Qatar Airways to Go Ahead with Expansion Plans

Qatar Airways to go ahead Deputy PM and Foreign Minister meets Jerusalem Mufti with expansion plans SACHIN KUMAR The airline marked ultra-modern aircraft will enable THE PENINSULA us to continue on that journey and another global ﬁrst bring people together from all yesterday with parts of the world, allowing them DOHA: Qatar Airways will the touchdown of to experience our renowned, continue to march ahead with the world’s ﬁrst world-class service,” said Akbar its expansion plans, despite the Al Baker. “With this blockade we unjust siege on the country. The commercial passenger are the winners because it has award-winning airline will add A350-1000 at Hamad made Qatar stronger. In 2018, We 30 aircraft to its fleet in 2018 International Airport. will be adding close to around 30 and will launch new destina- aircraft,” he said, talking to tions, said Akbar Al Baker, reporters at the Hamad Interna- Group Chief Executive, Qatar technologically advanced aircraft tional Airport. Airways. available in the skies. We look The national carrier of Qatar The airline marked another forward to welcoming pas- is the global launch customer for global first yesterday with the sengers from around the world the A350-1000, the world’s most touchdown of the world’s first on board our spectacular new advanced passenger aircraft, commercial passenger A350- A350-1000”. fitted with the airline’s revolu- 1000 at Hamad International After performing a cele- tionary Qsuite Business Class Airport. bratory fly-by over Doha’s Cor- seat. The carrier also announced Minister of Finance and niche, the arrival of the aircraft it took delivery of an additional Chairman of Qatar Airways from the Airbus production A350-900 yesterday. Group, H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi, facility in Toulouse, France, was “Qatar Airways is not going said: “As a nation, we are tre- greeted by a celebratory water to slow down. We are going to mendously proud to accept this cannon salute. keep on our expansion. We have Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani yesterday aircraft as part of Qatar Airways’ “As a Qatari, this is a moment announced so many new desti- met Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, on the sidelines of the fleet by bringing it to Doha. It is of great pride for me, and for the nations and all this we will do as testament to our continued com- country as a whole. Despite the we are receiving more and more 13th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue. The meeting reviewed developments in Palestine mitment to the expansion of our illegal blockade against the State aeroplanes,” Al Baker said. and issues of mutual interest. national carrier, and to operating of Qatar, we have continued to the most modern and thrive and grow. This →CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Qatar-Kuwait relations emerging stronger DICID calls for implementation SIDI MOHAMED GCC countries and THE PENINSULA we wish them sta- of religious values bility. Our ambition DOHA: The Speaker of the Advisory is that the rela- THE PENINSULA Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin tionship with all GCC Zaid Al Mahmoud said that the rela- countries, Arab DOHA: In its closing statement the 13th Doha tionship between Qatar and Kuwait countries and Islamic Conference on Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) called is very strong and appreciated the countries to be on for the implementation of religious values in the Kuwaiti stand not only on GCC issues high level,” he added. divine religions and to strengthen international but also on humanitarian issues. The Ambassador laws to protect human rights and to stop viola- He was speaking at the event of Kuwait to Qatar tions, wheather the perpetrators are the states, organised to celebrate the 57th Inde- Hefeez Mohamed Al individuals or groups. pendence Day and 27th Liberation Day Ajmi said in a The conference called on the international of Kuwait organised by the Embassy statement that community to provide the necessary protection of Kuwait at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, bilateral relations for children, women and people with special yesterday. between the brotherly needs, and the family, especially those who are “On this occasion we greet our H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud (third right), Speaker of the Advisory Council, countries Qatar and subjected to violations during war and conflict brothers in Kuwait and we are cel- and H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi (second left), Minister of Finance, cutting a cake with Kuwait Kuwait are very Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of ebrating this day with them. We love Ambassador to Qatar, Hafeez Mohamed Salem Al Ajmi (third left), Minister of Development strong, mentioning the DICID, stressed the need to find effective inter- and wish them the best,” he said. Planning and Statistics, H E Dr Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit (left), Minister of State H E that the size of national mechanisms to guarantee freedom of The anniversary was attended Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari (right) and Qatari Businessmen Association Chairman investment between belief and practice of religious rites, as well as the by Minister of Finance H E Ali Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani to mark Kuwait National Day reception, at the Ritz-Carlton both countries is $7bn need to respect religious sanctities, customs and Shareef Al Emadi; Minister of Doha, yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA in different sectors. traditions of all peoples, An act of intolerance, con- Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh In a meeting with tempt for religions, extremism and terrorism. He Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed journalists on the stressed that the international community must Al Thani; Minister of Development addition to a number of senior dip- are celebrating the anniversary of occasion of 57th Independence Day, act quickly to find solutions to the issues of vio- Planning and Statistics H E Dr Saleh lomats and officials. independence with Kuwaiti brothers he said that the relations cover all lations of human rights that are afflicting many bin Mohamed Al Nabit; Minister of Speaking to reporters at the and there are some Qatari ministers aspects including economy, com- countries of the world today and threaten global Municipality and Environment H E event on unjust siege imposed on who are participating in this anni- merce and military cooperation. security and stability, especially the issue of reli- Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi; Qatar by blockading countries, Al versary celebrations in Kuwait. “This About the size of Qatar exports to gious minorities, refugees, human trafficking, and Minister of State for Foreign Muraikhi said that “Qatar has no our duty towards our brothers in Kuwait, he said that it reached half victims of war, armed conflicts, civil wars and Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al problem and the one who have Kuwait,” he said. a billion dollar last year, while the ethnic cleansing. Muraikhi, Minister of State, H E Dr problem are the siege countries”. He “We wish to our brothers in size of imports from Kuwait to Qatar Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari in also added the Qatari people Kuwait all the best and also to other reached $220m. →CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Thursday 22 February 2018 Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition Young Qatari designers to shine at six-day DJWE 21 – 26, FEBRUARY, 2018, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center e events planned RAYNALD C RIVERA The six-day event, held expanding. Today we have more features of this year’s show different nationalities. For this wellery expo opens

age of H E the Prime Min- erior Minister, Sheikh THE PENINSULA Visitors can take part in one of under the patronage of Prime than 400 brands offered by 47 which Al Obaidli highlighted. exhibition, we have partnered sser bin Khalifa Al Thani, med bin Jassim Al Thani, the complimentary ﬁne jewellery d Commerce, yesterday workshops led by master 15th Doha Jewellery and craftsmen, sharing the intricacies E 2018), at the Doha Exhi- involved in the delicate art of Center (DECC), in the making jewellery. Minister and Interior Minister exhibitors from 10 countries,” Al Obaidli expressed with Qatar Airways for a pro- ries, and special guests. o visitors every day from Monday, 26 February, and tween 4pm and 10pm. local community members and hosted by indus- on’s commitment to nur- try professionals and experts. In addition, creativity, this year’s international watches experts Artcurial, are pro- Young Qatari Designers viding watch collectors with free consultations DOHA: The quindecennial H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Ahmed Al Obaidli, Director of optimism on the turnout of this motion providing 25 percent Ds initiative will shine a and valuations daily. d three returning talented Visitors can take part in one of the complimen- ding them with a unique tary fine jewellery workshops led by master ir new collections along- craftsmen, sharing the intricacies involved in the nal brands. The designers delicate art of making jewellery. The three-hour iraat); Nouf Al Meer (Nouf workshop will teach participants how to bring their Al Majed Jewellery marks 75th anniversary edition of Doha Jewellery and bin Khalifa Al Thani, was offi- Exhibitions at Qatar Tourism year’s show with QTA’s more discount to those travelling to nain; Leila Abu Issa (Leila paintings to life through watercolors, followed by hikha Mohamed (Al Ghla creating designs using wax, and finally the process & Hissa Mohammed Al of preparing metals and setting precious gems. at Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition ). Back by popular demand, French watchmak- signers and to add to this ing expert Objectif Horlogerie returns to host up to Al Majed Jewellery a subdivision of Al Majed Group and renowned luxury jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), one cially opened by Minister of Authority (QTA) told local media aggressive campaigns to Qatar just for the jewellery Included with today’s of the longest running exhibi- Economy and Commerce H E at the opening event. promote the country as a tourist show. Last year there were edition is a special tions in Qatar and one of the Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin The launch of the first-ever destination. 19,000 visitors and with these supplement on Doha largest luxury exhibitions in the Mohammed Al Thani. DJWE Forum, the return of “We have launched ‘Qatar campaigns we are having now region, kicked off to a glittering “We are very happy today Young Qatari Designers (YQDs) Welcomes the World’ campaign we are hoping to increase this Jewellery & Watches start yesterday at Doha Exhi- because we are celebrating the initiative and the charity auction in which we focus on different number,” he said. Exhibition bition and Convention Centre 15th anniversary of the show and which will benefit Education target markets. Last year, we (DECC). it has been growing and Above All are among the main also launched visa waiver to 80 →CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 02 HOME THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Cabinet praises Emir’s Defence Minister attends graduation speech at Munich meet

THE PENINSULA distinguished status of the State of accidents and would be fully inde- Qatar regionally and internationally pendent in its work in accordance with DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday appre- and the appreciation and respect it the requirements of the International ciated the participation of Emir H H enjoys throughout the world. In Civil Aviation Organization. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in addition to the understanding and The Cabinet also approved the draft Munich Security Conference and the support for its positions, orientations resolutions prepared by the Ministry call made by the Emir during the and policies that call for dialogue, of Justice in the framework of the conference to all the countries of the renunciation of disputes, rejection of issuance of executive decisions of the Middle East to engage in a compre- violence and terrorism, and compliance provisions of Law No. 22 of 2017 organ- Under the patronage of H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime hensive security agreement, reflecting with the International Law and Inter- izing the work of real estate Minister and Minister of State of Defence Affairs, the Qatari Armed Forces Qatar’s keenness to achieve security national Conventions. brokerage. celebrated yesterday the graduation of the 9th batch of National Service Recruits and stability in the region. The Cabinet, meanwhile, welcomed Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved at the Meqdam Camp. The celebration was attended by the Chief-of-Staff of the The Cabinet also expressed hope the Memorandum of Understanding a draft resolution of the Minister of Qatari Armed Forces, Major General Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem; Brigadier that the countries of the Middle East (MoU) signed Tuesday by the H E Justice on the Committee of Experts and Saeed Hamd Al Nuaimi, head of the National Service Authority and a number would respond positively to this Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of determines its system of work and of senior military officers and recruits’ parents. sincere call and accelerate to conduct Foreign Affairs with Minister of Foreign reward. this proposed security agreement that Affairs, African Integration and Inter- The Cabinet approved a number of would guarantee security, stability national Cooperation of the Republic draft resolutions of the Board of and peace. of Chad on resuming the relations Directors of the Qatar Development The Cabinet’s appreciation was also between the State of Qatar and the Fund, including a draft decision on the extended to Kuwait’s initiative to hold Republic of Chad. organizational structure of the Fund as the Kuwait International Conference This positive development in the the views of the Ministry of Finance for the Reconstruction of Iraq from relations between the two countries and the Ministry of Administrative February 12 to 14 and its great role in comes in the interests of the two Development, Labor and Social Affairs making it a success under the peoples and in the interest of devel- in this regard. patronage of the Emir of the State of oping bilateral cooperation and Also approved the participation of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al strengthening the two countries’ direc- the State of Qatar at the Hannover Jaber Al Sabah. tions towards peace and stability in the International Industrial Fair,Germany, The meeting of the Cabinet was regions, said the Cabinet. from April 23 to 27 2018. chaired by the Prime Minister and After that the Cabinet reviewed The Cabinet also approved a draft Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah topics on its meeting’s agenda and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The approved a draft law regulating the for cooperation in the field of security Health Minister meets French counterpart meeting was held at the Emiri Diwan land transport and referred it to the between the Ministry of Interior of the Minister of yesterday morning. Advisory Council. State of Qatar, and the Ministry of Public Health Following the meeting, Minister of Among the provisions dealt with in Interior of the Republic of Iraq. Justice and Acting Minister of State for the draft law are provisions related to Meanwhile, the Cabinet reviewed H E Dr Hanan Cabinet Affairs H E Dr Hassan Lahdan the conditions and procedures for the following topics and took the Mohamed Saqr Al Mohannadi stated that at the licensing the activity of land transport appropriate decision: Al Kuwari, outset of its meeting, the Cabinet and the licensee’s obligations to engage The letter of H E Minister of currently praised the speech of the Emir at the in this activity. Economy and Commerce on the results on a visit to opening session of the Munich Con- The Cabinet also approved a draft of the first meeting of the Joint Minis- Paris, met ference last Friday. The speech of Emiri Decree on the reorganization terial Committee for Economic, Com- France’s included positions and visions towards of the General Authority for Civil mercial, and Technical Cooperation Minister of the issues of the region and the world Aviation. between the Government of the State Solidarity as well as constructive ideas and pro- The draft provisions included terms of Qatar and the Government of the and Health posals to address these issues. of reference of the Authority and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Agnes Buzyn. They reviewed cooperation between the two countries and The Cabinet affirmed that the wide terms of reference of its administration, Northern Ireland (London - December means of enhancing and developing them, especially in the health sector. The welcome of the Emir’s participation in and the establishment of an inde- 2017). A memorandum of HE Minister Minister of Public Health visited a number of specialised hospitals in France this conference and the great attention pendent unit called the Accident Inves- of Public Health on the results of her and discussed medical cooperation with their officials. paid to the Emir’s speech inside and tigation Unit, which would be respon- visit to the Republic of Turkey in outside the Conference reflect the sible for the investigation of aviation November 2017. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 HOME 03 Qatar, Turkey issue joint commemorative stamps

THE PENINSULA The joint stamps include the years in many strategic areas including trade, investment and culture,” DOHA: Qatar Postal Services Company photographs of famous Al Nuaimi added. (Qatar Post) and the Turkish Postal historic landmarks in Meanwhile, the Qatari Embassy in Corporation (PTT) have issued joint Qatar and Turkey. The ﬁrst Ankara and the Turkish postal corpo- commemorative stamps, marking of 45 stamp bears pictures of the ration also celebrated the joint issuances years of diplomatic relations between of commemorative stamps. The inau- the State of Qatar and the Republic of Zubara Fort and the Rumeli guration ceremony was held at the Turkey. Fortress, while the second Postal Museum and was addressed by The new issuances were unveiled features Ankara Castle and Director-General of the Turkish Postal yesterday at the Ministry of Transport Barzan Towers. Corporation, Kenan Bozgeyik. and Communications in the presence Bozgeyik praised the Turkish rela- Qatar’s Ambassador to Turkey, Salem bin Mubarak Al Shaﬁ, and Director-General of of Chairman and Managing Director of tions and the joint cooperation initia- the Turkish Postal Corporation, Kenan Bozgeyik, with the commemorative stamp. Qatar Post, Faleh Mohammed Al Nuaimi, tives between the Turkish Postal Cor- and the Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Faleh Mohammed Al Nuaimi praised poration and Qatar Post. Fikret Ozer, as well as a number of offi- the distinct relations between the two He noted that the issuance of the postal corporations in the two countries, will contribute to achieving the great cials from both sides and a delegation brotherly countries, noting that stamps commemorative stamps would perpet- notably the e-market initiative a few objectives of the Qatari and Turkish of Turkish investors. are the shortest and most powerful uate the fraternal relations between the months ago, is expected to achieve a sides, the Ambassador said. The joint stamps include photo- means of communication between two countries. quantum leap in the field of e-commerce The ambassador stressed:“We graphs of famous historic landmarks nations, and it was customary to issue For his part, Qatar’s Ambassador to and the provision of Turkish goods to believe that the official authorities in in Qatar and Turkey. The first stamp commemorative stamps to celebrate Turkey, Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi, said the Qatari consumer at the lowest cost Qatar and Turkey are doing great work bears pictures of the Zubara Fort and the historic turning points in the march that the diplomatic relations between the and as fast as possible. to keep the momentum in the strategic the Rumeli Fortress, while the second of States. two countries were established in 1973 Such initiatives will encourage pro- relations between the two countries, but features Ankara Castle and Barzan “Last month we launched the based on brotherly relations, under- ducers to adopt modern and sophisti- that is not enough on its own. There is Towers. The value of the stamp is esti- Turkish market site and today we are standing and mutual respect, in addition cated means to market their goods and a need to push the private sector in both mated at QR8.50 and will be put up pleased to issue commemorative stamps to a great legacy of history and the increase their production through countries to expand its own initiatives for sale soon. to celebrate 45 years of fruitful diplo- common civilization of the two peoples. e-commerce. They will also open new and partnerships with each other and Speaking on the occasion, Qatar matic relations between our two broth- The Ambassador added that the horizons in the economic relations with the public sector in Qatar and Post Chairman and Managing Director erly countries that have evolved over launch of joint bilateral initiatives by the between the two countries and Turkey as well”. QU president stresses providing highest level of education

QNA the period from 2018 to 2022. sport hall and the hall for the it a global reputation to ranks that the university has nine fac- encourage the students to He talked about the steps University celebrations, and new among the most prestigious uni- ulties and currently provides spend the longest period of DOHA: President of Qatar to develop the student affairs parking lots. versities in the region, stressing various educational programs for time on the campus during the University (QU), Dr Hassan bin sector, such as increasing the In a related context, the QU the keenness on maintaining this more than 20,000 students. study. Rashid Al Derham, underlined number of academic advisors President said that the univer- high position, and the intention On the other hand, QU The President of Qatar Uni- the university’s keenness on to provide more support and sity has established a student to provide more master’s and President announced that the versity urged the students to providing the highest level of advice to university students, housing on the campus that is the doctorate programs and to health services at the univer- speed up achievement and education for its student and the and the construction of the best and finest in the region at a expand the scientific research sity will witness a qualitative engage in the development best scientific programs. largest building in the univer- cost of about QR1bn noting that capabilities that focus on leap this year through the process witnessed by the State, Speaking during a meeting sity dedicated to student the student housing has become national development establishment of a large health stressing that the current condi- with QU students, Dr Al Derham affairs. directly dependent on the Stu- priorities. center. He also stressed that tions of the siege and the recent referred to important aspects of He explained that the Stu- dents Affairs in order to achieve He stressed that these devel- the university has placed a events in Qatar require its people the university’s strategy, espe- dent Affairs Building contains greater harmony. opments make QU graduates large number of services in its to deal with the challenges and cially in its student-related halls that accommodate more Meanwhile, Dr Al Derham more distinguished and able to library, sports halls, reinforce- face them with diligence and aspect, noting that the university than 1500 people, restaurants, said that the University’s distin- compete in the labor market. ment classes and recreation perseverance. has developed a new strategy for offices and others, as well as a guished programs have earned Dr Hassan Al Derham noted facilities, in order to 04 HOME THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Advisory Council Speaker meets envoys Sidra & CCQ deliver Healthcare Ofﬁce Skills Program THE PENINSULA in pursuing a career in medicine, an Medicine’s efforts on expanding the opportunity to be sponsored by Sidra number of Qataris joining the DOHA: Sidra Medicine, a specialty chil- Medicine to pursue further studies in healthcare sector. Aside from training, dren’s, young people and women’s the clinical field. Sidra Medicine also offers scholarship healthcare organisation and member Dr Kholode Al Obaidli, Chief opportunities in nursing, medicine and of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday said Learning Officer, said, “National devel- allied health and ensures that Qatari that over 35 Qataris completed a opment is a major focus for Sidra Med- students sponsored by Sidra Medicine customized four-month “Healthcare icine because we understand that the as well as employees at all levels are Office Skills” program designed in part- healthcare sector is one of the key pillars given access to the right training tools, nership with the Community College of of a dynamic economy. To nurture this mentorship programs and learning Qatar (CCQ). economy and achieve the country’s opportunities to advance their careers The program primarily targets national vision, we must invest in in healthcare. Qatari high school graduates and making healthcare a viable and “CCQ is the fastest growing insti- diploma holders who are interested in attractive career choice. We are very tution in Qatar with over 4,500 stu- an entry-level career in medical admin- proud of the program’s participants and dents enrolled at our campuses,” said istration. It was established following a we hope that their achievements and Dr. Abdalla Hasaimeh, Dean of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) career growth become an inspiration Community College of Qatar. “This that was signed between Sidra Medicine for other talented Qataris who wish to partnership and the program, is the first and CCQ in August 2017. join the healthcare sector.” step towards academic and career Speaker of the Advisory Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud The program includes courses such The program is part of the National advancement for our young Qatari met with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Ajay Sharma. The Speaker also as medical office administration, Development Strategy at Sidra Med- youth. Congratulations to the partici- met separately with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Li Chen. The medical terminology for healthcare, icine which identifies, recruits and pants who have completed the meetings discussed parliamentary relations between the State of Qatar and UK health information management develops Qatar’s future of healthcare program. We are very pleased with as well as China and also ways to boost and develop them. systems and business computer appli- professionals within the organization. their success and we are looking cations. Additionally, it offers partici- The National Development Strategy forward to hearing their future success pants who show efficacy and interest 2.0, launched last year, focuses Sidra stories.”

Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition opens WISH 2018 to examine →CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Al Obaidli stressed the Prime Minister human-centered and Interior Minister’s patronage of the exhibition as a clear expression of the govern- design in health ment’s commitment towards developing the country’s tourism sector through supporting THE PENINSULA The WISH Design in Health and sponsoring exhibitions and events that research group is being led by are the major platforms of business events DOHA: The World Innovation Aaron Sklar, co-founder of Pre- and contribute to achieving the objectives Summit for Health (WISH), an scribe Design and VP of Brand of the Next Chapter of the National Tourism initiative of Qatar Foundation Experience at Giant Creative Sector Strategy. (QF), will explore how design Strategy in San Francisco, USA. The pavilion, which showcases jewellery impacts patient experience at its Throughout his career, Sklar has collections of six up-and-coming Qatari forthcoming conference, WISH led design teams focused on designers participating at the second YQDs 2018, which will take place in improving people’s quality of initiative, has been conspicuously set up right November at the QNCC. life, health, and wellness. Qatar at the entrance of the venue showing the ‘Design in Health’ will be is represented in the research great importance the show gives to nurturing one of nine research topics that group by Dr. Dena Al-Thani, local talent and creativity. Qatari designers will form the focus of WISH Assistant Professor, HBKU. Nada Al Sulaiti (Hairaat), Nouf Al Meer (Nouf 2018, with the research Sklar said, “I am a firm Jewellery), Ghada Al Buainain, Leila Abu Issa centering on design challenges believer in the power of people- (Leila Issam Fine Jewellery), Shikha that can improve health out- centered design to radically Mohamed (Al Ghla Jewellery), and Jawaher Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al comes and the day-to-day expe- transform health and healthcare. & Hissa Mohammed Al Mannai (Ghand Jew- Thani with other dignitaries at the inauguration of the th Doha Jewellery and Watches rience of healthcare providers. For the most part, designers are ellery) are showcasing their new collections Exhibition at DECC yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA The research findings will be an untapped, underutilized asset alongside renowned international brands at presented in a report that will in healthcare.” the show. Six bespoke pieces by YQDs will continue to be held daily until the last day national markets. be published in time for WISH Sultana Afdhal, who was be auctioned by AlBahie Auction House on of the exhibition. International watches experts Artcurial 2018, and will be discussed in recently appointed as CEO of Sunday, proceeds of which will all go to Edu- Scheduled today is the inaugural are providing watch collectors free consul- depth during a panel session to WISH, said, “We are delighted cation Above All (EAA) foundation. Watches and Jewellery Forum sponsored by tations and valuations daily. be held during the prestigious that this year’s research focus Fine jewellery workshops led by master Fifty One East. To be held at Shangri-La Doha Organised by QTA and delivered by biennial event. The report aims on design in healthcare aims to craftsmen and complimentary watchmaking this morning, this new initiative will high- Auditoire, DJWE 2018 is open to visitors until to result in policy recommen- bring clarity to a subject that has sessions by French watchmaking expert light jewellery designers’ role in refining the Monday from 12 noon until 10pm. On Friday, dations that can improve the potential to deliver positive Objectif Horlogerie began yesterday and will jewelry and gem industry in local and inter- it will be open from 4pm to 10pm. healthcare. change in healthcare.”

