Page 20 Blaze devastates Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11155 April 16, 2019 Sha’baan 11, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief New road opens Amir, Botswana president hold talks QATAR | Offi cial Amir condoles with Kuwaiti leader cutting travel His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime time to Al Khor Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin he Public Works Authority (Ash- Al Khor Road, linking Doha with Khalifa al-Thani sent yesterday cables ghal) yesterday inaugurated the Al Khor, has been delivered a year of condolences to the Kuwaiti Amir, Tmain carriageway and three vital ahead of schedule as it was originally Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber interchanges of Al Khor Road, which set to open in the second quarter of al-Sabah, on the death of Sheikh will enable motorists to travel from Al 2020, Ashghal said in a statement. Abdullah Saud al-Malek al-Sabah. Khor to Doha in around 20 minutes. Also, the Simaisma Interchange on The road was opened in the presence Al Majd Road and an interchange on QATAR | Vote of HE the Prime Minister and Minister Al Turfa Street are now fully open to of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser traffic. CMC elections bin Khalifa al-Thani, ministers, gov- The road will help enhance north- to be held today ernment offi cials, Ashghal representa- east and south-west connectivity and Qatari voters will head to the polls tives and project contractors. also signifi cantly save travel time, ac- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting with Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Amiri today to elect their representatives The 33-km main carriageway of cording to Ashghal. To Page 28 Diwan yesterday. to the sixth Central Municipal Council. Eighty five candidates, O MoUs on co-operation in defence, youth and sports, culture signed including 5 women, are contesting from 25 out of 29 constituencies. is Highness the Amir Sheikh of investment, minerals, infrastructure by a number of ministers and members Candidates from four districts - 7th, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and air transport. The two sides also of the offi cial delegation accompanying 22nd, 27th and 28th - have been Hheld a session of offi cial talks discussed a number of regional and in- the Botswana president. elected unopposed. The polling with the President of Botswana Dr ternational issues of common concern. Earlier upon his arrival at the Amiri stations are scheduled to open at Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Amiri Diwan The Amir and Masisi witnessed the Diwan, the Botswana president was ac- 8am today to receive voters. The yesterday. signing of memorandums of under- corded an offi cial reception. voting process will continue until The session dealt with bilateral re- standing on co-operation in the fi elds The Amir also hosted a luncheon 5pm today, followed by the counting lations between the two countries and of defence, youth and sports, culture, banquet in honour of the visiting presi- of votes and the announcement of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa ways to strengthen and develop them and political consultations. The session dent and the delegation accompanying the winners. Page 3 al-Thani and other dignitaries attend the opening ceremony of Al Khor Road. in various fi elds, especially in the fi elds and agreement signings were attended him. Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 QATAR

Amir receives Botswana president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving the President of Botswana President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, accompanied by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, reviews a guard Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. of honour at the Amiri Diwan yesterday.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi witness the the Amiri Diwan yesterday. signing of an agreement at the Amiri Diwan yesterday.

Sheikha Hind meets First Lady of Botswana E Sheikha Hind bint Mena research Hamad al-Thani, HVice-chairperson and CEO of Qatar Founda- tion (QF), yesterday met with the First Lady of Bot- swana, Neo Masisi, at Edu- centre mooted to cation City. During the meeting, Sheikha Hind discussed QF’s eff orts in the eldsfi of education, science and re- search and community de- fi ght impunity velopment with Masisi, with whom she exchanged gifts. Masisi also received a By Joey Aguilar presentation about the or- Staff Reporter ganisation’s vision and mission and was given an overview of Education City research centre should be established in from the open-air viewing the Middle East and North Africa region platform at the 2015 build- A to allow exchanges of experiences and les- ing, before concluding her sons learned in promoting accountability so as to visit by signing QF’s Visitors fi ght impunity, it was recommended at an inter- Book. national conference that concluded yesterday in Speaking about her im- Doha. pressions of QF, Masisi said, The two-day event, titled “National, regional “I am very excited by what I and international mechanisms to combat impu- have seen, and it motivates nity and ensure accountability under interna- me to go back to Botswana tional law,” gathered over 200 governmental and and try to do the same for my non-governmental organisations and interna- country.” HE Sheikha Hind with the First Lady of Botswana. tional experts to discuss mechanisms to combat impunity. The proposed research centre would bring OHCHR off icial Anis Anani reads yesterday the the knowledge available within the Offi ce of the recommendations of the three working groups United Nations High Commissioner for Human aimed at combating impunity. Rights (OHCHR) and for international experts to PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam shape practical and technical recommendations, ‘EP imposed several measures on according to Anis Anani from OHCHR. they understand. “The participants emphasised that the duty of “The participants stressed that in cases of gross every State under international law to respect and violations of international human rights law and to secure respect for human rights requires taking serious violations of international humanitarian issues connected to Saudi Arabia’ eff ective measures to combat impunity,” he said. law constituting crimes under international law, The conference was organised by the Qatari States have the duty to investigate and, if there National Human Rights Committee, in co-oper- is suffi cient evidence, submit to prosecution the By Joey Aguilar international mechanisms to by the activities of the parlia- this was a very important step,” ation with OHCHR, the European Parliament and person allegedly responsible for the violations Staff Reporter combat impunity and ensure ment like EP. Panzeri noted. the Global Alliance of National Human Rights In- and, if found guilty, to punish her or him,” Anani accountability under interna- “We have to consider all these We need to stress and keep stitutions. The recommendations were approved said. tional law’. aspects if we want these mecha- walking on this path, and by do- by three working groups. The recommendations also urge civil society he European Parliament The EP resolution also urged nism to be implemented in the ing this we can make sure that Besides enhancing political accountability by to raise awareness amongst states “the need to (EP) has implemented the “Saudi authorities to dis- right way,” Panzeri stressed. progress will go on that way,” he advocating for an end to arms sales (in particu- compensate victims beyond criminal justice” and Tseveral measures on is- close the whereabouts of his About the sale of arms to vio- added. lar in confl ict contexts), Anani said states have “invest a considerable percentage of transitional sues connected to Saudi Ara- (Khashoggi) remains; recalls lators, he said EP called on Euro- Panzeri cited the partnership been urged to create joint investigative teams of justice eff orts geared towards funding their or- bia, including a resolution that the systematic practice of pean countries in October 2018 between Qatar’s National Hu- prosecutors from diff erent countries and enhance ganisations, and providing them with direct as- condemning “in the strongest enforced disappearances and ex- to stop selling arms to Saudi man Rights Committee and EP, international co-operation on evidence sharing, sistance.” possible terms” the murder of trajudicial killings constitutes a Arabia following the brutal kill- which started a year ago, aimed extradition and mutual legal assistance. Meanwhile, national, international and regional journalist Jamal Khashoggi in crime against humanity.” ing of Khashoggi. at launching an initiative to As part of the proposed measures, states should mechanisms should ensure a victim-centred ap- the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Panzeri was answering a EP also asked for “an impar- combat impunity. join the Rome Statute system and accede to all hu- proach to investigating and prosecuting interna- EP’s Subcommittee on Human question on the eff orts of EP to tial, international investigation “This conference is one of man rights treaties; incorporate the Rome Statute tional crimes, and focus on redress and reparations. Rights Chair Antonio Panzeri pressure the Saudis to free sev- into his death” to fi nd out what the results of this cooperation,” crimes into their domestic laws and establish Ensuring that women and minority groups has said. eral Arabs who are still detained actually happened inside the he said, stressing that critical absolute jurisdiction for international crimes ir- participate in public consultations to develop, “Recently we approved a in their country without any Saudi consulate in Istanbul on points have been raised and the respective of whether the suspect is in custody or implement and assess reparations programmes, is resolution raising the need to prosecution. October 2, and for those respon- need to act on a large scale. “If in the territory of the State; and ensure that war also included in these procedures. free those who have been held He underscored the power of sible to be brought to justice.” we want to keep fi ghting impu- crimes investigations remain free and protected “All relevant stakeholders are encouraged to by Saudi Arabia such as women public opinion in the interna- “In the EU level we approved a nity and human rights viola- from political pressure. implement the recommendations. The partici- activists without a case,” he tional level in demanding states resolution, which we are not sure tions, we need to fi rst to sustain States should also empower victims to access pants are also encouraged to utilise these recom- told a press conference dur- to act on such resolutions and if they will put it in place, but we this mechanism and ensure ac- and take part in the truth, justice and reconcilia- mendations in their work and advocacy eff orts to ing the international confer- in ensuring these crimes be are asking the states not to sell countability, as well as other ele- tion process; as well as providing support to vic- combat impunity and ensure accountability un- ence on ‘National, regional and stopped, which can be facilitated weapons to Saudi Arabia and ments.” Page 26 tims to access justice and remedies in a language der international law,” Anani added. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 3 QATAR

Attorney-general meets Turkish minister QMC CEO meets Sweden’s envoy

HE the Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri holding talks with the Deputy Minister of Justice of Turkey, HE the Chief Executive Off icer of Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani met the Selahaddin Mentes, in Doha yesterday. They exchanged views on issues of common concern and discussed ways to ambassador of Sweden to Qatar Ewa Polano, in Doha yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed media relations strengthen co-operation and exchange of legal expertise between Qatar and Turkey. between both countries and ways to develop them. CMC elections to be held today

QNA The Ministry of Interior con- making recommendations and in these elections in view of the toral headquarters. Al-Khulaifi said the candi- On Sunday, the supervisory Doha fi rmed the completion of all tech- issuing decisions. role played by the council in car- Election committees should date or voter should be part of committee for the elections or- nical preparations to enable voters It is responsible for monitor- rying out the municipal work. proceed with the counting of the constituency in the appeal ganised a seminar for the heads to cast their votes in a free, fair and ing the implementation of laws, The ministry pointed out that votes and announce the results and it shall be submitted within and members of the elections atari voters will head to transparent atmosphere. Several decrees and regulations that fall the voters must carry their ID after the voting. 15 days from the date of the re- committees. the polls today to elect volunteers have been trained to under the responsibilities of the card and to show it as they enter The winner of the election is sults. The seminar dealt with ways Qtheir representatives help the voters and guide them in Ministry of Municipality and the electoral hall to receive the the candidate who obtains the This shall be done by fi lling to manage the polling process, to the sixth Central Municipal the polling stations. Environment and the council, ballot paper. largest number of valid votes, out the form of the appeal, in- dealing with voters, counting of Council (CMC). Director of the elections de- including laws, decrees and reg- The voters must choose only and in the event of a tie between cluding the reasons on which the the votes, announcing the win- In this election, 85 candidates, partment at the ministry, Ma- ulations related to urban and in- one candidate. more than one candidate, the appeal was based. ners and other procedures that including 5 women, are contest- jor General Majid al-Khulaifi , dustrial planning, infrastructure The ministry said the voting committee will vote. He added that the committee guarantee transparency in the ing from 25 out of 29 constituen- who is also head of the election and other public system. process must be confi dential Following the announcement for appeals and grievances will voting process. cies. Candidates from four dis- supervisory committee, said The council is also responsible and the voters must not name of winners, a 15-day appeals investigate the appeals and sub- Each committee consists tricts – 7th, 22nd, 27th and 28th the committee has provided all for overseeing the economic, fi - the candidate they have chosen period begins the next day dur- mit its report, along with its rec- of a head of the judiciary, two – have been elected unopposed. means to facilitate the conduct nancial and administrative man- loudly. ing where each candidate or ommendations to the Municipal members from the Ministry of The polling stations are of the electoral process in a calm agement of municipal aff airs and Voters who are unable to cast voter may request the invali- Council, which will decide on its the Interior and a civilian from scheduled to open at 8am today and stable atmosphere. agriculture. their vote themselves should tell dation of the election in their validity. the various government de- to receive voters. The council operates accord- In an earlier statement, the the head of the polling station in constituency and submit the If a decision is issued by the partments. They must be at the The voting process will con- ing to the provisions of law con- Ministry of Interior called on the confi dence the candidate they request in writing, including municipal council to invalidate electoral district headquarters tinue until 5pm today, followed cerning the regulations of the voters to exercise their franchise, have chosen and cast the ballot. reasons for appeal, to the com- the election of a member of a at 7:30am on the election day to by the counting of votes and the Central Municipal Council, and stressing the importance of par- The ministry has prohibited mittee for appeals and griev- constituency, a new member check the ballot boxes and open announcement of the winners. it expresses its opinions through ticipation of all eligible citizens campaigning within the elec- ances. shall be elected. them for the candidates. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 QATAR

Qatar participates in Arab labour conference in Cairo

Qatar is participating in the labour ministers’ meeting. Hussein Yousef al-Mulla, the Arab Labour Conference The conference, which will former undersecretary of the being held in Cairo, with continue until 21 April, will ministry of labour and social a delegation headed by discuss the International aff airs, was honoured as one Assistant Undersecretary Labour Organisation’s of the pioneers of Arab joint for Labour Aff airs Mohamed (ILO) centenary outcome action. Director General of Hassan al-Obaidli. document as well as the the Arab Labour Organisation The delegation also topics on the agenda. Fayez al-Mutairi was re-elected participated in the 55th GCC During the conference, for a second term.

QBEC first board meeting. New corporation launched to manage business events sector

Qatar Business 2018 as part of a new gov- to participating in regional business events destina- ceed. QBEC will act as a link Events Corporation to ernance structure that seeks and international exhibi- tion. between QNTC as a govern- act as executive arm of to unify and consolidate ef- The board members, ing, planning and regula- QNTC, leveraging venues forts to develop the tourism “The business events appointed by QNTC, in- tion body on the one hand in Qatar to attract and sector. sub-sector, as with clude Sheikh Faisal bin and the private sector on the deliver world-class QBEC’s focus is on acti- much of tourism, is Thani al-Thani as Chair- other hand, helping us to business events vating the Next Chapter of heavily reliant on man of the Board; Has- unify the vision, the eff orts the National Tourism Sector the private sector san al-Ibrahim as Deputy and the resources needed to Strategy where it concerns to succeed. QBEC Chairman of the Board cultivate a thriving business atar Business Events business events, a key sub- will act as a link and Managing Director of events sector,” Sheikh Faisal Corporation (QBEC) sector that attracts thou- between QNTC as a the Corporation; Rashed said. Qhas convened its fi rst sands of visitors to Qatar governing, planning al-Qurese, Abdullah Ab- “We are delighted to wel- board meeting in a fi rst step every year, with Qatar host- and regulation body on dulrahman Fakhroo, and come the Board of Direc- towards activating the cor- ing 131 conferences and ex- the one hand and the Yousuf al-Jaida as Board tors to this new and exciting poration. hibitions in 2018 alone. private sector on the Members. venture and thank them for QBEC is an executive arm QBEC will organise, other hand” “The business events lending their time and expe- of Qatar National Tourism manage, operate and su- sub-sector, as with much rience to eff orts to establish Council (QNTC), which was pervise events and venues tions and conferences to of tourism, is heavily reliant and operationalise QBEC,” established in November in the country, in addition position Qatar as a leading on the private sector to suc- he added. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 5 QATAR Qatar gives $100,000 grant to support children of El Salvador police offi cers

QNA San Salvador

atar has provided a $100,000 grant to Qsupport sons and daughters of police offi cers who died during their duty in El Salvador. In a speech during a cer- emony held by the Minis- try of Foreign Aff airs of El Salvador, in co-ordination with the embassy of Qatar, the Minister of Foreign Af- fairs of El Salvador, Carlos Castaneda, extended thanks and gratitude to Qatar for its donation. He said that the grant expresses Qatar’s solidarity Charge d’Aff aires of the embassy of Qatar in El Salvador, Tariq Othman al-Othman, with the with El Salvador, especially Minister of Foreign Aff airs of El Salvador, Carlos Castaneda, at the memorandum signing with the police forces, by ceremony in San Salvador. supporting a scholarship programme which aims to enable students to complete their university studies. He noted that about 41 students have benefi ted from the programme in the fi elds of accounting, legal sciences, international re- lations, agricultural engi- neering, mechanics, media, and computer. Meanwhile, Charge d’Aff aires of the embassy of Qatar in El Salvador, Tariq Othman al-Othman, praised the relations be- tween Qatar and El Salvador and stressed that this grant Tariq Othman al-Othman with Carlos Castaneda, and other off icials at the event. comes within the frame- work of Qatar’s commit- attempt to ensure security Qatar’s commitment to sup- emony, a memorandum of ment to support friendly and tranquillity, protect the porting all humanitarian ini- understanding on awarding countries, and in recogni- Salvadorans, prevent and tiatives that will help achieve a sum of $100,000 by Qatar tion of the sacrifi ces made suppress crime and control sustainable development to the sons and daughters by the police offi cers who the climate of violence ex- in friendly countries and all of police offi cers who died gave their lives in the course perienced by the country. countries of the world. during their national duty of their national duty in an Al-Othman reiterated At the end of the cer- was signed. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 QATAR

Porsche Cayenne models of 2018-2019 recalled The Ministry of The recall campaign comes and repair works and Commerce and Industry, within the framework of will communicate with in collaboration with Al the ministry’s continuous customers to ensure that Qatar ranks Boraq Automobiles Co - eff orts to protect the necessary repairs are Porsche Centre Doha, has consumers and ensure that carried out. announced the recall of 109 car dealers follow up on The ministry urges all units of Porsche Cayenne vehicle defects and repairs. customers to report models of 2018-2019, The ministry said that any violations to its 3rd in region over re-programming of it will coordinate with Consumer Protection and instrument cluster and the dealer to follow up Anti-Commercial Fraud various other control units. on the maintenance Department. on Global

Cybersecurity HE Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi and Sergiy Korsunsky signing the MoU. Index 2018 Qatar and Ukrainian offi cials atar has achieved Cybersecurity Committee high rankings in responsible to implement hold political consultations Qterms of cybersecu- and drive that Strategy. rity and ranked third in the Their eCrime law inte- QNA between the two countries and ways Arab world and 17th globally grates a large arsenal of Kiev of promoting them, as well as issues of on the Global Cybersecu- procedural measures.” mutual concern. rity Index 2018 released re- The GCI Top 10 most Meanwhile, Qatar and Ukraine yester- cently by the UN’s Interna- committed countries glo- he ministries of foreign aff airs of day signed a memorandum of understand- tional Telecommunication bally in 2018 included the Qatar and Ukraine have held a round ing (MoU) on co-operation in the fi eld of Union (ITU). UK, which ranked fi rst; Tof political consultations in the diplomatic training between the Ministry This year, Qatar advanced the US, which placed Ukrainian capital, Kiev. of Foreign Aff airs’ Diplomatic Institute eight positions on the glo- second; and France, The talks were chaired by Ministry of and the Diplomatic Institute of the Minis- bal landscape and occupied third. Positions from Foreign Aff airs Secretary-General HE try of Foreign Aff airs of Ukraine. the 17th position from the four through 10 went to Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi and The MoU was signed by Dr Ahmad bin Has- 25th in 2017. The GCI 2018, Lithuania, Estonia, Sin- Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign san al-Hammadi, and director of the Dip- which covered 175 countries gapore, Spain, Malaysia, Aff airs Sergiy Kyslytsya. lomatic Institute of the Ukrainian Ministry around the world, placed Norway, Canada, and The two sides discussed the relations of Foreign Aff airs Sergiy Korsunsky. Qatar with the top three Australia, respectively. countries in the Arab region. The GCI 2018 says that GCI is an index developed in 2018, the majority of by the ITU aiming to provide countries reported hav- insight into the cybersecu- ing a national cybersecu- rity engagement of member rity strategy, which is an states. Rooted in the ITU’s increase from last year, Global Cybersecurity Agen- and 47% have metrics to da (GCA), the third version measure cybersecurity - GCI 2018 - still oversees development at a national the level of commitment in level, which is also an im- fi ve areas: legal measures, provement, since in 2017 technical measures, organi- only 21% had metrics. It zational measures, capacity says that the overall re- building, and co-operation. sult shows improvement GCI 2018 said, “Qatar and strengthening of all ranks third with a strong le- fi ve pillars of the cyber- gal framework and a robust security agenda in various organisational structure countries in all regions. with a National Cyberse- The GCI is included curity Strategy (NCS) that under ITU Plenipoten- has a key focus on securing tiary Resolution 130 on critical information infra- strengthening the role of structure and a National ITU in building confi dence and security in the use of information and commu- nication technologies. The ultimate goal is to foster a global culture of cyberse- curity and its integration at the core of informa- tion and communication technologies.

Diabetes camp for girls atar Diabetes As- sociation (QDA), a Qmember of Qatar Foundation (QF), organ- ised its fi rst Al-Tahadi Diabetes Girls Camp, tar- geting young females in Qatar who are living with type 1 diabetes. The camp took place at QF’s Education City, with 22 girls aged 12-15 years participating. It is the latest of a variety of QF- supported initiatives to address immediate social needs in the community by raising awareness of management and preven- tion of diabetes. The three-day camp in- cluded a number of educa- tional, sports, religious and leisure activities, with a team of experts, dietitians, and educators from QDA being on hand to enhance partici- pants’ skills in self-care and diabetes management. Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq, executive director at Qa- tar Diabetes Associa- tion, said, “Our aim for the ‘Al-Tahadi Diabetes Girls Camp is to empower young people aff ected by diabetes, help them con- trol the disease through educational and moral support. We want them to understand the impor- tance of their role in so- ciety and encourage them to engage with others, as well as to develop their personalities.”

Indian embassy holiday tomorrow The Indian embassy will remain closed tomorrow on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, the embassy announced yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 7 QATAR Ministry launches

e-survey on schools Off icials at the press conference. he Ministry of Education educational survey is among the survey, as the online system pro- continuous upgrade of services requirements of the evaluation – 200 government and 165 pri- The survey is being carried out and Higher Education has key tools for evaluation, and it vides a greater level of fl exibility provided by the ministry to all process and measure the reality vate – and 20,601 parents. electronically for the fi rst time. Tannounced the launch of will be conducted electronically and the parents can fi ll out the stakeholders in the educational of the educational process. The Schools Evaluation De- The benefi ts of conducting an a comprehensive educational through a link to be shared with questionnaire at ease,” al-Har- process.” She said that the e-survey will partment, in co-operation with online survey are many, includ- e-survey on public and private parents through text messages qan added. Al-Kuwari said that the continue until the end of April relevant authorities at the minis- ing ensuring compatibility with schools and kindergartens. (SMS). Noting that parents are “part- Schools Evaluation Department so that more parents, students, try, annually conducts the com- the policy of the ministry to shift The announcement was made Parents shall enter their Qatar ners in education”, he said: “We had formed a committee com- teachers and school principals prehensive educational survey all transactions onto an online at a press conference attended ID number and fi ll out the ques- are very keen to ensure a devel- prising educational experts from can participate in the survey. for all public and private schools and paperless system, and ensur- by Khalid al-Harqan, assistant tionnaire. oped education system. the department and other de- Further, al-Kuwari said the to collect data on most aspects ing transparency and privacy for undersecretary for Evaluation Accordingly, parents, teach- “Therefore, I call upon all par- partments concerned within the ministry will analyse the results of the educational process, to respondents. Aff airs, Mona al-Kuwari, direc- ers, principals and students in all ents to participate in this ques- ministry, and experts in the edu- of the survey to identify key indi- draw a clear and comprehensive Technical support will be pro- tor of the Schools Evaluation government and private schools tionnaire initiative. cation fi eld. cators related to the educational picture of education in schools vided to parents, students and Department, and Hassan al- will take part in the survey, the “The indicators extracted from It also included teachers, co- system in the country. across Qatar to ensure that the teachers in the event of any prob- Mohamedi, director of the Public ministry said in a press state- the survey will help promote our ordinators and vice-principals of She urged parents to take part strategic goals are being achieved lems. Relations and Communication ment. education system. schools and kindergartens. after receiving text messages in and to take the right decisions for The survey includes a ques- Department at the ministry. “We look forward to the active “The online system comes Their mission was to revise the Arabic and English. the ongoing development of edu- tionnaire for students (Grades 6 Al-Harqan stressed that the participation of parents in this within the framework of the content of the survey to meet the The survey targets 365 schools cation in the country. to 12), teachers and parents. LuLu hosting food festival on Awesome South Africa

uLu Hypermarkets are hosting a this year LuLu Hypermarkets have ex- South African food festival, ti- clusively imported various ranges of Ltled Awesome South Africa, until ostrich meat, for the fi rst time in Qatar, April 20. as part of the festival. Aimed at showcasing South Afri- An array of South African food prod- can food and cuisines, and to promote ucts ranging from beef and meat prod- South African food products, the event ucts, fruits, vegetables, cooked food, was inaugurated on Sunday by ambas- Nando’s sauces, Ina Paarman’s sea- sador Faizel Moosa. soning and masalas, Oryx condiments, The new tool is designed to provide engineers with Rolls-Royce The opening ceremony at LuLu Hy- Ceres juices, and Bose ice tea are on Trent XWB refresher training in a virtual environment without the permarket, Al Gharafa, was attended display. need for a physical engine to work on. by embassy offi cials, other dignitaries, LuLu set up buying houses many and LuLu offi cials. years ago at various locations in the LuLu Hypermarkets have been or- African continent including in Cape ganising food-related festivals since Town in South Africa, as well as in Ken- 2002. ya and Tanzania; they also have regular Qatar Airways to For the ongoing festival, South Afri- bulk import of vast range of food prod- can delicacies such as Chakalaka Salad, ucts from all African countries. Pap, Braai, and other popular dishes LuLu Hypermarkets have a world- are prepared by executive chef Grant wide network of export distribution trial cutting-edge Marais from South Africa. centres, including facilities in the UK, Ambassador Moosa with other dignitaries and LuLu Hypermarkets off icials during the opening One of the major attractions is that the US, and Spain. of the festival. PICTURE: Nasar K Moideen VR training tool

atar Airways has an- ment, we aim to ensure that nounced that it is the they arrive at their destination Qglobal launch partner smoothly and without disrup- of Rolls-Royce’s new Virtual tion.” Reality (VR) training tool. Rolls-Royce president (Civil Recognised for its ongoing Aerospace) Chris Cholerton commitment to innovation, said: “At Rolls-Royce, we are Qatar Airways is the fi rst air- designing, testing, and main- line to trial the new technology taining engines in the digital as part of its engineering train- realm, so it makes sense that we ing plan. bring cutting-edge technology The new tool is designed to to our training programmes. provide engineers with Rolls- “In the same way pilots Ahmad Mohamed Zebeib receiving his Royce Trent XWB refresher complete elements of their certificate from al-Mannai. training in a virtual environ- training in a simulator, certain ment without the need for a engineering tasks can be taught physical engine to work on. through Virtual Reality. QIC Group honours staff Qatar Airways engineers will “Qatar Airways was the fi rst with long-service awards be the fi rst in the industry to customer to take delivery of experience this cutting-edge the Trent XWB, and their for- The Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) Group, a technology. ward-thinking vision across leading insurance conglomerate in the Mena The Trent XWB, which pow- their business makes them the region, recently honoured its employees with ers the Qatar Airways A350 perfect launch partner for this long-service award certificates for completing 10, fl eet, is Rolls-Royce’s largest technology.” 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of dedicated service in the engine and must be separated The Rolls-Royce Virtual company. before engineers can transport Reality training platform trial The award ceremony was held at the QIC it for maintenance and repair. follows Qatar Airways’ fi rst headquarters in West Bay. Using HTC Vive equipment, venture into the world of Vir- The long-service award certificates were handed engineers will be immersed in tual Reality when it became over to the awardees by Salem al-Mannai, deputy the process, using sight, sound, the International Air Transport group president and chief executive of the QIC and touch to separate the two Association (IATA)’s global Group, in the presence of senior QIC off icials. parts of the engine in a virtual launch partner of RampVR in Expressing gratitude and appreciation during setting, without the complex- August 2018. the event, al-Mannai said: “At QIC, we believe that ity and cost of a real engine. The award-winning system, the dedication and collective eff orts of our staff Qatar Airways Group chief pioneered by IATA, utilises the play a significant role in achieving QIC Group’s set executive HE Akbar al-Baker latest virtual-reality technol- targets, growth and development of the company said: “Qatar Airways is an airline ogy to simulate real air-side and in taking QIC to where it is today. of the future, and we constantly conditions for ground handling “We have always recognised the wide spectrum strive to deliver innovation in and ground service operator of capabilities and skill sets of our staff and going every area of our business. training. forward, we will continue to encourage them to “Our ultimate goal is to Qatar Airways currently op- sharpen their skill sets through various training provide our customers with a erates a modern fl eet of more and development programmes.” quality on-board experience than 250 aircraft via its hub, He continued: “We are delighted to organise every time they travel, and by Hamad International Airport this employee recognition ceremony. It clearly adopting the latest technol- (HIA), to more than 160 desti- highlights our way of treating our human capital ogy in our engineering depart- nations worldwide. as the ‘most treasured asset’.” QAC participates in Oman higher education event

