www.thepeninsula.qa Tuesday 25 February 2020 Volume 24 | Number 8178 1 Rajab - 1441 2 Riyals

BUSINESS | 01 SPORT | 09

Govt’s strategic Qatar doing great initiatives help job to boost boost QIB’s athletics in growth region: Radcliffee

Moving house? FREE Wi-Fi Ooredoo device & FREE installation! ONE *Terms & Conditions Apply Biggest edition of Amir’s Tunisia visit opens new horizon in ties Doha jewellery The talks dealt with a number of regional exhibition begins and international issues of common concern to the two countries, most importantly the RAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA latest developments of the Palestinian cause and the Libyan crisis. The two sides stressed Prime Minister and Minister of the importance of promoting joint Arab Interior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani action. inaugurated yesterday the 17th and biggest edition yet of Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhi- QNA — TUNIS members of the Qatari Embassy bition (DJWE) at Doha Exhibition in Tunisia. and Convention Centre (DECC). Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin H H the Amir was accorded Organised by Qatar Hamad Al Thani and President an official reception upon National Tourism Council of the Republic of Tunisia, H E arrival. (QNTC) under the patronage Kais Saied held an official talks During the talks, the two of H E the Prime Minister and session at Carthage Presidential sides discussed ways to enhance Minister of Interior, the six-day Palace in Tunis yesterday. cooperation between the two luxury event features 129 Talks during the session brotherly countries, especially exhibitors from 14 countries pertained to the close bilateral in the fields of economy, showcasing 500 local and relations between the two investment, security and international brands, spread countries and means to develop defence, as the two sides agreed across 33,000sqm area. these relations in all fields in to create an effective mech- “Doha Jewellery & Watches addition to a number of regional anism to accelerate the pace of exhibition is one of the biggest and international issues of work between the two coun- events in Qatar, offering vis- common concern. tries within the Joint Higher itors the opportunity to expe- H H the Amir arrived in the Committee, in order to rience the quality and crafts- capital Tunis yesterday on a overcome all difficulties facing manship of hundreds of the two-day official visit to the everything that would world’s finest gemstones and Republic of Tunisia. strengthen and develop rela- jewellery collections all under H H the Amir was welcomed tions in various fields. one roof. It helps attract tens of upon arrival at Tunis-Carthage The talks also dealt with a thousands of tourists to Doha International Airport by the number of regional and interna- each year – including celeb- President of the Republic of tional issues of common concern rities, media, and industry Tunisia, H E Kais Saied; Gov- to the two countries, most impor- influencers,” said H E Akbar Al ernor of Tunis City Shazli tantly the latest developments of Baker, Secretary General of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the President of the Republic of Tunisia, H E Kais Boualak, a number of Their the Palestinian Cause and the QNTC and Group Chief Exec- Saied, in Tunis, yesterday. `P3 Excellencies high-ranking Libyan crisis. The two sides utive of Qatar Airways. Tunisian officials; Ambassador stressed the importance of pro- H E Al Baker added: “It is no of the State of Qatar to Tunisia, moting joint Arab action. On the Tunisian side, it was two countries are a model of direct investments in Tunisia, surprise therefore, that DJWE is H E Saad bin Nasser Al Their Excellences members attended by a number of Their successful and advanced rela- with over $3bn invested in the growing year after year, and the Humaidi; Ambassador of the of the official delegation accom- Excellencies Ministers and tions on the Arab level, as Qatar sectors of telecommunication, 17th edition is the largest to date Republic of Tunisia to the State panying H H the Amir attended senior officials. ranks first in the Arab world and banking and tourism to name a in terms of exhibitors and exhi- of Qatar, H E Sami Al Saidi, and the session. The relations between the second globally in terms of few. bition space." `P3 02 HOME TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME 03

Amir's Tunisia visit opens new horizon in ties OFFICIAL NEWS Amir sends congratulations to President of Estonia Doha: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday cables of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Estonia, H E Kersti Kaljulaid, on the anniversary of her country’s Independence Day. The Prime Minister and Minister of Inte- rior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, also sent a cable of congratulations to the Prime Min- ister of the Republic of Estonia, H E Juri Ratas, on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day. QNA FM sends written message to Kuwaiti counterpart Kuwait: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the President of the Republic of Tunisia, H E Kais Saied, H E Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al in Tunis, yesterday. RIGHT: H H the Amir and his accompanying delegation during a discussion with H Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah, E the President and other officials. has received a written message from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- Amir directs creation of 10,000 more jobs for Jordanians rahman Al Thani, pertaining to the bilateral relations and ways of pro- QNA — AMMAN M King Abdullah II bin Al of academic courses under support of the Jordanian mil- political resolutions to the crises moting and enhancing them. The Hussein expressed their satis- Lusail University’s umbrella, in itary retirement fund with $30 facing the region in order to message was handed over by the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin faction with the growth of addition to the exchange of million. maintain stability and security. Ambassador of the State of Qatar Hamad Al Thani and H M King bilateral ties, and stressed their expertise and training that will The talks also dealt with a The session was attended by to Kuwait, H E Bandar bin Moham- Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the commitment to advancing it be carried as part of the prepa- number of regional and inter- members of the official dele- med Al Attiyah, during his meeting Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan further in all fields, particularly rations for hosting the FIFA national issues of joint interest, gation accompanying H H the with H E the Kuwaiti Foreign Minis- held on Sunday an official talks the economic and investment 2022 World Cup in Qatar. led by the Palestinian issue. The Amir. It was attended on the Jor- ter yesterday. QNA session that dealt with the fields. The two sides stressed the H H the Amir directed the two leaders stressed the impor- danian side by President of the strong bilateral relations and the importance of activating the creation of 10,000 job oppor- tance of supporting the Pales- Jordan Football Association FM sends means to enhance them, in Qatar-Jordanian supreme joint tunities in Qatar for Jordanian tinian people in obtaining their H H Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, H message to addition to the latest develop- committee, and enhancing nationals, in addition to the legitimate rights and to establish E Prime Minister Dr. Omar ments in the region. cooperation in the fields of 10,000 job opportunities that their own independent state on Razzaz, and a number of their Italian counterpart During the session, which energy, infrastructure, and were announced in August 2018, the borders of 1967 with East Al excellencies ministers, advisors Rome: The Minister of Foreign was held at Al Husseiniya Palace higher education. The University the opening of a center in Jordan Quds as its capital, and stressed at the Royal Hashemite Court, Affairs and International Cooper- in Amman, H H the Amir and H of Jordan will provide a number to facilitate the process, and the on the importance of reaching and ranking military officials. ation of the Italian Republic, H E Luigi Di Maio, has received a written message from the Deputy Prime Min- ister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, MoPH takes additional measures on novel coronavirus H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- rahman Al Thani, pertaining to QNA - DOHA to the increasing cases dis- number of residential buildings The Ministry affirmed its or inquiries related to commu- bilateral relations and ways of pro- covered in both South Korea equipped with all the amenities keenness to maintain high alert nicable diseases on the hotline moting them. The message was The Ministry of Public Health and Iran and the monitoring of have been prepared to host the in the health sector to detect, numbers 66740951 or handed over by the Ambassador (MoPH) announced yesterday new cases in a number of coun- persons who meet the quar- isolate and report any suspected 66740948. of the State of Qatar to the Italian a number of additional tries in the region, coordination antine standards, while con- cases, as well as raise the degree The Ministry confirmed that Republic, H E Abdulaziz bin Ahmed measures to monitor and detect has been made with the con- tinuing to screen people who of preparedness in combating no cases have yet been regis- Al Malki, during his meeting with any suspected cases of corona- cerned authorities to examine show fever and respiratory the transmission of infection in tered with the novel Corona- the Director-General of the Direc- virus, and has implemented all all travellers coming from coun- symptoms to be transferred to hospitals and health centres. virus (Covid-19), and renewed torate General for Political Affairs recommendations issued by the tries that have recorded a sig- the Communicable Disease The rapid response team in the its commitment to the principle and Security at the Italian Foreign World Health Organization nificant increase in the outbreak Center, to do the necessary Ministry of Public Health of transparency in communi- Ministry, Ambassador H E Sebas- (WHO) in this regard. of the virus. checks and provide the appro- operates around the clock and cating the facts to all members tiano Cardi, yesterday. QNA The Ministry said that due The Ministry added that a priate treatment. receives any communications of society. Biggest edition of Doha jewellery exhibition begins FROM PAGE 1 destination. While the show watchmaker TAG Heuer’s We are thrilled to welcome has been known for gathering Qatari flag-inspired Aquaracer partners and guests from all the most prestigious interna- Calibre 7 watch at Al Majed over the world who have come tional brands under one roof, it Pavilion. Other unique and lim- to attend the event and we hope also provides strong support to ited-edition pieces came from they enjoy the experience of emerging local designers Parmigiani Fleurier, Greubel luxury and beauty both at the through the Young Qatari Forsey, Pasquale Bruni, Roberto exhibition, and in Qatar Designers initiative which this Coin and F.P. Journe. generally.” year saw the participation of 18 Demonstrations are being “Qatar’s tourism sector is designers, the biggest since its offered by Qatar Watch Club witnessing rapid growth with launch four years ago. and Objectif Horlogerie, while the development of new The expo also features the De Beers Group Institute of tourism products and experi- international pavilions namely Diamonds, in collaboration ences. These achievements are the Indian pavilion with 28 with UNI, is hosting a workshop the result of fruitful cooperation brands and the Turkish pavilion by diamond expert Rachel between various industry with 11 brands. Sahar. partners, headed by QNTC, and Several international Qatar Airways is offering guided by the sustainable brands are participating for the special promotions on fares in development goals charted in first time such as Dolce & Economy and Business Class our Qatar National Vision Gabbana and Nous, included in until the end of March, with the 2030,” he concluded. the Ali Bin Ali Luxury pavilion, aim of attracting visitors from The presence of Indian style De Beers, which will soon open all over the world to enjoy icon and influencer, Sonam its first store in Qatar at Al DJWE. Kapoor, added lustre to the Hazm Mall, and Italian brand The venue can be easily The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, opening event which witnessed Lenore, which will present a accessed from Hamad Interna- touring the 17th edition of the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition after inauguration at the Doha the attendance of ambassadors, collection of bracelets, neck- tional Airport by Doha Metro, Exhibition and Convention Center, yesterday. high-level dignitaries and laces and earrings at the with a direct route from Ter- exhibitors. Kapoor is the face Jawaher Pavilion. The Indian minal 1 to the DECC Metro of QNTC’s promotional cam- Pavilion is expected to launch Station (Red Line), which has paign, titled “Journey into the AYRA jewellery collection direct access to the exhibition Wonder,” which is aired in 16 belonging to Indian jewellery halls. regional and international house Amayra. Running until Saturday, the markets, reaching over 450 A number of limited-edition exhibition is open to visitors million people and furthering pieces were presented yes- daily from 12pm to 10pm, and Qatar as a world-class terday including Swiss from 4pm to 10pm on Friday. 04 HOME TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Shura Council nod to draft law on protecting industrial designs

QNA — DOHA delegation in the Parlia- parliamentary participation mentary hearing at the United in preventing and combating The Shura Council held its Nations headquarters in New terrorism. The office’s head- regular weekly meeting York, held on February 17 to quarters will be in the State yesterday under the chair- 18 under the title (Education of Qatar and its activities will manship of the Speaker, H E as a Key to Peace and Sus- cover the parliaments of Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid tainable Development: world countries. Al Mahmoud. Toward the Implementation Under the Memorandum of At the beginning of the of SDG 4), and on his meetings Understanding, the Doha-based meeting, the Council dis- on the sidelines of the hearing Office of the UN Counter-Ter- cussed the Financial and Eco- with a number of senior offi- rorism Program will provide nomic Affairs Committee’s cials of the United Nations technical assistance and report on a draft law on the and the Inter-Parliamentary training to world parliaments protection of industrial Union. in order to build capacity of par- designs. After discussion, the H E also briefed the liamentarians to better under- Council decided to approve Council on the Memorandum stand and respond to terrorism- the above mentioned draft of Understanding that he related issues. law and referred its recom- signed in New York with the It will also support the mendations thereon to the United Nations, in which the implementation of major ini- esteemed government. Shura Council and the UN tiatives within the framework The Speaker of Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, at the regular weekly At the end of the meeting, enter into direct arrange- of the joint United Nations and meeting, yesterday. the H E the Speaker of the ments to establish the Office Inter-Parliamentary Union Shura Council briefed the of the UN Counter-Terrorism program on the role of parlia- Council on his participation Program, which will be con- ments in countering terrorism to terrorism, and promote a implementation of the UN Strategy and related Security along with the accompanying cerned with the and violent extremism leading balanced and integrated Global Counter-Terrorism Council resolutions. ‘Qatari-Tunisian ties a model of international, Arab cooperation’ QNA — DOHA this distinction in the relationship as well as the desire to work of goods to the Qatari market, the same period in 2018 as the years, which reflects the strength between the two countries and together. and the value of exports of Qatari Qatari business sector witnessed of the relationship and the size of The Ambassador of the State of the two leaderships. Regarding the volume of goods to Tunisia increased by a number of Tunisian busi- cooperation and coordination Qatar to the Tunisian Republic, H E Ambassador Al Humaidi trade and investment exchange 0.87 percent, to settle at 26.14m nessmen visiting Doha to discuss between the two countries, as this H E Saad bin Nasser Al Humaidi, stressed the importance of this between the two countries and Dinars (QR34.54m), after ways to develop economic and visit reflects the general trend of stressed the great importance of visit and the implications of its the most important sectors in exporting more than 8,000 tons trade cooperation between the the State of Qatar to deepen its Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin timing, given the current political which Qatari companies are of goods. two countries. relationship with Tunisia. Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Tunisia, situation in the region, and said active in Tunisia and vice versa, As for the most important H E the Ambassador praised His Excellency clarified that especially since it is that the current situation, His Excellency indicated that the commodities imported from the important role of the private the Qatari-Tunisian relationship H H the Amir’s first visit after the whether in Libya or the region in volume of trade exchanges Tunisia, H E the Ambassador sector, noting that it contributed is considered a model in cooper- election of the Tunisian President, general, requires further deep- between Qatar and Tunisia explained that they are diver- to the multiplication of com- ation due to the success it has H E Kais Saied, and assuming his ening of consultations between recorded, according to the latest sified, which includes dates, olive mercial exchange between Qatar achieved so far on various levels, duties as head of state. Arab leaderships, which is the official statistics issued in 2018, oil, grains, vegetables, acids, and Tunisia by 250 percent, given especially after Qatar affirmed H E the Ambassador said in reason for heading towards a an important growth of 34.52 marine products, building mate- the dynamism that characterized its standing with the Tunisian a statement to QNA that the meeting between the two lead- percent, compared to the same rials, electrical equipment, cables this sector and the confidence of experience, whatever the colour importance of this visit reflects erships, where views will be period in 2017, that exceed 57.73 and aluminum. Meanwhile, Qatar the Qatari side in the quality of of the ruling, so that relationship the keenness of the leadership in exchanged on how to deal with million Dinar, equivalent to exports raw materials, plastic, oil, Tunisian products, along with the has achieved success during the both countries to coordinate various Arab and international QR76.3m now. and aluminum to Tunisia. desire of Tunisian investors to era of former President views and enhance cooperation, issues. He also pointed out that more On the balance of trade develop, which made them Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, as especially as the relationship H E the Ambassador pointed than 12,700 tons of commodities between the two countries, H E occupy a distinguished position well as the era of the late Pres- between Qatar and Tunisia out that it is expected that during were exchanged, attributing this the Ambassador explained the among their Qatari ident, Beji Caid Essebsi. It con- presents a model of cooperation the visit, broad lines of cooper- growth to the increase in Doha’s development in Qatar’s foreign counterparts. tinues with the same strength and not only at the Arab level but also ation between the two countries imports of Tunisian goods since trade with Tunisia has led to a On the reflection of this visit durability with the current pres- at the international level. will be announced on the eco- the beginning of 2018 by 85.8 shift in the trade balance between on the existing cooperation ident, and this visit is a translation His Excellency indicated that nomic and political levels, percent, on an annual basis, to the two countries from a surplus between the two countries in of the depth of this relationship Qatar considers Tunisia an stressing at the same time that it exceed the 31.58m Dinars. in favour of Doha by QR11.78m various fields, His Excellency with Tunisia, the government, the important Arab partner, stressing is an exceptional visit due to the His Excellency added that during the first seven months of stressed that H H the Amir’s visit people, the parties, and organi- that H H the Amir’s visit confirms tangible enthusiasm on both sides Tunisia exported about 4760 tons 2017 to a deficit of QR7.19m for to Tunisia is the third in three zations, he said. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME 05

Al Subaie meets French Minister of Ecology Al Nuaimi meets head of Palestine's anti-graft body

The Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, H E Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, met yesterday with the Head of the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission, Dr. Ahmed The Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, met Barak, and his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their visit to the country. They reviewed yesterday with the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France, H E Élisabeth Borne. the areas of legal and legislative cooperation between Qatar and Palestine, along with a number During the meeting, ways of enhancing cooperation between Qatar and France in the environmental of issues of common concern. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Palestine to Qatar, field were discussed, especially through the exchange of experiences and information in the field H E Munir Ghannam. Dr. Ahmed Barak and his accompanying delegation also met the President of of environmental protection and biological diversity. The meeting was attended by Ambassador of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation, H E Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Qatar to France, H E Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani. Al Hassan Al Mohannadi. Amir’s visit confirms distinguished Qatar-Tunisia ties: Envoy QNA — DOHA message that reflects Qatar’s Tunisia’s responsibility as the He expressed his aspiration by the two countries, due to the ago and is an addition to the La permanent support for Tunisia only Arab member in the UN for this official visit to be an absence of a maritime line Cigale Tabarka hotel, as well as The Ambassador of the Republic and stresses the importance of Security Council, the consul- occasion to enhance coordi- linking the two countries and the tourist resort in Gammarth of Tunisia to the State of Qatar, bilateral relations as well as the tation is expected to witness nation and consultation the high cost of air freight. He district of Tunis, which is cur- H E Sami Al Saidi, stressed the two countries keenness to con- greater momentum to serve just between the two countries and added that efforts is being done rently being implemented with importance of the official visit tinuously consolidate and causes and seek solutions to give additional impetus to eco- with the Qatari side to accel- investments estimated at about by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin enhance all areas of cooper- regional disputes tearing apart nomic and investment partner- erate the linking of Tunisia to $200m. Hamad Al Thani to Tunisia and ation both in the political and the Arab nation, he added. ships to renew support for the one of shipping lines of Qatar H E the Tunisian Ambas- its role in strengthening rela- economic fields. H E the Tunisian Ambas- democratic and economic tran- Airways or create a direct mar- sador stressed that Qatar still tions between the two countries He pointed out that Qatar sador noted the important sition in Tunisia, with a view to itime line between the two maintains its position as one of and pushing bilateral cooper- has been and continues to developments witnessed in the upgrading distinguished coop- countries. the largest investors in Tunisia, ation to broader fields and support the aspirations of the bilateral relations between the eration to the level of solidarity H E the Ambassador pointed where its investments are horizons. Tunisian people and has, since two countries at all levels, espe- and effective partnership. out that Qatar is one of Tuni- managed through Qatari com- In a press conference, H E the revolution, been supportive cially after the Tunisian revo- In this context, he said that sia’s most important interna- panies or joint capital that the Ambassador said that H H to Tunisia politically and eco- lution. He praised the deep- the Qatari exports to Tunisia tional partners in the financial include the fields of communi- the Amir’s visit to Tunisia con- nomically, adding it is expected rooted relations and the doubled six times during the and investment field, as the size cations, tourism and services, firms the exceptional nature of that the visit of H H the Amir steadfast will of the leadership period from 2011 to 2019, while of the Qatari investment in as these investments have pro- the distinguished relations would give a new impetus for in the two countries to make the Tunisian exports to Qatar Tunisia in 2018 reached about vided 2524 jobs for Tunisians. between Tunisia and Qatar, political and economic part- such relations a model, adding doubled 10 times during the QR4bn in the telecommunica- Also, H E spoke about the especially that it comes a few nership between the two it is normal that the level of con- same period as the value of tions sectors through Ooredoo support that Tunisia received months after the election of countries. sultation between them remains Qatari exports to Tunisia and the banks through Qatar from Qatar, especially at the Tunisian President, H E Kais H E the Ambassador pointed high, especially in light of the amounted to about QR85 National Bank, which owns 35 International Conference on Saied and assuming his duties out that the visit will be an current regional challenges that million in 2019, and the value branches in Tunisia and has Supporting the Economy and as head of state. opportunity for consultation, cast a shadow on security and of Tunisian exports to Qatar stakes in the Tunisian Zitouna Investment in Tunisia in 2016, He added that H H the discussion and coordination on development in the Arab region, reached QR85 million in 2019. Bank and the Zitouna Takaful which was announced by H H Amir’s visit to Tunisia is the first many regional issues, especially pointing out that appreciation He added that these figures, in the amount of 370m dinars. the Amir, where Qatar provided for an Arab leader after the given the important role played has long characterized the rela- even if they refer to develop- He indicated that the last Qatari financial support to Tunisia Tunisian presidential elections, by Qatar on the regional and tions between the leadership of ments in the volume of trade investment in Tunisia was the worth $1.25bn, of which $250m and it is the third visit His international arenas thanks to the two countries that trans- exchange and distinguished opening of the desert resort in financed a number of devel- Highness is paying to his its soft and active diplomacy lated into practical measures to economic relations between the Tozeur region in southern opment projects through the country within three years, and its mediation efforts in strengthen the bonds of broth- two countries, but remain Tunisia with a value of $80m, Qatar Fund for Development adding it is an important many disputes. In view of erhood and cooperation. below the desired level sought which was opened two months (QFFD). 06 HOME TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Health Minister inaugurates new HMC Transport Department building

