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MONDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10769 March 26, 2018 Rajab 9, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals No move to leave Udeid In brief airbase: US

wo leading US defence entities have refuted the reports that the QATAR | Offi cial TAmericans are planning to leave Emir congratulates the Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar. The unfounded story also said the Greek president US is leaving the Incirlik Air Base in His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Turkey. bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness The US Central Command (Cent- the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah com) yesterday denied reports it was bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday leaving the Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, cables of congratulations to Greek saying that such reports are false and President Prokopis Pavlopoulos without merit. on the anniversary of his country’s “The US is not leaving Incirlik Air Independence Day. HE the Prime Base in Turkey, nor is the US leav- Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh ing Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar. These Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived yesterday in Moscow for a working visit to Russia. The Emir and his accompanying delegation were reports are false and without merit,” Thani sent a similar cable to Greek received upon their arrival at Vnukovo International Airport by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Middle-East Mikhail Centcom posted on its offi cial Twitter Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Bogdanov, a number of ranking Russian off icials, Qatar’s ambassador to Russia Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, Russia’s ambassador to Qatar Nurmakhamad Kholov and page. members of the Qatari embassy in Moscow. Further rebutting the fake news, US Air Force Central Command said: “There is zero credibility to news re- ports asserting the US is leaving Incir- lik and Al Udeid air bases in Turkey and Qatar. These unhelpful reports feed mistrust and division among regional Russia-Qatar ties on fast track partners at a time when we need to work together to address shared secu- QNA and now both parties are keen to elevate ministries. The Joint Intergovernmental response to an invitation from his Rus- rity concerns.” Doha their partnership to higher levels. Commission on Trade, Economic, Sci- sian counterpart. Qatar participated in The Emir arrived in Moscow yester- entifi c and Technical Co-operation is military-technical exhibition ‘Army’, day on a two-day visit. also making good progress. which took place in October 2017. Rus- ussian ambassador to Qatar Nur- The ambassador said there is close in- The ambassador said the Emir’s ear- sian Defence Minister Sergei Shoygu Saudi intercepts makhamad Kholov confi rmed teraction between the organising com- lier visit to Russia and his meeting with also paid an offi cial visit to Qatar, during missile over Riyadh Ryesterday that his country is a mittees of Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 President Vladimir Putin, gave a strong which an agreement on military-tech- trusted partner of Qatar, both in terms World Cups. push to bilateral relations and opened nical cooperation was signed.” The Saudi air force intercepted a of bilateral and international co-op- “We are pleased with the fruitful the way for regular communication be- The envoy said the year 2018, celebrat- missile over the northeastern part of eration. He said bilateral relations are co-operation with our Qatari partners tween HE the Deputy Prime Minister ed as the Year of Culture between Russia the capital Riyadh last night, Saudi witnessing a signifi cant and increasing through national football unions, shar- and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed and Qatar, will not only provide an oppor- state television said. Reuters reporters growth in the political, economic, trade ing our experience in ensuring the safety bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Russian tunity to intensify people-to-people co- in the capital said they heard several and scientifi c fi elds. of sport events, as well as in the training Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. operation but will also help increase the loud booms shortly before midnight. Commenting on the visit of His of athletes and the development of sport Kholov highlighted that both coun- fl ow of tourists, strengthening economic The apparent Houthi rebel attack Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin medicine,” the ambassador said. tries have increased visits. “HE the ties, and opening new opportunities for coincides with the third anniversary of Hamad al-Thani to Russia, he told Qatar He said there is constant communi- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of co-operation. He praised Qatar’s experi- the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention News Agency (QNA) that bilateral co- cation between the leaders of the two State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin ence in organising the “years of culture” in Yemen. There were no immediate operation has improved dramatically countries and the foreign and defence Mohamed al-Attiyah visited Russia, in which adds to the success of this event. reports of any casualties. Gulf Times 2 Monday, March 26, 2018 QATAR

Qatar-UK strategic dialogue

Qatar and the United Kingdom met yesterday for the fourth Qatar-UK strategic dialogue (Sharaka). The Qatari side was chaired by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and the UK side was chaired by UK Minister of State for the Middle East Alistair Burt. Sharaka is one of the most important mechanisms for the development of bilateral relations between Qatar and the UK. It is responsible for follow-up of decisions, files and projects, supporting the bilateral track and exploring opportunities for co-operation for the benefit of both countries. Qatar participates in global counterterror forum in Japan

QNA en international co-oper- ongoing confl icts in Yemen, In this context, Qatar re- Tokyo ation in the area of coun- Somalia, Libya, Syria, Iraq ferred to the persistence of ter-terrorism and ways to and Afghanistan. the evil axes in the region operationalise the forum’s Qatar further stressed that in distorting religious prin- atar participated in initiatives. the real war on terror is not ciples in their favour and the 13th meeting of Qatar stressed its support the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and poisoning the minds of the Qthe Co-ordinating for these initiatives, stress- Syria militarily, it is to estab- desperate, stressing that the Committee of the Global ing the importance of con- lish social norms to ensure policy of “adventure” must Counterterrorism Forum structive co-operation with- peaceful coexistence, de- be put to an end “and politi- (GCTF), held in the Japanese out politicising the eff orts. mocracy, equal opportuni- cal manoeuvres by the new capital, Tokyo. During the meeting, Qa- ties and political integration. adventurers in the region. Qatari Foreign Minister’s tar presented its point of Qatar considers that suf- Qatar referred to the im- Special Envoy on Counter- view in the fi ght against fering and injustice paves portant role played by non- terrorism and Mediation in terrorism and extremism the way for terrorism to governmental institutions Disputes’ settlements am- from a regional perspec- fl ourish, in addition to the in operationalising the ob- bassador Dr Mutlaq bin Ma- tive, stating that most of the extremist religious doc- jectives and initiatives of the jed al-Qahtani headed the root causes of the confl icts trines that posed a threat forum, warning the exploi- country’s delegation during related to terrorism and ex- to all, it is a sign that these tation of these institutions the meeting. tremism in the Middle East extremist ideologies exist in by some States of the region Participating delegations belonged to sectarian diff er- all cultures and are not ex- (as a centre of guidance) for discussed ways to strength- ences, regional rivalry and clusive to Islam. political purposes.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, March 26, 2018 QATAR

OFFICIAL

Emir appoints head of ACTA

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Emiri decision No 12 for 2018 appointing HE Hamad bin Nasser bin Rashid al-Misned al-Mohannadi as Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority (ACTA). The decision is eff ective starting from its date of issue and shall be published in the off icial gazette. NHRC chief meets Italian envoy

Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met the Italian ambassador to Qatar Pasquale Salzano in Doha yesterday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of co- operation and the exchange of experiences on rights issues. Qatar-UK anti-terror steps discussed

HE the Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri met the UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Burt in Doha yesterday. They discussed a number of topics of A view of the participants. Mohamed al-Kuwari speaking at the event. common interest as well as international action in the field of combating terrorism and its financing. Both parties agreed to maintain high-level bilateral co-operation in the legal and judicial fields. Healthcare sector witnessing unparalleled growth: minister

zRegion’s largest healthcare able year for healthcare in Qatar, never been a more exciting time Saidi, Qatar’s National Health exploring how care providers can quality and safety noting that the current rate of for healthcare in Qatar,” said HE Strategy 2018-2022 was offi cially use innovative ideas to improve conference concludes growth in services, facilities, and Dr al-Kuwari. launched. healthcare. staff across the healthcare sector Citing Qatar’s ranking by the The Forum, which included The conference also saw the is unparalleled. Legatum Institute as 13th in more than 60 sessions delivered launch of the MyHealth patient he largest conference dedi- Dr al-Kuwari stated that this the world for healthcare sys- by over 20 international and 65 portal, a joint initiative of HMC cated to healthcare quality growth has been possible because tems, Dr al-Kuwari added that locally-based presenters, was and Primary Health Care Cor- Timprovement and patient of the commitment His Highness growth and expansion of care developed by Hamad Medical poration that allows patients to safety in the Arab world concluded the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- facilities was only part of the Corporation (HMC) and the In- access their electronic personal yesterday in Doha with over 2,500 mad al-Thani has shown towards equation. She highlighted the stitute for Healthcare Improve- health record online and through delegates attending the three-day investing in the health of the peo- importance of the forum as a ment (IHI). Patient-centred a mobile app. event. ple of Qatar. learning opportunity that sup- care, joy at work, improvement The conference also served as The 6th Middle East Forum on “With over 40,000 patients ports thousands of healthcare science, patient safety and lead- the backdrop to the unveiling of Quality and Safety in Healthcare, receiving care at the three new workers who are committed to ership, and capacity building the Nursing Now campaign, a an international quality improve- Hamad Medical City hospitals raising the quality of care pro- were among the topics covered three-year initiative run in col- ment conference for health- each month, and Sidra Medicine vided to patients. as part of the event’s theme of laboration with the World Health care professionals, was offi cially having commenced delivery of During the opening ceremo- ‘Building a Culture of Safety’. Organisation and the Internation- opened on Saturday morning. its inpatient services, joined by ny, held in the presence of Ku- Maureen Bisognano, president al Council of Nurses that seeks to Speaking during the opening cer- the addition of six new Primary wait’s Minister of Health Dr Ba- emerita and senior fellow at the empower nurses, enhancing their emony, HE the Minister of Public Health Care Wellness Centres that sel Hamoud al-Hamad al-Sabah IHI, delivered one of four ple- infl uence and maximising their Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al- are providing patients with care and Oman’s Minister of Health nary sessions entitled ‘New contribution to healthcare deliv- Kuwari said it had been a remark- closer to their homes, there has Dr Ahmed Mohamed Obaid al- Ways for Courage and Caring’, ery. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 5 QATAR QCS organises colorectal cancer awareness activity atar Cancer Society cator at NCCCR said, “The (QCS) organised an activities focused on giving Qawareness activity clear pieces of informa- in collaboration with Na- tion if the colorectal can- tional Center for Cancer cer can be found at an early Care and Research (NC- stage, the survival rate is CCR), as part of “Eat Right, about 90%.” Live Better” campaign Prevention of the disease to raise awareness about was also discussed includ- colorectal cancer. ing consumption of healthy Nisreen Yahya, health diet vegetables, fruits, to- educator at QCS, said, tal dietary fi bre 10g/day, “Colorectal cancer is the avoiding smoking and al- second most common can- cohol and moderate physi- cer in men and third among cal activity of at least 30 women in Qatar. It also aims The QCS promotes “Eat Right, Live Better” campaign. minute a day. Further, all to broaden the understand- men and women who reach ing of the public about the The signs and symptoms to have a bowel movement 50 years old are advised to importance of the preven- of the disease are bleeding when there is no need to register for bowel screen- tion and early detection of from the rectum, blood in have one, new onset of con- ing. Registration is on for colorectal cancer. The event the stool which may make stipation or diarrhoea that all men and women of age emphasised on screening as it look dark, a change in the lasts for more than a few between 50-72 years old for colorectal cancer is a non- shape of the stool, cramp- days, unintentional weight bowel screening through symptomatic disease espe- ing or abdominal pain, feel- loss, weakness and fatigue. the cancer screening cially in early stage.” ing of discomfort or an urge A patient and family edu- programme.

Sidra Medicine welcomes Omani delegation

idra Medicine welcomed a delegation from Oman Sled by Health Minister Dr Ahmed Mohamed al-Saidi. The delegation included min- istry offi cials who discussed areas of joint collabora- tion in clinical care, medical education and research. A Sidra Medicine team comprising Peter Morris, chief executive offi cer; Dr Abdulla al-Kaabi, executive chair, Children’s Services Clinical Management Group Sidra Medicine team welcomes Omani delegation. and member of the board of governors; Abdulrazaq Hamed, director, Inter- from Oman to Sidra Medi- delivering world-class med- al-Kuwari, chief, corporate national Medical Aff airs, cine. We are looking forward ical education to our bright services; Khalid al-Mohan- welcomed the delegation. to building strong and long- young talent and support- nadi, executive director of Morris said, “It was an term ties between our two ing breakthroughs in clini- communications; Dr Eman honour to welcome Min- nations in support of trans- cal research for the ben- Nasralla, engagement and ister Dr Ahmed Mohamed forming the care of women, efi t of patients in the region events manager; and Nazmy al-Saidi and the delegation young people and children, and internationally.” Gulf Times 6 Monday, March 26 ,2018 QATAR

Qatar rejects Eritrean ministry’s statement Foreign Ministry source expressed completely false claims, especially as it contra- Qatar’s rejection and condemnation dicts with Qatar’s foreign policy principles that Aof a press statement made by the respect the sovereignty of other countries and Ministry of Information of Eritrea, pub- promote peaceful coexistence. The source add- Pakistan National Day lished on March 22, 2018, which mentioned ed that Qatar is keen on the security and stabil- Qatar as one of the military threats that the ity of the Horn of Africa region. The source also Horn of Africa region could face. said that the historic bonds between the people The source said that statement contained of Qatar and Eritrea were strong. celebrated with fanfare

By Kamran Rehmat had seen those ties become Doha ever stronger. “We pray for the success of our Qatari brethren, and he 78th National our mission in Qatar con- Day of Pakistan was tinues to look for avenues Tcelebrated in style of cooperation between at Ritz-Carlton Doha last our two countries. I am evening. The glittering cer- confi dent in our contin- emony was attended by a ued shared partnership,” large number of Qatari dig- the ambassador said, and nitaries, including royals, thanked His Highness the high-ranking government Emir Sheikh Tamim bin functionaries, members Hamad al-Thani, the Qa- of the diplomatic corps, tari leadership, government prominent businesspeople and the people, for the love and notables of the Pakista- and support that they have ni community in Qatar. HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Hassan Lahdan shown and continue to show HE the Minister of Justice Saqr al-Mohannadi, HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed to the Pakistani people. and Acting Minister of State bin Hassan al-Hammadi and other Qatari dignitaries cutting the cake with Pakistan The offi cial ceremony for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Hassan ambassador Shahzad Ahmad at the event yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil concluded with the cutting Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi of a cake by Qatari guests of graced the occasion as the sador Ahmad highlighted honour, and the Pakistani chief guest, along with HE Pakistan’s rich heritage and ambassador. the Secretary-General of the culture, zeroing in on the Yesterday’s high profi le Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr tourism potential off ered by event was the second succes- Ahmed bin Hassan al-Ham- the country’s historical sites sive celebration of Pakistan’s madi, Protocol Chief Ibrahim and the sheer majesty of its National Day following Fri- Yusuf Fakhro, Pakistan’s just breathtaking landscape. day’s festivity on the embassy retired distinguished air chief Inviting the distin- premises for expatriate Paki- Sohail Aman, and Alfardan guished guests, and every- stanis. Yesterday’s celebra- Group chairman Hussain Al- one else to take the plunge, tion was made all the more fardan were also present on he said, “Today, it’s never memorable for it marked the occasion. been easier to visit and learn the day when Pakistan was The ceremony began with about the rich culture of Pa- crowned World Champions the playing of national an- kistan and its people. The A view of the gathering. after winning the cricket thems of Qatar and Paki- Financial Times added Pa- World Cup in Australia. stan, which was followed kistan to its list of “Where turally rich, diverse and the yourself,” Ambassador Ah- In a spirited coincidence, by a speech from Shahzad to go in 2018: an insider’s Pakistani people welcoming mad said as a series of spec- major league cricket also re- Ahmad, Pakistan’s ambas- guide” and now with nine and tolerant. Mispercep- tacular visuals played out turned to Karachi yesterday sador to Qatar. The envoy fl ights a day from Qatar tions have been popularised on the large screen for the after a hiatus of nine years, gave a brief backgrounder Airways and a journey time by lazy, and at times, biased benefi t of the guests. sparking wild jubilations of the day’s signifi cance — of three hours, it has never journalism,” the ambassador He was also sanguine back home. The Pakistani the ‘Pakistan Resolution’ of been easier to make this a noted, before pointing out about the state of bilat- guests at Ritz-Carlton were 23rd March 1940 in Lahore destination.” that the world had grown eral relations with Qatar. soon treated to the live cov- that paved the way, seven He advised the interested smaller through the frequen- He said Pakistan and Qatar erage of the Pakistan Super years later, for an independ- not to pay heed to the often cy and low cost of travel. shared extremely strong League fi nal, doubled by ent state for the Muslims of biased portrayal of his coun- “There are really no ex- ties, and that theirs was an array of mouthwatering the Indian subcontinent. try. “The media image por- cuses for unfounded opin- “not a singular relationship trademark Pakistani dishes, In a departure from most- trayed of Pakistan is so far ion making. And I urge you but multi-faceted”. He not- which were equally lapped up ly formal speeches, ambas- from reality. Pakistan is cul- to visit and see Pakistan for ed that the last several years by foreigners of all shades. Over 4mn young people benefi t from Doha Peace Document: Sudan minister

QNA and stability in the region. young people of Sudan who Sudanese government’s Khartoum In a statement to Qatar benefi ted from the promis- fulfi lment of its obligations News Agency (QNA) yester- ing opportunities that were under the agreement. day, Dr Abdul Karim Musa available in Darfur to par- He also stressed that the udanese Minister of said that this approach es- ticipate positively in con- youth sector is the primary Youth and Sports Dr tablished the real stability struction and reconstruc- benefi ciary of the Doha Peace SAbdul Karim Musa in the region and resulted tion projects. Document in Darfur, because Abdul Karim said that in the absorption of a seg- The Sudanese minister it is a vital sector that has more than 4mn young ment of young people, who underlined that his minis- now embarked towards edu- people in the Darfur states constitute a high proportion try benefi ted greatly from cation and development. benefited from the gains of the population of Darfur, the strategies set by Qatar He added that the peace of the Doha Document for in the development proc- in the Doha Document re- process established by Qa- Peace in Darfur and con- ess in the country, adding garding the sectors of youth tar in Sudan was not easy, tributed to enhancing the that the peace process in and sports by providing but came after painstaking sustainability of security Darfur served the rest of the infrastructure, besides the eff orts.

OFFICIAL

Qatar condemns car bombing in Alexandria

Qatar has strongly condemned and denounced the car bombing that took place in the Rushdi area of the Egyptian city of Alexandria, killing two people and wounding several others. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of motives and reasons. The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Egypt, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. QMC chief meets head of ASBU

HE the Chief Executive Off icer of the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al- Thani met the head of Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) Mohamed al-Awash and ASBU Director-General Engineer Abdel Rahim Suleiman. The meeting discussed diff erent media co- operation aspects between QMC and ASBU, and ways to develop them. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 7 QATAR Al-Sada calls for protecting Lights off at the Ooredoo environment The countdown to the event at the Ooredoo headquarters in West Bay. headquarters.

QNA duce carbon emissions, refl ect- to raise awareness of the im- ing the importance of the opti- portance of energy saving, she Ooredoo tower plunges into Doha mum use of electricity as well added. as the importance of preserving She said that the goal of this E the Minister of Energy Earth and environment in a sus- event does not stop at this hour, and Industry Dr Mo- tainable manner. it is rather an invitation to all for Hhamed bin Saleh al-Sada He said the growing interest creativity and innovation in or- darkness for Earth Hour said the Earth Hour, which Qatar in this initiative and the par- der to fi nd alternative solutions observed along with over 7,000 ticipation of several institutions for a sustainable future and cre- or the ninth year in a row, darkness and Ooredoo and Glo- Earth Hour is a worldwide and environmental awareness. cities around the globe, contrib- and companies in observing ating projects that contribute to Ooredoo joined companies bal Shapers Community volun- initiative that has grown from a This year, we’re proud to have utes to raising awareness of the this occasion by turning off the the preservation of the environ- Fand monuments around teers surrounded its entrance single lights-off event in Sydney teamed up with Global Shapers importance of preserving the lights for one hour aim to deliver ment. the world in marking Earth Hour with candles, “highlighting the in 2007 to a global event that en- Community Mena, to reach out planet. a message to the community At the end of the function, the by switching off all the lights and company’s commitment to pro- gages more than 7,000 cities and to young people and begin a new In remarks he made on the about the importance of main- lights were switched off from non-essential systems at its HQ1 tecting the environment”, it said towns worldwide. partnership.” sidelines of the Earth Hour event taining the optimal use of energy 8.30pm to 9.30pm. tower in West Bay, for an hour in a statement. Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, GSC Mena is an initiative of of Qatar General Electricity & sources Kahramaa’s participation from 8.30pm on Saturday. Ooredoo was the fi rst com- director of PR and Corporate the World Economic Forum, Water Corp (Kahramaa) on Sat- in raising awareness of energy This year, Ooredoo teamed up pany in Qatar to publicly com- Communications at Ooredoo led by young people between urday, Dr al-Sada said the idea of Al-Sada said everyone efficiency and rationalisation with Global Shapers Community mit to Earth Hour in 2009 and Qatar, said: “Ooredoo is proud to the ages of 20 and 33. The Glo- marking the day started in Syd- should contribute to the of consumption among the (GSC) Mena to create a countdown has since grown its Earth Hour once again be supporting such an bal Shapers Community was ney in 2007 and spread through- planet’s conservation by members of society contrib- to the event at its headquarters. events to involve more people important message and remind- founded in 2011 and has more out the world, becoming the reducing emissions utes to the achievement of the After the countdown, the and companies than ever, the ing the people of Qatar the im- than 7,395 members in around world’s largest ever activity in objectives of the National Pro- Ooredoo tower plunged into statement noted. portance of energy conservation 158 countries across the world. this framework. Participants at event signed gramme for Conservation and Its goal is to promote the im- a map of Qatar to express their Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) portance of attention for and commitment to the land by ra- and ensures the achievement preserving the environment, and tionalising consumption, con- of sustainable environmental LuLu joins global initiative to prevent climate change, which serving the environment and development in accordance LuLu Hypermarket outlets is mainly caused by carbon mon- reducing carbon emissions as a with Qatar National Vision in Qatar observed Earth oxide emissions. national responsibility and mor- 2030. Hour on Saturday by Al-Sada said everyone should al duty. Many sectors in the country switching off the external contribute to the planet’s con- The ceremony also included participated in the Earth Hour lights in support to the servation by reducing emis- a visual presentation of Earth by turning off the lights. annual global initiative. sions, reducing electricity and Hour as a global initiative aimed Earth Hour is a worldwide water consumption and send- at raising awareness of environ- movement organised by the ing a message to everyone that mental issues. World Wide Fund for Nature there is an important planet to Head of Communication De- (WWF). The event is held an- preserve. partment Alia al-Jammae said nually encouraging individuals, Kahramaa president Essa bin that Kahramaa marks Earth communities, and businesses to Hilal al-Kuwari said that the Hour due to the importance of turn off non-essential electric Earth Hour is a symbolic event climate-related issues. lights for one hour, from 8.30 marked by everyone turning off Turning off lights and not to 9.30pm on a specifi c day, as lights for one hour, adding that using electrical appliances for a symbol of commitment to the the aim of the initiative is to re- an hour is a symbolic action planet.

Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 9 QATAR

Genocide Day

MoI officials Brigadier Ibrahim al-Haremi and Captain Ali al-Binali receiving the award from Mada officials. Metrash2 gets Mada award Metrash2 received the Digital rector of Information Systems cess all information, applica- Access Certified Award from Department at the General tions, e-services and digital the Mada – Qatar Assistive Information Systems Depart- content as well as others, and Technology Center on adopt- ment, whereas Captain al- we are keen to empower ing digital access for Persons Binali is the head of e-Services people with disabilities and with Disabilities in the app. and Internet. older persons and integrate The Bangladesh embassy in Doha said it observed Genocide Day with due solemnity yesterday. Present on the occasion were embassy off icials and Mada Center CEO Maha Mo- Brigadier al-Haremi expressed them fully into society,” said a good number of expatriate Bangladeshis, who observed a minute’s silence to pay respect to the martyrs of the War of Liberation. Messages from hamed al-Mansouri presented his appreciation for the award al-Mansouri. Bangladesh’s president and prime minister on the day were also read out, and a discussion meeting was also organised to highlight the significance the award to Ministry of Inte- to Metrash2 in recognition of She appreciated the eff orts of the occasion. In his speech, Bangladesh ambassador Ashud Ahmed recalled the events on the night of March 25, 1971, as well as the role played by rior (MoI) off icials Brigadier its compliance with the stand- of the Information Systems Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the freedom fighters in the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent Ibrahim al-Haremi and Cap- ards of electronic access to e- Department at the MoI and country. A documentary on Genocide Day was screened prior to the discussion and a special prayer was also off ered. tain Ali al-Binali at a ceremony services and facilities granted their interest to ensure that held at Mada headquarters in to persons with disabilities. people with disabilities have Dafna. “We believe in the right of access to multiple services of Brigadier al-Haremi is the di- people with disabilities to ac- its Metrash2 app. Electronic pre-registration to ease admissions in private schools

he Ministry of Educa- seats available in the required class Services Department. A school will the designated date and time. tion and Higher Education in all schools where an applica- have the freedom to distribute the Schools have to verify the contact Thas launched an electronic tion is submitted. Hamad al-Ghali, available vacant seats in the classes numbers of parents entered in the pre-registration system in private director of the Private Schools Li- they have. system to facilitate communication. schools for the next academic year censing Department at the minis- In addition, the new system guar- In the event of booking a seat and in order to streamline the enrolment try, said there is huge load on private antees that no acceptance exams or paying the required fees, guardians process. and public schools during the pre- interview is conducted in case no must know that the names of such The ministry has held a workshop registration phase, something that vacant seats are available. The on- students will be removed from all to provide a detailed overview of prompted the ministry to launch line registration system will show waiting lists. the new system, which is expected the electronic service to ease the the educational background of the Besides, parents should also to ease the registration procedures burden. He said the new system will student over the past two years, know that a school would not be for both schools and parents, and help guarantee that students are which will help schools learn about able to book a seat for their children guarantee that all students get the enrolled for the new academic year. the student’s school, curriculum after completing the registration required seats before the start of the Al-Ghali said the Private Schools studied and class. process in case fees and charges are 2018-19 academic year. Licensing Department, in co-oper- Parents would be able to follow due to another school. A key advantage of the system is ation with the Information Tech- up their e-applications through the This is aimed at protecting the that it will facilitate schools to stick nology Department, has launched reference number received through rights of all schools. to the capacity allocated by the the facility to deal with any diffi - an SMS generated by the system. Al-Ghali stressed that all schools ministry to ensure the safety and culty while registering in more than Al-Ghali said schools should enter should abide by these instructions security of students, the offi cial Qa- one school or kindergarten. all applications received from stu- and register all new students in the tar News Agency reported yester- According to a statement by the dents into the system and deter- National Student Information Sys- day. Also, parents would be able to ministry, the system will make sure mine the admission tests, whether tem at the start of the new academic know the number of children on the that schools abide by the capacity written or interviews, and send an year, pointing out that this is only waiting list as well as the number of allotted for each class by the Joint SMS notifying the parents about required for new students.