he Qatar Aeronautical dullah Mohamed al-Sarmi, College (QAC) is par- undersecretary at the Oman Tticipating in the ongoing ministry of higher education, Global Higher Education Ex- who visited the QAC booth and hibition (Ghedex) 2019 being listened to a brief on the majors held in Oman. off ered by the college. The participation “trans- Ali bin Fahad al-Hajri, Qa- lates the college’s eff ort to ad- tar’s ambassador to Oman, vocate its programmes world- also visited the QAC booth and wide”, the QAC has said in a thanked the college for their statement. contributions. The event is being held un- The three-day event con- The QAC booth at Ghedex 2019. der the patronage of Dr Ab- cludes today. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 QATAR A day in the life of QNL: A place for everyone

t’s 8am and Qatar National Library (QNL) is opening Iits doors to the public. The muted morning sunlight streams through the windows of a place that Rem Koolhaas – the re- nowned Dutch architect who de- signed the building – describes as “an amphitheater of knowledge that surrounds you the moment you walk in.” Today, one of the fi rst to sample this immersive experience is Eley- an Saed, an international master’s student. At home, with his fam- ily around him, Eleyan sometimes fi nds it diffi cult to concentrate on his studies, so the library is a ha- ven of serenity when he’s under pressure to meet deadlines. “I value the space that QNL of- fers me,” he says. “It’s big enough so I can fi nd a quiet corner to get down to work.” At 45,000sq m, QNL is certain- Visitors explore the displays at the Heritage Library. Reading material neatly stacked within the QNL building. ly “big enough.” It has a unique three-tier de- activities which run year-round projects and share skills can be- in the morning, then comes to QNL – which he The Children’s Library has a collection of bic and Islamic civilisation, as well as historical sign for distributing books and are always well-attended. come a way to fi nd a circle of jokingly refers to as “my offi ce” – to work on ed- more than 150,000 books, as well as e-books, maps and globes, scientifi c instruments and other media, and a wide variety of In the main plaza, women are friends or a personal network,” she iting video footage for his clients. educational games and toys that develop chil- early photographs. The collection also contains individual study carrels, reading gathering for the weekly Knitting says. “I’d rather be here in this open space than in dren’s sensorimotor skills using fun activities. writings by travellers who explored the Arabian areas and group study rooms. and Crochet Circle. Dr Noora is the By mid-morning, QNL is a hub my little room at home, sad and drinking cof- “We’ve gone to the interactive story time ac- Gulf region over the past centuries. Eleyan is working at one of the fi rst to arrive. She came to Qatar in of activity. fee, surrounded by distractions,” he confesses. tivity a few times,” says Anneke. The word Iqra – which means “read” in many computer terminals, which 1976 and has lived here ever since, Upstairs, Souley Oumarou and “QNL is convenient, comfortable and has eve- “It’s great for me because we can read here Arabic – greets visitors at the front door of the are equipped with the latest Fu- marrying and raising her family. Idris Stokes are ensconced in one rything you need – even a restaurant to grab a together, pick out books to take home or they Heritage Library, and transcriptions from the jitsu desktops. The other women inch closer to of the open work areas. They are quick bite or a coff ee. Once you check in, you can explore the toys and games. We have good Holy Qur’an adorn the walls. “The high-speed internet is a her as she reminisces about a dif- both wearing headphones, but check in. If I forget my headphones or a charger, libraries in Sweden, but Qatar National Library “It’s wonderful to be greeted with these plus, and it’s free, like most of the ferent time – a time when neces- exchange a friendly word or two the staff give me one. And, of course, they have is unique.” words that are up there for everyone to see; it other library facilities,” he says. sity was the mother of invention. from time to time. a million books, too. It’s a positive environ- The sounds of tiny footsteps and the de- sets the tone for this space,” says Marwa, an- “This is a remarkable kind of “My fi rst baby was a premature Idris is an American children’s ment, and you only meet people who share that lighted squeals of toddlers provide a life-af- gling her camera to take a photo. support for students like me. I birth,” she recalls. “Back then it literature author working on fi n- mindset.” fi rming backdrop to a library that was always “I’m here on a short visit from Canada, and I can’t study at home, so I’m grate- was a struggle to fi nd tiny baby ishing his third book. When he’s Souley moves on to the Innovation Station intended to be ‘noisy’, in order to encourage was told QNL is a must-see. Obviously, grow- ful to those who make it possible clothes so I was forced to learn to not in the library, he tours local to put together a video using the suite of digital socialising in an informal setting. ing up in Canada, my education has been from for me to work in such a wonderful knit or crochet to make clothes for schools as part of Qatar’s National production and audiovisual technologies. While ordering his lunch, Ibrahim al-Jailani, books, so I’m eager to experience and interact space for free.” my newborn. My daughters have Reading Campaign. “I have my own 15-inch laptop for work, but who is currently mastering photography as with the leaves from the Blue Holy Qur’an, for By 9am, a few more people have no interest in handcraft, so this is “I choose to work in the library the Innovation Station has helped me take my his passion, is fascinated by the Library’s lan- example, and some of the manuscripts that joined Eleyan at the computer sta- how I pass on the craft.” because it has access to everything projects to a whole other level,” he reveals. guage-learning resources. speak about my Muslim heritage.” tions. The women in the circle are all I could possibly need, even a thea- “Have you seen this place? It has a full range “It’s a relief to have such a wonderful library As the closing time of 8pm nears, there are A few are starting the day with of diff erent nationalities and ages, tre,” he says, referring to the Spe- of iMacs and all the latest software, which I don’t in our country,” says Ibrahim. still dozens of people throughout the library. a cup of coff ee and a home-baked drawn together not only to sew or cial Events Area that is often the have, such as Adobe After Eff ects and other ap- “I’ve improved my English speaking and Bushra Amber is the last one to leave, and pastry from the Safahat Coff ee Bar to knit, but also to enjoy each oth- venue for theatrical productions, plications from the Creative Cloud. Also, it’s just writing greatly since the library opened. I visit seems reluctant to go. A busy fi rst-year PhD & Bakehouse, situated in the cen- er’s company. lectures and concerts. better to work off the 27-inch displays. The iM- the library every week to borrow English lan- student in Islamic Finance and Economy at tre of QNL’s vast Main Plaza. The newest member has re- “Because my books are present- acs have better graphics cards installed, so they guage learning books to use with the Mango Hamad Bin Khalifa University, she has classes QNL keeps long hours, and em- cently moved to Qatar with her ed as plays, the theatre is a great are a lot faster and smoother to edit on.” Languages mobile application I’ve download- four evenings a week and spends the rest of her ploys 183 staff . husband and she has brought place for me to get a visual idea of Souley is also a fan of QNL’s music studio. ed.” time in the library. Jooza al-Marri, QNL’s Collec- along their six-month-old son, how I can tell the story.” “Idris and I have worked together in the studio By mid-afternoon, visitors are starting to “Luckily for me, the library has a variety of tions Development manager, was who curiously observes his new Always mindful of the need to to produce an audiobook from one of his stories. arrive for ‘Doll Making with Riham al-Kayali’, study areas in diff erent sections, so I can switch the fi rst Qatari to be appointed surroundings from his pushchair. meet deadlines, Idris values his I often use the green screen room for shooting just one of the more than 750 events that the my environment if my energy is falling or I and also the fi rst local to obtain a “I don’t know how to knit or time. videos. The library has everything I need, and Library has hosted over the past year. The need a change. It doesn’t always matter where master’s degree in librarianship. crochet. But that’s not the only “I hate running around from it’s all free. I even love the breakfast at the res- session is fully booked, and the guests – girls I work because I’m often using the online re- “I am proud to be part of the reason why I’m here,” she says, coff ee shop to coff ee shop. That taurant.” ranging in age from 9 to 11 with their parents – sources, especially the Qatar Digital Library,” team changing the library culture suggesting that the opportunity to kind of hectic pace reminds me At the Children’s Library, Mariam al-Thani, a mill excitedly around the auditorium. she reveals. here in Qatar. We are changing make new friends and socialise is of being back home in New York. social and economic researcher at Qatar Univer- Riham, from the Happy Minds initiative, Marwa’s voice drops as she reveals: “The perceptions about libraries and I also a factor in her attendance. The library gives me all the space sity, and her two children are skimming through reads from the children’s book My Beauti- Open Lounge Terrace upstairs is a well-kept encourage our whole community Lara Oliver, the librarian who and time I need. You can be here as the shelves fi lled with colourful storybooks. ful Mother’s Veil, and participants create their secret, by the way, and the view is absolutely and especially the youth to be part runs the circle, draws her into the long as you want.” “I come here often and help my children select own veiled dolls. remarkable, even at night.” of this change,” says Jooza. handicraft project. Souley is an independent video their favourites,” says Mariam. Rashida Ahmed is one of the attendees. All members have free access to the Library’s “I would advise anyone from “What begins as a casual producer. He drops his kids at the “The Children’s Library is helping my chil- “Honestly, I have been looking forward to vast online resources, which includes 380,000 Qatar who is deciding their future gathering to work on handwork nearby Swiss International School dren develop their reading habits to be informed spending these couple of hours with my e-books, periodicals, newspapers and other career path, to look to QNL. I’m citizens in the future. Being with my children at daughter,” she says. “I have such a demand- materials. very proud to have been the fi rst QNL also gives me an opportunity to take a break ing schedule and the kids have so many The Qatar Digital Library hosts more than Qatari working at QNL and to be from daily work and get sucked into some of my school activities, that it’s rare to be together 1.5mn pages of modern history and culture using my master’s degree here.” favourite books.” at an event we can both enjoy. At the same relating to the Gulf and the wider region, in QNL welcomed more than Nearby, Imman Rammal, who has a visual im- time, I’m glad that she is learning about our Arabic and English. It is phenomenally popular 738,000 visitors since its pub- pairment, is deep in concentration in the Adap- culture and understanding why we cover our all over the world, having received over 2.5mn lic opening, and has more than tive Services section. hair with a scarf or the hijab. Today, QNL views since its launch. 139,000 registered members. “Bookshare is an exciting service,” she says. has given us a very special mother-daughter The community’s sense of shared ownership Patrons come for any number “It’s an online library that lets you listen to a bonding time.” towards QNL shows in the footfall it receives, of reasons – to check out books, book or read it in braille, and I can access it free By the time the event concludes, night is with well over a thousand visitors per day. for a quiet study session, to meet as a QNL member.” falling over Doha, and QNL has been trans- QNL touches many people’s lives, bring- with peers for group work, or to QNL’s dedicated assistive technology space formed into a beacon of light, with its book- ing together individuals from diff erent back- take advantage of the myriad of supports visitors with disabilities to research, shelves illuminated in spectacular fashion. grounds and paths of life, all sharing the vast other off erings, such as the Inno- study or read independently, using facilities Marwa has joined other visitors browsing range of resources in their own chosen ways – vation Stations or the Heritage Li- such as screen readers installed on the comput- the Heritage Library, which includes rare and and all enjoying the opportunity to embrace a brary. Meanwhile, the events and An interactive session for children. ers and braille books in Arabic and English. valuable texts and manuscripts related to Ara- life of learning. Iman is a special education teacher in braille, “I would information technology and English at the Al advise Noor Institute for the Blind. She loves to read anyone and spends as much time as she can at the li- from brary. Qatar “When I discovered that QNL is accessi- who is ble, I was overjoyed. It opens up tremendous deciding possibilities for the visually impaired, which their makes those of us with disabilities feel we are future equal and independent. It’s very important for career national institutions to be inclusive of people path, with disabilities and ensure equal access,” says to look Iman. to QNL. “The staff members at the library are so help- I’m very ful, and I work with them on our shared plans for proud to the visually disabled.” have been By now it’s lunchtime, and the cafeteria is the fi rst packed—a bustling social place where visitors Qatari engage in animated conversations as they eat. working One of them is Anneke, who is originally from at QNL Sweden and is visiting the Children’s Library and to be with her two kids. using my “We come in about once a month and we usu- master’s ally spend a couple of hours,” says Anneke. degree “My nine-year-old benefi ts more than the here” younger one because he gets a chance to read a few of his favourite books while we are here.” Her energetic six-year-old, on the other hand, relishes the open spaces and opportuni- ties to explore. QNL hosts numerous activities for children and their families, such as interactive story time, and early literacy programmes. Addition- ally, programmes and activities for children with special needs are conducted by experts and spe- cialists.

Visitors using a reading pod at QNL. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 9 QATAR QNL celebrates successful fi rst year atar National Library (QNL) books,” said Dr Sohair Wastawy, ex- It has also digitised 4,215,652 pages today marks the fi rst year an- ecutive director, QNL. of history. Qniversary of its offi cial inau- The growing demand for mem- As part of a series of public events guration by His Highness the Amir, bership has also contributed to the commemorating QNL’s fi rst year, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, popularity of QNL’s dynamic pro- Princess Dana Firas, Unesco Global on April 16, 2018. grammes, with more than 21, 000 Ambassador and president of the In this short span of time, the Qa- people registering to attend the Petra National Trust, will deliver tar community has embraced QNL as year’s events. a lecture at QNL and take part in a a beacon of knowledge, guiding their QNL’s use of online resources is panel discussion, ‘Cultural Heritage individual journeys of personal dis- highly valued by the users. and its Role in Preserving History, covery. Qatar Digital Library received Identity and Cultural Legacy’, today QNL has given the community ac- over 2.5mn views. It makes available from 5pm. cess to a wealth of resources, includ- more than 1.5mn pages of historical HE the Minister of State Dr Hamad ing books, journals, electronic re- records on Qatar and the Gulf, which bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari will also sources, and a full programme of over were previously housed in the British address the event. 900 curated events. Library, and thanks to a partnership “This library is a testimony to the “On the auspicious occasion of agreement between the two librar- vision and wisdom of Her Highness QNL’s fi rst anniversary, you just ies, are now being used by scholars Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in pro- need to be here to get the sense of the and students from anywhere in the pelling learning for all. The library’s scale and scope of what is the world’s world. powerful environment of learning, most beautifully designed national These resources as well as the sharing and togetherness is trans- library and the many people using rich collection of valuable texts and forming the society into a deeply en- it — expansive yet at the same time manuscripts, reaching 174, 866 rare gaged community. We are grateful to personal. People of Qatar voted with items, held at the Heritage Library the entire community who have em- their feet on its value when more has made the Library as an institu- braced this public space of discovery than 738,000 people came through tion of reference for Arabic and Is- and knowledge, and we are motivated its doors in its fi rst year of being, lamic heritage and civilisation, and to continue to off er new services,” and borrowed more than one million one of increasing global importance. said Dr Wastawy. An activity taking place at QNL.

More than one million titles lent to knowledge-seekers in fi rst year after opening doors

By Joseph Varghese 900 events over the past year and our The Digital Library has received tures to technology training and cre- keep off ering new programmes for Staff Reporter visitors have explored all aspects of more than 2.5mn views so far and is ative workshops, and members have everyone in the community to learn the library, borrowing their favourite still expanding. responded enthusiastically. We had and socialise. books from the main collection and “Innovation within the library more than 21,000 people register- “We will also continue to engage ore than a million books attending one or more of the events,” is driving engagement as users ing for the events, and engaging on our existing partners in Qatar, the have been borrowed from Dr Wastawy noted. have the chance to express their a variety of topics over the year,” she region and beyond and forge new MQatar National Library The Children’s and Young Adults’ creative sides by using the four described. partnerships with cultural institu- (QNL) since its opening and most Collections were particularly well Innovation Stations, which have The Qatar Digital Library, which is tions to develop projects to further of those books were on psychology, received by families, children and the musical instruments and record- an important outcome of a partner- the preservation of Qatar and the re- economics, engineering and man- young ones. ing equipment, green screens, ship with the British Library, is pro- gion’s historical heritage,” elaborated agement information systems. More than half of the 720,000 3D printers, photography and viding free access to more than 1.5mn the offi cial. QNL, which today marks the fi rst books checked out since January 1, videography studios, and other digitised pages of Qatar’s and the re- She highlighted that QNL has a anniversary of its offi cial open- 2018, are from the Children’s and makerspaces,” said the executive gion’s history. collection of more than 1mn books in ing, currently has 139,551 registered Young Adults’ Collections, which is director. The Digital Library will continue diff erent genres and there is so much members. a great testament to QNL’s early lit- The offi cial maintained that QNL to add almost 1mn pages of material room to grow. “ Over the past year, we welcomed eracy eff orts,” explained the offi cial. has become a vibrant hub of social from partners in Turkey, France, the “We always welcome feedback 738,636 visitors and QNL caters According to Dr Wastawy, the Qa- engagement, education and commu- Netherlands, India and the UK. from our community, and if there are to the needs of people of all ages tar Digital Library is a growing online nication since its opening. “We will build on the success of any particular books that our users and educational and cultural back- archive with more than 1.5mn pages of “A signifi cant part of QNL’s serv- QNL and continue to off er our serv- are seeking, we have a system in place grounds,” Dr Sohair Wastawy, execu- archives, maps, manuscripts, sound ice to community is through its ices to the people of Qatar. We are to order reading material requested tive director, QNL, told Gulf Times. recordings and photographs relating wide-ranging programme of events, adding new titles to our existing by the partners wherever possible,” Dr Sohair Wastawy “We have organised more than to the Gulf and the wider region. from exhibitions and scientifi c lec- print and online collections, and will she added.

Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 11 QATAR Advisory Council reviews key outcome of IPU meeting QNA and principles which expressed Council also expressed his sin- meetings. The Speaker of the this achievement. The Adviso- Doha the aspirations and hopes of the cere thanks and appreciation to Advisory Council and president ry Council then discussed the peoples of the world and which the heads of the parliaments of of the organising committee of report of the Legal and Legis- dealt with the topics on the the world who came to Doha in the General Assembly of the IPU lative Affairs Committee on a he Advisory Council held agenda accurately and objec- recognition of the State of Qatar, also thanked the esteemed gov- draft law amending some pro- its weekly session yester- tively, while highlighting educa- respect for its leadership, confi - ernment and all the institutions visions of Law No.(21) of 2004 Tday under the chairman- tion as the focus of the debate. dence in its policy and in honour and agencies of the State which regarding ministers. ship of HE the Speaker of the The Speaker of the Advisory of its people. mobilised their potential and The Council approved the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Council briefed the council on He also thanked the Executive provided all the requirements for draft law and decided to submit Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. the important outcome of the Committee of the Inter-Parlia- the success of the international its recommendations thereon At the outset of the meet- 140th IPU General Assembly, mentary Union, the Governing parliamentary event. to the Cabinet. ing, the Speaker of the Advisory which was the most successful Council, the president, its secre- He also thanked the mem- z The Public Services and Council paid the highest tribute in the history of the Union, es- tary-general and all its subsidi- bers of the Advisory Council Utilities Committee of the and appreciation to His High- pecially in view of the wide and aries for their valuable eff orts and its staff for their apprecia- Advisory Council held yes- ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin unprecedented participation, which had the greatest impact tive work before and during the terday a meeting of the 47th Hamad al-Thani for his partici- which amounted to 160 coun- in the success of the meetings IPU meetings. regular session of the Council pation in the opening session of tries. of the General Assembly and the He also thanked the organ- under the chairmanship of its the 140th General Assembly of The Speaker highlighted the associated meetings. ising committee for carrying Rapporteur HE Mohamed bin the Inter-Parliamentary Union statements and resolutions is- The Speaker also expressed out the tasks entrusted with Mahdi al-Ahbabi. The com- (IPU) and its associated meet- sued by the IPU General As- his thanks and appreciation to competence, as well as the lo- mittee discussed a draft law ings, which were held in Doha sembly, particularly the Doha the parliamentarians who par- cal and international press and amending certain provisions from April 6 to 10. He also hailed Declaration on parliaments as ticipated in the meetings and media which reported the dis- of the law on the prohibition of the Amir’s address at the ses- platforms for promoting educa- expressed their rejection of cussions and outcomes of the housing workers within family sion that received interest and tion for peace, security and the the illegal blockade against the 140th General Assembly, along residential areas, and decided HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid was welcomed for its inclusion rule of law. State of Qatar both at the Gen- with the volunteers of the Qa- to complete its study at its next al-Mahmoud at the Council’s weekly session yesterday. of important contents, values The Speaker of the Advisory eral Assembly and during other tari Youth who contributed to meeting. Justice minister meets Jordan counterpart Justice ministry partners with UNODC to launch legal training workshop

QNA HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali Doha al-Nuaimi met yesterday with the Minister of Justice of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Bassam Talhouni. During the meeting they reviewed co-operation between the State of Qatar and Jordan and also reviewed ways to boost and develop co-operation in the legal fields, four-day legal training expertise exchange, legal procedures between the ministries, especially in qualification and workshop was launched training and to benefit from the common experience in preparation of a legislation. They also Ayesterday within the discussed a number of issues of common interest. partnership programme between the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Offi ce on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). A number of legal staff in vari- ous fi elds will benefi t from this workshop and provide them with the necessary legal exper- NHRC signs MoU with tise to improve the performance of their work not only at the local level, but also at the regional and international level. Somalia’s ministry This workshop is the fi rst HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi phase of several stages that will with dignitaries at the workshop. witness the presentation of an QNA integrated legal programme for In his inaugural address, HE gramme for the implementation of their national legal system in Doha legal researchers in the Ministry the Undersecretary of the Min- of the Doha Declaration, im- accordance with international of Justice. istry of Justice Sultan bin Ab- plemented by UNODC with the standards, principles and con- During the opening of the dullah al-Suwaidi said that the support of the State of Qatar and ventions of the United Nations, ational Human Rights workshop, HE the Minister of training workshop is part of the issued at the conclusion of the and its support at the glo- Committee (NHRC) Justice and Acting Minister of partnership programmes be- 13th United Nations Congress on bal level by participating and Nsigned a memorandum State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa tween the UNODC and the Jus- Crime Prevention and Criminal hosting United Nations pro- of understanding (MoU) with Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi praised tice Ministry in its fi rst phase, Justice in Doha in April 2015, has grammes with visionary efforts Somalia’s Ministry of Women the existing partnership with the as well as the objectives of the drawn up plans and set goals for and insights. and Human Rights Develop- United Nations represented by second national development strengthening international le- Aly added that this partner- ment, on the sidelines of the the UNODC, which included the strategy of the State 2018-2022, gal and judicial co-operation. ship has now taken a broader second and fi nal day of the exchange of experience and ex- which included a strategic goal He explained that the pro- approach in which UNODC is conference titled “National, pertise in various fi elds in vari- to protect society through the gramme aimed at combat- trying to evaluate the interna- regional and international ous sectors of government, and implementation of various ing crimes in all its forms. The tional system and standards mechanisms to combat impu- HE NHRC Chairman Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri and Somalia’s the work of national commit- projects in the fi eld of rehabilita- themes of the workshop, include to help develop national staff nity and ensure accountability Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, Deqa Yasin, tees on the protection of labour tion and training of personnel in the defi nition of the role of law specialised in the areas of under the law,” organised by shake hands after signing the MoU. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam rights and combating human areas related to crime. enforcement offi cials in inter- competence at the Ministry of NHRC, in co-operation with traffi cking.The minister urged He pointed out that the Min- national judicial co-operation, Justice . the United Nations High Com- The MoU aims to promote Under the MoU priority is the participants to take advan- istry of Justice started with an co-operation in the fi eld of con- Aly reviewed the nature of missioner for Human Rights close relations between both given to activities aimed at the tage of this workshop and the ambitious vision for this work- fi scation of funds and legal as- work of UNODC, explaining and the European Parliament. sides in raising awareness on protection of human rights, the rich legal experience it will pro- shop, which is based on the ne- sistance. that the office represents the The MoU was signed by HE human rights and its protec- development and implementa- vide to Qatari legal practition- cessity of developing the legal UNODC Executive Director United Nations Secretariat and NHRC Chairman, Dr Ali bin tion, as well as ensuring the tion of human rights plans and ers to develop their skills and to performance of Qatari cadres Hatem Aly praised the partner- added that it is working to im- Smaikh al-Marri and Soma- communication and informa- strategies to support capacity- develop their experiences and to and in providing them with the ship between UNODC and the plement all conventions con- lia’s Ministry of Women and tion exchange between both building and exchange of ex- prepare them to refl ect the aspi- latest international experiences State of Qatar in general and cerned with combating crime Human Rights Development, sides on issues related to devel- perience in the fi eld of human rations of the good leadership for and practices. the contribution of the Qatari and for rendering a criminal Deqa Yasin. oping the human rights system. rights. building Qatari youth. He noted that the world pro- authorities to the development justice system.

Family Day in Qatar

Several ministries and other government entities lit up their off ices and premises in green yesterday to mark Family Day in Qatar. These included the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Family Consulting Centre (Wifaq) and Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, among others. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD

French-made tanks and howitzer cannons ‘used in Yemeni war’

Reuters the Saudi side of the border. It Houthi forces as well as back up the sale of weapons that fuel It did not question the au- humanitarian crises, the UN cluding the campaign for control Paris demonstrates that swathes of “loyalist troops and Saudi armed human rights violations or war thenticity of the documents and says. More than 10,000 civilians of the rebel-held port of Hodei- Yemen’s population lives under forces in their progression into crimes. neither confi rmed nor denied have been killed and some 10mn dah. the threat of the French-made Yemeni territory”. UN experts have said all sides the Disclose report, adding that people have been driven to the The six-page report also said rench arms including tanks arms, according to Disclose. The intelligence dossier is in the Yemeni confl ict may have France was not aware of Yemeni brink of famine. that UAE Mirage fi ghter jets were and laser-guided missile The leaked report will be awk- dated September 25, 2018. committed war crimes. civilians being killed by French A second, six-page DRM in- equipped with a laser-guided Fsystems sold to Saudi Ara- ward for President Emmanuel It was presented to Macron Philippe’s offi ce said in a arms. telligence report distributed system made by Thales known bia and the United Arab Emirates Macron and his government, and Prime Minister Edouard statement that France adopted The defence ministry, which more widely, according to Dis- as Damocles which it said were are being used in the Yemeni war which has said that as far as it Philippe, as well as France’s de- rigorous safeguards when is- oversees the DRM, did not re- close, showed that French-made possibly being used in Yemen. against civilians, leaked intelli- knows French-made arms sold fence and foreign ministers. suing export licences and sup- spond to a request for comment. tanks were deployed in defensive Germany has imposed an em- gence published by investigative to Saudi Arabia are used solely The Disclose report was part ported United Nations’ eff orts to The Saudi and UAE govern- positions in bases including Mo- bargo on arms exports to Saudi website Disclose showed. for defensive purposes on the of an investigation carried out broker peace in Yemen. ment communication offi ces cha, Aden, al-Khawkhah along Arabia over the killing of Saudi Entitled “Yemen: security border. with Mediapart, Konbini, France “As far as we know, French and a spokesman for the Saudi- the coast and Ma’rib. journalist Jamal Khashoggi and situation”, a 15-page classifi ed The intelligence document Inter radio, Arte television and arms possessed by coalition led coalition in Yemen did not Disclose said its study of sat- amid concerns over Riyadh’s role report written by France’s DRM states that Caesar cannons, US-based The Intercept. forces are placed for the most respond immediately to a re- ellite images, video and pho- in the Yemen war, drawing criti- military intelligence agency manufactured by French com- France is a signatory of the UN part in defensive positions, out- quest for comment. tographs taken by civilians cism from the arms industry and includes maps that detail the pany Nexter and deployed along Arms Trade Treaty that regu- side of Yemeni territory or under The four-year confl ict in Yem- revealed some Leclerc tanks from allies France and Britain, positioning of French-made the Saudi-Yemeni frontier, lates the international trade of coalition control, but not on the en has shattered its economy and bought by the UAE had taken which say the move has put joint weapons inside Yemen and on conduct defensive shelling of conventional weapons and bans front line,” the statement said. created one of the world’s worst part in coalition off ensives, in- projects at risk.

