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THURSDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11178 May 9, 2019 Ramadan 4, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Metro enters a new QATAR | Offi cial Amir condoles with Pakistan’s president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah phase with preview service bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of condolences to Pakistan’s O Service launched ahead years, lauded what he described as “an President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of schedule excellent customer service” of metro Imran Khan after an explosion station staff who were always ready to killed 10 people and injured others. O Tickets accessible and assist passengers. They wished the injured a speedy aff ordable to all There is a train every four to six min- recovery. HE the Prime Minister and utes and it takes an average of one to Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah By Joey Aguilar two minutes to reach the next station. bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also Staff Reporter In a press statement, said sent a similar cable to Khan. the opening of the is an im- portant stage for testing the effi ciency ARAB WORLD | Crisis atar Rail kicked off a preview of the system with passen- France calls for service for the fi rst part of the gers and review its performance. QDoha Metro’s Red Line South Qatar Rail is trying to get feedback ceasefi re in Libya yesterday – a milestone seen to boost from passengers aimed at further im- France yesterday called for an the country’s infrastructure in the proving the Metro’s service as it pre- unconditional ceasefire in the leadup to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. pares for its full operation. It also aims Libya conflict under international Passengers had the opportunity to to provide one-of-its-kind customer supervision after a meeting between visit 13 of the 18 stations from experience as it exerts eff orts to meet President Emmanuel Macron and (North) to Al Wakra (South) between the expectations of the public. UN-backed Libyan Prime Minister 8am and 11pm during the launch, “The preview service, which is Fayez al-Serra. Page 11 which was originally planned for 2020 launched ahead of schedule, is a testa- but comes nearly a year early. ment of the tremendous eff orts carried The Line operates from Sunday to out by Qatar Rail’s executive teams and Thursday and takes a break during the board of directors, as well as the con- HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment weekends “to progress the work re- tinuous support of HE the Prime Min- Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie and other off icials at a Doha Metro station yesterday. Cabinet approves quired to open more stations and lines.” ister and Interior Minister Sheikh Ab- The Red Line’s 13 stations include dullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani,” amendments to Al Qassar, DECC, QIC , Cor- said Abdulla Saif al-Sulaiti, chief of niche, , Msheireb, Al Doha Al Service Delivery at Qatar Rail. some provisions Jadeda, , Al Matar Al “Thanks to his continuous support Qadeem, Oqba Ibn Nafi e, Economic and guidance, many achievements of energy laws Zone, Ras Bu Fontas, and Al Wakra. The have been made ahead of schedule, and stations to be opened soon are , today we stand at a turning point as the he Cabinet yesterday ap- Qatar University, Legtaifi ya, and Ka- project shifts from the development proved a draft law amending tara. stage to the operational stage,” he said. Tsome provisions of laws re- “Today is my weekly off so I was “This preview service and its outputs lated to energy aff airs, and to refer it ready to spend the whole day to ride the are essential for us, and we will build on to the Shura Council. trains. It’s nice, comfortable and very them as we prepare for the full opening The draft law includes the amend- impressive,” Indian expatriate Premaj of the network by 2020.” ment of some provisions of the fol- M K told Gulf Times yesterday after About ticket pricing, Qatar Rail said lowing laws: - Law No (8) of 2004 on taking a ride from Al Wakra to Al Qas- it conducted comprehensive and inte- the protection of marine oil and gas sar. grated pricing studies, and introduced facilities; Decree Law No (15) of 2007 He noted that the cost of the tickets several categories to make tickets ac- on regulating the marketing and sale was very aff ordable as others (like fam- cessible and aff ordable to all and avail- of government regulated products ilies) may opt for the gold pass, which able via multiple sales channels. outside Qatar; Decree Law No (11) gives passengers a more comfortable Ticket holders will enjoy a modern of 2012 on governmental regulation ride. and low-cost transport system, making for the sale and purchase of chemi- Premaj, who has been in Doha for 38 Doha Metro accessible to all. To Page 8 A Doha Metro train on the Red Line South after its launch yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma cal and petrochemical products pro- duced in Qatar; Law No (4) of 2018 regulating the supply of electricity and water. The above mentioned laws will be amended by replacing the phrase UAE running campaign “Minister of State for Energy Aff airs” 13 HMC facilities get top with the phrase “Minister of Energy and Industry”, wherever mentioned of violence, hatred: Qatar in Law No (8) of 2004, Decree Law No (11) of 2012 and Law No (4) of international accreditation AFP against Qataris,” al-Khulaifi said. 2018; and by replacing the phrase The Hague “Qatar has long been engaged in the “Minister of State for Energy Aff airs” fi ght against global terrorism and it with the phrase “Minister of Energy he Hamad Medical Corpora- This represents the greatest number and measures which hospitals must continues to be.” and Industry” mentioned in the Ar- tion (HMC) has announced its of JCI accredited facilities in Qatar and meet to achieve accreditation are the he United Arab Emirates (UAE) Qatar has faced an economic and ticles 11, 18, 19 and 21 of Decree Law Tgreatest international accredi- the culmination of HMC’s largest-ev- most exacting to date. Hospitals must has launched a “campaign of vi- diplomatic boycott since June 2017 No (15) of 2007 referred to herein. tation success to date with 13 of its er hospital accreditation programme. meet strict patient safety and per- Tolence and hatred” against Qa- by some Gulf countries who accused The Cabinet later approved a draft facilities and services accredited by HMC also remains the only hospital formance improvement standards to tar’s citizens, the International Court Doha of backing terrorism and being law amending some provisions of US-based Joint Commission Interna- system outside the US to achieve cor- achieve accreditation status and these of Justice was told yesterday. too close to Iran. Doha has repeatedly Law No (21) of 2015 regulating the tional (JCI). porate Academic Medical Centre ac- are rigorously checked before accredi- Qatar also urged the world court to denied the claims, accusing its rivals of entry, exit and residence of expatri- This includes accreditation for the creditation for all its hospitals simul- tation is granted. quash a case brought against it by Abu seeking regime change and alleging the ates. Page 2 fi rst time for three new hospitals as taneously. HE the Minister of Public Health Dhabi. The Gulf states are locked in a UAE broke the 1965 International Con- well as the Hamad Dental Centre and JCI accreditation is seen as the gold and HMC managing director Dr Hanan battle at the UN’s top court, where the vention on the Elimination of All Forms Mental Health Service. Eight hospitals standard for the accreditation of hos- Mohamed al-Kuwari was present UAE on Tuesday asked judges to stop of Racial Discrimination (CERD). RAMADAN THOUGHT which already hold JCI accreditation, pitals worldwide and the latest edition when the accreditation announce- Qatar ‘aggravating’ a two-year-old cri- Last June, in a case brought by Qatar, were also successfully re-accredited. of their quality and safety standards ment was made. sis between Doha and other countries in the ICJ ruled that the UAE must allow Invoke your Lord with humility “The quality of healthcare in Qatar the region. families which include Qatari members and in secret. He likes not the ag- continues to improve year-on-year. Qatar’s lawyers however hit back, to be reunited, and that Qatari students gressors. And do not do mischief Today’s accreditation success is an- saying in fact it was who must be given the chance to complete on the earth, after it has been set other example of the quality of care in continued with “discriminatory policies their education in the Emirates. in order, and invoke Him with fear Qatar being recognised internation- that severely impacted Qatari citizens”. Abu Dhabi on Tuesday went back to and hope. Surely, Allah’s Mercy is ally and HMC - as the main provider “It is the Qatari people who are the court, accusing Doha of blocking its (ever) near unto the good-doers. of secondary and tertiary care in the true victims in the racial discrimina- own citizens from accessing to ease (Qur’an 7:55-56) country - is central to this,”said HE Dr tion case, not the government of the travel issues, and therefore failing to Prayer times al-Kuwari. UAE,” Qatar’s representative Mohamed honour last year’s judgment. “This prestigious international ac- Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said. Al-Khulaifi also told the court that Fajr....3.29 Zuhr....11.30 Asr....2.58 creditation is incredibly challenging This included Abu Dhabi’s move to Qatar found a “high risk security breach” Maghrib.....6.11 Isha.....7.41 to achieve and maintain. The commit- gag the Doha-based Al Jazeera glo- including so-called “malware” designed ment of each one of HMC’s staff and bal news network, the lawyer told the to infi ltrate Qatar’s information systems, Fasting times their focus on delivering the highest Hague-based tribunal. on Emirati websites purported to ease Iftar today ...... 6.11pm HE the Minister of Public Health and HMC managing director Dr Hanan Mohamed standard of care to our patients is a “The silencing of... media voices is travel issues of aff ected Qataris. He said Imsak tomorrow...... 3.18am al-Kuwari and other off icials at the announcement of 13 HMC facilities getting JCI great testament to this achievement,” part-and-parcel of the UAE’s cam- Doha told Abu Dhabi about the breach international accreditation. she added. To Page 2 paign to incite violence and hatred but the UAE was “yet to take steps.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, May 9, 2019 QATAR Cabinet praises $480mn Qatar aid to Palestinians

QNA Minister of State for Cabinet urgent and resolute interna- gas facilities. State for Energy Aff airs” with the amending some provisions of fi eld of traffi c, studying traffi c Doha Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- tional action to stop Israel’s ag- — Decree Law No 15 of 2007 phrase “Minister of Energy and Decision No 1 of 2018 establish- problems and proposing meth- Nuaimi stated the following: gressive practices against the on regulating the marketing and Industry” mentioned in the Arti- ing the Financial Sustainability ods of treatment, co-ordination The Cabinet underlined that Palestinian people and to pro- sale of government regulated cles 11, 18, 19 and 21 of Decree Law Steering Committee for Qatar and co-operation with diff erent he Cabinet’s regular Qatar’s support to the Pales- vide them with protection and products outside Qatar. No 15 of 2007 referred to herein. General Electricity and Water bodies whose work aff ects the meeting, presided over tinians embodies the bonds of enable them to obtain all their — Decree Law No 11 of 2012 on The Cabinet later approved a Corporation. proper regularity of traffi c, and Tby HE the Prime Minis- brotherhood between the Qatari legitimate rights, foremost of the governmental regulation for draft law amending some provi- 3- Draft Cabinet Decision proposing the development of ter Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser and Palestinian people, and is an which is the right to establish the sale and purchase of chemi- sions of Law No 21 of 2015 regu- amending some provisions of legislation related to traffi c and bin Khalifa al-Thani, yester- extension of Qatar’s fi rm posi- their independent state with Je- cal and petrochemical products lating the entry, exit and resi- Decision No 73 of 2014 estab- road and transport engineering, day praised the directives of tions towards the brotherly Pal- rusalem as its capital. produced in Qatar. dence of expatriates. lishing the Standing Committee in accordance with international His Highness the Amir Sheikh estinian people. The Cabinet then considered — Law No 4 of 2018 regu- The Cabinet also approved a for Monitoring Fuel Filling and standards and the requirements Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani al- The Cabinet reiterated Qatar’s the topics listed on its agenda as lating the supply of electricity draft decree inviting the Munici- Storage Stations. of the continued developments locating $480mn to the Pales- condemnation of the brutal Is- follows: and water. pal Council to convene. The Cabinet then reviewed of roads and transportation. tinian people in the West Bank raeli shelling of the Gaza Strip, The Cabinet approved a draft The above mentioned laws Meanwhile, the Cabinet ap- the following topics and took the 2- The recommendation of and Gaza Strip, to assist them in which left dozens of people law amending some provisions of will be amended by replacing proved the following: appropriate decisions thereon: the Advisory Council regarding meeting their daily needs amidst dead and injured, saying it is in laws related to energy aff airs, and the phrase “Minister of State for 1- Draft Amiri Decision 1- The annual report of the the general debate request sub- the diffi cult circumstances im- a fl agrant violation of the inter- to refer it to the Advisory Council. Energy Aff airs” with the phrase amending some provisions of National Traffi c Safety Commit- mitted by a number of members posed on them by the Israeli oc- national law, the Charter of the The draft law includes the “Minister of Energy and Indus- Decision No 19 of 2011 regarding tee and its recommendations. on traffi c accidents in Qatar. cupation forces. United Nations and the interna- amendment of some provisions try”, wherever mentioned in Law the establishment of the Stand- The committee, which is es- 3- The letter of HE the Minister After the meeting, which was tional legitimacy resolutions on of the following laws: No 8 of 2004, Decree Law No 11 of ing Committee for Water Re- tablished in the Ministry of In- of Finance on a proposal to amend held at the Amiri Diwan, HE the the Palestinian cause. — Law No 8 of 2004 on the 2012 and Law No 4 of 2018; and by sources. terior, is responsible for devel- some provisions of the Customs Law Minister of Justice and Acting The Cabinet demanded an protection of marine oil and replacing the phrase “Minister of 2- Draft Amiri Decision oping policies and plans in the promulgated by Law No 40 of 2002. Qatar welcomes OFFICIAL Message from head of Kazakh legislature Amir greets president of all nationalities, North Macedonia

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad says al-Baker al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to newly- By Pratap John try,” al-Baker said in reply to a that if they come towards us one elected President of the Republic Business Editor question by Gulf Times at the metre, we will go 1,000km to- of North Macedonia Stevo airline’s media event at Mon- wards them.” Pendarovski, wishing him well, drian Doha last night. Al-Baker said, “We are ready and for the Macedonian people atar is a country which is Al-Baker said, “We have many to reconciliation on one condi- further progress and prosperity. open and welcoming to hundreds of Egyptians working tion that our dignity, sovereignty Qall nationalities, includ- at Qatar Airways. And some of and respect is always upheld by Amir exchanges ing blockading countries, Qatar my senior management is Egyp- anybody around the world.” Airways Group Chief Execu- tian. We have a very large di- “I know that when somebody Ramadan greetings tive HE Akbar al-Baker said and aspora of Egyptians in my coun- speaks with emotion, the press with Mahathir noted that his recent remarks try. And they are respected.” very quickly make a very big is- HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud yesterday on Egyptians were “taken out of sue out of that. As far as my His Highness the Amir Sheikh received a written message from the Chairman of House of Representatives in Kazakhstan context by the media”. “As a passionate Qatari, I remarks on Egyptians are con- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Nurlan Nigmatulin. The message was handed over by the ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar, Askar “As a passionate Qatari, I spoke with emotion at the cerned, you can see that it was yesterday exchanged greetings Shokybayev, during his meeting with the Advisory Council Speaker yesterday. In the message the spoke with emotion at the me- media event (in Doha) last really not meant literally the way with Malaysian Prime Minister Kazakh House of Representatives chairman said he looks forward to promoting relations between dia event (in Doha) last week. week” it was translated. Dr Mahathir Mohamed on both countries and deepening partnership especially in the legislative field. He also conveyed his And my comments on Egyp- “Sometimes as a Qatari, es- the advent of the holy month congratulations on the success of the 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union tians were really taken out of The Qatar Airways Group pecially at this time of the year, of Ramadan in a telephone (IPU), recently held in Doha. context by the media. Qatar chief executive said, “I said at it gives us very sour memories of conversation. is a country, which is open to the same press conference that what has happened previously,” all nationalities including the our hands of friendship are al- al-Baker said referring to the blockading countries. You know ways extended. His Highness blockade imposed on Qatar by a we have people from blockading the Amir in an interview on 60 quartet of Arab countries in June countries that visit our coun- Minutes in CBS in 2017 had said 2017. Woqod opens Wadi Aba Seleel petrol station New draft law

atar Fuel (Woqod) yes- will not cancel terday opened Wadi QAba Seleel Petrol Sta- tion, increasing the strength Zakat Fund: of its network of various petrol stations to 87, according to a statement. Awqaf ministry Woqod CEO Saad Rashid al- Muhannadi explained that the company aspires to expand its he Ministry of Awqaf and petrol station network in the Islamic Aff airs stressed country to meet the rising de- Tyesterday, in response mand for petroleum products to reports from a number of and achieve the goal of pro- newspapers, that the draft law viding customers with access regulating the receipt and dis- to best-in-class products and A view of Woqod’s Wadi Aba Seleel Petrol Station which was opened bursement of Zakat funds does services at their convenience yesterday. not include a cancellation of the and comfort. Zakat Fund. Wadi Aba Seleel Petrol Sta- ices, including a Sidra conven- new petrol stations, which will The Ministry of Awqaf said tion, spread over an area of ience store, manual car wash, oil be operational during 2019,” said in a statement that what will be 9,600sq m, has three lanes with change and tyre repair, and sale al-Muhannadi. cancelled is only Law No 8 for six dispensers and a separate of LPG cylinders, in addition to “As part of its strategic expan- the year 1992 establishing the lane with two diesel dispensers sale of gasoline and diesel prod- sion plan, Woqod is targeting the Zakat Fund and the amended for trucks. ucts for light vehicles. achievement of a total of 134 fuel laws. It will be replaced by a Qatar Airways Group chief executive HE Akbar al-Baker and other dignitaries at the media event hosted The permanent facility will “Woqod is currently oversee- stations by the end of 2020,” he new law regulating the collec- by the airline yesterday in Doha. PICTURE: Nasar K Moidheen off er round-the-clock serv- ing the implementation of 30 added. tion and disbursement of the Zakat funds. The law will stipulate that the Zakat Fund of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs will be the only the designated body Qatar National Library launches ‘Islamic Stories’ series 13 HMC facilities to collect and disburse the funds. The statement pointed out that Article No 3 of the draft atar National Library get top international law said that Zakat funds can presented the fi rst in its be deposited in a special ac- Q“Islamic Stories” series count called “Zakat Fund Ac- yesterday, depicting the life of accreditation count.” Article 8 of the draft the Prophet Muhammad (peace law stipulates that the depart- be upon him) and his compan- ment of the Zakat Fund shall ions. From Page 1 of patients we serve has take the necessary measures to The event was part of the Li- grown substantially. This direct the disbursements from brary’s theme of faith during Dr Badriya al-Ali, deputy chief accreditation shows we have the account. May, which also sees the start of quality offi cer, HMC whose achieved all of that whilst The statement noted that the Ramadan. team was central to the man- improving the quality of care fund will not be cancelled, but Exploring the stories about agement of JCI accreditation we provide – that is testi- that the department will carry early Muslims, the event high- across HMC said, “The an- mony to the hard work and out its functions in accordance lighted the importance of study- nouncement by the JCI sur- dedication of all the staff at with Article 6 of Amiri decision ing the biography of the Prophet veyors of HMC’s accredita- HMC.” No 23 of 2014 on the organisa- (peace be upon him), or the Sira, tion success demonstrates the “Achieving Academic Medi- tional structure of the Ministry during the month of Ramadan, consistently high standards cal Centre Accreditation si- of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs. in order to learn from the exam- of care being delivered across multaneously across all hospi- The ministry called on media ples of his life. HMC. JCI certifi cation recog- tals indicates that HMC is not outlets to verify the news they Dana al-Meer, Informa- nises excellence in care deliv- only committed to providing report, or to ensure they get their tion Services librarian, said: ered to defi ned patient popu- excellent healthcare, but they news from offi cial sources. “Through this event, the library lations and demonstrates that are also committed to culture Meanwhile, the Advisory hopes to bring to life important an organisation meets an extra, of continuous improvement by Council’s Legal and Legislative teachings that remind our youth stringent set of compliance learning and developing better Aff airs Committee held a meet- of the important aspects of their and safety standards.” care. The systems that HMC ing yesterday, under the chair- faith. During the holy month, we Ali al-Janahi, chief of has put in place have helped to manship of its Rapporteur HE also present many other such A moment from the ‘Islamic Stories’ activity. business services at HMC support consistent improve- Nasser bin Rashid bin Saria al- opportunities for the communi- said, “In the three years ments in patient care and have Kaabi. The committee studied a ty to refl ect on faith, to promote children and wife, said: “I bring madan are very unique and inter- encouraged to attend “Islamic since the JCI last inspected also helped to energise the staff draft law regulating the receipt the strengthening and nourish- my kids here often to the library esting, which help my children Stories” on May 15 and 22. More HMC we have seen a signifi- about the implementation of and disbursement of Zakat funds, ment of the human spirit.” to attend events, read books and learn new ideas and socialise information about the library’s cant number of new hospi- future improvements,” Paula and decided to continue its dis- Mohamed Shiyam, who at- engage with other children. The with kids from the community.” events and exhibitions can be had tals open and new services Wilson, president and CEO, cussion in the next meeting. tended the event with his two events at the library during Ra- Young adults aged 12-18 are from www.qnl.qa/en/events. come on line and the number JCI added. – QNA Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 3 QATAR Kahramaa opens Ras Abu Abboud

Two sub-station Ras Abu Abboud Two sub-station. Kahramaa completes all its Two works in accordance with the in- electricity projects covering sub-station’s works were ternational standards, terms and FIFA 2022 World Cup completed without conditions that are required for Stadiums delay, injuries and stadium projects. Kahramaa has accidents added an enhanced protection he Qatar General Electric- system with the project. ity and Water Corporation awarded in the fi rst quarter of 2018. According to the statement, T– Kahramaa has opened The station will supply Ras Abu Aboud Two sub-sta- and energised Ras Abu Abboud 80MVA electricity from four tion’s works were completed Two sub-station successfully, it transformers with a capacity without delay, injuries and ac- was announced yesterday. of 40MVA, each equipped with cidents. The corporation also With the commissioning 66/11KV. The sub-station is ensured highest standards of of the sub-station, Kahramaa adjoined with Ras Abu Aboud appropriate working and liv- has completed all its electric- Two station through the cable ing conditions for workers ity projects covering FIFA 2022 of 66KV with a total length of which positively impacted their World Cup Stadiums. The sub- 450m. It was developed by Sie- performance. station will supply electricity to mens Global while cables con- Apart from Ras Abu Abboud Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, one of necting the sub-station with Two sub-station, Kahramaa has the venues. the feeder were produced by the energised and commissioned In a statement, Kahramaa said Doha Cables, a Qatari company. fi ve sub-stations for FIFA 2022 Ras Abu Aboud Two is the last American company GE car- World Cup stadiums with a to- facility of the fi ve major sub-sta- ried out communication works tal cost of QR800mn. It has tions that were constructed and and connected the station to the achieved 100% of all electricity commissioned to energise FIFA control systems at the National projects of FIFA 2022 at Mehairja 2022 World Cup stadiums. The Control Centre of Kahramaa. sub-station that will feed Kha- works of the sub-station with the Kahramaa has so far assigned lifa International Stadium, Al capacity of 66/11KV was com- many works to local companies. Wukair One sub-station to feed pleted at a total cost of QR93mn In co-operation with the Su- Stadium, Al Shahani- and it was constructed as part preme Committee for Delivery yah Three sub-station to feed of the 12th phase of Qatar Power & Legacy (SC), Kahramaa fol- Stadium and Al Hed- Transmission System Expan- lowed the highest standards of han sub-station to feed Al Bayt sion Network. The project was reliability in its electricity net- Stadium. Kahramaa off icials inside the sub station.

