BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 French rider Zarco sets record, INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-11, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 South Africa food 11 1-5, 17-20 grabs pole REGION BUSINESS exports to Qatar 24,965.00 8,847.79 62.34 ARAB WORLD 11 CLASSIFIED 6-16 +41.00 +97.47 +1.15 INTERNATIONAL 12-21 SPORTS 1-8 jump aft er blockade position +0.16% +1.11% +1.88% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10761 March 18, 2018 Rajab 1, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Al Nahmah Prize winners honoured NHRC urges In brief UN, EU to

QATAR | Offi cial Emir congratulates Chinese president rein in siege His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping on nations his re-election for a second term. Page 14 O Qatar charities targeted The NHRC chairman described the blockading countries’ listing of Qatari QATAR | Offi cial as part of smear humanitarian organisations on their campaign: al-Marri terrorism list as a dangerous precedent Emir sends greetings HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and other dignitaries attending the concluding in the GCC region. He said such moves to Ireland’s leader programme of the Art of Al Nahmah Prize, a traditional singing competition celebrating the GCC states’ maritime heritage, QNA were aimed at disrupting the develop- His Highness the Emir Sheikh organised by Katara yesterday. Kuwait’s Faisal Abdul Mohsen Malallah won the first prize of QR100,000. The second place went New York mental work done by these organisations Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His to Qatar’s Ali Nasser al-Haddad, who won QR70,000, while Kuwait’s Hamad bin Hussain secured the third position (QR50,000). and would deprive poor communities of Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh This was the second edition of the competition. the support they desperately need. Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani sent he false accusations made by the He called on enhancing co-operation yesterday cables of congratulations blockading countries regarding between the committee and the UN to to Ireland’s President, Michael D Tthe involvement of Qatari hu- give humanitarian work the protection it Higgins, on his country’s National manitarian organisations in terrorism needs as it looks to help people gain their Day. HE the Prime Minister and are part of the smear campaign these economic, social, and developmental Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah charities are constantly subjected to, rights. He said the committee was ready bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also Qatar’s health system 13th best Chairman of the National Human to enter into a partnership with the UN in sent a similar cable to Irish Prime Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin its mission to eradicate poverty. Minister Leo Varadkar. atar’s health system has been system, including basic mental and on year has been rapid and rivals any Smaikh al-Marri has said. Al-Marri also called on the UN to be ranked 13th best in the world physical health, health infrastructure, country in the world in terms of the Al-Marri called upon the United Na- more active in ending the violations of QATAR | Reaction Qand fi rst in the Middle East by and the availability of preventive care. pace of change,” she explained. tions to take a fi rmer position against the blockading countries and to com- the 2017 Legatum Prosperity Index, “To be ranked 13th in the world is a HMC has opened seven new hospi- the blockading countries’ violations pensate the victims of the violations, Qatar condemns Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) wonderful endorsement of the quality tals and numerous specialist facilities of human rights by documenting the before discussing any political reso- Kabul bombings said yesterday. of care we deliver every day to patients since 2011, “signifi cantly expanding” implications of the siege in the annual lution. He also expressed the fears of Qatar has strongly condemned Qatar’s health ranking within the Leg- across our health system,” said HE Dr its infrastructure and the range of report of the Secretary-General. This NHRC regarding the insistence of the the bombing in the Afghan capital atum Prosperity Index has risen in the Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister services off ered to patients. In the last came during a series of meetings al- blockading countries on violating the Kabul which killed three people and past 10 years, advancing from 27th in the of Public Health. two years alone, HMC has opened four Marri held with UN Assistant Secretary- rights of the people of the GCC, espe- injured several other. In a statement world in 2008 to 13th place at present. “The transformation of Qatar’s new hospitals across its Hamad Bin General for Humanitarian Aff airs Ursula cially that they have not responded to yesterday, the Foreign Ministry The annual index measures and ranks health system in recent decades has Khalifa Medical City Doha campus: the Mueller, Head of the Delegation of the any international report. They have reiterated Qatar’s firm stance in the health of people living in 149 coun- been remarkable. We have made Communicable Disease Center, Qatar European Union to the United Nations also ignored calls from members of rejection of violence and terrorism tries. A comprehensive review proc- enormous progress in terms of both Rehabilitation Institute, Ambulatory Joao Vale, a number of ranking offi cials the international community to end regardless of the motives and ess assessed three key measures of the increasing capacity and advancing Care Center and Women’s Wellness in human rights and representatives of a the suff erings of those aff ected by the reasons. quality of each country’s healthcare the quality of care. The growth year and Research Center. To Page 8 number of European countries. blockade, he said. To Page 8

Iraq thanks Qatar help in lifting FIFA ban

QNA, AFP the more secure in Iraq. Doha, Bogota Basra and Karbala both lie south of Baghdad, far from the battlefi elds north and west of the capital where the he head of the Iraq Football As- security forces fought the Islamic State sociation (IFA), Abdul Khaleq group from 2014 to 2017. TMasoud, has praised the eff orts Erbil is the capital of the country’s made by Qatar Football Association autonomous Kurdish region. (QFA) under the leadership of Sheikh The Iraq Football Association wel- Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al- comed FIFA’s decision but vowed to Thani, which resulted in the FIFA de- “spare no eff ort for games to be played cision to lift the ban on holding offi cial in stadiums in other provinces, includ- matches in Basra, Karbala and Erbil. ing Baghdad”. The QFA received a message from its “This decision puts our sport back Iraqi counterpart thanking and appre- on the rails,” it said. ciating the excellent support extended Qatar Football Association President Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, by the Qatari side to the Iraqi football. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed who declared victory over IS in De- The message highlighted the impor- al-Thani cember, said the lifting of the FIFA ban tant role of Qatar in this FIFA decision was the “fruit of stability in terms of by supporting the lift of the ban and vided the security situation was “stable”. security and of the successes achieved backing IFA and its national teams. Iraq will host Qatar and Syria for a by Iraq.” Earlier in Bogota, FIFA President Gi- friendly tournament starting on March For years, Iraq has been busily build- anni Infantino said: “We are allowing 21 in Basra. ing stadiums and lobbying stars and international matches to be staged in FIFA said it could not “yet” agree to the sport’s governing bodies for a re- the cities of Erbil, Basra and Karbala,” a request from the Iraqi authorities to turn to the international fold. FIFA president Gianni Infantino told organise matches in the capital Bagh- The fi rst home competitive games reporters after a meeting of the FIFA dad, but Infantino promised that the could come as early as next month as Council in Bogota. city’s application would continue to be two Iraqi clubs have fi xtures in the AFC The three cities had been allowed to studied. Cup which were postponed pending organise friendlies in the past year pro- The three cities selected are among FIFA’s decision.

Emiri Navy in joint drills with Italian, Indian ships

he Emiri Naval Forces yesterday The joint exercise focused on the commanded by Colonel Susheel Me- carried out joint maritime exer- sharing of experiences through the non participated. Tcises with the Italian and Indian exchange of officers and personnel The exercise included training on naval forces in the territorial waters of between the two sides in all stages how to manoeuvre and defend a ship Qatar. of the exercise in order to maximise in the event of an external attack, in Missile boat Al Debal from the Emiri benefits. addition to approach exercise and the Naval Forces’ fl eet, commanded by In a statement, Commander of the method of boarding and search and Marine Lieutenant-Colonel Falah Naval Operations Center Marine Brig- fi re-fi ghting. Mahdi al-Ahbabi and the Italian frig- adier General Mubarak Rashid al-Su- The joint exercise focused on the ate (Carlo Margottini) commanded by laiti said the combined exercises lead sharing of experiences through the Commander Giuseppe Lai participated to the development of strong relations exchange of offi cers and personnel be- in the exercise. between friendly countries. tween the two sides in all stages of the The exercises included training on In the joint exercise conducted with exercise as well as training Qatari and how to manoeuvre and defend a ship in the Indian naval forces in the territo- Indian crews on support methods. the event of an external attack. It also rial waters of Qatar, Al Ghariya Q 02, Both the exercises were carried out dealt with visit and inspection (VBSS) a missile boat from the Emiri Naval as part of the concluding activities and other exercises that contribute to Forces’ fl eet, commanded by Marine of the Doha International Maritime the exchange of experiences between Major Ghanim Abdullah al-Kaabi and Defence Exhibition and Conference the two countries. Indian Navy’s destroyer ‘INS Kolkata’ (Dimdex 2018). Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR Emiri Naval Forces hold joint exercise with Italian Navy

he Emiri Naval Forces carried out a joint maritime exercise with the Italian naval Tforces in the territorial waters of Qatar. A missile boat (Al Debal), one of the Emiri Naval Forces’ fl eet, commanded by Marine Lieutenant- Colonel Falah Mahdi al-Ahbabi and the Italian na- val frigate (Carlo Margottini) commanded by Com- mander Giuseppe Lai participated in the exercise. The exercise included training on how to ma- noeuvre and how to defend a ship in the event of an external attack. It also dealt with visit and inspection and other exercises that contribute to the exchange of experi- ences between the two countries. The joint exercise focused on the exchange of ex- periences through the participation of offi cers and individuals from the two sides in all stages in order to maximise benefi ts and train offi cers and person- nel of the Qatari and Italian naval forces. In a statement, Commander of the Naval Op- erations Center Marine Brigadier General Mu- barak Rashid al-Sulaiti said that the methodology of exercises and training among the forces evolves as strong relations between friendly countries de- velop, adding that this exercise was carried out as part of the concluding activities of the Doha Inter- national Maritime Defence Exhibition and Confer- ence (Dimdex 2018). - QNA Researchers to reveal fi ndings Qatari, Indian naval forces hold joint exercise of study on food waste in Qatar

he Safeguarding the causes of food waste in chief information offi cer of involved in food storage, Food and Envi- Qatar within a context of food Wa’hab. The discussion will food safety, and food secu- Tronment in Qatar security and environmental be moderated by Prof Mehran rity more broadly.” (SAFE-Q) project team, af- sustainability. It involves a Kamrava, director of GU-Q’s The SAFE-Q research- ter years of in-depth inves- team of researchers from GU- premier research institute, ers conducted a detailed tigation into how and why Q, Cranfi eld University and the Center for International analysis of the causes of food is wasted in Qatar, will University of Bradford in the and Regional Studies (CIRS). food waste occurring dur- present their fi ndings at a UK and the Western Sydney “This research has been ing the handling, distribu- public event tomorrow. University in Australia. part of a broader eff ort by tion, transportation, and The event, which will be The event will feature a CIRS over the last several storage of food, as well as held at 6pm at Georgetown presentation by Amir Sharif, years to study the manage- during food preparation, University in Qatar (GU- associate dean of the Univer- ment of natural resources cooking, and consump- Q), will bring together re- sity of Bradford, and will be in general and the topic of tion. The project also aimed searchers and industry ex- followed by a panel discus- food security in particular,” to develop recommenda- perts to share their insight sion featuring Agrico owner explained Prof Kamrava. tions on how to reduce and, into the issue of food waste Nasser al-Khalaf, Emel Ak- “With help from special- if possible, eliminate the in the country. tas, the lead principal in- ists from around the world, waste occurring during the SAFE-Q is a joint research vestigator of the SAFE-Q we now have a much clearer distribution and consump- project which aims to explore project, and Kim Wyatt, idea of the complex issues tion of food in Qatar. The Emiri Naval Forces have carried out a joint maritime exercise with the Indian naval forces in the territorial waters of Qatar. A missile boat (Al Ghariya Q 02), one of the Emiri Naval Forces’ fleet, commanded by Marine Major Ghanim Abdullah al-Kaabi and Indian navy’s destroyer ‘INS Kolkata’ commanded by Captain Susheel Menon participated in the exercise. The exercise included training on how to manoeuvre and how to defend a ship in the event of an external attack, in addition to approach exercise and the method of boarding and searching and fire-fighting. The joint exercise focused on the exchange of experiences through the participation of off icers and individuals from the two sides in all stages as well as training Qatari and Indian crews in support methods.

Experts to share insights at QF Annual Research Conference

nternational speak- supporting economic diver- technology can lead to na- ers from the fi elds of sifi cation through the com- tional-scale changes, and Iresearch, innovation, mercialisation of solutions. also to learning from top government, and industry Panellists will also in- minds on the topic of driv- will share their perspectives clude HE Dr Mohamed bin ing impact in sectors such on how to ensure a research Saleh al-Sada, Minister of as technology, energy, and and development ecosys- Energy and Industry; Prof healthcare.” he noted tem can generate impact, Hasan Mandal, president, Wince-Smith, who is strengthen economies and Scientifi c and Technological also co-founder and presi- societies, and improve lives, Research Council of Tur- dent of the Global Fed- at the Qatar Foundation key; David Roberts, distin- eration of Competitiveness Annual Research Confer- guished faculty, Singularity Councils, said, “I am look- ence 2018 (ARC’18), which Dr Hamad al-Ibrahim University; and Dr Hamad ing forward to engaging begins tomorrow . al-Ibrahim, executive vice- with the world’s best and The seventh edition of Sciences, Arts, and Hu- president, QF R&D. Their brightest science, technol- the conference, organised manities – with the con- discussion will be moderated ogy, and research leaders to by Qatar Foundation Re- ference being built around by Deborah Wince-Smith, understand how, together, search and Development three tracks that will each president and CEO, Council we can address and solve (QF R&D), will take place focus on key topics for Qa- on Competitiveness , a US- some of the greatest chal- under the theme ‘R&D: Fo- tar’s R&D ecosystem: the based non-profi t organisa- lenges facing humanity. cusing On Priorities, Deliv- Researchers Track, the In- tion that brings together “In a world of global- ering Impact’, with a local novation Track, and the Re- business, industry, academ- ly-scaled, emerging, and and international audience search Strategy Track. ic, and research leaders to converging technological coming together to support On day one of ARC’18, shape economic policy. revolutions, spurring in- Qatar in developing world- Vivek Kundra, former chief “The true value of con- novations across disciplines class research and innova- information offi cer of the ferences such as ARC’18 and boundaries, multidis- tion that addresses national United States, will deliver lies in the intersection of ciplinary approaches to re- priorities and entering the the keynote address, ‘Lead- multiple disciplines, and search, conferences, stud- global marketplace. ing Change and the Chal- the bringing together of en- ies, and investments are the ARC’18 sessions will re- lenges of Transformation’, gines of innovation which only path forward. ARC’18’s fl ect the four thematic pil- at the opening plenary can enable game-changing recognition of the need for lars defi ned in the Qatar session of the conference, breakthroughs that drive a multi-disciplinarity dis- National Research Strategy before participating in a research and development tinguishes the conference, - Energy and Environment; multinational panel discus- agenda,” said Kundra. and provides a strong basis Computing and Informa- sion focusing on how R&D “I’m looking forward to on which to support Qatar’s tion Technology; Health can address national needs sharing how the building- expanding R&D ecosystem,” and Biomedical; and Social while creating impact and blocks of innovation around she added.

84 fi rms make a beeline for Qatar Honey Market

QNA General Supervisor of Honey Market 2018 is wit- for traders, entrepreneurs Doha Seasonal Honey Market nessing 40% participation and small and medium- 2018 Khalid Saif al-Suwai- by Qatari companies. sized companies to show- he Seasonal Honey di, said that participation Companies from Oman case their honey and related Market 2018, to be of such a large number of ranked second and many products to the public. Theld in Souq Wa- companies, whether local Asian nations- such as In- It is an initiative to in- qif from March 21-27, has or foreign, is a confi rmation dia, Afghanistan and Paki- vite companies specialised attracted a large number of the confi dence they have stan - and other countries in the “production, supply of local and international in the promising Qatari such as Turkey, Spain, Ken- and distribution of honey” companies. market. ya and many Arab countries to participate in the market, Some 84 companies from He pointed out that all are also taking part in the an opportunity to introduce 20 Gulf, Arab and foreign facilities have been off ered event. the locally produced honey, countries have so far reg- for companies from outside Seasonal Honey Market and open the way for foreign istered to participate in the Qatar to come to Doha and 2018 off ers a unique oppor- companies to display their event. participate in the event. The tunity by providing a place products.

Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR

Doha to host conference on sustainable development

The College of Arts and the goals of Qatar National decoupling growth from the Sciences at Qatar University Vision 2030. use of vital natural resources (QU-CAS) will organise its first It will discuss changes in key like water, energy and land. “Sustainable Development sectors like energy, water and The conference’s participants Conference” on March 26-27. agriculture. will also discuss whether the The conference will focus on This aligns with the global comprehensive and multi- the steps undertaken by Qa- sustainability agenda which layered concept of sustain- tar in 2008 for the transition focuses on green economic able development has been to sustainability in line with growth, decarbonisation and recognised globally.

Doha Bank’s long-serving employees during the awarding ceremony.

Doha Bank honours long-serving employees

oha Bank recently held Sheikh Abdul Rehman bin Mo- bank’s growing workforce across the industry, we earned the reputa- its annual ‘Long-Service hamed bin Jabor al-Thani, man- countries. Your utmost commit- tion as a people’s bank. DAwards’ ceremony to cel- aging director of Doha Bank, said: ment to the organisation has serves “Undoubtedly, all our achieve- ebrate the contributions of 83 em- “These awards come as recogni- as a constant source of inspiration ments have been due to the hard ployees who have been serving the tion of your loyalty and continuous for us to continuously surpass our work and dedication of our col- bank for decades. efforts over the past years, which customers’ expectations.” leagues. We understand that it is our Held at the Doha Bank headquar- have helped Doha Bank deliver Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seethara- duty to acknowledge their commit- ters in West Bay, the awards recog- positive results year after year. man said: “Doha Bank has come a ment and loyalty. A special mention nised 83 employees, who reached “We commend your tireless long way to establish our leading goes to our long-serving employees, service milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25, contributions to Doha Bank’s position in Qatar’s banking sector. who have spent a good part of their 30 and 35 years. phenomenal success, and thank With our unique products and serv- lives serving our organisation and Addressing the employees, you for setting an example for the ices, which set new benchmarks in our customers.”

Kahramaa holds awareness campaign on glaucoma

atar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kah- ramaa), in co-operation with the Ministry of Public QHealth, has hosted a daylong awareness campaign as part of World Glaucoma Week. The session was organised by the Health, Safety and Environ- ment department of Kahramaa under the theme ‘How to over- come glaucoma and other eye disorders’. Besides an awareness campaign on the eye disease, the day’s proceedings also featured tests to check the eyesight of employ- ees and eye pressure. The corporation also carried out a cam- paign on the issue through social media, according to a state- ment it issued yesterday. World Glaucoma Week is observed between March 11 and 18 around the world. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 5 QATAR

Dignitaries during the launch of the ‘Products from Qatar’ initiative. Al Meera launches ‘Products from Qatar’ initiative

l Meera Consumer suppliers of Al Meera; and they can establish and grow and services from the local Goods Company several representatives their presence in the mar- market in line with our key Arecently launched from local farms. ketplace, and usher in a new strategic direction of con- the ‘Products from Qatar’ The initiative is set to of- wave of opportunities for tributing to social, com- initiative at Al Meera Hy- fer local producers and star- co-operation and business munity, and local business permarket in Hyatt Plaza as tups in the food industry partnership that directly partnerships,” it added. part of its ongoing support with prominent shelf space contributes to Qatar’s food “Through this outstanding for local agricultural prod- at its Al Meera Hypermar- security programme,” Al step, we are not only tak- ucts and entrepreneurs. ket in Hyatt Plaza, thereby Meera said in a statement. ing the idea of proactively The inauguration event providing entrepreneurs in supporting entrepreneur- was graced by Yousef al- the country with a premium “At Al Meera, our ship in the country to the Khulaifi, director of the platform to introduce their procurement policy next level, but also setting Agriculture Affairs De- products to the market and lays emphasis on up a role model for nation- partment at the Ministry sell them to consumers. sourcing goods and al institutions and corpo- of Municipality and Envi- “The ‘Products from Qa- services from the local rations in Qatar to follow ronment; Salah al-Ham- tar’ initiative comes in the market” with the aim of collectively madi, Al Meera deputy context of Al Meera’s com- achieving the economic CEO; Hayder Haydri, rep- mitment to local farms by “At Al Meera, our pro- development objectives as resentative of Gourmet, providing them with an ide- curement policy lays em- envisaged in Qatar Nation- the fruits and vegetable al platform through which phasis on sourcing goods al Vision 2030.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR QP honours long-serving staff atar Petroleum (QP) recently honoured over a 1,000 long- Qserving employees in recogni- tion of their “loyalty, hard work and commitment” to realising its vision and strategic objectives. The employees were honoured during the second and third parts of QP’s Continuous Service Awards (CSA) ceremonies for 2018, which were held under the patronage of QP President & CEO Saad Sherida al- Kaabi. The awardees have reached career milestones of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service with QP. During the second CSA ceremony, some 588 employees from QP’s In- dustrial Cities Directorate and Op- The employees were presented with a certificate of appreciation as a token of gratitude for their dedication and many years of erations Directorate were honoured service with the corporation. while the third ceremony honoured 503 staff from the corporation’s other ured or quantified. Our capital is the the certificates, and in personally completed five years of service. directorates and corporate depart- secret ingredient that helps shape QP congratulating the honoured em- Held at the convention hall of the ments. into the organisation we are proud to ployees from their respective direc- QP Headquarters at the West Bay, the Abdulaziz Mohamed al-Mannai, be part of today. Our capital is people, torates or departments. CSA Ceremony 2018 was organised by executive vice president (Human who share our great vision and deeply The total of long-serving employ- QP’s Public Relations and Commu- Capital) congratulated the honou- engraved values.” ees honoured in QP’s three CSA cer- nications Department in partnership rees in both events and wished them The honourees in both events were emonies since February 27 totalled with the Human Capital Directorate further success as they contribute to presented with a certificate of ap- 1,198. They have been part of the and other departments. Qatar Petroleum’s journey of excel- preciation as a token of gratitude for company for the past 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, The annual event is one way by lence and aspiration to branch out to their dedication and many years of 35 and 40 years. which QP recognises the key roles the world and join the leading inter- service with the corporation. In addition, as part of the recogni- and valuable contributions of its national oil companies. A number of QP executive vice tion programme for 2018, some 346 employees in the corporation’s con- Al-Mannai said: “Our capital is presidents and senior management QP employees will also be receiving tinued growth and success through- unique, precious and cannot be meas- officials took turns in distributing certificates of appreciation for having out the years. NBK hosts third Mercedes Trophy Golf Tournament

asser Bin Khaled (NBK) Au- Holding, said: “Following the suc- scored 39 points to reserve the fi rst All participants got gifts from tomobiles hosted the third cess of the past two editions, Nasser place followed by Mike Khoo in the NBK Automobiles while the winners NMercedes Trophy Golf Tour- Bin Khaled Automobiles is pleased to second place and Arnav Dutta in third. received their trophies and prizes nament at Doha Golf Club yesterday, host the third Mercedes Trophy Golf In the women’s category, Nada during the gala awards ceremony. with the participation of Mercedes- Tournament in Qatar. It is through Mir scored 38 points and won the The tournament refl ects “NBK Benz car owners and golf enthusiasts such tournaments we reiterate our trophy, while Nguyen Thi Chau Automobiles’ and Mercedes-Benz’s in Qatar. commitment to promote sports and ANH was the fi rst runner-up and appreciation to patrons of the luxury The third edition of the tourna- social engagement with our valued Julia Deeley was the second runner- brand, and is designed to create an in- ment gathered 88 players in three customers and golf enthusiasts in up. Besides, four players received teractive community sports event that main categories: Men A (0-12 hand- Qatar.” special prizes for their exceptional brings people together to celebrate the icap), Men B (13-24 handicap) and Johan Anton Hazejager won the performance, including Simon Dav- values and ethos of the brand known Women. fi rst place in Men’s Category A scor- is for the longest drive, David Wal- for excellence, luxury and quality”, NBK Automobiles is the exclusive ing 37 points, while Simon Davis and lace for longest putt holed, Nguyen NBK Automobiles said in a statement. dealer of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar. Benjamin Coleman got the second and Thi Chau ANH for being nearest to Blue Salon and Total were the Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Thani, third places, respectively. In Men’s the rope, and Jean Paul Arcidiacono sponsors of the third Mercedes Tro- Operations director – Auto, NBK Category B, Jean Paul Arcidiacono for being nearest to the pin. phy Golf Tournament.

The third edition of the tournament gathered 88 players in three main categories.

Jahanian named 10th president of CMU

arnam Jahanian, inter- nationally recognised Fcomputer scientist, entrepreneur, senior public servant and respected leader in higher education, has been appointed the 10th president of Carnegie Mellon Univer- sity. Jahanian’s distinguished and multifaceted career in academia, industry and the public sphere led him to Carnegie Mellon in 2014, as vice-president for research. He then served two years as Farnam Jahanian provost and took over last July as CMU’s interim presi- lege to work with the stu- dent. dents, faculty and staff who As provost and chief aca- are seizing the possibilities demic offi cer, he was respon- of this century and solving sible for the Carnegie Mellon its problems.” University in Qatar (CMU- The dean of CMU-Q, Q) partnership and served on Michael Trick, said: “Presi- the CMU-Q Joint Advisory dent Jahanian embodies the Board. spirit and vision of Carnegie He also serves on the Sci- Mellon. I believe that Carn- entifi c Advisory Committee egie Mellon as a global in- for Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- stitution will move forward versity’s Qatar Computing in wonderful ways under his Research Institute. leadership.” “A rigorous, international CMU-Q was the univer- search has made it clear that sity’s fi rst global under- Dr Jahanian possesses a rare graduate campus, off ering set of qualities and experi- programmes in biological ences that make him exactly sciences, business adminis- the right leader for this uni- tration, computational biol- versity at this extraordinary ogy, computer science, and moment in its history,” wrote information systems. James E Rohr, chair of the CMU-Q will graduate its CMU Board of Trustees. 11th class in April, which will Jahanian said: “It is a re- make for a total of more than markable honour and privi- 750 alumni. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 7 QATAR Rota’s annual youth conference ends he 10th annual youth- qif, as well as a visit to Dahl Al clubs on their community serv- culmination of the eff orts of led conference, Empower Hamam park organised by the ice projects. Four prizes were the 450 youth who took part T2018, concluded yester- Ministry of Municipality and awarded to Q-Wasel for Best this year and a true refl ection of day with a declaration seeking Environment. comprehensive project, Bina their views and recommenda- international support for youth Following the visits, experts Taalou for Best achievements, tions with respect to the topic initiatives to achieve eff ective refl ected on the off site activi- Jouraat Hayat for best teamwork of ‘Youth and Eff ective Citi- citizenship. The event was or- ties at the conference venue and Tahammal Binafsak for zenship’,” the statement noted. ganised by Education Above All and shared great learning with best organised and systematic “They were able to discover their (EAA) Foundation’s programme, participants. As Day 3 was the project, a press statement noted. voice and build their knowl- Some of the participants at the conference. Reach Out To Asia (Rota). last day of the event, Rota Youth Held under the theme ‘Youth edge, skills and experiences to- Kicking off the fi nal day of Advisory Board Members re- and Eff ective Citizenship’, this wards creating positive change workshops, seminars, off -site prosperity. They could also make aspect of one’s life and community. Empower 2018, the attendees vealed the conference outcomes, year’s conference provided a for themselves and their com- activities, exhibition, social pro- a diff erence by investing their More than 450 young peo- had the opportunity to make while Rota Youth Service Clubs platform for youth to hone their munities, as well as eff ectively gramme and youth artistic ex- time and eff orts in supporting ple from Qatar, the region and educational off site visits to (RYSC) presented fl ash stories leadership skills whilst taking contribute to the progress and pression. The core takeaways for the economy by endorsing local around the world gathered for renowned places such as Qa- and achievements. the initiative to develop solu- prosperity of their nations.” the youth included to be driven products. the conference to explore youth tar National Library, Msheireb The RYSC awards ceremo- tions to some of the world’s most The three-day event in- by opportunity and not by ne- Social media channels are also empowerment and promote Museums, Fire Station, Kah- ny was also held to recognise pressing issues. cluded a combination of panel cessity as well as be enterpris- being considered as an eff ec- youth leadership, service learn- ramaa Tarsheed Park, Souq Wa- the eff orts of the four winning “Empower 2018 was a true discussions, keynote speeches, ing and work towards economic tive tool to be updated on every ing and global citizenship.