THE PENINSULA — DOHA HMC's Transport — transporting staff to meetings Department has a both on campus and around The Minister of Public Health, Qatar,” said Rashid Saleh M A H E Dr Hanan Mohammed Al team of 383 drivers Al Marri, Assistant Executive Kuwari, inaugurated the new who transport Director of Hospitality headquarters of Hamad Medical (Transport). Corporation’s (HMC) Transport staff, visitors, and “The team works around the Department yesterday. guests between clock to ensure staff, visitors, The purpose-built head- HMC’s network of 12 and guests using the service can quarters, located near the Sur- access safe and efficient gical Specialty Center, will hospitals as well as transportation. enable the Department to better other facilities. "The Transport Department serve HMC’s complex and has grown to more than 383 growing transportation needs. drivers to accommodate the During the event, Dr Al changing needs of the organi- Kuwari toured the new building Hospital, Qatar Rehabilitation sation. Our new headquarters along with senior officials and Institute, and Al Khor Hospital, will enable our department to dignitaries from HMC. The new and there are plans to expand further serve HMC’s objectives,” The Minister of Public Health, H E Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, during the inauguration of the new facility includes VIP waiting to other locations. The added Al Marri. headquarters for HMC’s Transport Department, yesterday. areas, a dedicated call center for Department manages and mon- As part of the inauguration, the Department, a majlis, and itors a total of 650 vehicles Dr Al Kuwari also launched the administration offices. department with one of the moving safely and efficiently,” guests between HMC’s network through its Global Positioning Department’s new online “HMC’s Transport highest representations of said Hamad Al Khalifa, HMC’s of 12 hospitals as well as other System (GPS). booking system which will Department provides vital Qatari employees. The transport Chief of Healthcare Facilities. facilities. “More than 60 requests are enable staff to book journeys to transport services for staff, HMC team delivers an essential A team of 383 drivers The Transport Department made to the Transport meetings and other essential visitors, and guests. It is also a service that helps keep HMC transport staff, visitors, and also has satellite offices at Heart Department each day business trips with ease. Ministry of Culture, MME sign agreement Malaysia woos Qatari travel market to hold cultural activities at public parks RAYNALD C RIVERA to travellers in the country. THE PENINSULA Qatar Airways currently QNA — DOHA operates 21 flights from Doha to Tourism Malaysia organised a Kuala Lumpur, five flights from The Ministry of Culture and roadshow in Doha, highlighting Doha to Penang and five flights Sports, and the Ministry of Qatar as an important market for from Doha to Langkawi per Municipality and Environment Malaysia’s booming tourism week. Together, the flights have signed yesterday a cooperation industry. Held in partnership the capacity to cater to more than agreement on using public with Qatar Airways, the travel 9,000 passengers weekly. parks to hold various activities trade event was organised on The roadshow also sup- targeting all groups of society Sunday at Westin Doha Hotel ported the objectives of the Visit to spread the local culture. and Spa to further strengthen Malaysia 2020 initiative, which Director of the Arts Malaysia’s appeal as destination aims to attract more than 30 Department at Culture and Arts for travellers in Qatar. million tourists and KD 7.4 billion Mohamad Shahir Sabarudin, Charge Department of the Ministry of Speaking at the event, in tourist receipts. d’Affaires at the Malaysian Embassy Culture and Sports, Faisal Al Mohamad Shahir Sabarudin, Also presented at the event Suwaidi, said that the signing Charge d’Affaires at the in Qatar, speaking at the event. was the Malaysia Year of Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the Ministry of this agreement comes within Malaysian Embassy in Qatar, Healthcare Travel 2020 cam- of Municipality and Environment signing the agreement. the framework of the Ministry’s underscored Qatar as an Malaysia delegation comprising paign, which celebrates health keenness to cooperate with the important market, saying it was hotels and resorts, travel agents, and active lifestyle and is various State institutions to competitions and various activ- reach all spectrums and groups selected among few countries in tourism product owners, and rep- expected to play an important deliver public benefit to all ities throughout the year. of society. He said the Ministry the region to host the roadshow. resentatives from Langkawi role in achieving the country’s sectors of society; preserve the Al Sada noted that the two of Municipality and Envi- “Qatar represents a land of Development Authority (LADA) ambitious visitor targets. national heritage; spread the sides are represented by each ronment is a strategic partner opportunity for the Malaysian and Penang Global Tourism (PGT) The Middle East is a key Qatari culture and highlight its of the Department of Culture of various institutions. tourism industry, and we are met with local industry represent- market for Malaysia, which was characteristics; and continue to and Arts at the Ministry of He pointed out that the delighted to organise this event atives at the event with the goal named the number one desti- implement its strategies. Culture and Sports and the agreement between the two in Qatar to showcase our of promoting Malaysia’s tourism nation for Muslim travellers from Assistant Director of Public Department of Public Parks at ministries comes within a series impressive line-up of tourism offerings and highlighting the 2011 to 2019 by Singapore-based Parks Department at the Min- the Ministry of Municipality and of partnerships that took place offerings to the local travel trade. latest attractions ahead of the Crescent Rating, the world’s istry of Municipality and Envi- Environment, and the memo- between them before, in which As a Muslim-majority country, upcoming holidays seasons. leading authority on Halal Travel. ronment, Mohamed Ibrahim Al randum of joint cooperation cooperation in many aspects our shared cultural ties make Qatar Airways, PGT, LADA Total tourist arrivals from Sada, explained that the signing includes many items that will was aimed at spreading the Malaysia one of Southeast Asia’s and Malaysia Healthcare Travel West Asia stood at 309,224 in of the cooperation agreement determine the role of both sides local culture and communi- most visitor-friendly destinations Council presented the diverse 2019. A total of 4,089 tourists with the Ministry of Culture and in the agreement, indicating cating with the youth category for travellers from the Middle range of exciting experiences and from Qatar visited Malaysia last Sports comes within the Min- that the activation of the through various activities. East. We are confident that this new tourism products available year. istry of Municipality and Envi- agreement will be an exper- Abbas also pointed out that roadshow will further strengthen ronment’s keenness to iment through the estab- there will be more such agree- business ties and inspire more strengthen relations and lishment of a number of events ments with the Ministry of people from Qatar to discover support means of cooperation in Dahl Al Hamam Park, and Culture and Sports in the future. our wonderful country,” he said. in all fields, including the then the experiment will be He said the establishment Sabarudin underlined the spread of cultural awareness to generalised to the rest of the of events as a first experience strong and strategic bilateral highlight and preserve the cul- parks. in the Dahl Al Hamam Park will relations between Qatar and tural heritage in implemen- Head of Doha Municipality’s be followed by putting the Malaysia as shown by the fre- tation of the Qatar National gardens section, Mohamed experience subject to evalu- quent of exchange of high-level Vision 2030. Abdulla Abbas, mentioned that ation to monitor its pros and visits by the leaders of the two He also noted that this the Ministry of Municipality and cons so that the cons are cor- countries. He praised the wise agreement includes allocating Environment has been regu- rected when generalising in the policy of Qatar under the wise a corner in Dahl Al Hamam larly supporting efforts of all rest of the parks, noting that leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Park in Doha to be a site for the State bodies that aim to provide there are approximately 40 Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and heritage village that the Min- their services to society, parks that will be coordinated his efforts to bring the two coun- Participants during a B2B session at Malaysia Tourism Roadshow istry of Culture and Sports will knowing that public parks are in order for activities to be acti- tries closer. 2020 held in Doha on Sunday. PICS: ABDUL BASIT/THE PENINSULA enrich with festivals, events, an ideal way by all parties to vated in the best way. An eight-member Tourism Mercury to pass between Sun and Earth tomorrow

QNA — DOHA

The smallest planet in the solar system “Mercury” will be at inferior conjunction with the Sun, as it will pass between the Sun and Earth on the morning of Wednesday at 4:38am Doha local time, according to the Qatar Calendar House (QCH). Astronomer expert at QCH, Dr. Beshir Marzouk, said the inferior conjunction of Mercury is a very important astronomical phenomenon because it is an indicator to Mercury transition to dis- appear on an evening sky over western horizon after sunset, to appear on the morning sky over eastern horizon before sunrise. Moreover, the inferior con- junction phenomenon occurs only for two planets of our solar system planets (Mercury and Venus); because they orbit around the sun are inside Earth's orbit. Dr. Bashir Marzouk added that if the centre of the three celestial objects (the Sun, Mercury, and the Earth) be aligned on a straight line during the phenomenon of the inferior conjunction of Mercury, then the inhabitants of the Earth will be able to see Mercury as it passes in front of the Sun’s disk. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME 07 QCAC honours winners of Alliance of Civilization Award

QNA — DOHA Education, H E Dr. Ibrahim bin H E Dr. Al Hammadi indicated Saleh Al Nuaimi, and Secretary- that the Qatar Alliance of Civi- The Qatari Committee for the General of Qatar National Com- lization Award, which will be Alliance of Civilization (QCAC) mission for Education, Culture centred on migration, will be at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Science, Dr. Hamda Hassan presented next month. and the Qatar National Al Sulaiti. For her part, Secretary- Commission for Education, In his speech at the General of the Qatar National Culture and Science held beginning of the ceremony, Commission for Education, yesterday, a ceremony H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Culture and Science said that the honouring the winners of Hammadi, said that the award distinction of the award for 2019 Alliance of Civilization Award is granted to two categories in terms of the number of par- in its second edition for the year within three levels, where it is ticipants, which reached 32 2019, at the headquarters of the granted to individuals and stu- student research and 13 school Diplomatic Institute. dents, as well as to distinguished files, along with its quality in The honouring ceremony educational institutions in the terms of selecting topics and sci- The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of Qatar Committee for was held under the patronage field of implementing activities, entific tools for research, and the the Alliance of Civilizations, H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, with other officials, honouring a of the Deputy Prime Minister programmes and initiatives that richness of the general content winner of the Alliance of Civilization Award. and Minister of Foreign Affairs, enhance the values and con- of the research. H E Sheikh Mohammed bin cepts of the Alliance of The results of the judging Centre as a model.’ Marri from Aisha Bint Abi Bakr Bayan Secondary Independent Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the Civilizations. processes at the level of student Turki Faisal Abdulaziz from Secondary School for Girls came School for Girls came in first Secretary-General of the Min- H E Dr. Al Hammadi indi- research resulted in a first place Hassan Bin Thabit Independent in third for her research entitled place, Qatar Banking Studies & istry of Foreign Affairs and cated that the Alliance of Civi- victory for Mohammed Abdulla Secondary School was in second ‘The role of education in pro- Business Administration Inde- Deputy Chairman of Qatar Com- lisations is today one of the most Malazhi of the Religious Institute place for his research entitled moting civilized dialogue.’ pendent School for Girls was mittee for the Alliance of Civili- important tools for soft Secondary Independent School ‘The role of education in devel- On the level of distinguished second, and Al Shifaa Bint Abdul zations, H E Dr. Ahmed bin diplomacy that contribute to for his research entitled ‘Qatar’s oping trends and skills of civili- schools, which have initiatives, Rahman Al Ansaria School for Hassan Al Hammadi, as well as promoting peaceful coexistence pioneering role in promoting zational dialogue for secondary activities and programs that Girls and Rawda Bent Undersecretary of the Ministry between different nations and civilized dialogue through dia- students in the State of Qatar.’ enhance the values of the Mohammed Secondary School of Education and Higher peoples. At the end of his speech, logue and debate - QatarDebate Meanwhile, Wijdan Rashid Al Alliance of Civilizations, Al for Girls shared third place. QF’s Tariq Bin Ziad School opens today FAZEENA SALEEM “But there was a decision by the THE PENINSULA Private Engineering Office under the Amiri Diwan to rebuild the school Tariq Bin Ziad School of Qatar Foun- with the old design like in 60’s,” said dation (QF), which provides bilingual Al Romaihi. education blended with a unique “At present, the school has two curriculum deeply rooted in Qatari campuses, different sport fields for heritage, will officially open today. football, tennis and basketball, spe- The school with a strong legacy cialized learning spaces and labs. of excellence dating back several And in 2019, Tariq Bin Ziad School decades, was previously run by the became part of QF,” she added. Amiri Diwan, was brought under the According to Al Romaihi, the QF’s umbrella of Pre-University school has a huge demand, espe- Education (PUE) from the 2019-20 cially from alumni to recruit their academic year. children because of the school’s Amal bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, CEO of QFSW, and Dr. Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, “Tariq Bin Ziad School is of legacy in the past. President of CCQ, exchanging documents after signing the MoU. national importance to Qatar, having “We keep the legacy and her- graduated many of the country’s past itage of the old school with new Maha Al Romaihi, Director, Tariq Bin QFSW, CCQ sign MoU on cooperation and present leaders. Recently, the Ziad School facilities and curriculum. We have school has been equipped with new, literal integration of heritage through advanced facilities, and is now posi- the curriculum,” said Al Romaihi. in human and social development tioned as Qatar’s leading bilingual Telling the history behind Tariq “For example, if the English school with a strong focus on Arabic Bin Ziad School which is situated in teacher introduces an informative THE PENINSULA — DOHA purposes. In addition, this partnership is language, culture, and heritage,” Al Saad area in Doha, Al Romaihi text to students she will introduce a established to achieve QFSW’s mission Maha Al Romaihi, Director, Tariq Bin said, “It is one of the oldest schools text about old ships in Qatar or tra- Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) through cooperation in exchanging expe- Ziad School, told The Peninsula. and it opened in 1962. It was one of ditional jewelry in Qatar. The math signed a Memorandum of Understanding riences, research, studies and data which “The school offers a bilingual co- the three boys schools in Doha which teacher will use material from Qatari (MoU) with the Community College of Qatar support the goals of MoU in full compliance educational Primary Years Pro- opened with one teacher and seven environment such as dry limes or (CCQ), to define the horizons of consoli- with the governing laws and regulations of gramme that follows the Interna- students.” seashells for counting,” she added. dation as part of its belief in establishing a both sides. tional Baccalaureate curriculum, “In 90’s the school had some Also literature taught at Tariq Bin confident society that with values and Amal bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, CEO of with additional elements that reflect 700 students and was known as one Ziad School is based on local envi- positive behavior. the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, the enduring importance of Qatar’s of the best schools in Qatar for boys. ronment or heritage and written by The MoU was signed by Amal bint enunciated her aspirations to benefit from heritage,” she added. The school presented innovation in Qatari writers. Abdullatif Al Mannai, CEO of the Qatar the distinguished capabilities of the Com- Classes commenced in August education, it was known for excel- “We have a full invasive lan- Foundation for Social Work, and Dr. munity College of Qatar in its specialisation. 2019, and the school caters to stu- lence,” she said. guage model of teaching in the Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Pres- Hopefully, this MoU can be able to serve dents from Pre-3 to Grade 1. The The school was closed in 2004 classroom. Two teachers together ident of the Community College of Qatar, the goals of the Foundation and its affil- school will add one grade each year to be rebuilt as a new independent teach collaboratively in Arabic and during a ceremony held at the QFSW’s iated centres in the various domains of until Grade 5. At present it has 156 school during the time of educational English at the same time,” said Al premise and in the presence of a group of social work, she noted. students reforms took place in the country. Romaihi. dignitaries of the Foundation and all the Dr. Mohamed Al Naemi, CCQ President, Explaining the teaching method, directors of its affiliated centers. said: “Today’s MOU marks the beginning she said, “When the English teacher This partnership aims at bolstering civil of a promising partnership that will explains math , the Arabic teacher society organisations and centres that combine the forces of both entities for an will sit with students and explain in operate under the umbrella of Qatar Foun- even greater positive social impact. CCQ is Arabic. So students learn the math dation for Social Work, upgrading and honored to partner with the QFSW and help concept in native Arabic and in developing programmes that contribute to support its noble aim of making meaningful English. While, the Arabic teacher is the advancement of these centres to realise contributions to Qatari society through its explaining five pillars in Islam, the their goals of association and serve their support of civil society organisations.” English teacher will explain it in English.” “The most unique thing about teaching is that two teachers will be teaching in Arabic and English the A leading publishing house is same lesson. So students learn in both English and Arabic. This inno- looking for an experienced vative teaching method has made Tariq Bin Ziad School offers a bilingual co-educational Primary Years Programme. very positive impact on students,” said Al Romaihi. Graphic Designer Porsche 911 MUN Conference concludes at model of 2020 Georgetown University in Qatar Qualifications recalled P Should be proficient in Photoshop, InDesign and QNA — DOHA Education (WISE), a global think Illustrator THE PENINSULA — DOHA tank of the Qatar Foundation, Georgetown University in Qatar delivered the keynote address at P Ability to design advertisements The Ministry of Commerce and concluded its 15th Model United the conference. “It is always Industry, in cooperation with Nations Program (MUN) that was inspiring to engage with young P Ability to meet strict deadlines Porsche Centre Doha Al Boraq held under the theme: The North- people who are so committed to P Ability to work independently Automobiles, dealer of Porsche in South Divide: Authority, making the world a better place,” Qatar, announced the recall of Inequality, and Interventionism. he said, adding: “The Georgetown P Five-year experience in similar field Porsche 911 model of 2020 over a The conference was attended MUN is a powerful introduction malfunction in the software by over 330 students from local to the concepts of international P Previous experience in newspapers preferred programming of the control unit in and international schools. Over cooperation and compromise, and the front centre console. the course of the 4-day con- teaches the critical lesson that it The recall campaign comes ference, high school delegates is only by working together to Duties and responsibilities within the framework of the Min- from 32 schools in Qatar and 10 confront the challenges facing us P Design and lay out magazines, istry’s continuous efforts to protect schools from around the world that we can find solutions for consumers and ensure that car tackled real issues facing the tomorrow.” newspapers and supplements dealers follow up on vehicle defects global community today, including Jibin Koshy, the Educational P Work with advertising and marketing coordi- and repairs. de-escalation of US-Iran tensions, Enrichment Manager at GU-Q, The Ministry said that it will the Sudanese uprising, immi- added that “MUN is a wonderful nators to design advertisements for clients coordinate with the dealer to follow gration policies, climate change platform for students to get out P Work on special marketing projects as needed up on the maintenance and repair refugees, cyber-warfare, and the of their comfort zone. Students works and will communicate with relocation of the US Embassy to learn diplomacy, negotiation, customers to ensure that they Jerusalem. critical thinking, and public carried out the necessary repairs. The programme also included speaking skills - all of which are Qualified candidates are The Ministry urged all cus- a Culture Night to celebrate the foundational skills for high school tomers to report any violations to visiting students’ cultures and tra- students in their developmental invited to send their CVs to: its Consumer Protection and Anti- ditions, followed by the closing years. Initiatives like these aid in Commercial Fraud Department, ceremony on the final day. the holistic development of a which processes complaints, Stavros Yiannouka, the CEO of student for university level [email protected] inquires and suggestions. the World Innovation Summit for success and beyond.” 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020

Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected] EDITORIAL Qatari-Tunisian relations...steady growth, model fraternal partnership

