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Sheikha Moza meets Arab World Institute President Emir holds phone Qatar’s water talks with Burkina Faso President supply to reach DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held yesterday via telephone a conversation with the Pres- 480m gallons ident of Brukina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, to THE PENINSULA The project is offer condolences on the expected to provide victims of attacks that DOHA: Qatar’s water targeted army headquarters, production capacity increased after the completion the French Embassy and The by 15 percent in 2017 with the of all phases by Institute Francais in the opening of phase one of the second half 2018, a capital Ouagadougou, Integrated Water and Power total of 136 million wishing the injured a speedy Project (IWPP) in Umm Al Houl, recovery. The Emir expressed Qatar General Electricity and gallons of water his condemnation to the Water Corporation (Kahramaa) raising the total heinous crime, stressing the said in a statement issued on water production State of Qatar’s support of the occasion of Arab Water Day. Burkina Faso in the face of “The project is expected to in the country to extremism and terrorism of provide after the completion of about 480 million all kinds. Meanwhile, Qatar all phases by second half 2018 gallons per day, said expressed strong a total of 136 million gallons of denouncement and condem- Kahramaa President. Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, H H Sheikha water raising the total water nation of the series of explo- production in the country to Moza bint Nasser met yesterday with Jack Lang, the President of the Arab World Institute, in Paris sions. about 480 million gallons per “Arab Water Day is to explore and discuss collaborative projects in education and culture. PIC: AR AL-BAKER day with the capacity of 23 observed to remind people of →CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 percent water production the strong relationship between reserve, said Kahramaa Pres- water, energy and food ident Eng Essa bin Hilal Al security,” said Al Sada. He Kuwari. Kahramaa observes the pointed out that this year’s Arab Water Day on March 3 theme highlights the impor- Hamad Port aims 35% of trade in ME under the theme “Intercon- tance of understanding the nection between water, food interconnection between water SACHIN KUMAR This can be achieved by properly handling 5,000 vessels per year The Minister said that there and energy for life sustaina- resources and their man- THE PENINSULA leveraging the facilities at and has a general cargo terminal is an increased focus on bility” to underline the impor- agement to achieve sustaina- Hamad Port, which is Qatar’s that can handle 1.7 million enhancing the role of national tance of water for the bility. Growing demand has led DOHA: Hamad Port aims to largest sea access point and a tonnes of general goods per year. companies in mega-projects achievement of sustainable to import of food and reliance capture 35 percent of the trade gateway to more than 150 des- He said that the port will through an MoTC strategy called development and enhance the on energy in desalination of in the Middle East in the next two tinations around the world,” the encourage the role private sector Private Sector Participation in ongoing economic and urban water. years, said the Minister of Minister told the OBG. by providing more business Transport Projects. development in the country. “Qatar gives great impor- Transport and Communications “The port will provide the opportunities to them in coming The port has begun the new On the occasion H E Dr tance to water sector under a H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti in country with complete inde- years. year with yet another Mohammad bin Saleh Al Sada, comprehensive system in line an interview published in Oxford pendence in its import and “The private sector took achievement. The port received Minister of Energy and Industry with Qatar National Vision 2030 Business Group’s (OBG) recently export of goods internationally. over 60 percent of the value of a total of 182 vessels in January said, “We are living in a region to achieve integration in all released report ‘The Report: We will be able to export Qatari all tenders announced for this year, which was the highest that is considered one of the sectors to ensure sustainability Qatar 2017’. products directly from Doha to Hamad Port, which exceed number of vessels handled in areas where water resources of life and development to ensure This will be achieved by 130 countries, thus resulting in QR10bn ($2.7bn). Moreover, the a month since the start of oper- are most scarce as we are facing better life for the coming gener- properly leveraging facilities at easy re-exportation from these private sector will be respon- ations at Hamad Port. various challenges, the most ation. The Ministry represented the port. countries to Qatar,” he added. sible for a major portion of the A senior official of a private serious of which is the fast by Kahramaa made necessary “With the opening of the The $7.4bn Hamad Port, the construction works of the logistic company told The depletion of the groundwater, plans to upgrade the key facil- port, the volume of Qatar’s inter- largest port in the region, has second phase of the port, with Peninsula that the traffic at the increasing salinity and the ities of water sector to increase national trade is set to witness played a significant role in projects valued at QR5bn ports in Qatar, including steady increase in demand for production and meet the growing rapid growth – currently cap- defeating the unjust siege ($1.4bn) in total expected to be Hamad Port, is likely to grow water due to growing popu- demand of water,” he said. turing 27 percent of trade in the imposed by blockading completed and delivered in the coming months as the lation and fast economic devel- Middle East and aiming to reach countries. between 2020 and 2021,” he country is undergoing a phase opment of the country.” →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 35 percent in the next two years. Hamad port is capable of informed. of rapid pace of development.

Pleasant weather Halal Qatar Festival 2018 gets under way at Katara in Doha after RAYNALD C RIVERA more attention to traditional ambience of the fes- rain and clouds THE PENINSULA local livestock tival. There is also a tent where breeders of pure live demonstration of the process THE PENINSULA DOHA: The authentic traditional halal as a way of in making sadu and other tradi- atmosphere was palpable at encouraging them tional items from sheep wool are DOHA: Weather remained yesterday’s launch of the seventh to increase pro- shown. Artists and artisans are pleasant in Doha yesterday edition of Halal Qatar Festival, duction which are also doing live art and craft with partial rains in different one of the biggest annual of high quality. making such as painting and parts of the city and thick festivals organised by the Another main pottery at the festival venue clouds most of the times in Cultural Village Foundation – feature of the fes- adjacent to a tent where a stage majority parts of the country. Katara. tival is the Al has been set up for daily culture The Department of Mete- “This festival is among the Mazain – a beauty and entertainment events. orology in its daily weather biggest festivals that Katara competition for Camel and horse rides and a report forecasted scattered presents to the public. Usually sheep and goats in playground are among the other clouds and hazy weather until there are around 300,000 to various categories. features at the festival. today’s morning at various 400,000 people who visit this More local livestock A number of government places inshore in Qatar. Off- festival every year,” Katara breeders as well as bodies are present at the festival shore, according to the report General Manager Dr. Khalid bin those from Kuwait such as the Ministry of Munici- it will be partly cloudy with Ibrahim Al Sulaiti told local and Oman are com- pality and Environment through light rain at places at first, media after inaugurating the peting for the big their livestock department pro- becoming fine, warning of nine-day festival. General Manager of Katara Dr Khalid Al Sulaiti (centre) with other officials cutting prizes in store, said viding veterinary education to strong wind and high seas. The festival is dedicated to the ribbon to officially open the Halal Qatar Festival 2018 at Katara Village, Al Sulaiti. visitors and displaying important Wind inshore will be north- the preservation of animal trade yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA As part of its aspects of local livestock. The westerly at a speed of 8 to 16 as an integral aspect of Qatari commitment to festival, which runs until March knots. Offshore, it will be heritage. raising awareness 10, includes many entertainment northwesterly at a speed of 8 “The purpose of this festival things they need,” explained Al one of this year’s new features, among the youth on Halal, and educational shows, tradi- to 18 knots, reaching 28 knots is to keep the new generation in Sulaiti. ‘Al Nukhba’ (elite) auction in Katara has invited Independent tional games and competitions at places at times. Visibility touch with their history and her- People who thronged the which special breeds of sheep and international schools to visit in the morning and evening with will be 4 to 8 km and 3km or itage and show the resilience of opening day enjoyed visiting the and goats are being sold to the the festival every morning. valuable prizes for the winners. less at places later. Sea state their forefathers. We show here enclosures where different highest bidders. Dozens of stalls offering dairy, The festival is located at the inshore will be 2 to 4 feet, the Halal (goats and sheep) from breeds of goats and sheep were Al Sulaiti stressed that on the other livestock products and tra- southern area of Katara where surging to 5 feet, while off- which they get food and other displayed as well as watching economic side, Katara had given ditional food items enhance the Mahaseel Souq is also located. shore it will be 2 to 5 feet. 02 HOME SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 Sharp decline in Sheikha Moza meets Mayor of Paris traffic fatalities in last 10 years

SIDI MOHAMED The highest number of THE PENINSULA deaths due to traffic DOHA: The number of deaths related to was in 2006 which road accidents had seen a sharp decline recorded 270 cases, in the last ten years, Colonel Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, Director of Media and compared to 177 deaths Awareness Department at the General recorded last year Directorate of Traffic has said. “One of the reasons behind the despite the increase decline of the deaths is enforcing Traffic in number of vehicles Law No 2007, and the new traffic strat- egies which many entities are partici- and residents. pating in,” he told The Peninsula. The highest number of deaths due to traffic was in 2006 which recorded 270 pedestrians knowledge who are not using cases, compared to 177 deaths recorded the pedestrian lanes, and cross from dark last year despite the increase in number areas and the department is working on H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development of vehicles and residents. this. (QF), with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, in the French capital Paris, yesterday.They discuss areas of mutual interest “The new traffic figures show that 97 He added: “Today there are many PIC: AR AL-BAKER percent of traffic accidents are minor, entities and institutions which have part- in education and research, as well as environmental sustainability. and for us the biggest concern is the nered with the Traffic Department and traffic deaths and it decreases every year the main goal is to reduce the number of especially in 2013,” he said. traffic accidents because every institution About incidents of pedestrians being has responsibility in this regard.” run over, Al Hajri said the main reason Colonel Al Hajri pointed out that the behind run-over cases is the lack of Media and Awareness Department cur- Emir sends message to President of El Salvador rently focuses on aggressive behaviour which had become widespread among motorists, to raise awareness about it, adding that “Such behaviour is strange in the society and its appearance may be due to motorists coming from various cultures. The Department held a number of symposiums and invited experts and Emir H H Sheikh Tamim psychologists to discuss this issue and to bin Hamad Al Thani sent find solutions”. a written message to Regarding the issue of The ‘Smart the President of the Impound’ device launched recently by Republic of El Salvador, the General Directorate of Traffic, he said Salvador Sanchez it is in the experimental stage and will Ceren, pertaining to start soon. bilateral relations and The new device will enable means to advance and motorists to keep impounded vehicles develop them. Ahmed at their own premises instead of leaving bin Mohammed Al Horr, them at police-designated impounding Acting Charge d’Affaires yards. at the State of Qatar’s “The impound starts from one day to Embassy to the Republic 90 days and such device has the same of El Salvador, handed purpose which is to prohibit the vehicle the message to the owner from using the vehicle during the Foreign Minister of El Colonel Mohammed Radi Al Hajri, Director impound period. In case he moves the Salvador, Hugo Martinez. of Media and Awareness Department at vehicle then we will start the impound the General Directorate of Traffic again,” Al Hajri noted. CIHT Qatar Group visits Al Wakrah Stadium site

THE PENINSULA a significant community landmark metro line and feeder buses. The for Al Wakrah. The stadium will site will also be well-connected also be built with three leading- with the two major highways DOHA: The Supreme Committee edge priorities in mind, including immediately adjacent to the for Delivery & Legacy (SC) access and comfort, sustainability stadium. There will be four bus welcomed 25 members of the and post-tournament legacy. stops within 240m from the main Chartered Institution of Highways The SC’s Project Manager at Al gate as well as bicycle lanes and & Transportation (CIHT) Qatar Wakrah Stadium, Thani Al Zarraa, racks within the site. Group who recently visited Al gave an informed presentation to A large amount of traffic and Wakrah Stadium for a presentation the group explaining the stadium pedestrian modelling has been and a walking tour. The stadium and precinct is being constructed completed to ensure the smooth which will host matches during the by a joint venture with MPS operation of the stadium in different 2022 FIFA World Cup through to (MIDMAC, PORR Qatar and Six situations, for example, during pre- the quarter-final stages is inspired Construct). match arrival, at half time, and after by Qatar’s traditional dhow boats Eng. Al Zarraa stated: “This the game; not just for spectators but and will have a capacity of 40,000 project is not only to host the Qatar also for officials, members of the A fascinating full moon view during the tournament and will be 2022 FIFA World Cup, as it is press and VIPs. The Group was then reduced to 20,000 in legacy mode. foreseen that it will have greater taken on a site visit around the A full moon shrouded by wisps of clouds illuminate above the Museum of Islamic Art while a The site will also boast gyms, positive impact on the beyond the stadium viewing the impressive well-lit traditional Arabian dhow passes by yesterday evening. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / a swimming pool, basketball tournament.” The stadium is some structures being built. Main con- THE PENINSULA courts, restaurants, retail and a 15km south of Doha and will be tractor works will be completed in wedding hall which will make it connected to the city via the new 2018. Qatar’s water supply to reach 480m gallons CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 challenges on drinking water capacity of 150 million gallons half of 2018 as per the directive aims at making appropriate rate by 25 percent and water by 35 Dr Mohammad bin Saleh Al sources in Arab countries and those each tank,” said Al Kuwari. of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim of per capita consumption of elec- percent by 2022. Sada said that Kahramaa took related to the importance of bringing He added that Kahramaa laid bin Hamad Al Thani at the inau- tricity and water in the country On Arab Water Day, Kah- several steps to meet the require- about solutions to the achievement pipes of different sizes in a guration of 46th session of the with the help of various technol- ramaa reassures that it is com- ments of sustainability devel- of sustainable development. stretch of about 650 kilometres Advisory Council. ogies, legislations and initiatives. mitted to providing high quality opment including the Water The President of Kahramaa to connect the tanks with water “Kahramaa is also working “Kahramaa is also working to water as per the international Security Mega Reservoirs project underlined that Kahramaa is also desalinating plants. “Phase one through its National Programme utilise the sources of renewable standard to its customers and to that aims at building 15 tanks for implementing the Water Security project will add about 1,500 for Conservation and Energy Effi- energy and to adopt new tech- develop the necessary infra- water storage, the largest one in Mega Reservoirs project to gallons water to the strategic ciency “Tarsheed” to increase the nology for water desalination as structure to meet the water the country with the capacity of ensure the water security in the water reserve of the country that awareness level of the community per the high standard of efficiency demand of the country, said Al 1,500 million gallons to increase country. “The ambitious project will be enough to cover the need on the importance of adopting to boost the energy efficiency for Kuwari adding that Kahramaa the strategic water reserve in the that is considered the backbone by 2026,” said Al Kuwari. preventive steps to reduce the sustainability,” said Al Kuwari. will go ahead with its pro- country in a big way. of water security for Qatar He said that the phase one of consumption of electricity and He said that Tarsheed pro- gramme to increase the strategic Arab Water Day is being includes 15 giant tanks, the Water Security Mega Reservoirs water,” said Al Kuwari. gramme aims at cutting the per water reserve to ensure the marked by highlighting key largest in the world with the project will be opened by the first He said that the move also capita consumption of electricity water security of the country. SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 MIDDLE EAST 03 Turkish deputy PM highlights humanitarian interventions

ANATOLIA wound for us and for the Muslim carried out by Turkey as well as ugees’ needs in there. world,” regarding to wasting its the restoration of 320 Palestinian Expressing the Turkish capabilities over wars which houses destroyed by Israeli approach in its cooperation and ANKARA: Turkish Deputy Prime continued for years and caused bombardment. humanitarian policies, Cavu- Minister Hakan Cavusoglu the death of lots of Somali youth. soglu said: stressed the Turkish policy of He pointed out that the tensions The situation in Rakhine “There are two concepts of contribution to enhancing in Somalia “are still ongoing till About the situation in civilization in the world: human life and economic devel- today” . Rakhine and the Turkish sup- Reviving, serving people and opment in different countries He referred to the Turkish portive role in there, Cavusoglu children, help and support, while worldwide through Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdog- said that, “The Rohingya Mus- the other concept of civilization establishments, highlighting the an’s visit to Somalia in 2011 lims were subjected to a great is: killing, colonisation, and occu- Turkish role in this regard in during which the country was genocide ... It was a very ugly pation, (..). We are with the first Africa, Jerusalem and Rakhine. suffering drought, explaining bloody scene and the president concept of civilization and we This came in a televised that, the visit shaped a new of the Republic [Erdogan] went represent it, and we believe it interview broadcasted on phase in the country as the visit there and met the officials there will win,” he said. Thursday on the Turkey-based drew the world’s attention back [in Myanmar]. Ethnic cleansing official TRT television channel to Somalia as it became clear that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu Emine Erdogan also went According to latest data of in Arabic. success in Somalia could be to Bangladesh and saw the con- the UN, 688,000 Rohingya — materialised, he added, ditions of the refugees there who escaped violence — have Relations with Sudan describing the Turkish presi- Hakan Cavusoglu stressed the and drew the attention of the sought refuge in Bangladesh, Responding to a question on dent’s 2011’s visit as Turkish policy of contribution to world to their suffering, he since August 25, 2017. Turkish relations with Sudan, “historical”. added. It is estimated that there Cavusoglu stressed the deep- On the Turkish supportive enhancing human life and economic Turkey invited the United were around two million Mus- rooted relations with Sudan, projects in Somalia after the Nations to take care of this lims living in Myanmar’s Rakhine reflected by several cooperation 2011’s visit of the Turkish presi- development in different countries matter (…) We saw the mothers state in the 1970’s, and the projects, he referred to a recent dent to the country, Cavusoglu worldwide through Turkish crossing the river and the sea and number has decreased to under development project on the referred to several projects to their children drowning, he said 350,000 due to escapes from Suakin Sudanses Island. The rebuild the war-torn country, establishments, while highlighting the in reference to the fleeing systematic attacks. Project, supervised by the Turkish such as the establishment of a Turkish role in this regard in Africa, Muslim Rohingya over violent According to satellite images Cooperation and Coordination military training center in attacks by Buddhists mobs. obtained by international human Agency (TIKA), is for developing Somalia, from which Somali mil- Jerusalem and Rakhine. There are 655,000 Rakhine rights institutions, more than 350 the island and has nothing to do itary personnel graduated to join people living in refugee camps Rohingya villages have so far with any military purposes, refer- the Somalian army and con- in Bangladesh he said referring been burnt in the area. ring to other restoration projects tribute to protect the Somali “Turkey has implemented and therefore the de facto policy to the establishment of a TIKA- The refugees are fleeing a in the country such as the resto- state’s security. projects in Somalia worth one is not a success and it is not cor- supervised project in Myanmar military operation in which secu- ration of the Ali Dinar complex in Also the Turkish deputy PM billion dollars under the super- rect policy to impose there,” he in order to serve the oppressed rity forces and Buddhist mobs the Al Fashir area. refered to a TIKA-supervised vision of TIKA alone,” he said. said. people there. have killed men, women and He also pointed out that project for rebuilding the roads “Therefore, President We sent 150 tonnes of children, looted homes and Turkey through TIKA established in the capital Mogadishu [35 kil- Jerusalem is a red line Erdogan has emphasized this on food aids in the mountainous torched Rohingya villages. supportive projects in the agri- ometers-length] which have On the Turkish stance more than one occasion and that areas because people had left According to Bangladeshi For- culture field in Sudan. Turkey been damaged due to the war. towards the recent development Palestine and Jerusalem are their homes and areas, which eign Minister Abul Hasan Mah- goes to these countries in order Cavusoglu also pointed out in Jerusalem and recognition of bleeding wounds for us and all were burned by Buddhist mood Ali, around 3,000 to develop them and for the wel- that, Turkey has learned from it as Israel’s capital by the cur- the Muslims of the world, our mobs and fled to the moun- Rohingya have been killed in the fare of its people, economically, Somali officials the need to rent US administration, Cavu- brothers there suffer a lot of vio- tains, he added. crackdown.Along with all offi- by developing the capabilities of establish a building for the soglu said that, “The city of lations. They are under occupa- We are currently seeking to cial institutions, Turkey distrib- their country, he said. Somali parliament referring to a Jerusalem is a red line for all the tion. TIKA works in Jerusalem to rebuild these villages, he noted. uted more than $10m to the TIKA-overseen project to estab- Muslims of the world”, stressing alleviate the suffering of the Pal- He also referred to serving Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, Support for Somalia lish a new parliament’s head- that, “The city is not affiliated to estinians (..) through various Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh according to Mehmet Gulluoglu, On the Turkish role in quarters, as well as the establish- the Jews alone. The Christians, projects,” he added, giving the providing food, drink and the head of Turkey’s Disaster and Somalia, the Turkish deputy PM ment of a school of agriculture Muslims and Jews have common example of the project of the res- clothing through Turkish relief Emergency Management described Somalia as a “bleeding arts. values in the city of Jerusalem toration of the Aqsa mosque efforts in order to fulfil the ref- Authority (AFAD).

Israeli gunfire Cairo talks tackled Gaza Unicef: Aid convoy injures Anadolu reconciliation: Hamas leader for 180,000 Syrians photographer ANATOLIA visit to Cairo. “Egyptian officials destroyed the strip’s economy RAMALLAH: An Anadolu told delegation members that and deprived its more than 2 could go tomorrow Agency photographer was Egypt was determined to reopen million inhabitants of many injured by Israeli gunfire GAZA CITY: Recent talks in the Rafah border crossing on a basic commodities, including AP while covering clashes Cairo between Egyptian officials permanent basis,” Al Hayya said. food and medicine. between Palestinian youth and a Hamas delegation tackled “Despite the current secu- Al Hayya warned that the GENEVA: Syria’s government may allow an aid convoy with and Israeli forces in the a host of issues, including the rity situation in Sinai, Egypt can ongoing siege -- if left in place supplies for 180,000 people to go to the town of Douma in the occupied West Bank Gaza Strip’s dire humanitarian still find alternatives that would -- would “eventually cause the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta on Sunday, the Middle East yesterday. situation and the faltering allow it to open the crossing,” people of Gaza to explode in the director of the UN children’s agency Unicef said yesterday. A rubber bullet fired by Hamas-Fatah reconciliation he added. face of the blockading powers, Geert Cappelaere said there were initial agreements for fur- an Israeli soldier struck pho- process, leading Hamas member Gaza’s only means of especially the Israeli ther convoys to serve more of the enclave’s 400,000 people, but tographer Issam Rimawi in Khalil Al Hayya said yesterday. accessing the outside world, the occupation.” no agreement on evacuation for some 1,000 people in dire med- the hand while he was cov- “During the visit, which Rafah border crossing links the “We do not seek war,” he ical need. ering clashes in the village of came at our request, members blockaded strip to Egypt’s Sinai said. “It is always our people “We have an indication from the government of Syria that an Billin east of Ramallah, an of the Hamas delegation saw Peninsula, which has remained who suffer most from war.” aid convoy will be allowed in on March 4, that is the day after Anadolu Agency corre- that the Egyptians want to alle- the epicenter of militant insur- “But what can our people tomorrow. We hope that indication turns into a bold commitment,” spondent reported from the viate Gaza’s suffering,” Al Hayya gency since Egypt’s 2013 mili- do under such pressure?” he Cappelaere told a news conference. “We are ready to move in.” scene. Rimawi has reportedly said in an interview with the Al tary coup. asked. Rebel-held eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, has been been taken to the Ramallah Aqsa television channel. The Gaza Strip, which “Hamas has knocked on all besieged by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad since 2013, Medical Center for On Wednesday evening, remains under the de facto con- doors in an effort to ease the sit- and in the past few months the siege has tightened, with almost treatment. Hamas announced that a high- trol of Hamas, has groaned uation in Gaza,” added al- no aid going in and food, water, electricity and medical supplies The Palestinian territo- level delegation — led by group under a crippling Israeli/Egyp- Hayya, calling on the interna- running out. ries have remained tense leader Ismail Haniyah — had tian blockade since 2007. tional community to “shoulder Rebels inside the area have fired mortars out towards since last December, when concluded a “successful” 20-day The blockade has largely its responsibilities.” Damascus and pro-Assad forces have shelled and bombed the US President Donald Trump enclave, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding a recognised Jerusalem as Isra- 30 day ceasefire, and a Russian bid for daily five hour pauses. el’s capital, drawing wide- Later on Friday, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will spread condemnation across hold an urgent debate on eastern Ghouta, at Britain’s request. the Arab and Muslim world. The convoy’s supplies are mainly health and nutrition related, Since then, Palestinians and would serve 70,000 children out of the 200,000 in eastern in the West Bank and the Ghouta, an area that encompasses many settlements. blockaded Gaza Strip have The Syrian government has previously stripped medical equip- held demonstrations each ment from aid convoys to prevent the treatment of anyone involved Friday — which often result in the fighting, an apparent breach of international law. Cappe- in clashes with Israeli forces laere suggested the same was likely to happen again. — to protest the controver- “Between now and Sunday, let us be realistic, we have seen sial US decision. in the past on certain convoys supplies have been taken off, mainly surgical supplies,” he said. Turkey arrests Levels of severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous stage of malnutrition, had increased tenfold in the past six months among 2 Greek soldiers children in the enclave, he said. ANKARA: Turkey arrested two Greek soldiers Friday for allegedly entering a Turkish military zone and on suspi- Qatar condemns Burkina Faso attacks cion of attempted espionage, the country’s state-run news CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 agency reported. The devel- The explosions targeted the French embassy, The Institute opment is likely to aggravate Francais and the military headquarters in Burkina Faso and left the already strained relations scores of people either dead or injured. between the neighboring The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed in a statement yes- countries. Anti-corruption protest in Baghdad terday the State of Qatar’s firm position in rejecting violence and Greece said the two sol- terrorism regardless of its motives. diers on a patrol of the Greek- Supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr shout slogans and wave national flags as they demonstrate The statement also expressed the State of Qatar’s condolences Turkish border accidentally in the capital Baghdad’s Tahrir Square against corruption in the Iraqi government, yesterday. to the families of the victims, the government and people of Burkina strayed into Turkey Thursday Faso, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. because of bad weather. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 West ups heat on Syria as civilians await aid

AFP Washington has in Eastern Ghouta, according to asked the UN Security a draft resolution obtained by DOUMA, SYRIA: Western Council to set up this news agency on Thursday. powers turned up the heat on a new inquiry into The Syrian government has Damascus yesterday as tens of denied using chemical weapons thousands of civilians in Syria’s chemical weapons and Russia has questioned UN battered rebel enclave of Eastern attacks in Syria after findings that it carried out sarin Ghouta awaited desperately reports of suspected and chlorine attacks. needed aid. More than 600 civil- chlorine use in Eastern It was unclear when the US ians have been killed in the proposal, or a separate Russian enclave outside Damascus since Ghouta. draft resolution, on the Syrian Russia-backed regime forces chemical inquiry would come to launched an assault on February Merkel agreed in a phone call a vote. Distrust ran high among 18. that the Syrian regime must be civilians in Eastern Ghouta, yes- Eastern Ghouta’s 400,000 held accountable. “This applies terday, on the fourth day of a residents have lived under a both to the Assad regime’s daily five-hour “humanitarian regime-imposed siege since deployment of chemical pause”. The pause announced by 2013, facing severe food and weapons and for its attacks Russia has tempered but not medicine shortages even before against civilians and the halted the bombing, which has Syrian children try to get warmer with a heating stove as they prepare lunch in a basement shelter the latest offensive. The UN blockade of humanitarian sup- ripped through houses and in Eastern Ghouta of Damascus, Syria, yesterday. Human Rights Council was to port,” a German chancellery reduced residential areas to grey hold an emergency session yes- statement said. rubble. Embattled Syrian civil- accuse the armed opposition of Early yesterday, before the People in Eastern Ghouta are terday on the crisis, as dozens of Trump and French President ians have not left the enclave, preventing civilians from leaving. pause’s 07:00 GMT start, war- surviving on what little food they aid trucks remained unable to Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, despite a Russian offer of safe In the main town of Douma, planes pounded areas including have, sometimes relying on enter the enclave. vowed there would be “no impu- passage out during the daily halt 25-year-old Malik Mohammad Douma and the town of Zamalka, meagre meals of rice and bread The United States, Germany nity” in the event of further in fighting. said the daily pause had not the Syrian Observatory for from local charities. and France upped the pressure chemical weapons use in Syria. “People are still in their cel- brought any peace of mind to Human Rights said. The price of rice and pasta on Damascus after a UN Secu- Washington has asked the lars because they don’t feel safe,” civilians. Rockets fell on Douma and has soared, as they become rity Council demand for a cease- UN Security Council to set up a a 24-year-old who gave his “During the pause, the Harasta during the pause, the increasingly rare in shops. Those fire failed to stem the fighting. new inquiry into chemical name as Mohammed said in the bombing continues for five hours Britain-based war monitor said, who grow food have been unable US President Donald Trump weapons attacks in Syria after devastated town of Ham- outside Douma and as soon as it as regime forces advanced on the to visit their land due to the and German Chancellor Angela reports of suspected chlorine use muriyeh. Damascus and Moscow ends, it starts up again inside.” southern outskirts of the enclave. bombardment.

3 aid workers French embassy attacked in Burkina capital dead in Nigeria

AFP statement posted on its Informa- said the French leader was among the poorest in the world. centre. attack: UN tion Service website. “being informed in real time” of On August 13 last year, two France, the former colonial OUAGADOUGOU: An armed “Special units of the defence the situation. Burkina Faso is one assailants opened fire on a res- power in the Sahel region, has AFP group yesterday attacked the and security forces have been of a group of fragile countries on taurant on Ouagadougou’s main deployed 4,000 troops and is French embassy in Burkina Faso deployed,” it said, adding that a the southern rim of the Sahara avenue, killing 19 people and supporting a five-country joint KANO, NIGERIA: Three aid and the country’s military head- complete toll was not immedi- that are battling militant groups. wounded 21. The attack remains force gathering Burkina Faso, workers were confirmed quarters, the government said, ately available. The insurgency has caused unclaimed. On January 15 2016, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and killed in a Boko Haram attack adding that four assailants had In Paris, a French govern- thousands of deaths, prompted 30 people, including six Cana- Niger. On February 21, two mem- in northeast Nigeria, the UN been killed. ment source described the situ- tens of thousands to flee their dians and five Europeans, were bers of the French counter-ter- said yesterday, in the latest The coordinated operation ation as “under control.” Presi- homes and dealt crippling blows killed in a jihadist attack on a rorism force were killed by a violence to underscore the underscored the fragility of the dent Emmanuel Macron’s office to economies that are already hotel and restaurant in the city land mine near Mali’s border jihadists’ enduring threat. The Sahel nation, one of a string of with Niger and Burkina Faso. world body and two security African states struggling with a Twelve French troops have been sources initially said four bloody militant insurgency. killed since the campaign, called people were killed in the Heavy gunfire broke out mid- Operation Barkhane, was attack in the remote town of morning in the centre of the cap- launched in August 2014. Rann on Thursday evening ital Ouagadougou. Witnesses The United Nations also has a but later revised the death toll. said five armed men got out of a 12,000-strong peacekeeping force Rann is located some 175 car and opened fire on passersby in Mali called MINUSMA, which kilometres east of the Borno before heading towards the has taken heavy casualties. Four state capital, Maiduguri, near French embassy. The car was UN peacekeepers were killed by the border with Cameroon later seen ablaze. a mine blast on Wednesday in the and communications are At the same time, an explo- centre of the country. In a sepa- difficult. sion occurred near the head- rate development yesterday, the A UN spokeswoman in quarters of the Burkinabe armed specialist US website SITE, which Abuja, Samantha Newport, forces and the French cultural monitors militant activity, said said the attack happened centre, which are located about kidnappers had released a video “after dark” outside a camp a kilometre (half a mile) from the of a 75-year-old French hostage, housing some 55,000 people site of the first attack, other wit- Sophie Petronin, who had been displaced by the conflict. “Of nesses said. In a statement, the abducted in northern Mali in late the aid workers that were government said the attack was 2016. Petronin, who had been run- killed, two worked for the “aimed at the French embassy ning an association helping Malian IOM (International Organisa- in Burkina Faso and the armed orphans, appears in poor health tion for Migration) in camp forces headquarters.” in the brief video. Her kidnapping, management; and one was a “Four attackers were neu- hitherto unclaimed, was carried medical doctor working as a tralised in the attack on the Black smoke rises as the capital of Burkina Faso came under multiple attacks yesterday, targeting out by the “Support Group for third party consultant for French embassy,” it said in a the French embassy, and the country’s military headquarters. Islam and Muslims.” Unicef, she added.

Militants shoot Netanyahu questioned by Ethiopia parliament endorses dead 5 police emergency decree officers in Kenya police over telecom case AP AP news site, Walla, allegedly pro- NAIROBI, KENYA: A Kenyan vided positive Netanyahu cov- AFP decree with 346 votes in favour. “Aspects of this new decla- official says five police JERUSALEM: Israeli police erage. It’s the first time that Of the 547 MPs, 539 were ration abysmally fail to comply officers have been killed in a questioned Benjamin Netan- Netanyahu, who as prime min- ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s present for the vote. But 88 MPs with established international suspected extremist attack in yahu and his wife as part of an ister also held the communica- parliament approved a nation- voted against the measure, human rights principles,” it the country’s northern investigation into a corruption tions portfolio until last year, is wide state of emergency seven voted to abstain and 98 added. Mandera County. Regional case involving the country’s being questioned over the yesterday despite unusual oppo- lawmakers who were present Ethiopia called a state of Coordinator Mohamud Saleh telecom giant yesterday, casting affair, known as Case 4000. sition from some lawmakers, in did not vote at all, a shift from emergency in October 2016 after said yesterday the attackers a shadow on the prime minis- The development comes ahead the latest sign of fractures within the last emergency decree months of anti-government pro- targeted government admin- ter’s upcoming visit to Wash- of Netanyahu’s visit to Wash- the all-powerful ruling coalition. nearly two years ago, which tests from the country’s two istration offices and Kenya ington. Police investigators ington where he is to meet with The council of ministers parliament approved unani- largest ethnicities the Oromos police camps. entered Netanyahu’s residence President Donald Trump Police made the emergency declara- mously, according to the state- and the Amharas that left hun- He said the militants blew yesterday morning. An Associ- have recommended indicting tion last month, one day after run Ethiopian News Agency. dreds dead and resulted in tens up a telecommunications mast ated Press cameraman saw Netanyahu on corruption Prime Minister Hailemariam “With this vote, the (decree) of thousands of arrests. The to cut off cell phone contact them leave about five hours charges in two other cases. Desalegn’s surprise resignation is passed,” parliament speaker latest state of emergency was before the attack. The later.Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, Netanyahu is accused of amid a growing political crisis Abadula Gemeda, who last year declared in the wake of Haile- Somalia-based al-Shabab mil- was questioned at another loca- accepting nearly $300,000 in and divisions in the ruling party. temporarily resigned over “dis- mariam’s surprise resignation. itants have vowed retribution tion at the same time as the lavish gifts from Hollywood The six-month decree, respect” to his ethnic group the Several lawmakers with the against Kenya for sending prime minister. Police later mogul Arnon Milchan and Aus- which required approval from Oromos, announced to enthu- Oromo Peoples’ Democratic troops in 2011 to fight the issued a statement saying the tralian billionaire James Packer. two-thirds of lawmakers, has siastic applause after the tally. Organisation (OPDO), the largest extremists in the Horn of Africa couple “were questioned for a In return, police say Netanyahu been condemned by several of Amnesty International said of the four ethnically based par- nation. Kenyan security has number of hours as part of an operated on Milchan’s behalf Ethiopia’s allies including the the decision was “disappointing ties that make up the EPRDF managed to restrict a wave of investigation” by police and the on US visa matters, legislated a United States and the European and irresponsible” and could coalition, spoke out against the attacks to border areas with Israel Securities Authority. tax break and connected him Union. lead to abuses. “Under the last state of emergency. Somalia in recent years. Police Last month, two Netanyahu with an Indian businessman. In The ruling Ethiopian Peo- state of emergency, we docu- They said they feared it said they prevented a major confidants were arrested on the other case, Netanyahu is ple’s Revolutionary Democratic mented a series of grave human would allow federal officials to attack by the militants in Nai- suspicion of promoting regula- accused of offering a news- Front (EPRDF) - and its associ- rights violations,” the rights seize land in their region, robi last week. Security agents tion worth hundreds of millions paper publisher legislation that ated parties who control all seats group’s secretary general Salil Oromia, and interfere with the have been accused of serious of dollars to the Bezeq telecom would weaken his paper’s main in the legislature - passed the Shetty said in a statement. work of local administrators. human rights violations. company. In return, Bezeq’s rival for favorable coverage. SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 ASIA 05

Meghalaya, Twelve Maoist Nagaland and Tripura poll rebels dead in results today eastern India IANS SHILLONG: Counting of AP Senior police officer votes cast in the assembly D M Awasthy said elections in three north- PATNA: Indian police said they eastern states of Tripura, killed at least 12 Maoist rebels, police, acting on Meghalaya and Nagaland will including six women, in a raid intelligence, raided be taken up today. yesterday on a forested hideout the stronghold in Polling was held for 59 of in eastern India. Bijapur district of 60 assembly seats in each of Senior police officer D M the three states for different Awasthy said police, acting on Chhattisgarh state. reasons. The counting will intelligence, raided the strong- He said police begin at 8 a.m. and results hold in Bijapur district of recovered 12 bodies are expected by the after- Chhattisgarh state. He said noon. Tripura went to the police recovered 12 bodies and and some arms and polls on February 18 while some arms and ammunition ammunition after an elections in Meghalya and People dancing as they take part in Holi festival celebrations in Kolkata yesterday. after an exchange of gunfire. exchange of gunfire. Nagaland were held on Feb- The area is about 415km south ruary 27. of Raipur, the state capital. Naxalites, have ambushed In Tripura, two exit polls One police officer was police, destroyed government India celebrates festival of colours have suggested the Bharatiya killed in the joint operation by offices and abducted govern- Janata Party (BJP) dethroning Chhattisgarh state police and ment officials for decades. They IANS into public spaces to splash pow- made with semolina. the Communist Party of the Greyhounds, a special have blown up train tracks, ders of myriad colours on each The festival which like many India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led police force in neighboring Tel- attacked prisons to free their NEW DELHI: Millions of young other and celebrate the seasonal Indian festivals is embedded in government that has had an angana state created to fight the comrades and stolen weapons and old across the country festival of colours, marking the a Hindu mythology — that of the uninterrupted run since 1993. rebels. Those killed included a from police and paramilitary yesterday celebrated Holi, end of winter. triumph of good over evil -- Ahead of today’s key Maoist leader, Harib- warehouses. smearing vibrant colours on each The celebrations began yes- brings together people of all counting, both the CPI-M and hushan, the secretary of the The insurgency began in other and exchanging sweets to terday morning amid bright sun- classes and religions who sing the BJP claimed that they will outlawed Communist Party of 1967 as a network of left-wing spread joy and welcome the shine in many parts of the and dance, distribute sweets. form the next government in India (Maoist) who has been ideologues and young recruits beginning of spring in India. country. People came out of their In Delhi, people were seen the state. trying to strengthen the group in the village of Naxalbari out- Amid shouts of “Holi Hai” houses to smear each other with dancing to the beats of drums CPI-M Tripura State Sec- in Telangana state, another side Kolkata, the capital of West and roadside dances to the beat coloured powder, coloured water and smearing each others’ faces retary Bijan Dhar said the Left police officer said. Bengal state. The rebels are of drums, people — rich and and mud as well. Families pre- with ‘abir’ and ‘gulal’, as colours parties were “more than con- Haribhushan, who used one estimated to have thousands of poor, Hindus and Muslims and pared traditional delicacies like traditionally used in Holi are fident” of forming the next name, was facing charges of fighters and have pledged to from other religions —swarmed ‘gujia’, a sweet fried dumpling known. government. murder and attempted murder, violently overthrow the central and the government had government. offered a reward of 3 million Additional forces were rupees ($46,000) to anyone rushed to the area to launch providing information leading combing operations as some China opposes US-Taiwan travel bill to his arrest, the officer said on Maoists escaped into forest. condition of anonymity because Senior police officers, AFP moting closer US ties. state-to-state relations, and has Tsai Ing-wen to further assert he was not authorized to talk including Jayashankar Bhupal- The legislation, which only never renounced the use of force the island’s sovereignty. to reporters. apally District Superintendent BEIJING: China has opposed the needs President Donald Trump’s to bring the island under its con- “Which, if she persisted, The government says the of Police R. Bhaskaran, also US-Taiwan travel bill passed by signature to become law, says it trol. China’s Taiwan Affairs would lead to the inevitable con- insurgents, inspired by Chinese rushed there. The CPI-Maoist the US Senate to encourage should be US policy to allow offi- Office said the bill was a serious sequence of triggering the Anti- revolutionary leader Mao was trying to revive its activi- high-level exchanges between cials at all levels to travel to contravention of the “one China” Secession Law that allows Zedong, are the country’s most ties in its former stronghold of the United States and Taiwan, Taiwan to meet their Taiwanese principle. Beijing to use force to pre- serious internal security threat. north Telangana. Chinese news agency Xinhua counterparts, permit high-level “We also sternly warn vent the island from seceding,” The rebels control large swaths During the last few weeks, reported. Taiwanese officials to enter the Taiwan: do not rely on foreigners the paper said, referring to a Chi- of area in central and eastern there were reports about the China warned Taiwan yes- United States “under respectful to build yourselves up, or it will nese law passed in 2005. India and are active in 20 of presence of Maoists in the old terday it would only get burnt if conditions” and meet with US only draw the fire upon you,” it “Since the US is bound by India’s 29 states. In their dead- Warangal and Khammam dis- it sought to rely on foreigners, officials. said in a short statement. In a domestic law to act on behalf of liest attack, the rebels killed 76 tricts. Police said many had adding to warnings from state Beijing considers democratic strongly-worded editorial, the the island in that instance, it paramilitary soldiers in Chhat- crossed over from Chhattisgarh media the country could go to Taiwan to be a wayward prov- official China Daily said if the bill would only give substance to the tisgarh state in 2010. and were indulging in extortion war over Taiwan if the United ince and integral part of “one becomes law it will only observation that the descent into The rebels, also known as and other illegal activities. States passes into law a bill pro- China”, ineligible for encourage Taiwan President hell is easy.”

Karnataka Myanmar defends troop build-up on Bangladesh border unveils AFP sought shelter after fleeing a effort to snuff out Rohingya mil- “It was not aimed at antag- loudspeakers. brutal Myanmar army crack- itants who raided police posts onising Bangladesh,” he added. On Thursday some 100 healthcare YANGON: Myanmar yesterday down last August. last year. The recent spike in On Thursday Bangladesh’s Myanmar soldiers arrived near defended deploying fresh troops The military campaign drove security along the border is a foreign ministry said it sum- the refugee camp in heavy mil- scheme to a border zone with Bangla- some 700,000 Rohingya across response to new intelligence moned Myanmar’s envoy to call itary vehicles, according to Bang- desh where thousands of the border in total, with most about the movement of Rohingya for an “immediate pullback of ladesh border guards and IANS Rohingya refugees are camped, travelling on to sprawling ref- militants, said Myanmar govern- Myanmar security forces along Rohingya. The heightened ten- blaming a militant threat as ugee settlements in Bangladesh’s ment spokesman Zaw Htay. with military assets from the sions will do little to speed-up a BENGALURU: Karnataka Dhaka called for an immediate southeastern border district of “We acted this way based on area.” In recent weeks the stalled repatriation plan signed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah retreat to lower tensions along Cox’s Bazar. the information we got regarding Rohingya living in the no man’s by the neighbours in January. yesterday unveiled a health- the troubled frontier. The UN has accused terrorism, especially the ARSA land strip have faced growing The process was delayed at care scheme aimed at bene- The increased security pres- Myanmar of waging an ethnic movement,” he said, using an pressure from Myanmar soldiers, the last moment due to lack of fitting about 1.43 crore house- ence this week has centred cleansing campaign against the acronym for the Arakan who have stepped up patrols preparations and protests by the holds in the state. around a strip of “no man’s land” Muslim minority. Rohingya Salvation Army, a mil- along the barbed-wire border refugees, who fear returning to “The ‘Arogya Karnataka’ between the two countries Yet Myanmar has staunchly itant group, and declining to fence near the camp and ordered Myanmar without guarantees of (Healthy Karnataka) will pro- where some 6,000 Rohingya defended the crackdown as an elaborate further. the group to leave over basic safety and citizenship. vide quality primary, sec- ondary and tertiary treatment to both BPL and APL families in the state,” Siddaramaiah said after unveiling the scheme in the city. Nepal newspaper It is a step towards a healthier and more produc- tive Karnataka, he said. summoned to court “Through the scheme, all below-poverty-line (BPL) AFP preside over the case despite households will get free treat- being directly implicated in it ment at government hospi- KATHMANDU: Nepal’s largest -- the newspaper is accused of tals while for above-poverty- newspaper appeared briefly in using “objectionable language” line (APL) households, the court yesterday summoned by and repeating “imaginary state will bear about 30 per the country’s chief justice for facts”. It made no reference to cent of the treatment cost.” publishing articles critical of the chief justice’s multiple Nearly 1.05 crore households him, in a case widely birthdays. can get access to healthcare condemned as an attack on “The articles published by entirely free of cost through press freedom. The Kantipur the Kantipur Daily are intended the “Universal Health Card” Daily was subpoenaed by chief to obstruct the judicial process to be linked to Aadhaar card, justice Gopal Parajuli on and weaken the judiciary by he said. contempt of court charges for disrespecting the court and In line with the ‘Modicare’ a series of articles that said the spreading confusion about the of the central government, country’s top judge had given court and its justices,” Siddaramaiah had announced different dates of birth on according to the order. during the Budget presenta- various official documents. Kantipur Daily’s editor-in- tion last month that Karna- Judges in Nepal have to chief, the chairman, a company taka, too, would soon provide retire at 65 and the suggestion director and a reporter healthcare for all. Protest against violence in Syria’s Ghouta is that Parajuli knocked years appeared for the scheduled The state Budget, how- Supporters of Islami Andolon Bangladesh attend a protest rally against violence in Syria, in Dhaka, off his age to hold office for hearing yesterday, but it was ever, did not mention the yesterday. longer. postponed until Sunday. funds for the scheme’s In the subpoena issued They could face up to a year implementation. Sunday by Parajuli -- who will in jail if found guilty. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 Girl dead, 22 hurt in Kabul suicide attack AP referring to the mission’s name. No militant group claimed KABUL: A suicide car bombing in responsibility for the attack. the eastern part of the Afghan At the blast site in the Qabil capital yesterday morning killed A doctor at the area’s Bay neighbourhood, blood pooled at least one person, a young girl, Wazir Akbar Khan on the pavement amid rubble in and wounded 22, Afghan officials front of a destroyed building. Res- said. hospital, said the idents in the area were the first to Basir Mujahid, spokesman for wounded included 5 say the explosion was a suicide the Kabul police chief, said the children & 2 women. attack, before Danish’s statement. blast occurred in the neighbour- They spoke on condition of ano- hood of Qabil Bay, in an area that nymity, fearing for their own is home to a police station, the at the area’s Wazir Akbar Khan safety. government’s customs offices and hospital, said the wounded The Taliban claimed the some guest houses. included five children and two ambulance attack, as well as an Najib Danish, spokesman for women. attack a week earlier in which mil- the Interior Ministry, said the sui- No non-Afghan casualties itants stormed a luxury hotel in cide bomber targeted a ‘convoy of were reported in the bombing. Kabul, killing 22 people, including foreigners’ but did not offer fur- NATO forces in Kabul confirmed 14 foreigners, and setting off a ther details or clarify whether it the attack was a suicide car 13-hour battle with security forces. was foreign forces who were tar- bombing. The Taliban also said yes- geted or contractors. Capt Tom Gresback, terday that they released five out Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the NATO-led of a total of 19 people they say they People gather at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, yesterday. spokesman for the ministry, said forces, said in a statement that “no abducted on Tuesday along the 22 were wounded in the blast. Resolute Support service mem- boundary between the southern provinces. Kandahar’s police chief, said stopped a bus and abducted 30 Mohammad Musa Zahir, a doctor bers were injured in the incident,” Kandahar and Uruzgan At the time, Gen Abdul Raziq, insurgents wearing army uniforms people.

PML-N government countdown starts from March 1 Pakistan ranked 13th among 25

INTERNEWS Well-placed sources said its tenure and it is dissolved auto- to complete its full term. The most powerful world armies yesterday that if the National matically on the mid-night decision of timing for Punjab Pro- ISLAMABAD: The last magic 90 Assembly is dissolved on May 30, between May 31 and June 1, the vincial Assembly will also be INTERNEWS In fact, this website has days of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s a day before the completion of polls will take place in the last taken by Nawaz Sharif, the tried to fill that void of assigning government have begun the mandated period of the week of July. sources said. LAHORE: With a total military rankings to the most powerful yesterday and with the start of National Assembly or earlier, the The sources indicated that Nawaz Sharif has started strength of 919,000 personnel, world armies. The Global Fire- countdown now the question Election Commission of Pakistan Pakistan Muslim League is the consultation quietly with his close total aircraft might of 951 and power states on its website that before the ruling Pakistan Muslim (ECP) will get ninety days for only major political party that has aides about the timing and he will a defense budget of $7bn, the since 2006, it has provided its League (PML-N) is about the making arrangements of the completed its homework for convey the decision to the Prime Pakistani armed forces have unique analytical display of timing of holding of General Elec- polls. Subsequently the general taking part in the general elec- Minister and Chief Minister been ranked 13th amongst the data concerning over 130 tions in the country that would elections will take place in the tions despite the odds, it had been Punjab once he completes the 25 most powerful world mili- modern military powers. be determined by none else but last week of August. facing throughout and in all prob- deliberations. Both are also being taries, according to a fairly It asserts its ranking is former Prime Minister and Quaid In case he permits the abilities Nawaz Sharif would opt consulted by him, the sources recent February 26, 2018 report based on each nation’s poten- of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif. National Assembly to complete to allow the National Assembly added. of an American financial and tial (conventional) war-making business news website ‘Busi- capability across land, sea and ness Insider’. air. “The results incorporate The ‘Business Insider’, values related to resources, Turnbull supports ‘productive’ which operates international finances and geography with editions in the United Kingdom, over 50 different factors ulti- Australia, China, Germany, mately making up the final Chinese aid in Pacific islands France, South Africa, India, annual rankings. The results Italy, Indonesia, Japan, provide an interesting look into REUTERS deficit, Australia’s economic aid Malaysia, Netherlands, Nordics, an increasingly volatile global budget will fall to its lowest level, Poland and Singapore, has landscape where war seems an SYDNEY: Australian Prime opening a door for China, ana- revealed that Pakistani Army inevitability,” the Global Fire- Minister Malcolm Turnbull said lysts say. has 197 naval assets, 301 fighter power website maintains. yesterday he supports Chinese Meanwhile, Chinese eco- aircraft, 2,924 combat tanks. Coming back to the Feb- foreign investment in impover- nomic aid to the region is growing This American news web- ruary 26, 2018 report of the ished Pacific Island nations so significantly, according to Aus- site, which publishes several ‘Business Insider’, it adds: “The long as it is productive, amid tralian think-tank the Lowy Insti- international editions in lan- ranking assesses the diversity concerns Beijing is buying tute, with an estimated $1.78bn guages including Chinese, of weapons held by each increased influence in the region. spent in the decade to 2016. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (right) and his New Dutch, French, Italian, German, country and pays particular “We welcome this invest- Canberra’s relationship with Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern react during a joint press Polish and Japanese, has actu- attention to the manpower ment from any source, any China soured early this year after conference after bilateral discussions on economic and security ally carried the ‘2017 Military available. The geography, logis- nation, any development bank, Australia’s Minister for Interna- issues in Sydney, yesterday. Strength Rankings’ of another tical capacity, available natural on the basis that it is going to pro- tional Development and the globally-renowned website resources, and the status of vide real value, supports good Pacific Concetta Fierravanti- resources and a desire to source Zealand will seek to counter called ‘Global Firepower’. local industry are also taken governance, has got a robust Wells said Beijing was con- larger allies, China has turned its China by increasing foreign aid Global Firepower’s ‘2017 into account. While recognised business plan and so forth,” Turn- structing ‘useless buildings’ and attention to the region. The issue donations to the region. Military Strength Rankings’ nuclear powers receive a bull told reporters in Sydney after ‘roads that do not go anywhere’ of China’s influence in the Pacific “The Pacific overall has also claims it has taken more than bonus, the nuclear stockpiles talks with New Zealand Prime in the Pacific. Australia and New was informally put on the agenda become an increasingly con- 50 factors to assign a Power are not factored into the score. Minister Jacinda Ardern. Zealand have long enjoyed near of the New Zealand state visit tested strategic space, no longer Index score to 133 countries as Moreover, countries that Australia is the largest donor unswayed influence in the after its Deputy Prime Minister neglected by great power ambi- head-to-head military compar- are landlocked are not docked of foreign aid to the Pacific, com- Pacific, including acting as pro- and Foreign Minister Winston tion, and so Pacific Island leaders isons are harder to draw points for lacking a navy, mitting A$166.4m ($129m) to the tectorates over Pacific nations Peters raised the matter at a have more options. This is cre- because Arms sales only indi- though they are penalised for region this year. But with a slug- including Papua New Guinea. But speech to the Lowy Institute on ating a degree of strategic anx- cates who is beefing up their not having a merchant marine gish economy and a large budget blessed with large natural Thursday night. Peters said New iety,” Peters said. armed forces. force.

NEWS BYTES Police say 400 officers 25 dead in Baku drug rehab centre fire Antarctic sea ice dismissed under Duterte AFP shrinks for 2nd-year REUTERS as proof of their intent to pre- BAKU: Twenty-five people SYDNEY: Sea ice cover in serve life. perished in a fire which tore Antarctica has dropped to its MANILA: The Philippines has The dismissals cover the 19 through a drug rehabilitation second-lowest on record, Aus- dismissed nearly 400 police months Duterte has been in clinic in the Azerbaijani capital tralian authorities said yesterday, officers in a nationwide crack- office. About 60 arrests of Baku early yesterday, with adding that it was not yet clear down since mid-2016, police police were for bribery offences activists saying safety standards what was driving the reduction. said yesterday, as President committed during 24 entrap- had not been met. The report came as scientists said Rodrigo Duterte pushes to clean ment operations by the Video footage broadcast on that the Arctic region was see- up a force notorious for abuses. counter-intelligence task force. local television showed huge ing record high temperatures, Most dismissals were for About 1,700 officers were flames leaping through barred with sea ice covering the small- robbery, extortion, or absences, disciplined, with measures windows of a one-storey est area in winter since records while serious crimes, such as ranging from reprimands, wooden hospital ward. began half-a-century ago. kidnapping and protecting drug demotions and suspensions, to It took some three hours for Severe drought dealers, figured in some others, dismissals. Those involved in 10 squads of firefighters and Chief Superintendent John criminal activities face cases in rescuers from the emergencies Police officers gather near a drug abuse treatment centre that feared in Balochistan Bulalacao said in a statement. the courts. ministry to extinguish the blaze. caught fire in Baku, yesterday. He called the campaign an In the past 11 months, police President Ilham Aliyev, who LAHORE: There could be three ‘uncompromising stand against had received more than 10,000 went to the scene, has set up a data, 25 people died in the fire,” criminal investigation over to four fresh spells of rain and breach of discipline’. None of complaints through tip-offs governmental commission to said the updated statement, alleged violation of fire safety snowfall in the country this the officers were dismissed for sent by text messages and tel- probe the cause of the blaze and which initially put the death toll norms. month, according to the Pakistan their conduct in police opera- ephone calls, Bulalacao said. ordered financial aid to be allo- at 24. Russian President Vladimir Meteorological Department’s tions that were part of Duterte’s About 15 percent of the cated for the families of the vic- Four more people were hos- Putin sent condolences to his forecast, but they are unlikely fierce war on drugs, during complaints were investigated tims, his office said. pitalised with serious burns, the Azerbaijani counterpart, to enhance the amount of water which officers have killed more and validated, resulting in “At 06:10am a fire broke out statement said, citing a power according to the Kremlin’s available in major reservoirs, thus than 4,000 people. arrests of police officers, most at the Republican Narcological grid defect as the initial cause website. aggravating the current water Activists say police are sys- of them in the capital, Manila, Centre in Baku,” the General of the blaze. Civil activists blamed offi- stress. The moderate drought- tematically executing drug sus- and surrounding areas. prosecutor’s Office, the health, More than 200 patients and cial corruption and the failure like conditions prevalent over pects, but police reject that and Bulalacao said 167 officers interior and emergencies min- medical staff were evacuated to respect safety regulations as south-west Balochistan might say killings were in self- were found to have been using istries said in a joint unharmed, the statement added. the factor causing large num- be aggravated to a severe level. defence, citing their more than drugs or were involved in drug- statement. The General Prosecutor’s bers of casualties in increasingly 120,000 drug-related arrests related crimes. “According to the latest office said it has launched a frequent fires in Azerbaijan. SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 ASIA 07

Tokyo school New Thai political parties hires guards after Armani uniform allowed to register furore AP demonstrators beginning in late 2013 led to the takeover by the AFP BANGKOK: At least 42 prospec- army, which has sought to pre- tive political parties have vent a comeback by Thaksin’s TOKYO: A Tokyo school that submitted registrations to Thai- Registration is just powerful political machine. hit international headlines for land’s Election Commission after the start of the Under a new Political Par- introducing an Armani- the military government that has ties Act, introduced by the junta- branded uniform has been run the country since 2014 process, and does not appointed parliament, parties forced to hire security guards allowed new parties to form automatically mean must have at least 500 registered after several students faced ahead of polls supposed to be the parties have been members and 1m baht ($31,770) harassment over the pricey held by next February. in funds to qualify for kit. officially recognised. Members of Phuar Chart Thai party wait to summit their documents Registration is just the start registration. Taimei Elementary to register their political party at the Election Commission Office in of the process, and does not A range of political groups School in Tokyo’s wealthy automatically mean the parties continued dominance over the were present at the Election Bangkok, yesterday. Ginza district brought in pro- have been officially recognised. government. They would sup- Commission yesterday to reg- fessional guards this week They must satisfy a raft of port having Prayuth remain the ister for the much-anticipated him,” he said. Political green- have over the future of Thai pol- after at least three of its pupils requirements within 180 days country’s leader under a new elections. horns also turned up with the itics, given that the junta has encountered abusive stran- and still need the junta’s permis- constitutional clause that allows Election Commission Secre- intention to contest the next instituted legal changes to main- gers who pulled their uni- sion to operate. Submissions are the next parliament to choose an tary-General Jarungvith election. Among them was a dog- tain its influence over govern- forms or asked if they were being accepted from yesterday unelected ‘outsider’ Prime Phumma said the turnout “shows breeder, known by the nickname ment, including the establish- students of the school, a local through March 31. Minister. that people have drive and belief ‘Mark Pitbull’, who leads the Thai ment of appointed government district spokeswoman said. There is skepticism about the After ousting an elected gov- in democracy.” Among the par- Civilized Party. bodies to dilute the power of Japan boasts extremely announced election date because ernment in May 2014, the mili- ties suspected of fronting for the “It’s time to take risks. If we elected officials. safe streets, and guards are several previously promised tary regime introduced a ban on military is the New Phalangd- wait, who are we waiting for, He said, however, that the rarely seen at school grounds. deadlines were pushed back, and political activities, citing the need harma Party, whose leader, other than ourselves to do it?” prospect of elections is cause for “Security guards are in announcing the February date to avoid disorder. Thailand had Ravee Machamadol, said that if he said. “I’m putting myself in the some optimism. patrolling area streets that last week, Prime Minister been wracked by occasionally the situation calls for an outsider race to inspire young people to “I would also argue that pupils use in the morning and Prayuth Chan-ocha suggested it violent political fighting between prime minister, that’s what his be brave and join the field.” Tit- although new voices can’t win a when they go home,” the is conditional on the political sit- supporters and opponents of party would support. “In voting ipol Phakdeewanich, a political majority, they can at least rep- spokeswoman said on con- uation remaining calm. former Prime Minister Thaksin for an outsider, we will vote for science professor at Ubon Rat- resent new generations in the dition of anonymity. There is also speculation that Shinawatra after he was ousted the best available person, and if chatani University, said he has parliament and assist in main- “This is about student some parties are being estab- in a 2006 coup. Disruptive street on that day Prayuth is the best doubts about how much influ- taining the balance of power,” safety.” The school has faced lished to support the military’s protests by anti-Thaksin person, then we will vote for ence the new political parties can Titipol said. a storm of public and online criticism over its decision to adopt the designer uniforms from April, with a full set costing parents around Two arrested in Japanese 80,000 yen ($760). While the school says the fast-train bid-rigging case new uniforms are not man- datory, critics said parents would feel compelled to buy REUTERS them to ensure their children were not left out. TOKYO: A Kajima Corp official and a former executive of Since the decision caught Taisei Corp were arrested yesterday as part of an investiga- media attention earlier this tion into the suspected rigging of bids for a Japanese high- year, at least one pupil was speed rail project, prosecutors said. confronted by a strange adult Prosecutors are investigating construction firms Kajima, who pulled the child’s uni- Taisei, Obayashi Corp and Shimizu Corp for suspected form, saying “Is this Armani?”, breaches of anti-trust laws related to the $80bn maglev rail the spokeswoman said. line. In two other cases, stran- The Tokyo prosecutors office said the two men were gers asked pupils if they were arrested on suspicion of colluding with Obayashi and Shimizu from the school, she added. executives to illegally share orders for the project. The school administration In separate statements, Kajima apologised for ‘causing reportedly said the outfits concerns’ and said it was cooperating with the investiga- were a bid to tie the 150-year- tion, while Taisei denied anti-trust laws had been old school to the upscale violated. Ginza district where it is Backed by cheap government loans, the maglev project located. linking Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka has drawn criticism for The uniform features its cost and lack of export potential. Proponents led by Prime sharply tailored blazers as Minister Shinzo Abe say the project will spark badly needed Protest against assault on Syrians well as add-ons like bags that economic growth. can push the total set’s cost to Indonesian protesters hold portraits of Syrian children victims of war as they shout slogans during The case has raised concerns that bid-rigging is still a around 90,000 yen, a price a protest against the assaults on civilians in Eastern Ghouta, which has been under siege by Assad problem in the construction industry despite legislation intro- critics said was too expensive regime, in front of Syrian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. duced in recent years to stamp it out. for uniforms for fast-growing children.

Indonesia considers house arrest for ailing cleric Duterte tells police, soldiers not to cooperate in drug war probe AP “Clemency, pardon, house for by his family or transfer him years in prison in 2011 for sup- arrest or just hospital treatment. to a prison near his hometown, porting a military-style training REUTERS is, my order to you: Do not JAKARTA: The Indonesian It will be discussed in the near Solo in Central Java, according camp for Islamic militants. answer. Do not bother,” Duterte government is considering house future and will be reported to the to local media. The firebrand cleric was MANILA: Philippines President said in a speech before elite arrest or other forms of clemency president,” said Wiranto, who His numerous sympathisers arrested almost immediately Rodrigo Duterte has ordered armed police units in his home for the ailing radical cleric who uses a single name. hope Jokowi will grant him a after the 2002 Bali bombings that police and soldiers not to coop- city of Davao. “And who are you was the ideological leader of the Bashir, who turns 80 in permanent release due to his killed 202 people, mostly for- erate in any investigation into his to interfere in the way I would Bali bombers and is now in August, was treated in a Jakarta poor health, a move that would eigners including 88 Australians. bloody war on drugs, amid inter- run my country? You know very prison for helping to fund a hospital on Thursday for pooling help mend fences between hard- But prosecutors were unable to national calls for an external well that we are being swallowed jihadist training camp. of blood in the legs, a common line Muslims and Jokowi ahead prove a string of terrorism- probe. by drugs,” Duterte added. Wiranto, the government’s condition in the elderly known of a presidential election in 2019 related allegations. He was Rights groups have expressed The Philippines welcomed a top security minister, said yes- as chronic venous insufficiency, but alarm allies such as the instead sentenced to 18 months alarm over the killing by police United Nations investigation into terday a meeting of security min- and later returned to prison. United States and Australia. in prison for immigration viola- of more than 4,000 Filipinos Duterte’s anti-narcotics cam- isters and police will make a rec- Defense Minister Ryamizard Jokowi’s approval ratings remain tions. Jokowi’s spokesman, Johan since Duterte took office, plus paign, but not if it is conducted ommendation on Abu Bakar Ryacudu said the government high with the broader Indone- Budi, said the president will hundreds more killings of drug by the current UN special rappor- Bashir’s treatment to President plans to place Bashir under sian public. review the case, and house arrest users. “When it comes to human teur on extrajudicial killings, Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo. house arrest so he can be cared Bashir was sentenced to 15 is ‘possible under the law’. rights, or whoever rapporteur it Agnes Callamard. Hong Kong court rejects bail to fugitive wanted in India

AFP on February 9. Singh faces one charge of re-offending. Police in Punjab said of robbery, and appeared in magistrates’ earlier this week they wanted Singh HONG KONG: A fugitive wanted by court Friday with co-defendant Enish brought home to stand trial and had sent Indian police for crimes ranging from a Limbu. an extradition request to Hong Kong jailbreak to financing terrorism was Dozens of heavily-armed police sur- through India’s foreign ministry. denied bail in Hong Kong yesterday, rounded Kowloon City court with traffic Also known as ‘Romi’, Singh is where he is charged with a multi-million cordons set up and police dogs on the accused by Indian authorities of mas- dollar robbery. scene. terminding a daring prison break in 2016 Ramanjit Singh, an Indian national Those entering went through secu- in which armed men disguised as who is on Interpol’s global watch list, rity checks including body screening, policemen stormed a high-security jail was detained this month by authorities not usually seen in lower courts. in Punjab and freed a top Sikh militant in the southern Chinese city over the Singh, 29, arrived in a prison van commander and four others. robbery. escorted by around eight police The list of charges against him on He is accused of stealing more than motorbikes. Interpol’s website includes forgery, pos- 450m Japanese yen ($4m) in cash from He was denied bail by a magistrate session of arms, conspiracy to murder Police escort a prison van (centre) on a blocked road as they transport Ramanjit two people at an address in Tsim Sha who described the robbery as a ‘very and ‘advising and facilitating terrorist Singh, an Indian national on Interpol’s global watch list, to Kowloon City Magistrates’ Tsui, in the bustling heart of Hong Kong, serious offence’ and said he was at risk activities’. Court for his alleged involvement in a local robbery in Hong Kong, yesterday. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL

Are they sincere?

he joint statement by the four countries - Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain - who put Qatar and its people under unjust and inhuman blockade, that the Gulf crisis is a ‘small’ prob- Tlem to be resolved through the mediation of Kuwait, has once again proved that the siege countries are losing Merkel eyes ‘reset’ with Trump their ‘battle’ that is approaching its ninth month. After imposing the blockade against Qatar in June last year, the quartet came up with 13 non-negotiable have a personal relationship between demands and gave Qatar 10 days ultimatum to meet the leaders to fall back on, it can be them. Weeks later, in July, these 13 demands were reduced very difficult to stop the downward to six ‘principles’ - that the siege-states wanted Qatar to spiral.” Juergen Hardt, a senior Macron has gone out of his accept. Doha responded that it was open to dialogue at lawmaker in Merkel’s Christian any time to resolve the issues in question, but not under Democrat party, said: “Especially in way to woo Trump with siege, threats, or infringements of its sovereignty. times of stress, when immediate a mix of machismo and Rejecting dialogue to solve the issue, the siege nations NOAH BARKIN communication is required, they need flattery. The two engaged in even undermined the positive role played by the GCC REUTERS to be able to pick up the phone and member state Kuwait. And the latest developments show find solutions. There needs to be a a macho handshake contest that the four countries are incapable of providing evi- EFORE a phone conversation good personal relationship and a good when they first met last May. dence of their accusations against Qatar and are finding this week to discuss the war working relationship.” MACRON Two months later, Macron ways for a face saving measure. If they are sincere in in Syria and Russian nuclear German government officials play hosted Trump at Bastille Day their stand they should come up for dialogue and dis- Barms, German Chancellor down the prolonged “radio silence” celebrations in Paris, dining cuss the issues without any pre-conditions. Angela Merkel and US President between Merkel and Trump, noting However, anti-Qatar tirades by the siege countries Donald Trump had not spoken to each that the chancellor has ratcheted back with him in the Eiffel Tower. continue to hit in their paid media with the latest being other in over five months. her contacts with many foreign a statement by Saudi Arabia’s sports minister that foot- That gap, described by diplomats leaders during the months of arduous ball’s world governing body FIFA was reconsidering on both sides of the Atlantic as coalition talks at home. Minister Theresa May has spoken with whether to let Qatar host the shockingly long, underscores the They say the dialogue between Trump four times, according to 2022 World Cup and a final challenge Merkel faces if she succeeds Germany and the United States at Downing Street. decision would be made in Sep- in forming a coalition government lower levels of the government US and German officials confirmed tember. But FIFA sources made later this month and, as German remains strong. to Reuters that before Thursday, it clear that Qatar will not be officials suggest, tries to reset the Some question whether any Merkel had not spoken with Trump stripped of the World Cup, con- relationship with Trump. foreign leader can influence Trump, since Sept. 28. She often spoke with Qatar’s stand demning reports that the A strong believer in close who shocked his European allies Obama and Bush on a weekly basis, is clear and the tournament will be handed to transatlantic ties, Merkel was the again on Thursday by announcing according to German officials, who spokesperson the UK or USA. go-to leader in Europe for both plans to introduce hefty tariffs on could not recall a gap of more than a for the Foreign Qatar’s envoy to Germany, Presidents Barack Obama and George imported steel and aluminium, month with Trump’s two Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrah- W. Bush when Washington and Berlin sending financial markets reeling on predecessors. Ministry, Lulwa Al man Al Thani, has accused were navigating the global financial fears of a trade war. A French official close to Macron Khater, has stated Saudi Arabia of peddling fake crisis, Russia’s annexation of Crimea “Germany needs to make up for rejected the notion that the French without any doubt news stories. Recently, Fox from Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear the vacuum at the top level by president and Merkel were engaged in that the country News spread rumours that FIFA programme. engaging on other levels, with a coordinated “good cop, bad cop” act will announce the withdrawal But her relationship with Trump Congress, with the states and with with Trump, and noted that the will not change its of the 2022 World Cup from got off to a frosty start and has never civil society,” said Thomas Matussek, a chancellor had to take her more policy even if the Qatar, citing sources close to recovered. former German ambassador to the sceptical public into account. blockade continues Saudi Sports Minister Turki Al At a time United Nations and Britain. “German public opinion towards Sheikh. FIFA’s denial came of rising Still, the contrast between Merkel’s Trump is a catastrophe. It is much forever. days after its President Gianni transatlantic icy start with Trump and the rapport more violent (than in France),” the Infantino insisted the 2022 tensions over that French President Emmanuel official said. World Cup would be hosted by trade, the Macron has developed with the A poll by the Pew Research Center Qatar as planned. According to Iran nuclear American president is stark. last year showed that just 11 percent of a FIFA spokesperson, the football governing body is in At a time of rising deal and Macron has gone out of his way to Germans have confidence in Trump. regular contact with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Commit- transatlantic NATO woo Trump with a mix of machismo Another Pew poll published earlier tee for Delivery & Legacy handling matters relating to tensions over defence and flattery. The two engaged in a this week showed that 56 percent of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. trade, the Iran spending, macho handshake contest when they Germans view the relationship with The nefarious intentions by the siege countries stem some German first met last May. Two months later, the United States as “bad”. up from their attitude of undermining Qatar’s sover- nuclear deal and officials and Macron hosted Trump at Bastille Day German officials still expect eignty and independence. They are envious of Qatar’s NATO defence analysts celebrations in Paris, dining with him Merkel -- who has continued to talk progress. This was evident in the recent statement by the spending, some worry the in the Eiffel Tower. with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and UAE security chief Dhahi Khalfan that the blockade would personal Next month Macron will travel to Turkey’s Tayyip Erdogan during times be called off if Qatar stripped of or surrenders its right German officials divide Washington for the first official state of acute bilateral tensions -- to do her to World Cup. This is an open confession that the siege and analysts worry between the visit by a foreign leader since Trump best to re-engage with Trump over the nations fabricated the present crisis with a view to mak- the personal divide brash, became president early last year. coming months. ing things difficult for Qatar to organise the World Cup. between the impulsive Over the past five months, Macron The two will see each other at a Qatar’s stand is clear and the spokesperson for the president and and Trump have spoken by phone G7 summit in Canada in June and at a Foreign Ministry, Lulwa Al Khater, has stated without brash, impulsive cautious, seven times, according to the Elysee. NATO summit in Brussels a month any doubt that the country will not change its policy even president and analytical Over the same span, British Prime later. if the blockade continues forever. cautious, analytical chancellor US-German contacts may pick up chancellor could could lead to if Merkel finally forms a new a further government. Social Democrat party lead to a further deterioration members are voting on whether to deterioration in in bilateral endorse another four years of the bilateral ties. ties. ‘grand coalition’ with the Christian Jan Democrats, with the result of the QUOTE OF THE DAY Techau, a German officials say there postal ballot due on Sunday. senior fellow “Once there is a new government Once again, I must are no current plans for at the German Marshall Fund think Merkel to return to the in place all cabinet members will emphasise that what we tank in Berlin, described the five engage. Expect a new wave of visits are seeing, in eastern month gap in contact between the White House, where Trump from Berlin to Washington,” one Ghouta and elsewhere in leaders before Thursday’s phone ignored entreaties to shake senior official said. Syria, are likely war crimes, conversation as a “very very bad sign”. her hand during a meeting But German officials say there are and potentially crimes He saw no connection with the no current plans for Merkel to return conservative chancellor’s struggle to in the Oval Office a year to the White House, where Trump against humanity. Civilians form a new government more than ago. And there are no ignored entreaties to shake her hand are being pounded into five months after federal elections. plans for Trump to return during a meeting in the Oval Office a submission or death. “I don’t think it has anything to do to Germany following his year ago. And there are no plans for with the political limbo in Germany. It Trump to return to Germany Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein is a sign of a relationship where there visit to Hamburg for a G20 following his visit to Hamburg for a UN Human Rights Chief is no trust,” Techau said. “If you don’t summit last July. G20 summit last July. SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 OPINION 09 Who and what to watch in Italy’s election ILVIO Berlusconi’s for the richest without touching and months of deadlock. members have struggled to pioneered the mixture of right-wing coalition, the citizens below. There could also be sur- transform themselves from entertainment and politics that which has the best The winner will help shape prises - such as if the surging swashbuckling outsiders into a helped Donald Trump win the chance of winning Europe’s direction at a time far-right Northern League group that could plausibly hold US presidency. But he was S power, and they have shown written off as politically dead Italy’s election tomorrow, when the European Union is party gets more votes than its wants to boot out 600,000 contending with threats to rule more centrist coalition ally, a mixed results when they have after he was forced from office migrants and pump cash into of law in its member states prospect that could bring to captured local governments. in 2011, amid the economic cri- MICHAEL BIRNBAUM Italian pocketbooks. An Hungary and Poland and power Euroskeptic leaders The final polls before a 15-day sis and scandals involving graft THE WASHINGTON POST opponent, the Five Star negotiating a bitter divorce who have warned that Islam is blackout period ahead of the and “bunga-bunga” sex par- populist party, promises an with Britain. And because Italy taking over Italy. election gave them about 28 ties. (Berlusconi called them online canvas of its members is a main gateway for migrants “In this chaotic situation, percent of the vote, well short “elegant dinners.”) Tax fraud every time a major decision into Europe, the decisions it the possibility of more chaos is of the roughly 40 percent convictions bar him from arises, in an experimental takes about how to treat those very likely,” said Fabio Bordi- needed to capture Parliament. office for another year. Yet he exercise of hyperdemocracy. who reach its shores will gnon, a professor of political But if they overcome their is a likely kingmaker in post- And the ruling center-left party reverberate throughout the science at the University of reluctance to form coalitions election dealmaking. is tanking, even though Italy’s continent. Urbino Carlo Bo. and can convince another The fate of Italy’s econ- economy looks rosier than five But if Italians agree they The polls close late: 11 p.m. party to join forces, they could omy. Italy’s economy grew a years ago when it took power. don’t want the status quo, they Rome time, 5 p.m. in Washing- unsettle establishment leaders modest 1.5 percent last year, a Italians head to the polls are split about the best direc- ton. Here are a few hot topics across Europe. major improvement over the this weekend in Europe’s most tion for their country, which is to watch: What happens to migrants. crisis years but far from closely watched election this the fourth-largest economy in The success of the Five Star More than 620,000 migrants enough to make most voters year. And in a bitterly divided Europe. Opinion polls suggest Movement. Since the last elec- have arrived in the country feel the benefits. Youth unem- campaign - and with more than the likeliest outcome of Sun- tion five years ago, the since 2013, and former prime ployment is stuck at a stubborn a few shades of US debates - day’s election is a Parliament anti-establishment party minister Silvio Berlusconi has 35 percent, and overall unem- voters are animated by issues of too splintered to form a work- founded by comedian Beppe said that immigration is a ployment is higher than the migration and a nagging sense able majority, leading to a Grillo in 2009 has become the “social bomb ready to explode European average, so many that Italy’s post-crisis economic center-spanning caretaker biggest force in Italy and tops in Italy.” If the election goes voters are fed up. But the par- recovery has made life better government or new elections the opinion polls. Yet its Berlusconi’s way, he’ll have the ties leading the polls haven’t chance to try to defuse the sit- offered plans that add up, uation. But his plan - to try to according to most mainstream Italians head to the deport nearly all of those who economists. polls this weekend in have arrived - has come under Berlusconi’s center-right heavy criticism for being inhu- coalition is promising $1,220 a Europe’s most closely mane. The pressure of new month to every adult Italian as watched election this migrant arrivals has eased a universal basic income, for year. And in a bitterly since July, after Interior Minis- example, without fully divided campaign ter Marco Minniti struck a deal explaining how he would pay with local Libyan leaders to for it. voters are animated halt people-smuggling across Is Italy governable? Italy by issues of migration the Mediterranean. But anger sometimes seems to churn and a nagging sense remains, as evidenced by a through leaders faster than it shooting rampage against peo- can come up with new ones. So that Italy’s post-crisis ple with dark skin in a central political instability is nothing economic recovery Italian town last month. And new. But with the advent of the has made life better the root causes of migration Five Star Movement, Italian remain unchanged in the Mid- politics now appears tripolar - for the richest without dle East and Africa. and it’s not clear that voters touching the citizens Will Berlusconi make a will lean heavily enough for below. comeback? The longtime anyone to come up with a leader and media magnate workable majority.

THE North Korean-flagged oil - including sanctions designations on turning off transponders, changing ship products tanker Kum Gang 3 more than two dozen shipping compa- identities, and conducting ship-to-ship was steaming north through the nies - may be too little, too late, to force transfers - it says North Korea engages D-RING ROAD Yellow Sea not far from the North Korea’s hand given the rapid in. POST BOX: 3488 T “Now that we have guidance for the coast of the Shandong Peninsula at the advances it has made in its illicit weapon DOHA - QATAR end of January. About midnight on program over the past year. industry, the system should start blink- January 28, the ship seemed to cut its “I’m not sure I see this as being that ing red,” Schanzer said. [email protected] engine and started to drift nearly dead in significant,” said Richard Nephew, a In some ways, it already is. South the water, heading southwest - for two former sanctions expert at the State Korea in late December seized two ships EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE entire weeks. Then the ship spent about Department in the Obama administra- identified by the United States as helping TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 12 hours on station before starting tion. “The term ‘largest’ here clearly North Korea evade sanctions, including FAX: +974 4455 7758 another lazy, nine-day drift southeast. implies ‘number of things sanctioned,’ a Panama-flagged tanker named in the Once back on the ship’s original track, it and that’s not exactly the metric that latest batch of sanctions. And the focus MANAGING EDITOR throttled back up to cruising speed and concerns me,” said Nephew, now at the on the global shipping industry is target- TEL: 4462 7505 took off north for several hours - then Center on Global Energy Policy at ing the weak link of maritime insurance; suddenly went dark and vanished from Columbia University. European Union sanctions on Iran in DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR ship-tracking screens. The latest batch is a big part of the 2012 kneecapped Tehran’s ability to TEL: 4455 7769 The Kum Gang 3 as well as 18 other administration’s effort to put “maximum export oil by making it difficult to get KEITH JOHNSON & North Korean-flagged vessels and nine pressure” on the Hermit Kingdom. On insurance. LOCAL NEWS SECTION DAN DE LUCE flagged by other countries now have a Friday, the administration announced One North Korean ship blacklisted TEL: 4455 7743 BLOOMBERG legal bull’s-eye on them. They were the new designations on 27 companies and by the United Nations lost its insurance target of what the Trump administration 28 vessels allegedly involved in smug- in January, and the new US sanctions BUSINESS NEWS SECTION gling prohibited goods into and out of give shipping brokers and insurers a tool TEL: 4462 7535 North Korea. This new round of sanc- to limit their own exposure and cancel or tions came on the heels of two other deny coverage for any designated ships. SPORT NEWS SECTION recent efforts to choke off North Korea’s “If a vessel cannot be insured, it will TEL: 4455 7745 illicit shipping: The United States sanc- not be able to enter ports,” said a Busting North tioned six cargo ships in January, and the spokesperson for Lloyd’s of London, the ONLINE SECTION UN Security Council blacklisted four in big maritime insurer. The more vessels TEL: 4462 7501 late December. are identified, the more insurers and [email protected] Korea’s sanctions Going after merchant ships is a way banks can “deny or withdraw services to put sharper teeth into a pair of UN and disrupt the illicit activity.” The US PUBLIC RELATIONS resolutions last year that limited the government can use satellites to track TEL: 4455 7613 amount of oil North Korea could import North Korean ships, and it published sat- [email protected] evading fleet and also banned exports of coal from ellite photos of illicit ship-to-ship North Korea, a big money-maker for the transfers with its latest sanctions ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Kim regime. But the United States and announcement. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 other countries have compiled growing Otherwise, keeping track of North FAX: 4455 7870 calls the largest-ever sanctions package evidence in recent months that North Korean merchant ships can be hard. [email protected] on North Korea, the culmination of years Korea was sidestepping the sanctions Many of the vessels turn off their satellite of effort to dismantle the seaborne nuts with illicit shipments and transfers, transponders, which broadcast location, CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT and bolts of Pyongyang’s continued eva- including with vessels included in Fri- speed, and heading on a regular basis. TEL: 4455 7857 sion of US and UN sanctions. US officials day’s announcement. Treasury accused Many of the ships on the latest US sanc- [email protected] say tankers like the Kum Gang 3, and some of the North Korean ships of illic- tions list went dark last fall, according to cargo ships like Asia Bridge 1, have been itly exporting coal to Russia. ship tracking data. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION importing oil and exporting coal in con- On Tuesday, Japan said it had caught But sometimes they leave trans- TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 travention of UN sanctions meant to another North Korean vessel - also ponders (technically, collision avoidance FAX: 44557819 One North Korean strangle the financing for Pyongyang’s included in the latest sanctions - carry- systems) on so they can be spotted by [email protected] ship blacklisted by weapons programs. ing out a ship-to-ship transfer of oil. another ship, sometimes for a rendez- the United Nations Friday’s sanctions were a big step, “It was overdue, in the sense that we vous at sea. That tracking data offered a adding to a couple of previous sanctions always knew the shipping industry had window into the Kum Gang 3’s odd All thoughts and views lost its insurance on vessels. But fully choking off that been important for North Korea’s sanc- behavior in the days before the sanctions in January, and illicit shipping behavior will be a tall tions evasion,” said Schanzer of FDD. announcement. Other ships on the sanc- expressed in these the new US order. North Korea has as many as 240 Even former Obama administration tioned list went back and forth to columns are those of the sanctions give merchant ships in its fleet, and in the officials applauded the new measures. Chinese ports, or sometimes to Russian writers, not of the past has redesignated vessels and appro- “It’s tightening the noose. It’s the most ports like Vladivostok, records show. newspaper. shipping brokers priated the identity numbers of other effective way to put pressure on the One problem is that it’s labor inten- and insurers a ships to mask their identities. regime,” said Evan Medeiros, who heads sive to compile the legal case for UN or tool to limit their “It’s a game of whack-a-mole. There coverage of the Asia-Pacific for Eurasia US sanctions on shipping companies and All correspondence own exposure and will be new front companies, new ves- Group, after previously overseeing Asia vessels, while the financial bang appears regarding Views and sels that emerge,” said Jonathan policy in Barack Obama’s White House. limited. The Treasury Department says Opinion pages should be cancel or deny Schanzer, a former US Treasury official Alongside the sanctions, the US that illicit shipments of North Korean coverage for any now at the Foundation for Defense of Treasury released a global shipping coal delivered to Russia and other coun- send to editor-in-chief designated ships. Democracies. “It will require constant advisory meant to shine a spotlight on tries were worth only about $5.5 million office or mailed to the gardening.” And the latest measures the kind of illicit behavior - including per shipload. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 Russia denies breaching arms control deal

AFP German Chancellor accusations that Russia is vio- arsenal and develop new low- challenging Washington to a new programme. Angela Merkel’s lating any provisions and arti- yield atomic weapons. arms race. “We don’t regard that as the MOSCOW: The Kremlin said spokesman said his cles of international law on dis- “No one really wanted to talk “This is a formal declaration behaviour of a responsible inter- yesterday that Russia will not be armament and arms control,” to us basically. No one listened of a new Cold War,” independent national player,” spokeswoman part of a new arms race as the government was Peskov said. to us then. Listen to us now,” security analyst Alexander Golts Heather Nauert said. United States and Germany concerned about “the “Russia is not going to attack Putin said Thursday, prompting said. “President Putin has con- voiced concern over Vladimir entire security policy anyone, and these weapons do a standing ovation from the audi- He compared Putin’s address firmed what the United States Putin’s boasts of new “invincible” not present a danger to anyone ence of top officials, lawmakers to former British prime minister government has known for a weapons. of Russia”. who is not hatching plans to and celebrities. Winston Churchill’s 1946 speech long time but that Russia has Putin stunned the West - and attack our country. Putin told NBC later in which he condemned the denied prior to this.” many in Russia - on Thursday by Russian President Putin’s latest “Russia is not going to be Thursday an arms race had Soviet Union and effectively Underscoring the tension, using his state of the nation remarks on arms development pulled into any arms race.” started again when Washington announced the beginning of the Russia called off strategic talks address to unveil a new arsenal and its negative impact on inter- Nearly half of Putin’s almost pulled out of the Soviet-era Anti- Cold War. with the US set for this month of hypersonic weapons and sub- national arms control efforts,” two-hour speech was dedicated Ballistic Missile Treaty during Some commentators derided after a Washington delegation marines less than three weeks said a statement by the German to the country’s latest weaponry George W Bush’s presidency. the outdated animation used for snubbed a meeting on cyber- before an election is expected to chancellery. and was accompanied by video He also admitted the Russian Putin’s presentation but Peskov security, Moscow’s ambassador extend his rule until 2024. Merkel’s spokesman Steffen montages of missiles heading weapons were in various stages defended it yesterday. to the US, Anatoly Antonov, told The revelations came with Seibert said his government was over the Atlantic. of development, but some were “Because we are talking Russia’s state TASS news ties between Russia and the West concerned about “the entire Washington accused Moscow battle ready. about supermodern develop- agency. at post-Cold War lows over the security policy of Russia”. of breaching Cold War-era arms Peskov denied suggestions ments which were only declas- In his speech, Putin showed Syria and Ukraine conflicts, and He criticised Moscow over treaties, with a State Department that one of the videos allegedly sified yesterday Russia cannot tests of a new missile system he accusations that Moscow inter- “blatant violations of interna- spokeswoman saying it was used a map of the United States fully show this equipment due said could fly at 20 times the fered in the US presidential elec- tional law through the annexa- “unfortunate” to have watched to simulate an attack on Florida. to certain reasons,” he said. speed of sound and manuever tion in 2016. tion of the Crimea”, and the a video animation that depicted “No maps were used there, “That’s why graphics were used.” up and down, and is not owned US President Donald Trump “truly appalling situation of the a nuclear attack on the United these are absolutely symbolic The US State Department by any other country. and German Chancellor Angela Syrian civilian population.” States. contours, there is not any tie-up expressed outrage at Putin’s Russia has also developed Merkel shared concern in a Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Putin presented Russia’s mil- to any concrete country,” he said. presentation and his “cheesy” unmanned underwater devices phone conversation over Putin’s Peskov rejected accusations itary efforts as a response to Analysts said Putin -- who is animated video of warheads over that move much faster than sub- claims, Berlin said yesterday. Russia was violating any arms actions by the United States, all but guaranteed to win a fourth US soil -- and said the Russian marines and torpedoes and can “The chancellor and the control agreements. which last month unveiled plans Kremlin term in March 18 elec- leader had confirmed long-held carry nuclear warheads, Putin president voiced concern about “We categorically reject any to revamp its own nuclear tions -- was effectively allegations about his said, adding: “It’s just fantastic!”

Brexit: UK committed to German govt averts ‘acute Central Europe security threat’ of hack AP REUTERS The British government said on Wednesday that EU citizens BERLIN: A German security BUDAPEST: Britain will remain arriving in Britain during a post- official says the immediate committed to the security and Brexit transition period would threat posed by a cyberattack defence of Central Europe after be able to apply for indefinite on the government’s secure Brexit, and will protect the rights leave to stay in the country but computer network was of Hungarians working in the their rights would be governed averted soon after it was United Kingdom, Foreign by British, not EU law. detected. Minister Boris Johnson said Curbing immigration was a Following a report by a yesterday. key reason Britons voted to leave news agency on Wednesday, After meeting Hungarian the EU in 2016, following a large the government acknowl- Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto influx of EU citizens, especially edged its network had been in Budapest, Johnson said from poorer countries in eastern infiltrated but downplayed without elaborating that he Europe. the possible harm done. assumed Britons living in Hun- The Hungarian government, Johannes Dimroth, a gary would get a “good” deal too. which is pursuing a fierce anti- spokesman for the interior The future rights of UK immigration campaign ahead of ministry, said yesterday that nationals living in the EU and EU April elections, shares Britain’s “a certain period of moni- nationals living in Britain has insistence that national sover- British Foreign Minister and leading Brexit supporter Boris Johnson (left) with Hungary’s Minister toring” of the attack took been a leading issue in talks eignty be protected in the EU. of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during a joint press conference, in Budapest, yesterday. place by German authorities about Britain’s planned depar- There are million central but that “the acute danger ture from the European Union. eastern Europeans, including Szijjarto reiterated that Hun- offer details of her plan for Brit- Euronews that the two workable was averted soon after it “It is vital to stress that the many Poles, Hungarians and gary wanted to see a “fair” Brexit ain’s future after Brexit, British options were a clean break became known.” UK will remain committed to the Romanians working in the UK, deal, which would ensure the Prime Minister Theresa May set Brexit or staying in a reforming He declined to comment security and defence of our with London frequently dubbed broadest possible free trade out her vision for a Brexit deal Europe. on reports that a Russian- friends in Central Europe,” as “the second biggest Hungarian agreement and a very close con- deeper and wider than any “free “If he says he is against the backed hacker group called Johnson said. town” after Budapest. tinuing security cooperation with trade agreement anywhere in the wrong kind of Brexit, whilst he Snake was behind the attack. “It is vital that we protect East European states also Britain, as well as protection of world”. is against soft Brexit, well then Dimroth said authorities their (Hungarians in the UK) fear they could lose out on some the rights of Hungarians’ Johnson was also asked he is against some hopeless com- are trying to determine who rights, that we give them the of the EU’s development funds working in Britain. about recent comments by promise, then ... so am I. And so tipped the media about the encouragement they need ... the if the EU budget is cut back after In a much-anticipated former British Prime Minister I think he is unusually attack. Lawmakers expressed reassurance they need.” Britain leaves. speech which the EU hopes will Tony Blair in an interview with accurate.” anger at not having been informed by the government before news broke.

Snowstorms batter Ireland, Britain No second term in Top Spanish REUTERS office for Puigdemont EDINBURGH: Snowstorms shut AFP conductor dies most of Ireland yesterday and AFP forced Britain to call in the army BARCELONA: In self-exile in to help battle some of the worst Belgium and wanted in Spain, MADRID: Top Spanish weather seen for nearly 30 Catalonia’s deposed leader conductor Jesus Lopez years. Carles Puigdemont (pictured) Cobos, who wielded the After a blast of Siberian cold abandoned his bid to return as baton at a clutch of top dubbed “the beast from the regional president in an attempt ensembles including the east”, southern Britain and Ire- to unblock the region’s political Spanish National Orchestra land were battered by Storm crisis. and the Cincinnati Emma that arrived from the “I will not put myself for- Symphony Orchestra (CSO), south and blocked roads, ward as candidate to be has died of cancer aged 78, grounded planes and stopped A tractor clears a snow-blocked road between Delph and Denshaw, appointed regional president,” his entourage said trains. in northern England, yesterday. Puigdemont announced sol- yesterday in Madrid. Overnight blizzards left emnly from Belgium in a video possible”. Lopez Cobos, born in the snow drifts up to three feet deep businesses were left without today,” deputy prime minister posted on social media, Vowing to continue town of Toro in north- across Ireland and Scotland. The power. Yesterday, the Irish stock Simon Coveney told state broad- standing in front of Catalan and drawing the global communi- western Spain, died in Berlin storm knocked out Ireland’s exchange was shut, as were all caster RTE. “Hopefully we can EU flags. ty’s attention to Catalonia’a where he had notably been entire public transport network, schools and most government continue to get through these The 55-year-old called for cause, as separatists accuse general music director of the closing its airports and leaving offices as a status Red weather freak weather conditions a new candidate to be chosen Madrid of repression in its Deutsche Oper Berlin roads “extremely dangerous,” alert remained across most of without tragedy.” “as soon as possible” from Cata- crackdown, Puigdemont said through the 1980s before the government said. Ireland. In Britain, a seven-year-old lonia’s separatist bloc, which his lawyers had taken the case following up a decade with At the peak of the storm, “The country needs to more girl was killed in the far south- won December elections in a to the United Nations Human the CSO with a seven-year over 100,000 homes and or less stay in hibernation western county of Cornwall region deeply divided over Rights Committee. spell at Madrid’s Teatro Real. after a car crashed into a house independence. He also put forward Jordi The Madrid institution in icy conditions, the BBC This could pave the way for Sanchez, head of the ANC, a said it was saddened to note reported. Dozens of passengers Catalonia to get a fully-func- hugely influential pro-inde- the loss of “one of the great were stranded on trains over- tioning government and regain pendence citizens’ group, as his figures of the international night in southern England. its autonomy after Madrid took preferred choice to lead Cata- music scene”. The army was summoned full control of the Spanish lonia forward. “Spain has lost one of to help rescue hundreds of region over its October seces- This is likely to be difficult, the music world’s greats,” drivers stuck in the snow and to sion bid. however, as Sanchez has been said Minister of Culture Inigo transport National Health Madrid welcomed Puigde- in prison for more than four Mendez de Vigo. “He was Service workers. mont’s move, with a Spanish months as he is probed for sedi- one of Spain’s most prestig- Roads and schools were government source, saying tion, one of four separatists in ious and notable active A view of the airport covered by snow in Dublin, Ireland, yesterday. closed and many flights can- Catalonia needed “to have a jail over their role in the inde- orchestra directors.” celled across Britain. regional president as soon as pendence drive. SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 EUROPE 11 Armenia lawmakers elect new president

AFP The ambassador to seven years instead of the cur- the United Kingdom, rent five, the president will be YEREVAN: Armenian lawmakers expected to mainly rubber- elected yesterday a largely Armen Sarkisian stamp the prime minister’s figurehead president to succeed garnered 90 votes decisions. Serzh Sarkisian as he seeks to in the 105-seat According to recent amend- extend his grip on power under legislature, and will ments to legislation, he will not a new parliamentary system of be part of the country’s Security government. assume presidential Council. The ambassador to the duties after his Pro-Moscow Serzh Sarkisian United Kingdom, Armen Sarki- predecessor steps -- who already served as premier sian -- who is no relation to the down in April. in 2007-2008 -- did not explic- current leader -- garnered 90 itly deny or confirm plans to votes in the 105-seat legislature, become a prime minister again. and will assume presidential physics briefly served as prime But in an interview last year, duties after his predecessor steps minister in the 1990s. he vowed to “remain active” down in April. “Serzh Sarkisian wants to after leaving office and hinted The political shift comes after stay at the helm,” political ana- that he would continue to influ- President Sarkisian in 2015 ini- lyst Stefan Safarian said, sug- ence Armenia’s politics as leader tiated controversial constitu- gesting that the leader’s ambi- of the Republican Party. Newly-elected Armenian President Armen Sarkissian attends a parliamentary session in Yerevan, tional amendments to turn the tion is to take on the prime The ruling party has Armenia, yesterday. impoverished Moscow-allied ministerial post after stepping defended the controversial country into a parliamentary down as president. reform as a move aimed at con- levers to influence political proc- situation and just how corrupt have said the referendum was republic with a powerful prime “Everything is being done to solidating the ex-Soviet nation’s esses. We are moving towards a the elites are. He will not be able marred by allegations of large- minister. hand over powers of the current democracy and improving the more democratic form of gov- to influence things for sure,” she scale vote buying and multiple Opponents of the 63-year- president to a future prime min- balance between the legislative ernance,” he added. added. voting, among other old leader -- whose second and ister. All of this is being done to and executive branches of Many hold out little hope that The constitutional amend- irregularities. final term in office ends on April create the office of a super prime power. the election will change their ments -- which enter into force A shrewd former military 9 -- say the reforms have been minister,” opposition lawmaker “Democracy means distribu- lives for the better. after Serzh Sarkisian steps down officer, Serzh Sarkisian has been designed to increase his power, Edmon Marukyan told reporters. tion of powers, strengthening “Nothing will change,” Iveta -- were passed after a refer- in charge of the landlocked South albeit in a new capacity as The new head of government different political forces, parlia- Mnatsakanyan, 65, said. endum in December 2015, with Caucasus nation of 2.9 million premier. -- who will also serve as the mentary control over the gov- She described the presiden- some 63 percent of the voters since winning a vote in 2008. The sole candidate for the nation’s commander-in-chief -- ernment and that’s what the tial candidate as a “very intelli- backing the changes. After that poll, 10 people died mostly ceremonial presidential will be nominated by the ruling reform is about,” party gent” person who lived in Britain But the opposition com- in bloody clashes between police post, Sarkisian was hand-picked party and appointed by the spokesman and parliament vice- for a long time. plained of widespread violations and supporters of the defeated by the president and nominated president. president Eduard Sharmazanov “I am sure he is not fully at polling stations, prompting opposition candidate. by the ruling Republican Party. Elected by the National said. aware of the country’s difficult thousands to rally in protest. Serzh Sarkisian won a The 64-year-old professor of Assembly for a single term of “The opposition will get more moral, social and economic Council of Europe observers second term in 2013.

Slovakia ignored warning on Hungarian PM slams oppn after by-polls loss mafia expansion REUTERS an opposition-backed inde- liberal parties have so far not weaken and slowly evaporate”. proposed by the EU. pendent comfortably beat the presented a common nationwide He reiterated that Central Orban said the opposition AP BUDAPEST: Prime Minister Fidesz candidate for mayor. front against Fidesz. European EU members - Poland, would use funding from U.S. fin- Viktor Orban said yesterday Orban said yesterday that “The (by-election) was a lab- the Czech Republic, Slovakia and ancier George Soros with the PRAGUE: Italian prosecutors opposition parties would unite fragmented opposition parties oratory case, and this will be Hungary - along with Austria and help of foreign-owned media had warned Slovak authori- to try to oust his ruling Fidesz in would unite and present a single repeated in several constituen- Bavaria rejected the European operating in Hungary. Fidesz fre- ties about “dangerous” infil- the April 8 election and would candidate to run against Fidesz cies,” Orban said. “In the end, Union’s migration policies. quently vilifies Soros, saying he tration by a powerful Italian turn Hungary into a haven for in each constituency. there will be a candidate in every “They shoot at Poland, both wants to bring millions of organised crime syndicate immigrants, after his party Political analysts have said constituency from the opposi- Germany and Brussels ... because migrants into Europe, which even before a Slovak investi- suffered a surprise by-election the by-election result could tion who supports immigration if they weaken (Poland) they Soros denies. gative journalist was slain, a defeat. change dynamics within the ... and our candidate who weaken the whole Central Voter support for Fidesz top anti-Mafia fighter said Orban’s rightwing nationalist opposition, which had struggled opposes immigration.” Europe, and this way they also dropped to 29 percent in Feb- yesterday. Fidesz is seeking a third consec- to mount any serious Orban said if Hungary weaken the central European ruary from 32 percent in January Franco Roberti, recently utive term. The party is leading challenge. becomes an “immigrant country” opposition to immigration.” but the party is favourite to win retired as Italy’s national anti- in opinion polls but suffered an The Socialists, the strongest it would bring “terror, women Orban has been one of the the election, a poll by the Repub- Mafia prosecutor, said on unexpected setback at a munic- opposition party the nationalist and girls will no longer be safe loudest opponents of mandatory likon institute showed on Italian radio: “We warned ipal by-election on Sunday when Jobbik and the smaller leftist and our cultural identity will migrant resettlement quotas Wednesday. authorities in Bratislava, but unfortunately they didn’t heed us” about the ‘ndrang- heta syndicate’s expansion Former Ukraine president into Slovakia. On Thursday, Slovak police raided houses linked offers mediation with rebels to the alleged members of the REUTERS More then 10,000 people syndicate in connection with have been killed there since the slaying of an investigative MOSCOW: Former Ukrainian 2014 and fatalities are reported journalist and his girlfriend. President Viktor Yanukovich on a near-daily basis. “Seven men were offered his services as an inter- “I will do everything pos- detained as suspects in the mediary between the Ukrainian sible, everything that depends raids in the eastern Slovak government and pro-Russian on me to stop the war ... to bring towns of Michalovce and separatists who control a large the two sides to the negotiating Trebisov,” said National part of the east of the country. table,” Yanukovich said. Police Chief Tibor Gaspar. Yanukovich, who lives in He said he planned to offer The bodies of 27-year-old exile in Russia after fleeing his help to the European Union, Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend, Ukraine in 2014 following pro- the US, Russia and the United Martina Kusnirova, were found tests against his rule, also called Nations in the hope that he on Sunday in their house in on world powers to support could facilitate direct talks. Velka Maca, east of the capital, direct talks between the two “The main thing is ... to unite Bratislava. They had both been sides, an idea that Kiev flatly (the) Donbass (region) with shot. Kuciak’s last, unfinished rejects. Ukraine, to maintain the integ- story was about the activities Talks on implementing a rity of the Ukrainian state.” of the Italian ‘ndrangheta in stalled peace agreement for The Ukrainian government Slovakia. eastern Ukraine involve the is unlikely to welcome Yanuk- Roberti said the ‘ndrang- leaders of Ukraine, France, Ger- ovich’s initiative. He is currently heta might have killed Kuciak many and Russia, but not the being tried in absentia in because “there was no other Traditional feast dinner separatists. Ukraine on charges of treason. way to silence” him. He added A municipal employee checks the tables arrangement ahead of the traditional Matthiae-Mahl dinner the “corruption” of local offi- at the City Hall, in Hamburg, northern Germany, yesterday. cials plays a big role in ‘ndrang- heta’s activities abroad. British man convicted for attempted murder of Muslim woman Four skiers dead in French Alps avalanche AP LONDON: A British man has been convicted of attempted murder AFP southern Alps, local authorities official in nearby Vesubie. “A lot of snow had fallen these for running over a Muslim woman in a hate crime he saw as in the Alpes-Maritimes depart- The skiers had been staying past few days and the warmer revenge for IS extremist attacks. A jury found Paul Moore guilty NICE: At least four skiers were ment said. at a guesthouse in Estenc and weather since Thursday has of the September 20 attack, which left Zaynab Hussein with life- killed yesterday in an avalanche They were swept away while had started out toward the Cay- destabilised the fresh snowpack,” changing injuries. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Moore drove his in the French Alps, the deadliest skiing off-piste near the Mercan- olle pass with their guide at said Jean-Gabriel Delacroy of the Volkswagen into Hussein in the central England city of Leicester, of the winter so far, police said. tour National Park, not far from around 10:00am (0900 GMT). Alpes-Maritimes prefecture. then ran her over as she lay on the ground. Hussein suffered Another person was injured France’s border with Italy. The French Alps have expe- The avalanche risk for the fractures to her pelvis, her spine and leg. and has been hospitalised, while “These valleys are highly rienced heavy snowfall since the region is high, currently at four After the verdict, Hussein’s husband said Moore “wasn’t their guide escaped unharmed popular with off-piste skiers start of the week, as a blast of icy on a scale of one to five, attacking terrorists. He was joining their ranks by doing what from the avalanche in the area because it’s beautiful and wild,” weather from Siberia engulfs according to the Meteo France they do and attacking an innocent woman.” around Entraunes in the said Christophe Ollivier, a local Europe. weather agency. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 US determines N Korea used chemical weapons

AP prisoners and disabled people inside the authoritarian nation. WASHINGTON: The United North Korea is believed to States has determined that have provided chemical defen- North Korea used chemical The determination, sive equipment and technology weapons, an apparent refer- made by the to Syria and Libya in the past, ence to the killing of leader Kim department’s and an upcoming report by a Jong Un’s half-brother last United Nations panel that mon- year. international security itors sanctions against the The State Department did & nonproliferation North says that in August 2016 not provide justification for the bureau, carries the North transferred special finding publicised yesterday. restrictions on US resistance valves and ther- But it comes nearly one year mometers known for use in after Kim Jong Nam died at an foreign aid, financial chemical weapons programs international airport in & military assistance in Syria. Inauguration ceremony Malaysia in an attack authori- North Korean technicians that North Korea’s Brazil’s Federal Police new Director General Rogerio Galloro (left) speaks with the Minister of Public ties said used VX nerve agent. continue to operate at chem- heavily sanctioned Security Raul Jungmann during his inauguration ceremony in Brazil, yesterday. Galloro replaces The determination, made ical weapons and missile facil- by the department’s interna- government is ities in the war-ravaged Mid- Fernando Segovia, dismissed from office after three months, due to controversial declarations tional security and nonprolif- already subject to. east nation, according to details within the government. eration bureau, carries restric- of the report obtained by The tions on US foreign aid, Associated Press. financial and military assist- long-standing chemical The US and other Western ance that North Korea’s heavily weapons program with the nations have accused Syria of sanctioned government is capability to produce nerve, using chemical weapons already subject to. blister, blood, and choking against rebel-controlled areas Colombia & US to halve cocaine output It was posted on the web- agents and likely possesses a of the country, which the gov- site of the Federal Register and chemical weapons stockpile ernment denies. REUTERS chemicals and fertilizers, cov- strategy that aims to reduce esti- takes effect Monday. that could be used with artil- North Korea on Thursday ered 188,000 hectares of mated cocaine production and Secretary of State Rex Till- lery and ballistic missiles. denied it was cooperating with BOGOTA: Colombia and the Colombia at the end of 2016, coca cultivation by 50 percent erson has previously referred Experts say the February 13, Syria on chemical weapons. United States agreed to work while potential production of by 2023,” US Under Secretary to Pyongyang’s use of chem- 2017, death of Kim Jong Nam In a statement circulated by together to reduce by half the cocaine reached 910 metric tons, of Political Affairs Thomas ical weapons. He told reporters at Kuala Lumpur airport is the its diplomatic mission at the UN production of cocaine, and culti- according to the US Drug Shannon said at the end of a in January, “we know they’ve only confirmed North Korean in New York, the North’s for- vation of its raw material coca Enforcement Administration meeting with Colombia’s foreign been used by the North use of chemical weapon agents. eign ministry said it “does not in the South American nation (DEA). minister. Koreans.” North Korean defectors have have a single record of devel- within five years. “This effort includes the Details were not provided According to the Pentagon, charged that such chemicals oping, producing and stock- Coca leaf, which is turned national implementation of a on how they would achieve the North Korea probably has a have been used against piling a chemical weapon.” into cocaine using various comprehensive anti-narcotics reduction.

Flood barriers & evacuations as storm hits US Northeast Trump sparks Twitter war REUTERS tide cycles,” said Bill Simpson, a meteor- ologist with the National Weather Service with actor BOSTON: Businesses near Boston Harbor in Taunton, Massachusetts. Flooding is set up temporary flood barriers and piled expected to become severe around this Alec Baldwin sandbags around their doors yesterday morning’s high tide, forecast for shortly as the northeastern United States felt the after 11am ET in Boston (1600 GMT), and AFP brunt of a powerful storm that threatened continue today. to flood coasts from Maine to Virginia. Residents of coastal areas that regu- WASHINGTON: Donald Hundreds of flights were canceled at larly flood in storms, including the towns Trump sparked a Twitter war New York’s three major airports and Bos- of Newburyport, Duxbury and Scituate with Alec Baldwin yesterday, ton’s Logan International, extensive had been encouraged to evacuate their reviving his public oppro- school closings were reported throughout homes and head to higher ground, said brium of the actor’s critically the region and the federal government Chris Besse, a spokesman for the Massa- acclaimed role impersonating closed offices in Washington, DC. chusetts Emergency Management Agency. the president on hit television Heavy rains, extreme high tides and He added that it is hard to predict show ‘Saturday Night Live’. If a wind-driven storm surge could com- where the storm will take its heaviest toll. Baldwin started the row by bine to cause several feet of water to flow The National Weather Service had telling The Hollywood onto streets in coastal Massachusetts, with coastal flood watches and warnings in Reporter in an interview that government and private weather fore- place from southern Maine through it was ‘agony’ to play the casters warning of a repeat of an early- coastal Virginia, including New York’s 71-year-old commander-in- January storm that drove a couple of feet eastern suburbs, and was also tracking a chief, regardless of picking up Tourists from Los Angeles face high winds while visiting the Lincoln Memorial on of icy seawater onto Boston’s streets. High snowstorm heading east from the Ohio an Emmy award for his the National Mall in Washington, DC, yesterday . winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour Valley that could drop significant amounts efforts, Trump hit back in could also bring extensive power of snow in northern New York State. It good measure. outages. forecast storm surges of up to four feet throughout the region cancelled classes. to tracking service Flightaware.com. “Alec Baldwin, whose “The winds are going to keep on for eastern Massachusetts. More than a quarter of flights into and out Boston Mayor Marty Walsh urged dying mediocre career was increasing and the seas are going to go Federal offices closed yesterday in of New York’s three major airports and businesses in flood-prone areas to allow saved by his terrible imper- higher and higher for the next three high Washington, DC, while dozens of schools Boston’s airport were cancelled, according employees to work from home. sonation of me on SNL, now says playing me was agony,” Trump wrote in a pre-dawn tweet. “Alec, it was agony for Reverend Billy Graham being laid Maine lobster catch dips to those who were forced to watch,” Trump said. lowest in 6 years in 2017 Baldwin, a father of four to rest at North Carolina home whose career only a few AP year, which means it was late years ago was dogged by run- AFP in the season before many of ins with the paparazzi, had PORTLAND: The state that them reached legal size, said told The Hollywood Reporter CHARLOTTE: The late Reverend dominates the US lobster haul Patrick Keliher, Maine’s marine of his portrayal of Trump: Billy Graham, spearhead of an saw the catch fall to its lowest resources commissioner. The “Every time I do it now, it’s evangelical Christian movement level since 2011 last year, yet the fishery was also slowed by bad like agony. Agony. I can’t.” that touched millions worldwide industry is still strong and the weather in November and Trump’s original tweet mis- and who provided spiritual crustaceans remain easily December, and the impact of spelled both the actor’s first counsel to several US presidents, available to consumers, regu- the warming Gulf of Maine name as ‘Alex’ and dying as returned to his North Carolina lators said yesterday. remains a concern, he said. ‘dieing’. He later corrected home for good yesterday. Maine fishermen caught a But Keliher added that the both mistakes. President Donald Trump and little more than 110.8 million 2017 catch number was still the Baldwin, 59, himself well- Vice President Mike Pence are pounds of lobster last year, fol- sixth highest on record known for his outspoken attending the noon (1700 GMT) lowing a stretch of five consec- according to state data that go views and support of the funeral, a private ceremony utive years in which the state back to 1880. The $433.8 mil- Democratic Party, was quick including some 2,000 mourners topped 120 million pounds lion in value was fourth highest. to fire off a series of scathing who gathered to say goodbye to annually, the state Department “I think we have to look at tweets in response. the man who became known as The casket of American evangelist Billy Graham exits the East of Marine Resources that we’ve got a changing envi- “Agony though it may be, ‘America’s pastor’. The ceremony Steps at the US Capitol in Washington. announced. ronment in the Gulf of Maine, I’d like to hang in there for will take place at the Billy Fishermen in Maine, who and we’re likely seeing expan- the impeachment hearings, Graham Library on the family’s Graham, who preached to for Christ who reminded the typically catch about 80 per- sion of habitat because of that,” the resignation speech, the property in Charlotte, under a millions of faithful face to face world of the power of prayer and cent of America’s lobster, also Keliher said. “That could relate farewell helicopter ride,” he broad white tent that harkens over his decades-long career and the gift of God’s grace’. The bulk made slightly less money. They to lobsters settling in deeper tweeted. “You know. The back to the ‘canvas cathedral’ in tens of millions more through the of official Washington -- were paid $3.91 per pound at water.” Maine’s run of high lob- Good Stuff. That we’ve all 1949 that helped propel Graham power of television, died last including Trump, Pence, half a the docks for lobsters last year, ster catches began around been waiting for.” He then to prominence. week at age 99, leaving a Chris- dozen cabinet members and down from about $4.08 per 2009, when the state topped 80 suggested he was looking for- “It was Mr Graham’s explicit tian evangelist movement many of the 535 lawmakers in pound in 2016, the state said. million pounds for the first time. ward to Trump’s post-office intent that his funeral service without its best known champion Congress -- were in attendance, Prices remained steady to con- The growth of the industry has presidential library -- which reflect and reinforce the Gospel of modern times. alongside Graham’s relatives. sumers, who usually pay $8 to come at a time when Asian former US heads of state cus- message he preached for more Graham was bestowed the Graham will be laid to rest $10 per pound for Maine’s sig- countries are taking a much tomarily establish after their than 60 years,” Mark DeMoss, rare tribute of laying in honor in next to his late wife Ruth, at the nature seafood item, the live bigger interest in imported live stint in the White House. spokesman for the Billy Graham the US Capitol’s Rotunda for two foot of a cross-shaped brick lobster. lobster, and the new markets Baldwin’s Trump is a Evangelistic Association, said on days this week, when Trump walkway in the library’s prayer Some lobsters took a long have helped keep prices up to wildly popular character on the group’s website. praised him as ‘an ambassador garden. time to shed their shells this consumers. 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For advertisements, call: 44557857 Pen.Mag Every Sunday - Thursday SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018 HOME 15 MES Kitchen Garden initiative gets first harvest

DOHA: The Kitchen Garden, a February 27, in the presence of special drive, initiated at the Principal, Hameeda Kadar and Junior Section of MES Indian Headmistress, Sumayya School, yielded its first fruits Nazeer. recently, to the delight of staff Broccoli, cauliflower, egg- and students. plant, capsicum and tomato As a part of educating young were among the vegetables students to learn about the harvested. importance of clean air and ‘Kitchen garden at MES leading a healthy lifestyle by opens up doors for students to consuming fresh vegetables, the understand the importance of Kitchen Garden is a joint organic farming and eco system. Souhrudam Qatar bids farewell to colleague endeavour of MES and ‘Nam- This unique initiative of the mude Adukkalathottam,’ a Doha school proved to be successful, Souhrudam Qatar, a group of expatriates from the southern Indian based Indian expatriates-run as it draws children closer to state of Kerala, recently gave farewell to its office-bearer and a farming unit, affiliated to the nature besides advocating them longtime resident of Qatar, Abdul Gafur Thalassery. Abdul Gafur, Indian Cultural Centre. healthy living’, said the school a former employee of RasGas, is leaving for good. The students of Junior Sec- under the supervision of The first produce of Kitchen principal officiating, Hameeda tion maintained Kitchen Garden teachers and CCF team. Garden was harvested on Kadar.

Toastmasters Area 29 conducts annual speech contest KMCA holds 8th blood donation drive DOHA: Karnataka Muslim DOHA: Toastmasters Area 29 of Division J, District 20, conducted Cultural Association (KMCA), a Area 29 Annual Speech Contest at Radisson Blu, Doha, Qatar, non-profit community organi- recently. sation, affiliated to Indian The contest was held in four categories of speeches: Interna- Cultural Centre (ICC) under the tional, Evaluation, Table Topics and Humorous. aegis of Embassy of India, The four clubs, Smedley Toastmasters; ICC One Toastmasters; successfully organised their Global Toastmasters; and Srilankan Toastmasters from the Area annual blood donation campaign 29 took part in the competition. - 8th year of successive Toastmaster Area Director Vimal Raj opened the contest and campaigns - on February 23 at motivated contestants to present a healthy competition with a Blood Donor Centre, Hamad focus on self-development. The Team of contest management Medical Corporation, Doha- committee led by Contest Manager Toastmaster Benov Jacob, Qatar. organised the contest in a fabulous manner. The drive which was held from 8 am to 12 noon witnessed 40 successful voluntary blood donations after routine check-ups. KMCA President Abdulla of blood donation followed by a to the voluntary donors, the Navaneet Shetty, Ram Chandra Monu Moideen along with vice- Qustion and Answer session. esteemed Guests and the Shetty, Iqbal Manna, Diwakar president Aisha Rafique wel- Chief Guest Milan Arun and gathering. Pujari, Ibrahim Beary, Sharif, comed the Chief Guest, ICC Pres- Mohd Nabi respectively deliv- Logistics for the campaign Ilyaz, Suhaib Ahmed, Dinesh ident, Milan Arun and Mohd ered motivational speeches on was provided by KMCA Logis- Gowda, Anil Nabi, both ICC affiliated organ- the blood donation drive and tics team coordinated by Ismail Boloor,Muralidar, Tufail isation members and KMCA expressed their gratitude to the Abubacker, Zakir Ahmed & Matheen, Kiran, Sanjay Kudri, senior patrons. donors. Nizan Abdulla. Mohammed Shamim, Kasim, Dr. Mukhtar of PHC Hamad On behalf of the KMCA Exec- Leaders and Members of Fathima Nazia, Mr and Mrs Man- Medical Corporation, enlight- utive Committee Members, various ICC Affiliated organisa- junath, Mr and Mrs Santhosh, Dr. ened the donors and the gath- Ahmed Saeed Assadi along with tions, Asmath Ali, Prakash Roopa Pramod and others were ering about the health benefits Fayaz Ahmed expressed thanks Noronha, Seetharam Shetty, present on the occasion.

CROSSWORD NOVO Pearl Qatar ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Death Wish 10:00, 10:30am, 12:15, 12:30, 12:45, 2:30, 3:00, 3:15, 4:45, Captain (2D/Malayalam) 3:00 & 11:30pm 5:15, 6:00, 7:00, 7:30, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45, 11:30, 11:40pm & 12:00midnight Pari (2D/Hindi) 2:30pm Gnome Alone (2D/Animation) 3:30 & 5:00pm Black Panther (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:45, 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & Black Panther (2D/Action) 6:30pm 11:45pm Gnome Alone (2D) 10:00, 11:45am, 1:30, 3:15, 5:00, 6:45, The Leisure Seeker (2D/Romantic) 9:30pm 8:30, 10:15pm & 12:00midnight Maya Nadhi (2D/Malayalam) 5:00pm The Shadow Effect (2D) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm The Midnight Man (2D) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight The Midnight Man (Horror) 7:30 & 11:30pm The Leisure Seeker (2D) 10:00am, 2:45, 7:15 & 11:50pm The Shadow Effect (2D/Action) 7:30pm I, Tonya (2D) 12:15, 4:45 & 9:30pm Death Wish (2D/Action) 9:00 & 11:00pm Talq Sena3y (2D/Arabic) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm Okdat Al I, Tonya (2D/Drama) 9:15pm Kawja (2D/Arabic) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight Talq Sena3Y (2D/Arabic) 5:30pm Game Night (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Black Panther (3D IMAX/Action) 11:00am, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm ASIAN TOWN MALL Aadhi (Malayalam) 1:00pm Hey Jude (Malayalam) 4:00pm Maya Nadhi (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:15, 6:00, 7:00, 9:45, 8:45, Captain (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 11:15pm 11:30pm, 12:30 & 02:00am Pari (Hindi) 6:00pm Pari (2D/Horror) 2:30 & 11:30pm Talq Sena3Y (2D/Arabic) 7:00pm Captain (Malayalam) 12:30, 1:00, 3:15, 4:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:30, Gnome Alone (2D/Animation) 3:00, 4:30 & 6:00pm 10:00, 11:15pm, 01:00 & 02:00am Death Wish (2D/Action) 5:00, 7:30 & 11:15pm Veerey Ki Wedding (2D/Hindi) 7:00pm The Leisure Seeker (2D/Romantic) 5:00pm AL KHOR Black Panther(2D/Action) 9:00pm The Shadow Effect (2D/Drama) 9:30pm The Midnight Man (2D/Horror) 9:30pm Captain (Malayalam) 11:30am, 2:30, 5:30, 8:30 & 11:30pm Gnome Alone (Animation) 10:30am, 12:15, 2:15 & 4:15pm LANDMARK Death Wish 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30 & 11:45pm Maya Nadhi (Malayalam) 6:15, 9:00 & 11:45pm Captain (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 9:00pm Gnome Alone (2D/Animation) 2:30, 4:00 & 5:30pm Talq Sena3Y (2D/Arabic) 2:30pm Black Panther(2D/Action) 4:30pm ROXY Maya Nadhi (2D/Malayalam) 5:00 & 11:00pm Gnome Alone (Animation) 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm The Shadow Effect (2D/Drama) 7:30 & 11:30pm Pari (Horror) 10:30am, 1:10, 3:50, 6:30, 9:10 & 11:50pm Death Wish (2D/Action) 7:00, 9:30 & 11:30pm 10:30am, 12:50, 3:10, 8:20 & 10:40pm The Midnight Man (2D/Horror) 9:15pm Death Wish (Drama) Captain (Malayalam) 10:30am, 4:15 & 10:10pm 1:30 & 7:15pm Yestserday’s answer FLIK Mirqab Maya Nadhi (Malayalam) Black Panther (Action) 5:30, 8:30 & 11:20pm Black Panther (Action) 2D 11:20am, 12:20, 2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 10:00, 9:20pm

& 12:05am 3D 3:00, 5:40, 8:20 & 11:00pm Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Captain (Malayalam) 3:20, 6:20 & 8:20pm Death Wish (Action) 11:35am, 1:50, 4:05, 6:20, 7:05, 8:35, 8:50&9:25pm Early Man 10:30am, 2:20, 5:25pm MAYA NADHI (MALAYALAM) Ferdinand 11:40am, 1:35 & 4:15pm Game Night 11:25am, 1:30, 4:55, 7:20, 9:05 & 11:40pm Gnome Alone (Animation) 3:35, 12:25 & 6:30pm Mom & Dad (2D/Horror) 8:45 & 11:45pm Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle 2:35pm Maya Nadhi (Malayalam) 12:35, 5:00, 9:20 & 12:10am Maze Runner: The Death Cure 10:45pm Talq Sena3y (Arabic) 7:00pm

Mayaanadhi is a 2017 Malayalam-language romantic thriller film directed and co-produced by Aashiq Abu. Written by Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair, the Yestserday’s answer film stars Tovino Thomas as a criminal on the run. 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 3 MARCH 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04.40 am 05.56 am Full list of Oscars 2018 nominees SHOROOK AFP ZUHR 11.46 am MAGHRIB 05.39 pm ASR 03.07 pm ISHA 07.09 pm HOLLYWOOD: The 90th Academy Awards to be handed out tomorrow in WEATHER TODAY Hollywood. The nominees in key cate- gories for the award . “The Shape of Water” leads the nominations with 13, followed by “Dunkirk” with eight:

Best Picture: “Call Me By Your Name”; “Darkest Hour”; “Dunkirk”; “Get Out”; “Lady Bird”; “Phantom Thread”; “The Post”; “The Shape of Water”; and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Best Director: Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”; Jordan Peele, “Get Out”; Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”; Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”; and Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”

Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”; Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread”; Daniel Kaluuya, Preparations are underway on the red carpet for the 90th Oscars, in Hollywood, California. “Get Out”; Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”; and Denzel Washington, Tonya”; Lesley Manville, “Phantom Sick” - Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Last Jedi” - John Williams; and “Three “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Thread”; Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”; Nanjiani; “Get Out” - Jordan Peele; Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” o o and Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of “Lady Bird” - Greta Gerwig; “The - Carter Burwell Best Actress: Sally Hawkins, “The Water” Shape of Water” - Guillermo del Toro 19 C 26 C Shape of Water”; Frances McDormand, and Vanessa Taylor ; and “Three Bill- Best Original Song: “Mighty River” Minimum Maximum “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Mis- Best Foreign Language Film: “A Fan- boards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” - from “Mudbound”; “Mystery of Love” souri”; Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”; Sao- tastic Woman” (Chile); “The Insult” Martin McDonagh from “Call Me By Your Name”; Hazy at places at first, becomes moderate irse Ronan, “Lady Bird”; and Meryl (Lebanon); “Loveless” (Russia); “On “Remember Me” from “Coco”; “Stand temperature daytime with some clouds. Streep, “The Post” Body and Soul” (Hungary); and “The Best Adapted Screenplay: “Call Me By Up for Something” from “Marshall” and Square” (Sweden) Your Name” - James Ivory; “The Dis- “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Best Supporting Actor: Willem Dafoe, aster Artist” - Scott Neustadter and Showman”

HIGH TIDE 06:00 – 18:00 LOW TIDE 12:30 – 23:45 “The Florida Project”; Woody Har- Best Animated Feature: “The Boss Michael H. Weber; “Logan” - Scott COURTESY: Qatar Meteorology Department relson, “Three Billboards Outside Baby”; “The Breadwinner”; “Coco”; Frank, James Mangold and Michael Number of nominations for films with Ebbing, Missouri”; Richard Jenkins, “Ferdinand”; and “Loving Vincent” Green; “Molly’s Game” - Aaron Sorkin; four or more nods: “The Shape of “The Shape of Water”; Christopher and “Mudbound” - Virgil Williams and Water” - 13; “Dunkirk” - 8; “Three Bill- Plummer, “All the Money in the World”; Best Documentary Feature: “Abacus: Dee Rees boards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” - 7; and Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Small Enough to Jail”; “Faces Places”; “Darkest Hour” - 6; “Phantom Thread” Outside Ebbing, Missouri” “Icarus”; “Last Men in Aleppo”; and Best Original Score: “Dunkirk” - Hans - 6; “Lady Bird” - 5; “Blade Runner “Strong Island” Zimmer; “Phantom Thread” - Jonny 2049” - 5; “Call Me By Your Name” - Best Supporting Actress: Mary J. Blige, Greenwood; “The Shape of Water” - 4; “Get Out” - 4; “Mudbound” - 4; “Star “Mudbound”; Allison Janney, “I, Best Original Screenplay: “The Big Alexandre Desplat; “Star Wars: The Wars: The Last Jedi” - 4.

Arthritis drug may lower blood sugar levels Human limbs found inside IANS We found that lefluonomide that patients taking the drug tended to targets a protein have lower blood glucose levels and that croc’s belly BEJING: A common rheumatoid arthritis obese patients lost weight. drug may be an effective new therapy involved in desensitising However, lefluonomide also acts on AFP for lowering blood glucose levels in the insulin receptor, other molecular targets in the body. This patients with Type-2 diabetes, according which is responsible for suggests that more studies are needed BALIKPAPAN: A human leg to a study. Rheumatoid arthritis, affecting instructing the cells to start to confirm that the anti-diabetic effects and arm have been found approximately one percent of the world- observed are solely caused by lefluon- inside the belly of a huge wide population, is a chronic autoim- absorbing sugar from the amide’s effect on the insulin receptor. crocodile suspected of mune condition that causes pain and bloodstream: Xiulong Xu “We know some inflammatory fac- mauling a man to death in swelling in the joints. tors can also desensitise the insulin Borneo, Indonesian police The anti-inflammatory drug, lefluon- a protein involved in desensitising the receptor, and lefluonamide is an anti- said yesterday. amide, lowered blood glucose levels and insulin receptor, which is responsible inflammatory, so it may be that it con- Authorities shot and reversed insulin resistance in mouse for instructing the cells to start absorbing trols blood sugar partly by its anti-inflam- killed the six-metre long models of Type 2 diabetes, which sug- sugar from the bloodstream”, said Xiu- matory effect,” Xu said, in a paper crocodile close to a river- gests that this therapy could be repur- long Xu, Professor at the Institute of published in the Journal of bank where a local palm oil posed as an effective antidiabetic treat- Comparative Medicine at Yangzhou Uni- Endocrinology. plantation worker had gone ment, particularly suitable for patients versity in China. The next step for Xu is to conduct missing two days earlier, with both diabetes and rheumatoid Lefluonamide has long been clinical trials to test if the antidiabetic with only his motorbike arthritis. approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis effect of lefluonamide also occurs in and sandals found at the “We found that lefluonomide targets and previous clinical studies have noted humans as well as mice. site, they said. The search ended on Thursday when a 36-year- old Andi Aso Erang’s life- less body -- missing two 1.5 million penguins limbs -- was discovered floating in a different part of the river in Kalimantan, discovered in Antarctica the Indonesian part of AFP “One of the ways in which Borneo. this is good news is that other Police said they spotted PARIS: A thriving “hotspot” of studies have shown this area (the a crocodile nearby and 1.5 million Adelie penguins, a eastern side of the Antarctic killed it. species fast declining in parts of Peninsula) is likely to remain “Inside the crocodile’s the world, has been discovered more stable under climate stomach, we found the left on remote islands off the change than the western Ant- arm and a leg that we Antarctic Peninsula, surprised arctic Peninsula,” said Lynch. “So believe belonged to the scientists said yesterday. we end up with a large popula- victim,” local police chief The first bird census of the tion of Adelie penguins in a Teddy Ristiawan said. Danger Islands unearthed over region likely to remain suitable The victim’s wife said 750,000 Adelie breeding pairs, to them for some time.” he had left home to hunt for more than the rest of the area Adelies are one of five pen- clams they could eat. combined, the team reported in guin species that live in and “I never expected he the journal Scientific Reports. around the Antarctic continent. would end up in a terrible The group of nine rocky A medium-sized penguin, Adélie penguins leaping off an iceberg at Danger Islands, Antarctica. situation like this,” said islands, which lie off the they grow to about 70 centime- Anisa, who like many Indo- northern tip nearest South tres tall, and weigh three to six to do surveys,” said Lynch the Landsat imagery,” she said. “We were... very lucky to nesians goes by one name, America, in the northwest Wed- kilogrammes. They are identi- Even the most visited of the When the Landsat data orig- have a window of time where yesterday. dell Sea, housed the third- and fied by a white ring around the isles, Heroina Island at the inally suggested the presence of the sea ice moved out and we In the year 2016, a Rus- fourth-largest Adelie penguin eye. chain’s northeastern tip, receives hundreds of thousands of pen- could get a yacht in,” said Lynch. sian tourist was killed by a colonies in the world, they found. They are carnivores, and krill only about one ship landing per guins on the islands, she thought “The most important impli- crocodile in the Raja Ampat “It is certainly surprising and -- shrimp-like creatures that are year. it “was a mistake”. cation of this work is related to islands, a popular diving it has real consequences for how commercially fished in the area Evidence of the previously- “We were surprised to find the design of Marine Protected site in the east of the we manage this region,” study -- is an Adelie staple. unknown penguin colony first so many penguins on these Areas in the region,” said archipelago. co-author Heather Lynch of The Danger Islands group emerged in data from the islands, especially because some Lynch. Human-animal con- Stony Brook University said. was discovered thanks to Earth- Landsat Earth-monitoring sat- of these islands were not known “Now that we know this tiny flicts are rampant in Indo- Just 160km away on the monitoring satellites, said the ellites run by Nasa and the US to have penguins.” island group is so important, it nesia, especially in areas west of the peninsula -- a thin research team from America, Geological Survey. Then followed a field expe- can be considered for further where the clearing of rain- limb jutting out of West Antarc- Britain and France. Lynch and her team “then dition for a census using a com- protection from fishing.” forest to make way for palm tica -- Adelie numbers have “The area is covered by went and looked at higher res- bination of drone footage, pic- In addition to Adelies, the oil plantations is destroying dropped about 70 percent in heavy sea ice most of the year, olution commercial imagery to tures taken on the ground, and team also found about 100 nests animals’ habitats and recent decades due to sea ice and even in the height of summer confirm the guano staining that an old fashioned walk-about of gentoo penguins, and about bringing them into closer melt blamed on global warming. it is difficult to get into this region our algorithms had picked up in headcount. 27 nests of chinstrap penguins contact with humans.