BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Olympic points on the line at Data drives Ooredoo’s gymnastics nearly QR30bn revenue in 2018 World Cup published in since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11128 March 20, 2019 Rajab 13, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir, Ethiopia PM focus on cementing ties

QATAR | Offi cial Amir holds phone conversation with New Zealand PM His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a phone conversation yesterday with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, during which the Amir expressed his condolences and those of the Qatari people to the prime minister and the people of New Zealand on the victims of the terrorist attack, which took place in two mosques in Christchurch, wishing the injured a speed recovery. The Amir also expressed Qatar’s readiness to help New Zealand in its eff orts to counter terrorism and extremism, praising Ardern’s eff orts in dealing with this incident. The premier thanked the Amir for the phone call and for the solidarity with New Zealand.

REGION | Diplomacy US lauds Kuwait role in solving GCC crisis The US State Department praised His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The meeting was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah’s role in seeking a resolution to the Gulf QNA of offi cial talks between His Highness Prime Minister and Minister of Interior also hosted yesterday a luncheon ban- came within the framework of promot- crisis. In a statement, the State the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa quet in honour of Dr Ali and the delega- ing and strengthening bilateral rela- Department said Secretary of State Thani and Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr al-Thani and a number of ministers. tion accompanying him. tions and co-operation between the Mike Pompeo will highlight during Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan in From the Ethiopian side, the meeting The banquet was attended by HE two countries. his visit to Kuwait yesterday the ilateral relations between Qa- Doha yesterday. was attended by a number of ministers Sheikh Abdullah and a number of min- In statements to QNA, al-Dosari said importance of a united GCC in tar and Ethiopia and the ways of The two sides also exchanged views and members of the delegation accom- isters. the talks covered key issues of mutual ensuring the success of the Middle Benhancing and developing them on regional and international develop- panying the prime minister. Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador concern, mainly with regard to co-op- East Strategic Alliance. Pompeo’s in various fi elds, especially economy, ments, the offi cial Qatar News Agency Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali was accorded an to Ethiopia Hamad bin Mohamed al- eration and co-ordination to achieve visit to Kuwait is part of a tour which investment, tourism and infrastruc- (QNA) reported. offi cial reception upon his arrival at the Dosari stressed that the offi cial visit of stability and ensure peace and security also includes a number of countries ture, were discussed during a session The meeting was attended by HE the Amiri Diwan. His Highness the Amir the Ethiopian prime minister to Doha in the Horn of Africa. Page 24 in the region. Page 4

BUSINESS | Finance Gold-backed I-dinar e-token launched Qatar to launch ‘Energy The world’s first Islamic Electronic Areas where non-Qataris Exchange Platform for digital e-token backed by gold (I-dinar) Bank’ with $10bn capital was launched in Doha yesterday. The I-dinar platform is a blockchain based e-token, in which its initial O The QFC-based Islamic projects related to oil and gas, petro- can own property named value of 1-dinar e-token is backed bank is expected to be chemicals and renewable energy. It will by the value of 1 gram of gold. The off er competitive and innovative prod- O Ownership allowed in 10 areas; 16 areas earmarked for use for 99 years digital I-dinar e-token serves not operational by fourth ucts, corporate and project fi nancing, as only as a form of “digitalised” gold quarter of this year well as asset management services. By Ayman Adly These areas off er 100% guaranteed investment portfolio, but also with “The bank will further Qatar’s fi rm Staff Reporter return on investment and will repre- the advent and advances in current fi nancial stance and will make us a sent a new investment model not only blockchain technology enables By Santhosh V Perumal signifi cant key player on the global en- in Qatar, but also in the region and the the I-dinar e-token to be used as a Business Reporter ergy scene, a catalyst of growth in the on-Qataris can have freehold world, as these areas combine capital value transference and settlement regional energy sector, and enabler of ownership of property in 10 development and promote cultural co- denominator for exchange, trading, energy innovation,” said Khaled bin Nareas while 16 areas have been existence between developers, owners and payment settlements. Business atar will launch ‘Energy Bank’ Ahmed al-Suwaidi, chairman of the identifi ed where they can use real es- and investors, given their architectural Page 1 with a targeted capital of $10bn founding committee of Energy Bank. tate for 99 years, it was announced symbolism that combines diff erent Qto fund hydrocarbon-centric Mohamed al-Marri, head of Energy yesterday. world cultures, QNA, citing a state- QATAR | Culture projects across the world, a move that Bank’s media committee, declined to HE the Minister of Justice and Act- ment from the minister, said. will make Doha a leading player across specify how or when it intends to raise ing Minister of State for Cabinet Af- The statement pointed out that cit- QM programmes to verticals in the global oil and gas indus- its capital to the $10bn target. fairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi izens and residents will benefi t from mark NMoQ opening try. He said the bank is exploring options pointed out that this decision comes the advantages off ered by the owner- Qatar Museums (QM) yesterday The Qatar Financial Center (QFC)- on holding international roadshows in within the executive procedures of ship in these areas because the new announced details of #QatarCreates, based bank, which already has got order to attract international investors. Law No 16 of 2018 on the regulation of procedures are characterised by full an extensive programme of commitments to the tune of $2bn from The establishment of the bank comes non-Qatari ownership and utilisation fl exibility and facilitate transactions workshops and panel talks international investors (of the $2.5bn at a time when Qatar is expanding its of real estate. HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi according to the rules laid down by organised to celebrate the paid-up), will progressively scale up its annual liquefi ed natural gas production Under the provisions of this law, the law. These are fl exible and trans- inauguration of the National capital base to become the world’s larg- by 40% to 110mn tonnes by 2024. non-Qataris may own and use real the Minister said the freehold own- parent controls that take into account Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). The est Islamic lending institution. It is ex- The bank is being established by estate in many areas according to the ership areas are: (Area 66), the latest successful experiences in QatarCreates: Talks series of panel pected to be operational by the fourth a team of experts specialised in the conditions, regulations and proce- The Pearl-Qatar (66), Al Khor Resort the fi eld of ownership and use of real discussions will take place from quarter of this year. banking and energy industries bringing dures, which shall be determined by a (74), Rawdat Al Jahaniyah (invest- estate. March 25 to 29, giving the public in The lender, which is planning to have to the table their wide expertise, local decision of the Cabinet based on the ment area), (administrative The areas where non-Qataris can Doha access to a roster of leading representative offi ces in the Middle East and international relations, technical proposal of the Committee for the area 60), (administrative area use real estate for 99 years are: Msheir- cultural figures from Qatar, its region and North Africa region and other parts capabilities, and knowledge in the en- Regulation of Ownership and Use of 61), (administrative area 63), eb (Area 13), Fereej Abdelaziz (14), and around the world. Page 3 of the world, will specialise in funding ergy sector. To Page 5 Non-Qatari Property. Al Wasail (69), Al Khraij (69) and Jabal Doha Al Jadeed (15), New Al Ghanim In an interview with Qatar TV, HE Theyleeb (69). (16), Al Refaa and Old Al Hitmi (17), Aslata (18), (22), Fereej Bin Mahmoud (23), (24), Mansoura and Fereej Bin Permanent residency Dirham (25), (26), Umm Ghu- wailina (27), Al Khulaifat (28), PM opens AgriteQ exhibition benefi ts for investors (38), Al Jadeed and (39) and the Doha International QNA Exhibition and Convention Centre exhibition this year. The opening cer- Expatriates applying for permanent applicants should have an actual Airport area (48). Doha (DECC). emony was attended by a number of residency need to draw a minimum investment valued at $1mn in the These areas were designated by the HE the Prime Minister also inau- ministers, members of the diplomatic basic salary of QR20,000 for country. Those exempted from Cabinet at its meeting last Wednesday. gurated at the pavilion of the Minis- corps accredited to Qatar, and other government sector employees and a this condition include military Speaking to Qatar TV, HE the Min- nder the patronage of His High- try of Municipality and Environment dignitaries. total salary of QR30,000 for private personnel, those born in Qatar and ister said previously only non-Qatari ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim a project to plant 1mn trees, launched Delivering a welcome speech at the sector workers, as stipulated by the persons who have resided in the individuals were allowed to own real Ubin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Mahaseel website and opened the reg- opening, HE the Minister of Munici- Cabinet. country for a period exceeding 50 estate in the country, whether for 99- Prime Minister and Interior Minister istration for all state farmers to obtain pality and Environment Abdullah bin This was revealed by HE the Minister years. year use or on free ownership basis. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- marketing and agricultural services. He Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said of Justice and Acting Minister of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim However, the new law and its regu- lifa al-Thani yesterday inaugurated the also witnessed a presentation about the that the events stem from the impor- State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad bin Hamad al-Thani had issued lations bestow this privilege also on seventh edition of Qatar International Hassad company and its services. tance that Qatar, under the leadership al-Jafali al-Nuaimi in an interview Law No 10 of 2018 on permanent non-Qatari companies in addition to Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2019) A total of 450 local and interna- of the Amir attaches to the agricul- with Qatar TV yesterday. residency for non-Qatari individuals real estate investment funds, whether and the First International Environ- tional companies from 49 countries tural and environmental sectors. As for the investor category, last year. these have been established within or mental Exhibition (EnviroteQ) at Doha around the world are taking part in the To Page 6 outside Qatar. To Page 8 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 QATAR

Advisory Council Speaker meets ambassadors OFFICIAL

Amir sends cable of condolences to Dutch king, PM

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani have sent cables to King Willem-Alexander of the HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, yesterday, held separate meetings with ambassadors of Cyprus, Tunisia and Switzerland – Dr Michalis Zacharioglou, Salah Netherlands and Prime Minister al-Salhi, and Edgar Dorig, respectively. Ways of supporting and developing bilateral relations, especially in the parliamentary field, were discussed. The arrangements for the 140th session of the General of the Netherlands Mark Rutte Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and associated meetings, which will be held in Doha from April 6 to 10, were also reviewed. condoling the victims of the shooting incident that took place on Monday in Utrecht, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Sheikh Qatar-Kuwait ties reviewed Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent a cable to Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark 70% of serious Rutte condoling the victims of the shooting incident that took place in Utrecht, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. brain injuries due Amir condoles with Congolese president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh to vehicle crashes Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad majority of patients ad- al-Thani sent yesterday cables mitted to the Hamad to President of Congo, Felix ATrauma Centre with seri- Tshisekedi, condoling the victims ous brain injuries were involved of train accident in the Kasai in road accidents, fi gures show. province, wishing the injured a According to data from Ha- speedy recovery. HE the Prime mad Medical Corporation’s Minister and Minister of the (HMC) Qatar Trauma Registry, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin 70% of patients sustained brain al-Sabah, met Qatar’s ambassador to Kuwait Bandar bin Mohamad al-Attiyah in Kuwait. During the Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also injuries as a result of vehicle meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of developing them, in addition to matters of sent a cable of condolences to crashes. common concern. the Prime Minister of Congo The HMC Neurosurgery De- Bruno Tshibala. partment and the Hamad Trau- Dr Sirajeddin Belkhair Dr Sandro Rizol ma Centre released the data as part of their activities to mark matic brain injury due to a mo- these patients. World Head Injury Awareness tor vehicle crash,” explained Dr “All too often our neurosur- Day today. Sandro Rizoli, medical director geons see fi rst-hand the devas- The data shows that traumatic of the Hamad Trauma Centre. tating result that a motor vehicle brain injuries equate to more “A traumatic brain injury is crash can have on the victim’s WCM-Q conference discusses than 10% of all trauma admis- a severe form of head injury, brain. A severe head injury can sions. Around 70% of these are one that leads to disruption lead to memory loss, paralysis, caused by motor vehicle crashes, in the normal function of the and even death. And it is not only with approximately 27% caused brain. Traumatic brain injuries the victims themselves who are by falls from height. can be fatal or cause long-term aff ected – the debilitating im- benefi ts of lifestyle medicine World Head Injury Aware- disability for the victim. For pact of a traumatic brain injury ness Day aims to raise awareness this reason, it is vital that we can change the lives of the vic- about the full spectrum of head not only provide the highest tim’s family as they often have to he importance of lifestyle nutrition and a lack of exercise; injuries, ranging from a mild quality care for patients suf- provide long-term care and as- in preventing, treating the real killers are poor lifestyle bump to a severe brain injury. fering traumatic brain injuries sistance for the victim,” said Dr Tand even curing illnesses choices. I am not belittling med- This year, the Hamad Trauma but that we also work to raise Belkhair. like diabetes and heart diseases ical care, but health profession- Centre is collaborating with awareness of what can be done “In Qatar, as in most coun- was discussed at the latest con- als are missing the point about HMC’s Neurosurgery Depart- to prevent them,” added Dr tries around the world, motor ference at Weill Cornell Medi- the importance of lifestyle, ment to highlight the severity Rizoli. vehicle crashes are the number cine – Qatar (WCM-Q). and we have been missing the of head injuries caused by motor Dr Sirajeddin Belkhair, head one cause of traumatic brain in- ‘Lifestyle Medicine: An point for a long time”, noted Dr vehicle crashes and the impor- of neurosurgery, explained that juries. But what is particularly Emerging Healthcare Trend that Mamtani. tance of following simple safety in 2018 approximately 600 trau- concerning is that the percent- Inspires’ brought together ex- In his lecture entitled ‘Life- measures in their prevention. matic brain injury cases were age of traumatic brain injuries perts from across the world to style Medicine, Nutrition and “Every year, between 2,000 seen at Hamad General Hospi- caused by motor vehicle crashes discuss the latest trends, share Chronic Diseases: Time to Re- and 2,500 patients are admitted tal’s Emergency Department and is higher here in Qatar than in- data about the impact that life- verse an Epidemic’, Dr Wayne S to our Hamad Trauma Centre the Neurosurgery Department ternationally – 70% compared style changes can have to an in- Dysinger outlined how lifestyle and around 250 of these patients performed potentially life-sav- to around 50% globally,” added dividual’s health, and explore WCM-Q conference discusses how lifestyle medicine can change changes can actually cure many are admitted as a result of a trau- ing surgical procedures on 184 of Dr Belkhair. best practice among clinicians. lives. chronic illnesses, including Organised by WCM-Q’s Insti- conditions that were previously tute for Population Health, del- the high prevalence of chronic medicine at WCM-Q. thought incurable, like type- egates learned how to evaluate a conditions such as obesity and In a lecture entitled ‘The 2 diabetes. He also debunked patient’s health with reference diabetes, it is timely and in our Promise of Lifestyle Medicine’, myths about low-carbohydrate, Bangladesh FM meets Qatar’s envoy to their lifestyle habits, how to interest to implement lifestyle Dr Ravinder Mamtani, senior high-protein diets that have guide patients in their habits and medicine programmes in Qatar. associate dean for population become popular in recent years how to develop nutrition and ex- By doing so, we will reduce the health, capacity building and as a method for losing weight, Minister of Foreign Aff airs of ercise regimens. burden and suff ering associated student aff airs at WCM-Q, ex- stating that for the vast majority Bangladesh, Dr Abul Kalam Speakers included interna- with chronic diseases.” tolled the potential of behav- of human history, complex car- Abdul Momen, met Qatar’s tional experts in lifestyle medi- Delegates to the two-day ioural changes to vastly reduce bohydrates formed the bulk of a ambassador to Bangladesh cine, such as Dr Wayne S Dys- symposium were also able to the number of cases of chronic person’s diet. Ahmed bin Mohamed inger, CEO of Lifestyle Medicine take advantage of a number of diseases like diabetes and heart The conference also featured a al-Dehaimi in Dhaka yesterday. Solutions, Dr Darren Morton workshops including ‘Nutri- disease. Dr Mamtani explained poster session, presenting fi nd- During the meeting, they of Avondale College of Higher tional Mythbusters’, delivered that only around 15-20% of a ings from the latest research discussed bilateral relations Education in New South Wales, by Stephan Herzog, executive person’s health can be attributed on lifestyle behaviours. Top- and ways of developing and Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, senior director of the American and to medical therapies and treat- ics included the management them, in addition to issues of consultant in public health and International Boards of Lifestyle ments; the remaining 80-85% is of gestational diabetes through common interest. adviser to the Minister of Public Medicine and ‘How to Take Care due to lifestyles and behavioural lifestyle, the awareness of health Health, who delivered the key- of Ourselves’ led by Dr Moha- and socio-economic factors. professionals to sleep hygiene, note speech. mud Verjee, associate professor “It’s not cancer and heart dis- and the prevention and treat- Dr al-Mulla said, “Given of family medicine in clinical ease that kill people but poor ment of tobacco use. Qatar calls for global stand on hate speech against migrants

QNA said that the conscience of the conducted in a fair, compre- He said that Qatar also sup- Geneva human being was shocked by hensive and balanced manner ports important international ‘End double standards on Israeli violations’ the “cowardly terrorist attack” that takes into account social initiatives aimed at protecting recently in New Zealand that and economic aspects, the pro- the youth from extremist ideas Qatar has called on the international community of Palestine, including Jerusalem, as void and atar stressed that the claimed the lives of a number of tection of human rights and such as Global Community En- to refrain from applying double standards and to as of no legal basis, and constitute a flagrant international commu- innocent Muslims worshippers. fundamental freedoms of these gagement and Resilience Fund act in order to force Israel to fulfil its obligations violation of international laws and conventions. Qnity and all govern- He reiterated Qatar’s con- persons, which may be affected (GCERF). under international law, to end its occupation of Qatar welcomed the conclusions and ments and people, especially in demnation of the attack and ex- by discriminatory and racist In a separate context, the am- the Palestinian territories and to hold accountable recommendations contained in the report. the countries that are witness- tended condolences to the vic- policies, legislation, extrem- bassador stressed that Qatar before international criminal justice its off icials It also condemned the insistence of the Israeli ing the rise of extreme right- tims’ families, the New Zealand ist ideas and hate speech that and its citizens continue to suf- and leaders for violations and crimes committed authorities on not allowing Lynk to reach the wing groups, should stand government and people, wishing generate ethnic and religious fer from the “coercive and racist against the Palestinian people. occupied Palestinian territories to carry out his firmly against destructive ideas the injured a speedy recovery, hostilities. measures” taken against them This came in a speech delivered by ambassador mandate, pointing out that the report clearly that spread hate speech against and stressed that such “barbaric The ambassador underlined by blockading countries since Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, Permanent Representative indicates that the Palestinian people, who have migrants and foreigners, espe- behaviour” must not be toler- Qatar’s role in promoting values June 2017. of Qatar to the United Nations Off ice and other been under occupation for 51 years, still live cially Muslims, and that fuel ated or allowed to take place in of equality, tolerance, justice, The continuing violations international organisations in Geneva, during under injustice and bitter reality as a result of feelings of hostility and vio- the world. as well as rejecting intolerance, of human rights resulting from the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Israel’s gross violations of human rights, war lence against them. The ambassador added that discrimination and racism, add- these measures, especially on Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the crimes and crimes against humanity, the killing of This came in a speech deliv- Qatar believes that diversity en- ing that the country has hosted families, women, children and Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, under Palestinian civilians, the destruction of property, ered yesterday by ambassador riches the lives of all people, and many international confer- students, must be a top priority item 7 of the agenda of the Human Rights Council. the demolition of houses, forced displacement, Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, the that migrants have a great posi- ences and forums that promote for the Human Rights Council Qatar expressed its agreement with the content confiscation of land, the looting and exploitation Permanent Representative of tive contribution to make, espe- these value, including the In- and its relevant mechanisms, of the report submitted by Special Rapporteur of natural resources, the imposition of a policy Qatar to the United Nations in cially in terms of development in terfaith Dialogue Conference, particularly the special proce- on the situation of human rights in the occupied of collective punishment and the unjust siege Geneva and other international the communities to which they which is held annually in Doha dures, and the Offi ce of the High Palestinian territories Michael Lynk, in which on the Gaza Strip and their denial of access to organisations, during general migrate. as an intellectual platform that Commissioner to hold those re- he termed that all measures taken by the Israeli services, in a flagrant violation of all relevant debate on item 9 of the agenda of He pointed out that address- promotes understanding and sponsible accountable and com- authorities to change the geographical and laws, conventions and resolutions of international the UN Human Rights Council. ing migration issues and the dialogue among the followers of pensate those aff ected, the am- demographic character of the occupied State legitimacy. Ambassador al-Mansouri presence of foreigners must be diff erent religions. bassador added. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 3 QATAR

QMC CEO meets Chinese envoy Amir condoles QRCS seeks to with president and PM of Pakistan educate pupils is Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Hmad al-Thani sent yes- terday cables of condolences to Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, chief executive officer (CEO), Qatar Media and Prime Minister Imran Khan Corporation (QMC), met the Chinese ambassador to Qatar Li Chen. During the meeting, on the victims of the blast that on charity work they discussed media relations between the two countries and ways of developing and targeted a passenger train in Ba- strengthening them. lochistan province, wishing the ffi cials from the Ministry This came during a meeting sion, by training young people injured a speedy recovery. of Education and Higher between Ministry of Education on how to deal with earthquake OEducation and Qatar and Higher Education under- disasters, applying systematic Red Crescent Society (QRCS) secretary Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh evacuation skills to reduce loss discussed ways to develop joint al-Nuaimi, QRCS executive of life, and the social integration co-operation areas, especially director Ibrahim Abdullah al- project. the school Red Crescent pro- Maliki, head of Local Develop- Al-Sulaiti explained that the gramme, which is implemented ment Mona Fadel al-Sulaiti and meeting resulted in the conver- Volunteer Network launched in various public and private a number of ministry offi cials. gence of visions between the schools in the country. During the meeting, the three two sides on the continuation of They also discussed steps main themes of the programme co-operation between them and taken to develop it as a strategic were reviewed, through which full support for the programme project of the QRCS and aimed the QRCS seeks to educate stu- and keenness to adopt all the to expand participation of to instil a culture of charita- dents and the school community distinctive initiatives aimed at ble and voluntary work in new regarding the basic principles achieving the objectives of Qatar generations, who constitute the and skills of victims of vari- National Vision 2030, especially foundation of the society and its ous accidents, as well as a pilot in the human development pillar future. project in terms of goals and vi- which invests in youth. (QNA) youths in community work

he Social Development the quality and effi ciency of portunities in various fi elds in noted the importance of Tamm Center (SDC), Silatech its outputs. a safe and eff ective manner, in to promote youth participation TFoundation, and Edu- Tamm will establish a vol- line with the strategy of Qatar in social work, and to shape and cation Above All (EAA) have unteer database, as well as link Digital Government 2020. develop it according to scien- launched the Volunteer Net- volunteer leaders to voluntary Amal bint Abdullatif al- tifi c criteria that respond to the work (Tamm) through its Reach institutions in the country, Mannai, chief executive offi cer, needs of the state in its devel- Out to Asia (Rota) programme, provide technical support and Qatar Foundation for Social opmental path. in partnership with the Minis- build youth capacities to meet Work (QFSW), highlighted the Nayef al-Shahrani, public try of Transport and Commu- the needs of volunteer work. numerous Qatari initiatives relations and events offi cer at nications (MoTC). Tamm also aims to raise the that were not limited to the lo- SDC and president of Tamm, The launch of the network values of solidarity and synergy cal level but had great interna- said that the launch of the net- was held on the sidelines of the among young people to develop tional resonance. work was a desire to spread the third annual forum of the Qatar their abilities to contribute to She said that Qatar is dis- culture of volunteerism, pro- Foundation for Social Action, the service and society. tinguished in all fi elds of social mote youth participation in which was held yesterday at Hassan Jassim al-Sayed, work at both levels domestic civil work and establish a vol- the Qatar National Convention MoTC’s assistant undersec- and international, institutions, unteer database. Center (QNCC) in the presence retary of Government Infor- civil society organisations, The annual meeting of Qa- of senior offi cials of the institu- mation Technology Sector, while highlighting Qatar’s glo- tar Foundation for Social Work tion and executive directors of said in a statement that the bal initiatives. highlighted the achievements centres and those interested in ministry’s participation in In a related context, al- of the Foundation and its vari- social work. launching the Tamm network Mannai stressed the keen- ous centres and the services it The network is in response stems from its keenness to ness of the Foundation and its provided to citizens and resi- to Qatar’s eff orts to expand co-operate with various en- centres to continue to provide dents during the past year. The participation in community tities in the country and to endless support to families af- aim of the forum is to promote work and to raise awareness support all initiatives of so- fected by the unjust blockade a culture of social work and among young people about cial and volunteer work. on Qatar, pointing out that to encourage all employees of the importance of volunteer- He pointed out that the min- the number of citizens of the the institution and centres to ing at the level of individuals istry’s backing of Tamm stems blockade countries who ben- enhance their abilities to meet and institutions, and to con- from its belief in the impor- efi ted from the services pro- the challenges in achieving solidate all voluntary eff orts tance of harnessing informa- vided by the centres under the the long-term goals of the hu- within a single crucible in a tion technology in the launch umbrella of the Foundation man social mission and to fo- modern scientifi c manage- of electronic platforms that amounted to 2,367 since the cus on the central values and ment manner to maintain, provide databases for volun- blockade began. principles of the institution’s Off icials after the meeting. develop and guide it to ensure teers and connect them to op- During the forum, al-Mannai centres. (QNA) QM lines up programmes to mark HBKU-CSE opening of National Museum hosts lecture

atar Museums (QM) has Shuddhabrata Sengupta. announced the details On March 26 at 11am, Mathaf: Qof #QatarCreates, an Arab Museum of Modern Art will on advanced extensive programme of work- host a panel discussion on “Mu- shops and panel talks organised seums of Modern Art — Current to celebrate the inauguration of Trends, East and West,” focusing the highly anticipated National on aspects of curatorial practice, Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). programming, and socio- numerical The QatarCreates: Talks series political engagement. of panel discussions will take Moderated by ArtReview place from March 25 to 29, fea- editor-in-chief Mark Rappolt, turing a roster of leading cultural the panel will feature Mathaf fi gures from Qatar, its region and director Abdellah Karroum, Los platform around the world. Angeles County Museum of Virginia Commonwealth Uni- Art (LACMA) director Michael versity School of the Arts Qatar Govan, the Whitney Museum he College of Science big data, networking infra- will host a panel discussion on of American Art in New York’s and Engineering (CSE) at structures, human-computer March 25 from 4pm to 5.30pm director Adam Weinberg, Raqs THamad Bin Khalifa Uni- interaction and visualisation about how art schools have Media Collective member Mon- versity (HBKU) recently hosted and graphics. We off er some changed in the past decades and ica Narula, and the Moscow Mu- Dr Kiril Terekhov, a researcher of the most advanced pro- what the future of art education seum of Modern Art executive from the Russian Academy of grammes in the science and might look like. director Vasili Tsereteli. Sciences, who addressed the engineering fi elds, and are The panel will be moderated An interactive talk on March A view of National Museum of Qatar. topic of ‘Advanced Numerical privileged to benefi t from our by QM’s director of Education 26 at the MIA auditorium from Platform for Solving Challeng- position within the integrated Dr Jelena Trkulja. Speakers in 11am to 12.30pm will discuss discussion on “Architecture as bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Na- makers and video artists who ing Mathematical Problems’. learning ecosystem that is the programme, “From the Art how celebrities dress for the red the Face of a Nation” on March tional Galleries of Scotland di- contributed to the making of the The lecture explored a known as Education City.” School to the Art World: Prepar- carpet and reveal the considera- 27 from 1pm to 2.30pm at the rector general Sir John Leighton, NMoQ, discussing the role of mathematical library (Inmost) This mathematical library ing a New Generation of Artists, tions that inform their choices. Qatar National Library. the State Hermitage Museum in fi lm in the visitor experience at for supercomputers which in- is currently being used within Designers and Art Professionals Moderated by actress Nadine The panel will feature NMoQ’s St Petersburg’s director Mikhail the museum. cludes advanced algorithms the academia and industry for the Future,” will include the Njeim the panel will feature architect Jean Nouvel, Qatar Piotrovsky, Musée d’Orsay in HE Sheikha Al Mayassa will and data distribution for real fi elds. Inmost is used in soft- Virginia Commonwealth Uni- world-renowned fashion de- National Library’s architect Paris director Laurence des Cars host a conversation with iconic complex and applied prob- ware with complex physical versity’s School of the Arts dean signer Monique Lhuillier, styl- Rem Koolhaas, Qatar Integrated and the Whitney Museum of designer Diane von Furstenberg lems in oil and gas, health and models such as geomechanics, Shawn Brixey, the Yale Univer- ist Brad Goreski and Lebanese Railway Project’s architect Ben American Art in New York direc- on March 29 from 2pm to 3pm at medicine, environment and black oil recovery, hemody- sity School of Art dean and Pro- makeup artist Samer Khouzami. van Berkel, noted Qatari archi- tor Adam Weinberg. QNL. The talk will touch on art, climate change. namics, blood biochemistry fessor of Art Marta Kuzma, the The programme continues tect Ibrahim Jaidah; and Jacques Eccles will moderate a panel fashion and life, addressing glo- Commenting on the event, with clot formation, and nu- Rhode Island School of Design on March 26 with “The Wom- Herzog of Herzog & de Meuron, talk at NMoQ on “The Art of En- bal developments in fashion and Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of clear waste disposal. president Rosanne Somerson, en’s Gaze in Art and Life,” held whose fi rm has been selected to gagement,” from 4pm to 5.30pm how the fashion industry has CSE, said, “Dr Kiril Terekhov’s The guest lecture by Dr and British furniture designer from 2.30pm to 4pm at MIA’s design the new Orientalist Mu- on March 28. The panellists will evolved over time. lecture is an extension of the Terekhov formed part of the and manufacturer, David Linley, auditorium. seum in Doha. The fi rst talk on include Qatari ARToonist Ghada The # QatarCreates: Talks se- concepts, theories, and re- Qatari Advanced Simulations The Earl of Snowdon. Moderated by Rebecca Rab- the offi cial public opening day of al-Khater and international art- ries will conclude on March 29 search that are often explored for Reservoirs (QASR) Seminar “Public Art & Cultural Her- inow, director of the Menil Col- the new NMoQ will take place at ists Jeff Koons, Olafur Eliasson, with a presentation on “Arab Art within the college’s course- Series. QASR group is dedi- itage,” at 5pm to 6.30pm at the lection in Houston, the panel the Museum itself on March 28 Philippe Parreno, Maya Hoff - Today” moderated by Reem al- work and curricula. The lec- cated to the research, develop- Fire Station, will be moderated will have as speakers Indian art- from 9.30am to 11am. man and Doug Aitken who will Thani, QM’s director of Exhibi- ture has shed important in- ment, and application of new by Tom Eccles, executive direc- ist and Raqs Media Collective Titled “Designing the Desert explore the interplay in today’s tions, held from 5pm to 6.30pm sights on the advancement of methods for the modelling tor for the Centre for Curatorial member Monica Narula, Qatari Rose,” the programme will feature art between personal expression at Mathaf. platforms that are transform- and simulation of subsurface Studies at Bard College. artist Aisha Nasser al-Sowaidi, Nouvel in conversation with archi- and social responsibility. Participants will include ing the way researchers and hydrocarbon reservoirs with The panel will feature QM’s Qatari composer Dana Alfardan, tecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff . The last panel of the day, titled Sheikha Maryam al-Thani engineers solve challenging a focus on carbonate reser- head of Public Art Abdulrahman Hamad Bin Khalifa University From 11am to 12.30pm, the “National Museum of Qatar Art from QM, Qatari artists Amal applications in a far more ef- voirs. These methods can be al-Ishaq, British artist Liam Gil- associate professor Dr Reem NMoQ will host a discussion on Films – Museum as Cinema- al-Aathem, Yousef Ahmed; fi cient and eff ective manner. applied to model enhanced oil lick, whose new work Folded Ex- Meshal, and famed fi lmmaker “Great Museums of the World.” Space,” will be moderated by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky; “Through our Information recovery, CO2 sequestration, tracted Personifi ed has just been Mira Nair. Moderated by MIA director Dr Fatma al-Remaihi, CEO of the and Iraqi artists Ismail Azzam and Computing Technology ground water fl ow and storage, installed in MIA Park; French Philip Jodidio, author of more Julia Gonnella, the panel will Doha Film Institute, and will and Adel Abidin. Full details on division, we place particular condensate banking in natural artist Jean-Michel Othoniel; and than 100 books on art and ar- feature QM chairperson HE take place at the NMoQ from the #QatarCreates events are emphasis on cyber security, gas reservoirs, primary recov- Raqs Media Collective member chitecture, will moderate a panel Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad 6pm to 9pm. It will feature fi lm- available at nmoq.org.qa computational science and ery, and fractured reservoirs. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 QATAR

US State Dept hails Kuwait Amir’s eff orts to resolve GCC crisis

The US State Department praised the Amir bilateral co-operation, including defence, of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al- combating terrorism and cyber security. Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah’s role in seeking a Pompeo and other US off icials will also Qmic’s smart heat stress resolution to the Gulf crisis, QNA reported. expand the bilateral relationship on in- In a statement, the State Department novation, entrepreneurship, and small said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo business development, according to the will highlight during his current visit to statement. Kuwait the importance of a united GCC in The US Secretary of State started a tour in monitoring solution set ensuring the success of the Middle East the region until March 23, which includes Strategic Alliance. Pompeo’s visit to Kuwait Kuwait, Lebanon and the occupied ter- is part of a tour which also includes a ritories. “The Secretary will reinforce the number of countries in the region. value of our partnerships, as well as the “While still in its formative stage, the United importance of security and economic co- to enhance workers’ safety States has continued to advance discus- operation in achieving regional stability,” sions with our partners on the alliance, the statement explained. In the occupied he Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre (Qmic) launched its Smart Heat which includes the GCC member states, territories, the US Secretary will reaff irm Stress Monitoring Solution, yesterday at the EnviroteQ Exhibition be- Egypt, and Jordan,” the statement added. the US administration’s commitment to Ting held at Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre. Regarding this year’s strategic dialogue pursuing a comprehensive and lasting Considered the fi rst-of-its-kind in the region, the smart, automated and between Kuwait and the United States, the peace between Israel and the Palestinians. comprehensive system can monitor heat stress to support workers’ occupa- statement said Pompeo will head the US While in Lebanon, Pompeo will discuss tional safety, in particular, and public health, in general. delegation to the third strategic dialogue regional issues with Lebanese off icials, The solution overcomes the shortcomings of current monitoring methods between the two countries scheduled to be including Hezbollah’s role in the Syrian by integrating Qmic’s innovative monitoring stations with its smart IoT (In- held today. It will focus on many areas of conflict. ternet of Things) platform for data storage, management, and delivery. The main objective is to monitor and calculate the Heat Stress Index (HSI) in real time. HSI is the global standard indicator to determine the eff ect of heat on the human body. If HSI exceeds a certain specifi ed limit, the weather is deemed too dangerous for manual labour and all work must be halted. HSI monitoring has been covered and identifi ed by the Ministry of Ad- ministrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs in Qatar as one of the most vital safety precautions that all work sites must abide by. The platform utilises the power of IoT to analyse information from dedi- cated sensors, designed and built by Qmic that automatically collect relevant data such as temperature and humidity to calculate HSI. Data is continuously transmitted from the sensors to Qmic’s Hawa’ak platform where it is trans- Smart Heat Stress Monitoring Solution, displayed at the EnviroteQ Exhibition. formed to comprehensible information to be accessed by work site safety managers and others. platform and leverages our extensive sensor development capabilities.” The solution features several methods of delivery for important informa- With this solution, measurements are automatic and location specifi c, tion, such as e-mail, text message, phone application, or the desktop portal eliminating the need to send workers to the fi eld to change fl ag colours dur- and the safety offi cer will always be aware of the weather conditions at each ing hostile weather conditions. The system uses accurate sensors that are site. Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, the executive director (CEO) of Qmic said, “We calibrated frequently to ensure precise readings, while the accuracy of the are pleased to introduce an innovative solution that can fi nally automate the manual methods can be very low. The system will also provide advanced data process of monitoring heat index conditions in a timely and accurate manner analytics and reporting features for future planning. so that proper actions can be taken to enhance workers’ safety and the public The platform can work in any outdoor setting to protect and ensure the safety at large. As one of the fi rst IoT technology enterprises in the region, safety of individuals. It can be installed across a wide array of environments we are pleased to off er yet another IoT smart solution that uses our own IoT from school outdoor playgrounds, to construction sites or oil and gas fi elds.

