BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar beat Saudi Arabia for their third QIC posts QR230mn net profi t in Q1 2018 victory published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10799 April 25, 2018 Sha’baan 9, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Strategic Qatar-German relationship stressed In brief he strategic depth of the Qatar- friendly hydrocarbon energy resource,” German relationship, refl ected the ambassador pointed out in a state- Tclearly in the strong political re- ment. lations between the two friendly coun- “The two countries enjoy a number AMERICA | Politics tries, has been stressed by the German of common interests on the political, Trump, Macron call for ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel. economic and culture levels, because The envoy is accompanying the del- Qatar is an important strategic investor new deal with Iran egation headed by HE the Minister in Germany. US President Donald Trump and of Economy and Commerce Sheikh “Germany also is one of largest ex- French counterpart Emmanuel Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al- porters to Qatar and the gateway of Macron called for a “new” deal with Thani to Germany. Qatar to the European Union and its Iran yesterday, looking beyond Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser meeting with the Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health Dr Linda P Fried to “Germany is considered the most neighbours and Eastern Europe, as divisions over a landmark nuclear discuss the study. PICTURE: Aisha Al Musallam/HHOPL important economic power in Europe Germany is the meeting point for tech- accord that now hangs in the and Qatar is the largest producer and nological, economic and industrial balance. Trump pilloried a three- exporter of LNG, which is considered powers in Europe,” he added. year old agreement designed to the most effi cient and environment- Business Page 16 curb Iran’s nuclear programme as “insane” and “ridiculous”. Instead, Trump eyed a “grand bargain” that would also limit Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for Project to study militant groups across the Middle East. Page 11

ARAB WORLD | Court 18th century law can’t be used to sue Arab Bank mental health of Victims of attacks in Israel cannot use an 18th century law to sue the Arab Bank, a multinational financial institution, the US Supreme Court ruled yesterday in a precedent- German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel (left) is seen with HE the Minister of Economy setting case for other foreign Arab immigrants and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, Germany’s Federal businesses. The decision rests on Minister for Economic Aff airs and Energy Peter Altmaier and Qatar’s ambassador to a legal provision almost 230 years O Sheikha Moza launches School of Public Health in partnership psychological support when they Germany Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani after a meeting. old. Plaintiff s accused the Jordan- partnership between with Qatar Foundation International return to education systems. based bank of facilitating transfers (QFI), a US-based member of QF, was The 12-month QFI-Columbia Uni- to Hamas. Columbia University launched yesterday at the university’s versity study aims to assess the mental and QF International campus in New York. health needs of refugees and identify FOOTBALL | Champions League Her Highness Sheikha Moza met with potential strategies to develop eff ective ‘Gulf crisis caused rights violations’ Salah on song again as QNA the Dean of the Mailman School of Pub- school-based programming to support New York lic Health Dr Linda P Fried to discuss the their education and help them assimi- QNA envoy said the violations of human rights Liverpool beat Roma 5-2 study, which forms part of QFI’s drive to late into their host communities. Doha caused by the Gulf crisis have been doc- Mohamed Salah scored twice against promote education as a force for positive QFI is a global foundation com- umented by the National Human Rights his former club as Liverpool won the er Highness Sheikha Moza bint change worldwide, and facilitate col- mitted to providing K-12 students in Committee in Qatar, and that his embas- first leg of their Champions League Nasser, Chairperson of Qa- laboration across geographic, social, and Qatar, the Americas, and the United he Gulf crisis has caused hu- sy has sent those documented violations semi-final against AS Roma 5-2 in Htar Foundation for Education, cultural boundaries. Kingdom with the intellectual, com- man rights violations, Austrian to the Austrian government. Anfield yesterday. Liverpool were Science and Community Develop- The research study will target young municative, and cultural competen- Tambassador Willy Kempel yes- He expressed regret that the families enjoying a comfortable 5-0 lead ment, launched yesterday a research Arab immigrants, between the ages of cies that will enable them to become terday said, adding that he has been on both sides were aff ected by the siege when the Italians scored two late project designed to study the mental 13-17, who came from confl ict-aff ect- engaged global citizens. particularly saddened by the damage and commended Qatar for taking the away goals, setting the stage for health and psychosocial well-being ed countries and, as a result, had their The organisation is dedicated to the caused to Gulf families because of the right and proper measures to protect a potentially thrilling return leg in of Arabic-speaking adolescent immi- formal schooling interrupted. Arabic language and cultural educa- siege imposed on Qatar. human rights in the country. Rome on May 2. Bayern Munich and grants in the United States. Many of the refugees arriving tion for students and teachers with core Addressing a lecture on human secu- “Qatar and Austria are small in size, Real Madrid will play the first leg of The study, which will be carried out in the United States suffer mental programmes focusing on STEM sub- rity organised by the Diplomatic Insti- but they have decided to play a promi- their semi-final tie today. by the Columbia University Mailman health issues and lack the proper jects, the arts, and youth engagement. tute of the Foreign Ministry, the Austrian nent role globally,” the ambassador said. SC off ers over QR700mn to local fi rms for 2022 involvement he Supreme Committee for tournament preparations, staging and bin Khalifa al-Thani. ence, and continued commitment to and its long-term economy, and help panies, many of whom are engaged as Delivery & Legacy (SC), the legacy plans. The three-day event, which con- playing its part in the development the country’s flourishing SME sector main contractors of our stadiums and Torganisation responsible for The announcement was made at cludes today, is organised by the Qa- of the local economy, Ghanim al- continue to grow. training sites that we are responsible delivering the infrastructure required the ongoing third edition of the Gov- tar Development Bank (QDB) in part- Kuwari, Competition Venues execu- “As part of our commitment to both for delivering ahead of 2022. The total to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has ernment Procurement & Contracting nership with the Ministry of Finance tive director at the SC said: “We are the Qatar National Vision 2030 and estimated value of these opportunities pledged more than QR700mn exclu- Conference and Exhibition – Moush- (MoF). The theme is “The Blockade: delighted to provide local companies the National Development Strategy, is QR700mn. We look forward to con- sively for local small and medium- tarayat, held under the patronage of from Challenge to Opportunity.” with so many opportunities. We are we strive to support the economic de- tinuing to play our role in the develop- sized enterprises (SMEs) to enable HE the Prime Minister and Interior Commenting on the importance of confident this will leave a permanent velopment eff orts in Qatar by provid- ment and growth of Qatar from now to them to be involved in the country’s Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser the SC’s participation in the confer- legacy to Qatar’s business society, ing real opportunities for local com- 2022, and beyond.” Page 5 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 QATAR

Emir appoints ambassadors to several countries

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued Qatar affi rms commitment yesterday Emiri Decision No 21 of 2018, appointing Ahmed Ibrahim Abdullah al-Abdullah as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Brazil. The decision is eff ective starting from its date of issue and is to be to global relief assistance published in the off icial gazette. His Highness the Emir Sheikh QNA of the UN 2030 Sustainable tation of the Monterrey Con- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani New York Development Plan. sensus and drew attention to issued yesterday Emiri Decision This came in a speech by HE the “10 Doha messages,” aimed No 24 of 2018, appointing the Minister of State for For- at strengthening co-operation Jassim Ali Abdullah al-Obaidli as atar has affi rmed its re- eign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad for the implementation of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary sponsibility and com- al-Muraikhi at the opening ses- 2030 Sustainable Develop- ambassador to Brunei Qmitment to strengthen- sion of the Economic and Social ment Plan and the Addis Ababa Darussalam. The decision is ing regional and international Council Forum on Follow-up to Action Plan. eff ective starting from its date of partnership and to continue its Financing for Development at Minister al-Muraikhi said issue and is to be published in the role in providing development the United Nations in New York. that the importance of the Doha off icial gazette. and relief assistance to countries The minister highlighted conference was the document His Highness the Emir Sheikh facing economic and humani- Qatar’s hosting of a high-level issued by the Doha Round of Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued tarian crises and natural disas- conference in November 2017, Letters, which reiterated the yesterday Emiri Decision No 23 ters, in addition to the offi cial on fi nancing for development commitment of member states of 2018, appointing Mohammed development assistance. and the means to implement the to work according to the 2030 Ali Mohammed al-Maliki as Qatar stressed that, despite 2030 Sustainable Development Sustainable Development Plan extraordinary and plenipotentiary its unjust and inhuman block- Plan. “Hosting the meeting re- and the Addis Ababa Plan Ac- HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi speaking at a UN forum. ambassador to Ecuador. The ade, it would continue to be an fl ected Qatar’s continued part- tion. “It also highlighted the decision is eff ective starting active partner in the interna- nership with the international importance of international the humanitarian and devel- order to achieve the growth the ing resource effi ciency and en- from its date of issue and is to be tional community by working community in this regard. development co-operation that opmental challenges facing the world aspires to by eradicating vironmental resource manage- published in the off icial gazette. and partnering with the in- Doha also hosted the Interna- brings together all actors in the world, the Doha Letters reaf- poverty and delivering aid to the ment. “The 10 Doha messages His Highness the Emir Sheikh ternational community to ad- tional Follow-up Conference on context of achieving sustainable fi rmed the international com- most needy, increasing invest- were a substantive contribution Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued dress the challenges and areas Financing for Development in development.” munity’s commitment address- ment in water infrastructure, to the outcome of the New York yesterday Emiri Decision No of common concern in pursuit 2008 to review the implemen- He added that in the light of ing these challenges together in energy effi ciency, and improv- meeting.” 20 of 2018, appointing Hassan Ibrahim Abdulrahman al-Maliki as extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Algeria. The decision is eff ective starting Al-Ali meets Ivory Coast minister from its date of issue and is to be published in the off icial gazette. Pledge to support His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Emiri Decision No 19 of 2018, appointing Hamad Mohammed Abdullah al-Dosari youths reaffi rmed as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Ethiopia. The decision is eff ective starting from its date of issue and is to be at UN session published in the off icial gazette. Envoys transferred QNA the world, some of which suff er General Assembly on children His Highness the Emir Sheikh New York from confl ict and war, are able and youth aff ected by violent Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued to face these challenges and extremism, which drew impor- yesterday Emiri Decision No threats and bring about change tant conclusions and recom- 26 of 2018, transferring Qatar’s atar has reaffi rmed its in their societies. mendations on ways to pro- ambassador to Mexico Ahmed commitment to contin- She added that investing in tect youth and children from bin Abdullah al-Kuwari to the HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali met yesterday with Ivory Coast Minister Que eff orts in providing a the youth would realise their violent extremism. foreign ministry. The decision is for Promotion of Youth, Youth Employment and Civic Service Sidi Tiemoko Toure. During the meeting, both youth-friendly environment hopes and aspirations, and She pointed out that Qa- eff ective starting from its date of sides discussed aspects of co-operation between the two countries and means of boosting them in the fields of and to off er support at the na- develop their capabilities, in tar has taken many measures issue and is to be published in the youth and sports, as well as ways to activate the agreement signed recently between the two countries. tional, regional and interna- addition to promoting and leading to formation of many off icial gazette. tional levels to enable them to protecting their rights. institutions, programmes His Highness the Emir Sheikh contribute to peace-building, The ambassador highlighted and initiatives in the fi elds of Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued in addition to promoting a cul- the establishment of Youth education, employment, job yesterday Emiri Decision No ture of peace, tolerance and Advisory Committee in Qatar creation, economic empower- 25 of 2018, transferring Qatar’s Public security DG meets Georgian envoy respect for religions. in 2017 as a continuation of the ment and training and capacity ambassador Jordan Mohammed The statement was made eff orts of the state to promote building of young people at the Abdullah al-Attiyah to the foreign by Qatar’s Permanent Repre- the role of youth in society and national, especially in confl ict ministry. The decision is eff ective sentative to the UN HE Sheikha in the implementation of Qa- and war-aff ected areas, in- starting from its date of issue and Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani tar National Vision 2030. “The cluding the World Summit for is to be published in the off icial in a debate at the Security committee includes 20 young Innovation in Education WISE, gazette. Council on maintaining inter- men and women elected from the Qatar Upholding Education national peace and security diff erent sectors, and aims to for Syrians’ Trust’ (QUEST), and its relationship with youth. promote a culture of dialogue the Education for All and the Instruments of She said that international ef- and participation among young Children’s Science programme. accession issued forts will be needed to meet the people and enable them to ex- As part of Qatar’s interna- challenges and threats facing the press their views and aspira- tional co-operation eff orts, the His Highness the Emir Sheikh world because of poverty, the tions, and activate their lead- state is keen to cooperate and Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani persistence of confl ict and war, ership and creative skills.” provide support to interna- issued yesterday an instrument and to maintain international Sheikha Alya stressed that tional bodies and mechanisms of accession approving the peace and security. Qatar recognises the impor- related to youth issues and accession of Qatar to the Public Security director general (DG) Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi met yesterday with The diplomat also noted tance of dealing with the root counter-terrorism. Qatar is a International Covenant on Civil Georgian ambassador to Qatar Nikoloz Revazishvili. During the meeting, they discussed a number that there were no doubt that causes of extremism that can founding member of the Global and Political Rights. of issues of interest to the two friendly countries. the1.8bn young men and wom- lead to terrorism. In 2016, Qa- Community Engagement and The Emir also issued an en who make up a large part of tar organised a debate in the Resilience Fund (GCERF). instrument of accession approving the accession of Qatar to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Instrument of Call for constructive talks to resolve regional crisis ratification issued

QNA reached the point of armed states. “It is also ranked fi rst His Highness the Emir Sheikh Beirut confl ict, and the dismantling among the Arab countries”, he Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani of state institutions and struc- said, pointing to Qatar’s work issued yesterday an instrument tures, as well as tearing apart through its 2030 strategy and of ratification, approving a he Arab Forum for Sus- its social fabric, which repre- operational plans, especial- memorandum of understanding tainable Development sents a serious threat to the en- ly the recent 2017-2022 plan for co-operation in the field of T2018 organised by the tire development process and a launched by His Highness the security between the Ministry United Nations Economic and halt to its tracks, in addition to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of Interior and the Ministry of Social Commission for Western destroying the gains made by al-Thani earlier this year, to Interior of Iraq, signed in Doha on Asia (ESCWA), started yester- these societies in the areas of achieve the goals and objectives 13/03/2018. day under the theme “Natural development. of sustainable development be- Resources, Future Generations, Al-Hammadi added that fore 2022. and the Common Good,” and stability, civil peace, and social He said that Qatar is deeply lasts for three days. security are the main pillars aware that sustainable devel- Qatar is participating in the that provide the environment opment requires the diversifi - forum with a delegation led by for development and progress cation of economic resources. QCB chief Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Sec- in its tracks, and without these This is refl ected in the fact that retary-General Dr Ahmed bin pillars, it will be impossible to the Qatari economy is the fast- Hassan al-Hammadi. achieve and establish the goals est growing among the coun- meets team In a session entitled the Im- of development. “Therefore, tries of the region, he said, add- plementation of the 2030 plan: Qatar urgently calls for con- ing “We are currently working the Arab countries’ perspec- structive dialogue among the in spite of the crisis in the re- from Guinea tive on integrated development various social and political gion to increase growth through planning and transformational forces to resolve the crises in diversifi cation of the economy change,’ al-Hammadi stressed the region and the wars taking and to invest it better to achieve E the Governor of Qa- in his speech that the issues of place in order to fi nd the ap- progress in all areas of develop- tar Central Bank (QCB) sustainable development in all propriate ground for progress The Qatari delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan ment and to improve the quality HSheikh Abdullah bin countries of the region have a in achieving development, al-Hammadi at ESCWA in Beirut. of human well-being in Qatar”. Saud al-Thani discussed means high priority and special atten- which is a decisive factor in In his address at the opening of boosting bilateral co-opera- tion by the governments and achieving stability and civil principle to advance these goals Development Goals, and has port the least developed coun- of the forum, Under-Secretary tion between Qatar and Guinea, communities of the Arab world, peace,” he added. at the national, regional and voluntarily established mas- tries, especially in the fi elds of General of the UN and Execu- especially in the banking sec- as they represent a fundamental Secretary-General al-Ham- international levels.” sive partnerships with a large environment and infrastruc- tive Secretary of (ESCWA) Mo- tor, during a meeting held by challenge to the future of the madi said that since the launch The secretary-general number of least developed ture, thus providing them with hamed Ali al-Hakim said that the QCB governor with a Guin- region and its progress and de- of sustainable development stressed the importance of countries through programmes the capacity to make progress the objective of the annual fo- ean delegation, currently visiting velopment. goals on September 25, 2015, partnerships for development in the fi elds of education, in the sustainable development rum is to map out development Doha. He emphasised that without Qatar has made an active con- since without generous support health, employment and hu- goals. issues in Arab countries and The Guinean delegation con- achieving the desired progress tribution to achieving these for development programmes manitarian assistance, whereas Al-hammadi said that Qatar stimulate co-operation among sisted of a number of offi cials, in sustainable development goals in the region as a whole. it would be very diffi cult for a this assistance met the needs has achieved a great progress in the countries of the region, in including Minister of State Ib- goals and objectives, it will be He pointed out that the Doha number of societies to achieve of 17mn children in the fi elds of development fi elds in the last addition to supporting the de- rahima Kassory Fofana, Cen- impossible to achieve a better Declaration marked the way the desired progress. education and health. two decades, which has made velopment process in the Arab tral Bank of Guinea Governor life for Arab societies, which forward towards achieving the He said that Qatar has ful- He added that Qatar is in the it move from middle perform- world in line with the objectives Lounceny Nabe and Counselor have been plagued by major sustainable development goals. fi lled all its commitments of process of developing other de- ing countries on the human of the 2030 Sustainable Devel- to the Guinean President Don social tensions, some of which “Qatar remains committed in the 17th goal of the Sustainable velopment programmes to sup- development index to advanced opment Plan of the ESCWA. Mello. (QNA) Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 3 QATAR Sudan ministry hails Qatar Defence ties with UK reviewed for promoting knowledge

QNA values and praises the launch communicate with the latest spiritual aspect as a driver of Khartoum of Qatar National Library systems,” Bader added. sustainable stability and devel- (QNL), which is a new historic The Sudanese minister fur- opment. event that pays tribute to Qa- ther drew attention to the He also referred to the gains udan’s Ministry of Cul- tar’s recognised role in cul- fact that Sudan had benefi ted his country made through ture has valued the role of tural communication with the directly from the Qatari ex- Qatari assistance within the SQatar in promoting cul- world through free global cul- periences in advancing cul- framework of cultural co-oper- tural development in the world tural platforms that strengthen tural development as the Doha ation between both countries, as well as in urging internation- communication links, a matter Document for Peace in Darfur noting the presence and active al community to promote the which enabled it to achieve an (DDPD) had provided an inter- participation of Qatar in all Su- dissemination of culture and advanced position in the Arab national platform to promote a danese cultural events, includ- knowledge as it hosted global and Islamic world. culture of peace and social de- ing its distinctive participation events that enriched cultural “Qatar has an active and in- velopment, which has enabled in the Khartoum International communication among peo- fl uential cultural presence in Sudan to enhance its global Book Fair as well as Sudan’s ples, which is the foundation the Arab and world heritage, outreach, benefi ting from Qa- participation in Qatari cultural HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed of peaceful co-existence in the as Doha has become a plat- tari international knowledge- events, which strengthens cul- al-Attiyah met with United Kingdom Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson in London yesterday. world. form for culture and knowl- based platforms that opened tural relations between the two During the meeting, they exchanged views on continuing to develop bilateral relations between Speaking to Qatar News edge in all its paths and en- advanced areas in this regard, countries by stimulating and the defence ministries of the two friendly countries along with means of enhancing them. The Agency (QNA), Minister of hanced the role of libraries in particularly with regard to the speeding up the processes of meeting also discussed the latest developments in the region, especially the Syrian crisis and State at the Ministry of Culture the world through its regional preservation of heritage, the implementation of joint agree- developments in Yemen. It discussed as well aspects of joint co-operation in combating terrorism Hassab al-Rasoul Ahmed al- and international relation- promotion of discovery and in- ments and memorandums of and violent extremism. Sheikh Badr said Sudan highly ships which allow the world to novation and unlocking human understanding.

QNRF announces winners of 22nd Foreign Ministry official meets envoys of Asian and Arab countries research programme grants Qatar National Research Fund research culture that supports (QNRF), a member of Qatar Qatar Foundation in its mission Foundation, has announced to build Qatar’s innovation and the winners of its 22nd technology capacity, and help Undergraduate Research the nation develop into a hub Experience Programme (Urep) of research excellence and cycle. A total of 33 research become a more competitive and proposals have been awarded diversified economy.” grants from 97 submissions by First launched in 2006, Urep student teams attending eight is QNRF’s longest running universities across Qatar. programme. To date, more than This latest Urep cycle will engage 3,200 students have taken part 156 undergraduate students and in Urep, with teams of students 73 faculty members and mentors. from universities across Qatar Of the 33 awards, 24 went to conducting research under the Qatar University, four to Texas mentorship of their professors, A&M University at Qatar, and in areas of direct relevance to the two to Georgetown University in Qatar National Research Strategy Qatar. The remaining three grants (QNRS). were awarded to Northwestern Grants awarded under the 22nd University in Qatar, University of Urep cycle address the various Calgary – Qatar, and Weill Cornell pillars of the QNRS as follows: 12 Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi Medicine-Qatar. in energy and environment; seven Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi has met with met with ambassadors of the Arab countries accredited to Qatar. During Nuha Alokka, programme in health; nine in social sciences, ambassadors of friendly Asian countries accredited to Qatar. The meeting discussed the Gulf the meeting, they discussed the Gulf crisis, enhancing the prospects of co- manager, QNRF, said: “By arts and humanities; and five in crisis, enhancing the prospects for co-operation, as well as matters of common concern. operation and issues of common concern. investing in cutting-edge computer science and information research, QNRF is enhancing a and communication technology. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 QATAR

MEC recalls Mazda CX9 and Mazda 2 models of 2007-2015 The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), the dealer to follow up on the maintenance in collaboration with the National Car Company, and repair works and will communicate with has announced the recall of Mazda CX9 and customers to ensure that the necessary Mazda 2 models of 2007-2015 over the possibil- repairs are carried out. ity of a defect in the front airbags inflators. The MEC has urged all customers to report The MEC said the recall campaign comes any violations to its Consumer Protection and This year’s Milipol Qatar within the framework of its ongoing eff orts to Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through protect consumers and ensure that automo- the following channels: Call centre: 16001, bile dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, repair them. Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for The ministry said that it will co-ordinate with Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar to be largest ever: offi cial

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter

atar will host the 12th Milipol Qatar at the Doha QExhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) from October 29 to 31, it was announced yesterday. The event, aimed to strengthen homeland security and civil de- fence, will be hosted by the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Milipol Qatar Committee presi- dent Brigadier Sheikh Nasser bin Fahad al-Thani said that in terms of participation of ministerial del- egations, subject experts and com- panies, this year’s event will be the largest ever. Milipol was launched more than two decades ago. For the fi rst time the Civil De- fence Exhibition and Conference are getting incorporated with the Milipol Qatar 2018, Sheikh Nasser said at a press conference. Studies by reputable market re- search agencies on the defence Brigadier Sheikh Nasser bin Fahad al-Thani speaks at the press conference as as Muriel Kafantaris and Brigadier Saud market have found that the internal Rashid al-Shafi look on. security market in the Middle East will double in the next four to fi ve studies. A number of subject ex- Muriel Kafantaris said the event’s Posium since 1996. Organised once years. perts are expected for such sessions, goal is to bring together an elite in two years in Qatar, Milipol is at- While the Middle East has a se- the organisers said. group of experts and stakeholders to tracting some of the major compa- curity market worth around $9.6bn The Civil Defence sector, which learn about the latest developments nies dealing in the public security now, it is expected to go up to is a new entrant to the expo, is ex- and innovations in the sector and sector around the world and their $19.7bn by 2022, the studies said. pected to boost the status of Milipol also to establish mutually benefi cial equipment and accessories will be The expo and conference will as a leading global platform for in- partnerships. showcased at the expo. help project the market require- ternal security in the Middle East. Registration for the event is The Milipol brand is now rep- ments for the sector, as many It will also help companies as well now open. The website (www. resented by Milipol Paris, Milipol countries of the region are hoping as civil defence and national secu- milipolqatar.com) has been re- Qatar and recently Milipol Asia-Pa- to acquire superior kinds of secu- rity stakeholders to highlight the developed to provide an easy-to- cifi c. This is expected to contribute rity solutions and technologies in importance of safety and security use experience, enhance practical to the building of an international the coming years. across the world. features and browsing, allowing network of exhibitions dedicated The forthcoming edition will also Brigadier Sheikh Nasser stressed users to easily access content, and to providing services, technolo- feature live interactive shows where Qatar has all along been and remains share information across key so- gies and innovations in the fi eld of the stakeholders will be able to ex- a major destination for internation- cial platforms. homeland security. perience the latest products and in- al exhibitions and conferences, and Milipol Qatar is a well-known ex- MoI’s Logistics Directorate as- novations in the security industry. the hosting of Milipol will enhance hibition of internal security, co-or- sistant director general Brigadier Among others the expo will host its reputation much more. ganised by the Ministry of Interior Saud Rashid al-Shafi was also informative presentations and case Milipol’s exhibitions director and the French company Comex- present at the press conference. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 5 QATAR Moushtarayat is a boon for SMEs he Government Procurement and Contracting Conference and TExhibition (Moushtarayat 2018), organised by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB), presents tremendous op- portunities for interaction between lo- cal small and medium-sized enterpris- es (SMEs) and the government bodies participating in the exhibition, in ad- dition to strengthening co-operation between the private and public sector companies in Qatar. The third edition of the conference this year will provide SMEs with more than 2,000 business opportunities with an estimated cumulative value worth up to QR6.5bn, an increase of QR1bn from the opportunities provided by the fi rst and second editions in 2016 and 2017. The event, which concludes today at QM seeks to interact with local suppliers, exchange information about potential the Doha Exhibition and Convention business partnerships, and introduce local businesses to its procurement process. Centre, also represents a good oppor- tunity for participants to identify the extent of its development and the latest and to supporting a thriving and diver- needs of the local market for goods and products in the domestic market. sifi ed private sector – today, tomorrow services, and to enable the participat- Al-Subaie noted that this is the com- and in the future,” he added. ing government ministries and insti- pany’s second participation in Moush- Since its inception, QM has been tutions to identify new local produc- tarayat, stressing that gathering the one of the country’s major institutions ers, especially with the increase in the major bodies, ministries and compa- working towards helping Qatar transi- number of SMEs factories in the State nies in Qatar in one place for suppliers tion from a natural resource-based to a following the unjust siege imposed last and contractors is a constructive idea knowledge-based economy. year, which means increasing domestic that helps to build bridges to commu- At the heart is a commitment to production. nicate easily between the two sides, helping Qatar originate art, creativity Speaking to the Qatar News Agency facilitate the exchange of information and heritage experiences from within. (QNA), Qatar Rail managing director and identify the local market and its To date, QM has provided numer- and chief executive Abdullah Abdulaziz capabilities. ous opportunities for local companies Turki al-Subaie said that Qatar Rail’s Qatar Museums (QM), under the pa- to play vital roles in the organisations participation in the conference aims at tronage of its Chairperson, HE Sheikha supply chain across a range of sectors. introducing the company’s opportuni- Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al- In addition, QM and the QDB have an ties to suppliers and contractors as well Thani, is also participating in Moush- existing partnership. as the nature of the projects and pro- tarayat 2018. The partnership will see both or- curement plans required for submis- QM procurement and contracts di- ganisations develop SME friendly-pro- sion by the suppliers. rector Hamad Ali Abel said: “With the grammes. Al-Subaie stated that Moushtarayat recent regional changes around us, it The opportunities it provides to such represents a good opportunity for the has become essential to accelerate the businesses are only set to grow as the company to identify new providers achievement of the Qatar National Vi- country prepares for the opening of and suppliers, adding that he was al- sion 2030, which aims to diversify the major museum developments, includ- ready able to meet representatives of country’s economy and help us achieve ing the National Museum of Qatar and new factories during the fi rst day, thus self-suffi ciency in all aspects.” the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sport Mu- re-identifying the local industry, the “QM is fully committed to this vision seum. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 QATAR

Opening soon: Al Qarma Beach Garden

The Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality will open the Al Qarma Beach Garden soon, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has announced. The garden, which is meant for women and children aged under 10 years, has been developed by the municipality in co-ordination with the Public Parks Department and with support from the Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Programme. The garden is spread over 8,000sqm and features a variety of games and beach umbrellas. QGP eff orts lead Over 125 cases of to development of Qatari gene chip malaria treated

atar Biobank and tari population, identifi ed scale data collection and the Qatar Genome through the sequencing and basic research, the partner- at HMC last year QProgramme (QGP), genetic screening of thou- ship aims to materialise vast Dr Hussam al-Soub members of Qatar Founda- sands of Qatari citizens. amounts of genomic knowl- tion, have partnered with The partnership will act as edge collected by various o highlight World Malaria development, none are currently mosquito bites by using insect re- endemic areas should consult their the Department of Genetic a platform open for inclusion national stakeholders into a Day and ahead of the sum- available. pellent, covering the arms and legs, doctor or visit a clinic that off ers Medicine at Weill Cornell of gene mutations identifi ed product that will signifi cantly Tmer vacation season, Hamad Prevention is, therefore, the best and using a mosquito net. It is also anti-malarial medication, such as Medicine-Qatar to facilitate by all local research groups improve the genetic diagnosis Medical Corporation (HMC) is ad- protection against malaria and important to consult with an ex- the Travel Clinic at HMC’s Com- the development of the fi rst willing to participate in the of a large number of diseases. vising residents who are planning is based on two complementary perienced healthcare professional municable Disease Center. Qatari gene chip, known as project. Unlike the genetic results travel to known malaria-endemic methods: chemoprophylaxis, or who can advise if malaria preven- It is important to speak with a the ‘Q-Chip’. Prof Asmaa al-Thani, that come from international regions of the world to take neces- the use of medication to prevent tion tablets are needed,” cautioned travel specialist to ensure you take The partnership also in- chairperson of QGP and vice laboratories abroad or gene sary precautions. disease, and protection against Dr al-Soub. the right anti-malarial tablets and cludes the Diagnostic Ge- chairperson of Qatar Biobank, assays developed using data Last year, 128 patients infected mosquito bites. International travellers could be the right dose. It is also essential nomic Division at Hamad said: “The Q-chip will be a from other populations, di- with malaria were admitted to He recommends the use of at risk of malaria infection in 91 to fi nish the full course of medica- Medical Corporation as well comprehensive product ena- agnosis using the Q-Chip will HMC for treatment. According to mosquito-repellent creams and countries around the world, mainly tion,” said Dr al-Soub. as the Sidra research team at bling the simultaneous de- be based on genetic informa- Dr Hussam al-Soub, senior con- mosquito nets and advises trav- in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. People infected with malaria Sidra Medicine. The national tection of a large number of tion derived from Qataris, sultant at HMC’s Infectious Dis- ellers to wear long sleeves and The World Health Organisation often experience fever, chills, and working group aims to trans- gene mutations responsible making the results obtained eases Unit, those most at risk of long pants to cover their skin. He (WHO) estimates that 216mn cases fl u-like illness at fi rst. Left untreat- late the outcomes of basic for a wide range of hereditary more relevant and accurate. serious illness associated with con- also recommends avoiding going of malaria occurred worldwide in ed, the disease can lead to severe genomic research into high disorders. It will also be used In addition, the chip tracting the disease are individuals outside at night when mosquitos 2016, with around 445,000 deaths complications and, in some cases, impact deliverables at the in the future for preventive will save on funds spent who have little or no immunity to usually bite. attributed to the disease, mainly in death. Malaria symptoms appear clinical care end, in the form screening of such diseases in by healthcare providers on malaria, such as young children and “Qatar is free from locally ac- children under fi ve years of age in after a period of seven days or long- of the Q-Chip product. newborns as well as in pre- sending samples abroad for pregnant women or travellers com- quired malaria. All cases we have in sub-Saharan Africa. er after being bitten by an infected The chip will contain gene marital testing.” diagnosis of many hereditary ing from areas with no malaria. the country are imported, meaning “People who have resided in Qa- mosquito. variants specifi c to the Qa- Following years of large- diseases. Malaria is a serious tropical dis- they have been acquired abroad. For tar and other malaria-free coun- Fever occurring in a traveller ease spread by mosquitoes; if left those planning to travel to countries tries for a long time may have within three months of possible undiagnosed and untreated, it that have known malaria cases, it lowered immunity to malaria and exposure to malaria is a medical can be fatal. Dr al-Soub said while is very important to take preven- are thus vulnerable to serious ill- emergency that should be investi- several malaria vaccines are under tive measures, including avoiding ness. People planning to travel to gated immediately.