HEC Paris in Qatar runs information session for EMBA programme EC Paris has an- tive MBA in Qatar”, it has ticipants to develop their The curriculum consists nounced that it said in a statement. leadership skills and career of three key components: His running an in- The session will be di- during the 16-month pro- 11 core courses in business formation session for its rected by Debra Lech, head gramme. EMBA participants covering key business are- Executive MBA (EMBA) of admissions, HEC Paris learn from top-level faculty as, an industry or thematic The annual staff gathering event. programme designed for in Qatar, and her team, and and benefi t from the inter- specialisation and a fi nal senior executives. include detailed informa- national and professional di- strategic business project The interactive event will tion on the admissions versity of fellow participants (Capstone project). There be held on March 21 on the process, fi nancing and in- who bring comprehensive are eight specialisations HEC Paris Doha campus in ternational mobility op- knowledge and expertise for participants to choose UDC honours long-serving employees Tornado Tower, and intro- tions followed by a Q&A from a range of industries, from, allowing them to duced by Raja Assili, COO, round. Prospective EMBA the statement notes. specialise in a fi eld of their HEC Paris in Qatar. It will participants will be able to The HEC Paris EMBA of- choice. These majors are nited Development tifi cates of appreciation remains a prestigious work- the success of UDC’s strate- provide attendees with an meet the admissions team fers a special focus on strat- Aerospace & Aviation, En- Company (UDC), and gifts to 24 long-serving place with a corporate cul- gy in overcoming challenges. in-depth insight into the and book an appointment egy, leadership and the glo- trepreneurship - Project Umaster developer of employees, thanking them ture that encourages diver- Al-Othman told attendees EMBA curriculum and pro- with the head of Admis- bal business environment Accelerator, Diff erentia- The Pearl-Qatar, recently or- for their achievements and sity, knowledge transfer and that UDC’s achievements gramme schedule. sions ahead of the next in- to ensure that participants tion & Innovation through ganised its annual staff gath- wishing them continued best practice. over the past year refl ected This event “further take in February 2019. gain comprehensive, in- Services, Digital Trans- ering event at Marsa Malaz success at UDC. “At UDC, we believe hu- the company’s resilience demonstrates HEC Paris’ In line with the HEC novative and applicable formation of Businesses, Kempinski, The Pearl-Qatar Addressing employees man capital represents a and commitment to its commitment to shaping the Paris Executive MBA motto, knowledge and skills that Energy, Entrepreneurship to recognise its employees’ at the event, al-Othman pillar of our development development strategy. business leaders of tomor- “transform yourself, trans- they can adapt to their spe- & Innovation, Luxury, hard work and dedication. highlighted the company’s strategy. Long service UDC said the annual staff row as the only business form your career”, the EMBA cifi c roles and which will and Innovation & Social UDC president and chief achievements and fi nancial awards are just one of the gathering aims to establish school off ering an Execu- programme enables par- benefi t their organisations. Business. executive offi cer Ibrahim performance in 2017, while many incentives we have communication channels al-Othman, members of the briefi ng employees on stra- adopted as part of a strat- and instil a spirit of team- executive management and tegic plans and objectives egy to retain and thank our work between top manage- UDC employees attended set for 2018. experienced employees,” al- ment and employees. This, the gathering. He also praised employ- Othman said. in turn, mirrors UDC’s The event honoured staff ees for their contribution The event featured a doc- belief in the signifi cance members who completed towards the growth and umentary produced by UDC of human capital towards 10 years of service at UDC. progress of the company, to shed light on the compa- achieving corporate mission Al-Othman presented cer- while reaffi rming that UDC ny’s journey, and highlighted and strategic objectives. Ferrari 488 Spider and GTC4Lusso make boat show appearance

ith sleek designs, engine that punches out powerful engines a maximum of 690CV at Wand a plethora 8,000rpm and peak torque of patented solutions, the of 697Nm at 5,750rpm, Ferrari 488 Spider and GT- delivering a top speed of C4Lusso were notable eye- 335km/h and reaching 0 to catchers at the Qatar In- 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds. ternational Boat Show that Visitors were amazed by took place at Porto Arabia, the design of Ferrari 488 The Pearl-Qatar. Spider and the GTC4Lusso, Alfardan Sports Motors, both refl ecting a mix of in- the offi cial dealer of Ferrari novation and Ferrari’s lega- in Qatar, welcomed guests cy, a statement noted. The at the show with a Ferrari Ferrari 488 Spider is the lat- 488 Spider that showcased est chapter in Maranello’s Maranello’s ongoing his- ongoing history of open- tory of open-top V8 sports top V8 sports cars featur- cars. Another icon that was Ferrari 488 Spider at the Qatar International Boat Show. ing the highest level of in- on site ready to impress was novative technology and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, unique driving pleasure onstrated strength with a design. The GTC4Lusso has Ferrari’s four-seater model that only Ferrari can deliver maximum power output an extremely streamlined, that integrates rear-wheel and added a powerful touch of 670CV combined with a tapered shape that under- steering with four-wheel to the guests’ show experi- maximum torque of 760Nm scores its perfect balance drive. ence,” said Charly Dagher, at 3,000rpm, sending the of elegance and sportiness “Everyone visiting the general manager, Ferrari 488 Spider sprinting from 0 whilst still incorporating show was there to discover Qatar at Alfardan Sports to 100km/h in 3 seconds fl at large comfortable rear seats the latest technological Motors. and from 0 to 200km/h in and roomy boot. advancements. With out- As Ferrari’s most power- 8.7 seconds. Both models will now standing performance, su- ful-ever mid-rear-engined Also on show was the be available for test drives perb handling and control, V8 car to feature the pat- GTC4Lusso, which, despite post-Qatar International the Ferrari 488 Spider and ented retractable hard top, its sleek and luxurious styl- Boat Show at Alfardan GTC4Lusso showcased the Ferrari 488 Spider dem- ing, features a 6,262cc V12 Sports Motors.

Ooredoo offi cial sponsor of Al Hamla Cup

oredoo was the of- tions at Ooredoo Qatar, congratulate the winners on fi cial sponsor of said: “The Al Hamla En- their stamina and focus.” Othe 2018 Al Hamla durance Cup is an amazing This is the latest in a line Endurance Cup. opportunity for families to of community events Oore- The Endurance Cup was 100km, 80km and 40km, see the beauty of Qatar’s doo will support in 2018, held in Marathon village on with prizes awarded to the deserts as well as some of as the company “continues Sealine Sands yesterday and fi rst place in each category. our country’s top horses to invest in keeping Qatar’s saw the participation of 90 Manar Khalifa al-Mu- and riders. We hope all rid- traditional and cultural competitors. raikhi, director of PR and ers and horses completed events alive”, it said in a The races included Corporate Communica- the race in good health and statement. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR

Dusty spell Qatar’s health system ranked 13th world best

From Page 1 care system across the globe to have all of its hospitals These new hospitals pro- accredited by the JCI under vide “world-class environ- its Academic Medical Cen- ments in which HMC’s skilled tre programme. We also hold clinical teams can deliver care prestigious accreditations to patients”, a press statement for nursing, education and noted. training, and laboratory and “At HMC, we have invested pathology, amongst others,” in those things that matter added Dr al-Ansari. most to patients. Our dedi- The largest conference cated clinical teams at HMC dedicated to healthcare qual- provide rapid access to highly ity improvement and patient specialised services, deliver- HE Dr Hanan Mohamed safety in the Arab world is ing more than 3mn episodes al-Kuwari about to open its doors to of care to patients each year; more than 2,500 local and Doha and other parts of the country experienced a dusty spell yesterday, so, it is heartening to know lance Service and home and international healthcare leading to a drop in visibility in some places and prompting the Qatar Met that the quality of care we residential care services. professionals, the statement department to re-issue an advisory, prepared in co-ordination with the Ministry provide has been formally The healthcare provider has adds. The sixth Middle East of Public Health, on how to stay safe during such conditions. As the situation recognised as among the best sought and achieved accredi- Forum on Quality and Safety improved, the weather office tweeted about satellite images showing that the in the world. Our ambition to tation from leading organi- in Healthcare, to be held from dust had moved eastward and visibility was better in most areas. Meanwhile, provide the safest most eff ec- sations across many areas, March 23-25 at the Qatar Na- today’s forecast says strong winds are expected in some places along with tive care for Qatar’s residents “demonstrating HMC’s abil- tional Convention Centre in slight to blowing dust. It will also be relatively hot during the day. The Met lies at the heart of all we do,” ity to deliver high-quality Doha, will feature a range of department has also issued a marine warning for poor visibility in some places, explained Dr Abdulla al-An- care to patients”. topics, including patient- strong winds and high seas. Dusty conditions are expected later. The wind sari, acting chief medical of- “More than a decade ago centred care, joy at work, im- speed may go up to 23 knots inshore and 30 knots offshore, with the sea level fi cer at HMC. in 2006, we fi rst secured ac- provement science, patient rising to 10ft at times. The temperature in Doha will range from 22C to 30C HMC manages 12 hospitals creditation by the Joint Com- safety, and leadership and today; yesterday it was 24C to 36C. Pictured is a view of dust in Doha yesterday. – nine specialist and three mission International (JCI), capability-building. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam community hospitals – as and more recently in 2016, More details can be found at well as the National Ambu- we became the fi rst health- http://ihimeforum.hamad.qa The Top 20. Hassad joins AgriteQ as participant and sponsor

assad, Qatar’s pre- mier investor in food Hand agri-business sectors, has announced that it will sponsor and partici- pate in the upcoming Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ). The event at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre opens on March 20 and runs until March 22. Organised by the Min- istry of Municipality and Environment, this year’s exhibition will see the par- Al-Sadah: AgriteQ has ticipation of a large number successfully attracted the of major local and interna- world’s top specialists in tional institutions, special- the field of agriculture. ising in the agricultural sec- tor and its products. Hassad’s stand this year will showcase a diverse set of high-quality products, produced by several of its sub- sidiaries: Arab Qatari Company for Agriculture Pro- duction will display fresh vegetables, Arab Qatari Co for Poultry Production (AlWaha) will showcase poultry products, Hassad Australia will display chilled live- stock, while Aalaf Qatar will showcase high-quality fodder products. Premium dates, Basmati rice and olive oil will be on display by Nafco. Hassad’s stand will also include a Majlis where free consultation will be provided on diff erent topics related to the food sector. The stand will feature several educational activities for children in diff erent age groups, and other interesting experiences for exhibition visitors, according to a press statement. Hassad chief executive Mohamed bin Badr al-Sadah said: “We are privileged to take part in the sixth edition of the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition.” “AgriteQ has successfully managed over the past years to attract the world’s top specialists in the fi eld of agriculture, by providing them with a great platform for exchanging experiences and best practices,” he said. “We would like to invite all visitors to our stand at the exhibition, to learn about our latest products, which we brought from a number of our local and international in- vestments.” Hassad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Qatar In- vestment Authority, was established in 2008.

NHRC call to rein in siege nations

From Page 1 end to the arbitrary, uni- lateral measures taken by During the meeting the blockading countries with Vale, the NHRC chief against the people and praised the role of the EU residents of Qatar, as well in the crisis and their clear as continuing the pressure understanding of the vio- to compensate the vic- lations resulting from the tims of the blockade. He blockade. He presented the also highlighted that a lot latest reports of the viola- of work must be done to tions documented by the include the humanitarian NHRC, stressing that the violations in any political blockading countries have settlement in the upcom- reached an unprecedented ing Camp David delibera- level of audacity in ignor- tions. ing international customs Al-Marri said that and the calls made by the leaders of the blockading UN and other internation- countries have stressed al organisations to separate from time to time that humanitarian issues from they did not plan to lift the political ones. unjust measures, despite Al-Marri also stressed the reports released by in his meeting with lead- Human Rights Watch and ing human rights offi cials other humanitarian or- on the importance of con- ganisations documenting tinuing the pressure for an the violations. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 9 QATAR Top chefs set to serve up their favourite dishes at food festival he weekend may be over but the Qatar Inter- Tnational Food Festival (QIFF) will continue to off er visitors and residents “tanta- lising experiences” throughout the week from local and inter- nationally-renowned chefs, the organisers have said. QIFF 2018 is being held until March 25 at the Ho- tel Park, showcasing a rich mix of fl avours, cultures and entertainment. Kicking off the week today is Turkish celebrity chef Murat Bozok, who will prepare a spe- cial beef dish at 6pm and again at 9pm. Tomorrow, the QIFF Theatre’s dough and pasta day Local and internationally-renowned chefs are participating in the event. (Supplied picture.) will see India’s famous TV chef Ranveer Barar take to the stage The festival opening times are manager at Qatar Tourism Au- The festival opened on at 6pm. from 4pm to midnight on week- thority, said: “QIFF is a celebra- Thursday with Hollywood’s fa- Tuesday and Wednesday will days (Saturday-Wednesday) and tion of the country’s cultural vourite chef, Wolfgang Puck, Visitors at QIFF 2018 yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudheen see Kuwait’s celebrity chefs Fawaz will extend to 1am on weekends diversity; we are very pleased to and Qatar’s own Aisha al-Tami- al-Omaim and Asma al-Bahar (Thursday and Friday). have so many internationally re- mi sharing the QIFF Cooking ites on the menu of his restau- which are grown or made here.” Puck to kick off the biggest food sharing their dishes at 8pm and Those looking to enjoy the nowned chefs join us in shedding Theatre stage for an exchange of rant, CUT at Mondrian Doha. Japanese ‘Iron Chef’ Masaharu festival in the country!” 9pm. And, to wrap up the week, festive atmosphere while work- the spotlight on diff erent foods culinary insights that span from Puck said, “I love coming to Morimoto also demonstrated The 62-year-old also hosted a Canada’s “baking sweetheart”, ing their way to fi tness can join and culinary arts from all over East to West. Doha because so many people his skills with the preparation cooking class at his eponymous chef Anna Olson, will make her QIFF’s free group fi tness classes the world. Puck also hosted a live cooking here appreciate great food. What’s of a 79.5kg (175lb) sustainably- restaurant in Mondrian Hotel, fi rst appearance at the QIFF The- at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and again at “Everyone’s invited to savour demonstration at QIFF’s Cook- amazing is that the country is sourced tuna fi sh from Japan. Doha, yesterday, giving residents atre on Thursday at 10pm, with 7pm every day until March 24 at the fl avours of East and West and ing Theatre where he prepared changing and it now has its own Morimoto said, “It was a big and visitors an opportunity to Lebanon’s chef Ramzi making his the Organic Zone. enjoy the ongoing entertainment Seafood Risotto and Chinois dairy and agricultural produce surprise and honour to be here enjoy an exclusive live cooking on Friday at 11pm. Sara al-Kuwari, QIFF project QIFF off ers at Hotel Park.” Lamb, both of which are favour- so I’m excited to use ingredients, alongside my hero Wolfgang and culinary experience.

St Regis Doha off ers ‘classic Nama’s incubation projects take part in QIFF

he Social Development promoting and marketing these London Twist menu’ Center - Nama is partici- projects in line with the general Tpating in the Qatar Inter- message of the festival - which is he St Regis Doha is par- national Food Festival (QIFF a useful way to promote commu- ticipating in Qatar In- 2018), being held at Hotel Park nity partnership and encourage Tternational Food Festival until March 25. institutions and members of the 2018 (QIFF), an exclusive culi- Nama is a Qatar Foundation society to provide various kinds nary celebration featuring local for Social Work-affi liated centre. of support for entrepreneurs and talent and contribution from “With this participation, the small and micro enterprises.” top hotels, restaurants, eateries centre aims to enabling own- She noted that Nama seeks to and food entrepreneurs based in ers of the projects incubated by raise entrepreneurship aware- Doha. The St Regis Doha is represented at QIFF this year by Opal by Gordon Nama to gain easy and aff ordable ness throughout the Qatari The St Regis Doha is repre- Ramsay. access to the local market, along- Nama at QIFF 2018. community and promote entre- sented this year by Opal by Gor- side strengthening the knowl- preneurial projects by enabling don Ramsay at QIFF, which is loved” Chicken Nuggets and said: “We are delighted to be part edge and experience they have This participation also serves ate their growth and ensure their them to carry out productive being held until March 25 at the Penne Pasta. of the Qatar International Food acquired, so that these incubated the purpose of monitoring, op- sustainability in the local market. and marketing activities eas- Hotel Park Doha. Synonymous for its “simple, Festival again this year to present projects can undertake success- timisation and impact measure- This includes incubation, man- ily. It also aims to remove the Throughout QIFF, the award- delicate menu” that Gordon some of the best culinary off er- ful businesses in a competitive ment, especially in the light of agement and training services, obstacles facing these projects winning Opal by Gordon Ram- Ramsay is known the world over ings in Qatar available across our global environment,” Nama said the fact that the food festival is workshops, consultation pro- to ensure their success and to say will off er its “classic Lon- for, Opal by Gordon Ramsay re- distinguished restaurants by one in a statement yesterday. one of the major events organ- grammes and awareness-raising empower and support entrepre- don Twist menu”, including cently launched a revamped of our fi nest internationally-ac- It is an opportunity to ex- ised annually by Qatar Tourism gatherings, as well as motiva- neurship in the local market. “all-time favourites” Wagyu menu at The St Regis Doha, of- claimed chefs. change experiences, where the Authority (QTA) and attended tion, promotion and fi nancing Al-Mannai extended her Beef Burger, Corn Dog, Chicken fering a selection that includes “We are also proud to con- owners of these projects come by leading food companies from programmes. thanks to QTA, as well as public Quesadias and the supreme Fish Parsnip Veloute for starters, Kale tribute raising the bar on the lo- together alongside leading in- within and outside Qatar, the Mariam bint Abdul Latif al- and private sector organisations, and Chips”, The St Regis Doha and Burrata Salad, Pan Roasted cal food and beverage scene not ternational chefs from Doha ho- statement notes. It also hosts Mannai, executive director of for their initiatives and contri- has said in a statement. Scottish Salmon, the Wagyu Beef only in Qatar but also across the tels and high-end restaurants to various entertainment and cul- Nama, said: “We are keen to take butions that have helped achieve Celebrated desserts will be Burger, Vanilla Profi teroles along region and are focused on taking compete in off ering “delicious tural activities and attracts thou- part in the annual international the mission and strategic objec- also on off er, including Choco- with “all-time favourites” from The St Regis Doha to new heights dishes that are made from fresh sands of visitors daily. food festival to highlight and tives of empowering young local- late Brownies and the Toff ee the Raw Bar selection with Beef of excellence, off ering regional ingredients and cooked in the Nama stressed that it is com- give an opportunity to Nama’s economy entrepreneurs, con- Pudding. Besides, children will Tartar and Prawns Ceviche. and international guests an un- best style”, in addition to off ering mitted to providing various types incubation projects, contribut- tributing to strengthening and have a special menu crafted Tareq Derbas, area general precedented culinary experience many healthy food options that of support to small and micro ing to the achievement of Qatar consolidating the entrepreneurial for them, off ering the “much- manager of The St Regis Doha, across all our outlets.” are suitable for all ages. enterprises in order to acceler- National Vision 2030 besides ecosystem in Qatar. Options galore for health-conscious

By Joseph Varghese Noor al-Mazroei, a Qatari cu- tomers are quite happy about the them with diff erent vegetarian Staff Reporter linary expert showcasing healthy variety of food items I sell. As the items.” items at the food festival, said a festival progresses, the number is Al-Mazroei noted that she does growing number of people in the increasing as more people come not have a restaurant but supplies n increasing number of visi- country are choosing healthy dish- to know about the shop from food to several outlets in the city. “I tors at the ongoing Qatar es. “I prepare healthy food items for visitors and other sources,” al- don’t have a restaurant in the city AInternational Food Festival all categories of people. On social Mazroei continued. “I sell mainly but provide recipes to others and sell (QIFF) are opting for dishes that not media, I have more than 10,000 In- healthy Qatari dishes. We have my dishes to restaurants. I plan to only appeal to their taste buds but stagram followers. I provide recipes three major types of food: gluten- tie up with several other restaurants also help them stay healthy and in for a number of healthy dishes,” she free, vegetarian and others. I am and provide healthy food items to shape. told Gulf Times. allergic to dairy products and egg them,” she added. The event has been drawing large “My shop here is getting more items, and largely eat vegetarian According to al-Mazroei, the crowds at the Hotel Park since its than 250 customers daily and the food. I thought I should pass this healthy dishes that she serves ap- launch on Thursday. number is increasing. The cus- option to others and familiarise peal to all age categories and provide a better eating option. “I have plans to set up a restaurant of my own but have not yet decided on the loca- tion. Hopefully, I will be able to start my own venture soon. I prepare food that is great to eat and easy to han- dle and will provide good health to consumers,” she stressed.

Healthynoorfood by Noor al-Mazroei. Stilt walkers at QIFF 2018. PICTURES: Thajudheen Gulf Times 10 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR Call to protect Doha Zoo welcomes baby giraffe QC outreach desert zones helps Palestinian for ecological reclaim farmland he farmland of Awad Abu were resumed. Now, I am tak- Khater, a 40-year-old ing care of my family without TPalestinian citizen from the need of any fi nancial sup- Khan Yunis, has been reclaimed port,” said Abu Khater, thank- balance within the framework of Qatar ing His Highness the Emir, the Charity’s (QC) economic em- government and people of Qatar powerment projects and he is for their generosity and philan- atar desert areas should good idea to combat such phe- no longer in need of the social thropy. have more eff ective pro- nomenon. The new department welfare aid that used to help him Abu Khater is not the only Qtection to maintain the should be tasked with monitor- feed his family of nine. one who has managed to achieve desired ecological balance, a ing the deserts to detect any re- His ground remained unde- the dream of leading a decent number of citizens urged, ac- lated violations and penalise the veloped and isolated for a long life, the QC statement noted. As cording to a report in local Ara- perpetrators. time for not having money to many as 147 Palestinian families bic daily Arrayah yesterday. Another solution is to encour- invest in reclaiming the land. have benefi ted from the eco- They pointed out that recently age investment in recycling, However, Abu Khater benefi ted nomic empowerment projects a number of violations regard- where companies could invest in from an income-generating implemented by Qatar Charity ing littering in the open desert their waste instead of disposing project funded by the Qatar at a cost of QR1.4mn donated by and throwing debris there, have them off . “This has also become Charity offi ce in the Gaza Strip, people in Qatar, which contrib- surfaced, causing damage to the a necessity due to the expansion QC said in a statement. utes to alleviating the economic environment. in the construction industry After receiving QR11,000 and social pressures faced by “Some small companies opt in the country and the normal from Qatar Charity, he was able poor families. to dispose of their refuse mate- generation of waste and byprod- to reclaim his bare ground. Re- Since the beginning of this rials, which include used tyres, ucts.” cently, he set up a tomato farm year, QC has implemented rubble, paints, plastics and var- Dr al-Hajari stressed that the over seven dunums of his land, 137 other income-generating ious metals, in the open desert, municipal authorities and all which provides a good source of projects in various governorates damaging the natural environ- the related departments in the livelihood to cover the needs of of the Gaza Strip to “contribute ment of the country. Strict ac- country should play an active his family in order to lead a dig- to the transition from the need tion should be taken against role in combating such a de- nifi ed life. for help and care to sustainable them in accordance with the structive phenomenon. After paying off all the debts, development and advancement”, law,” said Dr Saif al-Hajari, en- He appreciated the eff orts Abu Khater is now saving money the statement added. vironmental expert and chair- of the government in planting to purchase a laptop for his eld- Most of the benefi ciaries are man of the Qatar Sport and trees and beautifying many ar- est son, who has achieved excel- families of those sponsored Environment Committee. He eas around the country, which Doha Zoo has got a new member as the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has lent results in the fi nal examina- within the social welfare and suggested that the creation of is considered a positive step to- announced the birth of a giraffe calf. “Join us to welcome the new member of the Doha tions of the fi rst semester for the sponsorship programme of QC, a specialised environmental wards conservation of the desert Zoo family,” the MME tweeted recently. 2017-2018 academic year. in addition to a number of non- police department would be a environment. “My dream came true through sponsored poor families of the Qatar Charity with the support Gaza Strip. of philanthropists in Qatar who The QC’s sponsorship pro- extended their helping hand gramme includes categories to make all this happen. Once such as orphans, poor families, again, my farmland got its life people with special needs and HMC meeting discusses men’s health back and agricultural activities others.

ffi cials from Hamad The event was attended by and community medicine.The meeting, which is thought to related to men’s health. Medical Corporation’s 90 physicians from the private Men’s Health Club Meeting will be the fi rst initiative of its kind Topics included the health O(HMC) Urology Depart- and public sector specialising be held every three months. in the country, provided a plat- eff ects of low testosterone, with ment organised the fi rst Men’s in urology, nephrology, endo- Dr Khalid al-Rumaihi, head form to discuss the latest scien- much of the conversation fo- Health Club Meeting recently. crinology, diabetes, cardiology of urology at HMC, said the tifi c and research developments cused on fi ve research papers that detailed the relationship between low testosterone and other health conditions, in- cluding type 2 diabetes, infer- tility, and varicose veins. The link between obesity and low testosterone levels was also examined, with attendees dis- cussing common symptoms, di- agnosis and treatment options. Dr Ridwan Shabsigh, associ- ate professor, Clinical Urology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, presented a re- search paper on the importance of men’s health issues as part of the public health agenda. Dr al- Rumaihi noted that the estab- lishment of the Men’s Health Club is twofold; bringing pub- lic attention to the importance of men’s health conditions and educating medical profession- als about the latest research re- lated to conditions that aff ect it, both physical and psychological and spanning from puberty to Over 90 physicians attended the inaugural Men’s Health Club Meeting. old age. Awad Abu Khater: dream come true Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 11 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD Campaign launched to release falcons back to nature

he Qatari Society of Al- ness to ensure the well-being nently at the headquarters of the were collected, checked and tak- Gannas at Katara - the of falcons and to maintain the society. en care of, he said the team con- TCultural Village has natural balance. He also informed that every cerned took a traditional dhow launched the second campaign He added that the initiative released bird would have a badge to Halul Island on the morning to release the falcons of willing was launched based on the sug- carrying the name and phone of March 6, and the falcons were falconers in Qatar back into na- gestions of Qatari falconers, number of the society, and that released. ture. who felt that returning falcons tracking devices would be re- Co-ordination has been The falcons submitted will be into nature would help facilitate moved from it. maintained with those in charge collected on March 25 for release their breeding and avoid extinc- Mteab al-Qahtani, board of the island to ban the capture in early April. tion. member of the society, said the or hunting of any falcon. In ad- The fi rst campaign was Mohamed Abdulatif al-Mi- fi rst campaign led to the release dition, the society said it has launched on February 25 and the snad, vice-chairman of the so- of 31 falcons, 25 of which were received messages from activ- collected falcons were released ciety, said the campaign was a handed over by Qatari falcon- ists that the released falcons are on March 6. The success of this great success due to the high ers while six were given by the adapting well to their new envi- initiative encouraged the society environment awareness among Ministry of Municipality and ronment and starting to hunt. to launch a second campaign, a falconers and their active co- Environment. These six falcons Al-Qahtani thanked all the press statement noted. operation. were confi scated by the relevant donors who took part in the ini- Ali bin Khatem al-Mehshadi, He added that a list of honour authorities from people who had tiative as their falcons were of chairman of Al-Gannas Soci- that includes the names of those tried to bring the birds into the good health and active hunters, ety, stressed that such initiatives who have volunteered to give up country illegally. with some of them boasting of were part of the society’s keen- their falcons will be kept perma- Informing that the falcons high market prices. The falcons submitted will be collected on March 25 for release in early April.

