BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Seize the chance, Laudrup tells QIB’s Q1 profi t jumps Al Rayyan 12.6% to QR625.2mn published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10790 April 16, 2018 Rajab 30, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Deputy Emir meets Petrobras CEO Emir to patronise

Al-Jubeir back offi cial opening to his double of QNL today standards, says is Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will patronise this evening the offi cial inauguration ceremony of Qatar National Library QMC chief H(QNL) which has a total capacity of 1.2mn books. His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser are to attend the ceremony which will see the His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday at his Emiri Diwan off ice with the visiting CEO one millionth book placed on the library shelves. of Brazil’s national company Petrobras, Pedro Parente. The meeting reviewed ways to enhance bilateral co-operation, besides QNL’s inauguration ceremony will also be attended by a number of dignitar- discussing issues of joint interest. ies from across the world, including presidents and representatives of heads of friendly states and a number of former presidents as well as senior offi cials. QNL is a member of Qatar Founda- tion for Education, Science and Com- munity Development (QF). The offi cial opening is being cel- ebrated with a variety of public events over two weeks, including lectures, Qatar Media Corporation CEO HE seminars, exhibitions, educational and Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani ‘Qatar’s commitment to training workshops. The objective is to highlight the role By Ahmed Alqudah of libraries in spreading knowledge and Doha promoting the history and heritage of Qatar, in the Arabian Gulf region, and beyond. atar Media Corporation CEO education is paramount’ Through its function as a research HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin library with a unique heritage library, QHamad al-Thani has questioned QNL will promote a deeper global vi- the policy of contradiction and double- zQatar Leadership Centre honours participants with special ceremony sion of the history and the culture of standards played out by Saudi Arabia’s the Arabian Gulf region, and it will Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. atar has accorded utmost im- people, and moves us towards our na- and private sectors today. And crucially, developed in partnership with world provide all citizens and residents of In a tweet on his offi cial Twitter ac- portance to education knowing tional development goals. It has always it also supports economic, cultural and class educational institutions such as Qatar with equal opportunities to ben- count, Sheikh Abdulrahman wrote: Qwell the crucial role it plays in been a major focus for our leadership,” social progress in years to come.” Harvard Business School, University of efi t from its facilities, and services. “Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister re- the all-round development of a country, remarked HE Sheikha Al Mayassa on the In a special ceremony yesterday, QLC Cambridge, HEC Paris and The Univer- QNL will support creativity and peats the claim that the dispute with HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin occasion of the felicitation programme recognised 106 of its high-achieving sity of Chicago Booth School of Busi- independence in decision-making Qatar, along with the Gulf Crisis is Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar organised by Qatar Leadership Centre Qatari participants, who completed ness, among other institutions. The among its pioneers and the develop- “very very very small” and that it would Leadership Centre’s Board of Directors, (QLC) to honour its top achievers. one of QLC’s three National Leadership programmes deepen the capabilities of ment of their cultural knowledge, as not be on the table at the Arab Summit has said. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said: “Devel- programmes: the Executive Leaders, Qatar’s business and government lead- well as its leading role in the library and because it is a Gulf-related issue. Yet “Our commitment to education is par- oping globally minded and culturally Government Leaders and Rising Lead- ers, empowering them to further con- cultural heritage sector in the country. since the beginning of the Gulf crisis, amount. It shapes our future, underpins grounded leaders enables us to proac- ers. tribute to the success and development QNL supports Qatar’s move from the Saudi foreign minister kept travel- the prosperity of our country and our tively address the needs of Qatar’s public The coveted programmes have been of the country. To Page 28 dependence on natural resources to ling from one country to another to at- diversifi cation and sustainability of tack Qatar. the economy, by providing the neces- He added : “It looks like the Saudi sary knowledge resources for students, Foreign Minister had forgotten what he researchers and anyone living in Qatar, kept saying (that the dispute with Qatar in order to enhance lifelong learning is ‘very very very small’) and went back opportunities, empower individuals talking about it at the Dhahran confer- and society, and contribute to a better ence”. future for all. In the joint press conference after The QNL building, designed by re- the closing of the Arab League’s 29th nowned Dutch architect Rem Kool- summit, al-Jubeir said that the Gulf haas, is fully accessible to visitors with crisis was not on the agenda of the Arab special needs. It features numerous League summit because it was a very custom-designed innovations, includ- small issue and it will be resolved within ing an automatic book sorting system, the GCC. several interactive media walls, and The phrase “very very very small” self-check-in and check-out ma- went viral after being used for the fi rst chines that make borrowing books time in October 2017 by Saudi Arabia’s easier for members. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to The Heritage Collection, located describe the dispute with Qatar. Since in the centre of the QNL building, then, the phrase kept circulating in the includes rare and valuable texts and media channels, newspapers and social manuscripts related to Arabic and Is- media accounts of Saudi Arabia, the lamic civilisation. In addition to Ara- UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, the countries bic manuscripts, historical maps and that imposed a sea, land and air block- globes, scientifi c instruments and ade on Qatar in June 2017. early photography, the collection also However, the Gulf Crisis saw senior contains writings by travellers who offi cials of the blockading countries explored the Arabian Gulf region over visiting many countries to try to justify the centuries. their illegal siege on Qatar. Al-Jubeir The library has received more than alone travelled to around 30 countries 161,000 visitors since last November’s in a few months to vainly convince the opening, and more than 51,000 new world of his country-led siege of Qatar. Qatar Leadership Centre’s honorees, along with HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and the centre’s board members. members registered. To Page 3 Tom Brady gives people with disabilities a sporting chance

By Joey Aguilar involve persons with intellectual and committed advocate for individuals strates SC’s vision of promoting di- Staff Reporter developmental disabilities (IDD) in with disabilities, always going above versity and inclusion in the FIFA 2022 the development of the country’s mu- and beyond the call of duty to help pro- World Cup, similar to that of Best Bud- seums and cultural heritage sector, a mote a world of inclusion and oppor- dies’ vision. est Buddies global ambassador statement said. tunity for this population,” he added. “Our commitment with Best Bud- and fi ve-time American football SC will tap 20 members of Best Bud- “Brady’s work in Qatar on behalf of dies to include individuals with IDDs Bsuper bowl champion Tom Brady dies Qatar who will undergo a series of Best Buddies will change lives for the into the hosting of the tournament will joined the Qatar Supreme Commit- trainings to further enhance their lead- better.” help participants integrate with Qa- tee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Qatar ership and professional skills under its Best Buddies Qatar, established in tar’s diverse communities and make Museums (QM) and Best Buddies Qa- Tamkeen inclusivity initiative. 2008 as a special project (under um- new friends,” he added. “They will also tar participants yesterday in launching The partnership also includes in- brella of Shafallah Centre for Persons meet the travelling fans we expect in a partnership aimed at incorporating tegrating these individuals into QM’s with Disabilities) of Her Highness 2022, helping build their confi dence persons with disabilities in the organi- operations and programmes, the state- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairper- and most importantly give them a sense sation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qa- ment added. son of Education Above All Founda- of independence.” tar. “Brady has served as an exemplary tion, is a governmental non-profi table Al-Khater stressed that the initiative QM Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Ma- global ambassador for Best Buddies organisation aimed at enhancing life forms part of a number of programmes yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani since 2003, and has helped bring an of people with and without intellec- SC had launched, aimed at ensuring graced the event, which saw members even greater awareness to the infi nite tual disabilities through social inte- the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is the of Best Buddies Qatar and the local abilities people with IDDs possess,” gration. most inclusive edition of the tourna- community taking part in sport-based Best Buddies International founder, Nasser al-Khater, SC assistant sec- ment, “and that it leaves a social legacy activities at the Khalifa International chairman and CEO Anthony K Shriver retary-general for Tournament Aff airs, and impact in Qatar and the region long HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Tom Brady, along with Stadium in Doha. said. said such an agreement between SC, after the last ball has been kicked in off icials of QM, SC and Best Buddies, join people with disabilities at the event, held at The new partnership also aims to “Brady has proven himself to be a QM and Best Buddies further demon- 2022.” Page 28 the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 16, 2018 QATAR

Ministry to hold PM holds talks with Indian minister PM meets Singapore’s foreign minister training for health and safety supervisors The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is to conduct a training programme for health and safety supervisors in companies about heat stress and the need to take necessary measures to prevent the safety of workers in the workplace. The first training workshops will begin today and will run through April and May in co-operation with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs, Hamad Medical Corporation and Qatar Petroleum. The workshops are part of the eff orts of the MoPH to take care of workers in all industrial, construction, economic and service activities, and to raise awareness about heat stress, its symptoms, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met and the importance of taking yesterday with India’s Minister of State for External Aff airs M J Akbar and his accompanying delegation yesterday with Singaporean Minister for Foreign Aff airs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and the accompanying appropriate preventive measures on the occasion of their visit to the country. During the meeting, a number of regional and international delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. During the meeting, they reviewed relations of to maintain the health and safety issues of mutual interests were discussed in addition to the relations of co-operation between the two co-operation between the two countries and ways of developing them in various fields, in addition to a of workers with a view to making countries and means of enhancing them. number of regional and international issues. the workplace free of occupational diseases and injuries. (QNA)

Deputy PM meets Singapore’s minister

The Qatar-Singapore high-level joint committee met for the first time in Doha yesterday. Qatar, Singapore

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met yesterday with Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Aff airs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations and ways to develop them. The meeting also discussed a number of regional and international issues of joint interest. to keep increased Al-Muraikhi holds talks with Indian counterpart level of relations he implementation moni- Singapore in October 2017 under Business Federation (SBF) del- tween the governments of Qatar toring mechanism (IMM) the joint committee umbrella. egation to Doha to support the and Singapore. Tof the Qatar-Singapore Both sides agreed that the action inaugural IMM and to further z Singapore welcomed the high-level joint committee and implementation-oriented strengthen commercial collabo- completion of the procedures of (HLJC) held its fi rst meeting in approach of the IMM would ad- ration. Qatar for the MoU for co-op- Doha yesterday. vance government-to-govern- z The Qatar Chamber and eration between the Centre for The meeting was co-chaired ment, business-to-government, the Singapore Business Council Legal and Judicial Studies in the by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Min- and business-to-business part- agreed to convene a business- MoJ and the Singapore Academy ister and Foreign Minister HE nerships for mutual benefi t. matching session between the of Law, and both sides looked Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- Both co-chairs reviewed the small-and-medium enterprises forward to the prompt entry into man al-Thani and Singaporean work of the six technical work- from both markets in the last force of the MoU and the con- Minister for Foreign Aff airs Dr ing committees established quarter of 2018. duct of workshops and training Vivian Balakrishnan. under the IMM in the areas of z Qatar Central Bank, Qatar courses. They reaffi rmed the outcome information and communica- Development Bank and Enter- z The Qatar Ministry of Mu- of the state visit of the His High- tions technology, security, busi- prise Singapore (ESG) agreed to nicipality and Environment and ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin ness, sustainability, legal, and jointly explore entry for FinTech the Singapore Ministry of the Hamad al-Thani, to Singapore social development. The co- companies into each other’s Environment and Water Re- in October 2017, which saw the chairs welcomed the exchange of markets. sources also agreed to hold the signing of seven agreements. points of contact of representa- z In the smart utilities sector, next joint forum in the second They welcomed the increased tives from both sides to facilitate ESG also agreed to share Singa- quarter of 2019 to explore a plan HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met yesterday with India’s level of bilateral co-operation in prompt follow-up on bilateral pore’s experience in smart grid of action for bilateral co-opera- Minister of State for External Aff airs M J Akbar. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations all sectors. co-operation. management and electricity de- tion. and means of supporting and enhancing them in addition to matters of common concern. In a joint statement, the two The co-chairs welcomed the mand response with the Qatar z The Qatar Diplomatic Insti- sides recognised the impor- completion of the necessary General Electricity and Water tute and the Singapore Ministry tance of the joint committee, co- procedures to bring into force Corporation. of Foreign Aff airs Diplomatic chaired by HE Prime Minister the agreement between Qatar z Holding the ninth Singapore Academy exchanged views on and Minister of Interior Sheikh and Singapore for the reciprocal Ministry of Home Aff airs-Qatar joint programmes, and Singa- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- promotion and protection of in- Ministry of Interior Joint Work- pore agreed to host a study visit lifa al-Thani, and Singapore’s vestments (i.e. bilateral invest- ing Group meeting in Singapore for offi cials from the Qatar Min- Deputy Prime Minister and Co- ment treaty), so as to strengthen later this year. istry of Foreign Aff airs in 2019. ordinating Minister for National economic and trade ties between z Qatar’s Ministry of Justice z To develop and strengthen Ministry launches Qatar and Singapore. (MoJ) and Singapore’s Ministry bilateral relations in all areas, Security Teo Chee Hean. The joint committee serves as the The two sides referred to the of Law looked forward to hold- both co-chairs agreed to con- overarching bilateral platform positive result of the senior of- ing their inaugural joint com- tinue co-operation through between the two countries. fi cials’ meeting which was held mittee meeting to discuss legal the work of the IMM Techni- The co-chairs noted with in Doha on April 12 and resulted co-operation and activities, as cal Working Committees, and 2nd phase of safety, in agreement on the following agreed under the memorandum looked forward to the eighth satisfaction the progress made in activating the IMM in the six topics: of understanding (MoU) for co- meeting of the HLJC in the Re- health programme months since its inception in z The visit of the Singapore operation in the legal fi eld be- public of Singapore. (QNA)

he Ministry of Mu- risks and preparedness with Centre will continue to provide nicipality and Environ- the best means and techni- such specialised programmes MoTC hosts IT team Tment (MME) yesterday cal and specialised training that contribute to the develop- launched the second phase of programmes. ment process and the compre- the “Risks, crises, emergencies, Dr Mohammed Saif al-Ku- hensive renaissance witnessed from Romania disasters, occupational and en- wari, director, Municipal and by the country, and make it vironmental health and safety” Environmental Studies Centre among the developed coun- programme in co-operation at the MME, said that the im- tries, in line with its National he Ministry of Transport information technology aff airs with a number of stakeholders plementation of such impor- Vision 2030 and its four pillars and Communications sector, said the IT sector in Qa- within and outside the min- tant programmes refl ects the in human, economic, social and T(MoTC) yesterday host- tar has become one of the driv- istry under the slogan “Safety real role of the ministry and its environmental development. ed a delegation of information ing forces behind the country’s Our Goal.” impact on the local community The fi rst phase of the pro- technology (IT) companies from extraordinary growth over re- The programme aims to on prevention, risk manage- gramme was launched last Romania in a presentation and cent years and that IT is a key maintain the health of the ment and reduction and how November and concluded networking session. component in Qatar National employee from the risk of to act during disasters through recently, during which 400 The Romanian delega- Vision 2030. Cristian Tudor speaking at a session. injury within the rules of oc- the use of specialists and the employees were trained in tion comprised 12 IT compa- “We welcome partnerships cupational health and safety, acquisition of the necessary their fi eld positions in the nies specialising in such ar- between businesses and gov- government-supported projects.” technology (ICT) sector. “Tak- in accordance with the leg- expertise in this area of knowl- fi rst aid and emergency re- eas as cybersecurity, process ernment entities in all sectors Romanian ambassador to Qa- ing into account the capabilities islation of Qatar in this area, edge and science and recom- sponse programmes, while automation, data protection and of the IT industry, and from tar Cristian Tudor said both the of our ICT industries, I am con- the municipalities’ need and mendations are important and about 300 employees are telecommunications software. all countries,” he said, adding, government and private sectors fi dent that through such events, departments of the minis- useful. expected to be trained in the Speaking at the event, Has- “And we actively encourage of Romania were ready to help successful partnerships can be try in terms of developing Al-Kuwari explained that second phase which lasts for san Jassim al-Sayed, assistant innovation in the new econo- Qatar continue to build its in- forged to the mutual benefi t of integrated perceptions of all the Environmental Studies six months. (QNA) undersecretary for government my through our wide range of formation and communications our countries,” he added. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 3 QATAR QNL to host Oman’s Deputy PM in Doha Kuwaiti minister arrives planetary scientist from

Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers of the Sultanate of Oman Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said arrived in Doha Kuwaiti Minister of Emiri Diwan Aff airs Sheikh Ali Jarrah yesterday to attend the off icial inauguration of Qatar National al-Sabah, the envoy of Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Library slated for today. He and the accompanying delegation al-Jaber al-Sabah, arrived in Doha yesterday to attend the US university were welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport off icial inauguration of Qatar National Library slated for today. by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh He was welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport From Page 1 lecture on the natural forces that The events include semi- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. They were also by HE the Chief of the Emiri Diwan Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa On the occasion of its of- defi ne the environment in Qatar nars, lectures, and stargaz- welcomed by ambassador of Qatar to Oman Ali bin Fahad al-Hajri bin Abdulaziz al-Thani and Kuwait’s ambassador to Qatar Hafiz fi cial opening, the QNL has and its important role in shap- ing at the library, in which and ambassador of Oman to Qatar Najib bin Yahya al-Balushi. Mohammed al-Ajmi. prepared a wide-ranging pro- ing life in the past, present and staff of the Heritage Library gramme, which will launch with future. will present rare manuscripts an exhibition entitled “Arab and The traditional Architec- about astronomy. A range of German Tales.” ture Week off ers a lecture binoculars and telescopes will The library is organising a entitled “Traditional Archi- be set up outside the library in seminar entitled “Truth Mat- tecture in Qatar”, given by Is- order for the public to watch ters: The Era of Fake News”, lamic archaeologist, Profes- the celestial bodies, while Exhibition to provide insight into folk tales which includes the talks about sor Claire Hardy-Guilbert, a Christopher Alario, QNL In- the methods of using fake news senior researcher at the Na- formation Services Librarian, in the current political climate tional Center for Scientifi c Historical Maps and QNL Di- atar National Library ple of the important cultural people of Qatar, Qatari citizens the fairy tales of the Brothers to manipulate political agen- Research in Paris, a member rector of Historical Research (QNL), a member of exchanges that will take place and residents alike. Presenting Grimm; examinations of the das, and what should be done of the French archaeologi- and Partnerships Dr James QQatar Foundation will at QNL. Sharing resources and unique examples of Arab and famed One Thousand and One about it. cal mission to Qatar between Onley will lecture on the geo- host its ‘Arab and German Tales collections across cultural or- German storytelling, once again Nights through the Arabic oral The event also features the 1985 and 1986, who will be graphical location of the Qatar – Transcending Cultures’ ex- ganisations is crucial to mutual the strength of our shared cul- tradition, before it was adapted project of “The Book Club for talking about the traditional Peninsula in ancient historical hibition at the library from understanding, which is at the tural traditions becomes visible.” and amended by European writ- the Blind”, which is a project architecture features in Qa- maps. tomorrow. core of QNL’s mission,” said Prof Dr Verena Lepper, cura- ers such as the Brothers Grimm; that provides social opportuni- tar. The lecture will be pre- The ceremony is sched- The exhibition, running until Dr Sohair Wastawy, executive tor of the exhibition and curator travellers between both worlds ties and promotes equal access ceded by the opening of an uled to be wrapped up with August 18, is organised within director, QNL. for Egyptian and Oriental Papyri and their stories; the original Ar- to the resources and services of exhibit of historical photo- a lecture by Marcus Fraser, the framework of the Qatar- Hans-Udo Muzel, German and Manuscripts at the Papyrus abic handwriting of the famous the library. graphs of civilian, religious Honorary Keeper of Islam- Germany Year of Culture. It will ambassador to Qatar, said, “This Collection in Berlin, said that German poet Johann Wolfgang Also scheduled is a lecture and military buildings in Qa- ic and Indian Manuscripts provide an insight into the his- is an extraordinary exhibition the exhibition is based on a joint von Goethe; and modern ver- entitled “Information is Beauti- tar captured during the mis- and Miniatures at the Fit- tory of Arabic and German fairy and I’m truly delighted that, as research project combining both sions of such texts by Nobel lau- ful: A Data-Driven Tour of the sion and recently acquired by zwilliam Museum, Cam- and folk tales, and how the two a fi nal contribution to the Qa- worlds. reate Naguib Mahfouz or the oral Universe” presented by David the library. bridge, who will also deliv- cultures infl uenced each other. tar-Germany Year of Culture, The exhibition will feature Qatari version of Cinderella. McCandless, a London-based Selected experts and archi- er a lecture on The Origins The event aims to show the with the help of many hands, it masterpieces from antiquity to The exhibition is a joint en- author, data journalist and in- tects from Qatar, countries in and Modifi cations of the transcultural value of narrative was possible to bring this stel- the present including rare an- terprise between QNL, the Ger- formation designer. the region and the world will Blue Qur’an manuscript. traditions as a shared cultural lar collection of old and modern cient Egyptian tales written man embassy Doha, Ägyptisches The library will host Dr Essam participate in the conference The Blue Qur’an, some heritage, and highlights mu- manuscripts to Qatar. The new on papyri, such as the story of Museum und Papyrussammlung Heggy, a planetary scientist at of architecture to discuss the leaves of which are in the Her- tual infl uences, shared ideas, Qatar National Library is a mag- Sinuhe, dating from the XII dy- Staatliche Museen zu Berlin the Viterbi School of Engineer- issues of architecture in the itage Library collection, has and cultural transfer between nifi cent building, serving as an nasty. In addition, the exhibition (Egyptian Museum and Papyrus ing in the University of Southern Arabian Gulf and its tradi- long been recognised as one the Arab world and Germany outstanding venue for preserv- will feature a cuneiform tab- Collection - National Museums California, and a Rosetta co- tional features, and to iden- of the most signifi cant exam- through storytelling past and ing Qatari and regional culture, let with the Epic of Gilgamesh of Berlin), and the Arab-German investigator at the Nasa Jet Pro- tify its features, stages of de- ples of early Islamic manuscript present. as well as a centre for science, from the 13th century BC; sto- Young Academy of Sciences and pulsion Laboratory to a public velopment and impact. production. “This exhibition is an exam- information, and learning for the ries of the Arabian Nights and Humanities. Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 16, 2018 QATAR British embassy in Doha celebrates 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth II round 700 guests attended the 92nd Abirthday celebration of Queen Elizabeth II at the British embassy in Doha last week, an event that also marked the strong relations between Qatar and the UK. Qatar’s Minister of Edu- cation and Higher Educa- tion HE Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi and HE the Minister of Trans- port and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al- Sulaiti were the guests of honour at the event. British ambassador Ajay Sharma also hosted senior Qatari fi gures from busi- From left: British ambassador Ajay Sharma, Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education HE ness, government and Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim sport, the Diplomatic Corps Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and Foreign Aff airs’ Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro at the and other key members of 92nd birthday celebration of Queen Elizabeth II at the British embassy in Doha last week. the local community. They were entertained by the Qa- tar Armed Forces band and Doha Jazz. Around 700 guests, including dignitaries and key members of the local community, attended the event. “It is always an enor- mous honour and pleasure tury, with Colonel Pelly and schools and universities, eff orts and working closely tionship, a strong friend- to celebrate here in Doha the Sheikh Mohamed al-Thani in healthcare, with Brit- with our friends in the region ship is about, being to- birthday of Her Majesty the – the father of Sheikh Jas- ish medical expertise and and in the US, in Europe, to gether in good times and Queen, who will be 92 later sim; in business and trade, equipment, the diversifi - support resolution.” bad, weathering the storms, this month,” the envoy said. with the discovery of oil in cation of the economy, in- “In this context, I would and making the most of new “I know that the tremen- Qatar and with UK compa- cluding the development of like to note our apprecia- opportunities,” he stressed. dous respect and aff ection nies the fi rst to be here in so SMEs, digital economy and tion for the way Qatar has “The UK is committed to its that we have in the UK for many sectors; and in cul- food security,” he added. handled the dispute – its relationship with Qatar just Her Majesty is shared by ture and education,” Sharma Sharma pointed out that openness to dialogue and its as I know that Qatar is com- many across the world – in- said. “Generations of Qataris their ambitions for the UK’s restrained approach. I sin- mitted to its relationship cluding by our friends here have studied in the UK, from relationship with Qatar cerely hope that the visits with the UK.’’ in Qatar. She is so much Sandhurst to Wales.” have not changed as a result to Washington by His High- The British embassy more than a Head of State,” “We are looking forward of the GCC dispute. “We ness the Emir and other re- thanked Shell, Hilson he noted. to building on this shared still want to do more across gional leaders bear fruit,” he Moran, BAE systems and “We have known each past and building a shared the board with Qatar.” added. Standard Chartered for other as countries, as peo- future too, as we support “We want to see the GCC Regardless of the out- their generous sponsor- ples, for a long time – and we the 2022 World Cup in Qa- dispute resolved as quickly come of the dispute, Shar- ship of the Queen’s Birth- have been together for a long tar- which we want to be as possible. We recognise ma said the relationship day party, including Fifty time, longer than anyone a huge success and as we the impact this is having on between Qatar and the UK One East, Al Mana Group else. We have a shared his- support Qatar’s 2030 Na- families and ordinary peo- will continue to grow from (Harvey Nichols), Alfardan tory, in defence and security tional Vision – in areas such ple,” the envoy said. “We fully strength to strength. Motors, the Edge Picture dating back to the 19th cen- as education, with British support Kuwait’s mediation “That’s what a real rela- Company, and 1507. Seven Asians arrested for fraud

ecurity agencies in the country have arrested a Sgang of seven Asians for fraud and cheating citizens, residents and visitors to Qa- tar, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced. The gang had seized large sums of money from a number of people after mis- leading them that they had huge collections of antique gold coins and wanted to sell them, the MoI said in a statement yesterday. The seven arrested persons. The gang members also deceived many victims by robbed their money after an abandoned building esti- trators were arrested. All off ering to sell expensive misleading them with false mated at more than QR1mn. of them admitted to their smartphones to them at half stories of possessing a large They claimed that as they involvement in the fraud. the original price, robbing quantity of gold that they could not sell or use the Lt Col Majid Sharida al- them of their money and wanted to sell at low prices. coins, they would present Rumaihi, head of the Capi- vanishing from the crime The offi cial informed them to the victims. tal Security Investigation scene, . that there had been cases Upon conducting a search Section, urged citizens and Brigadier Jamal al-Kaabi, of fraud recently, targeting and investigation, the agen- residents not to deal with director of the Criminal elderly people and women, cies found out that the gang such criminal gangs and Investigation Department both citizens and residents. consisted of seven Asians, asked them to follow legal (CID), said they CID re- The perpetrators targeted who carried out fraudu- procedures while buying ceived information that owners of cars in public lent activities in diff erent and selling gold from ap- some anonymous persons places and made them be- ways. On the basis of that proved shops and obtaining had cheated a number of lieve that they had a treas- information, a probe was permits from the competent citizens and residents and ure of gold coins found in carried out and the perpe- authorities.

‘Bottled water compliant with Journalist passes away WHO standards’ The Ministry of Public Health oha-based Indian Vijayan breathed his (MoPH) has clarified that journalist Anil Ku- last while attending a bottled drinking water in the Dmar Vijayan (56), function in Mesaieed. country is compliant with pictured, passed away He was planning to leave the approved World Health following a heart attack Qatar for good by the end Organisation (WHO) and GCC on Friday. He left behind of this month. standards. his wife Shirley and two A veteran journalist, In a notice on Twitter, the sons, Ritwik and Rohit. Vijayan had worked in MoPH said a message Many community newspapers and other circulating on social media members and friends publications in India and on the “best drinking water” paid homage to Vijayan the Gulf region for about in Qatar contains misleading when his body was kept three decades. Qatar, he had worked information. The ministry for viewing at the Al In Qatar, he had worked for Khaleej Times and said sodium concentration in Wakra Hospital mortu- as editor of a business Sharjah-based The Gulf drinking water has no health ary yesterday. magazine, published by Today, both together for consequences, according to The body is expect- the Gulf Publishing and about 12 years. the WHO. Besides, the WHO ed to be fl own today to Printing Company and as Vijayan will be fondly stipulates that the pH degree Mumbai, where his fam- copy editor in an English remembered for his sin- should be 7-8.5, which is ily is settled, according newspaper. cerity and humility, his considered safe and has no to sources close to him. Before coming to friends said. health consequences.

Ministry of Public Health takes precaution measures against scabies The Ministry of Public Health of the disease at the regional Besides, the MoPH applies The MoPH has stressed (MoPH), in co-ordination level. the early detection that it provides the with the government entities In a notice on Twitter, the mechanisms for any necessary tools for the and institutions concerned, ministry said scabies is suspected case and diagnosis and early has said it has taken the detected and reported monitors all related reports detection of the disease, necessary precautions through the communicable through the registering of in addition to necessary regarding scabies and disease surveillance and any disease that pose public treatment at all its health closely follows up on status monitoring systems. health risks . centres. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 5 QATAR

Traditional fi shing Qatar-US economic forum competition for kids at Katara beach

ome 30 children aged be- 258.4kg. Team Al Qassar, led by in Charleston today tween 10 to 13 years took Hassan Khalf al-Kubaisi, bagged Spart in the traditional fi sh- the second prize with 196.8kg of he Qatar-US Economic ing competition (Hadaq) yester- fi sh while the third prize went Forum will be held in day at the Katara beach, which to Sharao team, led by Ahmed TCharleston, South Caro- was attended by a large number Abdul Rahman al-Darwish lina, today. of spectators, including families. with184.8kg. The forum is being organised The Hadaq for children was The team Haql Al Shamal won by the Ministry of Economy introduced for the fi rst time this a special prize for catching the and Commerce (MEC) in co- year as part of the ongoing Sen- biggest fi sh weighing 15.5kg. operation with Qatar Chamber, yar Festival. The fi rst-prize winning team US Chamber of Commerce, The organising committee received QR400,000 cash prize Qatari Businessmen Associa- said the competition aims to fa- while second and third plac- tion, US-Qatar Business Coun- miliarise children with the Qa- ers received QR300,000 and cil and a number of official US tari marine life and strengthen QR200,000, respectively. agencies. their bond with the traditions of The traditional fi shing com- The event is being held within their fathers and forefathers. petition started on Thursday last the framework of Qatar’s ongo- Meanwhile, the Hadaq for week when 64 teams, compris- ing economic roadshow in the adults concluded at the Katara ing a total of 832 people set sail US, which covers several Amer- beach on Saturday with a grand on wooden boats, spending two ican cities and aims at bolster- ceremony (Ghaff al), attracting a days and two nights in the sea ing and expanding Qatari-US HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin huge crowd. fi shing from early morning until trade and economic relations, Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani with the president of the University Katara – the Cultural Vil- sunset. the MEC has said in a state- of South Carolina, Harris Pastides. lage general manager Dr Khalid Jihad al-Jaida, a member ment. bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti led the of the organising committee, The forum provides an im- signing of a memorandum of University of South Carolina is a awarding of prizes to the win- said that the traditional fi shing portant platform for dialogue understanding (MoU) between perfect complement to our ef- ners. competition over the years has between businesspersons from the Qatar Investment Author- forts to invest in the US econo- The fi rst prize went to the gained tremendous popularity, both countries and also presents ity (QIA) office in the US and my and help generate jobs and team Al Falah, led by Moham- refl ecting the traditional affi n- an opportunity to promote co- the University of South Caro- growth here and globally,” said med Abdullah al-Khulaifi , with ity of the people in Qatar with operation between the Qatari lina, the official Qatar News al-Sowaidi. the largest fi sh catch weighing the sea. and American private sectors Agency reported. “On behalf of the University as well as to discuss the devel- The MoU aims at encouraging of South Carolina, I am hon- opment of joint investment collaboration and enhancing in- oured to sign a memorandum of projects that will benefi t both HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani and other vestment opportunities between understanding with the QIA of- countries. dignitaries at the MoU-signing ceremony. the two entities. fi ce in the US to collaborate on The forum will bring together The MoU was signed by the joint investment opportunities. more than 200 businessmen been held in Miami and Wash- Discussions touched on the director of QIA’s office in the We look forward to a long-term and Qatari offi cials along with ington, DC as part of the fi rst prospects for co-operation in US, Mohamed Saif al-Sowaidi, partnership with Qatar Invest- some 200 businesspersons and phase of Qatar’s economic road- the economic, trade and in- and executive director at the ment Authority and Qatar,” said CEOs of major American com- show in four US cities. After vestment fields and the pro- University of South Carolina Harris Pastides. panies. Panel discussions will Charleston, the roadshow will motion of relations. They also Office of Economic Engage- The MoU creates a framework be held on the sidelines of the travel to Raleigh, North Caro- discussed the investment in- ment William Kirkland, on for future co-operation between forum between representa- lina. centives that Qatar is offering behalf of the university presi- the QIA offi ce and the university. tives of the Qatari and Ameri- Meanwhile, HE the Minis- and the economic diversifica- dent. Under its terms, the two sides can business sectors in a bid to ter of Economy and Commerce tion strategy pursued by the “We are very pleased to reach will work together to broaden strengthen existing economic Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin State to achieve Qatar National this agreement with the Uni- and deepen their working rela- partnerships. Mohamed al-Thani on Saturday Vision 2030, the MEC has said versity of South Carolina. The tionship, consider business and The event will also feature met with the president of the in a statement. higher education community is investment opportunities in discussions in the fi elds of food University of South Carolina, HE the Minister and Dr central to research and devel- both Qatar and South Carolina security, transportation and in- Harris Pastides, on the sidelines Khamis Rashid al-Kaabi, con- opment, innovation and future and consider initiating and col- formation technology. of Qatar’s economic roadshow in sul-general of Qatar in Hou- economic growth, and having laborating on joint investment Traditional fishing competition (Hadaq) for children kicks off Similar forums have already Charleston, South Carolina. ston and Texas, attended the an esteemed partner such as the activities. yesterday at Katara beach.