International Civil Defence meet begins in Doha today

Doha will host the 51st Executive ICDO Secretary-General Vladimir Council meeting and 23rd General Kuvshinov and Deputy Secretary- Assembly of the International General Belkacem Elketroussi. Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) Al-Suwaidi said field exercise will for three days from today. A have the participation of all the number of ministers and senior specialised entities in Qatar. He off icials from 48 countries will explained that the exercise, aimed take part in the event which to highlight the great capabili- will discuss a number of topics ties of Qatar in the humanitarian related to the organisation’s line field, will be attended by observer of work, its development, internal countries Singapore, Turkey, laws and future plans. India, Australia, Kuwait, Oman and The event will witness a field exer- Jordan. ICDO Secretary-General cise by Qatar’s General Directorate Kuvshinov said the meeting will of Civil Defence in collaboration also give a chance for the partici- with the Search and Rescue team of pants to take a close look at the Lekhwiya at Ras Laff an Emer- civil defence facilities in Qatar and gency College. The details were its great potential in this field. announced at a meeting yesterday Deputy Secretary-General Elket- by the General Directorate of Civil roussi described the event as a Defence Director General Brigadier “historical meeting”, as it is held for Brigadier al-Suwaidi and ICDO’s Kuvshinov and Elketroussi at a meeting Abdullah Mohamed al-Suwaidi, the first time in the Arab region. yesterday in Doha. QIFF attracts more than 400,000 in 11 days

By Joey Aguilar ‘Nino’ Logarta, Lebanon’s Chef Staff Reporter Ramzi, Turkey’s Murat Bozok and Qatar’s very own Aisha al-Tamimi. “Qatar is a big destination in the he ninth edition of Qatar Middle East today and people come International Food Festival from all over the world because Qa- T(QIFF), held from March 15 tar Airways fl ies everywhere. It is to 25 at the Hotel Park, attracted truly an international food city with more than 400,000 residents and great food where you can get street visitors, Qatar Tourism Authority food or go to a nice restaurant,” (QTA) said yesterday. Puck said in a statement. In a press statement, QTA said Echoing Puck’s view, Canada’s the country’s longest-running cu- Rashed al-Qurese. Hamad al-Mulla. renowned pastry guru Anna Olson linary event provided festival-goers said: “A visit to Doha is just so easy. with “a rich mix of fl avours, cul- wards accomplishing the goals set in cooking classes and one mini zoo. It’s on the way to so many places but tures and entertainment” over the the Next Chapter of Qatar’s National “QIFF continues to spread its also a destination in itself.” past 11 days. Tourism Sector Strategy 2030.” passion for exciting culinary expe- In a bid to support the local com- QTA’s chief marketing and pro- More than 180 participants took riences through the special QIFF munity, QIFF organisers partnered motion offi cer Rashed al-Qurese part in this year’s festival, includ- Menu, which will continue to be with Msheireb Museums to deliver said festivals such as QIFF form ing 16 hotels, nine embassies in off ered at participating restaurants a healthy food and nutrition aware- part of their wider tourism strategy Doha, seven food trucks, 15 stalls for and cafes until March 31,” QTA said. ness programme for 700 schools to grow and diversify the country’s the Torba Market (with 29 partici- The QIFF Cooking Theatre fea- students from 14 diff erent schools, tourism off erings, particularly in pants), 31 volunteers, 77 QIFF Menu tured live demonstrations of celeb- including Shafallah, earlier this the area of family and urban enter- participants across Qatar and 34 lo- rity chefs who shared best cooking month. Katara Hospitality CEO Ha- tainment. “As QIFF continues to cal, regional and international food tips and tricks with visitors. mad Abdulla al-Mulla said the fes- grow year on year, we are particu- celebrities. The line-up included Austrian- tival also gave them the opportunity larly pleased to see a similar growth The event also featured 29 live born Wolfgang Puck, US’s Christine to showcase the Hotel Park’s “im- in the private sector’s involvement cultural performances, 10 fire- Ha, Japan’s Iron Chef Masaharu peccable natural landscape,” which in the country’s festivals,” he noted. works displays (five-minutes Morimoto, Kuwait’s Sulaiman al- demonstrates the organisation’s “We look forward to continuing such long), nine film screenings by Qassar, Fawaz al-Omaim and Asma commitment to social responsibil- trend as we take steady strides to- Doha Film Institute, four QIFF al-Bahar, the Philippines’ Luis Rey ity and sustainability. Gulf Times 10 Monday, March 26, 2018 QATAR Doha Bank Minister, US team hold rolls out ‘back to school’ talks to boost trade ties campaign E the Minister of Econ- omy and Commerce HSheikh Ahmed bin Jas- oha Bank, one of the loyalty rewards in LuLu points sim bin Mohamed al-Thani largest private com- currency. yesterday discussed, with a vis- Dmercial banks in Qa- “Doha Bank understands iting US business delegation, tar, has once again rolled out how challenging the back-to- the means and mechanisms to its ‘back to school’ campaign school season can be for par- strengthen economic, trade and to help parents pay their chil- ents. Our campaign aims to investment relations and ways dren’s school fees using the help ease the heavy fi nancial to promote bilateral relations bank’s credit card with easy burden on them by making the between Qatar and the US. and fl exible repayment plans, payment process easier for our The meeting, held in the while receiving guaranteed credit card holders, off ering framework of co-operation ac- Doha Miles rewards for their them increased convenience tivities between the Ministry of spend. and fl exibility. In addition, we Economy and Commerce and Under the ‘back to school consider this as an excellent the US-Qatari Business Council, 2018’ programme, which will opportunity to reward our cus- reviewed the results of the US- run until May 20, Doha Bank tomers for their loyalty. With Qatari strategic dialogue, held customers can convert their this campaign, we have once recently in Washington, DC. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani meeting with a visiting US business delegation in child’s school fee payments again affi rmed our commit- The Minister pointed out Doha yesterday. of a minimum of QR1,000 per ment to improving the quality that Qatar has increased its in- transaction into an interest- of life of our customers, by way vestments in the US over many zens currently working in Qatar’s in 2016. According to the latest nesspersons. Qatar Businessmen incide with the visit of His High- free six-month payment plan of enhancing convenience and years, contributing to the crea- private sector, and that thousands World Bank report, Qatar’s real Association chairman HE Sheikh ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin with no processing fee. providing a rewarding banking tion of millions of jobs in the of other jobs in the US depend on the GDP growth is expected to rise Faisal bin Qasim al-Thani and Hamad al-Thani. In addition, customers can experience,” said Braik Ali H US. These included partnerships existing investments with Qatar. to 2.6% in 2018. Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh He further stressed the impor- earn a bonus of up to 20,000 S al-Marri, acting chief retail with many American compa- He cited the successes Also yesterday, as part of the Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani were tance of the trade mission and Doha Miles with every lo- banking offi cer, Doha Bank. nies including ExxonMobil, achieved by the Qatari econ- preparation for the upcoming present. anticipated increased trade ex- cal school fee payment of Doha Bank credit cardhold- ConocoPhillips and Raytheon. omy, including the rise in the business mission to the US next The minister discussed the change volume between the two QR10,000 or more using Doha ers can call 4445-6000 or visit HE Sheikh Ahmed explained GDP during 2017, to reach about month, the Minister met a group preparations for the upcoming countries and growth in mutual Bank credit cards. LuLu card- www.dohabank.com to learn there are more than 5,000 US citi- $220bn, compared to $218bn of Qatari investors and busi- US business tour which will co- investments. (QNA) holders will instead receive more about the promotion. Al Khaliji extends Baladna sponsor of agricultural expo support to Shafallah he country’s largest dairy time, AgriteQ has proven to be swiftly move towards achieving producer Baladna Food the leading exhibition providing self-suffi ciency in dairy pro- l Khalij Commercial ognise the noble humanitarian TIndustries sponsored the support to local and interna- duction in Qatar. AgriteQ is an Bank (Al Khaliji) has role played by Shafallah Cen- Qatar International Agricultural tional stakeholders in the agri- important platform for Baladna Aextended support to tre in helping people with dis- Exhibition 2018 (AgriteQ), held cultural sector. The event was to participate in and exchange Shafallah Centre for Persons abilities, expand their options, recently at the Doha Exhibition a knowledge sharing hub that expertise while shedding light with Disabilities, a Qatar protect their rights and invest and Convention Centre. highlighted the latest advance- on its role as a leader in dairy Foundation for Social Work in their capabilities by pro- The exhibition was hosted by ments and trendiest practices of production.” (QFSW)-affi liated centre. viding the right channels and the Ministry of Municipality and the vital and growing sector. Baladna has been moving for- Al Khaliji’s partnership programmes that allow them Environment in collaboration Commenting on Baladna’s ward in raising its targets and is with Shafallah Centre falls to eff ectively contribute in the with IFP Group. It was held un- participation, Moutaz al-Khay- expected to be providing 100% under the bank’s corporate community development. der the patronage of His High- yat, chairman, board of direc- fresh milk to the Qatari market social responsibility (CSR) “This charitable initiative ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin tors at Baladna Food Industries, by Ramadan 2018, while covering HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah programme, guided by a main is a humble attempt to give Hamad al-Thani. said, “We are pleased to have over 70% of the demand for dairy al-Rumahi handing over a memento to Baladna vice chairman Ramez objective of helping the vul- back to our loved ones, and the For the sixth consecutive taken part in AgriteQ 2018, as we products by the end of the year. al-Khayyat at AgriteQ. nerable and serving the com- bank will continue to support mon humanitarian causes, it humanitarian and social ac- has said in a statement. tivities that benefi t the Qatari Dr Mohamed Tolefat, direc- society.” tor of Therapeutic Services at Al Khaliji stressed that it Shafallah Centre, expressed has an “ongoing commitment British Council launches City College off ers gratitude and said: “This ini- to CSR”, and supporting hu- tiative is part of a continuous man development within the partnership process between community is a “cornerstone the bank and Shafallah Cen- within Al Khaliji values, as it new learning programme business courses tre in supporting projects aims to achieve the Human for people with disabilities Development pillar of Qatar he British Council has announced the launch to integrate them into soci- National Vision 2030”. of an “innovative new approach” to Early he opening of City Col- to enter the higher education ety and show their potentials Shafallah Centre has a TYears English language learning. lege in September brings programmes with confi dence. and abilities, and make them deep-rooted history in hu- ‘Learning Time with Shaun & Timmy’ is a Tmuch more than just a City College off ers the fol- a productive group that con- manitarian and voluntary “groundbreaking collaboration” between Brit- new higher education institution lowing business specialisms tributes to the process of com- work that focuses on the pro- ish Council and Aardman, two of Britain’s “most off ering business courses for Qa- which are exactly equivalent to munity development and the vision to help people with trusted and respected organisations”. tari and expatriate high school the fi rst two years of a UK hon- overall development process intellectual disabilities and “By combining the UK’s world-leading Early graduates, but also breaks new ours degree in business: A gen- in the nation.” autism by providing model Years Foundation Stage methodology with the barriers with a learner-centric, eral business pathway, Business Mohamed AlKawari , head services in Qatar, in the areas world-famous fi lm and TV characters Shaun the practical approach to vocational with Finance and Accounts, of rewards and human re- of education, rehabilitation, Sheep and lamb of the fl ock Timmy, British Coun- higher education, according to a Business with Human Resourc- sources services at Al Khalij, community awareness and cil has created a dynamic and enjoyable way for kids statement. es Management, Business with added: “We at Al Khalij rec- human rights support. to learn English successfully,” British Council Qatar David Meaton, principal, Marketing, Business with Man- said in a statement. City College, said, “Our cours- agement and Operations, and The whole-learning experience is structured es are rooted fi rmly in employ- Entrepreneurship and Small around “unique videos and purposeful play in a play, kids will learn to act, take decisions, express ability and business compe- Business Development. themed, stimulating and safe environment spe- themselves, interact, react and deliberate.” tency: they are tailored to the Students will have prefer- cially designed for four- and fi ve-year olds”, the With hopes that this new programme will bring Qatar business world and, of ential entry into the fi nal year statement explains. At this age, young minds learn a new learning experience to Qatar that will be of course, to the global economy. of these University of Port- language and pronunciation naturally and learning benefi t to all students who join it, the British Coun- So for example, our students smouth honours degree in English will set them up well for school and life. cil and Aardman are building on their innovative spend time doing simulations the UK: BA Honours Business ‘Learning Time with Shaun & Timmy’ courses approach and developing more new products in and case studies with compa- with Business Communica- will be available in Qatar for children aged 4-5 2018 to enable greater numbers of young children nies right here in Doha, and tion, BA Honours Finance with years from April. With these courses, children will around the world to learn English in a fun and in- applying the insights they Business Communication, be able to develop their listening skills, master pro- spiring way, the statement adds. gain on our internationally and BA Honours International nunciation and enjoy learning English in a natural With limited seats available, registrations for recognised courses. Trade, Logistics and Business way, through stories, songs, movement, drama, and ‘Learning Time with Shaun & Timmy’ are now “BTEC, our awarding body, Communication. arts and crafts. open for the upcoming launch. One can contact the is the leading vocational high- The principal says that the Dr Frank Fitzpatrick, country director of Brit- British Council at 44251888 for more information. er education awarding body in college proposition is attrac- ish Council Qatar, said: “At the British Council, we Aardman, based in Bristol (UK), is a world leader the world, and City College is tive to many students: “Our understand the unique way that every young minds in animation. It produces feature fi lms, series, ad- the only approved BTEC Inter- students study for a UK hon- learn and our new innovative course has been vertising and digital entertainment for both the national Centre for Business ours degree but only spend Off icials mark the partnership. specifi cally designed with this in mind. Through domestic and international markets. at Levels 4, 5 and 7 in Qatar. one year abroad, so get to take Our international programme advantage of the security and is accepted by over 700 uni- familiarity of their home life versities worldwide and is here in Qatar. Taking the fi rst widely recognised to have the two years of the course right highest quality professional here in Doha is a most cost ef- Rolacc holds workshop for Sudanese delegation standards. This makes our fective way to earn a UK degree students highly skilled and accredited by the Ministry of employable, as their studies Education and Higher Educa- he Rule of Law and Anti- was opened with an explanation of have been academically rigor- tion. If you are over 17 years Corruption Center in Doha the structure of the training. The ous but also directly relevant old and looking for rewarding T(Rolacc), in co-operation with principles and mechanisms of im- to the workplace.” career in business, an opportu- the United Nations Offi ce on Drugs plementation of the UN Convention City College’s programme is nity to study at UK university and Crime (UNODC) last week held against Corruption were then ex- licensed by the Ministry of Ed- level and have a good level of a training workshop for a Sudanese plored, followed by an explanation of ucation and Higher Education English you should apply now.” delegation of government experts. the model timeline for the reviews. in Qatar. It is also regulated by The admissions offi ce for the The two-day workshop held at Lastly, a review of the articles of the the UK RQF for Higher Educa- college is located on Floor 37, Rolacc was designed to assist del- United Nations Convention against tion which governs standards Palm Tower B, West Bay, Doha. egates working with the United Corruption was undertaken. in UK higher education. The The offi ce is open between 9am Nations Convention Against Cor- On the second day, the practical programme provides clear and 4pm Sunday to Thursday. ruption. Representatives from the diffi culties encountered when re- pathways for young adults and General enquiries about college UNODC led the training, supported covering stolen or laundered funds, mature students alike to study such as questions about tui- by members of the Rolacc staff . and the provisions of the Conven- a range of business special- tion/fees, admissions events The aim of the workshop was to tion against Corruption concerning isms leading to the award of a and the admission process, assist the Sudanese delegation with the recovery of funds were the main Higher National Diploma and including deadlines, applica- the creation of a report, assess- topics discussed. a UK BA honours degree. tion requirements and admis- ing how Sudan had implemented The Rolacc provides local, region- The college caters for stu- sions criteria, are all handled the requirements of the current al and international training courses dents who leave school and by the admissions offi ce. Con- cycle of the United Nations Con- for various institutions and bodies in are not quite ready to start the tact details for the college are: vention against Corruption Review the fi eld of the rule of law, combat- business programme: they can Telephone - +974 40198198, Mechanism. ing corruption and governance in the study for bridging courses, e-mail – admissions@citycol- On the fi rst day, the workshop Middle East and North Africa region. The Sudanese delegation with Rolacc off icials. so they can top up their skills lege.edu.qa Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 11 QATAR Model school opened in Somalia

atar Charity (QC) has the Somali people”, it said in a praised the role of QC in Somalia persons, which will help remove build six schools with 24 class- said its offi ce in Somalia statement. and its charitable and develop- the obstacles and constraints rooms along with a fully equipped Qhas opened a model pri- Director of the QC offi ce in ment projects, which resulted in that prevent children and young educational area at a cost of mary school in the town of Hu- Somalia, Abdel Nour Mirsal, said the establishment of the school. people from getting primary and $1,683,100. dur, located in the southwestern education is a strategic direction According to QC, this edu- secondary education, the state- Earlier, the QC’s offi ce in So- Bakool region of Somalia near for Qatar Charity and the most cational project was the “fi rst ment noted. malia rehabilitated thousands of the border with Ethiopia. important justifi cation for its of its kind” in the town of Hu- The project, proposed under fl ood and cyclone victims in the It aims to benefi t around 350 intervention in Somalia, as good dur, where people did not re- the agreement, will rehabilitate Middle Shabelle Region and man- students, both male and female, education can fi ght poverty and ceive educational services and existing or newly-established aged to rehabilitate three schools, during the next academic year. eradicate illiteracy. there were almost no places to schools or build new schools in equipped with study tools, ma- The school consists of eight The deputy education offi cer study due to its location on the the targeted areas of return. The terials and aid through its early classrooms equipped with tables of the South West State of So- outskirts of capital Mogadishu, scope of work will include, but is recovery programmes, the state- and desks for study, a manager’s malia, Mohamed Abdullah Shar- which made it harder to reach not limited to, the construction ment added. offi ce, a teacher’s room and two if; educational aff airs offi cer of than others. or rehabilitation of classrooms, Since its establishment until toilets.The opening of the school the town of Hudur, Abdul Qader Qatar Charity has signed a in addition to the construction or the end of last year, the offi ce has came as part of QC’s “interest in Nour; and an elite group of peo- co-operation agreement with rehabilitation of sports facilities. implemented 465 educational education to improve the per- ple from the city participated the UNHCR to reintegrate So- In a related context, the UNH- projects, benefi ting more than sonal and professional lives of in the opening ceremony. They mali returnees and displaced CR, in co-operation with QC, will 190,000 students. The model primary school in Hudur. Taiwan supports Qatar’s push for clean energy programmes

By Peter Alagos ing countries or other markets Business Reporter outside the Middle East. Cur- Gaza fishing boat project. rently, Taiwan exports the ‘eco smart glass’ to the US, Japan, aiwan’s innovative so- South Korea, England, and lutions in the field of Switzerland. Tclean technology can Chuang said NexPower, the QC’s empowerment play a significant role in Qa- company that manufactures tar’s thrust to generate power ‘eco smart glass’, has mass through renewable energy produced the product, low- projects support sources, an official of the Tai- ering costs from $600 per wan External Trade Develop- square metre to $300 per sqm. ment Council (Taitra) has said. In a speech, QBA chairman more than 43,000 According to Taitra vice HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al- chairman Dr Suo-Hang Thani said: “Discussing green Chuang, a delegation compris- energy is extremely important atar Charity (QC) has and target groups”. He said ing Taiwanese companies are both in the business perspec- said its economic em- Qatar Charity has allocated in the country to participate in tive as the environmental one. Qpowerment projects a large part of these projects the ‘Taiwan Green Energy So- Our government is actively have benefi ted more than to benefi t sponsored orphans lution Providers to Qatar’ fo- working towards a more ener- 43,000 people over the past and their families. Also, a sig- rum held under the patronage QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani. Right: Taitra vice chairman Dr Suo-Hang Chuang. gy-efficient future for Qatar year in 27 countries across the nifi cant part of such income- of the Qatari Businessmen As- PICTURES: Nassar T K and private businesses also globe. generation projects are de- sociation (QBA), in association need to take action. These projects have con- voted to Syrian refugees and with Al Sawari Holding. buildings can play a significant insulating a building from UV Chuang told reporters on “We are proud to receive this tributed to “developing the displaced persons in order to Speaking at the forum, role in achieving these goals.” and IR rays, and at the same the sidelines of the forum that elite business delegation of capabilities of the benefi ciar- economically empower them Chuang said: “With Qa- Chuang also introduced the time harvests solar power. “given the opportunity,” Tai- green energy solution provid- ies and provided employment by providing jobs, improving tar’s plan to generate 20% of ‘eco smart glass’, Taiwan’s lat- “The ‘eco-smart glass’ is a wanese companies are keen to ers and we are looking forward opportunities to them in many their skills and capabilities the country’s energy needs est innovation in electricity total solution for a green build- set up manufacturing facility to discuss how the new tech- areas, with a focus on the and supporting their projects through renewable sources generation using solar power. ing, which has a semi-conduc- that can produce the special nological developments can be families of orphans and Syr- that ensure a constant source by 2024, and to reduce its per Compared to the conventional tor that can generate electric- glass in Qatar. used to reduce our energy con- ian refugees”, QC has said in a of income to take care of their capita energy consumption by window glass, the ‘eco smart ity and through an inverter can The products, he added, can sumption and contribute to our statement. families. 15%, I believe that Taiwanese glass’ has the ability to keep channel power to an air condi- be used for local consump- country’s sustainable energy The director of QC’s Project QC implements a number of solutions for energy-efficient the room temperature lower by tioning system,” he added. tion or exported to neighbour- production.” Management, Khalid al-Yafei, income-generating projects, said these projects are part of including, but not limited to: the organisation’s strategy to fi shing boats, poultry, farms, combat poverty and support shops, dairy cattle, goats, the capacities of individuals transport vehicles, sewing and communities in a sustain- machines, embroidery ma- able manner in needy coun- chines, motorcycles and sell- Nearly 480 take part in QRCS sports fest tries. Qatar Charity managed ing carts, the statement point- to implement 4,886 economic ed out. empowerment projects, ben- Countries that have ben- atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) efi ting some 43,000 people, efi ted from QC’s economic recently concluded its second an- he added. empowerment projects in- Qnual Sports Fest under the theme, Al-Yafei stressed that QC clude Palestine, Turkey, Su- ‘Keep the fi re burning: rise and win as one’. “attaches great importance dan, Ethiopia, Jordan, Alba- Held at Muaither Sports Club, the one- to economic empowerment nia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Senegal, month event featured 12 soccer teams, projects due to their benefi ts Somalia, Kenya, Morocco, eight cricket teams, six basketball teams, and positive returns for in- India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, 64 carrom players, 28 chess players and 16 dividuals and communities, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Tan- table tennis players. taking into account the qual- zania, Togo, Tunisia, Sri Lan- The total number of players was 481, ity of projects and the specifi - ka, Syria, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, a nearly 100% rise from last year’s 244, city of the countries, regions Cambodia, Lebanon and Mali. QRCS said in a statement. The fi nal day was attended by QRCS offi cials Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Ali al-Maadheed, president; Ali bin Has- san al-Hammadi, secretary-general, Dr Abdul-Salam al-Qahtani, board member and general director, Medical Aff airs Divi- sion; Dr Khaled Abdul-Hadi, chairman, Medical Advisory Committee; Dr Hassan Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Ali al-Yafi , executive director, Medical Aff airs Group picture of the participants. al-Maadheed delivering his speech. Division, and staff . Muaither Sports Club president Saleh 500. And the level of competition is also all the participants and organisers of the this initiative a year-round event as part al-Ajji and secretary-general Dr Mah- much higher. We’re going to support it as event, which saw a “higher level of posi- of the cultural and sports activities of moud al-Mahmoud were also present. such activities bring us together. tive spirit, teamwork and fair play among QRCS’ Medical Aff airs Division. “We hope Dr al-Maadheed said during the closing “We’ll try to push it further next year, the players”. “I’d like also to thank our to have other medical institutions en- ceremony, “I’m really honoured to be here and hope that we can have teams from brothers at Muaither Sports Club for their gaged in this sports tournament, which today. Last year we had fewer than 300 other organisations and companies.” hospitality,” he said. promotes the values of physical activity A grocery project in Kosovo. participants, and now we are just short of In his speech, Dr al-Qahtani thanked Dr al-Qahtani revealed plans to make and competition.”

CCQ ‘enhances’ international community service partnerships

he Community College of cational fi elds.” Faculty mem- practices and reassess their own the construction of further new Qatar (CCQ) has formed a bers from the Community Col- attitudes and values towards classrooms, delivering the pos- Tdevelopment partnership lege of Qatar engaged in a special education, themselves and the sibility for more students in the with a secondary school in the community service project, as wider world,” said Thomas village to access an education. small village of Makunduchi, on part of this partnership, through Hodgson, the head of the project Since the partnership was the south coast of Unguja island, two visits to Makunduchi. The and CCQ faculty member. formed in April 2017, funds Zanzibar, Tanzania. CCQ faculty worked with staff Dr Mick King, chair of the had been raised to improve the This comes as part of CCQ’s and students on delivering sta- English Language Centre at physical attributes of the school. “continued commitment to be tionery supplies, teaching Eng- CCQ, added: “Returning to Enough money was raised to a beacon of community service lish classes and helping paint Makunduchi Secondary School construct a block of three brand- in the region and beyond”, it has older classrooms, many of which was meaningful for those who new classrooms, which were said in a statement. stand at over 100 years old. travelled for a second time and formally opened on January 29 The purpose of this partner- Dr Ibrahim al-Naimi, presi- for those in Zanzibar who re- by Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa, dis- ship is to “explore ways of devel- dent of CCQ, said: “I am proud ceived us. It was a sign that we trict commissioner of Southern oping educational practices and of this worthy and charitable are in this partnership for the Zanzibar. give faculty a bold new outlook undertaking from our faculty, long haul.” In the coming years, CCQ on education in a region of the which is part of CCQ’s deter- Mussa Kinole, headmaster of will “continue its eff orts to en- world very diff erent to the Ara- mined commitment to civic Makunduchi Secondary School, hance this partnership by tak- bian Gulf”, the statement noted. engagement and to support all thanked the CCQ faculty for both ing its students to Makunduchi “International partnerships be- educational eff orts.” visits and stressed his keenness as part of their service-learning tween institutions such as this “This is a real chance for peo- to explore more ways to further education programmes, which show a great understanding and ple to make a positive change and strengthen and harness the re- is expected to be a life-changing appreciation of the challenges explore not only a new region, lationship between the two in- experience for them”, the state- A snapshot of a CCQ visit to Makunduchi. that occur across a range of edu- but also alternative pedagogical stitutions. This may include ment added. Gulf Times 12 Monday, March 26, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Warplanes hit Hamas positions Syrians in rebel enclave in Gaza

AFP Jerusalem begin new evacuation

AFP sraeli jets pounded Hamas Harasta positions in Gaza overnight Iafter Palestinians staged a cross-border raid into southern everal thousand Syrian Israel, the military said early rebels and civilians began yesterday. Sleaving a ravaged pocket “Israel Air Force fi ghter jets of Eastern Ghouta yesterday, in targeted a strike in a military fresh evacuations that further compound belonging to the emptied the former rebel bas- Hamas organisation in Rafah, tion. southern Gaza Strip,” it said in Five weeks since the Syrian an English-language statement. regime launched an all-out as- A Palestinian security source sault on Ghouta, it holds more in the coastal enclave said the than 90% of the onetime oppo- planes hit a base of Hamas’ sition stronghold on the edge of armed wing, the Ezzedine al- Damascus. Qassam Brigades, causing dam- To help it capture the rest, age but no injuries. key backer Russia has held talks The strike on the Strip’s rul- with various rebel groups to ne- ers came after four Palestin- gotiate withdrawals from the ians “carrying bottles fi lled with three remaining pockets. fl ammable material” breached One area was emptied in re- Gaza’s border fence on Saturday cent days under such a deal and evening near the kibbutz of Kis- evacuations began late Saturday sufi m, Israeli daily Haaretz re- for a second part, held by the ported, citing the army. Faylaq al-Rahman rebel faction. There, they attempted to That agreement is set to see torch heavy equipment used for some 7,000 rebels and civilians work on the frontier barrier, an bussed from the towns of Arbin Syrian civilians and rebel fighters gathering for their evacuation army spokeswoman said. The and Zamalka and the district of from the town of Arbin in the Eastern Ghouta region. machinery was damaged but did Jobar to the rebel-dominated not catch fi re, and the attackers province of Idlib in northwest- including over 1,400 fi ghters, frequently used in such agree- fl ed back into Gaza, she said. No ern Syria. Syrian people walk down a street past a destroyed building as civilians and rebels prepare to evacuate left Harasta for Idlib on Thurs- ments. Another AFP corre- casualties were reported. Around 980 of them quit the town of Ain Tarma in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. day and Friday. spondent in the town, in the “The incident that took place Ghouta late Saturday, travelling Talks are also underway for central Syrian province of yesterday is one of many severe overnight on buses and ambu- By nightfall, buses were still best days of their childhood,” Even before the onslaught, a deal over the third and fi nal Hama, saw 17 buses and ambu- incidents that have taken place lances to northwest Syria. paused at the highway. Some he said. the enclave’s 400,000 residents pocket of Ghouta, held by Jaish lances arrive yesterday morn- in the security fence area,” the Evacuations resumed yester- civilians stepped out to smoke “They have no money, no had suff ered for half a decade al-Islam, which includes the re- ing carrying the fi rst wave of statement said. day, with more than 3,700 fi ght- cigarettes and were given bis- houses, no furniture or even under a crippling regime siege gion’s largest town, Douma. evacuees. From there, they are Israel holds Hamas, which ers, relatives, and other civilians cuits to eat. clothes to take with them be- that severely limited access to The second agreement, expected to head towards Idlib, rules Gaza, accountable for boarding dozens of buses to “I fl ed the bombs. I decided to cause of this bombardment.” food, medicine and other basic reached with Faylaq al-Rahman the last Syrian province that re- all attacks launched from the leave Ghouta, state news agency leave to save the lives of my wife As part of Faylaq al-Rah- goods. on Friday, provides for evacua- mains mostly under rebel con- blockaded coastal territory. SANA said. and children,” said Abu Mo- man’s deal with Moscow, resi- The Syrian government has tions as well as medical treat- trol. Speaking later yesterday, the The vehicles snaked their way hamed, a 27-year-old fi ghter. dents had been off ered the op- used siege tactics followed by ment for wounded civilians and Tens of thousands of people head of Israeli military intelli- through Ghouta neighbour- Residents of Arbin, Zamalka, tion to stay in Ghouta as it fell to heavy bombardment and nego- fi ghters and the release of rebel- bussed out of opposition terri- gence warned that further such hoods that had been reduced to and Jobar had been bidding the regime, but Abbas declined. tiated settlements to recapture held detainees. tory have been brought to Idlib incidents would make things ruins, as residents who chose tearful farewells to their home- “I decided to leave Ghouta be- swathes territory lost to rebels. People began leaving Faylaq- in recent years under “recon- worse for Hamas. to stay waved silently from the towns all morning, dragging cause how am I supposed to live Damascus and Moscow have controlled territory in Ghouta ciliation” deals like those nego- “Hamas is at a low point, suf- rubble to their departing neigh- shabby suitcases past bombed- alongside someone who killed my applied this “leave or die” strat- late on Saturday night. tiated in Ghouta. fering severe civilian and infra- bours. out buildings. family, my siblings, my friends? egy to Ghouta as well, smashing Armed, masked Russian mili- The population there has structure crises,” Major General An AFP correspondent saw Hamza Abbas, an opposition With someone who destroyed the enclave into three isolated tary personnel boarded each bus swelled with rebels, militants Herzl Halevi said at a conference. some buses exiting rebel terri- activist in Zamalka, said he was me, my life, and my future?” pockets before seeking separate as it left Ghouta on Saturday and civilians. Last month there was a surge tory and driving onto the nearby planning to board the buses too. Since it began on February 18, evacuation deals for each. night, according to an AFP cor- Syria’s confl ict erupted in in cross-border violence, seen highway yesterday afternoon, “People are very sad about the Ghouta assault has left more The fi rst Russian-brokered respondent. March 2011 with anti-govern- as among the most serious since but they were delayed there for leaving their homes, their land, than 1,600 civilians dead, ac- agreement saw Ahrar al-Sham They drove all night to Qa- ment protests, but has since Israel and Hamas fought a war in several hours as they waited for their childhood memories and cording to the Syrian Observa- agree to quit the town of Har- laat al-Madiq, a crossing point evolved into a complex and dev- 2014 — their third since 2008. the full convoy to gather. the place where they spent the tory for Human Rights. asta. More than 4,500 people, into rebel-held territory that is astating civil war.