Stage set for grand fi nal of QatarDebate championship

oys team from Qatar motions. Debaters from Qa- University and Prin- tar University Boys and Prin- Bcess Sumaya Univer- cess Sumaya University for sity for Technology, Jordan, Technology - Jordan who have qualifi ed to the grand have qualifi ed for the fi nals, fi nal debate of the 5th Inter- noted that the art of debate national Universities Arabic is an essential aspect of the Debating Championship. daily lives and appreciated The championship organ- QatarDebate for organising ised by QatarDebate Cen- the championship. tre features 107 teams from Meanwhile, QatarDe- 51 Arabic and non-Arabic bate also informed that nine countries. Held under the non-Arabic speaking coun- patronage of HE Sheikha tries had participated in the Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, championship for the fi rst Members of both the teams that qualified for the grand final. Vice Chairperson and CEO of time. These countries in- Qatar Foundation, the fi ve- cluded Kyrgyzstan, Belgium, day championship will come Bulgaria, Thailand, and Az- to an end today at the Qatar erbaijan among others. National Convention Centre. Debaters from these The programme on the countries highlighted the fourth day witnessed the importance of participating semi-fi nal round with the in this international debat- top four teams battling ing championship in their their way to the grand fi nal. learning journey. They also Participants from the top noted that they had heard a four qualifying teams that lot about Qatar before they included Princess Sumaya got a chance to visit. They University for Technology - appreciated the great eff orts Jordan, University of Amar being made by the Qatari in- Telidji - Algeria, Qatar Uni- stitutions to spread Arabic versity Boys and the Har- language. They also pointed vard University from the US out that it was a great op- agreed that all debate rounds portunity for them to hone were very competitive, and their Arabic debating skills they were aiming to win each and such opportunities round with logic, reasoning would pave the way for them and persuasion for the very to outclass other teams in thought-provoking debate future championships.

2015-16 Ford Edge models recalled

he Ministry of Com- works and will commu- merce and Industry, nicate with customers to Tin collaboration with ensure that the necessary Almana Motors Company, repairs are carried out. has announced the recall of The ministry urges all Ford Edge models of 2015- customers to report any 2016 because the steering violations to its Consumer wheel is ineffi cient. Protection and Anti-Com- The recall campaign mercial Fraud Department, comes within the frame- which processes complaints, work of the ministry’s con- inquires and suggestions tinuous eff orts to protect through the following chan- consumers and ensure that nels: Call centre: 16001, car dealers follow up on ve- e-mail: [email protected], hicle defects and repairs. Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, The ministry said that it Instagram: MOCIQATAR, will co-ordinate with the Ministry of Commerce and dealer to follow up on the Industry mobile app for an- maintenance and repair droid and IOS: MOCIQATAR

Special Forces, Lekhwiya hold drills with US, Jordanian outfits

The Joint Special Forces, riodically Internal Security Force between (Lekhwiya) and Jordanian the US Special Forces in partnership Central with the American forces car- Com- ried out yesterday ‘impreg- mand nable guard 2019’ exercise, in and the context of strengthening partner countries and con- the military and security rela- sists of simulated scenarios tions between the participat- to facilitate response to any ing countries in training and cross-border security threat developing the capabilities of as well as the preparations their forces. for the 2022 FIFA World Cup This exercise is organised pe- in Qatar. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 5 QATAR

Founding members of Energy Bank, which will be based in the Qatar Financial Center, announcing the initiative yesterday in Doha. Qatar to launch $10bn ‘Energy Bank’ From Page 1 Highlighting that Qatar’s energy and sectors both locally and internationally. Islamic fi nance industries are poised for Islamic fi nance assets are forecast “The Energy Bank is the latest of incredible growth in the coming years, to be worth $3.2tn by 2020, while the several major international banks to he said this underlines the utmost ne- global energy industry is also forecast join the QFC’s unique platform and we cessity and relevance of the Energy to grow exponentially, particularly re- will work closely with them to ensure Bank, which operate at the intersection newable energy which has continued their success well into the future,” QFC of these two fast-growing industries, to grow despite hurdles faced by tra- Authority chief executive Yousuf Mo- and will undoubtedly off er much need- ditional oil and gas, he said, quoting hamed al-Jaida said. ed support to the development of these Thomson Reuters. Difi hosts talk on protection systems for girls in region

he Doha International Family Institute (Difi ), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has hosted a Tpanel titled ‘Gender-Responsive Social Protection for Adolescent Girls to Enable Aspirations and Reach the SDGs in the Arab Region’ on the sidelines of the 63rd ses- sion of the Commission on the Status of Women, currently taking place at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. The panel, held in partnership with the Qatar Permanent Mission at the UN, the UN International Children’s Emer- gency Fund (Unicef), and the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University, was a continuation of Difi ’s study on ‘Family Sensitive Social Protection’ and Difi ’s expert meeting held in Doha last year. It aimed to further the discussion on current models of Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi, left, speaking at the panel welfare and protection systems in the Arab region with spe- discussion at the UN in New York. cifi c focus on adolescent girls, shedding light on protection systems in terms of the extent to which they respond to ado- dressed by this session will be the start of greater projects lescent girls’ practical and strategic needs and tackle issues and initiatives that will assist us in creating recommenda- related limited autonomy, lack of voice, and agency. tions for the problems faced by adolescent girls in the Arab Dr Sharifa Noaman al-Emadi, executive director, Difi , region.” said, “Evidence shows that social protection programmes Arthur van Diesen, Unicef regional social policy adviser for can strengthen the capacity of families to care for their ado- Mena, said, “Unicef is actively supporting governments in lescent girls in an optimal manner if provided with the need- the Mena region to reform their social protection systems, to ed means and resources. Therefore, fostering knowledge on make them more responsive to children’s needs. Much more Arab families and advancing family policies and programmes needs to be done to ensure that social protection systems sup- through evidence-based policies, research, and advocacy are port adolescent girls to have a good education, protect them the main objectives of Difi . from harmful practices, and prepare them for entry into the “I am very optimistic that the themes and issues ad- labour market.” Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 QATAR MME to increase self-suffi ciency in vegetable output he Ministry of Munici- in order to enhance the self- tor, Sheikh Dr Faleh noted in opment of research on animal HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani touring the pality and Environment suffi ciency rate from 86% to his statement to QNA that the production and artifi cial in- exhibitions yesterday accompanied by HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin T(MME) has taken steps around 90% this year. ministry’s strategy is based on semination technology in order Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie and other dignitaries and off icials. to increase the rate of self-suf- Sheikh Dr Faleh said the several axes, the most impor- to increase livestock production fi ciency in vegetable produc- strategy of the agricultural, tant of which is the develop- in Qatar. tion, which currently stands at plant, animal and fi sh sector ment of livestock to contribute With regard to fi sheries, 24%, to 70% by presenting 10 was based mainly on achieving to food security, in addition to he said the MME has taken a projects for private investors to food security through the main creating investment opportu- number of regulatory measures grow vegetables in greenhous- agricultural products while nities and increasing market- to preserve fi sh stocks, the most PM opens AgriteQ and es and produce about 21,000 preserving the State’s natural ing opportunities for livestock important of which is the sus- tonnes annually through these resources, especially water, as breeders, providing bank loans pension of licences of new fi sh- projects, a senior ministry of- it is one of the most important as well as improving livestock ing vessels. fi cial has said. determinants of the agricul- production technology. He said the ministry’s strat- Assistant Undersecretary for tural sector. He also informed about an egy in this regard focuses on EnviroteQ exhibitions Agriculture and Fisheries Af- He informed that more than initiative to buy local sheep the expansion of the fi sh farm- fairs at the MME, Sheikh Dr 40 papers would be presented from farms in co-operation ing process, where the second Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, also on agriculture and that the with the Ministry of Commerce phase of a project involving fi sh From Page 1 said the ministry will study signing of a number of agree- and Industry and Ministry of culture in fl oating cages was 24 new strategic projects for ments and contracts with com- Finance to boost the self-suffi - launched with a production “In recent years Qatar has paid the production of vegetables panies, universities and sci- ciency ratio for red meat from capacity of about 2,000 tonnes great attention to the develop- in greenhouses over an area entifi c institutes would make 15% to 30%. per year, bringing the total pro- ment of the country’s wealth, of 100,000sq m per project to the exhibition a good opportu- The offi cial told QNA that the duction in the fi rst and second including agricultural sector, take the production capacity to nity to build partnerships and ministry has achieved a signifi - phases to 4,000 tonnes a year especially with regard to food more than 50,000 tonnes a year. achieve promising investment cant increase in the production and increasing self-suffi ciency security,” he pointed out. He made the observations opportunities between the par- of fresh broiler chickens from in fi sh from 74% to 90%. “The Ministry of Municipality while speaking to the offi cial ticipating countries, QNA re- 11,000 tonnes in 2017 to 22,000 Meanwhile, the ministry has and Environment has provided Qatar News Agency (QNA) on ported. tonnes annually, representing established and operated a water all means to support agricultural the sidelines of the opening of In the fi eld of green fodder, 100% self-suffi ciency. research centre at Ras Matbakh, producers by distributing sup- the seventh Qatar International the offi cial said four projects for As for table eggs, eight a research centre specialised in port materials, greenhouses, Agricultural Exhibition (Ag- the production of green fodder projects will be launched in lo- providing fi shes for farms. honey-bee cells, seeds, fertilis- riteQ) and fi rst environmental with treated sewage water were cal farms during the exhibition, Regarding fresh shrimp, ers, pesticides, while livestock exhibition at Doha Exhibition introduced in the fi rst stage with in co-operation with Qatar De- Sheikh Dr Faleh said the min- breeders are supported with con- and Convention Centre yester- an area of 8.5mn sq m to produce velopment Bank, to increase istry recently completed pro- centrated feeds and machinery day. about 14,000 tonnes of green self-suffi ciency from 28% to cedures for awarding an in- for milking and wool shearing. Stressing that agriculture fodder. Six new projects will be 70%. vestment project for shrimp The poultry and fi sheries sectors HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser is considered one of the most launched in the fi eld of green The ministry has also com- farming to a private national are also adequately supported. bin Khalifa al-Thani inaugurating at the pavilion of the Ministry of important sectors concerned fodder to produce about 16,000 pleted the establishment of the company, with a production “All these eff orts have led to Municipality and Environment a project to plant 1mn trees. with achieving food security in tonnes per year, with self-suffi - Animal Production Research capacity of about 1,000 tonnes increased production of local Qatar, he said the MME is also ciency rising from 55% to 63%. Station in Al Sheehaniya, which per year to achieve 100% self- vegetables, dates and green fod- fective role at the global level in compliance with environmen- working to support date farms As for the livestock sec- is concerned with the devel- suffi ciency. (QNA) der, and the number of animals protecting and developing the tal standards in their operations and the breeders, and the coun- environment and combating and refl ecting the development try’s production of fresh chick- pollution,” the minister added. of their activities in terms of en, table eggs, milk and dairy About 450 local and foreign social responsibility and the products. The ministry recently companies from more than 50 growth of their industries and opened Water Research Center countries are participating in the development roles. at Ras Matbakh, in support of agricultural and environmen- The events includes a number the country’s aquaculture sector. tal exhibitions, spread across of workshops on the importance “The ministry has launched 29,000sq m. of sustainability of agriculture, several agricultural investment The seventh edition of AgriteQ livestock production and food projects for the establishment of is described as an excellent oppor- security in Qatar, technology and concentrated feed factories and tunity to explore the wide range of innovation, agricultural invest- the production of organic ferti- agricultural products, machinery ment and future plans to increase lisers. and technologies presented by the fi sh production, as well as other “Recognising the importance world’s leading companies. agricultural and environmental of contributing globally in com- The fi rst environmental ex- issues, including air quality, pol- bating environmental pollution, hibition is a new platform for lution, climate change and devel- Qatar has been keen to harmo- launching the initiatives of en- opment of agricultural and envi- nise its economic growth with vironmental sustainability in the ronmental sectors in Qatar. the preservation of the environ- sectors of energy, industry, wa- On the sidelines of the two QIFF 2019 gives festival-goers a chance to explore Qatar Foundation’s Education City, especially the impressively designed and landscaped ment, and has made environ- ter, transportation, sustainable exhibitions, a conference will be Oxygen Park. mental protection and develop- urban planning and manage- held to exchange experiences, ment one of the pillars of the ment, municipal and hazardous learn the latest practices and re- National Vision 2030 and its de- waste, as well as the commercial search on the most pressing is- velopment strategies. and service sectors and the op- sues and major challenges in the “Qatar has acceded to several portunities in eco-tourism. environmental and agricultural international agreements, in- EnviroteQ includes pavilions levels, as well as explore new op- cluding the Paris Agreement on for companies, factories, bod- portunities in agricultural pro- 11-day food festival opens ies and universities presenting duction at the local and regional Climate Change, in the belief that it is important to play an ef- their achievements in terms of levels. today at Oxygen Park beIN to take part in Qatar International Food Festival Following last year’s success, beIN will be partnering will also be part of the program with the master he 11-day annual food with Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) as class lessons with all the chefs where participants and fun gala Qatar In- part of the 10th edition of Qatar International Food test their cooking skills and learn from the best in Tternational Food Festival Festival (QIFF). the industry. To register for the competitions and (QIFF) opens today at Qatar The festival, which runs from today until March 30 at classes, visit https://www.bein.net/en/qiff 2019/ Foundation’s Oxygen Park, in Oxygen Park in Education City, will give participants “We are delighted to be partnering with QNTC Education City. the chance to feature in beIN’s successful 2nd in another edition of QIFF. beIN’s commitment The 10th edition of QIFF season competition “So You Think You Can Cook” to participate in such events highlights its welcomes foodies from Qatar and win prizes. Along with its wide selection of determination to off er exclusive access to the best and around the globe to cel- 97 channels, dedicated packages and an online in sports and entertainment and provide millions ebrate the world’s diverse cui- streaming service of all the biggest games and of families across MENA with the best content from sines every year. entertainment programs on the planet, beIN is also around the world,” said Khalid al-Marzooqi, head of To reach the venue, enter home to world renowned channels beIN Gourmet, Direct Sales at beIN Media Group. Education City from gates 1, Fatafeat, Food Network and much more. Mashal Shahbik from QNTC said “QIFF has been 2, 5, 7: Gates 1 and 2 if you are beIN will be bringing in international star chefs from successfully introducing residents and visitors of coming from Mall of Qatar side Discovery’s Food Network and Fatafeat like South Qatar to the finest cuisines and culinary talent from and Gharrafa AlRayaan, Gate Chef Richard Sandoval Africa’s Siba Mtongana and Jenny Morris as well as all over the world.” 5 if you are coming from slope Egypt’s Salma Souleiman for the first time in Qatar to “Together with our partners, we are excited to Roundabout or Markhiya area, Eric Lanlard landscaped outdoor spaces, and dlers along with a photo booth present the best recipes from their famous cooking celebrate this success by introducing the biggest or Gate 7 if you are coming from underground parking with over and gardening area. shows on TV and share their experiences with ever number of international celebrity chefs this Foroseya Road or Old Rayaan. of Qatari chefs participating 3,000 spaces. This year being the Qatar- foodies. beIN Gourmet’s ‘Coff ee’ show expert and year. Thanks to beIN, visitors will have an opportunity There will be shuttle buses such as Aisha al-Tamimi, Sarra The three grounds have been India Year of Culture, there will barista Sam Cevikoz will also be in attendance to to participate in cooking competitions and meet running every 8-10 minutes al-Syed, Noora al-Mazroui as themed O1, O2 and O3. O1 will be special performances and discuss the art of coff ee making through extensive their favourite TV stars in person,” she added. beIN from various parking areas well as regional chefs Manal al- be dedicated to cafes, light features in the festival based master class sessions. entertains and operates in 43 countries around the within Education City as well Alam, Jameela al-Lenqawi and snacks and other activities on the cultural off erings of A meet and greet with the international star chefs world, including 24 countries across the Mena region. as from Qatar National Con- Al Yazi al-Awadh. and O2 will be all about chil- the two countries. Besides the vention Centre parking. QIFF also off ers numerous dren’s activities while O3 will main stage, there will be roam- As many as 157 delectable exclusive interactive cooking feature all the main food stalls ing performances, mascots and Vodafone Qatar announces partnership with QIFF 2019 food and beverage options are and tasting sessions that are and the centre stage featuring food themed structures. presented over 11 days. Popular arranged on the sidelines of the Live Cooking Theatre and other QIFF’s food off erings aren’t Vodafone Qatar is the off icial telecommunications participants, and visitors can connect to high- eateries, new outlets and cater- festival where aspiring chefs programmes. just limited to the festival partner of the 10th edition of Qatar International speed internet for free via Vodafone-powered Wi-Fi ers from all over town are off er- watch and learn master skills Besides other activities, Edu- venue. Over 90 restaurants Food Festival, which runs from today to March 30 hotspots. ing Arabic delicacies to all ma- and techniques alongside their cation City’s world-renowned across Qatar are serving a cu- at the Oxygen Park in Qatar Foundation’s Education Vodafone Qatar COO Diego Camberos said: “We’re jor international cuisines. favourite TV stars. universities will be off ering rated “QIFF Menu” through the City. very excited to sponsor the highly-awaited annual A distinctive number of up- While select 5-star restau- unique, futuristic fun activities whole month of March. They The hugely popular family friendly event, organised event in Qatar’s calendar that with each year gets coming local businesses and rants across Doha are host- for visitors such as getting a 3D present an exclusive 3-course and delivered by the Qatar National Tourism Council bigger and better. And we’re delighted that our startups will be introducing ing Chef’s Table sessions with face scan, changing your voice, QIFF Menu consisting of a (QNTC), will be packed with celebrity chefs, food network will help everyone at QIFF capture and their foods and beverages for Iron Chef Masharu Morimoto, virtual reality experiences, starter, main course and des- tastings, chef demonstrations, food competitions, share all their special moments at the event. the fi rst time to QIFF visitors. Richard Sandoval, Nobu Mat- Sphero Football and many oth- sert, at discounted prices of kids’ activities, and more. “This is also the fourth time we proudly partner This year, 37 international suhissa and Barista Trainer Sam er activities including health QR45, 95 and 125. There are 35 Among the many notable regional and international with QNTC to hold leading events in Qatar, such as and local celebrity chefs from Cevikoz, The Chef’s Garden checks, spin the wheel quiz, restaurants in hotels, 16 inside chefs participating are Qatar’s own Aisha al-Tamimi, the Qatar Fan Zone and Shop Qatar – a partnership 17 countries are coming to the Restaurant in Education City Arabic calligraphy and Lego malls and over 40 are stan- ‘queen of the Arabian kitchen’ Manal al-Alem, which we look forward to continue growing.” QIFF. Masaharu Morimoto, will be hosting cooking mas- construction of the Minaretein dalone restaurants off ering the Japanese celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto, James Rashed AlQurese from QNTC stated, “We are proud Richard Sandoval, Dominique terclasses with Barista Trainer building. QIFF Menu. The list of these Beard, award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel of QIFF’s success over the last decade and the large Ansel, Eric Lanlard, Ranveer Sam and Food Network star There will be an exclusive restaurants can be seen here: known for his croissant-donut hybrid – the Cronut, number of festival partners it attracts. With their support Brar, Siba Mtongana, Jenny hosts Siba Mtongana and Jenny Kidzania Go booth off ering fun www.qifoodfestival.qa. and famed Indian chef Ranveer Brar. the 10th anniversary edition is set to be a memorable Morris, and Lorraine Pascale Morris and Salma Souleiman. activities like TV station, Radio QIFF timings: 3pm–11pm As part of the partnership, Vodafone Qatar will experience. And, thanks to Vodafone Qatar, visitors are just few of these names. Spread over 130,000sq m, Station, 360 Virtual Reality and (Saturday – Wednesday) and ensure that its world-class GigaNet network will be will be able to share this vibrant and multicultural There is also a big number the Oxygen Park has beautifully a RightzKeeper Zone for tod- 3pm–1am (Thursday and Friday). available across the Oxygen Park so that organisers, celebration with people all around the world.” Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 7 QATAR

Turkish minister appreciates Qatar’s food self-sufficiency PM inaugurates Mahaseel’s operations

Turkish Minister of Agriculture Qatar’s first international environ- ing Turkish and Qatari companies development of the Qatari-Turkish HE the Prime Minister and farms, through its off icial website ing food security eff orts tops and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said mental exhibition EnviroteQ, the led by Hassad Food. He also met relations and the importance of Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah (www.mahaseel.qa), in order to Hassad’s strategic objectives,” Qatar was able to achieve great minister said the great prepara- with a number of off icials and sustaining the communication bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani benefit from the marketing and Hassad’s CEO Mohamed bin success and high rates in the field tions accompanying these two spoke with them about common between the off icials of both yesterday off icially inaugurated agricultural services that will be Badr al-Sadah said. of self-suff iciency and food secu- important events confirm that issues, especially with regard to countries. the operations of Mahaseel provided by the company. “Registration is currently open rity in a short time, which proves Qatar has made great strides in food security, pointing out that He confirmed that Ankara is deter- for Marketing and Agricultural Mahaseel will provide support to to all local farmers through that the blockade has turned into a food security. He said the large such important international mined to increase and strengthen Services Company (a subsidiary local farmers, by marketing their Mahaseel’s website, and also blessing, and that despite it, Qatar number of participants in the events reflect the great develop- its relations with Doha. He also of Hassad), as well as the farmers’ produce, as well as provide other available within Hassad’s booth has successfully invested in these exhibitions shows Qatar’s vision ment of the agricultural sector in aff irmed the two countries’ con- registration process. agriculture-related services, with during the period of the Agriteq,” vital sectors. and how much it gives importance Qatar. He expressed thanks and tinuous aspiration to promote and The inauguration took place at the aim of increasing the quan- he said. In an exclusive statement to Qatar to food security. appreciation to everyone who increase the volume of agricul- the opening ceremony of the 7th tity and enhancing the quality of “Mahaseel will start its opera- News Agency (QNA), on the side- The Turkish minister said that dur- contributed to the preparation and tural and economic co-operation Qatar International Agricultural local produce. tions within the next few months, lines of Qatar’s 7th International ing his tour of the exhibitions he organisation of the exhibitions. between them in various fields Exhibition (AgriteQ), at Doha “We are keen to provide support after compiling and assessing all Agricultural Exhibition AgriteQ and met with off icials from participat- The minister also praised the and sectors. Exhibition and Convention Cen- to the private agricultural sec- applications received from local tre. Mahaseel also announced tor and encourage farmers to farmers,” al-Sadah said. Mahaseel that the registration process is increase the quantity and quality was established in September now open to all local productive of their production, as support- 2018. French agriculture leaders keen to share know-how with Qatar

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

delegation of ‘French Thomas Nivert at their stall at AgriteQ 2019, taking place at DECC. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Technologies in Agricul- Ature’ global leaders are ready to share their expertise with Qatar aimed at helping the coun- try attain self-suffi ciency in food production, French ambassador ‘Qatar on right track for Franck Gellet has said. Representatives and offi cials from these 10 companies started meeting their Qatari counterparts national food security’ at the opening of Qatar Inter- national Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2019 yesterday, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and By Joey Aguilar Doha Exhibition and Conven- technology. An equipment is Convention Centre until March Staff Reporter tion Centre. It will conclude on being used to detect the heat, 22. March 22. health and any possible sick- “We introduce these companies With Baladna’s success in ness,” said Nivert, adding that from various sectors in France’s atar is on the right track bringing and taking care of they intend to continuously agriculture here (at AgriteQ) that and poised to become thousands of cows, Nivert ex- work with the Qatar govern- are of important interest for Qatar Qsuccessful in delivering pressed confi dence that Qatar ment to help the country to be at a time it is intending to develop its national food security plan can further expand its livestock self-suffi cient. its agricultural industry,” the en- due to its sound fundamen- industry in the future. Talks about a project to trace voy told Gulf Times. He added tals, a senior offi cial of leading “Yes, but probably the model and monitor other cattle such that these renowned companies, French livestock intelligence is to be studied. Large-scale as sheep and goats are also un- with their lengthy experience French ambassador Franck Gellet with representatives and off icials from leading French agricultural company in the world has said. farming is really new to Qatar derway between Allfl ex and the and extraordinary know-how, are companies at AgriteQ 2019. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Allfl ex’s Middle East and so it needs to be done within a Qatar government, he noted. open not only in giving advice and East Africa sales director Tho- framework that is provided by Nivert said the company can support, but also on joint ven- and scrapers for over 40 years; tenance of environment-friendly East market is gaining importance mas Nivert cited Qatar’s use of the ministry and this is where a provide a tool that will help tures with Qatari institutions and Deltex, a company specialised in power stations; Vitalac manu- for France, citing that more than state-of-the-art technology in French company like Allfl ex can farms to better manage ani- companies “possibly if circum- manufacturing polyester wire and factures food, minerals, premixes $1.4bn have been directly export- developing its agriculture sec- help,” he said. mals, have better effi ciency, and stances are permitting.” cable, and builds water reservoir, and nutritional products for cattle ed to the GCC region. tor, which will eventually lead A world leader in livestock to control and prevent diseases Business France, the national greenhouses and trellis systems; and poultry; Allfl ex is the number “In 2017, France’s agricultural to its goal of being self-suffi - intelligence, with nearly 2,000 from spreading – ensuring “a agency supporting the interna- NTD France, which builds live- one animal identifi cation; and sales to Qatar decreased by 52% cient. employees worldwide, and food safety for the people.” tional development of the French stock buildings designed for the Olmix Group is one of the major (following a sharp rise in 2016), “Compared to other coun- 24 manufacturing sites, the “I believe Qatar is walking in economy, is organising these comfort of animals; and Gautier global specialist in marine bio- but exports of agri-food products tries in the region, Qatar now 70-year-old company was the right path and it is talking to meetings at AgriteQ – which Semences, which specialised in technology and green chemistry. (3.6% of French sales) increased has a very progressive technol- awarded the contract to moni- the right people. We believe this brings together some 90 local breeding, producing and retailing “Strong and proud of its agri- by 48.8% for a value of €72.2mn,” ogy and we are happy that it is tor herds at the Baladna farm. cordial relationship between farms and more than 50 interna- high-quality vegetable seeds for food industry, France is acclaimed he noted. applying such technological Allfl ex’s core business is to the two countries can make a tional companies under one roof. over 60 years. worldwide for the recognised The envoy pointed out that the know-how,” he told Gulf Times provide equipment that is able huge diff erence,” he said, add- Among these French companies Meanwhile, Senalia’s core quality of its products and know- embargo imposed on Qatar on on the sidelines of the opening to capture production data and ing that they were pleased to include CK Industries design, business is exporting of cereals how: it is positioned as the Euro- June 5, 2017 has strengthened the of Qatar International Agricul- store such information into receive a delegation from Qatar which manufacture and sell a while Berthault Engineering cre- pean leader in agricultural prod- country’s desire for food security, tural Exhibition (AgriteQ) 2019 a database that will be used last year. Apart from cows and wide range of tubular and ma- ates unique food and Agrofood ucts and the sixth in the world of with Doha demonstrating its abil- yesterday. by farmers in managing their other cattle, the company also nure equipment for cows, calves, concepts. direct exporters (with $68.5bn ity to maintain the well-being of AgriteQ hosts some 90 lo- farms. supplies microchip for camels sheep and goats such as head- Alma-Sun-Energy is an expert exported),” Gellet said. its population and to increase its cal farms and more than 50 in- “Today each cow at Baladna in Qatar for their monitoring locks, fences, cubicles, hayrack in design, installation and main- He stressed that the Middle autonomy. ternational companies at the is being monitored with our and identifi cation.

Guinea-Bissau open Mini Zoo and livestock grab the limelight at AgriteQ to Qatar investments The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Develop- ment of Guinea-Bissau, Nicolau dos Santos, By Shafeeq Alingal Convention Centre yesterday. On the “Love for animals and livestock varieties of hens, rabbits, goats and “In fact, AgriteQ is an ideal venue for stressed that his country looks forward to build Staff Reporter inaugural day of the seventh edition draw them towards the stalls here,” pigeons on display. Apart from local farmers to introduce their initiatives. a deep economic and investment partnership of the agricultural exhibition, visitors said Ahmed al-Abdulla who runs Al breeds, poultry, pets and livestock in- It lends an opportunity to farmers and with Qatar in the light of the great potential en- thronged to take a look at livestock Nukhba farm. Ahmed has brought clude varieties from Holland, Belgium, entrepreneurs to get customers. Be- joyed by both countries in the fields of energy, eaturing a wide variety of ani- and wild animals. Some even posed for to the event various breeds of goats, France, Germany and Oman. Farmers sides, it will help more entrepreneurs agriculture and industry. mals, livestock and poultry, the photos with a python on show at the hens, rabbits and pigeons from across have brought chicks and eggs for sale. try a hand with innovation in farming On the occasion of the country’s first participa- FMini Zoo and Veterinary Prod- Mini Zoo, set up by Doha Zoo, which the world. VeteQ focuses on veterinary Techniques of hatching and live- and livestock growing,” he added. tion in Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition ucts Area (VeteQ) have grabbed the has also displayed Qatar’s national health, latest technologies in veteri- stock growing are also on show at Various sessions at AgriteQ provide 2019, the minister said that the agenda of his limelight at the AgriteQ exhibition animal Arabian Oryx and cheetah from nary sector, and products for poultry VeteQ. Al-Abdulla said VeteQ was re- farmers and visitors with opportunity visit includes extensive meetings and discus- that opened at Doha Exhibition and India. and livestock. The area has many ceiving good response from visitors. to interact with experts. sions at the off icial level and at the level of the private sector, where he will meet with govern- ment off icials and businessmen. The minister expressed hope that the meetings will enable him to provide the Qatari investors with the real picture of what his country can provide and the investment opportunities that it can off er. He stressed that Guinea-Bissau will be open to Qatari investments and will provide legal guar- antees and full protection. With regard to the leading economic, agricul- tural and industrial sectors characterised by Guinea-Bissau, which can attract Qatari invest- ments, the minister explained that his country is among the African countries that rely mainly on agriculture and fishing. He noted that the econo- my of Guinea-Bissau provides self-suff iciency of various foods through the cultivation of various crops such as potatoes, palm oil, peanuts, veg- etables, beans, nuts, especially cashew nuts, in addition to raising animals such as goats, sheep, cattle and poultry. He added that Guinea-Bissau also depends on the export and consumption of all kinds of fish and shrimp, and exports many commercial products such as cotton, timber and other prod- Visitors posing for pictures with a python at Mini Zoo at AgriteQ exhibition. ucts, and all these fields form a common ground Hens on display at AgriteQ exhibition. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam for many investment projects. — QNA Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 QATAR Tasmeem Doha 2019 explores connections of art and design asmeem Doha 2019, the international art and de- Tsign conference hosted by Virginia Commonwealth Uni- versity School of the Arts in Qa- tar (VCUarts Qatar) in Education City, concluded on March 15 after three days of workshops, talks, exhibitions by renowned artists and designers from the region and around the world. The campus was transformed into a mini design district with creative, quirky and impressive installations and artsy kiosks all around the central foyer. The entrance was character- ised by a striking display of col- Sir David Adjaye Conference co-chairs Hadeer Omar, Noha Fouad, Wajiha Pervez, and Yasmeen Suleiman interact on stage. ourful ribbons transitioning from orange to purple. Fouad, Wajiha Pervez, and Yas- Dr Donald Baker, VCUarts bers together around common combined stunning visuals inspired The theme of the conference meen Suleiman. Qatar’s executive dean, said: interests and concerns, providing by Persian motifs with rhythmic was ‘Hekayat’ (stories) and it was The event attracted people of “Tasmeem Doha strikes me as a a shared body of ideas, observa- electronic beats sampling the ritual co-chaired by four VCUarts Qa- all ages from a wide variety of unique and very eff ective way to tions, and experiences to fuel on- and regional music of Iran. tar alumni: Hadeer Omar, Noha ages, backgrounds and interests. bring students and faculty mem- going dialogue.” Workshops during Tasmeem Tasmeem Doha featured Doha included everything from speakers such as Ahmed Alrefaie, Palestinian embroidery and ar- an illustrator and graphic design- chitectural imagery and typogra- er from Kuwait; and Rana Beiruti, phy, to a workshop incorporating director and co-founder of Am- cooking and woodworking, as man Design Week. well as sculpting, virtual reality, The opening keynote speaker calligraphy, coding, and T-Shirt was Sir David Adjaye, OBE, the design by the likes of Gary Webb, founder and principal of Adjaye Samer Fouad, Armor Gutiérrez Associates. Rivas and 2015/16 VCUarts Qatar A panel discussion during the event. An architect with an artist’s Artist-in-Residence Nastassja sensibility, his largest project to Swift, and by students from printers that source relevant text her incredible wearable designs date is the National Museum of VCUarts Qatar and the univer- and images from the internet, and which were achieved through African American History and sity’s home campus. is a collaboration between fac- 3D-printing, and also regaled the Culture in Washington, DC. Graphic design students per- ulty and students from VCUarts audience with memories of her Participants had the opportu- formed live loops of their works Qatar, Texas A&M University at exciting collaborations for haute nity to meet and engage with the during ‘Sonic Jeel’ (sonic genera- Qatar, and Tokyo Metropolitan couture and costumes for the speakers of their choice at Tas- tion) to great acclaim. Sonic Jeel University’s Advanced Institute movie, as well as other projects meem Doha. During the ‘Swalif was a design course and pseudo of Industrial Technology. with the likes of Swarovski. Sessions’, speakers gave more de- record label exploring systems of Viewers of Hollywood block- “My experience at Tasmeem tailed insights into their respec- sound using small portable syn- buster movie The Black Panther was absolutely fantastic. I am re- tive fi elds to a smaller and more thesisers and sampling. would have been familiar with ally impressed that this event was concentrated audience. Workshop 3 at the Fire Station the designs of Julia Koerner, who organised by four young women Tehran-based artist Ali Phi’s ex- hosted the ‘-162°C Trading Pow- was the keynote speaker on the to begin with. I met a lot of diff er- hibition ‘QAL, the anti-carpet’ had er’ exhibition, which is also part fi nal day of Tasmeem Doha. Dur- ent people including faculty and key elements of Persian carpets and of Tasmeem Doha. ing her speech to a full house, she students and all of this just shows Persian gardens while his audio- The exhibition, which will run shared details and experiences a sort of openness to innovation in The ‘-162°C Trading Power’ exhibition at Fire Station runs until March 22. visual performance of ‘Elemaun’ until March 22, uses 40 fl oating of how she designed some of this region,” Koerner said.