The winners of the competition with the US charge d’aff aires, Ryan Gliha and other dignitaries. PICTURE: Ram Chand Over 1,500 Qatari students enrolled at US universities

By Joseph Varghese ners of the fourth annual ‘Young ing skills.We also have several other this year. VCUarts Qatar executive Staff Reporter Writers Competition,’ organised partnerships such as helping Qatari dean Donald N Baker, who was also by the US embassy, in partnership students prepare to study in the present on the occasion, congratu- with the Ministry of Education and universities in the US. We have our lated the winners. In total 15 win- ver 1,500 Qatari students Higher Education. Education in US Advising Centre ners – fi ve each from grades, 5, 8 are currently studying in “We have been having the pro- for students who plan their studies and 10 - were honoured. Ouniversities across 40 dif- gramme for the last four years in in the US,” he pointed out. The Young Writers Competition ferent locations in the US, a top partnership with the Ministry of This year’s contest, under the is part of the larger Young Writers offi cial of the US embassy said yes- Education and Higher Education. theme ‘Transforming Obstacles Programme, designed to encour- terday. This year, we had 135 schools par- into Opportunites,‘ was the larg- age Qatar’s youth to read, write “We want to expand that number ticipating and we aim to increase est of its kind. The programme has and think critically about impor- and off er more opportunities for the number of schools in the com- substantial support from Virginia tant topics in their society. Since more students to study and par- ing years,” continued Gliha. Commonwealth University School the programme’s inception in 2014, ticipate in our education system,” “It is an important way in which of the Arts in Qatar. The win- students from more than 135 Min- stated charge d’aff aires, Ryan Gliha we support the English language ning entries will be featured in the istry schools in Qatar have partici- (ad interim). education as well as strengthen- Fourth Volume of the “Young Writ- pated in the programme through He was speaking on the sidelines ing thinking skills and giving kids ers Journal” which will be pub- writing workshops and the annual of the award ceremony for the win- an incentive to improve their writ- lished by the US embassy in July writing competition. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 7 QATAR CMC urges Cruise season ends Woqod to decongest fuel stations

By Ayman Adly In future, this technical inspection would be Staff Reporter conducted periodically on marine vessels. The 2017-18 cruise season has concluded as the Seabourn Encore, the last cruise ship of the 2017-18 season, arrived at Doha Port on its fourth Regarding determining the maximum ca- call with about 970 passengers, including 429 crew members, Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani Qatar) announced on its Twitter pacity of passengers of these dhows, HE the page yesterday. Seabourn Encore was also the first ship to arrive at Doha Port in the 2017-18 cruise season, on October 26 last year. The next iesel pumps at fuel stations should have Minister said there is a draft cabinet decision season will begin in October 2018, Mwani Qatar has said. separate entrances and exit points, under review and discussion at the General Dthe Central Municipal Council (CMC) Secretariat of the Cabinet in this regard. suggested yesterday at its regular fortnightly In the meantime, Qatar Tourism Authority meeting. The council urged Qatar Fuel (Woqod) (QTA) pointed out that an announcement was to consider this in the design of its proposed published in local dailies in various languages fuel stations around the country. regarding the requirement for tourist license The suggestion is meant to ease the crowd- for marine transport vessels, and the owners ing and waiting time while vehicles line up to were granted a grace period to comply until refuel. mid-January this year. Parents slam ‘mandatory’ It has been observed by some CMC members In addition, a similar circular was issued to that when trucks use the same entrances and urge the owners concerned to complete the exits used by smaller vehicles, they often block necessary procedures for obtaining tourist li- the way and cause congestion, increasing the cense. waiting time at the already busy fuel stations. A guidebook including all these instructions optional fee at Doha school The council also discussed the responses will be also issued and distributed to the own- regarding its previous recommendations on ers of the marine vessels concerned. By Joseph Varghese the school discontinued some of will be collecting millions of riyals and other additional fees”. dhows and equipping them with more effi cient QTA further pointed out that those who fail Staff Reporter the additional fee collected un- every year this way. Another parent said that it is a safety features, in addition to utilising them for to obtain the necessary license in good time til last year as per the directives “This is really shocking. How huge burden for parents as they are tourism. will be penalised according to the procedures of the Ministry of Education and can you make an optional fee forced to shell out a lot of money HE the Minister of Municipality and Envi- stipulated in the Law No 6 for 2016 on the n additional fee ranging Higher Education. mandatory and in that case what is and it is all the more burdensome ronment stressed that the small ships registra- regulation of tourism in co-operation with the from QR700 to QR1,200 But it has started a new fee the purpose of asking the consent if you have more than one child tion department ensures that all the registered entities concerned. Aper student per annum has called Optional Fee. of the parents?” asked another studying in the school. ships are equipped with the necessary safety The council further discussed the naming become a thorny issue between The once-a-year fee ranges parent. “Moreover, most of the services equipment and that they are valid for sailing and renaming of some areas and streets in the the parents and the management from QR700 to QR1,200 for stu- “Moreover, my children were other than online study materials when conducting the technical inspection at country and gave its recommendations accord- of a Doha school, which calls the dents from KG to Class 12. blocked from accessing assign- are not benefi cial to most of the the registration or renewal of registration. ingly. charge optional but mandatory The school has issued a letter of ments as well as study materials students. The school management “for all students continuing the undertaking asking the parents if available on the school website. is making a huge amount of money academic year 2018-19”. they ‘voluntarily agree to pay’ the The deadline for paying the fee through such fees,” he added. Several parents of DPS-Modern fee or ‘do not agree to pay’. is May 15 and the school was not “Whatever services are offered Indian School told Gulf Times the The circular also highlighted the willing to wait until this date.” for students who are willing to management is blocking access to additional facilities that will be of- “However”, he said “today we pay the optional fee should be online academic resources to stu- fered to students who are willing have seen a circular on the school available to students as part of dents who have not paid the fee. to pay the ‘Optional Fee’. website stating that the students the normal support provided by Eff orts by Gulf Times to get a re- “Though called Optional Fee, it will be allowed to access the online the school management and at sponse from the school failed. has been made mandatory,” one of resources until May 15, the last no additional cost,” the parents According to one of the parents, the parents said, adding the school date for paying the fi rst term fee opined.

The CMC in session yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

Traffic diversions Kahramaa president lauds achievements

QNA Council today, al-Kuwari said tricity and water sector, he added. electronic, while keeping its serv- Doha that the water production reached He pointed out that the number ice centres to facilitate the service 456mn gallons, about 40% higher of subscribers connected to the for those who fi nd it diffi cult to than fi ve years ago. electricity and water network in deal with smart devices. lectricity production in Qa- He expected that water produc- Qatar reached 710,000 subscrib- In the same context, he an- tar reached 10,170 mega- tion will rise to 586mn gallons by ers last year, up 33% from 2013, nounced that the corporation Ewatts last year, up 19% from 2024. adding that the rate of electricity completed the fi rst phase of the 2013, said the president of Qatar In his presentation, he added that consumption in the country rose installation of smart meters in General Electricity and Water the increase indicates investments by 6% in electricity, compared to homes after it installed 17,000 Corp (Kahramaa) Engineer Essa in this vital sector and the interest of 7% in water during the past fi ve electricity meters and 17,000 wa- bin Hilal al-Kuwari, adding that the state to achieve the well-being years. ter meters, and it entered the sec- production is expected to rise to of Qataris and residents. On plans towards electronic ond phase from 2018 to 2024. 12,883 megawatts by 2024. This signifi cant increase re- services, the Kahramaa president By 2024, meters will become Traff ic for a distance of approximately Ashghal will close for five days from Presenting Kahramaa’s achieve- fl ects the magnitude of govern- stressed that all services provided smart and can be read and con- 1.5km on both directions at Lebsayyer tomorrow midnight the northbound lanes of ments at a meeting in the Advisory ment’s investment in the elec- to the public has become fully trolled remotely, he said. Interchange on the Dukhan Expressway the Orbital Road owing to the works for the are to be closed for six months. While the completion of the project in the areas lanes leading from Doha to Dukhan will be starting from Al Shamal Road to Ras closed from Friday, the lanes from Dukhan Laff an road. The closure will be in place for to Doha will be closed starting from May a distance of 10km, starting from the Orbital 11. During the period, traff ic heading to Road crossing over Al Shamal Road. The Traffi c awareness seminar held Lebsayyer Interchange on Dukhan Road traff ic change is designed in co-ordination can use the interchange exits which with the General Directorate of Traff ic and include two lanes in each direction to will end on May 1. During the diversion, he Ministry of Interior’s al-Hajiri, Captain Mohamed al- reach the roundabouts (adjacent to the motorists travelling via northbound Orbital (MoI) Traffi c Awareness Humaidi from the Ahmed bin Mo- interchange) and then to Lebsayyer area, Road can use Al Mazrooah Road instead of TDepartment yesterday held hamed Military College and Cap- Rawdat Rashid Road, or back to Dukhan the Orbital Road through Al Khor Inter- a seminar on the importance of tain Ayedh al-Ahbabi of the Police Road (as shown on the map). The closure change on Al Shamal Road and then continue traffi c safety among students of College led the discussions. aims to enable construction works of a new on the Al Khor Link Road, then turn left at military colleges. The topics at the seminar were bridge at Lebsayyer Interchange as part of the next roundabout to join the Ras Laff an The participants at the event traffi c misconceptions and risks, Rawdat Rashid Road Development Project Road (as illustrated on the map). Ashghal will at the headquarters of the Traffi c the role of military colleges in implemented by Ashghal. The project aims install road signs guiding motorists indicat- Department included representa- spreading the culture of traffi c to provide a developed and safe road to link ing the changes on the road.Commuters are tives of the Police College, Ahmed safety, the importance of a good Salwa Road with Dukhan Road, and keep the requested to abide by the speed limit (which bin Mohamed Military College role model for future offi cers and traff ic movement away from Rawdat Rashid remains at 80kph for all sections of the and the Ministry of Awqaf. prospects of co-operation be- residential area. Orbital Road and the adjacent roads). Traffi c Awareness Department tween military colleges and the director Col Mohamed Radhi Traffi c Awareness Department. Traff ic Awareness Department off icials address the seminar yesterday. HBKU hosts public lecture on ‘Nudging and beyond’

amad Bin Khalifa Uni- Policy at Harvard Law School and more eff ective using a “nudge” by adopting policies for a health- college was “honoured to have versity’s (HBKU) College co-author of Nudge: Improving rather than legislation or direct ier lifestyle. Prof Sunstein deliver this impor- Hof Law and Public Policy Decisions about Health, Wealth, enforcement to improve the life “There is a long-term interest tant lecture that can help Qatar (CLPP) recently hosted a public and Happiness. and well-being of people and in this country, as in many coun- navigate its future in some of the lecture on “Nudging and Beyond: The lecture also introduced society. tries, for improving health and leading behavioural economics.” From Behavioural Economics to the concept of “nudging” and Sunstein discussed the ef- increasing exercise and activity Francis noted that Supreme Public Policy.” highlighted its implications in fectiveness of behaviourally in- on the part of young people,” he Committee for Delivery and Held in collaboration with the health, economic, legislation, formed interventions to regulate said. Legacy’s Qatar Behavioural In- Supreme Committee for Delivery education, and civil life. lifestyle choices, as well as the “Qatar is also witnessing an sights Unit also works actively on and Legacy’s Qatar Behavioural The term “nudge” holds polit- legitimacy of the adoption of increased trend in entrepreneur- a number of experiments for en- Insights Unit, the lecture was ical and economic connotations “nudging” programmes to pro- ship to provide various leisure fa- hancing policy areas that relate to delivered by Harvard University as it uses positive reinforcement mote healthier lifestyles. cilities. This might involve infor- education, workers’ welfare, en- Prof Cass R Sunstein, the ad- and introduces indirect sug- One of the greatest challenges mation and reminders to people, vironmental sustainability, and ministrator of the White House gestions to change individual or of contemporary societies, in- as well as instilling the culture of healthy lifestyles. Offi ce of Information and Regu- group behaviour and decision cluding the Gulf region, he noted, sports holidays, which can lead This policy experimentation latory Aff airs during the Obama making in an easy and low-cost are lifestyle choices and eating people to choose and engage in will pave the way to developing administration. way. habits that lead to obesity, heart actions that will make their lives new policies that will lead Qatar The lecture was delivered by Harvard University Prof Cass R Sunstein, He is also the founder and di- Policy makers working to disease, and diabetes. better.” and the region towards a better the administrator of the White House Off ice of Information and rector of the Programme on Be- change people’s behaviour and For this reason, using “nudge” Prof Clinton Francis, found- future, in line with the goals of Regulatory Aff airs during the Obama administration havioural Economics and Public alter their decisions may be methods could play an active role ing dean of CLPP, said that the the Qatar National Vision 2030. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 QATAR

‘Shop and Win’ campaign begins at Doha Festival City

aving celebrated its fi rst anniversary and with Hmore than 376 retailers now open, Doha Festival City (DHFC) has launched a month long “Shop & Win” campaign with QR500,000 total of prizes to spend at the destination. Shoppers spending QR200 or more can submit their receipt to enter the weekly raffl e draw. Each Wednesday at 11am one winner will be announced – for the fi rst three weeks, they will win QR100,000 in shopping vouchers, with the grand raffl e winner receiving QR200,000 to spend at DHFC on May 23. May Marzooq, senior mar- Participants in the workshop. keting manager of DHFC, said: “This is the first ever Shop and Win campaign at DHFC and we are incredibly excited to bring this to our visitors as part of our first anniversary celebrations.” “Shoppers can Call for new partnerships now visit any of our stores that are open to be a part of DHFC launched a month-long “Shop & Win” campaign with the raffle draw.” QR500,000 total of prizes to spend at the destination. to tackle crime, terror

he International Centre countries and explored the con- ing that “sharing knowledge Initiative against Transnational Luxury retailer offers discounts for Counter-Terrorism nections between organised and experience is crucial in un- Organised Crime; Martin Gal- T(ICCT) – The Hague, in crime and terrorist activities. derstanding how to implement lagher, chief inspector of Police collaboration with the Nether- The event was launched by Dr a targeted and comprehensive Scotland; and Bart den Hartigh, lands embassy in Qatar, the Rule Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Dutch am- approach” to fi ghting organised national prosecutor from the of Law and Anti-Corruption bassador to Qatar, and Dr Colin crime and terrorism. Netherlands. Centre (ROLACC) and the Unit- Clarke, associate fellow at the Judge Yasser Refaie, acting di- The connection between or- ed Nations Offi ce on Drugs and ICCT. rector of ROLACC, described the ganised crime and terror has Crime (UNODC), yesterday held Dr Tahzib-Lie’s opening re- meeting as “another brick in the not been explored in detail be- a workshop titled, ‘Investigat- marks focused on the impor- wall against corruption, against fore, and the implications of this ing and Prosecuting Cases of the tance of the meeting, and of her terrorism and organised crime”. workshop are that expertise and Nexus between Organised Crime hope that the meeting would Participants included judges, best practice can be shared be- and Terrorism: Best Practices “enable nations to seek new prosecutors, police offi cers, tween diff erent nations in order and Lessons Learned for Practi- partnerships together”. counter-terrorism experts and to increase the effi cacy of coun- tioners’. Loide Aryee, director of the social scientists. Key speak- ter-terrorist and anti-organised The workshop brought to- Organised Crime branch of the ers included Tuesday Reitano, crime eff orts around the world, a gether practitioners from nine UNODC, added to this by say- deputy director of the Global press statement noted.

Kalyan Jewellers signs Katrina Kaif as brand ambassador Kalyan Jewellers has announced the appoint- – confident, progressive and with the courage its showrooms in India and ment of film actor Katrina Kaif (pictured) as its of her conviction. West Asia. In India, she will global brand ambassador. “Katrina has set her own path with sheer hard predominantly feature in the Katrina will be the face of Kalyan’s existing work, akin to Kalyan’s own growth trajectory. company’s communication and soon-to-launch product portfolios, the She has built a significant fan base not only campaigns, especially in jeweller has said in a statement. in India but globally. This new association will the northern and western Ramesh Kalyanaraman, executive director - enable us to explore new avenues to engage markets. Marketing and Operations at Kalyan Jewellers, with our customers as we script our future Katrina joins an “eclectic Highland, a leading luxury retailer that specialises in international fashion, fragrances and said: “On behalf of Kalyan Jewellers, we wel- growth strategy in India and globally.” group” of Kalyan brand ambassadors, includ- cosmetics brands, is off ering up to 50% discounts on selected items at both its City Center Doha come Katrina Kaif. Katrina personifies Brand Katrina will endorse Kalyan’s jewellery col- ing Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and The Mall branches until May 5. Highland sells menswear, womenswear, children’s clothing, Kalyan’s attributes of style and elegance. She lections and also be a part of the jeweller’s Nagarjuna, Prabhu, Shivaraj Kumar and Manju eyewear, footwear, accessories, jewellery, bags, luggage and timepieces. epitomises the quintessential woman of today customer engagement programmes across Warrier, the statement noted.

JRE in Bentley promo for buyers of offi ce space Al Ahli Hospital promotes benefi ts ust Real Estate (JRE) has mercial High-Rise Development launched a special promo- – Qatar’ at the Arabian Property Jtion for business owners and Awards – off ers the latest, state- of blood donation entrepreneurs in its new award- of-the-art offi ce space centred winning commercial tower, THE around a stylish yet functional e18hteen. work environment that promotes l Ahli Hospital, community through these For a limited time, business work-life balance for owners and in co-operation worthy causes.” owners who register to buy an of- employees. Awith Hamad Medi- “The blood donation fi ce in THE e18hteen, located in All offi ce units in the 36-storey cal Corporation’s (HMC) drive is testament to our Lusail Marina will stand a chance building off er fl exible, customis- Blood Donor Unit, held a commitment to Qatar’s to drive off with a new Bentley able space, with raised fl ooring, Blood Donation Drive on communities and individ- Flying Spur W12 S. to create the perfect business en- March 1. uals. We are delighted to be The special off er was launched vironment. Each fl oor is equipped This initiative formed part of this response and to at Cityscape Qatar 2018 where JRE with a pantry and male and female part of Al-Ahli Hospital’s be more eager to help and displayed the Bentley in its pavil- restrooms. Smart elevators make commitment to the Qatar donate,” said Jamal Saleh ion. There are only 50 places in the for easier and faster access, and the community and was in line Hammad, deputy chief ex- draw for the high-performance building comprises fi ve parking with its corporate social ecutive officer and direc- car. levels with space for 1,072 cars. On responsibility initiatives. tor of projects at Al Ahli The fi rst clients who sign up to the ground level, the welcoming Khalid al-Emadi, chief Hospital. “We believe that buy a 150sq m offi ce will receive The special offer was launched at Cityscape Qatar 2018 where JRE displayed the Bentley in its pavilion. entrance is luxuriously designed executive officer of the such initiatives raise public one coupon into the raffl e draw, and features a lounge area, cafe, Medicare Group said that, awareness of the impor- while signing up for a 300sq m down payment of just 15% of the tive, out-of-the-box solutions to It allows business owners to be- and seven retail showrooms, in- “As a private healthcare tance of donating blood, offi ce unit in THE e18hteen will total price. A further 15% will be meet the needs of our clients. The gin operations right away after cluding a private VIP lobby. provider, it is our social not only because it may guarantee two coupons for the paid on handover, with the re- chance to win a Bentley is anoth- handover without having to worry Taking the offi ce environment responsibility to sup- save lives, but also on the draw. The off er is open until all 50 maining 70% payable in fl exible er example of how we seek to go straight away about providing the to a whole new level, THE e18ht- port our community and health benefits to the do- coupons have been accounted for. instalments over a period of 36 above and beyond with our off er- full payment for their offi ce.” een includes a fully-equipped fi t- those in need. We hope to nors themselves.” In addition to the chance to months. ings. Who wouldn’t want to win a THE e18hteen is a dynamic new, ness studio and an exclusive Ex- raise awareness and edu- Dr Abdul Azim Abdul win a Bentley, JRE has an off er JRE chairman Nasser al-Ansari Bentley! luxury addition to Qatar’s offi ce ecutive Club spanning the top two cate our guests and staff Wahab, chief of medical for business owners interested in said: “The commercial real estate “This special promotion off ers real estate landscape that exceeds fl oors and off ers relaxing vistas of through this initiative on staff, explained, that each securing next-generation offi ce segment is highly-competitive. an attractive proposition to own the expectations of business own- Doha. On-site building manage- the numerous benefits of component of the donated space in THE e18hteen. Buyers As an innovator in the sector, JRE state-of-the-art offi ce space with ers. The development, which was ment and 24-hour security will donating blood. We are blood can be used by dif- can secure their own offi ce for a constantly strives to off er attrac- unique fl exibility on payments. recently awarded ‘Best Com- give you extra piece of mind. always keen and proud to ferent recipients for vari- host such events at Al Ahli ous purposes. Hospital and this example Many newborn babies highlight the many ways may benefit from a single we can all make an impor- blood donor as their blood tant contribution to our requirements are smaller.

Al Ahli Hospital promotes benefits of blood donation. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Nasrallah wins UN envoy pleads to save top Arabic Idlib from fate of Aleppo literary prize

AFP dren had missed out on educa- DPA Brussels tion, warning that in parts of the Abu Dhabi country simply going to school “has at times become a matter of he UN’s Syria envoy life and death”. ordanian-Palestinian au- Staff an de Mistura yes- The EU also wants to use the thor Ibrahim Nasrallah has Tterday urged the world conference to re-energise fl oun- Jwon the Arab world’s top to prevent a fresh humanitarian dering UN-led peace talks in Ge- literary prize for The Second disaster in the rebel-held region neva, which have made virtually War of the Dog, a dystopian of Idlib, as offi cials warned aid no progress in eight rounds, with novel that explores brutality funding was running “desper- Assad’s government paying lit- and extremism in society. ately short”. tle interest and Russia, Iran and Nasrallah was announced as Mistura told a major donor Turkey launching a rival process the winner of the International Ibrahim Nasrallah poses for a conference that Idlib, the likely in the Kazakh capital Astana last Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) photo after winning the 2018 next target of the Syrian regime’s year. — known as the Arabic Booker International Prize for Arabic fi ghtback, risked suff ering the Russia and Iran are Assad’s — in the United Arab Emirates’ Fiction in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. same fate as Aleppo, seized in a key allies and their military in- capital, Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Russian-backed Syrian off ensive tervention in Syria is widely seen His novel, set in a name- Born in 1954, Nasrallah has in 2016, and Eastern Ghouta, re- as tipping the balance in the civil less country, focuses on the so far published 14 poetry col- taken by the regime shortly after war. Mogherini and de Mistura main character, Rashid, who lections and 16 novels. an alleged chemical attack in both called on Russia, Iran and “changes from an opponent Using fantasy and science early April. Turkey — the three powers in- of the regime to a materialistic fi ction techniques, the novel Donor countries, aid organisa- volved in the so-called Astana and unscrupulous extremist,” “exposes the tendency to- tions and UN agencies are gath- process seeking peace in Syria the judges said. The Second wards brutality inherent in ering in Brussels for the seventh High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Aff airs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini — to do more to reach a ceasefi re. War of the Dog is about “ex- society,” Jordanian author Ib- annual conference on Syria’s fu- (left) and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staff an de Mistura speak to the media following a meeting as part “The main message is that tremism and blind killing,” rahi, al-Saafi n, the head of the ture, as forces loyal to President of an international conference on the future of Syria and the region in Brussels, yesterday. Syria is not a chessboard, it’s not Nasrallah said as he accepted judging panel, said in a state- Bashar al-Assad launched a new geopolitical game,” Mogherini the prize at a ceremony in Abu ment. Nasrallah was among off ensive against Islamic State The head of UN aid agency civilians suff ering in the war. terday to get their views before said. Dhabi. six Arab writers shortlisted for militants entrenched in a south- UNOCHA chief Mark Lowcock Some 6.1 people are now in- government ministers arrive The conference comes in the “Such extremism is not the annual award. ern district of Damascus. said the two-day gathering need- ternally displaced, more than today. Save the Children Inter- wake of strikes by the United limited to obscurantist organ- The six will receive $10,000 “We were and are concerned ed to raise some $8bn in pledges 5mn have fl ed Syria and 13mn in- national chief executive, Helle States, France and Britain on isations, but extends to many each, with a further grand prize on the humanitarian side by for work inside Syria and with cluding 6mn children are in need Thorning-Schmidt, urged do- Syrian military installations in individuals and organisations of $50,000 going to Nasrallah. Idlib. Because Idlib is the big refugees in neighbouring coun- of aid, according to the UN. nors to focus on education, say- response to the alleged chemi- that claim tolerance and ac- The foundation also funds new challenge, 2.5mn people,” tries, warning that some pro- More than 700,000 people ing a third of Syrian youngsters cal weapons incident in Douma ceptance of freedom of opin- an English translation of the Mistura told a press conference grammes may have to be cut back have been displaced since the are out of school and a third of which has been widely blamed ion and belief,” he added. winning novel. The six short- with EU diplomatic chief Fed- if funds are not forthcoming. start of this year alone. Syrian schools are unusable be- on Damascus. Nasrallah said extremism listed novels have been cho- erica Mogherini. “We are quite desperately “Within the resources we can cause of the war. Mistura said a UN Security also extends to “the oppress- sen from 124 entries from 14 “We hope that this would be short of resources,” he told re- plausibly expect to mobilise this “We have let Syrian children Council retreat in a secluded ing powers and many regimes countries. The prize, launched an occasion for making sure that porters, saying UNOCHA man- year we cannot meet even all the down. This is the seventh year farmhouse in Sweden at the that have violently practised in 2007, is supported by the Idlib does not become the new aged to raise only half of the urgent needs,” Lowcock said. and they’re still being let down,” weekend, called in a bid to over- it against its citizens in our Booker Prize Foundation in new Aleppo, the new Eastern funds it needed in 2017 and UN and EU offi cials held talks Thorning-Schmidt said. come its paralysis on Syria, had social and political life before London and funded by gov- Ghouta, because the dimensions urging Damascus and its main with aid groups working in Syria UN children’s agency Unicef lowered the “temperature” but it was practised by extremist ernmental Abu Dhabi Tourism are completely diff erent.” backer Russia to do more to help and neighbouring countries yes- said some 2.8mn Syrian chil- failed to fi nd a political solution. organisations.” and Culture Authority.

Damascus clash kills 18 pro-regime fighters: monitor

At least 18 pro-Syrian regime Israel demolishes home of Palestinian combatants have been killed in 24 hours of fighting in southern AFP Three suspects in his killing were shot Damascus against the Islamic Jenin dead by the Israeli army, but Qunba was ar- State group, a monitor said yes- rested in mid-January and faces multiple terday. That brought to at least charges. 52 the number of pro-govern- sraeli forces yesterday demolished the During the home demolition, clashes ment fighters killed in nearly West Bank house of a Palestinian fi ghter broke out and a policewoman was shot in the a week of military operations Iaccused of involvement in the killing of leg, Israeli police said in a statement. against Yarmuk and adjacent a settler in January, Israeli and Palestinian Israel periodically demolishes the houses IS-held neighbourhoods, said sources said. of Palestinians who have perpetrated attacks the Syrian Observatory for Hu- Ahmed Qunba’s home in Jenin in the against Israelis, saying such a policy acts as man Rights. The Britain-based northern West Bank was destroyed in a a deterrent. Observatory said at least 35 controlled explosion, Palestinian security Critics denounce demolitions as a form of fighters were also killed during sources said. collective punishment that makes families the same period. There are an They added that demonstrators clashed homeless and can provoke further violence. estimated 1,000 IS fighters left with Israeli forces at the scene. The demolitions often spark clashes be- inside the enclave in the capi- The Israeli army said in a statement that tween Palestinians and Israeli security forc- tal’s southern neighbourhoods, Qunba was part of the cell that shot dead es. which include Yarmuk and the Rabbi Raziel Shevah near Nablus in the In 2005 Israel halted the policy, but in 2014 adjacent districts of Hajar al- northern West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Aswad and Qadam. Shevah was a resident of the wildcat Havat announced that demolitions would resume Palestinian children check the house of a man, after it was demolished by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Gilad settlement near Nablus. after a wave of attacks. Jenin, yesterday.