LEGAL British editor gets Rights group’s criticism over halt of 10-year jail term Egypt kills six militants from for killing wife healthcare subsidies for refugees A Dubai court yesterday sen- group it accuses over blast tenced a 61-year-old British journal- ist to 10 years in jail followed by AFP aimed at protecting them from on health care that families are deportation for bludgeoning to Reuters of the Muslim Brotherhood, vestigations showed the same Amman arrest and facilitating better already struggling to aff ord.” death his wife with a hammer last Cairo the Hasam movement, on the group had carried out Satur- access to education and em- Syrian refugees in Jordan had summer, local media reported. dawn of March 25. The ministry day’s bombing. ployment opportunities. access to free healthcare from The Dubai Court of First Instance uncovered a terrorist den...and The ministry did not indi- uman Rights Watch The decision came less than 2012 to 2014. Since then they modified the main charge against gypt’s police killed six exchanged fi re with its elements cate if those killed yesterday criticised yesterday two months after authorities had received the same subsi- Francis Matthew from premedi- militants yesterday be- which led to the killing of six,” it took part in the bombing. HJordan’s decision to in January moved to revoke dies as uninsured Jordanians, tated murder to “beating which Elonging to a group the said in a statement. The Hasam Movement end medical protection for Syr- the eligibility of Syrians living the watchdog said. January’s led to death” of fellow Briton authorities accuse of a bombing There was no immediate emerged in 2016 and has ian refugees residing outside of outside camps to receive subsi- decision, which is expected to Jane Matthew, also in her 60s, in the coastal city of Alexandria claim of responsibility for the claimed several attacks on se- camps in the kingdom. dised healthcare. “The move to aff ect 30,000-50,000 Syrians, Gulf News said, citing a judgment that targeted a security chief blast, which the state news curity forces and judges, in- Jordan, which hosts hundreds regularise the status of Syrian will require refugees in urban sheet. Matthew — who was editor- two days before the country agency blamed on the banned cluding the fatal shooting of a of thousands of Syrians who refugees in Jordan’s urban areas areas to pay the same rates as at-large at prominent regional holds a presidential election. Brotherhood organisation. policeman. have fl ed war in their country means that they no longer have other foreigners at public hos- English-language daily Gulf News Two policemen were killed in Islamic State released a Egyptian authorities say since 2011, took a “step for- to live underground, promising pitals “with 80% up-front”, at the time of his arrest — was not Egypt’s second city on Saturday video last month in which the group is the Brotherhood’s ward” and another “step back a better future for their chil- HRW said. present at the court to hear the by a bomb that was left under a it warned Egyptians against armed wing, but the Brother- for urban refugees”, granting dren,” said Bill Van Esvald, sen- Jordanian offi cials have not verdict, which remains subject to car and blew up as police Major voting and urged hardliners hood says it rejects violence. them legal status while revoking ior children’s rights researcher explained the reasons for the appeal within 15 days, the newspa- General Mostafa al-Nemr drove to attack security forces and Egypt today begins three health subsidies, HRW said. at HRW. change in their medical protec- per reported. In a previous hearing past. leaders. days of voting in a presiden- On March 4, Jordan began to “Jordan and its international tion policy, but have in the past in February, his lawyer was quoted He escaped unhurt. “The in- Police identified three of tial election which President regularise the status of thou- donors should not undermine pointed to the exorbitant cost by local media as saying that Mat- terior ministry has dealt an ef- those killed. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is widely sands of vulnerable refugees these improvements by pulling of providing healthcare serv- thew had a moment of “temporary fective blow to the armed wing The ministry said its in- expected to win. who live outside camps, a move the rug out from under refugees ices to refugees, it said. insanity” when he hit his wife with a hammer to the head during a row about financial problems. Jane Matthew’s brother said in a statement issued after yesterday’s court session that the family was UN needs $350mn for humanitarian projects in Yemen disappointed with the sentence. RIGHTS

AFP making a jibe at US President addition, an estimated 80% of Govt vows to Amman Donald Trump. all Yemenis are living in poverty, On Tuesday Trump hosted Cappelaere said. hunt social Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed “I was shocked last week in media dissidents he UN urgently needs bin Salman at the White House Sanaa by the hundreds...thou- $350mn for humanitar- and told his guest the oil-rich sands of children who are beg- Bahraini authorities yesterday Tian projects in Yemen, a kingdom would be spending ging in the streets,” he said. announced they would be taking senior offi cial said yesterday, “peanuts” to purchase billions “It is incredibly heartbreak- “severe measures” to track down insisting it was mere “peanuts” of dollars worth of military ing to see very small children dissidents who use social media, compared with the cost of the equipment, including aircraft, stretching out their hands” for as the monarchy tightens its grip country’s war. from the United States. some food or money, he said. on political opposition. Social Geeet Cappelaere, Middle At the meeting Trump held The Unicef regional head said networking sites, notably Twitter, East and North Africa direc- up a cardboard with pictures “none of the parties, or those are a major platform for rights tor at the UN children’s fund of the items and topped with who have infl uence over the activists in the kingdom, which Unicef, made the comments in the words “12.5bn in fi nalised fi ghting parties, have for a sin- according to Amnesty Interna- Amman, Jordan after a visit to sales to Saudi Arabia”, telling a gle second... tional has stripped hundreds Yemen. smiling Salman “that’s peanuts shown the slightest respect of dissidents of citizenship in “Unicef is asking for 2018 to you”. Saudi Arabia leads a for the protection of children”. cases that have failed to meet alone for its humanitarian pro- coalition in Yemen fi ghting the He also called for the fl ow of the standards of a fair trial. gramme close to $350mn. That Houthi rebels. humanitarian aid into Yemen to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid is peanuts compared to the bil- More than 9,200 people have Women stand near their tent at a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) near Sanaa. be unimpeded. bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said lions of dollars that are cur- been killed and tens of thou- “We are losing precious time the government was adopting rently invested in fi ghting war,” sands wounded since the coali- ian disaster, with 8.4mn people on conditions in Yemen, and ways. “Five children were killed discussing conditions that are “severe measures to deal with Cappelaere said. tion intervened in March 2015. facing imminent famine, as the called for the “brutal senseless every single day in Yemen in imposed from all sides, con- unprecedented chaos by disrup- “We are asking for peanuts,” The United Nations says the country also battles cholera and war on children to stop now”. 2017,” he said, while “every sin- ditions that are preventing us tive social media accounts”, in he told reporters. war in Yemen has triggered diphtheria outbreaks. He said children are bearing the gle girl or boy in Yemen is facing from delivering humanitarian a statement published by the Cappelaere appeared to be the world’s largest humanitar- Cappelaere gave a dire report brunt of the confl ict in many acute humanitarian needs”. In assistance,” he said. official Bahrain News Agency. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 13 AFRICA Girls reunited with families after Boko kidnapping

AFP Authorities earlier expressed op- Dapchi, Nigeria timism that Leah would be released at the weekend. But yesterday, a spokesman for he schoolgirls kidnapped by the national police said that com- the Boko Haram extremist ments by national police chief Ibra- Tgroup in Dapchi, northeast- him Idris had been “misunderstood ern Nigeria, were reunited yester- and misquoted”. day with their families after spend- The police “reiterates that it has ing nearly fi ve weeks in captivity. no information yet on the release of The 105 girls, covered head to toe the last Dapchi schoolgirl,” he said. in burkas, arrived aboard fi ve buses According to witnesses contact- in the town of Dapchi, in Yobe state, ed by AFP, the girls were held on where they were greeted by their an island on Lake Chad, which is a parents at the boarding school where known stronghold for fi ghters loyal they were snatched on February 19. to Boko Haram factional leader Abu After their release on Wednes- Mus’ab al-Barnawi. day they had spent three days in the The Dapchi kidnapping revived national capital Abuja where they painful memories in Nigeria of the were greeted by President Muham- April 2014 abduction of over 200 madu Buhari. schoolgirls from Chibok, a town Kachalla Bukar, the father of one also in the northeast, which caused of the girls who is spokesman for global outrage. the parents, said they were fl own While some of the Chibok girls to the major northern city of Maid- have been freed in exchange for uguri from Abuja, then transferred ransom and the release of top Boko under military escort to Dapchi. Haram commanders, a total of 112 Top offi cials were on hand for remain in captivity. a solemn ceremony in which the Boko Haram has repeatedly tar- parents regained custody of their geted schools providing Western children. The girls were among education in the mainly Muslim 111 who were seized, of whom fi ve region as part of an insurgency that died apparently during the violent has killed at least 20,000 people Somali security officers clear the scene of an explosion at a checkpoint near Somalia’s parliament and interior ministry in Mogadishu. hostage-taking or in the trucks that and displaced more than 2.6mn took them away. since 2009. Their release leaves one school- While a 2015 off ensive launched girl, Leah Sharibu, still in the hands by Buhari successfully reclaimed of the kidnappers. swathes of territory back from the Buhari on Friday pledged to do extremists in Nigeria, the group “everything in our power” to obtain still stages deadly attacks on both Leah’s freedom. military targets and civilians. Car bomber targets Somalia parliament Reuters lice offi cer, told Reuters the bomb had The Al Qaeda-linked militant group the group’s spokesman for military op- Mogadishu gone off at the heavily guarded Sayidka Shebaab claimed responsibility. erations. checkpoint. Shebaab frequently carries out bomb- He said 13 government soldiers had Abdikadir Abdirahman, director of ings and other attacks in Mogadishu in a been killed, without off ering any evi- suicide car bomber blew himself Amin ambulances, the city’s sole rescue campaign to topple Somalia’s Western- dence. yesterday up at a checkpoint near service, said three people had been killed, backed federal government. The group usually claims a higher ASomalia’s parliament and interior excluding the bomber, and one injured. “We are behind the attack at the death toll from its attacks than that of ministry in the capital Mogadishu and A Reuters photographer at the scene checkpoint from where the president’s the government. the city’s ambulance service said three saw ruined cars and three-wheeled palace, parliament house and the inte- At least 14 people were killed on Two newly released Dapchi schoolgirls pictured in Jumbam village, people had been killed. scooters overturned by the force of the rior ministry of the apostate government Thursday when Shebaab set off a bomb Yobe State, northern Nigeria. Nur Mohamed, a Mogadishu po- blast. are guarded,” said Abdiasis Abu Musab, outside a busy Mogadishu hotel.

Grace Mugabe under probe for ivory smuggling Zuma summons likely this week

AFP A senior offi cial in the presidency, Reuters News24, citing sources close to the case, re- Harare Christopher Mutsvangwa, told the Johannesburg ported that Zuma would be summoned to ap- paper the government was tipped pear in the Durban High Court on April 6. off by an unnamed whistleblower. Mulaudzi declined to comment. imbabwean police are inves- “Police and whistleblowers outh African police could this week is- Zuma, who was forced to resign by his rul- tigating former ruler Robert laid a trap for suppliers believed sue former president Jacob Zuma with ing African National Congress last month, was ZMugabe’s wife Grace, ac- to be working for Grace Mugabe,” Sa court summons relating to corruption at the centre of a 1990s deal to buy European cused of smuggling ivory worth Mutsvangwa said. “The culprits charges over a years-old $2.5bn arms deal, a military kit that has cast a shadow over politics millions to underground foreign were caught and that is how in- spokesman for the Hawks investigative crime in South Africa for years. markets, a state-owned weekly re- vestigations started. When we unit said yesterday. Zuma was deputy president at the time of ported yesterday. were confronted with so much The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) the arms deal. The Sunday Mail said investi- evidence, there is no way we could last week said it would seek to prosecute Zuma Schabir Shaikh, his former fi nancial adviser, gators from the parks and wildlife ignore.” on 16 charges, including fraud, racketeering, was found guilty and jailed in 2005 for trying authority handed documents to The paper said police may ques- corruption and money laundering. Zuma could to solicit bribes for Zuma from a French arms police showing that the former tion the former fi rst lady soon. not be reached for comment yesterday. He has company. fi rst lady “spirited large consign- Grace Mugabe was tipped repeatedly denied the allegations. The 16 counts were fi led against Zuma but ments of ivory to China, the Unit- alongside the current President A court appearance would be a dramatic de- then dropped by the NPA shortly before he ed Arab Emirates and the United Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed velopment on a continent where former presi- successfully ran for president in 2009. States among other destinations.” Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe dents rarely face their accusers in court. Since his election nine years ago, his oppo- Police spokeswoman Charity since independence from British “We are of the view everything will be fi - nents have fought a lengthy legal battle to have Charamba confi rmed receiving a colonial rule in 1980 until he was nalised soon. Hopefully this week,” Hawks the charges reinstated. Zuma countered with report but declined to elaborate forced to step down in November spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi told Reuters. his own legal challenges. when questioned by AFP. 2017 following a military takeover. The Sunday Mail said the report She earned the sobriquet “Gucci accused Grace Mugabe of ordering Grace” for her lavish lifestyle. Tanzania road crash leaves 24 dead offi cials to grant her permits to ex- Zimbabwe has suff ered rampant port the ivory as gifts to the leaders poaching of elephants, targeted for wenty-four people bus collided with a truck in among local media to report of various countries. their ivory tusks which are used Grace Mugabe ... under investigation died after a bus col- Mparanga, in the Mkuranga the crash, quoting police com- “Once outside Zimbabwe, the for ornaments and medicines. Tlided with a truck in district,” witness John Nyoni mander Mohamed Likwata. He ‘gifts’ would be pooled together At least 400 elephants died country, between 2013 and 2015. “Poaching levels have dropped eastern Tanzania on Saturday told AFP by telephone yester- said the 10 wounded were tak- with other consignments of the from cyanide poisoning in But parks director-general Ful- sharply in Hwange because the evening, according to a wit- day. “We were able to count en to the Muhimbili National product and routed to black mar- Hwange, Zimbabwe’s biggest na- ton Mangwanya said poaching had market has been disturbed,” The ness and press reports. with 24 dead and 10 wounded.” Hospital in Dar es Salaam, ac- kets,” The Sunday Mail reported. tional park in the northwest of the declined since Mugabe’s ouster. Sunday Mail quoted him as saying. “A public transport mini- The Mwananchi daily was cording to Mwananchi.

DR Congo crisis worsening, EU says, as government shuns aid conference

Reuters Multiple crises are spiralling out year ago, the United Nations said He spoke to Reuters during a nearly four times the amount humanitarian emergency based Stylianides, who was touring Goma of control in Congo — in the cen- in a report earlier this month. trip to eastern Congo. secured last year, to support hu- on facts that are not real con- Congo’s hard-hit North Kivu tral Kasai region and in the eastern It has declared the crisis to be Concern over the deterioration manitarian activities in Congo. stitutes a hindrance to develop- province yesterday, is to travel to Kivu and Ituri provinces — aggra- at Level 3, the world body’s high- of the situation in Congo, a coun- But Congo last week disputed ment,” the government said in a the capital Kinshasa to attempt he humanitarian situation in vated by President Joseph Kabila’s est-level emergency. try with a long history of war and the UN assessment of the gravity statement on Thursday. to convince the foreign and hu- Democratic Republic of Con- refusal to step down at the end of “We all believe that the humani- humanitarian crises, has pushed of the crisis, which it said would It added that, unless the manitarian aff airs ministers to Tgo is getting worse by the day, his elected mandate in 2016. tarian situation is getting worse day the United Nations, the Euro- discourage investment at a time humanitarian statistics were reverse the decision. the European Union’s top aid official Over 13mn Congolese need by day. It’s not business as usual,” pean Union and donor nations to when the government was at- brought in line with the govern- “We will try to persuade them said yesterday, as the Congolese gov- humanitarian aid, twice as many said Christos Stylianides, European organise a conference in Geneva tempting to stabilise the volatile ment’s own fi gures, it would not that this is not good for DRC but ernment shunned a conference seek- as last year, and 7.7mn face severe Commissioner for Humanitarian next month. economy. send representatives to the con- above all for the vulnerable peo- ing to alleviate the suffering. food insecurity, up 30% from a Aid and Crisis Management. They are seeking to raise $1.7bn, “Activating the highest level of ference in Geneva. ple in DRC,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Monday, March 26, 2018 AMERICAS

Trump not adding Activists vow no letup in two lawyers to legal team, cites confl icts

Reuters gun control campaign Washington

By Ian Timberlake, AFP S President Donald Trump will not hire two Washington lawyers to his legal team handling the special Ucounsel’s probe despite announcing their ad- dition last week, Trump’s personal lawyer said yes- tudent organisers of gun con- terday, adding to uncertainty about the president’s trol rallies that drew hundreds legal representation in the Russia investigation. Sof thousands to US streets “The president is disappointed that confl icts vowed yesterday there will be no prevent Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing from letup in their campaign for reform. joining the president’s special counsel legal team,” The nationwide protests on Sat- Jay Sekulow said in a statement. urday were by far the largest in near- “However, those confl icts do not prevent them ly two decades, part of a reignited from assisting the president in other legal matters. gun control debate sparked by last The president looks forward to working with them.” month’s killings at a Florida high The announcement came nearly a week after Seku- school. low said diGenova would join the legal team handling “This is not the end. This is just Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the beginning,” Emma Gonzalez, possible collusion between the Trump campaign and a leader of the movement, said on Russia in the 2016 presidential election. CBS’s Face the Nation. The quick reversal is likely to add to the percep- Gonzalez, 17, is a student at Mar- tion that Trump’s legal representation is in disarray jory Stoneman Douglas High School as his lawyers have been negotiating the terms of a in Parkland, north of Miami — possible interview with the president. which was traumatised into action Trump’s lead lawyer in the special counsel inves- last month after 14 students and tigation, John Dowd, resigned Thursday. three staff were killed by a former “Many lawyers and top law fi rms want to repre- student armed with a military-style sent me in the Russia case...don’t believe the Fake rifl e. News narrative that it is hard to fi nd a lawyer who She captivated Saturday’s rally wants to take this on,” Trump tweeted yesterday. in Washington, the nation’s largest, Trump has denounced the investigation as a with an emotional eulogy for her “witch hunt.” dead schoolmates that ended with Russia denies meddling in the election. a plea to “get out there and vote” “We thank the president for his confi dence in us a lengthy silence to symbolise the and we look forward to working with him,” on other timespan of the shooting spree. matters, Toensing said in a statement on behalf of In a country with more than both her and diGenova. The married pair work to- 30,000 gun-related deaths a year, gether at their namesake law fi rm. Gonzalez is among those calling for Toensing declined to comment on what specifi c legislative action. confl icts may have led to the work on the Russia le- “We’re going to be revving up for gal team falling through. the elections” this November, when DiGenova & Toensing has represented Mark Cor- Congressional seats will be at stake, allo, a former spokesman for Trump’s legal team, Gonzalez said on CBS. and Sam Clovis, a former campaign aide. “Over the summer we’re going to Corallo was the spokesman for Trump’s outside try to go around to colleges and... lawyers until last summer, when he resigned during reach out to the kids locally around another legal team shake-up. the country.” Since then, Corallo has spoken with Mueller Cameron Kasky, a fellow student about what he viewed as a false statement dictated from Stoneman Douglas, said the by Trump from Air Force One about a June 2016 rallies — including the Washington meeting at Trump Tower in New York City that in- protest that fi lled streets around the cluded several Russians, according to a person fa- US Capitol building — prompted miliar with the matter. That meeting was attended many voter registrations and dis- by Trump’s son, Donald Jr. cussions. Clovis, a former Pentagon offi cial, was a cam- “So the fact that this movement paign supervisor who wrote “great work” in an has so many people realising that it’s email after Trump’s foreign policy adviser George important to get out to the polls is Papadopoulos discussed eff orts to broker a meeting what I think is one of the best things Protesters participate in the March for Our Lives rally at Las Vegas City Hall on Saturday. between the campaign and Russian leaders. that we’ve accomplished,” Kasky Corallo told Reuters on Friday that he had signed said on Fox News Sunday. Kasky said, noting that churches, “And the fact that they aren’t tak- good people are the ones who are have made clear “they aren’t going a waiver of potential confl icts last week. The students said that, despite nightclubs and theatres as well as ing any action toward it is proof that able to carry the fi rearms,” Schlapp away” in their push for action. Clovis could not be reached for comment, but a some initial signs that President schools have all been targeted by we need to keep on going.” said. Ohio’s moderate Republican Gov- person familiar with the matter said appropriate Donald Trump would take greater gunmen. He and Delaney Tarr, another “We want to keep the firearms ernor John Kasich, a possible 2020 waivers had been signed. action after the Parkland shooting, He and other students want as- Stoneman Douglas student, sug- out of the hands of dangerous presidential contender, agreed that DiGenova was at the White House on Thursday, Washington has done little. sault weapons and high-capacity gested Trump had backed away individuals because that is just his party could face an electoral according to a person familiar with the meeting. Trump’s administration is in- magazines banned, and the age limit from fi rmer action after he met with what the priority is right now,” backlash if Congress does not act on Trump has had trouble fi nding outside lawyers to creasing aid to states that want to raised to 21 for gun purchases. the powerful National Rifl e Asso- she said. gun control. assist him in the Russia probe. arm school staff , endorsed minor “What causes all these shoot- ciation lobby group. “That’s what we are focused on.” “I really do believe that,” he told Major fi rms such as Williams & Connolly and legislation to improve background ings? What’s the one thing to tie Mercedes Schlapp, a senior White In an editorial, The Washington CNN, adding that the students’ mo- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher turned him down in the checks by gun dealers, and an- everything together? There’s no House advisor, told Fox News that Post said the measures taken by mentum must continue. last year, citing confl icts, people familiar with the nounced a commission on school specifi c mental health problem that Trump “has taken immediate ac- Trump and Congress so far are wel- “If they don’t keep it up, those matter have told Reuters. safety, among other measures. makes all these shootings happen, tion” to address gun safety. come, but just “baby steps.” that want no change will just sit on Trump representatives have reached out to some “I was not impressed, at all,” it’s the weapon,” Kasky said. “We want to make sure that the The newspaper said the students their hands.” of those fi rms again more recently, sources said.

Collateral damage: How Trump threw Canada’s refugee system into turmoil

By Anna Mehler Paperny, The Canadian government The Canadian government has Rulings reviewed by Reuters had to turn people away, one has Reuters was forced to set aside C$173mn said no national historical data is indicate the tribunals are giving had to intensify its fundraising, Toronto in its latest budget to pay for ex- available. credence to claimants who say two have had to extend their op- tra patrols at border crossings to Trump’s tougher immigration they feared deportation or racist erating hours to meet demand, cope with the infl ux, as well as policies have had a major im- attacks following Trump’s elec- while six who help to house new uff ered by three oceans security screening and process- pact on Canada’s Immigration tion on a platform advocating arrivals are struggling to fi nd ac- and the United States to ing of refugee applications. and Refugee Board, which deter- more restrictions on immigra- commodation for them. Bthe south, Canada has for Prime Minister Justin Tru- mines refugee claims. tion. The Manitoba Interfaith Im- decades had the luxury of being deau’s government has discussed It has become so overwhelmed Asylum seekers are walking migration Council in Winnipeg able to pick and choose its new- the situation with the Trump with cases it is ignoring legislated across the border into some of has seen its refugee claimant comers. administration, but it has been time limits for dealing with them. the tightest housing markets on caseload increase fi vefold in the So few asylum seekers crossed careful not to publicly blame the All refugee claims are sup- the continent. past year, said executive director the US border illegally over the US president’s policies for trig- posed to be processed within 60 Last summer, thousands slept Rita Chahal. years that Canada didn’t consist- gering the migration wave. days. in Montreal’s Olympic stadium. “The impact has been huge,” ently track the numbers. Nevertheless, it is already Increasingly, the board has In Toronto, 31% of the people she said, adding that the organi- That has changed dramatically making preparations for more failed to meet those targets. sleeping in city-run shelters in sation had to launch its fi rst fun- over the past 14 months. people to cross the border once In December 2017, 86% of January were refugee claimants draising drive in years to meet the US President Donald Trump’s the weather warms. hearings did not happen within — up from nearly 19% a year ago, additional costs. crackdown on illegal immigration “We will be ready,” Immigra- prescribed time frames, accord- according to city data. A Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer looks on as a woman The Canadian government has and his move to strip Haitians, tion and Refugee Minister Ahmed ing to previously unpublished In November, Toronto ap- carrying a child waits to cross the US-Canada border into Canada dispatched lawmakers to diaspora Salvadorans and others of their Hussen said in an interview. data reviewed by Reuters. That proved the booking of more ho- in Champlain, New York. communities in the United States temporary legal status have had a Aid agencies who are at the was up from 66% in December tel rooms for refugee claimants to persuade people not to come. broad eff ect on Canada’s refugee forefront of dealing with the in- 2016, a month after Trump was through the end of 2018, at a cost fund that is for permanent resi- but are funded through a combi- But it has said little about what system, Reuters interviews with fl ux say they are struggling and elected president, and 26 % in of about C$20mn, according to dents or people who have already nation of government grants and conversations it has had with social service providers, govern- need more funding, a compre- December 2015. city documents. been granted refugee status. private donations. Washington on stemming the ment offi cials and a review of Ca- hensive long-term plan and bet- On February 20 the board said The city is working on a more A spokesman for Hussen, the Dozens of agencies in Toronto, migration. nadian immigration data show. ter coordination with Ottawa. it will eff ectively prioritise those comprehensive refugee plan but immigration minister, said asy- Winnipeg, Vancouver and Mon- The spokesman for Hussen, More than 20,000 people, in- “It’s going to get worse. The applicants who have been wait- it needs more help from the fed- lum seekers can access provin- treal are taking the lead in hous- the immigration minister, said cluding thousands of Haitians numbers keep climbing,” said ing months or years. eral government, said counsellor cial programmes. Some agencies ing and feeding new arrivals and Canada has a “long-standing, and Nigerians and hundreds of Ilona Beiks, vice president of the This will mean a longer wait Kristyn Wong-Tam. Reuters spoke with, however, helping them fi nd schools and solid working relationship” with Turks, Syrians and Eritreans, Inland Refugee Society of Brit- for more recent arrivals than The status quo, renting thou- said that isn’t enough and that a employment. the United States. have crossed the border into ish Columbia, which had to turn the current 20-month average sands of hotel beds, “is absolute- national eff ort is needed. Of 17 organizations Reuters Meanwhile, the contingency Canada illegally over the past away refugees last year for the estimated time for processing ly unsustainable,” she said. Toronto is not alone in asking spoke with, 11 said interviews plans being developed to deal year in search of asylum, many fi rst time in its 35-year history claims. “We are not saying ‘No’ to for help. with border crossers confi rmed with the expected surge in bor- fl eeing in fear that Trump would because it did not have enough The government is “commit- refugees. We are saying, ‘Abso- Vancouver has asked the Brit- that many were fl eeing because der crossers include redeploy- deport them to their home coun- money to cope with the growing ted to an effi cient and fair asylum lutely: Come and live in Toronto. ish Columbia provincial govern- of Trump’s immigration policies. ing police and border agents to tries. number of asylum seekers. system,” said a spokesman for Build your life in Toronto.’ But we ment for more money for refugee “We know the numbers have overwhelmed areas and setting This unexpected northward The infl ux shows no signs of Immigration, Refugees and Citi- cannot do this without the sup- aid agencies, said city spokesman increased because of what’s go- up accommodation such as tents migration has overwhelmed abating. More than 1,500 asylum zenship Canada, the government port of other orders of govern- Jag Sandhu, and the province ing on in the US,” said Toronto- and trailers at ports of entry, said Canada’s system for process- seekers walked across the border department responsible for the ment,” she said. has promised C$6mn a year over based doctor Meb Rashid, who a spokesman for the Canada Bor- ing asylum claims, leading to the in January. Those working with Immigration and Refugee Board. Toronto’s mayor “has raised three years. runs the provincially funded der Services Agency. worst delays in years. refugee claimants say this is no Canada’s refugee tribunals this issue repeatedly with the Winnipeg is co-ordinating Crossroads Clinic. “There is an expectation the Aid agencies are also strug- blip: It’s the new normal. have historically been leery of federal government,” the mayor’s with the Manitoba government The number of patients at the numbers will go up...as the gling to house asylum-seekers Since January 2017 Reuters has claims made by people who come spokesman, Don Peat, wrote in to fi nd accommodation for refu- clinic grew 40 % in a year and weather gets better,” said a source because of a shortage of accom- sought to obtain the numbers through its wealthy southern an email. gee claimants, the city said. people now wait several weeks familiar with the Canadian gov- modation in the four cities most of asylum seekers who walked neighbour. The federal government says it Canada has no formal system for an appointment, Rashid said. ernment’s thinking. aff ected by the migration wave across the US border into Cana- But of the more than 2,500 won’t give cities more money for for integrating refugee claimants “We’re struggling, I have to be “And who knows what the next — Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg da in the years prior to Trump’s claims fi nalised last year, 53% asylum seekers, who are barred and depends heavily on aid agen- honest with you.” order coming from down south and Vancouver. election. were granted refugee status. from accessing a C$762mn federal cies that operate independently Two aid groups said they have will be?” Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Beijing issues three-day major smog alert

China air force drills again in South China Sea Beijing declared its third major factories that make furniture, smog alert of 2018, and the cement and other heavy industry second this month, just a day after to limit output by 30% to 50%. Reuters programme overseen by Presi- aircraft, carried out combat pa- built in the South China Sea, claims as its own, accorded with being named the top performer More than 700 companies figure Beijing dent Xi Jinping with a heavy trols over the South China Sea provoking condemnation from international law and practice, it among 28 Chinese cities that among the aff ected firms in the focus on its air force and navy, and exercises in the Western Pa- China, which claims most of the added. took special measures to rein in capital. Beijing achieved the biggest from building stealth fi ghters to cifi c after passing over the Mi- strategic waterway. “Air Force exercises are re- pollution. Saturday’s orange alert, reduction in average pollution hina’s air force has held adding aircraft carriers. yako Strait, which lies between Sending Su-35 fi ghters over hearsals for future wars and are the second-highest in a four-level among 28 northern cities from another round of drills in China insists it has no hostile two southern Japanese islands. the South China Sea aims to help the most direct preparation for system after red, will run from October to February, the bulk of a Cthe disputed South China intent, but its sabre-rattling in It did not say when the exer- increase the air force’s ability to combat,” it said. today to Wednesday, the Beijing winter heating season that ended on Sea and the Western Pacifi c after the busy South China Sea wa- cises took place nor specify the fi ght far out at sea, the air force The more exercises China environmental protection bureau March 15, the newly formed Ministry passing though Japan’s southern terway, and around Taiwan, has parts of the South China Sea or said in the statement on its mi- practices far from its shores the said in a post on its off icial Weibo of Ecology and Environment said islands, the air force said yester- touched a nerve in the region the Western Pacifi c. In a “free- croblog. better it will be positioned as microblog account. The central part last week on Weibo. The Chinese day, calling such exercises the and in Washington. dom of navigation” operation Flying across the Miyako “an important force for manag- of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region capital’s first orange alert this year best preparation for war. In a statement, the air force on Friday, a US Navy destroyer Strait, which also sits to the ing and controlling crises, con- is forecast to see medium to heavy ran from January 13 to 15, and the China is in the midst of an am- said H-6K bombers and Su-30 came within 12 nautical miles northeast of the self-ruled is- taining war and winning bat- pollution over the three days, it second from March 12 to 14. There bitious military modernisation and Su-35 fi ghters, among other of an artifi cial island China has land of Taiwan that China tles”, it added. added. An orange alert requires have been no red alerts this year. Obama: North Korea is ‘real Abe apologises in threat’, urges co-operation

