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Wednesday 29 March 2017 | 1 Rajab 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7115 | 2 Riyals

Qatar economy to grow Emir arrives in Amman by 3.5% this year: PM

Doha/Birmingham performing economies in the QNA Qatar's economy world, with an average GDP growth rate of 6% between espite the sharp has been one of the 2010 and 2016. drop in oil and gas best performing The Premier added that prices over the past Qatar is at an important two years and the economies in historical stage in achieving current price the world, with sustainable development Doutlook at low levels compared through the implementation of with previous years, Qatar has an average GDP Qatar National Vision 2030 achieved good growth rates growth rate of 6% strategies and programs aimed thanks to its efforts in at reducing dependence on oil diversifying economic activities between 2010 and and gas, achieving economic and increasing the efficiency of 2016. diversification and transforming public spending. into a knowledge based The Qatari economy is economy. expected to grow by 3.5% this Qatar has made significant year, Prime Minister and Business and Investment Forum strides in this area, the Premier Interior Minister H E Sheikh in Birmingham yesterday the said, adding that the non-oil Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Prime Minister said that in sector has grown to a high Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the Queen Al Thani said yesterday. recent years, Qatar's economy portion of the GDP of 2016. Alia International Airport in Amman. The Emir will attend the Arab League Summit today. Addressing the Qatar-UK has been one of the best → Continued on page 4 Post-Brexit trade: Qatar & UK plan joint committee

Satish Kanady / London establishing a new joint economic and areas including defense, education, The Peninsula trade committee.I hope we can pave healthcare, energy and financial serv- the way for an ambitious trade agree- ices. Qatar is one of the world’s biggest ritish Prime Minister Theresa May ment for when the UK has left the EU investors in the UK. There is immense has said the UK will set up a joint including exploring whether we can investment potentials in UK’s R&D sec- Beconomic and trade committee forge a new trade agreement for the tor, cyber security and Financial to pave the way for a post-Brexit trade whole of the Gulf area." Services. “ We will deepen our co-oper- agreement with Qatar and other GCC May, who took time to attend the ation in defense and sports”. countries. Forum from her busy schedule ahead May said Qatar investment will help Addressing the Birmingham ses- of today’s historic decision to formally regenerate the cities outside London Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa sion of the two-day Qatar-UK Trade trigger the article 50 enabling UK to and south West of UK and make sure Al Thani and British Prime Minister Theresa May at a round table meeting with and Investment Forum yesterday, she quit EU, said Britain was seeking to better facilities are not limited to the Qatari businessmen in Birmingham, yesterday. said: “"I'm delighted that we are also deepen its relationship with Qatar in privileged classes.

Qatar Airways wins 'Airline Of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital teams up The Year' award with Qatar to fight blindness QATAR AIRWAYS won the 'Airline of the Year' award at Irfan Bukhari in India and Bangladesh. avoidable blindness. QFFD’s the 2017 Air Transport The Peninsula “The Flying Eye Hospital is backing has enabled Orbis and Awards, as the airline was here to raise awareness of eye its partners to have a significant recognised for its innovation, he Orbis Flying Eye Hos- health issues around the world. impact on this mission. service, hospitality and lead- pital, a medical facility A number of diplomats and “The aircraft not only ena- ing product design. Tequipped with a class- other dignitaries have visited bles our expert volunteers to The ceremony, held at the room and operating theatre, the hospital and we are hosting train local eye care teams in their Latrou Residence in Ekali, which is assisting the Qatar a workshop and seminar with own country like India and Bang- Greece, and attended by Creating Vision initiative in Qatar Ophthalmic community ladesh, it also serves as a world's leading airline exec- India and Bangladesh, is receiv- on board the Flying Eye Hospi- powerful tool for raising aware- utives, recognised Qatar ing admiration from visitors tal. All the doctors were invited ness and creating change,” she Airways as the world's lead- here at the Premium Terminal to attend by Qatar Ministry of added. Qatar Creating Vision ing airline. located at the Old Airport. Public Health,” said Rebecca has focused its charity work in Qatar Airways was Qatar Creating Vision is Cronin, CEO of Orbis UK. India and Bangladesh as the The state-of-the-art medical facility onboard the Orbis Flying awarded World's Best Busi- a joint initiative of the Qatar In November 2015, the two countries are home to Eye Hospital, parked at the Doha International Airport. ness Class, Best Business Class Fund for Development Qatar Fund for Development approximately 473,000 blind Airline Lounge and Best Air- (QFFD) and Orbis to provide (QFFD) launched the Qatar Cre- children, with more children Obtaining treatment can be 60% of blind children will die line Staff Service in the Middle 5.5 million eye screenings ating Vision initiative to support struggling with blindness in very expensive or may be too during their childhood. East at the 2016 World Air- and treatments to children the mission to eradicate India than any other country. far away to reach. Shockingly, → Continued on page 8 line Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. Qatar-made radars to monitor motorists soon WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Sidi Mohamed Germany's post Le and stopping in the yellow box. between Chevrolet exclusive stopping in the yellow box viola- accidents and expect traffic vio- office is trying to Sp build an electric car w The Peninsula “In next few days the radar dealer in Qatar to present a spe- tions. Because it became very lations to reduce this year. PAGE 06 PAG will be installed on the streets cial edition Chevrolet Silverado common these days and we want While, referring to the imple- ervice using n another attempt to catch and will be tested for 365 days 2017 Al Kharji added that, “The to stop it,” Al Kharji said. mentation of the first phase of the ct electric traffic violations, a new Qatari to check its performance in high new radar meets world standards “We have installed about 100 plan to create traffic zones in five Imade radar will be installed in temperature and harsh weather and specifications.” radars to catch this type of vio- areas across the country, mainly Included with the streets soon, said a senior offi- conditions,” said Brig Mohamed The new radar is easy to use lation,” Al Kharji said. Mobile where 75% of traffic accidents and today’s edition is a cial. The radar manufactured by Saad Al Kharji, Director-General and available in different sizes cameras to monitor drivers on the related mortality and injuries a private company will be moni- of the Traffic Department. and capable of recording viola- different parts of Qatar has suc- happen, Al Kharji clarified that the 8-page supplement. toring common traffic violations Speaking on the sidelines of tions immediately to the server ceeded in reducing traffic plan aims to deploy officers at the such as overtaking from the right, the ceremony took place at the through 4G technology. “Nowa- violations. It has also helped to most required places. failure to use seat belts, speeding Traffic department headquarters days we are focusing more on the reduce major and minor → Continued on page 4 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 Ministers focus on investment potential at Qatar-UK Forum