Italian Design Day CNA-Q, Hertfordshire sign agreement on bachelor’s degrees today at Msheireb ollege of the North ment will enable our students tional learning. One of the core Atlantic – Qatar to increase their technical aspects of our university, like C(CNA-Q) and Univer- know-how by achieving bac- CNA-Q, is to maintain strong o mark the third edition of for the projects conceived in the sity of Hertfordshire (UH), calaureate degree credentials connections with industry and the Italian Design Day in fi eld of cultural, interior and ur- UK, have signed a progres- in their fi eld of specialisa- business leaders, which leads Tthe World dedicated to the ban design. He teaches Interior sion agreement allowing tions, by expanding on the to a high rate of employability theme ‘Design and the City of the Design at Politecnico di Milano CNA-Q graduates to earn high-quality technical educa- and professional success for Future’, the Italian embassy has and he is visiting professor at baccalaureate degrees. tion gained at CNA-Q,” said our graduates,” said UH direc- organised, in partnership with Dongseo University of Busan The agreement includes Samah Gamar, CNA-Q’s vice- tor Stuart Smith. Msheireb Properties, a panel (South Korea). pathways for three of CNA- president, academic. Founded in 1952, UH was discussion ‘New Patterns in the Migliore will outline the latest Q’s academic schools, paving Business Studies students fi rst called Hatfi eld Techni- City of the Future’ today at the developments in urban design, the way to nine diff erent de- can complete a BA in the cal College, later moving to a Msheireb Enrichment Centre at a fi eld which has become more gree programmes. disciplines of Business Ad- polytechnic model, before be- the Corniche from 6.30pm. and more crucial in determining At the signing ceremony ministration, Business and ing granted university status “The Italian Design Day in the evolution of cities in terms of announcing the academic Accounting, Business and in 1992. Qatar has become through years cultural-environmental sustain- pathways yesterday, the UK Marketing, Business and Hu- UH has over 25,000 stu- a very special occasion to pro- ability and urban liveability for university announced that it man Resources or Human Re- dents and 165,000 alumni. mote initiatives that help us citizens. will off er a scholarship to each sources Management. Since its inception in 2002, explain and express at best cul- The panel discussion will also CNA-Q student who enrols Graduates of the three- CNA-Q has grown to off er 26 tural traits, know-how and ideas deal with the concept of “smart with them, covering 15% of the year IT programmes can diploma and certifi cate pro- inspiring the ‘Made in Italy’ de- cities” in order to explore how fi rst year’s tuition. complete a BSc (Hons) in grammes in applied, technical sign. Our aim is to contribute digital technologies can be ap- “Our mandate at CNA-Q Computer Science/ Informa- and occupationally-aligned to display this unique system of plied to modern infrastructures is to provide international- tion Technology. fi elds. values and knowledge, enhanc- and facilities to make our cities ly-recognised technical and Engineering Technol- It has graduated thou- ing connections and relations more effi cient and secure. vocational education and ogy graduates can achieve BSc sands of students who have with local companies and part- Fatima Mohamed Fawzy M training in partnership with (Hons) in Automotive Tech- infused Qatar’s industries ners,” ambassador Pasquale Sal- A Hassan, design manager at employers for Qatar’s evolv- nology with management or and sectors with work-ready zano said. Msheireb Properties, and engi- ing economy. In addition, BEng (Hons) Electrical and professionals. The event will feature the Ital- neer Marco Ghisi from the Italian we believe that collaboration Electronic Engineering and This year marks the 17th ian renowned Architect Ico Migl- company Leonardo Spa will be with other higher educational Mechanical Engineering. year that CNA-Q has been iore, awarded three Compasso part of the panel to discuss with institutions is integral to en- “University of Hertfordshire providing experiential tech- d’Oro ADI prizes, eleven Red Architect Migliore the role of suring our graduates have di- has a long history of technical nical education in Qatar to Dot Design Awards, two Ger- design and high technologies in verse options for continuing education, and our two insti- support Qatar’s strategic man Design Awards and two IDA transforming today’s urban areas their education and to achieve tutions are aligned in values vision for human capital de- – International Design Awards into future “smart cities”. higher credentials. The agree- of higher education and voca- velopment. Samah Gamar and Stuart Smith at the signing ceremony. Areas where non-Qataris can own property

From Page 1 Talking about the residency ben- lating the Entry, Exit and Residence of efi ts, HE Dr al-Nuaimi said accord- Expatriates. Non-Qataris can enjoy the owner- ing to the new stipulations, owners HE the Minister stressed that these ship of two types of real estate: offi ces of real estate valued at a minimum of new regulations would refl ect posi- and shops inside commercial com- $200,000 will be issued permanent tively on the country, Qataris, non- plexes, and residential villas inside residency cards for as long as they Qataris and the national economy. residential complexes. This is in ac- own the property. For other expatri- These are expected to push forward cordance with the rules and regula- ates, the residency cards are issued for economic development in the coun- tions determined by the Ministry of fi ve years, which is renewable, in ac- try, making Qatar a global investment Municipality and Environment. cordance with Law No 21 of 2015 regu- destination. Tamuq-HBKU course on cybersecurity from March 24

Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq) information, white hacking techniques for defences against hackers and other and Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s stealth collection, methodologies for the malicious actors. The Fundamentals of (HBKU) Executive Education Center evaluation and validation of sources of Cybersecurity certificate programme, will hold their second Fundamentals of open and publicly available information, established in 2018, aims to equip Cybersecurity certificate programme and OSINT (open-source intelligence) best professionals with the skills they need from March 24. The programme practices, according to a press statement. to protect data and security in Qatar,” covers topics related to basic concepts “Access to secure networks in a the statement notes. behind modern cryptographic systems connected world is a necessity in The programme will show participants and how these concepts can be today’s world. As an ever-growing how to conduct penetration testing and employed to secure data and private amount of personal and potentially forensic investigations, allowing users and communications. Participants can sensitive data is uploaded into servers administrators to configure computers learn about the collection and analysis everywhere, the public, the private in order to stop cyber-attacks, or at least of open-source and publicly available sector and governments need stronger minimise their negative impact. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD

100 evacuated after plane catches fire at Tehran airport Thousands demonstrate in Algiers An airliner caught fire on landing at Tehran’s Mehra- Reuters entourage or the ‘friend’,” the bad airport yesterday but Algiers protest leaders said. all 100 passengers were Algerian authorities have long evacuated without injury, been adept at manipulating a the head of Iran’s emer- housands of students, weak and disorganised opposi- gency department said on university professors and tion. state television. Thealth workers rallied But the mass demonstrations A video posted by the in Algiers yesterday calling for have emboldened well-known Islamic Republic News President Abdelaziz Boutefl ika fi gures to lead the reform drive. Agency showed flames and to quit, and a new group headed Prominent members of the sparks shooting out from by activists and opposition fi g- new group include lawyer and the back of the plane at the ures told the army not to inter- activist Mustapha Bouchachi, moment of landing. fere. opposition leader Karim Tabou The fire broke out after the In the fi rst direct public mes- and former treasury minister Ali aircraft’s landing gear did sage to the generals from leaders Benouari. not open properly, and was emerging from nearly a month They also include Mourad later brought under control, of mass protests against Boutef- Dhina and Kamel Guemazi, emergency department lika, the National Co-ordination former members of the banned head Pir-Hossein Kolivand for Change said the military Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), said. The pilot was unable to should “play its constitutional the party whose annulled elec- open the back wheels of the role without interfering in the tion victory led to the 1990s in- plane and circled the airport people’s choice”. Boutefl ika, who surgency. attempting to open all the has ruled for 20 years, bowed to A possible role for conserva- wheels before landing the the protesters last week by an- tives in any future government plane on its body, according nouncing he would not stand for is one of the issues that could to Fars news agency. another term. divide the public and potentially The plane was a Fokker 100 But he stopped short of step- provoke the military to inter- belonging to Iran Air, Fars ping down and said he would vene. Hardliners have largely reported. Other agency stay in offi ce until a new consti- been excluded from public life reports said it was flying tution is adopted, eff ectively ex- Algerian healthcare professionals take part in a demonstration in the capital Algiers against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, yesterday. since the war. from an Iranian island in the tending his present term. More moderate groups are ac- Gulf to the capital. His moves have done nothing tem. It must disappear forever,” to win, triggering a decade of where Foreign Minister Ser- Protesters have been calling tive but ideologically divided. IRIB news agency quoted to halt demonstrations, which said Djilali Bahi, a doctor at yes- civil war. gei Lavrov said Russia, a close for a generation of new leaders to Zoubida Assoul, leader of Reza Jafarzadeh, the head peaked on Friday with hundreds terday’s demonstration. The protest leaders issued military ally of Algeria, was con- replace a ruling elite dominated a small political party, is the of public relations at Iran’s of thousands of protesters on the So far, soldiers have stayed in their statement titled “Platform cerned about attempts to desta- by the military, businessmen and only woman in the group so far. Civil Aviation Organisation streets of Algiers and have con- their barracks during the pro- of Change” late on Monday, de- bilise the situation. veterans of the 1954-1962 inde- “Boutefl ika just trampled on the as saying the plane had 24 tinued into this week. tests. manding Boutefl ika step down Lamamra defended the gov- pendence war against France. constitution after he decided passengers and nine crew. “We will not stop our pres- But on Monday, Chief of Staff when his term ends on April 28 ernment’s reform proposals. In their statement, the protest to extend his fourth term,” said It did not give any explana- sure until he (Boutefl ika) goes,” Lieutenant-General Ahmed and the government resign im- Boutefl ika has agreed to hand leaders made veiled references to the National Co-ordination for tion for the discrepancy in said student Ali Adjimi, 23. “The Gaed Salah hinted at a more ac- mediately. over power to an elected presi- two fi gures: Boutefl ika’s power- Change. the figures. people want you to leave”, read a tive role, saying the army should “We belong to the people so dent, and the opposition will be ful younger brother Said, and With memories of the 1990s Iran has suffered a string banner. take responsibility for fi nding a we are against extending Boute- allowed to take part in the cabi- the president’s friend Lakhdar civil war which cost an estimated of plane and helicopter Others shouted “the people quick solution to the crisis. fl ika’s fourth term,” said Mo- net that will oversee elections, Brahimi, a veteran Algerian UN 200,000 lives, many Algerians crashes over the past few and the army are one.” Generals have tradition- hamed Yousfi , head of one of the he said. diplomat named by Boutefl ika to have long prioritised stability. decades. The 82-year-old president has ally wielded power behind the doctors unions. For years, rumours have chair a conference to develop a Boutefl ika survived the 2011 Tehran says US sanctions rarely been seen in public since scenes in Algeria but have pub- Boutefl ika’s newly appointed swirled about potential succes- new political landscape. “Arab Spring” that toppled other have long prevented it from suff ering a stroke in 2013, and licly intervened during pivotal deputy prime minister, Ramtane sors to Boutefl ika, but no one “The Algerian people will not Arab leaders. But with the econ- buying new aircraft or spare protesters say he is too old and moments, including cancelling Lamamra, has launched a tour of credible has emerged who has accept any approach that will omy souring and the youth less parts from the West to mod- frail to rule. an election in the early 1990s allied countries seeking support. the backing of the army and elite tend to extend the current sys- fearful of change, he has strug- ernise its fleet. “We are fed up with this sys- that conservatives were poised He visited Moscow yesterday, and is not in their 70s or 80s. tem, whether from the ‘brother’ gled to placate Algerians. Yemeni aid worker Gaza border protests provide artist killed in Hodeidah with inspiration, and raw materials Reuters dead by a Palestinian sniper AFP Gaza along the frontier. Dubai UN to present new plan for pullback from key port Israel says it uses lethal force to defend the frontier from fi ght- The United Nations will put for- presented to the parties in the ne year on from the start ers trying to destroy its border Yemeni staff member of ward a new plan for the pullback Redeployment Coordination of Gaza’s border protests, fence and infi ltrate under cover Action Against Hunger of forces from Yemen’s flash- Committee (RCC) for endorse- Othe weekly clashes with of the protests. Awas killed by shrapnel point city of Hodeidah to the ment shortly,” he added. Israeli soldiers have become part On Monday, UN war crimes on the roof of her home in the government and Houthi rebels, The RCC, chaired by Danish of the texture of life in the Pales- investigators urged Israel to rein embattled city of Hodeidah, a UN envoy said yesterday. General Michael Lollesgaard, tinian enclave, providing inspi- in its troops at the border. the aid group said yesterday. The redeployment of forces was was set up under the Stockholm ration and even raw materials for In Nusseirat refugee camp, The Yemeni woman, whom agreed in December under a deal to bring the government local artists. where Abu Taqeya lives, some Action Against Hunger identi- ceasefire deal reached in Swe- and the Houthis to the table Diorama artist Majdi Abu neighbours who had been fi ed as “Aamnah”, was on the den that off ered the best hope to hammer out details of the Taqeya spends hours creating wounded gifted the artist bullets roof of her house with her sis- in years of moving toward an ceasefire deal. three-dimensional miniature extracted from their bodies. ter on Monday when they were end to the war that has pushed The UN envoy’s statement did replicas of the protest scenes, “This bullet was taken from a both hit by shrapnel. Yemen to the brink of famine. not give a date for the start of with fi gures carved from rem- girl’s body, I turned it into a bul- Her sister was wounded and “Following constructive discus- the pullback, which would mark nants of Israeli ammunition col- let with a butterfl y on the top,” survived, the group said. sions with both parties, there is the first concrete step towards lected from the landscape along said Abu Taqeya. It described Aamnah’s death significant progress towards an de-escalation in Hodeidah. the frontier. Palestinian diorama artist Majdi Abu Taqeya works on miniature On Thursday, organisers of the as “murder” but did not ac- agreement to implement phase Griff iths said he “looks forward Wool and cotton are turned figures he carves from remnants of ammunition collected from the protests called for mass rallies on cuse anyone of the attack. one of the redeployments of the to the swift endorsement of the into the white and black smoke scenes of border protests along the Israel-Gaza border. March 30 to mark the anniver- “We learned with deep sad- Hodeidah agreement,” said a plan” and expressed hope that that swirls over the fi ve protest sary, raising concerns of possible ness of Aamnah’s death. She statement from Martin Griff iths, a deal would pave the way to a camps that have been set up siles. A bullet triggered the idea, a 38-year-old retired naval po- heavy casualty toll. was a model of dedication and the UN envoy for Yemen. broader political settlement to along the fortifi ed frontier since the artist said. liceman. Gaza health authorities Abu Taqeya urged demonstra- professionalism within the or- “Operational details will be end the war. the protests began on March 30, At the fi rst day of the protests, said some 200 people have been tors to steer clear of the fence. ganisation. Our thoughts are 2018. Abu Taqeya’s youngest brother killed by Israeli fi re since Pales- “We must not give the occu- with her family, friends and Elsewhere on Abu Taqeya’s was shot in his leg and doctors tinians launched the protests a pation any pretext to open fi re. colleagues in Yemen,” said manitarian group, which spe- in the area in December. The wooden boards, Palestinian took out the bullet, which he year ago. These protests must be peace- Veronique Andrieux, execu- cialises in combatting hunger. Houthis have battled the gov- protesters, ambulances, Israeli then brought home. They are demanding the right ful,” he said, using a Palestinian tive director of Action Against The Red Sea province of Ho- ernment and its allies in a coa- troops and tanks and even the “I turned it into a small stat- to return to land from which term for Israel. Hunger. deidah has witnessed some of lition led by Saudi Arabia and wire fence itself are all created in ue of a soldier and I gave it to their ancestors fl ed or were ex- Israel pulled its soldiers and Aamnah worked at a diar- the Yemen war’s most intense the United Arab Emirates for miniature. him,” he told Reuters. “It was pelled during fi ghting that ac- settlers out of Gaza in 2005. rhoea treatment centre with fi ghting, which has eased since control of the country for four He uses empty shells of bul- then when I got the idea to start companied Israel’s founding in Citing security concerns, it still and later as a health educator the government and Houthi years. Hodeidah has been held lets, tear gas canisters and some- recycling the remnants of the 1948. maintains tight control of the with the New York-based hu- rebels agreed to a ceasefi re by the rebels since 2014. times shrapnel of Israeli mis- occupation,” said Abu Taqeya, An Israeli soldier was shot Hamas-run territory’s borders. IS loses big part of enclave, SDF sees defeat ‘very soon’

Reuters were ongoing and that fi ghters followers have been stead- clave, nearly half of whom sur- last month saying Islamic State Deir Ezzor Province, Syria remain “in several pockets and ily forced back to Baghouz after rendered as Islamic State sup- remained an active insurgent their presence is not limited to years of retreats in the face of porters, including some 5,000 group and was regenerating a defi ned geography”. The SDF military campaigns by an array fi ghters, according to the SDF. functions and capabilities more S-backed Syrian forces captured hundreds of wounded of foreign and local forces. Even facing defeat, Islamic quickly in Iraq than in Syria. said they were close to militants when it overran the The group’s defeat at Baghouz State’s propaganda machine still “Absent sustained (counter- Udefeating Islamic State camp yesterday, Bali said. will mark a milestone in the functions. An audio recording terrorism) pressure, ISIS could in its fi nal scrap of territory at It also captured 157 mostly struggle against the militants, released overnight purported to likely resurge in Syria within six Baghouz in eastern Syria after foreign fi ghters. although adherents are still carry a message from spokesman to 12 months and regain limited seizing an encampment from the Footage obtained by Reuters widely seen as a big security Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer say- territory,” it said, using another militants yesterday, though the showed dozens of people milling threat with a presence in remote ing the group would stay strong acronym for the group. battle was not over yet. around the captured camp, pre- territory and capable of mount- and urged fresh attacks. US offi cials said US-backed Hardened militant fi ghters paring their belongings to leave ing guerrilla attacks. Prime Minister Adel Abdul forces had captured fi ghters tied holed up in the encampment in a convoy of trucks. The capture of Baghouz will Mahdi of neighbouring Iraq said to a January suicide bombing at had been mounting a last-stand None of those visible appeared also mark a signifi cant moment images showed Islamic State a cafe in Syria that killed four defence of the Baghouz enclave, to be armed. in the wider Syrian war, wiping had built tunnels in Baghouz Americans. all that is left of Islamic State’s Men believed to be Islamic out the foothold of one of the big enough for vehicles. “The The attack in the city of Man- self-proclaimed “caliphate” that State fi ghters, women dressed Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) gesture the “V” main combatants and leaving advance is slow and the battle bij was the worst single inci- once spanned a third of both in black robes and some children for victory sign as they come back from the frontline in the Islamic Syria partitioned between Presi- could take days to fi nish,” he told dent involving US personnel in Syria and Iraq. stood around the shabby camp State group’s last remaining position in the village of Baghouz in the dent Bashar al-Assad, Kurdish- a press conference in Baghdad. Syria since they deployed on the “This is not a victory an- area next to high rocks strewn countryside of the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, yesterday. led forces, and Turkey-backed The US military has warned ground there in 2015. nouncement, but a signifi cant with bits of tents and vehicles. rebels. that Islamic State may still count It occurred nearly a month progress in the fi ght against A few of those visible used Asked by Reuters how long Euphrates River. Diehard militants have been tens of thousands of fi ghters, after President Donald Trump Daesh,” said Mustafa Bali, a me- crutches or sticks to walk. Foot- it would take to defeat the re- “The battles are not yet over,” mounting a desperate defence of dispersed throughout Iraq and confounded his own national dia offi cial with the US-backed age from another part of the maining militants, Bali said he he said. “Some of the terrorists the camp at Baghouz, deploying Syria, with enough leaders and security team and allies with a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) camp showed burnt-out cars, expected the operation to end have taken their children as hu- suicide bombers and car bombs. resources to present a menacing surprise decision to withdraw on Twitter, using an Arabic ac- dozens of abandoned vehicles, “very soon”, adding that some man shields. There are intermit- Over the past two months, insurgency. all 2,000 US troops from Syria, ronym for Islamic State. shattered buildings and tents remaining militants had fallen tent clashes.” more than 60,000 people have The Pentagon’s own inter- declaring Islamic State had been Bali said late yesterday clashes made out of blankets. back to the bank of the nearby Islamic State’s fi ghters and poured out of the dwindling en- nal watchdog released a report defeated there. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 AFRICA Probe turns to secrets in the cockpit voice recorder

Reuters The twin disasters killed 346 after takeoff after erratic flight deliveries of nearly 5,000 more - plane’s development. the correct procedures. cation of the MAX without de- Addis Ababa/ Paris people. patterns and loss of control re- worth well over $500bn - are on The European Union is watch- The MAX, which off ers cost manding additional training and Black box data was down- ported by the pilots. hold. ing anxiously. Its aviation safety savings of about 15% on fuel, was its closeness to Boeing, the FAA loaded in France but only Ethio- However, every accident is a Pressure on the Chicago- agency EASA promised its own developed for service from 2017 has said it is “absolutely” confi - he investigation into the pian experts leading the probe unique chain of human and tech- headquartered company has deep look at Boeing’s software after the successful launch by its dent in its vetting. fi nal minutes of Ethiopian have heard the dialogue between nical factors, experts say. grown with news that federal updates and failure modes. main rival of the Airbus A320neo. But given the US probe, Cana- TAirlines Flight 302 turned Getachew, 29, and Mohamed, 25. The prestige of Ethiopian Air- prosecutors and the US Depart- “On our side, we will not allow After Ethiopia, France and the da said it would do its own inde- yesterday to the secrets in the The data was back in Addis lines, one of Africa’s most suc- ment of Transportation are scru- the aircraft to fl y if we have not United States all noted parallels pendent certifi cation. cockpit voice recorder as Boeing Ababa yesterday, sources familiar cessful companies, and Boeing, the tinising how carefully the MAX found acceptable answers to all with the Indonesia crash, one The crisis has put airline com- and a shaken global aviation in- with the probe told Reuters. world’s biggest planemaker and a model was developed, two people our questions,” its executive di- person familiar with the probe panies in a spin. dustry hung on the outcome. Experts believe a new auto- massive US exporter, is at stake. briefed on the matter said. rector Patrick Ky told an EU par- said black box data showed the Norwegian Airlines has already The voices of Captain Yared mated system in Boeing’s fl ag- Lawmakers and safety experts The US Justice Department liament committee hearing. Ethiopian Airlines jet’s “angle of said it will seek compensation af- Getachew and First Offi cer ship MAX fl eet - intended to are questioning how thoroughly was looking at the Federal Avia- In the hope of getting its MAX attack” was “very similar” to the ter grounding its MAX aircraft. Ahmednur Mohamed could re- stop stalling by dipping the nose regulators vetted the MAX model tion Administration’s (FAA) line back into the air soon, Boe- Lion Air plane. Various fi rms are reconsider- veal what led to the March 10 - may have played a role in both and how well pilots were trained oversight of Boeing, one of the ing said it will roll out a software The angle of attack measures ing Boeing orders, and some are crash of the Boeing 737 MAX that crashes, with pilots unable to on new features. people said. update and revise pilot training. degrees between the air fl ow and revising fi nancial forecasts given has worrying parallels with an- override it as their jets plunged For now, regulators have And a federal grand jury last In the case of the Lion Air crash the wing. If too high, it can cause they now cannot count on main- other disaster involving the same downwards. grounded the existing fl eet of week issued at least one sub- in Indonesia, it has raised ques- an aerodynamic stall. tenance and fuel savings factored model off Indonesia in October. Both came down just minutes more than 300 MAX aircraft and poena to an entity involved in the tions about whether crew used In the hot seat over its certifi - in from the MAX. 11 militias in CAR peace deal demand PM’s ouster

AFP recover from the bloodletting Bangui, Central African Republic that erupted when former pres- ident Francois Bozize, a Chris- tian, was overthrown in 2013 by leven out of 14 armed Seleka rebels. groups that signed last Former colonial ruler France Emonth’s peace deal in intervened militarily un- Central African Republic (CAR) der a UN mandate, pushing have demanded that Prime the Seleka from power, and a Minister Firmin Ngrebada step 12,000-strong UN peacekeep- down, according to a statement ing mission, known as MINUS- seen by AFP yesterday. CA, was established to help re- “Firmin Ngrebada is no long- store stability. er credible, he is therefore no Despite the elections in 2016 Locals stand beside a damaged section of a road between Beira and Chimoio in Nhamatanda district, central Mozambique, yesterday. longer our discussion partner that brought Touadera to pow- for pursuing the process and er, the country remains con- must be replaced as prime min- vulsed by violence. ister,” they said. Armed groups, typically Armed groups in the peace claiming to defend an ethnic or deal are attending a followup religious group, control about meeting in Addis Ababa under 80% of the CAR, often fight- the aegis of the African Union. ing over access to the country’s Mozambique races to Their statement, which was mineral wealth. dated Monday, called for the The conflict has left thou- formation of a “government of sands dead and forced a quar- national unity” and for “direct ter of the population of 4.5mn talks” with President Faustin- from their homes. Archange Touadera. The new statement said the The peace deal was signed Khartoum agreement was “still save stranded survivors in the CAR capital Bangui on valid” but the government that February 6 after it had been followed it was “stillborn”. AFP Mozambique set off in boats to same time: people stranded in and bodies are fl oating” on the country were in Idai’s “path.” concluded in negotiations in Its 11 signatories include two Beira, Mozambique chart an inland sea of fl ood- trees, and people stranded on waters, he said. The storm also lashed east- Sudan. out of the three biggest ex- water, rescuing survivors from houses or new islands that have “This is a real humanitarian ern Zimbabwe, leaving 98 peo- The pact - the eighth since Seleka groups - the Unity for roofs and treetops in an opera- no food,” he explained. disaster,” he said. “More than ple dead and at least 217 others 2012 in the conflict-wracked, Peace in Central Africa (UPC) escue workers in Mozam- tion which stretched long into Those stuck on trees were 100,000 people are in danger”. missing, offi cials said. impoverished state - brought and the Patriotic Movement for bique were yesterday rac- the night. having to deal with snakes, in- The UN World Food Pro- Worst hit was Chimanimani in together the CAR government Central Africa (MPC). Ring to pluck people out Air force personnel from Mo- sects and other wildlife shelter- gramme said it was mobilising Manicaland, an eastern province and 14 armed groups who con- The other ex-Seleka ma- of trees and off rooftops after a zambique and South Africa were ing there, he said. aid for some 600,000 people, which borders Mozambique. trol most of the country. jor group, the Popular Front monster storm which offi cials drafted in to fl y rescue missions, “We just save what we can saying the world did not yet ap- Families started burying their The agreement called for a for the Rebirth of Central Af- fear claimed more than 1,000 while an NGO called Rescue save and the others will perish.” preciate the scale of the “mas- dead in damp graves on Monday, as series of confidence-building rica (FPRC), led by Noureddine lives before smashing into Zim- South Africa said it had picked In Nhamatanda, some 60km sive disaster.” injured survivors fi lled up the hos- measures, such as establishing Adam, did not sign the state- babwe. up 34 people since Friday night, northwest of Beira, 27-year-old So far, it has dispatched more pitals, an AFP correspondent said. joint patrols and the creation of ment. Four days after Tropical Cy- using three helicopters. Jose Batio and his wife and children than fi ve tonnes of emergency Military helicopters were air- a truth and justice commission Two groups from the so- clone Idai made landfall, torren- “It is the only way to access survived by climbing onto a roof. provisions to the aff ected areas. lifting people to Mutare, the within 90 days. called anti-balaka movement, tial rains, powerful winds and the people that are stranded,” But a lot of their neighbours “WFP aims to support largest city near Chimanimani. Under the peace accord’s pro- which emerged to fight the fl ash fl ooding swept away roads Rescue SA’s Abrie Senekal told “were swept by the water,” he 500,000 to 600,000 people in The storm swept away homes visions, Touadera agreed to form Seleka, also did not put their and bridges, infl icting further AFP, saying the NGO was trying said. the coming weeks,” spokesman and bridges, devastating huge an “inclusive” government. names to the communique. pain on the two impoverished to source more helicopters. “Water came like a tsunami Herve Verhoosel told reporters areas in what Defence Minister But within weeks, the deal In Addis Ababa, the UA’s nations. Ian Scher, who heads Rescue and destroyed most things. We in Geneva. Perrance Shiri said “resembles was under strain - five militia commissioner for peace and More than a 1,000 people are SA, said the rescue teams were were prisoners on the roof,” he “I don’t think that the world the aftermath of a full-scale groups either pulled out of the security, Smail Chergui, who feared to have died in Mozam- having to make diffi cult deci- told AFP after they were rescued (has) realised yet the scale of the war”. new government or rejected its is also chief mediator in the bique alone while scores have sions. by boat. problem,” he said. Some roads were swallowed makeup. follow-up meeting, tweeted been killed and more than 200 “Sometimes we can only save On Monday, President Filipe Mozambique’s government by massive sinkholes, while Ministers in sensitive key yesterday that he had met with are missing in neighbouring two out of fi ve, sometimes we Nyusi said the Pungwe and Buzi believes that some 600,000 bridges were ripped to pieces by posts all kept their jobs, while Ngrebada “to exchange views Zimbabwe following the deadli- drop food and go to someone rivers in central Mozambique people have been impacted by fl ash fl oods. six of the 14 armed groups ob- on opportunities for fast track- est cyclone to hit southern Af- else who’s in bigger danger,” he had “burst their banks and en- the storm but WFP’s analysis of “There’s going to be a large tained no post at all. ing implementation of the rica. said. gulfed entire villages.” satellite imagery has suggested amount of dead people,” Rescue CAR has been struggling to #RCA Peace Agreement”. Emergency teams in central “There’s two issues at the “Communities are isolated that up to 1.7mn people in the SA’s Scher said.

