 13) at The World Autism lead full and meaningful habilitationCentre, QISH the Lake Area of Aspire Park Awareness Day was first lives as an integral part of Medical and QISH Wakrah as part of the World Autism proposed by the United society.” was lit up in blue colour and Awareness Day. Nations (UN) representa- QISH, the pioneer insti- staff wore blue shirts with According to QISH, tive from Qatar and the tute for special needs serv- printed message to support group of school students Chairperson of Qatar ices in Doha, conducted the mission of this day. from arabic and non-ara- Foundation Her Highness several activities recently Cultural programmes and bic schools across Qatar, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser as part of observing this day fun activities were held for the teachers, social workers, in 2007. and holding on to the theme children while parents have special educators, parents, Supported by all mem- proposed by the UN for the been briefed and oriented on doctors, allied health pro- ber states and adopted in World Autism Awareness how to take care and support fessionals, special needs 2008, the event is inter- Day 2018, ‘Empowering children with autism.

Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ models recalled

he Ministry of Economy and T Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Al- mana Motors Company, has announced the recall of Ford Fusion models of 2014-2017 and Lincoln MKZ models of 2014- 2018 because the steering wheel attachment bolt may not maintain torque. The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that auto- mobile dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. The MEC said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Con- sumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twit- ter: @MEC_Qatar, Insta- gram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR

Admission deadline extended The Graduate Studies Off ice at Qatar University (QU) has Bedaya Centre to host local extended the deadline for admission of the graduate studies programmes until April 30. version of ‘Get in the Ring’ Ghada al-Kuwari, assistant dean, Graduate Studies for Student Aff airs at QU Off ice of Graduate Studies, said QU off ers seven new graduate programmes – four PhD programmes, two he Bedaya Centre for ‘Get in the Ring’ is a global masters programmes and one certificate. Entrepreneurship and competition that was started “The extension of the deadline for admission to the graduate TCareer Development in 2012 by the Erasmus Cen- studies programmes will provide the students with the oppor- (Bedaya Centre) is hosting, tre for Entrepreneurship in tunity to get an insight into the new programmes and to apply for the third year in a row, Holland and since then, it to their intended programme of study,” she said. the local version of the glo- has spread its reach in more All graduate applicants are required to apply to their bal competition ‘Get in the than 80 countries. The event intended programme of study using the QU online ad- Ring’. offers start-ups a platform mission application through the link: http://www.qu.edu. The event aims “to offer to connect with capital, tal- qa/research/offices/graduate-studies/programs_and_ad- wings to new-age entrepre- ent, and expertise – prereq- missions neurs and provide them with uisites needed for acceler- a platform to showcase their ated growth. mettle,” the Bedaya Centre Bedaya Centre general said in a statement. manager Reem al-Suwaidi Bedaya announced that said: “We are delighted to registrations are still open host this global competi- for start-ups that aim to im- tion for the third consecu- press industry veterans with tive year, which aims to raise solid pitches. the level of competitiveness The winners of the competition with QNRF off icials. A joint initiative by Qa- among entrepreneurs and tar Development Bank and create awareness on the per- Silatech, the event will kick ceived value of the start-up off on April 15. The winner community. This initiative of the local edition will par- also aims to make it easier ticipate in the finals, which for individuals to start their QU team wins QNRF will be held in Portugal later venture and unleash their this year. creativity.” research competition

team from Qatar University lic presentation in front of a panel Ahmad, Fatemeh Saadat and Widad has won the 10th Annual Un- of judges. Four of the shortlisted al-Asmar. Adergraduate Research Expe- projects came from QU, two from The team was mentored by Dr Mo- rience Programme (Urep) Competi- Texas A&M University at Qatar hamed Abu-Dieyah, associate profes- tion organised by the Qatar National (Tamuq) and one from Northwest- sor, College of Arts and Sciences, QU, Research Fund (QNRF), a member of ern University in Qatar. who said: “I feel very proud of these Qatar Foundation (QF). The projects were evaluated for students, who have produced such a More than 3,200 students from the quality of their scientifi c and high standard of impactful research, universities in Qatar have ben- technological content, the degree of which, if further developed and en- efited from Urep over its lifespan, research experience that their teams hanced, has the potential for com- participating in 937 projects gained, and the quality of their oral mercial application.” across 22 cycles. The top 25% of presentation to judges. The fi rst Teams from Tamuq took the sec- projects completed under the pro- place was awarded to ‘Antifungal ond and third places with projects gramme in 2017 were selected to Activities of Prosopis Julifl ora on titled ‘A Novel Experimentation on participate in the 10th Urep com- Postharvest Fungal Pathogens of Demulsifying Crude Oil and Wa- petition, with QNRF announc- Fruits in Qatar’, a QU project that ter Emulsions Using Ultrasonic ing the results during a ceremony investigated the eff ect of an exotic Technology’, and ‘Development of a held at Qatar National Convention plant on Qatar’s biodiversity and ag- Novel Heat Sink with Wavy-Tapered Centre recently. riculture. Channels’. In total, seven projects – cov- “Urep has been an incredible Dr Aisha al-Obaidly, director, Ca- ering a range of areas including experience for us, and to win the pacity Building, QNRF, said: “Re- health; energy and environment; competition is both unexpected and search experience can allow stu- computing and ICT; and social amazing,” said team member Nada dents to stand out from the crowd, as sciences, arts, and humanities – Kafour, who conducted the winning graduate schools and the job market were shortlisted for the competi- project with fellow QU students within industry become more com- tion, with each team giving a pub- Nada Sadeq, Sabah Akhtar, Sabah petitive.”

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR

Mathaf prepares for open forum Agriculture leaders feted on Project Space for boosting production The event takes place in conjunction E the Minister of Munici- of foreign items through regulat- Al-Rumaihi said the MME, in with contemporary artist Hana al-Saadi’s pality and Environment ing the process of entry of goods, co-operation with national farms current collaboration with Mathaf HMohamed bin Abdullah noting that the State has taken a and halal breeders, has succeed- al-Rumaihi has lauded the eff orts number of steps in this regard. ed in achieving a major boost in of owners of agricultural farms, He thanked the owners of local production through sup- athaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha will host a fi sheries and nature reserves, as farms for their contributions in porting and encouraging farm public forum on April 14 at 2pm in the context of Hana well as livestock breeders, in en- supporting the local market since owners, livestock breeders and Mal-Saadi’s collaboration with Mathaf Project Space titled hancing local production levels the unjust siege was imposed on fi shermen. ‘Proposal for a Public Sculpture’. The event, led by invited artists, since the beginning of the unjust Qatar on June 5 last year, thanks He also praised the eff orts architects, and academics, and moderated by Mathaf curator Lau- siege in June last year. to the unlimited support of His made towards the development ra Barlow, convenes to expand debates around two strands of al- He observed that the local ag- Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim of local production, which con- Saadi’s research: tendencies of self-expression and social rituals, ricultural, livestock and fi sh pro- bin Hamad al-Thani. tributes to increasing self-suffi - as well as the role and responsibilities of public art. duction went up by around 300% He pointed out that the excep- ciency levels, and expressed hope The forum is divided across two sessions: ‘Rituals of Perform- after the siege began, describing tional circumstances faced by the for further eff orts and contribu- ance’ and ‘Public Art, Public Space?’ it as an ‘excellent rate’. State after the blockade started tions in the coming period. ‘Rituals of Performance,’ led by al-Saadi, Maysaa Almumin, In response, the Ministry of and the prevention of companies He thanked the owners of na- George Awde, and Sophie Richter-Devroe, is a conversation on Municipality and Environment from exporting their products to ture reserves for their eff orts in the performance of ‘self’ in artistic practice and daily life. (MME) decided to expand the Qatar resulted in a signifi cant en- preserving the environment and The second discussion, led by Fatma al-Sehlawi, Sebastian sources of sales and marketing to hancement in production levels its sustainability, stressing that Betancur Montoya, Tom Eccles, and Mohamed Suleiman, consid- cover the increase in production, in the agriculture, livestock and the MME would continue to pro- ers the potential for a public art work to perform a sense of civic he noted, expressing hope that fi sheries sector. vide all forms of support in order duty, and the ways in which public art is used to coerce connec- the level of production would go The MME is seeking to pro- to help them achieve what they tions with social spaces and the built environment. up by 40% to 50% throughout vide all means and forms of sup- aspire for. Together, these conversations share perspectives on the chang- the year, the offi cial Qatar News port to the owners of productive Al-Rumaihi listened to the ing expectations of the individual and collective in society, and Agency (QNA) reported yester- farms and halal breeders in order views and proposals of farmers the role of art in shaping them. day. to achieve the desired goal, the and breeders on the most impor- The sessions, which will be in English and are free to the public, The observations were made HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin minister said, adding that it has tant needs and the kind of sup- are the latest initiatives presented by QM with the aim to nurture during a meeting held by HE Abdullah al-Rumaihi at the meeting. allocated QR105mn in the 2018 port they require. a thriving arts and culture community in Qatar. the Minister with the owners of budget for support to the agri- He also discussed their opin- “As a centre for dialogue, research, and a resource for fostering farms, fi sheries, nature reserves Acknowledging their eff orts, The minister said the aim of the cultural, fi sh and livestock sec- ions on the best ways to increase creativity, Mathaf is pleased to host another thought-provoking and livestock breeders, in recog- HE al-Rumaihi honoured the focus on developing local produc- tor with a view to achieving food production and expand the public forum that nurtures constructive debates and presents nition of their eff orts in develop- owners and breeders and pre- tion is to increase self-reliance, security, in addition, QR70mn means of marketing their prod- multi-layered perspectives about an ever-changing society,” ing local production across vari- sented them with fi nancial re- attain self-suffi ciency and protect allocated for the next fi ve years, ucts at various commercial fa- Mathaf director Abdellah Karroum said. ous fi elds. wards amounting to QR4.1mn. Qatari products from the eff ects QNA adds. cilities in the country. Presented by QM under the leadership of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Proposal for a Public Sculpture opens the Project Space to al-Saadi as she ex- plores experimental processes of research, production and concep- tual thinking to develop a proposal for a public sculpture in Doha. The show is on-going until May 13. FIEP for closer co-operation among members in war on terror Mathaf houses the largest and most extensive permanent collection of modern and contemporary art in the region, mainly focusing on the region and its historical and cultural connection QNA participants called for the need rity challenges in securing public such events, in order to main- control, and the achievement of from North Africa to Asia, and from Turkey and Iran. Doha to intensify co-operation among spaces presented by Lakhwiya tain security and order during the other goals. Mathaf has more than 9,000 works in it is care, dating from the member states to address terror- representative Major Khamis course and end of the events. In accordance with the FIEP 19th century to the present day. In addition to the public talk, a ist incidents and exchange ex- Mohamed al-Muraikhi, in which The second axis of the working protocol, Lekhwiya off ered its ex- number of educational events and initiatives will be taking place he meeting of the New periences, through seminars and he referred to Lekhwiya’s role in paper included procedures for pertise to the member countries as part of this installation’s exhibitions. Technologies and Logistics workshops, in addition to easy ac- the operations of securing many securing public squares, includ- of the Association and partici- TCommittee of the Interna- cess to targeted information in the events in open spaces, such as ing closing the area, facilitating pates in facilitating understand- tional Association of Gendarmer- fi eld of training and education. celebrations of National Day and traffi c, securing VIPs, security ing between the participating ies and Police Forces with Military The meeting discussed mech- offi cial visits of VIP guests as well screening, operations plan, rapid countries and security institu- Status (FIEP), hosted by the In- anisms to address terrorist at- as other events held in public intervention, liaison, support, tions, as well as enhances rela- ternal Security Force (Lekhwiya) tacks in open spaces, exchange squares and open areas. and logistics plan. tions and reciprocity principle in with the participation of 15 coun- of experiences among member Al-Muraikhi talked about the The third axis of the working addition to external support of tries from the FIEP’s member states, strengthen capacities and tasks of Lekhwiya in securing paper focused on the use of mod- organisational and structural states, concluded yesterday. exchange of information in the events held in the open spaces, ern technology in securing the models according to the interna- Praising Lekhwiya’s role in ac- fi elds security. where the force with all its groups public squares, using a unifi ed tional and national agreement for tivating and hosting FIEP meet- The State of Qatar presented and departments co-operates with monitoring system which helps the exchange of information and ings since its accession in 2012, a working paper on the secu- the security authorities to secure in the work of security and traffi c experience.

Qatar entities to be strategic partners of global aid event ‘hmmm’ is one of Qatari artist Hana al-Saadi’s works. he Qatar Fund for Devel- The theme of this year’s Yousef al-Kuwari, CEO of QC, opment (QFFD) and Qatar Aid&Trade London is ‘Invest in said: “As an international non- QF ‘Career Village’ event concludes TCharity (QC) have been Humanity’. government organisation based conﬁ rmed as strategic partners It will look at how interna- in Doha, Qatar Charity endeav- he Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Aid&Trade London – an an- tional organisations can work ours to serve all needy people of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Com- nual event that brings together together to manage humanitar- across the world, reduce poverty, Tmunity Development, yesterday wrapped up the Career members of the global aid com- ian operations effi ciently and ef- support sustainable develop- Village event, in which high school students from across Qatar munity. fectively. ment and ensure disaster relief participated in over three days at Education City Student Center. This year’s event will take Speakers at the event will and emergency response. We Career Village brought together representatives from 40 place on April 25-26. present ideas on how to approach work in close co-ordination with leading Qatar-based organisations spanning various sectors Thousands of visitors are ex- challenges in policy making in various United Nations agencies, including education, business and ﬁ nance, energy and manu- pected to attend the event, in- this area. It will also be an op- international non-government facturing, communication and transportation, health, security, cluding government leaders, portunity for aid organisations to organisations and other humani- media, and culture. The event aimed to familiarise Qatari high heads of international organisa- create vital partnerships. tarian actors, and are keen to school students with the dynamics and challenges of Qatar’s la- tions, major NGOs and global Khalifa al-Kuwari, director- share, during Aid&Trade 2018, bour market and introducing them to diff erent career paths that policy makers. general of QFFD, said: “As a lead- our innovative approaches — es- enable them to best serve their country. The event is supported by the ing relief and development gov- pecially in the areas of education, “I commend all eff orts that led to the great success of our United Nations and International ernment agency, we look forward economic empowerment, com- Career Village activities. Students learned about Qatar’s lat- Federation of Red Cross and Red to meeting others in the global munity support and social cohe- est career trends, which can bolster the growth and progress Crescent. aid community to discuss how sion.” of our nation and help us tackle key national challenges,” Saad As strategic partners, QFFD we can work together to manage Feraye Ozfescioglu, CEO of al-Kharji, QCDC head of career programmes and services, said. and QC will make keynote humanitarian operations. Aid&Trade London, added: “De- “I would like to thank all participating institutions for intro- speeches to the event’s delegates “Alongside other Qatari chari- livering eff ective aid and pro- ducing students to the various professions across their depart- and run a series of workshops. ties that are taking part in the moting sustainable development ments and divisions, instilling a career culture among young Other organisations from Qa- event, we plan to highlight the was never a simple task, but cur- people and contributing to a future generation that propels the tar, including the Regulatory Au- role that education has to play in rent challenges reached expo- Qatari labour market towards prosperity.” thority for Charitable Activities, supporting the resilience of frag- nential levels of complexity. for bringing together the global Details are available online by Career Village is one of several initiatives launched by QCDC Qatar Red Crescent and Educa- ile countries, and in contributing “Under the theme ‘Invest in aid and development community e-mailing info@aidandtrade. to guide Qatari youth into making the right decision about their tion Above All, will also contrib- to the achievement of the Sus- Humanity’, Aid&Trade London to facilitate cost-eff ective and london or visiting www.aidan- academic and career future. ute to the event. tainable Development Goals.” is a call for action and a platform sustained solutions.” dtrade.london.

Georgetown students win QatarDebate national championship

eorgetown University in Qatar individual speaker ranks, with Choi and ( GU-Q) has won the national Farooqui taking second and sixth place Gdebate championship conduct- in the overall league rankings and sixth ed by QatarDebate Centre, with team and seventh in the nationals ranking members also receiving best speaker respectively. medals for their performance. Farooqui’s achievement was a mile- The Qatar Universities Debating stone for the GU-Q Debating Union, League is open to students across Qa- as she became the only fi rst year stu- tar, and teams from four universities dent to win a university-level nationals made it to the fi nal rounds of the com- tournament in the club’s history. petition. The tournament was challenging, The champions were decided after but Farooqui explained that she en- a two-day intensive tournament, with joyed the opportunity to argue her case GU-Q students Yoonsuk Choi (SFS’18) against opponents. and Fatima Farooqui (SFS’21) compet- Over the course of the league, stu- ing against students from Qatar Uni- dents debated complex topics ranging versity, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar from political challenges and current and Carnegie Melon University in Qatar aff airs to philosophical and ethical co- to win the championship title. nundrums. Choi has been debating since high The annual competition sees stu- school and represented his country in dents compete in four one-day sessions championships. during the academic year, in addition to In addition to the team win, the stu- the grand fi nal to decide the league and The winners being felicitated. dents also placed in the top ten of the national winners. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 9 QATAR Al Jazeera wins ‘Broadcaster of Year’

l Jazeera English was named ‘Broadcaster of Athe Year’ for the second year running at the 2018 New York Festivals International Television & Film Gala that took place in Las Vegas on April 10. Members of tourism and hospitality sector with QTA off icials. The award is considered the most prestigious by the organ- isers, Al Jazeera Media Network said in a statement yesterday. Overall, the network was honoured with more than 40 iya Syasneh, whose graffi ti New York Festivals event is a prizes at the event, including 15 against President Bashar al- “wonderful honour from our gold and 15 silver medals. Assad lit the spark that engulfed industry peers of the quality of Among the honours, fi ve Syria, and ‘Spy Merchant’ our journalism and the talent of Tourism sector marks gold medals went to the 101 from Al Jazeera’s Investigative our teams”. East documentary series, Unit were both awarded gold “In the current global me- along with three silver medals. medals. dia and political climate, it is The documentary series pre- In addition, the Demand all the more important for in- senter, Steve Chao, also won Press Freedom Campaign and dependent media and journal- a gold medal in the Best News News Promotion on Hundred ists around the globe to make Reporter category. Days of Trump Administration themselves heard through China-readiness The Cut, a documentary both won gold medals, while quality journalism and im- exploring the dangerous and ‘In This Life’ - a depiction of aginative storytelling,” Trendle ore than 20 members kettles and Chinese tea in guest the economic and commercial After Qatar gained ADS last painful practice of female geni- the ‘journalism is not a crime’ noted. “We are humbled and of Qatar’s tourism and rooms, and free Wi-Fi connec- counsellor’s offi ce at the Chinese year, QTA opened representative tal mutilation across the world, campaign - won a bronze honoured to be surrounded by Mhospitality sector are tions. embassy in Doha, said. offi ces in Beijing, Guangzhou won two gold medals. medal for editing. colleagues and friends from offi cially ready to welcome Chi- Gold-level certifi ed hotels “Now, more and more Chi- and Shanghai. Thanks to pro- Another documentary, The Giles Trendle, managing media organisations that cou- nese guests and tour groups, provide additional services, in- nese visitors choose to stop over motional eff orts spearheaded by Boy Who Started the Syrian director of Al Jazeera English, rageously continue to tell the after being recognised by Qatar cluding Chinese-speaking staff , in Doha to experience the unique the offi ces, as well as visa-free War, tells the story of Mouaw- said winning the awards at the truth and refuse to be silent.” Tourism Authority (QTA) and special welcome packages, dis- Islamic architecture, Qatari and entry for Chinese citizens. the Chinese Ministry of Culture counts for Chinese guests, and a Arabian culture as well as hos- Supplemented by daily Qatar and Tourism. Chinese breakfast option. pitality and friendliness of local Airways fl ights to six destinations The industry members were “We have been working people,” Yang noted. in mainland China, Qatar has al- feted at a ceremony organised closely with our partners in the “This November, China’s ready signifi cantly increased its by QTA and attended by Chinese tourism industry to off er our re- fi rst-ever International Import share of Chinese tourists. ‘Qatar IT Business Awards’ now ambassador Li Chen. nowned hospitality to Chinese Expo will take place in Shanghai, The fi rst quarter of 2018 saw a The members include six guests, and allow Chinese visi- which represents China’s sincere 27% increase in Chinese visitor destination management com- tors to discover our cultural her- wish to further open up its huge arrivals compared to the same open for nomination submissions panies (DMCs), who have met itage and natural treasures with domestic market to the world,” period last year. Data also shows the requirements by QTA as ap- ease and comfort,” QTA chief Yang added. “We welcome the that China is Qatar’s fastest proved tour operators for host- marketing and promotion offi cer China-ready hotels and DMCs in growing source market. he Ministry of Transport be found at www.qitba.qa. An recognise and promote the ing Chinese tour groups. Rashed al-Qurese said. Qatar to participate in the Expo, The Qatar tourism sector’s and Communications independent panel of experts achievements made in the ICT These companies have been “As we promote Qatar as a and tap into the world’s largest China-readiness allows it tap T(MoTC) has announced in technology and business will Market in Qatar, across mul- confi rmed by the Chinese Min- tourism destination in China, outbound tourism market.” into the world’s largest tourism that the ‘Qatar IT Business judge the awards nominations. tiple categories. This will en- istry of Culture and Tourism and we look forward to seeing more Select Holding chief executive export market. Awards’ are now open for nom- Winning an award at the courage the development of are now ready to meet the needs sector partners receive their cer- offi cer Jacopo Sertoli said: “The Hotels (certifi ed by Welcome ination submissions. The fi nal ‘Qatar IT Business Awards’ will the ICT sector for companies, of Chinese travel agencies look- tifi cation and ensuring they are Welcome Chinese Certifi cation Chinese): Banana Island Resort date to submit nominations is raise the profi le of the winners organisations and individuals.” ing to organise group holidays well-positioned for the Chinese helps tourism businesses bridge Doha by Anantara, Ezdan Ho- April 19. and help to position them more The awards categories an- in Qatar, as well as independent market,” he added. the gap between the increasing tel & Suites, Fraser Suites Doha, The awards presentation will strongly in both local and in- nounced for this year are Serv- Chinese travellers, starting in Qatar was granted Approved demand from Chinese travellers Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence, be held on May 6 under the ternational markets. ice Provider of the Year, Sys- May. Destination Status (ADS) by and the requirement for tour- Marriot Marquis City Center, patronage of HE the Minister Reem al-Mansouri, assist- tems Integrator of the Year, In addition, 15 hotels have what is now the Ministry of Cul- ism services that cater to their Marsa Malaz, Kempinski-The of Transport and Communi- ant undersecretary for the De- Best Mobile Application of the received the Welcome Chinese ture and Tourism (previously needs.” Pearl, Retaj Al Rayyan, Retaj Inn cations Jassim Seif Ahmed velopment of Digital Society at Year, Cloud Service Provider Certifi cation, which is recog- the China National Tourism Ad- “We have been delighted with Marina, Sealine Beach Resort, al-Sulaiti. the MoTC, said: “The MoTC of the Year, Tech Startup of the nised by the Chinese ministry ministration) in September 2017, the response from Qatari tour- Shangri-La Hotel, Sharq Vil- The award programme forms is committed to accelerat- Year, Smart Transport Solu- of culture and tourism and the allowing it to receive tourist ism establishments, and see this lage & Spa, Sheraton Grand Doha part of the ministry’s keenness ing ICT sector development tion of the Year, Smart Logis- China Tourism Academy (CTA), groups from China and to pro- ceremony as an important suc- Resort & Convention Hotel, The to honour organisations that through supporting local play- tics Solution of the Year, Smart through its exclusive global dis- mote Qatar as a tourism desti- cess and signifi cant step forward Curve by Ezdan , The Ritz-Carl- have benefi ted the ICT Industry ers to develop their skills and Environment Solution of the tribution partner, Select Hold- nation within China. in our collaboration with QTA,” ton Doha, and The St Regis Doha. and the development of inno- enhance their capabilities, and Year, Smart Healthcare Solu- ing. “Securing ADS for Qatar as he noted. DMCs (certifi ed by QTA with vation in 2017. The award pro- raise their service standards tion of the Year, Smart Sports The certifi cation acknowl- a destination brings new op- “We hope to see more mem- a Chinese Tour Group Desig- gramme is an annual event and to match the level required to Solution of the Year, Best SME edges that the hotels have the portunities for both China and bers of the industry take advan- nation): Al Furqan Travel and is being held for the fourth time. compete regionally and inter- Digital Transformation project amenities to better host and Qatar to expand tourism ex- tage of this unique opportunity, Tours, Bab Al Shams, DQ Sakura Information relating to the nationally. of the Year, Best eCommerce welcome Chinese guests, such changes, strengthen people-to- which helps them develop as Tourism Services, Peninsula award categories and the cri- “This commitment is dem- Solution, Innovative Fintech as acceptance of China Union people and cultural exchange, businesses as well as gain ex- Compass Tourism LLC, Qatar teria, terms, conditions, and onstrated by the ‘Qatar IT Solution of the Year, and ICT Pay cards, access to CCTV chan- and deepen practical coop- posure in the Chinese tourism International Adventures, and submission of nominations can Business Awards 2018’, which Exporter of the year Award. nels and newspapers, hot water eration,” Yang Song, head of market,” Sertoli added. Tartebkum. CMC for steps to check accidents in Sealine

By Ayman Adly the roads leading Al Udaid Area and the Staff Reporter cafes and restaurants should be allocated designated areas away from the main traffi c,” he added. uring a biweekly session, the The CMC chairman Mohamed Ham- Central Municipal Council moud al-Shafi asked for stricter im- D(CMC) discussed accidents in plementation of the traffi c laws, in the Sealine area, where most of the particular on the highways. causalities were young people. CMC member Saeed bin Rashid al- Central Municipal Council (CMC) Hajiri said the proposed committee vice chairman Hamad Lahdan al- should also include members from the Muhannadi called for a study into Interior, Municipality and Environment the deadly road accidents in the area and Public Health ministries, repre- and urged necessary measures to sentatives of frequent visitors of the prevent them. area, and other entities to discuss the Hamad Lahdan al-Muhannadi said factors causing the accidents. the area should be equipped with more Most CMC members agreed to sug- safety features. “Stricter control should gestions to further enhance road safety be exercised, especially during week- in the Sealine area, including the pos- ends and holidays when greater number sible confi scation of bikes of reckless of visitors fl ock to the area.” drivers, providing more fi xed and mo- He also suggested strict standards bile traffi c checkpoints and patrols, and should be put in place for renting quad more ambulances. bikes, which are risky for the young. The council has decided to establish a “Stunt driving should be allocated special committee with two CMC members and areas, equipped for the purpose.” members from other entities concerned “There should be better planning of to adopt the suitable solutions. The CMC in session. PICTURE: Jayaram British technology expert to speak at HBKU

eter Cochrane, a Brit- HBKU Research Complex at 4pm Apple, Cisco, Rolls Royce, BMW Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, ish computing expert and on April 15. He will focus on a and Facebook. QCRI’s executive director, de- Pthought leader in future variety of subjects including de- In 1999 he was awarded an Or- scribed Prof Cochrane as “a technologies, is to deliver a pub- fi ning and quantifying artifi cial der of the British Empire for his thought leader of the rarest lic lecture in Qatar to discuss in- intelligence ( AI), and software contributions to international ability”. sights from what he has learned speciation by artifi cial life. communications with BT (for- “Peter has achieved noto- over 45 years of revolution and “Quantum computing as a merly British Telecommunica- riety as a technical consult- disruption in computing and useable reality is still some years tions). He had progressed from a ant of the highest order. He communications. away. On the other hand AI is linesman to head of research and has helped build some of the Prof Cochrane is visiting Qa- proving so very powerful despite chief technical offi cer at BT, man- most infl uential companies tar as a member of the Scientifi c being on just the fi rst rung of a aging a 1000-strong team engaged in technology and consults Advisory Committee for Qatar very long ladder,” Prof Cochrane in studies spanning optical fi bre, for some of the world’s most Computing Research Institute said. fi xed and mobile networks, AI, powerful tech companies,” Dr (QCRI), part of Hamad Bin Kha- He is regarded as a leading glo- Artifi cial Life, future products, Elmagarmid said. lifa University (HBKU). He has bal consultant, advising multiple human behaviour and interfaces. “QCRI has benefi ted greatly served on the QCRI committee government departments of the After embarking on a consult- from his expertise in the driv- since 2013. UK, US and Singapore; as well as ing career, he also set up multiple ers of future technologies and he Prof Cochrane’s talk, A Life companies including HP, Mo- startups including eBookers and has helped align us to deal with Engineering, will be held at the torola, 3M, Dupont, Ford, Sun, Shazam Entertainment. future disruptions.” Peter Cochrane Gulf Times 10 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR Al Meera opens 49th store in Aba

Dignitaries lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Al Meera’s 49th store in Aba Al Heran.

