BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah aims to return to INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-9, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 REGION 10 BUSINESS 1-6, 13-16 winning QIB Q1 net profi t up 20,414.00 10,431.34 53.18 ARAB WORLD 10, 11 CLASSIFIED 7-13 -102.00 -20.13 +0.07 INTERNATIONAL 12–25 SPORTS 1 – 8 12.8% to QR555mn -0.50% -0.19% +0.13% ways in Qatar Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10426 April 17, 2017 Rajab 20, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Erdogan In brief declares

QATAR | Weather victory in Poor visibility due to dust expected Strong winds are expected in some places along with poor visibility due to dust by this afternoon, the Qatar Met department has said. referendum The weather office has also said offshore areas will experience HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets Philippine President Rodrigo R Duterte at the Emiri Diwan in Doha DPA Emir congratulates windy conditions and high seas yesterday. Qatar and the Philippines, led by HH the Emir and the Philippines president, held a round of off icial talks. During Ankara today. The wind speed may go the session they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them in all fields, especially Turkish president up to 28 knots both inshore and in infrastructure, agriculture, health and education investments, as well as increasing co-operation in the fields of experience HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin offshore, with the sea level rising exchange and expatriate labour. The two sides also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common urkish President Recep Tayyip Hamad al-Thani held a telephone to 9ft in the early hours of the day. interest. Page 2 Erdogan declared victory yester- conversation yesterday evening The detailed forecast for today Tday in a knife-edge referendum with Turkish President Recep Tayyip also says it will be hot during the that will grant him sweeping new pow- Erdogan. The Emir congratulated the daytime and slight to blowing dust ers, with unoffi cial vote counts showing Turkish president on the constitutional will blow in some areas. Clouds the “Yes” camp leading by 51.4%. amendments approved in the are also expected. Slightly dusty The people of Turkey have made historic referendum which was held conditions and some clouds are a “historic decision” by backing the Qatar, Philippines sign yesterday to move from the system constitutional amendments, President also likely in offshore areas. A of parliamentary government to the maximum temperature of 37C has Erdogan said in Istanbul hours after he presidential system, which confi rmed been forecast for today in Doha. called Prime Minister Binali Yildirim the confi dence of the Turkish people Yesterday, it was 37C in Mesaieed to congratulate him on the referendum in its leadership. HH the Emir wished and 36C in Doha, Al Rayyan and result. MoUs to bolster ties President Erdogan continued success, Turayna. “The entire country has triumphed,” and the strong relations between Qatar Erdogan said, adding that the new sys- and Turkey further development. ARAB WORLD | Confl ict atar and the Philippines yes- the visiting president and the accom- tem of government would not be imple- GCC chief, Unicef terday signed a number of GCC trip to generate panying delegation. mented immediately, but after elections Qmemorandums of understand- some 26,000 jobs During the banquet, the Philippine in 2019. said Bahceli in Ankara, as he called on condemn Syria blast ing (MoU) to enhance co-operation in president praised the solid friendship Earlier, Yildirim declared victory for opponents to accept that Erdogan’s GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdul culture, sports, investment, education The trip of Philippine President Rodrigo and co-operation between the two the “Yes” camp, despite there being no camp had won. Latif al-Zayani condemned and health among others. R Duterte to the three GCC countries countries, stressing his keenness to offi cial result. The MHP was deeply divided over yesterday the suicide blast that took The agreements were signed fol- will generate some 26,000 jobs from enhance and promote them in all fi elds “The Turkish people have given the Bahceli’s support for the presidential place in Rashidin West of Aleppo lowing talks led by HH the Emir more than $900mn in investments, including trade, economy and defence. fi nal word by saying ‘Yes’,” Yildirim said system. and targeted Syrians evacuating Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presidential spokesperson Ernesto He also expressed gratitude for the in Ankara at the headquarters of the Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak the area. He said that the attack, and Philippine President Rodrigo R Abella has said. In a press briefi ng in care and kindness accorded to the Fili- ruling Justice and Development Party earlier conceded that the government which killed a large number of Duterte at the Emiri Diwan. Doha yesterday, Abella noted that the pino community in Qatar and extend- (AKP). State news agency Anadolu is expected more support in some prov- innocent civilians, is a terrorist According to Qatar News Agency president witnessed the signing of ed an invitation to HH the Emir to visit showing the “Yes” vote ahead by 51.4%, inces. “We see in some provinces we did crime that contradicts with all (QNA), the MoU in the fi eld of culture the investment deals in Saudi Arabia, the Philippines. compared to 48.6 for the “no” camp, in not get expected amount of ‘Yes’ votes. moral and humanitarian principles. was signed between Qatar’s Ministry Bahrain and Qatar. He said the Duterte HH the Emir expressed satisfaction the tight race with more than 99% of We shall work on this,” Kaynak told Al-Zayani called for the international of Culture and Sports and Philippine’s administration, through his visit to the over the development of bilateral ties, ballots counted. journalists in Ankara, adding that “the community to condemn the attack. National Commission for Culture and Middle East, wants to create more jobs, stressing that President Duterte’s visit Opposition parties, including the ratio of ‘No’ is meaningful for us.” The United Nations Children’s the Arts. The two sides also signed an businesses, and opportunities aimed at to Qatar would further support and main opposition People’s Republican Initial media projections had indi- Fund (Unicef) also condemned the MoU on encouraging and protecting uplift ing the lives of Filipinos. enhance relations between the two Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peo- cated that the “Yes” camp could win as attack. “After six years of war and mutual investments, an MoU on co- countries. HH the Emir also welcomed ples’ Democratic Party (HDP), have much as 60% of the vote. human carnage in Syria - six years operating in the fi elds of technical and his invitation to visit the Philippines. vowed to challenge the result. The results are “suffi cient” for a vic- of heartbreak for so many Syrian vocational training and a MoU on co- The session and signing of the MoUs The banquet was attended by a Earlier, the leader of the far-right tory for the “Yes” campaign, families - there comes a new horror operating in the health fi eld. were attended by HH the Deputy Emir number of ministers. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Kaynak said, adding that the outcome that must break the heart of anyone During the offi cial talks, the leaders Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani Duterte left Doha yesterday con- Devlet Bahceli, said the “Yes” camp had “will be very important for negotiations who has one,” Unicef Director reviewed bilateral relations and means and a number of ministers. cluding a three-day offi cial visit to emerged victorious. with the European Union.” Anthony Lake said. Page 10 of enhancing them in all fi elds, espe- From the Philippine’s side, the talks Qatar. The Philippine president and Bahceli, who backed Erdogan’s bid to “Our political party wants to win cially in infrastructure, agriculture, were attended by the members of the the accompanying delegation were expand presidential powers, said: “Our the hearts of all citizens. This is our INDIA | Security health and education investments, as offi cial delegation accompanying seen off at Hamad International Air- noble people went to the polls with great goal,” said Kaynak, a member of the well as increasing co-operation in the President Duterte, who arrived earlier port by the Minister of Energy and maturity and agreed with their free will ruling Justice and Development Party Airports on high alert fi elds of experience exchange and ex- yesterday at the Emiri Diwan, where Industry, HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh to move to a presidential system,” ac- (AKP). Erdogan has said that a “Yes” aft er hijacking threats patriate labour. he was accorded an offi cial reception al-Sada, Qatar’s ambassador to the cording to Anadolu. vote would modernise and stabilise the International airports in the Indian The two sides also discussed a ceremony. Philippines, Ali bin Ibrahim al-Malki, “This is a very important success,” country. Page 18 cities of Mumbai, Chennai and number of regional and international HH the Emir hosted at the Emiri Di- and Philippine ambassador to Qatar, Hyderabad were placed on the issues of common interest. wan a luncheon banquet in honour of Alan Timbayan. Page 2 highest security alert yesterday after police received information of a possible aircraft hijacking attempt, off icials and news reports said. “We have increased and strengthened patrolling and access UK MPs call for Assad’s wife to lose citizenship control at all three airports,” said director general of the Central AFP The Liberal Democrats’ foreign af- barbaric acts, or be stripped of your Industrial Security Force (CISF) said. London fairs spokesman, MP Tom Brake, yes- citizenship,” Brake said. The alert was sounded after the terday accused Assad of using her His remarks follow Johnson brand- Mumbai Police received information international profi le to defend “a bar- ing the Syrian president an “arch-ter- of possible hijack attempt, NDTV K lawmakers are calling on the barous regime”. rorist”, in a Sunday Telegraph newspa- news channel reported. All airlines government to strip Syrian “(Foreign Secretary) Boris Johnson per article calling on Syria ally Russia have been asked to remain extra UPresident Bashar al-Assad’s has urged other countries to do more to end its support for Bashar al-Assad. vigilant and avoid last-minute wife of her British citizenship, for about Syria, but the British govern- Brake’s comments echoed those of check-ins, NDTV quoted the off icial supporting her husband’s regime dur- ment could say to Asma al-Assad – ei- MP Nadhim Zahawi, from the ruling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine greet supporters near as saying. Page 21 ing the country’s ongoing war. ther stop using your position to defend Conservative Party. Tarabya mansion in Istanbul yesterday. Second phase of ‘Start Now’ health drive launched

he second phase of a health and turning it into a sustainable daily one of their healthy habits. which we aim to spread the concept of The campaign aims to deliver its mes- awareness campaign has been routine, according to a press statement. The launch of the second phase of balanced healthy nutrition to the wider sages to all members of the community Tlaunched in Qatar, focusing on One of the most important messages the campaign prior to the holy month community and to consolidate it among through the most prominent media and educating the public on healthy and of the second phase is calling for healthy of Ramadan comes in the context of en- the members of society by illustrating to advertising methods, in addition to in- balanced food choices that provide ad- meals that include vegetables, fruits, couraging the public to follow healthy them the nutritional plans they need to novative promotional activities. equate nutritional value for the body. whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy eating habits, towards becoming a daily follow to enjoy good health. The ‘Start Now’ campaign is a The Ministry of Public Health products, and healthy meats such as fi sh routine during the month of fasting and “A healthy balanced diet works to qualitative initiative of the MoPH (MoPH), in collaboration with Hamad and chicken. throughout the year. strengthen the body and provide it with aimed at building a healthy future Medical Corporation and the Primary It aims at adopting healthy ways of Sheikha Dr al-Anoud bint Mohamed energy and vitality, as well as protect it for the population, and comes within Health Care Corporation, has launched preparing food by reducing the use of al-Thani, director of health protection from various diseases, to be capable of the framework of the ministry’s ef- the second phase of its comprehensive sugar, salt and fat, replacing frequent and non-communicable diseases at the bearing the burdens of daily life without forts to promote a health culture in the awareness campaign - ‘Start Now’ - un- soft drinks with water and sometimes MoPH, said: “The positive response fatigue or exhaustion. This is why at the community in line with the National der the slogan ‘Eat Healthy’. fresh juices, as well as drinking 8-12 foods and involve children in the proc- that the fi rst phase of the ‘Start Now’ Ministry of Public Health, we highlight Health Strategy and towards the reali- The initiative aims to raise awareness cups of water a day. ess to gain knowledge of healthy and campaign received has given us a strong the importance of spreading the con- sation of the human development pil- in the Qatari society about the impor- The campaign also seeks to encourage balanced foods as well as how to prepare incentive to launch the second phase cept of healthy eating and maintaining lar of Qatar National Vision 2030, the tance of eating healthy food regularly the preparation of healthy homemade them, at an early age, so as to become under the slogan ‘Eat Healthy’, through an ideal weight.” statement adds. Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 17, 2017 QATAR

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at the off icial reception ceremony at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Philippine trade minister hails investment pact with Qatar QNA Doha

hilippines Minister of Trade and Industry, Ra- Pmon Lopez, said yesterday that the agreement on mutual promotion and protection of in- vestment signed during Presi- dent Rodrigo Duterte’s offi cial visit to Qatar would open the doors to large amounts of in- vestment in both countries and provide Qatari investors with the conducive climate to invest in the Philippines. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of the Qatari-Philippine Busi- ness Forum, Lopez said the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani holding talks with President Philippines, which currently Duterte at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. hosts large investments from a number of countries around the tential partnerships in activities growth rate to 6.8%, especially out that the volume of trade be- and combating administrative world, will provide guarantees such as economic zone develop- in the manufacturing industry, tween the two countries has not corruption in the country. for Qatari investments. ment and other types of busi- which has grown on the average yet reached the required level, She said Qatari investors ex- In terms of areas of invest- nesses and investments relating by 8% and plays a signifi cant role stressing in this regard the need pressed their interest in the Phil- ment in the Philippines, he said to tourism, real estate develop- as an engine of growth and em- to boost trade relations. ippines yesterday, where they many Qatari investors have en- ment, and agriculture. ployment creation, he said. The Philippines-Qatar Busi- announced investing $206mn tered into discussions with their Investment in the Philippines These are all key factors for ness Forum provided President (nearly QR752mn) in industrial Filipino counterparts to seek po- would bring the annual average investors in the Philippines, he Duterte with the opportunity areas that focus on manufactur- stressed. to address Qatari businessmen ing, processing, refi neries, medi- Qatar, Philippines sign four MoUs On Philippine investments and brief them on the latest cal fi eld, tourism and industrial in Qatar, the minister said that economic developments in the defence. a number of Filipinos invest in Philippines along with the ongo- Plaza said that the most im- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim culture between Qatar’s Min- construction, real estate devel- ing economic plans and reforms, portant investments in her bin Hamad al-Thani and istry of Culture and Sports opment and transportation sec- Lopez said. country focus on agriculture, Philippines President Rodrigo and Philippine’s National tors in Qatar, adding that many On the other hand, Director halal food and tourism, adding Duterte witnessed the signing Commission for Culture and of them also work as engineers General of Philippine Economic that some investors are leasing of the following Memoranda the Arts. in Qatari and Filipino companies Zone Authority (PEZA) Charito land to establish tourist cities of Understanding (MoU) „An MoU on co-operating operating in Doha. Plaza said she wishes to expand and destinations. between Qatar and the Philip- in the fields of technical and The Philippines-Qatar Busi- existing partnerships between The Philippines, which exports pines yesterday: vocational training education ness Forum held yesterday in the businessmen in both countries. some agriculture products to „ An MoU on encouraging between the governments of presence of President Rodrigo Plaza described Qatari inves- Qatar, enjoys a strategic location and protecting mutual invest- Qatar and Philippines. Duterte provided a platform to tors’ interest as very positive, in the heart of the Pacifi c Ocean ments between the govern- „An MoU on co-operating in review investment opportuni- especially that President Duterte which makes it a suitable location ments of Qatar and the the health sector between the ties and guarantees off ered to thrives to make the Philippines for the distribution of goods. Philippines. governments of Qatar and Qatari investors in the Philip- the second strongest economy The Philippines also provides HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Philippines „An MoU in the field of Philippines. pines, Lopez added. in Asia, hence he is working on young labour with the world’s President Duterte witness the signing of memoranda of The Filipino minister pointed protecting the foreign investor highest literacy rate, Plaza added. understanding at the Emiri Diwan yesterday.

President Duterte introduces the members of his delegation to HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 3 QATAR New Lotus Evora 410 to be unveiled at motor show he seventh edition of the since 2011. Last year, the bank Qatar Motor Show has launched a vehicle loan cam- Trevealed that an exclusive paign in conjunction with the supercar sponsored by Com- show and off ered “competitive mercial Bank will be unveiled at off ers” supported by a vehicle fi - this year’s show. nance team that provided expert Held under the patronage advice and instant approvals on of HE the Prime Minister and loans for customer convenience. Minister of Interior Sheikh Ab- Commenting on the spon- dullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa sorship, Commercial Bank CEO Traffi c diversion al-Thani, the event will open its Joseph Abraham said: “Com- doors from tomorrow until April mercial Bank is proud to be the 22 at the Doha Exhibition and supercar sponsor of Qatar Motor Convention Centre. Show 2017. The bank has a long on Lijmiliya road The supercar, a brand-new association with this exception- Lotus Evora 410, will be dis- al Qatari event that showcases played in the region for the fi rst dozens of new car models every time since its European launch year, and we are again delighted for two months last month. The news is a tes- to participate at the Qatar Motor tament to Qatar Motor Show’s Show and welcome thousands of leading position as a platform Lotus Evora 410 packs features such as maximum speed of 285km/h and 410hp at 7,000rpm. local and expatriate fans to enjoy he Public Works Au- port effi ciency in the area by for the most exclusive, highly- pure motoring indulgence.” thority – Ashghal - has providing motorists with two anticipated regional reveals, dependent suspension, forged Qatar Motor Show in partner- services can only be eff ective if Visitors have been encouraged Tannounced it will divert lanes in each direction, which according to a statement. aluminium double wishbone ship with the private sector they are built on partnerships to register online for the motor traffi c on Lijmiliya Road for is double the vehicle capac- The supercar complements suspension, anti-roll bar, Eibach forms part of our strategy to with members of the private show at http://www.qatarmo- two months to enable the con- ity of the previous road, the this year’s theme, ‘Driving to springs and Bilstein dampers. It cultivate home-grown tourism sector, and we are grateful to torshow.gov.qa/ and follow the struction of a 2.3km stretch statement notes. Innovation’, and showcases fea- off ers a Lotus tuned hydrauli- products that attract regional Commercial Bank for returning, show’s social media channels on of new road on the Al Shee- The project will simulta- tures such as a maximum speed cally assisted steering and driver and international visitors,” said year after year, to support Qatar Twitter and Instagram on @Qa- haniya-Leatooriya-Lijmiliya neously improve road safety of 285km/h, maximum power of selectable ESP modes - Drive/ Ahmed al-Obaidli, director of Motor Show and help make it a tarmotorshow and on Facebook expressway. through the installation of 410hp at 7,000rpm and a kerb Sport/Race, the statement Exhibitions at Qatar Tourism resounding success.” on facebook/qatarmotorshow The proposed road change, guard rails, street lighting and weight of 1,336kg. The car’s explains. Authority. “We recognise that Commercial Bank has been for the latest updates and more which will occur approxi- intelligent transport systems, front and rear have a fully in- “Organising events such as tourism events, products and part of Qatar Motor Show information. mately 1km south of Lijmiliya, the authority has said. has been designed in co-or- As shown on the attached dination with the General Di- map, the minor road change rectorate of Traffi c. It will be will shift motorists to a paral- implemented from tomorrow lel route on the left side of the and be in operation until the existing carriageway. Barwa Bank names Thara’a draw winners end of June. Ashghal has advised that The road change is essential there will be no reduction in arwa Bank has announced following bank clients: Kayingil Thara’a off ers account hold- On a monthly basis, there are of QR1,000,000 - rewarding 102 for completing the construc- the existing number of lanes, the names of the most re- Mohamed Kutty Abdutty, Na- ers the chance to benefi t from seven winners per draw for the winners in total with cash prizes tion of the Al Sheehaniya- and road users will still have Bcent round of draw win- seer Ahmed Madni, Mohamed cash rewards up to QR1,000,000. cash prize of QR5,000 as well up to QR3,000,000. Leatooriya-Lijmiliya Road ex- access to one lane in each ners for Thara’a, its Shariah- Nacer Samaali and Abdulla Based on several criteria, Thara’a as four winners per draw for the Thara’a off ers account holders pressway project, a new 31km direction. compliant savings account. Demen M M al-Muhannadi. account holders are eligible for a cash prize of QR10,000. Addi- access to Barwa Bank’s innova- expressway that will more ef- The authority has request- Ali Laith Rasheed and Morad The April draw was conducted number of periodic draws for cash tionally, twice a year, there are tive banking channels, with ben- fi ciently link the towns of Al ed all road users to abide by Mohamed Tonsi Mohamed Ra- under the supervision of a rep- prizes. Totalling QR3,000,000, four winners per draw for the efi ts including unlimited with- Sheehaniya, Leatooriya and the speed limit, which has gab have each won a cash prize resentative from the qualita- Thara’a cash rewards are distrib- cash prize of QR25,000, two drawals and deposits, as well as Lijmiliya, Ashghal said in a been reduced from 100kph to of QR50,000. tive licence and market control uted on both a monthly and bian- winners per draw for the cash free fund transfers across their statement yesterday. 50kph, and follow the newly Also, a cash prize worth department at the Ministry of nual basis to customers holding a prize of QR50,000 and one win- accounts and through all Barwa Once complete, the new ex- implemented traffi c signs to QR25,000 was awarded to the Economy and Commerce. minimum balance of QR10,000. ner per draw for the grand prize Bank channels. pressway will enhance trans- ensure their safety. Gulf Times 4 Monday, April 17, 2017 QATAR

Ministry signs MoU Mercedes-Benz models recalled with QU he Ministry of In a statement, the to ensure that the neces- College Economy and Com- ministry said the recall sary repairs are carried out. of Law Tmerce (MEC) has campaign came within The ministry has urged WISH presents announced a recall of Mer- the framework of its on- consumers to report vio- The Ministry of Justice’s cedes-Benz C-Class and going eff orts to protect lations to its Consumer Legal and Judicial E-Class models of 2012 be- consumers and ensure Protection and Anti-Com- Studies Centre has cause the torque converter that car dealers followed mercial Fraud Department signed a memorandum of the transmission may be up on vehicle defects and through the call centre: of understanding (MoU) incorrectly coded. repairs. 16001, e-mail: info@mec. for co-operation in the The recall is being car- The MEC will co-or- gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_ field of legal and judicial report at health ried out in collaboration with dinate with the dealer to Qatar, Instagram: MEC_ studies with the Qatar Nasser Bin Khaled Automo- follow up on maintenance Qatar and the ministry’s University’s College of biles, the dealer of Mercedes- and repair works and com- mobile app for Android Law. Benz vehicles in Qatar. municate with customers and iOS: MEC_Qatar Signed by Director of the Legal and Judicial Studies Centre Fatima Abdulaziz Bilal and forum in Mexico Dean of the College of Law Dr Mohamed he World Innovation mortality in low- and mid- Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, Summit for Health dle-income countries, can the MoU focuses on T(WISH) has contrib- generate profi ts up to $20 in co-operation in scientific uted its research on ‘Invest- the next 20 years.” and cultural fields and ing in Health’ to the third Eduardo González- legal education along Health Innovation Week, in Pier, fellow at the Centre with the exchange of Mexico City. for Global Development research, documents, Health Innovation Week in Washington, DC and publications, scientific is organised annually by former deputy minister journals and data, the Mexican Association of of health in Mexico, said: among others. Pharmaceutical Research “Presenting the WISH re- It also encourages Industries and intended to port at the third Health In- co-operation in joint promote a broader discus- novation Week in Mexico research projects, sion of health issues. The City was a great opportu- organisation of scientific topic of this year’s event nity to inform and motivate seminars, conferences was the role of health inno- local discussions about the and workshops, in vation to promote growth. need to view health ex- addition to preparing The event gathered a va- penditure as an investment and qualifying riety of stakeholders, in- with positive economic graduates of the College cluding health experts, returns. If the case for in- of Law to work in the academics, patient groups creased health investment Ministry of Justice and government offi cials could end up being advo- and its various units. It from both health and non- cated not only by minis- entails mutual benefits health sectors, as well as tries of health but by other of the contents of each representatives from the sectors and interest groups, party’s library as well as pharmaceutical industry. we could say that the WISH other areas agreed upon For two days, national report has accomplished its by both parties. and international experts main goal.” Under the MoU, the two and leaders presented a The WISH 2016 report, sides will form a joint global overview of key is- titled ‘Investing in Health; Dean Jamison speaking at the event. steering committee to sues aimed at highlighting An Economic Case’, builds follow up, implement the relevance of health as a on the work of the Lancet the economic rationale for systems as they are the only and evaluate aspects generator of productivity. Commission on investing in investing in health, the best real solution to the world’s of co-operation and Dean Jamison, professor health and provides read- way to fi nance health, and most pressing health chal- review achievements emeritus, Department of ily available evidence to set which interventions should lenges, from the rise of non- and development. The Global Health at the Uni- forth the case for increased be prioritised. communicable diseases to steering committee versity of Washington, and health investments and im- Egbert Schillings, CEO, the threat of cross-border will draw up plans and chairperson of the WISH proved resource allocation. WISH, said: “The case pandemics. We are grateful programmes that will 2016 Forum ‘Investing in The report presents com- for investing in health has to our partners in Mexico enable them to benefit Health’, said: “ Every dollar pelling evidence of the value never been stronger or more and around the world for from the scientific and invested in decreasing mor- of scaling up health invest- urgent. At WISH, we have their support in helping us practical potentials of tality from infections, as ments and addresses three always advocated in factor advance the global health specialists in both sides. well as infant and maternal main areas of relevance – of building resilient health agenda.”

Customs organises workshop on online trade norms

he General Au- thority of Cus- GAC employees who took part in the workshop. Ttoms (GAC) held a workshop on online trade and the GAC’s role. The workshop saw the participation of 30 employees of GAC as well as representatives of government entities. The event aimed at introducing the par- ticipants to the rules of online trade and the role of customs in this fi eld. The participants were also briefed on the latest developments and updates in the area of international online trade. Further, the work- shop stressed that in- ternational organisa- tions in the fi eld are keen to enhance the performance of cus- toms departments in order to guarantee the smooth fl ow of global trade through the Internet. The topics addressed during the workshop included the tools used by the World Trade Or- ganisation in putting in place specifi c legisla- tion for online trade, in a way that enhances its effi ciency and simul- taneously ban the use of online trade trans- actions for operations related to organised crime. In addition, the workshop discussed the challenges involved. In the end, the par- ticipants said the work- shop and its subject were highly informa- tive and would help en- hance their experience.

Gulf Times 6 Monday, April 17, 2017 QATAR

QU law students use technology to help make legal decisions A workshop will be held at Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) this week to explain the benefits of a new technology that will help public users analyse potential violations of the law regulating air pollutants. This comes as undergraduate students at LAWC aim to simplify law for everyone through user-friendly technologies, according to a press statement. In November 2016, five law students founded a law technology project, called SIMPLAW, under the guidance and supervision of their professors — Dr Rafael Brown and Dr Charles Schnurman, who both teach in the Lawyering Skills Programme of the College of Law. The SIMPLAW project, which works in co-operation with the LAWC, uses an open-source markup language that allows for the creation of an interactive expert system, which guides users through a set of questions and arrive at an answer. In short, the SIMPLAW project can help people make decisions, both legal and non-legal, the statement notes. For its first project, SIMPLAW created an expert system for the College of Law Externship programme that helps students decide where they would like to do an externship. In that Dignitaries and officials at the conference yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed project, Dana Ahan and Rana Bashir worked as researchers, Aisha AlKubaisi worked as programmer, Aljazi Almarri worked as logician and translator, and Maryam AlOtoum acted as project supervisor. While in the process of using technology to help the public make legal decisions, the students Scientifi c conference on social learned skills relating to leadership, management, research, problem solving, strategic and entrepreneurship. With new students joining, the SIMPLAW team is currently collaborating with the Law and Development Centre, headed responsibility opens at QNCC by Dr Jon Truby, to create an expert system that will help public users analyse he second International dation and Al Faisal Centre for Brigadier-General Hazza’ Mu- curity. An exhibition is being Vision 2030 has become an in- The GCC assistant secre- potential violations of the law regulating Scientifi c Conference Community Responsibility. barak al-Hajri, according to a held on the sidelines with the tegral part of the vision of the tary-general for security said air pollutants. The potential uses for Ton Social Responsibility The opening session was at- press statement from the Min- participation of some 45 insti- Al Faisal Foundation through the conference drew impor- the SIMPLAW project is limited only to was inaugurated at the Qatar tended by HE the Minister of istry of Interior (MoI). tutions from across the region, a series of programmes in the tance from its theme of com- the imagination with potential uses for National Convention Centre Administrative Development, The three-day confer- including Qatar’s MoI, plati- fi eld of social responsibility. munity responsibility, which educational, administrative as well as legal yesterday. Labour and Social Aff airs HE ence aims to raise community num sponsor of the conference. “The second scientifi c con- essentially means that secu- processes, the statement adds. The conference is being held Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuai- awareness on the importance While speaking at the open- ference comes to emphasise rity is a shared responsibil- In order to share this project and the under the auspices of HE the mi, founder and chairman of security as a collective re- ing, HE Sheikh Faisal said since our commitment to serve and ity between security forces and benefits of the new technology, the Prime Minister and Minister of Al Faisal Without Borders sponsibility between individu- the launch of the Qatar Na- develop the society and con- members of the community. SIMPLAW team will hold a workshop of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Foundation HE Sheikh Faisal als and the state. More than 45 tional Vision 2030 initiative, tribute to the development of He said the concept of the on April 19 at LAWC in collaboration Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. bin Qassim al-Thani, Director- researchers from 18 Arab, Gulf the country has been striving to a structured framework in line community police is one of the with QU’s Off ice of Faculty and With “Security a Social Re- General of Public Security Staff and European countries are serve it as a clear road map for with the goals of Al Faisal Cen- basic pillars of the MoI’s strat- Instructional Development programme. sponsibility” as its theme, the Major General Saad bin Jassim participating in the confer- its future, capable of achieving tre for Community Responsi- egy, adding that the security Those interested in the attending the event has been organised by Al al-Khulaifi and GCC assistant ence to discuss all aspects of sustainable development. He bility and Qatar National Vi- forces are an integral part of the programme should contact Professor Faisal Without Borders Foun- secretary-general for security the concept of community se- stressed that Qatar National sion 2030,” it was observed. society. Brown at [email protected]

Gulf Times 8 Monday, April 17, 2017 QATAR Babyshop launches Kazakhstan-Qatar ties focus Princess collection abyshop has launched on economic sphere: envoy the exclusive Disney BPrincess collection across all stores. To celebrate By Joey Aguilar “Kazakhstan is open to any fi eld the launch, Babyshop and Staff Reporter of co-operation with Qatar and we The Walt Disney Company are currently developing our eco- Middle East are inviting nomic and investment co-opera- girls aged 5-12 years to en- ilateral relations between tion,” Shokybaev said. ter a competition to design Kazakhstan and Qatar are At the discussion, the envoy said their dream princess dress Bexpected to soar to a new the ‘Third Modernisation of Kaza- for themselves and their fa- level as the two countries collabo- khstan’ involved creating a new vourite Disney Princess doll, rate in various fi elds, particularly model of economic growth that according to a press state- which little girls from across in the economic and investment would ensure the country’s global ment. the GCC can enter crea- sphere, Kazakhstan ambassador competitiveness. The new Disney Princess tive sketches of their dream Askar Shokybaev has said. The fi ve main priorities are: ac- exclusive collection features Princess Dress, with the “I have the honour to say that celerating technological moderni- dresses created with slub winning little designer see- our relation with Qatar is at a very sation of the economy, improv- satin, organza, sequined ing her sketch brought to life high level,” the envoy told Gulf ing and expanding the business mesh and tulle to give an – for her and her doll - by Times on the sidelines of a recent environment, macroeconomic “authentic princess-like GCC’s leading designer Ra- roundtable discussion, which was stability, improving the quality of look”, and with which par- zan Alazzouni. attended by a number of diplomats human capital, and institution- ents can create unique looks “The Disney Princess ex- and representatives from govern- alising change, security and the of Disney Princesses for clusive collection by Baby- ment and non-governmental or- fi ght against corruption, which their little girls. shop puts fashion forward ganisations. also includes fi ghting cybercrime The collection launch co- with unique designs that The event, organised by the Ka- by creating a “Cybershield of Ka- incides with the launch of allow mothers to dress their zakhstan embassy in Doha, is ded- Kazakhstan ambassador Askar Shokybaev (right) and embassy counsellor Serik Myrzakhmetov at the zakhstan” system. the second edition of Ba- daughters in stylish and icated to the ‘Annual Address’ of roundtable discussion. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Under priority No 2, the Kaza- byshop and The Walt Dis- comfortable clothes that Kazakhstan President Nursultan khstan government wants SMEs to ney Company Middle East’s are always the fl avour of Nazarbayev, dubbed as the ‘Third In the fi eld of economy and in- Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani. our country and met with min- contribute at least 50% of its gross ‘Disney Princess Design a the season ,” the statement Modernisation of Kazakhstan: vestments, Shokybaev noted that Part of the ‘Third Modernisa- isters, government offi cials and domestic product by 2050, as well Dress’ competition, through noted. Global Competitiveness’. Qatar Investment Authority de- tion of Kazakhstan’ includes re- business leaders to discuss co-op- as expand the use of microcredit to The modernisation includes fi ve cided to invest around $100mn on forming its education system by eration in economics and invest- ensure entrepreneurs are guaran- main priorities, designed to ensure the infrastructure front. reducing the gap in quality of edu- ment,” the envoy noted. teed the support they need. economic growth and sustainable Qatar, he added, is also investing cation between urban and rural He expressed optimism that co- Kazakhstan is also planning to development to help Kazakhstan around $13mn for the construction schools. operation between small and me- transfer a number of state services join the top-30 most developed of a school in Kazakhstan under “Last month, a big delegation dium enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar to business and expand public- countries by 2050. the name of HH the Emir Sheikh from Qatar Central Bank visited and Kazakhstan would grow. private partnerships.