AFP He said North Korea was “a Obama met Japanese Prime Tokyo country that is so far removed Minister Shinzo Abe for lunch, from the international norms sparking memories of their and so disconnected with the 2014 “sushi summit” when the cronyism scandal orth Korea poses a “real rest of the world” that it was American was still in the White threat” whose solution particularly diffi cult to put pres- House. Reuters Nwill require international sure on the isolated regime. Obama reportedly talked Tokyo co-operation, former US presi- Under the Obama adminis- business and trade throughout dent Barack Obama said yester- tration, Washington pursued a the 2014 meal, which was sup- day on a visit to Japan. Obama policy of “strategic patience” posed to be an informal oppor- apanese Prime Minister also said the US needed to ensure towards the North in hopes tunity for bonding between the Shinzo Abe, his ratings in a there was a defence system in that sanctions would bring two world leaders. The then- Jslump amid a suspected cro- place to protect countries in the Pyongyang to heel and force it to president emerged to tell wait- nyism scandal and cover-up, region from a potential attack abandon its weapons ambitions. ing reporters “that’s some good apologised again yesterday for from North Korean missiles. But during that time, a string sushi right there” but reportedly causing anxiety and loss of con- “North Korea is a real threat” of nuclear tests and missile ate only half of his Michelin- fi dence in his government. and has developed a weapons launches amply demonstrated starred off erings. Protesters urged Abe to resign, programme and delivery system the ineff ectiveness of the sanc- Asked after his speech what as riot police kept tight security that “poses a signifi cant threat tions regime in addressing the he most missed about his time outside the venue of his ruling not just to the region but to the issue. Obama is on a swing in offi ce, Obama quipped: “I do party’s annual convention, at whole world”, Obama said in a through Asia which has already sometimes miss Air Force One. which the premier stressed his speech in Tokyo. taken in Singapore, New Zealand That’s a nice airplane – espe- intention to revise Japan’s paci- “So far, we haven’t seen as and Australia. cially when you fl y across the fi st post-war, US-drafted con- much progress obviously as we He has largely avoided the Pacifi c.” stitution. would have liked. But the one limelight, playing golf with But he also revealed that he Abe faces his biggest political thing that is very important to former prime minister John had to buy his own groceries in crisis since taking offi ce in De- recognise is that individually, no Key in New Zealand and off er- the White House. “You think cember 2012 as suspicions swirl country can solve this problem ing parenting tips to the cur- you get to live for free but no, no! about a sale of state-owned land as eff ectively as if we all work to- rent leader Jacinda Ardern, who It’s expensive being in the White at a huge discount to a national- gether,” Obama stressed. is pregnant. Later yesterday, House, I’ll tell you.” ist school operator with ties to his wife. “This problem has shaken the people’s confi dence in the administration,” Abe told the convention. “As head of the Protesters are seen through cherry blossoms in full bloom as they march against Japanese Prime government, I keenly feel my Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration in Tokyo, Japan. responsibility and would like to deeply apologise to the people.” third three-year term as ruling revise the pacifi st constitution literal ban on a standing army, He pledged a thorough clari- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in line with a plan fl oated by Abe successive governments have fi cation of the facts and the pre- leader in a party vote in Septem- last year to explicitly refer to the interpreted the charter to allow vention of a recurrence by pull- ber, victory in which would set Self-Defense Forces, as Japan’s a military exclusively to defence. ing the government together, but him on track to become Japan’s military is known. “The time has Abe wants to make that stance off ered no sign of stepping down. longest ruling premier. fi nally come to tackle constitu- clear in the constitution itself, Abe has denied that he or his wife “We’re protesting to defeat tional revision, which has been but says the change will not alter intervened in the sale or that he Abe’s government through our a task since the founding of the Japan’s security policies. Critics sought to alter documents relat- voices and the anger of the peo- party,” Abe said. worry the revision would open ed to the deal. ple,” said Fumiko Katsuragi, 69, “Let’s stipulate the Self-De- the way to a bigger role for the His close ally, Finance Min- who was among hundreds of fense Forces and put an end to a military overseas. Abe’s weak- ister Taro Aso, has also denied protesters gathered in a Tokyo controversy about violation of ened support and a wary junior involvement in the alterations park where cherry blossoms were the constitution.” coalition partner could make it made by ministry offi cials. in full bloom. Abe proposed last May that hard for the LDP to push for the Public opinion polls last week- Some held banners that read the fi rst two clauses of Article change, which would spark a di- end showed support for Abe’s “Go to jail Abe” and “No consti- 9, which renounces the right to visive debate. cabinet sinking as low as 31%, tutional revision or war,” while wage war and bans maintenance Japan’s constitution has never with majorities saying he bears right-wingers gathered nearby of a standing military, be un- been amended and any changes some responsibility for the aff air. amid police security. changed but that a reference to require approval by two-thirds The sliding support rates could Also at the party convention, the SDF be added to clarify its of each house of parliament and a Former US president Barack Obama talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after having a lunch in dash Abe’s hopes of winning a the LDP adopted a proposal to ambiguous status. Despite its majority in a public referendum. front of Japanese Sushi restaurant in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district. Dog days ahead As Vatican and China talk, Taiwan looks on nervously

Reuters Catholics. It would also leave Some experts say diplomatic sion settled in Taiwan, to where Taipei Taiwan in the diplomatic lurch. ties between Beijing and the Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist The Vatican is one of only 20 Vatican are inevitable, even if government fl ed in 1949 after states that still recognise Tai- probably not right around the its defeat by the communist ar- ive blocks from the Vati- wan, offi cially known as the Re- corner. mies of Mao Zedong, founder of can, on the bustling, public of China. Beijing insists “The Church does not have the People’s Republic of China Ftourist-packed street that if countries want relations preference among its children (PRC). leading to St Peter’s Basilica, a with it they must break ties with and it’s clear that the Vatican Since the 1970s, following Taiwanese fl ag fl utters from the Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign does not want to do anything to the United Nations vote to rec- window of a third story suite of Ministry said last month that displease Catholics on Taiwan” ognise the PRC as the sole legal offi ces that house Taipei’s em- China had always been sincere said Agostino Giovagnoli, a his- China, the Vatican has not ap- bassy to the Holy See. in its eff orts to improve China- tory professor at Milan’s Sacred pointed a nuncio, or ambas- These days, the staff inside Vatican relations. Heart Catholic University and sador, to Taiwan. It has kept are anxious. They know that one A senior Vatican offi cial the author of two books on Ca- the status of the mission at the night they may have to lower said, however, that the accord tholicism in China. lower level of “charge d’aff aires that fl ag — red and blue with a on bishops “is not a political “But strategically the Catho- ad interim” since. white sun —for the last time. one,” suggesting that it does lics on the mainland are more Diplomats say the Vatican’s As the Vatican and China not include any formal link to important because the future of low profi le in Taiwan for four move closer to a historic deal diplomatic relations and that evangelisation of China and all decades has been aimed at pla- on the appointment of bishops, the Vatican will not be the next Asia passes through China. It is cating Beijing, which still sees A man throws a bottle for his dog before the Han river in Seoul yesterday. South Korea is bracing which would signal a warming country to switch relations to key for the Catholic Church,” he Taiwan and its sacred territory. for days of poor air quality as rising seasonal temperatures and an unfavourable wind direction of once-frigid relations, diplo- China from Taiwan. told Reuters. In 1999, Cardinal Angelo So- threatens to compound local pollution, resulting in government issued ‘fine dust’ warnings with air mats and scholars say Taiwan Catholic leaders in Taipei are While Taiwan’s embassy to dano, then Secretary of State quality monitoring websites reporting PM 2.5 levels of over 200, or ‘unhealthy’ – eight times higher could lose the most from the also hopeful. “They (the Vatican the Vatican proudly fl ies the fl ag under Pope John Paul, sent than the guideline limit for 24-hour exposure advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). deal. and Beijing) won’t build dip- from its window, hosts cultural shockwaves through Taiwan’s Under the deal, the Vatican lomatic ties. You need to share events and publishes a newslet- diplomatic corps. will have a say in negotiations common values with each other ter, the Vatican’s counterpart in He said the Vatican was ready for the appointment of future in order to establish diplomatic Taipei is a study in low-key di- to move its embassy from Taipei 6.3-magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea bishops in China, whose Catho- ties,” Archbishop John Hung of plomacy. to China “not tomorrow, but to- lics are divided between an “un- Taipei told Reuters in an inter- It is located in a quiet resi- night if the Chinese authorities A powerful 6.3-magnitude New Britain town of Rabaul, the at least 125 people. PNG sits derground” Church loyal to the view in Taipei. dential neighbourhood in the allow it”. earthquake struck the island of US Geological Survey said. The on the so-called Pacific Ring pope and a government-backed “The values the Vatican holds city’s Daan distinct. The only In Vatican directories and New Britain in Papua New Guinea Pacific Tsunami Warning Center of Fire, a hotspot for seismic Church. are diff erent from those of the clue of its function is the papal diplomatic lists, the ambas- on Saturday, US seismologists said the quake did not pose a activity due to friction between Even a partial resolution of Chinese Communist Party. stem of crossed keys and a ti- sador from Taiwan, currently said, but there was no tsunami tsunami risk. tectonic plates. Its mountainous the issue could open the way for Building ties with the Vatican ara, or crown. That symbol is Matthew Shieh-Ming Lee, is warning or immediate reports of The Pacific nation was hit by and remote terrain means it eventual diplomatic relations requires values including free- not widely known to the general listed under “China,” not “Re- damage. a 7.5-magnitude quake on often takes several days for between Beijing and the Vati- dom and democracy.” Hung said public. public of China,” which is Tai- The quake struck at 9:23pm February 26 that buried homes information about damage from can. That would give the Church the Church in Taiwan is “sleep- The Vatican’s last diplomat wan’s offi cial name now, and local time (1123 GMT) at a depth and triggered landslides in quakes to reach off icials and aid a legal framework to look after ing well at night”. But for how on the mainland was expelled was China’s offi cial name before of 67km, about 175km from the its highlands region, killing agencies. all of China’s estimated 12mn long? in 1951 and the Holy See mis- 1949. Gulf Times 16 Monday, March 26, 2018 BRITAIN

Javid faces fi ght over 4% aff ordable homes in Sainsbury’s scheme

Guardian News and Media Ilford, east London, will be built Khan, branded the approval claim that the scheme would not ing promises. He said: “It cheats ments with developers halved diculous and insulting”. “It is the London in a borough that has a stated “outrageous” and said 4% was a be viable with any more aff ord- communities of much-needed from 32,000 in 2008-09 to poorest people who are getting policy that 50% of all new homes “disgraceful” contribution. La- able units. housing and infrastructure and 16,000 in 2015-16, according to the shortest end of the stick.” should be aff ordable. It estimates bour’s shadow housing secretary, Javid’s report concluded: gives new development a bad analysis by Oxford Brookes Uni- Sharma said the government ousing Secretary Sajid it needs an extra 15,000 aff ord- John Healey, said it was “a clear “There is no good reason to dis- name.” But in this case, where versity. had prioritised meeting total Javid is facing a legal able homes in the next 15 years, case of ministers backing private pute the agreed conclusions of Sainsbury’s never promised more “If we can’t build aff ordable housing targets rather than seek- Hchallenge after he ap- but Javid backed a scheme with developer profi t over the homes the fi nancial experts.” than 4%, he has allowed the de- housing in outer London where ing to meet the chronic shortage proved a 700-home housing just 27 aff ordable homes. The rest that local people need”. The decision came just weeks veloper to hugely undershoot the can we build it?” said Meenakshi of aff ordable homes. Javid’s de- scheme by the supermarket chain are expected to be sold for about A local residents group Ilford after Javid gave a speech insisting local target. Sharma, a co-founder of Ilford cision notice points out that the Sainsbury’s, which includes just £400,000 for a two-bedroom Noise is now preparing to request it is “totally unacceptable” for Across England, the number Noise, which has branded the Sainsbury’s development would 4% aff ordable housing. fl at. a judicial review of the decision developers to claim they cannot of aff ordable homes delivered by amount of aff ordable housing represent 60% of one year’s tar- The 29-storey development in The London mayor, Sadiq after Javid accepted Sainsbury’s aff ord to meet aff ordable hous- the so-called section 106 agree- in the Sainsbury’s scheme “ri- get for the whole of the borough.

David Davis appears on Andrew Marr Show Unis off er to keep pension benefi ts as talks to end stir go on

Guardian News and Media “Support for this process London will need to be sought from the USS trustee and the pen- sions regulator, recognising niversities have made their statutory responsibilities. fresh proposals to staff UCU will consult its branches Uin an effort to end and members on ending in- strikes set to disrupt the exam dustrial action,” UUK said in a season next term – including statement. “This would be very an offer to maintain the pen- good news for our students, sion benefits at the heart of the who want strike action to stop dispute while discussions con- to prevent further disruption to tinue. their studies.” Universities UK (UUK), rep- UCU’s plans are for a further resenting employers with staff 14 days of strike action until the members belonging to the end of the summer term, which Universities Superannuation is likely to create difficulties in Scheme (USS), has made the awarding final exams and could improved offer after its previ- result in some undergraduates Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis speaks on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show in London yesterday. ous attempt to end the strike at being unable to complete their more than 60 universities was courses. rebuffed earlier this month. The expert panel of actuaries The offer includes the crea- and academics will be able to tion of a joint panel of experts reopen the controversial valu- to “agree key principles” for a ation of the scheme that led to revised valuation of the pen- the long-running strike action. sion scheme acceptable to the “If, in the light of that, con- employers and the University tributions or benefits need to and College Union (UCU). be adjusted in either direction, NHS spending boost may While the panel is meeting, both parties are committed to the agreement “will require agree to recommend ... meas- maintenance of the status quo ures aimed at stabilising the in respect of both contribu- fund to provide a guaranteed tions into USS and current pension broadly comparable pension benefits, until at least with current arrangements,” April 2019” – effectively pre- the statement from UUK states. lead to tax rise, says Hunt serving the pension scheme UCU says members could for a year to allow talks to con- lose £10,000 each year of their Guardian News and Media “There’s no doubt that NHS cial care system – and some have money saved by not contributing to know is, yes, I understand the tinue. retirement under the propos- London staff right now are working un- suggested a dedicated “NHS tax”. to the EU budget has already been case that the NHS needs more Sally Hunt, the general sec- als, while UUK has previously believably hard and they need to The Foreign Secretary, Boris pledged elsewhere – for example money, I’d like to see that money retary of UCU, said in a mes- claimed that substantial re- have some hope for the future,” he Johnson, has been among those on maintaining current levels of going in – but I want to know that sage to union members: “We forms were necessary because ealth Secretary Jeremy said. “But I think their real con- calling for an increase in NHS subsidies to farmers. every pound of that money is be- have worked hard to gain these of changes required by the pen- Hunt has conceded he cern is this rather crazy way we funding, raising it at Cabinet level “The government has not yet ing spent wisely.” concessions, but they were won sions regulator. Hbelieves taxes may have have been funding the NHS over in a well-briefed intervention in fully articulated its intentions in The Chancellor, Philip Ham- on the back of the strike action The latest UUK letter con- to rise to pay for a boost in NHS the last 20 years, which has really January. this area and, even if it had, the mond, has made the funding that so many of you have taken. cedes that the presumption spending. been feast or famine.” The Vote Leave campaign in the precise post-Brexit outcome re- available for the NHS pay deal As always, it will be for mem- for any settlement should be in Appearing on ITV’s Peston on Asked about where the extra 2016 referendum suggested that mains subject to negotiation,” struck last week with nurses, bers to decide whether what favour of defined benefits pen- Sunday, Hunt said speculation in resources would come from, he by allowing Britain to stop paying the OBR said. Hunt reiterated his midwives and other staff – paid has been achieved is sufficient sions, offering fixed payments the Sunday Times about a £4bn- said: “We are a taxpayer-funded into the EU budget, Brexit could support for longer-term funding for partly from Treasury reserves. to suspend our strike action.” after retirement. a-year funding boost to coincide system, so in the end if we are go- free up an extra £350mn a week to settlements for the NHS, saying But in his spring statement, he UCU said the new offer “The work of the group will with the NHS’s 70th birthday was ing to get more resources into the spend on the NHS. a 10-year plan could allow the stressed he had already injected would be considered by its reflect the clear wish of staff premature. NHS and social care system, it Calculations by the independ- government to negotiate cheaper more cash into social care. member branches on March 28. to have a guaranteed pension But the health secretary, who will have to come through the tax ent Offi ce for Budget Responsi- prices with drugs companies by A comprehensive spending re- UUK said the proposal for comparable with current pro- resisted Theresa May’s plan to system and also through growth bility (OBR) published alongside striking longer-term deals, and view, setting out plans across all the joint expert panel was made vision whilst meeting the af- move him into another post in in the economy.” the spring statement this month also to pay for new IT systems. departments three years ahead is under the auspices of the Acas fordability challenges for all January, said it was time to scrap A growing number of Con- suggested it was impossible as yet “There’s lot of things that you due next summer, with the over- conciliation service, where parties, within the current reg- what he said had been a “feast or servative MPs have been raising to estimate the size of any such could do that could fundamen- all spending total likely to be an- talks between the two groups ulatory framework,” the UUK famine” approach to funding the the issue of the underfunding of Brexit dividend. tally improve the effi ciency of the nounced in Hammond’s autumn had been taking place. letter states. NHS. healthcare – particularly the so- In the short term, much of the system. What the public want budget.

Facebook apologises First direct Australia to for data scandal

UK fl ight touches down AFP week after the row prompted London investigations in Europe and the US, and sent Facebook’s share Guardian News and Media tralia, shortly after take-off . the fl ight to be part of what they price plunging. London QF9 departed Perth at approxi- called a moment in history. acebook chief Mark He repeated that the social mately 6.57pm local time with Mark Andreassen, 57, from Zuckerberg took out media giant had changed the the company CEO, Alan Joyce, Perth, was one of those onboard Ffull-page ads in nine ma- rules on apps so no such data he fi rst non-stop sched- the Australian Trade and Tourism QF9. jor British and US newspapers breach could happen again. uled fl ight from Australia Minister Steve Ciobo and a pack of “I talked to one guy who came yesterday to apologise for a “We’re also investigating every Tto the UK has landed journalists on board. from Hong Kong to get this – he huge data privacy scandal. single app that had access to in London – early – after a 17 On arrival at Heathrow the was going to London anyway but “We have a responsibility to large amounts of data before we hour, six minute journey across plane was greeted by a parade of he went to Perth fi rst,” he said. protect your information. If we fi xed this. We expect there are 14,875km from Perth. vehicles on the tarmac with lights Qantas hopes the inaugural can’t we don’t deserve it,” he others,” he wrote. Qantas fl ight QF9, a Boeing fl ashing. After touchdown Cap- fl ight will not only open up west- said. The ads ran in prominent “And when we fi nd them, we 787-9 Dreamliner with more than tain Lisa Norman, who was one of ern Australia to more British tour- positions in six British nation- will ban them and tell everyone 230 passengers and crew on board, four working pilots on board, said: ists but also be a precursor to a als, including the best-selling aff ected.” There was no men- touched down at 5.03am at Heath- “I would like to welcome you to non-stop journey between Lon- Mail on Sunday, The Sunday tion of the British fi rm accused row on a chilly Sunday morning to the history book of aviation. The don and Sydney. Times and The Observer — of using the data, Cambridge a welcome from ground staff . world has been watching us today. The idea of extreme long-haul which helped break the story — Analytica, which worked on US The landing marked the fi rst Thank you for being part of some- travel has also prompted the com- as well as the New York Times, President Donald Trump’s 2016 commercial passenger jet journey thing so magical and so special.” pany to consider new ways to Washington Post and the Wall campaign. direct between Australia and Eu- Joyce gave a short speech over tackle jet lag across multiple time Street Journal. It too has blamed the Univer- rope and has been described as a the plane’s intercom shortly before zones. Zuckerberg explained there sity of Cambridge researcher “game-changer” by some in the landing in which he congratulated As well as varying cabin pres- was a quiz developed by a uni- Alexsandr Kogan, for any po- aviation industry. the crew and passengers for mak- sure and the introduction of mood versity researcher “that leaked tential breach of data rules. The Dreamliner, which Qantas ing history. lighting , Qantas is teaming up Facebook data of millions of Kogan created a lifestyle quiz says has 20% better fuel effi ciency “Today we are on this amazing with Sydney University to measure people in 2014”. app for Facebook which was than similar-sized aircraft, cov- historic fl ight which is the fast- passenger sleep and movement “This was a breach of trust, downloaded by 270,000 peo- ered the 14,875km with no major est fl ight between Australia and onboard. and I’m sorry we didn’t do more ple, but allowed access to tens of dramas. the UK that has ever occurred. So Ten passengers on the fi rst fl ight at the time. We’re now taking millions of their contacts. Passengers did have to endure a congratulations on this amazing were fi tted with medical-grade, steps to make sure this doesn’t Facebook says he passed this period of some turbulence as the occasion.” Fit-Bit style, monitors to measure happen again,” he said. to Cambridge Analytica without plane skirted Cyclone Marcus, a Many of the fare paying passen- sleep and physical activity. Anoth- Mark Zuckerberg: taking steps to make sure this doesn’t happen The ad refl ects public state- its knowledge. Kogan says he is storm off the west coast of Aus- gers on board had specially booked er device measured posture. again. ments Zuckerberg made last being made a scapegoat. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Woman’s family calls for inquest into her death to resume

Guardian News and Media shire coroners service to examine February and will be sentenced at adequate as it does not say how and a punctured lung. However, it had abused her for years. stand violence against women London the circumstances surrounding Nottingham crown court today. cocaine caused her death. And the concluded that the most likely cause Women’s rights groups and – the cause and consequence of her death. The coroner can decide Julie and Peter Dury, Newbold’s criminal investigation has not in- of death was cocaine toxicity. campaigners described the case women’s inequality – and how to resume an inquest once criminal mother and stepfather, have writ- vestigated the circumstances of her The Durys commissioned an- as terrifying. Sophie Walker, the subsequent governments have he family of a woman who proceedings have concluded. ten to the coroner’s offi ce to set death even though the drugs were other pathologist to review the leader of the Women’s Equality serially failed to make the deep- was severely beaten by her Newbold, 29, was beaten from out their case in support of a full supposed to have been taken at the fi ndings, who concluded New- party, said: “That Tara Newbold rooted structural changes re- Tpartner on the night she head to toe by Ballin, who turned inquest being resumed. same time as she was being beaten. bold’s injuries should not have was so abandoned is heartbreak- quired to halt this epidemic.” died are calling for the resump- himself in to police saying: “I Speaking to the Guardian, Pe- “Tara was not a drug user, been excluded from having ing; that neither the police nor Karen Ingala Smith, the chief tion of an inquest into her death, think I’ve killed my girlfriend.” ter Dury said: “We do not feel completely the opposite, and played a part in her death. the CPS confronted the failures executive of Nia, a charity for after the perpetrator was not But after toxicology reports that the criminal justice system the presence of drugs in her sys- The family pressed prosecu- of the investigation is shameful. victims of domestic abuse, start- charged with murder. revealed she had cocaine in her has uncovered the truth behind tem and the assault cannot be tors and Nottinghamshire po- Their ignorance is fatal for other ed the Counting Dead Women Before the sentencing of Duane system, police offi cers dropped a Tara’s death and we hope a full separated even though the police lice to pursue a murder charge women in abusive relationships. project in January 2012, record- Ballin for causing grievous bodily murder inquiry and charged Bal- inquest could go some way to- would like to do that.” and have criticised authori- “This terrifying story dem- ing the names of women killed by harm with intent, Tara Newbold’s lin with the less serious off ence, wards achieving that. A postmortem found Newbold ties for failing to protect their onstrates how little our criminal men in the UK, and has recorded family have urged Nottingham- for which he was convicted in “The postmortem itself was in- had 37 injuries, including broken ribs daughter after it emerged Ballin and judicial institutions under- the names of 860 women.

Murderer Cambridge triumphs dies days Teenage army after rape conviction recruits make Guardian News and Media London

notorious killer found guilty last week of raping Aa teenager weeks before 50 claims of he took the life of another has died. Announcing the death of Pe- ter Pickering, police said they had hoped to charge him with the murder of a third teenage girl. ill-treatment Pickering, who was nick- named the Beast of Wombwell Guardian News and Media there were 50 cases of alleged routinely so unprepared for the after he admitted the man- London violent behaviour. reality of army life that they be- slaughter of 14-year-old Shirley There is no detail about what lieve they are being assaulted Boldy in 1972, died on Saturday happened to the staff and it is when they are actually under- night after being taken ill in se- taff at the army’s founda- possible some may have been going routine training. cure psychiatric accommoda- tion college were accused among those involved in the “This naivety is unsurpris- tion in Berkshire, police said. He Sof 50 cases of assaulting case thrown out this week. The ing when you recall that none of was 80 and his death is not being or mistreating teenage recruits ministry of defence (MoD) said these recruits are old enough to treated as suspicious. between 2014 and 2017, the it could not say how many indi- watch a graphic war fi lm or play Last week he was found Guardian revealed. viduals were involved because Call of Duty on the Xbox. What- guilty of the rape and false Allegations made by 16 and of confidentiality issues. ever the reason is for this stag- imprisonment of an 18-year- 17-year-old soldiers or their par- Separately, data obtained by gering number of complaints, it old woman in South Yorkshire ents and guardians about staff the MP Liz Saville Roberts, the is clear that the army is a wholly three or four weeks before he at the Army Foundation College Plaid Cymru leader at West- unsuitable environment for ado- killed Shirley. (AFC) in Harrogate, north York- minster, shows that in the past lescents and the MoD must raise West Yorkshire police yester- shire, included assault, battery decade, there have been about the minimum enlistment age to day said they “strongly suspect- and ill-treatment. 50 investigations conducted by 18 as a matter of urgency.” ed” Pickering was also responsi- The revelations follow the the RMP into staff at the college Saville Roberts added: “The ble for the killing of Elsie Frost, collapse of court proceedings – approximately half of them government needs to join the 14, who was stabbed to death in earlier this week against 16 AFC relating to assault or ill-treat- international community and a tunnel beneath a railway line in Harrogate instructors who had ment. In around 15 cases, the raise the age of recruitment so Wakefi eld in 1965. been accused of abusing re- allegations were proven. that minors are no longer en- Officers had interviewed cruits. Rachel Taylor, the director of tering the armed forces.” him recently about the crime During the proceedings, jun- programmes at Child Soldiers Reem Abu-Hayyeh, a peace and expected he would soon be ior soldiers claimed they were International, said: “It is un- and security campaigner at the charged with her murder, the slapped or punched, spat at, imaginable that a sixth-form public health charity Medact, force said. verbally abused and ordered boarding school could receive said: “It is clear that the mili- It was while reinvestigating to eat manure during a battle 50 formal complaints of violent tary does not sufficiently safe- Frost’s killing that police found a camp exercise in June 2014. behaviour by members of staff in guard the well-being and health secure lockup facility in Sheffi eld The case was thrown out, the course of three years, and not of minors. The UK government that Pickering had kept since he with a judge heavily criticising be shut down or at least subject- should join the majority of the was incarcerated in 1972. the way the Royal Military Po- ed to serious external scrutiny. world and stop recruiting un- Police believe he had somehow lice (RMP) had investigated the “It takes enormous cour- der-18s to the armed forces.” been paying rent on the storage allegations and the time it took age for a teenager to speak out An army spokesperson said: unit over the decades, preserv- to get the case to court. against a superior officer in “We care about our soldiers ing exercise books, documents, Now data obtained by the an intimidating environment above all else and do everything letters and diaries, as well as a charity Child Soldiers Interna- where being perceived as weak we can to ensure they live and pair of handcuff s. The material tional, which campaigns for the or disloyal can be grounds for train in a safe and secure en- suggested he had a long-held de- minimum age for soldiers to be immediate dismissal and there vironment. All allegations of sire to commit violent off ences raised, puts the focus back on are likely to be many more such mistreatment are treated very against young girls. the college, where almost all incidents which went unre- seriously and we encourage One letter, written by Picker- junior soldiers undergo train- corded. any allegation of unacceptable ing to his mother, suggested he ing. “These figures show there behaviour to be raised. If indi- had raped an 18-year-old wom- Cambridge University team members celebrate after winning the women’s boat race against A freedom of information is either a serious and ongo- viduals are found guilty of mis- an weeks before killing Boldy in Oxford University in London. request revealed that between ing problem of abuse, or sim- treatment appropriate discipli- 1972. January 2014 and August 2017, ply that these adolescents are nary action taken will be taken.” Protest planned today in Teen attacked in Corbyn antisemitism row sectarian assault Agencies Victoria Parade. Belfast Inspector Keith Hutchinson Guardian News and Media support for an antisemitic mural Corbyn was criticised after an said “We are looking at whether London in 2012. image of the exchange surfaced, the assault is linked to earlier re- But it is unclear whether he and on Friday his offi ce put out a teenager sustained inju- ports of anti-social behaviour in will appear in person at the PLP’s statement saying he had reacted ries after being attacked areas close to Duncairn Parade ewish leaders have called for regular meeting today, the last to “concerns about the removal Aby three youths with and Victoria Parade.” a show of solidarity outside before parliament rises for Easter of public art on the grounds of sticks in a sectarian assault in He also appealed to parents of Jparliament today evening to recess. freedom of speech”. north Belfast. young people in the area to take warn the Labour leadership that The deputy leader, Tom The statement said the mural It happened during more than responsibility for their actions. “enough is enough”, after Jeremy Watson, and Labour’s Brexit was “off ensive, used antisemitic an hour of disturbances near an “This behaviour is senseless Corbyn was engulfed in a fresh spokesman, Keir Starmer, both imagery, which has no place in interface at North Queen Street and unacceptable. It achieves antisemitism row. appeared in yesterday morning in our society, and it is right that it on Saturday evening. nothing and only creates incon- The Jewish Board of Deputies TV programmes to condemn the was removed”. Police said the 14-year-old venience, disruption and misery and the Jewish Leadership Coun- mural that Corbyn backed on free A later statement from Corbyn boy was attacked “while a crowd for the local community,” he said. cil issued what they described as speech grounds in 2012. added: “I sincerely regret that I of people watched”. He managed “I would again urge parents with- a “call to action” yesterday, an- “I’m very, very sorry that peo- did not look more closely at the to “limp away” from the scene. in these areas to monitor the activi- nouncing they would be deliver- ple feel hurt by this and that’s image I was commenting on.” The boy was taken hospital but ties of their children. Know where ing a letter to the parliamentary why I think it’s right that Jer- But yesterday’s statement his head injuries are not believed they are. Know what they’re doing.” Labour party before its regular emy has expressed regret for it,” from Jewish leaders condemned to be life-threatening. Earlier, Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni weekly meeting today. Watson said. Corbyn’s response as “far too lit- A PSNI spokeswoman con- Chuilín said there has been an “up- “Day in, day out, we the Jewish Starmer said the image, which tle, far too late”. fi rmed that the assault is being surge in anti-social behaviour” in community face increasing an- was painted on a wall in east It said: “The Jewish commu- investigated as a sectarian attack. the area and she criticised the re- tisemitism. Enough is enough,” London and used noted antise- nity has had enough of repeat- A crowd of up to 30 youths had sponse of the statutory authorities. they said, calling on “members of mitic tropes, was “grotesque and edly witnessing and condemning gathered at Duncairn Parade, “There is a very small minor- our community and all those who disgusting”. instances of antisemitism in and off New Lodge Road, at about ity of young people involved in oppose antisemitism” to gather In 2012 Corbyn defended Mear around the Labour party.” 19.15GMT on Saturday. the anti-social behaviour, but in Parliament Square as Labour One, the artist who painted the mu- Luciana Berger, a Labour MP Officers responded to a report that children as young as 14 are get- MPs meet. ral, after he posted on Facebook that who had demanded an explana- a boy had been attacked, but when ting caught up in this,” she said. Several Labour MPs have said it was to be scrubbed. Corbyn wrote: tion from Corbyn, said his re- they arrived, the crowd had dispersed “Local residents are angry that they would like to hear an ex- “Why? You are in good company. sponse was wholly inadequate. and the boy had left the scene. this activity has continued over a planation from Corbyn directly, Rockerfeller (sic) destroyed Diego She said: “It fails to understand About an hour later, a police couple of days despite the best after Facebook posts emerged in Viera’s (sic) mural because it in- on any level the hurt and anguish vehicle was damaged when offi c- eff orts of youth workers and lo- which he appeared to show his cludes a picture of Lenin.” felt about antisemitism.” Corby: expresses regret ers were called to a bin on fi re in cal community leaders.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, March 26, 2018 EUROPE