Finalists for Lexus Design Award announced

THE PENINSULA prototype their designs under the guidance and mentorship of an DOHA: Lexus International recently elite team of established creators, announced the 12 finalists who have been namely Lindsey Adelman, Jessica shortlisted for the Lexus Design Award Walsh, Sou Fujimoto, and 2018, an international design platform that Formafantasma. identifies and recognises the next gener- ŭƔ ?ƈL0ÝůƔ& &U2 Ɣſ Ù²Å¢ãƔ ation of global creators and designers, and Fernandes da Silva (Portugal), Ana gives them the opportunity to receive Trindade Fonseca (Portugal)}: mentorship from established global Mentored by Lindsey Adelman designers, prototype funding, and an invi- – A system connecting cork tation to exhibit at the Lexus Design Event thread, a sustainable material and during Milan Design Week. computational process that gen- Now in its sixth consecutive year, the erates design products. theme for this year’s award is ‘CO-,’ ŭƔ$ÌÆ¢ÝãƔ¬¬ůƔ¢Ýã°¢ã²ƔſIè¿Ɣ derived from the Latin prefix meaning Yong Rit Fui (Malaysia), Jaihar ‘with or together in harmony.’ ‘CO-’ Jailani Bin Ismail (Malaysia)}: explores the possibilities of how design Mentored by Jessica Walsh – can seek solutions and overcome barriers Connecting Technology (Intel- for a range of global challenges by Pictures of LDA judges & mentors. ligent Ink Pigment) and Design ensuring the harmonious co-existence of (Indicator) to show egg’s nature and society. said: “It has been exciting to follow the edibility. This year’s Lexus Design Award journey of the 12 finalists and the prom- ŭƔL¢ø¿¢Ɣ ²¢ÙƔI¿Æã¢ÙůƔÙ²½ÌƔjÌ½Ì²Ɣ involved an unprecedented level of par- ising work they have delivered to create (Japan): ticipation attracting over 1,300 entries innovative solutions that can help shape Mentored by Sou Fujimoto – Co-fusion from 68 countries. Sir David Adjaye, one a better future. Through the Lexus Design textile and green design to repurpose used of the judges, said: “It has been thrilling to Award, Lexus is supporting the next gen- clothes. gain insight into how the next generation eration of designers and creators by ŭƔU¢Ýã²Æ¬Ɣ$øÖÌã°¢ã²¿ÝůƔ÷ãÙÖÌ¿ã²ÌÆƔ of designers is translating new concepts offering them a platform to explore their ãÌÙøƔſ °Ù²ÝãÌÖ°¢ÙƔdÌ¢½¢ÆƔƃ ¢ÙÅÆøƄůƔ and philosophies into innovative solutions creativity, visualize, and develop their Elliott P. Montgomery (USA)}: to answer the fundamental concerns unique design ideas, and work under the Mentored by Formafantasma – A col- facing us today.” expert guidance of distinguished mentors, laboratively imagined test site that The creations of former Lexus Design to showcase their designs to the world. explores speculative relationships between Award finalists and winners have been We thank our customers and fans for their society, technology and the drawing positive attention at prominent support, which serves as a constant source environment. industry events, including ‘Iris’ by 2014 of inspiration for us to continuously create The four prototypes and detailed pres- finalist Sebastian Scherer that won the amazing experiences.” entation boards from the designs of the German Design Award 2016 and ‘Sense- The 12 finalists were chosen after con- other eight finalists will be showcased as Wear’ by 2015 finalist Caravan that won siderable deliberation by a panel of pres- part of the Lexus Design Event at this Venice Design Week’s Wearable Technol- tigious judges, which was further year’s Milan Design Week* in April. The ogies Contest in 2016. strengthened this year with the addition 12 finalists will present their work to the Yugo Miyamoto, Chief Representative of world-renowned architects Sir David judging panel and international media. of Middle East & North Africa Represent- Adjaye and Shigeru Ban. Four of the 12 Following the presentation, a Grand Prix ative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, finalists (listed below) were selected to winner will be selected. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 HOME 05 QA to go ahead with expansion plans

→CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Qatar Airways has already added many new destinations to its network in 2018, including Pattaya, Thailand; Penang, Malaysia and Canberra, Aus- tralia, with direct service to Car- diff, United Kingdom; Mykonos, Greece; and Malaga, Spain, set to launch this year. “This expansion is going to keep on growing. Next moth we will receive seven more 350s in our fleet. We will receive 777s, again a record for an airline to receive seven aer- oplane in just one month, it shows that our march is going The Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, with other officials during the delivery of ﬁrst Qatar Airways A - touching down in Doha. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA ahead and Qatar Airways is really the star in the airline industry today,” said Al Baker. The new A350-1000 will go Qatar and the United Kingdom’s Doha-London route last summer in addition to being the global state-of-the-art Gulfstream Airbus Vice-President Sales into full commercial service on capital. The arrival of the A350- on the B777, and was soon fol- launch customer for the A350- G650ER executive aircraft, the Commercial Aircraft, David the airline’s Doha-London route, 1000 is a sign of the airline’s con- lowed by service to Paris and 1000, the airline was also the fastest ultra-long-range business Dufrenois; Rolls Royce Senior on which the A350-900, the tinued commitment to rolling out New York, with service to Wash- global launch customer for the jet in the world, making Qatar Vice President Middle East, John A380, Boeing 777 and 787 Qsuite across its fleet. The first ington, DC launched last month. A350-900 in 2014. Airways the world’s largest Kelly, and other senior officials Dreamliner already operate, aircraft fully-fitted with Qsuite Qatar Airways is known for The airline also recently took owner-operator of Gulfstream were present during the event. offering six flights a day between was launched on the its commitment to global firsts; delivery of its fourth G650ERs. DICID calls for implementation of religious values President of the Republic of international law to protect vul- differences that require scrutiny In the same context, Associate Human Rights Training and Doc- Tajikistan. The conference at its nerable religious groups and and reservation. Professor of Political Science and umentation Center for South-West third session held on yesterday the minorities, to combat religious ter- For his part, Mohamad Anwari International Relations at Greece’s Asia and the Arab Region, George human rights issues between rorism and ethnic cleansing in from Nepal said that human rights University of Peloponnese, Dr. Abu Al Zulf stressed the impor- heavenly laws and international addition to combat discrimination are central to international legis- Sotirios Roussos discussed the sit- tance of values and principles covenants, warning of the current on a religious basis. lation, noting the Doha Conference uation of minorities in the Middle regarding the protection of human challenges to the promotion of Morocco’s Minister of State for for Interfaith Dialogue for its East under the current political sit- rights and dignity, as well as other those rights in the world. Human Rights Mustapha Ramid interest in this vital subject. uation. The High Representative human values stipulated in the The participants discussed the underlined the approach of human Lawyer and politician at the for the United Nations Alliance of Universal Declaration of Human religious perspective of human rights in Islam and its relationship National Institute Against Discrim- Civilizations, Nassir Abdulaziz Al Rights, such as freedom, justice, rights in times of peace and con- to international legitimacy. ination, Xenophobia, and Racism Nasser, stressed the importance brotherhood, equality and human Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, flict, the position of heavenly laws In his speech on behalf of the in Argentina Claudio Presman of harmonizing religions and solidarity. Chairman of DICID. and international laws on the siege Moroccan Minister, Abdel Wahid underlined the importance of human rights and how to avoid For his part Dr. Michael of states, the protection of civil- Al Atheer, chief of staff at the min- framing religious practices and conflicts between them. Andrews from the US stressed the →CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ians from the dangers of military istry of state in charge of human constitutional freedoms in local Al Nasser spoke about the role need for dialogue with one lan- operations and the religious and rights, referred to some conver- laws and in constitutional legisla- of the United Nations Alliance of guage while listening carefully to Al Nuaimi stressed that states legal position towards victims of gence and intersections between tion, pointing to the experience of Civilizations, calling it a “bridge the other to resolve differences in that foster religious, ethnic or ref- wars and conflicts. The partici- some formulations in the interna- Argentina in this context. connecting the members of the a changing world with a variety of ugee minorities should take pants presented experiences from tional legitimacy of human rights Prof. Jorge Bacelar Gouveia human family” to better coexist in races and religions, and the estab- serious measures to raise aware- Argentina, Portugal, Nepal, and and Quranic verses. He said this from the University of Lisbon peace and tolerance. lishment of positive relationships ness of the rights of these minor- Croatia to integrate religious basic ethical consensus between pointed out that the Portuguese During the panel discussion between religions followers, ities in their educational curricula values into human rights laws, Islam and the international legit- domestic laws that promote reli- entitled “The Implementation of reviewing the interaction of reli- and media. At the closing session, including constitutional legislation imacy of human rights does not gious freedom and practice in the Religious Values in Support of gions on human rights in order to the DICID signed MoU with the derived from the laws of religions. mean full compatibility in detail, country have granted various International Human Rights Law”, live in a world free of violence and Center for Islamic Studies of the They noted the responsibility of but there are some limited minorities their full religious rights. the Director of the United Nations extremism. Bone & Joint Center offers holistic services for orthopaedic conditions

FAZEENA SALEEM speakers. THE PENINSULA The fourth Qatar International Spine Conference was held under the theme spinal deformity including paediatirics DOHA: The Bone and Joint Center, which and adult deformities. It included inter- is a branch of Hamad General Hospital national and regional spine surgeons and (HGH), treats a wide array of orthopaedic researchers in the field of spine surgery. conditions and provide a holistic range of It was attended by surgeons, spine prac- services ranging from diagnosis to phys- titioners, allied health professionals and iotherapy. researchers. With a dedicated healthcare team, the The third Qatar Foot and Ankle Con- Centre provides specialised outpatient ference, was held in collaboration with services for fractures, paediatric ortho- Hamad General Hospital and the Medical paedic, spine, foot and ankle injuries, Education Department. The two day event anthroplasty (surgery of the joint) and discussed on recent practices and knowl- sports medicine, according to Dr edge of the orthopaedic foot and ankle Mohamed Al Ateeq Al Dosari (pictured), discipline. A variety of lectures, workshops Head of Orthopedic Surgery and Director and papers were highlighted during the of Bone and Joint Center. “The services, access to patient diagnostics and infor- event. “Well-known experts at both con- including a radiology department with mation. And patients are referred to the ferences exchanged their experiences and specialised CT, MRI and ultrasound capa- Hamad General Hospital for surgical update on Foot and Ankle and Spine Sur- bilities, considerably reduce wait time for intervention. gery and helped to enhance the level of patients, who also benefit from a multi- The Centre is also the first in the knowledge in treating patients,” said Dr disciplinary approach to care at the Middle East to operate the low-dose 3D Al Dosari. facility, which minimises patient move- imaging EOS machine, which provides a “Such conferences will also enhance ment throughout the centre and has full body skeletal 3D scan in less than 30 the medical service here, we will not be nurses, doctors and specialists visiting seconds. behind other countries. It also provides patients in treatment rooms,” he told The While, with an aim to further a platform for us to showcase the services Peninsula yesterday. enhancing orthopaedic care in the country and facilities we have in our country,” he The clinic rooms at the Centre, have recently, two major conferences were held added. an open concept and have high-tech with the participation of more than 500 Both conferences also saw 12 research equipment allowing for up-to-the-minute delegates and several international papers presented on different subjects. 06 HOME THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Lecture explores history of US-Arab relations

THE PENINSULA The lecture was based Arabs and Americans spoke a common language of DOHA: The shared history of on ﬁndings from modernisation.” modernisation between Arabs Professor Nathan J. The lecture was based on and Americans was expounded Citino’s book, which findings from Citino’s book, at a recent lecture at George- which includes new research in town University in Qatar includes new research both Arabic and English. The (GU-Q), where Professor in both Arabic and book assesses the regional impli- Nathan J. Citino shared insights English. cations of US power while exam- from his recent book Envi- ining a range of topics that tran- sioning the Arab Future: scend Arab-Israeli conflict, such Modernization in US-Arab as travel, community, gender, oil, Relations, 1945-1967. development of post-revolu- and agriculture in both the Citino is a professor at Rice tionary Iraq. United States and the Middle University who specialises in the “The study of past Arab- East. history of US and the world with American relations can help us The historian, who holds a a focus on the Middle East. His to see contemporary issues in Ph.D. from Ohio State Univer- talk focused on modernisation new ways,” said Citino. sity, is also the author of From as a key theme of US Arab rela- “Not so long ago, the domi- Arab Nationalism to Opec: Eisen- Professor Nathan J. Citino during the lecture. tions during the Cold War and nant political discourse in the hower, King Saud, and the included case studies of global Arab world concerned secular Making of US-Saudi Relations. including articles in titles such International Journal of Middle History Review, the Arab Studies Arab travel and conflicts over the economic development, and He has published widely, as Diplomacy and Statecraft, the East Studies, the Business Journal, and Cold War History. HBKU hosts diplomatic panel on ME situation

THE PENINSULA challenges in the region as well as international affairs. DOHA: Hamad Bin Khalifa Founding Dean of CHSS Dr University’s (HBKU) College of Amal Mohammed Al Malki said, Humanities and Social Sciences “It is a pleasure to bring the (CHSS) conducted a panel academic and diplomatic com- discussion on ‘Conceptualizing munities together in an the Middle East’, comprised of insightful conversation about college professors and distin- the Middle East. We have guished members of the diplo- drawn on the expertise of the matic community, yesterday. ambassadors and the research Hosted by HBKU in Educa- of our faculty members to tion City, Willy Kempel, Ambas- engage the students as active sador of Austria; Ajay Sharma, participants on the discussion Ambassador of the United about the current situation in Kingdom; and Dr Bashir Al the Middle East and its ramifi- Shirawi, the former ambassador cations. By engaging students, File pictures of Raytheon and of Qatar to South Africa, were in we were able to successfully Thales stalls. attendance alongside faculty and build connections between students. what is taught in the classroom HBKU panelists, including Dr and what happens in reality, Raytheon and Steven M. Wright, associate dean further opening a space for and a professor at CHSS, as well intellectual freedom of speech.” Thales ‘Silver as Dr Reem Meshal, associate The panel’s areas of dis- The panelists at HBKU’s ‘Conceptualizing the Middle East’ discussion. professor at CHSS, took part in course included discussions on Sponsors’ of the dialogue. the roles of women, gender and to coexistence in globalised contribute to promoting secu- with embassies, HBKU actively In a series of panel conver- youth in the Middle East as well societies. rity and regional order. promotes discourse, critical DIMDEX 2018 sations that were administered as the ideological challenges and In a conversation on the geo- This year’s panel discussion thinking, and multiculturalism by faculty, the speakers each future prospects facing the political climate from a Qatar- comes as the latest in a series of at its campus, as well as fosters THE PENINSULA presented their specialist views greater region. centric perspective, the panelists events that HBKU has organised a dynamic learning environment on a wide array of topics that It also touched upon issues deliberated on how other states, with diplomatic missions across for all members of its DOHA: The organising touched upon emerging such as extremism and hurdles outside the region, may Doha. Through its collaboration community. committee of Doha Interna- tional Maritime Defence Exhi- bition and Conference (DIMDEX) has announced global defence contractor QC to launch 2nd edition of Future’s Writers Program Raytheon Company, and French defence electronics THE PENINSULA Qatar Charity, said that Qatar launched under the generous The Minister of Culture and and promoted by a number of group Thales as ‘Silver Spon- Charity has completed its prep- patronage of Barwa Bank, Sports H E Salah bin Ghanim Al well-known bodies and per- sors’ of the 6th edition of the DOHA: Qatar Charity has arations to launch the second noting that Qatar Charity Ali stressed during the session sonalities including the Minister region’s leading maritime completed its preparations to edition of the program, which sought coordination and part- that writers and authors should of Culture and Sports, H E Salah defence show. launch the second edition of the will be characterised by greater nership with the Ministry of be responsible for making a bin Ghanim Al Ali. DIMDEX 2018 will take “Future’s Writers” program. openness to the different seg- Culture and Sports, Qatar Uni- positive change in society It is worth noting that six place from March 12 to 14 at the The second edition will ments of society, including versity, Qatari Forum For through the production of stories have been announced QNCC under the patronage of allow larger segments of male and female. Authors, Dar Roza and the knowledge, so that Qatar will as winners in the first edition Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin society, to participate in the Al Ghareeb added that the Khair Jalees Book Club to remain as an example of the of the “Future’s Writers” Pro- Hamad Al Thani, and hosted program, opening up to a program will include two main implement the program, in a moral excellence, hoping that gram for the academic year and organised by Qatar Armed broader spectrum of govern- categories as adolescents (12-16 way that ensures its success. the next generation will be the 2016-2017, which was imple- Forces. “We are delighted to mental and non-governmental years) and youth (17-20 years), Al Ghareeb explained that best to serve the country at the mented at the level of schools have global technology and bodies for coordination and pointing out that the competi- Qatar Charity aims, through cultural and intellectual level. in Qatar in cooperation with the defence leaders such as partnership. tion will be held between March this program’ to contribute to The first edition of the Ministry of Education and Raytheon and Thales Group Ali Ibrahim Al Ghareeb, and mid-May of this year. enriching the cultural scene, “Future’s Writers” Program has Higher Education, Qatar Uni- support DIMDEX and become Executive Director of Local Al Ghareeb also said that developing and advancing the achieved many of its objectives versity and Khair Jalees Book Silver Spon-sors of the world- Operations Department at the second edition will be Qatari society. and was also praised Club. class event. This demonstrates the confidence DIMDEX has earned and under-scores the value it offers its partners year on year,” said Staff Brigadier Top performers (Sea) Abdulbaqi S. Al-Ansari, Chairman of DIMDEX. Global defence leaders are to light up Mall continuing to support DIMDEX as a recognised strategic platform to showcase the latest industry innovations and of Qatar’s Oasis secure lucrative meetings with VIP delegates. THE PENINSULA every time they visit our mall. Raytheon Company is a Bringing this world class show technology and innovation DOHA: Mall of Qatar (MOQ) to Qatar, aims at promoting Mall leader specialising in defence, kicks off tonight a colorful of Qatar as a must-visit destina- civil government and cyberse- dancing and light show as part tion, and supporting Qatar curity solutions. With a history of its line-up of free family enter- tourism. We are proud to invite of innovation spanning 96 tainment. families and friends to come to years, Raytheon provides state- Running until March 3 at our mall and be part of this one- of-the-art electronics, mission MOQ’s Oasis stage, this amazing of-a-kind show” said Stuart systems integration, C5ITM light show features two acts Elder, Mall of Qatar CEO. products and services, sensing, namely Alice in Wonderland that Dancers and acrobats will effects, and mission support for will be performed at 6pm and take the audience on a journey customers in more than 80 Mélange Art at 8.30pm. to a new wonderful world. The countries. With 180 exhibitors “At Mall of Qatar, we prom- entertainers will perform a spec- from around the world taking ised to bring spectacular talents tacular show, while wearing LED part in the DIMDEX 2018 , and and performances to provide a costumes that light in the dark more than 60 countries will The Mall of Qatar kicks off dancing and light show tonight as part of its line-up of free family entertainment. new experience to our visitors aided by special sound effects. participate in it. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 HOME 07 QA & HIA ﬁrst to test EBT

