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SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10803 April 29, 2018 Sha’baan 13, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Qatar has made In brief great strides in workplace safety QATAR | Visit Togolese president to QNA arrive in Doha today Doha Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe will arrive he Minister of Administrative in Doha today for an off icial visit to Development, Labour and So- Qatar. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tcial Aff airs HE Dr Issa al-Jafali Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will hold al-Nuaimi said yesterday that Qatar talks with the Togolese president has made great strides towards con- tomorrow at the Emiri Diwan, solidating and strengthening occu- pertaining to bilateral relations, and pational safety and health in various means to boost them. During the sectors through a series of laws and visit, a number of agreements and practices. HE the Minister of Administrative memorandums of understanding Such steps have resulted in reduc- Development, Labour and Social Aff airs, (MoUs) will be signed in several ing accidents and protecting workers Dr Issa al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, speaking at fields. against multiple occupational risks in the 2nd Occupational Safety and Health Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, at the EAA-Unicef event at the light of the continued technological Conference. QATAR | Initiative New York Public Library. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other high-level figures and industry leaders participated development, he said. in the event. PICTURE: Aisha al-Musallam/HHOPL HE al-Nuaimi stressed the commit- provision of healthcare to workers and Doha Declaration ment of Qatar to create and provide a the provision of adequate housing. commended healthy and safe working environment HE al-Nuaimi stressed the impor- The Global Programme for the which is one of the goals of the United tant role of employers in securing a safe Implementation of the Doha Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable working environment and in securing Declaration has bolstered its Development. workers’ housing as they are partners international standing as it has Speaking at the 2nd Occupation- to the state in this regard. In this con- been referred to in several off icial al Safety and Health conference, he text, he expressed his appreciation for United Nations resolutions and 10mn marginalised pointed out that Labour Law No. 4 of the cooperation among the diff erent reports, the Ministry of Interior 2004 and the ministerial decrees im- departments in Qatar to ensure that all has said. While the Human plementing it included a legislative the necessary preventive measures are Rights Council appreciated the system for safety, health and profes- in place to protect the workers. programme’s activities and specific sionalism in order to strengthen the The minister pointed out that the approaches in several areas, the children educated, health and safety system in the work- Second Conference on Occupational Conference of the States Parties place. He said the law makes it manda- Safety and Health coincides with the to the United Nations Convention tory for establishments to take preven- annual World Day for Safety and Health against Corruption referred to the tive measures for occupational safety at Work, celebrated on April 28. work under the Global Programme and health at all workplaces. In this context, he noted that the supported by Qatar. The Doha He pointed out that the Ministry of ILO has launched a joint campaign this Declaration was adopted at the end says Sheikha Moza Administrative Development, Labour year to improve the safety and health of the 13th United Nations Congress and Social Aff airs carries out periodic of young workers and end child labour. on Crime Prevention and Criminal O Sheikha Moza, UN chief, and EAA partners in 2012 to achieve who helped provide education to the and sudden inspections of establish- The campaign is aimed at accelerating Justice held in Qatar in April 2015. other dignitaries attend the milestone of reaching 10mn out 10mn children. Back in 2012, when ments subject to the provisions of the the rate of achievement of sustainable Page 8 of school children in some of the most a total of 60mn young children were Labour Law. It also carries out many development goals for the United Na- New York programme held challenging situations around the out of school, she said she wondered awareness and counseling campaigns tions in terms of safety of workplaces REGION | Diplomacy to mark major milestone world within fi ve years. whether it was possible to provide to reduce the risks of accidents and and in terms of ending all forms of O In the next five years During a special Education Above quality education to 10% of those chil- occupational diseases and ensures the child labour. Page 2 Pompeo calls for All event co-organised with Unicef at dren. “Most of them came from the new Iran sanctions Educate A Child to expand the New York Public Library in New most marginalised, most vulnerable US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo its existing programmes York City, the outstanding achieve- communities in the world. Many had arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday and implement new ones ment was celebrated with the attend- been displaced, due to confl ict; others on a hastily-arranged visit to the ance of Her Highness Sheikha Moza, were refugees, some were fl eeing pov- Middle East as the United States UN Secretary General Antonio Gu- erty or natural disasters. And none of ‘While Koreas pine for peace, aims to muster support for new QNA terres, President of Ghana Nana Aku- them were in school.” sanctions against Iran. The visit New York fo-Addo, Permanent Representative Sheikha Moza stressed that the to Riyadh, Jerusalem and Amman of Qatar to the UN HE Sheikha Alia next fi ve years will see Educate A the Arab world still divided’ just two days after Pompeo was Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, Executive Child work to expand its existing pro- sworn-in comes as President he ambitious goal of educating Director of Unicef Henrietta Fore and grammes and implement new ones. QNA of the Gulf countries more diffi cult. He Donald Trump is set to decide 10mn marginalised children has model philanthropist Naomi Camp- “We will take what we have learned Doha said the crisis in the region is currently whether to pull out of the 2015 Tbeen achieved within a short bell. and apply it to the new challenges we deep and warned the greatest danger nuclear deal with Iran that is still period of fi ve years, Her Highness Addressing the gathering, Sheikha face. Going forward, our eff orts will was the involving of the people, con- supported by European powers. Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder Moza said that she was delighted at require more than money and good hairman of the board of the trary to previous disputes which were “We are urging nations around the and Chairperson of Education Above helping 10mn get education. “Experts intentions.” Al Jazeera Media Network HE limited to the leaders and politicians. world to sanction any individuals All (EAA) Foundation announced yes- told me that educating 6mn children Sheikha Moza noted that “educat- CSheikh Hamad bin Thamer al- The Al Jazeera chief said that the and entities associated with Iran’s terday. would be impossible. But, I refused to ing these children will require a real Thani has expressed surprise at the crisis led to the people’s loss of con- missile programme, and it has The major milestone was reached believe it. One adviser told me to set a commitment from governments, from fact that while the two Koreas are ea- fi dence in the GCC as a tool for coor- also been a big part of discussions through EAA’s programme Educate A goal that was more realistic. I thought the private sector, and from the inter- gerly patching up their long-standing dination and unity. He stressed that with Europeans,” Brian Hook, a Child (EAC) and its worldwide part- I heard him say, optimistic, so I set a national community. It will take all of and deep-rooted diff erences, the Arab as a result of the blockade imposed on senior policy adviser travelling with ners. target of 10mn!” our courage, our strength, and our re- world continue to be deeply divided. Qatar, any country can consider join- Pompeo, told reporters. Page 11 It was promised by Sheikha Moza She thanked all the partners of EAA silience.” To Page 7 He noted that the Gulf Cooperation ing other countries to sanction a third Council (GCC) crisis fabricated by the country, regardless of how the latter’s blockading countries has hit the core of people would suff er. the Council. Sheikh Hamad said that 2017 wit- Speaking at the opening session of nessed a number of important events the 12th edition of Al Jazeera Forum and developments at various levels. being held under the theme “The Gulf, The most prominent of these was the 1,065 violations of hygiene law reported the Arabs and the World amid Cur- wide range of foreign interventions in rent Developments” , he said that the Arab aff airs, the transformation of the exceptional circumstances through Arab region into a regional and inter- he municipal authorities have tained to abandoned vehicles, littering In the meantime, the department which the Arab world is going have national arena, and the outbreak of the reported 1,065 violations of Law in undesignated areas and dumping visited the Central Municipal Council seen increased foreign intervention in Gulf crisis. He noted that the latter was TNo 18 of 2017 on Public Hygiene solid and liquid refuse in an unregu- and briefed its members on the law so the region. The Arab countries should part of international goals that made in the fi rst two months since the en- lated manner. that they could communicate with in- have come together rather than mov- the situation in the Arab world even forcement of the law on February 1, Al-Shafi stressed that the MME at- habitants of their respective constitu- ing apart at this time, he said. He more complicated. He added that the and imposed fi nes collectively worth taches special importance to the im- encies regarding proper practices and stressed that the crisis has cost the current forum will be a great oppor- QR818,600 on the violators. plementation of the new law and HE prevent any practice that could infl u- peoples and countries of the region a tunity to debate the urgent Arab issues This was announced by the Minis- the Minister of Municipality and En- ence the environment negatively. great deal. and to develop solutions. try of Municipality and Environment vironment Mohamed bin Abdullah al- Al-Shafi stressed that the awareness Sheikh Hamad stressed that the cri- He said Al Jazeera Network has (MME) in a statement yesterday. Rumaihi personally follows up on the campaign was still continuing along- sis created by the blockading countries been organising the forum because Safar Mubarak al-Shafi , director of progress of the eff orts. side the practical implementation of has added another burden to Arabs and of its commitment to examining the the MME’s General Cleanliness De- The ministry trained and qualifi ed the law. contributed to the re-discussion of political, economic, social and oth- partment, said all municipalities in the some 197 inspectors for proper im- His Highness the Emir Sheikh what were considered the basis of Arab er aspects that are of interest to the country intensifi ed their eff orts since plementation of the new legislation. It Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had issued Safar Mubarak al-Shafi national security and the Arab coun- Arab people. He expressed hope that the law came into eff ect as part of the also launched a major media campaign the law, which prohibits littering in tries’ ties, and regional alliances, point- the forum will serve as a platform for enforcement of the new public hygiene before the implementation of the public spaces and lays down stringent sort of public space such as streets, ing out that the blockade was a blow to dialogue and discussion of the various law. law in order to raise public awareness penalties for off enders, in October last passageways, parks, gardens, beaches the GCC and a threat to its future. issues of the region and their impact, Intensive fi eld tours by inspectors on the issue. Various types of media year. or empty plots of land, etc. He said the GCC crisis has led to particularly the blockade. He also have been conducted around the coun- were used for this purpose, including The legislation, which replaces Law The MME had earlier issued a table an issue of trust among the member hoped the deliberations would help try with a special focus on public areas. the social media, billboards on major No 8 of 1974 on public hygiene, bans on diff erent violations of the law and countries that was felt at the popular people of the region to take the right The violations detected mostly per- streets and others. littering and dumping of waste in any the stipulated fi nes. To Page 5 level as well, and made the situation positions. Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, April 29, 2018 QATAR Minister launches ‘smart jacket’ Workers’ safety E the Minister of Ad- ministrative Devel- H opment, Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi launched the “smart jacket” for work- top priority, says ers. The smart jacket, created by a Qatari engineer, monitors the health of the worker and takes appropriate action in case of emergency. The smart jacket, launched Ashghal chief yesterday on the sidelines of the Second Occupational QNA duct medical examinations for Safety and Health Confer- Doha workers, such as checking blood ence, features a helmet with a sugar, blood pressure and cho- cooling system and a chip that lesterol, to avoid injuries result- gives signals if he or she is at he Public Works Authori- ing from these diseases, as well risk, such as excessive stress, ty (Ashghal) is committed as any injury that may result rapid heartbeat, or increased Tto the highest standards of from the workplace. breathing. safety, and occupational health He said that Ashghal has wit- The sensors in the jacket in all projects implemented in nessed a remarkable increase in send signals to the control the country, recording nearly the rate of workers’ care over the room indicating the condi- 100mn hours without inju- last four years in terms of avail- tion of the worker, and ensure ries in some projects during the ability of labour housing that appropriate action is taken at HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali past nine months, the President meets the highest standards and the workplace thanks to the al-Nuaimi launching the “smart jacket” for workers. of the Public Works Authority Ashghal President Dr Engineer requirements, the satisfaction of tracking system that works (Ashghal) Dr Engineer Saad bin Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi workers with their housing and on solar power and includes status of workers. He noted that the Second providing safe and healthy Ahmad al-Muhannadi has said. delivering a speech at the the availability of water, ventila- an audio communication sys- He pointed out that the Occupational Safety and and healthy work environ- Delivering a speech at the opening session of the Second tion and a healthy environment. tem. smart jacket, which was manu- Health Conference brings ments. opening session of the Second Occupational Safety and Health Ashghal’s president referred to HE Dr al-Nuaimi expressed factured in co-operation with together representatives of During the opening session Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Doha yesterday. the co-operation of the Authority pride at this important Qatari a leading Chinese company, international organisations of the conference, the occupa- Conference, which began in with the Ministry of Transport invention as it contains many is ready for sale in Qatar and concerned with workers, lo- tional safety and health awards Doha yesterday, al-Mohannadi number of workers. Communications in order to pro- advantages, including cooling available to companies in dif- cal authorities, institutions were presented to the distin- said that Ashghal gives occu- As for the infrastructure de- vide facilities for the use of com- at high temperature and moni- ferent countries around the and companies to exchange guished and leading companies pational safety and health top velopment programme, Ash- puter and Internet connection toring biometrics, and health world. views and experiences in in this fi eld. priority by imposing a set of ghal, with an increase in working for workers, support the digital standards and requirements on hours of more than 50mn hours, culture among the migrant work- consulting companies, and su- has reduced the casualty rate by ers to their contractors, and to pervisory tours to ensure com- more than 70% in 2017, the low- enable access to communication pliance with these standards and est in six years. and technology in their homes, the safety and security of work- Earlier, Ashghal issued a which will be refl ected positively Qatar will be region’s best in workers’ welfare ers in various project sites. booklet entitled “Occupational on productivity. He noted that the company Safety Passport” which includes He also pointed to Ashghal’s has already benefi ted from these the most important safety pro- co-operation with Reach Out QNA In a speech at the second con- occupational safety and health eff orts recording 39mn hours cedures to be followed at various To Asia (Rota), a member of the Doha ference on occupational safety requirements by selecting the of work without injuries for construction sites. Qatar Foundation, to participate and health, al-Kuwari stressed best companies. nine months in infrastructure The booklet includes a brief in its English language literacy ice-Chairman of Qatar that the concern of the chamber The vice-chairman of Qatar projects and 60mn hours in a summary of the procedures stipu- programme for workers, through Chamber Mohamed bin which includes 10,000 members Chamber said that the Occupa- highway project. lated in the HSE management sys- some of its volunteers. VAhmed bin Tawar al-Ku- representing 50,000 companies tional Safety and Health Awards He also noted that the Au- tem adopted by the Authority and He referred to Ashghal’s co- wari said that Qatar is moving was the welfare of workers and were launched in the fi rst edi- thority has succeeded in reduc- the most important safe working operation with the General Di- forward in terms of making work ensuring their safety and health tion under the patronage of the ing the rate of injuries to 50% in practices and how to avoid risks, rectorate of Civil Defence in its and life in the country the best in the workplace. Ministry of Administrative De- the highway programme in 2017 such as providing vaccines to pro- preventive programme, under the in the region at all levels, while He said that the Chamber co- velopment, Labour and Social compared to the average inci- tect workers from potential health slogan “Hand in Hand to prevent continuing co-operation and operated with the offi cial bodies Vice-Chairman of Qatar Aff airs. He pointed out that the dence during the past fi ve years hazards at some work sites. Risk”. The programme aims to co-ordination with the interna- to develop legislation and laws Chamber Mohamed bin Ahmed awards recognise distinguished (2012-2016), as well as reducing Al-Muhannadi also pointed raise awareness through applying tional organisations concerned that contributed to improv- bin Tawar al-Kuwari. companies in the fi eld of oc- the frequency of injuries by up out that the Authority has es- civil defence safety requirements for the safety, health and welfare ing living standards and safety cupational safety and health to 35% with the increase in the tablished a programme to con- in all of the Authority’s buildings. of workers. of workers and encouraging the private sector to raise the level of awareness.

A panel discussion during the conference. Labour organisations hail Qatar’s commitment to workers’ rights

QNA Doha

he International La- bour Organisation T(ILO) and the Building and Wood Workers’ Inter- national (BWI) have hailed Qatar’s commitment to en- suring the rights of workers and the achievements it has made at the institutional and Deputy Director General of legislative levels to guarantee Operations and these rights. Partnerships at the ILO At the opening session of Mousa Oumaro. Speakers at the conference. the second conference on oc- cupational safety and health event which is the opening tion of Building and Wood developments in order to yesterday, the two organi- of a representative offi ce of Workers Ambit Yusen, improve working condi- sations said that Qatar has the ILO in Doha to strength- congratulated Qatar for the tions and provide a safe and made great strides in achiev- en co-operation and part- achievements in the fi elds secure environment,” said ing international standards in nership with Qatar.” of labour saying: “The or- Vice-President of BWI Di- the fi eld of labour, promoting He also noted that the ganisation looks forward to etmar Sheff ers. the rights of expatriate work- Occupational Health and intensifying co-operation He referred to the visit of ers and providing an environ- Safety Conference in Doha with the State of Qatar to the delegation of the BWI to ment conducive to sustain- coincides with the celebra- further achievements.” Doha three years ago to view able development. tion of World Health Day. He stressed that this the work sites and workers’ Deputy Director General “This is an important event is a clear message housing. “Since then, we of Operations and Partner- event to remind thousands from Qatar to the world have witnessed an impor- ships at the ILO Mousa of people who sacrifi ce their that Qatar is serious about tant development in terms Oumaro said that Qatar has lives for others and high- ensuring a safe and healthy of security and safety proce- worked hard to make ar- light the needs to improve working environment. dures, medical services and rangements for a safe work- the health and safety of con- “Qatar gives a strong sig- other services, and there is ing environment in the struction workers and other nal that the safety of work- continuous contact with the World Cup projects. projects,” he said. ers is a priority “ he said. work to inform them of new The joint technical co- He stressed that pro- “With these eff orts, Qatar developments,” he said operation programme viding a healthy and safe joins the global movement “Qatar is moving ahead signed by Qatar and ILO working environment is the in terms of workers’ safety to apply safety and security refl ects the commitment to responsibility of states and and security, many sites in standards in the construc- co-operate to ensure that governments, pointing out Qatar adopt the best inter- tion sector and providing the companies involved in that thousands die every national security and safety health services in line with the projects comply with year because of the lack of procedures.” international standards, the laws and resolutions a healthy and safe environ- “The work environment and many achievements are protecting workers, he said. ment. for construction projects being made and eff orts are He said: “On Sunday we Secretary-General of the in Qatar has witnessed sig- continuing in this regard,” will witness an important International Organisa- nifi cant achievements and he added. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 3 QATAR QC honoured Al-Rumaihi meets top with ‘Change Maker Award’ QNA UNHCR also honoured Qatar WB Group executive London Charity for its eff orts, projects and partnerships with UNHCR QNA businessmen at the US-Arab and the humanitarian service. Washington National Chamber of Com- he Aid & Trade Con- The conference witnessed merce, where he discussed eco- ference and Exhibition Qatar Fund for Development nomic initiatives and investment Theld in London last (QFFD) and Qatar Charity (QC) E the Minister of Munici- opportunities off ered by Qatar in week honoured Qatar Charity announcing an agreement with pality and Environment various fi elds, especially invest- (QC) with the “Change Maker the UN High Commissioner for HMohammed bin Abdullah ments in the environment sec- Award”, for its role in the serv- Refugees (UNHCR) to provide al-Rumaihi met with executive tor, with a view to opening wider ice of humanitarian work and $9mn in fi nancial support for director and dean of the board horizons for joint economic co- its development eff orts and Rohingya refugees. at the World Bank Group, Merza operation between the two sides. activities in 70 countries. . The conference also wit- Hasan, on the sidelines of his The minister had reviewed The award was received by nessed the launch of a joint current visit to the United States. during his participation in a Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser bin campaign by QC and UNHCR During the meeting, a number panel discussion at the 50th Jassim al-Thani, board chair- to reintegrate Somali refugees of issues were discussed, in- Waste Treatment Exhibition man of Qatar Charity (QC). and internally displaced peo- cluding the positive relations (WasteExpo 2018) in Las Vegas, The Aid & Trade, the largest ple into Somalia, and provide between Qatar and the World Nevada, the achievements of annual conference in London, them with a better life. The Bank, the challenges of con- Qatar in the fi eld of waste treat- highlights humanitarian initi- campaign aims to raise $10mn tinuing unjustifi ed siege on ment and water treatment, and atives where each participant and reach out to 100,000 Qatar and a number of is- the projects that have been im- plays a role in humanitarian aff ected people. sues such as the prospects of plemented and opportunities for and development investment. During the conference, the the global economy, economic companies to invest in this area. Sheikh Hamad said that QC initiative of World Refugee development and challenges. HE Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi speaking at a discussion. The participation of Qatar in is keen to be an active member School (WRS), of which QC The meeting also discussed this exhibition, which was held of the international system is a founding member and the initiatives of Qatar to ad- initiatives, and the search for the ganisation for the food security environmental initiatives adopted during from April 22 to 27, is of working in the fi eld of human- member of its global board of dress the issue of drylands and best ways to achieve the National of dryland countries. by Qatar to achieve sustainable de- particular importance, based on itarian work, in co-operation directors was announced, as a the eff ects of climate change, Vision 2030 in this fi eld. He also met with US acting velopment through the adoption of its keenness to develop the waste with all, particularly in areas global initiative that seeks to the measures adopted by the The agreement with Global Assistant Secretary of State for environmentally friendly initiatives treatment sector and to know of humanitarian crises. provide quality education to country to achieve sustainable Dryland Alliance (GDA) Initiative Oceans and International Envi- in various fi elds in the country. what has been achieved in this He stressed that QC has a refugees and displaced peo- development through the adop- was signed in Doha on October ronmental and Scientifi c Aff airs He also participated in a fi eld and how to apply it in the wealth of experience in this ple around the world through tion of environmentally friendly 15, 2017 as an international or- Judith Garber, and discussed the roundtable with a number of country. fi eld spans more than a quarter e-learning techniques, off er- of a century. ing solutions to education in “The number of co-operation confl ict areas. and partnership agreements be- Qatar has participated with tween Qatar Charity (QC) and a high-level delegation, in- humanitarian organisations and cluding several governmental Ooredoo Money off ers incentive for customer referrals international and regional donors and non-governmental organ- has reached 135 so far, including isations, in order to showcase 42 co-operation and partnership the projects and initiatives oredoo has announced that Referrers will earn QR3 per This promotion is available for rates in Qatar, send money local- agreements with United Nations undertaken by the country in all Ooredoo Money cus- transaction for the fi rst three international transfers through ly to any mobile wallet or bank, agencies,” he noted. the fi elds of humanitarian and Otomers will now earn mon- international money transfers MoneyGram, Al Dar Exchange make a Hala top-up, pay Shahry Last week, Qatar Charity development work. ey when referring new or existing successfully completed by their and Ooredoo Exchange. The bills, purchase data or Dawli (QC), in collaboration with sev- The Qatari delegation in- Ooredoo Money customers to send their Ooredoo Money Wallet referred friends. Friends referred promotion will run until June 4. card, transfer money from any eral international organisations, cluded the strategic partners an international remittance. and customers can refer as many must not have already complet- Anyone with a valid QID and bank account in Qatar to wallet, held a conference under the slo- in the conference and exhibi- Ooredoo Money custom- friends they want. ed three international money Ooredoo mobile number can among many others. gan “Investing in Humanity”, an tion which are Qatar Fund for ers can now refer a friend to use To add friends to the referral transfers since their registra- register for an Ooredoo Money The Ooredoo Money App is international event involving Development and Qatar Char- Ooredoo Money and earn an in- list, customers simply need to tion for Ooredoo Money. If they Wallet. Ooredoo Money can be available via the Apple App Store many international organisa- ity in addition to the Regula- centive every time their friend click on the “Add Referral” op- have completed one transac- used to send money home in- and Google Play store and has tions, UN organisations, inter- tory Authority for Charitable sends money home using Oore- tion in the “Ooredoo Money” tion before referral then referrer ternationally to 200 countries language options in English, Ar- national agencies and private Activities, Education Above doo Money. The reward money app or via the easy USSD Menu will enjoy the incentive for two and territories with the lowest abic, Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, sector organisations. All Foundation, and the Qatar will be deposited directly into by dialling *140#. transactions only. fee and one of the best exchange Tagalog and Nepali. During the conference, Red Crescent.