QGBC concludes successful ‘No Paper Day’ QGBC concludes ‘No Paper Day’ drive

atar Green Building Council Meshal al-Shamari, director, QGBC, both improve business effi ciency and (QGBC), a member of Qatar handed out certifi cates of appreciation also help to preserve the environ- QFoundation, concluded its ‘No and accomplishment to delegates from ment’s long-term health.” Paper Day’ campaign with an appreci- participating companies for taking Al-Shamari also highlighted the ation ceremony at QGBC’s headquar- part in the campaign, which encour- role of participants in the campaign, ters recently. ages eco-friendly initiatives aimed at adding. “I would like to thank all the More than 70 companies from both reducing waste nationwide. organisations involved in ‘No Paper the government and private sector took Al-Shamari commented, “We are Day’ for their amazing eff orts in con- part in the initiative’s sixth edition. ‘No delighted to see professionals and the tributing to a more sustainable future.” Paper Day’, is part of QGBC’s ongoing ef- local community contributing to this The campaign helped all partici- forts to help schools, companies, and in- important campaign that involves a pating organisations to raise aware- stitutions fi nd ways to reduce paper con- local-scale eff ort but has a worldwide ness among their employees about sumption, engage the wider community impact. Our ‘No Paper Day’ campaign waste, the importance of reducing in environmentally-friendly practices, aims to remind the public that reduc- it, and how they can take steps to in- and raise awareness about sustainability. ing the use of Qatar’s resources can crease recycling.

Focus on family

Ministries, various public entities and key institutions and organisations around the country lit up their premises in green yesterday to observe Qatar Family Day 2018. These include the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Qatar Foundation and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), among others. The occasion, which is marked on April 15, highlights the importance of the family and its role in building a strong and sustainable society. Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 16, 2018 QATAR Majority of head, neck

Dr al-Khalil: Symptoms of head and neck cancers can include cancers diagnosed late diff iculty swallowing, and a change in the sound of the voice. ancers of the head, neck, There is a signifi cant gender culty swallowing, and a change experiencing a prolonged period says that prevention and early and oral cavity account divide in the incidence rate for in the sound of the voice. In with no symptoms, a delay in detection are key to improving Cfor about 4% of malig- head and neck cancers, with some cases, head and neck can- seeking medical attention, and patient outcomes. nant cancers diagnosed in Qatar, three times as many men aff ect- cers have early warning signs late investigation. These factors “As is the case with many can- according to the 2015 National ed as women. that lead to early diagnosis and a all contribute to a late diagno- cers, head and neck cancer treat- Qatar Cancer Registry. Individuals over the age of 50 high rate of success in curing the sis,” Dr al-Khalil added. ment has a much better chance Approximately 550,000 new years are most susceptible. disease,” Dr al-Khalil explained. Major risk factors for cancers of being successful if the right cases of cancers of the head, Dr Moustafa al-Khalil, senior “However, the majority of these of the head and neck include to- diagnosis is made early,” he said. neck, and oral cavity are report- consultant and chairman of the cancers are diagnosed at a late bacco use, alcohol consumption, “Advances in surgical tech- ed worldwide each year. Head and Neck Tumour Board stage, which makes them more and HPV (human papillomavi- niques, radiation, and chemo- Cancers of the head and neck at Hamad Medical Corporation, diffi cult to treat.” rus) infection. therapy are helping patients live include tumours in areas above say that symptoms vary depend- “More than 60% of the di- Environmental, hereditary, longer while preserving their the collarbone, with the three ing on where the cancer is locat- agnosed cases of head and neck and occupational risks may also quality of life,” said Dr al-Khat- major subdivisions: oral cancer, ed in the head or neck. cancer highlighted in the 2015 contribute to their development. er. “However, when possible, laryngeal cancer, and nasopha- However, he said, pain and a National Qatar Cancer Regis- While advances in treatment prevention of cancer is the best ryngeal cancer. lump or ulcer in the mouth that try study were diagnosed as late options are helping patients defence. People who consume This type of cancer typically does not heal are among the stage cancers, with most occur- live longer, Dr al-Hareth M al- tobacco and alcohol should aim starts in the mouth, nose, throat, most common symptoms. ring in individuals between the Khater, deputy medical director to quit and reduce their risk of Dr al-Khater: People who consume tobacco and alcohol should aim to larynx, sinuses, or salivary “Other symptoms of head and ages of 45 and 49,” he said. at the National Centre for Can- developing these types of can- quit and reduce their risk of developing cancer. glands. neck cancers can include diffi - “This is often due to patients cer Care and Research (NCCCR), cers.” Sidra Medicine to host events on adolescent mental health

he Sidra Medicine Child Symposium of Community Men- they are going through hormo- ings of hopelessness, problems and Adolescent Psychia- tal Health Services in Qatar on nal changes as well as increased in attention and concentration, Ttry team has undertaken a April 19, the Renaud Academy’s pressure and expectations asso- losing enjoyment in activities, The Sidra Medicine Child and Adolescent Psychiatry team. robust community engagement workshop on “Autism: Seeing the ciated with adulthood. isolation, and sadness. programme this year to comple- Spectrum diff erently” on April By the end of their teen years, Untreated depression can lead treatment options available to the social scene, and patterns of medication, complementary life ment its paediatric and adoles- 25, and a joint one-day symposi- 20% of adolescents would have to a slew of serious issues, in- them in Qatar. anger and irritability. changes, including regular sleep cent mental health services. um in collaboration with Ameri- experienced at least one depres- cluding substance abuse, aca- Dr Ahsan Nazeer, division He added: “When children patterns, a healthy diet and ex- Over the coming months, the can School of Doha. sive episode. demic failure, bullying, eating chief of Child and Adolescent know they are being heard, ercise, have been shown to im- Child and Adolescent Psychia- Depression is one of the most Depression can manifest and other disorders, and suicide. Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine, they are more likely to open up. prove depressive symptoms,” Dr try team will be attending school common mental health problems through both physical and men- Depression is treatable if pa- says that parents should look for This also gives parents a greater Nazeer said. and community events to raise among adolescents and begins tal symptoms, including head- tients seek help and Sidra Medi- changes in their children’s func- chance to positively intervene Referrals to Child and Adoles- awareness of mental health top- during early teenage years. aches, indigestion, appetite and cine is committed to ensuring tion and behaviour. and establish the best form of cent Psychiatry at Sidra Medi- ics and ways in which Sidra Med- It is a disorder that is triggered weight changes, sleeping too that parents, family members, These include a drop in school treatment with their healthcare cine can be initiated by a school icine experts can help. by external events, making ado- much or lack of sleep, anxiety, teachers, school counsellors and grades, increased incidents of provider.” counsellor by completing a Sidra These include the 4th Annual lescents especially vulnerable as nervousness, tearfulness, feel- others are aware of the signs and social confl ict, withdrawal from “In addition to therapy and Medicine referral form.

5th Sustainability Summit in October

he Gulf Organisa- mit, an annual event organ- tion for Research and ised by Gord, was last held in TDevelopment (Gord) November, when it marked has announced that the fi fth the 10th anniversary of the edition of the Sustainability Global Sustainability Assess- Summit 2018 will be held on ment System (GSAS). October 23 and 24 under the Since 2007, the GSAS has patronage of HE the Minister built a profi le as one of the of Energy and Industry Dr most comprehensive green Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada. building certifi cation pro- The event is to be held grammes, having more than in partnership with Qatari 1,500,000,000sq feet of Diar Real Estate Investment GSAS-registered master Company and the Supreme plans for cities, and more Committee for Delivery and than 100,000,000sq feet of Legacy as host sponsors, and GSAS-registered building Gord founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr announcing the with the Qatar Tourism Au- typologies. Sustainability Summit 2018. thority (QTA) and the Qatar Petrochemical Company as platinum sponsors. The 2018 summit, to be held at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, is expected to bring together sustainability ad- vocates and environmental experts representing inter- national agencies, research institutions, government bodies and other relevant or- ganisations. Gord founding chair- man Dr Yousef Alhorr com- mented: “The success and excellence of previous sus- tainability summits, most re- cently the Summit 2017, has undoubtedly been a major driver of sustainability dis- cussions in the region.” “Sustainability Summit 2018 will also be an impor- tant platform for discussing the latest developments in climate change, renewable energy, materials and tech- nologies for green buildings and sustainable environment and to bridge this knowledge to all the stakeholders in the society,” he said. “The event aims to at- tract scientists and sustain- ability researchers from the Gulf and Arab countries and from around the world to exchange knowledge, ideas and insights in order to fi nd solutions to the challenges related to sustainability and climate,” Alhorr added. The summit will also pro- vide networking opportuni- ties for professionals and de- cision-makers, and empower companies and institutions by introducing them to new markets and giving them an opportunity to showcase in- novative technologies and sustainability success sto- ries. The Sustainability Sum- Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 7 QATAR

AZF fetes staff for decade-long commitment South African community in Qatar to celebrate Freedom Day

he South African with activities for the entire embassy, in co-op- family. Teration with Doha- Attractions include a based events agency Pre- games and activities corner Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has celebrated 181 of its long-term employees from Aspire Logistics, Aspire Academy and Aspetar for their commitment to the organisation in mium Productions, has for the kids, a pamper zone achieving its vision of becoming the global reference for sports medicine by 2020. Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, CEO of AZF, congratulated the staff for their achievements announced that a series of for women with workshops over the years and wished them future success. “The organisation’s underlying philosophy is what creates a meaningful experience for employees, which leads to results. Our events and activities will and beauty tips, a fash- buildings, technology and resources would mean nothing if it weren’t for the passion that drives you to work with dedication, commitment and relentless eff ort. You truly are take place in Qatar in cele- ion show with a top South our greatest asset,” al-Suwaidi told the employees. “We are celebrating 181 colleagues from 45 diff erent nationalities. Amid this wonderful diversity, what everyone shares is our bration of the Freedom Day African designer, a South utmost appreciation and respect for the power of sport and each other.” At the end of the ceremony, al-Suwaidi and Ivan Bravo, director-general of Aspire Academy, handed over of South Africa. African sports celebrity, a Certificates of Appreciation to the employees. The events, which will tribal drumming workshop be held with the support of hosted by Mr P and stacks major South African com- of South African spirit. panies such as Sasol as well Classic South African as the local South African food will be on off er, with community, will “share the a la carte treats for every- spirit of South Africa and one to savour and a spe- recall the vision and legacy cial South Africa-themed of Nelson Mandela in his brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Centenary Year”, the or- Farmers Market. ganisers have said in a press Local DJs, including Leg- Film Fund ready to support statement. acy, Steve Paris and Warren Born on July 18, 1918, Star will kickstart the party Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, at sunset. aff ectionately known as Weekend events will be Madiba, would have been free of charge, and are open 100 years old this year. to everyone, inviting the emerging Qatari fi lmmakers 2018 has been named his Doha community to experi- Centenary Year with spe- ence a taste of the Rainbow he Doha Film Institute (DFI) mitted to the development of up to ted to nurturing a strong genera- Al-Mana’s Al Tabbab is an ani- tar Award at the Ajyal Youth Film cial events held around the Nation. has announced the recipi- four feature fi lms, in addition to up tion of fi lmmakers,” she noted. mation fi lm that charts the jour- Festival in 2015. world to honour his life and Special support has been Tents of the Fall 2017 Qatari to eight short fi lms annually. Al-Remaihi added: “Since the ney of seamen, who sail every full He studied Mass Communica- work, the statement notes. provided by many compa- Film Fund, which aims to nurture The projects are selected inception of our Qatari Film Fund, moon to a specifi c spot in the sea tions and International aff airs at Freedom Day is celebrat- nies and individuals, in- Qatari fi lmmakers and support through two funding cycles per several Qatari directors have ac- to trade pearls and where a mythi- Qatar University and holds a di- ed annually in South Africa cluding Sasol, which will them in their script-to-screen year. complished fi lms that stand out cal creature controls the waters. ploma in directing and fi lmmaking on April 27, commemorat- host a booth on site as part journey. “The quality of entries is be- for their creativity and narrative A senior project engineer and from the New York Film Academy. ing the fi rst post-apartheid of the festivities, promoting From a high number of submis- coming increasingly competitive, individuality.” animator, al-Mana graduated in Al-Jefairi’s Connect is about election held on that day in awareness of its Accessible sions, an expert panel has selected making the selection process truly “We are proud that many of chemical engineering. Noor, who wakes up in a procedure 1994. Qatar and Qatar e-Nature four short projects by emerging a challenge for our jury. these fi lms have travelled to vari- He aims to bring original local room in full robotic body, after she Freedom Day festivities initiatives, while inviting Qatari directors: Ahmed al-Khu- The participation underlines ous festivals to be shared with au- stories of great relevance to Qatari dying in a car accident and having will kick off on the evening children to play ‘Health laifi (The Pearl Banks), Khalifa the noteworthy talent we have in diences world-wide,” she said. culture in animation form. her brain copied. of April 26 with a concert Park with Salem and Sara’, al-Mana (Al Tabbab), Khalifa al- our Qatari nationals, who are keen Al-Khulaifi ’s documentary The An artist who has made several Al-Jefairi made four fi lm taking place at The Ritz- a boardgame specially de- Marri (Olayan), and Maha al-Je- to pursue their cinematic aspira- Pearl Banks is a contemporary contributions to Qatar’s fi ne arts projects as a student at North- Carlton, Doha performed signed to promote healthy fairi (Connect). tions,” DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi journey exploring the depths of scene, al-Marri’s Olayan set in western University in Qatar and by South African chart- eating and behaviour. The selected short fi lms receive said. Qatar’s sea waters to seek ‘Hair’, the 1990s, is about a Bedouin boy has interned with DFI. toppers Good Luck, who Ethiopian Airlines is up to QR182,500 in production “By supporting them, we are the traditional pearl diving sites. who realises that his best-friend, She is currently developing sev- have fl own all the way from the offi cial travel sponsor funding, in addition to fi nancial enabling their voices to be heard An accomplished author and a camel, is being sold to the camel eral short fi lms. Cape Town to perform for of Freedom Day in Doha, and in-kind support in develop- and to share original stories from winner of several photography and market, and goes on a journey to In addition to the Qatari Film Doha partygoers. providing fl ights and cargo ment, mentorship, equipment and Qatar with the world. videography awards, al-Khulaifi save him and to bring the calf back Fund, the DFI also supports fi lm April 27 will feature a for VIP guests, including a production facilities from DFI. We believe that such support is was the COO at Qatargas and is home. production through its training South African Brunch and South African fashion de- Open only to Qatari fi lmmakers, even more important given the time currently the president of Qatar Khalifa had directed Man of the and development and grants pro- Family Day at The Ritz- signer and Mandla Mande- the Qatari Film fund is also com- we live in, and we remain commit- Society of Photography. House, winner of the Made in Qa- grammes. Carlton, Doha from 1pm, la, grandson of Madiba.

German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel formally inaugurating the visa application centre as other off icials look on. German envoy opens new visa facility

erman ambassador Hans-Udo ence to applicants and in general will COO for Middle East, South Asia & Muzel yesterday formally in- boost the attraction of Germany as a China, VFS Global, said: “The centre Gaugurated the visa application business and tourist travel destina- started accepting visa applications centre in Doha which will process visa tion for Qatari citizens and residents since mid-February and we have been applications for Qatari citizens and alike.” able to delight our customers with ease residents applying for Schengen visa to The VFS Global German Visa Ap- of service and professionalism.” Germany as well as to Austria, Finland, plication Centre in Doha is located at VFS Global expects to handle ap- Norway and Slovenia. Level 1, Abdul Jaleel Business Center, proximately 200,000 visa applications The new centre is being operated by Airport Road, Al Matar Street, Doha. including collecting biometric data VFS Global, a leading outsourcing and Visa applicants can direct their que- across 10 countries in the Middle East technology services specialist for dip- ries and appointment requests to the mandated under a contract with Ger- lomatic missions worldwide. call centre number +97444069001 or many. Speaking at the offi cial opening, the communicate with the centre at info. Across the world, VFS Global al- German ambassador said: “The new [email protected]. ready operates Visa Application Cent- centre will provide a seamless experi- Vinay Malhotra, regional group ers for Germany in nine countries.

Mercedes models recalled over safety concerns

he Ministry of Economy and comes within the framework of its on- The MEC has urged all customers to Commerce (MEC), in collabo- going eff orts to protect consumers and report any violations to its Consum- Tration with Nasser Bin Khaled ensure that automobile dealers follow er Protection and Anti-Commercial Automobiles, has announced the recall up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. Fraud Department through the fol- of Mercedes S-Class, E-Class and GLE The MEC said that it will co-ordinate lowing channels: Call centre: 16001, Class models of 2017 because the left with the dealer to follow up on the main- e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ door lock may show a locked door even tenance and repair works and will com- MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, though it is not locked. municate with customers to ensure that MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: The MEC said the recall campaign the necessary repairs are carried out. MEC_Qatar

Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 9 QATAR Qatar Charity’s water projects assist 7,000

Snapshots of the celebration. families in Gaza 600 Sudan orphans thank ome 7,000 families have benefi ted from Qatar SCharity’s (QC) water projects in the remote areas of Qatar Charity’s largesse the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which were implemented last year. In a statement, Qatar Charity ore than 600 orphans pressed their gratitude to Qatar, comprehensive education and said the projects were imple- participated in the QC and the sponsors for their healthcare. It also organises tar- mented with the aim of provid- MArab Orphans Day cel- eff orts in the service of orphans geted activities for them. ing families with clean drinking ebration organised by the Qatar in Sudan, Qatar Charity said in a The organisation said it water, improving their health Charity (QC) offi ce in Sudan. statement. “strives to develop its work conditions and easing their A number of activities and The orphans sponsored by and implement development economic burden. events were held on the occa- QC expressed their gratitude projects for orphans in Sudan.” It The director of Qatar Charity’s sion, which was attended by Dr towards the charity and Qatar had previously built the Sheikha offi ce in the Gaza Strip, Moham- Mustafa al-Sinari, deputy com- through drawings, colouring, Aisha Bint Hamad Bin Abdullah ed Abu Haloub, said the charity’s missioner of humanitarian aid in wall paintings and clay games. Al-Attiyah Model Orphans City, intervention was prompted by Khartoum State, in addition to a Nine outstanding orphaned stu- which was opened in mid-April the poor economic condition of number of QC’s partner organi- dents were honoured during the last year, at a cost of more than the people there and the water Quenching their thirst: Qatar Charity’s projects were implemented with the aim of providing families sations. celebration for their academic $12mn in Al Damar, River Nile crisis in the region. with clean water. The celebrations included performance. State. He said Qatar Charity assisted plays and performing arts pre- The celebrations were held The Model Orphans City has families by supplying thousands able to get drinking water in the water from places located far thanked Qatar Charity, all the sented by the orphans, which as part of QC’s activities for its 200 houses, each consisting of of cubic metres of drinking wa- remote areas of the Gaza Strip from their homes. For instance, donors and fi eld staff for their hu- dwelt on issues of sponsorship sponsored orphans in Sudan for two rooms, a hall, a kitchen and ter. He disclosed that charity had due to Qatar Charity’s water Hammad used to get water from manitarian eff orts and contribu- and philanthropy. Besides, the this year. A number of sports, a bathroom, four schools for recently drilled a well in a remote project implemented in the re- a place that was more than 2km tions in alleviating their suff ering. orphans were able to express health, education, entertain- boys and girls, a kindergarten, area of the Gaza Strip at a cost of gion. This has made a clear dif- away from his home. But now, The QC offi ce in the Gaza their wishes for the children of ment activities will be imple- a health centre with 18 doctors QR23,785. The well is a perma- ference to the lives of thousands he easily gets drinking water Strip managed to implement Palestine through paintings. mented with the aim of provid- and nurses, a vocational training nent source of water for the Umm of benefi ciaries,” QC said. in his remote place on the out- 1,798 projects in 2016 and 2017 A variety of entertainment ing comprehensive social care to centre, a mosque with a capac- Ahmed ‘musalla’ on the outskirts Many families in the re- skirts of Khan Younis due to in various humanitarian, so- programmes for children were orphans, the statement noted. ity of 850 worshippers, play- of Khan Younis. mote parts of the Gaza Strip, Qatar Charity’s water project, cial and developmental sectors, also presented by a specialist QC sponsors around 10,000 grounds, a children’s park, two “For the fi rst time, a large including that of Ahmed Ma- the statement pointed out. benefi ting more than 3.5mn team as part of the celebration. orphans in Sudan, provid- artesian wells, 28 water coolers, number of Palestinians were jid Hammad, used to purchase The benefi ciary families people. The attending guests ex- ing fi nancial support as well as 32 shops and a sanitation system.

The two-day event was held at the Females’ Campus Kabojja (Kampala), the Faculty of Law, Islamic University in Uganda. QRCS initiative boosts humanitarian diplomacy

he Islamic Forum for Inter- national Humanitarian Law T(IFIHL), an affi liate of the Is- lamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC), has held its fourth Abubakar Mayanja IHL & Islam Moot Court Competition for law students in Uganda. The Doha-based IFIHL is located at the premises of the Qatar Red Cres- cent Society (QRCS). Under the theme ‘Advocacy for Hu- manitarian Protection through IHL and Islam’, the two-day event was held at the Females’ Campus Kabojja (Kampala), the Faculty of Law, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). It was attended by 24 students from three law faculties in Mbale, Kampala and Kabojja. The IFIHL was represented by Dr Fawzi Oussedik, chairman; Prof Mo- hamed H Elasbali, director; and Zahra Lafi , executive secretary. Participants at the event IUIU’s academic panellists included dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies Mbale team, who were honoured by A meeting was also held to discuss – Mbale, dean of the Females’ Campus the jury and supervisors. further co-operation between IFIHL Kabojja and dean of the Faculty of Law The participants commended the and IUIU. – Females’ Campus. support for students by QRCS, the so- Preparations are in progress to This year, the legal proceedings ad- ciety said in a statement. launch a diploma in international af- dressed the crimes of genocide, forced Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Ali al- fairs and humanitarian diplomacy. disappearance, abduction, rape, sabo- Maadheed, president, QRCS, pledged Dr Oussedik promised to approach tage, well poisoning and environmen- a fi nancial contribution to cover the donors in order to provide the court’s tal damage in times of armed confl ict. tuition fees of some female law stu- venue with conference room furniture The competition was won by the dents of IUIU. and equipment. Gulf Times 10 Monday, April 16, 2018 QATAR Experts discuss neuropathic pain, antibiotic resistance wo leading experts in their treatments for painful neuropa- important thing is that there are when bacteria change and be- ately and there are very few new respective fi elds of medi- thy. no tailored treatments - we treat come resistant to the antibiotics antibiotics being discovered. Tcine spoke at Weill Cor- Small fi bre neuropathy can be patients with the same available used to treat the infections they This is an alarming trend.” nell Medicine - Qatar’s Grand caused by many diff erent diseases, drugs. But in the last few years cause. Dr Sultan then discussed the Rounds to discuss neuropathic including diabetes, and is charac- we have begun moving towards “Antibiotic resistance has sev- Global Action Plan to combat pain and antibiotic resistance. terised by pain, loss of sensation, precision medicine approaches eral causes, including the misuse antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Visiting expert Prof Giuseppe and burning or tingling sensa- for neuropathic pain which is a or over-prescription of antibiotics adopted by the World Health Lauria, director of the depart- tions. It is caused by damage to the big challenge but also could bring by doctors, patients not complet- Organisation in 2015. This calls ment of clinical neurosciences small nerve fi bres and usually af- great benefi ts to patients,” Prof ing their treatments, poor infec- on member states to develop na- at the Carlo Besta Neurological fects the extremities. Lauria said. tion control in hospitals, and the tional plans to raise awareness Institute, Milan, gave a presen- “Chronic neuropathic pain Dr Ali Sultan, associate pro- overuse of antibiotics in animal of AMR, improve surveillance, tation entitled ‘Big pain, small aff ects around 5% of the general fessor of microbiology and im- husbandry,” Dr Sultan said. invest in research and develop- fi bres’ which discussed the de- population. It has a major impact munology at WCM-Q spoke on “Antibiotics are a limited re- ment, and reduce incidence of terminants of neuropathic pain, on the patient’s quality of life the growing problem of anti- source because there is a growing infection in healthcare institu- the physiology and pathology of and increases healthcare costs biotic resistance. He explained rate of resistance. Globally we are tions, the wider community and small nerve fi bres, and various substantially. The other very that antibiotic resistance occurs not using antibiotics appropri- animals. Prof Giuseppe Lauria Dr Ali Sultan A thrilling way to raise bowel cancer awareness

Screen For Life’, Qatar’s Na- Wakra Health Centre manager. tional Breast and Bowel Can- “Screen For Life has made sig- ‘cer Screening programme, nifi cant strides in raising cancer joined forces with Skydive Qa- awareness levels across Qatar, we tar in an innovative way to raise consistently seek out new and awareness of the programme and innovative ways of getting our its goals during the month-long strong messages out to as wide Bowel Cancer Awareness cam- an audience as possible. This paign. thrilling exercise was an excep- Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmed tional way for us to capture even bin Khalifa al-Ahmad al-Thani, more attention and engage peo- Skydive Qatar chairman, jumped ple in the need to take action,” from a helicopter with a huge said Dr Sheikha Abu Shaikha, banner carrying the bowel can- cancer programme manager at cer awareness tagline ‘Don’t wait PHCC. for symptoms’, and the telephone “Screen For Life is a great number 8001112 of the dedicated initiative that is going to great ‘Screen For Life’ hotline. lengths to make a diff erence to The thrilling sight of a sky- the health and well-being of diver jumping with the message the people of Qatar. Skydiving was an extension of the ‘Screen is an extreme activity that al- For Life’ mission throughout ways draws in the crowds so we March to remind people, men thought this was an accessible The team at WWRC’s Foeto-Maternal Medicine Unit. and women aged 50-74, that be- and enthralling way for our or- cause bowel cancer can be a non- ganisation to demonstrate our symptomatic illness it is vital not support and commitment to this to wait until it is too late and to cause,” Sheikh Abdulaziz added. undergo screening as a precau- The skydive event was part of tionary measure. a widespread awareness cam- Primary Health Care Corpo- paign for Bowel Cancer Aware- ration (PHCC) and ‘Screen For ness Campaign that started in Life’ offi cials were in attendance March, which included in-mall HMC unit helping women for the eye-catching event, in- activation booths and social me- with high-risk pregnancies cluding Dr Mariam al-Emadi, Al dia messaging. he Foeto-Maternal Med- requiring specialised care for “We have diagnosed a lem and the treatment plan to tion, placental insufficiency, icine Unit (FMU) at the maternal or foetal reasons. The number of congenital both myself and my husband. and fetal growth restriction,” TWomen’s Wellness and unit offers diagnosis and treat- abnormalities in unborn I have recently given birth to a she said. Research Centre (WWRC) un- ment of complications which babies such as heart healthy baby girl at full term.” The FMU holds four daily der Hamad Medical Corpora- may arise in unborn babies. defects cranio-facial Dr Sawsan Hassan al-Obaid- foetal scanning and procedure tion receives over 300 referrals Dr Najat Ali Mohsen Khen- anomalies, spine defects, ly, consultant maternal-foetal clinics in addition to counsel- each month and is providing yab, head of the Foeto-Mater- and organ anomalies” medicine, explained that one ling clinics. specialised care to women with nal Medicine Unit and senior of the biggest advantages of Dr Khenyab noted that while high-risk and complex preg- consultant Obstetrics/Gynae- lampsia, abnormal amniotic having an FMU is the ability to a referral from HMC or a pri- nancies. cology at HMC, said “preg- volume and diabetes.” diagnose congenital problems mary health care or private Thousands of women have nancy is a normal and joyful Noor al-Mansoori, who re- in unborn babies earlier. clinic is preferred, emergency received care at the FMU since occurrence and in many cases ceived care at the unit during “We have diagnosed a walk-in patients are accepted. it was established in 2002, with pregnancy is uncomplicated. her recent pregnancy, said: “I number of congenital abnor- She emphasised that the unit around 3,000 undergoing spe- However, some women face was referred to the FMU at 20 malities in unborn babies such has gained a distinguished rep- cialised prenatal procedures. difficulties while pregnant and weeks gestation due to a sus- as heart defects cranio-facial utation across the region due to Last year, over 8,000 foetal experience complications for a pected foetal abnormality. The anomalies, spine defects, and a number of patients being re- examinations were conducted number of reasons, including doctors and nurses were great. organ anomalies. We also see ferred from outside the coun- at the unit, providing treat- miscarriage, pre-term labour The unit’s doctor thoroughly placental disorders including try for both prenatal diagnosis ment to expectant mothers and pre-term birth, preec- explained the suspected prob- abnormal placental implanta- and counselling.