The Peninsula Derham pointed to a number of More cooperation joint programmes, including atar aims to increase Health Ministry plans double certificates from UK and the capacity of pri- to open six new Qatari universities at the same mary healthcare hospitals in the near time. centres by 40 percent. future as well as Meanwhile, UK Secretary of QThe country will open State for Culture, Media and expand services six new hospitals in the near Sport, Karen Bradley, said her in 13 other hospitals. future as well as expand serv- country wants to help Qatar in ices offered in another 13, staging the 2022 World Cup on according to H E Dr Hanan UK keen to help Qatar a similar scale of the 2012 Lon- Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister to stage 2022 World don Olympics. She added that of Public Health. Cup on a similar her country was fully ready to Addressing a session on scale of the 2012 intensify work with Qatar in health, education and tourism London Olympics. order to transfer its expertise in at the Qatar-UK Business and organising major sporting events Investment Forum, which such as the 2012 Olympics in kicked off in London on Mon- Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Air- which the UK capital hosted day, Dr Al Kuwari said the ways Group Chief Executive, 75,000 athletes at 34 sites. Ministry aims to provide the lat- said the carrier pays special Yesterday, the meetings of the est technology, treatment, attention to the UK market, and forum resumed in Birmingham, information technology, and there are 72 weekly flights from with Liam Fox, UK Secretary of ambulance services for patients. Qatar to different airports across State for International Trade, On death rates in car acci- the United Kingdom, pointing stressing on the importance of the dents in Qatar, the minister said to the huge investment steps the forum in light of the strong rela- it has dropped significantly and airline is taking in parallel with tions between the two countries the government is working to the expansion in infrastructure that aimed at the prosperity of the put an end to the ahead of hosting the 2022 World citizens of Qatar and the United phenomenon. Cup. The carrier is planning to Kingdom. Dr Al Kuwari said the min- attract more long-haul travel- He stressed that his depart- istry's vision is based on lers and establish Doha as a stop ment sets a priority to enhance investing in human beings and in their trips. Al Baker called on and expand exporting sectors to technology, and developing the UK investors to direct their the countries of the world, point- partnership between the public investments to Qatar, especially ing out that the government and private sectors to achieve in light of the mega projects cur- provides full support to business the goal of improving the qual- rently underway in preparation leaders and commercial sectors ity of services. of the 2022 World Cup and as in the field of export, stressing at Meanwhile, H E Mohammed part of implementing Qatar the same time that 'Qatar is our bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Min- National Vision 2030. partner to achieve all these goals ister of Municipality and Dr Hassan bin Rashid Al we came to highlight today'. Environment, announced that Derham, President, Qatar Uni- Speaking at the event yes- British companies are currently versity, highlighted the terday, Al Rumaihi highlighted submitting proposals for tenders expansion in the university, say- that the efficient allocation of for projects estimated at £30bn, ing that 18,000 students are resources as well as the effec- pointing out that Qatar will give enrolled in nine different tive participation of the private an opportunity to British com- schools and 35 academic pro- sector are priorities in the panies in a number of these grammes, noting that Qatar national strategy 2017-2022". investments. Al Rumaihi made University is the most growing The minister pointed out that the remarks at the conclusion university in research in the Qatar expects an increase of of the first day of the Qatar-UK Middle East. On academic coop- economic growth by 3.4 percent Business and Investment Forum. eration with the UK, Dr Al in 2017. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 HOME 03

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with Prince Charles at the Clarence House Palace in London, on the occasion of the Qatar-UK Business and Investment Forum. RIGHT: The Prime Minister speaking at the forum. Al Baker highlights role of aviation in boosting ties