Panellists discussing the Gulf crisis at the 12th Al Jazeera Forum. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed ‘Development of region at risk as Gulf crisis lingers on’

By Joseph Varghese of the Gulf people in the future. But the focused on aborting the Arab Spring Staff Reporter crisis was not limited to mere diff erences revolutions and maintaining the state between the countries, but rather, its of traditional tyranny in the region”, the impact has aff ected relations among the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. peakers at the 12th Al Jazeera Gulf people.” explained Dr al-Ansari. On the inability of the GCC sys- Forum are shedding light on the Dr Sulaib drew attention to the Sau- tem to resolve the crisis, the speakers Soutcome and impact of the on- di-UAE infl uence on US decision-mak- stressed that the Gulf Co-operation going Gulf crisis, which is now in its ers and the Donald Trump administra- Council originally was not ready to 11th month. tion’s way of dealing with the crisis as deal with such major crises or resolve Despite the intensive diplomatic ef- the US looks at the fi nancial aspect in them, so it is not surprising that the forts exerted by Kuwait and regional and dealing with the region’s issues. He also GCC fails to intervene or propose international support to end the block- pointed out that the US administra- solutions to the crisis. ade, the crisis has lingered and contin- tion knows what it wants from the Gulf The speakers pointed out that the ues to drain inter-Gulf relations and states, which in turn know what they European community views the Gulf lower the capital of the Arab Gulf both need from the United States. crisis as a crisis of real division, and regionally and globally, it was observed. Al-Ghailani noted that the demands not a limited crisis in the region, not- The two-day forum is being held in made by the blockading countries were ing that the European Union is trying Doha under the theme ‘The Gulf, the never convincing and were not the ac- to deal with the crisis and fi nd a solu- Arabs and the World amid Current tual reasons for the crisis. “The block- tion in order to realise regional stabil- Developments’. ading countries wanted a change in the ity , taking into account the existing The fi rst session at the forum dis- foreign policy of Qatar as well as many interests with the GCC countries, cussed the topic “A year after the start other changes. The crisis at its root QNA reported. of the Gulf crisis: outcomes and po- level is not new. It has historical evi- The second session, themed ‘Iran tential courses”. Dr Majed al-Ansari, dence, such as assisting the attempted and the Gulf between Cooperation, professor of political sociology at coup against the Qatari regime in 1996. Competition and Confrontation”, Qatar University; Dr Faisal Abu Su- There has always been an attack on noted that Iran and its relations with laib, associate professor of political Qatari sovereignty,” he said. Arab Gulf countries were turbulent science at Kuwait University; Dr Ab- Bianco and Bachir highlighted the and dominated by mutual tension and dulla al-Ghailani, professor of social issue and provided their perspectives suspicion rather than co-operation sciences at Oman Medical College; on the topic. and common action for many decades. Cinzia Bianco, senior analyst at Gulf The current Gulf crisis has resulted The speakers concluded the need for State Analytics; and Mohamed Si in a number of axes, including an un- understanding between the countries Bachir, professor of political science precedented split in the GCC. In the of the region and the amendment of at the L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de past, there has been a harmony of foreign policies. Sciences Politiques, took part in the positions between countries, but the Meanwhile, two parallel sessions discussion. recent crisis has caused a rift that can- were held on “Social and Economic The speakers discussed the out- not heal and be addressed quickly, the Crises of the Second Wave of Change in comes and consequences of the Gulf speakers noted. the Region”, which focused on the rapid crisis, which began on June 5 last year. They pointed out that the Gulf crisis changes that have taken place in the Though all the panellists rejected the was no longer linked to the 13 demands region during the last eight years since possibility of any military action, made by the blockading countries, the outbreak of the Arab Spring revolu- they noted that the crisis has rami- noting that these demands from the tions, and on “Covering Refugee Sto- fi cations that can put the unity and beginning were not convincing at all ries: Compelling Stories”, which high- development of the region at stake. - especially as the crisis went beyond lighting a number of pressing regional Dr al-Ansari said everyone expected that to other areas. They warned that and international issues, with a focus the collapse of the GCC owing to the “the crisis was linked to a project larger on stories of the humanitarian dimen- crisis. “The GCC has not collapsed as it than the GCC countries - an expanded sion in the war in Yemen, the refugee did not have any infl uential political role regional project - and had become crisis in Zaatari camp and the crisis of to start with. It will still remain the hope part of this project, which was mainly Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, April 29, 2018 QATAR NHRC chief urges European Parliament to assess impact of blockade on Qatar

QNA blockade of Qatar will be a pri- ments of condemnation, and are sued a comprehensive report on to take immediate action to stop Brussels ority among human rights issues demanding concrete and eff ec- the violations committed by the discriminatory and arbitrary to be discussed at the European tive measures. blockading countries. measures. Parliament in the coming period. He pointed out that, contrary There were also the appeals In response to a question on resident of the National Speaking at a hearing in the to the allegations of the block- of the High Commissioner for the extent of the commitment Human Rights Committee European Parliament in Brus- ading countries, they have not Human Rights and the Special of the blockading countries to P(NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh sels, al-Marri urged European taken any action to stop the vio- Rapporteur on freedom of opin- lifting restrictions on the right al-Marri has called on the Euro- Union’s envoy to visit Qatar and lations, but launched campaigns ion and expression, as well as to practise religious rights of pean Parliament to adopt urgent the blockading countries to get a to challenge the credibility of the issuance of reports from 220 citizens and residents in Qa- and eff ective mechanisms and close look at human rights viola- those who issued and defame international organisations and tar, the president of the NHRC procedures to end the suff ering tions committed by Saudi Ara- them, and continue to spread trade unions who condemned said that pilgrims from Qatar of those aff ected by the blockade bia, the UAE and Bahrain. disinformation and establish the 13 demands of the block- cannot go to Haj or Umrah, one imposed on Qatar. He also made a similar invi- committees to prolong the crisis ading countries, including the year after the beginning of the He also called for including tation to the European Parlia- and try to gain time. closure of Al Jazeera and all Qa- blockade. human rights conditions re- ment’s human rights committee. In this context, he referred to tari media, as well as the letters He added that the commit- sulting from the blockade in the He stressed that after nearly a the visit of the delegation of the of six special rapporteurs of the tee intended to invite the Spe- European Parliament’s annual year after the blockade, the suf- United Nations High Commis- UN Human Rights Council to the cial Rapporteur on freedom of President of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin report, expressing hope that the fering of the victims continues. sioner for Human Rights (OH- Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini gov- belief to issue an urgent ap- Smaikh al-Marri speaking at a hearing in the European Parliament in violations resulting from the They no longer trust the state- CHR) to Qatar after which it is- ernments, which called on them peal to the Saudi authorities. Brussels. Sudanese minister hails NHRC and European Doha Peace Document Parliament sign MoU QNA Dr Ibrahim noted that the persons and refugee return- Khartoum Doha peace document pro- ees. QNA bin Smaikh al-Marri, and nership and co-operation vided Sudan with an “inte- Dr Ibrahim stressed that Brussels Chairman of the Human between the committee and grated solution to the Dar- the Doha document is the Rights Subcommittee of the the European Parliament in udan’s State Minis- fur crisis that threatened biggest social catalyst for European Parliament Anto- order to address all chal- ter of Social Security, the security and stability of the Sudanese people. The he National Human nio Panziri. lenges resulting from the SDr Ibrahim Adam Ib- the country”. Sudanese-Qatari strategic Rights Commit- The MoU is one of the human rights situation, as rahim, has reaffi rmed that With regard to his min- partnership is a natural ex- Ttee (NHRC) and the most important mecha- well as dealing with the re- the Doha Peace Document istry’s reliance on the Doha tension of the relations be- European Parliament have nisms through which the percussions of the blockade has enabled the country Peace Document, the Suda- tween the two countries and signed a consultative Mem- human rights developments of Qatar. to achieve sustainable so- nese offi cial said that Qatar a real refl ection of the eco- orandum of Understanding in Qatar are implemented He added that the cial development, establish has provided solutions to nomic progress that Qatar (MoU) for the exchange of and followed up. It will pave memorandum involves peace and stability in the the issue of the return and wants in favour of Sudan expertise and consultation the way for closer co-opera- the exchange of expertise country. stability of displaced per- locally, regionally and inter- between them. tion between the NHRC and with a view to enhanc- In a statement to Qatar sons and refugees, building nationally. This is the fi rst MoU of the European Parliament to ing the work of members News Agency (QNA), the integrated villages in Dar- He praised the position its kind for the Parliament carry out many joint pro- and staff in various dis- offi cial described the Su- fur, improving conditions of His Highness the Emir with a national institution grammes in the fi eld of hu- ciplines and exchanging danese-Qatari relations as and transforming commu- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad for human rights in the Gulf man rights. experiences on interna- good and added that Qatar nities into a major economic al-Thani, which “served and Arab countries, refl ect- It will also allow the Eu- tional human rights con- has contributed to the sta- pillar. Qatar also provided Sudan in regional and in- ing the credibility of the ropean Parliament to iden- ventions, including ILO bility in Sudan and support- the basic infrastructure for ternational forums and Committee at the global tify and learn more about conventions, noting that ed the country generously. the integration of displaced enabled it to satisfactorily level, and the culmination the repercussions of the an annual work plan has achieve its goals in sustain- of its eff orts and work for blockade and how to ad- been developed with reg- ing security and stability more than 16 years. dress them. ular evaluation to moni- and playing a vital role in The agreement was Al-Marri said that the tor their implementation, peace process.” signed in Brussels by Presi- signing of the agreement dictated by projects be- The Doha Peace Docu- dent of the NHRC Dr Ali will strengthen the part- tween the two sides. ment was signed by the Sudanese government and the Liberation and Justice Movement on July 14, 2011 in the presence of repre- sentatives of Burkina Faso, the African Union, the United Nations and Qatar, which mediated between the parties over 30 months of negotiations. The document includes an essential element to resolve the Darfur cri- sis, which is the sharing of wealth and power between the Khartoum government and the Darfur movements, as well as addressing key issues of the armed con- fl ict in the region, such as compensation for the dis- placed, asylum and the ad- ministrative status of the region, where it was decided to conduct a referendum to resolve the identity of Dar- fur, being a single province or states. Qatar’s support for sports in Sudan praised

The Minister of Youth and Sports of Sudan Dr Abdel Karim Musa Abdel Karim, has praised the support provided by Qatar to advance sports in his country, pointing to the positive impact Qatar is having on his country. This came during his remarks yesterday to Sudanese radio, in which he said that the doors of Qatar have been wide open for Sudanese sport since ancient times as a result of the distinguished relations, considering the level of support provided now as strong and distinguished links between the two countries. He stressed that the Sudanese-Qatari co- operation in sports opens up broad horizons for the development of Qatari national experiences and successes in the field of sports. The Doha Peace Agreement laid the foundations for the renaissance of sports, as the model villages established by Qatar in all states of Darfur have allocated large areas for sports infrastructure and youth. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 5 QATAR 1,065 violations of hygiene law reported

From Page 1

According to the ‘reconciliation ta- ble’, leaving, dumping or disposal of construction/demolition waste and solid waste from excavation in un- designated places will entail a fi ne of QR6,000, while disposal of sewage in undesignated places will be penalised with a fi ne of QR5,000. Leakage of any kind of materials from a vehicle travelling on a pub- lic road is punishable with a fi ne of QR3,000, the chart shows. Also, fail- ure to use protective cover – and se- cure it tightly – for transportation and the resultant fall, leakage or fl ow of any Constant attention to cleaning work. object from a vehicle’s load will attract a fi ne of QR2,000, the MME states. blankets or clothes on windows or in The chart states that the fi ne for Occupying fi elds, public roads, streets, balconies overlooking roads and other leaving waste, trash bags, leftovers corridors, alleys, squares and public public places. or papers in front of houses, roads or parking spaces with abandoned vehicles Also, throwing or leaving waste, public spaces is QR300, and a similar and old equipment – or parts thereof- garbage bags, etc in front of shops or penalty will be imposed on off enders will attract a penalty of QR1,000. outside a designated garbage con- for washing cars and other vehicles in Meanwhile, the fi ne for throwing tainer will carry a fi ne of QR500, while undesignated areas. tissue paper, waste or empty packs, or throwing or leaving food waste in gar- According to an earlier report spitting on sidewalks and roads and in dens, on beaches or in other public published in the local media, fines public places is QR500, the MME chart places/vacant spaces is also punish- up to QR25,000 and maximum jail shows. A similar fi ne has been stipu- able with a similar fi ne. Some other terms of six months await those who lated for cleaning or hanging carpets, off ences carry a fi ne of QR500 as well. violate the law.

Removal of abandoned cars. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, April 29, 2018 QATAR Qatar Museums takes part in NYT Art Leaders Network meeting atar Museums (QM) provided with the help of The Art Leaders Network important insights into Othoniel, world-famous and its chairperson, the Google Arts and Cul- platform is the international the changing shape of Qa- architects Jean Nouvel and QHE Sheikha Al Ma- ture project, created by the iteration of the Art for To- tar’s arts and culture scene, Rem Koolhaas, and Her- yassa bint Hamad bin Khali- Google Cultural Institute, morrow conference, which highlighting the success- zog & De Meuron partner fa al-Thani, took part in The which captured stunning launched in Qatar in 2015 ful trajectory of opening Jacques Herzog, joined her New York Times (NYT) Art imagery of 16 of the arte- with the support of QM. world-class museums like in sharing their experienc- Leaders Network meeting in facts that will be displayed Gathering the art world’s the IM Pei-designed Muse- es gained through careers Berlin last week. at the National Museum. most infl uential leaders and um of Islamic Art, Mathaf: and experience developing During the event, QM un- The event was also attend- experts, discussions at the The Arab Museum of Mod- iconic projects in Qatar. veiled new details about the ed by Qatar’s ambassador to Berlin event touched on the ern Art and the upcoming The panel discussion upcoming National Museum Germany, Sheikh Saoud bin most pressing challenges National Museum of Qatar took place at the recently of Qatar (NMoQ), including Abdulrahman al-Thani, Ger- and opportunities shaping designed by Jean Nouvel. renovated Der Diwan – the its new brand identity de- many’s ambassador to Qatar, the international art market As institutions repre- Arab Culture House, which signed in collaboration with Hans-Udo Muzel, and Man- in the years ahead, from the senting the universal lan- also hosted a private show- QM and local creative design soor bin Ebrahim al-Mah- future of art museums to the guage of art, these museums ing of work from some of agency The Creative Union. moud, QM chief executive rising art centres. have not only helped con- Qatar’s brightest emerg- First glimpses into the offi cer and special adviser to HE Sheikha Al Mayassa nect with local audiences ing artists. Artworks from collection that will be show- QM chairperson, HE Sheikha took part in a debate on the but created a ripple eff ect Aisha al-Sowaidi, Emelina cased at NMoQ were also Al Mayassa. promise and peril of expan- internationally, garnering Soares, Hana al-Saadi and sion, together with Diller praise and recognition. Bouthayna al-Muftah dem- Scofi dio + Renfro found- HE Sheikha Al Mayassa onstrated the quality and ing partner Elizabeth Diller, headlined a special panel impact of modern art from Snapshots of Qatar Museums’ and HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani’s president and CEO of The discussion on art and ar- Qatar to new audiences in participation in The New York Times Art Leaders Network meeting in Berlin. Metropolitan Museum of chitecture shaping national Germany. Art Daniel H Weiss and identity, highlighting the Speaking on the sidelines Qatar and support the reali- nurturing creative talent. fi dent this event will support NYT Culture Reporter and National Museum of Qatar of the Art Leaders Network sation of our National Vision “It is a privilege to take continued communication 2018 Art Leaders Network as a beacon of Qatar’s her- event, Qatar Museums’ 2030. Taking a leading role in part in discussion with such between nations and people, Programme director Robin itage and future as an art chief strategic planning of- developing this platform re- a diverse and renowned and demonstrate the power Pogrebin. centre. Fellow panellists fi cer Khalid al-Ibrahim said, fl ects our country’s progress group of experts, cultural of art and culture in inspir- HE Sheikha Al Mayassa including French contem- “Art, creativity and heritage in bridging cultures, encour- fi gures and institutions from ing dialogue and enriching provided delegates with porary artist Jean-Michel play an important role in aging cultural exchange and around the world. I am con- lives.” Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 7 QATAR

Her Highness Sheikha Moza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries at the a special Education Above All event co-organised with Unicef at the New York Public Library in New York City. PICTURES: AR al-Baker and Aisha al-Musallam/HHOPL EAA celebrates educating 10mn marginalised kids worldwide

From Page 1 formative power of education She stressed that the desire to school that had been bombed?” also called for redoubled eff orts Since this project began, she which she saw in places like learn is one of the most power- Sheikha Moza acknowledged as “millions of children are still said Educate A Child has partici- Bangladesh, Palestine, Tur- ful forces of human nature. The that everyone involved with the waiting and in desperate need of pated in 82 partnerships across key, Sudan, Brazil and Kenya. “I EAA chairperson said that help- programme “needed to learn our help. Let’s work together to 50 countries. They leveraged to- have watched as schools were ing children fulfi l that innate all of these things, and so much ensure a better future for all of gether a $1.8bn investment. “A built from scratch, and aban- desire is the responsibility of more” in order to educate the them and for the world we share. third of that sum was from the doned buildings turned into everyone. She highlighted some 10mn children. She added that Believe me, it is possible.” government of Qatar, stressing classrooms. I have seen children of the key challenges facing edu- more work needs to be done to In his keynote address, Gu- that the eff ort was a truly global mastering computer skills on cation such as the lack of class- reach the other children who are terres spoke of the power of one. refurbished laptops, and I have rooms, teachers or textbooks. out of school. education, saying, “When we “We reached out to the pri- listened to lessons taught under She also highlighted some of the Sheikha Moza concluded her educate a child we give her more vate sector for unique expertise the shade of a tree, and home- unique obstacles they faced in speech by saying: “ I can see my than books, papers, pencils or a and much-needed resources. We work done by candlelight. achieving their goal. friends from EAC rolling their calculator. We give her the tools, worked with government min- “Now there are those who say, “How do you make the journey eyes and asking themselves skills and imagination she needs istries, public agencies, devel- yes, education is important, but to school safe for girls and boys, ‘does she ever stop’; the answer to shape the world around her Her Highness Sheikha Moza speaking at the event. opment banks and community fi rst we must pave these roads, or who need to cross fl ooded rivers, is no. But, tonight, we take time and to make her community, groups. We worked with NGOs, train these doctors or build these or walk through wild forests? to celebrate our achievements. and her society, better, more Foundation. Seeing the trans- school children. Today, through big and small. And we worked houses. I know there are com- Where do you put a classroom in And tomorrow, we act on our prosperous and more peaceful.” formational power of education her roles as UN Sustainable De- with great multi-national or- peting priorities. But, I say give a refugee camp? How do you gain commitments.” Sheikha Moza championed in creating a more engaged and velopment Goals Advocate and ganisations like Unicef - experts me 10 reasons why educating the the trust of neighbourhood lead- After the speech, she partici- education over two decades empowered generation, she ex- Chairperson of EAA, she re- in child development.” world’s out of school children ers who are suspicious of out- pated in a panel discussion and ago in Qatar with the compre- panded her work internationally mains committed to universal Her Highness Sheikha Moza can wait, and Ill give you 10mn siders? And how do you entice said that education was the only hensive, educational reforms to provide the same opportunity education as a global solution to then moved to discuss the trans- reasons why it can’t.” boys and girls to come back to a investment with zero risk. She and the establishment of Qatar of quality education to all out of development issues. All lit up for the occasion

efl ecting Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s Rglobal movement and suc- cessful milestone in Qatar to raise awareness about EAA’s achieve- ments and work worldwide, EAA Foundation partnered with highly recognised organisations by light- ing major buildings in Doha (part- ner buildings). These buildings in- cluded the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar Foundation, Ministry of Ed- ucation, Aspire – The Torch Doha, Doha Tower, Lusail bridge and W Doha Hotel. By using the hashtag #Togetherfor10million and intro- ducing the hashtag #ItIsPossible, the event created a buzz for the right cause among the masses, and further helped in building momen- tum from New York to Qatar with local celebrations taking place in diff erent locations all over Qatar. Qatar Foundation headquarters

Lusail Bridge

Ministry of Education and Higher Education building

Museum of Islamic Art Aspire – the Torch building Gulf Times 8 Sunday, April 29, 2018 QATAR

HMC advises patients to ask their doctor before fasting Doha Declaration ith Ramadan ap- proaching, Hamad WMedical Corpo- ration (HMC) is urging pa- tients with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, to consult their doctor before begin- programme wins ning a fast. Specialists from across Dr Elmoheen Musallam the healthcare provider’s network of hospitals say it is imperative that patients seek professional advice be- fore making any changes to their diet and medication UN compliments regimes. Dr Amr Mohamed Elmo- he Global Programme for the heen, a consultant at Hamad Implementation of the Doha General Hospital’s Emer- TDeclaration has bolstered its gency Medicine unit, says Dr Salam Dr Abuyaqoub international standing as it has re- that while patients who take ceived mention in several offi cial daily medication can often have this safely aged blood glucose levels, elderly patients United Nations resolutions and re- adjusted, making changes without a doc- with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who take in- ports, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) tor’s advice can lead to serious complica- sulin, pregnant women who take insulin, has said in a statement. tions. and breastfeeding mothers who have type 1 In its Resolution 35/25, the Hu- He also urges patients with irritable or type 2 diabetes are generally advised not man Rights Council appreciated the bowel syndrome and other chronic diges- to fast,” said Musallam. programme’s activities and specifi c tive and stomach conditions to take pre- According to Dr Amar Salam, senior approaches in several areas. ventative measures by avoiding large meals, consultant cardiologist and head of the The Conference of the States spicy fare, and fried and fatty foods, which Cardiology Department at Al Khor Hospi- Parties to the United Nations Con- may trigger symptoms. tal, while it is necessary for heart patients vention against Corruption, in its “It is important for patients to talk to to speak with their doctor before undertak- resolutions 7/5 and 7/6, also referred their doctor before making any modifi ca- ing a fast, especially for patients who take to the work under the Global Pro- tions as changes can aff ect the medicine’s medication, there is usually no negative ef- gramme supported by Qatar. effi cacy and the appearance of side eff ects,” fect for most cardiac patients. Further, the 72th session of the said Dr Elmoheen. Dr Salwa Abuyaqoub, a senior consultant United Nations General Assembly Manal Musallam, director of diabetes for obstetrics and gynaecology at Women’s welcomed the intention of the Qatar education at Hamad General Hospital’s Hospital, stressed the importance of preg- government to work with the United National Diabetes Centre, says that dia- nant women speaking with their doctor be- Nations Offi ce on Drugs and Crime betics who choose to fast need to be aware fore deciding to fast. (UNODC) to ensure follow-up and of the potential health risks. She says that many pregnant women are implementation of the Doha Decla- She urges patients who plan to fast to able to safely fast, but there are exceptions. ration 2015. consult their doctors as early as possible HMC is asking patients who are unable The Doha Declaration of 2015 was before Ramadan begins, saying that while to keep their appointment, or can see a adopted at the end of the 13th Unit- many diabetics can safely fast, modifi ca- change in their schedules as a result of their ed Nations Congress on Crime Pre- tions to diet, exercise, and medication rou- Ramadan-related commitments, to call vention and Criminal Justice held in tines are often required. Nesma’ak at 16060 so the appointment can Qatar in April 2015, which called for “Type 2 diabetics who have poorly-man- be rebooked. the integration of crime prevention and criminal justice into the wider United Nations agenda. Since then, Qatar – represented by the MoI – co-operated closely with the UNODC in order to imple- ment the outputs of the Doha Dec- laration by turning its recommen- dations into practical programmes benefi ting countries and peoples in the fi elds of education, training, justice and crime prevention. In November 2015, an agreement was signed whereby Qatar would fi - nance the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Dec- laration to be implemented by the UNODC. A follow-up committee was set up between Qatar and the UNODC „ Judicial Integrity – integrity tioners, academics, teachers, sports assistance since the programme’s in accordance with the agreement, and accountability in the criminal trainers, representatives of relevant inception in Asia, Africa and Latin which will function for the period justice system; NGOs, and children and youth in America. between 2016 and 2019, until the „ Prisoner Rehabilitation – re- more than 180 countries. The offi ce has also implemented 14th Congress on Crime Prevention habilitation, social reintegration of The capacity-building pro- some 130 events, most of which are and Criminal Justice to be held in prisoners; gramme benefi ted more than 5,400 in workshops, seminars and expert Japan. „ Crime Prevention through stakeholders from 150 countries, in- group meetings in the four areas of Qatar, represented by the follow- Sports – promotion of a culture cluding conferences, workshops and the programme. up committee on the implementa- of lawfulness among children and training courses. The UNODC conducted a survey tion of the Doha Declaration, partic- youth through sports and life skill Awareness and education ac- of benefi ciaries in order to measure ipated in several bilateral meetings training; and tivities, through events organised the eff ectiveness of the programmes in Vienna and Doha to develop plans „ Education for Justice – integra- under the programme and through implemented and their refl ection on and programmes that would create tion of crime prevention, criminal the participation of the programme benefi ciaries. the appropriate foundation for the justice and rule of law-related as- team in events conducted by other About 95% of the benefi ciaries implementation of the recommen- pects into all levels of education. organisations, benefi ted more than rated the quality of events as high or dations of the Doha Declaration. Since the implementation of the 8,000 stakeholders from 180 coun- very high, while 85% indicated that The Global Programme for the Doha Declaration, it has benefi ted tries. they would apply the knowledge and Doha Declaration focuses on four more than 13,000 stakeholders, In addition, 23 countries have skills acquired immediately. commitments: mostly judges and prison practi- received or are receiving technical

BMW and MINI service centre reopens

Alfardan Automobiles opens renovated service centre at Madinat Khalifa

lfardan Automobiles has opened its newly-renovated Aand expanded BMW and MINI Madinat Khalifa branch serv- ice centre. The service centre in Madinat With this, the offi cial BMW Khalifa. Group importer in Qatar is “bring- ing new and improved facilities and Right: A view of the interior of the services to its customers”, it said in service centre. a statement. Featuring a “spacious and luxuri- Alfardan Automobiles general ous” waiting lounge with increased manager Rabih Ataya said: “We are seating areas for customers, the excited to expand our presence and Madinat Khalifa branch service cen- off erings in Qatar and for our cus- tre off ers quick services and small tomers to experience the Madinat repairs for BMW and MINI cars. Khalifa service branch, which is now The refurbishment has been com- bigger and better than ever before. pleted according to the latest BMW “We constantly strive to provide standards to provide new and more both BMW and MINI customers ward with its strategic expansion branch is geared up to deliver total comprehensive facilities to Alfardan with the best-quality service and plan across the country”. satisfaction and off er customers in Automobiles’ customer base. look forward to hearing feedback Within this context, a new BMW Qatar the experience they deserve.” Part of the renovation, which has from our customers on the new aftersales branch is scheduled to The service centre is located in increased the fl oor space, includes services we have added to the cen- open in Al Khor later this year. Madinat Khalifa next to Landmark a dedicated MINI reception and a tre.” Ataya continued: “With the sig- Mall, and is now open from Satur- wide range of BMW and MINI ac- Alfardan Automobiles stressed nifi cant potential for further growth day to Thursday, between 7am and cessories and lifestyle items. that it “will continue moving for- in the market, the new service 12noon. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 9 QATAR All-new Hyundai Nexo, Retail Mart’s sixth outlet opens Kona claim top awards

yundai Motor has an- aspects of form and function. nounced that it has won two Skyline Automotive is the offi cial Hof this year’s Red Dot Design distribution partner for Hyundai Awards, one of the most renowned Motor Company in Qatar. international design and innovation The Nexo is Hyundai’s second- prizes. generation fuel cell electric vehicle. Hyundai’s fuel cell vehicle Nexo It is characterised by a pure and calm and the subcompact SUV Kona were design emphasising its streamlined awarded in the Cars and Motorcy- silhouette and by a fl oating roof. cles category. “The all-new Hyundai Nexo The Kona “gained recognition for shapes the future of driving and outstanding design and innovation is the eye-catching, technological in ‘SUV/Off -road vehicles’, while fl agship of Hyundai,” the statement the Hyundai Nexo showed its excel- noted. lence in its subcategory”, according “The fi rst dedicated hydrogen- Retail Mart has opened its sixth branch in the Old Ghanim area. A number of to a press statement issued by Sky- powered SUV combines the practi- dignitaries and off icials were present on the occasion, including Razim Ahmed Sayed, line Automotive in Doha. cality of an SUV with the clean ad- The Hyundai Nexo. chief development off icer; Mohamed Aslam P T, director; Abdul Rahman Abdullah Ib- The award evaluates the product’s vanced fuel cell know-how off ering rahim Ansari, chairman; Ibrahim Mohamed Ibrahim Nabina, chairman - Nabina Group; functionality, durability, level of in- the most advanced technology on ing capabilities, smart advanced to producing cars that demonstrate P T Ashraf Sharafudheen, general manager; Jafer T K, operations manager; and others. novation and overall quality under the market with autonomous driv- driver assistance systems and a unique and evolving design lan- PICTURE: Nasar T K strongest powertrains in the seg- guage”. ment.” The 2018 award follows the rec- The Kona broadens Hyundai’s ognition in 2017 for the Hyundai successful SUV line-up. “With its Azera and an ‘Honourable Mention’ sleek, sharp and colourful design, it for the i30, the prize-winning IO- creates a unique proposition in the NIQ line-up in 2016 as well as dou- sub-compact SUV segment. Bold ble recognition in 2015 for i20 and exterior lines, a pleasantly spacious Sonata. interior and a powerful engine line- Drawing on a prominent jury up make the innovative subcompact consisting of high-profi le design- SUV suitable for modern, urban ers, professors and journalists, the customers,” the statement added. Red Dot Design Award is recognised Design is increasingly becoming globally as one of the most sought- the number one reason why cus- after marks for high-quality design. tomers choose the Hyundai brand. The 2018 contest attracted entries Receiving this recognition in the from 59 countries, making the Red fi fth consecutive year “refl ects the Dot Award the largest product com- The Hyundai Kona. company’s ongoing commitment petition in the world.