NCCCR treated 341 patients for lymphedema in 2017

he Physiotherapy and retention of lymph fl uid. If the Lymphedema Depart- remaining lymph vessels cannot Tment at the National remove enough of the fl uid in Centre for Cancer Care and Re- the aff ected area, fl uid builds up Skydiving used to raise bowel cancer awareness search (NCCCR) treated 341 pa- and causes swelling, or lymph- tients for lymphedema last year. edema. The department recently “We have put a lot of eff ort held an event for patients and into raising awareness among members of the public to raise doctors and other healthcare awareness about lymphedema professionals as well as among Ooredoo announces and the importance of early cancer patients and the pub- treatment. lic. In 2017 we treated 341 cases Lymphedema is a condition - 305 women and 36 men - an special number auction characterised by localised fl uid increase of 76% from the previ- retention and tissue swelling ous year. Increased awareness and is caused by a compromised of our service also meant that oredoo announced yes- many of the same numbers, or lymphatic system. It can af- we treated a number of patients terday that the ‘2018 have parallel digits. fect the face, neck, abdomen, who might have otherwise trav- OSpecial Number Auction’ Registration for the auction and other parts of the body. The elled abroad for care,” said Shafi . will take place on April 18 at the will be from 3pm to 5.30pm, and condition is a common side ef- He added that women are Ooredoo Tower in West Bay. the auction will begin at 6pm. fect of some cancer treatments, more likely than men to develop Ooredoo said 30 “easy to re- Interested Ooredoo customers including surgery and radiation lymphedema due to the types of member numbers” will be re- must bring their QID to the reg- therapy. cancers that are most commonly leased to the public for the auc- istration. “Lymphedema is swelling associated with the condition, tion, adding that the company is This year, in the interest of that can occur in any part of the including breast and gynaeco- expecting “strong demand” for fairness, Ooredoo has capped body but is commonly seen in logical. the 2018 special number auction, bids at QR750,000 and bids be- the arms and legs. While it can NCCCR recently held an event to raise awareness on lymphedema. Emad Basher, a physiothera- which will gather a host of VIPs gin at QR30,000. be hereditary, it is often caused pist at NCCCR, said infections in attendance. Once bought, numbers remain by the removal of lymph nodes, of the lymph nodes and vessels ma Department at NCCCR and a neath the skin and draw fl uid from the swelling caused by At the event, customers can under the administrative author- trauma, abdominal surgeries, or as part of cancer treatments,” certifi ed lymphedema therapist. into the aff ected area. He says lymphedema are life threatening bid for their favourite numbers, ity of the Ministry of Transport & cancer, and specifi cally exposure said Mohamed Shafi , head of the Shafi explained that protein removal of, or damage to, the and while it is an incurable con- which are often those that start Communications and will be re- to radiation therapy or removal Physiotherapy and Lymphede- molecules can accumulate be- lymph nodes and vessels cause dition, it can be managed. with the same number, have turned to Ooredoo after one year. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Internally displaced Syrians from eastern Ghouta queue for food in Herjelleh shelter in Damascus countryside, yesterday. Children fill water containers at a camp for displaced Syrians in Al-Bil, east of the rebel-held town of Azaz in northern Syria. Russian leader predicts global ‘chaos’ if West hits Syria again Signs emerge of Russia riving at work as usual, with the and West seeking to caption “morning of resilience” Kurz seeks resumption of peace talks in Vienna ease tensions; US set to and there were no immediate re- announce new economic ports of casualties. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian sponsible actors” to continue the sanctions:Haley Russian agencies quoted the Kurz has called for a resumption peace talks of the ‘International lawmakers as saying that As- of Syrian peace talks, which took Syria Support Group’ took place Reuters sad was in a “good mood”, had place in Vienna in 2015, to halt between 20 diff erent groups in Moscow/Damascus praised the Soviet-era air de- the bloodshed in the devastated Vienna in 2015. fence systems Syria used to repel country. Kurz said no military A further escalation of the Syr- the Western attacks and had ac- solution appeared possible in the ian “proxy war” or even a direct ussian President Vladimir cepted an invitation to visit Rus- conflict which had already caused military conflict between the US Putin warned yesterday sia at an unspecifi ed time. massive suff ering for the Syrian and Russia must be prevented by Rthat further Western at- Trump had said “mission ac- people. “After the shocking use of all means, Kurz added in a state- tacks on Syria would bring chaos complished” on Twitter after chemical weapons on April 7 and ment received by Reuters. to world aff airs, as Washington This image released by the US Department of Defence shows the damage assessment at the the strikes, though US Lieuten- the recent Western military action Austria has a long tradition as a prepared to increase pressure on Him Shinsar chemical weapons storage site before (left) and after (right), following US, French and ant General Kenneth McKenzie in Syria, it is now the order of the place of dialogue and a bridge Russia with new economic sanc- British forces launched strikes against Syria, yesterday. at the Pentagon acknowledged day to remember reason and to builder in conflicts, most recently tions. elements of the programme re- press ahead with the diplomatic in the Iranian nuclear deal, he said, In a telephone conversation panies “that were dealing with France and Britain have said the OPCW for about three hours in main and he could not guarantee peace process with all necessary with Austria ready to host talks with his Iranian counterpart equipment” related to Syrian missile strikes were limited to the presence of Russian offi cers that Syria would be unable to vigour,” Kurz said in a statement over Syria at any time. Hassan Rouhani, Putin and Rou- President Bashar al-Assad’s al- Syria’s chemical weapons capa- and a senior Syrian security of- conduct a chemical attack in the yesterday. “The Syrian population Since Kurz, a conservative, hani agreed that the Western leged chemical weapons use. bilities and not aimed at toppling fi cial. future. had already suff ered too much formed a coalition government strikes had damaged the chances On Saturday, the United Assad or intervening in the civil The inspectors were due to Russian and Iranian military with over 400,000 deaths and with the far-right and pro-Putin of achieving a political reso- States, France and Britain war. attempt to visit the Douma site. help over the past three years has over 5mn refugees outside Syria.” Freedom Party in December, Aus- lution in the seven-year Syria launched 105 missiles target- Responding to Haley’s re- Moscow condemned the West- allowed Assad to crush the rebel Kurz said there could be no tria had repeatedly said it wants confl ict, according to a Kremlin ing what the Pentagon said were marks about the plans for new ern states for refusing to wait for threat to topple him. military solution to the conflict to serve as a “bridge-builder” statement. three chemical weapons facili- sanctions, Evgeny Serebrennik- OPCW’s fi ndings before attack- Though Israel has at times and therefore appealed “to all re- between east and west. “Vladimir Putin, in particu- ties in Syria in retaliation for a ov, deputy head of the defence ing. urged stronger US involvement lar, stressed that if such ac- suspected poison gas attack in committee of Russia’s upper Mekdad declined to comment against Assad and his Iranian tions committed in violation of Douma on April 7. house of parliament, said Mos- to reporters waiting outside the and Lebanese Hezbollah rein- he had commended his British The mechanism would look the UN Charter continue, then The Western countries blame cow was ready for the penalties, hotel where the meeting took forcements in Syria, it voiced counterpart, Theresa May, in a at cases where the OPCW fact- it will inevitably lead to chaos Assad for the Douma attack that according to RIA news agency. place. backing for Saturday’s air strikes phone call. fi nding mission has established in international relations,” the killed dozens of people. “They are hard for us, but will Assad told a group of visit- by Western powers. France, the United States and chemical weapons were used or Kremlin statement said. The Syrian government and do more damage to the USA and ing Russian lawmakers that the “Israel fully supports Presi- Britain circulated a draft reso- likely used. Meanwhile, US ambassador to its ally Russia have denied in- Europe,” RIA quoted Serebren- Western missile strikes were an dent Trump’s decision to act lution to UN Security Council Diplomats said negotiations the United Nations, Nikki Haley, volvement in any such attack. nikov as saying. act of aggression, Russian news against the use of chemical late on Saturday that aims to on the draft resolution would told CBS’ “Face the Nation” pro- The bombings marked the big- In Damascus, Syria’s deputy agencies reported. weapons in Syria,” Israel’s Prime establish a new independent in- begin today and it was not im- gramme that the United States gest intervention by Western foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, Syria released video of the Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quiry into who is to responsible mediately clear when the United would announce new economic countries against Assad and ally met inspectors from the global wreckage of a bombed-out re- told his cabinet in broadcast re- for chemical weapons attacks in States, France and Britain want- sanctions today aimed at com- Russia but the United States, chemical weapons watchdog search lab, but also of Assad ar- marks on Sunday, adding that Syria. ed to put it to a vote. Foreign social media Call for probe into chemical attacks network ban in schools Reuters gathering would be named the Dhahran “Quds (Jerusalem) Summit”, a AFP sought to develop Iranian social reference to US President Don- Tehran media networks and limit the ald Trump’s decision last year reliance on foreign-based plat- rab League leaders yes- to recognise Jerusalem as the forms, which Tehran accuses of terday called for an in- capital of Israel, which Arab ran’s ministry of educa- hosting sites deemed hostile to Aternational probe into states condemned. tion yesterday banned the the Islamic Republic. the “criminal” use of chemi- Delegates pledged in the Iuse of foreign social media Several Iranian platforms of- cal weapons in Syria and con- closing statement to support networks in schools, the ILNA fering services similar to Tel- demned what they see as Iran’s the Palestinians, who want East news agency reported, amid a egram have emerged in recent interference in the aff airs of Jerusalem to be the capital of a push by Tehran to limit the in- months, like the Soroush net- other countries. future Palestinian state. fluence of outside online plat- work, which already claims to Regional powers Saudi Arabia forms. have 5mn subscribers. and Iran have for decades been “We stress our absolute Schools must “only use do- According to the official locked in a struggle for suprem- condemnation of the use mestic social networks” for IRNA news agency, Telecom- acy. of chemical weapons their communication, the min- munication Minister Moham- “We stress our absolute con- against the sisterly Syrian istry said in a statement, ac- ed-Javad Azari Jahromi recent- demnation of the use of chemi- people and we demand an cording to the reformist-linked ly pledged Iranian networks cal weapons against the sisterly independent international news agency. Telegram is the would offer the same guaran- Syrian people and we demand investigation to guarantee most popular social network in tees of confidentiality as for- an independent international the application of Iran. In 2017, the app claimed it eign platforms. investigation to guarantee the international law to had 40mn monthly users in the “No message is read, and no application of international everyone proven to use Islamic Republic. (personal) information is com- law to everyone proven to use chemical weapons” Instagram is also very popu- municated to anyone,” he told chemical weapons,” said a doc- lar, and companies in Iran — parliament. ument distributed to journal- King Salman said Saudi Ara- like elsewhere — often use both In a statement recently ists. bia was donating $200mn to platforms to communicate di- posted to his website, Iran’s It emphasised the need for a support them, including $50mn rectly with customers. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali political solution to the multi- for the UN Relief and Works Less used, Facebook and Khamenei said the government sided Syrian war, which has Secretary-General of Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, speaks during a news conference after the Agency (UNRWA). Qatar did Twitter are blocked in Iran, but should guarantee the “security killed at least half a million peo- 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran yesterday. not send a senior offi cial to easily accessible using a virtual and privacy” of people on the ple in the past seven years. Dhahran. private network (VPN). Internet. A previous statement read Syria, while other Arab states non’s Hezbollah group and mi- with the Arab League on re- The Qatari delegation was During a wave of protests Khamenei called intrusions out at the close of the summit in such as Iraq and Lebanon have litias in Iraq, has allowed Syrian gional security, specifi cally in headed by Doha’s permanent that hit dozens of Iranian cit- into online privacy as prohibit- the eastern Saudi city of Dhah- condemned the strikes. President Bashar al-Assad to Iraq and Syria following the de- representative to the Arab ies over at the start of the year, ed from a religious standpoint. ran did not mention Syria. The Syrian government de- crush the rebel threat to topple feat of Islamic State militants League, Saif bin Muqaddam Iranian authorities temporar- Iranian media has appeared Saudi Arabia and its allies nies using or possessing chemi- him. there, according to Russian al-Buainain, Qatar’s state news ily banned Telegram, accusing to encourage people to join have expressed support for cal weapons and said the strikes The communique called for news agencies. agency said, without elaborat- the app of allowing foreign- the new networks by assur- Saturday’s missile strikes by were an act of aggression. additional international sanc- Saudi Arabia, which takes ing. based “counter-revolutionary” ing viewers they will continue the United States, Britain and Military help over the past tions on Iran. over the rotating chair of the Most of the 22 other coun- groups to fuel unrest. to operate even if Telegram is France against three alleged three years from Russia and Russian President Vladimir Arab summit from Jordan, tries were represented by heads Since then, authorities have again banned. chemical weapons facilities in Iran, which also backs Leba- Putin proposed co-operating announced that the current of state or government. Gulf Times 12 Monday, April 16, 2018 ARAB WORLD

Israel One killed in bomb attack frees 207 African migrants targeting Iraq poll candidate from prison AFP Baghdad AFP Jerusalem car bomb attack targeted an election candidate in AIraq’s contested Kirkuk srael yesterday began freeing city yesterday, killing one per- 207 African migrants from son and wounding 11, a security Iprison following a Supreme offi cial said. Court ruling after Prime Min- The blast in the multi-ethnic ister Benjamin Netanyahu con- city, some 250 kilometres north troversially reversed a deal with of Baghdad, came as war-torn the UN refugee agency on the Iraq gears up for legislative detainees’ fate. elections on May 12. By early evening, a spokeswom- “A civilian was killed and 11 an for the immigration authority people were injured, including said, about half had been released three bodyguards, in the convoy and the Israel Prisons Service said of Ammar Hadaya Kahya, a can- the operation should be complet- didate for the Turkmen Front in ed by the end of the day. Kirkuk,” the security source said There are around 42,000 Afri- on condition of anonymity. can migrants in Israel. There were no immediate Authorities transferred 207 claims of responsibility for the of them from a nearby open de- attack. tention facility in February after Iraqi troops last year seized the they refused to leave the country. vital oil-rich Kirkuk region from Israel’s Supreme Court on April Kurdish forces after a contro- 10 gave the government until Sun- versial vote for independence in day to fi nalise a deal it said it was Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish zone. working on to deport some of the Turkmens largely welcomed the migrants to another country. return of government control Without a deal, the court said forces, years after the Kurds took authorities must release those over the area amid the chaos of held at Saharonim prison. the Islamic State group’s march “In light of the fact that the across Iraq in 2014. negotiations between Israel and Since the return of Bagh- Iraqi security forces and firemen check the damage at the site of an attack involving a moped laden with explosives against a convoy carrying an election candidate in the city a third country are still ongoing dad’s forces, the region has seen of Kirkuk, a multi-ethnic flashpoint some 250 kilometres north of Baghdad, yesterday. and due to a Supreme Court rul- clashes between Kurdish fi ght- ing, the migrants held in Saha- ers and Turkmen units of the Kahya is an adviser to Falah al- cally been accompanied by Bloodshed has subsided in re- several wounded last Sunday declared victory over IS in De- ronim prison will be freed today,” Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary Fayadh, who offi cially heads the violence since the ouster of dic- cent months, but several deadly in an IS suicide attack on the cember after pushing the mili- the immigration authority said forces, offi cially controlled by Hashed. tator Saddam Hussein by the attacks have taken place. headquarters of a political party tants out of their fi nal holdouts in a statement earlier. the government. Candidate Elections in Iraq have typi- US-led invasion in 2003. Four people were killed and in Anbar. The Iraqi government along the border with Syria. Uganda said on Friday it was “positively considering” a pro- posal from Israel to accept 500 of the mostly Eritrean and Suda- Palestinians mourn fighters at funeral nese migrants. Earlier this month, Netanyahu cancelled an agreement with the American fl ags burned United Nations refugee agen- cy, UNHCR, aimed at avoiding forced deportations of thou- sands of migrants. as Iraqis protest assault The reversal, just hours after he announced the deal himself in a televised address, followed AFP cleric Moqtada Sadr. “Stop de- Protestors set light to US fl ags pressure from his right-wing Baghdad stroying Syria as you destroyed as they chanted against the mili- base. That left the government our country,” shouted protest- tary action by the US, France and with its initial plan, announced ers in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, Britain. Crowds also took to the in January, under which mi- housands of Iraqis took to in reference to the 2003 US-led streets in the cities of Najaf and grants who entered Israel illegal- the streets in several cit- invasion of Iraq. Basra, south of Baghdad. ly would face a choice between Ties yesterday to protest “No to America, no to the Sadr — whose militias battled leaving voluntarily or facing against US-led strikes on Syria, bombardment of Syria,” they US forces after the 2003 invasion indefi nite imprisonment with following a call by infl uential chanted. — joined the protest in Najaf, eventual forced expulsion. As where he lives. the migrants could face danger After withdrawing from Iraq or imprisonment if returned to in 2011 after a years-long oc- their homelands, Israel had of- cupation, US troops returned to fered to relocate them to an un- the country in 2014 to help fi ght named African country — either the Islamic State group. Rwanda or Uganda, according to American military support deportees and aid workers. at the head of an international Rwanda has since said it could coalition helped Iraqi forces to not be part of the arrangement. roll back the militants and even- The UN refugee agency has tually declare victory over IS in strongly criticised the depor- December. tation plan and urged Israel to The Iraqi government warned return to the deal, which would Saturday that the Western air have allowed thousands of mi- strikes on Syria were a “very grants to remain in the country Iraqi protesters burn a US flag during a demonstration in Baghdad dangerous” development that Palestinians attend the the funeral of Islamic Jihad fighters who were killed in an explosion, in return for an equal number yesterday, opposing the joint Western air strikes against Syria’s could fuel a militant resurgence in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. being relocated to Western na- regime. in the region. tions. US strikes leave Syrian peace process right where it was

AFP strategy. As analyst Tobias Sch- Trump ever read the Stanford ain on board. His own military northern Syria against armed Washington neider of the Global Public Pol- speech, which offi cials still refer was nervous that too broad an Kurdish groups, and earlier this icy Institute argues, Assad may to as an outline of US goals and action would risk a clash with week Israeli jets bombed a Syrian have been worried by “a brief plans for Syria. Russian forces, but when it came airfi eld used by Iranian forces. he Western air strikes moment of speculation” that the Instead, he says he wants a time to act the targets were care- Even last Saturday’s alleged against Syria probably allies might act to roll back his rapid US withdrawal. fully chosen and the impact lim- chemical weapons attack on the Twon’t slow Bashar al-As- war eff ort. “We’ll be coming out of Syria, ited. Damascus suburb of Douma, sad and Russia’s campaign and “But the US declined to lev- like, very soon. Let the other Afterwards, a senior US of- which triggered the western re- they certainly don’t amount to a erage the situation into a wider people take care of it now,” he fi cial insisted that Washington sponse, was only the latest in an strategy to kick start the failing diplomatic-military initiative,” declared on March 30, in a popu- would continue to press Russia ugly series. peace process. he wrote on Twitter. “The goal list speech to industrial workers to cajole Assad into the Geneva Meanwhile, Assad remains They were never meant to. is to save a little face on chemi- in Ohio. talks, seeking “constitutional free to complete his brutal But, by re-focusing Washing- cal weapons, ‘defeat ISIS’, and Many of Trump’s advisers and reform and free and fair elec- reconquest of shrinking rebel- ton’s attention however briefl y get out.” Washington’s allies were dis- tions.” held enclaves despite tough talk on Syria’s seven-year-old civil In other words, as the US turbed. Trump, however, has still not from US offi cials, particularly war, they served to highlight the ambassador to the United Na- Israel and Saudi Arabia in committed to extending the US Haley, who warned Russia the political confusion over the US tions Nikki Haley told the Se- particular see the US presence military presence after the IS allies remain “locked and load- role in the confl ict. curity Council after the strikes: as vital to oppose Iran’s infl u- group’s defeat and his planned ed.” President Donald Trump was “Our Syrian strategy has not ence. And supporters of the withdrawal may send a stronger But the short target list and positively giddy after US, French changed.” all-but-moribund UN-backed signal to Assad than any strikes. the clear determination of US and British planes carried out That strategy was last laid out Geneva peace process had dared For all the diplomatic, politi- commanders to avoid a clash precision strikes on three sites in detail in January by then sec- hope, especially after Tillerson’s cal and media attention paid to with Assad’s Russian protectors allegedly tied to Assad’s chemi- retary of state Rex Tillerson in an speech, that US leverage would Saturday’s allied strikes it was may have inadvertently sent an cal arsenal. address to the Hoover Institute help push Assad to the table. not an especially violent day by entirely diff erent signal. “Could not have had a better of Stanford University in Cali- Trump’s supporters on Amer- Syria’s recent standards. “I’m not sure whether he will result. Mission Accomplished!” fornia. ica’s isolationist right and far- The country has been in the get the message not to use chem- he declared, apparently without Washington’s main goal in de- right were enthusiastic, and grip of a multi-faction civil war ical weapons anymore,” warned irony. ploying troops and a small dip- An activist is arrested during a protest against the recent strikes on hailed the threatened withdraw- for more than seven years and Faysal Itani, senior fellow at the And what was the mission? lomatic team to eastern Syria to Syria in front of the US embassy in Santiago, Chile. al as a victory over “globalist” more than 350,000 people have Atlantic Council’s Rafi k Hariri US offi cials deployed to brief work with local militia was the voices urging American engage- been killed, most of them civil- Centre for the Middle East. journalists after the strike were fi nal defeat of the extremist Is- counter his ally Iran’s ambitions. But Tillerson is no longer sec- ment. ians. “I think, if anything, these very clear, it was a limited eff ort lamic State group. All three elements were por- retary of state after he was bru- But then came the Douma at- US and allied aircraft regularly strikes tell him: ‘Look, these are to deter Assad from resorting to But maintaining a military trayed as key to ending the civil tally sacked in a tweet by a presi- tack and, confronted by images carry out strikes against the Is- the only things you can’t do. chemical weapons. footprint also supports two war and securing America’s dent who is increasingly calling of children convulsed by nerve lamic State group, while Russian Everything else you want to do As such, whether or not the more goals: to pressure Assad broader interests in quelling ter- his own shots in national secu- agent and choking on chlorine, planes strike opposition areas on it’s fi ne,’” he said. mission proves successful, it has into engaging with a UN-led rorism and protecting regional rity policy. Trump ordered punitive strikes, behalf of Assad. “And it’s a correct reading of no bearing on the broader US peace process in Geneva and to allies like Israel. And it is not even clear if quickly getting France and Brit- Turkey has intervened in the situation.” Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 13 AFRICA 15 militants Sombre anniversary killed in Timbuktu ambush

AFP bombs, one of them a vehicle in the colours Paris of the Malian armed forces and the other carrying the UN logo. The fi rst exploded while troops managed round 15 militants have been killed to immobilise the second, the ministry said. in an attack on a United Nations The French military said there had been Abase in northern Mali’s historic city three car bombs. of Timbuktu, the French military told AFP Steiger said allied troops managed to yesterday. regain control with the help of fi ghter jets The UN’s MINUSMA force said one of its sent from a French base in neighbouring peacekeepers had been killed in Saturday’s Niger as well as helicopters carrying elite four-hour rocket, mortar and car bomb at- troops. tack at international troops’ ‘Super Camp’ “By dawn the situation was stable,” he neighbouring Timbuktu’s airport, and said. around a dozen were wounded. Mali’s unrest stems from a 2012 Tuareg Parents of the missing Chibok schoolgirls raise their hands as they pray for the release of their daughters kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists, France said seven of its soldiers were separatist uprising against the state which during a worship service to mark the fourth anniversary of the missing kidnapping at Chibok Town, Borno State, on Saturday. hurt, lowering an initial toll from Malian was exploited by militants in order to take authorities who had said a dozen French over key cities in the north. troops were wounded. More than a dozen of Timbuktu’s holy Some of the assailants, who have yet to be shrines, built in the 15th and 16th centu- identifi ed, came disguised as peacekeepers ries when the city was revered as a centre in order to sow confusion among troops of Islamic learning, were razed in a cam- trying to repel the attack. paign against idolatry by Al Qaeda-linked UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lac- extremists. roix deplored the assault on Twitter, vow- The extremists were largely driven out in Fears grow Zambia is hiding ing: “Our determination to support peace a French-led military operation launched in in Mali remains unshakeable.” January 2013. French military spokesman Patrik Steiger But vast stretches of the country remain said the attackers had “failed in their objec- out of the control of Malian, French and UN tive of causing the maximum damage pos- forces, which are frequent targets of attacks. its debt like Mozambique sible”. The UN’s Timbuktu Super Camp, where “Around 15 (attackers) were killed,” he Saturday’s attack took place, was already By Obert Simwanza, AFP Maputo has since suspended re- done. Chishimba Kambwili, a ruling lender is unhappy with the coun- added, some of them outside the military the scene of an attack last May which killed Lusaka payments to creditors and is seeking party lawmaker and former minis- try’s borrowing plans. camp’s outer walls. a Liberian peacekeeper and wounded nine. to renegotiate its debt mountain. ter accused his own government of The IMF’s representative to Zam- “Some attackers managed to enter, in- In August 2017 armed men launched Japanese fi nance giant Nomura cooking the books. bia, Boileau Loko, said offi cials cluding some disguised as peacekeepers,” another assault on the camp, which hosts nternational lenders and markets recently questioned the size of “They have been hiding the fi g- “continue to compromise the coun- he said, adding the attack had not involved MINUSMA contingents from numerous are growing increasingly con- Zambia’s public debt, suggesting ures,” he told AFP, suggesting the try’s debt sustainability and risk any friendly fi re. countries. Icerned about “hidden debt” in the government is concealing a sub- debt could be as high as $23bn. undermining its macroeconomic Mali’s security ministry said Saturday Seven security force members and six at- Zambia, a situation similar to the one stantial amount of short-term ex- “Let them not pretend that all is stability”. the assailants had tried to detonate two car tackers were killed, according to the UN. that plunged neighbouring Mozam- ternal debt. well. That is unacceptable.” Allegations that the country has bique into a deep fi nancial crisis. In a note last week, the director of Former vice president and now not openly disclosed its external For several weeks fi nanciers have the political risk advisory fi rm EXX opposition politician Nevers Mum- debt burden have undermined in- demanded answers about the level Africa also warned of “mounting ba is also convinced there is an offi - vestor confi dence and driven up of the country’s true external bor- evidence of undisclosed loans” and cial cover-up. borrowing cots, according to Lon- rowing — but offi cials have rub- said that Zambia had miscalculated “Our investigations revealed that don-based BMI Research. Togo protest teargassed bished any suggestion of concealed its total debt. the foreign debt was at $16.6bn,” “With the spectre of ‘hidden debts. “Based on documentary evi- Mumba told AFP. debt’ a continued concern for re- Zambia, the second largest cop- dence, we assess that external debt “The numbers that they are giv- gional investors after the 2016 hid- AFP has staged anti-government protests since last per producer in sub-Saharan Africa, could be as high as $15.6bn, while ing are not correct and they have den debt crisis in Mozambique, and Lome August, this week decided to resume demon- insists that its debt pile stands at local debt seems almost incalculable failed to disprove our fi gures.” in the continued absence of a deal strations, despite an offi cial ban. There was $8.7bn — but there have been sug- given the opacity in lending to state- But the government has doggedly with the IMF, we believe borrowing also unrest in Kpalime, some 120km north of gestions it could be double that. owned entities from local banks,” stuck to the most recently published costs are likely to remain elevated,” ogo’s opposition said over the week- Lome, where strong action had been taken to The allegations have raised fears wrote Robert Besseling. fi gures, vehemently denying that it said BMI in a note last week. end that security forces fi red tear- prevent demonstrators taking to the streets. among Zambians and foreign inves- But Zambian authorities have has concealed any debt. It added that the situation height- Tgas to prevent anti-government The opposition is calling for a return to tors for whom the memory of Mo- brushed aside the growing concerns Finance Minister Margaret Mwa- ened the risk of Zambia needing to protests, as West African heads of state the 1992 constitution, which imposes a two- zambique’s hidden debt fi asco is still over the actual size of its external nakatwe “has repeatedly said that extend the repayment period for its met to try to revive stalled talks to end the term limit on presidents, and also the intro- fresh in the mind. public debt, which has been putting our debt is at $8.7bn and let people loans. months-long political crisis. duction of two-round voting in elections. In 2016, international donors pressure on the value of government not speculate,” Treasury spokesman After posting average annual “Some members of the security forces Gnassingbe has been president since froze fi scal support to Mozambique bonds. Chileshe Kandeta said. growth rates of more than 10 % in positioned themselves just at the entrance 2005, taking over after the death of his fa- after it emerged that the country Former fi nance minister Felix “If someone has evidence that it the 2000s, growth has slowed sig- to the place where we were meeting,” said ther, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had taken $2bn of “off -book” loans Mutati last year told parliament that is not $8.7bn, let them supply the nifi cantly in recent years due to fall- opposition politician Nathaniel Olympio. ruled Togo for 37 years. His son won elec- to fi nance maritime vessels and mil- foreign debt stood at $17.2bn — but evidence.” ing copper prices. “Very menacingly, they started to throw tions in 2005, 2010 and 2015. itary equipment. retracted the fi gure days later saying Zambia had been expecting to But Mwanakatwe, the fi nance teargas everywhere. We had to leave the The opposition wants the application of That move plunged the impover- he had misstated it and insisted that secure a $1.3bn loan from the In- minister, has forecast growth will premises after 45 minutes,” he told AFP. the two-term limit to be retroactive to pre- ished country into serious economic the debt burden was just $7.2bn. ternational Monetary Fund (IMF) accelerate to four % in 2018 as cop- The 14-party opposition coalition, which vent him standing again. and fi nancial crisis. But the damage had already been this year, but the Washington-based per prices begin to recover. Full steam ahead for Mozambique’s rail network

By Philippe Alfroy, AFP more than 10 hours away. Japanese conglomerate Mitsui, But it is unclear if their interest Ribaue, Mozambique Five or six passengers cram began its Mozambican rail ven- in the sector will continue in the onto benches intended for four ture in 2005. long-term. without a murmur of complaint. Having won a contract to run “Today the Nacala line only ex- ozens of passengers line “The train is always full,” said the concession from the gov- ists because of coal. But once the up in single fi le along the Argentina Armendo, his son ernment, it restored the former mine closes, who will be able to Dplatform in the dead of kneeling down nearby. colonial line, which linked its in- justify continuing operations?” night, ready to gather their lug- “Lots of people stay stand- land coal mines with the port at asked Benjamin Pequenino, an gage and pile into the ageing rail- ing. Even those who have a ticket Nacala. economist at the University of way carriages. can’t be sure of getting on. They It now operates a network of Cape Town in South Africa. At the small railway station in should add some coaches!” 1,350km following an investment “The private sector won’t con- Nampula, in northeastern Mo- “Yes, but it’s not expensive,” of nearly $5bn. tinue to invest if it knows it will zambique, the 4am train to Cua- insists the conductor Edson “The growth potential is enor- lose money,” he said. mba in the north west is more Fortes, cooly. mous,” said Moura da Silva. But in the absence of any al- than full, as it is every day, to the “It’s the most competitive Mozambique’s government is ternative, former parliament detriment of those slow to board means of transport for the poor. eyeing the project as a bellwether speaker Abdul Carimo accepts and forced to stand. With the train, they are able to for the industry. that public-private partnerships In recent years, the govern- travel.” “We have made infrastructure are the least worst option. ment in Maputo has made devel- Sitting in a vast, ferociously one of our four investment pri- Carimo, who remains close to oping the train network a priority air-conditioned offi ce Mario orities,” said Transport Minister the ruling party, now heads up as part of its economic plan. Moura da Silva, the rail opera- Carlos Fortes Mesquita. the Zambezi Development Cor- But mounting public debt has tions manager for CDN, the com- “Thanks to this investment, ridor. meant that authorities had no pany operating the line, appears the country recorded a strong The scheme is managed by choice but to cede control of the more concerned about passenger growth in the railway sector.” Thai group, ITD, and plans to project to the private sector. numbers as a measure of success Eight new “rail corridor” build 480 kilometres of track be- Seconds before the train — than perhaps their comfort. projects are now under way in tween Macuse port and the coal six passenger coaches coupled In 2017, its trains carried al- Mozambique, all funded with mines at Moatize for a price tag between two elderly US-made most 500,000 — a 265% increase private capital, as the state grap- of $2.3bn. locomotives — leaves Nampula on a year earlier. ples with a long-standing cash Carimo, who closely follows station, the platforms are already “Passenger traffi c isn’t profi t- shortage. developments on the project, entirely empty. able but it’s a requirement of the The government has been en- has vowed that “his” line will not No one can aff ord to be late. contract with the government,” gulfed in a scandal linked to se- only be used to carry minerals Inside, the carriages remain said Moura da Silva. cret borrowing by the treasury, but will stimulate activity across pitch dark until the sun rises as “It’s not that which earns us which is juggling debt amounting the region it serves. the operator has not installed any money, it’s more the retail,” he to 112% of GDP. “I hate coal but I want this lighting. added, referring to the company’s As a result, a handful of large infrastructure to relaunch agri- A blast of the horn and the commercial operation, which has companies, attracted by Mozam- culture in Zambezi province,” he sound of grinding metal marks grown by 65% in a year. bique’s vast mineral wealth, have said, adding that the region was the train’s stately progress along Brazilian mining giant Vale, taken the lead in developing the “one of the richest in the country Passengers travel on the Nampula-Cuamba train in northern Mozambique. the 350km line to Cuamba — which owns CDN along with country’s rail infrastructure. in the 1970s”. Gulf Times 14 Monday, April 16, 2018 AMERICAS Trump lashes out at ex-FBI chief in new Twitter storm