Ooredoo launches ‘Great Prices Guaranteed’ campaign

oredoo has announced the include local, international, and in Qatar by our customers for six company’s prices are more than validity and value. Terms and con- launch of the new ‘Great roaming mobile services from years. Now, however, we want to their competitors via guarantee@ ditions are available at https:// OPrices Guaranteed’ cam- April 2017 and the company has focus on our amazing service pric- ooredoo.qa. ooredoo.qa/guarantee. paign for its consumer customers. announced it will match any new es which are not only competitive The fi rst customer to fi nd a valid Ooredoo off ers a full portfolio of The campaign, which will be service rates after April 2017 with- with other operators in the coun- price diff erence before April 30 services for consumer mobile cus- visible across Qatar from today, “is in 30 days. try, but will often beat them.” will earn 10,000 Nojoom points. tomers in Qatar including daily, a promise to its consumer custom- Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed To make sure that the company Price comparisons will be applied weekly, and monthly communica- ers” that Ooredoo will provide a al-Sayed said: “Our last cam- truly earns the ‘Great Prices Guar- on ‘like for like’ services from offi - tions bundles, international call- matching or lower price for serv- paign demonstrated our ongoing anteed’ stamp on its new adver- cial telecommunication operators ing options starting from just QR5 ices compared to other operators investment in the Supernet and tisements, Ooredoo is inviting its in Qatar only (published on of- with the new Dawli QR5 Inter- in Qatar. highlighted the achievement that customers to highlight any con- fi cial tariff document) and will be national Calling Card, and much ‘Great Prices Guaranteed’ will we were voted the best network sumer mobile service where the judged on a combination of price, more.

HMC urges screening for haemophilia

amad Medical Corporation periods,” explained Dr Ahmed Ab- It is a common misconception that (HMC), on the occasion of dulaziz Abdelbari, clinical pharmacist only men have symptoms of haemo- HWorld Hemophilia Day that at Hamad General Hospital. philia and that women who ‘carry’ the is observed on April 17 every year, is “An aff ected individual can bleed haemophilia gene do not experience urging women who have experienced profusely for a longer time after trau- symptoms themselves. symptoms of a bleeding disorder to get ma. These haemorrhages commonly The WHO says haemophilia A is screened for haemophilia. occur in joints, especially the knees, the most common form, referred to The World Health Organisation ankles and elbows, and into tissues and as classical haemophilia, which is the (WHO) describes haemophilia as a he- muscles. Haemophiliac women are result of a defi ciency in clotting fac- reditary bleeding disorder due to a par- particularly at risk of excessive post- tor 8. Haemophilia B is a defi ciency in tial or total lack of an essential blood partum bleeding following childbirth, clotting factor 9 and is a gender-linked clotting factor. Common symptoms of and can experience prolonged or heavy recessive disorder. the bleeding disorder include frequent menstrual bleeding. They may require “Blood tests can determine the pres- nosebleeds, unexplained and uncon- an iron supplement and sometimes ence of the haemophilia condition, and trolled bleeding and bruising. need to undergo a hysterectomy. This more specifi cally whether it is a type “When a person without haemo- is why it is important for women who A or a type B disease. It is always ad- philia bleeds, normal levels of clotting carry the haemophilia gene to be aware visable for women to know their car- factor - a protein in the blood - causes of their status,” Dr Abdelbari stated. rier status before becoming pregnant the blood to clot and the bleeding to He further explained that sympto- so they are better prepared to cope stop. However, haemophiliacs (people matic carriers and women with hae- with their bleeding disorder. Families with haemophilia) have lower levels mophilia may also bruise easily and should consult their physician for ad- of clotting factor in their blood and experience prolonged bleeding after a vice and counselling about testing,” bleeding continues for much longer surgery or trauma. added Dr Abdelbari.

Ministry clears three designs for workers’ accommodation

he Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME)’s Building Licences Complex has ap- Tproved three new architectural designs for temporary workers’ accommodation. The move is aimed at easing the procedures for Qatari developers who have been allocated plots and save their time, money and eff ort, according to a press statement. The director of the complex, Tariq Juma al-Tami- mi, said co-ordination has been maintained with the General Directorate of Civil Defence in this regard to get their approval on the designs. The building permit will be issued directly through the municipality without any delay. However, in case there is any modification of the model by the developer, prior approval of the enti- ties concerned should be obtained first, it was ob- served. The new designs comply with the conditions of various service entities in the country. Besides, the space allotted for each worker and the necessary services have also been taken into consid- eration in the models, in accordance with the relevant Qatari law. The models can accommodate 204-214 workers. Developers can provide consultative engineering and site plan services for the Civil Defence, the state- ment adds. The designs are available on the MME website with three different codes: A65265, B65265 and C65265. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 9 QATAR

Some of the participants at the event. Qatar Charity marks A special programme on the occasion. Arab Orphan Day atar Charity (QC), through Locally sponsored orphans, ‘Fu- To educate children on the im- was a priority for Qatar Charity. the executive directorate for ture Leaders’, also participated in the portance of respecting adults, a This is done through adopting Qlocal development, recently event. The organisers had devoted comedy play was enacted through several programmes and methods of organised a mass festival at Aspire one of the activities of the pro- puppets. support, he said, noting that many Zone to observe Arab Orphan Day. gramme to donations, according to a During a talent show, Qatari girl orphans sponsored by Qatar Char- The organisation aimed, through press statement. Shamsa Jroud showed her talent ity have achieved academic, scien- the festival, to raise awareness The activities and attractions in- with a song titled “You don’t need tifi c and personal success at various about the hardship faced by orphans cluded a short fi lm on orphans, cul- money to be more beautiful”, while levels. around the world, and encourage tural and religious quiz games and a the ‘Art Innovation’ band also per- Those who participated in the donations for the purpose of spon- soccer match. formed on the occasion. event expressed their thanks to Qa- soring and supporting orphans. The festival also included a group Nasser Meghesab, director of tar Charity for providing them with A number of social, sports and of entertaining, sports, cultural and social programmes at the execu- a joyful event and some quality time. Inshad — religious singing bands — religious activities which the par- tive directorate for local develop- They also affi rmed that such participated in the event. ticipants. ment, pointed out that orphan care events were crucial for the children.

Doha meet to mull strategy for protecting workforce

fresh approach to protecting and ill health as vital to safeguarding Major organisations in Qatar are sibility for health and safety. the world’s workforce is set to their business’ reputation and resil- also working hard not only to pro- This year’s conference is being Abe unveiled as the Institution ience and improving productivity. mote better health and safety at held at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in of Occupational Safety and Health Meanwhile, the number of mem- work but to improve standards of Doha. (IOSH) presents its new fi ve-year bers in IOSH’s Qatar branch has in- living away from the workplace as The strategy will be introduced by strategy, charting how the profes- creased from 86 to nearly 500 in the well. Dr Bill Gunnyeon, chair of IOSH’s sion can continue to progress up to fi ve years since it was launched. Our branch and IOSH as a whole Board of Trustees. 2022, at its annual Middle East Con- These members work across are determined that we keep this There will also be speeches from ference in Doha on April 27. a range of industries to keep the trend going.” Ali Sikandar, head of Digital and IOSH has chosen the Middle East number of people injured at work or The IOSH-commissioned survey, Social Media at Qatar Foundation; as the launch-pad for this new strat- becoming ill to a minimum. conducted late last year and ques- Ajay Sharma, British ambassador to egy because of the region’s growth Robert Murphy, chair of IOSH’s tioning 250 decision-makers across Qatar; Joseph E LaBaron, retired US and increasing drive to cut workplace Qatar branch, said: “It is clear there the Middle East, revealed that 91% ambassador to Qatar; Paul Williams accidents and work-related illness, is a real determination in Qatar and believed investing in the health and from Qatar Rail; James Quinn from according to a press statement. the wider Middle East to prevent safety of their workforce was essen- Multiplex Middle East; and Musal- It comes after a recent survey employees from being harmed. tial to ensuring their business has a lam al-Khaifi from Electricity Hold- commissioned by the institution, Businesses are recognising the good reputation, 85% felt that their ing Company. which revealed that business lead- benefi ts that good health and safety employees’ health and safety was a The event will be followed im- ers across the region are identify- bring to them, including having top priority at board level, and 88% mediately by IOSH’s Qatar branch ing worker protection against injury more motivated workers. felt that all employees had a respon- AGM.

Etihad unit sponsors Umrah for 15 pilgrims

tihad Aviation Group (EAG) has announced a philan- thropic collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent to Esupport Umrah for a group of 15 travellers who will experience the holy pilgrimage for the fi rst time. Nationals from Sudan, Yemen, Morocco, Bangladesh, Palestine, India and Pakistan are being provided with fl ights and accommodation for the four-day trip to Saudi Arabia on April 15-19. They were specially chosen as part of the airline’s contri- bution to the UAE government’s Year of Giving, providing those from less privileged backgrounds with an opportu- nity to experience Umrah, according to a press statement. The group will also visit signifi cant historical sites dur- ing their trip. Khaled al-Mehairbi, senior vice-president of Abu Dhabi Airport Operations and chairman of the Sports and So- cial Committee at Etihad Airways, said: “Supporting this group for Umrah is just one of Etihad Airways’ opportuni- ties to make a greater contribution to communities in the region, and is part of our commitment to support the Year of Giving. Over the years, we have supported many worthy causes, which will continue during 2017.” Rashed Mubarak al-Mansouri, deputy secretary-gener- al for Local Aff airs at Emirates Red Crescent, added: “We have enjoyed a long-term partnership in philanthropic and humanitarian work with Etihad Aviation Group. This latest initiative supports the eff orts of the UAE and Emirates Red Crescent in the Year of Giving.” Al Manar Haj and Umrah Travel Agency developed the Umrah package consisting of fl ights, visas, fi ve-star ho- tel accommodation within Makkah and Madina as well as transportation between the two cities. In 2016, EAG conducted dozens of community engage- ment initiatives in many countries including India, Kenya and Serbia, as well as the local community in the UAE. EAG employees volunteered over 4,300 hours of time in support of charities and community causes. This has offi cially been declared as the Year of Giving by the UAE’s President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Etihad Aviation Group has a detailed strategy for sup- porting this national initiative, to involve staff , guests and the broader community in the year’s three pillars of social responsibility, volunteering and serving the nation. Gulf Times 10 Monday, April 17, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Prisoner Day Rally Hundreds gather at attacked church to mourn blast victims

Reuters Girgis church, with incense had only introduced security Tanta, Egypt burning, and off ered prayers. measures after the bombing, Copts throughout Egypt, which killed 27 people at the where they make up about 10% Tanta church. undreds of members of of the population of 92mn, “Why now? I do not under- Egypt’s Christian mi- have been attending Easter stand,” he said. Hnority Copt commu- services in sombre mood fol- The Abbot of the Mar Girgis nity gathered at a church in the lowing the bombings. church, Beshoy Wadea, said: city of Tanta on Easter Sunday The government imposed a “We do not want the norm to to mourn those killed in a sui- three-month state of emer- be that they start moving only cide bombing there a week ear- gency in the wake of the Palm when crisis strikes.” lier. Sunday attacks, but some The Coptic Christian Pope, Islamic State claimed re- in Tanta wondered why the Tawadros, used his Easter sponsibility for the Palm Sun- authorities had not acted to message to deliver a sombre day attack on the church and prevent the attacks in the first message to the faithful after the bombing of another church place. the bombings. in Alexandria on the same day, Nassir Munir, who came to “We remember the martyrs attacks that killed 45 people in mourn the dead, said: “We of Palm Sunday.With their total. are paying our condolences to blood they recorded a new Amid heavy security, wor- them and to their families and page in the history of Egypt’s Palestinians hold pictures of relatives held in Israeli jails during a rally marking Palestinian Prisoner Day in the West Bank city of Nablus yesterday. shippers fi led past a fl ower- it is a bad situation.” Coptic Christian Church,” he strewn memorial at the Mar But he said authorities said in a video on his website. Dozens of children dead in Syria evacuees bombing

AFP Rashidin, Syria

early 70 children were among those killed when a suicide car Nbombing tore through buses carrying evacuees from besieged gov- ernment-held towns in Syria, a moni- tor said yesterday. Saturday’s blast hit a convoy carry- ing residents from the northern towns of Fuaa and Kafraya as they waited at a transit point in rebel-held Rashidin, west of Aleppo. At least 68 children were among the 126 people killed in the attack, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, updating a previous toll of 112 dead. At least 109 of the dead were evac- uees, the Britain-based monitoring group said, while the rest were aid workers and rebels guarding the con- voy. The evacuations were taking place under a deal between Syria’s regime and rebels that is also seeing residents and rebels transported out of Madaya and Zabadani, towns near Damascus that are surrounded by pro-govern- ment forces. The agreement is the latest in a string of evacuation deals, which the government of President Bashar al- Assad says are the best way to end the A picture taken yesterday, shows the damage a day after a suicide car bombing attack in Rashidin, west of Aleppo, targeted buses carrying Syrians evacuated from two besieged government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya. violence after more than six years of civil war. of people were also wounded in the years and then could have died just the traditional Easter mass in Rome. Rebels say they amount to forced re- blast. after we fi nally escaped.” More than The residents and rebels from Madaya locations after years of bombardment It said a petrol station at the transit 5,000 people left Fuaa and Kafraya and and Zabadani arrived late Saturday in and crippling sieges. point was caught up in the explosion, about 2,200 left Madaya and Zabadani rebel-held territory in Idlib province, Body parts and the belongings of adding to the number of victims. on Friday, the latest in a series of evac- where they were greeted with embrac- evacuees — including clothes, dish- The Syrian Red Crescent said three uations from the four towns under the es and shots fi red into the air. It was es and even televisions — were still of its workers were among the wound- agreement. not immediately clear whether further strewn at the scene of the attack Sun- ed.Maysa al-Aswad, a 30-year-old The evacuation process resumed af- evacuations were taking place on Sun- day, an AFP correspondent said. evacuee from Kafraya, said she was ter the bombing, the Observatory said, day. The shattered buses were nearby as sitting on one bus with her six-month- with the residents of Fuaa and Kafraya Another 3,000 civilians and fi ght- was the shell of a pick-up truck — with old son Hadi and 10-year-old daughter eventually arriving in Aleppo, Syria’s ers should be evacuated from Fuaa and little left but its engine block — that Narjis when the blast shook the parked second city which the government Kafraya, and 150 rebels from Zabada- was apparently used to carry out the convoy. gained full control of last year. ni, to complete a fi rst wave of evacua- bombing. “Hadi was on my lap and Narjis on a Wounded survivors, including many tions under the deal, the Observatory There was no immediate claim of re- chair next to me. When the explosion children, were taken for treatment at said. sponsibility for the bombing, though happened I hugged them both and we an Aleppo hospital. A second phase of evacuations from the key Ahrar al-Sham rebel group de- fell to the fl oor,” she said by telephone UN aid chief Stephen O’Brien con- the government-held towns is expect- nied any involvement. from near Aleppo. demned the bombing, saying: “The ed in a few months’ time, it said. Syria’s The government blamed “terrorists” “I didn’t know what was happening, perpetrators of such a monstrous and war has killed more than 320,000 peo- — a catch-all term for its opponents. all I could hear was people crying and cowardly attack displayed a shameless ple since erupting in 2011, with more The Observatory, which relies on shouting,” she said. disregard for human life.” than half the population forced from a network of sources inside Syria to “All I can think about is how we sur- Pope Francis also urged an end to their homes and hundreds of thou- Smoke billows following a reported air strike on a rebel-held area in the southern monitor the conflict, said hundreds vived all the death during the last few the war in Syria as he presided over sands trapped under siege. Syrian city of Daraa, yesterday.

Dubai plans to end Conservation success Mine kills guard on paper use by 2021 Yemen border: ministry

DPA standards for people,” he said AFP In two years, the rebels fi red Dubai in a press statement. Riyadh 47,847 rockets at Saudi territory, Younis al-Nasser, an assist- as well as “48 ballistic missiles, ant head of the Smart Dubai all of which were intercepted”, ubai plans to end the use Office project, said that a cen- mine blast killed a Saudi coalition spokesman General of paper in government tral platform dubbed Dubai border guard yesterday Ahmed Assiri said in an inter- Dby the year 2021, a sen- Pulse had been launched for Aon the kingdom’s south- view broadcast Sunday by the ior official said yesterday. government data. ern frontier with war-wracked television channel Al-Arabiya. Regional business hub Du- “The aim is to provide the Yemen, the interior ministry “We have an interest in keeping bai, one of the seven emirates right institution with the right said. Yemen stable and the borders of making up the United Arab data when needed,” he said. Another three members of the Saudi kingdom secure,” Assiri Emirates, would aim to issue “It will facilitate the exchange the force were wounded in the said. He also said Hadi’s govern- the last printed government of open and common data be- explosion in Jizan province, a ment controlled “80 to 85% of document in that year, accord- tween public and private sec- spokesman cited by the offi cial Yemeni territory” two years after ing to Crown Prince Hamdan tors as well as individuals.” SPA news agency said. the coalition intervened. bin Mohamed bin Rashid al- The Smart Dubai project al- At least 130 Saudi members However, the Houthis still Maktoum. ready offers some 1,000 gov- of the security forces and civil- control the capital Sanaa and “I believe that the future ernment services, and aims to ians have been killed, mainly by much of the northern highlands. requires a paper-free govern- offer 1,129 services by 2021. rockets fi red from Yemen, since The UN says that more than mental working environment Dubai is seen as the most Young waterbucks standing in Dinder national reserve, in Sennar state in Sudan, a protected a coalition intervened in support 7,700 people have been killed that focuses on drawing up technologically advanced city region 480kms from the capital Khartoum. of President Abd-Rabbu Man- over the past two years in plans to achieve the best living in the Gulf region. sour Hadi in March 2015. Yemen. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 11 ARAB WORLD

Libya govt urges ‘intervention’ over southern clashes

Libya’s unity government has called for “urgent intervention” Court acquits woman of by the international community to end military escalation in its south, warning of a possible “civil war”. For more than a week, militias allied to the UN-backed Government of National Accord have fought off rival forces trying human traffi cking charges to capture an airbase in the south of the North African coun- Reuters try. “We ask you to take a firm Cairo and decisive stance with regards to this escalation and we will sup- port all decisions to re-establish Cairo court acquitted security and stability in Libya,” yesterday an Egyptian- GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj wrote AAmerican woman and in a letter published Saturday. seven others who worked with Sarraj called for an “urgent street children and had been intervention” from the interna- detained for nearly three years tional community “to end the on human traffi cking charges, in deterioration of the situation in a case that had raised concerns south Libya”, in an open letter in Washington. addressed to bodies including Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian who the European Union, the United holds US citizenship, founded Nations and the Arab League. Belady, an NGO that promotes He did not specify the nature a better life for street children. of what form such intervention She has been in custody for 33 could take. Clashes erupted last months in violation of Egyptian week after the self-proclaimed law, which states that the maxi- Libyan National Army, com- mum period for pretrial deten- manded by military strongman tion is 24 months. Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar Dressed in a white prison uni- and loyal to Libya’s eastern form, Hijazi stood in the court- authorities, battled to seize the room cage with her husband Tamenhant air base from militias and Belady co-founder Mo- backing the GNA. hamed Hassanein. “This sudden and unjustified es- With tears of joy streaming calation...puts the country on the down their cheeks, they vowed brink of civil war”, Sarraj said. to resume their charity work. The GNA, which both Haftar and “We were delayed for three the eastern-based parliament years...starting today, God will- have refused to recognise, has ing, there won’t be any children announced a counter-off ensive without shelter,” Hassanein told against the LNA. The LNA has reporters. said the Tamenhant base was a “Humanity became free, and launching pad for fighters who the dream doesn’t die. On the seized key oil terminals from its contrary, the dream becomes control last month, before the stronger,” Hijazi said. File photo shows Aya Hijazi and her husband Mohamed Hassanein, founders of Belady, an NGO that promotes a better life for street children, sitting on the ground talking inside a LNA retook them days later. The verdict came two weeks holding cell as they face trial on charges of human traff icking at a courthouse in Cairo, Egypt. But the unity government has after Egyptian President Abdel denied any link with the attacks Fattah al-Sisi met President US foreign aid, but the White dreds of the group’s supporters ing a foreign conspiracy against Rights Watch. Hijazi and Has- The prosecution can appeal on the oil facilities in Libya’s Donald Trump in Washington. House has said it expects and jailing thousands. Egypt. sanein were arrested in May the verdict. Minutes after the northeast. The GNA, which was Hijazi’s detention was an is- Egypt’s $1.3bn of US The net has widened to in- “Aya Hijazi, her husband, and 2014. verdict, Hijazi’s mother stood born of a UN-brokered deal sue of concern and was being military aid will continue. clude liberal and secular activ- their colleagues are fi nally free, They were accused of “organ- outside the courtroom sending signed in late 2015, has struggled watched closely by the Trump Since toppling President ists. but the system that subjected ising a group for the purposes of voice messages to Hijazi’s sib- to assert its authority nationwide administration, an administra- Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim NGOs have felt exposed since them to a travesty of justice for human traffi cking, using children lings who live abroad. “Thank since taking off ice in Tripoli in tion offi cial said at the time. Brotherhood in mid-2013, Sisi’s late 2011, when authorities raid- nearly three years remains un- to disturb the public peace and God, you can celebrate now, we March last year. The Trump administration government has cracked down ed 17 pro-democracy and rights changed,” said Joe Stork, deputy order in protests, and holding can all celebrate,” Naglaa Hosny has proposed massive cuts to on the opposition, killing hun- groups, accusing them of join- Middle East director at Human them for sexual exploitation.” said in the messages. Iraq forces make Mosul gains, but anti-IS war far from over

AFP Baghdad

raqi forces made major gains in the six months since launching the Ioperation to retake Mosul, but the battle for Iraq’s second city and the war against the Islamic State group are far from over. Tough close-quarters fi ghting in heavily-populated areas of Mosul is still ahead, and IS also holds terri- tory in other parts of Iraq, as well as in neighbouring Syria. The militants will still be able to carry out attacks in Iraq even if they no longer control signifi cant territory, while the impact of the war — wide- spread displacement of civilians, cities and towns devastated by the fi ghting, countless lives disrupted — will last long after the fi ghting ends. Iraqi forces and the US-led coalition supporting them “are nearing the end of the operation to recapture Mosul,” said Patrick Martin, Iraq analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. But “the fi nal neighbourhoods will be the most diffi cult to recapture, es- pecially the Old City and the remain- ing neighbourhoods in northwestern Mosul,” Martin said. An Iraqi forces’ humvee advances in the Old City of Mosul yesterday, during an Progress in the Old City — a warren offensive to recapture the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. of closely-spaced buildings and nar- row streets where hundreds of thou- the Tigris River, which divides the city. conference. IS holds territory in Iraq’s sands of civilians are thought to reside The battle for west Mosul — which Kirkuk province, as well as areas west — has been diffi cult and slow. was launched in mid-February — has of Mosul, and in western Anbar prov- “You cannot get vehicles in there, so taken a heavy toll on civilians, with ince, and also controls territory in- it’s gotta be a dismounted operation,” hundreds killed or wounded in the cluding the city of Raqqa in Syria. Brigadier General Rick Uribe, a senior fi ghting, and more than 200,000 dis- Losing these areas would still not coalition commander, said of the Old placed. eliminate the threat of bombings and City. That “makes it very diffi cult for The coalition has said it “prob- hit-and-run attacks by the militants. any off ensive manoeuvre in there, but ably” played a role in civilian casual- Iraqi “successes in Mosul obscure it makes it very easy to defend,” Uribe ties in Mosul, while residents have how (IS) has successfully been resurg- said. been caught up in fi ghting between ing in other provinces in Iraq,” Martin “Sometimes, 50 metres is a great Iraqi forces and IS, and the militants said. day,” he said of the Iraqi advance. are intentionally attacking civilians in The militants have “reconstituted Iraqi forces launched the Mosul op- the city. attack capabilities in Diyala and cen- eration in October, moving toward the Losing Mosul would be a major blow tral Salaheddin,” he said, referring city from the south, west and north to IS, but would not mark the end of to provinces where Iraqi forces had before assaulting its eastern side, the war against the militants. largely reasserted control after heavy which was recaptured earlier this year. “Just because we’re done in Mosul fi ghting earlier in the war against IS. Two special forces units — the doesn’t mean that Daesh is done in The end of the battle for Mosul will Counter-Terrorism Service and the Iraq,” Uribe said, using an Arabic ac- also leave Iraq struggling with thorny Rapid Response Division — have ronym for IS. political issues including control of re- spearheaded the fi ghting inside Mo- “There’s still another signifi cant captured territory in the north that is sul, while soldiers and police have also number of areas within Iraq that will... claimed by both the country’s autono- taken part. need to be cleared of Daesh, and... mous Kurdish region and its federal Iraqi Kurdish forces were involved the Iraqi security forces are getting government. Issued in Public Interest by in the initial days of the operation but themselves ready for that eventuality And Iraq will still be contending stopped short of the city, while pro- — they know that it’s coming,” he said. with the eff ects of the war — citizens government paramilitary forces were “We will not leave any area under killed, wounded or missing, hundreds tasked with moving on the IS-held the control of the terrorist organisa- of thousands displaced, houses, shops town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul. tion,” Brigadier General Yahya Rasool, and infrastructure wrecked, children After retaking east Mosul, Iraqi the spokesman for Iraq’s Joint Opera- years behind in school — for years to forces set their sights on the far side of tions Command, said at a recent news come. Gulf Times 12 Monday, April 17, 2017 AFRICA Easter vigil Guinea police take charge of ‘private zoos’

Reuters A senior police source named cuers as it was dragged from a Kindia, Guinea the man, arrested in the capital shallow pool. Conakry last Wednesday, as Colo- The animals have been released nel Ibrahima Bangoura. into the wild except for four chim- olice in Guinea have arrested WARA, a French charity based panzees that have been taken to a an army colonel on suspi- in Guinea and Senegal, began in- sanctuary. Pcion of animal traffi cking and vestigating Bangoura in 2013, sus- Guinea is a major wildlife traf- seized a menagerie of animals from pecting him of being part of a net- fi cking hub, with ivory, skins, two properties he owns that they work that trades protected species shark fi ns and live mammals regu- described as private zoos, a senior on the international market, Hou- larly sold internationally by crimi- offi cer said over the weekend. pline said. nal groups. Chimpanzees, a baboon, os- “This is a victory in the fi ght In March, authorities arrested triches from Mali and turtles that against corruption and impunity,” two senior members of network inhabit the edge of the Sahara were she said, adding that Interpol has suspected of traffi cking chimpan- among the 33 animals and 12 spe- collaborated on the case. zees and other endangered ani- cies found during police raids, said Reuters was unable to contact mals for over 30 years. Charlotte Houpline of the WARA Bangoura for comment. In recent years charities have Conservation Project which After one of the raids, chimpan- worked with authorities to protect worked on the investigation. zees peered from cages as secu- forests from poachers and traf- “He was the owner of the ani- rity offi cials in army fatigues car- fi ckers. mals and planned to sell them. He ried them through the woods and A priority is to protect elephants will be charged with animal traf- loaded them onto pick-up trucks, in the Ziama forest, in the south of fi cking,” Gadiri Conde, a divisional Reuters TV pictures showed. the country around 800km from police commissioner, told Reuters. A crocodile snapped at its res- Conakry.