Thousands rally for Friends, family mourn Romania, Moldova France attack victims unifi cation AFP Sarah, 23, a former employee of Reuters Trebes, France the Super U supermarket where Chisinau the attacker, Radouane Lakdim, shot dead two people on Friday. he bells of the Saint- Wearing a veil and an abaya, he former president of Etienne church rang out she said she feared being Romania Traian Basescu Tunder the grey sky in shunned, but had decided to at- Tjoined more than 10,000 Trebes yesterday as hundreds tend the service nevertheless. people in the Moldovan capital of mourners, both Christian and “It’s important to be here. I yesterday to rally in support of Muslim, came together to pay knew the victims,” she said. reunifi cation between Romania their respects to the people who “God is for everyone. We’re and Moldova. died in the deadly shooting that all human beings. His house is Union between European Un- shook the tiny rural French com- open to everyone,” said Rabiha, ion member Romania and its munity two days ago. a Muslim from the nearby village smaller neighbour to the north- “Everyone knows each other of Carcassonne, where, before east looks unlikely but the issue here. It’s a small village, The laying siege to the supermarket, highlights a divide in Moldova people who were killed, they Lakdim hijacked a car, killing the between pro-Western and Mos- were our friends,” said a pen- passenger and leaving the Por- cow-backed political factions sioner, Louis, his eyes fi lled with tuguese driver in a critical con- Mourners leave the service of remembrance yesterday at the Saint ahead of elections in November. tears. dition. Etienne Church in Trebes, southwest France, two days after a man The country that is now He was one of more than 100 An 81-year-old villager called carried out an attack in which four people were killed. Moldova was part of Tsarist Rus- people who could not fi t into the Solange expressed similar sen- sia during the 19th century and packed church, but stood in- timents: “It takes a very deep The Muslim community, and “We’re part of this country. It known as Bessarabia. stead in the biting cold to listen faith to accept all this, this fi ght- even Islam itself, have been is multi-coloured, multi-faith After World War I it joined to the mass via loudspeakers on ing between religions. It is the “stabbed by the people who use France. Everyone has to get this what was known as Greater Ro- the square outside. same god we worship, Muslims, the symbols that are close to into their heads. We have to live A picture of Lieutenant Colonel Beltrame is attached to a bouquet mania but it was annexed by the Heavily-armed gendarmes Christians and Jews.” our hearts”, said the imam of the together and fi ght these lost of flower laid outside the gates of the gendarmerie of Carcassonne, Soviet Union in 1940. patrolled in front of and around Offi cial representatives of Carcassonne mosque, Mohamed sheep,” he added. where he worked. When the Soviet Union dis- the Gothic church and guarded the Muslim community were Belmihoub, as he left the service. The service was held on Palm solved in 1991, it became inde- the barriers set up to keep the among the congregation inside “’Allah Akbar’, is a symbol of Sunday, the start of Holy Week whom the attacker had been us- of it when he made it,” the cler- pendent under the name Moldo- teams of reporters and cam- the church, their faces tight and the adoration of God. It means for Christians, which culminates ing as a human shield. gyman said. va. era crews away from the grief- drawn. that God is greater than hate,” in Easter next weekend. “At the beginning of this Holy Beltrame “is eternal forever”, It is now split between a Ro- stricken mourners making their “Your presence tell us that the he said, adding: “We cannot fi nd Bishop Planet paid tribute Week, and as we watch Christ said imam Belmihoub. “There manian-speaking majority and way to the memorial service, creators of hatred will not win,” the words. We are in shock.” to Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud take our place to save us from are people who know how to die the breakaway region Transd- many of them bearing olive or said the Bishop of Carcassonne Belmihoub said that he at- Beltrame, 44, who was shot and death, (Beltrame’s) gesture takes in greatness and people who will niestria, which is propped up laurel branches. and Narbonne, Monsignor Alain tended the service “to prove that stabbed by Lakdim, after taking on a very special meaning, and remain cowards forever, alive or by Russia in one of a series of Among the mourners was Planet, during the service. France is mother to everyone”. the place of a woman hostage I’m sure that he was not unaware dead.” “frozen confl icts” that have kept separatist regions in several former Soviet republics under Moscow’s wing. “We call upon the deputies of the Moldovan and Romanian parliament to vote in the near Cities worldwide go dark for ‘Earth Hour’ future for unifi cation,” Basescu said at the demonstration, which was timed to coincide with the AFP animal species face local extinc- 100th anniversary of Moldova Paris tion in some of the world’s most joining Greater Romania. naturally rich areas in biodiver- There was no offi cial reaction sity by the turn of this century from the Romanian side. he Sydney Opera House, if we continue along the cur- The demonstration was the Eiff el Tower and Mos- rent path that we are trending peaceful although police said Tcow’s Red Square were in terms of global warming,” he they detained 21 people who among the world landmarks to said. wanted to disrupt the rally, seiz- go dark on Saturday, as part of a Species at risk include Aus- ing gas masks, masks and knives. global campaign to raise aware- tralia’s green turtles, black- The Moldovan government, ness about the impacts of cli- fl anked rock wallabies and koa- which favours closer ties with mate change. las, as well as the Adelie penguin the European Union and the “Earth Hour”, which started colonies in Antarctica, the con- United States, often locks horns in Australia in 2007, is being ob- servation group said in a report with the pro-Russian President served by millions of supporters Participants light up sparkling sticks and candles during the ‘Earth it commissioned that was pub- Igor Dodon, who wants closer in 187 countries, who turned off Hour’ event in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia (above), lished in the science journal Cli- ties to Moscow and to join a their lights at 8.30pm local time at the main square in Skopje, Macedonia (left), in Yogyakarta on matic Change. Moscow-led customs union. in what organisers describe as Java island, Indonesia (below, left), and at Jordan’s Amman Citadel The analysis, released last If his Socialist party wins the world’s “largest grassroots (below). The ‘60’ refers to the 60 minutes of ‘Earth Hour’. week, said that key biodiverse elections due in 2018, Dodon has movement for climate change”. sites around the world projected previously suggested passing a “It aims to raise awareness to be most aff ected by localised law that bans unionist organi- about the importance of pro- extinction include the Ama- zations seen to be undermining tecting the environment and zon, the world’s largest tropical the integrity of the state because wildlife,” “Earth Hour” organis- rainforest, and southern Africa’s they want to join Romania. er WWF Australia chief Dermot Miombo Woodlands. Dodon asked those who op- O’Gorman told AFP. While the lights-off event is a pose reunifi cation not to stage a In Paris, the Eiff el Tower symbolic gesture, “Earth Hour” rival rally yesterday. plunged into darkness as Presi- has led successful campaigns “I urge all patriots and states- dent Emmanuel Macron urged over the past decade to ban plas- men not to march against the people to join in and “show you tics in the Galapagos Islands and unionists on March 25. We are willing to join the fi ght for plant 17mn trees in Kazakhstan. should not give them an addi- nature”. Sydneysider Dianna Ali, who tional reason for demonstrations “The time for denial is long was having dinner with family or provocations,” Dodon said. past. We are losing not only our as the lights went off in the city, battle against climate change, said that the initiative had made but also our battle against the her more aware of the impact collapse of biodiversity,” he said showed buildings including kle” to mark the hour. UN Secretary General An- our resolve to change.” of her lifestyle on the planet’s on Twitter. Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Tow- And in Mexico City major tonio Guterres said the event With global temperatures the health. Moscow’s Red Square also fell ers, as well as the famous har- monuments switched off their “comes at a time of huge pres- highest on record, O’Gorman “Since ‘Earth Hour’ started, Mall fi re dark and the Russian section of bour skylines of Hong Kong and power including the Angel of In- sure on people and planet alike”. said that this year’s theme is the it’s made me more conscious of the International Space Station Singapore, blacking out to mark dependence, while Colombia’s “Resources and ecosystems impact of climate change on bi- how much power I’m using,” she dipped its lights, the Ria Novisti the occasion. third-largest city Cali saw ac- across the world are under as- odiversity and plant and animal told AFP. “I think ... about how kills fi ve, news agency said. New York’s Empire State tivists light candles to form the sault,” the UN chief said. “‘Earth species. much one individual can make a Images from across Asia Building emitted a “faint spar- “60+” logo. Hour’ is an opportunity to show “More than half of plant and diff erence.” injures 30

AFP Pope Francis tells youths to continue Moscow ive people including a child have died and another 30 shouting, not to become anaesthetised Fwere wounded in a major fi re in a Siberian shopping cen- tre, Russia’s Investigative Com- Reuters las High School in Florida, where “The temptation to silence loses its joy, I ask you: Will you mittee said yesterday. Vatican City 17 people were killed in February, young people has always existed,” cry out?” “Three women, a child and attended the service with their Francis said in the homily of a The youths shouted: “Yes!” a man have been killed” and 30 parents. Mass. While Francis did not mention people hospitalised following ope Francis, starting Holy CNS posted a photo of the two “There are many ways to si- the marches in the US, he has of- the blaze in the Winter Cherry Week services leading to holding up signs in Saint Peter’s lence young people and make ten condemned weapons manu- shopping centre in Kemerovo, an PEaster, urged young people Square, with one reading: “Pro- them invisible. Many ways to facturing and mass shootings. industrial city in central Siberia, yesterday to keep shouting and tect Our Children, Not Our Guns.” anaesthetise them, to make them Palm Sunday marked the start it said in a statement. not allow the older generations to The 81-year-old Francis led a keep quiet, ask nothing, question of a hectic week of activities for Firefi ghters were still battling silence their voices or anaesthe- long and solemn Palm Sunday nothing,” the Pope said. “There the Pope: On Holy Thursday he to get the blaze under control tise their idealism. service before tens of thousands are many ways to sedate them, to presides at two services, includ- yesterday afternoon, after more Francis spoke a day after hun- in the square, many of them keep them from getting involved, ing one in which he will wash the than 200 people were evacuated dreds of thousands of young young people there for the Cath- to make their dreams fl at and feet of 12 jail inmates to com- from the building, it added. Americans and their supporters olic Church’s World Day of Youth. dreary, petty and plaintive.” memorate Jesus’ gesture of hu- The Investigative Committee answered a call to action from Carrying a woven palm branch “Dear young people, you have mility towards his apostles the earlier said that three children survivors of last month’s Florida known as a “palmurello”, Francis it in you to shout,” he told young night before he died. and a woman had died. high school massacre and rallied led a procession in front of the people, urging them to be like On Good Friday, he is due to Authorities believe the fi re across the United States to de- largest church in Christendom to the people who welcomed Je- lead a Via Crucis (Way of the broke out in the centre’s cinema mand tighter gun laws. commemorate the day the Bible sus with palms rather than those Cross) procession at Rome’s Col- and caused the roof to collapse He did not mention the dem- says Jesus rode into Jerusalem and who shouted for his crucifi xion osseum. above two auditoriums. onstrations. was hailed as a saviour, only to be only days later. “It is up to you On Saturday night he leads a The fl ames spread across more Catholic News Service (CNS) crucifi ed fi ve days later. not to keep quiet. Even if others Easter vigil service and on Easter than 1,000sq m in the building, said that Gabriella Zuniga, 16, The Pope urged the young peo- keep quiet, if we older people and Sunday he delivers his twice- which has a bowling alley, sauna Pope Francis poses for a selfie with youths at the end of the and her sister Valentina, 15, both ple in the crowd not to let them- leaders, some corrupt, keep quiet, yearly “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and several restaurants, Russian Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican. students from Stoneman Doug- selves be manipulated. if the whole world keeps quiet and and the world) message. media reported. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 19 EUROPE

Italian parties prepare Former Catalonia leader for tense govt talks is arrested in Germany AFP/Reuters AFP/DPA It also came two days after Rome Berlin Spain’s Supreme Court said it would prosecute for “rebellion” 13 Catalan separatists, including he two sides battling for erman police have ar- Puigdemont and his nominated power in Italy made clear rested Catalonia’s former successor Jordi Turull, over their Tyesterday that nego- Gpresident Carles Puig- role in the region’s failed bid for tiations for a new government demont as he crossed the bor- independence. will start from scratch, despite der with Denmark by car, after If found guilty, they face up to reaching a deal over parliamen- Spain’s Supreme Court vowed 30 years in prison. tary speakers. to prosecute key separatists over Twelve more face less serious Saturday’s agreement be- their breakaway bid. charges such as disobedience. tween the right-wing coalition The arrest puts the fate of Pu- Issuing an international ar- and the anti-establishment igdemont in the hands of Ger- rest warrant for Puigdemont on Five-Star Movement (M5S) will man courts, which would have to Friday, Judge Pablo Llarena ac- allow them to begin consulta- decide whether to hand him over cused the ousted Catalan leader tions with Italian President Ser- to Spanish authorities to face of organising an independence gio Mattarella over who will lead charges of “rebellion and misuse referendum in October last year the new government. of public funds”. despite a ban from Madrid and In an interview yesterday Puigdemont “was arrested “grave risk of violent incidents”. in the Corriere della Sera, M5S today at 11.19am by Schleswig- The vote had been swiftly Puigdemont: arrested based on leader Luigi Di Maio said that Holstein’s highway patrol force”, followed by the Catalan parlia- a European warrant. “the match” to see who will win a German police spokesman told ment’s declaration of independ- power is in no way related to the AFP, adding that the detention ence on October 27. was picked up by German po- battle of parliament speakers. was based on a European war- As Spanish authorities moved lice as he was travelling back to “But starting today, those rant. in to impose direct rule over the Belgium to “present himself, as who want to work for the people “He is now in police custody,” region, Puigdemont and four always, at the disposal of Belgian know that there is a reliable and added the spokesman. other deputies subsequently fl ed courts”. People protest in Barcelona after Puigdemont was detained in Germany. serious force who will talk with Ralph Doepper, the deputy to Belgium. Focus magazine reported everyone and advance together attorney general for Schleswig- While separatist parties won without citing its sources that er,” the CDR said on Twitter, and Former Catalan minister ‘preparing to surrender’ for the good of the country,” he Holstein, said that Puigdemont Catalonia’s regional elections German police were tipped off called for a protest on the city’s added. will be presented to a district in December called by Madrid, about Puigdemont’s movements main boulevard, Las Ramblas A former Catalan minister wanted by Spain for her role in last year’s In the same interview Di Maio court today. they have been unable to form by Spanish intelligence services and outside central government independence bid is “making arrangements” to surrender to authorities praised right-wing coalition He added that the court ap- a government for the region as who had been tracking him. offi ces in the city. in Scotland, where she had fled to, police said yesterday. leader Matteo Salvini. pearance serves only to verify they chose candidates who are German authorities have 60 In Girona, about 100km (60 A Spanish judge on Friday issued international arrest warrants for Clara Salvini “has proved he keeps Puigdemont’s identity. either in exile or in jail or facing days to decide whether to extra- miles) north of Barcelona, doz- Ponsati and other separatist leaders, including former regional president his word”, the M5S leader said. “The question of whether prosecution over the separatist dite Puigdemont to Spain. ens of people were protesting Carles Puigdemont. Asked whether his movement Mr Puigdemont is to be taken drive. German national news agency outside the offi ces of Spain’s A few hours after Puigdemont was arrested in Germany (see lead could side with the League to into detention pending extradi- Puigdemont, who had run in DPA quoting unnamed sources central government representa- story), a spokesman from Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that we form a government, Di Maio did tion will be decided by the Sch- December’s polls from Belgium, said that Puigdemont was driven tive in Catalonia, according to are in possession of a European arrest warrant for Clara Ponsati. not rule anything out. leswig-Holstein Higher Region- announced in March that he was in a small van with tinted win- images posted by the CDR on “We have made a number of enquiries to try to trace her and have now “We have shown we are open al Court in Schleswig,” Doepper abandoning his bid to return as dows to a prison at Neumuen- Twitter. been contacted by her solicitor, who is making arrangements for Ms (to talk) with everyone for the said. regional president, as he faced ster. They painted the building’s Ponsati to hand herself into police.” good of the country as long as The court will examine, with arrest if he returned to Spain. Elsa Artadi, a spokeswom- facade in yellow, the symbolic Spain’s Supreme Court said on Friday that it would prosecute 13 key the dialogue focuses on the pri- the aid of documents submitted He had been visiting Finland an for Puigdemont’s Together colour of Catalan separatists. Catalan separatists including Ponsati for “rebellion”, a crime which car- orities for the people and not for by Spain, “whether a transfer of since Thursday, but slipped out for Catalonia party, said that Albert Rivera, the leader of the ries a maximum penalty of 30 years in jail. parties,” Di Maio said. Mr Puigdemont to the Spanish of the Nordic country before he should fi ght his extradition centrist party Ciudadanos which Ponsati was a minister in the Catalan government when it declared inde- He claims M5S’s right to lead authorities is legally permissi- Finnish police could detain him to Spain as she argued that he was set up in Catalonia to fi ght pendence from the rest of Spain following a referendum in October. the country after it secured ble”, he said. on the warrant issued on Friday. would not get a fair trial in the against separatism, welcomed She fled later that month with Puigdemont and three other former 32.6% of votes in the lower If the court decides that an Separately confi rming his ar- country. Puigdemont’s arrest, saying that ministers to Brussels, after Spain – which declared the referendum illegal house, the largest of any single extradition is legally permis- rest in Germany, Puigdemont’s “Spain does not guarantee a the justice system was “doing its – dismissed the Catalan executive and imposed direct rule. party, after campaigning to cut sible, the state prosecutors will party spokeswoman Anna fair trial; only revenge and re- job”. Ponsati then returned to the University of St Andrews, near Edinburgh, taxes, amend pension reforms still be able to decide whether to Grabalosa said: “It happened as pression,” she wrote on Twitter. “The fl ight of the coup leader where she had formerly worked, and is a professor. and improve youth unemploy- actually carry out the extradi- he crossed the Danish-German Hardcore separatists, the rad- Puigdemont is over. Trying to She told the BBC earlier this month that the Madrid government and ment. tion, Doepper added. border. He was treated well and ical Committees for the Defence destroy a European democracy, parts of the Spanish judiciary “were determined to violate human rights However, a right-wing coali- Puigdemont’s arrest is the lat- all his lawyers are there. That is of the Republic (CDR), called a bypassing democratic laws, in order to repress the leadership of the Catalan referendum”. tion led by Salvini, which in- est chapter in a secession saga all I can say.” protest in Barcelona against Pu- breaking up co-existence or “That obviously included the government and as a member of the cludes former prime minister that has bitterly divided Cata- Puigdemont’s lawyer Jaume igdemont’s arrest. misusing public money cannot government that called for, organised, this referendum, I was pretty sure Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia lans and triggered Spain’s worst Alonso-Cuevillas, said on Twit- “Faced with this serious situ- enjoy impunity. The justice sys- I would have gone to prison had I stayed,” she said. party, together secured 37%. political crisis in decades. ter that the ex-Catalan leader ation, we must respond togeth- tem is doing its job,” he tweeted. “The next head of government needs to be proposed by the right,” Salvini declared on Twit- ter yesterday. His priorities include the abo- lition of pension reforms and lowering taxes as well as a revi- Turkmenistan holds sion of European treaties and the eviction of illegal immigrants. On Saturday, an agreement between the two sides saw a member of the anti-establish- parliamentary polls ment M5S, Roberto Fico, elected speaker of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies. Reuters ing station near Ashgabat. Some observers have tipped In return, Elisabetta Alberti Ashgabat Offi cial data shows almost a Serdar Berdymukhamedov, 36, Casellati, a Forza Italia mem- quarter of registered voters had to eventually become parliament ber, was voted head of the upper cast their ballots by 9am (0400 speaker and the designated suc- house, the Senate. urkmenistan conducted GMT), within the fi rst two hours cessor to his father, who has run Prime Minister Paolo Gen- its parliamentary election of voting. the country since 2007 and is the tiloni, who led Italy’s previous Tyesterday, with a choice Not everyone was enthusias- centre of an extravagant person- centre-left government, mean- of three political parties and tic, though. ality cult. while, offi cially tendered his res- some independents, but all the “I have three kids to feed, A golden statue of the presi- ignation. candidates are ultimately loyal gasoline prices have gone up and dent riding a horse stands in the He will continue to manage to President Kurbanguly Berdy- everything has become more ex- centre of Ashgabat. the day-to-day aff airs of the mukhamedov, leader of the gas- pensive,” said taxi driver Mergen, In a symbolic move, Serdar government until a new one was rich nation. 36, who said he would not vote. Berdymukhamedov, who had formed, the presidency said in a A woman at a polling station in Ahgabat looks at the list of candidates during the parliamentary One of the candidates is the “I think they will deal with the worked as a diplomat before be- statement. elections. president’s son, Serdar Berdy- election without me.” coming an MP in 2016, attended mukhamedov, regarded by ob- There are 284 candidates a summit of Central Asian lead- servers as a potential successor contesting 125 seats in the sin- ers in Kazakhstan this month to the 60-year-old leader, who gle-chamber legislature, whose that his father skipped. is referred to by local people as main job is to rubber-stamp bills Turkmenistan’s economy de- “Arkadag”, or “Protector”. drafted by the cabinet. pends heavily on exports of nat- Dozens held on ‘Freedom Day’ in Belarus Although the election is tak- Another legislative body in the ural gas and Russia was its main ing place against the backdrop predominantly Muslim nation is customer for decades, thanks to of foreign currency shortages the Halk Maslahaty, or People’s Soviet-era pipelines. AFP red and white fl ag of the 1918 brought on by a drop in gas ex- Council, chaired by the presi- But Moscow halted purchases Minsk republic that has become an op- ports, there are no opposition dent, which has more powers of Turkmen gas in 2016, leaving position symbol. parties in the former Soviet re- than parliament and consists of as the main buyer China, which More than 700 people were public of 6mn. deputies elected by local coun- has built its own pipeline from elarusian authorities ar- arrested in last year’s March 25 Polling stations greeted voters cils. scratch. rested around 30 pro- opposition march, prompting with national music and dance However, the position of par- The Ashgabat government is Btesters ahead of a banned warnings from the EU, which shows, and snacks. liament speaker is important, building a new pipeline through opposition march in Minsk yes- had lifted sanctions on Belarus “The election is a real holiday, because holders of the offi ce be- neighbouring Afghanistan to Pa- terday, while detaining activ- after Lukashenko freed impris- which will bring peace, prosper- come acting president if the head kistan and China in an attempt to ists across the country, human oned opposition politicians in ity and stability,” said Maskat of state is unable to carry out his open up additional export mar- rights group Viasna said. 2016. Muratdyrdyev, 26, head of a poll- work. kets. The Belarusian opposition is Analysts say that the authori- marking the 100th anniversary ties allowed the holiday to be of the short-lived Belarusian celebrated to avoid last year’s Bulgarian off icers suspended over airport security lapse People’s Republic of 1918-19 unrest and a possible new repri- that it sees as the foundation of mand from Brussels. Bulgaria’s interior ministry has said that it had enough to tackle organised crime, corruption and an independent Belarus. “This topic came up during suspended 13 border off icers over accusations that security shortcomings. It accuses President Alexan- Lukashenko’s meeting with EU dozens of people arriving from France this week Interior Minister Valentin Radev said the border der Lukashenko of consciously Police detain an opposition supporter during an opposition rally commissioners,” said analyst had passed through passport control at Sofia airport off icers could be sacked or face disciplinary erasing Belarusian identity and yesterday in Minsk. Alexander Klaskovskiy, add- without having documents checked. sanctions, depending on the outcome of the “Russifying” the former Soviet ing: “Europe sent a signal that The action follows calls from Prime Minister Boyko investigation. republic. opposition politicians Miko- brated this year for the fi rst time authorities should let people Borissov for stern punishment over the March 20 Of the 13, seven off icers were part of a team on a Viasna said that a 90-year- la Statkevich and Vladimir in his 24-year rule. celebrate the 100th anniversary incident that highlights challenges Bulgaria faces in shift at the airport who left their posts for about 15 old man was among those ar- Nyaklyaev and 12 organisers of But while the authorities of the Belarusian People’s Re- convincing the European Union that it is addressing minutes, allowing about 40 passengers flying in from rested. the march. sanctioned a concert in central public.” shortfalls in applying the rule of law. Paris to pass through without having their passport Rights groups reported that at Lukashenko – who said on Minsk, the opposition march Lukashenko, who has ruled Bulgaria, an EU member since 2007 and holder checks. least 15 activists were arrested in Friday that the Belarus republic was banned. Belarus since 1994, cracked since January of the six-month EU presidency for “It is good that the flight was from Paris,” Radev told the eastern Mogilev region and was a “dismal page of our his- Thousands of “Freedom Day” down on the opposition follow- the first time, has had its application to join the EU’s reporters. “Passengers had been already checked at at least fi ve in Minsk. tory” – nevertheless allowed protesters attended yesterday’s ing his re-election in 2010, jail- Schengen free-movement area rejected. a European airport and this guarantees no terrorists Earlier, authorities detained March 25 to be publicly cele- concert, with many carrying the ing dozens. EU off icials have said the government has not done have entered.” Gulf Times 20 Monday, March 26, 2018 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Illegal online lottery company offi cial arrested By Umaima Shafiq Agencies illegal lottery business in 15 oth- said a procedure to get look-out branch offi cer said that cialsoffi was recently transferred to the Indore police had last year ar- Mumbai er countries across the globe, the circulars (LoC) issued against of the Juvenile Aid and Protec- cyber police and offi cers there rested the Chaurasias for dup- Senior priest police said. them would be initiated. tion Unit (JAPU) and Social are given the task to crack the ing people in Madhya Pradesh Police probe revealed that A senior crime branch offi cer Service Branch (SSB) on Febru- technical system on which their through the same illegal lottery. of Srirangam ays after Maharashtra the company, which is believed confi rmed the arrest of Rajendra ary 26 this year raided two stalls business runs and also to dig in- The police have also blocked temple dies Minister of State for to have an annual turnover of Sahu, a Delhi resident, on Friday. in south Mumbai, and arrested formation on their main server the illegal online lottery. Sahu DHome Dr Ranjit Patil Rs2bn, uses a software system According to the cyber police eight people who were running from where these games had and the Chaurasias have been announced a crackdown on the to run the lottery business. The offi cials, Sahu, who is a front- and playing the illegal lottery. been activated across the globe,” booked under relevant sec- Sri Ranga Ramanuja Maha illegal lottery business, Mum- owners of the company allegedly man for the main accused Achal Police sources said that the play- a crime branch offi cer said. tions of the Indian Penal Code, Desikan, the senior priest of the bai’s crime branch offi cials ar- used to manipulate the software Chaurasia, is not forthcom- ers activate their accounts after Earlier multiple cases were Lotteries (Regulation) Act and Srirangam temple in Tiruchi, rested the director of Game to ensure that the numbers on ing about how the entire fraud paying a minimum of Rs1,000. registered against the accused at Maharashtra Prevention of died of heart attack at a private King India Private Limited, an which customers bet never win. works. Sahu was closely associ- The accused had developed a various police stations in Mum- Gambling Act for cheating, and hospital in Chennai on March 19. illegal online lottery company The founder and managing di- ated with the main accused and software in which the customers bai including Nagpada, Samata illegally running lottery causing His last rites were conducted at that allegedly duped the gov- rector of Game King Private knows how the system func- are bound to lose the game. Nagar, Kandiwali and in Delhi, revenue loss to the government. Srirangam about 330km from ernment in seven states includ- Limited, Achal Chaurasia and tions, but is not co-operating in “The police had fi rst regis- Ludhiana, Faridabad, Nagpur, A Mumbai court has sent Sahu Chennai. ing Maharashtra. his father Ramesh Chaurasia are the probe, offi cials said. tered a case, which was later Noida, Firozpur, Indore, Ujjain, to police custody until tomor- Mahadesikan was 84 and the The company runs a similar still wanted in the case. Sources Explaining the case, a crime transferred to the SSB. The case Dhar, Jalandhar and Meerut. row. 11th pontiff of the 300-year-old Srirangam Periyaashramam. Born in Cuddalore, Mahadesikan married in 1960 and had five sons Ex-PM visits Partition Museum and two daughters. However he became a celibate and stated living like a sanyasi or hermit in 1989. Soon afterwards he became the head of the commune. BJP will lose Srirangam Periyaashramam teaches the philosophy of 11th century Bhakti saint. Mahadesikan held doctorates in Hindu justice (Nyaya) and logic (Tarka) and gave countless discourses in India and abroad. seats but keep A visionary educationist, he established arts and science colleges in Tiruchi and in California besides schools to teach ancient Hindu texts or Vedas. power in next Accident victim’s wife gets Rs26mn compensation polls: minister In a landmark verdict, a special court in Salem last week awarded Agencies vention petition against the Su- In other political develop- a compensation of Rs26mn Mumbai preme Court’s order on SC/ST ments, Mumbai Congress chief to R Krishnan, an employee of Act, as we are not satisfi ed with Sanjay Nirupam has slammed a Salem-based private earth the order. There could be some Maharashtra Chief Minister De- moving company after he ederal Minister of State cases of misuse of the Act, but vendra Fadnavis for his claim became a paraplegic following a for Social Justice Ramdas it helps in the protection of the related to the International Fi- 2011 accident in Bhuvaneshwar FAthawale has said that the marginalised section of the soci- nancial Services Centre (IFSC) in in Odisha. tally of the ruling Bharatiya Ja- ety,” Athawale said. Mumbai, saying it was a “blatant Krishnan’s wife had bought a nata Party could come down in lie” and the project was no more United India Insurance policy next year’s general election, but realistic. in Salem and filed a case soon the party will win and the BJP- Fadnavis had said that though after the accident. She told the led National Democratic Alliance the central government has pro- court that her husband had been (NDA) will again form the na- posed the IFSC in Gujarat, the earning a salary of Rs150,000. tional government. Maharashtra government was Krishnan sustained cervical and Athawale was addressing the determined to set up another spinal damage after his jeep media on Saturday at Sahyadri such centre at Bandra-Kurla crashed at the iron ore mine in state guest house in Malabar Hill. Complex on its own. Odisha. The elections are likely to be “As long as Rahul Gandhi “A business hub of this mag- held in April-May next year. is the leader (of Congress), nitude requires a 50-hectare However, there are specula- Narendra Modi will area, as per international norms. Madurai shopping tions that the elections may be continue to win elections” There is no such space available complex opens advanced to the latter half of at the BKC. Secondly, after the this year. Athawale’s Republican On March 20, the court, in Union government has decided after 45 days Party of India (RPI) is an ally of a bid to prevent misuse of the to set up one such centre in Gu- the BJP governments in both at SC/ST Act, ruled that prelimi- jarat, another at BKC does not The popular Pudu Mandapam the national level and in Mahar- nary inquiry in a case under the remain feasible. Fadnavis is just shopping complex near the 17th ashtra. Atrocities Act would be carried lying to save face, as Maharashtra century Meenakshi Temple in Asked about the Karnataka out by police to ensure that the has lost the IFSC to Gujarat after Madurai that was closed after assembly elections, Athawale allegations against the accused Modi took the reins at the Centre a major fire on February 2 was launched a scathing attack on are not frivolous, and to avoid the in 2014,” Nirupam said. reopened with fanfare last week. Congress president Rahul Gan- false implication of an innocent Reacting to Nirupam’s com- The shops, mostly selling dhi, and said that there was no person. The court said there was ments, the BJP said he had got his books, utensils, textiles, temple competition between Gandhi no absolute bar for granting an- facts wrong. essentials, craft materials and and Prime Minister Narendra ticipatory bail in a matter under “Nirupam has got his facts others were reopened after the Modi. the Act. wrong once again. An IFSC set up shopkeepers moved the Madurai “As long as Rahul Gandhi is the Commenting on the relations in 1987 in Dublin, Ireland is on 11 bench of the Madras High Court. leader (of Congress), Narendra between the Shiv Sena and BJP, hectares of land, as per the infor- The shopkeepers promised to Modi will continue to win elec- Athawale said the Sena should mation available on Wikipedia. remove all hazardous stocks, tions,” Athawale said. fi ght the Congress and not the BJP. This means there is no specifi c litter and clutter that could Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his wife visit the Partition Museum at Town He said that the RPI will fi le a He added that whatever stand the norm related to the minimum damage the ancient sculptures Hall in Amritsar yesterday. The museum commemorates and documents the largest migration review petition in the Supreme Sena has adopted against the BJP area required for the centre. inside the complex that houses in history across borders in 1947. More than 14mn people migrated across the new borders Court on its own to challenge is helping the Congress. The min- Nirupam should study the facts nearly 315 shops. of India and Pakistan in 1947 as they lost their loved ones and homes and were forced to the judgment on the Scheduled ister added that if the two parties properly before making such ab- rebuild their lives. They lived in camps and rudimentary shelters till they found alternative Castes and Scheduled Tribes do not enter into a pre-poll alli- surd remarks,” said Krishna He- accommodation. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. ance, it will be the Sena which will gde, Mumbai vice-president of Pittance crop “The RPI will fi le an inter- be the loser. BJP. insurance