Tehran Thousands more Syrians rejects any change to fl ee homes as battles rage N-deal AFP Reuters than 48,000 were reportedly Tehran Beirut displaced in Afrin, a UN aid of- fi cial in Syria has said. The Turkish military has ran will not accept any housands of civilians pushed the YPG militia back changes to the nuclear deal, a streamed out of their from the border and nearly en- Isenior offi cial insisted yester- Ttowns yesterday to es- circled it with advances on the day, after the United States said cape battles in the north and western and eastern fl anks of it was seeking a “supplemental” south of Syria, where two dif- Afrin town. accord with European powers. ferent off ensives have prompted Ankara sees the YPG as an “We will not accept any an exodus in recent days. extension of the outlawed changes, any interpretation or A new wave of people fl ed a Kurdish PKK which has waged a new measure aimed at limiting” rebel pocket to army lines in decades-long insurgency inside the 2015 deal between Iran and eastern Ghouta near the capi- Turkey. major powers, said Ali Sham- tal Damascus, as rescuers and a “We can enter Afrin (town) khani in remarks carried by ISNA monitor said air strikes pound- any second. We can give you the news agency. ed the besieged zone. good news any minute,” Turkish Shamkhani, secretary of the In the northern Afrin re- President Tayyip Erdogan told a Supreme National Security gion, people fl ed as Turkish war congress of the ruling AK Party. Council, also warned European planes struck the main town, “Conquest is close. We walk to- countries “against the tempta- Syrian Kurdish forces and the wards that aim.” tion of playing at the same game monitor said. Turkish air and artillery as the Americans”. More than 150,000 people strikes rained down overnight “The ballistic programme of have left the town in the last few and in recent days, driving tens the Islamic Republic of Iran, days, a senior Kurdish offi cial of thousands out of the main which has a defensive nature, said. town by car and on foot, Kurd- will steadfastly continue,” said The two off ensives — one by ish authorities and the Observ- Shamkhani, who is a close ally of the Syrian army with Russia’s atory say. supreme leader Ali Khamenei. support, the other led by Tur- Hevi Mustafa, a senior civic On Friday senior US State De- key with allied Syrian rebels offi cial, said people fl ed the partment offi cial Brian Hook said — entered decisive phases this main town to other Kurdish- that President Donald Trump week. held parts of the region and to wanted to reach a “supplemen- Both have shown how foreign government territory. tal” deal with the European sig- backers and their Syrian allies Many were stranded out in natories to the Iran nuclear deal. are reshaping the map after the the streets without food, she This would cover Iran’s bal- defeat of Islamic State’s self- said. listic missile programme, its re- proclaimed caliphate last year. The Turkish military denied gional activities, the expiration Turkey launched the cross- Syrian civilians evacuate from the town of Jisreen in the southern Eastern Ghouta, on their way to areas under government control, yesterday it had struck a hospi- of parts of the nuclear deal in the border off ensive in January yesterday. tal in Afrin, saying it waged the mid-2020s and tighter UN in- against the Syrian Kurdish YPG campaign in a way that would spections, Hook said. fi ghters who control Afrin. gering under bags and suitcases, opposition towns and deny its An army offi cer in charge of the help of Russian jets and mi- not hurt civilians. “We are taking things one In its month-long assault, footage on state TV showed. charges that they have blocked arrivals in Adra said authorities litias. Khaled Hamad, a shep- The YPG and the Observatory week at a time, we are having the Syrian military has marched Many carried infants on their people from leaving. had dispersed 25,000 people in herd, said he signed a pledge af- had said a Turkish air strike on very good discussions in London, into much of eastern Ghouta, shoulders or pushed them in The United Nations has said recent days across temporary ter leaving Hammouriyeh with the town’s main hospital killed Paris and Berlin,” Hook, recently the last major insurgent bastion strollers. the exact number of people shelters there and in two nearby his wife and fi ve children on a 16 people the night before. ousted Secretary of State Rex around Damascus. Some elderly people hobbled fl eeing is not known nor are the towns. tractor. Rezan Heddo, a YPG media Tillerson’s chief of strategy, said. Troops splintered Ghouta on wooden sticks. destinations of all evacuees. In Adra, the newcomers ”They said now we were adviser, and state TV, said peo- “There is a lot we agree on and into three besieged zones in one The Syrian Observatory for Mobile clinics were open and stayed in schools, receiving within the state’s embrace,” he ple arriving in the nearby towns where we disagree we are work- of the bloodiest off ensives of Human Rights, a UK-based some people were taken to hos- food, water, and medicine, he recalled. of Nubul and Zahraa, under ing to bridge our diff erences,” the seven-year war. monitoring group, said air pital in the capital, it said. said. The last few days inside government control, received he said in Vienna. The 2015 ac- Residents came out in their strikes on Zamalka killed 30 The governor of rural Da- The offi cer said boys and men had become so harsh that his some aid. cord between Iran and the United thousands this week for the fi rst people gathering to leave for mascus, Alaa Ibrahim, said the between the ages of 15-60 could family ate their cow’s food, The journey was “cata- States, Russia, China, France, time, from the southern pocket government lines in the morn- government was setting up “settle their aff airs” with the he said.”(Now) they eat every strophic” for most residents as Britain and Germany curtailed around Hammouriyeh town. ing. new centres due to the massive state by writing a vow that says hour.” they walked dozens of kilome- Iran’s nuclear activities in ex- State media said 30,000 more Damascus and its ally Mos- crowds. “I pledge not to return to armed Hamad said militants in tres and slept out in the open, change for sanctions relief. civilians reached army posi- cow say they only attack armed Residents would go back actions.” Some 1,500 had done Ghouta had fi red at his broth- he said. Iran, which according to the tions yesterday, including some militants and seek to end the “in a very short time”, Ibrahim so in the town, he said. er, killing him and injuring his Inside the town, “there is no UN atomic watchdog has been who started leaving the Harasta rule of Islamist insurgents over said.”As the army advances...we The state has proposed such sons, for trying to get out. water, there are no hospitals,” abiding by the deal since it came zone as well in a new outfl ow. the suburbs. will return the citizens to their settlements before for those An estimated 12,000-16,000 Heddo added. “There are civil- into force in January 2016, has Men, women, and children The rebel factions accuse Da- homes...then we will continue who accept the return of its rule people had already left Ghouta ians under the rubble and no repeatedly ruled out any changes walked along a dirt road, stag- mascus of trying to depopulate providing services.” in other enclaves it seized with before yesterday, while more capacity to get them out.” to the agreement. Arrests made after deadly Hamas closes mobile phone West Bank car ramming fi rm in Gaza after attack on PM

AFP day to commemorate 100 days attack in readiness to demol- AFP Wataniya’s mobile telephone Jerusalem since US President Donald ish it. Prime Minister Benjamin Gaza City service was not cut off . Trump’s controversial recog- Netanyahu, in a statement yes- There has been no claim of nition of Jerusalem as Israel’s terday, said Israel will take tough responsibility for Tuesday’s sraeli forces have arrested a capital. action against Kabha. Israel rou- amas yesterday closed bomb attack. brother and an uncle of a Pal- Palestinians too see the city as tinely demolishes the homes of the Gaza offi ces of a Hamas has launched an in- Iestinian man accused of kill- their capital and Trump’s recog- Palestinians who carry out at- Hmajor telecommunica- vestigation and made several ing two soldiers in a West Bank nition broke with decades of US tacks. tions fi rm, accusing it of failing arrests. car ramming late on Friday, the policy that the its status would Authorities also rescinded the to co-operate in a probe into the Hamdallah runs the gov- army said. be negotiated between the par- permits of 67 of members of his apparent assassination attempt ernment in the occupied West The alleged driver of the vehi- ties. extended family to work in Israel against the Palestinian premier. Bank while the Hamas heads a cle — identifi ed as Alaa Kabha, At least 31 Palestinians and and those of 26 to do business Rami Hamdallah, the Pales- rival administration in Gaza. born in 1991 — was already in four Israelis have been killed with it. tinian prime minister based in The apparent assassination custody having been detained since Trump’s announcement, Human rights groups con- the occupied West Bank, was attempt further complicated an injured at the scene and taken to which set off major protests. demn such measures as col- unharmed on Tuesday when a already faltering reconciliation hospital under guard. Hamas praised the attack but lective punishment but Netan- roadside bomb blew up near his Palestinians walk past the closed gate of the headquarters of agreement between Hamas and Friday’s car ramming, close to did not claim responsibility for yahu’s right-wing government convoy during a rare visit to the Wataniya Mobile company office in Gaza City, yesterday. president Mahmoud Abbas’ the Jewish settlement of Mevo it. says they are a deterrent to at- Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. secular Fatah party. Dotan near Jenin in the north of According to Israel’s Shin Bet tacks on Israelis. Six of his bodyguards were pany Wataniya Mobile in the operate with the investigation Hamas has blamed Israel, the occupied West Bank, also domestic security agency, Kabha Car rammings are a tactic lightly wounded and a second Palestinian enclave, based on a of the Beit Hanoun bombing”, which has assassinated sev- wounded two soldiers, one of had previously been interned that has been used repeatedly bomb failed to explode, accord- decision by the state prosecu- referring to the area where the eral Palestinian leaders over the them seriously. for security reasons but was re- in a wave of lone wolf attacks ing to offi cials. tor. bomb exploded. years. Other possible suspects Tensions were high after leased in April last year. that has hit Israel and the Pal- The Hamas-run police in A statement said the prose- It did not provide further de- include smaller, more radical Palestinian movement Hamas Israeli soldiers inspected his estinian territories since Octo- Gaza said they were closing the cutor accused the mobile serv- tails and there was no immedi- groups that operate in Gaza but called for a day of rage on Fri- family home following Friday’s ber 2015. offi ces of the Palestinian com- ice provider of “refusing to co- ate response from the company. are opposed to Hamas. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, March 18, 2018 AFRICA

DISPLACED OUTBREAK CORRUPTION RESIGNATION SA chain withdraws meat Angola protest aims at Mauritius president quits, brand over listeria fears amnesty for ‘stolen money’ denies fiscal impropriety

A South African supermarket chain has withdrawn Angola yesterday saw its first authorised anti- The president of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a third brand of sausages after the world’s worst government protest in decades with about 10 people yesterday resigned from the ceremonial position, listeria outbreak which has claimed at least 183 demonstrating in the capital against an amnesty her lawyer said, amid accusations of financial lives since January last year. Shoprite said it would those who have stashed vast wealth abroad. Despite impropriety that triggered a dispute between her no longer be selling farmer’s Deli sausages as a the paltry turnout, the rally in the centre of Luanda and the prime minister. The president’s lawyer precautionary measure as “the presence of Listeria was a milestone and hugely symbolic. Such an event Yousuf Mohamed told local Radio Plus that she monocytogenes was identified in an initial testing of would have been unthinkable during the regime of had decided to resign “to prevent a constitutional a single batch of red Viennas.” It said more tests were former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Some crisis”. “She doesn’t want the country...to suff er. needed to confirm “harmful levels of Listeria bacteria. of the demonstrators held up portraits of dos In the country’s best interests she has decided Refugees cook at the Sesion camp for refugees “The results of the further testing will take another Santos’ successor Joao Lourenco disfigured with to leave,” the lawyer said. The president has at Kenya’s border town with Ethiopia, near five working days. In the meantime, the Shoprite red paint. They denounced a law adopted at the been facing growing pressure after a local paper, Moyale, about 800km north of capital Nairobi, Group has, as an added precautionary measure, end of February providing amnesty to anyone L’Express, said she had used a credit card issued after fleeing across the border from Ethiopia to removed all Farmer’s Deli Red and Smoked Viennas repatriating more than $100,000 from overseas by an international NGO to buy clothes and seek shelter. from its shelves until the product gets the all clear.” accounts in the coming six months. jewellery in Italy and Dubai. Gurib-Fakim ... stepping down

Canada Miss Albinism pageant helps to send troops for fi ght stigma in Zimbabwe Mali force By Clement Sabourin, AFP By Reagan Mashavave, AFP event as it was postponed last year due Ottawa Harare to a lack of funds. “The pageant aims to instil confi - dence in girls living with albinism in anadian peacekeepers ozing charm and confi dence, Zimbabwe as well as reduce the stigma,” backed by helicopters will 22-year-old Sithembiso Mu- Mudzimu said. Cjoin UN Blue Helmets in Otukura beat 12 other contest- “People living with albinism are tal- the troubled west African nation ants in Zimbabwe’s fi rst Miss Albinism ented, beautiful and intelligent just like of Mali before autumn, a govern- beauty contest aimed at reducing stig- any other normal human being. My ex- ment source said on Friday. ma and increasing awareness about the perience living with albinism was not Defense Minister Harjit Saj- condition. easy.I learnt that in life living with albi- jan is to provide details of the Friday’s ‘Beauty Beyond the Skin’ nism you have to persevere and survive number of troops tomorrow, said pageant was held in a Harare nightclub, in life.” the source, speaking on condi- making Zimbabwe the second African Mudzimu said she hoped to organise tion of anonymity about what country after Kenya to host such an a global contest. will be Canada’s fi rst mission to event. “This will be an annual event which Africa since Rwanda in 1994. Many African countries have a dark will later be advanced to Miss Albinism Extremists have ramped up relationship with albinism — a genetic Africa and Miss Albinism World be- their activities in central Mali disorder inherited from parents who cause we want to reach all corners of the in recent months, targeting do- both carry a faulty gene that prevents world,” she said. mestic and foreign forces in vio- the skin from making melanin properly The southern African country has lence once confi ned to the coun- and thereby giving it colour. about 39,000 people living with albi- try’s north. They are hunted down in some Afri- nism, she said. Four United Nations peace- can countries by witch doctors for their Tapuwa Muchemwa, a government keepers were killed and four body parts which are used in potions to representative who was the guest of wounded in late February when a bring good luck or riches. honour, said Zimbabwean authorities mine exploded under their vehi- Some are even kidnapped and sold by were committed to uphold the rights of cle in central Mali. relatives out to make a fast buck. albinos. The peacekeeping mission, Mutukura said she entered the pag- “We as government strongly advo- known by the acronym MINUS- eant to raise awareness. cate that people with albinism deserve MA, currently has more than “The people with disabilities are al- their right to life and security and to be 13,000 military personnel and ways looked down upon even in schools. protected as well as the right not to be 1,900 police. I have gone through a lot but I want Zimbabwe’s first Miss Albino Sithembiso Mutukura (right) receives a bouquet of flowers after receiving her crown during the subjected to torture and ill treatment,” They have been deployed in people living with albinism to be brave inaugural Miss Albinism beauty contest in Harare on Friday night. Muchemwa said. Mali since 2013 to counter the in- and persevere in life,” the social work Albinism groups say more than 90% surgency and general lawlessness. student at the University of Zimbabwe power the girl child. People with disa- the catwalk in gowns and traditional Mutukura won a food hamper and $85 of people with the condition in Africa Canada’s contingent to MI- told AFP after winning the crown. bilities must not look down upon them- African robes and were asked an ar- — a fair bit of money in Zimbabwe. die before they reach the age of 40. NUSMA will also include police “We must continue to advocate for selves.” ray of questions to decide the win- Pageant organiser Brenda Mudzimu The rate of albinism in Africa is much and will provide “logistical sup- our rights and I hope my win will em- The contestants sashayed down ner. said she was happy to fi nally host the higher than in other parts of the world. port and assistance” during a planned 12-month mission, the government source said, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Germany’s Chan- Hospital inaugurated cellor Angela Merkel and Neth- Angola party to discuss erlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose countries are al- dos Santos successor ready part of MINUSMA. “Everybody is interested in reinforcing Sahel security,” the Reuters Canadian source said. Luanda Extremists linked to Al Qaeda took control of Mali’s desert north in early 2012, but were ngola’s ruling MPLA party said over the weekend it would largely driven out in a French- discuss next month when to appoint a new leader, poten- led military operation launched Atially undermining party chief and former president Jose in January 2013. Eduardo dos Santos, who hours earlier said he might stay on until In June 2015, Mali’s govern- next year. Dos Santos handpicked Angola’s new president, João ment signed a peace agreement Lourenço, to succeed him when he stepped down last September with some armed groups, but the after ruling for 38 years, but held onto his position as head of the militants remain active, and large party, creating two centres of power in the oil-producing nation. tracts of the country are lawless. Since then dos Santos has been under increasing pressure to In November, Trudeau said give up the presidency of the People’s Movement for the Liber- Canada would boost its support ation of Angola (MPLA) that has governed Angola continuous- for UN peacekeeping missions ly since independence from Portugal in 1975. State radio said by mobilizing a “quick reaction many in the MPLA leadership had taken issue with dos San- force” of 200 soldiers that would tos’ intervention at Friday’s meeting of the central committee be backed by tactical helicopters when, in a rare public statement, he told the party it should and Hercules transport aircraft. wait until December or April 2019 to replace him. Consensus is The numbers fell short of Tru- building within the inner circle of the MPLA that a new party deau’s initial pledge of 600 troops leader should be appointed as early as June, the radio reported. but marked a recommitment to In a statement published at the end of the meeting, the multilateralism after his pred- MPLA said the decision to discuss the issue in April had as ecessor Stephen Harper sought “its only goal the strengthening of the MPLA and the rein- distance from the United Nations forcement of its internal cohesion”. during his decade in offi ce. It was not immediately clear Ivorian First Lady Dominique Ouattara poses with children during the inauguration of the Mother-Child Hospital in Bingerville, a suburb if the quick reaction troops are of Abidjan. The hospital was financed by an NGO Children of Africa backed by the Ivorian First Lady. the ones being assigned to Mali, a former French colony.

Botswana accuses US of ‘encouraging’ elephant poaching

AFP elephant trophies from six African According to global advocacy and host Khama signed a petition “I can’t say more than say to the Johanneburg countries,” said Khama. group Avaaz, the European Union along with representatives of 29 UK...just do the right thing, close “I think that this administration is the world’s biggest exporter of other countries calling on the “EU the ivory trade,” said Khama. is undermining our eff orts and also legal ivory, which is thought to fuel to close its ivory market”. According to the fi rst ever pan- otswana’s President Ian encouraging poaching in the proc- poaching. There is a huge demand for ivory African survey of savanna ele- Khama has accused the US ess because they are well aware of “What we see is that Europe has in Asia, notably in China. phants in 2016, the present popu- Bgovernment of encouraging our laws that prohibit hunting in become both a destination and tran- Botswana’s environment min- lation is about 352,000, down from elephant poaching following its Botswana,” he added. sit hub for illegal ivory,” Avaaz cam- ister, Tshekedi Khama, said “the 1.3mn in 1979. recent decision to reverse a ban on The decision by the US Depart- paign director Bert Wander said. reason the EU must close the trade International rules still allow imports of sport-hunted trophies. ment of the Interior would allow “It’s crucial that this trade is is because China has closed that countries to legally export ivory Khama was speaking at an Afri- the import of tusks and skins of shut down if we’re going to protect avenue”. when it is certifi ed as having been can elephant conservation confer- elephants killed in Botswana, Na- these magnifi cent animals”. “If the EU as a bloc...would do “worked” or “carved” before 1976. ence in Botswana. mibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Wander said EU offi cials had the right thing by doing the same, Antique ivory products manu- “I want to take this moment to Zambia and Zimbabwe, on a case- told the campaign organisers that then we have two avenues out of factured before 1947 — such as condemn in the strongest possible by-case basis. “they couldn’t ban ivory because Africa closed. If we can close the billard balls, piano keys and chess terms, the decision taken by...the In 2012, an image of Trump’s not enough African leaders wanted main exit areas then we are going pieces — are also legal and do not (Donald) Trump administration who son Donald Junior holding a knife them to”. “The rest of the world to be a lot more successful than we need a certifi cate, providing their on the 1st of March this year...issued and an elephant tail next to a buf- is turning its back on ivory trade. are,” he said. age can be established. a memorandum that with immedi- falo carcass while on a hunting trip Why not Europe?” Britain accounts for the most But activists say this creates a ate eff ect, the US government would in Zimbabwe caused widespread Presidents Yoweri Museveni ivory exported from the EU, ac- loophole allowing for “blood ivo- consider issuing permits for certain outrage. of Uganda, Ali Bongo of Gabon cording to Avaaz. ry” to enter the legal market. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 13 AMERICAS

SHOOTOUT SAFETY TRANSPORTATION REMEMBERED MANHUNT Toddler killed in Rio favela FAA reviews helicopter Historic old Quebec Gifted Colombia kids pay Dozens flee jailbreak on as police take on gang rules after deadly crash to get new tram link tribute to hero Hawking Venezuela Caribbean isle

A toddler was among three people killed during The US Federal Aviation Administration said Quebec City’s historic old quarter, a World Gifted children at the Stephen Hawking school Dozens of prisoners broke out of jail Friday on a clash between a drug gang and police in a Friday it will review regulations for “doors off ” Heritage site, will be linked to outlying districts by in Colombia’s capital Bogota have been paying the Venezuelan tourist island of Margarita, the sprawling Rio de Janeiro favela, police said helicopter flights — popular with photographers a tramway under a multi-billion-dollar new public a special tribute to the astrophysicist whose military said, adding that a major manhunt was yesterday. The bloodshed late Friday in the — following a crash last Sunday that killed transit project, off icials said Friday. The 23km life inspired them to study science. Students underway. Military authorities on the island said Alemao district of slums and working-class five people in New York City. The FAA “will electric tramway will connect the city’s north have covered walls of the school with drawings, 58 prisoners escaped at dawn after smashing communities, or favelas, added to tension in a conduct a top-to-bottom review of its rules and west, via the old quarter, with service rolling photographs and cards in memory of the a hole in the wall of a police detention centre city still reeling from the apparent assassination governing these flights to examine any potential out progressively from 2022 to 2026. Philippe wheelchair-bound Hawking, who died Wednesday where they were being held. Four prisoners Wednesday of a prominent activist who has misapplication that could create safety gaps Couillard, the premier of Quebec province, aged 76. The school named after Hawking was were recaptured, the regional military chief, Vice protested police brutality. The clash began for passengers,” it said. Helicopter flights with said the project is part of an eff ort to address founded in 1995 by a group of teachers committed Admiral Jonny Vera, told the local newspaper. The when a drug gang opened fire on police from a the doors open provide passengers with a traff ic congestion which he called “an obstacle to helping children with low resources but high IQs. prisoners were in the custody of the local police in stolen white vehicle, police said in a statement. more direct view of the skyline than flights with to progress.” Quebec’s historic district, unique “Hawking couldn’t move but his incapacity didn’t Nueva Esparta state, to which Margarita belongs. According to Globo news, the toll was four dead, the aircraft’s doors shut. For now, the FAA has in North America, is considered “a remarkable deter him, and he was one of the people who knew Venezuelan authorities often use police detention all killed by stray bullets, including the toddler, banned “doors off ” flights that use restraints that example of a fortified colonial town” by Unesco most about space without having been there,” centres as places of permanent incarceration to who was in a pram. cannot be easily released. which includes the area on its World Heritage list. 16-year-old Juan Esteban Lopez, a pupil, told AFP. cope with overcrowding in the prison service. St Patrick’s Day parade Trump hails FBI offi cial’s fi ring, but critics call it ‘dangerous’