Clashes in Darfur Sudan’s main protest group calls displaced camp for civilian transitional council

Reuters minister in Addis Ababa, where kill 14 Khartoum the AU is based, and said, “We are already in the process of choosing a prime minister” for AFP he Sudanese group that a civilian government, accord- Khartoum led protests against de- ing to the Sudanese state news Tposed President Omar agency SUNA. al-Bashir called yesterday for “So we are initiating this ourteen people have been the transitional military council even before having this session killed during clashes in a that has taken power to be dis- with the African Union. This is Fcamp for displaced in Su- banded and for a new interim our conviction and this is also dan’s confl ict-wracked region of civilian ruling council to be the way forward to peace, but Darfur, the offi cial news agency formed. also, we respect it and we are SUNA reported yesterday. Representatives of the Su- committed to the decision of The clashes occurred on Sat- danese Professionals’ Associa- the Peace and Security Coun- urday in South Darfur’s camp tion (SPA) piled pressure on the cil.” Kalma, one of the biggest facili- military commanders who have The SPA issued its demands ties housing thousands of peo- taken over, issuing a long list of hours after protesters blocked ple displaced by the war in the demands for deeper and faster an attempt to break up a sit-in region. change to end repression and a outside the Defence Ministry “Fourteen people have been ruinous economic crisis. that has continued despite Ba- killed in clashes inside camp If their demands were not shir’s exit, a Reuters witness Kalma the day before yesterday,” met, the group would press on said. South Darfur’s acting governor with protests and would not join Troops had gathered on General Hashim Khalid said, a future transitional govern- three sides of the sit-in and quoted by SUNA. ment, Ahmed al-Rabie, an SPA tractors were preparing to re- He did not say what triggered member, told Reuters. move stone and metal barriers, the violence or reveal details The SPA held its fi rst news but protesters joined hands about the groups that clashed, conference since Bashir, was and formed rings around the but said the camp has “lot of ousted by the military on sit-in area to prevent them. weapons and groups that dis- Thursday following months of Some of the most prominent turb the state’s security”. street demonstrations. SPA leaders, most of whom are He said camp Kalma also had A new interim civilian body in their 20s and 30s and were many rebels from the Sudan should be given full executive detained until after Bashir’s Liberation Army-Abdul Wa- powers, with the armed forces ouster, spoke at the news con- hid (SLA-AW) group, one of the having representation, and the ference. Sudanese demonstrators protest outside the Defence Ministry in Khartoum, yesterday. groups fi ghting with Khartoum’s Transitional Military Council SPA representatives also forces for years in the region. (TMC) that took over last week renewed calls for the head of On Saturday, Salah Abdal- morning with more arriving, The confl ict in Darfur erupted should be dissolved, the SPA the judiciary and his deputies lah Mohamed Saleh, better chanted “Freedom, freedom” in 2003 when black ethnic rebels said. and public prosecutor to be re- known as Salah Gosh, resigned and “Revolution, revolution”, took up arms against the gov- “If our demand for the for- moved. as head of NISS. He was once and appealed to the army to ernment of now ousted presi- mation of a civilian transi- They demanded the dis- seen as the most powerful per- protect them. dent Omar al-Bashir, accusing it tional council with military solution of Bashir’s National son in the country after Ba- Some drummed and waved of marginalising the region. representation is not met, we Congress Party and said they shir and protesters held him national flags as they mingled Khartoum cracked down on will not be part of the execu- received affirmation from the responsible for the killing of in the street, while others took rebels and since then insurgent tive authority, the cabinet, and TMC that the party will not demonstrators demanding an shelter from the sun under groups have fragmented, with we will continue the mass es- participate in a transitional end to military rule. parasols and makeshift tents. fi ghting punctuated by periods calation and the sit-ins to ful- government. “For us in the SPA, in the The protest outside the of relative calm. fil our demands,” Rabie told The SPA also called for the first stage, the transitional compound, which also in- In recent years the level of vi- Reuters. seizure of the party’s assets government stage, we will play cludes the intelligence head- olence has signifi cantly dropped AU WARNING and the arrest of its prominent a role in the restoration of the quarters and the presidential across Darfur, with Khartoum In a communique late yes- figures. civil service and state institu- residence, began on April 6, insisting the confl ict has ended terday, the African Union’s It demanded the dissolu- tions and establishing a dem- after more than three months Mohamed Youssef Ahmed al-Mustafa, leader of the Sudanese in the region. Peace and Security Council tion of paramilitary groups ocratic state,” said Gamaria of protests triggered by a Professionals’ Association speaks during a press conference in Khartoum. The United Nations says called for Sudan’s military to that were loyal to the old gov- Omar, an SPA member. deepening economic crisis. about 300,000 people have been transfer power to a “transi- ernment, and of the National “Afterwards, the SPA will be Yesterday the military met the deputy head of the the military announced Ba- killed in Darfur since 2003 and tional civilian-led political Intelligence and Security comprised of unions, and will council said it was restructur- transitional military council, shir’s ousting, they said he had another 2.5mn people displaced. authority” within 15 days or Service’s (NISS) operations be a guardian of democracy in ing the joint forces command, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, been arrested and was being Tens of thousands of people face suspension from the AU. authority, and called for an end Sudan,” she added. appointing a new chief of staff and had “asked for clarity on kept at a “safe place”. Sudanese continue to live in sprawling Lieutenant General Jalal al- to Sudan’s press law and the Outside the Defence Minis- for the army and a deputy. whereabouts of former Presi- sources told Reuters that Ba- camps like Kalma. Deen al-Sheikh, a member of public order law, which they try yesterday, the protesters, Britain’s ambassador to Su- dent Bashir and other senior shir was at a presidential resi- the TMC, met Ethiopia’s prime have said restricts freedoms. numbering about 5,000 in the dan, Irfan Siddiq, said he had former regime figures”.When dence under “heavy guard”.

Arab ministers to hold emergency meet to discuss Palestinian issue

Arab foreign ministers will hold an emergency and Algeria to discuss the Palestinian issue in Britain urges ‘stronger measures’ at meeting next Sunday to discuss the latest light of recent Israeli election results and the developments regarding Palestinian issue in the ongoing measures against the Palestinian people, presence of the Palestinian President Mahmoud said Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Abbas, the Arab League announced yesterday. League Ambassador Hossam Zaki, QNA reported. UN if no progress on Hodeidah deal “The meeting will be held on the 21st of this The meeting is also scheduled to discuss the month at the request of the Palestine State and subject of the Arab financial security network for support from the State of Qatar, Jordan, Somalia Palestine. Reuters Although the ceasefi re agreed UN for Hodeidah largely holds, vio- lence continues elsewhere and has escalated in recent weeks. he United Nations’ Secu- Britain’s UN ambassador rity Council should con- Karen Pierce said the lack of im- Tsider “stronger measures” plementation of the deal reached UN Libya envoy says Haftar if there was no progress in the in Sweden is “very worrying.” coming weeks on a deal between “The stakes are too high for Yemen’s warring parties on a us to let that fail and the council made coup attempt with advance key port, Britain said yesterday, in our view should be ready to as the UN mediator admitted it take stronger measures if there’s was “taking longer than we had no progress by our next meet- Reuters southern suburbs, thanks largely to armed groups hoped.” ing,” Pierce told the council, Tripoli who have rushed to aid them from various west- In an illustration of the delay, which traditionally meets once ern Libyan factions. UN Yemen envoy Martin Grif- A Houthi fighter gestures as he secures the site of a protest by a month on Yemen. Griffi ths did Haftar, a 75-year-old former general in the fi ths told the council both sides staff ers of the Yemen’s state oil company outside the United Nations’ not say when the fi rst stage of astern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar late dictator Muammar Gaddafi ’s army, has been had accepted a detailed opera- off ices to demand easing restrictions on oil shipments to troop withdrawals from Hodei- tried to stage a coup by issuing an arrest building up troop numbers and intensifying air tional plan for step one in a with- Houthi-held ports, in Sanaa, yesterday. dah could start, adding that talks Ewarrant for Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, strikes in a campaign he is selling as necessary to drawal of forces from the Red Sea would continue on phase two of UN envoy Ghassan Salame said yesterday with restore order and eradicate jihadists. port and city of Hodeidah — two withdrawals of forces in this initially agreed in December to a redeployment and the status of Libya’s top rivals locked in military confrontation But Salame, speaking to BBC radio, said months after the world body an- long confl ict,” Griffi ths told the withdraw troops by Jan 7 from local security forces. over the capital Tripoli. Haftar’s decision to issue in the course of his nounced an initial deal on that 15-member council. “Of course Hodeidah — a lifeline for mil- Acting US ambassador to the Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army campaign arrest warrants for Serraj and other top measure. it has taken longer than we had lions facing famine — under a United Nations Jonathan Co- (LNA) advanced to the outskirts of Tripoli almost Tripoli offi cials “sounded more like a coup than “Let us be clear that when hoped but that it should happen truce aimed at averting a full- hen warned the Houthis that two weeks ago, predicting defections and victory counter-terrorism”. — and I hope it is when, not if at all is extremely welcome.” scale assault on the port and Washington would be “watching within two days. Haftar’s side confi rmed the warrant had been — these redeployments happen The Houthi movement and paving the way for negotiations closely to see if they make good However, Serraj’s internationally-recognised issued and Serraj’s government said it had been they will be the fi rst voluntary the Saudi-backed government to end the four-year war. on that agreement” to phase one. government has managed to bog them down in immediately rejected. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 13 AFRICA Call for arrests Boko Haram raids in South Africa village near Chibok after attacks on were released after negotiations AFP Dozens dead in fi ghting between Chad soldiers and Boko Haram militants Kano and 112 remain in captivity. foreigners Recently re-elected Presi- Fighting between Chad soldiers killed” and the search for other The unrest has spread dent Muhammadu Buhari on oko Haram militants and Boko Haram militants attackers continued. to neighbouring Niger Sunday promised to rescue the AFP director Dewa Mavhinga. raided a village near the killed dozens, including 63 Chad’s Defence Minister Daoud and Chad with the Boko remaining girls. Johannesburg “To deter those who attack Bnortheastern Nigerian “terrorists”, in an overnight Yaya Brahim and army chief of Haram revolt claiming “We will not rest until all the foreign nationals, there is an ur- town of Chibok just as locals attack on a military base, staff Taher Erda were on their more than 27,000 lives remaining girls are back and gent need for eff ective policing, marked the abduction of more an army spokesman said way to the scene of the fighting and uprooting more than reunited with their families”, he uman Rights Watch arrests, and prosecutions.” than 200 schoolgirls fi ve years yesterday. yesterday to “evaluate the 1.7mn people. said in a statement released on (HRW) urged South Af- The lack of arrests showed earlier, vigilantes and residents Seven soldiers were killed situation,” said Azem. Troops from Cameroon, Chad, his Twitter account. Hrican authorities yester- “impunity for xenopho- said yesterday. and 15 wounded when “the Last month, 23 soldiers were Niger and Nigeria have been He also promised to secure day to prosecute the perpetrators bic crimes,” said the rights The militants late Sunday terrorists attacked our forces killed in the Lake Chad region grouped into a mixed, multi- the rescue of Leah Sharibu, the of deadly xenophobic violence watchdog. stormed into Kwarangulum at midnight in Bouhama... in the deadliest attack yet on national force to fight Boko last remaining captive of the that displaced some 300 Malawi Widespread condemnation village, 16km (10 miles) from in the Lake Chad region,” the Chadian army by Boko Haram. schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko migrants three weeks ago but has of the violence prompted emer- Chibok Town, looting food and Colonel Azem Bermandoa Haram, which launched an Since June last year, Boko Haram in Dapchi Town, Yobe yielded no arrests. gency talks between South Af- destroying property. said. insurgency in Nigeria a Haram has struck inside Chad State, last February. From March 25 to 27, mobs rica’s foreign and police minis- The gunmen, who ar- He added “63 terrorists were decade ago. at least seven times. (DPA) Boko Haram’s decade-long armed with metal rods and ma- ters, Lindiwe Sisulu and Bheki rived aboard four trucks, were confl ict has killed 27,000 peo- chetes broke into the homes of Cele, and diplomats of African “shooting indiscriminately and ple and displaced around two foreigners in Durban on South countries. setting homes on fi re,” local could carry” in terms of food, ple who had seen the gunmen 14, 2014 abduction of 276 million from their homes in Africa’s east coast, chasing them HRW also urged politicians vigilante David Bitrus said. he said. heading in their direction. schoolgirls. northeast Nigeria. out and looting their belongings, to refrain from statements that The militants, believed to be A Chibok community leader, The attack came just hours Their disappearance sparked The violence has spread to HRW said. “scapegoat migrants and feed from a Boko Haram faction loy- Ayuba Alamson, said village after hundreds of Chibok resi- outrage and calls for their nearby Niger, Chad and Cam- The UN High Commissioner anti-foreigner violence,” ahead al to longtime leader Abubakar residents had fl ed hours before dents rallied at the girls board- release from around the world. eroon, with the aff ected coun- for Refugees (UNHCR) has said of May 8 general elections. Shekau, “burned the whole vil- the jihadists’ arrival after re- ing school in the nearby town Fifty-seven girls escaped ties forming a regional military at least six foreign nationals It cited remarks by President lage after taking what the trucks ceiving tip-off s from local peo- to commemorate the April shortly after the kidnap, 107 coalition to fi ght the group. were killed and several injured, Cyril Ramaphosa at a party rally raising fears of a resurgence in March, when he “blamed un- of xenophobic bloodshed in a documented migrants for prob- country where poor, jobless peo- lems and promised a crackdown”. ple accuse migrants of taking The country hosts mil- their work and benefi ts. lions of foreigners, most from About 88 survivors of the Dur- African countries and many Ivanka Trump ban attacks asked to be sent back undocumented. to Malawi as they felt unsafe, ac- Immigrants bear much of the cording to representatives of the anger about chronic unemploy- Malawi High Commission. ment and limited economic Others had no choice but to gains made by poor black people backs women’s return to the same informal set- since white-minority rule ended tlement they had been violently in 1994. chased out of. Violence erupts sporadically, “Re-integration of foreign targeting foreign-owned shops nationals into communities and migrants themselves. Sixty- land rights on without justice and account- two people were killed in a wave ability for past xenophobic at- of xenophobic violence in 2008, tacks is a recipe for disaster,” and at least seven in a fresh said HRW’s southern Africa outburst in 2015.

African trip 167 rhino horns seized in SA; two arrested

Reuters/DPA world still have laws that al- South African police have country each year from 2013 to Addis Ababa low husbands to legally pre- intercepted 167 rhino horns believed 2017, according to conservation vent their wives from work- to be destined for Southeast Asia, in group Save the Rhino. ing. Half of these countries one of the biggest such hauls ever in That figure fell below 1,000 in 2018, are in Africa. We can and we the country. but it still means more than two vanka Trump said she would must address these barri- US Senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump, left, and Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde attend a meeting Two suspects, aged 57 and 61, rhinos were killed each day of the campaign for women’s right ers to women’s equality and as part of the African Women’s Empowerment Dialogue in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa yesterday. were arrested with the horns on year. Two rhino species have fewer Ito own and inherit land in countries’ prosperity,” she Saturday, police said on Sunday. than 80 animals left in the wild. Africa as she visited Ethiopia added. four-day African trip with a leaders representing the di- led and women-supporting They had been tipped off about Poaching is driven by demand yesterday to promote a $50mn She did not spell out how she visit to Ivory Coast. verse faiths of those killed in projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.” the suspects’ vehicle. for rhino horn - consisting mostly US development project. would tackle the problems. She also visited a church the crash, laid a wreath and ob- On her fi rst day of the visit “The value has not been of keratin, found in human nails U S President Donald But she was promoting the in Addis Ababa to pay her re- served a moment of silence at on Sunday, “the fi rst daughter determined - it’s one of the biggest and hair - in countries like China Trump’s daughter, who works Women’s Global Develop- spects to the victims of the the Holy Trinity Church. of US” as she is sometimes jok- hauls in the country,” Brigadier and Vietnam, where it is used as his adviser, told report- ment and Prosperity initiative, recent Ethiopian Airlines “My heartfelt sympathies ingly called, met with Ethiopian Hangwani Mulaudzi, a police in traditional medicine and also ers at the headquarters of the which offi cials have said aims to crash, as her father, US Presi- to all the victims’ families and businesswomen and partici- spokesman, said by text message increasingly seen as a symbol of UN Economic Commission for economically empower 50mn dent Donald Trump, fi red loved ones,” she tweeted after pated in a traditional coff ee- on Monday. The case was still success and wealth. Africa that women made up women by 2025. off a sarcastic tweet about the visit. drinking ceremony. being investigated, he said. The government and international just 15% of land owners on the Ivanka Trump met Ethiopia’s the company that made the She announced $350mn to- Today, she heads to Ivory Nearly 80% of the world’s rhinos donors have poured money into continent. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed aircraft, Boeing. wards a programme “support- Coast in West Africa, for the live in South Africa. More than anti-poaching measures and “Eighteen countries in the and was due to wrap up her Ivanka met with religious ing women-owned, women- second leg of the trip. 1,000 rhinos were killed in the securing national parks. (Reuters) Shipwrecks in Lagos waters Ivory Coast rains set become a haven of crime to improve mid-crop

AFP Scores of shipwrecks in La- act as groynes, halting the government nor the federal Lagos gos’ waterways, coastal waters fl ow of sand downshore and government takes enough re- and on the shores of its beaches accelerating erosion. sponsibility for their removal,” he said. cocoa quality: farmers have turned parts of its shore- Lack of regulation on the he two men in the mo- line into a marine cemetery. waters has also helped illicit Small groups of naval of- Reuters torised wooden canoe In Kiri-Kiri, the lagoon cor- activity thrive, turning the fi cials, some with uniformed Abidjan Tlook around warily as ridor, scores of wrecks and ghost ships into hideouts for t-shirts, others topless in the they leave a towering shipwreck discarded ship scrap provide sea criminals. sun, bask on the upper decks of in the Lagos lagoon, with the useful cover to hide illicit goods Small groups of former crew confi scated ships. ixed rains fell over Ivory barrels of oil on board barely and barrels of oil and gas. lounge on several of the wrecks, Tunji Adejumo, a landscape Coast’s cocoa-grow- concealed under rags. From there, the waters of- lodging in dim, disused cabins, architect and ecologist at UNI- Ming regions last week, The rusting hulk of iron and fer an easy route up the Lagos keeping watch for anyone seek- LAG, says the navy has become farmers said yesterday, with peeling paint has been battered coast to Benin and beyond. Ex- ing to strip the ships of valuable the main monitoring agency on more showers needed in some by the elements and is half sub- pensive scrap metal culled from scrap. the coastline. areas to boost the April-to- merged in the water. Sprouts of unmanned wrecks can be sold One crew member, who “Yet even still, many of these September mid-crop. green shoots on deck indicate for thousands of dollars. asked not to be identifi ed, said shipping companies are able The rainy season in the world’s how long it has been abandoned. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil he and three others had worked to avoid culpability for leav- biggest cocoa producer runs But on closer inspection, the producer, churning out about shifts to stay in the cabin all day ing their wrecks in the water,” from mid-March to late October, wreck is a working storage fa- two million barrels a day. and night for 15 months since he said. with heavy showers expected to cility for stolen or “bunkered” But a lack of fully function- the ship capsized. “These shipwrecks hurt begin this month. oil, as it is known in Nigeria. ing refi neries means crude is Copper and bronze and the the aesthetics of the coast- Farmers said their harvests “Oladele”, a 30-year-old exported, processed and then brass from the ship’s propel- line. They degrade over time, had so far been more abundant who did not want to publicise imported for use. ler could be sold for as much as dumped there but rarely dealt than last year and that a mix of his real name, has plied the wa- Much of it is shipped through 20,000,000 naira ($55,000), he with. And they have serious showers and sunshine would A man cuts a cocoa pod from a tree on a plantation in Toumodi, Ivory Coast. ters on his boat since he was 15. the narrow marine corridor into said. environmental eff ects.” yield a healthier mid-crop than He says it’s not the only Lagos. Hundreds of ships wait “People will come and steal In Lighthouse Beach, a most- the previous season. last week, 8mm above the fi ve- ing from the bush,” said Albert wreck that stores illegally im- for days on the horizon of the valuables that are still here,” he ly quiet get-away lined by large In the western region of Sou- year average. N’Zue, who farms near Daloa. ported oil brought into the port Gulf of Guinea to get into the added. beach houses, a wreck at the bre, at the heart of the cocoa Rainfall was also above aver- “The weather is getting darker by the huge tankers delivering port and discharge their goods. The Nigerian Maritime Ad- very end of the shore has been a belt, farmers said the weather age in the southern regions of and darker. If it starts raining petrol and gas, then sold on in On the way in and out they ministration and Safety Agen- landmark for visitors for years. would allow them to harvest Agboville and Divo, in the cen- well soon, the mid-crop will fi n- neighbouring Benin and Togo. pass the skeletons of scuttled cy, which polices the country’s In parts of the waterways, twice a month until at least July. tral region of Bongouanou, and ish beautifully,” N’Zue added. “Every ship does it. They and abandoned ships, some of waterways, says it is proactive scuba-diving and spearfi shing “The mid-crop is good, we in eastern region of Abengourou, Data collected by Reuters will declare 10 tonnes but bring which have capsized because in removing the likely hundreds capitalise on the wrecks aes- have already harvested many and farmers said they expected showed that rainfall in Daloa, in 12,” he said. of the eff ects on the tides of the of wrecks but concede that re- thetics and the aquatic life it more beans than last year,” said large and high-quality beans if including the region of Bouafl e, “We will store them in the wrecks. moving them is expensive. attracts. Julien Beda, who farms near the weather remained constant. was at 10.3mm last week, 11.6mm tanks, deep inside the wrecks, Yet there are also suspicions Taibat Lawanson, a profes- Yet many of the wrecks, be- Soubre. But in the centre-western region below the fi ve-year average. then at night usually, it will be that amidst lax marine regula- sor of urban planning at the low sea level and invisible above “Sunshine will be very im- of Daloa, which produces a quarter Rainfall was also below average picked up.” tion, companies treat Lagos’ University of Lagos (UNILAG), it, present numerous dangers. portant for the next stage (of the of the country’s output, farmers in central region of Yamoussoukro Middle men could typically waters as a ship refuse site, said the price of removal was A 6:00 pm curfew exists mid-crop).” said more downpours were needed and the western region of Man. make at least $80 to $200 (70 to avoiding incurring the expense prohibitive. for commercial boats, which Rainfall in Soubre, which in- to boost the mid-crop. Average temperatures ranged 180 euros) a trip for several years. of disposing of old vessels. “Because removing them is imposed in part to prevent cludes the regions of Sassandra “Buyers are complaining about between 27.6 and 30.9 degrees “It’s big business,” he said. Experts say the wrecks is so costly, neither the state accidents. and San Pedro, was at 27.5mm the small (sized) beans com- Celsius.

Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 AMERICAS

POLITICS INVESTIGATION FRAUD MONEY MATTERS FALSE CLAIM Uranium import probe Loughlin pleads not guilty Trump 2020 campaign has Woman held at Trump report sent to W House in college admissions case raised over $30mn resort pleads not guilty

The US Commerce Department has submitted Actress Lori Loughlin said yesterday she will President Donald Trump’s re-election A Chinese woman, charged with bluff ing her way to the White House the results of a national plead not guilty to charges that she participated campaign raised more than $30mn in the into US President Donald Trump’s Florida resort security investigation into uranium imports, a in what prosecutors say was the largest college first quarter of 2019, his campaign said on last month, yesterday entered a not guilty plea in spokesman for the department said yesterday. admissions scandal uncovered in US history. Sunday, far outpacing the total raised by federal court. Yujing Zhang was formally indicted The ‘Section 232’ probe was prompted by Loughlin and her fashion designer husband individual Democratic candidates during that on Friday with making false statements to a federal a petition filed by two US uranium mining Mossimo Giannulli filed papers in federal court period. Trump’s first-quarter haul, leaving his off icer and entering or remaining in a restricted companies, Ur-Energy Inc and Energy Fuels Inc, in Boston seeking to waive their personal 2020 re-election effort with $40.8mn in cash, area, charges that carry a sentence of up to five complaining that subsidised foreign competitors appearances at an arraignment hearing and have showed Republican donors were willing to years in prison. She entered a not guilty plea during have caused them to cut capacity and lay off ‘not guilty’ pleas entered on their behalf. They invest in him as he girds for what is likely to an arraignment yesterday in US District Court in workers. US nuclear power generators oppose are among 50 people accused of participating be a difficult bid for a second term. Senators West Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI is examining United Conservative Party leader Jason the federal government taking action and have in a scheme that allowed wealthy parents to use Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris have led the whether Zhang has any links to intelligence Kenney makes an election campaign visit to argued tariff s or quotas would increase costs for cheating and bribes to help their children secure field of Democratic contenders in fundraising agencies in China or political influence operations, members of the Sikh community in Edmonton, the struggling industry and possibly cause some spots at universities like Yale, Georgetown and so far in 2019, raising $18.2mn and $12mn two US government sources have told Reuters. The Alberta, Canada. reactors to shut. the University of Southern California. respectively in the first quarter. indictment does not include espionage charges. Trump says Redacted Mueller report Ilhan Omar is ‘out of control’ coming out on Thursday in fresh attack

Reuters After Barr released his four-page By Susan Cornwell, Reuters Washington letter, Trump claimed “complete Washington and total exoneration,” condemned “an illegal takedown that failed” ttorney General William and accused unnamed political en- President Donald Trump yesterday attacked Democratic Barr plans to release a re- emies of treasonous acts. US Representative Ilhan Omar as an “out of control” Adacted version of Special The redactions in the report will purveyor of “hate” speech before leaving for a visit to Counsel Robert Mueller’s report be colour-coded by category, ac- the state the Muslim-American represents in Congress. on Russian interference in the 2016 cording to Barr, explaining the rea- Writing on Twitter, Trump blasted both Omar and US election and contacts between sons that parts are blacked out. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for defending Omar after Moscow and President Donald Since Barr released his letter, he tweeted a video on Friday suggesting Omar had been Trump’s campaign on Thursday Trump has set his sights on the FBI, dismissive of the September 11, 2001, attacks. morning, the Justice Department and accused the Justice Depart- “Before Nancy, who has lost all control of Congress said yesterday. ment of improperly targeting his and is getting nothing done, decides to defend her Department spokeswoman Kerri campaign. leader, Rep. Omar, she should look at the anti-Semitic, Kupec did not provide a precise Last week, Barr told a US Senate anti-Israel and ungrateful US HATE statements Omar has time, but said the report, which Trump, Barr and Mueller ... diff erent strokes panel he believed that “spying” did made,” Trump said. Barr has described as nearly 400 occur on Trump’s campaign, and “She is out of control, except for her control of pages long, will be released both to politically motivated “witch hunt.” tion campaign conspired with Russia. Barr has been under pressure he plans to investigate whether it Nancy!” Congress and the public. Mueller turned over a copy of Barr also wrote that Mueller pre- from Democrats to release the full was properly authorized. Omar’s and Pelosi’s off ices had no comment yester- Moments after the department his confi dential report to Barr on sented evidence “on both sides” report without redactions. “I think spying did occur,” Barr, day. announced its plans for releasing March 22, ending his 22-month- about whether Trump obstructed Barr, a Trump appointee, has the top US law enforcement offi cer, The Minnesota congresswoman said on Sunday the report, the Republican presi- long inquiry. Two days later, Barr justice, but he did not draw a con- pledged to be as transparent as told the lawmakers. “But the ques- evening that she had experienced “an increase in direct dent went to Twitter to make an- released a four-page letter summa- clusion one way or the other. possible. tion is whether it was adequately threats on my life — many directly referencing or reply- other attack on Mueller’s team and rizing what he said were Mueller’s Barr said that he reviewed Mu- But he has said he will redact predicated.” ing to the president’s video.” derided the “Russia Hoax.” primary conclusions. eller’s evidence and made his own some sensitive information, in- Barr’s comments were criticised “Violent rhetoric and all forms of hate speech have The Mueller investigation has In that letter to Congress, Barr said determination that Trump did not cluding grand jury information and by Democrats, who are already no place in our society, much less from our country’s cast a cloud over the presidency Mueller’s investigation did not estab- commit the crime of obstruction of information about US intelligence- sceptical of how the attorney gen- Commander in Chief. We are all Americans. This is en- of Trump, who has often called it a lish that members of Trump’s elec- justice. gathering. eral has handled the report’s release. dangering lives. It has to stop,” Omar wrote in a tweeted statement. Marc Lotter, an adviser to Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, denied Trump was inciting violence. “I don’t think it is the president who’s putting her in danger. I think it’s her ill-thought-out words that she Mnuchin ‘analysing law’ on Measles cases surged nearly 20% in a week used to describe the greatest terror attack on the his- tory of United States soil,” Lotter told CNN yesterday. Trump tax return request The video tweeted by Trump spliced news footage AFP lation of 8.5mn people, and New In New York City, fi ve parents fi led of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month New York York’s Rockland County, with 184 suit yesterday with the state Su- in which she said “some people did something” in refer- Reuters confi rmed cases out of 300,000 in- preme Court, seeking to overturn the ence to the attacks. Washington habitants. mayor’s vaccination order. Lawmakers from Trump’s Republican Party have easles cases in the United To stem the epidemic, both Rock- “There is insufficient evidence accused Omar of minimizing the September 11 attacks, States surged nearly 20% land County and the New York of a measles epidemic or dangerous while critics of the president say he took Omar’s words reasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said yesterday he will Mover the past week to 555, mayor’s offi ce have declared health outbreak to justify the respond- out of context in order to stoke anti-Muslim sentiment. follow the law regarding Congress’ request for President even as authorities in New York, site emergencies and taken extraordinary ents’ extraordinary measures, in- Later yesterday, Trump was to visit a trucking TDonald Trump’s tax returns but reiterated his concerns of the two biggest outbreaks, faced measures, to the great displeasure of cluding forced vaccination,” the company in Burnsville, Minnesota, about 24km outside about lawmakers’ demands for the documents. court challenges over their attempts opponents of vaccines. suit argues. Minneapolis. “We’re analysing the law, we’re consulting with the Depart- to compel vaccinations. On April 9, New York City ordered New York state requires school The venue is in the state’s second congressional dis- ment of Justice,” Mnuchin said in an interview on Fox Business The new fi gures released yester- the vaccination of every person liv- age children to receive a series of trict, which is south of and partially adjacent to the fifth Network. day by the Centers for Disease Con- ing or working in the four most vaccinations before being inte- congressional district represented by Omar. Congressional Democrats and the Trump administration are trol and Prevention showed there heavily aff ected areas in the Wil- grated in the school system, but the The Minnesota branch of the Council on American- headed for a legal showdown after House Ways and Means Com- were 90 additional confi rmed cases liamsburg sector of Brooklyn, under law authorizes waivers for religious Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and mittee Chairman Richard Neal imposed an April 23 deadline for as of April 11 from the previous week, penalty of criminal prosecution and reasons, which are now being chal- advocacy group, has said it would hold a rally in support the documents. bringing the total for the year to 555. a $1,000 fi ne. lenged. of Omar outside the company. “I will follow the law,” Mnuchin told the cable network, add- The latest US tally came as the In Rockland County, which lies Besides the infl uence of the anti- Omar was speaking at a CAIR banquet in California in ing that he would also review related “constitutional issues” World Health Organization reported about 40 miles north of New York vaccination movement, the con- March when she made her controversial remarks about carefully. He is involved in the decision since the department has a 300 % increase in measles cases City on the Hudson River, authori- troversy has a religious dimension 9/11. oversight of the IRS. worldwide in the fi rst three months ties last month barred all unvacci- because most of the New York cases Omar also said Muslims had “lived with the discom- Mnuchin reiterated his concern that Democrats’ demand could of 2019. nated minors from public places. have occurred in areas with large Or- fort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I’m tired lead the federal tax agency to become a tool for political disputes. Driven by a spreading US move- Those actions have been chal- thodox Jewish populations. of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be Trump bucked decades of tradition by not releasing his tax re- ment against vaccinations, the US lenged in court, refl ecting the in- The lawyer for the parents who tired of it.” turns when he ran for the White House in 2016 and won. fl areup is the second worst since the tensity of emotions surrounding the brought yesterday’s suit, Robert The White House said Sunday that Trump did not The president last week said people do not care about his tax highly contagious and sometimes issue. Krakow, stressed, however, that two wish any harm in his Twitter post about Omar. returns and repeated that he would release them except that they deadly disease was offi cially declared In Rockland, a judge granted a of them were not Jewish. The House of Representatives approved a broad are being audited by the IRS, but off ered no evidence of the agen- eradicated in 2000. temporary injunction on the ban af- And a number of leaders of the Or- resolution condemning bigotry last month after remarks cy’s review. Detected in 20 US states, the big- ter parents charged that it was dis- thodox Jewish community have said by Omar that some members of both parties viewed as Tax experts have said an IRS audit would not prevent an indi- gest measles hotspots are in New proportionate since the measles out- there is nothing in the religion that anti-Semitic. vidual from making their returns public. York City, with 285 cases in a popu- break has not claimed any lives yet. prohibits vaccination.