HEC Paris Executive MBA students, faculty visit QP

delegation representing the Executive Master of Business AAdministration (EMBA) pro- gramme at ‘Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales’ (HEC Paris) has recently visited Qatar Petroleum’s headquarters as part of their visit to Qatar. The visit by the HEC Paris fac- ulty and students specialised in energy studies was designed to get fi rsthand understanding of Qatar’s energy sector and to discuss the various aspects of Qatar’s oil and gas sector through the success story of QP. QP president and CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi welcomed the del- egation and provided an overview of QP’s swift transformation and its QP president and CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi joins HEC Paris Executive MBA students and faculty during their visit at eff orts to implement an ambitious the QP headquarters. growth programme designed to set it fi rmly on the road to becoming students the best of success in their HEC Paris specialises in education enrolment and custom programmes. one of the best national oil compa- educational journey, as well as in and research in management, and Founded in 1881 by the Paris Cham- nies in the world. discovering more success stories off ers a complete and unique range ber of Commerce and Industry, and Al-Kaabi highlighted QP’s major that are shaping the state of Qatar. of educational programmes for the founding member of Universite Par- milestones as it develops a global The HEC Paris delegation was later leaders of tomorrow, including Mas- is-Saclay, HEC Paris has a permanent business and enhances its com- briefed by a number of QP senior ex- ters Programmes, MBA, PhD, Execu- faculty, more than 4,400 students, petitive position as a global energy ecutives on the various aspects of the tive MBA, TRIUM Global Executive and over 8,000 managers and execu- player. He wished the HEC EMBA corporation’s business and facilities. MBA, and Executive Education open- tives in training every year.

Al Khaliji, HEC Paris host masterclass for valued customers Al Khaliji Commercial Bank (Al Khaliji) and HEC Paris in Qatar have partnered to host private banking customers during an exclusive masterclass session on one of the most crucial topics, ‘Managing in Challenging Times’. The masterclass was presented by renowned HEC Paris Profes- sor Roger Hallowell and academic director of ‘Leading Strategies for Outstanding Performance’. Also, Hallowell regularly teaches in the HEC Executive MBA degree programme. The session emphasised on the skills required to best prepare businesses for turbulent times, best practices, and leading change during both stormy and ordinary times. Hallowell also deployed several techniques such as real-life case stories, as well as short workshops aimed at offering practical insights to the audience. Al Khaliji head of Personal Banking Rana al-Asaad said: “Hosting masterclasses with renowned subject- matter experts is our endeavour to offer our valued custom- ers ways to deal with tough times and steer their business in the right direction. “The success of this workshop has inspired us to host such path breaking programmes in the future, as well and serve our customers in the best way possible. Al Khaliji believes in going that extra mile to enhance services and be their pre- ferred banking partners and such initiatives only strengthen our vision.” Dr Nils Plambeck, HEC Paris in Qatar dean and CEO, said: “This collaboration with Al Khaliji Bank demon- strates the commitment of HEC Paris in Qatar, as a member of the Qatar Foundation, to empower leaders with the neces- sary skills to overcome major challenges.

HEC Paris Professor Roger Hallowell leads the session on ‘Managing in Challenging Times,’ hosted by Al Khaliji and HEC Paris in Qatar. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, April 29, 2018 QATAR Barahat Msheireb will be ‘an amazing place for the people’

arahat Msheireb, Qatar’s and it feels right to be there,” he The ExxonMobil Technology also welcome the world and to grees Celsius... and can comfort- enjoying the 11 food and beverage biggest open-air square at told reporters recently on the Centre in Shanghai is another ex- feel (they are) welcome in Qatar, in ably have coff ee or tea in a public outlets and lively atmosphere. BMsheireb Downtown Doha sidelines of his talk titled ‘Engag- ample of his work, it is learnt. Doha,” the architect stressed. space,” the architect added. With a mix of retail, culture, (MDD), will serve as a “meeting ing our senses’ at MDD’s Cultural In designing Barahat, Mosses- A unique infrastructure, he Barahat features the largest re- residential and offi ces, he said the place of cultures” once fully op- Forum. sian, with Msheireb Properties’ noted that Barahat is a place where tractable roof in the Middle East, Square has everything in terms of erational, the project’s designer Mossessian, a world-class help, also considered the Al Wak- parents and their children can allowing for year-round use, ac- use. For seven years, Mossessian and renowned architect Michel architect delivering acclaimed rah area and fi shermen’s villages – walk freely – a mix of people and cording to Msheireb Properties. has been coming to Doha from Mossessian has said. projects in London and interna- having “all the legacy and heritage a mix of various origins. Complementing the roof are London for the design phase and “Architecture is two things: tionally, completed 26 buildings and the people who lived simply – He noted that it is “too hot to innovative cool pool systems it is his fi rst time to see the project space and people. It is about mak- across the four stages of Doha’s dealing with the weather”. be outside for six months of the that will push chilled air from the again after two years. ing spaces where people feel like it iconic Msheireb urban regenera- “The Square, this is my design year”. “At least (now) you have a ground up, designed to keep din- “I am very pleased. I am sure it Internationally renowned is addressed to them, places where tion project, including the main here, we try to debrief how to Square where you can be in these ers and visitors comfortable dur- will be an amazing place for the architect Michel Mossessian. they feel like it looks like them, Square. make a place that felt Qatari and spaces and it will be below 30 de- ing Doha’s summer months while people,” the architect said. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Pompeo begins Saudi-led strike ‘kills Mideast tour dozens’ of Yemen rebels

AFP Reuters Sanaa Riyadh Saudi-led coalition air ecretary of State Mike strike has killed dozens of Pompeo arrived in Saudi AYemeni rebels including SArabia yesterday on a hast- two commanders, state media ily-arranged visit to the Middle said yesterday, in another blow to East as the United States aims the insurgents following the as- to muster support for new sanc- sassination of their political chief. tions against Iran. The Houthi rebels staged a The visit to Riyadh, Jerusalem public funeral yesterday for Saleh and Amman just two days after al-Sammad, head of their Su- Pompeo was sworn-in comes as preme Political Council and ef- President Donald Trump is set to fectively the insurgents’ second- decide whether to pull out of the in-command, who was killed last 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that week in an air raid claimed by is still supported by European Saudi Arabia and its allies. powers. His funeral came hours after “We are urging nations around Saudi Arabia’s state-run Al-Ekh- the world to sanction any indi- bariya television said two high- viduals and entities associated ranking insurgents were among with Iran’s missile programme, more than 50 Houthis killed in a and it has also been a big part new strike overnight in the capital of discussions with Europeans,” Sanaa. Brian Hook, a senior policy advi- In a speech eulogising Sammad sor travelling with Pompeo, told yesterday night, rebel chief Ab- reporters. dul Malik al-Huthi claimed Saudi “Iran’s missiles prolong war Arabia and its allies had targeted and suff ering in the Middle East, the outskirts of Sabaeen Square Houthi supporters hold posters of Saleh al-Sammad, a senior Houthi off icial, during a funeral procession held they threaten our security and as Houthi supporters gathered for for him and his six body guards, killed by Saudi-led air strikes last week, in Sanaa, yesterday. economic interests and they es- Sammad’s funeral. pecially threaten Saudi Arabia The rebels’ Al-Masirah tel- Saudi Arabia and its allies, prima- said the attack claimed no casual- cure food. and Israel,” he said. evision aired footage of black col- rily the United Arab Emirates, for ties, Jizan’s civil defence spokes- In Sanaa, Houthi support- The 2015 deal that limits Iran’s umns of smoke billowing outside operating “under the umbrella” of man Colonel Yahya Abdullah ers lined the streets yesterday nuclear programme in return for the square, where Yemenis chant- the United States and Israel, say- al-Qahtani told Al-Arabiya that for the funeral of Sammad and sanctions relief does not cover its ed slogans calling for the demise ing Sammad’s death was “added a Saudi Arabian citizen had been six others killed in the April 19 missile programme. of Saudi Arabia and the United incentive” for the rebels. killed by falling shrapnel. strike. Trump has called it the “worst States. The Houthis, who hail from A coalition spokesman did not Rebels dressed in military deal ever” and threatened to re- The date of the footage could northern Yemen, control Sanaa immediately respond to a request fatigues marched ahead of his impose sanctions unless Britain, not be immediately verifi ed. and much of the country’s north for confi rmation. hearse, which included seven France and Germany agree to fi x The rebels have been locked — which borders Saudi Arabia — The rebels have ramped up cars draped in the Yemeni flag it. in a war since 2015 with a Saudi- and the key Hodeida port on the their missile attacks on Saudi and accompanied by a marching Resuming sanctions would led military alliance fi ghting to Red Sea coast. Arabia this year.One person was band. Nearly 10,000 people have likely kill the deal. restore the internationally rec- Shortly after Sammad’s funeral reported killed by falling shrapnel been killed since the Saudi-led Russia, China, Germany, Brit- ognised Yemeni government to began, the Houthis said they had in Riyadh last month. alliance joined the Yemen con- ain and France, which all struck power. launched eight ballistic missiles Yesterday’s attacks came just flict, triggering what the United the accord with Iran and the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya tel- into the kingdom. ahead of the arrival of newly ap- Nations has called the world’s United States, see the deal as the evision said the overnight strike The coalition confi rmed it had pointed US Secretary of State worst humanitarian crisis. best way to stop Iran from devel- had targeted the interior ministry intercepted four missiles headed Mike Pompeo, who touched down Yemen now stands on the oping a nuclear bomb. in Sanaa, which is controlled by for the southern Saudi coastal city in Riyadh for meetings set to in- brink of famine. The Saudi-led Speaking after a Nato foreign the rebels. of Jizan, one day after the king- cluding talks on the Yemen con- coalition imposed a total block- ministers’ meeting in Brussels on The Houthis, confi rmed the air dom’s defence forces said they fl ict. ade on Yemen’s ports in No- Friday, Pompeo said Trump had strike on Sanaa but gave no de- had downed a missile headed for Tehran blames Saudi Arabia for vember in retaliation for cross- not taken a decision on whether tails. the same area. the devastating Yemen war, which border Houthi missile attacks on to abandon the deal but was not The Houthi leader slammed While the coalition statement has left millions struggling to se- Saudi Arabia. likely to stick to it without sub- stantial changes. “There’s been no decision, so the team is working and I am sure we will have lots of conversations to deliver what the president has Russia, Turkey, Iran stress unity at Syria talks made clear,” Pompeo told a news conference. Earlier this week French Presi- AFP “Thanks to it, it became possible to tackle sian diplomat stressed the “great importance” dent Emmanuel Macron called Moscow the situation on the battlefi eld with the Is- both Russian President Vladimir Putin and on Trump not to abandon the lamic State group and the Al-Nusra Front,” he President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attach to im- deal, although he later acknowl- said, as militants have lost most of the territory proving relations. edged he thought he would pull ussian, Iranian and Turkish foreign they controlled in Syria. Yet the latest talks in Moscow came as the out. The Trump administration ministers yesterday talked up their suc- The confl ict in Syria has lasted since 2011 alleged chemical attack in the Syrian town of is also currently reviewing the Rcesses in brokering a political solution to and killed more than 350,000 people. Douma on April 7 has prompted sharply diff er- US role in fi ghting Islamic State the Syrian confl ict at a meeting in Moscow. Both Russia and Iran have deployed forces ing responses from Turkey and Russia. in Syria’s seven-year confl ict. The three nations have been attempting to to Syria to back up Assad against anti-govern- “I curse those who carried out this mas- Trump has called on Gulf resolve the Syrian confl ict at talks that started ment rebels. sacre,” Erdogan said, welcoming Western air countries to provide funding last year in Astana, Kazakhstan, in competi- Critics of the Astana talks are “trying to strikes in retaliation as “appropriate”. and troops to stabilise areas once tion with a US and UN-backed Geneva initia- show that they today decide all the aff airs Meanwhile Russia says the attack was staged controlled by the group in Syria. tive. in our world, but fortunately their time has to discredit Assad. Pompeo was one of the fi rst Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said passed,” Lavrov said. Nevertheless he implic- Iran and Russia yesterday slammed West- Trump administration offi cials the three countries “must help the Syrians fi n- itly criticised Damascus after it blocked UN ern strikes on Syria over the alleged chlorine to visit Saudi Arabia early in his ish cleansing their country of terrorists.” humanitarian aid to the town of Douma in or sarin gas attack. Lavrov said they “set back tenure as CIA director. The ministers emphasised the success of Eastern Ghouta, saying Moscow was calling eff orts to promote the political process” and In Riyadh, Pompeo was greet- their peace talks in Astana, which Lavrov said for the regime to be more “fl exible.” Zarif criticised Washington’s “destructive ed on the tarmac by Saudi For- are “fi rmly standing on their feet.” The Russian foreign minister earlier held role.” eign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. He The Russian diplomat praised the “unique” separate bilateral talks with his Turkish coun- French President Emmanuel Macron this is expected to meet Saudi Crown alliance between two of Syrian President terpart Mevlut Cavusoglu and then Iran’s Mo- month suggested the air strikes had driven a Prince Mohamed bin Salman and Bashar-al Assad’s key supporters, Moscow and hamed Javad Zarif. wedge between Ankara and Moscow, prompt- King Salman during the visit. Tehran, and rebel-backer Ankara. Meeting his Turkish counterpart, the Rus- ing an angry denial from Cavusoglu.

Palestinian teen dies after being wounded by Israeli fi re on border

Reuters what is now Israel. The teenager Israel says it is protecting Gaza killed was identifi ed as Azzam its borders and takes such ac- Aweida. tion only when protesters, some Hundreds of people gathered hurling stones and rolling burn- 15-year-old Palestinian at his home in the southern town ing tires, come too close to the youth died yesterday af- of Khan Younis to attend the fu- border fence. Mourners console the mother (centre) of 15-year-old Palestinian teenager Azzam Ater being shot the previ- neral. Mourners carried his body, The UN High Commissioner Aweida during his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. ous day by Israeli troops during wrapped in a Palestinian fl ag, to for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad protests along the Gaza border, a nearby mosque for prayers be- al-Hussein on Friday called the 14,000 Gazans had been participat- movement in and out of Gaza. the Palestinian Health Ministry fore burial. “My son is a martyr loss of life deplorable and said a ing in what it described as “riots” More than 2mn people are packed said. and I am very proud of him,” said “staggering number” of injuries and that some had tried to breach the into the narrow coastal enclave, Israeli forces have killed 42 his father, Helal Aweida. had been caused by live ammu- frontier. where poverty and unemployment Palestinians since Gaza residents The Palestinians say Israel is nition. Gaza is run by the Hamas move- rates are high. US-led peace talks began staging protests along the using excessive force against the The Gaza Health Ministry ment.Israel withdrew its troops and between Israel and the Palestinians border fence on March 30. protesters, 2,000 of whom have said that three Palestinians were settlers from the territory in 2005 broke down in 2014. The demonstrators are press- been wounded by gunfi re. killed on Friday and 200 were but, citing security concerns, main- Eff orts by the Trump adminis- ing for a right of return for refu- Israel’s use of live fi re has wounded by gunfi re. tains tight control over its land and tration to revive negotiations have gees and their descendants to drawn international criticism. The Israeli military said about sea borders. Egypt also restricts shown no sign of progress.

LEGAL CONFLICT Trial begins in Iran over deadly IS attacks New fighting in Darfur as US expresses concern

A Revolutionary Court in Iran yesterday began the trial of a group accused An insurgent group in Darfur Khartoum in early March, applying fresh clashes have taken place in of involvement in attacks last year which killed 18 people in the first deadly claimed yesterday to have repelled to Darfur and another conflict in recent days, saying it was “deeply operation by Islamic State in the country. Eight of the 26 suspects in the government forces in fresh clashes Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. concerned” by the violence. “There case attended the hearing, facing charges including belonging to a terrorist in the war-torn region of western “The regime’s military tried to take are credible reports that villages organisation, weapons smuggling and unauthorised entry to Iran, the Iranian Sudan that the US says have our positions but we repulsed were targeted for attack...resulting judiciary’s news website Mizanonline reported. Islamic State, in decline in displaced thousands of civilians. them,” Noureddine Kouki, a spokes- in thousands of newly displaced Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the unprecedented attacks in Iran, in The new fighting, in the Jebel man for the Sudan Liberation civilians,” US State Department which suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the parliament and Ayatollah Marra mountains, comes despite a Army-Abdul Wahid rebel group, said. spokeswoman Heather Nauert said R Khomeini’s mausoleum in Tehran. ceasefire unilaterally announced by Washington confirmed on Friday in a statement on Friday. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, April 29, 2018 AFRICA

Tuaregs in Uganda police rescue over Mali killed by militants

AFP 100 from ‘radical’ centre Bamako

By Michael O’Hagen, AFP Investigations into the uspected extremists killed more Kampala connection between the than 30 Tuaregs on Mali’s north- original suspect and those Seastern border with Niger, in- found inside the mosque formed sources said yesterday, in the gandan police stum- were continuing. second such attack in two days. bled upon a “radi- The arrested men — who The former Tuareg rebel group MSA Ucalisation centre” at police said were found with and tribal leaders said the massacre a Kampala mosque, shooting 23 machetes, 60 bullets and occurred Friday, a day after another dead two people, arresting a bow and arrow — are sus- attack by gunmen on motorbikes had dozens and releasing over pected of involvement in left 12 people dead outside the town of 100 women and children, of- the kidnapping and illegal Anderamboukane, which is also in the fi cials said yesterday. detention of the women and same area. A security source, speak- children who come from var- “There have been 43 deaths in two ing on condition of anonym- ious East African countries. days, all civilians, from the same com- ity, said offi cers had found In February, the body of munity,” tribal leader Sidigui Ag Ha- what appeared to be an Is- Susan Magara — a member of madi told AFP from the regional capi- lamist radicalisation centre an infl uential Ugandan fam- tal Menaka. inside the mosque. ily — was found three weeks “Our fi ghters are destroying their The discovery came Fri- after her abduction and a bases and wiping them out. They are day as police offi ces followed string of ransom demands. targeting innocent civilians,” he added a suspect, believed to have The crime shocked Ugan- seeing the bloodletting as reprisals for been involved in a high- dans and President Yoweri attacks on extremists by armed Tuarag profi le kidnapping and mur- Museveni ordered intelli- groups. der earlier this year, into the gence agencies to lead an in- The MSA also put the death toll from city’s Usafi Mosque. vestigation. the two attacks in the vilages of Aklaz During an ensuing shoot- Security forces believe and Awakassa at 43, saying all the vic- out, police said one offi cer that a key suspect who they tims were from the Idaksahak pasto- was wounded, two men were had under surveillance real- ralist Berber group. shot dead and 36 arrested ised he was being followed The group urged the governments of and accused of hoarding and bolted into the mosque. Mali and Niger to take steps to ensure weapons. Interior Minister Jeje that “an immediate end is put to these Also inside the mosque Odong said offi cers chased abominable crimes” and added that were 18 women and 94 chil- the suspect into the mosque it would “not give in to any intimida- dren that police said were and that the subsequent dis- tion.” being held against their will. covery of weapons, wom- Menaka governor Daouda Maiga “A number of children en and children was not urged caution regarding the death toll and women, suspected to ei- “planned or intended”. until offi cial observers had arrived on ther have been kidnapped or “If the suspect had not the scene. held hostage, were rescued,” gone into the mosque we “There are various versions, but I police spokesman Emilian would have had no reason to know there are women and children Kayima told a press confer- enter,” Odong said. among the victims, as well as elderly,” ence yesterday. “We take strong exception Maiga told AFP, while adding he would “Two of the hostage-tak- to places of worship being await the observers’ return to Bamako. ers were shot dead after vio- used to commit crime.” Local people had been fearful of re- lently attacking and severely Odong said the children prisals by extremists who suff ered ma- injuring one of the security discovered inside “looked jor losses in recent attacks in the region offi cers,” Kayima said, add- scared and traumatised” and over recent weeks, Menaka offi cial At- ing that the man who police appeared to be from Burundi, taye Ag Ossadki told AFP. had followed into the mosque Rwanda and Kenya as well as Ugandan police off icers secure a cordoned off site following a joint Uganda Police Force and Army security operation upon a ‘radicalisation “But nobody imagined that they was taken into custody. Uganda. centre’ at the Kampala Usafi mosque yesterday. would kill civilians in this way,” he said.

Africa’s democratic ‘laggards’ must listen to calls for change: Liberia’s Johnson Sirleaf

By Clement Uwiringiyimana, ic transition in seven decades. cies there is not enough...de- Reuters “The pressure builds (for de- mocracy in the sense of full com- Kigali mocracy),” she said. “The young petition, full support for those people today are educated, skil- that have been marginalised from ful, demanding, and eventually the political scene.” frican leaders resisting we have to listen and I think that But Africa continues to change. “democratic transfor- will happen to all those that are In Burkina Faso, Blaise Com- Amation” must heed their still lagging behind.” paore was ousted by protests in citizens’ calls for change, former Africa’s fi rst elected female 2014 after he tried to amend the Liberian President Ellen Johnson head of state, and a Nobel Peace constitution to extend his dec- Sirleaf said yesterday after re- Prize laureate, Johnson Sirleaf ades-long rule, while Gambia’s ceiving an award aimed at pro- stepped down as president of ruler Yahya Jammeh fl ed after re- moting good leadership on the war-scarred Liberia last month, gional pressure ended his 22-year continent. making way for ex-international reign last year. Without naming specifi c coun- soccer star George Weah. Johnson Sirleaf said she was tries or leaders, she referred to She is only the fi fth person to optimistic about recent transfers “laggard” countries in the region win 10-year-old Ibrahim Prize of power on the continent. of 1bn people who are “not meet- for Achievement in African Earlier this month, Ethiopia ing democratic transformation”. Leadership, founded by Suda- swore in a new prime minister “Their own citizens are mak- nese telecoms tycoon Mo Ibra- after Hailemariam Desalegn quit ing the call for change and I don’t him, which has several times not to clear the way for reforms. think they can continue to resist been awarded for lack of a suit- In Zimbabwe, 94-year-old or deny that call for change,” able candidate. Robert Mugabe stood down as Johnson Sirleaf told Reuters after The prize is $5mn paid out over president in November, after the accepting the award in Rwanda’s 10 years, with another $200,000 army and former political allies capital Kigali. annually throughout the win- turned against him, ending near- Long-serving African leaders ner’s lifetime. ly four decades of rule marred by who have changed the law to stay Johnson Sirleaf, a former allegations of corruption, human in power include Ugandan Presi- World Bank and United Nations rights abuses and economic neg- dent Yoweri Museveni, 73, and offi cial, said this was unsurpris- ligence. Zimbabwe is due to hold Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, ing because many African na- elections in July. in power for 35 years. tions do not meet the Founda- Johnson Sirleaf defended her Johnson Sirleaf was awarded the tion’s high standards. record in Liberia, saying her 2017 Mo Ibrahim award, designed “Democracy is now moving at much-criticised eff orts to fi ght to improve the quality of African a fast pace but it hasn’t got eve- corruption were hindered by a Former president of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is watched by Rwandan President Paul Kagame (right) after receiving the Ibrahim Prize, political leadership, after handing rybody yet,” she said in an inter- “culture” of graft “developed the world’s biggest individual prize for Achievement in African Leadership, during 2018 Ibrahim Governance Weekend at Kigali Convention over power in her West African view. for many years of deprivation Centre in Kigali late on Friday. country’s fi rst peaceful democrat- “And even in stated democra- through confl ict.”. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 13 AMERICAS Republicans Securing the streets clear Trump in Russia vote meddling investigation

Reuters information about Russia’s elec- 36,746 automated accounts and Washington tion interference or the Trump 2,752 human-operated accounts Soldiers patrol the alleys of the Comuna 13 neighbourhood in Medellin, Antioquia Department, Colombia. The Comuna 13 teams contacts with Russia. linked to the Russian eff ort. neighbourhood was militarised after gang violence increased following the arrest on April 21 of several gang leaders, including But it criticizes an array of Russian operatives used paid that of Cristian Camilo Mazo Castaneda, aka Sombra, leader of the Robledo gang. ussia ran an information actors for their response to the advertising on Facebook to reach warfare campaign to dis- election meddling. 5mn Americans, it said. Rrupt the 2016 US presi- Then US president Barack Democrats on the House In- dential election, but there is no Obama’s response to Russia’s telligence Committee released evidence that President Donald actions was insuffi cient, it said, their own 98-page report, which Trump’s campaign colluded with while the FBI’s notifi cation to charged that the Republican doc- Moscow, Republicans on a con- hacking victims was “inad- ument “refl ects a lack of serious- gressional panel said in a report equate.” ness and interest in pursuing the Trump fl ees ‘swamp’ for another released on Friday. The report said that the truth.” The fi ndings of majority Re- Trump campaign should not “Throughout the investiga- publicans on the US House of have held a June 2016 meeting tion, Committee Republicans Representatives Intelligence at Trump Tower with Russians chose not to seriously investi- Washington, this in Michigan Committee were immediately who claimed to have damaging gate — or even see, when in plain challenged by minority Demo- information about Democratic sight — evidence of collusion,” crats following a year of rancorous candidate Hillary Clinton, nor the panel’s top Democrat, Rep- By Michael Mathes, AFP “While the fake news media are toasting tern,” historian Julian Zelizer wrote on The disputes on a panel whose role is praised and communicated with resentative Adam Schiff , said in a Washington to themselves in the swamp, the President Atlantic’s website about the president’s plan to oversee intelligence agencies in WikiLeaks, which released docu- statement on Friday. will be holding a campaign rally in the great to skip the dinner. a spirit of bipartisanship. ments hacked by Russia. Schiff said the Democrats state of Michigan with his fellow deplora- “Not only has the president been ex- Republicans, over Democratic The interaction with WikiLe- would continue their own inves- resident Donald Trump yesterday bles,” another campaign e-mail announced. tremely hostile to the press, questioning objections, voted in March to end aks was “highly objectionable tigation and this week “received swapped one Washington for anoth- The rally at a sports complex was Trump’s their legitimacy and vilifying them as en- the committee’s investigation of and inconsistent with US na- new documents from another Per, pointedly opting to connect with fi fth in the Detroit area since he began his emies of the state, but he has cut off access election meddling. tional security interests,” it said. important witness.” He did not American “deplorables” in a Michigan town improbable presidential run in 2015. to almost everyone outside the Fox News- The 253-page report was Separately, a Russian lawyer elaborate. rather than exchange barbs at the White “Look forward to being in the Great State Breitbart orbit,” Zelizer wrote, referring to seized on by Trump, a Republi- who attended the Trump Tower The Senate Intelligence Com- House correspondents dinner. of Michigan tonight. Major business expan- outlets that cover Trump favourably. can, who posted its conclusions meeting, Natalia Veselnitskaya, mittee is conducting its own The US leader was attending a campaign- sion and jobs pouring into your State. Auto “Most notable of all has been his decision on Twitter and repeated his view said in an interview with NBC investigation of Russia and the style rally in Washington Township, north companies expanding at record pace. Big to hold just one solo press conference since that the Russian investigation is News that she had Russian gov- 2016 election. of Detroit, to tout what his team hails as an crowd tonight, will be live on TV,” Trump taking offi ce.” “A total Witch Hunt! MUST END ernment ties. That panel’s top Democrat, economic revival on the same evening that wrote yesterday on Twitter. Trump has attended the dinner before, NOW!” despite probes by a US “I am a lawyer, and I am an in- Senator Mark Warner, told an the White House press corps hosts its an- Since coming to offi ce, Trump has re- but as a guest. special counsel and other con- formant,” she said. event sponsored by Yahoo that nual confab. peatedly touted day-to-day stock market The reality TV fi xture was in the audi- gressional committees that are Russia for years has conducted it’s unclear whether that inquiry Trump, who has frequently attacked the increases, jobs data and other positive eco- ence in 2011 when Barack Obama famously still open. information warfare in Europe, will be completed before con- media and its coverage of him since his days nomic indicators as evidence his adminis- mocked him for renewing the “birther” Trump has repeatedly denied running cyber operations, sup- gressional elections in Novem- as a presidential candidate, snubbed the tration is succeeding. conspiracy about the nation’s fi rst black receiving help from Moscow for porting fringe political parties ber. press dinner for a second consecutive year American reporters are frequent targets of president. his election campaign. and targeting disaff ected popu- Asked what the Senate panel since taking offi ce. Trump’s ire. “No one is prouder to put this birth cer- The Kremlin denies meddling lations to sow discord, the House had found regarding collusion “Why would I want to be stuck in a room He routinely tweets about the “fake news” tifi cate matter to rest than The Donald,” in the election. committee said. between the Trump campaign with a bunch of fake news liberals who hate or the “dishonest media,” particularly after Obama quipped, as Trump scowled in his The heavily redacted Repub- In the US election campaign, and Russia, Warner said: “Stay me?” Trump said in a fundraising email this he sees news reports that he believes are un- seat. “And that’s because he can fi nally get lican report contains little new the report says Twitter identifi ed tuned.” week authorised by the Republican National favourable to him and his administration. back to focusing on the issues that matter, Committee. “Trump’s absence is part of a bigger pat- like, did we fake the moon landing?”