THE PENINSULA Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways HIA is thriving to introduce have successfully completed the International automated processes and self- DOHA: Hamad International service at every touch point of Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways Air Transport Association’s Electronic Bag Tag the travel journey in order to have successfully completed the readability tests in Mena. facilitate faster passenger move- International Air Transport ment within the terminal, while Association’s (IATA) Electronic complying with the highest Bag Tag (EBT) readability tests, lead on re-inventing the pas- cutting-edge technologies. The standards for service quality, making HIA the first airport in senger journey. airport’s passenger-centric security and safety. the Middle East and North Africa HIA Vice-President Com- approach is designed to give Qatar Airways Group has an (Mena) region confirmed ready mercial and Marketing, passengers full control and inde- established track record of early to accept EBTs. Abdulaziz Al Mass, said: “Hamad pendence over their journey, adoption of technological and The programme aims to pro- International Airport is one of from arrival and transfers to operational innovations, making vide a more seamless travel the most advanced airports in boarding, achieving minimal and it a logical choice for IATA to col- experience for passengers, the world, and is accelerating its seamless connection time. laborate with in conducting including reduced time spent in digital transformation moved by “We are glad to be the first these trials. queues, a simplified baggage the ambition to become the ‘air- in the region to have confirmed Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior drop process and increased port of the future’ with the pas- the capability to use electronic Vice President Airport, Pas- relaxation time at the airport, as senger at the core of our baggage tags with IATA, and we senger, Cargo and Security, said: well as providing greater oper- business.” will continue to invest in smart “Qatar Airways’ and Hamad ating and carbon efficiency. In Gearing up to welcome 50 technologies to provide our pas- International Airport’s decision the future customers will have million passengers in the years sengers with a smooth and to accept Electronic Bag Tags a permanent electronic bag tag to come, HIA is going a step fur- seamless travel experience.”, (EBTs) following a successful removing the need to print and ther in implementing its Smart said Hamad International Air- trial is a significant step towards apply traditional bag tags. Qatar Airport Programme aimed at port Vice President Operations, the global acceptance of EBTs. Airways and HIA are taking the empowering passengers through Ian Metsovitis. The IATA Global Passenger Survey reconfirmed that this is something passengers want to use, and the trial proves that the tags are compatible with existing baggage systems. IATA calls on The Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar, Ashud Ahmed, hoisting other countries to accept these the National Flag of Bangladesh at half-mast on the occasion of tags. We thank Qatar Airways for its support of this trial, which the National Martyrs’ Day and the International Mother Language again demonstrates its commit- Day 2018 at the embassy premises. ment to excellence for all customers”. The Ground Services team Bangladesh Embassy that provides passenger check- in and baggage receipt for Qatar observes Martyrs’ Day Airways, see this successful trial of electronic bag tags at HIA as a significant step forward in pro- & Mother Language Day viding customers self-service options. THE PENINSULA International Mother Language Passengers not travelling Day was arranged. The speakers with Qatar Airways will also DOHA: The Embassy of Bangla- highlighted the contributions of benefit from this world-leading desh in Qatar has observed the the language martyrs towards EBT capability through Qatar National Martyrs’ Day and Inter- the birth of an independent Aviation Services (QAS) – Qatar national Mother Language Day Bangladesh. Airways Group’s award-winning yesterday with due solemnity. In his speech, the Ambas- ground handling company – The programme started with sador recalled the supreme sac- which handles all baggage hoisting of the National Flag at rifices of the language martyrs Officials pose for a group picture at Hamad International Airport. through HIA airport. half mast by Ambassador Ashud of Bangladesh and mentioned Ahmed at the Embassy premises that the 1952 Language Move- in the presence of Embassy offi- ment is considered as the most cials and a good number of expa- decisive episode and a turning triate Bangladeshi nationals. point in the history of Bangladesh Ooredoo wins ‘Digital They stood in solemn silence as its spirit led to the independ- there for a minute as a mark of ence of Bangladesh. He also Service Assurance respect to the memories of the recalled the immense contribu- 1952 Language Movement mar- tions of the Father of the Nation Innovator of the Year’ award tyrs of Bangladesh. ‘Doa’ was also of Bangladesh Bangabandhu offered for the salvation of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during THE PENINSULA Evaluation experts praised departed souls in the the 1952 language movement. Ooredoo for using industry- programme. He thanked the expatriate DOHA: Ooredoo, one of the leading BMC software solutions The messages from the Pres- Bangladesh nationals in Qatar for region’s leading ICT providers, to take Qatar Data Centre to the ident, Prime Minister, Foreign their hard labour and contribu- announced yesterday it has won next level, particularly in The Ooredoo COO and other officials with the BMC Award. Minister, State Minister for For- tions to the nation building. An the “Digital Service Assurance enhancing IT service manage- eign Affairs of Bangladesh on the audio visual presentation on Innovator of the Year” award for ment and digital service manage- excellence, and supporting and disaster recovery, cloud solu- day were read out. A discussion International Mother Language the Middle East and North Africa ment platforms. Ooredoo was Qatar’s digital transformation. tions, data backup and restora- meeting on the significance of the Day was screened during the dis- by global digital software leader cited for the speed of deploy- Ooredoo will continue to tion, hosting and co-location, National Martyrs’ Day and cussion meeting. BMC Software, highlighting Qatar ment, return on investment, and enhance Qatar’s leading data infrastructure monitoring and Data Centre’s innovative digital high levels of customer centre, allowing our business management, IT security, man- transformation. satisfaction. customers to deliver new digital aged storage and web content BMC is a global leader in Yousef Abdulla Al Kubaisi. business models and further delivery. Business customers can Al Hammadi, President of Syriac innovative software solutions, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo enhance customer leverage the Ooredoo Advantage, and recognised Ooredoo at the Qatar, said: “Winning the region’s satisfaction.” making Ooredoo “Best for Busi- League discuss cooperation recent BMC Exchange 2017 Cus- ‘Digital Service Assurance Inno- The Qatar Data Centre is one ness”, thanks to its breadth and tomer Awards. Ooredoo was one vator of the Year’ award is a of the region’s most advanced depth of talent, best fixed and DOHA: Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry H E Dr Ahmed of three winners from the Middle major accomplishment by data centre facilities, offering a mobile networks, broadest port- bin Hassan Al Hammadi, met with President of the Syriac League East and North Africa, and stood Ooredoo, underlining our com- full range of managed and hosted folio of ICT services and solu- Habib Afram on the sidelines of the 13th Doha Conference on Inter- out among BMC’s more than mitment to innovation for service services. Business customers can tions, and trusted partner for 60 faith Dialogue. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation 10,000 customers. automation, operational benefit from business continuity years. in addition to matters of mutual interest. General Directorate of Trafﬁc opens ofﬁce at QU THE PENINSULA The establishment areas of collaboration include of the new office at joint research projects in areas DOHA: Qatar University (QU) of transportation and traffic President Dr Hassan Al Derham QU aims to develop safety. Following the inaugura- and General Directorate of collaboration between tion ceremony, QTTSC and GDT Traffic (GDT) Director Brigadier QTTSC and GDT on held a workshop on “The change Mohammed Saad Al Kharji the exchange of in drivers bahavior and its effect yesterday performed the ribbon- on traffic safety”. cutting ceremony to inaugurate information and Dr Khalifa Al Khalifa said: GDT Office at QU. consultancy on traffic “The inauguration of the new The event was attended by safety. office is part of the memo- General-Secretary of the randum of understanding (MoU) National Traffic Safety Com- which was signed between QU mittee Brigadier Mohamed Al office at QU aims to develop col- and GDT last year. The MoU Malki, QU College of Engineering laboration between QTTSC and aimed to establish collaboration (CENG) Dean Dr Khalifa Al Kha- GDT on the exchange of infor- between both institutions to lifa, CENG Qatar Transportation mation and consultancy on reduce road traffic crashes and and Traffic Safety Center traffic safety. In this regard, to develop a safe road transpor- (QTTSC) Acting Director Prof QTTSC and GDT will cooperate tation system in line with the Faris Tarlochan, and represent- to develop awareness campaigns National Road Safety Strategy.” atives from the Ministry of Inte- and new training programs for Brigadier Mohammed Saad A group picture of officials at the opening of the General Directorate of Traffic office at Qatar University. rior (MoI) and the National drivers, and will run develop- Al-Kharji said: “I would like to Traffic Safety Committee, as well ment programs in coordination express my gratitude to QU for as QU officials, faculty and staff. with international organizations its progressive efforts to launch studies, research and surveys Qatar’s traffic safety challenges collaboration efforts to overcome The establishment of the new and research centers. Other the GDT Office, and for providing that help find solutions for and that add value to our these challenges.” 08 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Lebanon gets tough on the press ahead of polls

AP talk show, Kalam Ennas, in Lebanese authorities acceptable in Lebanon when a wider regional rivalry that has Hariri walked backed his November. “Is it possible that military court can issue a sen- fueled wars in Syria and Yemen. resignation later in November. BEIRUT: A string of court cases today Lebanese journalists are are getting tough on tence to prison or exile because Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Haddad’s case, and Ghanem’s, and judicial investigations afraid of the spectre of the free speech ahead of an opinion,” said Mhanna. abrupt resignation last November are still working their way through against Lebanese media figures authorities?” Ghanem and others of national elections, Justice Minister Selim Jreis- only served to inflame the situa- the judiciary, while new episodes is testing this country’s reputa- targeted by criminal suits and summoning two sati said Ghaddar was accusing tion. Many here saw the resigna- of their shows air on the same tion as a forum for ideas in a investigations say the political the army of treason, and that this tion as orchestrated by his patron, Lebanese network, LBC. region blanketed by censorship class is closing ranks ahead of leading talk show was not protected by the consti- Saudi Arabia, as an indication of Others, too, have faced har- and threats to the press. parliamentary elections in May hosts to court over tutionally-enshrined principle of its dissatisfaction with Hezbollah’s assment. In July, journalist Fidaa Lebanese authorities are get- — the first national referendum on-air remarks and freedom of speech. sway over Lebanese politics. Itani was detained and interro- ting tough on free speech ahead in eight years — and trying to sentencing an analyst “She calls herself Lebanese?” Saudi politicos and journal- gated after criticizing the army’s of national elections, summoning tamp down on the torrent of Jreissati said in a phone call. ists flooded Lebanese channels treatment of Syrian refugees in two leading talk show hosts to media opprobrium since a to jail. Ghanem, who has hosted his as the local press sought an a Facebook post. He agreed to court over on-air remarks and national trash crisis disgraced show for 23 years, said he was explanation, attracting talk and take it down. In November, sentencing an analyst to jail for politicians in 2015. Ghaddar charged that Lebanon’s blindsided by the charges lev- comedy show barbs. authorities arrested the head of comments she made in Wash- “The vulnerable ‘system’ Army was showing leniency to eled against him after he refused Hicham Haddad, a leading the Civil Islamic Coalition, ington about the Lebanese army. needs to be protected,” said the Shia group while cracking to testify in a criminal investiga- late night host, is facing legal Ahmad Ayoubi, on charges of A raft of taboos enshrined by Hanin Ghaddar, a Lebanese ana- down on Sunni extremists. tion of a guest accused of action after making a joke at the defaming the president and law is shielding the country’s lyst at the Washington Institute, Ghaddar’s case is “a mark of defaming Lebanon’s leaders. expense of Saudi Arabia’s Crown insulting a “brotherly nation.” He military, political leaders, and who was sentenced by a military shame on Lebanon,” said Ayman Jreissati, who belongs to Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was later released on bail. religious institutions from court to six months in prison for Mhanna, the executive director Aoun’s party, said at the time that in January.It is illegal to “defame” Lebanon has endured a tur- criticism. comments she made at a U S of the Samir Kassir Foundation, the press had lost its “moral and Lebanon’s political leaders, its bulent 13 years since its so-called “The Lebanese journalist symposium in 2014. Ghaddar, a press freedoms organisation professional bearings.” The epi- army and foreign leaders - a “Cedar Revolution” forced Syr- used to be a pioneer for freedoms who lives in Washington, said named after the late editor of sode underscored the perils of tempting threshold for come- ia’s military — and its feared for the entire Arab world,” said she would not return to Lebanon Lebanon’s An Nahar newspaper, journalism in Lebanon’s charged dians to cross in a country where intelligence services, which had Marcel Ghanem, who is facing a to serve her sentence. who was assassinated in 2005. political atmosphere, where foreign meddling is a staple of directed the press and politics suit because of remarks made by An outspoken critic of the “No politician can say that Saudi Arabia and Iran grapple for national politics. It is also illegal from behind the scenes — out of a guest on his highly regarded militant group Hezbollah, the status of freedom is influence in the context of a to insult religion. the country.

Lebanon arrests former Turkey ‘victim of Syrian IS financial civil war’: Professor official ANATOLIA charter, and respect for Syria’s REUTERS territorial integrity, it said. MOSCOW: Turkey is a victim The military also said only BEIRUT: Lebanese intelli- in the Syrian war that has terror targets were being gence arrested a man suffered the most because of destroyed and that “utmost yesterday they believe was a the events taking place there, care” was being taken to not financial official for Islamic head of Istanbul-based Istinye harm civilians. State in Syria, a security University’s Department of The professor said: “Some source said. International Relations said on say Turkey is attacking civilians The Syrian, arrested in the Tuesday. in Afrin. I can’t agree with it, northern Lebanese city of Turkey has been there for and I’m from military, I know Tripoli, was responsible for the Syrian people since the what I am talking about. collecting money for the mil- start of the civil war in their “Turkey is targeting only itant group in Albu Kamal, a country and continues to back terrorist organizations — PKK city in eastern Syria, before Syrian territorial integrity, and PYD. Turkey is very careful, Islamic State was routed from Professor Dr Mesut Hakki every step in Afrin is calibrated, the area, the source said. Casin said. adjusted. Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali Al Sabah (centre), Kuwaiti film producer of “Swarm of Doves”, the first In November, the Syrian Casin, who was in Moscow “And Turkey doesn’t aim to feature-length film about the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, with the film crew during a screening army and its allies recaptured as one of the participants at the break down territorial integrity at the Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center in Kuwait City late on Tuesday. Albu Kamal, Islamic State’s Discussion Club Valday that and independence of Syria. We last significant town in Syria. concluded on Tuesday evening, don’t want problems with Syria, Most IS members withdrew said Turkey so far has hosted we respect Syrian integrity and Kuwait’s first film on Iraq from the town during the 3.5 million Syrians that ended we always protect Syrian inde- battle. up taking the pressure off pros- pendence and sovereignty.” The arrested man, whom perous European countries About the role of Russia in the invasion to make local debut the source identified only as where most asylum seekers aim Syrian conflict, Casin said he Saud, entered Lebanon to seek refuge. sees the country as a mediator through a legal border crossing But despite everything in the conflict. He suggested AFP invasion”. “The film does not bear any using his brother’s identity. It Turkey continues to suffer from that Russian President Vladimir The film, directed by Ram- ill will to the Iraqi people,” actor was not clear when he entered unjust accusations over Syria’s Putin should return to the KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti cinemas adan Khasrouh and on the fes- Daoud Hussein said. the country and whether he Afrin region, he said. Middle East “to challenge the today will launch public screenings tival circuit since 2017, highlights “The director and screen- was planning any militant On January 20, Turkey balance of power in the inter- of “Swarm of Doves”, the Gulf moments of humanity that tran- writer made sure this film activities, the source said. launched Operation Olive national relations to multipolar state’s first feature-length film scended the conflict between Iraq doesn’t put salt on the wound,” Lebanese authorities say Branch to clear YPG/PKK- the situation”. about the 1990 invasion of the Gulf and its tiny, oil-rich neighbour. said Hussein, who plays the they have disrupted a number Daesh terrorists from Afrin. “Russian role is in com- state by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. In one scene, an Iraqi soldier film’s protagonist resisting the of IS plots in recent months. According to the Turkish bining all the parties.” He added The film is “inspired by true is ordered by his commander to invasion. The last very big jihadist General Staff, the operation he expects Presidents Putin, events” that occurred during the kill a Kuwaiti but he refuses after Kuwait earlier this month attack in Lebanon was a sui- aims to establish security and Recep Tayyip Erdogan and seven-month occupation, pro- remembering words from his hosted an international confer- cide bombing in Beirut in stability along Turkey’s borders Hassan Rowhani to bring peace ducer Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali father during childhood about the ence for the reconstruction of November 2015 which killed and the region as well as pro- and stability to Syria, and help Al Sabah said during a screening bonds between the Kuwaiti and Iraq, which is reeling from a dozens. tect Syrians from oppression reorganize the future of Syria, for the press. “These are stories Iraqi peoples. three-year war to defeat the and cruelty of terrorists. including its government and of people who defended Kuwait Another scene shows a Islamic State jihadist group. Three militiamen The operation is being car- constitution. at that time,” Sabah said. Kuwaiti resistance fighter who Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign ried out under the framework “I hope we see them soon She said “the aim of the film forgives an Iraqi soldier during Minister, Khaled Al Jarallah, said die in Libya car of Turkey’s rights based on in an attempt to solve [the is not to create any grudge but an armed confrontation, his country had overcome “past bomb attack international law, UN Security issues in Syria], number one is to highlight the brotherhood, prompting the soldier to offer wounds” and had a “moral, Council resolutions, its self- peace and number two, restruc- tolerance and unity Kuwaitis the man an escape from the humanitarian and Arab” duty to AFP defence rights under the UN ture of Syria,” he added. experienced during the army siege around his house. support its neighbour.

BENGHAZI: Three militiamen from forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar were killed yesterday Iran teams carry plane crash in a car bomb attack in the central Waddan region, a militia spokesman said. dead down from mountain The blast — which was not immediately claimed by AFP operation had begun yesterday, any group — wounded two with emergency personnel car- others at a checkpoint on the TEHRAN: Emergency teams rying bodies on their backs to road leading to Tripoli, some yesterday began recovering a road at the foot of the 500km to the north, said bodies from a plane crash in mountain. commander Ahmed Al Iran’s Zagros mountains but the The Iranian Red Crescent Mesmari. operation had to be suspended later said the operation had to Jihadists from the Islamic due to bad weather, officials said. be suspended as the bad State group remain active in Aseman Airlines flight weather returned, news agency central and southern Libya EP3704, carrying 66 people, Isna reported. despite being forced out of disappeared from radar on It was unclear how many their northern stronghold Sunday morning around 45 bodies had been recovered. One Sirte in 2016. minutes after taking off from official reported seven bodies Libya has been gripped Tehran on a domestic flight. No recovered but the Red Crescent by chaos since a Nato- survivors have been found. said 32 “packages” had been backed uprising toppled and Search helicopters located brought down from the moun- killed longtime dictator the crash site after a break in tain and that these were not Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Iran President receives Dutch Minister the weather on Tuesday at a necessarily entire bodies. with rival administrations height of around 4,000 metres A local rescue official told Iranian President Hassan Rowhani greeting Acting Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag (left) in and multiple militias vying in the Dena range. news agency Ilna that it should Tehran yesterday. for control of the oil-rich Helicopters were unable to be possible to identify most of country. land but officials said a recovery the remains. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09 Alarm as war rages in Eastern Ghouta AFP Warplanes continued Ghouta, is still functioning but the influx of wounded is such BEIRUT: Syrian jets carried out to pound Eastern that doctors and nurses cannot more deadly raids on Eastern Ghouta towns save everyone. Ghouta yesterday, as Western yesterday, killing 24 “We received a mother yes- powers and aid agencies voiced terday who was pulled from the alarm over the mounting death civilians, according rubble. She was six-months toll and spiralling humanitarian to the Syrian pregnant and seriously catastrophe. Observatory for wounded,” said surgical nurse The regime of President Human Rights. Most Maram. “We did a C-section but Bashar Al Assad intensified its could not save her, nor her strikes this month on the rebel of them were killed baby,” she said. enclave east of Damascus, where when barrel bombs Next to her a man expressed close to 300 civilians have been were dropped on the his anger after bringing the body killed since Sunday. of his neighbours’ daughter — town of Kfar Batna, Syrian Army armoured vehicles moving towards the town of Harasta on the northeastern suburbs Warplanes continued to retrieved dead from the rubble of Damascus, yesterday. pound Eastern Ghouta towns the war monitor said. of her home — to the mortuary. yesterday, killing 24 civilians, “What crime did this girl commit, according to the Syrian Observ- what is her crime?,” he shouted. the Assad regime and said: “The In recent days, government drew comparisons with the atory for Human Rights. enclave has restricted access to Observatory head Rami cessation of violence must begin forces have been massing around Second World War era devasta- Most of them were killed medical supplies, while three Abdel Rahman said at least 67 now.” Eastern Ghouta is home to Eastern Ghouta, apparently pre- tion in Stalingrad and the when barrel bombs — crude, clinics were hit and put out of children were among the 274 more than 400,000 people living paring for a ground offensive. Warsaw ghetto. improvised munitions that usu- service this week. people killed in strikes since under crippling siege, with little “We have long feared Eastern The regime is also seeking to ally cause indiscriminate damage The hospital in the town of Sunday. access to food or basic services. Ghouta will see a repeat of the ter- restore its grip on other areas in — were dropped on the town of Arbin was hit twice on Tuesday The bloodshed prompted UN Anti-regime groups, mostly rible scenes observed by the world the north, including the province Kfar Batna, the Britain-based and the Observatory said Rus- children’s agency Unicef to issue Islamist factions as well as Al during the fall of east Aleppo and of Idlib, the last one that remains war monitor said. sian warplanes had carried out a largely blank statement saying Qaeda’s former Syrian affiliate, these fears seem to be well largely outside its control. More than 1,400 people were that strike and others, its first on “we no longer have the words to have controlled the area since founded,” said Mark Schnellbae- On Tuesday, regime forces wounded in three days that saw Eastern Ghouta in three months. describe children’s suffering.” U 2012. cher, the regional head of the Inter- deployed inside the region of Afrin, the bloodiest wave of strikes on The Kremlin yesterday N chief Antonio Guterres said he With the Islamic State national Rescue Committee. a Kurdish enclave along Syria’s the enclave since the start of the denied any involvement in the was “deeply alarmed” by the group’s once sprawling The battle that saw govern- northern border with Turkey. civil war in 2011. strikes and rejected reports to the escalation of violence. “caliphate” now wiped of the ment forces wrest back the coun- The move came after Kurdish Medics have been over- contrary as “groundless accusa- US State Department spokes- map, the regime looks bent on try’s second city from rebel forces asked Damascus to pro- whelmed throughout February. tions.” The hospital in Douma, woman Heather Nauert criticised completing its reconquest by forces in 2016 caused extensive tect it from a month-old offen- The five-year siege of the the largest town in Eastern the “siege and starve tactics” of taking on remaining enemies. destruction and suffering that sive by Ankara.