The Peninsula contributing to both investment and Qsuite this summer, bringing First to Busi- employment opportunities. During this ness Class, a direct reflection of the atar Airways participated in high profile appearance to the delegation, importance we place upon the Qatar – the Qatar-UK Business and Al Baker hinted towards a further com- UK relationship.” Investment Forum taking mitment to the UK economy with a The forum included an invitation for place in both London and Bir- potential expansion to two new UK Al Baker to attend a VIP round table dis- Qmingham under the destinations. cussion with UK Prime Minister Theresa patronage of Prime Minister and Inte- Al Baker, said: “I’m honoured that May on the importance of the UK-Qatar rior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Bin Qatar Airways has been able to partici- relationship, alongside key representa- Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. pate at this important event under the tives from Qatar itself including Prime Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Execu- guidance of our Prime Minister and Min- Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh tive Officer Akbar Al Baker spoke at a ister of Interior, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. panel discussion on the first day of the Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. We are proud Al Baker also held a private meeting forum, commenting on the leading role of the part we play in encouraging trade with Secretary of State for International that aviation plays in the expanding between the UK and Qatar with more than Trade for the United Kingdom, Dr Liam business landscape relationship between 70 flights each week between the State of Fox. That same evening, Qatar Airways the two countries. Qatar and destinations in the UK such as hosted a gala dinner at London’s Dorches- Al Baker spoke alongside other lead- London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edin- ter Hotel for more than 450 VIP guests. At ing speakers such as H E Dr Hanan Al burgh and Manchester. In addition, the dinner, held in celebration of Qatar Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, and London is home to the headquarters of Airways ties with the UK, Al Baker also Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Dr Hassan Al Derham, President of Qatar International Airlines Group (IAG), of had the opportunity to greet with Her Khalifa Al Thani (second right), H E Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of University. which we are a proud shareholder and Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, Transport and Communications (left), H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi, Minister of Qatar Airways works with many Brit- the UK will also be the very first market who shared mutual interest in the UK Finance (right) and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker ish companies such as Rolls Royce to which we will fly our recently launched based Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. at the Qatar Airways Gala Dinner at The Dorchester. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 Ministry signs four MoUs to develop transport sector

The Peninsula Zakia to explore potential part- ing to global standards. Several ventures nership to create an automated This will enable the realiza- he Ministry of Transport The first MoU to parking system in West Bay was tion of next generation Road and Communications explore potential signed by Assistant Undersecre- Safety Systems. It is considered (MoTC) yesterday tary of Land Transport Rashid as a key enabler for future auton- ventures signed by signed four memoranda Taleb Al Nabet and Mawaqif omous and self-driving vehicles. Hassan Al Hail and of understanding (MoU) Zakia’s General Manager Studies conducted by various Tin land transport field as part of its Abdulaziz Ali bin Mohamed Hlep. transport authorities show that efforts to develop a modern trans- Hamad Al Attiyah. The project reflects the con- connected vehicles, if fully port sector for the State of Qatar. siderable attention the Ministry implemented, could mitigate up The first MoU with Smart Second agreement pays to providing an integrated to 80% of road accidents. In the Transport to explore potential aimed to develop transport system and solving past, the focus has been on how ventures was signed by Hassan transport-related parking problems in the coun- to survive accidents; CAV aims Al Hail, the Minister’s Advisor, manufacturing try. It also promotes to avoid them completely, as well and Smart Transport’s Chairman industries. public-private partnerships, as as enhancing our daily driving Abdulaziz Ali Bin Hamad Al it would help elevate the effi- experience, as a whole. Attiyah. ciency of facilities for local “Today’s MoU is a gateway The project would reflect the The second MoU with Union communities and support eco- Officials signing the MoU. for a strong partnership with Ministry’s interest in developing Global Projects to explore poten- nomic development. QMIC. This is an exciting oppor- transport-related manufactur- tial ventures was signed by Hassan Moreover, in a strategic national and regional scale. Ministry will play an important tunity to adopt a new data-rich ing in the country. The MoTC Al-Hail, the Minister’s Advisor, and move to take the Connected & The MoU was signed by advisory role and aid in facilitat- environment which will be the envisioned itself to provide a Union Global Project’s Chairman Automated Vehicles program Assistant Undersecretary of Land ing development and piloting foundation for numerous new multi-modal transport system Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Jassim (CAV) in Qatar to the next level, Transport Rashid Taleb Al Nabet activities in support of getting applications that will make our that is integrated, accessible and Ali Al Thani. the Ministry signed an MoU with and QMIC’s Executive Director Qatar ready to deploy CAV sys- roads safer, less congested and inclusive for all citizens in the The agreement reflects Min- the Qatar Mobility Innovations and CEO Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya. tems and applications. more eco-friendly,” said Mr. Al State of Qatar. istry’s interest in developing Center (QMIC), per which a con- This MoU officially declares CAV refers to the concept, Nabet. In addition, this project transport-related manufactur- sortium on CAV is announced. the Ministry as a founding mem- where as part of newly emerg- He added that the Ministry invites public-private partner- ing industries in the country to This is the first consortium to be ber of the consortium. Given its ing cooperative intelligent “works on providing world-class ship, as it would help elevate the contribute to diversifying and created on CAV in Qatar and the mandate and leading role in real- transport systems, vehicles will transportation and communica- efficiency of facilities for local expanding the economic activi- region aiming to create the eco- izing advanced and seamless be able to communicate with one tion systems that support Qatar’s communities and support eco- ties in Qatar. system needed for facilitating transport systems and road each other and with the road economic and social growth and nomic development. The third MoU with Mawaqif early deployment of CAV at safety technologies in Qatar, the network wirelessly (V2X) accord- sustainable development.”