branch follows the launch of Al Al Heran Meera’s latest state-of-the- art stores throughout Qatar, l Meera Consumer Goods service of consumer needs, and ceed consumers’ expectations as part of its plan to introduce Company continues its will provide the area’s residents with a distinctive, integrated a number of new shopping Aambitious expansion by with all their requirements un- shopping experience that sets centres to consumers across opening of its 49th store in Aba der one roof. The mall was built a benchmark for retail chains regions that are witnessing a Al Heran, west of Doha, mark- in line with Al Meera’s objec- across the country.” population boom or those that ing the launch of its second tive of being the ‘Favourite He added: “The launch of will benefi t from increased store in 2018, it was announced Neighbourhood Retailer’. our new shopping centre also customer choice. yesterday. Al-Meera Supermarket is marks a signifi cant progress in Al Meera is currently working The opening ceremony took equipped with modern interior Al Meera’s expansion plan and on the establishment of more place in the presence of Raed al- designs and shelving installa- further widens its reach to more branches in locations that have Khalaf, chairman and managing tions, state-of-the-art technol- regions in the country, especially been carefully chosen, in close director at Al Raed Trading; Dr ogy and facilities, along with the ones where there is potential to coordination with the Ministry Mohamed Khalifa al-Kubaisi, most popular fresh sections. improve the retail off ering to the of Municipality and Environ- head of Training and Manage- Al-Hammadi said: We are community. ment to further contribute to the ment Development in The Awqaf truly pleased to introduce Aba Al “This is the perfect occasion development and urbanisation Ministry; and Qatar TV present- Heran’s residents with the an- to reaffi rm our commitment of more districts of Qatar. er Hassan al-Saai, alongside Al swer to their shopping needs and to continue providing con- The ambitious expansion plan Meera Deputy CEO Salah Ahmed to play a signifi cant role in the sumers with an unmatched has been set in motion as an al-Hammadi and a number of real-estate development of the shopping convenience and answer to Al Meera’s strategic executives. area, which has been highlight- best-in-class services, as research and its mission to con- Measuring 2,534.12sq m, the ed in the state’s country-wide well as to advance our goals tinue serving the diverse com- shopping centre is designed urbanisation plan. of contributing eff ectively to munities in Qatar wherever they to cater to the family shop- “As with every new branch the achievement of the Qatar are, while eff ectively contribut- ping experience. It adheres to that Al Meera opens, the Aba Al National Vision 2030.” ing to the urban development of world-class standards at the Heran branch is designed to ex- The opening of Aba Al Heran the country. The new Aba Al Heran branch. Fifty One East hosts Spring/Summer Couture, Bridal Fall collections

ifty One East recent- otic pattern that is found eve- ly hosted a three-day rywhere around, with shapes Ftrunk show for the ac- that are infi nitely complex and claimed Lebanese-Italian de- originate from chaotic math- signer, Tony Ward, for his new ematical equations, driven by Spring/Summer Haute Cou- recursion. Following the same ture collection - Fractals - and chaos, these patterns are rep- Bridal Fall 2018 collection - La licated on the dresses; each Mariée. repetition creating random, The luxury department unique and beautiful outlines store presented Ward’s new that are similar to the initial season collections for the fi rst shape, yet presented by a mul- The Qatari delegation at the Arab Labour Conference in Cairo. time in the Middle East, di- titude of infi nitesimal diff er- rectly after Paris Haute Cou- ences”, the statement explains. ture Week 2018, it said in a These patterns continue press statement. to be handcrafted on dresses The designer is revered for made of lace, organza, embroi- Qatar Chamber takes part his tribute to women and their dered tulle and laser-cut satin. femininity, with the taste and The colours range from rose, distinctive charm of timeless lilac and light green to greige The luxury department store presented Ward’s new season collections for the style. His creations are popu- and cream, giving a “light and first time in the Middle East, directly after Paris Haute Couture Week 2018. in Arab labour conference lar with not only the world’s delicate summery feeling to most astute fashionistas, but the collection.” The patterns during the trunk show at Fifty ers. “Through fl awless volumes atar Chamber is partici- Development, Labour and So- The conference agenda also also international actresses, on the garments, along with One East. The dresses were and meticulous detailing, the pating in the 45th ses- cial Aff airs. It comprises Qatar discusses the 2017 achievements models and singers, includ- the juxtaposition of strong and created using delicate materi- gowns unveil the feminin- Qsion of the Arab Labour Chamber as a representative of related to labour and relevant ing Julie Bowen, Aubrey Plaza, soft volumes, add a touch of als such as lace, silk, organza ity of a Tony Ward bride,” the Conference, which is being held business owners and Qatar Pe- topics, as well as composition Ahlam, Elissa and Myriam “unusual and off set beauty to and tulle, and were embellished statement added. in Cairo from April 8 to 15. troleum, representing workers. of institutional and regulatory Fares, among others. the collection”. with meticulous hand-made Tony Ward is available exclu- The chamber’s delegation in- Al-Sharqi said the session bodies at the Arab Labour Or- Fractals, his new season Prêt-à-couture wedding embroideries, subtle roman- sively in Qatar at Fifty One East cludes director general Saleh bin discusses a number of topics, in- ganisation. collection, refl ects the “cha- dresses were also presented tic patchworks and 3D fl ow- located at Lagoona Mall. Hamad al-Sharqi and head of legal cluding the report of the director Al-Sharqi reiterated cham- department Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari, general of Arab Labour Offi ce ber’s support for the eff orts be- Qatar Chamber said in a statement. titled ‘The dynamics of Arab la- ing exerted to enhance Arab joint The chamber’s participation bour markets, transformations, co-operation. “Qatar Chamber comes within the frame of the and paths of progress’ and the strongly supports any eff orts delegation of Qatar, chaired by social responsibility of private that will lead to achieving inte- Yousuf bin Mohamed al-Oth- sector enterprises, productivity, gration among Arab chambers man Fakhro, undersecretary of and roles in improving competi- for the advantage of developing the Ministry of Administrative tiveness and increasing growth. Arab economy,” he noted.

Bosch Home Appliances available in dedicated outlet at Salwa Road

osch Home Appliances, represented by Fifty One BEast, Qatar’s leading department store, are available in a dedicated store on Salwa Road, it was announced yesterday. This is in addition to FNAC A line-up of Bosch home appliances. Qafac employees during the celebrations. stores in Doha Festival City and Lagoona Mall and major retail- is to make life noticeably easier, wards sustainability and stabil- ers in Qatar. and to enable a healthy, balanced ity. Environmentally conscious, “For over 130 years the Bosch lifestyle. To this end, Bosch ap- resource-friendly products brand has been the worldwide pliances have achieved not only and processes are accompanied Qafac holds 10mn ‘safe work-hours’ ceremony embodiment of quality, techni- good, but perfect results across with customer service that sets cal competence, reliability, and all appliance categories. standards within its sector. consumer proximity,” it was ex- “Be it preparation of healthy “In various ways the company atar Fuel Additives gether for the past six years that the company will con- fac senior management and the plained in a statement. meals, optimal food storage, clean fulﬁ ls founder Robert Bosch’s Company (Qafac) re- with safety as a core value. tinue its “journey of success by contracting companies. “Bosch’s home appliances have clothes or simply performing clean- ideal of “better to lose money Qcently celebrated 10mn Qafac chairman Abdulaziz safely working together as one Qafac and all major con- also committed to these values ing tasks, product performance than trust”. This trust is what has safe work-hours without a lost J al-Muftah said the achieve- team.” tracting companies, includ- for the past 85 years. For Bosch, far exceeds actual device function. made Bosch the leading house- time incident (LTI) in a ceremo- ment was a clear result of eve- The event was attended by ing Q-Con, Anabeeb, Pet- creating products that have been This is achieved through trendset- hold appliances manufacturer in ny held in Mesaieed. ryone’s “high commitment” Qafac and contractor’s senior roserve, Newrest, GWC, “Invented for life” means focus- ting technology, smart ideas, and Europe. The desire to justify and In a statement, the company in working for the company. management, along with a large Honeywell, and Averda also ing on the needs and challenges of surprisingly simple solutions and retain this position in the long said the milestone was achieved Qafac chief executive offi cer number of Qafac and contract- displayed their HSSE prod- the modern individual. intuitive control elements. term is the driving force behind by Qafac employees, contrac- Khalid Sultan al-Kuwari said ing company’s staff . Safety ucts and demonstrated vari- “The goal of all innovation “Bosch strives in every way to- further product development.” tors, and vendors working to- safety is Qafac’s core value and awards were distributed to Qa- ous safe practices. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 11 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD

SC in UK tie-up to enhance healthcare for 2022 World Cup workers

he Supreme Commit- history of patients. That same SC to enhance the well-being campaign for workers and con- tee for Delivery & Legacy system is now being piloted on of workers by ensuring regular tractors. T(SC) has partnered with two clinics servicing the Qatar health checks are carried out The WWD also carried out a the experts responsible for mod- Foundation Stadium project. while off ering instant access to full review of emergency medical ernising the medical records Despite only launching in Feb- key health reports and dash- response capabilities across the system of the UK’s National ruary, SystmOne has already en- boards. These functions support programme and designed multi- Health Service (NHS) to enhance abled medical staff on site and at the audit and compliance func- ple health and safety trainings to healthcare for workers build- the accommodation to register tion of the SC’s Workers’ Welfare be delivered in partnership with ing stadiums for the 2022 FIFA more than 3,600 workers, while Department while monitoring Qatar International Safety Centre. World Cup Qatar. conducting nearly 3,000 con- the health of workers with risk While there has been an imme- Following a period of consul- sultations as they begin building factors, which we quickly un- diate impact in the early days of tation with a variety of industry a complete patient database. derstood to be a priority of the the pilot, Qutub already sees the experts, the SC identifi ed The “We have worked extremely organisation.” possibilities of a partnership with Phoenix Partnership (TPP) to hard to look after the health of This latest initiative comes af- TPP helping to deliver the promise deliver a pilot project on Qatar our workers, but keeping track of ter a series of initiatives designed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qa- Foundation Stadium. that data has been challenging,” to improve health and safety were tar will leave a true social legacy. Since their inception 20 years said Mahmoud Qutub, execu- rolled out across SC projects to He added: “One of the ben- ago, TPP has created more than tive director of the SC’s Workers’ A group of workers during a programme organised by the SC. benefi t the workers building in- efi ts of this programme is that it 47mn health records for the NHS Welfare Department. frastructure for the 2022 FIFA is completely scalable to support – all of which are held on a single “We carried out health checks workers. while improving patient experi- portal for worker mobile access, World Cup. all our workers. Delivering this database. on all our workers in 2017 and Now we have the opportunity ence and improving the safety integrated medicine and health- In 2017, the SC’s WWD part- programme and off ering all World Their fl agship SystmOne plat- worked hand-in-hand with to hold all this information in and quality of healthcare. care management, appointment nered with Weill Cornell Medicine Cup workers a centralised health form serves more than 200,000 Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar to one place.” With the SC committed to en- reminders by SMS and transfer- - Qatar to deliver a ground-break- record they will have access to for clinical and administrative us- deliver a Nutrition Programme. The innovative SystmOne suring the health and safety of able health records to the working nutrition programme, which the rest of their lives would signif- ers and 6,000 healthcare serv- The foundations have been platform allows for patient data workers, the immediate benefi ts ers’ home countries. delivered baseline health checks icantly improve their health man- ices throughout the UK, off ering put in place to ensure we un- to be instantaneously shared include more expedient delivery Ashley Brook, Director of TPP, for more than 1,000 workers, and agement, and leave a great legacy centralised access to the medical derstand the health issues of our securely – ensuring effi ciency of care, a bespoke app and online said: “Our system supports the launched a training and awareness long after the tournament.”

CONFLICT Rebel missiles, drones shot down over Saudi Saudi Arabia said its air defences yesterday intercepted ballistic mis- Trump warns of military siles fired from rebel-held Yemen at Riyadh and the south of the kingdom where two drones were also shot down. Yemen’s Houthi rebels said their cross-border barrage marked the launch of what their leadership has dubbed “the year of ballistics”. The attacks action over gas attack prompted swift condemnation from a Saudi military spokesman, Reuters try accused the United States, toxic chemicals”, and more than who said the kingdom would Washington/Beirut which has supported some rebel 500 had been treated. respond “with resolve”. A missile groups in Syria’s confl ict, of us- The WHO cautioned that it launched from Sadaa, the Houthis’ ing “fabrications and lies” as an has no formal role in forensic stronghold in northern Yemen, S President Donald excuse to hit its territory. inquiries into the use of chemi- “towards Riyadh was successfully Trump warned Russia “We are not surprised by such cal weapons. intercepted” by Saudi air defences, Uyesterday of imminent a thoughtless escalation by a re- International inspectors are said Colonel Turki al-Malki, spokes- military action in Syria over a gime like the United States re- seeking clearance from Da- man for a Saudi-led coalition fight- suspected poison gas attack, gime, which sponsored terror- mascus to visit Douma under ing the Houthis. The announce- declaring that missiles “will ism in Syria and still does,” the safe conditions to determine ment came after an AFP journalist be coming” and lambasting state news agency SANA cited whether globally banned mu- witnessed explosions and heard Moscow for standing by Syrian an offi cial source in the ministry nitions were used, though they three blasts over the capital, which President Bashar al-Assad. as saying. will not assign blame. has come under repeated attack Trump was reacting to a After the Douma attack, the Moscow and Washington by Houthi rebels. warning from Russia that any insurgent group dug in there, blocked attempts by each other Malki said Saudi forces also inter- US missiles fi red at Syria over Jaish al-Islam, fi nally agreed to at the United Nations Security cepted two missiles in the south- the deadly assault on a rebel en- withdraw. Council on Tuesday to set up ern Jizan and Najran provinces, clave near Damascus would be That clinched a huge vic- international investigations close to the border with Yemen. shot down and the launch sites tory for Assad, crushing a long into chemical weapons attacks targeted. rebellion in the eastern Ghouta in Syria.Moscow’s threat to His comments raised fears region near the capital Damas- down US missiles came from its DIPLOMACY of direct confl ict over Syria for cus. ambassador to Lebanon, Alex- Crown Prince in the fi rst time between the two In London, British Prime ander Zasypkin, who said it was world powers backing opposing Minister Theresa May said all based on previous statements Madrid on last stop sides in the seven-year-old civil the indications pointed to Syr- by President Vladimir Putin and of global tour war, which has aggravated in- ian government responsibility the Russian armed forces chief stability across the Middle East. for the Douma attack and such of staff . The Russian military Saudi Arabia’s crown prince ar- “Russia vows to shoot down “a shocking and barbaric act” said on March 13 that it would rived in Madrid yesterday on the any and all missiles fi red at could not go unchallenged. respond to any US strike on last stop of his global diplomatic Syria. Get ready Russia, because A Syrian government forces soldier walks over the rubble of buildings in the former rebel-held town of “We’re rapidly reaching an Syria by targeting any missiles charm off ensive in a bid to project they will be coming, nice and Zamalka in Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, yesterday. understanding of what hap- and launchers involved. a new liberal image of his king- new and ‘smart!’,” Trump wrote pened on the ground,” she told AIRLINES BEWARE dom. Spain’s defence minister, on Twitter. with a Gas Killing Animal who States was assessing intelli- Dozens of people in Douma reporters.”We’ll be working With tensions growing, how- Maria Dolores Cospedal greeted “You shouldn’t be partners kills his people and enjoys it!” gence about the suspected at- died and hundreds were in- with our closest allies to con- ever, European air traffi c con- Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who Trump tweeted, referring to tack. jured in the attack, according to sider how we can ensure that trol agency Eurocontrol warned serves as defence minister and Moscow’s alliance with Assad. Asked if he had seen enough the World Health Organisation those responsible are held to airlines to exercise caution in also controls economic policy for UNSC to meet behind In response, Russia’s Foreign evidence to blame Assad, Mat- (WHO). After Trump’s tweet, account.” the eastern Mediterranean due the world’s top oil exporter, at a closed doors Ministry said: “Smart missiles tis said: “We’re still working on the Syrian Observatory for Hu- The leader of the opposition to the possible launch of air military air base at Torrejon de should fl y towards terrorists, this.” man Rights, a British-based war Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, strikes into Syria over the next Ardoz near Madrid, according to The UN Security Council will meet not towards the lawful govern- He did not elaborate but add- monitor, said pro-government said however that the Brit- 72 hours. an AFPTV reporter at the scene. behind closed doors today to ment”. ed that the US military stood forces were emptying main air- ish parliament should be given Eurocontrol said air-to- Cospedal was representing Spanish discuss the threat of military action Foreign Ministry spokes- ready to provide military op- ports and military air bases. a say on any military action. ground and cruise missiles could Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis who against Syria after President Donald woman Maria Zakharova said tions, if appropriate. The Russian military said it White House offi cials did not be used within that period and is accompanying Prime Minister Trump warned that “missiles will any US missile salvo could be It was unclear whether his had observed movements of US immediately provide more de- there could be intermittent dis- Mariano Rajoy on an off icial visit be coming.” Bolivia, one of 10 an attempt to destroy evidence remarks refl ected any unease Navy forces in the Gulf. tail about Trump’s remarks. ruptions of radio navigation to Argentina. Prince Mohamed is non-permanent council members of the reported gas attack in about Trump’s apparent move Any US strike would prob- The US Defence Department equipment. Both Russia and scheduled to meet with Spain’s and a strong supporter of Russia, the Syrian town of Douma, for toward military action. ably involve the navy, given the said it did not comment on po- Iran, Assad’s other main ally, King Felipe VI, who acceded to requested the meeting to address which Damascus and Moscow In Moscow, the head of a risk to aircraft from Russian and tential military actions. have warned his enemies against the throne in 2014, on Thursday “the recent escalation of rhetoric have denied any responsibility. Russian parliamentary defence Syrian air defences. HIGHLY TOXIC military action in recent days, morning before holding talks later in regarding Syria and the threat of the US Defence Secretary Jim committee, Vladimir Sha- A US guided-missile de- The WHO said 43 people had underlining their commitment to the day with Rajoy. During his short use of unilateral actions,” according Mattis, striking a cautious tone manov, said Russia was in direct stroyer, the USS Donald Cook, died in Saturday’s attack on the Syrian government they have visit Spain and Saudi Arabia are ex- to the request sent yesterday. hours after Trump’s threat of contact with the US Joint Chiefs is in the Mediterranean. Douma from “symptoms con- armed and supported through pected to sign five memorandums missile strikes, said the United of Staff about the situation. The Syrian foreign minis- sistent with exposure to highly years of confl ict. of understanding in various fields. 21 falcons released back to nature in campaign

he Qatari Society of Al- Gannas has successfully Tconcluded the second campaign of releasing falcons donated by Qatari falconers into the nature. While 21 birds were released during the second phase, 26 were released earlier, it was explained in a statement yesterday. All the released birds were in excellent health. A delegation of the society that went to Haloul Island to release the birds was headed by Mohamed bin Abdullatif al- Misnad, vice-chairman of Al- Gannas. He affi rmed that this campaign is very important to maintain natural equilibrium, as it is part of the local culture that hunting should be is limited A falcon fitted with a solar-powered GPS tracker being prepared for release. strictly as per need. He added that three of the track their nesting place. Ali bin falconers for nature conserva- the hunting season. The offi cial released birds were equipped Khatim al-Mehshadi, chairman tion. added that some falconers were with GPS-tracking devices, re- of Al-Gannas, said the number He pointed out it has been an so co-operative that they do- chargeable by solar energy, to of collected falcons exceeded all integral part of the heritage of nated three or four birds each, track their migration lines. It is expectations, which indicate a Qatari falconers to release the including some worth a very A falcon being released. hoped that the device could also great willingness among Qatari birds after the conclusion of high price. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, April 12, 2018 ARAB WORLD

Russia, At least 257 dead as military Egypt resume direct plane crashes in Algeria fl ights DPA delaziz Bouteflika announced Algiers three days of mourning in the country over the crash, the AFP state news agency APS re- Moscow n Algerian military plane ported. crashed outside the cap- He offered condolences to Aital Algiers yesterday, the victims’ families, call- ussia and Egypt are to killing at least 257 people, the ing the crash a “grave, heart- resume direct fl ights fol- Defence Ministry said, in what breaking calamity.” Rlowing a more than two- is believed to be the country’s The plane, a Russian-made year hiatus after a bomb downed worst aviation disaster. Ilyushin Il-76, had been head- a Russian charter over the Sinai The dead included 10 crew ing for the western city of Be- peninsula in 2015. members, but most were mili- char, APS added, without giv- Moscow offi cials stopped di- tary personnel and their family ing details. rect fl ights citing security con- members, the ministry added in Algerian army chief-of- cerns after the attack, in a major a statement. staff Ahmed Gaid Salah, who blow for the Egyptian economy, The crash occurred in a fi eld visited the site, has ordered which relies heavily on tourism in the vicinity of the Boufarik the formation of a committee and had been a popular destina- airbase in Blida Province, 45 to investigate the incident. tion for Russians. kilometres south west of Al- TV footage showed thick Yesterday evening an Aerofl ot giers, the ministry said. black smoke emanating from plane took off from Moscow’s The captain of the plane, the burning plane. Sheremetyevo airport to Cairo, who was killed in the crash, had A civil defence spokesman in a fi rst step towards restoring saved a nearby residential area said 60 ambulances, 30 fire fl ights to holiday destinations on from a catastrophe, according engines and 350 firefighters the Red Sea. to local witnesses. had been dispatched and had “I’ve been waiting for this for “I saw the right wing of the managed to control the blaze. a long time...I’m very happy,” plane catching fi re as it was fl y- Algeria has seen a series of Mohamed, a 41-year-old Rus- ing at a low altitude shortly af- air crashes in recent years. sian of Egyptian origin who deter its take-off ,” a witness told In 2003, an airliner of na- clined to give his last name, said private broadcaster Ennahar. tional carrier Air Algerie as he checked in for the fl ight The witness added that the crashed after one of its en- at1750 GMT. plane was about to plunge into gines caught fire following Today, Egyptair will restart its the nearby populous district of take-off from the southern service between the two capi- Bani Murad or a highway linking city of Tamanrasset en route to tals, and the two companies will the province of Blid to Algiers. Algiers, killing 97 passengers together carry out fi ve return “The captain made a suc- and six crew members. fl ights between Moscow and cessful manoeuvre by turning Rescuers are seen around the wreckage of an Algerian army plane which crashed near the Boufarik airbase from where the plane had In 2014, a military transport Cairo a week. the plane towards a farm fi eld taken off , yesterday. plane slammed into a mountain But the move in itself will not where it fell,” the unidentifi ed in Algeria’s rugged eastern re- immediately help Egypt’s trou- witness added. The cause of the crash re- 30 people from the disputed treatment in Algeria, the self- Algeria backs independence gion, killing 77 people on board. bled tourism sector, Russian There was no offi cial com- mains unclear. region of Western Sahara, who styled Sahara Presidency Of- for Western Sahara. Bad weather was blamed for offi cials have said in their comment on the report. The fatalities also included had been receiving medical fice reported. Algerian President Ab- that crash. ments to the media. Palestinian shot in sniper Gazans use home-made video denies posing threat masks against tear gas AFP Khan Yunis Reuters homes that their families fled Gaza Border during violence surrounding Palestinian who says he the creation of the state of Is- was shot by an Israeli rael in 1948. Asniper along the Gaza s plumes of tear gas drift The Israeli government border said yesterday he was across the Israeli no-go refuses to grant Palestinians posing no threat to soldiers at Azone inside Gaza’s bor- any such the right to return, the time, after a video of the in- der fence, Palestinian protest- fearing that the country would cident went viral. ers dart between them, relying lose its Jewish majority. The footage fi lmed from the on an array of home-made de- Israel’s military and politi- Israeli side of the border fence, vices to keep out the fumes. cal leadership have defended which included rejoicing after Medical masks, plastic bot- the use of live fire against the shooting, was shared widely Palestinian Tamer Abu Daqqa, who said that he was the man whose tles, T-shirts and keffi yehs have protesters, saying that they online and by the media earlier shooting by an Israeli sniper was captured on a leaked video, lies on all been pressed into service will continue to protect Is- this week. a bed as his mother sits next to him in their home in Khan Younis in against the gas canisters fi red rael’s border. They also accuse It led to further scrutiny of the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. daily by Israeli troops. Hamas and other groups of Israel’s open-fi re rules along the One ingredient is common to instigating the demonstra- Gaza border. thrown stones at Israeli sol- dent, voices can be heard dis- many of the devices: onions. tions and using them as cover Israel’s defence minister diers over the border during the cussing opening fire on Pal- A single vegetable’s eff ec- to launch attacks. No Israelis praised the sniper, but criticised day, but denied being armed or estinians walking on the other tiveness is questionable when have been killed or injured. the soldier who fi lmed the in- posing any threat at the time of side of the border fence. pitted against the latest “riot Protest numbers are ex- cident. Israel’s military alleged the gunshot. “When they shot A soldier then opens fire on dispersal means” deployed by pected to rise tomorrow, when that the soldier opened fi re af- me I was not throwing stones. I one of the Palestinians, knock- one of the best-equipped ar- the demonstrations reach ter rioting by Palestinians and was yelling to friends near the ing the person to the ground. mies in the Middle East. their peak. warnings from soldiers. fence to leave and go back to “Wow. What a video! Yes!” But the protesters persist. So far, according to Gaza’s Tamer Abu Daqqa, 28, said he our homes,” he said at his home one of the voices behind the Some say they are imitating A Palestinian man covers his nose with part of a bottle and an Ministry of Health, 3,000 recognised himself in the video, in Khan Yunis in the southern camera exclaims in Hebrew. the techniques used in the fi rst onion to protect himself from inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli troops. people have been wounded, which was fi lmed on December Gaza Strip. Israel’s military on Tues- Palestinian uprising, against including 900 suffering gas 22 in southern Gaza, particu- The incident took place dur- day confirmed the authentic- Israel in the 1980s. “It does help to alleviate the paused before saying, “Maybe a inhalation. larly due to the red jacket he was ing protests along the Gaza ity of the video, but alleged Others have copied masks strong smell but it doesn’t stop mask-maker.” Mahmoud al-Khuzundar, wearing. border sparked by US President the shooting followed riots and they saw in Hollywood movies the gas from coming. I have Tear gas is by no means the a chest physician in Gaza, AFP could not independently Donald Trump’s controversial warnings from troops. such as V for Vendetta. twice been taken to the medical worst hazard faced by the pro- said the protesters’ makeshift verify Abu Daqqa’s claim, but recognition of Jerusalem as Is- It said a single bullet was Jehad Abu Mehsen, 48, cov- tent to be treated,” she said. testers. means of protection were use- separate footage from that day rael’s capital, which infuriated fired toward the Palestinian ered most of her face with a Mazen al-Najar, 15, preferred Thirty Palestinians have less against direct exposure to shows him in hospital after be- Palestinians and led to clashes. “suspected of organising and plastic bottle holding an onion a cocktail of ingredients — an been killed during the six- tear gas, and had more of psy- ing shot in his leg, which is still The Palestinians consider leading this incident while in place over her nose. empty Coca-Cola can fi lled week “Great March of Return”, chological impact. in plaster four months after the the eastern part of Jerusalem as he was a few metres from the She was sure that the more with cotton, perfume and coal. which has renewed long- “Some people try to be crea- incident. the capital of their future state. fence,” wounding him in onion she used, the longer she Asked what would he hope standing Palestinian demands tive, others want to look tough,” Abu Daqqa said he had In the footage of the inci- the leg. could stay at a protest. to become when he grew up, he for the right to return to the he said.