Whoever helps Kurd militia More than 90 Nigerian schoolgirls missing after Boko Haram attack is ‘legitimate REUTERS of the world’s worst humani- place, but parents and other wit- The Boko Haram militants Tuesday told reporters Boko tarian crises. nesses also said some girls were arrived in Dapchi on Monday Haram had not abducted any girls target’: Turkey BAUCHI, NIGERIA: More than A roll-call at the girls’ school still missing. evening in trucks, some mounted in Dapchi. “They fired shots and 90 Nigerian schoolgirls are on Tuesday showed that 91 stu- The two sources, several with heavy guns and painted in left the town toward Gaidam... in AFP feared missing after Islamist dents were absent, said the two parents and other local witnesses military camouflage, witnesses the night, where they abducted insurgent group Boko Haram people with direct knowledge of said on condition of anonymity said. The insurgents went three people,” he said. ANKARA: Turkey yesterday attacked a village in the north- the matter. because they had been warned directly to the school, shooting The state ministry of educa- said it would consider a eastern state of Yobe, two “I saw girls crying and by Nigerian security and govern- sporadically, sending students tion also said there had been no “legitimate target” any group sources said yesterday. wailing in three Tata vehicles ment officials not to disclose the and teachers fleeing, the wit- established case of abduction, that comes to the aid of Their disappearance, if con- and they were crying for help,” disappearance. Seven parents nesses said, adding that some but shut the Dapchi school for a Kurdish militia in Afrin in firmed, would be one of the said a witness from the nearby said their daughters were among people had returned to Dapchi week to allow students to be reu- northern Syria. largest since Boko Haram village of Gumsa who was the missing. after spending the night hiding nited with their families. The threat from presiden- abducted more than 270 school- reportedly forced to show the “I hope my daughter is not in the bush. More than 20,000 people tial spokesman Ibrahim Kalin girls from the town of Chibok in insurgents the way out of the one of those abducted as we Nigerian security forces have have been killed and two million came a day after Syrian pro- 2014. That case drew global area and then released. learned that over ninety of them begun a search and rescue mis- forced to flee their homes in the regime forces entered Afrin, attention to the nine-year insur- Nigerian police and the were not seen after going sion, two people said. northeast of Africa’s most pop- only to come under fire from gency, which has sparked what regional education ministry through their register book,” one Yobe state Police Commis- ulous nation since Boko Haram Turkish forces. the United Nations has called one denied any abductions had taken parent said. sioner Sumonu Abdulmaliki on began its insurgency in 2009. Last month Ankara launched a cross-border air and ground offensive backing Syrian rebels against the Kurdish People’s Protection US diplomat meets Units (YPG) in Afrin. Turkey says the YPG is linked to the Kurdistan Lebanon minister Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency REUTERS blocks given to the consortium, against the Turkish state since Block 9, contains waters 1984, and is blacklisted as a BEIRUT: A senior U S diplomat claimed by Israel. terror group by the United met Lebanon’s foreign minister David Satterfield, the acting States and the European Union. yesterday in Beirut as part of a U S assistant secretary of state “Today, tomorrow could U S shuttle diplomacy effort to for Near Eastern Affairs, has they attempt this again? It’s resolve tensions between Israel been shuttling back and forth possible. But the relevant and Lebanon over a border wall between Israel and Lebanon in measures have been taken,” and energy drilling in disputed a bid to resolve the disputes. Kalin said, after Turkey said it waters. He met Foreign Minister fired “warning shots” at Syrian Disputes over Israeli con- Gebran Bassil yesterday in pro-regime forces in Afrin. struction of the border wall, Beirut. The two had last met on “Every step taken in sup- Lebanon’s start of oil and gas Friday, after which Parliament port for the YPG terror organ- exploration at sea and the Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated isation would mean (any forces growing arsenal of Lebanon’s Lebanon’s rejection of U S pro- intervening on the Kurdish Iran-backed Shia group Hez- posals to resolve the maritime militants’ side) are on the same bollah have caused a spike in dispute as “unacceptable”. level as terror organisations. tensions between Lebanon and This was an apparent ref- And for us, that would make Israel, both friends of the United erence to a maritime demarca- them legitimate targets,” Kalin States. tion line proposed by U S dip- told reporters in Ankara. Palestinian leader addresses UN Security Council Lebanon this month signed lomat Frederic Hof in 2012, “It doesn’t matter who Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks at the UN Security Council in New York. Abbas on its first offshore energy explo- which would give Lebanon makes such an attempt, there Tuesday called for the convening of an international conference by mid- to pave the way for ration and production agree- around two-thirds and Israel will be serious consequences.” recognition of Palestinian statehood as part of a wider Middle East peace process. ments with a consortium of around one-third of a disputed Syrian state media on Monday France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and triangular area of sea of around said that pro-Damascus forces Russia’s Novatek. One of two 860sqkm. would head to Afrin to “join the resistance against the Turkish aggression”. The YPG has controlled Afrin since Syrian govern- Subdued birthday celebration for ousted Mugabe ment forces withdrew from Kurdish-majority areas in the AFP decorated with images of his agencies that previously clamoured “It’s a day we treasure and rule drove Zimbabwe into eco- country’s north in 2012. own face at a party that included to mark the day even acknowledged we revere the former president,” nomic ruin, has not made any The US has been working HARARE: Zimbabweans marked a lavish feast. But following his it this year, and the flurry of tributes Simon Khaya Moyo, spokesman public appearances following his closely with the YPG against Robert Mugabe’s 94th birthday ousting in November after a brief that filled newspaper pull-outs each of the ruling ZANU-PF party, told abrupt ousting. the Islamic State extremist yesterday with an official day off, military takeover, this year’s fes- year was also absent. local media. But a close ally said that the group in Syria, sparking anger but without the extravagant tivities were restrained. While government offices and “The party will send its best nonagenarian was in good health in Ankara. Turkey has called cakes and fawning tributes that Other than a solitary editorial schools were closed for the first wishes and a cake,” added Moyo, and looking forward to his for Syrian President Bashar defined February 21 for much of proclaiming the former head of annual “Robert Mugabe National whose party switched alle- birthday. al-Assad’s ouster and sup- his 37-year rule. state’s big day in the government- Youth Day” — declared a week giances from Mugabe to Presi- “He is well and resting and ported opposition fighters As president, Mugabe typi- run Herald newspaper, there was after his forced resignation on dent Emmerson Mnangagwa ready to celebrate his birthday,” throughout the seven-year cally celebrated with a rambling little in the way of official fanfare. November 21 — much civilian life during last year’s take-over. said former central bank chief conflict. speech while wearing a suit None of the ministries and continued as normal. Mugabe, whose authoritarian Gideon Gono. 10 VIEWS THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL

Safety of pedestrians

atar has come up with yet another ambitious master plan, this time to increase safety of pedestrians and create a world-class safe pedestrian environment. The Qatar UNRWA praises Qatar’s grant to Q Pedestrian Crossings Master Plan was launched by Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin K halifa alleviate difficult conditions in Gaza Al Thani. The rights of all users of the road, including QNA motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, people with special The Ministry hailed the urgent of thousands of sick and destitute needs and the elderly, among others, have been taken grant announced by the State of Qatar children in the Strip,” Yousef said. into consideration while launching the comprehensive that saved the health sector in Gaza. “History will record these brave master plan. HE United Nations Relief and For his part, Head of the Popular humanitarian attitudes of the Qataris, Transportation is a key element for robust Works Agency for Palestinian International Committee to Support and all those who extend their hands economic development and this cannot be achieved Refugees (UNRWA) praised the Gaza, Essam Yousef praised the from Arab and Muslim brothers and all without an integrated and efficient transportation Turgent grant made by the State support provided by the State of Qatar the free people of the world, to save a system. Minister of Transport and Communications of Qatar to alleviate the suffering of the to the Palestinian people in the Strip premature child from the danger of H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, addressing the launch Palestinians living in difficult conditions who are under the most difficult death, a patient waiting for dialysis, a event, said: “The QPCMP is one of the key plans for in the Gaza Strip as a result of the illegal circumstances as a result of the person in need who is starving, or a implementing the system and components of land Israeli blockade which has been imposed ongoing unjust Israeli siege for more student threatened by the risk of losing transport in Qatar. It is also an important part of for years. than 11 years. his future as a result of his absence from the Qatar National Traffic Safety Strategy action In a statement to Qatar News Agency In a press statement, Yousef said school,” he added. plan. The State of Qatar’s been witnessing an (QNA), UNRWA spokesman Adnan Abu that the urgent aid directed by Emir HE Chairman of the Qatari National unprecedented economic growth and significant Hasna H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Committee for the Reconstruction of progress in all fields along the lines of the wise vision underlined the Thani, which details were unveiled by Gaza Ambassador Mohammed Al Emadi of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.” importance of HE Ambassador Mohammed Al Emadi, revealed in a press conference at Al Shifa H E Al Sulaiti explained that road networks is this Chairman of the Qatari Committee for Medical Complex in Gaza yesterday the one of the factors of the infrastructure of the contribution the Reconstruction of Gaza, came on details of the disbursement of the Qatari transport system which is UNRWA spokesman that provided time in response to the humanitarian grant of $ 9 million, he said the urgent linked to urban expansion Adnan Abu Hasna necessary fuel appeal launched by those trapped in grant would be disbursed to save the and its development. This for the The Gaza Strip and were in desperate deteriorating humanitarian situation in encouraged the Ministry to underlined the operation of need of financial aid. The Gaza Strip. update its QPCMP. The importance of generators in He expressed thanks and The Qatari grant includes $2.6 master plan is aimed at this contribution hospitals in the appreciation for the Qatari role that is million for food parcels, blankets and The QPCMP is providing safer pedestrian Gaza Strip, and always supportive of the Palestinian financial assistance in the form of cash aimed at providing mobility and at the same that provided expressed the people, especially the people of The to families in need for the purchase of safer pedestrian time encourage people to necessary fuel hope that the Gaza Strip who are suffering from the cooking gas. mobility and at walk in a safe for the operation State of Qatar scourge of the siege. As well as supplying 757,000 liters of environment, thus of generators in would present a He noted that the $9 million grant fuel to hospitals and health centers of the the same time improving public health. role model for reflects Qatar’s great moral and Ministry of Health for two months in encourage people The plan includes 50 hospitals in the other countries humanitarian commitment to the cooperation with the United Nations to walk in a safe pedestrian crossings Gaza Strip, and to provide the people of Gaza and the depth of the Office for the Coordination of environment, thus comprising 26 pedestrian expressed the necessary brotherly relations, which was and will Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the overpasses and hope that the State support for continue to be affirmed by His United Nations Relief and Works Agency improving public underpasses and 24 Gaza. Highness the Emir, the government for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for health. crosswalks on roads. The of Qatar would Meanwhile, and the people of Qatar at every $500,000. A total of $ 2 million has been plan would make the present a role the Ministry of occasion through their remarkable allocated for the purchase of medicine transport sector a main model for other Health in Gaza humanitarian position. and medical supplies, and $ 1 million for pillar that supports the path countries to provide announced the “The people of Gaza can not forget the rehabilitation of deteriorating to economic, trade and industrial development, in re-operation of such positions, especially as they homes. order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 goals. the necessary the health support their steadfastness against an Ambassador Al Emadi noted that the Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transport support for Gaza. facilities in Gaza unjust siege that has been imposed grant also allocates $ 1 million to pay the Affairs at MoTC, Rashid Taleb Al Nabet, said the after the Qatari without mercy or compassion for the fees for students in universities, as well master plan will help save lives and protect grant that children, the sick and the poor, while as $ 1 million and 900 thousand as properties by reducing road traffic fatalities. He subsequently saved the deteriorating many hesitate to help, ignoring the assistance for humanitarian and medical pointed out that QPCMP has three main pedestrian health sector. humanitarian disaster that beset tens cases. crossing themes — standard, conventional and modern, in addition to the unique themes and the unique locations such as Doha Grand Park and Aspire Zone where uniquely-designed pedestrian bridges will be constructed to become landmarks China’s influence over Maldives a cause for concern for the capital city of Doha. Ashghal President Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi said that QPCMP The Maldives sits at one of the key In early February, the Maldivian Yameen. It is necessary to note that is based on several axes, most notable are improving points for sea routes that extend Supreme Court ordered such the rivalry between China and India and developing the existing pedestrian and bicycle actions as the release, retrial and for greater influence in the Indian paths to be compatible with the plan. from Asia to the Middle East reinstatement of exiled former Ocean is affecting even the Qatar has made great strides in all fields. The and Africa. If the current turmoil President Mohamed Nasheed and Maldivian situation. transport sector is the pillar of the country’s growth continues for a long time, there opposition legislators. In the capital Nasheed and other opposition and so is the safety of pedestrians from all walks of are concerns that regional stability of Male, antigovernment forces are deeply tied to India while life. demonstrations took place. Yameen is becoming conspicuously could be undermined. President Yameen declared a closer to China. At the end of last state of emergency and arrested the year, the Maldives and China THE JAPAN NEWS chief justice of the Supreme Court concluded a free trade agreement, and other figures. The release order and they exchanged memorandums HE political situation in the and other decisions were retracted. stating that the Maldives would join QUOTE OF THE DAY Maldives, an island country in There is no doubt that the president the China-led “Belt and Road” the Indian Ocean, has been is increasingly heavy-handed, initiative, which seeks to set up a International humanitarian T unstable. As the region is an hoping to win reelection in a huge economic zone. law was developed important spot for sea traffic, and presidential election scheduled for China has adopted a “String of precisely to stop this type China is expanding its influence this autumn. Pearls” maritime strategy for of situation of eastern there, other countries concerned, The Maldives sits at one of the increasing cooperation with nations Ghouta in Syria, where including Japan, must remain key points for sea routes that along the shores of the Indian civilians are slaughtered vigilant. extend from Asia to the Middle East Ocean. In Sri Lanka, China There have been a succession of and Africa. If the current turmoil extended a massive loan for an in droves in order to cases in which opposition leaders continues for a long time, there are improvement project in the fulfil political or military have been the targets of charges concerns that regional stability southern port of Hambantota, and, objectives of Syria’s such as antiterrorism law violations could be undermined. The United in lieu of Sri Lanka repaying the eastern Ghouta. under the administration of Nations, the United States and debt, a Chinese corporation Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein President Abdulla Yameen, which European nations had good reason obtained port-related rights and UN Human Rights Chief was inaugurated in 2013. to express their anxiety about interests that extends for 99 years. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 OPINION 11 Rudderless Britain needs a second Brexit referendum BLOOMBERG LMOST two years information and outright set goals and develop a To be sure, it’s unlikely after the UK voted to misinformation, a narrow strategy for advancing them is that May could reverse herself, quit the European majority of voters nonetheless making the worst possible propose a second referendum, Union, and barely chose to leave the EU. Brexit ever more likely. and survive as leader of the If Britain leaves the EU A Conservative Party. With so more than a year before the Nullifying that choice, If Britain leaves the EU in actual exit is scheduled to misguided as it was, requires March 2019 without even any much at stake, she should in March 2019 without happen, an all but leaderless another popular vote — this transitional arrangements, its recogniSe that this is a minor even any transitional Britain is fumbling its way to time, informed by what’s been trade in goods and services — consideration. The Labour arrangements, its trade A second referen- disaster. The country needs to learned. not just with the EU but with opposition, itself divided over in goods and services dum would certainly find a way to change course. After two years of thinking much of the rest of the world Brexit, has also said the first There should be a second about it, Prime Minister — will collapse into chaos. vote must stand. — not just with the EU arouse furious referendum as soon as Theresa May’s government is Disentangling the UK from its That position also has to but with much of the protests, and quite possible. still split over what it wants — partnership with Europe is change. Remember, Remain rest of the world — will possibly a political It was a huge error to call and an upcoming series of proving to be vastly more supporters in both parties collapse into chaos. the first referendum, not least speeches intended to lay out complex and difficult than constitute a comfortable crisis, new elections, because the choice put before its vision is unlikely to help. Brexit supporters believed. majority in parliament — even and all the dangers the country was so unclear. Negotiating a tolerably And as the enormous short- as they insist that the previous difficulties Britain is bringing and uncertainties Nobody bothered to say what successful Brexit might have term costs of an abrupt referendum must be honored. upon itself and made it clear that go with that. Brexit would actually mean. been impossible in any case, divorce come more clearly On this surpassingly important that Europe isn’t going to help Acting on a mixture of no but the protracted failure to into view, the long-term goals issue, they need to come Brexit sting less. that were supposed to justify together across party lines and That’s fine —but it ought them are ever more obscure. press for another vote. now to join the debate in a Consider one small but Can it be taken for granted more positive way, calling on especially sensitive part of the that a second referendum Britain to change its mind. It overall negotiation: the Irish would in fact reverse the should say, among other dilemma. May has promised country’s choice? Of course things, that if Britain acts not to impose a hard border not. Opinion is wobbling but promptly, the EU would make between Ireland, which will hasn’t shifted decisively: The reversing the Brexit decision remain in the EU, and country remains split down as straightforward as possible. Northern Ireland, which is the middle. Extracting Britain from part of the UK What she hasn’t But this is less surprising this mess of its own making said is how such a border, when you recall that so few of won’t be easy. A second which could unsettle the the country’s politicians are referendum would certainly peace the island has enjoyed calling on Britain to arouse furious protests, and for two decades, can be reconsider. Again, they should quite possibly a political avoided. do their jobs — and stand up crisis, new elections, and all Last week, Foreign for what they believe to be the dangers and Minister Boris Johnson gave their voters’ best interests. uncertainties that go with the first of those speeches One more thing might be that. Yet the alternative — intended to clarify Britain’s needed to make the the chaotic Brexit toward position on life after Brexit — difference: the involvement of which a rudderless Britain is and failed to so much as the European Union. Up to now heading — would be mention Northern Ireland. now, it has emphasiSed the worse.

AST Friday, the Ethiopian the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary measure designed to protect the government declared a six-month Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition ruled constitutional order; it is a hostile act nationwide state of emergency, with an iron fist, blurring the distinction intended to punish those voices calling for Linvoking a grave threat to the between normalcy, where normal change. Although announced as a constitutional order. The emergency, the constitutional norms apply, and emergency, nationwide emergency, the Oromo and the D-RING ROAD second in less than a year, was announced a where exceptional situations justify the use Amhara regions, the hotbeds of the protests, AWOL K ALLO day after the resignation of Prime Minister of extraordinary power. would be affected the most. POST BOX: 3488 AL JAZEERA Hailemariam Desalegn, in what he An important feature of Ethiopia’s state Succession DOHA - QATAR described as a bid to “smooth the path for of emergency is the intersection between Desalegn’s resignation as prime [email protected] emergency powers and ethnic identity, in minister was not unexpected. Installed as a which emergency powers are used by the compromise candidate following the death ruling elites to maintain their social and of Meles Zenawi, the architect behind EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE ethnic privilege. While repression Ethiopia’s political economy, Desalegn TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Ethiopia’s state of structured around ethnic inequality and pursued Zenawi’s policies to the letter. FAX: +974 4455 7758 violence has long been the defining feature Although his assent to power allowed of the state, the new state of emergency other coalition partners to carve out space MANAGING EDITOR adds a distinctive, and more dangerous, for manoeuvre, history will remember him TEL: 4462 7505 emergency dimension to this problem. as the inconsequential leaderwho served as Former prime minister and chairman of an enabler of the status quo. His resignation DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front comes at a time when the country needed a TEL: 4455 7769 (TPLF) Meles Zenawi was in firm control of new direction and a new beginning. political reform”. the state machinery and institutions until While it is clear that TPLF would use the The emergency, which is expected to be his death in 2012. To this day, Tigrayan emergency to control the succession LOCAL NEWS SECTION ratified by parliament in the coming days, ruling elites, which represent about 6 process, it is not clear to what extent the TEL: 4455 7743 provides the government with new, percent of the country’s population, emergency would have a bearing on who sweeping powers, from restrictions on dominate the country’s political, economic, the next prime minister of Ethiopia will be. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION freedom of assembly and free expression to and security sectors. The Oromos and However, it is widely suggested that the TEL: 4462 7535 the deployment of combat-ready troops in Amharas, the two largest ethnic groups that next leader of the EPRDF and prime civilian centres, particularly cities and make up about 65 percent of the country’s minister will be from OPDO, the party that SPORT NEWS SECTION towns seen as the hotbed of the protests of population, and that are represented by the governs the largest region in the country TEL: 4455 7745 the last three years. Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization and contributes the largest number of seats The Ethiopian constitution authorises (OPDO) and the Amhara National to the ruling coalition in parliament. ONLINE SECTION the Council of Ministers to decree a state of Democratic Movement (ANDM), on the Lemma Megersa, chairperson of the TEL: 4462 7501 emergency, which would allow the other hand, have practically been OPDO and president of the Oromia [email protected] government to suspend basic rights and subordinated. Regional state, and Dr Abiye Ahmed, deputy chairperson of the OPDO, are frontrunners freedoms, under very specific conditions. The protests that gripped the country for PUBLIC RELATIONS The fundamental condition that must be the last three years, and were used as a for the position, according to party insiders TEL: 4455 7613 met before the imposition of such an justification for the state of emergency, were and analysts. [email protected] emergency is the existence of a situation the direct result of this undue influence Megersa, a charismatic, well-spoken, amounting to “a breakdown of law and enjoyed by Tigrayan elites, and the violent and transformational leader able to entice order which endangers the Constitutional architecture of repression that is being used people across nationalist divides, made a ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT order and which cannot be controlled by the to sustain and consolidate this influence. bold and positive case for Ethiopia, TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 regular law enforcement agencies”. When Consequently, in this diverse nation of arguing that Ethiopian-ness is addictive FAX: 4455 7870 public emergencies of such magnitude exist, over 80 ethnic groups, where political and that Oromo are the quintessential [email protected] the government not only has the right, but parties are predominantly organised along Ethiopians who protected the integrity also the duty to suspend the constitution to ethnic lines, and ethnic identity serves as and sovereignty of the Ethiopian state CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT restore the constitutional order in which the basic principle of political competition, with their blood. An Oromo nationalist, TEL: 4455 7857 citizens’ rights will be fully respected. a state of emergency cannot be seen Megersa successfully articulated the [email protected] However, despite facing a crisis of independently of the ongoing ethnicity- notion that Oromo nationalism is not the unprecedented magnitude, the current based repression. anti-thesis of Ethiopian nationalism, and SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION This emergency situation in Ethiopia does not meet the very This emergency will serve as a legal and that being an Oromo and Ethiopian are TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 will serve as a high threshold required by the constitution political masquerade behind which TPLF’s not two mutually exclusive identities, but FAX: 44557819 for the imposition of a state of emergency. domination, with all its menacing rather should be seen as mutually legal and political [email protected] Just a day before the government declared ideological complexities, will continue to reinforcing imperatives. masquerade behind the emergency, even the government’s chief function not only to repress the population However, it is Ahmed, the which TPLF’s spokesperson, Negeri Lencho, told the Voice into submission, but also to drive a wedge technocratic, verstile, and ambitious domination, with Of Africa: “There will be no other state of between the country’s various ethnic operator of the OPDO that is most likely All thoughts and views emergency. There are no grounds for it.” groups. to be crowned as the next Prime Minister all its menacing At the moment, however grave the This state of emergency is not a security of Ethiopia. expressed in these ideological political situation in the country may be, columns are those of the complexities, will there is no imminent threat to the vital writers, not of the continue to function interests of the state, legitimising the declaration of a state of emergency. newspaper. not only to repress Consequently, this emergency, like the one the population before it, has less to do with protecting the All correspondence constitutional order than reproducing and into submission, regarding Views and but also to drive a legitimising violence aimed at the elimination of political adversaries. Opinion pages should be wedge between the The emergency-ethnicity nexus send to editor-in-chief country’s various The state of emergency has always been ethnic groups. the working paradigm of the Ethiopian office or mailed to the government. Since coming to power in 1991, [email protected] 12 ASIA THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 India to set up Rs200bn defence industrial corridor