AFP Comey’s badly reviewed book and if I hide this from the Ameri- Washington aren’t answered like, how come can people, she’ll be illegitimate he gave up Classifi ed Information the moment she’s elected, the mo- (jail), why did he lie to Congress ment this comes out,” Comey said. onald Trump yesterday (jail), why did the DNC refuse to His comments echoed a quote launched into another give Server to the FBI (why didn’t from his memoir, in which he A man slips on ice covered sidewalk as freezing rain falls in Toronto. DTwitter tirade against they TAKE it), why the phony said it was “entirely possible” his James Comey, hours before the memos, McCabe’s $700,000 & concern over Clinton’s legitimacy broadcast of an extended inter- more?” “bore greater weight than it would view with the fi red former FBI di- He said Comey threw former have if the election appeared clos- rector about his interactions with attorney general Loretta Lynch er or if Donald Trump were ahead the US president. “under the bus,” an allusion to in all polls.” Excerpts of the interview with Comey’s having criticised Lynch “Unbelievably, James Comey More snow, rain, winds ABC News already have been aired, in the memoir for suggesting that states that Polls, where Crooked as have reviews of Comey’s new he refer to an investigation into Hillary was leading, were a fac- memoir A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Clinton’s use of a private e-mail tor in the handling (stupidly) of Lies and Leadership, which likens server while secretary of state as the Clinton Email probe,” Trump Trump to a dishonest, ego-driven only a “matter.” tweeted. set to blast parts of US mob boss who demanded a pledge “Was she promised a Supreme “In other words, he was making of loyalty from his FBI chief. Court seat, or AG, in order to lay decisions based on the fact that Reuters state Michigan and North Dakota, he said. sin, according to National Public Radio. The excerpts sparked another off Hillary,” Trump asks in another he thought she was going to win, Atlanta The threat of violent thunderstorms The storms also killed a 1-year-old girl furious round of tweets by Trump, Tweet. and he wanted a job. Slimeball!” stretch from a corridor from the Florida when a tree fell on a recreational vehicle calling Comey a “slime ball” and Comey, who was fi red by Trump he wrote. peninsula to North Carolina, South Caro- where she was sleeping, the sheriff ’s offi ce saying he “stupidly” handled a last year, acknowledged in the in- Clinton has previously said she eadly spring storms that spawned lina and Virginia, said Chenard. in Bossier Parish, Louisiana said. probe into Trump’s 2016 election terview that his belief that Clinton believes Comey’s announcement tornadoes in the US South and bliz- “No tornado warnings are issued yet for More than 750 fl ights in and out of air- rival Hillary Clinton. would be elected president “was played a part in her losing the Dzards in the Plains and Midwest will the area, but the conditions could be ripe ports in Minnesota and Toronto were can- “I never asked Comey for Per- a factor” in his decision to reopen presidency. continue to blast across the region bring- for some in the afternoon,” he said. celled on Saturday and into yesterday, the sonal Loyalty. I hardly even knew the e-mail probe 11 days before the “After the Comey letter, my ing more snow, rain and wind that have On Friday, the system produced 17 reports website fl ightaware.com reported. this guy. Just another of his many US election, a development that momentum was stopped,” she told shut down airports and left thousands of tornadoes in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mis- The Yankees-Detroit Tigers game was lies. His ‘memos’ are self serving Clinton blames for her surprise NPR in late 2017. without power. souri and Texas, the weather service said. rained out Saturday, and the planned and FAKE!” said one tweet. defeat. “My numbers dropped, and we The storms stretched yesterday from the Four people were injured and 160 build- double-header yesterday was also ready to In another, the president un- “I don’t remember spelling it were scrambling to try to put it Gulf Coast to the Midwest and were mov- ings damaged in a possible tornado in cancel as more rain and snow are expected, dertook a mini-review of Comey’s out, but it had to have been, that back together, and we ran out of ing into the Northeast and New England, northwest Arkansas, local media reported. according to The Detroit Free Press. memoir: “The big questions in she’s going to be elected president time.” said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with At least two tornadoes packing winds up About 70,000 homes and businesses the NWS’s Weather Prediction Center in to 145kph was reported in Mississippi this were without power early yesterday across College Park, Maryland. weekend, the NWS said. Michigan, New York, Louisiana, Texas and About a foot of snow was expected yes- The weather is blamed for two traffi c fa- Mississippi, according to the website Pow- ‘Assault on facts’ terday in parts of northern Wisconsin, up- talities in western Nebraska and Wiscon- eroutage.us. Facebook fuels broad privacy debate by tracking non-users

By David Ingram, Reuters have unclear eff ects on the company’s cebook “like” and “share” buttons, wheth- San Francisco ability to target ads. Zuckerberg did not re- er or not a person pushes a button. spond. On Friday Facebook said it had no Facebook said it uses browsing data to plans to build such a tool. Critics said that create analytics reports, including about oncern about Facebook Inc’s re- Zuckerberg has not said enough about the traffi c to a site. The company said it does spect for data privacy is widening to extent and use of the data. not use the data to target ads, except those Cinclude the information it collects “It’s not clear what Facebook is doing inviting people to join Facebook. about non-users, after chief executive with that information,” said Chris Ca- Advocates and lawmakers say they are Mark Zuckerberg said the world’s largest labrese, vice president for policy at the singling out Facebook because of its size, social network tracks people whether they Center for Democracy & Technology, a rivalled outside China only by Alpha- have accounts or not. Washington advocacy group. bet Inc’s Google, and because they allege Privacy concerns have swamped Face- Facebook gets some data on non-users Zuckerberg was not forthcoming about the book since it acknowledged last month from people on its network, such as when extent and reasons for the tracking. that information about millions of users a user uploads e-mail addresses of friends. “He’s either deliberately misunder- Demonstrators take part in the March for Science in Washington, DC on Saturday. Local scientists and wrongly ended up in the hands of politi- Other information comes from “cook- standing some of the questions, or he’s supporters joined a global March for Science to fight back against what many see as an “assault on facts” cal consultancy Cambridge Analytica, a ies,” small fi les stored via a browser and not clear about what’s actually happening by populist politicians. fi rm that has counted US President Donald used by Facebook and others to track peo- inside Facebook’s operation,” said Daniel Trump’s 2016 electoral campaign among ple on the Internet, sometimes to target Kahn Gillmor, a senior staff technologist at its clients. them with ads. the American Civil Liberties Union. Zuckerberg said last week under ques- “This kind of data collection is funda- Zuckerberg, for instance, said the col- Prominent lawyer self-immolates in NY pollution protest tioning by US Representative Ben Luján mental to how the Internet works,” Face- lection was done for security purposes, that, for security reasons, Facebook also book said in a statement to Reuters. without explaining further or saying prominent American law- ported. In a suicide note e-mailed to by fossil fuels, and many die early collects “data of people who have not Asked if people could opt out, Facebook whether it was also used for measurement yer and activist has died af- the newspaper and several other me- deaths as a result — my early death signed up for Facebook.” added: “There are basic things you can do or analytics, Gillmor said, adding that Fa- Ater setting himself on fi re at dia outlets, Buckel wrote that he had by fossil fuel refl ects what we are Lawmakers and privacy advocates im- to limit the use of this information for ad- cebook had a business incentive to use the a New York park to protest damage used fossil fuel to symbolise what doing to ourselves.” mediately protested the practice, with vertising, like using browser or device set- non-user data to target ads. being done to the planet, accord- was happening to the planet. His suicide note expressed the many saying Facebook needed to develop tings to delete cookies. This would apply to Facebook declined to comment on why ing to US media reports. “Pollution ravages our planet, hope that his death would serve as a way for non-users to fi nd out what the other services beyond Facebook because, Zuckerberg referred to security only. David Buckel, 60, was pro- oozing inhabitability via air, soil, a call to action. company knows about them. as mentioned, it is standard to how the In- Gillmor said Facebook could build databas- nounced dead after he self-immolat- water and weather,” the note said. “Honourable purpose in life “We’ve got to fi x that,” Representative ternet works.” es on non-users by combining web browsing ed at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park early “Most humans on the planet invites honourable purpose in Luján, a Democrat, told Zuckerberg, call- Facebook often installs cookies on non- history with uploaded contacts. Facebook on Saturday, the New York Times re- now breathe air made unhealthy death,” Buckel wrote. ing for such disclosure, a move that would users’ browsers if they visit sites with Fa- said on Friday that it does not do so. Trudeau faces election risk after fi rm’s pipeline surprise

Reuters foreign trip to hold an emergency the sensitivity of the situation. ing pipeline. Ottawa, which ap- ish Columbia were already nervous “It’s not a matter of getting an- Toronto-Dominion Bank Dep- Ottawa meeting with the premiers of two “We had 24 hours’ notice.” proved the project in 2016, in- about softening support before gry, or being mean or nice about uty Chairman Frank McKenna, provinces locked in a standoff The move by Kinder Morgan sists it has jurisdiction. British Kinder Morgan Canada’s ultima- it — he will lay out the facts,” said a member of Alberta’s pipeline over the pipeline after the compa- Canada, which was spun off by its Columbia’s government, elected tum, said a Liberal party offi cial. the source, who spoke on condi- advisory taskforce, said he raised anada’s government got ny set a May 31 deadline to resolve US parent last year, puts pressure in 2017, disagrees, citing the risk The Liberals also have to pick tion of anonymity. the issue with Trudeau in a recent just 24 hours notice that the impasse or it would walk away. on Trudeau to solve the problem of a spill. up seats in the province of Que- The federal and Alberta gov- call and that Ottawa has to “pro- Cit would be thrust into a Federal offi cials had been talk- without alienating voters in Brit- “I do believe we have a man- bec, which has a strong green ernments both say they could vide deal certainty...a backstop”. political and economic crisis by ing to the company since Feb- ish Columbia or presiding over an date to defend the coast,” pro- tradition. take a stake in the pipeline to “That could be something an ultimatum from a pipeline op- ruary when British Columbia’s investment failure ahead of 2019 vincial Premier John Horgan told “It wouldn’t really take a lot to keep the project alive, with Al- in the nature of an indemnity erator, government sources said, left-leaning coalition, which elections. reporters on Friday. tip the government into minority berta’s premier saying her prov- agreement or a guarantee against leaving Prime Minister Justin includes the Green party, made A second federal government Trudeau won power in 2015 territory,” said pollster Nik Nanos ince could even buy it outright. potential losses that would come Trudeau scrambling for options clear it would delay the planned source said the prime minister partly thanks to extra seats his of Nanos Research. Kinder Morgan Canada has from political instability and not in a dispute that could damage expansion of the Trans Mountain and senior cabinet members had Liberals won in British Columbia “If you’re looking at hard politi- said it was open to discussions based on normal construction his re-election chances. pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands worked behind the scenes for as well as increased support from cal calculus, the prime minister re- but did not elaborate. risk,” said McKenna, a former The Kinder Morgan Canada to the coast. weeks, pressing British Columbia environmentalists. alistically has to tilt in favour of the The fi rst government source premier of New Brunswick. pipeline issue has pitted Ottawa But the government had no to change its position. Cracking down too hard would environment because if he doesn’t there was a “huge gray zone” of TD Bank is Kinder Morgan against the Pacifi c province of idea that Kinder Morgan Canada “If we’re talking of things go- cost him support in both camps, that will kill him in Quebec.” possible government help, cit- Canada’s biggest lender. British Columbia and could turn was about to drop a bombshell. ing awry, British Columbia knew leaving him with a weak minority During yesterday’s meeting, ing the past bailout of the auto “At the end of the day this into a constitutional crisis, derail “Kinder Morgan’s announce- this was federal jurisdiction,” government in the October 2019 Trudeau was to lay out the vari- industry in 2009, federal loan pipeline can’t be allowed to fail, it Trudeau’s energy strategy and ment was unexpected,” said a said the source. elections. ous fi nancial, regulatory and le- guarantees for a hydro-electric would be a huge blow to the lead- dent business confi dence. senior government offi cial who The operator wants to almost Long-standing tensions over gal options, said the second gov- project and Ottawa’s investment ership of the country and to the Trudeau yesterday broke off a declined to be identifi ed given triple the capacity of the exist- the pipeline meant Liberals in Brit- ernment source. in an off shore energy project. image of the country.” Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Air China Water Festival celebrations fl ight diverted by pen threat

AFP Beijing

n Air China fl ight was di- verted yesterday after a Amale passenger brandish- ing a fountain pen held a crew member hostage, aviation au- thorities said. The fl ight left Changsha, capital of the central province of Hunan, at 8:40am en route to Beijing. It landed in Zhengzhou, the capital of neighbouring Henan province, just over an hour later after the man threatened the crew member. “The incident was successful- ly dealt with by 1:17pm, and pas- sengers and crew members are safe,” according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Admin- istration of China, which said a man used a pen as a threatening People play with water, during Songkran Water Festival celebrations, to commemorate the Thai New Year in Bangkok, yesterday. device. A photo posted by China News Service showed a handful of fi re- fi ghters standing in front of a row of fi re trucks outside Zhengzhou airport. “I think someone uttered a cry, which woke us. Everyone was sleeping... it was a woman’s cry. Nobody knew what was going on,” one passenger recounted, according to a video produced by North Korea’s Kim calls Tencent News and Beijing News. The crew kept passengers calm and in their seats, he said. Another passenger said fl ight attendants told passengers they had to land at a diff erent airport but she had not heard of any- thing amiss. for stronger China ties “We exited from the back so we didn’t see whatever hap- AFP Trump in the following weeks. offi cial Rodong Sinmun news- China has sent art troupes to pened in the front, and didn’t Seoul The North’s offi cial KCNA news paper showed Chinese and every festival since 1986, except hear anything either,” she said. agency said Kim welcomed Song North Korean offi cials in a mas- in 2016. Authorities have not yet re- and his delegation in a meet- sive banqueting hall with a mu- Pyongyang’s frenetic diplo- leased further information about orth Korean leader Kim ing on Saturday at which Song ral of Kim and Xi shaking hands matic activity marks a stunning the man’s motives or what hap- Jong-un personally conveyed Xi’s “warm greetings”. decorating one wall. turnaround after a year of high pened to him. Ngreeted a top Chinese The two exchanged “profound Another photo showed a tensions which saw the North offi cial in Pyongyang and called views on the important mat- North Korean orchestra per- carry out nuclear and missile for stronger ties with Beijing, ters of mutual concern” and the forming with a large picture of tests, further isolating the re- state media from both countries international situation, KCNA Xi projected in the background. gime and triggering a fi ery war said yesterday, as the traditional said, without providing details. Song is leading a Chinese art of words with Trump. allies seek to heal battered rela- “The Supreme Leader said troupe attending a spring art Kim sent a high-profi le del- Rescuers tions. that he would positively carry festival held as part of the com- egation to the Winter Olympics Kim met Song Tao, head of forward and develop the tradi- memorations for the anniver- in the South in February, setting the Chinese Communist Party tional DPRK-China friendship sary of the birth of the North’s off a fl urry of cross-border ex- in bid to Central Committee’s interna- into a fresh phase of develop- founder Kim Il-sung on April changes of athletes, cheerlead- tional department, who was ment as required by a new era,” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets Song Tao, the head of the 15, 1912. ers and offi cials. leading an art troupe to a spring it added, using the North’s of- China’s Communist Party’s International Department who led a Chinese Both North Korean and for- In the latest such exchanges, control festival in the North’s capital. fi cial acronym. troupe to North Korea for the April Spring Friendship Art Festival, in eign artists take part, and this offi cials from the two Koreas The delegation arrived just On his trip to Beijing, Kim this photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), yesterday. year’s week-long event includes met Saturday at the North’s weeks after Kim made a surprise had “witnessed the remarkable concerts, dance performances side of the Demilitarised Zone Sydney visit to Beijing and met Chinese achievement made by China” that it was Beijing’s “unswerv- ish Pyongyang over its nuclear and acrobatics. to discuss setting up a hotline President Xi Jinping, signalling and “was happy for the broth- ing policy...to preserve, con- weapons programme. KCNA also issued a rare sepa- between their leaders, Seoul’s an attempt by both leaders to erly Chinese people”, the offi cial solidate, and develop relations” Kim also hosted a banquet rate report on Kim’s wife, who presidential offi ce said yester- bushfi re shore up a key alliance ahead of Chinese Xinhua news agency with the North, it added. for the Chinese delegation, in attended a performance by the day. a period of high-stakes diplo- quoted him as saying. Beijing is North Korea’s sole which offi cials from the two Chinese art troupe on Saturday The two sides will hold an- macy. Kim also said he wanted to major ally, an alliance dating sides toasted to their shared will in the absence of her husband. other working-level meeting DPA Kim is expected to hold sum- “strengthen exchanges and co- back to the 1950-1953 Korean “to more beautifully decorate “First Lady Ri Sol-ju enjoyed on Wednesday to agree on pro- Sydney mits with South Korean Presi- operation” with China, accord- War, but relations deteriorated the fl ower garden of the DPRK- a ballet choreodrama ‘Giselle’ tocol, security measures and dent Moon Jae-in this month ing to Xinhua. after China supported United China friendship”, according to given by the National Ballet of media coverage of the April 27 and US President Donald In response, Song told Kim Nations sanctions to pun- KCNA. Photos carried by the China,” KCNA reported. summit. n out-of-control bushfi re in Sydney’s south-west Athat has razed more than 1,000 hectares was still burning yesterday, offi cials said, but the warning threat had been down- Pyongyang marks graded. Mahathir to contest on More than 500 fi refi ghters worked through the night to birth of its founder stop the blaze, which police said may have been deliberately lit, from destroying properties in holiday island in election AFP nuclear-armed country. North the suburbs of Holsworthy and Pyongyang Koreans are taught from an early Wattle Grove. age to revere their leaders, and “There has been some amazing AFP portraits of the two late rulers work done by the fi refi ghters from Langkawi housands of North Korean gaze down in every home, school all agencies. Despite the horrifi c devotees laid fl owers before and workplace in the country. conditions, there have been no Tstatues of the country’s The calendar is packed with reports of homes being lost,” the alaysia’s veteran ex- founder Kim Il-sung yesterday on anniversaries relating to them and New South Wales Rural Fire Serv- leader Mahathir Mo- the anniversary of his birth. their careers, and the accompany- ice wrote on Twitter. Mhamed will run at an A constant stream of soldiers in ing rituals both demonstrate and It downgraded the bushfi re upcoming general election on brown uniforms, work unit per- reinforce loyalty to the regime. to a “watch-and-act” alert but the holiday island of Langka- sonnel in suits, schoolchildren and April 15, known as the Day of warned that dry and windy con- wi, the opposition announced families made their way to Mansu the Sun, is unquestionably the ditions could make it diffi cult to yesterday, as he seeks to oust hill in the centre of Pyongyang, most important anniversary and contain the blaze. the scandal-plagued govern- where giant statues of Kim and his is sometimes marked with a mil- Hundreds of people have been ment. son and successor look out over itary parade, as it was last year. evacuated from their homes since Mahathir has come out of the capital. “The great comrades Visiting the statues reinforced Saturday evening after embers retirement and joined the op- Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il will her determination to “realise the started raining down. position alliance to take on his always be with us,” read a banner reunifi cation of our country which The blaze also forced non- former protege, Prime Minis- made of greenery. the great leaders wanted” and “up- essential personnel at nearby ter Najib Razak, who has be- In turn each group — including hold the leadership of the respect- Holsworthy army base to be evac- come embroiled in a massive the occasional set of tourists — ed Marshal Kim Jong-un”, said uated, Australia broadcaster ABC corruption controversy. approached the bronze edifi ces, Second Lieutenant Ryu Yong Jong, said. The munitions store was The May 9 poll will be a most people with single blooms, 25, who has been in the army for successfully defended, it said. tough test for Najib’s coalition, some carrying golden baskets of nine years. Ordinary North Kore- Around 100 fi re trucks were on which has governed Malaysia fl owers, making their off erings ans only ever express wholeheart- the ground and water bombing for six decades. Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamed gestures as he arrives for a rally ahead of the before assembling in formation. ed support for their government aircraft were to be deployed yes- But 92-year-old Mahathir, 14th general election on the island of Langkawi, yesterday. “Let us bow before the statues,” when speaking to foreign media. terday, the fi re service said. the opposition’s prime minis- intoned an announcer half-hid- Later in the day, dancing par- “We’ve got a lot of work ahead terial candidate, is still not ex- ment of his candidacy. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, offi ce, and is well-liked there. den by horticulture, prompting ties — choreographed spectacles of us and some strong winds pected to beat the party he led “Najib came and gave a lot a senior fi gure in opposition Billions of dollars were al- deep bows from civilians and sa- where citizens step and twirl to dominating the system today for years. of money to Langkawi peo- coalition Pact of Hope, then legedly looted from sovereign lutes from military detachments. patriotic songs — were held, and which are going to prove very About 5,000 supporters ple, but these people gave the formally announced Mahathir wealth fund 1MDB, which Na- In front of the images stood crowds gathered on Kim Il-sung problematic for the fi refi ghters gathered at a rally late Sunday money to us to fi ght Najib,” he would run in Langkawi. jib set up and oversaw, in an a giant fl oral arrangement on a Square to watch fi reworks light and all those people in and around on Langkawi, which attracts told the cheering crowd. It should be a safe seat for audacious scheme of fraud and golden stand from Kim Jong-un, up the Juche Tower, the monu- this fi re ground area,” fi re service hordes of foreign tourists “He thought cash is king — Mahathir — he helped develop money laundering. Kim Il-sung’s grandson and the ment to Kim’s “self-reliance” commissioner Shane Fitzsim- each year to its palm-fringed but the people of Langkawi the island into a major tourist Najib and the fund deny any third of the dynasty to head the philosophy that is the world’s mons said. beaches, for the announce- know that it is stolen money.” destination during his time in wrongdoing. isolated and impoverished but tallest stone tower. Gulf Times 16 Monday, April 16, 2018 BRITAIN New criminal inquiry into Stephen Lawrence case likely

Guardian News and Media in charge of the fi rst Metropolitan night after the murder, are the senior deputy senior investigating offi cer. were arrested a fortnight after the but is also meant as a protection tional racism and a failure of leader- London police investigation into Law- management team in the fi rst Law- If the NCA proceeds, it will con- racist murder and only after Nel- for those facing suspicion. It does ship by senior offi cers.” rence’s murder 25 years ago did not rence murder investigation. They sider interviewing the former of- son Mandela met Lawrence’s par- not imply guilt. Macpherson said of Crampton, make arrests for two weeks, de- have retired from policing and have fi cers under criminal caution. For ents during a trip to London and The public inquiry into how the fi rst senior investigating offi cer he National Crime Agency is spite police repeatedly being given always denied any wrongdoing. the past two years, the NCA has embarrassed the Met. police failed to catch Stephen’s for the fi rst three days after the mur- considering starting a new the names of suspects. They are detective superintend- been investigating whether the The criminal off ence of miscon- murderers, chaired by Sir William der: “A vital and fundamental mis- Tcriminal inquiry into the Lawrence, 18, was stabbed to ent Ian Crampton, in charge for the suspects were shielded as a result duct in public offi ce “is committed Macpherson, was critical of all four take was made in failing to arrest the Stephen Lawrence case, poten- death by a racist gang of at least fi rst three days after the murder; of corruption and who in the police when the offi ce holder acts (or fails men in its 1999 report, and of the suspects named in that information tially placing four former detec- fi ve white youths on April 22, 1993. detective superintendent Brian may have been involved. to act) in a way that constitutes a Metropolitan police in general. by the morning of April 26. Enough tives under criminal investigation It took 19 years for two of the gang Weeden, who took over as senior The NCA does not believe it has breach of the duties of that offi ce”, Macpherson’s report said: “There information was available to make for the off ence of misconduct in to be convicted of his murder. investigating offi cer; detective chief evidence to suggest the four of- according to guidance from the is no doubt but that there were fun- the arrests by the evening of April public offi ce. Those who may face the new in- superintendent William Ilsley, who fi cers acted corruptly and nor are Crown Prosecution Service. damental errors. The investigation 24, at about the time when Cramp- It is understood that the in- quiry, 25 years after the Met’s much- oversaw them; and detective in- they suspects for that. Questioning under caution was marred by a combination of ton says that he made a ‘strategical’ quiry would focus on why offi cers criticised decisions in the fi rst fort- spector Ben Bullock, who was the The Lawrence murder suspects gives investigators certain powers, professional incompetence, institu- decision not to arrest.” Couple fl ay police failure to solve son’s road death

Guardian News and Media In a recent letter to the fam- London ily, a police offi cer explained that laboratories had been over- whelmed with items requiring French couple whose son analysis following four major was killed in a hit-and- terrorism incidents last year and Arun accident in the UK six the Grenfell Tower fi re in June. months ago has spoken of their “The results are taking ages to devastation that police have still come back,” said Celine Ippolito. not charged anyone with his “The wait is terrible. We know death, as backlogs in the foren- that our son will never come sics system mean the suspected back, we know he is dead, but we driver has still not been identi- want the person who did it to ad- fi ed. mit what they did. Patrice Ippolito was 25 when “I want to ask the people in the he was killed in Wapping, east car: ‘How can you live with your- London, last October, and three selves?’” teenagers were arrested after the Patrice’s father, Serge Ippolito, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, attend the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show in London yesterday. crash. They were subsequently said French law made it a crime released because of lack of evi- to abandon someone in danger. dence about who was driving at Under the law, the three teen- the time of the incident. agers could have been tried for The couple criticised delays abandoning the Patrice. in DNA testing that might re- As home secretary, Theresa veal the identity of the driver, May announced in 2010 that the caused by backlogs at the labo- Forensic Science Service, a pub- ratories the police use following lic body that provided services to Johnson defends Russia the series of terrorist attacks the police, would close. Serious last year. concerns have since been raised Celine Ippolito said it was un- about DNA tests. believable that she still did not Celine and Serge Ippolito live know what had happened to her in the Drome region of southern son, who worked as a sommelier France, and have two other chil- at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill dren. novichok link remarks restaurant in Chelsea. They said Patrice had loved Two 18-year-olds and a London after moving to the city Guardian News and Media Since he made the claim, the Welle, the German programme, nerve agent novichok of a type “defi ant refusal to accept that the 19-year-old were travelling in in 2012. He worked fi rst in Le London Organisation for the Prohibition which is that Porton Down told that has bene stockpiled likely Kremlin could be responsible”. the car that hit Patrice, propel- Boudin Blanc in Mayfair before of Chemical Weapons has con- us in absolutely no uncertain for assassination purposes by In the Deutsche Welle inter- ling him 90 feet. He died before taking a job at Ramsey’s Maze fi rmed the British fi nding that terms that this was a military Russia in the last 10 years.” view, Johnson was asked: “You he reached hospital. Grill. He is believed to have been oris Johnson has for the the nerve agent was that de- grade novichok agent, and fur- Johnson added he had made his argue that the source of this Celine Ippolito said she un- walking home when he was fi rst time defended his ap- scribed by British scientists, but thermore of a type that had been remarks to Deutsche Welle before nerve agent, novichok, is Rus- derstood two cars had been trav- killed. Bparent claim that Porton again did not say the agent could produced and stockpiled in the UK intelligence told him Russia sia. How did you manage to fi nd elling together when her son was “He was joyous. He lived life Down scientists had told him only have been made in Russia. former Soviet Union.” had been practising putting novi- it out so quickly? Does Britain hit and the three teenagers were to the full, every day,” said Celine Russia was responsible for de- Johnson was severely criti- He told the BBC he asked Por- chok on door handles. UK intel- possess samples of it?” subsequently arrested for dan- Ippolito. “He was a lovely man ploying a military grade nerve cised over misdescribing his ton Down “‘Are you sure about ligence in a letter to Nato released Johnson replied “Let me be gerous driving. with a great future. He brought agent to poison Sergei Skripal conversations with Porton that?’ And they said they were on Friday also revealed that So- clear with you … when I look at “I don’t understand how happiness with him. He loved and his daughter Yulia in Salis- Down chiefs, mainly in an inter- absolutely certain that it was. viet spies had been hacking Yulia the evidence, I mean the people the people in the car can live life, and he was full of life. bury last month. view with Deutsche Welle last Now it is not the business of Skripal’s phone for years. from Porton Down, the labora- with themselves,” she said. “We are so angry at the people Making the fi rst defence of month. There is great pressure Porton Down, and I don’t know He said anyone who contin- tory …” “I don’t understand how they in the car. To me, it’s not possible this claim since Porton Down on British politicians to be pre- if whether it is even possible for ued to deny Russian involve- The interviewer interrupted can sleep at night. I don’t un- that people can behave like this. scientists said they could only cise in their allegations against them to identify the origin, any ment in the Skripal aff air was “So they have the samples …” derstand how they can bear If they would speak, it would let describe the agent as novichok, Russia, and the source of them. more that you might be able to showing an extraordinary and before Johnson replied: “They knowing that we, his family, us move on. It is unbearable, not but not ascertain its country of Johnson told BBC One’s An- identify the origin of a sample perplexing blindness to reality. do. And they were absolutely do not know what happened knowing. Patrice helped every- origin, Johnson implied he had drew Marr Show on Sunday: “I of sulphuric acid. But, as the Without naming any individual categorical and I asked the guy to our son, because they won’t one, and these people won’t help never said Porton Down told him was being very clear. I thought I OPCW confi rmed this week, or the Labour frontbench, he said myself, I said, ‘Are you sure?’ speak up.” in this small way.” Russia was responsible. was being very clear to Deutsche it was indeed a military grade some people seemed to possess a And he said ‘there’s no doubt’.” Tory MP ‘confi dent’ New Ukip leader of proving innocence reveals plans to quit AFP test that election or not,” Batten London said. Guardian News and Media nature of the allegations. Although he backed a vote to “For the next 12 months, I will London In a post on Twitter, Elphicke remain in the European Union be- concentrate on doing all I can to said: “It was some fi ve months fore the 2016 referendum, he has erard Batten was appoint- restore the party’s fortunes.” before I was made aware of what emerged since then as a staunch ed Ukip’s new leader, af- Batten, 64, a member of the he Conservative MP Char- the ‘allegations’ against me were. advocate of Brexit. He is a mem- Gter the fourth leadership European Parliament (MEP) lie Elphicke has said he is “Now I know, I am completely ber of the pro-Brexit European contest in 19 months with the since 2004, had been UKIP’s in- T“completely confi dent” confi dent I will be able to prove research group of Tory MPs, and party in disarray since achieving terim leader since February. He he will be able to prove his in- my innocence. I will continue to has talked up the idea of a no-deal its founding mission of Brexit. said he had ensured the party’s nocence after reports that police defend myself vigorously for as departure being an option. But Batten immediately an- “immediate survival” by putting were investigating him for al- long as necessary.” The development comes after nounced his intention to resign it on a fi rm footing fi nancially leged sexual off ences involving In a statement published by allegations of inappropriate be- in 12 months’ time because he and organisationally. “As leader, two female members of his staff . the Mail on Sunday, he added: haviour by politicians have cost the was elected unopposed, after no I will do all I can to work for the Elphicke was suspended by “I met with the police on March government two senior ministers. other candidates stepped for- progress of the party. Ukip is the his party fi ve months ago after 12 and was then told for the fi rst Michael Fallon resigned as defence ward by Saturday’s deadline. only real opposition to our po- what the Tory chief whip, Julian time the nature of the allegations secretary in November, admitting Nigel Farage led the United litical establishment, and we are Smith, described as “serious al- made against me. his behaviour towards women in the Kingdom Independence Party to needed now as much as ever.” legations” that had been passed “Until that point I had no idea past had “fallen short”. its zenith and was a driving force Ukip has witnessed six chang- on to the police. whatsoever of the allegations Damian Green was sacked as in bringing about its founding es of leadership since the refer- At that time, Elphicke tweeted which had led to my having the fi rst secretary of state in Decem- aim of getting Britain out of the endum. to deny any wrongdoing, and to Conservative whip suspended in ber after admitting he lied about European Union. Farage stepped down after say that the party had “tipped off early November 2017, despite my the presence of pornographic But since the June 2016 refer- Britain voted for Brexit, his po- the press” before telling him of repeated requests for clarifi ca- images on his House of Com- endum on EU membership, Ukip litical mission complete. his suspension. tion to both the chief whip and mons computer. has seen its support tumble and Diane James took over then The MP for Dover reacted again the police.” Elphicke’s wife, Natalie, has the party descend into chaos as it quit again within a month, with after the Sunday Times claimed Elphicke, 47, was a lawyer be- publicly supported her husband struggles to fi nd a new role. Farage returning as acting leader. the alleged victims were inter- fore entering parliament and has and wrote an article last year for It has also been dogged by fi - Paul Nuttall won the next viewed by police earlier this year. represented his constituency in the Sunday Times in which she nancial problems. leadership contest but Ukip Offi cers also spoke to the MP Kent since 2010. He has been a claimed he had been “thrown to “I intend to resign on April fl opped at the 2017 general elec- under caution on March 12, backbencher, apart from a brief the wolves” by the Tory party, 13, 2019 so that a full leadership tion. which he claimed was the fi rst spell as a junior whip that ended leaving their family in “confu- contest may take place. By then I He quit and Steve Crowther time he was made aware of the in 2016. sion and fear”. Charlie Elphicke: denies sexual off ences allegations will have decided if I wish to con- took acting charge. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 17 BRITAIN Labour eyes poll victory in Tory fl agship council Wandsworth

Guardian News and Media school. Wandsworth, famously ing’s majority in Putney. the same area,” she said. of the development was causing believing that would be a huge built directly with council mon- London Margaret Thatcher’s favourite, Housing is on the mind of One emblem is the controver- feelings of resentment. “People electoral advantage to them,” he ey. There is a signifi cant house- has been a fl agship Tory coun- many voters, said the MP for sial development of the former can see a big tower block going said. “These are the renters who building pipeline, though Labour cil for 40 years, pioneering the Tooting, Rosena Allin-Khan, out Battersea power station. Labour up and yet know none of their elected Marsha de Cordova in argues not enough are aff ordable alf a mile from where outsourcing of local services and with the canvassers in Earlsfi eld has said it would review the plan- friends, or their children, are go- Battersea and gave Rosena such a homes. Sadiq Khan grew up on famous for its ultra-low council where the ward is held by two ning applications from develop- ing to get to live there,” he said. big majority in Tooting.” However, it is the Tories’ low Hthe Henry Prince estate tax. Tory councillors and one Labour. ers in order to force them to re- The housing crisis had cre- However, Wandsworth coun- council tax pledge that is the key in Wandsworth, a small gaggle Labour campaigners have “Housing is something that instate plans for more aff ordable ated some of the conditions for cil’s housing strategy is a key appeal to most voters – estate of Labour activists are gathering been buoyed by the June elec- affects everyone, regardless of fl ats, controversially slashed last a possible Labour victory, Hogg pledge that Tories in the borough agents use it to advertise their in Earlsfi eld, with the real pros- tion result, where Labour ousted age or socioeconomic status, in year with Wandsworth council’s said. “Wandsworth Tories ag- are also fi ghting on, it having properties. It still remains the pect of taking back a council that the Tory minister Jane Ellison in council homes, renting or wor- approval. gressively sold off thousands committed to delivering an ex- second cheapest in the coun- has been Conservative since the Battersea and slashed the then- rying about whether your chil- Simon Hogg, the Labour lead- of council homes to create this tra 1,000 homes in the next fi ve try at £716.51 a year for a band D London mayor was at primary Cabinet minister Justine Green- dren can ever afford to buy in er on the council, said the sight very large private rented sector, years, 60% of them aff ordable, property.