Newly born jaguar cubs draw fans at Mexico wildlife park

By Jean Luis Arce, AFP San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico Arizona raises teachers’ pay Two jaguar cubs born five weeks ago are the new stars at a wildlife park in Mexico, teaching a valuable lesson about Reuters The walkouts are part of a wave of actions Want To Have Fund$,” thousands of Colora- conservation with their cuddly cuteness, according to Phoenix by teachers in states that have some of the do educators descended on the state capitol park off icials. lowest per-student spending in the county. building in Denver to demand the booming The female cubs, who have not yet been named, had to A nearly two-week strike in Oklahoma ended state cough up hundreds of millions of dol- be separated from their parents at 18 days old when one rizona Governor Doug Ducey on Fri- earlier this month with a pay rise for teachers. lars a year in school spending frozen since of them developed a skin condition that worried caretak- day announced a deal with state leg- Ducey, a Republican, had earlier off ered the recession. ers at Animal Kingdom in San Juan Teotihuacan, outside Aislative leaders to raise teachers’ pay a cumulative 20% pay rise by 2020 and “We have educators working two or three Mexico City. They cannot be returned to their mother, who 20% by 2020, as educators stayed away from pledged $371mn over the next fi ve years for jobs to make ends meet,” said Kerrie Dall- could kill them if she smells the human scent on them. classrooms a second straight day in a spread- school infrastructure, curriculum, school man, head of the Colorado Education Asso- Nursed back to health, the cubs now frolic and play ing revolt over salaries and school funding. buses and technology. But he had not se- ciation, a statewide federation of teachers’ with their caretakers — who feed them through baby bot- In a joint statement with Arizona Sen- cured an agreement with the legislature on unions organising the two-day walkout. tles — and explore their enclosure with tentative steps and ate President Steve Yarbrough and House those promises until Friday’s deal. In Arizona, teachers are among the lowest outsized paws. Speaker J D Mesnard, Ducey said the deal Two teacher groups that have been spear- paid in the country. The protests have been They are “very precise killers,” said Jose Luis Gonzalez, would also restore funding for schools that heading the walkout reacted with scepticism.. spurred by activism in Republican-control- wildlife manager at the park. Being able to approach them were cut in the last recession. “We have a press release and a tweet from led states like West Virginia, Kentucky and this close is a powerful experience of raw nature, he said. The funds would be “fl exible dollars for the governor. We have no bill. We have no Oklahoma that brought increases in pay and “Seeing them up close, hearing them, smelling them, touch- superintendents to use for support staff pay deal. The devil is in the details,” said the budgets. ing them. You can never forget that, and it awakens you to increases, update antiquated curriculum statement from the Arizona Education As- In Colorado, at least 600,000 students something bigger,” he told AFP, holding the cubs in his arms. and improve school infrastructure — with- sociation and Arizona Educators United. were not in class on Friday. Animal Kingdom is trying to capitalise on its young out raising taxes,” the statement said. “Over 100,000 people marched on the In Denver, protesting educators cheered stars’ celebrity to teach visitors, especially children, about The legislature would work through the capitol over the past two days. We stood in as Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper conservation. “Children are the ones who will inherit these weekend “to introduce a budget early next the heat for hours and hours. We marched told them he knew they were underpaid. species, and this planet,” said Gonzalez. week and pass it shortly thereafter,” the and we rallied,” the statement said. However, they booed after he laid out a Jaguars are classified as a “near-threatened” species by statement said. “When the governor and his friends at the school spending proposal that was short of A jaguar cub (Panthera onca) climbs up a the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which Teachers in Colorado also walked out of Capitol had a chance to meet with us they their demands. veterinarian’s leg at the ‘Reino Animal’ zoo says their population has declined by about a quarter in classroom for a second day over the same is- left town. They ran from red,” it said refer- “They’ve been telling us they value us, in Teotihuacan. the past two decades. sues, but little progress was made there on ring to red T-shirts they wore. and we’re underpaid since 2009,” said one Friday. Waving placards such as “Teachers Just demonstrator, who asked not to be named.

Grandma, student among 8 women killed in Toronto massacre

By Michel Comte, AFP suspect drove a rented van along Anne Marie D’Amico, 30, who wife a few weeks to visit their son, edy,” said Ontario chief coroner Rodger had professed frustra- van south along Toronto’s major Ottawa a sidewalk in the north end of worked at a nearby investment a vocalist with the Canadian Arabic Dirk Huyer, describing an enor- tion over women rejecting him. Yonge Street during a busy lunch Canada’s largest city. management company, and uni- Orchestra, when tragedy struck. mous eff ort that went into con- Minassian has been charged hour on the fi rst warm and sunny “We can tell you today that all versity student So He Chung, 22, Ji Hun Kim, 22, from South fi rming the victims’ identities. with 10 counts of premeditated day of the season. ight women including a victims have been identifi ed and had attended the same Toronto Korea, was studying in Canada. “We needed to do the addi- murder, as well as the multiple He described how the van great-grandmother and a their families have been notifi ed,” high school. They died metres Bott also said the confi rmed tional work to ensure that there attempted murder charges relat- veered into oncoming traffi c, Esingle mom were among Bott said. apart. number of people injured has risen was no confusion or any poten- ed to the injured survivors. mounted the curb, turned into the 10 pedestrians run down The oldest victim, Mary Eliza- Andrea Bradden, 33, also to 16, and that two additional at- tial additional grief,” he said. Police said they have obtained a laneway and snaked back to in Toronto last week by a man beth Forsyth, 94, had relied on a worked in the Toronto north end tempted murder charges would The suspect Alek Minassian, area surveillance footage of the Yonge Street where it mounted with an apparent grudge against walker but took a daily stroll to neighbourhood, as did steak- soon be laid to refl ect that number. 25, of Canada, was arrested on incident and videos taken by the sidewalk again. women, police said on Friday. area shops and to feed the birds. house chef Chul Min Kang, 45. The pair of newly identifi ed Monday near the scene of the bystanders, seized unspecifi ed Seven minutes after the fi rst call The deceased ranged in age She was unable to move out of Beutis Renuka Amarasingha, injured — a 21-year-old man and rampage and taken into custody. items from the suspect’s home, to an emergency hotline, a lone from 22 to 94 years, and included the way of the fast-moving van. 45, was a single mother of a sev- a 67-year-old woman — had left In a Facebook post just prior to and interviewed 170 witnesses. policeman stopped and arrested a Jordanian man visiting his son Great-grandmother Dorothy en-year-old boy and was active the scene of the attack before the killing spree, he praised mass They have another 100 or more Minassian, refusing the suspect’s in Toronto and a South Korean Sewell, 80, and Geraldine Brady, in the local Sri Lankan immigrant emergency responders arrived killer Elliot Rodger, a 22-year- interviews left to complete. demands that he be shot. student, Inspector Bryan Bott of 83, who still sold mail-order community. but subsequently went to police, old American who murdered six Bott said the fi rst victim was The suspect is scheduled to the homicide squad told a news beauty products, met similar Munir Abdo Habib Najjar, 85, offi cials explained. people and then killed himself in struck almost immediately after appear in court on May 10 for a conference. They died when the fates. had only been in Canada with his “This is a very complex trag- California in 2014. the suspect started driving the bail hearing. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, April 29, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Thousands fl ee fresh clashes in northern Myanmar: UN

AFP northernmost state of Kachin ceasefi re between the govern- disabilities. We must ensure that ethnic minorities, which rarely rule in 1948, hosting a dizzy- tions of power in politics and Yangon near the border with China in ment and the powerful Kachin these people are protected.” make headlines. ing array of insurgencies, local the armed forces. Rights groups the last three weeks, Mark Cutts, Independence Army broke down OCHA has been unable to The Kachin, who mostly live militias, and drug-running op- say the army has stepped up its head of the UN’s Offi ce for the in 2011. “We have received re- verify reports that civilians have in the country’s northernmost erations. The country’s de facto campaign in remote areas of My- housands of people have Co-ordination of Humanitarian ports from local organisations been killed in the fi ghting. state of the same name, make leader Aung San Suu Kyi said anmar amid the Rohingya crisis, fl ed renewed fi ghting be- Aff airs (OCHA), said late Friday. saying that there are still many A Myanmar government up some of the more than 6% of making peace was her priority which has seen some 700,000 Ttween Myanmar’s army The numbers do not include civilians who remain trapped in spokesman could not be reached Christians in Myanmar, the sec- when she took offi ce in 2016 af- people fl ee to Bangladesh. and ethnic insurgents in the some 15,000 people who have confl ict-aff ected areas,” Cutts for comment. In addition to the ond largest religious group after ter decades of military rule but The US and the UN have called country’s remote north, a United fl ed since the beginning of the said of the recent clashes. Rohingya Muslim crisis in the Buddhists, according to census progress has been slow. the military crackdown ethnic Nations offi cial said, as a long- year, and upwards of 90,000 “Our biggest concern is for western part of mainly Buddhist fi gures. Ethnic armed groups are de- cleansing, while Myanmar de- simmering confl ict intensifi es. residing in IDP (internally dis- the safety of civilians — includ- Myanmar, the country’s con- Myanmar’s border areas have manding more autonomy and nies the claims and says it was More than 4,000 people have placed persons) camps in both ing pregnant women, the elderly, fl ict-hit north has also played been unstable since its inde- control from a country in which defending itself against Ro- been displaced in the country’s Kachin and Shan states since a small children and people with host to clashes involving other pendence from British colonial the Burmese hold major posi- hingya insurgents.

Australia, Canada to send military aircraft to monitor Pyongyang ships North Korean media hails Australia’s Prime Minister Mal- colm Turnbull said yesterday the country will send a military patrol aircraft to monitor North Korean vessels suspected of transferring prohibited goods in defiance of United Nations sanctions. summit as ‘turning point’ Canada also plans to deploy pa- trol aircraft for such activities, and Reuters “North Korea’s economic re- surveillance planes from both Seoul lationship is overwhelmingly countries will be based in the US with China. And so China’s military’s Kadena air base on Ja- preparedness to impose those pan’s southern island of Okinawa, orth Korea’s state news sanctions has been the critical the Japanese government said in agency yesterday called change that has put the eco- a separate statement. Nthe inter-Korean sum- nomic pressure on North Ko- The announcements came a mit a turning point for the rea.” day after the leaders of North Korean peninsula, while US Turnbull said the pressure and South Korea pledged at an President Donald Trump said from China and the US had historic summit to work for the he would maintain sanctions brought Kim to the point of complete denuclearisation of the pressure on Pyongyang ahead of denuclearising the Korean pe- Korean peninsula. his own unprecedented meeting ninsula. “What we’ve now got However, US President Donald with Kim Jong-un. to do is not relent on the eco- Trump, who is also set to meet The North’s KCNA news nomic pressure until that goal is North Korean leader Kim Jong- agency separately released the achieved,” he said. un, said he would maintain joint statement North Korean Iran, facing a possible US exit pressure on Pyongyang through leader Kim Jong-un and South from its nuclear deal with world sanctions that were imposed in Korean President Moon Jae-in powers, welcomed the inter- a bid to rein in the North’s missile presented on Friday after the Korean summit, but said Wash- and nuclear programmes. fi rst summit in more than a dec- ington was not a “qualifi ed” Australia, a staunch US ally, also ade between the two Koreas. partner in the negotiations. promised to keep up economic Kim and Moon had pledged to “Iran sees (the summit) as and diplomatic pressure on work for “complete denucleari- an important step in the right North Korea.”We do have a P-8A sation” of the Korean peninsula direction that can contribute surveillance aircraft that is going and agreed on a common goal of to lasting regional and global to be working in the region a “nuclear-free” peninsula. peace and security,” Iranian for- to monitor compliance with “At the talks both sides had eign ministry spokesman Bah- sanctions, and that is part of our a candid and open-hearted ex- ram Qasemi was quoted as say- collaboration with our partners in change of views on the mat- ing by state media. that exercise to enforce those UN ters of mutual concern includ- “The US government is not a sanctions,” Turnbull said, speak- ing the issues of improving the credible actor, doesn’t comply ing during a televised news con- north-south relations, ensuring with its international obliga- ference. “What has been occur- peace on the Korean Peninsula tions and doesn’t qualify to ring is that sanctions have been and the denuclearisation of the take part in arrangements be- evaded by transferring materials peninsula,” KCNA said, report- This picture released by North Korea’s off icial Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday shows North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un and his tween countries,” Qasemi add- from ship to ship...to add to the ing that the night wrapped up wife Ri Sol-ju (left) attending the off icial dinner with South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook (right) at the end of their ed. An editorial in the offi cial surveillance of the area enables with a dinner with an “amicable historic summit at the truce village of Panmunjom. China Daily yesterday said de- that to be identified and then, of atmosphere overfl owing with nuclearisation could end hos- course, those who are a party to feelings of blood relatives.” mitments outlined in the of- The declaration earned Yesterday, Trump said on Speaking yesterday at a tel- tilities between the two sides that to be held responsible and A day after the meeting be- fi cial declaration focused on guarded but optimistic praise Twitter that he “just had a long evised news conference in Syd- and “usher in a new era of de- brought to account.” tween Kim and Moon produced inter-Korean relations and did from world leaders, includ- and very good talk with Presi- ney, Australian prime minis- velopment” on the peninsula, Turnbull and Foreign Minister dramatic images and a sweeping not clear up the question of ing Trump, who said on Friday dent Moon of South Korea. ter Malcolm Turnbull praised but noted Friday’s declaration Julie Bishop said pressure had declaration of goodwill, South whether Pyongyang is willing that only time would tell, but Things are going very well, time Trump’s negotiations on North lacked a plan for achieving the to be kept on North Korea to Korean media were replay- to give up its arsenal of nuclear that he did not think Kim was and location of meeting with Korea and said he helped bring goal. ensure the Korean peninsula ing striking scenes of the two weapons and ballistic missiles. “playing.” “It’s never gone this North Korea is being set.” the two Korean leaders together. “The denuclearisation of the was denuclearised. The move by leaders and North Korea’s main In their coverage of the sum- far. This enthusiasm for them Trump added that he had also “I have given him that credit peninsula, written into the Pan- Australia and Canada to deploy state newspaper published a mit, North Korean state media wanting to make a deal...We are spoken with Japanese Prime because Donald Trump has tak- munjom Declaration, is only a patrol aircraft comes after a Brit- multi-page spread with more made rare mentions of the de- going to hopefully make a deal.” Minister Shinzo Abe to inform en a very, very strong, hard line prospect with no specifi c plan. ish warship arrived in Japan this than 60 photos from the visit. nuclearisation discussion, but Still, Trump told reporters, him of ongoing negotiations. on the denuclearisation issue That is because such specifi cs month to join eff orts to police Yesterday afternoon, North did not go into specifi cs, instead he would maintain pressure on A senior US offi cial said Sin- and he has been able to bring in can be reached only between the UN sanctions imposed on North Korean state TV broadcast its highlighting the broad themes North Korea and “not repeat the gapore is being considered as a the support of the global com- US and North Korea, and South Korea over its nuclear and missile fi rst footage of the summit. of peace, prosperity, and Korean mistakes of past administra- possible venue for the Trump- munity and, in particular, Chi- Korea has only limited authority programmes. Most of the specifi c com- unity. tions.” Kim summit. na,” Turnbull said. to bargain,” it said.

SE Asia faces threats from IS, Malaysia’s election campaign kicks cyber attacks, summit hears off amid claims of sabotage, bias

AFP In a bid to give teeth to the fi ght against terrorism Reuters of a private plane that was to Singapore and other transnational crimes, the leaders agreed Kuala Lumpur/Langkawi fl y him from Kuala Lumpur to for their offi cials to start talks on an Asean-wide Langkawi, where he was to fi le extradition treaty. his candidacy yesterday, after outheast Asia faces “very real” threats from Offi cials have already completed a model of a ampaigning for Ma- the pilot discovered some dam- the Islamic State (IS) group despite their de- treaty on which a regional agreement could be laysia’s May 9 general age to the aircraft just before Sfeat in the Middle East, as well as cyber at- based. Celection began yester- take-off . tacks, Singapore’s prime minister warned yester- day, pitting Prime Minister “I have warned before that day at a regional summit. “We need to be resilient to both Najib Razak against his former there will be attempts to stop Parts of the 10-country region have long strug- conventional threats, and also mentor Mahathir Mohamed in candidates from making it to gled with militancy and the emergence of IS has non-conventional threats such a contest marred by claims of the nomination centre, but I served as a new rallying point for radicals and re- as terrorism and cyber attacks” sabotage and a skewed electoral didn’t think it would happen to energised extremist groups. system. me,” he told a news conference. A deadly gun and suicide-bombing attack in the “We now need just to formalise that (the model Najib leads his undefeated Mahathir managed to take Indonesian capital Jakarta in 2016 was the fi rst IS- treaty) and to start negotiating an actual Asean ex- ruling coalition into arguably another fl ight later on Friday claimed assault in the region, while the Philippine tradition treaty,” Lee said at a post-summit news its toughest election since in- to Langkawi, where was able to city of Marawi was overrun last year by fi ghters loy- conference. dependence from Britain in lodge his candidacy. al to the militants, triggering a months-long battle “It should not take very long because the model 1957. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor Mahathir did not make a po- that killed hundreds. is already there, it’s just a matter of tweaking and He is grappling with a multi- arrive at the nomination centre to hand over election documents lice complaint. Fears are also growing that Southeast Asia, which making sure it’s in a complete document.” billion-dollar scandal at a state in Pekan, yesterday. The government ordered an is home to booming economies where a growing In an fi nal statement, the leaders vowed to fi ght a fund, public anger over living investigation. The chairman of number of people are adopting digital technology “rising tide of protectionism” and intensify eff orts costs and an unprecedented in connection with losses at the being a weekday. “Don’t worry. the Civil Aviation Authority, in their everyday lives, could be increasingly tar- to conclude talks for a massive 16-nation free trade challenge by the 92-year-old fund. We set the date and the turnout Azharuddin Rahman, said later geted by cyber attackers. zone that would include China and India, called the Mahathir. He has also defended his target because we expect they that the inquiry found no in- Opening the summit of the Association of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Mahathir, returning to poli- government’s economic record will come out,” Mohd Hash- dication of sabotage. He said it Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore, Lee warned that the open global trading system, tics after retiring 15 years ago, despite public discontent over im told the news conference, was wrong to make such “wild Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that IS which has allowed many of the region’s export- will stand in the holiday island rising prices, blamed on a con- which was broadcast live. and false” claims or political continues to threaten the region, home to about driven economies to fl ourish, has come under in- of Langkawi. sumption tax he introduced in A Wednesday polling day was gain. 650mn people, despite their military defeat in Iraq creasing threat due to protectionist policies in ma- Prime minister for 22 years 2015. seen as potentially discourag- The opposition and critics and Syria. jor economies. before stepping down in 2003, Najib will contest the elec- ing millions of Malaysians liv- say they face an electoral sys- He also warned the move towards digitalisation “The political mood in many countries has shift- Mahathir returned to chal- tion from his home state of Pa- ing abroad from voting. tem that favours the BN coali- has made countries more vulnerable to cyber at- ed against free trade,” he said. “In particular, the lenge Najib after a billion-dol- hang. However, outraged Malay- tion, compounded by a redraw- tacks. trade tensions between the US and China are wor- lar scandal at state investment His Barisan Nasional (BN) sians took to social media to of- ing of electoral boundaries that “Southeast Asia is at peace, but these threats are rying concerns.” fund 1Malaysia Development alliance and the opposition are fer funding and other services was fast-tracked in parliament very real,” he said. Washington and Beijing have imposed tit-for-tat Berhad (1MDB). The fund is vying for 222 parliamentary and to help people return home to in March. Najib’s government “We need to be resilient to both conventional tariff s on billions of dollars worth of goods which being investigated for money- 505 state seats. vote. and the Election Commission threats, and also non-conventional threats such as analysts said could escalate into a global trade war laundering and graft in at least Election Commission Chair- A low voter turnout would have denied the accusations. terrorism and cyber attacks.” and scupper global growth. six countries, including the man Mohd Hashim Abdullah potentially help Najib’s coali- The nomination of at least The leaders at a working dinner on Friday ahead Asean groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indo- United States, Singapore and told a news conference that tion retain power. two opposition party candi- of their formal summit agreed to increase co-ordi- nesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Switzerland. 85% voter turnout was ex- Mahathir told reporters on dates was rejected by the com- nation to shield countries from cyber attacks. Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Najib denies any wrongdoing pected on polling day, despite it Friday he suspected sabotage mission yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 15 BRITAIN Sainsbury’s, Asda in shock talks over £10bn merger

New supermarket giant 31%, greater than Tesco, the UK’s ways to shore up its market posi- It is unclear how the deal be- bury’s executive, Roger Burnley, Economics, told the BBC that the deal between the retailers does would have 31% market share, longstanding number one player, tion in the wake of Tesco’s recent tween Sainsbury’s and Asda who quit the group for a more merger would be a “game chang- not impact on their jobs or in- compared with Tesco’s 27.6% which has 27.6%, according to takeover of the Booker cash and might be structured, including senior role at the rival in 2015. er in the UK grocery market of comes.” the most recent data from the carry business. whether Walmart would seek to Analysts are debating the mer- epic proportions”. Tim Roache, general secretary AFP/Guardian News & Media industry analysts Kantar World- Consolidation among the reverse Asda into Sainsbury’s and its of the proposed deal. “The potential tie-up would of the GMB union, said: “Our London panel. big four supermarkets – Tesco, retain a major stake in the en- “It would be a fascinating see the combined business take fi rst priority is to safeguard the Sainsbury’s, which swallowed Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons larged group. combination: creates a huge Tesco head-on,” he said. job of every single Asda member, Argos in 2016, is thought to be in – has previously been unthink- A statement is expected to be power – not just in food but Joanne McGuinness, national both in stores and in distribution. ainsbury’s and Asda are in the driving seat for the deal. able because of competition con- rushed out this afternoon. also clothing, household goods offi cer with the Usdaw shop- “We are demanding an urgent shock talks over a £10bn Asda, which is owned by the cerns, but the retailers are said to If the merger happens it would and toys,” Bryan Roberts, a TCC workers union, said: “We will be meeting with Asda to get the an- Smerger that would change world’s largest retailer, Walmart, have been emboldened after the be biggest shake-up in UK gro- Global analyst, said on Twitter. seeking urgent meetings with the swers and assurances our mem- the British grocery landscape. has been struggling in recent Competition and Markets Au- cery retailing since Morrisons “I can’t see the regulators swal- businesses to get more detail on bers need and deserve. The potential deal, fi rst re- years as the fast-growing Ger- thority (CMA) waved through the took over Safeway in 2004. lowing it without signifi cant dis- what a possible merger will in- “GMB will be making sure the ported by Sky News, would cre- man discounters Aldi and Lidl merger of Tesco and Booker, the Sainsbury’s is led by its chief posal of duplicate sites however.” volve. voices of supermarket workers ate a new supermarket giant have stolen its customers. UK’s biggest retailer and grocery executive, Mike Coupe, while Richard Lim, from econom- “Our priorities will be to pro- are not lost amidst all the talk of with a combined market share of Sainsbury’s is also looking for wholesaler. Asda is run by a former Sains- ics research consultancy Retail tect our members and ensure any mergers and acquisitions.” Toddler at the heart