Use Ramadan as opportunity MoCI to quit smoking: HMC expert launches amad Medical Corpo- “Cigarette smoke contains initiative ration’s (HMC) Tobacco thousands of poisonous chem- HControl Center is en- icals, 70 of those being known couraging tobacco smokers to causes of cancer. Carbon mon- for home use Ramadan as an opportunity oxide is just one of many haz- to quit smoking and to focus on ardous chemicals in cigarette living a healthier lifestyle. smoke and this colourless, businesses Tobacco Control Center head odourless gas replaces oxy- Dr Ahmad al-Mulla said eve- gen in the blood and can cause ry year during Ramadan, the shortness of breath and dizzi- inistry of Commerce smoking cessation clinic re- ness. Additionally, tar inhaled Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, head, and Industry (MoCI) ceives hundreds of new patients during smoking can cause Tobacco Control Center. Mhas launched an ini- seeking help to quit smoking. lung cancer, heart disease, tiative to bolster the produc- He says quitting smoking has stroke and respiratory disease. 7,000 chemicals and expo- tivity of owners of licensed a number of health benefi ts, Smoking is a major threat to sure to second-hand smoke is home businesses off ering tra- including better insulin recep- the health of a smoker and to thought to cause thousands of ditional food items in demand tion (especially in diabetics) the people around them who deaths each year. during the holy month of A Fire Station-organised workshop brings together 60 art teachers in Qatar. and improved blood circula- are exposed to second-hand “There is no acceptable level Ramadan. tion, heart, lung and circula- smoke,” said Dr al-Mulla. of exposure to second-hand Traditional food items include tory health. He said stopping Research suggests the most smoke. Second-hand smoke Rogag bread, Luqaimat, Qatayef, smoking has also been shown eff ective way to quit smoking is causes numerous health prob- Khanfaroosh, Harees, Sago and to decrease cholesterol levels. to make small changes to your lems in infants and children, in- other Ramadan dishes, according “During Ramadan, the lifestyle that can help one resist cluding more frequent and se- to a statement yesterday. number of smokers who visit the temptation. Dr al-Mulla vere asthma attacks, respiratory The initiative is also aimed at Qatar Museums says embracing healthy hab- us with an intention to quit is infections, ear infections and encouraging owners of licensed higher than during other peri- its that can act as a distraction sudden infant death syndrome,” home businesses to enhance the ods of the year because fasting, and making a list of reasons to said Dr al-Mulla. quality of their products during and the holy month in general, quit can also be eff ective. He The Ministry of Public the holy month. is an ideal time for smokers to also recommends avoiding shi- Health, HMC and the Pri- The MoCI had earlier launched trains art teachers sha cafes and other places fre- be more thoughtful about their mary Health Care Corporation an initiative granting licences to ome 60 art teachers in The workshop is an exten- Art store - the UK’s leading art health and the impact lifestyle quented by smokers. “wish to remind members of practice business activities at Qatar took part in a Fire sion of The Executive Teach- supplies retailer. choices have on their well- “Exercising, performing the public about the Ramadan home. These include low-cost SStation training work- ers Council (ETC) - a platform “QM believes that education being,” he said. the Taraweeh prayer, drinking Health website and companion activities that depend on per- shop, introducing them to new launched in 2016 under the pa- enriches lives and fosters crea- Dr al-Mulla said the Smok- plenty of water during non- smartphone and tablet app”, sonal skills and do not require methods and techniques in tronage of QM’s Chairperson tivity, curiosity and imagina- ing Cessation Clinic provides fasting hours and spending according to a press statement. the use of dangerous equip- preparing and presenting art HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- tion. Thus, we are committed patients with the tools and time socialising with friends The Ramadan Health website ment or hazardous materials. materials to school students. mad bin Khalifa al-Thani, which to supporting teachers and ed- support needed to replace their and family members who do is Qatar’s fi rst online resource The activities shall be aimed at The workshop was deliv- provides teachers with access to ucators so that they can guide nicotine consumption habit not smoke can help decrease devoted to health and wellness earning profi ts and covering the ered by the American School of various educational resources the next generation of cul- and to cope with withdrawal the urge to smoke,” he said. during the holy month. One living costs for the licensee and Doha in collaboration with the and helps them identify new tural professionals and artists symptoms. He says nicotine, Dr al-Mulla advised those can visit the Ramadan Health his family. Department of Education at ways of encouraging more who can help Qatar originate which is one of the substances trying to quit smoking to avoid website at www.hamad.qa/ra- A ministerial decision was also Qatar Museums (QM), as well students to visit museums. sources for art and creativity in tobacco products, is highly inhaling second-hand smoke, madanhealth or download the issued to abolish the requirement as two Artists in Residence – As part of the event, par- from within,” QM’s Education addictive and noted that ciga- which could be as dangerous as app to one’s phone or tablet by to place an identifi cation sign at Mohammed al-Suwaidi and ticipants were also invited for director Dr Jelena Trkulja said rette smoke contains more than smoking itself. Second-hand searching for ‘Qatar Health’ the entrance of the licensee’s Nourbanu Hijazi. a tour at the Fire Station’s Cass in a statement. 70 cancer-causing chemicals. smoke contains more than (available for iOS and Android). home and banned the placement of any promotional or advertis- ing posters on the house or its MIA begins family activities, workshops external walls. The amendment was intro- To mark the holy month of displays of historic and duced at the request of the pub- Ramadan, the Museum of Islamic contemporary copies of Surat al- Volvo Cars celebrates 60 years lic to incentivise small entre- Art (MIA) has kicked off its annual Baqarah, Verse 183-187 from the preneurs and ease procedures Ramadan programme, which off ers Qur’an in diff erent languages. for applicants seeking a home community members a chance MIA is also working with the business licence. to take part in art workshops International Artists of Doha of sharing safety knowledge The placement of an identi- and events, in addition to family group, a non-profit group fi cation sign may embarrass the activities from May 8-18. created for artists residing in olvo Cars is for the fi rst possesses unrivalled safety and to underline that its shar- owner of the licensed home busi- Community members can join Doha, where one artist will time making its safety credibility and is renowned ing tradition goes beyond ness, who as a result may refrain a calligraphy course in Nasta’liq attend each evening and create Vknowledge easily ac- for its contributions to so- patents and physical prod- from applying for a licence. The starting from May 13 between pieces of art in the atrium under cessible in a central digital cietal progress. For decades, ucts, Volvo Cars now launches decision also takes into consid- 10am and 12noon. the theme “Light in Ramadan.” library, which it urges the car new safety technologies have Project EVA. The initiative eration preserving the privacy of For members looking for evening In addition, MIA is also organising industry to use in the inter- developed in the Volvo Cars embodies and celebrates 60 the Qatari community and main- classes after Iftar, a three-day evenings of engaging drop-in est of safer roads for all, it Safety Centre to ensure that years’ worth of sharing re- taining the continuity of home Clay Art workshop for adults will family activities, including a has been announced. The the cars are as safe as they can search into car safety with businesses. be held from May 12-14 between Ramadan Treasure Trail, Card announcement “symbolises be for what happens in real the world, but also highlights This initiative aims to regu- 8:30pm and 10.30pm. and Bookmark making, Cut the company’s philosophy of traffi c. The tests go beyond the a fundamental issue with in- late practising business activi- From May 13-14, another Out Ka’aba, Prayer mat paper boosting safety through shar- ‘average person’ represented duced by Volvo Cars in 1959, equality in terms of car safety ties at home, paving the way workshop will also be delivered weaving and lantern making. ing knowledge that helps sav- by crash test dummies, and are the three-point safety belt is development. for entrepreneurs and owners by Qatari photographer Abdulla All activities are available from ing lives and comes on the 60- enhanced to protect all people, estimated to have saved over Project EVA illustrates, of small businesses to innovate al-Mannai. This workshop will 8.30pm to 10.30pm on May 7, 9, year anniversary of what may regardless of gender, height, 1mn lives globally, not just in based on Volvo Cars’ own re- and invest in their own projects. focus on the importance of 11, 13, and 15. have been the most important shape or weight.” Volvos but also in numerous search data as well as several Allowing entrepreneurs to en- light in portrait and landscape Evening Ramadan-themed tours invention in the history of “The Project EVA initiative other cars, thanks to its deci- other studies, that women are gage in certain business activi- photography. will be available for MIA’s visitors automotive safety, the three- embodies the sharing tradition sion to share the invention in more at risk for some injuries ties at home provides entrepre- MIA’s Library will host a new every Monday and Thursday point safety belt,” according to of Volvo and helps improve the interest of improving traf- in a car crash. Diff erences in neurs a motive to expand their exhibition dedicated to the at 9.30pm. General tours of a statement issued in Doha by traffi c safety for everyone. We fi c safety. Since then, it has for example anatomy and neck projects and open shops that Qur’an, titled “The Holy Qur’an the Permanent galleries will Domasco, the exclusive dis- are proud to be Volvo’s part- continued to prioritise societal strength between the average will contribute to the develop- in Many Languages”. The be off ered on Saturdays and tributor of Volvo Cars in Qatar. ner in Qatar and provide our progress over fi nancial gain man and woman mean that ment and diversifi cation of the exhibition features various Tuesdays at the same time. Faisal Sharif, managing di- customers with the safest cars alone, the statement notes. women are more likely to suff er economy, the MoCI statement rector, Domasco, said: “Volvo on the road,” he added. Intro- To celebrate this milestone from whiplash injuries. added. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, May 9, 2019 QATAR QF graduates make their mark in Qatar’s workplace: industry leaders ince 2002, thousands of QF alumni have entered Sorganisations and compa- nies across the country, success- fully taking the knowledge and soft-skills they acquired at uni- versity into the world of work. These young men and wom- en have gone on to make inval- uable contributions to Qatar’s development, bringing their expertise to almost every sector in the country – from technol- ogy, healthcare, and engineer- ing, to art, music, business, and research. Following QF’s Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, repre- sentatives from leading organi- sations in Qatar have lauded the impact QF alumni have made across the nation. Hamad A Wahed al-Hamadi, senior strategic Qatarisation adviser, human capital, Qa- tar Petroleum, says that when construction of began years ago, engineers from Qatar Petroleum were as- Abdulla Nasser al-Khalifa Fatima Haidar Hamad A Wahed al-Hamadi Brig General (Air) Ahmed Ismail al-Zeyara signed to build many of its fa- cilities and infrastructure. for students or employees. We stitution of choice for cus- cation sector in the country, Qa- cruiting from the pool of indi- healthcare in Qatar are yielding ademic capabilities, knowledge, “Qatar Petroleum and its work closely with QF univer- tomers, employees, investors, tar Foundation has empowered viduals graduating locally. We results.” and human potential. subsidiaries have been great sities to ensure that their cur- and suppliers, and achieve Qatari youth to take on emerg- are therefore delighted that Brig General (Air) Ahmed Is- “QF university graduates have supporters of education. Over riculum is in line with the tech- sustainable, profitable growth ing responsibilities in the future. Qatar Foundation’s education mail al-Zeyara, director of the developed a reputation for ex- the years, a number of gradu- nical requirements a student and brand recognition, among And its graduates are an example strategy is yielding high cali- Directorate of Moral Guidance cellence in many fi elds such as ates from different QF uni- needs to work efficiently in the other objectives. of that ethos.” bre graduates from a variety of at the Ministry of Defence, said, politics and international rela- versities have joined our com- energy sector.” “Qatar Foundation is a close According to Fatima Haidar, disciplines to contribute to a “The Ministry of Defence, with tions, economics, business ad- pany, and other companies, in Abdulla Nasser al-Khalifa, partner to QNB Group in the chief of human resources, Ha- healthcare service we can all be other Qatari institutions and ministration, technology and the energy sector. Addition- general manager, Group Hu- education sector. Some of the mad Medical Corp, over recent proud of. the citizens of Qatar, takes great design, medicine, and engineer- ally, these companies promote man Capital at Qatar National initiatives shared between the years, graduates from QF uni- “Over the last few decades, pride in Education City and ing. Their performance has also STEM education and research Bank Group, highlighted how two organisations include the versities have made invaluable Qatar’s healthcare sector has holds it in the highest regard. made an impact on the various amongst students at all educa- QF’s graduates have been mak- periodic internships of Qatar contributions to the country’s seen extraordinary achieve- “The various contributions ministries and national institu- tion levels in Qatar. ing an impact in the finance Foundation university students healthcare sector. “As Hamad ments that benefi t patients and made by QF help foster academ- tions, including the Ministry of “We liaise with universities and business sectors. at QNB, and the hiring of new Medical Corp expands, we need communities. For instance, the ic capabilities that are necessary Defence”. “By honing the ca- such as Texas A&M University “Qatar Foundation students graduates across our network in to continue to recruit qualified World Health Organisation ranks for success both locally and in- pabilities of youth in diff erent at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon Uni- have made significant contri- Qatar. Additionally, QNB senior and efficient workforce to help Qatar in the top 25% of the world ternationally. Indeed, the goals fi elds, Qatar Foundation gradu- versity in Qatar, and Hamad butions to our international executives and staff frequently us realise our goals. Tradition- for access and quality. These outlined by QF are aligned with ates are playing a signifi cant role Bin Khalifa University, provid- journey at QNB Group, by lecture at QF academic institu- ally, that was done by recruit- achievements demonstrate that the goals of the Ministry of De- in shaping the future of not only ing sponsorships and opportu- helping us achieve the group’s tions. “By playing a central role ing from overseas; however, our collective eff orts in rais- fence and the Qatar Armed Forc- the Ministry of Defence, but Qa- nities for further development vision and goals: to be the in- in the development of the edu- now we have the choice of re- ing the standard of living and es as they both aim to unlock ac- tar as a whole,” he added.

QF, Qatari Autism Society renew partnership

atar Foundation (QF) and the already begun between QF and QAS to lighted that this agreement underpins Qatari Autism Society (QAS) mentor and train additional coaches this commitment and provides the ba- Qhave entered into a new Memo- with an autism specialisation. This will sis for our collaboration.” randum of Understanding (MoU) that allow for capacity growth in the coun- Sheikha Jawaher al-Thani, presi- will see the two entities collaborate to try by developing qualifi ed trainers to dent, QAS, said, “It was our aim provide additional sporting opportu- deliver sessions with a commitment from the beginning to promote and nities to people with autism. to providing high-quality lessons in encourage community involvement, The MoU formed part of QF’s Au- Qatar. and share social responsibility with tism Awareness Month activities, and Machaille al-Naimi, president of Qatar Foundation. Our aim of inte- it is the latest in a number of initiatives community development, QF, said: grating people with autism into the designed to open Education City to “Since the launch of the National Au- wider community and society re- everybody, providing accessible, inclu- tism Plan, and following the work flects a worldwide goal. This collabo- sive and ability-friendly programmes of the World Innovation Summit for ration is a wonderful opportunity to and facilities. Health, we have strived to provide achieve this objective, and we look Alongside providing additional autism-friendly activities through- forward to further co-operation and sporting activities in Education City – out Education City. It is vital that we greater participation in helping to including football lessons, swimming have accessible programmes in place to build accessible services in all facili- classes, and bowling – planning has reach all members of society. I am de- ties in Qatar.”

Ooredoo’s new promo Ministry off ers pricing benefi ts recalls 2019 Audi for Qatarna customers Q5 model oredoo has announced a new can save up to QR1,440 over the 12 promotion that will see Qatarna months. Speaking about the new pro- he Ministry of Commerce Ocustomers benefi ting from great motion, Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi – and Industry, in co-op- prices on the new iPhone XS and XS director PR and Corporate Communi- Teration with Q-Auto, has Max, as well as generous discount on cations at Ooredoo – said: “Ensuring announced the recall of Audi Q5 line rental for 12 months. we are competitive in the market is a model of 2019 due to a malfunc- The new promotion is open to cus- key priority for Ooredoo as part of our tion in brake master cylinder. tomers who wish to purchase a new corporate strategy, and we are con- The recall campaign comes device, as well as customers who would stantly monitoring market activities to within the framework of the like to purchase a SIM card at the same ensure our offering is the best value for Ministry’s continuous eff orts to time. our customers. Being able to provide protect consumers and ensure Customers buying a new iPhone XS the latest technology and devices is that car dealers 512 GB or XS Max 512 GB and purchas- also paramount for us, so this pair-up follow up on vehicle defects ing a new SIM card at the same time will of a discount on the latest iPhone and a and repairs. get Qatarna plan rental discount for 12 great-value line rental offer is the ideal The Ministry said that it will months, with the amount of discount combination for complete customer co-ordinate with the dealer to dependent upon their chosen package. satisfaction.” follow up on the maintenance Line rental discount will range from Customers can purchase new iPhone and repair works. QR20 per month on the Qatarna 350 XS and XS Max devices and sign up for It has also said that pack to QR120 per month on the Qa- Qatarna packs at any Ooredoo shop it will communicate with cus- tarna 850 pack, meaning customers around town. tomers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The Ministry has urges all customers to report any viola- tions to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and sug- gestions through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e- mail: [email protected], Twit- ter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, Ministry of Com- merce and Industry mobile app for android and IOS: MOCIQATAR Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 5 QATAR

Ties with Canada and UK reviewed WISE and UNDP host meeting to discuss Human Development Report

QNA The meeting also included into the equation, the UNDP Doha researchers and experts from highlighted the importance of the UNDPs National Human ensuring that government and Development team. society deploy their wealth he World Innovation The one-day event took the constructively in the service Summit for Education form of a roundtable during of improving human wellbe- T(WISE), an initiative of which fi ve main topics were ing.” Qatar Foundation for Educa- discussed: preliminary fi ndings “Qatar Foundation and tion, Science and Commu- of the 2019 HDR; inequality of WISE are delighted to wel- nity Development (QF), and levels and quality education; come the UNDP to this re- the United Nation Develop- social and emotional learning; gional consultation meeting ment Programme (UNDP) have inequalities in stimuli during to discuss the forthcoming hosted a regional consultation early childhood; and the inter- Human Development Report, meeting for the 2019 Human generational transmission of which focuses on inequality, Development Report (HDR) in inequality. and to share the Education Doha. Speaking on the occasion, City community’s perspec- The meeting brought to- CEO of WISE Stavros N Yian- tives on the future direction gether 15 researchers and lead- nouka said: “When the UNDP of the important work under- ers from various education in- launched the Human Devel- taken by the Human Develop- stitutions in Qatar, including opment Report and Index in ment Report team. We are also QF members Hamad Bin Kha- 1990, it did the world a great pleased that representatives lifa University (HBKU) and the service by emphasising that from HBKU, EAA, QFs part- Doha International Family In- human progress could not be ner universities, DIFI, and the HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met the ambassador of Canada to Qatar, stitute (DIFI); QF partner uni- measured simply in terms of World Innovation Summit for Stefanie McCollum, and the Charge d’aff aires of the United Kingdom embassy Peter Chamberlain. During the meeting, bilateral relations versity Georgetown University production and the accumu- Health have joined us for this and ways of enhancing prospects for co-operation, as well as issues of common concern were reviewed. in Qatar; and Education Above lation of material wealth. By roundtable discussion,” he All Foundation (EAA). adding education and health added. QRCS distributes food aid to 30,000 displaced Iraqis

QNA holy month of Ramadan. Doha The distributions came in time, af- ter months of co-ordination with the partners and authorities in Iraq”. atar Red Crescent Society Dr Ibrahim explained: “The cubed (QRCS) has delivered food aid beef stew is an innovative humanitar- Qfor the benefi t of 30,000 in- ian solution. ternally displaced persons in the gov- Traditionally, food aid was restrict- ernorates of Nineveh and Erbil in Iraq. ed to dried food products, because Food parcels of cubed beef stew they last long and do not need a fridge. were distributed, each sufficient for The same advantages are found in the a five-member family, based on the cubed beef stew, which is in compli- needs of every camp in Erbil and Mo- ance with safety standards and the Is- sul. lamic law. The shelf life of the product In a press statement, the Director is three years, and it provides the body of Relief and International Develop- with vital nutrients”. ment at QRCS Dr Mohammed Salah He thanked the donors for support- Ibrahim said: “With this aid, we seek ing this project, promising to do their to meet the needs of the displaced best in order to overcome any chal- Iraqis in the war-affected areas, par- lenges and reach out to the vulnerable ticularly with the beginning of the everywhere. Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) personnel delivered food aid for internally displaced persons in the governorates of Nineveh and Erbil in Iraq. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, May 9, 2019 QATAR NU-Q hosts graduation ceremony graduate from NU-Q’s inaugural class, Sara Ab- Adullah al-Saadi, spoke to the school’s latest – and larg- est – graduates at a ceremony on Northwestern’s campus in Doha. She told the 68 graduating seniors that NU-Q had “an incredible im- pact on the person I am today; this school has given me a world-class education, lifelong friends, and the tools to go on and make a dif- ference.” In introducing al-Saadi, NU- Q’s dean noted that while at NU- Q, al-Saadi “was one of our most active and accomplished students, so no one is surprised by her con- siderable achievements since that time.” Al-Saadi is the director of Public Diplomacy at Qatar’s embassy in Washington, DC and concurrently a candidate for a JD degree at Co- Sara Abdulla al-Saadi, NU-Q ’12, delivers the graduation speech at the ceremony. Hassan Mohamed al-Jahni, the student speaker, addresses his fellow graduates during the ceremony. lumbia Law School. As a student at NU-Q, she served as president Zebeib, chief communication of- 48 students received degrees in of the student body and won the fi cer of Qatar Foundation. communication. Sixteen of the Education City President’s Award, The student speaker for the graduates earned minors; seven in the highest honour accorded to a ceremony was Hassan Mohamed Middle East studies, seven in Me- student. al-Jahni who advised his fellow dia and Politics, and two Gender Northwestern University Presi- graduates to accept the challenge and Sexuality studies. In addition, dent Morton Schapiro, who has and believe in themselves, “I can’t 20 students earned certifi cates in attended every NU-Q graduation, promise that you won’t be under- strategic communication and 18 in told this year’s class that their work estimated in your life’s journey. Middle East studies. on “research projects, publica- However, I do promise you that This year’s graduating class tions, fi lms, videos, and documen- you can’t underestimate your- joins nearly 300 alumni, in addi- taries have been recognised across selves — knowing what you know, tion to al-Saadi, who are making a the globe for their excellence. The being where you have been, and mark with impressive accomplish- only word I can think of to capture learning what you have learned. ments and international recogni- your achievements is astonishing.” Never stop creating, never under- tion. These include awards from Also attending the ceremony estimate yourselves. Be the source the Cannes and Ajyal Film Festi- was Northwestern Provost Jonath- of change that you want to see in vals for short fi lms, documenta- an Holloway, along with other this region.” ries, and stories, as well as forging members of NU-Q’s Joint Adviso- This year’s 68 graduates, rep- careers in media, government, ry Board including HE the Minister resenting 17 countries with nearly business, and academia. of State Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz half of the group Qatari, make it Following this year’s graduation al-Kuwari, Supreme Committee the largest and most diverse grad- ceremony, the NU-Q community for Delivery & Legacy secretary- uating class to date. Together, the – faculty, staff , students, alumni general Hassan Abdullah al-Tha- students speak a total of 12 diff er- – joined the graduates and their wadi, Samir Mayekar, a member of ent languages with more than 70% family and friends at a Suhoor to Northwestern’s Board of Trustees women. A total of 20 students re- celebrate the graduation as well and president of the Northwestern ceived degrees in journalism and as to commemorate the school’s Alumni Association, and Mayan strategic communication, while 10-years in Qatar. NU-Q’s Class of 2019 Temporary closure of Gulf Intersection underpass in both directions

The Public Works Authority towards Al Rumailah Hospital on (Ashghal) has announced Al Rayyan Road will have to turn Ooredoo off ers double Nojoom points a temporary closure of the right towards Marmar Palace underpass at Gulf Intersection Roundabout, make a U-turn and oredoo has announced a generous off er for its (known as Al Mannai Roundabout) then use a temporary side road Nojoom members, that will see them receiv- in both directions on Al Khaleej that connects Al Rayyan Road to Oing double Nojoom points for all purchases Street for around four hours daily Al Khaleej Street as shown on the made at selected partner brands during Ramadan. and eight hours on Fridays for map. Nojoom is Ooredoo’s popular loyalty rewards pro- two weeks. The closure will start The temporary closure is aimed gramme, giving customers the opportunity to earn today and will be concluded on at completing the new bridge on and redeem points with a wide variety of partner May 21. A statement by Ashghal the Northern part of Al Mannai brands including retailers, hotels, beauty spas and said the closure will be in place Roundabout that is built as part salons, dining outlets and more. from 2am to 10am on Fridays and of the Interim Improvement The following brands are participating in the Ra- from 2am to 6am on weekdays. It of the B-Ring Road, Al Mannai madan Double Points off er and will be giving cus- is implemented in co-ordination Roundabout and Qasr Diyafa tomers double Nojoom points for all purchases made the promotion, Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi – direc- with the General Directorate of Roundabout with the aim to during Ramadan: Hotel Warwick Doha, Concorde tor PR and Corporate Communications at Ooredoo Traff ic. enhance the flow of traff ic and Hotel, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewel- – said: “We know our loyalty programme is incred- Road users are advised to use reduce congestion in vital areas. lers, Joyalukkas, Jumbo Electronics, Kingdom Travel ibly popular with our customers and they appreci- Al Mannai Roundabout on Al Ashghal will install road signs Services UK, Edible Arrangements, Village Markets, ate the extra value for money they receive through Khaleej Street to reach their advising motorists of the closure. and Wooden Bakery. earning and redeeming points. We’re delighted to be destinations during the closure. Ashghal requests all road users In order to collect their double Nojoom points, able to off er them even more with this double points The Western exit of Al Mannai to abide by the speed limit, and customers should follow the standard procedure; promotion from some of our most popular partner Roundabout will be also closed. follow the road signs to ensure hand over their QID and mobile number, and the brands, and we’re sure it will lead to even greater Vehicles heading from their safety. points will be credited to their account. Speaking of customer satisfaction.”

Recall of Ikea Sundvik models

he Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-opera- tion with Hamad & Mohamed Al Futtaim Co, has an- Tnounced the recall of Ikea Sundvik changing table/ chest of drawers, due to possibility of detachment of the fold- able part, which could be dangerous to children. The recall campaign comes within the framework of the ministry’s con- tinuous eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that dealers follow up on merchandise defects and repairs. The ministry said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- ment, which processes complaints, inquires and suggestions through the following channels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MO- CIQATAR, Ministry of Commerce and Industry mobile app for android and IOS: MOCIQATAR Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 7 QATAR QIB launches new takaful cover for low-income workers

IB has launched an “af- fordable” takaful product Qfor low-income workers called ‘Family Sheild — WPS’, underwritten by Daman Islamic Insurance company (Beema). This comes as part of the bank’s Some of the participants at Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre’s World Hand Hygiene Day 2019 event. eff orts in off ering products and services tailored to the needs of Qatar’s entire population. This low-cost takaful prod- uct can also be purchased by companies who want to give ad- Naseem Al Rabeeh marks ditional protection to their em- ployees and is available at QIB’s branch located in Barwa Commercial Avenue. Qatar is home to numerous World Hand Hygiene Day people from around the world, with a large percentage of the expatriate population in the aseem Al Rabeeh Medi- Dr Munir Ali Ibrahim, general (periodontics) was fi rst, while nurse Divvy Mol P S won the workers segment, supporting cal Centre in collabora- manager, Naseem Al Rabeeh Nisha Jacob (radiology) and best practice hand hygiene the large infrastructure projects, Ntion with the Ministry Medical Centre and Dr Nehla Shamily Merin (nursing de- champion award while Shemi that are in progress as part of of Public Health (MoPH) and Sharaf (Infection Prevention partment) came second and Ashim and Prasanth K Dhar- Qatar National Vision 2030 and World Health Organisation ob- and Control Team, MoPH) de- third, respectively. man got a special appreciation the preparations of the FIFA served World Hand Hygiene livered keynote addresses. In the inter-department cat- for their valuable contribution 2022 World Cup. Day 2019 at the Naseem Centre Both stressed the role of egory, reception was fi rst and towards best practice of hand The Family Shield WPS Taka- for Learning and Development quality and patient safety prac- nursing and biomedical depart- hygiene. ful plan is designed for these at the C-Ring Road branch. tice in healthcare. ments second and third, re- As part of the continuous workers providing fi nancial se- Babu Shanavas, general man- Dr Ibrahim cited the recent spectively. quality improvement and CSR curity for their families in case ager, Naseem Health Care, de- Joint Commission Internation- The results of the competi- initiative — Naseem Al Rab- of any unforeseen eventualities. livered the welcome speech and al (JCI) accreditation of Naseem tion for school students will be eeh Medical Centre’s year-long The plan can be purchased by MoPH representative Dhouha Al Rabeeh as a best example of announced soon. hand wash campaign’s fi rst contributing QR10 per month or Ammar Hamdani (infection the organisation’s commitment In a question and answer project was unveiled and hand- QR120 per year and provides a control observer, Health Care towards quality and safety of session for the audience, Mai- ed over by Dr Kassim Harid to cover of QR50,000 for death and Quality Management and Pa- patients. moona Beevi, from radiology Amir Ali and Krishna Kumar, QR100,000 in case of death due QIB headquarters tient Safety Department) inau- As part of the event, a poster and Radikha from MES Indian managing directors of Radio to accident. gurated the event. competition was conducted for School won special prizes for Olive 106.3 and Radio Suno 91.7. “Off ering a Shariah-compli- the counter without any medi- tem of insurance, where mem- She detailed various impor- employees, inter-department demonstrating and explaining Naseem Al Rabeeh’s cor- ant takaful programme to the cal tests.” said D Anand, gen- bers contribute a certain sum of tant aspects of hand hygiene and and school students. steps on hand hygiene. porate relation manager Arif low-income expatriate workers eral manager (Personal Banking money to a common pool. stressed how important it is in a Children from MES Indian Dr Mohamed Harid received and senior operation manager is another testament of QIB’s Group). It is defi ned as an Islamic in- health care facility. Dr Mohamed School, DPS-MIS, Bhavan’s a special appreciation memento Riashad P K were also present. commitment on fi nding innova- “QIB is well aware of the surance concept under which Kassim Harid, medical direc- Public School, Shantinikethan for his commitment and con- Nursing head Suja Mol, cor- tive solutions for all its custom- worker’s concern for their fam- policyholders co-operate among tor, Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Indian School and Bright Future tribution towards overall devel- porate relation offi cer Iqbal, ers and playing its role in the ily’s well-being in case of unseen themselves for their common Centre, presented a quality audit International School partici- opment of quality and patient infection control and hand hy- society. events and wanted to provide good. report with various aspects on pated. safety. giene co-ordinator Shemi Ash- “This unique takaful product them with an aff ordable and Every policyholder pays their quality and patient safety prac- In the individual poster com- Dr Sumith Syriac (oral sur- im and Asha Nair co-ordinated is useful and simple as it can be useful takaful solution.” contribution to help those who tice in the organisation. petition, Dr Sumpat Sunder geon) and his assisting staff the event. easily purchased instantly over Takaful is a co-operative sys- need assistance. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, May 9, 2019 QATAR

The soft opening of the Red Line South attracted a large number of residents and visitors who want to experience a new mode of A Doha Metro staff assists passengers on how to get or top up travel cards. transportation in Qatar. Easy access to and from metro stations As part of its continuous eff orts to provide a comprehensive travel experience, and in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Qatar Rail has made preparations to integrate Doha Metro enters a new phase Doha Metro with other modes of transport, including feeder bus services that will take passengers to and from metro stations. In a press statement, Qatar Rail announced that it also Rides cost QR2 for a single signed several partnerships with other service providers to From Page 1 journey and QR6 for day pass transport passengers at a low cost. For example, Metro Link – a (Standard) while those travel- complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the metro stations Three types of travel cards ling the Goldclub class will be and their surrounding areas – has been launched to support Doha can be used to ride the Metro - charged QR10 and QR30, re- Metro’s preview service. Standard Travel, Goldclub and spectively. Goldclub has larger Information about the service and bus stops can be accessed Limited Use. Passengers can buy and more comfortable seats. through the Qatar Rail mobile application. In addition, Karwa taxi the Standard Travel cards from The fee for acquiring a Stand- service is providing fixed tariff s for Doha Metro passengers. Other vending machines at Metro sta- ard Travel card is QR10 while the transportation solutions will be added, and reduced prices for metro tions and licensed retailers such Goldclub card costs QR100 (val- passengers will be off ered with other transport service providers, in as Jumbo Electronics, LuLu, id for fi ve years from the date of the near future. Al Meera and Carrefour, Qatar purchase); credits for travel have “Doha Metro is considered one of the most important pillars of Rail said on its website (https:// to be added on to these cards. Qatar’s new integrated transport system. We invite everyone to www.qr.com.qa). Children aged below fi ve travel experience the metro during this phase and to share with us their The company said that it will for free. experience so that we can review the key factors that may aff ect soon start selling travel cards in The Limited Use cards can our services in the future,” Ajlan Eid al-Enazi, chief of Strategies and other licensed retailers. Gold- be used for a single journey or Business Development at Qatar Rail, said. “We will develop solutions club cards will be available at for day-long travel. It cannot to address those factors to enhance the experience of passengers. Goldclub offi ces at the Metro be topped up with travel credits It is also an opportunity for the public to get a closer look at the new stations, while Limited Use cards unlike the Standard and Gold- transportation system, become familiar with it, and use it to help us can be bought from vending ma- club cards. Besides Standard and build a customer base before the network is fully operational,” he chines and Goldclub offi ces at Goldclub carriages, the trains added. stations. also have a section for families. Doha Metro off ers a comfortable and relaxed ride. PICTURES: Jayan Orma In line with Qatar Rail’s aim to reduce the public’s dependence on private cars, car parking areas in stations are limited. Drop off and Fastest in the region pick up parking areas are provided in all stations, although there are some stations that have limited parking spaces such as Al Wakra Doha Metro has one of the fastest driverless and Al Qassar. trains in the world and will be the fastest in the In a proactive step, Qatar Rail launched a special mobile application region; able to reach 100km per hour. (app) for metro services ahead of the preview service to encourage In total, 110 trains – consisting of three cars, individuals to register, create an account, and link their Travel Cards. one of which will be for Gold and Family Class Passengers can use the app’s journey planner to manage their and two for Standard class – will be delivered to trips and view the network map and current operational stations. Doha Metro: Gold will have 16 seats, family 26 They can also receive instant updates on the status of the service, seats and standard 88 seats. via the website, digital screens at stations, and on trains. Qatar Rail Doha Metro trains are designed and built announced the readiness of the operational Red Line stations to to world-class standards of modernity and welcome passengers, and flags with Doha Metro logo to mark open innovation. Their dynamic shape represents the stations. perfect symbol of intelligence and speed. The Red Line stations encompass a special architectural identity The front end of the vehicle and its lines – that of ‘vaulted spaces’; a concept that reflects on the heritage define a shape that is powerful yet elegant, of the region by introducing open spaces that mimic traditional while the windows are inspired by the slender Bedouin tents. The design also uses ornamentation that shed light eyes of local wildlife. The design is custom made on the aesthetic elements and foundations of dynamic lighting and for the Doha Metro project and the interior ventilation systems. is inspired by the progressive architecture The station mock-up brings to life the tribute that the Doha Metro present in Doha skyline, once again combining station designs pay to Qatari heritage through the use of traditional traditional and modern elements. elements of Islamic and local art and ‘pearl-eff ect’ interiors. The colours of the Red Line stations’ interiors reflect the identity of the Red Line, also known as the coastal Line, as it runs along the coastal side of Doha. The stations are air conditioned indoor stations. Each station contains a customer service centre, Gold Club off ice, a police booth, separate male and female prayer areas and restrooms that cater for people with disabilities. The stations also include monitors to display journey information and train services, as well as signage to guide the visitors. All stations are equipped with security cameras and a first-aid room to preserve the security and safety of all passengers. Qatar Rail off icial Ajlan Eid al-Enazi.