Setting milestones in ties QNA — DOHA and investment. assisting them in various stages THE bilateral relations between Qatar and the Republic The two nations are bound of designing and implementing of Tunisia strengthened further with the arrival of Amir Following a successful visit to the with strong ties of constructive projects. There is also the H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in capital Tunis Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and fruitful cooperation based on Tunisian-Qatari Forum, and the yesterday. H H the Amir’s visit to Tunisia reflects the the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin deep and varied historical rela- Qatari-Tunisian Economic strength of the relationship and the size of cooper- Hamad Al Thani yesterday began tions of mutual respect. The State Forum, which reflect the ation and coordination between the two countries. an official visit to the Republic of of Qatar praises the democratic keenness of the two parties to This is H H the Amir’s first visit after the election of Tunisia, the second leg of His model in Tunisia and always raise economic and commercial Tunisian President, H E Kais Saied and assuming his Highness’ Arab tour, which also affirms its support for the relations to high levels that allow duties as head of state. includes the People’s Democratic brotherly Tunisian people. opening of new fields of part- Tunisia is the second leg of H H the Amir’s Arab Republic of Algeria. Bilateral relations are a model of nership between them, in order tour after a successful and fruitful visit to the Hashemite H H the Amir and President successful and advanced relations to support and enhance bilateral Kingdom of Jordan. The tour also includes People’s H E Kais Saied held an official on the Arab level, as Qatar ranks cooperation, and push the pace Democratic Republic of Algeria. talks session at Carthage Presi- first Arab and second World of trade exchange between Qatar’s relations with Tunisia have been steadily dential Palace in Tunis. country in terms of direct invest- Tunisia and Qatar. growing over the years. The two countries are bound Talks during the session per- ments in Tunisia, with Over USD 3 Qatar attracts thousands of with strong ties of cooperation in many fields. Qatar tained to the close bilateral rela- billion invested in the sectors of Tunisian talents and provides them is all praise for the democratic model in Tunisia and tions between the two countries telecommunication, banking and jobs opportunities in all economic, has always supported Tunisian people. Qatar ranks In the opening and means to develop these rela- tourism to name a few, which is educational, social and sports fields. as the first Arab and the second country in the world session of the tions in all fields in addition to a evidence of the depth of the The number of members of the in terms of direct investments in Tunisia, with more number of regional and interna- inherent relations between the Tunisian community in the Qatar than $3bn invested in telecommunication, banking conference, tional issues of common concern. two brotherly countries. exceeds 26,000. and tourism sectors, among others. H H the Amir During the talks session, the These relations have signifi- The Qatari private sector and Ambassador of Qatar to Tunisian Republic, H E two sides discussed ways to cantly progressed during the past the Tunisian economy partic- Saad bin Nasser Al Humaidi, said Qatar considers delivered a enhance cooperation between the years, and the visit of the Amir H ipate through large investments Tunisia an important Arab partner, stressing that H H speech in which two brotherly countries, espe- H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al- in vital sectors there, such as the Amir’s visit confirms this distinction in the rela- he announced cially in the fields of economy, Thani to Tunisia and his personal tourism, banking, and others. tionship between the two countries and the two lead- investment, security and defense, attendance at the International Qatari Diar’s project, Anantara erships. The volume of trade exchanges between Qatar that the State as the two sides agreed to create Conference to Support the Tozeur Resort, is one of the and Tunisia recorded an impressive growth of 34.52 of Qatar will an effective mechanism to accel- Economy and Investment held in development projects funded in percent in 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, direct $1.25bn erate the pace of work between November 2016, had a great the framework of the Tunisian- that exceed QR76.3m. the two countries within the Joint impact in giving a new impetus to Qatari financial and investment On Sunday, H H the Amir’s visit to the Hashemite to support Higher Committee, in order to the relations between the two cooperation, it is the most luxu- Kingdom of Jordan opened a new page of ties between Tunisia’s overcome all difficulties facing brotherly countries, especially for rious and best ten tourist resorts the two countries. H H the Amir and H M King Abdullah economy and everything that would strengthen economic and investment coop- across the world, and the first in II bin Al Hussein held official talks and expressed sat- and develop relations in various eration. In the opening session of Africa. The most important isfaction with the growth of bilateral ties, and stressed strengthen its fields. the conference, H H the Amir Tunisian exports to Qatar are their commitment to advancing it further in all fields. development The talks also dealt with a delivered a speech in which he olive oil, agricultural products, The two sides stressed the importance of activating path. number of regional and interna- announced that the State of Qatar milk and fish, drilling rig the Qatar-Jordanian Supreme Joint Committee and tional issues of common concern will direct USD 1.25 billion to equipment, chemicals, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, infra- to the two countries, most support Tunisia’s economy and cables, while Qatari exports to structure, and higher education. importantly the latest develop- strengthen its development path. Tunisia are chemicals, petro- H H the Amir directed the creation of 10,000 job ments of the Palestinian Cause Relations between the two chemicals and aluminum. opportunities in Qatar for Jordanian nationals, in and the Libyan crisis. The two countries have been Tunisia is full of promising addition to the 10,000 job opportunities that were sides stressed the importance of strengthened over the years economic and investment oppor- announced in August 2018, the opening of a center in promoting joint Arab action. through mutual visits by senior tunities, and has everything that Jordan to facilitate the process, and the support of H H the Amir’s visit to Tunisia officials of both sides, among the attracts foreign investment due the Jordanian military retirement fund with $30m. The is a translation of the common most prominent and most recent to the availability of infra- University of Jordan will provide a number of academic desire to push forwards and are the visits of H H the Amir to structure, administrative facil- courses under Lusail University’s umbrella, in addition strengthen bilateral relations and Tunisia, in April 2014, and ities, and tax exemptions. to the exchange of expertise and training that will be develop cooperation between November 2016, and the visit of Investment opportunities are carried as part of the preparations for hosting the FIFA the two countries towards new the late Tunisian President Beji concentrated in the agricultural 2022 World Cup in Qatar. horizons in a way that serves the Caid Essebsi to Doha in May sector, which is based on large interests of both sides as well as 2016. The agreements and mem- areas of land ready for planting, the interests and aspirations of oranda of understanding signed especially in the field of bio- the two brotherly nations. between the two countries logical agriculture. Among the The Qatari-Tunisian relations exceeds more than eighty, cov- most promising investment are outstanding for being deep, ering the political, diplomatic, sectors are the food industries, D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR steadily growing and enjoying economic, industrial, com- aquaculture and the renewable mercial, banking, health, agricul- energy sector, such as wind and EMAIL: [email protected] high momentum in coordination, cooperation and exchange of tural, technical, media, cultural, solar energy, and the industrial visits at all levels. The visit of H H tourism and air transport fields, sector, especially the mechanical EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 the Amir to Tunisia and the talks the prevention of double tax- industries that are experiencing FAX: +974 4455 7758 that will take place during it will ation, the judicial, endowment remarkable growth. The mining certainly enhance the brotherly and Islamic affairs sectors, public sector, as the north and south- MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 relations between the two coun- works and environmental pro- western regions of Tunisia are tries, allow more opportunities tection, and combating pollution, rich in mining resources of phos- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 for utilizing the capabilities of the Information technology and phate, limestone and marble. The two countries to push forward vocational training, oil refining, tourism sector, as Tunisia is rich LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 the level of cooperation to serve real estate investment, and the in tourism resources such as their interests and achieve their use of Tunisian workers in Qatar. archeological sites, natural BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 aspirations within the The Tunisian-Qatari Supreme reserves, cultural heritage, framework of the existing under- Joint Committee is considered charming nature and picturesque SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 standing between them and the the most important joint mech- beaches. convergence of their visions anism responsible for developing Tunisia is pursuing clear ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 regarding their common bilateral and coordinating cooperation diplomacy based on all the tradi- email: [email protected] issues, Arab and Islamic region relations between the two coun- tional diplomacy through issues and regional issues. The tries. Silatech is also funding channels of communication and PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 visit is also expected to constitute several projects there. The Qatar frameworks for cooperation with email: [email protected] an opportunity to assess the Friendship Fund in Tunisia, foreign countries to serve the various aspects of bilateral coop- which was established in 2013, is country’s economy in terms of ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 eration and the outcome of what considered one of the institutions searching for new markets for FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] has been accomplished and that support the Tunisian the Tunisian product, attracting achieved on this track, especially economy through its partner- businessmen and foreign institu- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 in the economic, commercial and ships with Tunisian institutions tions to invest in Tunisia, as well email: [email protected] financial sectors, or in matters with the aim of providing as promoting the Tunisian tourist related to the field of partnership funding for Tunisian youth and destination in all its types. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar These (American-Israeli) maps that violate UN resolutions cannot be transformed into a fait /Peninsula_Qatar accompli, and the only map that can be recognised and dealt with is the map of the state of Palestine on /ThePeninsulaNewspaper the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. +974 6698 6188 Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Palestinian Presidential Spokesman TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME 09

QA celebrates another year as 7th QIBS to begin on March 18 Official Airline Sponsor of H H Khaled Essa Al Mannai said that the the Amir Sword Festival 2020 show will connect THE PENINSULA — DOHA partnership is just one more the world’s most example of our commitment to privileged yacht and Qatar Airways was delighted to bringing people together be the Official Airline Sponsor through sport. There will be boat manufacturers, of the H H the Amir Sword numerous exciting events service providers, local Festival for yet another year. coming to Qatar soon, so stay dealers, suppliers and The festival brought some spec- tuned for more information.” tacular performance from all More than 25 horses from potential buyers. participants together with some all over the world were flown of the world’s finest thor- to Doha on board Qatar Airways oughbred and Arabian horses Cargo freighters via the carrier’s THE PENINSULA — DOHA who competed for the esteemed QR Live services. The cargo H H the Amir Sword title. carrier provides world-class The premier luxury 7th Qatar Qatar Airways cabin crew service for the transportation of International Boat Show (QIBS) Officials during a press conference to announce the 7th Qatar International Boat Show at The Pearl-Qatar. were present at the Main Draw horses on board its modern fleet will be held from March 18 to 21 on February 20 at Qatar of Boeing 747-8, Boeing 777 and in Porto Arabia, award-winning exhibition of the luxury yachts world’s most privileged yacht Khaled Al Mannai invited National Museum and presented Airbus A330 freighters, with marina at The Pearl-Qatar. with consistence,” said Al and boat manufacturers, service regional luxury lifestyle products the winners’ trophies at the controlled temperature zones, The announcement was Mannai. providers, local dealers, suppliers manufacturers and traders to award ceremonies on the fol- comfortable and spacious horse made by Khaled Essa Al Mannai, The press conference was and potential buyers in an take benefit of the annual Qatar lowing days. The event was free stalls, and seats for grooms on Chairman Al Mannai Plus Events, attended by Adel Salem, Com- exclusive B2B and B2C platform International Boat Show for for everyone who wished to board the freighters. The the organisers of the sole luxury mercial and Retail Property to showcase the latest products showcasing their products and attend and enjoy the thrilling animals are well looked after on yacht exhibition in Qatar at a Director, United Development and services in the marine services. races. the ground as well to ensure the press conference recently held Company; Adel Al Mohannadi, industry and other luxury Dr. Loay Dalis, CEO, QIBS, Qatar Airways Group Chief finest comfort and welfare at Hotel Intercontinental Doha General Manager, Ronautica products. said that there is an increase of Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, throughout their entire journey. City. Middle East; Ali Al Kuwari, Vice He said that where the event 100 percent in the exhibition area said: “Qatar Airways is proud to The state-of-the-art Live “In spite of ongoing illegal President Milaha Trading; provides a single shopping from 6,000sqm to 12,000sqm have sponsored the H H the Animal Centre at Hamad Inter- blocked of Qatar since over two Mohamed Al Yafei, Head of window to the luxury lifestyle comparing to 2019 because of the Amir’s Sword Festival that national Airport offers a spa- years and a half, and the cancel- Public Sector, Vodafone Qatar; enthusiasts of the region, it pre- large demand and expected showcased impressive fortitude cious 4,200 square metre air- lation of some of the prestigious Seran Gheorghe, General serve century’s old relationship increase in participating exhib- and effort from all the partici- conditioned live animal facility international boat shows in dif- Manager, Qatar Sotheby’s Inter- of the natives with the sea in itors including traders from the pants. It is a privilege to promote with special features including ferent regions across the world national Reality; and Loay Dalis, addition to its role in positioning high-end lifestyle products a contest with healthy compet- dedicated holding areas for due to various reasons, we in CEO, Qatar International Boat Qatar as a regional hub for sector. He said that there was an itive practices that is open to all. various animals, horse stalls, Qatar by the grace of Almighty Show 2020. luxury, highly skilled crafts- increase of 58 percent in the par- We are constantly aiming to 24/7 dedicated expert animal God are still able to sustain and Khaled Essa Al Mannai said manship and most modern boats ticipating companies, from 35 in boost our global sporting spon- health care services, as well as in organising the seventh annual that the show will connect the and marine related accessories. 2017 to 55 companies in 2019. sorship portfolio, and this a walking yard and paddock. QNL presents conservation training course in Levant THE PENINSULA — DOHA which focused on preserving to preserving historical items. the legacy of Eastern Churches. Stephane Ipert, Preser- Experts from libraries, cultural The primary focus of the vation and Conservation institutions and museums from first two days was technical Manager at the Library, said, across the Levant participated photography. Conservators take “We are delighted that experts in a four-day training a collection of images using a from across the Levant region programme, recently organised modified digital camera and dif- attended the workshop and by Qatar National Library in ferent lighting sources and learned about the latest devel- Jounieh, Lebanon, in cooper- filters, with each image pro- opments and tools for pre- ation with the Holy Spirit viding unique information serving historical manuscripts. University of Kaslik and the Beit about the object under It was an excellent and very Gazo Center. examination. rewarding four days for eve- Participants of the training programme pose for a group photo. The training programme, The identification of pig- ryone involved.” “Practical Methods for the Sci- ments in manuscripts and “The training will certainly entific Examination of Library paintings with a portable be of benefit to conservators Fr Dr. Joseph Moukarzel, Director of Beit Gazo Center, related to spectroscopy and Objects,” was presented by the device that uses reflectance and preservation professionals Director of Library and said: “We are happy to host this colour, and their relevance in Library in its role as the Inter- spectroscopy technology involved with the important Museum at the Holy Spirit Uni- workshop in Lebanon, and we the field of technical exami- national Federation of Library engaged participants on day role of conserving valuable doc- versity of Kaslik, said: “This have learned valuable infor- nation of documents, manu- Associations and Institutions three. The program concluded uments and manuscripts that workshop provided partici- mation about the use of modern scripts and books.” (IFLA) Regional Preservation on day four with practical capture the heritage of the pants with the knowledge nec- technologies in conserving, As the IFLA Regional PAC and Conservation Center (PAC) training on technical photog- region. We will continue to essary to refine their skills in restoring and studying manu- Center, Qatar National Library for Arab Countries and the raphy and reflectance spec- work with our partners in the modern scientific methods and scripts. The workshop also dealt works closely with institutions Middle East. Dr Antonino troscopy using heritage man- region to share knowledge and to examine collections in with the basics of examining in the Middle East and North Cosentino, Director of Cultural uscripts held in the building’s expertise with professionals in libraries and museums and the materials used for writing, and Africa to equip experts with the Heritage Science Open Source, archives. Reflectance spec- the field and to raise awareness impact of documents using the rich decorations and colors skills needed to conserve and and Maxim Nasra, Book Con- troscopy is an effective tech- about the conservation of rare modern scientific methods and that are precious and worthy of preserve the rich cultural her- servation Specialist at the nique in identifying pigments books, manuscripts and docu- means.” examination and study. It also itage of Qatar and the region for Library, delivered the training, and reveals information vital ments,” he added. Fr Youssef Dergham, focused on the technical skills generations to come. QCS to mark World Cancer Day Sidra Medicine’s maternal and child THE PENINSULA — DOHA This year follows on from health symposium adds new programs the success of last year’s cam- Qatar Cancer Society ( QCS) will paign, which saw nearly 1,000 THE PENINSULA — DOHA Health and Science University and Sheikh Dr mark the World Cancer Day, activities taking place in 127 Mohammed bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the under the theme ‘I Am and I countries, over 700,000 social Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, Director of Public Health from Qatar’s Ministry Will’ to raise awareness about media posts, and 62 govern- has announced new program additions to its of Public Health. prevention, detection and ments participating in 2019. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Symposium Professor Thornburg, in addition to being a treatment of the condition. Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu 2020, which will held in Doha from March 7 to keynote speaker at the main MCH Symposium QCS will mark World Rasheed (pictured), Head of 9. As a strong alignment with Qatar’s National 2020, will talk at the pre-conference seminar about Cancer Day with a special event Professional Development and Health strategy 2018-2022 priority targets: “Healthy Women, Healthy Society” about reducing to raise awareness on February Scientific Research Department Dr Abu Rashid said to help Healthy women leading to healthy pregnancies, the vulnerabilities in young girls and women from 28 at Aspire park from 4 to 8 at QCS said “To mark the 20th raise greater awareness around the MCH Symposium 2020 will host an addi- acquiring chronic diseases and implementing pm. anniversary of World Cancer cancer and to support health- tional seminar and community workshops. appropriate intervention strategies. Sheikh Dr World Cancer Day aims to Day, Union for International promoting behaviours so that The community workshops, one in English Mohammed’s talk will focus on the status of non- save millions of preventable Cancer Control (UICC) has com- no one gets left behind, UICC is and in Arabic, in partnership with the Ministry communication diseases in Qatar and the national deaths each year by raising missioned a global survey to calling for all governments to of Public Health, will be hosted on the March 4 strategies to reduce them. To register for the awareness and improving edu- form an up-to-date picture of prioritise cancer awareness at Sidra Medicine. The workshops are aimed at seminar, please email: [email protected]. cation about the disease the public’s experiences, views, raising and prevention , ensure pregnant women and first time mothers to The MCH Symposium 2020 will cover both alongside calling on govern- and behaviours around cancer. the public is provided with up- address common questions around nutrition and translational and clinical research with sessions ments and individuals across Conducted by Ipsos, the survey to-date information on cancer exercise during pregnancy as well as breast- looking at understanding the role of lifestyle and the world to take action. World includes more than 15,000 risks and cancer prevention, feeding. To register to the workshop, please email: women’s health in fertility; the role of infectious Cancer Day is an international adults across 20 countries The implement policy to help [email protected]. and chronic diseases in reproductive health as day marked on February 4 survey’s results, detailed in reduce the consumption of As a precursor to the symposium, Sidra Med- well as the latest updates on the novel tools and annually. UICC’s report released today, known cancer-causing icine research department will also host a protocols used in IVF and in management of preg- World Cancer Day 2020 indicate a clear divide between products and invest proactively seminar on March 5, where global and local nancy complications. will be led by the theme ‘I Am higher and lower socioeco- in national cancer control health challenges will be addressed by two The MCH Symposium 2020 has been and I Will’, an empowering call nomic groups when it comes to planning and the establishment leading healthcare experts. approved for a maximum of 20.5 hours as an for personal commitment and knowledge and awareness of of population-based registries Titled “Current advances in the field of Accredited Group Learning Activity Category 1 represents the power of our cancer risks and, as a result, the in addition to continue to raise obesity, diabetes and heart disease” the pre-sym- as defined by the Qatar Council for Healthcare actions taken now to reduce the practice of behaviours to limit awareness with each new gen- posium seminar will feature Professor Kent L Practitioners- Accreditation Department growing impact of cancer. such risk.” eration . Thornburg, Professor of Medicine from Oregon (QCHP-AD). VCUarts Qatar professor awarded QF grant for aerogel resin for 3D printing