Rudd: I accept I should have been (aware of specific removal of legal battle dies targets) and I’m sorry that I wasn’t. Reuters/AFP/DPA Bambino Gesu (Baby Jesus) pae- London diatric hospital in Rome. After losing his legal battle, Senior Tories defend the father on Thursday had asked lfi e Evans, the 23-month- supporters, who have staged an- old British toddler whose gry vigils outside the hospital Home Secretary Agrave illness drew inter- where the baby was being treat- national attention, died early ed, to go home. yesterday, his family said. Medical staff have been sub- Rudd in memo row Evans had a rare, degenerative jected to severe online abuse and disease and had been in a semi- police offi cers had to be deployed vegetative state for more than a outside the clinic on Monday af- Michael Gove defends 2014 Immigration Act at the year. ter some protesters tried to gain colleague over internal root of the scandal, said Rudd After a series of court cases, entry. Home Off ice memo about had misled parliament. doctors at Alder Hey Children’s The case is the latest in a series removal targets “There has been target fi g- Hospital in Liverpool removed of high-profi le battles between ures put up in offi ces all over his life support on Monday, parents of seriously ill children By Damien Gayle the country of what staff against his parents’ wishes. and the British authorities. Guardian News & Media should achieve, and she’s tell- He confounded expectations British law states that parents ing us that there were no tar- by continuing to breathe unaid- “cannot demand a particular gets,” he told Sky News yester- ed for days, but died in the early treatment to be continued where he home secretary did day afternoon. hours of yesterday, his parents the burdens of the treatment not see the internal “This is more than odd. And said. clearly outweigh the benefi ts for THome Offi ce memo that so when she makes her state- “My gladiator lay down his the child”. boasted of exceeding the de- ment on Monday I hope she’s shield and gained his wings at If agreement cannot be partment’s target for immigra- going to say that because of 2.30am. Absolutely heartbro- reached between the parents and tion removals, Michael Gove all this she is going to off er her ken,” the boy’s father Thomas the healthcare professionals, “a has claimed, as he suggested resignation.” Evans wrote on Facebook. court should be asked to make that Labour had “weapon- Rudd and the prime min- “Our baby boy grew his wings Tributes for Alfie are left yesterday outside the Alder Hey Children’s hospital in Liverpool. a declaration about whether ised” the Windrush scandal to ister, Theresa May, who was tonight ... thank you everyone the provision of life-sustaining distract from its own row over home secretary at the time of for all your support,” his mother the Father receives him in his a year later, in December 2017, prompted vigils in Italy and Po- treatment would benefi t the anti-Semitism. the act, had been warned that Kate James wrote. tender embrace,” the Pope tweet- the hospital recommended with- land. child”. The environment secretary, the new law was dangerous Medical experts in Britain ed yesterday drawing life support. According to the parents’ law- The most recent example was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s To- and would put the Windrush had agreed that more treatment Alder Hey Children’s hospital The parents disagreed and the yer, the Pope had helped to or- that of Charlie Gard, who was day programme yesterday, said generation in a “precarious for Evans would be futile, but expressed their condolences. two sides went to court. ganise a military air ambulance born in August 2016 with a rare Amber Rudd did not receive situation”, Corbyn said. his parents wanted to take him “All of us feel deeply for Alfi e, At a hearing in February the to transport Alfi e to Rome. form of mitochondrial disease. the document despite it having “That was ignored, and to Rome, where the Vatican’s Kate, Tom and his whole family hospital’s lawyers argued that Earlier this week the Pontiff He died last year, one week been copied to her and Bran- now the government is having Bambino Gesu hospital had of- and our thoughts are with them. Evans had suff ered “catastrophic wrote on Twitter that he hoped short of his fi rst birthday, after don Lewis, then immigration to off er compensation to the fered to care for him. This has been a devastating jour- degradation of his brain tissue” the parents’ “desire to seek new doctors withdrew life support. minister, and several civil serv- Windrush generation. But they A British court rejected an ap- ney for them,” the hospital said. and said Italian doctors who vis- forms of treatment may be grant- Gard’s parents fought a fi ve- ants and political aides. should think for a moment of peal by the parents on Wednes- Supporters began to leave ited the child were agreed on the ed”. month legal battle for him to be The six-page memo, re- the stress that often older peo- day to take their son to Italy. fl oral tributes outside the hos- “futility” of trying to fi nd a cure. “The only master of life, from taken to the United States for ex- vealed on Friday by the Guard- ple have gone through, who The case stirred strong feelings pital and a post on the “Alfi e’s Helen Cross, an expert in child the beginning to its natural end, perimental treatment. ian, says that the department have worked their whole lives over whether judges, doctors or Army” Facebook page, which has epilepsy at another children’s is God, and our duty is to do eve- The parents of Ashya King de- had set “a target of achiev- in this country, consider them- parents have the right to decide 801,000 members, said balloons hospital in London, told the rything to protect life,” he said. fi ed professionals in 2014 when ing 12,800 enforced returns selves to be full British citizens on a child’s life. would be released from a park hearing that scans showed over Thomas Evans had also met they snatched their cancer- in 2017-18”, boasts that “we – which is exactly what they Alfi e’s parents were supported near the facility. 70% of the baby’s brain fi bre had with the Pope in the Vatican last stricken son from a British hos- have exceeded our target of as- are – and they should be treat- by Pope Francis and Poland’s Evans was born on May 9, 2016 been lost and said there was “no week and asked him to “save our pital and took him to Prague for sisted returns”, and adds that ed with the [same] dignity and President Andrzej Duda. and was fi rst taken to hospital in prospect of recovery”. son”. proton beam therapy. progress had been made on respected as every other citi- “I am deeply moved by the December of that year after suf- Pope Francis intervened sev- Italy granted citizenship to the King, now aged eight, has increasing enforced removals zen should be treated.” death of little Alfi e. Today I pray fering seizures. eral times in a case that touched toddler on Monday in the hope since been declared clear of the by 10%. The shadow home secre- especially for his parents, as God His condition worsened and, hearts around the world and of facilitating his transfer to the disease. The issue has become par- tary, Diane Abbott, said Rudd ticularly toxic because of cov- should have been prepared to erage of the Windrush gen- accept responsibility for what eration of migrants from the had happened. Caribbean. “I am just surprised that she Many have been left des- doesn’t seem to take the issue ‘Autopilot driver’ who sat in titute or homeless, and de- seriously enough to off er her nied benefi ts and healthcare resignation,” she told Today. because of the Home Offi ce’s The decision to set a “broad “hostile environment” policies numerical target” could have passenger seat receives ban targeting migrants. contributed to the Windrush Backing Rudd’s own claims fi asco, Abbott said. on Twitter that she had simply “It wasn’t saying, for in- Bhavesh Patel, 39, was along the M1 motorway near will have to pay £1,800 in costs. missed the document, Gove stance, we have to have a target spotted beside empty driver’s Hemel Hempstead last year. PC Kirk Caldicutt, from the said: “What we are witnessing for deporting former crimi- seat as his Tesla s60 travelled The driver, from Nottingham, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire is an example of government nals. The danger is that that along M1 motorway last year pleaded guilty to one count of and Hertfordshire road policing not functioning as it should very broad target put pressure dangerous driving after admit- unit, described Patel’s actions as have done, and that’s some- on Home Offi ce offi cials to By Ruth McKee ting he switched seats when he grossly irresponsible and said it thing for which the home sec- bundle Jamaican grandmoth- Guardian News & Media turned on the car’s autopilot could have easily ended in trag- retary has taken responsibility. ers into detention centres.” mode, leaving the car’s brakes edy. “There does seem to be a Rudd is to be recalled to give and steering wheel unmanned. “He not only endangered his series of leaks, or sharing with evidence to the Commons driver who was fi lmed sit- The driver admitted that the own life but the lives of other in- the Guardian in particular, that home aff airs committee, after ting in the passenger seat stunt in May last year had been nocent people using the motor- This photo issued by the Hertfordshire Constabulary shows Bhavesh is designed to serve a particular she responded to the leaked Aof his car after putting the silly, but insisted that he was way on that day. This case should Patel, who moved to the passenger seat after switching on his car’s agenda … there’s a campaign document in a series of tweets vehicle into autopilot mode has simply “the unlucky one who got serve as an example to all driv- autopilot feature as he travelled on the motorway. against the government and late on Friday night, insisting been banned from driving for 18 caught” trying out the “amaz- ers who have access to autopilot against the home secretary. she had not seen the leaked months. ing” feature on the car. controls and have thought about seat who can react appropriately Road investigators were told by “What’s not surprising is memo, “although it was copied Bhavesh Patel, 39, was spot- As well as the 18-month driv- attempting something similar,” to the road ahead. Tesla engineers that the autopilot that this happens at the same to my offi ce, as many docu- ted leaning back with his hands ing ban he was ordered to carry he said. “I hope Patel uses his disquali- function, including traffi c-aware time as the Labour party is ments are”. behind his head beside an empty out 100 hours of unpaid work. “I want to stress that they are fi cation period to refl ect on why cruise control and auto-steer, mired in allegations of it’s She repeated her claim that driver’s seat as his Tesla s60 su- He was also put on a 10-day in no way a substitute for a com- he chose to make such a reckless was only intended to assist a failure to deal with anti- she “wasn’t aware of specifi c percar cruised at about 40mph rehabilitation programme and petent motorist in the driving decision on that day.” “fully attentive driver”. Semitism.” removal targets” and said: “I “This is about politics,” accept I should have been and Gove said. “And the focus on I’m sorry that I wasn’t”. whether or not a particular The Labour chair of the document that was cc’d to a home aff airs committee, particular address was then Yvette Cooper, told Today: Offi cer ‘sexually assaulted’ during arrest of suspect put in a particular box at a par- “We have obviously been given ticular time – and we know inaccurate information to par- it wasn’t – is intended to dis- liament twice now. This is a se- By Ruth McKee The offi cer is recovering at out at the offi cers with a wooden respond to an incident, putting with them and full welfare sup- tract from the diffi culties that rious concern and I am calling Guardian News & Media home, as is her colleague who “for sale” sign as they tried to de- themselves in harm’s way to port has been put in place. the Labour party faces with Amber Rudd to come back and was also injured while making tain him and sexually assaulted serve and protect the communi- “We will always take a zero- handling prejudice in its own give further evidence to the the arrest. the female offi cer. ties of South Yorkshire. tolerance approach to assaults on ranks.” committee. police offi cer was alleg- The two police offi cers were The chief inspector of South “The offi cers who attended on our offi cers in the course of their “Labour are attempting to “I think we will also want edly sexually assaulted responding to reports of an at- Yorkshire police, Lydia Lynskey, Friday morning were faced with a duties.” weaponise this. I think that is to hear from the permanent Aand physically attacked tempted rape in Sheffi eld city praised the bravery of her offi c- dangerous and violent situation. A 29-year-old man was ar- quite wrong.” secretary as well, because this as she tried to arrest a man who centre in the early hours of Friday ers. “However, they showed im- rested at the scene on suspicion Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour raises some questions about had been suspected of attempted morning. She said: “Our offi cers poten- mense bravery in dealing with of attempted rape, assault, sexual leader, who was one of only 14 the way the Home Offi ce is op- rape. The suspect allegedly lashed tially face danger every time they the incident. Our thoughts are assault and criminal damage. MPs to have voted against the erating.” Gulf Times 16 Sunday, April 29, 2018 EUROPE

Armenia ruling Protests all over Spain party quits PM race

Reuters against rape acquittal Yerevan AFP mayor, said that it “does not Then on Friday, thousands of Madrid meet women’s demand for jus- people demonstrated outside rmenia’s ruling party tice”. the Pamplona court where the said yesterday that it The men, aged 27 to 29, had judgement was made. Awould not put forward ens of thousands of Span- been accused of raping the A community of 16 Carmelite any candidate for prime minister iards took to the streets woman at the entrance to an nuns in the Hondarribia mon- to avoid stoking tensions after Tof Pamplona yesterday apartment building in Pamplona astery in the Basque country more than two weeks of street to protest the acquittal of fi ve on July 7, 2016, at the start of the condemned the court ruling on protests against the South Cau- men accused of gang raping an week-long San Fermin festival, Facebook. casus nation’s ruling elite. 18-year-old woman at the city’s which draws tens of thousands “We live cloistered away, Parliament is due to pick a bull-running festival. of visitors. wearing a habit that reaches prime minister on May 1 after the Demonstrators have fi lled The fi ve, all from the south- down to our ankles, we don’t go protests, fuelled by anger over streets across the country since ern city of Seville, fi lmed the out in the evening, we don’t go the ruling party’s behaviour and the court ruling on Thursday, incident with their smartphones to parties, we don’t drink alco- offi cial corruption, led on Mon- leading Spain’s conservative and then bragged about it on hol and we’ve undertaken a vow day to the resignation of Serzh government to say that it will a WhatsApp messaging group of chastity,” the nuns said. Sarkisian as premier. consider changing rape laws. where they referred to them- “And because that’s our free Sarkisian had previously been The men were acquitted of selves as “La Manada”, or “The choice, we will defend with all president for a decade. sexual assault, which includes Pack” in English. the means at our disposal ... the Eduard Sharmazanov, a rape, and sentenced to nine years An online petition calling for right of all woman to FREELY do spokesman for the ruling Re- for the lesser off ence of sexual the disqualifi cation of the judges the opposite, without them be- publican Party, said yesterday abuse. who passed the sentence gath- ing judged, raped, threatened, that it would not put forward In Pamplona itself, police ered more than 1.2mn signatures killed or humiliated,” they wrote. any candidate to become prime said that “between 32,000 and yesterday. State prosecutors said they minister, but would vote as a 35,000 people” took part in a The issue also hogged the would appeal the ruling. bloc and unanimously after con- demonstration yesterday, ral- headlines of newspapers all Adriana Lastra, a top offi cial sidering other candidates. lying under the slogan “it’s not around the country and an order Demonstrators hold a banner, reading in Basque ‘There is no one who judges our opinion’, during a with Spain’s main opposition “By not putting forward a sexual abuse, it’s rape”. of Carmelite nuns added their protest yesterday in Pamplona. Socialist party, said that the candidate, we will avoid con- Thousands of women voices to the wave of condemna- court ruling was “disgraceful”. frontation and an increase in se- marched together with their tion of the court judgment. tion of just how much a person that “it is indisputable that the and keeps her eyes closed,” they “It’s the product of a patri- curity risks ... we are not putting hands raised at the protest, Under Spain’s criminal code, needs to fi ght to avoid being plaintiff suddenly found herself added. archal and macho culture,” she anyone forward in the state’s in- which police said passed off evidence of violence or intimi- raped without risking getting in a narrow and hidden place, Already on Thursday, large added. terest,” he told reporters. peacefully. dation must exist for the off ence killed, and still get recognised surrounded by fi ve older, thick- crowds of mainly women had The case was cited in signs Protest leader Nikol Pashin- Ana Botin, the infl uential head of rape to be proved. as a victim of a serious attack bodied males who left her over- marched in cities across Spain, carried by many women during yan, who describes himself as of Santander, one of Spain’s big- But that was a legal nuance against sexual freedom while whelmed and unresponsive”. including Madrid and Barcelona, massive demonstrations held “the people’s choice”, has said gest banks, tweeted that the rul- that was “not always easy to es- ensuring that the perpetra- “The videos show the plaintiff following the court sentencing. in cities across Spain to mark the only acceptable scenario for ing was “a step back for women’s tablish”, top-selling daily El Pais tors do not enjoy impunity”, the surrounded and stuck against In the city of Santander pro- International Women’s Day in him and his supporters is for security” while former judge wrote in an editorial. newspaper said. the wall by two of the accused testers blocked roads, public tel- March, which were among the parliament to elect him as prime Manuela Carmena, now Madrid It “leads to the painful ques- In their ruling, the judges said ... she has an absent grimace, evision TVE reported. largest in Europe. minister next week. He then wants to snap parlia- mentary polls which would take place under a new election law. Although the demonstrations have been peaceful, the upheaval Erdogan starts campaigning for June poll has threatened to destabilise Ar- menia, an ally of Russia, in a vol- atile region riven by Armenia’s Reuters Kilicdaroglu, a dictator. ducted under emergency rule, ister who last year founded the decades-long, low-level confl ict Istanbul “I believe we will make a po- imposed following a failed 2016 nationalist Iyi (Good) Party and with neighbouring Azerbaijan. litical history on June 24 with coup. has said she would run. The Republican Party holds a record votes both on parliamen- An international watchdog, The CHP said its head is un- majority of seats in parliament, urkey’s Recep Tayyip Er- tary and presidential elections,” the Council of Europe Parlia- likely to run because it believes while Pashinyan does not cur- dogan unoffi cially kicked Erdogan said. mentary Assembly Monitor- the president should not be a rently have enough support in Toff his re-election cam- If Erdogan wins – as seems ing Committee, said that could political party leader. parliament to be elected prime paign yesterday, vowing to de- likely as the AK Party has formed jeopardise the elections’ legiti- The pro-Kurdish opposi- minister. feat the secularist opposition in an election alliance with the na- macy. tion party HDP said that jailed The next parliamentary elec- “historic” snap elections that he tional opposition party MHP – To win in the fi rst round, a former co-leader Selahattin tions are not due until 2022. has called for June. he will return to the presidency candidate needs more than 50% Demirtas will most likely to be But if parliament twice fails to Although yet to formally de- with new sweeping executive of the votes. its candidate. elect a new prime minister with clare his candidacy, Erdogan powers that were narrowly ap- Polls indicate a second round Former president Abdullah majority support, early elections held what was eff ectively his proved by referendum last year. is likely to happen and would be Gul, one of the founding mem- must be held. fi rst campaign rally in the coast- Impatient to get those new on July 8 if necessary. bers of the AK Party, said he The RIA news agency cited al- al city of Izmir, the stronghold powers, Erdogan last week called The sudden election an- would not be a candidate, ending Erdogan acknowledges applause after delivering a speech during lies of Pashinyan as saying that of the secular CHP opposition the elections more than a year nouncement surprised opposi- weeks of speculation. the AK Party’s 6th ordinary provincial congress in western Izmir they would keep protesting and party. earlier than scheduled as he said tion parties, leaving them yet to Erdogan has won nearly a province. that the ruling party’s move was He promised thousands of Turkey needed a more power- nominate presidential candi- dozen elections and dominated not enough because it did not fl ag-waving supporters victory ful presidency to confront eco- dates. Turkish politics since the Is- abroad accuse him of dictato- championing the Muslim work- back his candidacy. in the presidential and parlia- nomic challenges and the war in Erdogan’s most credible chal- lamist-rooted AK party swept to rial tendencies, Erdogan remains ing classes and delivering air- Earlier yesterday, Pashinyan mentary polls and declared Syria. lenge is seen coming from Meral power in 2002. Turkey’s most popular politi- ports, hospitals and schools and called for more demonstrations. the leader of the CHP, Kemal The election will be con- Aksener, a former interior min- While opponents at home and cian, admired by millions for strong economic growth. “All protest actions, actions of civil disobedience, should be re- newed with new force. The vic- German youths see anti-Semitism as less of a problem: poll tory of the people must be rec- ognised,” Pashinyan told a rally Young people in Germany don’t see anti-Semitism Semitic, but only 48% found general jokes about in the town of Ijevan. “There can Russia launches controversial as being as big a problem as older people, Jewish people anti-Semitic. be no violence.” according to a survey seen by DPA on Friday. Just 17% saw as anti-Semitic the stereotypical Pashinyan called on support- The survey, conducted online by research institute assertion that most Jewish people are good ers to organise big demonstra- fl oating nuclear power plant YouGov, showed that 42% of 18-to-24-year-olds see business people, with 65% seeing it as not or tions in Yerevan, the capital, on anti-Semitism as a serious or very serious problem. probably not anti-Semitic. May 1. That contrasts with the average (61%) and with the A clear majority (65%) saw the questioning of DPA over-65s (68%). Israel’s right to exist as anti-Semitic, but only 18% Moscow Meanwhile, 40% of 18-to-24-year-olds see anti- found general criticism of the Israeli state anti- Semitism as no problem or a slight problem, again Semitic, with 62% seeing it as not anti-Semitic. contrasting with the average (27%) and the over- Aside from anti-Semitism, 71% of respondents saw ussia has launched a 65s (22%). racism and xenophobia as a serious to very serious fl oating nuclear power There were diff ering opinions on what counts as problem. Rplant to supply far-fl ung anti-Semitic. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of all Half of the respondents saw anti-German Pashinyan: The victory of the Arctic outposts with energy. respondents see jokes about the Holocaust as anti- sentiment as a serious problem. people must be recognised. The Akademik Lomonosov vessel left its shipyard in Saint Petersburg yesterday for its maiden voyage. It is due to sail across the Baltic and Norweigian Seas to Madrid removes the Russian naval port of Mur- mansk, the Interfax news agen- cy reported. The power plant’s two reac- Franco-era place tors are then due to be equipped The floating nuclear power plant ‘Akademik Lomonosov’ is seen with nuclear fuel, state news being towed to an Atomflot base in Murmansk for nuclear fuel agency TASS quoted Pavel loading, in Saint Petersburg. Ipatow from plant operator names of streets Rosenergoatom as saying. The project has been criti- Russia wants to secure the In the summer of 2019, cised for its risks by environ- rich deposits of oil and gas that Academik Lomonosov is due to mentalists. are believed to be in the region Reuters Spanish republic in 1936 and the sail from Murmansk to the Arc- Greenpeace has warned that around the North Pole. Madrid Civil War that followed. tic Sea to supply electricity and there is a danger of a “Cherno- Due to climate-induced Streets will revert to their pre- heat to Russian outposts and byl on ice”, referencing the 1986 melting of ice, new ship routes Franco era names or, if this is not desalinate seawater. nuclear disaster at the Cherno- are opening up in Russia’s orkmen in Madrid re- possible, in honour of illustrious A worker removes a street plate in Madrid in accordance with Spain’s The power plant can sup- byl reactor in Soviet-controlled north. moved street signs women, education institutions Law of Historical Memory, which forbids public places or entities to ply about 200,000 people with Ukraine that prompted a mass As a result Moscow is Wbearing names con- or politicians, the council said. be named with references to Spain’s former dictatorship. electricity. evacuation and left swathes of strengthening its military pres- nected to the rule of Spanish dic- Historians estimate as many as The destination port is Pewek Ukraine and neighbouring Be- ence do defend its interests in tator Francisco Franco on Friday 500,000 combatants and civil- the removal of statues and the takedown place names honour- in Siberia. larus uninhabitable. the region. despite opposition from some ians were killed on the Republi- changing of place names con- ing General Romero Basart, a in Spain who believe his legacy can and Nationalist sides in the nected to the Franco regime. general who fought on the side should be preserved. war. The plan was approved in 2015 of Franco during the Civil War, Austrian held after headless, limbless body found in lake Madrid’s city council said After it ended, tens of thou- but was appealed against in the replacing them with a new name some 49 streets would be re- sands of Franco’s enemies were courts by the Francisco Franco in honour of the 20th century Austrian authorities said yesterday that they had The victim has still not been identified but the named over the coming days. killed or imprisoned in a cam- Foundation – which campaigns Spanish physicist Blas Cabrera. arrested a Viennese man over the grisly discovery Salzburger Nachrichten daily reported that The process has been fraught paign to wipe out dissent. to keep the memory of the dicta- “These have been the street of a body without head or limbs in a lake popular investigators believe she was a Czech or a Slovak with legal disputes in a show of With its drive to rename tor alive. names since I was 10 years old,” with water sports enthusiasts. prostitute. how Spain still struggles to come streets, the Madrid authori- This appeal was later over- said Domingo, an 80-year-old The female torso, thought to have been there for The man was arrested on Friday is thought to have to terms with its past. ties invoked the 2007 Historical turned by a Madrid court. pensioner who declined to give several months, was found at the bottom of the been known to the dead woman. Many of the names refer to Memory Law, brought in under In one working-class area of his surname. “But now we are shallow Neusiedl Lake on April 13. The Neusiedl Lake in southeast Austria straddles generals who took part in the the previous Socialist govern- Madrid on Friday, neon-clad in new times and we have to Police divers later located the head. the border with Hungary. military uprising against the ment, which made provision for workmen climbed ladders to change.” Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 17 INDIA Mumbai Modi, Xi seek to avert recruiter military stand-off held over IANS Wuhan, China Qatari’s