Trudeau raises plight of jailed Iran at UN off ers blogger with Saudi king dialogue to end

AFP rested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 ‘hegemonic illusions’ Ottawa lashes and 10 years in jail for “insulting religion” in a case that sparked an inter- national outcry. AFP anadian Prime Minister Justin Tru- His wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted United Nations deau expressed his “serious con- asylum by Canada, where she is raising Ccern” over the continued jailing of their three children now aged 14, 13 and Saudi blogger Raif Badawi to the kingdom’s 10 as a single mother. According to a rea- ran invited Gulf coun- King Salman bin Abdulaziz, his offi ce said. dout of Trudeau’s call with the Saudi king, tries yesterday to open The 34-year-old prisoner, who ran the two “spoke about the importance of Italks on regional secu- a blog that promoted free speech and respecting human rights and freedom of rity, telling the United Na- women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, was ar- speech.” tions it was time to move away from “hegemonic il- lusions” that have fuelled devastating wars. Addressing a UN meeting on sustaining peace, Iranian Iranian Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Mohamed Mohamed Javad Zarif speaks Javad Zarif proposed the during the 72nd Session of creation of a “regional dia- the UN General Assembly in logue forum.” New York, yesterday. “We here invite our neigh- bours in this volatile wa- ence with Macron in Wash- terway, which has seen too ington. many wars, to join us in this In a UN General Assembly endeavour,” Zarif added. speech, Zarif said “advanc- The initiative came as US ing hegemonic illusions or President Donald Trump attempting to achieve se- met his French counter- curity at the expense of the part Emmanuel Macron insecurity of others” had in Washington to discuss caused confl ict, in an appar- shared concerns about Iran’s ent reference to arch-rival behaviour in the region. Saudi Arabia. Trump is threatening to The foreign minister said scrap the 2015 nuclear deal it was crucial to “now shift reached with Iran unless to a new paradigm based on concerns about Tehran’s combining our forces...in- missile programme and stead of any one of us seek- military role in Syria, Yemen ing to be the strongest in our and Lebanon are addressed. region.” “All over, no matter where He suggested creating you go in the Middle East, new security networks to you see fi ngerprints of Iran,” replace what he termed as Trump told a news confer- “security blocks.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 AFRICA 18 killed S Africa fetes Mandela with in Nigeria huge blanket

DPA gether into one for the ideals of Nel- Pretoria son Mandela,” said Caroline Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets. April is the start of winter in South church by undreds of South African Africa, and it has been 24 years since prisoners have crocheted a the end of apartheid, said Steyn. H7,000sq m blanket in hon- After the launch, the blankets will our of late anti-apartheid activist be reduced to nearly 4,000 smaller Nelson Mandela. blankets and will be distributed to The enormous blanket, unveiled needy South Africans. yesterday, depicts the face of South Since 2013, 67 Blankets has herdsmen Africa’s former president and is evolved into an initiative that not made up of more than 3,000 smaller only supports prisoner rehabilita- AFP “After attacking the church, the in- squares. tion through crocheting, but also Makurdi, Nigeria vaders descended on the community and Revealed at the Zonderwater receives crocheted blankets from razed over 60 houses,” he said. Prison outside South Africa’s capi- around the world. “The community is on fi re and desert- tal Pretoria, the crocheted artwork Some 850 inmates, schoolchil- wo priests were among at least 18 ed, people are fl eeing to neighbouring vil- is meant to mark the centenary of dren, the elderly and other groups people killed in a dawn attack on lages hoping to fi nd a safe haven for their Mandela’s birth this year. have all contributed the 1.6m by Ta church in central Nigeria, police families.” The project is spearheaded by 67 1.6m squares to make the enormous said yesterday. The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi con- Blankets, a non-profi t organisa- blanket. Around 30 suspected herdsmen at- fi rmed the death of priests Joseph Gor and tion that began crocheting blankets “If you’re in prison, it feels like tacked Mbalom community in the volatile Felix Tyolaha in a statement condemning in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 67 being lost but supporting the idea of region killing the worshippers and the two the violence. years in service to improve the lives 67 Blankets is like a rescue for your priests, said Benue state police commis- Central Nigeria is in the grip of a securi- of South Africans. soul,” inmate Muziwendoda Kunene sioner Fatai Owoseni in the state capital of ty crisis as nomadic herders and sedentary Each year, South Africans mark said. Makurdi. farmers fi ght over land in an increasingly Mandela’s birthday by dedicated 67 Mandela was perhaps one of the “They attacked the venue of a burial bloody battle for resources. minutes of their time to a worthy world’s most famous prisoners, held ceremony and also attacked the church The confl ict is now more deadly than cause. on Robben Island for fi ghting apart- where the two reverend fathers were hold- the Boko Haram insurgency that has rav- The largest blanket portrait of Nelson Mandela being displayed yesterday “The idea of this day today is to heid. ing mass,” said Owoseni. aged Nigeria’s northeast and is becoming at the Zonderwater Maximum security Correctional Centre in Cullinan, to show the whole world, that stitch He died in December 2013 at the “We were able to recover 16 bodies from a key issue in the upcoming 2019 presi- celebrate Nelson Mandela Day. by stitch we can put the world to- age of 95. the scene of the attack and those of the dential polls. two priests.” Benue state lies in Nigeria’s so-called Worshippers were gathered for the dai- Middle Belt that separates the predomi- ly 5.30am service at St Ignatius Catholic nantly Muslim north from the largely church when they heard gunshots, said Christian south. Mbalom resident Terhemen Angor to AFP. It has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sec- “People started scampering and wail- tarian and religious tension. South African police shoot dead ing,” said Angor, saying that scores President Muhammadu Buhari, who were “gunned down in cold blood while is seeking a second term, has been under many sustained injuries including bullet pressure to end the violence and ordered wounds.” in military reinforcements. teenager in anti-graft protests

AFP “A 16-year-old boy was found London on Friday and going straight Much of the anger has been di- Johannesburg dead during a violent protest yester- into talks with local provincial lead- rected at Supra Mahumapelo, the Tanzania sets 2-week deadline for day evening in Taung,” provincial po- ers, Ramaphosa appealed for calm provincial premier, who is accused lice spokesman Sabata Mokgwabone and promised a “speedy” resolution of involvement in graft scandals that outh African police said yes- told AFP. of the crisis. have engulfed the ruling African Na- bloggers amid Internet crackdown terday one of their offi cers had “He was shot dead by the police,” Following a lull over the weekend, tional Congress party. Sshot dead a teenager during police watchdog spokesman Moses new protests broke out on Monday He is accused of diverting 1.5mn anti-corruption protests which have Dlamini told AFP, adding that inves- — this time in Taung town, 300km rand ($120,000) from government Reuters user privacy by revealing details of anon- forced the president to cut short a tigators had been dispatched to the from the provincial capital Mahikeng coff ers to buy cattle for former presi- Dar es Salaam ymous whistleblowers to authorities,” foreign trip. town where the situation was “still which was the epicentre of last dent Jacob Zuma. said Maxence Melo, who runs a popular Riots over alleged government very volatile”. week’s protests. His son allegedly received a 1.1mn social media website, JamiiForums, and corruption and poor public services “At this stage we are trying to Police fi red tear gas and rubber rand pilot-training bursary from the anzania’s communications regula- has been enmeshed in a court battle for erupted last week in the North West gather information about what hap- bullets during clashes with the pro- state arms manufacturer under sus- tor has given bloggers two weeks to months to keep the site online. province, where cars were set ablaze pened,” said Dlamini, of the Inde- testers. picious circumstances. Tregister their platforms under strict Bloggers who fail to comply with the and shops looted in the fi rst wave of pendent Police Investigative Direc- The North West province has been Ramaphosa, who took over from new online content rules, amid concerns new rules could be fi ned at least 5mn shil- unrest to face President Cyril Ram- torate. a hotbed of unrest due to frustration Zuma three months ago, has vowed that the government is cracking down on lings ($2,200), jailed for a minimum 12 aphosa, who came to power in Feb- After prematurely returning home over lack of housing, health services to crack down on government cor- Internet users. months, or both. ruary. from a Commonwealth summit in and jobs. ruption. Regulations passed in March make it Most bloggers in Tanzania are indi- mandatory for bloggers and owners of viduals, without registered companies, other online forums such as Youtube TV making it diffi cult for them to meet the channels to register with the government requirements, activists say. and pay up to $900 for a licence. Magufuli last Friday ordered authori- Digital activists said the move was part ties to take legal action against anyone SA minister to challenge ruling on black ownership of a crackdown on dissent and free speech deemed to be abusing freedom of expres- by the government of President John sion by posting misleading anti-govern- Magufuli, who was elected in 2015. ment statements on social media. Reuters years by depressed prices, soar- The ruling, in the form of a de- Mining accounts for about 8% of “All online content providers are re- Last week, police briefl y detained two Johannesburg ing costs and opaque policies, and claratory order, means mining com- South Africa’s GDP and is an impor- quired to complete the application proc- musicians, including one of Tanzania’s which had hoped that new mines panies in the world’s top platinum tant source of export revenue. ess before 5 May 2018,” the state-run most popular singers, after they posted minister Gwede Mantashe would producer need only to make the 26% In a statement, the mines de- Tanzania Communications Regulatory video clips that authorities deemed ob- outh Africa’s mines minister quickly act to improve the invest- threshold once, and do not need to partment said the judgement would Authority (TCRA) said in a statement. scene. will appeal a court ruling that ment climate. top up again if black shareholders hurt the policy of “economic trans- The process was opened on Saturday. Critics have accused Magufuli’s gov- Sheld that mining companies Earlier in April a high court ruled decide to sell their stake. formation” — changing the own- Applicants have to provide details of ernment of infringing free speech and de- did not have to maintain at least 26% in favour of a Chamber of Mines’ The industry has said it can- ership structure of the economy shareholders, share capital, owners’ citi- mocracy with the new regulations. black ownership in perpetuity, the challenge to a government regula- not afford to continually top up that was controlled by the white zenship, staff qualifi cation and training The Paris-based Reporters Without Department of Mineral Resources tion which specifi es that a black its black ownership levels as such minority under apartheid. The de- programmes, and a tax clearance certifi - Borders said on April 12 that the new on- (DMR) said yesterday. ownership target of 26% must be shares are often offered at a dis- partment said it had already ap- cate. line content rules “will kill off Tanzania’s The appeal will add a layer of un- maintained throughout the life of the count in complicated and costly proached the Supreme Court of “The new regulations seek to violate blogosphere”. certainty to a sector battered for mine. transactions. Appeal.

Protesters demand Madagascar president’s resignation DR Congo opposition AFP Antananarivo

undreds of opposition activists holds rally in capital in Madagascar yesterday called Hfor the president to step down on AFP reached his two-term constitu- by Laurent-Desire Kabila, the father a fourth straight day of anti-government Kinshasa tional limit but a constitutional of the current president. protests in which at least two people have clause has allowed him to remain Tshisekedi yesterday unveiled the died. in office until his successor is broad outlines of his party’s elector- Seven months ahead of presidential and R Congo’s opposition yes- elected. al campaign, local media said. legislative elections, the opposition ac- terday held an authorised In addition to a deepening politi- Late last year he called for a cam- cuses the regime of trying to elbow them Dmass rally for the fi rst time cal crisis, the DR Congo is struggling paign of civil disobedience but that out of the race through new electoral laws in nearly two years to mark the 28th with armed confl ict in its vast, law- has been severely hampered with they claim benefi t the incumbent. anniversary of multi-party politics less east, which is under the sway of opposition rallies banned since Sep- They allege that the new laws could in the country, as tensions grow over multiple rebel groups. tember 2016. bar some candidates from standing in the veteran President Joseph Kabila’s UDPS leader Felix Tshisekedi, son Earlier this year Tshisekedi backed presidential election. refusal to quit despite the expiry of of former premier Etienne Tshiseke- three anti-regime marches called by Crowds gathered at a square in front his mandate. di who died in Brussels in February the infl uential Catholic church. of the capital Antananarivo’s town hall The government, in a major last year, has compared Kabila to Escalating tension over Kabila’s asking President Hery Rajaonarimampi- climbdown, allowed the main op- former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. future has fed protests leading to a anina to quit. Former Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana and his wife and Mayor of position Union for Democracy and Mobutu wielded nearly absolute security crackdown that has claimed “Today we offi cially demand the resig- Antananarivo Lalao Ravalomanana (third left) look on as opposition supporters Social Progress (UDPS) party to hold control in the sprawling central Af- dozens of lives. nation of the government, starting with and deputies at the “May 13 Square” in Antananarivo to offer their condolences the public event in Kinshasa. rican country after taking power in Many have been killed near the you the president,” Hanitriniaina Razafi - to the families of victims killed in protests on April 21. The last time it did so was in Sep- 1965. headquarters of Tshisekedi’s party. manantsoa, a leading protester said. tember 2016. After 1970 every citizen of Zaire, Meanwhile, Lumuna Sando, a The crowd chanted back “Right now, rity forces used tear gas to break up the But two former heads of state have Elections for the Democratic Re- as he had renamed the country, was former spokesman for Mobutu right now, right now”. gathering. already said they would contest: Marc public of Congo’s head of state are required to be a member of the rul- and government heavyweight, said Two people were killed and at least 16 The large Indian Ocean island, which Ravalomanana, who was president due to take place on December 23 ing party, the Popular Movement for “nothing much has changed” since people wounded on the fi rst day of the has been beset by decades of political from 2002 to 2009, and Andry Rajoe- after two postponements that have the Revolution. Mobutu lifted the ban on the oppo- protests on Saturday, which the presi- instability, is due to hold polls in late No- lina, who removed Ravalomanana dur- stoked fears the sprawling, volatile On this day in 1990, he lifted a 20- sition. dent denounced as an attempted coup. vember or December. ing a coup. state could spiral into war. year ban on opposition parties after “There are similarities in the Authorities had declared the Saturday Elected in 2013, Rajaonarimampianina Both were barred from running in 2013 Kabila has been in power since growing pressure for social and po- debate, the behaviour and the po- protest illegal, but about 1,000 opposi- has not yet announced whether he will and their parties have been involved in 2001 and should have stepped litical change. sitions taken by Congolese politi- tion activists defi ed the order and secu- stand for re-election. the demonstrations. down at the end of 2016 after he Seven years later, he was ousted cians,” he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 11 AMERICAS

Nashville shooting Van massacre driver suspect arrested AFP Chicago

ennessee police captured Monday the man suspected of gunning down four people at a restaurant in Nash- Tville, America’s country music capital. charged with murder Travis Reinking — who exhibited “mental instability” and was arrested last year for trying to enter the White By Dave Clark, AFP “Mr Minassian is the alleged House grounds — was captured in the early afternoon after Toronto driver of the van that killed ten peo- a more than 24-hour manhunt. ple on Yonge Street yesterday after- “A tip from the community is what led to the arrest,” noon,” Crown prosecutor Joe Cal- Nashville Mayor David Briley told a news conference. anada yesterday charged laghan told the packed courtroom. The 29-year-old faces four counts of criminal homicide a man alleged to have The accused stood impassively charges for Sunday’s pre-dawn shooting that also wounded Cploughed a van onto a with his hands behind his back, two people. crowded Toronto sidewalk with 10 wearing a white police jumpsuit. Held in lieu of a $2mn bond, he is due in court today. counts of murder, as Prime Minis- He was calm as he was led away Reinking was captured without incident in a wooded area ter Justin Trudeau urged a rattled and is scheduled to return to court near his home, refused to speak with authorities and asked nation not to allow a “senseless on May 10 for a bail hearing. for a lawyer, police said, adding that they found a semi- attack” to shake its values. Two South Koreans were among automatic weapon and ammunition in a backpack he was Police said the suspect, the dead, a foreign ministry offi - carrying. 25-year-old Alek Minassian, was cial in Seoul told AFP, adding that After his arrest, police posted photos of Reinking in the not known to them before Mon- another of the country’s citizens back of a police car, looking dishevelled and wearing a day’s carnage in Canada’s most seriously injured. ripped maroon shirt and jeans. populous city, which also left 15 As the wounded recovered in “He looked like he was tired,” said Nashville police lieu- people injured. local hospitals, federal, provincial tenant Carlos Lara. He was not in the crosshairs of and local investigators were prob- Reinking is accused of using an AR-15 semi-automatic ri- intelligence and security agencies, ing the case, Toronto Police Chief fl e to rain bullets at the Waffl e House restaurant while wear- and Public Safety Minister Ralph Mark Saunders said. ing nothing but a jacket. Goodale played down any sug- “Canadians across the country He was stopped by James Shaw, 29, a restaurant patron gestion that the attack bore the are shocked and saddened by this hailed as a hero for wrestling away the rifl e. hallmarks of those carried out by senseless attack,” Trudeau told a Reinking then shed his jacket, returned to his nearby truck-driving extremists in Lon- news conference. apartment home, put on clothes and fl ed, according to po- don, Nice and other major cities. But, he added: “We must not lice. “This is a very large homicide in- start living in fear and uncertainty The Nashville metropolitan area of 1.8mn people was on vestigation currently under way,” every day as we go about our daily edge for more than a day as armed federal, state and local Goodale said, in a speech to a G7 in- lives.” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory brings flowers yesterday to a makeshift police looked for the suspect. ternational security meeting in To- Students who attended a To- memorial for victims in the van attack in Toronto. As the manhunt ended, the actions of Reinking’s father ronto, several miles from the incident. ronto vocational school with Mi- came into sharper scrutiny. “The investigation which is nassian described him as with- thing violent” — the suspect just Some 30 minutes earlier, panic Police yesterday continued to Reinking was arrested at the White House in July 2017, underway is still in its very early drawn and a bit awkward. “made people feel uneasy around had gripped the residential neigh- comb the crime scene for evi- when he entered a restricted area of the presidential hours but so far, there is no dis- The suspect lived with his father him.” bourhood along a long stretch of dence, while crowds gathered at a grounds. cernable connection to national in the Toronto suburb of Rich- Minassian, who has an impos- Yonge Street where the driver had makeshift memorial to leave mes- He demanded to see Donald Trump and declared himself security,” he told delegates and mond Hill, and attended Seneca ing physical build, defi ed a police jumped the curb onto the sidewalk. sages of condolences and fl owers. a “sovereign citizen,” a designation used by anti-govern- reporters. College, according to his LinkedIn offi cer during his arrest. “I heard screaming, yelling. I Ontario Premier Kathleen ment extremists, according to The Tennessean newspaper. But authorities said the incident social media profi le. Wielding an object in his left turned back and saw this truck Wynne was among those who Police rescinded Reinking’s fi rearms ownership authori- during the busy lunch hour Mon- Minassian kept mostly to him- hand, standing near the van with going that way. He was going in stopped to leave fl owers at the me- sation in the Midwestern state of Illinois, where he lived at day was undoubtedly deliberate, self at school, and seemed to its front end smashed, the suspect and out, back and forth, zigzag- morial, pausing to read cards left the time. and a shaven-headed Minassian constantly rub his head or hands shouted “kill me” to the police of- ging. He just kept on going,” said in remembrance of the dead. They seized his four weapons and handed them to his fa- appeared in court yesterday to face — a possible sign of obsessive- fi cer with his gun drawn, accord- 42-year-old Rocco Cignielli. “We must remain a country that ther. fi rst degree murder charges. compulsive disorder (OCD), class- ing to an amateur video posted on “I saw there were people lying is open and free and comfortable But his father returned the weapons to his son, according He also faces 13 counts of the at- mates told local media. social media. on the ground. I saw they were with its values, and we will con- to police. tempted murder of most of those Ari Blaff , one of the students, The police offi cer approached doing heart compressions, and I tinue to do that,” Trudeau said. “From our perspective, after the incident at the White injured in the incident. told public broadcaster CBC that the suspect, ordered him to kneel saw two people dying right here in Offi cials will “refl ect on the House...we were able to eff ectively neutralise what we felt Several of the victims were Minassian’s behaviour “was usu- and then handcuff ed him. front of me,” he told AFP, point- changing situations in which we was the threat at the time by ensuring that he did not have named in court documents, while ally quite strange.” The city’s police chief later said ing at bodies lying under orange are in, and do everything we can the ability to purchase or own weapons,” said FBI Special others were still being identifi ed. But he’d “never noticed any- Minassian was unarmed. sheets. to keep Canadians safe,” he added. Agent Matt Espenshade. Reinking’s father could face charges for his actions, said Marcus Watson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Trump’s veterans affairs pick in and Explosives. “If you transfer weapons to a person that is knowingly jeopardy, hearing delayed prohibited, that could be a violation of federal law,” Watson Senate committee paves the way for said. he US Senate yesterday New York Times. The White Reinking’s mental health was also under scrutiny. postponed a confi rma- House yesterday appeared to Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confi rmed that Ttion hearing for President stand by Jackson. Pompeo to become top US diplomat Reinking “exhibited mental instability over many months,” Donald Trump’s pick to lead “Admiral Jackson’s record but said investigators did not have a motive for the attack. the Department of Veterans Af- of strong, decisive leadership Reinking recently had been fi red from a job at a construc- fairs, expressing concerns about is exactly what’s needed at the Reuters for Trump’s summit with North retary of state to fail to secure the tion crane company for exhibiting signs of paranoia, ac- “serious allegations” facing the VA to ensure our veterans re- Washington Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in- committee’s endorsement since it cording to The Tennessean. controversial nominee. ceive the benefi ts they deserve,” cluding meeting with him three began considering them in the late Family members had told police he believed singer Taylor The announcement threw spokesman Hogan Gidley re- weeks ago. 19th century. Swift was stalking him, according to The New York Times. the nomination of Rear Admiral portedly said in a statement. US Senate committee ap- While many Democrats consid- That would have weakened Authorities confi rmed that Taurean Sanderlin, 29, Joe Ronny Jackson, presently the Trump picked Jackson, 50, to proved the nomination of er Pompeo too hawkish and worry Pompeo’s reputation internation- Perez, 20, and DeEbony Groves, 21, were killed at the res- White House doctor, into deep replace sacked veterans aff airs APresident Donald Trump’s about past harsh statements on Is- ally and cast a cloud over Trump’s taurant. A fourth victim, 23-year-old Akilah Dasilva, died jeopardy as allegations surfaced secretary David Shulkin, who choice for secretary of state, Mike lam, he has the support of at least push to overhaul his national se- at a hospital. that he oversubscribed medica- stood accused of lavish spend- Pompeo, on Monday after a Re- three Democratic senators not on curity team after fi ring Secretary tions while in the US Navy and ing on a nine-day trip to Europe publican senator who had been the committee who are running of State Rex Tillerson and replac- at the White House, struggled that included sightseeing at opposed threw his support behind for re-election in states Trump ing his national security adviser, with alcohol use, and created a castles and taking in Wimble- the CIA director in the face of par- won easily in 2016. H R McMaster, with John Bolton, hostile work environment. don tennis matches. ty pressure. That all but assures Pompeo will also known as a hawk. The top members of the Sen- Jackson’s stock with Trump The Senate Foreign Relations be confi rmed. The White House and Republi- YouTube deletes 5mn ate Veterans Aff airs Committee, rose after he pronounced in Jan- Committee approved the nomi- “I do not believe Director Pom- can Party had thrown their weight chairman Johnny Isakson and uary that the 71-year-old presi- nation on a party-line vote, with peo is someone who will always behind the nomination, with un- videos for content violation ranking Democrat Jon Tester, dent was in “excellent” health. all 11 Republicans backing him, prioritizs diplomacy over con- ceasing attacks on Democrats for released a joint statement an- But Democrats and Republi- nine Democrats opposed and one fl ict, particularly in the context opposing Trump’s pick. nouncing the delay of the hearing cans alike had already expressed Democrat, Chris Coons, voting of the aggressive foreign policy Paul had opposed Pompeo for ouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc’s Google, deleted that was set for today, “in light of concerns about Trump’s choice, “present” because one Republican voices growing around him,” said weeks, holding a news conference about 5mn videos from its platform for content pol- new information presented to the fearing Jackson lacks the man- was at a funeral out of town. Senator Robert Menendez, the top to announce his opposition to him, Yicy violations in last year’s fourth quarter before any committee” about the nominee. agement experience to lead such Majority Leader Mitch McCon- Democrat on the Foreign Rela- as well as Trump’s pick to replace viewers saw them, it said in a new report that highlighted its “We will continue looking a sprawling agency. nell said there were enough votes tions Committee, citing Pompeo’s him at the CIA, Deputy CIA Direc- response to pressure to better police its online community. into these serious allegations The VA has 360,000 em- in the full Senate to confi rm Pom- past openness to regime change in tor Gina Haspel. YouTube has been criticised by governments that say it and have requested additional ployees and an annual budget of peo this week. North Korea and Iran. Haspel, whose Senate confi r- does not do enough to remove extremist content, and by information from the White $186bn. Congress has spent years That would allow Pompeo to at- No Republican besides Senator mation hearing is next month, also advertisers, such as Procter & Gamble Co and Under Ar- House to enable the commit- struggling with how to reform tend a Nato summit on Friday. Rand Paul, who changed his vote faces a tough confi rmation fi ght. mour Inc that briefl y boycotted the service when they un- tee to conduct a full review.” No the agency, what an inspector Pompeo became one of Trump’s on Monday, had announced op- Democrats, and some Re- wittingly ran ads alongside videos the companies deemed new hearing date has been set. general’s scathing investigative closest advisers during his 15 position. publicans, are concerned about inappropriate. YouTube said in the report Monday that au- The damning allegations report described as “a culture of months as CIA director. Paul’s late switch meant Pom- her links to the CIA’s past use of tomating enforcement through software “is paying off ” in about Jackson’s conduct were complacency and sense of futil- He most recently has been peo avoided the embarrassment “harsh interrogation techniques,” quicker removals. The company said it did not have compa- reported by CBS News and The ity” within VA facilities. deeply involved in preparations of being the fi rst nominee for sec- widely seen as torture. rable data from prior quarters.