IANS The defence industrial and waste of vegetables as the production corridor in government was also keen on LUCKNOW: India’s Prime Bundelkhand — a region modernizing the entire supply Minister Narendra Modi divided between Uttar chain and infrastructure for the yesterday announced that his agri and allied sectors to help government will establish a Pradesh and Madhya in doubling the farmers income Rs200bn defence industrial Pradesh — will generate by 2022. production corridor in 250,000 jobs and bring He said the initiatives Bundelkhand — a region development to one of would help the state in partic- divided between Uttar Pradesh the most impoverished ular because it is ranked and Madhya Pradesh -- that regions of the country, number one in the country in will generate 250,000 jobs production of foodgrains, and bring development to one said Prime Minister wheat, sugarcane, milk, potato of the most impoverished Narendra Modi. production. It is number two in regions of the country. terms of vegetable production “I am making an important and third in fruit production. announcement. In this year’s Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi and He also called for a storage budget, we had announced that Chitrakoot. Modi said Uttar and marketing grid, under- we will establish two defence Pradesh had a vast potential for lining how the produce of Heritage garden opens industrial production corridors. development but needed farmers was wasted in a big Prince Karim Aga Khan (third right), walks with Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu (fourth right), One of them will be in Bun- policy, planning , performance. way because of lack of as they arrive for the inauguration of the Sunder Nursery, a 16th-century heritage garden complex delkhand,” Modi said He lauded the efforts of Chief facilities. addressing the inaugural ses- Minister Yogi Adityanath for Modi suggested that local adjacent to Indian Unesco site Humayun’s Tomb, in New Delhi, yesterday. The 90-acre garden, formally sion of the two-day Uttar setting the state on the path to manufacturing units for chips opened by the Aga Khan, whose Trust for Culture has helped recreate the classical garden and restore Pradesh ‘Investors Meet’ at the give a “super hit” and similar products could its crumbling 16th-century monuments. Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in performance. minimize the losses inflicted on Lucknow. The Prime Minister pointed farmers due to lack of storage The government had ear- out how air traffic in the state and transport facilities. lier announced that it would had grown by 30 per cent in The investors event organ- develop two such corridors. the past one year with just ised by the Yogi Adityanath The first of the two, announced three international airports in government is aimed to show- Sri Lankan coalition to continue by Finance Minister Arun Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow. case the investment opportu- Jaitley in his budget speech, is He said it was more than nities in the state. Corporate being built between Chennai the national average and indi- honchos are attending the in govt after local election rout and Bengaluru — connecting cated a huge potential in the summit. Kattupalli port, Chennai, state for civil aviation. Modi also praised the Uttar REUTERS former President Mahinda stick together. “We are working Tiruchi, Coimbatore and Hosur. The Prime Minister said Pradesh government for Rajapaksa, plunging the govern- on the motion passed in parlia- The project, he said, would more airports will be initiated curbing red tape and rolling out COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s two ruling ment into crisis. ment and we have not rescinded bring an “investment of Rs in multiple parts of the state to the red carpet for investors and parties said yesterday they would Rajapaksa, who crushed the it. And I don’t think there is a need 20,000 crore and generate realize his dream of “hawai taking decisions that have continue their national unity Tamil Tiger rebels in a 26-year to cancel that,” Wickremesinghe employment avenues for 2.5 chappal pehne wala bhi, hawa linked industrial development government, easing the political civil war before he was ousted in told parliament, referring to the lakh people”. mein udna chahiye”. with employment generation. uncertainty created by their poor 2015, called for the parliament to motion passed by the two parties The Prime Minister said the “New airports will give it “There is no dearth of showing in local council elections be dissolved and a snap election in September 2015 to form the decision to come with the (the air traffic in Uttar Pradesh) resources and opportunities in this month. to be held. Since the February 10 national government. defence production corridor to an additional boost. The state Uttar Pradesh where you find Prime Minister Ranil Wick- vote, Sirisena has been in talks The secretary of Sirisena’s Uttar Pradesh was taken is also home to the largest rail ‘Lucknowi chikankari’, ‘Banarsi remesinghe’s centre-right United with Wickremesinghe’s party as party, Fisheries Minister Mahinda keeping in mind the develop- network.” Modi said the Cen- zardosi’, brassware of National Party (UNP) and President well as opponents led by Amaraweera, also said the agree- mental requirements of Bun- trally-sponsored Prime Minis- Moradabad and glassware Maithripala Sirisena’s centre-left Rajapaksa on forming a new gov- ment between the two parties to delkhand region. The corridor terial Kisan Property scheme industries of Firozabad,” Modi Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ernment. But yesterday, the coa- work together still stood and had will link Agra, Aligarh, will reduce crop-grain-fruits said. were routed by a party backed by lition parties confirmed they would not been withdrawn.

Actor Kamal Trudeau visits Golden Temple; says no support for separatists Haasan launches IANS elsewhere. Amarinder Singh disclosed after their 40-minute push investment by Canadian Gobind Singh Longowal, Shiro- political party later said that he raised the issue meeting. Amarinder Singh businesses in Punjab. The two mani Akali Dal President Sukhbir AMRITSAR: Underlining the of ‘Khalistan’ and the support thanked Trudeau for his explicit leaders agreed to collaborate Singh Badal and Union Food IANS significance of the large and certain elements in Canada were stand on a united India. through joint projects. Processing Minister Harsimrat influential Sikh and Punjabi giving to it to cause disturbance He also handed over a list of Canadian Defence Minister Kaur Badal. MADURAI: India’s actor- community settled in his country, in Punjab. nine Canada-based operatives Harjit Singh Sajjan and Punjab Wearing an off-white turned-politician Kamal Canadian Prime Minister Justin “The categorical assurance alleged to be involved in hate Local Government Minister embroidered kurta-pyjama and Haasan yesterday formally Trudeau, accompanied by his from Trudeau came when Cap- crimes in Punjab by financing Navjot Singh Sidhu were also head covered with a “kesari” launched his political party wife and children, offered tain Amarinder Singh sought the and supplying weapons for ter- present at the meeting. (saffron) headscarf, Trudeau called Makkal Neethi Maiam prayers at the Golden Temple Canadian Prime Minister’s coop- rorist activities, and also engaged Earlier, Trudeau and his entered the complex with wife (People Justice Centre). yesterday. eration in cracking down on sep- in trying to radicalize youth and family landed at the Sri Guru Sophie, who was wearing a light He also unfurled his par- Dressed in traditional Indian aratism and hate crime by a children here. Ram Dass Jee International Air- turquoise kurta and white pal- ty’s flag, which has six hands clothes and their heads covered, fringe element, constituting a The Punjab Chief Minister port here, where they were azzo and their children, who — three in red and three in the Trudeau family bowed before miniscule percentage of Cana- also raised the issue of Indo- received by Union Minister Har- were also wearing traditional white — joined together the holy book of the Sikhs and tried da’s population. Canadians, believed to be deep Singh Puri and Sidhu, and Indian outfits to loud slogans of around a star on a white their hand at making chappatis at “Citing the separatist move- involved in targeted killings in headed straight for the Golden “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”. background. the ‘langar’ as they spent over an ment in Quebec, Trudeau said the state, urging him to initiate Temple complex to offer prayers. The Trudeaus first went to With this, Kamal becomes hour at the holiest of Sikh shrines. he had dealt with such threats stern action against such ele- Accompanied by five Cana- the “Langar Hall”, where thou- one more actor from Tamil Trudeau, who later met all his life and was fully aware ments. Pointing out that trade dian federal ministers, including sands of devotees partake langar movie world to float a polit- Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder of the dangers of violence, which and commerce relations four of Indian-origin, Trudeau (community food) and also do ical party. Singh in a hotel here, said that he had always pushed back with between the two were very low was received at its entrance by “sewa”, and sat on small stools Delhi Chief Minister his country did not support any all his might,” Chief Minister’s at the moment, he urged Tru- Shiromani Gurdwara Par- to knead flour and roll Arvind Kejriwal, and former separatist movement in India or Media Advisor Raveen Thukral deau to take steps to bandhak Committee president chapatis. Delhi Minister Somnath Bharati were also present in the public meeting in which Kamal declared the party’s name and flag.. Two dead, 22 hurt in Emergency extension Myanmar bomb blast

is unconstitutional: REUTERS government statement on the Maldives Prosecutor Lashio explosion. The military YANGON: A bomb blast killed said in a statement 22 people General two bank employees and injured were injured. Another police 22 other people in Myanmar’s spokesman, Colonel Myo Thu REUTERS northeastern city of Lashio Soe, said no suspects could be yesterday, the government and identified at this stage. “We’re COLOMBO: Maldives Prose- the military said. still investigating,” he said. cutor General Aishath Bisham Police said an investigation A Lashio resident, 27-year- has said parliament’s was under way but would not old Lway Dehnin, said she approval of a 30-day exten- elaborate on whether there heard the explosion around sion to the state of emergency were any suspects in the attack. 4:30 p.m. near two banks close is unconstitutional, two Lashio is in Myanmar’s restive to the regional health ministry sources and local media said Shan State where several ethnic building in the heart of the city yesterday. insurgent groups are fighting of 170,000 people. Parliament approved on the Myanmar military. “The explosion happened Tuesday the extension sought “We just received a (local) near Aya and Yoma banks. The by President Abdulla Yameen, police report about the bomb windows in the buildings were but it was passed without the blast in Lashio (on Tuesday) broken. Also the windows of the constitutionally required Journalist on trial evening,” police spokesman ministry of health and some quorum of 43 lawmakers. Colonel Thet Naing said in nearby houses were broken,” Detained Myanmar journalist Wa Lone (centre) is escorted by police to a court in Yangon for his Bisham had informed the Myanmar’s capital said Lway Dehnin. ongoing trial, yesterday. The court earlier denied bail to Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters police in a letter that the state Naypyitaw. Yoma Bank said two of its of emergency is unconstitu- journalists charged under a secrecy act that could see them face up to 14 years in jail, in a case that The two dead were both Lashio branch employees were tional, two senior officials of has sparked outcry over shrinking media freedom. women, government killed and that both of its the Prosecutor General’s spokesman Zaw Htay said in a branches in the city would be office said. post on Twitter linked to a temporarily closed. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 ASIA 13 Forest ﬁres Japan suspects break out in sanctions breach Indonesia AFP by North Korea PEKANBARU: Indonesia was battling a rash of forest fires AFP yesterday as it raised an alert over the blazes which occur TOKYO: Japan has reported a every year and emit choking new suspected sanctions viola- smog that can envelop neigh- tion by Pyongyang to the UN The incident is the 3rd bouring Singapore and after spotting an apparent cargo Malaysia. transfer between a ship marked time this year that Fires have broken out in with Chinese characters and a Tokyo has reported four provinces -- South North Korean vessel, the Japa- a cargo transfer by a Sumatra, Riau, West Kali- nese foreign ministry said. North Korean vessel mantan and Central Kali- The incident is the third mantan -- prompting them time this year that Tokyo has in violation of UN to declare ‘alert emergency’ reported a cargo transfer by a sanctions. Finland-Japan diplomacy status, one notch below the North Korean vessel in viola- most severe warning. Finland’s Foreign Minister Timo Soini (left) delivers remarks beside Japanese Foreign Minister Taro tion of UN sanctions over tions, the ministry said. Hundreds of hectares of Kono prior to their dinner meeting at the Foreign Ministry’s Iikura guesthouse in Tokyo, yesterday. Pyongyang’s banned nuclear Tokyo said it had reported land have been destroyed and ballistic missile the incident to the UN Security over the past week and the programmes. Council and shared informa- government is stepping up Japan’s foreign ministry tion with relevant countries. efforts to contain the fires. said a military patrol plane and There was no immediate The blazes are frequently an escort vessel observed the indication of whether the inci- deliberately set by farmers apparent transfer in the East dent had been raised formally Malaysia arrests 10 over links using fire to clear land for China Sea on Friday with Beijing. The incident cultivation. afternoon. comes as global attention is The agency will deploy The Japanese navy ‘found focused on North Korea’s par- with South Philippines militants soldiers, police, firefighters the Yu Jong 2, a North Korean- ticipation in the ongoing Winter and volunteers to combat the flagged tanker, lying alongside Olympics hosted by the South, REUTERS Police arrested the 10 sus- Mohamad Fuzi said Abu fires, officials said. a small vessel of unknown in a diplomatic push by Kim pects in three separate raids Sayyaf had intended to bring in The annual forest fires on nationality on the high sea’ Jong Un’s isolated regime. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian between January 25 and Feb- IS fighters from Southeast Asia Sumatra island and the Indo- around 250 km offshore from Pyongyang is subject to a police have arrested 10 people ruary 6, inspector-general of to the southern Philippines for nesian part of Borneo island the Chinese city of Shanghai, series of UN Security Council on suspicion of aiding the police Mohamad Fuzi Harun military training. typically occur during the the foreign ministry said. sanctions, including one pro- movement of militants between said in a statement. “The same cell members months-long dry season Four Chinese characters hibiting all member states from the eastern state of Sabah and Among the suspects is a would then be used to launch which usually begins in Jan- reading ‘Min Ning De You 078’ facilitating or engaging in ship- the southern Philippines, a 27-year-old Filipino believed attacks on Sabah in the future,” uary. In 2015 massive forest meaning ‘Fujian Province, to-ship transfers of goods to or hotbed of Islamist insurgency, to be a senior leader of the Abu he said. fires in Indonesia destroyed Ningde City, oil tanker 078’ in from North Korean-flagged the second batch of arrests this Sayyaf, and another Filipino, 32, Malaysia has arrested hun- some two million hectares English, were on the small vessels. year. believed to have arranged pas- dreds of people over the past and sparked a massive haze vessel, the ministry said. The previous two incidents The Muslim-majority sage of foreign nationals to the few years for suspected links to outbreak over Singapore and “Following a comprehen- reported by Japan this year both Southeast Asian nation has been southern Philippines to join IS. militant groups. Malaysia, leading to diplo- sive assessment, the Govern- involved a different North on high alert since gunmen “Preliminary information A grenade attack on a club matic frictions. ment of Japan strongly suspects Korean tanker, the Rye Song linked to IS launched several gleaned from the 10 suspects on the outskirts of Kuala A US academic study esti- that they conducted ship-to- Gang 1, one of the vessels attacks in Jakarta, the capital of revealed an attempt by the Abu Lumpur in June 2016 wounded mated that the crisis may ship transfers banned” by the denied international port access neighbouring Indonesia, in Jan- Sayyaf group to establish a cell eight people. IS claimed have led to more than UN Security Council resolu- by the Security Council. uary 2016. in Sabah,” Mohamad Fuzi said. responsibility. 100,000 premature deaths. Japan donates 10,000 ballot boxes for Cambodia election REUTERS electoral aid in the lead up to has been jailed on treason Senate elections this month and charges, urged Japan to explain PHNOM PENH: Japan donated a general election in July. its support for the July election. over 10,000 ballot boxes for At a ceremony yesterday, “Japan has to explain to at Cambodia’s 2018 election Japan’s ambassador to Cam- least half of the entire Cambo- yesterday, the first international bodia, Hidehisa Horinouchi, said dian population why it is sup- aid for the vote after European the NEC was in need of new porting an artificial election,” Union and the United States ballot boxes to replace the ones Kem Monovithya said. withdrew their support following given by Tokyo 20 years ago. Cambodia needs 30,000 the dissolution of the main oppo- “These ballot boxes are a ballot boxes, said Sik Bun Hok, sition party. symbol of Japan’s aid for democ- adding that Chinese equipment Rights groups and members racy in Cambodia and I hope for the general election, of the dissolved Cambodia these ballot boxes will provide including ballot boxes and National Rescue Party (CNRP) lasting benefits for holding future booths, was due to arrive in have urged foreign backers, election smoothly,” Horinouchi March. including Japan, to halt funding said. “I hope Cambodia achieves China is Cambodia’s biggest for Cambodia’s National Election an election that reflects the true aid donor and its backing has Committee (NEC) following a will of the people.” The Japanese bolstered veteran Prime Minister Supreme Court decision to dis- ballot boxes were worth $7.5m. Hun Sen in the face of criticism solve the CNRP at the govern- “Our Japanese friends have of over what his opponents say ment’s request. never abandoned us,” NEC’s amounts to his destruction of But last month Japan, which Chairman Sik Bun Hok told democracy. is among the largest funders of reporters yesterday. Hun Sen is expected to Japan’s Ambassador to Cambodia Hidehisa Horinouchi (left) and Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Cambodia’s elections, said it The daughter of CNRP oppo- extend his 33-year rule at the Sokhonn hold a ballot box at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Phnom would continue to provide sition leader Kem Sokha, who elections. Penh, Cambodia, yesterday.

Singaporean in church fraud Thai junta says ‘not concerned’ about ousted PM’s Asia tour case tries escaping on boat REUTERS political parties. Thaksin and Former telecommunications Several Puea Thai members Yingluck visited China and Japan tycoon Thaksin was prime min- told Reuters Thaksin did not dis- AFP allowed to remain out of prison BANGKOK: Thailand is not this month and met at least 30 ister from 2001 to 2006 when he cuss politics when he met party on bail until after the Lunar New concerned about the movement members of parliament from their was overthrown in a military coup members of parliament in Hong SINGAPORE: A Singaporean Year holiday, and was meant to of fugitive former Prime Minister Puea Thai party in Hong Kong on supported by the Bangkok-based Kong. man convicted over a high- start serving his sentence on Feb- Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, the weekend, party members said establishment. “We didn’t talk about politics profile fraud case at a mega- ruary 22. also an ousted former leader, after after returning to Thailand. He left Thailand in 2008, because we know better than church was caught yesterday But in the latest bizarre twist recent visits by the pair to several The two were spotted in a Sin- shortly before a court convicted Thaksin what’s going on. He’s trying to flee in a boat before he to the case, police caught Chew Asian cities and meetings with gapore hotel on Tuesday, meeting him of corruption and sentenced been out of the country so long,” was due to start his sentence, around 8:45am (0045 GMT) in a members of their party. a group of unidentified men, and him to a two-year jail term. He said Wattana Muagnsook, a police said. small fishing boat off eastern Sin- The Shinawatras have dom- were in the city state yesterday, said the conviction was politically former commerce minister. In a case that gripped the gapore allegedly attempting to inated Thai politics for nearly two party sources said, adding they motivated. He said met Thaksin for a city-state with a heady mix of flee to Malaysia. He was with a decades and wield significant were having ‘business He is based in Dubai. meal. religion, showbiz and fraud, six second man who was piloting the influence through allies and rel- meetings’. Yingluck was elected prime Phumtham Wechayachai, leaders from City Harvest Church craft. atives despite both living in self- Political observers say their minister in 2011 but was forced Puea Thai’s secretary-general, were convicted in 2015 of pil- The men were carrying exile. They are likely to be a sig- Asia tour is a sign that their party from office by a 2014 court ruling, said the party has not held meet- fering tens of millions of dollars Sg$5,000 ($3,800) in cash, three nificant factor in a general election is gearing up for the election. shortly before the military ousted ings because a junta ban on polit- from the place of worship to pro- mobile phones and fishing gear. the junta has promised for A spokesman for the junta, her government. ical gatherings was still in place. mote the pop career of the pas- A source close to the investiga- November. known as the National Council for Yingluck fled from Thailand Lawmakers might be trying tor’s wife. tion said that when approached, Critics say the military, which Peace and Order, said it was not in August, weeks before the to play down meetings with Among them was investment the pair claimed they were going took power in a 2014 coup that focused on the two Shinawatras. Supreme Court found her guilty Thaksin because they fear legal manager Chew Eng Han, who fishing. They will be charged in removed Yingluck Shinawatra’s “Monitoring those who have of negligence in mismanaging a action. was sentenced to three years and court today and are accused of government, wants to end the an arrest warrant is the job of rel- rice-buying scheme and sen- Legislation on political par- four months but had his impris- attempting to leave Singapore family’s political influence - evant agencies. We are not con- tenced her to five years in prison. ties that took effect in October onment delayed by a series of unlawfully, an offence that car- something that is reflected in a cerned about this,” the She is based in Britain and has prohibits those ‘who are not party appeals. After losing his final ries a maximum six-month jail new, military-backed charter, spokesman, Piyapong Klinpan not spoken publicly since she left members’ from ‘controlling or challenge, the 57-year-old was term and fine of Sg$2,000. party laws and restrictions on said. Thailand. directing’ a party. 14 ASIA THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 Supreme Court rules ousted PM Sharif cannot lead party REUTERS official records,” Chief Justice Saqib office again when the party contests gen- has served as prime minister twice before -- in 1999 by a military coup and 1993 Nisar said from the bench. eral elections due later this year. Sharif and each time was removed from office by presidential order. “As a result, all steps taken, all ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Supreme orders passed by Nawaz Sharif are also Court ordered yesterday that ousted declared to be as if they had never Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif be been taken.” Faisal Chaudhry, a lawyer removed as head of the political party for one of the 17 petitioners who he founded, six months after the court sought Sharif’s removal as party head, removed him as premier. said the court decision includes Sharif- The ruling could throw into dis- nominated candidates for the Senate array Senate elections due on March election. 3, with opposition figures saying it “My understanding is that the can- invalidates candidates from the ruling didates can still contest but as inde- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz pendent and not as Nawaz Sharif’s (PML-N) who were nominated by party ticket holders,” Chaudhry said. Sharif. Sharif has said his removal from Yesterday’s order overturns a legal office was part of a political conspiracy amendment by PML-N lawmakers against him, and in recent weeks he allowing the former premier to lead and his party have waged a war of the party despite being legally banned words against the judiciary. from holding public office after the The PML-N holds a majority in the Supreme Court disqualified him last lower house of parliament, the National July over an undeclared source of Assembly, and it has been hopeful of win- income. ning control of the Senate in the March “The Election Commission is 3 election. Control of both houses could directed to remove name of Nawaz allow the PML-N to change the consti- Supporters of ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif chant slogans against a court verdict in front of the Supreme Sharif as president of PML-N from all tution to make Sharif eligible to hold Court building in Islamabad, yesterday.