Each of the Metro stations provides easy and smooth access to passengers.

A view of a section of Doha Metro’s underground track Some passengers display their Goldclub pass.

Gulf Times 10 Thursday, May 9, 2019 HOL STIC Wellbeing Pen will always be mightier than the keyboard A Healthy Ramadan By Hannah Jane Parkinson nected with the act of physi- healthy, organic, living food. Our Guardian cally marking things. I wrote bodies deserve the best — and everywhere: on the backs of fag while the best isn’t always the vi- packets, inside cereal boxes, able option — Ramadan is a period ech may be effi cient, but the margins of newspapers, my of time whereby because we are there’s nothing like the skin. The most enjoyable aspect fasting, our bodies will thrive on Tscratch and scrape of the of writing? (Apart from, per- healthy food during the entire humble ballpoint. haps, writing something good?) month. It will enable us to release It is one of my greatest con- Writing with the perfect pen. I and regenerate. cerns that, with the ubiquity of don’t mean a £350 Mont Blanc, Remember, breaking your fast tech, I now have the handwriting because if you are writing with should be slow and paced — not ability of Edward Scissorhands. I a £350 pen I will assume you fast. My best practical advice for found myself composing a note are a banker and responsible for By Ghanim al-Sulaiti this time of year is to break fast by to my neighbours recently, and the fi nancial crisis. I am talking drinking warm water, followed by a it took three attempts to make it about the mighty Uni-ball Eye. date. Drinking hot water provides legible. I used to carry a Mole- This is one of the world’s most We’re now four days into Ram- your body with the water it needs skin around with me, as all good ubiquitous pens, adored for its adan, a month of self-awareness, to replenish fluids in a calm way writers should. Now, I just have cushioned grip and rollerball reflection, detoxing, and cleanse. that doesn’t shock your system. It my phone. This can be uncom- that glides across paper. We detox from the fast paced can also improve digestion, relieve fortable when it looks like I am Many people swear by the per- habits of our everyday lives, we congestion, and make you feel rudely texting while someone fect fountain pen, and I admit to detox from negativity, and we more relaxed ahead of Suhoor. is talking; I am in fact making liking its quill-esque nature, but free ourselves from the routine of While you may feel it’s diff icult notes. I was scarred early on by having regular eating. During Ramadan, to stay healthy during Ramadan, As a child, I was such an ob- repeated leaks in school bags. we’re able to look deeply into given your typically increased noxious show-off that I recall (Also by having to wash my hand ourselves and our soul, and have hunger levels…it can be done. Start attempting cursive – joined-up to a Lady Macbeth degree after the time to implement changes for the break of your fast by consum- writing – while my classmates using.) the better. ing easy to digest food. Soups, or were practising print letters. I’m sure it isn’t true that Over the next month, our diges- fruits are perfect examples. Then, Unfortunately, I made the mis- words are better when inked, tive system will take a well-earned gradually begin to start adding take of joining up not only the and whenever I hear of authors break, and adjust to a newer, heavier foods like beans, grains, letters, but the words too, so an insisting on writing manuscripts lighter way of eating. Also at this leafy greens and salads. I mention entire four-page story resembled by hand, I stifl e an eye-roll. But time, our minds will stop thinking these foods specifically as our the rolling waves of the sea. The it’s a bit like when I change the about food, and shift to other bodies need significantly less food shame is still with me. typeface on Google Docs: one areas of life, including spiritualty, during Ramadan because of our Over time, my handwriting minute I’ve written something religion, and more. This mind shift daytime fasting. changed from a tween style that banal, then suddenly, after is essential as humans we have I have always felt Ramadan is a looked like blown bubblegum switching from Arial to Geor- become consumed with thinking powerful month in many diff erent to intensely scribbled, squished gia, I am a genius. I don’t miss only about food, even when we ways, and consuming the healing missives. My lowercase T trans- the wristache, but I do miss the are not hungry. properties of plants will enhance formed into a crucifi x and my scratch and scrape of a loyal This Ramadan, reward your bod- the cleansing nature of this holy ampersands were a blase loop. friend, like an outfi t that guaran- ies. How, you might ask? Start month, and ensure the journey is My love of writing was con- tees a good time. My kink is ink. this holy month by opting out of as beneficial for our well-being as eating meat and dairy, and let your can be. body cleanse during the fasting To all readers, Ramadan Kareem. period in the best way it can. The cleanse that can take place during The author is an expert in vegan We are overdosing on ‘success’ pills with no idea what they are treating Ramadan will get rid of toxins, and wellbeing and health. clear space in our stomachs for Instagram handle: @Ghanim92

than single trophies – after all, when we complete a marathon, everyone wins a certifi cate for doing it their own way! Once we Wellness Meal Plan accomplish this change, it’s time to respect ourselves as much as we respect our goals and ambi- tions. Improvement in under- standing oneself begins with creating a resume of your weak- nesses as detailed as the one of your strengths. Observe your By Sanah Thakur behaviour, write down your pat- terns. When you see yourself be- having in ways that could sabo- I have grown tired of skim- tage your future success, educate ming through my social me- yourself on how to change that. dia, reading snippets of success Ask yourself deeper questions: stories that all hum to the same 1- How do I react when I don’t symphony – one that has ac- get the things I want? celerated the speed of success, 2- What behaviours is my in- skipped numerous beats and ternal critique always targeting? incorporated multiple tunes in 3- When I get overwhelmed one song. What I mean is – Why by work, how does my brain and is every ‘successful’ individual body react? Does one trigger a today rushing to achieve their reaction in the other? How can wildest dreams to fi nd out their I work to strengthen them both? brain couldn’t handle it? Why 4- How do I react to unex- are children learning to ‘become pected events? great’, when their mind isn’t even 5- Do I understand what my prepared to deal with the ‘not so emotions do to me? great’ reality of everyday? And why do we overdose on success “If you have a comprehensive pills, with no idea what they are explanation for everything then treating? it decreases uncertainty and If you ask any young person anxiety and reduces your cogni- today, where they see themselves tive load”, says Jordan Peterson, in 5 years, you’ll get a wish list clinical Psychologist. Defi ne of skills and jobs, hardly ever your personality, strengthen in the same category. With op- yourself and explore the rea- portunities oozing out of every Maybe we start focusing on ing the race of success is made cess is the desire for early retire- sons behind everything you do. open door, we’ve reached a point achieving mental strength and from glass – which we all know, ment. It might sound glorious, As Friedrich Nietzsche put it (as of wanting a dream just because growth and then worrying about shatters. The faster we get where but according to a Pew survey, quoted by Peterson in his book, others can have it. So, by the time exterior goals. Maybe we should we want, the faster we are over- young people today have more 12 Rules for Life), “He whose we’re 30, we’ve been following be focusing on prevention rather whelmed by it. According to Jean debt and less income compared life has a why can bear almost Papaya Blueberry Chia Pudding bowl too many ideals, mastering all than cures? Twenge’s research published to their parents at their age. any how.” The real ‘success’ we skills and reaching no clarity of The sophisticated human by the American Psychological These statistics prove that while should be promoting is the de- Did you know, papaya is rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibre. what enjoyment one truly wants brain as we know it, has only Association, mental health dis- celebrating tangible success has velopment of strategies to take Papaya boosts your immunity and is a great option for people with from their life. “In the rush of been around for one fourth of the orders such as depression, anxi- defi nitely made us work harder care of yourself in almost every diabetes as it has low-sugar content. It is also rich in Vitamin A which chasing my goals, I neglected by time we have spent on this Earth. ety and suicide have increased and dream bigger, learning to situation, expected or unex- helps protect your vision and it improves digestion. It also prevents mental health and only when it Scientists today only know a mi- substantially in young adults (26 deal with ourselves can prove to pected. Stories we create about signs of ageing and for all the ladies out there, papaya helps with eas- was detrimental to further suc- niscule amount about the way years and younger), in the last be more useful than managing our lives should be evaluated on ing menstrual pain. It can also prevent cancer and reduce stress levels. cess, did I decide to change my we think and act, and this is still decade in the United States. Spe- stocks or Instagram followers. lessons learnt well and lessons And because we want you to enjoy papayas in a fun way with all family life and pursue true happiness. after studying for nearly all their cifi cally, a 71 percent increase in What can we do to ensure that yet to be learnt. Success can’t members, yes we mean your kids who think papayas are yucky!, here’s I am what I am because of this life. So, if a PhD in neuroscience young adults experiencing seri- we promote healthy success di- be achieved by overdoses, but by how to make this beautiful bowl of goodness. awareness and change.” This is a only helps you to the extent it ous psychological distress in the ets? Firstly, it’s important we the consistent treatment of ALL fi ctitious life story I just created, has, imagine how little us PhD previous 30 days, was reported redefi ne ‘success’ from a 500m symptoms noticed at ALL times. Ingredients: yet it sounds ridiculously famil- less citizens know. This is proba- from 2008 to 2017 (from 7.7 per- race to a 5K marathon. Celebrat- 1/2 cup of black chia seeds iar, doesn’t it? Don’t you think bly why we seem shocked to fi nd cent to 13.1 percent). Another ing the achievement of mile- The author can be contacted on 1/4 cup of thick coconut milk it’s time we tweaked this story? out that the trophy for complet- major consequence of early suc- stones is much more endearing Instagram @sincerelysanah 1/4 cup of cashew milk 1/4 cup of shredded coconut 1/2 cup blueberry 1/4 cup raspberry 2 tbs of almond butter 1/2 a spoon of coconut oil My birthday gift to myself 1/2 Papaya May 7 2018, I remembered that my corporate job last year to and going to plan, we forget to Sometimes it seems like the Method: evening like it was yesterday. work for myself, remembering take it one day at a time. After only way we slow down is when In a blender, mix the blueberries, the raspberries, coconut and cashew The last year has been in- to take things one day at a time a while of living in the day and tragedy strikes or we reach an milk. Blend well. Add the shredded coconut. Now soak the chia seeds credibly eventful and full of ad- helped me centre into the fact being present, I realised that all-time low. But it doesn’t in the mix. Keep in the fridge to soak overnight. Serve cold with berries venture and excitement, not to that I didn’t have to constantly things were going ok. I got busy have to be this way. Living in and almond butter. Use the papaya as a bowl and scoop the papaya mention the challenges and big stress about how I was going with clients and workshops and the moment can be a way of life. flesh with the chia pudding. decisions that had to be made to handle marketing and strat- then ‘one day at a time’ sud- Taking things one day at a time too. It got me thinking how eve- egy for my new line of work, or denly went right out the win- doesn’t have to be reserved for Enjoy the taste of eating right! rything is moving so fast, and about the huge amount of work dow! Instead of staying in the when we’re facing a problem or how I am constantly thinking that goes into planning work- here and now, my mind start- tragedy or dealing with grief. about what’s next. As a result, I shops that I give. ing racing ahead to the future. We can make ‘One day at a do at times, feel stressed, over- I loved that time. There was I was living a month at a time, time’ our mantra for life. Life is By Shefa Ali whelmed and kind of anxious. peace during that time because a year at a time or a project at not about accumulating all the These days it can be diffi cult to I was able to stay mindful dur- a time and worrying about the yesterdays and stressing about be truly present. The gift I am ing the day, focusing on every outcomes. I am sure you can re- all the tomorrows, our presence It was my birthday this week, re-giving myself this year is the small, individual actions right late to this feeling. We move so is our power. another year has just fl own by gift of staying present. down to my meal preparation. fast or get so caught up in our with the blink of an eye. When Being able to live in the mo- I was staying in the right now plans and goals that it becomes The author is a consultant and the iPhoto notifi cation on my ment is one of the keys to living and it was a beautiful feeling. impossible to be mindful about coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ iPhone popped up a picture of a truly joyful life. When I left When life starting getting busy our day, much less the moment. shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD/RAMADAN Protest coalition calls Spiritual and physical for civil disobedience well-being via fasting

l-Bukhari, may Allah have mer- cy upon him, has reported that campaign in Sudan Athe Messenger of Allah (sallal- laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Paradise has eight gates and one of them is Ar- Reuters Rayyaan through which none will en- Khartoum ter but those who observe fasting.” As- Suyooti, may Allah have mercy upon him, has reported that Al-Haarith Ibn udanese protest and opposition Kalda, may Allah have mercy upon leaders called yesterday for a him, stated that: “Imposing absti- Scampaign of civil disobedience nence from food” was the essence of in response to what one of them de- medicine. Fasting, in medical terms, scribed as the military’s “disappoint- may mean a variety of things. ing” answer to their proposals for an Some health care practitioners might interim government. recommend juice fasting. This type of This could put the protesters and fast eliminates all solid foods and the the ruling Transitional Military Coun- person consumes only fruit and veg- cil (TMC) on a collision course fol- etable juices. Others might recommend lowing weeks of wrangling over how elimination of all foods except fruits and to manage an interim period after water for a specifi ed time. Some might the ousting of long-ruling President even recommend eliminating all foods Omar al-Bashir from offi ce. and drinks for specifi c periods. The re- “We call for and prepare for civil ported purpose for these forms of fasting disobedience,” Madani Abbas Madani, is to cleanse toxins and poisons form the pation. Another study suggests that husbands have a right over their wives. a leader of the Declaration of Free- body and the digestive tract. Islamically fasting may improve cholesterol levels. Breaking the fast with dates or sips dom and Change Forces (DFCF), told a speaking, fasting both voluntary and Al-Bukhaari, may Allah have mercy of water is better. Again, this is based news conference in Khartoum. obligatory is an act of worship. Although upon him, has reported that the Mes- on the Prophet’s Sunnah, sallallaahu The DFCF, the opposition groups’ there may be health benefi ts, its primary senger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa ‘alaihi wa sallam, and the narration umbrella body, did not give details of purpose must always be to please Allah. sallam, said that Allah said: “All the reported by Abu Daawood, may Allah what it planned. Alternative medicine views fasting deeds of the children of Aadam are have mercy upon him: “When one of But the DFCF has led work strikes, as a detoxifi cation method. This simply for them, except fasting, which is for you is fasting, he should break his fast marches, protest sit-ins and other means that it is used to purify the body Me and I will give the reward for it.” with dates, but if he cannot get any, acts of civil disobedience for weeks. by eliminating “toxins.” This process Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy then (he should break his fast) with wa- Protesters have also blocked bridg- enhances the healing processes of the upon him, has also reported that the ter, for water is purifying.” Muslim, may es, roads and rail tracks, disrupting Madani Abbas Madani, a Sudanese protest leader, speaks to the press in body. Fasting generally is perceived to Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Allah have mercy upon him, has report- Sudan’s transport infrastructure. Khartoum, yesterday. spare any harm to vital organs but uses narrated that Allah said: “The fast is ed that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi Khalid Omar Yousef, another pro- fatty tissue, etc. For energy produc- for Me and I will give the reward for wa sallam, said: “The Ajwah date is an test leader, said the aim was not to TMC, yesterday and urged it to reach using to divide the people for the is- tion. Naturopathic health care practi- it, as he (who observes the fast) leaves excellent remedy.” The best days for start a confrontation with the mili- agreement with the DFCF that re- sue of mobilisation,” DFCF member tioners generally proscribe short fasts. his (sexual) desire, food and drink for fasting are Mondays and Thursdays. At- tary but to speed up efforts to resolve flects the will of the Sudanese people Yousef said. Because body temperature may drop My Sake. Fasting is a shield (from Hell) Tirmithi, may Allah have mercy upon the impasse. and to move “expeditiously” toward Sudan’s population of around during a fast, as does blood pressure, and there are two pleasures for a fast- him, also reported that the Prophet, Thousands of protesters have a civilian-led interim government. 40mn is about 97 % Muslim, with pulse, and respiration, it is considered ing person, one at the time of breaking sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The camped for weeks outside the De- In a statement, State Department most of the rest Christians. The important to stay warm. Fasting is his fast and the other at the time when deeds of men are presented to Allah fence Ministry in central Khartoum spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said country is a mix of ethnic groups, seen as possible treatment for a variety he will meet his Lord. The smell of the on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like and, having secured a military over- Sullivan also “encouraged the TMC including Arabs, Nubians and other of disorders and diseases including: mouth of a fasting person is better in mine to be presented when I am fast- throw of Bashir, are now demand- to allow peaceful protest and the African ethnic minorities. obesity, chemical poisoning, arthritis, Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.” ing.” The thirteenth, fourteenth, and ing that the TMC hand over power freedom of expression consistent Opposition leaders said at the allergies, psoriasis, eczema, leg ulcers, There are specifi c requirements for fi f teenth of each lunar month are also to civilians. The constitutional draft with Sudan’s human rights obliga- news conference yesterday that the irritable bowel syndrome, bronchial the Muslim to consider when fasting. recommended for fasting. prepared by the DFCF describes the tions.” On Tuesday, the TMC wel- TMC response would effectively give asthma and even depression. First is the intention to worship Allah While both the obligatory fasting duties of a sovereign transitional comed the proposals but said they the military control of a proposed in- Fasting is a protection for the body and obey His commandments. Sec- during Ramadan and the voluntary fast- council that would replace the TMC, neglected some important issues terim government. A TMC member, and the mind. At-Tirmithi, may Allah ond, is that the fasting must take place ing during the remainder of the year but does not specify who would sit such as a reference to Shariah as a Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta, have mercy upon him, has reported between dawn to dusk. Muslims are are acts of worship, they may provide on it. The plan, seen by Reuters, also source for legislation. The protest- said the council was prepared to sit that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa prohibited from fasting for more than healing to the body. Whatever healing outlines the responsibilities of the ers accused the TMC of dragging its down with the protesters to discuss sallam, said: “Fasting and the Qur’an two continuous days without breaking may occur because of fasting is a bless- Cabinet and a 120-member legisla- feet, saying issues like Shariah were the differences. intercede for a man. Fasting says, ‘O the fast. This is based on the narration ing from Allah, however this should not ture. not a matter for the interim consti- The TMC has said it is willing my Lord I have kept him away from his reported in Al-Muwatta, which states be the intention or the goal of fasting. US CALL tution. to agree to a government of tech- food and his passions by day, so accept that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Fasting gives us a greater ability to con- US Deputy Secretary of State “Issues like Shariah and the lan- nocrats, but that it wants to retain my intercession for him.’ The Qur’an sallam, forbade fasting for two days or trol our desires and emotions. It should John Sullivan spoke with Abdel Fat- guage of the state, those are ideo- overall control pending elections to says, ‘I have kept him away from sleep more without breaking the fast in be- not be con sidered a “cure-all” or a diet tah al-Burhan, the chairman of the logical weapons the former regime prevent Sudan sliding into chaos. by night so accept my intercession for tween. Likewise, fasting is prohibited programme. Those who fast will receive him.’ Then their intercession is accept- on certain days: ‘Eid al-Fitr, ‘Eid al- their reward from Allah as long as their ed.” Research has shown that fasting Adha, and on Jumu’ah (Fridays unless intentions are pure and their fasting is CONCERN can improve the control of diabetes. the person has fasted the day before or not harmed or nullifi ed by lying, back- Palestinan food aid Another study has shown that fasting will fast the day after). Married women biting, or evil deeds. improved the health of persons with are admonished not to fast without the Article source: http://www. threatened by irritable bowel syndrome and consti- permission of their husbands, as the islamweb.net ‘funding crisis’: UN New US sanctions on The UN warned yesterday that its agencies providing food assist- Iran’s metals industry ance to Gaza must raise tens of millions of dollars within weeks to avoid significant aid cuts. Reuters lic. “Today’s action targets Iran’s rev- The UN’s World Food Programme Washington enue from the export of industrial met- and its agency for Palestinian refu- als — 10% of its export economy — and gees, UNRWA, currently provide puts other nations on notice that allow- food assistance to more than 1mn resident Donald Trump yesterday ing Iranian steel and other metals into people in Gaza. But the United ordered new sanctions on Iran, your ports will no longer be tolerated,” Nations humanitarian coordina- Pthis time targeting the Islamic Trump said in a statement. tor for the Palestinian territories, Republic’s export revenues from its “Tehran can expect further actions un- Jamie McGoldrick, warned that the industrial metals sector, and vowed to less it fundamentally alters its conduct,” agencies were facing “a serious keep squeezing Tehran unless it “fun- Trump said. The Trump administration funding crisis.” damentally alters” its policies. says the nuclear deal, negotiated by his The announcement was made on predecessor Barack Obama, was fl awed the anniversary of Trump’s unilateral as it is not permanent, does not address CONFLICT withdrawal of the United States from Iran’s ballistic missile programme and Yemen government a 2015 landmark deal between Tehran does not punish it for waging proxy wars and world powers to curb its nuclear in other Middle East countries. accuses UAE of programme in exchange for easing some Leading Democratic lawmakers such landing separatists sanctions and hours after Tehran said as Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on it would no longer fully comply with the Senate’s Middle East subcommit- The Yemeni government has the accord.Tensions were already high tee, said Iran’s halting compliance to accused the United Arab Emirates between Washington and Tehran when some parts of the deal was “disastrous of landing around 100 separatist the Trump administration said last news” and accused Republican Trump’s troops on a remote island in the weekend that it was deploying a carrier administration of making America Arabian Sea this week, deepening strike group and bombers to the Middle much less safe through its policies. a rift between nominal allies in East, in response to what it said were House of Representatives Speaker Yemen’s war. “troubling indications and warnings” Nancy Pelosi requested a briefi ng on Yemeni off icials said around 100 from Iran. Iran for members. Hours before the separatist fighters had disem- Before Trump’s executive order for fresh US sanctions, Iranian Presi- barked in civilian clothes on the sanctions, a senior White House dent Hassan Rouhani announced Te- Monday from a UAE naval vessel offi cial said Washington would impose hran was reducing curbs to its nuclear on Socotra, the main island in a more economic curbs on Tehran ‘very programme with steps that for now sparsely populated Yemeni archi- soon’ and had warned Europe to stop stopped short of violating the 2015 pelago in the Arabian Sea. doing business with the Islamic Repub- accord. France seeks Libya ceasefi re

Reuters solution to the Libyan confl ict...the Overnight, there was shelling on Tripoli/Paris proposal was put forward to delimit a camp of pro-Serraj fighters, wit- a ceasefi re line, under international nesses said. supervision,” Macron’s offi ce said in Shrapnel struck the roof of a near- rance’s President Emmanuel a statement afterwards, backing a UN by migrants’ detention centre in the Macron called yesterday for a peace plan and elections. eastern suburb of Tajoura. Fceasefi re in the month-long France has in the past been sup- Two people were injured by the battle for Libya’s capital Tripoli after portive of eastern Libyan forces strike near the detention facility fi ghting hit a migrant detention centre commander Khalifa Haftar, who holding 500 migrants and refugees, overnight. launched an assault on Serraj’s the UN refugee agency UNHCR said With foreign powers aghast at the Tripoli base in early April under the in a statement. latest fl are-up in a nation that has banner of combating terrorism and It appealed for the release of 3,460 been in chaos since the 2011 toppling restoring order. foreign detainees caught near the of Muammar Gaddafi , Macron met With Haftar’s troops bogged down fighting. the internationally-recognised Lib- in southern outskirts, fighting has Frightened migrants, who had yan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj in been raging through the night but come mainly from sub-Saharan Af- Paris. slowing in the day as the fasting rican nations hoping to reach Europe “Noting that there is no military month of Ramadan began this week. by sea, pleaded for rescue. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, May 9, 2019 AFRICA

NABBED ‘CONSPIRACY’ PRESS FREEDOM BALLOT BATTLE COMPENSATION Congo captures suspect in Ghana arrests 20 in Bar independent media from Court hears challenge to Namibia tribes appeal UN experts’ murder separatist crackdown 2020 poll: Burundi off icial Buhari’s election victory ruling in genocide suit

DR Congo authorities yesterday recaptured one Police in Ghana have arrested at least 20 people A senior Burundi election off icial has called for A panel of five judges in Nigeria yesterday began Lawyers for the Herero and Nama tribes on Tuesday of two escaped prisoners who were on trial for the accused of preparing to declare an eastern region independent media to be barred from covering hearing a legal challenge by opposition parties appealed a New York court ruling dismissing killing of two UN investigators, while the second as an independent country. The men, arrested the East African country’s presidential polls to the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari their compensation claim against Germany for suspect eluded arrest. Evariste Ilunga Lumu and in and around the town of Ho, some 150km in 2020, local press and witnesses reported in February elections. President of the Court of the genocide of their ancestors in present-day Kanowa Tshiaba, who escaped from prison in the city northeast of the capital Accra, are accused of yesterday. Jean Anastase Hicuburund, from the Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, said four petitions Namibia. In a filing before New York’s federal of Kananga on Monday night, are on trial in the killing leading a campaign for a separate nation called National Independent Electoral Commission, had been lodged by opposition parties against appeals court, lawyers for the two ethnicities claim of Michael Sharp, an American, and Zaida Catalan, ‘Western Togoland’. Yesterday’s arrests follow the urged that off icial steps be taken to “block the the results of the February 23 poll, in which Buhari a lower court erred in its March 6 decision, which a Swede, in March 2017. Sharp and Catalan were detention of eight men on Sunday. Those arrested way for those media who do not want to follow was re-elected for a second term with 56% of the said Germany was protected from their suit by investigating a conflict in the central Kasai region include the group’s leader, 85-year-old Charles the path taken by the government”. “They vote. “We are going to be hearing the matter on a the principle of sovereign immunity of a state. between state security forces and the Kamuina Kormi Kudjordji. They face charges of conspiracy have done everything to bring the country to day-by-day basis,” Bulkachuwa assured the parties, Germany is vulnerable to the claim because it owns Nsapu militia, which prosecutors blame for their to commit treason, as well as charges connected its knees,” he told an audience of journalists promising “to dispense justice to all, without fear or real estate in New York, and the remains of some deaths. Tshiaba was arrested but Ilunga managed to the alleged training of a militia force. “Members and civil society groups in Bujumbura. The favour, aff ection or ill will.” Atiku Abubakar, of the genocide victims are interred at the city’s American to slip away, said Timothee Mukuntu, Democratic of the group are being picked up,” a police off icer comments were reported by SOS Media Burundi main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Museum of Natural History, the filing says, repeating Republic of Congo’s top military prosecutor. said, who asked to remain anonymous. and confirmed to AFP by two sources present. came second with 41% of the vote. arguments rejected in the March ruling.