Walk in the park Thunderstorms strike East Coast, leave thousands without power

Reuters ups, pockets of heavy rain A third child, Sebastian New York and damaging winds that can Omar Martinez, 13, drowned still hit before this pushes off late on Saturday when he fell shore.” into a drainage ditch fi lled evere thunderstorms The storm system picked up with fl ash fl oodwaters near blasted the US East strength in the US South over Monroe, Louisiana, Deputy SCoast with gusts of the weekend, where it spurred Glenn Springfi eld of the Oua- wind up to 80kph yesterday tornadoes that killed at least chita Parish Sheriff ’s Offi ce morning, knocking out power fi ve people, including three said. in thousands of homes and children, offi cials said. In another storm death putting several states on fl ood The massive storm sys- nearby, an unidentifi ed vic- watch, the National Weather tem sped from Texas east- tim’s body was trapped in a Service said. ward with dozens of twisters vehicle submerged in fl ood- More than 54,000 homes reported as touching down waters in Calhoun, Louisiana, and businesses were without across the South from Texas Springfi eld said. power in Pennsylvania, ac- through Georgia into Penn- In Mississippi, Governor cording to the tracking site sylvania. Phil Bryant said one person PowerOutage, with 139,000 The storm’s cold front was killed and 11 injured over more outages reported across brought snow to Chicago on the weekend as tornadoes New York, Rhode Island, Vir- Sunday, with 2.5cm to 7.6cm ripped through 17 counties ginia, North Carolina, Mary- reported in central Illinois. and left 26,000 homes and land and New Jersey. Two children, siblings aged businesses without electric- The National Weather three and eight, were killed ity. Service forecast heavy rains on Saturday when a tree fell In addition, three people and fl ash fl ooding for the on the car in which they were were killed when a private jet Northeast till late yesterday. sitting in Pollok, Texas, a crashed in Mississippi on Sat- “This is an ongoing threat,” spokeswoman for the Ange- urday, although Bryant said A woman poses for a picture in front of blooming trees at Central Park New York City. said Brian Hurley, from the lina County Sheriff ’s Depart- it was unclear whether it was center. “There are short spin- ment said. caused by the weather. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 17 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Malaysia former PM Najib’s 1MDB corruption trial resumes

AFP court cases he is expected to face dal. The ex-leader’s highly-an- and passed through a scrum of from SRC was allegedly sent to “There can be many transac- year, has pledged to bring Najib Kuala Lumpur over the controversy. ticipated trial began on April 3, journalists before entering the Najib’s accounts at AmBank. tions. The issue is does (Najib) to justice and recoup the huge The ex-prime minister and with Najib denying seven charg- courtroom and taking his seat in Earlier Najib’s defence team know the exact thing that is go- sums of cash stolen from 1MDB. his cronies are accused of steal- es related to the theft of 42mn the dock. cross-examined Companies ing on, does he know in fact it The US Department of Justice, oppled Malaysian leader ing billions of dollars from 1MDB ringgit ($10.2mn) from SRC In- The main witness called yes- Commission of Malaysia offi cial is from illegal sources?” he told which is investigating the 1MDB Najib Razak returned to and spending it on everything ternational, a former 1MDB unit. terday was Azizul Adzani Abdul Muhamad Akmaluddin Abdul- reporters outside court. controversy as money was al- Tcourt for the second day from high-end real estate to art- It is just a fraction of the Ghafar, an investigating offi cer lah, who had testifi ed when the “The prosecution need to legedly laundered through the of his high-profi le corruption works and a luxury yacht. money Najib is accused of steal- from the central bank, who was trial opened, on matters related show that he is complicit, that American fi nancial system, be- trial yesterday, with the former The allegations played a large ing – he has also been charged in part of a team that raided the to SRC’s records. he is part of the conspiracy.” lieves $4.5bn in total was looted premier accused of plunder- part in prompting voters to oust a separate case over the alleged branch of a local lender, Am- After the trial was adjourned Najib has consistently denied from the fund. ing large sums from scandal-hit his corruption-plagued coali- transfer of $681mn to his bank Bank. The offi cers seized docu- for the day, Najib’s chief lawyer any wrongdoing over the loot- Malaysia has also charged state fund 1MDB. tion, which had been in power account. ments related to accounts held Muhamad Shafee Abdullah said ing of 1MDB. Prime Minister Wall Street titan Goldman Sachs The 65-year-old fi nally went for six decades, at historic elec- He arrived at the High Court by Najib at the bank, accounts the prosecution would have to Mahathir Mohamad, who came over the scandal, alleging the on trial this month over his al- tions last year. Since then, Najib in Kuala Lumpur yesterday for belonging to SRC International, prove the ex-leader knew the out of retirement to lead an alli- bank and its former employ- leged role in looting the invest- has been arrested and hit with the second day of proceed- and accounts held by another money fl ows were illicit to con- ance to a shock election victory ees stole billions of dollars from ment vehicle, the fi rst of several dozens of charges over the scan- ings, wearing a dark suit and tie, company. The stolen money vict him. against Najib’s government last 1MDB. Moon pushes for North Korea talks despite standoff

Reuters Seoul

outh Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said yester- Sday he will pursue “in ear- nest” another summit with Kim Jong-un despite the North Korean leader’s recent criticism of Seoul’s self-proclaimed role as a mediator in stalled nuclear talks. Moon has been eager to regain momentum in talks with North Korea since Kim’s second sum- mit with US President Donald Trump, in Vietnam in February, failed due to confl icting demands by Pyongyang for sanctions relief and by Washington for sweeping North Korean measures to aban- don its nuclear programme. Kim said in a speech on Friday that he was willing to hold an- other summit with Trump if the United States changed its calcu- lation and off ered a “proper atti- Students participate in a mass dance performance as part of celebrations marking the anniversary of the birth tude and a methodology”, setting of late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, known as the ‘Day of the Sun’, at the Monument to the Worker’s Party a year-end deadline. Founding, in Pyongyang yesterday. Kim Jong-un, Moon Jae-in in North Korea in a file picture. While North Korea and the United States have been discuss- who visited Washington to meet taries, noting that as soon as the of negotiations. But Moon did not “pose as a meddlesome ‘me- intensify tension on the Korean on the North’s denuclearisation ing the North’s denuclearisation, Trump last week, said Kim’s lat- North Koreans were ready, he was not specifi cally respond to Kim’s diator’ and ‘facilitator’” between peninsula. However, Kim said he and that looks doubtful, with US ally South Korea has been tak- est address “set the stage” for willing to meet Kim “regardless of criticism that South Korea was the North and the United States. remained committed to improv- neither side showing willingness ing steps to improve its ties with a fourth inter-Korean summit, venue and form”. too subservient to the “anachro- North Korea’s state media on ing relations with South Korea if it to make concessions. Trump em- its old rival. Moon and Kim have which could be a “stepping stone In his fi rst public remarks since nistic arrogance and hostile policy Saturday issued a commentary showed its “sincerity by practical phasised during last week’s talks held three meetings over the past for an even bigger opportunity Kim’s address, Moon said he “very of the United States”, and that criticising South Korea’s purchase action, not by words”. with Moon that he was willing year, and Moon’s administration and a more signifi cant outcome”. much welcomed” that speech, the South’s military persisted in of fi ghter jets, including two re- Any signifi cant improvement in to meet Kim again but would not has been keen for a fourth, pos- “Now is the time to begin the saying it showed Kim’s “unwa- “veiled hostility” by conducting cently delivered F-35A jets from ties between the two Koreas could lift sanctions until the North took sibly to mark the anniversary of preparations in earnest,” Moon vering” commitment toward de- exercises with US forces. the United States, calling it a “se- depend on progress between meaningful steps to dismantle its the fi rst one on April 27. Moon, told a meeting with senior secre- nuclearisation and the reopening Kim said South Korea should rious provocative act” that could North Korea and the United States nuclear programmes.

New Zealand nurse kidnapped by IS China says Japan should do more to fi ve years ago may be alive: Red Cross seek co-operation, not competition Reuters forts to amend Japan’s pacifi st Japan can take even more actual AFP Ardern’s approval rating rises the families of the three. “Louisa Beijing constitution. steps in this regard.” The two Geneva is a true and compassionate hu- But they have sought to im- countries should constructively New Zealand Prime Minister Ratings for Ardern’s rival, op- manitarian. Alaa and Nabil were prove relations more recently, manage and control their diff er- Jacinda Ardern, who was position National Party leader committed colleagues and an in- hina urged Japan yester- with Abe visiting Beijing in ences through dialogue, and pro- New Zealand nurse be- praised at home and abroad for Simon Bridges, dropped one tegral part of our aid deliveries. day to do more to follow October, when both countries mote the long-term, healthy and lieved abducted with two her handling of the Christch- percentage point to 5%. Party “We call on anyone with infor- Cthrough on its intention of pledged to forge closer ties and steady development of relations, Adrivers by Islamic State urch mosques shooting last vote results also showed Ard- mation to please come forward. seeking co-operation with China signed a broad range of agree- Wang added. militants in Syria in 2013 may still month, received her highest ern’s Labour Party rising three If our colleagues are still being rather than competition, warn- ments including a $30bn cur- Japan’s foreign ministry be alive, the International Com- approval rating since taking percentage points to 48% while held, we call for their immediate ing that there was still weakness rency swap pact. spokesman, Takeshi Osuga, told mittee of the Red Cross has re- off ice in a widely watched the National’s rating dropping and unconditional release.” in their relationship. China and The Chinese government’s top reporters in Beijing that the talks, vealed for the fi rst time in an ap- poll yesterday. The 1 NEWS to its lowest since September Akavi had carried out 17 fi eld Japan have sparred frequently diplomat, State Councillor Wang which included Chinese Premier peal for news of her whereabouts. Colmar Brunton political survey 2017, at 40%. “All I know is missions with the ICRC and about their painful history, with Yi, told Japanese Foreign Minis- Li Keqiang, had covered a wide Louisa Akavi was snatched showed 51% of respondents that I’m doing my job to the the New Zealand Red Cross, the Beijing often accusing Tokyo of ter Taro Kono in Beijing that the variety of topics, including the along with Syrian drivers Alaa said Ardern was their preferred best of my ability,” Ardern told statement said. Rajab and Bak- not properly atoning for Japan’s improvement in relations was in East China Sea and North Korea. Rajab and Nabil Bakdounes while prime minister, climbing seven 1News when asked about the dounes were “dedicated hus- invasion of China before and an initial phase. While Japan is keen for closer travelling in a Red Cross convoy percentage points from the poll result. Since coming to bands and caring fathers”, it during World War II. “There are major opportuni- economic ties with its biggest delivering supplies to Idlib, in the last poll in February. Its the power in 2017, Ardern’s coalition added. A spokesman for Akavi’s Ties between China and Japan, ties, and there are also sensi- trading partner, it must man- northwest of the country. Armed first political survey since a government has faced several family, Tuaine Robati, said she the world’s second and third- tivities and weaknesses,” China’s age that rapprochement without men stopped their convoy on lone gunman killed 50 Muslim challenges including weak busi- knew the dangers she faced. largest economies, have also foreign ministry cited Wang as upsetting its key security ally, the October 13, 2013, and abducted worshippers at two mosques ness confidence, emboldened “She’s been through tough been plagued by a long-running saying. United States. seven people, four of whom were in Christchurch on March 15. unions and a slowing economy. times in her job before but she’s territorial dispute over a cluster “The Japanese side has said Chinese President Xi Jinping released the following day. stuck at it because she loves it,” of East China Sea islets and sus- many times that China and Japan is likely to visit Japan this year, as The ICRC said it believed he said. “Louisa is an incredibly picion in China about Japanese should turn competition into co- it is the host nation for the G20 they were abducted by the Is- non-combat team was specifi - previously released for fear that experienced nurse and aid work- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ef- ordination, and (we) hope that summit. lamic State group (IS). “Our lat- cally focused on locating Louisa any publicity would place the er who knew the risks of her job. est credible information indi- and identifying opportunities to hostages at greater risk, and New Our family misses her very much cates that Louisa was alive in late recover her. Zealand media outlets which and is concerned for her safety.” Scribes facing contempt charges over Pell trial defend their work 2018,” the group said Sunday in “The eff orts to locate and re- knew Akavi had been taken hos- The war in Syria, which began a statement from Geneva. “The cover Louisa are ongoing, and tage agreed not to publish the in 2011, has claimed more than Three dozen Australian journalists proceedings in any format acces- scandalising the court.” The state of ICRC has never been able to learn there are a number of operational story. 370,000 lives and forced millions and media outlets facing contempt sible in Australia was banned under Victoria’s director of public prosecu- more details about Alaa and Na- or intelligence matters the gov- “In these situations the pri- of people to fl ee their homes. The of court allegations over their a court suppression order last year tions has named 23 journalists, news bil, and their fate is not known.” ernment won’t be commenting ority must be the safety of the Kurdish-led SDF, backed by a coverage of Cardinal George Pell’s to prevent a second trial — which editors, radio and television hosts New Zealand said it disa- on,” he said. hostage and we received clear US-led coalition, captured the child sexual abuse trial defended was later dropped — from being and 13 media outlets. None of those greed with making the abduc- New Zealand Prime Minister advice that any publicity would last IS bastion in eastern Syria their position yesterday, saying the influenced by the first trial. facing the allegations appeared at tion public but did confi rm it Jacinda Ardern expressed disap- place Louisa at even greater risk,” on March 23, and had detained case could have a “chilling” eff ect on State prosecutors hold that the the court. They were represented had dispatched a special forces pointment at the information re- Peters said. “The government is thousands of suspected IS fi ght- open justice and democracy. The journalists did not fully follow the jointly by two lawyers. “The proceed- unit to Syria to search for Akavi. leased by the ICRC and refused to very grateful for the co-opera- ers. But this could make it more legal battle over their coverage is court suppression order and allege ings raise very serious allegations “This has involved members of answer questions at her weekly tion of media outlets over many diffi cult to fi nd Akavi. unprecedented in Australian history. that the media outlets and journal- against 13 media organisations. It is the NZDF (New Zealand defence press conference yesterday. years in respecting this advice The New York Times has re- The first, purely administrative, direc- ists prejudiced and interfered with as significant as it gets in terms of force) drawn from the Special “It absolutely remains the and undertaking not to publish ported the Red Cross has reason tions hearing took place yesterday “due administration of justice.” The convictions,” lawyer Matthew Collins, Operations Force, and personnel government’s view that it would ... and we thank them for their to believe she is alive, because at before the state’s Supreme Court in journalists face prison or a fine who is representing the media, told have visited Syria from time to be preferable if this case was not principled approach.” least two people described see- Melbourne. Ex-Vatican treasurer Pell for contempt of court, aiding and the court yesterday, according to time as required,” New Zealand in the public domain,” she said. ICRC operations director ing her in December at a clinic in was sentenced in March to six years abetting overseas media, breaching The Age newspaper. The paper’s Deputy Prime Minister Win- Peters said information about Dominik Stillhart said it was an Sousa, one of the fi nal villages to in prison for sexually assaulting two a suppression order, and for publish- news editor is among those facing ston Peters said yesterday. “This the kidnapping had not been “extremely diffi cult time” for be held by IS militants. choirboys. Reporting on his legal ing materials that “had the eff ect of charges. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 BRITAIN

Downing Street under pressure to end Labour talks on Brexit

Guardian News and Media However, government sources prime minister’s overtures so far. There is also concern in No 10 terday that a failure to fi nd some servatives may have to go back think European elections can be London acknowledge Theresa May is The government’s alternative that Labour may not get behind way of getting agreement for a into talks with the DUP, which avoided at this stage. under much greater time pres- plan is for MPs to thrash out an the plan to let MPs amend the deal before the European elec- has repeatedly rejected May’s Conservative party offi cials sure than Labour, which has little acceptable version of May’s deal withdrawal bill to fi nd a way for- tions would be “highly, extreme- withdrawal agreement on ac- are privately acknowledging the o 10 is feeling the pres- incentive to do a deal before the through a series of votes or by ward. Downing Street is worried ly, very, very challenging” for count of the backstop that could party will lose around half of sure to pull the plug on European and local elections that amending the withdrawal bill, that if the withdrawal bill were to May, suggesting she may struggle keep Northern Ireland in a cus- their MEPs. The party is so con- NBrexit talks with Labour are likely to result in the Con- but experts said there was barely be voted down before the stage to cling on longer as prime minis- toms union. “We don’t know if cerned about defections to the and move to an alternative plan, servatives suff ering heavy losses enough time to do this in the fi ve of amendments, May would have ter if that were the case. they are going to work and it may Brexit party and Change UK that amid warnings that the opposi- to Nigel Farage’s Brexit party. weeks before the European elec- to prorogue parliament and start “That would be a very seri- be that we need to fi nd a way to all candidates are being asked to tion is in no hurry for a deal be- Ministers and their opposition tions. again by bringing it forward with a ous situation – I don’t pretend rebuild the Conservative-DUP sign legal undertakings that they fore the European elections. counterparts are taking part in Nikki da Costa, formerly the new session and Queen’s speech, a otherwise – but we aren’t at that coalition,” Hunt said. would resign as MEPs if they were With talks deadlocked and no working groups on some issues legislative aff airs director in No move also fraught with diffi culties point,” he said, during a visit to Ja- Other Conservatives believe the to jump ship for another party. sign of the government mov- this week, but there will be no 10, suggested getting the with- given the government’s weakened pan. Asked if fi ghting the elections European elections are now all but “They are worried about losing ing on its red lines, neither the discussion before Easter on the drawal bill passed by May 22 relationship with the Democratic would be a disaster for the Tories, inevitable, despite May’s claims MEPs on both ends of the spec- Conservatives or Labour want to big issues of a customs union or a would “require a level of legisla- Unionist Party (DUP). he told the BBC: “In terms of poll- that they are avoidable. One Con- trum. It could be a major embar- appear responsible for the break- confi rmatory referendum, mak- tive aggression from government However, Jeremy Hunt, the ing, it certainly looks that way”. servative MEP told the Guardian rassment,” one candidate to be- down in discussions. ing it easy for Labour to reject the not seen in this parliament”. foreign secretary, warned yes- He even suggested the Con- that it was “cloud cuckoo land” to come an MEP said. Appointment shortage forces women to delay cancer tests: poll

Daily Mail who may be on holiday or off London sick. Many GP practices have long waiting lists and consultations lmost half of women have are frequently cancelled at the delayed life-saving cervi- last minute, when women have Acal cancer tests because already booked time off work. they could not get an appoint- The survey of 2,037 women, ment at their GP surgery, a poll conducted by Jo’s Cervical Can- revealed yesterday. cer Trust on behalf of the Daily Experts said the procedure Mail, found that 43% of women was becoming increasing “in- had been forced to delay their accessible” due to a shortage of test at least once because they available slots at under-pressure could not get an appointment. surgeries. Another 27% said they had More than a quarter of women missed that year’s smear test say they have missed their smear completely because they were test altogether because they were unable to make a slot. Among the unable to make a consultation. women who had missed or de- For a fi fth, this had happened layed the procedure, 41% report- Environmental activists erect tents near Marble Arch during a demonstration by the Extinction Rebellion group in London yesterday. “multiple” times, with some ed waiting a year or more before admitting they had waited fi ve fi nally having it done. years before eventually being This included 9% who said screened. they had waited fi ve years or Cervical screening attendance more and 3% who waited more is at its worst level in two dec- than ten years. ades and just 71% of the eligible Without screening, cervical population are up-to-date on cancer is extremely diffi cult to their tests. diagnose and there aren’t usu- London leads global Campaigners said women who ally any symptoms in the early had fi nally plucked up the cour- stages. age to pick up the phone were Often by the time the signs do then put off by the long waits and appear, tumours have spread to lack of appointments. other organs. Robert Music, chief Cervical cancer is the most executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer common form of cancer in the Trust, said: “Women who have climate protests under-35s and there are 3,200 taken a long time to pluck up the new cases in the UK each year, courage to pick up the phone are AFP ain by academics and has used getting more open, there is a people you are persuading to group of people who protested and 1,000 deaths. then told it’s four weeks, eight London social media to gain followers vibe,” she said. change,” movement spokes- in the public gallery of parlia- But this mortality rate would weeks or call back. and become one of the fastest- Campaigners also daubed man Larch Maxey said. ment’s House of Commons be signifi cantly higher were it “There’s a worry that they’ll get growing environmental move- graffiti and smashed a window About 100 activists in Berlin on April 1. “We are farmers. not for the NHS’s screening pro- disenchanted, lose confi dence and limate change protest- ments in the world. at the UK offices of energy gi- organised a sit-in that blocked Twenty years ago we saw the gramme, which detects abnor- they may not book again. That’s ers brought a bridge in More than a thousand peo- ant Royal Dutch Shell. a major bridge for two hours. way farming was industrial- mal cells before they develop into our biggest concern. CLondon to a standstill ple blocked off central Lon- “Shell knows!”, said one sign A couple of dozen people also ised, destroying and damaging tumours. “We’ve got this amazing pro- and choked off central streets don’s Waterloo Bridge and spray painted on the building. blocked one of the entrances of human life with pesticides,” Women are invited to have gramme which saves 5,000 lives at the start of a civil disobedi- potted plants along its length “Crime scene,” said another. the entrance of Spain’s Repsol the 68-year-old Cornwall res- smear tests every three years every year but it’s becoming ence campaign that also saw as yesterday’s largely peaceful Police officers detained energy company in Madrid with ident said. from the ages of 25 to 49, and more and more inaccessible.” action in other parts of Europe. events kicked off. suspects at the building while a sign reading: “THERE IS NO “Every day, we see evi- then every fi ve years up to the age Caroline Lucas, the Green Par- The so-called “Extinction Evening saw some start to demonstrators held up a ban- PLANet B”. But the most colour- dence of the planet in crisis.” of 65. ty MP for Brighton said: “There Rebellion” is being organ- set up camps in Hyde Park in ner reading “fossil fuels are ful — and disruptive — protests Fellow Cronwall native Sally But many GP surgeries are are very serious concerns that ised to attract attention to the shadow of the famed Mar- killing us”. saw people set up vegetarian Hole agreed. “We’ve been ig- understaff ed and struggling to women are fi nding it very dif- the slow response of govern- ble Arch in preparation for The group’s goals include food stalls and roll out wheel- noring scientist reports,” the meet the needs of their patients, fi cult to get an appointment for ments around the world to ris- more rallies over the coming reducing greenhouse gas emis- barrows to renowned London 34-year-old said. “Our house particularly in areas where the a smear test and that ministers ing temperatures and sea lev- two days. sions to net zero by 2025 and to street intersections such as Pic- is on fire,” she said. “Weather population is rising. aren’t properly addressing this. els caused by greenhouse gas “I’m here because our gen- halt biodiversity loss. cadilly and Oxford Circus. becomes more and more un- Some can only off er smear test “Smear tests save lives and emissions. eration is going to be affected “The plan is disruption and Many families with children predictable, I believe that is clinics on one day a week or only ministers cannot ignore this vital The grassroots group was by this,” said 22-year-old Ruby that disruption escalates un- took part. going to continue. What do we have one nurse to carry them out, question of access.” established last year in Brit- Brookman. “Our generation is til you get the attention of the Oliver Paines was part of a do when we run out of food?”