Private radios protest Mali crackdown

AFP largely desert west African na- “The problem is that these sta- Bamako tion make radio a lifeline for iso- tions in the interior of the country lated communities with few other only have provisional licences and means of getting local news and are useful to the local population,” rivate radio operators in Mali information. Dante said. yesterday denounced a state “You have to give these On Thursday Mali’s commu- Pcrackdown on pirate broad- stations time to conform to the nications regulator announced casters, with 47 stations threat- law,” said Bandiougou Dante, the stations aff ected had Christian faithful of the Legio Maria African Mission church attend the Easter vigil in their church in Fort Jesus area of ened with closure for failing to president of the Union of Free been sent notices to Nairobi yesterday. obtain licences. Radio and Television of Mali shut down “for not respecting the High levels of illiteracy in the (UFRTM). rules”. Musicians chase fame on west Africa’s musical islands

AFP weni, whose honeyed tones blend vain Luc, a French guitarist per- Praia, Cape Verde seamlessly with a jazz/soul vibe. forming at the Kriol Jazz Festival. “I want to continue what Ce- “But what I see here is a public saria started,” Lucibela told AFP. which is full of life, full of joy, and very April, the tiny island “I want to sing Cape Verde’s own that’s great,” he said. capital of Cape Verde is musical styles like “morna” and Local heroes of interna- Etaken over for a week by “coladeira” all over the world, tional renown such as Lura and musicians of all stripes, trailing but I want to be known for my Bulimundo were also present to dreams of record deals and sold- own talent.” play old favourites to the crowds. out stadiums. No style is discounted at the After giving birth just months Two events, the Atlantic Music Atlantic Music Expo, but its Af- ago, traditional Cape Verdean Expo (AME) and the more estab- rican roots are proudly out front, artist Lura said the crowds and lished Kriol Jazz Festival, draw with more than 500 music pro- new motherhood had electrifi ed talent from as far away Haiti and fessionals attending, among her performance. Brazil, intent on showing what them Afrojazz, soul, R&B, rap “I have more energy in my they have to off er to international and traditional folk artists. body since I became a mother,” producers on an archipelago For many, it is a unique oppor- she said following a show where famed for its own rich musical tunity to perform and network the applause barely stopped. heritage. in the beautiful island setting of “My new album will continue “During this fi fth edition of the Praia, the ordinarily sleepy capi- my mission — to sing about Cape AME, foreign producers showed tal. Verde, everyday life here and its a lot of interest towards Cape “We hope to meet tour organ- traditions, blended with sounds Verdian artists like Lucibela and isers, because they are the ones from across the world.” Os Tubaroes,” said Jose da Silva, who will allow us to show our Hybrids come naturally to a na- the festival’s executive director, music all over the world,” said tion that has historical links to Por- as the week drew to a close. Pamela Badjogo, a Gabonese tugal and Brazil, and has long been Da Silva knows the world mu- Afrojazz singer who also made a stopping point for traders on their sic industry better than most, waves at the event. passage across the Atlantic. having spotted the talent of Ce- Singing, drumming and danc- What remains is to export saria Evora, Cape Verde’s “bare- ing are not limited to the per- more of its artists for audiences foot diva”, who made the island formers in a nation that prides who cannot make it to see them nation’s bittersweet “morna” itself on producing some of world on the archipelago, said Culture ballads internationally famous. music’s biggest stars, despite be- Minister Abraao Vicente. He describes Lucibela, a young ing home to fewer than 500,000 “The intention of the govern- artist who has been likened to people miles off mainland Africa. ment is now to work on ways of Evora, as the hottest ticket at the “Normally I play behind closed facilitating, in terms of costs, festival so far, along with South doors because jazz concerts are travel for these artists abroad,” Africa’s Tribute “Birdie” Mbo- usually intimate aff airs,” said Syl- he told AFP. The Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band from Ghana perform during the Kriol Jazz Festival at Praia over the weekend.

Kenyans weigh options ahead of complete ban on plastic bags

By Robert Manyara, Xinhua ment but what we need is a cheap and I believe the ban is a good step yans, it is this population that ing for many years, according to Nakuru, Kenya alternative suitable to us,” said forward but remember I cannot Nema, an enforcement agency on Nema’s chief offi cial. James Nyamwanda, who hawks put chopped vegetables in a paper environmental policies and laws, Its revitalisation and sustainable bananas at a residential estate in bag unless they are dry,” she said. pegs on to eff ectively close down exploitation would off er an alter- hile circulation of plas- Nakuru. “But we will accept whatever the on plastic bags. native to the plastic bags thereby tic bags for secondary Introducing eco-friendly bags government brings as an alternative. “We are banking on public avoid health and environmental Wpackaging in Kenya is selling at a high price would be All I ask is that it considers small awareness and good will to suc- eff ects resulting from their use, he expected to cease in August, con- killing micro businesses, he said. traders like us,” said Wanjiku who ceed in eliminating the plastic said. sumers are already looking forward “I will be forced to increase the uses transparent mini-bags to pack- bags,” he said. “Plastics create the biggest to adoptable alternative befi tting price of bananas to make a profi t age the goods for her consumers. Manufacture of all plastic bags problem of managing dumpsites. their daily activities. should I buy the new bags at a high These mini-bags are some of are encouraged to invest in pro- They clog our rivers and oceans. It Plastic bags with or without cost and that will automatically those categorised under second- duction of alternative bags, he will take many more years to clean handles used for commercial and chase customers away. The gov- ary packaging that the government said. up our oceans. In areas where there household packaging will no long- ernment needs to think about this will not tolerate their usage after “All stakeholders are required is grass, plastics are littered all over er be manufactured or imported issue carefully,” the father of fi ve August 28. to take reasonable steps to ensure and even the livestock fi nd it so into Kenya thereby eliminating told Xinhua in a recent interview. Secondary packaging involves that by August 28, the production, challenging to graze,” he said. their use going forward. Veronica Wanjiku, a grocer in Na- use of plastic bags to package a importation, sale and use of plastic He said the agency is encourag- Following a notice of ban two kuru town’s central business district product in a diff erent location from bags in the country ceases,” he said. ing initiatives aimed at recycling months ago from cabinet secretary is hopeful the ban will bring sanity point of production, explained Ge- Abolition of plastic bag, a daily plastics to clean up the ecosystem. for environment and natural re- to the environment but is anxious of off rey Wahungu, director general form of packaging in almost eve- “We are engaging with supermar- sources, manufacturers and sup- the kind of alternatives likely to be at National Environment Manage- ry purchase from both retail and kets to buy from groups recycling pliers have until August to clear introduced into the market. ment Authority (NEMA). Whereas wholesale shops, would stimulate plastics in a way of creating a cycle their stock. “If you look around, there are so Nyamwanda and Wanjiku refl ect revival of the sisal industry whose of cleaning up the environment,” “We cannot fi ght the govern- many plastic bags littered around apprehensions of millions of Ken- production has been degenerat- said Nema’s director general. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 13 AMERICA All eyes on Gorsuch as SC takes up religious rights’ cases

Reuters Trinity Lutheran’s legal eff ort Washington is being spearheaded by the Al- liance Defending Freedom con- servative Christian legal activist he US Supreme Court is group, which argues Missouri’s set this week to hear a policy violates the US Constitu- A Trump supporter runs at protesters while being pepper sprayed at a Patriots Day free speech rally in Berkeley, California. Tclosely watched case test- tion’s guarantees of free exercise ing the limits of religious rights, of religion and equal protection and new Justice Neil Gorsuch’s under the law. judicial record indicates he could If the church wins, “religious tip the court toward siding with organisations cannot be exclud- a church challenging Missouri’s ed from general public welfare ban on state funding of religious benefi ts that apply to everybody”, entities. said Erik Stanley, an alliance Trinity Lutheran Church, lawyer representing the church. Trump backers clash which is located in Columbia, Referring to Gorsuch, Stanley Missouri and runs a preschool said: “He has defi nitely been a and daycare centre, said Mis- friend of religious liberty. souri unlawfully excluded it from So we are hopeful that will a grant program providing state continue when he’s on the court, funds to nonprofi t groups to buy and we’re grateful he gets to par- rubber playground surfaces. ticipate on this important case.” with ‘anti-fascists’ Missouri’s constitution pro- In 2013, Gorsuch sided with hibits “any church, sect or de- the evangelical Christian owners Trump supporters regularly In another altercation, a pro- “They picked Berkeley be- tionalists”, reluctant converts, behind Trump’s refusal to re- nomination of religion” from of arts-and-crafts retailer Hob- face-off with protesters tester who stole a Trump fl ag cause they want to feel they and a faction called the Proud lease his tax returns. receiving state taxpayer money. by Lobby and allowed owners of was chased down in front of a could do this in the most liberal Boys: a Bay area group of men, “We need to know: what are Gorsuch, who embraced an private companies to object on Guardian News and Media store and punched, until allies place in the country,” said Geoff mostly in their 30s, who call his confl icts of interest? Does he expansive view of religious rights religious grounds to a provision Washington ran to his side and started to beat Millard, an anti-Trump protest- themselves “western chauvin- have ties to Russia?” she said. as a Colorado-based federal ap- in federal healthcare law requir- the Trump supporter involved. er, Iraq war veteran and Mr San ists”. One Proud Boy, who called In DC, lawmakers includ- peals court judge, on Monday ing employers to provide medical As with the other fi ghts, it was Francisco Leather 2017. “It’s im- himself Nick Money, said he was ing Ron Wyden, Maxine Waters hears his fi rst arguments since insurance that pays for women’s undreds of self-de- eventually separated. portant that we shut them down a Bernie Sanders supporter until and Jamie Raskin addressed the becoming a justice last week. birth control. scribed anti-fascist At least a dozen people were and let them know they can’t he had “an awakening” last year. crowd. He will be on the bench on Gorsuch wrote in a concur- Hprotesters and support- seen bloodied or suff ering the pull this crap here.” His group was providing se- Wyden, the ranking Demo- Wednesday when the justices ring opinion that Hobby Lobby’s ers of Donald Trump clashed in eff ects of pepper spray. Millard said the “antifascist” curity for Southern, who has crat on the Senate fi nance com- hear the Trinity Lutheran case, owners faced a choice “between Berkeley, California, in sporadic The fi rst event planned for protest was meant “to make previously encouraged Trump mittee, has introduced legisla- one of the most important of exercising their faith or saving brawls on Saturday. Saturday was a “pro-free speech Nazis afraid” and said “the ide- supporters take action in self- tion that would require sitting their current term. their business”. The supreme Protests in cities around the rally” by a group of Trump sup- ology that they propose puts defence. In a video earlier this presidents, including Trump, to Gorsuch, appointed by Presi- court later affi rmed the ruling. rest of the country, including porters. Opposing groups quick- public citizens at risk”. Others year, she said: “While we should release their tax returns for the dent Donald Trump, restored the Missouri said there is nothing a number of “tax marches “ in ly organised their own event. against the president variously never start a fi ght we should al- past three years. Supreme Court’s 5-4 conserva- unconstitutional about its grant which demonstrators called for Demonstrators in both camps argued that there were limits ways end it.” Trump has refused to release tive majority. Trinity Lutheran programme. Trump to release his tax returns, bemoaned how hard it was to to free speech or that their goal Despite Saturday’s scuffl es, his returns, breaking with more wanted public funds to replace “Trinity Lutheran remains free, proceeded more peacefully. communicate with the other was to use their own voices to however, partisans on both sides than 40 years of precedent. its playground’s gravel with a without any public subsidy, to In Berkeley, police told media side, though occasionally they overwhelm and marginalise cer- mostly mocked and berated Trump said during the cam- rubber surface made from recy- worship, teach, pray and practice they had arrested 13 people by came together, often helping by- tain views that have appeared each other, phones and cameras paign that he would release cled tyres that would be safer for any other aspect of its faith how- mid-afternoon, as opposing ral- standers caught off guard. on the far right, for instance an- raised. Police broke up fi ghts but his returns when the audit was children to play on. ever it wishes. The state merely lies spilled out of a park and into At one point an anti-fascist tisemitism and racism. Several mostly stood apart. complete. The US Constitution calls for declines to off er fi nancial sup- the streets. shared her marijuana with a Trump supporters said they also A solitary vendor appeared But after his inauguration, a separation of church and state port,” the state said in legal papers. With several hundred people Trump supporter. For most of felt uncomfortable about those for the usual Saturday farmers aide Kellyanne Conway said and guarantees the free exercise The church has drawn support on each side, the crowds mostly the day, each side shouted slo- elements. market, which was cancelled, the president would not re- of religion. from the religious community taunted each other with bull- gans, like “neo-fascists got to One man, who would describe and a Berkeley stalwart who calls lease his tax returns and that At the very least, a victory for including the US Conference of horns, chants and shouts. go” and “just plain commies off himself as a Trump supporter himself Common Terry shouted “people didn’t care”. Amanda Trinity Lutheran would help re- Catholic Bishops, the Mormon Occasionally, anti-Trump the streets”. from the Bay area said: “I think that Trump supporters “hate our Taub, a professor at Vermont ligious organisations nationwide Church and Jewish groups. protesters threw fi reworks. Small Unlike previous clashes in Ber- there are too many Jewish su- farmers market”. Nearby, volun- Law School, told the Guardian win public dollars for certain pur- Groups fi ling legal papers op- bands on both sides chased each keley — such as a February protest premacists in the government teers at an “empathy tent” helped this week Conway’s comments poses, such as health and safety. posing Trinity Lutheran, includ- other or brawled, sometimes that forced the far-right writer and in the media,” he said. “If protesters from both sides. sparked the idea for a Tax Day But it also could bolster the ing the American Civil Liberties with wooden planks, homemade Milo Yiannopoulos to cancel an people of European descent want A peaceful mood reigned at march. case for using public money for Union, said government funding shields, poles and pepper spray. event, and a March rally that led to stand up for their rights and marches in more than 100 other “Trump said people don’t vouchers to help pay for children of churches is precisely what the One standoff at a downtown to 10 arrests — Trump supporters just want equal rights, they’re cities across the US on Saturday, care about his tax returns,” said to attend religious schools rather Constitution forbids. intersection ended only when a numbered at least as many if not called white supremacists.” as protesters demanded the re- one marcher in Washington on than public schools in “school “Forcing states to provide smoke grenade detonated. more than their rivals. Accusations of antisemitism, lease of the president’s personal Saturday, Michelle Lee, from choice” programs backed by cash to build church property In confusion, anti-Trump At one point an older man he said, were used “to justify tax returns. nearby Alexandria, Virginia. many conservatives. could open the fl oodgates to protesters fl ed as supporters shouted: “I claim Berkeley for anti-white racism”. Trump sup- In Washington, protesters “That’s clearly not the case. So For example, Colorado’s top programmes that coerce tax- of the president charged after the alt-right.” porters nearby said they did not rallied on the west lawn of the get off the golf course and show court in 2015 found that a Doug- payers to underwrite religion,” them, attacking stragglers. Lauren Southern, a Canadian agree, and stressed the eclectic Capitol before a march to the us what you’re hiding.” las County voucher programme said Daniel Mach, director of the In one altercation, demon- activist popular in rightwing mix of ideas on their side: self- Lincoln Memorial. Pieces of Trump’s tax history violated a state constitutional ACLU’s programme on freedom strators threw a pot of beans at media, similarly declared: “We described “non-progressives”, Audrey Wagner, a DC resi- have dribbled out, including two provision similar to Missouri’s. of religion and belief. each other. won the battle of Berkeley!” libertarians, populists, “tradi- dent, questioned the motives pages of Trump’s 2005 returns. Uncertainty in Muscle Shoals over govt lifeline

Guardian News and Media has been threatened by a myriad amount, said Giles McDaniel, the Care Act’s Medicaid expansion Medicaid spending by $880bn and without health insurance. Air Service (EAS) — established “We lost everything we had,” Washington of spending obstacles proposed centre’s executive director, but sought to resolve. and cut federal assistance to buy by the Department of Trans- by the very same man northwest the expected return on invest- Often, uninsured Americans private health insurance, leaving she said, her voice trembling. port to ensure regular fl ights in Alabamians overwhelmingly ment is $10mn, the creation or used emergency rooms for pri- more people in northwest Ala- They got word of the Shoals clin- and out of isolated communities rom the golden arches of voted for: Donald Trump. retention of 110 jobs and launch mary care, racking up bills they bama uninsured and in need of ic, where her husband underwent across the US. McDonald’s to the aroma of A budget blueprint unveiled of 20 new businesses. would never pay at local hospitals. care from the Shoals Clinic. tests that eventually led to his di- The airport faced struggles in Fsandwiches at local barbe- by the White House last month Trump, he notes, is not the fi rst Giles McDaniel, Shoals Entre- “That was one of the reasons agnosis with blood cancer. recent years that led to a drop in cue institution Bunyan’s, the Flor- was ripe with draconian cuts to president to propose eliminating preneurial Center Funding for for starting this clinic — to keep “He would have probably died passengers. But a $2.8mn subsidy ence-Muscle Shoals metropolitan federal programmes that have the ARC — President Reagan left the the Shoals Community Clinic people out of the ER,” said McKay. if he had not been able to come from the EAS has meant that a area is, at fi rst encounter, the quin- served as a lifeline to the Shoals’ the commission out of every one comprises a combination of pri- “That keeps costs down for eve- here,” Janice said. total of 24 fl ights a week can op- tessential American suburb. fl edgling economy. of his budgets but was thwarted vate donations and support from ryone, but it seems what they’re Asked about the potential im- erate to and from Nashville and Fast-food chains and discount If enacted, Trump’s budget by the US Congress. local hospitals, but also dollars proposing would create that same pact of Trump’s proposed cuts to Atlanta. stores line bustling streets of an would all but guarantee the closure McDaniel nonetheless acknowl- from the ARC and community problem all over again.” the clinic and greater Shoals area, Trump’s budget director, Mick area considered the economic of the area’s regional airport, scale edges Trump sent an unexpected block grants Trump has also pro- As she speaks from a wooden Janice said her husband support- Mulvaney, has forcefully de- hub of northwest Alabama. back funding for job training, and message to those who helped pro- posed to eliminate. desk in a corner offi ce, patients ed the president. fended the plan as acting on the Unlike the working class pock- leave the local tourism offi ce with- pel him to the White House. “There’s going to be a dire fi ll the waiting room on a muggy “I told him, you realise you may administration’s vow to upend ets of America that have struggled out critical grant money. “You had people who said, need,” said Bonita McKay, the Wednesday morning. end up uninsured and dead be- Washington. to rebound from the Great Reces- Most crucially, Trump’s fi scal ‘Well, golly, how could Trump clinic’s executive director. The clinic sees roughly 1,000 cause you voted for him?” she said. Mulvaney, a longtime spend- sion, this former bedrock of the plan would eliminate two fed- not include the ARC in his budg- “Eventually things will break patients a year for both illness “But it doesn’t seem to matter.” ing hawk who founded the con- textile and metal industries has eral agencies, the Appalachian et?’” he said. “Those are all the down and we won’t have money treatment and preventative care It’s a familiar trend among servative Freedom Caucus in laboured in recent years to rein- Regional Commission (ARC) and states that voted for him.” to replace it. at a fi xed price. many of those who oversee the the House of Representatives, vent itself. A modest downtown Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Although its economy has been That’s when we’ll have to start Among them is Janice, a middle- local projects and services that confessed to being the one who neighbourhood, tree-lined and that invest millions of dollars an- placed on a modest but upward cutting back on services and just aged woman who asked to only be would be gutted by Trump to be urged Trump to place the ARC on pedestrian friendly, shows signs nually toward boosting not sim- trajectory, one in every six people try and make do with what we identifi ed by her fi rst name. reticent to discuss their politics. the chopping block. of a burgeoning restaurant scene ply Alabama’s rural communities in the Shoals area lives in poverty. have.” The clinic, she said, was “a The billionaire, whose brash “My guess is he probably where local, sustainable dry-aged but also many of the other rural Because Alabama is one of The ARC gave the Shoals clin- godsend” for most of the people persona stands in contrast with didn’t know what the Appala- beef tartare is on the menu. states populated with the presi- 19 Republican-led states which ic $112,709 to upgrade dental in the area. Janice would not have the devout evangelical inhabitants chian Regional Commission did,” The historic Fame Studios — a dent’s most ardent supporters. chose not to expand Medicaid equipment in 2011. envisioned a life without health of the American south, carried the Mulvaney said. “I was able to centre of gravity in the 60s and Spanning 13 states, the ARC under Barack Obama’s healthcare The local housing authority insurance. surrounding county 67.9% to Hil- convince him.” 70s that drew artists such as covers a 205,000sq mile region law, its poor residents were thrust provides the clinic with its loca- Just over a decade ago, she lary Clinton’s 29.6%. Overall, he But the White House is expect- Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett from the mountains of New York into a conundrum: too poor to buy tion, worth $11,000 in 2015. and her husband belonged to won the reliably conservative Ala- ed to face resistance from mem- and Etta James to record what state to the Mississippi Gulf coast. insurance, but not poor enough to That grant programme would Florida’s middle class, who were bama by just over 28 points. bers of Congress, including those was coined as the “Muscle Shoals In less than two years, the ARC get it from the state. also be axed in Trump’s budget, typically insured through their As with much of rural Amer- within the Republican party. sound” — remains a notable has poured upward of $11mn into The Shoals Community Clinic, as would $403mn to help train employers. ica, remote communities across Senate majority leader Mitch tourist attraction. Alabama alone — including a a red brick, one-story converted new nurses. Locally, nursing stu- They bought a luxurious house Alabama rely on smaller local McConnell has signalled the ARC While situated in the fourth grant of roughly $1mn awarded apartment that sits adjacent to a dents supply the Shoals clinic and seemed to be living the airports that would also be dealt will not be eliminated under his poorest state in the nation, the last year to the Shoals Entrepre- housing development, has pro- with labour, as the clinic helps American dream, but fell victim a blow under Trump’s budget watch. His home state of Ken- Shoals, as it is known, has led neurial Center, which by sup- vided low-cost health and dental them fulfi l clinical hours needed to the housing crash. The couple proposal. tucky is not simply a benefi ci- Alabama’s economic growth de- porting startup companies has care for the working uninsured to graduate. At the same time, relocated to Alabama so that Jan- The Muscle Shoals Airport ary but in many ways embodies, spite nearly half of its manufac- proved an epicentre for economic for 20 years. It was borne from Trump has backed a Republican ice’s husband could help his age- ranks among those that receives through the decline of the coal turing jobs crumbling over the development in the region. precisely the kind of coverage gap plan to repeal and replace the ing father, but the poor job mar- a subsidy under a federal pro- industry, Appalachia as a symbol past two decades. But its progress It might seem like a paltry in healthcare that the Aff ordable healthcare law that would cut ket left both of them unemployed gramme known as the Essential of the white working class. Gulf Times 14 Monday, April 17, 2017 ASEAN

New Year celebrations Thai activists want answers on Bangkok plaque removal

DPA Bangkok

ctivists in Thailand are de- manding that authorities in- Avestigate the disappearance of a historic plaque from Bangkok’s Royal Plaza that honours the coun- try’s transition away from absolute monarchy in 1932. The original brass plaque was em- bedded in the plaza around 1940, on the spot where a group of progressive military members and bureaucrats de- clared a successful revolution against King Rama VII and established a dem- ocratic system of government. The plaque was removed sometime last week and replaced with a similar plate that featured text praising the monarchy and the Buddhist religion. As of yesterday afternoon, more than 1,700 signatures had been col- lected on a Change.org online petition demanding an investigation of the mysterious disappearance. Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights, a network of academics at more than 10 universities, issued a statement on Sunday demanding re- sponsibility from the authorities to protect democracy and public assets. “The removal of the plaque is meant to destroy collective memory (of de- Buddhist monks spray water on people at a pagoda during celebrations yesterday to mark the Khmer New Year in Phnom Penh. mocracy) and create new narratives of which the values are contradictory to constitutionalism and democracy,” the network’s statement read. Government spokesperson Col Sansern Keawkamnerd earlier told the media he was not aware of the remov- al and had no comment. Vietnam police ‘held hostage’ Myanmar on red alert as cyclone heads in

he Department of Meteorol- ogy and Hydrology of Myan- Tmar yesterday issued a red alert that Cyclone Maarutha will make the by residents in land dispute landfall near Thandwe township, Ra- khine state, within 12 hours. AFP leged their land was illegally seized for “People have closed off their vil- But state media said four residents freedom of expression and the right to According to the forecast released Hanoi sale by a military-owned telecoms fi rm. lages. No one can come in or out. The were taken into custody while some protest but fl ashpoints occur. at 13.30 local time, Cyclone Maarutha The exact number of policemen and police are surrounding the area also, police were also being held by villagers. In 2012 a Vietnamese fi sh farmer will fall with the wind speed of 80kph offi cials being held by residents could preventing media access. The situation “Some citizens...have committed used homemade weapons to resist a to 97kph. t least a dozen Vietnamese po- not immediately be confi rmed, but im- is tense,” Dung told AFP. acts of obstruction and illegally held forced eviction and injured seven po- The cyclone will create huge waves lice have been held hostage over ages on social media showed at least 12 A My Duc resident told AFP Sunday Hanoi police offi cers,” the Vietnam licemen. The farmer was jailed for fi ve with heavy rain and surface wind of Aa land dispute with residents uniformed men under guard. police had fi red in the air during Satur- News Agency said, quoting a police years, but his case became a symbol 116kph along the sea coast and off - near Hanoi, activists and state media “Local residents said they have no day’s clashes. announcement. of growing public dissatisfaction over shore. said yesterday, in a rare show of defi - intention of releasing the hostages “Some residents were also taken into Land disputes are common in Viet- land rights. Meanwhile, heavy rain fell across ance of communist authorities. unless the central government in- custody by police for unknown rea- nam, where powerful individuals and In 2013 a gunman killed a provincial most parts of the regions and states The incident began on Saturday in tervenes,” said La Viet Dung, a social sons,” he said, requesting anonymity. companies often make claims on prop- offi cial before committing suicide in an yesterday. the suburban My Duc district when au- activist who visited the site Sunday Local police and authorities refused erty. apparent dispute over land in northern The authorities also warned of thorities clashed with villagers who al- morning. to comment. The government strictly controls Vietnam. fl ooding and landslide. Jakarta election exposes deep political, religious divide

Reuters the election, which could aff ect FPI leader Habib Rizieq, who was Jakarta the investment climate and en- twice imprisoned for inciting vi- danger Widodo’s fi t-and-start olence in 2003 and 2008. economic reforms. Purnama recovered to win the akarta voters head to the polls Southeast Asia’s biggest econ- fi rst round on February 15 with on Wednesday to elect a gov- omy grew 5.2 % in 2016 and the 43% of the vote, compared to Jernor for Indonesia’s teeming government expects a repeat of 40% for Baswedan and 17% for capital after a campaign that in- that this year. Agus Yudhoyono, son of former cited political and religious ten- Indonesian stocks are up 12.6 president Susilo Bambang Yud- sions in the world’s most-popu- % on the year, making the Jakarta hoyono, who drew support from lous Muslim country. market one of Asia’s best per- conservative Muslims. Surveys have shown the race formers. The FPI was among groups tightening to a statistical dead Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, chief circulating hoax news stories on heat, with incumbent Gover- executive offi cer of the country’s social media during the cam- nor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an largest state bank, Bank Mandiri, paign of a pending invasion of ethnic Chinese Christian, clos- said in an interview that whoever Chinese workers and Chinese ing in on rival Anies Baswedan, a won “we (should) make sure it plots to decimate Indonesia’s former education minister. doesn’t aff ect any of the long- crops with contaminated chili Purnama is standing trial on term policies, especially on the The FPI has vowed to stage fur- blasphemy charges stemming openness and...ease of doing ther protests and a “revolution” from the divisive campaign that business and attracting invest- if Purnama wins, according to also featured mass rallies led by ment.” fl yers circulated by the group. Islamist hardliners and alleged Purnama, who replaced Wido- A senior government offi cial plots to overthrow President Joko do in 2014 as Jakarta governor after said a victory for Purnama could Widodo, who is popularly known serving as his deputy, saw his pop- reignite religious tensions and as Jokowi. ularity soar as he tackled decrepit China-baiting at a time when the The Jakarta election is viewed infrastructure, chronic fl ooding government is chasing Chinese as a larger choice ahead of a 2019 and endemic corruption in the investment for much-needed in- presidential poll between the traffi c-clogged city of over 10mn. frastructure. secular policies Indonesia has His support plunged after an “I worry that if a sizeable por- practiced since its post-World edited video circulated last Sep- tion of the electorate feels cheat- War II independence and a tember suggesting Purnama had ed there could be a very serious hardline political Islam that has mocked a verse in the Qur’an backlash,” said the offi cial, who strengthened in recent years. used by his opponents to argue asked for anonymity to speak “This is a test case for Indo- Muslims should not vote for a freely about the political climate nesian pluralism, if it can with- person holding diff erent reli- in Indonesia. stand the pressure of the reli- gious beliefs. However, political analyst To- gious groups, the populists,” Amid two rallies last year that bias Basuki also saw risks for the said Wimar Witoelar, a political drew hundreds of thousands of national government and its re- analyst and an adviser to former protesters, Purnama was charged form agenda if Baswedan won, Indonesian president Abdurrah- with blasphemy, forcing him given plans by his political pa- man Wahid. to make regular appearances in tron Prabowo Subianto to chal- “Indonesia is at a crossroads, court during the campaign. lenge Widodo in the 2019 presi- and I mean Indonesia, not just The hardline Islamists behind dential poll. Jakarta.” the rallies — led by the Islamic Baswedan was Widodo’s cam- A survey conducted April 12-14 Defenders Front (FPI), a group paign manager in the 2014 presi- by polling fi rm Indikator showed known for attacks on religious dential election, when he beat Anies with 48.2% support versus minorities and extorting money Subianto. But Widodo sacked him 47.4% for Purnama, with 4.4% from nightclubs — were culti- as education minister last year. undecided. vated by Purnama’s rivals. “Anies and Prabowo control- The business community is Baswedan was accused of be- ling Jakarta would impede Jokowi worried about a possible violent traying his moderate Islamic every step of the way,” Basuki A December 2016 file photo of an Indonesian holding up a poster during a rally calling for the arrest of Jakarta’s Governor Basuki Tjahaja backlash from the losing side in roots when he met and sang with said. Purnama. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA PNG to investigate ‘rampage’ at refugee camp