Zimbabwe court rules against ANC set to win SA vote appointment of MDC’s Chamisa

AFP amid faltering support Harare

Reuters Johannesburg Zimbabwe judge has overturned the ap- pointment of the main opposition MDC Aparty’s leader Nelson Chamisa, rendering outh Africans voting yesterday invalid all decisions he has made in the role, state in a national election expressed media said yesterday. Sfrustration at rampant corrup- High Court judge Edith Mushore ruled against tion, high unemployment and racial Chamisa’s appointment as one of the party’s inequalities that persist 25 years af- vice presidents three years ago, upholding a legal ter the fi rst all-races poll marked the challenge lodged by a rival party member. end of white minority rule. “All the decisions made under (the) Nelson The vote for a new parliament and Chamisa administration are null and void. He nine provincial legislatures is the cannot preside over party matters,” the state- toughest electoral test yet for the Af- run Herald newspaper said in its court report. rican National Congress, which has The MDC, which has been plagued by infi ght- ruled South Africa since that 1994 ing, dismissed the ruling and accused President vote. Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU- Nelson Mandela’s former libera- PF party of being behind it. tion party is hoping to reverse or at “We fundamentally disagree with the judge- least arrest a slide in support. ment. The choice of leaders of any political “I’m a member of the ANC but I party, the world over, is the sole preserve of the didn’t vote for them this time,” said members of that party,” it said in a statement. construction worker Thabo Ma- “We are fully aware of the machinations and khene, 32, in the commercial hub of strategies being deployed by the Mnangagwa Johannesburg. administration to destabilise and destroy (the “They need to catch a wake-up. party).” The way they run the state, mishan- Veteran MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai ap- dling state funds, they’ve lost their pointed Nelson Chamisa and Engineer Elias morals.” Mudzuri as party co-vice presidents before Ts- The elections are the fi rst test of vangirai’s death last year. national sentiment since President Chamisa then took over as party leader and Cyril Ramaphosa replaced scandal- was the MDC candidate in presidential elections plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state last year, which were won by Mnangagwa. in February 2018 after four years as Chamisa insists that fraud denied him victory his deputy. in the election, which came after Robert Mu- Queues built up at polling stations gabe’s ousting in 2017. throughout the day. Offi cials have said the results could be announced by Saturday. South African’s President Cyril Ramaphosa casts his vote at Hitekani Primary School voting station in Soweto. 9 killed in latest Boko raid Opinion polls suggest the ANC will again win a majority of the Na- Some voters said they would back ing station in Soweto, where Ram- promised to improve service deliv- his ballot in Soweto, where he grew oko Haram fi ghters have killed nine peo- tional Assembly’s 400 seats but an- the ANC. aphosa cast his vote. ery, create jobs and fi ght corruption. up. ple in two separate attacks in northeastern alysts say its margin of victory may “They have made mistakes before “We’ve made mistakes, but we are But his reforms have been held up The EFF’s leader Julius Malema, a BNigeria, looting and torching a village and fall as eff orts to address racial dis- but this time we have the right man,” sorry about those mistakes, and we by divisions and opposition within fi ery orator who formed the party in ambushing three farmers, offi cials and local mi- parities in land ownership, housing said Alpheus Zihle, 69, a pensioner are saying our people should reinvest his own party. 2013 after he was expelled from the litia forces said yesterday. and services falter. in Alexandra township in Johannes- their confi dence in us,” the president Africa’s most industrialised econ- ANC, cast his vote in the northern Fighters packed in trucks with gunmen on The country remains one of the burg. said. “We are going to correct the omy grew at an estimated 0.8% in city of Polokwane. motorbikes stormed into the village of Molai just most unequal in the world, accord- Polls were to close at 9pm but may bad ways of the past.” 2018 after recovering from a reces- “If you need change, the EFF is before sunset on Tuesday, when villagers were ing to the World Bank. be kept open to allow those in the The ANC’s biggest challengers are sion in the fi rst half of the year when the way to go,” said Malema, whose preparing to pray and break their fast for the Joblessness, with more than 27% queues to vote. the main opposition party the Dem- a drought hit farming, although party won 6% of the vote in 2014, Muslim holy month of Ramadan. out of work, high crime and corrup- Some polling stations around Jo- ocratic Alliance (DA) and the leftist blackouts at power utility Eskom making it the third-largest presence The extremist gunmen, loyal to Boko Haram tion have also fuelled discontent. hannesburg opened late or did not Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). continue to drag on activity. Growth in parliament. chief Abubakar Shekau, killed six people and Pete Mokokosi, a 77-year-old have voting materials, while in the The ANC won 62% of the vote in is forecast at 1.5% this year. It wants to nationalise mines and burned dozens of homes. pensioner, said he felt South Afri- Western Cape Province offi cials said 2014’s parliamentary election, down The centre-right DA won 22% of banks, and played a key role in hold- Usman Kyari, who heads the state Emergency cans needed change, a better econo- ballot papers were running out at from 2009 and far short of its best the parliamentary vote in 2014. ing Zuma to account for spending Management Agency, said six bodies were col- my, education and jobs. some locations. result, 69% in 2004 under president It appointed its fi rst black leader state money on non-security up- lected after the attack. “The weather changes everyday, Five of the more than 22,000 poll- Thabo Mbeki. Mmusi Maimane in 2015 and made grades to his private residence. All had been shot dead. why can’t we?” he said as he waited ing stations had still not opened as of Analysts have put that falling headlines by leading coalition vic- But assurances of change were not “The insurgents burnt around 40 homes and to vote in the township of Soweto in 1500 GMT due to unrest in the com- support down to graft allegations tories in local government elections enough for some voters. looted goods,” Kyari said. Johannesburg. munities, the Electoral Commission against government offi cials, a slow- in Pretoria and Johannesburg a year “When it comes to election time, Molai, which is 5km from Borno state capital In Cape Town, Anneke du Plessis, said without elaborating. ing economy, high unemployment later. everyone is going to say they are go- Maiduguri, has been repeatedly attacked by the 43, who works at a media company, Eff orts were being made to resolve and demands from black citizens for But splits within the party could ing to do this and that for you. But extremists. said her vote was to end corruption. the issues. more equitable distribution of land. see its support wane. once they get the votes... there’s not Tahiru Jimai, a villager, said he and his family “We have to unite and stop this Hundreds of people covered in Ramaphosa — who became ANC “Fear says to us let’s stick with much done,” said 30-year-old Na- had been fasting all day, and were resting while downward spiral. This is the most blankets and coats in the chilly win- leader after narrowly defeating what we know, hope says let’s bring then Irusan in the town of Tongaat, waiting for prayers to start at dusk. important vote since 1994,” she said. ter morning gathered outside a poll- a faction allied with Zuma — has change,” Maimane said after casting about 37km north of Durban. “Our home was destroyed,” he said. Kenya to upgrade old rail track to deliver Uganda link

By Duncan Miriri, Reuters The Nairobi-Naivasha stand- materialise, with neither govern- Nairobi ard gauge rail (SGR) line, will be ment off ering any explanation. opened in August but does not “It is much faster to rehabili- yet extend to Uganda. tate because the (Naivasha-Mal- enya plans to modernise “We need to make sure that aba) SGR would take three to four an old railway track to link when we commission the SGR in years,” Macharia said, without Ka newer line to neighbour- August, we have connectivity to commenting on the potential ing Uganda at a cost of $210mn, Uganda from the SGR so we have loan that fell through. with funding from an unidenti- to rehabilitate that line to make “Eventually we will do the fi ed private backer rather than sure it is properly functional,” SGR anyway but for the time be- building another modern one Kenyan transport minister James ing it is good to have something with Chinese money. Macharia told Reuters, adding which is working,” the minister The development of Kenya’s that the work will take a year to said, adding that the funding will railways has been part of China’s complete. come from a private fi rm which “One Belt, One Road” initiative, Macharia said that spend- will recoup its investments by a multi-billion dollar series of ing $150mn to rehabilitate a operating the line. infrastructure projects upgrad- decades-old line from Malaba “We have got a private sector ing land and maritime trade on the border with Uganda and partner who will do this work. routes between China and Eu- using the rest to build another And then for the recovery rope, Asia and Africa. short track connecting the SGR we have a PPP (Public Private Kenya opened a modern rail- at Naivasha would be a quicker Partnership) arrangement with way linking the port of Mombasa option than building another them,” he said. with the capital Nairobi in 2017 SGR. Critics say Kenya is saddling at a cost of $3.2bn. A Chinese loan worth $3.7bn future generations with debt This was then linked with an- for the extension of the SGR from from China, while the govern- other new line, costing $1.5bn and Naivasha to Malaba, which was ment says borrowing to build the also funded by Chinese loans, to last month reported by Kenyan infrastructure will spur econom- Naivasha in the Rift Valley. media to be imminent, did not ic development. A train on the SGR line arrives at the Nairobi Terminus. Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 13 AMERICAS

EVIDENCE LACKING TRAGEDY TESTIMONY RACE RIFT Canada drops charges 4 children among 6 dead in FBI has 850 open cases on Video sparks calls for new against vice-admiral New York apartment fire domestic terrorism probe of activist’s death

Prosecutors yesterday dropped breach of A fire in an apartment building in Harlem early The Federal Bureau of Investigation has around A newly-released video of the controversial trust charges against the former second yesterday claimed the lives of six people, 850 open investigations into domestic terrorism, arrest of a black woman who was found hanged in command of Canada’s military, accused including four children, the New York Fire most of them involving anti-government in a Texas jail cell three days later, has revived of leaking cabinet secrets related to Department said. About a hundred firefighters and white nationalist extremists, a senior FBI calls for a fresh investigation into her death. The shipbuilding plans. After reviewing new converged on the building in response to an off icial said yesterday. About half of the 850 family of Sandra Bland, 28, was awarded $1.9mn evidence in Vice-Admiral Mark Norman’s emergency call at 1.40am, and traced the blaze involved anti-government, anti-authority actors, in a wrongful death settlement following her case, they said they were “no longer of the to a fifth floor corner apartment. “Our members Michael McGarrity, the FBI assistant director for 2015 arrest. Bland’s death was off icially classified view that a reasonable prospect of conviction aggressively moved in extinguishing the fire. counterterrorism, told the House Homeland Security as a suicide. The 39-second video of Bland’s exists”. “The Crown has concluded that it will When they reached the two rear bedrooms, they Committee. Another 40% are racially-driven arrest was obtained by the Investigative Network not be able to prove beyond a reasonable found six occupants of that apartment deceased, extremists, he said. McGarrity said the Internet and and aired by Dallas TV station WFAA. Bland’s doubt that Mr Norman’s conduct in this case four children and two adults,” Daniel Nigro, the social media have driven the recent rise in domestic death was ruled a suicide but her family has amounted to a serious and marked departure city’s fire department chief, said on Facebook. extremist threats, which he said develop similarly to rejected that explanation. Bland, who was active Vice-Admiral Mark Norman arrives at the from the standards expected of a person in “As aggressive as the members could be, they threats from domestic Islamic extremists, which the in the “Black Lives Matter” movement, had just courthouse in Ottawa yesterday. his position of trust,” said a statement. were not able to reach those occupants,” he said. FBI labels homegrown violent extremists. moved to Texas to start a new job.

Student held Trump now claims executive for murder in Denver privilege on Mueller report shooting Reuters Reuters Colorado Washington he older of two students he White House yesterday in- accused of opening fi re in voked the legal principle of ex- Ta suburban Denver high Tecutive privilege to block the re- school, killing one classmate lease of the unredacted Mueller report and injuring eight others, was on Russian election meddling, chal- being held yesterday on murder lenging US House Democrats as they and attempted-murder charges, met to vote on holding Attorney-Gen- court records showed. eral William Barr in contempt for refus- The 18-year-old suspect be- ing to hand over the document. ing charged as an adult, Devon The White House’s move escalated a Erickson, was due for an initial constitutional clash between the Dem- appearance later yesterday in ocratic-controlled House of Represent- Douglas County District Court atives and Republican President Donald in Castle Rock, Colorado, a short Trump over its powers to investigate distance from the scene of Tues- him, his administration, his family and day’s gun violence. his business interests. His accused accomplice, who House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top is under the age of 18 and has not Democrat in Congress, said Trump’s been publicly identifi ed, is being moves to thwart subpoenas were ob- charged separately as a juvenile, structing oversight by lawmakers and authorities said. inquiries into Russian interference to The two teenagers are accused boost Trump’s candidacy in the 2016 US of opening fi re on fellow students election, the subject of Special Counsel in two classrooms at the science, Robert Mueller’s report. technology, engineering and math “Every single day the president is (STEM) School in Highlands Ranch, making the case. He’s becoming self- about 40km south of Denver. impeachable,” Pelosi told the Washing- The 18-year-old student killed ton Post, referring to the impeachment in the shooting, identifi ed by his process in Congress to remove a presi- family as Kendrick Ray Castillo, dent from offi ce. was a senior just days away from Pelosi added that Barr, the top US law graduation, police said yesterday enforcement offi cial and a Trump ap- as they continued to search for a pointee, should be held in contempt of motive in the attack. Congress. Erickson was being held on Barr last month released a redacted, suspicion of a single count of 448-page version of Mueller’s report on fi rst-degree murder and 29 the fi ndings of his 22-month inquiry. counts of attempted murder, Barr has refused to comply with a according to court records, al- subpoena by the House Judiciary Com- though it was not immediately mittee for an unredacted version and its The House Judiciary Committee meets on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, yesterday, to vote on whether or not to hold Attorney-General William Barr in contempt over his clear how prosecutors arrived at underlying evidence. refusal to comply with a subpoena seeking an unredacted version of the Mueller report. that number of charges. Executive privilege is sometimes Eight students wounded in the claimed by US presidents to keep other clear the contours of the doctrine of ex- for the Trump administration to assert Committee Republicans condemned held any Cabinet member in contempt. shooting survived. branches of government from getting ecutive privilege. executive privilege now that the Muel- the move to hold Barr in contempt. Mueller’s report details extensive Precisely what happened in- access to information about internal In the case US vs Nixon, then-presi- ler probe has run its course is “laugh- “What a cynical, mean-spirited, contacts between Trump’s campaign side the STEM school remained executive branch information. dent Richard Nixon was ordered to de- able, it’s frivolous, and it has no basis in counterproductive and irresponsible and Moscow as well as the campaign’s unclear. Spurlock said there was a Democrats said the Trump adminis- liver tapes and other subpoenaed mate- reality.” step,” said Doug Collins, the commit- expectation of benefi ting from Russia’s “struggle” as offi cers entered the tration waived executive privilege when rials to a federal judge for review. Trump is stonewalling numerous tee’s top Republican. actions. building, and some students said it allowed some senior Trump advisers, The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that a investigations by House Democrats, Nadler subpoenaed the full docu- Mueller said there was not suffi cient one victim was shot in the chest including former White House Counsel president’s right to privacy in his com- ranging from Mueller’s probe to other ment and all underlying evidence, say- evidence to show a criminal conspiracy as he tried to tackle a shooter. Don McGahn, to talk to Mueller’s team munications must be balanced against matters such as Trump’s tax returns, his ing lawmakers needed it to determine between Moscow and the campaign. A man who identifi ed himself during the investigation. the power of Congress to investigate past fi nancial records and White House whether Trump obstructed justice by The report also describes a series of as Fernando Montoya said his The Justice Department said allow- and oversee the executive branch. granting of high-level security clear- trying to impede the Mueller probe. actions Trump took to try to impede 17-year-old son, a junior at STEM, ing such cooperation did not mean the The White House said Democrats ances to members of his family. Barr missed two subpoena deadlines Mueller’s investigation. was shot three times when a administration relinquished the right to forced the move. Court action is likely to follow. for turning over the material, the latest On Tuesday, the Trump administra- shooter walked into his classroom assert executive privilege now. “Faced with chairman Nadler’s bla- The Judiciary Committee was slated on Monday. tion stymied a separate eff ort by House and opened fi re. “He said a guy House Judiciary chairman Jerrold Na- tant abuse of power, and at the attorney to vote on a resolution recommending When the House was controlled by Judiciary Democrats to subpoena pulled a pistol out of a guitar case dler said the White House was misap- general’s request, the president has no the full House fi nd Barr in contempt of Republicans, it voted in 2012 to hold records from McGahn, directing him and started to shoot,” Montoya plying executive privilege in “a clear es- other option than to make a protective Congress. Eric Holder, attorney general under not to provide the documents. told the Denver TV station. calation in the Trump administration’s assertion of executive privilege,” White A contempt citation against Barr, Democratic President Barack Obama, Mueller’s report said McGahn told The bloodshed shocked the blanket defi ance of Congress’s consti- House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders who last week also refused to testify in contempt for failing to turn over investigators Trump unsuccessfully affl uent suburb of Highlands tutionally mandated duties,” adding that said. before the panel, could lead next to an subpoenaed Justice Department docu- directed him to remove Mueller — an Ranch. Parents and students neither Barr nor Trump should be per- House Democratic Caucus Chairman enforcement action, either in the courts ments about a gun-running investiga- order he did not carry out — and then had considered the school a safe mitted to be “above the law.” Hakeem Jeff ries, a member of the Ju- or in Congress, involving fi nes and pos- tion. asked him to deny that Trump had done place for its 1,850 pupils ranging A 1974 Supreme Court ruling made diciary Committee, told reporters that sibly imprisonment. It was the fi rst time Congress had so. from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Ingenious gadgets, real-world quandaries at Washington’s all-new Spy Museum

By Paul Handley, AFP nel that penetrated East Berlin in The museum’s coverage is glo- spying world’s failures, includ- door of KGB headquarters and Washington the 1950s to tap Soviet commu- bal, and mostly without judge- ing a display of the actual intel- said I’m here to buy spy equip- nications. ment. ligence that, if it had drawn more ment,” Melton said. And there are gadgets galore: China’s theft of US secrets and attention, might have helped While he raised some suspi- lipstick pistol, a button- a pregnant woman disguise from technology is on display; so is the prevent Al Qaeda’s September 11, cions, many realised he was a hole camera, a lethal um- the CIA and a suicide needle hid- theft, centuries ago, of China’s 2001 attack. genuine collector who didn’t talk Abrella and an authentic den in a silver dollar coin, for use silkworm and tea cultivation And, with a waterboard on about politics. waterboarding table: the espio- by Francis Gary Powers, the U2 know-how by Westerners. display and a video discussion of “I like gadgets, they like gadg- nage world’s heroic, ingenious spy plane pilot shot down by the Woven in between are engag- actual participants, there is a dis- ets,” he said. “Cameras, micro- and sordid sides are all on show Soviet Union in 1960. ing, well-designed interactive quieting debate on the CIA’s use dots, coding machines, short in Washington’s all-new, much- There are historical encryption exhibits and challenges that of torture after 9/11. range transmitters: that’s the es- expanded International Spy Mu- machines, including Germany’s press the question: what would The museum has its roots in sence of espionage.” seum. Enigma, and a display on the the visitor do? the 7,000-piece collection of The pride of his collection is The hugely popular showplace microdot technology central to One tests a person’s lock- Melton, a navy veteran and en- gruesome, but he spent four dec- that once conjured James Bond spying for decades last century. picking ability, while another gineer who, beginning in the ades seeking it: the ice axe that and Austin Powers as much as it Among all manner of odd takes visitors through a series of 1960s traveled the world to Joseph Stalin’s assassins used to did actual life-and-death Cold items throughout the museum tests of memory, judgment and amass. murder Leon Trotsky in Mexico War intrigue has grown and, in are a saboteur’s exploding lump observation in a simulated spy He advertised that he was a in 1940, in the climax of an in- the tailwind of 9/11 and the War Author H Keith Melton talks about the new International Spy of coal, pills that CIA operatives operation. buyer of any spy technology, and tense three-year intelligence op- on Terror, grown up. Museum during a media preview in Washington, DC. entering Cuba could use to sedate In yet another, visitors take the he sought out and befriended eration. Relocated in a gleaming new barking dogs and the sketchbook role of CIA analysts in the 2011 agents and offi cials from all sides Melton is hugely proud of the steel and glass building double interactive games and simulated On show, as before, is the icon- of a KGB agent operating under- situation room where, holding of the Cold War game. new museum, but somewhat the size of its former premises, situation rooms to decide: could ic Aston Martin DB5 from 1964’s cover in New York in the 1950s. deeply imperfect intelligence, “As the wall fell in Berlin, I wistful about the new digital the Spy Museum still amazes and I be an intelligence agent? James Bond thriller Goldfi nger. “The objectives of spies have they must decide whether to ad- was there,” he said, and the col- age, in which computer technol- charms with the tales and gadg- The Spy Museum has been one But now there is also room for not changed over the centuries,” vise Barack Obama to approve a lection’s extensive spyware from ogy has replaced many espionage ets of the undercover world going of the US capital’s most popu- an equally sleek 1980s Amber said Keith Melton, whose mas- raid on the Abbottabad, Pakistan East Germany’s Stasi service is tools. back centuries. lar private destinations since it surveillance drone, the precursor sive collection of espionage gear compound possibly housing Os- the result. “I think we are past the golden But now it also depicts the opened in 2002. of the Predator. is the core of the museum. “The ama Bin Laden. Weeks after the Soviet Union era of spy devices. This is now the complex and often unsettling The new premises opens of- There is a British World War II only thing that has changed is Complex issues are engaged crumbled in December 1991, he most powerful spy device in the challenges of the world of shad- fi cially on Sunday, just ahead of one-man submarine, and an ac- the technology, and how they ac- and not whitewashed. travelled to Moscow. world,” he said, pointing to his ows, with visitors asked in clever the summer tourist season. tual section of the CIA/MI6 tun- complish the objectives.” The museum puts on show the “I went and knocked on the smartphone. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, May 9, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Singapore passes ‘fake news’ law despite fi erce criticism

AFP in extreme cases get them taken groups, who fear they could stifl e or false or, even more worrying, Khiang. “It is more like the ac- companies will say many things to already has tough legislation Singapore down. If an action is judged to be online discussion, tech companies ‘misleading.’” tions of a dictatorial government try and advocate their position,” against sedition, defamation and malicious and damaging to Singa- with major bases in the fi nancial The measures were debated for that will resort to any means to he said. “We have to show them disturbing racial harmony, that pore’s interests, companies could hub and journalists’ organisa- two days in parliament, which is hold on to absolute power.” we are fair, but also fi rm.” The can be used to police the web. ingapore’s parliament yes- be hit with fi nes of up to S$1mn tions. The legislation “gives the dominated by the ruling People’s The Asia Internet Coalition, an government stresses the laws tar- The Internet has up until now terday passed laws to com- ($735,000). Singapore authorities unchecked Action Party, before being passed industry association whose mem- get false statements, not opinions, been a relatively free space in Sbat “fake news” that will Individuals could face jail terms powers to clamp down on online late yesterday. The city-state’s bers include Facebook, Google and that ordering “corrections” Singapore and there are some lo- allow authorities to order the re- of up to 10 years. Authorities in views of which it disapproves,” small opposition Workers’ Party and Twitter, has described it as to be placed alongside falsehoods cal alternative news sites, which moval of online content despite the tightly-controlled country – said Nicholas Bequelin, Amnesty — with only six elected members the “most far-reaching legislation will be the primary response are typically more critical of the fi erce criticism from tech giants long criticised for restricting civil International’s regional director in the 89-seat chamber — op- of its kind to date”. But address- rather than fi nes or jail terms. Any authorities than the traditional, and rights groups. liberties – insist the measures are for East and Southeast Asia. posed the measures. ing parliament Tuesday, law and government decision can be ap- pro-government newspapers and They give government minis- necessary to stop the circulation “It criminalises free speech “To introduce such a bill is home aff airs minister K Shan- pealed to the courts — although TV. ters powers to order social media of falsehoods which could sow and allows the government al- not what the government, which mugam said that tech companies critics say there are few people The fi nancial hub of 5.6mn sites like Facebook and Twit- divisions in society and erode most unfettered power to censor claims to defend democracy and could not be relied upon to regu- who would have the resources people is among several countries ter to put warnings next to posts trust in institutions. But the laws dissent. It doesn’t even provide public interest, should do,” said late themselves. or will to take on the authorities. which have passed laws against authorities deem to be false, and have sparked outrage from rights any real defi nition of what is true one of the party’s MPs, Low Thia “This is serious business. Tech Critics also note that Singapore fake news. Thai junta-backed party edges closer to form govt

AFP tary-appointed senators. The re- tle help from coalition partners. trading, negotiations and chal- gruangkit, who led the youth- Bangkok sults were announced more than The most obvious candidates are lenges. The Shinawatra-linked oriented force to third place in a month after the March 24 vote, Bhumjaitai and the Democrat Pheu Thai party won the most the popular vote and 80 seats. But Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha casts his ballot in the the fi rst election since the mili- Party, which both have more than lower house seats with 136 – pos- Thanathorn has been hounded general election at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, in this hailand’s army-backed tary seized power in a 2014 coup. 50 lower house seats. Offi cials ing a legitimacy crisis for the by legal complaints that the ris- file picture. party needs only a small It was held under new rules from both said yesterday they gruff junta leader Prayut should ing star has blasted as “political Tnumber of allies to get crafted by the generals, including have yet to reach a decision. he become prime minister. sabotage”. It has been fl ooded with com- Naresuen University. enough votes to allow coup leader the creation of appointed sena- “The party is split,” longtime Pheu Thai threatened to take He said yesterday in a press plaints since the election, and re- The junta has portrayed itself Prayut Chan-o-cha to cling to tors who can vote for prime min- Democrat offi cial Sirichok Sopha legal action over the formula conference that Future Forward counts and new voting sessions as a necessary force to maintain power, according to fi nal elec- ister. told AFP. The election was widely used to calculate seats, calling was ready to talk to any party were held in a handful of polling stability in Thailand, which is tion results released late yester- Palang Pracharat party leader seen as a choice between junta- the Election Commission’s action “that does not support Prayut as stations. Even if Prayut clinches broadly divided between populist day that were immediately chal- Uttama Savanayana said on Fa- backed rule and those aligned “an intentional abuse of the law a prime minister in order for our the prime minister’s post, Palang forces and an arch-royalist army- lenged by anti-junta rivals. cebook after the results that it is with billionaire ex-premier and against the constitution”. democracy to move forward”. The Pracharat may not cobble to- backed elite. The release of elec- The junta-linked Palang Pra- “ready to work and move forward Thaksin Shinawatra. It is part of a lower house coa- Election Commission has come gether enough lower house seats tion results comes two days after charat party now has 115 seats with our policies we promised to A whopping 27 parties will lition with six other parties, in- under fi re for wildly inaccurate to ram through legislation. “That the end of the elaborate corona- in the lower house, only 11 votes the people”. Despite the booked- have seats when parliament con- cluding upstart newcomer Future initial counts, 2.1mn invalidated means a stalemate in terms of tion for Thai King Maha Vaji- shy of a majority in the combined in advantage, the lower house re- venes within 15 days. Yesterday’s Forward headed by telegenic bil- ballots, and the staggered re- making any policy,” said political ralongkorn, the 10th monarch of parliament thanks to 250 mili- sults leave the party needing a lit- results are likely to set off horse- lionaire Thanathorn Juangroon- leased of full results. scientist Napisa Waitoolkiat of the Chakri dynasty.