New push for vote Govt refuses on fi nal Brexit deal plea to discuss Guardian News and Media London

major push for a “people’s vote” on the fi nal Brexit Adeal between Britain and ‘Windrush the EU has been launched by MPs, celebrities and business leaders. A cross-party lineup of MPs took to the stage at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, north Lon- don, yesterday. They have been at pains to avoid the term “sec- migrants’ issue ond referendum”. The MPs in- cluded Conservative Anna Sou- Guardian News and Media of Immigrants (JCWI), said dozens they have been in the UK … No one bry, Labour’s Chuka Umunna, the London of people had contacted the char- with the right to be here will be re- Greens’ Caroline Lucas and Lib- ity seeking help after publicity quired to leave.” eral Democrat Layla Moran. around the issue last week. However, there was nothing “We have got to get a majority owning Street has rejected Downing Street acknowledged new in the guidance, and charities in the House of Commons for the a formal diplomatic request that a request had been received working with people in this situa- proposition of this people’s vote,” Dto discuss the immigration from the Caribbean high com- tion expressed frustration that the Umunna told a crowd of more problems being experienced by missioners and confi rmed that a government continued to suggest than 1,000 people, many of whom some Windrush-generation Brit- meeting had not been scheduled. that individuals seek legal advice. were waving fl ags and sporting ish citizens at this week’s meeting Although the subject is not on the That is often prohibitively expen- Remainer garb. of the Commonwealth heads of CHOGM agenda, offi cials said sive for people who have been told “That means at the very least government, rebuffi ng a request there would be “a number of op- they are not permitted to work and my party, the Labour party, needs from representatives of 12 Carib- portunities” for the heads of dele- are not eligible for benefi ts. to be true to its values and support bean countries for a meeting with gations to meet the prime minister There is a growing awareness this,” he added, eliciting foot- the prime minister. and discuss this “important issue”. of the problem, which may aff ect stomping and cheering from the “We did make a request to the Seth George Ramocan, the Ja- thousands of people who came crowd. CHOGM summit team for a meet- maican high commissioner, said from Commonwealth countries as In the audience meanwhile, ing to be held between the prime he would be seeking to raise the children, often travelling on their participants such as business minister and the Commonwealth issue despite the lack of a formal parents’ passports, who have nev- consultant Peter Cook shrugged Caribbean heads of government meeting. “We have senior citizens er formally naturalised. about the optics of holding such who will be here for the CHOGM in limbo. It is not explicitly on the Although anyone living here a key anti-Brexit event in the and regrettably they have advised agenda, but we want our heads of continuously since before January arch-Remainer territory of north us that that is not possible,” said government to bring it to the at- 1, 1973, is legally entitled to live in London. “We have taken the easy Guy Hewitt, the Barbados high tention of the wider body,” he said. the UK, people who have not ap- way in terms of doing this in north commissioner. Late on Friday, the Home Of- plied for passports (often because London, yes, but the reality of The refusal has given Caribbean fi ce issued a guidance summary they have never had enough mon- what we’re saying is still unavoid- diplomats the impression that of what Commonwealth-born, ey to travel outside the UK) may able,” said Cook. the UK government is not taking long-term UK residents should do struggle to prove that they are en- “What we do have to do, a suffi ciently serious approach if they were concerned that they titled to be here. though, is get out there in the to the problem that is aff ecting did not have the necessary papers Some people moved to the UK Brexit heartlands – places like large numbers of long-term UK to prove their right to be in the UK. before the countries in which they Clacton and Ramsgate and Sun- residents who came to Britain as The guidance acknowledges were born in became independent, derland. I’ve been punched in children. Some have been threat- that problems are only now be- and assumed that they were Brit- Brexitland, and I can tell you that ened with deportation to coun- ginning to arise because of newly ish. The Migration Observatory at it hurts, but we have to go there.” tries they left as children 50 years tightened immigration rules, and Oxford University, estimates that Outside, a few dozen pro-Brexit ago and have not returned to since. states: “Recent changes to the law about 50,000 Commonwealth- supporters had staged a counter- Others have been denied access to mean that if you wish to work, rent born persons in the UK, who ar- protest, greeting the queue of healthcare, lost jobs or been made property or have access to benefi ts rived before 1971, may not yet have Remainers with placards bearing homeless because they do not have and services in the UK then you regularised their residency status slogans such as “Full Mettle Brexit suffi cient paperwork to prove they will need documents to demon- and could be vulnerable to these Now”. have the right to be in the UK. strate your right to be in the UK. diffi culties. “We know that they’re going Hewitt said the numbers of The government believes this is a Many people may not yet know to be calling for a second referen- people coming forward to say they proportionate measure to main- that they could face problems, dum, which they will dress up as were aff ected by the immigration tain eff ective immigration con- since the issue arises only when something else. We believe that a anomaly were “increasing expo- trol.” It adds: “We recognise that they apply for a pension, for ex- vote has already happened,” said Labour Party MP Chuka Umunna (right), Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran (centre) and Green MP nentially”. this is causing problems for some ample, or have some other new Lucy Harris, one of the organisers Caroline Lucas pose in front of an advertising board to launch the People’s Vote advertising campaign Satbir Singh, the chief executive individuals who have lost docu- engagement with UK authorities, of the counter protest. in central London yesterday. of the Joint Council for the Welfare ments over the long period of time and papers are requested. Cyclist escapes drowning Royal wedding invite Balloons left at street where burglar died at hands of ‘canal pusher’ asked not to be named, said: Guardian News and Media London “We’re here because it’s his birth- Guardian News and Media of the canal, said he had asked said the theory of a “Manchester day. We just want to lay fl owers, we London police about the “Manchester pusher” was an urban myth. don’t want to cause any violence. pusher” legend and that “they “The police and the council elatives of a burglar who “We’re not all criminals. We were well aware of the stories”. have examined every case in the was fatally stabbed by a don’t all do wrong,” she added. olice chiefs have tried to “I defi nitely feel like I’m lucky city centre over the last 10 years Rpensioner in south-east When asked how Vincent allay fears that there is to be alive. I could easily have and have found no link or con- London have laid a fresh fl oral should be remembered, another Pa “Manchester pusher” drowned because of what he nection between the fatalities. tribute on the street where he died woman said: “We all loved him.” stalking the city’s waterways, did,” he told the Sunday Times. Most of the tragedies are through to mark what would have been his The women refused to com- after a cyclist was hurled into a The victim’s wife posted a warn- accidents caused by alcohol,” he birthday. About 20 women placed ment on reports that Vincent will canal at night. ing about a “canal pusher” on a said. balloons, cards and fl owers close have a £100,000 funeral that will Rumours of a possible serial Greater Manchester community “It’s an urban myth that will to the spot where Henry Vincent pass by the Osborn-Brooks home attacker have been revived after page on Facebook. never die, and any time there’s an collapsed after he was fatally in- on the street where he died. a 34-year-old offi ce worker was At least 76 bodies have been incident or accident it comes up jured on April 4 at the home of The couple are reportedly living thrown into the city’s Bridge- discovered in the waters of again. I think it causes distress to the 78-year-old Richard Osborn- in a safe house and intend to sell water canal then kicked back in Greater Manchester since 2007. the families that have lost their Brooks in South Park Crescent, their property. as he tried to save himself from Seventeen of the deaths were loved ones.” Hither Green. Following the incident earlier drowning. classed as “unexplained”, mean- Chief Inspector Andy Sutcliff e Tensions between the street’s this month, Osborn-Brooks was The victim said he was “lucky ing neither the police nor a coro- said of Tuesday’s attack: “I un- residents and Vincent’s family arrested on suspicion of murder to be alive” after being attacked ner was able to determine how derstand, given the circumstanc- have been high since his death as following the death of Vincent, by a “complete psychopath” on the person died. es of this report, that people will fl oral tributes to the man, who but the pensioner was later told the canal path near Old Traff ord Police and council chiefs have be alarmed, but I need to stress would have been 38 yesterday, by police he would face no further football stadium at 10pm last tried for years to dispel “the there is no evidence to suggest have been repeatedly torn down by action. Police patrolled the street Tuesday. myth” of a serial canal pusher that this is linked to any other in- people who are angry that he is be- last week in an eff ort to calm ten- Greater Manchester police but the theory often returns. In cidents and we’ve had no further ing remembered in such a way. sions, urging the public to respect said they were looking for the 2015, police bosses said there reports. The group, escorted by fi ve the family’s wishes to remember suspect, said to be a white male was “no evidence whatsoever” “While we are carrying out our police offi cers, attached tributes Vincent. aged between 20 and 40, but of a serial attacker after a psy- inquiries and fi nding out exactly to street signs and lampposts to “This is a tragedy for the fam- stressed there was no evidence to chology professor suggested how and why this happened, our Jorja Furze, 12, an amputee from birth and mark what would have been Vin- ily who have lost a loved one. It is link it to other incidents. the relatively high number of main priority is the well-being of ambassador for the Steel Bones charity, poses for the cent’s birthday. Police stopped the also a tragedy for the homeowner The victim, who said he al- deaths could be down to foul the victim, and we need to make media after receiving an invitation to the wedding of group from stapling banners and forced to take the action he did,” most drowned after his legs play. sure that his best interests are at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle balloons to the garden fences of the Metropolitan police deputy became tangled in his bicycle Councillor Pat Karney, Man- the forefront of our investiga- next month. homeowners on the street. commissioner, Sir Craig Mackey, while he was below the surface chester’s city centre spokesman, tion.” A 37-year-old woman, who said. Gulf Times 18 Monday, April 16, 2018 EUROPE Massive march in Barcelona AFP over their separatist push. The Guardia Urbana, a Catalan “There have been tensions prove the use of violence which Prosecutors say the two men refused both times to allow him Barcelona “Since they could not decapi- municipal police force, said that (among unions members) just would justify the rebellion charge played central roles in orches- to leave jail to be sworn in. tate separatism, they are trying 315,000 people turned out. like in the rest of the Catalan so- against Puigdemont and their ex- trating pro-independence pro- Seven other Catalan separatist to do it through the courts,” Roser The demonstration was or- ciety,” the secretary general of the tradition request. tests in September in Barcelona leaders are in jail in Spain while undreds of thousands of Urgelles, a 59-year-old teacher, ganised by two grassroots inde- Catalan branch of UGT, Camil Puigdemont is also accused of during which national police they await trial for rebellion, people marched in Bar- told AFP at the protest. pendence groups, the ANC and Ros, told AFP. “But it is not a sep- misuse of public funds for stag- were trapped inside a govern- along with the two leaders of the Hcelona yesterday to pro- “They need to demonstrate Omnium, whose presidents are aratist protest. It is time to build ing an independence referendum ment building for hours and their grassroots separatist groups. test the jailing of nine Catalan that there was violence to ex- among the nine separatist leaders bridges and the Catalan problem in Catalonia on October 1 even vehicles were destroyed. Catalonia has been in political separatist leaders facing trial on ecute the sentences that they in prison awaiting trial over their cannot be solved through the though the courts had ruled it They are also accused of mo- limbo since Spain’s conserva- “rebellion” charges. want, so they invent it,” she said, role in last year’s failed breaka- courts but by dialogue and poli- unconstitutional. bilising thousands of pro-inde- tive central government imposed Chanting “Freedom for the po- adding: “But we will continue to way bid by Catalonia. tics.” He tweeted from Germany that pendence supporters to prevent direct rule on the region after it litical prisoners”, they marched protest peacefully.” A total of 957 buses brought The demonstration comes 10 the march was “a great civic and police from stopping the October unilaterally declared independ- along Parallel Avenue, a main Like thousands of others at the protesters from across the days after a German court dis- democratic demonstration”. 1 independence referendum from ence in October. thoroughfare, many waving the march, she wore a yellow ribbon wealthy northeastern region of missed an extradition request “We are European citizens who going ahead. Fresh regional elections will red-and-yellow Catalan fl ag. to show solidarity with the jailed Spain to Barcelona, the Catalan for Catalonia’s ousted separatist just want to live in peace, free and “What makes me sad is the ac- be triggered if a new leader is not The mass protest comes six leaders, whom Catalan sepa- capital, for the march, the ANC president Carles Puigdemont on without fear,” he added. cusation of violence, which never elected by May 22. months after the fi rst incarcera- ratists consider to be “political said in a statement. grounds of rebellion and released Since October 16 the leaders existed,” Sanchez said in Decem- In a letter sent from prison, tions of top Catalan separatist prisoners”. The protest was backed by the him on bail. of Catalonia’s two largest pro- ber on Twitter. former Catalan vice-president leaders for misuse of public Spain’s justice minister, Rafael Catalan branches of Spain’s two Many protesters chanted “Pu- independence groups – Jordi He was elected as a lawmaker Oriol Junqueras said that im- funds, sedition and rebellion – Catala, has called the use of yel- largest trade unions, the CCOO igdemont, president!” Sanchez of the ANC and Jordi in polls in Catalonia in December mediately forming a government which carries a prison sentence low ribbons “insulting”, arguing and the UGT, sparking unease Spanish prosecutors last week Cuixart of Omnium Jordi Cuix- and has twice been proposed as a was “a necessity” so that Cata- of 30 years and implies that a that Spain has no political pris- among union members who op- handed over new information art – have been in jail while they candidate to lead a new Catalan lonia could regain its political “violent uprising” took place – oners but “politicians in prison”. pose independence. to Germany that they hope will await their trial for rebellion. regional government, but a judge autonomy.

Slovak Opposition positions Orban protesters retains continue two-thirds pressure legislative on govt majority

Reuters AFP Bratislava Budapest

ens of thousands of Slo- ungary’s Prime Minister vaks returned to the Viktor Orban retained Tstreets yesterday to keep Hhis controlling two- up pressure on the government thirds majority in parliament for reform seven weeks after following last week’s election, a the murder of a journalist that People protest in front of the Parliament building in Budapest fi nal ballot count revealed yes- sparked a political crisis and on Saturday evening against the policies of the Orban terday, giving him free legislative brought down a prime minister. government. rein for the next four years. The killing of Jan Kuciak, 27, Orban’s ruling rightwing who investigated corruption Fidesz party was already the among politically-connected clear winner of the election business people, and his fi ancée hours after polls closed last Sun- at their home in February in- day. creased widespread anger about But its two-thirds majority persistent corruption allega- remained in doubt until ballots tions, leading to the largest near- from abroad – which could have weekly protests since the end of changed the outcome in several communism in 1989. voting districts - were counted. Amid growing pressure last In the end, these ballots made month, long-serving prime little diff erence, with Fidesz minister Robert Fico stepped winning 49.6% of votes, far down to save his three-party ahead of the nationalist Jobbik government, and picked his party in second with 19.2% and deputy, Peter Pellegrini, to lead a the Socialist-led centre-left al- reshuffl ed cabinet. liance with 12.0%, according to News website Dennik N es- Some of the 35,000 protesters demand the resignation of the state newswire MTI. timated that yesterday’s pro- Slovak police chief Tibor Gaspar during a rally ‘For Decent This means Fidesz (along with test drew around 30,000 in the Slovakia’ at the Slovak National Uprising square in Bratislava. its junior coalition partner the capital Bratislava, about half the Christian Democrats) will have size of the biggest protests last 133 seats in the 199-seat parlia- month. ment. Demonstrators want the po- That gives it a two-thirds ma- lice chief and the special pros- jority that allows it to steamroll ecutor out and a crackdown on legislation through parliament corruption. without the need for approval Protest organisers said that from any other party. those two offi ces “have long Thousands march during a Jobbik and the Socialist-led overlooked corruption scandals demonstration in Barcelona yesterday alliance will take up 26 and 20 reported by Jan Kuciak and other in support of imprisoned Catalan seats respectively. investigative journalists”. pro-independence leaders and Another leftist party Demo- “Slovakia has to be a country politicians, who were detained on cratic Coalition (DK), led by where corruption, not courage, charges including the misuse of public former prime minister Ferenc is punished,” one of organisers funds, sedition and rebellion, which Gyurcsany, will take up nine Karolina Farska told the rally. which carries a prison sentence of 30 seats, while the green party LMP In offi ce since 2004, special years. will have eight. prosecutor Dusan Kovacik is re- On Tuesday, Orban told for- sponsible for prosecuting abuse Right: Protesters face anti-riot eign reporters that the resound- of power and corruption among gendarmes as they try yesterday to ing win showed that voters want public servants and politicians. gain access to rebuild squats at the ZAD to stop liberal US billionaire phi- According to data from his of- (Zone a Defendre – Zone to defend) lanthropist George Soros inter- fi ce last year, he has overseen 61 decade-old anti-airport camp in fering in the country. cases between 2009-2017 and Notre-Dame-des-Landes, western A package of so-called “Stop has not pressed criminal charges France. Police said that hundreds of Soros” bills tightening already in any of them. activists attacked off icers ahead of a strict legislation regulating non- Police president Tibor Gaspar peaceful demonstration to protest the governmental organisations is also refusing to quit although forced closure of an anti-capitalist camp (NGOs) funded by the Hungar- the new interior minister is re- in western France. ian-born 87-year-old will be viewing his work in his fi ve years among the fi rst to pass through in the post. the new parliament after it con- No senior politician has gone venes later this month. to prison for corruption in that Orban’s opponents meanwhile time, according to Transparency have complained that election International. rules approved by parliament in About 48% of bribe cases Fresh clashes as anti-capitalists try to rebuild camp 2012 have rigged the system in dealt with by courts involved Fidesz’s favour. amounts of less than €100. Election observers from the “All the scandals that went AFP attempted to gain access to re- ple, spilled on to the streets of injured since last Monday. ing area, saying that they had Organisation for Security and unpunished brought me here. Notre-Dame-des-Landes, France build squats at the camp, police Nantes where windows were Activists opposed to plans to been in talks with local offi cials Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) So far only puppets in the gov- said. broken, police said. build a new airport near the city on maintaining many of the said last Monday that the bal- ernment have changed but we Two people were arrested About 2,500 offi cers have of Nantes fi rst began squatting projects. lot was marked by “intimidating haven’t seen real change,” pro- olice said that hundreds and one offi cer was wounded. been deployed to the site and on the farmland in 2008, and The government had said ac- and xenophobic rhetoric, media tester Martin Mataseje, a 39- of activists attacked of- Around 3,000 to 4,000 peo- 29 squats destroyed since last the camp grew into a sprawling tivists could stay on the land if bias and opaque campaign fi - year old IT consultant, told Reu- Pfi cers yesterday ahead of ple later fl ocked to the site to Monday. 1,600-hectare (4,000-acre) they came up with individual nancing”. ters. a peaceful rally to protest the take part in a peaceful rally de- Many protesters have been settlement billed as a utopian farming schemes but most re- A series of alleged irregulari- Police believe Kuciak’s murder forced closure of an anti-cap- fending the camp, police added. equipped with gas masks, leftist farming community. fused, saying they want to run ties at polling stations around was related to his work. italist encampment in western General Richard Lizurey, Molotov cocktails, makeshift But the government an- the site collectively and be able the country also prompted sev- He reported on suspected tax France. director general of the French shields and racquets that they nounced in January that it was to pursue non-agricultural eral opposition parties to de- fraud by people some of whom A week of clashes erupt- Gendarmerie, said that the op- used to knock back police tear calling off plans for the airport projects. mand the National Elections Of- have links to the ruling Smer ed last Monday when police eration to clear the camp had gas canisters during days of and warned the squatters that Local authorities say 16 of fi ce launches a probe for possible party. launched an eviction operation been undermined by the pres- clashes. they must clear off the land by the encampments dotting the fraud, and a possible recount. Some of his reporting was at Notre-Dames-des-Landes ence of “the far-left” includ- Dominique Fresneau, co- spring. farmland were cleared in the On Saturday evening, an an- on deals between the govern- camp, near the city of Nantes, ing “black bloc” protesters, president of Acipa, the protest The week-long battle ech- fi rst two days of the operation, ti-government demonstration ment and the country’s big- set up 10 years ago to fi ght plans the black-clad often-masked movement, called for calm on oes a failed attempt to clear the 15 of them demolished. drew an estimated 100,000 peo- gest privately-owned security for a new airport. demonstrators who often clash both sides, adding that violence camp in 2012. The plan is to dismantle up to ple in Budapest. fi rm, whose owner is related to Yesterday morning offi c- with police at demonstrations delays talks. The activists are furious at 40 as authorities seek to retake Speakers demanded free and Gaspar. ers were attacked by around around the world. According to a medical team police damage to their shelters control of a key road running fair elections and called another He has denied any wrongdo- 300 protesters, some armed A similar rally on Saturday, set up at the activists’ camp, at and farming projects including through the area that has been protest for the following Satur- ing. with Molotov cocktails, who attended by around 6,700 peo- least 148 protesters have been a sheep shed and cheese-mak- blocked for fi ve years. day. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 19 EUROPE Russia-West ‘alienation’ worrying: German president

AFP month’s poisoning of a Russian Sergei Skripal and his daughter, al-Assad, a close Moscow ally, for imposed over the annexation on the ground until US President Frankfurt am Main ex-spy in England, which Britain which triggered a wave of tit- an alleged deadly chemical attack of Crimea and the confl ict in Donald Trump and his Russian and its allies blame on Moscow, is for-tat diplomatic expulsions on the town of Douma. Ukraine, “we can’t abandon di- counterpart Vladimir Putin en- “a very serious incident”. between Russia and Western Russia on Saturday failed to rect dialogue”. gaged with each other in a con- erman President Frank- “But we should be at least as countries. win UN backing for a resolution He also cautioned against de- structive manner to try to nego- Walter Steinmeier has worried about the galloping al- A dispute over Western inter- that would have condemned the monising an entire nation. tiate a solution. Gvoiced alarm over the ienation between Russia and the vention in Syria has dramatically “aggression” against Syria, high- “Independently of Putin, we “Of course you can’t do it growing “alienation” between West, the consequences of which added to the tensions in recent lighting Moscow’s isolation on can’t declare the whole of Russia, without the regional neighbours Russia and the West, stressing stretch far beyond this case,” the days. the international stage. the country and its people, as our in the end, but everything be- the need for dialogue as post- former foreign minister said. Defying Russian warnings, the Steinmeier said that while it enemy,” he said, warning there is gins with the US and Russia,” he Cold War tensions peak. Moscow vehemently denies United States, France and Britain is right to show Russia that its “too much at stake”. was quoted as saying. “Putin and Speaking to the Bild am Son- involvement in the nerve agent carried out air strikes to punish actions have consequences, as On Syria, Steinmeier said that Trump owe it to the world to take Steinmeier: We can’t abandon ntag, Steinmeier said last poisoning of former double agent the regime of President Bashar demonstrated by the sanctions there could be no improvement the fi rst step.” direct dialogue. Merkel seeks to tackle east and Montenegro veteran west disparities

Reuters Berlin reclaims presidency erman Chancellor An- Reuters/AFP gela Merkel said yes- Podgorica Gterday that government subsidies are needed to address lingering disparities in the eteran pro-European quality of life in the states of Union politician Milo former Communist East Ger- VDjukanovic is set to win many and West Germany 28 Montenegro’s presidential elec- years after unifi cation. tion yesterday with 54% of votes, In a video webcast, Merkel according to a projection by the said that the government needs Centre for Monitoring and Re- to look at ways to address the search (CeMI) pollster. structural diff erences that Mladen Bojanic, a business- would remain after a solidarity Merkel: We continually have to man backed by an alliance of tax introduced in 1990 to sup- ask how we can balance parties, including some want- port poorer eastern states runs systemic, structural ing closer ties with Russia, is set out at the end of 2019. diff erences between east and to come second with 33%, CeMI Djukanovic: announced his “We continually have to ask west. said, based on a partial count of comeback last month citing how we can balance systemic, the votes in a sample of polling ‘responsibility for Montenegro’s structural diff erences between of the western level, but would stations. future’. east and west in the area of re- not reach 100% until July 2024, Djukanovic and his ruling search, in regard to the head- she said. Democratic Party of Socialists Moscow is crucial to Montene- quarters of large companies, Merkel’s conservatives and (DPS) led Montenegro into the gro’s development. and in the fi eld of structural the centre-left Social Demo- North Atlantic Treaty Organi- But he toned down the anti- unemployment,” Merkel said. crats, both worried by a right- sation (Nato) last year and have Russian rhetoric, saying that he She gave no details about ward lurch in September’s na- pledged to complete talks for EU wanted “normal relations with specifi c programmes. tional elections, have agreed membership. Russia if it is prepared to do the Merkel, who grew up in to focus more on addressing “There will be no second same”. former East Germany, will dis- structural disparities in the round,” Milos Nikolic, a DPS par- Montenegrins preparing to cast their votes at a polling station in Along with Serbia, Montene- cuss the issue when she meets former east, and other struc- liamentary deputy told report- Podgorica. gro is the favourite to join the EU with the premiers of the fi ve turally weak parts of Germany. ers at the party’s headquarters. next, possibly as early as 2025. former east German states on The anti-immigrant popu- “Djukanovic is the new president prime minister in 2016. liberate Montenegro from Dju- The EU in its 2016 country Wednesday. list Alternative for Germany of Montenegro.” He announced his comeback kanovic’s dictatorship,” he said. progress report told Montenegro “Twenty-eight years after (AfD) party made big gains in The state election commis- last month citing “responsibility Earlier in the campaign he ac- that it should continue its ef- unifi cation, we’ve accom- the eastern states in the Sep- sion said that turnout at 7.30pm for Montenegro’s future”. During cused Djukanovic of being “the forts to reduce organised crime, plished a lot, but there is al- tember national elections that (1730 GMT), half an hour before the campaign, opposition candi- creator of the instability and cha- in particular on human traffi ck- ways a need for such meetings,” gave the party seats in parlia- the polling stations closed, stood dates accused Djukanovic of fos- os that we witness in the streets ing and money laundering, and the chancellor said. ment for the fi rst time, mak- at 61.6%. tering cronyism, nepotism, cor- of Montenegro”. also noted the problem of in- In a statement releasing ing it the fi rst far-right party “This (result) is a serious indi- ruption and ties with organised “I agree with Djukanovic that ternational cigarette smuggling Merkel’s comments, her offi ce to win seats in the lower house cation of how fi nal results might crime, which he denies. the state is stronger than mafi a. through the port of Bar. said: “The federal government since the 1950s. look, though results might de- The issue of organised crime But the problem is that I do All candidate countries are wants to use a programme of In the eastern state of Sax- viate slightly,” said Milos Besic, Bojanic: I will continue the has cast a shadow on the cam- not know which side he is on,” he strongly encouraged to align subsidies to help ensure equal ony, for instance, the AfD was an lecturer in political sciences struggle to liberate Montenegro paign, with some 20 people killed added. their foreign policy with the EU, living standards in all of Ger- the overall winner, even beat- at the Belgrade University who from Djukanovic’s dictatorship. by assassinations in the street or Djukanovic has claimed that including regarding Russia. many.” ing Merkel’s conservatives. monitors Montenegro’s vote. car bombs over the last two years. the opposition want to turn the Yesterday’s vote passed off Merkel said in the webcast Pensions have been a par- After casting his ballot, Dju- kanovic wins and replaces his ally “As president, I will do every- country into a “Russian prov- peacefully amid fears of disorder that per capita gross domestic ticularly sore point, especially kanovic said he is convinced that Filip Vujanovic, he is expected to thing in my power... ince” and threaten Montenegro’s after 20 people were arrested and product in the former east was for those in the east, with many he would win in the fi rst round. wield considerable power and in- to give the police the authority multicultural way of life. accused of trying to stage a coup now around 73% of the level worried that their pensions “I am convinced Montenegro fl uence policy through the ranks that would allow them to protect With Montenegro’s average during legislative elections in seen in the west, and tax rev- could be aff ected given the in- will confi rm its determination to of the DPS. citizens from those who put their salary at around €500 ($615) and 2016. enues were also uneven. fl ux of more than 1mn migrants continue on the path of European Having dominated politics lives in danger,” Djukanovic said unemployment at over 20%, the Biljana Popovic from the Cen- Pensions were around 96% since 2015. development,” Djukanovic said. in the tiny Adriatic country of during the campaign. debate over the West versus Rus- tre for Democratic Transition, No signifi cant election irregu- only 620,000 and an ex-Yugo- “I am proud of my result,” Bo- sia is not the main concern of one of the NGOs monitoring the larities have been reported. slav republic since 1991, either janic told reporters after projec- many Montenegrins. vote, said that there were “a few Spanish police smash prostitution Although the presidential role as prime minister or president, tions were released. For Djukanovic, however, the irregularities that so far are not is largely ceremonial, if Dju- Djukanovic last stepped down as “I will continue the struggle to choice between Brussels and likely to aff ect the election”. ring involving ‘juvenile detention’

Spanish police said yesterday that they had smashed a ring that forced three underage girls to take drugs and work as prostitutes after luring them away from juvenile detention centres. The youths were kept “locked up and isolated” in flats on the Award-winning Italian fi lmmaker holiday island of Lanzarote and taken to nightclubs where they were “exploited sexually”, police said in a statement. “Throughout the night they were forced to consume drugs to lower Vittorio Taviani passes away at 88 their inhibitions and have sexual relations with any client that those in charge of the prostitution business decided,” the statement said. Police arrested eight suspected members of the ring, who all had AFP more than half a century. culture minister Dario Frances- bank accounts containing “huge amounts” of money. Rome One of their best-known was chini. They carried out simultaneous raids in six buildings in Arrecife, the gritty biopic Padre Padrone, Another of the brothers’ criti- the capital of Lanzarote, as part of the operation, seizing cocaine, set in Sardinia, which won the cally acclaimed fi lms is 2012’s marijuana and other drugs as well as €48,000 ($59,000) in cash. talian fi lmmaker and Cannes top Palme d’Or prize at Cannes Caesar Must Die, for which they Police did not say how old the three underage girls were. Film Festival winner Vittorio in 1977. won the Golden Bear prize at the In this file photo taken in 2012, Italian director Taviani gestures during ITaviani has died aged 88, ac- Born in San Miniato, Tuscany, Berlin International Film Festi- a press conference for the film Caesar Must Die (Cesare Deve Morire) cording to media reports yester- on September 20, 1929, Taviani val. in Berlin. Millions of euros damage in German day, citing family sources. died in Rome after suff ering from The pair’s father was an anti- Taviani and his brother Paolo a long-term illness. fascist lawyer and they had an Their work is known for its mix without it I would be only a ghost school blaze in suspected arson case formed one of cinema’s greatest “It’s a sad day for culture, we early interest in social issues, of history, psychological analysis and the relationships I have with directorial duos and made politi- have lost one of the greatest mas- which they later translated onto and lyricism. other people would dissolve in Millions of euros worth of damage were reported after a blaze at an cally engaged fi lms together for ters of our cinema,” said Italy’s the screen. “Cinema is my life, because the mist,” Taviani once said. elementary school in Germany, with a teenager previously reported missing from a children’s group home the main suspect. Police have not ruled out arson after authorities came to the school Unplanned ride on in the western town of Hennef at 6am (0400 GMT) in response to a text message reporting the blaze. baggage carousel Fire crews responding to the call saw two people fleeing the scene. Progress cited in German wage negotiations Later, authorities found a 15-year-old boy – who had previously been A passenger collecting luggage reported missing from a group home – near the scene of the fire. at a Moscow airport slipped as When they tried to take him into custody, he resisted violently and she reached for her dog carrier Reuters around midday today. eral government, told reporters enues meant the pay deal should had to be put into handcuff s. and was accidentally swept away Potsdam Trade union Verdi, with 2.3 of the talks. defi nitely outpace the one from He has been arrested in connection with the fire. on the baggage carousel, local million members, and the dbb Verdi leader Frank Bsirske told two years ago, when workers Fire crews brought the blaze under control quickly, though they say media reported yesterday. association of civil servants, reporters he expected a break- got an initial 2.4% increase, fol- the school cannot be used for classes when school resumes today. The passenger, a woman in her ermany’s public sector which represents 344,000 through, citing better-than- lowed by a 2.35% increase. late 50s, flew into Moscow’s unions and employers people, are pressing for a 6% expected participation in last In the industrial sector, 3.9mn Sheremetyevo airport from Gsaid they made progress pay rise, or least €200 more a week’s strikes and public sup- workers agreed on a pay and 13 children injured in bouncy castle Belgrade on Saturday. yesterday during a third round month. port for union demands. fl exible working hours deal in “She was waiting to collect her of wage talks, following warning Employers say the demand is Thomas Boehle, president February that amounted to a collapse at Berlin street festival luggage by the baggage carousel strikes by than 150,000 union too high but concede that pub- of the VKA association of local roughly 4% rise per year for when she saw a pet carrier with members last week. lic sector workers should benefi t employer organisations, told re- 2018 and 2019. Thirteen children were injured yesterday when a bouncy castle at a her dog and reached for it,” a In a joint statement, both from strong growth in Europe’s porters he also expected move- Infl ation edged up to 1.5% in Berlin street festival collapsed, the fire brigade said. transport police spokesman said. sides said they had moved clos- largest economy. ment on the wage issue in com- March. Forty rescue workers are at the scene in the Berlin district of “Apparently losing her balance, er on some issues and “initial “I hope that we can get it done ing days. Germany is reporting buoy- Hellersdorf to look after the children, it added. she fell onto the conveyor belt progress” was made but diff er- in the next two days,” Interior Verdi’s Bsirske told the Ger- ant tax revenues and a record Information about the reason for the accident and the types of and was carried away to the ences remained. Minister Horst Seehofer, lead- man newspaper Handelsblatt budget surplus, with falling un- injuries sustained by the children were not immediately available. luggage room.” They are due to resume talks ing the negotiations for the fed- that surging German tax rev- employment. Gulf Times 20 Monday, April 16, 2018 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Banks hesitant to lend to aff ordable housing sector