Walk on the beach Ex-soldier to face trial for One in fi ve post offi ces 1972 Derry boy’s killing ‘could close in next year’ Guardian News and Media Postmasters are unhappy with London the amount they are paid by the Guardian News and Media the high court quashed a Public one provided after the court rul- Post Offi ce for the individual London Prosecution Service (PPS) deci- ing in 2018. transactions they process, and sion not to bring criminal charges “I have concluded that the ore than one in fi ve post about three quarters (76%) of against him. evidence which can be presented offi ces could disappear those surveyed said they earned he veteran, identifi ed Members of the family were at court is suffi cient to provide a Mover the next 12 months less than the hourly national as “Soldier B”, will face informed of the decision to reasonable prospect of convic- as the often self-employed post- minimum wage per hour for the Tthe charge of murdering launch the prosecution at a pri- tion and that the evidential test masters struggle to earn a living work they do. 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty in vate meeting yesterday with for prosecution is met,” Herron amid lower wages and falling Their biggest concerns in- the Creggan area of Derry, pros- Stephen Herron, the director of added. customer demand. clude falling incomes and high- ecutors have announced. public prosecutions for Northern “As with all cases, I have also A survey of 1,000 post offi ce er costs, low transaction rates He will also be charged with Ireland. carefully considered whether the workers by the National Federa- for banking services, more cus- wounding with intent in the case Herron said in a statement public interest requires prosecu- tion of SubPostmasters (NFSP) tomers using Royal Mail servic- of the teenager’s cousin, Chris- that he had conducted a review tion through the courts. found that 22% are planning to es directly via the Internet, and topher Hegarty, then aged 17, of the case based on all available “In line with our Code for close, hand on their business, fewer using a Post Office card who was shot and injured in the evidence and had given particu- Prosecutors, I have concluded, or downsize over the next year account. incident. lar consideration to Soldier B’s ill given the seriousness of the as they go without holidays and Calum Greenhow, chief ex- The shootings occurred on health, after seeing an updated charges, that the public interest take on extra jobs to make ends ecutive of the NFSP, himself July 31, 1972, during Operation medical report. test for prosecution is also met.” meet. a subpostmaster for 23 years, Motorman, when thousands of The review included mate- The British government apolo- There are about 11,500 post said it was easy to understand troops were deployed into Derry rial obtained in the course of the gised in 2007 to the Hegarty offi ces in the UK, having almost why so many wanted to give it and Belfast to break into so- initial investigation and by a later family for previously describing halved in number over the last up. called no-go areas – republican investigation carried out by the the teenager as a terrorist. 30 years. Major retailers such as “We can see how easy it would districts where the security forc- Historical Enquiries Team, a po- A ministry of defence spokes- WHSmith and Ryman feature be for subpostmasters to lose es could not previously enter. lice unit set up to investigate un- person said: “We note the deci- post offi ce counters in some of faith and feel disenfranchised, to The Hegarty family, who have solved murders during Northern sion taken by the Northern Ire- their stores, but the majority of feel the system is working against been campaigning for decades Ireland’s Troubles. It also drew land Public Prosecution Service, People walk on the beach at New Brighton, north west postmasters are self-employed them. for the soldier to be prosecuted on material generated by inquest and we will off er full legal and England at sunset, with the Burbo Bank wind farm on small business owners, often op- “For many of you, your feet for the killing, last year won the proceedings and a number of ex- pastoral support to the individual the Irish Sea in the background. erating a neighbourhood post of- are going to do the talking,” he right to seek his prosecution after pert forensic reports, including aff ected.” fi ce inside a shop. said. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 19

BRITAIN Crackdown launched on landlords who evict at short notice

Daily Mail ended. But landlords have warned in the private sector has the right – without specifying a reason. ger” the proposed reforms could ing if the homes to rent are not claims quickly and surely, regard- London that the move could create “in- to feel secure in their home, set- The proposals would see land- lead to a reduction in the supply of there in the fi rst place. We call on less of the strength of the land- defi nite tenancies by the back tled in their community and able lords having to provide a “con- rental properties. the government to act with cau- lord’s case. door” leading to fewer homes be- to plan for the future with confi - crete, evidenced reason already He said: “With the demand for tion.” “This change makes the fi xed- andlords will no longer be ing available in the rental sector. dence. But millions of responsible specifi ed in law” for ending ten- private rented homes continuing The plans come after buy-to- term meaningless, and so creates able to evict tenants at short Housing, Communities and tenants could still be uprooted by ancies. to increase, we need the majority let landlords were hit by a rise in a new system of indefi nite tenan- Lnotice without good reason Local Government Secretary their landlord with little notice, Brokenshire said that the move of good landlords to have confi - stamp duty for those buying a cies by the back door.” under a major housing shake-up James Brokenshire, who yester- and often little justifi cation. This to abolish these particular kinds dence to invest in new homes. second home. A ministry of housing spokes- announced yesterday. day launched a consultation, said is wrong – and we’re now acting of evictions will be “balanced by “This means ensuring they can Richard Lambert, from the man said: “Court processes will Prime Minister Theresa May the government was taking action by preventing these unfair evic- ensuring responsible landlords swiftly repossess properties for National Landlords Association, be expedited so landlords are said the move would end the because of evidence that the end tions.” can get their property back where legitimate reasons such as rent said: “Landlords currently have able to swiftly and smoothly threat of so-called ‘no-fault’ of tenancies through the Section At present landlords can evict they have proper reason to do so.” arrears, tenant anti-social behav- little choice but to use Section regain their property in the rare evictions which give renters as lit- 21 process is one of the biggest tenants if they are still occupy- But David Smith, from the Res- iour or wanting to sell them. 21. They have no confi dence in event of tenants falling into rent tle as eight weeks’ notice to leave causes of family homelessness. ing their property after the fi xed- idential Landlords Association, “For all the talk of greater secu- the ability or the capacity of the arrears or damaging the prop- if their fi xed-term contracts have May said: “Everyone renting term contract has come to an end warned there was a “serious dan- rity for tenants, that will be noth- courts to deal with possession erty.”

Liverpool falls silent to mark Corbyn backs Hillsborough disaster IS bride’s right

AFP Liverpool to legal aid in he English city of Liverpool fell silent yesterday to mark Tthe 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough football stadium disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Reds supporters. citizenship fi ght Mourners lit a lantern for each of the fans who were crushed to Guardian News and Media was acting on behalf of others held “I would question how that has death at the FA Cup semi-fi nal London in Syrian camps who had been come into the public arena and held at the stadium in Sheffi eld on stripped of their nationality rights. whether the Offi cial Secrets Act April 15, 1989. He said the number of such cases has been breached,” Akunjee said. Banners spelling out the letters eremy Corbyn has joined was likely to grow. He described the reports as “mere “never forgotten” were hung from lawyers and human rights Akunjee is representing Be- hearsay” and said that “the leak the city’s St George’s Hall, above Jgroups in defending the right gum’s family pro bono; they have appears to have come from gov- the lanterns, fl owers and pictures of Shamima Begum to be granted not applied for legal aid. Begum’s ernment sources”. of the victims. legal aid so that the east London case, however, has been trans- Many senior fi gures accept Be- “The support this city, and the teenager can challenge the deci- ferred to the fi rm of Birnberg gum is entitled to legal aid. Hunt people of Liverpool have shown sion to remove her UK citizenship. Peirce, which holds a legal aid cer- acknowledged that the UK was us, all of us families has been tre- The Labour leader said that, tifi cate and has applied on her be- a country that believed “people mendous,” said Louise Brookes, whatever crimes Begum was ac- half for the fi nancial support. The with limited means should have whose brother Andrew died in cused of after she left the UK to fi rm did not immediately confi rm access to the resources of the state the disaster. “They’ve never let join Islamic State in Syria, she was whether it had yet been awarded. if they want to challenge the deci- us down. They’ve never failed us. entitled to proper legal represen- A Legal Aid Agency spokes- sions the state has made about They continue to support us.” tation. person said: “We are unable to them”. Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson, “She is a British national and comment on individual cases. The Law Society, which rep- who laid a wreath on behalf of the therefore she has that right, like Anybody applying for legal aid in resents solicitors across England people of the city, said it was “a any of us do, to apply for legal aid a Special Immigration Appeals and Wales, also backed Begum’s day for the people to remember if she has a problem. She has legal Commission (SIAC) case is subject entitlement to legal aid. In a de- and support the families. rights, just like anybody else does,” to strict eligibility tests.” tailed blog, the anonymous Se- “For 30 years the city is united he told reporters yesterday. Begum, now 19, should be al- cret Barrister urged the govern- behind their families and gave “The whole point of legal aid is lowed to appeal against the deci- ment to ensure “equal treatment them as much support as they that if you’re facing a prosecution sion of the Home Secretary, Sajid before the law” by granting legal possibly could do, emotionally then you’re entitled to be repre- Javid, to deprive her of her citizen- aid. and standing shoulder to shoulder sented and that’s a fundamental ship, Akunjee told the Guardian. “The removal of a person’s citi- with them. That’s all we can do.” rule of law, a fundamental point in “(Javid) initiated a legal proc- zenship – a government telling a The city fell silent at 3.06pm any democratic society.” ess and under that she’s entitled British-born citizen ‘You have no (1406GMT), the time the match The Foreign Secretary, Jeremy to appeal,” Akunjee said. “Legal right to exist within our borders’ between Liverpool and Notting- Hunt, said the idea Begum could aid enables her to fund that appli- – is one of the most far-reaching ham Forest was stopped, in hon- receive taxpayer funding to chal- cation with the help of solicitors. decisions the state can make. We our of the victims, while fl ags on lenge the decision to remove her Those accused of serious crimes, do not want to live in a country civil buildings were fl own at half citizenship made him “very un- such as rape, murder or terrorism, where politicians can act with mast. Fans also placed fl owers and comfortable”. are regularly granted legal aid in unchecked power,” the Secret balloons at the memorial at Liver- “She knew the choices she was the context of legal proceedings.” Barrister argued. “The rule of law pool’s Anfi eld Stadium. making, so I think we made deci- He said he expected there to be requires that those aff ected have a The police commander at the sions about her future based on a legal challenge, arguing that Be- route to challenge a decision and disaster faces a retrial after a jury those choices,” he said. gum should be able to return to have an independent court review earlier this month failed to reach a The row over Begum’s enti- the UK to fi ght the case in order to the evidence and decide whether verdict over his role in the deaths. tlement to publicly funded legal have a fair hearing. that decision was taken in ac- Dozens of relatives of the vic- support grew further yesterday Several newspapers at the cordance with the law.” tims who had gathered in Liver- as the solicitor representing her weekend carried reports, which Dal Babu, a former chief super- pool — 40kms away — gasped as family accused the government of Akunjee said were based on intel- intendent in the Metropolitan po- the jury foreman told the court breaching the Offi cial Secrets Act ligence sent to the Home Offi ce lice and a friend of the family, told they could not reach a unanimous by selectively leaking intelligence and Downing Street, alleging that BBC Radio 4’s Today programme decision on charges of gross neg- reports to sympathetic media, Begum was an enforcer working that Begum was “groomed” by ligence manslaughter against re- People observe a minute’s silence at 3.06pm in Liverpool, north-west England, yesterday to damaging her reputation. with the ISIS morality police and ISIS and should be given legal aid, tired chief superintendent David commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough football stadium disaster in which 96 Tasnime Akunjee, who repre- had supposedly sewed up suicide which is a “principle of the British Duckenfi eld. Liverpool football fans were killed. sents the family, also revealed he bombers’ vests. legal justice system”.

Michelle Obama charms Couple wins apology over crowd on book tour sham marriage claims Reuters by the Queen’s decision to wear a London small pin badge the presidential couple had given her as a gift, and Daily Mail helpline, resulting in him being the actions of the Home Offi ce, described Britain’s 92-year-old London threatened with forcible removal saying Jeff Rose had been given ormer US fi rst lady Michelle monarch in glowing terms: from the UK. The Home Offi ce “dubious advice” by the offi cial Obama charmed thousands “That was my experience, that took 20 months to reject the ap- advice line. He added: “The way Fof Britons, telling anecdotes has been my experience: that kind Home Offi ce minister has plication, 14 months longer than in which the Home Offi ce has dealt about meeting the “wonderfully of warmth and graciousness and apologised to a couple its target. with this matter is, to put it neu- warm and funny” Queen Eliza- intelligence and wit — I like her.” Awrongly accused of enter- In its rejection, the Home Offi ce trally, far from satisfactory.” beth and praising London’s diver- Obama’s book tour has so far ing a sham marriage, amid con- accused the couple of entering a Jeff Rose had worked for more sity at an event in the capital. taken her across North America demnation by politicians and hu- sham marriage and said they had than four years as a key worker Obama, the wife of Barack and Scandinavia. man rights campaigners over the failed to prove their relationship supporting vulnerable young peo- Obama, who was president from After London, she will go to treatment of genuine couples. was “genuine and subsisting”. ple but lost his job due to the Home 2009 to 2017, was in London to Paris and Amsterdam. A Guardian investigation found The couple lost tens of thou- Offi ce’s actions. The couple care promote her best-selling auto- Last month, the book’s German couples were being prevented sands of pounds in legal fees and for Julie’s elderly mother but, ac- biography Becoming. She had publisher said Becoming could from getting married and subject- visa applications as well as more cording to Davies, the Home Of- the sellout audience — many of become the biggest-selling auto- ed to “insulting” and “gruelling” than a year of Jeff ’s salary as the fi ce suggested that if Jeff were no whom had travelled hours to at- biography ever. checks as part of a Home Offi ce Home Offi ce prevented him from longer in the UK to help care for his tend — laughing along within “It’s absolutely surreal. I think crackdown on sham marriages. working. mother-in-law she “could avail minutes of taking the stage, re- it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime op- Couples and lawyers described The Immigration Minister, herself of care from the local au- counting the furore she caused portunity. I can’t believe she’s wedding ceremonies being inter- Caroline Nokes, apologised to the thorities or NHS”. in 2009 when she breached royal in England as well, I can’t be- rupted so the Home Offi ce could couple in a letter to their MP Tony Lloyd condemned the Home protocol by putting her arm lieve we’re going,” said Aisha question them about their per- Lloyd. Referring to a bail notice Offi ce for its actions towards the around the Queen. Chipampe, a 26-year-old cor- sonal lives. wrongly issued to Jeff Rose, Nokes couple. “Yikes! Sorry guys,” she joked, porate fi nance worker who drove The latest case to emerge is that said: “It was not the Home Offi ce’s “The incorrect advice and sub- explaining she later learned to four hours from Leeds for the of Jeff and Julie Rose, both 55 and intention to cause any distress in sequent mishandling of the case by keep her hands clasped or behind show. Canadian and British respectively, this regard and an apology was of- the Home Offi ce has been utterly her back to curb her natural in- Michelle, asked by host who have been together for more fered.” devastating for Jeff and his wife Ju- stincts. Stephen Colbert what advice she than a decade. He entered the UK She also apologised for the delay lie. Not only did the couple have to Nevertheless, she had no re- had for people in Britain about on an ancestry visa in 2011 and the in processing the application. endure a bureaucratic nightmare grets when it came to the Queen: how to stay calm in a time of tur- couple married in 2014. After a protracted legal battle which has aff ected their mental “I don’t know that I could have moil — a likely reference to po- When it came to renewing his the couple won their case in an well-being, Jeff also lost his career done anything diff erently because litical divisions over Brexit — said visa, Jeff Rose was given incor- immigration tribunal last month. and a substantial loss of earnings,” it was a natural human reaction.” London was unique and should rect advice from a Home Offi ce Judge Andrew Davies condemned the MP said. Michelle Obama: praises Queen She said she had been touched treasure its diversity. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 EUROPE

‘Bone-breaking’ insurance fraud gang busted Italian police have dismantled two “bone-breaking” gangs in Sicily which had been smashing Firefi ghters battle to save victims’ limbs in order to stage road accidents and defraud car insurance companies. More than 40 people were arrested in Palermo after investigators discovered hard-up victims were having their arms or legs broken in exchange for Notre-Dame Cathedral a small part of the pay-out from insurers, police said. Reuters/AFP islands in the river Seine, includ- Those in on the fraud included Paris ing the Ile de la Cite which houses false witnesses to the accidents, the soaring Gothic church, one of doctors providing fake medical Europe’s best known landmarks. reports, physiotherapy centres he Notre-Dame Cathedral But throngs of onlookers kept certifying care that was never went up in fl ames yester- trying to approach, snarling traf- provided, and a lawyer filing the Tday in a roaring blaze that fi c as they massed on the stone claims, police said. devastated the Parisian land- bridges leading to the islands. The victims were “people on the mark, a searing loss for the city Another woman passed by, margins of society ... drug addicts, and for France. tears running from behind her alcoholics and the mentally ill”. “Like all our compatriots, I am glasses, too overwhelmed to They were promised a cut of the sad this evening to see this part speak to reporters. insurance pay-out, but took home of all of us burn,” President Em- “It’s fi nished, we’ll never be as little as €300 ($340). manuel Macron tweeted. able to see it again,” said Jerome The gang broke upper or lower Flames that began in the early Fautrey, a 37-year-old who had limbs – referred to in code as the evening burst through the roof of come to watch. “first floor” and “ground floor” the centuries-old cathedral and “Now we need to know how – by throwing cast-iron body- engulfed the spire, which col- this happened – with everything building weights at their victims lapsed, quickly followed by the that’s going on in the world, why A woman is seen with a stunned expression as she watches the or beating them with iron bars, entire roof. Notre-Dame? Maybe it’s a mes- flames engulf the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. police said. A huge plume of smoke wafted sage from on high,” he said. across the city and ash fell over a One police offi cer, arriving on France 2 television reported Hunchback of Notre-Dame. large area. one of the bridges, turned up to that police were treating it as an It is a Unesco World Heritage Belgian charged Crowds of stunned Parisians gape, saying “Oh my god.” accident. site that attracts millions of tour- and tourists – some crying, oth- “It’s incredible, our history is President Macron cancelled ists every year. with taking part in ers off ering prayers – watched as going up in smoke,” said Benoit, an address to the nation that he The Gothic cathedral is famed terror activities fl ames engulfed the cathedral. 42, who arrived on the scene by had been due to give later in the for its many carved stone gar- Gasps and cries of “Oh my bike. evening. goyles, stunning stained glass A young Belgian man has been god” erupted at 7.50pm (1750 “Basically the whole rooftop is A presidential offi cial said windows and the fl ying buttress- charged with participating in the GMT) when the top portion of gone. I see no hope for the build- Macron went to the scene of the es that hold up its walls. activities of a terrorist group, the church’s spire came crash- ing,” said witness Jacek Poltorak, blaze and talked to offi cials trying “There are a lot of art works after his arrest on suspicion of ing down into an inferno that has watching the fi re from a fi fth- to contain it. inside ... it’s a real tragedy,” Paris having contacts with Islamist spread to the entire roof. fl oor balcony two blocks from The French Civil Security Mayor Anne Hidalgo told report- extremists, judicial sources said More gasps came a few sec- the southern facade of the cathe- service, possibly responding to ers at the scene. yesterday. onds later when the rest of the dral, one of France’s most visited US President Donald Trump’s The cathedral was in the midst Belgian federal prosecutors spire collapsed, caught on the places. suggestion that fi refi ghters “act of renovations, with some sec- said the suspect, identified as cameras of thousands of mobile Firefi ghters tried to contain quickly” and employ fl ying water tions under scaff olding and Jimmy K, was formally charged phones. the blaze with water hoses and tankers, said that was not an op- bronze statues were removed last on Sunday following reports of “Paris is disfi gured. The city cleared the area around Notre- tion. week for works. his arrest south of the capital will never be like it was before,” Dame, which sits on an island “Helicopter or plane, the The wood and lead spire was Brussels on Saturday. said Philippe, a communications in the River Seine and marks the weight of the water and the in- built during a restoration in the “He was charged by the worker in his mid-30s, who had very centre of Paris. tensity of dropping it at low alti- mid-19th century, according to investigating judge with biked over after being alerted of Buildings around were evacu- tude could weaken the structure the cathedral’s website. participation in the activities of a the fi re by a friend. ated. of Notre-Dame and cause col- The United Nations’ cultural terrorist group,” the prosecutor’s “It’s a tragedy,” he lamented. Nobody was injured, junior lateral damage to surrounding agency Unesco said yesterday off ice said in a statement. “If you pray, now is the time to interior minister Laurent Nunez buildings,” it tweeted. that it “stood at France’s side to It said searches were carried out pray.” said at the scene, adding: “It’s The cathedral, which dates save and restore” Notre-Dame in Wavre, Comines and Ottignies, Police were attempting to clear too early to determine the causes back to the 12th century, features Cathedral, deeming it “a price- Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of the Notre-Dame all in the southern French- pedestrians away from the two of the fi re.” in Victor Hugo’s classic novel The less heritage”. Cathedral in Paris. speaking parts of Belgium. It said no weapons or explosives were found following the 22-year- old’s arrest, which local media said took place in Wavre, 30km (18 miles) southeast of the capital ‘Global measles cases up 300% year-on-year’ Brussels. Germany plans By Ben Simon, AFP months of 2019, compared to the countries had reported 28,124 “stalled” at 85%, while 67% of Australia earlier this month vaccination coverage than other network of female Geneva same period in 2018. This fol- cases. people have received the second launched a major education regions. lows consecutive increases over Measles – an airborne infec- dose. campaign to encourage residents Africa saw a 700% increase peacekeepers the past two years,” it said in a tion causing fever, coughing and The provisional 2019 data to get vaccinated. compared to last year. easles cases rose 300% statement. rashes that can be deadly in rare shows cases have spiked “in Turning the tide against At least 800 children have Germany is setting up a worldwide through the “While this data is provisional cases – had been offi cially elimi- countries with high overall vac- measles will require “eff ective died from measles since Sep- global peacekeeping network Mfi rst three months of and not yet complete, it indicates nated in many countries with cination coverage, including the public-facing communication tember in Madagascar, where composed entirely of women, 2019 compared to the same pe- a clear trend. Many countries are advanced healthcare systems. US”, the WHO warned. and engagement on the critical malnutrition and a historically Berlin’s Defence Minister Ursula riod last year, the UN said yes- in the midst of sizeable measles But the so-called anti-vax “The disease has spread fast importance of vaccination, and poor vaccine rate are driving the von der Leyen said last week. terday, as concern grows over outbreaks, with all regions of the movement – driven by fraudu- among clusters of unvaccinated the dangers of the diseases they world’s worse current outbreak. “Women are no better the impact of anti-vaccination world experiencing sustained lent claims linking the MMR people,” it added. prevent”, the WHO said. In confl ict-scarred Yemen peacekeepers than men, but they stigma. rises in cases,” it added. vaccine against measles, mumps New York’s mayor declared While the WHO has identifi ed cases shot up more than 300% are diff erent, and this diversity is Measles, which is highly con- The agency noted that only and rubella, and a risk of autism a public health emergency in the junk science behind anti-vax in 2018 compared to 2017. a strength,” von der Leyen told tagious, can be entirely prevent- about one in 10 actual measles in children – has gained traction. parts of Brooklyn last week, af- propaganda as a public health Venezuela, where the disease the UN Security Council in New ed through a two-dose vaccine, cases are reported, meaning the Repeated studies – the most ter a measles outbreak emerged threat, the data highlighted was once contained, has also York. but the World Health Organi- early trends for 2019 likely un- recent involving more than in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish that measles still hits hardest in seen tens of thousands of cases “In empowering women in all sation (WHO) has in recent derestimate the severity of the 650,000 children monitored community, where some had unstable countries with weak as the country’s economic and walks of life, visibility is key. We months sounded the alarm over outbreaks. for more than a decade – have resisted vaccination on religious health systems. political crises continue to push need role models to stir the slipping vaccination rates. So far this year, 170 countries shown that there is no such link. grounds. The most dramatic increase in the healthcare system to the imagination, successful female “Preliminary global data have reported 112,163 measles However, according to the Calls have mounted in several the number of cases through the brink of collapse. mentors who tell their stories to shows that reported cases cases to the WHO. WHO, global coverage for the countries to make measles vac- early part of the year was report- younger women and share their rose by 300% in the fi rst three At this time last year, 163 fi rst vaccine dose has been cinations mandatory. ed in Africa, which has weaker „ See also Page 16 experience.”

Istanbul vote count enters third week Far-right surge ahead of EU polls

Reuters nated Turkish politics through – for the entire Istanbul election By Valérie Leroux, AFP “There is a real crisis of rep- ure whose calm public persona Ankara a decade and half of repeated to be annulled. Paris resentative democracy which is belies his written works harshly election triumphs. CHP lawmaker Baris Yarkdas being challenged through direct critical of Islam and migration, Yesterday electoral offi cials said his party has asked the YSK democracy,” he told AFP. echoed his far-right counter- urkey’s High Election in the Maltepe district of Istan- to consider previous recounts as he strong performance of He said Hallo-aho had driven parts across Europe during his Board has overturned a bul, where a recount of votes in valid and to speed up recounts the far-right in Finland’s his party in a much more radi- campaign. Tlocal decision to order a 1,089 ballot boxes had already across Istanbul by forming 100 Telections has shown the cal direction than his predeces- He played up the importance second recount of votes in an been underway for nearly a new counting teams. strength of anti-immigrant par- sor Timo Soini, who conformed of Finland’s particular identity, Istanbul district, rejecting the week, ruled that nearly half of “The AKP-MHP was plan- ties across the continent, just more to the model of a European railed against immigration and latest appeal by President Re- them would need to be counted ning to get diff erent results over a month before the Euro- national conservative. denounced “climate hysteria”, cep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party for a third time. by having the ballot boxes in pean parliament elections. “There was radicalisation saying that the pressure to halt (AKP) against results showing it However, later in the day, the Maltepe recounted. When the The Finns Party more than within the Finns Party,” Camus global warming was “destroying lost city hall. High Election Board (YSK) over- results did not come out as they doubled its seats under the lead- said. the economy and Finnish indus- Initial results of the March turned this decision, meaning wished, they are now not sign- ership of hardline nationalist Goran Djupsund, a professor try”. 31 nationwide local elections all that remains is to fi nish the ing the record sheets of the Jussi Halla-aho in Sunday’s vote. of political science at the Abo Such themes are straight out showed the main opposition earlier recount. judges (offi cials) so the count It took 17.5% of the ballots, just Akademi University in Finland, of the book of the far-right party CHP narrowly won control of The AKP and its nationalist can’t be fi nished,” Yarkdas said behind the Social Democrats who noted that no party in the elec- Alternative for Germany (AfD), Turkey’s largest city, a stunning MHP allies have already fi led on Twitter. came in fi rst with 17.7% – which tion had passed the 20% mark: a which repeatedly denounces the setback for Erdogan who had several other objections across He said the AKP and MHP could make it tricky for Social sign of growing fragmentation in price of halting global warming. campaigned hard for his AKP in Istanbul and have appealed to were driving the process into Democrat leader Antti Rinne to politics. The Finns Party could become the city where he launched his annul the elections in another an impasse, and putting public form a government that excludes The party of outgoing prime close allies of Europe’s best- own career. district, Buyukcekmece. servants under pressure. the far-right. minister Juha Sipila was relegat- known far-right leaders like Repeated AKP challenges Yildirim, the ruling party’s “The party state is crushing The far-right has made new ed to fourth place. Matteo Salvini in Italy and Ma- have led to growing frustration Yildirim: This is an election that mayoral candidate, became yes- the law,” he said. gains recently in EU countries “It is a phenomenon that we rine Le Pen in France, potentially among CHP supporters, which has become messed up from terday the latest AKP fi gure to MHP leader Devlet Bahceli ranging from Estonia to Spain, on are sharing with the rest of Eu- creating a powerful bloc in the spilled over onto the football top to bottom. issue a call for a repeat of the appeared to criticise Imamoglu top of its strong bases in nations rope,” Djupsund said. new EU parliament. terraces at the weekend when election. for mixing sport with politics by like France, Germany and Italy. After March’s inconclusive Le Pen’s National Front (FN) Istanbul’s top teams played two matches, a lead of around 0.2 “This is an election that has attending the weekend matches. European voters are due to elections in Estonia, prime min- was quick to hail the Finns Par- derby matches. percentage points over his AK become messed up from top to “Carrying the mandate to the choose a new parliament in elec- ister Juri Ratas is in coalition ty’s strong showing. “Give the mandate, give Ima- Party rival, former prime minis- bottom,” he told a news confer- stadium is a seed planted to turn tions from May 23-26, and gains talks with the far-right, anti-EU “After the recent success of moglu the mandate now,” fans of ter Binali Yildirim. ence. the competition between the for the far-right would be a new EKRE party and the Isamaa con- the patriotic parties in Esto- Besiktas and Fenerbahce chant- The loss of Ankara ended 25 The YSK has said it would sides into animosity. He can’t be blow for the bloc’s established servatives to cling to power. nia and in Spain, the very good ed, as their teams played league years of control over the capital wait for all recounts across the mayor,” he said. leaders after the crisis caused by And the anti-immigrant Vox results of the Finns Party have leaders Basaksehir and runners- by the AK Party and its Islamist city to be completed before rul- Imamoglu responded: “I told Brexit. party stunned observers in Spain confi rmed the dynamic on a con- up Galatasaray. predecessors. ing on an AKP appeal to annul my friends I would attend these Identity and immigration are last year with a strong perform- tinental level in favour of sup- Initial results give secular- Defeat in Istanbul, where Er- results in Buyukcekmece. games before the elections. Are the “motor force” behind the ance in regional elections in An- porters of a Europe of free and ist Republican People’s Party dogan was mayor in the 1990s, After that it may have to rule Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and populist vote in Europe, French dalusia, helping to push the So- proud nations,” said Nicolas Bay, (CHP) mayoral candidate Ekrem would be an even greater blow on a call by Erdogan – not yet Besiktas not teams of this city? researcher Jean-Yves Camus, a cialists from offi ce in the region. a National Front lawmaker in the Imamoglu, who attended both to the president who has domi- formally submitted by the AKP I will go.” specialist on the far-right, said. Halla-aho, a softly spoken fi g- European parliament. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 21 INDIA Pawar is lying about my father, says Parrikar’s son

IANS Parrikar’s eldest son Utpal respected politician, the people to 17, when the fighter jet deal Goa earlier this year, which the ter in Prime Minister Narendra deal-related development has Panaji Parrikar, who has taken the of India did not expect such a was being negotiated between late chief minister’s son claims, Modi’s government. triggered controversy. plunge into active politics, also statement from you, Pawar sa- the Indian and French govern- was also used later for “petty Utpal Parrikar, who is being Earlier this year, Goa Health said that his father was an “up- heb,” he said in a letter to Pawar, ments. gains”. tipped to contest from the Panaji Minister Vishwajit Rane cre- day after Nationalist right individual” and was the which was released to the media Utpal Parrikar, however, “Many historic decisions assembly seat, formerly repre- ated a stir after a purported Congress Party supremo “chief architect” of the Rafale yesterday. termed Pawar’s comments an were taken by him for which sented by his father since 1994, conversation between him and A Sharad Pawar claimed aircraft acquisition deal. Pawar, in a statement on Sun- “unfortunate and insensitive he will be remembered forever. also said that Pawar’s comments local journalists was released that Manohar Parrikar quit as “Today, he is not among us, day, alleged that the Rafale deal attempt to invoke my father’s One of them was the Rafale were part of a “malicious misin- by the Congress, in which Rane defence minister because of which is why perhaps you are was “not acceptable” to Par- name to push blatant falsehoods fighter aircraft acquisition deal formation campaign that seems claims that Parrikar in a cabinet disagreements over the Rafale taking the liberty to use his rikar, as a result of which he for political gains”. He also ob- of which he was one of the chief to hinder the strengthening our meeting in December 2018 had fighter jet deal, the late Goa name and speak lies. This is a resigned from the post of de- liquely referred to a courtesy architects,” Utpal Parrikar said, armed forces”. claimed that files related to the chief minister’s son accused new low in the Indian political fence minister. Parrikar served visit by Congress president Ra- while commenting on his fa- This is not the first time that Rafale deal were stored in his him of lying for political gain. discourse. Being a senior and as defence minister from 2014 hul Gandhi to meet Parrikar in ther’s achievements as a minis- Parrikar’s reference in a Rafale bedroom. SC seeks Rahul explanation on ‘chowkidar chor hai’ comment