African migrants in limbo as Israel seeks deportation deal

Reuters it would start forced deportations door comments leaked to Israeli groups have accused Netanyahu, cussions about accepting depor- Tel Aviv but rights groups challenged the Army Radio. who is under police investigation tees under the new scheme. move and Israel’s Supreme Court After the Rwanda deal fell for corruption, of playing political “We are not aware of any Israeli has issued a temporary injunction through, the government struck an games to appeal to his right-wing envoy here. Let Israelis tell you srael is fi nalising a deal to de- to give more time for the petition- agreement with the UN’s refugee supporters. who that envoy here is going to port thousands of African mi- ers to argue against the plan. agency (UNHCR) to relocate 16,250 The government calls the mi- sign an agreement with, sign with Igrants to Uganda under a new Government representatives migrants to Western countries but grants “infi ltrators” and says they who? With the foreign aff airs, with scheme after agreements with told the court on Tuesday that an Netanyahu scrapped it after an out- have come to fi nd work. The mi- the president, minister of internal Rwanda and the UN’s refugee envoy was in an African country cry from right-wing politicians fu- grants and rights groups say they aff airs, with who? On what date agency to fi nd homes for those ex- fi nalising a deportation deal after rious that thousands more would be are asylum seekers fl eeing perse- are they signing?” Okello Oryem, pelled fell through. an arrangement with Rwanda to allowed to stay in Israel. cution. Uganda’s junior foreign aff airs About 4,000 migrants have take migrants expelled under the The fate of tens of thousands The UN’s refugee agency and minister told Reuters yesterday. left Israel for Rwanda and Uganda new measures fell through. of migrants who entered Israel il- rights groups are also concerned At the Supreme Court hear- since 2013 under a voluntary pro- The representatives did not legally through its desert border because many of the Africans who ing in Jerusalem, one of the three gramme but Prime Minister Ben- name the country in court ses- with Egypt and were granted tem- left previously for Rwanda and judges asked the state representa- jamin Netanyahu has come under sions open to the public though porary visas has posed a moral di- Uganda voluntarily did not get the tives why Uganda was denying the pressure from his right-wing voter Israeli lawmakers have previously lemma for a state founded as a na- protection they were promised deal, if indeed there was one. base to expel thousands more. said the two countries it was plan- tional home for Jews and a haven and some ended up back on the The state said it would provide In January, Israel started hand- ning to deport migrants to were from persecution. migration trail. the court with an explanation in a ing out notices to male migrants Rwanda and Uganda. Israeli rights groups say the Both countries have denied closed session. Five migrants in- from Eritrea and Sudan giving Israeli Deputy Foreign minis- country can absorb the estimated having any deals with Israel to re- terviewed by Reuters said they had them three months to take the vol- ter Tzipi Hotovely also identifi ed 37,000 migrants still there, or settle migrants. been told by immigration offi cials untary deal with a plane ticket and the countries it was seeking to should fi nd them safe destinations Uganda, a key Western ally in this year that they could go ei- $3,500 or risk being thrown in jail. strike new deportation deals with such as those agreed under the the fi ght against militants in East ther to Uganda or Rwanda, if they The government said from April as Uganda and Rwanda in closed- defunct UNHCR deal. The rights Africa, also denied there were dis- chose to avoid detention. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 13 AFRICA

CRIMEN INJURIA DIPLOMACY PEACE DRIVE CLEARED CALMING ANGER Woman jailed for racist New Sierra Leone leader UN moves to draw up Washington lifts ‘Muslim’ Ethiopia PM visits town at rant appeals conviction meets Senegal counterpart Mali sanctions blacklist travel ban on Chad citizens centre of anti-govt protests

The first South African to be jailed for racist slurs Sierra Leone’s new President Julius Maada Bio has France will lead a push at the United Nations The United States has announced the lifting of its Ethiopia’s new prime minister yesterday pledged went to court yesterday in a bid to appeal her met with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall Security Council to impose sanctions on parties six-month ban on visitors and immigrants from to address grievances in his native Oromiya region, conviction and three-year jail sentence. Former in Dakar on his first foreign trip since taking off ice in Mali blocking eff orts to turn a three-year-old Chad, saying the country had met key security centre of violent unrest that threatened the ruling realtor Vicki Momberg, 49, was last month last week, off icials said yesterday. Bio said after peace agreement into reality on the ground, the requirements for vetting travellers. “The president coalition’s hold on Africa’s second most populous sentenced to three years with one year suspended their talks late Tuesday that the pair had discussed French ambassador said yesterday. Britain and the announced today that Chad has raised its security nation. The 42-year-old former army off icer faces the after being found guilty of four counts of crimen economic aff airs and matters of governance, United States said they backed targeted sanctions standards to meet important baseline US national challenge of calming the anger of young members injuria — wilfully hurting someone’s dignity — for and “how Senegal can help Sierra Leone move as violence continues to engulf the West African security requirements,” the Department of of his own Oromo ethnic group, who complain they repeatedly hurling the word “kaff ir” at a black forward,” Sall’s off ice said. Choosing Senegal for his country and signatories of a 2015 peace deal fail Homeland Security announced late on Tuesday. are politically and economically marginalised. Abiy policeman. Momberg had been caught on video first foreign trip “shows his interest in developing to deliver on their promises. “We cannot wait any “Therefore, its nationals will again be able to was met by thousands of cheering locals when he verbally abusing a black police off icer who had a special relationship, built on friendship and longer,” French Ambassador Francois Delattre receive visas for travel to the United States.” arrived yesterday in Ambo, a town at the heart of been trying to assist her following a break-in of her mutual interests,” Sall said. Bio’s off ice said Sall had told a council meeting on Mali. “France will The central African country’s government had protests and clashes with security forces since 2015. car in 2016. She is the first person in South Africa provided an airplane for the visit and that the new together with its partners, in the coming weeks... expressed astonishment in September last year Protests began in opposition to a development to be sent to prison for crimen injuria. Previous Sierra Leonean leader had limited his delegation to begin work to identify those who obstruct the when the US unexpectedly added it to a list of five plan for the Addis Ababa that critics said would convictions typically resulted in fines. eight people “to curtail government wastage”. implementation of the peace agreement.” other mainly-Muslim countries under a travel ban. expropriate land for farmers in Oromiya province.

Somalia disbands UAE programme to pay, train some of its soldiers

By Abdi Sheikh, Reuters Nairobi

omalia has disbanded a United Arab Emirates programme to train Ssome of its troops in a fresh sign that the Gulf crisis is spilling into the volatile country in the Horn of Africa. The government will take over paying and training the soldiers in the programme, Defence Minister Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman told Somalia’s state news agency SONNA yesterday. The UAE has trained hundreds of troops since 2014 as part of an eff ort boosted by an African Union military mission to defeat an Islamist insur- gency and secure the country for the government, which is backed by West- ern nations, Turkey and the United Na- tions. Analysts say Somalia’s relations with UAE are strained in the Gulf crisis because Mogadishu has refused to take sides. Arab states have strong trading links with and infl uence in Somalia. “Somalia will fully take over (its Residents of the PK5, a Muslim-majority district, demonstrate in front of the headquarters of UN peacekeeping mission following clashes in Bangui. troops) trained by the UAE...Those forces will be added to the various bat- talions of the Somalia National Army,” Abdirahman said, adding that the troops would be integrated today into other units. There was no immediate comment from the UAE government. Somali security staff seized $9.6mn Bangui protesters lay dead at Mogadishu airport on Sunday from a plane that had landed from the UAE. On Tuesday, the UAE denounced the seizure of the money, which it said was destined to pay the soldiers. The Mogadishu government said it was investigating what the money was bodies in front of UN mission for. Somalia has lacked a strong central Reuters One Rwandan peacekeeper was “We, ourselves, no longer under- that the bodies were being manipu- Violence increased in Central Af- government since 1991. Bangui killed and eight others were wounded stand anything. Does their mission lated while they should be buried like rican Republic after mainly Muslim UAE Minister of State for Foreign Af- in fi ghting on Tuesday, the UN mis- consist of shooting at civilians?” said every person who dies.” Seleka rebels ousted President Fran- fairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday sion, known as MINUSCA, said. one demonstrator, who gave his name Atahirou Balla Dodo, the mayor of cois Bozize in 2013, provoking retali- his government was trying to resolve undreds of angry demonstra- The surge in violence coincides with only as Youssouf. the Bangui district in which PK5 is ation killings by “anti-balaka” armed the issue with Mogadishu but Abdi- tors yesterday laid the bodies a visit by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s MINUSCA spokesman Vladimir located, told Reuters that a total of 21 groups, drawn largely from Christian rahman’s statement casts doubt on Hof at least 16 people killed in head of peacekeeping operations, to the Monteiro said mission troops had been people were killed in the clashes. communities. progress. clashes in Central African Republic’s country that has been mired in a cycle of targeting criminal gangs and denied Seventeen were brought to MINUSCA, Self-styled Muslim self-defence Last year the United States sus- capital in front of the mission head- ethnic and religious violence since 2013. they had fi red at civilians. while four others, including two women groups sprang up in PK5, claiming to pended food and fuel aid for most of quarters of the United Nations, wit- The demonstrators, who blame UN “This is not an operation against and two children, had remained at a protect the Muslim civilians concen- Somalia’s armed forces over corruption nesses said. soldiers for fi ring on residents pro- communities and specifi cally the mosque. The bodies were later removed trated there against eff orts to drive concerns. UN peacekeepers and local secu- testing against the operation in PK5, Muslim community. The Muslim from MINUSCA by the Red Cross. them out. An offi cial from Somalia’s foreign af- rity forces have battled armed groups carried the bodies wrapped in cloth to community asked our troops to launch Medical charity Medecins Sans But MINUSCA now accuses them of fairs ministry told Reuters the contract in Bangui’s PK5 neighbourhood — a MINUSCA’s gates. the operation and put an end to the Frontieres (MSF), which operates one extortion and violence against civil- with the UAE to train its security forces Muslim enclave of the majority Chris- They shouted and carried signs as criminal activities,” Monteiro said. of the main hospitals in Bangui, said ians and said that the Rwandan peace- expired in 2016, though it was unclear tian city — since Sunday aiming to armed peacekeepers stood before the He also criticised yesterday’s dem- it had treated more than 40 people for keepers came under attack on Tues- how the programme appeared to have dismantle their bases there. entrance to the fortifi ed compound. onstrators, saying: “We regret the fact gunshot wounds on Tuesday. day, leading to a four-hour gunbattle. continued. South Africans pay tribute to Winnie Mandela

By Nomvelo Chalumbira, known as the “Mandela United banned for a decade by the apart- Reuters Football Club”, some South Af- heid government in the 1970s Soweto ricans questioned her ‘Mother of and 1980s. the Nation’ soubriquet. EFF leader Julius Malema, an Blamed for the killing of ac- admirer of Madikizela-Mandela housands of South Afri- tivist Stompie Seipei, who was whose fi ery he evokes, said last cans yesterday paid trib- found near her Soweto home week she had been prevented Tute to Winnie Madikizela- with his throat cut, she was con- from ascending to the presidency Mandela at a memorial service in victed in 1991 of kidnapping and of South Africa by misogynists in Soweto, the township at the fore- assaulting the 14-year-old be- the ANC. front of the battle against apart- cause he was suspected of being For many South Africans, heid and where she is revered for an informer. the most memorable image her role in the struggle. Her six-year jail sentence was of Madikizela-Mandela is her Mourners, many clad in the reduced to a fi ne and a 2-year punching the air in a clenched- green and yellow colours of the suspended sentence on appeal. fi st salute as she walked hand- ruling African National Congress But her death last week at the in-hand with Mandela out of (ANC), danced and sang in a soc- age of 81 after a long illness was Victor Verster prison, near Cape cer stadium under gray skies. met by an outpouring of emo- Town, on February 11, 1990. “’Mama Winnie contributed a tion on the streets of Soweto and For husband and wife, it was a lot to our struggle so it’s befi tting senior ANC leaders came to pay crowning moment that led four that we are here today. We came homage at the gates of her home years later to the end of centuries to mourn and at the same time in the Johannesburg township. of white domination when Man- celebrate that we have freedom,” She will be buried in Johan- dela became South Africa’s fi rst said Lucky Tshabalala, 37, a nesburg on Saturday after almost black president. Soweto native and self-employed two weeks of mourning. Their marriage began to fall contractor. “She means every- “In life and death you remain apart in the years after his re- thing to me,” he said. unbreakable,” David Mabuza, lease. Madikizela-Mandela cam- South Africa’s Deputy President The couple divorced in 1996, paigned tirelessly for her hus- said at the memorial service. nearly four decades after they band Nelson Mandela’s release “Yours was a revolution of love were married. from jail during the years of white seeking to usher a more humane They had two children togeth- minority rule and became a liber- world for all the children in our er. ation hero in her own right. land, black and white.” “She inspires me and wish But her legacy was later tar- A leftist party, the Economic other women in the current nished. Freedom Fighters (EFF), was struggle could be like her,” said As evidence emerged in the holding is own memorial in the 18-year-old Zanele Ngubo, who dying years of apartheid of the town of Brandfort in the Free was born after the end of apart- South African Vice President David Mabuza gestures at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto yesterday during a memorial service for late South brutality of her Soweto enforcers, State province, to where she was heid. African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, April 12, 2018 AMERICAS

LEGAL MIGRANT TARGETED JUSTICE TRAINING REGISTERING TO VOTE ACLU sues Trump govt for Prosecutors detail alleged Hawaii missile scare separating immigrant couples brutal crimes of ‘El Chapo’ blamed on human error

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed When Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El A US government report on Tuesday blamed a lawsuit challenging what it calls a pattern Chapo” Guzman learned in 2006 his men had Hawaii’s false alert of a missile attack in January by President Donald Trump’s administration captured two suspected members of the rival on a combination of human error and inadequate of detaining illegal immigrants seeking to Las Zetas cartel, he first wanted to have lunch. safeguards. The alarm, which went uncorrected legalise their status based on marriages to US Next the now jailed El Chapo — then one of for 38 minutes after being transmitted to mobile citizens. The proposed class action was filed the world’s most powerful drug traffickers — phones and broadcast stations, caused widespread late on Tuesday in federal court in Boston and ordered the men beaten and killed with bullets panic across the Pacific islands state. The Federal alleges that immigration off icials have been to the head, before their bodies were thrown Communications Commission’s final report on the illegally separating families while a non-citizen in a hole and ignited. The chilling incident is incident followed disclosures that the employee Students at South Cobb High School in Atlanta spouse was seeking lawful immigration status. among the violent crimes allegedly carried out who issued the warning mistook a test drill for carefully double-check the details on their New Canadian citizen David Alfonso, 8, reacts “These actions are not only inhumane but they by Guzman included in a more than 90-page an actual attack. The report found that Hawaii driver’s licences and permits as they register as maple taff y is prepared for new Canadians are unlawful,” Adriana Lafaille, a lawyer with long memo filed on Tuesday in a Brooklyn conducted far more drills than typical and did not to vote during a registration drive by voting following a citizenship ceremony at the Vanier the ACLU of Massachusetts, said at a press federal court, where he is slated to go on trial have a plan to respond and correct a false alert. It rights group New Project Georgia in Austell, Sugar Shack in Ottawa on Tuesday. conference. September 5. also blamed deficiencies in Hawaii’s training. Georgia. Facebook CEO says Ryan says he has assurance Trump own data was shared won’t fi re Mueller Reuters Washington AFP Progressives plan wave of protests Washington US progressive and left-wing groups are ark Zuckerberg yesterday gearing up for a wave of protests across the told lawmakers that he S House Speaker Paul Ryan said yes- United States in the event that President Don- Mwas among the 87mn or so terday he has been assured by the ald Trump fires the special counsel probing Facebook Inc users whose data was UWhite House that President Donald allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 improperly shared with political Trump does not intend to fi re the investiga- election. consultancy Cambridge Analytica. tors overseeing a federal probe into Russian Mueller’s ouster would put Trump above But the chief executive of the meddling in the 2016 presidential election. the law, said protest organizer MoveOn.org, world’s largest social media net- “I have no reason to believe that that’s go- which is planning 800 demonstrations nation- work pushed back on Congress ing to happen,” Ryan said at a news confer- wide, with at least one “Nobody Is Above The members’ suggestions that users ence. “I have assurances that it’s not, because Law” rally in every state. do not have enough control of their I’ve been talking to people in the White House More than 300,000 people have pledged to data on Facebook. about it.” attend one of the “Nobody Is Above the Law” “Every time that someone Trump’s simmering anger at Special protests, according the MoveOn’s website. chooses to share something on Fa- Counsel Robert Mueller, whose investiga- “If Trump fires special counsel Robert cebook...there is a control. Right tion includes possible collusion with Russia Mueller, it will create a constitutional crisis,” there. Not buried in the settings by Trump’s presidential campaign, erupted MoveOn, which recently supported the March somewhere but right there,” the again this week after an FBI raid on Monday For Our Lives gun control protest in Washing- 33-year-old internet billionaire told targeted the president’s personal attorney, ton, said on its website. the US House of Representatives Michael Cohen. The White House on Tuesday said Trump Energy and Commerce Committee. Lawmakers, including senior members had the authority to fire Special Counsel Zuckerberg’s admission that his of Trump’s own Republican Party, have ex- Robert Mueller, who has widened his probe own data made its way into the pressed concern after the president sug- into whether the Trump campaign colluded hands of Cambridge Analytica laid gested he might remove the special counsel with Moscow. bare that even the company’s tech- when news of the FBI searches in New York Other organisations in the movement in- nologically adept founder was un- emerged. clude Common Cause, Public Citizen, Indivis- able to protect his own information The searches followed a referral by Mueller. ible and Stand Up America, MoveOn said. from parties seeking to exploit it. Reports have circulated for months that That underscores the problem Trump is also considering fi ring Attorney Facebook has in persuading law- General Jeff Sessions and his deputy, Rod Ro- merge two diff erent proposals to protect the makers that users can safeguard senstein. offi ce of the special counsel. their own information if they care- Rosenstein took over responsibility for the The original bills were introduced last fully manage their personal set- Russia probe after Sessions, who was a Trump summer. tings and that further legislation adviser during the 2016 campaign, recused The bill’s chances in the Republican-con- governing Facebook’s use of data is himself. trolled Senate were unclear. unnecessary. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) greets Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg before he testified to the “My thoughts haven’t changed,” Ryan told The Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch “How can consumers have con- House Energy and Commerce Committee in the Rayburn House Off ice Building on Capitol Hill yesterday. reporters at the news conference, where he McConnell, said this week Mueller should be trol over their data when Facebook announced his retirement.”I think they (Ro- allowed to continue his work but such legisla- does not have control over the last month that millions of users’ The House hearing followed a Some lawmakers grew frustrated senstein and Mueller) should be allowed to do tion was not needed. McConnell’s spokesman data?” asked Representative Frank personal information was wrongly fi ve-hour questioning by US Sena- at their limit of four minutes each their jobs. We have a rule of law in this coun- declined to comment yesterday. Pallone of New Jersey, the ranking harvested from the website by tors on Tuesday, in which Zucker- to press Zuckerberg on specif- try and that’s a principle we all uphold.” Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Com- Democrat on the Energy and Com- Cambridge Analytica, a political berg made no further promises to ics, and chastised the billionaire Trump did not answer reporters’ shouted mittee, was considering putting the bill up for merce committee, at the beginning consultancy that has counted US support new legislation or change at times for off ering up rehearsed questions about the Russia probe during a bill a vote in the panel, Politico reported. of the hearing. President Donald Trump’s election how the social network does busi- platitudes about valuing user pri- signing yesterday. The legislation would add the weight of law Wearing a dark suit and tie and campaign among its clients. ness. vacy. Earlier, he kept up his assault on Mueller in to current Justice Department regulations prefacing almost every remark with The latest estimate of aff ected Facebook shares were up 1.2% “I can’t let you fi libuster right a Twitter message, blaming what he called the that govern the offi ce of special counsel. “Congressman” or “Congress- users is up to 87mn. yesterday after dips earlier in the now,” Republican Representa- “bad blood” between Russia and the United It would allow the special counsel to be woman”, Zuckerberg repeatedly The data was improperly shared day. They posted their biggest daily tive Marsha Blackburn said at one States on the special counsel investigation. fi red only “for good cause” by a senior Justice defended the company’s privacy with Cambridge Analytica by an gain in nearly two years on Tuesday point. Referring to removing Mueller, Republican Department offi cial, with a reason given in practices, saying that users have academic who gathered data on as Zuckerberg managed to deter She cut Zuckerberg off a number Senator Bob Corker said on Tuesday it would writing; provide recourse if the special coun- control over their own data and de- users and their friends through a any specifi c discussion about new of times. be a “massive mistake for the president to sel was fi red without good cause; and pre- cide what to share. questionnaire app on Facebook. regulations that might hamper Fa- Bobby Rush, an Illinois Demo- do that,” adding he had told the president as serve the staffi ng and materials of a pending But when asked if his data had Facebook has since shut off cebook’s ability to sell ads tailored cratic congressman, was in the much. investigation. been improperly used he replied: the ability of apps to gather such to users’ profi les. process of asking Zuckerberg when “I think there would be a signifi cant revolt Russia has denied US intelligence agencies’ “Yes.” He gave no further details. data, but Zuckerberg said yester- “It is inevitable that there will he learned that Facebook allowed in the Senate,” he told Reuters. fi ndings that it meddled in the 2016 campaign Zuckerberg was on Capitol Hill day it will take “many months” to need to be some regulation” of in- advertisers to prevent ads from Republican Senator Charles Grassley said to try to tilt the vote in Trump’s favour. for the second time in two days to complete an audit of other apps to ternet fi rms, Zuckerberg said yes- being shown to certain minority earlier it would be “suicide” for Trump to fi re Trump has denied any collusion by his answer questions about data pri- determine if they also improperly terday, but he again steered away groups, a possible violation of civil Mueller. campaign and has long viewed the Mueller vacy in the wake of revelations used data. from any specifi cs. rights laws. He was cut off . Four senators said yesterday they would probe as a witch hunt. Top lawmaker Ryan to retire in latest Washington upheaval

Reuters his conduct in offi ce infl uenced his er Kevin McCarthy of California litical analysts see a competitive Washington decision not to seek re-election for and House Majority Whip Steve race for his seat. his seat representing a district in Scalise of Louisiana, who was The move also triggered spec- southeastern Wisconsin, Ryan told wounded by a gunman last year. ulation that Ryan could be posi- S House of Representa- reporters, “Not at all.” Trump has praised McCarthy tioning himself for a race against tives Speaker Paul Ryan Ryan’s announcement marked and Scalise in the past. Vice President Mike Pence for the Uwill not seek re-election the latest upheaval in Washing- Ryan in 2016 initially hesitated Republican presidential nomina- and will leave his post at the start ton in the second year of Trump’s to endorse Trump after it became tion in 2020, if Trump is so badly of 2019, further unsettling a Re- presidency, following the fi rings clear the wealthy New York real damaged by then that he decides publican Party rocked by Donald and resignations of a series of estate developer would become not to run for re-election. Trump’s tumultuous presidency senior White House offi cials and the party’s presidential nominee, A source close to Ryan said this ahead of November’s pivotal Cabinet members. but eventually did so. was not true, however. congressional elections. “Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly He also voiced unease at can- The House speaker is second Ryan, who has had an of- good man, and while he will not didate Trump’s call for banning in the line of presidential succes- ten-strained relationship with be seeking re-election, he will the entry of Muslims into the sion, after the vice president. Trump, made the announcement leave a legacy of achievement United States and his criticism of Ryan, a prolifi c fundraiser for yesterday, portraying it as a deci- that nobody can question. We are a Mexican-American US judge. the party, raised $11mn in the fi rst sion to spend more time with his with you Paul!” Trump wrote on A month before the 2016 elec- quarter of 2018 to bring his total family. Twitter. tion, Ryan said he was “sickened” for the current election cycle to His action sets up a distract- Ryan, 48, cited as his biggest by Trump’s remarks about grop- $54mn. ing House leadership succession accomplishment the Republican ing women captured on an audio Of that, his campaign trans- struggle at a time when Republi- tax overhaul passed by Congress tape recorded in 2005. ferred $40mn to the National cans are trying to fend off Demo- and signed by Trump in Decem- After Trump became presi- Republican Campaign Commit- cratic eff orts to seize control of ber. dent in January 2017, Ryan often tee (NRCC), the arm of the party Congress in the mid-term elec- While Ryan cultivated a repu- expressed annoyance at being responsible for helping elect Re- tions. tation as a fi scal conservative, asked to respond to various in- Speaker of the House Paul Ryan announces his retirement during a press conference on Capitol Hill in publicans to the House. “You realise something when the tax bill is forecast to balloon cendiary Twitter messages from Washington, DC, yesterday. Without his own campaign to you take this job,” Ryan, his par- the federal defi cit in the coming the president but rarely off ered run, Ryan could transfer all his ty’s failed 2012 vice presidential years. direct criticism. longstanding Republican princi- gramme and the Medicare and about becoming speaker. remaining cash to the NRCC or nominee who reluctantly agreed Ryan became speaker in late Ryan was criticized by Demo- ples like free trade. Medicare programmes that pro- He said, “It’s way too early for other vulnerable Republicans. to become speaker in 2015, told a 2015 after fellow Republican John crats for what they saw as his Ryan said he regretted not vide health insurance for the eld- any of that.” Democrats need to pick up at news conference. Boehner quit following clashes failure to stand up to Trump and being able to accomplish what erly, poor and disabled. “At this point there has been least 23 seats in the 435-member “It’s a big job with a lot riding with right-wing lawmakers in fi rmly confront the president on he called entitlement reform, Mark Meadows, head of the zero consideration” of becoming House to regain the majority. on you, and you feel it. But you the divided party. matters such as Trump’s frequent which could involve scaling back conservative House Freedom Cau- speaker, Meadows said. Another Republican congress- also know that this is a job that Among names already circu- attacks on US law enforcement government spending on social cus that played a key role in Boeh- In stepping down, Ryan may man, Dennis Ross of Florida, also does not last forever.” lating as a possible Ryan replace- and the president’s alienation of safety net programs such as the ner’s departure, was asked by re- have boosted Democrats’ pros- announced last week he will not Asked how much Trump and ment were House Majority Lead- US allies and abandonment of Social Security retirement pro- porters if he had been approached pects in November, as some po- seek re-election in November. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Panmunjom set for historic summit

South Korean soldiers stand guard before the military demarcation line during a press tour to the border truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are due to meet on April 27 at the South’s side of the demilitarised zone for the landmark inter- Korean summit. A view of the UN Command Military Armistice Commission meeting room in the border truce village of Panmunjom. US naval might Myanmar court refuses to dismiss on display in case of detained South China Sea Reuters journalists DPA AFP Yangon Beijing Myanmar court yester- ore than two dozen day rejected an appeal to F/A-18 Hornets roared Athrow out the case of two Moff the deck of the USS journalists arrested in December Theodore Roosevelt in an ear- under the country’s colonial-era splitting display of US military Offi cial Secrets Act. might as the aircraft carrier Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, sailed through the South China two Myanmar reporters work- Sea. ing for Reuters, were arrested The training exercise on Tues- in the commercial hub Yangon day came ahead of a port call for allegedly possessing docu- in the Philippines, which along ments pertaining to Rakhine with several other nations is em- state, where nearly 700,000 broiled in disputes with Beijing Rohingya Muslims fl ed a brutal over its claim to the strategic wa- army crackdown last year. ters. The demonstration, during The UN has labelled Myan- Detained Reuters journalist Wa Lone gestures to the media as he is a visit by Philippine generals and mar’s action in the region as escorted by police after a court hearing in Yangon, Myanmar, yester- journalists, was held just days af- ethnic cleansing. “The judge did day. ter Beijing fl exed its own military not agree with our arguments,” a muscle with a huge naval drill lawyer for the pair, Khin Maung their jobs. We will continue to Myanmar’s military on Tues- involving its sole aircraft carrier Zaw, told reporters outside the do all we can to secure their re- day announced it had sentenced and dozens of other vessels sev- court. lease,” he added. seven soldiers to 10 years in pris- eral hundred kilometres to the “The reason for this decision The European Union in My- on with hard labour for their part north. is that there are 25 (prosecution) anmar, the US embassy in My- in the killings of 10 Rohingya in “We have seen Chinese ships witnesses, and not all witnesses anmar, and the UN’s resident September last year – the case around us,” carrier strike group have been examined, and they co-ordinator renewed calls yes- the two reporters were investi- commander Rear Admiral Steve may be important witnesses,” terday for the two reporters to be gating when they were arrested. Koehler said. “They’re one of Sailors moving aircraft in the South China Sea, from an elevator into the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS he told DPA. The judge will rule released in statements posted on “We are facing charges of up the navies that operate in the Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), as Theodore Roosevelt is underway for a scheduled deployment in the US 7th on the case after the last eight Facebook and Twitter. to 14 years at the same time the South China Sea but I would tell Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations and theatre security co-operation eff orts. prosecution witnesses have “The continued imprison- ones who committed the crime you that we’ve seen nothing but been heard, Khin Maung Zaw ment of Ko Wa Lone and Ko were sentenced to 10 years,” professional work from the ships erating in and around the South ably by happenstance” that its navigation” operations near is- said, adding that the next court Kyaw Soe Oo is unjustifi ed, and Kyaw Soe Oo shouted to report- that we’ve encountered,” he said. China Sea (do), that’s the whole mission coincided with the Chi- lands controlled by Beijing. date has been set for April 20. In amounts to a serious intimida- ers outside the court as the pair Koehler acknowledged point,” Koehler said. nese drill. “Certainly in the last The carrier group was en route a statement, Reuters president tion against journalists doing was escorted back to prison. “there’s a lot of disputes” over “We have not seen any dan- few years China has increased to Manila, having returned to and editor-in-chief Stephen their jobs in Myanmar,” the EU Wa Lone’s pregnant wife, the area but insisted the carrier gers in our actions.” Beijing has their naval capacity. We certainly the Pacifi c after its warplanes Adler said: “We are deeply dis- said in its statement, using a Panei Mon, told DPA before group was transiting through in- been building artifi cial islands to see that,” he said. launched more than 1,000 sor- appointed with the court’s deci- Myanmar honorifi c to refer to the hearing that she had hoped ternational waters. reinforce its claim over most of The Roosevelt’s captain, Car- ties last year, both against the sion.” the two reporters. to have her husband home for The US, a long-time ally of the the resource-rich South China los Sardiello, said it was “in the Islamic State group in Iraq and “We believe that there are Top human rights lawyer Thingyan holidays, Philippines, is not party to any of Sea. Its neighbours, particularly vicinity” of Reed Bank, a sup- Syria and also in Afghanistan. solid grounds for the court to Amal Clooney announced last Myanmar’s New Year, which the disputes but says it wants to some of those involved in mari- posedly gas-rich undersea for- Compared with the 11 active dismiss this matter and to re- month that she would be acting starts this week. With at least keep the crucial waterway open time disputes over the waters, mation claimed by Manila and carriers in the US Navy, China lease our journalists. Wa Lone as lawyer for the pair, who face 11 journalists arrested in 2017 to shipping. have expressed fears China could Beijing, and about 270 nautical currently has just one. But it and Kyaw Soe Oo were report- 14 years in prison. alone, one-time democracy icon “If all the navies are operating eventually restrict freedom of miles from Manila. Beijing has has made no secret of its desire ing on issues in Myanmar in “Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo Aung San Suu Kyi has been ac- in accordance with the interna- navigation and overfl ight. previously protested over simi- to build up its naval forces and an independent and impartial are being prosecuted simply be- cused of backsliding in press tional norms and law, which is Koehler said his strike group’s lar US Navy manoeuvres in the last month announced an 8.1% way. They have not violated any cause they reported the news,” freedom since her National what we’re doing and what we’ve presence in the area was planned South China Sea. US warships increase in military spending to laws in the course of their news- Clooney said, according to a League for Democracy party seen all the navies that are op- well in advance and it was “prob- regularly conduct “freedom of 1.11tn yuan ($175bn). gathering and were simply doing statement from her law fi rm. took power in 2016.