AFP enter Australia by boat. The in- nel “went on a rampage... fi ring what happened,” he added. close by October after a PNG Su- which currently houses more challenged off shore detention Sydney cident was sparked by an alter- several shots into the air and in- Australia’s immigration de- preme Court ruling declared that than 800 asylum seekers. “Even in court, said he was witnessing cation at a football game played discriminately assaulting police- partment said one man was in- holding people there was uncon- if the arrangement with the Unit- continued fear from the men be- by asylum seekers at a navy base men, PNG immigration offi cers, jured by a rock thrown into the stitutional and illegal. ed States continues, we must act ing detained at Manus. runk soldiers “went on a outside the compound late Fri- other service providers and asy- centre, the Australian Broadcast- But Australian Immigra- to create safety and security for “I fi rst visited the camp just rampage” and fi red shots day, according to detainees and lum seekers”. ing Corporation reported. tion Minister Peter Dutton has those who have languished in after Reza Barati’s murder in Din the air at an Australian refugee advocates. One senior immigration of- “There are reports PNG mili- said they would not be moved to off shore detention for too long,” 2014 and I saw how terrifi ed and asylum-seeker camp in Papua Later, “drunken soldiers in re- fi cer and an asylum seeker were tary personnel discharged a Australia and instead relocated the Very Reverend Peter Catt, the tired the men were back then,” New Guinea, police said yester- taliation for one of their colleague treated at a medical centre, the weapon into the air during the to third countries such as the Anglican Dean of Brisbane and he said in a statement. “Yet more day, in the latest violence to rock who was allegedly assaulted by statement added, without giving incident,” the department told United States and Cambodia, or head of an Australian coalition of than three years later those men the scandal-hit facility. an asylum seeker” entered the further details. Manus Provincial the ABC. “No one was injured.” resettled in PNG. churches in support of refugees, are still trapped behind the same PNG police announced an in- detention centre, shouting and Police Commander Senior In- The violent scenes came just Even so, the latest violence said. fence and living in constant fear.” vestigation into the unrest at the throwing objects, the Royal PNG spector David Lapu said he “will over three years after Iranian asy- sparked renewed calls from refu- “By bringing people to Aus- Canberra has long defended its Manus Island facility, an off shore Constabulary said in a statement leave no stones unturned” in his lum seeker Reza Barati died and gee advocates for detainees to be tralia, the US deal may continue.” policy of denying asylum seekers processing centre reopened in yesterday. investigation into the incident. 69 people were injured in a riot removed – and possibly brought Daniel Webb from the Human resettlement in Australia, saying 2012 to detain people who try to It said the military person- “Someone will answer for at the facility. The camp is set to to Australia – from the camp, Rights Law Centre, which has it has prevented deaths at sea. North Korea missile test fi zzles before Pence visit dinner at Yongsan military base, tools” at the president’s disposal, Pence brought greetings for the “for this particular case, if they troops from Trump. (North Korea) took the time and People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea’s failed “Let me assure you that un- energy to launch a missile that missile launch from its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul. der President Trump’s leader- failed, we don’t need to expend ship our resolve has never been any resources against that.” Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of North Korea. The UN Security stronger, our commitment to this The North has reiterated its State Rex Tillerson exchanged Council has imposed six sets of historic alliance with the coura- constant refrain that it is ready views on the situation on the sanctions against the North since geous people of South Korea has for war with the US, and its army Korean peninsula by phone yes- 2006, when it staged the fi rst never been stronger and with Friday vowed a “merciless” re- terday, Beijing’s offi cial Xinhua of its fi ve nuclear tests. All have your help and God’s help free- sponse to any US provocation. news agency said. failed to halt its drive for what it dom will ever prevail on this pe- Recent satellite images suggest The White House adviser said insists are defensive weapons. ninsula,” he said. its main nuclear site is “primed Trump and China’s President Xi Today, Pence is scheduled to Last August a submarine- and ready,” according to special- Jinping had discussed a number meet Acting President Hwang launched ballistic missile tested ist US website 38North. of steps at their summit this Kyo-ahn for talks expected to fo- from Sinpo fl ew 500km towards China, the North’s sole major month and “we’ve seen the Chi- cus on the North’s weapons pro- Japan. North Korean leader Kim ally, and Russia have both urged nese already take some initial grammes and a controversial US Jong-un hailed that test as the restraint. steps towards that” — citing the missile defence system known as “greatest success” and said it China’s most senior diplomat turning back of coal ships from THAAD. brought the US mainland within range of a mobile delivery system. Pyongyang’s rogue atomic ambitions have come into sharp focus in recent weeks, with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un cuts a ribbon during a ceremony in Pyongyang yesterday. Trump vowing a tough stance against the North and threat- AFP “This morning’s provocation early-morning launch from near ening unilateral action if China Seoul from the North is just the latest Sinpo on the North’s east coast. failed to help curb its neighbour’s reminder of the risks each one The type of missile was not clear. nuclear programme. of you face each and every day in The North has a habit of test- Trump has repeatedly said he isiting US Vice President the defence of the freedom of the fi ring missiles to mark major will prevent Pyongyang from Mike Pence described people of South Korea and the dates such as Saturday’s 105th developing a nuclear-tipped bal- VNorth Korea’s failed mis- defence of America in this part anniversary of the birth of the listic missile capable of reaching sile test yesterday as a “provo- of the world,” Pence told US mili- nation’s founder Kim Il-sung, or the mainland United States. cation” and assured South Ko- tary families at an Easter dinner. as gestures of defi ance when top With speculation mount- rea of Washington’s full support Some 28,500 US troops are US offi cials visit the region. ing that the North is preparing against the threat from its vola- stationed in the South. The lat- South Korea’s foreign ministry to conduct a sixth nuclear test, tile neighbour. est launch came a day after the said that by conducting the latest he sent an aircraft carrier-led Pyongyang launched the mis- North held a defi ant massive mil- test just a day after displaying a strike group to the Korean pe- sile hours before Pence arrived itary parade in Pyongyang which series of missiles, “North Korea ninsula. But a White House for- in Seoul for talks on curbing the showcased nearly 60 missiles — has threatened the whole world”. eign policy adviser travelling North’s weapons programmes including a suspected new inter- US Defence Secretary Jim with Pence played down the test, as fears grow that it is planning continental ballistic missile. Mattis said President Donald saying the missile — probably a another nuclear test. But US of- “The missile blew up almost Trump had been briefed on the medium-range one — failed after fi cials said the missile exploded immediately,” the US Defense latest test but had “no further about four to fi ve seconds. While seconds after it was fi red. Department said of yesterday’s comment”, while at the Easter Washington had a “wide array of US Vice President Mike Pence visits the National Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday.

Vintage beauties Peace along the border despite N Korea threats

AFP Dandong, China

ne soldier enjoys a ciga- rette, another sits reading Oquietly on the riverbank: seen from the Chinese side of the border, North Korea’s army does not appear to be on a war footing despite all the bellicose language. Dandong city is the main crossing point to North Korea, and every day hundreds of tour- ists embark on small boats for a cruise on the Yalu border river and a fl eeting glimpse of another world. The boats approach within a few metres of the Korean shore, A 1959 Nissan Austin A50 Cambridge is displayed during the Motor Sport Japan 2017 in Tokyo. giving residents of the world’s second largest economy a view A North Korean soldier looks through a pair of binoculars at a watch of their impoverished and sanc- tower in Sinuiju, North Korea. tions-hit but nuclear-armed neighbour. Further south, the The North has reiterated it is to shoot a stone into the river border between North and South ready for war with the US, and its as the boat approaches Sinuiju, Korea is one of the world’s most army Friday vowed a “merciless” the North Korean frontier town heavily fortifi ed. response to any provocation. linked to Dandong by the Friend- But the atmosphere is a But the soldiers seen yester- ship Bridge. great deal more relaxed along day appeared notably relaxed From a green wooden obser- the Yalu river, even though the – whether sitting on a bicycle, vation post, a North Korean sol- North’s ally China enforces a immersed in their reading or dier placidly watches the tourists A boy looks at a 1981 Audi Quattro coupe. range of UN sanctions intended puffi ng on a cigarette next to through binoculars. The river to curb its nuclear and missile women busily washing clothes in cruises are an important money- programmes. the river. spinner in Dandong, where doz- The sanctions have had a lim- It’s a world away from the ens of boats off er trips for a mod- ited eff ect. After a huge military thousands of goose-stepping est 70 yuan ($10). parade in Pyongyang on Satur- troops and missiles which The cruise vessels stop off at a day, the North Sunday defi ed packed Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung boat where an enterprising trad- international condemnation to Square Saturday to mark the er sells North Korean products: test-fi re another missile. Ten- 105th anniversary of the birth of eggs, cigarettes and alcohol. In sions have been rising for weeks the nation’s eponymous founder. the wider world the tensions and the US has sent a naval strike Unconcerned at the prospect persist. Sunday’s missile test was group led by an aircraft carrier to of provoking an incident, one a failure, according to South Ko- A 1965 Volkswagen type II deluxe bus displayed at the show. A 1959 Datsun 1000 sedan. the region. Chinese tourist uses a slingshot rea and the US military. Gulf Times 16 Monday, April 17, 2017 BRITAIN Teen’s mum Sailing up the Thames appeals to killers parents for justice

Guardian News and Media gloves and baggy trousers ap- London proached the car, peered through the front passenger window and asked: “Are you from Pembury?” he mother of a teenager “No,” replied David. shot dead in a case of “What do you reckon?” the Tmistaken identity during fi rst man who approached the a fi ght between two rival gangs car asked the second man. four years ago has appealed to “Just light them up,” replied the mothers of the killer or kill- the second man. ers to hand in their sons. The fi rst man took out a small, Linda Burke-Monerville – the silver handgun and shot at the mother of Joseph Burke-Monerv- passenger window. The window ille, who was shot at the age of 19 shattered and the bullet hit Joseph as he sat in a car in Hackney, east in the head. A second bullet hit London – said that only her fellow David in the arm. A third bullet parents could help now because was fi red into the back of the car police and prosecutors had failed and grazed Jonathan’s arm. to bring the killers to justice. After the third shot, the shoot- A ship travels past the Thames Barrier on its way upriver in London. “Where are the parents of these er and his accomplice ran off boys? No mother would want down the road. Joseph was taken their son to grow up and join a to the Royal London hospital by gang and murder people. I’m ap- air ambulance, but died from his pealing to these mothers to help injuries a few hours later. us get justice. None of my children Joseph and Jonathan were the were ever involved with gangs – youngest of seven – Joseph was we brought them up in the church the last born. and they have Christian values The twins’ parents had decided about right and wrong,” she said to send them to boarding school in an interview with the Guardian. in Nigeria more than fi ve years Desperate hospitals beg Joseph’s twin was sitting with before the fatal shooting, to avoid him in the car when he was shot them getting caught up in gang in February 2013. Four years on, violence. The boys had returned Jonathan said he was lost with- seven months earlier and were out his brother. “I have to make both studying forensic science at decisions alone now and I never London Metropolitan University. feel safe any more. I can’t sit in Linda was so grief-stricken doctors to work more the front passenger seat of a car, after Joseph’s death that she where I was sitting on the night returned to her native Nigeria. Guardian News and Media A&E from £60 an hour to £70 the growing number of patients 19 “long days” and 26 night- ers to hand over to, I’ve had to of the murder, and I can’t sit in Now she is back in London and is London an hour for shifts lasting 10 and needing care. shifts this month in its paedi- cover both shifts, after already a Ford Focus, the car we were in searching for justice.. 12.5 hours. “Hospitals should not be re- atric intensive care unit “to be working 12 hours. that night.” The identity of the three The Guardian has seen mes- duced to begging, but what oth- paid at the enhanced rate of £60 “Working locum shifts in Burke-Monerville and the rest prime suspects is widely known. esperate hospitals are so sages sent by dozens of hospi- er option do they have when the per hour”. short-staff ed departments of- of her family have also made a In May 2013, Scott Andrews, 25, short of doctors they are tals across England and Wales NHS is so chronically under-re- Some hospitals facing acute ten feels like juggling with your 15-page complaint to the Met- and Roshane Reid, 19, both from Dpleading with them to to doctors which paint a pic- sourced? This should set alarm shortages are advertising scores medical licence as your clinical ropolitan police documenting Hackney, and Shaheed Nowaz, take on extra shifts, with some ture of near panic as many of bells ringing right through the of shifts at a time. Milton Key- decisions are aff ected by time their concerns over the murder 17, from Feltham, were arrested off ering up to £95 an hour to them struggle, often at the last NHS,” said Dr Liam Brennan, nes hospital this week noti- pressures and bed shortages investigation. They allege fail- on suspicion of murder. All are cover gaps in medical rotas to minute, to have enough medics the president of the Royal Col- fi ed doctors of 52 shifts over more than your assessment of ings of police surveillance and members of the A-Road gang. maintain patient safety. on duty. lege of Anaesthetists. 20 days this month in its A&E. the patient in front of you.” intelligence before Joseph’s But in November 2013, po- Hospitals are so chronically Faced with an acute shortage Dr Mark Holland, the presi- Worcestershire Royal hospi- Hospital bosses warned death, as well as failures over the lice informed Joseph’s family understaff ed they have been of A&E doctors last month, the dent of the Society for Acute tal in Worcester has so far only that endemic understaffi ng is handling of the key witness and that no further action would be hiking pay rates in recent weeks John Radcliff e hospital in Ox- Medicine, said: “Rota gaps are fi lled fi ve of the 69 shifts it is threatening patient safety. the disclosure of evidence. A tri- taken against the suspects. Just and bombarding doctors with ford sent scores of doctors an common – very common. I seeking to fi ll between now and “Along with high levels of al of three men suspected of the over a year later, in December urgent e-mails and text mes- e-mail entitled “help!” which would be surprised if any hos- early August. bed occupancy, gaps in rotas murder collapsed in 2015. 2014, all three were rearrested, sages in a bid to ensure stand- said: “I am sorry to be sending pital anywhere has a full com- A doctor at Chesterfi eld can mean patient safety is put The family’s solicitor, Har- interviewed and charged with ards of care do not suff er. so many messages but I am in plement of staff . There are Royal hospital, who asked to at risk. Fewer medical staff on riet Wistrich of Birnberg Peirce, Joseph’s murder and two counts On Tuesday, Peterborough real need here. I am practically some trusts under huge stress remain anonymous, said: “The shifts create intolerable work- said: “This family have been of attempted murder. A trial was City hospital raised the pay begging at this point. I really and where putting a workforce rota gaps problem here is in- load pressures for all staff . This badly let down by the Metro- scheduled to begin at the Old available for working overnight need some help. in place is very challenging, surmountable and, frankly, is bad for morale which has a politan police on more than one Bailey on May 18, 2015, but just that night in its “extremely “Can ANYONE help out for I would be surprised if there rather dangerous. The quality further impact on the quality of occasion. They deserve answers, days before the trial was due to busy” A&E to £95 an hour for any length of the shifts needed wasn’t a sense of desperation of my life has been greatly im- care,” said Saff ron Cordery, the they deserve justice.” begin, the Crown Prosecution a 10-hour shift to try to attract this weekend? It really is a mat- to get doctors on the shop- paired by the busiest winter we director of policy and strategy On February 16, 2013, Joseph Service off ered no evidence and recruits. ter of keeping the department fl oor.” had on record followed by no at NHS Providers, which repre- and Jonathan and their older all three men were acquitted. “Exceptionally, we approved safe.” The e-mail was sent on Hospitals are sometimes be- real drive by the trust to recruit sents hospitals. brother, David Bello-Moner- At Joseph’s inquest on July 11, a maximum hourly incentivised March 16 by a staffi ng admin- ing forced to pay well over the more doctors to anticipate this “Workforce pressures are ville, 32, were on their way to 2016, the suspects were com- rate for our senior trust doctors. istrator for the hospital’s emer- normal rates for hard-to-fi ll deluge of patients. The biggest fast becoming the number one the home of their father, John pelled to attend and give evi- This will ensure safe medical gency department. shifts because “there is a pan- culprit is A&E which is almost concern for many NHS trusts, Burke-Monerville, in Hackney. dence. At the time, the family’s staffi ng levels and enable the This week Lewisham hospital NHS workforce crisis. This isn’t entirely staff ed by locums, including hospitals, mental They stopped at a newsagent barrister, Allison Munroe, said to department to continue to give in London, in its search for doc- about greedy doctors,” Holland most of them being long- health, community and ambu- en route to claim their winnings Reid: “It’s a huge burden to bear high quality care to all our pa- tors to staff its general medicine said. term (locums), followed by the lance services. These are par- from a scratch card. David parked to know that you took someone’s tients,” said Neil Doverty, the department, sent an e-mail The e-mails and text mes- emergency medical unit, which ticularly diffi cult over holiday the car. Joseph was sitting in the life. Can you bear that burden? North West Anglia NHS foun- that said: “We are struggling sages show that almost every is very short on nights and periods. All types of trust are front passenger seat and Jonath- Have you had psychological dation trust’s chief operating with the cover for on-call shifts branch of medicine is experi- weekends.” aff ected but we know that this an was in the back. The three problems since 2013?” offi cer. this week. Please let me know encing acute shortages of doc- Despite hospitals’ best eff orts can be very challenging in ru- brothers had no idea that two Reid replied: “I have had Hospitals often scramble to if you can help.” It off ered to tors in at least some hospitals. some shifts are still going un- ral areas and in specifi c speci- notorious Hackney gangs – the problems with the various things make 11th hour arrangements cover doctors’ day shifts if they They range from surgery to car- fi lled, which puts extra pressure alities. Patient safety is always A-Road and the Pembury Boys – I have been through. I’m still to fi ll rotas. Last Monday the agreed to work nightshifts. diac care, anaesthetics to A&E on other staff . A trainee surgeon the top priority and every trust were at war with each other and seeing a psychiatrist. I have dif- Dudley Group NHS founda- Doctors’ leaders say the and general medicine to inten- at a major London teaching wants to guarantee safe care. involved in tit-for-tat shootings. fi culty sleeping. I have no job, no tion trust in the West Midlands problem is getting worse, blam- sive care. For example, Man- hospital said: “I’ve had occa- The steps described here are an Two men wearing black hood- education. I’m at home with my was forced to increase the fees ing NHS workforce planning chester Children’s hospital last sions where instead of having indication of just how seriously ed tops, bandanas, baseball caps, mum. I’m on medication.” for senior house offi cers in its and the pressure of coping with Tuesday solicited volunteers for two on-call senior house offi c- they take this,” Cordery added. Average house price falls UK uniting around £1,000 since start of year Brexit, insists May AFP embrace the world — our shared London interests, our shared ambitions Guardian News and Media quiet around the turn of the areas out of reach in the past and above all our shared values can London year but usually picks up in the year. — and must — bring us together.” spring, meaning the price falls “It’s also encouraging to rime Minister Theresa May The Sunday Telegraph newspa- since the start of 2017 could be see the resilience of the Welsh yesterday said Britain was be- per reported that support for Brex- he average home in reversed. property market which in the Pginning to unite behind Brexit, it has hit a fi ve-month high, with Britain has lost around Other housing market in- past has often lagged behind 10 months after the divisive referen- 55% backing Britain’s exit from the T£1,000 in value since the dicators have pointed to a England and Scotland.” dum that saw the country narrowly EU, according to a poll by research start of the year, according to slowdown in recent months. Zoopla’s analysis of its vote to leave the European Union. company Orb International. property website Zoopla. House prices fell for the first property values data showed “This year, after a period of in- “Since November, the public are The company said its data time in almost two years in prices in England dropped tense debate over the right future slowly becoming more comfort- showed prices were down March, according to Nation- 0.4% over the first quar- for our country, there is a sense able with the idea of Brexit,” said 0.4% between the start of wide, with the average price ter of the year but were little that people are coming together Orb International managing direc- January and the end of March, dropping to £207,308 fol- changed in Scotland, dipping and uniting behind the opportuni- tor Johnny Heald. the equivalent to a fall of lowing a 0.6% rise in Febru- by less than 0.1%. Year-on- ties that lie ahead,” May said in her However, “the public is increas- £11.15 a day for the average ary. Bank of England figures year comparisons showed Easter message. ingly concerned more about free property. showed mortgage approvals house prices were up 2.1% in May backed remaining in the EU trade than immigration — marking But it noted varying pat- fell for the first time in six Wales, 0.9% in Scotland and but is spearheading Britain’s drive a reversal of the preference aired terns in diff erent parts of the months in February. 1.5% in England. to the departure gates. during the campaign”. country, with prices falling “The softening in values and Looking at property values She formally notifi ed Brussels last May, 60, is the daughter of an most sharply in south-west continued low mortgage rates by town, it found Tredegar in month of Britain’s intention to leave Anglican vicar. Turning to faith in England, by 0.6%, but buck- are positive news for fi rst-time Wales had the largest increase the bloc, triggering two years of her Easter message, she said: “We ing the trend in Wales by rising buyers trying to get on to the between January and March, exit negotiations. “For at heart, this should be confi dent about the role 0.4%. property ladder,” said Zoopla’s with a 1.8% rise. Leominster in country is one great union of peo- that Christianity has to play in the Compared with a year ear- Lawrence Hall. Herefordshire saw the biggest ple and nations with a proud history lives of people in our country. We lier, average house prices were “These prospective home- rise among English towns, with and a bright future,” May said. must be mindful of Christians and up 1.4%, Zoopla said. It did owners will be pleased to see prices up 1.7%. In Scotland, the “And as we face the opportuni- religious minorities around the not provide fi gures on annual a decrease in overall property biggest increase was in Living- ties ahead of us — the opportuni- world who do not enjoy these same growth in previous months. values as seemingly unstop- ston, West Lothian, with aver- ties that stem from our decision freedoms, but who practise their The housing market is typically pable growth has pushed many age prices up by 0.7%. May: people uniting behind opportunities that lie ahead. to leave the European Union and religion in secret and often in fear.” Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 17 BRITAIN

Ex-footballer to argue his genius before high court

Guardian News and Media Giggs will argue in the high who earned his fortune from in- panionship are of equal impor- describe what a special contribu- ity” which means the lesser- Khoo was required to settle for London court that he should be awarded troducing black plastic bin liners tance to breadwinning. tion is”, adding that it has only earning spouse is entitled to half £64mn. more than half of the £40mn to the UK. However, one legal expert been acknowledged in a hand- of the assets in a divorce. The precedent that Giggs is re- fortune he shares with his wife Giggs’s lawyers told the high warned that the strategy is high- ful of cases where “the sums are In the past fortnight, two other lying on was set in 2001 when the yan Giggs must follow in because of his “special contribu- court last week that they will call risk. “No judge likes the idea of massive”. multimillionaire husbands – court of appeal judges ruled that the footsteps of a bin- tion” to their marital millions. witnesses to prove that he is a people spending huge amounts If Giggs succeeds, he will be American banker Randy Work and Michael Cowan could keep 62% Rliner entrepreneur and If the 43-year-old’s legal team genius and contributed far more to legally brag about their own one of only a handful of men to Laura Ashley chairman Khoo Kay of the £12mn bin liner fortune he convince a divorce hearing of can convince a judge that this to his 10-year marriage than his self-imagined genius,” said David have successfully convinced an Peng – have failed to have their shared with his wife because “his something that Manchester contribution possesses the spark spouse Stacey Cooke. They ar- Ruck, a partner and divorce spe- English court that his fi nancial genius recognised by the courts. contribution, in terms of entre- United fans take for granted: of genius then he could prevail, gued this should trump law that cialist at law fi rm Gordon Dadd. contribution to marriage should Work, 49, was forced to pay £72mn preneurial fl air, inventiveness and that he is a genius. under a precedent set by the man states homebuilding and com- “The courts are very reluctant to overrule the “yardstick of equal- to his ex-wife, while 78-year-old hard work, was truly exceptional”.

MP ‘to Home sweet home call for Sats boycott diesel car scrapping moves closer scheme’

Agencies London as NUT motion

scheme should be set up to allow diesel car owners Ato trade in old models for cash, according to the chairman calls for ballots of an infl uential Commons com- mittee. MP Neil Parish is expected to Guardian News and Media the exams, and that schools ing to our children, and they suggest the idea in the House of London were narrowing down the sub- would be right to do it”. He said: Commons next week in a bid to jects they taught to those re- “I think the conference is going tackle harmful emissions. quired by the exams. to vote for these motions and To qualify, car owners would be national boycott of Jessica Edwards, an NUT then we will be discussing with means tested and would have to primary school test- executive member, told the other unions how to take them live in a pollution hotspot. A ing in England moved conference the current testing forward.” Diesel vehicles were originally a step closer after delegates at regime “is damaging to chil- At its conference this month, promoted by Tony Blair’s govern- the National Union of Teach- dren, it’s damaging to their the ATL teaching union also ment as being cleaner than petrol ers’ annual conference heard education, it’s damaging to backed a possible boycott of all engines. graphic accounts of the harm- their self-esteem, their men- tests at primary level. In 2010, However, new research sug- ful effects of testing on pupils tal health and all of the things both the NAHT and NUT sup- gests high levels of nitrogen di- and schools. that they need to succeed as ported a national boycott of key oxide in diesel fumes can cause Delegates debated a string they go through education”. stage 2 tests, with about a quar- health problems. of hostile motions and amend- Edwards received rousing ter of 11-year-olds missing the Hafodyryns Road in Caerphilly, ments calling for protests over applause when she told del- tests as a result. South Wales, is the most polluted standardised tests in English egates: “Sats is the head of the The government faced the street in the UK outside London. and maths – known as Sats in monster: let’s decapitate it and possibility of further indus- Resident Martin Brown said: key stage 1 and 2 – for seven- get rid of all testing in primary trial action after delegates at “We are living in a prison. It is and 11-year-olds, as well as any schools.” the NASUWT teachers’ con- impacting on our health. There is future assessments imposed by Samantha Nicholson-Hick- ference taking place simulta- traffi c from every morning until the government. ling, a teacher from Oldham, neously in Manchester backed late at night. It is just horrendous. The moves come despite said she knew of a pupil who possible strike action over I have been living here 48 years a recent concession by the said she developed alopecia teacher workload. A motion and it just gets worse and worse. Education Secretary, Justine from the stress of sitting tests: highlighted unsustainable “I think they should knock Greening, opening a consulta- “She’s now 22 and has no hair, workloads imposed by “dis- these houses down under a com- tion on primary school assess- and attributes that to taking missive” governments, and pulsory purchase order.” ment that would scrap key stage Sats at age 11. called for the union to consult Oliviero Davis, who also lives in 1 tests in return for a baseline “What is the point of members on holding national Caerphilly, owns an older diesel assessment for children enter- putting our young people strike days, as well as regional model. He told Sky News: “Diesel ing reception classes. through this exam factory, strikes and work-to-rule ac- is cheaper to produce than petrol, The NUT delegates passed when the only thing it seems tions. but they put the price up once and a motion calling for inter- to be used for at the moment is The move follows recent they knew that people were using nal ballots of members over a for a giant stick to beat us and claims that more than 40% of it and now they are even reneging possible boycott of Sats next our schools with.” young teachers were consid- on that. year. They ended yesterday’s One speaker said parents re- ering leaving the profession “I think a lot of people would go proceedings debating another garded the primary school tests because of workload pres- for a scrappage scheme because more aggressive motion call- as akin to the evil forces in J R sures. my car is worth nothing now. To ing for a boycott of all “sum- R Tolkien’s books. “They all “Teachers who are worn out me personally, it is worth a lot, but mative testing” in primary talked about Sats in the same and run down by the excessive it’s not worth any money.” schools in 2017-18. way that characters in Lord of demands being placed upon There are around 11.2mn diesel The motion being debated the Rings talk about Sauron them will not be able to give cars on Britain’s roads. The oldest, Selfridges has unveiled a new “Our House” campaign, including windows and in-store experience, would – if passed – also re- and Mordor, in hushed terrifi ed their best to their students,” most polluting vehicles produce that recalls founder Harry Gordon Selfridge’s vision of his store as “The House”. Its iconic London quire the union’s members to tones,” said Michael Holland, a said Chris Keates, the gen- 15% of all harmful emissions. store has teamed up with craft retailer The New Craftsmen to create “A Home For All” inside the “support and promote a parent teacher from Lambeth. “Let’s eral secretary of the NASUWT. However, Parish will argue that store. Expert makers and craftsmen including the Bristol Weaving Mill, ceramic artist Matthew boycott” of the primary school throw Sats into the crack of “Governments and administra- a half-a-billion pound scrappage Raw and food anthropologist and chef Susy Webb guide shoppers through activities including tests this year, as well as en- doom,” he told delegates. tions must commit urgently to scheme on 2005 and older model potato peeling, bread making, fabric dying, spice grinding and loom weaving among others. All couraging non-compliance. The NUT general secretary, the action necessary to bring cars could take nearly 10% of the have been conceived to foster a sense of community and encourage participants to “unleash The conference in Cardiff Kevin Courtney, said a boycott downward pressure on teach- 5mn dirtiest diesel vehicles off the their imagination, creativity and inner-maker”. heard that pupils were being would be a defensible moral ers’ workload and working roads. subjected to stress caused by position to “stop this happen- hours.”