IANS hear the points raised over the New Delhi documents was solely on a legal question regarding admissibil- ity of certain documents as evi- he Supreme Court yes- dence, which was objected to by terday observed that the the attorney general. T“chowkidar chor hai” (the It clarifi ed that its recent order watchman is a thief) comment “had no occasion” which might made by Congress president have indicated to Gandhi to make Rahul Gandhi in the context of any such comments. Rafale fi ghter jet issue had been On April 10, the Supreme “incorrectly attributed” to it and Court had said the petitions fi led demanded an explanation from by former ministers Arun Shou- him by April 22. rie and Yashwant Sinha, along A bench of Chief Justice Ran- with activist and lawyer Prashant jan Gogoi, Justice Deepak Gupta Bhushan, seeking review of its and Justice Sanjiv Khanna posted December 14 judgment in the the matter for hearing on April Rafale matter, would be heard on 23. merits and that it would look into Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP MP and the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from Mathura, Hema Malini, and other party leaders wave at supporters during an election “We make it clear that this the documents published. rally in Mathura yesterday. court had no occasion to record After Gandhi’s comments, De- any view or fi nding or make any fence Minister Nirmala Sithara- observation as allegedly attrib- man had attacked him and said uted to the court by the respond- he was on the “verge” of con- ent (Gandhi) inasmuch as what tempt of court by claiming that was decided by this court was a the top court had said “chowki- purely legal question of admis- dar chor hai”. sibility of certain documents to The prime minister slammed which objections were raised by the Congress after the Supreme Yogi, Mayawati banned the learned attorney general,” Court observation, and said it Gogoi said in the order. was worrying that the opposition “Having clarifi ed the mat- party had reached a level where it ter, we deem it proper to ask the has to “depend on lies”. respondent for his explanation Modi said Gandhi was rak- which will be laid before us on or ing up the Rafale issue in an at- before 22.04.2019. tempt to “clear” the name of his from election campaign “We further observe that no late father Rajiv Gandhi in the views, observations or fi ndings Bofors scandal even when “the should be attributed to the court truth” about the Rafale is already in political address to the media in public. EC cracks whip on Azam Khan and Maneka too and in public speeches, unless Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Ja- such views, observations or fi nd- nata Party has asked the Election Agencies The Election Commission, The Election Commission party was inclusive towards all time in jail in 2007 on charges ings are recorded by the court,” Commission (EC) to take “se- New Delhi which manages the polls and is ruled yesterday that both communities. “The party believes of fomenting anti-Muslim the judges said. rious cognisance” of Gandhi’s considered one of the country’s leaders had made comments in all-together development for riots, had already received a The Supreme Court’s direc- comments. most upstanding institutions, that could “aggravate existing all, and we don’t believe in any warning from the authorities for tive came on a contempt plea Addressing a press conference he Election Commission had received strong criticism for difference or create mutual polarisation,” spokesman Harish referring to India’s armed forces fi led by Bharatiya Janata Party here, Law Minister Ravi Shankar yesterday banned Uttar not acting to curb the rhetoric hatred between religious Srivastava said. as “Modi’s army”, in breach leader Meenakshi Lekhi against Prasad accused Gandhi of lying TPradesh Chief Minister being traded by candidates in communities”, and temporarily Indian law bans political of guidelines against casting Gandhi, who had said over a and said while the constitution Yogi Adityanath and Bahujan recent days. banned them from the election candidates from appealing political aspersions on the week back that the top court had gives every citizen the freedom Samaj Party leader Mayawati Adityanath told a crowd last trail from 6am today. to voters based on egregious institution. “accepted” that there was some to speak, it does not give freedom from election campaign for 72 week that if the BJP opponents The commission banned Azam remarks about religion or the On Thursday, the BJP president form of corruption in the Rafale to “lie and abuse”. hours over hate speech targeting had “Ali, we have Bajrang Bali”. Khan from the campaign trail for caste system. But in practice, Amit Shah told supporters at a fi ghter jet deal and that “chowki- “Please explain to the country Muslims. After the election regulator 72 hours, calling his comments these social categories are still rally in Assam that if re-elected dar chor hai”, a veiled reference to why you lied and why you at- Also banned were Samajwadi fl agged the remarks, Adityanath against actress-turned- defi ning faultlines in Indian life the party would rid India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. tributed that lie to the Supreme Party leader Azam Khan for sexist said they were in retaliation politician Jaya Prada, his BJP and are frequently referenced in unauthorised migrants - except Gandhi had made the com- Court. When will Rahul Gandhi comments and Bharatiya Janata to those of the Dalit leader opponent in Rampur, “not only political speeches. for Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. ments after the court agreed to stop shameless showering of Party leader and Women and Mayawati, who in a speech days indecent but also derogatory and The six-week election season The government is proposing a hear afresh a case related to the abuses on our leaders?” he said. Child Development Minister in earlier had urged “especially totally uncalled for”. that started last week has been bill to fast-track asylum requests Rafale deal, rejecting the govern- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Muslims” not to split their anti- Gandhi meanwhile said her rife with incendiary religious for refugees who follow those ment’s contention that the se- also slammed Gandhi, saying cabinet Maneka Gandhi after BJP votes. comments were taken out of appeals, particularly from the three religions, but not for cret documents concerning the that he had hit a “new low” as he video emerged showing her telling The poll panel also asked context. BJP, whose overarching political Muslims. agreement had been stolen and “manufactured” a court order for Muslim voters in her electorate Adityanath to explain his remark The BJP has been playing to goal is to forge a cohesive The Supreme Court said published in some newspapers his political propaganda. that if she won offi ce without their calling the Indian Union Muslim its nationalist base and painting political identity out of the yesterday it would examine without authorisation. He said that Indian democracy votes, “then when a Muslim comes League (IUML) a “virus” and its rivals as soft on terrorism and country’s extraordinarily diverse whether election authorities had The court yesterday clarifi ed does not permit “dynasts” to to me for work, I will think, let it saying the Congress was infected eager to appease Muslims. community of about 1bn Hindus. enough power to clamp down on that its decision on April 10 to “rewrite” court orders. be, how does it matter?” with this “green virus”. A BJP spokesman said the Adityanath, who spent hate speech. BJP and Congress workers Court asks poll panel for report on PM fi lm clash at Matondkar’s rally IANS court challenging the EC’s order New Delhi delaying its release date. IANS aged to bring the situation un- from Bihar’s Madhubani seat. The petitioners contended Mumbai der control and later Matondkar Ahmad, who was unhappy af- that the poll body order vio- went to the local police station to ter his traditional seat of Madhu- he Supreme Court yes- lated the fundamental right to lodge a complaint. bani went to ally VIP under a seat terday asked the Election freedom of speech and expres- haratiya Janata Party (BJP) She said in her speech that sharing formula of the Grand Al- TCommission to watch a sion guaranteed by the consti- and Congress workers “women are not safe in the coun- liance, said he will fi le his nomi- biopic on Prime Minister Naren- tution. Bclashed at a rally being ad- try and today’s incident was a nation papers today. dra Modi, and submit its report Last week, the EC issued an dressed by Congress Mumbai proof of this” but vowed she “I have demanded the sup- in a sealed cover by the end of order barring the screening of North candidate and Bollywood would not be cowed down by the port of the party. If the party high this week. political fi lms during polls. actress Urmila Matondkar yes- strong-arm tactics of the BJP. command does not extend sup- A bench of Chief Justice Ran- The fi lm starring Vivek Oberoi terday morning. Matondkar, who has been ag- port, I will contest as an inde- jan Gogoi, and Justices Deepak was slated to release on April 11, According to witnesses, the gressively campaigning in Mum- pendent,” Ahmad told reporters. Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, has the fi rst day of polling for the Lok incident occurred when Ma- bai North, has caught public Ahmad pointed out that a scheduled the hearing of the writ Sabha elections. tondkar was addressing a large attention with her interactive Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-sup- petition fi led by fi lm producer “Any biopic material in the crowd of people outside Borivali style, mingling with the common ported candidate was contesting Sandeep Ssingh on April 22. nature of biography/hagiogra- West station when some alleged masses, singing with youngsters against Congress nominee Ranjit When the court asked the law- phy sub-serving the purposes BJP activists attempted to barge and playing cricket with youth. Ranjan in Supaul. “If the RJD can yer for the Commission whether of any political entity or any into the venue. In the constituency, she is support a candidate against an the poll body had seen the PM individual entity connected Raising slogans of ‘Modi, pitted against BJP’s sitting MP offi cial Congress candidate, then Narendra Modi, senior advocate to it, which is intended to, or Modi’ they engaged in a verbal Gopal Shetty, who had defeated why can’t the Congress do the Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for which has the potential to dis- duel with Congress activists. Congress’ Sanjay Nirupam in same in Madhubani?” the producer said it had barred turb the level playing field dur- As Matondkar attempted to 2014. Ranjan is the Congress sitting the fi lm’s release without even ing the elections, should not be speak, some of the BJP and Con- In other election-related news, MP from Supaul. watching it. displayed in electronic media, gress workers pushed, punched Congress leader and former fed- Ahmad said that the Grand Al- The bench then asked the EC including cinematograph dur- and kicked each other in a free eral minister Shakeel Ahmad said liance candidate in Madhubani lawyer to watch the movie and ing the operation of the MCC for all. he will contest the Lok Sabha elec- cannot defeat the BJP candidate Actress and Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North submit its report to the court. (Model Code of Conduct),” the Police who were present man- tions as an independent candidate in Madhubani. Urmila Matondkar attends a rally in Mumbai yesterday. The fi lmmakers had moved the EC said in its order. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 INDIA

JUDICIARY POLITICS VERDICT INITIATIVE INVESTIGATION SC refuses to interfere in Ex-minister surrenders Man gets life term for Slum school now sports Order reserved on bail plea Madras HC ban on TikTok in Ranchi court raping minor in Haryana inspiring wall art in AgustaWestland case

The Supreme Court yesterday refused to Former Jharkhand minister and Congress A Haryana court has sentenced a man to Once plain and bland, the walls of a school in A Delhi court yesterday reserved the order interfere with a Madras High Court’s order leader Yogendra Sao yesterday surrendered life imprisonment and imposed a fine of the Nathupur Pahari slum in Gurugram are now on the bail plea of Sushen Mohan Gupta, banning Chinese video app TikTok, and set before the court of Additional District Judge S Rs1 lakh for raping a minor girl, police said sporting vibrant wall art murals on key social an alleged middleman in the Rs3,600-crore April 22 as the next date for hearing the issue. S Prasad in Ranchi following a Supreme Court yesterday. The case was decided by the issues like environmental conservation, girl AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. The decision by a bench of Chief Justice order in a case of mob instigation. The Congress court in Haryana’s Hisar town in just over five child literacy and the importance of hygiene. On Special Judge Arvind Kumar said he will Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta leader had been granted conditional bail by the months of the incident. Bijender, a resident the occasion of the ‘World Art Day’ yesterday, deliver the order on April 20. The Enforcement and Sanjiv Khanna, came on an appeal by Supreme Court and was asked to stay in Bhopal of Mirchpur village in Hisar district, was the school walls got an artistic makeover by Directorate (ED) has opposed Sushen’s bail the Chinese company ByteDance, which along with his legislator wife Nirmala Devi. The sentenced by the court after the Haryana children from NGO Ritinjali, along with around plea. He was arrested on March 26, a day after developed the app. Expressing concern over court had cancelled Sao’s bail on April 4 and police completed their investigation and 25 employees of leading publisher Oxford the court allowed Rajiv Saxena, a Dubai-based the “pornographic and inappropriate” contents on April 12 asked him to surrender by April 15. submitted their report within five days, University Press India. The Ritinjali Learning businessman and another alleged middleman of the TikTok, the high court on April 3 directed The Jharkhand government had moved the a police spokesman said. “The prompt Centre now has colourful motifs like clouds, in the deal, to turn an approver. The court also the central government to ban the app. It had top court seeking cancellation of Sao’s bail, action and speedy trial resulted in severe human figures, plants and even numbers from listed the plea of British national Christian also restrained visual and social media from citing his involvement in political activities and punishment to the accused in a short span of 1-10. It also boasts of wall art with the slogan Michel, the key middleman accused in the telecasting through the app. The ban order regular visits to Jharkhand and New Delhi. Sao time, besides justice to the victim and family,” ‘School Chale Hum’ (let’s go to school). The case, seeking a “free and fair” trial, for further came after court noted that children were being is accused of instigating a mob against the the spokesman said. The incident took place creative initiative is part of the publisher’s hearing on April 12. He has alleged that the exposed to pornographic and inappropriate administration in 2016 in the Hazaribagh district on November 9 last year in Hansi town in support to the learning needs of the Centre’s fresh supplementary charge-sheet filed in the material. that led to firing in which four people died. Haryana. children. case was accessed by some media outlets. Extreme poverty falling, to end by 2031: Jaitley

Agencies remain the biggest challenge be- New Delhi fore India,” he said. “It relates to our sovereignty, integrity and security.” inance Minister Arun Jaitley Jaitley said it cannot be said yesterday fast econom- solved until the “failed obso- Fic growth and rapid urbani- lete thought” of Article 370 as a sation would slash the number of “loose constitutional connect” people in extreme poverty by 2021 between the state and the rest of and end it completely in the dec- the country is rejected. ade after that. He said the challenge needs a More than 21% of India’s 1.3bn fresh approach and only a strong people lived on less than $1.90 a government and a leader with day in 2011, when the last census clarity alone was capable of re- was taken, according to the World solving the Kashmir issue. Bank. Referring to the past Congress The economy is a major issue governments, he said the chal- in a staggered general election lenge cannot be resolved by those that began on Thursday and will who created the problem and who end on May 19, with the main op- believe that a “loose constitu- position Congress Party reject- tional connect” will lead to inte- Jet Airways pilots gather at its head off ice in Mumbai yesterday. ing a rosy picture Prime Minister gration. Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata He added that it could only be Party (BJP) has been presenting. done through a fresh approach Jaitley, who heads the BJP’s “which is uncompromising on publicity department in the elec- terror” and “committed to total tion, said the number of people integration” and through “re- who live in poverty would drop to versal of the historical blunders”. below 15% in the next three years Targeting the Congress, Jait- and to a negligible level in the 10 ley said it was identifi ed with the Jet extends suspension years after that. creation of the problem itself by “Urbanisation will increase, “wishing the issue away” when the size of the middle-class will Pakistan did not reconcile to grow and the economy will ex- Kashmir being a part of India. pand manifolds,” Jaitley said in a “Instead of working for total Facebook post. integration, the party wanted a “These will add to the number loose and liberal constitutional of international fl ights of jobs, and as the experience connect between rest of the na- of the past three decades have tion and the state under an er- shown in the liberalised economy, roneous impression that such an every section of citizens will ben- arrangement would further the Crisis deepens as lenders fail to release funds efi t.” cause of integration,” he said. Economic growth in recent “Article 370 was disastrously AFP cash injection had not yet been the action until after the bank- from all the other stakeholders second-biggest airline by market years had generated enough rev- thought out as a constitution- Mumbai made available. ers’ meeting. will be the key to the success of share. enue for states to work more on al connect between rest of the “As you are aware, we have The State Bank of India-led the process,” it added. A deadline passed on Friday poverty alleviation, job creation country and the state. Article 35A been working with the lenders lenders took control of Jet last Jet has been in a tailspin for for prospective bidders to ex- and improving healthcare and was surreptitiously introduced tricken Jet Airways ap- to secure interim funding for our month, pledging to give $218mn months. press an interest in acquiring a education, he said. in 1954. It catered to a separatist peared to be edging closer operations. The interim funding of “immediate funding support” All of its international fl ights 75% stake in the carrier. But the Congress has taken psyche and legitimised discrimi- Sto collapse yesterday after has not been forthcoming thus as part of a debt resolution plan. have been suspended since late Etihad Airways, which owns issue with such assertions, in nation,” he added. lenders failed to take a decision far...” he wrote. But most of the funds have not Thursday, with Europe and a 24% stake, has submitted an particular, pointing to leaked Jaitley said terror supported on whether to release crucial Dube added that the board of been released and Jet, which is North America particularly bad- expression of interest to buy a government data that showed from across the border “can’t be funds to keep the debt-laden Jet would meet today to discuss now operating a skeleton serv- ly hit. controlling stake of up to 75%, unemployment rose to its highest fought either with velvet gloves carrier fl ying. “the next steps forward”. ice, needs the money desperately Hundreds of staff protested in according to media reports. level in 45 years in 2017/18. or a policy of appeasement”. Thousands of passengers have The airline has only seven jets or could go bust within days, New Delhi and Mumbai over the Naresh Goyal, who founded Jaitley said economic problems “This challenge can obviously been stranded in recent days af- left after dozens of others were media reports say. weekend demanding to be paid the airline but quit as chairman could be addressed as India re- be resolved with a fresh approach ter the airline, which has debts seized by creditors in recent The lenders met for several and calling for the company to last month, has also lodged a bid, mained the world’s fastest grow- which is uncompromising on ter- of more than $1bn, cancelled all weeks. hours yesterday but failed to be rescued. as have several private equity ing major economy. ror, uncompromising in its de- international fl ights as it cannot Pilots, engineers, and ground agree on how to proceed. The Mumbai-based fi rm has groups, newspapers said. But he said restoring peace in termination to enforce the rule pay its bills. staff who have not been paid for SBI said in a statement that defaulted on loans and repeated- Prime Minister Narendra the insurgency-hit state of Jam- of law and committed to total Jet CEO Vinay Dube said in an three months have said they will “necessary support to facilitate ly failed to pay staff and lessors in Modi’s government, for whom a mu and Kashmir was the most integration. A strong government e-mail to staff yesterday that the strike if the banks do not inject the (debt resolution) process is recent months. collapse of Jet would be a blow important issue facing the coun- and a leader with clarity alone is cancellation of all international emergency funds. being extended by the banks in The SBI-led consortium is as it seeks a second term in a na- try. “The issue of Jammu and capable of resolving the Kashmir fl ights was being extended to They had planned to strike the consortium”. trying to fi nd a buyer for Jet, tional election, convened a crisis Kashmir and terror continues to issue,” he said. Thursday because an emergency from yesterday but postponed “Co-operation by and support which was until recently India’s meeting on Friday evening. India set to see average India, UK renew defence accord

IANS operation between their defence monsoon rain this year and security industries, a state- New Delhi ment issued by the British High Agencies (summer-planting) season,” the Madhavi Arora, lead economist Commission said yesterday. New Delhi IMD said in its forecast. at Edelweiss Securities, FX and ndia’s defence co-operation The pact was signed by Air Skymet, the country’s only pri- Rates. with the UK is set to receive Marshal Richard Knighton on vate weather forecasting agency, The next policy review by the Ia boost with the two coun- behalf of the UK Ministry of De- ndia is likely to see average earlier this month forecast rainfall Reserve Bank of India is sched- tries renewing a memorandum of fence, and Barun Mitra, Addi- monsoon rains this year, the could be below normal this year. uled for June 6, after the country’s understanding (MoU) amid their tional Secretary in the Ministry Istate-run weather offi ce said Monsoon rains, the lifeblood election. keenness to identify mutual ca- of Defence on behalf of the Indi- yesterday, which should support for India’s farm-dependent Millions of Indians are casting pability needs and collaborate in an government, the High Com- agricultural production and eco- $2.6tn economy, arrive on the their votes in a mammoth general the areas of defence and security. mission statement said. nomic growth in Asia’s third-big- southern tip of Kerala around election, spread over seven weeks. The Defence Equipment Co- “As major world economies, gest economy, where half of the June 1 and retreat from the desert On the downside, higher pro- operation MoU renews the one Britain and India both have a farmland lacks irrigation. state of Rajasthan by September. duction could mean farmers con- signed on April 1, 1997, which proud global maritime history, Monsoon rainfall is expected After a wet spell, sowing of tinue to get hit by low crop prices, was subsequently renewed on with impressive futures ahead,” to be 96% of the long-term aver- summer crops gets off to a strong a major cause for concern in rural April 2007. Andrew said, according to the age, M Rajeevan, secretary at the start, boosting crop yields and India, where most people live, in “The signing of this memo- statement. Ministry of Earth Sciences, told a output which in turn raises rural the past two years. randum of understanding un- At bilateral defence and secu- news conference. incomes and usually lifts con- After falling for fi ve straight derpins the collaboration be- rity equipment talks in London The India Meteorological De- sumer spending in India. months, retail food prices in India tween our two nations, building last week, the two nations agreed partment (IMD) defi nes average, If plentiful monsoon rains lift rose 0.30% in March from a year on our defence ties, and ensuring to re-double eff orts to identify or normal, rainfall as between agricultural production this year, earlier. Last month, a senior IMD our nations are able to combat mutual defence and security ca- 96% and 104% of a 50-year aver- that could keep food prices under offi cial said that this year’s mon- emerging threats for generations pability needs and collaborate on age of 89cm for the entire four- control. soon was likely to be robust and to come,” said UK Defence Min- solutions, it said. month season beginning June. Subdued overall infl ation could healthy provided there wasn’t a ister Stuart Andrew. The agreement, which marks “Overall, the country is ex- also add to pressure on India’s surprise El Nino phenomenon. By collaborating and exploit- a change in India and the United pected to have well distributed central bank to cut interest rates. “El Nino is weakening and we ing procurement opportunities Kingdom’s defence relationship, rainfall scenario during the 2019 “IMD’s prelim forecast, show- expect that El Nino will get weak- together, both nations will be comes after a visit by India’s monsoon season, which will be ing near-normal and well dis- ened further. There is no reason Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary M Rajeevan (right) and Indian able to benefi t from technologi- Chief of Naval Staff , Admiral Su- benefi cial to farmers in the coun- tributed rainfall, will bode well to be worried about El Nino,” Ra- Meteorological Department (IMD) director general K J Ramesh cal and manufacturing capabili- nil Lanba, to Queen Elizabeth in try during the ensuing Kharif for near-term food infl ation,” said jeevan said. address a press conference in New Delhi yesterday. ties and support long-term co- Portsmouth last month. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 23

LATIN AMERICA Assange used embassy as ‘centre for spying’: Moreno

DPA aks had threatened Quito. Embassy offi cials allowed material in 2010. since then, inside the embassy, it’s “The Ecuadorian government also urged the German and Span- London “It is unfortunate that, from police to enter the building on Jennifer Robinson, a lawyer become more and more diffi cult.” is now trying to divert attention ish governments to grant political our territory and with the permis- Thursday to arrest Assange for who said she regularly visited Two lawmakers of the German from its breach of the law by en- asylum to Assange and to “work sion of authorities of the previous breach of British bail conditions Assange at the embassy, told Sky party Die Linke and a Spanish gaging in a disinformation and within the EU and the European cuadorian President Len- government, facilities have been linked to a Swedish extradition News on Sunday that Ecuador MEP yesterday protested outside slander campaign against As- Council to grant protection and in Moreno has accused provided within the Ecuadorian request. was “making some pretty out- London’s Belmarsh prison, where sange to poison public opinion on hinder the extradition.” EWikiLeaks founder Julian embassy in London to interfere in Police later said the 47-year- rageous allegations to justify an Assange is being held until his Assange,” the trio said in a state- Moreno insisted that his gov- Assange of using the country’s processes of other states,” he said old Australian citizen was “fur- unlawful and extraordinary act to next scheduled court appearance ment. They said their “primary ernment’s decision was “based London embassy as a “centre for in an e-mail interview with the ther arrested on behalf of the US allow British police to come inside on May 2. objective...is now to prevent the on international law.” He told the spying” while he was given refuge Guardian newspaper yesterday. authorities.” an embassy.” Die Linke’s Sevim Dagdelen extradition of Julian Assange to Guardian that Britain had given there for seven years. “We cannot allow our house, The US justice department said “The politics of the case, with and Heike Haensel and MEP Ana the US.” “written guarantees” that As- Moreno said Ecuador termi- the house that opened its doors, it has charged Assange for con- respect to Ecuador, changed with Miranda condemned the Ecua- “Extradition to Sweden should sange will not be extradited to nated Assange’s asylum because to become a centre for spying,” spiring with former US military the change of government, with dorian government for “fl agrant also be avoided, because there, “third countries where he could he repeatedly violated interna- Moreno added. “This activity vi- intelligence analyst Chelsea Man- Moreno coming to power (in May violation of international law by too, a transfer to the US cannot be suff er torture, ill-treatment or the tional conventions, and WikiLe- olates asylum conditions.” ning to leak a trove of classifi ed 2017),” Robinson said. “And ever rescinding Assange’s asylum.” ruled out,” they added. The trio death penalty.”

Beijing accuses No timeline Pompeo of slander for change in Guardian News and Media Beijing

hina has rejected US claims that it is partly Cto blame for the disin- Venezuela tegration of Venezuela, accus- ing Washington of slandering Beijing and “spreading chaos” in Latin America. During a four-nation tour of South America last week, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pom- govt, says US peo, pilloried Beijing for contin- uing to back Venezuela’s embat- Reuters Arguments that US sanctions cused on repressing dissent and tled president, Nicolas Maduro. Bogota caused Venezuela’s problems making certain that the military “China’s bankrolling of the “don’t hold water” said Story, who doesn’t oust Maduro,” said Story. Maduro regime helped precipi- visited Colombia to accompany But humanitarian aid, largely tate and prolong the crisis in he US has no timeline for US Secretary of State Mike Pom- rejected by Maduro, may be able to that country,” said Pompeo, who a change in government in peo on a Sunday trip to the border enter Venezuela because of indi- described Maduro as “a power- TVenezuela, a US top offi - city of Cucuta. viduals, Story said. hungry tyrant who has brought cial said, but is certain embattled “The sanctions that have hit the “I think you’ll see more aid come ruin to his country and to his President Nicolas Maduro will not big parts of the economy are very in because you’ll see more desper- people”. remain in power. recent,” he said. “We have multi- ate people attempting to help their “I think there’s a lesson … to Washington has imposed a raft ple options when it comes to how fellow Venezuelans,” Story added. be learned for all of us: China of sanctions against Maduro’s we engage on economic sanctions, Earlier Pompeo said the US will and others are being hypocriti- government in an attempt to pres- how we deploy them, how we use continue to use all economic and cal calling for non-intervention sure him out of power and allow general licenses, how we make sure political tools at its disposal to hold in Venezuela’s aff airs. Their own opposition leader Juan Guaido to that we’re trying to have a mini- Maduro accountable for a worsen- fi nancial interventions have take control. mum impact on people.” Corrupt ing crisis in the country. helped destroy that country,” “There’s no timeline on a return offi cials are to blame for shortages, “The US will continue to uti- Pompeo added, claiming Chi- to democracy but it is coming, of he added. “These were people who lise every economic and political nese money had been used to pay that I’m certain,” James Story, the weren’t focused on doing the right means at our disposal to help the off Maduro’s cronies, crush pro- US charge d’aff aires for Venezuela, thing for their citizens but rather Venezuelan people,” Pompeo said democracy activists and fund said in an interview. “This was people who were focused on self- after visiting with migrants at a ineff ective social programmes. never going to be something that enrichment. Cucuta shelter. China, which is Venezuela’s was quite easy.” “We’re trying to bring in food- “Using sanctions, visa revoca- biggest foreign creditor and is Maduro blames US sanctions stuff s and other types of medicine tions and other means, we pledge estimated to have provided up for the country’s economic prob- in order to support the Venezuelan to hold the regime and those prop- to $62bn of loans since 2007, re- lems and dismisses Guaido as a US people who are suff ering. ping it up accountable for their acted angrily. puppet. “And the Cubans import intel- corruption and their repression of The foreign ministry spokes- More than 3mn Venezuelans ligence offi cers who are only fo- democracy,” he said. person, Lu Kang, slammed have fl ed hyperinfl ation, food and Pompeo’s “groundless allega- medicine shortages and political tions” and “attempts to slander crisis. Canada targets Maduro with more sanctions China and sow discord between Guaido in January invoked the China and Latin American country’s constitution to assume Canada announced a fourth statement. The measures countries”. an interim presidency, arguing round of sanctions against target high-ranking off icials “The US has long been treat- Maduro’s 2018 re-election was il- Venezuelan President Nicolas of the regime, regional ing Latin America as its back- legitimate, and while most western Maduro’s regime yesterday in governors and others accused yard, where it would resort to nations have recognised Guaido as response to what it described of undermining Venezuela’s wilful use of pressure, threat or head of state, Russia, China and as its continued “anti- democratic institutions, adding even subversion. People can tell Cuba have stood by Maduro. democratic actions.” The 43 to 70 individuals that have right from wrong. I am sure Lat- Maduro broke off diplomatic people targeted by the new already been sanctioned. in American countries are fully relations with the US after it rec- measures — which include The move comes as 13 Latin capable of telling a true friend ognised Guaido. asset freezes and dealings American states and Canada, from a false one who is ignoring The US state department said prohibitions — are “responsible which form the Lima Group, rules and spreading chaos,” Lu last month it would withdraw all for the deteriorating situation meeting yesterday in Chile to told a press conference in Beijing Chilean President Sebastian Pinera poses at La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago yesterday with the diplomatic personnel from the in Venezuela,” Foreign Minister discuss the Venezuela political yesterday, according to an offi - foreign ministers of nations of the Lima Group who are meeting over the Venezuelan crisis in the Chilean Opec nation, arguing they had be- Chrystia Freeland said in a and economic crisis. cial transcript. capital. come a “constraint on US policy.”