AFP FBI, where Comey and McCabe are widely re- Washington spected. The Justice Department said an internal in- vestigation had found that McCabe made un- onald Trump has hailed the fi ring of a authorised disclosures to the media, and had senior FBI agent as a “great day for de- not been fully honest “on multiple occasions” Dmocracy,” a move his attorney said he with the department’s inspector general. hoped would bring an end to a probe into al- “The FBI expects every employee to adhere Participants march during the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York City yesterday. leged collusion between the president’s cam- to the highest standards of honesty, integ- paign and Russia. rity and accountability,” Attorney General Jeff But critics slammed the axing as a “danger- Sessions said in a statement. ous” ploy to discredit the top law enforcement Lack of candor under oath is a fi ring off ence agency as well as the work of Robert Mueller, at the FBI, but the politically charged context the special counsel investigating Russian in- of the move raised serious questions among fl uence in the 2016 election. McCabe’s backers. Andrew McCabe, who was the FBI’s deputy In a stinging response to the president, Trump consultants harvested data under former director James Comey, sacked former CIA chief John Brennan tweeted yes- by Trump last year, is potentially a key witness terday: “When the full extent of your venal- in that probe. ity, moral turpitude and political corruption Trump’s personal attorney, John Dowd, told becomes known, you will take your rightful from 50mn Facebook users: reports the Daily Beast yesterday that he hoped Dep- place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin uty Attorney General Rod Rosenstein would of history.” follow the lead of the FBI Offi ce of Profession- Details of the inspector general’s probe were Reuters pher Wylie, who worked with an demic Aleksandr Kogan, separately oratories and the Trump campaign al Responsibility and “bring an end to alleged not made public, but it involved the FBI’s han- Wshington academic at Cambridge Univer- from his work at Cambridge Uni- were not immediately available for Russia Collusion investigation manufactured dling of the 2016 investigation into Trump’s sity to obtain the data, as saying versity. comment. by McCabe’s boss James Comey based upon a election rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton. the system could profi le individual Through Kogan’s company Facebook did not mention the fraudulent and corrupt Dossier.” Trump has repeatedly accused McCabe ata analytics fi rm Cam- voters to target them with person- Global Science Research (GSR), Trump campaign or any other McCabe, who has endured a year of with- and Comey of having protected Clinton from bridge Analytica harvested alised political advertisements. in collaboration with Cambridge campaigns in its statement, which ering attacks from the president, was fi red by prosecution, including over her misuse of a Dprivate information from The more than 50mn profi les Analytica, hundreds of thousands was attributed to the social net- the Justice Department late on Friday, just two private email server while she was secretary more than 50mn Facebook users in represented around a third of ac- of users were paid to take a person- work’s deputy general counsel, days before he was to retire after 21 years with of state. developing techniques to support tive North American Facebook ality test and agreed to have their Paul Grewal. They did not imme- the FBI. McCabe hit out following his sacking in a President Donald Trump’s 2016 users, and nearly a quarter of po- data collected for academic use, diately comment on the Times and The fi ring threw new fuel on the fi re rag- blistering statement. election campaign, the New York tential US voters, at the time, the the Observer said. Observer stories. ing over the investigation, with critics saying He said the inspector general’s probe “be- Times and London’s Observer re- paper said. However, the app also collected “We will take legal action if nec- Trump might be planning to engineer Muel- came part of an unprecedented eff ort by the ported yesterday. “We exploited Facebook to har- the information of the test-takers’ essary to hold them responsible ler’s dismissal, potentially sparking a consti- administration, driven by the president him- The newspapers, which cited vest millions of people’s profi les. Facebook friends, leading to the and accountable for any unlawful tutional crisis. self, to remove me from my position, destroy former Cambridge Analytica em- And built models to exploit what accumulation of a data pool tens behavior,” Facebook said, adding Mueller is also examining whether Trump my reputation, and possibly strip me of a pen- ployees, associates and docu- we knew about them and target of millions-strong, the paper said. that it was continuing to investi- might have obstructed justice, including sion that I worked 21 years to earn.” ments, said the data breach was their inner demons. That was the It said Facebook’s “platform gate the claims. through his fi ring last May of Comey. “It is part of this administration’s ongoing one of the largest in the history of basis that the entire company was policy” allowed only collection of Cambridge Analytica worked for “Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for war with the FBI and the eff orts of the special Facebook Inc. built on,” the Observer quoted friends data to improve user expe- the failed presidential campaign of the hard working men and women of the FBI counsel investigation.” Facebook on Friday said it was Wylie as saying. rience in the app and barred it from US Senator Ted Cruz and then for — A great day for Democracy,” Trump tweeted But one law professor defended the Justice suspending Cambridge Analytica The New York Times said inter- being sold on or used for advertis- Trump’s presidential campaign. soon after the fi ring. Department’s investigators. after fi nding data privacy policies views with a half-dozen former ing. On its website, it says it “provid- “Sanctimonious James Comey was his boss “These are not political appointees,” had been violated. Cambridge Analytica employees Facebook said in a statement ed the Donald J Trump for Presi- and made McCabe look like a choirboy. He Jonathan Turley of George Washington Uni- The Observer said Cambridge and contractors, and a review of on Friday it had suspended Cam- dent campaign with the expertise knew all about the lies and corruption going versity told CNN. Analytica used the data, taken the fi rm’s emails and documents, bridge Analytica and its parent and insights that helped win the on at the highest levels of the FBI!” Trump “They clearly concluded that McCabe mis- without authorization in early revealed it not only relied on the group Strategic Communication White House.” wrote. led them — and that he misled them on one of 2014, to build a software program private Facebook data but still pos- Laboratories (SCL) after receiving Brad Parscale, who ran Trump’s McCabe pushed back hard, denying any the core issues they were investigating.” to predict and infl uence choices at sesses most or all of it. reports they did not delete infor- digital ad operation in 2016 and impropriety and saying he was the victim of a The fi ring came as the White House shows the ballot box. The Observer said the data was mation about Facebook users that is his 2020 re-election campaign Trump administration “war” against the FBI increasing frustration with the continuing The paper quoted Cambridge collected through an app called had been inappropriately shared. manager, declined comment on and the special counsel. collusion probe, which is focusing increas- Analytica whistleblower Christo- thisisyourdigitallife, built by aca- Strategic Communication Lab- Friday. The move could add to discontent inside the ingly on the president’s inner circle.

Florida school says it was aware of bridge cracks before fatal collapse

Reuters mise the structural integrity of However, the voicemail mes- Miami the bridge,” FIU said in a state- sage from FIGG’s lead engineer ment yesterday. Denney Pate, including his as- About three hours after sertion that the cracking posed ngineers and state and uni- the meeting concluded, the no safety issue, was not retrieved versity offi cials met hours 950-tonne, $14.2mn bridge fell until Friday, a day after the trag- Ebefore a newly built pe- down, crushing vehicles stopped edy, according to the state trans- destrian bridge collapsed, killing at a traffi c light on the eight-lane portation agency. six people, but concluded that roadway below. Pate did not immediately re- a crack in the bridge was not a At least six people, including spond to email queries from safety concern, Florida Interna- three whose bodies were recov- Reuters. tional University said yesterday. ered yesterday, were killed. In the message, Pate said his The two-hour meeting on Police said four vehicles are team had observed “some crack- Thursday involved FIGG, which believed to be still under the col- ing” at one end of the bridge and is the private contractor for the lapsed bridge and more bodies that repairs were warranted, overall design of the bridge, the may be recovered from the rub- “but from a safety perspective school, Florida Department of ble. we don’t see that there’s any Transportation offi cials and News of the meeting followed a issue there, so we’re not con- Munilla Construction Manage- revelation late on Friday that the cerned about it from that per- ment (MCM), which installed the engineer overseeing the bridge, spective.” bridge. which linked the FIU campus He added: “Obviously the A FIGG engineer “concluded with the city of Sweetwater, had cracking is not good and some- there were no safety concerns called a state offi cial two days be- thing’s going to have to be, ya and the crack did not compro- fore the collapse to report cracks. know, done to repair that.” An aerial view of a pedestrian bridge that collapsed at Florida International University in Miami on Thursday. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, March 18, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Xi handed second term North Korea wraps up with powerful ally as VP Sweden talks AFP commentator. “Choosing Wang Beijing as vice president is certainly to consolidate his power,” Hua AFP who Friday said Sweden hoped said. Stockholm to be a summit “facilitator”. Ri’s hina’s rubber-stamp “Xi is already a very powerful delegation included Choe Kang- parliament unanimously man. The problem is that he has il, deputy director general of the Chanded President Xi Jin- too few people who are loyal and orth Korean offi cials foreign ministry’s North Amer- ping a second term yesterday competent for his use, so he has wrapped up a third day ica section — though a senior and elevated his right-hand to retain Wang and give himself Nof talks yesterday with US administration offi cial said man to the vice presidency, giv- more time to cultivate more tal- Swedish counterparts with Friday: “No US government staff ing him a strong ally to consoli- ented people.” no indication their eff orts had are meeting with the North Ko- date power and handle US trade Wang replaces Li Yuanchao, a cleared the way for a mooted nu- reans in Sweden,” where Ri was threats. relatively low-profi le politician clear summit between US Presi- stationed as a diplomat for three Xi’s reappointment by the who has represented Xi on trips dent Donald Trump and North years in the mid 1980s. Communist Party-controlled abroad. Korea’s Kim Jong-un. Wallstrom had earlier said legislature was a foregone con- In his former position as vice From Washington on Friday, the talks extended into Sat- clusion, but all eyes had been on premier, Wang periodically Trump had called his South Ko- urday given the “constructive whether his former anti-cor- travelled to the United States, rean counterpart Moon Jae-in, atmosphere” of the fi rst two ruption enforcer, Wang Qishan, where then-president Barack whose government last week days. No concrete announce- would become his deputy. Obama once gave the Chinese passed an apparent summit in- ments emerged yesterday, as the The National People’s Con- delegation a signed basketball. vitation to Trump from Kim, Swedish foreign ministry stated gress has widely expanded Xi’s An “amazing” economist, which the US president accept- that “the talks focused prima- already considerable authority he could now form a “dream ed. His response triggered a race rily on the security situation on during its annual session, add- team” with another member to set a credible agenda for what the Korean peninsula, which is ing his name to the constitution of the party leadership, Wang would be historic talks between high on the UN Security Council and lifting the two fi ve-year Yang, to deal with concerns that the two leaders. agenda.” term limit for the presidency US President Donald Trump Before a date or a venue for the Noting Sweden’s “consular and vice presidency. Wang Qishan (left), former secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, shakes policies will trigger a trade war, summit can be set, North Ko- responsibilities as a protecting Xi received a standing ova- hands with China’s President Xi Jinping after Wang was elected as China’s vice president during the Brown said. rea will publicly have to confi rm power” for the United States, tion after winning all 2,970 fifth plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great “Maybe they’ll be able to that it sent the invitation and in- Canada and Australia, the state- votes for the presidency and Hall of the People in Beijing, yesterday. come up with a solution for this tends to honour it, by attending ment indicated the “foreign Central Military Commission massive brewing storm with a meeting to discuss giving up its ministers discussed opportuni- chairman. ing to “strenuously struggle to while receiving fervent ap- years, from low-level cadres to America about imbalances and nuclear arsenal. ties and challenges associated In 2013, Xi had received 2,952 build a rich, strong, democratic plause from the delegates as he regional leaders and generals. tariff s.” In Stockholm, the Swedes with continued diplomatic ef- votes, with one against and and civilised” country. Elevat- voted. He stepped down last year. China’s capital was engulfed were seeking to pave the way forts to reach a peaceful solution three abstentions, a 99.86% ing Wang allows Xi to keep a Wang’s appointment shows Known internationally in his in a rare fl urry of swirling snow for talks which could end a to the confl ict.” share. Only one delegate voted formidable ally by his side, as that “he’s a really important previous role as China’s point- yesterday, sending delegates of threat of nuclear war, using the The ministry added that against Wang’s appointment, China’s most powerful leader political adviser,” said Kerry man on trade, Wang could the congress scurrying from the leverage of their longstanding “Sweden underlined the need with 2,969 in favour. since Mao Zedong cements his Brown, director of the Lau Chi- help Xi deal with increasingly Great Hall of the People after ties with Pyongyang, where its for North Korea to abandon its Xi and Wang shook hands as authority and sets his sights on na Institute at King’s College tense relations with the United the vote. diplomatic mission opened in nuclear weapons and missile the legislators heaped on ap- a possible lifelong tenure — a London. States amid fears of a looming Legislators beamed when 1975, the first Western embassy programmes in accordance with plause. As part of the package of move that has drawn criticism “He’s a very capable politi- trade war, analysts say. Xi’s real talking about Xi — a stark con- to be established in the hermit Security Council resolutions.” constitutional amendments, Xi online. cian, so it makes sense he would power stems from his title as trast from the criticism that country. It also stated that “other dis- and Wang for the fi rst time took Wang, 69, stepped down still be around,” Brown said, general secretary of the Com- Chinese people expressed on- The embassy today repre- cussions centred on the hu- the oath of offi ce by pledging al- from the Communist Party’s noting that “it also shows we’re munist Party, but analysts say line when term limits were lifted sents US, Canadian and Austral- manitarian situation in North legiance to the constitution. ruling council in October under in an unconventional time in Wang could provide extra heft last week, prompting censors ian diplomatic interests, giving Korea, sanctions, and regional Xi put his left hand on a red- informal retirement rules. Chinese politics.” to his presidency, even though into action. Sweden a key liaison role and co-operation and security issues covered book containing the But he has kept a prominent Wang was at the frontline of the vice president has largely “Our Chairman Xi is too facilitating the talks in Stock- for countries including South charter, and raised his right fi st profi le, sitting at the same ta- Xi’s anti-corruption crusade, been a ceremonial post in the great, truly he is too great,” said holm between Swedish Foreign Korea, Japan, Russia, China and to take his vow. ble as the seven members of the heading the party’s Central past. Xi is keeping Wang by his Du Meishuang, a Chinese opera Minister Margot Wallstrom and the United States.” “I pledge loyalty to the con- Politburo Standing Committee Commission for Discipline In- side because of his “talent and singer and delegate from Chair- counterpart Ri Yong Ho. In line with previous sessions stitution of the People’s Repub- during the public sessions of spection, which has punished ability,” according to Hua Po, an man Mao’s home province of Ri also met with Swedish of talks, Ri made no comments to lic of China” Xi recited, vow- the National People’s Congress 1.5mn offi cials in the past ve fi independent Chinese political Hunan. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, the media.

Vietnam’s reformist ex-PM Phan Van Khai dies at 85 Malaysia warns Rohingya Spring comes to Tokyo Former Vietnamese premier Phan Van Khai, who helped strengthen crisis could pose security risk ties with the US and drive with fi rst cherry blossoms market reforms that ignited the communist country’s economy, AFP so many desperate and dis- sands of despairing...people died yesterday at the age 85, Sydney placed people could fall prey who see no hope in the future AFP the government said. A Soviet- to extremist groups like Is- will be a fertile ground for rad- Tokyo trained economist from southern lamic State. icalisation and recruitment by Vietnam, Khai held off ice for nine alaysia’s prime With Myanmar’s de-facto Daesh and affi liated groups.” years starting in 1997, a period of minister yesterday leader Aung San Suu Kyi sit- The United Nations on pring offi cially arrived in reform that saw Vietnam trans- Mwarned his South- ting just metres away at a spe- Friday launched an appeal Tokyo yesterday as Japan’s form into one of Southeast Asia’s east Asian neighbours that the cial Australia-Asean summit for nearly US$1bn to care for Sweather agency declared fastest growing economies. Rohingya refugee crisis in My- in Sydney, Najib said it was no Rohingya refugees, who have the start of the cherry blossom Khai also made history as the anmar could become a serious longer a domestic issue. mostly fl ed to Bangladesh. season, prompting viewers to country’s first post-war leader security threat for the region. “Because of the suff ering Najib said Malaysia was party under the trees with cher- to visit Washington in 2005, a Hundreds of thousands of of Rohingya people and that ready to assist in fi nding “a ry-related items fl ooding the landmark trip that helped cement Rohingya have fl ed Myan- of displacement around the just and durable solution”, capital. ties between the former war time mar’s troubled Rakhine state region, the situation in Ra- while urging Southeast Asian Forecasters watching trees at foes. A government statement after authorities launched a khine state and Myanmar can nations to work closely to de- Yasukuni Shrine said the city’s announcing the former premier’s brutal crackdown on insur- no longer be considered to be ter any extremist threats. fi rst blossoms had appeared, death in the early hours of yester- gents six months ago that the a purely domestic matter,” he “We must be vigilant marking the beginning of two day hailed his “spirit of innova- UN has called “ethnic cleans- said. and increase our collabora- weeks in which Tokyo’s parks, Early blooming cherry blossoms are seen in Tokyo, yesterday. tion”. He “brought into play the ing”. Myanmar has vehe- “In addition, the prob- tion, because the collapse of temple grounds, schools and capabilities of the whole economic mently denied the allegations, lem should not be looked at Daesh territories in Iraq and streets will explode in pinks and in late February and early March with Jiji Press reporting it as sector, especially the private sector, insisting it was responding to through the humanitarian Syria has forced it to go un- whites. hastened the growth of buds,” breaking news, while weather in parallel with the opening up and attacks by militants in late prism only because it has the derground and re-emerge The meteorological agency an agency offi cial told reporters forecast companies compete international integration (of the August. potential of developing into a elsewhere, especially in crisis said this year’s fi rst blossoms to the cheers of visitors at the to give the most accurate pre- country),” the statement said. Malaysian Prime Minister serious security threat to the zones where it can grow and appeared nine days earlier than shrine in central Tokyo. diction on major cities’ fi rst Najib Razak raised fears that region. “Rakhine with thou- operate.” average. “Warm temperatures The story hit the headlines blossoms. Australia warns of encrypted apps as new terror threat

AFP alert, constantly working with Najib Razak praised Australia’s Aff airs department, headed by Sydney our neighbours in the region,” initiative to strengthen co-oper- Dutton. said Prime Minister Malcolm ation, and said countering online He said that to address the is- Turnbull, pointing to the in- extremist propaganda was espe- sue of apps which allow extrem- se of encrypted messag- creasingly trans-national nature cially critical. ists to operate clandestinely, ing apps to plan terror- of terrorism. “This is our new main bat- Canberra planned to introduce Uist attacks is the greatest “Sharing of intelligence is tleground, to win the hearts and legislation to strengthen agen- threat facing intelligence agen- critically important. As we all minds of our youth through so- cies’ ability to adapt to encryp- cies in modern times, Australia know, what may appear to be a cial media, so that they do not tion. warned yesterday as Southeast not especially important, not easily succumb to the warped, This will include making Asian leaders vowed closer co- especially consequential piece perverse and evil ideology of companies that provide com- operation to counter extremism. of intelligence, may be the piece Daesh,” he said, referring to Is- munications services and devic- An Asean-Australia special that connects the jigsaw for lamic State. Najib added that es obliged to assist when asked, summit in Sydney heard that use somebody else’s investigation. “the more we work together on while also making the use of sur- of the “dark web” was a spiral- “Trust, sharing, collabora- these issues the more successful veillance devices and computer ling problem and countries in tion, it is absolutely critical.” we will be”. network exploitation by author- the region must work together to Leaders of the Association of “The more united we are, the ities easier. keep on top of it. Southeast Asian Nations signed more eff ective we will be in com- Turnbull said regional secu- Australia’s Home Aff airs Min- a memorandum of understand- batting this terrible and inhu- rity would be at the heart of the ister Peter Dutton told the meet- ing after a day of counter-ter- mane scourge. key Asean leaders’ summit to- ing “the use of encrypted mes- rorism talks, agreeing to work None of us is safe from it but day. “That’s why we’re here, to saging apps by terrorists and together to develop “best prac- together we will be safer.” fulfi l our most important duty, criminals is potentially the most tice counter-terrorism legisla- From left: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Philippines Australia has suff ered six ter- to keep our people safe. We’re signifi cant degradation of in- tion”. Secretary of Foreign Aff airs Alan Peter Cayetano, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Singapore ror attacks in recent years and stronger when we work together. telligence capability in modern They also agreed to regional Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut disrupted 14 more, including a Our people are safer when we times”. dialogues and workshops cover- Chan-ocha, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesian President Joko plot to bring down a plane de- combine our eff orts and co-op- He said the only way to deal ing electronic evidence, fi nan- Widodo, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Asean Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi attend the parting Sydney. erate,” he said. with the problem, and the in- cial intelligence, and ways to New Colombo Plan Reception at the Asean-Australia special summit being held in Sydney, yesterday. In response, Canberra has Asean groups Brunei, Cambo- creasing use of the Internet by tackle online radicalisation. consolidated key functions such dia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, groups like Islamic State to radi- Canberra is already helping The problem has been exac- mostly crushed, and into other ern Philippine city of Marawi, as national security, immigra- Myanmar, the Philippines, Sin- calise and recruit new members, Southeast Asian states choke erbated by militants now be- countries. The issue was driven with Australia aiding Manila to tion, counter-terrorism, cyber- gapore, Thailand and Vietnam, was together. terrorist fi nancing and counter ing forced out of Syria and Iraq home last year when pro-Islamic win it back. security, and border protection with Australia a dialogue partner “We have to be constantly violent extremism. with the Islamic State caliphate State militants seized the south- Malaysian Prime Minister under a newly-created Home since 1974. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 15 BRITAIN Britons back May over Corbyn to handle Russia row

By Toby Helm laying the blame for the Salisbury It is the fi rst time since the Sergei Skripal and his daughter expel the 23 UK diplomats, with down one on 6%, while Ukip Guardian News & Media nerve gas attack directly at the snap general election last June Yulia, 39% said May while only 56% of respondents backing the (down one) and the SNP (un- door of Moscow has struck far that the Tories have been ahead 16% selected Corbyn. move and only 11% opposing it. changed) are both on 4%. more of a chord with the British of Labour in two consecutive The Labour leader has come Corbyn has supported the ex- For the fi rst time since last ore than twice as many people than Corbyn’s more cau- months. under criticism in recent days – pulsion while at the same time June’s general election May’s net people back Theresa tious response. While Corbyn is seen by 48% including from MPs in his own insisting that a policy of cracking approval rating (-9%) is better MMay to handle the UK’s In a further sign that May as a leader who sticks to his prin- party – for calling on government down on Russian oligarchs resi- than Corbyn’s (-10%). response to the crisis in relations could enhance her standing with ciples – compared with 39% who ministers to avoid “rushing way dent in the UK, by targeting them Some 43% of voters say May with Russia as those who would continued fi rm handling of the say May does – the prime minis- ahead of the evidence” by pin- with new anti-money laundering has the best interests of the prefer Jeremy Corbyn to be in crisis, the poll conducted late last ter is seen as better equipped to ning defi nite responsibility for rules, would be more eff ective. country at heart compared with charge, according to an Opin- week puts the Conservatives two stand up for the national interest. the attack on the Russian state Overall, the Tories stand on 39% who say Corbyn has. ium/Observer poll. points ahead of Labour, despite Asked which of the two lead- without producing conclusive 42%, unchanged since a month Thirty-two per cent say the The fi ndings suggest that the deep Tory divisions over Brexit ers would be best at reacting to evidence to back the charge. ago, while Labour is up one point prime minister is able to stand Corbyn: seen by 48% as a leader prime minister’s action in expel- and uncertainty over the coun- Russia’s likely involvement in the The poll shows overwhelm- on 40%. up for Britain’s interests against who sticks to his principles. ling 23 Russian diplomats and try’s economic prospects. nerve gas attack on former spy ing support for May’s decision to The Liberal Democrats are 28% who believe Corbyn is. Russia to expel 23 PM rallies party British diplomats

AFP matic missions held by the two Putin himself has yet to make Moscow countries. a public comment on the inci- And it said it had halted the dent aside from one remark to a activities of the British Council, BBC reporter earlier this week in in major speech ussia said yesterday it Britain’s international organisa- which he said: “Sort things out would expel 23 British dip- tion for cultural relations and from your side and then we will AFP Rlomats and close a British educational opportunities. discuss this with you.” London consulate following London’s The group said it was “pro- Western leaders have strongly measures over the poisoning of a foundly disappointed” at the backed Britain’s response. double agent that has triggered a move. EU leaders are to discuss the ritish Prime Minister fi erce diplomatic row. The Russian ministry also incident at a Brussels summit Theresa May took aim at Moscow also said it would warned Britain that it “retains next week and it is also on the BRussia at a major speech halt the activities of the British the right to take other answer- agenda for talks tomorrow be- to her Conservative Party yes- Council in Russia in a tough se- ing measures” in response to any tween Johnson, his EU counter- terday, cutting a stronger fi gure ries of retaliatory measures an- “further unfriendly actions”. parts and North Atlantic Treaty as internal Brexit divisions took nounced after it summoned Brit- “The measures are more harsh, Organisation (Nato) Secretary a back seat. ish ambassador Laurie Bristow. but the British deserved them. General Jens Stoltenberg. Amid escalating tensions with The Russian response was an- And I don’t rule out that some- Following the Salisbury in- Moscow over the poisoning of a nounced on the eve of a presi- thing else could follow,” fi rst cident, the British government former double agent on British dential election which is ex- deputy head of the Russian Sen- has also pledged to re-examine soil, May warned that she would pected to hand Vladimir Putin a ate’s foreign aff airs committee 14 deaths on UK soil following a “never tolerate a threat to the fourth term in the Kremlin, but Vladimir Dzhabarov told Interfax report that they could have been life of British citizens and others which comes as the country ap- news agency. carried out by Moscow or the on British soil from the Russian pears increasingly isolated. In a similar move, Russia Russian mafi a. government”, to strong applause The crisis erupted after Ser- closed the British Council’s re- The BBC said yesterday that from party members. gei Skripal and his daughter gional offi ces in 2008 after re- the police had made contact with May’s last major party con- Yulia were exposed to a Soviet- lations nosedived over the poi- Russians living in Britain to dis- ference appearance ended in designed military grade nerve soning of former Russian agent cuss their safety. disaster as a cough, a prankster agent, leaving them in critical Alexander Litvinenko. On Friday, police said they and a collapsing backdrop un- condition. The Russian dissident died of were treating the March 12 death dermined her speech – intended London and its allies have Polonium radiation poisoning in of exiled businessman Nikolai to restore her authority follow- blamed Moscow for the attack London in 2006 in an attack that Glushkov as murder after a post- ing last year’s disastrous snap and on Friday, Britain directly Britain also blamed on Russia. mortem found he died from general election in which the implicated Putin himself, un- Skripal had taken his daughter, “compression to the neck”. Conservatives lost their parlia- May: Some people question our motives ... I know what our answer would be. leashing the Kremlin’s fury. who was on a visit from Moscow, The murder is not believed mentary majority. “Twenty-three diplomatic out for lunch in Salisbury before to be linked to the attack on the A pre-Christmas break- announced tit-for-tat expul- Conservative Party “cares would be,” she said. “Everyone staff at the British embassy in they both collapsed on a bench. Skripals. through with the European Un- sions of British diplomats (see deeply” about public services, in this party cares deeply about Moscow are declared persona Russia insists it had no mo- Russia has also said it is open- ion in Brexit negotiations gave report on the right), by accus- and spoke about the impact our public services. We use non grata and to be expelled tive to target Skripal with what ing a murder probe after Glushk- her a boost, but she was again ing Moscow of being in “fl agrant that the National Health Service them. Many of us rely on them.” within a week,” a foreign minis- Britain says was a highly-potent ov was found dead at his London under pressure after pro-EU breach of international law and (NHS) had had on treating her A YouGov poll of 1,986 adults try statement said. nerve agent called Novichok, in home. rebels within her centre-right the Chemical Weapons Con- diabetes. for The Times newspaper out on It said this was a response to the fi rst such attack in Europe Glushkov was an associate of party delivered her a stinging vention”. She also told the party, in of- Friday put the Conservatives on Britain’s “provocative actions” since World War II. the late Kremlin opponent Boris parliamentary defeat. She also said that “Russian fi ce since 2010, that it “must 42% support and the Labour and “baseless accusations” over On Friday, Kremlin spokesman Berezovsky, a one-time Pu- However, she arrived at the aggression is the very antithesis mount a determined eff ort” to main opposition on 39%. the Skripal incident. Dmitry Peskov said statements tin supporter who then turned Conservatives’ spring forum in of the liberal and democratic “win and keep” the public’s Some 53% said May had re- Russia also said it was closing by British Foreign Secretary Boris against him. London with renewed authority. values that defi ne the United trust in its management of gov- sponded well to the Salisbury Britain’s consulate in the city of Johnson tying Putin to the attack Berezovsky was found hanged Her decision to expel 23 Rus- Kingdom”. ernment services. attack, while 23% thought she Saint Petersburg, citing a “dis- were “shocking and unforgiv- in a bathroom at his home out- sian diplomats and suspend But behind the bravado, “Some people question our had responded badly. parity” in the number of diplo- able”. side London in 2013. high-level contacts received members on both sides of the motives. They wonder whether Sixty per cent supported, and cross-party and media support, Brexit debate are still scrutinis- we care enough about our NHS 14% opposed, the measures May but more importantly rallied ing May’s every word for clues and schools,” the prime minister has taken, such as expelling the the Conservatives, heralding a on her position, and she largely said. “Whether we truly respect Russian diplomats. ceasefi re in the bitter internal avoided the issue yesterday, ex- the people who work in them. For Labour leader Jeremy row over Brexit. ploiting the rare spirit of unity to And understand that people rely Corbyn, 18% thought he had May began her speech, which focus on her domestic agenda. on them.” responded well and 39% said he took place shortly after Russia May, 61, insisted that the “I know what our answer had responded badly. Police release picture of Skripal’s BMW