Trump uses Macron state visit to take swings at Iran, nuclear deal

By Frank Fuhrig and Gretel Johnston, to waive sanctions that periodically broadcast Sunday that he planned to Macron said that his visit “bears wit- DPA come up for review. advise Trump not to pull out of the in- ness to the strength” of the relationship Washington Trump, whose views on the Iran ternational agreement because there’s between Paris and Washington. nuclear deal and his push to revise it no better option. The French president and his wife, are well-known, criticised the pact as However, Macron said he was open Brigitte, were greeted on arrival outside S President Donald Trump yes- “insane” and “ridiculous,” and also to the idea of complementing the deal the White House by Trump and fi rst terday kicked off meetings with criticised Iran for its backing of Houthi with one covering ballistic missiles. lady Melania Trump. UFrench President Emmanuel rebels in Yemen. Trump and Macron held talks after The two presidents shook hands and Macron at the White House with “No matter where you go in the Mid- the formal start of the fi rst-ever state kissed each other on the cheeks before threatening “bigger problems” if Iran dle East, Iran seems to be behind every- visit hosted by the US leader. standing for their national anthems restarts its nuclear programme. thing where there is a problem,” Trump Other issues on their agenda include with their wives. Trump said he and Macron, who was said. the Syrian confl ict, trade and environ- The formal state visit includes a re- in Washington on the second day of a He also bitterly complained about mental problems, which Macron high- view of troops at the White House and state visit, had “substantive talks on ballistic missile tests that Iran has car- lighted during his remarks at the wel- a state dinner. Iran, possibly more than anything else.” ried out, saying they should not be al- coming ceremony. The two leaders also were scheduled However, Trump also used strong lowed. Macron’s visit is “testament to the to hold a news conference. language in criticising Iran as a trou- Macron said the Iran deal needed to enduring friendship that binds our two Macron is set to lay a wreath after- ble-maker throughout the Middle East. be discussed in the broader context of nations,” Trump had said earlier, recall- wards at Arlington National Cemetery “You can mark it down. If they re- the region. ing the long bonds between the United outside Washington. start their nuclear programme, they “We have a common objective, we States and France, which supported US Macron and his wife had arrived on US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron plant a tree will have bigger problems than they want to make sure there’s no escalation forces in the American War of Inde- Monday, planting a tree on the White watched by Trump’s wife Melania and Macron’s wife Brigitte on the grounds of ever had before,” Trump said. and no nuclear proliferation in the re- pendence (1775-83) from Britain. House grounds and dining with Trump the White House in Washington,DC. The tree, a gift from French President Macron, Iran has said that it might restart gion,” he said. “It is truly fi tting that we are hold- at Mount Vernon, the estate of fi rst US comes from Belleau Woods, near the Marne River in France, where in June 1918 parts of its nuclear programme that “We now need to fi nd the right path ing our fi rst offi cial state visit with president George Washington. US forces suff ered 9,777 casualties, including 1,811 killed in the Belleau Wood were shut down after a deal signed in forward.” the leader of America’s oldest ally, the Today, Macron is to address a joint battle during World War I. 2015 if Trump decides next month not Macron had said in an interview proud nation of France,” Trump said. session of Congress. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Australia boy, 12, runs away to Bali using family credit card

AFP mother, fl ying fi rst to the West- trols on air travel by young peo- place, we were told his passport The holiday cost his parents had not been placed on the boy, airline had since changed its pro- Sydney ern Australian city of Perth on ple. was going to be fl agged.” A$8,000 (US$6,100), according and it did not have the power to cedures to prevent children over budget airline Jetstar and then on The family had previously vis- The boy, who “wanted to go to Channel Nine. The Australian cancel or request the cancella- 12 from travelling without paren- to Bali, according to commercial ited Bali on holiday and Emma on an adventure”, said he was told Federal Police said they were fi rst tion of a passport if there were tal permission. ustralian police were yes- broadcaster Channel Nine. said her son had already tried to by airline staff this time that he notifi ed that the boy might try to no suspicions of crimes com- In general, Australian airlines terday investigating how “He just doesn’t like the word book fl ights there on his own but did not need permission from his leave the country on March 8, be- mitted. “The AFP will work with do not allow children younger Aa 12-year-old boy man- ‘no’, and that’s what I got, a kid in had been knocked back by air- parents to board the fl ights. He fore being told he might be in Bali partner agencies to review the than fi ve to travel alone. Chil- aged to fl y alone to the Indone- Indonesia,” his mother, Emma, lines because he did not have a spent four days in Bali, where he on March 17. The boy was found circumstances of this matter and dren between fi ve and 11 must sian island of Bali and spend four told Channel Nine in a pro- letter from her. “We screamed, said he checked into a hotel, hired by Indonesian police the follow- current operating procedures, to be booked on an unaccompanied days at a resort using his parents’ gramme that aired late Monday. we begged for help (from Aus- a scooter and drank beer before a ing day. His parents then fl ew to ensure this type of incident does minor ticket while those from credit card. “It’s too easy, it’s way too easy. tralian authorities) for weeks on friend alerted his mother to a ge- Bali to take him home. not occur again,” an AFP spokes- 12-15 are required to have a per- The boy ran away from his There’s a problem in our system,” end,” Emma added. “When the otagged video of himself playing The federal police said an alert woman said in a statement. mission slip from their parent or Sydney home after a row with his she said, calling for tighter con- fi rst attempt to Indonesia took in a swimming pool. to prevent international travel Jetstar told Channel Nine the guardian. Kim set to take historic step for Korean summit AFP Swiss rosti on the menu fore, and has also talked about Seoul denuclearisation, while previ- North Korean leader Kim to school under a pseudonym ous agreements have ultimately Jong-un will be served Swiss in Switzerland. Another foundered. “There are many dif- orth Korean leader Kim rosti with a Korean twist at a item on the menu will be ferent ways to interpret North Jong-un will walk across summit on Friday with South Pyongyang-style cold noodles, Korean wordings — literal inter- Nthe Demilitarized Zone Korean President Moon Jae-in, or naengmyeon, served in a pretation, reading between the on Friday for a historic summit the South’s presidential Blue chilled meat broth. lines, or reading it in refl ection of with the South’s President Moon House said. The fried potato “President Moon had requested one’s own hopes,” said Koh Yu- Jae-in, the highest-level encoun- dish was chosen as an homage Pyongyang-style cold noodles hwan, professor of North Korean ter yet in a whirlwind of nuclear to Kim’s childhood spent in from Okryu Gwan be included Studies at Dongguk University. diplomacy. Switzerland, the Blue House on the menu and North Korea All three players had diff erent Pyongyang’s atomic arsenal said in announcing the menu gladly accepted,” said Kim motivations in the current proc- will be high on the agenda the for Friday’s welcome dinner. Eui-kyeom, the Blue House ess, he told AFP. “The most ur- fi rst time one of its rulers sets foot Baked John Dory, a dish made spokesman. gent thing for Trump is prevent- in the South since the Korean War from the flat sea fish, will be Okryu Gwan is North Korea’s ing North Korea from completing ended 65 years ago, and a peace served as a nod to Moon’s best-known restaurant famous an ICBM. For North Korea, it’s treaty to formally end the confl ict younger days in the South for the dish, and has branches preventing a US military strike could also be discussed. Korean port city of Busan. in China as well. The cold and negotiate as a nuclear power The meeting on the southern North Korea has never noodles will be made by the to improve its economy. side of the truce village of Pan- confirmed Kim Jong-un was head chef at Okryu Gwan, “South Korea wants to bring munjom — only the third of its educated in Switzerland, but who will travel to the truce North Korea and the US to dia- kind after two in Pyongyang, the former classmates and teachers border village of Panmunjom logue for a peaceful resolution last 11 years ago — is intended have said they spent time with where the two leaders will and to revive South-North ties.” to pave the way for a highly an- him there. Swiss newspapers meet on Friday, the Blue House In the complex, nuanced world of ticipated encounter between Kim have also reported Kim went spokesman said. Korean nuclear negotiations the and US President Donald Trump. same phrase can mean radically It comes after a rapid and spec- diff erent things to the diff erent tacular diplomatic dance on the Pyongyang carried out its sixth has spent decades developing and parties. peninsula, orchestrated by Moon and by far most powerful nuclear says it needs to protect itself from North Korean backing for de- and set to the beat of the Winter test to date and launched missiles a US invasion. It made no fur- nuclearisation of the peninsula Olympics in the South. capable of reaching the US main- ther commitments, but that did has previously been code for the Kim sent a delegation headed land, while Kim and Trump trad- not stop Trump tweeting: “We withdrawal of the 28,500 US by his sister to the Games and of- ed personal insults and threats haven’t given up anything & they troops stationed in the South and fered to put denuclearisation on of war. The UN Security Coun- have agreed to denuclearisation Washington’s nuclear umbrella the table in exchange for security cil imposed several more sets of (so great for World), site closure, over its ally — seen as a non- guarantees. Trump accepted his sanctions on the North, includ- & no more testing!” starter for the US. The North has proposal for a summit, and Kim ing measures targeting its crucial On Monday, Moon said it was not explicitly made that demand went to Beijing to pay his respects coal, fi shing and textiles sectors, “a signifi cant decision towards this time according to Moon — A combination of pictures shows Korean People’s Army (KPA) soldier Lieutenant Kim (top) posing for a to ally China in his fi rst overseas along with oil imports. total denuclearisation of the Ko- but it still wants a “security guar- portrait on the north side of the truce village of Panmunjom and Republic of Korea Army soldier Corporal trip as leader. It is a stunning Washington is demanding rean peninsula”. But the North antee”, potentially leaving plenty Woo (bottom) posing for a portrait on the south side of the truce village of Panmunjom, within the contrast from last year, when Pyongyang give up the weapons it has declared moratoriums be- of room for disagreement. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea.

Ardern’s baby plans

Indonesia’s former speaker gets 15 years in jail for corruption Following the carefully orchestrated announcement by Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge of the birth of AFP kickbacks and bribes linked to injury in a car crash — which card project, with some $170mn corruption index last year, while years after the former chief jus- their son, New Zealand Prime Minister Jakarta the national roll-out of govern- critics say the 62-year-old used disappearing from state coff ers. it scored a lowly 37 on a scale tice of Indonesia’s constitution- Jacinda Ardern has revealed her ment ID cards. to dodge serious charges. Pros- Several other politicians, gov- of perceived public corruption al court, Akil Mochtar, was jailed “plan” for the arrival of her first child “We have found defendant ecutors had demanded a 16-year ernment offi cials and business- with 100 seen as “very clean” for life for accepting bribes to is- in June. “I’m going to have it, and then ndonesia’s former parlia- Setya Novanto, beyond reason- sentence. men have been charged in the and zero “highly corrupt”. The sue favourable decisions in local we’ll go from there,” the 37-year-old ment speaker was given a 15- able doubt, guilty of violating Judge Yanto, who like many scandal. war on graft has come with a election disputes. said yesterday. “When I saw that Iyear prison term yesterday anti-corruption law,” presid- Indonesians goes by one name, The scale of the graft shocked high price for some. It was the country’s heaviest- photo (of Kate and William with their in one of the country’s toughest ing Judge Yanto told the packed also fi ned Novanto 500mn ru- many Indonesians even in one of A top investigator for Indo- ever sentence for corruption. new baby) I counted back how many sentences for graft, marking a Jakarta courtroom. Novanto — piah ($36,000), far less than the the world’s most corrupt coun- nesia’s powerful Corruption Novanto, who dodged ques- hours it had been since she’d given victory in a continuing clamp- once praised by Donald Trump $7.4mn prosecutors had wanted tries. Eradication Commission was tioning by the anti-corruption birth, and have made sure in any down on widespread corrup- as one Indonesia’s most power- him to pay as restitution to the Payoff s and bribes are rife at partially blinded in a 2017 acid agency for months, was arrested interviews since then I have lowered tion. ful fi gures — said he would need state. Novanto, who had man- all levels of society and endemic attack as he was heading the in hospital in November after he any expectations I would be doing Setya Novanto, once among time to consider an appeal. aged to sidestep corruption alle- in many state agencies, includ- probe into the case involving claimed to have been injured in the same or that I would look quite the country’s most infl uential His months-long trial came gations in the past, was accused ing the police force. Indonesia Novanto and others. No one has a car crash. The reported acci- as well composed as she did.” Ardern politicians, had been accused after a string of manoeuvres — of playing a key role in embez- ranked 96th out of 180 countries yet been arrested. dent came shortly after a failed said also she’s planning to work right of taking millions of dollars in including allegedly faking an zlement from the $440mn ID on Transparency International’s The verdict comes several raid on his palatial estate. up to her due date on June 17. Australia’s mammal extinction rate could worsen, say scientists

AFP “Over the last 200 years at least 34 derer, regent honeyeater and herald Sydney Australian mammal species and 29 petrel. Most are found on islands or in birds have become extinct,” added the more heavily developed regions of Woinarski, who co-led the research southern Australia. ustralia’s extinction rate for published in the scientifi c journal Pa- In the case of mammals, the cen- mammals, already the high- cifi c Conservation Biology this month. tral rock-rat — a small rodent that Aest in the world, could worsen “Identifying the species at greatest lives in the arid areas of central Aus- unless eff orts are made to protect the risk of extinction is a crucial fi rst step tralia — has an estimated 65% chance most endangered species over the next in avoiding their extinctions,” he said of becoming extinct over the next two two decades, scientists said yesterday. in a statement. decades. Researchers from the government- The most at-risk bird is the endan- Second on the at-risk list is the funded Threatened Species Recovery gered King Island brown thornbill, northern hopping-mouse, another Hub identifi ed 10 Australian birds and found on an island off the island state small rodent, at 48%. Another rodent, seven mammals whose extinctions of Tasmania. the Carpentarian rock-rat, as well as could mostly be prevented if govern- It has little more than a 5% chance the Christmas Island fl ying-fox bat, ments and communities were made of surviving the next 20 years unless are also among the most in peril. aware of the risks they faced. conservation eff orts are stepped up, Many of the at-risk mammals are “This would be an increase in Aus- the researchers said. from northern Australia, which is al- tralia’s exceptionally dire extinction Other birds that have a 50-50 or ready experiencing a “rapid and severe rate, which – for mammals – is the greater chance of becoming extinct decline in mammals generally”, said highest in the world,” said John Woi- include the orange-bellied parrot, researcher Hayley Geyle from Charles narski of Charles Darwin University. western ground parrot, plains-wan- Darwin University. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 13 BRITAIN

TRIBUTE TRAVEL JUSTICE NEGLECT PEOPLE Thousands pledge to run Shake-up likely to result in Serial fly-tipper Woman left in chair for Eight-year-old boy marathon in honour of chef rail delays, passengers told jailed for two years months before she died injured in dog attack

More than 2,000 people have pledged to run 3.7 Commuters were yesterday warned of three A serial fly-tipper who “blighted” two counties A woman neglected her elderly mother by leav- An eight-year-old boy suffered injuries to his miles in honour of a chef who collapsed and died weeks of potential chaos during the “biggest time- by dumping waste across them has been jailed ing her sitting in a chair for up to a year until her eye after reportedly being attacked by a dog, that distance from the London Marathon finish table shake-up in rail history”. Southern, Thames- for two years. Licensed waste carrier Robbie death. Doreen Shuff lebotham, 86, suff ered severe the police said. The child needed hospital line. Matt Campbell, 29, from Kendal, collapsed at link, Great Northern and Gatwick Express will Johnston, 32, collected household and builders’ injuries and became ill through neglect, Staff ord- treatment after the incident on Sunday the 22.5-mile mark during Sunday’s event, which depart at diff erent times than at present. The new waste but dumped them in the Cambridgeshire shire Police said. Medical experts estimated she evening at the Green Bear Pub in Church took place in record 24.1C temperatures. No cause timetable has been drawn up on a “blank sheet of and Hertfordshire countryside. Johnston, of Wind- had not moved from the chair she was in for eight Road, Nuneaton. The Warwickshire Police of death has yet been announced. By yesterday paper” to enable Thameslink services to expand. mill Close, Barkway, Hertfordshire, was jailed at to 12 months, following her death in September want help to track down the owners of the afternoon, more than 2,300 people had signed up More trains, with more carriages, will run across Cambridge Crown Court after admitting 13 counts 2016. Her daughter Linda Farr, 68, from Stoke- dog, possibly an American Bulldog. Police to run and donate money to the Cumbria-based all parts of the Govia Thameslink railway — the of fly-tipping. The off ences happened in 2016 on-Trent, was given a suspended sentence for officers said its owners, a man and woman, Brathay Trust, which works with vulnerable young UK’s largest franchise and the most congested and 2017. In addition to the custodial sentence, manslaughter. Farr, from Cardiff Grove, was jailed had been at the pub for an hour-and-a-half, people. Using the Facebook group “Finish for network in the country — from May 20. However, Johnston was given a Criminal Behaviour Order for 20 months, suspended for two-years after ad- but left immediately after. Police constable Matt”, people across the country posted that they it will take until June 11 for the new timetable to be banning him from being involved in any waste mitting manslaughter through gross negligence. Clayton Kelley said officers want to hear from had taken part, with some organising to complete fully implemented. A minority of trains will not run collection or disposal business for five years, and Shuff lebotham had a fracture, a pulmonary embo- anyone who may have seen the incident or the run with others in their home towns. during the changeover period. disqualified from driving for three years. lism, sepsis, and acute bacterial meningitis. can help identify the owners. NHS agrees to cancer care for Windrush Londoner

Guardian News and Media The Tottenham MP, David London Lammy, who has intensifi ed pressure on the government over the Windrush scandal, lbert Thompson, the welcomed the news, but asked: Windrush victim who was “Why has it taken newspaper Adenied NHS cancer care, exposes and questions at prime has fi nally been given a date for minister’s questions for Albert to the radiotherapy treatment he get access to the NHS treatments was due to begin last November, he needs – as is his right? before hospital staff questioned “Why has it taken so long for his immigration status. the government to act to ad- Thompson, 63, said he was dress this Windrush scandal – “very excited” to hear that a 33- shamed into fi nally doing so after day radiotherapy programme dragging their feet for so many was scheduled to start on May 1, months?” but was surprised by the sudden Thompson said he did not rush to resolve the situation after blame his consultant, but noted six months of extreme anxiety. that he did not get any apology “They are scared of all the or explanation for the six-month publicity in the media; it has re- delay during his appointment. Members of the Honourable Artillery Company fire a 62 gun salute from the Tower of London to welcome the birth of Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge’s third ally shaken them up,” he said. “There was no mention of me child, in London, yesterday. Last week, after Theresa paying (for the surgery) this time; May announced that Thomp- everything is going to be on the son would “get the treatment NHS,” he said. At his appointment he needs” – while noting with in November, he was told the cost legalistic precision that he was of treatment for those ineligible not part of the Windrush group for NHS care was £54,000. (having arrived in the UK a few “I’m not quite happy yet, not months after the cut-off date) until I get everything sorted. – the Royal Marsden hospital This has been a very scary time. Charles voices ‘great appeared in no hurry to start At least I am still here to tell the treatment. Thompson (not his story.” real name) received a letter invit- Lammy said nine Windrush ing him for blood tests in a few cases had come forward in his weeks’ time. constituency in the last 12 hours. On Monday, however, the hos- “Are each of these individu- pital called to say an earlier ap- als expected to go to the media joy’ at new royal baby pointment had become free, and in order to get the rights that are sent a car to collect him. Yester- theirs and have been taken away AFP The Duke and Duchess of another grandchild. The only moment,” said Harry Aitkenhead, come to our new royal baby.” day, Thompson met his consult- from them? This is not about a London Cambridge left St. Mary’s Hos- trouble is I don’t know how I am spokesman for bookmakers Coral. The birth was marked yester- ant, who said the radiotherapy benevolent government choos- pital in London around seven going to keep up with them.” “James, Albert and Philip have day by bell ringing at London’s should begin. ing to grant rights to certain indi- hours later, showing off their William, 35, and 36-year-old also been backed and anything Westminster Abbey, where Wil- Thompson’s immigration sta- viduals – this is about Windrush rince Charles yesterday baby to the world’s media and Kate are back at their Kensing- else would be a major shock.” liam and Kate were married in tus remains uncertain, although children reclaiming the rights voiced his joy at the arrival royal fanatics camped outside. ton Palace home in London. Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes 2011 in a ceremony watched by he has an appointment to meet that are theirs in the fi rst place.” Pof his third grandchild, as William’s 69-year-old father As he left the hospital on said: “Arthur might be the fa- up to 2bn people worldwide. offi cials from the new Windrush Thompson arrived in London Britain waited to discover what Charles, the heir to the throne, Monday, the duke told report- vourite with the bookies, but it’s They rang “a full peal of Cam- taskforce on Friday, and it is not from Jamaica as a teenager in 1973 Prince William and his wife Kate said he and his wife Camilla were ers he was “very happy, very actually James that’s the favour- bridge Surprise Royal”, the abbey clear what has prompted the to join his mother who was work- will call their new baby son. thrilled to have a new addition to delighted,” adding: “Thrice the ite with punters.” said. sudden rush. ing as a nurse. He has been here 44 Cannons were fi red in London the family. worry now.” Offi cial commemorative sou- The birth was also celebrated “The Home Offi ce has known years, working as a mechanic and to mark the arrival of the little The new baby is the younger Kensington Palace said the venirs are already on sale, de- with a 41-gun salute in London’s about my problems for years. I paying taxes until he became ill prince, who is fi fth in line to the brother of William and Kate’s baby’s name would be an- spite the prince’s name being Hyde Park, while 62 rounds were think this is all down to the me- with cancer and had to stop work. throne, and the bells of Westmin- children Prince George, four, nounced “in due course”. Bet- unknown. fi red near the Tower of London. dia noise,” Thompson said. Offi cial suspicion about his ster Abbey rang out in celebration. and two-year-old Princess ting shops had Arthur as their The Royal Collection china Britain’s overseas territories His immigration problems immigration status led to his The boy, weighing 3.8kg, was Charlotte. favourite, followed by James, is decorated with gold ribbons, were also celebrating, with a 21- meant that he was made home- eviction and three weeks of born at 11:01am (1001GMT) on “We are both so pleased at the Albert, Philip, Alexander, Henry silver pompoms and a coronet- gun salute fi red in Gibraltar and less last summer, and spent sev- homelessness before a charity Monday with William present news,” Charles said in a state- and Michael. inspired pattern. The plates and a single round gun salute and ri- eral weeks sleeping rough. housed him. for the birth. ment. “It is a great joy to have “Arthur is the hot favourite at the pillboxes bear the words: “Wel- fl e volley in Bermuda. Julie Andrews’ former Royal choice Woman jailed for home on sale for £24mn attack on ‘love rival’ London Evening Standard turned to his home in Brixton. London Ajayi was shouting abuses at her, London Evening Standard and Omar Sharif. Other residents of the square said Dyer. London The seven-bedroom house — have included Chelsea FC owner The prosecutor said Ajayi and linked mews property — was Roman Abramovich, Mick Jag- n irate wife who threw grabbed Ocran’s handbag dur- mostly recently inhabited by a ger and Marianne Faithfull, Nig- bleach into the face of a ing the attack. “The defend- “boutique mansion” in wealthy Argentinian family, who ella Lawson and violinist Yehudi Awoman she believed was ant took off her own wig and Belgravia that was once lived yards from another famous Menuhin. having an aff air with her husband used it to hit Ocran, slapping Athe home of Sound Of Chester Square resident, Marga- The sale is being handled by has been jailed for two years. and punching her a number of Music and Mary Poppins star Ju- ret Thatcher. agents Rokstone. Its managing Aboseda Ajayi, 42, fl ew into times in the head,” said Dyer. lie Andrews has gone on the mar- Its buyer would have to pay director Becky Fatemi said the a rage when she saw Jane Ocran “The defendant emptied the ket priced at £24mn. £2.79mn in stamp duty if it is house was in a favoured corner sitting in her convertible Mer- contents of the handbag into The Grade II listed Georgian their sole home or £3.51mn if it location, away from through cedes outside her home. She the street and then walked back property in Chester Square has is an investment or second prop- traffic, but the market re- emptied a bottle of household inside her home.” been put up for sale following a erty. mained tough, with buyers re- bleach over her head and beat her Passers-by doused Ocran’s huge refurbishment by develop- The house was bought two fusing to “bite the bullet”. If it with her wig. face with water, and she was ers. Andrews and her late direc- years ago by developer Saigol is not sold at close to the ask- Ajayi, a former ministry of treated in hospital for soreness tor husband Blake Edwards — DDC, which installed features ing price, the house is likely to justice administrator, repeatedly to her eyes. In a victim impact best known for the Pink Panther such as a seven-person lift, me- be rented. slapped and punched Ocran be- statement, she revealed she movies and Audrey Hepburn dia room, gymnasium, jacuzzi, Fatemi added: “Developer fore battering her with her own “lives in fear of Ajayi doing it to classic Breakfast At Tiff any’s — steam room, sauna and 138 sq ft Saigol DDC has created a mag- handbag, Inner London crown her again”. moved to the house in the early- wine cellar. nificent new residence behind court heard. Gerwyn Wise, mitigating, said seventies after he fell temporar- It also has a balcony and three the retained period facade, a Prosecutor Polly Dyer said Ajayi had been the victim of do- ily out of favour in Hollywood large south-facing terraces as truly distinctive family home Ocran escaped serious injury mestic violence during her 16- following a series of cinematic well as a double garage with di- of the highest quality. It is as her sunglasses protected year marriage, and her husband fl ops. rect access into the house. The perfect as a London base for her eyes from the bleach, but had openly embarked on several It became one of the most interior designs are by Marek a discerning buyer looking for she was left screaming in pain extra-marital aff airs. fashionable film world salons, Wojciechowski Architects. a home with an abundance of after the attack on June 17 last Judge Benedict Kelleher sen- with the couple hosting par- The stuccoed property was bedrooms and space to enter- Members of The Kingdom Choir who will be performing year. tenced Ajayi to two years in ties where guests included built in 1835 to 1836 on the Duke tain.” at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at The court heard Ocran, who prison, telling her: “This was a Peter Sellers — who played In- of Westminster’s Belgravia estate Lady Thatcher’s former home St George Chapel in Windsor Castle pose for a picture in denies an aff air was taking place, vicious attack that could have spector Clouseau in the Pink and designed by architect Tho- went on the market priced at London yesterday. had been shopping that day with caused serious and disfi guring Panther films — Herbert Lom mas Cubitt. £30mn two years ago. Ajayi’s husband and had just re- injuries.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 BRITAIN Sheffi eld universities investigate four allegations of racism

Guardian News and Media a supporter of rival Sheffi eld Uni- someone had written on a li- card. This prompted an allega- fi eld University students, went to realised what had been thrown. frustrated with him because he London versity threw a banana at him at a brary whiteboard that there were tion from another student that the get some drinks, the problems be- I knew the direction the banana suff ered from ADHD and regularly match last month. “Too many Asians (Brown ones)”, same member of staff may have gan. “A few minutes after they left came from, I shouted: ‘Who threw forgot his things. He said it was “the most racially Renwick said on his blog. The been racist to someone else the I felt something hit the top of my the banana?’ very angrily, as this The student, who has not been wo Sheffi eld universities abused I have been in my whole comment had been left under a previous week. head. But I didn’t turn around,” he is the most racially abused I have named, told the Tab: “He pro- are investigating four alle- life”. message from the library asking Pearce told a student publica- told the Tab. been in my entire life.” ceeded to let me in then turned Tgations of racism, includ- Three other incidents allegedly students for feedback, according tion that he was wearing Hallam- “I chose to ignore it until I The student who claims to have to his colleague as I walked away ing claims a black student was took place at Hallam library, ac- to a report in the National Student branded clothing in a section of looked down and saw that it was been called monkey at Hallam li- and said: ‘You know I get annoyed hit with a banana during an ice cording to Luke Renwick, presi- online. the ice hockey arena mostly pop- a rotten banana. And I had the brary told the Tab that he was ra- with that monkey,’ referring to me hockey game. dent of Sheffi eld Hallam Univer- Another said they had been ulated by Sheffi eld University fans contents of this banana all over cially abused by a security guard as the ‘monkey’. I was in complete Tyrell Pearce, a PE student at sity students union. called a monkey by a member of when he was hit. my head. “Immediately I got up after forgetting his student card. shock and upset at the way he cas- Sheffi eld Hallam University, said One student claimed that staff after forgetting their student When his friends, both Shef- and people were shocked as they He said the guard in question got ually said it.”

Fawcett statue Councillor at unveiled in Parliament Square police station

Guardian News and Media London to report crime arliament Square’s fi rst statue of a woman has been Punveiled at a ceremony in Westminster. Suff ragist leader Millicent Fawcett has been immor- talised in bronze and now stands 8ft 4in just outside the Houses gets arrested of Parliament. Theresa May, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, and Guardian News and Media de-arrested him. on the police and crime panel BBC journalist Mishal Husain were London Shah told Bristol Live he still would have received the same among those at the ceremony. has unanswered questions about treatment which I did.” Hers is the only female statue, the incident, and police have not In a statement, Avon and Som- standing alongside 11 histori- city councillor of a black explained exactly what happened erset said: “Police have apolo- cal male fi gures including Nelson and minority ethnic back- to him and why they acted how gised to a man for the inconven- Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, Aground was arrested after they did. ience and distress caused when and was unveiled by her great- going to his local police station He said: “I went to the po- he was arrested and detained in great niece, schoolgirls from Mill- to report a crime because offi cers lice station to register a crime a police car after being wrongly bank academy and other fi gures in were searching for a suspect who on behalf of someone else. I identifi ed by a victim as one of the campaign to feature women “looked like” him. found myself arrested for mak- the perpetrators of a crime.” in the square. Caroline Criado Afzal Shah, a Labour council- ing threats, but I was nowhere Superintendent Andy Bennett Perez, the Brazilian-born activist lor in Bristol, has questioned if near the place this is supposed to said: “Offi cers acted in good faith and writer, started the campaign white colleagues on the police have happened, I was in a council in arresting councillor Shah at in 2016. and crime panel he sits on would meeting.” After he was freed he Trinity Road police station after The idea came as she was run- have been arrested in the same claimed police told him that the another man who was in the sta- ning through Westminster on circumstances. person they were looking for had tion reporting an off ence visually International Women’s Day Avon and Somerset police have a similar appearance to him. identifi ed him as one of the peo- and spotted statues of Winston apologised but said offi cers were ple involved. This identifi cation Churchill and David Lloyd George, acting in good faith when they “I was told it was a was later found to be incorrect but could not see any women. arrested Shah. misunderstanding, and and Shah was released without To her dismay, she realised that A constable from the same that the person who they having been taken to a custody all 11 fi gures dotted around Parlia- force will be tried next month for were looking for looked unit. ment Square were men. She said: allegedly shooting one of its race like me. They said we had “We are extremely grateful for “Women are still woefully un- relations advisers with a Taser a description similar to Shah’s contribution to commu- derrepresented, but we are mak- electronic weapon. yourself” nity policing both as a council- ing one hell of a start in changing Shah, who represents the Eas- lor and as a member of the police that.” May, speaking at the un- ton ward – scene of the Taser in- “I was told it was a misunder- and crime panel. We have apolo- veiling, said: “I would not be here cident – described how he went standing, and that the person gised to him for the distress and today as prime minister, no female to the Trinity Road police station who they were looking for looked embarrassment this incident has MPs would have taken their seats to report a crime. He said that like me. They said we had a de- clearly caused him and welcome in parliament, none of us would instead of taking his statement, scription similar to yourself.” this opportunity to clarify this have had the rights and protec- offi cers believed he was a per- He continued: “I want clar- publicly.” tions we now enjoy, were it not son suspected of making threats ity from the police, and I’m also Judah Adunbi, a former mem- for one truly great woman, Dame of violence – and read him his taking legal advice. It’s been ber of an independent advisory Millicent Garrett Fawcett. rights. extremely serious. Given that I group to Avon and Somerset “For generations to come, this He explained that he was a lo- went in to report a crime, what police, was allegedly shot by an statue will serve not just as a re- cal councillor and was in council then transpired was unbeliev- offi cer with a Taser stun gun in minder of Dame Millicent’s ex- meetings when the alleged crime able.” Bristol last year. A video of the traordinary life and legacy, but as he was being arrested for took He added: “During my time as incident was widely shared on inspiration to all of us who wish to place. He said, however, that this a local Labour councillor – in- social media and made headlines follow in her footsteps.” was ignored. cluding as a member of the re- around the world. Khan said: “This is an historic There are no custody cells at gion’s police and crime panel – I Police constable Claire Boddie, day. The decision to commission Trinity Road but he was placed have worked hard to build bridg- of Avon and Somerset police, has this statue was a no-brainer. It is in the back of a secure police car es between communities in Eas- denied common assault and her vital that we fi x the imbalance and Artist Gillian Wearing (centre right) poses for a photograph with London Mayor Sadiq Khan (centre left) in the public car park outside the ton and our local constabulary. trial is due to be heard by deputy make sure more women are repre- following the unveiling of her sculpture of suff ragist and women’s rights campaigner Millicent Fawcett in police station. Police realised “I sincerely doubt that many senior district judge Tan Ikram sented in our public spaces.” Parliament Square in London yesterday. they had the wrong person and of the other councillors who sit next month. Facebook in ‘PR crisis UK runs without coal for record three days mode,’ claims academic Guardian News and Media The coal-free records are a re- London versal from the recent highs that coal plant owners experienced AFP Kogan created a personality pre- suming everyone is average on during the so-called “beast from London diction app through his company every trait.” he UK has been powered the east” cold snap. Global Science Research (GSR), Facebook’s own tools “provide without coal for three days During cold weather in Febru- which off ered a small financial companies a far more eff ective Tin a row, setting a new ary and early March, demand for he academic behind the payment in return for users fi lling pathway to target people based record and underlining the pol- gas to use in heating pushed up app that allowed consulting out a personality test. on their personalities than using luting fuel’s rapid decline. the price of gas for power, which Tfi rm Cambridge Analytica Facebook says it was download- scores from users from our work,” Coal has historically been brought coal power stations on- to farm the data of some 87mn ed by 270,000 people, but it also he added. at the cornerstone of the UK’s line. Facebook users said he was being gave Kogan access to their friends, Kogan said that CA assured him electricity mix, but last year saw However, overall power de- scapegoated while the social net- giving him a wealth of informa- that what he was doing was “per- the fi rst 24-hour period that the mand is now much lower fol- work was being “mined left and tion on 87mn users, according to fectly legal and within the terms of country ran without the fuel lowing the recent warm weather, right by thousands” of companies. the social media giant’s boss Mark service” of the social media giant. since the 19th century. making it easier for gas, renewa- Aleksandr Kogan, who teaches Zuckerberg. CA’s former chief executive Al- New records were broken last bles and nuclear to cover much of at Cambridge University, told a Cambridge Analytica went on exander Nix has denied using data week when zero power came the UK’s needs. parliamentary committee that to work on Donald Trump’s 2016 collected by GSR, but Kogan called from coal for nearly 55 consecu- The National Grid has forecast criticism of his work by Facebook presidential campaign, using mes- the claim “a fabrication”. tive hours. electricity demand this summer showed the US social media giant sage micro-targeting through per- He also accused Facebook of That milestone in turn was will be lower than last year, with was in “PR crisis mode”. sonality profi les. feigning ignorance of how their smashed on Monday afternoon minimum demand at 17GW and “I don’t believe they actually However, Kogan told MPs yes- users’ data was being used, say- and the UK passed the 72-hour peak at 33.7GW. think these things because I think terday that the data was too impre- ing it was “well documented that mark at 10am yesterday. The Experts expect more mile- they realise that their platform has cise to build up accurate profi les Facebook collaborates with re- coal-free run came to an end af- stones this year. “Ever rising re- been mined left and right by thou- that could be used to eff ectively searchers. ter 76 hours. newable capacity in the UK will sands of others,” said the Russian- target political Facebook ads. “They gave me the data set Without the fossil fuel, nearly see these records fall more and American scientist, who is now “One of the biggest points of without any agreement signed,” he a third of Britain’s electric- more frequently, clearly showing banned from Facebook. confusion has been how accurate explained. “Sometime later they ity was supplied by gas, followed progress made over the past dec- “I was just the unlucky person the personality scores we provid- came and we did have a signed by windfarms and nuclear on ade or two,” said Jonathan Mar- that ended up somehow linked to ed to SCL (CA’s parent company) agreement.” around a quarter each. shall, an analyst at the Energy the Trump campaign. It’s conven- were,” he said. “The scores were When asked why Facebook The rest came from biomass and Climate Intelligence Unit. ient to point the fi nger at a sin- highly inaccurate. would be so accommodating, burned at Drax power station in However, one observer cau- gle entity,” he said, playing down “We found that the scores were Kogan replied that “this was North Yorkshire, imports from tioned that the shift away from his own work as of little political more accurate than a random something they gave their em- Aleksandr Kogan gives evidence to parliament’s digital, culture, France and the Netherlands, and coal could be a “false dawn” if it value. guess, but less accurate than as- ployees to stimulate them.” media and sport committee in Westminster, London, yesterday. solar power. was just replaced by gas. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 15 EUROPE Italy’s M5S seeks talks with PD, slams door on League