Driving tests Qatar has over 200 British firms in various sectors to be made → Continued from page 1 all measures it has taken to economy. education, construction, banking, and enhance cooperation transparent counter terrorist acts and to “As we look forward to more advisory and other sectors. Qatar's between the two countries. “We were very pleased to preserve its security and contributions from British com- exports to Britain reached 1.5 bil- “ Our quest for a knowledge → Continued from page 1 sign with the UK Prime Minister stability. panies in the Qatari economy, I lion pounds while imports economy requires a distinct level “This plan will be soon an MoU for the 2030 Strategy The Premier explained that would like to point to the impor- reached 1.1 billion pounds in 2016. of education, research and train- implemented and a traffic vio- yesterday, to enhance strategic since the last forum in 2012, the tant role of British companies in The UK is one of the biggest ing, and the UK is known to be a lation investigator and action with the UK,” said the relations between the two coun- the development of the Qatari destinations for Qatari invest- leading country in this field,” said engineering officer will be Prime Minister. tries witnessed many economy over the past decades, ments, with over £40bn in the Premier. deployed at places where He conveyed the condo- developments which have as they have strongly contrib- various areas of the British econ- He pointed that in the past majority of accidents happen,” lences of Emir H H Sheikh pushed for organizing this year's uted to the booming oil and gas omy, contributing to increased few months, Qatar has taken said Al Kharji. He also briefed Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to forum in order to push the stra- industry and other economic growth and job creation, he important measures to about the ‘smart cars’ for driv- the victims of the recent terror- tegic partnership towards new fields,” said the Premier. added. strengthen the business and ing tests saying it will decide ist incident in the UK and the aspects of cooperation, seeking He pointed out that Qatar cur- The Premier said that Qatar investment environment in order the results without the inter- Emir’s assertion of Qatar's sol- to accelerate the process of rently has more than 200 British will invest approximately £5bn to promote growth in non-oil vention of the supervising idarity with the friendly UK in building a knowledge-based companies in the energy, in the British economy through sectors and support the private policemen. “We are introduc- investment funds and agencies sector to expand its role in the ing such a service to bring more and the competent authorities national economy. transparency to driving test and in Qatar over the next three years Also, work is under way to also to develop our services. to be another addition to its suc- develop laws and legislation to And when we apply it com- cessful investments in the UK, facilitate procedures for grant- plaints will end and the stressing that the new invest- ing and renewing various types learners will not be under the ments will be in all parts of the of commercial and industrial tension of being monitored by Kingdom, including Wales, Scot- licences, in addition to develop- a police officer,” Al Kharji said. land and Northern Ireland. ing and expanding industrial and logistic zones. Major projects These actions will facilitate Sheikh Thamer The Prime Minister affirmed cooperation and joint ventures that Qatar will continue to between Qatari and British com- meets envoy implement major infrastructure panies in the future. CHAIRMAN of Qatar Media projects in the key sectors of The Prime Minister visited Corporation Sheikh Hamad bin education, health and transport, yesterday the accompanying Thamer Al Thani met yesterday as well as projects related to exhibition of the second Qatar- with Ambassador of Singapore hosting the 2022 World Cup. UK Business and Investment to Qatar Jai S Sohan. During He added that these projects Forum and toured the different the meeting, they discussed provide significant and remark- sections of the exhibition and media relations between the able opportunities to advance viewed the latest innovation. two countries.

Ashghal to close part of Street No. 967

THE Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced it will close part of Street No 967 connected to Al Tha- khira Road, from tomorrow for two months. The closure extends for 100 metres in both direc- tions at the junction between Street No 967 and Al Thakhira Road near Al Meera. Traffic will be diverted to a newly con- structed alternative road near the closed part. This temporary diver- sion is required to enable the works of laying sewer rising mains as part of design, build, operate and maintain of Al Thakhira sewage treatment works, transfer pumping station and associated pipelines. The Public Works Authority has requested all road users to abide by the speed limit and follow diversion road signs. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 HOME 05 Qatar International Food Festival opens today