By Chris Johnston The Met deputy assistant ticularly keen to hear from you if rorism network working around Guardian News & Media commissioner Neil Basu said you saw the car before 1.30pm. the clock on this case,” he said. offi cers needed to better under- “If you have information, “They are making good progress stand their exact movements please call the police on 101.” in what is a painstaking investi- olice have made a further that morning. Anyone who has images or gation that is likely to be ongo- appeal for information He said: “We believe that footage that may assist the in- ing for weeks, if not months.” Pabout the movements of around 9.15am on Sunday, vestigation is asked to upload A police presence at various Sergei Skripal in the hours be- March 4, Sergei’s car may have them to the secure website uk- sites across Salisbury and in fore he and his daughter were been in the areas of London policeimageappeal.co.uk. Dorset would remain as the in- found slumped on a bench in Road, Churchill Way North and Basu said about 400 witness- vestigation continued and Basu Salisbury earlier this month. Wilton Road. es had given statements, 762 said Public Health England had Scotland Yard has released “Then around 1.30pm it was possible pieces of evidence had advised that the risk to the pub- a picture of his burgundy red seen being driven down Devizes been collected and about 4,000 lic was low. BMW – registration plate HD09 Road, towards the town centre. hours of CCTV were being ex- “I would like to reassure any- WAO – and wants anyone who “We need to establish Sergei amined. one who may be concerned by saw his car on the morning of and Yulia’s movements during “This is an extremely chal- the continued presence of offi c- March 4 to contact the police. the morning, before they head- lenging and complex investi- ers wearing specialist protective Skripal, 66, and his daughter, ed to the town centre. gation and we currently have clothing that they are wearing A Russian police off icer is seen outside the British Consulate General’s building in Saint Peterburg. The Yulia, 33, remain critically ill in “Did you see this car, or what around 250 exceptionally expe- this as a precaution and that it is Russian foreign ministry has announced measures ‘in response to the British side’s provocative actions hospital after being poisoned by you believe was this car, on the rienced and dedicated specialist not an indication of an increased and unfounded accusations against Russia due to the incident in the city of Salisbury on March 4’, a military-grade nerve agent. day of the incident? We are par- offi cers from the counter-ter- risk,” he said. including the closure of the British Consulate General in Saint Petersburg. Snow blankets eastern Britain as temperatures fall to -5°C overnight

By Patrick Greenfield “It will be bitterly cold with ed across the UK thanks to the avoid trans-Pennine roads. “‘Bitterly cold’ is the best way road safety, Richard Leonard, Most cancellations at Heath- Guardian News & Media some snow for many places over freezing weather. Network Rail is running empty to describe it – temperatures on said: “Our gritter drivers will be row were on short-haul fl ights, the weekend,” Met Offi ce me- The Met Offi ce has issued am- trains overnight to help keep the the face of it probably just around out treating our roads around but British Airways said some teorologist Alex Burkhill said. ber weather warnings for snow network clear of snow, but dis- freezing, but with wind it’s going the clock but it is still important transatlantic fl ights were af- now has covered large parts “There are some very strong in London, southeast England, ruption is possible. to feel well below freezing.” to drive to the conditions when fected. of eastern England and winds, meaning it could feel as Yorkshire and the Midlands for “The best way to describe this The weather warnings state snow is forecast. Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, TAP SScotland as a cold snap low as -7°C or -8°C for some yesterday and today, with lesser is as a real return to wintry con- that travel disruption is possible, “Make sure you keep your dis- Air Portugal and KLM all made dubbed the “mini beast from the people.” yellow warnings in place for most ditions,” said Met Offi ce meteor- rural communities could become tance and reduce your speed if cancellations, too. east” heads over the country. By the end of the day, most of central and eastern England ologist Mark Wilson. cut off , vehicles may be stranded you need to travel because, even A spokeswoman for Heath- Forecasters said yesterday that places will have seen some snow, and Scotland. “The last couple of days have and power cuts may occur. in conditions that seem normal row said: “While this weekend’s the snowfalls had swept in over- with the potential for up to 25cm More than 70 fl ights have been quite mild across parts of The cold weather is expected and when the snow is not set- weather may result in minor de- night with temperatures down to to fall on higher ground in the been cancelled at Heathrow air- the UK – we got to around 16°C to last until Tuesday when tem- tling, it can be slippery if ice lays and some airlines consoli- -5° Celsius and that the weather southwest today. port yesterday in anticipation of yesterday in Wales – but by to- peratures will return to their sea- patches have formed or where dating fl ights, signifi cant disrup- front would continue westwards Flights have been cancelled the snow and ice, and Highways morrow all of us will be back to sonal norms. fresh salt has not been worked tion at Heathrow is not currently towards the Midlands and Wales. and travel disruption is expect- England has advised motorists to very cold weather. Highways England’s head of into the carriageway.” expected.” Gulf Times 16 Sunday, March 18, 2018 EUROPE At least 16 dead as migrant boat capsizes off Greece

Reuters/AFP The boat was ferrying mi- outlying Greek islands in months. Hundreds of thousands of Two more migrants were killed ranean migratory route between as well as economic migrants. Athens grants from Turkey to Greece Greek authorities said they be- refugees and migrants arrived in and seven more were injured Turkey and Greece, and the cen- In addition to providing bil- when it went down overnight off lieved there were 22 people on the Greece and further west in 2015 yesterday, in a separate incident tral route between Libya to Italy. lions in funds in return, the EU Agathonisi. boat. from Turkey, making the short in northern Greece, when their The EU-turkey deal has agreed other concessions to Tur- ixteen people, including at Two women and a man who Greek coast guard vessels but precarious crossing. driver lost control of a vehicle been criticised by humanitar- key such as to accelerate plans to least fi ve children, drowned managed to swim to safety on the assisted by helicopters were Hundreds died in the attempt. during a car chase with the po- ian groups deterring people from bring in visa-free travel for its Syesterday when the small island sounded the alarm. searching for survivors. Following a 2016 agreement lice, a police offi cial told Reuters. coming who under international nationals and boost negotiations boat they on capsized in the A patrol boat, a military heli- “We can’t tolerate (losing) between the EU and Turkey, the Frontex said last month that in law must be granted asylum, for its membership of the bloc. Aegean Sea, Greek coast guard copter and three fi shing vessels children in the Aegean Sea ... the numbers have diminished. 2017, the European Union saw the such as those fl eeing war-torn But these have stalled due to offi cials said. are taking part in the rescue op- solution is to protect people, to Under that deal, anyone who lowest number of detected illegal countries like Syria. Brussels charges that Ankara has The incident occurred off eration and offi cials are waiting implement safe procedures and arrives on Greek islands must be border crossings since the mi- Under the agreement, all new committed massive human rights Greece’s Agathonisi island, for reinforcements from Frontex, safe routes for migrants and refu- returned to Turkey unless they grant crisis began four years ago. irregular migrants crossing from violations in the wake of a failed which is close to the Turkish the European border agency. gees, to hit the human traffi cking qualify for asylum. The number dwindled to Turkey into Greek islands must coup in July 2016. coast. Yesterday’s incident was circuits,” Greek Migration Minis- But procedures can take sever- 204,700 from 1.8mn in 2015. be returned to Turkey. Greece is also detaining thou- The nationality of the victims thought to be the highest death ter Dimitris Vitsas said in a press al months, leading to overcrowd- The drop was especially ob- These include both refugees sands of migrants in overcrowd- was not immediately known. toll of migrants trying to reach release. ed conditions on the islands. served on the eastern Mediter- fl eeing confl ict and persecution ed squalid camps.

Protest against Spanish rally for racism in Austria

AFP better pensions Vienna

AFP “It’s getting worse,” said Mari Madrid Carmen Calvo, a hairdresser everal thousand people aged 70 attending the fourth braved snow and freezing such rally in barely six months Stemperatures in Vienna ens of thousands of alongside her husband. yesterday to protest against what Spaniards rallied across Pensioners are fuming after they called rising discrimination Tthe country yesterday to seeing their benefi ts rise by an and racism in Austria. demand better pensions as un- annual 0.25% in recent years, Many carried placards con- ions accused the government of well below an offi cial infl ation demning the government, which seeking to privatise retirement rate of 1.2% as of late 2017. since December has been made benefi ts. The unrest among the elderly up of Chancellor Sebastian Pensioners braved rain and is of concern to Rajoy’s Popular Kurz’s conservative People’s snow showers as they poured Party, which traditionally enjoys Party (OeVP) and Vice-Chan- onto the streets of the capital their support. cellor Heinz-Christian Strache’s Madrid and second city Barce- Spain’s largest trade union far-right Freedom Party (FPOe). lona from mid-morning to vent the CCOO has accused the gov- The government has made a their ire at conservative Prime ernment of “favouring private crackdown on immigration one Minister Mariano Rajoy. pension to the detriment” of the of its main priorities, pledging “Rajoy, thief, you are stealing state equivalent. to speed up and toughen the asy- my pension,” read one placard, Heading a minority adminis- lum process and increase depor- while other slogans accused the tration as his party looks to put tations. government of wantonly ramp- together a budget in the coming A woman holds a sign that reads ‘For them for us’ during a Pensioners march in Barcelona, during a protest to demand decent In last year’s elections Kurz ing down pension benefi ts. weeks Rajoy pledged in mid- demonstration in Malaga demanding higher state pensions. pensions. stood on a platform of regaining “The least well-off classes are week to target modest increases control of Austria’s borders af- suff ering a loss in purchasing for the most modest pensions have to wait until the budget The government maintains it ing one of Europe’s lowest birth- of state spending to 29%. ter the migrant crisis of 2015-16 power,” one pensioner two years although he has been encourag- shake-up before the government has to try to balance the books rates. According to Eurostat data, saw more than 150,000 people into retirement, Emilio Zamora, ing Spaniards to invest in private can look to deliver “possible im- somehow to stay within EU Demographic trends mean the 28.7% of residents of EU states seek asylum in the country with told AFP as he brandished a ban- plans. provements” as he concentrates spending guidelines even as the past decade has seen pensions will be aged over 65 by 2080, up a population of of 8.7mn. ner reading “no bread, no peace”. Rajoy says that Spaniards will on delivering jobs growth. population ages with Spain hav- rise from accounting for 21.6% from 18.9% in 2015. However, speakers at the ral- ly, organised by left-wing and anti-racist groups, said that the government’s policies risked stigmatising foreigners, making them scapegoats for social prob- Russia, ever more isolated, lems. “I’m here with you today be- cause, 80 years after the Na- zis’ takeover of Austria, I don’t set to re-elect Putin today want people to be discriminated against once again because of their origins,” Daniela Gruber- By Theo Merz, AFP double agent Sergei Skripal in alist candidate Vladimir Zhiri- Pruner, MP for the opposition Moscow Britain, and new sanctions from novsky, prompting him to call Social Democrats (SPOe), told Washington over alleged elec- her a “prostitute” and a “mad the crowd. tion meddling, strengthen the fool”. Many also pointed to recent ussia is set to elect impression of a Russia at logger- Putin’s most vocal opponent, revelations over persistent anti- Vladimir Putin to a his- heads with the rest of the world. the anti-corruption campaigner Semitism in right-wing student Rtoric fourth Kremlin term, “In America and Europe, they Alexei Navalny, has been barred fraternities which count promi- as the country faces increasing are trying to make us bend over from standing for legal reasons nent FPOe politicians as mem- isolation over a spy poisoning in and kneel, but we’re still stand- and has called on followers to bers. Britain and a fresh round of US ing,” Sergei Babayev, a 55-year- boycott the election. “There’s the spectre of right- sanctions. old transport manager, told AFP Authorities, however, are wing extremism today in Eu- Putin, who has ruled Russia in central Moscow shortly ahead seeking a high turnout to add rope,” 70-year-old Monika Salz- for almost two decades, is poll- of the vote. “They promised us a greater legitimacy to a new term er, founder of the “Omas gegen ing at around 70% and is sure to crisis and we stuck it out. That’s for Putin, who is already Russia’s Rechts” (“Grannies against the extend his term to 2024 despite a Putin’s main quality – he is at second-longest serving leader Right”) activist group, told AFP. lacklustre campaign. the core of our state.” since Joseph Stalin. She added that she was wor- In the run-up to the election Putin, who has run under the “These are not quite the elec- A member of a local election commission installs a poster yesterday, displaying the presidential ried Austria could develop into a today, he and a compliant state slogan “a strong president – a tions we see in Western coun- candidates at a polling station in Simferopol, Crimea, ahead of Russia’s presidential election today. “guided democracy, in the style media have sought to reinforce strong Russia”, has declined to tries,” Stepan Goncharov of the of [Hungarian Prime Minister] his image as the man who re- take part in televised debates independent Levada Centre paign that brands the election as bring in a list of names of friends cording to offi cial pollsters. Viktor Orban”. stored stability and national and shot no new material for his pollster told AFP. “for adults only”. or relatives going to the polls. The run-up to Russia’s last She pointed to a recent con- pride after the humiliating col- own campaign advertisements. “People are put in a situa- Meanwhile, students in sev- Early voting has already tak- presidential election in 2012 was troversy over raids at Austria’s lapse of the USSR (Union of So- He is standing against seven tion where they have no-one to eral cities have been warned en place in some remote areas, marked by protests across the domestic intelligence agency by viet Socialist Republics). other candidates, including choose from,” he said. “If they that they may face problems in where local election commis- country against Putin’s return as a police unit headed by an FPOe Putin has sought to emphasise millionaire communist Pavel want to express their disap- examinations or even expulsion sions bring ballot boxes by heli- head of state after four years as offi cial as proof that the FPOe Russia’s role as a major world Grudinin and former reality TV proval, then they don’t turn out. if they do not turn out to vote, copter and snowmobile. prime minister. wanted to control state institu- power, recently boasting of its host Ksenia Sobchak, but none They think of it as a vote of con- according to liberal newspaper Polls opened in Russia’s far But those demonstrations tions. “invincible” new weapons and are polling more than 8%. fi dence (in Putin).” Novaya Gazeta. east at 2000 GMT yesterday and were quashed and once he was The FPOe denies this and says doubling down on Moscow’s One of the more memorable There has been a particular Heads of schools and state close in Kaliningrad, the coun- back in the Kremlin a crackdown it rejects anti-Semitism and rac- support for the Syrian regime in moments from the campaign focus on the youth vote, with enterprises have put pressure try’s exclave in Europe, at 1800 followed, with activists arrested, ism. a bloody civil war. came during a debate when prizes off ered for the best self- on their employees to vote, as in GMT today. the Pussy Riot rock band jailed Organisers put turnout at Rising tensions with the West Sobchak threw a glass of water ies taken at polling stations and previous elections, in some cas- Overall turnout is expected to and draconian new laws crimi- the rally at 8,000, with police over the poisoning of former over the ranting ultra-nation- a sexually charged online cam- es telling workers they should be between 63% and 67%, ac- nalising popular protest passed. counting 3,400.

German serial killer nurse faces October trial over 97 deaths

A German male nurse serving a life term for killing Hoegel has admitted to injecting patients with drugs Fake Prince Albert conning elite in Monaco six hospital patients with lethal drugs out of that cause heart failure or circulatory collapse so he “boredom” will go on trial in October for another 97 could then try to revive them and, when successful, murders, the court said on Friday. shine as a saviour before his medical peers and AFP tech stings but without naming per from offi cial bodies in Mo- release of a local man kidnapped The regional court in Oldenburg said in a statement superiors. Nice the prince, who boasts a for- naco signed apparently by the by an Islamist group. that it would hear the proceedings against 41-year- He was found guilty of six killings in two earlier trials, tune estimated at some €2bn relevant people have been sent The attempted con was un- old Niels Hoegel, accused of being the worst serial but investigators have pushed on with toxicology ($2.4bn). and calls can appear to come successful and police launched killer in German post-war history, which are expected tests on hundreds more exhumed bodies. onfi dence artists are “For several weeks, individu- from the real numbers for the an investigation but could not to last until at least May. Hoegel was jailed for life in 2015, but at the time impersonating top per- als who are part of organised institution, the government track down the perpetrators and The trial will take place in a large hall in the city to it was suspected he had murdered many more Csonalities in Monaco, groups, have been stealing the added. the con trick seems still to be accommodate “120 co-plaintiff s, their 17 lawyers, patients, with investigators admitting that they may including even Prince Albert II, identities of high-ranking per- “All this is intended to obtain, going on. interested members of the public and members of never know the true number as some remains had to scam money from high-fl ying sonalities in the principality under the pretext of an urgent Police urged people to take the media”. been cremated. victims, according to reports and trying to establish personal fi nancial need, money transfers particular care and verify con- yesterday in the Mediterranean contact with them ... notably from foreign bank accounts, tacts from unusual sources. principality. through electronic messages, particularly in Asia.” Prince Albert took over as rul- Slovenia brings border dispute with Croatia to the EU A Prince Albert lookalike had SMS or video-conferencing via Monaco-Matin said three er of the rocky statelet’s 32,000 used a video contact suppos- a WhatsApp-type of applica- company bosses had recently population after the death of his Slovenia has submitted a letter to the European border dispute that goes back to 1991 when the edly from the ruler’s own offi ce tion,” the statement said. been targeted. father Prince Rainier in April Commission about its border dispute with Croatia, countries split from the former Yugoslavia. to target the Riviera elite, the It described the targets as It said a well-known French 2005. the commission confirmed, starting the process of After Croatia missed a December 29 deadline to Monaco-Matin newspaper said. “leaders of society or people journalist had also been ap- Glamorous Monaco attracts bringing the matter to the bloc’s top court. implement the ruling, Slovenia vowed to sue the The government of the mil- with responsibility” who were proached last September with a high-rollers with tax breaks, the Slovenia has decided to bring the matter to the EU country at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) under lionaires’ playground issued a hit with an elaborate con. fake prince supposedly trying to legendary Monte Carlo casino after Croatia refused to implement an international an EU rule that allows EU members to sue another statement confi rming such hi- Messages on headed notepa- negotiate a cash payment for the and a sunny coastal lifestyle. border arbitration ruling regarding a long-standing over violations of the basic EU treaty. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 17 INDIA Mumbai’s cash-strapped TISS seeks help from alumni

Tribune News Service For the past 24 days, a group P K, dean of students’ aff airs at to work towards fi nding more re- committee met with the protest- year, after the Comptroller and rears and pending claims worth Mumbai of TISS students has been on a TISS. “We are appealing to our sources for the upcoming batch- ing students, who suggested that Auditor General (CAG) raised Rs68.24bn under PMS for SC strike, demanding that the in- alumni and corporates,” he said. es, another faction continues to the University Grants Commis- a fl ag over rising defi cit of the students. stitute restore all fee benefi ts The institute earns Rs4mn a year protest. sion (UGC) increase the funds institute. “The defi cit kept ac- However, he also blamed the sia’s oldest institute for for the current and upcoming from its corpus. These students want the in- for TISS. The UGC representa- cumulating over the years,” said institute for increasing its intake professional social work batches. The federal government ex- stitute to commit to dining hall tive on the committee off ered to Shajahan, adding that currently and planning new campuses, even Aeducation has begun The institute has estimated it pects the institute to meet at and hostel fee waivers for all the take the students’ and the insti- TISS has a defi cit of Rs200mn. as it struggled to cover expenses. seeking help from alumni and needs to generate at least Rs50mn least 70% of its expenses on its upcoming batches and extend tutes’ concerns to the Ministry Sreejith Murali, who did his “The institute knew its ship corporates to shore up its fi - annually if it is to continue off er- own. benefi ts to the Other Backward of Social Justice and Welfare, MPhil from TISS, and is now was sinking, but they kept in- nances. ing fee waivers to students. The While a faction of the students’ Category - non-creamy layer which disburses scholarships. pursuing a PhD at the Indian In- creasing enrolment. In fact, the The Tata Institute of Social authorities have planned to grow union called off the protest after (OBC-NC) of students as well. The institute has been in the stitute of Technology in Mum- intake for MPhil was increased Sciences (TISS), a prestigious its corpus fund and sustain the the authorities agreed to restore The government has set up a red since 2015, when the govern- bai, said the central government by almost 100%, despite the fact multi-campus public-funded waiver schemes with the interest hostel fee waiver for Scheduled committee to evaluate the fi nan- ment stopped providing post- and the state have not been that the government stopped research university in Mumbai, generated from it. Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe cial health of the institute and matric scholarship (PMS) to SC spending suffi cient money to- providing fellowships to schol- has been facing fl ak for cutting “If we build a large corpus over (ST) students from 2016-18 and recommend measures to allevi- and ST students. The offi cials wards scholarships for socially ars who didn’t clear the National educational aid to students from a period, the waiver schemes can 2017-19 batches and set up a ate the current funds crisis. said the dining hall and hostel backward students. He said Eligibility Test,” said the TISS socially weaker sections. be sustainable,” said Shajahan ‘Joint Scholarship Committee’ On Friday, members of the fee waiver was discontinued last the central government has ar- alumnus. I stand by my charges against Congress seeks allies Majithia, says to defeat BJP in 2019

IANS “In the last four years, to AAP leader destroy the Congress, the ar- New Delhi rogant and drunk-with-power IANS “One should try not to do an- Modi government has left no Lucknow ything that forces one to tender he opposition Congress stone unturned. There is open an apology,” he said. yesterday expressed its play of allurement, money, re- Also yesterday, Punjab Chief Twillingness to ally “with pression and discrimination but am Aadmi Party MP San- Minister Amarinder Singh dis- all like-minded parties” with a the Congress has never bowed jay Singh yesterday said he missed as “an antic” his Kejri- “pragmatic approach” to defeat to arrogance of power and will Awould contest a defama- wal’s apology to Majithia. the Bharatiya Janata Party gov- never bow in the future. tion case fi led by former Punjab He said the apology not only ernment in the 2019 Lok Sabha “Rather, the Congress is minister Vikram Singh Majithia refl ected the AAP chief’s inex- elections with party chief Ra- putting up a struggle to expose against him even as his boss and perience but also appeared to be hul Gandhi stating the country the dictatorial ways of the Modi Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Ke- a desperate attempt to reduce was feeling tired and wanted a government, its neglect of Con- jriwal has apologised for alleging the burden of defamation cases change. stitution, disrespect of parlia- that the Akali Dal leader was in- against him before the 2019 Lok The 84th plenary of the Con- ment, false cases against the volved in drug trade. Sabha elections. gress saw party leaders mak- opposition and its harassment Refusing to comment on the In conversation with journal- ing strident attacks on Prime of the media,” she said. apology tendered by Kejriwal, ist Vir Sanghvi at the Rising In- Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- Gandhi said Modi’s 2014 slo- Sanjay Singh said: “I stand by dia Summit in New Delhi, Singh ernment on a range of issues gans of “development for all” whatever I have said in the past said Kejriwal was always “jump- including corruption, problems and “no tolerance for graft” were and irrespective of whatever is ing here and there”. of farmers and unemployment. only gimmicks to grab power. being said here and there. I will “I don’t know why he does that Former Congress president The resolution also targeted not retract from my stated stand.” but this is no way for a chief min- and United Progressive Alli- the government on the issue of The MP refused to be drawn ister to behave, irrespective of his ance chairperson Sonia Gandhi corruption, referring to over into the controversy that has lack of experience,” he said. called the ruling alliance “arro- Rs130bn Punjab National Bank caused a virtual rebellion in the No government can function gant”, “power-drunk”, “dictato- fraud case. Punjab unit of the party after in isolation but Kejriwal had rial” and only working to fi nish Congress president Rahul Gandhi embraces his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during It accused the BJP, Rashtriya state chief Bhagwant Mann and completely isolated himself, said the main opposition party in the the 84th plenary session of the party in New Delhi yesterday. Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and another leader resigned from the chief minister, adding that nearly four years of its rule. their affi liates of creating an en- their posts. the AAP had completely lost Gandhi sought to enthuse Party president Rahul Gandhi their crops. The country is in a the fundamental agenda of the vironment of distrust, fear and “I will not comment on this. I ground in all states. the party’s rank and fi le for set the tone of the plenary with way tired, is seeking a way out. country. intimidation. have stated my position as an in- Kejriwal seemed to have the challenging battles ahead, his brief but succinct speech, “And I say from my heart that dividual, who along with Arvind apologised to Majithia over drug including the Karnataka As- saying the meeting was aimed only the Congress can show the AIADMK must support no-trust motion: Stalin (Kejriwal) and Aashish Khaitan charges possibly to prepare for sembly elections later this year, at setting the future direction path to the country,” Gandhi said. are party to the defamation case next year’s polls but the fact was saying Congress’ victory was not only of the Congress but of “The aim of the plenary is to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Palaniswami should announce fi led against us,” Sanjay Singh that things had changed for the the country’s victory. the entire country. show the path forward to the leader M K Stalin yesterday AIADMK’s support for the said. worse for him, he added. In an indication of how the Seeking to tap into the per- Congress and the country. It is said the All India Anna Dravida no-trust motion and apply Meanwhile, social activist On the AAP future in Punjab, party plans to defeat to BJP-led ceived rural distress and grow- talking of the future, it is talking Munnetra Kazhagam must pressure on the central Anna Hazare taunted Kejriwal, the chief minister said the par- coalition in 2019, she recalled ing need of jobs for youth, he of change,” he said. support a no-trust motion government for setting up saying one should not do any- ty’s legislators were totally dis- the fl exibility shown by the par- said various sections were feel- The plenary, which will con- against the Bharatiya Janata the Cauvery Management thing for which one has to tender appointed and were reportedly ty in favour of alliances ahead ing disenchanted under the BJP. clude today, adopted a political Party-led government. In a Board (CMB) and Cauvery an apology later. looking for alternatives in order of the 2004 Lok Sabha polls to “The crores of youth, who are resolution and another on agri- statement, he said if his party Water Regulatory Committee “Why should one do anything to safeguard their own future, hand out an unexpected thrash- feeling tired today, when they culture, employment and pov- had been in the Lok Sabha (CWRC). Of the 39 Lok Sabha for which one has to tender an adding the decline in the AAP ing to the then National Demo- look towards Modi, they are un- erty alleviation. it would have announced members from Tamil Nadu in apology later on,” Hazare asked. had taken place over a period of cratic Alliance government. able to see a way forward. They Sonia Gandhi, in her hard- its decision to support the the Lok Sabha, the AIADMK He said making a mistake and time and its MLAs were com- She accused Modi of indulg- do not know from where they hitting 15-minute speech, asked Telugu Desam Party’s motion. has 37 while the BJP and Pattali tendering an apology is more or pletely disillusioned with their ing in “dramabaazi” (gim- will get employment, when party workers to again make Stalin said Chief Minister K Makkal Katchi have one each. less the same thing. leadership. micks)” to earn votes. farmers will get proper price for the Congress a party that sets