By Umaima Shafiq IANS conventional lenders such as pri- sales and delivery of apartments ing space, bankers want to do banks in working with realtors. managing director of the Ben- New Delhi vate equities. to end-users. projects, but as lenders have suf- “Even for the banking insti- galuru-based Sobha Ltd, howev- “That (infrastructure status) “Construction fi nance has fered losses in the prime segment, tutions, it is a new fi eld; so the er, said: “If you (developers) have British social means they (developers) should not been doing well – essentially bankers were shying away from primary concern these people a good track record in operations, he aff ordable housing seg- have been able to access a lot because of the fact that the sales giving construction fi nance for (banks) have is that since these there is no dearth of lenders... worker jailed ment, which is the new of funds at cheaper rates... but have not been good,” Shrikant the segment, he added. are smaller-sized apartments, even from the banks.” for paedophilia Trage in the real estate sec- that’s not happening. And that’s Srivastava, chief risk offi cer, In- Ankur Dhawan, chief invest- people buying them probably are In view of the recent frauds, tor after it got infrastructure not happening anywhere,” said dia Mortgage Guarantee Corpo- ment ffi cer, PropTiger.com, said: from the lower income bracket,” mismanagement and rising Jonathan Robinson, a retired status last year, still suff ers from Jayashree Kurup, head of Con- ration, told IANS. “Bank funding is a problem for he said. NPAs, “lending has to happen British social worker and lack of funds from banks. Market tent and Advisory, at the property Srivastava, who has also served the overall real estate sector and Market players, however, feel with far more scrutiny and better patron of the Gail Trust, participants feel they still have to consultant website magicbricks. as the chief risk offi cer at PNB is not limited only to aff ordable this lack of trust between the processes than what it used to be which ran an orphanage wait a few more months before com. Housing Finance, further said: housing. The sector has seen too banks and developers would - and we should welcome it from in Chinnammalpuram in banks embrace such projects. She added: “It has not trans- “All lenders have burnt their many NPAs (non-performing as- wane in a few months. a systemic benefi t point of view,” southern Tirunelveli district, Infrastructure status for the lated into anything on the fi ngers in doing construction fi - sets) which makes banks cautious Kedia said “it is a learning he said. was sentenced to three years segment was announced by Fi- ground, except may be a boost in nance because projects did not in funding this sector.” process for both, the developers Prasoon Chauhan, CEO of imprisonment for paedophilia nance Minister Arun Jaitley in sentiment.” get completed, sales did not hap- Aditya Kedia, managing di- as well as the banking sector, and Homekraft, said: “Bank, govern- by a court last week. his budget speech for 2017-18 on Most market participants pen, and therefore the loans they rector of the Mumbai-based I think it will take six-to-eight ment, everybody is supporting He was also fined Rs6,000. February 1, 2017, which allowed blame it on the credibility cri- had taken, they could not pay Transcon Developers, attributed months for it to be understood the aff ordable housing (seg- Robinson, who came to India builders to borrow from banks sis brought about in the past few back.” the lack of interest of banks in the well”. ment).” So, eventually it should in 2002, came under the at cheaper rates compared to the years by the slump and lack of In the aff ordable hous- sector to the inexperience of the J C Sharma, vice chairman and work out. scanner after a 16-year-old boy in his care complained of being sexually abused by him for several years. A wider Protest against Syria attack probe resulted in Robinson leaving the country. A red corner notice issued by police prevented him from returning to India. The 32 inmates of the Modi arrives orphanage were shifted to a home run by Catholic missionaries in the region. Robinson returned on his own volition in November 2015, and applied for an ‘advance hearing’ petition against the in Sweden charge-sheet. In his four-decade career, Robinson had held positions in churches in London, Surrey, Bath and Herefordshire. today ahead Two arrested for ATM racket

Two men were arrested by police for installing skimmer equipment inside two ATMs at Tambaram in Chennai. of UK visit Skimmers are machines that can read the unique IANS sides to create a platform that, and tech partnership”. Modi and electronic code of ATM cards New Delhi in turn, can attract investments, May will hold a bilateral summit and help duplicate them to that can attract companies to on April 18. siphon money from bank plug in.” Stating that trade between the accounts. rime Minister Narendra With education being another two countries increased by 15% Sulaiman and Sultan claimed Modi starts visits to Swe- sector in which the two sides are in the last one year, Asquith said they were hired to just install Pden and England from expected to forge deeper ties, that it is “remarkably balanced” and remove the skimmers by today during which he will par- Molin said “we are hoping to in- in terms of trade in goods and another gang. ticipate in the fi rst-ever India- crease exchanges between our services. The matter came to light Nordic Summit and this year’s universities”. In terms of fi nance, he said the after bank off icials found Commonwealth Heads of Gov- “Student exchanges... gradu- London Stock Exchange is play- discrepancies in cash loading ernment Meeting (CHOGM). ates, doctorate and post-doctor- ing an increasingly important at the ATMs. Based on their Co-operation in the areas of ate. The sky is the limit here,” he role as a place to raise money to complaints, police alerted innovation, technology and edu- said. meet India’s huge infrastructure security guards at the ATM cation will top his agenda. On bilateral economic rela- requirements. kiosk to catch the culprits. Modi will reach Stockholm to- tions, the ambassador said trade In terms of investments, he Search is also on for the gang day evening in what will be the is growing on both sides “and said while Britain is the largest who had planned to install the fi rst prime ministerial visit from quite impressively so”. investor in India among the G20 skimmers. India to Sweden in 30 years since Though bilateral trade dipped countries, India is the fourth A bank off icial said: “The the visit of then prime minister to $1.9bn in 2016-17 from largest investor in Britain. skimmers collect all info from Rajiv Gandhi in 1988. $2.17bn, both countries have set “Then what will be very much the ATM card. There would Tomorrow, Modi and his a lofty total trade target of $5bn. a focal point is the technol- be other teams to collect the Swedish counterpart Stefan There are over 170 Swedish ogy partnership between the PINs (personal identification Lofven will hold a summit during companies in India that have in- two countries,” he said. “The number). Once they succeed in which bilateral, regional and glo- vested $1.4bn since 2000 while complementaries, strengths that this, they make duplicate cards bal issues are expected to fi gure. 70 Indian companies have estab- each of us have and they are truly and swindle money.” According to Sweden’s Am- lished their presence in Sweden. complementary.” bassador to India Klas Molin, in- Tomorrow, India and Sweden Asquith said both sides will novation is an important aspect will also co-host the fi rst-ever look into putting more resourc- IIT teams to take of the India-Sweden relation- India-Nordic Summit, where, es in areas like digital aspect of part in events ship. apart from Modi and Lofven, the technology, collaboration, artifi - “How do we co-operate fur- prime ministers of the other four cial intelligence, advanced man- Students of Indian Institute ther, how do we get our best and Nordic countries of Denmark, ufacturing, and data protection. of Technology (IIT) in the brightest people together, Finland, Iceland and Norway will According to an offi cial in the Chennai have built products how do we also perhaps think also be present. External Aff airs Ministry, both like a formula racing car, about funding certain areas, how Modi will leave for Britain to- sides are looking at announcing an automated Mars Rover do we go into areas where we morrow evening. This is the third an India-UK Tech Alliance which for desert navigation and a can co-operate even more and exchange of prime ministerial will comprise young CEOs from robot that have qualified for develop new technologies, cre- visits after Modi’s visit to Brit- both countries who have done ex- international events. ate employment and sustainable ain in November 2015 and British ceptionally well in the tech space. The formula racing car, a single solutions on a number of issues,” Prime Minister Theresa May’s In terms of co-operation in ed- seater, will be used by Team he said. visit to India in November 2016, ucation, Asquith said that there Raftaar for the 2018 Formula During Modi’s visit, an India- her fi rst outside the European was a 30% rise in the number of One racing event in Germany Sweden Innovation Partnership Union after assuming offi ce. student visas issued by his coun- this year. Team Raftaar is the is also expected to be launched. At a media briefi ng here, Brit- try to Indians last year. only Indian team to qualify for “I think it is something we are ish High Commissioner to India Regarding this year’s Com- the event. discussing with the Indian side Dominic Asquith said the visit monwealth Heads of Government Another team has designed a but exactly how this will look, of comes at a time when the bilat- Meeting (CHOGM) which Modi Mars Rover that will take part in course, will have to be fi nalised,” eral relationship is in “very, very will attend in London on April 19- the University Rover Challenge Activists from the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) burn an eff igy depicting US President the ambassador said. good health”. 20, the High Commissioner said to be held in the Utah desert in Donald Trump during a protest against air strikes in Syria, in Kolkata yesterday. “But I think it is a way of fo- Modi’s visit to Britain this time that around 50 heads of state and the US this November. cusing our attention on both has been themed “Living bridge government will be present. A third team has qualified for an international robotics event at Oakland University in Michigan with their robot that can map GPS on the ground. Muslim society helps transform lives of marginalised ICF celebrates Railway Week IANS years ago, I was surprised when opened new vistas for large sec- of Rs20,000 to pay the annual “Interest-free loans may be a es spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, Patna someone informed me of inter- tions of marginalised people, school fee of her children for the concept associated with Mus- Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The Integral Coach Factory est-free loans from Al-Khair skilled and unskilled, from unor- last fi ve years. Her husband runs lims as Islam prohibits interest, “We are planning to open new (ICF) at Ambattur in Chennai Society,” Kamla told IANS at her ganised sectors. a roadside shop. but it has a universal appeal and branches in Kishanganj in Bihar celebrated the 63rd Rail amla Devi, Pankaj Kumar, shop in Mirshikar Toli here. Geeta Devi not only turned her “I also deposit my daily earn- can benefi t all, not just Mus- and Ranchi in Jharkhand to reach Week with award ceremonies, Geeta Devi and Sanjay She fi rst took a Rs10,000 loan small roadside vegetable shop ings with Al Khair Society and lims,” said Shamim Rizvi, a re- out to more such people,” Fatmi cultural programmes and KSingh, all Hindus, share to run her shop, followed by into a big one, she has opened an- repay the loan amount without tired bank offi cer closely asso- said. a photo display of Indian one thing in common. Their lives loans of Rs20,000 to Rs50,000. other vegetable shop for her son. paying any interest,” Kamla said. ciated with Al Khair Society for The society is a successful Railways’ history. have been transformed through “It helped me expand my Sanjay Singh, another benefi - nearly a decade. example of interest-free micro- The Rail Week from April 10-16 interest-free loans provided by business from a vendor to a “Even a small amount of ciary of the interest-free loans, Unable to get help from banks, fi nance that has brought smiles is to commemorate the advent a Muslim co-operative credit so- wholesale trader,” she said. 5 to 10,000 is signifi cant said banks have no time for ven- these loans help people free on the faces of thousands of of the first Indian train between ciety in Bihar. Now fi nancially well, Kamla for people who don’t have dors like him and they have no themselves from the clutches of people. It started with merely a Mumbai and Thane on April They are four of nearly 9,000 managed to fund the education access to banks. Nearly interest in giving out small loans. moneylenders who charge high small fund and two employees at 16, 1853. All railway divisions Hindus – mostly vendors, small of her two sons, with one getting 50% of the benefi ciaries “Banks charge interest and interest rates. a small offi ce in Patna. Today it in the country had individual traders, roadside shopkeepers, admission in an engineering col- of interest-free loans are there is a lot of paper work in- Nayiar Fatmi, managing di- has 100 employees. celebrations. marginal farmers and women – lege and the other in a B Ed col- Hindus” volved that only discourages and rector of Al Khair Society, told The organisation charges a The ICF established in 1955 is who got rid of exploitative mon- lege. frustrates the poor,” said San- IANS that interest-free loans are nominal service charge from those one of the earliest production eylenders thanks to interest-free Al Khair Society has provided “Our life has changed after I jay, who used to sell garments gaining popularity. who take interest-free loans to pay units of India manufacturing loans by the Al-Khair Co-oper- interest-free loans of more than came into contact with Al Khair on a bicycle. He now owns a “Even a small amount of 5 to salaries of its employees, rent of railway coaches of nearly 70 ative Credit Society Ltd based in Rs500mn to nearly 20,000 peo- Society. It helped us live a life small garment shop run by his 10,000 is signifi cant for people offi ce and other expenditure. variants powered by steam, Patna. ple, mostly those struggling for of dignity. For poor people like wife even as he continues to sell who don’t have access to banks. Started by a group of educated coal and electricity. “I used to sell potatoes and survival, in the last one decade of us, interest-free loans are God’s clothes on his bicycle. Nearly 50% of the benefi ciaries Muslims in early 2000 as a small The Southern Railways’ onions in a small roadside shop. its existence. gift and, unlike in regular banks, What attracts people, many of interest-free loans are Hin- step to help ordinary people, the mechanical department got I was often exploited by mon- About half of these benefi ci- there are no uncertainties about of whom are not literate, to Al dus. Most of them use the money organisation has seen a tremen- a national award, while many eylenders for a small amount of aries are Hindus. Regardless of getting the loan,” she said. Khair Society is that it involves for earning livelihoods that em- dous response from all sections employees of ICF also got Rs2,000 to Rs5,000 that I need- religion and any other consid- Manju Devi, another ben- minimal paper work and a poor- power them,” Fatmi said. of society, irrespective of reli- medals and citations. ed for my business. But a few erations, Al Khair Society has efi ciary, has been taking a loan friendly perspective. Al Khair Society has 13 branch- gion, caste or creed. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 21 INDIA DCW chief’s fast against sex attacks enters 3rd day

IANS Mufti has already said that New Delhi Kashmir will soon pass a bill for death sentence to those who rape minors. emanding the death A five-member committee of penalty for rapists, the Bar Council of India (BCI) DDelhi Commission for will visit Kathua in Kashmir Women (DCW) chief Swati and submit a factual report on Maliwal continued her indefi- the case of the rape of the mi- nite hunger strike for the third nor girl after seeking time from day yesterday despite warnings the Supreme Court on April 19, from doctors. BCI president Manan Mishra “Her medical condition is said. not good. Doctors have advised The fact-finding team will her to break her fast but she is have former BCI chief Tarun not giving up,” a DCW official Agarwal, BCI co-chairmen S said. Prabakaran and Ramachandra Maliwal has not been eating G Shah, and members Razia food since Friday and is surviv- Beig of the Bar Council of Ut- ing on water, the offi cial said. trakhand and Naresh Dikshit, While Maliwal launched an advocate. the protest at the Rajghat in They will visit the state and New Delhi on Friday to pro- reach out to office-bearers of test against the rape incidents the Bar Associations of Jammu in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao and and Kathua and also meet the Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua affected families and the com- Young students take part in a protest in support of rape victims in Ahmedabad yesterday, following high profile cases in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. districts, the rapes of two more mon people to figure out what minors were reported yester- actually transpired, Mishra day. said. By evening, the DCW chair- In New Delhi, the Bharati- person tweeted: “The police ya Janata Party asked Con- initially asked me to vacate the gress president Rahul Gandhi place. Now the DCP has come to sack his party’s Kashmir with entire police force with a chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir for false doctors’ report saying my saying that the investigation Child rape cases fuel life is in danger. But I can run for in the Kathua case was mo- 5km. They will forcibly pick me tivated. up in the night. They are not al- Federal Human Resource De- lowing me to consult a private velopment Minister Prakash doctor. What is the fear @naren- Javadekar said: “Mir had made dramodi?” a statement that the local popu- In an earlier tweet, Mali- lation thinks that the culprits in protests across country wal sought the support of po- the Kathua rape case are still out litical leaders, organisations and the investigation is motivat- Agencies The protests were fuelled in a silent candlelight march. nor injuries, including sexual as- referring to sexual attacks in and social workers saying her ed and they are trying to dilute New Delhi part by the arrest of Kuldeep Gujarat is Modi’s home state, sault, he said. Kashmir’s Kathua region, and campaign was not targeted the case.” Singh Sengar, a BJP lawmaker where he was the chief minister Some of the injuries were old. the gang-rape of the 16-year-old against or in favour of any Javadekar showed a video from Uttar Pradesh last week in from 2001 until he took national Details have also emerged in a girl in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. individual, organisation or of Mir to reporters in which he ays after a lawmaker from connection with the rape of a offi ce in 2014. separate case of an eight-year- In both cases, the police have party. “This fast is for a soci- was heard saying: “Somewhere the ruling Bharatiya Ja- teenager. “The body was recovered on old girl belonging to a nomadic been criticised for being slow to ety free from any exploitation or the other, someone is being Dnata Party was arrested Police only brought a case April 6 by the side of a highway tribe that roams the mountains investigate, while the govern- of women and children. My protected and hands are be- in connection with a teenag- against the powerful politician and, according to a postmortem of Jammu and Kashmir who was ment has been slammed for pro- demand is death penalty for ing waved here and there. Local er’s rape, a sexual attack on an last week after the young victim report, the girl was sexually as- kidnapped, drugged and held in tecting the accused. rapists of minors within six population believe that inves- 11-year-old girl was reported attempted to burn herself alive saulted and murdered on April captivity as eight men assaulted The United Nations is among months,” she said. tigation is motivated, the real yesterday in Gujarat, the lat- outside state Chief Minister Yogi 5,” Surat’s Police Commissioner her. the international bodies that Meanwhile, in Srinagar, Na- culprit is being let go and they’re est in a string of cases that have Adityanath’s residence. Satish Sharma said. There had been little progress have condemned the problem. tional Conference president trying to fulfi l their political cri- sparked protests across the The next day, her father, who He said the victim – who made in the case until activists “We are deeply concerned Farooq Abdullah demanded a teria.” country. had been in police custody, died was 11 years old, according to stepped up their campaign for an about the prevalence of gen- special Jammu and Kashmir As- The minister questioned Protests calling for justice from injuries he sustained in an the postmortem – had not yet investigation. der-based violence, includ- sembly session to pass a bill to Gandhi: “We want to ask Ra- were held in several cities, ech- alleged beating. been identified and that po- “Let’s not pretend that these ing sexual violence against hand out capital punishment to hulji, our two ministers had oing the mass rallies against In the southern city of Thiru- lice from neighbouring states are all isolated cases and hap- women and girls, which we are those convicted of raping mi- resigned for joining the rallies sexual violence in 2012 and pil- vananthapuram, protesters have been asked to help find pened out of the blue,” fi lm ac- witnessing in India,” Yuri Afa- nors. in support of the rape accused. ing pressure on Prime Minister formed a human chain, while in her family. tress and director Nandita Das nasiev, the UN resident co-or- “It is only by awarding capi- So when will he sack his own Narendra Modi, who must hold Mumbai, hundreds, including “We have put our best teams said at the Mumbai protest. dinator in India, said in a state- tal punishment to perpetrators leader?” elections by May 2019. fi lm celebrities, called for the in place with all senior police of- “We have brought it upon our- ment last week. of such heinous crime that in- BJP ministers Choudhary Modi has promised to take ac- death penalty for rapists. fi cials. To nab the criminals we selves as a society and we have to India registered about 40,000 cidents like Kathua rape and Lal Singh and Chander Prakash tion. In New Delhi, they called for fi rst need to identify the body,” fi nd a solution for it.” rape cases in 2016, up from murder can be prevented in fu- Ganga resigned on Friday fol- Activists accuse authorities of rape trials to be completed in six Sharma said. Protesters across cities car- 25,000 in 2012, government data ture,” the former chief minister lowing outrage after they at- failing to protect women and of months. The postmortem revealed ried placards reading “Punish show. said. tended rallies to support the rape moving too slowly to investigate In Surat, where the latest case the girl had been strangled and the guilty” and “Justice for the Rights activists say thousands Chief Minister Mehbooba accused. and arrest perpetrators. took place, men and women held smothered, with 86 signs of mi- Kathua and Unnao victims,” more go unreported. Not a single section of society happy with Modi: Congress

IANS heart-wrenching incidents have gang-rape of a 17-year-old woman “They cannot compare them- New Delhi come from Kathua, Unnao, Surat, in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. selves with the development work Assam, Sasaram and Jharkhand. Stressing that the actions and of the BJP and they are always try- And the prime minister takes 48 to reactions of the Modi government ing to spread riots in Delhi and in he Congress yesterday said 72 hours to merely pay lip service.” have deeply disturbed the country, the country,” he alleged. not a single section of society Also, he added, Prime Minister the Congress spokesman said: “To- The BJP MP alleged that in east Tis happy with the Bharatiya Narendra Modi broke his silence day, the country is in danger, the Delhi “on the occasion of Ramnav- Janata Party government and that only after pressure from the media, Constitution is in danger and all the mi, a group people, passed in front its actions have put the country and social media, the opposition and institutions are in danger.” of a mosque, stopped there and its Constitution in danger. Congress president Rahul Gandhi However, Delhi BJP president raised slogans of Jai Shri Ram. “Initially we thought the farm- who led a midnight protest at India Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress “Two people from that group ers were unhappy with the govern- Gate demanding safety for women. and the Aam Aadmi Party of trying have been identifi ed as AAP lead- ment, then slowly the youth, then The Congress leader said if two to “defame” his party and alleged ers Nandlal Kannaujiya and Manish the Dalits and now the women. BJP ministers in Jammu and Kash- that they were disturbing the coun- whose pictures are available on so- Tell me one section of society that mir resigned after an eight-year- try’s social fabric. cial media with several senior lead- is satisfi ed with the Modi govern- old girl was raped and murdered “The AAP and the Congress are ers of the party,” he added. ment, is not unhappy or is not an- in Kathua district, why was Uttar trying to defame the BJP. They are “Thanks to the people of Delhi and gry,” Congress leader Pawan Khera Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adi- trying to break the social fabric of the residents of that colony where the told reporters. tyanath not removed after he tried the society.” incident happened, they didn’t react. On crimes against women, he defending BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh He said that development was Otherwise something worse would said: “Over the last 13 to 14 days, Sengar, the main accused in the not an agenda for the two parties. have happened,” he said. BSF steps up vigil against heroin smuggling

IANS BSF’s Punjab Frontier Inspector better results and seizures,” Goel Rs5.25bn in the international mar- Jalandhar, Punjab General (IG) Mukul Goel said better told IANS at the BSF frontier head- ket. co-ordination with other agencies, quarters here. Punjab is a major destination and including the Punjab police, the The BSF seized nearly 280kg of transit point for drugs being smug- he Border Security Force Directorate of Revenue Intelligence heroin last year along Punjab’s in- gled through the Afghanistan-Pa- (BSF) has stepped up vigil (DRI), the Narcotics Control Bureau ternational border with Pakistan. kistan-India route. T– and co-ordination with (NCB) and Customs, have helped This seizure was roughly worth Smugglers use various methods other agencies – to counter un- achieve better results. Rs14bn (over $2bn) in the interna- to push heroin consignments into ceasing efforts by smugglers to “The heroin haul last year was tional market. Punjab. From there, the drug is tak- push heroin consignments into higher as co-ordination between Till April 6 this year, the BSF has en to markets in Punjab, Delhi, Goa, India. the agencies was better. This led to seized nearly 105kg of heroin worth Mumbai and other places. Gulf Times 22 Monday, April 16, 2018 LATIN AMERICA Women battle on after Rio councillor’s murder

AFP politics, was shot dead on March old activist – a vocal critic of the ple in all the surrounding slums” thorny questions of race, gender not only because of where she years in academia, Pires still feels Rio de Janeiro 14 in an assassination-style kill- army’s intervention in Rio to take as innocent people get caught up and class. came from or the causes she de- like an outsider, as if she shouldn’t ing with four bullets to the head. over security – has had to move out in their armed war on drug traf- “Music has the potential to fended, but because it increased be there. It is, she says, as if she is A fi erce feminist, who was also of her home in the Acari favela be- fi cking, she says, predicting that speak to many people. It is an in- diversity. always “in transit” between her t has been a month since the gay, her murder brought thou- cause the press broadcast footage things “will only get worse.” strument for changing the social “Marielle’s execution was an life in Sao Goncalo, the violent murder of Marielle Franco, a sands to the streets in mourning. of her angrily denouncing police “We will keep fi ghting with- context,” says the 34-year-old attempt to destroy the way for- suburb of Rio where she grew up Iblack Brazilian activist who Among them are three women ac- violence in her neighbourhood. out being intimidated because we woman. She actively participated ward to a more equal society, but and still lives, and her life at work fought her way out of the slums tivists who have vowed to carry on Aguiar’s life is now subjected to have to honour this blood which in Franco’s campaign, recording the symbol which she has now be- in the comfortable, mainly white to become a popular councillor, her fi ght. a strict “security protocol” with has been spilled.” its jingle and handing out leaf- come gives us strength.” world that is Brazil’s universities. in a killing which made headlines “This is very diffi cult, it’s like a secretive routine fi lled with re- “I say what I think, I raise ban- lets, with the two well known in Thula Pires is the only black Although things are changing around the world. my whole life has stopped,” says strictions, forced to always wear a ners,” reads a line from the song the samba circles of Sao Salvador, professor in the law department thanks to racial quotas and social The outspoken 38-year-old, favela activist Buba Aguiar. Dry- cap and hide her tattoos. Rueira by Marina Iris, a samba a bohemian area where the late at PUC, the prestigious college grants, Pires hopes her presence who was a critic of police brutal- ing her tears as she watches a TV “The police are prepared to push singer who has never shied away councillor often went. where Franco studied sociology there acts as a glaring reminder of ity, an advocate for minorities and programme about Franco. ahead with an offi cial policy of from speaking out, be it on the For Iris, her friend’s rise into thanks to a grant. “the absence of other black faces the posterchild of a new type of Since the murder, the 25-year- killing black people and poor peo- stage or the streets, to address politics was a huge achievement, Despite spending 15 of her 38 in the same space.” Leadership change not seen easing tension in Cuba-US ties

AFP see this relationship in some kind Washington of freeze, exactly where it is right now,” Newhouse said. If Diaz-Canel assumes power ith Donald Trump in he will not signifi cantly change the White House, the the relationship, added Mavis Wend of the Castro era Anderson, a Cuba specialist at in Cuba next week is unlikely to the Latin American Working bring warmer relations, analysts Group which has pushed for a say. thawing of tensions. President Raul Castro will step The ball is in the US’s court down on April 19, ending nearly right now and that is “sad, be- 60 years of Castro family rule af- cause the court is broken,” she ter his brother Fidel seized power said. during the 1959 Communist rev- Anderson and Newhouse olution. agreed that Trump’s administra- Decades of Cold War ten- tion has put foreign policy into sion with the US followed, un- the hands of hardline conserva- til Trump’s predecessor Barack tives, including Mike Pompeo – Obama and Raul Castro in still to be confi rmed as secretary December 2014 announced a of state – and National Security Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro walks next to Bolivia’s President Evo Morales during their meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. warming of relations. Advisor John Bolton. The two countries reopened At the same time, Cuba- their embassies and Obama specifi c policy is led by a pair of made a historic visit to Cuba in ultra-conservative legislators 2016. of Cuban origin: senator Marco But Trump vowed to crack Rubio and Congressman Mario down when he assumed offi ce in Diaz-Balart, both of Florida. January 2017. In this environment, analysts He tightened restrictions on said an obvious fi rst step would Summit warns Caracas US travellers to Cuba, and rela- be to leave behind the contro- tions have cooled. versy over mysterious “attacks” Raul Castro’s Vice President on the health of diplomats in Miguel Diaz-Canel, 57, is poised Cuba and make the US embas- to assume the presidency – but sy in Havana fully operational his ascension still needs to be again. formally confi rmed. In March, the state depart- over presidential polls He would be the fi rst Cuban ment said it will permanently leader not to have fought in the scale back its mission to Cuba, AFP prepared a rigged snap election ter Justin Trudeau expressed ex- fi cials, and Venezuela’s state- has stopped short of imposing revolution, but analysts say US which had already been operat- Lima to deliver him a new mandate treme concern over Venezuela’s owned oil company PDVSA. an embargo on Venezuelan oil domestic politics will play a ing with a reduced staff since and tighten his hold over his situation during remarks at the Some of the measures prevent imports — a measure that would more crucial role in shaping Ha- September 2017, when diplomats economically devastated coun- close of the summit, is also part Venezuela accessing interna- be crippling for Caracas but also vana-Washington ties. and relatives were evacuated be- he US and more than a try. of the group. tional credit through US mar- damaging to refi ners in the US “Unless Diaz-Canel or another cause of the health incident. dozen Latin American US Vice President Mike The statement demanded kets, speeding economic ruin dependent on Venezuela’s heavy comes along and changes things In all, at least 24 US envoys Tcountries have warned Pence, representing America at “necessary guarantees” for the that has the impoverished-yet- crude. radically, I don’t imagine there is and family members fell ill with Venezuela its presidential elec- the summit, said the election Venezuelan poll to be recog- oil-rich nation in its jaws. Hyperinfl ation, scarcities of going to be much change,” said symptoms that resembled con- tion next month would be seen was a “sham.” nised: a fair and transparent Pence said in Lima as he met basic food and medicine, and Elizabeth Newhouse, director cussion but with no exterior as illegitimate by the region “The US is prepared to con- electoral process; the release several Venezuelan opposition skyrocketing violence are grip- of the Cuba programme at the signs of trauma, leaving investi- unless it restored democratic tinue to bring all pressure to of political prisoners; and the fi gures that more sanctions ping Venezuela, prompting a Center for International Policy, a gators baffl ed. standards. bear, working with our allies,” to participation of the opposition, could be forthcoming. swelling exodus of its citizens Washington-based research and The strange illnesses were not The May 20 poll would be restore democracy in Venezuela, which has been largely excluded. Venezuela is already strug- that is increasingly of concern advocacy group. only confi ned to the US embassy. “void of legitimacy and credibil- he told reporters. Maduro was not invited to the gling with growing isolation, for both the UN and the Lima This is because it will not do In January, a senior Canadian of- ity” if it went ahead under cur- The joint statement was Peru summit. He has accused worsened by its decision last Group, who called upon inter- Trump any good politically to fi cial said 27 Canadian diplomats rent conditions, the nations said signed by the US and the 16-na- the US of helping Venezuela’s week to stop Panama’s Copa air- national organisations to estab- change his views towards Cuba, and family members were tested in a joint declaration released tion Lima Group which counts opposition to undermine his au- line fl ying in and out of Caracas lish a support programme. she said. after complaining between April at a Summit of the Americas in Latin America’s biggest econo- thority by waging what he calls — one of the few major interna- The International Organisa- His supporters in Florida – a and December of dizziness, Peru. mies, including Brazil, Mexico, an economic “war.” tional airlines left for Venezue- tion for Migration says nearly state whose lawmakers lead the headaches, nausea, nosebleeds Venezuela’s opposition says Argentina and Chile. The US has already slapped lans to exit their country. 1mn Venezuelans have left the way on Cuba policy – “want to or sleeplessness. President Nicolas Maduro has Canada, whose Prime Minis- sanctions on Maduro, his of- So far, however, Washington country over the past two years.