Currency racket Power cuts continue for Boko Haram kills sixth day in South Africa three in NE Nigeria AFP resident Saleh Abbare told AFP. Kano, Nigeria He said the insurgents also Reuters reverse a decline in voter support told reporters, using a South Af- broke into a commercial bank, Johannesburg for the African National Con- rican term for power cuts. carted away money and set the gress (ANC). He said engineers were visit- oko Haram militants have building on fi re. Around 17,000 megawatts ing Eskom power stations to as- attacked a town in north- “The bank was recently renovat- outh Africa’s Public En- (MW) of Eskom’s 45,000MW sess how long it would take to Beast Nigeria, killing three, ed and banking activities resumed terprises Minister Pravin installed capacity is unavail- fi x problems there and that once and robbing and burning a bank, since 2014 after it was destroyed by SGordhan could not say able because of problems in- those investigations were com- residents said yesterday, in the the same Boko Haram when they yesterday when severe electric- cluding faults at the mammoth plete offi cials would say more latest violence in the restive re- took over the town,” he said. ity cuts would end, as state util- new Kusile and Medupi power about the power outlook. gion. Another resident, Daniel Ba- ity Eskom suff ered a sixth day of stations, diesel shortages and Power outages have dis- Militants arriving aboard ve- ture, said the militants were capacity constraints which could a loss of imports from Mozam- rupted businesses, particu- hicles and motorcycles stormed pushed out after the arrival of thwart eff orts to boost economic bique, which has been battered larly small- and medium- Michika in Adamawa state near troops from Gulak, the head- growth. by a cyclone. sized firms who cannot rely on the border with neighbouring quarters of nearby Madagali dis- Neither could Eskom offi cials Eskom supplies more than backup power generators, and Borno at about 6.30pm (1730 trict. say how much it would cost to fi x 90% of the power in Africa’s prompted frustration among GMT) on Monday, fi ring guns “The terrorists were pushed faults such as boiler leaks at its most industrialised economy ordinary people. and forcing some residents to fl ee out and they drove towards Lassa ageing coal-fi red power plants, but is saddled with 420bn rand “Customers are staying away the town. on their way back to the Sambisa as new breakdowns continued to ($29bn) of debt. from my business,” said Daud, Others were said to have locked Forest (in Borno),” said Bature, take management by surprise. It has implemented power cuts who sells clothes from a tent in themselves in their homes. who gave a similar account. The power cuts are some of the every day since Thursday, with downtown Johannesburg. A Kenyan police off icer escorts suspects, after fake “They attacked a commercial “Soldiers pursued them while worst in several years and a ma- up to 4,000MW cut from the “I can’t cook so my cost of liv- currency was seized in a personal safety deposit box bus driving through the town and vigilantes in Lassa laid in wait jor challenge for President Cyril grid. ing has also gone up. When will at the Queensway branch of Barclays Bank Kenya, in killed three people inside. They for them. They suff ered a lot of Ramaphosa two months before “Overcoming load-shedding this end?” He declined to give his downtown Nairobi, yesterday. overpowered soldiers in the town casualties from the two fronts,” an election at which he will try to will be a huge struggle,” Gordhan family name. and forced them to withdraw,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 11 AMERICAS

POLITICS POLLUTION INVESTIGATION JUSTICE SAFETY CHECK Top civil servant to quit in Houston checks air quality Students tied to admissions Court rejects re-sentencing Canada to assess 737 MAX fresh shock for Trudeau after petrochemical fire scandal may face expulsion for Chicago policeman airworthiness without US

The head of Canada’s federal bureaucracy said on Houston off icials and environmental groups The University of Southern California has said it The Illinois Supreme Court yesterday denied Canada said yesterday it will make its own Monday he was quitting over his role in handling yesterday raced to expand air monitoring after a may expel students linked to the largest college- a request by state prosecutors to hold a new assessment of Boeing’s modifications to its 737 a corporate corruption case, dealing another blow raging fire at a Mitsui petrochemical storage site admissions cheating scandal in US history after sentencing hearing for ex-Chicago police off icer MAX airliners before allowing them to fly again to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he battles the produced billowing acrid smoke that could be it completes a review of their records. The school Jason Van Dyke who was sentenced to nearly in its airspace, after two crashes in less than five biggest political crisis of his tenure. Polls suggest seen and smelled miles away. The blaze at Mitsui said on Monday night that it has already “placed seven years in prison for murdering black months. “Of course, when that software change that Trudeau’s Liberals — who a few months unit Intercontinental Terminals Co in Deer Park, holds on the accounts of students who may be teenager Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke, 40, who is is ready, which is in a number of weeks, we will, in ago looked certain to be re-elected in October Texas, burned for a third day after firefighting associated with the alleged admissions scheme,” white, was convicted in October in the shooting Canada, even if it’s certified by the FAA, we will do — are now at risk of losing power to the off icial water pumps broke down for six hours on Monday preventing them from registering for classes or death of 17-year-old McDonald in 2014 in a case our own certification,” Transportation Minister Marc opposition Conservatives. Top civil servant Michael evening, the company said. The fire began on acquiring transcripts. “Following the review, we will that highlighted racial tensions in America’s Garneau said. Garneau’s comments marked a break Wernick told Trudeau he would be retiring in the Sunday when a leaking tank containing volatile take the proper action related to their status, up to third-largest city. He is the first on-duty Chicago from protocol, with Canada traditionally working coming weeks because opposition leaders had lost naphtha ignited and flames quickly spread to revoking admission or expulsion,” the college said police off icer to be convicted for the killing of a closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, confidence in him over the scandal. Wernick, the nearby tanks, ITC said. Air monitors have not found in a tweet on Monday night. The move would aff ect black person. Van Dyke faced 20 years in prison which regulates the US commercial airline industry. clerk of the privy council, is supposed to be non- pollution levels in excess of those considered safe, the daughters of Full House actress Lori Loughlin for second-degree murder and up to 30 years for Canada’s transport ministry was among the last to partisan, like the rest of the federal bureaucracy. said ITC spokeswoman Alice Richardson. and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli. each of 16 counts of aggravated battery. ground the plane earlier this month.

Trump fi res Court hands Trump a win back at aide’s husband, calls on immigrant detention him a ‘loser!’ DPA/Reuters/AFP Reuters Washington Washington resident Donald Trump yesterday he Supreme Court yesterday fi red off one of his Twitter insults endorsed the US government’s Pto retaliate against a prominent Tauthority to detain immigrants lawyer — married to one of his top aides awaiting deportation anytime — po- — accusing him of being mentally sick. tentially even years — after they have “A total loser!” Trump tweeted about completed prison terms for criminal George Conway, who has taken to so- convictions, handing President Don- cial media and The Washington Post to ald Trump a victory as he pursues question Trump’s mental state. hardline immigration policies. The unseemly row is made unique The court ruled 5-4 along ideologi- by the fact that Conway’s wife is Kelly- cal lines, with its conservative justices anne Conway, a fi ercely loyal advisor to in the majority and its liberal justices Trump. dissenting, that federal authorities A frequent guest on the television could pick up such immigrants and networks, where she promotes Trump’s place them into indefi nite detention agenda and defends him in multiple anytime, not just immediately after controversies, Kellyanne Conway now they fi nish prison sentences. fi nds herself also having to bat down The ruling, authored by conserva- questions about her outspoken husband. tive Justice Samuel Alito, left open Trump’s tweet came with a retweet the possibility that some immigrants of his election campaign manager Brad could challenge their detention. Parscale, who belittled George Conway These immigrants potentially could as a jealous failure. argue that the use of the 1996 federal “We all know that @realDonaldTrump law involved in the case, the Illegal turned down Mr Kellyanne Conway for Immigration Reform and Immigrant a job he desperately wanted,” Parscale Responsibility Act, against them long wrote. after fi nishing their sentences would “Now he hurts his wife because he is violate their due process rights under jealous of her success.” the US Constitution. Therese Patricia Okoumou raises her fist after her sentencing outside a federal court in New York yesterday. Conway has posted symptoms — Most of the plaintiff s in the case are which he says Trump matches — for legal immigrants. Statue of Liberty climber sentenced to community service, probation “Anti-social and Narcissistic Personal- The law states the government can ity Disorder” and says that Americans detain convicted immigrants “when By Brendan Pierson, Reuters wearing a headband that said “I CARE”. caught crossing the US border illegally. spend at least a month in prison. should think “seriously” about the pres- the alien is released” from criminal New York She removed the tape after Go- Administration off icials said the policy Gorenstein said that was unnecessary ident’s state. detention. renstein said he would not proceed was needed to secure the border, but to deter her from committing crimes, “No, I don’t share those concerns,” Civil rights lawyers in the case ar- otherwise. it was ended in June after images of but he rebuked her for putting the lives Kellyanne Conway said drily on Monday. gued that the language of the law A woman convicted of trespassing and Okoumou was arrested after she separated youngsters held in cage-like of her rescuers in danger. Earlier yesterday Trump accused so- shows that it applies only immediately disorderly conduct after she climbed scaled the base of the statue and began detention facilities sparked a furor both “A person with some empathy might cial media platforms Facebook, YouTube after immigrants are released. the Statue of Liberty’s stone pedestal on a three-hour standoff with police that at home and abroad. have said today, ‘I’m sorry that I risked and Twitter of favoring his Democratic The Trump administration said the July 4 last year to protest US immigra- led to the evacuation of Liberty Island “This case is a fight against injustice,” the lives of others,’” the judge said. opponents over him and his fellow Re- government should have the power to tion policy was sentenced yesterday to on one of the landmark’s busiest days Okoumou, a US citizen born in the Gorenstein said he would consider publicans. detain such immigrants anytime. 200 hours of community service and of the year. Democratic Republic of Congo, said be- a motion to end the probation early if “Facebook, Google and Twitter, not to In dissent, liberal Justice Stephen five years’ probation. She and her lawyer, Ron Kuby, later fore she was sentenced in a courtroom Okoumou adhered to its terms. mention the Corrupt Media, are sooo on Breyer said the ruling raises serious Therese Patricia Okoumou arrived at said her act of civil disobedience was packed with her supporters. “Well into Kuby said at the hearing that the side of the Radical Left Democrats. due process questions. her sentencing hearing before US Magis- primarily to demonstrate against the the 21st century, some are justifying the Okoumou had recently been offered But fear not, we will win anyway, just like “It runs the gravest risk of depriv- trate Judge Gabriel Gorenstein in Manhat- Trump administration’s policy of sepa- caging of migrant children.” a job at the nonprofit Salvage Art we did before! #MAGA” Trump tweeted. ing those whom the government has tan with her whole face in clear tape, rating migrant children from parents Prosecutors had asked that Okoumou Institute. MAGA refers to Trump’s 2016 campaign detained of one of the oldest and most slogan, “Make America Great Again.” important of our constitutionally Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc declined guaranteed freedoms,” Breyer wrote. eral Muslim-majority countries. Wang said the ACLU is “looking In the two detention case rulings, tences but then later picked up by im- to comment. Alphabet Inc’s Google, But Alito wrote that it is not the Yesterday’s decision follows a Feb- into follow-up litigation along various the Supreme Court reversed the San migration authorities could seek bond which owns YouTube, did not immedi- court’s job to impose a time limit for ruary 2018 ruling in a similar case in avenues.” Trump has backed limits on Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court hearings to argue for their release. ately comment. when immigrants can be detained af- which the conservative majority, over legal and illegal immigrants since tak- of Appeals, a liberal leaning court Under federal immigration law, im- Trump has previously accused Twit- ter serving a prison sentence. liberal dissent, curbed the ability of ing offi ce in January 2017. Trump has frequently criticised. migrants convicted of certain off ences ter of restricting the visibility of promi- Alito noted that the court has previ- immigrants held in long-term deten- Kerri Kupec, a US Justice Depart- In both cases, litigation against the are subject to mandatory detention nent US Republicans, without any pro- ously said that “an offi cial’s crucial du- tion during deportation proceedings ment spokeswoman, said adminis- federal government started before during their deportation process. viding evidence, and the avid social ties are better carried out late than nev- to argue for release. tration offi cials were pleased with the Trump took offi ce. They can be held indefi nitely with- media user has promised to investigate er.” Alito said the challengers’ assertion American Civil Liberties Union ruling. In the latest case, the administra- out a bond hearing after completing the company’s practices. that immigrants had to be detained lawyer Cecilia Wang, who argued the The case’s plaintiff s included two tion had appealed a 2016 9th Circuit their sentences. Trump and other conservatives say within 24 hours of ending a prison sen- newly decided case for the challengers, legal US residents involved in separate ruling that favoured immigrants, a In April 2018, conservative Trump Twitter targets fellow Republicans with tence is “especially hard to swallow.” said that in both rulings “the Supreme lawsuits fi led in 2013, a Cambodian decision it said would undermine the appointee Neil Gorsuch joined the a practice dubbed “shadow banning,” It marked Trump’s latest immigra- Court has endorsed the most extreme immigrant named Mony Preap con- government’s ability to deport immi- court’s four liberals in a 5-4 ruling limiting the visibility of a Twitter user, tion victory at the court. interpretation of immigration detention victed of marijuana possession and a grants who have committed crimes. that could hinder the administration’s including in the platform’s auto-popu- The conservative justices also were statutes, allowing mass incarceration Palestinian immigrant named Bassam The 9th Circuit had ruled that con- ability to step up the removal of immi- lated dropdown search box. in the majority in June 2018 when the of people without any hearing, simply Yusuf Khoury convicted of attempt- victed immigrants who are not im- grants with criminal records, invali- Representative Devin Nunes of Cali- court upheld on a 5-4 vote Trump’s because they are defending themselves ing to manufacture a controlled sub- mediately detained by immigration dating a provision in another law, the fornia has sued Twitter over the alleged travel ban targeting people from sev- against a deportation charge.” stance. authorities after fi nishing their sen- Immigration and Nationality Act. practice, according to court documents. Catastrophic Midwest fl oods cause widespread damage

By Karen Dillon, Reuters Monday evening, according to Vice President Mike Pence was The Missouri River, the long- Brownville, Nebraska Nebraska Emergency Manage- scheduled to visit Nebraska yes- est in North America, has fl ood- ment Agency (NEMA). terday to survey the damage. ed much of Nebraska between More than 600 residents were “Heading to Nebraska to- Omaha and Kansas City. evere fl ooding caused by evacuated and taken to American day to survey the devastating At least one person was miss- rainfall and melting snow Red Cross-operated shelters. fl ood damage. To the people of ing on Monday. The four report- Syesterday devastated farms Farms were deluged and rescu- Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, ed deaths included one person in and towns in Nebraska and Iowa, ers could be seen in boats pulling Kansas & all regions impacted: Iowa who was rescued from fl ood leaving at least four people dead pets from fl ooded homes. we are with you,!” Pence said in a waters, but later succumbed to and causing hundreds of millions Some roadways crumbled to post on Twitter yesterday morn- injuries, according to the Fre- of dollars in damage, as US Vice rubble, while others had sections ing. mont County Sheriff ’s Offi ce. President Mike Pence prepared to submerged. He is to tour the zone with Ne- Roads leading to Nebraska tour the area. Flood waters covered buildings braska Governor Pete Ricketts Public Power District’s Cooper The fl oods, which followed a in Hamburg, Iowa. and Iowa Governor Kim Rey- nuclear plant near Brownville powerful winter hurricane that Damage to the state’s livestock nolds. were engulfed by fl oodwaters clobbered the region last week, sector was estimated at about The fl ood waters were the from the Missouri River, but the inundated stretches of the two $400mn, said Steve Wellman, result of snow melt following facility was still operating safely states, known for their agricul- director of the Nebraska Depart- heavy rains last week and warm at full power yesterday morning. tural industries, along the Mis- ment of Agriculture. temperatures, said Bob Oravec, The operator was fl ying staff souri River. Livestock producers aff ected a meteorologist for the National and supplies to the plant with The waters swamped homes, by the severe weather were in Weather Service’s Weather Pre- helicopters, said NPPD spokes- covering about a third of the US need of hay, fencing materials, diction Center. man Mark Becker. Air Force Base that is home to feedstuff and equipment. “Most of the snow pack in “This is clearly the most wide- the United States Strategic Com- The state’s highway system Nebraska is now gone, but up spread disaster we have had in mand, and cut off road access to a suff ered hundreds of millions river in North and South Dakota, our state’s history,” in terms of nuclear power plant. of dollars in damage, said Kyle there’s signifi cant snow pack sheer size, Nebraska Governor About 74 Nebraska cites had Schneweis, director of the state of up to 20 plus inches and it’s Ricketts told reporters on Mon- declared states of emergency by Department of Transportation. melting,” he said. day afternoon. Floodwater from the Pecatonica River cover a road in Freeport, Illinois. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 ASIA

Protests Thailand’s oldest party may in Dhaka after bus runs over be king-maker after vote student Reuters protests against corruption that the 500-seat lower House of pion of civilian rule in a coun- Bangkok led to two military coups in a Representatives. try that has seen 13 successful Reuters decade. But with the junta appointing coups, even if at times it worked Dhaka Sunday’s election has been all 250 members of the Senate, with military governments. hailand’s oldest political billed by the military govern- no single party is likely to se- In 1992, the Democrats sid- party is heading into an ment as returning Southeast cure the 376 magic number on ed with anti-army demonstra- undreds of Bangladeshi Telection on Sunday with Asia’s second-largest economy its own. tors in an uprising that led to a students blocked roads leader Abhisit Vejjajiva facing to civilian, democratic rule. But Given that the pro-military bloody crackdown. The party Hand set a bus ablaze in tough choices in the fi rst polls critics say a new constitution, Palang Pracharat can count won an election later that year Dhaka yesterday in protest over since the military seized power overseen by the generals, en- on the support of the Sen- but it was blamed for mishan- the death of a student who was run in a 2014 coup. shrines military infl uence over ate, it needs to win only 126 dling the wrenching fall-out over by a bus, police and witnesses Will Abhisit’s pro-business, politics. lower house seats to form a of the 1997 Asian fi nancial said, putting the spotlight again pro-establishment Democrat Doubts the army will truly government. crisis, which paved the way on the city’s dangerous traffi c. Party join with a new pro-mili- give up power were heightened By contrast, the parties op- for the rise of telecoms tycoon Last August a series of massive tary party in a coalition after the last month when a new pro- posed to a military role in gov- Thaksin. student protests, sparked by the vote, likely extending the army’s military party nominated junta ernment must win 376 seats in Amid polarisation in the death of two teenagers mowed down dominance of power? chief and prime minister, Prayut the lower house, three-quarters 2000s, the Democrats benefi ted by a speeding bus in the capital, led Or will the Democrats band Chan-o-cha, who led the 2014 of the seats, to block the mili- from the military’s opposition to street battles and the use of tear- together with a “pro-democra- coup, as its prime ministerial tary from retaining control. to Thaksin, and at times called gas and rubber bullets by police. cy front” to keep the army out candidate. Still, most polls indicate for military intervention to oust The protest forced Prime Min- of government - but at the price Abhisit this month said in a Palang Pracharat won’t win pro-Thaksin governments. ister Sheikh Hasina’s govern- of working with its bitter foe for campaign video he would not enough seats on its own mean- Abhisit has rejected eff orts ment to approve raising the max- 15 years: parties loyal to ousted support Prayut’s staying on as Abhisit Vejjajiva talks during his party campaign rally in Bangkok. ing it would need coalition by Thaksin’s loyalists to portray imum prison time to fi ve years populist prime minister Thak- prime minister, which he said partners, with the Democrats a the election as a two-way fi ght from three for causing death by sin Shinawatra. would “breed confl ict and is the coups in the last 20 years.” minister and electoral rules likely choice. between democracy and mili- rash driving. Or is there a third option, as against the Democrat party’s Thaksin lives in self-exile to that give them an advantage, The Democrats have come tary-dominated rule. In Bangladesh most bus drivers Abhisit argues? One scenario principle that the people have avoid a 2008 graft conviction he and an anti-military bloc with second to pro-Thaksin parties “This election is not black do not get paid monthly salaries could return Oxford-educated the power”. said was politically motivated Thaksin’s loyalists at its core. in every election since 2001, and white, the country has more but earn commissions based on Abhisit to the prime minister’s At the same time, Abhisit but he retains widespread sup- While Abhisit has rejected including the last one in 2011, choices,” he said. the number of passengers picked offi ce, which he held from 2008 made clear he would be loath port, especially in the north and Prayut as prime minister, he has when they got 35% of the vote to Anti-junta parties, however, up, leading them to race each oth- to 2011 after a court dissolved a to work with the main pro- northeast. not ruled out a coalition with Pheu Thai’s 48%. argue there is no neutrality or er for increased business. pro-Thaksin government. Thaksin party, Pheu Thai. The The Democrats have tradi- Palang Pracharat, the party that Opinion polls tend to show third way in the election. Atiqul Islam, mayor of the “We will be the alternative in Democrats have long decried tionally drawn support from the has nominated the junta leader. the Democrats coming second “Abhisit says he will not join Dhaka North City Corporation, leading Thailand out of the last the Thaksin movement as cor- Bangkok middle class and the Such a deal might see a “com- or third. The party will be com- with Pheu Thai, but does that told students yesterday he would decade of troubles,” Abhisit, 54, rupt and a threat to independ- south. promise” premier, perhaps Ab- peting for the anti-Thaksin vote mean he will join with Palang take all possible steps to help curb said. ent democratic institutions. Abhisit’s hopes for a third hisit himself or another outside with other parties, including Pracharat?” asked Sudarat Key- accidents and ensure their safety. Prominent Democrats have “I don’t want dictatorship way could come to nothing in an candidate. Palang Pracharat. uraphan, Pheu Thai’s top prime Police have arrested the bus been at the centre of Thailand’s and I don’t want corrupt peo- election increasingly defi ned by The target for political parties The Democrat Party was ministerial candidate. driver who was involved in the turbulent politics since 2005, ple,” Abhisit said. “Corrupt the face-off between pro-mili- is 376 seats in parliament – 50% founded in 1947 as a conserva- “There are only two sides,” accident and he would now face with some party members lead- politicians provided the pre- tary parties, which have Prayut plus one of the combined 250- tive, royalist movement, and she said. “So he must choose.” charges, said Abu Bakar Sid- ing anti-Thaksin “Yellow Shirt” texts for the military to stage all as their candidate for prime seat upper house Senate and has portrayed itself as a cham- dique, a senior police offi cial. Court jails Rakhine leader for treason

AFP and said it was the “right time” In recent weeks, the military has Sittwe, Myanmar for the community to launch an waged war on the Arakan Army armed struggle. (AA), an armed group claiming to The following evening, Ra- represent the ethnic Rakhine. Myanmar court yester- khine protesters briefl y seized a The group launched a brazen day sentenced a promi- government building and police attack on police posts in early Anent ethnic Rakhine opened fi re, killing seven people. January that killed 13 offi cers leader to 20 years in jail for trea- Aye Maung and a fellow de- and killed nine more policemen son, a verdict likely to intensify tainee - writer Wai Hin Aung, who earlier this month. anger amid fi ghting between also gave a speech at the same rally The violence has spread the ethnic group and the army. - were detained days later. to the ancient temple city of Security forces tried to calm “Both Dr Aye Maung and Mrauk U, the former capital hundreds of supporters outside writer Wai Hin Aung were sen- of the Rakhine kingdom and a the court in Rakhine state capi- tenced to 20 years each... for the popular tourist site – the same tal Sittwe as Aye Maung was charge of high treason and two town where Aye Maung gave his escorted to a waiting police van years each for defamation of the controversial speech last year. following the verdict. state,” Wai Hin Aung’s defence Support for the AA has grown Aye Maung, the former lawyer Aye Nu Sein said. with the fi ghting, even though chairman of the Arakan Nation- Myanmar’s Rakhine state is Aye Maung, centre, Ann Township lawmaker and former Arakan several thousand Rakhine have al Party - which is renowned cut by violence. National Party leader, speaks to the media while being escorted out been forced from their homes Premchai Karnasuta leaves the court after hearing the verdict against for hardline views against the A brutal military crackdown of court by police off icers after his hearing in a Sittwe court, Rakhine, by the violence. himself and three other suspects in a poaching case at Thong Pha Rohingya Muslim minority - in 2017 forced some 740,000 yesterday. A further 600,000 Rohingya Phum Provincial Court in Kanchanaburi province yesterday. was sentenced for treason and Rohingya Muslims over the remain in Rakhine without defamation over an allegedly border into Bangladesh. The lawyer said they were prominent Rakhine fi gures. citizenship, restricted to either infl ammatory speech in January Yet the ethnic Rakhine Bud- discussing whether to appeal. “This is not fair. This is op- camps or their villages, many 2018, a day before deadly riots. dhist population, some of Treason can carry the death pression and bullying of ethnic unable to access medical care. State-backed media at the whom are accused of aiding sol- sentence. Rakhine people,” one woman Much of northern Rakhine Thai tycoon convicted in time said he railed against the diers in the anti-Rohingya cam- Supporters of the pair shouted in front of court, as the is in lockdown and infor- central government for treating paign, also feels marginalised by were enraged by the per- protesters spread to the centre mation is diffi cult to verify leopard poaching case the ethnic Rakhine as “slaves” the state. ceived persecution of two of the town. independently. FIFA off icial held AFP Thai courts sometimes grant in defamation case Kanchanaburi bail immediately to a convicted person in the expectation they Six wounded in Myanmar military gunfi re gets bail will appeal, and Premchai’s law- Thai tycoon accused of yer later confi rmed he would A Bangladesh court granted FIFA killing a black leopard was challenge the verdict. Reuters While Rakhine State gained “I went out to the wounded “If you’re wondering what that council member Mahfuza Akhter Asentenced to 16 months The sentence comes less than Yangon global attention after the army people, because no one dared noise is outside that’s just the My- Kiron bail yesterday, her lawyer in jail on other poaching-related a week before a general election drove about 700,000 ethnic to go out,” he said. “I saw anmar army just fi ring rifl es and said, days after she was arrested charges yesterday but allowed to on March 24, the fi rst polls since Rohingya Muslims across the six military cars, they were exploding stuff ,” Caddy said. on suspicion of defamation after go free pending an appeal, in a the military seized power in 2014 t least six people were border into Bangladesh in late shooting everywhere.” “We were in the temple for saying Prime Minister Sheikh case that has caused an outcry in vowing to expunge graft and up- wounded in gunfi re 2017, the ethnic Rakhine are Mrauk U, the former capi- maybe fi ve minutes when we Hasina was neglecting football in a country fed up with impunity hold the rule of law. Aas Myanmar soldiers largely Buddhist like the ma- tal of an ancient kingdom, is fi rst heard all the shots and ex- the cricket-mad country. for powerful fi gures. After Premchai’s arrest, the hunted ethnic Rakhine insur- jority of Myanmar’s people. popular with foreign travel- plosions,” he told Reuters. “A “The court granted her bail until Construction magnate Prem- striking images of the skinned gents in the western town of The military said in a state- lers visiting its hundreds of few minutes later, when I no- April 2 ... basically on medical chai Karnasuta, whose company leopard went viral, inspiring Mrauk U, residents said yes- ment there was “shooting centuries-old pagodas, which ticed that the gunfi re was still ground as she is receiving cancer is behind major infrastructure protests that saw demonstrators terday and a military convoy back-and-forth” as insur- Myanmar wants classifi ed as a continuing I started fi lming.” treatment,” her lawyer, Liakat projects such as Bangkok’s mon- don black leopard masks, as well was ambushed. gents attacked a military con- World Heritage Site. Residents of Mrauk U said Hossain, said. Kiron will be released orail and its airport, was arrested as graffi ti of the cat across city Soldiers moved into the his- voy approaching Mrauk U be- Two British tourists said the clashes had made them from prison when the prison by rangers in a national park in walls and a Change.org petition toric temple town on Monday fore retreating into houses. they heard gunfi re and explo- frightened to leave home. authority receives the bail order. February 2018. calling for an investigation. night, marking an intensifi ca- Myo Oo Khaung Sayataw, sions on Sunday. “I don’t dare go out, because Hasina’s administration has He and three others were de- Park ranger Vichaen Chin- tion of violence in Myanmar’s a monk, said he had taken six Christopher Caddy, 32, who of the gunfi re,” said Shwe Tun recently been accused of tained after rangers stumbled nawing, who arrested the busi- Rakhine State, where security people to hospital and that a lives in Manchester, posted a Aung. “I closed my door and cracking down on free speech upon their campsite and found nessman and has been hailed as forces have waged a campaign seven-year-old girl with burn video on Twitter showed him am still in the house until now. and adopting an increasingly guns and animal carcasses, in- a hero in Thai media, said he was against a militant group called wounds was among the casu- and his fi ancee wandering The situation is not good, authoritarian style. The cluding a Kalij pheasant, a red satisfi ed with the conviction. the Arakan Army. alties. through a temple. civilians are in trouble.” government, which won a third muntjac - or barking deer - and “I have done my best in this straight term in December, denies the pelt of a black leopard. case. If the soul of the dead leopard freedom of speech is under attack While Premchai was found knows, it will be grateful,” he said. in the country of 165mn people. not guilty of possessing a leop- Arrests and convictions for Abul Hasan Chowdhury Prince, ard carcass, he was convicted poaching happen often in Thai- who filed the case against of three other poaching-related land but they are rare when it Japan tourists charged for killing Cambodian Mahfuza, said her comments charges. comes to prominent individuals. against Hasina were derogatory. The verdict, handed out in a “Justice is meted out unequal- DPA killing of driver, Him Chan, ed, the Khmer Times reported Poipet, a casino town on the If found guilty, Mahfuza could statement to reporters waiting ly,” said Steve Galster of Free- Phnom Penh 40, court spokesman Yin yesterday. Cambodian-Thai border, he face up to two years in prison. Her at the Thong Pha Phum court- land Foundation, a wildlife NGO Srang said. “After killing the victim, added. arrest triggered criticisms from house, said Premchai was “sen- which works with Thai forest The pair face life they stole his properties and Duong Sokha, provincial se- rights groups including Amnesty tenced altogether to 16 months”. rangers, adding that he hopes the Cambodian court yes- imprisonment if convicted. dumped the body before fl ee- rious crime bureau chief, told International. Two others caught with him court “will stick with the deci- terday charged two After hiring Chan to drive ing,” Major Muth Bunsoeun, the Phnom Penh Post that the “Championing football is not a - his driver and cook - received sion” after Premchai’s appeal. AJapanese tourists with them on Sunday in Puok dis- district deputy police chief, suspects told police they owed crime. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron lesser sentences, while his hunt- Premchai is the president of premeditated murder after trict, which is about 30km told the newspaper. a Japanese bank about ¥4 to was merely exercising her right ing guide was sentenced to three the publicly traded Italian-Thai the weekend killing of a Cam- from the Unesco World Herit- A passing motorist witnessed 5mn ($36,000 to 45,000) and to freedom of expression by years and fi ve months. Development, a Bangkok-based bodian taxi driver, a court age-listed Angkor Wat temple, the murder and alerted police, were attempting to get money stating that the Prime Minister A court offi cial said the tycoon company that helped build spokesman said. the suspects allegedly cut his who caught the suspects fl eeing to pay the bank. favoured cricket over football,” was immediately released on bail of Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi air- The Siem Reap Provincial throat with a knife, fl ed in his on foot, Bunsoeun said. The accused were detained said Saad Hammadi, South 400,000 Thai baht ($12,600) as he port and the city’s skytrain pub- Court charged Ishida Reimon taxi and then crashed into a The men had travelled on in Siem Reap provincial prison Asia Campaigner at Amnesty was not considered a fl ight risk. lic transit system. and Naka Kukiryuji for the truck before being apprehend- Saturday to Siem Reap from pending trial, Srang said. International. (Reuters) Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Xi to visit Europe amid disquiet over Silk Road, Huawei

AFP a “rival” to the bloc as well as its A White House offi cial, Gar- told Corriere della Sera newspa- sco in 2016. Xu Tiebing, profes- Italy’s coalition government a deal with Huawei to support Beijing biggest trading partner. But Xi is rett Marquis, last week tweeted per. A draft of the non-binding sor of international relations at is divided, with the head of the the tiny country’s “5G Nation” expected to secure a non-binding that there was “no need” for Italy memorandum of understanding Communication University of anti-establishment Five Star project, according to a statement agreement for Italy to join the to endorse “China’s infrastruc- published in Italian media reveals China, said Italy has maintained Movement keen to have Huawei by Monaco Telecom. hinese President Xi Jin- $1tn Belt and Road Initiative. ture vanity project”. broad undertakings for co-oper- a supportive attitude towards testing 5G in some cities while Xi will hold talks with Prince ping heads to Europe to- China has fi nanced maritime, French President Emmanuel ation in logistics, infrastructure Beijing despite “some pressure the far-right deputy prime min- Albert II during a visit to the in- Cmorrow as the continent rail and road projects in Asia, Af- Macron said EU countries should investment, fi nancial and envi- from the United States”. Xi’s trip ister has been more cautious, dependent city-state known for is divided over his cherished Belt rica and Europe through BRI, but have a “co-ordinated approach” ronmental sectors. also comes as the United States warning against any threat to its upscale casinos and prestig- and Road trade infrastructure critics warn that it mainly ben- to Beijing and urged for coopera- Beijing has been eyeing in- is urging European allies to avoid the country’s security. In France, ious Grand Prix motor race. The project and under US pressure to efi ts Chinese fi rms while setting tion based on the “spirit of equal- vestment in the Italian ports using Huawei for next generation where Xi will meet Macron, two unusual destination is part of shun telecom giant Huawei. Xi up a “debt trap” in fi nancially ity (and) reciprocity”. But Italian of Trieste and Genoa that off er 5G networks, warning it could telecom operators are using China’s “doctrine of raking wide will start his trip in Italy before vulnerable countries. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, easy access to Europe’s markets, serve as a “backdoor” for spying. Huawei equipment for their 4G the Mediterranean Sea and the heading to Monaco — the fi rst Italy’s would be the fi rst G7 who will meet Xi, dismissed the Giuliano Noci, a China expert Meeting EU foreign ministers networks and are testing 5G gear Black Sea” for opportunities, visit by a Chinese president to nation to join the ambitious ven- concerns, saying there were no at Milan Polytechnic business in Brussels on Monday, China’s with the Chinese fi rm. said Francois Godement, Asia the posh principality — and cap ture, raising eyebrows among risks. school, told AFP. top diplomat Wang Yi lashed out The French government has advisor at the Institut Montaigne his fi ve-day journey in France. Western allies. EU members “For us, collaborating with He said any deal should en- at “abnormal, immoral” attacks warned on the risk of using Hua- in Paris. His visit comes a week after Greece and Poland have also em- China on Belt and Road is a choice sure that the “ports remain Ital- on Huawei. While the United wei equipment, but it has not Monaco is a tourist attraction the European Union released a braced the “New Silk Road” but of a purely economic or commer- ian” warning Rome must avoid States and Australia have kept taken any decisive steps against and a fi nancial stronghold, he 10-point plan outlining a shift others in the bloc fear it could cial nature, perfectly compatible the model of the Greek port of Huawei out of their 5G networks, it so far. said, adding that China likes to to more assertive relations with lead to growing Chinese govern- with our position in the Atlantic Piraeus, which was taken over European countries have not Monaco — the second stop in “cultivate bilateral relations even Beijing, warning that China was ment infl uence on the continent. alliance and in the EU,” Conte by Chinese shipping giant Co- closed the door on its services. Xi’s tour — has already signed with the tiniest (nations).” Ardern vows mosque killer will face ‘full force of law’

AFP Spy agencies had eyes on far right: minister Christchurch The New Zealand minister agencies operate is they don’t responsible for the country’s monitor every digital activity ew Zealand Prime Minis- spy agencies rejected claims far that happens at any time of the ter Jacinda Ardern vowed right extremism wasn’t on their day,” he said. Nyesterday never to utter radar in the wake of Friday’s It was the role of the agencies the name of the twin-mosque mass shooting at two mosques to to do their best to distin- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets with Muslim community leaders after the Parliament session in Wellington yesterday. gunman as she opened a sombre in Christchurch in which 50 guish between what is a real session of parliament with an people were killed. Justice threat and what is just vile and seas family members so far. not contacted as an immediate evocative “as-salaam alaikum” Minister Andrew Little told Radio off ensive comments without The slow process of identifi ca- family member?” message of peace to Muslims. New Zealand yesterday he any intention to follow through, tion and forensic documentation “He will face the full force of was satisfied the New Zealand Little said. has so far made burials impos- Gun control the law in New Zealand,” Ardern Security Intelligence Service Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sible, augmenting families’ grief. In the wake of the mass shoot- pledged to grieving Kiwis, while (NZSIS) was looking at all forms on Monday announced an Javed Dadabhai, who travelled ing, Ardern has promised to re- promising that she would de- of extremism. inquiry into the work of NZSIS from Auckland to help bury his form New Zealand gun laws that prive the man, an avowed white “For the last nine months and the Government Communi- cousin, said families and volun- allowed the gunman to legally supremacist who slaughtered 50 they’ve been reviewing specifi- cations Security Bureau (GCSB). teers were told: “It is going to be purchase the weapons he used people in Christchurch, of the cally the rise of the alt right and NZSIS boss Rebecca Kitteridge a very slow process, a very thor- in the attack on two Christch- publicity he craved. white supremacism,” he said.”It’s said she welcomed the enquiry. ough process.” urch mosques, including semi- “He sought many things from been apparent around the world “NZSIS has increased its eff ort “Some families have been in- automatic rifl es. New Zealanders his act of terror, but one was no- that the alt right and white to obtain a better picture of the vited to have a look at their fam- have already begun answering toriety,” she told assembled law- supremacism has become more threat posed to New Zealand by ily members... the ones that are government appeals to hand in makers of the 28-year-old Aus- manifest.” far right extremist groups,” easiest to recognise, but we are their weapons, including John tralian accused of the slaughter. Little said while alleged gunman Kitteridge said. “The person talking about three or four.” Hart, a farmer in the North Island “That is why you will never hear Brenton Tarrant had made charged with murder had never “The majority of people still district of Masterton. me mention his name. He is a comments online, it appeared been brought to the attention have not had the opportunity Hart said it was an easy deci- International Muslim Association of New Zealand president Tahir terrorist. He is a criminal. He is they were made in closed of NZSIS and is not known to to see their family members,” sion for him to hand in his semi- Nawaz (second left) meets with community members at an Islamic an extremist. But he will, when I Facebook groups that weren’t NZSIS or our Australian counter- he told AFP. Mohamed Safi , 23, automatic and tweeted: “on Centre in Kilbirnie, Wellington, yesterday. speak, be nameless.” readily accessible. “The way our part,” she added. whose father Matiullah Safi died the farm they are a useful tool “I implore you: Speak the in Al Noor Mosque, pleaded for in some circumstances, but my cebook friends.” Police said they changes on gun ownership will be names of those who were lost offi cials to let him identify his convenience doesn’t outweigh did not have data available on announced by next week, but she rather than the name of the man the attack, members of the Mus- of relatives of the deceased began father get a date for his burial. the risk of misuse. We don’t need the number of weapons handed indicated that gun buybacks and who took them.” lim community will gather for arriving from around the world “There’s nothing they are off er- these in our country.” in since Friday. But they issued a ban on some semi-automatic Dressed in black, the 38-year- worship on that day. Let us ac- ahead of expected funerals which ing,” Safi , an Afghan refugee, said The tweet drew a barrage of a statement saying that “due to rifl es were under consideration. old leader opened her remarks in knowledge their grief as they do.” have already been delayed far outside a family support centre. derogatory messages to his Face- heightened security and the cur- “The terror attack in Christch- parliament with a symbolic ges- “Wa alaikum salaam wa rah- beyond the 24 hours after death “They are just saying they are book account — most apparently rent environment, we would ask urch... was the worst act of ter- ture, repeating the greeting ut- matullahi wa barakatuh,” she said usually observed under Islamic doing their procedures, they are from the US, where the pro-gun that people please call us fi rst rorism on our shores, it was in tered every day across the Islamic — “May the peace, mercy, and custom. doing their process. But what lobby is powerful and vociferous. before attempting to surrender a fact one of the worst globally in world: “as-salaam alaikum”. She blessings of Allah be with you Peter Elms of New Zealand’s process? Why do I not know Hart deleted the messages fi rearm.” recent times,” she said. “It has closed her address by noting that too.” immigration department said 65 what you are going through to but posted online: “A warm kia Ardern has said that details of exposed a range of weaknesses in “on Friday, it will be a week since Her comments came as dozens visas had been granted for over- identify the body... Why am I ora to all my new American Fa- the government’s proposed law New Zealand’s gun laws.”