Farmers, scientists need to work together: PM

IANS interest on working capital and rent New Delhi of leased land. The prime minister also said that honey bees could be an impor- ndian farmers and the scien- tant source of additional income tists have to work together to for farmers and dwelt on the ben- Itransform agriculture, Prime efi ts of solar farming. He said about Minister Narendra Modi said yes- 275,000 solar pumps have reached terday. farmers in the last three years. Addressing a gathering at the Modi also spoke of the Gobar Krishi Unnati Mela at Pusa Campus Dhan Yojana for creating compost in New Delhi after laying the foun- and bio-gas from bio-waste. dation stone for 25 Krishi Vigyan He said that the government was Kendras or agricultural science working to ensure that farmers get centres, Modi said on this day he modern seeds, adequate power sup- has had the opportunity to simul- ply and easy market access. taneously speak to two sentinels of The prime minister said that ‘New India’ - the farmers and the along with the Green Revolution scientists. and White Revolution, the coun- Appreciating the farmers’ spirit try should now focus on Organic and hard work, Modi said at present Revolution, Water Revolution, Blue there was record production of food Revolution and Sweet Revolution. grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables and He said the Krishi Vigyan Kend- milk in the country, but new chal- ras (KVKs) would play a key role in lenges have come up in agriculture Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents an award to a woman farmer at this regard. which reduce the farmers’ income Krishi Unnati Mela in New Delhi yesterday. The prime minister also launched and increase their losses. an e-marketing portal for organic He said the government’s aim port price (MSP) would be “at least the ‘cost’ would include elements products and gave away the Kri- remained to double the farmers’ in- one-and-a-half times the cost” of such as labour, rent for machinery, shi Karman Awards and the Pandit comes and it has decided that for all the crop. cost of seeds and fertilisers, revenue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Krishi Prot- notifi ed crops, the minimum sup- Modi said that for this purpose, being given to the state government, sahan Puraskar.

Verdict in fodder scam involving Lalu again deferred

The judgment in a fodder scam case it yesterday before again postponing January 1996, was completed on the second case on December 23, involving former Bihar chief minister it to tomorrow as 42 judges from March 5. 2017, and given three-and-half years’ and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu across the state are participating in a Besides Yadav, another former chief imprisonment on January 6. Prasad was again deferred yesterday two-day training programme being minister Jagannath Mishra and 30 He was convicted in the third case and is now likely to be delivered conducted at the judicial academy others are accused in this case. on January 24, related to fraudulent tomorrow. in Ranchi. Yadav convicted in the first fodder withdrawals from the Chaibasa The special Central Bureau of The hearing in the fodder case, scam case in 2013 and sentenced to treasury, and awarded a five-year Investigation court of Shivpal Singh relating to fraudulent withdrawals five years in jail. jail term. was expected to pronounce the of Rs31mn from the Dumka treasury The RJD chief was subsequently He now faces two other cases - one verdict on March 15 but then shifted between December 1995 and convicted by a special CBI court in in Ranchi and another in Patna. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, March 18, 2018 INDIA

VERDICT ALLEGATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTIGATION DECISION Life imprisonment Lawmaker’s son seeks New Haldia terminal Chandri fraud reported UP govt transfers for Punjab CM’s killer probe into charges work to start next week to CBI on Feb 13: PNB 37 IAS off icers

A Chandigarh court yesterday sentenced to life Shaun George, the elder son of senior Kerala The formal construction of a new terminal at The Punjab National Bank (PNB) yesterday The Uttar Pradesh government has transferred imprisonment Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) legislator P C George, yesterday sought a Haldia in West Bengal is expected to commence clarified that Rs91mn fraud committed by 37 IAS off icers, including 16 district magistrates, terrorist Jagtar Singh Tara for involvement in detailed probe into allegations that he sexually next week and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari Chandri Paper and Allied Products was not a an off icial said yesterday. Rajiv Rautela, the the assassination of then Punjab chief minister harassed the daughter of a politician on a train. likely to be present at the foundation stone laying new case. “It is not a new fraud. It had already district magistrate of Gorakhpur, who courted Beant Singh in 1995. Beant Singh and 17 others This follows the publication of a book by the ceremony, an off icial said yesterday. “Some works been declared in respect of fraudulent and controversy on Wednesday for barring media were killed when “human bomb” Dilawar Singh daughter of the political leader that reveals how before commencing of the construction have unauthorised issuance of two LoUs for Rs9.10 from accessing details at the Lok Sabha by- blew himself up at the heavily-guarded Punjab she was harassed by Shaun while travelling on already been started. The minister is expected crore on the account of Chandari Paper election counting centre, has been shifted secretariat complex in Chandigarh on August 31, train from Kozhikode to Kottayam. Shaun said his to lay foundation stone for the terminal along and Allied Products. The fraud had been and prompted as divisional commissioner 1995. Tara and two others – Jagtar Singh Hawara name has been maligned on social media with with the new navigational lock gate and River reported to RBI on February 13, 2018 and of Devipatan. The Samajwadi Party wrested Paramjit Singh Bhaura – and their accomplice comments accusing him of misbehaving with Information System (RIS) at Farraka,” said Pravir simultaneously, on the same day compliant Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home Devi Singh, a murder convict living with them the woman. “It’s true that I travelled in the same Pandey, vice chairman of the Inland Waterways was lodged with CBI which has now been constituency, from the Bharatiya Janata Party in the same prison barrack, made a sensational compartment with her and there were several Authority of India. Gadkari is also likely to flag off registered on March 9, 2018,” the bank said after several decades. Alok Sinha is the new escape by digging a 104ft-long tunnel in the top leading CPM leaders including legislators on the RoRo service between Kolkata and Howrah on in a regulatory filing in the Bombay Stock principal secretary (Commercial Tax) and Nitin high-security Burail jail on January 21, 2004. the trip from Kozhikode to Kottayam. National Waterway 1 (NW-1), he said. Exchange. Ramesh the new principal secretary (Housing). Quenching thirst India world’s biggest arms importer, says study

IANS United Nations

ndia is the world’s biggest Migratory sheep from Gujarat’s Kutch region drink water from a pond along the Sanand-Nalsarovar road near Mankol village, some importer of weapons, ac- 55 kms from Ahmedabad. Sheep, goats and camels from Kutch, escorted by members of the Rabari nomadic pastoral community, Icounting for 12% of global walk hundreds of kilometres in search of water and pasture. This is their annual routine but this time the entire state of Gujarat is purchases during the past fi ve facing a water crisis. years because the country is not able to produce enough arms to meet its requirements, accord- ing to the authoritative Stock- holm International Peace Re- search Institute (SIPRI). India’s imports rose 24% dur- ing the past fi ve calendar years, Kerala church slams govt 2013-17, compared to the previ- ous fi ve-year period, 2008-12, according to a SIPRI study re- leased this week. “The tensions between In- over state’s liquor policy dia, on the one side, and Paki- stan and China, on the other, are fuelling India’s growing demand IANS Bishops Conference that has a tics of the Left government,” to be even more dangerous, a for major weapons, which it is India’s imports rose 24% during the past five calendar years, 2013-17, Kozhikode, Kerala very strong anti-liquor front. said an angry Inchananiyil. (bigger) disaster than the Ockhi unable to produce itself,” SIPRI compared to the previous five-year period, 2008-12. Speaking to the media, Bish- In 2016, when the Oommen cyclone. We will strongly fi ght senior researcher Siemon Weze- op Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil Chandy-led Congress govern- against this in Chengannur,” man wrote. In 2013, India’s imports were The share of India’s imports n a major blow to Chief of the Thamarassery Diocese ment demitted offi ce, there said Inchananiyil. “China, by contrast, is be- 5,322 TIV, up from 1,845 in from the US increased from 2.7% Minister Pinarayi Vi- near here, said they were chal- were two dozen bars that oper- However, senior Communist coming increasingly capable of 2008. of its total during 2008-12 to Ijayan’s government, the lenging the Vijayan govern- ated in fi ve star hotels. Around Party of Indai (Marxist) leader producing its own weapons,” In contrast, Pakistan’s arms 15% in the latest fi ve-year period church in Kerala yesterday ment to set the ball rolling for 700 bars in the three-star and and central committee mem- Wezeman said. imports declined signifi cantly – recording a 557% increase – as slammed the state’s liquor a referendum on the new liquor four-star hotels were shut ber Anathalavatom Anandan SIPRI, which tracks the glo- during the last fi ve years, when it leapfrogged over Uzbekistan, policy, and threatened to work policy. down. said the government had done bal arms trade, uses its own ac- imports from the US dropped Britain and Israel. against the ruling candidate “They had come with a de- Chandy’s policy envisaged nothing but just abided by the counting system called Trend- dramatically compared to the Israel has moved up to the in the upcoming Chengannur tailed manifesto on what their prohibition in Kerala by 2023. court’s directives. Indicator Value (TIV) to measure previous fi ve years while sup- third spot accounting for 11% of by-election. liquor policy would be and they After Vijayan took over, the “They (church) could have the arms transactions in order plies from China increased. India’s imports during the 2013- A senior bishop of the pow- used fi lm stars to propagate that government reduced distances approached the Supreme to arrive at a uniform valuation “Despite its continuing ten- 17, compared to 3.7% in 2008-12 erful Syro Malabar Catholic their liquor policy would be one between liquor shops and reli- Court when the case was given the diff erences in curren- sions with India and ongoing in- showing a 285% increase, ac- Church said this after the state of abstinence. gious and educational institu- heard. And it’s surprising that cies and accounting methods ternal confl icts, Pakistan’s arms cording to the study. government on Friday notifi ed “Just see now what has hap- tions from 200m to 50m. on one side they (church) op- by various countries and inad- imports decreased by 36% be- Although Russia remained by a Supreme Court order allow- pened. All the bars that were “The sad part of this new liq- pose the liquor policy and on equate monetary data. tween 2008-12 and 2013-17,” the far India’s biggest arms seller, ing licences to every local body closed are going to be reopened. uor policy is the rich do not get the other they ask for licence According SIPRI data using report said. “Pakistan accounted its share of total imports has to open new liquor shops in Whom are they (the Left) cheat- aff ected; instead it’s the poor to produce more wine (for use this method, India’s total TIV for 2.8% of global arms imports fallen. areas where the population is ing? We will be in the forefront who do not know the ill-eff ects by the church during the Sun- rose from 14,608 during 2008- in 2013-17.” Russia had a 62% share of above 10,000. at the Chengannur by-election of liquor, who become victims day Mass). We are very clear 12 to 18,048 in 2013-17. Pakistan’s arms imports from India’s arms imports during The Syro church is a key asking the electorate to vote of the free availability of liq- that our policy is one of absti- However, India’s arms pur- the US dropped by 76% in the the past five years, down from member of the Kerala Catholic against the manipulative tac- uor. This liquor policy is going nence,” said Anandan. chases have come down during latest fi ve-year period compared 79% in 2008-12, according to the last three full years of the with the previous fi ve, the study SIPRI. Bharatiya Janata Party govern- said. Weapons imports from Britain Factory owner held for making spurious drugs ment compared to the last three China was Pakistan’s main fell to 3.2% of the total during full years of the Congress rule. source of arms in 2013-17, and the last fi ve years, while it was Police arrested a factory owner The suspects are residents were arrested when they were and did not produce any valid During 2011-13 when Man- there was a large increase in Chi- 5.2% in 2008-12, a drop of 23% and his associate on the charge of East Delhi’s Pandav Nagar going to supply spurious drugs documents,” the off icer said. mohan Singh was the prime nese arms exports to Bangladesh during that period that moved it of manufacturing spurious and Haryana’s Faridabad, at Ajmeri Gate, near New Delhi Acting on the inputs, minister, India imported arms in that period, SIPRI said. down from the third spot to the medicines, off icials said yesterday. respectively. Railway Station. police teams raided their worth 13,319 TIV but only 9,499 As New Delhi diversifi es its fi fth. Ashok Kumar, 42, and his “A huge quantity of spurious drugs, “They were transporting spurious manufacturing unit in Kirari in TIV in 2015-17 under his succes- arms purchases, the US is rapidly France has moved up to the associate Bijender Singh, 55, instrument and 39,300 capsules of drugs in a van which was North West district where more sor Narendra Modi. When both increasing its arms sales to India, fourth spot accounting for 4.6% were arrested on Thursday, PAN-D were recovered from them,” intercepted by a police team. than 100,000 spurious capsules leaders held power at diff erent emerging over the last fi ve years of India’s imports during the last Joint Commissioner of Delhi the off icer said. During questioning, they failed and tablets of diff erent brands times during 2014, the imports as its second biggest supplier, fi ve years, an increase of 572% Police Alok Kumar said. According to the police, the two to provide satisfactory reply were recovered. were 3,227 TIV. according SIPRI. compared to just 0.8%. Couple seeks court’s Supreme Court lifts freeze on help to save wetlands new constructions in Mumbai Tribune News Service Seawoods, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Mumbai Over the past three years, the Tribune News Service be permitted to start construc- Mayur Shah termed the top couple living in NRI Complex in Mumbai tion only after an undertaking court’s order “a huge relief to the Nerul has stopped fi ve diff erent of proper disposal of debris and citizens of this metropolis”. fter being unable to stop cases of illegal construction, man- submitting a bank guarantee of “People living in dilapidated construction activity across grove destruction and reclamation he Supreme Court has Rs500,000 to Rs5mn as a guar- and old buildings will benefi t Aan 80-hectare wetland of an 80-hectare wetland patch lifted a two-year-old antee of proper waste disposal. from this decision as redevelop- patch, home to several migratory opposite their home. Tmoratorium on new con- The order will remain in eff ect ment activity can resume. It will birds, a Navi-Mumbai has ap- On October 5, 2016, the state struction in Mumbai. for six months after which BMC also generate additional income proached the Bombay High Court urban development department, A bench of Justices Sharad will have to submit a fresh report for the BMC and the state.” (HC) for help. based on discussions with the Ma- Bobde and L Nageswara Rao to Supreme Court. The Mumbai court had issued Sunil Agarwal, 55, and Shruti, harashtra Coastal Zone Manage- lifted a February 2016 embargo The court’s order came on its order after noticing that more 50, have fi led a petition against the ment Authority (MCZMA), issued of the Bombay High Court but a Special Leave Petition fi led than half the municipal solid City and Industrial Development a notifi cation changing land use of said no new construction will be by the Maharashtra Chamber waste generated in the city was Corporation (CIDCO), a private the Talawe wetland patch for con- allowed without fi rst ensuring of Housing Industry (MCHI), being dumped, contrary to the construction company and the struction of the project across 67 disposal of construction debris. whose plea for a review of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) state government, after they is- of the 80 hectare patch. This is irrespective of whether previous order was rejected by Management Rules, and was, sued a notifi cation changing the “MCZMA has issued the ap- the construction permit is new Bombay High Court. The 2016 thus, illegal. In its order, the high land-use of the wetland patch from proval to go ahead with construc- or was granted earlier. order restrained the civic body court had said, “More and more a no-development zone to regional tion relying on clarifi cations given The top court asked Brihan- and the state from granting per- constructions in the city will in- park based on a proposal to develop by CIDCO that the area is not a mumbai Municipal Corporation mission for any new residential crease population density, which 17 residential buildings with 1,564 wetland,” said Agarwal. “They (BMC) to add this condition to or commercial construction will lead to generation of more fl ats, 20 offi ces, and a golf course could have asked the forest de- its construction permissions. within BMC limits. and more municipal solid waste near Talawe wetlands in sector 60, partment or BNHS.” The order says builders will MCHI-CREDAI president as also construction waste.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 19 PAKISTAN Sanjrani’s election as Senate chief challenged in court