Festival of arts Brazil politician Voter support for accused of racism

AFP ney general’s offi ce which has Brasilia also asked he be fi ned a mini- jailed Lula ‘drops’ mum of $117,500 for “collective moral damages.” Reuters ed serving a 12-year prison sen- has just 2%, the poll said. razil’s top prosecutor has Bolsonaro, a veteran right- Sao Paulo tence last week for taking bribes Other leftist candidates close fi led a complaint against wing congressman who has showed he would still lead the to Lula, Guilherme Boulos of the Bfar-right fi rebrand and praised the use of torture as race with 31% of voter inten- Socialism and Liberty Party and presidential candidate Jair Bol- well as Brazil’s two-decade- razilian voters are aban- tions, down from 37% in the pre- Manuela D’Avila of the Com- sonaro for “racism” against long military dictatorship, has doning jailed former pres- vious Datafolha survey in Janu- munist Party of Brazil have not Afro-Brazilians, indigenous denounced lawsuit as an “un- Bident Luiz Inacio Lula da ary. gained ground at all, with 1% and peoples, refugees, women and founded attack.” Silva as his chances of running Bolsonaro, a former army cap- 2% respectively. members of the LGBT commu- Bolsonaro has run a campaign in October fade, but they are tain who was charged with rac- Lula is unlikely to be a can- nity. heavily focused on his tough-guy not transferring their support ism on Friday for inciting hatred didate because Brazilian laws The formal complaint, fi led by approach to law and order, and en masse to other leftist candi- with racist statements and could bar anyone convicted of a crime the attorney general’s offi ce, will has worked hard to capitalise on dates, a Datafolha poll showed face up to three years in prison, from being eligible for elected now head to the Supreme Court. the widespread dislike of Lula. yesterday. has 17% of voter support, down offi ce for eight years. His party’s Should the court fi nd him At an event in Rio’s Hebraica Without Lula in the running, from a peak of 21% in November. plan to register his candidacy guilty of racism before October’s Club in April 2017, Bolsonaro support for far-right candidate Barbosa, the fi rst black mem- anyway is expected to be rejected presidential election, Bolsonaro “used expressions of a discrimi- Jair Bolsonaro has slipped and is ber of Brazil’s Supreme Court by the top electoral court. could be barred from the vote. natory nature, inciting hatred,” now virtually tied with environ- who handled a vote-buying trial While Brazilians are split on The ex-army captain has been the complaint said, citing re- mentalist Marina Silva in a pres- that led to the jailing of several of whether Lula should be allowed polling a distant second behind marks about women, homo- idential race thrown wide open, Lula’s closest aides in 2012, has to run, 62% believe he will be Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s sexuals and the descendants of the survey said. between 9% and 10% voter sup- barred, the poll said. recently-jailed ex-president. Afro-Brazilian slaves, known The wild card in the election port, Datafolha found. Support for the strongest can- However, the slow pace of as quilombolas, whom he spoke now appears to be former chief Ciro Gomes, the leftist didate among Brazil’s major cen- Brazil’s judicial system was likely about “as if they were animals.” justice Joaquim Barbosa, a pop- former governor of Ceara state trist parties, former Sao Paulo to weigh in the 63-year-old’s In response, Bolsonaro’s ular fi gure due to his anti-cor- who was expected to draw Lula governor Geraldo Alckmin of the favour, according to the JOTA spokesman decried the “un- ruption record who has jumped voters, slipped to 9% from 12% Brazilian Social Democracy Par- news website, which specialises founded attacks” aimed at gen- into third place in his fi rst show- in January, and Lula’s likely ty, is stagnant at between 7% and Artists of the Canadian company “Flip Fabrique” perform in legal matters. erating “sensationalist news” by ing since he joined a party eyeing replacement as candidate for 8%, while the ruling Brazilian at the International Festival of the Arts (FIA) in San Jose, If convicted he could face a smearing “the greatest political a presidential bid. his Workers Party, former Sao Democratic Movement (MDB) Costa Rica. prison sentence of between one phenomenon Brazil has seen in The fi rst poll since Lula start- Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad party’s hopefuls fare even worse. and three years, said the attor- recent years.” Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 23 PAKISTAN

Pakistan seeks lead manager to mobilise $1bn from expats AJK premier boosts

Internews Tamimi and Company, as their Karachi fi nancial and legal advisers for the structuring of the proposed certifi cates,” Masud said. “We he government of Pa- hope to raise between $500mn cabinet size by eight kistan has invited local and $1bn in the fi rst year of the Tand foreign banks for launch.” Internews (Kotli), Chaudhry Mohammad commodate the new ministers. Recalling Haider’s commit- He also appointed a PML-N the appointment as lead man- The CDNS recognises that Islamabad Masood Khalid from Dadyal However, ruling party sources ment that he would not increase lawmaker as his senior adviser ager to mobilise up to $1bn overseas Pakistanis are a pow- (Mirpur) and Waqar Ahmed Noor have said that this task may not the cabinet beyond 12, he added: with the status of minister, a po- from Pakistan’s expatriates via erful resource for the national from Barnala (Bhimber) from be as easy as it appears. “The prime minister has gone sition created in AJK by subordi- savings certifi cates scheduled development and has designed he prime minister of Azad Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) They said the allocation of lo- back on his word in yet another nate legislation. before the end of the current the product to target the sav- Jammu and Kashmir territory, and Pakistan-based cal government and rural devel- volte-face on the oft-repeated Three months before the fi rst fi scal year. ings. T(AJK), Raja Farooq Haider, refugees Chaudhry Mohammad opment would be a thorny issue, good governance.” addition, he had declared that “Well-reputed national and The country received has added eight ministers to his Ishaq, Chaudhry Javed Akhtar with many aspirants among the Khan said throughout the fi ve he would “go home” rather than international banks, either $14.6bn in remittances from 12-member cabinet, reportedly and Mohammad Ahmed Raza new appointees as well as the old years of Pakistan Peoples Party expand cabinet beyond 12 min- single or jointly, for the ap- overseas Pakistanis in the fi rst to prevent looming unrest in the Qadri. cabinet members for the coveted (PPP) rule from 2011 to 2016, isters. pointment of manager to the nine months of the current fi s- ruling Pakistan Muslim League – Noor was serving as chairman portfolio currently held by the Haider and his PML-N col- Haider had also helped author issue have been invited … the cal year, marginally up 4% over Nawaz (PML-N). of the Prime Minister’s Inspec- prime minister. leagues would criticise the large constitutional reforms in 2015 application should be received the corresponding period a The inductions, which came a tion and Implementation Com- Opposition leaders criticised cabinet, but are now treading the that recommended keeping the in sealed bids latest by April 30, year earlier. day after the Supreme Court of mission with the status of minis- the expansion, but said it would same path. number of ministers to 25% of 2018,” a request for the Central The infl ows from informal Pakistan decision to disqualify ter, while Ishaq was the chairman not end the unrest in the PML-N. “This obviously shows they the total strength of the currently Directorate of National Savings channels of Hundi and Hawala former Pakistan prime minister of the Public Accounts Commit- “Today, none of the remain- are not diff erent from the PPP,” 45-member AJK Assembly. (CDNS) proposal document still form a large chunk despite Nawaz Sharif for life, are in sharp tee. ing seven directly-elected mem- he said. However, sources in the party read. government initiatives to give contrast to Haider’s past an- The new ministers were sworn bers of the Legislative Assembly After assuming offi ce on July said that the unrest brewing CDNS director general Zafar tax and exchange rate ben- nouncements that he would not in by AJK President Sardar (MLAs) – three from AJK and 31, 2016, Haider formed a small in the parliamentary party had Masud said that overseas Paki- efi ts to encourage remittances expand the cabinet beyond 12. Masood Khan but their portfolios four from refugees – who were cabinet of nine ministers, a wel- necessitated the expansion, as stani savings certifi cates (OP- through banking channels. The new ministers are Raja have not been announced. ignored in the expansion turned come departure from the practice Haider feared a no-confi dence SCs) will be launched before The CDNS is the premier fi - Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Although there has not been up at the oath-taking ceremony, of previous governments. move against him. the close of this fi scal year. nancial institution off ering re- from Muzaff arabad, Chaudhry offi cial word in this regard, it is which speaks volumes about the On December 1 the same year, “I think the prime minister is The certifi cates will be ini- tail government securities and Mohammad Yasin Gulshan from believed that Haider would shuf- lay of the land,” said Abdul Ma- he inducted three more minis- now in the comfort zone,” re- tially launched in the Gulf savings products (known as the Abbaspur (Poonch), Raja Mo- fl e portfolios on his return from a jid Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e- ters, raising the strength of the marked one minister who de- Co-operation Council market. national savings scheme). hammad Naseer from Sehansa weeklong trip to England to ac- Insaf (PTI) legislator. cabinet to 12. clined to be identifi ed. They would be launched in The institution has an inves- other countries in subsequent tor base of 7mn and manages phases. a portfolio of around 30% of “National Savings has al- total banking deposits, worth ready appointed a consortium nearly Rs12tn. of EY (Ernst and Young), Haid- Its share in domestic gov- Pakistani soldiers killed in attack at Afghanistan border ermota and Company, and Al ernment debt is around 19%.

Reuters “Two tribesmen were killed border after the attack. Parachinar and the exchange of fi re is ongo- Kurram has been plagued by ing,” said Mohmud Zazai, a sen- militancy over the past decade ior army commander in the area. and was the location of many PPP facing internal wo Pakistani soldiers were Pakistan has blamed Pakistani US drone strikes targeting com- killed in cross-border fi re Taliban militants that it says are manders from Al Qaeda and oth- Tfrom Afghanistan while based on Afghan soil for attacks er militant groups. divisions in KP working on a fence intended to that have taken place in the re- Twin blasts in Kurram’s most cover nearly all of the disputed gion over the past two years, urg- populous town, Parachinar, 2,500km border separating the ing Kabul to eradicate “sanctuar- killed more than 75 in June. Internews party members have formed a countries, the Pakistani military ies” for militants. In a separate incident yester- Peshawar parallel party structure in dif- said yesterday. Afghanistan, in turn, accus- day in Pakistan’s North Waziris- ferent tehsils, although provin- Though security has improved es Islamabad of sheltering the tan district, which also borders cial party president Moham- in Pakistan’s remote areas bor- leadership of the Afghan Taliban Afghanistan, a security forces erious internal diff erenc- mad Humayun Khan belongs dering Afghanistan, religious militants who are battling the vehicle was struck by an impro- es still exist in the Paki- to the same area. militant attacks still occur. Western-backed government in vised explosive device 15km from Sstan Peoples Party (PPP) Provincial PPP general sec- “Pakistani troops are exercis- Kabul. district capital Miranshah, a mil- although it won two seats in retary Faisal Karim Kundi said ing maximum restraint so as to A local political offi cial, who itary offi cial said. the recent Senate elections in in a statement yesterday that avoid any Afghan civilian casu- asked not to be identifi ed, said A curfew has been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). as the party had already formed alties,” the Pakistan army’s pub- that Pakistani security forces had the area, with security offi cials Senior PPP members who organisational structure in lic relations department said, responded yesterday by opening carrying out a search operation. had reservations about the Malakand, there is no room for adding that fi ve soldiers were fi re along the border. North Waziristan was a Tali- slow pace of its reorganisation parallel organisations. wounded in the attack. Mosques in Pakistan’s Kurram ban stronghold until 2014, when have started holding meetings He said that the provincial Afghan offi cials said that Paki- Agency region, where the attack Pakistan’s military launched a separately, while in some ar- leadership had already an- stani troops crossed on to Afghan took place, made announce- major off ensive against the group eas, parallel organisations have nounced names of the offi ce- soil, prompting a response by ments urging locals to assist the and pushed many of its fi ghters been announced. bearers and those involved in A view of the border fence outside the Kitton outpost in North border forces and the local tribal armed forces, prompting throngs across the border into Afghani- The membership drive violation of party constitution Waziristan, on the border with Afghanistan. force. of armed civilians to arrive at the stan. launched in January for one would face disciplinary action. month is yet to be concluded. Referring to media reports, The provincial leadership Kundi said that former federal PTI finalises was supposed to have submit- minister Lal Mohammad Khan ted the entire record of the re- is behind setting up of parallel caretaker set-up organisation to the party’s top organisations. Two killed, three hurt leadership by the end of Feb- However, Lal Mohammad The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ruary 2018, but the district- has denied the charge, say- finalised yesterday its nominees level organisations have not re- ing that a procession of some in drive-by shooting for caretaker set-up in Punjab turned the membership forms. 2,000 people had fronted up and at the Centre, but did not During an interaction with at his residence and demanded disclose their picks for the posts a number of district-level of- intra-party elections as the AFP of the interim prime minister and fi ce-bearers, it was learnt that sitting offi ce-bearers were un- Quetta interim chief minister of Punjab. while membership forms had able to strengthen the party. Refusing to share names of been distributed among party “I have not formed parallel the three nominees shortlisted members, but the record has organisations, but the demand wo people were killed in by the party for interim prime not been collected. for intra-party election is gen- a drive-by shooting near minister, PTI vice-chairman Shah They said that internal dif- uine in Malakand,” he said. Ta church in southwest- Mehmood Qureshi said that he ferences led to delay in the He alleged that the provin- ern Pakistan yesterday, offi cials would hold a meeting with leader submission of forms while cial leadership is not taking said, the second such attack on Investigators collect evidence at the site of the shooting. of the opposition in the National many of the offi ce-bearers did steps to strengthen the party. the minority Christian commu- Assembly, Syed Khurshid Shah, not know the deadline for re- Mohammad said that the in- nity in the area this month. Left: Relatives of the victims of the drive-by shooting in a couple of days and discuss turning the record. ternal diff erences would wors- Unidentifi ed gunmen on mo- mourn at a hospital in Quetta. potential nominees with him. The PPP is supposed to en if party tickets are awarded torbikes opened fi re at a group Similarly, Leader of the compete with the rival politi- to incompetent people. of Christians outside a church in Christian-majority Esa Na- Anwar Shawani. “We are nego- There was no immediate Opposition in the Punjab cal parties in the membership He said that the provincial Quetta, capital of Baluchistan. gri neighbourhood of Quetta, tiating with them to make them claim of responsibility for yes- Assembly, Mian Mehmoodur drive, reorganisation, and se- leadership are clueless about “Four men on two motorbikes where hundreds gathered to disperse and bury” the victims. terday’s shooting. Rashid, said that he would lection of candidates, but it winning candidates, which opened indiscriminate fi re, kill- protest the killings. The shooting comes just In December last year, two discuss the PTI nominees for the appears to have not taken these could easily be judged from the ing two people while injuring “Around 500” protesters weeks after four Christians were suicide bombers blew them- post of interim chief minister with issues seriously. fact that 19 of 26 ticket-hold- three others,” local police offi - blocked a road by placing the shot dead in the city, an attack selves up at a Quetta church, leaders of other parties before Meanwhile, in Malakand ers of nazims’ seats lost in local cial Abdul Razzaq Cheema said. bodies of the two victims in the claimed by the Islamic State killing nine people and wound- holding a final consultation with district (Malakand Agency), government elections. The attack happened in the middle, said local offi cial Javed group. ing over a dozen. the government. Changes to constitution by military regimes reviewed

Internews introduced changes to it in 1985. assembly; (c) he is, in the case of clared by law not to disqualify its victed for a crime involving moral clauses of (g) and (h) of Article scheme regarding candidature Islamabad The framers of the original Senate, not less than 33 years of holder; or (e) he is so disqualifi ed turpitude or for giving false evi- 62(1) and Article 63 was removed for election to the parliament. 1973 Constitution did not envis- age and is enrolled as a voter in by an act of parliament.” dence; and (h) he has not, after by deleting repetitive text in Ar- However, the clauses of Article age any Islamic provisions in any any area in a province or, as the However, the martial law re- the establishment of Pakistan ticle 62(1) of the Constitution. 62 (1) following the 18th Amend- n its judgment on the length of the clauses of Article 62 or 63 case may be, the Federal Capital gime introduced new qualifi - worked against the integrity of However, the salient Islamic ment remained as such: “A per- of disqualifi cation of a parlia- to prescribe the criterion to be- or the Federally Administered cations and disqualifi cations the country or opposed the ide- provisions of Article 62 have re- son shall not be qualifi ed to be Imentarian under Article 62(1) come a member of parliament. Tribal Areas, from where he seeks for membership of parliament ology of Pakistan. mained part of Article 62 through elected or chosen as a member (f) of the Constitution, the Su- Amendments were made to membership; and (d) he possess- through the President’s Order No “Provided that the disqualifi - clauses (d), (e) and (f) which carry of the parliament unless (d) he preme Court also compared the the 1973 Constitution, including es such other qualifi cations as 14 of 1985. cations specifi ed in paragraphs Qur’anic qualifi cations under is of good character and is not existing provision in the green some meant to supplement the may be prescribed by the act of After insertion of the new pro- (d) and (e) shall not apply to a Islamic law for establishing eli- commonly known as one who book with the original Article 62 Islamic content of the Constitu- parliament.” visions, Article 62 reads as such: person who is a non-Muslim but gibility to hold public offi ce of violates Islamic injunctions; (e) that was introduced in 1973. tion, during the regime of Gen Similarly, Article 63(1) says: “A “A person shall not be qualifi ed to such a person shall have good trust or authority, the verdict ex- he has adequate knowledge of Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who Zia-ul-Haq. person shall be disqualifi ed from be elected or chosen as a member moral reputation.” plained. Islamic teachings and practices authored the 48-page verdict According to the Supreme being elected or chosen as, and of the parliament unless (d) he is These amendments made by The judgment also recalled obligatory duties prescribed by handed down to former prime Court verdict, the original Ar- from being, a member of the par- of good character and is not com- the president’s order were af- that amendments to the Con- Islam as well as abstains from minister and Pakistan Muslim ticle 62 simply says: “A per- liament, if – (a) he is of unsound monly known as one who violates fi rmed by parliament through stitution were made through the major sins; (f) he is sagacious, League – Nawaz (PML-N) su- son shall not be qualifi ed to be mind and has been so declared by Islamic injunctions; (e) he has eighth Amendment in 1985. Legal Framework Order, 2002 righteous, non-profl igate, hon- preme leader Nawaz Sharif by elected or chosen as a member a competent court; or (b) he is an adequate knowledge of Islamic In the judgment, Justice Ban- during the martial law regime of est and ameen, there being no a fi ve-judge bench headed by of the parliament unless (a) he is undischarged insolvent; or (c) he teachings and practices obliga- dial highlighted that the Islamic retired Gen Pervez Musharraf. declaration to the contrary by a Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian a citizen of Pakistan; (b) he is, in ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, tory duties prescribed by Islam as provisions introduced in Ar- The parliament discarded court of law; and (g) he has not Saqib Nisar on April 13, recalled the case of the National Assem- or acquires the citizenship of a well as abstains from major sins; ticle 62 of the Constitution in these changes through the Con- after the establishment of Paki- that the features of the original bly, not less than 25 years of age foreign state; or (d) he holds any (f) he is sagacious, righteous and 1985 were retained by the 18th stitution (Eighteenth Amend- stan worked against the integrity Article 62 before the martial law and is enrolled as a voter in any offi ce of profi t in the service of non-profl igate and honest and Amendment to the Constitution ment) Act, 2010 and substan- of the country or opposed the regime of Gen Zia-ul-Haq had electoral roll for election to that Pakistan other than an offi ce de- ameen; (g) he has not been con- in 2010, as an overlap in the sub- tially reformed the constitutional ideology of Pakistan. Gulf Times 24 Monday, April 16, 2018 PHILIPPINES

Home again Call to junk case against Sereno

By Mary Gleefer F Jalea Manila Times

he president of the At- eneo de Manila University T(ADMU) yesterday called on the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the quo warranto peti- tion fi led against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Fr Jose Ramon Villarin said the case fi led by Solicitor General Jose Calida should be thrown out because the chief justice can only be removed through im- peachment. “At this point, the legal and proper process is impeachment and not quo warranto. We thus categorically call on the Su- preme Court to dismiss the quo warranto petition fi led against the Chief Justice,” Villarin said President Rodrigo Duterte hugs Pahima Alagasi, a former domestic worker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who returned after facing abuse by her employer. Alagasi and her family paid Duterte a visit in Davao City. in a statement. He maintained that the quo warranto petition, which aims to declare Sereno’s appointment void from the start, “circum- vents the clear dictates of the Constitution.” Villarin said the university “cannot not speak” after months of witnessing several forces at- tempting to unseat Sereno, who was forced to go on leave by her Govt deports EU offi cial colleagues. Sereno was an economics graduate of the university. In 2017, she delivered a commence- ment speech before the gradu- ates of the university. ADMU also appealed to the Supreme Court justices to “pause for criticising Duterte and discern carefully the dam- age their actions have infl icted on Reuters for illegal political activity, an Filibeck,” Akbayan said in a “should treated as a criminal has the right to refuse entry masked gunmen on motorcy- themselves and on the whole of Manila official and local party Akbay- statement. Akbayan is a sister on orders of the government to those who have committed cles since July 2016. our democratic society.” an said. party of PES. “This unfortu- and forcibly deported from the these illegal acts in the past,” Akbayan said the Philippine This is the fi rst time that a Filibeck was due to at- nate incident only shows how country.” Guevarra said in a text mes- leader, who is under scrutiny university stepped into the issue. hilippine immigration tend the two-day Akbayan paranoid this government is in “Clearly, the president in- sage to reporters. by the international commu- Calida’s petition questioned authorities yesterday Party Congress with about 20 keeping the rest of the world tends to silence criticism of Filibeck was in the country nity, including the Interna- Sereno’s appointment, citing Pdenied entry and de- other foreign delegates but blind from the damage Presi- his deadly policies both at in October 2017 together with tional Criminal Court, for the her failure to submit her State- ported a Socialist Party offi- was stopped at the immigra- dent Duterte has done to our home and abroad,” he added. an international human rights killings “is scared of the global ment of Assets, Liabilities and cial from the European Union, tion counter and handed a slip country.” But, Justice Secretary Me- fact-finding mission, which condemnation against his pol- Networth (SALNs). The chief who had criticised President of paper informing him of a In Europe, PES also protest- nardo Guevarra justified the denounced the killings under icy to kill”. Akbayan lawmaker government lawyer said Sereno Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal anti- blacklist order, according to ed “in the strongest possible immigration bureau’s action Duterte’s anti-drugs cam- Tom Villarin said he will file a is illegally holding onto her post. drugs crackdown. Akbayan statement. terms the unjustified deten- on Filibeck, an Italian Social- paign. lower house resolution to look Sereno is also facing an im- Giacomo Filibeck, depu- The other foreigners were tion and deportation” of one ist Party official who was part More than 4,100 people into “this shameful incident”. peachment complaint at the ty secretary-general of the allowed entry. of its senior officials in the of the former ruling party in have died while resisting ar- “The ridiculous charge of il- House of Representatives. Speak- Party of European Socialists “Akbayan condemns, in the Philippines. Rome. “It is unlawful for al- rests in police anti-narcotics legal political activities is Du- er Pantaleon Alvarez had said (PES), was denied entry at the strongest terms, the detention Sergei Stanishev, PES presi- iens staying in our country to operations and another 2,300 terte’s way of saying he wants the impeachment will be tackled Mactan-Cebu International and deportation of European dent, said it was “unaccept- engage in partisan political people have died in what could to criminalise criticisms,” he by the plenary when congress Airport in central Philippines human rights leader Giacomo able” a member of the party activities, and the government be drug-related killings by said. resumes session on May 15.

Vaccine controversy ‘could put Aquino in jail’ Two dead, six hurt in Cebu road accident By Jeff eron Antiporda the senators. He only said those who in- tributed to members of the committee. senator maintained that Aquino and his Manila Times formed the committee that they would Hontiveros said the move fur- officials violated the law. sign the report were Senators Joseph ther strengthened suspicions that the “All of them could go to jail but the Manila Times Eunil Judith; a gray Toyota Wigo Victor “JV” Ejercito, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Dengvaxia investigation had been politi- gravest sin for me is that he (Aquino) Manila driven by Julius Caesar Olivar, he chairman of the Senate Blue Gregorio Honasan and Senate President cised. did not care for the young people, for 29, of Barangay Tungkil, Mingla- Ribbon committee yesterday ex- Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. “I reserve my opinion on the accused the defenceless children,” Gordon add- nilla town; a grey Suzuki multicab Tpressed confi dence that majority The Blue Ribbon committee chairman individuals pending the release of the ed. wo persons died and six with no plate number driven by of the senators would sign his report on on Wednesday presented to the media copies of the said report to the members About 830,000 people, mostly persons were injured in a Aquillo Sillote, 62, of Minglanilla the Dengvaxia controversy, that could a copy of the draft report that accused of the committee,” she said. school children, were inoculated with Troad accident involving town; and a black sports utility put former president Benigno Aquino Aquino, Abad and Garin as primary Gordon said the former president the vaccine. The government stopped four vehicles along the national vehicle (SUV) Kia Sorento driven and his cabinet offi cials in prison. conspirators. The report said the offi - must be held liable for his involvement the immunisation programme in De- highway in south Cebu yesterday by Sulpicio Ubod, 57, of Barangay Sen. Richard Gordon said at least 10 cials must be held criminally liable and in the Dengvaxia controversy that put the cember last year when Sanofi Pasteur, morning. Guadalupe, in Cebu City, Cebu. senators have expressed an intention prosecuted for the tragedy, damage, and health of hundreds of thousands of chil- maker of Dengvaxia, warned that the The fatalities were identifi ed as Police Offi cer 2 Cliff ord Butron to sign the report that recommends the possible deaths resulting from the use of dren at risk. vaccine might cause severe dengue in Virgilia Sillote, 61, and Vince Vil- of the Argao police station, quot- fi ling of cases against Aquino, former Dengvaxia. “I don’t wish that he (Aquino) be put to people who have not been exposed to lasis, (four), both of Minglanilla ing witnesses, said that the Suzuki budget secretary Florencio Abad and Sen. Risa Hontivero, an ally of Aquino, jail, that is why the recommendation was the dengue virus. town. Police reported that the multicab swerved to the other lane former health secretary Janette Garin for was not happy with the move taken by not plunder. I do not want him in jail be- “I believe in my heart and in my mind vehicles involved in the accident hitting the southbound Fuso truck the controversial procurement and use of Gordon to have the copy of the unsigned cause it is a disgrace for the country to al- and my limited knowledge of the law in Barangayn Taloot, Argao town prime mover that was carrying the the dengue vaccine. committee report presented to the media ways have leaders who are being charged,” that it (report) could stand court trial,” were a Fuso truck prime mover, trailer van driven by Eunil Judith Gordon, however, declined to name and the public before copies were dis- Gordon said in a radio interview. But the Gordon said. carrying a trailer van driven by at about 10.50am. National Games ‘a good platform to train leaders’

By Ralph Villanueva look forward to your more sig- them as they discover them- Manila Times nifi cant contributions to society selves and explore the limitless in the days to come,” he told the possibilities for their growth young participants. and development,” the president resident Rodrigo Duterte He called on the athletes not said. opened the Palarong Pam- to neglect their studies. He added that sports help di- Pbansa (National Games) “While you devote yourselves vert the youth from illegal drugs, yesterday by declaring the games in sports, do your best to excel criminality and other lawless as a training ground for leaders in your studies too. Your ability acts, vowing that the govern- and nation builders. to balance academics and your ment will continue to fi nd ways He said the event is not just a other interests measures your to eradicate these problems and platform to showcase the Fili- aptitude for skills such as mul- make the Philippines a better pino youth’s talents and skills ti-tasking, time management nation. “We, however, cannot in sports. “Palarong Pambansa and decision-making — skills do this alone. We call for your serves as a training ground for that you will need as you take on participation in making our na- future leaders and national greater responsibilities in the fu- tional plans and programmes builders whose values and prin- ture,” Duterte said. tangible,” Duterte said. ciples are founded on perse- He called the athletes in the Around 15,000 student-ath- verance, discipline, teamwork, competition “winners and letes from public and private integrity and love of country,” champions” because their schools will compete in 23 regu- Duterte said in a speech to open presence in the competition is lar events and three demonstra- the 61st edition of the annual “enough proof of their deter- tion sports in the week-long national athletic meet in Bantay, mination and excellence in their competition. Ilocos Sur. chosen sports.” The Palarong Pambansa caul- “Embody good values and en- “To the parents, there is no dron, also known as the “friend- hance your skills, for this is the better way to show your love for ship urn,” was lit by 2014 Youth beginning of your greater par- your children than to help them Olympic gold medallist for ar- Athletes from Region 9 parade in colourful costumes at the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa held at the Quirino Stadium in ticipation in nation-building. I realise their potential. Support chery Gabriel Moreno. Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Govt shelves Nepal launches fi rst voluntary economic census retirement Agencies Kathmandu scheme

epal launched fi rst Na- Agencies retirement individual might tional Economic Census Kathmandu benefi t but the country will N(NEC) 2018 to collect suff er. There are still plenty of the database of every entrepre- works to be done for the gen- neurial activity in production epal government has eral public,” Minister Pandit and distribution of goods and put on hold the vol- pointed out. services in both agricultural and Nuntary retirement At least 57,000 employees non-agricultural sectors. scheme launched for civil are currently required in local The Central Bureau of Statis- servants, until further notice level in all the seven provinces. tics (CBS) has mobilised 3,500 and urged employees, who “Nepal has entered into surveyors to collect the data till had applied for voluntary re- an administration transi- June 14. tirement scheme, to return to tion after the end of political Finance Minister Yubaraj their respective duties. transition. Employees should Khatiwada yesterday inaugu- Speaking at an interaction play signifi cant roles during rated the NEC 2018 amidst a programme in Kathmandu this transitional phase in the ceremony by unveiling the Eco- yesterday, Minister for Fed- nation,” Pandit added. nomic Census monument on the eral Aff airs and Local Devel- He also urged the civil premises of CBS. opment Lal Babu Pandit said, servants to report to duties Speaking at the event, the fi - “Civil servants should be where ever the government nance minister underscored the mentally prepared to return to has deployed them in the need to produce quality data their duties, if they had fi led department. which will be crucial in the fu- application for voluntary re- “Civil servants, who took ture for evidence-based plan- tirement with high hopes of an oath from the government ning and policy formulation and getting more benefi ts from to the serve the nation, should addressing several indicators of this scheme.” comply to civil servants law. Sustainable Development Goals Pandit further said that 15- Government will not take de- (SDGs). day notice would be served to cisions considering any po- He also urged the business the employees, who have sub- litical prejudice. Civil servants community, formal and informal mitted their names for vol- can put forth their demands sectors to support the data col- untary retirement scheme, to to the government. If we can lection process for NEC 2018. give them an opportunity to fulfi l we will oblige to it if we The NEC will generate big fi le their application to return cannot we will turn down their data, which can be utilised for to their jobs. demands,” minister said. evidence-based policymaking Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada unveiling the Economic Census monument in Kathmandu. He reiterated that the civil Speaking on a diff erent in the lower layers of admin- servants would be accommo- note, Pandit said, “The op- istration as well. It has aimed More importantly, the exact em- The objectives of the project are Economic Census offi ce in all the hour, Aryal said that the objec- dated in all three levels – lo- position party Nepali Con- to provide basic economic data ployment fi gures — in formal to develop capacity of CBS of- 77 districts for this purpose. tive of the economic census is to cal level, provincial level and gress has so far supported for formulation of plans and and informal sectors — will be fi cials to conduct census and CBS director general Suman collect data of the economic and central level of the govern- the government decisions. policies at the federal, provin- known once the CBS discloses to enhance skills in conducting Raj Aryal said that the enu- business units like industries, ment. “Employees can choose In the days ahead, the gov- cial and local levels; consoli- the results, which might take at other related statistical surveys. merators and supervisors have business establishments and their preferred destinations ernment will move ahead by dating the nation’s accounts least a year after completion of In the inaugural ceremony of been deputed to their respective service providers. and submit their applications taking all the stakeholders system; augmenting the policy fi eld-level works in mid-June, NEC, Japanese ambassador to working areas for the census. During the census period, to the ministry,” Pandit added. on board.” and plan formulation by in- according to the CBS. Nepal, Masashi Ogawa, stated Aryal urged all sides con- enumerators with identity cards Minister Pandit said 1,200 Likewise, the minister as- dustrialists, businessmen and Japan International Co-opera- that the government of Japan is cerned to extend co-operation will visit establishments and ask employees among others who serted that the report sub- investors for business pro- tion Agency (JICA) has supported happy to be a part of the fi rst ever to the enumerators who will questions about the establish- had fi led for the scheme have mitted by the auditor gen- motion and prosperity; and the government to carry out Ne- economic census of Nepal and is be going to every house, busi- ments as mentioned in the form retired from their services. eral would be discussed in the for the research and study by pal’s fi rst economic census. JICA hopeful that this initiative will ness establishment, and place of the NEC 2018. It is also pos- “However, some of them had House of Representatives. academic researchers. and CBS had signed a pact in pave the way for the government of business and trade for data sible for the establishments to declined to receive their pen- In case of fi nancial irregu- It will also help the private February of 2016 to implement of Nepal to function in a positive collection. answer the questions through sion book in high hope of larities by any government sector to identify the prospec- ‘Project on Capacity Develop- manner to translate its vision of Stating that consolidation of the Internet, which will be the receiving more benefi ts and agencies, necessary decisions tive investment areas and the ment for the implementation of economic prosperity. the country’s economic statis- fi rst-ever e-census in an offi cial services for the government.” would be taken following all geographical location as well. Economic Census 2018 in Nepal’. The bureau has set up District tical system was the need of the census and survey in Nepal. “It is better no one should the required procedures after expect more benefi ts from tabling the case in the federal the government. In voluntary parliament, he said. Four dead after train derails in Bangladesh Man arrested over IANS Three passengers died on the question paper leaks Dhaka spot and several others were in- jured, said Kamlapur Railway po- lice station in-charge Md Yaseen. IANS at home, he provided question our people were killed and The line was closed after the Cox’s Bazar papers using his mobile phone several others sustained accident, cutting off rail serv- before the start of the HSC Finjuries after a commuter ice from Dhaka to Chattogram, examinations. train from Jamalpur to Dhaka Sylhet, Mymensingh and via he Rapid Action Bat- “He was caught red-handed was involved in an accident in the Bangabandhu Bridge to the talion or RAB of Bang- leaking questions. A mobile Tongi yesterday. north and south, he said. Tladesh has arrested a phone used to leak the ques- Rail service to and from Dhaka Seven victims were taken to member of a ring involved in tions and a SIM card were to the rest of the country was Dhaka Medical College Hospital, question paper leaks in Cox’s found on him.” halted for more than fi ve hours, where Md Shahadat, 38, was an- Bazar’s Ramu Upazila. According to the initial except on the Narayanganj line. nounced dead, said DMCH med- The elite force conducted interrogation, Saddam con- The accident occurred in ical outpost police in-charge an operation at the upazila’s tacted a question leak group Tongi’s Notunbazar area around Babul Mia. The six others admit- Kacchapia village based on a on Facebook and later joined 12:15pm yesterday, said Joydepur ted to the hospital. tip-off and arrested 20-year- other similar groups. Railway outpost in-charge Ra- The fi re service recovered the old Saddam Hossain, said Maj “He became close with the qibul Islam. three bodies and have handed Ruhul Amin, company com- group administration and The last four carriages of the them over to police. Their iden- mander of RAB-7 Cox’s Bazar started to collect questions train derailed and were dragged tities have yet to be confi rmed. team. from them. He used to earn along for some distance due to The railway ministry has The detainee, Saddam, is a money by distributing the the speed of the train, he said. formed a three-member probe second year civil engineering questions online and received Two of the carriages overturned to investigate the cause of the student of Cox’s Bazar Model money from students via onto another rail line, he said. accident. Four carriages of a train travelling from Jamalpur to Dhaka derailed in Tongi yesterday. Polytechnic Institute. Staying bKash.” Bangladeshi sailor set to Lanka to strengthen sail ‘dream catamaran’ healthcare services