NZ unveils plan to go carbon neutral by 2050 New Zealand introduced legislation yesterday to make the South No knockouts in fi nal debate before Australian polls Pacific nation carbon neutral by 2050, although greenhouse gas emissions from the economically vital agricultural sector will not have to meet the commitment. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Reuters ests. Earlier yesterday, Shorten the bill would help New Zealand contribute to a goal of limiting Sydney took aim at a story in News Cor- average global warming to 1.5C over pre-Industrial Revolution poration’s Daily Telegraph that levels. criticised him for omitting bits “The government is today delivering landmark action on ustralia’s leader and his of his late mother’s life story in a climate change – the biggest challenge facing the international main challenger played television appearance. community and New Zealand,” she said. The centre-left leader said Ait safe in an inconclusive The paper said Shorten risked avoiding the issue would be “gross negligence” and burden future fi nal debate tomorrow ahead of losing credibility with voters by generations. But the legislation does not explicitly outline how the next week’s election, though op- recounting, to explain his mo- economy will become carbon neutral by 2050, sparking criticism position Leader Bill Shorten won tivation, how his mother sacri- from environmental campaigners. momentum with an emotional fi ced studying to be a lawyer to Instead, it establishes an independent Climate Change attack on a newspaper story earn a living as a teacher, with- Commission, which is charged with helping New Zealand reach the about his mother. out mentioning she did become goal by setting five-yearly “emissions budgets”. The agriculture Polls, which have tightened in a lawyer later in life. The tabloid sector, one of the country’s top export earners, has been granted recent weeks, show Prime Min- and its News Corp stablemates, major concessions in the bill, which is set to pass parliament by ister Scott Morrison’s centre- which dominate the Australian the end of the year. right Liberal Party in a losing media scene, have been heav- Biological methane from livestock, the source of about one-third position. He used the debate to ily critical of Shorten and Labor of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases, has been exempted from the attack Shorten’s Labor Party’s over the month-long campaign. ambitious goal set for carbon dioxide. The legislation mandates proposed tax and climate change “I’m glad she wasn’t here today a 10% reduction in biological methane by 2024. “Agriculture is reforms as too risky and expen- to read that rubbish,” an emo- incredibly important to New Zealand, but it also needs to be part sive at a delicate moment for the tional Shorten told reporters at of the solution,” Climate Change Minister James Shaw said. “That economy. Nowra, 140km east of Canber- is why we have listened to the science and also heard the industry Shorten countered by saying ra. He added that she won little and created a specific target for biogenic methane.” they were necessary to maintain work as a lawyer, fi nding it very But the Farmers Federation said even that target meant the growth in one of the fi rst discus- tough as an older woman. government had “given up on pastoral farming”. “Let’s be sions of the headwinds facing Australia’s Labor leader Bill Shorten (left) and Liberal leader and prime minister, Scott Morrison, take part She nevertheless wrote a text- clear, the only way to achieve reductions of that level, is to cut Australia in a campaign where in “The Leaders’ Debate” at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra yesterday. Last week’s poll book on education and law, he production – there are no magic technologies out there waiting for trade tensions and an increas- showed the election will be closely fought, but also underscored the complexities of Australia’s election said. “She’s brilliant. And that’s us to implement,” vice-president Andrew Hoggard said. “At this ingly dovish central bank have system — which asks voters to rank parties by preferences and encourages voting pacts between major what drives me.” Analysts said point in time we have no idea how to achieve reductions of this roiled markets and the curren- and minor parties. his delivery and passion would level, without culling significant stock numbers.” cy. “With a trade war between resonate with voters. “It kind While the government described its legislation as “binding”, China and the United States, and He is running on a platform of swers during the debate before low-carbon, much more pro- of worked for him,” said Peter Greenpeace New Zealand said it did not include any way to all the other uncertainties that tax cuts and economic creden- journalists at politicians at the ductive economy,” he said. Chen, professor of political sci- enforce the targets, rendering it “toothless”. “What we’ve got here are in our region, I believe that tials as a former treasurer just as National Press Club in Canberra. Sydney think tank the Lowy ence at Sydney University. is a reasonably ambitious piece of legislation that’s then had the what’s important for Australians the economy shows signs of be- “What this government calls a Institute published a poll yester- “It allows him to reach a con- teeth ripped out of it,” executive director Russel Norman said. ... is that we ensure that they ginning to slow. cost, I call the future. What this day showing Australians regard stituency of older women who “There’s bark, but there’s no bite,” he said. have as much resources available Shorten said his opponent government calls a cost, I call a climate change as the top chal- totally understand what that to them,” Morrison said. was backward-looking in his an- transition in our economy to a lenge to the country’s vital inter- narrative is all about.”

Lanka president vows to destroy militancy Accident site

AFP attacks against three Christian seriously wounded when two Islamic State group and attrib- Colombo churches and three luxury ho- bombers hit the luxury Shangri- uted to a local radical cell called tels. Investigators believe that La hotel in Colombo on April National Thowheeth Jama’ath. the operation was planned from 21. “We pay tribute to Chelsea The bombers targeted three ri Lanka’s president yes- the coastal region which is lo- — and all those lost and injured luxury hotels and three Chris- terday vowed to crush cated close to the home base of — by partnering with Sri Lanka tian churches. Nearly 500 peo- Sthe extremist groups re- the group’s leader Zahran Hash- and nations worldwide to bring ple were wounded in the attacks, sponsible for the Easter Sunday im — who was one of the sui- unity in the face of terrorism,” the worst single-day bombing bombings that killed 258 peo- cide bombers who attacked the Teplitz said. against civilians in the Indian ple, his offi ce said. Maithripala Shangri-La hotel in Colombo. Ocean island. Offi cials said De- Sirisena toured the village of Offi cials said police and troops Sri Lanka’s police caminada was airlifted to Singa- Sainthamaruthu where several stepped up security in the re- say they have pore for treatment, but she suc- militants fought a gun battle gion for Sirisena’s unannounced cumbed to her injuries over the with troops and set off three sui- visit. either killed weekend. cide explosions, leaving 16 peo- Sri Lanka’s police say they or arrested all “As we mourn her loss, we ple dead on April 26 — days after have either killed or arrested all must continue to fi ght terror- bombers attacked churches and the militants responsible for the the militants ism around the world,” US Com- luxury hotels in the deadly East- Easter suicide bombings but the responsible for merce Secretary Wilbur Ross er attacks. threat of global terrorism per- department said in a statement. “The off ensive to crush Is- sists. At least 56 suspects are in the Easter suicide The Sri Lankan foreign min- lamic extremists is successfully custody, according to the police. bombings but the istry had previously said 44 moving forward,” Sirisena’s of- Meanwhile, a US offi cial foreign nationals died in the at- fi ce quoted him as saying. “The wounded in Sri Lanka’s Easter threat of global tacks, while another 10 are still operation will move to its logical Sunday suicide bombings has unaccounted for. conclusion by crushing the ter- died in hospital, raising to 258 terrorism persists Sri Lankan authorities say rorists.” the total number killed, includ- Decaminada, a graduate of they have arrested or killed all The confrontation at ing 45 foreigners, offi cials said Duke University, worked for the militants responsible for the Police remove vehicles from the scene after a car ploughed into a group of kindergarten children Sainthamaruthu, near the yesterday. the US Commerce Department April 21 suicide bombings, but leaving at least four of them critically injured at a crossing in Otsu, Shiga prefecture, Japan. Police coastal town of Kalmunai, came Alaina Teplitz, the US ambas- and was on assignment in Sri the island still faces the threat said the car veered onto the pavement after making “contact” with another larger vehicle that was fi ve days after the militants car- sador to Sri Lanka, paid tribute Lanka when she was caught in of “global terrorism,” the prime turning at the junction. ried out six co-ordinated suicide to Chelsea Decaminada who was the bombings, claimed by the minister said on Tuesday. Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 15

BRITAIN Foreign Offi ce to press UAE over football fan’s detention Guardian News and Media building. gal complaint over the handling He wore a Qatar shirt to the he was held until February 12. I’m receiving counselling and am detention to check his wel- London Ahmad and his lawyer, Rodney of Hedges’ case. match, not knowing that do- Ahmad, who is fl uent in spo- struggling to sleep.” fare and spoke to him on the Dixon QC, attended a meeting Hedges was detained in the ing so was an off ence in the UAE ken and written Arabic, said he Dixon said the meeting with phone on multiple occasions. with Foreign Offi ce offi cials on UAE for more than six months punishable with a large fi ne and a was not permitted to read docu- FCO had been constructive. “We We maintained regular contact he Foreign Offi ce is calling Tuesday and called on them to last year on spying charges, jail sentence. ments that he was forced to sign. welcome the FCO’s undertaking with the UAE police and courts for an investigation into press the UAE for an investiga- jailed for life in November and After his arrest and deten- He said he received assistance to ask UAE to investigate the very authorities to seek updates on Tthe arrest and detention tion. then granted a royal pardon tion, he received a series of from British embassy offi cials serious incident which Ali Issa his case, and have met him and of a British man caught wearing a Dixon said FCO offi cials agreed shortly afterwards. On Tuesday, knife wounds to his arm, in- during his detention. Ahmad suff ered in the UAE while his lawyer following his return Qatar football shirt in the United to do this. the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy juries to his chest and a stab He welcomed the FCO’s un- attending an international foot- to the UK.” Arab Emirates this year. It is not the only case involv- Hunt, promised a review into wound to his side. He said a dertaking to push UAE to inves- ball tournament.” UAE offi cials previously said Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, a security ing a British citizen detained in how his department has han- security official punched him tigate his case. An FCO spokesperson said: of Ahmad: “He was categorically guard from Wolverhampton, has the UAE in which the FCO is fac- dled the case. in the face and knocked out a “I don’t know how I can get “Our consular staff provided not arrested for wearing a Qatar spoken publicly of being stabbed ing pressure to take action. At the Ahmad travelled in January to tooth, and he was deprived of justice for what happened to me ongoing support to a Brit- football shirt. This is instead an in prison and deprived of sleep, weekend Matthew Hedges, an the UAE for a holiday and ob- sleep, food and water for sever- but if I can I will do it,” he said. ish man who was detained instance of a person seeking me- food and water for several days academic, and his wife, Daniela tained a ticket for an Asian Cup al days before being transferred “I’m still very traumatised by and subsequently released in dia attention and wasting police while being held in a security Tejada, said they had lodged a le- match between Qatar and Iraq. to a police cell in Sharjah where what happened to me in UAE. the UAE. They visited him in time.”

Hundreds of MPs’ Harry, Meghan expenses credit cards blocked introduce

Guardian News and Media London baby Archie he parliamentary expens- es watchdog tried to cover Tup data showing 377 MPs, including nine Cabinet minis- ters, have had their credit cards suspended for wrong, incom- to the world plete or late claims. The Independent Parliamen- Reuters tary Standards Authority (Ipsa), Windsor, England set up in the wake of the expens- es scandal 10 years ago, initially tried to claim the information rince Harry and his wife should not be released because it Meghan yesterday an- could hinder the operation of the Pnounced they had named expenses system. their newborn son Archie as they However, a former high court showed him off to the world, say- judge reversed the decision and ing their “little bundle of joy” released the information to the was magic. Daily Telegraph on appeal, say- In a post on their Instagram ing that the risk of “embarrass- account accompanying a pic- ing” MPs was no reason to keep ture of the parents with Queen the information secret. Elizabeth, her husband Prince It mirrors the initial reluc- Philip and Meghan’s mother Do- tance of parliamentary authori- ria Ragland, the couple said the ties to release information on seventh-in-line to the throne MPs’ expenses 10 years ago, would be known as Archie Har- when the scandal was uncovered rison Mountbatten-Windsor. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor only when it was leaked to the The announcement came same newspaper. hours after the new royal got his of Monday morning, weighing are offi cially known as the Duke The release of the credit card fi rst taste of life in the limelight 3.26kg, but few other details have and Duchess of Sussex. data showed MPs are regularly as Meghan and Harry appeared been given about the birth. Given their worldwide popu- having their credit cards sus- with him before a small group “It’s great, parenting is amaz- larity, the birth of their fi rst child pended for failing to provide of media at St George’s Hall in ing,” Harry said. “It’s only been has attracted particular atten- receipts in a timely fashion or Windsor castle where they held two-and-a-half days, three days, tion, especially as Archie is fi rst claiming for disallowed items, their wedding reception just un- but we’re just so thrilled to have our mixed race child to be born into a with 377 MPs sanctioned since der a year ago. own little bundle of joy, to be able to senior position in British royalty 2015. Harry tightly cradled his son, spend some precious time with him in recent history. Claire Perry, the energy and wrapped in a white shawl and as he slowly starts to grow up.” He is also entitled to hold US climate change minister who at- wearing a hat. After the brief photocall, citizenship while also automati- tends Cabinet, admitted wrong- “It’s magic — it’s pretty amaz- the couple took their baby to cally being a British national. ly using her parliamentary credit ing and I have the two best guys see 93-year-old Elizabeth, the However, the baby will not au- card to pay for her Amazon in the world so I am really happy,” world’s longest-reigning mon- tomatically be a prince or a prin- Prime subscription. said a beaming Meghan, wear- arch, to allow her to meet her cess, or be known as “His Royal Repeat off enders include ing a white sleeveless coat dress, eighth great-grandchild. Highness”, unless the Queen is- Amber Rudd, the work and pen- when asked how she was fi nding Meghan’s mother is staying sues a specifi c decree. sions secretary, and nine MPs being a new mother. with the couple at their home Congratulations to the new who have had their card sus- She said the boy, the seventh- Frogmore Cottage, on the castle’s parents have poured in from ce- pended more than 10 times over in-line to the British throne who estate. “It will a nice moment to lebrities and world leaders. the past three years. Damian has not yet been publicly named, introduce the baby to more fami- Harry’s father, the heir-to-the- Collins, the chair of the Com- was calm, had the sweetest tem- ly and my mum’s with us as well,” throne Prince Charles expressed mons media committee, and perament and was sleeping well. Meghan, 37, said. his joy at the arrival of his fourth Chloe Smith, a Cabinet Offi ce “He’s just been the dream,” she Britain’s royal family attracts grandson on Tuesday, while elder minister, have each both had said, prompting Harry to quip: “I huge fascination and there is brother Prince William and his their credit cards suspended 14 Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are seen with their baby son, who was born on Monday don’t know who he gets that from”. particular interest in Harry and wife Kate said they were abso- times. morning, during a photocall in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, yesterday. Archie was born in the early hours former US actress Meghan, who lutely thrilled at the news.

Charles plants tree House prices for April ‘see College removes bell biggest jump in two years’ seen linked to slavery Reuters of how it benefi ted from the At- London lantic slave trade and whether Guardian News and Media compared with a fall of 1.3% in don estate agent and a former its scholarship reinforced race- London March. Economists had forecast Rics residential chairman, said based thinking during Britain’s a 1.6% drop in prices in April. the spring bounce was “not college at the University of colonial era. Other surveys have painted a as great as we might have ex- Cambridge has removed a In the biggest deportation in ouse prices grew in April picture of a slowing, but vola- pected”. Abell from view over fears known history, weapons and at the fastest annual rate tile housing market, with prices “The market is quite vola- it came from a slave plantation, gunpowder from Europe were Hin more than two years propped up by a shortage of tile, bearing in mind the fall in as one of Europe’s oldest seats of swapped for millions of African according to fi gures from Hali- homes on the market, while prices last month. The price learning delves into its historic slaves who were then shipped fax. many buyers have been deterred increases recorded are prob- links with slavery. across the Atlantic to the Ameri- The mortgage lender said by fears of Brexit’s potential ably more to do with shortages Staff said they had “shuttered cas. prices rose by 5% in the three impact on property values and of stock and lower transac- off ” the bell in St Catharine’s Ships returned to Europe with months to April, compared with their personal fi nances. tions than sustainable market College as they tried to fi nd out sugar, cotton and tobacco. the same period a year earlier. It Russell Galley, Halifax’s man- strength.” more about its past. Around 17mn African men, is the fastest annual growth rate aging director, said demand and Samuel Tombs, chief UK “As part of the ongoing re- women and children were torn since February 2017 and is up supply of housing remained economist at Pantheon Mac- flection taking place about the from their homes and shackled from 2.6% in the three months subdued for another month. roeconomics, said less vola- links between universities and into one of the world’s most bru- to March. Economists had been “The index has seen a weaker tile measures than the Halifax slavery, we are aware that a bell tal globalised trades between the expecting a 4.5% increase. pace of growth over the last house price index “paint a far currently located at the college 15th and 19th centuries. Halifax cautioned that the three years, which is consistent more subdued picture”. most likely came from a slave Many died in merciless condi- sharp rise in the annual rate with the easing of transactions However, some estate agents plantation,” a college spokes- tions. partly refl ected the fact that volumes and housing market were encouraged by the Halifax man said. Dr Miranda Griffi n, a senior growth was “particularly low” activity refl ected in Rics [Royal data. Marc von Grundherr, di- “A more detailed investigation tutor at St Catharine’s, said it this time last year. Institution of Chartered Sur- rector of the estate agent Ben- is under way into the bell’s prov- was important that the universi- It also includes the impact veyors], Bank of England and ham and Reeves, said: “While enance as part of a wider project ty acknowledged historical links of strong growth in February HMRC fi gures.” a slightly erratic rate of annual researching the college’s histori- to slavery and the slave trade. 2019, which was driven by a Halifax said house prices hit growth may not be proof that cal links to the slave trade,” he “As an academic community, higher volume of London sales a low of £154,663 in April 2009 we are out of the woods just added. we will continue to conduct rig- and more expensive new-build following the financial crash yet, it certainly does demon- Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, lifts a shovel in the air after The college said the bell was orous research into all aspects properties, Halifax said. and have increased £81,956 strate the much healthier posi- planting a tree in the Garden Dessau-Woerlitz in Woerlitz, presented in 1960 but gave no of our past and to refl ect on our The average price of a prop- since then – an average annual tion we find ourselves in now Germany, yesterday as Saxony-Anhalt’s state premier Reiner more information. commitment to diversity, in- erty rose to £236,619 in April, increase of 4.3%. when compared to this time Haseloff looks on. Cambridge said last month it clusion and asking challenging up 1.1% from the month before, Jeremy Leaf, a north Lon- last year.” was beginning a two-year study questions,” Griffi n said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, May 9, 2019 EUROPE

TRAGEDY WAR OF WORDS ACCIDENT COUNTING SHEEP GROUNDED 7 hikers feared dead in Ukraine dismisses Russian 12 hurt as train crashes French parents don’t want Superjet flights cancelled Siberia avalanche passports from rebel areas into lorry in Germany school class to drop off following plane disaster

Seven hikers were missing and feared dead after an Ukraine said yesterday it will not recognise A passenger train yesterday slammed into a lorry A group of parents in rural France have tried Russian national carrier Aeroflot yesterday avalanche in Russia’s Altai mountains, emergency Russian passports issued to Ukrainian citizens that became stranded on a rail line in northern to prevent the closure of a school class with an cancelled four flights that normally use the Sukhoi off icials said yesterday, as search parties were in the territories occupied by Kremlin- Germany, injuring twelve people, two of them unusual action. The parents launched ‘Operation Superjet aircraft, days after a deadly crash- dispatched to the area. Nine people were caught in backed rebels, comparing them to Nazi seriously, police said. The crash at around 4.30am at Sheep’ in the village of Crets en Belledonne, near landing in Moscow where 41 people died in a fire. the avalanche on Monday in the so-called Chuya Alps identity documents. “These passports will be a level crossing in Alt Duvenstedt, near Flensburg, Grenoble in the south-east of the country, after A total of five Aeroflot flights were cancelled by of Russia’s Altai republic in southern Siberia, close considered illegal,” Prime Minister Volodymyr derailed the regional train, which was carrying a school class was threatened with dissolution early evening, according to the Sheremetyevo to Kazakhstan and China. “Two people managed to Groysman told the government meeting. “We 22 passengers. “All of those injured were taken to because of a lack of pupils. They brought about airport online schedule, four of which usually get out” and informed authorities yesterday, said the will never recognise any citizenship that was hospital,” a police spokesman told AFP, adding 50 sheep to the schoolyard on Tuesday morning. use the Sukhoi Superjet. These included flights head of Altai’s emergency services, Andrei Burlakov. issued by the aggressor state. This is like Nazi one victim of the crash was flown by helicopter “Our children are not sheep: stop counting to domestic destinations and the Swedish city The hikers were experienced adults following a Germany issuing Ausweis (identity document) to hospital in the port city of Kiel. The accident them,” the parents said. Fifteen of the sheep of Gothenburg, AFP saw. Earlier, a Superjet flight complicated mountain route which was approved for certain people,” Groysman added. happened when the cab of the articulated lorry, were then symbolically enrolled in the school from Moscow to Riga on Tuesday was delayed by the authorities, their instructor Vladimir Yudin Ukrainians with Russian passports will not be towing 70 tonnes of heavy equipment, became as students, public broadcaster France Bleu after passengers demanded a diff erent plane after told the BFM news website, adding that a full search able to cross the state border and use them on stranded at the level crossing. Police said it was reported on its website. The parents now hope complaints of a burning smell. It departed after a would probably have to wait for summer. the territory of Ukraine. unclear why the truck became stuck at the crossing. that the authorities will reconsider their decision. safety check and arrived at its destination. Most nations cut emissions last year, fi nds

Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting with veterans of World War II with Soviet army off icer EU estimate Ivan Zaluzhny (right) and Ukrainian Insurgent Army liaison off icer Paraskeva Potiak in the Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye. AFP mate Action Network (CAN) Europe. Germany, the bloc’s most populous Brussels “To be able to avoid ever wilder ex- country and its most powerful econo- treme weather events, greater drought, my, accounted for the largest share of Centenarian WWII vet calls food shortages and economic devasta- the union’s emissions last year, at 22%. ost European Union coun- tion, we need sharp falls in emissions It was followed by Britain at 11.4%, Po- tries reduced carbon dioxide every single year,” Trio added. land at 10.3% as well as by France and Memissions last year, estimates Portugal took the lead with the Italy, at 10% each. showed yesterday, marking a turna- sharpest decrease, Eurostat fi gures Germany, Britain, France and Italy for peace on Victory Day round in the battle against greenhouse showed, recording a 9% drop in emis- are among the bloc’s leading econo- gases as campaigners urged faster ac- sions from 2017. mies and have the largest populations. tion to avoid the most damaging ef- It was followed by Bulgaria, with a Poland, whose population is signifi - By Olesya Astakhova, Reuters Square, he will be among millions across Baikonur, that sent the fi rst man — Yuri fects of climate change. 8.1% reduction. cantly lower than the other top pol- Moscow the country celebrating the occasion. Gagarin — into space in 1961. Overall EU emissions from burning Ireland’s were 6.8% lower and Ger- luters, relies on antiquated coal-fi red Born in 1918, not long after the Bagayev now lives in Korolyov, a oil, coal and gas were 2.5% lower in many’s fell 5.4%. Britain was last in power plants to generate nearly all of Bolshevik Revolution, Bagayev lived town outside Moscow and draws a 2018 than the previous year, Eurostat line, with a slim 0.3% decrease on 2017. its electricity, giving it some of the entenarian World War II vet- through many of the tumultuous veteran’s pension of 40,000 roubles fi gures showed, with 20 of the bloc’s On the other hand, Latvia recorded highest carbon emissions in the EU. eran Nikolay Bagayev will be chapters of the Soviet Union in the ($613) a month, much higher than the 28 countries reporting reductions. the poorest result, with emissions up In other developments, Britain’s Camong Russians across the 20th century and was twice wounded national average. That was better than 2017, which 8.5% from the year before. National Grid Electricity System Op- country commemorating the anniver- — once gravely — in what Russians call Despite his years, he remains active saw combined emissions 1.8% higher Other countries in the bloc whose erator revealed it has managed a week sary today of the war’s end. the Great Patriotic War. and can be seen around town, some- than 2016 and only seven countries emissions rose include Poland, which of powering electricity without using He told his story to his granddaugh- He spent much of the war in forests times donning a uniform festooned recording decreases, according to the recorded an increase of 3.5%. coal for the fi rst time since 1882, as the ter, Reuters Moscow bureau reporter near Moscow, fought in the Battle of with medals. EU’s statistics offi ce. The EU has vowed to lead the way country targets zero carbon emissions. Olesya Astakhova. Moscow, and later took part in the So- He uses a mobile phone and a laptop The EU has pledged to reduce its in saving the Paris climate agreement And German insurer Allianz an- “A starving peace is better than a viet Red Army’s assault on Koenigs- and occasionally poses for selfi es with carbon emissions by 40% below 1990 since the United States, the world’s nounced it aims to make the massive well-fed war,” says 100-year-old dec- berg, then part of Nazi Germany and locals. levels by 2030. second biggest polluter after China, investments that back its business orated World War II veteran Nikolay now, as part of Russia, known as Ka- The Soviet Union that he lived in for “After four years without substan- withdrew in 2017. “climate-neutral” by 2050. Bagayev. liningrad. most of his life is long gone but, almost tial emission reductions, the EU has The pact aims to keep the worldwide It means Allianz will no longer in- As Russia today marks the 74th Vic- After the war, he worked in the steppes three decades after its breakup, he re- fi nally started to walk the road to the rise in temperatures “well below” two vest money in shares or bonds issued tory Day since the end of World War II in of the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, mains a committed communist and zero-carbon economy,” said Wendel degrees Celsius from pre-industrial by companies whose activity is harm- Europe, with nationwide events head- living at fi rst in a tent, and helped to continues to make contributions to the Trio, who heads the activist group Cli- times. ful to the climate. lined by a vast military parade on Red build the cosmodrome, now known as opposition Communist Party.