Animal hospital opens Hundreds of children Manchester by-election self-harming: charity win possible: LibDems London Evening Standard and it has been downloaded nearly London 30,000 times. She said: “It’s mostly second- Guardian News and Media campaigns Dave McCobb – says a former councillor in Gorton, is ary school- and university-age London the party’s messages on Brexit, making up ground. Former Labour ore than 700 primary young people, aged 11 to 20, but including calls for a second refer- MP George Galloway is standing in school age children we’ve had downloads by chil- endum on the outcome of negotia- the seat as an independent. Mwere treated for self- dren as young as eight or nine he Liberal Democrats are tions, are winning over voters in a The by-election will take place harm in London casualty depart- and their families. There’s an fast closing the gap on La- seat where more than 60% voted on the same day as local elections ments last year, data from the academic pressure to achieve, Tbour in polling ahead of remain in last June’s Brexit refer- in which Labour is, according to NSPCC reveals. there’s much more competition next month’s Manchester Gor- endum. McCobb says the LibDems independent analyses, expected to The charity found that “a grow- and much greater evaluation, ton by-election and believe they are making up ground fast and are lose seats and control of key coun- ing number of teenagers” were which they feel under strain to could steal a victory to match on 31%, with Labour on 51% – a cils including Glasgow. hurting themselves but it was live up to. “ their stunning success over the level of support that is, he says, Voters will also elect mayors in also “not uncommon for primary Calm Harm, on iOS and An- Conservatives in Richmond last “running well ahead of where we Greater Manchester, the Liverpool age children” to resort to it “as a droid, is a fi nalist in the AXA PPP December, according to an inter- were in the Witney by-election city region, the West Midlands, method of coping”. Health Tech & You Awards. It gives nal campaign briefi ng. (where the party leapfrogged La- Tees Valley, the West of England Data gathered through Freedom the choice of fi ve and 15-minute Tim Farron’s party secured just bour and Ukip to come second in and Cambridge and Peterborough. of Information requests to NHS activities, from comfort to dis- 4.2% of the vote in the Manchester October last year in David Cam- The latest Opinium/Observer trusts with an A&E showed there traction and breathing. seat at the 2015 general election, eron’s former seat) and approach- poll off ers some better news for were 729 admissions in the capital The NSPCC revealed that coming fi fth behind the Greens, ing Richmond Park levels of sup- Corbyn’s party nationally, show- for children of primary school age 18,788 under-18s were admitted the Conservatives and Ukip, as La- port at this stage.” ing Labour has closed the gap in 2015-16. to hospital or treated at A&Es for bour cruised home with a majority Many Labour Remain voters, he with the Tories by four percentage Consultant clinical psycholo- self-harm in 2015-16 in England of more than 24,000. says, are angry at the party’s sup- points over the last month to nine gist Dr Nihara Krause said aca- and Wales. The contest, caused by the port for triggering Article 50 and percentage points. demic worries, cyberbullying and Emma Saddleton, parents’ death aged 86 of veteran Labour concerned at the state of the party The Tories are on 38% (down anxiety about not having enough helpline manager at the charity MP Gerald Kaufman in February, under Jeremy Corbyn. three), Labour 29% (up one), Ukip A veterinary practice opened its doors at the former Kids social media “likes” were fuelling YoungMinds, said: “If you are a was initially seen by Labour as a Labour sources who have cam- 14% (up one) and the LibDems on Company headquarters in south London. The London mental health issues in children as parent whose child is self-harm- “comfortable hold” and by the paigned in the seat say they are still 7% (down one). But only 45% of Animal Hospital has set up shop at the Kenbury Works young as eight. ing, it can be diffi cult to know what LibDems as out of reach. It will confi dent that their candidate, Af- Labour supporters now believe that in Camberwell, which was home to Kids Company until Dr Krause has developed a free to do — but don’t blame yourself, take place on May 4. zal Khan – a solicitor and MEP for Corbyn would make the best prime it went bust in August 2015. The site has been reborn as app for young people in crisis, talk to your child about how they But a briefi ng for senior Lib- the north-west of England since minister. Just 17% of all voters trust an animal hospital, which operates 24/7 to cater to time- Calm Harm, which acts as an in- are feeling, reassure them that you Dem offi cials and campaigners 2014 – will win but accept that the Labour most to run the economy pressed off ice workers. stant access to soothing activities love them, and look for support – written by deputy director of LibDem candidate, Jackie Pearcey, against 45% for the Tories. to “manage the urge to self-harm”, from your GP.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, April 17, 2017 EUROPE

Arson attacks at refugee centres

Two refugee centres in Germany were targeted by arson attacks on Friday night. In both cases, incendiary devices Pope urges end to Syria were thrown onto the premises, although no one was injured. One attack targeted a building complex housing two Syrian families in the town of Artern, in the central German state of Thuringia. An incendiary device was ‘horror’ at Easter mass thrown onto one of the houses before falling to the ground and AFP tions of today’s world” and to extinguishing itself, police said. Vatican City work “to prevent the spread of The other attack was carried out confl icts and to put a halt to the on refugee accommodation in arms trade”. Kremmen, in the northwestern ope Francis urged yes- Without mentioning Ven- German state of Brandenburg. terday an end to “horror ezuela by name, Pope Francis Two petrol bombs were thrown Pand death” in Syria and also alluded to political and so- over a fence into the complex, implored God to bring peace to cial tensions in Latin America, which houses around 70 the Middle East as he delivered expressing the hope that the refugees, according to police. the traditional Easter Day mass “common good of societies” The bombs produced a loud bang in Rome. would prevail. that alerted a security guard, who The Easter mass, the highlight “May it be possible for bridges quickly doused the flames with a of the Christian calendar began of dialogue to be built, by con- fire extinguisher. under a cloudy sky where wor- tinuing to fi ght the scourge shippers had gathered since the of corruption and to seek vi- early hours to gain access amid able and peaceful solutions to Police arrest nine tight security. disputes, for progress and the people smugglers After a short bout of heavy strengthening of democratic rain, the Pontiff gave his tradi- institutions in complete respect Greek police said yesterday that tional Urbi et Orbi blessing, to for the rule of law,” he said. they had arrested a total of nine the city and the world, in which Turning his attention to east- suspected people smugglers in he prayed for those suff ering ern Europe, he asked that “the the north of the country over from war, famine and political Good Shepherd come to the aid Easter. unrest, highlighting Syria, but of Ukraine, still beset by confl ict Three of the suspects had also Ukraine and confl ict zones and bloodshed”. detained 16 mostly Pakistani in Africa. Of the social and political up- migrants, including three minors, He expressed hope that Jesus’ heaval in Europe, Francis prayed at a camp near the port town of own sacrifi ce might “sustain the for God’s blessing on “those Thessaloniki, a police off icer told eff orts of all those actively en- experiencing moments of crisis DPA. gaged in bringing comfort and and diffi culty, especially due to The people smugglers demanded relief to the civil population in high unemployment, particu- €2,500 to let them travel on to Syria, prey to a war that contin- larly among young people”. central Europe. ues to sow horror and death”. The mass followed his Good Six other alleged people And he prayed for peace “be- Friday prayer in which he de- traff ickers were arrested at the ginning with the Holy Land, as plored the suff ering of mi- Albanian border. well as in Iraq and Yemen”. grants, the victims of racism and Pope Francis waves while delivering his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the city and the world) message from the balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square Those arrested are suspected to He also spoke out against the the persecution of Christians at the Vatican. be members of an international hostilities and famine in Africa, around the world. people traff icking gang. notably in South Sudan, Sudan, Easter week got off to a bloody had their bags inspected. celebration at the restored con- a small group of old friends on Vatican stamp and coin offi ce Since the Balkan route was Somalia and the Democratic start last Sunday, April 9, when Access to Saint Peter’s Square vent where he lives within the Monday for a birthday party at has released a series of stamps closed in March 2016, more than Republic of the Congo “who 45 people were killed in attacks itself was only possible after se- Vatican grounds. which they will celebrate with marking important events in 62,000 people remain stranded endure continuing hostilities, on two Coptic churches in Egypt curity checks similar to those at “There will doubtless be a few “Bavarian songs”, Ben- the two millennia history of the in Greece. aggravated by the grave famine which were claimed by the Is- airports. something on the menu to mark edict’s personal secretary Georg church. Greek police discover small aff ecting” parts of Africa. lamic State (IS) group. Hundreds of police and secu- his birthday,” former Vatican Gaenswein told Italian media. The former pope stepped groups of migrants almost daily, He further urged world lead- The entire area around Saint rity forces stood guard. spokesman Father Federico “He will see his brother Georg, down in 2013 citing his increased as they attempt to travel north ers to hear the message of peace Peter’s Basilica was blocked off , Yesterday also saw Francis’ Lombardi told reporters last which will be the best present frailty. or west with the help of people as they contend with “the com- with only several access points retired predecessor Benedict week. for him,” he said. Benedict was the fi rst pontiff traff ickers, who promise to take plex and often dramatic situa- for those admitted after having XVI turn 90, marked by a quiet Benedict’s brother will join To mark the occasion, the to do so in 600 years. them to central Europe. Erdogan supporters celebrate Refugees bring dying village back to life

By Fanny Carrier, AFP Sant’Alessio in Aspromonte, Italy

n the foothills of the Asprom- onte mountains in southern IItaly, the silence of a once- dying village is broken by the laughter of a small group of refu- gees. Tiny Sant’Alessio has been welcoming families and vulner- able migrants here for three years in a project which not only pro- vides humanitarian assistance but brings with it invaluable eco- nomic and social benefi ts. Over the years the village has dwindled to only 330 inhabit- ants, many of them elderly. The steep cobbled streets are deserted and most windows are shuttered, residents having left over the years for better work op- portunities in Turin, Milan or as far away as Australia. In an attempt to reverse the trend, however, since 2014 the Hawa and her son Lamin, migrants from Gambia, stand at a balcony in Sant’Alessio in Aspromonte, a small council has been renting eight village of 330 inhabitants in Calabria, southern Italy. of these empty fl ats to house up to 35 migrants at a time as part victims of prostitution networks, 16 people including seven locals independent lives but often lend of the national SPRAR network a deaf and dumb couple, and a – from social workers to Italian a helping hand,” he said. (Protection System for Asylum young woman whose toddler son teachers and cultural mediators. Bar owner and widow Celes- Seekers and Refugees). was shot dead in Libya and hus- And it has prevented the clo- tina Borrello, 73, whose son left Everything is done to help the band is feared drowned. sure of the village’s basic services years ago to fi nd work in Belgium, newcomers get back on their “Our mission is both humane – a bar, small supermarket, doc- says “the village was emptying, feet, from Italian lessons to legal, and humanitarian, that’s the tor’s surgery and pharmacy. so if there’s a little movement medical and psychological as- most important thing,” said Ste- With funds to spend on serv- now, it’s a good thing”. sistance, vocational training and fano Calabro, a 43-year-old po- ices, the council has been able “We know what it means to social activities such as garden- lice offi cer who has been mayor to open a small gym open to leave our land,” she adds. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim addresses his supporters at the AK Party headquarters ing, cooking and dancing classes. of Sant’Alessio since 2009. “But all residents and upkeep a lush The project has been such a in Ankara. Below: Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan celebrate in Istanbul The village is currently home there is a signifi cant economic sports fi eld overlooking the val- success that Coopisa, the associ- yesterday. to an Iraqi Kurdish family, a benefi t too.” ley, where migrants regularly ation behind it, is opening others Gambian couple with a baby and The state allocates up to €45 challenge the team from a nearby in four villages nearby. young people from Ghana, Ni- ($47) a day for each migrant, drug rehabilitation centre. And there is another benefi t: geria, Mali and Senegal. most of which goes to the organ- After six months to a year here, those that join the SPRAR net- There is a special project for isers to cover costs. some of the refugees managed to work and take in small numbers the most vulnerable, including The project has created full or fi nd work in the region, others of refugees are guaranteed not to HIV-positive people, diabetics, part-time jobs in Sant’Alessio for headed elsewhere. have to host an emergency recep- Ghanaian Salifu, 23, decided tion centre, such as the one in the to stay on and has been living off nearby ski-town of Gambarie, odd jobs like helping with manu- where 120 migrants are massed al work in the fi elds. in a hotel. Sant’Alessio may not off er With just 26,000 places avail- bright lights or much in the way able, the network is only a small of career opportunities, but a part of Italy’s reception system, cheerful Salifu says “we’re not which hosts more than 176,000 going anywhere”. people. After months in Sicily’s noto- While most are housed in large rious, overcrowded Mineo camp, groups, often angering or frus- just small things like quick doc- trating local communities, this tor appointments here seem a dusty village is seen as a quiet luxury. triumph. Sitting in the sunshine and “Sant’Alessio has been our watching the world go by from prototype,” said Coopisa head his front garden, 89-year-old Luigi De Filippis, who points out Antonio Sacca – who spent 54 there is scope for the project to go years working in a Turin factory across Italy and beyond. “There before returning home – says he are vast areas aff ected by the Migrants Asia (right) and her sister Ania listen to their teacher of likes his new neighbours. same depopulation in northern Italian in Sant’Alessio in Aspromonte. “They behave well. They live Italy and elsewhere in Europe.” Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 19 EUROPE

Child among migrant Top presidential bodies found hopefuls battle off Libya

AFP Rome for ‘undecideds’ Le Pen: virtually assured of making it into the May 7 run-off . he bodies of seven mi- grants, including a small By Clare Byrne, AFP tics, among one of six possible In a speech in the southern of fi ve found it “racist”. Tboy, were found during Paris outcomes the election is being city of Perpignan the 48-year- Fillon, who is on the rebound the latest rescue operations off closely watched in Brussels and old National Front (FN) leader from a damaging expenses scan- Libya, a Maltese NGO and the around the world. lashed out at Macron and Fillon, dal that had caused some of his Italian coastguard said yester- week before France’s Opinion polls show one in accusing them of being soft on voters to switch to Le Pen or Ma- day. high-stakes presiden- three voters still undecided radical Islam. cron, used Easter to mobilise his “Imagine (having) to carry Atial election, the four top about who to back after a cam- “With Mr Macron, it would traditionalist Catholic base. an eight-year-old boy’s lifeless candidates began a fi nal push paign characterised by scandals be Islamism on the move,” Le “Patriotism is not a dirty body into your house on Easter yesterday to woo undecided vot- and upsets. Pen said, in a play on the name word,” he told supporters in the Sunday. I will never forget this ers who will determine the out- In an interview in Le Parisien of Macron’s En Marche (On cathedral town of Puy-en-Velay day,” tweeted Chris Catrambone, come of the tight race between newspaper yesterday, 65-year- the Move) party, calling the on Saturday – borrowing from founder of Maltese NGO MOAS. the hard left, centre, right and old Melenchon, who is threat- 39-year-old champion of diver- the songbook of Le Pen who Dozens of Mediterranean far-right. ening to quit the euro and mas- sity “unscrupulous”. styles the FN the “party of pa- rescue operations throughout On April 23, the French go sively increase public spending, Casting herself as the best de- triots”. the day spotted around 2,000 to the polls in the most unpre- vowed he would be a safe pair fender against the Islamist mili- In an interview published yes- would-be migrants, according to dictable vote in the country’s of hands on the eurozone’s sec- tants who have killed over 230 terday, the 63-year-old former an Italian coastguard estimate. post-war history to choose two ond-largest economy. people in France since 2015, Le prime minister, who refused to As weather conditions dete- candidates from a fi eld of 11 who “I am not from the far-left,” Pen also tore into Fillon, accus- bow out despite being charged riorated, NGOs urged more ves- will go through to a run-off two the leader of the La France In- ing him of letting ultraconserva- with misusing public money sels to head to the region, with Melenchon: I am not from the far-left. weeks later. soumise (Unbowed France) tive Islam gain ground when he over payments to his wife, said their own already crammed with With a duel between far-right movement said, insisting he was was prime minister between he was convinced the scandal around 4,500 people picked up leader Marine Le Pen and Com- “ready to govern”. 2007 and 2012. was behind him. from unseaworthy vessels the munist-backed radical Jean-Luc Melenchon’s surge has shaken The election has revealed “I know I will be in the second previous day in 35 operations. Melenchon, both euroscep- up the race, with many hesitat- high levels of angst over a per- round,” he told the JDD. The fi ne weather going into ing between voting with their ceived erosion of French iden- If elected he would “unite the weekend had evidently hearts and a tactical vote for tity, which Le Pen has pinned on everyone” and “wipe the slate sparked a spike in the number of whichever candidate they see immigration, particularly from clean”, said Fillon, who has ac- people attempting the perilous as best placed to keep Le Pen or Muslim North Africa. cused the left, the judiciary and crossing to Europe. Melenchon out of power. In an Ifop-Fiducial poll for media of fomenting the expens- Friday had already seen some Le Pen, whom polls show Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) es scandal to try to derail his 2,000 people rescued while the leading the fi rst round with newspaper, 86% of FN vot- presidential bid. body of one young man was centrist Emmanuel Macron on ers said they “no longer feel at The presence among the top found, presumed asphyxiated, around 22-24% each, returned home” in France and 73% con- four of two anti-globalisation aboard one vessel bursting with to her party’s core themes of im- sidered Islam incompatible with candidates who have threatened people. migration and Islam on Saturday the French Republic. to take France out of the euro – With arrivals showing no sign to try to mobilise her base. But the poll also showed Le Le Pen and Melenchon – has of abating, EU’s border con- The opinion polls had shown Pen, who has spent years trying caused jitters among investors. trol agency Frontex has accused her virtually assured of a place to detoxify the FN’s image, still During a visit to the World donor-funded vessels of doing in the May 7 run-off but Me- struggling to win over the ab- War I battlefi eld of Chemin des more harm than good by acting lenchon and the conservative solute majority of voters needed Dames yesterday, outgoing So- “like taxis” off Libya. Francois Fillon have narrowed for victory in a run-off . cialist President Francois Hol- Italian prosecutors have sug- the gap with her and Macron to Three-quarters of non-FN lande warned against “scape- gested they may have links with Fillon: Patriotism is not a dirty about three points, blowing the voters said the party as “danger- goating Europe” which had traffi ckers – a charge fi ercely re- Macron: accused of being soft on radical Islam. word. race wide open. ous for democracy” and four out “protected us against war”. jected. Distressing images of Af- rican migrants being plucked ETA launches internal debate aft er disarmament from heaving seas or the coffi n- strewn aftermath of major sink- The Basque separatist group ETA said yesterday that it would consult its ings have become a regular fea- members on “future decisions” following its unilateral disarmament, a ture of television news bulletins Terrorism jokes no laughing Basque newspaper reported. since the crisis began spiralling In a statement issued on Basque “homeland day”, ETA said it had out of control four years ago. entered a phase in which it would take “decisions from among all its The International Organisa- members for moving forward”, the daily Gara reported. tion of Migration (IOM) says 666 “ETA will examine the path that has been travelled and will take future people have been logged as dead matter for Spanish judges decisions with responsibility,” the statement said. or missing off the Libyan coast so On April 8, ETA said it had completely and unilaterally disarmed. far this year out of an estimated It provided the French authorities with the locations of around 3.5 27,000 who have tried to reach By Adrien Vicente, AFP read one of her posts. when people would sing a song Most of them are linked to tonnes of guns, explosives and other weapons. Italy from Libya. Madrid Another said: “Did Carrero that featured the lyrics “Carrero organisations that are now in- In 2011, amid a string of arrests of top ETA operatives and public outrage Last year saw around 5,000 Blanco also go back to the future fl ew”, in reference to the attack. active, such as ETA, which de- over bloodshed, ETA announced it was abandoning its armed campaign. deaths. with his car?” “And now, we can’t say it any- clared a permanent ceasefi re in ETA was founded in 1959 as a group to promote the Basque culture. hen she posted jokes Vera is unlikely to spend time more?” he asked. 2011. The Basque region is a linguistically unique area divided by the French- on Twitter about a behind bars, as off enders of non- But Consuelo Ordonez, head In January, for instance, Spanish border. W1973 assassination violent crimes with a sentence of the Covite association for Spain’s Supreme Court sen- But during the 1960s, ETA mutated into an organisation that took to committed by Spain’s Basque of under two years do not serve victims of terrorism, said that tenced rocker Cesar Strawberry shootings, bombings and kidnappings in pursuit of an independent separatist group ETA, Cassan- time in jail. laughing at the expense of Car- to a year in prison for tweets, state. Mum and dra Vera never for one moment But she now has a criminal rero Blanco – a man associated including one that joked about It has been blamed for the deaths of 829 people. thought they would land her a record that will prevent her from with Franco’s iron-fi st rule that the 1996-7 ETA kidnapping of a Thousands more have been injured. one-year jail sentence. getting a scholarship for her ended after he died in 1975 – was right-wing politician. Yesterday’s statement gave no indication about the parameters of the daughter But last month, one of Spain’s studies. a big mistake. “Terrorism is the most sensi- internal consultation. top criminal courts found the The National Court that sen- “If we had been serious about tive issue,” acknowledged Jose ETA had recently been seeking to negotiate its dissolution in exchange 21-year-old guilty of “justifying tenced her, which specialises that fact that nothing justifi es Luis Martin, a former editor at for amnesties or improved prison conditions for roughly 350 of its mem- perish terrorism” and humiliating its in terrorism cases, ruled that violence, we wouldn’t be talk- satirical weekly El Jueves, in a bers held in Spain and France, and for current members living under victims – the latest in a series of her jokes did not form part of a ing about more than 800 ETA country still reeling from dec- cover. such convictions for social me- “healthy humoristic environ- deaths,” Ordonez told AFP, re- ades of violence brought about But Spain and France have taken a hard line, saying the group must in sauna dia pranks that has the country ment” and that her attitude was ferring to the 829 people killed by ETA and other extremist unilaterally dissolve. divided, and partisans of free “disrespectful” and “humiliat- during the group’s four-decade groups. speech worried. ing”. campaign for Basque independ- “It doesn’t compare to criti- accident “They ruined my life,” Vera But Carrero Blanco’s own ence. cism of the monarchy, the provides for tougher sentences still needs as it tries to heal the tweeted about the 13 posts about granddaughter, Lucia, said in “The cult of hate that always church,” he added, which the for “justifying terrorism” on- wounds of its bloody 1936-9 the 1973 murder of Luis Carrero a letter sent to the El Pais daily moved terrorists has not been magazine targets on a regular line. civil war and ensuing dictator- AFP Blanco, the prime minister and that she was “scared of a society defeated,” she warned. basis. But “in a democratic society, ship. Prague heir-apparent of dictator Fran- in which freedom of expression, The number of court rulings Ignacio Gonzalez Vega, there are genres such as comedy, For his part, Cesar Strawberry cisco Franco who was killed in an however regrettable it may be, involving alleged acts of “justi- spokesman for the “Judges for black humour” that should be chose to exorcise his conviction ETA bomb attack that sent his can lead to jail sentences”. fying terrorism” has risen from a Democracy” professional asso- exempt, he said, calling for the with a song. wo women lost their lives car hurtling into the air. Luis Conde, a historian of dozen a year to 26 in 2015, 37 in ciation, pointed to a new 2015 law to be modifi ed. “Inquisitor!” he sings to in a sauna in the northern “ETA combined a policy comic books, told AFP that he 2016 and 12 for the fi rst quarter anti-jihadist legislation as a Martin said black humour hard-rock music. “Keep harass- TCzech Republic after the against the use of offi cial vehi- remembered more lenient times, of this year, according to judicial possible explanation. often played a “therapeutic ing those who disturb you, but door handle came off , trapping cles with a space programme,” even under Franco’s dictatorship authorities. Among other things, the law role”, which he believed Spain you won’t shut us up.” them inside, local police said yesterday. “The mother and daughter aged 65 and 45 were taking a Poisonous by nature sauna at their friends’ place in a garden colony,” police spokes- Exiled opposition fi gure supports woman Iva Kormosova said in a statement. “The owner thought they Putin foe Navalny for presidency were taking too long to come out so she went to check and found them lying on the fl oor,” she said, AFP “Today in Russia, there are no Khodorkovsky, former head of adding that the women had been Moscow legal structures other than Open oil giant Yukos, who served his in the sauna for around 90 min- Russia and the FBK (the Anti- jail sentence for tax evasion, an- utes. Corruption Fund created by Na- nounced last September that he Emergency services personnel remlin critic and former valny) proposing a policy diff er- would not run for the Russian declared the women dead at the oil baron Mikhail Kho- ent from the one followed by the presidency in 2018 but that he scene. Kdorkovsky has thrown his authorities,” Khodorkovsky told would fi nance a campaign that “The handle on the sauna support behind Russian Presi- a conference in Tallinn, accord- off ered an alternative to Putin. door broke and the women were dent Vladimir Putin’s foe Alexei ing to Open Russia’s website. Turning to the leadership of trapped. They tried to break the Navalny for Russia’s 2018 presi- Navalny is the Kremlin’s main his Open Russia movement, he window on the door but failed,” dential election. opponent. added that he intended to step said Kormosova. Khodorkovsky, who was re- The anti-corruption blog- down as its president. The accident occurred near leased by Russia in December ger intends to challenge Russian “I think that Russian soci- the town of Jicin northeast of 2013 after a decade in jail and President Vladimir Putin at the ety is ripe for a model without a Prague on Saturday evening, po- now lives in exile in Western Eu- next presidential election, but fi gurehead, which is why our or- lice said. Children look at a tarantula spider as they visit ‘Venenum’, an exhibition about the history, uses rope, also announced his desire his candidacy could be hampered ganisation is founded on a model Post-mortem examinations of poison and in what form it exists in nature, at the Confluences Museum in Lyon, France. to quit the leadership of his Open by his fi ve-year suspended pris- in which the president changes are due to be held. Russia foundation. on sentence for embezzlement. each year,” he said. Gulf Times 20 Monday, April 17, 2017 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Student housing gets plush, thanks to a start-up

By Umaima Shafiq IANS how the round-the clock security remote villages or small towns ish and Nidhi Kumra, all in their Sumit Tyagi, who agreed to of- Space would stop taking build- New Delhi system, centralised air-condition- to their city of dreams for higher early 30s - understood the need fer the building on lease to Your- ings on lease and would rather ing and free Wi-Fi help her make education, are not that lucky. for a clean, serviced, home-like Space is not complaining either. develop accommodation in the most of her time and pursue her In the absence of a reliable, place for students. “I thought of starting a guest partnership with develop- Two arrested he rooms feel like hotels - studies in a secure environment. branded, student-housing so- “I saw my friends struggling house or a hostel accommoda- ers, Kaushish, an alumnus of for stealing gold fully furnished and well- “My parents want me to stay lution, they often spend days, to fi nd a good, clean and safe tion myself. But when the found- the University of Oxford’s Said Tmaintained, says Shivali- here for the next year too,” she sometimes weeks scouting for place to live,” Lal, who did her ers of Your-Space approached Business School, revealed, add- chains from ka Verma, one of the 77 residents said, adding all that the resi- a suitable place, and ultimately graduation from Lady Shriram me, I decided to give the building ing that more changes are on the in the fi rst building of Your- dents have to pay for the lodging settle for a ramshackle place College in New Delhi, said. on lease as I liked their proposal. cards for the young start-up. train passengers Space, a new venture that aims and food is Rs10,000 per month. with unknown individuals be- “This situation hasn’t changed Now I don’t have to concentrate “Your-Space currently of- to disrupt the student housing “For a bed in a double-seater cause of the skyrocketing rents in the last 10 years, and premium, on managing the hostel, which fers accommodation only for Two men from Maharashtra were market by providing premium room, we need to pay Rs125,000 in the cities. standardised accommodation allows me more time to devote to female students. But we have arrested for the April 3 jewellery facilities - plus comfort and a year and for one in a three-bed And what is more, some even for students is defi nitely a niche other work,” Tyagi said. realised that the living condi- theft from a train at Thotampatti safety that feels like home. room it is Rs105,000,” Verma, end up spending most of their market that is untapped. We “It was a good decision. The tions of male students too are signal in Dharmapuri district last Another resident of the Greater who is doing B Tech from the time doing daily chores, rather launched our fi rst girls’ hostel in journey with the Your-Space far from satisfactory. From week. Noida facility, Samiksha Singh, who same university, added. than on studies. Greater Noida in July 2016 and team has been fabulous so far,” 2018 onwards, we plan to roll Railway police said the is doing M Tech at Galgotias Uni- But most students in India, es- The co-founders of the start- secured 100% occupancy within a Tyagi added. out housing solutions for boys suspects forced the New Delhi- versity, couldn’t stop talking about pecially those who migrate from up - Shubha Lal, Karan Kaush- month,” she added. Going ahead, however, Your- too,” Kaushish said. Thiruvananthapuram express train to stop at Thotampatti by tampering with the signal. Sunil Hullaba Bosle and Amar Khale then boarded the train and snatched five gold chains from passengers and fled. They were tracked down with the help of eyewitness accounts and cybercrime evidence. The two men Telangana admitted to have committed similar crimes at Katpadi junction last year. In a separate incident, a 47-year- old mechanic from coastal Tuticorin district, was arrested in Chennai for stealing 40 cars in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and passes bill Karnataka. The man allegedly stole cars from parking lots by unlocking them with a master key and selling them through agents after changing their number plates and exterior paint. Police identified him though to hike quota surveillance camera footage. Repair work resumes in R K Nagar for Muslims Civic works that had been Chief minister slams BJP for “Tamil Nadu is implementing there is no constitutional bar on suspended due to the April 12 by- opposing the move 69% reservations for over two providing more than 50% reser- election in R K Nagar in Chennai decades. Five to six states are vation. was resumed after the vote IANS providing more than 50% reser- Rao said with 90% of Telan- was cancelled by the Election Hyderabad vation. How can you deny this to gana’s population comprising Commission last week. Telangana,” he asked. the backward classes, SCs, STs The Chennai Corporation began The Supreme Court has put and minorities, the state defi - repairs caused by the December he Telangana assembly a cap of 50% on all reservations nitely needed more than 50% 2016 cyclone that had damaged yesterday unanimously both at the Centre and in states. reservation, and pointed out roads, buildings, underground Tpassed a bill to hike the The chief minister clarifi ed that states like Tamil Nadu and drains and electric poles. The reservation quota for backward that the reservations were being Jharkhand were already provid- corporation planned to restore Muslims and the Scheduled provided purely on the basis of ing more than 50% quota. 500 parks, 7,600 street lights, 471 Tribes (ST) to 12 and 10% re- socio-economic backwardness The chief minister made it clear pavements and 86 bus shelters at spectively. and not on the basis of religion that he will not beg the Centre but a cost of Rs750mn. The Bharatiya Janata Party or caste as some parties were will fi ght to get the new quotas in- Two bridges being built at Manali (BJP) vehemently opposed the projecting before the people. cluded in the 9th Schedule. and Kathivakkam high road and bill both inside and outside of Terming it a historic day, He said Telangana would raise other stalled projects in Chennai the assembly. But all other op- Rao said the Telangana Rash- this issue at the meeting of the would also be resumed. Private position parties supported the tra Samithi (TRS) had during the Niti Aayog and in parliament. He companies have been contracted Backward Class, Scheduled election campaigns promised that hoped that a debate on the issue for these repairs. Castes and Scheduled Tribes quota for the Backward Classes will begin and consensus will Meanwhile two days after the April Reservation Bill, 2017. (E) and the Scheduled Tribes will build at the national level. 9 cave in of Anna Salai road, another The bill was later passed by be increased in proportion to their He defended the state’s hike in portion of the same road cracked the Legislative Council. population in the state. quota for Muslims and hit back for nearly 10ft causing traff ic As soon as the day-long spe- He assured the backward at the BJP for opposing it. chaos on the busy intersection. cial session of the legislature classes that there will be no in- “Why can’t we give them res- The highways department began began, Chief Minister K Chan- justice to them because of the ervation? Why should they be de- inspecting adjacent roads for drasekhar Rao moved the bill to increase in quota for the BC (E) nied reservation just because they similar aberrations. raise from the existing 4% to 12% and announced that the quota are Muslims? Are they not part of the quota for the socially and for the BCs too will be increased. this country,” asked Rao in the ab- economically backward among The state government has di- sence of fi ve members of the BJP, Founder bishop the Muslims under the Backward rected the Backward Classes who were earlier suspended for of Sivaganga Classes (E) category. Commission to submit a report the day by the speaker for disrupt- The reservations for the Sched- within six months. ing the proceedings. diocese dead uled Tribes in educational institu- Rao also said that the reserva- The All India Majlis-e-Itte- tions and government jobs have tion for the SCs, who constitute hadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) urged Reverend Edward D Francis, the been increased from 6% to 10%. 16.3% of the state’s population, the government to take steps to founder bishop of the Roman The bill will be sent for the will be increased by 1%. He said protect the existing 4% reserva- Catholic diocese in Sivaganga President’s assent with a request the government would soon tion while increasing the quota district died last week. to include it in the 9th Schedule constitute an SC Commission. by 8%. Its member Ahmed Pasha He was 86. Born in Vellakullam of the Constitution as was done The SCs are currently enjoy- Khadri said a new category BC town in Tirunelveli district, in Tamil Nadu. ing 15% reservations while the (F) be created for hiked quota. Bishop Edward studied at St Replying to debate on the bill, BCs have a total quota of 25%. The chief minister, however, Paul’s seminary in Madurai and the chief minister said if the central The legislation will increase said there was no need for any Tiruchi and graduated in 1957. He government refuses to accept Tel- the total reservations in the state apprehensions as there will be completed his theological studies engana’s request, the state would to 62%. no threat to the existing 4% res- in Paris and began as assistant Police take away BJP workers protesting against a bill that seeks to increase quota for Muslims to 12%, approach the Supreme Court. The chief minister argued that ervations. parish priest of Puliyal village in Hyderabad yesterday. in Sivaganga district. He was a priest for 60 years and a bishop Woman arrested for 29 years. During this tenure he also served for acid attack as general secretary of Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council commission for UP CM working in right direction: survey A woman was arrested for sacred liturgy (1985-87) and as allegedly throwing acid from chairman of TNBC commission for her shop injuring at least four Bible (1987-2005). His funeral was IANS in eastern Uttar Pradesh, be- er, the survey showed that the the impact of the chief min- pedestrians, including a civic attended by bishops, nuns, priests New Delhi came a surprise chmef Minis- move had huge support. ster’s decisions was showing volunteer, in Kolkata yesterday, and church members after a day’s ter in India’s politically most Another question, on what on the ground, 54.9% respond- police said. “Manika Naskar, 35, mourning in Sivaganga. crucial state of Uttar Pradesh should be the priorities of the ents said “yes” and 39.9% said a shopkeeper, was arrested for espite outrage over the on March 19, with his Bharatiya chief minister, threw up an un- “some impact can be seen”. allegedly attacking a person with Leading sculptor ban on illegal slaugh- Janata Party (BJP) winning 325 expected fi rst: unemployment, Asked if central government acid during an altercation over Dterhouses and the crea- seats in the 403-seat assembly according to 29.8% of re- schemes would now reach rural money in Salt Lake’s Nayapatty Nandagopal dies tion of “anti-Romeo” squads, in a landslide win. spondents. This was followed Uttar Pradesh far more easily area. Some pedestrians present residents of Uttar Pradesh say Gaon Connection Insight by law and order (23.8%), secu- than before, 58.1% say “yes” at the spot were also injured in Award winning sculptor S those are the most popular of Team members personally in- rity of women (17.9%) and agri- and 39% opted for “no” - “be- the attack,” a police off icer said. Nandagopal died of cardiac arrest the decisions taken by Chief terviewed 2,000 respondents cultural advancement (15.3%). cause of lack of awareness”. According to the police, Naskar had at his home in Cholamandal Minister Yogi Adityanath in his in districts ranging from La- Law and order has been seen Those surveyed included some financial dispute with a local Artists’ village in suburban fi rst month in power, according litpur in the underdeveloped until now as the top reason why 22% students, 21% house- person. During an altercation, she Chennai last week. to a statewide survey. Bundelkhand region in Uttar former chief minister Akhilesh wives, 18.7% in private jobs, hurled acid aiming at him. The acid He was71 and survived by wife Adityanath also came up Pradesh’s southwest to Son- Yadav lost power. 15.5% traders and 13.8% farm- also spilled on some pedestrians, and daughter. Nandagopal was with high approval ratings, bhadra in the remote south- Adityanath: high ratings “The survey was run on the ers. Sixty-one percent of re- including a civic volunteer. “The born in Bengaluru and graduated with 62% citizens supporting east, from Meerut in the west lines of the approval ratings spondents were between 25 victims suff ered minor burn in physics from Chennai’s Loyola the decisions he has taken so to Siddharthnagar in the east. Among women though, the index in the US for presidents and 50 years, 27.7% were less injuries in the attack and were College. He then studied diploma far, in the survey carried out Asked which was the chief squads - police teams formed from time to time,” said Ankita than 25 years and the remain- released after administering first in fine arts from the Government by Gaon Connection, India’s minister’s most impactful de- to crack down on young men Tiwari from the Gaon Con- ing were more than 50 years. aid,” the off icer said. Naskar was College of Arts and Crafts in biggest rural media platform. cision so far, 38.1% respond- troubling women - were the nection Insight Team who led Some 59.5% respondents were arrested and slapped with charges Chennai in 1971. More than 71% respondents ents opted for the ban of ille- most popular, with 38% sup- the survey. “It had 2,000 re- in cities and 40.5% in villages. of acid throwing (IPC 326A) and He was a modernist painter, said he was working in the right gal slaughterhouses, followed port. spondents spread across rural Gaon Connection is In- criminal intimidation (IPC 506). The ceramist and metal artist, whose direction. by 25.4% for “anti-Romeo” Critics have said Yogi’s de- and urban areas, with a margin dia’s biggest platform to en- acid stored in her shop has been works were popular in India and The survey was carried out squads. This was followed cision to ban illegal slaughter- of error of 2%. We followed the gage with rural communities, seized, the police said. Meanwhile, abroad. He received the Lalit in 200 administrative blocks by 23.7% support for “asking houses is aimed at Muslims, descriptive model of quantita- working across print, audio- the Criminal Investigation Kala Academy award in 1970 and spread across 20 districts in ministers to declare their in- and the “anti-Romeo” drive tive research.” video platforms and ground Department (CID) of Kolkata 1978 and Jindal steel award for Uttar Pradesh. The state has come”. has come under criticism from Asked if Yogi Adityanath was activation. In December, it police ran a joint raid with the sculpture in 2002. He was also 820 blocks and a total of 75 dis- Curiously, the ban on spit- a section of the media for as- working in the right direction, held the Swayam Festival, state police to seize nearly 90kg of appointed adviser to the National tricts. ting paan in public offi ces got sociated vigilante attacks in a 71.6% people said “yes” and India’s biggest rural festival, illegally stored sulphuric acid from Gallery of Modern Art in New Adityanath, a powerful the support of only 12.9% peo- few places by young men allied 24.8 people opted for “cannot with 1,000 events across 25 Bardhaman district’s Katwa on Delhi in 1998 and 2000. monk with a strong following ple. to Hindu nationalists. Howev- say”. To the question whether districts. Saturday, a senior off icial said. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 21 INDIA