THE PENINSULA — DOHA 3D printing. formulation which makes ultra- product with minimum build a robust, valuable intel- The technology will allow light, strong materials that can shrinkage, using rapid proto- lectual property portfolio in Dr Khaled Saoud (pictured), a the production of personalized be applied in a multitude of typing capability. It will also Qatar’s priority research areas. Physics Professor at the Liberal medical products and devices ways,” Saoud said, adding that pave the way for 3D printing of Dr Michael Rao, the President Arts and Science Program at such as prosthetic hands, legs, he aims to develop and optimize different types of porous mate- of Virginia Commonwealth Uni- Virginia Commonwealth joints, dental implants, and the resin, based on a Silica rials such as graphene aerogel versity (VCU) and VCU Health University School of the Arts in hearing aids. aerogel/polymer composite, for and metal organic framework. System praised Saoud for his work. Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) in “I am excited about this stereolithography-based 3D The TDF provides gap “This is an outstanding accom- Education City, a Qatar Foun- project and I expect that this printing technology. funding for early-stage, prom- plishment and I know you are as dation (QF) partner university, technology will solve many The resin will enable the 3D ising technologies that may be proud and excited as we all are for has been awarded a Technology problems in the medical field printing of a strong, ultra-light, further developed to increase you. Thank you for all that you do Development Fund (TDF) grant Fund (QNRF) for his devel- and aerospace industry by pro- flexible, highly porous, biode- their commercialization on behalf of VCU and again, con- from Qatar National Research opment of an aerogel resin for viding a robust aerogel resin gradable, biocompatible potential. The objective is also to gratulations on the award.” 10 HOME TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 QEERI signs MoU with MoPH THE PENINSULA — DOHA The first project under the MoU will Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part primarily focus on of Hamad Bin Khalifa University analysis of airborne (HBKU), and the Ministry of bacteria and Public Health (MoPH) have signed a memorandum of fungi populations understanding (MoU). The present in samples agreement will enable QEERI collected by MoPH to conduct bio-aerosol exposure studies in public areas as part from schools and of the ministry’s efforts to healthcare facilities develop indoor air quality guidelines for Qatar, in line with across the country. the Qatar National Vision 2030. The MoU was signed by Dr. Salih Ali Al Marri, MoPH knowledge and expertise Assistant Minister for Health among the scientists, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute and the Ministry of Public Health officials pose for a group photo during the signing Affairs, and Dr. Marc Ver- researchers and engineers at of memorandum of understanding. meersch, Executive Director of QEERI and MoPH, training and QEERI, at a ceremony held at capacity building, and the use the HBKU Research Complex. of laboratory services, building to analyse the samples. goal. The results that we will MoU with the MoPH is a key environment and water.” The signing ceremony was also a platform for future joint Speaking on the occasion, achieve together with QEERI milestone in our journey. We QEERI is committed to con- attended by Dr. Mohammed Al research projects. Dr. Al Marri said: “This MoU will not only be beneficial to are happy to provide our ana- ducting market and technology Thani, Director of Public Health The first project under the with QEERI is part of our efforts Qatar, but also to the region, lytical capabilities and expertise driven research, development at MoPH, Dr. Richard MoU will primarily focus on to collaborate with key partners and the world. We look forward to support government author- and innovation through its O’Kennedy, Vice-Present of analysis of airborne bacteria within the country to promote to work closely with QEERI to ities with this comprehensive seven core departments Research, Development & Inno- and fungi populations present the health and well-being of our achieve the goals set forth by investigation associated with including the Energy Center, vation at Qatar Foundation, and in samples collected by MoPH residents. The need of the hour the Qatar National Vision bio-aerosol exposure in the Water Center, Environment and Vice-President for Research at from schools and healthcare is for us – national organisa- 2030.” indoor environments. This col- Sustainability Center, Compu- HBKU, and researchers and facilities across the country. Sci- tions including ministries, gov- Dr. Vermeersch added: “At laboration is the first of many tational Materials and Processes other representatives from both entists at QEERI’s Environment ernment bodies, research insti- QEERI, we aim to transform to come, and we hope that our Center, Corrosion Center, organisations. and Sustainability Center will tutes and private sector – to innovative scientific initiatives combined work can contribute Natural and Environmental The MoU also facilitates the then use various quantification combine our efforts and work into technology solutions to towards tackling key health Hazards Observatory and the exchange of information, and identification procedures together towards a common meet Qatar’s needs, and this challenges related to energy, Earth Sciences Program. AFG College with the University of Aberdeen marks first alumni meeting

THE PENINSULA — DOHA approach for the next twenty years and how the Qatar campus is AFG College with the University of playing a pivotal role in these future Aberdeen marked its first alumni plans. meeting with a reception held at the Professor Taylor said: “Our Uni- Kempinski Hotel in Doha. The Qatar versity of Aberdeen alumni are a Alumni group joins a growing number valued part of our community and I of University of Aberdeen chapters am delighted to be celebrating their around the world, including New York, global contributions at this event. Our Bangkok and Beijing to name a few. newly-launched Aberdeen 2040 The groups aim to provide former strategy prioritises an ‘international’ students of the university the oppor- theme and this event will help us to tunity to re-engage with old classmates reflect on how our global partners and and foster new links through net- alumni bring vibrancy to our working opportunities. University.” The reception was opened by AFG AFG College Principal, Brian College Principal, Brian Buckley who Buckley said: “We at AFG/UoA are welcomed the recent graduates of looking forward to helping our AFG/UoA, as well other UoA alumni recent graduates and future alumni from around the region, who travelled in fully utilizing the opportunities to Qatar for the launch of the new that lay ahead for them in being group. members of the ‘Aberdeen Family’. AFG Chairperson & Founder, Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani, with Qatar Alumni group and officials during the first In addition to alumni, the launch I am confident that the students who alumni meeting marked by AFG College with the University of Aberdeen. event was attended by AFG Chair- have recently joined the ‘family’ will person & Founder, Dr Sheikha Aisha prove worthy ambassadors and go bint Faleh Al Thani, key stakeholders, University of Aberdeen management The recently appointed UoA professor Ruth Taylor delivered a on to play active roles across the sponsors and senior members of the team. vice-principal for education, speech outlining the University’s global network.” Ooredoo to be Gold Video Home wins Best Performer award 2019 Sponsor for Al Adaid THE PENINSULA — DOHA Response, Customer feedback, Service Technician performance, Desert Challenge 2020 At the recently held 2020 LG Middle Training are few parameters eval- East & Africa (MEA) Distributors uated by LG for month on month THE PENINSULA — DOHA Service Conference attended by 17 performance of Service distributor LG authorised service distributors teams. Ooredoo announced yesterday it will be from 16 countries, Video Home & This is the third year in a row that the Gold Sponsor for the upcoming Al Adaid Electronic Centre won the Best Video Home & Electronic Center has Desert Challenge, set to take place on Performer award for Best Practices won the best performer award in the Friday in Khor Al Adaid, a Unesco-recog- in the year 2019. region. At the skill Olympiad held last nised nature reserve in the south-east of Sanghyeon Park, President for year by LG, two of its employees also Qatar. LG, MEA Service Division presented won the Grand Master and Master The annual outdoor one-day challenge – the award to Shanmugha Sundaram, Prize in the region for putting their which boasts a reputation for being the After Sales Service Head, Jumbo skills to the test. Video Home & Elec- toughest off-road mountain bike race in the Electronics. tronic Centre is a Total Solutions region - incorporates a 42km mountain bike At the conference ideas, best Provider in Qatar. race and a 30km run, both through soaring practices and strategy was discussed It is one of the leading business sand dunes to reach the finish line. Riders will and Video Home & Electronic Centre groups in Qatar offering a diverse range take on eight soaring sand dunes, with runners was able to demonstrate how it of products and services across its crossing five. This year’s event will also achieved best performance bench- various business verticals in consumer include an exciting ‘mtb + run’ event for those marks on customer satisfaction electronics & durables retailing, distri- who want to challenge themselves in both scores which was appreciated by LG. Sanghyeon Park (left), President for LG, MEA Service Division, presenting the bution, e-commerce, telecom services, disciplines. Service quality, Service award to Shanmugha Sundaram, After Sales Service Head, Jumbo Electronics. B2B, MEP and after sales service. The 2020 race will start from the same point as previous years – next to the Mawater Sand Dune, opposite the Sealine Beach Resort – but will finish at the brand-new Al Majles NU-Q students interning in London, resort, meaning one extra sand dune for com- petitors to cross. The finish line will feature a specially set New York and Washington DC up finish line camp, where there will be an area for participants to rest and relax after THE PENINSULA — DOHA As part of NU-Q’s Journalism and the race and also a non-competitive kids race Strategic Communication program, so everyone can be involved. Ooredoo will Journalism and strategic communication students also have a booth there, showcasing its from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) are students in their third year products and services. spending the next 10-weeks working for interna- participate in a residency program The UCI MTB Class-3 event is organised tional news outlets and strategic communication by Qatar Cyclists in association with the Qatar firms in major cities around the world – from London where they work as full-time interns National Tourism Council (QNTC) and is sup- to New York City and Washington, DC to Nairobi. for major international news outlets ported by the Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), As part of NU-Q’s Journalism and Strategic and forms part of the International Cycling and public relations firms. NU-Q student Inaara Gangji Communication program, students in their third Union calendar. year participate in a residency program where Speaking about the event, Moza Khalid Al they work as full-time interns for major interna- This year, NU-Q students are interning at more and listening to the conversations in the newsroom Muhannadi, Director of CSR, Sponsorship, and tional news outlets and public relations firms. than 20 organisations that include Ogilvy & Mather and pitch meetings.” Media, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re delighted “NU-Q’s residency program, which is modelled in London, The Guardian newspaper in New York Inaara Gangji, interning with USA Today in to be sponsoring the 2020 edition of the Al on the program at Medill on Northwestern’s home City, VOX and USA Today in Washington DC, Washington DC, where she will be working on Adaid Desert Challenge, a challenging sporting campus, offers our students a unique opportunity to Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, and Africa stories that include the upcoming US presidential event known for its tough conditions. Sup- hone their skills in journalism and strategic commu- Uncensored in Nairobi. elections, said: “Getting to learn from experienced porting events such as these, which encourage nication at some of the finest and most respected media Only a few days into their internships, NU-Q editors and reporters from such diverse career a healthy, active lifestyle, is a key part of our organizations in the world,” said Mary Dedinsky, students are already involved in editorial meetings. backgrounds and news beats in the same room is corporate social responsibility strategy. We Director of the program. “The students are mentored Saad Ejaz, who is interning with The Guardian, so enriching and is giving me the chance to look forward to an exciting race and some by professionals in the industry and have the oppor- said: “The first days have already been rewarding. improve my journalistic skills to match what the impressive performances from all the tunity to build networks with media professionals.” I’ve learned so much by working with my editor current news ecosystem is like.” participants.” TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 GULF / MIDDLE EAST 11 Three Gulf states, Iraq report coronavirus cases

REUTERS & ANATOLIA — Oman’s health ministry said two Omani women DUBAI/ANKARA were diagnosed with the virus after arriving Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and from Iran. Kuwait recorded the virus in three Iraq yesterday recorded their people among 700 who had been evacuated on first new coronavirus cases, all people who had been in Iran. Saturday from the Iranian city of Mashhad. In Oman’s health ministry said neighbouring Bahrain, the health ministry said two Omani women were diag- nosed with the virus after a Bahraini citizen who arrived from Iran had arriving from Iran, while the been diagnosed with the virus. sultanate’s civil aviation authority said it had halted all flights to the Islamic Republic. Iraq said the new corona- travellers and trade at Kuwait’s have lost their lives since the virus was detected in an Iranian request. novel coronavirus, also known theology student in Najaf, who Turkey’s foreign minister as COVID-19, first emerged in entered the country before it and his Iranian counterpart Wuhan, China. banned the entry of non-Iraqis yesterday discussed the coro- The death toll of the out- coming from Iran. navirus outbreak as well as break has reached 2,592 in Kuwait recorded the virus yesterday’s earthquake which mainland China, while two more in three people among 700 struck eastern Turkey near lost their lives in the Hong Kong who had been evacuated on Iran’s border, according to dip- Special Administrative Region. Saturday from the Iranian city lomatic sources. COVID-19 has reportedly of Mashhad. They were a In a phone call, Javad Zarif killed seven people in South 53-year-old Kuwaiti man, a expressed his condolences over Korea, four in Japan, five in Italy, 61-year-old Saudi man and a the death of nine Turkish and one each in Taiwan, the 21-year-old whose nationality people from the 5.9 magnitude Philippines, and France. was unclear. earthquake in the border Last month, the World In neighbouring Bahrain, region, said the sources, who Health Organization (WHO) A view of a hotel in the Kuwaiti capital where Kuwaitis returning from Iran are quarantined and the health ministry said a Bah- asked not to be named due to declared the outbreak an inter- tested for COVID-19, in Kuwait City, yesterday. raini citizen who arrived from restrictions on speaking to the national health emergency. Iran had been diagnosed with media. On Sunday, Khoy in the virus. northwestern Iran was hit by Qatar Airways said yes- two quakes, whose tremors terday it would ask passengers were also felt in Turkey’s Van Iran says 12 dead, rejects higher death toll arriving from Iran and South province, according to Turkey’s Korea to remain in home iso- National Disaster and Emer- AP — DUBAI 50. Even with the lower toll of officially reported cases of the gear,” Farahani said, adding that lation or a quarantine facility gency Management Authority 12, the number of deaths com- virus and its first deaths on Feb- some health care specialists had for 14 days. Qatar has not (AFAD). Iran’s government said pared to the number of con- ruary 19. He did not provide left the city. “So far, I have not recorded any coronavirus The duo also discussed the yesterday that 12 people had firmed infections from the virus supporting evidence but said seen any particular action to cases. coronavirus outbreak, which died nationwide from the new is higher in Iran than in any more than 250 people are quar- confront corona by the The United Arab Emirates has so far killed 12 people in coronavirus, rejecting claims of other country, including China antined in Qom, which is known administration.” yesterday banned its citizens Iran, with 47 confirmed cases, a much higher death toll by a and South Korea, where the out- for its Shia seminaries that He spoke following a session from travelling to Iran and according to the Health lawmaker from the city of Qom break is far more widespread. attract students from across Iran in parliament in Tehran. His Thailand due to concern over Ministry. that has been at the epicenter of The World Health Organi- and other countries. Schools comments, first published by coronavirus, state news agency Turkey on Sunday tempo- the virus in the country. zation said last week that in 2% there have been closed. ILNA, were later carried by other WAM said. rarily closed its border with The conflicting reports of infected cases, the virus has “I think the performance of news agencies in Iran. The UAE, a major air transit Iran and halted flights from raised questions about the been fatal. In Iran, according to the administration in controlling Health Ministry spokesman centre and tourism and Iran to prevent the virus from Iranian government’s trans- the Health Ministry’s figures, the the virus has not been suc- Iraj Harirchi rejected the law- business hub, has recorded 13 spreading. parency concerning the scale of death toll represents nearly 20% cessful,” Farahani said, referring maker’s comments, but said cases since January 28; the There are no reported cases the outbreak. of total infections. to the government of President about 900 other suspected cases latest two are an Iranian tourist of the virus in Turkey. Iran’s Health Ministry said There are concerns that Hassan Rouhani. His comments are being tested. “No one is and his wife. Fears of a coronavirus pan- the total number of infections clusters of the new coronavirus represent the most public crit- qualified to discuss this sort of Kuwait Airways and Iraq demic grew yesterday after have risen to 61 while deaths in Iran, as well as in Italy and icism levied yet against the gov- news at all,” Harirchi said, Airways last week suspended sharp rises in new cases in Iran, stood at 12. But a lawmaker from South Korea, could signal a ernment for its handling of the adding that lawmakers have no flights to Iran while Saudi Italy and South Korea. The Qom, Ahmad Amirabadi serious new stage in its global virus, which originated in China access to coronavirus statistics Arabia suspended travel to Iran. virus has infected nearly Farahani, was quoted by the spread. Farahani, the lawmaker, in December. and could be mixing figures on Iraq has shut its Safwan border 77,000 people and a total of semi-official ILNA news agency said the 50 deaths in Qom date “None of the nurses have deaths related to other diseases crossing with Kuwait to 2,625 people around the world as saying that the death toll was back to February 13. Iran first access to proper protective like the flu with the new virus. Iran nuclear deal Turkey begins commission to rehabilitation efforts meet in Vienna AFP — BRUSSELS in quake-hit province The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal will meet in ANATOLIA — ANKARA citizens who lost their houses,” Vienna tomorrow, the EU’s he said. Stressing 66% of Tur- diplomatic service announced, Turkey has started rehabili- key’s land and 71% of its pop- after Britain, France and tation efforts for the victims of ulation is located on quake Germany launched a dispute Sunday’s deadly earthquakes zones, he said there was a need process over Iran’s successive in its eastern Van province, the to design cities and infra- pullbacks. country’s environment and structure keeping this in mind. The office of EU diplomatic urbanization minister said. He recalled that more than chief Josep Borrell — who is At least nine people died half of the quakes which hit the tasked with convening the and dozens were injured when country were above magnitude commission under the dispute two magnitude 5.9 earthquakes 6. In 1999, Turkey’s Marmara mechanism — said the get- struck near the border region region was jolted by two together would be chaired on with Iran, Turkish authorities massive quakes that claimed his behalf by senior official said. Tremors were felt in nearly 100,000 lives. Helga Schmid. The meeting A man trying to pick up his belongings as a vehicle is seen under a wreckage after a magnitude 5.9 eastern Turkey. He said the government has comes as the European parties earthquake struck near the border with Iran, in Baskale district in eastern Van province of Turkey, “A total of 245 houses and spent 170bn Turkish liras ($27.6 try to find a way to persuade yesterday. 297 barns were destroyed and bn) on an urban transformation Iran to come back into line 694 buildings were damaged project. A total of 230bn with the deal after Tehran in Van,” Murat Kurum told Turkish liras ($37.3bn) have important for Istanbul’s future, be done to conserve the envi- built west of the city center on made a series of steps away in Anadolu Agency’s Editor’s Desk been earmarked for the project its fight against earthquakes and ronment, nature and natural the European side of the Istanbul protest at the US pulling out on Monday. that has so far built 1,350,000 its urbanization,” he said. resources,” he said. province. and reimposing sanctions. He said the border villages houses. A million more houses He said the project’s envi- The construction of Canal The mega-project, which The 2015 agreement to were the worst hit as the locals will be built. ronmental impact assessment Istanbul, with a daily vessel aims to prevent risks posed by curb Iran’s nuclear programme live in unsteady mud houses. Speaking about Turkey’s report is well thought-out and passage capacity of 185, is vessels carrying dangerous ship- in return for sanctions relief “While we carry out Canal Istanbul megaproject, takes into consideration all pos- expected to start in 2020 and ments through the Bosphorus has been slowly crumbling damage assessment in the Kurum said most people in sible risk factors. completed in 2025-2026. Strait, was approved by the since US President Donald region, our priority is to rebuild Turkey support the project. “During construction, eve- The planned 45-kilometer country’s Environment and Trump unilaterally withdrew permanent residences for our “The project is very rything that is in the report will (nearly 28-mile) canal will be Urbanization Ministry. in 2018, describing the accord signed by his predecessor Barack Obama as a bad deal. The EU has led efforts to UN warns of bloodbath risk in northwest Syria try to save the deal, arguing that it is vital for international security, but after repeated AFP — GENEVA As a result of the esca- warnings over Iran’s moves, Russia, Turkey plan new round of talks on Idlib lation, Cutts said the UN was Germany, Britain and France Fighting in northwest Syria is revising up its funding appeal triggered the dispute process coming “dangerously close” to ANATOLIA — MOSCOW Syria, as, in fact, they should not take over any- for the crisis from $330m to on January 14. In its last encampments with around a where else,” he said. Syria has been mired in a $500m (¤462m), adding that announcement, Tehran said it million displaced people, risking Russia and Turkey are preparing for a new round vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad there was a shortfall of about would no longer observe limits an imminent “bloodbath”, the UN of talks on Idlib, the de-escalation zone in Syria, regime cracked down on pro-democracy $370m. on the number of centrifuges said yesterday. Russia’s foreign minister said. protests. The UN sent 1,200 aid used to enrich uranium. It was Mark Cutts, the UN’s Deputy “Now we are preparing another series of con- Idlib, near Turkey’s southern border, falls trucks into the area in January its fifth step away from the Regional Humanitarian Coor- sultations, which, we hope, will lead us to an within a de-escalation zone laid out in a deal and has dispatched 700 more deal since Trump’s pullout. dinator for the Syria Crisis, also agreement on how to ensure that this is really a between Ankara and Moscow in late 2018. so far in February, Cutts said. Borrell has said he believes said the UN was trying to double de-escalation zone and that the terrorists do not Some one million Idlib refugees have moved “The reality is it is simply all the countries still in the deal aid deliveries across a border rule there,” Sergey Lavrov told reporters in towards the Turkish border in recent months, not enough. We’re barely able — which also include Russia crossing from Turkey from 50 Moscow. fleeing attacks by the Assad regime and its allies to meet the needs of the people and China — are determined to 100 trucks a day. “I hope that the ongoing contacts between which caused a desperate humanitarian situ- for the most urgent food rations to save the accord. Western “The fighting is now coming our military and the Turkish military, with the ation. Turkey has called for an immediate halt and tents and blankets and diplomats recognise it is highly dangerously close to an area participation of diplomats and security services, to the attacks on Idlib, and for the cease-fire to winter items,” he said. unlikely Iran will heed calls to where more than a million are will end positively, and we will be able to make be followed, warning that if the attacks do not Cutts also said aid workers come back into full compliance living in tents and makeshift sure that terrorists do not take over this part of stop, it will take action. were “overwhelmed”, some without substantial conces- shelters,” Cutts told reporters warehouses had been looted sions in return — such as an in Geneva. and the fighting had damaged end to US sanctions or Europe Cutts warned there was a A months-long offensive by against rebels backed by Turkey hundreds of thousands of some 77 hospitals and other taking measures to offset their risk of “a real bloodbath”. Russia-backed Syrian troops in northwest Idlib has seen people flee the violence. medical facilities. economic impact. 12 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Fighters end rocket fire at Israel after two-day flare-up

AFP — GAZA CITY Islamic Jihad announced that it had “ended Gaza fighters Islamic Jihad its military response to the two assassination announced the end of its crimes in Khan Yunis and Damascus”. There was “military response” against Israel yesterday after a two-day no immediate confirmation of a ceasefire from exchange of fire just a week Israel as airstrikes were ongoing last evening. before the Jewish state’s March 2 election. There was no immediate the two assassination crimes in of agreements that have seen the confirmation of a ceasefire from Khan Yunis and Damascus.” Jewish state slightly ease its Israel, and correspondents in the It was referring to Israel’s blockade of Gaza in exchange Palestinian enclave said Israeli killing of a fighter at the border for relative calm. airstrikes were ongoing early fence in Gaza on Sunday Islamic Jihad has not yesterday evening. morning and air strikes near the accepted the deals, and Israeli Islamic Jihad, a group allied Syrian capital that killed six officials warn the group could to Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas, people, including two from the be seeking to provoke a fresh had fired some 60 rockets militant group. conflict. towards Israel since the killing Prime Minister Benjamin United Nations envoy of one of its fighters Sunday Netanyahu, who is battling for Nickolay Mladenov called for morning, according to the re-election in the shadow of an calm, warning the escalation United Nations. impending corruption trial, had “risks dragging Gaza into Smoke trails from rockets fired by Palestinian fighters in Gaza City, yesterday. Islamic Jihad claimed Israel’s army said many earlier threatened an “extensive another round of hostilities with responsibility for another round of rockets fired towards Israel following a new flare-up between were intercepted by the coun- campaign” to end the rocket fire. no end in sight.” try’s air defence systems and Hamas spokesman Fawzy The flare-up began on Sunday the group and the Jewish state. there were no immediate Barhoum responded: “The morning when an Islamic Jihad reports of casualties, though one enemy’s threats to expand its fighter was shot dead by Israeli targets in both Gaza and Syria. yesterday while a number of and September 2019. Both men projectile hit an empty aggression, if carried out, will military. Airstrikes near the Syrian universities postponed exams. cancelled planned campaign playground. face a resistance never seen Israel later confirmed that it capital Damascus killed two Polls ahead of next week’s events last evening. Israeli fighter jets and heli- before and it should bear the removed the body of the fighter Islamic Jihad and four other election show rightwinger Netanyahu, who has long copters responded with strikes costs and results.” with a bulldozer, with video of Iran-backed fighters, according Netanyahu again running neck- accused Gantz of relying on on Islamic Jihad bases across the Israel has fought three wars the extraction triggering wide- to the Syrian Observatory for and-neck with centrist rival Israel’s Arab minority for strip, as well as near the capital with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and spread anger. Human Rights war monitor. Benny Gantz ahead of the support, seized on comments of neighbouring Syria. allied groups in Gaza since Islamic Jihad subsequently The fighterss responded elections. by the head of the mainly Arab Yesterday evening, Islamic 2008, most recently in 2014. launched more than 20 rockets with rocket fire from Gaza, The vote is Israel’s third in Joint List that it would not Jihad announced that it had Over the past year Hamas and mortars throughout the day. forcing the closure of schools less than a year, after dead- support any government that “ended its military response to and Israel have reached a series Israel struck back against and roads in southern Israel locked polls in April attacked Gaza.