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 10 die in auto-rickshaw crash government was under attack from opposition parties which produced government cheques Kerala activists step up issued to farmers in drought- hit districts of Tamil Nadu for miniscule amounts of Rs10, Rs5 and Rs2 last week. pressure against highway Opposition leaders said the farmers would have to open By Ashraf Padanna of an elevated highway over the the support of prominent ac- bank accounts with a minimum Thiruvananthapuram fi elds and asserted that it should tivists like Medha Patkar, Aruna balance of Rs500 to cash them. be built over the existing roads Roy and Dr Binayak Sen and They added that each acre had without destroying the wetlands their National Alliance of Peo- been sanctioned Rs21,000 for cores of environment ac- and hills. ple’s Movements (NAPM). crop loss. tivists converged on a The cash-strapped state, hit The BJP extended their sup- Admitting the mistake, minister SKerala village yesterday hard by lower spending and port while the Congress is Sellur K Raju said that errant against building a road across a mounting debt that has shot up deeply divided on joining them off icers had issued the cheques paddy fi eld there. to a record Rs2.06tn, is pinning though they all protested the without verification and directed A small group of villagers in its hopes on the project to revive government’s highhandedness. district collectors to rectify the Keezhattur has been protesting its economy. “The Communists are behav- situation. for over a year fearing the road The federal government plans ing like feudal lords who had will kill the ecosystem and their to build a 45m-wide carriageway suppressed peasants here ear- livelihood. A majority of farmers along the notoriously narrow NH lier,” Sudheeran said. Accountant general have agreed to leave their land. 66 highway bypassing cities and The Communist Party of In- held for graft Last week, police arrested the towns and straightening curves. dia (CPI), the principal ally of protesters while activists of the The project has an initial out- the CPM in the government, also The Central Bureau of ruling Communist Party of India lay of Rs260bn, and the authori- appeared to back the protesters. Investigation (CBI) has arrested (Marxist) burnt down their venue ties have off ered three-times the The BJP will take out a march Arun Goyal, accountant general of triggering widespread outrage. fair value of the land and prop- from here on April 3, in support Tamil Nadu and three others for The activists marched on the erties of the evictees. of the farmers who “fought CPM accepting a bribe of Rs500,000 to venue and rebuilt the shelter The state government has terror” in Nandigram, West promote a junior off icer. where the protesters who call vowed to complete land acquisi- Bengal, that spelt doom for its The CBI raided Goyal’s properties themselves Vayalkilikal or paddy tion along the 600km highway 30-year rule. in Rajasthan, his home state, and birds used to sit. and start work in September. They said they will take up the found incriminating documents. Actgor Suresh Gopi, a lawmak- Offi cials deployed for the matter with their central min- The accountant general’s er belonging to Prime Minister process face resistance at isters and fi nd a solution to the functions cover audit of Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata many places, mostly for bet- present stalemate. expenditure and non-tax receipts Party, independent legislator P C ter compensation package, but The CPM says of the 60 fami- Rescue workers pull out an auto-rickshaw that fell into a well in Telangana’s Nizamabad district of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry George and Congress leader V M Keezhattur has turned out to be lies, who hold land there, 56 yesterday. At least 10 people were killed when the overcrowded auto-rickshaw fell into the road governments and their subsidiary Sudheeran also joined them. a fl ashpoint. have given their consent letters side open well. bodies. They rejected the state’s off er The protesters have enlisted for land acquisition. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 21 INDIA

WARNING PROTEST ACCIDENT CAMPAIGN AVIATION Manipur toughens stand Punjab teachers block 30 hurt as bus, truck Activists take out march to IndiGo, SpiceJet shift against striking employees highway near Ludhiana collide in W Bengal protect Taj from pollution partial operations to T2

The Manipur government yesterday signalled Hundreds of teachers blocked the busy National At least 30 people were injured when their To highlight threat to the Taj Mahal from pollution, Budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet yesterday said a tough stand against striking employees, with Highway No 1 near Ludhiana yesterday after bus collided with a truck in West Bengal’s environmental activists yesterday marched along they have commenced partial operations from Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar saying the Punjab government failed to give them any Malda district yesterday, police said. At least the Yamuna river with posters and banners. Terminal 2 (T2) of the New Delhi airport. “IndiGo the “no work, no pay” rule will be used against assurance on their demand, leaving hundreds six, including two children, were in a critical Activist Devashish Bhattacharya said the “Taj worked with DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) those not reporting for duty by today. One employee of vehicles stranded. The teachers, belonging to condition and were admitted to Malda state was being continuously sand-blasted in this hot to ensure that the transition is seamless and all however said that all are attending off ice though they diff erent organisations under the banner of Punjab general hospital. “A bus coming from Farakka weather as the riverbed had gone dry. Though passengers flying from T2 are aptly made aware of the are not doing the off icial work. Joykumar, who holds Joint Front of Teachers (PJFT), oppose the state collided with a truck coming from the opposite the government has announced a barrage on the move,” the airline said in a statement. IndiGo added charge of finance, said the employees’ demand for government’s move to fix their salary for first three direction near Sultangunj petrol pump on Yamuna, downstream of the Taj Mahal, no date that in a move to support DIAL with the revamping of the implementation of the Seventh Pay Condition’s years at the basic pay of just over Rs10,000 per month the National Highway 34 at around 12.30pm,” has been set for laying the foundation stone.” The Terminal 1 (T1), it has shifted flights numbered from 6E recommendations is legitimate but requested them and demanding that they be given the full salary as said an off icer from Kaliachak police station. protesters said they wanted “uninterrupted flow 2000 to 6E 2999 to T2. According to SpiceJet, it had to wait for some time since the enhanced pay scale per the pay scale. “We cannot accept this move of the According to the off icer, the accident was the of water in the river to ensure that the ambience “seamless operations” and all of its flights operated for over 85,000 employees and 45,000 pensioners Punjab government to force us to take only the basic driver’s fault as he took the bus on to the wrong around the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort, Itimad-ud- on time. Last Friday, DIAL had said that it has made will require an additional Rs14bn annually, which salary. We will not stop this agitation till the Punjab lane on the four-lane highway while trying to Daula’s Tomb and Ram Bagh was transformed and “robust arrangements for smooth transition” of partial the state government does not have. government budges on its stand,” a teacher said. overtake another bus. the air pollution brought down”. operations of IndiGo and SpiceJet to T2 from T1. PM stresses on preventive healthcare

IANS dhi Kendras (people’s medi- New Delhi cine centre) and was working continuously to open more such facilities. rime Minister Narendra More than 800 medicines Modi yesterday urged are being made available at Pthe people to be more these centres at an aff ordable conscious about preventive price, he said. healthcare because prevention Citing some key steps of his was not only benefi cial for a government for patients, the person but also for his family prime minister said: “The cost and society. for heart stent for patients has Modi also said the govern- been reduced to 85%. Knee im- ment has set a target to free In- plants cost has also been regu- dia of tuberculosis by 2025 and lated and reduced by 50-70%. that the government and in- “Under ‘Ayushman Bharat surance companies will jointly Yojana’, the Indian government provide Rs500,000 insurance and insurance companies will cover to about 100mn families jointly provide Rs5 lakh for per year. treatment to about 10 crore Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wave to supporters during a road show in Mysuru yesterday. In his monthly radio pro- families or say 50 crore citizens gramme Mann Ki Baat, the per year.” prime minister said: “Preven- He said MBBS seats in the tive healthcare is the least cost- 479 medical colleges have been ly and the easiest one as well. increased to about 68,000 As much as we are conscious and new All India Institute of about preventive healthcare, it Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are will be benefi cial for the per- being opened in various states son, his family and society.” with a view to providing better Scared govt stalling Modi also stressed on the treatment to people across the need for sanitisation because country. “a healthy India is as vital as “One new medical college clean India”. will be set up for every three “I believe that healthy In- districts.” dia and clean India are sup- The prime minister said the plementary to each other. The government was working to country has moved ahead in make the country TB-free by no-trust vote: Rahul the health sector with a con- 2025. ventional approach. “This is an enormous task. IANS hajan had said she wanted to take ed” the banking system and the the note ban was BJP president elections “due to its ideologies”. “Earlier, every health-relat- Your co-operation is needed Mysuru up the motion for discussion, economy through policies like Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah’s, This is Gandhi’s fourth visit to ed work was the responsibil- to create public awareness. All she had insisted the house return note ban, he said. which grew from Rs50,000 to the southern state since Febru- ity of the Union Health Min- of us will need to make united to order for initiating a debate on “Poor Indians were made to Rs800mn within months. ary ahead of assembly elections istry only. But in the current eff orts to become TB-free,” ongress president Rahul it. stand in queues for their own “When the PM talks of cor- due in April-May. scenario, every department, Modi added. Gandhi yesterday ac- On March 16, the TDP and money during demonetisation ruption, he doesn’t look at his Chief Minister Siddaramai- state governments and other Modi also said the “New In- Ccused Prime Minister YSR Congress had also moved days, while the wealthy were own cabinet, his ministers and ah, party state unit president G departments are working to- dia” belonged to the poor and Narendra Modi’s government of no-confi dence motions against given an opportunity to convert chief ministers.” Parameshwara, and the party’s gether for a healthy India.” the backward. stalling no-confi dence motions the government over the issue their black money into white,” The Congress chief also as- leader in Lok Sabha Mallikar- The prime minister said the He said B R Ambedkar moved in the Lok Sabha. of special category status for Gandhi alleged. serted that his party will defeat jun Kharge were among those fi rst necessity for a healthy life showed that it was not neces- “For the past 10 days, the Andhra Pradesh, but these also Terming the Bharatiya Janata the BJP in the coming assembly present at the rally. is cleanliness. sary for a person to be born in a Modi government is stalling haven’t been taken up so far. Party (BJP)-led central govern- “As all of us took up the re- rich family in order to succeed, the no-confidence motions as Gandhi, accusing Modi of ment corrupt, Gandhi said the 10 ex-JD-S leaders join Congress sponsibility, the result is that but even those born in poor it is scared,” he said referring to peddling lies, claimed Modi only exports India has made are in the last four years or so, families can dare to dream and the no-trust vote moved by the came to power in 2014 by lying people like diamond jeweller Ten Janata Dal Secular (JD-S) party leaders said. Khan, sanitation coverage has almost realise those dreams. Congress, The Telugu Desam to people. and Punjab National Bank fraud members, including seven Murthy, Chaluvarayaswamy, doubled and risen to around “Many people mocked Baba Party and the and YSR Con- “He had promised 2 crore jobs case accused Nirav Modi, liquor former legislators, yesterday Ansari, Balakrishna, Gowda 80%.” Saheb Ambedkar, tried to pull gress. a year for the country’s youth if baron Vijay Mallya and former joined the ruling Congress and Naik quit the JD-S and Modi said yoga has attained him back and made every pos- “What has Modi done for the he came to power. But the coun- Indian Premier League chairman in poll-bound Karnataka. B the assembly on Saturday, worldwide recognition as a sible eff ort to ensure that the country in the past four years,” try is seeing the highest unem- Lalit Modi. Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, M C a day after they claimed to measure of preventive health- son of an impoverished and Gandhi asked at a rally here at- ployment over the last eight Mallya is facing an extra- Nanaiah, N Chaluvarayaswamy, have voted in favour of the care and urged people to start a backward family would not tended by hundreds of people years,” the Congress chief said in dition trial in London over R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, Congress’ third candidate G movement right now. progress in life, be something and party cadres. his 30-minute address delivered money-laundering charges of H C Balakrishna, Bheema Naik, C Chandrasekhar in Friday’s “Yoga Day will be celebrated and succeed in life,” Modi said. On Friday, the Congress ta- in Hindi, which was translated his now-defunct Kingfisher Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda, Rajya Sabha polls. They were on June 21. Can we start work- “But, the picture of New bled a notice for no-confi dence into Kannada. Airline. Lalit Modi is also fac- Iqbal Ansari, Sarovar Srinivas earlier suspended by JD-S for ing from now to encourage India is altogether diff erent. It motion in the Lok Sabha, which He recalled that in 1969 the ing money-laundering charg- and B Ramakrishna joined the allegedly defying the party’s people for yoga?” is an India which is Ambed- was, however, not taken up due then prime minister Indira Gan- es. party during Congress chief whip and cross-voting for the He said the government had kar’s India, of the poor and the to disruption. dhi had nationalised banks in the Gandhi said that the only Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Mysuru, Congress. opened over 3,000 ‘Jan Ausha- backward.” Though Speaker Sumitra Ma- country, but Modi had “disrupt- business that fl ourished after Furore erupts around PM’s Steinmeier visits factory Govt’s crop insurance app over alleged data sharing scheme loses sheen IANS should have increased to 40% New Delhi but has actually reduced to 24%. Reuters a time of heightened sensitiv- Reuters could not independ- Thus, the government’s fi nal Mumbai ity around the alleged misuse of ently verify Alderson’s claim. target of bringing 50% (98mn hec- personal data amid the unfolding Prime Minister Modi has not he government’s fl agship tares) of the GCA under the PMF- Facebook-Cambridge Analytica commented on the issue. crop insurance scheme, BY in 2018-19, which has been al- llegations that Prime controversy, triggered a stir in BJP said the app – which has Tlaunched with much fan- located Rs130bn in the budget, Minister Narendra Modi’s India on social media. seen about 5mn downloads on fare two years ago, has witnessed appears to be an impractical goal. Aoffi cial mobile applica- “Hi! My name is Narendra the Google Android Play Store negative growth this year as the Under the scheme, farmers tion was sending personal user Modi. I am India’s Prime Minis- – allows users access even in a coverage has reduced to 24% have to pay just 2% of the to- data to a third party without ter. When you sign up for my of- guest mode that does not require of gross cropped area (GCA) in tal premium in case of the kharif their consent caused a furore on fi cial App, I give all your data to them to grant any permissions. 2017-18 from 30% in 2016-17. crop, 1.5% for rabi and 5% for hor- social media in India and drew my friends in American compa- “The permissions required This is when the actual target for ticulture. The remaining premium criticism from Congress presi- nies,” wrote Gandhi in a Twitter are all cause-specifi c,” the BJP the current year was 40%. is equally shared by the central dent Rahul Gandhi yesterday. message yesterday. tweeted. Similarly, the number of government and the states. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata The BJP quickly responded on Meanwhile, tech news site farmers insured during both the The central government has Party denied the allegations and Twitter, saying Gandhi was try- ZDNet said yesterday it stood by kharif and rabi seasons has gone been citing poor implementation said the data was being used only ing to divert attention. its report that identifi ed a secu- down by 14% this year. by the states for the lackadaisical for analytics to off er all users the The ruling party has ac- rity vulnerability in data-linked In 2017-18, the area insured response to the scheme. State of- “most contextual content”. cused the Congress of engaging to Aadhaar, after Unique Identi- under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal fi cials say private insurance com- A security researcher, who has Cambridge Analytica in India, a fi cation Authority of India (UID- Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was panies’ bid for more profi t and previously highlighted some vul- charge the opposition party has AI) that manages the database 47.5mn hectares, which trans- delay in settlement of claims are nerabilities in India’s national denied. sought to discredit the report. lates into 24% of the GCA of crucial factors for the decline. identity card Aadhaahr project and Alderson, who initially point- ZDNet reported that a data leak 198.4mn hectares. Interestingly, the scheme has who tweets under the pseudonym ed out that the Narendra Modi on a system run by a state-owned After the PMFBY was performed poorly in the Bharati- Elliot Alderson, posted a series of app was sharing data with a third utility company could allow ac- launched in February 2016, the ya Janata Party-ruled states of tweets on Saturday stating the app party without the consent of us- cess to private information of Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (second right) area under coverage had gone up Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhat- was sending personal user data to a ers, earlier yesterday posted a holders of the biometric Aadhaar walks along with Erich Nesselhauf, managing director and to 30% in 2016-17 from 23% un- tisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, while third-party domain that was traced new tweet saying the app had ID cards, exposing their names, CEO of Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, during a facility der the old schemes a year ago. it has received a good response to an American company. “quietly” updated its privacy their unique 12-digit identity visit in Chennai yesterday. As per the government’s tar- in non-BJP states like Telangana The tweets, which come at policy after his previous tweets. numbers, and their bank details. gets, the coverage in 2017-18 and Tamil Nadu. Gulf Times 22 Monday, March 26, 2018 LATIN AMERICA Tiny Chilean regulator thrust into global lithium battle

Reuters bile phones to electric vehicles, is Chile’s development agency Last week, a senior govern- ensure the entity’s autonomy. plaint is not fi led. It has pros- sity’s Center on Regulation and Santiago pitting the Chilean government Corfo said in a complaint on ment offi cial said it “must close- “The FNE is considered to be ecuted Chile’s football associa- Competition, said any fi nal de- against China and, potentially, March 9 that the transaction ly analyse the consequences,” a model agency...and very free of tion over league entry rules and cisions in the SQM-Tianqi case the independent regulator against would “gravely distort market noting that “generally” Chilean political interference,” said law- charged Chilean forestry com- was unlikely by August. the Latin American country’s new competition.” policy is not to block transac- yer Felipe Cousino, who has rep- pany CMPC with colluding for The term of the current pros- global battle for lithium business-friendly government. Together, Tianqi and SQM, tions because of nationality. resented clients in cases before at least 10 years to infl ate toilet ecutor, Yale-educated lawyer has landed in the offi ce of The National Economic Prose- the world’s second biggest lith- The FNE has until August, the agency. paper prices. Felipe Irarrazabal, is set to expire Aa tiny Chilean regulator, cutor’s offi ce, known by its Span- ium producer after US-based with the possibility of further Its limited resources have Last year, the FNE approved the on August 5. which may decide a winner as it ish initials FNE, is set to review Albemarle, would control 70% extensions, to determine wheth- forced it to select those issues merger of AT&T and Time Warner “When the new prosecutor reviews a petition to block Chi- the sale by Canada’s Nutrien Ltd of the global lithium market, the er to launch an investigation. with the largest impact on con- with conditions to minimise risks arrives, he’s going to hand him nese fi rms from buying a stake in of a 32% stake in Santiago-based document said. The agency’s While the prosecutor is a politi- sumers, he added. to consumers and competitors. a folder. (Irarrazabal) won’t have top producer SQM. SQM for more than $4bn to Chi- petition has put the spotlight on cal appointee, only a majority vote The FNE declined to comment. University of Chile law pro- time to reach a preliminary deci- The scramble for lithium, used nese bidder Tianqi Lithium or the FNE, which has an annual of the Supreme Court can remove The FNE has broad scope to fessor Francisco Aguero, a sion to toss the case out before in rechargeable batteries for mo- any state-backed fi rm. budget of $11.5mn and 115 staff . him or her, a safeguard designed to investigate a case even if a com- former director of the univer- then,” Aguero said.

Kuczynski Tribute to funeral victims faces Eight people 18-month travel ban dead in police DPA Rio de Janeiro

eru’s judiciary has approved a request from state pros- Pecutors to impose a travel crackdown ban on former president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, citing corrup- tion allegations against him, local Peruvian media reported. The 79-year-old ex-leader, who stepped down this week on the heels of a corruption and on Rio favela bribery scandal, is not allowed to leave Peru in the next 18 months, Guardian News and Media iveira and one of the other dancers pistols and three grenades were the newspaper El Comercio re- Rio de Janeiro went to an all-night ‘bailie funk’ seized. All the dead were gang ported. party in a sports court near the members, they said. Two houses owned by Kuczyn- favela’s entrance, he said. When “Unfortunately criminals ski in Rio de Janeiro were searched police operation in a Rio police arrived shooting around from Rocinha insist in wanting on orders of the state prosecutor’s favela has left at least 5.30am, the two men ran in dif- to confront the police,” Major offi ce, according to reports. Aeight people dead amid ferent directions – but de Oliveira Ivan Blaz, a police spokesman, Martin Vizcarra was sworn in as allegations that some of the vic- was shot in the back and died. told TV Globo, adding that 100 Kuczynski’s successor on Friday. tims were innocent residents ex- “What most revolts me is the gang members had been arrest- Kuczynski’s resignation had ecuted in a revenge mission after way he was killed,” said Izaias, ed and 48 killed there since last pre-empted impeachment pro- a police offi cer was killed there describing a happy, fun-loving, September. ceedings against him. this week. Police said they were normal young man. “It is an TV Globo reported that homi- The right-wing liberal poli- attacked by drug gangsters. enormous loss.” cide detectives had interviewed tician and former investment The bloody operation in the offi cers involved and said four banker has been accused of active Rocinha favela, located near The incident came 11 days of the dead men and criminal involvement in a long-standing postcard beaches like Leblon, aft er the assassination records, three did not and one cross-border corruption scandal came six months after the army of Rio councillor was yet to be identifi ed. Photo- linked to the Brazilian construc- briefl y occupied the favela fol- Marielle Franco who had graphs circulating on WhatsApp tion company Odebrecht. lowing a week of gun battles denounced recent killings showed bloodied bodies slumped On Twitter, Kuczynski said he between rival drug gangs, and of favela residents blamed in alleyways and on the back of would co-operate with the jus- fi ve weeks after president Michel on the city’s notoriously a pickup. Some showed signs of tice authorities and had nothing Temer put the military in charge lethal police apparent execution with bullet to fear. of Rio security . wounds in the back or the head. A number of Peruvian presi- The incident came eleven days Relatives of another victim, Some residents believe Sat- dents have stumbled over links after the assassination of Rio Julio de Lima, 23, told Rio’s Extra urday’s operation was a revenge to the Odebrecht scandal in re- councillor Marielle Franco who newspaper site that he was going mission after a police offi cer was cent years. had denounced recent killings to work at a steakhouse when he killed in Rocinha on Wednesday, of favela residents blamed on the was shot and killed. which Major Blaz denied. Ac- city’s notoriously lethal police. The former girlfriend of one cording to Rio’s Igarape Insitute, 12 die in bus crash In 2017, according to offi cial fi g- of the victims, speaking anony- a policy think tank, 134 police ures, 1,115 people were killed as mously for fear of reprisals, said offi cers were killed in Rio state Twelve people were killed and a result of “opposition to police he was a drug gang member and in 2017. another 25 injured when the intervention” in Rio state. was shot in the head while sleep- Cesar Munoz, a senior re- bus they were travelling in Residents said one of the vic- ing near a drug sales point. searcher at Human Rights Watch careened off a road in a coastal tims of Saturday’s operation, Another resident said the in Brazil, said he was concerned region of western Ecuador, Matheus de Oliveira, 19, had no death toll could be higher. that tweets from police saying off icials said. “So far there are 25 involvement with the drug trade. “There are still wounded people they took injured criminals to injured...and 12 people died as He was in a group that did waltz in the alleys, it’s estimated that hospital left it unclear whether a result of the traff ic accident,” presentations dressed in replica there around 11-14 deaths and they were dead on arrival or died a rescue agency said in a state- navy uniforms. not eight as the police said,” the later. ment. The accident occurred on On Friday night, he and 11 resident said, talking on condi- “We have documented many the Jipijapa highway, in the area others performed at a 15th birth- tion of anonymity. cases in the last decade in Rio de known as “Las Americas” of the day party nearby, said Alexander In a statement, police said Janeiro in which offi cers deliv- Manabi province, according to A man throws a shoe as part of an installation named “My feet are my wings” to Izaias, 38, who lives in Rocinha armed criminals opened fi re on ered corpses to the hospital as a a report from the Ecuadorian remember the victims killed during the funeral of slain Salvadorean archbishop Oscar and has run the project for 15 them as they patrolled the com- means of destroying crime scene traff ic commission. Arnulfo Romero on the 38th anniversary of his murder in San Salvador, El Salvador. years. munity. Six people had been evidence and hampering with After the performance, de Ol- killed and an AK-47 rifl e, six the investigation,” he said. Mexico leftist softens Maduro meets Glover Uruguay planning stance on new airport debt sale: minister Reuters For 2018, Astori said recently Mendoza announced incentives for in- Reuters the construction industry, fi ve Ricardo Anaya, a rival presi- vestment and the “reversal” of Guadalajara, Mexico from the government and fi ve dential candidate heading a a drought in the beef- and soy- from his team. It was a more right-left coalition who is bat- ruguay is planning to exporting country would help conciliatory stance than his re- tling for second place in the tap the global debt mar- growth, providing revenue to he leftist front-runner marks on Thursday, when he race, said it would be foolish Ukets “imminently” and reduce the fi scal defi cit to 2.5% for the Mexican presi- said his legal team would fi le to scrap the airport, given the expects to sell bonds in foreign of gross domestic product (GDP) Tdency has softened his injunctions to block the govern- amount of money already as- currency in 2018 after sticking by the end of President Tabare critical stance on Mexico City’s ment from awarding more work signed to the project. to the local currency market last Vazquez’s term. $13bn new airport, saying he contracts for the project, which But he also called for it to be year, Finance Minister Danilo The defi cit is currently 3.5% would carefully review the he slammed as “corrupt.” subject to scrutiny. Astori said in an interview. of GDP. project instead of threatening His pick for communications “What we do need to do is re- Astori, who is considering Vazquez’s Broad Front gov- to scrap it entirely. and transport minister, Javier view the contracts to guarantee running for president of the ernment, which has increased Speaking in the central city Jimenez Espriu, told the con- that this project is being carried South American country next spending on social programmes, of Guadalajara, Andres Manuel ference that if elected, Obrador out to the highest international year, said the economy would will be “cautious” with spending Lopez Obrador, who has led would suspend work to con- standards of transparency, and expand 3% this year, up from when it presents its fi nal budget polls for months ahead of the duct a fi nancial, environmental that it’s not being used for cor- 2.7% in 2017, thanks partly to the proposal in June, Astori said. July 1 election, stressed the and technical review to assess ruption,” he told the same con- re-start of state-run oil com- “In Uruguay, it is not easy need to examine all aspects of the project’s full impact. struction event. pany Ancap’s refi nery, which because the percentage of non- the project, which is already “We are not for having white Mexico’s airlines’ chamber underwent maintenance in 2017. discretionary spending is much under construction. elephants,” Espriu said. Canaero said in a statement “A signifi cant part of the higher than discretional spend- “We are going to do a techni- Contracts worth billions that it was fi rmly against Obra- manufacturing industry will ing, but we are emphasising a cal review of the project, with- of dollars have already been dor’s plan to assess the viability have extraordinary growth,” As- prudent approach to spending,” out scaring anyone,” he said at a awarded for the airport, which of the airport, as scrapping the tori said on the sidelines of the Astori said. construction industry confer- aims to ease the strained ca- project would limit connec- Inter-American Development To start covering its $2.7bn ence in Mexico’s second-big- pacity of the capital’s present tivity, raise airlines’ costs and Bank’s annual meeting in Men- bond fi nancing needs this year, gest city. “(Hold) a review, with hub and improve connectivity. hamper their operations, while doza, Argentina. Astori said Uruguay will tap debt all honesty as to whether it goes The largest existing contract also aff ecting passengers. He said the 2017 growth fi g- markets “in the coming days.” ahead or it doesn’t; those are went to a consortium that in- “The viability of this project ure, published by the central He declined to give further de- the options,” he added. cludes a construction company is not up for discussion,” it said, bank, was slightly below the tails. Lopez Obrador proposed as- controlled by Mexican tycoon adding that the project “is in- Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro greets US actor Danny government’s projection for 3%, He added that the government sembling a team of 15 experts to Carlos Slim, one of the world’s dispensable for the future of Glover in Caracas, Venezuela. but noted that it was higher than would swap existing bonds for assess the project — fi ve from richest men. Mexico.” its initial expectation for 2.5%. longer-duration debt this year. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 23 PAKISTAN