TRAGEDY ELECTIONS WEATHER CELEBRATIONS POLITICS IAF off icer dies after BJP pledges social security Temperature to Pranab to honour CPI a practical party, fall from balcony for unorganised sector rise in Delhi today freedom fighters says Congress

A senior Indian Air Force officer posted to Unveiling its manifesto for Delhi’s municipal The national capital experienced another hot day Hundreds of freedom fighters from across the The Congress Party yesterday praised the the Eastern Army Command at Fort William elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday yesterday with the maximum temperature settling country started arriving in Patna yesterday to manner in which the Communist Party of in Kolkata died after falling from the balcony promised social security for the unorganised at 39.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees above the be honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee India conducts itself politically adding it was of his second-floor home, a Defence Ministry sector, ownership rights for auto-rickshaw season’s average, the Met off ice said. It has forecast today to mark the ongoing year-long centenary “a very practical party” unlike the CPM. M M spokesman said yesterday. The body of Wing drivers, and more modern schools among other a slight rise in temperature today. “There would celebrations of the Champaran Satyagraha, Hassan, president of the Congress in Kerala, Commander S V R Moorthy, who hailed from promises. In the manifesto, the BJP announced be clear sky tomorrow,” said an off icial of the India off icials said. “Hundreds of freedom fighters said everyone had seen that the diff erences Hyderabad, was discovered around 5am. it would give relief to street vendors and small Meteorological Department (IMD), adding the from diff erent states have started arriving in between the CPI and the CPM were worsening. “It is not known what time he fell since the traders and others from the unorganised sector maximum and minimum temperatures would be Patna to be honoured by President Pranab “In the past few days we saw the top leaders of body was discovered only today morning,” by providing them with a ‘social security card’, around 41 and 22 degrees Celsius respectively. Mukherjee at the felicitation ceremony as these two parties taking on each other. From the spokesman said. “It does not appear to enabling them to get insurance, education, and The minimum temperature yesterday was 21.4 part of centenary celebrations of Mahatama our experience, we can say that the CPI is a be a case of suicide but rather an accident,” health facilities. The scheme, it said, will include degrees Celsius, average for the season, while the Gandhi’s Champaran satyagraha,” Vinodanand party which always shows political maturity he said. However, he said police and the IAF auto-rickshaw drivers, daily-wage labourers, humidity ranged between a high of 63 and a low Jha, an off icial of the state education in its actions and deeds. They do not have any would inquire into the death. “It’s a case of factory workers, domestic helps, and other of 23%. Saturday’s maximum temperature settled department, said. The year-long celebrations false pretensions,” said Hassan. He added that unnatural death. Police will investigate the weaker sections of society. The manifesto at 40.5 degrees, three degrees above the season’s mark the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s first the Congress had shared power in Kerala with cause. Side by side, the Air Force will carry out promised to devise a scheme to get ownership average, and the minimum temperature was major resistance against British rule, popularly the CPI and they have had the best of relations a departmental inquiry,” he said. rights to the auto-rickshaw drivers. recorded 22 degrees Celsius. known as the Champaran Satyagraha. always and hence it was in a position to say this. BJP woos poor and Muslims with eye on 2019 election

IANS Modi also expressed his desire Bhubaneswar to rid India of social and eco- nomic inequities. Accusing the opposition of eeping its thrust on de- concocting issues, Modi said: “It velopment agenda, the seems the opposition manufac- KBharatiya Janata Party has tures these issues in some fac- embarked on a mission to retain tories. During the Delhi election, power in 2019, fi ne-tuning its church attacks were highlight- strategy to woo the poor and a ed and during the Bihar polls section of Muslims to expand its ‘Award Wapsi’ was the issue. base. And right now it is EVM.” On the concluding day of the The prime minister told party two-day National Executive workers to stick to “positive ap- meeting, the BJP political reso- proach”. lution indicated that it would fo- Earlier, two resolutions were cus on adding new socio-groups passed by the National Executive into its fold even as Prime Min- focusing on the poor and back- ister Narendra Modi tried to at- ward communities in the society. tract some in the Muslim com- Coming down heavily on the CISF troopers keep vigil at the entrance to the Mumbai airport yesterday. munity, especially women and Congress and other opposition the poor. parties for blocking in the Rajya Dubbing triple talaq a “bad Sabha a bill to grant constitu- social practice”, Modi said such tional status to the OBC Com- things can be ended by social mission, the BJP accused them awakening but stressed that the of depriving the poor of their BJP didn’t want a confl ict on this benefi ts. issue. Human Resource and Devel- Modi’s observation came at opment Minister Prakash Java- Airports on high alert his concluding remarks. dekar said: “These parties have “As far as social justice is always suppressed the interests concerned, our Muslim sisters of the backward classes and only should also get justice. There given them false hopes.” should not be injustice to them. He said the manner in which the No one should be exploited,” bill was opposed exposed their at- federal minister Nitin Gadkari titude towards backward classes. after hijacking threats quoted Modi as saying. The resolution was moved Modi added: “We should not by BJP’s OBC MP Hukumdev Move follows an e-mail from ports,” said O P Singh, director The security was stepped up from Hyderabad and board any problem,” CISF chief Singh allow confl ict in the society. We Narayan Yadav and seconded by a woman who warned of a general of the Central Indus- up following an e-mail from a three fl ights in the three cities said. don’t want any confl ict in Mus- chief ministers including Ra- possible hijack trial Security Force (CISF), woman who warned of a pos- for hijacking. The CISF has enhanced bag- lim society over the issue. We ghubar Das of Jharkhand, Shiv- which looks after airport se- sible hijack, a CISF official Offi cials said while it could be gage scanning, pre-embarka- need to end such bad practices raj Singh Chouhan of Madhya Agencies curity. said. a fake alarm, they were not tak- tion checks and frisking of pas- by awakening the society.” Pradesh and federal minister New Delhi The alert was sounded af- In the e-mail sent to the ing any chances. sengers. Earlier, making an interven- Dharmendra Pradhan. ter the Mumbai police received Mumbai police, the woman, The Mumbai police are trying Other airports in the country tion during the discussion over The BJP’s focus on OBCs and information of possible hijack who did not reveal her identity, to get in touch with the woman have been alerted too. the resolution passed on a new Modi’s remarks on the backward- nternational airports in attempt, NDTV news channel said she heard six unidentifi ed who sent the e-mail. After a similar hijack threat in OBC Commission, Modi said ness of Muslim society and triple Mumbai, Chennai and Hy- reported. men discuss hijacking three Police in the three cities January 2015, the CISF had re- even Muslims have backward talaq is seen as the party’s eff ort Iderabad were placed on the All airlines have been asked to fl ights in Hyderabad, Mumbai beefed up security at the main viewed its procedures. Anti-hi- and marginalised sections and to woo these social groups ahead highest security alert yesterday remain extra vigilant and avoid and Chennai yesterday. entry points to the airports. jack drills were held at airports the government must address of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. after police received informa- last-minute check-ins, Singh The woman, whose e-mail All vehicles were thoroughly and communication lines with their concerns. The BJP also has to face as- tion of a possible aircraft hi- said. was in broken English, said she checked. the police and security agencies BJP sources said Modi asked sembly elections in Gujarat, jacking attempt, offi cials and “Passengers have been re- overheard the young men at a “There is no reason to panic were also checked. the party leaders and workers to Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka news reports said. quested to co-operate and ad- restaurant in Hyderabad over as security measures have been That time, the intelligence hold district-level meetings over and Odisha. BJP president Amit “We have increased and ditional numbers of sniff er dogs lunch. put in place. All operations at agencies had spoken of a hijack the issues of backward Muslims Shah has begun micro manage- strengthened patrolling and have been deployed at all three She claimed hearing them these airports will be normal attempt on an Air India fl ight to and women. ment for these contests. access control at all three air- airports,” Singh added. say that 23 people would split and passengers will not face Kabul in Afghanistan.

Modi in Surat Amazon, Flipkart battle for Muslim body opposes e-commerce’s ‘last frontier’ reckless use of triple talaq IANS across the country to publicise AFP fi rst time, according to Google. “At some point, they will have Lucknow it during Friday sermons,” he New Delhi One in three Indians cur- to make money,” said Mehta - added. rently uses the Internet, but the something experts say will ne- The code of conduct put number is forecast to swell by cessitate consolidation of the hose using triple talaq forth by the Board advocates ith 100mn new Inter- 300mn by 2020, mainly due to sector. recklessly and without using single talaq as a last re- net users every year, growing smartphone use. That process has already be- Tjustifi cation should be sort if other attempts at recon- WAmazon is betting big McKinsey analyst Ashish Tute- gun, with Flipkart absorbing two made to face social boycott, ciliation fail. A man can rejoin on India, but a major new invest- ja said 70% of online sales in India rival portals, Myntra and Jabong. the All India Muslim Personal with his wife in three months ment in homegrown rival Flipkart were done on a smartphone. According to Indian media, a Law Board (AIMPLB) said yes- after single talalq, and can means the battle to dominate the “It’s very much a mobile-fi rst deal for Flipkart to buy Snapdeal terday at the conclusion of its remarry after three months fast-growing e-commerce mar- market,” he said. is next. executive meeting here. without the woman having to ket is set to heat up. Projections for the size of the India also represents a chance The body, which represents go through nikah halala. Flipkart announced this week market by 2020 diff er wildly, for a rematch after Amazon lost major sects, also came out with Farooqui said that the AIM- that top international compa- ranging from $50bn to $120bn. out to Alibaba in China. a code of conduct for divorce, PLB is always ready to help nies including Microsoft, eBay E-retailers in India typically Although currently more fo- in case the separation becomes the victims of triple talaq, but and China’s Tencent had pledged adopt a “marketplace” structure, cused on Southeast Asia, bil- inevitable. It notably does not noted it is a matter of Shariah investments totalling $1.4bn, acting as platforms that connect lionaire Jack Ma’s group has recommend instant divorce or and Muslims are free to prac- among the largest sums ever buyers and sellers rather than made no secret of its interest in triple talaq as a way of separa- tise their religion. raised by an Indian start-up. stocking their own products. India. tion. “Just as it is unfair to impose The 10-year-old e-commerce Amazon marketed its serv- The Chinese giant has taken a “It has been decided in the Islam on the unwilling, in the company needs all the help it can ices aggressively, touring mar- stake in Indian online payments executive meet that men who same way it is unfair to force get to compete with Amazon af- kets around the country with its company Paytm and has am- arbitrarily use triple talaq Muslims to follow laws from ter the Seattle-based giant made “chai carts” to sell the idea of e- bitions to develop as an online should face social boycott,” other religions,” he said. India’s 1.25bn inhabitants a glo- commerce to small traders over a sales platform in its own right. AIMPLB member Kamal Fa- Farooqui said that the AIM- bal strategic priority, earmarking cup of tea. For Amazon, India is the “last rooqui said. PLB would ask parents to make $5bn in investment funds. Under another initiative big frontier”, said Mehta. He said the decision comes it a point to give daughters “They need to have a substan- dubbed “Feet-on-Street”, an “Amazon is a $100bn-plus re- in the light of the fact that Is- their share in paternal prop- tial amount of cash in order to Amazon employee would be sent tailer. lam deems divorce as unpleas- erty rather than giving fancy fi ght in the market with Ama- to photograph their products To keep driving growth, they ant and it is used only as a last dowry in marriage. zon,” said Jaideep Mehta, South and help them to sign up online. need to keep leadership posi- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani welcomes Prime Minister resort. On the question of Babri Asia director at the International Flipkart, Amazon and Snap- tions in large markets outside the Narendra Modi at Surat airport yesterday. The prime “We have also formulated a Masjid dispute in which AIM- Data Corporation. deal are now engaged in a price US,” he said. minister will inaugurate a Rs5bn hospital set up by Surat’s code of conduct for divorce, in PLB is also a party, Farooqui Every three seconds, an Indian war, with each Indian festival an “They will continue to be very philanthropic diamond industrialists today. case it becomes inevitable. We said the body would go by the connects to the Internet for the occasion for aggressive cuts. committed.” are appealing to all the imams Supreme Court’s verdict. Gulf Times 22 Monday, April 17, 2017 LATIN AMERICA Opposition calls fresh protests in Venezuela

AFP The demonstrations are expected to be Caracas the next big showdown in an increasingly fraught crisis that has raised international concerns about Venezuela’s stability. pponents and backers of Venezue- The opposition is demanding the au- la’s embattled President Nicolas thorities set a date for postponed regional OMaduro announced new marches elections. for Wednesday after violence in ongoing It is also furious over moves to limit the anti-government protests that have left powers of the legislature and ban opposi- fi ve people dead. tion leader Henrique Capriles from poli- Both sides promised to hold sway across tics. Caracas on the heels of two weeks of dem- Those moves have raised international onstrations that also have seen 117 people condemnation including from the United arrested. States and the European Union. The latest in more than a week of vio- Maduro has resisted opposition eff orts lent clashes erupted overnight Thursday to to hold a vote on removing him, vow- Friday in the town of Los Teques near the ing to continue the “socialist revolution” capital. launched by his late predecessor Hugo Protesters mounted barricades and Chavez. hurled Molotov cocktails, and police fi red Maduro says the economic crisis is the tear gas, photographs on social media result of what he calls a US-backed capi- Opposition supporters attend a gathering against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas. showed. talist conspiracy. Fugitive ex-governor Odebrecht ‘Skinny bundles’ paid $3.3bn step up challenge arrested for corruption in bribes to US Big Cable

Reuters identity along with his wife; tradition process Duarte faces. mounted. He resigned as gov- AFP AFP sion ecosystem, allowing more Guatemala City she has not been charged with Agriculture and oil-rich Ve- ernor that same month, a few Rio De Janeiro Washington choices and lower costs for con- any crimes. racruz, on Mexico’s Gulf coast, weeks before his six-year term sumers in many cases, while “He wanted to pass as a is one of Mexico’s largest states, was due to end. leaving smaller, independent former Mexican state Mexican tourist,” said Stu Ve- and it has historically been a In June, Miguel Angel Yunes debrecht SA, the Brazilian engi- or years, US cable opera- cable channels out in the cold. governor on the run lasco, deputy director of Gua- stronghold of President En- of the opposition National Ac- neering company at the centre tors got rich by off ering The skinny bundles “have Afrom police for more temala’s national police. rique Pena Nieto’s Institutional tion Party won a hotly con- Oof a historic corruption scan- Ffat “bundles” of hun- made inroads in the past year,” than fi ve months who has come Duarte, 43, was transferred Revolutionary Party, or PRI. tested race to succeed Duarte dal, paid out a total of about $3.3bn in dreds of channels and raising said Leichtman Research presi- to symbolize corruption within early yesterday to the Matam- Elected governor in 2010, in a stinging defeat for the PRI, bribes in the nine years through 2014, prices regularly for television dent Bruce Leichtman. the country’s ruling party was oros prison in downtown Gua- Duarte presided over a sharp long the political party of the according to testimony cited by local consumers. Forrester Research analyst arrested on Saturday night in temala City, a facility known deterioration in security in the state’s governors. media on Saturday. Now the “skinny bundle” James McQuivey said Google’s Guatemala and now awaits ex- for holding drug traffi ckers state punctuated by the dis- “He plundered our state, and Through a department specifi cally is disrupting that model with entry into the business is sig- tradition. Javier Duarte, wanted and former Guatemalan gov- covery of mass graves and a left us in a fi nancial disaster,” established to pay politicians and other Internet-delivered packages nifi cant because “for the fi rst on charges of graft and organ- ernment offi cials charged with spate of killings of journalists said Yunes at a news conference recipients for public works contracts, off ering live and on-demand time, the broadcasters are let- ised crime, was detained in a corruption. during his watch. in Boca del Rio near Veracruz Odebrecht paid as much as $730mn programmes. ting a powerful digital platform hotel lobby in the picturesque Rodrigo Sandoval, a Gua- He has been accused of car- city, celebrating the arrest. annually in both 2012 and 2013, the Google’s YouTube TV is the have the keys to its treasure lakeside town of Panajachel, temalan lawyer representing rying out massive personal en- Yunes said 1.2bn pesos years when bribe payments peaked, ac- latest to enter this market with room: live, fi rst-run TV shows”. 130km west of Guatemala’s Duarte, visited him at the pris- richment schemes with illicit ($65mn) had been recovered cording to a spreadsheet that a former its bundle of around 40 chan- He noted that major tech capital, the national police said on Sunday morning. resources, potentially totalling from Duarte’s illicit diversion executive reportedly gave investigators nels for $35 monthly, challeng- fi rms like Amazon, Apple, Fa- in a statement. “I had the opportunity to in the hundreds of millions of of public funds and added that as part of a plea deal. ing slim packages from Sony’s cebook, Google, and Microsoft Local television footage talk with Mr Duarte, and he dollars and involving assets in “billions of pesos” still remain The $3.3bn fi gure, and related annual PlayStation Vue, Dish Net- “have tried to cozy up to TV for showed a calm Duarte, former- says he’s waiting for his ex- Mexico and abroad. in the position of Duarte fam- tallies as laid out in the spreadsheet, were work’s Sling TV and AT&T’s many years now, and all of them ly governor of Veracruz state, tradition and for his lawyers Duarte is charged with using ily members, former offi cials reported on Saturday by the G1 news site DirecTV Now. More entrants have been rebuff ed” until now. being led by police outside the in Mexico. My understanding ghost companies to transfer and criminals who posed as of the Globo media group and the Estado are expected including one “The digital platforms are hotel on Saturday night, his is that he will accept extradi- and hide public funds. businessmen. de S Paulo, a leading newspaper. from streaming service Hulu. indeed taking over the world, hands cuff ed behind his back. tion,” said Sandoval. Once seen as a rising young Several of Duarte’s top cabi- Offi cials at Odebrecht could not im- These services off er easy this time with permission from Duarte, who has repeatedly A news conference at the star within the PRI, Duarte was net offi cials have been arrested mediately be reached for comment. interfaces like those of on-de- their former adversaries,” he denied any wrongdoing, was Mexican embassy later was ex- expelled from its ranks in Oc- on corruption charges, while A trove of plea deal testimony un- mand services such as Netfl ix said in a blog post. at the hotel using an assumed pected to further clarify the ex- tober as accusations of graft others are being investigated. sealed this week by a Supreme Court and Amazon Prime, let view- While many consumers use justice is shedding light on the extent ers digitally store programmes on-demand options like Ama- and manner in which Odebrecht, once in the Internet “cloud,” and zon and Netfl ix, they often keep Latin America’s most successful engi- toss in a limited selection of cable or satellite subscriptions neering fi rm, routinely paid offi cials in live channels to sate news and for live sports and local news. But Brazil and other countries in exchange sports or other interests. live channels will make stream- for winning contracts. Skinny off erings are aimed at ing options more attractive. The testimony was unsealed as the young viewers and “cord cut- At the same time, popu- Executions ‘take heavy lar channels such as HBO and justice, Edson Fachin, authorised in- ters” loath to pay $100 or more vestigations of eight government to be force-fed hundreds of sports programmer ESPN have ministers, 12 governors and dozens of channels in hefty bundles and been off ering standalone sub- federal lawmakers implicated in the accustomed to streaming shows scriptions to allow consumers scandal, uncovered three years ago they want, when they desire. to watch without a bundle from toll on executioners too’ cable or satellite. because of a kickback investigation A Parks Associates survey last at the state-run oil company Petroleo month found 20% of American But independent television AFP euphemism. “These offi cers, “They take him from the cell, And no one wants to see a re- Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras. Odebrecht, consumers dissatisfi ed with analyst Alan Wolk argues that Miami they get to know these inmates,” they put them on the gurney, peat of the agony Clayton Lock- whose former chief executive has been their pay TV service, leaving the the major pay TV fi rms remain he explained. “Twenty-four they strap him down, they put ett suff ered during his botched jailed since 2015 because of the probe, market ripe for change. in good shape despite these hours a day they work with them on the IVs,” or intrave- execution in Oklahoma in 2014. negotiated a far-reaching plea agree- Analyst Glenn Hower at Parks challenges. utting a prisoner to these inmates. They feed them. nous lines. “The rapid schedule will put ment with Brazilian investigators last said the market is in fl ux, with Some like AT&T already have death “stays with you They take them to get their Arkansas prison authori- an extraordinary burden on the year, leading to testimony by about 80 some consumers taking ad- a “skinny” off ering, and others Pfor a long time,” says Ron showers, they take them for ties have refused to divulge men and women required by company executives and employees. vantage of the easy sign-up for such as Comcast and Verizon McAndrew. exercise. They stand in front the makeup of their execution the state to carry out this most skinny packages, even though are expected to enter the mar- The former warden of Flor- of their cells and they talk to team, fi ercely protecting the solemn act, and it will increase some cancel just as quickly. ket to give consumers a choice. ida State Prison says his own them when they feel lonely,” identities of those involved. the risk of mistakes in the exe- Quake rattles In addition to lower pric- Wolk said consumers don’t mental health had begun to McAndrew said. “I can say that they are well- cution chamber — which could es, he said, “you don’t have appear to be fl ocking to skinny deteriorate by the time he left “The only persons that the trained and qualifi ed to carry haunt them for the rest of their northern Chile: USGS to worry about sending out a bundles because “they pay his position in 1998 after tak- inmates know are the offi cers. out their respective responsi- lives,” said Allen Ault, Georgia’s An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the technician, you don’t have to 30% less dollars but get 70% ing part in eight executions. Suddenly it’s the same offi cer bilities,” said Solomon Graves, former commissioner of cor- Richter scale shook northern Chile worry about getting the equip- less content.” Now, McAndrew is fi ghting who’s taking them to another a spokesman for the Arkansas rections who has overseen fi ve Saturday, according to the United States ment back”. He added that “a lot of peo- against the death penalty. He is room to kill them.” Department of Correction. executions, writing in Time Geological Survey, but there was no BTIG Research analyst Ri- ple think they want to cut back particularly concerned about “The experience is some- In the view of anti-death magazine’s March 28 edition. tsunami alert. The powerful quake, at chard Greenfi eld, in a research but when you ask them which the psychological well-being thing that will stay with you penalty activists, everyone in- A group of former offi cials a depth of 135km, hit at approximately note titled “the big bundle is channels they want to elimi- of the handful of offi cials who for a long time; I don’t think it volved pays a price. from all over the United States, 5.19am (0819 GMT) with an epicentre doomed”, says he expects skin- nate they have trouble cutting would be involved if Arkansas ever goes away.” “We are concerned for the including McAndrew and Ault, about 67km southeast of the San Pedro ny bundles to eat away at the back to the bare minimum”. were to proceed with the rap- McAndrew, who took part welfare of the prisoners, we have written to Governor Asa de Atacama tourist zone, seismologists established pay-TV providers. Wolk noted that the large pay id-fi re executions of several in the deaths of eight convicts are concerned for the victims’ Hutchinson of Arkansas urg- said. Chile’s National Off ice of Emergency Established media companies TV operators have an advantage condemned men, originally set — three in Florida, and fi ve in families, we are concerned for ing him not to impose such a said the “medium-intensity” quake was are focusing too hard on “pro- because they off er broadband for April 17 to 27. Texas as training — says that the welfare of the prison work- burden on prison staff . felt in the northern regions of Tarapaca, tecting their legacy business Internet, and in some cases are Courts in that southern state the executions in Arkansas will ers that have to do this,” said “Even under less demanding Antofagasta and Atacama. Chile lies model” instead of giving con- the dominant provider in a re- have blocked those executions undoubtedly be carried out by Abraham Bonowitz, director circumstances, carrying out an on what is known as the “Ring of Fire” sumers the fl exibility they want, gion. This allows them to off er for now, as legal appeals con- the same fi ve people. of the New York-based Death execution can take a severe toll — an arc of fault lines that circles the Greenfi eld wrote this month. incentives which bundle Inter- tinue. “We wanted the gover- “You can’t change the team,” Penalty Action group. on corrections offi cers’ well- Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent Leichtman Research Group net and television. nor (of Arkansas) to understand he said. “The offi cers that will “There’s a broader range of being,” the letter said. earthquakes. The north of the country found that the top US cable The large operators can also that he’s sitting in his offi ce carry out the executions, they collateral damage than simply “We are gravely concerned was struck by an 8.3 temblor followed by companies lost 277,000 sub- squeeze out rivals by using data very comfortable. And these have practiced the executions the prisoner and the victim.” that by rushing to complete a tsunami in September 2015, killing 15 scribers in 2016, while Inter- caps or other means to favour men are going to be partaking several hundred times. They Arkansas’s original packed these executions in April, the people. A evacuation order had limited net-delivered services like their own streaming service, in a killing of another human do it over and over and over schedule would place added state of Arkansas is needlessly the number of casualties. In 2010 another Sling TV and DirecTV Now and will not likely face regula- being,” McAndrew told AFP. again,” he said. pressure on the execution exacerbating the strain and quake measuring 8.8, also followed by a added about 845,000. tory impediments from doing He doesn’t use the word “ex- An offi cer volunteers to play team, increasing the risk of er- stress placed on these offi cers,” tsunami, struck the centre and south of These shifts could lead to a so in the current political envi- ecution,” which he considers a the part of an inmate, he said. ror, critics say. increasing the chance of error. the country, killing more than 500 people. huge upheaval in the televi- ronment, he said. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

FACILITY OBITUARY SECURITY EDUCATION REVENUE Nursing room for infants Renowned Pakistani writer Transgender people to Govt schools intake Sindh province collects established in parliament Mukhtar Masood dead get protection under law exceeds 5,000 in Karak $50.96mn in stamp duty