Finland’s Social Democrats eye coalition govt Italy sacks far-right minister

Reuters Rinne said his fi ve-party coali- AFP Prosecutors also suspect “Today this is a victory for Helsinki tion would hold 117 seats in the Rome the businessman of being in Italians, the honest Italians 200-seat parliament. league with a Sicilian who has who represent the vast major- “If we succeed in our govern- links to a Mafi a boss. ity of the population and who inland’s Social Democrats ment talks to draft a programme taly’s Prime Minister “Not because he’s guilty demand fi rmness in a country said yesterday they would that satisfi es this team, it means Giuseppe Conte yesterday but simply because for us, if a where corruption is a national Fseek a centre-left governing we’ll have a clear majority gov- Isacked a graft-tainted jun- corruption and Mafi a inves- emergency,” said Di Maio. coalition with the Centre Party ernment emerging in Finland,” he ior minister close to far-right tigation is mentioned, (then) A visibly disappointed Sal- and three smaller partners fol- told reporters. leader Matteo Salvini, avert- the political world must react vini told journalists after the lowing a parliamentary election The Centre Party came fourth ing a government crisis weeks before the judges do,” said co- cabinet meeting that “trials last month. in the election with 13.8%, a 100- ahead of European elections. deputy prime minister Luigi Di are done by courts.” The Social Democrats (SDP) year low. “There was a very frank and Maio, who heads the Five Star Italy is home to “60mn came out on top in the April 14 But Rinne, a former union boss, uncommon cabinet discus- Movement (M5S). people who are innocent until election for the fi rst time in 20 said he believed it would be easier sion...but without citizens’ The M5S, which made proven guilty.” yeas but with a record low 17.7% to agree a joint programme with trust, it would be hard to “honesty” a keyword of its po- Italian politicians includ- of the vote, forcing them to ally the party than with the pro-aus- keep being the government of litical campaign before being ing tycoon and former pre- with other parties to form a gov- Social Democrats Party chairman Antti Rinne (right) shakes hands terity National Coalition. change,” Conte told journal- elected last year, had demand- mier Silvio Berlusconi have ernment. with the Centre Party chairman Juha Sipila during a media conference In his election campaign, Rinne ists. ed Siri resign. in the past used drawn-out SDP chairman Antti Rinne said he in Helsinki yesterday. promised tax hikes to preserve Infrastructure and trans- Salvini, who is head of the court cases and the presump- would work on forming a coalition Finland’s vast public welfare port undersecretary Armando anti-immigrant League party tion of innocence to shield with outgoing Prime Minister Juha ward after Sipila’s centre-right ernment despite a rapid growth in state, while the National Coalition Siri, a member of coalition and deputy prime minister, themselves from allegations of Sipila’s Centre Party as his main government, which included the their popularity. sought to lower taxes to stimulate partner the League, is alleged had repeatedly insisted his ally wrongdoing. partner, while other partners would right-leaning National Coalition. The Finns Party made rapid the economy. to have accepted a 30,000 Siri has done nothing wrong Salvini’s League is hoping to be the Greens, the Left Alliance and He would also succeed in keep- gains in the polls ahead of the Rinne said he hoped to con- euro ($33,000) bribe — or the and should stay in his job. progress in European parlia- the Swedish People’s Party. ing the nationalist, eurosceptic elections and scored fi rst with clude talks by May 24 and have the promise of it — from a busi- Premier Conte had said last ment elections on May 26 and If Rinne secures the coalition Finns Party, which came second 18.7% in the fi rst post-election government nominated in the fi rst nessman for promoting the week Siri should resign, but wants to keep its increasingly behind a joint programme, he in the election at 17.5%, only 0.2% survey by Finland’s largest daily days of June, ahead of Finland’s interests of renewable energy the latter had refused, with fragile ruling coalition intact would steer Finland a step left- behind the SDP, out of the gov- Helsingin Sanomat on Monday. EU presidency that begins July 1. companies. Salvini’s backing. until then, at least. Istanbul residents change holiday plans in re-vote

By Ceyda Caglayan and Ezgi ule flights planned around that Summer temperatures in the Turkey’s election board on Mon- travellers who cancelled their have cancelled his trip to Beirut allow customers to change fl ights Erkoyun, Reuters weekend for free and munici- Aegean resort average 30 degrees day ordered a re-run of the may- trips are not known but the even if the airline company had between June 21-26 free of charge Istanbul palities in some popular holi- Celsius. oral race, a decision that drew coastal municipalities which is- not off ered him a full refund. on trips booked ahead of the re- day resorts such as Bodrum But behind such jokes is a seri- criticism from Turks across the sued the spoof travel warnings “When we see the previ- run announcement. have even put out spoof warn- ous message — every vote counts political spectrum and from Eu- are held by the opposition CHP. ous election (on March 31) was Pegasus Airlines and others are stanbul residents are cancel- ings to discourage Istanbul after the candidate of Turkey’s ropean politicians. “I think the decision to re- won by 13,000 votes, even one also allowing free fl ight changes ling holiday bookings for the residents from visiting on that main opposition Republican “We are in contact with 5,500 run elections is nonsense,” said vote counts in this election,” he or cancellations. Iweekend of June 23 to ensure weekend. People’s Party (CHP) won the travel agencies and we have been Merih Onder, 41, who will return said. And just to make sure Istanbul they can take part in a re-run of “Don’t come to Bodrum on March 31 mayoral race in the informed that nearly all reserva- home to Istanbul earlier than Turnout in Turkish elections residents are getting the mes- the city’s mayoral election that June 23,” the district council city of some 15mn people by just tions departing from Istanbul planned from a wedding on June tends to be much higher than in sage about their civic duty, the has laid bare Turkey’s deep polit- said in a tongue-in-cheek travel 13,000 votes. (that weekend) have requested 22 in southern Turkey to vote. many Western countries. municipality of Adana on the ical divisions and raised concerns advisory aimed at Istanbul resi- After weeks of appeals by cancellation, almost 100%,” said “I will vote for the candidate Some 84% of Istanbul’s reg- Mediterranean coast issued an about its democracy. dents, as heavy snowfall is ex- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Cem Polatoglu, a spokesman for who I think was wronged,” he istered 10.6mn voters cast their advisory saying the city was ex- Airlines and travel agencies pected and the beaches will be and his ruling AK Party (AKP) Travel Agencies Platform. added. ballots in the March vote. pecting temperatures of 150 de- are allowing people to resched- shut. who alleged voting irregularities, The political allegiances of Berke Ertunc, 35, said he would Turkish Airlines said it would grees Celsius on June 23. Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 17 INDIA

LEGAL OPINION DECISION OFFBEAT CLARIFICATION No more extension of NRC Modi, BJP biggest threats NEET-PG qualifying Maneka comes to ailing Patients’ death ‘not due deadline in Assam: court to nation: Mamata marks reduced donkey’s rescue to oxygen supply cut’

The Supreme Court yesterday refused to Urging the people to remove Prime Minister The health ministry, has decided to reduce the Union Minister Maneka Gandhi’s love for The death of three people at the government- extend the deadline for the finalisation of the Narendra Modi from power, West Bengal Chief qualifying percentile in respect of NEET-PG animals is well known and this recently came to run Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. Minister Mamata Banerjee described him and (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) for the fore in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. According Tuesday was due to natural causes and not The court said the process must be completed the BJP as the “biggest threat” to the country. the year 2019-20 by six percentile, an off icial to reports, Maneka was addressing a rally when from disruption in oxygen supply from a power on or before July 31. In order to meet the “Narendra Modi and BJP are the biggest release said. “Now general category candidates she saw an injured donkey with a bleeding leg. cut, a hospital off icial said yesterday. “The three deadline, the court allowed state co-ordinator threat to the nation. Remember this if you with minimum marks at 44 percentile, persons Immediately after the meeting, she asked the patients who were in the ICU died of natural Pratik Hajela “to mention the matter before want peace,” Banerjee said while addressing with disabilities category with minimum of district off icials to ensure proper treatment causes on Tuesday night. They had developed the registrar (judicial) during summer vacation a public rally in West Midnapore district’s marks at 39 percentile and, SC/ST and OBC for the donkey. The off icials sent the donkey cardiac problems – common in the case of in case urgent hearing is required”. Although Debra. The Trinamool supremo alleged that the category candidates at 34 percentile will to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in severe head injuries,” the hospital’s dean K the hearing of the case was brief, the NRC Modi regime did not give the due respect to become eligible for admission to post graduate Bareilly. The donkey has been diagnosed with Vanitha said. “It is true there was a power cut in co-ordinator focused on the major factors Bengal and was also trying to divide people in courses for the academic year 2019-20,” it said. cancer and the vets said that if the animal is not Madurai on Tuesday evening and the hospital’s delaying the process. Hajela told the court that the name of religion. “If Narendra Modi is not All states and union territories are requested operated upon immediately, its leg may have diesel power generator failed to kick in most of those who had objections regarding removed, there will be no freedom, democracy, to make necessary arrangements for allowing to be amputated. A panel of vets will decide immediately. But all the three patients were on their names being excluded from the first draft no religion or no caste in the country as they students as per revised qualifying marks in any whether to subject the animal to surgery or give ventilators which were connected to batteries have failed to show up to contest their claims. will change the Constitution,” she said. further rounds of counselling this year. it chemotherapy. having power back-up of two hours,” she said.

Rahul Wooing voters apologises Rajiv Gandhi to top court in row over used frigate for remarks

IANS New Delhi vacations: Modi

IANS Taking a pot shot at the Con- panthi’, ‘vaampanthi’, ‘daam’ and ongress president Rahul New Delhi gress’ NYAY scheme, Modi said, ‘gaban panthi’ and ‘vikaspanthi’. Gandhi yesterday fi led “The Congress has started to talk Targetting the AAP govern- Ca fresh affi davit in the about Nyay (justice), but I want ment in Delhi, the prime minister Supreme Court, tendering his rime Minister Narendra to ask them who shall do justice said, “They brought anarchy and “unconditional apology” for Modi yesterday accused to the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh cheated the people of the coun- “unintentionally” attributing Plate prime minister Rajiv riots?” try. certain comments of his to the Gandhi of using aircraft carrier In an apparent reference to “They disrespected every in- top court and pleaded for closure INS Viraat and its personnel for Madhya Pradesh Chief Minis- stitution and cheated the people of the contempt proceedings in vacations with his foreigner in- ter Kamal Nath, Modi said those of the country. They had entered the matter. laws. who were behind the anti-Sikh politics to bring change but they Rahul had been asked by the He raked up the issue at a rally riots were made chief ministers themselves have changed. They apex court to apologise for in- here to counter the attack by by the Congress. blame others to hide their own correctly saying that it had Congress leaders who say that The prime minister also said failures. They support those said “chowkidar chor hai” (the defence forces have been politi- that in the last fi ve years, 10 Jan- hoping to break up the country watchman is a thief), an euphe- cised by the BJP. path (the residence of the Gan- and also stood with the Khalista- mism the Congress chief uses to Addressing the gathering in dhi family), which earlier used to nis. attack Prime Minister Narendra Ramleela Maidan, Modi said, house middlemen, has become “They are full of negativity and Modi in the context of the Rafale “Who has been treating the forc- middleman free. they have stalled all the pro-poor fi ghter jet deal. es as personal property...have “Now instead of middlemen, central government schemes in In a three-page affi davit, Ra- you ever heard that a family goes their house is visited by lawyers Delhi,” he said. hul said: “The deponent un- for holiday on a warship? This and advocates,” he said. Modi also said that Goods and conditionally apologises for has happened in our country. The Modi further said that the Services Tax (GST) has eased the the wrongful attribution to the Gandhi family used INS Viraat as country has witnessed four dif- process of doing business across court. The deponent further their personal property. They in- ferent political cultures – ‘naam- the country. states that any such attributions sulted it.” were entirely unintentional, INS Viraat was withdrawn non-wilful and inadvertent.” from its place of deployment and Rajnath slams Congress at Gurugram rally Stating that he has “never sent to fetch the in-laws of Rajiv sought or intended to, directly or Gandhi before it was taken to an Union Home Minister Rajnath In the last five years, the BJP indirectly, commit any act that island where nobody was there to Singh targeted the Congress government has cornered interferes with the process of welcome them and all arrange- as he addressed a poll rally in anti-national elements,” Singh the administration of justice”, he ments for them were made by the support of BJP candidate Rao said. He also pointed to some requested the court to close the personnel of the aircraft carrier, Inderjeet Singh in Gurugram of the NDA government’s contempt proceedings against Modi alleged. yesterday. The minister targeted schemes such as the 13 crore him, a petition regarding which The holiday continued not the opposition Congress and LPG connections to the poor, has been fi led by BJP MP Meen- for one day, but 10 days dur- its leaders for allegedly trying improved road networks and akshi Lekhi. ing which time the warship re- to weaken laws on sedition the prime minister’s housing The Supreme Court is sched- mained stationed there, Modi at the rally in the Rajput- scheme. However, the villagers uled to hear the matter tomor- added. dominated village of Bhondsi gave a lukewarm response to row. The prime minister then asked in Gurugram district with the the minister’s speech. Many said Earlier, Rahul had expressed whether the presence of “for- election campaign in Haryana that the economic condition of regret for his remarks twice in eigners on a warship did not scheduled to end tomorrow. farmers in Bhondsi and Sohna is two affi davits. But, the court amount to playing with the se- “If BJP comes to power, we good but they want jobs for the granted him another opportuni- curity of the country. Or was it will make strong sedition laws youth which has not happened ty to fi le a fresh affi davit tender- Congress party general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, waves to the allowed just because he was Rajiv to strengthen our country. in the last five years. ing apology. crowd during an election roadshow rally in New Delhi yesterday. Gandhi?” On April 10, Rahul had told re- porters that the Supreme Court had “said ‘chowkidar chor hai’”. He made the comments hours after a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by chief justice Ranjan Gogoi and includ- ing justices K M Joseph and S K Centre plans to demolish Kaul, agreed to hear review pe- titions on its December order in the Rafale matter. In December, the apex court had rejected the need for an in- illegal colonies: Kejriwal quiry into the Rafale deal. After Rahul’s controversial IANS Imagine the scale of destruction the businesses here through its seal- comments, Lekhi moved a con- New Delhi Delhi will have to go through, in case ing drive. tempt of court petition against 70 per cent of the population is up- “The Modi government during him in the top court which took rooted.” Kejriwal said he has come the last two years destroyed the live- serious cognizance of the re- elhi Chief Minister Arvind to know that once the land is taken lihood of a large number of people marks, saying these had been in- Kejriwal yesterday said the away from the residents of unau- due to its sealing drive and rendered correctly attributed to it. DNarendra Modi government thorised colonies, “they will not be them unemployed by shutting down The court issued a notice to is planning to demolish unauthor- rehabilitated in fl ats of high-rise their shops, factories and other es- the Congress leader and asked ised colonies in the national capital buildings. Tenants residing in un- tablishments.” him to apologise. and added that the land will be given authorised colonies will be rendered Kejriwal also demanded to know On April 22, Rahul fi led an to big builders. homeless.” The chief minister said why Prime Minister Narendra Modi affi davit, expressing “regret” Speaking to the media, he said he would not let the BJP do any such had not fulfi lled his 2014 election for the comments, saying those while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) thing. pledge to accord full statehood to were made in the “heat” of elec- is trying to provide facilities to these the national capital. tion campaigning. colonies and bring them in main- “Recently BJP’s Manoj Tiwari in Kejriwal added that Congress stream, the Bharatiya Janata Party public conceded that the Modi leaders Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul (BJP) is trying to give the land to rich government would demolish Gandhi should focus their election Bengaluru police builders. unauthorised colonies and campaign in Rajasthan, Madhya “We were laying sewer lanes in replace these colonies with Pradesh and Chhattisgarh instead of hunt ‘terror’ suspect these colonies. When the work high-rise buildings, in which “wasting time” in Delhi. started on the ground, I got to know residents of unauthorised “Priyanka Gandhi should not Three teams have been formed through some central government colonies will be given fl ats” waste her time in Delhi. The Con- to trace a ‘terror’ suspect who employees that the Modi govern- gress will lose its deposit here. In- vanished on Tuesday night ment is planning to demolish all un- stead, she should campaign in Ra- from Bengaluru’s Majestic authorised colonies in Delhi. They “Without demolishing any colo- jasthan and Madhya Pradesh where metro station in the city want to demolish the colonies and ny, we will develop these and provide the fi ght is between the Congress centre after he was refused give the land to big builders and rich all basic and good facilities in these and BJP,” he said. entry, a top police off icial said people and take away all land,” he colonies and we will beautify theses Kejriwal said Priyanka Gandhi yesterday. Five-member teams told the media here. colonies. Roads, drains, streetlights was holding rallies in Uttar Pradesh under assistant commissioner Kejriwal also said that BJP MP and parks will be built there. Drink- against the SP-BSP combine and in of police Mahant Reddy are on Manoj Tiwari has confessed that the ing water will be provided and I want Delhi against the AAP. And Rahul the lookout for the unidentified Modi government has such a plan. to make it clear that wherever any Gandhi was wasting time in Delhi. suspect as he escaped from the “Recently BJP’s Manoj Tiwari one lives in these colonies, they will As Congress president he should Kempe Gowda (Majestic) metro in public conceded that the Modi get all the facilities there only.” focus on the other states, Kejriwal station after he was denied government would demolish unau- For this, he said, people should said. entry to the platform as he was thorised colonies and replace these vote for the AAP. “I appeal to the The chief minister added that allegedly carrying a suspicious colonies with high-rise buildings, people of Delhi that if you want to the Gandhi siblings were not going object, Bengaluru police in which residents of unauthorised save Delhi, give a resounding defeat to places where the Congress was commissioner T Suneel Kumar colonies will be given fl ats. to the BJP this time.” in a direct fight with the Bharatiya told reporters. “At least Tiwari admitted that the The chief minister also said that Janata Party (BJP). Delhi votes on Modi government has such a plan. the Modi government was damaging May 12. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, May 9, 2019 LATIN AMERICA

APPEAL COMMENT JUSTICE COLONIAL LEGACY ART BIENNIAL Brazil’s National Museum Racism rare in Brazil, says Mexico to keep ban on US Belize mulls going to UN seeks money to rebuild right-wing president lawsuits against Cuba firms court on border dispute

Brazil’s devastated National Museum is broke and Racism is an insignificant problem in Brazil, Mexico’s government yesterday rejected a Belizeans yesterday began voting in a cannot aff ord storage for artefacts rescued from according to President Jair Bolsonaro, who has US decision that allows US citizens to file referendum on whether a top UN court should the ashes of the gutted building, its director said been accused of racist comments in the past. lawsuits against foreign companies using rule on neighbouring Guatemala’s claim on Tuesday. Alexander Kellner warned “there will Bolsonaro spoke to Rede TV in an interview property seized in Cuba after 1959, and said that it is the rightful owner of half of Belize’s be no more National Museum” in Rio de Janeiro broadcast on Tuesday night, in which he it would protect any affected Mexican firms. territory, a dispute dating back to Spanish and unless the education ministry coughs up some defended his record. In demonstrating his non- Effective May 2, the Trump administration British colonial rule. Guatemalans in April 2018 cash. “We urgently need 1mn reais ($250,000) racist credentials, ex-army captain Bolsonaro lifted a longstanding ban against American overwhelmingly voted to ask the International to be able to breathe,” Kellner told reporters as pointed to an incident in 1978 when he saved a citizens lodging lawsuits against foreign Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to make A tourist takes a picture of a painting by French the museum presented pieces from its Egyptian drowning soldier “who happened to be black.” businesses that use properties taken by a decision on the dispute with Belize. The painter Jean Baptiste Vermay at El Templete in collection that survived the September 2018 fire. “If I was racist, what would I have done on seeing Cuba’s Communist government since the 1959 referendum is highly politicised, but could help Havana. Vermay (1786-1833) depicted Cuban “We are having diff iculties in the daily running of a black fall into the water? I’d have folded my revolution. “Mexico is analyzing the relevant end a border conflict that originated during historical events and revolutionized the arts our institution — professors don’t have places to arms,” said Bolsonaro, who has appointed no legal instances to file actions for breaches of the colonial era. Belize’s ruling party hopes of in Cuba. His paintings are a must for tourists work, we don’t have space to store pieces that we black people in his government. In Brazil, 54% of international law,” the Mexican government settling the matter once and for all, betting the and artists who visit the XIII Havana Biennial of rescued. We can’t just leave them on the ground.” the population is either black or mixed race. said in a statement. court will uphold the current border. Contemporary Art.

Housing protest US tariff s will fuel migration, says Obrador

AFP resolve the migration issue.” Trade tension is rising again Mexico City Washington imposed the between the two countries tariff s after the two neighbours as their legislatures prepare failed to renew an agreement to open debate on ratifying resident Andres Manuel that suspended a US anti- the United States-Mexico- Lopez Obrador said yes- dumping investigation fi rst Canada Agreement (USMCA), Members of Brazil’s Homeless Workers’ Movement hold a banner reading ‘Less Hate and more Housing’ in a protest in Sao Paulo on Pterday the United States’ opened 23 years ago. an updated version of the Tuesday to demand aff ordable low-income housing from the government of President Jair Bolsonaro. “unjust” decision to impose Mexico, which supplies half 25-year-old North American tariff s on Mexican tomatoes will the fresh tomatoes consumed Free Trade Agreement (Nafta). fuel migration by hurting an in- in the United States, denies President Donald Trump, dustry responsible for 1.4mn dumping, and estimates the who regularly criticized Nafta, jobs in Mexico. tariff s will cost its exporters faces a battle with opposition The anti-establishment left- more than $350mn a year. Democrats in Congress, who ist attacked the 17.5-percent Lopez Obrador said the tar- have criticized the new agree- tariff s imposed on Tuesday as iff s were about US domestic ment for not doing enough to ‘Cowardly’ Colombia attack “the opposite of an intelligent politics. protect US jobs by improving policy.” “There are elections com- labour conditions and wages in “If (the United States) is re- ing up in the United States (in Mexico. ally worried about the migra- November 2020). And there are Mexico, which sends more tion phenomenon, well, these tomato producers in particular than 80% of its exports to the exposes activists in fi ring line measures go against eff orts to regions,” he said, apparently United States, is meanwhile un- reduce” it, Lopez Obrador told referring to swing states such as happy with Trump’s tariff s on a press conference. Florida and Ohio. “The circum- its steel and aluminium exports, By Anastasia Moloney, Reuters thorities say has already started. colleagues and will continue to ry of civil war but activists work- “This just fuels (migration). stances are totally unjust.” and his threat to impose tariff s Bogota “We can’t allow the free ex- support her success and safety ing to implement the deal, as It’s the opposite of an intelli- Mexico exported around $2bn on its auto exports over what pression of social leaders to con- in any way we can,” said Michael well as land rights campaigners gent policy to reduce the migra- of tomatoes to the United States he calls a “crisis” of illegal im- tinue to be threatened,” Duque Sutton, executive director of the and those fi ghting human rights tion phenomenon. Closing bor- last year — its third-largest ag- migrants and drugs crossing the n attack against a leading tweeted. Goldman Environmental Foun- abuses are targeted by criminal ders to (Mexican) producers is a ricultural export to the US, after border. and award-winning Co- At least two bodyguards pro- dation. groups seeing their fi nancial in- contradiction if you’re trying to beer and avocados. Alombian environmental- vided by the government to “We call on the Colombian terests threatened. ist, Francia Marquez, has put the protect at-risk campaigners at- government to bring the perpe- According to Colombia’s Om- spotlight on the dangers facing tending the meeting were injured trators of this attack to justice budsman Offi ce, murders of ac- Peru-ex-president, wife indicted in Odebrecht graft case campaigners in a country where during the assault, according to and to redouble eff orts to pre- tivists have increased to 178 in one activist is gunned down eve- media reports. vent further harm to activists,” 2018, up from 126 in 2017. eru’s public prosecutor on Juarez Atoche said Humala and Odebrecht in the electoral cam- ry two days on average. Last year, Marquez was award- he said. Diana Sanchez, coordinator Tuesday indicted former Heredia are accused of “leading paign that brought Humala Marquez and other rights ac- ed the prestigious Goldman En- The United Nations on Mon- at Somos Defensores, a Bogota- Ppresident Ollanta Humala a criminal organization to laun- to power. The pair spent nine tivists survived an attack against vironmental Prize, known as day had also called on Colombia based human rights campaign and his wife Nadine Heredia for der assets.” months in pre-trial detention them involving grenades and the ‘Green Nobel’ that honours to make sure that the attackers group, said attacks and killings allegedly laundering assets, as The public prosecutor’s offi ce until April 2018. gunfi re last Saturday as they held grassroots activism, for her work are brought to justice and that of activists, especially in rural ar- part of the wide-ranging Ode- is seeking a 20-year sentence Brazilian Jorge Barata, the a meeting in a rural area in the in defending Afro-Colombian eff orts are stepped up to protect eas, will likely continue. brecht corruption scandal. for Humala and 26 for Heredia former head of Odebrecht in country’s southwestern Cauca land rights and communities. activists. “This is a very worrying at- Humala is the fi rst former for “hiding real estate purchas- Peru, told investigators he per- province, according to local me- Marquez told the Thomson The latest attack highlights the tack..it involves well-known president to be indicted in re- es with Odebrecht money.” sonally gave the money to He- dia reports. Reuters Foundation in an inter- dangers facing campaigners in leaders,” Sanchez told the Thom- lation to the aff air, which has The accusations relate to the redia. If magistrates deem the So far, no one has been arrest- view last year that she has faced Colombia, where rising numbers son Reuters Foundation. embroiled a number of other presidential election campaigns charges suffi cient, they will x fi ed for the attack. death threats for her activism of rights activists and land rights She said most of the time it former heads of state. of 2006 and 2011. a trial date. Colombia’s president Ivan after speaking out about the defenders are being killed despite is not known who is behind the Brazilian construction giant Humala, 56, was president Odebrecht has been accused Duque said in a tweet on Sunday scourge of illegal gold mining and a 2016 peace deal with the Revo- killings of activists in Colombia, Odebrecht has admitted to pay- from 2011 to 2016. of spreading some $788mn in that he has ordered an investiga- the pollution she says it causes. lutionary Armed Forces of Co- but said drug traffi ckers, illegal ing $29mn dollars in bribes in He and his 42-year-old wife bribe money to a dozen coun- tion into the incident he called “We condemn the cowardly lombia (Farc). armed groups and Farc dissidents Peru between 2004 and 2015. are accused of having received tries over more than a decade to a “cowardly attack”, which au- attack against Francia and her The accord ended a half centu- are often to blame. Attorney General German $3mn in illegal fi nancing from win big construction contracts. Venezuela to prosecute lawmakers who backed failed uprising