Academics back Singapore historian in ‘fake news’ hearing Power down as fi erce storm hits Auckland Death toll from Indonesia tainted liquor rises to 82 A Singaporean historian attacked observers have raised fears the During the fake news hearings, Up to a quarter of homes in Auckland Auckland mayor Phil Goff revealed “an for challenging the off icial nar- committee is laying the ground Law and Home Aff airs Minister were without power yesterday after unprecedented 200,000 properties” Eighty-two Indonesians have died and many more have rative of the city-state’s history for new laws which could be used K Shanmugam quizzed Thum a wild storm packing winds of more lost power at the height of the storm been hospitalised after drinking tainted bootleg liquor during parliamentary hearings on to stifle free expression. The letter over his research, which has cast than 200kmh lashed New Zealand’s and the local council said crews were last week, police said yesterday. The deaths occurred in “fake news” has won backing from was signed by 133 academics from doubt on claims that there was a largest city. The storm hit the city working around the clock to fix the the capital Jakarta and neighbouring province of West over 130 academics from universi- countries including Britain, the conspiracy by communists in the of 1.5mn overnight, bringing down problem. Java and at least a dozen men had been detained on ties around the world. In an open United States and Australia. “Your 1960s seeking to overthrow the trees and peeling roofs from houses, “Around a quarter of properties in the suspicion of making and distributing the drink, police letter, they accused the panel con- committee’s conduct suggests government. with emergency services saying they Auckland region... up to 120,000 prop- said. This is a crazy phenomenon that has caused ducting the hearings of seeking to that the government of Singapore During heated exchanges, Shan- were “inundated” responding to calls. erties are currently without power,” it tremendous loss for the public in the past week,” said discredit Thum Ping Tjin, who has is more interested in restricting mugam insisted there was such a Auckland international airport closed said. Meteorologist Philip Duncan of deputy national police chief Syafruddin. questioned claims by Singapore’s civil liberties than defending them conspiracy. Over 100 people were temporarily due to high winds and weatherwatch.co.nz said forecasters “We must trace it to the roots, who the masterminds long-ruling party about commu- against so-called ‘fake news’,” read detained in 1963 in Singapore in an Air New Zealand reported “significant” had predicted strong winds but their are and the distributors.” Laboratory tests showed that nist activity in the 1960s. the letter addressed to the panel’s operation that authorities said was knock-on disruption for passengers severity was unexpected. He said a nearly pure alcohol had been mixed with herbal drinks Thum, an Oxford University chairman. aimed at defusing the communist nationwide. low pressure system from the Tasman and energy drinks with high caff eine. Police had previ- research associate, was quizzed “The clear objective was not to threat. At Hobsonville Point, in the city’s Sea made landfall directly over Auck- ously said at least one suspected bootlegger had added last month by the 10-member establish the extent of the threat Last week, several people ques- north-west, the gale-force winds land at the same time New Zealand mosquito repellent to the mix. parliamentary committee, which is from ‘fake news’, but to attack and tioned in the hearings including brought down scaff olding on an was being buff eted by southerly winds Police raided street stalls and homes across several cities examining possible steps – includ- discredit a prominent critic of the Thum accused the committee of apartment building construction site, from Antarctica. towns and found large steel and rubber tanks used to ing legislation – to tackle what it historical narratives used by Singa- misrepresenting their views. Sixty- creating a spectacular mess of tangled “All of that combined created damag- mix the drinks. Thousands of bottles and small plastic describes as online falsehoods in pore’s ruling People’s Action Party.” nine witnesses, including Internet metal. The off icial Metservice forecast- ing gales that were a notch above the bags of the drinks, which police said could sell for as little the tightly controlled city-state. The party has governed Singapore giants Facebook and Google, gave ing bureau said wind gust readings forecasts,” he said. as 20,000 rupiah ($1.45) per bag, were seized. The government says steps are since 1959. The government did evidence to the committee and it reached 213kmh, equivalent to a Aucklanders have been warned to Indonesia imposes high rates of tax on alcohol, which needed as fake news can threaten not immediately respond to a will present a report to parliament category three severe tropical cyclone. expect further bad weather until sometimes leads to people turning to cheap home national security but some request for comment. based on the hearings in May. brews. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, April 12, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

PEOPLE OPINION APPOINTMENT CRIME EVENT Poisoned spy’s daughter May ‘was wrong to Ex-politician to chair Man stabbed at east refuses Russian help: govt reduce stop-and-search’ competition watchdog London train station

Yulia Skripal, who was poisoned in England last Former Scotland Yard police chief Lord Stevens Andrew Tyrie, a former Conservative Party A man is being treated for injuries after being month along with her Russian ex-spy father, has yesterday said Theresa May had “got it wrong” politician, was yesterday named as the new stabbed at a busy east London station during refused consular assistance from the Russian when she ordered a reduction in stop-and- chairman of the competition watchdog as the the morning rush hour, police have said. embassy, a British foreign ministry spokesman search tactics, which were an “incredibly government also set out plans to modernise British Transport Police said off icers were said. “We have previously passed on the Russian eff ective tool” in tackling street crime. Lord the regulator’s approach. Tyrie was formerly called to Stratford International station at 9am embassy’s off er of consular support to Yulia,” Stevens, Met commissioner from 2000 to chairman of parliament’s influential treasury yesterday after reports of a serious assault. the spokesman said yesterday. “She is free to 2005, told LBC’s Nick Ferrari programme there committee, where he gained a reputation for The victim was found on the Docklands Light decide on whether she wishes to pursue that. needed to be strong political leadership to asking tough questions. He led investigations Railway (DLR) platforms with stab wounds To date, we understand she has not done so,” tackle the rise in violence in London. He said: into the banking industry after the financial but his injuries are not believed to be life- he said. Britain blames Russia for the nerve “This has got to be grabbed hold of now. If it crisis, the work of the Bank of England and threatening. It is not known if he was attacked agent attack on the two on March 4, which has does get out of control we are in big trouble the finance ministry. His nomination to the on the train or on the platform. A cordon is in sparked an international diplomatic crisis. Russia in terms of the safety of where we work and Competition and Markets Authority was place at the station and police have warned Prince Harry meets wounded veterans from the has vehemently denied the accusation and has live.” May reformed stop and search powers announced as Business Secretary Greg of delays to DLR services. There have been no US and UK who will walk 1,000 miles from the requested access to the Skripals, who are both in 2014 as home secretary, saying the tactic Clark proposed a package of reforms for the arrests. west to the east coast of America in 14 weeks at Russian citizens. discriminated against young black men. regulator. a launch in London yesterday.

Police eye Look no hands! closure of Fledgling Lawrence murder inquiry centrist party

London Evening Standard London claims links to cotland Yard has said it has run out of leads in the SStephen Lawrence murder investigation, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the racist killing. It will wait until a three-part BBC documentary about the Blair and son case is broadcast next week to see if anyone new comes for- Guardian News and Media A spokesman told the Guard- at Westminster for more than a ward. London ian: “Blair has no involvement decade. The Met police said it was re- with this. Period.” And Blair Franks, who carried out a re- viewing the case, which means it himself told BBC Radio 4’s Today view of Labour’s business sup- is considering closing it down. ritain’s nascent centrist programme on Tuesday: “I’m not port policies for Ed Balls when At least three of the gang who party has said it has links advocating it or involved in (it) he was shadow chancellor before shouted abuse before stabbing Bto Tony Blair and his son or certainly not running for its 2015, could also seek election the black teenager at a south- Euan as it seeks to win over po- leadership at this or any stage.” himself, friends believe. east London bus stop in 1993 are tential recruits, the Guardian has He said, however, that he was The Guardian approached a still free. been told. trying to re-energise the centre number of business people iden- The force’s leadership believe Simon Franks, who founded ground of British politics, which tifi ed by informed sources as po- they have exhausted all leads and the LoveFilm movie-streaming he claimed was being abandoned tential donors to the new party. avenues of inquiry in one of the business, has been working for by the two main parties. Richard Reed, the co-founder most high-profi le murder hunts more than a year with former La- “If you leave between the of Innocent Drinks, and Alex ever. bour donors and senior members Brexit-dominated Tory party Chesterman, the founder of the In a statement yesterday po- to create an organisation that and a hard-left Labour party property website Zoopla, did not lice said: “Despite previous pub- could back candidates in a future vast, uncultivated centre ground, respond to requests for a com- lic appeals, rigorous pursuit of general election. at some point someone is going ment. all remaining lines of enquiry, The Observer revealed on to come along and cultivate it,” Two lobbyists and a public numerous reviews and every Sunday that Franks established he said. relations executive are also in- possible advance in forensic Project One Movement UK Ltd A spokesperson for the new volved, as well as a former politi- techniques, the Met investi- last summer and the company is group declined to comment. cal editor of a national newspa- gation team is now at a stage expected to be a vehicle for the Franks’ initiative is one of a per, informed sources said. where without new information new party. number by donors and activ- Labour frontbenchers have the investigation is unlikely to One person who was ap- ists who feel under-represented dismissed the idea of a new party progress further, and this was proached to join the fl edgling by an avowedly socialist Labour emerging, with the shadow chan- explained to the family earlier organisation was told Euan Blair party, and the pro-Brexit Con- cellor, John McDonnell, claiming this year.” was on its board, and his father, servatives. it was “a party for the few, not Two of the gang of at least fi ve the former Labour prime minis- The project will inevitably the many”, and the shadow health who attacked Stephen were con- ter, had been helpful in recom- conjure up memories of the bit- secretary, Jon Ashworth, calling it victed of murder in 2012 and the mending potential donors. Other ter split in the Labour party that “a daft waste of time”. trial judge asked police to con- sources confi rmed Euan Blair’s led to the formation of the So- The Liberal Democrat leader, tinue the hunt for the remaining name had been associated with cial Democratic party in 1981. Vince Cable, said his party was attackers. the project. However, its founders are keen already the “serious alterna- The Met bungled the fi rst The 34-year-old runs a tech not to be regarded as a vehicle tive” that “could make good use murder inquiry, missing crucial startup, WhiteHat, which helps for disillusioned Labour back- of £50mn” – the funding that chances to catch the gang of at to recruit and place apprentices. benchers. Franks and his colleagues are least fi ve white youths who took He did not respond to requests Instead, the organisation said to have amassed. One per- the life of Stephen, an A-level for a statement. hopes to identify “civic-mind- son with knowledge of the plans student with dreams of becom- One ally said backers of the ed” public fi gures from outside dubbed the new party the “neo- ing an architect. new party had been “overclaim- politics who might be interested liberal democrats”. His mother, Doreen, had to ing” about Blair’s involvement, in standing for parliament at While Tony Blair insisted he endure a 25-year campaign for and he was simply part of a net- the next general election, due in was still a Labour member and al- justice that saw her become Bar- work of socially minded business 2022. ways would be, he also confi rmed oness Lawrence for her inspiring The hands that point out the time on Big Ben tower have been removed as the four-year leaders keen to develop policy It is also expected to play up that the Tony Blair Institute for fi ght – but her biggest wish was restoration project on the iconic landmark continues in London. The cost of repairing the ideas. its anti-politics credentials by Global Change was developing a to see all her son’s killers brought monument has almost doubled to £61mn. Tony Blair denied any direct imposing a two-term limit that platform for any emerging cen- to justice. involvement with the group. would prevent MPs from serving trist politicians to use.

Call to reinstate rugby No EU deal ‘will be a players cleared of rape

Guardian News and Media Campaigners are planning catastrophe for Ireland’ to hold a demonstration at the London home of Ulster Rugby before the Reuters for Britain’s divorce from the Eu- Asked what the bottom line province’s clash with the Welsh Berlin ropean Union. would be, Hammond added: upporters of two Irish rug- side Ospreys. They want Ulster Britain and the EU are com- “We’ll end up somewhere be- by internationals acquit- and Ireland to ban the pair from mitted to keeping a free fl ow of tween £35bn and £39bn.” Sted of rape have taken out playing for both sides. inance Minister Philip people and goods over the Irish Britain and the EU have agreed a full-page newspaper advertise- Supporters of the 21-year-old Hammond told a German border without returning to a transition period of 21 months ment demanding their playing woman who was at the centre of Fnewspaper that it would be checkpoints which would be a that will follow Britain’s depar- suspensions be lifted. the case against Jackson, Old- a “catastrophe” for the situation reminder of the three decades ture from the bloc during which Paddy Jackson and his Ulster ing, McIlroy and Harrison also in Ireland if Britain and the Euro- of violence largely ended by the fi rms will have unchanged access clubmate Stuart Olding were took out an ad in the Belfast Tel- pean Union failed to fi nd a solu- Good Friday Agreement of 1998. to the bloc’s markets. cleared last month in a high egraph last week. The four men tion during talks on Brexit. However, no solution has yet Hammond said the British profi le trial in Belfast. Their two were unanimously cleared of all Northern Ireland, which will been found for any customs people’s decision to leave the EU friends, Blane McIlroy and Rory charges by a jury at Belfast crown become Britain’s only land fron- checks needed after Brexit and a would not be reversed. “It would Harrison, were found not guilty court, but the ad referred to evi- tier with the EU after Brexit in backstop plan could eff ectively be best if we remained in a close of indecent exposure and per- dence heard in court of What- March 2019, remains the most isolate the Northern Ireland relationship with European part- verting the course of justice. sApp messages in which the men diffi cult issue in talks between economy from mainland Britain. ners which would allow us to The ad in yesterday’s Belfast used lewd language to describe a Brussels and London and a Hammond also said Britain continue to put on a united front Telegraph states: “As Ulster and incident at the centre of the alle- threat to peace in the British would honour its fi nancial ob- in international trade issues,” he Irish rugby fans we want these gations made by the woman. province. ligations to the EU after its de- told the German daily. innocent men reinstated and Organised by a rugby fan, Anna “The worst result for the Good parture and the payments could Free trade and open markets rightly allowed to resume their Nolan from Belfast, the ad last Friday Agreement would be no total up to £39bn. have brought “huge wealth” for roles for both club and country. week said the players’ behaviour solution between the EU and “The payments extend over a Europeans, Hammond said, add- The IRFU (Irish Rugby Football “falls far beneath the standards Britain, that would be a catastro- very long period of time because ing: “We should continue to de- Union) should take note of the si- that your organisations repre- phe for the situation in Ireland,” they also include pension enti- fend this.” lent majority and not bow to the sent and as such we demand that Hammond told the Frankfurter tlements,” Hammond, who met Hammond said he hoped that court of social media.” neither of these men represents Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) in an German Finance Minister Olaf trade talks between Washing- Their backing for Jackson and Ulster or Ireland now or at any interview published yesterday. Scholz this week, told the FAZ. ton and Brussels would lead to Olding, who are currently sus- point in the future”. Hammond did not say whether London and Brussels have an agreement in which the US pended from all Ulster and Ireland Supporters of Jackson and he was referring specifi cally to a agreed on the rules to calculate would permanently exempt the duties, comes ahead of a planned Oldding said that both men had solution to the Irish border ques- Britain’s payments after Brexit EU from US steel and aluminium protest outside the Kingspan sta- apologised for the content of tion, or to a comprehensive deal without establishing a fi xed sum. tariff s announced last month. Hammond: Britain to honour financial obligations to EU dium in Belfast tomorrow. messages. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 17 BRITAIN Woman ‘died days after deportation bid by offi cials’

Guardian News and Media dependent prisons and probation if she did not attend an appointment’s legal department of her that day and put on a plane to collapsed in a corridor. told me that a nurse at the deten- London ombudsman for investigation. ment at a Home Offi ce reporting client’s death in a letter dated South Africa. “An immigration offi cial at the tion centre told her she was too Her husband, Fusi Motsamai, centre on April 5. March 16. The Home Offi ce said Appiah said she had fi led a ju- airport accused Nancy of faking ill to be detained, but the nurse also 35, has condemned the Home The Home Offi ce has con- it was not notifi ed until March 23, dicial review claim on March 5 her collapse to avoid being put on was overruled by a superior and South African woman Offi ce’s treatment of his wife. He fi rmed that the text was sent a week before the text was sent. over the Home Offi ce’s handling a plane,” her husband said. “He she was held overnight,” said Fusi who collapsed during an said: “We repeatedly asked the after they were notifi ed about The couple had been living and of the couple’s visa application. told Nancy that he would hand- Motsamai. Aattempted removal from Home Offi ce to release Nancy’s Motsamai’s death and said it was working in the UK for more than The Home Offi ce, however, in- cuff her hands and feet and make The next morning both of the UK was accused by immigra- passport to allow her body to be “working urgently” to pass her a decade, but ran into diffi culties sists there were no legal barriers her walk to the plane like a pen- them were released, but she col- tion offi cials of faking illness to transported to her home country passport on to the South African when they applied to renew their to removing the couple two days guin, and that he would put her lapsed and died of a pulmonary avoid being put on a plane but for burial but they did not.” authorities. A spokesman said visas. Both were ordered to re- later. onto the plane even if he had to embolism fi ve days later. died fi ve days later, the Guardian His distress was compounded the texting error was caused by port regularly to Eaton House, a “Nancy said she felt unwell carry her.” Nancy’s body was eventually revealed. when the Home Offi ce sent a text an automated system that had Home Offi ce centre in Hounslow. while we were at Eaton House,” Offi cials then decided to put fl own to South Africa on April The Home Offi ce has referred to his wife’s phone on March 30, not been updated. When they attended on March said Fusi Motsamai. When the the couple into detention instead. 5 after the country’s embassy the case of Nancy Motsamai, 35, more than two weeks after her The couple’s barrister, Linda 7, they were told they were to be couple were taken to Heathrow “We were detained separately, agreed to provide an emergency who died on March 12, to the in- death, warning her of penalties Appiah, had advised the govern- forcibly removed from the UK airport several hours later she but after we were released Nancy travel document. Professor fi ghts mayor’s plan to shut police stations

London Evening Standard communities suff er by not hav- London ing locally-based offi cers with locally-based knowledge, who know the issues of a particular adiq Khan’s plan to close area and can often intervene be- more than half of London’s fore problems escalate.” Spolice stations to the public The mayor’s offi ce for policing has been put on hold following a and crime said it would “robustly legal challenge from a university defend” its plans and the consul- professor brutally attacked at tation process. It said it had not home. objected to the case proceeding The high court has agreed to to a full hearing in order to “draw hear a crowdfunded judicial re- this matter to a close as quickly view application from Paul Koh- as possible”. ler, questioning the legality of Khan believes he can raise the consultation process being £165mn from property sales and A woman looks at the floral tributes for Henry Vincent in Hither Green yesterday. used to shut 38 of the 73 police save £8mn a year by closing po- front counters in the capital. lice station front counters. Just Kohler said the recent spate of eight per cent of crimes are said shootings and stabbings, which to have been reported at front have taken the capital’s violent counters in 2016. death toll above 50 this year, The Met’s budget has been made the need for police to retain reduced by £600mn since local links even more important. 2010 and it has to fi nd a further City Hall has agreed not to sell £400mn of savings by 2021. City Tension grows over any of the stations pending the Hall said a police front counter outcome of the hearing, which is would remain open 24/7 in every due to take place in June. borough. Kohler, 58, believes he only survived when a gang attacked Khan believes he can him in 2014 because police were raise £165mn from able to respond within eight property sales and save tributes to dead thief minutes from Wimbledon po- £8mn a year by closing lice station — now due to be sold police station front London Evening Standard family, apparently including his we are living a war zone in what fl owers that had been blown up- home because of concerns for off . His four attackers were sen- counters London girlfriend and children. has always been a quiet street side down by the wind. their safety and are thought to be tenced to between 13 and 19 years More than 100 bouquets as and it needs to stop. Insisting on anonymity, the staying with friends. in jail. Kohler, a legal academic at well as cards, teddies and bal- “Police have to be the grown- hooded man said: “I do feel very Vincent’s alleged accomplice, He said: “Many of the terrible SOAS university, said: “We olice were yesterday urged loons have since been repeat- ups and calm things down. It strongly about this. I think it’s Billy Jeeves, 28, is being sought events we have seen recently, in- have got to keep police local. to step into the “war of the edly put up and torn down can’t go on.” quite disrespectful actually. I do over the failed burglary, Scotland cluding children being shot and We are not saying cut bobbies Pposies” battle over a street from the fence in South Park One neighbour, who did not (feel bad for his family). But I feel Yard said. a pensioner initially arrested for to keep police stations. What shrine to the burglar stabbed to Crescent, opposite the home give her name for fear of repris- extra for Osborn-Brooks.” Police yesterday remained on murder after confronting a bur- we are saying is use your re- death by a pensioner. of Richard Osborn-Brooks, als, said: “This is a quiet com- Asked what he was going to do guard outside the home of Os- glar in his own home, could not sources better.” Floral tributes left for career 78, who stabbed Vincent dur- munity and it’s being ruined. The with the fl owers, he replied: “I’m born-Brooks, about 20 feet from off er a more fi tting reminder of His solicitor Tessa Gregory, criminal Henry Vincent in the ing the 37-year-old’s botched attention is ramping up and its just going to dump them some- the shrine. the need to ensure police remain from Leigh Day, said: “Our client street where he died were torn burglary. causing vigilantes from outside where.” Ripped up cards and fl ower at the heart of London’s various believes the public consultation down by vigilantes on Tuesday Police on horseback were the area to turn up. We feel un- Osborn-Brooks was arrested petals are strewn on the pave- communities. was inadequate and unlawful. In night for the third time in 48 seen patrolling the street as der threat and it’s putting us all on suspicion of murder and re- ment where 15 bouquets remain “I do not believe the mayor, the interests of all Londoners he hours. tensions between Vincent’s in danger.” leased on bail, but was told on tied to the fence. Sadiq Khan, is addressing that is pleased that a judge will now Neighbours yesterday said the family and vigilantes threat- The latest attack came on Friday that no action would be A Met spokesman said: “We issue by closing local police sta- consider the legality of the origi- dispute had turned their quiet ened to boil over. Tuesday when a hooded man ar- taken. The pensioner’s arrest are maintaining a police pres- tions and removing offi cers from nal decision and hopes that in the south-east London street into a A 58-year-old resident, who rived at 9.30pm and was fi lmed prompted a public outcry, with ence in and around South Park the communities they police. fullness of time a more consid- “war zone”. has lived in the road for 18 years, ripping nine bouquets from an online fundraising campaign Crescent to provide reassurance “I predict the level of violence ered and thoughtful approach, The makeshift memorial in yesterday said: “The fl owers have the fence. Minutes earlier, two gathering thousands of pounds. to local residents. The location we are currently witnessing will which keeps the streets of the Hither Green was erected on made things worse. They keep women had pulled up in a dark Osborn-Brooks and his disa- of fl oral tributes is not a matter become more commonplace as capital safe, can be found.” Monday by members of Vincent’s going up then taken away. Now BMW and carefully straightened bled wife have had to leave their for police.”

May in Walsall Deaths of homeless people Past winners to attend Man Booker festival double in fi ve years Guardian News and Media Anita and Kiran Desai will see London the nominee and winner, respec- Guardian News and Media ly half the UK life expectancy. more and more lives each year,” tively, discuss writing across the London Around 90% of those who died said Matthew Downie, of the generations. in the last fi ve years were men, homeless charity Crisis. rom Hilary Mantel to Ka- The event, which is run in when the gender was provided. He added: “Those sleep- zuo Ishiguro, 15 past win- partnership with the Southbank he number of homeless Experts have put the rise ing on our streets are exposed Fners of the Man Booker Centre, will culminate with the people recorded dying down to a rapidly increasing to everything from sub-zero prize will be uniting for the fi rst result of the public vote for the Ton streets or in tempo- homeless population, rising temperatures to violence and time to take part in a festival this Golden Man Booker prize, a one- rary accommodation has more rents, welfare cuts and lack of abuse, and fatal illnesses. They summer to mark 50 years of the off award for the best work of fi c- than doubled over the last five social housing, and have called are 17 times more likely to be prestigious literary award. tion from the last fi ve decades of years in the UK, the Guardian for the government to take ur- a victim of violence, twice as Taking place from July 6 to 8, the competition. Five judges are revealed. gent action to address the root likely to die from infections, the Man Booker 50 festival will currently reading the winning With people found dead in causes of poverty. and nine times more likely to feature more than 60 speak- novels from each decade of the supermarket car parks, church The sub-zero temperatures commit suicide. What’s worse, ers, with unusual pairings and prize, with each to choose the graveyards and crowded hostels, and heavy snow brought by Si- we know these figures are likely panels: Mantel and Pat Barker “best” winner from each decade. the number of deaths has risen berian air early in 2018 signalled to be an underestimate.” will discuss whether histori- The fi ve books will be revealed year on year, from 31 in 2013 to 70 a continuation of a deadly 2017, The investigation, which cal fi ction can shed light on the on May 26, and the public will in 2017. At least 230 people have with at least 23 homeless deaths provides the most comprehen- present; Alan Hollinghurst and then be asked to vote for their died over that period. on the streets and in temporary sive record of homeless deaths Marlon James will compare their favourite. Salman Rushdie’s The figures compiled by the accommodation reported by lo- in the UK to date, has prompted portrayals of gay sexuality; Anne Midnight’s Children, which won Guardian, which include an av- cal media so far this year. leading homeless charities to Enright, David Grossman and the Booker in 1981, picked up the erage of more than one death In February the death of Mar- call for more robust statistics James, meanwhile, will discuss Booker of Bookers twice: for the a week in 2017, are likely to be cos Amaral Gourgel drew wide- on mortality rates, and an ex- the future of the novel. prize’s 25th anniversary in 1993 a substantial underestimate, spread media attention after tension of the review system Among other highlights, Paul and for its 40th in 2008. as no part of the government he died in freezing weather at used by local government and Beatty, Eleanor Catton, Deborah Booker Prize Foundation chair records homeless death statis- Westminster underground sta- emergency services to inves- Levy and Graeme Macrae Burnet Helena Kennedy said the festival tics at a national level, and local tion next to the Houses of Par- tigate the deaths of vulnerable Prime Minister Theresa May samples a samosa during her will look at experiments in liter- would “acknowledge the prize’s authorities are not required to liament. adults. Currently, homeless visit to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, in Walsall, central ary form, while Peter Carey and past, present and future, celebrat- count rough sleeper deaths. “These figures are a dev- deaths are only investigated England, yesterday as preparations to mark Vaisakhi get Julian Barnes will discuss their ing the last 50 years of authors, According to the Guardian’s astating reminder that rough if there is concern that state underway. Vaisakhi is an important festival in the Sikh infl uences and storytelling tech- looking ahead to the new voices of fi gures, the average age of a rough sleeping is beyond dangerous agencies could have done more calendar, and is celebrated on April 14 each year. niques. A rare public appearance the literary stage and recognising sleeper at death was 43, near- – it’s deadly, and it’s claiming to prevent a death. by mother and daughter authors the power of the art form”. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, April 12, 2018 EUROPE ‘Devastating’ ocean heatwaves on the rise: study

AFP globally jumped by 54%, with a tourism and aquaculture,” said warming going into our oceans, In Tasmania in 2016, for ex- “We’re only just starting to the El Nino weather cycle. Paris noticeable acceleration over the the study’s lead author Eric Ol- it is likely that marine heatwaves ample, an intense marine heat- piece together what the impact The team found that from 1925 last three decades, a paper in the iver from Dalhousie University, will continue to increase,” co- wave led to disease outbreaks in is of climate change and warm- to 2016, the frequency of marine journal Nature Communications Canada. “There are often pro- author Neil Holbrook from the farmed shellfi sh. ing waters on our marine ecosys- heatwaves increased by 34% on cean heatwaves which said. found economic consequences University of Tasmania said. In Western Australia in 2011, a tems,” said Oliver. average, and the length of each can have “devastating Similar to an atmospheric that go hand in hand with these Just as atmospheric heatwaves month-long heatwave caused a The research team combined heatwave by 17% – resulting in Oand long-term impacts” heatwave, a marine heatwave is events.” can cause widespread ecologi- shift in the ecosystem after part daily data from satellites, going a 54% jump in marine heatwave on ecosystems have become a prolonged period of unusually The heatwaves are linked to an cal damage, marine heatwaves of the coastal kelp forest was back about 35 years, with records days globally every year. longer and more frequent over warm water. overall rise in average sea surface is detrimental to ocean eco-sys- wiped out. from ship-based measuring sta- The authors said it was the fi rst the past century, according to an “While some of us may en- temperatures consistent with tems and the plants and animals The following year in the Gulf tions and six coastal stations time trends in extreme marine international study published on joy the warmer waters when we climate change eff ects, the study they house. of Maine, a surge in water tem- since 1925. temperatures have been exam- Tuesday. go swimming, these heatwaves found. They can also spark economic perature led to a boost in lobster They took into account the ined on a global scale, and links From 1925 to 2016, the number have signifi cant impacts on eco- “With more than 90% of the stresses for humans, by shrinking numbers which crashed prices infl uence of natural variabil- to climate change need further of annual marine heatwave days systems, biodiversity, fi sheries, heat from human-caused global fi sh stocks, for example. and industry profi ts. ity caused by phenomena such as investigation.