Reuters acting head of the PD, Maurizio parliament, who has been asked it would consider talks with Di would be ready, in principle, to Rome Martina, off ered a glimmer of by the head of state to sound out Maio if he publicly backed away hold talks with M5S, a number of hope that the stalemate could be the possibility of deal between from the League. lawmakers close to the PD’s pre- broken, but misgivings in both M5S and PD. Within two hours, Di Maio vious chief, former prime minis- taly’s anti-establishment groups might yet derail any joint Earlier yesterday, Martina confi rmed that he was ending ter Matteo Renzi, sent messages 5-Star Movement (M5S) initiative. said he would consider negoti- contact with the League, earning on Twitter that read #senzadime Iopened the door to coalition “I ask the PD to come to the ating with the M5S, should they a swift rebuke from Salvini. (WithoutMe). talks with the centre-left Demo- table, not to sign a (government) confi rm that their talks with the “Flirting with ... the PD, just Di Maio also acknowledged cratic Party (PD) yesterday, say- contract immediately, but to League were defi nitively closed. to gain power, seems highly dis- that there would be dissent with- ing that the only other way to end see if there are the grounds for “If Di Maio’s recent signifi cant respectful to Italians and his own in his own group, and said any a political deadlock would be a putting one together,” Di Maio announcements are confi rmed, voters,” said the League leader, eventual government pact would return to the polls. told reporters. we’re ready to assess the new who is campaigning before an be put to a vote to M5S members Italian politics have been in He acknowledged that weeks situation,” he said. election in the northeastern re- on their Internet platform. limbo since an inconclusive vote of discussions with League chief Increasingly annoyed by the gion of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia set If the PD initiative ultimately on March 4, which saw a centre- Martina: If Di Maio’s recent Matteo Salvini had led nowhere, prolonged impasse, President for Sunday. failed, he said his group would right alliance led by the anti- significant announcements are the talks fl oundering on M5S Sergio Mattarella has given the Political sources have told Di Maio: Salvini and the League not back any mooted attempt to immigrant League win the most confirmed, we’re ready to assess demands that the League aban- lower house leader Roberto Fico Reuters that serious government have opted for irrelevance. create a cross-party government seats and the M5S emerge as the the new situation. don its electoral allies, including until tomorrow to report back talks would start only once this of technocrats – a mechanism biggest single party. Forza Italia, led by former prime with his fi ndings. regional vote was fi nished, mean- preferred option for most Italians used by previous presidents to The PD came a distant third. far stymied all eff orts at putting minister Silvio Berlusconi. The PD has always insisted ing an eventual M5S-League alli- and there would be considerable overcome political crises. No group or bloc came close together a coalition in the euro- “Matteo Salvini and the League since suff ering defeat last month ance might still happen. opposition within both PD and “If this path (with the PD) were to winning an outright majority, zone’s third largest economy. have opted for irrelevance,” Di that it would go into opposition. Opinion polls have consist- M5S ranks to any alliance be- to fail ... then in our opinion there but mutual recriminations and Statements yesterday by M5S Maio said following talks with However, after meeting Fico, ently said that a coalition in- tween them. should be another election,” he deep-rooted rivalries have so leader Luigi Di Maio and the the speaker of the lower house of the party’s leadership said that volving these two parties is the After Martina announced he said.

Driver of car full of weapons arrested

A Bosnian man driving a car full of weapons was arrested yesterday shortly after entering Italy via the Slovenian border, the Politician who forced PM Carabinieri Italian police said. The 52-year-old was at the wheel of a Swiss-registered Peugeot 206 hatchback, and the Carabinieri believe he was headed to Barcelona. Off icers found a bag with two guns in the boot of the car, to quit ‘ready’ to take over prompting a deeper inspection that revealed more weapons Reuters hidden under the rear seat and in Yerevan the spare wheel space. Off icers found six Kalashnikov rifles, two machine guns, one politician who forced Ar- shotgun, menia’s prime minister one carbine, two more pistols, Ato resign led thousands munitions, cartridges and of people on a march yesterday silencers. after which he said he was ready Many weapons had their serial to take the reins of power and numbers scratched off . would keep up pressure on the The driver was arrested. ruling elite until they agreed to real change. Serzh Sarkisian, who had ruled the country as president before Priest gambles that for a decade, resigned as away €500,000 prime minister on Monday after almost two weeks of street pro- An Italian priest has gambled tests prompted by accusations away more than €500,000 he had manipulated the consti- Pashinyan: If people put this responsibility on me, I’m ready to ($620,000) of his parish money, tution to cling to power. become the prime minister. media reports said this week, Lawmaker Nikol Pashinyan backed up by the local Catholic played an instrumental role in clashes that followed that vic- “Serzh Sarkisian has con- Church. ousting Sarkisian, organising tory. fi rmed once again that he is a Father Flavio Gobbo, 48, many of the protests and call- After a period of hiding, Pash- real statesman,” Eduard Shar- negotiated a plea bargain for a ing for the premier to go in a inyan surrendered to the police mazanov, a vice-speaker of par- suspended two-year jail term for televised exchange before being in 2009 and was sentenced to liament, told Reuters. embezzlement, the Corriere della jailed and then released. People lay flowers to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman four years in prison for organis- Others praised him for not re- Sera newspaper said. In a move likely to prolong a Turks, at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan. ing civil disturbances. sorting to a bloody crackdown to As part of the deal, he has political crisis that has rocked He was released two years lat- stay in power, something he had promised to gradually return the one of Russia’s closest allies in man he forced to resign, still marked the anniversary of the at the memorial to the victims of er under an amnesty. hinted at on Sunday. money and signed up for therapy the former Soviet Union, Pash- leads. killings. the massacres. “We reaffi rm our “Nikol is a really popular Sarkisian is a close ally of Rus- against gambling addiction, inyan said yesterday that he is If elected himself, he said he Armenia says the killings determination to build strong leader, whom we trust,” Karen sian President Vladimir Putin with the support of his church ready to become the country’s would try to maintain a bal- during World War I constituted statehood and a free and civi- Mkhitaryan, a 19-year-old stu- and Moscow is closely watching superiors at the Diocese of next prime minister. ance in foreign policy, but ruled genocide. lised society.” dent, said of Pashinyan. events in Armenia, where it has Treviso. “If people put this respon- out questioning the presence of Muslim-majority Turkey ac- Sarkisian’s allies such as Ka- Politicians and experts said two military bases. sibility on me, I’m ready to be- Russian military bases in Arme- cepts that many Christian Ar- rapetyan remain in important yesterday that Sarkisian had de- The Kremlin said yesterday come the prime minister,” Pa- nia or the country’s membership menians were killed in fi ghting positions in government and cided to step down due to what that it is pleased the situation Ukraine ministry shinyan, wearing his trademark in Russia-led military and eco- during the war but denies the it remains unclear whether his they described as unbearable appeared stable for now. black baseball cap and military- nomic alliances. killings amounted to genocide. resignation will herald any real pressure coming from the mass Many experts say it is too early website hacked style T-shirt, told reporters. “We are not going to make any Acting Prime Minister Karen change. protests. to predict what lies ahead how- The 42-year-old said the sharp geopolitical moves,” he Karapetyan, an ally of the ousted Armenia’s political parties in “Thousands of people were in ever. The website of Ukraine’s energy “velvet” revolution he had said. Sarkisian, said that it is impor- parliament must now put for- the streets for days demanding “What is needed is a sober and coal ministry website has helped bring about is not over Hours earlier, Pashinyan had tant to stay united amid the po- ward the name of a new prime his resignation and the moment power-sharing reconfi guration,” been hit by a cyber attack, and that the next step would be led thousands of people through litical tumult. minister within seven days. came when he had no resources said Richard Giragosian, a direc- though the websites of state- the election of a new premier the capital Yerevan to a hilltop “We are going through a very Pashinyan has a history of po- to suppress this movement,” tor of the Regional Studies Cen- run energy companies have not and the holding of an early par- memorial dedicated to the vic- diffi cult stage in our new history litical activism and was among Ararat Mirzoyan, an opposition tre, adding: “Yet such consensus been aff ected, the ministry’s liamentary election. tims of Ottoman Turk massacres ... demonstrating to the entire opposition activists who dem- leader, told Reuters. and compromise seems very far spokeswoman said by phone. He said he would not accept a of Armenians in 1915, cementing world that despite diffi culties onstrated against Sarkisian’s Some said Sarkisian’s move is away, and with mounting expec- As of 0734 GMT, a message new prime minister drawn from his growing political stature. and unresolved problems we 2008 presidential election vic- a rare example of political wis- tations and anger dangerously posted in English on the website the ranks of the ruling Republi- Some chanted his name and are united,” Karapetyan said in tory. dom from a leader under pres- high, the real challenge of gov- was demanding a ransom paid in can Party, which Sarkisian, the waved the national fl ag as they a statement after laying fl owers Ten people were killed in sure. ernance is only just beginning.” Bitcoin to recover encrypted files.

Greenland holds general election Stockholm church

AFP $2.2bn, according to fi gures for newly-formed Co-operation pays tribute to Avicii Copenhagen 2015, puts Greenland in the same Party, the only anti-independ- economic league as San Marino, ence party, with around 2.9% of a mountainous microstate sur- votes. Reuters board music award last week. reenland’s tiny elector- rounded by north-central Italy. Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a law- Stockholm/Los Angeles The family of the artist said ate went to the polls yes- Of the seven political parties, maker for IA, told AFP that be- on Monday that they were Gterday with independ- six favour independence. fore setting a timeline for inde- grateful for the numerous pub- ence the key issue for the vast Some are keen to declare in- pendence, the island should fi rst hurch bells played one lic tributes paid. self-ruled Danish territory now dependence by 2021 to coincide lay the fi nancial groundwork. Voters at a polling station in Godthaabshallen in Nuuk, Greenland. of Avicii’s biggest hits “Thank you for all the ini- threatened by global warming with the 300th anniversary of “Foreign investments are go- Cin Stockholm yester- tiatives taken to honour Tim, and struggling with youth sui- Denmark’s occupation though ing to be crucial when you talk species to fi sh to its waters but The Inuit like other indigenous day, paying tribute to the DJ with public gatherings, church cides and sex abuse among its most have not set a timeline. about the development of Green- that is very likely to change over populations are torn between and record producer who was bells ringing out his music, indigenous people. Opinion polls suggest the left- landic society,” she said. time. tradition and modernisation. found dead last week. tributes at Coachella and mo- Rich in natural resources, green Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party Her party wants to see a di- While Greenland may have a That tension has led to Green- The song Wake me up rang ments of silence around the Greenland gained autonomy will win the election, where 31 versifi cation of investments, as wealth of untapped natural re- land having one of the world’s out from the 80m-high tower world,” the Bergling family said from Denmark in 1979 and was seats in the local parliament are rising temperatures in the Arc- sources that could help fi nance highest suicide rates, and a third of Oscar’s Church in cen- in a statement, referencing the granted self-rule in 2009, al- up for grabs. tic melt Greenland’s ice sheet, its independence, “it suff ers of children are victims of sexual tral Stockholm, where Avicii, popular Coachella music festi- though Copenhagen retains con- A poll published on Friday gave exposing mineral riches – and from a lack of infrastructure and abuse. whose real name is Tim Ber- val in Southern California that trol of foreign and defence aff airs. IA 31% of votes, ahead of its main drawing eager glances from the a qualifi ed labour shortage”, said In addition, global warming gling, grew up. fi nished on Sunday. The giant ice-covered island rival, the social democratic Siu- West, Russia, and China. Mikaa Mered, an Arctic expert has sparked an exodus from iso- One of the biggest stars of Swedish Prime Minister between the North Atlantic and mut party which has dominated “Economic development the and economics and geopolitics lated villages to the few urban ar- electronic dance music (EDM), Stefan Lofven called Avicii Arctic oceans is home to just Greenland politics since 1979 last (few) years has been rather professor at France’s School of eas, said Mered. Avicii was found dead at the “one of Sweden’s biggest mu- 55,000 people. and is currently in power. good; the fi shing industry has International Relations. It is “wreaking havoc on age of 28 in Muscat, Oman, his sical wonders of modern time” Denmark provides some 3.6bn Seen garnering 27.4% of votes, been doing quite well ... em- Heidi Moller Isaksen, a Greenland’s culture: young peo- US publicist said on Friday. on Instagram. kroner (€483mn, $591mn) in Siumut could fi nd itself relegated ployment has been increasing 51-year-old secretary who lives ple are losing interest in tradi- No cause of death was given. Stockholm resident Jon subsidies each year, equivalent to the opposition – though one in and unemployment is low,” said in the capital Nuuk, said that tional hunting and fi shing, it’s The church will have its bells Holmgren said Avicii had to 60% of the budget and which four voters is still undecided. Torben Andersen, Aarhus Uni- breaking free from Denmark is a diffi cult to travel by dogsled from play the song at noon from meant very much to him, as would be cut if Greenland opted The two parties are at odds versity economics professor and long-term goal. one village to another, and wild Monday to Friday this week, his son was the same age and for full independence. over the use of the island’s lu- chairman of the Greenland Eco- “I do want independence one animals are moving further and it said on its webpage, adding: in the same group of friends as So the main issue is when and crative natural resources and the nomic Council. day but we’ve got to be realistic further away from the regular “Rest in peace”. the artist when he grew up. how to break the Danish link thorny issue of uranium mining, Fishing, which accounts for and take one step at a time,” she hunting grounds”, he said. Avicii announced in 2016 “He is a fantastic success without impoverishing the is- which IA, with strong support 90% of Greenland’s exports, is told AFP. “We can never have in- All of this leads to “numerous that he was retiring from tour- story with a very tragic ending, land. among urban youth, opposes. benefi ting from climate change dependence as long as we have so new problems, such as youth sui- ing, but he kept making music unfortunately,” he said, stand- A gross domestic product of Meanwhile, polls show the as rising temperatures bring new many social problems.” cides”. and was nominated for a Bill- ing outside Oscar’s Church. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 INDIA

SMUGGLING CO-OPERATION ASSISTANCE SURVEY HEALTH Man held with 30 US experts train off icials World Bank to lend $210mn 63% elderly in Delhi slums Infosys donates Rs25mn gold bars in Manipur in ‘public procurement’ for rural roads in MP not receiving pensions to Kerala hospital

Police in Manipur on Monday arrested a The US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA), in The Indian government has signed a $210mn A survey conducted in 17 slums of Delhi has Tech major Infosys has donated Rs25mn to the man with 30 gold bars, an off icial said. The partnership with the Maharashtra government, loan agreement with the World Bank to revealed that over 62.6% of the elderly people Neurosurgery Department of the state-run Medical smuggler has been identified as Mohamed launched a three-day workshop to train over improve rural roads in Madhya Pradesh, an were not receiving pension and other old age College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The Yashim of Sangai Yumpham Mayai Leikai in 100 local procurement off icials on “value-based official statement said yesterday. The Madhya benefits. The survey was conducted by the money was used to install a new neurosurgery Thoubal district. Assistant Commissioner public procurement practices”, an off icial said Pradesh Rural Connectivity Project will cover Institute for Human Development supported dedicated operating microscope, replacing a two- of the Customs Directorate R K Dorendrajit in Mumbai yesterday. The workshop will have 10,510km stretch of rural roads in Madhya by Mahia Pragati Manch and CFAR with 3,004 decade-old one. P. Anil, head of the Department said they “got intelligence inputs that an experts from the George Washington University’s Pradesh that fall under the chief minister’s households across three districts of Delhi - Neurosurgery, said the Infosys donation followed international smuggler is likely to transport Government Procurement Law Programme Gram Sadak Yojana (CMGSY) programme,” North East, East and Shahdara. Of the total of 14, a request he had made in 2017. Anil said the new god bars from Myanmar to some other and energy and transportation specialists. It will the Finance Ministry said in a statement. The 339 surveyed, 444 were persons with disabilities device has come as a huge boon to patients who parts of the country. We laid traps along focus on international best practices in value- deal will improve the durability, resilience and and 2,199 respondents were elderly persons. Of mostly are poor. Sunil Jose, a top Infosys off icial, said the two national highways the smuggler based procurement, sessions on public-private safety of the gravel surfaced rural roads and the total elderly respondents, only 37.3% were the company always has set aside money as part of and his associates could use.” The suspect partnerships and in-depth life-cycle cost analysis enhance the capacity of the state to manage getting old age pension and the remaining its corporate social responsibility programme. “Our walked into the trap on Monday night. training. This workshop will culminate in a its rural roads network, the statement said. Of 62.6% not receiving it or other old age benefits. studies found that the department provides yeomen According to the off icial, the value of 30 memorandum of understanding between the state the total roads, 10,000km will be upgraded As many as 36.4% (1,094) were female-headed services to accident victims and most of the patients gold bars weighing 5kg is estimated at government and USTDA, under which the US agency from existing gravel to bituminous surface households (FHHH) and of them, 79% were came from the low and middle income category. In Rs15mn. Dorendrajit said the variety of gold will continue to support Maharashtra’s eff orts to roads, while 510km of new roads will be built widows, 2% had been abandoned and 3% were this microscope project, we started working on it as originating from Myanmar was in great improve its public procurement practices and to the same bituminous surface standard, it single women. Of the total of 860 widows, 269 soon as we got the proposal. We felt that they are demand in some states. become a regional leader. added. (31%) were not getting a widow pension. doing a good job and sanctioned it.”

Asaram verdict today Police kill 37 Maoists in Maharashtra encounter

Agencies vati River on the Maharashtra- Search and combing opera- Security forces guard the entrance to the Jodhpur jail on the eve of a court’s verdict in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram Gadchiroli, Maharashtra Chhattisgarh borders, taking the tions continue, though inter- Bapu, in Jodhpur yesterday. Ahead of the court, the federal home ministry issued an advisory to Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana to total toll to 37. rupted by heavy rain and bad step up security to prevent violence. Asaram was arrested on on September 1, 2013 on a complaint filed by a teenage girl from Uttar These 15 Maoists are said to be weather, in the entire Gadchiroli Pradesh’s Shahajahanpur district. The victim, who was studying at Asaram’s ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, had alleged that t least 19 women, includ- from among those who managed district, an offi cial said. he had called her to his ashram in Manai near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013. ing a commander, are to escape into the forests during The twin victory leading to the Aamong 37 Maoists gunned Sunday’s gunfi ght and subse- elimination of 37 Maoists was down in two pitched battles by quently succumbed to their bul- celebrated with no-holds barred police in the forests of Mahar- let injuries while attempting to dancing and merrymaking by the ashtra’s Gadchiroli district in cross the river. security offi cials in the past two the past 48 hours, eliminating at “We have so far identifi ed days. least four top commanders and around 16 of the rebels and work The district is among the virtually shattering the backbone is underway to identify the rest. worst aff ected by the Maoist in- Congress has blood on its hands, of the rebels, a top police offi cial Overall, among those identifi ed, surgency. said yesterday. they carried a combined reward It has been virtually sealed off Maharashtra Additional of Rs10.06mn on their heads,” by the security forces, as they Director-General of Police D said Kanakratnam. stalked the rebels in the jungles, says Khurshid; party disagrees Kanakratnam said in the fi rst The operation - the biggest villages, hills and valleys to snuff gunbattle on Sunday, the elite in the anti-Maoist war since the them out from their deep hide- IANS but I will answer it. I am a part cluding those in Hashimpura building an egalitarian soci- CRPF C-60 force’s Battalion No past over 38 years - saw the elim- outs. New Delhi of the Congress, so let me ac- and Muzaff arnagar. He said that ety by carrying all sections of 9 commandos succeeded in am- ination of at least four prominent Other Maoist-aff ected states cept it that we have blood on our the opening of the Babri Mas- people together, including the bushing a force of around 40-50 commanders, and dealt a body in the neighbourhood like Mad- hands. This is the reason you are jid structure’s gates, placing of Scheduled Castes and Sched- Maoists and there was continu- blow to their rebellious activities hya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odi- enior Congress leader Sal- telling us that if someone at- Ram’s idol inside and the struc- uled Tribes, the poor as also re- ous fi ring for nearly three hours in the district. sha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh man Khurshid stepped tacks you, then we should not ture’s demolition took place ligious and ethnic minorities,” before a complete lull. “The killed include the south and Telangana have gone on Sinto a controversy by say- come forward to protect you,” when the Congress was in power he said. “Thereafter, the security forc- region chief Srikant alias Ravtu a state of high alert ever since ing that there was “blood on the Khurshid, a former federal min- at the Centre. “As these intrinsic founda- es mounted a search in the battle Vijendra, 50, known as Srinu, the state security forces here hands of the Congress”, a remark ister, told the questioner. “The Congress has Muslims’ tional values are under attack zone and found 16 bodies of slain besides the commanders of the launched their biggest and most later dubbed as “unfounded” by “We will show you the blood blood on its hands. With what today from the Narendra Modi Maoists, including seven women, Aheri, Gatta and Permili dalams crushing anti-Maoist operation his party. stains so that you understand words will you wash them off ,” government, all leaders must after the gunfi ght in the Kasnasur (Maoist fi ghter units), including in almost four decades. Khurshid’s remarks on Mon- that these stains are on us which the student asked. remember that such unfounded area of Bhamragad in the district. a woman chief, a deputy com- Landless peasants and tribal day came at an event in Aligarh should not come to you....” he Congress spokesman P L Pu- statements only help the cause Late on Monday, there was mander and prominent members people form the rank and fi le Muslim University while re- said, asking the student to learn nia told reporters that the party of those in power, who seek to another encounter in Rajaram of various groups,” Kanakratnam of the Naxalalites, a movement sponding to a question on the from history and not to get into a “disagrees with the state- divide society on caste and com- Khandla area of Jimalgatta in said. whose origins go back to the late loss of Muslim lives in com- situation that after 10 years, he ment of Salman Khur- munal lines to retain and attain the district, in which six Mao- Besides the bodies, police have 1960s. munal incidents and about the does not fi nd anyone in shid in toto”. power at any cost,” Punia added. ists were killed, including four also recovered a cache of so- The name is derived from a vil- Babri Masjid-Ram temple dis- the AMU to ask such “Everyone must Khurshid has stoked contro- women,” he told a packed media phisticate arms, including two lage in West Bengal state where pute in Ayodhya. question. know that both be- versies in the past also. During conference. AK-47s, two INSAS, three SLRs, the group was founded. The Congress slammed the The student, who fore and after inde- Uttar Pradesh assembly election Late on Monday and early yes- three.303s, one 58mm gun, eight At that time they used bow remarks as “unfounded” and posed the ques- pendence, the Con- in 2012, in which his wife was terday, as part of the search oper- 12 bore rifl es, a musket, pittus and arrows, but these days they said these can only help the tion, referred to gress is the only also in the fray, he had talked ations, the security forces came and detonators, besides litera- are armed with Kalashnikov au- Bharatiya Janata Party. communal con- party which has of 9% sub-quota for backward upon bodies of 15 Maoists fl oat- ture from these operations, said tomatic rifl es and weapons cap- “This is a political question fl agrations, in- worked towards Muslims. ing near the banks of the Indra- Additional DGP Bipin Bihari. tured from raids on police posts. Another dishonourable feather in Congress’ cap am not sure if there is any Mercifully, Vice-President and Parliament is made up of poli- to submit the motion to impeach ment of Justice Mishra. It is true English equivalent to this, but Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah ticians who, sooner or later, are was the ruling last week by the that though the petition was sub- Iin my mother tongue, Ma- Naidu, after consulting a host of bound to be at loggerheads. The Supreme Court bench headed mitted to Naidu the day after the layalam, there is a saying which, legal luminaries, put an end to Delhi Diary executive, or the bureaucracy, by Justice Mishra that there was Loya case verdict, the party had when translated, should read the charade without much ado is mostly faceless and can thus no need to inquire into the death been going around town threat- something like: “To kill the rat by stopping the Congress at the By A K B Krishnan implement decisions in any par- due to heart attack of CBI Special ening impeachment of the CJI for burn down the house”. And there gates. Regardless, the Congress ticular way or even ignore/delay Judge Brijmohan Loya in Decem- nearly two months. However, the is one more: “When you lose at Party has added one more dis- Gulf Times Correspondent them altogether if it so desired. ber of 2014. question that the party would not the market place take it out on honourable feather to its cap. The The media, like the politicians, At the time of his death Loya want to face is whether it would your mother”. Last week’s politi- party that promulgated Emer- is also divided and can take sides was hearing a case of alleged fake still have gone ahead with the cal developments reminded me of gency for the fi rst and only time States i.e. Rajya Sabha, by not main planks on which Rahul Gan- without serving the original pur- encounter by the Gujarat police in motion had Mishra’s court ruled these maxims. (1975-1977) has now become the less than fi fty members, then the dhi and his partymen had been pose for which it was established. which Sohrabuddin Sheikh, who in favour of an inquiry. Much of the impact will, of fi rst party - there are six others in Speaker or, as the case may be, the mounting this campaign was the Fake news and slanted reports are was facing charges of illegal pos- Senior lawyer and Congress course, be lost in translation but the group but they count for next Chairman may, after consulting perceived threat from Modi to more in currency than fact-based session of assault rifl es, was killed member of the Rajya Sabha Kapil the general drift is to say, in the to nothing - to offi cially charge such persons, if any, as he thinks long-established democratic in- accounts and analyses. in November of 2005 while trav- Sibal, who has been spearhead- fi rst instance, that disaster is sure the highest judicial offi cer in the fi t and after considering such ma- stitutions in the country. That leaves only the judici- elling on a bus. Amit Shah, who ing the impeachment attempt, to follow those who act without country with ‘misbehaviour’ and terials, if any, as may be available (During the course of the town- ary which can bring coherence was then a minister under Modi’s has said the party will challenge gauging the consequences of their seek his impeachment. If the stig- to him, either admit the motion or hall at Westminster in London and compatibility to a constitu- chief ministership of Gujarat Naidu’s ruling in the Supreme actions and, in the second, it is ma of Emergency is still haunting refuse to admit the same.” last week, Modi acknowledged tional democracy like India. If and is currently president of the Court. The appeal will be in the senseless to attack the defence- the party, here’s one more that Eminent jurist Fali Nariman the criticisms he had been facing you reduce the judiciary into an- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was form of another public inter- less instead of showing courage to will give it sleepless nights for a described the Congress move to in the past four years saying he other of your scheming, gossip- one of the accused. est litigation (PIL) which, as per face the strong. long time to come. impeach the CJI as “horrible” and had learned so much from them ridden, prejudiced social clubs, While medical reports and court roster, will be heard by the The Congress Party, with Rahul The Congress has questioned congratulated Naidu for his quick and that he was comfortable as you are providing a sure recipe brother judges who were with bench headed by the CJI. The CJI, Gandhi as its president, is turning Naidu’s dismissal of its petition decision. “The vice-president long as they were criticisms and for democracy’s disaster. Rahul Loya at the time of his death of course, has the authority to as- out to be one that is ready to burn saying he had gone above and has the statutory authority and not baseless allegations. He ridi- Gandhi’s party was attempting certifi ed the death as natural, sign it to a larger bench even as the house, or India as a whole, in beyond his vested powers. The he has rightly rejected the no- culed the opposition when he told to do exactly that by moving to rumours began spreading that he recuses himself. However, it is its attempt to kill the rat or is at- party says the Chairman is only tice,” said Nariman. His colleague interviewer Prasoon Joshi that he impeach the Chief Justice of In- he was poisoned and murdered almost unthinkable that a bench tacking the mother for losing a conduit and, therefore, is duty- Soli Sorabjee, former Solicitor- got his daily ‘fi x’ of energy from dia. because he was about to con- of the Supreme Court will rule to a battle elsewhere. The rat and bound to constitute a committee General known for his impartial such inane allegations.) Because it has found fi ghting vict Shah. A group of lawyers pave way for impeachment of its the mother, in the present case, of jurors which will go into the comments, also criticised the Although the four pillars of Modi politically a near-impos- had gone to court seeking an in- own chief. are represented by the judiciary merits of the motion and recom- Congress decision to drag the of- democracy are supposed to be sible task, at least for the fore- quiry into Loya’s death and the Congress Party is staring at in general and the Chief Justice mend or reject further action. fi ce of the CJI into the political built on the same footing and, seeable future, the Congress Congress Party, seeing another near-certain defeat but is plan- of India in particular. The mar- However, the 1968 Judges (In- mudslinging. therefore, equally important in Party decided to malign him by chance to pull down Modi and ning to press ahead. So, here’s ket place adversary, of course, is quiry) Act is clear on what the Ever since Modi became prime the overall concept, the judici- attacking CJI Dipak Mishra who, Shah, had merrily joined the another proverb, this time in San- Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding offi cer of the house minister in May 2014, the Con- ary must be considered the most it charges, has surrendered the bandwagon. skrit, to end this column: “Vinaa- who is proving to be too strong - Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha gress has been tirelessly cam- vital because it should act as the independence of the judiciary to The Congress says the Loya sha kaale vipareetha buddhi”. In for Gandhi or anyone else in the - can do. It says: “In the case of paigning to run him down at fi nal frontier beyond which there the prime minister. The immedi- case verdict had nothing to do bad times you will only have de- present scenario. a notice given in the Council of every opportunity. One of the is anarchy. ate provocation for the Congress with its decision to seek impeach- structive thoughts. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 17 INDIA UK Labour vows to hold Golden Temple raid inquiry