Duterte a threat to democracy: US intelligence Pakistan & Russia to step REUTERS presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement. There drug-war killings in the Philip- up military cooperation Roque told DZMM radio. Democ- is no revolutionary government pines. Obama’s successor, MANILA: Philippines President racy and human rights in many or nationwide martial law, which Donald Trump, praised Duterte INTERNEWS drills codenamed Rodrigo Duterte is not an auto- Southeast Asian nations will US intelligence officials say for doing an ‘unbelievable job on ‘Friendship’. crat and is taking seriously a remain fragile in 2018 because Duterte might impose, he added. the drug problem,’ but refrained ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and The discussions between report by the US intelligence of autocratic tendencies, rampant Duterte has publicly made from expressing concern about Russia yesterday announced Lavrov and Asif were wide community that names the fire- corruption and cronyism, the US such threats on several occasions, the crackdown during a visit to setting up of a commission for ranging to include trade, eco- brand leader among the threats intelligence community said in however. Philippine lawmakers the Philippine capital last promoting military cooperation nomic, and energy cooperation to democracy in Southeast Asia, its Worldwide Threat Assessment in December approved a year- November. while expressing alarm over and people-to-people contacts his spokesman said yesterday. report of February 13. long extension of martial rule in More than 4,000 people have growing footprint of the mili- besides defence cooperation, The report, produced by the “Duterte has suggested he the volatile southern region of been killed in what police call tant IS group in Afghanistan and but from their statements it Office of the Director of National could suspend the constitution, Mindanao to suppress threats legitimate operations against sus- the indifference of US-led Nato appeared that the two exten- Intelligence, places Duterte declare a ‘revolutionary govern- such as communist insurgents pected drug dealers and users in forces present in the conflict- sively focused on the aggra- alongside Cambodia’s Hun Sen, ment’, and impose nationwide and Islamist militants. Duterte’s signature war on drugs ridden country to the problem. vating situation in Afghanistan the Rohingya crisis and Thai- martial law,” it said. This is not the first time the since July 2016. The announcement was and the growing threat of IS land’s military-backed constitu- Roque dismissed that United States has shown concern Rights groups accused police made in Moscow at a joint press there. tion as impediments to assessment. about Duterte, who is notorious of summary executions, which conference by Russian Foreign Russia has been extremely democracy. “For one, President Rodrigo for his defiance of international authorities deny. Minister Sergey Lavrov and his worried about the narcotics and “We view this declaration Roa Duterte is no autocrat or has pressure. Duterte was infuriated International Criminal Court Pakistani counterpart Khawaja IS threat emanating from the from no less than the intelligence autocratic tendencies. He by expressions of concern by prosecutors have opened a pre- Asif after their bilateral talks. war-ravaged Afghanistan. department of the United States adheres to the rule of law and former President Barack liminary examination into “We are forming a military “We are concerned that with some concern,” remains loyal to the constitution,” Obama’s administration about Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign. cooperation commission in line security situation in Afghani- with our inter-governmental stan is exacerbating. Terrorism agreement in this area,” Lavrov is on the rise and drugs threat said as he expressed Moscow’s is very much present. We see NEWS BYTES readiness to strengthen Paki- ISIS getting foothold in the stan’s counterterrorism region and presence of US and capabilities. Nato forces has not brought sta- Fisherman eaten in “Pakistan is willing to bility,” the Russian foreign min- crocodile attack partner with Russia to promote ister said. He criticised Presi- peace and stability in the region dent Trump’s new strategy for MANILA: A crab fisherman has and beyond,” Asif said. Afghanistan and said that been killed and half-eaten by a Pakistan and Russia in Russia and Pakistan agree that huge saltwater crocodile, the November 2014 signed a the policy ‘lacks potential’. latest in a growing number of defence cooperation agreement Asif seconded Lavrov’s attacks on a remote Philippine and subsequently the two sides statement noting: “Afghanistan island, police said yesterday. in October 2015 inked military- is in a painful situation. We The family and neighbours technical cooperation accord share concerns relating to of Rebente Ladja, 37, launched providing for arms supplies and threats posed by the prevailing a search after he failed to return cooperation in weapon situation of terrorism, exponen- home Monday from setting crab development. tial increase in drug production, traps at a mangrove forest on Incidentally both pacts use of drug money for terrorism the coast of Balabac, off the were signed during Asif’s tenure financing, and increasing pres- country’s main southwestern as defence minister, who at the ence of Daesh [IS] to the secu- island of Palawan. press conference fondly rity of regional countries”. recalled his six visits to Russia Speaking about trade and Over 90 species during the past four years the economic ties, Lavrov said both facing extinction highest number of trips to any countries had agreed to boost country in his official capacity economic relations, especially ISLAMABAD: There are over as a minister. in the energy sector while Asif 90 species of mammals, birds Senate hearing in Manila Russia, Lavrov recalled, had said that the two countries and reptiles categorised as provided four Mi-35M combat would redouble efforts to Parents of children injected with Dengvaxia vaccine carry pictures of their loved ones as they attend critically endangered, vulner- and cargo helicopters to Paki- deepen cooperation in estab- a senate hearing regarding the vaccine at the Senate building in Manila, yesterday. able and near the threat of stan and the militaries of the lishing a multi-dimensional extinction in Pakistan, the Min- two countries also held joint partnership. istry of Climate Change told a parliamentary committee yesterday. Species that are at risk of Philippines asks court to declare or nearing extinction include Australian PM heading to US for 50 mammals, 27 birds and 17 reptiles, the ministry informed communist rebels as terrorists the National Assembly Standing talks with Trump and governors Committee on Climate Change REUTERS the Abu Sayyaf militants behind during a briefing on measures extremism, kidnapping, ban- AP Korea’s nuclear ambitions will those fronts,” Beazley added. taken to preserve endangered MANILA: The Philippines ditry and piracy. The United also be on the agenda. Turnbull While in Washington, Turnbull species in the country. yesterday asked a court to States has since early 2000s CANBERRA: Prime Minister would be seeking a clear picture will address the US National declare the communist party listed Abu Sayyaf and the NPA Malcolm Turnbull headed to the from Trump’s on how he Governors’ Association. Mudslides block road and its armed wing, the New as terrorist organisations. United States yesterday accom- expected the North Korean crisis Trade Minister Steven Ciobo to New Zealand town People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist State Prosecutor Peter Ong panied by the largest Australian to unfold, said Kim Beazley, a said the most significant Aus- organisation, dashing already said the rebels are ‘merely political and business delega- former Australian defense min- tralian political and business WELLINGTON: Mudslides faint hopes of a recovery in a buying time by deceiving the tion ever to visit the US. ister who was ambassador to delegation to ever visit the blocked the only road to a small tattered peace process. Philippine government in President Donald Trump’s Washington until 2016. United States signified the New Zealand town yesterday The petition before a Manila entering into peace talks’ softening opposition to joining “Generally speaking, when strength of the bilateral after a powerful Pacific storm regional trial court seeks to for- because their main agenda was the Trans-Pacific Partnership an Australian prime minister relationship. caused disruptions across parts mally terminate peace talks with to overthrow the duly consti- will be up for discussion when meets and American president, The United States is Austral- of the country. Maoist rebels, a week after a tuted authorities. Duterte is par- he meets Turnbull at the White the globe is traversed, all sorts ia’s most important security The 1,000 tourists and Norwegian diplomat met Pres- ticularly aggrieved by the failure House tomorrow. of things, the commitments we partner, while China is Austral- 5,000 locals in Takaka are not ident Rodrigo Duterte to try to of a peace process that he made The trade deal among 11 have in common, where we’re ia’s biggest trading partner. Aus- entirely trapped, but would convince him to restart negoti- a priority and restarted in countries includes Australia, going to go in Iraq and all the tralia attempts to avoid taking have to use a boat, helicopter ations that Duterte had scrapped August 2016 within a few weeks which also has a bilateral free rest of it,” Beazley told Aus- sides in US and Chinese rivalry. or small plane to leave town in anger at what he considers of taking office. He freed some trade partnership with the tralian Broadcasting Corp. A recent Australian foreign now or wait a week or more duplicity by the communists. communist leaders from jail and United States. “The difficulty facing Mr. policy statement and the US before the road is cleared and The Philippines has a state gave cabinet posts to several Security risks in the Asia- Turnbull is nobody can be abso- National Defense Strategy both repaired. policy to not negotiate with any known leftists as a show of good Pacific region created by a more lutely sure how the current view China and Russia as poten- group defined as terrorists, like faith. assertive China and North president engages on any of tial threats to global security. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 EUROPE 15

Govt delays expansion of Macron plans tighter asylum rules Dutch airport REUTERS The bill will double to parties, has so far been very group would press lawmakers office, on strike for the first time AFP 90 days the time in united, the government’s migra- to amend virtually all aspects of in five years, staged a protest PARIS: President Emmanuel which illegal migrants tion plans have triggered disquiet the bill. yesterday with placards reading: THE HAGUE: The Dutch Macron’s government yesterday in its ranks. Macron is accustomed to “Death of the right to asylum.” government yesterday post- proposed toughening France’s can be detained, Mathieu Orphelin, a law- glowing international tributes as This bill “represents a ver- poned plans to expand immigration and asylum laws shorten deadlines maker from Macron’s Republic a breath of fresh air since his tiginous drop in the rights of ref- Amsterdam’s second airport despite strident criticism from to apply for asylum, On the Move party, said on election in May last year on ugees and migrants in France,” to ease pressure on the near- human rights groups, in a move Tuesday that increasing the promises of a break with gov- said Jean-Claude Mas of the capacity Schiphol, after that will test the unity of his left- and make the illegal detention time from 45 days to ernment framed by left-versus- Cimade charity, which helps hitting turbulence over noise and-right majority. crossing of borders 90 days was problematic, adding right politics. migrants and asylum seekers. pollution fears. The bill will double to 90 an offence punishable that he intended to propose But the migration bill has But the bill might prove pop- Lelystad airport, which days the time in which illegal by one year in jail and amendments to modify the bill. concentrated criticism at home. ular with voters. lies about 50km east of the migrants can be detained, Another lawmaker from His approval rating has fallen to A BVA opinion poll earlier Dutch capital, will now “real- shorten deadlines to apply for ﬁnes. Macron’s party, Sonia Krimi, has 44 percent, its lowest level since this month showed 63 percent istically only be expanded in asylum, and make the illegal accused the government of October, a poll showed on of French voters believe there 2020,” Dutch Infrastructure crossing of borders an offence said, arguing that if France did “playing with people’s fears” Sunday, as his government tries are too many immigrants in Minister Cora van Nieuwen- punishable by one year in jail not tighten its laws it would with its migration reform. “Not to shake up France’s costly civil France. huizen said. and fines. attract refugees put off by all foreigners in France are ter- service. The number of people filing “We all know that The government says it tougher rules elsewhere in rorists, not all foreigners cheat The prominent left-wing asylum requests in France hit a Schiphol has almost reached wants to be both firm and fair on Europe. “If we don’t take this into with social welfare,” she said in magazine l’Obs in January fea- record in 2017, topping 100,000. capacity and that for immigration. Its proposal will account, we won’t be able, a parliamentary debate. tured a black and white photo of That is still well below the Schiphol, Lelystad should also make it easier for minors to tomorrow, to guarantee the right Collomb told a news confer- Macron’s face, wrapped in 186,000 arrivals of asylum have already been there yes- get asylum and aims to halve the to asylum in France. ence he was confident parlia- barbed wire, on its cover, above seekers registered that year in terday,” she told a press time it takes for authorities to But while Macron’s parliament would approve the law the words: “Welcome to the Germany. conference. process any asylum request. mentary majority, a mix of law- despite such criticism. But Jean- country of human rights”. At the height of Europe’s “But I want to take more “The law is balanced,” Inte- makers who have their roots Francois Dubost of Amnesty NGOs, lawyers and migrant crisis in 2015, Germany time over the decision to open rior Minister Gerard Collomb both in right-wing and left-wing International said the rights employees from France’s asylum registered 890,000 arrivals. the airport” to commercial flights, she said. Initially it had been planned to open up the field to commercial flights from Merkel sees Macedonia April 1, 2019. In the first year, Lelystad taking steps on path to EU is due to take some 4,000 flights from Schiphol partic- REUTERS membership,” said Merkel. ularly to southern European She homed in on progress holiday destinations during BERLIN: Macedonia is making in a dispute with Greece over peak summer periods, with headway in its bid to join the Macedonia’s name which has that number rising to 7,000 European Union, German Chan- thwarted Skopje’s ambitions to by the second year of com- cellor Angela Merkel said join Nato and the EU. The two mercial operation. yesterday, praising recent have agreed to step up talks this By 2022, Lelystad should reforms by Skopje and the pros- year to try to resolve the row be able to handle up to pect of settling its chronic name before a Nato summit in the 10,000 flights with an even- dispute with Greece. summer. tual maximum of 45,000, the Macedonia is among six Greece, which belongs to ministry said in a statement. Western Balkan nations seeking both Nato and the EU, objects to The plan is to have membership. The EU, though the landlocked Balkan country’s Lelystad handle smaller jets wary of admitting a region use of the name Macedonia, with holiday air traffic, while scarred by ethnic wars and with arguing that it could imply ter- Schiphol takes care of heavier a reputation for organised crime, ritorial claims over its own planes and long-haul interna- but also keen to blunt creeping northern region of the same tional flights and transfers. Russian influence there, has name. Schiphol is one of launched a new integration “I am very pleased and Europe’s busiest air hubs, campaign. relieved that .. there is movement handling 68.4 million passen- Merkel, at a joint news con- in the talks,” Merkel said German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) receives Macedonian Premier Zoran Zaev for talks in the gers last year, with 497,000 ference in Berlin with Macedo- yesterday. Chancellery, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. flights to 326 destinations. nian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, “In the last 10 years, the solu- And recent reports have welcomed recent judicial tion has not been as close as now alternative for the whole region.” Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia need too long. It’s not necessarily sounded a warning that it is reforms in the former Yugoslav and it would be wonderful if the Talks between the two states (FYROM). a question of how much but of now over-stretched. republic and steps to improve remaining difficulties can be have been inconclusive since Merkel also promised to try how long it takes,” said Merkel, But a furore broke out last transparency. bridged.” 1991, when Macedonia withdrew to speed up the sometimes slow pointing to lengthy planning pro- year after residents in “It is also necessary because Zaev said: “For Macedonia, from former Yugoslavia. It was process of freeing up EU funds cedures for projects such as Flevoland got wind of the it is part of the conditions for there is no alternative to Nato admitted into the United Nations earmarked for the Balkans. motorway construction which plans. moving ahead with talks on EU and EU membership. There is no in 1993 under the name Former “We Europeans sometimes could frustrate local people.

Madrid art fair yanks photo exhibit Moldova, Ukraine, Court orders arrest Georgia in talks on AP the national government in that the common denominator Madrid has vigorously denied, of the prisoners portrayed in the MADRID: Madrid’s Interna- labelling them “politicians in photos was that they had of Catalan separatist regional security tional Contemporary Art Fair prison.” expressed their ideas without AP yesterday yanked a photo exhi- The ARCO fair organisers resorting to violence. AFP Public prosecutors bition called “Political Prisoners said in a statement that IFEMA, The collection of 24 black- had asked the court to BUCHAREST: Moldova is set of Contemporary Spain,” which runs the fair venue, asked and-white photographs featured MADRID: A Spanish court issue an arrest warrant to host a conference on the prompting charges of censor- the exhibiting gallery to take head-and-shoulder portraits of yesterday issued an arrest security challenges facing ship against the government- down artist Santiago Sierra’s prisoners with their faces pixe- warrant valid only in Spain for for Gabriel and ask three former Soviet republics funded body which operates the photographs of unidentified lated. Captions explained who a former Catalan MP who is in Swiss authorities to where there are ongoing event venue. prisoners because the contro- they were, such as Catalan and self-imposed exile in Switzer- extradite her. concerns about Russian influ- The spat came during efforts versy caused by the collection Basque nationalists, without land to avoid jail while she is ence. by pro-independence groups in had diverted attention from the naming them. investigated over her role in the went to Belgium shortly after a The parliament speakers the northeastern Catalonia rest of the exhibits. It said the One group of photographs region’s secession drive. failed bid to break from Spain. of Moldova, Ukraine and region to break away from Helga de Alvear gallery com- included people facing poten- The Supreme Court “ordered She had been due to appear Georgia will head the confer- Spain. Some Catalan political plied with the request, leaving tial trial for their actions during the arrest” of Anna Gabriel, who before a Supreme Court judge ence, which will focus on leaders and activists have been a broad stretch of blank wall. the recent Catalan independ- failed to turn up yesterday yesterday over her role in Catalo- “common aspirations preventively jailed because of The artist’s studio said the ence turmoil, and many Span- before a judge for questioning, nia’s failed independence drive, regarding European integra- their secession bid, and their move damaged the international iards would likely be able to it said in its ruling. The arrest which eventually led Madrid to tion and regional security.” supporters claim they are polit- prestige of Spain and of the identify them despite the warrant applies only “nation- impose direct rule on the region Moldova’s Parliament and ical prisoners - a charge which annual fair. It said in a statement pixelation. ally”, a court spokesman said. in October, sack its government the Atlantic Council, a US Public prosecutors had and dissolve its parliament. think tank dedicated to inter- asked the court to issue an The CUP held the balance national affairs, are jointly arrest warrant for Gabriel and of power in Catalonia’s parlia- hosting the March 2 event in ask Swiss authorities to extra- ment during that time, as ousted the Moldovan capital. dite her. Catalan president Carles Puigde- A statement yesterday Asked earlier on Wednesday mont’s ruling coalition lacked a says “all three countries are if extradition was a possibility, majority and relied on the smaller facing the same challenges Swiss justice ministry spokesman party’s 10 seats to pass legislation and security threats,” without Folco Galli said: “Switzerland and advance his independence explicitly mentioning Russia. does not grant, like most other “roadmap.” Moldova, Ukraine and states, extradition and any other Gabriel, a former university Georgia all signed association form of mutual legal assistance law professor and the party’s agreements with the Euro- for political offences. most famous member, is pop- pean Union in the year 2014 “If there is a request, we have ular with CUP supporters for her amid sharp criticism from to look at it thoroughly, and from fiery speeches in parliament in Russia - and a number of pro- what the media say, it seems to favour of independence. visions, including the Deep be a political offence, so there is Puigdemont and several of and Comprehensive Free no extradition,” he added. his former ministers left for Bel- Trade Areas sections are pro- Gabriel, a top member of the gium just hours before he and visionally applied as of 1 Sep- far-left separatist CUP party, is other separatist leaders were tember 2014. the latest separatist to leave the charged with rebellion, sedition The agreements facilitate country after deposed Catalan and misuse of public funds over trade and political coopera- A journalist holds a photograph, part of the art-installation by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra’s president Carles Puigdemont and their role in Catalonia’s inde- tion and allow nationals visa- ‘Political Prisoners of Contemporary Spain’ as she informs on its removal from ARCO art fair, in four former regional ministers pendence drive. free travel to the European Madrid, yesterday. Union. 16 EUROPE THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 UK eyes longer Brexit transition AFP The government The EU has said this can only document issued happen if Britain agrees to LONDON: Britain yesterday follow all current EU rules raised doubts about an yesterday also called including freedom of movement EU-proposed deadline of for “arrangements” to for citizens. December 31, 2020, for ending ensure “mutual good Pro-Brexit MPs have warned a post-Brexit transition period faith” regarding any this risks Britain becoming a allowing time for the two sides “vassal state” of the EU during to strike an agreement on future new EU laws adopted the transition period. trade ties. during the transition The government document According to a leaked doc- period. issued yesterday also called for ument published by British “arrangements” to ensure media, the government said that “mutual good faith” regarding The Brexit Facts Bus, rolled out by European Union advocates as they kick off a new initiative against it was still aiming for the tran- drawal and the transition. any new EU laws adopted Brexit, is driven around Westminster, in central London, yesterday. sition period to last around two The document was a during the transition period, years after Britain leaves the response to conditions set out without giving further details. European Union on March 29, by Brussels for a transition A group of pro-Brexit Con- 2019. period requested by Britain with servative MPs known as the Euro- Anti-Brexit campaign bus launched But it said the precise dura- the intention of allowing busi- pean Research Group (ERG) also tion of the period “should be nesses and the general public yesterday sent a letter to May with REUTERS week” had a difficult start to its symbolic of their “Take Back determined simply by how long time to adjust to life after Brexit. a number of suggestions for journey, however, getting stuck Control” campaign. Their side it will take to prepare and It said that there was “broad securing a successful Brexit. LONDON,: An anti-Brexit as it struggled to drive down a prevailed by 52 to 48 percent in implement the new processes alignment” and “only a small The letter, which was signed campaign bus was forced into a lane in the central Westminster the vote. and new systems that will number of areas requiring by 62 lawmakers, in particular reversal of its own yesterday as district. Pro-Remain members of par- underpin the future discussion”. emphasised that Britain should it got stuck in a narrow side- The bus’s aesthetic and liament and campaigners gath- partnership”. A spokesman for Prime Min- be able to negotiate its own free street in central London during slogan refer to the famous claim ered for yesterday’s launch of the Britain “wishes to discuss ister Theresa May played down trade deals with other countries its first day on the road. by Brexit campaigners that “is it worth it?” bus and called for with the EU the assessment that the document saying there was as soon as it leaves the bloc. Pro-European Union cam- leaving the EU would free up a public vote on the terms of any supports its proposed end date,” “nothing remotely new”. It also said that any transi- paigners launched the bus $487.90m per week to be spent Brexit deal once it has been it said. Britain has said it wants to tion period “should be based on against Britain’s planned exit on improving the state-run reached with Brussels. An agreement on the future leave the European single WTO principles”. from the EU from outside par- National Health Service (NHS). Opponents of Brexit are partnership between Britain and market and customs union at the “Any implementation liament as it started an eight- The 350 million pounds trying to mobilise to stop Brit- the EU cannot be concluded moment of Brexit but then con- period must not restrain the UK day tour of Britain. message, plastered across buses ain’s departure from the EU, until it has actually left the bloc tinue trading with the European from negotiating or signing The large red campaign bus driven around the country by scheduled for March 2019, even and current negotiations are Union “on current terms” during other trade agreements,” they emblazoned with the slogan Brexiteers ahead of the June as polls show little sustained over the conditions of with- the transition period. said. “Brexit to cost £2,000 million a 2016 EU referendum, became appetite for a reversal.