Tanzania frees Pro-Haftar lawmakers not to join Geneva talks journalist after pleading guilty to REUTERS — GENEVA/BENGHAZI nearly walked out of the Geneva around Tripoli, foreign affairs talks last week, blamed Haftar’s minister Mohamed Syala told economic crimes Lawmakers based in areas of forces for shelling Tripoli’s port journalists. eastern Libya controlled by shortly after the negotiations got Prime Minister Fayez Al AFP — DAR ES SALAM military commander Khalifa underway. Serraj earlier called Haftar a Haftar said yesterday they Senior military figures on “war criminal” at a meeting of Tanzanian journalist Erick would not participate for now both sides on Sunday agreed to the UN Human Rights Council Kabendera, who was held in in peace talks with politicians submit a draft ceasefire in Geneva. jail for seven months in a case allied to the internationally agreement to their leaderships “Children have lost their that prompted international recognised government. before meeting again next right to education due to the concern, was freed after The eastern politicians said month, the UN Libya mission, shelling and the closure of pleading guilty to economic the United Nations, which is UNSMIL, said in a statement. schools because of the attacker crimes. brokering the talks in Geneva, The eastern lawmakers and those who fund the attacker Kabendera, a reporter for had not approved all the refused to take part in tomor- and provide weapons, these local and international press members of their proposed row's talks as UNSMIL had must be held accountable,” outlets, was initially detained delegation. approved only eight of their 13 Serraj said. for questioning over his citi- The lawmakers’ refusal is delegates, Ahmaida Erouhma, Nearly nine years since zenship before the charges the latest blow to UN efforts to head of the Geneva committee NATO-backed rebels overthrew were upgraded to sedition. end an almost year-long at the eastern parliament, told Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is still But both lines of enquiry offensive by Haftar’s forces reporters in the eastern city of without a central authority in were dropped, and Kabendera aimed at taking the capital Benghazi. control of its towns and cities. was charged in August with tax Tripoli. UNSMIL spokesman Jean El Armed groups patrol the streets, evasion, money laundering The United Nations had Alam said the talks would go while rival governments are in and organised crime. planned to bring together law- ahead as scheduled but declined place in Tripoli and the east. His detention provoked makers from both sides of to comment specifically on the Haftar is allied to a rival outrage, with rights groups Libya’s conflict tomorrow to end participation of either side. government and parliament in demanding Kabendera be the fighting over Tripoli as part “Many participants have eastern Libya, which is home released and warnings that the of a dialogue encompassing mil- already arrived in Geneva and also to a parallel central bank case reflected worsening press itary, political and economic we hope all invited participants and oil company. freedoms under President John strands. follow suit,” he said. Both sides are backed by Magufuli, who came to power Libya’s internationally rec- The two sides have so far foreign powers. Haftar’s Libya in 2015. ognised government based in been seated in separate rooms, National Army (LNA) faction has After plea bargaining the Tripoli meanwhile described with UN envoy Ghassan Salame support from Egypt and the count of organised crime was President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Haftar as a “war criminal” and shuttling between them. United Arab Emirates, while dropped, and Kabendera Accord of Libya, Faiez Mustafa Serraj, holds a poster with pictures demanded that he withdraw his The Tripoli government Turkey has sent soldiers and pleaded guilty to counts of forces threatening the capital. insisted that Haftar must pull arms to help the Tripoli during a session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations money laundering and failure The government, which back his troops from front lines government. in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. to pay 173m shillings ($74,000) in taxes. Kabendera was freed after paying a 250,000 shilling Algeria court seeks prison fine for failing to pay taxes, but South Sudan’s path to peace has to pay another 100 million shillings in fines for money sentence for protest leader laundering.

ALGIERS still littered with obstacles AFP — Lesotho PM seeks immunity from charge Algeria’s public prosecutor has requested a year in prison for Fodil AFP — JUBA compromise from both sides to He said that with so many Boumala, a protest movement figure, an advocacy group said meet the deadline to form the issues on the table, and of murdering first wife yesterday, as other demonstrators received jail terms and fines. South Sudan’s main rivals are unity government under a Sep- potential for future disa- Boumala, a former state TV journalist who in 2011 co-founded once again uncomfortably tember 2018 peace deal -- greement, if not handled REUTERS — MASERU an opposition group, was arrested in September and detained sharing power, but analysts which had already been post- properly, the situation could pending trial. warn it will be a long and poned twice. “easily slip out of control.” Lesotho’s high court will rule Prisoners’ rights group CNLD said Boumala appeared for 16 perilous path to peace for the Both men received praise Luuk van der Vondervoort, on whether Prime Minister hours in an Algiers court on Sunday, with lawyers for the defence war-ravaged nation. from regional and international a South Sudan expert with the Thomas Thabane can claim wrapping up their pleas in the early hours of Monday. Rebel leader Riek Machar partners for their willingness European Institute of Peace, immunity from a charge that The group said Boumala was accused of “undermining on Saturday was sworn in as to make key compromises. said the key question was he murdered his wife prior to (national) territorial integrity”, punishable by up to 10 years in first vice president, embracing Kiir, for accepting to return whether there would be a real marrying his present spouse, prison, and the “distribution of publications that could undermine his bitter rival President Salva to South Sudan’s 10 states after unity government with a lower court decided the national interest”, which can be punished by a year in prison. Kiir who vowed the weary he unilaterally expanded the acceptable power sharing. yesterday, in a case that has The verdict was delayed until March 1. nation’s suffering was finally number to 32 -- even though “The last time around that gripped the tiny southern Also yesterday, 21 protesters received fines of around $410 over. his plan to add three special was not the case.” African kingdom. — a hefty sum in a country where the average monthly wage is The appointment was part administrative areas encom- The rivals started out as Thabane, 80, appeared in about $325 — for “unarmed assembly” and “disturbing the public of broader peace efforts that passing key oil fields threatened president and deputy at inde- court in the capital Maseru in order”, the CNLD said. have struggled to fully end a to derail talks. pendence in 2011 but Kiir a pre-trail hearing on Monday The previous day, 20 other demonstrators were handed sen- six-year war between the two And Machar, for accepting sacked Machar in 2013 and alongside his present wife tences ranging from three months to a year in prison for “under- men that has left almost the protection of Kiir’s forces later accused him of attempting Maesaiah. mining (national) territorial integrity”, “unarmed assembly” and 400,000 dead. as a planned unified VIP pro- a coup against him, sparking a He is suspected of refusing to show identification documents to a plain-clothes police “This is a major step but it’s tection force was not yet ready. war marked by ethnic involvement in the murder of officer, it added. just one point along what will However both sides still bloodshed between Kiir’s Dinka his then wife Lipolelo, who Karim Tabbou, another key protest figure detained since Sep- be a very long journey to have their own armies -- as and Machar’s Nuer was shot dead in June 2017 two tember, will be tried on March 4, Nourredine Benissad, a member bringing South Sudan out of plans to train a 83,000-strong communities. days before he took office for of the defence team, said. Journalist Sofiane Merakchi is set to be conflict,” Alan Boswell, a South unified military have yet to A 2015 peace deal brought a second stint as premier and tried on March 15 for the “smuggling of merchandise” -- allegedly Sudan expert with the Interna- come to fruition and some Machar back as vice president two months before he married audiovisual material -- said Reporters Without Borders (RSF) cor- tional Crisis Group (ICG), told reforms under the peace deal and he returned to Juba with Maesaiah. respondent Khaled Drareni, alleging the “real grievance” was that AFP. have yet to be carried out. his own private militia. He and Lipolelo were Merakchi had provided protest images to foreign media. “There is still a lot of scep- “The security arrangements When the government hit going through divorce pro- Mass protests erupted in Algeria a year ago last Saturday, in ticism among the South are a total mess. They have yet a deadlock, tensions escalated ceedings at the time. Maesaiah response to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announcing he intended Sudanese that these two leaders to graduate any forces into a and clashes between Machar’s Thabane, 42, has been charged to run for a fifth term after 20 years in power -- despite being will work together and not joint unit. Both sides are troops and Kiir’s plunged the with the murder, and police debilitated by a 2013 stroke. against each other.” keeping their main forces in country back into war. suspect her of ordering Less than six weeks later, he stepped down after losing the Machar’s swearing in came reserve and there has been Van der Vondervoort said assassins to do the job. support of the then-army chief in the face of enormous weekly after much last-minute widespread recruitment,” continued international Both deny any demonstrations. pressure, wrangling and Boswell said. pressure would be key. involvement. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 ASIA 13 Trump: US, India to sign $3bn defence deal The US President Donald Trump received US working with a red-carpet welcome in the world’s biggest democracy yesterday as he Pakistan against started a two-day state visit to India. terrorism

ANATOLIA — NEW DELHI BLOOMBERG/AFP — AHMEDABAD a significant trade deal with US President Donald Trump India. has said that his adminis- The US will sign military deals Earlier yesterday, Donald tration was working with worth more than $3bn with Trump received a red-carpet Pakistan in a “very positive India today, President Donald welcome in the world’s biggest way” in a fight against Trump said at the start of a democracy, addressing a huge terrorism. two-day state visit to the South rally at a mega cricket stadium Addressing more than Asian nation. on a maiden official visit to India 100,000 people at a stadium “We make the greatest that is big on photo opportunities in Ahmedabad, capital of weapons ever made. Airplanes. but likely short on substance. India’s western province of Missiles. Rockets. Ships. We At Modi’s home state of Gujarat, Trump said: make the best and we’re dealing Gujarat, Trump and First Lady “The United States and now with India. But this Melania visited independence India are committed to includes advanced air-defense hero Mahatma Gandhi’s working together to stop systems and armed and ashram, where Modi gifted him terrorists and to fight their unarmed aerial vehicles,” a “see no evil, hear no evil, ideology. For this reason, Trump told a cheering crowd at speak no evil” three wise since taking office, my the western Indian city of monkeys statue. administration is working Ahmedabad as he shared the Both leaders then headed to in a very positive way with stage with India’s Prime Min- a new cricket stadium — the Pakistan to crack down on US President Donald Trump (right) and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waving at the crowd during ister Narendra Modi. biggest in the world — where the terrorist organizations ‘Namaste Trump’ rally at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, yesterday. Last week, India’s cabinet Trump heaped praise on Modi on the border.” cleared $2.6bn purchase from as an “exceptional leader, a “Relationship with Lockheed Martin Corp. of 24 great champion of India” in elections in November—paid to fulfil the dreams of America.” — dressed in an off-white jump Pakistan is a very good one,” multi-role MH-60R Seahawk front of a crowd of around tribute to the four-million- Excited spectators had suit and Indian sash alongside he underlined. maritime helicopters to Indian 100,000. strong Indian-American queued from 4am for the her husband in his usual suit “Thanks to these efforts, navy. The State Department has “America loves India. diaspora as “truly special “Namaste Trump” rally, recip- and tie — flew to the Taj Mahal we are beginning to see sci- also approved a potential sale America respects India, and people”. rocating a “Howdy Modi” event for sunset before the main entific progress with to India of $1.8bn in arms, America will always be faithful “President Trump’s visit in Houston last year where official talks today. Pakistan. And we are hopeful including air-defense radars and loyal friends to the Indian opens a new chapter in our Trump likened Modi to Elvis. Parts of the white marble for reducing tensions greater and missiles, rifles and other people,” Trump told the ecstatic relationship — a chapter that “Events like these will gal- “jewel of Muslim art”, according stability of the future of equipment, the US Defense crowd, many in Trump-embla- will document the progress and vanise people to start to coop- to Unesco, were given a mud- harmony, for all of the Security Cooperation Agency zoned baseball caps. prosperity of the people of erate in new initiatives,” said pack facial to remove stains, nations of South Asia,” he told announced. Name-checking Bollywood America and India,” Modi said. Pramit Maakoday, an Indian- while efforts were made to the crowd, soon after arriving Trump also reiterated his films and Indian cricketers, “The whole world knows American in the stadium. lessen the stench of the adjacent India. pledge that the US would make Trump — with an eye on what President Trump has done Later Trump and Melania river. Four killed, dozens injured in Delhi clashes Myanmar students face AGENCIES — NEW DELHI charges over Internet A policeman was among at least four people killed in New Delhi shutdown protest yesterday during violent clashes over a contentious citizenship REUTERS — YANGON Authorities shut down law, local media said, hours mobile internet access in nine before US President Donald A Myanmar student union said townships in Chin and Trump arrived in the Indian yesterday police were seeking Rakhine, also known as capital for an official visit. to press charges against nine Arakan, last June citing Protesters torched at least of its members for organising security reasons. While the two houses and shops before a protest against an eight- block was later lifted in five later setting a tyre market on month-long Internet shutdown townships, it was reinstated in fire, the Press Trust of India in the restive west of the early February. said. Local TV channels showed country. Protests against the plumes of black smoke bil- Around 100 students shutdown were also held in lowing from buildings. gathered in the commercial several townships of Rakhine One police constable was capital of Yangon on Sunday state on Saturday. killed, a police official said, demanding an end to the Rakhine state was the site declining to be named since he internet cut-off in Rakhine and of a military crackdown in isn’t authorised to speak to Chin states, where civilian cas- 2017 that forced more than media. An official at Delhi’s GTB Protesters throw brickbats during clashes between a group of anti-CAA protesters and CAA supporters ualties are mounting as gov- 730,000 minority Rohingya Hospital said more than 35 at Jafrabad in Delhi, India, yesterday. ernment troops battle ethnic Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. people injured in the clashes rebels. The army described the were undergoing treatment. nationalist Bharatiya Janata and some repeatedly hailed stand beside those backing the A case has been filed under crackdown as a legitimate Multiple vehicles were set Party (BJP) are undermining Hindu deity Ram while pelting citizenship law, a majority section 19 of the Peaceful counter-insurgency operation on fire, metal barricades torn India’s secular traditions. stones at the predominantly Hindu group, and do little to Assembly Law, which outlaws in response to attacks on down and thick smoke bil- Yesterday’s clashes were Muslim group opposed to the quell the violence. The police unauthorized assemblies and security forces by Rohingya lowing as supporters of the new among the worst seen in New new law. A witness saw at least also stood by as a mob van- carries a maximum three- militants. law clashed with opponents. A Delhi since the protests against one Muslim man and a burqa- dalised a store with a Muslim month prison sentence, the The region has been small contingent of police was the Citizenship Amendment Act clad woman beaten by dozens name, pulling out vehicles and Arakan Student Union said in plunged into further chaos vastly outnumbered. India’s (CAA) began in early December. of pro-law protesters with setting them alight. a statement on Sunday. since December 2018 by capital has been a hotbed of The clashes stretched over sticks and iron rods. Earlier The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind “We are students and cit- fighting between the military protests against the law, which a nearly kilometre long road yesterday, local politician (JIH) has expressed concern izens pointing out the wrong- and insurgents from the Arakan eases the path of non-Muslims and lasted from early afternoon Yogendra Yadav described the over the deteriorating law and doings of government,” Kyaw Army, which recruits from the from three neighbouring until well into the evening, violence as “communal” and order situation in Delhi after Linn, one of the students who mostly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine Muslim-dominated countries leaving at least half a dozen urged police to intervene. violence in parts of the city yes- took part, said by phone. “They majority and is demanding to gain Indian citizenship. people injured. But for several hours, terday. The JIH has alleged that violated our citizens’ rights.” greater autonomy. This has led to accusations The protesters appeared to Reuters witnesses saw the out- the Delhi police did not taken Six of the students had Meanwhile, Myanmar’s that Modi and his Hindu be divided along religious lines, numbered policemen mostly action against the rioters. been taken into police custody, army said in a statement it he said, adding that the group would hold more court-mar- had not applied for permission tials over alleged abuses Tajikistan suspends Iran flights over coronavirus because it may have been against Rohingya Muslims, after Sri Lanka deploys refused or forced a delay in the a government-appointed com- march. mission said soldiers com- troops to control REUTERS — DUSHANBE the Civil Aviation Agency Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz An officer from Yangon’s mitted war crimes against the said in a statement. and Shiraz until that date. It Kamaryut township, where the minority. worsening traffic Tajikistan has suspended The Turkish airlines has also decreased the fre- protest took place, declined to The panel concluded, in a flights to and from Iran due cancelled its flights to four quency of Tehran flights to comment. Another hung up the report published in January, AFP — COLOMBO to the spread of the new Iranian cities and decreased two per day. Turkey has phone. Government that members of the security coronavirus there, the the frequency of flights to already closed its land border spokesman Zaw Htay said he forces, among “multiple Sri Lanka will deploy troops to help Central Asian nation’s Tehran until February 27, with Iran and halted incoming could not answer questions actors”, were responsible for police control worsening traffic government said yesterday. the company said flights as a precaution to stop over the phone. war crimes and serious human congestion in the capital, the army said The air link will remain yesterday. the potential spread of coro- If convicted, the students rights violations during a mil- yesterday. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, suspended until the virus The company said it navirus, the health minister face a fine or up to three itary-led crackdown against a retired army officer, ordered the situation in Iran stabilises, cancelled flights to said. months in jail or both. the group in 2017. military to assist traffic officers at the main entry and exit points to Colombo, a city which nearly a million people enter or leave daily, a spokesman said. Thailand denies PM aided Malaysia in 1MDB graft scandal The military police will also lend support “in any other area where their AFP — BANGKOK Forward’s spokeswoman confuses the public,” flagged individuals would against the government in services are required”, spokesman Pannika Wanich held a public Narumon Pinyosinwat said typically inform requesting 2014, and was head of a junta Chandana Wickremasinghe added. Thailand’s government conference and accused on Twitter. “Concerned min- governments about the fugi- regime until 2019. Traffic slows to a snail’s space in threatened legal action Prayut of allowing fugitive istries are considering legal tive’s whereabouts, executing He was voted in during Colombo during the morning and evening yesterday against a banned financier Low Taek Jho — action and... will hold a an extradition process. last year’s election as a rush hours making it one of the slowest opposition party which commonly known as Jho Low formal presser.” But Pannika claimed that civilian premier under a new road systems in South Asia. claimed Prime Minister Prayut — and his associates to pass Walking to government Thailand’s immigration military-scripted constitution Recent studies have shown average Chan-O-Cha aided in the through Thailand. house last morning, ex- records showed Low passing which critics say tilted victory speeds drop below seven kilometres (4.3 cover-up of Malaysia’s 1MDB Low is wanted by several general-turned-premier through the country five to his party. Future Forward miles) an hour in the morning and the graft scandal by harbouring a governments for his alleged Prayut appeared jovial when times from 2016 to 2018. has been a thorn on the con- evening. The capital does not have a fugitive financier. mastermind role in plun- asked about Pannika’s accu- She also said two of his servative establishment’s side mass transit system, forcing many to use The stridently anti-mil- dering billions of dollars from sations. “The ministries are associates — Tang Keng Chee since it scooped up 6.3 their own transport that chokes the itary Future Forward Party, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth investigating and if it’s not and Jasmine Loo — had irreg- million votes. narrow streets. the third largest in par- fund 1MDB. true, they can sue,” he told ularities in their records, and The party’s radical anti- But Sri Lanka began work on its first liament, was dissolved on A Thai government reporters. she accused Prayut’s gov- military agenda appealed to light rail transit system last year at an Friday by a court and its key spokeswoman hit back yes- Since 2016, a “red notice” ernment of “obstructing mostly to millennials or those estimated cost of $1.5bn. The Japanese- members banned from pol- terday at Pannika, saying her was issued by Interpol at Sin- international justice”. weary of the conservative funded project is expected to be opera- itics for a decade. accusations were “not true”. gapore’s request to flag Low’s The gruff former army royalist army’s central role in tional within about five years. On Sunday Future “This accusation... travels. Countries receiving chief masterminded a coup Thai society. 14 ASIA TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020