Guardian News and Media be in the party’s next manifesto. The fi nding was met with “dis- ior civil servant, apologised after onstrates a remarkable level of volvement in the 1984 raid. The botched operation, in London Sikh groups have repeatedly appointment” by British Sikh describing the Golden Temple, ignorance from someone in his The temple had been occupied which 136 soldiers also died, called for a fresh inquiry into an groups, and the Sikh Federation one of the most revered in the Sikh position.” by militants under the command led to the assassination of then apparent decision by Margaret said Sir Jeremy Heywood’s review religion, as a mosque on Twitter. He added: “In our view, a pub- of a seminary student turned ex- prime minister Indira Gandhi n independent inquiry Thatcher’s government to send had been “limited in scope”. After realising the error, the lic apology and admitting the tremist, Jarnail Singh Bhindran- by her Sikh bodyguards, which into Britain’s military role an SAS offi cer to Delhi to advise Corbyn, speaking at a Sikh permanent secretary said: “I mistake is not enough. What we wale, who called for an inde- in turn provoked massacres Ain the Indian army’s 1984 the Indians on the operation. Federation event in Watford, was wrong: I am sorry. I should need is a commitment from the pendent homeland for the Sikh of Sikhs. About 3,000 were raid on the Golden Temple in David Cameron ordered his said: “You can be very sure that, of course have said the Golden UK government and senior civil minority. stabbed, burned or beaten to Amritsar will be launched under most senior civil servant to in- whenever the election comes, it Temple or, better, Sri Harmandir servants to root out such igno- Many hundreds, possibly death by mobs in Delhi alone. a Labour government, Jeremy vestigate alleged British involve- will be in the next manifesto ... Sahib.” rance and discrimination or we thousands, were killed in the as- Gandhi’s Operation Blue Corbyn has said. ment in 2014. He found that the it’s a commitment that’s going to However, Bhai Amrik Singh, will continue to face hate, abuse sault. They included Bhindran- Star horrified moderate Sikhs The Labour leader promised advice was ignored by the Indian be there and we will honour that the chairman of the Sikh Fed- and threats of violence.” wale himself as well as Sikh and and in its aftermath, Punjab that an investigation into the army, which launched a full- commitment.” eration, said: “This was a major The error is particularly sen- Hindu pilgrims caught in the was plunged into a violent in- attack, which is said to have left scale ground assault, causing a It came as Sir Simon McDon- gaff e by a top civil servant and sitive given the suspicions that crossfi re. The temple was badly surgency that lasted almost a thousands of people dead, would heavy loss of life. ald, the Foreign Offi ce’s most sen- totally unacceptable. It dem- exist around the extent of UK in- damaged. decade. Tighter law ‘unlikely to deter’ child traffi ckers

Reuters rape videos on social media, New Delhi said the Internet has driven up demand for child sex videos while allowing traffi ckers to eople selling children hide their identities. into India’s sex trade are “Sexual assault of children Punlikely to be deterred and babies is now being re- by a new order approving the corded and uploaded on porn death penalty for child rape, websites or circulated on so- because laws are rarely applied cial media,” said Krishnan, in traffi cking cases, said a lead- who is a co-founder of the ing campaigner. anti-trafficking charity Pra- India’s Protection of Chil- jwala. dren from Sexual Off ences Krishnan, a gang-rape sur- (POCSO) Act - which allows vivor whose Hyderabad-based lifetime prison sentences for charity has rescued and re- people who sexually assault habilitated scores of traffi ck- children - is being amended ing victims over the last two to introduce the death penalty decades, said authorities are for the rape of children below becoming more aware of the Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah files nomination papers for assembly election in Mysuru yesterday. age 12. crime - but that has not trans- But authorities have con- lated into action. sistently failed to use the “There is a big gap between law to prosecute child sex the rate with which this prob- trafficking, said Sunitha lem is expanding and our re- Krishnan, who was named sponse to it,” she told the yesterday as a finalist for the Thomson Reuters Founda- prestigious Aurora Humani- tion. tarian Prize. While authorities do use ex- BJP will need alliance “The death penalty can be a isting laws to prosecute pimps, deterrent only if POCSO is ap- brothel managers and traffi ck- plied in traffi cking cases, and ers, customers who assault if there is speedy trial and jus- children traffi cked into sexual tice,” said Krishnan. slavery are rarely arrested, “But POCSO is applied in Krishnan said. very few traffi cking cases.” “By the time we get our act to rule Karnataka: poll India’s cabinet approved the together and do something, so amendment on April 21 after many lives will be sacrifi ced,” Agencies Congress tally, according to the some Congress leaders in the Sreeramulu from Molakramuru the BJP because it needs to out- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Krishnan, who is also a re- Bengaluru opinion poll by television station state have suggested. from Chitradurga district. perform in the south and the east held an emergency meeting in cipient of one of India’s high- Times Now and VotersMood Re- A record number of 2,407 can- P Ravikumar Ganiga of the of the country to make up for ex- response to nationwide out- est civilian awards, the Padma search aired late on Monday. didates have fi led nominations for Congress fi led nomination from pected losses in the north,” said rage in the wake of a series of Shri. ains by the Bharatiya Ja- The Janata Dal (Secular), together the elections, with a whopping Mandya after the party’s sitting Amitabh Dubey, a political analyst child rape cases. Her fellow Aurora fi nalists nata Party in Karnataka with smaller ally the Bahujan Samaj 1,280 of them doing yesterday, the legislator and rebel star Am- with consultancy TS Lombard. However, an increase in are Kyaw Hla Aung, a lawyer Gelection next month will Party (BSP), is likely to win 40 seats last date to enter the fray. bareesh declined to contest. “In the general election they the sex trafficking of chil- and leader of Myanmar’s be- fall short of a majority, an opin- and emerge as the kingmaker in an According to the Election The BJP is fi elding T Basa- are unlikely to repeat the same dren and infants has failed leaguered Rohingya communi- ion poll showed, potentially assembly that needs 113 seats for a Commission’s website, of the varaju from Varuna constituency result as the last time in states to spark a similar national ty, and Héctor Tomás González forcing it to seek an alliance to majority, the poll showed. total nominees, 244 are from the in Mysuru after the party’s chief such as Rajasthan and Gujarat.” outcry, according to cam- Castillo, a Franciscan friar in end the rule of the Congress Another opinion poll con- ruling Congress, 258 from the ministerial candidate B SYeddy- Karnataka is the only south paigners. Mexico who provides shel- Party in its last big state. ducted for the India Today news BJP, 208 from the Janata Dal- urappa said on Monday that his Indian state that the BJP has Reports of human traffi ck- ter for migrants headed to the A win in Karnataka, the fi rst of channel this month also pre- Secular, 1,084 are Independents second son Vijayendra would not ruled for a full fi ve-year term on ing rose by almost 20% in 2016 United States. three key states to vote this year dicted that both the Congress and 613 from regional parties contest from the seat. its own, following a surprise vic- against the previous year to The annual Aurora Prize ahead of a 2019 general elec- and BJP, on their own, would fall and fringe outfi ts. Siddaramaiah has fi elded his eld- tory in 2008. more than 8,000. for Awakening Humanity was tion, would give Prime Minister short of a majority. Among those who fi led nomi- est son Yatheendra this time as the Elsewhere, however, the BJP More than 60% of nearly founded by Armenia-based Narendra Modi’s party a foot- The Janata Dal is confi dent nations yesterday are Chief Min- Congress candidate from Varuna. has been riding high on Modi’s 24,000 victims rescued were 100 LIVES, a global initia- hold in the south and bolster his of forming its own government ister Siddaramaiah and BJP’s Lok Top BJP and Congress lead- popularity, despite concerns children, according to govern- tive that commemorates a chances of a second term. with the BSP and would not Sabha member B Sreeramulu from ers have campaigned extensively about a lack of jobs. ment data. 1915 massacre in which up to The BJP could more than dou- support the BJP or Congress, its Badami in Bagalkot district. ahead of the election in Karnataka. The party or its partners now Krishnan, who petitioned 1.5mn Christian Armenians ble its tally to 89 seats in the 224- spokesman Ramesh Babu said. Siddaramaiah also fi led nomi- Election results will be de- rule 21 of India’s 29 states, up the Supreme Court to take ac- were killed by Ottoman Mus- seat assembly in May’s state elec- He denied that the party had nation on April 20 from Cha- clared on May 15. from just seven when Modi took tion against the circulation of lims. tion, but fall two seats short of the a “secret pact” with the BJP, as mundeshwari in Mysuru and “Karnataka is signifi cant for offi ce in 2014.

Doctor mistakes patients, Blind elephants used performs wrong surgery at popular fort: Peta AFP Jaipur, every year and many opt AFP tient was under anaesthesia and Reports of medical negli- New Delhi to enter its imposing gates on the New Delhi could not correct the mistake. gence, often resulting in fatali- back of an elephant. The doctor, whose name has ties, are widespread in India. But the government’s animal not been disclosed, was removed Last week two doctors were ar- ozens of elephants used welfare board, which sanctioned surgeon has been sus- from his post at the centre for rested for negligence after being for tourist rides at one of the study with Peta, said the pended from his post negligence and placed in a sepa- accused of failing to diagnose a DIndia’s most recognised captive elephants were unfi t for Aat a New Delhi hospital rate facility under the close su- 51-year-old physiotherapist ad- forts are blind or suff ering other safaris and such joy rides en- for performing an unnecessary pervision of a senior doctor. mitted with high blood pressure. ailments, a report said yesterday, dangered both the elephants and operation on a patient’s leg af- “The surgeon realised the She went into cardiac arrest calling for the practice to end. tourists alike. ter confusing him with another mistake and removed the pin and died. Nineteen elephants used to “Shocking reports of blind and man, an offi cial said yesterday. in corrective surgery. He also A week before that incident, a ferry visitors to Rajasthan’s fa- TB-infected elephants forced to The surgeon last week drilled a apologised for the error but we 30-year-old woman was incor- mous Amer Fort were blind or haul illegal, backbreaking loads hole in the right leg of 50-year- took strong exception and acted rectly put on dialysis at India’s vision impaired while nine oth- day in and day out are exactly old Vijendra Tyagi to insert a pin against him,” Bahl said. top-ranked All Indian Institute of ers had tuberculosis, found a re- why these rides must stop,” Peta before realising he had operated Tyagi was discharged from Medical Sciences after complain- port commissioned by the gov- India’s Nikunj Sharma said in a on the wrong patient. hospital at the weekend but ing of minor abdominal pain. ernment’s Animal Welfare Board statement. Tyagi had been admitted to would need a week to completely The doctor tried to tamper of India. The report said elephant han- the state-run Sushruta Trauma recover from the unnecessary leg with documents to cover up the Almost all the 102 elephants dlers often overloaded the ele- Centre in the Indian capital surgery, doctors said. blunder. examined by government of- phants beyond limits considered with head injuries after a car “My father still has headache In December a Delhi hospi- fi cials and the People for Ethi- safe. accident. and pain in the chest where there tal incorrectly declared a pair of cal Treatment of Animals (Peta) The tusks were missing on But he was mistaken for an- is injury. But, due to the needless premature twins dead despite displayed some psychological 47 beasts, raising suspicion the other man who had a broken leg, procedure, he is now unable to one being alive, causing outrage distress or health troubles like ivory was sold on illegal markets, and underwent surgery to repair walk,” said his son Ankit. and forcing the government to Tourists get off an elephant after riding them into the Amber Fort bruised footpads. it said. a fracture he had not sustained. The family has, however, de- shut the institution. on the outskirts of Jaipur. Dozens of elephants used for tourist Tens of thousands of tour- The elephants are owned pri- Hospital medical superin- cided not to seek legal recourse The infant died at another rides at the fort are blind or suff ering other ailments, Peta said, ists visit the Amer Fort, a medi- vately but registered with the tendent Ajay Bahl said the pa- against the doctor. hospital a few days later. calling for the practice to end. eval complex on a hilltop outside government. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 LATIN AMERICA

COMMENT INVESTIGATION CRIME APOLOGY OFFBEAT Drugs are main threat to Mexican journalist’s Students were killed, Minister sorry for calling Makeup courses for blind peace, Santos tells UN alleged killer arrested dissolved in acid: off icials Netherlands ‘narco state’ women ‘boost self-image’

Delivering a swansong address to the United The alleged perpetrator behind the murder of Three missing Mexican students were killed last Argentina’s security minister, Patricia Bullrich, No mirrors needed by these women when they Nations, Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos Mexican journalist Javier Valdez — a long-time AFP month in the western state of Jalisco and their has apologised after calling the Netherlands a apply eye-liner, mascara and blush brushes. They yesterday called for a shift in the global approach collaborator killed in May 2017 — is in police custody, bodies dissolved in acid after criminals confused “narco state” over its policy of decriminalising can’t see their faces. Blind women are being taught to drug traff icking, which he described as the main Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete said. “A few them with members of a rival gang, authorities drug use. “Minister Bullrich has made a formal makeup techniques and even how to put on false threat to peace. Santos, who won the Nobel Peace moments ago, (police and prosecutors) detained revealed. The three film students were last apology for the comments, which have been eyelashes in courses given by a Sao Paulo beauty Prize for negotiating an end to the decades-old the alleged perpetrator of the murder of journalist seen in the municipality of Tonala after their accepted by the (Dutch) Ambassador (Martin salon, and it works wonders for their self-esteem. conflict with Farc rebels, spoke at a UN meeting on Javier Valdez, whose life was unfortunately taken car broke down and they were later kidnapped de la Beij),” the embassy said. It added that the “People say why do you put on makeup if you can’t sustaining peace ahead of elections on May 27 to last year in #Sinaloa,” tweeted Navarrete. Interior by at least six people, who tortured and killed two countries enjoyed a good relationship and see it. But I am happy that I can do it confidently choose his successor. “Drug traff icking continues ministry spokesmen said they had no further them, according to Jalisco state prosecutors. said the apology ended the affair. Bullrich had now,” said Ana Paula de Camargo, a housewife, as to be the main threat to peace,” said Santos, who details. Valdez, an award-winning journalist who “Subsequently their bodies were dissolved in made the offending comments in a television she asked the instructor to photograph her. The is due to step down in August. “If we want to covered Mexico’s powerful drug cartels, was acid so that no trace of them remained,” the interview, in which she was defending free courses held at the Laramara association for protect peace in Colombia, in the region and in the gunned down in broad daylight outside the state prosecutors off ice said. State prosecutor her opposition to the decriminalisation of blind people are off ered by the Jacques Janine world, we need to change the global strategy to off ices of Riodoce, the newspaper he co-founded in Raul Sanchez said that two people had been cannabis, currently the topic of hot debate in salon to help women overcome the challenges of overcome the drug problem.” Culiacan, the capital of his native Sinaloa state. arrested so far in the investigation. Argentina. doing their own makeup. Argentina gets 32 road project bids

Reuters Under such programmes, Buenos Aires private companies fi nance the project and enter into a long- term contract with the state to rgentina yesterday said it recoup their investment. Critics received 32 bids for six road of PPPs say governments do not Aprojects requiring around always get a good deal. $8bn in investment, in a big test of In Latin America, several in- how public-private partnerships frastructure projects have be- (PPPs) can help cash-starved Lat- come ensnared in corruption in American governments beef up scandals, largely involving Bra- infrastructure. zilian builder Odebrecht. Last The bids came from 10 con- year, Colombia’s government sortia representing seven foreign terminated an $861mn PPP river and 19 Argentine companies, dredging contract that was led including a unit of engineering by Odebrecht. fi rm Techint Group together with The road contracts in Argen- Spain’s Acciona Concesiones. tina will be awarded by June 1, an A unit of Portugal’s Mota offi cial said at yesterday’s event. Engil also bid together with two Despite booming fi nancial Argentine construction fi rms. markets and international praise Builders from the US, Colombia for Macri’s agenda, Argentina Demonstrators protest against police violence and the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega in Managua, Nicaragua. and Italy also presented off ers. has struggled to attract the levels Since taking offi ce in Decem- of long-term, brick-and-mortar ber 2015, President Mauricio investment needed for growth. Macri has focused on upgrading Investors fear a potential re- the South American country’s turn to populism in future elec- infrastructure after decades of tions, and double-digit infl ation under-investment. makes fi nancing diffi cult. The But growing public works government has tried to address these concerns through the PPP Nicaragua on knife-edge spending has complicated an- other priority: cutting the budg- structure. It will issue compa- et defi cit to 3.2% of gross do- nies quarterly certifi cates enti- mestic product this year. tling them to US dollar payments “PPP projects are done with based on construction progress, better quality, in less time and at which companies can use as col- lateral to raise funds. as protest deaths rise to 27 a lower cost, because the compa- nies have incentives to innovate,” “Long-term fi nancing had Transportation Minister Guill- been seen as one of the main AFP out, prompting shop owners mand an end to the repression tensions. Murillo on Monday to fatal injuries sustained in ermo Dietrich told reporters at an challenges,” said Candela Mac- Managua to guard their premises with against protesters. promised to have arrested pro- Sunday protests. Street protests event announcing the bids. For chi, infrastructure ratings direc- weapons. The peaceful demonstration testers freed. are extremely rare in Nicara- Argentina, the road auctions mark tor at Standard & Poor’s in Bue- Sparked by pension reforms was called by business leaders But so far they have refused gua, where the army maintains the fi rst wave of a total of $26.5bn nos Aires. icaragua was sliding unveiled last Wednesday, the who have withdrawn their sup- to bow to demands to rein in the a very tight grip on public order. in PPP investment planned But, she added, the Argentine into unchartered terri- protests have since grown and port of Ortega because of the police. “We are not going to go into through 2022, including a total of structure resembled successful Ntory yesterday with pro- taken root across the country to violence used by his security Late Monday, offi cers raided any dialogue as long as those $12bn in road projects through the PPP projects elsewhere in Latin tests against longtime President include long-simmering griev- forces. the Polytechnic University of arrested have not been freed, current and future bid rounds. America, such as the ongoing Daniel Ortega swelling to out- ances over political stagnation, “Out! Out!” yelled some of Nicaragua — the nexus of the as long as the repression does Dietrich said those investments construction of Lima’s metro pace a robust police crackdown economic frustration, and Or- the marchers, echoing the stu- student protests — for the sec- not end, and as long as the con- would generate $4bn in govern- system. “It could be a good op- in which at least 27 people have tega and Murillo’s distant and dents’ demand that Ortega and ond night running, AFP pho- ditions aren’t there for talks,” ment revenue through taxes. tion to obtain fi nancing.” been killed. authoritarian style. Murillo step down. tographers witnessed. Michael Healy, the head of the More than 17 countries in Earlier this month, the gov- Nearly a week of unrest has While students have led the Similar marches took place in The Nicaraguan Center national farmers’ union, said. Latin America have PPP pro- ernment issued a decree ex- violently exposed public re- street protests that have de- the northern cities of Esteli and for Human Rights has given “The protests are no longer grammes, and they account for empting PPP operators from sentment of the 72-year-old generated into stone-throw- Matagalpa. a death toll of 26 since last just about the INSS (social roughly 40% of infrastructure value-added tax. The operators leftist leader and his wife Ro- ing clashes with police fi ring Ortega has been taken aback Wednesday. One of the fatali- security offi ce), it is against investment commitments, ac- will also be able to collect tolls. sario Murillo, who is the vice weapons, other groups have by the worst anti-government ties was a Nicaraguan journal- a government that denies us cording to the World Bank. The six projects of the fi rst stage president. made their opposition to Or- protests he has faced since be- ist shot in the head over the freedom of expression, free- For example, Colombia has include more than 2,500km Relatives of US embassy staff tega felt. ing returned as president 11 weekend while covering the dom of the press and to dem- attracted $18bn investment in of roads, with $6bn in upfront have been ordered out of the That was in evidence late years ago after a prolonged pe- chaos in a city on the country’s onstrate peacefully,” 26-year- 32 toll road projects, and in Chile investment and $2bn in later country by the state depart- Monday, when tens of thou- riod in opposition. Caribbean coast. old political science student PPPs in renewable energy have maintenance. Each consortium ment in a sign of international sands of workers, pensioners On Sunday he cancelled the Murillo added another death Cliff ord Ramirez said. It was led to more than $9bn in com- can be awarded no more than alarm at the turn of events. and ordinary residents marched pension reform, and has off ered to the count on Monday. She unclear where the wave of un- mitments since 2012. two of the projects. Looting has also broken in the capital Managua to de- to hold talks to calm the street said a police offi cer succumbed rest could go. Venezuela vote rivals Malaria on the rise in crisis-hit Venezuela launch campaigns Reuters year of recession that President Geneva Nicolas Maduro’s government blames on Western hostility and Reuters months for alleged corruption. Bolivar, where he gave vehicles falling oil prices. Caracas Tensions between PDVSA, to local authorities. alaria is spreading rap- Venezuelan offi cials reported which provides Venezuela with Maduro, the successor to idly in crisis-hit Ven- 240,613 malaria cases in 2016, some 95% of export revenue, Hugo Chavez, has roughly 20% Mezuela, with more than many in the gold-mining state of enezuela’s President and foreign oil companies has core support and is expected to an estimated 406,000 cases in Bolivar bordering Guyana, with Nicolas Maduro kicked risen as military offi cers who win given the state’s formidable 2017, up roughly 69% from a an estimated 280 deaths, ac- Voff his presidential cam- have little or no oil industry ex- election apparatus, a political year before, the largest increase cording to the WHO. paign giving away trash trucks perience are given senior roles. ban on the opposition’s two top worldwide, the World Health The 2017 estimate has leapt and tractors while challenger Falcon and Wall Street heavy- leaders, a compliant election Organisation (WHO) said. to 406,000 cases — fi ve times Henri Falcon laid out plans to weight Francisco Rodriguez, his board, and the poor’s depend- Venezuelan migrants fl eeing higher than in 2013. “What we de-politicise state oil company chief economic adviser, laid out ence on welfare policies includ- the economic and social crisis are now seeing is a massive in- PDVSA and dollarise an ailing plans to reform PDVSA, separat- ing food handouts. are carrying the mosquito-borne crease, probably reaching close economy. ing it from the oil ministry, ask- Millions earn the equivalent of disease into Brazil and other to half a million cases per year. Turnout at the May 20 elec- ing the Organisation of the Pe- barely $2 a month, suff er short- parts of Latin America, the UN These are the largest increases tion is expected to be low given troleum Exporting Countries to ages of basic food and medicine, agency said, urging authori- reported anywhere in the world,” Venezuelans’ depression over raise quotas and strengthening and face soaring annual infl ation. ties to provide free screening and Alonso said. an unprecedented economic the role of foreign partners. Falcon described the crisis as treatment regardless of their legal A lack of resources and inef- meltdown and a boycott by the Underlining the diffi culty of the worst in Latin American his- status to avoid further spread. fective anti-malaria campaigns mainstream opposition which Falcon’s task, other opposition tory, as he was fl anked by Rod- “In the Americas, it’s not just were to blame, he said. views the poll as a farce intended activists were organising rallies riguez. The pair plan to dollarise Venezuela. We’re actually re- WHO and the Pan-American to legitimise autocracy. this week to promote abstention Venezuela’s economy, replacing porting increases in a number Health Organisation (PAHO) Though some polls have put at next month’s vote. the bolivar, which has weak- of other countries. Venezuela, are working with Venezuelan him level or even ahead of Ma- Unlike past campaigns, rallies ened over 99% against the dollar yes this is a signifi cant concern, authorities to address the situ- duro, abstention would hit the on both sides have so far been since Maduro came to power. malaria is increasing and it’s in- ation, he added. “We are seeing 56-year-old former soldier and poorly attended. Some independent econo- creasing in a very worrying way,” indeed because of population governor Falcon harder than the “There are many diffi culties, mists, however, see that as un- Pedro Alonso, director of WHO’s movement, cases among Ven- socialist incumbent. yes, but who is going to over- feasible. global malaria programme, told a ezuelan migrants appearing in More than 80 executives at come them? The oligarchy, Don- “Hunger is Venezuelans’ big- news briefi ng. other countries — Brazil certain- PDVSA, or Petroleos de Ven- ald Trump, or us?” said Maduro, gest day-to-day problem,” Fal- Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores Venezuela is slipping into hy- ly. But also in Colombia, in Ec- ezuela, S.A., and its suppli- 55, speaking in the city of San con said, lambasting Maduro for greet supporters during a campaign rally in Ciudad Guayana, perinfl ation with shortages of uador and in a number of other ers have been jailed in recent Felix, in the southern state of incompetence. Venezuela. food and medicines during a fi fth places,” Alonso said. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 19 PAKISTAN Two ex-PMs enjoy permanent exemption from court appearance

Internews soom Nawaz, had fi led an appeal former prime minister Ashraf Accepting his grounds, Judge security concerns and being a by the Supreme Court in its land- fi eld properties reference. Islamabad for exemption from personal ap- is facing eight references in ac- Bashir granted Ashraf permanent former prime minister. mark decision. While departing for London, pearance but the accountability countability courts in Rental exemption on fi rst hearing and The court granted him perma- The Supreme Court had also Maryam Nawaz had promised to court No 1 in Islamabad rejected Power Plant (RPP) corruption allowed him to contest the case nent exemption. appointed Justice Ijazul Ahsan return for accountability court hile an accountabil- his request, only granting him cases worth billions of rupees. through his counsel Amjad Iqbal. He is now contesting the case as monitoring judge to supervise hearings if she is not granted an ity court has refused exemption for one-day (Friday, On his fi rst appearance before Similarly, former PPP prime through his lawyer Farooq H NAB proceedings in corruption exemption by the court. Wthe request of former April 20). Judge Muhammad Bashir of Ac- minister Gilani is facing corrup- Naek. references against Sharif and the Earlier, the NAB had asked prime minister Nawaz Sharif for On the contrary, the account- countability Court 1, Ashraf ap- tion trial in accountability court However Sharif, who is also a members of his family. the interior ministry to put on a week’s exemption from person- ability courts had been more le- plied for exemption from person- No 2 in connection with National three-time former prime minis- Nawaz Sharif, his daughter the Exit Control List (ECL) the al appearance, the same court has nient towards two other former al appearance on two grounds. Accountability Bureau (NAB) ter, could not get similar treat- Maryam Nawaz, and sons Hus- names of Sharif, his children – granted permanent exemption to prime ministers – Yusuf Raza Firstly, he said that he deserved reference on the illegal appoint- ment. sain and Hassan, are the prime Maryam, Hassan and Hussain two other former prime minis- Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf – such exemption, being a former ment of Tauqir Sadiq, former Defending the court decision, accused in a case concerning – and his son-in-law, Capt (R) ters who are facing corruption who were granted permanent ex- prime minister of the country. chairman of Oil and Gas Regula- a NAB offi cial said that the Sharif their alleged acquisition of prop- Muhammad Safdar. charges. emption from appearing in graft Secondly, he citied security tory Authority (Ogra). case could not be equated with erties in London through unfair However, so far the minis- Nawaz Sharif, who was in Lon- case hearings. concerns related to his appear- Gilani also applied for exemp- the PPP former prime ministers means. try has not placed any of these don to visit his ailing wife Kul- Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s ance in court. tion on fi rst hearing, also citing as Panama case has been referred The case is known as the Aven- names on the ECL.