Thousands protest Clashes as police move disability welfare on anti-capitalist camp reform AFP people at the location of the began on Monday with the de- build a new airport near the city ing area, saying that they had two days of the operation, 15 of Reuters Notre-Dame-des-Landes, France clashes, with police fi ring tear ployment of about 2,500 offi cers of Nantes fi rst began squatting been in talks with local offi cials them demolished. Sofia gas and stun grenades while to the site, 28 of whom have been on the farmland in 2008, and on maintaining many of the The plan is to dismantle up to activists set fi re to at least one injured. the camp grew into a sprawl- projects. 40 as authorities seek to retake ctivists reinforced by makeshift barricade and an According to a medical team ing 1,600-hectare (4,000-acre) The government had said that control of a key road running housands of people in dozens of their support- abandoned car to halt their ad- set up at the activists’ camp, settlement billed as a utopian activists could stay on the land through the area that has been Bulgaria protested yes- Aers clashed with police vance. about 20 protesters had been leftist farming community. if they came up with individual blocked for fi ve years. Tterday against a planned for a third day in western France A police spokesman told hurt yesterday, with one hospi- But the government an- farming schemes but most re- Interior Minister Gerard Col- disability welfare reform which yesterday to oppose their evic- France Info radio that in to- talised, after about 30 were hurt nounced in January that it was fused, saying that they want to lomb has said the operation the government says will combat tion from an anti-capitalist tal about 150-200 people “had on Tuesday. calling off plans for the airport run the site collectively and be could last until the end of the widespread abuses of the sys- camp set up 10 years ago to pro- come to reinforce” the protest- An AFP photographer was and warned the squatters that able to pursue non-agricultural week, while the government’s tem. test a new airport. ers across the large camp in the also lightly wounded in the legs they must clear off the land by projects. top offi cial in the region, Nicole Disability welfare payments The clashes erupted at dawn wooded area. by fragments of a stun grenade. spring. “We played the game, and we Klein, said not every structure in Bulgaria, the poorest country when protesters began throwing Many were equipped with “If the police do not pull back The three days of running were had,” said a protester who would be razed. in the European Union, costs the projectiles at offi cers from be- gas masks, Molotov cocktails, their troops tonight, we’ll call a battles echo a failed attempt to gave her name as Sarah. “We are “We have only dealt with the government 1.7bn levs ($1.08bn) hind barricades set up to defend makeshift shields and racquets general mobilisation,” said Julien clear the camp in 2012. outraged, what else could we squats made of boards,” she said each year. the camp at Notre-Dames-des- they used to knock back tear gas Durand, spokesman for one of The activists are furious at be?” late on Tuesday, adding that But offi cial statistics show Landes near the city of Nantes. canisters. the main associations opposed police damage to their shelters Local authorities say that 16 talks between offi cials and pro- that around 900,000 payments By midday the protesters’ The clashes have escalated to building the airport. and farming projects, including of the encampments dotting the testers would resume “as soon are made each year to 500,000 ranks had swollen to some 150 since the expulsion operation Activists opposed to plans to a sheep shed and cheese-mak- farmland were cleared in the fi rst as possible”. recipients, and this discrepancy has given rise to accusations of fraud. The reform bill has sparked fi erce opposition, with critics arguing that it would result in Germans experience benefi t cuts and leave recipients of disability payments, many of whom are already living under second day of public the poverty line. In an attempt to avert yesterday’s protest, the cabinet sector wage strikes withdrew particularly contested details of the bill, including the introduction of stricter criteria Reuters confrontation,” he said. in disability assessments, but Berlin The southern states of Ba- the rally in the capital Sofi a went varia and Baden-Wuerttem- ahead. berg were among the worst hit “It is not a modern reform at rade unions in Germany yesterday but walkouts and all but a revocation of rights,” piled more pressure on demonstrations also aff ected said Hristo Antonov, a protester Tpublic sector employers other regions, including North from the northwestern town of with a second day of nation- Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s Montana. wide wage strikes yesterday, most populous state. The government says the as more than 25,000 workers The president of the Bavar- proposed reform is based on staged walkouts at hospitals, ian civil servants’ union, Rolf the World Health Organisation childcare centres and waste Habermann, told Reuters that (WHO)’s guidelines which aim depots. employers should make an of- to get disabled people back into No fl ights were aff ected by fer refl ecting the strength of Shows of the work place. yesterday’s action. Germany’s economic upswing. “The intended reform aims to On Tuesday, walkouts “There have been enough dissent take away a disability-compen- caused widespread disruption words exchanged, the rituals Above: A protester uses a sating income and send (disa- to air travel, including the can- have been maxed out,” Haber- tennis racket to hit a tear bled) people to the labour market cellation of hundreds of fl ights, mann said. gas cannister during the to seek for jobs which don’t ex- leaving thousands of passen- Germany, Europe’s biggest evacuation operation by ist,” Adriana Stoimenova, depu- gers stranded. economy, is in solid shape, French gendarmes in the ty chair of the National Council The Verdi union wants a 6% with buoyant tax revenues and ZAD (Deferred Development for the Integration of People pay rise for 2.3mn public sec- a record budget surplus. Zone) in France’s with Disabilities, said. tor employees, but the federal Falling unemployment, in- Notre-Dame-des-Landes, A recent survey, conducted by government and municipali- fl ation-busting pay rises and near Nantes. Bulgaria’s second-largest trade ties have rejected the demand low borrowing costs are fuel- union Podkrepa, showed that as too high. ling a consumer-led upswing. Above, left: Air France 41% of disabled Bulgarians rely The next round of negotia- The European Central Bank employees stage a solely on their disability benefi ts tions is due on April 15. is keeping a close eye on the demonstration yesterday while more than 83% of them Verdi chief Frank Bsirske German wage negotiations for during a two-day strike in live below the poverty line of 321 told Reuters yesterday that any sign that wage growth is front of Air France levs ($203) a month. employers would have to off er picking up, potentially lifting headquarters at Paris Labour Minister Biser Petkov something concrete at the third infl ation and giving the ECB Charles de Gaulle Airport in said he would meet representa- round of talks to avoid escala- added leeway to start winding Roissy, north of Paris. tives of disability groups today tion. down its massive stimulus pro- for discussions of the reform “Anything else would be a gramme. Left: A woman holds a plans. banner reading ‘NO to “The aim of the changes the reforms that take our rights’ government is proposing is not during a protest in front of to reduce the support for disa- the government building in bled people but to achieve a Sofia. fairer distribution and fraud pre- Air France to meet vention,” he said. unions over pay row

Reuters Air France raised its 2018 King tells Nobel literature body to settle diff erences Paris pay off er to the unions late on Tuesday to 2% – double its previous off er but still well be- DPA King Carl XVI Gustaf, who crisis at a prize-awarding in- to law enforcement agencies. pointed for life, keep their status ir France unions leading low unions’ demands for a 6% Stockholm is patron of the academy, said stitution also harms the Nobel The vote to expel Frostenson even if they no longer participate a strike yesterday over increase. that “the diff erences that have Prize’s reputation,” the state- was called after the academy in the body actively. Awage demands agreed to The head of the overall Air emerged in the Swedish Acade- ment read. “We can see that the hired a law fi rm in November to With Friday’s announcement, meet management for further France KLM group had ear- he king of Sweden has my are very unfortunate and risk trust in the Swedish Academy investigate sexual harassment a total of fi ve academy members negotiations after the airline lier denounced the unions’ de- urged feuding members seriously harming the Academy’s has been seriously damaged. It allegations by 18 women against have stepped aside, raising con- improved its salary off er. mands for a 6% pay increase as Tof the Swedish Academy, important work”. is not yet clear how this situation Frostenson’s husband. cerns the academy might be un- The industrial action by Air unrealistic. best known for selecting the No- The row and its ramifi cations may tarnish the Nobel Prize’s He has denied the allegations. able to function. France pilots, cabin crew and “The off er made by the man- bel Prize in Literature, to keep its were also discussed yesterday by reputation.” According to a confi dential The king said his “fi rm view” ground staff has so far cost the agement of Air France is both “best interests at heart”. the board of the Nobel Founda- The board said that to restore report, Frostenson violated con- was that he has the fi nal say on airline €170mn ($210mn) and strong and reasonable,” Air The rift came into the open on tion. confi dence several measures fl ict-of-interest rules by fail- the statutes of the academy, contributed to travel disrup- France KLM’s chairman and Friday when three members said The foundation manages the were needed, including that the ing to disclose that she was co- founded in 1786 by King Gustav tion in the country at a time chief executive Jean-Marc Ja- that they were stepping aside in assets endowed by Swedish in- Swedish Academy ensures that owner of a performance venue III. rail workers are also protesting naillac told Europe 1 radio yes- the wake of a failed vote to expel dustralist Alfred Nobel, who cre- “confi dentiality and confl icts run by her husband that formerly In light of recent develop- against planned reforms. terday. poet Katarina Frostenson. ated the literature prize and other of interest are handled in ac- received funding from the acad- ments, he was considering add- A pilots union offi cial said “It would be irresponsible if Since then members of rival awards in science and peace. cordance with both the Swedish emy. ing clauses that would allow talks were slated today and that the trade unions did not enter factions in the Swedish Acad- It is also tasked with ensur- Academy and the Nobel Founda- There are also allegations the members to resign. a notice for future strikes could into talks, now that the man- emy, normally known for keeping ing the “standing” of the Nobel tion’s regulations”. man leaked names of Nobel lit- The academy has selected the be withdrawn if a suitable pay agement has held out its hand out of the media spotlight, have awards. Further, it said that “suspected erature laureates. Nobel literature laureate since off er was forthcoming. to them,” said Janaillac. traded barbed remarks. “It is inevitable that a severe criminal acts” should be referred The 18 academy members, ap- 1901. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 19 EUROPE Unruly cabinet ready to tackle bulging inbox: Merkel

Reuters crat (SPD) coalition partners “We will have debates,” she her personal standing dimin- “It is also clear that we have a But she did not set out a reform Coalition sources say that the Berlin have been sniping at each other told reporters, recognising the ished following Germany’s 2015 lot of work to do,” Merkel said, timetable. art of governing in the coalition since taking offi ce a month ago, turbulent start to the govern- refugee crisis. urging cabinet members to focus Andrea Nahles, who is expect- will be to fi nd a happy medium when they renewed their love- ment and accepting that there With more than six months on implementing policy rather ed to take over as SPD leader later between substantive policy work e will argue, but we are less “grand coalition” – in power will be rows. “We don’t all wake gone since the election, Mer- than bickering. “Everyone has this month, had called for this and skirmishes that allow the ready to get on with since 2013. up in the morning with the same kel knows that voters expect her enough work, there is not much before the meeting, saying that camps to diff erentiate them- Wgoverning Germany: The two groups agreed to team ideas.” government to address their eco- time left for other things.” Merkel needed to “get govern- selves from each other. that was Chancellor Angela Mer- up again only because they were “But what I take away from nomic, social and security con- To signal to her cabinet the im- ment business up and running”. “This retreat was less about kel’s take on her new cabinet af- desperate to avoid fresh elections this retreat is that the will to cerns quickly. portance of the biggest European Nahles has chosen to stay out- reaching concrete decisions,” ter a “get to know you” retreat for after both had haemorrhaged reach agreements is there,” she The pressure is on to deliver: Union economy having a sta- side the cabinet, opting to lead Merkel said. “The aim here was ministers. support in last September’s fed- added after the meeting, which a clause in the government deal ble government, Merkel invited the SPD parliamentary group – a to get to know each other, to es- Leading ministers from Mer- eral vote. began on Tuesday. envisages a review of progress North Atlantic Treaty Organisa- role that allows her both to press tablish a capability to work and kel’s conservative bloc – her own Merkel tried to end the squab- Merkel began last month a after two years, giving each part- tion (Nato) chief Jens Stoltenberg the government on passing re- simply to learn from the outside Christian Democratic Union and bling during the two-day session fourth, and likely fi nal, term that ner the opportunity to leave then and European Commission Pres- forms important to her party what is expected of us.” Bavarian ally Christian Social at Schloss Meseberg, her offi cial may prove her most diffi cult yet if the coalition is not working for ident Jean-Claude Juncker to the members and to criticise the “The spirit is good overall, very Union – and their Social Demo- country residence outside Berlin. as she leads the coalition with them. meeting. conservatives. co-operative,” she added. EU, Poland work on judicial reform row Pope Francis greets one of the men who came with a llama to Reuters/AFP to make up for decades of com- Timmermans also said that it Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Brussels munist malaise. is positive that a new compulsory This year Prime Minister Ma- retirement age for judges would teusz Morawiecki has held a se- be the same for men and women. he European Union’s ex- ries of talks with the European PiS had initially set it at 65 ecutive said yesterday that Commission aiming for a deal. years for men and 60 years for Pope greets llamas at Tit hoped for a deal “very After visiting Poland last women. soon” in a fundamental dispute Monday, the Commission’s dep- “We need to see deeds, these with Poland over judicial inde- uty head, Frans Timmermans, new ideas being put fi rmly into Saint Peter’s Square pendence, with sources saying sounded more upbeat than previ- law. Otherwise no one will be- that May 14 could be a key date. ously over the row, which started lieve it,” said one EU diplomat, After two years of a stand- after PiS won power in late 2015. who also stressed that Timmer- DPA to see the 81-year-old Pontiff , off between the bloc’s largest Speaking to journalists in mans’ boss, Jean-Claude Junck- Rome the Kaserhof llama farm told ex-communist member and the Brussels yesterday, Timmermans Timmermans (left) with Morawiecki before their meeting in Warsaw er, is very eager to move on from DPA. more liberal founding states, Po- praised the “very, very inten- on Monday. the row. Owners Thomas Burger, land’s ruling nationalists brought sive talks” he had in Warsaw and Poland’s chief power broker ope Francis had some Thomas Mohr, and Walter Mair in a new prime minister at the commended Morawiecki for en- about the issues,” he said. Sources said that the decisive and PiS head, Jaroslaw Kaczyn- unusual company yes- also presented the Pope with turn of the year to seek a thaw gaging in “genuine dialogue”. Timmermans said the “Polish moment comes on May 14, when ski, recently put the chances of Pterday, when he wel- white socks and a pope’s cap with Brussels. “I am glad that we are now in a government has a vision” about the bloc’s European aff airs min- a deal with Brussels at 80% and comed three llamas at Saint made from alpaca fl eece. The EU has begun to see Po- genuine dialogue,” Timmermans how to resolve the diff erences isters are due to decide whether said it would come “soon”. Peter’s Square in Rome. The llamas also paid a cour- land, where the ruling Law and said. “I see willingness of the with Brussels. concessions off ered by PiS go After Warsaw insisted the ju- Luigi, Buff on and Diendo tesy visit to Italian Prime Min- Justice (PiS) party stands accused Polish government to fi nd a so- He said the goal is to “fi nd so- far enough to take off the table a dicial overhaul is needed to make travelled almost 700km with ister Paolo Gentiloni, who has of imposing more direct govern- lution. I hope we can make sub- lutions so that there is no longer threat to punish Warsaw through courts more eff ective and rid their owners on a pilgrimage previously visited the farm in ment control on the judiciary, as stantial steps forward in the days a systemic threat to rule of law in a procedure that could go as far them of a communist legacy, he from Ritten, in northern Italy, Ritten that also raises alpacas. a test case for the bloc. and weeks to come.” Poland”, rejecting the notion of a as suspending its vote in the bloc. said Poland is paying a “bitter” Poland also stands to lose be- “It is in the interest of all of compromise. At the heart of the dispute lie price to end the row. cause some EU members have us that in none of our member “We have seen that in the PiS changes to the judiciary that, He also said he is drawing on pushed to make access to EU states there should be a systemic Polish parliament over the last among other things, give the jus- lessons from Warsaw’s chief ally funding conditional on respect- threat to the rule of law. So we days and weeks some changes tice minister powers to replace in the EU, the eurosceptic Hun- ing democratic values such as are working constructively in the and amendments have been in- court presidents. garian Prime Minister Viktor War crimes judges the rule of law and judicial inde- hope of fi nding solutions very troduced and I was encouraged Under amendments now pro- Orban, who has off ered some pendence. soon,” Timmermans said. by some of them,” he said. posed by PiS, the minister would concessions over the years as the Poland is the biggest benefi ci- “This is actually for me the fi rst Timmermans, formerly a have to consult other judges be- EU sounded alarm that he was quash radical Serb ary of EU development aid and time that in Warsaw we actually Dutch foreign minister, will up- fore deciding on sacking a court cracking down on critical media head. and non-government groups. politician’s acquittal wants to keep the money fl owing went to the concrete discussion date EU states on Tuesday.

Reuters come before the Internation- The Hague al Criminal Tribunal for the Long-time Azerbaijan leader Aliyev wins election former Yugoslavia (ITCY) set up to prosecute major crimes UN war crimes court resulting from the wars and AFP Elmira Balayeva said that she has overturned an ac- closed last year. Baku had voted for Aliyev because he Aquittal of Serbian politi- The court acquitted Seselj was the only candidate capable cian Vojislav Seselj on charges in 2016 of charges, including of steering the country towards of persecution and inhumane murder, for stoking ethnic ha- zerbaijan strongman Il- economic well-being and politi- acts but the ultra-nationalist tred at the start of the wars. ham Aliyev has secured a cal stability. said he remained proud of what However, appeals judges in Afourth consecutive term “There is no alternative to he did. a special chamber to handle in a snap election boycotted by Aliyev. Only thanks to him is Az- Judges in the Hague sen- outstanding ICTY cases ruled the main opposition parties, ac- erbaijan a stable country with a tenced Seselj to 10 years on that Seselj was criminally re- cording to partial results, offi cials strong economy,” she said. charges including deportation, sponsible because of a speech said. But for Natig Veliyev, a but since he spent 12 years in he gave in Hrtkovci, Serbia, in An Aliyev victory was widely 27-year-old student who did not pre-trial detention, the pen- May 1992, for “instigating de- seen as a foregone conclusion turn out to vote, “the elections alty was considered already portation (and) persecution ... with the Caspian state’s down- are pure farce”. served. as crimes against humanity”. trodden opposition unable to “We have never seen free elec- He was given permission Prosecutors had called on mount a serious challenge to his tions in this country. Aliyev sim- in 2014 to return to Serbia for the judges to reverse the ac- authoritarian rule. ply extends his reign again and cancer treatment. quittal or order a retrial. In power for 15 years, Aliyev again,” Valiyev remarked. “I am proud of all my war The appeals chamber did not received 86.1% of the vote, the Turnout was 68.7%, accord- crimes and crimes against hu- fi nd a strong enough link be- Central Election Commission ing to the government-com- manity and am ready to repeat tween Seselj and other mem- said in a statement, after 67.3% missioned exit poll, but activists them,” Seselj told Reuters by bers of an alleged joint criminal of votes were counted. earlier questioned offi cial par- telephone from Serbia, add- enterprise to drive out non- Turnout was 74.5%, the state- ticipation fi gures. ing that the fresh verdict is Serbs from parts of Croatia and ment added. Aliyev, 56, was fi rst elected in not valid and the appeals court Bosnia. Aliyev’s position has been 2003, after the death of his father should only have had the power “The initial verdict could boosted in recent years by the Heydar Aliyev. to order a retrial. have not been turned into steady infl ux of petrodollars into Ilham Aliyev was re-elected in Seselj, 63, said he still want- conviction. The appeals court his government’s coff ers. A woman casts her ballot as others queue to vote at a polling station in Baku during the election. 2008 and 2013 in polls that were ed a Greater Serbia uniting could have ordered retrial Opposition parties in the denounced by opposition parties all parts of Serbia, Bosnia and only,” he said. tightly controlled Caucasus na- ening the campaign period and Republican Alternative Move- been created in Azerbaijan for the as fraudulent. Croatia where Serbs live. Serbian anti-war organisation have said the elections are a hampering eff orts to prevent ment, Natig Jafarli. presidential elections,” foreign In 2009, he amended the coun- Seselj founded the Serbian tion “Women in Black” said sham and accused the authorities vote-rigging. But authorities rejected the ministry spokesman, Hikmet try’s constitution so he could run Radical Party and was deputy that the verdict gave partial of preparing to rig the vote. “All previous elections in Az- criticism, insisting that the vote Hajiyev, told AFP. “All the candi- for an unlimited number of pres- prime minister under Slobodan satisfaction to families of vic- They have also condemned Al- erbaijan were falsifi ed and held was free and fair. dates enjoy equal rights and op- idential terms. Milosevic during the wars that tims. iyev’s surprise – and unexplained with blatant violations of the “Azerbaijan is on a fi rm and portunities.” In 2016, Azerbaijan adopted accompanied the break-up of “Fighting hate speech and – decision to hold the election six electoral law. These elections will irreversible path of democratic Earlier in the day at a poll- fresh controversial constitution- Yugoslavia in the early 1990s in facing the past is a pre-condi- months ahead of schedule, say- be no exception,” said the execu- development. A free, open and ing station in the capital Baku, al amendments, extending the which more than 100,000 peo- tion for progress in Serbia and ing that it was aimed at short- tive secretary of the opposition transparent environment has 38-year-old schoolteacher president’s term to seven years. ple were killed. the region,” it said in a state- The case is one of the last to ment. Billionaire vanishes on skiing trip Madrid regional leader embroiled in ‘false’ diploma row The billionaire chief of Germany’s sprawling Tengelmann retail group has gone missing while skiing in the Swiss Alps, the company said yesterday, although searchers have not given up hope of AFP they have a masters they should The rectors said in a state- her to receive the diploma were those urging her to go while the finding him. Madrid be in a position to guarantee they ment that if it transpired that falsifi ed. leftist opposition is preparing a “Search teams on the scene are doing everything they can” to find do and if they say they do but do Cifuentes’s masters award from The public prosecutor is inves- motion of censure. 58-year-old Karl-Erivan Haub after his failure to return from a ski not ... that is grounds to resign”, Madrid’s King Juan Carlos Uni- tigating the claims. Prime Minister Mariano Ra- excursion on Saturday, a company spokeswoman told AFP. niversity authorities in said the chairman of Spain’s versity was bogus, it would be a Cifuentes, touted by the PP as joy, who initially swung behind Haub set off at a height of 3,800m (12,470’) on the Klein Matterhorn, Spain said yesterday that conference of university rec- very serious matter. a new broom in a party tainted by his party colleague, has urged a glacier-shrouded peak that is the highest in Europe reachable by Uthey suspected “serious tors, Roberto Fernandez, without Cifuentes has been caught in scandal in recent years, has de- the aff air be resolved “as quickly cable car. irregularities” over the awarding naming Cristina Cifuentes. a media storm amid accusations nied wrongdoing and refused to as possible with as much com- The Tengelmann group owns a number of retail chains and other of a masters degree to the con- Along with the ongoing po- that she obtained the diploma resign despite some in her own mon sense as possible” fearing businesses in Germany, including the Kik low-cost clothing stores servative president of Madrid’s litical stalemate in Catalonia, without taking the required ex- party urging her to resign. it could taint PP’s image as the and OBI home improvement outlets. regional government as pressure the issue helped to overshadow a ams. The PP’s centre right ally government looks to next year’s Its success has lifted the family into 265th place on Forbes mounted for her to resign. weekend conference of the ruling Further allegations have been Ciudadanos, a key backer in the municipal, regional and Euro- magazine’s global rich list, and 20th place in Germany. When leading politicians “say Popular Party (PP). made that documents allowing regional parliament, is among pean elections. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, April 12, 2018 INDIA

JUDICIARY TRAVEL CHARITY MYSTERY HEALTH HC rejects plea to quash New Uber app for Ex-PM donates 3,500 Young man, girlfriend Delhi hospital launches FIR against SNDP chief drivers launched books to Panjab University found shot dead clinic to treat Parkinson’s