AFP Bus drivers’ strike sparks long queues in Caracas ton’s refrain that “all options are Caracas on the table” to remove Maduro A transport strike yesterday to transport problems in the city. from power — a euphemism un- sparked long queues at bus stops Venezuelan and Spanish media derstood as hinting to military enezuela will prosecute in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, meanwhile reported that the intervention. seven lawmakers who local media reported. government had expelled Spanish Mexican Foreign Minister Vbacked last week’s failed Residents said they had not journalist Joan Guirado, who had Marcelo Ebrard warned that uprising orchestrated by oppo- been forewarned about the strike been in the country since early pursuing a military intervention sition leader Juan Guaido, the by bus drivers, who accuse the this month to cover its political would be a “big mistake.” country’s Supreme Court ruled cash-strapped government of not and economic crisis for the daily “We have a diff erent point of on Tuesday, as Washington re- keeping its promises of providing OK Diario. view from those who support the moved sanctions against Cara- them with spare parts for their Guirado tweeted on Tuesday idea of a military intervention, cas’ sacked spy chief for backing vehicles. that he had been held by the intel- which would be a big mistake, or the revolt. The strike aff ected southern ligence service Sebin for several from the people who expect that The court, which announced and eastern districts of the hours. “It is not a nice experience, the regime is going to be defeated the ruling in a statement, said capital. and even less so when all you are only by sanctions, or who just it asked Attorney General Tarek The Caracas underground was doing is to exercise journalism,” wait for a division to occur there William Saab to handle the only functioning partially, adding he said. in Venezuela,” he said, speaking “criminal investigation” into op- after Pence. “We need a demo- position deputies for “high trea- cratic and peaceful solution.” son” and “conspiracy.” Venezuela’s interim president by pressure on President Nicolas Pence hinted that the United Soon after the announce- more than 50 countries and was Maduro’s shaken regime by an- States could impose sanctions on ment, the Constituent Assem- himself stripped of his immunity nouncing that sanctions against the Venezuelan judges if they use bly — which eff ectively acts as a on April 2, denounced the deci- his sacked intelligence chief the court as “a political tool for regime rubber stamp — stripped sion. General Christopher Figuera a regime that usurps democracy, the seven lawmakers of their par- The government’s “only re- were being lifted. indicts political prisoners and liamentary immunity. sponse...is to persecute, because Pence, speaking at the State promotes authoritarianism.” “What comes now? A trial,” they no longer govern, because Department, said he hoped that “If the Supreme Court in Ven- Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel Ventura (right) and the European Union foreign policy chief Federica said Constituent Assembly they no longer have command,” Figuera’s defection would in- ezuela does not return to its con- Mogherini discuss a point during a press conference after the International Contact Group for Venezuela speaker Diosdado Cabello, the he said. spire other senior Venezuelans to stitutional mandate to uphold meeting of more than a dozen European and Latin American countries, in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Tuesday. regime’s second most power- “Today, this parliament of- break ranks with Maduro. the rule of law, the United States ful fi gure after President Nicolas fers the solutions that the regime Washington “will consider of America will hold all 25 of its country’s crumbling economy. backed the April 30 uprising, warrants against “civilians and Maduro. cannot and will not be able to sanctions relief for all those who magistrates accountable for their The other lawmakers named which set off two days of violent military plotters” following the Cabello ominously added that give, and that is why it is already step up for the constitution and actions,” Pence said. on the Venezuelan Supreme clashes between security forces April 30 uprising. three unnamed other lawmakers defeated,” Guaido said during a support the rule of law,” Pence In his speech, Pence also an- Court prosecution list were and protesters that left fi ve peo- The international Contact had been identifi ed and would session of the opposition-con- said. nounced that a US Navy hospital Edgar Zambrano, Luis Florido, ple dead. Group on Venezuela, which undergo the same process. trolled National Assembly legis- “I hope the actions our nation ship, the USNS Comfort, will re- Marianela Magallanes, Simon Dozens more were injured and met in Costa Rica’s capital San The list includes Henry Ramos lature, which journalists were not is taking today will encourage turn to the area in June for a fi ve- Calzadilla, Americo De Grazia more than 233 were arrested in Jose, announced it would send a Allup, the former speaker of the allowed to attend by order of the others to follow the example of month mission aimed at assisting and Richard Blanco. the unrest. high-level mission to the crisis- opposition-controlled National military. General Cristopher Figuera.” neighbouring countries that are The Constituent Assembly has Saab, the attorney-general, wracked country to monitor hu- Assembly. In Washington, US Vice Presi- However, Mexico rejected that caring for some of the millions of said it would suspend the im- has said separately that authori- manitarian aid distribution and Guaido, who is recognized as dent Mike Pence kept up the approach, as well as Washing- Venezuelans who have fl ed their munity of any lawmakers who ties have already issued 18 arrest encourage dialogue. Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 19 PAKISTAN Death row woman Suicide blast at Lahore has left country, says her lawyer shrine kills at least 10 Reuters State Department said it “wel- Islamabad comes the news that Asia Bibi AFP has safely reunited with her Lahore family.” Pakistani Christian “Asia Bibi is now free, and woman who spent we wish her and her family all suicide blast at one A eight years on death the best following their re- of Pakistan’s oldest row falsely charged with blas- unifi cation. The United States Aand most popular Sufi phemy has left the country, uniformly opposes blasphemy shrines killed at least 10 people her lawyer and media said yes- laws anywhere in the world, as and wounded 24 in the eastern terday, more than six months they jeopardise the exercise of city of Lahore yesterday, police after she was acquitted by Pa- fundamental freedoms,” the said, in an attack claimed by the kistan’s top court. statement said. Pakistani Taliban. Asia Bibi’s lawyer said he Pakistan’s Supreme Court The blast – which a faction understood she had departed in January upheld its earlier of the militant group claimed for Canada. verdict to free Bibi, but Pa- by e-mail – occurred near the Pakistani and Canadian of- kistani offi cials have worried entrance gate for female visi- fi cials have not offi cially com- that her sudden departure tors to the 11th-century Data mented on Bibi’s reported could trigger further riots. Darbar shrine, one of the largest departure, perhaps due to the Hardliners have criticising Sufi shrines in South Asia, as the sensitive nature of her case. the government and the mili- country marks the holy month Bibi’s release in October tary for caving in to what they of Ramadan. sparked rioting by hardlin- call pressure from the Western Wreckage of vehicles littered ers, who rejected the Supreme world. the pavement near the shrine Court’s verdict and warned Bibi, a farm worker and a as fi rst responders rushed to the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s mother of four, was convicted scene and armed security forces government that she must not in 2010 of making deroga- fanned out in the area. be allowed to leave the country. tory remarks about Islam af- “As we crossed the road a They also called for Bibi, ter neighbours working in the blast took place in front of us,” who has been staying at an un- fi elds with her objected to witness Ritat Shahid said. disclosed location under tight her drinking water from their She described seeing pieces security, to be killed. glass because she was not of fl esh fall in front of her, and “I have inquired within Muslim. added that the blast “sounded available channels, and ac- Her case has outraged so big that we felt like our ears cording to them she has left Christians worldwide and has will burst”. for Canada,” Bibi’s lawyer, Saif been a source of division with- The emergency room at the Ul Malook, said. in Pakistan, where two politi- Mayo Hospital in Lahore was Pakistani TV channels Geo cians who sought to help her crowded with the wounded, and and ARY, citing unidentifi ed were assassinated, including people searching for loved ones, Security off icials and members of a bomb disposal team survey the site after a blast in Lahore yesterday. sources, also reported Bibi had Punjab province governor Sal- an AFP reporter saw. left the country. man Taseer, shot by his own Among them was Azra Bibi, ly, in a 2010 suicide attack which ference that the security person- out major attacks. where hardline groups often tar- Pakistan’s foreign ministry bodyguard. whose son Muhammed Shahid killed more than 40 people. nel at the shrine were targeted. Major urban centres such as get religious minorities. did not respond to requests for British Foreign Secretary cares for visitors’ shoes – which Since then the area has been Three police offi cials, two se- Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest The Data Darbar complex con- comment. A Canadian govern- Jeremy Hunt said it was “fan- must be removed before enter- increasingly hemmed in by heavy curity guards and fi ve civilians city and the provincial capital of tains the shrine of Saint Syed Ali ment spokeswoman said in an e- tastic news that Asia Bibi ap- ing. He has been missing since security, with visitors forced to including a child were among its wealthiest province, Punjab, bin Osman Al-Hajvery, popu- mailed statement: “Global Af- pears to have left Pakistan the blast, she said. pass through several layers of the dead, Punjab province Chief are not immune. larly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh. fairs Canada has no comment.” safely.” “They are not Muslims,” she screening before they can enter Minister Usman Buzdar said. An attack in the city in March Originally from Afghanistan, he In November, Canadian Hunt, who was due to dis- said, referring to the attackers. the complex. Pakistan’s push against ex- last year left nine people dead, was one of the most popular Sufi Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cuss persecution of Christians “They even targeted worshippers.” Sufi worshippers have frequent- tremism was stepped up after the while a major blast targeting preachers on the subcontinent. said his country was in talks with US Secretary of State The shrine has long been ly been the target of bloody attacks country’s deadliest-ever attack, Christians celebrating Easter in a Tens of thousands of pilgrims with Pakistan about helping Mike Pompeo and Archbishop home to colourful Sufi festi- by militants – including the Islamic an assault on a school in Peshawar park in 2016 killed more than 70 visit the shrine each spring to Bibi, whose family are believed of Canterbury Justin Welby, vals and a prime destination for State group – who consider their in 2014 that left more than 150 people. mark his death anniversary, to be outside Pakistan. She is head of the Church of Eng- the country’s myriad Muslim beliefs, and rituals at the graves of people dead – mostly children. Critics have long argued the while it is also crowded weekly widely expected to seek asy- land, tweeted that Bibi’s free- sects, making it a soft target for Muslim saints, as heresy. Since then, security has dra- military and government crack- with worshippers listening to lum and diplomats say she will dom “shows that with con- militant attacks. Senior police offi cial Mu- matically improved, but mili- down has not addressed the root qawwali, a traditional form of have no problems. certed eff ort the right thing It has been targeted previous- hammed Ashfaq told a press con- tants retain the ability to carry causes of extremism in Pakistan, Islamic devotional music. A statement from the US can happen.”

Sharif returns to Prayers before breaking fast jail after treatment Rethink proposed civil service Pakistani former prime minister Nawaz Sharif returned to prison yesterday to complete a sentence for corruption after being reforms: former police chiefs released on bail for six weeks to receive medical treatment, off icials said. Internews ice reforms and the government them indicates that there was Sharif, who is serving a seven-year Islamabad through a resolution to revisit the no concrete outcome of the sentence imposed last year for failing proposed reforms. consultation and key concerns to disclose the source of income The chairman of the task remained unsolved, the resolu- that allowed him to acquire the Al ormer inspectors general force in its recent meeting re- tion passed by the association Azizia Steel Mills in Saudi Arabia, was of police have urged the sponded to some of the associ- said. released on bail in March. FPakistan federal govern- ation’s concerns regarding the The resolution also said the He returned to the District Jail ment and the task force on civil proposal for cluster/stream- PSP and other federal services in Lahore in the early hours, service reforms to revisit pro- ing as this would marginalise were not represented on the accompanied by thousands of posed reforms relating to clus- and alienate other services, task force and the proposed cheering supporters, several ter/streaming of diff erent serv- including the PSP, from the recommendations were nei- hours after he was due back. ice groups, including Police mainstream and would also ad- ther fully comprehended nor Shahbaz Gill, spokesman for the Service of Pakistan (PSP). versely impact the interest of generally supported. Punjab chief magistrate, said Nawaz According to a statement, a the federation. The association’s main con- arrived at the jail after its gates had group of former IGPs also ex- He, however, assured the cern was that the proposed re- closed for the night but was allowed pressed concern over proposed association that the proposed forms would confi ne and stifl e in to avoid inflaming tensions. reforms in the civil service by reforms were based on consul- the PSP and most of the federal Thousands of supporters of splitting it into separate service tation with all the provincial services, but for all intents and Sharif’s PML-N party joined streams. IGPs, the National Police Bu- purposes mean segregation their leader from his house and At a meeting in Islamabad in reau and National Police Acad- into compartments instead stopped his car at several points March, the Association of Former emy, as well as senior police of integration of all the serv- Pakistani Muslims off er pray prior to breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan at a along the route, showering his Inspectors General of Police offi cers. ices leading to the creation of mosque in Karachi yesterday. car with flowers and chanting in urged the task force on civil serv- However, the feedback from monolith elite service. support. (Reuters)

Punjab CM bans PTI emerges as richest political party off icial Iftar parties The Imran Khan-led Pakistan corruption and other illegalities Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has in the PTI’s funding. Govt ready to introduce banned Iftar parties at off icial expense emerged as the richest political The Pakistan Muslim League and this ban would be applicable to party in the country after the Nawaz (PML-N) comes second the ministers, secretaries and other top poll organising authority with assets value at over government off icials. issued assets details of 81 Rs253mn. The Nawaz Sharif- In his direction, the CM said, “We are political groups. led party’s assets witnessed amnesty scheme custodian of the national resources According to the Election increase of Rs20mn during and austerity is fundamental part Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the the period of one year and it Internews $200bn from abroad is an im- failed to recover even $20mn He had complained that of government policies. We want ruling party tops with Rs376.6mn sold the election tickets to its Islamabad possible task. (what to talk of $200bn) so far, details of at least half of the to make people realise that their worth of assets and during the candidates for Rs119.7 million. Not only that the PTI gov- its probe regarding the iden- 10,000 properties were previ- money will only be spent on public period of a year the assets of The Pakistan People’s Party ernment could not fi nd any tifi cation of undeclared assets ously available but no action welfare programmes.” the PTI increased by Rs220mn, (PPP) stands at number three he upcoming amnesty credibility in the much quoted would help the government was taken. The chief minister also conducted Express News reported. in terms of assets value. The scheme will make the $200bn fi gure that was said amnesty scheme to document Notices were also issued to visits to far-flung areas of the The PTI received over Rs6.5mn total assets owned by the Tmuch trumpeted Assets to be stashed in off shore ac- many of the assets/wealth be- hundreds of properties from the province on the first day of from overseas Pakistanis Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led party Recovery Unit of the govern- counts, it has also understood ing identifi ed by the Unit. list but the Unit so far recovered Ramadan and inspected special among them those residing are of Rs167mn. The PPP had ment redundant besides dash- fi nally that it can’t even recover Soon after coming into power, less than a billion rupee. A few bazaars, a hospital and wheat in Britain donated Rs40.92mn generated Rs93.7mn from the ing hopes built by the ruling the $9bn wealth that the Assets the PTI government had estab- months back, it was reported procurement centres. whereas expats in the United proceeds of party tickets. party for bringing back hidden Recovery Unit claimed to have lished Asset Recovery Unit to that Rs530mn, which was ille- He suspended Rahim Yar Khan States contributed Rs12.6mn. Meanwhile, the right-wing $200bn from overseas. identifi ed in foreign countries. retrieve assets hidden overseas. gally sent abroad, was recovered chief off icer corporation and The governing party has party, Jamaat-e-Islami, owns As the government is all set The amnesty scheme, The unit comprises of of- by the government through its district civil defence off icer over declared details of six bank assets of Rs106.3mn. to announce amnesty scheme to which is being fi nalised and is fi cials from the State Bank Assets Recovery Unit (ARU). dereliction of duties. accounts and Premier Imran, The Muttahida Qaumi encourage Pakistanis to declare expected to be announced in of Pakistan, Federal Board of Now the authorities also He announced provision of funds for who is also the party head, has Movement (MQM-Pakistan) and their hidden and untaxed wealth the near future, will allow all Revenue (FBR), National Ac- admit that if it is not impos- the construction of a flyover and said submitted the aff idavit with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan held both within the country and Pakistanis to declare their un- countability Bureau (NAB), sible then really diffi cult to re- resources would be provided for the ECP of not receiving funds from received donations of Rs17.5mn off shore, this initiative will di- taxed or hidden wealth by de- Federal Investigation Agency cover and bring back the hid- establishment of a cadet college. any prohibited source. and Rs5mn respectively. rectly hit the purpose for which positing a nominal percentage and intelligence agencies. den assets identifi ed overseas. The chief minister inspected It is pertinent to mention here Interestingly, ‘firebrand’ the Assets Recovery Unit of the of their declared wealth. In one of his initial press con- Under the international Ramadan bazaar, emergency that the PTI is facing foreign politician Sheikh Rashid-led government was established by The PTI government, which ferences, head of the unit and conventions, after a lot of ef- ward of the THQ Hospital and a funding case which was filed in Awami Muslim League (AML) the government earlier. had set its eye on $200bn PM’s adviser on accountabil- forts if any overseas hidden wheat procurement centre upon November 2014 by the party’s is the poorest party of the Offi cial sources said that (Rs28,400bn), is now expect- ity Shahzad Akbar had said that wealth is discovered and pur- reaching Sadiqabad. He inspected former central vice president country with assets worth the government has now real- ing mere Rs175bn revenue from members of the ARU had already sued with the host govern- the arrangements made for Akbar S Babar who had alleged Rs138,000 only. (Internews) ised that what it had promised its amnesty scheme Although, got details of over 10,000 prop- ment, the most Pakistan can providing relief at the bazaar set about bringing back of looted the Assets Recovery Unit has erties in Dubai and England. get it the payable tax amount. up at Askari Park. (Internews) Gulf Times 20 Thursday, May 9, 2019 PHILIPPINES

Call to choose candidates who will uphold Senate panel calls off hearing on nation’s welfare

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th yesterday called on the Catholic faithful to choose candidates who would work for charges against president’s family the welfare of the nation, Manila Times reported. Manila Times Misibis Bay, a resort owned by Enough of this nonsense,” The senator thanked the Sang- Manila businessman Elizalde Co He Lacson said on Twitter. guniang Layko ng Pilipinas, the also claimed that in April 2011, Sotto, meanwhile, urged Ad- lay arm of the Catholic Bishops De Lima had brought Aquino, vincula to “come out clean” re- Conference of the Philippines, for Senate panel has called along with several Cabinet garding those who might have supporting him and nine other off a hearing on claims members and then-Albay Gov. told him to make the accusa- Senate candidates endorsed by Athat President Rodrigo Joey Salceda, to a syndicate tions. the People’s Choice Movement Duterte’s family had received house where the president re- Advincula surfaced on Mon- (PCM). “I call on our Catholic drug syndicate payoff s, not- ceived two envelopes contain- day — following last week’s ar- brothers and sisters, let us join ing that accuser Peter Joemel ing money. rest of Rodel Jayme, said to have hands to secure the victory of Advincula also attempted to Given Advincula’s new line been responsible for uploading those who will do good for our link former President Benigno — that President Duterte’s eld- the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” country,” Aquino said in a state- “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd and other est son, former Davao City vice videos — and claimed that he ment. Aquino topped the PCM’s politicians to illegal drugs. mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte; was ready to testify against the selection process, garnering 120 Advincula, who says he is the son-in-law Manases “Mans” Dutertes. votes from 130 representatives “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Carpio, husband of Davao City He sought assistance from from various Catholic, evangelical Narcolist” videos, sought the Mayor Sara Duterte; and former the IBP, but the national organi- and Protestant groups. legal assistance of the Integrat- top aide and now Senate can- sation of lawyers yesterday said The PCM based its selection ed Bar of the Philippines (IBP), didate Christopher Lawrence it could not agree to his request on character and honour, compe- but the group turned down his “Bong” Go, among others, had for free legal assistance based tence and abilities, and faithful- request. received payoff s — Sotto said on standards set by its National ness to public service, to God, to Senate President Vicente “the person is not credible at Center for Legal Aid. the Constitution and to the law. Sotto 3rd yesterday said Advin- all.” Senator Panfi lo Lacson, “In the pursuit of its mandate Aquino also thanked the cula had tried to link Aquino, chairman of the Senate Com- to provide access to justice to Trade Union Congress of the Senator Leila de Lima and some mittee on Public Order and the poor and the marginalised, Philippines for supporting his politicians in Bicol to the illegal Dangerous Drugs, on the other the IBP cannot be seen to be candidacy. “The full support and drug trade. hand, said he cancelled a Friday siding with or going against any recognition of the labour sector He said Advincula, who was public hearing given questions candidate or political party,” IBP to our advocacy to promote their then jailed at the National Bili- over Advincula’s credibility. President Abdiel Fajardo said in welfare is a big help (to our candi- bid Prison (NBP), sent him a “SP (Senate President) Sotto a statement. dacy),” he said. Aquino vowed to sworn affi davit in December said it all. We are now recall- It noted that, “Communi- push the passage of the Security 2016 claiming that he saw De ing the letter of invitation sent cations and documents sub- of Tenure Bill to end labour con- Lima — who was then the Jus- to Advincula yesterday. Notices mitted during consultation tractualisation if he wins another tice secretary — meeting with will be sent out for the cancella- shall remain privileged and term in the Senate. drug syndicate members at tion of the committee on Friday. confi dential.” Vicente Sotto: questioning credibility of allegations US seeks bigger military drills with Philippines

By Dempsey Reyes Manila Times

he United States Army wants larger joint exer- Tcises with the Philippine Army, as it seeks to increase the number of soldiers who will join next year’s counter-terrorism exercises from 900 to 1,500. Lt Col Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said Maj Gen John Johnson, the US Army Pacifi c Command deputy command- ing general, made the proposal during his visit to the army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Tuesday. Zagala said Johnson met with Lt Gen. Macairog Alberto, the Philippine Army chief, and pro- posed the holding of large scale that will focus on counter-ter- rorism for the Salaknib (shield) A PPCRV off icial shows to media the computers that will be used by volunteers on May 13, the election day. exercises for 2020. Major General John Johnson paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Army Commanding General Lt Gen Salaknib exercises are army- Macairog S Alberto. The leaders discussed the future bilateral army-to-army exercises between the to-army drills between Manila USAPAC and PA as well as the training of the PA’s First Brigade Combat Team. and Washington conducted yearly since 2015 as part of the a proposed concept and al- reporters. According to Za- the future might hold. We mutual defence treaty between though both armies are gala, 900 US soldiers and are committed to this re- Watchdog says ready the two nations. committed to it, we are still 1,800 Filipino troops par- gion, the design of Salaknib For next year, Zagala said waiting for the final plan. ticipated in this year’s Sala- 2020 exercise is purposeful Johnson was proposing the This is, however, for next knib exercises. “This is all in demonstrating that com- deployment of more troops. year’s drills and planning about making us more ready mitment,” Johnson said in a for parallel vote count “It’s still a proposal; it’s is in process,” Zagala told and whatever challenges statement.

By Catherine A Modesto 85,000 clustered precincts in computers, as its informa- Manila Times around 36,000 voting centres, tion technology partner for would retrieve and send the the elections.Telecommuni- Comelec seeks police help to curb vote-buying fourth copy of election returns cations company PLDT Inc. he Parish Pastoral Coun- (ERs) to the Pope Pius 12th helped with the setting up of cil for Responsible Vot- Catholic Center in Manila. transparency servers through By William Depasupil major problem as the poll body launched He added that prosecution would not be Ting (PPCRV), the Com- “Those physically gener- which organisations will re- Manila Times Task Force Kontra Lagay, which he said easy, so the task force’s primary aim would mission on Elections’ citizen ated ERs are to be validated ceive electronic copies of ERs would “address the complaints and needs be to inform the public and then gather in- arm for the May 13 midterm against electronically trans- from Precinct Count Optical of our countrymen.” formation to support the filing of cases. polls, is all set to carry out its mitted returns,” PPCRV Ex- Scanners. he Commission on Elections (Come- Vote-buying had increased because “We are sending a message to com- mandate of acting as a watch- ecutive Director Maribel PPCRV co-founder Henri- lec) has tapped the Philippine Na- cheating could no longer be done via the plainants and witnesses that they are not dog and conducting an unoffi- Buenaobra said. etta de Villa said the Manila Ttional Police (PNP), Department of electoral system itself, he claimed. alone… If there is a need for a case build cial, parallel quick count. Around 300 volunteer en- Electric Company had also the Interior and Local Government (DILG) “The vote-counting machines of the up and investigation, don’t be afraid be- PPCRV chairman Myla Vil- coders are expected to be on assured the watchdog of ad- and the National Bureau of Investigation Comelec have been proven to be tamper cause the PNP, the NBI and the Comelec lanueva said a total of 300,000 hand every day from May 13 equate power during the elec- (NBI) to combat vote-buying during the proof. So politicians now resort to vote buy- will support you in your complaints. We identification cards had been to 27. The PPCRV has again tions. The PPCRV also has a May 13 elections. ing as the only way to rig the system. It has will be here to investigate and prosecute,” shipped to poll watchers, who tapped the AMA Education generator on hand in the event Comelec Commissioner Al Parreno yes- become a big problem that we now have to Comelec Legal Division chief John Rex at the closing of more than System, which provided 100 an outage occurs. terday admitted that vote-buying was a face head on,” Parreno said. Laudiangco said. Meralco to cut rates this month

By Jordeene B Lagare an P81.84-reduction; 400kWh, dropped by P0.7544 per kWh tight supply conditions in Lu- Manila Times P109.12; and 500kWh, P136.40. and P0.5143 per kWh, respec- zon, which resulted in seven yel- In a statement, Meralco said tively, because of the strength- low alerts and seven red alerts the decrease was due to reduced ening of the Philippine peso declared by the National Grid he Manila Electric Com- generation charge primarily be- against the US dollar and lower Corp. of the Philippines during pany (Meralco) has said cause of lower rates from the fuel prices for coal and Malam- the month. Tit would reduce rates by independent power producers paya natural gas. But transmission charge for P0.2728 per kilowatt hour (kWh) (IPPs) and power supply agree- The price of natural gas from residential customers went in May. ments (PSAs) off setting higher Malampaya, which accounts for down by P0.0808 per kWh be- This brings overall electricity prices from the Wholesale Elec- about 64% percent of Meralco’s cause of higher system load fac- rates to P10.2866 per kWh this tricity Spot Market (WESM). supply, declined this month due tor. Taxes and other charges also month from P10.5594 per kWh in For May, generation charge to quarterly repricing to refl ect fell by P0.1106 per kWh. April. Households that consume went down by P0.0814 per kWh lower crude oil prices in the glo- Meralco’s distribution, supply 200kWh will notice a decrease to P5.5508 per kWh from last bal market. and metering charges, mean- of P54.56 in their monthly bill; a month’s P5.6322 per kWh. The WESM prices rose by while, have remained unchanged Meralco said the decrease was due to reduced generation charge primarily because of lower rates from 300-kWh consumption will see Rates from IPPs and PSAs P3.5355 per kWh because of for 46 months. the independent power producers (IPPs) and power supply agreements (PSAs). Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 21 COMMENT Anatomy of Spain’s political paralysis

By Tano Santos It is not anti-establishment like entering a similar arrangement with New York many other recently formed parties the Conservatives under former Prime across Europe, but it does oppose the Minister David Cameron. The Social constitution’s main organising principle: Democrats in Germany have shared a aving won last month’s decentralisation. At its campaign rallies, similar fate since joining a coalition led election with 123 of 350 people wrap themselves in the Spanish by the Christian Democratic Union and parliamentary seats, Spain’s fl ag and celebrate heroic moments in its Bavarian sister party, the Christian HSocialists, led by Prime Spanish history, from the Reconquista Social Union. Minister Pedro Sánchez, will now to the glorifi ed history of the Spanish While the PP’s political mistakes seek to govern. Sánchez will need the Empire in America. in recent years have fragmented support of the far-left Podemos party, Vox’s electoral success is a direct the Spanish right and paralysed as well as the acquiescence of Basque consequence of the drive for Catalan the country’s politics, the overall and Catalan nationalist parties. But independence and the PP’s failure in electorate is evenly divided (if all of the no one should expect him to form a solving the Catalan crisis in the fall of right-wing parties united, they would government anytime soon. Spain’s 2017. As long as that wound festers, command a narrow parliamentary endless cycle of indecisive elections Spanish politics will be unstable. Vox majority). Complicating matters continues. backs the 1978 constitution precisely further is the fact that Spain has never Spain owes its political paralysis because its leaders view it as the best had a coalition government, and thus to several factors. Foremost, the guarantee against Catalan and Basque has no political tradition of tolerating main conservative force, the People’s independence. Why abandon the high the concessions that it entails. Party (PP), has collapsed. In the ground of the law when it serves your Finally, and not surprisingly, context of Spanish politics, that purposes so eff ectively? Basque and Catalan nationalist development alone is cataclysmic. In Yet, by pursuing recentralisation, parties have gained ground. Spain’s the four decades since the country’s Vox is on a collision course with the voters have become wily tacticians. transition from dictatorship, the powerful local elites nurtured by With a fragmented parliament, it PP has reconciled the Spanish right decentralisation. Much would have to makes sense to send regionalists and to democracy and ensured that it change for Vox to be in a position to nationalists to Madrid, where they supports the 1978 constitution, which enact this part of its agenda. But if US can bargain eff ectively for additional broke with 300 years of political President Donald Trump’s election and transfers, in exchange for votes in tradition by radically decentralising the Brexit referendum have taught us support of a national government or the Spanish state. anything, it is not to dismiss Vox and the national budget. This will reinforce The election wiped out over 50% of the political impulses it represents. the resentment felt by many on the the PP’s parliamentary representation The party captured a signifi cant right and will probably sustain Vox (which will fall from 137 to 66 seats), share of the vote in places like Madrid comfortably for years to come. after the party lost votes in equal and Valencia, which are home to Many in Madrid say that Spanish measure to Ciudadanos and Vox. affl uent constituencies that have been politics is becoming Italian, only Ciudadanos, a centre-right liberal largely sheltered from the ravages of without the Italians’ feats of political party founded in Catalonia to oppose globalisation and automation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez gymnastics). In other words, Spain secession, is staunchly constitutionalist, To be sure, Vox comprises unsavoury is in uncharted territory. Its political and something of a novelty in Spanish elements that would not be out of place politics. When Ciudadanos was would empower the PP as the main the parliamentary seats to govern by culture makes little allowance for politics: the fi rst viable national party in today’s reborn ethno-nationalist formed, it had relatively modest opposition party. Its immediate themselves, the Socialists view a weaker fl exibility, and its party structure is whose main leaders live in Barcelona movements. But make no mistake: Vox ambitions of becoming a mainstay priority, then, is not governing, but Ciudadanos is an ideal coalition partner. deeply fragmented. Paralysis will and speak Catalan. It is also reformist, is a uniquely Spanish phenomenon. of the political centre, where it could fi nishing off the PP, starting with the Having held off the far-left Podemos, be the name of the game until the advocating institutional reforms to It is nationalist, but it does not share plausibly join both Socialist- and PP- European, municipal, and regional the Socialists could pursue an unpopular electorate fi gures out what it wants ensure the welfare state’s long-term the Euroskepticism of the Brexiteers led coalitions to resolve the Catalonia elections later this month. Whatever reform agenda and seek to maintain and Spain’s party system responds sustainability. It is the closest analogue or Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (née problem and implement a set of happens, Spanish politics will remain their credibility on the left by blaming accordingly. That is probably for the Europe has to French President National Front) in France, nor does it long-overdue liberal reforms. But the in limbo until the right is stabilised. Ciudadanos for it. best. — Project Syndicate Emmanuel Macron’s La République En augur the return of Spain’s dark past. PP’s collapse has changed the party’s One of the paradoxes of contemporary Ciudadanos leaders understand Marche ! Though Vox has received more political calculations. Spanish politics is that Ciudadanos this. They know that the Liberal z Tano Santos is professor of Finance Vox, on the other hand, represents attention from commentators, Were Ciudadanos to form a cannot pursue its policy agenda in Democrats in the United Kingdom at the Graduate School of Business, Spain’s traditional Catholic right. Ciudadanos is the key to Spanish coalition with the Socialists now, it earnest unless it remains weak. Lacking marched into electoral oblivion after Columbia University.