200 SOEs collectively running into losses Six police offi cers die Internews losses faced by the SOEs, he Islamabad explained that as the power sector was not allowed to pass on the increase in tariff , it faced mid lingering concerns loses. expressed by the Su- The ministry has established Apreme Court of Pakistan the economic reform unit over increasing losses faced (ERU) to overhaul the SOEs in in Quetta bombings by the state-owned giants like consultation with the relevant the PIA (Pakistan International ministries. Reuters/AFP Al Qaeda and the Islamic State Airlines) and others, there is State-owned participation Quetta (IS) have been operating in the more bad news: 200 state- in the market has evolved over province, which borders Iran as owned entities (SOEs) have the years, with only 12 compa- well as Afghanistan. turned from net profi ts into nies at the time of independ- hree suicide bombers at- It also has an indigenous eth- net losses in totality, posing a ence to 257 companies in the tacked Pakistani police nic Baloch insurgency fi ghting threat to Pakistan’s national late 1980s. Tand paramilitary soldiers the central government. exchequer in the months and However, in the past two in the southwestern city of Quet- IS has created a branch in Pa- years ahead. decades, divestment and de- ta yesterday, killing six police and kistan and Afghanistan, mostly The fi nance ministry has regulation has promoted wounding 15 members of the se- by recruiting among break away prepared a performance report private sector participation curity forces, offi cials said. factions of other established mil- of SOEs on the basis of fi nan- through a reduction in state- One bomber on a bike deto- itant groups. cial accounts for fi scal year owned entities at the federal nated his explosives near a po- Its followers have claimed 2015-16 but, so far, it was not government level, which now lice truck, provincial police chief some of Pakistan’s most deadly offi cially released. stands at 183. Moazzam Jah Ansari said. recent attacks. Certain parts of the report of The SOEs in Pakistan are Seven police offi cers were Six members of Pakistan’s tiny SOEs, seen by this correspond- engaged in the provision of es- wounded in that attack. Christian minority community, ent, confi rmed that overall sential infrastructure and re- “It is a suicide attack, and we four of them from the same fam- SOEs profi ts on annual basis lated services, such as electric- have a confi rmation that six of ily, and two people from the Shia had turned into losses in the ity distribution and generation our police offi cials are dead,” An- Security off icials cordon off the site of one of the bombing attacks in Quetta yesterday. minority were gunned down in fi scal year 2015-16. companies, gas and pipeline sari told Reuters. Quetta this month. When one top offi cial of the infrastructure, transport, pro- He said the bombing of the po- city’s outskirts, but troops de- issue an offi cial statement. fi rst attacker exchanged fi re with In December two bombers fi nance ministry was contacted motional and advocacy or- lice truck was so powerful that ployed there engaged them, a “The fi rst suicide bomber blew the security forces and later blew stormed a church in southwest- for comment last week, he said ganisations and commercial the vehicle overturned. paramilitary offi cer said. himself up outside a paramilitary himself up.” ern Pakistan, killing at least 10 that they were busy fi nalising and non-commercial fi nancial It was not clear whether the He said that the troops had frontier corps checkpost in the No one immediately claimed people and wounding up to 56. the next budget 2018-19, so institutions. bomber was himself wearing an opened fi re at the attackers, outskirts of Quetta city after he responsibility for the attacks. Baluchistan is the largest of this report would be released In addition to being signifi - explosive vest or if the motorcy- who detonated their explosives, was spotted by the guards,” Ghu- Quetta is the capital city of the Pakistan’s four provinces but its after fi nalisation and approval cant providers of infrastruc- cle was fi lled with explosives. wounding eight soldiers. lam Ali Baloch, home secretary southwestern province of Balu- roughly 7mn people have long of the budget. ture, the SOE sector is also a Half an hour earlier, two sui- Both the suicide bombers died, of Baluchistan told AFP. “Just chistan, which has been plagued argued that they do not get a fair When asked to throw light key employer: 402,543 people cide bombers tried to attack a he said on condition of anonym- in the next moments, another by violence. share of its vast gas and mineral on the reasons behind the net work in this sector. paramilitary checkpoint on the ity because the army was due to bomber who was covering the Militants linked to the Taliban, wealth.

Police suspect foul play in death of Pakistani Italian 700 women selected The death of an Italian woman of Pakistani origin while on a for subsidised bikes visit to her home country is being investigated as a possible murder. Internews The selected candidates are The 26-year-old died on April 18 Lahore currently being informed of in the eastern district of Gujrat in the good news by representa- the central province of Punjab. tives from the BoP and the The family buried her the same he Punjab Chief Minis- SRU. day, local police chief Waqar ter’s Strategic Reforms The customised motorbikes Ahmad told DPA yesterday. TUnit (SRU), in collabo- being off ered to the success- Police registered a murder case ration with the Transport De- ful applicants are modifi ed on Monday after reports in Italian partment and the Bank of Pun- versions of the Honda CD-70 media that the woman had been jab (BoP), has announced the Dream. murdered by the family for trying list of selected applicants who Along with the bike, a cus- to marrying a man of her choice, are eligible to become a part of tomised canvas bag and a pink making it a possible case of the fi rst phase of the historic helmet will also be provided. “honour killing”. Women on Wheels Subsidised The launch of the Women- A local court was expected to A traditional water seller or mashki delivers A man beats clothes on a stone at a traditional Motorbikes Scheme. on-Wheels Subsidised Mo- issue orders to exhume the body water with a traditional goat-skin bag, or Dhobi Ghat, or open-air laundry facility, in For the fi rst phase of the torbikes Scheme marks the for autopsy to determine the mashk, to shops in Karachi. Simple life Karachi. campaign, the motorbikes second phase of the Women- cause of death, police off icial will be delivered to candidates on-Wheels campaign which Asad Gujjar said. Below: A girl rides a carousel along a roadside next month (before Ramadan), started off by providing mo- Police questioned the father, in Rawalpindi. when they will participate in a torbike training to women. an uncle and a brother of mega rally event. The Chief Minister’s Stra- the woman, and they told These candidates have been tegic Reforms Unit introduced interrogators that she died of a selected through a balloting the WoW initiative in collabo- heart attack, Ahmad said. process in which fi ve district ration with the respective City Police quoted her father as verifi cation committees veri- Traffi c Police and district gov- saying that the woman had a fi ed the documentation pro- ernments in November 2015 to chronic heart condition due to vided. empower women through free excessive drinking while in Italy. In the fi rst phase of the cam- motorcycle trainings. No one had been arrested so far. paign, 700 motorbikes will The campaign has been The family left Pakistan years ago be given out to the successful launched in Lahore, Multan, to settle in Kuwait from where candidates. Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and they moved to Italy and became In the second phase, 1,000 Sargodha where it has trained Italian citizens, Gujjar said. motorbikes will be handed more than 3,500 women. There are no off icial figures on over, while the remaining 1,326 The successful “WoW” ap- honour killing as they often go will be provided in the last plicants will now complete unreported. According to Human phase. all required formalities prior Rights Commission of Pakistan SRU director general Salman to acquiring the customised (HRCP), at least 376 such cases A woman harvests wheat at a field on the outskirts of Islamabad. Sufi said: “The chief minister bikes. were registered in 2017. of Punjab has yet again deliv- The successful applicants ered the foremost movement will then have to submit a for women’s empowerment monthly instalment of Rs1,856 in the country: Women on for a period of 12 months after Wheels (WoW).” submission of a downpayment The WoW campaign em- and obtaining the authorised 2,200 offi cers withdrawn from unauthorised persons powers women to reclaim pub- motorbike licences. lic spaces and inspires them to The successful applicants become agents of change in will be provided with the keys Internews sub-inspectors, assistant sub- ist attacks in recent years. functionaries, and others. (withdrawn) till Tuesday has the country, especially during of the motorbike in their re- Peshawar inspectors, head constables, A senior-level meeting of the The recommendations will be crossed 2,200, more than any a time when violence against spective districts during a constables, special police offi c- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police held forwarded to the provincial gov- other province. These offi cers women in the country domi- series of events as part of the ers, and ex-servicemen. yesterday has recommended se- ernment for approval. were deployed with the individu- nates national and interna- “Women on Wheels Mega he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa A number of senior politicians, curity protocols for certain indi- Last Thursday Chief Justice of als who were not entitled to have tional headlines. Rally”. police, on the directives of however, have expressed con- viduals. Pakistan Saqib Nisar had ordered police guards for their security or The call for applications for This will entail a series of Tthe chief justice of Paki- cern over the move, arguing that The meeting was chaired by the KP inspector general of police protocol,” said KP police public the Women-on-Wheels Sub- parallel rallies taking place in stan, have so far withdrawn more this will put the lives of many top the Inspector General of Police to withdraw all the offi cers de- relations director Waqar Ahmad. sidised Motorbikes Scheme Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargod- than 2,200 offi cers deployed for political leaders and other indi- Salahuddin Khan Mahsud at the ployed to protect unauthorised The KP police force suff ers closed on March 25. ha, Multan, and Rawalpindi, protocol and security duty to un- viduals at risk. Central Police Offi ce. individuals. from manpower shortage, a An overwhelming number where successful applicants authorised individuals, including A number of senior politicians The participants recommend- The same order was given to problem made worse because a of applications were received will ride their motorbikes in a politicians and government of- and public fi gures from Khyber ed diff erent categories of security the police chiefs in other prov- large number of offi cers were as- from the districts of Lahore, massive show of solidarity for fi cials. Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of for party chiefs, senior political inces. signed to individuals who were Faisalabad, Sargodha, Multan, the cause of women’s empow- Those withdrawn included the country have suff ered terror- leaders, former top government “The number of offi cers not entitled to this privilege. and Rawalpindi. erment. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 PHILIPPINES

Sereno faces allegations of paying offi cials

By Dempsey Reyes Manila Times

awyer Lorenzo Gadon yes- terday claimed that Chief LJustice Maria Lourdes Ser- eno gave cash to offi cials of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), sourcing the money from the judiciary’s funds. Gadon, who fi led the im- peachment complaint against Sereno who is on leave, said the chief justice gave allowances to the IBP offi cers, which is why they supported her in connec- tion with the impeachment complaint and the quo warranto petition fi led against her by So- licitor General Jose Calida. “The reason why I fi led an im- peachment case against Chief Justice Sereno was because of her own fault and it is obvious Policemen take part during a simulation of a protest during a military and police drill in preparation for the temporary closure of the holiday island Boracay, yesterday. from the results of the House committee on justice that she had committed so many corrupt acts,” Gadon said in a speech during the conference on em- powering women law enforcers held in Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Philippine military. ‘Maximum’ security as govt Gadon has accused Sereno of not acting on petitions to pro- vide survivors’ benefi ts to the families of judges who died. “Majority of those judges are female, 95% are female, and their age was at about 80 years readies Boracay shutdown old. They failed to receive ben- efi ts even if it was under the law,” AFP even as they said there was no Workers said they did not he said. Boracay specifi c threat. mind security checks, adding Gadon claimed that the “Ser- “In any plan we need maxi- they were more worried about eno Supreme Court” provided mum contingency. We will have their jobs. The closure threatens allowance to IBP offi cials. “You olice with assault rifl es an assessment if we need to add the livelihood of 17,000 hotel, can see that the IBP offi cials have patrolled entry points to or reduce our forces but we now restaurant and other tourism been siding with her,” he added. PBoracay island yesterday have enough forces,” local police workers, plus about 11,000 con- Jojo Lacanilao, one of the law- just days before a six-month offi cial Jesus Cambay said. struction workers. yers of Sereno, disputed Gadon’s shutdown and clean-up of one Once hailed as one of the “There’s no problem with claims. of the Philippines’ top tourist world’s top holiday destinations presenting IDs. It’s no has- “He is again lying and perjur- attractions. by travel magazines, Boracay is sle. But the income is the huge ing himself,” Lacanilao told re- President Rodrigo Duterte among Southeast Asian desti- problem. Of the 100% income porters in a text message. had branded the renowned nations reeling from decades of we used to get, it’s now down to “Attorney Gadon is full of lies white-sand resort a “cesspool” unchecked tourism and envi- 15%,” resort housekeeper Ernida just like the impeachment com- fouled by dumped sewage and ronmental degradation. Jimenez said. plaint he fi led. He also has no imposed the temporary ban on Offi cials have warned the is- The last remaining tourists evidence on the accusations he visitors that is due to take eff ect land’s drainage system is being went swimming despite the is hurling against CJ Sereno,” he tomorrow. used to send untreated sewage algae-tinged waters near shore, added. Authorities yesterday held a from hotels and restaurants into which the government said was On Monday, Jover Laurio of practice run of security meas- its turquoise waters. due to sewage being dumped Pinoy Ako Blog fi led a disbar- ures, asking residents of the Duterte has threatened to into the waters. ment case against Gadon for tiny island to present identifi - arrest people who try to block “I heard that this beach is allegedly violating his oath as cation cards at the gateway port government eff orts to rehabili- A girl uses green algae to write a message that reads “I Will Miss You Boracay” on a concrete slab in the supposed to be the most amaz- a lawyer and the Code of Pro- of Caticlan to be allowed entry. tate the sewage system and de- Boracay island, ahead of its closure. ing, the most beautiful beach fessional Responsibility when In Boracay, police conducted molish illegal structures. in the world and then when it he fi led the “baseless unaction- exercises simulating clashes With no sign in sight of re- presence of more than 600 po- does Boracay have so many po- “It might scare the tourists, was all green, it was a bit disap- able criminal complaint” against with protesters, terrorist at- sistance to the clean-up, some licemen. licemen?” tour promoter Jessie seeing soldiers with long fi re- pointing,” Swedish tourist Ma- Sereno. tacks and a hostage incident residents were surprised by the “I think it’s excessive. Why Ibon said. arms.” lin Palm, 19, said. Manila apologises to Kuwait Robredo denies Morales violating gag order must serve over domestic workers’ rescue on election protest seven-year

Reuters Manila By Llanesca T Panti tal said. He was referring to a term: court Manila Times claim of the Marcos camp that audit logs were missing from he Philippines apolo- ballot boxes even if Commis- Manila Times gised yesterday for what ice President Maria sion on Elections (Comelec) Manila TKuwait viewed as vio- Leonor Robredo has Resolution 10057 states that lation of its sovereignty after Vdenied violating a gag the envelope containing Ini- the Southeast Asian nation’s order issued by the Supreme tialisation Report, Precinct he Supreme Court has ruled embassy “rescued” several do- Court (SC) in connection with Statistical Report and Precinct that Ombudsman Carpio- mestic workers from their em- a poll protest fi led against her Audit Log Report should be TMorales should serve her ployers’ homes amid reports of by former senator Ferdinand delivered to election offi cers, full term of seven years as it dis- abuse. Marcos Jr, saying she was not placed in ballot boxes. missed petitions for her to vacate Foreign Secretary Alan Pe- merely addressing Marcos’ al- It was on the fi rst day of her post for allegedly overstaying, ter Cayetano said the embassy leged lies. the recount of votes on April its spokesman said yesterday. was forced to “assist” Filipino The vice president made the 2 when Marcos cried foul over Lawyer Thedore Te said that workers who sought help be- denial in a compliance fi led by the missing audit logs as well the magistrates dismissed the cause some situations were a her legal counsels Romulo Ma- as the presence of wet ballots. consolidated petitions of former matter of life and death. calintal and Bernadette Sardil- Later in the afternoon of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT- “We respect Kuwaiti sov- lo, saying she did not disclose May 2, Macalintal answered 3) general manager Al Vitangcol ereignty and laws, but the any sensitive information re- Marcos’ accusations and as- and lawyer Rey Nathaniel Ifu- welfare of Filipino workers is garding an ongoing recount sured the public that the ab- rung Vitangcol. also very important,” he said, of votes from Camarines Sur, sence of audit logs is not an The SC en banc, Te said, unani- adding that domestic helpers Negros Oriental and Iloilo in anomaly and that wet ballots mously agreed that Morales was account for more than 65% of past media interviews. won’t compromise the re- appointed to a full seven-year the more than 260,000 Filipi- This handout photo received from the Presidential Photo Division (PPD) yesterday, shows President “If any of our actions has count because all ballots cast term without reappointment and nos in Kuwait. Rodrigo Duterte meeting Kuwaiti ambassador to the Philippines Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh (left) off ended the sensitivities of in the 2016 elections have bal- not just the unexpired portion of Cayetano said Kuwait had at the presidential guest house in Davao City, in the southern island of Mindanao, as Foreign the honorable tribunal, we lot images, which the Supreme her predecessor, resigned Om- accepted the Philippines’ ex- Secretary Alan Cayetano (back, left) and Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello III (back, centre) look on. express sincere regret. There Court, sitting as Presidential budsman Merceditas Gutierrez. planation after the Kuwaiti was no intention to violate Electoral Tribunal (PET), can Gutierrez submitted her resig- ambassador met Philippine in an abandoned home. In Sat- leave their employers, he said. have sought rescue from em- the tribunal’s orders. We were order to be printed. nation to then president Benigno President Rodrigo Duterte and urday’s operation, the workers The operation was captured ployers. Duterte’s spokesman constrained to answer the Still, Marcos’ sister, Gov. Aquino on April 29, 2011 or 10 held talks with Cayetano. were taken to shelter houses on video and posted on social Harry Roque said part of an frivolous media pronounce- Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte, days before her Senate impeach- “We’re sending a note now run by the embassy and would media.”It was not a clandestine agreement with Kuwait was ments made by the losing repeated the same accusations ment trial, which led to the ap- to my counterpart, and we are soon be repatriated, diplomats operation,” said Elmer Cato, as- to seek assurance it would to candidate, Marcos Jr, and his of her brother on April 3. pointment of Carpio-Morales on apologising for certain inci- in Manila said. sistant secretary for public di- bring those who abused Filipino (spokesman), lawyer Vic Ro- The former senator’s July 25, 2011. “The Court, voting dents that Kuwait views as “The workers voluntarily plomacy. workers to justice. driguez. Since the start of the spokesman Rodriguez also unanimously, dismissed the peti- violation of their sovereignty,” went with embassy staff who Kuwait had summoned the “The secretary conveyed our revision (recount of ballots), claimed last week that the tions in these consolidated cases, Cayetano told reporters. waited outside the homes of the Philippine ambassador to de- request for Kuwait’s kind un- the Marcos camp has been re- Comelec had favoured Ro- ruling that, as provided in Article Duterte last month ordered domestic helpers’ employers,” mand an explanation. derstanding of the sworn duty leasing misleading statements bredo by issuing a September XI, Sec 11 of the 1986 Constitu- workers in Kuwait to return said a diplomat. There are 600 Filipino work- of the government to protect designed to cast doubt on the 2016 resolution stating that a tion, Secs 7 and 8(3) of Republic over reports of abuse follow- The employers did not hand ers in embassy-run halfway Filipino nationals anywhere integrity of the recount pro- 25% threshold of shaded oval Act No 6770, the Ombudsman is ing the discovery of a domes- over their passports. Some houses in Kuwait, Cayetano in the world,” Roque said in a ceedings and condition the in the ballot should be used in appointed to a full term of seven tic worker’s body in a freezer workers were persuaded to said, with about 120 more who statement. mind of the public,” Macalin- the manual counting of votes. years,” Te told reporters. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Nepal, Bangladesh factory disaster India discuss revising survivors demand justice transit AFP in front of the ruins at the start Savar of the day. Others arrived as the day treaty wore on, placing wreaths at the undreds of Bangladesh- memorial and the unmarked IANS is staged protests and graves of hundreds of workers Kathmandu Htearful tributes at Rana whose mangled bodies were Plaza yesterday on the fi fth an- never identifi ed. niversary of one of the world’s Workers holding black fl ags epalese and Indian of- worst industrial disasters, when placed wreaths and prayed fi cials began talks yes- a textile factory complex col- silently at the graves. Nterday to revise a transit lapsed and killed at least 1,130 Union leaders and survivors treaty allowing a transit facility people. have expressed anger at the to Kathmandu through Indian Survivors and relatives of the slow pace of the trial of Sohel waterways. dead placed wreaths at a con- Rana, whose family owned the A sub-committee level meet- crete hammer and sickle memo- complex which collapsed after ing under the inter-governmen- rial while labour groups marked it was illegally extended. tal committee (IGC) kicked off the anniversary by making new “We demand justice, We in Kathmandu, reports Xinhua demands for justice. want Rana to be hanged. We news agency. Several people held photos of want other criminals to be The commerce secretary level those unaccounted for since the hanged,” workers chanted as talks will start on Thursday. collapse. About 3,500 workers they marched in front of the During Nepali Prime Minister were inside the complex making crater where the complex once K P Sharma Oli’s visit to India clothes for top western brands stood. It has since become a from April 6 to 8, the two coun- when tragedy struck. pond covered with hyacinths. tries issued a joint statement on More than 2,000 were injured “The injured workers have new connectivity through inland in addition to the huge death become the living dead. We de- waterways, opening the door for toll. mand the quick trial of the cul- Nepal to reach the sea through But a murder trial in the prits. Five years have gone and waterways for the fi rst time. case has been repeatedly de- yet there is hardly any progress If Nepal establishes direct ac- layed and no one has so far been in the murder trial,” said union cess to the sea through waterways, convicted. leader Jolly Talukder. experts said that it would reduce Abdul Awwal, 58, visited the Attorney General Mahbubey the cost of doing trade for the ruins in the Dhaka suburb of Alam said the case had “been land-locked Himalayan nation. Savar to honour his 25-year-old strangled in the lower court for “The two sides are going to daughter, Rozina Khatun. Her ages”. discuss on technicalities of in- body has still not been found. Talukder, the union leader, Activists chant slogans as they mark the fifth anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse at the site where the building once stood in corporating the issue in the tran- “She left an 11-month-old also demanded the release of Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka, yesterday. sit treaty,” Rabi Shankar Sainju, son. Her husband got mar- some $14.5mn which she said joint secretary at the ministry of ried again, leaving the son to was donated to a government more than 2,000 people, some granddaughter, who was born 21 “It was cold-blooded upgrades say factories have im- industry, commerce and supply, us. Even after DNA tests on fund to help victims. for days. days after her father died in the murder,” said one. proved since the tragedy. The 20 told Xinhua. the bodies, I still have no trace The Bangladesh garment Sufi a Begum, 36, was rescued disaster. The collapse triggered inter- reported accidents in 2017 was the “As it is the fi rst time that two of my daughter’s body,” said a manufacturers and exporters after nine hours from inside “I want my grandchildren’s national outrage. European and lowest number in recent years. sides are discussing on adding tearful Awwal, who comes from association said the victims sandwiched fl oors. She suff ered future to be taken care of. We are US clothing brands – including A group representing more waterway as mode of transit fa- the northern rural district of and their families had been broken vertebrae and ribs and ordinary people, we have been Primark, Mango and Benetton than 100 European brands cility, we will basically discuss Pabna. compensated. now wears a steel corset. She asking for the last fi ve years,” she – were pressured to improve pay warned however that “major and try to fi nalise the content to “The boy does not have any “The complaints about not no longer believes that justice said. and conditions at Bangladeshi life-threatening safety concerns be incorporated in the treaty.” memories of his mother. He getting suffi cient compensa- will be served, but still travelled Others survivors recalled bit- factories. remain” among the country’s According to Madhav Bel- doesn’t even have a grave to tion are absolutely wrong,” as- 330km (205 miles) from her vil- terly how reluctant employees The sector employs some 4,500 textile plants. base, joint secretary at the water mourn at.” sociation president Siddiqur lage to pay respects to dead were forced to work on the day of four million workers but wages Several foreigners represent- and energy commission, Nepal Police said some 500 peo- Rahman said. colleagues. the disaster despite cracks that start at $65 a month, among the ing international textile brands and India might have to form a ple held demonstrations and Survivors are still haunted Fatima Begum came to the appeared the day before in col- world’s lowest. visited the memorial to pay joint study team to conduct the small marches on the highway by the collapse which trapped site with her fi ve-year-old umns supporting the complex. Groups which oversee safety respects. procedure. Fashion giants in Fruits of labour rights drive after factory collapse

By Laure Brumont, AFP “This global model in Bangladesh that produce Paris ... based on keeping garments for its stores world- production costs low, wide “are now represented pitting workers around by democratically elected ive years on from the the world in competition representatives”. industrial disaster that against each other, and ... The role of these representa- Fkilled over 1,130 clothing the short-term search for tives is to “speak on behalf of factory workers in Bangladesh, profi t” endures the workers when discussions high street fashion giants have are held about for example invested millions in develop- global attention on grim work- working hours, working con- ing more socially responsible ing conditions in factories in ditions, health and security is- practices. Bangladesh, the second-big- sues”, the statement said. But experts say the peo- gest garments exporter after More broadly, the Interna- A labourer unloads bananas at a market in Suriyawewa, in the southern district of Hambantota, yesterday. ple who produce the T-shirts, China. tional Labour Organisation dresses and rompers that sell According to British char- launched a programme follow- like hotcakes online and on ity War on Want, garments ing the disaster, to “enhance high streets around the world exports account for 80% of safety in factories so that the Peacekeepers from still often face dangerous Bangladesh’s total export country should never again ex- working conditions and dis- revenue. perience a tragedy like the Rana Nepal accused of mally low pay. But even today, garments Plaza collapse”. Lanka rupee hits record child abuse The collapse of the Rana workers’ rights remain far from The ILO programme in- Plaza building housing several guaranteed, with many work- cludes training for local pro- UN peacekeepers from Nepal are facing garment factories in the Dhaka ing 14 to 16 hour days at some ducers in chemical safety, in- allegations of child rape in South Sudan, suburb of Savar on April 24, of Bangladesh’s 4,500 facto- spection of over 1,500 factories low of 157.30 per dollar the UN spokesman has said, describing 2013 sparked global outrage ries, the organisation says. for building and fi re safety, the case as “especially heinous”, AFP and forced a rethink of how fast As Western consumers grow labour inspection, and an im- reports from United Nations. fashion collections should be more socially and environmen- proved culture of safety in the Reuters Bank of Sri Lanka were closely There appeared to be gaps in At the request of the United produced. tally conscious, the fashion workplace. Colombo tied to the government through regulation, but the central bank Nations, Nepal agreed to send It also triggered a huge drive houses that have long relied on Celine Choain, a garment its supervisory structure. with small thrift institutions a team of investigators to work among activists to encourage factories like those in the Rana industry specialist at the Par- “The appointment of the not coming under it. with the UN off ice of internal shoppers to buy from small, Plaza have battled to redeem is-based Kea Partners consul- he Sri Lankan rupee governor appears to be sus- However the central bank oversight on the case. local stores, rather than from themselves. tancy, said that while there has slipped to an all-time ceptible to political infl uence,” was taking steps to strengthen “Any act of sexual abuse is large multinationals - while Primark, for one, says defi nitely been progress, much Tlow of 157.30 per dol- Standard and Poor’s said in a the system, the rating agency horrendous,” said UN spokesman calling the fashion giants to ac- it “continues to support remains to be done. lar yesterday, pressured by sector risk assessment report. said. Stephane Dujarric. “One involving count. those who were aff ected “The incident defi nitely act- importer dollar demand, “A new governor tended to be The absence of loan to val- a child is especially heinous.” The tragedy, one of the worst and ... has contributed a to- ed as a catalyst for brands” to dealers said. appointed with every change in ue ratios in pawning (lending The allegations were received industrial accidents in modern tal of over $14mn in aid and put in place changes in the way Three dealers confi rmed that government.” against gold) was being tack- on April 13 and involve Nepalese history, exposed a key problem compensation”. they produce their garments, the rupee was traded at 157.30 S & P said the central bank is led, with risk weight applied troops serving in the UN mission in of globalisation. While work- It also says it launched a Choain said. on the dollar. It surpassed the also managing the employees’ when the loan value is in excess South Sudan who allegedly raped ers in Bangladesh earned a pit- programme of building inspec- She noted that two-thirds previous all-time low of 156.90 provident fund (EPF), which of 70%. two teenage girls, UN off icials tance for their labour, compa- tions “to assess its suppliers’ of the 1,700 Bangladeshi fac- hit on Monday. has also bought into banks. Higher minimum capital re- said. It remains unclear how many nies kept prices low and their factories against international tories inspected following an “Still we don’t see export- Dealers at the EPF were also quirements under Basel III are Nepalese soldiers are involved. profi ts high. standards” six weeks after the ILO-sponsored safety agree- ers in the market after the long involved in the securities scam being implemented. The UN has deployed 14,800 “This global model ... based building collapse, and that it ment successfully corrected New Year holiday. They are also involving bonds and had earlier The risk weight is 200 ba- troops and police in South Sudan, on keeping production costs “remains committed” to im- 75% of the breaches that were waiting to see if the rupee is de- been under fi re for stock scams. sis points higher in Sri Lanka with a mandate to protect civilians low, pitting workers around the proving the Bangladeshi gar- identifi ed. preciating further,” a currency “The EPF is a large investor under the Basel III. Minimum caught up in a brutal civil war. world in competition against ment industry as a whole. However, wages remain dis- dealer said. in Sri Lankan banking stocks,” absolute capital will also be In February, 46 UN peacekeepers each other, and ... the short- Swedish retail giant H&M, mally low, according to War The rupee has fallen 0.6% so S & P noted. “We believe the raised. from Ghana were recalled from their term search for profi t” endures, which says it never used the on Want, which last week de- far this week and 1.1% for the Sri Lanka central bank is ex- “In the medium to long run, base in northwestern South Sudan according to Ethique Pour Rana Plaza factories to pro- scribed working conditions for month. posed to potential confl icts of Sri Lanka’s banking system after the mission received allegations l’Etiquette, a French group duce garments, is nonetheless the vast majority of Bangla- A rating agency has said that interest, although we have no would benefi t from good capi- of sexual exploitation of women. that is part of the global Clean committed to ensuring greater desh’s garment factory workers Sri Lanka’s banking regulation information on any specifi c tal buff ers to absorb unexpect- UN Secretary-General Antonio Clothes Campaign. “social and environmental as “appalling”. is weakened compared to inter- incidences.” ed losses,” S & P said. Guterres has vowed to toughen After years of outrage over progress” in Bangladesh. Many garment workers earn national standards by political The government was also “Nevertheless most banks the UN response to allegations images of so-called sweat- On April 19, H&M said in a little more than the minimum interference and confl icts of using its equity stakes to infl u- will have to step up capital of misconduct against the blue shops around the world, the statement that 450,000 tex- wage of 5,300 taka ($65, 53 interest but is improving. ence board positions, the rating (including hybrid) issuances helmets, whose mission is to protect Rana Plaza disaster focused tile workers at 227 factories euros) per month. “The operations of the Central agency said. in 2018. vulnerable civilians in conflict zones. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Investors should ‘wait and watch’ on North Korea