Raynald C Rivera Varied fare country, are also participating The Peninsula at the festival with their The 11-day culinary specialities. he eighth Qatar extravaganza with Foodies can also have Din- International Food the theme “A ner in the Sky or try the High Festival opens its Different Side of Tea/ Fine Dining lounge which doors today with a Food” will officially have made a comeback at this wide range of cui- launch at 4pm today. year’s festival after their success Tsines on offer at over a last year. hundred food stalls, trucks and Food trucks and New this year is the garden carts at the Hotel Park over- picnic where families can col- carts are also looking the Doha Corniche. lect a basket and blanket to participating at the The 11-day culinary extrav- enjoy a casual meal on the aganza with the theme “A festival. grass in the pleasant Different Side of Food” will offi- outdoors. cially launch at 4pm today. which has 73 participating food Food and beverages offered Hundreds of food enthusi- outlets, Hotel Zone with 16 par- at the stalls, food trucks and asts are expected to throng the ticipating four and five star carts are priced between QR5 to venue to sample mouth-water- hotels, Cultural Zone featuring QR35, while Dinner in the sky is ing cuisines offered by some of authentic food and cultural per- available at QR500. the best restaurants and cafes formances from ten Other attractions at the fes- Food stalls getting ready for the eighth Qatar International Food Festival which opens today. in the country. participating countries, and tival are the signature Live Pic: Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula Around 130 restaurants, Healthy Zone which features Cooking Theatre, fireworks dis- hotels, food carts and trucks organic restaurants and work- play, and screenings of television series and Baraem hundred restaurants and cafes opportunity to join internation- and other private and public shops on healthy food and food-related and international shows by Jeem TV. across the country. ally-acclaimed chefs for an entities are participating at the lifestyle. movies by Doha Film and Insti- Earlier last week, QIFF Me- a In addition, a number of five- interactive cooking and dining festival which is divided into Food trucks and carts, which tute, Siraj - Qatar Foundation's new festival feature which offers star hotels across Doha are through the QIFF Chef’s Tables zones including the Main Zone are becoming popular in the new 3D animation edutainment set meals- launched in over a offering residents and visitors which starts today. Anti-cancer effects of diabetes drug discussed Qatar & UK sign health MoU The Peninsula In type-2 diabetes, the body either as anti-aging and anti-cancer properties, Birmingham Qatar, while Nicola Blackwood, does not produce enough insulin or the as well as protecting against cardiovascu- QNA undersecretary of state for public he possible anti-aging and anti-can- body’s cells do not respond adequately to lar disease.” health and innovation, represented cer effects of the most widely used insulin, which is responsible for control- Studies of stype-2 diabetes patients he second day of Qatar-UK the UK. Tdiabetes medication in the world ling blood sugar levels. Metformin is an receiving metformin showed a statisti- Business and Investment Meanwhile, an agreement on were discussed at the latest installment oral medication that helps to keep blood cally significant reduced incidence of TForum, which is taking place the establishment of a joint com- of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM- sugar levels under control by improving cancer and improved survival rates in Birmingham, saw signing of a mittee on economic, commercial Q) Grand Rounds. insulin sensitivity. among those who did get cancer. memorandum of understanding and technical cooperation between Dr Chris Triggle, Professor of Pharma- Speaking at WCM-Q to an audience of Dr Triggle explained beneficial side- (MoU) in the health field as well as the governments of Qatar and the cology at WCM-Q, summarised the research fellow health professionals, Dr Triggle said: effects of the drug appeared to be related an agreement on the establishment UK was signed by Minister of Econ- into potentially beneficial side-effects of “Metformin is the ‘first choice’ medication to its capacity to affect function of body’s of an economic cooperation com- omy and Commerce, H E Sheikh metformin, a synthetically manufactured for treatment of type-2 diabetes because it endothelial cells, which line the interior sur- mittee between Qatar and the Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al drug that has been in use for over 60 years is very effective, it is inexpensive, and its faces of blood vessels. The endothelial cells United Kingdom. Thani, from the Qatari side and UK as a treatment for type-2 diabetes. It is esti- side-effects are not severe. Indeed, there is play a key role in supporting growth of new Minister of Public Health Dr H Secretary of State for International mated that more than 150 million people evidence that suggests metformin may actu- blood vessels in tumours, and metformin E Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari Trade, Liam Fox, on behalf of the around the world use metformin every day. ally have some beneficial side-effects, such appears to interfere with this process. signed the health MoU on behalf of UK government. 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

Careem to Rehab helping integrate app with kids with Down Google Maps Syndrome The Peninsula n a move aimed at further Health challenge four, Haya was referred to the strengthening its commit- Child Development Center to Iment to user experience A number of increase the level of her reha- and convenience, Careem, the specialists at the bilitation and development. I region’s leading ride-hailing Center advise started follow-up visits to the service, announced that it is families on the Center three times a week. She now integrated into Google importance of early received an integrated therapy Maps. intervention and programme (physiotherapy, The service is currently rehabilitation. occupational therapy, speech available on Android and iOS therapy and special education) to users in the UAE and will Mohamad Jaidah (left), Group Executive Director of Jaidah Group, and Brigadier Mohamed provided by experts who be rolled out in Qatar and An integrated offered her specialist care. At Saad Al Kharji, Director-General of the Traffic Department, during a ceremony to present across the other markets in therapy programme the same time, I was also a Chevrolet Silverado to the Traffic Department at the General Directorate of Traffic the region, in the coming provided by experts researching and reading books Headquarters, yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin/ The Peninsula weeks, said a press release. helps child meet to help us learn more together.” The integration of Car- challenges head on. Marwan Abo Dawwas, a eem’s services with Google Special Education Specialist Maps means a faster ride-hail- The Peninsula with the early intervention pro- Chevrolet dealer presents ing experience for users of both gramme at the Child the apps. For users searching he Child Development Development Center says for directions in Google Maps, Center at Rumailah Haya's progress highlights the a simple tap on the ride-hail- Hospital (RH), part of importance of early interven- rescue car to Traffic Dept ing icon on the far right will Hamad Medical Cor- tion: “She feels and is aware of reveal the closest available poration (HMC), is her surroundings just like other Careem cars, along with the Tplaying a significant role in the children. She joins her peers in Sidi Mohamed from both sides. “We hope this efforts of the department." expected pick-up time and fare care and development of chil- playing and behaves normally The Peninsula contribution to reduce traffic “We hope that the new estimate for a ride to their dren with Down Syndrome with her family members. With accidents will benefit more win- Chevrolet Silverado with its selected destination. At this through its early intervention early intervention and contin- laying its role in assisting ter campers due to its power and power and capabilities will point, users will have the rehabilitation programme. uous rehabilitation, her authorities to ensure road design. In September we also assist the department with res- option to open the Careem app A number of specialists at condition saw a speedy Psafety and undertake res- organised with Jaidah Automo- cue efforts and implementing and confirm their booking, the Center advise families on improvement. cue operations fast, Jaidah tive an awareness campaign to safety on the road to reduce the with their pick-up and drop- the importance of early inter- Automotive, exclusive Chevro- spread traffic awareness among rate of accidents,” he added. off details transferring to the vention and rehabilitation in let dealer in Qatar, yesterday school students,” said Al Kharji. Jaidah Automotive partici- Careem app automatically. helping children with the con- presented a special edition He added: “I hope other pated this year in the 33rd GCC “As the go-to app for dition to thrive. It is this early Chevrolet Silverado 2017 to the companies will do the same to Traffic Week, which was held directions and navigation, intervention that has allowed General Directorate of Traffic help the Traffic Department under the theme — “Your Life is Google Maps is an extremely five-year-old Haya Rashid Al Department. reduce accidents because all Trust” — at Darb Al Saai. popular service and integrat- Noaimi to enjoy her childhood The ceremony took place at road users are responsible for Jaidah Automotive partici- ing Careem within the app and start school. the Traffic Department Head- traffic accidents.” pated in the event including a means users can now take Khloud Al Ajmy, Haya's quarters and was attended by Mohamad Jaidah, Group display of the Chevrolet Camaro advantage of the benefits of mother, said: "I came to know Brig Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, Executive Director of Jaidah and Trailblazer 2017. both the apps simultaneously. that my daughter had Down Director-General of the Traffic Group, said, “We will like to The Traffic Department held This translates into a seam- Syndrome immediately after Department at the Ministry, thank Qatar’s Traffic Depart- an appreciation event at the end less and uninterrupted her birth. I took leave from my Mohamad Jaidah, Group Exec- ment for their role in of the Traffic Week, where Jai- ride-hailing experience for job and started the rehabilita- utive Director of Jaidah Group, supporting road rescue and dah Automotive was presented our customers that saves their tion journey with Haya to try and Khalid Samir, Director of safety. It is essential to create with a certificate of apprecia- time and effort and maxim- and help her lead a normal life Operations at Jaidah Automo- safer roads in Qatar and we are tion that was received by Khalid ises convenience,” said Wael with her peers. When she was Haya Rashid Al Noaimi. tive, as well as representatives excited to contribute to the Samir, Director of Operations. Nafee, VP of Product. Qatar University's CCE holds meeting of GCC varsity deans