President Xi Turmoil in Malaysia likely to visit as Mahathir quits, Pakistan INTERNEWS — ISLAMABAD becomes interim PM Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Pakistan AFP — KUALA LUMPUR Mahathir submitted either in May or June to further his resignation to the expand strategic partnership Malaysian Prime Minister and trade ties between the two Mahathir Mohamad resigned in King. The monarch neighbouring countries, a shock move yesterday as his accepted it, but sources privy to the devel- alliance that came to power less opment said. than two years ago unravelled, appointed him interim The dates for the all- but he was reappointed as leader until a new important visit are being interim leader by the king. premier is found. finalised, they added. It came after months of Officially, however, there rising tensions in his “Pact of is no confirmation either from Hope” coalition, which toppled dashing his hopes of finally Pakistan or China. a corruption-mired government becoming premier. The sources said the main in 2018, and as some With the fate of the gov- purpose of the Chinese leader’s manoeuvre to block the ascent ernment still uncertain yes- visit is to renew his country’s of leader-in-waiting Anwar terday, Mahathir submitted his ties with Pakistan at a time Ibrahim. resignation to the king. The when it is facing host of A file photo of Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur. But there were calls for monarch accepted it, but internal and external Mahathir, the world’s oldest appointed him interim leader challenges. leader at 94, to stay in office until a new premier is found, no part” in the plot, and was Mahathir, who previously reject UMNO successfully in the During the visit, the two from allies who said he had quit the chief secretary to the gov- “very clear that in no way will served as premier from 1981 to 2018 general elections,” he said, sides will discuss the second in protest at a plot to form a new ernment said. he ever work with those asso- 2003, had made a pre-election adding his party would nom- phase of China-Pakistan Eco- government and keep Anwar The appointment of all min- ciated with the past regime”. pledge to hand power to Anwar inate Mahathir to continue as nomic Corridor (CPEC). Pres- from power. isters was also revoked, he The proposed new coalition but refused to fix a date. prime minister. ident Xi launched the multi- The political drama began added. was reportedly set to include Lim Guan Eng — a senior As political tensions surged, billion-dollar project when he on Sunday when Anwar’s rivals Despite speculation that the United Malays National member of the Democratic Mahathir’s Bersatu party quit last visited Islamabad in April from the ruling coalition and Mahathir was driving the Organisation (UMNO) — the Action Party, which formed part the ruling coalition and several 2015. opposition politicians held a attempts to form a new coa- party of disgraced ex-leader of the “Pact of Hope” alliance lawmakers resigned from series of meetings around Kuala lition, Anwar and other coa- Najib Razak which was ejected — said Mahathir resigned in Anwar’s party, leaving the Pact Lumpur, stoking speculation a lition partners insisted he was from office two years ago. protest at the “nefarious of Hope in tatters and fuelling Two more Japan new alliance was taking shape. not involved. Anwar and Mahathir had attempt” to topple the suggestions efforts could be That coalition would Anwar — who has a put their differences aside and government. underway to form a rival officials contract reportedly have excluded famously stormy relationship joined forces to take on a cor- “Mahathir clearly stated that alliance. Anwar, a former opposition with Mahathir — said the ruption-plagued coalition led he cannot work with UMNO Mahathir also quit as coronavirus icon who was jailed for years, premier assured him “he played by UMNO at the 2018 polls. when we worked so hard to Bersatu chairman. AFP — TOKYO

Two more officials sent to a 231 new virus cases in South Korea; another 150 die in China cruise ship quarantined off Japan to help with on-board AP/AFP — SEOUL/BEIJING slew of infections were confirmed efforts to contain the deadly among patients in a mental ward. coronavirus have contracted South Korea reported another large jump While officials have expressed hope the illness themselves, author- in new virus cases yesterday a day after they could contain the outbreak to the ities said yesterday. the President called for “unprecedented, region surrounding Daegu, some experts The announcement came powerful” steps to combat the outbreak noted signs of the virus circulating as experts warned the next one that is increasingly confounding attempts nationwide, pointing to a number of to three weeks would be to stop the spread. cases in the capital, Seoul, and elsewhere “crucial” to preventing wide- The 231 new cases bring South that weren’t immediately traceable. spread infections and as fears Korea’s total to 833 cases, and two more “In Daegu, the number of new cases deepen that the isolation of the deaths raise its toll to seven. that are being confirmed by tests is quite virus-stricken Diamond China also reported 409 new cases large, and if we fail to effectively stem Princess has been yesterday, raising the mainland’s total community transmissions in this area, ineffective. to 77,150 after a zigzag pattern of there would be a large possibility (that A quarantine officer in his increases in recent days. The 150 new the illness) spreads nationwide,” South 50s and a health ministry deaths from the COVID-19 illness raised Korean Vice Health Minister Kim Gang- official in his 40s both tested China’s total to 2,592 and showed a spike lip said in a briefing, saying that the gov- positive and are in hospital, the after hovering around 100 for four days. ernment aims to stabilise Daegu’s situ- ministry said, after they were All but one death were in Hubei province, ation in four weeks. dispatched separately to the where the outbreak emerged in He said that health officials plan to vessel earlier this month. December. test all of the city’s residents exhibiting The new infections come Significant jumps in cases outside cold-like symptoms, which he said after Japan on Sunday China have raised concern of the out- would be about 28,000 people. reported a third death among A health worker spraying a disinfectant on a man after he recovered from the COVID- break getting out of control. South Korea The national government has shut- people who spent time on the 19 infection before leaving the hospital in Wuhan, China. has the third-highest national total tered schools, cancelled events, and ship — a man in his 80s who behind China and Japan, and cases have asked companies to scatter working died from pneumonia. rapidly increased in Italy and Iran in just hours and keep employees at home if protesters who defied a ban on rallies in budgets and personnel moves already Six officials linked to con- a few days. they experience coughs or other respi- major downtown areas that was meant decided by the party. tainment work on the boat Most of Japan’s cases were from the ratory symptoms. It advised people to to stop the spread of the virus. The NPC’s Standing Committee met have now tested positive, Diamond Princess cruise ship, where avoid crowded indoor spaces and Meanwhile, China decided yesterday yesterday and decided it was “appro- fuelling doubts about the nearly one-fifth of its 3,711 passengers pleaded that those who recently visited to postpone its annual parliament session priate to postpone” the parliament, effectiveness of the and crew became infected. Daegu or nearby areas stay at home if for the first time since the Cultural Rev- which was due to start on March 5, quarantine. More than 140 of South Korea’s new possible for two weeks, asking reporters olution, as the country battles the coro- according to state broadcaster CCTV. It “We don’t know at the cases were in and near Daegu, the city to exercise the same caution. navirus outbreak. will decide later on a new date. moment through what routes of 2.5 million people where most of the Seoul’s Mayor Park Won-soon scat- Top Communist Party leaders For many top officials who would the infections occurred. We’ll country’s infections have occurred. Five tered the working hours of some 40,000 including President Xi Jinping attend normally attend the meeting, tackling find out and take measures,” of the seven deaths were linked to a hos- city employees to ease transit congestion each year’s gathering of the National the virus in their home regions has been a ministry official told pital in Cheongdo, near Daegu, where a and warned of sterner action against People’s Congress, which approves made a priority. reporters. More than 690 ship pas- sengers have so far fallen ill with the pathogen, and off the Pakistan quarantines 200; vessel Japan has confirmed over 140 cases across the Afghanistan reports first case country.

AGENCIES — QUETTA/KABUL alone. Afghanistan and Pakistan share long, porous Red Cross gets Pakistan began quarantining borders with Iran that are often at least 200 people near the used by smugglers and human sanctions relief Iranian border, officials said traffickers, while millions of yesterday, as fears spiralled Afghan refugees currently live for N Korea aid over the growing toll from the in Iran, raising fears that the coronavirus in the region. virus could easily spread over AFP — GENEVA The quarantine the border. announcement came hours Pakistan — bordered by The Red Cross said yesterday after Pakistan sealed off its land China to the north and Iran to it had obtained an exemption border with Iran while neigh- the south — also suffers the to United Nations sanctions bouring Afghanistan said it had additional burden of having a against North Korea to provide detected its first infection. lacklustre health care system testing kits and medical In Pakistan’s southwestern following decades of under- equipment against a possible Balochistan province, author- investment by the state, leaving coronavirus outbreak. ities moved fast to quarantine impoverished, rural commu- “The potential for an out- at least 200 people after Shia nities especially vulnerable. break of COVID-19 in the Muslim pilgrims returning from Afghanistan confirmed its Democratic People’s Republic Students gather at a pro-democracy rally against military rule and the Constitutional Court’s ruling Iran entered the country and first case of the coronavirus in of Korea poses a threat to mil- to dissolve the progressive opposition Future Forward Party, in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. briefly interacted with other the western province of Herat lions of people who are residents. yesterday, declaring a state of already in need of humani- Thai students protest ban on opposition party “We have decided not to emergency in a territory bor- tarian assistance,” the Inter- take a chance and keep all of dering Iran. national Federation of Red REUTERS — BANGKOK a vocal critic of the military decision. Across the city, hun- them under observation for the “I ask people to try to stay Cross and Red Crescent Soci- establishment, for taking loans dreds more students gathered next 15 days,” Najeebullah at home and restrict their eties (IFRC) said in a statement. Hundreds of Thai students from its founder. at Kasetsart University and Qambrani, assistant commis- movements,” Health Minister IFRC’s Asia Pacific chief protested yesterday against the The court’s decision chanted “Prayuth get out” in sioner at the Taftan border Ferozuddin Feroz told Xavier Castellanos was quoted dissolution of a popular oppo- sparked small protests around support of the censure motion. crossing, said, adding 250 reporters. as saying that the sanctions sition party as Prime Minister the country through the The motion is likely to fail, people were being Three suspected patients in exemption was “a life-saving Prayuth Chan-ocha and five weekend and was widely con- in part because a ban on some quarantined. Herat had recently returned intervention and an important cabinet ministers faced the first demned by democracy Future Forward lawmakers Balochistan’s secretary of from Iran, Dr Sayed Attaullah measure to ensure that sanc- day of a censure debate in advocates. increased Prayuth’s coalition health, Mudassir Malik, con- Sayedzai, head of the disease tions do not bear a negative parliament. Students at Chulalongkorn majority. firmed the quarantine but esti- surveillance department at impact on the people of the Tension has been rising University in central Bangkok But the public debate repre- mated that between 200 and ministry of public health, said Democratic People’s Republic since Friday when the Consti- laid out a funeral wreath sents the fiercest criticism he has 250 were being held. on Sunday. The confirmed case of Korea.” tutional Court dissolved the labelled “RIP Democracy” as faced since he transitioned last He added that around was a 35-year-old who had The exemption was Future Forward Party, the third hundreds gathered and made year from military ruler to head 7,000 pilgrims had returned to recently returned from the city granted by the United Nations largest party in parliament and speeches condemning the court of an elected government. Pakistan from Iran this month of Qom in Iran. Sanctions Committee. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 EUROPE 15 French court delays fraud trial for former PM Fillon

AP — PARIS Francois Fillon In addition, charges also is suspected of cover a contract that allowed He was the front-runner to be Penelope Fillon to earn 135.000 president of France. Instead, having given jobs as euros in 2012-2013 as a con- former prime minister Francois parliamentary aides, sultant for a literary magazine Fillon is going on trial to face owned by a friend of her fraud charges after he used involving no sustained husband — also an alleged fake public funds to pay his wife and work, to his wife and job. The magazine owner, Marc children for work they allegedly two of their children de Lacharriere, pled guilty and never performed. was given a suspended eight- The trial formally began from 1998 to 2013. month prison sentence and yesterday in the presence of fined 375,000 euros in 2018. Fillon and his wife. But it was Fillon said last month on quickly suspended until wrongdoing. France 2 television that his tomorrow following a request The scandal, which made wife’s job was not fake. “She from all lawyers who wished to headline in the French media was my first and most important display their solidarity with col- just three months before the aide,” he said. “Evidence will be leagues striking over President 2017 vote, crushed the conserv- produced during the trial.” Former French prime minister Francois Fillon (second right) and his wife Penelope (left) arrive at Emmanuel Macron’s contro- ative candidate’s campaign and In a 151-page document Paris courthouse for their trial, yesterday. versial pension reform. allowed centrist candidate ordering the case to trial, inves- Fillon’s lawyer, Antonin Macron to gain momentum. tigative judges said the probe children’s alleged jobs, well- newspaper Le Canard Enchaine their five children. Levy, said the request was Fillon has been charged showed that Penelope Fillon’s paid and declared as full-time first reported Penelope Fillon’s She told investigators that “symbolic” to show anger at the with the misuse of public funds, activities were in line with the aides, were paid to the joint alleged fake job. her main role was to handle her changes, which would make receiving money from the traditional role of an elected banking account of Francois He continued his presi- husband’s mail at their manor lawyers pay more tax. The bill misuse of public funds and the official’s partner — but in no and Penelope Fillon. dential campaign despite the house near a small town in rural is currently being debated at misappropriation of company way equivalent to the tasks of The lower house of par- judicial investigation, but his western France, Sable-sur- parliament. assets. He faces up to 10 years a parliamentary assistant. liament, the National Assembly, image as an earnest and honest Sarthe, where Fillon was first The trial is scheduled to last in prison and a one million euro Defence lawyers provided joined the proceedings as a civil politician with a strong focus on elected to Parliament in 1981 at until March 11. fine. about 500 documents they say plaintiff. Its lawyer, Yves family values, was seriously the age of 27. Fillon is suspected of having His wife, Penelope Fillon, are related to Penelope Fillon’s Claisse, said “if the tribunal damaged. Fillon was eliminated Fillon served as prime min- given jobs as parliamentary has been charged mostly as an work. decide that there were infrac- from the race after finishing ister under president Nicolas aides, involving no sustained accomplice. “These documents did not tions, the National Assembly third in the first round, behind Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012. He work, to his wife and two of A former lawmaker, Marc show anything, or only con- will ask for a total penalty of Macron and far-right leader was also a government official their children from 1998 to Joulaud, also goes on trial for firmed a misleading interpre- 1.081 million euros that corre- Marine le Pen. under two previous presidents, 2013. Altogether, the aide work misuse of public funds after he tation consisting in calling par- spond to the salaries and payroll Welsh-born Penelope Fillon Francois Mitterrand and brought the family more than allegedly gave her a fake job as liamentary work the most trivial charges that were paid.” has always kept a low profile. Jacques Chirac. $1.08m. an aide from 2002 to 2007, while of her activities,” investigative Fillon denounced the case In a 2007 interview with British Fillon now works for an Once the front-runner in the her husband was minister. judges wrote. as a “political assassination” newspaper The Sunday Tele- asset management company. 2017 presidential election, Fillon and Joulaud both had The investigation also after it was revealed in January graph she presented herself as He said last month that he won’t Fillon, 65, has denied other parliamentary assistants. showed that the wages of the 2017, when French investigative a housewife devoted to raising attempt a political comeback. Greece to sign defence deal with Merkel’s crisis-hit CDU party launches leadership race AFP — BERLIN Speaking after talks with question of who will be the Hamburg with just 11.5 percent and become a credible can- France: Officials party grandees in Berlin, CDU’s candidate for the of the vote. didate to succeed Merkel, who Germany’s centre-right CDU Kramp-Karrenbauer said they chancellery.” The party is also engulfed in according to polls is still Ger- AFP — ATHENS said yesterday that it would had agreed to hold an extraor- For the first time, AKK also an internal debate as to how it many’s most popular choose a new leader at a special dinary congress to elect the next named the four party members should position itself against the politician. Greece will sign a wide- congress on April 25, as the leader of the CDU, a party that expected to throw their hat in extremes of right and left that But AKK’s downfall also laid ranging defence deal with crisis-racked party hopes to halt has dominated politics in the ring, confirming widespread have reshaped Germany’s bare the challenge for her France in coming months, the a slide in the polls and end spec- Germany for 70 years. media speculation. political landscape. potential successor: how to two countries’ defence ulation about who could The winner is then also They include Merkel’s After barely a year as head make their mark while Merkel ministers said yesterday, succeed veteran Chancellor expected to be the CDU’s can- longtime rival Friedrich Merz, of the party, AKK announced remains chancellor. months after a similar Angela Merkel. didate for the chancellery in a popular with the CDU’s more her resignation on February 10 “The CDU is a party in the agreement between Athens Merkel’s Christian Demo- general election set for 2021, conservative factions, and the after regional lawmakers in the stranglehold of a lame-duck and Washington. cratic Union has been in turmoil when Merkel plans to bow out centrist state premier of North eastern state of Thuringia voted leader,” the Bild newspaper “We have decided to rein- after her heir apparent, after 14 years at the helm of Rhine-Westphalia Armin with the far-right Alternative wrote. force bilateral defence and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Europe’s top economy. Laschet. for Germany (AfD), defying an The next chancellor can- security cooperation in a very resigned as party leader this Kramp-Karrenbauer, Yesterday’s top-level talks edict from Berlin not to ally with didate “must first of all pull the significant manner,” French month over her supposed widely known as “AKK”, told in Berlin came a day after the the extremes. CDU back from the abyss, oth- Defence Minister Florence failure to stop regional MPs reporters the leadership vote CDU suffered its second-worst It was another sign that the erwise they can forget about Parly told reporters after talks from cooperating with the far would send “a very clear result ever in a regional defence minister had failed to winning the next election”, it with her Greek counterpart right. signal”, adding: “It answers the election, coming third in stamp her authority on the CDU added. Nikos Panagiotopoulos in Athens. The agreement to be signed by June will include Concern as Russia jails joint naval and land exercises, defence industry cooperation and an “increased” French cyber activist on drug naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean, Panagi- otopoulos said. possession charges The defence minister added that the French Rafale AFP — MOSCOW had travelled to Yekaterinburg fighters will take part in for just one day to meet a Greece’s annual air force A Russian Internet activist who woman he had met on exercise, code-named Ini- created a popular app allowing Instagram. The woman gave ochos, in May this year. people to send alerts over evidence in the court hearing, Parly said French Rafale arrests by the police was Meduza said. fighters will take part in yesterday remanded in custody Litreyev will now be held Greece’s annual air force awaiting trial on charges of in prison for the next two exercise, code-named Ini- drug possession. months until the next hearing ochos, in May. The jailing of Alexander when the judge will decide In January, Greece’s par- Litreyev for at least the next again whether he stays in jail. liament approved an updated two months sparked concern A date for the trial has yet to defence agreement with the that he had been specifically be sent. Pre-trial detention US allowing the use of Greek singled out due to his activism, periods can be lengthy in Russia. military facilities by US although he has admitted the The Rosuznik Russian People react at the scene after a car ploughed into a carnival parade injuring several people in forces. charges. prisoner support group said on Volkmarsen, Germany, yesterday. And despite its financial Litreyev was detained on Twitter that the jailing of a shortcomings after a decade- Sunday shortly after arriving person “who has admitted his long debt crisis, the new con- in the Urals city of Yekater- guilt on a non-serious offence servative government in 30 injured as car ploughs into German carnival inburg and was found to be in is an outrage. He should be Athens has stated its intent to possession of less than a gram immediately released”. purchase US and French REUTERS — BERLIN German news website HNA some people were seriously of ecstasy, the Interfax news Video posted on Russian weaponry. cited witnesses as saying the injured, including children. agency reported. news sites showed Litreyev, Greece is in talks to Around 30 people were injured man appeared to have targeted Police called off all carnival His lawyer Alexei Bush- standing in a courthouse cage, acquire a pair of French-made yesterday after a car ploughed children and had driven “at full parades in the German state of makov told Interfax that unsuccessfully trying to per- Belh@rra frigates and organise into a carnival parade in the throttle” into the crowd, which Hesse, where Volkmarsen is Litreyev had confessed his guilt suade the judge he was not a technical support for its Mirage western German town of Volk- had gathered for the traditional located, as a precautionary and expressed remorse and flight risk and should not go to 2000 planes and NH90 marsen, police said. parade. measure, but said they were not was thus surprised by the jail ahead of trial. helicopters. Regional broadcaster Hes- Asked how many were aware of any danger elsewhere court’s “tough” decision to hold Meduza said the expert in A Greek frigate has senschau reported that author- injured, a police spokesman in in Germany. him for two months in jail in data security had previously escorted a French strike ities believed that the driver, the regional centre of Kassel The incident comes less pre-trial detention. worked with the anti-cor- group headed by the aircraft identified as a 29-year-old said: “I would say about 30.” than a week after a man gunned His arrest comes amid ruption group of Russian oppo- carrier Charles de Gaulle, German citizen, had acted Bild newspaper reported down 11 people, including growing concern among sition leader Alexei Navalny. which is on a three-week deliberately, but that nothing that a third of those hurt had himself, in one of the worst activists that the Russian Litreyev was “specially mission in the eastern was immediately known about been seriously injured. racist attacks in Germany since authorities are using drugs lured, set up and framed. A Mediterranean. his motive. Police said on Twitter that World War II. charges to target campaigners honey trap, straight out of the behind troublesome initiatives, text book,” Navalny wrote on especially concerning the Twitter. police. However, some Russian Four critical after cooking-gas explosion in North Macedonia Litreyev designed a special news sites carried interviews AP — SKOPJE The head of the intensive and their cousin, an 8-year-old house at the time of the accident. mobile phone app called Kra- with the woman he had met, care unit in Skopje’s hospital, boy, were killed instantly on Apart from the three snaya Knopka (Red Button) that reportedly aged 19, in which Three women and a Ilir Hasani, said the women, Sunday when the gas cylinder women and the child in critical allows people to rapidly alert she vehemently denied setting 10-year-old boy remain in aged between 30 and 50, suf- exploded in the living room of condition, the remaining two relatives and civil society cam- up Litreyev and complaining critical condition in North fered burns on 80% of their a family house in the village of people who were in the house paigners if they are arrested in she had been the victim of Macedonia, a day after a home bodies and have been put on Romanovce. A 58-year-old man — a 7-month-pregnant woman a demonstration and indicate attacks on social media since cooking-gas explosion that respiratory machines. The boy died of his injuries. and a 65-year-old man — suf- which police station they have the news broke. killed another four members of has burns on 75% of his body, Ten people, all members of fered lighter injuries. been taken to. She said she had been their extended family, health Hasani said. the same family including some It was unclear what caused Bushmakov told the detained with him before being authorities said yesterday. Two sisters aged 9 and 11 who were visiting, were in the the accident. Meduza website that Litreyev released. 16 EUROPE TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Italy authorities urge calm as coronavirus deaths mount