There is a sharp contrast between the Koreas when it comes to growth and prosperity. The North has struggled to revive its economy since a famine in the mid-1990s with the majority of people now living in poverty. The South has taken off as an economic powerhouse exporting everything from smartphones to automobiles. The Songun, or military-fi rst policy, charted by North Need a political settlement Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim Jong-il, also dried up economic resources that otherwise would have benefi ted the economy. For sure, Kim’s suspension of North Korean nuclear tests off ers a ray of hope. But it has strings attached, that can bring peace to Syria too. The leader’s statement at a ruling party meeting last Friday includes a pledge to seek a “favourable” international environment for economic development. That includes the lifting of trade, fi nancial and energy zUK at the forefront of humanitarian response in the region sanctions that hardened every time North Korea detonated a nuclear bomb. region. We are providing lifesaving is a sign that the world will not allow 125 health workers to prepare for and Scepticism does prevail on whether North Korea could By Ajay Sharma British Ambassador to Qatar support to millions of people in violations of international law to go respond to future possible attacks emulate the kind of economic success the South has desperate need both inside Syria and unchallenged. last year. achieved. The former, to those who have fl ed to neighbouring When British ministers travel We’re also helping aid workers adapt nevertheless, is viewed s everyone in Qatar knows, countries. to Brussels for the humanitarian to the new reality of war. Working North Korea as a wildcard and Syria is suff ering one of the UK support is helping families and conference today, they will call for with US government, we have set up a new fund to fi nd new technology and frontier market that longest and bloodiest wars in children who left everything behind all parties to the confl ict to pursue a is viewed as a recent history. as they ran for their lives in the face political settlement that brings peace to innovations to save lives in confl ict could off er rewards A The cruel and abhorrent attacks by of shelling, chemical weapons and Syria. This is the only way we can end zones. wildcard for the for the business the Assad regime and its backers have starvation. We know that Qatar is the suff ering. Just last month it was reported community because created devastation and distress on an similarly active and warmly welcome If the Assad regime and the that medical staff in Syria’s Eastern global business of its central location unimaginable scale. this support. governments of Russia and Iran Ghouta were targeted after a suspected in a booming region Innocent men, women and children Aid workers, many of them Syrians continue to delay this process, more computer hack had revealed the co- community have suff ered horrifi cally at the mercy themselves, face horrifi c, incredibly people will die and more misery and ordinates of a hospital. Our new fund encompassing China, of chemical weapons, which were diffi cult conditions on a daily basis as destruction will be infl icted on Syria. could fi nd ways to stop this happening Japan and South Korea. outlawed a century ago. they try to save lives. Their eff orts are They will also reaffi rm the UK in future. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, set to meet with We are all disgusted by the heroic. government’s commitment to do all it The reality now is that aid isn’t Kim on Friday, has already suggested his country could deliberate targeting of schools and This month’s targeted airstrikes by can to protect civilians and those brave just about handing out food, water hospitals, and restrictions placed on the UK, US and France have reduced the humanitarian workers risking their lives and bandages. We need to outsmart receive gas supplies from Russia through North Korea getting food and medical supplies Assad regime’s ability to carry out such every day to help them. a regime that obstructs aid workers while cargo fl ows to Europe. That means building roads into the country in a blatant breach of attacks again. Since 2012, across Syria and the and kills its own civilians without and other infrastructure in North Korea. international law. The UK is clear that we must defend region, we have provided more than remorse. Estimated to be worth as much as $6tn, North Korea’s These are the sick practices of an the global rules based system that keeps 27mn food rations, 12mn health Our support for Syrian civilians, and reserves of gold, copper, zinc, coal, magnesite and inhuman regime for whom victory all of us safe. Our actions have been consultations, 10mn relief packages and for refugees sheltering in neighbouring comes at any price. We cannot do welcomed with broad support from the 10mn vaccinations so that people don’t countries, is helping to create stability molybdenite could attract buyers from countries other nothing. We have a responsibility to act. international community. We thank the fall victim to deadly diseases. and security in the Middle East. than China, allowing Kim to diversify his sources of That is why the UK is at the forefront Qatari government for its statement We supported 175 medical We will continue to work with our income if he opens up his country. of the humanitarian response in the of support. This international support facilities in Syria and helped train partners in Qatar to achieve this goal. The nation of 25mn also provides a labour force that remains largely untapped. South Korea has shown that a business model combining its capital and know-how with North Korean labour can work when it ran an industrial park in the North Korean border city of Gaeseong. That complex closed in 2016 amid military tensions. Time for investors to think of the Korean reunion? A double-minded play, indeed. Thawing tensions between the Koreas could restart businesses halted for years and spark new private investment in the North, say some analysts. But investors should be wary of strategies based on excessive optimism, because it may take longer than expected to conclude a peace treaty, according some others. The leaders of the two Koreas are set to hold their fi rst summit since 2007 on Friday to pave the way for direct talks between the US and the reclusive Communist nation. But more than two decades of nuclear talks have repeatedly broken down, with each side accusing the other of reneging on various commitments. Kim’s promise to halt nuclear tests is a far cry from US and South Korean demands that all nuclear programmes be rolled back. Kim has said nuclear arms safeguard his regime. Longer term, however, here’s an enduring lesson for Kim: When people are starving, societies tend to unravel, no matter they’re ruled by a dictator, or a democratically- elected government.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Innocent children have suff ered horrifically at the mercy of chemical weapons in Syria. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 25, 2018 23 COMMENT Staying on track to end malaria

By Harald Nusser across 14 African countries, all is leading the way on this front. In Basel of whom off er critical insights response to dwindling donor funds, about important challenges and the Ghanaian government brought opportunities in the fi ght against the the country’s private-sector leaders nding an epidemic is a disease. together to launch the Ghana Malaria marathon undertaking, and One of the study’s clearest Foundation, which currently is in the case of malaria, we are takeaways is that we need to arm working to fi ll urgent funding gaps, but Enearing the fi nish line. But we ourselves against the rising threat will eventually help lead a sustainable, will need to keep up the momentum. of drug and insecticide resistance domestic eff ort to eliminate malaria Over the past few decades, by investing in research and from the country. governments, nongovernmental development for next-generation This is a challenging moment organisations, and the private sector antimalarial treatments. Malaria- in the fight against malaria. But have broken new ground in the bearing mosquitoes have developed it’s also a moment of opportunity. science of treating malaria, and have a resistance to commonly used For its part, Novartis recently channelled extraordinary resources insecticides in 61 countries around the announced that it will invest more toward the cause. The investments world. And in Southeast Asia, some than $100mn in antimalarial R&D have paid off : the global malaria strains of the malaria parasite itself over the next five years, to help mortality rate fell by 60% between have begun to develop a resistance to contain emerging resistant strains 2000 and 2015. artemisinin, the basic component in of the disease. Still, mounting challenges such standard treatments. Our focus now is on completing as drug and insecticide resistance Without a concerted response clinical trials for two promising new threaten to reverse the progress we from the global health community, antimalarial drug candidates. While have made. For two consecutive years drug-resistant strains of malaria could these therapies are being developed, now, malaria deaths have risen, while spread to Africa and cause more than we are also working on a strategy funding has fl atlined. This year’s World 100,000 new deaths per year. To avert to ensure that patients in malaria- Malaria Day (April 25) should thus spur this outcome, we must invest more in endemic countries can aff ord them, a redoubling of our eff orts. Eradicating innovative public-private partnerships and to improve the eff ectiveness of our malaria will require new medical and like GAVI, the Medicines for Malaria response by identifying areas where health-policy solutions as well as Venture, and the Wellcome Trust, all malaria takes the greatest toll. stronger political will. of which are working to develop new The fi ght against malaria has been My company, Novartis, has been prevention and treatment tools. a multi-decade marathon. Through active in Africa for the past two Another key insight from the study the United Nations Sustainable decades, providing antimalarials and is that we need to make better use of Development Goals, the world has working with governments to support the tools we already have. A child dies formally committed to ending the healthcare systems. During that time, from malaria every two minutes, on malaria epidemic by 2030. That we have learned that we need more average, yet only one in fi ve infected objective is within sight, but we cannot fi rst-hand information from malaria children receives the appropriate Novartis has been active in Africa for the past two decades, providing antimalarials and working with governments to count on our current approach to carry experts operating on the front lines of treatment. Nearly a decade ago, support healthcare systems. us across the fi nish line. the fi ght. Novartis helped develop the gold Rather, we need to listen to those To that end, we commissioned standard in paediatric antimalarial global health development must Progress will require eliminating Needless to say, improving on the front lines and heed their the study Malaria Futures for Africa, medicine, and we have donated more focus on improving the delivery of shortages of doctors and nurses, healthcare systems will require calls for a renewed commitment co-chaired by Richard Kamwi, than 350mn doses since 2009. But the care. Since 2000, the global health adopting electronic recordkeeping, more resources and firm leadership, to ending malaria. By investing in ambassador of the intergovernmental persistence of deaths from malaria community has saved millions of lives and strengthening the availability particularly in the countries next-generation tools and building organisation Eliminate 8, and Bob shows that treatment is not reaching by responding to specifi c epidemics and quality of primary care. These most affected by malaria. And, as sustainable healthcare systems, we Snow of the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust every child in need. Clearly, we need like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. measures would help not just in the almost all of the study participants can consign this disease to the history programme and the University of to expand access to medicine, not But these eff orts must now be fully fi ght against infectious diseases, but made clear, we need to move books once and for all. – Project Oxford. The study compiles advice just through ad hoc measures, but by integrated into national health also in the ongoing eff ort to treat beyond traditional donor-funding Syndicate from ministers of health, heads of building the capacity of healthcare systems to ensure that all patients are chronic diseases, which are imposing mechanisms to tap into domestic national malaria control programmes, systems. consistently receiving high-quality an additional disease burden on many resources. zHarald Nusser is Head of Novartis academics, and community leaders That is why the next chapter of care. developing countries. Ghana is one of the countries that Social Business.

Why markets can’t cool the planet Three-day forecast TODAY placing our faith in Smith’s “invisible markets, those who could see them fi nd 173bn barrels of oil in the ground Maximum Temperature : 350c By Ivan Ascher Minimum Temperature : 250c Milwaukee hand” to win the fi ght against climate would trade accordingly and the and just leave them there.” change would be a tragic mistake. trends would disappear. Financial volatility is like a THURSDAY In a capitalist economy, our Second, uncertainty about the superstorm on an already-warming Maximum Temperature : 330c ith global temperatures relationship with the future is future price of any commodity makes planet. Not only does it make it Minimum Temperature : 260c rising at an alarming guided by economic forces that are it exceedingly risky for producers to impossible to see what lies ahead; it FRIDAY rate, the race is on notoriously fickle. Commodities invest in whatever new technologies is itself also a force of environmental Maximum Temperature : 340c Wto lower the world’s like sugar, soybeans, oil, and gas are might help reduce greenhouse- devastation, leaving irreparable Minimum Temperature : 270c relatively standardised products, gas emissions. For most producers damage in its wake. “Market volatility consumption of fossil fuels and Fisherman's forecast accelerate the adoption of greener meaning that they can be traded and consumers, it usually makes is ill suited to environmental cycles,” forms of energy. Among the most instantly and globally through more economic sense to maintain as MIT’s Janelle Knox-Hayes puts WARNING discussed remedies are those that the use of derivative contracts. the status quo than to change their it. “Economic systems recover from Inshore : Expected strong wind at would use market forces to make But because these contracts price habits, even if they know that the market turmoil in time. Environmental places. traditional fuels more expensive; ideas in assumptions about the future, status quo will be disastrous for the systems do not have the same luxury; Offshore : Expected thundery rain their cycles of reproduction are at places associated with include putting a price on carbon commodity prices can fluctuate environment. strong wind and high sea. and protecting natural resources wildly. And that variability Finally, although it’s possible to infl exible.” WEATHER that remove carbon dioxide from the complicates environmental planning put a price tag on precious but non- Ecological devastation should Inshore : Slight dust to blowing dust atmosphere. in three important ways. marketable natural resources – like be expensive, and the world no and partly cloudy with c of light sctd rain. At fi rst glance, market-based For starters, price unpredictability the capacity of a boreal forest to doubt needs workable strategies WIND strategies might seem appealing. makes it virtually impossible to detect absorb atmospheric CO2 – the price to move people away from dirty Inshore : Northwesterly-Northeaster- After all, as Adam Smith noted in The the depletion of natural resources fl uctuations for resources that can sources of energy toward greener, ly 10-20/28 KT Offshrore : Northwesterly-Northeaster- Wealth of Nations, “It is not from merely by looking at short-term be traded make most conservation more sustainable alternatives. But ly 12-22/28 KT the benevolence of the butcher or changes in value. On the contrary, the strategies untenable in the long run. to defer to markets to overcome the the baker that we expect our dinner, more uncertainty there is about the That’s because at some point, the environmental woes of capitalism is a Visibility : 04-8/ 3 KM but from their regard to their own scarcity of a resource, the greater the volatile price of the tradable resource blueprint for disappointment – and a SEA STATE interest.” In other words, the best way price swing, which only compounds will exceed the fi xed cost of destroying recipe for planetary suicide. – Project Offshore : 4-7 FT, rises to 9 FT with the to convince emitters like Chevron the planning diffi culty. As the French it. Syndicate thunder rain. or General Motors to help save the mathematician Nicolas Bouleau The pressure to plunder can be zIvan Ascher is an associate professor planet must be to appeal to their profi t observed in a 2013 paper, “markets especially strong when a combustible Around the region motive, right? cannot spell out trends; it is absolutely resource is found. As Canadian Prime of political science at the University Weather Not necessarily. While free markets impossible on an ontological level.” Minister Justin Trudeau conceded at of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is the Weather tomorrow Max/min may have steered much of the world If resource-related trends were a March 2017 energy conference in author of Portfolio Society: On the today Max/min P Cloudy 33/20 toward a wealthier, healthier future, discernible from outcomes in fi nancial Houston, Texas, “no country would Capitalist Mode of Prediction. Baghdad M Sunny 31/19 Kuwait City P Cloudy 30/22 M Sunny 32/23 Manama P Cloudy 29/24 P Cloudy 32/25 Muscat Sunny 34/29 Sunny 34/29 Live issues Tehran Sunny 23/13 P Cloudy 25/16 Can’t sleep? Tell yourself it’s not a big deal

By Oliver Burkeman so, you’ve doubled down on your New York insomnia identity, signalling to your subconscious mind that you have an intransigent problem, requiring ote to publishers: in my medical intervention. Reading all this, view, there’s an unfi lled gap some chronic insomniacs may protest in the “wellness” market for that I’m making light of their own, far Around the world Na book on how sleep isn’t more serious condition, which really Weather Weather really that important. In contrast to is intransigent. Perhaps. But do bear today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the message relentlessly promoted by in mind that’s exactly what someone Athens M Sunny 30/16 Sunny 29/16 lifestyle gurus these days, this book with a strong insomnia identity would Beirut P Cloudy 23/18 T Storms 22/18 would argue that four hours a night say. Bangkok P Cloudy 35/28 S T Storms 33/27 is probably fi ne, that caff eine before The root of the problem, as Sasha Berlin Rain 17/07 Rain 14/05 bed is no big deal, and that even severe Stephens explains in her book The Cairo S T Storms 26/18 P Cloudy 31/17 sleep deprivation poses no real risk of Eff ortless Sleep Method, is that any Cape Town Rain 19/12 Rain 17/12 poor performance, health troubles or Thinking of yourself as an insomniac – having an “insomnia identity” – is a major external crutch on which you lean – Colombo S T Storms 32/26 T Storms 31/26 early death. Admittedly, this might raise part of the problem. not just pills, but herbal remedies and Dhaka S T Storms 35/23 T Storms 32/24 certain ethical issues, since that’s not elaborate bedtime rituals, too – risks Hong Kong P Cloudy 27/23 P Cloudy 26/23 what the science says. But you know – is a major part of the problem. It’s get enough shut-eye, but are heavily further eroding your trust in your Istanbul P Cloudy 24/13 Sunny 25/12 what? Unlike all those other books, this not just that such a self-image makes invested in their alleged insomnia – ability to fall asleep on your own, Jakarta S T Storm 32/25 T Storm 31/25 one would help people sleep. Because it harder to sleep, though doubtless were essentially as tired, anxious and and it’s that lack of self-trust that is Karachi Sunny 34/25 Sunny 34/25 take it from an intermittent bad sleeper: that’s the case. It’s that having an depressed as those who genuinely insomnia’s main cause. (Obviously, London S Showers 14/07 P Cloudy 14/07 there’s nothing more likely to keep an insomnia identity makes life terrible didn’t sleep. don’t stop taking prescription drugs Manila T Storms 35/27 P Cloudy 35/27 insomniac up at night, or turn a good even if, in reality, you’re getting And the worst part, arguably, is this: without consulting a doctor.) Few Moscow Showers 14/06 Showers 16/05 sleeper into an insomniac, than being suffi cient sleep. In a review of the with an insomnia identity, seeking things have helped me as much as New Delhi Sunny 42/26 Sunny 42/26 told it’s completely essential they drift research published last year, Lichstein help is liable to make things worse. following one of Stephens’ many New York Rain 15/10 P Cloudy 18/09 off . concluded that “non-complaining Drag your weary bones to the doctor recommendations and training myself Paris P Cloudy 17/07 P Cloudy 16/07 Actually, the ironies of insomnia are poor sleepers” – who sleep badly and she may be willing to prescribe to remember, upon waking at 2am, Sao Paulo P Cloudy 27/17 P Cloudy 29/17 even worse than that, because there’s but don’t defi ne themselves as sleeping pills. But apart from the fact that when I have a terrible night, the Seoul Sunny 23/08 M Cloudy 21/08 growing evidence that thinking of insomniacs – don’t suff er the high that they’re not very eff ective, and next day usually isn’t so bad. Once Singapore T Storm 31/27 S T Storm 32/26 yourself as an insomniac – having an blood pressure commonly associated often very addictive, the benefi ts are I’m OK with not getting back to sleep, Sydney M Sunny 23/15 Cloudy 22/16 “insomnia identity”, in the coinage of with severe sleeplessness. Meanwhile, likely to be outweighed by the very it’s surprisingly hard to stay awake. – Tokyo Rain 25/17 Clear 25/16 the sleep researcher Kenneth Lichstein “complaining good sleepers” – who act of visiting the doctor: by doing Guardian News and Media Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, April 25, 2018 QATAR Doha’s most desirable address is now available The delegation at the VTI driving simulator. at Wadi One Swedish Transport Institute Msheireb Properties releases for rental its first residential building at signs research MoU with QU Msheireb Downtown Doha at this year’s Cityscape Qatar atar has sent a delega- a statement from the embassy. traffi c police. The delegation will esidents in Doha are now tion to Sweden under the “The interest in Swedish solu- be hosted by Ivo Monnink, CEO able to sign up to live in Qagenda ‘Road Safety, En- tions and research in the area of of Sensys Gatso. R‘one of the region’s most gineering, and Innovation Del- road safety has increased dra- The delegation will travel to desirable addresses’, at Msheireb egation to Sweden’ on a week- matically in Qatar over the last Stockholm for three important Downtown Doha (MDD). long programme that concludes few years, building upon Swe- visits. They will look at the in- Msheireb Properties (MP) tomorrow (April 26), the Swedish den’s reputation as the world novative solutions used in the presented at the ongoing City- embassy announced. leader in road safety, with our fully operational smart city of scape Qatar their fi rst residen- The programme includes sign- Vision Zero programme for zero Hammarby Sjostad, including tial tower for leasing, Wadi One. ing of a memorandum of under- road fatalities,” the envoy said. ICT, waste management, water As the leading real estate de- standing (MoU) with the Swedish “Sweden has sent several management, and transportation velopment company and a sub- Road and Transport Research In- prominent experts to work to- solutions. sidiary of Qatar Foundation for stitute (VTI). gether with MoI and the Qatar The day will continue with a Education, Sciences and Social Brig Gen Mohamed al-Kharji, Road Safety Commission, which meeting with Sweroad, Swedish Development, MP is previewing director of Traffi c Department has led to increased research co- National Road Consulting, which Wadi One for potential letting at the Ministry of Interior, led operation and trade in related has a strong history of working opportunities on 1-4-bedroom the delegation, which included products,” she said. with Qatar to improve conges- apartments that off er unparal- Brig Gen Mohamed al-Malki, “For VTI as a research insti- tion and road safety. At Sweroad, leled views of the West Bay, old secretary-general of the Road tute, international co-operation a discussion will be held on how Doha and Souq Waqif, as well Safety Commission; Dr Khalifa and engagement is of the high- to expand on the successful as state-of-the-art smart home al-Khalifa, dean of the College est importance because it facili- MoU which is already in eff ect technology. MDD will be a haven for all residents. of Engineering at Qatar Univer- tates sharing of experiences and since 2016 between Qatar and With one of the most mag- sity (QU) and signatory of the knowledge, which is the founda- Sweroad. nifi cent views of Doha’s West tems ensuring total security testament to its commitment on the MP pavilion at City- MoU with VTI; Dr Abdulla al- tion of transportation research,” Later on, the participants from Bay skyline, Wadi One will off er within the neighbourhood, and to providing not only green scape Qatar, taking place at the Ali, head of Technology Innova- VTI director general Tomas QU Dr al-Khalifa and Dr al-Ali, a combination of understated round-the-clock facilities and spaces, but also green practices Doha Exhibition and Confer- tion and Engineering Education Svensson said. will visit the Royal Institute of luxury and day-to-day conven- project management guaran- throughout the city. ence Centre until today (April Unity at QU, and Mohamed Saleh “Due to the expansion of our Technology (KTH) in Stockholm ience with easy access to MDD’s teeing everything within the With a variety of residential, 25). The highly-anticipated MP al-Kathiri, secretary of the Road co-operation with Qatar, our to discuss broadening the co- fl agship Galleria Mall, a super- project works perfectly. Com- retail and commercial options pavilion off ers visitors an array Safety Commission. opportunities to learn from each operation between QU and KTH, market, children’s edutainment plementing this, the location of available within MDD, MP will of activities including access to Swedish ambassador to Doha other increases,” he observed. especially within the areas of in- area and many retail and food Wadi One is central to the city present investment opportuni- its never-before-seen Barahat Ewa Polano has accompanied The delegation has travelled novation, technology transfer, and beverage options on their and close to Doha’s most iconic ties to attract retailers and com- Msheireb architecture 3D mod- the delegation to support the to the City of Jonkoping for a and entrepreneurship. doorstep. landmarks, with easy access via panies. MP will provide them el, with two additional large- knowledge-sharing eff orts. The presentation and factory visit at The delegation programme Residents can also take ad- the Souq Waqif tunnel, as well with leasing and sales options scale models highlighting the MoU represents an important the Swedish traffi c monitoring will end in the southern univer- vantage of exclusive pools, as close to Al Wadi Hotel and that best suit the most luxurious grandeur of the billion-dollar milestone in the co-operation company Sensys Gatso, which sity city of Lund tomorrow with state-of-the art gyms, roof-top Sikkat Al Wadi Square. fashion brands, cafes, restau- regeneration project of Qatar’s between Qatar and Sweden in has provided several key pieces meetings and site visits at Lund terraces with stunning views, Upon completion, the new rants and recreations that in- historic commercial centre. In the area of road safety, which of technology to Qatar, includ- University and its associated re- private lifts, communal maj- downtown district will off er clude kids zone, mall, amongst addition, a sneak peek at two has been deepening steadily for ing 31 in-vehicle traffi c violation search institutes, science parks, lis and round-the-clock con- residents a combination of lux- others. Mixing elements of tra- of the four hotels that will be the last three years, according to monitoring cameras used by the and incubators. cierge and facility management urious and spacious townhouses ditional heritage with the latest on off er at MDD, Al Wadi Hotel services. MDD will off er a new that blend traditional Qatari smart city technology provides a Doha by MGallery and the Man- type of urban living that’s un- heritage with modern architec- unique experience to those that darin Oriental. precedented in terms of style, ture, as well as contemporary live in, work and visit MDD, re- MP’s cinematic partner Novo amenities, location, and safety, apartments with world-class viving the historical commercial is also off ering a mini-cinema Air drill begins alongside promoting a healthier fi ttings and fi nishes. MDD will heart of Doha in line with Qa- environment to view MDD’s lat- and greener way of living. also off er residents the largest tar’s 2030 National Vision. est fl y-through video in luxury, Wadi One has high-tech IP- off er of parks and plazas within Details about Wadi One can style and comfortable VIP seat- based camera surveillance sys- one development in Qatar – a be found at its dedicated space ing.

The Falcon 20 exercise has been launched under the patronage of HE Staff Major General (Pilot) Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim, Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces. The launch event was attended by a number of Qatar Armed Forces commanders and off icers. The exercise is considered one of the most important annual exercises held by the Qatar Emiri Air Force and will see the participation of the Turkish Air Force, the Directorate of Defence Communication at the Ministry of Defence has said in a statement. The Qatar Emiri Air Force is participating in the exercise with Mirage and Alpha Jet aircraft, in addition to diff erent types of helicopters. The Turkish forces are participating with F-16 jets and a team covering various specialties, as part of the exchange of experiences between the two parties. The exercise continues until April 29. Seen here are the participating off icers and soldiers at the start of Falcon 20 MDD’s Wadi One features 1-4-bedroom apartments that off er unparalleled views. Qatar Museums explores vanishing heritage of Syria in MIA exhibition

he Museum of Islamic Art intellectual history of the world. entalist Collection, as well as the cus’ c 1860 by Edward Lear (1812- exhibition aims to draw attention (MIA) in Doha will present So much of this precious heritage Qatar National Library and Sheikh 1888); the so-called Cavour Vase, to the amazing cultural heritage of Ta major exhibition enti- has been tragically lost through Faisal Bin Qassim Museum. which is the most spectacular the country, and at the same time tled Syria Matters opening on the destruction of its fabled cit- The works include pre-Islamic example of a very small group of is a plea to safeguard this endan- November 23, 2018 as part of the ies of Palmyra and Aleppo, as well artefacts, Orientalist paintings richly decorated cobalt blue and gered legacy.” 10-year anniversary celebrations as countless other cultural herit- and photographs, as well as pre- purple enamelled and gilded glass In parallel with the MIA exhibi- as Qatar’s fi rst world-class inter- age sites, during a bitter civil war, cious works of Islamic art from vessels made in Syria or Egypt in tion, two other special exhibitions national museum. almost unprecedented in recent Syria’s rich history: early Holy the late 13th century CE; and a will be staged in Doha: the Qatar Set in a spectacular waterfront history. Qur’ans, medieval manuscripts, precious gilded blue fl ask made National Library will present Syr- park on the Doha Corniche, MIA This exhibition will bring to life glass, ceramics, textiles and tiles. in the mid-12th century CE in or ia and the French Mandate Period, opened its doors to international the multifaceted layers of Syria’s It will also show rarely-seen ele- near what is today the Syrian city which refers to a mandate that acclaim in November 2008 in a architectural and cultural history ments of the former wooden in- of Raqqa, situated on the Euphra- was created by the League of Na- building designed by the legen- going as far back as the country’s terior decoration from a private tes in the north-east of the coun- tions after the fall of the Ottoman dary Chinese American architect, early pre-Islamic past and will Damascus house. try. Empire in World War I. I M Pei. explore its many contributions to As part of the exhibition instal- Dr Gonnella said: “As we At Mathaf: Arab Museum of MIA holds one of the world’s world history. The exhibition, co- lation, there will be a specially- reach the 10th anniversary of the Modern Art, there will be an ex- greatest collections of Islamic curated by MIA director Dr Julia designed immersive experience opening of MIA, we are proud to hibition of the work of Fateh art, spanning over 1,400 years Gonnella and Rania Abdellatif, of several key sites such as the An exquisite vase from the present this important exhibi- Moudarres (1922-1999), one of and representing Islamic art from draws on MIA’s own spectacular Umayyad Mosque of Damascus exhibition. tion.” the founders of the modern art three continents, with precious collection, shown alongside loans and the Citadel of Aleppo, giving “Syria is undergoing one of the movement in Syria, Mathaf will objects, paintings, textiles and from other world-renowned in- visitors a unique experience of 9th century BCE; a Palmyra relief worst human tragedies world- also present a solo exhibition by jewels in its extensive permanent ternational museums, including these remarkable locations. with a camel, dating from the fi rst wide. This once proud and splen- Mounira al-Solh with works made collection. the Louvre in Paris, the Museum Among the rare treasures which half of 3rd century CE; paintings did country has been largely in collaboration with Syrian refu- Syria Matters takes as its sub- of Ancient Near Eastern Art in will go on show are: A bird of prey, from QM’s Orientalist Collection destroyed and great parts of its gees, as well as a group exhibition ject the extraordinary cultural Berlin, the Berlin State Library, sculpted in basalt, from the ar- including ‘The Great Caravan at population have left in one of the titled ‘Revolution Generations’, Syria Matters to display artefacts heritage of Syria, illuminating other signifi cant Qatar Museums chaeological site of Tell Halaf in Palmyra’ c 1785, Louis-François biggest refugee migrations of re- including works by Simone Fattal such as Islamic glass, ceramics Syria’s key role in the artistic and (QM) collections such as the Ori- Northern Syria, dating from early Cassas (1756-1827) and ‘Damas- cent history,” she added. “The on Syria’s tragedies. and textiles.