Time for N Korea to take concrete steps: Moon adviser Indonesia fl ood death toll

AFP Since then, Pyongyang has that its proposal to close “all the Korean turn to show actual ac- more talks. The South is push- rises to 89, dozens missing Seoul said it is considering suspend- nuclear production facilities” at tion to make (the) US move.” ing an “all for all” agreement, ing the talks and images have Yongbyon was its best and fi nal Openness was crucial, he as demanded by the US, com- emerged of rebuilding works at off er. Moon’s goal, his adviser added. There are many compet- bined with Pyongyang’s insist- AFP orth Korea should take the Sohae rocket launch facili- said, was a “nuclear weapons- ing estimates of the North’s nu- ence on a step-by-step process Sentani “actual action” towards ties. That triggered international free, peaceful and prosperous clear arsenal, and Moon places to get there, described by Moon Ngiving up its nuclear alarm that North Korea might be Korean peninsula” — and he the most faith in fi gures of 30-35 Chung-in as “incremental im- weapons to break the deadlock preparing a long-range missile would not accept a peaceful ac- weapons from US expert Sieg- plementation with an acceptable t least 89 people are known to have died after fl ash fl oods and in talks with Washington, a top or space launch, which could put commodation with a nuclear- fried Hecker, who has been to road map”. landslides tore through Indonesia’s Papua region, with the toll security adviser to the South’s the whole negotiations process armed North. Yongbyon. “But still we never That would require compro- Aexpected to rise further as rescuers hunt for dozens still miss- president said, suggesting at risk — Pyongyang has not car- The South Korean president know,” he added. “That is why we mise from both sides. Moon ing, the national disaster agency said yesterday. Scores have also been Seoul’s patience with Pyongyang ried one out for more than a year has long pushed engagement need the process of declaration has met Kim twice and says the injured in the disaster, triggered by torrential rain on Saturday, with may be wearing thin. and Trump has repeatedly said its with Pyongyang to bring it to the and inspection. It’s like a blind North Korean leader has a “mas- some 6,800 people evacuated to temporary shelters. President Moon Jae-in was continued moratorium is crucial. negotiating table, but his securi- man touching (an) elephant.” tery of issues”. The military has taken up the grim task of putting mud-caked instrumental in brokering the A launch of any kind by the ty adviser backed US Secretary of A retired professor of politics, “He’s young, much more will- corpses into body bags, with the search hampered by mountains of negotiations between Pyongyang North would be a “disaster”, said State Mike Pompeo’s assessment Moon Chung-in has been in- ing to talk” than his father and debris including rocks and fallen trees. Seventy-four people remain and Washington, seizing on the Moon’s special adviser on na- that “talk is cheap”, saying that volved with policy towards the predecessor Kim Jong-il, “kind unaccounted for, while around 150 suff ered broken bones, cuts and 2018 Winter Olympics in South tional security Moon Chung-in. the North had given “words and North for decades and was one of of entertaining”. Kim under- other injuries. “Many people are choosing to stay at shelters because Korea to catalyse a rapid diplo- The “outcome will be cata- commitment, but no actions”. the architects of the “Sunshine stands that “complete denu- they’re still traumatised and scared of more fl ash fl oods, so some matic rapprochement after a year strophic”, he told AFP. In Hanoi, Kim had told the South Ko- Policy” of engagement with clearisation” includes his exist- evacuation centres are packed,” said national disaster agency spokes- of missile tests, threats and ten- US offi cials said, Trump urged rean leader that he had disman- Pyongyang under president Kim ing stock of weapons, and the man Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. sions. Kim to “go all in” and that “the tled 30% of the Sohae rocket Dae-jung. missiles that can reach the US The government has issued a 14-day state of emergency in Pa- But the fi rst summit between weapons themselves need to be site, including “about 20% of the He stressed that he speaks for mainland and other targets, he pua, which shares a border with independent Papua New Guinea on the North’s leader Kim Jong-un on the table”. In return, they were launching pad – but he hasn’t himself and not the president — said. an island just north of Australia. Flooding is common in Indonesia, and US President Donald Trump “prepared to go all in as well”. But shown us”, Moon Chung-in said. as an adviser, he is outside the The North Korean leader was especially during the rainy season which runs from October to April. in Singapore in June produced it was not clear exactly which fa- “That still needs some kind of formal policy-making process — — like any negotiator —looking In January, fl oods and landslides killed at least 70 people on Sulawesi only a vague commitment to cilities at the Yongbyon nuclear observation or inspection.” but his comments may suggest to minimise risk while maxim- island, while earlier this month hundreds in West Java province were “work toward complete denu- complex the North was willing to Similarly, Pyongyang claimed the South will press the North ising benefi ts, Moon said, and forced to evacuate when torrential rains triggered severe fl ooding. clearisation of the Korean pe- give up, while they wanted “basi- to have demolished “two-thirds” harder to narrow the gap with “hedging” because “regime sur- Meanwhile, three people were killed — including two Malaysian ninsula”. Their second meeting cally all the sanctions except for of its nuclear testing ground at Washington on nuclear talks. vival is at stake”. But he must tourists – and some 182 were injured after an earthquake Sunday trig- in Hanoi last month broke up armaments” lifted, the offi cials Punggye-ri, but that too “needs The breakdown in Hanoi meant have been “very shocked” when gered a landslide on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, next to without agreement, or even a said. verifi cation”, he said. “North a mooted trip by Kim to Seoul Trump walked out of the Hanoi Bali. Lombok was rocked by several earthquakes last summer, killing joint statement, as the two failed For its part the North’s for- Korea should take further moves was off the table for now, Moon meeting, Moon said. “I think that more than 500 people and leaving over 150,000 homeless. Last Sep- to come to a deal over sanctions eign minister said it only wanted to really dismantle all of them,” said, but added it was vital the was a very important learning tember, the country was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in Palu on relief and denuclearisation. some of the measures eased, and he stressed. “It is now the North two Korean leaders met again for process for him.” Sulawesi island which killed around 2,200 people. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND England could run short of water within 25 years

Guardian News And Media However, this could be avoided we take action to change things,” mers are expected to be hotter about a third of water is lost to will be controversial, but it’s the seawater into drinking water, he London with ambitious action to cut peo- Bevan told the Guardian, before a than the 2003 heatwave, he said, leaks or wastage. right thing to do,” says Bevan. says. ple’s water use by a third and leak- speech at the Waterwise confer- leading to more water shortages The most controversial change More water will also need to “While there will be political age from water company pipes ence in London. and potentially 50%-80% less needed to increase supply is be transferred across the coun- challenges, there should be less ngland is set to run short of by 50%, he says, along with big “We need water wastage to be water in some rivers in the sum- building new mega-reservoirs, try to water-stressed areas, such diffi culty over the economics,” water within 25 years, the new reservoirs, more desalina- as socially unacceptable as blow- mer. such as that proposed near Abing- as the south-east, Bevan says, Bevan says. “That’s because the Echief executive of the envi- tion plants and transfers of water ing smoke in the face of a baby or The population of the UK is ex- don in Oxfordshire. “We have not via pipelines or canals. Just 4% investment needed to increase ronment agency has warned. across the country. throwing your plastic bags into pected to rise from 67mn to 75mn built a new reservoir in the UK for of current supplies are trans- our resilience is modest com- The country is facing the ‘‘jaws “Around 25 years from now, the sea,” he said. in 2050, increasing the demand decades, largely because clearing ferred between individual water pared with the cost of not doing of death”, Sir James Bevan said, where those (demand and sup- In the speech, Bevan said: for water. But Bevan says the av- all the planning and legal hurdles companies, but there are plans it. While a severe drought would at the point where water demand ply) lines cross is known by some “Water companies all identify the erage person’s daily water use of necessary is so diffi cult and local for 20 new transfer projects. cost each household more than from the country’s rising popula- as the ‘jaws of death’ – the point same thing as their biggest op- 140 litres could be cut to 100 litres opposition so fi erce,” Bevan says. More desalination plants, such £100, the cost per household of tion surpasses the falling supply at which we will not have enough erating risk: climate change.” By in 20 years by more effi cient use The government plans to stream- as Thames Water’s Beckton the investment that would greatly resulting from climate change. water to supply our needs, unless 2040, more than half of UK sum- in homes and gardens. Currently, line the planning process. “That plant, will also be needed to turn reduce the risk is only £4 a year.”

Bercow branded ‘Brexit destroyer’

Britain’s mostly right-wing newspapers branded parliamentary Speaker John Bercow an obnoxious, May seeks despotic traitor yesterday after his bombshell ruling threw the Brexit process into disarray. After Bercow ruled MPs could not vote again on the EU divorce deal unless it was substantially changed, Brexit delay as newspapers labelled him the “Brexit Destroyer” and a “preening egotist” bent on stopping Britain leaving. But editorials in the more pro- EU papers said the dramatic situation, 10 days out from third vote on Britain’s scheduled departure date, was entirely Prime Minister Theresa May’s fault and Bercow had been right to assert parliamentary primacy over of the 2016 referendum vote to leave the European deal derailed Union. The Daily Mail’s front page was Reuters Michel Barnier, said an extension union overnight, falling back on a picture of Bercow grinning, London would only make sense if it in- World Trade Organisation rules with the headline: “Smirk that creased the chances of May’s deal that could mean many import and says: Brexit be damned.” Its being ratifi ed by parliament. export tariff s. parliamentary sketch said: rime Minister Theresa May He said the economic and polit- It would face the prospect of “Me, me, me...the twitchy will ask the European Un- ical costs of a delay for the EU had manufacturing and fi nancial mar- windbag was at his despotic Pion to delay Brexit by at least to be weighed against the potential ket disruption, sharp economic worst.” three months after her plan to benefi ts. contraction and border delays. And its editorial said Bercow, hold another vote this week on her The BBC’s political editor, Laura An offi cial in President Em- 56, was revelling in a “brazen twice-defeated divorce deal was Kuenssberg, said May would ask manuel Macron’s offi ce said act of sabotage...detonating thrown into disarray by a surprise for an extension until June 30 bluntly that a failure by parliament this bombshell at the most intervention from the speaker of — which could give her another to vote on the deal and the absence inconvenient and sensitive parliament. chance to pass her deal — with the of any credible alternative would moment.” Nearly three years after Britain option of a delay of up to two years. push Britain along the path to ‘no The paper called him a voted to leave the EU, its departure In a move that added to the deal’. “preening egotist” and is uncertain and European capitals sense of crisis in London, speaker However, most senior EU fi g- “committed Remainer”. are pressing May to spell out her John Bercow ruled on Monday that ures, while exasperated by Brit- Blocking a fresh vote on the next moves. May’s deal had to be substantially ain’s dithering, have no appetite deal “would ensure that our Possible eventual outcomes still diff erent to be voted on again by for pushing it out in 10 days’ time national trauma goes on range from a long postponement, parliament. without a deal. and on”. Losing the chance leaving with May’s deal, a disrup- Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay The crisis has left allies and in- to deliver Brexit and begin tive exit without a deal, or even said a vote this week was now less vestors puzzled by a country that healing Britain’s wounds due another referendum. likely, adding: “This is a moment for decades seemed a confi dent to “one man’s overweening Ten days before the March 29 of crisis for our country.” But he pillar of western economic and vanity would be a perversion exit date that May set, and two indicated the government still political stability. of our democracy”. days before a crucial EU summit, planned a third vote. The 2016 referendum, which The Sun, which considers she was yesterday writing to Eu- Lawmakers will in any case be produced a 52%-48% vote to Bercow an “odious slug”, ropean Council president Donald able to debate ways to break the leave, exposed deep divisions and said: “Remainers have their Tusk to ask for a delay, her spokes- Brexit impasse from Monday, has fuelled soul-searching about reward for keeping the most man said. May’s spokesman said. everything from secession and im- obnoxious, discredited and He did not disclose how long a German Chancellor Angela migration to capitalism and British shameless Commons speaker delay she would seek, but said she Merkel warned time was running identity. in his job.” believed it should be as short as out, saying: “I will fi ght until the And now Britons’ patience with Bercow “scuppered the only possible. last minute of the time to March 29 negotiations may be running out. one on the table with his most The prime minister had ear- for an orderly exit. We haven’t got In a Comres survey in the Tel- disgraceful abuse of power lier warned parliament that if it a lot of time for that.” egraph, nearly half of respondents yet. May is having to fight a did not ratify her deal, she would Her Foreign Minister, Heiko said Britain would ultimately thrive Remain majority AND a bent ask to delay Brexit beyond June 30, Maas, said: “If more time is need- if it left without a deal. The pressure referee”, the tabloid said. a step that Brexit’s advocates fear ed, it’s always better to do another to come up with changes means The Daily Express’s front page would endanger the entire divorce. round than a no-deal Brexit.” May is likely to get only one more called Bercow ‘The Brexit Other EU member states were Tusk and Irish Prime Minister chance to put her deal to a vote. Destroyer’. “Bercow stoops discussing two main options: a de- Leo Varadkar agreed after talks Bercow said his ruling did not low with this Brexit ambush,” lay of two to three months, if May that they must now “see what stop the government reshaping its editorial said. “Could persuades them she can clinch a proposals emerge from London” its proposal, or having parliament John Bercow be the most deal at home, or much longer if she before the summit. vote to overrule him. treacherous speaker ever?” accepts that radical reworking is If Britain left with no deal, Brexit Secretary Barclay said a Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar walks with president of the European Council Donald Tusk needed. it would quit the EU’s 500mn- change in context might be suffi - (left) inside the government buildings in Dublin yesterday. The EU’s chief negotiator, strong single market and customs cient to meet Bercow’s test.

US fans eagerly await Boyfriend of Love Island star ‘killed self’ Meghan and Harry’s baby Guardian News and Media from Aaron, he said he was wor- London ried, he’d had no contact from Sophie and she had not been on Reuters ago, Heyman added. child? “Imagine raising an Ameri- her social media profi le. Los Angeles Despite America’s War of Inde- can royal in Britain,” Bullen said. he boyfriend of the Love “He sounded worried and was pendence fought against Britain “It’s hard enough I think for a lot of Island star Sophie Gradon talking quickly and was snappy. some 240 years ago, Americans Americans to come to London and Tkilled himself just weeks He rang Ryan to take him to So- ascination, pride and the have long been obsessed with Brit- get to grips with boarding schools after he found her dead at her par- phie’s because he was worried best soap opera in the world ish royals, who regularly feature on and prep schools and little caps ents’ home, a coroner has ruled. about what he might fi nd. Fhave many Americans ea- the front pages of celebrity maga- and little shorts and how we raise Aaron Armstrong, 25, had tak- “Half an hour later I got a call gerly awaiting the impending zines. children in the UK. en cocaine and drunk alcohol be- from Ryan. He was crying. I could birth of Prince Harry and Duchess British producer Nick Bul- “Will Dorian, Meghan’s mum, fore his death, the inquest found. hear Aaron screaming in the of Sussex Meghan Markle’s fi rst len, a co-founder of subscription be involved in the baby’s raising?” Armstrong died about 20 days background asking if the ambu- child. streaming service True Royalty Bullen said. “Will it have holidays after Gradon’s death. The ama- lance was coming. He sounded After some 29mn Americans TV, which launched last summer, in California? Will it be doing baby teur boxer, who worked as a boat hysterical. It is clear Aaron was watched the televised May 2018 said a colourful and dramatic his- yoga? People want to know all that captain in his father’s sea freight extremely distressed as a con- wedding of Harry to Californian tory with larger-than-life fi gures level of detail.” business, was found dead by his sequence of him and his brother actress Markle, the prospect of the such as King Henry VIII drives the Not everyone is getting caught mother, Donna, at the family’s Ryan fi nding Sophie.” The court fi rst British royal baby born to an modern fascination with the royal up in royal baby fever. home on the outskirts of Blyth, heard the couple had a “very in- American mother is proving even family. “I actually don’t have too much Northumberland. tense and emotional” relation- more compelling. “The British royal family is the of an opinion about it,” shrugged Eric Armstrong, senior coroner ship after meeting in May last “It’s going to be massive,” said J best soap opera in town,” he said. Evan Jorgensen, as he strolled for South Northumberland, said year on a night out with friends in D Heyman, deputy editor of Peo- “It’s as simple as that.” along the Venice Beach boardwalk Armstrong killed himself after Newcastle. ple magazine. “When Meghan True Royalty TV is based in Lon- in California. But most people taking cocaine and alcohol, which In the days that followed Gra- presents the baby, when Meg- don but draws its largest number Reuters spoke to said they were ex- may have clouded his judgment. don’s death, Armstrong became han and Harry step out onto a of subscribers from the US. cited and pleased. The inquest was told Arm- withdrawn and quiet, detail- balcony...I think what you will see While celebrity media outlets Americans feel tremendous af- strong and his brother Ryan had ing his grief on social media and is an enormous outpouring of af- are chronicling Markle’s pregnan- fection toward Markle, said Hey- found Gradon, 32, dead at her building a makeshift memorial fection for both of them.” cy with daily pictures and specu- man. home in Ponteland, Northumber- to her in the Ingram Valley near “The excitement around this lation over the baby’s sex and due “There’s a personal pride that land, the previous month. Morpeth, Northumberland. equals the births of certainly date, True Royalty TV plans docu- many people feel, that an aver- The coroner read a statement The coroner recorded a narra- Prince William’s babies and, mentaries and talk-show discus- age American girl of a multiracial Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visit the New from Armstrong’s mother de- tive verdict and issued a warning frankly, Harry and William’s sions on topics including: how will background has risen to this posi- Zealand House to sign the book of condolence on behalf of the tailing how Gradon’s body was about the dangers of combining birth(s)” more than 30 years the royal couple raise their fi rst tion,” he said. royal family in London yesterday. found. It said: “I received a call cocaine and alcohol. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 15

BRITAIN HS2 would widen ‘north-south’ divide, should be axed: study

Guardian News and Media London and that the £56bn ports HS2 but the NEF report vestment in the UK’s railways four-to-one regional imbalance tion of good, unionised jobs and the city and put it at the centre of London budget would be better spent on said that even if the project even- is urgently needed, but HS2 is in transport spending between carrying more freight. northern rail. upgrading the existing network tually extends to Yorkshire and trickle-down transport policy. the south and north of England. Rather than spend more than * The full electrifi cation of the and smaller-scale local projects. the north-west, London would It will be used by the wealthiest The thinktank said a package £50bn on HS2, the report said Midland and Great Western lines. he government’s planned Theresa May has said she re- be the biggest benefi ciary. travellers, intensify the north- of £55.2bn spent over the next ministers should consider alter- *The creation of more four HS2 high-speed rail mains fully committed to HS2 Despite accounting for just south investment divide and is 10 years, including £18.9bn for native uses of the money includ- track sections on the three core, Tproject will make the UK despite speculation that rising under 25% of the UK’s economy, a standalone project that simply the north of England, would help ing: north-south mainlines and of even more divided and should be costs will result in the govern- two-fi fths of the passenger ben- does not integrate well enough commuters, speed up long dis- * Full electrifi cation of much of bridges to take slower, regional scrapped in favour of boosting ment cancelling the scheme or efi ts – such as shorter journey into the existing network. It’s an tance journeys, cut carbon emis- the northern rail network. lines over intercity tracks to services in the less well-off parts restricting the route to between times – would go to the capital. expensive answer in search of a sions and bring benefi ts to many * The reopening of the trans- speed up long distance journeys. of the country, a left-leaning London and Birmingham. Esti- Richer households would be the question. regions that will not be served by Pennine Woodhead line between The NEF report was commis- thinktank has said. mates for building the line have main users of the new high speed The NEF report said an alter- HS2. It also called on the govern- Manchester and Sheffi eld to pro- sioned by the environmental A report from the New Eco- increased by two-thirds since route, the report added. native to HS2 should be a new ment to bring forward a compre- vide a fourth east-west link in the campaign group Friends of the nomics Foundation found that 2011 after taking account of in- Andrew Pendleton, the direc- national rail investment fund hensive strategy for the railways north. Earth England, Wales and North- 40% of the benefi ts of the con- fl ation, from £33.3bn to £55.8bn. tor of policy at the NEF and one that would pump money into the that prioritised improving jour- * A Bradford Crossrail, to link ern Ireland, which has opposed troversial project would go to The rail industry strongly sup- of the report’s authors, said: “In- existing network and redress the neys for the majority, the crea- the two lines that terminate in HS2.

Queen inaugurates Bush House Police and army ‘failed’ to protect stalking victim, claims family

Guardian News and Media tact from Dhillon’s unit, no re- London sponse to questions she asked of the military police, and no sense that lessons had been learned. he army and the police She could not believe the army could have prevented the was unaware of Dhillon’s histo- Tdeath of a 24-year-old ry of off ending against ex-part- woman who was murdered by a ners, because he was serving at jealous and controlling soldier, the time of the incidents. her family have said. “Similar situations need to be Alice Ruggles had contacted taken far more seriously in the police about Trimaan Dhillon’s future by both the police and the stalking in the days before he army,” she said. “Failure to do so broke into her Gateshead home would show a blatant lack of re- and repeatedly cut her throat in gard for my sister, the nightmare October 2016. she lived in her last few months A Northumbria police offi cer and the sustained, painful, vio- contacted Dhillon’s barracks in lent last few minutes of her life.” Edinburgh and spoke to a su- The domestic homicide re- perior of the soldier, who had a view made 20 recommenda- history of off ending against ex- tions for action by local au- Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visit King’s College, to open Bush House, the latest education and learning facilities on the Strand Campus, in partners, but the Royal Military thorities, the Home Office and central London yesterday. Police and Police Scotland were the ministry of defence. One of not informed. its recommendations is that it Dhillon, then 26, ignored a be made an offence to threaten warning to stop contacting her to release intimate photos of a and eventually drove 120 miles former partner, as Dhillon did to Gateshead, where he mur- after Ruggles ended their rela- dered the popular Sky employee tionship. in an “act of utter barbarism”. In a second call to police after Dhillon, a lance corporal at Dhillon’s stalking continued, a the time who trained with the call handler asked the North- Special Reconnaissance Regi- umbria University graduate if Unemployment rate ment, was jailed for life with a she wanted him to be arrested. minimum term of 22 years after She declined, and no action was a trial at Newcastle crown court. taken. In a domestic homicide re- Dr Hills said her daughter was view published by Gateshead particularly hurt by that reac- council yesterday, Ruggles’ tion because it left her feeling family said they believed the po- as though “she was on her own, hits record 44-year low lice and army could have done that she had to deal with it her- Guardian News and Media Companies increased their the labour market about the mood The Bank of England has also the aid of the shortest dole queues more to protect her. self”. London hiring activity to add another of Brexit-related economic un- previously warned that fi rms since the 1970s. Her parents, Sue Hills and The homicide review found 222,000 people to the UK work- certainty which has gripped the might be opting to hire work- Average weekly earnings con- Clive Ruggles, said: “We believe the arrest decision should have force, taking the overall number UK since last autumn. ers rather than making expensive tinued to rise at an annual rate of that her death was preventable. been made by the police, not left K unemployment has in work to a fresh record high of “These record-breaking jobs investments in machinery and 3.4% in the three months to Janu- We fi nd it diffi cult to compre- to the victim. dropped to the lowest level 32.7mn. numbers seem extraordinary and technology in the face of Brexit ary, despite City economists’ ex- hend that, although Alice de- Two offi cers were disciplined Uin more than 44 years de- The surprise drop in the job- suggest that only a recession-in- uncertainty. Workers tend to be pectations that pay growth would scribed in her fi rst phone call last year following an investiga- spite mounting fears over Brexit, less rate came despite mount- ducing hard Brexit is likely to have easier to hire and fi re, while major cool to 3.2%. to the police that she was being tion into the force’s handling of as employers across the country ing concern that the chaos over a noticeably negative impact on investments are costly to reverse. Stephen Clarke, a senior eco- stalked and provided ample evi- the case by the Independent Of- ramped up hiring at the fastest Brexit in Westminster might have the UK’s employment situation.” Business investment fell in every nomic analyst at the Resolution dence, the police and the army fi ce for Police Conduct. rate in more than three years. encouraged companies to freeze Analysts cautioned that the quarter last year, the fi rst time Foundation, said: “This encour- were unable to support and Northumbria police’s as- The Offi ce for National Sta- their hiring plans until they have jobs fi gures are backward looking since the last recession a decade aging jobs growth is benefi ting protect her.” Her sister, Emma, sistant chief constable, Rachel tistics said the jobless rate fell to greater clarity over the political because they relate to the three- ago. women and those traditionally a serving soldier, said she was Bacon, said changes had been a fresh low of 3.9% in the three situation. month period to January, while The latest snapshot from the left out of the labour market. It is frustrated by the army’s re- made nationally regarding the months to January, down from John Philpott, the director of surveys have suggested employ- ONS also suggested that stronger even starting to have a knock-on sponse to the murder. response to stalking and harass- 4% a month ago, the lowest point the Jobs Economist consultancy, ment levels have begun to drop in wage rises are starting to come eff ect on still historically weak pay She said she had had no con- ment as a result of this case. since the start of 1975. said: “Nobody seems to have told more recent months. through for British workers with rises.” National Portrait Gallery Barbados visit Husband died of turns down £1mn grant sepsis: killer nurse Daily Mail committed to clearing her name. London Her lawyers claim new medi- Guardian News and Media collection. The money remained the way of their mission”. cal evidence indicates McCarthy London a pledge and was not paid, partly The statement added that “re- may have died of sepsis. because work had not started and cent reporting of allegations made nurse who was found Her case has been referred to the gallery’s ethics committee was against Sackler family members guilty murdering her disa- the Court of Appeal by the Crimi- he National Portrait Gallery considering the implications of may cause this new donation to Abled husband by injecting nal Cases Review Commission, has turned down a £1mn funding from the multibillionaire defl ect the National Portrait Gal- him with insulin could have her which investigates possible mis- Tgrant from the multibillion- family. lery from its important work”. conviction quashed with her law- carriages of justice. Senior judges aire Sackler family after an ongo- The American artist Nan Gol- It continued: “The allegations yers set to argue he died of sepsis. have adjourned her case for medi- ing controversy over a drug pro- din, 65, had threatened to refuse against family members are vigor- Deborah Winzar, 54, was jailed cal evidence to be obtained. duced by their US pharmaceutical a retrospective of her work at the ously denied, but to avoid being a for life at Birmingham Crown Presiding judge, Lord Justice company. gallery if it accepted the donation, distraction for the NPG, we have Court in 2000 after being found Irwin, said the case has an “ex- The NPG is one of many Brit- and had previously staged protests decided not to proceed at this time guilty of the murder of her hus- traordinary history. We cannot go ish cultural institutions in line for at the Guggenheim Museum and with the donation. We continue to band Dominic McCarthy. on middling this case, there has to substantial donations from mem- the Metropolitan Museum of Art believe strongly in the gallery and McCarthy, who was paralysed be a decisive conclusion”. bers of the family, but it has come in New York over their links to the the wonderful work it does.” in a motorcycle accident in 1984, Justice William Davis said that under pressure from artists and arts philanthropists. David Ross, the NPG chair, said: was found collapsed in his bed the case will examine whether a campaigners not to accept funding Last month, she told the Ob- “I acknowledge the generosity of at the home the couple shared in “natural succession of events” led from the owners of the company server: “My message is for all in- the Sackler family and their sup- Stonely, Cambridgeshire, in Jan- to dangerously low blood sugar that makes the opioid OxyContin. stitutions everywhere, which are port of the arts over the years. We uary 1997. levels “and therefore death” was Yesterday, the gallery said it taking Sackler money. They are understand and support their de- Winzar, then a senior ward responsible. would not proceed with the do- not going (to be able to) continue cision not to proceed at this time sister at Kettering General Hos- However, James Curtis, pros- nation. “The Sackler Trust and to operate ‘business as usual’. Peo- with the donation to the gallery.” pital, denied any wrongdoing ecuting, said McCarthy’s death the National Portrait Gallery have ple are pushing back and, if they The Sackler name has provided and maintained that her husband “was not caused by some internal jointly agreed not to proceed at want to maintain their standing as fi nancial support for numerous must have died of natural causes. sudden lightning strike with the this time with a £1mn gift from cultural institutions, they have to institutions in the UK, includ- But a post-mortem examina- body turning in on itself”. the Sackler Trust to support the listen.” ing the Royal Opera House, Na- tion revealed that McCarthy had A previous challenge to Win- gallery’s Inspiring People project,” In a statement, the trust said it tional Gallery, National Theatre, a very high level of insulin in his zar’s conviction was dismissed by the Art newspaper reported. was pleased to have off ered sup- Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Ballet blood and the prosecution’s case the Court of Appeal in December The trust’s grant was awarded port to the NPG and “the giving School, Tate, Old Vic and Royal was that his wife had the oppor- 2002. The CCRC previously said in 2016 for the £35.5mn project for philosophy of the family has al- College of Art. In 2017, the V&A Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a tunity and skill to inject it. the new evidence “gives rise to a building development, a new edu- ways been to actively support in- unveiled a £2mn Sackler court- meeting during their visit to Barbados yesterday. Winzar was released from real possibility” her conviction cation centre and redisplaying the stitutions while never getting in yard. prison after 15 years and remains will be quashed. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 EUROPE

CAUSE UNKNOWN HIGH ALERT TRAILBLAZER SECURITY POLITICS Schoolboy threatens staff Bomb scare shuts part of American is first woman to EU remains vulnerable to EU bloc faces crunch with a knife in Norway Brussels’ EU quarter win Abel Prize for maths cyberattacks, say auditors decision on Orban

Four members of staff at an Oslo primary school Part of the European quarter in Brussels was The Abel Prize in mathematics was awarded The European Union is vulnerable to cyberattacks Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will attend a were slightly hurt when a pupil threatened an evacuated yesterday, just two days before a yesterday to Karen Uhlenbeck of the United due to its complex and uneven response to the meeting today of conservative off icials from across employee with a knife. Police sent several patrols European summit, following a bomb threat to a States for her work on partial differential threat, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) Europe that may decide whether his party will stay to the school in the Brynseng district after reports lobbying firm. The call was received by GPLUS, equations, the first woman to win the award, warned yesterday. In September 2017, the in the main EU centre-right political group. Today’s of “violence and a threatening situation”, the a public aff airs and strategic communications the Norwegian Academy of Science and European Commission proposed an EU-wide meeting of delegates from the European People’s force said on Twitter. A pupil at the school, which consulting firm located across from the off ices Letters has said. “Karen Uhlenbeck receives approach to deal with cyberthreats, including Party could be the denouement of a years-long has students between six and 13 years old, was of Agence-France Presse (AFP). The off ice is also the Abel Prize 2019 for her fundamental the creation of a dedicated agency. However, dispute between Orban and more mainstream, threatening a staff member with a bread knife, a few dozen metres from the UK permanent work in geometric analysis and gauge progress has been limited, with negotiations pro-EU parties in the EPP that accuse him of flouting Norway’s NTB news agency reported. Police said representation where staff , hard at work on theory, which has dramatically changed between EU member states and the European the rule of law. Thirteen member parties called for they overpowered the boy, who was described in Brexit, were ordered to remain indoors. “I the mathematical landscape,” said Abel Parliament kicking off just last week. At present, a vote on the Fidesz party’s membership after it Norwegian media reports as very young. None evacuated the off ices and notified the police,” Committee chairman Hans Munthe-Kaas. a patchwork of national safeguards is in place distributed posters depicting European Commission of those hurt were stabbed with the knife, but GPLUS executive Thomas Barros-Tastets told Uhlenbeck, 76, is the first woman to win the across the bloc’s 28 member states. “The current President Jean-Claude Juncker, an EPP member, as a suff ered bites or were stabbed with a fork by the AFP. The alert was lifted shortly after 1pm, two prize, which comes with a cheque for 6mn challenges make this a critical time for the EU,” puppet manipulated by billionaire George Soros into boy, Verdens Gang newspaper reported. hours after the intervention began. kroner ($703,000). said ECA member Baudilio Tome Muguruza. backing uncontrolled immigration into Hungary.