AFP — CASALPUSTERLENGO Eleven towns — 10 Most of the cases in Italy are Corriere della Sera daily. “In in Lombardy and Slovak PM does not have in Lombardy, a prosperous these cases, a hospital can turn Italy reported yesterday its fifth region in the country’s north into a frightening amplifier of death from the new corona- one in neighbouring where Milan is located, and contagion”. virus, as the number of people Veneto — are under coronavirus: Spokeswoman which borders Switzerland. The virus may have spread contracting the disease AFP — BRATISLAVA They can be traced back to to the Veneto region via a continued to mount and offi- lockdown, with some attended the EU budget a 38-year-old man in the town 60-year old farmer from cials called for calm. 50,000 residents The office of Slovak Prime summit last Thursday. of Codogno whom authorities Albettone. He had recently trav- Four of the dead were in the prohibited from Minister Peter Pellegrini Back home in Slovakia, he have called “patient one”. He elled to Codogno and is known northern Lombardy region, denied he had contracted the was admitted to hospital on has not travelled to China and to frequent bars in Vo’ Euganeo where villages have been put leaving. coronavirus, after speculation Saturday. Pellegrini posted a doctors failed to treat him with — where the region’s only under lockdown and security surrounding his hospitalisation photo of himself giving a the necessary precautions. victim so far lived. measures enforced in a bid to with pneumonia. thumbs-up from a hospital in But the man initially believed Milan mayor Beppe Sala stem the spread of the disease. Veneto — are under lockdown, “The Prime Minister is Bratislava on Sunday. to have given him the virus after urged people to stay calm and Italian media reported a with some 50,000 residents exhausted and has pneumonia, Yesterday, he posted returning from Shanghai later refrain from “dashing to the sixth victim, but officials could prohibited from leaving. but that’s all,” Slovak gov- another message saying “I tested negative. supermarkets to grab food. not immediately confirm this. Regional authorities have ernment spokeswoman believe that tomorrow, in spite “We still do not know who “We should spend time Prime Minister Giuseppe ordered gathering spots, such Patricia Macikova said when of everything, I will be able to brought the coronavirus to looking after the most vul- Conte has said that residents as schools, bars, restaurants, asked about the rumours. return to work.” Codogno,” Galli said. nerable, such as old people, who could face weeks in lockdown cinemas and discos to close. Rumours about Pellegrini’s No cases of coronavirus Investigators are recon- are particularly at risk,” he said. in an effort to sit out the virus. The measures imposed in health were circulating in have been reported in structing minute by minute the France has said there is no “We need to stay alert, but the country’s north affect some European circles, as he Slovakia. man’s movements over the past need to close borders in do not panic! We must keep our 30 million inhabitants, the few weeks — where he slept, response to the spread of virus heads,” said Attilio Fontana, Repubblica daily said. Milan’s famed La Scala. landing yesterday and refused ate, walked — in a bid to trace in Italy. Hungarian authorities Lombardy’s president. The spread of the virus has Masses in churches across permission to disembark, unless everyone he could have come issued a warning to citizens The civil protection agency disrupted high-profile events the affected regions have been they consented to being placed into contact with. travelling to northern Italy, said 219 people had now tested including Milan Fashion Week cancelled and funerals limited in quarantine. “We had the most unfor- asking them to postpone their positive in Italy, which has the and the Venice Carnival, while to immediate relatives only. Alitalia said it was arranging tunate situation possible; the trip if possible, while incoming most confirmed cases in Europe. Serie A football matches have Forty passengers on an Ali- for their immediate repatriation outbreak of an epidemic in a passengers will be screened at Eleven towns — 10 in Lom- been postponed. Operas have talia flight from Rome to Mau- instead, despite none of the pas- hospital,” infectious disease Budapest and Debrecen airports bardy and one in neighbouring also had to be cancelled at ritius were held on sengers showing any symptoms. expert Massimo Galli told the for fever symptoms. Human rights under Court overturns Romanian PM's assault worldwide: UN nomination AFP — GENEVA girls were being “enslaved, REUTERS — BUCHAREST exploited and abused”, “activists UN Chief Antonio Guterres tossed in jail, and religious and Romania’s top court over- launched a “call to action” ethnic minorities groups turned President Klaus Iohan- yesterday against rising attacks persecuted”. nis’s re-nomination of ousted on human rights, highlighting UN rights chief Michelle Liberal Party leader Ludovic the persecution of minorities Bachelet also stressed the need Orban as prime minister and “alarming levels of for urgent action on human yesterday, potentially derailing femicide”. rights. plans to trigger an early parlia- “Human rights are under “Let us not deliver to our mentary election. assault,” said the Secretary- young people and to their Earlier this month, law- General as he opened the UN children an uncontrollable fire- makers toppled Orban’s three- Human Rights Council’s main storm of intersecting and esca- month-old minority gov- annual session in Geneva. lating human rights crises,” she ernment, part of a ploy to bring “People are being left told the council. on early elections. Iohannis behind. Fears are growing,” he Guterres launched a “call to promptly nominated Orban to said, pointing to swelling divi- action” to “people everywhere” form a new government. sions and political polarisation to take action in seven areas — To trigger snap elections, in many countries. including halting violence parliament must reject two “A perverse political arith- against women and girls, successive proposed cabinets metic has taken hold: divide boosting protection for people UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is seen on a TV screen addressing the opening of the UN within 60 days. people to multiply votes,” he trapped in conflict and recog- Human Rights Council’s main annual session, in Geneva, yesterday. Parliament was supposed said, warning that “the rule of nising the challenges created by to vote on the first proposed law is being eroded”. the climate crisis and new stressing that the UN had powerful countries appearing governments, behind the scenes cabinet yesterday, but the Guterres said civilians were technologies. already achieved gender parity to opt instead for behind-the- or at other times “we will speak opposition Social Democrat being “trapped in war-torn “We see a pushback against across its most senior ranks and scenes diplomacy. out, identifying both violations Party (PSD) asked the Consti- enclaves, starved and bom- women’s rights, alarming levels promised to achieve the same Kenneth Roth of the Human and violators”. tutional Court to block Orban’s barded in clear violation of of femicide, attacks on women throughout the UN system by Rights Watch NGO welcomed “There is a place for each of nomination. international law” as well as human rights defenders, and the 2028. the call to action but said it these approaches, and often all The PSD argued a nominee “human trafficking, affecting persistence of laws and policies Guterres, who mentioned would succeed only if Guterres three at once”. for prime minister must be every region in the world, that perpetuate subjugation and no countries by name, has faced “does not shy away from Guterres also insisted able to form a parliamentary preying on vulnerability and exclusion,” Guterres said. criticism for not speaking out naming abusers”. national sovereignty could not majority and Orban, having despair”. He said work towards more forcefully against rights Guterres said the UN could be used as a pretext for rights lost a no-confidence vote, did He also said women and gender equality “starts within”, violations carried out by sometimes work alongside violations . not meet this condition. The court agreed. “The Romanian president Kosovo war crimes will proceed to designate a UK spies deny withholding intelligence from Interior Minister new candidate for the prime prosecutor files minister job,” the court said. REUTERS — LONDON gence they showed to her. simply untrue. The Home Sec- “The Home Secretary and “Designating a candidate must first indictments It added that spies regularly retary is briefed daily on intelli- MI5 have a strong and close have the purpose of ensuring British intelligence took the “roll their eyes” at the minis- gence matters in exactly the same working relationship, and a new parliamentary majority AFP — THE HAGUE unusual step yesterday of ter’s interventions during way as any previous post holder.” baseless claims to the contrary is developed so that a new denying a newspaper report meetings. MI5, established in 1909 to are both wrong and against the government can be formed.” The prosecutor for a Hague- that the main domestic spy A security source said the counter German espionage public interest,” a government Since Orban’s nomination based court has handed down agency, MI5, had withheld report was untrue. ahead of World War I, is tasked spokesman said. was intended to fail a confi- the first indictments over information from the interior “No information is being with protecting British national “The Home Secretary dence vote in parliament, the alleged war crimes committed minister because some spies did withheld,” said the source. “Any security. Its main job is cur- receives the same daily intelli- wording of court’s ruling casts by Kosovo guerrillas during a not trust her. report suggesting otherwise is rently countering international gence briefings as her prede- doubt on whether snap elec- 1990s conflict, a spokes- The Sunday Times reported simply wrong and does not terrorism though it is also a cessors, and no information is tions could be triggered at all. woman said yesterday. that the Security Service, known serve the public interest.” counter-intelligence agency. being withheld.” Orban’s ousted cabinet is The Kosovo Specialist as MI5, did not trust Home Sec- “Reports suggesting that the It employs around 4,000 Prime Minister Boris running the country on an Chambers did not identify the retary Priti Patel and so had Home Secretary and MI5 do not people and is accountable to the Johnson has full confidence in interim basis, with limited suspects but several former reduced the volume of intelli- have a strong relationship are Home Secretary. Patel, his spokesman said. powers. high-level officials from recent years have previously been summoned for questioning by the tribunal. Greek island protesters vow The EU-backed tribunal was established in 2015 to to stop new migrant camps investigate crimes by inde- pendence-seeking ethnic AP — LESBOS “We are guarding the Albanian guerrillas against (appropriated) area, and if they mainly Serb civilians during Protest groups on three eastern start building, everyone here the 1998-1999 war. Greek islands yesterday begun and from the surrounding vil- “I can confirm that the setting up blockades aimed at lages will join the protest — president has assigned a pre- stopping the government from because we don’t want this,” trial judge to review indict- building new migrant detention Stephanos Apostolou, a protest ments filed by the Specialist centers. organiser and municipal council Prosecutor. The content is The groups on Lesbos, member from the village of confidential,” a spokesman for Chios, and Samos have received Mandamados on Lesbos, said. the court said. broad support on the islands, Greece remains the “The pre-trial judge has a including from municipal European Union’s busiest entry maximum of six months to authorities and farming point for refugees and migrants, either confirm or dismiss the associations. with nearly 4,000 making the indictments.” The Greek government says winter crossing this year The war pitted Kosovo Lib- it is determined to build through February 16, according eration Army guerrillas detention centres on recently to data from the United Nations seeking independence for the appropriated land to replace refugee agency. southern Serbian province of overcrowded camps on the Croatia’s Foreign and Kosovo against Serbia’s forces, islands — announcing that con- European Affairs Minister Children pose at the unofficial camp of the island of Samos, yesterday. who withdrew from the ter- struction would resume this Gordan Grlic-Radman, whose ritory after an 11-week Nato week after a brief break for country holds the rotating pres- and illegal immigration,” he illegal immigration and we centres on the Greek islands. bombing campaign. consultations. idency of the European Union, said, speaking on the sidelines should should protect the The UNHCR Filippo Grandi The tribunal was created But many islanders fear that said its priority was to improve of a meeting of southeast European Union from illegal said swift measures were needed following an international new facilities will only increase screening mechanisms to sep- European foreign ministers in immigration.” to reduce overcrowding and probe after a Council of the number of migrants and ref- arate legitimate asylum seekers the northern Greek city of On Friday, the UN's refugee improve living conditions on the Europe report tied top former ugees after the government from other migrants entering Thessaloniki. chief called for urgent action to islands prioritising water, sani- Kosovo guerrilla leaders, failed to deliver on a pledge to the 27-nation bloc. “That’s very important and address the “shocking and tation and healthcare, as the including current President ease overcrowding over the “We have to make a dis- we have to fight the smugglers, shameful” conditions migrants winter weather was exacerbating Hashim Thaci, to atrocities. winter months. tinction between the refugees the criminals who organise are forced to live in at reception the situation. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 AMERICAS 17

Clinton calls Two dead in Haiti Trump ‘danger to democracy’ at after police attack Berlin film festival army headquarters AFP — BERLIN Hillary Clinton yesterday AFP — PORT-AU-PRINCE Haitian police are denounced President Donald demanding better Trump as a “danger to The Haitian capital of Port-au- democracy” and defended her Prince was on lockdown working conditions, in scathing comments about yesterday after Haitian police particular the right to former rival and Democratic attacked the army headquarters primary frontrunner Bernie to demand better working form a union. Sanders. conditions, sparking a gun Clinton also warned that battle that left two servicemen Russia would once again try dead and a dozen wounded. noting that it was down to the to influence the presidential The main roads through the police to restore order to the election in 2020, and said she city were blocked and smaller streets. would back any candidate streets were deserted, leaving The police had not reacted taking on Trump. the capital cut off from the rest to the unrest by yesterday. “I will support the nominee of the country. Some of the protesting officers of our party because I think A man in a Haitian National Police uniform aims a rifle as people take cover during a shooting in In a statement issued late went as far as to seize the keys that our current President is a Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Sunday. Sunday, the government said it to the force’s few vehicles and clear and present danger to had observed “with concern use them to block some roads. democracy and to our future,” and dismay that terror has The army said their head- the presidential palace, at the —who normally conduct announced measures designed she told journalists at the reigned in certain arteries of the quarters were attacked Sunday time of the attack. regular patrols there — were to ease the crisis, including the Berlin film festival, where a Port-au-Prince metropolitan by gunmen wearing masks. One of the protesting avoiding it as too dangerous to creation of a compensation new documentary about her area.” “We are under siege. We are officers, who had been among enter. For months, Haitian fund for families of police who life was being screened. In order to avoid a coming under fire with all kinds five policemen sacked from police have been demanding die in the line of duty and a fund Yet she refused to endorse “bloodbath... it has been decided of weapons — assault rifles, their jobs, said that at least one better working conditions, in to provide officers with any specific candidate, saying to cancel the carnival,” which Molotov cocktails, tear gas,” of his comrades had been killed particular the right to form a insurance. she would “leave that to the was scheduled to take place General Jodel Lessage said and several others wounded in union so as to ensure trans- Haiti has witnessed a spike voters”. today (Tuesday), the statement during the assault. the gun fight with the army. parency in talks with the police in kidnappings for ransom since The documentary has said. He said soldiers had The Champ de Mars, the hierarchy. the beginning of the year and grabbed headlines for caustic Embattled President Jovenel returned fire but did not give area where the clashes broke Last week, some officers fighting between rival crime remarks Clinton makes about Moise is working on forming a any casualty figures, nor could out on Sunday, was still inac- took to the street, blocking them gangs, which regularly set up Sanders, who took pole new government, a source close he say how many people were cessible a day later. Even guards and setting fire to cars. roadblocks on Haitian position in this year’s race with to the country’s leader said, at the army headquarters, near from the presidential palace On Saturday, Moise highways. a key win in Nevada on Sunday. “Nobody likes him, nobody Harvey Weinstein wants to work with him, he got Canada police move in to clear blockade of rail line nothing done. He was a career found guilty in politician,” she says in the REUTERS — TYENDINAGA, ONTARIO four-part film. landmark case She defended the com- Police moved in yesterday morning to clear ments yesterday, saying: “Pol- AP — NEW YORK a rail blockade by an indigenous group in itics is a contact sport, people eastern Canada that had been stopping say all sorts of things. They’ve Harvey Weinstein was freight and passenger traffic for more than certainly said all sorts of things convicted yesterday on two two weeks on one of the country’s busiest about me.” assault charges, and was led lines. Following revelations from off to prison in handcuffs. Canadian National Railway Co obtained US officials this week that The 67-year-old Weinstein an injunction against those preventing rail Russia was once again med- had a look of resignation on traffic from running along its trunk line near dling in the US election, his face as he heard the verdict Belleville, Ontario, on February 7, but pro- Clinton called on voters to be that could put him away for vincial police had taken a cautious approach “vigilant” against the rest of his life. The charges until now. disinformation. carry up to 29 years behind Dozens of Ontario Provincial Police “We know disinformation bars. (OPP) descended on the site of the blockade is already a problem... the (US) “This is the new landscape a little after 8am ET. The Canadian Broad- intelligence community for survivors of abuse in casting Corp said there had been about 10 reported that the Russians are America, I believe, and it is a arrests so far. back in our cyber systems new day. It is a new day Media were kept at a distance. But a trying to influence the because Harvey Weinstein has group called Real People’s Media, affiliated outcome of the primary and finally been held accountable with Onkwehon:we clan families and their still trying to support Trump,” for crimes he committed,” Dis- allies, posted a video on Twitter showing she said. Police officers make an arrest during a raid on a Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory camp next trict Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. police wrestle two men to the ground after “There is no debate. to a railway crossing in Tyendinaga, Canada, yesterday. said. they refused to back away from the tracks. Anyone who tries to deny it is Weinstein’s lawyers said Police had given a midnight deadline to living in a dreamworld, and it’s they will appeal. clear the line. support of the Wet’suwet’en. Prime Min- Blair told reporters after the meeting. a sad dreamworld because we “Harvey is unbelievably “Unfortunately, all avenues to success- ister Justin Trudeau met with top ministers “It’s absolutely essential those barri- are letting our defences down.” strong. He took it like a man,” fully negotiate a peaceful resolution have to discuss the end of the standoff. Trudeau cades come down and that rail service be Foreign powers, she said, defense attorney Donna been exhausted and a valid court injunction has said it is his government’s priority to resumed.” On Friday, Trudeau demanded would try “more and more” to Rotunno said. remains in effect,” the OPP said in a reconcile with indigenous peoples, who aboriginal groups lift the rail blockades, influence elections in the US “He knows that we will statement. make up about 4 percent of the population which have also been staged in other prov- and Europe. continue to fight for him, and The Tyendinaga Mohawk campaigners and face higher levels of poverty and vio- inces including Quebec, but both the “If we don’t protect our we know that this is not over.” barricaded the line in solidarity with the lence, and shorter life expectancies. Wet’suwet’en and Tyendinaga remained democracy then we are slowly Another of his lawyers, Wet’suwet’en from British Columbia, who “We are not in any way compromising defiant. but steadily surrendering it Arthur Aidala, quoted Wein- are seeking to stop construction of a gas our commitment to the reconciliation The Wet’suwet’en band in British and losing control of it.” stein as telling his legal team: pipeline over their land. agenda, but at the same time the impact of Columbia has been fighting the construction She said the new docu- “I’m innocent. I’m innocent. In Ottawa, hundreds of protesters met these rail disruptions, and the barricades, of TC Energy Corp’s planned Coastal mentary would tell “the real I’m innocent. How could this in front of parliament and marched in is untenable,” Public Safety Minister Bill GasLink pipeline for a decade. story” of her political career. happen in America?” The jury of seven men and five women took five days to find Weinstein guilty on two Julian Assange put lives at risk, charges. He was acquitted on the claims lawyer for US in court most serious charges, two counts of predatory assault, REUTERS — LONDON publication of the names of the each carrying a sentence of up sources, the names of people to life in prison. Both of those Julian Assange is wanted for who had put themselves at risk counts hinged on the tes- crimes that put at risk the lives to assist the United States and timony of “Sopranos” actress of people in Iraq, Iran and its allies,” Lewis said at London’s Annabella Sciorra, who said Afghanistan who had helped the Woolwich Crown Court. Weinstein assaulted her in the West, some of whom later disap- The United States asked mid-1990s. peared, said a lawyer acting for Britain to extradite Assange last Judge James Burke ordered the United States in its bid to year after he was pulled from the Weinstein taken to jail imme- extradite him. Ecuador embassy in London, diately. Court officers sur- He was wanted, said James where he had spent seven years rounded Weinstein, hand- Lewis, lawyer for the US author- holed up avoiding extradition to cuffed him and led him out of ities, not because he embar- Sweden over sex crime allega- the courtroom via a side door rassed the authorities but tions which have since been without the use of the walker because he put informants, dis- dropped. he relied on for much of the sidents, and rights activists at Assange’s lawyer Edward Fit- trial. The judge said he will ask risk of torture, abuse or death. zgerald said the US attitude to that Weinstein, who had been “What Mr Assange seems to Assange had changed when free on bail since his arrest defend by freedom of speech is Donald Trump came to power Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange demonstrate outside Belmarsh prison prior to his nearly two years ago, be held not the publication of the clas- and that the US President wanted extradition hearing, in London, yesterday. in the infirmary after his sified materials but the to make an example of his client. lawyers said he needs medical attention following unsuc- cessful back surgery. Sentencing was set for Trump administration weighs emergency funds to combat coronavirus March 11. The verdict followed REUTERS — WASHINGTON protect all Americans, that we planning, had reported the HHS funding that has not yet virus epicenter of Wuhan, weeks of often harrowing and keep us safe,” White House administration may request been used. China, as well as from a cruise excruciatingly graphic tes- The Trump administration is spokesman Hogan Gidley said $1bn funding from the US Con- The United States has not ship in Japan, according to the timony from a string of considering asking lawmakers on Fox News Channel. gress. An administration official seen the kind of community US Centers for Disease Control accusers. for emergency funding to ramp Asked how much funding said the amount was still being spread that has hit China, but and Prevention. The conviction was seen as up its response to the fast- the administration may ask finalized, and the request could health officials are preparing for Representatives for the US a long-overdue reckoning for spreading coronavirus, a White Congress to approve, Gidley go to lawmakers this week. such a possibility even as those Department of Health and Weinstein after years of House spokesman and an later told reporters at the White The official said US Health Americans affected so far have Human Services declined to whispers about his behavior administration source said House that there was no and Human Services Secretary been quarantined. comment on the funding turned into a torrent of accu- yesterday, though they did not announcement yet on the Alex Azar was seeking an There have been 13 cases of requests. sations in 2017 that destroyed say how much money was amount. amount that some within the people diagnosed with the virus US President Donald Trump his career and gave rise to needed. Politico and the Washington administration viewed as out of in the United States and 21 cases has tapped Azar to lead a task ‘MeToo’ movement. “We need some funding Post, citing unnamed indi- proportion, given the limited among Americans repatriated force coordinating the response here to make sure that we... viduals familiar with the number of US cases and other on evacuation flights from the to the outbreak. 18 AMERICAS TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 Protests in Chile hit LatAm’s biggest music festival