Three-day forecast The commercial case for EU solidarity TODAY Maximum Temperature : 390c Minimum Temperature : 300c

By Joschka Fischer both old and new member states. perverse ideas about democracy – auto industry on which East and FRIDAY Maximum Temperature : 360c Berlin Nonetheless, before 2004, the EU not to mention their attempts to West have come to depend in equal was still sustained by a shared hope undermine judicial independence measure. Minimum Temperature : 280c for a common European future. and the free press – are at the centre That industry is now embarking SATURDAY he European Union’s great In the decade following the end of of the new East-West rift. At issue is on a significant structural Maximum Temperature : 370c eastward expansion in 2004 the Cold War, both East and West not one specific policy, but a deeper adjustment as it pivots from Minimum Temperature : 280c were eager to pursue unification, conflict over foundational values. carbon-emitting internal was a moment for hope Fisherman's forecast Tand optimism. After 15 confident that it would bring peace Resolving this normative controversy combustion engines to electric years, however, Eastern and Western and prosperity. will take a very long time. The EU’s vehicles (EVs). Yet outside challenge is to develop a new mutual observers could be forgiven for WARNING Europe are culturally and politically That firm conviction has been Inshore : Nil divided as ever. eroded by doubt, stemming from understanding without giving an thinking that the overhaul is Offshore : Nil Though the Eastern European fundamental disagreements over inch when it comes to upholding its strictly a West European – and countries have enjoyed greater values and worldviews. Today’s East core principles. particularly a German – initiative. WEATHER Inshore : Hot daytime with slight prosperity since joining the EU, Europeans feel like second-class The EU cannot survive as a In reality, the coming changes dust & some clouds at they are falling ever further behind citizens, and they have come to nationalist project, given that will affect jobs across Europe, times their Western counterparts in regard West Europeans as arrogant, nationalism is precisely the impulse particularly in the Eastern member Offshore : Partly cloudy at times normative and material terms. They self-serving custodians of their it was established to thwart. Those states. It is a shared challenge that WIND have experienced mass emigration, own narrow interests. At the same who insist on interpreting the demands a common solution. If Inshore : Southeasterly-North- particularly among young people. time, West Europeans think their European project differently are Eastern Europe’s current leaders do easterly 05-15 KT Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- And while remittances from those Eastern counterparts should be more sowing the seeds of its destruction. not recognise that, their countries easterly 05-15 KT working in Western Europe have grateful, and should show more With the world undergoing a will pay a high price. contributed to rising living standards solidarity, particularly when it comes geopolitical and economic shift The challenge facing the European Visibility : 4 -8 KM in the region, depopulation has to accepting migrants and refugees. towards the Asia-Pacific region, a auto industry is also an opportunity Offshore : 2-4 FT generated its own problems. More to the point, West Europeans breakdown of European unity now to close the East-West divide. The Today’s East-West rift was fear that their counterparts are would relegate the continent to the collective eff ort needed to sustain foreseeable. When EU member increasingly treating the rule of sidelines for generations to come. Europe’s competitive edge in EVs, Fortunately, beyond a shared digitisation, and other commercial states began discussing an eastward law and the separation of powers Around the region expansion in earnest – first at a not as fundamental pillars of the respect for democratic values, areas could transcend and render Weather 1997 summit in Amsterdam, and European project, but as Western European solidarity also benefits irrelevant the resentments and Weather tomorrow Max/min then at a follow-up meeting in Nice institutional quirks. After all, from commercial unity. One result suspicions of the past 15 years. It could today Max/min Sunny 31/17 in 2000 – they found it extremely Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor of the post-Cold War enlargement put Europe back on the path to shared Baghdad Cloudy 31/18 P Cloudy 37/24 difficult to get their heads around Orban openly dreams of establishing was the creation of many new prosperity. Even someone as blind to Kuwait CityP Cloudy 38/26 P Cloudy 34/27 the idea. Specifically, many delegates an “illiberal democracy” in which jobs in Eastern Europe, owing to the EU’s benefi ts as Orban should be Manama P Cloudy 34/28 Sunny 34/29 seemed to be in denial about the a majority can run roughshod over foreign direct investment by West able to see that. – Project Syndicate Muscat M Sunny 32/28 Cloudy 28/18 need to adjust common institutions the rights of minorities. Worse, he European companies, particularly Tehran M Sunny 31/20 and increase financial transfers to seems to believe that autocratic in the automotive industry. In z Joschka Fischer, Germany’s integrate new members and maintain majoritarianism could serve as the addition to strengthening economic foreign minister and vice chancellor cohesion within the bloc. basis for EU solidarity. Here, he is conditions in the new member from 1998 to 2005, was a leader of A similar form of scepticism deeply mistaken. states, these investments gave the German Green Party for almost exists today, only now it affects Orban and his fellow populists’ rise to a supranational European 20 years.

Live issues Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 21/14 P Cloudy 24/13 Global obesity rising faster in rural areas than cities Beirut M Sunny 20/15 P Cloudy 21/15 Bangkok S T Storms 37/28 Cloudy 37/27 Berlin S T Storms 18/09 Showers 17/06 By Kate Kelland due to gains in BMI in rural areas. indication of whether someone is a had shrunk dramatically, or even Cairo P Cloudy 27/15 Sunny 28/16 Reuters “The results of this massive healthy weight. BMI is calculated by reversed. Cape Town M Sunny 18/12 Sunny 22/13 global study overturn commonly- dividing a person’s weight in kg by This may be due to some Colombo M Cloudy 31/28 P Cloudy 31/27 held perceptions that more people their height in meters squared, and a disadvantages for people living in the Dhaka Sunny 38/28 P Cloudy 37/28 lobal rates of obesity living in cities is the main cause BMI of between 19 to 25 is considered countryside, the researchers said, Hong Kong Cloudy 23/21 P Cloudy 24/22 among people who live in of the global rise in obesity,” said healthy. including lower levels of income and Istanbul P Cloudy 18/13 S Showers 19/13 the countryside are rising Majid Ezzati, a professor at Imperial The study found that between 1985 education, limited availability and Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 32/26 Gfaster than those among College London who co-led the to 2017, average rural BMI increased higher costs of healthy foods, and Karachi Sunny 31/27 P Cloudy 32/27 city dwellers, in part due to greater work. by 2.1 in women and men. In cities, fewer sports facilities. London Rain 15/07 S Showers 16/07 access in urban areas to healthier He said the findings showed “that however, the gain was 1.3 and 1.6 in Ezzati said that while discussions Manila S T Storms 33/27 T Storm 32/27 foods and places to exercise, we need to rethink how we tackle women and men respectively. around public health often focus Moscow T Storm 26/16 T Storm 23/14 researchers said yesterday. this global health problem”. The researchers described on negative aspects of city living, New Delhi Sunny 43/29 M Sunny 42/27 In a study of 33 years of trends The study, published in the journal “striking changes” in the these findings show there are some New York Cloudy 13/11 Cloudy 22/13 in body mass index (BMI) across Nature yesterday, analysed height geography of BMI. In 1985, urban benefits. Paris S Showers 16/08 S Showers 17/09 200 countries and territories, and weight data from around 112mn men and women in more than three “Cities provide a wealth of Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/17 M Cloudy 28/19 the scientists found that people adults across urban and rural areas quarters of the countries studied opportunities for better nutrition, Seoul P Cloudy 22/08 P Cloudy 26/11 worldwide are getting heavier – with of 200 countries and territories had higher BMIs than their rural more physical exercise and Singapore T Storm 32/27 S T Storms 32/27 average weight rising by 5 to 6kg (11 between 1985 and 2017. counterparts. But 30 years later, recreation, and overall improved Sydney M Sunny 19/12 S Showers 18/09 to 13 pounds) over the period of the BMI is an internationally the BMI gap between urban and health,” he said. “These things are Tokyo Cloudy 23/15 Clear 25/14 study – and that most of the rise is recognised scale that gives an rural dwellers in many countries often harder to find in rural areas.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, May 9, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Umm Salal Tree and Turf Nursery: Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko The heart of Qatar World Cup

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar QNA [email protected] Doha 44350478 (News), atar’s idea of organising 44466404 (Sport), the 2022 FIFA World Cup 44466636 (Home delivery) was not based on a purely sport vision, but rather on 44350474 Q comprehensive visions aimed at leaving facebook.com/gulftimes a sustainable legacy in all sectors. And this was achieved through the twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar establishment of Umm Salal Nursery for the cultivation of trees and grass to meet the needs of the World Cup stadiums and facilities, and which will be a sustainable environmental legacy, GULF TIMES in line with QNV 2030 to safeguard the legacy of the Qatari environment for future generations. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Landscape and Sport US and Koreas Turf Management Senior Manager, Eng Yasser al-Mulla, said that the idea of establishing the nursery project has come to meet the needs of the World Cup of turf, especially as Qatar suff ers play down from a lack of cosmetic turfs outside the stadium. But with regard to the sport turf grown in the stadiums, it was provided at Aspire through the weapons test establishment of the research centre and experiments on sport turf. In an interview with Qatar News Umm Salal Nursery has been established to cultivate trees and grass to meet the needs of the World Cup stadiums and facilities. At least one of the weapons North Korea fi red at the Agency (QNA), al-Mulla said the nursery is specialised in the production weekend had many of the hallmarks of a missile, but that of seedlings, shrubs and plants, and is with a total production reaching about was the one word conspicuously missing from descriptions planned to become a public park after 300,000 sq m, which will be utilised of the tests by Washington, Seoul, and even Pyongyang. the World Cup, but its main task now by transporting them to the World Cup North Korea wanted to express to the United States its is to cultivate the areas around the stadiums or to events organised by the World Cup stadiums, which are more country every year, such as the National frustration over the breakdown of the Hanoi summit, when concerned about the heritage and which Sport Day and Qatar National Day. the two sides clashed over sanctions and the extent of is interesting for visitors and fans who The nursery includes two large lakes Pyongyang’s nuclear concessions, analysts say. will come to Doha to watch the World with an area of about 30,000 sq m, South Korea had brokered the now-deadlocked nuclear Cup, as well as saving the cost of turf which can provide suffi cient water talks between the US and North Korea, and the White House as the meter outside of the nursery is reserve for nine days for the nursery, negligible compared to the previously despite the presence of a desalination had described the absence of a missile test for more than a imported from abroad. plant next to it. year as a major foreign policy success. Al-Mulla added that Qatar will But all the plans of the SC always So Seoul, Washington and Pyongyang all have an incentive provide 8 World Cup main stadiums include a strategy and an alternative to play down the nature of the weekend drills. and 48 stadiums in the training sites strategy, so that if there is a problem in “President Trump’s biggest North Korea policy during the World Cup period for the the desalination plant, life continues in participating teams, which requires the nursery for nine days. achievement has been the suspension of Pyongyang’s 16,000 metres of cosmetic turf to cover Al-Mulla added that the second nuclear and missile tests since late 2017,” Hong Min, a senior the outdoor areas of these stadiums. stage of Al Bayt Stadium, which researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National “This has made us cultivate the outdoor includes a cosmetic turf over an area Unifi cation, said. areas of each stadium before the project of 420,000 sq m, has been completed is completed, so that the green areas almost entirely, and the grass plating “But if we declare the drill “The North’s are fi nished at the same time as the operations at Al Wakrah Stadium, involved ballistic missiles completion of the project,” he said. which is due to be completed soon, will missiles pose a at this point, it would all Al-Mulla said that all the projects of the offi cially open this month. The planting but shatter his self-touted SC are targeting legacy, which is available was also launched at Al Rayyan Stadium threat to lives success.” in the nursery located north of the city of and Lusail Stadium. Doha in the area of Umm Salal next to the Al-Mulla explained that the sports and safety of North Korea’s offi cial KCNA sewage treatment plant, on a land area of turf needs a method of maintenance news agency said the Saturday about 880,000 square metres. diff erent from the cosmetic turf, where South Koreans” drills involved “long-range The nursery contains more than the grass must always be small by multiple rocket launchers” — 16,000 trees of 60 diff erent types cutting it on a daily basis, while the known in Qatar and various countries cosmetic turf can have deep roots, which are not targeted by UN sanctions resolutions — and of the world. The nursery includes more which was taken into consideration unspecifi ed “tactical guided weapons”. than 670,000 shrubs, and one type of when selecting the turf to be planted in who used the turf to be included in the suff ering from problems. But unlike rockets, missiles have guidance systems, and analysts grass planted on an area of 425,000 the stadiums of the World Cup, where reports to the International Federation Al-Mulla stresses that the nature of said the images released by state media showed a device similar square metres. out of 36 species of grass were tested in of Football Association (FIFA). the work in the nursery is conducted to Russia’s single-stage Iskander missile. It appeared to be one Al-Mulla added that the nursery, exceptional circumstances. Al-Mulla stressed that the amount of accurately according to an integrated which opened in February 2018, As for the resistance tests carried information and expertise that the SC has system, where human labour is more displayed at a North Korean military parade last year, just as the contains giant greenhouses for the out on the selected turf of the World obtained from experiments on the turf specialised in the cultivation of trees diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula began. rehabilitation of trees that come to Cup stadiums, they were divided into qualities, is important and does not exist and plants, while machines have the South Korea’s military initially said the North had fi red Qatar from around the world, as the two stages before and after planting. in the majority of surrounding countries. largest share in the cultivation and “short-range missiles” but within an hour was describing transfer may take months. “So the A pre-planting phase was followed by “These have contributed signifi cantly to harvesting of grass, and a single herb tree should be placed in the nurseries irrigation, fertilisation and moisture the turf selection, which will be used in harvesting machine makes 5,000 sq m them as “projectiles”. rehabilitation places until it regains its absorption, and the post-agriculture the World Cup stadiums, and which we of grass in eight hours. They had a range of around 70 to 240km and fell into the normal state, and then transferred to phase was focused on the simulation called the “Qatar’s turf of the World Cup Al-Mulla stressed that the idea of sea, it said, but further analysis was required on whether the green areas in the nursery and to be of the 28-day World Cup, and the stadiums”, after having undergone several investing in the turf nursery is presented in they were short-range ballistic missiles. transferred later to the green areas in resistance tests were successful by tests and which FIFA confi rmed and the future after the World Cup, but there is Similarly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo avoided the stadiums”, he said. making the same number of matches as agreed to offi cially,” he added. no decision in this matter, especially that He added that the nursery is possible in the fi rst round (6 matches), Al-Mulla stressed that the turf there are many organisations specialised calling them missiles, describing them as “short range” in surrounded by huge trees used as with the rate increasing to 10 matches, of Qatar’s playgrounds will not be in this fi eld, as well as that the nursery has TV interviews, and telling ABC it “didn’t present a threat” to windbreakers to protect plants from as well as other manual and electronic aff ected by the climate in the future in a schedule requirements for each stadium the United States, South Korea or Japan. dust and weeds. The area of artifi cial tests to measure the turf resistance, light of the successful tests conducted and each project of the World Cup, and “We hope that we can get back to the table,” he added. turf in the nursery, over 425,000 sq in addition to taking into account the in all circumstances, unlike most of plans to produce turf during this period to Pyongyang had not launched any missile since November m, is harvested three times a year, opinion and observations of players the stadiums in the region which are meet all requirements. 2017, and last year leader Kim Jong-un declared the development of the North Korean atomic arsenal complete, announcing an end to nuclear and ICBM tests. While a short-range test would not violate that, any ballistic missile fi ring could infl ict “tremendous damage” on the North-US talks process, said Hong. An opportunity for personal spiritual growth And the respected 38 North website said in a commentary that Saturday’s drills did not amount to a policy reversal by Pyongyang, which would “require a major and wrenching Ivonne A Baki was minimal (perhaps as little as 50 people in Quito, the capital city, strategic line change”. Ambassador of Ecuador to the State of Qatar in the 1990s). In the last decade “That could still be done but is unlikely to be undertaken many Levantine and Gulf Arabs have only two months after the Hanoi Summit,” it added. emigrated to Ecuador. It is estimated But many South Korean conservatives – who take a more amadan Kareem. that there are approximately 2,000 hawkish stance on the North than the liberal Moon Jae-in I wish the people of Qatar a Muslims in Ecuador, almost entirely blessed and joyful month, one Arab. Their influence is already felt in government – say Pyongyang did fi re ballistic missiles and Rthat brings families together the day-to-day lives of Ecuadorians Seoul’s reaction was putting national security at risk. and that offers the opportunity for as Arabic restaurants can now be “The North’s missiles pose a threat to lives and safety of personal spiritual growth. The Holy found on major streets. Chicken South Koreans,” said MP Na Kyung-won of the conservative Qur’an was first revealed to the Shawarma has become a big hit, and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in the many shawarma kiosks line up the opposition Liberty Korea party. month of Ramadan. The first word streets of the major cities. “But our military and intelligence are only trying to is the command to read (iqra’) as an This is the third Ramadan under downplay the risk.” injunction on humanity to learn and blockade, and I believe that Qatar has hence grow in spirit. handled the blockade with a lot of My fi rst Ramadan in Qatar was last wisdom and foresight. I believe that To Advertise year. I have experienced Ramadan in Qatar has emerged stronger and more Lebanon for at least 20 years. There independent. Over time, this can position [email protected] is, however, a diff erence between Qatar as an honest broker in helping Display Qatar and Lebanon in that Ramadan resolve the region’s other confl icts. in Qatar is like Christmas and New The bilateral relationship between 44466621 44418811 Year in Western countries. It is an Qatar and Ecuador is continually all-consuming time of the year, where getting better especially after the Classified a lot of activities shift to the evening visit of His Highness the Amir 44466609 44418811 and there is a marked focus on the Ivonne A Baki Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani spiritual. Given the greater religious to Ecuador in October 2018 and the Subscription diversity in Lebanon, one does not feel derives from the root word for peace. I I would like to seize the opportunity visit of Ecuador’s President Lenin the full impact of Ramadan as one does would hope that this holy month stands and shed the light on the relation Moreno to Qatar in December 2018. [email protected] in Qatar. as a reminder to Muslims and non- between Ecuador and Muslim- By all measures, including trade, The most remarkable message or Muslims of the essential and universal majority countries as excellent across investments and cultural exchange, the values about this month is that Islam message of peace and love (mahabba) at the board. Until the last decade, relationship between Qatar and Ecuador © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved is a religion of peace: the word Islam the heart of Islam. the Muslim population in Ecuador is thriving and is at an all-time high.

Gulf Times 24 Thursday, May 9, 2019 QATAR

The graduates with HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani and Dr Javaid Sheikh. (Supplied picture). WCM-Q’s Class of 2019 graduates

By Joseph Varghese This year, 49 students knowledge’ in their career. tion, NewYork-Presbyterian/ Staff Reporter - 12 of whom are Qatari “It is truly an honour to be Weill Cornell Medical Center - received their US- graduating alongside a group of and Johns Hopkins Medicine in accredited MD degrees doctors, but more importantly Baltimore, Maryland to pursue r Javaid Sheikh, dean of in front of an audience of people, as caring as you are. To specialities including internal Weill Cornell Medicine dignitaries, faculty, family willingly wake up each morn- medicine, neurology, paediatrics WCM-Q faculty members and Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public Health at the DQatar (WCM-Q) exhort- and friends ing in pursuit of a career that and general surgery. Ministry of Public Health. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil ed the new graduates to be ‘bold confronts suff ering on a regular in your ambitions; imaginative they progress through their ca- basis and demands substantial in your design,’ as he celebrated reers and I look forward to see- amounts of self-sacrifi ce is truly the graduation of Class of 2019, ing many of them working in amazing. And now as we each in the presence of HE Sheikha hospitals in Qatar, healing the go on to pursue our residencies Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice sick, sharing their wisdom with or our research, our white coats chairperson and CEO of Qatar future generations and contrib- will become longer and heavier Foundation uting to building the country’s because of the growing com- “Aim for the stars, not the world-class healthcare system mitments and the self-sacrifi ce mundane; above all, live for a in line with the goals of Qatar required by this profession,” he cause larger than yourself. Fol- National Vision 2030,” dean explained. low your passion, shape your Sheikh highlighted. Dr Augustine Choi, dean of own narrative and unfold your Dean Sheikh also explained Weill Cornell Medicine in New own myth,” Sheikh told the the evolving healthcare sce- York, also addressed the gath- gathering at the convocation nario as several advancements in ering and said “To have the ceremony at Sheraton Doha medical diagnosis and treatment greatest impact, and to really yesterday. are emerging, making use of Ar- help your patients the most, This year, 49 students - 12 tifi cial Intelligence and other you’ll need to keep learning. of whom are Qatari - received technologies, leading to preci- Today you walk out of those their US-accredited MD de- sion medicine and several other doors as doctors, but your edu- grees in front of an audience developments. cation does not stop here. As of dignitaries, faculty, fam- The keynote speech was de- you go forth as new physicians, ily and friends. The graduates livered by Dr Aisha Yousuf, I urge you to remember the comprise of 26 male and 23 fe- medical director of reproduc- lessons you’ve learned here at male students taking the total tive surgery at Sidra Medi- Weill Cornell Medicine, as well number of alumni of WCM-Q, cine. Dr Yousuf, an alumna of as the friends and colleagues a Qatar Foundation partner WCM-Q from its inaugural you’ve made. They will sustain university, to 384 new doc- batch, highlighted her journey you as you find your own path tors since the fi rst graduation in medicine and how patients and your own way to Care, Dis- ceremony in 2008. often place their entire faith in cover, and Teach.” “Becoming a physician is their doctors. She called upon The graduates will now em- no easy task, and the Class of the graduates to live up to the bark on the next stage of their 2019 have demonstrated great faith of their patients. careers when they will take up commitment to their stud- Dr Moaz Abdelrehim, the stu- residency positions at elite-level ies, intellectual curiosity and dent speaker urged his fellow healthcare institutions in Qa- compassion for their patients. graduates to practise “integrity, tar and the United States, such These qualities will develop as compassion, commitment and as Hamad Medical Corpora- Some of the guests and the graduates at the ceremony. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Three-fold rise in Qataris employed in energy sector

Qatarisation becoming important in aligning the energy sector with the pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030

atar’s energy industry has witnessed almost a Qthree-fold growth in the number of approved establish- ment positions and a similar in- crease of Qataris employed in the sector in the last 19 years, said HE Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Aff airs and President and CEO OF Qatar Petroleum. He was addressing the 19th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting on Tuesday. HE al-Kaabi with participants of the 19th Annual Qatarisation Review Meeting. Al-Kaabi highlighted the importance of Qatarisation in energy sector and they will con- aligning the energy sector with tinue to be at the forefront of our the pillars of the Qatar National priorities,” he said. Vision 2030, and expressed pride Al-Kaabi highlighted the role in the accomplishments of Qa- of technical education in pro- tari nationals who are now lead- viding the proper skills needed ing the various components of by the sector. He said, “We must the energy sector and have truly continue to work closely with the become its backbone. various higher educational and Recognising the energy sec- technical institutions to align tor’s accomplishments in Qa- our requirements and needs with tarisation, the minister said, their educational outputs.” “Over the last 19 years, we have This year’s Annual Qatarisa- witnessed almost a three-fold tion Review Meeting featured a growth in the number of ap- number of presentations high- proved establishment positions lighting the sector’s progress accompanied by a triple increase in implementing Qatari human of Qataris employed in the sec- capital strategies and the eff orts tor.” to build stronger relationships Al-Kaabi expressed his ap- with the education sector. HE al-Kaabi with top executives of Qatar’s companies in the energy sector who were honoured for their performance in Strategic Qatarisation Plan. preciation of the Qatarisation At the end of the meeting the programme’s eff orts and ac- sector’s ‘11th Annual Qatarisa- Recipients of the Qatarisation Energy for ‘Supporting Qatari- Annual Qatarisation cer- tion’; and Gulf Helicopters Co for atives from the 35 participating knowledged the learning and de- tion Awards’ were presented by Crystal Awards were Qatar Pet- sation’; Nakilat for ‘Support for tifi cates were also presented to “Support for training and devel- companies in the energy sector’s velopment opportunities off ered the minister to companies who rochemical Company (Qapco) training and Development’; and, Qatargas for ‘Support and liai- opment”. Strategic Qatarisation Plan, as to Qatari nationals in the sector. have exhibited Qatarisation ex- for ‘Support and liaison with Qatar Shell for ‘Best Qatarisation son with the education sector’; The meeting was attended by well as senior executives from “Qataris are the future of the cellence during 2018. the education sector’; Dolphin Progress’. Qafco for ‘Supporting Qatarisa- senior executives and represent- Qatar’s education community.