rime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jin- Pping yesterday pledged to keep the India-China border quiet complaint and personally guide their respec- tive armies to avert Doklam-like he owner of an illegal Mumbai-based overseas military stand-off in future as the recruitment fi rm has been booked for allegedly two wrapped up their two-day in- Tcheating a Qatari national, an Indian newspaper formal summit in the Chinese city has reported. of Wuhan. The accused accepted money from the victim on the India’s Foreign Secretary Vi- pretext of recruiting a female cook for him, but never sent jay Gokhale said the icebreaking any cook to Qatar, according to the Hindustan Times re- meetings between Modi and Xi port. will have a “positive impact” on a The Qatari citizen then approached the authorities at number of thorny issues that have the Indian embassy in Doha. bogged down the two uneasy Asian Acting upon a complaint from the embassy, the Mum- neighbours. bai police booked the Dongri-based agency owner, who “The two leaders underscored did not have the mandatory licence from the Ministry of that it is important to maintain External Aff airs (MEA) for running an overseas recruit- peace along India-China border ment agency. region and decided that they will The police suspected that the accused might have issue strategic guidance to their cheated many other foreign nationals, too, in a similar respective militaries to strength- fashion. en communications and to build According to the police, the victim contacted the agen- trust and understanding,” Gokhale cy, Salman Sayyaed Muhad Import Export and Consult- said briefi ng the media on the six ant, while looking for an Indian female cook. rounds of talks between Modi and The agency informed him that they had selected one Xi in two days. Salma Beghum for the job on a monthly salary of QR1,000. They also decided to strengthen Muhad Import Export and Consultant also signed an existing institutional mechanisms Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping take a boat ride on the East Lake in Wuhan, China. agreement with Beghum and sent its copy to the Qatari to prevent and manage situations man. After this, the victim sent Beghum’s visa, her airline in the border areas. lations like China’s Belt and Road tion at the UN to declare Pakistan- participatory global economic or- a boat ride on the scenic East Lake ticket and QR3,000 as consultancy fee to the agency. Gokhale said Modi and Xi were initiative and its opposition to New based terrorist Masood Azhar are der which will enable all countries as they began their second round However, neither Beghum nor any other person was of the view that Special Repre- Delhi’s entry into the Nuclear Sup- other sticking points between the to pursue their development and of talks. sent to his place by the Dongri agency. sentatives on border talks from pliers Group came up in the the six two. contribute to the elimination of The Chinese president also The Qatari citizen then realized that he had been duped, both countries will have to inten- rounds of talks between Modi and Beijing also fears India might poverty and inequality in all re- hosted a lunch for Modi. according to a source. sify their eff orts to seek a fair, rea- Xi in two days. join the Quad — an emerging bloc gions of the world,” Gokhale said. On Friday, Xi had accompanied He informed the Indian embassy in Doha and the matter sonable and mutually acceptable Meanwhile, sources said India of the US, Japan and Australia to He also said both the leaders Modi on a tour of an exhibition of was later taken up with the MEA. settlement. and China have decided to work counter it in the Indo-Pacifi c re- recognised the common threat Marquis Yi of Zeng Cultural Rel- A detailed complaint was sent to the Maharashtra DGP Gokhale said the two leaders on a joint economic project in Af- gion. posed by terrorism and reiterated ics and Treasure displayed at the and Mumbai’s police commissioner. reviewed developments in India- ghanistan, a move that could upset Asked about China’s growing their strong condemnation of and Hubei Provincial Museum. The Mumbai police then began an inquiry and checked China relations from the strategic Beijing’s “all-weather ally” and infl uence in the South Asia which resolute opposition to terrorism in The Chinese president also if the Dongri agency had taken a mandatory licence from and long-term perspective and de- New Delhi’s arch-rival Pakistan, is considered India’s sphere of in- all its forms and manifestations. hosted a dinner in honour of the the MEA for running an overseas recruitment agency. cided to implement various confi - which borders Afghanistan. fl uence, Gokhale said: “The two Gokhale said this is new kind of visiting Indian prime minister. Preliminary probe revealed that the agency had not tak- dence-building measures which India and China went to war in leaders were very clear that we diplomatic arrangement between Chinese ambassador to India en the licence and was functioning illegally. had already been agreed upon by 1962 over their border and still have converging interests. We have the two countries. Luo Zhaohui said that both the An FIR was then registered against the agency’s co- the two sides. carry the baggage of 3,500km long our respective visions of domes- “President Xi has not received leaders spent nine hours together owners, Ansari Hussain and Fayyaz Shaikh, under sec- “They also agreed that both disputed boundary. tic and foreign policy that we will any foreign leader outside the during the course of their informal tions 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the sides have the maturity and wis- The two Asian giants almost work together and use strategic capital (Beijing). Both the leaders summit. Indian Penal Code and 10 and 24 of Immigration Act at the dom to handle the diff erences came to blows in 2017 when their communication to ensure that we are trying to fi nd ways to commu- “7 events in 2 days, President Dongri police station. through peaceful discussion armies faced off each other near are able to improve the situation nicate to each other and I have no #XiJinping and PM Modi spent Later, senior police offi cers transferred the matter to the within the context of the overall their border in Doklam over build- regionally, internationally.” doubt that this will have positive 9 hours together, covering a wide job cheating racket unit of the city police’s Economic Of- relationship, bearing in mind the ing of a border road by the Chinese. “The key point is that we iden- impact on India-China relations range of topics in in-depth ex- fences Wing (EOW). importance of respecting each The already-strained ties went tify the number of areas of conver- and on moving ahead on a number changes with much consensus. “We have called the accused for questioning and also other’s sensitivities, concerns and further south after that. gence. of issues,” the top Indian diplomat Thumbs up to the two leaders!” asked the agency to produce relevant documents,” said an aspirations,” Gokhale said. Beijing’s opposition to New “They (Modi and Xi) reiter- said. Luo tweeted following Modi’s de- EOW offi cer. However, Gokhale did not re- Delhi’s entry into the elite Nuclear ated the importance of building Earlier yesterday, Modi and Xi parture for India from here yester- The police are also checking if the Dongri agency had veal if irritants in Sino-India re- Suppliers Group and its applica- an open, multipolar, pluralist and walked by the East Lake and took day. cheated others in similar fashion.

Tejas moves closer to clearance after Indian graffiti successful firing of BVR missile 2,655 candidates in fray for The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas achieved another Karnataka Assembly polls milestone by successfully test- firing an air-to-air beyond visual range (BVR) missile, bringing it IANS dates this time has gone up to 219 from 170 a step closer to final operation Bengaluru in 2013 elections, while the total number clearance, the government said of male candidates came down to 2,436 yesterday. this time compared with 2,778 in the 2013 Successfully demonstrating n all, 2,655 candidates are in the fray for elections. safe operation under the worst the May 12 Karnataka Assembly polls, The number of rejections and with- case scenario, the missile was Ithe state Election Commission said drawals also went up this time to 854 from launched by Tejas piloted by yesterday. 744 in the last Assembly elections. Mul- Wing Commander Siddharth Of the 3,509 candidates who fi led valid bagal constituency in Kolar district has the Singh off the Goa coast. nominations by the deadline on Tuesday, highest number of candidates — 39. “Integration of Derby, a BVR papers of 271 others were rejected after State capital Bengaluru, which alone class missile, is one of the major scrutiny on Wednesday. has 28 Assembly segments, has 450 candi- objectives of Final Operational A total of 583 candidates withdrew from dates, including 37 women. Clearance (FOC) of LCA Tejas,” a the contest by Friday. Meanwhile, expressing concern over defence statement said. Of those still in the fray, 219 are women. attacks on young girls and women in the Tejas has been designed and As many as 222 nominees are from the country, Defence Minister Nirmala Sith- developed by Defence Research ruling Congress, 224 from the opposition araman said yesterday the Congress gov- and Development Organisation Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 201 from Ja- ernment in Karnataka had failed to check (DRDO) autonomous society nata Dal-Secular (JD-S), 1,155 independ- crime against women in the state. — Aeronautical Development ents and 800 from other national, regional “The Congress government failed the Agency (ADA). and fringe parties, according to the fi nal state’s people in checking crime against The aircraft was tracked by list released by the poll panel. women,” Sitharaman said while address- two other Tejas aircraft in close In the 2013 Assembly elections, there ing an interactive women’s outreach pro- formation to capture the firing were 2,948 candidates, state Chief Electoral gramme organised by the Bharatiya Janata event in the specially instru- Offi cer Sanjiv Kumar said in a statement. Party (BJP) state unit ahead of May 12 As- An animal rights activist paints a wall to create awareness and urge people to go vegetarian in Kolkata. mented high-speed cameras for However, the number of female candi- sembly polls. detailed analysis and compari- son with the simulation model for validation. “Based on the successful integration and demonstration, Regional Centre for Military Social worker helping Latvian woman alleges police harassment Airworthiness (RCMA), a unit of DRDO has cleared the series production aircraft of Squadron By Ashraf Padanna Andrew Jordan, and his police chief from a person, whom I don’t know. This Nair provides food, shelter and treat- morning and continue until midnight 45, to be equipped with Derby Thiruvananthapuram shouted at them. is nothing but harassment,” she said. ment to scores of orphaned people wan- most of the time, keeping their trail up- operational capability,” a state- Since then, she says, she and her of- “I’m working among mentally un- dering on the streets or lonely at home dated on the social media. ment said. fi ce started receiving threatening calls sound, destitute people wandering with no relatives to look after them. “Vijayan is following the revenge poli- Defence Minister Nirmala ocial worker Aswathy Nair who and witnessed suspicious movements around. They came to me expecting The non-governmental organisation tics of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi. Sitharaman complimented was helping to trace Latvian of people around her home. that I could help and it’s my job to help solicits no money, but people donate It unveils his ugly fascist face,” said Op- the DRDO and other agencies Swoman Liga Skromane says the The Skromanes, living in Ireland, them,” she said. them voluntarily since she’s active on position Leader Ramesh Chennithala. involved for making LCA Tejas police were harassing her. were in the state while on a trip to an al- “During the past fi ve years since I social media sharing the plight of peo- “By threatening a social worker like fighter jet, a world-class aircraft Addressing reporters here along with ternative health centre. launched Jwala (her charity) never had ple in distress. Aswathy, the chief minister is trying to platform. the victim’s sister Ilze Skromane, she The “depressed and vulnerable” sister I such a blemish on me. It’s a deliberate “What message the authorities are create an atmosphere of fear to suppress The Indian Air Force had said she got a call from the city police who was undergoing wellness treatment attempt to tarnish its reputation.” trying to send out? Is that you should dissenting voices.” ordered 40 Tejas Mark-1 commissioner’s offi ce yesterday to join at an Ayurveda centre 31km away went Ilze said the police chief received a not help people in distress that you The former home minister also con- version. the investigation. missing on March 14 from Kovalam. complaint stating Jwala had taken some should not go and search the missing gratulated her for taking up the cause of A request for proposal was is- Nair and Skromane had last week al- Two anglers found her decomposed money from her or raised funds, which people?” she said. the foreign lady who failed to get timely sued to Hindustan Aeronautics leged that the 33-year-old died because body in mangroves frequented by drug was “completely false and incorrect.” “This is a fabricated case. I’ll fi ght help from the police. Limited by the IAF in December of the slow response of the police to pushers near the famed seaside getaway “Heartfelt thank you for all your help it out, and I would continue the work I The incident and the delayed re- for procurement of another their missing person complaint. on April 19. Aswathy Jwala,” she wrote on her Face- have been doing all these years.” sponse had triggered widespread out- batch of 83 Tejas at a cost of Nair had also said Chief Minister The autopsy suggested it’s a murder book page later. “I’m sorry for all the sor- Nair joined them on the eighth day of rage in a state considered as India’s around Rs500bn. Pinarayi Vijayan refused to meet Skro- and the investigation is still underway. row you had to go through due to small her missing. tourism gem and the safest for the visi- mane and her dead sister’s husband, “The police said they got a complaint misunderstandings and false allegations.” They start their search from early tors. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, April 29, 2018 INDIA

Ministry says no fi nancial Congress, BJP row over bid involved in Red Fort MoU

IANS Goyal’s ‘impropriety’ New Delhi IANS Congress to hold ‘Jan Akrosh’ rally today The Wire, alleged Goyal’s owner- Piramal group entered the renew- New Delhi ship of the company — Flashnet Info able energy business in 2013 and in ollowing a controversy over an The Congress will hold a ‘Jan Akrosh farmers, price rise, women security, and Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd — nor its July 2014 inked a deal with APG As- MoU with Dalmia Bharat Limited Rally’ in New Delhi today to showcase corruption occuring right under the subsequent sale were disclosed in set Management for investments Fvis-a-vis the Red Fort, the Min- he Congress yesterday called what it called the “public outrage” over nose of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the mandatory statement of assets worth $1bn in various infrastructure istry of Tourism yesterday clarifi ed that Minister of Railways and Coal the failures and corruption of the Modi Surjewala said. and liabilities he made to the PMO in projects, including in the power sec- it does not involve a fi nancial bid and is TPiyush Goyal’s alleged sale of government. Pointing out to the poor condition of 2014 and 2015. tor, according to details given by the only for the development, operations shares held in a privately-held com- Congress president Rahul Gandhi farmers in the country, Surjewala said The BJP said: “The sale of Flashnet website. and maintenance of tourism amenities. pany at nearly 1,000 times the face and other prominent party leaders will that they neither got any loan waivers shares took place in July 2014 before Khera called this a “clear case of “The memorandum of understanding value as a “murky saga” of “gratifi ca- address the rally at the Ramlila Maidan. nor their due rights. the declaration of assets and liabilities confl ict of interest and brazen crony (MoU) envisages limited access to non- tion, gross impropriety and confl ict of Party spokespersons Randeep He also rued that increasing prices was submitted on July 25, 2014 and not capitalism”. core areas and no handing over of the interest”. Singh Surjewala and Ashok Gehlot of diesel and petrol were aff ecting the on September 29, 2014, as falsely al- Khera said: “Although the net worth monument is involved. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said that the key issues related to life of the common man. leged by the Congress. of Flashnet Info was only Rs109mn It is clarifi ed that ‘The Adopt a Her- however, quickly came to the defence farmers, women, national security, “The Modi government has collected This sale was made at full market val- (even six months after the sale, ac- itage’ is essentially a non-revenue gen- of its minister, saying it was an at- and “impropriety” of Railway Minister Rs1tn as excise and custom duty on ue as per third party, independent, ex- cording to statutory fi lings), fi lings erating project,” a Ministry statement tempt by the Congress party to attack Piyush Goyal, Vyapam scam of Madhya oil in the past four years. Where is that pert valuation and the entire sale value by Piramal Estates refl ect that... said. Goyal based on “baseless, malicious Pradesh, CBSE paper leaks and mining money?” was received in the bank before submit- Rs480mn was provided (for) Goyal The ministry said that “Adopt a Her- and incorrect” accusations. issues would be raised at the rally to be There is also outrage over rising ting the declaration and was fully re- family-owned shares.” itage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” The Congress party has sought held at the Ramleela Maidan. incidents of rape and women security, fl ected in the value of assets submitted.” The BJP said that the “modus op- is a collaborative eff ort between the Goyal’s removal and a “comprehen- The party’s former president Sonia he said. Piramal Group said: “Piramal Es- erandi of the attack has been to gain Ministry, Archaeological Survey of In- sive, independent investigation” into Gandhi, former prime minister Man- “The way cabinet minister Piyush tates Pvt Ltd(PEPL) purchased Flash- cheap political mileage by indulging dia (ASI), states and Union Territories the matter. mohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition Goyal is found involved in a case of net Info Solutions Pvt Ltd, a fi rm in a baseless campaign against Goyal which aims to develop synergy among Citing a detailed story by a news in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and conflict of interest and gratification owned by Piyush Goyal and Seema with no sound facts to back them but all partners to eff ectively promote ‘re- website, the Congress alleged the BJP other leaders will address the rally. and how a Rs10 share was sold for Goyal, in July 2014. The purchase con- with the only intention of creating sponsible tourism’. leader had sold, in September 2014, “We are holding this rally to repre- Rs5,700 under the ‘Modi model’...and sideration paid was the fair value of false controversies”. It is part of responsible tourism the entire stock of the privately-held sent the emotions and turmoil that the minister and his family hides it from the underlying investments (movable “The falsehoods spread by Con- where the ‘Monument Mitra’ essentially company he and his wife owned, at every citizen of the country is going everyone...there is an outrage in the and immovable assets) and the same gress refl ect their desperation since spends his corporate social responsibil- nearly 1,000 times the face value to through,” said Gehlot, a former Rajas- nation,” Surjewala said. was paid in July 2014 itself. This was they have nothing to attack the Modi ity funds for the upkeep and mainte- a group fi rm owned by Ajay Piramal, than chief minister. He also accused the federal govern- based on an independent chartered government,” the party said. nance of the monument, it added. without informing the Prime Minis- “The rally will aim to bring overall ment of compromising national secu- accountant valuation.” The BJP said Goyal, who is an emi- Under the contract, the conglomerate ter’s Offi ce (PMO) then or later. change and awakening in the country... rity by not acting against intrusion of Khera alleged that Goyal and his nent chartered accountant, was carry- will focus on providing basic amenities, The transaction took place four it will represent the outrage of the the Chinese forces in Indian territory. wife, who owned 50,070 shares of ing out his professional work through including cleanliness, public conven- months after Goyal became a minister. Flashnet Info priced at Rs10, sold the his companies, which were also hold- iences, drinking water, ease of access for In a statement, Piramal Group also entire stock at a premium of 1,000% to ing his investments. diff erently abled and senior citizens and denied the charges, saying: “Piramal against the online media entity and the pried open the doors of every major the group company of Piramal Estates. “Prior to his becoming minister in others for both domestic and foreign Group strongly refutes the false al- concerned individual(s),” it added. corporate house for PM Modi. How He held the Power and Renewable May 2014, he stopped all professional/ tourists. legations made by The Wire in their A BJP statement said that over the then will the PM act against this min- Energy portfolio in the federal cabinet business activities, resigned from all The ministry said that under the factually inaccurate and libelous story last one month, “the Congress party has ister, caught red handed, misusing his for four months at the time. directorships and started the proc- ‘Monument Mitras’ project, it has ap- dated April 28, 2018.” made Piyush Goyal a target by hurling power for Rs 48mn of personal gain?” He said that the board resolution of ess of selling all his investments,” the proved 31 agencies so far to adopt a to- “The malicious news article pub- malicious allegations against Goyal’s Congress spokesperson Pawan Piramal Enterprises on June 12, 2014, party said. tal of 95 monuments and tourism sites lished on The Wire is libelous and is an bona fi de business dealings to insinuate Khera earlier told reporters that the authorised the purchase of the entire It said Goyal was being targeted, be- across India. attack on the reputation of the Piramal wrongdoings and irregularity.” deal “directly exposed” one of the stock of 50,070 shares in Flashnet Info cause the Congress “wishes to divert “So far, four MoUs have been signed Group. The group is contemplating tak- Congress President Rahul Gandhi senior most cabinet ministers of the held by Goyal and his wife “for a con- attention from the series of scandals between diff erent stakeholders — for ing immediate and appropriate meas- in a tweet said: “It’s no secret that CA Modi government. sideration not exceeding Rs 10,000 of its leaders for which they have no Mt Stok Kangri in Ladakh in Jammu and ures, including defamatory action, Piyush Goyal, the BJP Treasurer, has The article in the news website, per share”. answers”. Kashmir, the trail to Gaumukh in Utta- rakhand, the Red Fort in Delhi, and the Gandikota Fort in Andhra Pradesh,” it said. A statement by Dalmia Bharat said on Marching for democracy April 25 that the company joins ‘Monu- Scientists fi nd new way ment Mitra’ along with other private sector companies to look after the op- eration and maintenance of this heritage to create hydrogen fuel site for fi ve years, with a spend of over from natural sunlight Rs50mn per annum. 2 held in bribery case

IANS However, eff orts to produce effi - he Central Bureau of Investiga- Bengaluru cient stable semiconductor material, tion said yesterday it had arrested in order to eff ectively convert sun- Ta general manager of Rites, a gov- light to a storable widespread energy ernment undertaking, and his project he energy provided by sun- source, had so far proved elusive. manager on charge of demanding a bribe light in an hour is equivalent The ground-breaking new re- to clear pending bills. Tto mankind’s total energy search by Pawar and co-workers at “A case was registered under Sec- consumption for one year, but the University’s Environment and Sus- tion 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and development of devices to turn this tainability Institute centres on the Sections 7, 12, and 13(2) of the Preven- abundant natural gift into a feasible use of a revolutionary photo-elec- tion of Corruption Act against Rites GM energy source for mankind had re- trode — made from nanoparticles of K Venkateshwara Rao and his project mained a challenge. A new research, the elements lanthanum (La), iron manager Shankar for demanding a bribe led by Govinder Singh Pawar — an (Fe) and oxygen(O). of Rs1.5mn from KVR Infrastructure Ltd Indian origin scientist at the Univer- Here, the team utilised Lantha- fi rm to clear pending bills of Rs150mn,” a sity of Exeter in the UK — has given a num iron oxide (LaFeO3) to create a CBI offi cer said. ray of hope for the solar fuel. semiconducting material that gave The CBI conducted searches at the According to the report, published the ideal results for the production of offi ce and residential premises of the ar- in the journal Scientifi c Reports, the Hydrogen from water using sunlight, rested persons. team of researchers developed an in- making it the strongest candidate yet “They will be presented in a CBI court novative method to split water into for renewable Hydrogen generation. People participate in ‘Walk for Democracy’ demonstration in Kolkata yesterday. to seek their custody for further ques- its constituent parts — hydrogen and The researchers believe their novel tioning,” he added. oxygen — using sunlight. photo-electrode made using “scal- The hydrogen can then be used as a able spray pyrolysis method” is not fuel, with the potential to power every- only cheap to produce, but can also day items such as homes and vehicles. be recreated on a larger scale for mass Hydrogen is considered to be a promis- and worldwide use. ing alternative fuel source that is clean “To the best of our knowledge, we Court injunction on book on Baba Ramdev’s life lifted — its only by-product is water — and is report for the fi rst time the nanos- capable of replacing fossil fuels. tructured LaFeO3 photoelectrode “The hydrogen fuel that can be for spontaneous hydrogen evolution IANS Additional Sessions Judge Jay Thare- mediately thereafter. That order was injunction is a victory for free speech,” created through this synthetic pho- from water without any external ap- New Delhi ja lifted the ex-parte interim injunction passed ex-parte, that is, without hear- the publisher said, adding that the tosynthesis method would not only plied bias,” the researchers said. on the publication and sale of Godman ing either the publisher, Juggernaut judge noted that the usual course, in severely reduce carbon emissions, “Moreover, our material has excel- to Tycoon: The Untold Story of Baba Books, or the author of the book, Priya- such suits “is to protect the right of but would also create a virtually lim- lent stability where, after 21 hours of mainstream Indian publish- Ramdev. nka Pathak-Narain,” Juggernaut said in freedom and speech guaranteed to an itless energy source,” the university testing, it does not degrade, ideal for ing house has emerged victo- Juggernaut Books and author Priya- a statement. individual/journalist/author as guar- said in a statement. water splitting purpose.” A rious from a legal battle with nka Pathak-Narain were represented The order said that this was done anteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the “Photo electro-chemical” water The university in its statement Baba Ramdev over a controversial book by Rajashekhar Rao, Satyajit Sarna and in order to avoid “the delay which constitution” unless “the defence of splitting, emulating the natural photo- said that Pawar and his colleagues whose publication and sale had been Amit Agrawal. would be caused during the process truth, fair comment and fair reporting, synthesis using man-made materials, “are currently working on further earlier restrained. The publication and sale of the book of serving the notice and hearing the pleaded by the individual/journalist/ has long been considered as the way to improving our material to make it “The victory is a landmark for free had been restrained on August 4, 2017. defendants”. author, appears to be completely mer- a carbon-free hydrogen economy. more effi cient to produce hydrogen”. speech,” Juggernaut, the publisher, said. “We complied with that order im- “The April 28 order overturning the itless,” the publisher elaborated. Experts diff er over holding simultaneous elections

IANS ganised here by the Law Com- “Justifi cation of majority rule certainly help the context.” Former Lok Sabha speaker Patil said more than the legal He said the Election Commis- New Delhi mission of India. in politics does not have ethical Former federal minister and Shivraj Patil said although the hurdles, the political and practi- sion has to hold seven elections Advocating the need to hold superiority and there is no ra- senior advocate Salman Khur- Constitution does not disallow cal issues are bigger. every fi ve years. simultaneous elections, political tionale between vote share and shid said unless people under- holding simultaneous elections, it Implementation would not be In fact, it had to hold 36 by- mid ongoing talks over scientist Subhash C Kashyap said number of seats won,” he noted. stand elections, there is no point would be better to understand the easy without having consensus elections in Andhra Pradesh be- holding simultaneous par- billions of rupees is spent and the Quoting former chief elec- working on holding simultane- topic, and even if it cannot be im- among political parties, he said. tween 2008 and 2012 and each Aliamentary and state elec- governance takes a backseat in tion commissioner S Y Quraishi, ous polls. plemented, there is a need to keep Advocate Jagdeep Singh election costed up to Rs 150mn. tions, an elite panel of constitu- case of frequent elections. Venkatachaliah said: “Elections “Here, the Election Commis- thinking to make things better. Chhokar was clear that simulta- Law Commission of India tional experts, senior politicians He said there are vested inter- have become the root cause of sioner becomes larger than life “I agree with Soli Sorabjee. If neous elections is a bad idea for chairman Justice B S Chauhan and bureaucrats yesterday joined ests who want to keep the coun- corruption in the country. After fi gure...(he) can do anything it helps democracy, the country, Indian democracy. said the seminar is an academic a brainstorming session to fi nd the try in election mode all the time winning elections, the politi- including change the law for 15 the people, let’s do it,” said Patil. “Should we look for the cheap- exercise. “If (simultaneous elec- best way forward for the country. and that there are ways to over- cian-bureaucrat nexus indulges days...no free speech in 15 days... Stating that the elected does est form of democracy or the tions are) desirable, then how “Is it a good thing for the coun- come premature dissolution of in recovery of the investment and (but) free speech is essential for not necessarily represent the best, irrespective of the cost,” he best to proceed and what changes try? Is it required?” asked former state assemblies to prevent un- that’s where the corruption be- our existence...and we give a majority, he suggested to hold asked. are required,” he asked the panel. attorney general Soli J Sorabjee timely elections. gins...If the country is perpetu- discretion to the only tribunal in a follow-up election between Former chief election com- The Commission has asked for at the outset of a seminar, titled Former chief justice M N ally in an election mode, there is this country that does not have the top two candidates in case missioner H S Brahma was com- suggestions by May 8, before it ‘Simultaneous Elections for Lok Venkatachaliah stressed the need no respite from these evils. Hold- an appellate tribunal,” Khurshid no candidate secures more than pletely in favour of holding si- forwards its report to the Central Sabha and State Assemblies’, or- for electoral reforms. ing simultaneous elections would pointed out. 50% votes. multaneous elections. government. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 19 PAKISTAN PML-N seeks replacement for Asif in Sialkot politics Govt announces