Internews ing elected as President of Pa- through Secretary Ministry of lam and the Ideology of Pakistan. the Senate chairman or speaker The petitioner asked the top Islamabad kistan under Article 41(2) of the Law and Justice, the President “In essence, under the provi- of the National Assembly, speci- court to declare that the qualifi - Constitution. of Pakistan through the Election sions of the Constitution of Paki- fi ed under Articles 53 and 60 read cations for a person to be elected He further asked the court to Commission of Pakistan (ECP), stan 1973, it is very much possible with Article 62, do not match as the Senate chairman or the constitutional petition declare the election of 39-year- the Senate chairman, and the that the chairman of the Senate that of a person who can qualify speaker of the National Assem- has been fi led in the Su- old Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan or the speaker of the to be elected as president of Paki- bly must be same as applicable to Apreme Court seeking as the Senate chairman as illegal, are made respondents in the pe- National Assembly, or both con- stan under Article 41(2), the peti- a person qualifi ed for election as interpretation of the constitu- void ab initio and in violation of tition, which was fi led on March currently/simultaneously are less tion added. president of Pakistan under Arti- tional provisions pertaining to Article 41(2) as he could not as- 16. than forty-fi ve years of age and “The provisions of Articles 53 cle 41(2) of the Constitution. the qualifi cations of the Speaker sume the charge of acting presi- The petition further stated one or both of them are also non- and 60, read with Article 62 of He further asked that the top of the National Assembly and the dent due to the age limitation. that as there is no bar in the con- Muslim(s), which would amount the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 court restrain a person who does Chairman of the Senate. According to Article 41(2), a stitution for a non-Muslim to to derogation/abrogation of the are in contravention with Article not fulfi l the qualifi cations of be- Petitioner Barrister Ammar person shall not be qualifi ed for become speaker of the National fundamental scheme of the Con- 41(2) read with Articles 260 and ing elected as president of Pa- Hussain asked the top court to election as president unless he is Assembly and the chairman of stitution of Pakistan 1973 and the 49 of the Constitution of Paki- kistan under Article 41(2) from declare that a person could not a Muslim of not less than 45 years the Senate, a non-Muslim person principles of Islam, Islamic Ide- stan 1973,” the petition main- acting as or performing the du- be chosen or elected as the Sen- of age and is qualifi ed to be elect- could one day become the acting ology and Ideology of Pakistan tained, stating the contravention ties and functions of the presi- Sanjrani: too young to be acting ate chairman or the Speaker of ed as member of the National As- president of Pakistan, which is as enshrined in the constitution,” was violating the fundamental dent of Pakistan if and when the president of Pakistan should the the National Assembly if he does sembly. against the Islamic principle of the petition stated. scheme of the constitution which offi ce of the president of Pakistan position fall vacant. not fulfi l the qualifi cations of be- The Federation of Pakistan, the Constitution, ideology of Is- Qualifi cations for becoming was based on principles of Islam. becomes vacant. Abbasi, Pence meet Internews pressed “their concern about need to ask for this meeting. Islamabad China’s growing infl uence in Pa- “It’s diffi cult not [to] focus on kistan”, sources said. anything but Afghanistan,” said While discussing bilateral re- the source when asked what he rime Minister Shahid lations, the two lawmakers con- thought was the focus of this Khaqan Abbasi had an un- veyed their concern about blas- meeting. “But they must have Pscheduled meeting with US phemy cases against Christians also talked about bilateral re- This picture taken on Friday shows the team of Polish climbers Vice-President Michael Pence in Pakistan, the sources added. lations and, as Pakistanis say, sharing their experience at a press conference in Islamabad. yesterday for talks that focused In the Pence-Abbasi meeting, about making this relationship on fi nding a negotiated settle- both sides “explained their per- more multi-faceted.” ment to the confl ict in Afghani- spectives” on Afghanistan. However, the source added stan, offi cial sources said. The prime minister assured that he was not in a position to The sources said the Pence of Pakistan’s “sincere say if this meeting could lead to 30-minute, one-on-one meet- commitment” to eff orts for peace “concrete results”. Polish Ice Warriors tell ing took place at the vice-presi- in Afghanistan and underlined “I would say, it was more of a dent’s residence at the US Naval “Pakistan’s successes” in the war review of progress and expres- Observatory, which is close to the against terrorism, the sources sion of good intentions than a of defeat by Pakistan’s Pakistan embassy in Washing- said. Pence: was assured of Pakistan’s Abbasi: also met Congressman substantial discussion on future ton. “The prime minister assured ‘sincere commitment’ to eff orts Ted Yoho and Congressman plan of action,” the source re- The meeting was held on Paki- the US leader that no other state for peace in Afghanistan. Brad Sherman. marked. Savage Mountain stan’s request. wants peace in Afghanistan more Both Pakistani and congres- Michael Cutrone, special ad- than Pakistan, as it will be a di- Offi cial sources in Washington positive steps” for restoring sional sources, however, were viser to the vice-president for rect benefi ciary of this peace,” said that the desire to continue peace to Afghanistan. more open about the prime min- By Gohar Abbas, AFP In winter the rockfalls on the South Asian Aff airs, attended the said a source. the bilateral relationship was ex- US offi cials noted that Paki- ister’s meeting with the lawmak- Islamabad Cesen route are constant, and meeting as a note-taker. Diplomatic observers in pressed at yesterday’s meeting. stan had been encouraging the ers. stones rained on the team as No other offi cial, US or Paki- Washington view the Pence- Pakistan felt the need to re- Taliban to participate in the rec- According to them, the prime they struggled to fi x ropes. stani, accompanied the two lead- Abbasi meeting as a continuation quest the meeting with Pence onciliation process, as Washing- minister assured the lawmakers ummelled by weeks of One hit Bielecki in the face, ers at this meeting. of their talks on the sidelines of because the last meeting had ton desires. that “Pakistan’s close relations hurricane-force bliz- gashing his forehead and Later, Abbasi also had a the UN General Assembly in New “moved things forward”, said one “Statements from the US side with China should not be a cause Pzards and sub-zero tem- breaking his nose, while an- 40-minute meeting with Con- York last year. source. have started to change. Pakistan of concern for the US” as Islama- peratures – not to mention other broke a team member’s gressman Ted Yoho, chairman At that September 20 meet- Other sources noted that re- too is doing what it should have. bad “wants close friendly ties high-altitude disputes – the arm. of the House Committee on Asia ing, the two resolved to remain cent “positive developments” Channels are more open now with both China and the United elite climbers known as Po- In late January Bielecki and and the Pacifi c, and its ranking engaged and carry forward the also encouraged Pakistan to seek than before. States”. land’s Ice Warriors gave in: K2 Urubko rushed to Nanga Par- Democrat, Congressman Brad relationship that had been on a a meeting. “There have been regular in- Abbasi arrived in Washing- remains unclimbed in winter, bat, another Pakistani eight- Sherman. downward trajectory since the They referred to several state- teractions between the two gov- ton on Wednesday to be with his one of mountaineering’s fi nal thousander, to carry out a Like Pence, the US lawmakers announcement of the US policy ments from both US civil and ernments,” said a non-Pakistani elder sister Sadia Abbasi, who frontiers. daring night-time rescue of focused on the current situation for Afghanistan and South Asia military offi cials, acknowledging diplomatic source when asked underwent a medical procedure The high-profi le Polish ex- stranded French mountaineer in Afghanistan but they also ex- in August 2017. that Pakistan has taken “some to explain why Pakistan felt the at a hospital there. pedition arrived in Islamabad Elisabeth Revol and Polish al- on Friday to tell of their de- pinist Tomek Mackiewicz. feat by the Pakistani mountain The duo saved Revol but – the world’s second highest were forced to abandon Mack- peak, which is widely seen as a iewicz on the mountain, a ter- more diffi cult and deadly chal- rible choice that Urubko re- Pakistan faces a social media lenge than the tallest, Mount counted in an interview with Everest. AFP earlier this month. It is the only one of the so- The rescue caused an inter- called eight-thousanders – the national stir – but in the days conundrum as election looms 14 mountains on the planet following it the futility of tak- that are taller than 8,000m – ing the Cesen route became that has not yet been summited ever more apparent. Internews forts to combat spam and propa- bot business in 2013 have now in winter. “It was ambition, you know, Islamabad ganda online are becoming in- been recruited into political me- Maryam Nawaz: catching up fast Imran Khan: assesses the PTI’s But the Poles’ ambitious – but ... the risk is too big,” creasingly diffi cult to manage. dia cells,” said Qazi Ahmad of on the merits of digital social media team every six and expensive – expedition Wielecki said. With over 44mn social me- Pakistan Computer Emergency campaigning. months. was troubled from the start By February 11 he had de- he Federal Investigation dia accounts in the country and Response Team (PakCert) said. by disputes over routes, inter- cided: they would abandon the Agency (FIA)’s cyber- more than 3mn Twitter users, According to PakCert esti- and then to train them against their IP (addresses),” he said. rupted by a high-profi le rescue route in favour of the Abruzzi Tcrime wing arrested two mainstream parties and pressure mates, one out of fi ve users is a abuse,” PTI social media secre- Having expanded her political on another mountain, and even Spur. men in Rawalpindi in October groups are investing more than fake account in Pakistan. tary Dr Arslan Khalid said. presence through social media, affl icted by disagreements over But it had cost them nearly last year, who were suspected of ever in social media campaigns. “For every 100 tweets/follow- Comprising 1,000 offi cial and Maryam Nawaz of the ruling Pa- the defi nition of “winter”, the a month in precious time, and posting on social media material “In Pakistan, 75% of trending ers, the market rate is around 300 overseas members, he said, kistan Muslim League – Nawaz team revealed. at that point Urubko made his and content deemed to be con- topics [hashtags] on Twitter are Rs1,000,” he revealed, adding the team is assessed by PTI chief (PML-N) has caught up fast on “So time passed,” said team decision to break away and at- temptuous of major state organs. about politics. It does not mat- that because new restrictions Imran Khan every six months on digital campaigning. leader Krzysztof Wielicki, tempt a solo bid. The duo were said to be ter what is correct or true, [po- from Twitter did not allow a sin- their performance online. According to the head of the the 68-year-old patriarch of Described as “suicidal” by spreading propaganda through litical] parties now see impact in gle IP (Internet Protocol) address “Unlike our opponents, our party’s social media wing, Atif Polish climbing, “and we had other climbers, Urubko’s bid various fake social media ac- numbers,” a member of a political to run more than three to fi ve social media summit is not about Rauf, there are at present 1,000 to decide to fi nish the expedi- made global headlines be- counts using proxy servers. party’s social media team said. accounts, the use of proxy serv- numbers but the quality of train- active members devoted to po- tion”. fore he admitted defeat, fl ying In the light of growing crack- “The aim is to reach a maximum ers to bypass the restriction had ing. The participants attending litical activism online. K2, also known as the “Sav- back to Islamabad earlier this down against social media activ- number of people and get them to gained popularity. the summits must have an active The latest product in the PML- age Mountain”, looms 8,611m month. ists in the country, Interior Min- use the same hashtag. It is ideal However, said Ahmad, the use social media account,” he said. N’s pre-election strategy is its (28,251”) over the Karakoram The incident stressed out the ister Ahsan Iqbal had announced to at least forward two agendas of automated scripts was becom- When asked if there is a real social media conventions. range on the China-Pakistan rest of the team, they admitted. plans to formulate a framework through bulk tweeting daily.” ing diffi cult as Twitter was taking presence of bots in Pakistan’s “We have had six conventions border. “Only me and Denis were to monitor social media in order In the race to infl ate the im- more stringent measures. political battlefi eld, Dr Khalid so far and at least 10,000 youths It was fi rst summited in ready for the summit push,” to prevent it from being used as portance of Twitter trends, the Often termed a “social media confi rmed that automated cy- from all walks of life came to at- 1954. Bielecki said, explaining that a tool to malign national institu- digital sphere has witnessed the party”, the Pakistan Tehreek-e- ber-armies play a role in sowing tend,” he said, adding that the Since then, just 306 people only they had made it to Camp tions and spread anarchy or ex- birth and growth of automated Insaf (PTI) has launched its elec- political divisions online. team is not restricted to online have made it to the top, while Three and were acclimatised tremism. bots and fake accounts. tion strategy with a social media “Whenever a political devel- activism but was also responsible 80 have died trying, according to reach the Death Zone, above However, given the country’s “Punjab is the hub of bot ven- “summit”. opment takes place, a wave of bot for work on the ground – creat- to the 8000ers website. 8,000m, where the air is too burgeoning digital landscape and dors as it hosts two most active “With a member base aged 20- accounts spews hatred towards ing “tanzeems” and organising Besides being technically thin to sustain human life. volatile political climate in the political parties on social media. 35, the aim of the summit is to the party. The team has started to events as well as ensuring voter diffi cult to climb, weather con- With Urubko gone, Bielecki run-up to general elections, ef- People who started small in the fi rst honour our digital activists counter bot attacks by blocking participation. ditions on the peak are notori- said it was too risky to make the ous. attempt alone. Further north than the Instead of needing just one Himalayas, it is battered by weather window, they would the full force of jet streams, need two: one to acclimatise Wielecki explained – currents another climber, and one for Principle of vote equality compromised, says report of air at high altitudes that are that climber and Bielecki to so strong airplanes have trou- summit. ble fl ying against them. “Obviously it complicated Internews (Fafen), a network of over 50 civil Legally, as far as possible, vari- population as per National As- as a seat with a population of “K2 is the most diffi cult ... our expedition,” Bielecki said Islamabad society organisations, claims ation in population of constitu- sembly constituency. 546,113 while NA-87 Hafi zabad-I in winter especially,” he said. – though he added that many that of the 81 constituencies, 59 encies of an assembly should not Similarly, the population in has a population of almost 1.2mn “The worst weather is on K2.” factors, including the choice of have a variation rate between 11% ordinarily exceed 10%. Baluchistan’s NA constituencies – almost double the Jhelum con- The 13-member team – in- route, had contributed to the hough the Election Com- and 20%, 11 between 21% and The Act allows ECP to devi- is also lower than the national stituency. cluding their strongest climb- outcome. mission of Pakistan (ECP) 30%, six between 31% and 40%, ate from this permissible limit in average while the population size In Sindh, NA-199 Shikarpur- ers Adam Bielecki, a 34-year- For several days they waited Tsays that rules were fol- and fi ve constituencies an exor- only exceptional cases. of constituencies in the remain- II has been created with a popu- old psychologist living in in hope but by March 5 they lowed during delimitation of bitantly high rate of between 41% However, “the ECP has used ing three provinces is above the lation of 588,185 citizens while Krakow, and Denis Urubko, a knew it was too late. constituencies, a report released and 50%. this discretionary power in case national average. NA-197 Kashmore has a popula- Russian-Polish speed climbing The expedition, they an- yesterday claims that the prin- The report says the Election of around one-third of the con- According to the report, the tion of 1,089,169. specialist aged 44 – arrived at nounced, would not happen. ciple of equality of vote has been Rules 2017 appeared to have been stituencies being delimited, variation is more obvious within In Baluchistan, NA-262 K2 base camp in January. Even the best mountain- compromised in one-third of strictly adhered to but in that which goes against the spirit of the provinces. Kachhi-cum-Jhal Magsi has The team chose the Cesen eers need luck to summit K2, constituencies of the National process legal principle of equality the equality of vote as stipulated For instance, in Khyber Pa- a population of only 386,255 route, a shorter but much Wielecki said. Assembly (NA) as the variation of vote has been compromised. in the Elections Act 2017”, the re- khtunkhwa, NA-37 Tank rep- people against NA-268 Mas- steeper climb to the summit But, he added: “I think it’s in population size of the con- The law provides for equal- port says. resents 391,885 citizens while tung-cum-Chagai-cum-Kalat- than the more commonly used possible ... I hope that the stituencies exceeds the ordinar- ity among constituencies but the The report claims that each of NA-35 Bannu has a population of cum-Shaheed Sikandarabad- Abruzzi Spur. Polish people come back again ily permissible legal limit of 10%. rules have attempted to follow the three constituencies of Is- around 1.2mn. cum-Nushki that has almost It would prove to be their here as we are the Ice Warriors. The report prepared by the this principle among the prov- lamabad has a population 14% Similarly, in Punjab, NA-37 thrice of this population i.e. undoing, Wielecki admitted. So we have to come back.” Free and Fair Election Network inces and districts. less than the national average of Jhelum-II has been demarcated 1,083,497. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, March 18, 2018 PHILIPPINES Selfie moment Palace says no need for Senate nod for ICC pullout

By Catherine S Valente Senate Resolution 289, which Manila Times stated that the Senate should have a say when a treaty or international agreement con- here’s no need for the curred in by senators is termi- Senate to approve Pres- nated. Tident Rodrigo Duterte’s The Senate resolution was decision to withdraw from the lodged after Duterte, citing Rome Statute underpinning Western criticism over the the International Criminal conduct of his bloody drug Court (ICC), Malacanang said war, threatened to leave the yesterday. “useless” ICC. In a radio interview, Palace The resolution, whose prin- spokesman Harry Roque Jr cipal author is Senate Minor- said the Senate had no say on ity Leader Franklin Drilon, has the matter, as the chamber’s yet to be adopted and is non- concurrence on the withdraw- binding. al was not required. The Philippines signed the “There is no such require- Rome Statute of the ICC in ment under our Constitution. 2000 and ratifi ed it in 2011, The only requirement is that becoming its 117th State Party. before a treaty becomes a law, Also yesterday, Senate there’s a need for the Sen- President Aquilino Pimentel ate’s concurrence,” Roque told said he believed the ICC would dzMM radio in Filipino. eventually dismiss the charges “When pulling out or with- fi led against President Duterte drawing a treaty, there’s no as these were politically moti- A couple takes a phone selfie at an amusement centre in Quezon City, Metro Manila. such requirement—that’s part vated.Lawyer Jude Sabio, Sen. of the power of the president Antonio Trillanes 4th and Rep. as architect of foreign policy,” Gary Alejano had accused the he added. president before the ICC of The pullout pre-empted committing a crime against an ICC investigation into humanity for his alleged in- Duterte’s deadly war on volvement in the extrajudicial drugs, which critics claimed killing of thousands of drug amounted to a crime against suspects. humanity. Pimentel said the ICC en- Senators oppose closure On Wednesday, Malacanang tertained the complaint from released an unsigned copy of known political opponents of Duterte’s written notifi cation the president. “They made the to the Hague-based court say- mistake of letting themselves ing the Philippines was pull- be used by those who were ing out as a State Party to the not happy with the victory of Rome Statute “eff ective im- President Duterte in the 2016 plan for Boracay island mediately.” elections, who had their own The president also dis- candidates. These prosecutors By Jeff erson Antiporda island will displace 30,000 di- glected to perform their man- the DENR, the Department of Villanueva also said he is in fa- puted the treaty’s provision will realise that,” he said. Manila Times rect and indirect workers who dated duties to manage and the Interior and Local Govern- vour of such provided that it that provides that withdrawal “My fearless forecast is that are considered low-skilled protect the island. ment and the Department of would only cover those who bla- “shall take eff ect one year af- the case against president Du- workers. Poverty and hunger will The Department of Environ- Tourism need to consider the tantly violate laws. ter the date of receipt of the terte pending before the ICC trict compliance with ex- also worsen if unemployment ment and Natural Resources negative eff ects of their pro- Environment Secretary Roy notifi cation,” arguing that en- prosecutor will be dismissed isting laws, not total clo- will arise,” Sen. Sherwin Gatch- (DENR), he added, should also posal. Cimatu on Thursday recom- tering such an agreement “ap- because it is not among the Ssure, should be the main alian said. issue a 30-day ultimatum to all “The likely loss of jobs hasn’t mended the closure of Boracay pears to be fraud.” crimes that the court was sup- focus of the government in its He added that there are other business establishments on the quite resonated, which may be for a year to allow rehabilitation The power to bind the Phil- posed to tackle: crime against eff orts to restore the world- ways that would eff ectively re- island to improve their waste caused by the impact of a total and recovery of the island. ippines by a treaty and inter- humanity and genocide,” Pi- famous Boracay, according to solve problems being faced by disposal systems. closure,” Binay added. Sen. Joseph Victor Ejericto national agreement is vested mentel said in a radio interview. senators. Boracay, including immedi- “A 90-day phasing of the Sen. Joel Villanueva also ob- said the proposal of the DENR jointly by the Constitution in “And yet the ICC enter- Although they acknowledged ate closure and fi ling of cases improvement of critical infra- jected to the proposed one-year should be considered to allow the president and in the Sen- tained the complaint against that over-commercialisation against 300 violators of the structure such us drainage sys- closure of Boracay, saying the the island to recuperate from the ate. President Duterte which has resulted in serious degrada- building code and environmen- tems and solid waste manage- problems could be addressed abuses it received from over- de- “No treaty or international stemmed from his domestic tion of the island, closing Bo- tal laws. ment must also be undertaken,” by simply ensuring compliance velopment. agreement shall be valid and policy, his priority, to pur- racay for one year is not the best The government, Gatchal- Gatchalian said. with existing laws such as the “That will be worth consider- eff ective unless concurred in sue an all out war against solution that could be off ered to ian said, should also make a Sen. Nancy Binay said while Clean Air Act, the Clean Water ing. We might as well save Bo- by at least two-thirds of all the drugs. So, let them also pay residents who mostly depend on priority the filing of admin- most of the senators agree that Act and the Solid Waste Man- racay and enjoy it longer than to Members of the Senate,” the the price of their abuses. We the tourism industry. istrative cases against local a moratorium on building con- agement Act. see its demise by not acting on 1987 Constitution stated. must withdraw from ICC,” “A complete shutdown of the government officials who ne- struction must be imposed by On a proposal to use force, the problems,” he added. Last year, 14 senators fi led Pimentel said. Kuwait reaches deal with Ten dead as small plane govt on domestic workers crashes outside capital Reuters Dubai Reuters Manila uwait and the Philippines have signed an agreement Kregulating some working en people died when a conditions for domestic workers small plane crashed into in the Gulf state, Kuwait’s state Ta house north of the Phil- news agency KUNA reported ippine capital yesterday, avia- yesterday. tion and police offi cials said. The deal may end a two-month The Piper 23 Apache single- crisis sparked by reports that engined aircraft, operated by abuse by employers had driven Lite Air Express, had just taken several Filipinos to suicide. off from a small airport nearby, The Philippines stopped send- A child appears amidst a group of protesters who held a rally in said Eric Apolonio, spokesman ing workers to Kuwait in January Mendiola, to demand better protection for overseas Filipino workers. for the Civil Aviation Author- after a Filipino migrant worker ity of the Philippines (CAAP). was found dead in a freezer. eign Ministry Undersecretary ers.There was no immediate It was carrying fi ve people, in- KUNA said a deal was signed for Consulate Aff airs Sami al- comment from the Philippines cluding the pilot, and was en in Manila on Friday after a meet- Hamad as saying. government. route to Laoag in northwestern Rescuers and investigators stand at the site where a twin-engined plane crashed into a house just ing between a visiting Kuwaiti Al-Hamad said the two sides Workers in many Gulf states Luzon. after taking off in Plaridel town, Bulacan province, north of Manila, yesterday. delegation and Filipino authori- agreed that domestic workers are employed under the spon- “All plane occupants died in ties. from the Philippines will have sorship system, which gives em- the aircraft accident with col- The plane hit the house of tendent John Bulalacao said said. CAAP ordered all aircraft “The deal will ensure the the right to retain their passports ployers the right to keep their lateral damage to a house with an 80-year-old woman, who in a text message. “The house operated by Lite Air Express to rights of both employers and as well as the right to refuse be- passports and full control over fi ve occupants who also per- was inside at the time, police was burned while the aircraft be grounded pending the result employees,” KUNA quoted For- ing transferred to other employ- their stay in the country. ished,” Apolonio said. spokesman Chief Superin- was totally wrecked,” Bulalacao of investigations. Transport group to strike over jeepney phaseout plan

By Mary Gleefer F Jalea utility jeepneys (PUJs). get a 90% participation rate guna and Batangas will most tion period that we proposed to them for purchase of a jeep- be provided for 28,000 jeepney Manila Times “We are warning commuters or about 59,000 out of 65,000 likely hold a nationally co-or- will only be valid until 2020,” he ney. drivers in 2018. who might be affected by an- jeepney drivers in Metro Ma- dinated protest action too, San said.Under the government’s “Even the lawmakers said This amount will be on top of other strike that we will (hold) nila alone. Mateo added. modernisation programme for in past hearings (in Congress) another P1bn loan programme ransport group Pinag- on Monday starting at 6:00am He said Alabang (Muntin- “The Department of Trans- public utility vehicles, a new that this (modernisation) pro- offered by the Land Bank of the kaisang Samahan ng mga up to 4:00pm,” Piston chief lupa City), Novaliches (Quezon portation (DoTr) admitted that jeepney will cost P1.6mn to gramme is raw,” San Mateo Philippines. TTsuper at Opereytors Na- George San Mateo said in an City), Monumento (Caloocan it could only provide 170,000 P1.8mn. said. The DBM and the DoF are yet tionwide (Piston) has announced interview. City), Manila and Cubao (also units for the 180,000 old jeep- Operators and drivers, how- The Department of Budget to come up with guidelines on that it will stage another strike According to San Mateo, in Quezon City) will serve as neys that they plan to phase ever, have been saying that only and Management (DBM) and the subsidy and other forms of tomorrow, to protest the govern- Piston and the No to Jeepney rally centres tomorrow. out. We will not be able to fully 200 drivers will be able to avail the Department of Finance financial assistance to benefi- ment’s plan to phase out public Phaseout Coalition expect to Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, La- upgrade. Even the rehabilita- of the P80,000 subsidy offered (DoF) earlier said P2.2bn will ciaries. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Colombo Port terminals in 140 opposition activists collaboration agreement

IANS arrested in Maldives Colombo AFP Yameen’s edicts banning pro- Police also confi rmed that almost resigned after the po- Yameen is facing increas- country’s Supreme Court ruled Colombo tests, and braving police and they used pepper spray and lice rejected her opinion over ing opposition both within to quash criminal convictions ri Lanka’s Colombo Port army pepper spray and tear teargas to disperse the crowds the controversial extension of and outside his tiny Indian against high profi le opposition expects to handle 7mn gas, the protests swelled to who marched through the the state of emergency in the Ocean archipelago since politicians. Scontainers in 2018, up aldivian authorities thousands strong by the early streets despite the state of archipelago. coming to power in Novem- The Maldives’ highest court 12.9% from the 6.2mn twenty- arrested more than 140 hours of Saturday morning,” the emergency imposed by Yameen According to reliable sources ber 2013 following a con- has since revoked its order after foot equivalent units (TEU) han- Mactivists who defi ed a statement said. last month. inside the prosecutor general’s troversial runoff election two top judges were arrested, dled in 2017 with joint marketing ban on rallies and demonstrated It said 141 pro-democracy The opposition said three (PG) offi ce, Bisham had believed against former president seemingly giving Yameen the by three terminals, local media against a state of emergency supporters were arrested fol- members of parliament were that the state of emergency ex- Mohamed Nasheed. upper hand in a bitter power reports quoting Ports Minis- imposed by President Abdulla lowing what it called the biggest among those arrested on Friday. tension was unconstitutional Last month, Yameen ex- struggle. ter Mahinda Samarasinghe said Yameen, the opposition said anti-Yameen protest to rock the The ruling Progressive Party and had sent a letter asking the tended a draconian state of UN human rights chief Zeid yesterday. yesterday. Maldives since May Day 2015 of Maldives (PPM) yesterday police to produce all detain- emergency by another month, Ra’ad al-Hussein has described The minister said the Jaya Thousands of supporters when similar mass arrests were refuted reports suggesting that ees arrested during the state ignoring a growing chorus of the state of emergency as “an Container Terminal of the poured into the streets of the carried out. the party was gearing up to fi le of emergency in court for a international concern and calls all-out assault on democracy” state-run Sri Lanka Ports Au- capital island Male on Friday Maldivian police confi rmed a no-confi dence motion against remand hearing. for democracy to be restored in and urged Yameen to return the thority (SLPA), South Asia night and continued their pro- the latest arrests and said 139 chief prosecutor Aishath However, when the police re- the honeymoon islands. country to democracy and rule Gateway Terminal of the John test rally till early yesterday, people, including 26 women, Bisham. fused, Bisham had even sched- Yameen declared the emer- of law. Keells Holdings and Colombo the joint opposition said in a remained in custody yesterday The prosecutor general (PG) uled a staff meeting where gency earlier in February, cur- The ongoing unrest has International Container Ter- statement issued in Colombo. morning. Two people had been reportedly had a major falling she wanted to announce her tailing the powers of the judici- dented the Maldives’ image as a minal (CICT) of China’s CM “Ignoring President released overnight. out with the government and resignation. ary and the legislature, after the popular holiday destination. Ports have inked a deal to jointly promote the port. “Although the three termi- nals compete separately and individually, now they can work on a collaborative mis- Plane crash probe likely to sion to operate vessels call- ing at the Port of Colombo,” Samarasingha said. In 2017, Colombo’s container take over a year: offi cial volumes including transhipment and domestic grew 8.3% to reach 6.2mn TEUs. By Mizan Rahman It is not possible to set a fi xed his hospital bed that he was able Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dhaka/Kathmandu time to end the probe, he said. to get up from his seat, break chairman Parakrama Dissanay- “The identifi cation process of down the emergency door and ake said Sri Lanka’s Colombo the deceased is underway, and help other passengers because Port handled 564,155 containers ivil Aviation Author- it will be completed soon. The he was alert. in January, up 16.4% from a year ity in Bangladesh (Caab) autopsy of the 19 bodies has al- “I was able to grab on to my earlier. Cchairman Naim Has- ready been completed,” said the seat during the crash, quickly Under the collaboration deal, san has said the prone into US- Caab chairman. release seat belts, spring up waiting time for all container Bangla plane crash might take US-Bangla Airlines fl ight from the seat and have the sense Daya Ram Tamrakar, a survivor from US-Bangla plane crash, speaks during an interview as his wife and vessels arriving at the Colombo more than one year to complete. BS211, which fl ew from Dhaka to force open the emergency son stand next to him, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kathmandu yesterday. Port will be minimised by al- “Normally, investigation into to Kathmandu carrying 67 pas- door because I was alert,” Tam- lowing vessel to be accom- any plane crash takes one year,” sengers and four crew members, rakar said, adding he was able to was fi re it was time to get off the pal whom the airline had fl own She said the bodies would be modated at the earliest avail- said the Caab chairman while crashed at Tribhuvan Interna- help other passengers before he plane. I jumped and looked back to Bangladesh for an award sent back to Dhaka on Tuesday. able terminal in addition to talking to reporters recently. tional Airport in the capital of heard there was fi re and decided and saw the tail part was already function. She hoped it would be possi- collaborative promotion of the As the plane crash took place Himalayan country of Nepal on to jump off the plane. on fi re,” he said. “The army and Relatives of the victims have ble to identify the bodies of the port. in Nepal, they are investigating March 12, leaving 51 people, in- He thinks that it was the emergency services were quick identifi ed 17 of the 26 Bang- remaining victims. In 2017, the Colombo Port the incident and a Bangladesh cluding 26 Bangladeshis, dead. quick thinking of him and oth- to respond; that probably also ladeshis who died in the plane Tests will be conducted to moved up two places to become team will assist them, he said. A Nepali travel agent who er fellow passengers to swiftly helped save so many people.” crash in Nepal. match DNA profi les of those the 25th busiest container port. Hassan said, “The Black Box survived a plane crash ear- break down the emergency exit “I am just thankful that I Bangladesh ambassador in whom the relatives would not Samarasingha said that it was will be sent to Canada, while lier this week said passengers that helped save so many lives. am alive, although some of my Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams be able to identify fi nally, she commendable to witness the other parts of the aircraft will should refrain from sleeping Twenty people survived the friends did not make it alive,” he confi rmed the number of iden- said, adding the bodies would be Colombo Port had achieved great be tested. It’ll take time to com- during landing and takeoff . crash on Monday that killed 51. said. He was traveling in a group tifi ed Bangladeshi victims in Nepal until the results of the feats through public-private plete all the formalities.” Dayaram Tamrakar said from “When someone said there of 14 travel operators in Ne- yesterday. tests were out. collaboration. Airlifting waste Top court to hear Zia’s bail plea today

IANS Dhaka

he Supreme Court of Bangladesh will today Thear four separate peti- tions fi led in connection with a High Court order that granted bail to former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Kha- leda Zia in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Two of the petitions have challenged the high court’s de- BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia cision to grant bail, while the third and fourth petitions have On Wednesday, Zia had fi led four people, including Zia, were been fi led for vacating the Su- two separate petitions with the the accused in the case. The preme Court order that stayed Supreme Court for vacating its other three were Harris Chow- the bail. order that stayed her bail hours dhury, former political secre- According to the website of after the high court order. tary to Zia, Zia-ul Islam Munna, the apex court, all four peti- The BNP chief has been sen- incumbent acting director of tions have been included as tenced to fi ve years’ impris- naval security and traffi c in the items No. 9 and 10 on Sunday’s onment in the Zia Orphanage Bangladesh Inland Water Trans- cause list placed before a four- Trust corruption case. port Authority, and the personal member bench of the appellate The case relates to corrup- assistant to former mayor of division headed by Chief Jus- tion over the misuse of funds Dhaka, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, tice Syed Mahmud Hossain. in a charity named after former Monirul Islam Khan. On Thursday, according to President Zia-ur-Rahman, In all, there are now six ac- the Daily Star, the govern- Khaleda Zia’s husband, who cused in this case, including Zia’s ment and the Anti-Corruption was assassinated in 1981. son Tarique Rahman. The case Commission had fi led two sep- On August 8, 2011, the Bang- has accused them of embezzling Airline staff load waste collected from the Everest region at Lukla Airport, the gateway to the area, in Lukla yesterday, before it is transported arate leave-to-appeal petitions ladesh Anti-Corruption Com- 21mn Taka from the trust. to Kathmandu to be recycled. Every year over 40,000 tourists visit the region, leaving behind thousands of kilograms of waste that threatens with the Supreme Court chal- mission fi lled the Zia Charita- Zia was given a fi ve-year im- damage environment if not properly cleaned up. lenging the grant of bail to Zia ble Trust corruption case in the prisonment and has been in jail by the High Court. Tejgaon police station. Initially, since February 8. Bangladesh eligible for UN ‘developing country’ status