The Peninsula The two-day event drew the partic- Director Dr Rajab Abdulla Al Esmail, well as QU faculty and staff. structure of the General Secretariat of ipation of over 30 deans and directors Kuwait University Vice-President for The programme included two dis- the Committee of Deans of Deanships, he Center of Continuing Educa- of community service and continuing Academic Support Services and Secre- cussion sessions focused on the Colleges and Community Service tion (CCE) at Qatar University (QU) education centres in the GCC. They tary General of the Committee of Deans recommendations and suggestions that Centers. Tlaunched yesterday the 23rd Meet- shared their ideas and experiences on of Deanships, Colleges and Community emerged from the 22nd Meeting of the It also included over 20 presenta- ing of the Deans of Deanships, Colleges a wide range of issues related to con- Service Centers in the GCC Dr Jasem Deans of Deanships, Colleges and Com- tions on the experiences and expertise and Community Service Centers in the tinuing education and community Ramadan Alkandari, Secretary General munity Service Centers in the GCC, the of the universities in the GCC. GCC aimed at exploring collaboration service. of the Committee of Deans of Deanships, annual report and 5-year plan of the Each institution suggested a pro- opportunities to develop methods of The opening ceremony was attended Colleges and Community Service Cent- Committee of Deans of Deanships, Col- gramme or a session in areas of continuing education and community by QU Vice-President for Administra- ers at Universities in Saudi Arabia, Dr leges and Community Service Centers community service, continuing educa- service due to the changes that occur in tion and Financial Affairs, Dr Khalid Al Abdullah Al Razeen, and deans and in the GCC, a presentation on the pro- tion, and skills and resources the educational and technological Khater, QU Vice-President for Student directors of community service and con- posals by Qassim University and Kuwait development that can be applied in the framework at the global and local level. Affairs, Dr Khalid Al Khanji, CCE tinuing education centres in the GCC, as University, and the organisational GCC universities. Five schools in finals of Qatar e-Nature contest The Peninsula

ive schools from across Qatar have qualified for Fthe finals of the Qatar e-Nature Schools Competition 2017. 63 students from 21 pri- vate and Independent Schools participated in the semi-finals, which took place last week at the Maymouna Primary Inde- pendent School for Girls. The finals and awards cer- emony will take place on April 25 at The Westin Hotel. The five qualifying schools that have progressed to the finals are: Elite International School; Al Khansaa Primary Independent School for Girls; Alshaqab Primary Independent School for Girls; Abu Hanifa Finalists from five schools are preparing for the Qatar e-Nature Schools Competition 2017 Model Independent School for finals to be held on April 25. Boys; and Nord Anglia Interna- tional School Al Khor. The quarter and semi-final mammals, marine life and high-profile public figures and contest allows students to rounds were filled with com- nature reserves in Qatar. media personnel are all actively learn about Qatar’s petitive spirit and suspense. Preparations for the final expected to attend the highly- beautiful and diverse wildlife. This year’s questions were rounds have already begun, as anticipated event. The Qatar The user-friendly Qatar more challenging, testing the the qualifying schools are all e-Nature schools contest is e-Nature app is available for teams’ assertiveness, team eager to be recognised as the organised by Sasol, the Minis- download free on Apple Store, work skills and showcasing winner of the 2017 Qatar try of Education and Higher Google Play store, Windows their knowledge of birds, e-Nature schools contest. Education, and Friends of the Phone Store and on the web- insects, flora, reptiles, The event organisers, Environment Centre. This site (www.enature.qa). WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 HOME 07 Umm Salal fish market to open on April 1