Salvini triggers Letter hints at terrorism fresh migrant boat stand-off

Reuters behind Dutch tram attack Rome

AFP nterior Minister Matteo Salvini said yes- Utrecht terday he would not let an Italian-fl agged Icharity ship disembark 49 Africans rescued in the Mediterranean, setting up a fresh con- utch authorities said yester- frontation with humanitarian groups over mi- day they were “seriously” in- gration. Dvestigating a terrorist motive The Mare Jonio picked up the migrants, in- for the Utrecht tram attack because cluding 12 minors, on Monday after their rub- of evidence including a letter found in ber boat started to sink in the central Mediter- the suspected gunman’s getaway car. ranean, some 68km off the coast of Libya. Police were questioning Turkish- The vessel headed straight for the nearby born main suspect Gokmen Tanis, Italian island of Lampedusa but was not granted 37, and two other men over Monday’s permission to dock and is currently sailing close rampage in which three people were to land, awaiting further instructions. killed and seven injured, three of Salvini, who heads the anti-immigrant them seriously. League party, has told non-governmental or- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte ganisations that Italy’s ports are closed to them, had earlier said they “cannot ex- accusing them of playing into the hands of hu- clude” other motives including a man traffi ckers — which they have denied. family dispute, but police and pros- “Italy must not give in to blackmail by a ship ecutors said yesterday the probe was run by the social centres,” Salvini said on Twit- leaning towards terrorism. ter, referring to left-wing groups that have “So far, a terrorist motive is seri- helped fi nance the Mare Jonio. ously being taken into account. This The collective that organised the sea rescue, is based on a letter found in the geta- Mediterranea, said it had operated in accord- way car among other things and the ance with international human rights and mar- nature of the facts,” they said in a itime law. joint statement. “Italy must indicate a safe haven,” it said in a “Our investigation has established statement. no link between the main suspect New arrivals to Italy have plummeted since and the victims.” Salvini took offi ce last June, with just 348 mi- The three people who died in the grants coming so far this year, according to offi - shooting were a 19-year-old wom- cial data, down 94% on the same period in 2018 an from Vianen, south of Utrecht, and down 98% on 2017. and two men aged 28 and 49 from His closed-port policy has helped support Utrecht itself, the statement said. for his League party double since March 2018 Armed police captured Tanis after elections, with Italians backing his uncompro- an eight-hour manhunt that virtual- mising stance after almost 650,000 migrants ly shut down the Netherlands’ fourth came to Italy from North Africa between 2014 largest city and saw security stepped and early 2018. up at airports and key sites across the However, humanitarian groups say his ac- country. tions have driven up deaths at sea and left many Police said they found a car that migrants languishing in overcrowded, danger- the suspect had used as a getaway car ous Libyan detention centres. after the attack. They had also found Mediterranea said its rescue operation had a fi rearm after his arrest. saved the migrants either from death or from Tanis and two other men aged 23 being picked up by Libyan coastguards and and 27 are still being interrogated, “taken back to suff er again the torture and hor- police said. Reports said the two ror from which they were fl eeing”. other suspects were brothers but un- Earlier this year, Salvini kept a Dutch-fl agged related to Tanis. vessel, run by a German charity, at sea for more A stream of mourners laid fl ow- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (right) and Minister of Justice and Security Ferdinand Grapperhaus lay floral tributes near the scene of the fatal shooting than two weeks with nearly 50 migrants aboard ers yesterday at the site of the attack at 24 Oktoberplein, in Utrecht. before neighbouring Malta agreed to let the ship near the 24 Oktoberplein square. disembark there. “One of the victims was my “There are still many questions again after forensic police fi nished freed again at the start of March. told the Algemeen Dagblad newspa- However, Salvini will struggle to fi nd a simi- friend’s girlfriend. So coming here about the motive, and the police and their investigations at the scene In 2014, he was also convicted of per: “He is completely mad and uses lar solution this time because the Mare Jonio is today was the least I could do,” Mar- prosecutors still have to do a lot of and removed the tram on which the “illegal possession of weapons” and drugs. I have previously warned the Italian-fl agged. co van Rooijen, 43, told AFP. work. But there is no doubt that the shooting erupted. attempted theft but acquitted of at- police against him. He’s not a terror- Last August, he blocked an Italian coastguard “I am here to pay homage to the impact was huge.” But there was also growing anger tempted manslaughter. ist but a psychopath.” ship with 150 migrants aboard for almost a week victims and to support their fami- The attack raised security fears after it emerged that the suspect had He was also convicted in recent Turkish President Recep Tayyip before relenting. lies,” said local resident Yvette ahead of today’s provincial elections only been freed from jail in a rape months for shoplifting and burglary. Erdogan said his country’s intelli- Magistrates put him under investigation for Koetjeloozekoot, 29. in which Rutte’s centrist coalition is case two weeks ago. Broadcaster NOS meanwhile said gence agency was “looking into” the abuse of power and kidnapping and have asked Rutte and justice minister Ferd set to lose seats in the upper house of Tanis was originally arrested in some of his relatives had links to fun- attack. parliament to strip him of his immunity from Grapperhaus later met privately with parliament. 2017 then released from pre-trial damentalist Islamic groups, but also “Some say it is a family matter, prosecution. those caught up in the attack, offi - Flags were fl ying half-mast on detention, before being taken back that he was known for unstable be- some say it is a terror attack...Our The upper house Senate is due to vote today cials said. many buildings around the Nether- into custody when he breached his haviour after divorcing his wife two intelligence agency is looking into on that, but the request looks certain to be re- “A day later, I am still fi lled with lands and on foreign embassies. bail conditions, the central Neth- years ago. the matter”, Erdogan told Ulke TV on jected, with Salvini arguing that he acted in the horror,” Rutte told parliament. Public transport was running erlands district court said. He was A woman involved in the rape case Monday night. national interest. Opposition blames minister for yellow vest violence

Reuters ment, before an expected grilling from forced the government to introduce in- Paris lawmakers. creasingly tough policing tactics. “The Paris police chief is only a fall This month, United Nations human guy supposed to cover for Castaner’s rights chief Michelle Bachelet called pposition leaders have ac- blatant incompetence,” Jordan Bardel- for an investigation into the possible cused French Interior Minister la, far-right Marine Le Pen’s candidate excessive use of force by police during OChristophe Castaner, an ally for European elections said on Twitter. the protests, adding to criticism from of President Emmanuel Macron, of Castaner faced criticism from op- the European Parliament and national incompetence after he said yesterday position politicians after a video of human rights bodies. he was unaware of policing decisions him dancing in a trendy Paris night- This criticism had contributed to made during rioting on the Champs club on the night of the violence sur- “inhibiting” police ranks, Castaner Elysees. faced in French media. suggested. “There was a form of inhi- After another fl are-up of violence Castaner told French radio a tougher bition. Some offi cials in the hierarchy, in Saturday’s yellow vest protest, police approach, decided after rioters some police offi cers have doubts. Such which left the landmark Paris avenue looted shops on the Champs Elysees in doubt is not acceptable when you’re looking like a battleground, calls for early December, had not been applied faced with ultra-violent behaviour,” heads to roll have grown in France, de- on March 16 as he had ordered. Castaner said. spite its traditional tolerance for street He said he was only made aware Macron’s offi ce and Castaner de- protests. Rioters set fi re to a bank and that senior police offi cials had in- nied French media reports that the ransacked stores. structed their teams on the ground to president had threatened to fi re his Prime Minister Edouard Philippe hold back on using fl ash-balls when minister. sacked Paris police chief Michel he visited a police station near the What began as a movement against Delpuech on Monday and two other Champs Elysees on Sunday. a since-scrapped fuel tax hike and the offi cials, his chief of staff Pierre Gau- France has long taken a tolerant high cost of living, the yellow vest pro- din and Frederic Dupuch of the local approach to protests, farmers have tests have become a broader movement police force, a police source said yes- poured manure in front of ministries against Macron, his reforms and elitism. terday. and trade unions have held creative Even before Saturday’s destruction, But politicians piled pressure on demonstrations. insurance companies had registered Castaner who has been in the job for But the violent, balaclava-clad pro- 170mn euros of damage since the start Hospital staff take part in a ‘Day of strikes’ in Paris yesterday, called by French workers’ unions to demand more purchasing fi ve months. testers among the yellow vest demon- of the yellow vest weekly marches in power and to defend public services. He was booed yesterday in parlia- strators for such a sustained period has mid-November. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 17 INDIA

Modi now a ‘Chowkidar’, no more ‘Chaiwala’: Mayawati

IANS simple living and high thinking, a Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, people of Bihar, and asked him to The Telugu Desam Party hind the data theft in Hyderabad in politburo, the highest decision- Lucknow man (Modi) who lives a regal life Modi last week tweeted a video focus on his job at hand. chief said at a public meeting which micro-level details of lakhs making body of the party, was had advertised himself as ‘Chai- with the hashtag ‘MainBhiCh- “Rather than using derogatory in Andhra Pradesh on Monday: of our cadres were removed.” unhappy with the party leader- wala’ in the last Lok Sabha elec- owkidar’ and changed his Twitter language that shows your prejudice “K Chandrashekar Rao is doing There was speculation in po- ship for some time. day after Bharatiya Janata tions,” Mayawati said. handle to Chowkidar Narendra and malice against Bihar, just focus criminal politics. He is grabbing litical circles that Kishor, pop- In the recent assembly elec- Party leaders prefi xed “The same person has pro- Modi. The prime minister also on why people of AP should vote for the MLAs of Congress and TDP. ularly known as PK, has been tions, he had contested from A‘Chowkidar’ (watchman) nounced himself a ‘Chowkidar’ called all those fi ghting corrup- you again,” the election strategist- Bihari dacoit Prasant Kishore has sidelined in the JD-U after he Khammam as the candidate of to their Twitter handles, Bahu- with great pomp and show in tion and social evils ‘watchmen’ turned-politician tweeted. removed lakhs of votes in Andhra made numerous statements the Congress-led People’s Alli- jan Samaj Party leader Mayawati these elections only to seek votes. and asked them to participate in His retort comes a day after Pradesh.” that were different from the ance but was defeated. yesterday hit out at Prime Minis- My country is actually chang- the campaign for a better India. Naidu called Kishor a “Bihari da- Naidu also reportedly said, “the party line. An industrialist, he was elected ter Narendra Modi, saying he has ing?” Mayawati tweeted. In other election-related news, coit”. Bihari man PK is behind the Form Also yesterday, in a major blow to the Lok Sabha from Khammam changed his profi le from ‘Chai- The BSP chief said that the change Janata Dal - United (JD-U) na- Kishore also said: “An imminent 7 scam in Andhra Pradesh. He to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 2009. He was then one of the wala’ (tea boy) to ‘Chowkidar’ occurred only after the Bharatiya Ja- tional vice president Prashant defeat can rattle even the most helped the YSRCP (YSR Congress in Telangana, its senior leader richest MPs in the country with only to get votes in the upcoming nata Party (BJP) launched the “Main Kishor slammed Andhra Pradesh seasoned politicians. So I’m not Party) to delete lakhs of voters and former MP Nama Nageswara declared assets of Rs338 crore. In Lok Sabha elections. Bhi Chowkidar” (I am also a watch- Chief Minister N Chandrababu surprised with the baseless utter- sympathetic towards the TDP”. Rao resigned yesterday. December 2018, his assets stood “Ignoring the philosophy of man) campaign. Naidu for his prejudice against ances of Chandrababu Naidu.” “Not only that, he is also be- Rao, a member of the TDP’s at Rs113 crore. Social media to unveil code of ethics today

IANS consider deterrents to prevent New Delhi misuse of the platform. Chandra said a participative approach by the platforms would greatly help he Election Commission the EC meet its objectives. (EC) yesterday urged In- After the meeting, Berges Y Tternet companies, includ- Malu, Policy Head of ShareChat, ing social media platforms, to said the company reaffi rmed its come up with a code of ethics for commitment with the CEC. the upcoming Lok Sabha elec- “We look forward to working tions as well as for the future. with the Election Commission They, in turn, agreed to come to uphold the integrity and le- up with the document, which gality of social media campaigns would lay down the operational by political parties on our plat- rules for the industry by today, form,” he said. the election watchdog said. The meeting comes after the The announcement came af- Centre for Accountability and ter EC offi cials met with repre- Systemic Change (CASC) sent a sentatives of the Internet and notice to the poll panel, urging it Mobile Association of India (IA- to act against the misuse of social MAI) as well as social media or- media to infl uence voters. ganisations, including Facebook, With the Election Commis- WhatsApp, Twitter, Google, sion on March 9 outlining strin- ShareChat, TikTok and BigoTV. gent guidelines for social media Sources said the poll panel has usage during elections, political Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party chief M K Stalin (right), party secretary T R Balu (centre) and women’s wing secretary M Kanimozhi, hold the party’s manifesto during its called another meeting today. parties and candidates won’t be release for the forthcoming general election at the party’s headquarters in Chennai yesterday. During the meeting, they took able to post unverifi ed advertise- up the issues of misuse of social ments, photographs of defence media during elections and pre- personnel, hate speeches and certifi cation of political adver- fake news on their accounts. tisements. According to the new guide- They also discussed ways to lines, candidates are required to curb fake news, improve trans- furnish details of their social me- parency in political parties’ ex- dia accounts at the time of fi ling Pawar meets Rahul, AAP penditure on online advertising nominations. Their activities on and set up a dedicated grievance Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and channel for expeditious action Google would be under the Elec- by organisations on reported tion Commission’s close scrutiny. violations. Provisions of the model code Chief Election Commissioner of conduct will also apply to the over opposition alliance (CEC) Sunil Arora said the model content being posted on social code of conduct was a unique media by candidates and po- IANS he said it was the time to save Delhi Congress “was capable of The NCP is seeking Bihar’s tweet he had sought “guidance document prepared through litical parties. Any violation may New Delhi the nation. “We all can save our doing everything by itself” and Katihar seat, where its sitting from the party workers” who consensus between the political lead to action by the Election parties later.” said no one had spoken to her MP Tariq Anwar has joined the have supported the Mohite- parties and the poll panel. Commission. Asked about an alliance with about any alliance. Congress. Patil family for decades, amidst “It is followed by all political The poll panel also asked Fa- ationalist Congress Par- the Congress in Delhi, Singh Stressing that she was not in The NCP meanwhile suff ered a tussle with his 75-year-old fa- parties from the date of declara- cebook to remove political post- ty chief Sharad Pawar said: “The alliance question is favour of an alliance, she, how- a jolt when Ranjitsinh, son of ther to grab the NCP Lok Sabha tion of schedule of elections till ers shared by the ruling Bharatiya Nhad separate meetings hypothetical. Talks do not take ever, said she will follow any in- party MP and former Mahar- ticket from Madha. the election process is conclud- Janata Party leaders referring to with Congress president Rahul place on ifs and buts. We have structions from the party lead- ashtra deputy chief minister “You tell me what to do: ed,” he said. Wing Commander Abhinandan Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party introduced our candidates who ership. Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, an- Should we bear with it (‘injus- Election Commissioner Ashok Varthaman and his pictures. (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh yester- are working hard on the ground. Apart from the situation in nounced he would join the BJP tice’), or hit back for our future, Lavasa asked social media plat- z Ahead of the Lok Sabha day amid speculation that the We are also working to win all Delhi, Gandhi and Pawar are today. progress and development? forms to consider a clear clause polls, three Tripura BJP leaders, Congress and AAP could still the seven seats.” also learnt to have discussed the Addressing his supporters You decide, and it will be my on users voluntarily agreeing not including party vice-president come together in Delhi to fi ght The Congress is known to be alliance between their Congress in Solapur, Ranjitsinh asked: decision,” Ranjitsinh said, in to misuse them for election or Subal Bhowmik joined the Con- the Lok Sabha elections. divided over allying with the and NCP in Maharashtra. “How long should they toler- an emotional build-up to the political purposes. gress yesterday. Probed by journalists, Singh, AAP in the Lok Sabha polls. The two leaders are also learnt ate injustice? Now is the time to meeting of his supporters. “Voluntary restraint is a hall- The other two are former min- a confi dant of Delhi Chief Min- While former chief minister to have discussed the broad con- take the fi nal decision.” Ranjitsinh decision will be mark of civilised society and ister Prakash Das and fi rebrand ister Arvind Kejriwal, said the Sheila Dikshit is bitterly op- tours of an alliance among op- He praised the leadership of the second major shock for the works as eff ectively as any regu- leader Debashish Sen. meeting was held to discuss how posed to any relationship with position parties for the Lok Sabha Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP which last week tottered lation,” he said. Tripura Congress president anti-BJP parties should stand the AAP, a section of the Con- elections, including that in Bi- BJP president Amit Shah and on the brink - Parth Ajit Pawar The other Election Commis- Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb- together over certain issues de- gress wants a tie-up with Del- har, where there has been no an- Chief Minister Devendra Fad- had announced that he would sioner Sushil Chandra also sug- barman welcomed the three spite having diff erences. hi’s ruling party. nouncement of seat sharing so far navis in his brief speech. be a contender for Maval Lok gested social media fi rms to leaders at a media conference. Refusing to go into details, Dikshit said yesterday that among opposition parties. Earlier this morning, in a Sabha seat.

Traders burn Chinese goods New Goa CM faces in protest over Azar veto assembly test today

IANS Sawant took charge after pay- Reuters more time for the committee to Bazar, the city’s main market for Panaji ing a courtesy visit to the family IANS have consultations and study the Chinese goods. of his predecessor late Manohar issue. Chinese good were burned in Parrikar. China is India’s second big- similar protests in several other oa Governor Mridula Before reaching the chief min- undreds of traders gest trading partner and a trade cities. Sinha has summoned ister’s offi ce, Sawant, 45, who burned Chinese goods deficit has widened in favour of “Traders across the country Gthe assembly to meet to- was sworn in around 2am yester- Hyesterday and urged the Beijing by nearly 75% to $63bn gave a strong message to China day morning, making way for day, visited Parrikar’s home and government to raise import taxes since 2014, when Prime Min- by burning Chinese goods ahead newly-appointed Chief Minister met his sons Utpal and Abhijaat. on them to protest against Chi- ister Narendra Modi came to of the Holi festival. They set Chi- Pramod Sawant to prove his leg- “Utpal and Abhijaat are my na’s trade and foreign policies. power. nese goods on fi re at more than islative majority in a fl oor test. friends. It is my duty to visit The traders, who also urged Modi, who is seeking a sec- 1,500 places all over the country,” Sawant, who was sworn in as them after I become the CM. I consumers to boycott Chinese ond term in a general election CAIT secretary general Praveen Goa’s 11th chief minister, has said have not gone to offi ce yet,” Sa- imports, are concerned that beginning next month, faces Khandelwal said. that his coalition government want told reporters outside Par- Chinese products are hurting In- criticism from both opposition Demonstrators also urged would pass the fl oor test “100%”. rikar’s residence. dian manufacturers. parties and groups affiliated people to boycott Chinese “I am confi dent we will win “Parrikar has been my political But there is also anger in India with his party for what they goods, and asked the govern- the test,” Sawant said earlier in ideal and guru. He has been a fa- after China used its veto to block see as his failure to take steps to ment to increase import tariffs the day. therly fi gure for me. I became an the UN Security Council from contain the growing influence on Chinese imports that they The Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, apeaker and CM because of blacklisting a Pakistan-based Is- of Chinese companies on the said were hurting small Indian (BJP)-led coalition comprises 12 him. It is my courtesy visit,” Sa- lamist leader. Indian economy. manufacturers and costing mil- BJP MLAs, three each from Goa want said. Masood Azhar is the founder The Confederation of All In- lions of jobs. Forward and Maharashtrawadi Sawant assumed the top polit- of the militant group Jaish-e- dia Traders (CAIT), which rep- “Since our SMEs are capable Gomantak Party as well as two ical mantle despite never having Mohamed (JeM), which claimed resents millions of traders, said enough to produce these goods independent legislators. served as a minister in the state responsibility for a suicide bomb their action against Chinese with good quality and at af- The Congress has 14 MLAs in cabinet. attack that killed at least 40 par- goods was aimed at teaching it fordable prices, the government the 36-member assembly. One He holds a Bachelor’s degree amilitary police in Jammu and a lesson, after it used its veto to should encourage small indus- remaining independent MLA in Ayurvedic Medicine from the Kashmir in February. block Masood’s blacklisting. tries and give them a special Prasad Gaonkar was seen in Ganga Ayurvedic Medical Col- China prevented a UN Security In New Delhi, traders burned package so that our people can both the BJP as well as Congress lege in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur Council committee last Wednes- Chinese goods including laptops, compete with China,” CAIT West Traders burn Chinese products during a protest against, what they camps on Monday and has not district and has practised as a day from blacklisting Masood. mobile phones, computers, fax Bengal Secretary-General Raja say, China preventing an UN Security Council committee from clarifi ed whether he supports the doctor of alternative medicine in It said it had done so to give machines and toys at the Sadar Roy said. blacklisting Masood Azhar, in New Delhi yesterday. ruling or opposition benches. Goa. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 INDIA

JUDICIARY CRIME TERROR FUNDING HONOUR AGREEMENT Court asks jail to provide Men kidnap girl after ED seizes properties of President confers gallantry IPRS, Google sign music facilities to Christian Michel beating up her father seven Hizbul activists awards to armed forces licensing deal for India

A New Delhi court yesterday asked Tihar Jail Four men in Kollam, Kerala allegedly The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized 13 President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday conferred Mumbai-based Indian Performing Right Society authorities to immediately take remedial kidnapped a 14-year-old girl after beating properties in Jammu and Kashmir belonging to gallantry awards – two Kirti Chakras and 15 (IPRS) that represents composers, lyricists and measures regarding the solitary confinement up her father, who hails from Rajasthan and seven Hizbul Mujahideen members in the ongoing Shaurya Chakras – to the armed forces personnel music publishers yesterday granted a licence to of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in is dealing in pottery business, police said. terror financing case against the group’s chief Syed for displaying gallantry, indomitable courage and Google to utilise the group members’ work in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. The Speaking to IANS, a police official attached Salahuddin, the agency said yesterday. The ED extreme devotion to the duty. Two Kirti Chakras and India across YouTube and related services. “The order by Special Judge Arvind Kumar came to the Ochira police station confirmed the attached the properties, worth Rs1.22 crore, owned two Shaurya Chakras were given posthumously. IPRS-Google agreement is a historic milestone after observing that Michel is kept in isolation incident. “We have registered a case against by Mohamed Shafi Shah and six others, under the The president, who is the Supreme Commander of for Indian authors and music composers as and there is no sports facility in his barracks. four men for kidnapping the 14-year-old Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The the armed forces, presented Kirti Chakras to Pradip well as music publishers. I congratulate and The court directed the jail officials to provide Rajasthani girl,” he said. “A local youth was agency launched investigation in the case based on Kumar Panda (Constable, 130 Battalion, Central thank Google for backing Indian artistes, music him library, canteen and sports facilities. The close to the girl. On Monday night he and a charge-sheet filed by the National Investigation Reserve Police Force) and Sowar Vijay Kumar (The publishers and the creative fraternity in such court also asked the jail officials to ensure three others forcibly took the girl after Agency against Shah, Talib Lali, Mohamed Yusuf, Armoured Corps/22nd Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles), a a strong way in India,” lyricist and scriptwriter Michel’s security and safety. Tihar officials beating up her father,” said the official Gulam Nabi Khan, Umer Farooq Shera, Manzoor Defence Ministry statement said. Panda received Javed Akhtar, chairman of IPRS, said. YouTube last week told the court that Michel is allowed requesting anonymity. The families from Ahmad Dar, Zaff ar Hussain Bhat, Nazir Ahmad Dar, it posthumously for fighting terrorists in Jammu has a strong and pioneering role to play in to walk inside the prison and meet inmates Rajasthan have been residing in Ochira town Abdul Majeed Sofi, Mubarak Shah, Muzaff ar Ahmad and Kashmir’s Lethpora camp in December encouraging creators and connecting them with and he has been kept in a separate cell due to for the last eight years and are engaged in Dar and Mushtaq Ahmad Lone under charges of 2017. Kumar was awarded posthumously for markets and users, Akhtar added. security reasons. making clay pottery. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. “eliminating two hardcore terrorists” . Mukesh Ambani pays Anil’s debt, helps brother avoid jail term

AFP dropped a bombshell late Mon- Mumbai day by saying that the debt had been settled – implying that none other than Anil’s big broth- he epic feud between er had paid the money, prompt- the Ambani brothers has ing a humbled thank you. Ttaken a new twist with “My sincere and heartfelt the older and now vastly richer thanks to my respected elder brother paying a debt owned by brother, Mukesh, and (his wife) his struggling sibling, helping Nita, for standing by me during him avoid jail. these trying times, and dem- Mukesh and Anil Ambani fell onstrating the importance of out spectacularly after their staying true to our strong family rags-to-riches father died in values by extending this timely 2002 without a will, leaving support,” said Anil, 59. them to fi ght for control of his “I and my family are grate- Reliance Industries conglomer- ful we have moved beyond the ate. past, and are deeply grateful and With their mother acting as touched with this gesture,” he Villagers shout anti-Indian slogans following the death of school teacher Rizwan Asad Pandit allegedly in police custody in Awantipora of Pulwama district, south of Srinagar peacemaker, they eventually added in a statement. yesterday. agreed to split Reliance, at the Mukesh’s decision may not time India’s most valuable listed have been driven entirely by a company, and to stay out of each desire to bury the hatchet, how- other’s sectors. ever. Mukesh’s half has thrived Monday’s short statement did while Anil’s has tanked. not say whether the payment Mukesh, 61, is now Asia’s was a gift or a loan but some richest man, worth $54.3bn, media reported that it may have dwarfi ng Anil’s assets of some been compensation for a deal Custody death of man $300mn, according to Bloomb- between the two that recently erg News. collapsed. Mukesh and his family live Anil had hoped to offl oad his in a 27-storey luxury Mumbai company’s telecom tower and skyscraper believed to have cost spectrum business to his broth- more than $1bn to build and reg- er’s Reliance Jio for $2.4bn. ularly referred to as the world’s But the deal, which hit regula- sparks Kashmir protests most expensive home. tory hurdles and opposition from Anil’s Reliance Communica- creditors, was confi rmed dead by Reuters, IANS it but we know nothing is going The Indian government re- of the disastrous PDP-BJP al- tor on Monday night,” Defence tions is believed to have debts of both companies yesterday. Srinagar to happen,” the brother said. cently banned the group which liance and from the Modi gov- Ministry spokesman Lieutenant around $4bn and started insol- It is also not the fi rst time that “We’ve all seen investiga- it accuses of having links to mil- ernment’s muscular approach Colonel Devender Anand said. vency proceedings in February. the brothers have appeared to tions for the last 20 years.” itant organisations. to J&K”. Tension between India and That same month his woes make up. rotests fl ared in parts of Protesters threw stones at po- The security forces have ar- The National Investigation Pakistan escalated dramatically deepened when the Supreme In 2011, they came together Jammu and Kashmir yes- lice in several parts of the state rested hundreds of JeI mem- Agency (NIA) denied arresting after a suicide car bomb killed at Court ruled he would be jailed if to dedicate a memorial to their Pterday after police said a following news of Pandit’s death, bers since the February 14 bomb or ever calling Pandit for ques- least 40 paramilitary police on he failed to pay Rs5.5bn ($77mn) father, and their mother Koki- man being questioned in con- with shops shutting in parts of attack. The group denies it is tioning. February 14. to Sweden’s Ericsson by yester- laben declared the enmity over, nection with a security inves- the main city of Srinagar. linked to militants. In a statement, the agency Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mo- day. telling reporters: “There is love tigation had died in custody, Police responded with tear “He was totally innocent and said: “The NIA emphatically hamed militant group claimed Reliance Communications between the brothers.” the latest disturbances in one gas. he had no affi liation with any denies reports linking it with responsibility for the attack. of the world’s most militarised As a precaution, all exams militant outfi t,” Pandit’s broth- Rizwan. He was neither called Pakistan denied any involve- regions. scheduled for yesterday in er said. for questioning nor was he ex- ment. Vadra custody may be needed: ED The dead man, Rizwan Asad the Islamic University of Sci- Several prominent political amined at any other location in In response to the attack, In- Pandit, a chemistry graduate ence and Technology (IUST) at fi gures in Kashmir condemned connection with cases being in- dian jet fi ghters attacked what The Enforcement Directorate in his responses. The ED also filed who taught at a private school, Awantipora were postponed. he death of the man. vestigated by NIA”. it said was a militant camp in (ED) yesterday told a Delhi court a reply on Vadra’s anticipatory bail according to his family, had Mobile Internet services were “Punishment must be hand- Some media reports said Pakistan. that Robert Vadra, the brother-in- plea. The agency opposed Vadra’s been arrested as part of a “ter- suspended in Awantipora and ed out to the killers of this Pandit had been detained by Pakistan denied any militant law of Congress president Rahul plea and requested the court to ror case investigation”, a police adjoining areas. young man,” former state chief NIA for questioning. camp was in the area and said Gandhi, is not co-operating in dismiss it. The court listed the spokesman said. Authorities rushed rein- minister Omar Abdullah said on Meanwhile, heavy exchange the Indian bombs exploded on the probe and the agency may matter for further hearing on Inquiries were being carried forcements of security forces to Twitter. of fi ring took place between In- an unoccupied hillside. require his custodial interrogation March 25, and extended interim out into the cause of his death, Awantipora to maintain law and The National Conference dian and Pakistani troopers on The next day, Indian and Pa- in a money laundering case. protection from arrest granted the spokesman said. order. leader added that with “mid- the Line of Control (LoC), a de- kistani warplanes engaged in a Special Public Prosecutor D P to Vadra. The ED told the court Pandit’s brother, Zulkarnain The dead man came from a night raids, crackdowns, ram- fence offi cial said. dogfi ght over Kashmir. Singh told Special Judge Arvind that the investigation was at a Asad Pandit, was sceptical that family with links to the Jamaat- pant arrests, custodial murders, “Pakistani troops resorted to Pakistan downed an Indian Kumar that despite being given crucial stage and Vadra has been any investigation would reveal e-Islami (JeI), his brother said, a denial of democratic right to unprovoked ceasefi re violation plane and captured its pilot af- various opportunities, Vadra was enjoying the protection as a the truth. political group that wants inde- choose a government Kashmir in Rajouri’s Sunderbani sec- ter he ejected over Pakistani- not co-operating and he is evasive blanket. “We want an investigation of pendence for Kashmir. continues to suff er the fallout tor and Jammu’s Akhnoor sec- administered Kashmir.