Census: Nearly US-Russia ties will be 3,000 homeless hard to repair: Moscow in Paris AFP apparently interfering in their ANATOLIA electoral process,” he said. MOSCOW: Moscow yesterday “Of course we in Moscow PARIS: “Nearly 3,000” home- said it would be “very difficult” regret all of this,” he said of less have been counted in the to improve US-Russia relations, potential sanctions against the French capital, the first which have plummeted to Cold 13 Russians who were indicted deputy mayor of Paris War lows on accusations of last week as part of a US fed- announced yesterday. election meddling and crises in eral government probe. For the first time, the Syria and Ukraine. “It will be very difficult to municipality decided to count Deputy foreign minister move relations with the US on the number of its homeless. Sergei Ryabkov accused the US from their current state,” he “Nearly 3,000 people of trying to meddle in Russia’s said. were counted...in the Parisian internal affairs ahead of a pres- Several US congressional public space,” the first deputy idential election next month, committees and special prose- mayor of Paris Bruno Julliard after Washington indicted 13 cutor Robert Mueller are inves- told a news conference, Russians for an alleged covert tigating allegations of Russian adding that this figure was effort to interfere in 2016 US interference in the 2016 elec- “probably far below reality”. polls. tion and collusion with the On Thursday night, some “Paradoxically, the Ameri- campaign of President Donald 2,000 volunteers and officials cans are taking steps towards Trump. counted people sleeping out- meddling in our internal affairs Moscow has long denied Swedish defendant John Ausonius (right), also know as “Laser man”, stands next to his Lawyer as side, huddled in doorways, in and exacerbating tensions in any role in election he arrives for his court trial , in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, yesterday. parking lots, in subway sta- bilateral relations ahead of the interference. tions or taken in by hospitals presidential election” in Russia The Cold War rivals have for health reasons. on March 18, Ryabkov said. clashed over crises in Ukraine, “All car parks were not Swedish murderer gets life sentence “Despite this, they continue Syria and Iran, with reciprocal taken into account, all stair- -- without any foundation or expulsions of diplomats last wells of buildings, ...were not AFP extradited to Germany in late court stressed that he is a danger proof -- to reproach us for year. taken into account, we did not 2016, was also found guilty of to society. wake the homeless, we did FRANKFURT AM MAIN: A the murder of 68-year-old Born as Wolfgang Alexander not open the tents in which German court yesterday handed Jewish Holocaust survivor Zaugg in Sweden to a German there could be several people, a life prison term to a Swedish Blanka Zmigrod in Frankfurt in mother and a Swiss father, “Julliard explained. convicted killer -- dubbed “the 1992 yesterday. Ausonius was reportedly bul- Several welfare organisa- laser man” for using a laser- In a sign of Ausonius’s noto- lied at school. tions put the number at 5,000 scoped rifle to target immigrants riety, Norwegian white He is said to have rejected and more. -- for the murder of a Jewish supremacist mass murderer his foreign origins and devel- In France, there is no offi- woman. Anders Behring Breivik at his oped a strong hatred for cial census of the homeless. John Ausonius, 64, has own trial had mentioned the immigrants. Only a 2012 INSEE -- France’s already been behind bars for “Lasermannen” or “laser man” Ausonius, diagnosed with a national statisitics institute -- years after he received a life as a figure who shared the same personality disorder, at various survey estimated that 143,000 sentence in Sweden for a six- goals. times worked odd jobs, studied people were homeless in month shooting spree from Ausonius, having now chemistry, served in the mili- France, including 28,800 1991 to 1992, in which he killed received life terms in two coun- tary, lived on the streets, grew A sign outside a closed KFC fast food store in south London French-speaking adults in the one immigrant and wounded tries, is almost certain to spend wealthy by trading stocks and explains the closure is due to a shortage of fresh chicken. Ile-de-France region which 10. the rest of his life behind bars bonds and plunged back into encompasses Paris. The convict, who was without parole as the German homelessness. KFC closes some UK stores due to chicken crisis Scientists improve malaria drug production AFP LONDON: Some KFC outlets in Britain are to remain shut AP sweet wormwood, to produce the more out of the plant than ever anti-malaria medicine,” Peter for the rest of the week, the fast food operator said as a supply drug itself. That involved a new before,” he said. “The process we Seeberger, director of the Max crisis rumbled on, leaving fans craving a fix of deep-fried BERLIN: Scientists in Germany machine that could convert about have now is more efficient and Planck Institute unit working on chicken. who developed a new way to 40 percent of the waste acid into significantly cheaper than what the issue. About 450 of the chain’s 900 outlets remained closed make a key malaria drug several artemisinin itself, producing we had in 2012.” The researchers are working late Tuesday after “operational issues” with new German years ago said yesterday they more of the drug from what had The World Health Organiza- with the US.state of Kentucky on delivery supplier DHL left them without poultry supplies. have come up with a technique in the past been discarded. tion reported in November that a pilot project to start an opera- “Each day more deliveries are being made,” said a to make the process even more The new procedure uses the there were 216 million malaria tion where sweet wormwood is spokesman for KFC. efficient, which should increase plant’s own chlorophyll instead cases worldwide in 2016, up 5 cultivated on thousands of acres “However, we expect the disruption to some restaurants global access and reduce the cost. of additional chemicals as cata- million over 2015, and 445,000 and then processed on site into to continue over the remainder of the week, meaning some The new procedure refines a lysts to drive the reaction, people died of the disease, pri- the anti-malaria drug. The target will be closed and others operating with a reduced menu or method developed in 2012 at the directly using the crude mate- marily children. is to have it operational in three shortened hours.” Max Planck Institute to use the rials to produce the drug more “This development has the years, Gilmore said. The crisis erupted over the weekend when KFC switched waste product from the produc- efficiently, chemist Kerry Gil- potentiation to save millions of “We will have the entire its delivery contract to DHL, leading to the closure of 700 of tion of artemisinin, which is more said. lives by increasing the global supply chain under one roof, its British stores. extracted from a plant known as “We’re able to get much access and reducing the cost of going from plants to pill.” THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 AMERICAS 17

Hundreds of high school and middle school students from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia staged walkouts and gather in front of the White House in support of gun control in the wake of the Florida shooting, in Washington, DC, yesterday. Florida students turn up heat for gun action

AFP battlefield.” Rallying in soli- student who shot dead 17 people large-capacity magazines. semi-automatic rifle — and the darity, students staged walk- in Florida last week did not have The US Congress is also White House said Tuesday it TALLAHASSEE: Student survi- outs from other high schools in bump stocks on his gun, there deadlocked on the gun debate, would consider raising the age vors of the Florida school Florida and elsewhere vowing President Donald has been a renewed focus on the accomplishing nothing since the for such purchases. “I think shooting that saw 17 people to make the tragedy a turning devices because outlawing them shooting in Las Vegas. that’s certainly something that’s killed in a hail of bullets last point in America’s deadlocked Trump threw his is a rare point of agreement “We must actually make a on the table,” spokeswoman week descended on the state debate on gun control. support behind moves between Democrats, some difference,” Trump said. “We Sarah Sanders said. capital yesterday to ramp up the In Washington, hundreds of to ban “bump stocks” Republicans and the NRA. must move past cliches and tired Students are planning a pressure on lawmakers to enact local high school students gath- In Florida, more than 100 debates and focus on evidence- march on Washington next tougher gun control measures. ered outside the White House — an accessory that students from Stoneman Douglas based solutions and security month and on Tuesday, they Holding signs reading “Never chanting slogans against the can turn a semi- travelled eight hours in buses on measures that actually work,” he earned $2m in pledges from Hol- Again” and “Be The Adults, Do National Rifle Association (NRA), automatic weapon Tuesday to meet with state leg- said. “We must do more to pro- lywood A-listers George Clooney Something,” students from Mar- the powerful gun lobby, and into an automatic one. islators and demand they action tect our children. This includes and his human rights lawyer wife jory Stoneman Douglas High demanding action from Presi- on gun laws. implementing common sense Amal, Oprah Winfrey, director School rallied with thousands of dent Donald Trump. “My classmates and I are security measures and Steven Spielberg and film pro- supporters outside the imposing Faced with the massive out- support on Tuesday behind probably the most determined addressing mental health issues ducer Jeffrey Katzenberg. white stone-columned capitol pouring of grief and outrage moves to ban “bump stocks” — group of people you will ever including better coordination The “March for Our Lives” is building in Tallahassee. over the Parkland, Florida an accessory that can turn a meet,” said student Sofie between federal and state law scheduled to take place on March “I am here to demand change shooting, Trump was to meet semi-automatic weapon into an Whitney. “People are talking enforcement to take swift action 24, with sister rallies planned from my government,” student with parents, students and automatic one. about how we aren’t serious when there are warning signs.” across the country. Lorenzo Prado told the crowd. teachers at the White House to Calls to ban bump stocks because we’re children, but... Florida school shooter Americans support stricter “To let these victims lives be discuss school safety. have been mounting since we’re serious.” Nikolas Cruz, 19, had a history gun laws by a 66 to 31 percent taken without any change in Trump — who received Stephen Paddock, a retired The students’ push for of troubling behavior and a margin, according to a poll return is an act of treason to our strong backing from the NRA accountant, used them on sev- change hit a hurdle on Tuesday person close to him warned the released by Quinnipiac Univer- great country.” during his White House run — is eral of his weapons to kill 58 when the Republican-dominated FBI five weeks before the sity. It described the margin as “To let our fellow coun- also showing a new-found will- concertgoers in Las Vegas in Florida House of Representatives shooting that he was a threat — “the highest level of support” trymen fall beside us without ingness to take at least some October 2017 in the deadliest declined to take up a debate on but no action was taken. Cruz for stricter gun control since it fighting back is to me equal to steps on gun control. mass shooting in recent US his- legislation that would have legally bought the gun he used began surveys on the question leaving a soldier to die in the The president threw his tory. Although the former banned assault weapons and in the attack — an AR-15-style in 2008. US presidents lead tributes to Billy Graham Venezuelans report AFP many -- and who, with wisdom and grace, gave hope and guidance to generations of big weight losses in WASHINGTON: US presidents from Jimmy Americans.” Carter to Donald Trump led the chorus of trib- Bill Clinton, the former Arkansas gov- utes yesterday to the influential Billy Graham ernor who became president in 1993, said 2017 as hunger hits (pictured), a spiritual adviser to a dozen Amer- “I will never forget the first time I saw him, ican leaders who has died at age 99. 60 years ago in Little Rock, during the school REUTERS The study flagged Venezue- “The GREAT Billy Graham is dead,” integration struggle. He filled a football sta- lans’ deteriorating diets, which Trump tweeted. “There was nobody like him! dium with a fully integrated audience, CARACAS: Venezuelans are deficient in vitamins and He will be missed by Christians and all reli- reminding them that we all come before God reported losing on average 11kg protein, as currency controls gions. A very special man.” Tall and hand- as equals, both in our imperfection and our in body weight last year and restrict food imports, hyperin- some, Graham, an ordained Southern Bap- absolute claim to amazing grace. Later as almost 90 percent now live in flation eats into salaries, and tist minister, cut a charismatic figure as an governor, in the White House, and afterward, poverty, according to a new people line up for hours to buy evangelical preacher whose huge tent meet- I saw him live that faith fully in the constant university study on the impact basics like flour. ings and rallies found audiences on radio Obama, according to his biographers Graham kindness, encouragement, and counsel he of a devastating economic crisis “Income is being pulver- and television. found only Carter to match him in dedica- extended to Hillary and me,” Clinton said. and food shortages. ized,” Maria Ponce, one of the “Billy Graham was America’s pastor,” tion to his faith. Graham was recently portrayed as a spir- The annual survey, pub- study’s investigators, told a said former president George H W Bush. “I In a tribute, the former Democratic pres- itual adviser to the young Queen Elizabeth lished yesterday by three uni- news conference at the Andres was privileged to have him as a personal ident spoke of Graham’s “enormous influ- II in the recent Netflix television series “The versities, is one of the most Bello Catholic University on friend,” Bush added. “He was a mentor to ence on my own spiritual life.” “Tirelessly Crown”. The Archbishop of Canterbury, closely-followed assessments Caracas’s outskirts. “This dis- several of my children, including the former spreading a message of fellowship and hope, Justin Welby, said Graham “stood as an of Venezuelans’ well being parity between the rise in prices president of the United States. We will miss he shaped the spiritual lives of tens of mil- exemplar to generation upon generation of amid a government informa- and the population’s salaries is our good friend forever.” lions of people worldwide,” Carter said. modern Christians. There are countless num- tion vacuum and shows a so generalized that there is prac- While he preached to a long line of US Obama said on Twitter that Graham bers who began their journey of faith because steady rise in poverty and tically not a single Venezuelan presidents, from Harry Truman to Barack was “a humble servant who prayed for so of Dr Graham,” Welby said. hunger in recent years. who is not poor,” she said. Over 60 percent of Vene- The study calculated the zuelans surveyed said that poverty rate from 13 different during previous three months indicators such as income and Number of US they had woken up hungry access to services. If the average US Democrats want $300m to ﬁght because they did not have of these indicators was above hate groups up enough money to buy food. 25 percent, investigators possible Russia election tampering About a quarter of the popu- defined a person as poor. Prices WASHINGTON: The number lation was eating two or less in Venezuela rose 4,068 percent of US hate groups rose again REUTERS resources and manpower to of Congress is up for grabs, by meals a day, the study showed. in the 12 months to the end of in 2017, during President counter the influence of hostile using social media to spread Last year, the three univer- January, according to estimates Donald Trump’s first year in WASHINGTON: US Democratic foreign actors operating in the propaganda and misleading sities found that Venezuelans by the country’s opposition-led office, and has surged 20 leaders called on Congress US, especially Russian operatives reports, much as it did during the said they had lost an average of National Assembly, broadly in percent since 2014, a US civil yesterday to give the Federal operating on our social media 2016 U.S. campaign. 8 kilograms during 2016. This line with independent econo- rights watchdog said. Bureau of Investigation $300m platforms,” Schumer, Pelosi and And on Friday, the office of time, the study’s dozen inves- mists’ figures. The Southern Poverty to fight Russian efforts to inter- the top Democrats on the Senate Special Counsel Robert Mueller tigators surveyed 6,168 Vene- The study showed that 87 Law Center’s annual census fere in congressional and state and House Appropriations Com- charged 13 Russians and 13 Rus- zuelans between the ages of 20 percent of people in Venezuela, identified 954 hate groups in elections in November. mittees wrote in a letter. sian companies with conspiracy and 65 across the country of 30 one of Latin America’s wealth- 2017, a 4 percent rise from the Citing warnings from intelli- They sent the letter to Senate to tamper with the 2016 cam- million people. iest nations back in the 1970s, year before. The increase fol- gence agencies that Russia is Majority Leader Mitch McConnell paign. Moscow has denied elec- After winning the presi- were living in poverty last year, lowed a 2.8 increase in 2016, trying to influence the upcoming and House Speaker Paul Ryan. tion meddling and Republican dency in 1999, leftist President rising from 82 percent in 2016 and the most recent number vote, Senate Democratic Leader Aides to Ryan did not immedi- President Donald Trump rejects Hugo Chavez was proud of and 48 percent in 2014. represents a jump of one-fifth Chuck Schumer and House of ately respond to a request for suggestions that his associates improving Venezuela’s social The Venezuelan govern- from 2014. Representatives Democratic comment. McConnell’s office colluded with Russia. indicators due to oil-fuelled ment has not released data on Among the more than 600 Leader Nancy Pelosi asked that referred a query to the Senate The Democrats also want a welfare policies. But his suc- poverty since the first half of US white supremacist groups, the additional funds be included in Appropriations Committee. “substantial” increase in funding cessor President Nicolas Madu- 2015 when the national statis- neo-Nazi organizations rose to a bill to fund the government Leaders of US intelligence for the Department of Home- ro’s rule since 2013 has coin- tics institute reported a poverty 121 from 99. Anti-Muslim through September 30, which Con- agencies warned a Senate com- land Security and Election cided with a deep recession, rate of 33 percent. The govern- groups increased for a third gress aims to pass by March 23. mittee last week that Russia is Assistance Commission to help due to failed state-led economic ment did not respond to a year in a row, to 114 from 101 “This additional funding trying to interfere in the 2018 states upgrade their machines policies and the plunge in global request for comments on the in 2016, the report said. should be targeted to ensure the midterm elections, when control and systems. oil prices. study. 18 AMERICAS THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 States face ﬂooding in Midwest amid storms

AP Janesville. In western Michigan, officials said a washout from MATTAWAN: Sandbags were heavy rains may have caused holding back floodwaters in Melting snow and two engines from a freight train parts of Michigan as a storm to derail near Grand Rapids. No system moved across several heavy rain prompted injuries were reported. Midwest and Great Plains states the National Weather A 52-year-old woman from yesterday, bringing heavy rain, Service to issue ﬂood Bourbonnais, Illinois, was found snow and ice to the region. warnings for parts dead Tuesday in a submerged The weather has already car in Peotone, south of Chicago. been blamed for hundreds of car of northern Illinois The woman apparently lost con- crashes and several fatalities, and northern Indiana, trol of her car on southbound including the deaths of four as well as southern Illinois Route 45 and ended up people in a crash along a slip- in a rain-filed ditch, Peotone 35 dead in Peru bus accident pery interstate in Nebraska. Wisconsin and much Fire Protection District Deputy A bus is seen after running off the road and plunging into a ravine on the Pan-American road in Melting snow and heavy of Michigan’s Lower Chief Bruce Boyle said. southern Peru yesterday, killing people. At least passengers were injured when the bus left the rain prompted the National In eastern Nebraska, speed Peninsula. Weather Service to issue flood and slippery pavement caused Pan-American highway and tumbled feet down a jagged slope in the southern region of Arequipa. warnings for parts of northern a crash between a pickup truck Illinois and northern Indiana, Ottawa. In Indiana, homes and and a semitrailer Tuesday that as well as southern Wisconsin streets were flooded in the South killed four people on Interstate and much of Michigan’s Lower Bend area, and forecasters pre- 80, police said. The three men Peninsula. Flood warnings also dicted the local St. Joseph River and one woman killed were were issued for parts of Mis- wouldn’t crest until today. from Colorado, authorities said. Life in prison for US man who souri and Texas. Flood watches were issued The Kansas Highway Patrol Flooded streets in Michigan for several states, while winter said a 38-year-old woman died stranded motorists and a school weather advisories were in and two other people were shot dead Lebanese neighbour bus in Flint, while residents in effect Wednesday for an area injured in a collision on an icy Mattawan, in the southwestern stretching from southwestern highway late Monday. In Min- AFP on the front porch of his family important message. “We believe part of the state, used sandbags Illinois to Texas, including parts nesota, state police said winter home in August 2016, just min- that as a community we have to to protect homes and businesses of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri weather contributed to 400 CHICAGO: An Oklahoma man utes after calling police to report pay attention to our thoughts, as the Mattawan Creek rose and Arkansas. crashes and 250 spinouts, convicted of the hate-motivated that his threatening neighbor as they become our words, our above its banks. The weather stretched as including two fatal accidents. killing of his Lebanese American had a gun. Majors had tor- words as they become our “We just got to wait for it to far south as Arkansas, where The storm system stretched neighbour was sentenced late mented the Jabara family for actions. We must hold each go down,” Mattawan resident strong winds toppled power to Texas, where weather service on Tuesday to life in prison years, according to prosecutors. other accountable,” the victim’s Terry Teeter, who installed lines and damaged some build- officials said three tornadoes hit. without parole. The Jabaras are Christian and sister Victoria Jabara Williams pumps to keep water away from ings late on Tuesday and early One struck early on Tuesday in Stanley Majors was con- had fled Lebanon’s civil war told reporters after Majors’s his house, told WOOD-TV. yesterday. a rural area near Joshua, victed earlier this month of first- decades ago to avoid religious conviction. “It’s going to be a couple of Two days of rain in southern destroying at least two mobile degree murder for fatally persecution. The 63-year-old “The rhetoric that’s going on days like this.” In Illinois, the Wisconsin swelled waterways, homes and severely damaging shooting his next-door neighbor was also sentenced for the hate in our community and nation- fear of rising water along the prompting road closures. Police several others. A mother and her in the city of Tulsa, because of crime charge of malicious intim- ally, and globally, I think it’s Illinois River forced the evacu- and firefighters rescued people disabled daughter were injured his hatred of the neighbour’s idation or harassment. more important than ever that ation late Tuesday of the LaSalle from vehicles stranded in high when one twister demolished Lebanese descent. The Jabara family said the we say something when we hear County Nursing Home in water on Tuesday at two sites in their mobile home. Khalid Jabara, 37, was killed hate crime charge sent an something,” she said.