Heading to America French team in Chile Art frenzy in Havana to grill murder suspect

AFP interview Zepeda, a request that as biennial kicks off Besancon, France was granted last month. The Besancon prosecutor Reuters venues of Cuba’s most important year — but that it had succeeded Etienne Manteaux, along with a Havana arts event. underscored the importance rench investigators arrived judge overseeing the case and two Along the sidewalk this year Cuba placed on culture. in Chile yesterday to ques- police investigators, are expected are smooth boulders encased in “Not even in the most diffi cult Ftion a man suspected of to participate in the questioning ones of white paper volcanic slabs by Mexican artist moments have we ever given up killing his former Japanese girl- of Zepeda this week, the source sprout from the seasalt- Jose Davila, while a swirling light on staging one of these kind of friend, who was last seen at her said. Ceroded pillars of one co- installation by Peruvian art- events,” he said. university residence in France in But the questions themselves lonial building along Havana’s ist Grimanesa Amoros protudes “The slogan of this year’s edi- 2016, a source close to the inquiry will be posed by a Chilean pros- seafront, elaborately painted from a building. tion, ‘the construction of the said. ecutor who will then decide curtains cascade from another Cuba’s Communist govern- possible’, is related to our ideal Nicolas Zepeda is the sole whether or not to charge Zepeda while out front children play ment, which has heavily promot- that a better world is possible.” suspect in the disappearance of and arrest him, in which case with an installation of multicol- ed the arts since the country’s Some artists who are critical Narumi Kurosaki, 21, who went France would again request his oured hoses. 1959 leftist revolution, created of the government however have missing in the eastern French city extradition. Havana’s 13th Biennial the Havana Biennial in 1984 to subverted that slogan. of Besancon on the night of De- Zepeda, a teaching assistant in kicked off this weekend with promote artists from the devel- In one piece on the Malecon cember 4, 2016, after having din- his mid-twenties, was seen at a works by more than 300 con- oping world, especially Cuban called “Potemkin Village”, Cu- ner with her ex-boyfriend. restaurant outside Besancon with temporary artists from 52 ones. ban-born artist Juan Andres Mi- Her body has not been found Kurosaki the night she disap- countries taking over the city’s This year, 80 Cubans will ex- lanes Benito who lives in Norway despite extensive searches of a peared. museums, galleries and open- hibit their work, including a has propped what appears to be nearby forested area. He has admitted going to her air spaces, and many more col- performance by Manuel Men- the perfect facade of a building Authorities in France believe room afterwards. lateral exhibits. dive, considered the Caribbean on another that is falling into she was suff ocated by Zepeda in a Fellow students at her dormi- “They turned my home into island’s top living artist. disrepair. jealous rage. tory said they heard terrifi ed cries an artwork,” said Silvia Perez, Still, it also includes a large “It fi ts a lot with the Cuban He has denied any role in her and banging noises in the resi- smiling at the paper sprouting contingent of European and US government these days and how disappearance. dence on that night but no traces from the colonnade of her home, artists including Cuban-Amer- the system is working — there is Zepeda returned to Chile be- of blood were found in her room. a piece by Cuban artist Elio Je- icans like Enrique Martinez Ce- a lot of facade,” he said. “Inside it Central American migrants heading in caravan to the US fore French police issued an ar- Manteaux, the prosecutor, said sus Fonseca. “The artist said it laya and Emilio Perez. is not so perfect.” reach Tapachula, state of Chiapas, Mexico, yesterday. A rest warrant but a Chilean judge last November that Zepeda had meant peace.” Biennial director Jorge Alfonso Originally he had wanted to group of 350 Central American migrants forced their way rejected France’s request to have bought fi ve litres of fl ammable The transformation of the Ma- said it had been a challenge to replicate the facade of a reno- into Mexico on Friday, authorities said, as a new caravan him arrested and extradited, cit- liquid and matches at a super- lecon seafront boulevard into an stage the biennial given Cuba’s vated government building but of around 2,500 people arrived — news sure to draw the ing insuffi cient evidence. market days before Kurosaki dis- open-air, interactive gallery, has diffi cult economic situation — authorities would not allow him, attention of US President Donald Trump. French authorities later asked appeared, and that his hire car become one of the most popular authorities postponed it half a he said. if they could visit the country to was returned covered in mud. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 PAKISTAN

Imran’s aides visit Key lower house panels Quetta as Hazaras still without chairmen protest Internews ministries coming up in the Na- The committee on the CPEC and privileges meets on April 17 alleged harassment of his vot- convened on April 23, to take Internews Islamabad tional Assembly are not being has been formed in the National to take up the question of privi- ers by Deputy Commissioner into consideration matters re- Islamabad referred to them for considera- Assembly on the pattern of the lege raised by a Pakistan Muslim of Mirpurkhas Mehdi Shah and lating to the aviation division. tion, debate, and scrutiny. Senate, where it is led by Paki- League – Nawaz (PML-N) law- superintendent of police Abid The department has been he posts of chairmen of After a long time, the gov- stan Peoples Party (PPP) leader maker regarding his entangle- Baloch. asked to be represented by its embers of the Hazara at least four committees ernment and opposition parties Sherry Rehman. ment in a “false, politically-mo- On May 2, the standing com- principal accounting offi cer community continued Tof the National Assembly reached consensus on constitut- The chairmen of all the re- tivated case” in Kakarali police mittee on parliamentary aff airs during the review of audit paras, Mtheir sit-in yesterday (NA), the lower house of parlia- ing the NA committees. maining 43 committees of the station, Gujrat, by the registra- will hold a session for a briefi ng relating to it. for the fourth consecutive day ment, are still vacant as their se- However, no election of any lower house of Parliament have tion of a “fabricated” fi rst infor- from the Election Commission The special committee on against the Hazar Ganji suicide lection has not so far been made. chairman has been held, and been named from both sides of mation report (FIR) against him of Pakistan (ECP), with refer- agriculture products meets on bombing, which claimed 20 lives These forums are concerned only selections as agreed be- the isles. and an alleged attempt by Mian ence to polls for the general seats April 17 and will get a briefi ng on in Quetta on Friday. with the ministries of commu- tween the two sides were made. Some of these bodies have Tahir Bashir, the superintend- of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) agriculture policy and institu- Despite rainfall, members of nications, energy, and statistics, The share decided for them started functioning, while many ent of police at headquarters, Assembly in the merged areas of tional framework for agriculture the Hazara community con- and the China-Pakistan Eco- is being strictly implemented to have yet to hold even inaugural and Mian Mohamed Arshad, the the former Federally Adminis- development in each province, tinued their sit-in on Quetta’s nomic Corridor (CPEC). avoid any controversy. meetings. deputy superintendent of police, tered Tribal Areas (Fata). and key constraints and emerg- Western Bypass, which links the The offi cial data, however, It is evident that despite dif- Parliamentary observers say along with police personnel, to It will also be briefed on the ing challenges to agriculture city with highways. shows that these committees ferences on every issue, the that the forums, completed in all forcibly occupy his property. Prime Minister Grievances Cell sector. Women and children are also have been constituted, incor- ruling alliance and opposition respects, will be activated to give The committee will also con- of the Parliamentary Aff airs Di- The standing committee on part of the sit-in demanding ac- porating members of the ruling parties arrived at an agreement their input on the proposed leg- sider the question of privilege vision, covering the details of maritime also assembles the tion against the perpetrators of coalition and opposition parties. to have the chairmen of the par- islation as the government in- raised by Ali Nawaz Shah, an funds utilised with region-wise same day to get an update on the Hazara killings. In the absence of their chair- liamentary committees elected troduces its legislative business independent MP from Sindh, breakup and revival of the fatal maritime laws and contempo- The protesters have set up men, these bodies are unable to on the basis of their respective in the National Assembly. regarding “non-attending” of disease programme. rary challenges to the maritime camps and burnt wood to keep hold meetings, and thus mat- strength in the National Assem- Meanwhile, the standing his telephone calls by the Sindh A sub-body of the Public Ac- sector, with special reference to warm at night. ters pertaining to the concerned bly. committee on rules of procedure local government secretary and counts Committee has been legal implications. The protesters have been chanting slogans, asking for an end to terrorism and to Hazara killings. “Prime Minister Imran Khan should come and console us,” Mohamed Raza, a protester, said. “This time the government should go beyond words and do something practical for our pro- tection.” The premier has yet to visit the bereaved. State Minister for Interior, Sheharyar Afridi, arrived in Senate Chairman Sanjrani Quetta yesterday to review the security situation. Senate chairman He was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on can serve as acting Overseas Pakistanis and Human president: court Resource Development Zulfi qar Bukhari. The Islamabad High Court Afridi visited the Imam Bar- (IHC) has declared that Senate gah located in Hazara town to Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani is condole with the bereaved fam- eligible to serve as acting ily members. president of Pakistan. Speaking to the media, he The decision, reserved by the said that the federal government court on February 14, was stands with the Hazara com- announced by Islamabad High munity and that concrete steps Court judge Justice Aamir will be taken to end the crimes Farooq. against its members. Petitioner Afzal Shinwari had “The question is, who is it that filed the plea through Advocate wants to create these diff erences Iftikhar Bashir in June 2018, Living between Pakistanis? Who wants contesting that appointing to create a situation of confl ict 41-year-old Sanjrani as acting Pakistan within Pakistan? president would be in violation of “I am saying these things and Article 49 of the Constitution. A health worker (above) gestures asking these questions because The petition stated according to at a rally in Peshawar yesterday to Pakistan’s enemies want that the Constitution, a person below demand permanent staff positions this country be added to the the age of 45 years is not eligible and an increase in allowances and [Financial Action Task Force] to become the acting president benefits. A Hazara child taking part in a protest in Quetta yesterday. blacklist. of Pakistan. “They want that, at every lev- Opposing the petition, Deputy el, including the economic level, Attorney General Raja Khalid such blows be dealt that Pakistan Mehmood had contended that – God forbid – breaks apart.” the age limit was applicable Afridi and Bukhari also called for candidates contesting the on Baluchistan Chief Minis- presidential election. ter Jam Kamal Khan and other political leaders to discuss the means to improve security and NAB drops notices end the ongoing protest by the Hazara community. to Shehbaz’s wife The protesters have refused and daughters to call off the sit-in despite re- peated requests by the district National Accountability Bureau administration and appeals of (NAB) chairman Justice (retired) provincial ministers. Javed Iqbal has cancelled the “We strongly condemn the summons issued for Pakistan terrorist incident but (the) Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) blockade of road needs to end president Shehbaz Sharif’s wife in view of troubles for people,” and daughters. Rahim Agha, the president An- The NAB chairman visited the juman-e-Tajaran, said. bureau’s Lahore off ice yesterday A report released by the Na- and was briefed on the cases tional Commission for Human ongoing against the Sharif family, Rights last year stated that 509 a notification issued by the Brides smile during their mass wedding ceremony in Karachi members of the Hazara commu- accountability watchdog stated. over the weekend. Dozens of couples who could not aff ord nity were killed and 627 injured Iqbal will directly oversee all wedding expenses took part in the ceremony organised by the Al Young Sikh devotees participate in the Baisakhi festival at Panja Sahib shrine in Hasanabdal on in various incidents of terrorism cases against the Sharif family Ghousia Welfare Organisation. Sunday. in Quetta from January 2012 to himself, the notification added. December 2017. Further, the NAB chairman cancelled the notices issued summoning Shehbaz’s wife, Nusrat Shehbaz, and his daughters Rabia Imran and Javeria Ali. Govt undecided on ‘sin tax’ on cigarettes New foreign secretary takes Internews government revenues. commerce and national health Campaign launched to make Islamabad a smoke-free city Islamabad According to Parveen: “There services (NHS), and commer- charge today is some room for the govern- cial dealers – should be taken The Pakistan government has launched a campaign lives are lost annually in Pakistan due to smoking. ment to raise the FED without on board by the FBR in revising in order to make federal capital Islamabad a smoke- He said that there is a law prohibiting smoking in pub- Foreign Secretary-designate he government of Paki- disturbing the fi scal infl ows, as taxes on the tobacco sector. free city. lic places, but this was never implemented. Sohail Mahmood will assume stan remains undecided the two multinational tobacco In the Federal Health Levy In the first phase, Shakarparian and Pakistan Monu- Kiani said that smoking will now be banned at all the off ice this evening, replacing Ton whether to impose a companies produced a gross Bill presented to the cabinet for ment have been declared smoke-free areas. public places, including the premises of National As- Tehmina Janjua, who will be “sin tax” on cigarettes, as sug- turnover of Rs173bn in the year approval, the ministry of NHS Speaking with the media persons on the occa- sembly and the Senate. retiring the same day. gested by a special Senate com- 2018; that is 22% higher com- also suggested a “sin tax” on sion, Minister for National Health Services Aamir The minister said that the Capital Development Janjua will be completing 35 mittee, due to opposition by the pared to the 2017.” cigarettes, on the grounds that Mehmood Kiani said that the smoke-free campaign Authority has also been directed to promote healthy years of her association with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The committee also suggested cigarettes cause some 108,800 had been launched with a view to make Islamabad a activities in the capital. ministry of foreign aff airs. The Special Committee on a comprehensive strategy to stop fatalities every year in Pakistan model city, not only for Pakistan but also the region Kiani regretted that the health sector never remained Mahmood, who reached Causes of Decline in Tax Collec- the smuggling of international – almost 300 deaths per day. and the world. a priority for past administrations, and said that the Islamabad by road from India, tion of Tobacco Sector, headed brands and the production of An offi cial from the ministry Referring to the adverse impact of smoking on the present government is striving to make progress on was high commissioner in New by Senator Kalsoom Parveen, non-duty paid and counterfeit said that similar taxes and lev- lives of the people, he said that more than 100,000 this aspect. Delhi. has recommended a systematic cigarettes within the country. ies are called a “sin tax”, and He relinquished the charge on increase in federal excise duty In the report, Parveen said have been imposed in around Saturday. (FED) on cigarettes every year to that all the stakeholders – the 45 countries, including the US, of “sin tax”, and Thailand and would increase illicit trade. paying cigarette sector in the Deputy High Commissioner comply with the World Health Pakistan National Heart As- where $1.50 is charged on every India also have similar taxes ear- The FBR’s Hamid Ateq said: country.” Syed Haider Shah will become Organisation (WHO)’s Frame- sociation, tobacco growers, pack of cigarettes. marked for healthcare services. “A sin tax would eventually lead He said higher taxes would the acting high commissioner of work Convention on Tobacco multinational companies, local The UK charges 40p per litre A spokesperson from the FBR, to rise in smuggling, and growth lead to a decline in sales of le- Pakistan to India. Control (FCTC) and increase manufacturers, the ministries of on sugary beverages in the form meanwhile said that higher taxes in the sale of cheap, non-tax gitimate cigarettes. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 25 PHILIPPINES

Militant Court rejects Rappler chief’s group leader’s death plea to junk cyber-libel case confi rmed By Catherine A Modesto vides that libel or other similar The DoJ used “republished” Manila Times off ences shall be prescribed in to apply the Cybercrime Pre- one year, which means one can- vention Act on the article, but Reuters not be sued for the off ence one Te said minor corrections did Manila Manila court has reject- year after a purportedly libel- not equate to “republication,” ed an appeal of Rappler lous story is published. Montesa because “to treat the changes Achief and Executive Edi- dismissed this argument. as republication would be inap- hilippine offi cials has con- tor Maria Ressa and former re- “The instant case was fi led propriate and defeat the pur- fi rmed that a leader of an searcher Reynaldo Santos Jr to in court on February 5, 2019, pose of the single publication Palliance of pro-Islamic junk a cyber-libel case against which is well within the period rule,” citing court decisions State militants was one of four them for lack of merit. of 12 years, negating the asser- from the United States. insurgents killed in a clash with Judge Rainelda Estacio tion raised by the accused that The alleged republication was the military last month. Montesa of the Manila Re- the off ence already prescribed,” done on Feb 19, 2014, when the Defence Secretary Delfi n gional Trial Court (RTC) she said. The charge stemmed TRO was still in eff ect, the ap- Lorenzana confi rmed Abu Dar’s Branch 46 on April 12 ruled from a resurrected complaint of peal said. death based on the fi ndings of a that there were enough ele- businessman Wilfredo Keng in The judge said the TRO DNA test. “It is confi rmed, it’s ments of libel claimed by the connection with a supposedly “merely suspends the imple- Abu Dar’s remains,” he said. Department of Justice (DoJ) on libellous article by Rappler on mentation and enforcement of Security forces believe Abu its charge sheet, as provided May 29, 2012, titled “CJ using RA 10175 so that crimes com- Dar had led Dawla Islamiya, an under Section 4(C)(4) of Re- SUVs of ‘controversial’ busi- mitted during the said period alliance of pro-ISIS fi ghters in public Act (RA) 10175, that the nessman,” posted four months cannot be prosecuted. However, southern Philippines that in- prescription period for cyber- before the law was enacted. it did not suspend its eff ectiv- clude foreigners. The four rebels libel is 12 years, not one year, Keng fi led the complaint in ity.” “So, while crimes commit- were killed in a clash in Lanao del as provided under RA 3326. 2017, which was dismissed, but ted during the said period can- Sur province in March. Section 2 of RA 3326 states revived less than a week later by not be prosecuted during the Major-General Roberto An- that: “Prescription shall be- the National Bureau of Investi- eff ectivity of the TRO, they may can, commander of the army’s gin to run from the day of the gation. be prosecuted after the lifting of 1st Infantry Division, also con- commission of the violation of Montesa also rejected the ar- the same just like what is done fi rmed Dar’s death. the law, and if the same be not gument in the motion to quash, in this case,” she added. He called it a “signifi cant ac- known at the time, from the which said the law was under Montesa said Rappler’s cor- complishment of the govern- discovery thereof and the insti- temporary restraining order porate liability could be proven ment and the people of Lanao tution of judicial proceeding for (TRO) from Oct 9, 2012 con- in court. del Sur who worked together to its investigation and punish- Maria Ressa: appeal rejection tinuously until April 22, 2014, Because of the dismissed rid their beloved province of ter- ment.” thus “there was eff ectively no plea, Rappler, Ressa and San- rorists”. Ressa and her co-accused, gal counsel, used as reference 2014, which said cyberlibel was 353 (of the Revised Penal Code Cybercrime Prevention Act of tos’ arraignment is set to push Dawla Islamiya carried out through Free Legal Assistance to challenge the DoJ’s position “not a new crime, but is one al- or RPC).” 2012,” meaning no statute could through today at 8.30am at RTC the siege of southern Marawi Group’s Theodore Te, their le- a Supreme Court decision in ready punishable under Article Article 353 of the RPC pro- be applied retroactively. Branch 46. City for fi ve months in 2017 before some leaders were re- ported killed by the military in air strikes and street battles, among them Isnilon Hapilon, Is- lamic State’s anointed “chief” in More police offi cers deployed Domestic worker fi red Southeast Asia.

Duterte signs $71bn across region for Holy Week in HK awarded damages national budget, aft er months of delay By Divine De La Cruz K9 units were also deployed PCG and the Department of Agencies Manila Times by the police and the Philip- Transportation’s Oplan Biya- Hong Kong Philippines President Rodrigo pine Drug Enforcement Agen- heng Ayos: Semana Santa 2019, Duterte yesterday signed a cy (PDEA) to detect explosives 97,233 passengers crowded all 3.7tn peso ($71.5bn) budget for he Philippine National and illegal drugs. ports. domestic worker sacked this year, its largest ever, ending Police has heightened The PDEA rolled out sur- Balilo said they are expecting after a cancer diagnosis months of impasse that forced Talert in Metro Manila, prise drug tests for drivers and more passengers until Maundy Awas awarded damages the Southeast Asian country to deploying 11,600 police offi c- conductors in bus terminals to Thursday, when most of gov- by a Hong Kong court yester- cuts its growth target. ers across the region during ensure the safety of passen- ernment and private offi ces day, in a case that highlighted The Philippines last month cut its Holy Week. gers. PDEA spokesman Derrick stop their operations. exploitation of foreign women 2019 growth target to 6-7% from Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Carreon said fi ve drivers and The PCG, the Maritime In- toiling as maids in the wealthy 7-8%, reflecting the absence of a National Capital Region (Metro one bus conductor tested posi- dustry Authority (Marina) and fi nancial hub. new budget and the impact of Manila) Police director, yes- tive for drug use. the Philippine Ports Authority Baby Jane Allas of the Philip- the US-China trade dispute. terday said the move aims to He said drug users would be (PPA) have been on heightened pines was diagnosed with stage In signing the budget, the ensure the safety of passengers prevented from making trips alert status since April 8. three cervical cancer in Janu- president vetoed $1.8bn worth in bus terminals and other vi- and would be referred to the PCG Commandant and Ad- ary and was fi red the following of appropriations, Executive tal installations as they travel Land Transportation Offi ce for miral Elson Hermogino last month by her employer, who Secretary Salvador Medialdea to their provinces for the long proper intervention. week directed all PCG units cited the illness as the reason told reporters. holiday season. Most ships are now fully to tighten security and adopt for termination. Filipina domestic worker Baby Jane Allas, a 38-year-old mother of Vetoed items include non-priority Eleazar added that police of- booked because of an infl ux safety measures in all ports and The 38-year-old single five who was sacked after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, public works, he said. fi cers would also be deployed of passengers exiting Metro ferry terminals during Holy mother of fi ve instantly lost the cries during an interview in Hong Kong. Months of squabbling between to churches, where people con- Manila for the observance of Week and the summer season. right to healthcare and has had the upper and lower chambers of verge in observance of Holy the Holy Week and the start of All PCG districts nationwide to regularly apply for visa ex- “I am standing here right porters and family, including the house delayed the transmis- Week. He said other members summer vacation of students. have K9 teams, special opera- tensions as she navigated Hong now to encourage more work- her eight-year-old daughter, sion of this year’s national budget of the force would still con- The Philippine Coast Guard tions forces, harbour patrollers Kong’s legal and immigration ers to come out if they have who clung to her waist. to the president. tinue with anti-criminality (PCG) said chance passengers and ship inspectors stationed systems while battling cancer. these kinds of cases,” Allas Her plight has generated For next year, economic manag- operations during the holiday. were still entertained by ship- in ports, who are all directed She has been undergoing said. widespread sympathy in Hong ers will propose a 4.1tn peso Eleazar and Quezon City Po- ping companies and they were to exercise extra vigilance in radiation therapy fi ve days a Allas added that she hopes Kong and a fundraising cam- ($79.35bn) national budget. lice Director Joselito Esquivel Jr expecting more passengers inspecting passengers and lug- week, along with chemothera- to fi nd another employer “who paign organised by her sister’s The Philippines, among the fast- conducted on-site inspections in all ports nationwide until gage to ascertain travel safety py once a week. can really understand my situ- employer, Jessica Cutrera, est growing economies in Asia, is at the Araneta Bus Terminal in Maundy Thursday. and security, with medical Allas and her former em- ation and treat me well.” has so far raised more than aiming for growth of 6.5-7.5% in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday PCG spokesman Capt. Ar- teams ready to provide assist- ployer — who was absent from She has separately fi led 900,000 Hong Kong dollars 2020, and 7-8% in 2021 and 2022, to ensure that security meas- mand Balilo said most of the ance in emergency cases. yesterday’s proceedings — claims with the Equal Op- for her treatment. mainly through an extensive ures are properly rolled out ships were fully booked and Marina inspected at random reached a settlement of 30,000 portunities Commission for A large part of Allas’ medical infrastructure overhaul. while on heightened alert and that they had monitored more a Batangas and Calapan Roll- Hong Kong dollars ($3,800) at wrongful termination and loss bills had been covered by hos- The Philippine economy grew in preparation for the full alert than 97,000 passengers con- on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessel at the country’s labour tribunal of earnings, which could be pital charities, but expensive 6.2% in 2018, the slowest in three status to be declared tomorrow, verging in all ports as of 12 the Batangas Port on April 14 for sickness allowance, medi- brought to the city’s District surgery would likely be needed years, because of weak exports, when more passengers are ex- noon yesterday. According to to strengthen maritime safety cal fees and wages in lieu of Court. Allas was accompanied to operate on her tumours, said manufacturing and farm output. pected to leave Metro Manila. the latest monitoring of the measures. notice. to yesterday’s hearing by sup- Cutrera. Global task force tackles child traffi cking in Philippines