Powerful SNDP Yogam supremo Vellapally Ride-hailing platform Uber yesterday launched Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has A young man and his girlfriend were The Pushpawati Singhania Hospital & Research Institute Natesan yesterday suff ered a major setback a new app that will initially be available to donated 3,500 books from his personal library yesterday found dead on the rooftop of the (PSRI) in New Delhi yesterday launched its Parkinson’s when the Kerala High Court dismissed his select driver-partners in Kochi and courier to his alma mater Panjab University (PU) in latter’s grandparents’ house in Jharkhand, Disease and Movement Disorder Clinic on the occasion plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered partners in Chennai. The app was developed Chandigarh, a university off icial said yesterday. police said. A country-made pistol and an of World Parkinson’s Day. Parkinson’s is a progressive against him over alleged fraud and financial after experimenting with over 100 driver Singh, who was in Chandigarh yesterday, unspecified number of bullets were seized disorder which strikes through the central nervous misappropriation in a microfinance scheme. The and courier partners in Bengaluru as part announced his wish to donate the books. from the scene where the bullet-riddled system and aff ects the body movement. “Parkinson’s court also directed that the case be probed by of the global beta launch. “Our teams spent University authorities said that arrangements bodies of Arun Soren, 18, and Sabnam disease is no more an incurable and debilitating disease. an IPS off icer of “impeccable integrity”. Natesan time on-ground, interacting with partners would soon be made to transport books and Marandi, 14, were found in Mangara village Modern medicines and Deep Brain Stimulation have is the supreme leader of the Bharath Dharma through group sessions, ride alongs and in memorabilia, photographs and paintings from in Godda district, around 500km from revolutionised the management of Parkinson’s disease Jana Sena (BDJS), a political outfit run by his person meetings to gather inputs. Every piece New Delhi to the university campus. The books state capital Ranchi. Both were students of and many other disorders like tremors, epilepsy and son which is the second-biggest constituent of of their feedback was important and it was and other objects will be kept in the Guru Teg the same school and were said to be in a OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder),” said Shamsher the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National incorporated into building an app that meets Bahadur Bhawan on the university campus. Singh, relationship. The girl’s grandparents, with Dwivedee, chairman of PSRI Hospital. Researchers Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Kerala. In 2016, their needs,” Pradeep Parameswaran, head a noted economist, was a student of the university whom she was living, claimed they rushed to say that Parkinson disease is considered one of the former chief minister V S Achuthanandan had of Central Operations, Uber India and South in the 1950s and later joined the Department of the rooftop on hearing gunshots and found most common human adult-onset neurodegenerative alleged that Natesan had committed large- Asia, said in a statement. The app will be rolled Economics there as a faculty member. He became both dead. On the other hand, the youth’s diseases and is the second most common disorder scale diversion of funds meant to be given at out in a phased manner to driver and delivery a professor at the age of 32 and continued family accused her family members of killing after Alzheimer’s disease. It commonly occurs between low rates of interest to beneficiaries under the partners across the country over the coming teaching in PU till the mid-1960s before moving to both. Police said a probe is on to find if the the ages of 50 and 80 and also aff ects children and microfinance scheme. months, Uber said. other international assignments. incident was a murder or a suicide. adolescents at the same time. SC dismisses petition on guidelines for case allocation Agencies things, that the chief justice con- assigned only to the senior-most New Delhi sult two most senior judges while among the judges of the Supreme allocating work, and that benches Court has no foundation in prin- hearing constitutional matters ciple or precedent.” he Supreme Court said should comprise of fi ve senior It is a settled position that a yesterday its chief justice most judges. judgment delivered by a judge Twas the highest authority “As a repository of constitu- speaks for the court (except in the on the court and could not be dis- tional trust, the chief justice is case of a concurring or dissenting trusted, dismissing a lawyer’s pean institution in himself. The opinion), the court said. tition for guidelines to be drafted authority which is conferred Justice Chandrachud, writing on the transparent allocation of upon the chief justice, it must be the judgement for the bench, re- cases to judges. remembered, is vested in a high ferred to the Supreme Court Rules, Lawyer Asok Pande fi led the constitutional functionary,” Jus- 2013 and said they were notifi ed petition soon after four most sen- tice Chandrachud said. with the approval of the President. ior Supreme Court judges, at an The “ultimate purpose” behind “Rule 1 indicates that it is the Former INX Media chief Indrani Mukerjea is escorted out of J J Hospital in Mumbai yesterday. unprecedented press briefi ng on giving the CJI this authority is to chief justice who is to nominate January 12, accused Chief Justice ensure that the court is “able to the judges who would constitute Deepak Misra of selectively allo- fulfi l and discharge the constitu- a bench to hear a cause, appeal cating cases. tional obligations which govern or matter. Where a reference has The judges at the briefi ng did and provide the rationale for its been made to a larger bench, the not mention any particular case, existence”. bench making the reference is re- but it was understood that they The lawyer’s appeal was “man- quired to refer the matter to the Indrani leaves hospital, were referring to allocation of ifestly misconceived” and “con- chief justice who will constitute a certain politically-sensitive cases trary to legal and constitutional Bench,” the judgement said. to selected benches. principle”, the court said, adding, The court also referred to a re- The chief justice is the “master “there is no constitutional foun- cent fi ve-judge bench verdict that of the roster” and decides alloca- dation on the basis of which such had set aside an order passed by says she fears for her life tion of cases to various benches, a suggestion can be accepted.” a bench headed by Justice Chela- the court ruled yesterday. Noting that the petitioner meswar ordering setting up of A bench of Misra, Justice A M “harbours a misconception” that a larger bench, comprising fi ve Agencies her life, she said, “Yes, there is a She underwent a series of completing the inquiry. Muker- Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chan- certain categories of cases or cer- most senior judges, to hear a pe- Mumbai threat to my life.” medical tests. jea, the co-founder of INX Me- drachud said that for securing the tain courts must consist only of tition of NGO Campaign for Judi- Bharatiya Janata Party leader Her urine samples were sent dia, is the prime accused in her position of the Supreme Court as the most senior in order of their cial Accountability and Reforms Subramanian Swamy alleged for analysis at a forensic labo- daughter Sheena Bora’s murder an independent safeguard of per- appointment, the judgment said: relating to an alleged medical ad- ormer INX Media chief that the overdose was an at- ratory and after receiving its case. sonal liberty, there could not be “Every Judge appointed to this mission scam. Indrani Mukerjea, arrested tempt to “eliminate” Mukerjea, report, the hospital authori- Sheena Bora, 25, was allegedly “a presumption of mistrust of the court under Article 124 of the It was held that once the chief Ffor the alleged killing of who happens to be the key wit- ties said she had an overdose of killed and her body disposed of chief justice. The oath of offi ce Constitution is invested with the justice is stated to be the mas- her daughter Sheena Bora, left ness against Congress leader anti-depressants that were not in a forest area in Raigad district demands nothing less.” equal duty of adjudicating cases ter of the roster, he alone had the Mumbai’s J J Hospital yesterday P Chidambaram’s son Karti prescribed to her. in Maharashtra in April 2012, The chief justice was the fi rst which come to the court and are prerogative to constitute benches and was taken back to the Bycul- Chidambaram’s alleged INX “The reports of her urine according to the police. among equals and an institution assigned by the chief justice.” and neither a two-Judge, nor a la prison, a senior offi cial said. Media money laundering case. sample showed a signifi cant Mukerjea, her former hus- in himself, the judgment said. Pointing out that the judges three-Judge bench can allocate Mukerjea, who was admit- On Monday, Byculla Jail au- increase in the level of benzodi- band Sanjeev Khanna and driv- The top court said it was the appointed to Supreme Court ei- the matter to themselves or direct ted in the state-run hospital for thorities ordered a probe to fi nd azepine, a class of anti-depres- er Shyamvar Rai were arrested “prerogative” of the chief justice ther upon elevation from the the constitution of a bench. the treatment of suspected drug out if there was any foul play by sants,” a doctor from the hospi- for the crime. Rai later turned to constitute the benches and high court or directly from the Prior to their January press overdose, has been brought back jail authorities while administer- tal said, quoting from reports of a prosecution witness in the allocate cases and that author- bar possess “wide and diverse conference, Justices Jasti Chela- to the jail, Inspector General Ra- ing the medicines to Mukerjea. the Forensic Science Laboratory case. ity can’t be regulated on the mere experience” which they gather meswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan jvardhan Sinha said. On April 6 Mukerjea, 46, was at Kalina in Mumbai. Earlier, in 2015, Mukerjea had apprehension of being exercised during the course of their service Lokur and Kurian Joseph had re- Her health is better, the hos- admitted to the hospital, where The state prisons depart- been rushed to the hospital for arbitrarily. or practice as lawyers, the court leased a letter written to Misra pital’s dean Dr S D Nanandkar she was brought in a “semi- ment earlier ordered an inquiry a similar medical emergency It dismissed the petition, say- said: “To suggest that any judge alleging “selective assignment said. conscious” condition from her to fi nd out how Mukerjea fell ill arising out of a suspected drug ing some of its “averments” were would be more capable of decid- of cases to preferred judges” and When asked by reporters out- cell in the Byculla Jail in south in the jail. The IG will submit his overdose and remained under “scandalous.” ing particular cases or that cer- that “sensitive cases were being side the hospital if she feared for Mumbai. report to the department after treatment for nearly a week. Pande had asked, among other tain categories of cases should be allotted to junior judges.” Kerala to take over state’s Family refuses to fi rst private medical college take farmer’s body IANS ment should give us at least Rs1 Yavatmal, Maharashtra crore... I have to educate my By Ashraf Padanna munist Party of India (Marxist), United Democratic Front (UDF) four children, get them mar- Thiruvananthapuram which is now in power, seized returned to power in 2001 and ried, run the farm, etc,” Tiwari control of the complex. after the regime change again in ver 36 hours after said, citing Chayre’s widow. A WhatsApp message from the 2006, the CPM wrested the soci- Maharashtra farm- In a major embarrassment he Kerala government is offi ce of Chief Minister Pinarayi ety allegedly by rigging elections. Oer Shankar Bhaurao for the Bharatiya Janata Party fi nally acquiring the state’s Vijayan said the cabinet had de- Now both are in favour of the Chayre committed suicide, (BJP), Chayre consumed poi- Tfi rst private medical college cided to recommend to Governor government takeover as it had his family yesterday refused to son and ended his life in his which has seen many political and P Sathasivam to issue an ordi- incurred massive losses. The take his body for the last rites farm and a suicide note nam- legal fi ghts over the past 25 years. nance facilitating the takeover. chief minister’s offi ce said it had till Chief Minister Devendra ing Prime Minister Narendra The state cabinet yesterday “This is for providing better already taken over the society’s Fadnavis meets them. Modi’s government and other approved a draft bill to take over healthcare facilities for the people debt burden and had been repay- The family also rejected a offi cials, was recovered. the Academy of Medical Sciences of northern Kerala and fulfi lling ing loans in instalments. compensation of Rs100,000 Incidentally, Fadnavis is ex- and Kerala Co-operative Hospital the need for a government medi- The overstaff ed venture now off ered on behalf of the state pected to visit Yavatmal today Complex, which is neck-deep in cal college in the region,” it said. has an accumulated debt burden government by Vasantrao Naik for some functions, but it is debt despite taxing the students “The society that was running of over Rs5bn and assets worth Sheti Swavalamban Mission not known if he would visit the heavily. the hospital complex and the col- Rs20bn. (VNSM) chairman Kishore Ti- family. The college and hospital com- lege had requested the govern- The Pariyaram Medical College wari. Early yesterday, the eldest plex, known as the Pariyaram ment to take over as it was diffi - is a complex of seven institutions “The family is shattered by daughter of Chayre went to the Medical College and Hospital, was cult for them to continue.” including nursing, pharmacy and losing their sole breadwin- hospital morgue to seek her fa- built on government land in the The CPM-led Left Democratic public schools and a speciality ner. They have demanded that ther’s ‘blessings’ before going northern Kannur district in the Front (LDF) government that suc- hospital for cardiology. the CM must visit them, un- to college for her exams, said early 1900s when K Karunakaran ceeded the Karunakaran adminis- It now has some 2,000 em- derstand the problems of the Tiwari. was the chief minister and dissi- tration took over the college from ployees, mostly CPM workers. farmers before they would ac- The VNSSM on Tuesday of- dent Communist leader M V Ra- the society headed by Raghavan The government plans to convert cept Chayre’s body,” Tiwari fered to give compensation ghavan the co-operation minister. in 1997. it into an autonomous institu- said. and bear the full educational It was also a scene of many But the society got its con- tion details of which are not yet The Kerala government will take over the Pariyaram Medical College “How can we survive with expenses of Chayre’s children, violent protests. Later the Com- trol back when the Congress-led known. and Hospital, which is neck-deep in debt. just Rs100,000? The govern- which the family rejected. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 21 INDIA CBI probing another loan taken by Choksi and his companies

IANS his Gitanjali Group of compa- offi cially touch Rs19,000 crore for allegedly defrauding the bank Gitanjali Group, stands accused Choksi, Modi and his fam- Antwerp branch. They were New Delhi nies, said the sources. (Rs190bn).” of Rs48.86bn. Later the agency along with his nephew Nirav ily are still at large as they fl ed summoned to join the investiga- They said the loan was sep- As per the complaints of PNB, got another PNB complaint on Modi in the Rs136bn PNB fraud. abroad in the fi rst week of Janu- tions at the CBI’s Bandra-based arate from the Rs136bn Pun- the country’s second-biggest February 22 wherein the fraud The CBI has registered separate ary - around a month before the offi ce in Mumbai. he Central Bureau of In- jab National Bank (PNB) fraud state-run lender, the CBI is cur- in respect of Foreign Letter of FIRs in the case. PNB fi led fi rst complaint against They were examined over the vestigation is probing an- already being probed by the rently probing about Rs70.80bn Credits increased by another Billionaire Modi, a regular on them about the fraud. role of these overseas branches Tother loan of Rs52.80bn CBI. fraud during 2013-17 against Gi- Rs12.51bn. the lists of rich and famous In- The CBI yesterday exam- of the two Indian banks in ex- taken by diamond trader Mehul “The investigation is under tanjali Gems Ltd, Gill India Ltd, The agency on March 4 re- dians since 2013, his group com- ined three offi cials of overseas tending alleged credit facili- Choksi and his companies from the purview of working capital Nakshatra Brand Ltd and Asmi ceived another complaint from panies - Diamond R US, Stellar branches of two Indian banks, an ties on the basis of Letters of a consortium of 31 banks led by loan and it may become the part Jewellery India Ltd. PNB against Gitanjali Group re- Diamond and Solar Exports - his offi cial said. Undertaking (LoUs) issued by ICICI Bank, sources said. of the existing PNB fraud cases. The CBI on February 15 fi led garding additional exposure of wife Ami and brother Nishal Two of the offi cials are from the PNB to the firms related The probe is part of the exist- If this proves to be a fraud too, a case against Gitanjali group of about Rs9.42bn. Modi are also named in along Canara Bank’s Bahrain branch to Modi and Choksi, said the ing FIR fi led against Choksi and the whole fraud amount may companies controlled by Choksi Choksi, the chairman of the with others in the fraud. and one from Bank of India’s sources. Amnesty seeks impartial probe into rape case

IANS lice late on Sunday and was New Delhi apparently beaten mercilessly by four aides of the legislator as well as police personnel. uman rights group The survivor has said that Amnesty Interna- her father was killed because Htional India yester- she was not willing to with- day termed an Uttar Pradesh draw her complaint. rape survivor’s ordeal and her On Tuesday, the Uttar father’s custodial death as Pradesh police set up a Special “painting a chilling picture” Investigation Team (SIT) to and demanded an “immediate look into the girl’s accusations and impartial investigation.” as well as the death of her fa- Reacting to the death of ther. the rape survivor’s father in The Congress slammed police custody on Monday, Adityanath for “protecting” Amnesty International India’s the BJP MLA. Programmes Director Asmi- Congress spokesman Ran- ta Basu said the state police deep Surjewala said: “The seemed to have “turned their Unnao rape victim cried for backs on human rights”. justice and pleaded with Yogi “The reported failure of the Adityanath for eight-nine Uttar Pradesh police to regis- months. However, the Yogi Kashmiri villagers and relatives mourn near the body of slain youth Sharjeel Ahmed, who was killed in a gunbattle between government forces and militants in Khudwani area of ter an FIR against the accused, government did not budge be- Kulgam south of Srinagar yesterday. the harassment faced by the cause the MLA was protected survivor and her family, and by him.” the death of her father in cus- On Tuesday, the Uttar tody paint a chilling picture. Pradesh Crime Branch arrest- “There must be an immedi- ed Sengar’s brother Atul Singh ate, independent and impar- Sengar on the charge of as- tial investigation into these saulting the 16-year-old girl’s violations, and authorities father last week after she had 4 civilians, soldier killed must take all steps to ensure fi led a rape complaint. that the survivor and her fam- Meanwhile, the MLA’s wife ily are protected from any fur- defended her husband yester- ther harassment,” she said. day and said both the victims Basu also urged the state and her husband should un- government to respond to the dergo a narco test. notices issued by the National Sangeeta Singh also told re- in Kashmir gunbattle Human Rights Commission porters after meeting Director (NHRC) in the case. General of Police O P Singh Agencies This is the second such inci- closed in answer to a strike call security forces determined to and security forces south of Sri- In June 2017, a woman in that her husband was a victim Srinagar dent in Kashmir in just over a from separatists in protest at the break up the street protests. nagar, according to S P Vaid, the Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao was al- of “political conspiracy” and week. killings. In the end, the troops fi red state director general of police. legedly raped by BJP legislator was innocent. On April 2, soldiers killed at Authorities reacted with a explosives to destroy a house Meanwhile, Jammu and Kash- Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his She said the rape victim ecurity forces killed four least three civilians and wound- security clampdown, shutting where the militants were hidden. mir Liberation Front (JKLF) brothers. should undergo a narco test civilians in a village in Jam- ed 70 more when hundreds of down Internet services in south- Two other houses in the vicin- chairman Yasin Malik was de- On Sunday, the survivor at- and so should her husband. Smu and Kashmir yesterday people tried to prevent another ern parts of Kashmir and sus- ity caught fi re. tained soon after he and sepa- tempted suicide outside Uttar She said she had been told when they opened fi re on pro- security operation. pending train services south of But there was no trace of the ratist leaders Syed Ali Geelani Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi that a free and fair probe had testers pelting them with stones As word of the deaths spread Srinagar. militants, who appeared to have and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called Adityanath’s residence, ac- been initiated. to stop an operation against sus- yesterday, thousands took to the Police issued a statement say- escaped in the clashes between for a two-day shutdown in the cusing the authorities of fail- “I want justice for my hus- pected militants, senior police streets of the capital Srinagar, ing the civilian deaths took place civilians and security forces. Kashmir Valley today and to- ing to investigate the case, and band and my family who are offi cials said. chanting slogans such as “We as a result of crossfi re between Police offi cials stated this after morrow to denounce the killings. protecting the perpetrators. undergoing a lot of mental At least one soldier was also want freedom” and “Go India, the militants and security forces. clearing the debris of the house. While Malik addressed the On Monday, the father of harassment,” the wife said, killed during a gunbattle with go back”. This was strongly contested Twenty more people were media in person, Geelani and the the girl died in police custody. adding no proof had been sub- the suspected militants, another Schools, colleges and busi- by locals who assert that the wounded in yesterday’s con- Mirwaiz spoke to journalists on He had been picked up by po- mitted about the alleged rape. senior police offi cer said. nesses in the Kashmir Valley civilians were shot dead by the frontation between protesters phone. ‘Premature’ to expect defence orders under Make-in-India initiative: offi cial

IANS Thiruvidanthai, Tamil Nadu

t is “a little premature” to expect defence orders at this stage Iof the country’s still nascent “Make in India” policy, a top De- fence Ministry offi cial said yesterday at DefExpo 2018 here that showcases the country as a major defence manufacturing hub. “The Strategic Partnership Poli- cy is at a preliminary stage and we have to evaluate it and do consultations in terms of (transfer of) technology. To expect orders next year, I am afraid, is a little premature,” De- fence Secretary Sanjay Mitra said. He was addressing a joint press conference with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Pro- duction Secretary Ajay Kumar, and Defence Research and Develop- Exhibitors interact next to a display of ammunition shells of Russia’s Zavod Plastmass at the DefExpo 2018, a large ment Organisation (DRDO) chief S defence exhibition showcasing military equipment, on the outskirts of Chennai yesterday. Christopher on the fi rst day of the four-day defence expo on the East give a thrust to development of de- Mitra also said the government fi ned to four segments - fi ghter air- Coast Road near Tamil Nadu capital sign and production capabilities of was in the process of amending the craft, helicopters, submarines and Chennai. the country’s defence sector. Strategic Partnership Model policy armoured fi ghting vehicles (AFV)/ Mitra was replying to a ques- “We are in the process of exam- announced in May 2017 for the In- main battle tanks (MBT). tion actually asked to Sithara- ining those comments and based dian private sector. Mitra said India had moved with man whether the government that on consultations with other min- The policy under the Defence its fi rst procurement under the completes its term in about a year istries, the policy will be placed for Procurement Procedure seeks strategic partnership model with would be able to secure orders un- fi nal approval. We hope to see the to identify a few Indian private the rollout of the fi rst request for der the “Make in India” fl agship fi nal policy very soon. Consultation companies as strategic part- information (RFI) for procuring 110 programme to boost India’s manu- process is on... We should be able to ners, who would initially tie up fi ghter jets for the Indian Air Force facturing sector. do it very soon,” Kumar said. with shortlisted foreign origi- last week. Ajay Kumar said the ministry With only 12 months left before nal equipment manufacturers “We have brought out the RFI was examining comments it had the next Lok Sabha elections, stra- to produce big-ticket military (for the fi ghter jets). We have to received from various stakehold- tegic projects such as the Project platforms. evaluate it, and look at transfer of ers on the draft Defence Production 75-I submarines have been stuck in In the initial phase, the selection technology and Make in India as- Policy 2018 released on March 22 to the absence a model policy. of strategic partners would be con- pects.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, April 12, 2018 LATIN AMERICA

CONTROVERSY DECISION LEGAL POLITICS CO-OPERATION US guards ‘try to dump Panama to temporarily Court delays debate that Mexican candidate back Taiwan warships injured man in Mexico’ ban Venezuelan airlines could see Lula released on presidential ballot visit Nicaragua

Video footage aired by NBC yesterday showed Panama will ban several Venezuelan airlines A justice on Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered Independent Mexican presidential candidate Jaime A Taiwanese naval “Friendship Flotilla” of US Border Patrol agents escorting an injured from working in the country for at least 90 a delay until next week of a debate on changing Rodriguez will be on the ballot for July’s vote, the warships dropped anchor in Nicaragua on and mentally disturbed man back into Mexico in days, the government said, the latest twist in a a law that could, if passed, lead to the imminent country’s electoral regulator said, weeks after he Monday just weeks after China urged Taiwan’s apparent violation of international agreements. dispute that began when Venezuelan off icials release of recently jailed ex-president Luiz was dramatically excluded for not reaching the dwindling diplomatic allies to ditch the self-ruled The event, which took place in late March 2017 were put on a “high risk” money laundering list. Inacio Lula da Silva. The debate had been due required number of signatures. Mexico’s election island in favour of Beijing. Three ships, carrying in Calexico, California, surfaced as part of a The suspension of Venezuela’s major carriers to take place yesterday, but Justice Marco watchdog INE said that its board would follow around 800 crew, arrived in El Salvador on Friday lawsuit filed by Mexican authorities against the in a regional hub further isolates the crisis-hit Aurelio accepted a request by the tiny, right- a court order forcing it to reinstate the on-leave and will visit other allies in Central America, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. country, after most international airlines pulled wing PEN party, which originally petitioned Nuevo Leon governor, making him the second Taiwan’s defence ministry said. China claims The footage shows two uniformed Border Patrol out, citing economic and security concerns. the legal change, for a delay of five days. PEN confirmed independent candidate. The regulator Taiwan as its territory, part of “one China”, and agents forcefully escorting a thin, bare-chested The targets are companies that have struggled said it had just changed its lawyer and that the will also analyse signatures collected by Armando Beijing has never renounced the use of force to man with an injured knee towards a Mexican to fill the travel vacuum, including state-owned new lawyer needed time to review the case. Rios Piter, who was left off the ticket for the same bring what it considers to be a wayward province border crossing station. As they reach the station Conviasa and Aeropostal, as well as private The postponement gives the Supreme Court reason. More than half the signatures Rodriguez under Chinese control. Taiwan now has formal the Mexican off icers then tell them that the man companies Avior, Laser, Santa Barbara and breathing space ahead of what could be a collected were declared invalid, meaning he fell relations with only 20 countries, many of them must be processed through a Mexican consulate. Turpial. momentous case. 16,656 signatures short of the required number. poor nations in Central America and the Pacific.

Anti-government protest in Quito Brazil averts ‘massacre’ by halting eviction of 5,000 natives

Thomson Reuters Foundation a risk of exacerbation between Rio de Janeiro the parties in confl ict and a con- sequent worsening situation of violence in the region,” she said. razil’s highest court has Brazil’s 900,000 indigenous averted a “massacre” by people – who are disproportion- Bblocking the eviction of ately impacted by poverty and 5,000 indigenous people from other social problems – control disputed land, one of their lead- about 13% of its territory, mostly ers said, in a ruling that boosted in the remote Amazon rainforest. ancestral claims. Numerous court battles pit na- Guarani-Kaiowa Indians occu- tive people, who say they have pied the land in the southwestern been denied access to their ances- Mato Grosso do Sul state in 2016, tral land, against powerful busi- amid rising violence and tensions ness interests, often soy, beef and following Indian aff airs agency sugar farmers holding title deeds. FUNAI’s pledge to return ances- The process of demarcat- tral land – owned by farmers – to ing land to indigenous people is indigenous people. controversial, despite safeguards “We were expecting a new in the constitution and United Caarapo massacre,” indigenous Nations guidelines that are sup- leader Kunumi Apyka’i Rory said, posed to enshrine rights for in- referring to a 2016 attack on indigenous people. People march to protest against President Lenin Moreno’s government in Quito, Ecuador. digenous activists by farmers in FUNAI is in charge of allocating the same region. land to the country’s some 300 “It would be a bloodshed but indigenous tribes but progress because of Nhanderu and our has stalled amid budget cuts and prayers we managed,” he said in a proposals from powerful rural statement by Conselho Indigeni- lawmakers to change the process, sta Missionario (Cimi), a moni- including opening up indigenous toring group linked to the Catho- reserves to mining. lic Church. The Supreme Court decision South America’s largest coun- paves the way for secure land de- try is grappling with scores of marcation for indigenous peoples Blast kills eight police deadly unresolved indigenous throughout the country, said Ra- land issues, in one of the world’s fael Modesto dos Santos, a lawyer clearest examples of the confl ict with Cimi. between preserving indigenous “It guarantees the indigenous culture and promoting economic people’s lives and physical integ- development. rity,” he said. “(Otherwise) there Cimi says hundreds of indig- would be a massacre, that is no offi cers in Colombia enous people are killed each year doubt...because 5,000 indig- in territorial confl icts with ranch- enous people with no possibility Agencies dents who were displaced by former Farc negotiator on US Seusis Pausivas Hernandez, was streets of the US,” said Manhat- ers in Brazil, rich in land to be of defence (would) confront the Bogota Colombia’s half-century long drug charges has brought Co- a member of the Farc’s peace ne- tan attorney Geoff rey S exploited and low on deeds and government apparatus of war.” confl ict between the govern- lombia’s landmark peace deal to gotiating team in Cuba, with the Berman in a statement, which property records. Dos Santos said most land ment and Marxist Farc rebels, its “most critical point.” group warning his arrest posed a identifi ed the other three as Brazil’s highest court on Mon- confl icts in Mato Grosso do Sul n explosives blast yes- which came to an end under a Jesus Santrich, a senior mem- “genuine threat” to the deal. Marlon Marin, 39, Armando day overturned a removal order state derive from the illegal sale terday killed eight Co- November 2016 peace deal. ber of rebel-group-turned-po- Government peace commis- Gomez, 70, and Fabio Younes issued in 2016 by a lower court, of indigenous land by the local Alombian police offi cers The police statement noted litical-party who had been slat- sioner Rodrigo Rivera also said Arboleda, 72. “They are now following a request from FUNAI, government to ranchers, and the in northwest Colombia, where that the area where the blast oc- ed to take a seat in Colombia’s the agreement was facing its under arrest and face signifi - the government agency responsi- subsequent issuance of illegal ti- armed drug smugglers are ac- curred has seen operations by Congress in July, was arrested “most grave, most serious and cant criminal charges.” All four ble for restoring indigenous peo- tles over the last century. tive, offi cials said. the so-called Golfo Clan, the on Monday in Bogota. most delicate” challenge. are facing one count of conspir- ple to land that they were evicted A spokeswoman for the gov- “The partial toll is eight po- country’s biggest drug-traffi ck- Prosecutors in New York ac- US prosecutors allege that being to import cocaine, and two from decades ago. ernment of Mato Grosso do Sul, licemen killed and a vehicle... ing organisation. cuse him of conspiring to ship tween June 2017 and April 2018, counts of attempting to import The use of police force to com- Beatricce Bruno, denied the accu- aff ected,” the police said in a Colombian security forces 10,000kgs of cocaine to the US the four worked together to pro- it into the US. ply with the earlier legal order sations in e-mailed comments and statement. have kept up intense pressure on while serving as a senior mem- duce and distribute approxi- If convicted, they could face could have “serious and unac- said that it has always respected The bomb went off early yes- the group, which has attracted a ber of the Farc leadership. mately 10,000kgs of cocaine life behind bars. ceptable consequences” and “risk the law and court decisions. terday in the town of San Pedro number of former ultra-right- They are pushing for his ex- from Colombia to the States and Santrich’s arrest was swiftly to order and public safety”, Car- Confl ict over indigenous land de Uraba, it added. wing paramilitaries who had tradition along with three oth- elsewhere. denounced by the Farc, with men Lucia, head of the supreme in the state “is an old problem... The police team had been fought the Farc during the con- ers who are also allied with the “These defendants conspired a spokesman warning it could court, wrote in her decision. due to the lack of a secure legal escorting offi cials tasked with fl ict. group. The partially-sighted to ship thousands of kilograms deal a damaging blow to the “This scenario seems to show framework”, she said. handing back land to rural resi- Meanwhile, the arrest of a 51-year-old, whose real name is of cocaine from Colombia to the 2016 peace deal.