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has Famous Urdu writer of Pakistan Mukhtar An opposition lawmaker has submitted a legal The Elementary and Secondary Education The Sindh Board of Revenue (BoR) of Pakistan established the first-ever ‘infant feeding room’ in Masood passed away in Lahore on Saturday proposal to protect the rights of transgender Department has claimed that more than 5,000 raised over Rs5.3bn ($50.96mn) in stamp duty parliament house to make it feasible for women at the age of 88. Masood had been very ill and persons, who face discrimination in educational students enrolled in government educational during the first nine months of this fiscal year lawmakers to bring their children under the suff ered from various health complications. institutions, healthcare facilities and institutions in primary level in Karak district compared to Rs4.7bn collection it made in the age of two along with them. Unicef set up the He is survived by two sons and a daughter. His employment. The Punjab Transgender Persons in northwest of Pakistan in one week. This corresponding period last year. The July-March nursing room in collaboration with the federal funeral prayers were off ered at Shadman with (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2017 was submitted was stated by the enrolment campaign’s focal collection is 56% of the Rs9.5bn target set for health ministry. people from diff erent walks of life taking part. A in the Punjab Assembly secretariat by Pakistan person in Karak, Mohamed Luqman Khattak 2016-17. The stamp duty collection dipped during The room was recently inaugurated by the graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, Masood Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator Dr Nausheen while talking to media yesterday. He added July and August due to double valuation charts Speaker of National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq in migrated to Pakistan after partition. Masood Hamid yesterday. One of the penalties suggested that the provincial government was interested introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue the presence of State Minister for Health Saira wrote three books — Awaz-e-Dost, Safer Naseeb, in the proposed bill seeks jail term up to two in bringing all out-of-school children to the (FBR) to charge withholding tax on registration Afzal Tarar, State Minister for Information and Loh-e-Ayyam — all of which are highly regarded years or a fine of Rs100,000 or both for anyone mainstream by enrolling them in educational of property sale deeds creating a widespread Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and Unicef in literary circles for their immaculate, enigmatic who endangers or threatens a transgender institutions. Luqman said that they had given confusion. The board could collect Rs350mn in Representative in Pakistan Angela Kearney. style and patriotic undertones. person. target to each sub divisional education off icer. July and Rs526mn in August. Police open Senior Trump aide hate speech visits Afghanistan probe against Visit follows US bomb attack; US off icial discussed security two clerics with Afghan president

Reuters AFP Shinwari said 20 people had Kabul Peshawar been identifi ed as culpable in the killing on the basis of vide- os taken during the attack, and S President Donald akistani police opened a 15 had been arrested. Trump’s national secu- hate speech investiga- He said they would be tried Urity adviser met Afghan Ption involving two Mus- by anti-terrorism courts. offi cials in Kabul yesterday and lim clerics yesterday after the Police say they are also said the new administration was killing of a university student investigating the clerics in weighing diplomatic, military over allegations he committed Khan’s hometown of Swabi, and economic responses to its blasphemy. some 60km south of Mardan, Taliban and Islamic State en- The clerics are accused of for attempting to disrupt fu- emies in Afghanistan. attempting to disrupt the fu- neral proceedings and insti- The adviser, HR McMaster, neral of student Mashal Khan, gate hatred against the dead was making the fi rst high-level who was beaten to death by student’s family. visit by a Trump offi cial. fellow students after a dormi- He spoke to ABC News’ This tory debate was followed by “The nation should stand Week programme in the United accusations of blasphemy be- united to condemn this States. ing spread across a university crime and to promote On Thursday, the US mili- campus in the northern city of tolerance and rule of law tary dropped a GBU-43 Mas- Maradan. in society” sive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, University offi cials had is- one of the largest conventional sued a public notifi cation “The two clerics...the weapons ever used in combat, hours before the murder nam- mosque loudspeaker for hate during an operation against Is- ing three students being in- speech against the slain stu- lamic State militants in eastern vestigated for “blasphemous dent and his family and...cre- Afghanistan. activities”. Blasphemy is an ated hurdles for the people and While military offi cials said extremely sensitive topic in another cleric to participate the strike was based solely on Muslim majority Pakistan, in the funeral,” a senior Swabi tactical needs, it led to specula- Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah meets with US National Security adviser of President Trump, HR McMaster in Kabul yesterday. where penalties range from police offi cial said. tion that Trump’s defence ad- small fi nes to the death sen- A local imam had refused visers are planning to escalate they have redoubled their eff orts McMaster met President region” and if serious steps are States had more than 100,000 tence. to lead the funeral prayers at the war against militants in Af- and it’s time for us, alongside our Ashraf Ghani and other senior not taken it would aff ect “gen- troops stationed in Afghanistan. There have been at least 65 Khan’s funeral on Friday, ac- ghanistan. Afghan partners, to respond,” he Afghan offi cials to discuss bi- erations” of people, according to Nearly 9,000 US troops re- recorded cases of vigilante cording to Swabi resident Sal- The strike was estimated to said. lateral ties, security, counter- the statement. main there to train and advise murders since 1990, accord- man Ahmed. have killed nearly 100 militants Trump, who took offi ce on terrorism, reforms, and devel- Illicit drugs and corruption Afghan forces, provide close ing to fi gures from a Center for A technician who was asked and no civilians, according to January 20, had asked US of- opment, according to a palace also top the list of threats to Af- air support to soldiers on the Research and Security Studies to do so in the cleric’s place Afghan offi cials, although this fi cials, including some in the statement. ghanistan’s security, Ghani told ground and form a separate report and local media. was confronted by several peo- has not been independently Treasury and Commerce de- McMaster praised anti- the visiting offi cials. counter-terrorism unit that tar- In a statement released to ple afterwards. verifi ed. partments, to work together to corruption eff orts and assured The Afghan government refers gets Islamic State, Al Qaeda and the press on Saturday, Prime In his press release, the Interviewed from Afghani- integrate the various political, Ghani that the United States to both the Taliban and Islamic other militant networks. Minister Nawaz Sharif said he prime minister said the perpe- stan, McMaster said the United diplomatic, military and eco- would continue to support and State as terrorists. The top US commander in was “shocked and saddened trators of the attack would be States had a more reliable Af- nomic responses available, Mc- co-operate with Afghanistan on Afghan forces have struggled Afghanistan has said he needs by the senseless display of brought to justice. ghan partner than before but at Master said. a number of issues, according to to contain Taliban insurgents “several thousand” more troops mob justice that resulted in “The nation should stand the same time had reduced the “We’ll give him those options. the palace. since most international troops to help the Afghans take on a re- the murder of a young student, united to condemn this crime degree and scope of its eff ort in And we’ll be prepared to execute Ghani told McMaster that were withdrawn in 2014, leaving surgent Taliban and battle other Mashal Khan, at Wali Khan and to promote tolerance and that country. whatever decision he makes,” he “terrorism is a serious issue for them to fi ght largely alone. insurgents, but no offi cial plan University”. rule of law in society,” Sharif “Our enemy sensed that and said. the security of the world and the At the peak in 2011, the United has been announced. Mardan police chief Alam said.

We are bringing bad name to Pakistan: Malala

Nobel Prize winner Malala father. In the video posted Parliamentary panel on Pakistan national security formed Yousafzai hit out at Pakistan on Facebook following the following the lynching of a victim’s funeral, Malala said university student accused the Prophet did not tell his Internews Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, past few months that a parlia- Speaker National Assembly implementation of the National of blasphemy. Mashal Khan followers to “be impatient Islamabad Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the mentary body will be consti- Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, in consulta- Action Plan with a view to en- was stripped naked and and go around killing people”, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Farooq tuted to monitor the process of tion with the chairman Senate, suring its expeditious imple- beaten to death with planks claiming some followers Sattar of the Muttahida Qaumi transition from military courts has constituted a 33-member mentation, to monitor the proc- on a campus in the city of have forgotten the message he government of Pakistan Movement, Naveed Qamar of to civil courts, National Action Parliamentary Committee on ess of transition from military Mardan. “No one is maligning of peace and were not has formed a 33-member the Pakistan People’s Party and Plan and other terrorism-related National Security, under chair- courts to civil courts through the name of your country representing their religion. TParliamentary Commit- other senior parliamentarians as issue. manship of the speaker Na- criminal justice reforms and to or religion...we ourselves “This was not just the funeral tee on National Security headed its members. An official notification is- tional Assembly.” present periodical reports of the are bringing a bad name to of Mashal Khan, it was the by National Assembly Speaker The committee has been sued by the National Assembly Terms of reference of the committee to both houses of the our country and religion,” funeral of the message of our Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, with Paki- formed under a commitment Secretariat said: “Consequent committee are: “To discuss is- parliament.” Malala said in a video posted religion Islam,” she said. “This stan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman given by the government after upon motions adopted by the sues relating to national security Interestingly, the committee to Facebook following a is an incident filled with terror Imran Khan, threadbare discussions on the National Assembly on 21st and of urgent nature, to periodically will not monitor the decisions conversation with Khan’s and fear.” Chaudhry Pervaz Elahi of the issue of military courts over the the Senate on 28th March, 2017, review, monitor and oversee and working of military courts.

Fashion show Pakistan’s Hindu women hope for protection in new law

Reuters college in the town of Dharaki estimated to number around told the Thomson Reuters Foun- for divorce and remarry. Islamabad in southern Pakistan, hopes 3mn out of a population esti- dation. “Marriage registrars will be the new marriage law will help mated at nearly 190mn. “She was forcibly married appointed by the government in prevent incidents of kidnapping Discrimination and violence off ...against her free will,” Mal diff erent parts of the country as apna Gobia is busy prepar- of Hindu minority women and against religious minorities is Meghwar said. provided in the law,” he told the ing for her wedding in Pa- forced marriages. common. A court in the port city of Thomson Reuters Foundation. Skistan in a few weeks. “With our marriages now said lawyer Arjun Das, chair- Karachi ruled in 2014 that An- “The registrars will be au- In many ways, her wedding legally registered with govern- man of Pakistan Council of Meg- jali should stay in a shelter in thorised to register Hindu mar- will follow traditions passed ment authority...no one could be hwar, a Hindu community, who the city where her parents could riages under the act. down through generations, with able to stop us and our husbands campaigned for the marriage visit her. Besides maintaining Hindu the bride and groom circling a from proving our marital status,” law, “Women have been gotten “But we were never allowed marriage records, they will also sacred fi re lit by their families. Gobia told the Thomson Reuters forcibly re-married off to their to meet our daughter, giving her be authorised to issue legal mar- But unlike the marriage of her Foundation. infl uential kidnappers...without the impression that we were no riage certifi cates.” parents, Gobia’s will be formal- “More importantly, bigamy their victims’ consent.” longer interested in saving her... The minister said particular ised by a government certifi cate has now been termed an unlaw- Sixteen-year-old Anjali Ku- from her kidnapper,” he said. eff orts had been made to address under a new Hindu marriage law. ful and punishable crime in the mari was kidnapped three years “She succumbed to the pressure the issue of bigamy in Pakistan. The 25-year-old will be one of new law — that is a big relief.” ago from her home in Dharaki in and eventually went away with Representatives of the Paki- millions of women from Paki- After partition from India in broad daylight. him.” stan Hindu Council and Pakistan stan’s Hindu minority who now 1947, and the creation of Paki- “We had to take refuge in Ka- The historic Hindu Marriage Council of Meghwar have long have the right to a certifi cate stan as a separate state for Mus- rachi as we faced murder threats Act aims to protect families, and struggled for a law to protect establishing her marital status lims, marriages of the Hindu by the kidnappers with connec- the women and children of the women from forced marriages. under the Hindu Marriage Act minority were not offi cially rec- tions to a local political group Hindu community particularly, But Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, A models presents a creation by designer Khaadi Khaas on 2017 that was signed into law on ognised, leaving Hindu women when we raised our voices and by recognising their marriages patron-in-chief of Pakistan the last day of Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) Sunsilk March 19. without protection under the took to the streets calling for re- in law, said Zahid Hamid, federal Hindu Council, said the new law Fashion Week, in Lahore, yesterday. Gobia, a graduate in English law. lease of our daughter,” Kumari’s law and justice minister. needed strong political will to literature from a government Hindus in Pakistan are now father, Kundan Mal Meghwar, It will also allow Hindus to fi le ensure its implementation. Gulf Times 24 Monday, April 17, 2017 PHILIPPINES Militants Beach holiday execute Filipino captive

Reuters pursuing them.” Sobejana said Manila the group had demanded 3mn pesos ($60,648.94) ransom for Besconde but the government he Philippine army said maintains its policy of refusing Islamic State-linked to pay ransom. TAbu Sayyaf militants The army has declared all- have beheaded one of four Fili- out war with Abu Sayyaf on the pino fishermen they took cap- islands of Jolo and Basilan, but tive in December. is hamstrung by its presence Brigadier General Cirilito among large civilian communi- Sobejana, military commander ties. on the southern island of Jolo Abu Sayyaf has its roots in island said the boat’s captain separatism but its activities are had been executed in the jun- mostly banditry and piracy and gle near the town of Patikul on it has invested the profits of its Thursday but his remains have business in modern weapons yet to be recovered. and fast boats. Noel Besconde was abducted Sobejana said the Abu Sayyaf by the Abu Sayyaf group, along group is still holding Bes- with three crewmen in Decem- conde’s crew, along with more People frolic by the beach to celebrate Easter Sunday in Tanza, Philippines yesterday. ber, while on board a fishing than a dozen foreign nationals vessel in the Celebes Sea. in Jolo. Abu Sayyaf is a small but The militant group last year brutal militant group known beheaded Canadians John for beheading, kidnapping, Ridsdel and Robert Hall. bombing and extortion in the An elderly German, Jurgen south of the mainly Catholic Kantner, suffered the same fate country. in February when a $600,000 Eight killed in fl ash fl oods amid rains Sobejana said it was likely ransom demand was not paid. the abductors beheaded Bes- The army said on Wednes- conde because he was sick and day that an Abu Sayyaf leader DPA heavy rains brought about by of Carmen in the province of disaster risk reduction coun- eastern Philippines on Satur- had become a liability. who was directly involved in Manila a tropical depression, disaster Cebu, 600 kilometres south of cil, but she did not give further day. More than 4,800 passen- “The reason why he was be- the kidnap and execution of the relief officials said yesterday. Manila. details. gers were stranded in ports in headed is that he was delaying Canadian and German nation- Seven people, including Another victim died in The flash floods occurred the central and eastern Phil- their movement,” Sobejana told als was among those killed by ight people were killed four children, drowned when floods in the city of Danao, ac- after heavy rains brought ippines after the coast guard reporters. “They (Abu Sayyaf) Philippine troops in a clash on in flash floods in the muddy floodwaters washed cording to Romina Marasigan, about by a tropical depression suspended sea travel due to the are highly-mobile and we are a resort island last week. Ecentral Philippines amid away their homes in the town spokeswoman for the national that made landfall over the bad weather. Duterte vows to set up Quake-hit towns in Lanao special dept for OFWs to receive water purifi ers

Agencies time to process workers’ papers ning all acts of corruption, par- By Moh Saaduddin of Vice President Maria Leonor “As of now, safe and drink- mograph ETNA 2 at the Mu- Isa Town, Bahrain will be reduced from six weeks to ticularly at the immigration and Manila Times/Marawi City Robredo and Sen. Paolo Benigno able water is needed in the nicipal Disaster Risk Reduc- three weeks. customs bureaus. Aquino are already arranging the areas,” Brig. Gen. Manolo Sa- tion and Management Offi ce An OFW department will also Duterte expressed his grati- delivery of the potable water and marita, commanding offi cer of (MDRRMO) in Wao to monitor resident Rodrigo Duterte help stamp out fl y-by-night tude to the Kingdom of Bahrain ffi cials were arranging water purifi ers in response to the Army’s 602nd Infantry Bri- the earthquakes’ movement or has vowed to set up a de- recruitment agencies, Duterte for welcoming Filipino workers. over the weekend the the needs of the residents. gade, which has jurisdiction in aftershocks, they added. Ppartment that will focus said. The president also prom- “Bahrain has been good to Odelivery of potable wa- “They are already arranging the areas, said. The Philippine They aff ected 658 families or solely on the aff airs of overseas ised the OFWs that his admin- you. I have talked to all offi cials, ter and water purifi ers to resi- the delivery with water compa- Institute of Volcanology and 2,876 individuals in 11 villages Filipino workers (OFWs). istration will be free from cor- including His Majesty the King, dents of Wao and Amai Mana- nies,” Tamano added. Seismology (Phivolcs) said the in Wao alone while the offi cials ruption, oppression and abusive and they only have nice words bilang towns in this province, Relief goods and some ma- tremors started on April 12 with are determining the number of “I know that OFWs offi cials, saying that he wants to for you. They said they have no for them to drink safe water and terials for camping were ear- magnitude 6.0 followed by af- families aff ected in Amai Man- want an end to corruption solve the problem of corruption complaint about you, that you avoid sickness after the recent lier distributed separately by the tershocks with magnitude 5.3 on abilang, a nearby town of Wao so our country to encourage OFWs to return are kind and patient,” he said. strong earthquakes in southern Department of Social Welfare April 13, magnitude 5.2 on April formerly known as Bumbaran. would progress” home, Philippine News Agency. “That is why I said, we are Philippines. and Development of the prov- 16 and magnitude 4.3 yesterday. No casualties were reported in “I know that OFWs want an here and I gave to the govern- The two towns were dam- ince, DSWD Region 12 and the The quakes’ epicentres were all the series of quakes. “In a few months, you will end to corruption so our country ment and to the king my promise aged by the strong tremors in Offi ce of the Civil Defence of the traced to Wao on the border of the But the quakes damaged 692 have a Department of Over- would progress. And maybe the and commitment that we will the past six days, making it Autonomous Region in Muslim provinces of Bukidnon and North buildings in Wao, including seas Filipino Workers,” he told next generation can really come stand by and protect the State of diffi cult for residents to access Mindanao (OCD-ARMM). Cotabato. More than 300 after- seven chapels, 11 schools, nine a crowd of about 4,000 OFWs home,” he said. Bahrain.” safe and drinking water in the The military assisted the re- shocks were recorded during the mosques, a three-storey pen- at the Khalifah Sports City Sta- The president called on OFWs The president received a warm areas, the offi cials said. sponding agencies to ensure past six days, the offi cials said. sion house and a three-storey dium here. He said that with a to help reform the country by reception from members of the Salma Tamano, public infor- safety of the public since the The quakes prompted the commercial building, Wao’s separate OFW department, the being assertive and by shun- royal family. mation offi cer, said the cesoffi fi rst day of the earthquakes. Philvocs to install Kenetic Seis- MDRRMO said.

Asean meet to go ahead despite Philippines, US to hold military drills Bohol clash The Department of the Interior AFP and civil assistance.” In previ- and Local Government (DILG) Manila ous years Balikatan had evolved has said an Association of from counter-terrorism ma- Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) noeuvres against militants to meeting in Bohol on April 19-20 he Philippine military simulations of protecting or will go on as planned, despite last said yesterday it would retaking territory, as a dispute week’s encounter between the Thold annual exercises with Beijing over islands in the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and with US troops next month, re- South China Sea escalated. the combined forces of Philippine affi rming its commitment to the But Duterte, who took offi ce National Police (PNP) and the alliance despite cooling rela- last year, has sought improved Armed Forces of the Philippines tions under President Rodrigo relations with China and has set (AFP). Senior Asean off icials Duterte. aside the maritime row in favour will travel to the resort island of The 10-day exercises will be of economic concessions. Panglao in Bohol this week for the fi rst held under Duterte, Defence Secretary Delfi n meetings sponsored by the De- who has suggested cancel- Lorenzana had said the exer- partment of Trade and Industry. ling the drills and called for the cises would refocus on fi ghting The Philippines holds the Asean withdrawal of American troops, terrorism, which he described chairmanship. DILG Off icer-in- putting into question Ma- as the Philippines’ top security Charge Catalino Cuy said that nila’s 70-year-old alliance with problem. despite the clash in Bohol that Washington as he looks instead The Philippines is battling killed three soldiers, one police- to court China. militants and pirates in the con- man and at least six Abu Sayyaf, The outspoken Filipino lead- fl ict-torn south, where several the province “might as well be er, who has earned international groups have pledged allegiance considered a well-fortified and censure for a war on drugs that to Islamic State fi ghters in Iraq most secure place in the country has seen thousands killed, has and Syria. right now.” “The military and the since softened his stance on Security forces in the past police are on top of the situation. working with the US military. File photo shows US marines walking next to their transport and amphibious vehicles at a temporary camp for the “Balikatan” joint US-Philippine week clashed with the Abu We would like to assure the del- The annual military exercises, military exercise at Crow Valley, in Capas town, north of Manila. Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom egates, tourists and residents (in known as Balikatan (Shoulder- group on a popular resort island, Bohol) that we are exerting our to-Shoulder), will now go ahead as the Philippines battles mili- “It will be scenario-based like sibility of terrorism,” Balikatan “We are safe to say there will the fi rst attack on a key Philip- best eff orts for Bohol,” Cuy said in in May, focusing on counter- tants in their lawless southern (preparing for) a big storm hit- spokesman Major Celeste Frank be no more live-fi re exercises. pine tourist destination in re- a statement. terrorism and disaster response strongholds. ting the Philippines or the pos- Sayson said. We (will) focus on humanitarian cent years. Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal and Nepal’s pollution regulation China begin fi rst-ever joint military plan hits bus mafi a road block exercises AFP ies that bleed into each other, Kathmandu making up the largest urban area in the country. AFP “We prepared a very excel- Kathmandu epal’s government is lent report with the help of trying to tackle ris- donors, but when it came to Ning pollution levels in the implementation phase we hina and Nepal began the smog-choked Kathmandu failed to materialise it,” Bimal their fi rst-ever joint mili- Valley, but standing in the way Prasad Subedi, deputy direc- Ctary exercises yesterday, is a powerful bus mafi a that tor of the Kathmandu Sustain- a move likely to rattle India as controls the capital’s roads. able Urban Transport Project Beijing boosts its infl uence in the The rulers of Kathmandu’s (KSUTP), said. region. streets are a web of trans- “They (the bus syndicates) Impoverished Nepal is port syndicates made up of protested against our plans... sandwiched between China private bus owners who have They are private entities and and India and has in recent repeatedly blocked offi cial at- don’t want to lose their profi t.” years ping-ponged between tempts to modernise the highly Corruption in Nepal has the sphere of infl uence of ineffi cient bus network. fl ourished during the politi- Delhi and Beijing as the Asian Critics say these associations cal instability that followed giants jostle for regional have managed to win con- the end of the decade-long supremacy. trol over the roads and ensure civil war in 2006 and seen the The 10-day drill in Kath- laws stay favourable to them country cycle through nine mandu, dubbed “Sagarmatha by making payments masked governments since then. Friendship 2017” referring to as political donations to key The impoverished Hima- the Nepali name for Mount political fi gures. layan nation is currently ranked Everest, will focus on counter- “There is no regulatory 131 out of 168 countries in terrorism, according to Nepal’s mechanism that is strong watchdog Transparency In- army. enough to control them,” said ternational’s global corruption “This is in line with our ef- Kanak Dixit, chairman of Sajha perception index. forts to hold joint exercises with Yatayat, a co-operative bus Experts say the ADB plan countries that have diplomatic company trying to break the would signifi cantly reduce relations with Nepal,” military hold of the transport mafi a. congestion and emissions in spokesman Jhankar Bahadur Ka- “This sector has so much gridlocked Kathmandu where dayat said. cash liquidity that they are able levels of PM 2.5 - microscopic The drills will likely be to infl uence the politicians and particles harmful to human watched closely by India, which therefore they get their way.” health - regularly surpass 150. is often accused of playing “big A $30mn six-year pro- That is far above the maxi- Motorbike riders travel on a polluted road in Kathmandu yesterday. brother” to its tiny neighbour. gramme mostly funded by mum threshold of 25 recom- Landlocked Nepal remains the Asian Development Bank mended by the World Health fruitless meetings,” he said. operators over fi ercely guarded of an estimated 2,500 that fail to been allowed to thrive will make dependent on India for the (ADB) aimed at cleaning up the Organisation (WHO) for a “We have urged the govern- routes has on occasion turned meet the new age requirements it diffi cult for the government to majority of its imports, but system, by introducing larger 24-hour exposure. ment and KSUTP to enter open violent. have been taken off the road. now bring the bus mafi a to heel, the previous administration buses in busy areas and re- But Dharman Rijal of the competition with us, but replac- Under pressure to be seen to be Most bus owners have refused observers warn. aggressively courted China as drawing overlapping routes, is National Federation of Ne- ing our buses with their new acting on pollution, which regu- to retire their old vehicles with- “If you allow private sector part of a nationalist drive to gathering dust. pal Transport Entrepreneurs buses is injustice.” larly makes the headlines of local out compensation, accusing the to go unregulated on something decrease the country’s reliance Meanwhile more than 10,000 - an umbrella group for the Bus routes are allocated by newspapers, the government in- government of bringing in the that is supposed to be a public on New Delhi. buses and minibuses in vary- bus operators - said the mod- the Department of Transport troduced a ban on public vehicles ban at the behest of the new service then they will run amok “Nepal and China share a ing states of disrepair ply the ernisation plans amounted to Management, but only on the older than 20 years in February. vehicle lobby. for sure,” Dixit said. multi-faceted tie and a joint streets of Kathmandu, Patan “bullying small investors”. recommendation of an associa- So far the government says The deeply entrenched po- “There is no way to put that military exercise broadens that and Bhaktapur - three cit- “I stopped going to these tion, and competition between only four minibuses and one bus litical patronage system that has genie back in the bottle.” relationship,” said Tanka Karki, former Nepali ambassador to China. Last month China’s Defence Minister Chang Wanquan vis- ited Nepal - the fi rst by a Chi- BNP warns World Bank forecasts 6.8% growth for Bangladesh nese defence minister in 15 years - to discuss the joint military exercise. ruling AL By Mizan Rahman in the South Asia Econom- fi rmed that South Asia remains selective protectionism resulted He said, “A survey of South The current Maoist-led gov- Dhaka ic Focus, said a World Bank the fastest growing region in in trade diversion away from es- Asian experts conducted for this ernment in Nepal has sought to release in Dhaka yesterday. the world, gradually widening tablished suppliers. South Asian report reveals a strong consensus repair strained ties with Delhi over missing The report titled ‘Globaliza- its lead relative to East Asia. economies also stand to gain from on the need to promote human while continuing to accept cash angladesh will achieve tion Backlash’ observed that infra- “Regional GDP growth is the observed recovery in advanced capital accumulation, investments from its powerful northern 6.8% GDP growth in 2016- structure gaps and inadequate en- expected to rise from 6.7% in economies, which are their largest in infrastructure, and a more busi- neighbour. activists B17 fi nancial year (FY17), ergy supply, combined with the high 2016 to 6.8% in 2017, and 7.1% export markets,” said the report. ness-friendly environment.” China has lavished grand in- predicts the World Bank (WB). cost of doing business, remain the in 2018,” the report added. The report quoted WB’s SA Region vice president frastructure promises on Ne- “Growth will be sustained at main obstacles to the realisation of It claimed that global integra- South Asia Region chief econ- Annette Dixon said, “Simu- pal, including recently pledging By Mizan Rahman 6.8% in 2017. The economy in Bangladesh’s growth potential. tion has been good for economic omist Martin Rama as saying: lations on the impact of hy- $8.3bn in investment - equiva- Dhaka Bangladesh has weathered glo- The report also forecast development and poverty re- “To make the most of this ex- pothetical new trade barriers lent to nearly to 40% of its bal uncertainties well aided by that Bangladesh’s GDP growth duction. But the region would be port opportunity, countries in show that South Asia is not entire GDP. strengthening investment and will stand at 6.4% in FY18 and resilient to higher trade barriers the region should continue to only resilient but could pos- The commitment dwarfed he main opposition Bang- a recovery of exports,” the WB 6.7% in FY 2019. in advanced economies. focus on polices that promote sibly even gain from it in some India’s investment off er of ladesh Nationalist Party said in its twice-a-year report The report, however, con- “It would even stand to gain if economic growth.” circumstances.” $317mn. T(BNP) yesterday warned that the Awami League (AL) will have to face a trial of interna- tional standard someday for dis- appearance of around 500 BNP leaders and activists, including Ilias Ali. Hope fades for “Our 500 leaders and ac- tivists have disappeared in a suspicious way. We’ll hold trial of international stand- ard of the incidents of killing Lanka missing; and enforced disappearances as they took place during the Awami League regime. Noted jurists and judges will be en- gaged with the trial,” Amir garbage death Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said, “We won’t do any injustice to them (AL), as toll climbs to 23 the trial will be transparent, and they’ll be punished as per international rules.” AFP Hundreds of soldiers, Referring to a recent report Colombo backed by heavy earth aired by a Swedish Radio, Khasru moving equipment were said the Swedish prime minis- digging through the ter and the foreign minister de- opes of fi nding anyone rubbish and the wreckage manded the trial of the incidents alive under a collapsed of some 145 homes that after fair investigations follow- Hmountain of garbage in were destroyed when ing the report. Sri Lanka’s capital faded yes- a side of the 300ft high He said the European Parlia- terday as the death toll reached dump crashed on Friday ment and many human rights 23 with another six reported bodies have long been demand- missing, police said. the 23 people killed. Hospital ing the trial of the enforced dis- Hundreds of soldiers, backed spokeswoman Pushpa Soysa appearances. “We must take by heavy earth moving equip- said a man and a woman pulled preparation to hold the trial both ment were digging through out of the dump on Friday were at home and at international the rubbish and the wreckage in intensive care while another level to get rid of it.” of some 145 homes that were 11 were also still in hospital. Khasru, a BNP standing com- destroyed when a side of the Police have stepped up secu- mittee member, urged the gov- 300ft (90m) high dump crashed rity in the area following reports ernment to take steps for the on Friday. of looting and said they arrested safe return of Ilias Ali and other “The rescue is fast becoming 18 men suspected of stealing disappeared BNP leaders and a recovery operation,” a senior victims’ belongings. activists. police offi cial at the site said. President Maithripala Sirise- He said Awami League has “It is diffi cult to imagine anyone na ordered hundreds of troops now become so much desperate could survive under these toxic to search for survivors and bol- Military personnel walk among damaged homes at the site of a collapsed garbage dump in Colombo yesterday. that it is now establishing rela- conditions.” ster rescue eff orts of the fire tion with Hefajat-e-Islam, an He said six people were re- department. Wickremesinghe said Japa- day to the open dump. been given temporary shelter at Sri Lanka’s parliament was Islamist group. “Players start ported missing after Friday’s Prime Minister Ranil Wick- nese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Police said a total of 145 a government-run school in the warned recently that the 23mn committing so many fouls when disaster at Kolonnawa on remesinghe, who is visiting off ered help with the recov- homes, mostly shacks, were de- area as authorities looked for tonnes of garbage rotting at they see their team is on the the northeastern edge of the Japan, said arrangements had ery eff ort and a technical team stroyed when the garbage moun- alternative accommodation for Kolonnawa was a serious health verge of defeat. Even, they make capital. been made to remove the gar- would be sent to Sri Lanka to tain came crashing down fol- those living near the dump. hazard. suicidal shots out of desperation. The Colombo National hos- bage dump, but it came crashing evaluate the situation. lowing heavy rain the previous Many residents had evacuated Eff orts are under way to gen- Awami League’s condition is now pital said four children aged down before relocation work About 800 tonnes of day and a fi re hours earlier. their homes before the disaster erate electricity using solid like that.” between 11 and 15 were among could begin. solid waste is added per More than 600 people have because of the heavy rain. waste as fuel. Gulf Times 26 Monday, April 17, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Can Trump promote