Agencies This begins the graduation in gross national income (GNI) “This has been made possible Bangladesh’ is not only a slogan to recommend for Bangladesh’s a loss in several economic sup- Dhaka process for Bangladesh, which per capita, the human assets in- by strong development strategy for us but our people are getting graduation,” said CDP secretar- ports and benefi ts. could receive offi cial developing dex (HAI) and the economic vul- of Bangladesh led by Prime Min- the benefi t out of it,” he said. iat chief Roland Mollerus. Economists say that the chal- country status by 2024. nerability index (EVI) and other ister Sheikh Hasina,” Bangladesh He said Bangladesh is trying CPD expert group chairman lenges can be met through prop- he UN Committee for De- According to the UN website, country-specifi c information. permanent ambassador to the to gain the status of developed Jose Antonio Okampo praised er planning and implementation velopment Policy (CPD) has Bangladesh met the require- The scores required for gradu- UN, Masud Bin Momen, said af- country by 2041 and thanks the Bangladesh for its human re- of policy. Tannounced that Bangladesh ments in March 2018. ation from the LDC category are ter receiving an eligibility letter UN and other development part- source, export sector along with In July 2015, Bangladesh ad- had fulfi lled the eligibility re- Bangladesh has been on the a per capita GNI of $1,230 or from the UN in New York. ners for assisting the process. health and education sector. vanced from a lower income quirements to graduate from least UN least developed countries above, an HAI of 66 or above and “We are moving forward to- “The increase of GNI and de- Though developing country country to a lower-middle in- developed country to developing (LDC) list since 1975. an EVI of 32 or below. wards peace, prosperity and de- velopment of social sectors in- status would increase Bangla- come country based on the per country status and can seek of- Graduation depends upon Bangladesh’s current GNI per cap- velopment following our motto cluding health and education has desh’s bargaining power, the loss capita income categories pro- fi cial approval for the graduation. meeting eligibility criteria scores ita is $1,724, its HAI is 72 and its 25.2. - nobody lags behind. ‘Digital made it easier for the committee of LDC status also comes with vided by the World Bank. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, March 18, 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 Anti-poaching eff orts should be on lines of anti-terror measures

Eff orts to tackle the poaching epidemic, which is killing tens of thousands of elephants every year, were in focus at a recent summit in Botswana even as Africa struggles to conserve its embattled elephant population. The Giants Club Summit hosted by the outgoing president of Botswana, Ian Khama, showcased ways to improve anti-poaching on the lines of approved counter-terrorism measures worldwide. The Giants Club initiative aims to eff ectively protect half of Africa’s elephants and their landscapes by 2020 by uniting the political will, technical know-how, and fi nancial muscle Encouraging investment to achieve that goal. Experts say the focus now is on intelligence-led patrol work, intelligence-led investigations. Although the number of animals being poached for ivory has been dropping over the past few years, more elephants in poverty reduction are being killed for their tusks than are being born, leaving them in danger. By Laura Tyson and Lenny Mendonca Individuals who invest in OFs are education and training opportunities, communities. Some are already doing In 2016, China committed to banning its domestic trade Berkeley eligible for several tax benefi ts. These and infrastructure and transportation so with respect to recidivism, child and include a temporary tax deferral on conditions that aff ect local economic maternal health, homelessness, and in ivory by the end of 2017, heralding its emergence as a unrealised capital gains; a step-up development. workforce training. global leader for conservation by signifi cantly reducing the he tax legislation that US in basis on the capital gains earned States and territories will also need Moreover, because pay-for-success pressure on Africa’s President Donald Trump and reinvested in such funds; and to bring their tax systems into line contracts must be validated by metrics embattled elephant signed into law last December a permanent exclusion from taxes with federal law, especially if they and independent evaluations, it is will dramatically increase on capital gains earned on fund are currently taxing capital gains easy to tell which experiments have Initiative to populations. T inequality and the federal budget investments held for ten years or as ordinary income, as California succeeded and which have failed. As it protect half of Botswana’s leader defi cit. Yet, hidden within it – and more. A recent Brookings Institution does. And, fi nally, they will need to stands, an estimated $400mn in private praised China for within budget legislation enacted report estimates that, “Individuals in provide for transparent and consistent capital has been invested in around 108 Africa’s elephants implementing a ban on in February – are two promising a high-tax state and with short-term reporting on outcomes, measuring not such projects in the United States and programmes for helping state and local capital gains can avoid $7.50 in taxes just fi nancial returns, but also impact around the world. Of the 27 completed and their its domestic ivory trade, governments address the needs of for each $100 they invest, even before on economic development and poverty projects that have reported to date, only and called on Britain and disadvantaged Americans. considering any return on their Zone reduction. Leading “impact investment” one has failed to achieve its target and landscapes by the EU to do likewise. The new tax law creates generous investments.” fi rms such as DBL Partners, Omidyar pay a return to its investors. “When you look at the incentives to encourage private Still, the OZ programme is not Network, and Bridges already provide Though pay-for-success contracts 2020 investment in distressed urban without risks, and much will depend this kind of comprehensive reporting on remain in their infancy and can involve other countries coming and rural areas; and a provision in on how it is implemented. It is possible their own investments; and the Impact complex and lengthy negotiations, on board - for example China - I think they are setting a the budget package will establish that OFs will displace rather than Management Project, a corporate they have the potential to transform wonderful example to follow, whether it’s the UK or the a competitive grant programme to develop low-income areas, and that the consortium, can off er additional how state and local governments European Union, Khama told the BBC. help states fund “pay-for-success” lion’s share of the benefi ts will accrue guidance. fund, deliver, and evaluate social- contracts. Both ideas have their roots to investors and developers who already The new provision in the Bipartisan service programmes. The hope now But Khama is concerned about the US policy on poaching in the Democratic administrations have stakes in locations that qualify for Budget Act of 2018 that holds promise is that SIPPRA will accelerate this and lamented the US government recently made a U-turn of Presidents Bill Clinton and OZ designation. And the programme’s for low-income communities is the transformation. on the import of animal heads from Africa - the “trophies” Barack Obama; but they attracted emphasis on capital appreciation could Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Again, implementation will be key. prized by American hunters travelling to the continent. congressional Republican support result in rising property values, and Results Act (SIPPRA), which establishes SIPPRA requires that contracts be because they empower state and local thus higher rents that drive low-income a $100mn federal fund to facilitate pay- awarded on a competitive basis, and Animal lovers warn that elephant population across Africa governments, rely on public-private tenants out of their homes. for-success (PFS) contracts by state and that applicants supply detailed outcome continue to decline as natural birth rates are still below death partnerships, and encourage rigorous Moreover, unlike the “Empowerment local governments. In PFS contracts, targets, cost-benefi t projections, and rates driven by criminal ivory smuggling networks. impact assessments. Zones” introduced by the Clinton a government raises private funds their own matching funds; but it does Most tusks were destined for China, but the government The provisions in the tax law to administration in 1994, the OZ from investors and uses these funds not specify where funds should be encourage private investment in programme does not include grants, to pay external organisations (often invested. Those decisions will be left to there had shut down all legal trade earlier this year, raising impoverished areas centre on the loan guarantees, and other fi scal tools non-profi ts) to provide essential social the state or local governments applying hopes that demand would drop and the elephant slaughter creation of “Opportunity Zones” (a to fi nance investments in training, services. for SIPPRA support. would end. term coined more than 30 years ago by infrastructure, aff ordable housing, This approach enables government Together, OZs and SIPPRA will In East Africa, poaching levels were back to pre-crisis New York Governor Mario Cuomo). The and local services. Investments to raise private capital that would increase the fl ow of private capital OZ programme grants US governors in these areas are crucial for local otherwise not be available to support into programs to combat the problems levels, the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species the authority to designate up to 25% socioeconomic development, even if such services, and to cut their costs confronting the most disadvantaged (Cites) said in its most recent report. of low-income census tracts – those they are not particularly attractive to by working with proven providers populations in the most distressed But in central Africa and new hot-spots like northern with an individual poverty rate of 20% private capital. to achieve measurable outcomes. communities. We applaud these new Mozambique, huge numbers of elephants were still being or higher, and median family income To ensure that the programme Taxpayers bear no fi nancial risk, policies, which build on America’s below 80% of the state or territorial benefi ts distressed communities, and because the government pays a return progressive history and federalist killed. A record 40 tonnes of ivory were seized worldwide in average – as OZs. not just wealthy investors, governors to investors only if a contractor meets structure. – Project Syndicate 2016. Private investors are then granted will have to choose wisely when predetermined targets. Poaching across Africa dropped for the fi fth straight year, signifi cant tax incentives to reinvest designating low-income zip codes as Beyond providing state and zLaura Tyson, a former chair of the the same research found. their unrealised capital gains into OZs OZs. Fortunately, California, Colorado, local governments with access to US President’s Council of Economic through “Opportunity Funds.” OFs can and several other states have already investable private capital, pay-for- Advisers, is a professor at the Haas The EU, and the UK specifi cally, are the biggest exporters choose the nature of the assets (the developed transparent and open success contracts encourage risk- School of Business at the University of legal ivory - much of it labelled as antique - and three risk/return profi les) they off er their processes to identify the neediest free experiments in public policy. of California, Berkeley, and a senior African presidents have now put their name to a million- investors, but must be organised as investment-ready areas. As other State and local governments, acting adviser at the Rock Creek Group. Lenny signature global petition asking for a ban on this legal trade corporations or partnerships, which states and territories do the same, they as “laboratories of democracy,” Mendonca, Chairman of New America, invest at least 90% of their capital in should keep an eye on key factors such can pursue innovative solutions to is Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey in ivory. OZs. as child-poverty rates, the quality of persistent problems in impoverished & Company. Experts hope poaching will considerably reduce if a UK government move proves fruitful. The UK Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, told the summit: “Our aim is to ban antique ivory sales in the UK this year.” “People in the UK really care passionately about this issue and they want to make sure we save these magnifi cent elephants in the wild for future generations,” she said.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved US President Donald Trump signed into law the tax legislation last December. Gulf Times Sunday, March 18, 2018 23 COMMENT Food security’s social network

By Leah Samberg access to data, markets, and fi nancial payment systems are also facilitating Minneapolis services, farmers can plant, fertilise, remittances from urban to rural areas, harvest, and sell products more an increasingly important component eff ectively. of rural livelihoods. n 2015, when the United Nations At the moment, these types Of course, the mere existence of Sustainable Development Goals of innovations are not featured this technology will not end hunger. were offi cially adopted, the clock prominently in most hunger- The challenge is to broaden access to Ibegan ticking on an ambitious alleviation strategies. But that is slowly all of these tools, and to ensure that goal: ending global hunger by 2030. changing, especially as more people in they meet the needs of the farmers At the time, that target seemed emerging economies connect to mobile who use them. This demands that achievable; during the previous 15 networks, and apps designed to collect mobile technologies take into account years, the number of undernourished and share agricultural information diff erences in gender, education, and people on the planet had been reduced become increasingly accessible. resource levels among farmers, and are by half, a staggering achievement For example, in Egypt, Sudan, and responsive to changing circumstances. attributed largely to international Ethiopia, local extension services are The impact and success of these tools investment in agricultural and delivering real-time weather data to and programs should be monitored and economic infrastructure. vegetable farmers via SMS. In West evaluated, with ineff ective approaches And then the world got hungrier Africa, private companies such as being improved or replaced. again; in 2016, the number of people Ignitia are expanding the accuracy I’ve conducted research in rural without enough to eat increased to and precision of SMS weather alerts to communities around the world, 815mn, up from 777mn the year before. remote farmers. and one of the features they all have What happened? In Mongolia, rural herders receive in common is the diffi culty that Part of the answer is as old as information about disease outbreaks to farmers and pastoralists confront in civilisation itself: droughts, fl oods, help them maintain the health of their accessing reliable information about confl ict, and displacement have hurt livestock. And farmers throughout the markets, weather, and fi nancing. With harvests and weakened output. But Global South are turning to SMS-based neighbours on the move, and climate a more intangible factor is no less services for technical support that change a growing concern, traditional important: many of the networks allows them more easily to adopt new information networks are no longer on which farmers have traditionally crops and growing techniques, with suffi cient. Farmers everywhere, but depended to cope with these disasters benefi ts for both natural resources and especially in developing economies, have been lost or degraded. household income and nutrition. need the support of digital Ending global hunger is not just Connectivity also improves the communities. about breeding drought-resistant functioning of markets by allowing For hundreds of millions of people, corn; it is also about having a plan for farmers and herders to access accurate information is the difference between when that corn fails anyway. In other price information, co-ordinate food security and hunger. But, amid words, it is as much about reimagining transport and other logistics, and the triple threats of climate change, social networks as it is about deciding facilitate easier exchange of perishable violent conflict, and mass migration, what goes into the ground. but nutritious foods such as animal how that information is gathered For the world’s poorest Farmers everywhere, but especially in developing economies, need the support of digital communities. products and vegetables. Mobile and shared is changing. Farmers’ smallholder farmers and pastoralists, money and price information also personal networks are now global and unpredictability is the only constant. To Today, though, farmers’ personal All of these changes are negatively is by investing in new technologies enable pastoralists to adjust herd sizes online. To feed a rapidly changing mitigate risk, people in rural areas have networks are weakening. Farms are aff ecting traditional social structures that enable farmers to connect with to changing environmental conditions, world, we must use new technology always relied on their personal networks being hit more frequently by severe that communities depend on for information and institutions that can while enabling farmers to secure seeds to re-imagine the oldest form of risk for information to help them weather weather, and violent confl ict is survival, and insuffi cient attention is decrease uncertainty and mitigate risk. and fertiliser for future harvests. mitigation: community. – Project crises, improve productivity, and limit increasing in poverty-stricken regions; being paid to these structures’ role in According to a 2017 working paper Furthermore, by enabling the quick Syndicate crop losses. In return, these relationships these and other variables are uprooting ensuring food security. If global hunger by the CGIAR Research Program on and secure transfer of funds, mobile- have facilitated the exchange of farmers everywhere. While people have is to be eradicated, the underpinnings Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food banking services allow producers to zLeah Samberg is a research scientist information and goods, diversifi ed diets, always left their homes in search of of rural resilience must be supported, Security, some of the most promising access markets more effi ciently, reduce with the Global Landscapes Initiative at strengthened farming techniques, and safety or opportunity, a record number expanded, and diversifi ed. innovations in rural agricultural are their transaction costs, and tap into the University of Minnesota’s Institute guarded against hunger. of people currently are on the move. One of the best ways to do this technology- and service-based. With higher-value market sectors. Mobile on the Environment. Law on free zones in Qatar and dispute resolution Three-day forecast One of the most important alternatives. Although conciliation from around the world that are well- TODAY By Professor Francis N Botchway Maximum Temperature : 300c Doha provisions is on dispute resolution. and arbitration have similarities, known for presiding over business Article 44 provides that “a dispute including the fact that they are both disputes. Its jurisdiction covers cases Minimum Temperature : 220c resolution centre shall be established private alternative means of resolving involving an entity registered in the MONDAY s part of the eff orts to and it shall be exclusively competent disputes instead of going to court, state of Qatar. More than that, the Maximum Temperature : 290c diversify the economy to settle disputes relating to free they are very diff erent mechanisms. QIC&DRC also has facilities for the Minimum Temperature : 180c of Qatar and to promote zone areas through conciliation and Arbitration is much more formal conduct of arbitration recognised by TUESDAY investment, Law number arbitration”. The Council of Ministers and its outcomes are enforceable in the laws of Qatar. For example, under Maximum Temperature : 290c A Minimum Temperature : 190c 21 was passed in November shall, subject to a proposal by the all jurisdictions that are signatories the new arbitration law issued in Minister of Justice, issue a decision on to the 1958 New York Convention 2017, the QIC&DRC is designated as 2017, amending the law on the Fisherman's forecast establishment of economic free zones the organisation, the responsibilities on Recognition and Enforcement of a court having the powers to preside in Qatar (Law No 34 of 2005). The of the Center and on how to enforce its Foreign Arbitral Awards. Conciliation over arbitration disputes, including WARNING does not have such an enforcement enforcement. The QIC&DRC is Inshore : Strong wind expected objective is to simplify, rulings and decisions. at places modernise and speed up the process This provision is quite controversial quality. It is better to specify therefore very well placed to deal with Offshore : Expected poor visibility of establishing business, particularly for a number of reasons. First, the conciliation or other amicable means disputes arising from the free zones. at places and strong in the areas of national priority to opportunity to resolve a dispute of resolving disputes as a fi rst step This will be very much like its current wind with high sea WEATHER Qatar. In establishing these free zones, emanating from activities in the free and only if that fails the parties should jurisdiction over off shore companies Inshore : Slight dust to blowing Qatar follows the successful examples zone by conciliation or arbitration is resort to arbitration. registered with the QFC. dust at places, relatively of Singapore, South Korea and other not automatic. It is not necessarily Above all, the law places another To avoid duplication of institutions hot daytime WIND countries. based on the agreement of the parties. hurdle on business parties by reference and functions, and to avoid delays in Inshore : Northwesterly 08-18/23 The law has 48 articles covering Even if the parties agree to settle their to a new body and means for the dealing with disputes from the free KT topics such as the juridical status dispute by conciliation or arbitration, resolution of disputes. This long zones, it is highly recommended that Offshrore : Northwesterly 18-25/30 of the Free Zones Authority and that agreement is unsettled and process is contrary to the avowed the QIC&DRC be designated as the KT its fi nancial autonomy, labour voidable until the minister makes a objective of the law, which is to make appropriate body for settling any Visibility : 4-8/3 KM or less at regulations, etc. The goal of the law proposal to the Council of Ministers, the process of transacting business in disputes that emanate from the free places at times. SEA STATE is to attract investment into the and the Council issues a Decision the free zone areas. Offshore : 5-8 FT, Rises to 10 FT at productive and export sectors of the on the rules and procedures for zones effi cient. There is a very easy It will also expand the jurisdiction places at time. Qatari economy. For this settling disputes. In other words, it way of resolving this problem. We and reach of the QIC&DRC and reason, the Free Zone Authority, is understood that a Decision will already have in existence in Qatar an make it the leading centre for internationally respected body for dispute resolution in the Middle which is to administer the free zones, fi rst establish the body to resolve Around the region is charged with the responsibility the dispute and simultaneously resolving business disputes – the East. Its international stature and Weather to develop the free zones according promulgate the rules and procedures Qatar International Court and Dispute composition is ideal for attracting Weather tomorrow Max/min to the best international standards. by which the body will operate as well Resolution Centre (QIC&DRC). investment to the free zone areas and today Max/min P Cloudy 27/13 Companies in the free zones are as the procedures for settling disputes. The QIC&DRC (also known as the the rest of Qatar. Baghdad Sunny 26/13 M Sunny 28/16 allowed to invest and to transfer Furthermore, the law seems Qatar Financial Centre – QFC Court) Kuwait City Sunny 27/16 M Sunny 27/18 unlimited ambivalent regarding the exact is very well established body for the zProfessor Francis N Botchway is Sir Manama Sunny 26/19 Sunny 27/22 amount of foreign currency through method to use for the resolution of settlement of commercial disputes. William Blair Chair in Alternative Muscat Sunny 30/23 Sunny 22/12 the banks in the free zone authorised disputes in the free zones. It mentions It is composed of the most highly Dispute Resolution, Centre for Law & Tehran Sunny 17/08 by the Qatar Central Bank. both Conciliation and Arbitration as qualifi ed and experienced judges Development, Qatar University. Live issues Smoking tied to higher risk of hearing loss

pressure and diabetes, and work in Other limitations of the study By Lisa Rapaport Around the world Reuters Health jobs with higher levels of occupational include the reliance on participants noise. to accurately report on their smoking Weather Weather Each year during the study, habits, researchers note in Nicotine today Max/min tomorrow Max/min mokers may be more likely participants had comprehensive and Tobacco Research. The study Athens S Showers 19/11 P Cloudy 19/11 to develop hearing loss than hearing tests. also lacked on occupational noise Beirut P Cloudy 23/20 Sunny 26/19 nonsmokers, and the risk Compared to nonsmokers, people exposure for all of the people in the Bangkok Sunny 33/27 Sunny 35/27 Sincreases with each additional who currently smoked up to 10 study. Berlin Sunny 02/-6 Sunny 06/-4 cigarette people smoke on a typical Department of Epidemiology and cigarettes a day were 40% more likely Still, the fi ndings add to a growing Cairo M Sunny 32/21 Sunny 33/16 day, a Japanese study suggests. Prevention at the National Center for to develop high frequency hearing body of evidence suggesting that Cape Town Cloudy 23/16 Sunny 22/14 Researchers examined data on Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo. loss and 10% more likely to develop smoking can contribute to hearing Colombo S T Storms 31/26 I T Storms 31/25 almost 50,000 Japanese workers, ages “Quitting smoking virtually low frequency hearing loss, the study loss, said Dr Matteo Pezzoli, a hearing Dhaka P Cloudy 34/22 Sunny 35/20 20 to 64, who didn’t have hearing eliminates the excess risk of hearing found. specialist at San Lazzaro Hospital in Hong Kong P Cloudy 24/21 P Cloudy 25/21 loss. After a maximum follow-up of loss, even among quitters with short When smokers went through 11 to Alba, Italy, who wasn’t involved in the Istanbul P Cloudy 21/09 Cloudy 17/12 eight years, more than 5,100 people duration of cessation,” Hu said by 20 cigarettes a day, they were 60% study. Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 T Storms 32/24 developed hearing loss. e-mail. “Because the risk of hearing more likely to develop high frequency “The study showed clearly that Karachi Sunny 29/19 Sunny 31/19 Compared to nonsmokers, loss increases with the number of hearing loss and 20% more likely to there is a direct link between the London Cloudy 02/-1 Sunny 05/02 people who currently smoked were cigarettes smoked per day, if quitting develop low frequency hearing loss. number of cigarettes smoked and Manila P Cloudy 34/24 M Sunny 34/24 60% more likely to develop high- is impossible people should still smoke With more than 20 cigarettes a the damage suff ered,” Pezzoli said by Moscow M Sunny -5/-12 M Sunny -2/-11 frequency hearing loss that makes it as little as possible.” day, people were 70% more likely to e-mail. New Delhi Sunny 33/17 M Sunny 34/18 hard to understand speech in noisy At the start of the study, participants develop high frequency hearing loss “To maintain the hearing we have New York Sunny 08/-1 M Sunny 07/-1 environments. Current smokers were were typically in their 40s, and about and 40% more likely to develop low when we’re young, in addition to Paris S Showers 05/-2 Cloudy 05/-2 also 20% more likely to develop low 19,000 of them were current smokers. frequency hearing loss. quitting smoking it is also important Sao Paulo M Sunny 31/19 M Sunny 32/22 frequency hearing loss that makes About 9,800 were former smokers and While the study wasn’t a controlled to lead a healthier lifestyle and Seoul Cloudy 11/06 P Cloudy 13/02 diffi cult to detect deep voices. 21,000 had never smoked. experiment designed to prove whether increase sporting activities,” Pezzoli Singapore I T Storm 32/25 P Cloudy 32/25 “The more one smokes, the higher Current smokers were more likely to or how smoking might cause hearing added. “It is also very important to Sydney M Sunny 37/20 Sunny 29/19 the risk of hearing loss,” said lead be overweight or obese, have chronic loss, it’s possible that nicotine exposure protect your ears from prolonged Tokyo Clear 16/06 Cloudy 18/09 study author Huanhuan Hu of the health problems like high blood may damage the ears, Hu said. exposure to loud noise.” Gulf Times 24 Sunday, March 18, 2018 QATAR ‘Marchitecture’ month a ‘big hit with local community’ atar Museums yesterday said an “unprecedented Qnumber of people from across the local community” have signed up to take advantage of ‘Marchitecture’ – a unique, nationwide cultural showcase comprising fi lm screenings, events, public talks and exclusive tours of many of Qatar’s best- loved buildings and sites of his- toric and cultural signifi cance. So far, more than 630 people have signed up to participate in the various events and activities that have taken place since the start of the month. The response makes it “one of the most successful activi- ties” organised by the Culture Pass team to date, QM said in a statement. “Initiatives such as these help explain why the Cul- ture Pass scheme continues to go paralleled range of cultural expe- from strength to strength, reach- riences to the country’s residents ing more than 22,000 members and visitors”, the statement adds. from more than 25 nationalities Commenting on the success of since it was launched.” the Marchitecture programme, Running until March 31, the QM head of Partnership Sheikha ‘Marchitecture’ programme has Nouf Mubarak Saif al-Thani been specially designed to give ‘Marchitecture’ comprises film screenings, events, public talks and exclusive tours of many of Qatar’s said: “We’re delighted with the members of QM’s Culture Pass best-loved buildings and sites of historic and cultural significance. response to this latest initiative. loyalty programme access to more It validates the approach that than 70 arts and cultural experi- chairperson HE Sheikha Al Ma- fi rst time. Joining expert tours Foundation, the SC, UDC and we’re taking as an organisation ences in a wide variety of locations. yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al- gives Culture Pass members an Msheireb Properties. to continually provide engaging Among the many highlights Thani, the programme has been even deeper appreciation for ‘Marchitecture’ will not only and memorable cultural experi- in the programme so far have carefully planned over many several of the country’s most shine a spotlight on many of Qa- ences for the widest number of included guided architectural months and highlights Qatar Mu- iconic buildings. Forthcoming tar and Doha’s modern design people in Qatar. We’re grateful tours of the Museum of Is- seums’ ongoing commitment to tours and visits include those to masterpieces, but also celebrate to our partners for their involve- lamic Art, Msheireb Downtown enhancing and enriching the lives Al Jazeera Media Institute along Qatar’s rich heritage and history ment and eff orts in delivering Doha and Weill Cornell Medi- of all those who live in and visit the with the AJ English Channel with a series of visits to Barzan this meticulously curated pro- cine - Qatar, as well as a visit to country, the statement notes. premises, Qatar National Li- Towers and Unesco World Herit- gramme. We’re very much look- the Legacy Pavilion at Al Bidda Involving a large number of brary, Msheireb Museum and age site Al Zubarah. ing forward to more fantastic Tower to learn more about the public and private sector or- Hamad International Airport. Delivering such a full and di- cultural off erings ahead.” Supreme Committee for Deliv- ganisations, the programme In all, more than 15 private verse programme in close collabo- Full details of the more than 70 ery & Legacy (SC)’s preparations opens up many of Qatar’s best- and public sector organisations ration with such partners clearly fi lm screenings, events, talks and to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. loved buildings to the public have pledged their support for refl ects Qatar Museums’ “ongoing tours at http://www.qm.org.qa/ Under the guidance of QM – in a number of cases for the the programme, including Qatar commitment to providing an un- en/marchitecture