KP mulls mental health PML-N to consult allies, services at police foes on caretaker govt stations Internews wants to address various issues larly in view of the fact that tended the right to participate Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), However, the ruling party be- Islamabad through new constitutional when it is appointed, there is no in the appointment of the care- have been bitterly opposing the lieves that any new legislation amendments, including intro- National Assembly in place and taker prime minister (or chief government in recent months. should also strictly prohibit giv- Internews duction of eligibility criteria for thus the all important aspect of minister in the provinces) to the When contacted, a federal ing an extension to the interim Peshawar he ruling Pakistan Muslim caretaker set-up, description of accountability is absent”. prime minister and leader of the minister gave an off -the-record government, the sources said. League – Nawaz (PML-N) the decision-making author- However, rumours are ripe opposition in the outgoing Na- version in which he confi rmed On the other hand, the sourc- Tis gearing up to approach ity of the caretaker offi cials, and about giving an extension to the tional Assembly or chief minis- that the party will approach the es pointed out that the minister onths after a woman coalition partners and opposi- the constitutional status of the yet-to-be-installed caretaker ter and the leader of the opposi- political parties and try to con- of state for fi nance and econom- marched into a police tion parties to discuss the pos- interim administration with re- set-up to initiate a comprehen- tion in the outgoing provincial vince them for new amendment, ic aff airs had stated in January Mstation in Peshawar and sibility of introducing consti- gard the Senate and the Election sive accountability process. assembly. “but if they give a negative re- this year that “the government attempted suicide by immola- tutional amendments to remove Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to offi cial data, Sources said that the PML-N sponse then we will formulate can request the Supreme Court tion, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ambiguities related to the care- The Supreme Court of Paki- “the 18th Amendment in 2010 will try to pave the way for new our own strategy to deal with it”. to give extension of two to three (KP) government has decided to taker regime and ensure gen- stan declared in its verdict given added sub-articles 1A and 1B to constitutional amendment but Ex-premier Nawaz Sharif has weeks to it after completion of take defi nitive action, proposing eral elections are held on time as on June 6, 2013 that “a caretaker Article 224”. it will be diffi cult as the main op- fl oated the proposal for amend- its fi ve-year constitutional term a comprehensive model of pro- scheduled in summer. government possesses limited Article 224 (1A) took away position parties, including Pa- ments to remove ambiguities re- to approve the annual budget for viding mental health services to Sources say that the PML-N powers and authority, particu- presidential discretion and ex- kistan Peoples Party (PPP) and lated to the caretaker set-up. the next fi scal year”. female victims of violence who approach police stations to re- port the crimes. Government offi cials who have been dealing with the mat- Lights out ter said that the provincial health PPP to formulate election department has forwarded a concept note to the provincial home and tribal aff airs depart- ments, suggesting practical strategy in the summer measures that can be taken by the government to provide men- tal health services at police sta- Internews However, he added, when task and a draft of the manifesto tions. Islamabad politicians gather, they tend to is being given a fi nal shape. As a pilot project, the govern- discuss the current political situ- He said that Senate Deputy ment is already operating wom- ation, with regard to recent inci- Chairman Saleem Mandviwala is en support desks at fi ve police ilawal Bhutto’s Pakistan dents or upcoming events. the convener of the PPP’s mani- stations in Peshawar to provide Peoples Party (PPP) has Bokhari pointed out that the festo committee and is expected psychological support. Bstarted preparing for its term of the present National As- to hold a meeting soon to give fi - “Our objectives are to further public meeting in Sindh on April sembly and all four provincial as- nal touches to the manifesto. improve the services currently 4, to mark the death anniversary semblies would expire on May 31, However, Babar said that it being provided at the desks, of the party’s founding chairman after which general elections will would be a near-impossible task make them more eff ective, and Zulfi kar Ali Bhutto. have to take place within 60 days. for them to fi nalise the manifesto to work out modalities to pro- Former president Asif Zardari He said that since elections are draft by April 3. vide secure environment to the and his son and party chairman scheduled in summer, the party The PPP will mark the 39th visiting victims who are already Bilawal are expected to address will defi nitely plan for it. death anniversary of its found- scared, stigmatised and unsure the meeting to be held a day af- Bokhari did not rule out the ing chairman Bhutto, who was of taking action against perpe- ter a joint meeting of the party’s possibility of announcing the hanged in Central Jail, Rawalpin- trators,” said an offi cial. central executive committee formation of parliamentary di, on April 4, 1979 during the He added that one of the pre- (CEC) and federal council. boards which would decide can- military rule of General Ziaul requisites for the system to work PPP leaders believe that this didates for the upcoming general Haq, who imposed martial law in is to provide a highly-secure time around, the CEC meeting elections. July 1977 in the wake of a politi- environment and to have some- will not be merely ceremonial, as He said that the events to mark cal crisis that had been triggered one who genuinely listens to the party leaders are also expected to Bhutto’s death anniversary are by the opposition’s allegations victims and processes their fears discuss a strategy for the upcom- still being fi nalised, and Zardari of massive rigging in the general and thoughts into a coherent ing general elections scheduled and Bilawal are expected to at- elections. report before helping them to to be held in July or August this tend the CEC meeting as well as Separately, Opposition Leader follow through with legal proce- year. the public meeting. in the National Assembly Khur- dures. When contacted, party secre- Former senator Farhatullah shid Shah has written to the According to the concept note, tary general Nayyar Bokhari said Babar said that since 2018 is an management of the Pakistan both psychological (psychother- that the main purpose of con- election year, they would defi - International Airlines (PIA) and apeutic) and psychiatric (psy- vening the CEC meeting is to pay nitely discuss an election strat- the secretary of the Civil Avia- chopharmacological) services homage to party leaders, includ- egy at the CEC meeting. tion Authority, asking them to can be provided to the victims ing Zulfi kar Bhutto and former Babar, who is also a member make arrangements for operating depending upon their needs. prime minister Benazir Bhutto, of the committee constituted to special fl ights to facilitate party The document said that a who had sacrifi ced their lives for prepare an election manifesto workers and leaders across the majority of the cases could be the cause of democracy and the for the party, said that the com- country who want to attend the helped by providing psychother- rule of law in the country. mittee had already completed its April 4 gathering in Larkana. apy, while in a small number of cases, medication or hospitali- sation would be required. The model proposed by the provincial health department recommends training female In a fi rst, TV channel S Korea to police offi cers at the police sta- tions to identify the warning signs of mental health issues and hires transgender fund girls’ to provide necessary Psycho- logical First Aid (PFA) to these victims at fi rst contact. woman as presenter education It further recommends that a telemedicine programme, of- fered by the Services Hospital, DPA the channel’s Facebook and project called “SPOKE”, can be linked to Islamabad YouTube portals, he said. the fi ve police stations to provide Malik was not available for telepsychiatry services. comment, but Hamza said that Internews In telepsychiatry, a toll-free transgender woman she is thrilled with the job. Islamabad number is provided where peo- has started a career as a He claimed that his or- ple can call and talk to a psychia- This combination of pictures created on Saturday evening shows the people gathered outside Anews presenter for a Pa- ganisation is the fi rst to hire a trist from the comfort of their the parliament building to mark Earth Hour in Islamabad. Earth Hour, which started in Australia kistani channel in a conserva- transgender woman to present outh Korea has announced home, which is especially use- in 2007, is being observed by millions of supporters in 187 countries, who are turning off their tive society where the trans- the news. its support for Unesco’s ful for women who fear coming lights at 8.30pm local time in what organisers describe as the world’s ‘largest grassroots gendered are ridiculed and There are 10,418 transgender SGirls’ Right to Education forward due to social taboos and movement for climate change’. abandoned by their families. people in Pakistan, according Programme in Pakistan, with the rejection. Maavia Malik presents news to the latest census. signing of an agreement between bulletins of Kohenoor News, Pakistan is one of the few Unesco director general Audrey Dawn newspaper reported yes- nations in the world that ac- Azoulay and South Korea’s am- terday. knowledges a third sex in offi - bassador to Unesco Lee Byong- She was fi rst seen during the cial documents. hyun in Paris this week. Pakistan Day transmission on However, transgender peo- The $3.4mn project, with Friday sermons in Islamabad to be March 23. ple are outcasts. They are often the Korea International Co- The news is making the forced into prostitution or beg- operation Agency, will support rounds of social media, with ging, irrespective of whether national capacity building to many users appreciating the their family is wealthy or poor. realise girls’ right to education delivered under state supervision move. Earlier this month Pakistan’s in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, “Malik is performing her Senate passed a bill to ensure through interventions target- duties as a news anchor af- the transgender community’s ing offi cials, community leaders, Internews by the administration but by the fore delivering the sermon. He said it is also impossible ter training for the job,” Imran protection against sexual and teachers, and parents. Islamabad Awqaf Department. The capital administration to issue and distribute these Hamza, an administrative of- physical assaults and harass- “South Korea’s growing sup- However, it was later decided and the Awqaf Department will among the almost 1,000 places fi cer at Kohenoor News, told ment. port to Unesco, especially to that sermons would only be de- also monitor the sermons with of worship in Islamabad. DPA. Under the new law, which is education, is extremely valuable riday sermons in Islama- livered on matters selected by the assistance of the police’s There are 980 Sunni and Shia Hamza said that Malik joined yet to be approved by the Na- and a proof of trust in our or- bad will now be delivered the administration, which were Special Branch. worship places in the capital, of the channel several months tional Assembly, denial of ad- ganisation, which we deeply ap- Funder state supervision shared with the scholars and Offi cials said that the meas- which 89 are supervised by the ago. mission to educational institu- preciate,” said Azoulay. after they have been approved prayer leaders, who agreed. ure was taken as part of an eff ort capital administration, he said. Before live transmission she tions and a share in inheritance “Pakistan’s success story is by the capital administration, Offi cials said that a commit- to make a code of conduct for Among the 35 topics given to presented news bulletins on are punishable off ences. not just about economic devel- which will also monitor them, tee that includes administration Friday sermons, under the di- scholars for the sermon are the opment, it also shows the links offi cials here say. and Awqaf offi cials and scholars rectives of the Islamabad chief fi ve pillars of Islam, early disci- between education and build- The administration had ini- from all sects was constituted commissioner. ples of the Prophet Muhammad NAB probing Musharraf’s wealth ing a culture of peace, which tially decided to issue written to devise standard operating They added that they will also (pbuh) and fundamental rights, is coherent with the values of sermons to Sunni and Shia procedures after discussing and monitor the use of loudspeak- he said. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has launched a probe Unesco,” she added. prayer centres in Islamabad. fi nalising the matter. ers installed at places of worship The committee has been giv- into former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s wealth and assets Lee recalled the role that for- Scholars from various sectors Guidelines have been issued to curb verbal attacks on sects, en a week to fi nalise the stand- following allegations of him owning properties exceeding his salary eign assistance and education and administrators of places of to the committee by senior offi - hate speech and prevent the ard operating procedures, which competence. had played in rebuilding his worship were called for a meet- cials in this regard, including 35 sentiments of other religions will be implemented soon, Mu- “The probe has begun,” a NAB off icial confirmed yesterday, adding country after the Korean War. ing with the capital administra- topics for the sermons. and sects from being hurt. zaff ar added. that inquiries were launched after the Islamabad High Court The co-operation with tion in this regard. Scholars and prayer leaders Awqaf deputy director (Is- The administration has asked provided the anti-corruption investigation body with a warrant. Unesco, refl ected in some 30 The idea was largely opposed will select a topic from the list lamabad) Jawad Muzaff ar, when for assistance to deliver ser- According to Geo News, the NAB had earlier dismissed a complaint projects in education, science by scholars, administrators and provided and deliver a sermon contacted, said that the Awqaf mons on religious harmony, sent by Inam ul Raheem that alleged Musharraf possessed property and culture, exemplifi es South prayer leaders, offi cials said, as a on it, they explained. Department and the adminis- morality and peace, and to con- of values that exceed his income’s capacity to aff ord. Korea’s policy to return what it number of Sunni and Shia wor- They must also get the con- tration had no intention to issue demn terrorism and sectarian- The Federal Board of Revenue has also revealed that the former received from the foreign com- ship centres are not supervised cerned authority’s approval be- written sermons so far. ism, he said. military ruler has not paid his income taxes, the source added. munity in the past, he added. Gulf Times 24 Monday, March 26, 2018 PHILIPPINES Lawmakers urge Duterte to resume talks with ‘Reds’ By Ralph Villanueva and the NDFP to stay the course Congress hear and echo the Fili- sides are at war. The no cease- talks between the government Manila Times and resume the peace talks and pino people’s desire for the re- fi re, no peace talks policy being and the communist rebels in No- pursue the positive results gen- sumption of the peace negotia- pushed by the militarists ele- vember last year. erated from the peace talks that tions and for the GRP and NDFP ments in the cabinet practically Presidential Adviser on the ozens of lawmakers at the formally started under the Du- to forge substantive agreements negates the inherent purpose of a Peace Process Jesus Dureza offi - House of Representatives terte administration,” the resolu- (that) will resolve the root caus- peace negotiation,” Zarate said in cially announced the cancellation Dfi led a resolution urg- tion read. es of the nearly fi ve-decade old a statement. in a statement. ing President Rodrigo Duterte “Kapayapaan, an alliance of armed confl ict,” the resolution “We are calling on all peace- “Recent tragic and violent in- to resume peace negotiations advocates for a just peace, said read. loving people to intensify our cidents all over the country com- with the Communist Party of the that the continuing armed clash- Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan earnest call for the government mitted by the communist rebels Philippines-New People’s Army- es between government forces Muna party-list explained that and NDFP to give the quest for a left the president with no other National Democratic Front (CPP- and the CPP-NPA-NDF is all the the call is for “just peace.” just and lasting peace a chance. choice but to arrive at this deci- NPA-NDF). more reason for both parties to He called on other lawmak- This is not the time to abandon sion,” he said. House Resolution 1803, re- return to the negotiating table,” ers to co-author the resolution, it, for the greater interest of our On December 5, 2017, Du- ceived by the Lower House on it added. stressing that there is “a more country and people,” Zarate add- terte signed Proclamation 374 Thursday, was signed by 61 law- The lawmakers said reviving urgent need and reason now to ed. on December 5, 2017 declaring makers from the supermajority, the peace talks would benefit continue the GRP-NDFP peace Malacanang, however, re- the NPA and CPP as terrorist minority, opposition and militant the poor peasants and workers process in the midst of escalating fused to comment on the resolu- groups. blocs. since the agreements on agrar- clashes between the military and tion.In a text message to Manila CPP-NPA-NDF founder Jose “Peace advocates and religious ian reform and national indus- the communist rebels.” Times yesterday, Palace spokes- M Sison earlier warned that the groups lamented the termination trialisation may address the “Peace negotiations should man Harry Roque, Jr said he will NPA could kill one soldier a day, of the peace talks. The Philippine issues and concerns and help continue even if both sides have not issue a statement since the prompting the president to say Ecumenical Peace Platform called provide relief for their economic not yet ceased armed hostilities. resolution has not been adopted that he can order government on both the GRP (Government of hardships. That is precisely why peace talks yet. forces to kill fi ve NPA rebels for the Republic of the Philippines) “It is highly imperative that must proceed because the two Duterte terminated the peace every soldier killed. Rodrigo Duterte Rights agency says plight of Pimentel says possibility for OFWs to remain in focus anti-dynasty bill very high By Jeff erson Antiporda A proposed measure has been filed at the House Manila Times but has remained pending in the committee level By Mary Gleefer F Jalea observatory meant to gather missing. Labour Secretary Sil- “Every Filipino or Filipina and is expected to encounter strong opposition Manila Times information on the plight of vestre Bello said last week that deserves the government’s since many members of the chamber belong to OFWs and give recommenda- the Department of Labour and equal protection wherever he country now has a better chance of hav- political dynasties. The Senate president said tions to the government on Employment (DoLE) will ar- they may be – regardless if it ing a law that will ban political dynasties, also even if the counterpart law in the House of he Commission on Hu- how it can protect the migrants’ range a memorandum of agree- is about alleged human rights Taccording to Senate President Aquilino Pi- Representatives would not be passed, there was man Rights (CHR) over rights further. ment with Kuwait regarding violations linked to the gov- mentel . still another way–constitutional change– for the Tthe weekend said the the matter on the fi rst week of ernment’s campaign against il- Pimentel pointed to the recent passage of Senate country to succeed in banning political dynas- rights of overseas Filipino “Every Filipino or Filipina April. legal drugs or those concerning Bill (SB) 1765 or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act of ties. Pimentel, in an interview aired over radio workers (OFWs) remain one of deserves the government’s On February 9, President Ro- the rights of migrant workers. 2018 as a good indication that the measure could be dzBB, noted that a commission that had been or- its priorities along with rights equal protection wherever drigo Duterte declared a total It is, after all, a government of approved in the chamber. dered by President Rodrigo Duterte to review the violations under the govern- they may be – regardless if ban on sending Filipino work- the people, by the people and Thirteen senators have signed the commit- 1987 Philippine Constitution already approved ment’s war on drugs. it is about alleged human ers to Kuwait over Demafelis’ for the people,” the CHR state- tee report of the Senate panel on constitutional proposed anti-political dynasty provisions. “Even in the background, rights violations linked to death. ment said. amendments headed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan The approved provisions include banning any this sector remains to be one the government’s campaign The CHR said it is working Latest Philippine Statistics containing the consolidated SB 1765 on March 21. incumbent official holding a national, regional of our priorities, while work- against illegal drugs...” with the DoLE, the Philippines Authority data shows that the SB 1765 defines a political dynasty as the “con- or local position to be succeeded by any relative ing on more prominent issues, Overseas Employment Ad- number of OFWs who worked centration, consolidation and/or perpetuation of up to the second degree of consanguinity as de- such as alleged human rights The announcement came af- ministration and the National abroad between April and Sep- public office and political powers by persons re- scribed above. violations linked to the gov- ter the case of Joanna Demafelis Human Rights Committee on tember 2016 reached 2.2mn. lated to one another within the second degree of “So we have two chances, one is by law, one is ernment’s campaign against hogged the headlines. agreements to protect OFWs in Of this number, there were 85 consanguinity or affinity.” by constitutional change, so this is good, it is like illegal drugs,” according to a Demafelis was a domestic various countries. reported deaths in the Middle “This covers spouses (legal and common-law), free throw in basketball (where) you have two CHR statement. worker whose body was found It called on the government East from abuse, as stated in a siblings (full or half-blood), parents and children shots,” Pimentel explained. It announced on Saturday in a freezer in Kuwait more than to address human rights abuses Senate joint inquiry in Febru- (legitimate, illegitimate and adopted) and the The 1987 Constitution already contains a pro- that it plans to put up a rights a year after she was reported locally and abroad. ary 2018. spouses of these second-degree relatives,” Pan- vision banning political dynasties as a “state gilinan said. Pimentel, however, said even if the policy” but leaves it to Congress to pass an ena- Senate could pass its version of the anti-political bling law. Pimentel said with the proposed Char- dynasty bill, it still needed a counterpart meas- ter change, the framers could include a separate ure from the House of Representatives. article against political dynasties. Village councilman, four others die in drug raids

Manila Times Brigade, were serving 25 search warrants arrested and slain suspects were a still Cotabato City for drug suspects in Barangay Poblacion 3 undetermined amount of “shabu,” hand Man gets 120 years jail term over rape here, when a shootout erupted during the grenades, and firearms that included a pre-dawn operation on Sunday. 9mm pistol and two .45-calibre pistols, ive drug suspects, including a vil- Killed during yesterday’s 2am raid were among others. By Eugene Y Adiong years ago in Bacolod City, Negros 24622. Medina was also ordered lage councilman, were killed in the drug suspects Ariel dela Cruz, Datukon On Saturday, lawmen also engaged Manila Times/Bacolod City Occidental. to pay P75,000 as civil indemnity, Fconduct of “One time, Big time ” Mamamdra, Zaldy Saptula, and Andong and killed Sadat Gampong Ayunan, a vil- Executive Judge Raymond P75,000 as moral damages and anti-drug raids here in the past two days. Guimlah. Octavio identified two of the lage councilman of Barangay Kalanganan Joseph Javier of Bacolod Regional P75,000 as exemplary damages Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police arrested individuals in the two-day sweep Mother, who was on the PDEA watch list father of three has been Trial Court Branch 52 on Friday for each count. He was also or- chief, said joint operatives of the city po- as Omar Butuan and Barak. order in this city, in a shootout. sentenced to three counts found Joselito Baguanga Medina, dered to be immediately trans- lice, the Fifth Special Forces Battalion, The principal target of yesterday’s op- Ayunan fired at the approaching police Aof reclusion perpetua or 34, guilty beyond reasonable ferred from the Metro Bacolod the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency eration, identified as Torix Mamadra, and PDEA agents, forcing the raiding team 120 years in prison for raping his doubt of rape in Criminal Cases District Jail to the National Bilibid (PDEA), and the Philippine Army’s 603rd managed to elude arrest.Seized from the to return fire. then 15-year-old schoolmate, 15 03-24620, 03-24621 and 03- Prisons, in Muntinlupa City.

Guard Wet weather forecast for Holy Week killed, By Mary Gleefer F Jalea sion may intensify into a ty- Manila Times phoon, it will not make landfall in any part of the country, Men- three hurt doza said. he country may have a It is not uncommon for a cy- rainy Holy Week as the clone to hit the country during in ambush Tlow pressure area (LPA) Holy Week, a major religious spotted near Mindanao has event marked by soaring tem- intensified into a tropical de- peratures and treks to beaches By Rhea Ruth Rosell pression and may enter the and other tourist destinations. Manila Times country either today or tomor- In 2015, Typhoon Chedeng en- row, the weather bureau said tered the Philippine Area of Re- yesterday. sponsibility on Holy Wednes- nidentified assailants The Philippine Atmospheric day. carrying high-powered Geophysical and Astronomi- Meanwhile, the northeast Ufirearms ambushed the cal Services Administration monsoon or “amihan” will vehicle that may have had on (Pagasa) said the centre of the bring cloudy skies and scat- board Peter Lim or his brother tropical depression was located tered rains over the Cordillera near a KTV bar in Cebu City at 1,740 kilometres east of Hina- Administrative Region, Ca- on Friday night, killing a secu- tuan, Surigao del Norte. gayan Valley, Bicol region, and rity guard and wounding three It has maximum sustained the provinces of Aurora and others, including two German winds of 55 kilometres per hour Quezon. tourists. (kph) and gustiness of up to Metro Manila and the rest of Wilson Bucay, a security 65kph. It is moving on a west- Luzon will have partly cloudy to guard at the Infinity KTV and northwest direction at 25kph. cloudy skies with isolated light Music Lounge along Arch- “The tropical depression rains. bishop Reyes Street, died on may likely develop into a ty- Eastern Visayas, Northern the spot while another secu- phoon in the coming days and Mindanao, and Caraga will have rity guard, George Lambating, may enter the Philippine Area cloudy skies with scattered rains 52, and a German couple were of Responsibility on Monday and thunderstorms caused by wounded. evening or Tuesday morn- the tail-end of a cold front. The Senior Police Officer 1 Geof- ing,” Pagasa’s weather special- rest of the country will have frey Gutual, homicide investi- ist Meno Mendoza told Manila partly cloudy to cloudy skies gator of Cebu City Police Office Times. with isolated rainshowers due to A layman of the Roman Catholic Church blesses palms during Palm Sunday celebrations at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto church in Bulacan, (CCPO), told Manila Times that Although the tropical depres- localised thunderstorms. north of Manila, yesterday. Peter Lim owns the KTV bar. Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Police, politicians accused of joining Lanka ethnic riots

By Tom Allard and Victims and witnesses, whose ple. Tamils, most of whom are the Noor Jummah mosque in Shihar Aneez, Reuters accounts were partly backed Hindu, account for 13% while Digana, a Kandy township. Kandy by CCTV footage seen by Reu- Muslims make up about 9% of The men rush into a multi- ters, described members of an the population. story building opposite the elite paramilitary police unit, Sri Lanka’s Law and Order mosque. A local SLPP politician, olice and politicians the Special Task Force (STF), Minister Ranjith Madduma Samantha Perera, can be seen Abdul Saleel Mohamed Fazil and monk Gerandigala Chanda Wimala look on at the monk’s residence in backed by the country’s assaulting Muslim cleric and Bandara has said the violence in pointing at the higher fl oors of Digana in this picture taken on March 16. Pformer strongman presi- leaders. Local STF commanders Kandy was “well organised” and the building. dent Mahinda Rajapakse joined declined to comment. pointed the fi nger at members of Perera confi rmed he was the killings by the military and STF. he had prepared food and drinks the victims and a witness, Fa- anti-Muslim riots that rocked “They came to attack,” Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna person shown in the footage. He The Sri Lankan Secretariat for for STF members protecting the ther Christy Paul, the prelate at Sri Lanka’s Kandy district this said A H Ramees, a cleric at a (SLPP), a political party backed said he was trying to calm the Muslims, a civil society group, mosque, but they had left shortly Digana’s Catholic church. month, according to witness- mosque where worshippers say by Rajapakse that scored a huge rioters and only found out later logged more than 600 attacks before the attack. “Three STFs came through the es, offi cials and CCTV footage they were beaten by police who victory in local elections last the mosque had been attacked. and threats to Muslims in the “No STF, no police were back entrance of the house and reviewed by Reuters. were supposed to be protect- month. “I am a good Buddhist. I am past fi ve years, according to there,” he said. “They had gone started beating us,” said Fazil, Scores of Muslim mosques, ing them. “They were shout- At a press conference fl anked not instigating violence against director Hilmy Ahamed, who around the corner. Can you who suff ered a deep head wound homes and businesses were ing. There was fi lthy language. by senior leaders earlier this anybody,” he told Reuters. added the rate of anti-Muslim believe it?” and said he spent in a night destroyed as mobs ran amok They said all the problems were month, Rajapakse said the ac- Cabinet spokesman Rajitha violence had accelerated in the Later that day, eight to 10 in prison after being refused for three days in Kandy, the because of us, that we were like cusations were politically mo- Senaratne said Perera was un- recent years. members of the STF rushed the medical treatment. central highlands district pre- terrorists.” tivated. In fact, the government der investigation for “attack- “The fear that Muslims are Hijrapura mosque, also in Di- “They grabbed some bottles viously known for its diver- Ruwan Gunasekera, a spokes- fomented the violence to “get ing Muslim-owned shops and going to take over, are going to gana, according to clerics and from the landing and put them sity and tolerance. The gov- man for the national police force, the Muslim vote” and to distract mosques with stones”. At least deprive you of your welfare, is so worshippers. in a bag and said we were making ernment declared a state of including the STF, said a special from its inadequacies, he said. three other SLPP politicians, widespread,” he said. The police assaulted worship- petrol bombs.” emergency and blocked social investigation unit was “probing The violence in Kandy was including a national politician, Veteran political analyst Jaya- pers with batons, according to Father Christy said he heard media platforms for a week to the defi ciencies of the police in triggered by an attack on a Bud- were being investigated and deva Uyangoda said Buddhist Ramees, the cleric. the men’s screams and saw the control the unrest. the incident”. A second unit was dhist truck driver, HG Kumaras- another SLPP councillor has chauvinism in Sri Lanka was a CCTV footage shows police police hitting them with batons. The role of police and some examining the role of political inghe, by four Muslim men after been arrested for setting fi re to “monster beyond control”. in riot gear striking Ramees and The men were cowering on the local Buddhist politicians sug- actors, he said. a traffi c dispute on February 22. a mosque, he said. All deny any About 10 minutes after the another cleric, M S M Nizam, ground and not off ering any re- gests the Sri Lankan government The riots were the latest ex- As Kumarasinghe lay in a involvement in the violence. incident near the Noor Jummah four times with batons. A lo- sistance to the police, he said. lost control of elements of its ample of rising Buddhist na- coma, calls for retribution fl ood- “There’s a political motive to mosque shown in the CCTV cal Buddhist monk, Gerendigala A local STF commander, asked security forces, and that the vio- tionalism and anti-Muslim sen- ed social media and the govern- discredit me, Mahinda Rajapak- footage, the mob returned via a Chanda Wimala, said he saw the about the incidents described to lence was more than a spontane- timent in the region and have ment ordered the deployment of sa and the party,” Perera said. back road, out of the line of sight men being manhandled by police Reuters, declined to comment, ous outbreak fuelled by fringe unnerved Sri Lanka’s multi-eth- 1,000 members of the STF. Anti-Muslim sentiment has of the mosque’s exterior camer- and successfully demanded their citing restrictions on talking to Buddhist extremists and hate- nic coalition government, which Rioting erupted after his surged in Sri Lanka since 2009, as, and threw a petrol bomb into release. the media. The law and order speech spread on social media. ousted Rajapakse in an election funeral 11 days later. when a long civil war against the mosque’s fi rst fl oor offi ce, At about the same time, a lo- ministry referred to the police Rajapakse has denied that he in 2015, according to analysts An excerpt of CCTV footage Tamil insurgents was brutally according to witnesses Moham- cal Muslim politician, Abdul special investigation into alleged or other leaders of his party were and two sources familiar with from the fi rst day of attacks re- ended by Rajapakse amid charg- ed Niyaskhan, who said he was Saleem Mohamad Fazil, and a abuses. involved. Police said the allega- the government’s deliberations. viewed by Reuters showed po- es by a United Nations panel of beaten and left bloodied, and the friend Mohamad Faizal, were Police say they have arrested tions against offi cers and politi- Buddhists make up about lice letting a large group of men experts of human rights viola- mosque secretary M I M Shukry. also attacked by members of the more than 300 people involved cians were being investigated. 70% of Sri Lanka’s 21mn peo- through the cordon protecting tions, including extrajudicial Niyaskhan said earlier that day elite police unit, according to in the riots. Chariot Festival Bangladesh will benefi t from LDC graduation: UN