Shops, hotels shut in Pollachi in protest

Two dead, dozens trapped Shops and hotels downed shutters in Pollachi yesterday in protest against the sexual in Dharwad building crash abuse and blackmail case that hit the Tamil Nadu town. “It is an apolitical protest demanding AFP, IANS trict’s regional fi re and emergen- bulances sent to the accident punishment to all the culprits. Bengaluru cy offi cer, said. site, said Dharwad’s top medical Almost all the shops have Nagesh D L, the district’s offi cer Giridhar Kokinad. downed their shutters as people deputy commissioner of police, Karnataka Chief Minister H of the town are shocked at the t least two people have said 27 people had been recov- D Kumaraswamy said he had sordid episode. There may be died and dozens are ered from the rubble and taken to asked officials to send expert one or two shops open here Afeared trapped under hospital. Rescue operations were rescuers to Dharwad by a spe- and there,” K Mahalingam, a rubble after a building site col- expected to continue throughout cial flight. leader of the Communist Party lapsed yesterday in Karnataka, the night. “I have instructed the offi cials of India (Marxist) told IANS. offi cials said. “We think there are still many concerned to be on location.” He said permission for a rally Rescue teams and ambulances people alive (underneath). The State unit Congress leader Vi- slated for yesterday was denied. were scrambling to Dharwad dis- police still don’t have a clear nay Kulkarni’s relative was one Mahalingam also demanded a trict, roughly 700km northwest idea...some locals say it is of the owners of the building. fresh probe into the suicides of the state capital Bengaluru, around 15, and some others have Building collapses are frequent of girls that happened where the fi ve-fl oor under-con- said it is over 50,” he said. in India, with a string of acci- during the last seven years. struction building crumbled. Another regional emergency dents reported in recent years. Echoing him was R Ganesh A thick blanket of dust and offi cial said as many as 152 peo- Critics say many private builders of the Pattali Makkal Katchi debris engulfed the area after the ple were believed trapped be- use inferior construction materi- party. “All the shops are shut building collapsed. neath the rubble. al to cut corners on costs or bribe except pharmacies. A couple Desperate family members While locals joined in to help offi cials to bypass regulations. of vegetable shops selling rushed to the spot searching for with the rescue eff orts, police Last September fi ve people were perishables are open but they loved ones trapped in the rubble. said that the National Disaster killed after an apartment block too will be closed soon. Auto- “Two people have been killed Response Force team has also collapsed in Delhi. rickshaws too are not plying.” in the collapse. We have pressed been drafted in. Just months earlier a six-storey The picturesque Pollachi, part of in men and machines to rescue Hospitals in the district have building collapsed on the out- People gather near the rubble while rescue teams search for survivors after an under-construction Coimbatore district, is located those trapped,” Srikant, the dis- been placed on alert and 20 am- skirts of the capital, killing nine. building collapsed in Dharwad district of Karnataka yesterday. about 543km from Chennai. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA Nicaragua suspends govt peace talks over ‘repression’

AFP lease of political prisoners. Justice rights group “energeti- we all feel for the dead and dis- human rights and fundamental down by security services. Saturday, but all those arrested Managua The government accused the cally condemned” the govern- appeared.” freedoms.” The government acknowl- were released a few hours later opposition of staging a “provo- ment crackdown on dissent. The alliance said that peace Talks between the two sides edges 199 deaths but says most following mediation from Vati- cation.” In a statement, it said the gov- talks had so far failed to produce began on February 27 but were of those were members and sup- can envoy Waldemar Stanislaw icaragua’s opposition The US condemned Ortega’s ernment “is holding more than hoped for “legitimate results.” suspended for three days last porters of the security services. Sommertag. alliance suspended its government over the detentions. 700 political prisoners simply for Early elections, currently slated week until the government gave The protests initially erupted The government said the op- Nparticipation in peace “We call on the Ortega regime defending their citizens’ rights.” for 2021, is one demand Ortega has in to an opposition demand to in opposition to a since scrapped position’s participation in a dem- talks with Daniel Ortega’s gov- to release immediately and un- “It has in its hands the power steadfastly refused to contemplate. release prisoners. pension reform before morphing onstration was “inconceivable, ernment in protest over the re- conditionally all arbitrarily de- to free them, (to grant them) the A previous round of peace talks Around 50 prisoners were re- into general dissatisfaction with contradictory and unusual,” de- gime’s “violence and repression” tained persons, respect Nicara- absolute respect of their rights broke down in June over his refusal leased to house arrest on Thurs- Ortega’s 12-year rule. scribing it as “a provocation and of demonstrators. guans’ freedom of assembly and and the end to repression,” the to countenance such a move. day on top of 100 released under The former left-wing guerrilla disturbance of public order.” Riot police used tear gas expression and commit to elec- group added. “Now is the time for swift, the same conditions on the day leader and his wife Vice Presi- Managua disputes the opposi- against opposition demonstra- toral reforms and to holding free “What happened on Saturday just solutions and proof of good talks began. dent Rosario Murillo have been tion’s fi gures for detained politi- tors and reporters on Saturday and fair elections early,” state adds to the desperation felt by faith,” said Palladino. More than 700 people were ar- accused of rights abuses and au- cal prisoners and has ordered a while temporarily detaining department deputy spokesman hundreds of homes that con- “Nicaraguans deserve to have rested between April and October thoritarian rule. report by the penitentiary sys- more than 100 people after they Robert Palladino said. tinue to see family members un- a government that listens to last year during protests that also Two members of the opposi- tem on the number of such de- attempted to protest for the re- The local Civic Alliance for fairly detained, and to the pain their voices and respects their left 325 dead after a brutal crack- tion alliance were detained on tainees. Venezuela’s military urged to end support for Maduro

AFP/Reuters concerned about the nature and Washington the seriousness of the humani- tarian crisis,” he said. Russia says Maduro remains S President Donald the country’s only legitimate Trump yesterday urged leader. “Who gets the title of UVenezuela’s military to president” was still a point of desert President Nicolas Ma- contention, Abrams said. duro, calling the embattled left- The Russian delegation at the ist leader a “Cuban puppet,” in a talks, which took place in a Rome joint appeal with Brazil. hotel and lasted more than two “We call on members of the hours, was headed by Deputy Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro presents a Brazil national soccer team jersey to US President Donald Trump after Trump gave him a US soccer team jersey during a meeting in the Venezuelan military to end their Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Oval Off ice of the White House in Washington, US, yesterday. support for Maduro, who is re- Earlier, the US imposed sanc- ally nothing more than a Cuban tions against Venezuela’s state- puppet,” Trump told a joint news run gold mining company Min- conference at the White House erven and its president, Adrian with Brazil’s new right-wing Perdomo, accusing them of illicit president, Jair Bolsonaro. operations and propping up the Trump reaffi rmed that “all government of President Maduro. options” are being considered in The announcement comes days Trump endorses Bolsonaro, his drive to bring down Maduro. after Uganda said it was investi- “All options are on the table,” gating its biggest gold refi nery for he told reporters in the White importing Venezuelan gold. House. “It’s a shame what’s hap- Washington has imposed half pening in Venezuela — the debt a dozen rounds of sanctions and the destruction and the against Maduro and senior Vene- hunger.” zuelan offi cials as it tries to choke mulls Brazil entry into Nato The US and more than 50 off funding to the government. other countries, including Bra- It has warned gold traders not Reuters declared himself on unabashed But proposing Brazil for Nato A senior member of Bol- partner and Bolsonaro’s econ- zil, recognise opposition leader to deal in Venezuelan gold or oil. Washington admirer of the US president and membership would take that a sonaro’s economic team said omy minister on Monday urged Juan Guaido, the head of the Na- “Treasury is targeting gold his politics and the American step further. last week Brazil did not ex- the US to open its market more tional Assembly, as the country’s processor Minerven and its way of life. Colombia became in 2018 the pect the US government to to Brazil if it wanted to change rightful president. president for propping up the in- S President Donald Despite the friendly rhetoric, only Latin American nation to announce support for its bid the status quo. Meanwhile, an US offi cial said ner circle of the corrupt Maduro Trump gave Brazil’s new no major breakthroughs were join the North Atlantic Treaty to join the OECD during Bol- Ahead of yesterday’s Oval Of- talks yesterday between the US regime,” US Treasury Secretary Ufar-right leader Jair Bol- expected from the White House Organisation, as a “global part- sonaro’s visit. fi ce meeting, Bolsonaro waived a and Russia on Venezuela were Steven Mnuchin said in a state- sonaro a ringing endorsement in meeting. ner,” which means it will not Trump said he and Bolsonaro visa requirement for US visitors positive and substantive but the ment. the Oval Offi ce yesterday, saying Trump did give his verbal necessarily have to take part in would also discuss improving to Brazil and in a Fox News in- two sides were still divided over Maduro is under intense pres- he was looking at a Nato mem- support, however, to expanding military action. trade between the two largest terview threw his weight behind the legitimacy of Maduro. sure to step down amid a deep bership or some other alliance Brazil’s presence in major multi- Trump also said he supported economies in the western hemi- Trump’s immigration agenda, “No, we did not come to a economic crisis in Venezuela and for Brazil. national organisations, like Nato Brazil’s eff orts to join the Organ- sphere and co-operation on the which includes a wall on the meeting of minds, but I think the as the government faces wide- At the outset of their fi rst and the OECD. isation for Economic Co-opera- crisis in Venezuela, where both Mexican border. talks were positive in the sense spread international condemna- meeting, the two populist pres- “We’re going to look at that tion and Development (OECD), leaders want to oust President “We do agree with President that both sides emerged with tion after he was re-elected last idents exchanged soccer jerseys very, very strongly in terms of a club of the world’s advanced Nicolas Maduro. Trump’s decision or proposal a better understanding of the year in a vote that has been seen from their national teams, with — whether it’s Nato or it’s some- economies. “Brazil makes great product on the wall,” Bolsonaro said, other’s views,” US special rep- as fraudulent. Trump’s name emblazoned on thing having to do with alliance,” Brazil, the world’s eighth- and we make great product, and in remarks translated to Eng- resentative Elliott Abrams told “We will aggressively pursue Brazil’s famous yellow shirt and Trump told reporters, sitting largest economy, applied in 2017 our trade has been never as good lish by the broadcaster. “The reporters. “They were useful, those involved with Maduro’s Bolsonaro’s on the USA uni- next to Bolsonaro. to join the OECD, which has as it should be in the past. And in vast majority of potential im- they were substantive, they were reckless illicit gold trade which form. Brazilian government offi cials around three dozen members some cases it should be far, far migrants do not have good in- serious. We agreed very much on is contributing to this fi nancial, Bolsonaro, a former army cap- had said last week that they ex- including Latin American coun- more,” Trump said. tentions. They do not intend to the depth of the crisis in Ven- humanitarian, and environmen- tain who styled his 2018 cam- pected the US to name Brazil as a tries Mexico, Chile and Colom- China long ago surpassed the do the best or do good to the US ezuela. We are, as they, deeply tal crisis,” Mnuchin said. paign on Trump’s 2016 run, has major non-Nato ally. bia. US as Brazil’s biggest trading people.” Thousands march for Farc fi ghters guilty of rape ‘were shot’ peace in Colombia Reuters Thousands of women, includ- Bogota ing former rebel fi ghters, are believed to have suff ered sexual DPA six out of a total of 159 articles in Court, and the overhaul pro- abuse at the hands of rebels and Bogota legislation regulating the Special posed by Duque would require a arc rebels who committed paramilitaries during the war. Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). constitutional reform. rape during Colombia’s Former Farc fi ghters have also The transitional justice sys- Opposition parties say the Fmore than fi ve decades of reported being forced to have housands of Colombians tem was created to help imple- president is raising questions confl ict were shot as punish- abortions. demonstrated in favour of ment a 2016 peace deal with Farc that had already been solved by ment, the group’s leader said, “Obviously there were rape Tthe country’s peace process following 52 years of confl ict. the Constitutional Court and denying sexual abuse by fi ghters cases,” Londono, better known with the former Farc guerrillas, The arrangement foresees accuse him of not respecting the was widespread despite testi- by his nom de guerre Timo- warning that President Ivan Du- milder punishments for ex- independence of the judiciary. monies to the contrary. chenko, told local Blu Radio. “Of que’s policies could undermine it guerrillas and soldiers who agree Critics allege that Duque Rodrigo Londono, who has lead the cases that I know about, all and lead to a fl are-up of violence. to co-operate with the JEP, and wants to prevent the JEP from the Farc’s political party since the of (the rapists) were condemned Protesters fi lled Bogota’s cen- Duque has criticised it as being looking into illegal acquisitions group demobilised in 2017 fol- to execution by fi ring squad.” tral Bolivar square, waving na- too lenient on the rebels. of land from displaced people. lowing a peace deal, made the “That sounds harsh but that’s tional fl ags and chanting that The president announced he They also say Duque’s con- comments as the right-wing gov- how we acted.” Colombians wanted peace. would send legislation on the servative Democratic Centre ernment of President Ivan Duque Sexual violence was not wide- Gustavo Petro, Duque’s leftist JEP back to Congress, asking it to party does not want the JEP to seeks to modify the remit of the spread, Londono added, and re- challenger in the 2018 presidential clarify that Farc must compen- investigate the “false positives” peace tribunal charged with try- lationships were consensual. elections, former ministers and sate its victims fi nancially and to scandal, in which up to 10,000 ing ex-combatants for war crimes. The White Rose, an organi- other opposition politicians par- clarify rules on the eventual ex- civilians were killed and dressed Duque has asked congress to sation of women who say they ticipated in the rally. Demonstra- tradition of Farc members. as guerrillas by soldiers trying to re-examine six parts of the law were forcibly recruited, raped tions were also held in other cities. He also wants to toughen the earn bonuses. that regulates the Special Ju- and forced to have abortions “As a Colombian, I invite us to rules on the sentencing of war “The JEP is the way to truth risdiction for Peace (JEP) court, by the Farc and other armed unite, to turn the page of hatred, crimes, to allow the ordinary and peace, that is why it is feared saying that rules over sentenc- groups, said on Twitter that of pain, of the past and of the judiciary to investigate people by political sectors which en- ing for war crimes, stipulations Londono was a “cynical crimi- confl ict,” Green Alliance politi- who are under the jurisdiction riched themselves with the pain about extradition and other arti- nal.” cian Claudia Lopez said. Dem- of the JEP, and to exclude sexual of others,” Farc senator Pablo cles are unclear. Some 13,000 fi ghters and col- onstrators displayed the slogan: crimes against minors from be- Catatumbo tweeted. The court is meant to try laborators of the Revolution- “No more war.” ing judged by the JEP. Demonstrators called on Con- rebels and military officials for ary Armed Forces of Colombia The protests were prompted The legislation regulating the gress to reject Duque’s proposals, People participate in a protest against Colombia’s President Ivan emblematic cases of human handed over their weapons as by Duque’s recent announce- JEP had already been ratifi ed by a possibility that many analysts Duque’s call for changes to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) rights abuses which occurred part of the peace deal, the ma- ment that he was objecting to Congress and the Constitutional regard as the likely outcome. law, in Bogota, Colombia. during the conflict. jority receiving amnesty. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 PAKISTAN Airspace China backs Pakistan curbs keep on anti-terror steps routes closed AFP tions are suspended,” Pakistan AFP “We also call on the interna- Karachi International Airlines spokes- Beijing tional community to adopt a fair man Mashud Tajwar said. perspective of the commitments The national carrier’s op- and eff orts made by Pakistan estrictions over large erations to India, Bangkok and hina backed its “iron over the years to combat terror- swathes of Pakistani air- Kuala Lumpur have all been friend” Pakistan yester- ism,” Wang said as he stood be- Rspace continued to af- suspended for nearly a month Cday, applauding its recent side Pakistani Foreign Minister fect numerous fl ight routes, causing heavy losses to the al- counter-terrorism measures as Shah Mehmood Qureshi. offi cials said yesterday, weeks ready struggling airline. Islamabad faces criticism for New Delhi has long accused after clashes between Pakistan “We can’t give off -hand es- harbouring militants. Islamabad of harbouring mili- and India brought the nuclear- timates of the losses but yes An attack on Indian-adminis- tant groups, which it says are armed rivals to the brink of war. the losses have been occurring tered Kashmir last month killed used by Pakistan intelligence The continued constraints for sure,” Tajwar said. 40 Indian security personnel agencies to launch attacks in come weeks after Pakistani Aviation experts said the and was claimed by a Pakistan- India. authorities said they had fully ongoing restrictions have also based militant group. The February 14 suicide blast reopened the country’s air- aff ected Indian fl ights headed “China commends Pakistan’s in Indian-administered Kash- space after it was closed for west over Pakistan. recent strong counter-terror- mir that killed 40 Indian troops days following clashes and “Indian airlines are suff er- ism measures at home,” Foreign - claimed by Pakistan-based aerial dogfi ghts between the ing much more compared to Minister Wang Yi told reporters Jaish-e-Mohammed - ignited two countries late last month. Pakistan because their west- after meeting with his Pakistani the most recent crisis between “All entry and exit points to ward operations are much big- counterpart. the nuclear-armed neighbours. and from India remain closed,” ger,” said Sajid Habib, a former “We fully support Pakistan in China last week blocked a senior Pakistan offi cial said chief of state-run Civil Avia- carrying through its counter- measures by the UN Security on the condition of anonym- tion Authority (CAA). terrorism campaign,” Wang said. Council to blacklist JeM leader ity, saying the decision to keep Information from online fl ight Since March 5, Pakistani au- Masood Azhar. portions of the country’s air- tracker fl ightradar24 showed no thorities have arrested hundreds It was the fourth time China space closed was reviewed fl ights along the border between of suspected Islamist militants has blocked such attempts, re- daily by authorities. the two countries. and shuttered more than 700 inforcing suspicions that it was Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi shake hands The closure of large swathes The ongoing fl ight restric- madrassas, mosques, and clinics acting on Pakistan’s behest. during their meeting in Beijing yesterday. of the eastern airspace eff ec- tions come as the government linked to banned groups. Yesterday, Pakistan expressed tively shuts off major interna- prepares to close the airspace Islamabad has come under gratitude for China’s continued diffi cult times,” Shah said. “We have made a considerable stan “our iron friends” because tional fl ight routes in and out over the capital for half a day pressure to demonstrate it is support as it faces international “We have been co-operating progress vis-a-vis terrorism, we Islamabad “provides us with of Islamabad and Lahore along for Pakistan Day on March sincere about eliminating mili- criticism. against this menace of terrorism, have paid a huge price, every- iron-like support” on Beijing’s with select domestic routes. 23, with Islamabad set to host tancy, but the crackdown has “Pakistan appreciates the role and we feel strengthening this body recognises that,” Shah said. core issues of concern. “At least seven domestic and a parade accompanied by a yet to convince the international China has played once again, in relevant fi elds is important,” Wang welcomed Shah to Bei- “Of course, China does the four international destina- military air show. community. standing by Pakistan in these Shah said. jing by noting China calls Paki- same,” Wang said. Pakhtun Govt believes $11bn stashed abroad by nationals groups

Internews Chamber of Commerce and sation for Economic Co-opera- $1mn or above in their accounts ernment had “deployed tech- massive tax evasion and smug- Lahore Industry (LCCI). tion and Development (OECD). and the FBR has so far been able nology” using database of the gling it’s time we broaden the form “All of these off shore account FBR chairman Jahanzeb to recover $1.2mn from one in- National Database and Regis- tax base now,” the minister said, holders are resident Pakistanis Khan had told a parliamentary dividual as tax since the OECD tration Authority, Federal In- listing the actions the PTI gov- he Imran Khan-led Pa- and more than half of the hard panel last week that the board shared the information with the vestigation Agency, State Bank ernment has taken thus far for alliance kistani government be- currency stashed away by them had neither set any tax recov- country’s top tax agency. of Pakistan and FBR to profi le this purpose. Tlieves that the Pakistani is undeclared. Many of them do ery target from the holders of Several years ago, former fi - potential taxpayers in Pakistan. “We are reviewing the pow- Internews nationals having more than not have legitimate, document- these accounts nor seen any nance minister Ishaq Dar had “almost half the work is already ers of the FBR; we have to make Peshawar 152,500 off shore bank accounts ed business. That should be tax potential from the Panama claimed that Pakistani nation- done and by end of April the tough decisions to net tax dodg- could have stashed away a hefty enough to underscore the scale Papers leaks. als had parked a whopping $200 profi ling of such tax evaders will ers to facilitate the business sum of $11bn, half of which is of tax evasion (in the country). The tax recovery target could billion in Swiss accounts but be completed.” community and lift the burden ive progressive Pakhtun presumed to have never been We wouldn’t have to beg if we not be given on the basis of in- never given the source of his in- He said the induction of of indirect taxes on common nationalist forces have an- declared by them, out of the could bring this money back formation received about the formation. technology would help reduce man. We could have achieved Fnounced the formation of country. home,” he claimed, saying the off shore accounts because the Based on his claim, the Pa- human interaction between tax the tax collection target by Pakhtunkhwa Jamhoori Ittehad “The number (of off shore off shore account holders were account holders might have kistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prom- collectors and taxpayers and re- pursuing the previous policy of (PJI) to make joint eff orts for accounts) is mind-boggling. being watched by the Federal transferred money through le- ised to recover this money after solve such issues as harassment shifting the burden on common the resolution of the problems So is the amount involved and Board of Revenue (FBR). gal channels or have plausible coming to power. The prime of the business community. people and businesses through facing Pakhtuns and urged the the names of account hold- The information about the justifi cation, he was quoted to minister has also set up the “Successive governments more indirect taxation. But we other nationalist parties to join ers,” Hammad Azhar, the Min- off shore bank accounts of Paki- have told the panel. Asset Recovery Unit for this have made the tax regime and chose to take the diffi cult route hands with PJI in order to bring ister of State for Revenue, told stani nationals was shared with Around 400 account hold- purpose. administration a complicated (to economic stabilisation),” Pakhtuns out of the current eco- businessmen at the Lahore the government by the Organi- ers are believed to have cash of Hammad Azhar said the gov- aff air, which has resulted in he added. nomic, political crisis. The PJI declared former pro- vincial senior minister and leader of Qaumi Watan Party Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao its con- Riding in rain vener for six months to head a Pakistan lodges complaint joint working committee tasked with contacting leaders of other nationalist parties for the forma- tion of a grand alliance. to UN over forest damage The announcement of the PJI’s formation was made during a joint news conference by Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao of the Qaumi Watan by Indian air strike Party, Afzal Khamosh of the Maz- door Kisan Party, Ajmal Afridi of the Pakhtunkhwa Ulasi Tehreek, Thomson Reuters Foundation States and other global pow- Project” which promotes Mukhtiar Bacha of the National Nairobi ers mediating to de-escalate forest regeneration. Party and Sahibzada Haider Zaman tensions between arch-foes A report by Pakistan after of the Awami Workers Party. who have fought three wars the air strike found damage The alliance leaders an- akistan has lodged an since independence from to an area of 1.2 acres which nounced its nine-point agenda offi cial complaint with British colonial rule in 1947. included 19 pine trees valued and said it could be expanded Pthe United Nations over Indian warplanes on Febru- at 2.7mn Pakistani rupees with the passage of time. damage caused to a protected ary 26 bombed the hilly forest ($20,000) and soil erosion. The name of Sikandar Hayat forest reserve during an air area near the northern Paki- “The recovery of biomass Khan Sherpao was announced by A man rides a bicycle as he holds an umbrella to protect himself from rain in Charsadda, on the strike by India last month, stani town of Balakot, about lost due to this destructive Mukhtiar Bacha. outskirts of Peshawar, yesterday. Pakistan’s Climate Change 40km (25 miles) from India’s action will take about a cen- The leaders declared the alli- Minister Malik Amin Aslam border in the Himalayan tury to recover,” said the re- ance’s formation the dire need Khan has said. region of Kashmir. port, produced by a team of of the time and appreciated the The air strike in the Mas- India said it destroyed a experts, including staff from QWP for making eff orts to bring sar Jabba Forest Reserve had militant training camp, add- the International Union for them on a single platform. damaged a forest ecosys- ing Pakistan’s accusation of Conservation of Nature and Sikandar said the PJI would strive tem which “could take up to environmental damage was World Wide Fund for Nature. for the introduction of a new social FMCG shortage looms as a century to recover”, said “misguided”. Khan said India had violat- contract to bring to an end to the Khan, Prime Minister Imran “It is unfortunate that ed international rules such as concept of the security state and Khan’s adviser for climate the Pakistan delegation a UN resolution which states work for a strong federation along change. has misused this forum and “destruction of the environ- democratic, welfare and social lines. govt hardens labelling rules Khan said he handed over wasted the time on mat- ment, not justifi ed by mili- He said the alliance would seek the a dossier detailing the dam- ters not relevant,” Rahul tary necessity and carried out re-formation of all provinces on the Internews companied by a halal certifi cate olive oil, honey, canned fruits, age at the UN Environment Chhabra, Permanent Rep- wantonly, is clearly contrary social, historical and cultural basis. Karachi issued by a halal certifi cation sweet corns, cheese and all other Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, resentative to UN Environ- to existing international law.” The convener demanded the body,” the SRO adds. imported food stuff s have been calling on the global body to ment told the world’s en- The damage contravened early yet transparent payment of A number of importers have aff ected. condemn India and seek com- vironment ministers at the International Humanitarian compensation to the victims of mports of fast moving con- asked their foreign suppliers to Another importer of olives, pensation. UNEA last week. Law, with additional proto- terrorist attacks and restoration sumer goods (FMCGs) have put their shipment on hold fol- olive oil, canned fruits and veg- “We think what happened “The air strike by India in cols to the Geneva Conven- of sustainable peace in Pakhtun Isuff ered a major setback af- lowing the issuance of SRO by etables, pastas, creams, who was a strike on nature - it Balakot in Pakistan was a pre- tion prohibiting warfare areas through the execution of a ter the Ministry of Commerce the ministry relating to halal asked not be named, said that was a strike on the Massar cision and accurate strike di- which is intended to cause comprehensive plan. issued an SRO237 on February certifi cate, labelling, expiry date “I have not cleared four of my Jabba Forest Reserve which rected at terrorists located in “long-term” and “severe” He said the PJI would hold a 19 mandating importers to print among other details on imported containers from the port since is a protected ecosystem and a terrorist training camp and environmental damage, he conference in Peshawar in the details and ingredients of the items. Besides, many import- February 19 while four more are a globally important carbon the strike was not aimed at added. second week of next month to food products in Urdu and Eng- ers have already stopped making expected to dock next week.” sink,” Khan told the Thom- any environmental damage.” “In terms of the extent of force the government to step up lish on consumer packaging. future imports. He added that other import- son Reuters Foundation in an Pakistan denies there were damage, I mean, the whole the Fata-KP merger process in line Under the SRO, all importers Moreover, the SRO order has ers have also been unable to interview. any such camps in the area. forest did not go up in fl ames with the Supreme Court orders have also been asked to ensure also increased the shelf life re- clear their shipments, while “We are speaking for the The Jabba Massar Re- - but the fact is that the only and Constitutional requirements. that “the logo of the halal certi- maining on the product upon its many traders, whose containers voiceless trees of the Mas- serve Forest is located in victim of this atrocity was the Sherpao said the PJI would fi cation body shall be printed on import to 66% from 50%. are on the high seas, are equally sar Jabba forest reserve Pakistan’s northwest- environment,” said Khan. support an all-inclusive ap- the consumer packaging and the “I import olive oil and am re- perturbed. which became a target of this ern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “Nature paid a price for proach to bring peace and stabil- labelling shall not be in the form quired to produce halal certifi ca- He said importers need to line- operation.” province and was estab- somebody’s madness. We ity to Afghanistan and call for the of a sticker, overprinting, stamp tion for it?” an agitated importer up food item imports from vari- India and Pakistan are lished as a protected area want compensation, retribu- introduction of a comprehensive or scratched labelling.” said. Other product lines such ous countries with a time frame amidst their biggest stand- in 2015 as part of the “Bil- tion and condemnation of policy to facilitate trade with the “The shipment shall be ac- as breakfast cereals, olives and of 25-35 days to reach Pakistan. off in years, with the United lion Trees Aff orestation this act.” Central Asian Republics. Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Philippines Foreign minister holds talks with Chinese VP ‘likely to fail EU maritime audit again’

By Raff y Ayeng qualifi cation-based, to compe- portation and BS Marine Engi- Manila Times tence-based system,” the source neering. said. They should ensure that the “Besides tweaking, regulators STCW mandatory professional he Philippines will likely should also replace academic and technical courses, as well fail the audit of a Euro- subjects by performance/task/ as shipboard training, are com- Tpean maritime agency competence in accordance with pliant with the requirements of because of quality problems in the mandatory minimum re- the 1978 STCW Convention as maritime training schools, an quirements as per STCW 2010 amended. industry source claimed yester- Manila Amendments; restruc- “A delegation from the Euro- day. turing of the current curriculum pean Commission is coming this Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (right) attends a meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin at Zhongnanhai in The source, part of an indus- to align with STCW levels of April 2019 to verify what we are Beijing, yesterday. try think tank, said many train- responsibilities: support, op- doing. ing institutions had been doing erational, management; and the EMSA is coming back for a the same things over and over hybridisation of the curriculum follow-up audit the fi rst quarter since the Philippines failed the that should be implemented im- of 2020. audit of the European Maritime mediately which entails modu- The Philippines has been fail- Safety Agency (EMSA) in 2006. lar and ladderised curriculum ing the EMSA scrutiny. Defi nite- “If we keep doing things the in view to educate and train ly, a negative EMSA report will Expanded maternity leave to aff ect hiring of women same, we will get the same re- learners as support level, then impact the seafaring industry. sults. There is nothing diff erent, progress to operational level to The Philippines kept on doing revolutionary or innovative that management level,” he said. the same thing despite EMSA By Tyrone Jasper C Piad training a temporary replace- ployment opportunity regard- selves of the maternity ben- the Philippines have instituted. STCW refers to the Interna- fi ndings for 13 years now, surely Manila Times ment.” less of gender, noting that qual- efit.” In ranking the cost im- No, the Philippines will not tional Convention on Standards the results will be the same,” the The Expanded Maternity ifi cations should prevail when pact on a scale of 1 to 5 (very pass,” he told Manila Times. of Training, Certifi cation and source said. Leave Law, signed by President hiring employees. minimal to very substantial), The Philippines should over- Watchkeeping for Seafarers. On March 15, Marina tapped ajority of companies Rodrigo Duterte last month, These fi rms believed that respondents had average score haul its Maritime Education and Marina and the Commission the Philippine Normal Univer- are worried over the allows pregnant employees to “women are more organised, of 3.63. Training (MET) system being on Higher Education (CHEd) sity to help the Marina Board of Mcost implications of take a maternity leave of up to more detail-oriented, and Almost 30% of the respond- implemented by the Maritime in October 2018 inked the Im- Examiners in reviewing the ta- the Expanded Maternity Leave 105 days. Firms were also wor- generally more reliable,” it ents gave a score of 4. Industry Authority (Marina), plementing Rules and Regula- ble of specifi cations for various Law, saying it would aff ect ried over output, saying pro- added. ECOP conducted the survey which had been fl agged many tions (IRR) of Executive Order 63 examinations, to comply with their decision to hire women, ductivity could decrease with Overall, 49% of the re- from March 11 to 15 among 70 times by EMSA auditors, he said. strengthening Marina’s author- STCW. preliminary results of a survey the extended period of absence spondents expressed support respondents, 51% of which One Cebu school inspected ity in implementing the 1978 On Monday, Foreign Aff airs by the Employers Confedera- of female workers on maternity for expanded maternity leave came from large-scale com- in 2017, for instance, yielded 20 STCW. Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr tion of the Philippines (ECOP) leave. while 34% were against it. panies. defi ciencies, including “No Ef- Under Rule II of the IRR, urged CHEd Chairman Prospero showed. The survey also claimed “fe- The remaining 17% were in- The most represented in- fective Monitoring” and “No Marina and CHEd are tasked “Popoy” de Vera Jr to promote The ECOP survey found that male-dominated smaller en- different on the matter. dustries in the survey were Quality Management Imple- to evaluate and inspect higher the welfare of Filipino seafarers 68% of the respondents were terprises” could be “adversely The survey showed that manufacturing, services, and mentation.” education institutions applying by tapping respectable auditors worried over “higher cost im- aff ected.” 39% of the respondents have logistics and transportation. “The Philippine MET should for approval to off er Bachelor of in checking the country’s mari- plications in terms of the ben- Other survey respondents more than 50 employees who The final survey will be be transformed from its present Science (BS) in Maritime Trans- time schools. efi t and the cost of hiring and said there should be equal em- could “potentially avail them- completed by March 30.