Maduro address Venezuela’s inﬂ ation 21 dead in Brazil prison breakout bid

AFP cluded 20 prisoners and outside soars to nearly 9,000% attackers, plus one guard. Rio de Janeiro Another fi ve guards were in- DPA uted to a massive economic crisis Venezuela, which is embroiled in jured, including one seriously. Caracas in the South American country, a political crisis following an at- t least 21 people died on Police had recovered two rifl es where more than 120 people were tempt by President Nicolas Ma- Tuesday in an attempted and fi ve handguns at the scene, killed in anti-government pro- duro to consolidate his power by Abreakout from a prison in the statement said. enezuela’s infl ation rate tests last year. creating a new assembly to re- northern Brazil aided by an armed Brazil is one of the world’s rose to 8,878% in the Guzman called on the govern- write the constitution. group on the outside trying to deadliest countries, with around V12 months to the end of ment to scrap 15-year-old curren- Venezuela’s main opposition blow up a wall, offi cials said. 60,000 homicides a year, and March, the fi nance commission of cy controls and to stop the exces- parties intend to boycott the May The Para state security serv- the prisons are notoriously over- the country’s National Assembly sive printing of money — measures 20 elections, in which Maduro ice described the mass escape crowded and violent. said yesterday. that are seen as contributing to in- will seek a new term and which attempt at the Santa Izabel There were 726,712 inmates Prices rose by 67% in March fl ation and a weak exchange rate. critics say will be undemocratic. Penitentiary Complex, near the as of June 2016 and capacity for alone and by 453.7% in the fi rst He also criticised a govern- “Such elections should ensure Amazon rainforest city of Belem only 368,000, according to the three months of this year, law- ment plan to lop three zeros off the participation of all political in Para state, as a military style most recent offi cial statistics. maker Rafael Guzman said. the country’s almost worthless parties, without obstacles, under battle in which both prisoners Powerful drug gangs rou- “This means that the economic currency, the bolivar, on June 4, equal conditions and in conform- inside and associates on the out- tinely take their turf wars from crisis has surpassed the govern- saying that the government had ity with the Venezuelan Constitu- side were armed. the streets of Rio de Janeiro and ment. The government takes no no anti-infl ationary plan to back tion and international standards,” “In the rescue attempt, ex- other big cities into penitentiary interest in slowing down infl ation the measure. the EU said in a statement after plosives were used against one facilities. to help Venezuelans recover their The European Union, mean- the meeting. of the walls,” the agency said in In the worst cases, security purchasing power,” Guzman said. while, urged Venezuela to “seri- Mogherini stressed that the a statement. “The attempt was staff are reduced to bystanders as The fi nance commission of the ously engage” on working towards deteriorating economic and social supported by an extremely heav- criminal bosses run daily life. opposition-dominated assembly credible and inclusive presiden- situation needed to be addressed ily armed group. According to In one of the bloodiest epi- issues monthly infl ation fi gures, tial and regional elections, in “urgently,” off ering additional EU preliminary reports, the prison- sodes, 56 people were killed in while the Central Bank has not comments made by EU foreign support. ers also had weapons inside the an uprising in a prison in the city published offi cial fi gures for three policy chief Federica Mogherini She also called for respect for prison,” the statement said. of Manaus in Brazil’s Amazon in years. to Venezuelan Foreign Minister the rule of law and human rights Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro addresses workers Prison guards fought back in 2017. A drop in the price of oil — Ven- Jorge Arreaza. as the “only way to resolve the of the education sector at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, “an intense exchange of gunfi re,” In January, fi ghting between ezuela’s main export — and years Mogherini met Arreaza as part multidimensional crisis,” accord- Venezuela. it said. gangs at a prison in northeastern of mismanagement have contrib- of the EU’s ongoing contacts with ing to the statement. The confi rmed dead so far in- Ceara state left 10 dead. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 23 PAKISTAN Govt unable to meet savings and investment targets

Internews government’s ability to spend on Next 10 days crucial for tax amnesty scheme, says PM’s adviser Policy Reforms (IPR). to 5% of GDP, which was better Islamabad deteriorating infrastructure and The IPR stated that the posi- than the 4.5% target. social sectors from its own re- Adviser to the Prime Minister on Revenues, Haroon support for the tax amnesty, which is good sign. tive eff ects of Chinese public and Public investment increased sources. Akhtar Khan, has said that the next 10 days are crucial “If the tax amnesty succeeds, the national kitty can get private investment on Pakistan’s ahead of next general elections. wo key structural prob- This has inevitably increased for the tax amnesty scheme. between $5bn to $10bn,” he said, adding that Pakistan economy will require structural Just 10% of bank credit went to lems of Pakistan’s econo- government’s reliance on exter- “This amnesty scheme is not meant to benefit any would not go to the international lenders for seeking reforms and improved govern- the fi xed investment during fi rst Tmy – low investment and nal and domestic sources to meet specific individual … the government came up with another bailout package. ance. half of the current fi scal year, ac- savings rates – remained units requirements, resulting in this amnesty in the larger interest of the country,” Khan said that the public off ice holders are not allowed Pakistan has one of the low- cording to the IPR. addressed during the Pakistan mushroom growth in public debt Khan told representatives of the business community to avail of the tax amnesty. est investment and saving rates However, the worrisome area Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- in past fi ve years. yesterday. Once this amnesty period ends, tax evaders have no in the region and the world, is the private investment. N)’s fi ve-year term, as the gov- The investment-to-GDP ratio He said that the opposition in the Senate is not a good excuse and would be arrested, he maintained. obstructing progress towards The target of private invest- ernment again missed both these stood at just 16.4% against a tar- sign for the economic reform package introduced by Khan said that the exchange of information on tax sustainable inclusive economic ment was also missed by a wide targets in the outgoing fi scal year, get of 17.2%, said the sources. the prime minister. evaders under Organisation for Economic Co-opera- growth path. margin, which stood at 9.8% of showed offi cial statistics. The ratio was slightly better The business community, Khan said, is extending its tion and Development would begin from September. Pakistan provisionally GDP. The target was 11.2%. By the end of fi scal year 2017- than last-year’s revised rate of achieved 5.8% growth rate in fi s- The results are worse than last 18, private investment has been 16.1%, they added. cal year 2017-18, which was the year when private investment projected to fall to the lowest Under the Five-Year Plan despite undertaking so-called In fi scal year 2007-08, the sav- and savings would be offi cially highest level in the last 12 years. was estimated at 10%. level in fi ve years, despite the 2013-18, the PML-N government reforms under the $6.2bn Inter- ings-to-GDP ratio had clocked in published in the Economic Sur- But it was largely consump- Sources said that in dollar bonanza of the China-Pakistan set a target to enhance the in- national Monetary Fund (IMF) at 11%. vey of Pakistan 2017-18, to be un- tion-led economic growth and terms, the per-capita income has Economic Corridor (CPEC), ac- vestment-to-GDP ratio to 22.8% programme. Due to low savings and invest- veiled on April 26. slightly below the offi cial target grown by only 0.6% to $1,638.2, cording to the working of Na- by 2017-18. Savings slipped even below ment ratios, Pakistan’s current To enhance the economy’s re- of 6%. up $9 per person in the outgoing tional Accounts Committee. The government’s inability last year’s level and stood at account defi cit is now projected payment capacity, there must be Fixed investment remained at fi scal year 2016-17. In addition, the national sav- to increase investment as a per- 11.4% of GDP – far below the tar- to widen to 5% of GDP, higher sustained economic growth and only 14.8% of GDP in fi scal year Pakistan continues to be in the ings to Gross Domestic Product centage of the total size of the get of 14.6%. than last year’s level of 4.1%. an increase in exports, which is 2017-18, against the target of league of low middle-income (GDP) ratio also fell to a 10-year national economy remains its In the last fi scal year, savings The new projected current ac- only possible if there are higher 15.6%. countries. It needs to enhance low. biggest failure on the economic were recorded at 12% of GDP, count defi cit is almost double the savings and investments, includ- It was up 0.3% from last-year’s the per-capita income to over Failure to achieve these two front, suggesting that structural which was then the lowest ratio offi cial target of 2.6% of GDP. ing public investment, accord- level. $4,000 to be labelled a middle- crucial targets has limited the obstacles remain unaddressed in last decade. These fi gures of investment ing to a report by the Institute of Public investment increased income country.

Talks on caretaker government start

Pakistan’s leaders began consultations yesterday for holding parliamentary elections this year, which will mark the second consecutive democratic PML-N to push for new transition in a country ruled by the military for half of its history. The tenure of the incumbent government is set to end in June to pave the way for a transfer of power, building on the historic first-ever transition between civilian administrations in 2013. provinces if re-elected Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met parliamentary Internews Saqlain Shah Bukhari from NA- who quit the party had been de- projects worth Rs229bn were opposition leader Khursheed Lahore 182 (Layyah-II) said that the nied party tickets. being completed in southern Shah to discuss who should party leadership pledged to push He said that the PML-N had Punjab. lead the interim government to forward the agenda of two prov- done a lot for southern Pun- The chief minister said that oversee elections by the first he Pakistan Muslim inces – one each in Punjab and jab in the area of education and a 10% quota had been fi xed for week of August. League – Nawaz (PML- Sindh. health, and providing them civic southern Punjab in all govern- “We will chalk out a roadmap TN) would push an agenda He said that the party would amenities. ment schemes, including Apna for holding elections,” Shah said of carving out two provinces – get the relevant legislation ap- Sharif, who is also the Pun- Roozgar. after the meeting in the capital one out of Punjab and one out of proved, with or without the re- jab chief minister, said that the He stressed that avoiding Islamabad, “it will take our Sindh – if it came to power in the quired majority. PML-N had so far presented two confrontation and agitation are democracy further”. next elections, parliamentar- According to Bukhari, the resolutions in the Punjab As- in the larger national interest. Pakistan’s constitution allows ians from southern Punjab were party would later push for- sembly for restoring Bahawalpur Those who called on the chief the premier and the opposition assured during a consultative ward the agenda of creating a state and creating a southern minister included Federal Min- leader to draw a roadmap for the meeting here yesterday. separate province in Khyber Pa- Punjab province, adding that the ister Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, elections and choose the interim A day after eight legislators khtunkhwa – the Hazara prov- PML-N had got these resolu- Minister of State Abdul Rehman leader. quit the PML-N over diff erences ince. tions approved. Kanjo, MNAs Sardar Amjad Fa- Pakistan, a nuclear power with on not legislating for a Seraiki He contended that although “Unlike other political par- rooq Khan Khosa, Malik Sultan a 224mn-strong mainly Muslim province, the party called par- some of those who quit the party ties, we [at the PML-N] are com- Mehmood Hunjra and Sardar population, has struggled liamentarians from southern had done so because of per- mitted to the demand of creating Ashique Hussain Gopang, Pro- politically, with no democratic Punjab to Lahore for a con- sonal reasons, others had been new provinces,” he said, adding Shahbaz Sharif: Unlike other political parties, we [at the PML-N] are vincial Assembly member (MPA) government being able to sultative meeting with Shahbaz “forced” to do so. that southern Punjab was given committed to the demand of creating new provinces. Zeshan Gurmani and former complete a five-year term in more Sharif, the party’s newly-elect- Several others, he said, were more development funds in re- MNA Saddique Khan Baloch. than six decades. ed president. also being pushed to quit the lation to its population. marked improvement had During the current fi scal year, Provincial Minister Rana The country’s political history All parliamentarians were al- party. Sharif also said that Fort been made in various sectors 36% of the Annual Development Mashhood Ahmad and Special is marred by frequent coups, lowed to voice their concerns. According to Muhammad Munro is being developed as a in southern Punjab, including Programme (ADP) was being Assistant to the Chief Minister assassinations and the National Assembly mem- Khan Daha, MNA from NA-157 tourist resort. health, education and infra- spent on southern Punjab, Shar- Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan unceremonious ouster of leaders ber (MNA) Syed Muhammad (Khanewal-II), most of those The chief minister said that structure development. if said, adding that development were also at the meeting. either by the military or an assertive judiciary. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif last year became the latest leader who was removed by the Kara-chic Supreme Court on corruption Models present Diplomat who killed allegations, but his party’s creations by Pakistani government survived under a designers Hassan Riaz new premier. (left and right), Huma biker must face trial “It’s quite an achievement given Adnan (below) and the turbulent history Pakistan’s Gulabo (below, right) on politics,” said analyst Irfan Tuesday evening, on first Internews US to impose curbs on Shezad. day of the Fashion Islamabad Pakistani diplomats Pakistan Week in Karachi. In the wake of simmering First online art he US diplomat who re- diplomatic tensions follow- portedly rammed into a ing the fatal traff ic accident in gallery launched Tmotorcycle, killing one Islamabad by the United States and injuring another on Sat- military attaché, the Trump The first online art gallery was urday, will have to face trial, administration has decided launched for virtual exhibition either in Pakistan or his home to impose new restrictions on and promotion of rich and country. Pakistani diplomats in the US. diverse heritage of the province In case the US embassy con- The US government has report- by the Culture Directorate of fi rms that the accused has dip- edly prepared a new code of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. lomatic immunity against trial conduct, according to which The ceremony was started by here, he could be tried in US the movement of Pakistani launching animation prepared by courts. diplomatic staff consisting of visual art specialist Abdul Majid A senior police offi cer said 200 people would be limited to Khan, showcasing the diverse that a case was registered and a 25-mile (40km) radius. artwork of renowned artists of that there is therefore no doubt A source privy to the devel- the province. that a trial will be conducted. opment said that the new Visual art specialist Ahsan Zeb The diplomat has immunity restrictions will come into force highlighted diff erent aspects regarding arrest and detention, in May. of the online art gallery and but not against trial. introduced audience to the The offi cer said that it is up platform, including registration to the US embassy to decide if has to show his immunity card and uploading artworks. the trial will be conducted by to the police, who will relay the The online art gallery is an the courts in Pakistan or in the matter to the Foreign Offi ce. initiative taken to give access to US. The Foreign Offi ce would all inhabitants of the province Senior police offi cials have have to inform the embassy in to register their art work and said that as per the legal pro- question, the ambassador of showcase it. ceeding, the police completed which has to claim immunity The online gallery can be the case registration and sub- for the diplomat on the offi cial accessed from the directorate of mitted it to the Pakistan For- letter head. culture’s off icial website. eign Offi ce, which will forward After receiving the same, the same to the US embassy in the Foreign Offi ce then has to Islamabad. inform the interior ministry, The embassy will in turn which will issue instructions decide where the trial will be to the police. held. The US diplomat was re- Anger over suspected rape and murder of eight-year-old The Foreign Offi ce can also leased without following this declare the diplomat persona procedure. non grata and ask him to leave The police claim that they DPA streets and social media. pect sexual assault before she the girl has been trending on awati hospital, adding that her the country, they said. received verbal confi rmation Islamabad The girl had left her house on was set on fi re, but a forensic re- Twitter in Pakistan. body was more than 70% burned. However, it was noted that from the Foreign Offi ce. There Sunday afternoon to buy treats port is still pending. “We have arrested over a doz- In January, a rape and murder the capital police bypassed the is no paper trail. from a nearby shop, according to Students from schools, colleg- en suspects for investigations,” of seven-year-old girl in the city normal diplomatic procedure The police said that the ac- olice in central Pakistan police. es were joined by the civil society police investigator Muhammad of Kasur in Punjab sparked na- when the accused was taken to cident happened on a Saturday have arrested more than Hours later she was found with activists, traders and lawyers at Amin told DPA yesterday. tionwide protests. the Kohsar police station after when most offi ces are closed Pa dozen suspects after an burn wounds at a deserted house protests on Tuesday over the in- “We are waiting for the results After weeks of investigation, the accident on Margalla Road. and that the procedure of re- eight-year-old girl was allegedly and was moved to a hospital, cident in the city of Chichawatni, of forensic and chemical tests to the main suspect was arrested According to the protocol, leasing the diplomat would raped and burnt alive, sparking where she later died. in the central province of Punjab. confi rm sexual assault,” said Mu- and sentenced to death on four diplomatic immunity has to be have had to be delayed until widespread protests both on the Police offi cials said they sus- A hashtag seeking justice for hammad Abubakar of the Chich- counts, following his confession. claimed: an arrested diplomat Monday if properly followed. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, April 12, 2018 PHILIPPINES Panel wants Aquino, two others charged

By Jeff erson Antiporda sided and replete with innuen- Manila Times dos of expedited government action. Timely and responsive government action is not a ormer president Be- violation of the law. Moreover, nigno Aquino and two the ‘report’ is just the personal Fof his Cabinet offi cials opinion of Senator Gordon are primary conspirators in which has not been vetted the controversial procurement by the Senate. The report is of anti-dengue vaccines and one-sided because he has pre- must be held criminally liable, judged the case from the very the Senate Blue Ribbon Com- beginning based on the inputs mittee said in a report. of vested interest parties who “Aquino is responsible be- want to control the DoH,” she cause he had caused the pur- said. chase of Dengvaxia and in “It was former Secretary the process caused irrevers- (Enrique) Ona who declared ible damage, possibly death, that there was a dengue epi- to children; anxiety, sleepless demic when he was Secretary nights, mental anguish and of Health. It is manifest that unnecessary expense on the the anti-dengue programme part of the parents and guard- was important because Secre- ians,” the panel said in its re- tary designate Ubial continued port, which was presented by and even expanded it! My con- its chairman, Sen. Richard science is clear and I am ready Gordon, to reporters yesterday to answer any charge that will Filipino workers demolish West Cove resort on Boracay island. morning. be ﬁ led in the proper forum.” Apart from Aquino, the The Blue Ribbon commit- committee also recommend- tee conducted a total of seven ed the prosecution of former hearings on the anti-dengue Cabinet secretaries Floren- vaccine controversy and found cio Abad of the Department that there was undue haste in of Budget and Management the government’s procurement (DBM) and Janette Garin of the of Dengvaxia, developed by the Department of Health (DoH). pharmaceutical giant Sanoﬁ Top resort island ‘may Garin, in a statement, ac- Pasteur. cused Gordon of prejudging The reports particularly cited the investigation, and point- the speedy disbursement of the ed out that the purchase of special allotment release or- Dengvaxia was done with the der (SARO) for the purchase of intention of stemming the ris- P3.5bn worth of anti-dengue ing cases of dengue. vaccines despite having no al- reopen in four months’ “The presentation is one- location approved by Congress.

Reuters taking a study to determine the Manila island’s “carrying capacity”, she said. The rehabilitation involves he Philippines is looking the demolition of more than Air, ground assault to shorten the closure 900 illegal structures, im- Tperiod for its most pop- provement of waste manage- ular holiday hotspot Boracay ment, and expansion of drain- kills 12 militants to four months from six, but age and sewage systems. the number of visitors allowed Boracay, on the northern tip when it reopens will be slashed, of the central Panay island, Reuters send a message to militants the tourism minister said yes- is home to more than 30,000 Manila that they should surrender, terday. people and about 1,800 busi- “or fight and be killed”, he A masterplan to redevelop nesses, including global ho- said. About a dozen guerril- Boracay, which has turned into tel chains like Shangri-La and hilippine troops killed las were killed in the assault a “cesspool” due to pollution Movenpick, and locally listed about a dozen members that started on Monday, said according to President Rod- companies Megaworld Corp Pof a pro-Islamic State Besana, citing intelligence rigo Duterte, into a liveable and and Manila Water Co Inc. Bo- group in air and ground as- reports and accounts from greener community will be fi- racay is popular for its sug- saults this week on the southern civilians who had fled the nalised after its rehabilitation, ary white sand and lively night island of Mindanao, the army fighting. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo scene, but some 195 busi- said yesterday, in what it called The military has shifted said. nesses there were found to be pre-emptive moves to thwart its combat operations from “I think we can do it (clean- discharging untreated waste militant attacks on cities. Marawi, a battered lakeside up) in four months. That’s why water into the sea, resulting in Helicopters ﬁ red rockets town in Mindanao embroiled we wanted it (to be) total clo- increased concentration of hu- as army units moved to seize in a five-month conflict last sure, for us to do it fast,” she man faeces along the beaches. two camps of Bangsamoro Is- year, to the island’s marshes said in an interview with ANC Boracay generates 90 to 115 lamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) where other pro-Islamic news channel. tonnes of trash a day, of which rebels in marshlands in central State militants operate. Boracay, which will be closed only 30 tonnes are shipped out Mindanao island in the south, Besana said the military to local and foreign tourists regularly to a landfill on a near- said spokesman Lieutenant- had seized control of two from April 26, has joined other by island, Teo said. Colonel Gerry Besana. rebel enclaves where guns beach resorts across Southeast A sewage pipe is seen along the shore of Bulabog beach on Boracay island. Teo expects foregone rev- “This morning, two and improvised explosive de- Asia facing growing pressure enues from the shutdown to be MG520 attack helicopters vices were being assembled. due to a surge in visitors. last year but cannot cope un- the number of visitors to Bo- will be limited. The number of at “around bn pesos”, or even conducted air strikes to dis- About 20 rifles and 100kg The government wants to der the strain of 2mn tourists racay, which a decade ago was people on the island now tops lower if the closure period is rupt the BIFF’s plan to stage of gun parts and bomb-mak- save the tiny island that gener- a year. found to be capable of accom- as high as 75,000, she said. shortened to four months, she attacks,” Besana said. ing materials were recovered, ated 56bn pesos, or over $1bn, When it is reopened, Teo said modating only about 25,000, The environment is under- said. The military wanted to he said.

LEGAL Cooling off Vice mayor and Former top cop husband face raps over illegal arms linked to bribery The acting provincial prosecutor of Negros Occidental found reasonable grounds to charge scandal surrenders Moises Padilla town Vice Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo and her husband Felix Mathias Segundo Yulo for By Ma. Reina L Tolentino going PNP chief Ronald Dela illegal possession of firearms and Manila Times Rosa. explosives, Manila Times reported. Sombero was brought to the The couple was arrested last Criminal Investigation and December in a police checkpoint former police general Detection Group (CIDG) upon in Moises Padilla town. Recovered linked to a P50mn brib- his surrender. from them were three .45 calibre Aery scandal involving His lawyer, Jesi Lanete, ﬁ led pistols and ammunition, including the release of more than 1,000 a motion seeking his detention two grenades and a big sachet illegal Chinese workers, sur- at the PNP Custodial Centre in of shabu. Based on a resolution rendered to incoming Philip- Camp Crame because of secu- dated April 2 that Manila Times ob- pine National Police (PNP) rity and health reasons. tained, Acting Provincial Prosecu- chief Oscar Albayalde, a day Sombero’s co-accused, tor Rodrigo Diaz said his decision after the Sandiganbayan or- former Bureau of Immigration was based on sworn statements dered his arrest for plunder. (BI) deputy commissioners Al and other pieces of evidence Wenceslao “Wally” Sombe- Argosino and Michael Robles, presented to him by personnel ro Jr, the middleman allegedly likewise asked the Sandigan- from Moises Padilla Police Station, used by gaming tycoon Jack bayan’s Sixth Division to de- which was then under Police Lam, in bribing immigration tain them in Camp Crame. Senior Inspector Allan Reloj. offi cers to release 1,316 illegal Sombero however was Diaz also pointed out that the Chinese workers, was pre- brought to the Quezon City accused were informed of the sented in a news conference in Jail Annexe, while Argosino charges against them and were Camp Crame yesterday morn- and Robles were brought to told to submit evidence. ing before being brought to the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig On the charges of illegal posses- Sandiganbayan. City. sion of firearms, he recommended Albayalde said Sombero “As you know, Sombero bail of P200,000 each, while the surrendered through two sen- is a decorated police official charges of illegal possession of ior police offi cers who were having had 27 years in the explosives were deemed non- not identiﬁ ed but with whom public service. He was, I be- bailable. The town vice mayor and he used to work with when he lieve at some point in time, her husband also surrendered and was still a police offi cer. he was the head of different posted bail of P12,000 each before Sombero was brought to the anti-crime task forces…and the La Carlota City Police Station Criminal Investigation and so because of that, there’s last week, after an arrest warrant Detection Group (CIDG) upon a real threat to his life. He’s Children play in an inflatable pool in a neighbourhood as the weather bureau off icially declared the start of the summer season in was issued against them for the his surrender. He was sup- also been ambushed already San Juan, Metro Manila, yesterday. charges of direct assault upon a posed to be presented to out- before,” Lanete said. person in authority. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Lanka’s health sector among best worldwide: WHO Sri Lanka’s health service is one of the best not only in Asia but in the world, Thousands of students rally as the director general of World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who visited the country to celebrate the World Health Day on April 7, said the reason Sri Lanka had such a high-quality Bangladesh job protests spread health service was due to its free availability and the country’s AFP track and roads, police said. political leadership gave a clear Dhaka Protesters also caused dis- guidance to the health service, ruptions in the major cities Xinhua news agency reported. of Khulna, Barisal, Kushtia, Sri Lanka, which was earlier ens of thousands of uni- Comilla, Mymensingh and ranked as a low-income country, versity students marched Gopalganj. had now emerged as a middle- Tin cities across Bang- The prime minister told par- income nation and under this ladesh yesterday in one of the liament she had instructed her situation, the island’s health biggest protests faced by Prime cabinet secretary to review the sector was excellent, Tedros said. Minister Sheikh Hasina in her quota system and try to resolve “This is a good example even for decade in power. the situation. high-income countries,” the WHO Students fi ghting against a “Why should the people suf- off icial said. controversial policy that sets fer? she said in a speech to par- aside government jobs for spe- liament as reported by private cial groups have united in mass broadcaster Ntv. E-motoring for protests rarely seen on such a She condemned the violence scale in Bangladesh. and said in the past three civil registration of In Dhaka, chanting mobs of service tests, more than 70% vehicles by 2020 students blockaded major roads of the posts were recruited on and swarmed Dhaka University, merit. The Sri Lankan motor traff ic bringing traffi c to a standstill in Protests intensifi ed yester- department is planning to the congested capital of 15mn. day after allegations circulated introduce E-motoring system Police were deployed to the widely on social media of a for the registration of vehicles university where clashes in re- violent confrontation between through an online system by cent days left more than 100 a ruling party activist and a 2020, an off icial said yesterday. students injured by tear gas and student protest leader. Commissioner General of Motor rubber bullets. Demonstrators want the Traff ic Jagath Chandrasiri told “There are more than 5,000 share of top government po- Xinhua news agency that his protesters at the DU,” a sen- sitions set aside for minor- off ice had launched the project to ior Dhaka Metropolitan Po- ity groups and the disabled improve eff iciency in the process. lice offi cer said, referring to signifi cantly reduced. He said the project would be Bangladesh’s most prestigious They are also particularly introduced to save the time of university. irate that 30% of govern- people who seek registration of their Police in Savar, northwest of ment positions are reserved vehicles. Chandrasiri said the project Dhaka, said an estimated 7,000 for descendants of veter- would include the introduction of the students had descended on a ans from Bangladesh’s 1971 radio-frequency identification (RFID) major highway linking traffi c to Independence War. for motor vehicles. the capital, causing chaos. The government has prom- According to the department, “They completely block- ised to review the quota system Students gather for a protest against quotas for certain groups of people in government jobs in Dhaka yesterday. Sri Lanka introduced two new aded the road,” police inspector but that caused a rift among classes of vehicles – quadricycles Abdul Awal said. demonstrators, with some ac- of the student movement had “These job quotas are dis- said he missed out on a coveted the architect of the Bangladesh’s and motor-homes – in recent In Chittagong, the sec- cepting the assurance and postponed its protest action but criminatory. We want equal government job because of the independence from Pakistan – times for registration. Sri Lanka’s ond-largest city, some 4,000 others rejecting it. left-leaning groups pledged to opportunities for all,” said pro- allocation system. has in the past rejected demands registered vehicle population students blocked a railway A pro-government faction keep up the fi ght. tester Nur Mohammad, who Hasina – whose father was to slash the quotas. stands at 7,376,268. Chinese solar Lankan retailer under pressure to hike fuel rates