Thomson Reuters Foundation Australian cops assembled with across Southeast Asia. representatives from the IJM. child traffi cking, he said. found the Global Slavery Index The trade has grown quickly Manila their local counterparts one But obstacles are aplenty. The task force has also forged “Good intention (with the by the Walk Free Foundation. in communities rife with crime, evening just before dusk, and Many victims are exploited by links with authorities in the law) — but it means there’ll be a Police say the crime is growing where it is seen as less risky than raided a slum located on fi shing their own families and unable or United States, Canada, Sweden, corresponding increase in online and has been fuelled by factors selling drugs, he added. he tip-off came from the docks in the capital, Manila. afraid to speak out, while the en- Germany and the Netherlands. sexual abuse,” Stanford added. ranging from well-established The international command FBI: details of an arrest The task force did not fi nd the crypted nature of modern tech- “Historically, there hadn’t “We are looking at predators... money wiring services to aff ord- centre took on 33 new cases Tin the United States, the alleged local off ender but res- nology from messaging to video been a lot of co-operation,” said very, very cunning...extremely able, high-speed Internet cover- during its fi rst month in action, accused’s social media profi les, cued fi ve girls — aged 10 to 13 — call apps makes criminals tough Richard Stanford, a police detec- clever, desperate...who go to age across the country. adding to a backlog of hundreds and a host of photographs show- who had been groomed and di- to track, according to police. tive heading up the Australian great lengths to achieve their At least half of the population of investigations brought to the ing young Filipina girls engaged rected to perform lewd acts over contingent, adding that diff erent ends,” he told the Thomson Reu- had Internet access as of 2016, table by the various agencies. in lewd acts. livestream by the American. “The most eff ective nations and local agencies had ters Foundation. up from a quarter in 2010, ac- But police say they are often Led by police in the Philip- Tens of thousands of girls in method is to catch previously been working on cas- Britain this month said it cording to World Bank data. hamstrung by laws stating that pines, a new global anti-child the Philippines are estimated by them in the act of es “in ignorance of each other”. would give 3mn pounds in aid Abusers can earn up to $100 abusers must be caught in the sex abuse task force started dis- charities to be trapped in the ex- committing the crime” Every report of online child sex funding to the NCA to investi- per show in a country where act to justify an arrest, or be no- secting the US citizen’s digital ploitative trade, with a growing abuse — raised in the Philippines gative British paedophiles who about a fi fth of its 105mn peo- tifi ed when an arrest warrant is footprint in order to track down number abused online for glo- “This hidden crime is very or abroad — now goes to the task travel to “high risk” foreign ple live in poverty — earning less issued during investigations. the exploited girls. bal clients due to the country’s diffi cult to shut down,” said force, where experts in online countries such as the Philip- than $2,000 a year — govern- While most operations to res- “Those images were very ex- cheap Internet, high standard of Macavinta, citing strict privacy forensics, criminal investigation pines. Filipina senator Loren ment fi gures show. cue children are a success, their plicit...disturbing,” said William English and widespread poverty. laws that make it tough for police and child protection work hand- Legarda has urged other nations All but a few cybersex traf- exploiters often escape, as was Macavinta, the Filipino police The Southeast Asian nation to monitor suspects and make in-hand to track down off enders to get tougher on predators who fi cking cases involve children the case with the recent opera- general heading the unit that received about 60,000 reports of arrests without a warrant. and their victims. watch abuse online by amending being abused by their relatives tion in the fi shing dock slum, ac- launched this year to combat online child sexual exploitation “Referrals from foreign law Stanford said Australia had a their laws to enact harsher pun- or family friends, and half of the cording to investigators. cybersex traffi cking — a form of last year — up a third on 2017 — enforcement — that’s how we moral and legal responsibility to ishments. victims are aged 12 or younger, The alleged off ender — a modern slavery where children said a US investigator working in know these things (online child tackle the crime in the Philip- The Philippines’ anti-traf- police and the IJM said. 17-year-old girl — was not found are abused over webcam. the Philippines with the Inter- abuse cases) are happening.” pines, having provided a “dis- fi cking legislation carries the “Reporting on them is not during the raid and is likely “It was clear that we had to national Justice Mission (IJM) — The Philippine Internet proportionate number of paedo- threat of life in prison. natural, culturally” said the US abusing others, offi cers said. move fast to extract the chil- an anti-traffi cking group. Crimes Against Child Center philes to Southeast Asia”. And a No data exists on the number investigator, a former SWAT “The most eff ective method is dren,” said Macavinta, whose From Australia and the United (PICACC) was launched in Feb- 2017 Australian law preventing of child victims of cybersex traf- team member who declined to be to catch them in the act of com- country is considered by cam- States to Britain, major nations ruary and is home to offi cials the country’s more than 23,000 fi cking, but at least 784,000 identifi ed due to his involvement mitting the crime,” said the US paigners to be the epicentre of are boosting eff orts to stop their from the Australian Federal Po- convicted paedophiles from people in the Philippines — or in ongoing operations. “Some of investigator with the IJM. “But the fast-growing trade. citizens fuelling an illicit busi- lice (AFP) and Britain’s National travelling abroad could in fact one in 130 — are estimated to be the children, they don’t even un- that’s not always possible. It’s Three weeks later, British and ness believed to be spreading Crime Agency (NCA), as well as accelerate the rise of cybersex trapped in modern-day slavery, derstand that this is wrong.” very challenging.” Gulf Times 26 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 16 - 04 -2019 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 The Woods story just grew larger with fi fth Masters win A fi fth Masters title for Tiger Woods, 22 years after his fi rst and 14 years after his last, and a 15th major triumph, following an 11-year hiatus, raises the question: What next? At 43, Woods has a new lease of life after spinal fusion surgery helped rescue a career also aff ected by personal troubles including a sex scandal, the break-up of his marriage and a reckless driving case. Sunday’s victory was one of perseverance through adversity and means he is one short of the six Masters titles won by Jack Nicklaus and three shy of the all-time Qatar has become a reference record of 18 majors won by the Golden Bear. Nicklaus was 46 when he won the last of his Masters in 1986. There was a six-year gap between that and his previous major win at the PGA Championship in 1980. for human rights: EP head Woods has gone five years longer between major titles, and only Nicklaus is older as a Masters QNA Under to the second track, champions. Doha international law should not be considered the only reference, as there But Woods could go on playing longer. He may have is a need for pressure from the local shed some of the sheer driving power of younger years but hairman of the Human public opinion within these countries, he can still hit the ball nearly 300 yards from the tee – his Rights Sub-Committee of indicating that the European Parliament average driving distance of 297.5 yards after the opening the European Parliament is working on these mechanisms, which three rounds was longer than many. C(EP), Pier Antonio Panzeri, need to be activated. has affi rmed that Qatar has become a On the solution of the Gulf crisis, he He takes care of his reference for human rights, praising pointed out that the crisis can be solved Sunday’s victory body. Providing his back its hosting of the “International in two ways: fi rst, to draw a framework holds up and he does not Conference on National, Regional and for balance and stability that allows an was one of International Mechanisms to Combat end to the confl ict, and second, to fi nd have to deal with other Impunity and Ensure Accountability a way to resolve the crisis that is not perseverance injuries, Woods can still under International Law.” related only to the region. win majors. He added that this conference opens On the role of the European through That much is now clear. a new chapter in strengthening the rule Parliament Sub-Committee on Human The Nicklaus record is of law at the level of the international Rights in stopping the EU governments adversity community. from selling arms to Saudi Arabia and not on his radar. For now. Speaking at a press conference, following up the human rights fi le and “I’m sure that I’ll probably think of it going down the Panzeri lauded the Qatari initiative releasing the detainees there, Panzeri road. Maybe, maybe not. But right now, it’s a little soon, to host this conference, saying that said that they had ratifi ed a resolution Qatar is on the right track of reform in under which they called on countries and I’m just enjoying 15,” he said. a number of areas, and the country can at the European level not to sell arms to Woods is choosing his tournaments carefully to be considered as a reference for human Saudi Arabia and it had been approved, conserve fi tness, and has trimmed his schedule after rights and this conference is the best stressing that this is a very important. feeling he did too much too soon last year. indication that it is on the right track. He added that they cannot During the conference, he thanked save the world, but they can make Players can extend their careers with the right nutrition Qatar for taking this initiative by Chairman of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament (EP), recommendations, continue demanding and training. And Woods, always the perfect physical hosting the conference on issues Pier Antonio Panzeri. in a sustained manner and maintain their specimen, was a groundbreaker in working on his related to impunity and accountability, rightful positions, hoping that these physique when he emerged on the scene. praising the concrete co-operation of “There is an urgent need to support Antonio Panzeri said: “The parliament eff orts would lead to positive results to the National Human Rights Committee, the accountability mechanism if we want has done a lot, as a resolution related mobilise public opinion to press their The younger players now on the tour are getting bigger, headed by HE the Chairman of the to continue to fi ght impunity in cases of to human rights issues in Saudi Arabia governments to achieve the desired goals. stronger, faster, more athletic. They are recovering better. Committee, Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, gross human rights violations”, he said. has recently been approved, and has He stressed, at the same time, They are hitting the ball prodigious distances. with the European Parliament and the He pointed out that the conference raised the issue and the need to release the importance of maintaining “A little bit of that’s probably attributed to what I did,” Sub-Committee on Human Rights. also addressed the need to recognise of those behind bars, not only them but relations between States to promote He described Qatar’s hosting of the the importance of enhancing also women who were imprisoned for respect for human rights and combat Woods said. conference as a good start for the future accountability, especially with regard taking part in demonstrations or for impunity. When Woods first turned professional he often course of action. to cases of some violations and some wanting to drive a car”. Regarding the president of the found himself in the gym with only Vijay Singh for “It is a project led by Qatar at crimes where impunity exists, stressing On the mechanisms that were European Parliament’s call on the company. the international level, and it is a the importance of working to activate discussed during the conference and European countries to intervene very important one and these are existing mechanisms at the local, how to activate them, he explained that to resolve the confl ict in Libya, he Now everybody trains – “and they, even Phil’s working commendable eff orts”, he said, regional and international levels, and during the conference two tracks were stressed the importance of avoiding out,” he quipped in reference to veteran Phil Mickelson. expecting that it would succeed in the the integration of these mechanisms identifi ed, the fi rst emphasised the the repetition of the Syrian scenario Woods winning majors can only be good for the future. because each supports the other. importance of recognising that there are in Libya, indicating that there is a very business and marketing of golf and to inspire once again The success of the conference, he Responding to a question about the existing mechanisms and that they do complicated situation in Libya, while said, will open a new path in endeavours position of the European Parliament’s not start from scratch, especially since stressing the importance of recognising others to take up the game. to combat impunity. Human Rights Sub-Committee towards there are many who object to these that there are diff erences within the It does no harm either for the bank balance of the player “By opening new horizons at this a number of Qatari nationals detained mechanisms or seek to disapply them European Union itself, with regard himself who earned 2.07mn dollars for his one-shot enormous international level, we seek in Saudi prisons without trial, and how if they are incompatible with them, he to the Libyan issue, and these eff orts victory and, according to Forbes business magazine, has to combat impunity and promote the international parliament could said, calling on all countries to abide by should lead to a transition process accountability”, he said. pressure Riyadh to release them, Pier these mechanisms. towards democracy and peace. cumulative career earnings of 1.5 billion dollars. Panzeri stressed that Qatar has And as sporting comebacks go, it’s up there with the started a positive path, especially best. after a number of developments and “Americans love to see their brightest stars fall, and few events faced under the unjust blockade imposed on it, pointing out that the have fallen from a higher point than Woods, who was the country seeks to shed light on this issue most marketable athlete on the planet for a decade-plus,” at the international level. Forbes wrote. He recalled that when the Human “But the one thing Americans seem to love even more is Rights Sub-Commission of the European Parliament and the National the redemption story.” Human Rights Committee initiated co- operation almost a year ago, they signed a protocol of co-operation and this To Advertise conference was organised as a result of that. [email protected] He stressed the need for a large-scale Display body to combat impunity and to co- operate with existing institutions and 44466621 44418811 serve as a monitoring and follow-up mechanism to help achieve the desired Classified goals. 44466609 44418811 The chairman of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Subscription Parliament pointed out that during the two-day conference, a number of [email protected] key points were highlighted, including the need for a large-scale action in the fi ght against impunity, and that many © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved countries are required to do so. A section of the audience at the conference. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Gulf Times Tuesday, April 16, 2019 27 COMMENT Toward a global Green New Deal

By Richard Kozul-Wright and Kevin P capitalism. As economic power has Looking ahead, global rules must be Gallagher become increasingly concentrated, recalibrated toward the overarching Geneva inequality – both within and among goals of social and economic stability, countries – has reached grotesque shared prosperity, and environmental heights. With financial speculation sustainability, and rulemaking bodies he “Green New Deal” (GND) now commonplace, so, too, are must be protected from capture by the proposed by progressives fraud and instability. Meanwhile, most powerful. in the United States cannot investment in public goods – globally Moreover, the international Tbe achieved in isolation. To and nationally – has stagnated, community must decide upon common tackle climate change and inequality and growth has become dependent but diff erentiated responsibilities for together, all countries will need to on resource extraction and energy collective action, in order to ensure agree to new rules for international consumption, both of which are an adequate supply of global public co-operation. proceeding at such a pace as to goods and protect the commons across The start of such a rethinking began threaten human civilisation itself. diff erent domains. At the same time, a decade ago. For all the ambitious talk in London individual countries should still be In April 2009, the G20 met in a decade ago, little has changed. aff orded the space to pursue national London and promised to deliver a Debates about improving global development strategies within the co-ordinated response to the global governance still revolve around ideas framework of global rules and norms. fi nancial crisis, followed by a future like “corporate social responsibility,” Embedded in that framework should of more robust growth. Then, in “public-private partnerships,” and be regulations to strengthen the December of that year, world leaders “free-trade agreements,” none of international division of labour, and meeting in Copenhagen under the which will bring about a fairer and to prevent countries from pursuing auspices of the United Nations more stable economic order. destructive unilateral actions that promised big cuts in carbon dioxide Complicating matters further, prevent others from realising common emissions, to limit global warming to global environmental conditions have goals. 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. become increasingly fragile since Finally, global public institutions The fi rst conference ended with 2009. And even before US President will have to be more accountable to British prime minister Gordon Brown Donald Trump’s truculent decision their full membership, and, to achieve announcing a “new world order” to abandon the 2015 Paris climate that end, should maintain balanced founded on “a new progressive era agreement, there was no clear path dispute-resolution systems. They also of international co-operation”; the to keeping global temperatures must be open to a greater diversity of second ended in disarray. Yet, looking below a level that scientists deem viewpoints, and at least cognizant of back, the false dawn of that “new safe, let alone to preventing a more new voices when they emerge in global progressive era” has proved to be the catastrophic breakdown. debates. bigger obstacle to a secure and stable Against this dismal backdrop, File picture of US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) holding a news conference For a decade, the international future. bold proposals for a GND have been for their proposed “Green New Deal” to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 10 years, at the US Capitol in community has failed to heed Winston For a decade now, the post-crisis gaining political traction, notably in Washington, on February 7, 2019. Churchill’s advice “to never let a good recovery has oscillated between the US, where the idea is to transform crisis go to waste.” Unless that changes anaemic growth spurts and recurrent the economy through a harmonious the advanced economies. For the GND the weak from the strong so that they of smarter institutions will have to in the coming decade, those looking bouts of fi nancial instability, owing marriage of economic justice, to work, it must also be globalised could grow. Yet its current version be established. Still, the multilateral back at the current period in 2029 partly to advanced economies’ social solidarity, and environmental through international co-operation. encourages strong countries to impose landscape itself would continue to won’t get another chance. - Project discordant mix of aggressively loose rehabilitation. The GND has already The problem is that multilateral their preferred development model resemble what US President Franklin Syndicate monetary policies and dogged fi scal triggered a rich debate on policy rulemaking in recent decades has on the weak, thereby promulgating D Roosevelt envisioned when he called austerity. And this has all been options, and provoked a predictable been subject to the same political a world of “winner-takes-most” for a mutual understanding that would z Richard Kozul-Wright is Director supported by massive build-up of response from vested interests and pressures as domestic policymaking. outcomes. “secure to every nation a healthy of the Division on Globalisation and debt, which has increased by more their political retainers. It is not a coincidence that the current Under these conditions, fi ne-tuning peacetime life for its inhabitants – Development Strategy, UNCTAD, than $70tn worldwide since the crisis. But the marriage Green New framework for governing the global existing arrangements simply will not everywhere in the world.” Geneva. But the recovery’s sluggishness Dealers envision cannot be left to economy primarily benefi ts fi nancial do. To make a global GND work, many What we need, then, is a new z Kevin P Gallagher is professor of also owes something to the the benefaction of a global hegemon. entities and large multinational of the multilateral programs that have set of principles to replace those Global Development Policy at Boston intertwining of corporate and Capital is mobile, and carbon-heavy corporations. The original goal of post- accumulated over decades will have that have underpinned rulemaking University’s Frederick S Pardee School political power under financialised growth is no longer the preserve of war multilateralism was to protect to be culled, and a new generation in the age of hyper-globalisation. of Global Studies.

Parents urged to monitor children during Ramadan fast Three-day forecast TODAY general practitioner from and a variety of important vitamins Maximum Temperature : 350c the Primary Health Care and minerals. Minimum Temperature : 220c Corporation (PHCC) and “Eating whole grains, protein, WEDNESDAY a dietitian from Hamad and complex carbohydrates, such Maximum Temperature : 330c A Minimum Temperature : 240c Medical Corporation (HMC) have as fruits and vegetables, beans, and said it is generally safe for most lentils will provide children with THURSDAY children to fast during Ramadan. a long-lasting source of energy Maximum Temperature : 330c However, they urge parents to throughout the day. Offer them Minimum Temperature : 250c low-fat dairy products and try to monitor their children and watch Fisherman's forecast for signs of distress, noting that incorporate healthy unsaturated fats children are at an increased risk for like avocado and olive oil. Limit the WARNING dehydration and may also experience number of sweets they eat during the Inshore : Nil low blood sugar as a result of fasting. Suhoor meal as simple carbohydrates Offshore : Nil “While children are not obligated will be quickly digested and your to fast until they reach puberty, many child will soon feel hungry again. WEATHER Inshore : Relatively hot daytime children wish to observe the practice Children who fast should be with some clouds, mild during Ramadan,” said Fatma encouraged to avoid high-intensity by night. Souikey, clinical dietitian supervisor exercise and to drink lots of fluids, Offshore : Fine to some clouds at Hamad General Hospital. especially water, during non-fasting later Parents can support their children Dr Attia Ibrahim, a family medicine Fatma Souikey, clinical dietitian at hours. It is important to ensure your WIND by encouraging them to get plenty of physician at the PHCC. Hamad General Hospital. child stays hydrated, as not having Inshore : Northwesterly-North- sleep and serving healthy, nutrient- enough fluid in the body will lead easterly 05-15 KT dense foods during Suhoor and Iftar, falls during the hotter months. It is highly processed, convenience foods to constipation and can irritate the Offshrore : Mainly Southwesterly- she explained. also important for parents to monitor like many of those sold at fast food bladder,” said Dr Ibrahim. Southeasterly 03-12 KT “For parents whose children will their child’s diet, ensuring they restaurants. Both Dr Ibrahim and Souikey Visibility : 4 - 8 KM be fasting for the first time, we eat sufficiently but do not overeat, “Provided the child is in good note there may be health benefits recommend they delay the Suhoor especially on foods that contain high health and has no existing medical associated with fasting for children Offshore : 1 -3 FT meal for as long as possible. This amounts of fat and sugar. Encourage conditions, such as anaemia, diabetes, who are overweight or obese; however, they recommend parents will ensure the fasting hours are not your child to eat slowly and to or nutritional defi cits, encourage them Around the region unnecessarily prolonged and help enjoy their meal. This will also help to gradually abstain from food and consult their family doctor before Weather prevent undue stress on the child’s prevent overeating, which can cause drink during the month, gradually making any changes to the child’s Weather tomorrow Max/min young body. For younger children, bloating, indigestion, and an upset increasing the length of time they diet, particularly if the child has an today Max/min M Sunny 26/14 parents can encourage shorter fasts, stomach,” added Souikey. are abstaining. For example, have existing medical condition. Baghdad P Cloudy 31/18 Sunny 33/23 allowing the child to abstain for a Dr Attia Ibrahim, a General them start by skipping breakfast and The Ministry of Public Health, Kuwait CityP Cloudy 31/23 M Sunny 34/25 few hours each day and gradually Practitioner at the PHCC, said let them practice breaking their fast HMC, and Primary Health Care Manama M Sunny 32/24 Sunny 32/24 introducing all-day fasting as the Ramadan is a great time to teach during lunch. Younger children may Corporation (PHCC) have reminded Muscat Sunny 31/23 S Showers 23/13 child ages,” Souikey suggested. younger children the basics of not be able to physically fast during members of the public about the Tehran M Cloudy 23/14 She recommends serving slow- fasting. He recommends parents Ramadan, so let them observe the Ramadan Health website and digesting, fibre-rich foods such use the early years to slowly build routine you follow during the month companion smartphone and tablet as wholegrain cereals, fruits, and their child’s love for the month of and encourage them to get involved app. The Ramadan Health website is vegetables during Suhoor. It is Ramadan so that when they are able however they can. Be patient and Qatar’s first online resource devoted important for parents to encourage to fast, they will look forward to the let your children make their own to health and wellness during the their children to drink plenty of month with a good understanding of decisions about how long they can Holy Month. Visit the Ramadan water and limit stimulants such as some of the fundamental principles. fast. Encourage and reward their Health website at www.hamad. coffee, tea, and soft drinks. He also recommends parents start eff orts,” said Dr Ibrahim. qa/ramadanhealth, or download “Children are at high risk for building good habits for their Good nutrition is especially the app to a smartphone or tablet dehydration so it is important for children while they are young, important for children who fast and by searching for ‘Qatar Health’ parents to monitor their activity encouraging them to eat healthy they should consume dairy products, (available for iOS and Android level, particularly when Ramadan foods during the month and to avoid protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, operating systems).

Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 18/09 S Showers 17/10 Live issues Beirut T Storm 17/14 Showers 18/15 Bangkok P Cloudy 36/29 Cloudy 36/29 Berlin M Sunny 15/03 M Sunny 17/06 Cairo Sunny 27/13 P Cloudy 25/12 Chocolate may help to slow down hearing loss: study Cape Town M Cloudy 17/13 P Cloudy 20/12 Colombo T Storm 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 Dhaka M Sunny 36/26 P Cloudy 34/25 Hong Kong T Storm 26/19 P Cloudy 27/25 QNA In a study in the scientific Istanbul P Cloudy 13/06 M Sunny 15/06 Washington journal Nutrients, they report that Jakarta T Storm 32/26 T Storm 32/26 chemicals called polyphenols found Karachi Cloudy 29/23 Sunny 31/23 in cocoa have strong antioxidant London Cloudy 14/06 M Cloudy 17/09 e so often hear the and anti-inflammatory properties Manila P Cloudy 37/27 M Cloudy 36/27 negative aspects that may protect against hearing Moscow P Cloudy 12/02 P Cloudy 09/01 of eating too much damage. New Delhi Cloudy 32/21 T Storm 26/19 Wchocolate. However, a They studied 3,575 middle-aged New York M Sunny 18/09 M Sunny 18/09 new study shows that it may prevent men and women, giving them hearing Paris Showers 13/06 P Cloudy 19/09 us from hearing loss in middle age. tests before they were interviewed Sao Paulo S T Storms 25/19 P Cloudy 23/16 Doctors in the South Korean capital about their chocolate consumption. Seoul M Cloudy 21/07 M Sunny 21/09 Seoul found the rate of hearing loss Researchers found the rate of Singapore S T Storms 32/27 P Cloudy 33/27 among people aged from 40 to 64 was hearing loss was signifi cantly lower Sydney P Cloudy 22/15 Sunny 22/14 much lower in those who ate chocolate in those who ate chocolate, at 26.8%, Tokyo Clear 21/09 Cloudy 20/10 than among abstainers. than in those who did not, at 36%. Gulf Times 28 Tuesday, April 16, 2019 QATAR

Tarsheed helps Qatar save QR1.75bn by reducing electricity, water consumption

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he prestigious National Programme for Conserva- Ttion and Energy Effi ciency (Tarsheed) by General Electric- ity and Water Corporation (Kah- ramaa) has helped Qatar save QR1.75bn in 2018 through re- duction of electricity and water consumption. The achievements were high- lighted at the seventh annual celebration of Tarsheed yester- day in the presence of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minister of State for Energy Aff airs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaa- bi and other dignitaries. Addressing the event organ- ised under the title ‘Towards Sustainability,’ Kahramaa presi- HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and other Some of the winners with HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin dent Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari dignitaries at the seventh annual celebration of Tarsheed yesterday. Khalifa al-Thani and other dignitaries. explained that Tarsheed also resulted in reduction of natural 6295gwh and water consump- tonnes of carbon emission. The launched in April 2012 as part of Performance Standards (MEPS) The function also marked oured the winners. The celebra- gas consumption and carbon di- tion by 33.22mm3, respectively. achievements were gained by Qatar National Vision 2030. standard and labelling for air award distribution for winners tion also witnessed the felicita- oxide emission. In 2018, natural gas consump- Kahramaa after it launched a According to Tarsheed sta- conditioners helped the coun- in contests and felicitation of tion of the winners of Tarsheed According to statistics, Qatar tion was reduced by 60642mcf slew of measures including in- tistics, Hotels Consumption try save 405,000mwh electric- children who participated in 2022 project which is being run marked a savings of QR1,470mn due to intervention and aware- tervention, awareness and en- Reduction Initiative resulted in ity while phasing out of incan- raising awareness about Tar- by Kahramaa and the Supreme and QR283mn by reducing ness by Tarsheed. The year also forcement through Tarsheed. reducing 4670mwh electric- descent lamps led to saving of sheed. Committee for Delivery & Leg- electricity consumption by witnessed reduction of 3.66 The ambitious programme was ity. Enhancing Minimum Energy 570,4000mwh electricity. HE Sheikh Abdullah hon- acy.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani with other dignitaries and off icials at a ceremony marking the opening of Al Khor Road’s main carriageway yesterday. New road links Doha-Al Khor in 20 minutes From Page 1 way in addition to a number of tems without having to perform economic, commercial and pub- any additional excavation anew, The Al Khor Road main car- lic establishments in surround- highlighting the fact that this fu- riageway will serve as an alterna- ing areas. turistic approach will be used in tive to Al Shamal Road and allow In addition to being an alter- all State development projects. road users coming from Al Khor native and parallel road to Al HE the Minister of Municipal- to reach their desired destina- Shamal Road and the main link ity and Environment Abdullah tions by saving the travel time by between the north and east of bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Sub- up to 65% compared to the same Qatar, Al Khor Road will cre- aie noted that Qatar has made journey via Al Shamal Road. ate new demographic and urban outstanding achievements in the The main carriageway was areas extending along the east development of infrastructure opened after completing up- coast of Doha to Al Khor and Ras projects, which have been deliv- grading works that transformed Laff an. ered according to plan. the old road into an expressway “The road will become the He said Al Khor Road provides extending from Al Khor Road centre of development to en- access to multiple regions from in Al Khor to Qatar University courage the population of Doha the north to Doha, especially as Street in Doha. to move outside the city and re- it serves more than 20 residential The old road layout had up construct the eastern areas of areas such as Al Khor, Lusail and to two lanes in each direction, Qatar to Al Khor, so Lusail be- The Pearl-Qatar as well as areas which is now upgraded to fi ve in comes an ideal city to live in,” located to the east of Al Shamal each direction in addition to two Ashghal said, adding that the Road like Al Kheesa, Al Ebb and emergency lanes. The new road project will open the doors for Located on the intersection Lusail City, Rawdat Al Hamama, Al Turfa Street and heading to- be signifi cantly enhanced in the Leabaib. layout will considerably upgrade more investments in business, of Al Khor Road with Simaisma Al Kheesa, Al Sakhama, Umm wards Lusail and Doha. Its spe- northern and eastern regions. He also noted that Al Khor the vehicular capacity from real estate and agriculture. Road, the Simaisma Interchange Slal and Al Mazrooah areas and cial design, also known as partial The road will connect Al Khor Road is a key factor in sustain- 8,000 to 20,000 vehicles per Al Khor Road is composed of includes a main bridge, four facilitate access to several sports cloverleaf, is composed of two with Doha in approximately 20 ing the east coast’s development hour in both directions, improve 10 multi-level interchanges, six loops and four right exits to pro- facilities and educational in- loops and four right exits and de- minutes, and it also involves - creating new communities and traffi c movement and enhance of which provide free fl ow con- vide free-fl owing connectivity in stitutions such as Lusail Sports livers free-fl owing traffi c move- the highest levels of road safety a favourable environment for in- road safety. nection to main roads such as all directions for road users com- Complex and Community Col- ment between Lusail, Al Ebb, with its provision of fi ve lanes vestments in real estate, indus- Also, the project’s special de- Simaisma Road, Al Majd Road ing from Al Shamal Road and Al lege of Qatar. Leabib, Al Turfa and Izghawa. in each direction, in addition to trial and many other sectors that sign allows for a wide central and Al Turfa Street and facili- Khor Road. Besides its signifi cant role in The interchange also includes a the fact that it is considered the will encourage people to settle median that will accommodate tate access to Al Shamal Road It is considered the main ac- linking multiple residential ar- main bridge to allow traffi c com- most adequate alternative to Al along the surrounding areas of Al the railway line, connecting Al and Lusail Expressway. These cess to the city of Simaisma and eas, this interchange will make it ing from Al Turfa Street to con- Shamal Road. HE the Minister Khor Road. Khor to Doha with two main sta- interchanges comprise of eight provides a direct link to the Umm easy for road users coming from tinue north on Al Khor Road. said the special design of Al Khor Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Mo- tions. bridges, 22 underpasses and a Qarn area. It also serves several Doha and Al Khor to reach Lusail This interchange will signifi - Road allows for the wide central hannadi, president of Ashghal, The newly opened road is stra- camel crossing to connect Lu- leisure facilities such as the Si- and Al Bayt Stadium in record cantly enhance access to Qatar median to accommodate the rail expressed gratitude for the wise tegically linked with major ex- sail’s Reserves. maisma beach, Youth Centre and time to attend football matches University, Doha Institute for line, which would provide addi- leadership whose vision and pressways such as Al Majd Road, After having partially opened Resort. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup sta- Graduate Studies as well as Doha tional means of transportation to direction have been pivotal in which will provide connectivity three interchanges on Al Khor Al Khor Road’s intersection diums, Ashghal said. Golf Club. residents in the areas it traverses. delivering state-of-the-art in- with several major highways and Road in November 2018, Ash- with Al Majd Road is a two-level Considered as the two-level Meanwhile, HE the Minister of He also emphasised that dur- frastructure. He also expressed allow free-fl owing navigation ghal has now announced their interchange consisting of a main main entrance to Lusail City, the Transport and Communications ing the construction phase, all pride in opening Al Khor Road across the western and southern full opening - Simaisma Inter- bridge that connects Lusail City interchange at Al Khor Road’s Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said future infrastructure construc- one year ahead of schedule and areas of Qatar. change, Al Khor Road’s intersec- with Al Majd Road and Al Shamal intersection with Al Turfa Street Al Khor Road is one of the most tion projects were taken into three years and a half before the Primarily, Al Khor Road di- tion with Al Majd Road, and Al Road via the Al Mazrooah In- will facilitate access for traffi c important arterial roads that will consideration, especially tel- 2022 FIFA World Cup, especially rectly serves more than 20 resi- Khor Road’s intersection with Al terchange. It also includes four coming from Al Shamal Road make a diff erence in land trans- ecommunications, in addition as it links Al Bayt Stadium with dential areas along its carriage- Turfa Street. loops and four exits to connect via the Izghawa Interchange and portation, which is expected to to rainwater and drainage sys- Lusail Stadium.

A view of Al Khor Road. PICTURE: Ram Chand