IANS even though the boats are now in France named Michael the project’s multi-national Agencies ments at tertiary level. Due ing specialised treatment Dhaka powered,” he told Xinhua. O’Connor had designed the ves- components. Colombo to this trend, a heavy con- services, as forums. He went on to explain that it sel to be eye-catching as well as Comparing catamaran en- gestion has been created in The proposal, which has was due to this that he decided environmentally-friendly and gines made in Germany with such hospitals providing received the cabinet nod to bdullah Al Mahmud, the to take it upon himself to build that the overall spec was to en- those made in China, the skip- ri Lanka plans to treatments at tertiary level. implement the policy pro- soon-to-be captain of a a modern-day, eye-catching sure safety and high quality at an per said, “German engines are strengthen primary The government says in ad- viding healthcare services Amodern oceangoing ves- catamaran and that to bring his aff ordable price. very expensive for us, but the Shealthcare services to dition, the need has risen to with the objective of univer- sel, noticed that Bangladesh was dream to fruition he had to travel “We chose not to use Euro- quality of Chinese engines are relieve the congestion at hos- enhance the local healthcare sal health coverage, includes lagging behind other countries thousands of miles. pean or American materials or extremely comparable and cost pitals providing treatments service due to the increase of identifying one family doc- in building eye-catching boats. To design the twin-hulled technology because they sim- less.” His France-based designer at tertiary level as the general the elderly population, growth tor each to cover per 5,000 of He noted that the riverine craft, he visited France and for ply wouldn’t be cost-eff ective,” also agreed with that, he said. public prefers to receive treat- of non-communicable dis- the population and to further country has a long tradition high technology aspects and the captain said, adding that he “It makes perfect sense for ment from the tertiary level eases, dynamic illness patterns strengthen the institutions of building beautiful boats materials, he went to China. opted for Chinese materials and us to use Chinese engines along hospitals. among others. providing Primary Health- since ancient times and that “Catamarans are not com- tech as they are high quality and with solar cells and batter- The government says The ministry of health, care services to facilitate the craftsmen for thousands monly made in Bangladesh, al- not overpriced. ies also made in China,” the that even though there are nutrition and indigenous prevention of illnesses, and of years have been building though some have been import- “We’re using ‘Made-in- seafaring man said. around 970 primary lev- medicine has made a pro- providing a personal health stunning boats using natural ed from overseas,” Mahmud said China’ fi breglass and Chinese “The type of motor we im- el hospitals in Sri Lanka, posal to establish an ad- record to every citizen, with materials. from a riverbank on the outskirts raw materials. So we are mak- ported from China can last up there is a trend among the vanced health service sys- a unique heath identifi ca- “But the structural de- of Dhaka, where craftsmen have ing a boat designed in France to 15 years,” Mahmud said, while general public to bypass tem, to enable the general tion number and to further signs of boats in Bangladesh been busy building his dream and built in Bangladesh with looking proudly at the progress this network of hospitals public to have access to those strengthen the health infor- have remained virtually the boat. Chinese materials and tech- being made on his soon-to-be and to move towards the facilities easily by linking mation management system same throughout the years, He said an expert based nology,” the skipper said of launched catamaran. hospitals providing treat- the closest hospitals provid- among others. Gulf Times 26 Monday, April 16, 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 Study confi rms power of healthy living for cancer patients

Millions of individuals are diagnosed every year with colon cancer, but new research suggests that adopting a healthy lifestyle goes a long way toward boosting survival. The US study followed nearly 1,000 patients with advanced colon cancer for an average of seven years. It found that people who ate right and exercised had a 42% lower risk of dying during the study period, compared to those who had less healthy lifestyles. The new research was led by Erin Van Blarigan, from the University of California, San Francisco. She and her colleagues noted that in 2001, the American Cancer Society How to steal the published guidelines advocating a healthy lifestyle during and after colon cancer treatment. To fi nd out, Van Blarigan’s team tracked outcomes for 992 colon cancer patients who enrolled in a chemotherapy trial from 1999 through 2001. The participants’ health – and levels of nutrition and exercise – were then followed until 2016-2017. populists’ clothes People who most closely adhered to the lifestyle recommendations on diet and exercise fared much better – living below the poverty line, on borders and claimed – falsely – that the in terms of survival, the data showed. And when the By Ngaire Woods At the same time, the twin threats of Oxford automation and outsourcing have made household incomes that average $387.07 National Health Service would enjoy researchers took into account healthy alcohol intake, employment more precarious, and per month. Meanwhile, the populist a windfall of £350mn ($490mn) per patients did even better – a 51% reduction in death risk sapped workers’ bargaining power. presidential candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, week. during the study period. Writing in an accompanying on’t get mad, get even.” That Who is to blame for this state of proposes giving every Brazilian a gun All told, establishment politicians editorial, a team of aphorism needs to become aff airs? Those who vote for populists so they can defend themselves. To the seem to be at a loss. Academics, pundits, and political, business, and cancer specialists led the new norm in democratic clearly hold establishment politicians elites, this sounds (and is) preposterous. Colorectal cancer politics across Europe, Latin responsible, and they may not be wrong But for Brazilians who worry about their civil-society leaders have been far too by Dr Michael Fisch of D America, Asia, and Africa. Rather than in doing so. Contrary to popular belief, own safety, he is at least showing that slow to articulate new economic and is the third most AIM Specialty Health complaining about populist successes, recent research fi nds that technology he understands their top concern. social policies that have broad-based in Chicago said the established political parties should is not the primary driver of labour’s Knowing what matters to your appeal. To be sure, that is not easy to commonly fi ndings confi rm the take a page from the populist playbook. declining share of income. Rather, the voters is basic electoral politics. Before do. It takes self-refl ection and clarity of power of healthy living Three lessons, in particular, cry out for worsening plight of workers is due winning the French presidency and vision. But, fi rst and foremost, it takes diagnosed cancer attention. to lost bargaining power and union a parliamentary majority last year, a commitment of time and energy to for cancer patients. The fi rst lesson is to connect to density, welfare-state retrenchment, Emmanuel Macron’s La Republique understand the plight of the electorate in Qatar It is relevant that the people you wish to represent by off shoring, and the growth of the En Marche ! – building on a strategy and to frame solutions in a clear, simple in October 2017 it learning about them and winning their fi nancial sector as a share of the pioneered by former US president way. was pointed out that colorectal cancer is the third most trust. The time when politicians could economy. Barack Obama’s successful campaigns The third lesson from the populist rely on party machines, focus groups, Another important factor is tax – sent volunteers across the country to playbook is to be bold. In diffi cult times, commonly diagnosed cancer in Qatar and a leading and traditional polling is over. The policy. According to a report in the listen to voters’ concerns. people are seeking a transformational cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women complacent assumption that people Financial Times, the eff ective tax rates A second lesson from today’s vision of the future, not slight in the country. Speaking in connection with the 5th will always vote along party or class “paid by the world’s 10 biggest public populists is to use simple, intuitive improvements. After 30 years of Qatar Colorectal Conference hosted by Hamad Medical lines is obsolete. In France’s presidential companies by market capitalisation messaging to signal your goals. Yes, pragmatism and incremental change, Corporation lead colorectal surgeon Dr Mohamed Abunada, and parliamentary elections last in each of nine sectors” have fallen slogans like “I’ll protect your jobs” it is time for a new tone. Recall that explained that the disease can be caused by a number of year, support for both the centre-left by nearly one-third since 2000, from and “Make America great again” in 1945, Winston Churchill, having Socialist Party and the centre-right 34% to 24%. And since 2008, personal sound simplistic. But where are the delivered victory for Britain in World factors, including environmental conditions, family history, Republicains collapsed. Likewise, income-tax rates across all countries sophisticated alternatives? Talk of War II, lost the general election. consumption of high protein and fat-rich foods, alcohol, established political parties suff ered have increased by 6%, on average. economic growth works only when The winner, Clement Attlee, and smoking. humiliating defeats in Italy’s election Against this backdrop, the emergence people are enjoying the benefi ts of that promised what was eff ectively a Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon last month. of populist parties and politicians growth. new social contract for war-weary or the rectum. These cancers can also be named colon After a decade of economic malaise, should come as no surprise. When a During periods of slow or inequitable Britons still living under rations. His voters are sceptical of mainstream majority of people becomes poorer, growth, politicians must off er more government went on to provide free cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. politicians who off er rote promises there will be stark consequences at the direct responses to what people are universal healthcare, unemployment Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together of growth and improved standards ballot box. And yet, in one country after feeling. In the United Kingdom’s Brexit insurance, pensions, decent housing, because they have many features in common. of living. In the eyes of disenchanted another, the political establishment has referendum, the Remain campaign, and secure jobs in nationalised As highlighted by general and colorectal surgeon Dr workers, those in power have simply been remarkably slow to recognise this. phlegmatically led by then-prime industries. And all this was done with Salwa Sayed Ahmad, colorectal cancer doesn’t have early been feathering their own nests. Consider Brazil, where campaigning Minister David Cameron’s government, the national debt still at 250% of GDP. Even in many of the world’s strongest is in full swing for the general election argued that leaving the European The audacity of Attlee’s vision has no warning signs, so it’s important for patients to undergo economies, workers are earning less in this October. As always, establishment Union would result in lower GDP, lost modern-day parallel. And that is our regular screenings at their designated primary healthcare real terms than they did 10 years ago. To politicians are campaigning on trade, and disruption to the fi nancial biggest problem. – Project Syndicate centre. As the disease progresses, people may experience quote the head of the OECD, they are promises of fi scal prudence and sector. Such arguments completely blood in their stool, have pain in their belly, constipation “back at work, but out of pocket.” In economic growth, neither of which missed what concerned most voters. zNgaire Woods is Founding Dean of the or diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue. the United States, 56% of households resonates with the 50mn Brazilians By contrast, the Brexiteers promised Blavatnik School of Government at the report declining household incomes. – nearly a quarter of the population to “take back control” of the UK’s University of Oxford. Unfortunately, by the time these symptoms appear, the disease is more diffi cult to treat. According to Dr Jeff rey Farma, associate professor of surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, a “focus on improving lifestyle through nutrition and activity are moving to the forefront of a lot of cancer-related research for all stages of treatment.” And while the new study is encouraging, “there is still much work to be done to further validate these intriguing fi ndings,” said Farma, who wasn’t involved with the research. The take-home message: “Having a health body weight, being physically active, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains after a diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer was associated with a longer survival,” the US researchers reported last week in the journal JAMA Oncology.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Established political parties suff ered humiliating defeats in Italy’s election last month. Gulf Times Monday, April 16, 2018 27 COMMENT A cautionary tale for media regulators

By Anya Schiff rin meant to support legitimate journalism and critical reporting. This does not Quito usually off er only scant protection bode well for the country’s future. against those who are determined Aggressive, fact-based journalism to act in bad faith. I learned this is a public good. As the fourth o understand the possible fi rst-hand when I accompanied a estate, the media holds governments consequences of US President group from the Committee to Protect and corporations accountable Donald Trump’s constant Journalists (CPJ) on a recent trip to by reporting on corruption, Tdenunciations of the press, Ecuador. environmental degradation, and one need look no further than Ecuador, From speaking to Ecuadorian other violations of the public trust. where former president Rafael Correa’s journalists, it is clear that most But in Ecuador, journalists now must government attacked the news media of Correa’s media policies and fear the consequences of doing their for years. During his 2007-2017 enforcement practices crossed the jobs. presidency, Correa implemented a raft line into outright censorship. News Like many Latin American of measures aimed at stifl ing press outlets that did not provide ample countries, Ecuador is deeply polarised. freedom. And, like Trump, he regularly coverage of government statements Correa still has many supporters on used the media as a whipping boy to were fined, as were outlets that the left who point to his government’s rally his supporters. did not recirculate foreign press stunning achievements in reducing In 2015, Correa managed to pass reports that were favourable to the poverty and boosting health and a constitutional amendment re- government or critical of opposition education spending. They say that the categorising communications as a figures. On some occasions, news corruption during Correa’s presidency public service, like water or electricity, outlets were even forced to print or was no worse than under previous thereby allowing for more state control air lengthy dissenting statements governments, and they applaud his over speech. And with the stated from government officials who government’s eff orts to rein in the goal of ensuring “balanced media disliked their treatment in the media. media, which they view as dishonest coverage,” he pushed through the 2013 Ecuador’s experience shows how and representative of right-wing, Ecuadorian Communication Law, laws that seem reasonable on paper – corporate interests. and enacted additional regulations such as those guaranteeing subjects There is a lesson here for the US allowing the government to crack of news stories a “right to reply” – and other countries where distrust down on journalists with fi nes, forced can easily be abused. According to of the media is growing. Since the public apologies, and even prison Ecuadorian journalists, government revelations that Facebook and Twitter sentences. offi cials often refuse to speak to played a key role in disseminating false Like Trump, Correa would reporters because they know that, information and sowing mistrust and sometimes go on television or radio should a story about them appear, they racial tension in the 2016 US election, programmes to denounce journalists can simply force the outlet to publish a a growing chorus has called for stricter by name; and his government long, unedited statement of their own. regulations. But such regulations can repeatedly took news organisations to And though news outlets may appeal in be diffi cult to implement fairly, and can court. For example, Correa brought an “right to reply” cases, doing so can lead have unintended consequences. $80mn lawsuit against El Universo, to lengthy and costly lawsuits. Ecuador has learned the hard way one of the country’s major newspapers. Similarly, laws aff ording ordinary that if combating misinformation In the end, the paper was forced to pay citizens the right to complain about During his 2007-2017 presidency, Ecuador’s Rafael Correa implemented a raft of measures aimed at stifling press freedom. means the loss of in-depth, factual $40mn in exchange for a “pardon.” press reports are easily gamed. reporting and a media that can play With the spread of disinformation Government offi cials routinely fi nd said the government plans to reform leftist politicians who came to power in interrupted programming on privately a watchdog role, then the price is too online fuelling distrust of the media “ordinary citizens” to fi le complaints the Ecuadorian Communications Law the last two decades pledged to make owned television stations to issue high. Let us hope that this lesson is and other institutions, regulations against media organisations on their this year. Still, as the journalists we media more representative of voiceless political statements. Under Correa, the taken on board not just in Ecuador, but to police some kinds of speech may behalf. met noted, the structure and language and marginalised communities. government even assumed editorial in democracies worldwide. – Project seem like a good idea. Clearly, major Ecuador’s current president, of the law have not changed. For example, in Argentina, certain management of the country’s oldest Syndicate distribution platforms like Facebook Lenin Moreno, has promised to ease In general, Latin American media forms of cross ownership were banned. newspaper, El Telegrafo. need to be more heavily regulated. the country’s media restrictions. tend to be captured by elites, with In other countries, underrepresented In Ecuador, what started as a move zAnya Schiff rin is the director of the But, in some cases, laws enacted in And in a recent meeting with the wealthy owners whose interests indigenous communities were given toward media diversity ten years ago media and communications programme the “public interest” can actually work CPJ, Ecuadorian Secretary of are represented in how the news is cameras and broadcast licences. And has ended up eliminating much of the at Columbia University’s School of against it. And at the same time, laws Communication Andres Michelena reported. This is why many of the in some cases, governments have country’s capacity for investigative International and Public Aff airs.

Ending the war on education Three-day forecast TODAY or rebel forces seized schools for emergency aid requests for education Countries enduring and emerging Maximum Temperature : 310c By Alaa Murabit Minimum Temperature : 250c Honolulu military use. are met. from violence may not have the For obvious reasons, governments In April 2000, when the Dakar fi nancial capacity to rebuild schools TUESDAY that support the targeting of schools Framework for Action was adopted, while simultaneously funding Maximum Temperature : 320c y three-year-old niece and educators in any capacity must be signatories identifi ed confl ict as reconstruction. That is why Minimum Temperature : 230c believes strongly in the held to account. Children forced to live a “major barrier” to attaining the international support is so crucial. WEDNESDAY power of “the good guys.” in confl ict zones are already suff ering; goal of “education for all,” one of The global community must fi nd Maximum Temperature : 310c MWhenever I visit, she when violence prevents them from the UN Sustainable Development the $2.3bn needed to improve access Minimum Temperature : 220c drags me to the bookshelf in her room learning, they suff er a double tragedy. Goals. The report also expressed the to education in confl ict zones. At Fisherman's forecast and pulls out book after book, each Consider how completely a child’s consensus view that governments the same time, donors must fund with the same conclusion: in battles education is uprooted by war. Before and civil-society groups must move institutions that will help children WARNING Inshore : Expected thundery rain big or small, the good guys always win. the current confl ict in Syria, for swiftly to “reconstruct destroyed traumatised by the psychological at places associated with I don’t have the heart to tell her example, the enrollment rate for or damaged education systems” stress of war. For many children sudden strong wind. that, in the real world, clean fi ghts and primary school was above 90%. whenever possible. Why, then, nearly in confl ict areas, psychosocial and Offshore : Expected thunder rain as- sociated with strong wind gratifying outcomes are the exception. Today, in areas most aff ected by the two decades after the framework emotional support is as important as and high sea. Modern warfare follows no rules, and fi ghting, it has dropped to below 30%. was signed, is this commitment to educational opportunity. WEATHER loyalties are never black and white. For In Yemen, with war and famine raging, rebuilding routinely ignored? The world of my niece’s picture Inshore : Slight dust & p cloudy to cloudy at times with c me, nothing illustrates this truth more more than 2mn children between the Education is the key to recovery books – where every struggle in of sctd rain, thundery at terribly than the surge in violence ages of six and nine are out of school. for households and countries hit summarised in 20 pages and ends with places at times. directed at schools and educators in And nearly half of the 700 UN- by confl ict. Each year of additional a “happily ever after” – will never be WIND reality. But, in the absence of fairy Inshore : Northeasterly-Southeasterly confl ict areas. administered schools in Syria, Gaza, schooling increases a learner’s 06-16/25 KT In May of this year, the Global the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan earnings by 10%, on average, godmothers and protective witches, Offshrore : Northeasterly-Southeasterly Coalition to Protect Education from have been attacked or shut down at improving their long-term fi nancial the world needs workable solutions 05-15/25 KT with the thun- Attack will publish its “Education least once in recent years. stability, and helping to lower the risk that can help the good guys (and girls) der rain. Under Attack” report, which Humanitarian crises often produce of a return to violence. In other words, win. By educating every child, even Visibility : 4-8 KM / 3 KM confirms that wars and military a surge in political will; the needless attacks on education are quite literally those in harm’s way, we may succeed engagements are affecting education suff ering of others, and especially of attacks on our collective future. in making the world just a little less SEA STATE Offshore : 2-4 FT, Rises to 8 FT places more severely than any time in children, pushes the international Girls are are 2.5 times more likely wicked. – Project Syndicate recent memory. The numbers are community to dedicate money and than boys to be out of school in Around the region truly shocking. Around the world, energy to ameliorating the misery. confl ict-aff ected areas. Yet investing zAlaa Murabit, a medical doctor, Weather Weather some 80mn children are unable to Unfortunately, that generosity rarely in girls has long-term benefi ts that can is one of 17 Global Sustainable today Max/min tomorrow Max/min attend school because of violence. extends to supporting education transform communities and eradicate Development Goal advocates Baghdad M Sunny 28/14 Sunny 28/14 In the first half of 2017, there were in war-torn areas. Of the millions poverty. Educated girls are less likely appointed by the UN Secretary- Kuwait City P Cloudy 28/19 Sunny 29/19 more than 500 attacks on schools in of children not attending school to marry at a young age, and more General, a UN High-Level Manama P Cloudy 31/23 Cloudy 29/23 20 countries, a significant increase around the world, one in four lives likely to have fewer, healthier children. Commissioner on Health Employment Muscat M Sunny 33/28 M Sunny 34/28 from previous years. According to in a crisis-aff ected country. Yet, Moreover, women in the workforce and Economic Growth, a director’s Tehran Rain 11/07 S Showers 12/07 the United Nations, in 15 of those education accounts for just 2% of total reinvest 90% of their incomes to their fellow at the MIT Media Lab, and a countries, government soldiers humanitarian aid, while only 38% of communities. co-founder of Omnis Institute. Live issues Hottest chilli gives man ‘thunderclap’ headaches

“We would recommend the general AFP Around the world Paris public be cautious when eating chilli peppers and to seek medical attention Weather Weather straight away if you develop symptoms today Max/min tomorrow Max/min octors issued a chilli like this,” Gunasekaran warned. Athens Cloudy 23/11 Sunny 23/12 warning after an American For those who dare, the Carolina Beirut Sunny 24/18 M Sunny 26/19 man who ate the world’s Reaper has a fruity, sweet taste with Bangkok S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 32/26 hottest pepper was struck a hint of cinnamon and chocolate Berlin Cloudy 21/08 P Cloudy 20/08 D Cairo 34/22 Sunny 37/21 by excruciating “thunderclap” undertones, as well as being extremely Sunny headaches. hot, according to the website of Cape Town M Sunny 27/14 M Sunny 21/14 The 34-year-old man’s symptoms Guinness World Records. Colombo S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 31/26 began with dry heaves “immediately Last year it named the Carolina Dhaka M Sunny 37/24 S T Storms 36/26 after participation in a hot pepper Reaper — a cross between Sweet Hong Kong Showers 23/21 P Cloudy 25/23 contest where he ate one Carolina Carolina Reaper, Guinness World Records named it as the hottest pepper on Earth. Habanero and Naga Viper chillies — as Istanbul Clear 18/08 P Cloudy 19/09 Reaper,” in 2016, said an article the hottest pepper on Earth. Jakarta T Storms 33/25 S T Storm 32/26 published in medical journal BMJ Case syndrome” (RCVS), characterised by the said doctor Kulothungan Gunasekaran It is grown by a producer in South Karachi Sunny 36/24 Sunny 38/25 Reports. temporary narrowing of blood vessels to of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Carolina. London P Cloudy 14/09 P Cloudy 17/09 The man then developed intense the brain. one of the authors of the article that It rates at an average of 1,641,183 Manila P Cloudy 34/26 M Sunny 36/26 neck and head pain, and for several It was the fi rst reported case of a warns of the dangers of playing with Scoville Heat Units (SHU), according Moscow M Sunny 20/08 Rain 16/08 days experienced brief but intense patient being diagnosed with RCVS chilli fi re. to tests conducted by Winthrop New Delhi S T Storms 38/24 Sunny 39/24 “thunderclap” headaches. after eating a chilli pepper, the authors The man’s symptoms cleared up by University in South Carolina in 2017. New York Rain 14/06 M Cloudy 10/04 Each lasted several seconds. said. themselves and a follow-up CT scan A Jalapeno can score anything Paris M Cloudy 17/07 M Sunny 21/09 After seeking emergency care, tests Often accompanied by fi ve weeks after the event showed between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU on the Sao Paulo S Showers 21/16 Cloudy 23/14 for various neurological conditions “thunderclap” headaches, the that his arteries had returned to their scale, Guinness World Records said. Seoul Sunny 17/04 Sunny 19/05 came back negative. condition usually occurs as a reaction normal width. In November 2016, a new record of Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 32/26 In the end, doctors diagnosed him to certain prescription medications, or Eating cayenne pepper has 120 grammes (just over four ounces) Sydney Sunny 28/17 Showers 19/17 with a temporary brain condition called after taking illegal drugs. previously been linked to heart of Carolina Reaper were eaten in one Tokyo Clear 20/12 Cloudy 18/12 “reversible cerebral vasoconstriction “It was a big surprise to everyone,” attacks, the study authors said. minute at a competition in Arizona. Gulf Times 28 Monday, April 16, 2018 QATAR ‘Qatar’s commitment to education is paramount’

From Page 1

The holistic curriculum at QLC includes regular engage- ment with prominent local and international business and gov- ernment leaders through guest lectures, seminars and exclusive events. Participants of the Ex- ecutive, Government and Rising Leaders programmes round off their training with an interna- tional Learning Journey to global focal points of business, indus- try and innovation. In the presence of QLC’s com- munity during the ceremony, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa launched QSurvey, Qatar’s fi rst online survey tool. This platform is the fi rst survey tool in the world to fully support the Arabic lan- guage, in addition to its English capabilities. QSurvey will help inform decision makers around the world through eff ective col- lection and analysis of data. Qatar Leadership Centre has also continued to develop Qa- tar’s human capital in line with Qatar’s goals, as it signed a memorandum of understand- ing with Qatar University last January. The memorandum aims to encourage and strengthen knowledge exchange and co- operation in the fi eld of human capital development, in addition HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurates to other academic fi elds. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, managing director of Qatar Leadership Centre. QSurvey, Qatar’s first online survey tool, at the QLC ceremony. “The Centre encourages par- ticipants to explore the latest leadership philosophies, man- agement tools, and technolo- gies. We cultivate the continued growth of our best and brightest and strengthen their leadership roles in all sectors - not least because this benefi ts our coun- try,” noted Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, managing director and member of the Board of Direc- tors of QLC. Qatari professionals looking for information on QLC’s Na- tional Leadership Programmes – and others interested in learning more about QLC – should visit qlc.org.qa

HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Leadership Centre Board of Directors, delivering her speech at the Centre’s 2018 honouring ceremony. VIP attendees at Qatar Leadership Centre’s 2018 honouring ceremony.

New initiative seeks to socially integrate people with disabilities

he new initiative, which matters of PWDs from diff erent him al-Mahmoud also thanked tant co-operation between Best incorporates persons with parts of the world,” Qatar Foun- Brady and Best Buddies for their Buddies Qatar, SC and QM at the Tdisabilities (PWDs) in the dation for Social Work CEO Amal work in Qatar and “for such an event, organised under SC’s Cor- organisation of the 2022 FIFA bint Abdullatif al-Mannai said in important initiative.” porate Social Responsibility pro- World Cup, underlines the col- a statement. “QM is proud to promote and gramme dubbed as ‘Generation laboration of global eff orts to The CEO thanked Brady for his sustain Qatar’s cultural sec- Amazing’ “reassures and further socially integrate PWDs, a senior visit to Qatar and participation tor and we believe everyone, no our eff orts, along with domestic offi cial of Qatar Foundation for in what she described as an im- matter what their background is, and international institutions.” Social Work has said. portant event, which will benefi t should be able to take part in and “Our ultimate aim is the social The new partnership was persons with intellectual and de- enjoy Qatar’s art, creativity and integration and empowerment of launched by Qatar Supreme velopmental disabilities. heritage,” he said. PWDs and we are grateful for this Committee for Delivery & Legacy Qatar Foundation for Social “By pledging to support initiative and Brady’s visit, which (SC), Qatar Museums (QM) and Work seeks to establish co-op- PWDs, we hope that QM, along- have helped shed light on the Best Buddies Qatar yesterday at eration with leading sports and side the SC, can set the right programmes and objectives of an event at Doha’s Khalifa Inter- cultural institutions to support example when it comes to inclu- Best Buddies Qatar programmes national Stadium. the achievement of the goals of sivity and opportunity in Qatar,” and objectives,” Alfain said. Best Buddies global ambas- the social development pillar of al-Mahmoud added. She thanked Sheikha Al Ma- sador and fi ve-time American Qatar National Vision 2030. Best Buddies Qatar executive yassa, SC offi cials, Best Buddies football super bowl champion “We at the Qatar Foundation director Laalei Abu Alfain said International founder, chairman Tom Brady joined SC, QM and for Social Work pay eff orts to the event yesterday was a great and CEO Anthony K Shriver, and Best Buddies Qatar participants take the lead in initiatives and opportunity to increase aware- Brady for their invaluable sup- at the launch, which was graced partnerships that will achieve ness on the capacities of persons port in making the event happen Best Buddies global ambassador and five-time American football Super Bowl champion Tom Brady by QM Chairperson HE Sheikha the goals of social inclusion and with IDDs and the need for them and initiating essential positive speaks at the launch of a new initiative for PWDs yesterday as QM Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Kha- empowerment of PWDs in the to be essential members of any infl uence on PWDs in Qatar. “We bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Qatar Foundation for Social Work CEO Amal bint Abdullatif al-Mannai lifa al-Thani. country,” she added. community. are proud to be a part of the FIFA look on at the Khalifa International Stadium. “This affi rms the focus on the QM CEO Mansoor bin Ebra- She noted that such impor- 2022 World Cup Qatar.”

Tom Brady-signed American footballs were thrown to visitors in the stands at the event yesterday. Participants enjoying the game at the Khalifa International Stadium. Tom Brady with members of Best Buddies Qatar.