Internews Sialkot

fter the disqualifi cation of Pakistan’s former foreign Aminister Khawaja Mu- ‘100-100-100’ hammad Asif by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- N) is facing the daunting task of fi nding his replacement who could counter its opponents in the politics of the city and the area. education target The local political circles are keenly observing every move of The federal government is He added that this is a solemn outgoing fi scal year to a pro- has been allocated for ongoing the PML-N as it has landed in Asif: disqualified ready to help the provincial commitment of not just of the posed Rs140bn. schemes, while Rs1.493bn is al- dire straits after the apparent governments achieve the prime minister but of the entire Of this, Rs97bn has been al- located for new schemes of the ouster of a seasoned politician ering business tycoon Riazuddin However, the party’s replace- goal, says minister parliament to the children of located for non-development education ministry. who stood by it in hard times Sheikh as replacement of Asif. ment of Asif would be done with Pakistan. expenditure, while the de- Among ongoing schemes, during the Musharraf regime Sheikh is said to be most in- consultation and consent of the Internews “Even after 70 years, we, the velopment budget is kept at Rs1.2bn has been allocated for when many of party bigwigs had fl uential person among the party former minister. Islamabad leaders of Pakistan, have failed Rs42.6bn. setting up and operating Basic abandoned it. leaders in Sialkot and is popular Meanwhile, the PML-N’s local the children of Pakistan,” Is- Of this, a major chunk goes to Education Community Schools Some local independent po- among social and business cir- leadership has termed Asif’s dis- mail conceded. “We have denied the Higher Education Commis- in the country. litical observers think the dis- cles. qualifi cation as political revenge ith Pakistan continu- them the light of education. No sion. Moreover, Rs1.5bn has been qualifi cation would not remove He is the younger brother of by the judiciary against their ing to dominate in- more!” allocated for improving Human Asif from the politics of Sialkot the late Ejaz Ahmed Sheikh, the party. Wdexes for out of school Acknowledging that educa- “This is not about politics Development Indicators Educa- as he would now play a role of the provincial minister for labour Hundreds of the party work- children, the constant reminder tion is a devolved subject, he and parties. This is a tion in Pakistan by the National “king maker” during the 2018 and manpower in the PML-N ers took out rallies in Sialkot city from global and local education said that the federal government national commitment Commission for Human Devel- general elections. government before the Mushar- yesterday to lodge their protest and children’s body, the newly is ready to help, both fi nancially that I make today to the opment (NCHD). The PML-N is reportedly raf coup. against Asif’s disqualifi cation. sworn-in fi nance minister has and administratively, each and children of Pakistan. We With the government hav- looking for “potential” alter- Ejaz has been associated with On the other hand, Pakistan announced a new programme: every province to achieve this will educate you. And we ing already identifi ed technical native to Asif while local party the PML-N since the start of his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders “100-100-100”. goal. will insist on 100 100 100,” education as a priority, the gov- leadership is having the view that political career in 1985 and he Umer Dar, Usman Dar, Dr Firdous “This is the federal govern- “This is not about politics and Minister Ismail stated. ernment has identifi ed a new no one from among the sitting was elected as MPA on the party Ashiq Awan, and Dr John Meh- ment’s commitment to ensuring parties. This is a national com- scheme for establishing 400 members of the National and ticket for fi ve times from 1985 to boob, termed the IHC decision a that 100% of Pakistani children mitment that I make today to The government allocated Vocational Training Institutes Provincial Assembles could take 1996. victory of truth and a milestone will be enrolled in schools, 100% the children of Pakistan. We will Rs4.336bn under Public Sec- (VTI’s) across the country at a his place in Sialkot’s politics. Former prime minister Na- in the PTI’s struggle against cor- of children will be retained in educate you. And we will insist tor Development Programme cost of Rs600mn. According to reports, there waz Sharif had visited Sialkot in rupt rulers and politicians. schools, and fi nally, 100% will on 100 100 100,” the minister (PSDP) for ongoing and new They will be set up on a 50% is nobody in the Asif family, in- July last year to inaugurate the Hundreds of jubilant PTI graduate from schools,” Finance stated. schemes of the federal educa- sharing basis with the prov- cluding his wife and son, who are Riazuddin Sheikh Business and workers continued celebrating Minister Miftah Ismail said dur- The federal government has tion and professional training inces. interested in politics. Trade Centre at the chamber of this disqualifi cation yesterday. ing the budget speech in the Na- enhanced the education budget for the upcoming fi scal year of A further Rs250mn is al- The local leaders of the PMLN commerce and industry as well. They also distributed sweets tional Assembly yesterday while by a mere 6% in the incoming 2018-19. located for standardisation of say that central and provincial Sheikh is also stated to close to and danced to the loud drum- presenting the budget for the fi scal year of 2018-19, raising According to budgetary doc- national examination systems leadership of the party is consid- Asif. beats in various parts of the city. fi scal year 2018-19. allocation from Rs132bn in the uments, a total of Rs2.843bn across the country. Jailed doctor who Hike in salaries, helped track bin pensions of civil Laden relocated and military staff

Reuters Navy Seal raid in 2011 in the Internews fi cers’ performance allowance, Peshawar town of Abbottabad that killed Islamabad details of which would be an- the Al Qaeda leader accused nounced later. of plotting the September 11, Ismail said the total fi nancial rison authorities have 2001 attacks on the US that left akistan’s federal budget impact of raise in pay and pen- moved the doctor be- nearly 3,000 people dead. for fi scal year 2018-19 sion with increase in allow- Plieved to have helped the The doctor was arrested days Ppresented by Federal Fi- ances is about Rs69bn. US Central Intelligence Agency after the US operation – which nance Minister Miftah Ismail “Our government has con- (CIA) hunt down Osama bin Pakistan called a violation of its in the National Assembly yes- sistently increased pay and Laden, his attorney said yes- sovereignty – and charged with terday proposed an ad hoc re- pensions of government em- terday, speculating that it could aiding terrorists. lief of 10% increase in the sala- ployees over the last fi ve years be a prelude to his release. Afridi was sentenced to 23 ries and pensions of civil and and despite fi scal constraints, a The continued imprison- years’ jail for fi nancing terror- military employees with eff ect further relief is being provided ment of Dr Shakil Afridi has ism. That conviction was over- from July 1, 2018. to government servants and long been a source of tension turned in 2013, but he is still A man mourns the death of relative at a hospital following a shooting incident yesterday in which Considering the diffi culties pensioners although infl ation between Pakistan and the US, serving time for other terror- assailants opened fire at an electronics shop in Quetta. of low-paid pensioners, the this year currently stands at which cut military aid over ac- ism-related convictions. Ahmadi community minimum pension is being in- 3.8%,” he said while counting cusations Pakistan continues He also faced a murder trial releases report creased to Rs10,000 from the relief to salaried class. to shelter militants fi ghting US related to the death of a patient current Rs6,000. and Afghan soldiers across the more than a decade ago. Pakistan’s Ahmadi community Similarly, the family pen- The minimum pension for border in Afghanistan. However, the layer said Af- Two killed in Quetta has released an annual report sion will also be increased to those aged 75 and above A jail offi cial in the north- ridi had recently had his lat- on the various issues they face, Rs7,500 from Rs4,500 previ- will be Rs15,000 western city of Peshawar told est sentence reduced to seven including impediments blocking ously. Reuters on condition of ano- years in a clemency action, and Reuters at their shop in a busy shopping them from voting in general The minimum pension of The total pension bill of the nymity that Afridi had been had served about that amount Quetta area of Quetta, the capital of elections. pensioners above the age of 75 civilian and armed forces is transferred to Adiala prison in of time already. mineral-rich Baluchistan, police Ahmadis are forbidden from call- will be Rs15,000. estimated at Rs342bn for the Rawalpindi, near the capital “So I think he can be released said. ing themselves Muslims or using As much as a 50% increase next fi scal year: in the current Islamabad, but said the reasons soon,” Nadeem told Reuters. wo people from the eth- The attackers then fl ed on a Islamic symbols in their religious was proposed in the house rent budget Rs248bn has been allo- were unclear and could simply There were no other imme- nic Hazara community motorcycle. practices. allowance of government em- cated for this, while in the re- be security-related. diate indications of any release Twere shot dead yesterday “It is a sectarian killing,” sen- The Ahmadis consider them- ployees. vised estimates, the fi gure will Afridi’s lawyer, Qamar Na- in the works, however. in southwestern Pakistan, police ior police offi cer Abdullah Afridi selves to be Muslims but their In the budget estimates for be Rs333.35bn. deem, confi rmed the transfer In January 2017, Pakistan’s said. told Reuters. recognition of Mirza Ghulam the next fi scal year, the overall Ismail said that the increase of his client but said he was not then-law minister said the The frontier city of Quetta Both men died on the spot Ahmad, who founded the sect in allowance of staff car drivers would be apart from the major sure where he was now. country would not release Af- was also rocked by three suicide after suff ering multiple bullet British-ruled India in 1889, as a and dispatch riser is being in- relief the salaried class would Judicial offi cials could not be ridi under any US pressure. bombings aimed at Pakistani po- wounds, he said. “subordinate prophet” is viewed creased from Rs40 per hour to get due to drastic slash in the reached yesterday, nor could “Afridi worked against the lice and paramilitary soldiers on It was the third attack on the by many of the Sunni majority as Rs80 per hour. income tax rates, announced embassy offi cials for the US, law and our national interest, Tuesday. minority Hazara community this a breach of the Islamic tenet that An allocation of Rs12bn was earlier by Prime Minister Sha- which has for years called on and the Pakistan government Six police were killed and 15 month. the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) proposed for the provision of hid Khaqan Abbasi. Pakistan to release Afridi. has repeatedly been telling the members of the security forces Two Hazara men were killed in was God’s last direct messenger. advances to government serv- He said the salaried persons Afridi was accused of trea- United States that under our wounded in those bombings, a similar attack last Sunday. ants for the purpose of house mostly belonged to the middle son after word spread that he law he committed a crime and raising fears over fragile security Geo television reported a pro- building and the purchase of class and would be the major had helped the CIA collect ge- was facing the law,” Zahid Ha- in Baluchistan province. test by shopkeepers and other The Hazara community also transport facility. benefi ciary of the relief meas- netic samples of the bin Laden mid was quoted as saying at the In yesterday’s attack, two men people in the area after yester- staged a sit-in protest over the An amount of Rs5bn has ures that would have a fi nan- family, paving the way for a US time. who were relatives were targeted day’s attack. violence earlier this month. been allocated for senior of- cial impact of Rs69bn.

First bulletproof book launched FIA to look into ‘blasphemous’ picture

Internews resistant Kevlar XP fi bre that has the book carries, and we decided Islamabad the capability to repel a 9mm to do the most meaningful and of Imran Khan posted on social media bullet fi red from as close as 5m. relevant cover possible, to ac- “Knowledge is bulletproof company the meaningful and in- n an eff ort to support girls’ and that is the message behind spiring story inside.” Internews mittee directed the committee The committee also directed education, SOC Outreach this unique book,” US Academy She added: “If our message Islamabad to track down those who posted the FIA and other concerned I(spearheaded by Sharmeen Award winner Sharmeen Obaid- was that knowledge can continue the picture on social media. departments to make an agree- Obaid-Chinoy) and advertising Chinoy told Instep. despite bullets, then a book itself MNA Ramesha Lal said he ment with relevant departments company BBDO have collaborat- “We wanted to draw attention should be literally capable of re- subcommittee of the also met with FIA offi cials in in the US who control social ed to create the world’s fi rst bul- to the importance of education pelling a bullet. In this case you National Assembly the evening on the orders of the media organisations so that the letproof book, titled, Knowledge in Pakistan. Shazia and Kainat’s can judge the book by its cover.” AStanding Committee on committee. Pakistani authorities can ob- is Bulletproof. story is an inspirational one for SOC Outreach is a community Government Assurances has di- He said Lord Shiva is a Hindu tain details about users in such The book by Sanam Maher all of us here in Pakistan and engagement programme that rected the Federal Investigation god and to show him as a politi- cases. tells the story of Shazia Ramzan by bringing their stories to the works with educational institu- Agency (FIA) to identify those cian is blasphemy. During the last meeting, the and Kainat Riaz, the two girls world we wanted to raise funds to tions and organisations to instil behind posts depicting Pakistan The issue was referred to the FIA representative said that who were shot alongside Malala support education in Pakistan,” critical thinking in the next gen- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chair- sub-committee by the main 17 accounts were identifi ed to Yousafzai, and who later went on she added. eration of Pakistanis. man Imran Khan as Lord Shiva. committee to examine the com- have posted the picture: 15 were to become advocates for educa- On why there is a need for a The project is also an activa- At a meeting yesterday plaints by MNAs Ramesh Lal based in India and two based in tion. bulletproof book, Obaid-Chinoy tion designed by BBDO to in- chaired by National Assem- and Lal Chand Malhi, who said Pakistan. The 150-page book is bound said: “A cover design is supposed spire girls towards education and bly member (MNA) Shahzadi the picture has hurt the senti- The users from Pakistan had with a special layering of bullet- to give an explanation of what strengthening them. Umerzadi Tiwana, the subcom- ments of the Hindu community. deleted their posts. Imran Khan Gulf Times 20 Sunday, April 29, 2018 PHILIPPINES Filipina maid plunges to death in Saudi

By Bernadette E Tamayo The Department of Foreign Manila Aff airs (DFA) said that Jerry Gabanzo and Miguel Estrella Jr, crew members of the MV n unidentifi ed Fili- Blue Nile, arrived in Iran on pina household service April 1 after they were offl oad- Aworker in Madinah, ed from their vessel. Saudi Arabia died on Friday, The Philippine embassy in after she fell from the sixth- Tehran learned about their fl oor fl at of her employer. plight only on April 16 when The Philippine Consulate in the wife of one of the seamen Jeddah yesterday said authori- sent an urgent e-mail narrat- ties were still investigating the ing their situation in Chaba- death, which took place on har, a town in southern Iran Friday afternoon. located more than 1,800 kilo- The Filipina, whose name metres from Tehran. is being withheld pending The Philippine embassy notifi cation of next of kin, contacted the Ministry of For- was brought to the hospital eign Aff airs in Tehran and its at around 3.30pm, but died regional offi ce in Chabahar as shortly from head injuries. well as immigration offi ces in Consul General Edgar Bada- both cities to obtain custody jos said he immediately sent a of the Filipino seamen. team from the consulate gener- A team from the embassy A traditional Philippine wooden boat known as ‘balangay’ sets sail from Manila to China, yesterday. al to co-ordinate with authori- fl ew to Chabahar on April 23 ties investigating the case. and brought to Tehran the Fili- Meanwhile, the Philippine pino seamen the following day. embassy in Tehran brought The Philippine embassy al- home on Friday, two Filipino ready informed the seamen’s seamen who were stranded in manning agencies in Manila Wooden boats to retrace Iran. about their situation in Iran. Majority ‘aff ected’ historic China voyage by price increase

AFP the South China Sea, a near- ippine islands in the 16th cen- morning of May 2 but after that, Mount Everest, said he is aware By Catherine S Valente strongly aff ected by the price Manila 1,000-kilometre voyage, to the tury. Valdez hopes it is a case of conditions could get rough, he of the implications of the trip Manila Times hikes. eastern city of Xiamen by May fourth-time lucky: winds and added. at a time when the Philippines Thirteen percent said they 2. rough seas forced his team back The crew, which includes and China still have a territorial were somewhat aff ected by rafted from a centuries- The 18-metre boats are repli- on three previous attempts using three women, are hoping they confl ict over parts of the South ajority of Filipinos the price increase, while only old design, three identi- cas of a “balangay”, a type of ves- similar vessels. can slip through before the bad China Sea. were “strongly af- 1% said they were not aff ected. Ccal wooden boats set off sel used in the region as far back “This boat is a replica of an an- weather hits their route, Valdez But he said his voyage will Mfected” by an increase The survey also found that from the Philippine capital for as 320 AD. cient boat. It is not an all-weath- said. demonstrate how the people of in prices of basic commodities 98% of Filipinos noticed that China yesterday to retrace a his- Sultan Paduka Batara — who er boat. You have to fi x it up. It is Engines were installed on Southeast Asia crossed the high since January this year, ac- the commodities that they toric trip by a Filipino sultan and ruled part of what is the Philip- very vulnerable to weather and two of the boats to comply with seas in the past to maintain con- cording to the latest Pulse Asia usually bought have become showcase longstanding mari- pines today — sailed to China on sea,” he told reporters. Chinese maritime regulations tact. survey released on Friday. more expensive since January time ties. a balangay in 1417 to pay tribute Rough seas are forecast late that prohibit wind-powered “These waters never divided The poll, conducted from this year. Most of the respond- The 29 crew members on the and to trade, expedition leader next week. vessels from docking alone, us. These waters unifi ed us,” he March 23 to 27 among 1,200 ents said food items (92%) three vessels — two propelled Arturo Valdez said, but fell ill The state weather bureau in Valdez said. said. “And this boat, as a replica adults nationwide, showed became expensive in the last by engines and the third by and died there. Manila expects a period of good Valdez, who previously led a of an ancient boat, is a symbol of that an “overwhelming” quarter, topped by rice (81%) sail — hope to make it across Spain later colonised the Phil- weather from yesterday to the Filipino expedition that climbed that relationship.” 86% reported that they were and non-rice items (67%).

DISCLOSURE Street dance Drug-linked off icials’ Govt removes statue list this week The Philippine Drug Enforcement after Japan displeasure Agency (PDEA) will release the names of all 211 alleged barangay (village) narco off icials who are on DPA be removed)...to pave the way its drugs watchlist, Manila Times Manila for the draining improvement or reported. In a news conference, fl ood project of the Department PDEA Director Aaron Aquino said of Public Works and Highway.” President Rodrigo Duterte had or- he Philippines has re- Japan had expressed displeas- dered him to release the names of moved a statue honouring ure over the seven-feet-tall the village off icials who are alleg- Twomen forced into sexual bronze statue, which was un- edly involved in drugs. He added slavery by Japanese forces dur- veiled on December 8. that the list is still being completed ing World War II, three months Japanese Internal Aff airs and and will be released this week. after Tokyo expressed displeas- Communications Minister Seiko “I am now finalising the list and ure over the memorial. Noda said during a visit to Ma- within the week I will call for The statue was removed from nila in January it was “regretta- another news conference, and I the baywalk along Roxas Boul- ble for this kind of statue to sud- will publish finally these 216 village evard in Manila City on Friday denly appear.” kagawad (councilmen) and village evening, according to Ericson But President Rodrigo Duterte chairmen who are involved in Alcovendaz, the city admin- responded by saying he would drugs,” Aquino said. The number istrator. But Alcovendaz said not curtail the freedom of ex- was later reduced to 211. yesterday that the removal of pression of the groups behind Aquino assured the credibility of the statue was part of prepara- the memorial, stressing that this the list, saying it went through a tions for a project to improve the was a constitutional right. An thorough validating process. “We draining system in the area. estimated 1,000 Filipino women did not guess the names of village “Three structures along that were forced to serve as so-called off icials who are involved with stretch of Roxas Boulevard will ‘comfort women’ in brothels set Dancers perform a festive street dance during the 2018 edition of the Aliwan Fiesta, a celebration of the country’s fiesta culture, illegal drugs on the list. There are be removed,” he said. “The com- up for Japanese soldiers during at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, yesterday. four agencies that validated it,” fort women statue is the fi rst (to their four-year occupation. he said. Duterte mulls pullout of OFWs after ‘rescue’ row

Manila Times “But if the presence of Filipinos is a So, those two countries are close to “The policy, and our resolve to Singapore burden, allow us to get them out,” he Kuwait (in terms of diplomatic rela- pursue it, will not waver,” he said in added. tions),” he added. a statement from Singapore where he “Do not hurt them, just help us. I Pimentel said, “So, we can still ask was attending the 32nd Asean Lead- resident Rodrigo Duterte yes- will get them all out,” he added. for advice or help from them, if nec- ers Meeting. terday said he was considering Duterte asked OFWs in Kuwait to essary.” “We remain convinced that the ac- Ppulling out all Filipinos working come home. The Philippines and Ku- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Pe- tions we took in Kuwait are a right- in Kuwait in the wake of the diplomatic wait were supposed to sign a Memo- ter Cayetano also yesterday said the ful exercise of our duty under inter- row between the Philippines and Ku- randum of Understanding (MOU) on Philippines is currently engaged in national law to protect our nationals wait over the rescue of distressed over- the welfare of OFWs in that country. discussions with Kuwait to address abroad,” Cayetano added. seas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in that However, Kuwait declared Am- recent concerns “to answer the calls He maintained that the govern- country. bassador Renato Villa persona non for help of a number of our compatri- ment’s actions “are consistent” both In his speech during his meeting grata and recalled its envoy to Manila, ots who are working in Kuwait.” with the Vienna Convention on Dip- with the Filipino community in Singa- Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh. “In pursuing these discussions, we lomatic Relations and the Vienna pore, Duterte said he does not want to Kuwait is a major labour destination remain guided by President’s Rod- Convention on Consular Relations. destroy the Philippines’ relations with for Filipinos in the Middle East, with rigo Duterte’s policy that the pro- “We are committed to find a way “a good neighbour, a friend.” over 250,000 currently working there, tection of the rights and welfare of with our counterparts in Kuwait to But the president said he can no mostly as domestic helpers. Filipinos overseas is paramount,” he achieve our shared goal of strength- longer accept what was happening to The Philippines banned the deploy- added. ening our bilateral relations based on Filipinos working in Kuwait. ment of Filipino workers to that coun- President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with members of the Philippine community The Department of Foreign Af- what we hope would be a common “I address myself to the Kuwaiti gov- try following reported abuse and the during a gathering in Singapore, yesterday. fairs and the Department of Labour desire to ensure the well-being of our ernment and the people. Thank you for death of Joanna Demafelis, whose body and Employment have been carrying nationals there,” he said. helping Filipinos all these years. It is a was stuff ed in a freezer. friends in the Middle East in “repair- dle East. (We should tap them),” Pi- out this policy by ensuring that they “If we reach agreement on this, the debt of gratitude, after all, you helped. Meanwhile, Senate President Aq- ing” strained diplomatic relations be- mentel said in a radio interview. come to the aid of Filipinos in dis- ties between our two countries would I have no anger, no hatred,” Duterte uilino Pimentel said yesterday that tween the Philippines and Kuwait “I think Saudi Arabia is the one tress anywhere in the world, accord- become stronger than ever,” Cayetano said. Philippines should seek the help of its “We have many friends in the Mid- closest to Kuwait. Or even Qatar. ing to Cayetano. added. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

$2.76bn loan deal signed for Padma rail links

Bangladesh has signed a $2.76bn credit deal with China’s Exim Bank Hasina seeks Australia’s help to implement the Padma Bridge rail links project. Economic relations division additional secretary Zahidul Haque and China Exim Bank vice-president Sun Ping signed the deal in Beijing on Friday, in developing blue economy Bangladesh Railway said in a statement. Agencies oping an inclusive and people- 1971, he called upon the peo- by a prime minister of Aus- Zahidul is heading a six-member Sydney centric blue economy. ple of Bangladesh to fi ght for tralia to Bangladesh,” the prime delegation that is in China now for “Bangladesh is planning to independence. minister recalled. signing the contract. develop inclusive and people- “We off er homage to the She also recalled with grati- Off icials of project contractor angladesh Prime Minister centric blue economy enhanc- world leaders who stood by our tude the contribution of Aus- China Railway Engineering Sheikh Hasina has sought ing capacity-building with in- side during our Liberation War tralian national William AS Corporation and economic Btechnical assistance for novative fi nancing, ensuring and the early years of our na- Ouderland during the War of counsellor at the Bangladesh development of country’s ma- transfer of critical technology, tionhood. Edward Gough Whit- Liberation for which he was High Commission in China, rine aquaculture and exchange and strengthening cross-sec- lam was one of the world leaders given gallantry award ‘Bir Pro- Jahangir, among others, were of teachers on oceanography. toral partnerships and collabo- who championed our cause for tik’ and awarded with ‘Friends present. Noting that Bangladesh ration from Australia,” she said. liberation. Whitlam played a of Bangladesh War of Liberation The 350b taka project is for laying needs greater human capac- She urged Bangladeshi stu- leading role in building a bipar- War 1971’. 172km railway tracks over the ity as it is moving to the next dents studying at the university tisan consensus about Bangla- The prime minister said Aus- Padma Bridge from Dhaka to stage of development through to take advantage of the best desh as the leader of the oppo- tralia has been a favourite des- Jessore. graduation from the least knowledge that this university sition in the Australian Federal tination for higher studies for It is among the 27 deals including developed country (LDC), can off er. Parliament in 1971,” she said. Bangladeshi students and cur- 12 loan and mutual agreements Prime Minister Hasina yes- The prime minister said she Hasina mentioned that rently, some 200 students are that Bangladesh and China signed terday sought Australian was deeply touched at the es- Whitlam also raised the plight studying in Western Sydney during Chinese President Xi co-operation to this end. tablishment of a bust of Father of the humanitarian suff erings University. Jinping’s Dhaka visit in 2016. “As Bangladesh is going to of the Nation Bangabandhu at the hands of the Pakistani oc- “Western Sydney Universi- China promised 250bn taka for the next stage of development Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the cupation forces and their local ty’s present collaboration with the project while 100bn taka through graduation from LDC, university campus. “The bust Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaking at an event at collaborators at that time. Bangladesh is strengthening will come from the Bangladesh we need greater human capac- is rightly located in front of the Western Sydney University Australia. He played an important role capacity of our judiciary man- government. ity where Australia can contrib- Institute of Ocean Governance in lobbying with the interna- agement and providing train- The government had planned ute by providing training-type (ICOG) to recognize Banga- relations with Australia since ia was the fi rst country from the tional community for Bang- ing programme for department to finish building the bridge programmes and vocational bandhu’s vision and pioneer- Australia’s recognition to inde- developed world to recognise ladesh to be recognized by the of oceanography, University of before the next general elections education,” she said. ing role on maritime boundary pendent Bangladesh on Janu- our independence,” she said. Commonwealth and other Dhaka and Bangabandhu Sheikh scheduled to be held by the end While paying a visit to West- demarcation through an Act of ary 31, 1972. “Very fundamental The prime minister recalled countries, she said. Mujibur Rahman Maritime of this year. ern Sydney University, the Parliament in 1974.” of bilateral relations between that after the declaration of “Edward Whitlam visited University to enhance their With the third span installed, now prime minister also sought Aus- She mentioned that Bangla- Bangladesh and Australia origi- independence by the Father Bangladesh on January19, 1975. knowledge and skills in ocean the government hopes to open tralian co-operation in devel- desh has been enjoying warm nates from the fact that Austral- of the Nation on March 26, It was the fi rst and last visit governance,” she said. the bridge within 2020. Nearly 6,000 Lanka raises LPG prices by 17%