Agonizing subway Global cybercrime costs ride lands NY woman Worst $600bn annually: Study Commute award AFP Globally, criminals are REUTERS using the same tools for data WASHINGTON: The annual or identity theft, bank hacks, NEW YORK: This is one cost of cybercrime has hit and other cyber mischief, contest no New York City $600bn worldwide, fueled by with anonymity preserved by subway rider wants to win. growing sophistication of using bitcoin or other An advocacy group for hackers and proliferation of cryptocurrency. city commuters awarded its criminal marketplaces and “The digital world has first “Worst Commute of the cryptocurrencies, researchers transformed almost every Week” award to a librarian said yesterday. aspect of our lives, including from the borough of Queens A report produced by the risk and crime, so that crime is for her story of an agonizing security firm McAfee with the more efficient, less risky, more two-hour wait in a tunnel one Center for Strategic and Inter- profitable and has never been stop from her home after national Studies found theft of easier to execute,” said Steve Members of the United States Democratic party (from left) Representative Jim McGovern from skipping a restroom visit intellectual property represents Grobman, chief technology Massachusetts, Senator Gary Peters from Michigan, Senator Patrick Leahy from Vermont, Senator before leaving work. about one-fourth of the cost of officer for McAfee. The Riders Alliance Ron Wyden from Oregon and Representative Susan Davis from California attend a press conference cybercrime in 2017. CSIS vice-president James awards are aimed at shaming at the United States Embassy in Havana, yesterday. Russia, North Korea and Lewis said meanwhile the geo- New York State Governor Iran are the main sources of political risks of cybercrime are Andrew Cuomo and the hackers targeting financial a key element in these attacks. state’s Legislature into Raul Castro receives US lawmakers institutions, while China is the “Our research bore out the enacting a long-term plan to most active in cyber espionage, fact that Russia is the leader in fund and fix the city’s AFP including the mysterious sup- Accompanying Leahy on the report found. cybercrime, reflecting the skill declining subway system. posed attacks in Havana. the visit are senators Ron The researchers said ran- of its hacker community and its The inaugural winner, HAVANA: Cuban President Raul The issue has hit US-Cuba Wyden of Oregon and Michi- somware is the fastest-growing disdain for western law City University librarian Jen- Castro received a bipartisan relations, with Washington gan’s Gary Peters, along with component of cybercrime, enforcement,” Lewis said. nifer Tang, recounted being delegation of US lawmakers, withdrawing half of its diplo- representatives Kathy Castor helped by the easy availability “North Korea is second in trapped underground on a who are visiting the island with mats from Cuba and expelling of Florida, Jim McGovern of of marketplaces offering line, as the nation uses crypto- train when the last five min- the alleged “acoustic attacks” 15 officials from the Cuban Massachusetts and Susan Davis hacking services. currency theft to help fund its utes of her ride home from against US diplomats on their embassy in the US capital. of California. The global research report regime, and we’re now seeing Manhattan to the Forest Hills agenda. “During the meeting The Cuban foreign ministry’s Leahy has been one of the comes days after the White an expanding number of cyber- neighborhood in the borough they discussed matters of US director, Carlos Fernandez most active politicians inside the House released a report crime centers, including not of Queens on Jan. 20 deteri- interest to both countries,” the de Cossio, met with the con- Capitol in advocating the showing cyberattacks cost the only North Korea but also orated into two hours. Cuban government said. gressmen on Monday assuring improvement of US-Cuba rela- United States between $57bn Brazil, India and Vietnam.” “I hadn’t used the bath- The delegation, led by Dem- them that “no evidence that tions, which defrosted some- and $109bn in 2016, while The latest McAfee-CSIS room, figuring I only had a ocratic Senator Patrick Leahy of attacks occurred against US dip- what in 2014 under Barack warning of a “spillover” effect report suggested cybercrime 30-minute commute from Vermont, arrived in Cuba on lomats in Cuba exists,” according Obama after half a century of for the broader economy if cer- costs were rising from a 2014 Manhattan to Queens,” Tang, Sunday to address various issues to his deputy Johana Tablada. tension. tain sectors are hit. estimate of $445bn. 49, said in an interview. Then the train stopped and an announcement warned of signal problems. “Five minutes became 10 Brazil’s ‘What a shot’ music video stirs debate minutes, became 20 minutes, became one hour, became one REUTERS and adults collapsing to the A petition to outlaw funk second largest city, objected to is reached, media reports said. hour and 50 minutes,” said ground as a shot rings out fol- music because of its explicit the parodies. “What a shot? No, Todynho, 21, whose artistic Tang, who was in pain and RIO DE JANEIRO: A viral music lowing the lyrics “What a shot”, treatment of violence, sex and I’m not going to fall to the floor... name refers to a popular brand urgently hoping the subway video called “What a shot” is stir- before the person stands up and drugs gained more than 20,000 I’m a joker too, but joking has a of chocolate milk, is from Rio’s would quickly reach her des- ring debate in Brazil about the begins to dance as the music signatures last year but has failed time and a place,” he raps. tough western neighbourhood tination. “Now, before boarding glamorization of crime and picks up. to gain traction in Congress. In a “The Rio that we love cele- of Bangu. She said the phrase is the subway, even if it’s for one freedom of expression, as The spoofs have revived population of around 210 mil- brates carnival and this violence used to mean “how cool,” in a stop, I use the bathroom.” surging crime in Rio de Janeiro debate about whether the pop- lion people, the government is terrifying.” A city in the north- song mostly about sambaing The Riders Alliance has led the government to put ular dance music genre from Rio recorded 59,080 gun deaths in eastern state of Alagoas tried to with your girlfriends. invited commuters to share troops in charge of security in the de Janeiro, known as funk, glam- 2015, putting it in the top 10 ban the song being played during The official music video, with their stories using the hashtag tourist city. orizes violence. On Friday, Bra- World Bank list of the most mur- Carnival this month, arguing it over 136 million views, made the #WorstCommute. Winners of The hit by Jordana Gleise de zil’s government ordered the derous countries. incited violence. rounds as national attention was the contest receive a choco- Jesus Menezes — known as JoJo army to take over command of In a music video featuring Authorities sought to impose focused on violence during the late replica of the MetroCard, Todynho — has spawned myriad police forces in Rio de Janeiro images of coffins and the faces a fine of 2,000 reais ($616) for Carnival festivities in Rio, with which the subway system’s parody videos on YouTube since state to curb violence after kill- of young children killed by stray each violation, but a court images of gangs robbing tourists roughly 6 million daily riders it was released in December. ings increased by nearly 8 per- bullets in Rio, rapper Gabriel O stopped the city from punishing en masse repeatedly broadcast swipe to enter stations. The clips often show children cent last year to 6,731. Pensador, also from Rio, Brazil’s musicians before a final ruling on national TV. THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018 HOME 19 TNG marks NSD with games, activities Warwick Doha appoints THE PENINSULA Tug of War, Lemon Spoon Race, Andrea as Italian Chef Skipping Race, Handball game DOHA: Dedicated to join Qatar in and Flat race were the highlight the efforts of promoting healthy activities of the day. Students de Cuisine of Carisma lifestyle and fitness, students from cheered with excitement and fer- five campuses of The Next Gener- vour motivating their respective THE PENINSULA knowledge of food preparation, ation School (TNG) participated classes. Teachers and Ancillary with the best quality ingredi- in the Annual Sports Week. staff members also participated DOHA: Warwick Doha has ents and contemporary Italian Various sporting activities were in games and activities. warmly announced the cuisines to express my talent conducted among students from Dressed in bright colours, stu- appointment of Andrea Guidi and passion in order to enhance all classes. dents of Kindergarten section as the new Italian Chef de the dining experience for all The sports event began with looked cheerful and participated Cuisine of the Italian Restau- guests. One of my intentions is Oath taking ceremony where stu- in fun exciting games. Ring Bal- rant, Carisma. to continue the promotion “Giro dents pledged to respect and abide ance, Hula Hoop Alley, Spoon Bal- In his position, Chef Andrea d’Italia”, where each month, an by the rules and ingrain the true ance, Tunnel Relay, Bursting the will be at the helm of the Italian Italian region will be chosen spirit of sportsmanship. Balloon and Crawl Race were culinary and stewarding team with its best dishes, to show that The students of The Next Generation School celebrate Qatar A ceremonial parade was then some of the activities arranged for for the restaurant and sup- Italy is not only pasta and National Sport Day. conducted by the students with the students. porting operation in other food pizza.” said Chef Andrea. discipline followed by an opening Preparatory grade students at and beverage outlets, ban- “We are pleased to have speech by the school Head Girl TNG Al Wakra enthusiastically recreational games. Students matches, Obstacle races and Track queting and outdoor catering. appointed such a young and tal- and Head Boy. Sack Race, Hurdle participated in various sport activ- showcased their sporting skills in events with excitement and Chef Andrea, an Italian ented Italian chef for our Car- Race, Skipping Race, Relay Race, ities involving teachers in Badminton, Handball, Football energy. national, has over 7 years of isma, Italian Restaurant. He will culinary and pastry experience add the special Italian touch working in fine dining restau- with his rich experience across Mövenpick Hotel Doha brings rants in 4 and 5 star hotels in Italy with some of the finest res- Italy, France and US. Chef taurants and chefs (such as Chef back Indian ﬂavours to its Andrea also carries the experi- Enrico Bartolini) he has worked ence of working in three dif- for. Guests will be delighted to Seasons Restaurant this Holi ferent 1 and 2 star Michelin res- talk and share experiences with taurants: “La Credenza” him and it will be our pleasure THE PENINSULA Restaurant in Torino (1-star), to try out and create new dishes Les Bacchanales Restaurant in and menus.” said Marco Saxer, DOHA: Holi is considered one France (1-star) and Devero Res- General Manager of Warwick of the most vibrant and taurant in Milano (2-star). Doha. colourful festivals in India. It is It is his first time to work in The Carisma Italian Restau- celebrated widely across all Middle East; Chef Andrea is rant is situated at the Ground states and as a treat on this enthusiastic of his role at hotel Floor, open from 6:30pm to Ideal Indian School Principal Syed Shoukath Ali handing hall festive occasion Mövenpick Warwick Doha, and glad to 11:30pm daily. tickets to students. Hotel Doha will offer it’s guest work hand in hand with the Warwick Doha is a five-star a chance to savour the old culinary and food & beverage gem that has emerged in the IIS students receive hall tickets world opulence of Indian teams of Carisma to deliver the City of Pearls and Lights. War- THE PENINSULA India Senior School Certificate cuisine - to be enjoyed by fami- available. best Italian cuisine. wick Doha sits amid Doha’s city Examination (CBSE) and 385 lies and friends. An Indian General Manager, Sami “My expectation is to centre, putting guests in the DOHA: The students of Ideal students appearing for class buffet dinner with the cuisine’s Aawar, said, “We know how improve our cuisine, proposing middle of everything the city Indian School (IIS) appearing X examination received their specialties will be featured on famous Indian cuisine is world- new Italian dishes with a has to offer. But it’s not only for class X and XII examina- hall tickets. The exams com- March 2 at Seasons restaurant. wide and we are very excited modern yet classical and inter- about the location, as Warwick tions received their examina- mence from 5th and 6th of To give the restaurant an to have people over and enjoy national touch. I will take inspi- Doha promises its guest to find tion hall tickets. March for Class XII and Class authentic feel on this festive the delicious taste of India ration to mix the Arabic and the a new standard of luxury – Principal Syed Shoukath X respectively. day, Seasons Restaurant will during Holi.” Culinary creativity Italian cuisine. It is an honor to starting with the rejuvenating Ali distributed hall tickets in In an inspiring speech, Syed put up Indian decorations and is a signature of Mövenpick be joining hotel Warwick Doha spa and rooftop swimming a special morning assembly Shoukath Ali wished the stu- the staff will be seen wearing Hotel Doha. Just 11km from and looking forward to share pool. With a blend of contem- held recently. The outgoing dents all the best for their exam. traditional Indian costumes. A Hamad International Airport all my experience and deliver porary and classic styling, an batch of Class XII comprising He also gave some important wide range of tantalising buffet and minutes from the business my passion for food to our array of elegant rooms and 211 Students from the Science, tips to students which help them with some of India’s most well- district, this hotel is centrally guests. In my new capacity, I suites, and refined dining, War- Commerce and Humanities overcome stress before the loved dishes namely – Butter located on the prominent Cor- will be overseeing Carisma, our wick Doha is designed to create streams appearing for All examination. Chicken, Kashmiri Pulao, niche Road opposite the iconic Italian restaurant and will the most memorable Qatar stay Chicken Tikka will be Museum of Islamic Arts. showcase my extensive imaginable.

CROSSWORD NOVO Pearl Qatar ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Black Panther (2D/Action) 10:00, 10:15am, 12:45, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 3:45, Welcome To New York (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 7:00pm 6:15, 6:30, 8:15, 9:00, 9:15, 11:45pm & 12:00midnight Hey Jude (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 9:00pm Game Night (2D/Action) 10:00, 11:00am, 12:00noon, 1:00, 2:00, Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly And Simon 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 8:15, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00pm 3:30 & 5:00pm Aadhi (2D/Malayalam) 5:00pm & 12:00midnight Wolf Warrior 2 10:00am, 2:30, 7:00 & 11:30pm Mom And Dad (2D/Horror) 12:30, 5:00 & 9:30pm War Commanders China Salesman (Action) 5:00 & 9:30pm Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly And Simon Black Panther (2D/Action) 6:30pm Game Night (2D/Action) 7:45pm 10:00, 11:45am, 1:30, 3:15 & 5:00pm Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2D/Drama) 9:15pm War Commanders China Salesman (2D/Action) 6:45, 9:00 & 11:15pm Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2D/Hindi) 11:15pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Action) 10:00am, 2:45, 7:30pm Wolf Warrior 2 (2D/Action) 11:30pm & 12:15am Den of Thieves (2D/Action) 12:15, 5:00 & 9:45pm Winchester 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm Okdat Al Kawja 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight ASIAN TOWN Black Panther (3D IMAX/Action) 11:00am, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Hey Jude (Malayalam) 12:00noon, 2:30, 3:30, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30,

MALL 9:30, 11:30, 12:30 & 02:00am Welcome To New York (Hindi) 1:00 & 6:00pm Welcome To New York (2D/Hindi) 2:15 & 9:15pm Aadhi (Malayalam) 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30pm Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (2D/Hindi) 4:30 & 11:30pm & 01:00am Awe (Telugu) 12:30pm Aadhi (Malayalam) 2:15pm Hey Jude (2D/Malayalam) 4:45 & 11:30pm Black Panther (2D/Action) 5:00 & 9:00pm Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2D/Drama) 7:30pm AL KHOR Mom And Dad (2D/Horror) 9:45pm Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures Hey Jude (Malayalam) 11:15am, 2:15, 5:15, 8:15 & 11:15pm of Nelly And Simon (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:30pm Black Panther (Action) 11:30am, 5:30 & 11:30pm Game Night (2D/Action) 7:30pm War Commanders China Salesman Aadhi (Malayalam) 2:30 & 8:30pm (Action) 7:00pm Wolf Warrior 2 (2D/Action) 11:30pm Mom And Dad (Horror) 1:15, 5:30 & 9:45pm LANDMARK Game Night (Action) 11:00am, 3:15, 7:30 & 11:45pm

Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly And Simon 2:30, 4:00 & ROXY 5:30pm Game Night (2D/Action) 2:30 & 7:00pm Aadhi (2D/Malayalam) 2:15pm Hey Jude (2D/Malayalam) 5:00, 7:00 & Mission Kathmandu: Adventures of Nelly And Simon 10:30am, 8:45pm Black Panther (2D/Action) 4:30 & 11:30pm 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm Welcome To New York (2D/Hindi) 7:30 & 11:30pm Welcome To New York (Hindi) 4:10, 7:30 & 9:30pm War Commanders China Salesman (Action) 9:30pm Hey Jude (Malayalam) 10:30am, 1:30, 4:30, 9:30pm & 12:30am Mom And Dad (2D/Horror) 10:00pm Wolf Warrior 2 (2D/Action) 11:15pm War Commanders 10:30am, 5:50, 8:10 & 10:30pm Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (Hindi) 10:30am, 1:20, 6:40 & 11:30pm FLIK Mirqab Black Panther (Action) 12:50, 3:10, 8:30 & 11:20pm Black Panther (Action) 2D 11:20am, 12:20, 2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 9:30pm & 12:30am 3D 3:00, 5:40, 8:20 & 11:00pm Early Man (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 2:20, 5:20, 6:30pm Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Ferdinand (2D/Animation) 11:40am, 1:35 & 4:15pm Game Night (2D/Comedy) 12:15, 2:20, 4:25, 6:30, 7:15, 8:35, 9:20 & SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY 10:40pm Hey Jude (2D/Comedy) 12:00noon, 3:00, 6:15, 9:15pm & 12:15am Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (2D/Action) 2:00 & 4:30pm Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2D/Action) 10:45am & 4:20pm Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly And Simon 12:25 & 3:30pm Mom & Dad (2D/Horror) 8:45 & 11:35pm Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2D/Drama) 7:00 & 11:25pm War Commanders China Salesman (2D/Action) 1:15, 9:20 & 10:35pm Wolf Warrior 2 (2D/Action) 10:35am, 10:50, 7:05 & 10:05pm

Titu is going to marry a perfect woman named Sweety. Titu’s best-friend Sonu doubts Sweety’s character and tries to break the marriage while Sweety tries to do opposite and which leads to war between Bromance and Romace. 20 MORNING BREAK THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04.47 am Sheeran, Dua Lipa lead Brit Awards nomination SHOROOK 06.04 am AFP received 57 million listens on the day Haim, The Killers, LCD Soundsystem of its release. and Arcade Fire. ZUHR 11.47 am MAGHRIB 05.34 pm LONDON: Folk-pop hit machine Ed Dua Lipa, 22, is the latest artist to Budding soul sensation Sampha, ASR 03.05 pm ISHA 07.04 pm Sheeran (pictured) will go head-to- break through on YouTube, and her who won the coveted Mercury Prize head with rising R’n’B star Dua Lipa at single “New Rules” has surpassed one in 2017, is nominated alongside Dua WEATHER TODAY the Brit Awards in London, the coun- billion views on the video-sharing Lipa, J Hus, Loyle Carner and Dave in try’s showpiece pop-music ceremony. platform. the “Breakthrough” category. The ceremony at the cavernous She is nominated in five catego- Taylor Swift, Lorde, Bjork, Pink and O2 Arena is expected to have a polit- ries, including “British Female Solo Alicia Keys have all received nomina- ical edge, with many stars due to wear artist”, along with Paloma Faith, who tions for the “International Female Solo small white roses to highlight harass- won the award in 2015, Kate Tempest, Artist” award, with Childish Gambino, ment in the industry, and to show sol- Jessie Ware and Laura Marling. Beck, DJ Khaled, Drake and Kendrick idarity with its victims. Born in London to Kosovo-Alba- Lamar all in the running for the male Sheeran’s album “Divide”, a global nian parents, Dua Lipa tried model- equivalent. chart-topper, is on the shortlist for the ling as a teenager before launching her The Brit Awards have recognised the “British Album of the Year”, along with musical career with a series of covers cream of British pop music since they Dua Lipa, grime artist Stormzy, singer published on YouTube. were first held in 1977, but often attract Rag’n’Bone Man and hip-hop artist J Her eponymous debut album, controversy. Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker Hus. released in mid-2017, received rave invaded a performance by Michael In the “British Male Solo Artist” cat- reviews, with influential magazine Jackson in 1996 and then-deputy prime egory, Sheeran is also up against already been honoured in 2018, win- NME praising her voice and a sound minister John Prescott was doused by a Stormzy and Rag’n’Bone Man as well ning the Grammy Awards for “Best Pop mature beyond her years. bucket of ice water in 1998. as former Oasis frontman Liam Gal- Vocal Album” ahead of Lady Gaga and Other categories include “British This year’s nominations have lagher and hip-hop singer Loyle Coldplay, and “Best Pop Solo Perform- Group”, where the nominees are attracted criticism from the Daily Tel- Carner. ance” for single “Shape of You”. Gorillaz, London Grammar, Royal egraph, which lamented the triumph He is also running against Dua Lipa His latest album “Divide” has Blood, Wolf Alice and The xx and of the “popular over the interesting, for the best video award. smashed many records, including on “International Group”, which will be the successful over the plucky, and the Singer-guitarist Sheeran, 27, has streaming App Spotify, where it fought out between the Foo Fighters, beige over the bold.”

19oC 26oC ‘Black Panther’ items Minimum Maximum unveiled at NY Toy Fair Hazy to misty at places at first becomes partly cloudy to cloudy at times with a chance of scattered rain at places. AFP The ‘Black Panther’ pulled in an impressive $242m

HIGH TIDE 08:45 – 22:15 LOW TIDE 02:30 – 15:30 NEW YORK: Panther claws, masks and in its opening weekend, a action figures are leaping off store COURTESY: Qatar Meteorology Department shelves after runaway hit “Black record for this time of year Panther” -- the first film in the Marvel following strong reviews. universe focused on a black superhero -- shredded box office expectations with a massive opening weekend. translated into people wanting to own Toys and accessories linked to the a piece of it for their desk or for a movie, which is also making waves for t-shirt they’re wearing.” its strong black female leading roles, The film has generated huge have the potential to become an enthusiasm within the black commu- enduring presence in stores, like nity, but also more broadly. Spider-Man and other iconic figures, “I think it’s filling a void, it’s serving company executives say. a need and it will sell accordingly, and ‘Black Panther’ items are displayed for attendees at the Hasbro showroom Toy tie-ins are a crucial profit not just with African Americans,” said during the annual New York Toy Fair, yesterday. driver for movie studios, even if each Kimberly Mosley, president of the merchandise opportunity is not mas- American Specialty Toy Retailing offerings in its “Super Hero Girls” series merchandise linked to last year’s “The sively successful, experts say. Association. performed well. The character’s long- Last Jedi” looked worse by compar- “It is a huge opportunity,” John People “are looking for a hero,” she term value had been enhanced by the ison because the company launched Frascotti, president of US toy giant said. movie and further boosted by the the tie-in products early. Hasbro, said on the sidelines of the “Black Panther” comes less than a availability of the movie on streaming That strategy had made sense in giant Toy Fair trade show in New York. year after “Wonder Woman,” another services. 2015 with “The Force Awakens,” given “We’re still in the early days of this, big superhero movie that went against “The toy doesn’t always perform the significant anticipation for the first but it certainly has all the indications the grain, and upended the long-held with the theatrical release like it used big release in the franchise in many that it could be over time as successful” idea that a female superhero couldn’t to,” she said. years. as other major franchises in terms of attract a large audience. “Sometimes it’s now performing Frascotti said “Star Wars” never- staying power, he said. But while “Wonder Woman” did better when it goes on Netflix, or when theless remains “very strong,” and the The movie pulled in an impressive well in theatres, the film’s toys -- made it streams, when it’s more available to most sought after franchise in enter- $242m in its opening weekend, a by Mattel -- were not especially hot the mass consumer.” tainment, and that the company would record for this time of year following sellers. Hasbro came under scrutiny in the release toys with a shorter lead time strong reviews. “There’s been a trend around most recent quarter after reporting a ahead of future movies. “It’s just surpassed expectations,” movie franchises and not all of them steep drop in fourth-quarter revenues With “Black Panther,” Hasbro said Mark Robben, marketing director are seeing the uptick in toy sales that connected to its movie licensing busi- unveiled a significant line of products for Funko, which sells Black Panther they used to see,” said Michelle Chi- ness that raised questions about about six weeks ahead of the movie’s bobble heads, plush dolls and fashion. doni, vice president of global brand whether the “Star Wars” juggernaut premiere and plans more items, such “It’s an important movie cultur- communications at Mattel. was losing its luster. as a collector’s black mask on display ally,” Robben said. “That is then Chidoni said the Wonder Woman But Frascotti said the figures for at Toy Fair. Scientists to explore marine ecosystem Google Pay replaces Android Pay and Google Wallet AFP IANS Google Product LONDON: A team of interna- Management tional scientists led by the British SAN FRANCISCO: In a bid to Antarctic Survey (BAS) set off take on Apple Pay, Google has Director said that: yesterday to explore a myste- rolled out a new app called Like all Google rious marine ecosystem that has “Google Pay” that replaces its products, Google Pay lain hidden under an ice shelf for two earlier services -- Android comes with strong up to 120,000 years. Pay and Google Wallet. The BAS said that an iceberg Just like Android Pay, security protections known as A68 broke off from the Google Pay can be used for to safeguard Larsen C Ice Shelf in July 2017, paying for public transporta- your account and revealing a section of seabed tion in cities like London, Port- personal data from measuring 5,818 sq km -- nearly land and Kiev. four times the size of London. “We’re currently working security threats. “It is an urgent mission. The on bringing Google Pay to all ecosystem that’s likely been Google products, so whether the post added. hidden beneath the ice for thou- you’re shopping on Chrome With Google Pay, you can sands of years may change as or with your Assistant, you’ll check out in hundreds of apps sunlight starts to alter the sur- have a consistent checkout without having to enter your face layers of the sea,” BAS said experience using the cards payment information. in a statement. saved to your Google Google Pay’s new Home tab The international team left Account,” Gerardo Capiel, gives users the information they Stanley in the Falkland Islands A ﬁle photo of Larsen C Ice Shelf released by British Antarctic Survey (BAS) taken from the British Product Management need like recent purchases, and will spend three weeks on Antarctic Survey Twin Otter aircraft. The iceberg known as A68 calved off from the Larsen Ice Shelf Director, Consumer Payments nearby stores, easy access to board the BAS research ship RRS in July 2017. at Google, said in a blog post. rewards and helpful tips. James Clark Ross. Google also plans to inte- Google Pay is available for The BAS signalled the start BAS marine biologist Katrin animals, microbes, plankton, and captured alien-like images grate “Google Pay Send” into download in Play Store for of the mission in a tweet saying: Linse, who is leading the mis- sediments and water samples. of the previously unexplored the app in the coming months. Android users. “And they’re off!”, accompanied sion, said it was “a unique They will also record marine underwater world. “If you live in the US or the “Like all Google products, by a video from the ship leaving opportunity to study marine life mammals and birds who may The Greenpeace expedition UK, you’ll be able to use it to Google Pay comes with strong the Falklands. The South Atlantic as it responds to a dramatic have moved into the area. was part of a campaign to turn send and request money within security protections to safe- islands, known in Spanish as environmental change”. Environmental group Green- a large section of the region into the next few months. In the guard your account and per- Malvinas, are disputed between The team will explore the peace last month visited the Ant- the world’s biggest ocean meantime, the Wallet app is sonal data from security Argentina and Britain. seabed by collecting seafloor arctic seafloor in a submarine sanctuary. now called “Google Pay Send”, threats,” Capiel said.