AFP — SANTIAGO

Thousands of protesters armed with stones, sticks and Molotov cocktails clashed with police on Sunday as Latin America’s biggest music festival opened, in the latest spurt of a four-month old wave of grassroots anger over economic inequality and other grievances. Police blocked the entrance to a park where the festival was being held in Vina del Mar, a seaside resort about 120km west of Santiago. Officers used a helicopter and a balloon with surveillance cameras and drove back the protesters with water cannon and tear gas. “Vandals and criminals are trying to do damage just four blocks from the entrance to the festival. But everything is under control,” Jorge Martinez, the Valparaiso regional governor, told the 24-hour state news channel. After failing to get into the festival grounds, protesters attacked nearby shops and the renowned O’Higgins Hotel where many fes- Police surround cars set ablaze outside a hotel during a protest against Chilean President tival artists usually stay. Sebastian Pinera’s government in Vina del Mar, Chile, on Sunday. Tear gas drifting through the hotel forced many guests to flee. The protesters also burned at least seven vehicles. peace.” “That (Chileans) express themselves, to know that the will of a people is respected, Despite the official optimism, the festival’s that they demand the basics, human rights, is is obeyed, is fulfilled. Listen to your people.” traditional Hollywood-style red carpet basic, we don’t ask for anything. I am with you Since authorities announced a modest hike opening, one of Chile’s most watched tele- Chile, never silent, always with love and in metro fares in the capital Santiago on vised events, was cancelled. peace,” said the 48-year-old Puerto Rican October 18, more than 30 people have died in The crowd was able to enter three and a singer. protests which mushroomed in an outlet for half hours before the start of the show after Hours earlier, at a press conference, Martin wider discontent over social and economic filing through two security fences erected in said it was “important to let the leaders of our inequality and rejection of conservative bil- at least four blocks around the park. countries know what we need, provided we lionaire Pinera and his government. Multiple Grammy-winner Ricky Martin do so in an orderly manner.” A nationwide referendum on changing the opened the show. After a two-hour set, he At the height of the protests, the singer constitution, which dates back to the era of asked Chileans not to remain silent and to addressed a message to Chile’s President military dictator Augusto Pinochet in the 70s demand what they deserve with “love and Sebastian Pinera on social media: “You have and 80s, is set for April. UN study: One of every 3 Venezuelans is facing hunger

AP — CARACAS, VENEZUELA World Food Program’s study, reluctant in recent years to invite “food-related coping strategies,” One of every three people in which was conducted at the invi- international organizations to such as reducing the variety and Venezuela is struggling to put tation of the Venezuelan gov- provide assessments of the quality of food they eat. Sixty enough food on the table to meet ernment. Food insecurity is nation’s humanitarian ordeal, percent of households reported minimum nutrition requirements defined as an individual being though the World Food Program cutting portion sizes in meals, as the nation’s severe economic unable to meet basic dietary said it was granted “full inde- 33% said they had accepted food contraction and political needs. pendence” and collected data as payment for work and 20% upheaval persists, according to The study describes food throughout the country “without reported selling family assets to a study published by the UN insecurity as a nationwide any impediment or obstruction.” cover basic needs. World Food Program on Sunday. concern, though certain states “WFP looks forward to a con- The issue appears to be one A nationwide survey based like Delta Amacuro, Amazonas tinuation of its dialogue with the that is less about the availability on data from 8,375 question- and Falcon had especially high Venezuelan government and dis- of food and more about the dif- naires reveals a startling picture levels. Even in more prosperous cussions that will focus on the ficulty in obtaining it. of the large number of Vene- regions, one in five people are way forward to provide Seven in 10 reported that zuelans surviving off a diet con- estimated to be food insecure. assistance for those who are food food could always be found but sisting largely of tubers and “The reality of this report insecure,” the agency said in a said it is difficult to purchase beans as hyperinflation renders shows the gravity of the social, statement. because of high prices. many salaries worthless. economic and political crisis in There was no immediate Thirty-seven percent A total of 9.3 million people our country,” said Miguel Pizarro, response to the findings by reported they had lost their job — roughly one-third of the pop- a Venezuelan opposition leader. Maduro’s government. or business as a result of Vene- ulation — are moderately or Venezuelan President Nicolás The survey found that 74% of zuela’s severe economic severely food insecure, said the Maduro has been largely families have adopted contraction.

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 2:00pm; Freakens (2D/Malayalam) 2:00pm; VIC The Viking (2D/Animation) 2:15pm; VIC The Viking (2D/Animation) 2:00pm; Frozen II (2D/Animation) 4:45pm; Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) 5:45pm The Call Of The Wild (2D/Adventure) 6:30, 8:15 & Elcano & Magellanes (2D/Animation) 4:15pm 9:30pm; After Midnight (2D/Drama) 10:00pm The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 9:15pm; Brahms: The Boy 2 (2D/Horror) 11:30pm Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 6:00 & 11:15pm Mafia (2D/Tamil) 2:00, 4:15 & 11:30pm Emma (2D/Comedy) 5:30pm Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 8:30pm Sundooq Al Dunya (2D/Arabic) 3:30 & 7:45pm; Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 4:00 & 5:45pm Color Out of Space (2D/Horror) 9:30pm Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) 7:30pm Mafia (2D/Tamil) 11:30pm LANDMARK FLIK Mirqab Mall Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 2:00 & 11:00pm; After Midnight (2D/Drama) 0:30am VIC The Viking (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 4:45pm; Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 6:15 & 7:45pm Bad Boys For Life (2D/Action) 11:40am, 2:10, 4:40, 7:05, 9:30 & The Call Of The Wild (2D/Adventure) 8:00 & 9:45pm; 11:55pm Mafia (2D/Tamil) 2:00 & 11:30pm Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 & Elcano & Magellanes (2D/Animation) 3:30pm 10;40pm Emma (2D/Comedy) 5:15pm Brahms: The Boy 2 (2D/Horror) 6:10, 10:10pm & 12:00 midnight Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 7:30 & Color Out of Space (2D/Horror) 4:00 & 8:00pm 10;45pm; Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) Emma (2D/Comedy) 10:50am, 1:15, 3:40 & 6:05pm 4:00pm; Color Out of Space (2D/Horror) 9:00pm Birds Of Prey (2D/Action) 11:00, 1;10, 3:25, 5:35, 7:45, 9:55 & Anjaam Pathira (2D/Malayalam) 6:30pm 0:05am Jumanji: The Next Level 11:10am, 1:35pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 10;20am, 11:20am, 12;20, 1:20, AL KHOR 2:20, 3:20, 4;20, 5:20, 6:20, 7:20, 8:20, 9:20, 10;20, 11:20pm & Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) 12:15, 6:00 0:20am & 11:45pm; Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 11:45am & 8:00pm Sundooq Al Dunya (2D/Arabic) 8:30, 10;20pm & 0:10am The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 10:30am, 12:45, The Call Of The Wild (2D/Drama) 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 5:00 & 9:15pm; Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/ 8:30 & 10:30pm Malayalam) 2:45 & 8:30pm; Mafia (2D/Tamil) 2:45 & VIC The Viking (2D/Animation) 10:10am, 11:50am & 1:30pm 11:00pm; Brahms: The Boy 2 (2D/Horror) 3:00, 7;15 & 11:30pm; Al Mallu (2D/Malayalam) 5:15pm ASIAN TOWN ROXY Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 2:45, 3:45, 7:00, Al Mallu (2D/Malayalam) 10:15pm; Ayyappanum 8:30, 8:45, 10;15, 11:15pm Koshiyum (2D/Malayalam) 11:00, 2:30, 6:30 & Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 1:15pm 10:10pm; Bheeshma (2D/Telugu) 1:00, 3:40, 7:30 & Varane Avashyamund (2D/Malayalam) 8:30pm 10:10pm; Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) Bhoot Part 1: The Haunted Ship (2D/Hindi) 6:30pm 3:00, 5:30 & 8:00pm; Brahms: The Boy 2 (2D/Horror) Mafia (2D/Tamil) 12:30, 4:00 & 8:45pm 11:30am, 1:00 & 9:00pm; Emma (2D/Comedy) 7:50 & Freakens (2D/Malayalam) 6:15pm 10:00pm; Mafia (2D/Tamil) 12:30, 8:00 & 10:30pm; Al Mallu (2D/Malayalam) 6:00 & 11:45pm Sonic: The Hedgehog (2D/Action) 11:00am, 12:30, 1:10, 1:30, 2:40, 3:00, 3:30, 5:40, 6:50, 7:50, 8:00, 9:00 & 10:20pm; Sundooq Al Dunya (2D/Arabic) 3:40, 5:00, 5:15, 7:00, 10:00, 11:00 & 11:10pm; Varane Avashyamund (2D/Malayalam) 11:30am & 10:30pm VIC The Viking (2D/Animation) 11:00am, 12:30, 1:00, 2:30, 3:00 & 4:30pm

MAFIA Mafia: Chapter 1, known simply as Mafia, is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Karthick Naren and produced by Allirajah Sub- askaran under the banner of Lyca Productions. TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME 19

Al Majed Jewellery: A legendary centre for innate beauty

t all started over a century ago, when Ali Al Majed — a young pearl trader with a courageous spirit of entre- preneurship, ambition, an innate fascination with pure beauty, and a burning love of the sea and its precious pearls, became one of the most prominent Ipearl traders in the Gulf. Ali Al Majed was helped by his sons but it was Mahdi who took most interest after his father, setting sail on his own and trading in the most appealing of pearls. The business under Mahdi Al Majed survived the big recession that prevailed when cultured pearls swept the market at the outbreak of World War II. When oil was dis- covered in the 1940s and a new era of prosperity began in Qatar, Mahdi’s relentless spirit and keen foresight led to the establishment of “Al Majed Jewellery”, which was soon expanded to include gold and diamonds from the best designers in Europe. Al Majed Jewellery thus became a centre of attraction for all those who looked for beauty in its deepest sense. Today, the legacy continues with Mahdi’s three sons, Ahmed, Mohammed and Jamil, who are handling the family business with great honour and dedication. Ahmed, Mohammed and Jamil enhanced the business image and services, establishing a first class showroom FROM LEFT: Ahmed Mahdi Al Majed, Jamil Mahdi Al Majed and Mohammed Mahdi Al Majed and entering new realms by adding to their collection some of the most famous names in precious watches like Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, F.P. Journe, Hublot, IWC, TAG Heuer, Jacob & Co, Versace, and others from leading houses BRAND LIST of jewellery like Moussaiff, Ambrosi, Crivelli, Boghossain, Staurino Fratelli, Zydo, Pasquale Bruni, Roberto Coin and WATCH Greubel Forsey Mortiz Grossman Boghossian Hasbani Rdh Diamonds Gucci, in addition to some of the leading premium brands. A Lange & Sohne Hautlence TAG Heuer Crivelli Henn Gems Roberto Coin Anonimo Hublot U-Boat Daniel K K. Di Kuore Staurino Fratelli AL MAJED JEWELLERY PO Box 583, Doha, Qatar - Tel: +974 4447 8888 Bell & Ross Iwc VERSACE De Amrosi Marco Bicego Utopia Fax: +974 4447 7700 Bomberg Jacob & Co Dehres Moussaieff William Goldberg Email: [email protected] Buben & Zorweg Parmigiani JEWELLERY Enrico Capra Pasquale Bruni Yoko London [email protected] URL: www.almajedgroup.me Christopher Claret Patek Philippe Aurora Freres Rochat Ponte Vecchio Zydo Social media: @almajedjw F.P. Journe Perrelet Autore Gucci New Art Ltd Products displayed at Al Majed Jewellery pavillion at DJWE IWC Schaffhausen displays finest limited-edition collections from portfolio

wiss luxury watch man- ufacturer IWC Schaff- hausen, in collaboration with long-term partners in Qatar, Al Majed Jew- Sellery, announces its participation at the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2020. Taking place until February 29, the largest jewellery and watches exhibition in the Middle East, which opened yesterday, will be attended by the region’s most passionate watch connoisseurs and timepiece enthusiasts, who will come together to see over 500 international luxury brands on display. IWC is set to showcase some of the finest limited-edition col- lections from its portfolio at this year’s exhibition. Watch collectors will have the opportunity to dis- cover new models and purchase their favourite timepieces from the collection. Several Portugieser and Por- tofino timepieces will be on display, including the Portugieser Pasquale Bruni to showcase its Tourbillon Mystère Rétrograde with its retrograde date display latest Atelier collection Aleluia’ for that jumps back to the 1st of the month after the 31st of the previous month. Another impressive feature first time in Mideast at DJWE 2020 of this Portugieser is the unusual presentation of the flying tour- he Italian jewellery designer, Pas- feature is a key attention has when she billon, consisting of 82 parts, as a quale Bruni, will reveal for the first designed her creation. Eugenia ultime goal is “12” that appears to come to life. time its latest Atelier collection, to ensure that woman can enjoy their jewels In addition, the Portugieser named Aleluia’ during Doha Jewelry at any given points in the day or night. Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition Tand Watch Exhibition from February 24th Alongside, these magical treasures and “150 Years” stands out as one of to 29th at Doha Exhibition and Convention for those seeking different aesthetic, the the technical highlights in the Center. Al Majed Group will host Pasquale brand will also unfold a new collection jubilee collection. This limited- Bruni in their Pavilion for the fourth con- named Petit Joli. edition model features a platinum secutive year. A collection designed for women always case, a blue dial with a lacquered The collection which has made its secret looking for the ideal balance: finish and rhodium-plated hands. debut on the set of the upcoming movie from - Sophisticate yet natural The Portugieser Perpetual Cal- Jennifer Lopez, “Marry Me” in the vibrant - Determinate yet spontaneous endar Digital Date-Month is a par- wedding scene which took the world by sur- - Dramatic yet serene ticularly striking perpetual- prise end of last year. Is now available in the - Dreamer yet down-to-earth calendar model with its large Middle East and the 1st piece ever commer- With Petit Joli, the fleeting beauty of a double-digit displays for the date cialized in white gold and diamonds will be flower becomes an everlasting jewel. The and month and its leap year presented during the fair. perfect line to start the discovery of Pasquale display – a unique timepiece that This exclusive jewellery line has been Bruni’s vibrant universe. “A stroll over at Pas- is perfectly suited for 2020. created by Pasquale Bruni’s daughter quale Bruni’s stand will immerse you in an Speaking on behalf of Al Majed Eugenia. She has taken over the design since array of vibrant beauties which will enliven Jewellery, IWC’s local partners in 2001. With Aleluia’, Eugenia wanted to create your soul in a spark of a moment,” said Qatar, Vice-Chairman Jamil Al an anthem to beauty and love. The collection Roberto Bocus, Global Commercial Director Majed, commented: “We are took over 12 months to be developed and for Pasquale Bruni. excited to have IWC Schaffhausen the assembly of one jewelry can take upto on board to participate in yet The Doha Jewellery & Watches exhibition will build on a sparkling 3 months as every single piece is handcrafted Pasquale Bruni another edition of the Doha Jew- Exhibition 2020, where more than legacy following last year’s edition, by the brand master goldsmith. Italian jewellery designer, Pasquale ellery & Watches Exhibition. This 500 international luxury brands which saw brands from more than For example, the necklace is composed of Bruni has been celebrating craftsmanship is an opportunity to give our col- display their finest work, special edi- 10 countries participate and 42 leaves which are individually created and for over 50 years in unparalleled designs. lectors and connoisseurs an insight tions and unique pieces alongside attracted almost 24,000 visitors. then assembled together to form this unique Each collection is handcrafted in Italy and into IWC’s heritage and showcase the most talented emerging local versatile necklace. The necklace can transform the gemstones and golds are rigorously some of the finest masterpieces designers, is held at the Doha Exhi- Instagram: itself in length or into a bracelet and can allow selected to instill the family soul into from across the different IWC bition and Convention Centre every #IWCWatchesArabia a woman to personalize to her taste. This exceptional jewels. watch families.” year. The 17th edition of the @IWCWatchesArabia 20 HOME TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2020