Reuters price of the same size cylinder by and private fuel retailers in Sri force overnight rates below the than better performing East Colombo 8.3% in September last year. Lanka with losses as the gov- lowered policy ceiling rate. Asian nations in recent months. Nepalis die on Since then the rupee cur- ernment has been reluctant to Sri Lanka’s real eff ective ex- In the fi rst quarter however Sri rency has fallen 3% while global raise prices for fear of upsetting change rate index, which meas- Lanka’s infl ation also fell. ri Lanka raised liquefi ed benchmark Brent crude futures voters. ures the composite movement The last published number for petroleum gas (LPG) prices have risen more than 27%. The State-owned Ceylon Petro- against a basket of curren- February shows the REER index Swith eff ect from yesterday rupee hit record lows in fi ve leum Corp (CPC) was already cies adjusted for infl ation was at 101.38. foreign soil: after a recent rise in petroleum consecutive sessions through to under pressure to raise fuel slightly below 100. Sri Lanka’s targeting of REER prices and the depreciation of Friday. prices after incurring a Rs9.9bn “The currency is a little un- is also controversial, with ana- the rupee currency made LPG A week ago, the International ($63.5mn) loss in the fi rst two dervalued,” Coomaraswamy lysts saying it is inconsist- imports more expensive. Monetary Fund said it was likely months of the year. said. “As a rule of thumb we ent with a domestic anchor The LPG price increase is the to consider Sri Lanka’s request Sri Lankan Central Bank Gov- would like the Real Eff ective Ex- infl owing an infl ation target. second in eight months. for a loan review in June 2018 af- ernor Indrajith Coomaraswamy change Rate (REER) index to be Analysts say Sri Lanka’s REER govt report will tend to rise when East Asian The price of a widely used ter the cabinet approves an au- said yesterday that rupee is a around 100.” 12.5kg LPG cylinder was raised by tomatic fuel pricing mechanism, ‘little undervalued’ after the “We do not see any reason for nations with better monetary IANS The highest number 17% to Rs1,676 ($10.63) by both set as a condition by the global currency fell after a rate cut and exchange rate volatility.” policy including China depre- Kathmandu of Nepalis died in the state-owned LPG retailer and lender. liquidity injections to meet a Sri Lanka’s REER rose as much ciates, but the rupee eventu- fi scal year 2014-15 with its only private competitor. The lack of a fuel pricing for- real spike in seasonal festival de- as 105.24 in November 2017 de- ally follows the worst regional death of 1,006, while The government increased the mula has left both the state-run mand for currency in and to en- spite the currency being weaker central banks. round 6,000 Nepali the lowest number migrant workers have (90) was in fi scal year Alost their lives in the 2008-09 Nepal budget last nine years while serving in various foreign countries, said people committed suicide, ac- session to start Pole climbing contest a Nepali government report. cording to report. As many as on May 6 Unity talks A total of 5,892 Nepalis – 51 cases of murder of Nepa- 5,765 male and 127 female, lis were reported during the The Nepal government has died in at least 28 destina- nine-year period. recommended President Bidya Devi between tion countries as migrant “To understand further, the Bhandari to call the federal parliament workers, said a report causes of the migrant worker’s budget session from May 6. named “Labour Migration death, an in-depth investiga- State minister for information Dahal and for Employment – A Sta- tion of the autopsies and med- and communication technology tus Report for Nepal: 2015- ical records in the destination Gokul Baskota said the cabinet 162016-2017” unveiled in countries would require,” the meeting decided to recommend Oli fail to Kathmandu on Friday. report suggested. to the president to call the The highest number of During the launching cer- parliament meeting on May 4. Nepalis died in Malaysia with emony, Nepal’s Minister for The constitution says the progress death of 2,154, followed by Labour, Employment and So- president would call the Saudi Arabia (1,638). cial Security Gokarna Bista parliament session following the The highest number of said the report identifi ed the government recommendation. IANS Nepalis died in fi scal year key areas to bring reforms in President Bhandari would call Kathmandu 2014-15 with death of 1,006, foreign employment sector. the second session of the federal while the lowest number (90) Nepal is heavily depend- parliament comprising House was in fi scal year 2008-09. ent on remittances sent by of Representatives and National PN-Maoist Centre chief The report was prepared by migrant workers for import Assembly. Puhspa Kamal Dahal has Nepal’s Ministry of Labour, fi nancing as well as various Minister of law, justice and Cheld one-on-one dis- Employment and Social Se- economic activities in the parliamentary aff airs Sher cussion with Prime Minister curity, with support from two country. Bahadur Tamang said the second and CPN-UML chief K P Shar- United Nations bodies – In- Nepal received remittances session of parliament draft all the ma Oli on the disputed issues ternational Organisation for worth 471bn rupees ($4.39b) requisite laws. of unifi cation, according to a Migration, the International as of the fi rst eight months As per the constitutional report in The Himalayan Times Labour Organisation – and the of the current fi scal year (by provision, the government must yesterday. Asia Foundation. mid-March), according to Ne- present the new fiscal budget in Neither side said anything According to the report, pal’s central bank. the parliament on May 29. about the progress of the meet- as many as 1,351 saw natu- A total of 246,324 Nepa- The government has not ing between the two top leaders. ral death while a signifi cant lis made fresh departure while yet enacted laws necessary Dahal’s aide Bishnu Sap- number – 1,144 died due to additional 172,424 Nepalis to implement some of the kota said the meeting be- cardiac arrest. However, 917 made re-entry to the destina- fundamental rights. The tween the two leaders would cases were categorised into tion countries during same constitution stipulates that A youth climbs a pole during a game played as part of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cel- continue. non-identifi ed category. A eight month period, accord- some fundamental rights be ebrations in Bandaragama near Colombo. The new year was celebrated by both the majority When asked if there was any total of 798 Nepalis died due ing to department of foreign implemented after enacting laws Sinhalese and minority Tamil population. progress in the meeting, he said, to road accidents while 650 employment. within three years. “When there is an announce- ment of progress, then there is real progress but as of today, no such announcement has been made,” he said, adding that the two leaders would continue to Work begins on Nepal’s solar plant discuss issues that are yet to be resolved between the two parties. IANS er plant at a single location. build solar stations to supply The CPN-UML and the Kathmandu The power produced by the electricity in the Kathmandu CPN-MC have not resolved solar plant will be fed directly Valley and reduce electricity three key issues yet — what into the national grid to sup- leakage. Out of that amount, should be the election symbol n a fresh eff ort to utilise ply it to the Kathmandu Valley $37mn was earmarked for the of the unifi ed party, what will solar power, Nepal has de- during the day time. “The solar installation of solar plants be the ratio or representation in Icided to construct a solar energy will help to balance the at Devighat and Trishuli in the central committee and oth- plant at Devighat in Nuwakot, power distribution during peak Nuwakot district. er structures of the party and 75km from the capital Kath- hours,” the Nepal Electricity Although construction whether or not the word ‘peo- mandu. Minister for Energy, Authority (NEA) said in a state- should have begun within a year ple’s war’ should be mentioned Water Resources and Irrigation ment. of signing the aid accord, the in the preamble of the unifi ed Barsha Man Pun laid the foun- Minister Pun said the NEA took two years to award party’s statute. dation stone for the construc- government has targeted to the contract as the contractor Two ruling Communist par- tion of 25MW solar plant on build solar plants with a total selection process became en- ties in Nepal unifi ed in February. Friday. installed capacity of 500MW gulfed in controversy. Top leaders of the two parties The government aims to within the next fi ve years. NEA started implementing had forged consensus on seven complete the project within a In February 2015, the the solar plant project since last points, including the name of the Nepal’s Energy Minister Barsha Man Pun (second right) lays the foundation stone for the 25MW solar year. Once complete, it will be- World Bank agreed to provide year following a court order al- new political party, after their project in Nuwakot. come Nepal’s largest solar pow- $130mn to the government to lowing it to move ahead. unifi cation. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, April 29, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Qatar’s strides in ICT empowering people with disabilities

Qatar’s success in achieving very high e-Accessibility rates shows the country’s commitment to providing access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for persons with disabilities on an equal basis. The rate of e-Accessibility in Qatar has reached 91%, thus becoming the fi rst among Arab and regional countries and the best in the world, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti announced recently. Internationally, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, prepared by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Democrats try to connect provide standards for web accessibility. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into force in May 2008 draws attention to the need to ensure access to ICTs for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others and will help to eliminate barriers to information, including through the Internet. At the with Trump voters national level, laws and regulations can promote compliance with accessibility standards. By Susan Cornwell Afterward, Bustos wrote a report areas,” he said.”It’s not going to don’t see that I listen to their concerns.” As Minister al-Sulaiti highlighted it is a matter of pride detailing how Democrats can win in the happen.” Davis supports abortion rights, but that Qatar spares no eff ort to invest in technology not only and James Oliphant Osage City, Kansas US heartland. Representative Kurt Schrader of that is not at the heart of his message for normal persons but also for people with disabilities who She sent the 50-page paper to every Oregon, co-chairman of the moderate to voters. need these compensatory means to make their lives easier at Midwestern Democratic candidate, but House “Blue Dog” coalition’s PAC, or Instead, he talks about the suff ering farm all stages from childhood to the elderly. aaul Davis has a simple formula it attracted little notice by party leaders political organisation, agrees candidates economy and how looming Chinese tariff s The Ministry for winning over President until moderate Democrat Conor Lamb’s should fi t their districts.”One size in response to Trump’s protectionist push of Transport and Donald Trump’s supporters in upset victory in a Pennsylvania special doesn’t fi t all for Democrats,” he said. on trade could make things worse. election in March. The Blue Dogs have partnered Qatar is among Communications is Phis Kansas race for Congress: He says, however, he could work with He talks about kitchen table issues, The day of Lamb’s election, Steny with the Democratic Congressional Trump “if the president is doing things the few countries moving rapidly on the like prescription drug prices and farm Hoyer, the House’s second-ranking Campaign Committee to identify and that I believe are good for Kansas and path of investing in tariff s. Democrat, walked into a meeting of recruit candidates for the fi rst time good for America.” in the world e-Accessibility and And he is in no hurry to announce congressional candidates waving a copy since 2006. Kansas state Senator Steve Fitzgerald, paying attention to all he’s a Democrat. of Bustos’ report. Davis knows he is fi ghting an uphill one of several Republicans vying to that have a segments of society, Davis and other party moderates “I urged them to read it,” Hoyer said. battle. win that party’s primary in Kansas’ whether in ordinary believe that neglected rural and The report suggests the party take a The Republican-leaning district in second, doubts whether voters will comprehensive working-class voters in Midwestern “big tent” approach and become more which he is running went for Trump be persuaded by Davis’ attempts to technology or assistive districts helped cost Democrats the inclusive of candidates who personally by a margin of 19 percentage points in distinguish himself from the national e-Accessibility technology (AT). 2016 election. oppose abortion or support gun rights, 2016. Democratic Party. At this juncture, the Trump won, they note, with strong arguing that Democrats are losing the The district’s current representative, “He’s running that way because Policy in place eff orts of Mada (Qatar support from socially conservative “cultural popularity contest” with rural Republican Lynn Jenkins, took 61% that’s the only way he could possibly Assistive Technology voters in Midwestern states, including voters. of the vote in 2016, but she is retiring, win,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s not running Centre) need to be mentioned. many who used to vote Democratic. NARAL Pro-Choice America, a group leaving an open seat that some analysts as a Democrat.” The non-profi t organisation, established by the “Democrats, nationally, have not had that advocates for abortion rights, see as fl ippable by the right candidate. In rural Kansas and other regions that a message or policies that have really warns that ambiguity on the subject On a recent campaign outing, Davis backed Trump, the word “Democrat” is Ministry of Transport and Communications, is dedicated connected with Midwestern voters, and could upset the Democratic base. generally did not tell voters in the often a euphemism for out-of-touch, to connecting people with disabilities to the world of that’s why we have lost elections here in “Equivocating on support for these district that he was a Democrat unless condescending coastal elites. To retake information and communication technology. Every day, the recent years,” said Davis, a candidate in issues will be felt among critical voters asked, and some of his campaign fl yers the House, the party will have to battle Mada team works closely with disabled people, caregivers, the Democratic primary for the House and sends a message that Democrats did not mention his party. that stereotype in key House races not and professionals by providing expert advice and assessment of Representatives in Kansas’ second would allow fundamental human rights Instead, he talked about education or just in Kansas, but in Iowa, Minnesota on a wide variety of Assistive Technologies that cater district. to be undermined just to win a race jobs, downplayed hot-button cultural and other states in which older, white to persons with physical, hearing, visual, and learning Now Davis and other moderate or two,” said Ilyse Hogue, NARAL’s issues and avoided Trump-bashing. voters are likely to be a deciding factor. Democrats are trying to woo those president. He does not believe in banning any A Reuters analysis of nearly 40 disabilities. voters back, and the party’s hopes in the Quentin James, co-founder of The classes of guns, and has said he won’t competitive House races showed that Qatar is among the few countries in the world that have a November election could rest on their Collective PAC, which aims to elect support Nancy Pelosi as the Democrat’s more than two-thirds are at least 75% comprehensive e-Accessibility Policy in place. success. more African-Americans to Congress, House leader if elected. white, and about half voted for Trump. The policy aims to ensure people with disabilities in Qatar The battle for the House of worries that courting white moderates Roaming the fl oor at a barbecue Davis knows that his party affi liation have equal access to the technologies that can enrich their Representatives is increasingly will come at the expense of more liberal competition earlier this month, Davis can be toxic. lives, and covers a range of e-Accessibility issues, including focused on places like Kansas’ second, black candidates and says Democrats pressed the fl esh and chatted about the While going door-to-door in Topeka websites, telecommunications services, handsets, ATMs, which includes the state capital should not alter their message to chase unseasonably cold weather — and his recently, he approached Jim Robinson, Topeka and the university town of after a relatively small pool of rural support for better education funding. 56, who was pulling into his driveway in government services, access to assistive technologies and Lawrence but also large wheat and voters. He also handed out his card. his truck. digital content. soybean farms. But Senator Joe Manchin of West “It doesn’t get you free fries or Davis handed Robinson a fl yer, and The policy balances the needs of the diff erently-abled Democrats will likely have to take Virginia, a conservative Democrat anything,” he joked. Robinson immediately asked if Davis community in Qatar with practical implementation some Republican-leaning districts campaigning for re-election this year, “I’m sure the vast, vast majority of was a Republican. requirements, thereby allowing organisations and relevant like this one to recapture the house, said progressive candidates have little people in that room were Republicans,” “I’m a Democrat,” Davis said. government bodies to enact the policy without undue and doing so will require winning over hope of winning in states like his. Davis, a former state representative, Robinson handed him back his fl yer. burden. Trump voters Interviews with about “You’re not going to fi nd a liberal said after the event. “I don’t think I am “Okay, then, I’m sorry … Have a good 20 Democratic lawmakers, candidates, Democrat that usually wins in those going to be able to succeed if people day, sir.” Qatar’s e-Accessibility Policy has been developed in strategists and campaign volunteers consultation with numerous stakeholder groups, and makes found that a growing number of it one of the most progressive countries in the region in Democrats are trying to do just that. terms of bringing the benefi ts of technology to people with But calls to woo Trump supporters disabilities. are not sitting well with some party The use of ICTs, such as the Internet, is rapidly becoming loyalists. an essential part of the economic, educational and social life Liberals say the party needs to stick to its core values on issues such as of many people today. Therefore it is vital that websites can abortion, immigration, gun control and be used by all, so that persons with disabilities have the same gay rights. access to information as everyone else. They say outreach to Trump voters Qatar’s strides in the fi eld show that ICT can be made an risks wasting precious campaign empowering and enabling tool to help improve the lives of resources needed to keep core people with disabilities. supporters fi red up and determined to vote in November. Avis Jones-DeWeever, an African- American activist, says that courting To Advertise Trump supporters is like chasing “fool’s gold” and worries her party is [email protected] “obsessed” with bringing them back Display into the fold. “It’s a completely boneheaded 44466621 44418811 strategy,” she said.”It’s a waste of time, money and energy to try to convince the Classified inconvincible.” 44466609 44418811 Democratic Representative Cheri Bustos knows Trump country well. Subscription The president won in her northwestern Illinois district in 2016, [email protected] but Bustos also cruised to victory there, the best showing nationwide by Paul Davis, a former Kansas state representative and the Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives, addresses a Democrat in a district that went for teachers who mobilised at the State Capital as the Kansas house and Senate debated an education bill in Topeka, Kansas, US, © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Trump. on April 7, 2018. Gulf Times Sunday, April 29, 2018 23 QATAR Sheikha Asma al-Thani becomes fi rst Qatari to ski to North Pole

heikha Asma al-Thani has returned home to Doha af- Ster making history for her country by becoming the fi rst Qatari, male or female, to suc- cessfully ski across treacherous terrain in perilous conditions to reach the fi nal degree of the North Pole. Sheikha Asma was part of a novice all-female team compris- ing women from European and Arab countries who completed the expedition to foster greater dialogue and understanding be- tween Western and Arabian cul- tures. After two years of inten- sive training and preparation, Sheikha Asma left the heat of the Qatari desert to ski 80km across the moving pack ice of the Arctic Ocean, facing freezing tempera- tures, open leads of water in the sea ice and the constant threat of Sheikha Asma al-Thani raises the Qatari flag for the first time on top polar bears. of the world. After eight gruelling days of skiing up to 12 hours a day, understanding when tackling mittee, as well as the Doha 2019 she raised the Qatari fl ag for large problems.” IAAF World Championships in the fi rst time on the top of the After a particularly gruel- Athletics. world at the North Pole on April ling last leg of the trip, Sheikha Sheikha Asma and the team 21. She arrived back at Hamad Asma and the team arrived at the participated in two important International Airport on April North Pole in good spirits. They science experiments during the 26 to a surprise welcome from were met there by their sponsor, expedition looking at the eff ect her friends and family who had Eugene Kaspersky, who fl ew out of the extreme environment on turned out to congratulate her by helicopter to meet and cel- their bodies and on their minds. on her herculean achievement. ebrate with them at the top of The expedition was sponsored Speaking from the North Pole Sheikha Asma and the team pitch tents on moving pack ice of the Arctic Ocean. the world. by cybersecurity fi rm Kaspersky after her accomplishment, an This is the second feat that Lab as well as Engie, Sports Cor- emotional Sheikha Asma said: thing is possible if you set your UK. The team departed the re- In 2012, the experienced As- of adventure. They have held on Sheikha Asma has accomplished ner, Poseidon Expeditions, Om- “I’m fi nally here! It’s been two mind to it. No challenge is too mote Arctic archipelago of Sval- ton became the fi rst person in tightly to their reasons for mak- after she became one of the anTel and I Feel Slovenia. years and a hard, hard journey. diffi cult and no dream is too bard in the early hours of April 15. the world to ski across Antarc- ing this trip and each team mem- fi rst Qatari females to reach the One can fi nd out more about I want to thank everyone for all hard. Go out and make things From there they fl ew to the fl oat- tica alone and without the aid ber has been critical to the suc- summit of Kilimanjaro in 2012 Sheikha Asma’s personal jour- their support – this would not happen!” ing ice station known as ‘Barneo’ of kites, machines or dogs – a cess of the expedition. in a charitable endeavour to ney on her Instagram account @ have been possible without the The all-female EuroArabian and started their ski journey journey of 1744km that took “The world is facing glo- raise QR2mn to build schools in atalthani and through the hash- support of so many people and Polar expedition team were led across the Arctic pack ice to the her 59 days to complete. Speak- bal problems – such as climate Gaza. In addition to the gruelling tag #AsmaOnIce they really helped get me through by veteran polar explorer Felic- North Pole. Preparations for the ing about her latest trip, Aston change – that can only be tackled training schedule and expedition More information about the this incredible challenge. I am so ity Aston and comprised women expedition have been ongoing said: “The team has endured the with global solutions. We want itself, she has been juggling her highs and lows of the expedi- happy that I made it. from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, for nearly two years, including extreme environment and re- to send a strong and positive demanding day-job as director tion can be found on the website, “I hope this achievement will Kuwait, Slovenia, Sweden, training expeditions in Iceland stricted living spaces with great message about gender equality of Marketing & Communica- www.euroarabianexpedition. help everyone believe that any- France, Cyprus, Russia and the and Oman. humour and tremendous sense and the need for greater cultural tions at the Qatar Olympic Com- com Bollywood actress International designers complement Sana Khan recounts exciting experience local talent at Heya fashion expo during Qatar visit he 13th edition of Heya and develop local design talent. Arabian Fashion Exhibi- Turkey-based world-famous Ttion is presenting shop- designer Hanif, Cardenas and By Ramesh Mathew ping opportunities from more Doumet from Ecuador, Romani Staff Reporter than 300 fashion brands from Design from Hungary and Kristal Qatar and around the world. B from Italy were part of the ec- Complementing a wealth lectic mix of catwalk shows at or Indian actress Sana of quality Qatari collections, the opening of Heya, through the Khan, Qatar has been an brands from the Middle East, collaboration with their repre- Faltogether “diff erent and Central America, Europe, Asia sentative Embassies. exciting experience”. and North Africa are participat- Both exhibitors and visitors Sana, who arrived in Doha to ing in the show, including Ku- were treated to a conversation participate in the 13th Heya Ara- wait and Oman as well as India, with Hanif who hosted an inspi- bian Fashion Exhibition at Doha Turkey, Ecuador, Iraq, China, rational talk about her journey to Exhibition and Convention Cen- Hungary, Lebanon, Indonesia, the top of the fashion industry, tre, is quite upbeat about the fu- Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, as well as a catwalk show, two ture of events of this magnitude. Hong Kong, the UK, Spain and workshops and a forum. The fo- “Though this is my fi rst visit Italy. rum looked at ‘Exploring Simi- here, I’m really impressed by This year, the exhibition is larities and Diff erences between what I have seen here and the “showcasing more international Arabian and Ottoman Fashion’. visit certainly adds to my ex- brands than ever before”, the or- The session was led by Hanif perience in the industry,” said ganisers have said in a statement. as well as Sandra Wilkins, head the actress who has appeared New and returning brands of fashion at Virginia Com- in a number of Hindi and South Sana Khan: “Though from around the world are avail- monwealth University School Indian fi lms as well as TV com- this is my first visit here, able to shoppers at Heya, includ- of the Arts in Qatar and Fahad mercials and a television reality I’m really impressed by ing Dilek Hanif from Turkey, al-Obaidly, Qatari designer and show. what I have seen here Romani Design from Hungary, artist. Besides Hindi, Sana has and the visit certainly Liza Cardenas and Olga Doumet In addition, visitors partici- donned roles in Tamil, Telugu, adds to my experience from Ecuador, Rida Couture and pated in the forum, ‘The Interre- Malayalam and Kannada fi lms. in the industry, As far as Samar Secret from Lebanon, lation of Fashion and Culture’, by At Heya, guests participated latest fashion and design Doris Dorothea from Indonesia, industry veterans Valeria Man- in ‘What’s In and Out on Social trends are concerned, it is Anardana and KD Boutique from gani and Doumet. Media’, a forum by Indian ce- crystal clear that there is India, Caftan Lalla Salma and Ecuador-based designer Dou- Romani Design from Hungary. lebrities TV stars and infl uenc- a growing appeal among Sophia Bin Yahia from Morocco, met commented on her partici- ers Krystel D’Souza and Sana as Qatari youngsters and it Valentino Pucci, Krystal B and pation in Heya, saying: “I was well as Omani infl uencer Areej is really heartening that BKIB from Italy and Inunez from honoured to be asked to come Balushi. Exhibitors and visitors more people are making Spain. to Heya. I was excited to come were able to meet with the Indi- their entries these days” Heya is delivered by Design to Qatar, and to see the amazing an celebrities and ask questions PICTURE: Jayan Orma Creationz with the support of women’s fashion that is trend- around fashion, style and trends Qatar Tourism Authority as part ing as well as meet all the local on social media in the fashion hance the standing of an actress. of its eff orts to empower the pri- designers. It was also great to get industry. “In some of the countries vate sector to attract and host such positive feedback for my The Mumbai resident said where I have toured, it has always global events designs. This is one of the most Doha has a number of qualities come to my notice that people Responsible for delivering elegant shows I’ve done to date, that can contribute to making it from diff erent walks of life have Heya, Design Creationz spokes- and I wanted to present a collec- a top destination. “I am looking appreciated movies from India. person Esraa Abel said: “As Heya tion to suit the Arab market with forward to similar visits in Doha There is no doubt that the in- continues to evolve and grow, we my own South American touch.” in future.” dustry has put my country on have seen a great response from Guests also participated in On learning about the region’s the top pedestal.” the international community. ‘What’s In and Out on Social fashion industry and fi lm world, The actress said though she New partnerships have allowed Media’, an insightful forum by the actress is hopeful that the knew only little about the in- us to create valuable knowledge- renowned Indian celebrity TV visibility that she has earned dustry and its prospects here, sharing workshops and forums stars and infl uencers Krystel from her association with Bolly- she had prior information about for lively debates on pressing D’Souza and Sana Khan as well wood will stand her in good stead Doha’s fi lm festival scenario and trends across the global fashion as Omani infl uencer Areej Bal- in the future. that some acclaimed artistes industry. It is great to see experts ushi, where exhibitors and visi- “Films from India have all have made their appearances in fashion sharing their experi- tors were able to meet with the along been well received global- here. ences and insights with local Bollywood celebrities and ask ly and the technologies adopted “As far as latest fashion and designers and visitors at Heya, questions around fashion, style by Indian fi lmmakers these days design trends are concerned, it is with the intention of developing and trends on social media in the are among the world’s best. So, crystal clear that there is a grow- Qatar’s fl ourishing fashion and fashion industry. it is quite natural in such situ- ing appeal among Qatari young- design industry.” Held under the patronage of ations that Indian fi lm actors/ sters and it is really heartening Adding depth to this year’s HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- actresses are recognised so well that more people are making programme, partnerships mad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Heya at diff erent levels all over,” she their entries these days,” added forged with the Ecuadorian, invites all women and girls over said. “I would positively con- Sana, who is currently shoot- Hungarian and Turkish embas- the age of 13 years to attend the sider donning roles from this re- ing for her forthcoming fi lm, sies presented catwalk shows event at Doha Exhibition and gion’s industry as well, as such Tom Dick & Harry 2, directed by and hosted forums and work- Convention Centre today, which performances would only en- Deepak Tijori. shops in order to help nurture is its last day. Dilek Hanif from Turkey.