Reuters fi rst two months of the year, a of Indian Oil Corp, had raised under consideration and a fi - coalition government more un- power illuminates Colombo government document showed. retail prices for gasoline and die- nal decision is yet to be taken, popular among the voters ahead “It (CPC) is under pressure sel on March 24, after the gov- Senaratne added. of the potential provincial coun- to raise prices because of such ernment failed to implement a Despite several measures to cil elections this year, analysts ri Lanka’s state-owned losses,” Senaratne told Reuters pricing formula. reduce rates of essential goods, said. Nepal PM’s offi ce Ceylon Petroleum Corp after the weekly cabinet press This has put the government the public is still wary of higher Under pressure from the In- S(CPC) is under pressure briefi ng, adding it is not a “good under scrutiny to raise prices at food prices amid new income tax ternational Monetary Fund to to raise fuel prices as the re- time” to raise fuel rates ahead fuel stations, which are normally slabs. boost the island nation’s rev- Agencies fi ces from yesterday, offi cials fi ner incurred huge losses this of the traditional Sinhala-Tamil decided during talks between the The new taxes will hardly af- enue, the government had in- Kathmandu said yesterday. year, cabinet spokesman Rajitha New Year, which is celebrated by government and retailers. Lanka fect the lower-income group, creased the excise duty on diesel Nepal Prime Minister K P Senaratne said yesterday. 90% of the 21mn population. IOC, however, is allowed to set President Maithripala Sirisena’s to Rs13 per litre in August last Sharma Oli and Chinese am- The CPC incurred a loss Lanka IOC, the only other lo- fuel prices at its own will. coalition government said. year, but had asked fuel retailers hina has set up a solar bassador to Nepal Yu Hong on of Rs9.9bn ($63.5mn) in the cal fuel retailer and a subsidiary The fuel pricing formula is A price hike could make the to retain the old rates. power generating sys- Tuesday jointly inaugurated Ctem which is now illu- the solar power generating minating the famous Singha system installed at the central Durbar – the Nepal govern- secretariat of the Nepali gov- ment’s main administrative ernment. New Year celebration building complex which also Oli stressed that the solar Nepal’s economy to houses the prime minister’s technology was important offi ce, according to a media and crucial for the mountain report. country like Nepal for the grow by 4.9%: ADB China had in January do- modernisation of agriculture nated over 32,000 solar power and the operation of small and he Asian Develop- 5.1mn tonnes, a decrease of 1.5% generating systems to Nepal to large scale industries. ment Bank (ADB) has from a year earlier this fi scal year. enhance its domestic capacity “It is necessary for Nepal to Tprojected that Nepal’s However, the production and to provide electricity to end dependence on traditional economy will grow at a slower of other summer crops was communities, who had been electricity sources for energy pace of 4.9% in Fiscal Year expected to increase in 2018 without power since the dev- needs. Though we are rich in (FY) 2018 from 6.9% in 2017. compared to 2017. astating 2015 earthquake. water resources, sole depend- In its “Macro-Economic Update “Even with increased capac- Under the China-aided So- ence on hydropower is costly. Report” released yesterday, the ity utilisation of industries, in- lar Photovoltaic Project, solar Thus, we are focusing on re- Asian lender projected that there dustrial growth is set to be low- panels have been installed on newable energy,” the prime was a slight upward revision of the ering in 2018 from the high rate the roof of 21 buildings of the minister said. 4.7% growth forecast published in in 2017, due to low investment Singha Durbar which included “Solar energy is important its September 2017 edition, refl ect- in the manufacturing sub-sec- the prime minister’s offi ce, for the mountainous country ing better-than-expected harvest tor for years owing to political the ministry of fi nance and like Nepal in terms of effi cien- despite fl oods in mid-August. instability and structural bot- the ministry of energy, among cy and cost. I am thankful to The higher forecast hinged tlenecks,” said the statement others. China for the construction of on the assumption of normal issued by ADB Nepal. The project, which started this solar photovoltaic project monsoon and acceleration of Average annual infl ation in November 2016, was com- in a short period of time and ongoing mega projects, Xin- was expected to rise mod- pleted in 14-month time. hopeful that this project can hua news agency reported. erately to 5.5% in 2018 from One megawatt electricity work as a model project for According to the preliminary 4.5% in 2017. This was below People pull a wooden chariot through crowds during the Bisket Jatra festival, held to mark the generated through solar pan- other areas,” Oli was quoted data of the ministry of agricultural, the infl ation target of 7% set Nepalese New Year in Bhaktapur, some 12km east of Kathmandu, yesterday. The festival, which els has started illuminating as saying by the China’s state- land management and coopera- by the central Nepal Rastra began on April 10, is celebrated for nine days by the ethnic Newar community in Bhaktapur. the central administrative of- run news agency Xinhua. tives, paddy production will fall to Bank. (IANS) Rana Plaza’s ‘forgotten’ victims battle poverty as money dries up Thomson Reuters Foundation “For nine years I had a monthly largest garment exporter with vegetation and strewn with eighth fl oor of Rana Plaza. move much. Near me were two who received 95,000 taka. Savar, Bangladesh income and managed to support some 4mn people working in its garbage. The debris has been She clearly remembers being other workers. I reached out to “I put in 20,000 to start a my family,” said the 35-year-old, 4,000-plus factories. cleared but scraps of fabric still very nervous walking into work touch them. They were both dead.” small business but got cheated who used to stitch pockets on to Rana Plaza survivors have lie around. On the crowded on April 24. She was rescued six hours lat- by my partner. Now I don’t have or four days Rubina Begum trousers on the sixth fl oor of the grappled with economic dis- pavement alongside stands “The previous day, we had er and spent a month in hospital. enough money to fund my chil- lay buried in debris, wait- Rana Plaza. tress and health issues, many a concrete memorial to the been evacuated from the build- She injured her backbone and dren’s education. Working as a Fing for death. But the seam- “But today I don’t. The com- too scared to go back to work in disaster’s victims. ing because a big, visible crack lost hearing in one ear. maid doesn’t pay as much.” stress survived the Rana Plaza pensation I got after the crash Bangladesh’s $28bn garment in- “Our memories are sprayed with had developed,” she said. In just over two years, a trust Rubina and Lutfa Begum fi rst building collapse that killed more was mostly spent on my treat- dustry and others not fi t for full- a billion tears” and “we will never “But the next day, we were fund made up of government, met at a forum for survivors to than 1,000 workers near Dhaka in ment. Now I can’t work like I time jobs, campaigners said. forget”, the dusty epitaphs read. told that everything was fi ne and retailers, employers, trade un- discuss compensation. Since 2013. Today, she often wishes she used to, have no regular income “The injured workers are living “But we have been forgotten,” we should go to work. A lot of us ions and charities, raised $30mn then, the two meet every April had died that April morning. and there are days I wish I had with the mental and physical scars Rana Plaza survivor Lutfa Begum felt unsure but we were told we to compensate more than 2,800 24 at the Rana Plaza memorial Trapped under a machine, not survived Rana Plaza.” of Rana Plaza,” said Amirul Haque said, sitting in her one-room would lose our jobs if we didn’t.” claimants aff ected by the dis- to share the grief of families who with only her neck above the Begum is among more than Amin, president of the National home not far from the memorial. As she settled down to work aster, according to the Interna- lost someone. debris and the “smell of death” 2,000 workers who were injured Garment Workers Federation, “Nobody has checked on us on her sewing machine, she re- tional Labour Organisation. “On that one day, we feel surrounding her, Begum prayed when the eight-storey building Bangladesh’s largest union. for years now. The compensa- members the electricity going But many are now struggling stronger standing together, know- to be rescued so she could see her crashed on April 24, 2013, bury- “Most are daily wage workers tion money I got has long gone, off and the generators on the roof as they were unable to save or ining that we don’t have much of a mother one more time. ing thousands under concrete now, with injuries that make it spent on my daughter’s wed- of the building kicking in. vest any of the money, which they future to look forward to,” Lutfa But fi ve years on, as she strug- slabs and mangled machines. diffi cult for them to take up full ding, buying two cows and med- “Then there was some loud spent on medical bills and daily Begum said, wiping her tears and gles to earn enough to take care Since then, global brands, time jobs. The compensation ical expenses. Now I make and noise and the roof just came expenses, campaigners said. holding her youngest son close. of her family, Begum often won- manufacturers, civil society and they received dried up very fast, sell some sweets.” crashing down even as we tried to “My compensation money “Ideally I would want to go ders about her “miraculous res- unions have come together to leaving with them with nothing.” In 2013, the 40-year-old was move towards the door,” she said, fi nished a year back, most back to my village and open a cue” from Bangladesh’s worst address factory safety in Bang- The land on which Rana Plaza earning 6,500 taka ($78) a month tears rolling down her cheeks. of it on daily expenses,” said shop. But in the last fi ve years, I industrial disaster. ladesh, the world’s second- stood is today overgrown with stitching trouser seams on the “I was trapped and couldn’t one survivor Nilofur Yasmin, have stopped believing I can.” Gulf Times 26 Thursday, April 12, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Qatar and the US are key partners in anti-terror ﬁ ght

The landmark meeting between His Highness the Emir 12-04-2018 Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Offi ce on Tuesday takes the strategic partnership between the two countries to a signifi cantly higher level. It further strengthens the joint security eff orts, defence co-operation, economic partnership and political coordination between the two countries. The Emir took the opportunity to convey his Syria is normalising the unequivocal message to President Trump - that Qatar has zero tolerance for supporters of terrorism and its fi nanciers. The Emir’s statement is not only a reaffi rmation of Qatar’s long-standing policy on dealing with the scourge, but is also a clear rejection of the unfounded accusations levelled against Qatar by the use of chemical weapons Saudi-led quartet which has imposed an unjust siege on the state since June 5, 2017. By Zaher Sahloul agent, chlorine, which was used by the weapons against his people. Well, the Syrian airfi eld used by the fi ghter jets Making it abundantly clear that the US trusts and Chicago Tribune Germans during World War I. But the red line was crossed, not one time, but that dropped their loads of nerve gas in recognises Qatar’s serious eff orts in tackling the severity and scale may indicate a new more than 200 times, according to a that attack. agent or mixed chemical agents. There recent report by the Syrian Network for It was more of a slap on the wrist to phenomenon of terror-funding, President Trump told His he scenes have become have been recent reports that the Syrian Human Rights. prevent further use of the illegal agents Highness Sheikh Tamim: “You’ve now become a very big strangely familiar by now. government has been developing new The report outlines repeated use and to affi rm the norms of war. But advocate (for stopping The latest videos and chemical agents. of chemical weapons by the Syrian apparently the message was not heard funding of terrorism) Tpictures, streaming since Bushra told me about the chaotic regime between December 2012 and in Damascus. There have been multiple Qatar has zero and we appreciate that.” Saturday from war-torn Syria, show scenes of nurses using water hoses February 2018, noting that scores of uses of chemical agents directed at attacks occurred after a 2013 United rebel-controlled areas since last year. For his part, the Emir the dead bodies of angel-like children to wash petrifi ed children who were tolerance for and women, crowded in basements screaming or traumatised by what they Nations resolution required the Syrian President Donald Trump has a stressed that Qatar and and littering the stairs of shelters. witnessed. Her underground hospital government to destroy its full stockpile responsibility to prevent further supporters of the US are key partners White foam covers their mouths and was overwhelmed by the number of of chemical weapons. normalisation of the use of chemical in the fi ght against noses. They look asleep, but they are victims. She described fl accid children There has been no accountability. weapons – especially on the heels of terrorism and its terrorism, saying the Al dead. There are no external wounds to gasping their last breaths. She cried Instead, the use of chemical weapons his recent comments about a possible early US withdrawal from Syria that Udeid Airbase in Qatar explain why they are dead, a hallmark of telling me how she performed CPR has been normalised, and the lack of fi nanciers exposure to chemical agents. hopelessly on small children, trying to accountability has set a dangerous may have emboldened the brutal is the hub of anti-terror Another suspected chemical attack resuscitate them. The worst thing for a precedent. It probably gave the green regime and its allies. He can also lead operations, noting that it has been a very successful has occurred in Syria. doctor is not to be able to save the life of light to other regimes and dictators in bringing an end to the ongoing campaign against terrorist groups in the region. Bushra is a medical student who a patient, especially if that patient is a to use chemical agents with impunity Syrian genocide that has destabilised Referring to his visit to the headquarters of the US has been working nonstop at the site healthy child. against their foes. The nerve agent VX America’s allies in the region and in of this latest attack, in Douma, just What has happened in Douma is not was used to assassinate North Korean Europe, and caused a global refugee Central Command (Centcom) in Tampa, Florida, the Emir outside of Syria’s capital, Damascus. new in Syria. A year ago, a similar attack leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother crisis. He can do that by pressuring all described it as important and successful. He said the She works in a hospital supported by my with sarin nerve gas in Khan Sheikhoun in Malaysia in February 2017. And parties, particularly Russia, to accept visit showed the strong co-operation between the US and organisation, and I got to know Bushra in the north led to the deaths of about recently, the nerve agent Novichok political transition away from the Qatar in the military and security fi elds. (for her safety, we are only using her 100 people, including 33 children. was used to poison former Russian spy current brutal regime. The meeting also dealt with a number of current fi rst name) through the recent crisis and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, I asked the medical student Bushra have communicated with her through with the help of his allies Russia in southern England – the fi rst time what she wants. “Stop the hell raining regional and international issues. WhatsApp. Most doctors were forced and Iran, has been bombing Douma chemical weapons have been used in on us from the skies,” she said. Bushra On the Gulf crisis, the Emir expressed his gratitude for to leave the enclave. She is working as a after the breakdown of negotiations Europe since World War II. wants to fi nish her medical school President Trump’s personal eff orts and important role in nurse, doctor and even surgeon because with the rebel group, Jaish al-Islam, After each massacre in Syria, the training and become a paediatrician. fi nding a solution. He praised Trump’s personal support of the severe shortage of healthcare which controls the city. Douma had world is apparently caught by surprise. She and her colleagues are dreaming to Qatar during the blockade and thanked the American professionals there. a population of 500,000 before the Innocent children die because of a of a day when all Syrian children are The main hospital in Douma was crisis. The location is not far from the shortage of antidotes, ventilators, able, once again, to get out from their people for their solidarity. bombed by an airstrike the same day as infamous nerve gas attack in August oxygen and doctors. shelters, play in open-air parks, go to As for the Syrian issue, the Emir said Qatar and the the gas attack. Her small hospital was 2013, when 1,400 people suff ocated After so many attacks in Syria with schools built above ground and breathe US are working together to put an immediate end to the fl ooded with injured patients. “They to death after exposure to sarin gas. chemical agents, the World Health the air without choking. - Tribune suff ering of the Syrian people. “This matter has to stop were choking” she said. “They smelled The Syrian regime was blamed for the Organisation and the Organisation for News Serivce immediately,” he said adding that the two countries will bleach.” All had respiratory symptoms – attack. the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, coughing, wheezing, foaming, vomiting At that time, President Barack which is responsible for enforcement zDr Zaher Sahloul is a Syrian- not tolerate a war criminal who has killed more than half a and tearing in their eyes. Some of them Obama did not follow through on his of chemical weapons protocols, still American critical care specialist million of his own people. were having convulsions. She also felt 2012 warning that there would be don’t have in place a process to confi rm at Christ Advocate Medical Center The meeting also demonstrated the close personal tightness in her own chest. She did consequences if the Syrian government quickly which chemical agent has been in Oak Lawn, Ill., and president of relationship between President Trump and His Highness not have proper protective gear. It is crossed a “red line.” The red line used in an attack. MedGlobal, a nonprofit organisation Sheikh Tamim. Heaping well-deserved praise on the diffi cult to ascertain which chemical referred to use of chemical weapons In response to the Khan Sheikhoun that sends medical missions to disaster agent was used. The bleach-like smell and was meant to prevent Assad from attack in April 2017, the United States areas. This was written for the Chicago Emir, President Trump described him as a “personal indicated possible exposure to a choking using those internationally prohibited fi red a few long-range missiles onto the Tribune friend” and a “great gentleman”. He also acknowledged the love the citizens and the residents of Qatar have for the Emir and the immense popularity he enjoys in the state. Qatar-US relations are strong and well established for more than 45 years. The economic partnership between the two countries is more than $125bn and both countries plan to double it in the coming years. Also on Tuesday, Qatar and the US signed a raft of agreements covering a wide range of areas to further enhance economic relationship between the two countries. The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Qatar-US Economic Forum which got under way in Washington on Tuesday.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved A child is treated in a hospital in Douma, eastern Ghouta in Syria, after what a Syria medical relief group claims was a suspected chemical attack on April, 7, 2018. Gulf Times Thursday, April 12, 2018 27 COMMENT The global trade game

By Mohamed A El-Erian individually and mutually destructive. Cambridge But, given that this would mean losses for virtually all countries, it may be possible to avoid it, with the help of a he trade confrontation few targeted policy responses. between the United States For starters, systemically important and China is heating up. After but not suffi ciently open countries Tfi ring an opening salvo of – beginning with China – should steep tariff s on steel and aluminium, liberalise their economies more rapidly the US administration has released a (particularly by reducing non-tariff plan for a 25% tariff on 1,333 Chinese barriers) and adhere to internationally imports – worth about $50bn last year accepted norms on intellectual – to punish China for what it views as property. Moreover, existing trade decades of intellectual property theft. arrangements should be modernised China has fi red back with a plan to slap as needed, so that they better refl ect 25% levies on a range of US goods, also current and future realities, while worth about $50bn. In response to companies and others that benefi t what he labels “unfair retaliation,” US disproportionately from trade should President Donald Trump is now said intensify their pursuit of socially to be considering yet another set of responsible activities. Multilateral tariff s, covering another $100bn worth surveillance and reconciliation of imports from China. Economists mechanisms – not just at the WTO, and market analysts are scrambling to but also at the International Monetary fi gure out what will come next. Fund and the World Bank – should be One might be tempted to rely on revamped, and the functioning of the historical experience. But, given G-20 should be improved, including today’s economic, political, and social through the establishment of a small conditions, history is likely to be a secretariat that facilitates greater poor guide. More useful insights come policy continuity from year to year. from game theory, which can help us Given how many countries have an to determine whether this exchange The trade confrontation between the United States and China is heating up. interest in maintaining a cooperative of tariff s will ultimately amount to game, such policy actions are not just strategic posturing that leads to a more both producers and consumers, the For international economic global trade – including the emerging against supranational institutions desirable; they may be feasible. As they “co-operative game” (freer and fairer proliferation of these linkages becomes interactions to work well, they must economies that joined this process (such as the United Kingdom’s vote to help to create a stronger cooperative trade), or develop into a wider “non even easier, amplifying what already is also be viewed as fair. That is currently and, later, its anchoring institutions, exit the European Union). foundation for fairer trade, these co-operative game” (an outright trade essentially a spaghetti bowl of cross- not the case among many segments such as the World Trade Organisation So what about the next steps? As measures would also constitute a war). The answer will have signifi cant border relationships and dependencies. of the global population. As it turns – would eventually embrace the basic currently set up, the international necessary (though not suffi cient) step consequences for the economic and For the longer-term health of out, two key assumptions on which principles of reciprocity, continuing economic order needs to function as toward countering the alienation and policy outlook, and markets prospects. both individual participants and the the virtually unfettered pursuit of gradually to reduce both tariff and a co-operative game, in which each marginalisation of certain segments The rapid expansion of trade in overall system, these relationships economic (and fi nancial) globalisation non-tariff barriers. participant commits to free and fair of the population in both advanced recent decades has given rise to a web must function eff ectively, based on a has been based in recent decades have As these assumptions have proved trade; the commitments are credible and emerging economies. – Project of cross-border inter-dependencies co-operative approach that is deemed turned out to be over-simplifi cations. to be excessively optimistic, the and verifi able; mechanisms are in place Syndicate in production and consumption. credible. If not, they risk resulting in The fi rst assumption was that the standing and sustainability of pro- to facilitate and monitor collaboration; Supply chains now can have as many a lower level of growth and welfare. benefi ts of trade would naturally be trade policies have suff ered. The result and cheaters face eff ective penalties. zMohamed A El-Erian, Chief Economic signifi cant international links as This is why the current confrontation shared by most of the population, has been a marked rise in nationalist Current trade tensions could Adviser at Allianz, was Chairman of domestic ones, and a substantial share between the US and China has raised either directly or because of populism – a trend that has led to new conceivably destroy this cooperative US President Barack Obama’s Global of internal demand is being met by fears of serious damage, particularly if appropriate redistribution policies trade restrictions, the ongoing re- game, triggering a shift to a non- Development Council and is the author products partly or wholly produced it leads to ever-greater protectionism implemented in the now-faster negotiation of existing arrangements cooperative one, with elements of a of The Only Game in Town: Central abroad. As technological innovation and a wider “trade war.” But this growing economies. Second, it was (such as the North American Free “prisoner’s dilemma,” in which self- Banks, Instability, and Avoiding the further reduces entry barriers for outcome is not guaranteed. assumed that the major participants in Trade Agreement), and a backlash interested action turns out to be both Next Collapse.

Predicting injury risk amongst footballers Three-day forecast TODAY recent study from Aspetar, teams and gathered during 514 match Johannes L Tol, Rod Whiteley, Karim Department’s annual Periodic Health Maximum Temperature : 320c Qatar’s orthopaedic and appearances in total over a two-year M Khan and Roald Bahr. Examination (PHE) – targets key Minimum Temperature : 260c sports medicine hospital, assessment period. The research is the latest to be groups of athletes to look for any risk FRIDAY suggests that caution should Testing focused on the hips and produced by Aspetar within the factors for injury or illness. Maximum Temperature : 340c A Minimum Temperature : 240c be applied in using muscle strength legs, and comprised concentric and framework of the Aspetar Sports All Qatar Stars League (now to predict injury risk in football. Such eccentric quadriceps and hamstring Injury and Illness Prevention called QNB Stars League) players SATURDAY an approach is regularly performed in isokinetic peak torques, eccentric hip Programme (ASPREV), which are required to complete a PHE, Maximum Temperature : 320c the pre-season screening of football adduction and abduction forces, and was launched in 2012 and is led by which includes an extensive range Minimum Temperature : 230c bilateral isometric adductor force. Professor Roald Bahr. of additional examinations covering players around the world. Fisherman's forecast Injuries and particularly those Lower extremity injuries and exposure ASPREV’s research on musculoskeletal, cardiac, pulmonary aff ecting players’ lower extremities during training and matches were epidemiology, risk factors and injury and dental health, amongst others. WARNING mechanisms for football injuries is PHE data has been captured on 559 Inshore : Expected thunder rain are common in professional football, recorded by the local club’s medical associated with sudden posing a considerable risk of morbidity staff each season. based on data routinely collected players since its implementation strong wind. and potentially negative long-term The researchers did not record any from Aspetar’s numerous clinical in 2013, off ering ASPREV a very Offshore : Expected thunder rain health consequences for players. signifi cant correlation between muscle departments. Their research – signifi cant insight into a large group of associated with strong wind. It is to identify and possibly prevent strength and injury risk prediction. including the Athlete Screening athletes. WEATHER such potential risks as well as diseases Whilst the fi ndings do not completely Inshore : Slight dust to blow- or disorders among athletes that rule out the use of muscle strength ing dust and partly cloudy to cloudy with sports clinicians widely practise a testing in football screening, the authors About Aspetar: chance of rain at periodic health evaluation (PHE) or recommend that it should be part of places,thundery at screening examination. a wider screening process that takes Aspetar is a world leading specialised Ministers Council and “IOC Research times. WIND Yet despite the widespread use of various elements into consideration. orthopaedic and sports medicine Centre for Prevention of Injury and Inshore : Southeasterly 08-18/30 such approaches, the fi ndings from One suggested approach is to hospital, and the first of its kind in Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014. KT Aspetar suggest that there is limited monitor a player’s strength throughout the Middle East. Since 2007, with a In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- easterly 08-18/33 KT evidence such tests can succeed in the sporting season. This matters world expert team, the hospital has as the “IHF Reference Centre for Visibility : 04-08/3 KM or less at predicting future injuries. To test because a player’s susceptibility provided top-level comprehensive Athlete and Referee Health”. On place at times their reliability, experts from Aspetar to injury is dynamic and subject to medical treatment to all athletes in a December 15 of the same year, SEA STATE teamed up to assess the relationship change over the course of time due to state-of-the-art facility that sets new the hospital also achieved the Offshore : 03-5 FT, Rises to 10 FT between strength testing and lower a range of external factors (eg heavy standards internationally. Accreditation Canada International Around the region extremity injuries. training load, congested playing In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a (ACI) “Platinum Level”. Weather Weather The resulting study was published schedule, or psychological factors). “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence”. Aspetar is a member–organisation today Max/min tomorrow Max/min in the American Journal of Sports The research team at Aspetar In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s Baghdad T Storms 22/16 Rain 24/16 Medicine and based on data obtained consisted of Arnhild Bakken, Stephen reference collaborator centre by the innovative sports and healthy Kuwait City S T Storms 29/19 M Sunny 31/19 from 369 professional football players Targett, Tone Bere, Cristiano Eirale, Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health lifestyle destination. Sunny 30/22 drawn from 14 Qatar Stars League Abdulaziz Farooq, Andrea B Mosler, Manama P Cloudy 32/24 Muscat Sunny 32/27 M Sunny 34/28 Tehran Cloudy 24/16 S Showers 22/13 Live issues Picking scientists’ brains on neurogenesis

ew evidence that our brains that development of new blood vessels at protein markers associated with continue to make hundreds in the brain decreases progressively diff erent types of cells, as Boldrini of new neurons a day, even as people get older and a protein and her team did, but also performed Nafter we reach our 70s, in a associated with helping new neurons careful analysis of cell shape and Around the world process known as neurogenesis, has to make connections in the brain structure using light and electron Weather Weather sparked a debate among scientists. decreased with age. microscopes. “That revealed that today Max/min tomorrow Max/min The fi nding was published last week These new fi ndings were published similarly labelled cells in our own Athens Sunny 25/13 Sunny 25/13 in Cell Stem Cell by scientists from one month after a team of researchers adult brain samples proved to be Beirut P Cloudy 22/18 Sunny 23/19 Columbia University, US. Lead author from UC San Francisco reported in neither young neurons nor neural Bangkok Sunny 35/28 M Sunny 37/28 Dr Maura Boldrini, a research scientist Nature that it was unable to fi nd progenitors, but rather non-neuronal Berlin M Sunny 23/14 T Storm 21/10 at the department of psychiatry, and any evidence of neurogenesis after glial cells expressing similar molecular Cairo M Sunny 33/23 P Cloudy 38/21 her colleagues looked at the brains adolescence in humans at all. The markers,” they added. Cape Town Sunny 26/15 P Cloudy 19/14 of 28 deceased people aged 14 to 79. second group, which works out of Boldrini’s argument is that the Colombo S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 32/26 Previous research had shown that developmental neuroscientist Arturo two groups were working with very Dhaka P Cloudy 35/24 S T Storms 33/25 neurogenesis slows down in ageing Alvarez-Buylla’s lab, said that while diff erent samples. She and her team Hong Kong M Sunny 27/23 M Sunny 27/23 mice and nonhuman primates. they found the new study’s evidence examined more than two dozen fl ash- Istanbul Sunny 21/11 Sunny 21/09 Boldrini’s group wanted to see of declining blood vessel growth in frozen human brains, which were Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 33/25 whether a similar pattern occurred the adult hippocampus interesting, donated by families of the deceased Karachi Sunny 39/23 Sunny 34/26 in humans. In each brain sample they are not convinced that Boldrini at the time of death. The brains were London S Showers 16/08 Cloudy 17/08 the researchers looked for evidence and her colleagues found conclusive immediately frozen and stored at Manila Sunny 35/26 M Sunny 34/26 of neurons in various stages of adulthood. This region is involved in evidence of adult neurogenesis. -112F, which keeps the tissue from Moscow M Sunny 11/-1 M Sunny 12/-2 development, including stem cells, emotional control and resiliency, as “Based on the representative images degrading. The other team received New Delhi S T Storms 34/21 Sunny 35/21 intermediate progenitor cells that well as memory. they present, the cells they call new brain samples from hospitals in China, New York Cloudy 16/13 P Cloudy 24/15 would eventually become neurons, In all their samples the researchers neurons in the adult hippocampus are Spain and the US, and the brain tissue Paris Rain 16/08 P Cloudy 18/09 immature neurons that had not fully found similar numbers of neural very diff erent in shape and appearance they examined had not been preserved Sao Paulo M Sunny 29/18 P Cloudy 29/19 developed, and new neurons. The team progenitor cells and immature from what would be considered a in the same way. Boldrini said the Seoul M Sunny 19/05 M Cloudy 19/08 looked only at the hippocampus, in neurons, regardless of age. This led young neuron in other species, or what chemicals that were used to fi x the Singapore T Storms 31/26 T Storms 31/26 part because it is one of the few areas them to conclude that the human we have observed in humans in young brains could have interfered with their Sydney Sunny 32/22 M Sunny 32/22 of the brain that previous research has brain continues to make neurons even children,” they wrote. ability to detect new neurons. So, the Tokyo Clear 25/16 Clear 21/12 shown can produce new neurons into into old age. Specifi cally, they found In their study, they looked not just debate will continue. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, April 12, 2018 QATAR Emir, Qatari delegation attend reception hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani delivering a speech at the reception held by the US- Qatar Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s headquarters in Washington, His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. DC, on Tuesday.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatar His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets top dignitaries at the reception ambassador to the US Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari delegation attend the reception held by the US-Qatar Business Council and the US held by the US-Qatar Business Council and the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of His Highness’ visit to Washington, DC.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari delegation His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets top dignitaries at the His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with President and Board attend the reception held by the US-Qatar Business Council and the US Chamber of reception held by the US-Qatar Business Council and US Chamber of Commerce in Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce Thomas Donohue. Commerce on the occasion of His Highness’ visit to Washington, DC. Washington, DC. Turkish team triumphs in Arabic debating championship

Turkish team won the fi rst taries and representatives of the offi - from Tunisia in fourth place; Ibrahim place in the 4th Internation- cial sponsors, and guests from around Abdul Qader Mohamed from Austral- Aal Schools Arabic Debating the world. ia in fi fth place; Ramisa Aydin from Championship (ISADC), which con- The fi nal round was presided over Turkey in sixth place; Issa Ahmed cluded yesterday under the patronage by Judge Dr Mutasim al-Mamari from Abdul Karim Mohamed from Kuwait of HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al- Oman, and featured Nizar Mukhtar, in seventh place; Zainab Kokja from Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of Slaman Ali and Nadia Darwish from Turkey in eight place; Mariam bint Qatar Foundation (QF). The fi ve-day QatarDebate, Khalfa Aisha from Al- Abdel Haq Ben Arabeya from Tunisia event featured 250 debaters repre- geria, Fahad Alsubaie from Kuwait, in ninth place;, and Salman Anas al- senting 50 Arabic-speaking and non- Miqdad Ahmad from Sudan, and Hindi from Qatar in tenth place. Arabic speaking countries. Wadha al-Hajri and Ali al-Zouqri The top fi ve speakers from non-Ar- The Turkish – the proposition – from Qatar. abic speaking countries: Aqidat al Eza team was awarded the champion- Mohamed al-Lakhn al-Marri was from Indonesia in fi rst place; Aventa ship title, while Lebanese team took the master of ceremonies. Gratitude Zakia Wafda from Indonesia in sec- second place. The two teams debated was also extended to the sponsors, ond place; Noria Lailat al Sakina from the motion, ‘This House believes that including the offi cial sponsor Qatar Indonesia in third place; Moutalib the intervention of great powers and Primary Materials Company, repre- Madina from Kazakhstan in fourth their political stands is a major cause sented by Dr Latifa Darwish; the in- place; and Mohamed Fadil Ahmed Al of the deterioration of third world ternational media partner Al Jazeera Ansari from India in fi fth place. countries’. Third place went to the Media Network, represented by Ali The Indonesian team was an- Omani team after competing against al-Maslamani; and the offi cial carrier nounced as the best Arabic speaking the Singaporean team. Qatar Airways, represented by Saud team from non-Arabic speakers, and The closing ceremony was attend- Ahmed al-Emadi. the members were honoured at the ed by HE Sheikha Hind, Machaille The best speakers of the 4th edi- closing ceremony. The three new amal-Naimi, president of Community tion of ISADC: Ryan Majid al-Rifai bassadors of QatarDebate – Bader al- Development, QF, and Dr Hayat Ab- from Kuwait in fi rst place; Abdullah Shatti from Kuwait, Miqdad Ahmad dullah Maarafi , executive director of Fayez Ghazi al-Enezi from Kuwait in from Sudan, and Mohamed al-Lakhn QatarDebate, as well as a number of second place; Asmaa Koutan from al-Marri from Qatar – were also hon- Arab and foreign ambassadors, digni- Turkey in third place; Sara al Jadida oured. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani with the championship winning Turkish team.