House will not recall budget bill: Arroyo ICC prosecutor says examination of

Manila Times will insist, no lump sum. Now, govt continues despite withdrawal Manila as to the details, that’s the one that we’ll see,” she added. The P3.757tn national Reuters whether thousands of extrajudi- since Duterte took offi ce in June he House of Representa- budget impasse continues Amsterdam/Manila cial killings allegedly committed 2016. Rights groups and crit- tives has yet to withdraw as Senate President Vicente during President Rodrigo Du- ics say some of the killings were Tits version of the 2019 “Tito” Sotto 3rd remains firm terte’s crackdown on drugs are summary executions. budget bill, Speaker Gloria on not signing a bill allegedly he International Criminal suffi cient to warrant a formal Police deny such allegations, Macapagal Arroyo said yester- tinkered by the House post- Court’s prosecutor said investigation. saying they had to use deadly day. ratification. At least P95.1bn Tyesterday her examina- Duterte’s spokesman said the force because the suspects were “We have not withdrawn our were supposedly realigned tion into possible crimes against ICC had no basis to continue its armed and resisted arrest. version. We’re in discussion and a portion of the P15bn humanity committed in the preliminary examination and the The Philippines unilaterally about what is the proposed new budget for the Health Facili- Philippines would go on, despite government would not co-oper- withdrew from the ICC in March version,” Arroyo told reporters ties Enhancement Programme its withdrawal from the court. ate with it. 2018 over what Duterte called on the sidelines of a business were itemised to at least 62 The Philippines’ withdrawal “They cannot enter here if “outrageous” attacks and viola- event in Taguig City. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. favoured districts, Lacson from the Hague court was for- that is their purpose, to investi- tions of due process by it. The Speaker is set to meet noted. malised on Sunday. gate. You are already intruding “We have already pointed out with other House members day said the House agreed to keep its version with line-item- “If we don’t come to an Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda into our sovereignty,” presiden- that in this country we have a ju- later, including San Juan Rep. keep the version of the bill ap- ised projects, contrary to the agreement and then Tito Sotto said in a statement the ICC con- tial spokesman Salvador Panelo dicial system that is robust and Ronaldo Zamora, her delegated proved in the bicameral confer- proposal of the Senate to have a does not sign the bill, then tinued to have jurisdiction over told a regular news conference functional and very eff ective,” negotiator with the Senate on ence committee report. lump sum budgeting. there’s no bill to send to the possible crimes committed dur- yesterday. Panelo said. the 2019 General Appropria- Arroyo, who signed the “We will insist on no lump president. So I do not know if ing the period the country was a More than 5,000 suspected The ICC procedure was “po- tions Act. budget measure last week, sum because that is what is un- we will but I would wish we member. drug dealers have been killed in litical persecution” of Duterte, Sen. Panfi lo Lacson on Mon- maintained that the House will constitutional. That’s what we would,” Arroyo said. Bensouda has been examining police anti-narcotics operations he said. Water service provider told to compensate consumers

By Javier J Ismael The lawmaker also pointed to its service obligation adversely dent and Chief Executive Of- Manila Times the lack of experts at the MWSS, aff ects public health or welfare. ficer Ferdinand de la Cruz told which had hired so many lawyers In fact, all penalties received by lawmakers. instead of engineers. The com- the regulatory body will be re- Dela Cruz said Manila Water enators yesterday pressed mittee was considering recom- bated to aff ected consumers,” would follow MWSS processes, the Manila Water Co Inc to mending a major revamp at the Hontiveros explained. which could result in the low- Scompensate all consum- MWSS, she said. Article 10, Section 10.4 of the ering of its tariffs. ers aff ected by the water supply Sen. Risa Hontiveros said all concession agreement states: MWSS Chief Regulator shortage in its concession cov- those exposed to health risks as “A failure by the Concession- Patrick Ty also said Manila ering eastern Metro Manila and a result of Manila Water’s fail- aire to meet any Service Ob- Water’s rates could also be ad- parts of Rizal province. ure to meet its service obligation ligation which continues for justed. Residents of Barangay Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of should be fairly reimbursed. more than 60 days (or 15 days Barangka in Mandaluyong City the Senate public services com- She cited as an example the in cases where the failure could expressed relief as water fl owed mittee, said she was awaiting the National Kidney Transplant In- adversely affect public health through their faucets yesterday. computation of the Metropoli- stitute, which was forced to cut or welfare) after written notice Though the water pressure was tan Waterworks and Sewerage the number of dialysis patients thereof from the Regulatory low, residents said it was enough System (MWSS) that could be during the height of the water Office to the Concessionaire for them to patiently wait inside the basis for the committee to shortage. shall constitute a basis for the their homes fi lling their pails make the necessary recommen- Manila Water must also com- Regulatory Office to assess fi- and containers than lining up in dations for a possible refund or pensate all aff ected households nancial penalties against the the middle of the night or during rebate. and businesses for lost time, Concessionaire. All penalties hot afternoons for rations. Wa- Poe said it was within the gross inconvenience and loss of received by the Regulatory Of- ter service in Barangka is usu- power of the MWSS, as a regula- profi t, she said. fice pursuant to this Section ally interrupted at 6 or 9pm and tory body, to penalise erring wa- “While Manila Water’s pub- 10.4 shall be rebated to Cus- resumes at 4 or 5 am. ter utilities. lic apology and act to hold itself Ferdinand de la Cruz, president and chief executive off icer of Manila Water Co Inc, Metropolitan Manila tomers affected by the Conces- Several businesses that heav- The MWSS, she said, had been responsible for the water short- Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Reynaldo Velasco and MWSS Chief Regulator sionaire’s failure to meet Serv- ily rely on water, such as laun- sleeping on the job as shown age are recognised, a fair and just Patrick Ty face senators during an inquiry into the water shortage in eastern Metro Manila. ice.” dry shops and car wash shops, by the volume of wasted sup- compensation to the consumers In response, Manila Water have resumed operations. ply of water due to leaks since is in order. It is one of the best “With over a million house- Hontiveros also countered for unmet service obligations. said it was looking at a possible Residents of Barangay Addi- 2015, passed on to consumers ways to demonstrate its fi rm holds deprived of access to clean the MWSS statement that it had “Manila Water’s concession “adjustment” in water bills. tion Hills likewise complained by its two concessionaires, Ma- commitment to public account- water and exposed to numerous no power to hold water conces- agreement clearly stipulates that “What I’ve instructed with of no water, but Manila Water nila Water for the east zone and ability and restore consumer health risks, any apology with- sionaires accountable because the regulatory offi ce can impose my team is to explore ways to asked them for patience be- Maynilad Water Services Inc, for trust and confi dence,” said Hon- out compensation is hollow and the concession agreements did fi nancial penalties on the con- provide some relief to those cause of the area’s high eleva- the west zone. tiveros. meaningless,” she stressed. not authorise it to impose fi nes cessionaire if its failure to meet affected,” Manila Water Presi- tion. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES

Green shoots of hope His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani holding talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. as worst may be over Ethiopian PM’s visit to Doha enhances for global economy stability in the Horn of Africa: envoy Brexit, trade wars, Italy’s fi ght with the European Union, renewed US sanctions on Iran, a Chinese debt bomb, jittery QNA He noted that the Ethiopian Qatar Investment Authority Sheikh views on co-operation opportunities stock markets, intermittent capital fl ight from emerging Doha government’s focus on attracting Faisal bin Thani al-Thani to Ethiopia in the sectors of agriculture, culture, foreign investments and promoting the where he held meetings with Ethiopian tourism, mining and energy. markets, and more. role of the private sector open up new offi cials to discuss the opportunities The second session was held in Addis The global economy may still be locked in the worst crisis mbassador of Qatar to horizons of co-operation between the of establishing investment and Ababa in February 2016, he noted. since the fi nancial crisis, but there are green shoots of hope Ethiopia, Hamad bin two countries, given that Ethiopia is development projects in Addis Ababa. Ambassador al-Dosari underlined that the current slowdown will prove short-lived. Mohamed al-Dosari, has one of the fastest growing economies Ambassador al-Dosari said that the growing relations between the two underlined that the offi cial in Africa and the world and has a the political and diplomatic relations countries at the political and economic Led by the US Federal Reserve, many central banks A visit of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr diplomatic movement through which it between the two countries have levels, thanks to the common visions in have either held back on tightening monetary policy or Abiy Ahmed Ali to Doha comes within seeks to promote regional integration in witnessed a remarkable development many areas, in addition to the political introduced fresh stimulus, soothing investor fears of a the framework of promoting and all areas. since the visit of His Highness the openness between the two countries, slowdown. strengthening the bilateral relations There is no doubt that this visit will Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa the exchange of visits between offi cials and co-operation between Qatar and elevate the Qatari-Ethiopian relations al-Thani to Ethiopia in April 2013, and the adoption of a road map through Fed chairman Jerome Powell says he and colleagues will Ethiopia. to the highest levels, he said. which marked the beginning of a new which programmes and joint projects be patient on raising interest rates again, while European In statements to Qatar News Agency The ambassador said that the Qatari era of distinguished relations between are implemented on the ground. Central Bank president Mario Draghi has ruled out doing (QNA), ambassador al-Dosari said investments in Ethiopia are increasing, the two countries, and resulted in the He noted that the bilateral relations so this year and unveiled a new batch of cheap loans for that the talks covered key issues of most of which are joint ventures with signing of a number of co-operation between Qatar and Ethiopia are mutual concern, mainly with regard local and international businessmen agreements and memorandums of based on the political and economic banks. to co-operation and co-ordination and are active in the industrial, understanding in various fi elds. awareness and understanding of the Authorities in Australia, Canada and the UK are among to achieve stability and ensure peace agricultural and engineering sector. He underlined that the visit of His common interests, which ensures a those to have adopted a wait-and-see approach. China, at and security in the Horn of Africa, as In 2016, the bilateral trade reached Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin promising future that will bring many its National People’s Congress, signalled a willingness to well as combating terrorism in all its about $4.73mn. Hamad al-Thani to Addis Ababa in positive factors, create a balance in manifestations. Qatar’s exports to Ethiopia reached April 2017 consolidated these distinct the equation of regional interests, and ease monetary and fi scal policies to support expansion. The ambassador noted that this is QR3.99mn while imports reached relations and resulted in the two take advantage of the Qatari economic After touching a 2 1/2-year low in December, the the fi rst visit of the Ethiopian Prime QR730,000, mostly in agricultural governments’ agreement on building potential by exploiting the promising Bloomberg US Financial Conditions Index, which measures Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed after taking products. a strong relationship based on mutual investment opportunities in Ethiopia. the overall level of fi nancial stress in money, bond and offi ce, and said that the reform ortseff Meanwhile, the Ethiopian imports respect and co-operation and the Qatar’s ambassador reiterated that made by him in the political and from Qatar increased by 5.76% in 2017 promotion of the development process Addis Ababa off ers an investment equity markets, has since rebounded. economic fi elds have enhanced the to $4.23mn. in the two friendly countries. climate favourable to Qatari There’s also been a rebound in stocks this year. The S&P positive perspective of the international Ambassador al-Dosari noted that Moreover, the visit of former businessmen in terms of cheap labour, 500 has gained almost 20% from its December low, while community on Ethiopia and the Horn of there are mutual visits between Qatari Ethiopian prime minister to Doha pristine farmland and industrial parks. the Shanghai Composite is up about 22%. Africa in general. and Ethiopian companies. in November 2017 also contributed Its location gives it a strategic He highlighted the keenness of the During the past year, a delegation to developing the bilateral relations dimension and a starting point in An easing in US dollar strength versus 2018 has also given Ethiopian prime minister on building of 16 Qatari companies visited Addis and included the signing of three the Horn of Africa because of its relief to emerging markets, strong relations with the friendly Ababa and held meetings with their agreements: the defence co-operation proximity to the Middle East and its taking some pressure off countries, including co-operation in Ethiopian counterparts to discuss trade agreement between the Ethiopian markets, and the government’s focus The IMF is still policymakers to guard the political and economic fi elds, which opportunities and ways of enhancing and Qatari ministries of defence, on direct foreign investment through is consistent with the vision of Qatar, the relations. an agreement on the abolition of tax incentives granted to investments predicting global against capital fl ight. especially in view of the movement and A second visit is expected to take visa requirements for holders of in priority sectors along with tax For the Goldman serious political volatility of the Horn of place during the coming period. diplomatic and private passports, and exemptions on the import of raw growth of 3.7% economists, euro-area Africa and the Middle East. He highlighted the co-operation the mutual promotion and protection materials as well as on exports, as well growth is set to pick up The ambassador added that Ethiopia between Qatar Chamber and Addis of investments agreement, the as land grants for the establishment this year and caries political and economic weight Ababa Chamber of Commerce to ambassador added. of factories under the lease system to an annualised pace of in the Horn of Africa as it is one of the promote the role of the private sector in Meanwhile, the establishment of for decades against nominal prices 3.5% in 2020 1.4% in the second half of most prominent countries allied to both countries, noting that a delegation the joint technical committee between and reducing bureaucracy in paper the year, having recently international decision-makers, and from Qatar Chamber will visit Qatar and Ethiopia contributes to the transactions and much more. stabilised at around 1%. While indicators may not point plays a pivotal political and security Ethiopia soon to explore investment consolidation of bilateral relations. The ambassador said that the role in the region, especially after the opportunities and co-operation The fi rst session of the committee was economic reforms initiated by the to stronger momentum yet, a boost is likely to come from Ethiopian prime minister pursued a between the two countries. held in Doha in October 2014 to review Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy easier fi scal policy, lower oil prices and stronger wage policy of openness and stability and He praised the recent visit of HE and evaluate the agreements signed Ahmed are expected to increase the fl ow growth. regional integration. Director of the Local Portfolios at between the two countries and exchange of foreign direct investment. Citigroup’s surprise index for the euro area has rebounded to its best reading in almost fi ve months. In China, a measure of new orders in the manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index improved last month. IHS Markit’s indicator of global growth rose in February from a 28-month low and, encouragingly, there was an improvement in the gauge of demand. Its measure of worldwide services also picked up in February for the fi rst time in three months. US President Donald Trump decided against imposing another round of tariff s on China on March 1 and there are signs that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping may soon be able to strike a trade deal. A model designed by the Institute of International Finance to track US trade in real time showed signs of stabilising from early this year. The International Monetary Fund is still predicting global growth of 3.7% this year and 3.5% in 2019, a pretty good clip for this stage of the expansion. As 2018 drew to a close, there were signs the peak had already passed for the global economy. But a slower-than- expected pace of rate hikes by the Fed, soothing of political tensions over Brexit and breakthroughs in the trade war as well as Italy’s debt crisis could provide further support to boost sentiments.

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Gulf Times Wednesday, March 20, 2019 23 COMMENT Qatar and Ethiopia enjoy distinguished relations

QNA combating terrorism, which is consid- opportunities to Qatari businessmen in Doha ered as a threat to peace, security and agriculture, manufacturing, services, stability in East and West Africa, the pharmaceuticals, construction materi- Middle East, the Gulf region and the als and others. atar and Ethiopia have world. Ethiopia is the ninth largest country established close and distin- Prime Minister at that time Haile- in the continent, with more than 1mn guished relations, based on mariam Desalegn expressed apprecia- square kilometres, but it is the only Qhistorical ties and a common tion for the role of Qatar in resolving country in the region that lacks direct desire and keenness to develop them confl icts in the Horn of Africa and in access to the open ocean. and to open wide horizons of oppor- Darfur region of Sudan. It is also “the cradle of human- tunities and areas of co-operation in For his part, His Highness the Amir ity” thanks to its rich history and rich various political, commercial, eco- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani cultural heritage. nomic, investment and other fi elds. praised Ethiopia’s eff orts to bring It is classifi ed as the only country The visit of Prime Minister of Ethio- peace and stability to the Horn of Af- in the continent that has not been pia to Doha Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, took rica within the framework of the Inter- subjected to Western colonialism in its place yesterday in this context. governmental Authority on Develop- history. His Highness the Amir Sheikh ment of East African States (IGAD). Ethiopia has a good location in the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, met Dr The Amir expressed Qatar’s readiness Horn of Africa and is a gateway to a Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Amiri Diwan to provide humanitarian assistance to number of neighbouring countries to discuss bilateral relations and the the victims of drought across Ethiopia, such as Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya and prospects for their development, in supporting the Ethiopian govern- Djibouti. addition to a number of issues of com- ment’s eff orts to develop education, Ethiopia has managed to achieve mon concern. health, infrastructure and energy, as high growth rates in recent years The visit also gives new support well as funding the establishment of a thanks to its facilities for investors, in- to the co-operation between the two specialist renal hospital. cluding income tax exemption for more friendly countries, and will inaugurate In the area of trade and economy, than ten years, as well as export tax ex- more investment opportunities of the two leaders affi rmed their desire to emption, in addition to the presence of mutual benefi t. strengthen their economic co-opera- advanced infrastructure such as roads, The visit also represents a new tion in the public and private sectors. transport, shipping, communications qualitative leap forward in the relations The Amir also gave directions to and other means that make Ethiopia a between the two countries, which was establish a loan portfolio for small and promising investment destination for inaugurated by the exchange of diplo- medium enterprises in order to create foreign investors. matic relations in 1995, as well as bi- jobs for young people. The Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali being received yesterday at Hamad International Airport by HE the Minis- Ethiopia has a lot of potential and lateral and reciprocal visits at the level The two leaders also agreed to pro- ter of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti. has started in recent years to diversify of senior offi cials of the two countries, mote political dialogue and consulta- its economic fabric, which provides notably the visit of His Highness the tions between the two countries and both countries, especially develop- which regulate the bilateral relations Mining Company and the govern- new opportunities for investment in Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- affi rmed their keenness to participate ments in the Middle East. between Doha and Addis Ababa. ment of Ethiopia, a memorandum of various fi elds. Thani to Ethiopia in April 2017. in the eff orts of the international com- Following the meeting, the Amir They include the establishment of understanding on the establishment Ethiopia holds 15% of the total Ethiopia was the fi rst leg of his tour munity to maintain peace and security and Hailemariam Desalegn witnessed a joint committee for co-operation of bilateral consultations between livestock in Africa, placing it in the fi rst of several African countries. in their regions and in the world. the signing of a number of agreements between the governments of the two the Ministries of Foreign Aff airs of place in the continent in this fi eld and A joint statement was issued on In November 2017, the then prime and memorandums of understanding countries; an agreement on economic, the two countries, a memorandum of in ninth place worldwide. the occasion of the visit refl ecting the minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam between the two countries, including commercial and technical co-opera- understanding in the fi eld of educa- The Ethiopian economy is among strong commitment of the two leader- Desalegn, visited Qatar and held talks an agreement between the defence tion between them; an agreement on tion, higher education and scientifi c the fastest growing economies in ships to promote friendly relations with His Highness the Amir Sheikh ministries of the two countries on regulating the use of Ethiopian workers research, a memorandum of under- the world and is the fastest growing and co-operation between the two Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the defence co-operation, an agreement in Qatar; an agreement on encourag- standing between the Qatar Chamber economy in the African continent, ac- countries and the two friendly people, Amiri Diwan, where they discussed on cancelling visa requirements for ing mutual protection of investments of Commerce and Industry and its cording to the International Monetary and stressed the need for increased co- bilateral relations and means of holders of diplomatic and private between the two countries and avoid- Ethiopian counterpart, and a memo- Fund (IMF). Ethiopian principal crops operation in regional and international enhancing and developing them in passports, as well as an agreement on ing double taxation and prevention of randum of understanding on Qatar include coff ee, oilseeds, cereals, cot- issues of common concern. various fi elds, especially in the fi elds of mutual encouragement and protection fi nancial evasion; and an agreement on Airways fl ights. ton, and sugarcane, while the food, The statement also stressed the economy, tourism and investment. of investment. There are several agree- cultural co-operation. In last January, Doha hosted the In- beverage, textile, leather, chemicals, importance of co-ordinating eff orts They discussed a number of regional ments and memorandums of co-oper- The MoUs include a memorandums vestment Forum in Ethiopia, where the metals and cement sectors are the main with the international community in and international issues of interest to ation signed between the two countries of understanding between Qatar Ethiopian side presented investment industrial products.

Delivering the promise of digital transformation Three-day forecast TODAY At Vodafone, we’re seeing suc- of processes, enhancing interac- delivery and customer satisfaction. Maximum Temperature : 280c By Diego Camberos Minimum Temperature : 180c Chief Operating Off icer, Vodafone Qatar cessful digital transformation take tion with customers and employees By working shoulder to shoulder shape daily – by working with inno- and continuously improving the with many of the country’s most THURSDAY vators and pioneers that are building customer experience with decisions significant organisations and enti- Maximum Temperature : 260c n the right the smart cities springing up around backed by strong customer insights ties, we intimately understand the Minimum Temperature : 190c hands, the country including Lusail and and data. power and potential of technologi- FRIDAY digital Msheireb, through to those organi- Thirdly, they have a clear im- cal innovation and disruption. Our Maximum Temperature : 250c Itransfor- sations upending more established plementation strategy for digital business exists to help connect the Minimum Temperature : 200c industries from construction to lo- transformation. They have tangible ideas of today with the technologies mation can Fisherman's forecast modify existing gistics through the rapid deployment and measurable deliverables with of tomorrow. We enable pioneers business proc- of Internet of Things (IoT) technolo- clear timelines and accountabili- and innovators to reimagine a better WARNING ties agreed at the leadership level. future, continuing the disruption of esses, culture, gies and more. Inshore : Nil and customer We have a unique vantage point This is vitally important given the industries for growth and sustain- experiences for across many of the most dynamic risks that investment can be ad ability. Innovation is in our DNA and Offshore : Expected strong wind the better. 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How- infrastructure and develop applica- Offshore : Scattered clouds to ship teams are spending a lot in the cessfully transform their operations. ever, elsewhere Forrester suggests tions, digital services, products and partly cloudy. WIND race to digitise their operations. A Firstly, such businesses have a sys- that only 27% of businesses have a solutions. Our annual Innovation Inshore : Northwesterly 06-16 KT recent report by the International tematic basis to enact cultural and coherent digital strategy. Day event will provide privileged Data Corporation (IDC) has found technological changes and manage Fourthly, they’re applying digital access to the latest digital trends and Offshrore : Northwesterly 08-18/22 KT that worldwide spending on digital evolving business conditions. They transforming across their entire technologies that have the potential transformation will reach nearly $2tn are building on a structured plan business and right the way through to transform industries and sectors Visibility : 4-8 KM in 2022 as organisations commit to that is owned and driven from the the value chain – improving opera- for the better. doing so. top of the organisation down – one tions across every department and All this comes as part of our Offshore : 3-5/7 FT function, including centralised commitment to turn Qatar into one But committing resources and which provides a framework to shift Around the region management time is only part of the decision-making from being knee- teams such as finance and human re- of the world’s most advanced and Weather puzzle. To be sure of success, com- jerk and reactionary to proactively sources. Every corner of the business digitally connected countries. Now Weather tomorrow Max/min panies need more than new systems, shaping their organisational agenda. and every team is facing up to the more than ever, we’re accelerating today Max/min M Sunny 23/09 processes, hardware and tech- Secondly, a digital approach sits at need to reimagine their operations. Qatar’s progress and helping growing Baghdad P Cloudy 22/08 P Cloudy 24/15 nologies; they require a digital-first the core of such businesses’ strategy. This is not simply ‘someone else’s numbers of businesses to automate, Kuwait CityP Cloudy 24/14 M Cloudy 24/19 mindset across every aspect of their They are considering the true po- problem.’ These businesses are max- optimise and innovate. The future is Manama M Sunny 23/18 M Sunny 27/23 business and across the full spec- tential of transformation at all levels imising efficiency whilst attaining exciting, and we’re committed to be Muscat Sunny 24/21 P Cloudy 12/03 trum of operational realities. – from streamlining a wide range standards of excellence in terms of there every step of the way. Tehran P Cloudy 11/03

Live issues Diabetics more likely to report back pain Around the world By Lisa Rapaport for both conditions so it is likely that the hormone insulin to convert blood musculoskeletal pain issues, said Dr Weather Weather Reuters Health they underlie that link,” said senior sugar into energy. The less common Ahmed Hassoon, a researcher at the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min study author Manuela Ferreira of the form, type 1 diabetes, develops in Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Athens M Cloudy 20/11 M Cloudy 17/10 University of Sydney in Australia. childhood or young adulthood and Public Health in Baltimore who wasn’t Beirut M Sunny 20/16 M Sunny 21/15 eople with diabetes are more “Keeping normal blood sugar levels, occurs when the pancreas produces no involved in the study. Bangkok M Sunny 34/28 M Sunny 37/27 likely to report back and neck managing body weight and most insulin at all. “If we add more weight beyond Berlin P Cloudy 13/07 Cloudy 16/06 pain, but it’s still unclear if importantly keeping physically active Altogether, researchers examined the capacity of the spine and its Cairo P Cloudy 27/14 P Cloudy 27/13 Pdiabetes is the cause of their are key in managing and preventing data from 11 diff erent studies in supporting disks and muscles, then Cape Town P Cloudy 19/14 Cloudy 20/16 pain, a research review concludes. this combination of chronic diseases,” six countries that looked at back we will destabilise it and will have all Colombo P Cloudy 30/25 P Cloudy 31/26 Diabetes was associated with a 35% Ferreira said by e-mail. pain, neck pain, spinal pain or some sorts of issues, and if we don’t move Dhaka Sunny 33/22 M Sunny 36/23 higher likelihood of reporting back One in two people will experience low combination of these issues. enough, our support muscles will Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/20 M Cloudy 23/21 pain, in an analysis of fi ve studies back pain or neck pain at some point in Only one study tracked people with not be strong enough to support the Istanbul M Sunny 14/07 P Cloudy 13/06 with a total of 131,431 people, and their lives, the study authors note. Some diabetes who didn’t have skeletal pain to spine,” Hassoon said by e-mail. Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 S T Storms 32/24 with a 24% greater risk of neck pain, previous research suggests that diabetes see if they developed this problem over People with diabetes may be Karachi Sunny 28/19 Sunny 29/19 according to two studies with 6,560 makes this type of chronic pain more time. After two to four years of follow- overweight or obese, and have diabetes London Cloudy 15/07 M Cloudy 14/07 people. likely to develop, but results have been up, this study failed to fi nd a connection complications that impair how blood Manila M Sunny 34/24 P Cloudy 35/24 But the only study in the analysis mixed and strength of the connection for back pain, neck pain or spinal pain. vessels and nerves function. These Moscow Cloudy 04/-1 Rain&Snow 03/-1 to follow people over time found no isn’t clear, they write. The studies included in the analysis problems can, in turn, compromise New Delhi M Sunny 32/16 M Sunny 32/18 connection between diabetes and the Researchers looked at patients with were not designed to prove whether or spinal health and contribute to back New York M Sunny 12/05 Rain 11/06 risk of back, neck or spinal pain, the both types of diabetes, each of which how diabetes might cause back, neck pain, Hassoon said. Paris P Cloudy 16/05 Sunny 17/04 study team notes in PLoS ONE. That is a chronic disease that aff ects the or spinal pain. The smaller studies also “Long-term uncontrolled diabetes Sao Paulo Cloudy 27/19 Showers 21/18 suggests other factors might also way the body manages blood sugar. varied in their defi nitions of pain and has negative impact on our blood Seoul Rain 18/06 M Cloudy 15/-2 account for increased reports of back The most common form, type 2 the context in which diabetes patients vessels, nerves, muscles, and bone,” Singapore S T Storms 34/26 T Storm 32/26 pain among diabetes patients. diabetes, is linked to obesity and reported their pain. Hassoon said. “Which, in turn, can Sydney S T Storms 23/19 S Showers 24/19 “We know that obesity and ageing and happens when the body Even so, it’s likely that obesity generate all kinds of musculoskeletal Tokyo Clear 21/08 Cloudy 20/09 physical inactivity are risk factors can’t properly use or make enough of contributes to both diabetes and symptoms, like chronic pain.” Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 QATAR

Ethiopian prime minister accorded official reception

Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali was accorded an off icial reception upon his arrival at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. Later, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Ethiopia PM Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali held a session of off icial talks. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing and developing them in various fields, especially in the fields of economy, investment, tourism and infrastructure. — QNA

Ethiopian PM pays visit Prime minister meets Ethiopian counterpart to Museum of Islamic Art

QNA hibition, which sheds light on of Islamic civilisation and Doha Syrian cultural history, Syr- culture. Acting Chief Execu- ia’s contribution to enrich- tive Officer of Qatar Museums ing the history of the artistic Ahmad al-Namla presented rime Minister of Ethio- and cultural movement in the the Ethiopian PM with a copy pia Dr Abiy Ahmed and world and draws attention to of a book explaining the mu- Pthe accompanying del- the precious Syrian heritage, seum’s landmarks, design, egation visited the Museum which was severely damaged and main contents. of Islamic Art yesterday in the by the destruction of histori- Ambassador of Qatar to framework of his current visit cal sites there. Ethiopia Hamad bin Moham- to Qatar. After the tour, the Ethio- med al-Dosari and ambassa- He toured the museum’s pian PM signed the museum’s dor of Ethiopia to Qatar Samia collection, which houses the ceremonial register, express- Zakaria, as well as the accom- masterpieces of Islamic art. ing in his speech the excel- panying delegation, accom- Dr Abiy Ahmed also wit- lence of the Museum of Is- panied the Ethiopian PM dur- nessed the ‘Syria Matters’ ex- lamic Art with its holdings ing the tour.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr Abiy Ahmed and the accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. During the meeting, they discussed the development of co-operation relations between the two countries and ways of developing and strengthening them ILO lauds steps taken by in various fields, in addition to reviewing the current situation in the region and issues of mutual interest. PM Sheikh Abdullah held a dinner banquet in honour of the visiting Ethiopian PM and the accompanying delegation. — QNA Qatar for workers’ rights

By Ayman Adly or not?’. Unfortunately, most Staff Reporter employers hire such workers through a recruitment agency Pakistan National Day celebrated with a probation period and atar has taken signifi - many later discover that they cant steps towards en- are not suitable for the job after By Mudassir Raja Qhancing the protection spending money and starting Staff Reporter of expatriate workers’ rights work. If you don’t trust them, and this will set an example don’t hire them. You can lock for the entire region, Houtan up your precious things but you he 79th National Day of Homayounpour, head of the cannot trap the worker,” he ex- Pakistan was celebrated International Labour Organi- plained. Twith dignity and elegance sation (ILO) Project Offi ce in He said there is a need to at Ritz-Carlton Doha last evening. Doha, has said. maintain a well-balanced en- The ceremony, hosted by the Pa- He was addressing a round- vironment to protect the rights kistan embassy, was attended by table gathering at the ILO of- Houtan Homayounpour of both workers and employers a large number of Qatari dignitar- fi ce in Doha. The event was within a positive legal system. ies, members of the diplomatic attended by offi cials from the fi ce in Qatar for a three-year Fawaz Mohamed al-Rayis, di- corps, prominent business people Ministry of Administrative De- project to help the government rector of the recruitment de- and noted Pakistani expatriates. velopment, Labour and Social with technical support in order partment at MADLSA, said HE the Minister of Adminis- Aff airs (MADLSA) and ILO as to implement the required re- the expatriate workforce is an trative Development, Labour and well as representatives of vari- forms upon the request of the integral part of Qatar National Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mo- ous media outlets. government. One year on, great Vision 2030 and the country hamed al-Othman Fakhro, HE the Homayounpour stressed that results have been achieved,” he has ambitious strategic na- Minister of Education and Higher Dignitaries during the cake-cutting ceremony. PICTURES: Jayaram Qatar has embarked on an am- said, stressing that Qatar has tional development targets that Education Dr Mohamed Abdul bitious labour agenda with a set implemented “milestone re- would be implemented through Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, HE the of objectives that would pave forms” regarding labour rights a well-balanced and able work- Minister of Endowments - Awqaf the way for eff ective reforms protection in order to create a force of Qataris and expatriates. and Islamic Aff airs Dr Ghaith bin in this area and set an example friendly work environment for He pointed out that the Mubarak al-Kuwari, HE Sheikh for the region. The eff orts of the all stakeholders. country has introduced various Fahad bin Abdurehman al-Thani, Qatari government in this fi eld Regarding the issue of ex- reforms to improve the working Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Pro- were highly commendable, he patriate domestic workers, he conditions of expatriate work- tocol Chief Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro said. said the process of recruiting ers and ensure best practice and dean of Diplomatic Corps, The labour market faces them has to be reviewed from in the recruitment processes. ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed problems anywhere in the the start. For instance, some Mohamed al-Meer, also from were among the dignitaries. world and it is not practical employers complain that such the MADLSA, said the ministry National anthems of Qatar and to claim that any place is free workers run away after the pro- is open to the media and co- Pakistan marked the opening of from labour trouble and issues, bation period or accuse some of operates with them on a regular the ceremony. Pakistan ambas- particularly when it comes to them of theft or ill-treatment basis to report the true image of sador Syed Ahsan Raza Shah migrant workers, according to of children. labour conditions in the coun- spoke about the signifi cance of Homayounpour. At the same “You have to trust them be- try. the day highlighting the non-vi- time, the Government of Qatar fore you hire them. I always ask He added that the ministry olent, peaceful and constitutional played a pioneering role in ad- the employer who complain, receives complaints of both struggle led by Qaid-e-Azam mitting that there were some ‘have you met the worker or workers and employers and Muhammad Ali Jinnah for Paki- A view of the guests at the event. problems and sought solutions interviewed them before you does its best to resolve them stan. for such issues to achieve better gave him or her the job so that according to the law in order to The ambassador, along with between Pakistan and Qatar are mutually benefi cial co-operation quickly.” Shedding light on poli- working conditions for all. you know whether to trust (this ensure the best solution for all the Qatari dignitaries, cut a cake manifested in time, history and in between the two countries in all cies of the Imran Khan’s govern- “We are here at the ILO of- person) with your household parties. to commemorate the long strug- our shared heritage and affi nities fi elds. ment, the ambassador said: gle for Pakistan that started on of faith and culture. We, as Pa- “Prime Minister Imran Khan “The Government of Pakistan March 23, 1940 in Lahore. This kistanis, proudly cherish these chose Doha for the fi rst ever over- has embarked upon on a new tra- was followed by the screening of strong linkages which are re- seas public meeting of a Pakistani jectory of growth, development a documentary highlighting cul- fl ected and further strengthened leader, addressing 20,000 Paki- and on a path of fi nancial and tural diversity, scenic beauty and by the more than 140,000 mem- stanis at Wakrah Stadium during fi scal reform to strengthen the holy places for people of diff erent bers of the Pakistani community the visit. Now the people of Pa- economy and to attract foreign religions in Pakistan. proudly contributing to the pros- kistan eagerly await His Highness investments. Highlighting the vision of perity and progress of Qatar. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- “One of the top priorities of Qaid-e-Azam for Pakistan, am- “The Government and people mad al-Thani’s visit to Pakistan in the government is the revival of bassador Shah said: “The guid- of Pakistan greatly admire the the near future.” tourism in the country. Pakistan ing principles as manifested by visionary leadership of His High- He added: “Pakistan is com- is fast re-emerging as a leading the founding founders and as ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin mitted to further enhance eco- tourist hub in the region. Forbes enshrined in our constitution, Hamad al-Thani which has re- nomic and trade relations with has listed Pakistan as one of the call for political freedom, self- sulted in remarkable progress and Qatar which are still not fully 10 Coolest Places to Go in 2019. governance, economic independ- prosperity of this great country.” commensurate with the level of Similarly, the British Backpackers ence, evolution of a vibrant soci- About the recent visit of Paki- political and diplomatic relations. Society has described Pakistan as ety and progress in the fi elds of stan Prime Minister Imran Khan “Currently, Pakistan is Qatar’s one of the friendliest countries science and art.” to Qatar, the envoy said: “The vis- 13th largest trading partner but on earth, with mountain scenery Regarding the ties with Qa- it has further reinforced bilateral it is envisaged to substantially that is beyond anyone’s wildest The meeting in progress. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed tar, he said: “Bilateral relations ties and will lead to enhanced and improve upon that position very imagination”.