Agencies higher in the rating for invest- sets Index (HAI) of 66 or above Dhaka ments and what that means and an Economic Vulnerability that the cost of investment in Index (EVI) of 32 or below. Bangladesh will be signifi cant- Bangladesh has fulfi lled the he UN sees a “lot of ben- ly lower, if the volume is sig- three conditions on a very large efi ts” for Bangladesh nifi cantly larger. The interest margin. Bangladesh’s current Tonce it offi cially gradu- rate Bangladesh has to use for per capita income is $1,610. ates to a developing country borrowing internationally will The HAI is 72.9, while the by 2024, but says challenges signifi cantly low. EVI is 25. remain. “This is a big impact on Bangladesh will undergo a Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli “There are lots of positive the future fi nancing for few years of observation and benefi ts to graduation,” visiting development,” he said. can offi cially graduate to a de- UN Assistant Secretary-Gen- veloping country by 2024 at the eral Haoliang Xu said as there “As an LDC the earliest after the next review is a perception that graduating signal to investor in 2021. ‘EU report on polls to a developing country status community is that it is Xu, who was invited by the will only mean that Bangladesh not the best place for government to attend a series will lose all special benefi ts, investment” of celebratory events around undermines Nepal’ including loan and export sup- the prospective graduation, port, available to least devel- He said as Bangladesh moves said they are “almost certain” oped countries (LDCs). through the next step, “there that Bangladesh would achieve Agencies for the implementation of Xu who was talking to a would be more assistance from the status. Kathmandu constitution and federalism in group of journalists in Dhaka the UN to work with Bangla- He said of the countries who the country. yesterday, explained the gradu- desh government to assess the have prospects from gradua- Nepal’s ministry of foreign ation process, challenges in the impact of graduation.” tion - Botswana, Cape Verde, epal yesterday ap- aff airs had earlier said that way and its benefi ts and said Bangladesh, which has been Maldives, Samoa, and Equa- pealed to the European some of the recommendations this would have a “big impact” an LDC since 1975, recently tional Guinea – Bangladesh is NUnion (EU) to “cor- and comments in the report on the future fi nancing for fulfi lled the UN’s current cri- much bigger than others with rect” its report on the recent- have undermined the success- development. teria to graduate from a ‘least its 160mn people. ly-concluded general and local ful holding of the “smooth, “As an LDC the signal to in- developed country’ to a ‘devel- “We are proud that we were elections in the country, say- peaceful and impartial vestor community is that it is oping country’, sparking con- with the Bangladesh in achiev- ing it undermined the country elections.” not the best place for invest- versation and debate across the ing the milestone,” he said, but and its people. The European Union Elec- ment,” he said, adding that the country. lots still remain to be done to The European Union’s Elec- tion Observation Mission graduation would send “strong Bangladesh has also recently achieve a sustainable transition tion Observation Mission for Nepal’s House of Repre- message to investors that advanced from a low-income from LDC to middle-income (EUEOM) in a report released sentatives and Provincial As- Bangladesh is a right place for country to a low-middle in- developing country. on Wednesday raised ques- sembly elections submitted investments.” come country on the World “Still there are lots of chal- tions over the elections’ trans- its fi nal report on March 20 As LDCs, he said the inter- Bank’s scale. lenges such as challenges of cli- parency, fairness and electoral with 29 proposals for electoral national perception is “your According to the UN, a mate change, job creation, and process. process reform. capacity is low, your infra- country is eligible to graduate also have challenges of urbanisa- Prime Minister K P Shar- The report said that the EC’s structure is not suffi cient and from the LDC category if it has tion and also the issue of inequal- ma Oli said the report made activities lacked transparency. Nepalese people prepare a chariot for the Seto Machhendranath your institution is not strong”. a gross national income (GNI) ity that still exists,” he said, add- public by the EU in the name The EU Mission said the EC chariot festival in Kathmandu yesterday. “After graduation, the rat- per capita of $1,230 or above ing that Bangladesh’s economy of election observation has did not create a mechanism for ing agency will rate Bangladesh for three years, a Human As- needed to be diversifi ed. hurt the sentiments of Nepali regular consultations with po- people and is against spirit, litical parties, civil society and norms and provisions of the observers at the central level. constitution. “There was no mechanism “I and the Nepali people for regular consultations with have felt humiliated by the election stakeholders and the EU’s report. I humbly request ECN failed to publish critical the EU to correct it immedi- information on polling cen- High Court summons doctors over tre turnout and invalid votes. ately,” he said at a programme organised by National Elec- There were also procedural tion Observation Committee weaknesses, particularly in (NEOC) in Kathmandu to re- relation to the reconciliation lease the committee’s report of ballots,” the report stated. death of baby during caesarean The EU election mission on election observation. “Publicising religion in the also asked Nepal to consider Agencies The High Court issued suo health services, Comilla Medi- baby and removed Zulekha’s that the child had died in the name of observation and ex- removing Khas-Aryas from Dhaka moto order yesterday after Su- cal College Hospital director, uterus during the surgery, her womb. They had to behead it tracting revenge for the same the inclusion quota under the preme Court a lawyer brought Comilla civil surgeon, Bangla- husband Shafi que Quazi alleged. and remove the uterus to save in the report was not right,” proportional representation the reports to the court’s desh Medical and Dental Coun- A guard took 500 taka from the mother. the prime minister said, ask- (PR) electoral system as the he Bangladesh High Court attention. cil director, and the gynaecol- the family to bury the dead child, There was no negligence on ing people “not to harbour community is already well- has summoned fi ve doctors A lawyer, who stood for the ogy department head have to Amader Shomoy quoted Quazi. their part, they claimed. any illusion over the fact that represented. Tof Comilla Medical College petitioner, said human rights respond within four weeks. Quazi saw that the baby’s head Last year in October, doc- Nepal is a sovereign country It said representation of a Hospital on reports that a wom- body Ain O Salish Kendra had Zulekha Begum, 30, was ad- was not attached to its body. He tors at Gouripur Life Hospital working for social justice and well-represented group con- an’s baby died during caesarean fl agged out the reports pub- mitted to the hospital on March took a snapshot of the child on in Comilla’s Daudkandi brought equality.” travenes international stand- delivery in the hospital. lished in the local dailies Dainik 17. She went through a C-section his mobile phone, according to one baby out of a woman and He also praised the role ards of equality, as affi rmative They have to appear in court Janakantha and the Amader the next day, according to the the report. stitched her womb up keeping played by the election com- action measures are foreseen on April 4 and explain the Shomoy. media reports. Doctors, who conducted the another baby inside, assuming mission for successfully hold- only as a means to promote alleged incident. The director general of the Doctors pulled out the dead surgery, told Amader Shomoy that it was a tumour. ing all three tiers of elections equality. Gulf Times 26 Monday, March 26, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Qatari-Russian ties: Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Bright prospects [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), QNA Doha 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 he two-day working visit of facebook.com/gulftimes His Highness the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Tal-Thani to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, gains its importance due to its timing as well as the subjects on its schedule. The visit also comes at a time of GULF TIMES regional and developmental changes in a number of issues such as the Middle- East peace process. There are also many economic and trade-related developments that are Battle of the bulge: taking place around the world. The visit would also be a big boost to co-operation as the two sides explore new avenues for partnerships that tricking the body to benefi t their people. The Emir will hold talks with the Russian president on ways of promoting and strengthening the relations stop feeling hungry between the two countries in various fi elds, especially in energy, economy and trade, in addition to regional and The battle against the bulge has got a new twist international issues of mutual concern. with a small-scale pilot trial which moots a new It is the second foreign visit of the approach. The idea is that by freezing a nerve that Emir this month. The Emir visited Belgium and carries hunger signals from the gut to the brain, you Bulgaria earlier this month, as part of can essentially trick the body to stop feeling hungry. his foreign tours which aim to bolster In a presentation last week at the Annual Scientifi c Qatar’s relations and co-operation Meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology with various countries of the world, in addition to co-ordination and in Los Angeles, researchers reported that the unusual consultation on current developments. procedure led to decreased appetite and weight loss The visit comes in the framework of in all 10 participants. But, both the study authors and the growing relations between Qatar File picture of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting President Vladimir Putin on January 18, 2016. outside experts agree that more research is needed, and Russia, which began after the establishment of diplomatic relations pressing issues on the regional and supports the Qatari position to resolve countries are members in the Gas Live Science reported. in 1988 and has since been growing and international arenas, in a bid to promote the Gulf crisis through dialogue. Forum, and there are positive relations The procedure targets a part of the vagus nerve called fl ourishing, based on the principles of the regional and international stability The Emir’s visit to the Russia is the in the investment fi eld between the the posterior vagal trunk, which is located at the base the international law, mutual respect and contribute to reaching settlement culmination of a series of signifi cant Qatar Fund and the Russian Investment of the esophagus and sends signals to the brain that and common interests, and included all on a number of urgent issues and crises. milestones in the relations between Fund. fi eld, mainly the political, economic, Due to its positive attitudes, the two countries and the two friendly The two countries also co-operate in the stomach is empty. To freeze the nerve, doctors trade, cultural, military, humanitarian clear political approach and fl exible peoples. the fi eld of sports through the football insert a needle-like instrument into the patient’s back and others. diplomacy, Qatar has gained the respect Regarding the continuation of federations in the two countries, and use a type of medical imaging called a computed The Qatari-Russian relations are of the whole world, especially in visits and contacts between the two especially as they will host the 2018 and tomography scan to ensure the instrument reaches witnessing continuous development in confronting the unjust siege imposed on countries, HE the Foreign Minister 2022 World Cups. various fi elds under the directives of the it, and refuting the lies and fabrications Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- They also exchange experiences in the exact point they want to freeze. Then, surgeons Emir and the Russian president, who propagated by the siege countries. Thani paid two visits to Russia last year the fi eld of sport event security, athletes release argon gas from visited Doha in February 2007. The Emir’s visit to Russia refl ects during which he met with his Russian training and sports medicine. the instrument. The The Emir visited Russia in January the determination of Qatar to defi ne counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, The two countries have cultural ties “The procedure gas cools the nerve to 2016. and shape its international relations while the Russian minister visited Doha that stablish bridges of communication The Emir’s visit to Russia reaffi rms according to its national interests and in August last year. between the two friendly peoples, and doesn’t subzero temperatures, the commitment of the wise leadership vision, which preserves the security, Russian Defence Minister Sergei as a result, Qatar-Russia 2018 Year of paralysing it and to establishing strategic partnerships sovereignty, stability and prosperity of Shoygu also visited Doha in October Culture was launched in February in the completely erase ultimately preventing it and building bridges of communication the country as well as the security and and met HE the Minister of State for Katara Cultural Village. from sending signals to and co-operation with various interests of its citizens in the present Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Although the trade exchange between the need to eat” countries. and future. al-Attiyah. the two countries is witnessing a steady the brain. The visit is also a clear indication of The visit also confi rms unequivocally During the meeting, they discussed growth in many areas, the aspirations The study included 10 people, ages 27 to 60, with Qatar’s keenness on benefi ting from that Qatar has succeeded in thwarting bilateral relations and means of of the Qatari and Russian economic body mass indexes (BMIs) between 30 and 37, which Russia’s pivotal role in establishing all plans aimed at isolating it and enhancing co-operation between sectors and entities are looking forward qualifi es for mild to moderate obesity (“normal” BMI stability in the world, and utilising preventing its communication with its them in the defence and military to what is much larger than what has Qatar’s relations with the capitals of the regional and international environment fields. been achieved. ranges from 18.5 to 25). According to lead study author international decision-making for the and underscores Qatar’s strong A technical military co-operation They are working to strengthen Dr David Prologo, an interventional radiologist at benefi t of its national interests as well presence and distinguished interaction agreement, a memorandum of bilateral co-operation relations Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, the as the Arab and Islamic issues. on the international scene. understanding related to air defence to higher levels and to exploit the patients lost, on average, 14% of their excess body The visit also clearly indicates the Moreover, the visit affi rms that Qatar and a legal contract on the general enormous potential available in both growing Qatari diplomatic role in defeated the siege and became more conditions of military supplies were countries. weight (body weight above normal BMI), equivalent dealing with regional and international stronger than it was before the siege by signed during the meeting. It is hoped that the Emir’s visit to to about 3.6% of their overall body weight, within 90 issues. fi nding more stable maritime and air The two ministers met in Moscow Russia and the talks that will take days of the procedure. “That’s exactly where you want Based on the Qatari and Russian routes and economic and commercial last August on the sidelines of a military place will open new horizons for co- to be at 90 days,” Prologo told Live Science. “If you lose leaderships’ common understanding of alternatives through active diplomatic exhibition, and discussed bilateral operation between the two countries joint interests and the close positions moves and strategic economic planning relations in the fi eld of defence and and create ambitious economic weight too quickly, you rebound. But this amount of on the current issues, the talks between to preserve its interests, independence capacity development in all areas, in partnerships and trade deals in the weight loss is exactly in line with the recommendations the Emir and the Russian leadership and sovereignty, as well as the interests particular the fi eld of air defence. fi elds of energy, economy, trade, of how fast a person should lose weight.” are expected to cover the co-operation of its citizens and residents. Qatar and Russia also have joint agriculture, petrochemicals, food Signalling hunger to the brain isn’t the only function in various fi elds and to touch on the It should be noted that Russia energy and gas relations, as the two security, tourism and other fi elds. of the posterior trunk of the vagus nerve; the nerve also helps move food through the stomach. Once it is disabled, the transit of the food slows down, which keeps the patient feeling full longer, thus further decreasing the need to eat. The eff ects of the nerve-freezing wear off within eight months to a year, Dr Prologo said. During that time, the body’s other mechanisms, ensure that the patient doesn’t completely starve himself or herself to death. “The procedure doesn’t completely erase the need to eat,” Prologo said. “The nerve has an anterior trunk and a posterior trunk, we are only freezing one of them.” Instead, the procedure is meant to decrease appetite. This eight- to 12-month period of decreased hunger is, according to Prologo, enough time for a person not only to lose weight but also for the body to adjust to being at a lower weight. By freezing the hunger nerve, Prologo said, the researchers believe that they can essentially trick the body, so that it co-operates with the participant. Prologo said he and his team are already working with new patients and hope to publish more data soon. As things stand now, more studies are essential to confi rm the effi cacy of the new concept for sure.

To Advertise [email protected] Display 44466621 44418811 Classified 44466609 44418811 Subscription [email protected] 26-03-2018 © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Gulf Times Monday, March 26, 2018 27 COMMENT ‘Global Britain’ is already on its own

By Mark Malloch-Brown on the Skripals and calculated that In recent years, Russian offi cials had London EU member states with pro-Russian already become increasingly derisive governments – namely, Hungary, toward Britain’s presumptions about Greece, and, soon, Italy – would veto its international status and power. ritish Prime Minister Theresa any strong EU response. Like many observers around the May has fi nally had a good By this reasoning, Putin could world since the Brexit vote, the crisis. drive an even larger wedge between Kremlin does not look at the UK and B Responding to the nerve- Britain and Europe, thus advancing see a country able to wield anything agent attack on former Russian double his longstanding goal of undermining approaching global infl uence. agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter European solidarity. Rather, it sees a country mired Yulia in the placid market town of In any case, the UK’s isolation and in nostalgia – easy pickings for Salisbury, England, May projected vulnerability are now abundantly destabilisation. strength – including to her fellow obvious. In a sense, “Leave” voters were right European leaders – by demanding that In its eff orts to apply pressure on that the EU is out of touch with the the Kremlin answer for the crime. Europe, the Kremlin has identifi ed times, but not for the reasons they As a former home secretary, security Britain as a weak link. thought. is clearly her strong suit, and she has And those eff orts go well beyond One can debate whether the EU is now gone a long way toward repairing attempted murder on British territory. a stale champion of the rules-based her tattered authority in Parliament. It seems increasingly likely that liberal international order. Moreover, May also managed to Russia also interfered in the Brexit But what is now clear is that it is not reach an agreement with European referendum, as it did in the 2016 US ready for the emerging post-liberal Union negotiators on a 21-month election; and that Russian criminal order. transition period for the United elements have penetrated London’s In the new order, strong states will Kingdom’s withdrawal from the bloc. fi nancial and services sectors. throw their weight around with little And yet, despite May’s personal Britain is a beachhead in Russia’s care for the rules-based system that successes, this week might well be strategy to undermine European the EU has long epitomised. remembered as the moment when the security. But at least the EU will have foreign-policy costs of Brexit became Unfortunately, the territorial numbers on its side. clear. defence guarantee that comes with Putin’s Russia will be just the start of Until now, the British foreign-policy Nato membership does little good in post-Brexit Britain’s worries. grandees and former ambassadors a confl ict conducted in the shadows The UK will also have to contend warning that Brexit will severely Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May attends a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 23, 2018. Though through assassinations, cyber warfare, with China, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi damage the UK’s standing in the world EU members have expressed their support for Britain and made assurances that Brexit will not disrupt solidarity or security, and criminal subterfuge. Arabia, and even its most important have been dismissed by much of the there are signs that this united front may, in fact, be just a front. Nor does Nato membership help in ally – the US. public as discredited elites and fear- responding to the Kremlin’s exploitation Just as Britain negotiates its exit mongers. Though EU members have expressed Across the Atlantic, US President approach to alliances has already called of European dependence on Russian from the EU, the consensus-based Understandably, Brexit supporters their support for Britain and made Donald Trump also congratulated into question Britain’s most important energy, such as when it uses natural-gas multilateralism of the post-war era have taken little notice of various assurances that Brexit will not disrupt Putin. relationship outside Europe. supplies as a geopolitical weapon. is being supplanted by muscular straws in the wind heralding the solidarity or security, there are signs While he also condemned Russia Beneath the surface, the The decision by a slim majority of nationalism. direction their country will take. that this united front may, in fact, be for the Salisbury incident – a rare international response to the Salisbury UK voters to leave the EU may have In this new schoolyard, only those They are unmoved, for example, just a front. departure from the Putin-loving attack reveals alarming cracks in the been motivated mostly by domestic with committed friends will be able to by the fact that, after losing a United The European Commission corner he has painted himself into – UK’s position on the world stage. issues such as political dysfunction stand up to the bullies. Nations vote, their candidate pulled president, Jean-Claude Juncker, support for Britain on this occasion It is widely assumed that the UK’s and immigration, but the Skripal Others will have no other choice out of the race and the UK now has congratulated Russian President seems to have been motivated more by weak response to similar incidents, episode has made it clear that the costs than to cower and hope for the best. – no judges seated at the International Vladimir Putin on his election to a his political calculus than a deep sense not least the 2006 murder of the of departure will be felt fi rst on the Project Syndicate Court of Justice for the fi rst time in 71 fourth term – a move that rankled the of solidarity. Russian defector and former spy foreign-policy front. years. UK. After several days of deafening Alexander Litvinenko, has convinced The rest of Europe will sink or zMark Malloch-Brown, a former UN Still, if that wasn’t enough to reveal Greece and others also expressed silence, Trump was under growing Putin that he can get away with such swim together in confronting Russian Deputy Secretary-General and British Britain’s new loneliness, the use of a some scepticism about the relationship pressure to speak out. provocations. aggression. cabinet minister, chairs Best for Britain, Soviet-era nerve agent on British soil with the UK as they arrived in Brussels And on the whole, his But Putin may also have anticipated But the UK, having singled itself out, an organisation fi ghting to keep the certainly is. for the European Council summit. unpredictability and transactional the public outrage over the attack is a prime target for a dunking. United Kingdom in the European Union. What Italy’s election means for the EU Three-day forecast must we reconsider – and potentially Of course, if the rules being broken while measures encouraging economic TODAY By Lucrezia Reichlin Maximum Temperature : 330c Rome recast – the pillars of European co- are fi scal, the markets might impose convergence have been successful in operation? the necessary discipline, as happened many jurisdictions, they have failed Minimum Temperature : 190c The link between economic and in 2011-2012. But today, the ongoing in others, such as southern Italy, TUESDAY taly’s recent election – in which political crises is well known. Among economic recovery – and the fact that precisely because of the institutional Maximum Temperature : 350c voters rebuff ed traditional parties EU countries, Italy has experienced governments and central banks hold weakness and widespread corruption Minimum Temperature : 220c in favour of anti-establishment the second-largest decline in output the majority of countries’ debts – that the populists decry. WEDNESDAY and far-right movements, (after Greece) during the last decade makes such a market response far from As anyone with experience in Maximum Temperature : 350c I Minimum Temperature : 220c producing a hung parliament – should – a trend that caused a signifi cant guaranteed. development policy knows, fi scal deterioration in economic welfare. Complicating matters further transfers cannot generate convergence serve as a wake-up call for Europe. Fisherman's forecast The decades-old project of building And, as recent research indicates, a for the EU are regional disparities, growth, unless they are backed by deep European unity may not just be far decline in welfare correlates more like those starkly on display in societal changes – and that demands WARNING Italy’s recent election. While anti- active local leadership. It is thus Inshore : Expected low visibility less robust than assumed; without a strongly with political support for at places at first. signifi cant rethink, it may not even be populists than its absolute level. establishment political parties did signifi cant that Italian voters threw viable. In this sense, economic crises are well across Italy, refl ecting broad their support behind those who decried Offshore : Nil The fi nancial crisis of 2008 and almost bound to undermine political frustration with the mainstream the abuse of power by local elites and WEATHER the debt crisis that followed revealed stability. But the risk is particularly parties, there was also a distinct traditional parties, instead of believing Inshore : Misty to foggy at major fl aws in the governance of acute in the EU, because populist north/south divide. that those local elites, let alone the places at first becomes the Economic and Monetary Union political forces, should they win Italy’s industrial north favoured the faraway EU, can fi x the problem. relatively hot daytime with some clouds. (EMU). Member states responded by power, are likely to reject, in the far-right League party, which favours This might seem to imply that the WIND building new institutions, such as the name of national sovereignty, the tax cuts and opposes immigration. EU needs to be able to impose looser Inshore : Northeasterly -South- Single Supervisory Mechanism and supranational rules that form the basis By contrast, Italy’s economically terms of co-operation, including fewer easterly 03-12 KT Offshrore : Northeasterly-North- the European Stability Mechanism. of European institutions. deprived southern regions – where benefi ts from membership. But while westerly 03-12 KT These eff orts are, however, almost In the face of such noncompliance, youth unemployment has, in some that might work for, say, Hungary, it certainly inadequate to make the EMU the EU’s only recourse is sanctions – a areas, reached nearly 60% – voted would be inconceivable for an EMU Visibility : 4-8 KM/ 2 or less at temporary solution that is inadequate overwhelmingly for the Five Star member like Italy. In any case, if places at first resilient enough to withstand future SEA STATE fi nancial crises. Anyone who believes to keep in check governments that Movement, which advocates a the EU is to survive long enough to in the European project should hope have based their political platforms guaranteed basic income and implement the needed institutional Offshore : 1-3 FT. that further reforms follow soon. on disavowing common EU rules. In condemns the corruption of local reforms, it will to have to fi nd ways to make the project more appealing for But there is an even more urgent fact, such sanctions can even serve elites. Around the region task at hand. The European Union (EU) to strengthen public support for the Regional inequalities are not limited all. – Project Syndicate Weather and the EMU, in particular, are now populists. This dynamic is illustrated to Italy. On the contrary, they have Weather tomorrow Max/min facing a serious political challenge, by the current row over immigration increased throughout the EU since the zLucrezia Reichlin, a former director of today Max/min Sunny 34/19 exemplifi ed by Italy’s recent election. between the EU and some of its 1980s. And the EU does have a budget research at the European Central Bank, Baghdad Sunny 30/15 Sunny 34/20 Are European institutions strong eastern members, such as Hungary for reducing them, which it uses to is Professor of Economics at the London Kuwait City Sunny 32/18 Sunny 34/22 enough to confront that challenge, or and Poland. support its cohesion policies. But Business School. Manama Sunny 32/22 Muscat Sunny 32/24 Sunny 32/24 Tehran P Cloudy 26/13 Sunny 27/16 Live issues Does your diet contain empty calories?

hether you count the calories you consume every day, it’s important to recognise when you might Wbe fi lling your body with junk Around the world food that provides no nutrients. And, as Jason Weather Weather Howland reports in this Mayo Clinic Minute, today Max/min tomorrow Max/min many foods and beverages contain empty Athens P Cloudy 19/11 M Sunny 19/10 calories. Beirut Sunny 23/18 Sunny 24/19 Most everything you eat or drink has calories. Bangkok P Cloudy 34/27 S T Storms 34/27 But what are empty calories? Berlin Cloudy 09/-1 P Cloudy 08/01 “Empty calories are basically calories that Cairo Sunny 31/16 Sunny 33/23 don’t have any added nutritional value, like the Cape Town Sunny 20/13 Sunny 24/13 vitamins and minerals that we need for our body Colombo S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 to function and grow,” says Amber Bonsall, a Dhaka S Showers 35/24 M Sunny 34/24 Mayo Clinic dietitian. Hong Kong P Cloudy 24/20 M Sunny 25/20 A calorie is a unit of energy. It’s a way of Istanbul Cloudy 17/10 P Cloudy 16/08 measuring how much energy your body gets Jakarta T Storm 31/24 T Storm 31/24 from eating or drinking certain foods and Karachi Sunny 38/21 Sunny 36/21 beverages. Too many calories in your diet, London M Sunny 13/07 Showers 13/06 especially empty ones, can lead to weight gain. Manila P Cloudy 33/23 P Cloudy 33/23 “Empty calories can be found in things like Moscow S Showers 03/-2 S Showers 0/-10 your candies and sodas, so those things don’t New Delhi Sunny 36/19 Sunny 38/19 really add much to our life,” says Bonsall. New York Sunny 09/01 P Cloudy 10/05 While those empty calories might make you Paris Showers 13/06 Rain 13/08 feel full and satisfy your cravings, they’re doing Sao Paulo S T Storms 28/19 S T Storms 29/19 more harm than good. Seoul Fog 17/07 M Sunny 18/08 “We want to make sure that we’re having Singapore T Storm 29/25 T Storm 31/25 those foods that are going to add those extra Sydney S T Storms 25/14 M Sunny 24/18 nutritional pieces to our body,” she says. – Mayo Tokyo Clear 21/08 Cloudy 22/09 Clinic News Gulf Times 28 Monday, March 26, 2018 QATAR

Winners for the women’s category of Esrar Race 2018 receiving their awards. Esrar Race a platform to Mohcine Zaytouni (centre), together with Fahad Alsahli (left) and Elarbi Khattabi on stage. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed promote healthy lifestyle

By Joey Aguilar about winning, we are all win- Staff Reporter ners today as long as you are enjoying and having fun, that is Arab contestants our message,” he said. “This is he annual Esrar Race has for our country.” become a platform to The race had welcomed peo- Tpromote healthy and ac- ple of diff erent categories, in- tive lifestyle in Qatar, especially cluding professionals who come for the youth, Qatar’s Olym- to beat their time, according to pic champion and 2018 IAAF Barshim. Pierre Daniel, a resi- dominate second Athlete of the Year Mutaz Essa dent of Qatar who ran 475km Barshim told Gulf Times. around the country in seven “This is what I like, to inspire days, echoed Barshim’s state- the youth and a lot of partici- ment saying the race created pants come even if it is Friday,” diff erent categories, giving he said. “Normally people sleep “easy access for anyone who is at this time but they are here willing to try.” He stressed that Esrar Race to support and take part in this people should not believe that race.” the race was only for the tough Mutaz Essa Barshim at the event By Joey Aguilar plans to participate again next the third place. The unique Barshim, who participated in Barshim stressed that Esrar guys. at Aspire Park. PICTURES: Staff Reporter year. Saudi participant Fahad Al- event, organised by Aspire Zone the race as an honorary ambas- Race is “very special” to him “There is enough for the tough Shemeer Rasheed sahli came in second place with Foundation’s (AZF) and ‘Diverse’ sador, hopes the race motivates since it fosters sport and team guys to have their fun, but they 19 minutes and 46 seconds while sports management company, people to adopt an active and spirit, as well as enjoyment. (organisers) also made sure that oroccan male contest- another Moroccan contestant, attracted more than 500 contest- healthy lifestyle. He noted that the race, which it was accessible for people who ant Mohcine Zaytouni Elarbi Khattabi, fi nished in third ants from Qatar and the region, He believes such events will features 21 obstacle courses this just want to come and have fun Mfrom Qatar’s Internal place (19 minutes and 50 sec- as well as residents across the become legacy for future gen- year, has attracted an increas- and experience the obstacle Security Force (Lekhwiya) bagged onds). country. According to AZF, more erations and he expects to see the ing number of participants from races as well,” he told Gulf Times. the fi rst place of this year’s Esrar Dorra Alsbouai from Tunisia than 382 individual participants number of participants to further across Qatar and neighbouring About winning, Daniel said: “I’m Race obstacle course at Aspire (who travelled to Doha from Ku- and 108 team members competed increase next year. countries as well. not here for the win. I am very Park, fi nishing in 19 minutes and wait) won the women’s category in 21 obstacles across 5km at As- Meanwhile, al-Suwaidi said The event, organised by As- happy to fi nish having a medal, I 28 seconds. in 24 minutes and six seconds to pire Park. the race “sets a challenge with pire Zone Foundation’s and ‘Di- enjoyed this great day, I see peo- “I was really expecting to win,” beat Spanish contestant Monica The race also saw the partici- one’s self” and each participant verse’ sports management com- ple having great fun.” he told Gulf Times during the Sanches-Jimenez, who fi nished pation of more than 13 male and aims to break and reach a new pany, witnessed more than 500 With 5km of 21 obstacles, he awarding ceremony after the race in 25 minutes and 41 seconds. female contestants from Kuwait record. contestants participating in the described the race as “very ex- for the individual category last Czech contestant Katerina Ma- in the individual and team relay “My personal goal was to fi nish two day race at Aspire Park. citing and intense” and “it can Friday. tousova came in third after fi n- competitions. the race today in a relatively good “I feel great, just being part really be tough if you want to go.” “I am strong and trained hard ishing the race in 29 minutes and Renowned sporting celebri- time without sustaining injury,” of this event it is a big honour, “They made an amazing job to win,” Zaytouni said, citing the 38 seconds. ties such as Qatar’s Olympic he added. the last time (fi rst edition) we this year, all the obstacles are support of his teammates and In the fi nal team relay compe- Champion and the 2018 IAAF “Together with other AZF had like 180, now we are 500 like bigger and better, it look colleagues. He lauded organis- titions, which took place on the Athlete of the Year, Mutaz Essa members, we have decided to plus and I am really happy about great and the attendance is fan- ers of Esrar for a well-attended second day (March 24) of the Barshim, along with senior AZF participate to send a message that,” Barshim pointed out. tastic,” Daniel said. “It is turn- and “great race” this year, which race, ‘Runners’ won the best team officials led its CEO, Mohamed that we (as an organisation) must “That is what we need as a ing into a massive event, I think also attracted many “strong par- followed by ‘Tamim Al Majd’. The Khalifa al-Suwaidi, took part in move together with determina- society, to come and enjoy, do Qatar can be proud and the or- Pierre Daniel takes part in the ticipants and competitors.” He ‘Super Healthy 2’ team bagged the race. tion to achieve our goals.” sport, it just for fun, it is not ganiser of this race.” second Esrar Race. Second Aspire Lake Festival a big draw

By Joey Aguilar citing the creativity of French Staff Reporter fi reworks art wizard and director Christophe Berthonneau, who directed the closing ceremony of he second Aspire Lake fes- the 1998 FIFA World Cup France, tival has attracted around the opening and closing ceremo- T43,000 visitors who wit- nies of the Athens 2004, Turin nessed what was described as a 2006, and the Rio 2016 Olympic ‘Magical Journey,’ also featuring and Paralympic Games, and the spectacular fi reworks displays 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. He over the weekend at Aspire Park. also played a part in the inaugu- Receiving a huge number of ration of the Museum of Islamic spectators on the fi rst day of the Art in Doha 2008. festival, Aspire Zone Foundation The festival, organised by AZF (AZF) noted that they increased in partnership with Ooredoo, the number of stands from 5,000 Qatar Airways, Supreme Com- to 8,000 due to popular demand mittee for Delivery & Legacy, from visitors and social media and Katara, also hosted Qatari The 2nd Aspire Lake Festival turned the Aspire Lake into a 3D spectacle. PICTURES: Jayaram users. small business entrepreneurs to “This one-of-its-kind festi- showcase their products as part In a nutshell, Sheikh Mohamed image of Qatar in general. We attracted an increasing number val is considered as the “Jewel of AZF’s eff orts to support small said, Aspire is now becoming “a will keep going and we will try of participants from diff erent of the Crown” of Aspire,” Lake The event featured unique fireworks displays. business owners. global reference in sport and we to maintain this position as you countries globally. Festival’s organising committee According to AZF, sales from have an objective that we want know Aspire is now a hub for in- He said such events at Aspire, member Sheikh Mohamed bin to provide a unique entertain- “This is a habit at Aspire, their products throughout the to meet to be a world reference in ternational sports,” he noted. including Qatar’s Strongest Man Fahad al-Thani told Gulf Times. ment show and promote tourism which is to present something festival reached more than sports by 2020.” He cited the success of the re- and Esrar Race, encourage the He said the two-day event aimed in Qatar. new,” Sheikh Mohamed stressed, QR1mn. “All of what we do refl ect the cently held Kite Festival, which Qatari community to participate.

The show goes on

Mall of Qatar’s (MoQ) first-ever Spring/Summer Fashion Festival continued for the fourth day yesterday. A number of models sashayed through the Oasis Stage showcasing designer apparel. Fashion shows are being held daily until March 31, featuring men’s, women’s and children’s collections from various international brands. A moment from the fashion show yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed