BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Duhail win to leave Al Sadd INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 3, 15 COMMENT 14 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8, 10-12 hopes in 24,604.30 8,730.06 61.38 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 CLASSIFIED 9 QCB weighing proposal -424.90 +76.74 -0.26 ISLAM 13 SPORTS 1-8 -1.70% +0.89% -0.42% tatters Latest Figures on combining three banks published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10745 March 2, 2018 Jumada II 14, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir receives message from Ivorian president Russia’s Ghouta In brief aid plan is not QATAR | Diplomacy Emir meets Italy’s foreign minister enough, says UN His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at his off ice Reuters voy allowed so far this year was a small in Al Bahar Palace yesterday with Geneva one in mid-February with aid for just Italian Minister of Foreign Aff airs and 7,200 people, Egeland said. International Co-operation Angelino UN satellite analysis has shown sig- Alfano and his accompanying Russian plan for a fi ve-hour nifi cant damage across much of eastern delegation. The meeting reviewed the pause in fi ghting in Syria’s Ghouta since December 3, though the friendly relations and co-operation Aeastern Ghouta needs to be ex- enclave has been subjected to regular between the two countries, and ways to panded to allow aid deliveries to enter bombardment throughout the confl ict. boost them. The meeting also discussed and civilians and urgent medical cases Russia, a strong ally of Syrian Presi- the latest regional and international to leave, United Nations offi cials said dent Bashar al-Assad, has called for issues. His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a written message from President of the Republic of yesterday. daily fi ve-hour local ceasefi res to es- Cote d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, dealing with relations between the two countries and means to promote them. Ivorian Minister of In one of the fi ercest onslaughts tablish what it calls a humanitarian QATAR | Offi cial State for Defence Aff airs Hamed Bakayoko delivered the message during a meeting with His Highness the Emir at Al Bahar Palace. of Syria’s seven-year civil war, hun- corridor so aid can enter the enclave dreds of people have died in 11 days of and civilians and wounded can leave. Condolences sent bombing of eastern Ghouta, a swathe But the fi rst such truce on Tuesday to Kuwaiti emir of towns and farms outside Damascus quickly collapsed when bombing and His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim that is the last major rebel-controlled shelling resumed after a short lull. bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the area near the capital. “We were not involved in the talks Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad The Syrian army and its allies that led to the declaration of a fi ve-hour al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and launched ground assaults on the edge pause. And if we had been we would say Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin of eastern Ghouta yesterday, backed by that it is not enough,” Egeland said. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday a bombardment the Syrian Observatory Egeland said a “two-way” humani- sent cables of condolences to Kuwaiti Qatar is taking for Human Rights said killed 11 people. tarian corridor was needed, with sev- Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber “You are failing to help us help civil- eral convoys each week into eastern al-Sabah on the death of Sheikha al-Jazi ians in Syria,” UN humanitarian ad- Ghouta, while 1,000 priority medical al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, viser Jan Egeland told diplomats from cases must be evacuated for treatment. the widow of the late Sheikh Mubarak 23 states attending a weekly meeting in “I have to say I know no humanitar- al-Hamad al-Mubarak al-Sabah. Geneva. ian actor who thinks the fi ve hours is “Eastern Ghouta is devoid of respect enough for us to be able to deliver relief QATAR | Banking strong steps to for international law.” into eastern Ghouta and to organise or- Some 400,000 people trapped in derly medical evacuations out,” he said Financial institutions government-besieged eastern Ghouta of the Russian unilateral declaration. to be closed on March 4 need life-saving aid, and the only con- Page 3 All banks and financial institutions in Qatar will be closed on March 4, the Qatar Central Bank announced yesterday. In a statement, QCB said fi ght terror: US the closure of banks, money exchange houses, investment and finance By Joey Aguilar law enforcement tools in co-ordination companies, insurance firms and Staff Reporter with partners around the world,” Sales insurance brokering companies is in added. accordance with cabinet’s decision No “ISIS is an adaptive threat and we 33 of 2009. According to the statement, atar has taken very strong steps need to adapt along with it to keep our these institutions will reopen on March 5. in recent months to assist the people safe.” Qinternational community and Apart from other countries globally, QATAR | Weather the US in their campaign against IS, Al he pointed out that the US is also con- Qaeda and other transnational terrorist cerned about the growing terrorist Met department predicts groups, a senior offi cial from the US De- threats in Africa, where there are over- chance of light rain partment of State has said. lapping groups – not just Al Qaeda but There is a chance of light rain in some “We have a number of important ini- IS-affi liated networks and others. places today, the Qatar Met department tiatives underway with Qatar relating Sales: praises Qatar Sales lauded their African partners has said. The weather off ice has also to things like information sharing and saying they were “very valuable coun- issued a warning for strong winds counter-terrorism fi nance,” ambas- the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign ter-terrorism partners,” and a lot of Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim in action during the opening day of the IAAF World and high seas in off shore areas today. sador Nathan Sales, counter-terrosim Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- them have strong political will to take Indoors Championships in Birmingham yesterday. Barshim won the silver behind Northwesterly winds will blow at 15-25 co-ordinator, told Gulf Times at a tel- rahman al-Thani, HE the Deputy Prime the necessary steps to confront IS, Al Authorised Neutral Athlete Danil Lysenko. knots off shore, while inshore the wind ephonic press briefi ng yesterday. Minister and Minister of State for De- Qaeda and other terrorist groups of glo- speed may go up to 22 knots at times. He was giving details of a recently- fence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed bal reach. The detailed report for today says it held international conference on mobi- al-Attiyah, US Secretary of State Rex He said the US’ goal is to continually will be hazy in some places in the early lising law enforcement eff orts to defeat Tillerson and Secretary of Defence Jim improve its local partners’ capabilities hours of the day, followed by slightly the IS and new terrorist designations. Mattis. and help them secure their borders, in- Barshim wins silver dusty conditions. “We look forward to continuing to The strategic dialogue sessions fea- vestigate terrorist-related crimes, pre- work with our friends in Doha to im- tured discussions on key areas of co-op- vent terrorist attacks and respond to at- QATAR | Statistics prove their capabilities and we look for- eration, including trade and investment, tacks in real time. Population touches ward to working with other countries in security, counter-terrorism, energy and “Ultimately the interest of the US is at world indoors the region as we raise the bar globally on aviation. ensuring that our partners have those 2.7mn, says ministry counter-terrorism capabilities,” Sales At the telephonic press briefi ng, the skills themselves and need not turn to Qatar’s population has touched 2.7mn, stressed. State Department was sharing the US outsiders to provide security for them,” anil Lysenko pipped Qatar’s as did Lysenko. Barshim let out a roar according to the latest figures released In January this year, the US praised perspective on the next stage on the he said. Mutaz Barshim to win the high before his third attempt but again by the Ministry of Development Planning Qatar for its counter-terrorism eff orts campaign against IS and other terrorist “We see an increase in ISIS activity in Djump gold medal at the IAAF failed. The 20-year-old Lysenko asked and Statistics (MDPS) yesterday. As on and highlighted the strong relations groups. Africa and in all corners of the world and World Indoors Championships in Bir- for quiet from the Arena Birmingham February 28, there were 2.7mn people between the two countries, while also “We achieved great success in Syria that is why it is incumbent upon us with mingham yesterday. crowd and – after a tense wait – soared in the country, indicating that the stressing the need to work towards a so- and Iraq in destroying the so-called our international partners to mobilise Lysenko, an Authorised Neutral Ath- over to clinch the title. figures are the same as of May 2017. The lution to end the Gulf crisis. caliphate and liberating millions of peo- international coalition and demonstrate lete (ANA), and Barshim cleared three Lysenko had lost to Barshim at the latest figures show an increase of 2.2% Such observations were made dur- ple from ISIS clutches,” he noted. to that coalition that the fi ght is not heights on their fi rst attempts and were world championships last year. compared to January 2018 (2.64mn) and ing the opening session of the inaugural “Now it is important for us to pivot over,” Sales said. “We need to redouble the only two to attempt 2.36m. Barshim took the silver with 2.33, 1% compared to February 2017. US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue in Wash- and we direct our eff orts, to supplement our eff orts to confront this threat as it Barshim, the IAAF male athlete of while Mateusz Przybylko of Germany ington, DC, which was attended by HE our eff orts with civilian sector tools and extends out across the globe”. 2017, failed at his fi rst two attempts was third, with 2.29. Ooredoo ‘pioneering AI solutions to transform network’ oredoo Group has announced of global communications companies Pavilion, in the presence of Waleed al- intelligence approaches to fully trans- the start of the deployment of expanding mobile broadband capacity Sayed, Ooredoo Group deputy chief ex- form our network, enriching people’s Oartifi cial intelligence solutions and coverage by re-purposing network ecutive offi cer, and Basar Akpinar, chief digital lives and enabling our customers to transform its network towards 5G, spectrum. executive offi cer and co-founder of PI to fully enjoy the Internet.” as part of a major partnership with PI In order to reduce network complex- Works, and a host of senior executives The partnership with PI Works un- Works that will signifi cantly enhance ity, Ooredoo Group is now turning to from both companies. derlines Ooredoo Group’s commitment the mobile data experience. Centralised Self-Organising Network Ooredoo Group chief executive of- to its key themes at Mobile World Con- The announcement was made yester- (C-SON) solutions to enhance their fi cer Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani gress, including the Ooredoo Network day at the ongoing Mobile World Con- network coverage, capacity and end- said: “At Mobile World Congress, 2022, digital partnerships, and digital gress in Barcelona, Spain. user quality. Ooredoo continues to launch global customer experience, and will further More than 160mn Ooredoo Group The partnership with global network fi rsts. We kicked off this year’s Mobile support ‘Smart Cities’ and ‘Smart Sta- customers are set to benefi t from more solutions company PI Works will make World Congress by announcing that diums’. robust and widespread network cover- Ooredoo Group one of the world’s fi rst we’re fi rst in the world to launch com- Ooredoo Group’s operating com- age, more advanced mobile apps, en- communications groups to launch C- mercial 5G. panies Indosat Ooredoo in Indonesia hanced capacity during mega-events, SON across its operating companies “In the mobile broadband and In- and Ooredoo Myanmar have already and access to the next generation of 5G- in the Middle East, North Africa and ternet of Things arenas, network man- deployed PI Works’ C-SON platform based ‘Internet of Things’ innovations, Southeast Asia. agement and optimisation are pressing uSON, with strong results in optimising the company said in a statement. The announcement was made at a issues facing communications compa- effi ciency and costs in a short span of Waleed al-Sayed addressing a press conference at the Mobile World Congress in Ooredoo Group is leading the charge press conference held at the Ooredoo nies. We are now pioneering artifi cial time. To Page 3 Barcelona yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, March 2, 2018 QATAR

Prime Minister meets Italian FM Foreign Minister meets Italian counterpart

HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met with Minister of Foreign Aff airs of the Republic of Italy Angelino Alfano and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and means of developing HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with Minister and strengthening them in various fields, in addition to the latest developments on the regional and international of Foreign Affairs of the Italian Republic Angelino Alfano yesterday in Doha. The meeting dealt with bilateral arenas. relations and means to support and develop them in addition to topics of mutual interest.

Culture Minister meets Turkish ambassador Culture Minister meets Russian envoy

HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali met with ambassador of the Russian Federation to Qatar Nurmakhamad Kholov. The meeting discussed promoting the cultural co-operation between HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali met with ambassador of the Republic both sides, which comes after launching the year of culture between both countries. The year of culture will see an of Turkey to Qatar Fikret Ozer yesterday. The meeting discussed the ways to promote mutual co-operation in the exchange of cultural and arts activities provided to the people to introduce one another’s culture. The meeting also cultural and sports fields between both countries. discussed the final details of the activities which will take place in Qatar-Russia 2018 Year of Culture.

Doha Bank donates cash aid Interior Ministry marks to support QRCS campaign

oha Bank recently do- nated cash aid to Qatar World Civil Defence Day DRed Crescent Society (QRCS) to support the seventh QNA owns cars with a mobile ladder edition of the latter’s annual Doha, of height of 112m which is the ‘Warm Winter’ campaign. The highest in the world. campaign is aimed at providing He pointed out that the de- essential needs during the cold he Ministry of Interior partment has other sophisticated winter months to refugees and yesterday observed World vehicles used in fi ghting indus- displaced people from confl ict- TCivil Defence Day, cel- trial plant fi res, in addition to ridden countries in the region. ebrated worldwide on the 1st equipment used in case of build- Under the slogan “giving of March each year, in order to ing collapse and other vehicles warmth”, the relief campaign remind the role played by the that are designed according to the seeks to provide winter aid to Doha Bank and QRCS officials mark the occasion. civil defence to protect lives and latest technologies. Concerning 170,000 poor and vulnerable vic- property. the response time, he said that tims of war and disasters in Syria, forced to seek refuge in tents or fortunate and underprivileged This year’s celebration came Civil Defence has achieved ratios Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Afghani- makeshift shelters with little sections towards realising its under the theme ‘Civil De- of 7 to 10 minutes in line with stan and Kyrgyzstan at a total infrastructure to protect them vision of a better world for fence and National Institutions international response rate, tak- cost of approximately QR12.2mn. from freezing temperatures. everyone. With our strong so- against Disasters’ to underscore ing into account the qualitative Doha Bank’s support “reinforces “As an organisation that cial commitment, we remain the importance of strengthen- and rapid change in urbanisa- its commitment to humanitarian strives to support consum- determined to extend our sup- ing partnerships between vari- tion, in addition to infrastructure and charity eff orts”, the bank has ers in meeting their needs and port the agency’s initiatives in ous institutions and companies Officials and dignitaries at the event. projects and other large projects said in a statement. achieving their life goals, Doha future as well.” related to civil defence. implemented by the state. Ahmed al-Henzab, head of Bank holds selfl ess humanitar- Consistently recognised for The Assistant Director Gen- the General Directorate of Civil al-Maarafi , said that this year’s The ceremony included the the Administration & Property ian eff orts in high regard. This its “commitment towards so- eral of Civil Defence Brigadier Defence is working to consoli- celebration comes amidst sev- presentation and commission- Department at Doha Bank, said: aid is part of our corporate so- cial and environmental caus- Hamad Othman al-Dehaimi, date the concept of this motto eral achievements of the depart- ing of the latest Civil Defence “We are pleased and proud to be cial responsibility (CSR) pro- es”, Doha Bank has received a said that the Ministry of Interior in national and civil society in- ment at various levels of training vehicle, which newly joined the a part of this noble campaign gramme, which seeks to sup- number of accolades, includ- is marking the day with the aim stitutions and all segments of and awareness, as well as en- fl eet. that aims to ensure the provi- port initiatives that will make ing the ‘Golden Peacock Award of enhancing co-operation and society, stressing that this part- hancing the fl eet with the latest The latest vehicle is a fast in- sion of much-needed aid to the a profound impact on the lives for Sustainability in Financial communication with various nership is a precondition for the vehicles and equipment. tervention and rescue vehicle. people, especially women, chil- of marginalised and vulnerable Sector 2017’ presented by the institutions and individuals who success of the eff orts to meet He added that the depart- The ceremony also included an dren and the elderly, who have communities around the world. Institute of Directors-India in spare no eff ort in supporting the challenges and maintain the ment owns a fl eet of vehicles evacuation drill using a mobile been displaced by war, confl icts “We commend QRCS for October 2017 at a ceremony in civil defence eff orts in spreading security and safety of the home- which is the latest in the world, escalator vehicle and honouring and natural disasters and are their eff orts to help the less London, the statement adds. awareness and achieving secu- land. For his part, the Director of goes along with the overall urban the General Directorate of Civil rity and safety. Operations Department of the development, and responds to Defence by a number of minis- Al-Dehaimi said in a speech General Directorate of Civil De- the requirements of high-rises, tries, government institutions during the ceremony that this fence Major Mohammed Ahmed adding that the department and co-operating companies. co-operation is urgent, especially Vodafone Qatar off ers pre-order in view of this great and rapid development in various fi elds, which requires strengthening the of latest Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ partnership between all parties in order to achieve safety and pro- tection of life and property. odafone Qatar has an- you are or what you are doing.” He pointed out that the motto nounced that the all- Tarek Sabbagh, head of the of this year carries concrete im- Vnew Samsung Galaxy IT and Mobile (IM) Division at ages that refl ect the solidarity S9 and S9+ will be available to Samsung Electronics Gulf, add- of national institutions and all pre-order online at www.Vo- ed: “We are extremely excited sectors of the society with their dafone.qa/S9 from now until to be partnering with Vodafone co-operation to contribute to March 10. Stocks are limited Qatar to make the Galaxy S9 protect this country and pre- and pre-orders are fulfi lled on and S9+ available for pre-order. serve its capabilities against all a fi rst-come, fi rst-served ba- With the option to pre-order, kind of disasters through com- sis, Vodafone Qatar has said in a we are inviting customers to munity partnership, awareness statement. “So don’t miss your Redesigned with a new dual share in our excitement to intro- and education programmes, to chance to be among the fi rst aperture lens that powers an in- duce our newest iteration of the prevent risks. in the Qatar to own the new novative low light camera tech- Galaxy S series. Samsung users He further pointed out that A demonstration in progress. smartphones that reimagine nology, Super Slow-mo video hold us to a high standard for in- the way we communicate, share capabilities and personalised AR novation, and we are thrilled to and experience the world.” Emoji, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ exceed their expectations with Oman’s SMEs exhibition opens in Doha The latest addition to Sam- ensure that “you never miss a this next generation of Galaxy sung’s Galaxy smartphone line- moment and make your every- devices, that reimagines the The Omani small- and medium- in Doha in co-operation with wide crowd at Ezdan Mall where The vice-chairman pointed up is “built on the best-in-class day epic”, the statement notes. camera and redefi nes the way sized enterprises (SMEs) Oman’s Public Authority for it is taking place. Qatar Chamber to the wide support that the Galaxy Foundation of design in- Diego Camberos, commer- you share your moments.” exhibition opened yesterday in Investment Promotion and Vice-Chairman Mohammed Qatari government off ers for novation and cutting-edge tech- cial director at Vodafone Qatar, Customers pre-ordering the Doha and will last for four days, Export Development (Ithraa) bin Ahmed bin Tawar said entrepreneurs and the state’s nology”. Made for the way people said: “We’re excited to add yet Galaxy S9 or S9+ will also re- during which its 28 pavilions and the Public Authority for that the exhibition constitutes eff orts to promote SMEs increasingly communicate and another outstanding Samsung ceive a complimentary AKG will aim to introduce Omani Small and Medium Enterprises an opportunity for SMEs to through initiatives and services express themselves more with device to our world-class range headphone worth QR699 plus industries, including fashion, Development (Riyada). promote their products in the provided by diff erent state images, videos and emojis, the of smartphones. The Samsung a Promate 10000mAh Power textiles, antiques, gifts, perfumes It is designed to replicate an old Qatari market, highlighting entities, including the Ministry Galaxy S9 and S9+ drive innova- S9 and S9+ are the perfect de- Bank. Besides, Vodafone Qatar and incense. The exhibition is market to reflect the traditional the importance of that role in of Economy and Commerce and tion with Samsung’s “most ad- vices to document and share is off ering up to 24GB of data organised by the Omani embassy Omani style. The event attracted economies. Qatar Development Bank. vanced camera ever”. experiences no matter where with every device purchased. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD Defence Minister meets French official Qatar participates in Arab health summit

QNA The Arab health ministers the World Health Organisation Cairo will be discussing a number of slated for May in Geneva. important topics — unifi cation The Council of Arab Minis- of health legislation in Arab ters will also discuss the an- he 49th session of countries, role of e-health and nual report of the Arab Council Arab Health Ministers’ its importance in the devel- for Health Specialties, the an- TCouncil began yesterday opment of healthcare system, nual report of Arab Centre for at the Arab League headquar- health of adolescents, success- the Composition and Transla- ters, with the participation of ful and pioneering experiences tion of Health Sciences, date health ministers of the Arab of the Arab member states in and venue of the 51st session member states and repre- the fi eld of health and the mot- of the Council of Arab Minis- sentatives of the regional and to of the Arab Health Day 2018. ters of Health, Arab Fund for international organisations in They will also be discussing Health Development, support addition to Arab councils spe- ways to strengthen the role of for the rights of older persons cialised in the diff erent health nursing and midwifery in Arab in healthcare. fi elds. countries, the request of Union It will also deliberate on Ku- Arab League Secretary- of Arab nurses to obtain ob- wait’s proposal for the annual General Ahmed Aboul Ghait server status in the Council of celebration of Arab Doctors was also present. Arab Ministers of Health and Day, in addition to the request Qatar is participating in the consolidated fl oor of the of the United Nations Popula- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met yesterday with director the session with a delegation Council of Arab Ministers of tion Fund for observer status of France’s Institute of Advanced National Defence Studies Lieutenant General Bernard de Courreges d’Ustou and a number of French headed by Assistant Health Health before the 71st session in Council of Arab Ministers of parliament members. The meeting discussed a number of topics of mutual interest between the State of Qatar and the French Republic. Minister Dr Saleh Ali al-Marri. of the General Assembly of Health. Joint Special Forces training graduation Syria regime strikes rebel enclave as aid

The Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Defence Communication has announced the graduation of commandos, involved in training courses No 54 and 55, of the special forces in the presence of Brigadier General Hamad bin Abdullah al-Fetais al-Marri, Commander trucks wait of the Joint Special Forces. The two training courses started on January 4 and lasted for eight weeks, and saw the participation of 210 personnel from the Joint Special Forces, the off icial Qatar News Agency reported yesterday. The training included aerobics, AFP the government, to go to (the hoisting buckets of gravel from running, getting used to lack of sleep, bearing cold and heat, etc, in addition to other issues that help commandos be prepared for all Wafideen Checkpoint, Syria main Eastern Ghouta town of) a basement where they feared circumstances in the battlefield. Captain Hamad Kaman al-Hajri, Commander of the commando training No 55, said the training is one of Douma in a very long time.” up to 21 were buried alive by a the most important tools for Joint Special Forces personnel as they learn how to deal with diff erent kinds of psychological and physical But he also stressed that strike on February 20. conditions. He noted that all trainees successfully completed the theoretical and practical components. yrian and Russian forces “fi ve hours is not enough”. They have only retrieved six kept up military pressure Syrian aircraft carried out bodies so far. “I left my daugh- Son rebel-held Eastern strikes yesterday before the ter in the basement with her Ghouta yesterday as their con- 9am start of the daily “truce”, husband and his family,” said troversial unilateral truce failed killing nine civilians, according 60-year-old Abu Mohamed. “I to yield a humanitarian break- to the Syrian Observatory for came back the next morning. I through. Human Rights, a Britain-based found the building collapsed More than 40 trucks loaded war monitor. and until now I haven’t found with aid were unable to reach Ground battles were also my daughter nor her husband’s the 400,000 people living in taking place in Al-Shaifuni- family.” the battered enclave, prompt- yah which lies in the enclave’s According to the United Na- ing fresh calls for a United northeastern region and has tions, three quarters of all pri- Nations ceasefi re to be imple- been extensively destroyed in vate housing in Eastern Ghouta mented. recent days. A spokesman for have been damaged and hun- A fi ve-hour daily “pause” the Syrian Civil Defence vol- dreds of civilian need life-sav- announced by Moscow on unteer rescuers, known as the ing medical evacuations. Monday has led to a reduction “White Helmets”, said access to The Russian daily “pause” in the bombardment that killed the area had been very diffi cult. falls far short of a 30-day hundreds in only a few days “There is hardly any life there. ceasefi re voted for by the Unit- and sparked global outrage last It is completely destroyed and ed Nations Security Council on month. there are people under the rub- Saturday and yet to be imple- But a corridor off ered by ble,” Siraj Mahmud told AFP. mented. Russia for civilians to fl ee re- Air strikes have eased com- UN agencies and aid or- mained ostensibly empty for a pared with last week when the ganisations have argued that third day running, with distrust joint Syrian and Russian aer- the fi ve-hour window was too running high on both sides. Jan ial campaign against Eastern short for aid deliveries. “When Egeland, the head of the UN’s Ghouta killed up to 100 civil- will your resolution be imple- humanitarian taskforce for ians a day. But the death toll for mented?” top UN relief offi cial Syria, said he hoped aid con- the assault launched on Febru- Mark Lowcock asked Security voys “may now be able to go to ary 18 continued to mount even Council members on Wednes- Prince William to visit Palestine, Israel Eastern Ghouta in the next few after Russia’s “humanitarian day. days.” pause” kicked in, as rescuers Russia and its allies in Syrian He told reporters in Geneva found bodies they had been un- President Bashar al-Assad’s re- AFP friendship between the two peo- “important and unique opportu- nounced the UK’s backing for the that he had received word dur- able to access. gime have blamed the humani- London ples,” a statement from the Pal- nity to promote diplomatic and establishment within Palestine, ing a taskforce meeting yester- In the town of Hazeh, rescu- tarian deadlock on the armed estinian presidency on offi cial cultural ties in the region”. then a region of the Ottoman day “that we may have the fi rst ers working with rudimentary groups controlling Eastern news agency WAFA said. Royal expert Robert Jobson Empire, of “a national home for facilitation letter, permit from equipment were painstakingly Ghouta. rince William will be the William will be the fi rst close said a high-profi le visit to Israel the Jewish people”. fi rst senior British royal relation of Queen Elizabeth II to had not been arranged before as It shocked the Arab world and Pto make an offi cial visit to make an offi cial visit to Israel, it is like a “hot potato”, hard to has always been condemned by Israel and Palestine, as part of following trips made previously handle and politically sensitive. the Palestinians, who held ral- Europeans engage with Iran on regional issues a tour announced yesterday by by the monarch’s cousins the The announcement came amid lies to protest the anniversary. If Kensington Palace which will Duke of Kent and the Duke of an ongoing crisis over the status William is able to sidestep such also take in Jordan. Gloucester. Other foreign trips of Jerusalem, after US President controversy, Jobson suggested European powers and Iran meeting on the sidelines of confrontation yet between The visit this summer by the made by royals, such as attend- Donald Trump controversially the royal tour could be a welcome have started talks over Tehran’s last month’s Munich security Israel and Iranian-backed forces second in line to the throne “is at ance at funerals or weddings, declared the disputed city the distraction for Britons in the un- role in the Middle East and will conference, focusing on Iran’s in Syria last month. the request of Her Majesty’s gov- are not made at the request of capital of Israel. certain climate surrounding their meet again this month in Italy role in the Yemen conflict. They The senior diplomat said the ernment and has been welcomed Britain’s Foreign Offi ce and are The invitation to the royals country’s departure from the EU. as part of eff orts to prove to US are due to meet again in Italy Europeans hoped to discuss by the Israeli, Jordanian and Pal- therefore not classed as offi cial was extended by Israeli President “There are clearly lots of diver- President Donald Trump that this month, two European diplo- the role of pro-Iranian militias in estinian authorities”, the palace visits. Reuven Rivlin to British foreign sionary tactics around ... and of they are meeting his concerns mats and an Iranian off icial said. southern Lebanon and south- said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Ben- minister Boris Johnson, dur- course this is a pretty big story over the 2015 nuclear deal. A third European confirmed the ern Syria in their next round of There have been no previous jamin Netanyahu said the British ing a working visit to Jerusalem which defl ects from other things With Trump warning of a last Munich meeting. meetings. offi cial visits by members of the royal’s trip would be “a historic in March 2017. Later in the year going on,” he said. chance for “the worst deal ever “In Munich we laid out what “In public they (Iranians) say of British royal family to the Pales- visit” to his country. Jordan has in London the two countries’ William and his wife Kate have negotiated”, Britain, France and was expected from them in course they do not want to ac- tinian Territories. received British royals multi- leaders celebrated the 100th an- boosted the popularity of Brit- Germany have been work- Yemen. They obviously said cept this. But we believe there Palestinian President Mah- ple times, including a state visit niversary of the Balfour Declara- ish royals in recent years, helped ing with US off icials to draw it wasn’t them, but we drew are grounds for progress,” said mud Abbas welcomed this sum- by the queen and her husband tion, which played a key role in by young Prince George and his up a strategy to improve the some conclusions to move a senior EU off icial. mer’s “important” visit. “We the Duke of Edinburgh in 1984. the creation of the state of Israel. sister Princess Charlotte, and the Iran nuclear deal in return for forward together,” said a The European powers, who look forward to contributing Britain’s junior foreign minister Written by Britain’s then foreign couple are expecting their third Trump keeping the pact alive senior European diplomat. “The meet American off icials in Ber- to strengthening the bonds of Alistair Burt said the tour was an minister, the declaration an- child in April. by renewing US sanctions relief Iranians are pretty co-operative, lin on March 15, have stressed on May 12. Parallel to those but having a positive meeting to the United States that while eff orts, the three European doesn’t mean we’ll see any sort they will work on an Iran powers, joined by Italy and the of impact in the real world.” strategy, including tackling its European Union, have initiated “Most of the gaps can be ballistic missile programme, in discussions with Iran to address narrowed with the West ... but return Trump must not kill the Ooredoo ‘pioneering AI solutions to transform network’ regional issues amid Western, it needs goodwill and loads of accord. “We want to keep the Gulf Arab and Israeli concerns work,” said a senior Iranian of- nuclear deal, but we’re telling From Page 1 network optimisation to unleash tion across Ooredoo Group, and The company will also pro- that Iran’s role in Syria, Lebanon, ficial. “The West should gain our the Iranians that we have other Ooredoo Group is expected the full potential of their mo- enable operating companies to vide its HetNet aware optimisa- Yemen and Iraq is destabilising. trust again ... the nuclear deal problems with them. We need to roll out the uSON platform bile network, managing grow- build the connected world of to- tion capabilities, which can help Tehran denies this and accuses was not fully implemented, how to see progress on these issues. across all of its operating compa- ing mobile traffi c while reduc- morrow.” Ooredoo Group operating com- the United States, Israel and can we trust them on other Otherwise, because of Trump it nies during 2018. ing network complexity. We are PI Works’ uSON platform in- panies to plan and manage the Saudi Arabia of fomenting ten- issues?” will lead to the collapse of the Akpınar said: “Ooredoo Group exchanging best practices from cludes standard and advanced sites needed for small and macro sions in the Middle East. The talks with the Europeans accord,” said a senior French is one of the world’s fi rst com- Indonesia and Myanmar to scale closed-loop C-SON functions for cell deployments to further en- Senior off icials held a first come after the most serious diplomat. munications groups using smart up cost and quality optimisa- 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile networks. hance network coverage. Gulf Times 4 Friday, March 2, 2018 AFRICA Suspects in kidnapping of UK couple remanded in custody

AFP Saunders, 64, both renowned During the hearing in a gloomy State fl ag in a reserve in the re- tre which is operating 24-hours,” nationals were kidnapped,” it cluding Daesh,” it added. Verulam, South Africa botanists, in KwaZulu-Natal courtroom in Verulam Magis- gion where the Saunders disap- said spokesman for the elite said in travel advice for South The US and Britain warned in province last month. trates, 30km north of Durban, all peared. Hawks investigation unit, Lloyd Africa. 2016 of the possibility of attacks The Saunders are still missing. three were ordered to be held in Del Vecchio also faces a charge Ramovha, after the hearing. Daesh, ISIL and ISIS are al- by militants in South Africa’s South African court yes- Since their disappearance, custody. relating to activities on an ex- Following the disappearance of ternative names for the Islamic major cities. terday remanded in cus- 734,000 rand ($62,000) has re- Their bail applications will be tremist web forum. the Saunders, who live in Kenil- State. The country has so far been Atody a man and a woman portedly been drained from the heard on March 6. Xulu was allegedly found to worth near Cape Town, the Brit- The advisory said that some spared the militant attacks that accused of abducting an elderly couple’s accounts and their Toy- Patel stood beside Del Vecchio have mobile phones that be- ish foreign ministry warned that South Africans who had visited have struck several other coun- British couple in a case with sus- ota Land Cruiser was found cov- who brought a copy of Qur’an longed to the Saunders in his “terrorists are likely to try to car- Syria, Iraq and Libya were “likely tries on the continent. pected links to the Islamic State. ered in blood. into court, the Times LIVE news possession. ry out attacks in South Africa”. to pose a security threat on their “We do not have an immi- Fatima Patel and Sayfydeen Patel, 27, and Del Vecchio, site reported. “We are yet to fi nd them, “The main threat is from ex- return”. nent threat from terrorism in our Aslam del Vecchio are alleged 38, appeared briefl y alongside The pair, who face the more the dedicated team is out there tremists linked to Daesh (former- “There’s also a threat from country, our law and enforce- to have snatched British holi- Themba Xulu who faces lesser serious terrorism charges, are al- searching for them and we’ve es- ly referred to as ISIL). In February individuals who may have been ment agencies remain vigilant,” daymakers Rod, 73, and Rachel charges in connection to the case. leged to have hoisted an Islamic tablished a joint operations cen- 2018, two South African-British inspired by terrorist groups, in- said Ramovha.

Four UN troops Ramaphosa killed in Mali blast seeks talks to AFP Bamako

our UN peacekeepers were killed on Wednesday when Fa mine exploded under resolve land their vehicle in central Mali in a deliberate attack, capping a bloody week for civilians and se- curity forces in the West African nation. Militants have ramped up their activities in central Mali transfer issue in recent months, targeting do- mestic and foreign forces in vio- Reuters resolved in a way that will take when its taps are expected to run lence once confi ned to the res- Cape Town South Africa forward.” dry. tive north. Civil rights group AfriForum South Africa has declared The UN said in a statement has said it will launch an interna- a national disaster over the that the “explosion of a mine or outh African President tional campaign to inform gov- drought affl icted southern and IED against a MINUSMA vehicle Cyril Ramaphosa said yes- ernments and foreign investors western regions, including Cape on the Boni-Douentza road” in Sterday he wants talks on the “that property rights in South Town, which means the govern- the Mopti region killed the four thorny topic of land expropria- Africa are being threatened”, it ment could spend more money peacekeepers and wounded four tion to avoid panic but aims to said in a statement. and resources to deal with the more. resolve the issue of racial dispari- AfriForum, an organisation crisis. Secretary-General Antonio ties in property ownership “once that mostly represents white Alan Winde, the Western Guterres “strongly condemned” and for all”. South Africans on issues like af- Cape’s minister of economic op- the attack, his spokesman South Africa took a step on fi rmative action, said foreign portunities, said the province is Stephane Dujarric said. Tuesday to hasten the transfer investments in South Africa will now projecting losses of 5.9bn “These cowardly acts will not of land from white to black own- also not be safe should plans for rand ($495mn) from a previous deter MINUSMA’s determina- ers when parliament backed a land expropriation without com- estimate of 4.9bn rand due to tion to support the Malian au- motion seeking to change the pensation go ahead. record wheat losses and a strong thorities in their eff orts to pro- constitution to allow land expro- Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriFo- rand. tect civilians and accompany priation without compensation. rum, said land expropriation “If we compare the past quar- the Malian people in their quest The ruling African National “could unleash confl ict in the ter to same time period last year, for peace and stability,” Dujarric Congress (ANC) has long prom- country” without elaborating. we see the severe impact that added. ised reforms to redress racial dis- He said AfriForum will lobby this drought is beginning to have The mission, known by the parities in land ownership and South African trade partners and on jobs and livelihoods,” Winde acronym MINUSMA, counts al- the subject remains highly emo- ask countries whose citizens own said. most 11,000 peacekeepers and tive more than two decades after land in the country to put pres- He said 30,000 jobs had been has been deployed in Mali since the end of apartheid. sure on Pretoria to stop the proc- lost due to the drought. 2013 to counter a militant insur- Whites still own most of South ess of land expropriation. As part of water restrictions gency and general lawlessness. Africa’s land following centuries The ruling ANC adopted a pol- in the province, the agriculture “MINUSMA is currently up- of brutal colonial dispossession. icy at its conference in Decem- sector had to cut its water use grading its security presence in Ramaphosa said after his in- ber to redress racial ownership by 60%, denting farm output, central Mali,” Mission chief Ma- auguration two weeks ago that disparities by expropriating land Winde said. hamat Saleh Annadif said. he would speed up the transfer without compensation, pledging Among the worst hit crops “Cornered, the terrorists are of land to black people, although to do so in a way that does not and grains were wheat, which multiplying their attacks.” he stressed that food production undermine food security in the suffered record losses of almost Six Malian soldiers were killed and security must be preserved. country, Africa’s top maize pro- half from 1.1mn tonnes harvest- on Tuesday when their vehicle “I will shortly initiate a dia- ducer. ed last year to 586,000 tonnes struck a mine, the army said on logue with key stakeholders. It is still not clear when any in 2018, representing a loss of Wednesday, and a forest ranger There is no need for any one of change to Section 25 of the con- around 2.4bn rand to the grain was gunned down in a third inci- us to panic and start beating war stitution to allow expropriation sector. dent blamed on militants. drums,” Ramaphosa said in par- of land without compensation Running water in the port city Mali’s military is frequently liament. would take place. of 4mn has been aff ected by a accused of abuses, with fami- “We are going to address this zSouth Africa’s Western Cape wider pattern of climate change lies on Wednesday pointing the and make sure that we come up province expects its agriculture seen around the country. finger at the army in the killing with resolutions that resolve this sector to decline by around 20%, Cape Town, whose pictur- of seven civilians during an op- Sand blows across a normally submerged area at Theewaterskloof dam near Cape Town, South Africa. once and for all. This original sin as a severe drought hits farm- esque ocean front location is a eration in the same area a week The dam, which supplies most of Cape Town’s potable water, is currently dangerously low as the city that was committed when our lands surrounding Cape Town major tourist draw, expects July 9 ago. faces “Day Zero”, the point at which taps will be shut down across the city. country was colonised must be as the city braces for “Day Zero”, to be its “Day Zero”. Outrage over rail project Buhari gets nod to inside Kenya national park seek second term Reuters Two senior party sources told AFP a protest yesterday to demand Environment Tribunal in 2016 to Abuja Reuters on Wednesday that the Nairobi government comply with court complain about the way in which national executive committee had orders stopping construction. an impact study was carried out, endorsed Buhari to seek a second “It is very disappointing. The citing lack of public participation. he national executive com- term in next year’s election. enyan conservationists government is openly breaking The tribunal ordered construc- mittee of Nigeria’s ruling Buhari, 75, has not said wheth- expressed outrage yester- the law,” said one protester, Cath- tion be stopped until the case Tparty has passed a vote of er he intends to seek re-election. Kday after construction of a erine Chumo. could be heard, which it was re- confi dence in its leaders includ- “The party made it clear that railway line began inside Nairobi’s Just 7km from the heart of quired by law to do. ing President Muhammadu Bu- this endorsement is not an au- famed national park, saying this town, lions, hyenas and giraff es However in 2017, government hari, it said on Wednesday. tomatic ticket for the president,” defi ed a court order halting the roam at will in the vast reserve tried to amend the law impos- The committee, whose deci- one of the sources said, adding project. that is facing multiple pressures ing an automatic halt to a project sions determine the direction of that the party would still conduct The extension of a Chinese- from a burgeoning city and the when a complaint is lodged at the the president’s All Progressives a presidential primary to be fair to built railway that is Kenya’s big- accompanying infrastructure de- environmental tribunal - burying Congress (APC) party, held a other potential candidates. gest infrastructure project since mands. the change in an unrelated pre- one-day meeting which con- The national executive com- independence through the vast A fi rst 483km railway line from vention of torture act. cluded late on Tuesday. mittee is made up of party gran- wildlife reserve on the outskirts Mombasa to a terminal east of the When conservationists learned In an e-mailed statement it dees, including many state gov- of Nairobi has been tied up in legal Nairobi National Park was com- of this they complained to the said the body had approved a ernors who have already publicly battles since 2016. pleted in 2017. high court which suspended the one-year extension for party ex- stated their support for any bid However last week, cranes, The second phase through the amendment. ecutives, including Buhari. by Buhari to seek re-election. heavy machinery and scores of park is being portrayed as vital to While the protesters insist the “By this decision, all aff ected But a presidential spokesman, workers from the China Road and Kenya’s ambitions to eventually stop order is still in place, Kenya offi cers will continue in acting Femi Adesina, said the election Bridge Corporation set up inside link to its regional neighbours. Wildlife Services (KWS) insists capacity for another period of had not been discussed. the park borders, working furi- Under the scheme, an elevated construction is taking place le- 12 months after the expiration of “A vote of confi dence was ously inside an area cordoned off rail line will run across 6km of the gally. their current term,” it said in the passed on the president and the and protected by armed rangers. park perched on pillars between 8 Spokesman Paul Gathitu told statement. national chairman. Nothing “What we have seen here is a and 40m tall. AFP that the Chinese construc- Nigeria’s parties must select about the presidential election government that is hell-bent on Rail authorities maintain the tion company had appealed to the their candidates for the 2019 was discussed,” said Adesina. getting its way and building this pillars will be camoufl aged, noise high court, arguing this automat- presidential election between Buhari won power in May 2015 project even in defi ance of court,” pollution reduced and freedom ically invalidated the stop order August 18 and October 7 this but spent fi ve months on medi- said Jim Karani, legal aff airs man- of movement maintained for the while that case was ongoing. year. cal leave in Britain last year for ager of Wildlife Direct, which has animals. Kenya’s government has come Environmental activists chant slogans as they carry placards and Presidential and parliamenta- an unspecifi ed ailment, raising been involved in the litigation. A coalition of interested par- under fi re for recently ignoring a banners during a protest in Nairobi against a government decision ry elections are scheduled to take questions over whether he was A small group of activists held ties fi rst appealed to the National string of court orders. to construct a railway line across the Nairobi National Park. place on February 16, 2019. well enough to stand again. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 5 AMERICAS

CRIME PEOPLE ACCIDENT DECISION LAW AND ORDER Man arrested over threat Jay Z dethrones Diddy Cell phone catches fire Venezuela presidential Honduras ex-president’s to Trump’s eldest son atop hip hop’s rich list onboard Canada flight poll pushed back to May wife held on graft charges

A 24-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested Jay Z has climbed past Sean “Diddy” Combs to rank A passenger was burned when her cell phone Venezuela’s presidential election, which was Police have arrested the wife of former and charged yesterday with sending a threatening as the world’s wealthiest hip-hop artiste thanks to caught fire onboard a Canadian domestic flight set to be held on April 22, has been pushed Honduran president Porfirio Lobo on message and suspicious white powder to President prudent investments, according to data released yesterday morning, off icials said. The incident back to the second half of May, the country’s corruption charges including siphoning funds Donald Trump’s eldest son last month, off icials said. by Forbes magazine yesterday. The 48-year-old occurred at 7am (1200GMT) as Air Canada flight electoral body said yesterday. The National from social works programmes for the poor, The letter was opened at Donald Trump Jr’s New rapper and music mogul increased his estimated 101 was preparing to depart the Toronto airport Electoral Council (CNE) announced the officials said. Rosa Elena Bonilla was detained York apartment on February 12. His wife Vanessa net worth in 2017 to $900mn, up by $90mn for Vancouver. “The fire was immediately postponement in a statement but did not at her residence on the outskirts of the capital was taken to hospital as a precaution after opening from the year before in the annual list compiled extinguished by crews and there was no give a precise date for the election, in which Tegucigalpa, officials said. Police also arrested the envelope. Daniel Frisiello from Beverly, north by Forbes. Combs, 48, who had been hip-hop’s damage to the aircraft. However, the owner of President Nicolas Maduro will seek a second her brother-in-law and seized documents of Boston, allegedly sent the letter and similar wealthiest artiste since Forbes first released the the phone suff ered injuries and was treated by six-year term. Elections for Venezuela’s pertaining to graft accusations. Ana Maria threats to four other prominent individuals across list in 2011, grew his estimated $825mn fortune by emergency services who attended the aircraft,” regional governments will take place at the Calderon, interim head of the Organisation the country. The five envelopes were postmarked $5mn last year. Jay Z’s tenure at the top spot may Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said. same time, the CNE said. “It is proposed of American States’ (OAS) Mission to Support Boston and each contained a white powdery be short lived. Hip-hop’s third-wealthiest figure, He said the woman was able to walk off the that the elections for president be held the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in substance. No one was hurt in any of the incidents Dr Dre, is expected to add a nine-figure windfall plane in order to be treated for minor burns, but simultaneously” with elections for regional Honduras (MACCIH) said Bonilla and others and the substance was deemed not hazardous. of Apple stock to his estimated $770mn wealth. her condition was not immediately known. legislations “in the second half of May 2018.” had embezzled 16mn lempiras.

Carson Controversy reignites cancels Republicans order for $31,000 dining set mull next step

Guardian News and Media Washington after Trump’s en Carson, the US secretary for housing and urban devel- Bopment (Hud), has scrapped an order for a $31,000 dining set for his Washington offi ce amid a growing ethics controversy. Raffi Williams, a Hud spokes- gun curbs call man, said in an e-mail yesterday: “At the request of the secretary, Reuters Cornyn said after meeting with opposed by the powerful Nation- the agency is working to rescind Washington leaders of the senate judiciary al Rifl e Association gun lobby, the order for the dining room set.” committee, chairman Chuck which backed his 2016 candidacy. The decision followed a promise Grassley and ranking Democrat- He voiced support for man- from Carson of “full disclosure” epublican senators in the ic member Dianne Feinstein. dating background checks at gun over his use of public funds to buy US Congress yesterday Cornyn said he hoped to of- shows and Internet sales, and for expensive furniture, in his fi rst Rsignalled that they were fer his narrowly tailored bill as a raising the age for legally buying public remarks since the Guardian hesitant to embrace a call from “base” for debate on the senate rifl es to 21 from 18. revealed a senior Hud offi cial’s al- President Donald Trump for fl oor, noting 50 senators have He also expressed interest in legation that she was demoted for sweeping changes to gun laws, signed up to support it. state laws that allow police to refusing to break a legal spending including measures more typi- But Cornyn said the process temporarily seize guns from peo- limit on redecoration. cally backed by Democrats. for considering other measures ple reported to be dangerous, but Carson and his wife, Candy, Trump shocked fellow Repub- would be up to senate Republi- complained that getting a court denied wrongdoing in a post to licans on Wednesday when he can leader Mitch McConnell. order would be too cumbersome. their personal Twitter account on threw his support behind a broad McConnell has not spoken Republican senator Pat Wednesday evening and struck set of restrictions on gun sales in about the issue since Trump’s Toomey said on MSNBC that out at unidentifi ed enemies. response to the February 14 mass free-fl owing, televised White he believed the meeting showed “We suspect, based on past shooting at a high school in Park- House meeting with lawmakers. Trump wants to get legislation attempts, that they will continue land, Florida, that killed 17 people. Republican senator John done. “I think there’s an old say- to probe and make further accu- John Cornyn of Texas, the No 2 Kennedy told reporters he was ing about this president, which sations even without evidence or Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks to the House of Commons on Parliament Senate Republican, told report- sceptical that any gun control is ‘Take him seriously, not nec- substantiation,” Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The controversy created by an invitation to former ers he believes his modest pro- legislation will advance soon. “So essarily literally,’” Toomey said. The Republican-controlled convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s dinner posal to improve the background far, there’s been a lot of chopping House Majority Whip Steve House oversight committee told in Delhi last week has created a storm in Canadian politics, with the opposition moving check system for gun buyers is but I don’t see any chips fl ying. Scalise downplayed Trump’s Carson on Wednesday to turn a motion to support India’s unity and condemn Khalistani separatists. The issue the best way forward with the And I’m not sure that’s going to comments. over all documentation relat- snowballed into a major issue in Canadian parliament after Trudeau’s national security highest chance of success, rather change,” Kennedy said, noting During the meeting, Trump ing to the reassignment of Helen adviser alleged that the invitation to Atwal was arranged by some elements in the than the more ambitious ap- Americans “feel passionately” openly disagreed with Scal- Foster, who was moved from her Indian government to sabotage Trudeau’s India visit. With India rejecting the allegations proach Trump appeared to back. about their constitutional rights ise about including an NRA- job as chief administrative offi c- as “baseless and unacceptable”, the opposition Conservative Party asked Trudeau to “I still think it’s the best way on gun ownership. backed measure allowing people er last year following a series of respond to India’s rebuttal. forward to get something done Trump on Wednesday seemed to bring legal, concealed guns disagreements with managers. and not end up empty-handed,” to back several measures that are across state lines in legislation. Gulf Times 6 Friday, March 2, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Australia moves to curb traffi cking in overseas orphanages

Thomson Reuters Children have warned that kids of modern slavery. “The number The government said its The movement to stamp out least one parent. Cambodia last across Southeast Asia, warned Kuala Lumpur in countries like Cambodia have of orphanages in certain popu- “Smart Volunteering” campaign orphanage tourism has gathered year launched a crackdown on the Thailand-based charity been taken from their homes and lar tourist destinations has in- will discourage citizens from pace in Australia, with advocacy bogus orphanages and said it ECPAT International. placed in orphanages to satisfy creased dramatically yet many taking part in “short-term, un- groups saying its popularity has aimed to return 3,500 children “This is an emerging and wor- ustralia yesterday demand from tourists who want of the children living in them skilled volunteering in overseas seen a rising number of impov- to their homes. rying trend,” its spokesman, launched a campaign to to spend time volunteering. have at least one living parent,” orphanages.” erished children taken from their Cambodian government data Damian Kean, told the Thomson Astop “orphanage tourism”, Australians are among the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop The government pledged to homes. showed there were about 400 Reuters Foundation. which advocacy groups say has top donors for such orphan- said on the campaign website. work with state and territorial In Cambodia, for instance, orphanages across the country, “We are aware of several cases, been used to exploit and traffi c ages, driving up a demand for “The worst orphanages retain administrations, as well as uni- the UN children’s agency with over 16,000 children. for example, in Cambodia, where children in some of the world’s these institutions, an Austral- and exploit children with the aim versities, to ensure that students Unicef said the number of or- The increase in people taking travelling sex off enders were able poorest countries. ian parliamentary inquiry heard of making money. Orphanages do not “unwittingly” take part in phanages is growing fast – even up “voluntary tourism” has also to use volunteering at an orphan- The United Nations and non- last year as activists pushed the should be an option of last resort programmes that exploit chil- though about three out of four exacerbated the sexual exploita- age as a mean for gaining access profi t groups including Save the government to consider it a form for children,” she added. dren. children living in them have at tion and traffi cking of children to victims.”

Moon plans to send Indonesia police question diplomat to N Korea

Reuters would be seeking to recipro- Seoul cate for the senior delegations dispatched to the Olympics by Kim Jong-un, including yacht crew in 1MBD probe outh Korea plans to send his sister, Kim Yo-jong, the a special envoy to North fi rst visit by a member of the Korea in response to an North’s ruling bloodline since Reuters Businessman hits out S Jakarta invitation from leader Kim the 1950-53 Korean War. after scandal-linked Jong-un, South Korean Presi- Senior officials from yacht seized dent Moon Jae-in told his US Pyongyang visiting South Ko- ndonesian police yesterday counterpart Donald Trump in a rea for the Winter Olympics questioned the captain and A Malaysian businessman alleg- phone call yesterday. said on Sunday their govern- Icrew of a luxury yacht seized edly at the centre of a financial The two presidents dis- ment was open to talks with in Bali at the request of US au- scandal has accused US justice cussed the recent visits to the the United States, while the thorities, probing alleged money off icials of “global overreach” south by high-level North Ko- White House said any talks laundering at a Malaysian state after a yacht linked to the con- rean offi cials, the South Korean with North Korea must lead fund, they said. troversy was seized off Bali. The presidential Blue House said in to an end to its nuclear pro- The yacht was impounded in US Justice Department alleges a statement. gramme. Bali on Wednesday amid a multi- in civil lawsuits that $4.5bn The Olympics gave a boost Moon has urged North Ko- billion dollar corruption inves- was looted from 1MDB — set to recent engagement between rea and the United States to tigation launched by the US De- up Prime Minister Najib Razak the two Koreas after more than talk to resolve the issue of partment of Justice (DoJ) and tied — in a campaign of fraud and a year of sharply rising ten- Pyongyang’s weapons pro- to Malaysian state fund 1Malay- money-laundering. Najib and sions over the North’s missile gramme, which Kim has said sia Development Berhad (1MDB). the fund deny any wrongdoing. programme and its sixth and he will never abandon. Police seized the yacht, Equa- The suits list $1.7bn in assets largest nuclear test in defi ance In the latest attempt to de- nimity, after receiving a letter allegedly bought with the stolen of UN sanctions. fuse the crisis over North Ko- on Feb 21 from the US Federal money US off icials are seeking “(Moon and Trump) agreed rea’s weapons programme, Bureau of Investigation (FBI) re- to recover. These include the to continue to make efforts to Seoul urged Washington and questing help to enforce a court 300-foot (90-m) yacht Equa- head toward the Korean pe- Pyongyang to give ground to order, Indonesian National Po- nimity, reportedly worth some ninsula’s denuclearisation by allow for talks. lice Spokesman Muhammad $250mn, which US off icials maintaining the momentum “Both leaders agreed to con- Iqbal Abduh said. said was bought by a financier of South-North dialogue,” the tinue close consultations on Police had questioned the cap- known as Jho Low, an unoff icial Blue House statement said. the progress of South-North tain and crew and would check A seized luxury yacht sought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a multi-billion dollar adviser to 1MDB. Low, real name In sending an envoy to Korea dialogue that will go on,” their immigration papers and corruption investigation is seen off the shore of Banoa, on the resort island of Bali, Indonesia, in this Low Taek Jho, was said to have Pyongyang, Moon said he the statement said. see if there was any evidence of file photo. made key financial decisions a crime being committed, Abduh linked to 1MDB, although he did said in a statement. movements are unclear. $1.7bn in assets allegedly bought search for all on the wanted list not hold any off icial positions Blizzard hits northern Japan Citing information provided 1MDB is at the centre of with stolen 1MDB funds be- or (anyone) included on an In- in Malaysia. He has denied any by the FBI, he said the yacht’s money-laundering probes in at cause it was conducting a related terpol red notice. But I have not wrongdoing and his current A low-pressure system brought blizzard conditions and heavy snow Automated Identifi cation Sys- least six countries, including the criminal probe. Among the as- seen the name,” Agung Setya whereabouts are unknown. to northern Japan yesterday, leading to the cancellation of some tem (AIS) had been switched off United States, Switzerland and sets sought is Equanimity, cited told Reuters. Low’s whereabouts After the seizure of Equanimity, 280 flights and more than 150 train services, local media reported. several times in waters around Singapore. as a $250mn luxury yacht bought are unknown and his Hong Kong a spokesman for Low noted that More than 200 schools were closed on the northernmost island the Philippines and Singapore. A total of $4.5bn was misap- by Malaysian fi nancier Jho Low, company has not responded to the Department of Justice (DoJ) of Hokkaido as unrelenting snow and strong winds pounded the The AIS system uses satellites to propriated from 1MDB by high- named as a key fi gure in the US requests for comment. had off icially delayed its eff orts region, the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper reported. pinpoint locations and switching level offi cials of the fund and lawsuits. A spokesperson for Low was to seize assets last year. A US Dozens of passenger ferry services were cancelled and many it off would make it harder to de- their associates, according to The lawsuits said Low used quoted by Malaysia’s New Straits court reportedly granted a stay sections of major highways were closed, the paper said. The fresh tect the vessel. civil lawsuits fi led by the DoJ in proceeds diverted from 1MDB Times daily yesterday as saying it after a request from authorities, snowfall pushed the accumulated level of snow to 162cm in the city Over the past 180 days, the the past two years. to buy Equanimity, which it de- was “disappointing that, rather as they believed the civil pro- of Date and 114cm at Obihiro Airport on the island, broadcaster NHK Equanimity sailed from the Malaysian Prime Minister Na- scribed as a 300-foot (91-m) than refl ecting on the deeply ceedings could aff ect a criminal reported. northeast to the northwest of jib Razak set up 1MDB in 2009 yacht registered in the Cayman fl awed and politically motivated probe they are also conducting. By today evening, snowfall of up to 60cm is forecast for Hokkaido Malaysia and Singapore, and and previously served as chair- Islands. allegations, the DoJ is continu- The spokesman said in a state- and up to 50cm for north-eastern Japan, according to the Japan then from the Indonesian island man of its advisory board. He and The head of the National Po- ing with its pattern of global over ment late Wednesday the DoJ Meteorological Agency. The agency warned of strong winds, high of Bali to Papua and back again, the fund have denied any wrong- lice special crimes investigation reach – all based on entirely un- had “still not taken any steps to waves, avalanche risk and further traff ic disruption in the north-east according to shipping data on doing. In August 2017, the DoJ unit said Indonesian authorities supported claims of wrongdo- prove that any impropriety has and on Hokkaido. The storm could produce waves of up to 8m in Thomson Reuters Eikon. There asked for a stay on its civil law- were not looking for Low. ing.” occurred. northern and central Japan and maximum gusts of 144km per hour, are several points where its suits seeking to seize more than “We have an obligation to the agency said. No pay hike for Singapore’s Countdown to NPC session million-dollar govt ministers

AFP $830,000) and Prime Minis- since the reductions, and rec- awarded to their public serv- Singapore ter Lee Hsien Loong earning an ommended an increase of nine ants. “No increase? How about eye-watering S$2.2mn. percent. deduction instead?” comment- The government has argued But Deputy Prime Minister ed Facebook user Kevin Ng. ingapore government the huge pay packets are neces- Teo Chee Hean announced in Another user on the site said: ministers were told yester- sary to attract top-calibre talent parliament there would be no “Putting it bluntly, we do not Sday their salaries will stay and prevent the corruption that raise, in response to questions need you to tell us why no in- frozen despite a recommenda- affl icts other Asian countries. from MPs about the review. crease, there should not be any tion for a hike, but there was But the issue has long attracted “The government has de- increase at all, being the high- little sympathy in the city-state public anger, and the govern- cided not to make any changes, est paid cabinet.” Lee’s salary is for the world’s best-paid politi- ment responded to criticism by and to maintain the current sal- the highest of any elected head cians. slashing salaries after a review ary structure and level,” he said. of government in the world. Ministerial salaries in the in 2012. But far from being welcomed, The US presidential salary is fi nancial hub are the highest A nine-member commit- the announcement only served $400,000 but billionaire Don- on Earth, with an entry-lev- tee last year carried out the fi rst to remind many Singaporeans ald Trump has pledged to do- el minister paid S$1.1mn (US review of ministers’ salaries of the sky-high compensation nate it.

Vietnam activist in hiding after book probe

AFP the Masses, which is outlawed in journalist has previously been for her activism. The former Hanoi Vietnam and includes sections detained in Vietnam, which rou- journalist for prominent news on democracy and political ide- tinely locks up bloggers, lawyers website VietnamNet was held ology. Plainclothes police sur- and dissidents who are critical of for more than a week in 2009 high-profi le Vietnamese rounded her home in Hanoi after the state. A conservative lead- after she was accused of plan- writer says she has gone her release late Saturday, she told ership in charge since 2016 has ning to print controversial T- Ainto hiding after being AFP. been accused of tightening its shirts, which she denies. Despite interrogated about her banned “I escaped... which is a mira- grip on activists, arresting and repeated threats of arrest, she book and placed under de-facto cle,” she said from an undisclosed convicting dozens. vowed to continue speaking out. house arrest by plainclothes po- hideout in Vietnam, adding that Trang, 39, has long been a thorn “I feel strongly about writing lice, vowing yesterday to contin- she was targeted because of her in the side of the authorities with more, I cannot stay silent,” she ue pressing for democracy in the 2017 book, which she called a her pro-democracy writing and said, adding she would remain in one-party state. political science textbook. “Vi- her work on an environmental her country. Activist Pham Doan Trang etnam’s Communist Party sim- disaster in central Vietnam in Human Rights Watch says at said she was held for question- ply dislikes anyone who purports 2016 that prompted rare protests least 24 activists were convicted ing by security offi cials for sev- to be more legitimate than them, across the country. Prague-based in Vietnam last year and another Security personnel chat at an open air market ahead of the upcoming (March 5) plenary session of eral hours on Saturday over her more worthy than them to hold rights group People in Need said 28 arrested in one of the harshest National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s parliamentary body, in Beijing, China, yesterday. most recent book Politics for power,” she said. The former last month it would award Trang years for dissidents. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND

SECURITY REVIEW VERDICT REALTY PROBE LEGAL Attacks from N Ireland Former commando gets House prices dip for Three men held over Ferrari driver found based rebels unlikely: MI5 28 years for murder first time in six months deadly Leicester blast guilty of boy’s death

British security services yesterday reduced A former commando who killed a vulnerable House prices fell unexpectedly for the first time in Three men have been arrested on suspicion The driver of a £1.2mn Ferrari involved in a crash the threat level from Northern Irish-related 83-year-old dog walker in a “savage” attack six months during February, reflecting a subdued of manslaughter after an explosion and fire in that killed a 13-year-old boy has been found guilty militants to mainland Britain, saying an has been jailed for at least 28 years. Alexander consumer economy, mortgage lender Nationwide Leicester left five people dead, police said. The of his death. Alexander Worth died after the attack was now considered unlikely. The Palmer, 24, attacked Peter Wrighton from behind, said. House prices fell 0.3% month-on-month after men, all in their 30s, were being questioned, supercar “accelerated uncontrollably” and flipped domestic security agency MI5 downgraded stabbing him 45 times before dumping his body a 0.8% rise in January, Nationwide said. In annual police said. It remains unclear what caused the over on a farm lane in North Warnborough, its threat level from substantial to moderate, under brambles in Norfolk last August. Police terms, house prices rose 2.2%, slowing sharply blast and fire on Sunday that also destroyed a Hampshire, in August 2016. Matthew Cobden, the second-lowest, which means an attack initially concluded Wrighton had been killed from a growth of 3.2% in January. “The slowdown small supermarket and flat. Firefighters had said 39, of Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, was found was possible but not likely. “The decision by an animal due to the severity of his injuries. is consistent with signs of softening in the on Monday it could take days to establish the guilty of causing death by careless driving at to change this threat level is taken by the Palmer, who had denied murder, was given a life household sector in recent months,” Nationwide probable cause of the blast. Victims of the deadly Winchester Crown Court. He will be sentenced Security Service independently of ministers sentence. Wrighton’s children, Andrew Wrighton chief economist Robert Gardner said. “Retail sales explosion include a 46-year-old mother and her on March 26. The court had heard businessman and is based on the very latest intelligence, and Carol Todd, watched from the public gallery were relatively soft over the Christmas period and two sons, 17 and 18, as well as one son’s 18-year-old Cobden had off ered Alexander, from Kings considering factors such as capability, intent as Palmer was taken down to the cells. Palmer’s at the start of the new year, as were key measures girlfriend. The family had lived in a flat above the Worthy in Hampshire, a ride in the Ferrari F50 and timescale,” Home Secretary Amber Rudd parents were also in court as he repeatedly of consumer confidence, as the squeeze on supermarket. The fifth victim, according to police, when the teenager visited his car storage said in a statement. mouthed the words “I love you” towards them. household incomes continued to take its toll.” was a 22-year-old who had worked in the shop. business with his mother and her partner.

Govt axes second Heaviest snow inquiry into media standards in decades

Reuters London batters Britain he government yesterday said it would not proceed Twith the second part of an inquiry into newspaper eth- ics called after a phone-hacking scandal at a Rupert Murdoch tabloid, prompting criticism it and Ireland was betraying victims of press intrusion. Reuters Southern Railways said an 8 pushes northwards from Portugal Media Secretary Matt Han- Edinburgh/Dublin foot icicle in a tunnel was delaying and France, adding that it looked cock said it was not in the na- services. set to be the coldest spell in Brit- tional interest to go ahead with Wholesale gas prices soared ain since 1991. part two of the Leveson Inquiry now storms from Siberia to their highest in at least 10 “Storm Emma is going to push which laid bare the cosy ties blasted Britain and Ireland years yesterday and power net- up from the south and that will between British leaders, police Syesterday with the worst work regular, the National Grid, bring heavy snow to parts of the chiefs and press barons in its ini- weather since 1991, trapping warned of a defi cit in the market southwest of England in par- tial conclusions in 2012. several hundred motorists on and sought to buy gas from mar- ticular where we are likely to see “We do not believe that reo- roads in Scotland, closing thou- ket players to unblock local bot- major disruption,” Alex Burkill, a pening this costly and time con- sands of schools and grounding tlenecks. meteorologist at Britain’s weather suming public inquiry is the right planes. The cold spell, dubbed the “the service said. way forward,” Hancock told par- With up to 90cm of snow and Beast from the East”, has been In Scotland, schools in the liament. “We are formally clos- temperatures as low as minus 10.3 caused by a jump in tempera- central region were closed for the ing the inquiry.” Celsius in Scotland, Britain and tures high over the Arctic which third day and some offi ces and The inquiry, led by senior Ireland issued their most severe has weakened the jet stream that shops were also shut, with wide- judge Brian Leveson, was called red warnings which advise peo- brings warm air in from the Atlan- spread road closures and only by former prime minister David ple to stay at home as travel is too tic to Ireland and Britain. handful of train and bus services Cameron in 2011 as Britain reeled dangerous. Britain’s two busiest airports, running. from disclosures of wrongdoing More freezing snowy weather, Heathrow and Gatwick, both said The Scottish Conservative Par- at media tycoon Murdoch’s News including icy gales in Scotland, that fl ights would be cancelled. ty cancelled its conference due to of the World newspaper, includ- was forecast for coming days. Police in Lincolnshire said all take place in Aberdeen today and ing the revelation journalists had Hundreds of people were roads were impassable. tomorrow. Both Edinburgh and hacked the phone of a 13-year- trapped in their cars on the M80 More than 150 fl ights were can- Glasgow airports were closed. old murder victim. motorway between Glasgow and celled at Dublin airport. Some places in southern Scot- The paper’s former editor, Edinburgh. The Met Offi ce warned that land were under such heavy of Andy Coulson who was later Flights and trains were can- freezing rain was likely across snow, it aff ected funeral services Cameron’s media chief, was celled across both Britain and southern England as Storm Emma in Hawick. among journalists convicted of Ireland — with similar transport phone-hacking and jailed. problems seen in parts of conti- Keep cooking, Brits told as gas supply fears grow Murdoch closed the tabloid nental Europe. following the revelations but his One doctor said staff were Households were told to the week to 300 pence per opponents, who argue he has snowed in at a hospital near Glas- “carry on cooking” by the therm yesterday, the highest far too much sway over political gow, and another doctor told the government yesterday, as a in at least 10 years. Energy leaders through his empire, have BBC of a surgeon colleague who warning of a gas supply deficit Minister Claire Perry said tried to use the scandal to try to walked almost three hours in the spooked the market and raised there would be no disruption stop his bid to take full control snow to the town of Paisley to per- questions over the country’s to domestic supplies and over Europe’s biggest pay-TV form a cancer operation. gas policy. encouraged Britons to group Sky Plc. “We have seen a lot of snow A nationwide cold snap with “carrying on using your gas The inquiry’s fi rst part heard overnight, blizzards and drifting,” temperatures as low as minus heating and cooking meals as evidence from more than 300 said Clare Nasir, a meteorologist 10.3 degrees Celsius and normal”. National Grid, which people and along with police in- at the weather services, known widespread snow has led to a maintains the country’s gas vestigations cost almost £50mn. as the Met Offi ce. “Communities sharp increase in gas demand and electricity systems, also Leveson concluded there have been cut off and roads have which is used to heat as much moved to calm the country should be an independent press been blocked.” as 80% of homes and also for and said its early morning alert watchdog enshrined in law but London’s busiest railway sta- cooking. Prices for within-day over a potential gas deficit was Cameron rejected this and news- tion, Waterloo, showed more than gas delivery have more than a part of its “tool kit” to secure papers instead established a new half of trains cancelled or delay at quadrupled since the start of supplies from the market. self-regulatory system. A motorcyclist attempts to pass a lorry trapped in the snow in Coleby, Britain, yesterday. the height of rush hour. EU rejects May’s Brexit PM ‘has no hope of achieving Brexit aims’ transition proposals Guardian News and Media vote on a second referendum, Blair London condemned the government’s ap- proach as unrealistic, and said it Guardian News and Media after Brexit. But at a meeting of goal is in doubt because of diff er- was only by staying in the single London the European parliament’s Brexit ences between the two sides. ony Blair has said Theresa market and customs union that a steering group on Wednesday Verhofstadt said: “We have May has no hope of deliver- hard border could be avoided. evening, led by the former Belgian taken note of the UK government Ting her negotiating aims if Talking to BBC Radio 4’s Today he European parliament prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, policy statement and the clarifi - she takes the UK out of the single programme, he said: “On Ma- has issued an embarrassing MEPs concluded that the UK had cation it provides for EU citizens market and customs union, say- jor’s speech, I really think people Tsnub to Theresa May’s con- not gone far enough. who will go to the UK during the ing she instead risked sacrifi cing should read it and study it. It is cessions over EU migrants, reject- Verhofstadt said in a statement Brexit transition period and will peace in Northern Ireland “on the heartfelt and very analytical as to ing the UK’s off er in a move that that the UK’s position was unac- in principle have the right to settle altar of Brexit”. what the problems are. casts fresh doubt on the prospect ceptable to the parliament, which permanently in the UK. The former prime minister, who “Neither he nor I want to make of reaching an agreement on the will have a right to veto any with- “However, we cannot accept is to make a major intervention her (May’s) position diffi cult. transition period by March. drawal agreement. that there will be any form of dis- in Brussels before May’s Brexit This has gone far beyond that. In a sudden volte-face on The body was unhappy with the crimination between EU citizens speech today, said the Irish bor- The problem that she has is that Wednesday, the Home Offi ce UK’s revised proposal, under which who arrive before the start of the der crisis illustrated the “central there is no way round the dilem- slipped out a proposal paper on EU migrants who come to live and transition and after. dilemma” facing the UK and said ma: what she thinks is that it is EU migrants who arrive after work in Britain during the transi- “The full European Union ac- it was “sickening” to hear senior possible to get the Europeans to March 2019 under which they tion period would still not have the quis (the accumulated legislation, politicians question the relevance give us access to Europe’s mar- could secure fi ve-year temporary same rights once it ends to bring legal acts and court decisions of of the Good Friday agreement. kets without the same obliga- residence permits, rather than the family to join them as EU nation- the EU) must apply during any On Wednesday, the future of tions that the rest of Europe has two-year ones previously pro- als already resident in Britain who transition, including for citizens, the Brexit negotiations was left in in the single market. That is not posed by ministers. have secured “settled status”. They and no diff erentiation can take the balance when May dismissed possible. Despite previously insisting would instead have to pass a mini- place.” the EU’s proposal for a “back- “It is not a question of a tough during a trip to China that she mum income threshold test. However, the British govern- stop” plan under which Northern negotiation or a weak negotiation. wanted to treat EU nationals ar- The announcement will cast ment’s paper says EU migrants ar- Ireland would in eff ect stay in the It is literally not going to happen.” riving during the transition period doubt on the prospects of reaching riving during the transition period customs union and single market Blair yesterday called on EU diff erently from those already in an agreement on the transition pe- who wish to stay for the long term to avoid a hard border, as an attack leaders to be ready to off er the UK the country, the prime minister riod by a European council sum- will also have to register within on the UK’s constitutional integ- a palatable way back into the union appeared to have responded to mit at the end of March, as desired three months of arrival and their rity. by rethinking its attitude to immi- pressure to backtrack in the hope by the UK. The EU’s chief nego- rights will only be enforceable in In comments in support of his gration, something he said he was of sealing an agreement on the tiator, Michel Barnier, has already UK courts, and not through the Prime Minister Theresa May greets European Council president predecessor as PM, John Major, confi dent that Brussels would be terms of the 21-month cushion warned in recent weeks that that European court of justice. Donald Tusk outside 10 Downing Street in London yesterday. who has called for a Commons prepared to do. Gulf Times 8 Friday, March 2, 2018 EUROPE

Legal DECISION DIRECTIVE POLITICS CRIME Le Pen charged for EU lawmakers back Remove ‘terror content’ Armenia set to elect Russian journalists accuse posting IS images action against Poland in an hour, web firms told Sarkissian as president MPs of sexual harassment

A judge placed France’s far-right leader European Union lawmakers yesterday Online platforms should take down Armenia’s parliament is today set to elect A number of Russian journalists, some Marine Le Pen under formal investigation supported taking unprecedented punitive “terrorist content” within an hour of it Armen Sarkissian as national president to anonymously and others revealing their yesterday on suspicion of disseminating steps against Poland for undermining the rule being reported, the EU said yesterday succeed Serzh Sarksyan, who opposition identity, have accused lawmakers and violent images over tweets she posted of law, increasing pressure on the government in new recommendations to Internet leaders say could become prime minister off icials of sexual harassment, breaking of Islamic State executions, a move she in Warsaw as it mulls concessions. In a bitter companies to stem the flow of harmful and continue to wield power. Sarkissian’s silence on a subject that remains largely indicated was politically motivated. The clash, the executive European Commission has content on the web. Brussels is looking for election to a single seven-year term is taboo in the country. Two journalists investigation relates to three graphic accused Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and ways to combat online extremism amid unopposed because the ruling Republican who currently cover the Duma lower images of Islamic State executions she Justice party (PiS) of undermining the rule of law growing alarm about the use of sites like Party supports him even though he is not a house of parliament, and a television posted on Twitter in December 2015, with reforms to the judiciary and state media YouTube, Facebook and Twitter as forums member of any party. One opposition party producer at the independent TV including the beheading of American since taking power in late 2015. After two years to radicalise and recruit. The European says it will back him while another has failed Dozhd channel, all made anonymous journalist James Foley. “If they are trying to of dialogue with Poland brought no results, the Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, has to gather sufficient votes to present its own accusations against Leonid Slutsky, silence me, they will not succeed,” Le Pen commission last December recommended a already signed up a group of US Internet candidate and will vote against. Armenia the head of the Duma’s foreign aff airs told news channel LCI. She had denounced procedure against Warsaw that could lead to giants to a plan to combat web extremism seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991 but committee. Slutsky on his Facebook an earlier stage of the investigation as suspending its voting rights in the EU unless it but warned it would consider legislation if remains dependent on Russia for aid and page dismissed the accusations as a “political interference”. concedes ground by March 20. the voluntary approach did not work. investment. “cheap, low-grade provocation.” Hamburg knife attacker sentenced to life in prison

AFP struggle — have since been cel- Hamburg ebrated and honoured for their courage. One of them, Afghan asylum Palestinian who killed seeker Toufi q Arab, told Bild one man and wounded six daily: “I’m not a hero, I only did Aother people in a German my duty.” supermarket knife rampage last The attack was Germany’s year was yesterday sentenced to fi rst since December 2016 when life in prison. Tunisian Anis Amri ploughed Ahmad Alhaw, 27, had admit- a stolen truck through a Berlin ted to the murder and assaults in Christmas market in an attack the river port city of Hamburg. that claimed 12 lives. In delivering the sentence, Germany’s parliament decided the judge noted the “particular this week that the Amri case will severity” of the crime, lowering be subject of a special inquiry to Alhaw’s chances of obtaining assess how he was able to slip Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Federal Assembly, including the State Duma parliamentarians, members of the Federation Council, regional governors and other early release on parole. through the net of multiple se- high-ranking off icials, in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. Justice Norbert Sakuth said curity services before staging his Alhaw, with his “unstable per- bloody attack. sonality”, had acted alone after The Hamburg knife rampage falling prey to the propaganda too has led to charges that secu- of the Islamic State group, add- rity services had failed to keep ing that “in this way the IS suc- a close enough watch on Alhaw ceeded”. despite multiple warnings that Prosecutors told the court Al- he was radicalising. Putin unveils new nuclear haw had hoped to kill as many Like Amri, Alhaw was due German Christians as possible. to have been deported after his Alhaw entered a supermarket on asylum application was turned July 28, snatched a 20-centime- down, but the process was held tre (eight-inch) knife from the up by a wait for Gaza identity shelves, unwrapped it and fatally documents. arms, warns west to ‘listen’ stabbed a 50-year-old man. Having been rejected for asy- As panic broke out, he slashed lum in Norway, Sweden and Guardian News and Media “You didn’t listen to our unilateral advantages over Rus- The fi rst hour of the speech to Russian state media, can fl y and stabbed at others inside Spain, he had arrived in Germany Moscow country then,” Putin said dur- sia, and to impose restrictions was conventional, if optimis- 6,800 miles with a payload of 15 and then outside the shop, also in 2015 and was moved to a Ham- ing the speech yesterday, where and sanctions ... The attempt at tic: Putin promised to raise life warheads (the actual capabili- wounding a 50-year-old woman burg migrant accommodation he said that some of the weapons curbing Russia has failed.” expectancy by 10 years, to raise ties of the missile have not been and four men. centre. ladimir Putin has an- were already being tested. “Lis- Putin’s remarks came during a Russia’s GDP by 50% by 2025, shown). “I saw him run toward me, A psychiatrist said Alhaw had nounced that Russia has ten to us now.” state of the union speech heavy and to cut the rate of poverty The Russian defence ministry covered in blood. He was radi- told him after the attack that he Vdeveloped and is testing The speech came in the same on economic promises for the among Russians by half. said it had held a successful test ating bloodlust,” a 20-year-old was initially drawn to the West a new line of strategic, nuclear- month that the Pentagon re- Russian people and sabre-rat- During the speech, Putin said launch of the missile in Octo- supermarket worker who locked because of its open lifestyle. At capable weapons that would be leased a new nuclear arms policy, tling against the US. The presen- that Russia would have to latch ber, saying it had travelled 3,600 himself in a backroom recounted fi rst he studied German, social- able to outmanoeuvre US anti- which followed on from a prom- tation was widely viewed as his on to a wave of technological ad- miles before hitting a target area in court. ised and at times drank alcohol ballistic missile defences, sug- ise by the US president, Donald fi rst stump speech for Russia’s vances or risk “drowning in that in Russia’s far east. Justice Sakuth said about the and smoked marijuana, said wit- gesting a new arms race between Trump, to develop an arsenal “so March 18 presidential elections. wave”. Putin also said during the attacker that “if he could have, nesses. Moscow and the west. strong and powerful that it will The Kremlin is primarily con- While the interactive portion speech that Russia had developed he would have killed more peo- But Alhaw, who had watched Speaking in a nationally tel- deter any acts of aggression”. cerned with boosting turnout as of address began with graphs a working laser weapon, a hyper- ple”. IS propaganda videos online, evised address to Russia’s politi- The policy envisioned low-yield Putin is expected to cruise to a showing Russian birth rates and sonic missile, and a cruise missile Outside the supermarket, grew increasingly distrustful of cal elite, the president showed nuclear weapons on submarine- fourth term as president. harvest totals in recent years, it powered by a nuclear reactor that seven mostly migrant bystand- state authorities. both video and animation of launched ballistic missiles, that There were signs that the was mainly used as a platform to could fl y “indefi nitely”. ers confronted the screaming at- Alhaw surprised the court in a Russian ICBMs, nuclear-pow- could counter similar Russian Kremlin wanted to attract extra show off Russia’s latest weapon- Putin has given the consti- tacker, hurling rocks and chairs February 19 hearing when he ap- ered cruise missiles, underwater weapons. attention to the speech by mov- ry, some of it capable of deliver- tutionally mandated speech on at him and then subduing him peared showed remorse for the drones, and other weapons that In the speech, Putin issued a ing it from the gilded St George’s ing a nuclear strike anywhere in “the situation in the country” 14 until police arrived. fi rst time. “Unfortunately I can’t he said Russia had developed as a message of defi ance, saying: “I Hall at the Kremlin to an exhibi- the world. times since he fi rst became pres- The men — among them a turn back time,” he told the vic- result of the US pulling out of the would like to tell those who have tion space in downtown Mos- Putin highlighted a test of ident in 2000 (he did not give the 30-year-old man of Turkish de- tims then. “All I can do is to ask 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty been trying to escalate the arms cow, where video and infograph- Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat mis- address during the four years he scent who was wounded in the you for forgiveness.” signed with the Soviet Union. race for the past 15 years, to gain ics could be shown. sile, an ICBM that, according was prime minister). Heavy snowfall, blizzards German government bring chaos across Europe ‘under cyberattack’ AFP reported on Wednesday, quot- AFP man who had been sleeping in an Belgian TV channel reported. Berlin ing unnamed security sources, Paris abandoned truck. The mercury also dropped be- that the group of Russian hackers “Those most at risk of cold- low freezing across southern Eu- blamed for hitting the German related illness include elderly rope. Snowfall in northern Italy ermany’s government parliament’s IT system in 2015 eavy snowfall and deadly people, children, and people who forced the cancellation of 50% of IT network is under an had now infi ltrated a broader blizzards lashed Europe have chronic diseases or physical regional trains, while in the city G“ongoing” cyberattack, government network that in- Hyesterday, forcing air- or mental limitations,” the World of Naples, schools were shut. In the parliamentary commit- cludes the foreign and interior ports to cancel or delay fl ights Health Organisation said in a normally balmy southern France, tee on intelligence affairs said ministries. around the continent, as a deep statement. beaches in Nice were blanketed yesterday, without confirm- It said the hacker group freeze gripped countries from The Siberian cold front — in a thick layer of snow. ing a media report that Rus- known as APT28 — which has the far north to the Mediterra- dubbed the “Beast from the East” Near the city of Montpel- sian hackers were behind the been linked to Russia’s GRU nean beaches in the south. in Britain, “Siberian bear” by the lier, around 2,000 drivers were assault. “It is a real cyberattack military intelligence agency The snowstorms, unusual for Dutch and the “snow cannon” by stranded on a motorway, causing on parts of the government sys- and accused of attacks on Hil- much of Europe at this time of Swedes — yesterday forced Ge- anger from those sitting behind tem. It’s an ongoing process, lary Clinton’s 2016 presidential year, left roads blocked, thou- neva airport to close for several the wheel for hours on end. an ongoing attack,” said Armin campaign — managed to plant sands of drivers stranded and hours in the morning, with tem- “The motorway looks like a Schuster, chairman of the com- malware in the ministries’ net- schools shut. peratures plunging in Switzer- cemetery of trucks and cars,” mittee, adding that no further works for possibly as long as a The death toll Europe-wide land to nearly minus 40 degrees tweeted Anthony Jammot. details could be given to avoid year. continued to climb to more Celsius (minus 38 Fahrenheit) at In Paris, which yesterday passing crucial information on German security authorities than 50, as another three people higher altitudes. awoke to a blanket of snow, au- to the attackers. only detected the online spying perished in Poland, taking the Several fl ights to Malaga in thorities continued operating Interior Minister Thomas de in December, the report said. number of victims there to 21, southern Spain were diverted emergency shelters for the city’s Maiziere said the hacking was “a Konstantin von Notz, deputy most of them rough sleepers. because of strong winds. Some roughly 3,000 homeless. technically sophisticated attack of the committee, complained it There have also been six deaths people enjoyed the cold, with Demanding more eff orts that had been planned for some was “completely unacceptable” in the Czech Republic in recent families taking children and pets to keep people off the streets, time”, adding that it had been that members of the oversight days, fi ve in Lithuania, four each out to play. around 30 local offi cials spent brought under control. body only learnt of the attack in France and Slovakia, three in But many who took out their the night near the city’s Gare The highly professional as- through the media. Spain, two each in Italy, Serbia, ice skates discovered the waters d’Austerlitz train station as tem- sault had been monitored by Top security offi cials had re- Romania and Slovenia, and one were not frozen enough. peratures dipped below zero. the security agencies in order peatedly warned during Ger- each in Britain and the Nether- A 74-year-old man who fell In Germany, the national to gain insights into the mode many’s 2017 general election lands. through the ice on a pond near homeless association urged shel- of attack and its targets, said de campaign that Russian hackers One of the Spanish victims Bruges remained in hospital in ters to open during the day and A woman tosses hot water into the freezing cold air yesterday and Maiziere. may seek to infl uence or disrupt was a 39-year-old homeless critical condition yesterday, a not just at night. watches it turn into a sparkling cloud of snow. German news agency DPA had the polls. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 9 INDIA

COMMENT POLITICS CRIME SCANDAL DECISION By-poll results a defeat of Kerala Communist parties Priest stabbed to Actress abduction case Home, car loans get arrogance, misrule: Rahul continue to spar over Mani death in Angamaly trial to start on March 14 costly as banks hike rate

Congress president Rahul Gandhi yesterday said The fight between the two Communist parties A 52-year-old Catholic priest was stabbed to The trial in the infamous actress abduction case Lending majors yesterday hiked their marginal the party’s victory in the by-polls for the Mungaoli in Kerala, the CPI-M, and the CPI, over its stand death by his former Church sexton in Angamaly, will begin at an Ernakulam district sessions cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) by 0.10%- and Kolaras assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh towards Kerala Congress (Mani) intensified Kerala, yesterday. Priest Xavier Thelekat, who court near Kochi on March 14, in which superstar to-0.20%, making home and car and other loans is a “defeat of arrogance and misrule” and that “a yesterday. The Kerala Congress-Mani (KC- was attached to the Angamaly diocese of the Dileep is one of the 12 accused. Dileep was expensive. Banking majors like SBI, PNB and ICICI change is in the off ing”. “I congratulate the people M) party was with the Congress-led United Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and was the rector arrested after two rounds of questioning on July have raised their MCLR. On February 19, Axis Bank of Madhya Pradesh, the voters and the Congress Democratic Front (UDF) for over three decades of the Kuruishmala Church near Angamaly, was 10, 2017, for his alleged role in the conspiracy had raised its MCLR by 0.10%. In addition to the workers for our emphatic victory in Mungaoli and has now moved out of it more than a year attacked and killed by his former sexton, Jomy, an hatched for the abduction of the popular actress. base rate system followed by commercial banks, and Kolaras,” Gandhi tweeted in Hindi. “This is the ago. While the Communist Party of India-Marxist off icer of the church charged with maintenance Dileep’s former wife Manju Warrier is one of the the Reserve Bank of India introduced the MCLR defeat of arrogance and misrule and a victory for (CPI-M) has softened its stand on K M Mani, the of its buildings and the graveyard. Thelekat was witnesses in the case. Police sources said the from April 1, 2016, whereby rates are fixed for a one- hope. The results earlier in Rajasthan, and now in Communist Party of India (CPI) has ruled out a stabbed in the leg. He was bleeding profusely and police will soon move a petition for trial of the year period and revised only at the end of each Madhya Pradesh, have proved that a change is in tie-up with the party. At the CPI state conference although he was rushed to a hospital, he died, a case in the court of a woman presiding off icer year. The RBI introduced the MCLR as a system the off ing,” he added. The results were a jolt to the in Malappuram yesterday state secretary Kanam church off icial said. After the stabbing, Jomy fled. due to the sensitivities involved. The actress working in tandem with its policy rates, which ruling Bharatiya Janata Party state government Rajendran said Mani is a corrupt person and According to informed sources, Thelekat had was allegedly abducted on February 17 last year commercial banks have been slow in accepting, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. there is no reason to change that opinion now. sacked Jomy three months ago. while she was on way to Kochi from Thrissur. preferring to continue with the base rate regime. Karti’s CBI Holi hooliganism slammed custody extended till March 6

IANS other accused, including his New Delhi chartered accountant Bhaskar Raman, who is already in cus- tody, and suspects in the case. court here yesterday gave There was need to travel to sev- the Central Bureau of eral cities for which 14 days of AInvestigation (CBI) cus- custody would be required, he tody of former fi nance minister said. P Chidambaram’s son Karti for Mehta added that Advantage questioning till March 6 in the Strategic Consultants, which INX Media alleged bribery case. is linked to alleged illegal pay- CBI judge Sunil Rana gave the ments, was virtually owned and order after three hours of heated controlled by Chess Manage- arguments between Karti’s law- ment in which Karti is said to yer and the CBI counsel, who have stakes. pleaded for 14 days custody, In her statement to a magis- claiming Karti needed to be trate under Section 164 of CrPC, College students shout slogans against what they say is hooliganism by men in the name of the Hindu festival Holi, in New Delhi yesterday. The protest by students was questioned thoroughly in “a se- Indrani said she along with her triggered by an incident in Sagarpur area on Wednesday, when a girl travelling in a bus was hit with a balloon, allegedly filled with urine. rious fi nance corruption case” husband had travelled to a ho- which was not a political witch tel in Delhi where they had met hunt or vendetta. Karti. The judge disallowed Karti’s Mehta said the hotel stay and plea for home-cooked food but travel details of the Mukherjeas directed that he could be allowed were available with the CBI. medicines and a medical exami- He said the enforcement di- nation would also be done. rectorate had recovered a hard Appearing for the agency be- disk containing four invoices fore the CBI court, additional relating to the alleged payments. solicitor general (ASG) Tushar He said there was evidence of Cabinet clears Fugitive Mehta said Karti, who was ar- money shared at various foreign rested on Wednesday and sent to locations on 33 occasions. one-day CBI remand, spent the Asserting there was no witch night in the cardiac care unit of hunt or vendetta, Mehta said Safdarjung Hospital and came to the agency was acting in accord- the CBI only in the morning. ance with the law. “It is a seri- “He was only questioned for a ous fi nance corruption case and Economic Off enders Bill few hours. It is amazing that de- needs to investigated thoroughly spite no history of cardiac prob- and therefore his custody is re- IANS ance of banks that gave loans to “The bill will help in laying nae in the present laws and deter administrator will be appointed lem, doctors advised him to be in quired.” New Delhi them and other such off enders. down measures to deter eco- economic off enders from evad- to manage and dispose off the the CCU,” Mehta said. Opposing the CBI plea, Karti’s Diamond jeweller Nirav Modi nomic off enders from evading ing the process of Indian law. confi scated property. He contended that a one-day lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said and Mehul Choksi of Geetanjali the process of Indian law by re- The bill provides for giv- It also provides that if the of- custody was not enough to ques- the agency had questioned him racking down on eco- group have been accused of de- maining outside the jurisdiction ing an application before the fender returns to India in the tion Karti and the agency needed for 22 hours on August 23 and nomic off enders who frauding the PNB of Rs126bn. of Indian courts,” Jaitley said. Special Court for a declaration course of the proceeding prior 14 days to interrogate the former 28 and no summons were issued Cfl ee the country after Briefi ng reporters after a There have been several in- that an individual is a fugitive to the declaration and submits fi nance minister’s son. after that. committing frauds, the Cabi- meeting of the Cabinet, Fi- stances of economic off enders economic off ender, attachment to the appropriate jurisdictional Mehta accused Karti and his Asserting that Karti was a net yesterday approved a bill nance Minister Arun Jaitley said fl eeing the jurisdiction of Indian and confi scation of his property court, proceedings under the father, who was fi nance min- law abiding citizen who had re- for confi scation of properties of that the Cabinet approved the courts before or during the pen- resulting from the proceeds of proposed Act would cease. ister in 2008, of conniving to turned to the country after a these fugitives and also gave its Fugitive Economic Off enders dency of criminal proceedings. crime as also his other property A Fugitive Economic Off end- get Foreign Investment Promo- London visit, Singhvi said “the clearance to set up an authority Bill, 2018, which would be in- The bill seeks to provide “an in India and abroad, including er is a person against whom an tional Board (FIPB) clearance logical inference is that the CBI to oversee auditing standards of troduced in the second half of eff ective, expeditious and con- benami property. arrest warrant has been issued for INX Media, headed by mur- have nothing to ask. That’s why large companies. budget session of Parliament. stitutionally permissible deter- Jaitley said steps will be taken in respect of a “scheduled of- der accused Peter and Indrani they did not issue any summons This comes in the backdrop of The minister said that cases rent to ensure” that off enders to strengthen the mechanism of fence” (contained in the sched- Mukherjea, which was earlier for the last six months.” main off enders of multi-crore where the total value involved in are brought to book and banks international co-operation in ule of the bill) and who has left charged with violations in re- He added that the CBI never fraud case in Punjab National such off ences is Rs1bn or more and other fi nancial institutions such cases. India so as to avoid criminal ceiving overseas funds. challenged the Madras High Bank having already left the will come under the purview of achieve higher recovery from fi - The bill provides for “dis- prosecution, or being abroad, The prosecution said Karti Court order of allowing Karti to country and concern over audit- the fugitive economic off end- nancial defaults. entitling” the off ender from refuses to return to India to face needed to be confronted with travel abroad. ing standards and lack of compli- ers bill. It seeks to address the lacu- defending any civil claim. An criminal prosecution. India, Jordan renew PNB auditor had role in fraud: police support for Palestine Reuters ised loans between 2011 and Mumbai/New Delhi 2017, mostly from the overseas branches of state banks. IANS India voted with the rest of the of exploring avenues for enhanc- They left the country in New Delhi world in the UN General Assem- ing our co-operation,” he said. he police yesterday told January before the fraud was bly against US President Donald “We are also looking at closer a court an internal audi- unearthed, but have denied Trump’s unilateral announce- security co-operation keeping in Ttor at a Mumbai branch the charges through letters and ndia and Jordan yesterday re- ment recognising Jerusalem as mind the tremendous experience of Punjab National Bank con- statements. newed their support to the the capital of Israel. which Jordan has in the region.” spired with other offi cials to Sharma was the internal IPalestinian cause as the two According to Tirumurti, King The MoU is aimed at promot- carry out a $2bn fraud at the chief auditor at the Brady sides signed 12 agreements, in- Abdullah also commended In- ing co-operation between India country’s second-biggest state House branch “who was sup- cluding one on defence co-opera- dia for the “very signifi cant” role and Jordan in the fi eld of defence lender. posed to verify the daily trans- tion, following a bilateral meeting it was playing in West Asia. The by defi ning the scope of such co- The Central Bureau of In- actions, report the irregulari- between Prime Minister Narendra secretary also said that economic operation and making provisions vestigation (CBI) on Wednes- ties and ensure that the same Modi and Jordan’s King Abdullah. relations also remain an impor- for implementation of the co- day arrested auditor Mohinder are rectifi ed to protect the “Both leaders renewed their tant focus of King Abdullah’s visit. operation in some of the recog- Kumar Sharma, widening its interest of the bank,” CBI in- support and commitment to the “Both leaders agreed to ex- nised areas like training, defence probe into the biggest bank spector D Damodaran said in Palestinian cause,” T S Tiru- plore possibilities of co-operat- industry, counter-terrorism, fraud in the country’s history. the court fi ling. murti, secretary (economic rela- ing in assisting Africa,” he said. military studies, cyber security, Yesterday it accused Sharma But he, “in conspiracy with tions) in the ministry of external “The prime minister mentioned military medical services and of conspiracy in a fi ling to a other co-accused persons, aff airs, said at a media briefi ng about India’s developmental as- peacekeeping, according to the Mumbai court, which com- deliberately ignored to point following the meeting. sistance to the tune of $10bn in ministry of external aff airs. mitted him to police custody out the issuance of illegal” let- “King Abdullah was appre- lines of credit.” The two sides also signed a until March 13. ters of undertaking (LoUs) for ciative of our prime minister On Wednesday, King Abdullah MoU on co-operation in the fi eld CBI has arrested at least 13 companies owned by Modi and undertaking a standalone visit met a select group of Indian CEOs of health and medicine. people, seven from the bank Choksi to raise loans from oth- to Palestine through Amman,” and attended the India-Jordan The objective of this MoU is and six from companies owned er banks, the inspector added. Tirumurti said. Business Forum. Tirumurti said to establish and encourage co- by billionaire jeweller Nirav Sharma’s lawyer Apoorv Last month, Jordan facilitated both Modi and King Abdullah operation in the fi elds of health, Modi and his uncle, Mehul Vijay Singh told the court his Modi’s transit to Palestine in what welcomed the signing of the MoU medical science, medical educa- Choksi, who owns Gitanjali client “had no opportunity was the fi rst ever Indian prime on defence co-operation follow- tion and research on the basis of Gems. to know about the messages” ministerial visit to the West Asian ing yesterday’s meeting. equality and mutual benefi ts in Modi and Choksi have been sent on international pay- nation. The visit eff ectively de- “There is keenness on both accordance with the respective accused of colluding with ments platform SWIFT by linked Israel from Palestine. sides to take this co-operation legislations and regulations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Jordan’s King Punjab National Bank (PNB) other bank offi cials as he did Also, in December last year, further and we are in the process India and Jordan. Abdullah prior to a meeting in New Delhi yesterday. offi cials to secure unauthor- not have access to SWIFT. Gulf Times 10 Friday, March 2, 2018 PAKISTAN Karachi’s crumbling architectural heritage neglected

By Syed Raza Hassan Reuters millions of Muslim and Hindu commodity for developers build- But amid the new concrete, Karachi refugees who fl ed their homes ing homes or drafting plans to remnants of the colonial legacy amid communal and religious vi- alter the city’s skyline with new can still be seen, often recognis- olence that accompanied the end skyscrapers. able by their state of neglect. hen British colo- of British rule in India in 1947 Jahangir Kothari Parade prom- The Saddar neighbourhood nial rulers hastily left and the creation of Pakistan. enade, once an imposing British of Karachi has perhaps the larg- WSouth Asia in 1947, “Every brick of the heritage heritage site, is now obscured est concentration of British ar- the ensuing chaos and violence building narrates a story of those by a maze of overpasses and chitectural history, while in the meant little attention was paid who left in 1947,” said Akthar Ba- the shadow of Pakistan’s tallest city’s eastern district, the iconic to the architecture they built or loch, a researcher who has writ- building. old colonial jail has been declared infl uenced in Pakistan’s biggest ten several books on Karachi’s The promenade is part of a a heritage site by Sindh prov- city, Karachi. heritage. handful of buildings, along with ince’s antiquities department. More than 70 years later, ar- “They built them with love and the colonial-era Imperial Cus- So far more than 1,700 premis- chitectural gems have been torn aff ection. When people like me toms House, which have been re- es have been listed as heritage down and many are either crum- feel bad looking at the neglect of stored to their former grandeur, sites by the antiquities depart- bling or under threat from real these heritage sites, one wonders but such projects are rare when ment and the process continues. estate developers in Pakistan’s how the families of the owners the focus is on tearing down old The Sindh Cultural Heritage commercial capital which is must feel if they ever visit Kara- and building new. Preservation Act, introduced in mushrooming into a mega-city. chi.” Rapid urbanisation has en- 1994, has helped provide legal The structures, weathered by Karachi’s population has sky- sured large-scale destruction, protection for structures of his- the salty air, open the door to Ka- rocketed to nearly 17mn people in particularly in the old city areas, torical signifi cance. rachi’s colonial scars, researchers 2017 from an estimated 400,000 where more profi table multi- But courts are also busy with say, pointing out that many of at independence, and every inch story residential buildings have cases of developers trying to cir- the original owners were among of the city has become a valuable sprung up. cumvent such protection. The Jahangir Kothari Parade built during the British colonial period in Karachi.

Over 50,000 rats in Parliament

Internews Islamabad Democracy can make UNSC

Smelling a rat in Parliament is not just a more eff ective: Pakistan ECP set for phrase. According to a report there are more than 50,000 scampering around the whole complex. Internews should not be the elephant in to restructure the Security However, there is no immediate relief from Islamabad the room,” she said in a debate Council began in the General these unwanted guests found frequenting focused on pushing the re- Assembly in February 2009 the Parliamentary Lodges, kitchen and the form process forward. on fi ve key areas the catego- corridors of power. akistan has underscored Progress towards restruc- ries of membership, the ques- Senate vote The rat infestation issue came to fore the need for making the turing the Security Council tion of veto, regional repre- during the meeting of National Assembly Pprinciple of democracy remains blocked as India, sentation, size of an enlarged Internews that the polls take place in a peaceful manner. Standing Committee on Food Security and a “central tenet” of the UN Brazil, Germany and Japan, Council, and working meth- Islamabad In case of any irregularity or mismanage- Research when MNA Dr Fauzia Hameed said Security Council reform proc- known as the Group of Four, ods of the body and its rela- ment, they would be authorised to bring the that there are rats in her room. ess aimed at transforming the push for permanent seats in tionship with the 193-mem- matter to the knowledge of the election com- The Ministry for Food Security and Re- 15-member body into a more the Council, while the Italy/ ber Assembly. he Election Commission of Pakistan mission and suspend the electoral process, search has assured of devising a plan to get representative, eff ective and Pakistan-led Uniting for In her remarks, Ambassa- (ECP) has decided to deploy Rangers the meeting decided. rid of the rats in the next fiscal. accountable one. Consensus (UfC) group fi rmly dor Lodhi regretted that the Tand Frontier Corps personnel outside The ECP also directed the returning offi c- A hefty budget allocation will also follow. “Anything less would mean opposes any additional per- Group of Four stance denies the provincial assemblies and parliament ers to ensure that each voter enters the polling Pakistan Agriculture Research Council that the reform of the Secu- manent members. democracy its rightful place as house for the upcoming Senate polls and to station from the same point and strict imple- chairman Dr Yousuf Zafar disclosed the pres- rity Council seeks to address As a compromise, UfC has the cornerstone of the reform empower returning offi cers to punish those mentation of a ban on taking mobile phones ence of over 50,000 rats in the parliament its existing dysfunctionalities proposed a new category of process. “They seek a demo- breaching secrecy of ballot or attempting to inside the polling stations. during the meeting. by merely reinforcing them,” members, not permanent cratic process, but not a dem- compromise election transparency in any On a returning offi cer’s suggestion, the ECP He said that a survey has been conducted Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, members, with longer dura- ocratic outcome,” she said. other manner after holding summary trial on decided to deploy the Rangers and Frontier regarding the matter and that the rats mostly permanent representative tion in terms and a possibility “Yet, fully aware of its sig- the spot. Corps contingents outside the polling stations. frequent the lodges and cafeteria. of Pakistan to the UN, told to get re-elected once. nifi cance, some still attempt The returning offi cers, who will have the A letter seeking deployment of the Rangers Committee chairman Shakir Bashir Awan an interactive session of the The Security Council is to cloak their ambition by power of fi rst class magistrate for the election and FC personnel was sent to the interior sec- noted that rodenticides were eff ective for deadlocked Inter-govern- currently composed of fi ve invoking quasi-democratic tomorrow, can cancel the ballot paper if a vot- retary soon after the meeting. some days, but the rodents re-emerged all mental Negotiations (IGN) permanent members, Britain, notions,” the Pakistani envoy er is found taking it out of the polling station “In order to conduct Senate elections 2018 over again. during which she made a China, France, Russia and the added. “It is time that this or breaching its secrecy in any manner. in all the provinces and the federal capital Is- Dr Zafar contended that rats would con- strong case for more elected/ United States, and 10 non- aberration is corrected, and The decisions were taken at a meeting, lamabad in a peaceful manner and to avoid tinue as long as their food source was there. non-permanent seats on the permanent members that are the principle of democracy is which was presided over by Chief Election any untoward incident on the poll day, the He gave the example of commercial council, among other points. elected in groups of fi ve to restored to its rightful place, Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Moham- Election Commission of Pakistan, in terms poultry farms in Karachi where rats carry off “Democracy should be piv- two-year terms. as a central tenet of the re- ed Raza and attended by all the returning of- of Article 220 and 245 of the Constitution has chicks, attack chickens and are undaunted by otal in our deliberations; it Full-scale negotiations form process.” fi cers for the Senate elections, held yesterday decided for deployment of suffi cient strength the biggest and heaviest of cats. to review arrangements for the polls tomor- of Pakistan Rangers/Frontier Corps outside Food Security and Research Secretary Fazal row. the premises of provincial assemblies of Pun- Abbas Maikan said that controlling rat popula- Panel proposes offshore tax amnesty scheme It was decided that the returning offi cers jab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan tion remains impossible so far. would hold summary trial in case of captur- and Parliament House, Islamabad. He pointed out that since ages rats were Supreme Court-constituted commit- dering Act 2010. The three-member commit- ing of polling station, deliberate tampering of “It would be appreciated if you could kindly ruining several crops and damaging grain tee in Pakistan has proposed to off er an tee has, however, suggested that there should ballot paper, taking ballot paper out of polling issue necessary directions to the directors deposits. Aoff shore tax amnesty scheme to all Pa- be no immunity from the prosecution under station or handing it over to some irrelevant general of Rangers in Punjab and Sindh and Food Security and Research Minister kistanis, asking them to get their hidden for- the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Anti- person, using a fake ballot paper, breaching the inspectors general of Frontier Corps in Sikandar Hayat Bosan shared on the occasion eign assets legalised at low tax rates, Internews Money Laundering Act of 2010, according to secrecy of ballot paper, revealing priority of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for de- that plans to eradicate rats in the Parliament reports from Islamabad. the documents. The scheme has the backing vote to a candidate or candidates or taking ployment of Pakistan Rangers/Frontier Corps will be devised for the next financial year. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which had any step calculated at compromising trans- outside the buildings/ premises of all the four He further informed the committee that tunity for wealthy Pakistanis, as according to set up the three-member committee headed parency of the polls, and punish them under provincial assemblies and parliament house, National Food Safety Animal and Plant Health the proposal, those who would not avail the by State Bank of Pakistan Governor Tariq Ba- Sections 174, 184 and 185 of the Election Act, Islamabad on March 3,” stated the letter Regulatory Bill 2017 was being revised and an scheme — despite having foreign assets of over jwa and comprising Federal Board of Revenue 2017. signed by ECP additional secretary Dr Akhtar alternative bill was being formulated. $100,000, would be deemed to have commit- chairman Tariq Pasha and Finance Secretary The returning offi cers were asked to ensure Nazir. ted an off ence under the Anti-Money Laun- Arif Ahmed Khan. Bid to revive glory of ancient Mughal city of Lahore

By Khurram Shahzad, AFP Lahore

erched on scaff olding, res- toration experts chip away Pat decades of grime and repair broken mosaic tiles in a bid to save the colossal murals de- picting historic battles and regal ceremonies on the walls of La- hore fort. The painstaking work is part of eff orts to preserve Lahore’s crumbling architectural history as offi cials juggle conserving its diverse heritage with building modern infrastructure in Paki- stan’s chaotic second city. The metropolis, which once served as the capital of the Mughal empire, has been sub- sumed into a myriad of civilisa- tions across the centuries. This rich past is most visible in the milieu of architecture salted across the Walled City of La- hore — from Hindu temples and Mughal forts to Sikh gurdwaras Tourists visit the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. Vendors wait for customers on the colourful ‘food street’ in Lahore. and administrative offi ce built during the Raj. and years of neglect have taken a But as security across Pakistan furbish the fort, which includes dozens of homes in the Walled sation promoting preservation and amusement parks to its city- “You get a history of a thou- toll on the fort. continues to improve, offi cials conservation projects in the royal City. projects, says the eff orts run the scape. sand years, 500 year-old houses Despite the onset of decay, are hoping to revive Lahore’s lost kitchen, the summer palace and a Many of those involved in the risk of transforming the old city Lahore was the fi rst Pakistani and monuments and mosques, experts suggest the city’s vast glory. basement, according to WCLA’s project are optimistic. into a “Disneyland” to attract city to unveil a metro bus service, shrines and a very peaceful at- Islamic architectural heritage More than 40 conservationists director general Kamran Lashari. “The cities which are most tourists. and is now constructing an inau- mosphere,” says Kamran Lashari, could make it a contender to rival with the the WCLA — including Similar work by the WCLA famous for tourism, you can “This was a pedestrian’s city. A gural metro train that Mumtaz director general of the Walled City more established Silk Road travel engineers, architects and ce- has already been done to revamp take London, Madrid, Istanbul, pre-Industrial revolution mod- and fellow civil society groups of Lahore Authority (WCLA). destinations. ramists from across the globe — the artwork at the historic Wazir Rome, all the prerequisites which elled city. This should be con- say will diminish the architec- Prime among them, and dat- “Lahore can easily com- are currently working on restor- Khan mosque and the Shahi are available in those cities, are served into that original state in- tural history. ing back to the 11th century, the pete with Samarkand. It nearly ing the mosaic mural on the fort’s Hammam — one of the only sur- available in Lahore,” claims Ah- stead of remodelling buildings,” The city also faces fresh chal- Lahore fort was fi rst built of mud matches Ispahan,” says Sophie exterior. viving Turkish Baths in the sub- mer Malik, head of Punjab’s said Mumtaz, who is pushing for lenges as it it opens up to tour- and was then later reinforced Makariou, president of the Paris- “It’s one of the largest murals continent that is approximately tourism corporation, referring to the use of traditional construction ism. with stone over the centuries by based National Museum of Asian in the world. It contains over 400 years old. Lahore’s architectural and cul- materials in restoration projects. Canadian visitor Usama Bilal a long cast of Mughal emperors Arts. 600 tile mosaic panels and fres- The city’s famed Delhi Gate, tural attractions. The calls runs into fresh con- complains: “There are gorgeous who oversaw its expansion and Makariou adds that its failure cos,” says Emaan Sheikh from the which once hosted extravagant But not all are convinced. fl ict with infrastructure plans old colonial buildings, British era the accompanying artwork. to shine is more to do with safety Agha Khan Trust for Culture. Mughal processions arriving in Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Presi- aimed at easing the city’s traffi c buildings but they are not well But periods of confl ict along concerns that have plagued the Restoration of the mural is Lahore from the east, has also dent of Lahore Conservation So- congestion as Lahore adds high- taken care of. There is no infra- with searing heat, monsoon rains nation after multiple attacks. just part of a larger project to re- been fully restored along with ciety (LCS), an advocacy organi- rise buildings, malls, fl yovers structure built for tourists.” Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 11 PHILIPPINES Duterte says no help for UN rights probe

AFP that Manila was ready to co- Manila operate, but also said the inves- tigators should be fair and not “weaponise” human rights. hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte, elected by a landslide Duterte said yesterday he in 2016 largely on a pledge to kill Pwould not co-operate with tens of thousands of criminals, UN investigators looking into ex- has presided over a narcotics trajudicial killings under his rule, crackdown that rights monitors telling police and soldiers not to say amounts to crimes against co-operate with any probe. humanity. Duterte’s angry reaction came Philippine police say they have after his government said it was killed more than 4,000 drug willing to accept a visit from a President Rodrigo Duterte suspects who resisted arrest, UN Special Rapporteur to look but human rights groups esti- into the rash of killings under “You’re investigating us, fact mate there have been more than Duterte’s deadly anti-drug war. fi nding? Well sorry, do not mess 12,000 deaths in all, including “When the human rights or with me,” he said, referring to people murdered by shadowy whoever is that rapporteur ar- the rapporteur. vigilante groups. rives, my order to you is, do not The Philippines’ human rights Duterte, who still enjoys wide answer...Who are they and who record was raised at a UN Hu- popularity despite the concerns are you to interfere in the way I man Rights Council meeting in of rights activists, has previously would run my country?” he told a Geneva late February with Ice- rejected any call to investigate gathering of police and military. land Foreign Minister Gudlaugur his rights record. “If they ask you about wrong- Thor Thordarson urging Manila In his speech, he told a crowd Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents and police secure a part of a street as they search a house looking for a drug dealer doing, do not answer. And if they on Monday to accept a visit from of camoufl age-garbed govern- during a drug raid in Maharlika Village, Taguig, south of Manila on February 28. The drug raid was conducted to arrest five drug dealers, but ask you why, tell them: we have the UN Special Rapporteur. ment troops, “it is not easy to only two were captured. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and seen human rights a commander in chief,” who they Foreign Secretary Alan Peter run a government that is demo- groups claim he was responsible for a crime against humanity. The anti-drugs campaign enjoys popular support while the fiery-tongued should speak to, he said. Cayetano later told the council cratic”. Duterte has rejected any criticism of his human rights record. Bishops back probe of OFW recruiters Manila in talks with Chinese Manila Times ed abuses against OFWs. responsibility that OFWS are Balanga City, Bataan “We support and appreciate justly and very humanely treated the president’s decision that the and their contract strictly fol- recruitment agency of Joanna lowed and respected,” he added. fi rm on joint sea exploration he Catholic Bishops be investigated but this should Santos urged the government Conference of the Phil- also include all placement and to investigate, prosecute and Tippines’– Episcopal recruitment agencies that have punish placement and recruit- AFP Philippines and China over ploitation of natural resources.” sovereign rights. Commission on the Welfare of caused our OFWs to suff er and ment agencies that are amiss, Manila South China Sea exploration Duterte’s willingness to co- “It’s not that we have no Migrants and Itinerant People experience abuse and victimi- negligent and abusive. were raised last month by Filipi- operate with China marks a choice. We can go back and say, (CBCP-ECMI) expressed full sation by their employers,” said The bishop of the diocese of no Foreign Secretary Alan Peter turnaround from predecessor ‘Fine, no one benefi ts from the support to the order of Presi- Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, Balanga also urged that a mech- he Philippines said yes- Cayetano. Benigno Aquino’s stance accus- resources now’. But come on, dent Rodrigo Duterte to inves- CBCP-ECMI chairman. anism be put in place for the terday it is in talks with Presidential spokesman Harry ing Beijing of encroaching, oc- we’re trying to look for alterna- tigate recruitment agencies The prelate said the job of re- proper monitoring of the condi- Ta Chinese state fi rm for Roque provided more detail yes- cupying, and building structures tive sources of energy,” Roque of Overseas Filipino Workers cruitment and placement agen- tions of OFWs not only in Ku- joint South China Sea energy terday, specifying that talks were on reefs and rocks that Manila said yesterday. (OFWs) after the death of Joan- cies is not just to send Filipi- wait, but in all other countries resource exploration and ex- underway between the Philip- claims as part of its exclusive He said Filipino fi rms could na Demafelis and other report- nos to work abroad. “It is their as well. traction, in a proposed deal de- pines’ energy department and economic zone. not do it on their own and would scribed by President Rodrigo an unnamed Chinese state fi rm, Aquino won an international need Chinese capital, while not- Duterte as akin to “co-owner- and that extraction of energy re- arbitration tribunal ruling in 2016 ing that “when a Filipino com- ship” of contested areas. sources was now on the table. invalidating Beijing’s claims, but pany attempted to explore on its The two countries have He did not specify which spe- Duterte set aside the ruling while own they were met by Chinese long been embroiled in a bit- cifi c area of the sea was under courting investments and trade warboats (gunboats).” Offi cials eye civilians’ safety from clan wars ter dispute over their compet- discussion. from the Philippines’ giant neigh- He was referring to a 2011 in- ing claims to the region — with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and bour, the world’s second-largest cident when Manila said Chinese China claiming nearly the en- Vietnam also claim all or part of economy. patrol boats harassed a seismic Manila Times Department of Interior and Lo- aged people, is our main con- tire sea — but Duterte has in the sea. Cayetano said last month that survey vessel chartered by a unit Camp Siongco, Maguindanao cal Government (DILG) direc- cern,” Mangudadatu said. recent years softened his pred- Proposed co-operation be- Manila would consult legal ex- of a Philippine mining compa- tor Amina Dalandag and other The meeting adopted resolu- ecessors’ policy of opposing tween Manila and Beijing has perts to make sure any accord ny at Philippine-claimed Reed PPOC members. tions prescribing that the MILF Beijing’s claims. caused alarm among neighbour- would not infringe on Philippine Bank in the South China Sea. rovincial government of- Highlighted during the meet- hierarchy constantly police the Duterte said Wednesday an ing Southeast Asian countries in fi cials and the military ing — that drew the attend- ranks of its fi eld commanders and arrangement to turn two of the the past. Govt to contest naming of underwater features Phere convened an unprec- ance of a record 32 out of 36 followers, especially those report- rival claimants virtual joint “We might enter into an edented Provincial Peace and Maguindanao mayors — was the edly involved in the armed skir- owners of the strategic and sup- agreement with a Chinese- The Philippines will contest of Sciences on February 13 Order Council (PPOC) meeting skirmish last week in the towns mishes, and prodding concerned posedly oil and gas-rich sea was owned corporation, not the Chi- the naming of five underwater during the second bilateral raising concern over the safety of Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Ra- local government executives to preferable to the “massacre” nese state itself,” Roque said in features of the Philippine consultations with China, of civilians aff ected by sporadic jah Buayan and Datu Abdullah intensify pacifi cation eff orts. of Filipino troops in a war with an interview aired on ABS-CBN Rise (Benham Rise) by China, which also discussed the West armed clashes stemming from Sangki involving two families Authorities believe that the China. television, adding the company Foreign Aff airs Undersecretary Philippine Sea (South China Sea) “rido” or clan wars. allied with ground commanders recent confl ict was a family feud “Now their (Beijing’s) off er is he declined to name was state- Ernesto Abella said, as President dispute. There is a mechanism Governor Esmael Manguda- of the Moro Islamic Liberation that stemmed from the killing of joint exploration, which is like owned. Rodrigo Duterte warned of war for bilateral conversation and datu chaired the special meeting Front (MILF) 105th and 106th Datu Saudi Ampatuan Councilor co-ownership. It’s like the two “I know that they’re discuss- over unauthorised expeditions it (naming of features) was that the Philippine Army’s 6th base commands that drove Sahabudin Namli, on February of us would be the owners. ing, they’re moving forward and to the area. Abella said the initially raised there so that Infantry Division commander hundreds of families from their 21. A day after the murder, MILF I think that’s better than it’s likely to happen,” he added government raised its objection is the first step,” Abella told Major General Arnel dela Vega homes and left casualties, in- ground commanders Datu Acob fi ghting,” he said during a visit without giving a timetable or the to the research activity of reporters in a news conference hosted. In attendance were 32 cluding a wounded minor. and Datu Itim traded shots in to the war-torn southern city of exact terms of the proposed deal. the Institute of Oceanology at the Department of Foreign mayors, police provincial direc- “Protection for civilians, par- Barangay Madia in Datu Saudi Marawi. “This will now actually entail of the Chinese Academy Aff airs in Pasay City. tor Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, ticularly of women, children and Ampatuan. Negotiations between the joint exploration and possible ex- Oxfam employee who was sexually assaulted ‘dismissed’

Oliver Holmes employee has been infl uenced to Instead, Santos attempted to “[The perpetrator] said she plaint but demanded Oxfam’s When Oxfam withheld her more we need to do,” it said. “We London resign. mediate with the woman. would resign from Oxfam; she UK offi ce conduct the investiga- last salary payment, Santos went continue to work hard to in- The decision said Oxfam had This “restorative justice”, as it said she would pay for my coun- tion. to the labour commission, which crease awareness throughout the shown favour to the perpetrator is called, is an alternative meth- selling; she would stop drink- The charity investigated and twice ruled broadly in her favour. organisation to improve how we n Oxfam employee who “whose services management od of combatting gender-based ing,” said Santos. “If it had end- blacklisted the perpetrator. The verdict said she was en- handle complaints and support was sexually assaulted by needed” and then acted with violence in which the survivor ed there, I would have perceived Afterwards, Santos said titled to “moral and exemplary those that speak out.” Aa colleague in the Philip- “inexplicable hostility” towards and perpetrator voluntarily seek justice.” Oxfam Philippines made her damages” and ordered Oxfam to It denied Santos’s work had pines was “constructively dis- Santos. a resolution. work life intolerable. pay 13 months’ wages. been undermined and said it had a missed” less than a year later, The allegations come at a time However, the method is still “We are very sorry for the The labour commission de- Oxfam told the Guardian it responsibility to investigate all al- according to a labour commis- of heightened scrutiny of sexual not widely employed in the obvious distress this must cision said the charity moved had “fully investigated and up- legations – including bullying – as sion decision seen by the Guard- harassment in the humanitarian workplace. have caused the victim and around £10,000-worth of sup- held this allegation of sexual fairly and sensitively as possible. ian. fi eld. Oxfam said in a written re- that she felt she couldn’t plies under Santos’s manage- abuse. “We are very sorry for the Aimee Santos told the Guard- Oxfam revealed in October it sponse that it would not use or continue to work for ment without her knowledge The perpetrator’s contract obvious distress this must have ian she was molested by a fe- had dismissed 22 staff members recommend restorative justice to Oxfam” and “unreasonably” reduced her ended before the investigation caused the victim and that she male co-worker in 2016, a claim over sexual abuse allegations in deal with sexual harassment or training time. was completed and they will felt she couldn’t continue to Oxfam has also acknowledged the previous year. abuse allegations. Oxfam managers in the Phil- “I promptly resigned,” Santos never work for Oxfam again.” work for Oxfam. While a sup- and said it had blacklisted the In a separate scandal, the chari- Santos said she consulted a lo- ippines, she said, found out what said. The charity said it took the port plan was put in place to help perpetrator. ty temporarily suspended its work cal human resources manager on had happened after the perpe- She wrote what she said was commission’s fi ndings “ex- the victim, we clearly need to do But Santos, 45, claimed the in Haiti to investigate claims of the restorative justice session, trator turned down a new con- a scathing resignation letter to tremely seriously and will con- much more to ensure that we charity mishandled her case and former staff paying for sex. which Oxfam acknowledged. tract, explaining she had prom- several senior staff . tinue to seek to improve how provide the support and protec- she was forced to resign. At the time of Santos’s assault, But the charity added: “The ised to leave the charity. It detailed an “inauthentic we prevent and deal with sexual tion staff need in such circum- Oxfam, she said, had “been she was working as a gender and meeting was set up by the victim Before any action against the commitment to gender justice”, a harassment, exploitation and stances,” Oxfam said. extremely belligerent, retaliato- protection co-ordinator. and she made all the arrange- perpetrator, Santos said, a bul- “culture of impunity”, the “reck- abuse”. While it understood that It said it instigated an inde- ry and vindictive. And they have She did not want to open a ments. The country director was lying investigation was opened less handling” of her sexual as- “people may be reluctant to raise pendent inquiry to review the gone after me, even when they criminal investigation, she said. not aware of the plans.” into the six employees from the sault case, and called one man- sensitive issues with immediate case at Santos’s request, which didn’t have any merit.” Nor did she want to go through Santos said she asked six col- mediation session, all of whom ager “sexist” and “manipulative”. managers or within their own found management pursued The Philippine national la- Oxfam’s internal reporting sys- leagues, most with a background were temporarily suspended Commission documents show countries”, the charity operates both bullying and sexual assault bour relations commission ruled tem as she felt her managers in gender justice and also the from work. Oxfam’s human resources depart- a confi dential hotline and has claims “with fairness, in a timely in October that Santos had been had not supported her work and perpetrator’s “longtime friends”, Meanwhile, and in part to ex- ment responded, accusing San- a dedicated safeguarding team, manner and without giving bias “constructively dismissed”, a would not conduct an impartial to meet the woman to arrange a onerate her colleagues, Santos tos of maligning the characters of which it said Santos used. to one case over the other”. – work termination in which an investigation. settlement. fi led an internal assault com- senior staff members. “But we know there is much Guardian News & Media Gulf Times 12 Friday, March 2, 2018 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Bangladesh has potential to be economic power, says ADB president

By Mizan Rahman The ADB president’s appreciation Bangladesh, the prime minister said gestion, the prime minister said her Dhaka came when he paid a courtesy call the aim of her government is to en- government has taken various ini- on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at sure development of the grassroots tiatives including construction of her offi cial Ganabhaban residence. people. metro rail and fl yovers for resolving isiting Asian Development After the meeting, the PM’s press “We want people to lead a com- the problem. Bank (ADB) President Take- secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed re- fort life and that’s why we have The press secretary said the Ro- Vhiko Nakao highly praised porters. taken various welfare-oriented ini- hingya issue also came up for dis- Bangladesh’s tremendous socioe- Mentioning that the ADB has tiatives for them,” she said. cussion. conomic uplift under the leadership been working with Bangladesh The prime minister said her gov- He said the prime minister nar- of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for its socioeconomic develop- ernment has given top priority to rated how the infl ux of Rohingyas is saying the country has an immense ment since 1973, Takehiko Nakao education, adding that no nation aff ecting local people and environ- potentiality to emerge as an eco- said they are ready to assist for could achieve its desired goal with- ment in Cox’s Bazar. nomic power in Asia. further economic uplift of the out it. PM’s adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, “Bangladesh has immense po- country. In this connection, Sheikh Hasi- PMO secretary Sajjadul Hassan, tentiality to emerge as an economic “We’re keen to work with Bang- na said her government is encour- ERD secretary Kazi Shafi qul Azam power in Asia like China and India... ladesh in power, transport and oth- aging the students in pursuing sci- and ADB’s Alternate Executive Di- Visiting Asian Development Bank President Takehiko Nakao exchanging views with Prime many countries are looking at Bang- er sectors,” he said. ence and technical education. rector Mahbub Ahmed were present Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. ladesh for investment,” he said. Welcoming the ADB president in While talking about traffi c con- on the occasion.

Colour fun! Colombo searches war-era missing AFP against those responsible for the dis- Colombo appearance of their loved ones. The government appointed seven commissioners to the panel, which will ri Lanka has appointed commis- be headed by senior lawyer Saliya Peiris. sioners to a special panel tasked It gave no explanation for the two- Swith investigating war-era dis- year delay in appointing commis- appearances, three years after Presi- sioners but the announcement comes dent Maithripala Sirisena was elected ahead of a UN Human Rights Council promising justice for victims of the session in Geneva where Sri Lanka’s island’s bloody ethnic confl ict. rights record is to be discussed. The Offi ce of Missing Persons was The council has in the past de- offi cially launched late on Wednesday scribed Sri Lanka’s eff orts at transi- by Sirisena, who has faced interna- tional justice as at a “virtual stand- tional censure for repeated delays in still” nearly a decade after the end of a probing atrocities by troops and Tamil war which claimed over 100,000 lives. rebels during the decades-long civil Two years ago Prime Minister Ranil war. Wickremesinghe told members of the People celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, in Kathmandu yesterday. Sri Lanka narrowly avoided sanc- ethnic Tamil minority that the thou- tions when Sirisena came to power sands still missing may be dead. in January 2015 pledging investiga- Sri Lankan forces were accused of tions into war-time abuses, which killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians the previous regime refused to even during the fi nal months of the war acknowledge. while defeating separatist Tamil Tiger Parliament agreed two years ago to guerrillas who fought for independ- Nepal holds ‘Peace Marathon’ at Buddha birthplace the fi rst steps toward reconciling its ence. war-era past — tracing about 20,000 International rights groups have people who went missing during 37 called for the prosecution of both the IANS It’s fi rst of its kind spiritual mara- sports,” said Bikram Pandey, Chairman Seven Chinese nationals participated years of fi ghting. military as well as the Tigers, who Kathmandu thon, which took place 150m above of Lumbini Peace Marathon. in the marathon. “It has been a fantastic But the process stalled amid resist- were known for their trademark sui- the sea level, one of the lowest altitude He further said that the event will experience to run in this holy land. It has ance from the army and Sirisena’s own cide bombings and child soldiers. marathon events in the world, Xinhua help in promoting tourism, the back- boosted my spirituality,” said 52-year- coalition, which has been plagued by Sirisena’s predecessor Mahinda early 100 participants from news agency reported. bone of country’s economy, and will old Chinese national Huang Yan. infi ghting in recent times. Rajapakse, who brutally crushed the diff erent countries took part The annual marathon was held on contribute to overall development. The event included full marathon, “The OMP is tasked with determin- Tamil movement to end the war in Nin a peace marathon yesterday the occasion of Holi to commemorate The spiritual marathon began from half marathon and a 5km race. Homlal ing the status of all missing persons in 2009, had resisted international pres- at Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam the day Siddhartha Gautam’s return to Kudan — the place where Buddha is Shresha of Nepal Army won the title of Sri Lanka and is the fi rst pillar of the sure to probe alleged war crimes. Buddha. his homeland as an enlightened Bud- believed to have met his parents for the full marathon, grabbing the Lumbini transitional justice mechanisms,” the Sirisena has said he was willing Participants from Nepal as well as dha. fi rst time after his enlightenment. Ashoka Peace Prize of NR100,000. government said in a statement. to investigate specifi c allegations of China, India, New Zealand, the US, “The major objective of the mara- The trail passed through Buddhist The event also marked the com- The panel has the power to recom- wrongdoing but maintains he will al- Germany, South Korea and Sweden, thon is to promote Lumbini-Kapilvas- heritage sites like Tilaurakot Palace, pletion of Great Buddhist Trail, that mend compensation and clear the low only a domestic inquiry and op- among others, participated in the the tu region at national and international Niglihawa, Banganga River and con- started from Swoyambhunath in Kath- way for next of kin to take legal action pose any foreign investigation. fourth Lumbini Peace Marathon. level by connecting spirituality with cluded at the Lumbini Sacred Garden. mandu and concluded in Lumbini.

With pumps and canals, Sri Lanka’s capital moves to cut worsening fl ood risk

By Amantha Perera, Reuters other side of the closed fl ood- aimed at setting up an eff ective tervals of rain. We are now get- Colombo gates. fl ood protection plan for the city, ting large amounts of rain in very The $12mn station is expected as well as improving roads and short bursts,” said S M Premalal, to be completed by mid-2019, solid waste disposal, under the the director general of the coun- hen heavy rain falls along with another similar pump Ministry of Megapolis and West- try’s Metrological Department. in the hills and plains further upriver. ern Development. For example, in May 2016, Wwest of Colombo There are also plans to con- Moufar said his agency is con- some parts of the island’s west- — and in the city itself at the struct a third pumping station fi dent that constructing three ern plains received over 300mm same time — Sri Lanka’s capital that would pour excess water pumping stations, two tunnels of rain within two days. drowns. into Beira Lake, a 160-acre body to carry rainwater and a ma- “It is now vital that we gear our As runoff from the west rushes of water that sits in the heart of jor diversion canal, also to take water management systems to into the Kelani River, which emp- Colombo, and that has its own fl oodwaters out to sea, will help meet this change,” Premalal said. ties into the sea just north of Co- outlet to the sea. the city confront its worsening Moufar said more frequent lombo, water begins to spill into Studies since the 1990s have fl ooding risks. fl oods have made Colombo’s peo- the network of canals that cross urged that such pumping sta- But keeping Colombo’s existing ple and its offi cials more aware of the city. tions be built, Moufar said. network of canals clear is also crucial the growing risks — something Gates, built to stop that fl ow, But the decision to push ahead to limiting fl ood threats, he said. that has helped build support for can hold back the tide — but also with the project now has come Decades of unauthorised con- making the needed changes. mean any rain falling in Colombo because of much more frequent struction on the riverbanks, as “There is more urgency now, itself cannot escape to the river. fl ooding, he said. well as dumping of waste and because everyone is nervous “When we close those, there is Over the last decade, Colombo general neglect have limited the when the monsoon arrives in late no outlet for the rainwater that is has seen an uptick in fl oods. canals’ ability to hold and carry May. We have seen what it can do gathering in Colombo,” said Mo- In 2016 and 2017, large areas of water, offi cials say. to the city,” he said. hamed Moufar, a deputy project the capital were inundated as the “There are 44km of canals in Somasiri said he’s not very fa- manager for the Metro Colombo south western monsoon began in Colombo. (If) we keep the canals miliar with the risks from climate Urban Development Project. late May. clean and clear, we can get the change, or unsure whether the Those living in low-lying areas A fl ood risk assessment done water out,” he said. huge construction work under- near the Kelani River know the A view of flood gates in Colombo on canals connected to the Kelani River. by the Metro Colombo Urban Climate experts warn that cit- way near his house might help risks well. Development Project last year ies like Colombo — which faces solve fl ooding problems. “We know that if the gates are Peliyagoda area, on the banks of more extreme rainfall and higher canal gates are closed. calculated that Colombo District changes to its annual monsoon and But he can see that the rains are closed, then its trouble for us. the river. fl ooding risks. The station, on the south bank now suff ers damage and other more extreme rainfall associated stronger — and says something Every time that has happened But a solution is now in the In January, work began on a of the Kelani River, close to where losses of nearly $45mn a year with climate change — need to needs to be done. “It has become in the last few years, all this area works in Colombo to a problem large pumping station designed Somasiri lives, will suck up rain- from fl oods and heavy rain. adapt to changing rainfall patterns. a pest now. When it rains, the en- has gone under water,” said Jaya- many cities around the world are to extract water from fl ood- water that falls inside the city and The pumping stations are part “The problem is not the lack tire city becomes a pond. Some- tissa Somasiri, a resident of the facing as climate change brings prone parts of Colombo even if pump it out to the river, on the of the larger $320mn project of rain, but the intensity and in- one needs to fi x that,” he said. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH A glimpse of Paradise Belief in the

llah the Almighty has created ‘alaihi wa sallam, clarifi ed in the Paradise for His believing following narration: Suhayb, may Allah slaves; He has created in it be pleased with him, reported: “The Hereafter Apleasures that no eye has ever Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi seen, no ear has ever heard of, and no wa sallam, said: ‘When the inhabitants elief in the Hereafter is one back into their original shape and mind could ever comprehend. Abu of Paradise enter it, Allah, the Glorious of the six pillars of Islamic bodies. Allah will then command Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with and Exalted, will say to them: ‘Do belief required of a Muslim in Israafeel to blow the Trumpet for him, narrated that the Messenger of you wish for me to give you anything Border to complete his faith. the second time, upon which people Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, more?’ They will reply: ‘Have You not The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa will rise from their graves alive. The said: “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘I made our faces bright? Have You not sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), disbelievers and the hypocrites will have prepared for my righteous slaves brought us into Paradise and delivered informed us about events of the Ghayb then be regretful and will say (what (in Paradise) what no eye has seen, us from Hell?’ Then, Allah will remove (those beyond human perception) means): “…Woe to us! Who has raised no ear has heard, and the mind of no the Veil (that screens Him from the which will occur after death. This us up from our sleeping place?” man has conceived.’” [Al-Bukhari and believers); the (dwellers of Paradise) fundamental belief is only completed [Qur’an: 36:52] Whereas the believers Muslim] will then feel that they have not been when one has fi rm faith in his heart will say (what means): “…This is what There are many verses in the awarded anything dearer to them in all those matters about which the the Most Merciful had promised, Qur’an that describe Paradise than looking at their Lord.’ [Muslim] Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and the Messengers spoke the truth.” and some of what it contains; the Then he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, informed us. [Qur’an 36:52] following are a collection of some recited the verse (i.e., the 26th verse of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah Then angels will drive all of them of them: Chapter Yunus).” (mainstream Muslims) believe in all naked, uncircumcised, and barefooted It is a wide space: Having known the greatest bounty of these events, whereas the people to the place of Hashr (Gathering). {“And hasten to forgiveness from and pleasure which the dwellers of of innovation refuse to accept events The fi rst one to be dressed on that your Lord and a garden [i.e. Paradise] Paradise will attain is looking at the such as the questioning in the grave, Day will be Prophet Ibraaheem, may as wide as the heavens and earth, Face of their Lord, it becomes evident the bliss and the trials of the grave, the Allah exalt his mention. At the place prepared for the righteous.”} [Qur’an, how deprived the sinners are and punishment in the grave, the passing of Gathering, the sun will descend 3: 133] how great their loss is. They will be over the Siraat (the Bridge set over close to the heads of people, and their It is an eternal abode: prevented from seeing the Face of their Hell), and the setting of the scales. The sweat will engulf them. It will be up {“Wherein they abide eternally. Lord, as Allah The Almighty Says (what reason for their denial is that, in their to the ankles of some of them, up to They will not desire from it any means): {“No! Indeed, from their Lord, estimation, these matters cannot be the knees of others, up to the chests of transfer.”} [Qur’an, 18: 108] that Day, they will be partitioned”} proven by mere intellect. Since they others, and up to the necks of others. It contains gardens beneath which [Qur’an, 83: 15] consider their intellect to be the judge The level of their sweat will be in rivers fl ow: over everything, they do not believe accordance with their deeds. {“Allah has promised the believing Reward for women in Paradise in matters which are beyond their Some people on that Day will be men and believing women gardens Allah The Almighty clarifi es (what comprehension. sheltered by the shade of the Throne beneath which rivers fl ow, wherein means): {“And whoever does righteous Materialists refuse to believe in of Allah. When the conditions become they abide eternally, and pleasant deeds, whether male or female, while anything which they do not feel. Our unbearable for people, and the despair dwellings in gardens of perpetual being a believer - those will enter answer to this attitude is that our increases greatly, people will ask Allah residence; but approval from Allah Paradise and will not be wronged, inability to sense the existence of to allow His messengers and prophets is greater. It is that which the great [even by as much as] the speck on certain things does not justify our to intercede on their behalf and attainment is.”} [Qur’an, 9: 72] a date seed.”} [Qur’an, 4: 124] This denial of the very existence of those save them from their distress. Every Its food and shade are everlasting: refl ects the kindness of Allah The things. Certitude through news from messenger and prophet will direct the {“The example [i.e. description] of Almighty and informs us that He will an authentic person is as good as the people to the prophet who came after Paradise, which the righteous have deal fairly and equally with both males certitude by seeing and feeling. Since him, until they come to our Prophet been promised, is [that] beneath it and females in terms of accepting the honesty of Prophet Muhammad, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa rivers fl ow. Its fruit is lasting, and its their good deeds; He will not wrong sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, in sallam. He will respond by saying that shade. That is the consequence for the anyone by even an amount as small as conveying the Divine Message revealed he is the appropriate person for it. He righteous…”} [Qur’an, 13: 35] the ‘speck’ on the date seed, which is to him has been established for us, we- will intercede for them, which will Its drinks and foods are delicious a reference to the very fi ne membrane believers- fi rmly believe in everything result in the beginning of Judgment. and varied: that covers it. he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, {“…the description of Paradise, In this verse, Allah The Almighty told about the unseen, including The Balances which the righteous are promised, informs women specifi cally that He the Hereafter. Belief in the hereafter The balances will then be erected, wherein are rivers of water unaltered, will not wrong them, provided they entails the following: and the deeds will be weighed. These rivers of milk the taste of which never fulfi l the condition in it (which means): balances will be real and will have changes, rivers of wine delicious to {“Whoever does righteousness, Belief in Events of the Grave pans and needles. Allah, the Exalted those who drink, and rivers of purifi ed whether male or female, while he is a Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah and Glorifi ed, will give the deeds of honey, in which they will have from all believer— We will surely cause him to believe in the trial of the grave. The the creatures a material existence [kinds of] fruits and forgiveness from live a good life, and We will surely give Arabic word for trial is ‘Fitnah’, which that will have weight. The good deeds their Lord…”} [Qur’an, 47: 15] them their reward [in the Hereafter] linguistically means to place gold in will be placed in one pan and the evil Its inhabitants are adorned with according to the best of what they used fi re in order to remove its impurities; deeds in the other, as Allah informs gold and pearl jewellery: to do.”} [Qur’an, 16: 97] Imaam Ibn this word was thus later used in the us in the Qur’an by Saying (what {“[For them are] gardens of Katheer, may Allah have mercy upon sense of testing and trying. means): “And We shall set up balances perpetual residence, which they will him, said: “This is a promise from The Qur’anic evidence concerning of justice on the Day of Resurrection, enter. They will be adorned therein Allah to anyone from the children of this issue is in the following verse in then none will be dealt with unjustly with bracelets of gold and pearls…”} Aadam, whether male or female, who which Almighty Allah describes the in anything. And if there be the [Qur’an, 35: 33] perform good deeds, which (of course) punishment of the people of Fir’awn weight of a mustard seed, We will Its furniture is extremely beautiful are those deeds that are in accordance (Pharaoh); He, the Most Exalted, Says bring it. And Suffi cient are We to take from the exterior, and it is lined with with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (what means): “The Fire: they are account.” [Qur’an 21:47] silk that is decorated with gold: of His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa exposed to it morning and evening. { “[They are] reclining on beds sallam, and who perform them whilst And the Day the Hour appears [it will The Records whose linings are of silk brocade and their hearts believe in Allah and His be said]: ‘Make the people of Pharaoh This will be followed by the the fruit of the two gardens is hanging Messenger, that they will live a good enter the severest punishment.’” disclosure of the record of deeds. He low.”} [Qur’an, 55: 54] life.” [Qur’an 40:46] who will receive his record in his right In Paradise, men are given Hoor, If women still doubt their reward Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi hand will have an easy reckoning. He the special women of Paradise, in in the Hereafter, then the following wa sallam, said: “The grave is either a will return to his family in happiness. addition to the wives to whom they cold.”} [Qur’an, 76: 13] Paradise) will be alike and in the form narration ought to put their mind at garden from the Gardens of Paradise, However, he who will receive his were married in this life: The children of the dwellers of of their father Aadam - sixty cubits ease. Umm ‘Umaarah, may Allah be or a pit from the pits of Hell.” [At- record from behind and in his left {“And with them will be women Paradise will be raised to their rank, tall.”” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] pleased with her, went to the Prophet, Tirmithi] hand will seek death on that Day, as limiting [their] glances, with large, even if they were to fall short of it. The greatest pleasure of the dwellers sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and he will be thrust into the Hellfi re. He [beautiful] eyes, As if they were This is so that the joy of the dwellers of Paradise will be the sight of their said, “O Messenger of Allah! Why are Events of the Day of Judgment will be full of regrets on that Day and [delicate] eggs, well protected.”} of Paradise will be completed by the Lord. When the dwellers of Paradise women not mentioned in the Qur’an After the duration of this earth is will wish that he were not handed his [Qur’an, 37: 48-49] presence of their children: see Him, they will forget everything, as much as men are?” So Allah The over, Allah will command Israafeel record or that he had not known about The people of Paradise will be {“And those who believed and including all the types of pleasure that Almighty revealed the verse (which [the Angel in charge of blowing it. Allah Says (what means): “Then served by beautiful youths who will whose descendants followed them in they had previously enjoyed. means): {“Indeed, the Muslim men the Trumpet] to blow it. At the as for him who is given his record in never die: faith – We will join with them their The bounty of seeing Allah in and Muslim women, the believing fi rst blowing, all the inhabitants of his right hand. He will be judged with {“There will circulate among them descendants, and We will not deprive Paradise is one of its distinct features, men and believing women, the the heavens and the earth will fall an easy account. And return to his young boys made eternal. When them of anything of their deeds. and is a means of Allah The Almighty obedient men and obedient women, unconscious, except those for whom people in happiness. But as for he who you see them, you would think them Every person, for what he earned, is honoring its dwellers: the truthful men and truthful women, Allah Wills otherwise. Then, the earth is given his record behind his back. [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.”} retained.”} [Qur’an, 52: 21] {“[Some] faces, that Day, will be the patient men and patient women, will be fl attened and the mountains He will cry out for destruction. And [Qur’an, 76: 19] Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased radiant, Looking at their Lord.”} the humble men and humble women, will be made into fl oating sand dunes. [enter to] burn in a Blaze.” [Qur’an Its utensils are made of gold and with him, said: “The Messenger of [Qur’an, 75: 22-23] the charitable men and charitable In short, everything will occur that 84:7-12] silver: Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Meaning that the faces of the women, the fasting men and fasting Allah has informed us about in His All the events that are bound to {“‘Enter Paradise, you and your said: “The fi rst group (of people) to believers will be beautifi ed and joyful women, the men who guard their book, especially in chapters 81 and 82 occur after death and on the Last Day, kinds, delighted.’ Circulated among enter Paradise will be shining like the as a result of their looking at the Face private parts and the women who do of the Noble Qur’an. like reward and punishment, Paradise them will be plates and vessels of gold. moon on a full-mooned night. Then of their Lord, as was stated by Imaam so, and the men who remember Allah Then Allah will command the skies and Hell, the Reckoning and other And therein is whatever the souls will come those who follow them, al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy upon often and the women who do so – for to pour rain. This rain will resemble events are mentioned in detail in the desire and [what] delights the eyes, who will be (shining) like the brightest him. them Allah has prepared forgiveness the sperm of men. People will then Divine revelations and in narrations and you will abide therein eternally.”} planet in the sky. They (i.e., all the Allah The Almighty also Says: {“For and a great reward.”} [Qur’an, 33: 35] be resurrected from their graves. This from the prophets. They are also [Qur’an, 43: 70-71] people of Paradise) will not stand in them who have done good is the best [At-Tirmithi] process will start from their vertebral available in the knowledge which the The climate in Paradise is both need of urinating, defecating, spitting, [reward] — and extra…”} [Qur’an, 10: Article source: http://www. column. The entire body of a person Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, moderate and pleasant: or blowing their noses. Their combs 26] The ‘best reward’ in this verse islamweb.net/emainpage/ decays after his death except the has left us as his inheritance; whoever {“[They will be] reclining therein will be of gold and their sweat will refers to Paradise, and the ‘extra’ is lower end of the vertebral column. wishes to seek it will fi nd it. on adorned couches. They will not see smell of musk. Their wives will be to be given permission to look at the This process of resurrection will Article source: http://www. therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] large-eyed maidens. All the men (in Face of Allah. The Prophet, sallallaahu continue until they are transformed islamweb.net/emainpage/ Special places where one’s supplication is accepted

nside the Ka’aba: Usamah bin Ka’aba? He said, ‘Yes’. She said, ‘Why also mentioned that ‘he did the same its manners and seeks the times and an oppressed person as it will certainly Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Zaid, radhiallahu ‘anhu, narrated did they not enter it into the Ka’aba?’ actions at Al-Marwah as he did at places of acceptance will be among by answered. An example of this is the Messenger said, “Three (types) of Du’a that the Prophet, sallallaahu He said. ‘Your people lacked suffi cient As-Safaa’ [Muslim]. Therefore, it is a those whose Du’a will be accepted. incident when Allah’s Messenger sent are not rejected – a fasting person’s I‘alaihi wa sallam, when he funding’ [Bukhari and Muslim]. Sunnah to make du’a to Allah at As- The Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallaahu Mu’adh bin Jabal to Yemen. He gave till he breaks fast, a just ruler’s and entered the Ka’aba, made du’a to Allah At Safa and Marwah: Jabir Safa and at Al-Marwah during ‘Umrah ‘alaihi wa sallam, has also shown him many instructions among which an oppressed person’s...” [Tirmithi]. at all its sides [Muslim]. In another narrated in his lengthy hadith about or Haj as these are counted among the us specifi c types of people whose he said “And beware of an oppressed In another collected by Tirmithi, it hadith, Abdullah bin Umar said, “I the pilgrimage (Haj) of the Messenger places where Du’a is accepted. Du’a are especially accepted by Allah person’s Du’a for there is no shield has been reported that when a person saw Allah’s Messenger entering the of Allah ‘....then he walked out from At Arafah: During the Haj, and subhanahu wa ta’ala. between it and Allah” [Bukhari]. invokes Allah when he is about to break Ka’aba. He, Usamah bin Zaid, Bilal and the door heading towards As-Safa, and particularly on the day of ‘Arafah, A person’s Du’a for his Muslim A father’s Du’a against his child: his fast, his invocation is not rejected. ‘Uthman bin Talha and they (locked when he got closer to the Safa, he read one must try to make du’a to Allah brother: A Muslim must always try When in anger, parents must avoid A pious child’s Du’a for the the door) on themselves. So when they “Verily, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are subhanahu wa ta’ala as much as he to remember his brothers during Du’a making Du’a against their children as deceased parents: Children remain a opened it, I was the fi rst enter and I of the symbols of Allah” {Al-Baqarah, can because a Du’a made on this day is because such a Du’a is accepted by it might be answered, and that they benefi t even when a person has passed met Bilal and asked him, “Did Allah’s 158} “I begin with that which Allah the best Du’a and it is more likely to be Allah. Whatever we ask for out brother, will regret the Du’a later. A father’s away. When they make du’a to Allah Messenger pray in it?” He said, ‘Yes’, began with” so he began with As-Safa accepted as explained in the following we will be granted likewise. Um-Ad- Du’a for or against his children is requesting pardon for their deceased he prayed between the two Yamani and went up on it till he sighted the hadith. ‘Amru bin Shu’aib narrated Dardaa narrated that the Prophet used answered as was mentioned by the parents, their du’a is accepted. The one pillars” [Bukhari and Muslim]. Ka’aba, he faced the Qiblah and then from his father who, in turn, narrated to say, “A Muslim’s Du’a his brother Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whose children forget after death, is However, it might be diffi cult for proclaimed the oneness of Allah, made from his father that the Prophet, in his absence is accepted. There is in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah certainly a loser. Abu Hurairah narrated many of people to enter the Ka’aba. Takbeer and said, “La Ilaha Illallah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “The an angel (assigned) close to his head, “Three (types) of du’a are answered, that Allah’s Messenger said, “When In such a situation, it is suffi cient for Wahdahu La Shareeka Lah. Lahul- best Du’a is the Du’a (made) on the day whenever he supplicates for his brother without doubt – an oppressed person’s a person dies, all rewards from deeds a person to make Du’a inside the wall Mulk wa Lahul-Hamd, Wa-Huwa of ‘Arafah” [Tirmithi] that which is good, the assigned angel Du’a, a travelling person’s Du’a and a are terminated except from three – a which is surrounding the Ka’aba from ‘Ala Kulli Shay-in Qadeer. La Ilaha says, Ameen, you will be granted father’s Du’a for his son” [Tirmithi, continuing charity, (‘Ilm) knowledge one side as this is considered a part Illallahu Whadah, Anajaza Wa’dah, The people from whom Du’a is similarly” [Muslim] Abu Dawood]. In another narration from which benefi t is (still) gained, and of the Ka’aba. The evidence is in the Wa Nasara ‘Abdah, Wa Hazamal accepted Du’a of an oppressed person: collected by Ahmed and Tirmithi, the a pious child who is making du’a for hadith where ‘Aishah, radhiallahu Ahzaaba Wahdah” then he made du’a Anyone who abides by the On many occasions, the Prophet, Prophet said “a father’s Du’a against him” [Muslim]. ‘anha, asked Allah’s Messenger about between the two, repeating what he conditions of Du’a, refrains from the sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to his son”. Article source: htp://www.islamweb. the Jidar (wall) – ‘Is it part of the said three times..’ In the hadith it is reasons of its rejection, implements warn his companions from the Du’a of A fasting person’s Du’a: Abu net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 14 Friday, March 2, 2018 COMMENT