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] peace with N Korea? Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) After Kim Jong-un’s That should come as no surprise. will fi nally run out after another the negotiating table?” The answer Fax 44350474 Over the past few weeks his couple of nuclear tests. The fact may be that thus far the Trump failed missile test and the administration has gone from making that North Korea triggered a further administration has no intention US president’s cosying belligerent remarks about China’s missile test to coincide with the of going to the United Nations, an activities in the South China Sea to 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim organisation that Trump believes is up to China, this is the conjuring up visions of a calamitous Il-sung, the state’s founder and Kim for people to go to “just to have a good West’s chance to reset meeting between President Xi and Jong-un’s grandfather, suggests that time”. As far as Trump is concerned, himself, before fi nally painting China’s ability to pressure the regime multilateralism is for the birds. GULF TIMES negotiations for a nuclear- an endearing picture of enduring is limited. A window of hope could open after free South China Sea friendship between the pair. Trump’s Trump’s boast to a TV host that South Korea’s 9 May elections and policy towards Russia and to he had informed President Xi of his a fresh new administration with a intervention in Syria has undergone Tomahawk missile attack on a Syrian mandate to seek a solution and avoid By Mark Seddon a similar 180-degree turn, with the airbase as they shared chocolate an unthinkable military confl ict. Understand things London blustering British Foreign Secretary, cake was surreal theatre at its most South Korea’s likely new progressive Boris Johnson, meekly acquiescing at grotesque. But it was a message government could move to reopen each twist and turn. Who can keep up designed explicitly with North Korea the jointly run Kaesong industrial he world can aff ord a sigh of with Trump? Perhaps he can’t even in mind, as was his bunker-busting complex in the border area with about black holes’ relief after news that North keep up with himself. bomb in Afghanistan. The Chinese North Korea. This could be a heaven- Korea’s latest attempt to Once this particular crisis on the are intensely nervous and irritated by sent opportunity for the former UN Tlaunch a long-range missile Korean peninsula has, hopefully, the behaviour of the formerly useful secretary general Ban Ki-moon, now has once again led to embarrassing calmed down, Trump could just as buff er state that is now a source of back in South Korea, to play a key role failure. With Mike Pence, the US vice- easily become a man of peace, taking potential nuclear confl ict and waves of as peacemaker. ‘point of no return’ president, in Seoul, could this be a a leaf from Richard Nixon’s famous refugees. And Britain could begin to play a far moment for some realpolitik from the meeting with Mao Zedong that Ford, who has been engaged in more positive and independent role. United States? normalised relations between the two almost continuous low-level shuttle But this would require Boris Johnson As mentioned in these columns last Monday, the fi rst For as bizarre as it may seem given countries in 1972. Could he tear up all diplomacy for nearly two decades to work more closely with his opposite attempt to peer inside a black hole and take an image of Donald Trump’s unpredictability and that has gone before and eventually between Pyongyang, Seoul and numbers in Europe and to not make disturbing lurches into infantilism – sign a fi nal peace agreement with Beijing, is clear that the United foreign policy on the hoof. its event horizon — the “point of no return” threshold displayed in his brinkmanship with North Korea that would have, at its States will simply not tolerate North It would also require Michael Fallon, after which nothing can escape gravity — appears to the equally volatile North Korean heart, an agreement to make the Korea becoming a de facto nuclear the Defence Secretary, to halt the have been a success. dictator, Kim Jong-un – he could just Korean peninsula nuclear free? It is state. He believes that the window pretence that Britain is somehow an as easily help bring about peace as he a possibility, just not one that the of opportunity could be as little as equal military player with the United During a 10-day period that began on April 5, the could thermonuclear war. American military is prepared to six months before the US will strike. States. He would have to realise that Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) or a network of eight The world has been on tenterhooks countenance so long as North Korea The Pentagon will have mulled over the only real power Britain has is to this weekend as North Korea ramped continues with its nuclear programme. preventive strikes against the North make it clear that it will not be part of radiofrequency observatories around the world, up its bloodcurdling rhetoric I have recently learned that the Korean nuclear programme, but has any planned “coalition of the willing” were pointed toward the supermassive black hole, threatening a nuclear response to any Trump administration’s policy been facing the horrifying prospect of acting without the backing of the Sagittarius A (Sgr A), that hides in the Milky Way’s American-led preventive attack on review for North Korea is essentially an artillery response that could lead to UN security council in any future US its ballistic missile programme. In complete. A team of experts led by the South Korean capital, Seoul, being military venture in Korea. centre. the course of a few days Trump has the national security council has consumed in what Kim Jong-il – Kim In fact, Britain could begin There were no major problems during the 10-day gone from tweeting that “North Korea looked at every eventuality, including Jong-un’s father – described in 2011 as to demonstrate its vaunted new observation period, Newsweek has reported. The mass is looking for trouble”, and if China the redeployment in South Korea of a “sea of fi re”. independence by taking a clear lead, “does not decide to help” the US “will nuclear weapons, which were removed Ford also asks the questions: proposing its own security council of data collected is being sent to two supercomputers solve the problem without them”, to in 1992. According to Glyn Ford, the “What have we learned from Iraq, resolution demanding new UN- in the US and Germany, and scientists expect to fi nd sheepishly acknowledging that the former European parliamentarian and and why is the UN Security Council sponsored talks tasked with achieving North Korean imbroglio was more North Korea expert, the likelihood is not taking a lead in getting the United a fi nal peace agreement on the Korean out if they have the very fi rst picture of a black hole in complex than he had fi rst realised. that this US administration’s patience States, China and North Korea to peninsula. – Guardian News & Media early 2018. The project was to gather enough data to piece together the fi rst snapshot a black hole’s event horizon. The telescopes collected radio waves emitting from Sgr A, as well as the neighbouring galaxy Messier 87, a huge elliptical galaxy 53mn light years away, to stitch them together into visual images. The EHT’s resolution is said to be about as good as being able to count the stitches on a baseball from about 13,000km away. The hope is that the EHT should be able to provide a clear image showing the ring surrounding a black hole and its shadow. It is estimated that around one petabyte of data has been collected. To put that into perspective, a petabyte of MP3 songs would Black holes are play continuously for considered as more than 2,000 years without repeating. laboratories for Scientists are collecting extreme physics and distributing the data between two research institutes at MIT Haystack and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany. The data, recorded on hard disks, will be plugged into two supercomputers to remove any time delays caused by the diff erent global positioning of each telescope. This April 15, 2017 picture released from North Korea’s off icial Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday shows Korean People’s ballistic missiles being displayed Most of the data will be returned in the coming weeks, through Kim Il-sung square during a military parade in Pyongyang marking the 105th anniversary of the birth of late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. but what has been collected at the South Pole telescope will be unavailable for another six months as planes cannot land there because of winter. Scientists will have to wait until January next year for the complete dataset, only after which the imaging part can start in Great Barrier Reef facing crisis again the real sense. Black holes are considered as laboratories for extreme By David Ritter unprecedented measure of public waters. Given time and the right betrayed both the reef and the trust physics. Not even light can escape gravitational forces. London support and would probably succeed. conditions, the people’s reef can of the Australian people by snivelling It deserved to. Only fi nally did the recover and life will fl ourish again. across the seas, pledging allegiance An event horizon is the point of no return — it will drag politicians follow the will of the So how this time around do the to the Carmichael coalmine. All in anything passing it. At the centre of a black hole is nce upon a time, in the people. Through the power and people supply the help the reef needs? too often, the rest of big business is distant 60s and 70s, the determination of the Australian The big lie propagated by Australian complicit in the crisis by explicitly or a one dimensional point that is unimaginably small, Great Barrier Reef faced people, the greatest marine park in government and big business is that tacitly supporting the coal industry. but contains a huge mass. At the singularity, spacetime Oimminent destruction. human history was established and it is possible to turn things around Financial institutions such as curves infi nitely and the laws of physics cease to exist. Tenement applications for drilling the Great Barrier Reef lived to fi ght for the reef without tackling global CommBank continue to invest in the and mining covered vast swathes of another day. warming. As scientists have made fossil fuel projects that are bringing From the initial image returned, scientists the reef, with both government and Inherently democratic in its size clear, it isn’t – the people have to stop disaster to the reef. should be able to test relativity. In the longer term, industry enthusiastically backing the and closeness to the shore, the Great climate pollution to give the reef a But never underestimate the power astrophysicists will be able to start studying exactly plans for mass exploitation. Barrier Reef is truly the people’s chance. and determination of the Australian In the face of the reef’s impending reef. Looking back on the fi rst great It is true that Australia can’t save people to defend their iconic animals how material is sucked into a black hole and how it gets doom a motley collection of ordinary struggle for the reef between the the reef alone because climate change and the natural beauty of the lands launched out into a jet. With data from this project, Australians shared a common Australian people and the fossil is a global problem. But that does not and seas. The extraordinary success humanity should be able to understand things about determination that something had fuel industry, Wright wrote that “if mean the people are powerless to act of the Stop Adani Roadshow – which to be done. But the odds didn’t look disasters in the shape of weather, and they should not be deterred. sold out across the eastern Australian black holes that were never understood before. good. The poet turned campaigner accident and climate change lie ahead, So what is to be done? The answer capital cities reaching an audience of Judith Wright wrote that “if it had the work done already has shown what does not lie in false techno-fi xes thousands – is just a glimpse of the not been for the public backing for can be done to shield it from such or the faux-democratic farrago of popular will to fi ght the coal industry protection of the reef that we knew dangers and has proved that people the government-business funded for the future of the reef. existed, we might have given up hope”. will agree, in the event, to supplying Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. The people have the opportunity to To Advertise The optimism of the poet was well the help it needs”. Australia’s greatest contribution to write their own story, not of despair founded. First in the hundreds, then Unhappily, those disasters are global warming is through our coal, but of defi ance. If the people of [email protected] in the tens of thousands, a people’s now upon the Australian people. exported and burned in foreign power Australia stand determined together Display movement grew to defend the reef. Global warming brought the great stations. So the most determined against coalmining and the rest of the Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Everyday Aussies turned activists and bleaching of 2015-16 and the dreadful Australian eff orts to save the reef fossil fuel industry then the future of campaigners. Scientists and lawyers and unprecedented sequel over the must be directed to closing down the reef is not bleak but hopeful. Classified came forward with vital expertise. summer that has just fi nished. The the coalmining industry, while The roadmap to full recovery for the Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 At a crucial moment the Queensland reef is in dire trouble. ensuring decent new jobs and fair reef will be decades or even centuries Trades and Labour Council approved a But while the people’s reef is transitions for all aff ected workers and in the making. And it is going to get Subscription total black-ban by all affi liated unions grievously wounded, it is still very communities. worse before it gets better. But the [email protected] on oil drilling on the Great Barrier much alive. And life fi ghts for life. Again, the balance of power seems Australian people can again agree Reef. Innumerable animals are now doing loaded against the people. First the to supply the help it needs, to give As hard as is now to believe, what creatures do, navigating the Queensland Premier, Annastacia the reef the best chance of future 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved the Murdoch-owned Australian hazards of life as best they can to Palaszczuk, and now the Prime fl ourishing. Now is the time to get opined that the ban would have an survive and reproduce in the warming Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, have involved. – Guardian News & Media Gulf Times Monday, April 17, 2017 27 COMMENT Driving habits in American states

Local driving habits and further to go as a nation in addressing cellphone use while driving in 2014, these issues than we thought,” he said. and has since extended it to cars even engineering can Almost everyone breaks the rules stopped at lights. It’s also increased make a diff erence in safety, sometimes, even when they know an fi nes for using phones in roadwork app is recording what they do. But zones. some traffi c analysts say some do it more than others. “We even put police offi cers up on Mississippi drivers use their phones, snow plows so they can look down By Tim Henderson either for talking or texting, on almost and see who’s got phones on their Tribune News Service half their trips. Drivers from Rhode laps out of view,” Mazza said. “It got Island, Connecticut, Hawaii and New to be a very serious problem in our Hampshire break the speed limit by small state, and we’re putting a big idwesterners are the 10mph or more on more than half emphasis on it.” Still, fatalities are up safest drivers, while their trips. California and New Jersey in the state as nearly everywhere else, Northeasterners speed drivers stop short the most, and also albeit slightly. Mthe most and Southern do the most risky accelerating. West In contrast, state police in drivers are most likely to use Virginia and North Carolina drivers Mississippi have complained that cellphones while driving in America. make the most abrupt turns. anti-texting laws in their state lack Or so new results from a mobile Some of the diff erences may be teeth. The state has no ban on talking application carried by drivers on their explained by state laws. Few Southern on the phone while driving, except for smartphones over millions of miles states, for example, have blanket laws school bus drivers. between April 2016 and March 2017 that ban the use of cellphones while Kansas, one of several states that suggest. driving, according to an assessment of launched a crackdown on speeding The diff erences in regional and even state laws this month by the National in late 2016, had the largest drop in state-by-state driving habits cast new Conference of State Legislatures. Lower A driver uses a cellphone while behind the wheel in Evanston. speeding rates, down from 27 to 23% light on recent statistics that show the speed limits in the Northeast may make of trips from 2017 to 2016, according most dramatic two-year increase in it easier to get caught speeding. of drivers using phones while driving. South are surrounded by suburban Hard braking - one sign of to Everquote’s fi ndings. But Everquote road-related fatalities in decades, and In its March report on a projected Florida also has a high share of elderly sprawl. And Norton said long distracted driving - is highest in also warns that its 2016 data may not add fuel to the debate over the eff ect record 11% increase in pedestrian drivers - 22% are 65 and over, second commutes from the exurbs can tend to California and New Jersey, two states be comparable to the newest data state laws and enforcement play in fatalities for 2016, the Governors only to West Virginia, according to force people to do more in their cars. known for traffi c-clogged roads. because fewer people were using the making travel on streets and highways Highway Safety Association pointed national fi gures. “When you design worlds around There, drivers displayed hard braking app then. less dangerous. to an increase in driving after the “Florida is a state built around driving, where you can’t do anything in about two out of fi ve trips. Yet Not everyone agrees that distraction Everquote, an online insurance recession, as well as more distractions driving, which means pedestrians without driving, you’re implicitly telling abrupt turns - another possible sign from new technology is to blame marketplace, drew its conclusions from growing cellphone use by drivers are unexpected intruders from an people that they have to do everything in of inattention - were most common in for the recent spike in road-related on regional driving habits from and pedestrians, as the likely causes. alien planet,” Norton said. “In places the car - eat, groom themselves, cancel rural West Virginia (26%) and North deaths. Russ Rader, spokesman for the information gathered during 2.7mn Local driving habits and even where roads are older than cars - appointments,” he said. Carolina (20%). industry-funded Insurance Institute car trips over 230mn miles by users of engineering can make a diff erence especially the Northeast and the The Midwest may appear to be a West Virginia banned all use of for Highway Safety, said other factors its Everdrive app, for customers who in safety, some traffi c analysts say. Midwest - driving hasn’t taken over safer place to be on the road because hand-held cellphones while driving are more likely to blame. want to gauge and improve their safety States that developed after World War to the same degree. You expect people populations there are older, which in 2012, and the state credited a drop “Other things are happening that habits. The app uses smartphone II are more dangerous to pedestrians on sidewalks and crossings more, means they may be more experienced in fatalities in subsequent years to make driving riskier,” Rader said. components to detect speeding, as because roads were often built for and walkers have better and safer drivers and less likely to be cellphone- it. North Carolina, however, has no “Teens, the riskiest drivers, are well as signs of distraction such as the convenience of drivers, said Peter conditions.” dependent, Norton said. blanket ban. coming back into the driving force, phone use and sudden stops, turns and Norton, a technology historian at the Beyond Florida and Mississippi, And in big, wide-open spaces where There are indications that and many states are raising speed acceleration, said CEO Seth Birnbaum. University of Virginia. drivers in the Southern states of speed limits are high and drivers few increased regulation may play a role in limits. Study after study shows that Birnbaum said he suspects That could help explain why Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, South and far between, there appears to be less diminishing some bad driving habits. increased speeds make crashes more Everdrive users are safer than average, Florida has a high rate of pedestrian Carolina and Tennessee also use their speeding. Montana drivers, for instance, Vermont had the lowest rate of likely, and the crashes that happen are because downloading the app shows fatalities. Florida drivers also seem phones more on the road than do had the lowest rates for speeding at 17%, cellphone use on the road at 27%. more severe.” an interest in safe driving habits. That to be a talkative bunch when behind drivers in other parts of the nation - followed by Alaska and North Dakota Dick Mazza, Democratic chairman The biggest regional factor, Rader even those people speed on 36% of the wheel, which can be distracting. on 41 to 44% of their trips, according at 20%. Montana and North Dakota of the state Senate’s transportation said, is that rural roads are deadlier their trips and use phones on 38% They rank second on Everquote’s list to the Everquote data. drivers also had the lowest rates for committee, said that’s no accident. because they’re often two lanes and of them is a sign that “we have even of states with the largest proportion Like cities in Florida, many in the abruptly braking and speeding up. The state banned all hand-held have high speed limits. Weather report US scientists track fi sh migration Three-day forecast TODAY High: 38 C By Jean-Louis Santini/AFP Yorkers but not naturally present in Low : 26 C Washington the East and Hudson Rivers, such as Inshore: Strong wind at places salmon, tilapia and red snapper. by noon. The researchers determined these simple analysis of fi sh DNA latter samples likely entered the water in water drawn from two after passing through humans and TUESDAY New York rivers successfully being discharged in wastewater. High: 37 C Atracked the presence or The eDNA technique could allow Low: 27 C absence of numerous species during a researchers to identify endangered Sunny spring marine migration, according to species sold in markets and research published last week. restaurants, said Jesse Ausubel, The inexpensive technique, which another Rockefeller University WEDNESDAY can have broad applications in researcher and study co-author. High: 38 C monitoring and protecting aquatic life, Next steps involve refi ning the Low: 27 C was conducted in the East River, which technology by comparing more eDNA Sunny is actually an inlet, and the Hudson results against the fi ndings from River last year. of migration studies conducted by a ‘Goldilocks’ quality just right traditional studies carried out with “By conducting a series of tests fi shnet trawls, the traditional method for research,” he said, telling AFP nets and sonar. Fishermen’s forecast over time, collecting surface water of tracking marine migration. that experiments carried out in “It is unclear, for example, if 100 OFFSHORE DOHA from the same point on both the This is much more labour intensive, aquariums showed DNA survives for DNA ‘reads’ indicate the presence of Wind: NW 10-20/30 KT Hudson and East Rivers once a week expensive and harmful to fi sh. a few days or even a week. one fi sh or 10 fi sh,” researchers said. Waves: 3-6/10 Feet for six months, we’ve successfully “Environmental DNA” sampling Stoeckle’s study was inspired by Ausubel said that stage will take fi ve INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 15-22/28 KT demonstrated a novel way to record will be an easy way to estimate the French scientist Pierre Tabarlet of to 10 years but “the upside potential is Waves: 2-4/5 Feet fi sh migration,” said the researchers population and distribution of fi sh the University of Grenoble, who was just enormous.” at New York’s Rockefeller University, and other aquatic species in bodies of the fi rst to show that small volumes “It could easily improve the Around the region whose work appeared in the latest water from rivers and lakes to seas and of water contained enough DNA rationality with which fi sh quotas are Weather Weather issue of scientifi c journal PLOS One. oceans, the authors said. fragments to detect dozens of species set and the quality and reliability of today Max/min tomorrow Max/min The weekly “snapshots” came from “It amazes me that we can get the of fi sh. their monitoring around the world,” Abu Dhabi Sunny 32/25 Sunny 34/26 water samples fi ltered to concentrate same information from a small cup The New York research obtained he said. Baghdad M Sunny 30/17 P Cloudy 32/17 the DNA left behind by the slimy of water and a large net full of fi sh,” DNA from 42 species of fi sh, including For Tony MacDonald, director Dubai Sunny 35/25 Sunny 36/26 Kuwait City M Cloudy surface of fi sh as they swim, or from said Mark Stoeckle, lead author and 81% of those known to be common of the Urban Coast Institute at Cloudy 29/23 31/24 Manama Cloudy 30/25 Sunny 32/26 their droppings. senior research associate for the to the area, such as herring, striped Monmouth University, the science Muscat Sunny 37/28 Sunny 37/28 The DNA was then extracted and Program for the Human Environment bass and oyster toadfi sh - a fl attened of eDNA sampling “represents a Riyadh Sunny 35/21 M Sunny 36/23 sequenced, with the results matched at Rockefeller University. brown creature with bulging eyes and potentially important advance in Tehran Sunny 24/14 Sunny 26/17 against an online public reference “Our work also offers clear a mouthful of teeth. our capability to detect, understand library. new insight into the durability of Uncommon species were also and more effectively and efficiently The researchers’ data largely DNA in the water, which persists detected, while some DNA came from manage fisheries and marine corresponded to fi ndings from years despite currents and tides with fi sh frequently consumed by New biodiversity.” Live issues Anti-bullying eff orts should involve parents: study

Reuters Health how parents told kids to respond to turn joined in bullying because they during school visits, researchers By Lisa Rapaport hypothetical incidents. believed doing so really was not very didn’t defi ne what constitutes In school, kids whose classmates bad,” Grassetti said by e-mail. bullying the authors note. With home said they might intervene to stop “Alternately, it could be that visits, researchers assumed parents ids are more likely to step in bullies and to comfort victims children believed that they were gave kids the same advice about the when they see bullying at were more likely to have parents following their parents advice to stay hypothetical incidents that they Around the world school if their parents have at home who told them getting out of bullying because they did not would off er in real life, which might Weather Weather told them to get involved involved was the right thing to do, realise that watching, laughing or not always be the case, the researchers today Max/min tomorrow Max/min K S Showers 20/12 than if they’ve been taught it’s better the study found. At the same time, cheering a bully on during a bullying also point out. Athens 23/10 M Sunny to stay out of it, a recent US study kids whose parents told them to stay situation is actually reinforcing the “Parents can talk with their kids Beirut Sunny 22/16 P Cloudy 22/15 suggests. out of it were both less likely to help bully and making bullying worse,” about what experiences they may face Bangkok P Cloudy 36/27 P Cloudy 37/28 Berlin Showers 10/01 Rain & Snow 08/00 About one in 10 children are victims victims and more likely to become Grassetti added. in each of these roles of bystander, Cairo Sunny 30/19 Sunny 32/16 of bullying, and many anti-bullying perpetrators. Kids in the study were around 11 target and perpetrator, and help the Cape Town Sunny 29/18 Sunny 30/18 programmes are focused on getting “We were surprised to fi nd that years old on average. child understand how the role may Colombo S T Storms 32/27 P Cloudy 32/27 bystanders to intervene, researchers when parents told children not to get During home visits in the study, feel,” said Dr Megan Moreno of Seattle Dhaka Sunny 34/24 M Sunny 34/26 Hong Kong P Cloudy P Cloudy 27/23 note in the Journal of Clinical Child involved, children were actually more pairs of caregivers and children were Children’s Research Institute. 27/23 Istanbul S Showers 21/10 Rain 12/07 and Adolescent Psychology. While likely to join in the bullying,” said presented with fi ve hypothetical “Parents can ask their kids to Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 T Storms 32/25 previous research has linked certain lead study author Stevie Grassetti, bullying examples, and then parents consider possible actions if they are Karachi Sunny 32/25 Cloudy 33/25 parenting practices to higher odds that a psychology researcher at the were asked to explain to their children a bystander, or a target, or if they are London Cloudy 13/03 M Sunny 13/02 kids will be victims or perpetrators University of Delaware. how they should respond if they provided with the opportunity to be Manila S T Storms 34/26 S T Storms 34/26 Moscow Cloudy 03/-4 M Cloudy 04/-4 of bullying, less is known about how The study didn’t explore why witnessed the situation take place. a perpetrator,” Moreno, who wasn’t New Delhi Sunny 43/26 Sunny 44/27 parents impact what children do as parents’ advice to steer clear of Based on the study results, it makes involved in the study, said by e-mail. New York P Cloudy 21/08 M Sunny 13/07 bystanders. bullying translated into encouraging sense for school anti-bullying eff orts “This gives the child a way to think Paris Showers 15/03 M Sunny 14/02 For the current study, researchers or participating in this behaviour. to involve parents and endeavour to through their options ahead of time, Sao Paulo Showers 22/16 Cloudy 22/14 Seoul Rain S Showers 18/07 and practice things to say or do with a 17/08 surveyed 1,440 fourth and fi fth grade “It could be that when parents told give children consistent messages Singapore T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/26 students about how their classmates children to stay out of it, children about prevention in both settings, the parent when they are not in the heat of Sydney P Cloudy 22/13 P Cloudy 22/14 behaved in bullying situations and perceived this advice to indicate a authors conclude. the moment of the actual situation at Tokyo Clear 23/13 Rain 24/15 also did home interviews to see lack of empathy for victims and, in One limitation of the study is that school,” she said. Gulf Times 28 Monday, April 17, 2017 QATAR Fashion show highlights designs and skills of VCUQatar students ollections by students from cially retailers are regularly invited Virginia Commonwealth Uni- each year to review the collections Cversity in Qatar (VCUQatar)’s and concepts, and give their expert Fashion Design programme were on advice to the students. display during ‘Applique’, the two- The Salam Fashion Award was day fashion show recently hosted by presented to Radheya Visperas. The Salam Stores at The Gate Mall. award includes mentoring in the de- The show, which featured the col- velopment and design of two bespoke lections of 22 sophomore, junior and collections, which will be sold ex- senior fashion students, was opened clusively within a dedicated space in by Sandra Wilkins, VCUQatar’s chair Salam Stores, Doha. of Fashion Design. The W Doha Award went to Sarah The students had to submit their al-Abdulghani and the Glam award designs to a jury of fashion experts to Sarah al-Abdulghani and Samyah who are strong supporters of VCUQ- Abou Rahma. atar’s fashion design programme, and VCUQatar’s Golden Needle Award, who would select the best designs for which goes to the best senior collec- the show. tion, was awarded to Samyah Abou “Only one garment was eliminat- Rahma. ed during this year’s jury selection, The award for Most Outstanding which speaks to the quality of the Junior Collection went to Fatima al- clothes,” said Prof Wilkins, explaining Khulaifi , while the award for Most that such an occurrence was highly Outstanding Sophomore Collection unusual. was bagged by Heidi Rashad. Also presenting their designs at Recipients of other awards are ‘Appliqué’ were several students from Visperas – Outstanding Senior with the fashion design programme from Highest GPA, Alia al-Sowaidi – Out- the home campus from Richmond, standing Junior with Highest GPA, Virginia. Sreehitha Saini – Outstanding Junior Ahmed El Sayed, the co-founder with Highest GPA and Rashad – Out- of House of Nomad and a VCUQa- standing Sophomore with Highest tar alumnus, was the guest designer GPA. for the show, where his most recent The Guest Designer Award went to collection was presented to great ac- El Sayed from House of Nomad. claim. Awards were also given to Debo- The fashion show allowed the stu- rah Sedlacek, Joshua Bigelow, Skyler dents to be judged by experienced Crawford and Lydia Critchfi eld from jury members who have a thorough Virginia Commonwealth Univer- knowledge of the fashion industry. sity’s home campus in Richmond for The emphasis throughout was their Senior Collections, which were one of turning creative concepts into shown at the event. ready-to-wear pieces for the runway, Five VCUQatar students will have which not only had to be beautiful, their collections shown at the home but also wearable and above all mar- campus annual fashion show, which ketable. Fashion professionals, espe- will take place on May 10. Models present designs of students from Fashion Design programme of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar).

Fire Station hosts workshop New arts centre opens

Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti inaugurated the 7th Heaven Arts Centre in Doha yesterday. Present on the occasion were Friends of the Environment programme chairman Dr Saif al-Hajri, 7th Heaven Arts Centre chairperson and The Fire Station: Artists in Residence on Saturday held a workshop hosted by resident artist Zoe Hawke. It off ered students and the Qatari artist Amal al-Aathem, representatives of a number of diplomatic missions to Doha and adults an introduction to the materials and techniques used in ‘gouache’ painting, a type of painting that is centuries old and art enthusiasts. The centre is described as “a vital educational institute” that focuses on creativity similar to watercolour but modified to make it opaque. During the workshop, participants learned how to mix colour, apply paint and talent development among children and youth in various fields related to the visual arts, and depict light and shadow. ‘Gouache’ painting is a unique medium that produces, vibrant, luminous works of art. The workshop which entail painting, photography, design, graphics, ceramics and printing, according to a press was part of the Fire Station’s aim to spread creativity across the community and inspire an indigenous culture of creativity and statement. The centre off ers a wide range of training programmes customised for diff erent age innovation, according to a press statement from Qatar Museums. groups where they will learn creative techniques. Celebrations continue at Doha Festival City oha Festival City has lined up “more en- tertainment and surprises” in celebration Dof its recent opening. The entertainment, retail and hospitality destination managed and operated by Al-Futtaim opened its doors to the public on April 5. One of the events on off er is ‘Experience Win- ter Wonderland at Doha Festival City’. While the real snow experience is still to come at Qatar’s fi rst Snow Park, Snow Dunes, Doha Festival City will be “home to a magical Winter Wonderland” from April 20 to May 20. Children will have the chance to play in two snow zones — both designed for fun and frolic, according to a press statement. “Step into a win- tery adventure by entering the hugeman-sized Snow Globe at the entrance and snap your own snowy selfi e inside,” the statement noted.This attraction will be available from 4pm to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), and from 1pm to 10pm (Friday and Saturday). The target audience is children aged fi ve to 12 years, and entry is free of charge. The location is Snow Zones: Cen- tre Court and Entertainment Node, and Snow Globe: Axis Node. The ‘Airigami Balloon Sculptures — Watch World-Renowned Artist Larry Moss at work’ is another key off ering. “Witness an expert at work with world-renowned artist Larry Moss in Doha Festival City from April 20 as he crafts fi ve ‘Airi- gami’ sculptures throughout the mall. Larry and his team of 11 international artists will use up to 40,000 balloons over nine days,” the statement explained. The installations will be on display until May 20, with live sculpting Doha Festival City will be “home to a magical Winter Wonderland” from April 20 to May 20. take place from 3pm to 9pm daily. World-renowned artist Larry Moss crafts five ‘Airigami’ sculptures throughout the mall.