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

The reports about the way Syrian women have 02-03-2018 been abused by local men delivering international humanitarian aid in the region is both unsurprising and deeply shocking. It is unsurprising because charities such as Care International and the International Rescue Committee have been raising concerns about the problem since 2015 and because it is related to the abuse of power for Why there is no sexual purposes that revelations about the aid agencies has already demonstrated. It is scandalous because it is a manifest crime to force vulnerable women to sell their body for food and basic supplies, as appears to have happened, especially ‘Beijing Consensus’ international humanitarian aid. As for the scale of the problem, the United Nations Population Fund infl uences – including historical as highways, railroads, and airports, Deal’s support for unionisation and conducted an assessment of gender-based violence By Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng Hong Kong legacies, values and ideologies, and it has far to go in developing soft home ownership). The government in Syria last year in its Voices from Syria 2018 report institutional and governance traditions infrastructure, such as that related assumed a larger role in areas ranging – diff er so profoundly from those of the to education, healthcare, energy, the from defence and foreign policy to — which alleged that refugee aid was being exchanged our decades would seem to be West. environment, and fi nance. health care and social security. for sexual favours in plenty of time to identify the Consider governance. Western So China continues to grapple with But even as the federal government various governorates, underlying logic of China’s economic dogma holds that the state the question of how to balance the increased regulation in some areas, This repellent development model. Yet, 40 should intervene in markets as little state and the market, in order to ensure the US remained highly reliant especially in the south F years after Deng Xiaoping initiated as possible. Yet, for China’s leaders, accountability, market competition, on the market, resulting in rising exploitation of of the country. the country’s “reform and opening it is not clear whether the state can and adequate provision of public goods inequality, the deterioration of public It seems, again up,” a “Beijing Consensus” – that is, a even be separated, conceptually or for one-fi fth of the world’s population. infrastructure, and an unsustainable women and girls Chinese rival to the Western neoliberal operationally, from the market. Compounding the challenge are rapid fi scal defi cit and debt. The global unsurprisingly, that Washington Consensus – has yet to be For thousands of years, state control technological change, globalisation recession triggered by the 2008 who are already women without male articulated. was China’s default governance (and the backlash against it), and fi nancial crisis intensifi ed growing Over the years, China has worked to strategy, with a strong central geopolitical considerations. doubts about the Washington traumatised must protectors, such as transform its closed, planned economy government overseeing stability and But it is not as if the West has proved Consensus. widows or divorcees, are into a more open, market-based system. preventing regional and factional defi nitively that its free-market So some of America’s most be stopped Industry and, increasingly, services rivalries from causing chaos. So when approach works. The state’s role – fundamental challenges – such as particularly exploited. have replaced agriculture as the main China wanted to increase its leaders’ measured according to the public reducing inequality, supporting stable The UN Population Fund denies that it uses local councils drivers of growth, and the country has accountability, for example, it focused sector’s share of GDP, for example, fi scal and fi nancial conditions, and to deliver aid — a particular cause of concern. So does gone from technological copycat to not on creating a market-based, much and the depth and complexity of laws ensuring environmental sustainability global innovator. Meanwhile, China less democratic, system, but rather governing private activities – has been – are the same as China’s, and neither the UK Department for International Development. But has tackled several diffi cult challenges, on introducing regulations to curb expanding in almost every economy country has a clear and proven what is important in respect of British aid is that the from excessive debt and overcapacity to abuses of power and facilitate the since the beginning of the twentieth “consensus” to guide it. Against this severe pollution and offi cial corruption. fl ow of products, capital, people, and century. background, cooperation to deliver department makes an eff ort to verify whether and how This has been a highly complex information. The United States, in particular, global public goods – including peace – aid is delivered to the recipients. Close monitoring of how process. According to China Academy Within the constraints of provides a useful benchmark. Like should be possible. aid is administered is crucial. of Social Sciences economist Cai this paternalistic approach, the China, it is a continental economy. The key is for the two sides to work Fang, it can be understood only in experimentation and adaptation But it also represents the global gold toward common goals, while agreeing The alleged abuse is said to have started years ago but the context of the country’s unique that have been so crucial to China’s standard in many fi elds, including to disagree on certain ideological tenets. still continuing despite warnings it was happening. history, demography, and geography, growth had to be carried out by local technology, defence, and research and Here, the US needs to recognise that Aid worker Danielle Spencer claimed that a blind eye not to mention broader technological governments, which have enjoyed development. global cooperation is not a zero-sum and global trends. All of these factors considerable, albeit uncertain, Contrary to China’s statist legacy, game, and that China’s rise need not was being turned to sexual exploitation to ensure aid have, after all, helped to shape China’s authority to do so. The idea was that, by America’s historical experience has be viewed as a threat. On the contrary, continued to be delivered to communities suff ering in governance and institutions. using local-government (and market) instilled in citizens and leaders a China – along with other emerging Yet the veteran China watcher Bill expertise, China could generate growth devotion to liberty, including free economies, such as India – can the civil war. She told the BBC: “Somewhere there has Overholt – one of the fi rst to predict without disturbing social cohesion or markets, and local autonomy. The US contribute to a global rebalancing been a decision made that it is OK for women’s bodies China’s rise – argues in his latest book, compromising national integrity. federal government’s size and power that actually strengthens economic to continue to be used, abused, violated in order for aid China’s Crisis of Success, that the Yet Chinese governance has not grew only very slowly until the 1930s, and geopolitical stability. – Project country’s reforms were driven by “fear exactly been beyond reproach. When when the New Deal – which included Syndicate to be delivered for a larger group of people.” and simplicity.” The same factors, he it comes to the quality of market federal programs, public works projects, Women and girls often refused to go to distribution asserts, drove East Asia’s post-1945 competition, questions about the and fi nancial reforms and regulations zAndrew Sheng is Distinguished development. state sector’s dominance, as well – was implemented in response to the Fellow at the Asia Global Institute at centres without a male “chaperone” and others would Other observers – including the as the eff ectiveness of regulations Great Depression. the University of Hong Kong and a not go because it would have been assumed that they World Bank, the OECD, and think tanks and adherence to international The US federal government expanded member of the UNEP Advisory Council had off ered sex to get food. like Harvard’s Fairbank Centre for laws, standards, and practices, again during and after WWII, refl ecting on Sustainable Finance. Xiao Geng, China studies – can’t seem to agree on have persisted. And while China’s the country’s new global hegemony President of the Hong Kong Institution This repellent exploitation of women and girls who who is right. They are not accustomed government has proved adept at and the prosperity of its middle class for International Finance, is a professor are already traumatised must be stopped. to assessing an economy whose primary providing “hard” infrastructure, such (created in no small part by the New at the University of Hong Kong. It is as despicable when carried out by Syrian men abusing their position as it is when internationals do so. The UN organisation, Unicef says that it is introducing a community-based complaints mechanism and more training for its partners. This is an overdue response to an appalling abuse of privilege by its workers. The UN and the aid sector is meant to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

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This file photo taken on October 25, 2017 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping waving at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China’s Communist Party is calling for the © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved removal of presidential term limits, China’s off icial news agency reported on February 25, 2018, paving the way for Xi Jinping to remain as head of state after 2023. Gulf Times Friday, March 2, 2018 15 QATAR ‘Italy is a superpower in culture, beauty, design’

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

taly is a “superpower in culture and beauty,” thanks to its prowess in de- Isign, Minister of Foreign Aff airs and International Co-operation Angelino Al- fano said in Doha yesterday. He was delivering the keynote address at the Italian Design Day ceremony, organ- ised by the Italian embassy at the Msheireb Enrichment Centre. The Duchess of Cambridge with Lord Crisp at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. The Duchess of Cambridge Yesterday, an Italian Design Day was has become patron of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and patron of the celebrated by about 100 Italian embassies Nursing Now campaign. PICTURE: Ian Jones across the world. “Italy is a G7 country, but it is not the world’s economic superpower. Italy is a Nato member but is not the military superpower. However, we are indeed a superpower, second to none, in culture WISH to research nursing, and beauty, thanks to our design,” he ex- plained. “Our country also considers culture as the fourth pillar behind economic, social universal health coverage and environmental pillars,” observed the visiting dignitary. Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano speaking at the Italian Design Day celebrations “Our aim is to develop new ideas, ini- yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram he World Innovation Sum- tiatives and joint projects by promoting an mit for Health (WISH), an international debate on such issues as the Italy, said the minister, is a country with tually contributing to respecting ideas and Tinitiative of Qatar Founda- link between design and sustainability,” few natural resources and it is signifi cant diff erences. tion (QF), is bringing together a said Alfano while informing that the cen- that the country’s economy has grown “With this awareness, Italy’s economic group of leading healthcare ex- tral theme of the Italian Design Day this without oil, gold, diamonds or other major diplomacy has been promoting a multi- perts to produce a special report year is the link between the two issues. resources. disciplinary and highly integrated strat- on the role of nursing in delivering Companies in Italy, insisted the foreign “We have invested in culture and pro- egy for the promotion of the Made in Italy universal health coverage. minister, alone represent more than one- moted creativity as they are the primary concept,” added the minister while hoping The fi ndings of the report will third of the design sector’s global revenues, sources of our country’s prosperity,” said that such an approach would also work in be presented at WISH 2018, which which amounted to 100bn euros a year. Alfano. Qatar in future. will take place in Doha from No- “Italian design exports have also gone While insisting that the vitality of Ital- Earlier, welcoming the Italian minister, vember 13-14. over 20bn euros and they have been show- ian designs could contribute to the coun- Msheireb Properties CEO Ali al-Kuwari re- News of the formation of the ing a growing trend all along.” try’s growth, the minister said though called the growing relations between Qatar WISH research group was an- The huge demand for the Italian design, design incorporates traditions, often it and Italy in such areas as design and culture nounced at St Thomas’ Hospital said Alfano, has propelled the supply of breaks away from conventionality. and how much it has contributed to the de- in London recently by Lord Nigel Italian design products across the world. “This is being done to innovate and ef- velopment of such ambitious projects as Crisp, the group’s chair, during an “The demand for Italian design in the fect changes,” he said while adding that it Msheireb Downtown Doha project. event attended by the Duchess of Gulf region is too strong, especially among is diffi cult without taking risks. Italian Ambassador Pasquale Salzano Cambridge. Lord Nigel Crisp, WISH Forum Chair and co-chair of Nursing Now, the middle class segment,” said the min- “Though design does not fear new ideas remembered the initiatives of Her High- The announcement formed part Elizabeth Iro, chief nursing officer of the World Health Organisation, ister while reminding that there was a 6% it is fearful of old ideas that paralyses our ness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to boost of a launch event for ‘Nursing Now’, Annette Kennedy, president of the International Council of Nurses rise in the export of Italian design products thoughts,” said Alfano. Qatar’s heritage through the development a global campaign being run in col- and Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH at the event. to Qatar between 2016 and 2017. Above all, design helps one to think of a of the ambitious Msheireb Downtown laboration with the World Health Usually, there is a remarkably good interest better and more sustainable future. While Doha project. Organisation (WHO) and the Inter- saying: “I would like to congratu- The report will build on the fi nd- among Qatari businesses whenever Milan In- being one of the pillars of Italy’s economic The envoy also lauded the project, national Council of Nurses. late and thank nurses everywhere ings of WISH’s existing reports on terior Design and Furniture Exhibition is held. diplomacy, design also helps to be becom- which he said has many Italian concepts The campaign aims to improve for what you achieve on a daily universal health coverage, the UK’s This year the expo will run April 17-22. ing creative and multi-faceted and even- and designs. the perception of nurses, enhance basis. The diff erence you make All-Party Parliamentary Group on their infl uence, and maximise should not go unrecognised.” Global Health’s report Triple Im- their contribution to ensuring Among those also in attendance pact and the international Council everyone everywhere has access to at the event were Elizabeth Iro, of Nurses’ report Nurses’ Role in health and healthcare. Chief Nursing Offi cer of WHO; Achieving the Sustainable Devel- In addition to chairing the Annette Kennedy, President of the opment Goals. HBKU alumna helps people with special needs WISH research group, Lord Crisp, International Council of Nurses; Lord Crisp said: “The WISH re- who previously held the post of and Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH. search will examine the contribu- chief executive of the UK’s Na- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- tion of nurses to universal health uilding upon her gradu- provided infl ight is adequate, tional Health Service, is co-chair sus, director general of WHO, coverage, particularly in the areas ate studies at Hamad and fi nally developing an au- of the three-year Nursing Now joined the event via live video of health promotion, primary and BBin Khalifa University’s dio-tactile information kit for campaign. streaming from Geneva. community care, and chronic dis- (HBKU) College of Humanities blind travellers, before mov- The Duchess of Cambridge, who WISH is an offi cial partner of ease management. and Social Sciences (CHSS), ing on to validate the new ap- was announced at the event by Nursing Now, and the WISH re- “As both chair of the nursing Sarah Saad, a Class of 2017 proach to infl ight information Lord Crisp as Nursing Now’s pa- port will be the fi rst signifi cant ev- forum group convened by WISH alumna, continues to improve with the aviation industry for tron and whose great-grandmoth- idence-based research project on and co-chair of Nursing Now, I’m the living standards of individ- blind travellers. er worked as a nurse during World nursing to be actioned and com- delighted to have been able to an- uals with special needs. Saad attained her Master of War I, gave a speech in which she pleted during the Nursing Now nounce the WISH research at the At present, Saad is focusing Arts in Audiovisual Transla- praised the nursing profession, campaign. Nursing Now launch event.” her eff orts on developing her tion (MAAT) from CHSS last university capstone project – year. In 2016, a validation for the creation of infl ight safety the MAAT programme from information that seeks to the University of Geneva was transform the travel experi- offi cially announced, bringing ence of passengers who suff er the Faculty of Translation and Historian shares insight into slavery from sensory loss, especially Interpreting Quality Label. blindness. Following her involve- Her latest project involves ment in special trans-adapted egal historian Professor cion, including practices such as further development of a screening projects during Ajyal Benjamin Lawrance shared asylum-seeking abroad and the multisensory safety kit Saad Youth Film Festival 2016 and Lan insight into human traf- process of domestic legal recourse. worked on while pursuing her 2017, Saad developed an in- fi cking in West Africa and urban “With the rise of global smug- studies at HBKU. The kit aims terest in assistive support for slave resistance at a recent talk at gling networks and limited options to serve travellers with special people with special needs. To- Georgetown University in Qatar for escape, West African slavery is needs, and comes inclusive of day, she serves her alma mater (GU-Q). a complicated subject area,” said a model life vest, an oxygen in a professional capacity at Lawrance, a professor of Afri- GU-Q Professor Rogaia Abusharaf. mask replica as well as instruc- CHSS’s Translation and Train- can History at the University of The lecture was part of Geor- tions in braille and a sound ing Centre. Arizona, works with West African getown’s African Studies Lecture player that emits an audio de- Sarah Saad “Shortly after my enrol- migrants around the globe. Series. scription. ment in the ‘Advance Accessi- His research focuses on mo- Professor Benjamin Lawrance Lawrance, who holds a PhD Saad said, “Estimates sug- I won’t stop working until I ple with sensory disabilities, bility in Translation’ master’s bility, labour, and exploitation, giving the lecture. from Stanford University, is the gest that 15% of the world’s play my due role in shaping a audiovisual translation for ac- class during my master’s pro- including historical and modern author or co-author of nine books population experience some more accessible and inclusive cess provides a number of new gramme in audiovisual trans- slavery, human traffi cking, human rica, particularly the resistance by on topics such as forced marriages, form of disability. The truth environment in Qatar and the channels of communication lation at HBKU, I took part in rights, and refugee issues. urban slaves and the methods used refugee rights, and the traffi cking is nearly 100% of the global world.” that help them gain access to projects that sought to uplift Titled ‘Slaves next door? Claim- to escape slavery. of women and children. population knows or loves Audiovisual translation has information, using the format the quality of life being en- ing asylum and accessing justice in Lawrance shared his research He is also the editor-in-chief somebody with one. The issues become a valuable tool in the that suits their personal pro- joyed by audiences who are ei- the global north’, the talk focused into the personal, legal, economic, of the African Studies Review, the our suff ering friends, family, trans-adaptation of messages fi les and needs. ther deaf or hard-of-hearing, on the complex problem of con- and social strategies used to end principal journal of the African and community members face to suit the needs of users of the Saad’s project involves de- as well as blind and partially temporary traffi cking in West Af- or change relationships of coer- Studies Association. are a collective concern – and most diverse profi les. For peo- termining if the information sighted viewers,” Saad added.

DFI’s Qumra Talks to discuss shifting trends in digital media, creative storytelling

line-up of expert speakers Brigitte Lacombe will share stories of oping the 17 VR and AR installations. will lead the Qumra Talks this her illustrious career through a series Simon made his fi rst virtual reality Ayear, who will discuss new and of iconic photographs. story in 2010, bringing together tech- emerging trends in fi lm, media and the Brigette and her sister, renowned niques from his background in interac- creative industry, the Doha Film Insti- documentary fi lmmaker Marian La- tive cinema and artists moving image to tute (DFI) has announced. combe, will also discuss their work on make an experience that put audience A series of specially curated discus- two Qatar based projects, ‘I am Film’ members at the heart of the narrative in sions that aim to elevate the power of and ‘Hey’ya’, at the event. the role of the main character. visual storytelling, Qumra Talks is now The session will be moderated by Alongside, he will also conclude an in its second edition, having generated Emma Pritchard Jones, who has worked installation of ‘The Third Day’ on HTC positive engagement and considerable across BBC News as an arts and cul- VIVE at Qumra for people to experience feedback from the participants last year. ture reporter, reporting live from global virtual reality. At the fourth edition of Qumra, events from the Oscars to the Cannes The fi nal Qumra Talk on March 13 scheduled from March 9 to 14 at Souq Film Festival. will discuss ‘Content for a Fragmented Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art Brigitte Lacombe Simon Wilkinson Jon Kamen On March 12, transmedia artist Si- Media Universe’ in partnership with (MIA), members of the public and mon Wilkinson, will discuss ‘Storytell- Northwestern University in Qatar, led Qumra Pass holders can attend the dis- versations happening in the industry perts, Qumra Talks adds tremendous creative landscape associated with fi lm ing through Emerging Media: Virtual by Jon Kamen, CEO of RadicalMedia. cussions. to Doha in order to engage with them value to participants by delving into and media,” al-Remahi added. Reality’, in partnership with The British He will share his thoughts on emerg- Each Qumra Talk session from 4pm and take them into new areas,” DFI CEO varying perspectives on the fast-evolv- The fi rst Qumra Talk dubbed as ‘On Council. ing trends in media and how businesses to 5.30pm at the MIA Auditorium will Fatma al-Remaihi said. ing industry,” she noted. Photography with Brigitte Lacombe,’ in The talk will cover the journey Si- are producing content for a Fragmented conclude with an audience open forum. “With the diversity of subject mat- This year, we have accomplished partnership with Northwestern Uni- mon has taken in VR, his career in fi lm, Media Universe with social media and “Qumra Talks is now a strong pillar ters discussed and the unique insights professionals who will focus on new versity in Qatar, will be held on March audience trends of the past 10 years smart devices having disrupted tradi- of Qumra, which aims to bring the con- that can be gained from industry ex- media and digital trends as well as the 11. Acclaimed French photographer and the lessons learnt through devel- tional models of consumption.