considerable difficulties. The New facility ready customers would only go to a Moving to Umm Salal place where all their needs from the centre of could be effectively met. the city may cause Meanwhile, fish prices at inconvenience to Central Market have slightly both retailers and increased due to heavy rain. Saraj, a stall operator at the Cen- customers as the new tral Market, told The Peninsula: facility lies in the “Due to heavy rain the price of outskirts. fish has slightly increased because of the difficulty we face while fishing in rain. The regu- The new fish market Hisense and Darwish Trading Company officials mark the foray of the global electronics giant into the Qatari market. in Umm Salal is lar customers are still visiting almost complete with here and buying fish in bulk. about 20 stalls. They are complaining over the shifting of the market to Umm Electronics giant Hisense enters Qatar Salal as it is far.” Amna Pervaiz Rao Sameer, a restaurant owner The Peninsula said: “At the Central Market, the The Peninsula generation products will not only to suit the global and regional biggest advantage for custom- provide much desired conven- commercial air-conditioner he fish market at ers, especially those buying in isense, the global elec- Hisense products ience to the customers but also industry. Doha-Central Market big quantities is the availabil- tronics giant, after have adhered revolutionise the AC industry in VRF — Variable Refrigerant is all set to shift to ity all three items (vegetables, Hsuccessfully venturing to the call of the Middle East. Flow system is the latest technol- Umm Salal next fruits and meat) under one roof. into the Middle East, has Kahramaa/ Ministry Hisense products have ogy in HVAC. This system consists month and the ven- This shifting will cause prob- extended its footprint in Qatar – adhered to the call of Kahramaa/ of one outdoor unit with many Tdors have made preparations lems for regular customers like partnering with Darwish Trading of Environment to Ministry of Environment to min- indoor units. The system is used for the imminent shifting. us. We are aware of location Company as an exclusive distri- minimise power imise the consumption of power for variable load, meaning every “Earlier, we were given the and rates here.” bution partner for its air consumption and and improve the efficiency, space can have its own temper- date of March 15 and now they On the other hand, the fish conditioning business with an improve efficiency, whereby Hisense RAC (spilt ACs) ature although it is connected by have decided to shift on April 1. market in Umm Salal is almost entire range of world recognised have achieved 7 Star ratings and one compressor. VRF air condi- All the vendors are set to shift complete and there are about commercial air conditioners. whereby Hisense are among the top elite tioning systems are cost effective to the new venue. Even though 20 stalls at the new market. Moan Abraham, Executive spilt ACs have products. to install, easy to use and eco- this shifting will cause a fall in Usually the retail prices at VP for Air Conditioning at achieved 7 Star Mohammed Shahed Akbar nomical to operate throughout number of customers as the the fish and meat stalls at the Hisense Middle East, said: “We – Head of Operations at Darwish the life of the equipment. location might not be conven- Central Market are lower than have partnered exclusively for ratings. Trading Company- AC division, After 14 years of develop- ient for all our old customers,” those at malls and hypermar- air conditioning with Darwish said: "The company is currently ment, Hisense's market share in a vendor at the fish market told kets. A stall operator at the Trading Company in Qatar after In the Middle East, Hisense enjoying a more balanced struc- the commercial air conditioner The Peninsula. Central Market said: "Even taking into consideration their has already embarked upon a ture between its traditional B2C space is No 2 in China, and with This shifting may cause those requiring goods in large successful presence for 85 years, successful journey with year- and new B2B business, making the help of its world leading VRF inconvenience to both custom- quantities like hoteliers would their strong brand value and on-year growth of over 50% the brand presence felt across technology, Hisense aims to use ers and retailers, it is felt. be forced to make their pur- marketing infrastructure, com- with ambitious plans to achieve various sectors of the Doha mar- it to link all communities through Residents who regularly visit chases at the fish and meat bined with their strong after sale double digit growth in the ket. The company’s continuous communication and smart home the Central Market said the outlets in malls and major service making it a win-win region. Hisense and Darwish are success is attributed to the core products and eventually provide shifting would lead to shopping centres." situation. confident that the next technologies that are designed services to entire cities. 08 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 RAF receives WISE invites Sanabel 2017 entries for award The Peninsula

heikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitar- Accelerator Sian Services (RAF) has bagged a social responsibility award — “Sanabel-2017” — for year they benefit from tailor- best community initiatives in Education projects made mentorships to address orphan care across GCC The WISE Accelerator specific needs. The WISE Accel- countries. is intended to erator assists the selected Dr Ayed bin Dabssan Al projects to connect with an inter- Qahtani, Chairman, Board of support the national network and create Trustees, and General Direc- development of opportunities to share knowl- tor, RAF, received the award innovative projects edge and find support among from Sheikh Salman bin Abdul- in the field of potential donors and investors,” lah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, education. WISE said on its website calling Honorary President of Al Sana- applications for 2017-2018 WISE bel Orphans Care Society in Dr Ayed bin Dabssan Al Qahtani, Chairman, Board of Trustees, and General Director, RAF, The eighth WISE Accelerator programme. Bahrain and Dr Abdullatif bin “Projects addressing edu- receiving the award from Sheikh Salman bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Honorary Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary- summit will take President of Al Sanabel Orphans Care Society, Bahrain, and Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, place between cation challenges through the General of the GCC, in a use and/or design of technol- Secretary-General of the GCC, in a ceremony in Bahrain. ceremony in Bahrain. November 14 and 16 ogy in all sectors and regions in Doha. are encouraged to apply,” it fur- ther said. Fazeena Saleem Ideal candidates for the The Peninsula WISE Accelerator will be exist- QNL hosts 'Poetry Slam' workshop ing projects at an early stage of he World Innovation development, and including a Summit for Educa- significant and growing number The Peninsula was really impressive. They all a student at Weill Cornell Med- tion (WISE) has of beneficiaries or customers, Qatar Germany 2017 came from different nationali- icine-Qatar, commented on the opened applications a record of activities with a atar National Library Year of Culture is ties and spoke different experience, saying: “I decided for 2017-2018 WISE product or service that has been (QNL), in collaboration designed to deepen languages, which created an to participate in the workshop TAccelerator programme. successfully implemented and Qwith the German Embassy energetic and varied atmosphere in order to cultivate my crea- Projects from all sectors beyond proof of concept and Doha and the Goethe-Institut understanding on stage. It also emphasised the tivity and to find ways in which and regions of the world are clear future objectives and Gulf Region, recently hosted a between nations fact that using the same language I could improve my poetry invited to apply for the 2017-18 motivation to develop further. ‘Poetry Slam’ workshop, fol- through the is not important – I always say skills. The workshop offered me WISE Accelerator by June 14. The eighth WISE summit lowed by a public performance, if you don’t understand a poem, a great opportunity to find the The WISE Accelerator is will take place between as part of the Qatar Germany exchange of arts, just feel it.” spark that inspires me to write intended to support the devel- November 14 and 16 in Doha 2017 Year of Culture. culture, heritage and Julian Heun, poetry slammer more.” opment of innovative projects under the theme ‘Co-exist, Co- The workshop took place sport, developed and instructor, also commented, Qatar Germany 2017 Year in the field of education with create: Learning to Live and over three days, and was deliv- by Qatar Museums saying: “The workshop aimed to of Culture is a year-long pro- high potential for scalability Work Together.’ ered by German poetry help participants conquer their gramme designed to deepen and positive impact. The WISE Summit is a slammers and instructors, Julian in partnership with stage fright by providing them understanding between nations It relies on the expertise of unique opportunity to engage Heun and Dominique Macri. To the Goethe-Institut with the tools to tap into their through the mutual exchange qualified mentors and partners in the important debates and celebrate the conclusion of the Gulf Region, and the creativity and develop their writ- of arts, culture, heritage and to provide projects with effective discussions on the full range of event, the participants per- embassies of the ing skills. It was great to sport, developed by Qatar strategies and concrete support pressing education challenges formed their newly-constructed experience how the participants Museums in partnership with to ensure their development. with a diverse, global commu- poems at the Hamad bin Khal- two countries. came together and supported the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, “Five projects are selected nity committed to building ifa University (HBKU) Student each other to find their own the German Embassy in Doha annually to join the one-year strong, prosperous, and secure Center in Education City to the slammer and instructor, said: voice.” and the Embassy of Qatar in programme. Throughout the societies through education. public. Dominique Macri, poetry “The variety of our participants Participant Abdullah Tom, Germany.

PIS set to start new academic Flying Eye Hospital development trains staff in programme 46-seat classroom The Peninsula Continued from page 1 akistan International Development, who have made School (PIS) is set to this initiate a reality thanks to Pimplement ‘New Aca- On the Orbis Flying Eye their generous donation. Over demic Development Plan’ Hospital, an official of Orbis the last two weeks, we have from forthcoming academic told The Peninsula that it took welcomed dignitaries, VIPs session starting next month. more than six years in the mak- and the press for behind-the- “We have designed a new ing before the third-generation scenes tours of the hospital and methodology to compete Flying Eye Hospital was first the plane, to find out more international schools which unveiled in Los Angeles in June about the countries we have will be implemented from the 2016. visited, the work of our 400 new academic session set to From the outside, the plus medical volunteers and to start from April 2,” said PIS MD-10 looks like a typical pas- experience a piece of aviation Principal, Nargis Raza Otho senger plane, but on the inside history,” said Allan Thompson, while talking to The there is a state-of-the-art oper- Director of External Relations Peninsula. ating theatre, with audio-visual at Orbis. She said that new devel- equipment that transmits live Qatar Creating Visionis opment primarily revolved surgeries to the medical pro- working to train over 90,000 around character building of fessionals Orbis trains in a school teachers, frontline- GCC traffic delegation visits an injured patient at Hamad General Hospital. students and would also pre- 46-seat classroom in the front workers and community health pare them for out-of-box of the plane. volunteers in India and Bang- thinking. The aircraft also features ladesh. They will also further On availability of vacant GCC traffic dept officials visit pre and post-op spaces and a the skills of up to 500 medical seats for admissions in PIS, laser suite and 3D capabilities, professionals in both she said that the school was enabling those in the classroom countries. packed to its capacity. Hamad Trauma Center to get a very real view of the In 2015 Qatar Charity and “Though we had to open surgery taking place in the Orbis also launched a cam- admissions in March 2017 but theatre. paign to raise more than QR2m we started receiving calls The Peninsula and casualties caused by road National Traffic Safety Strategy Leonardo Mercado, a Staff to reduce blindness in children from December last year. As traffic accidents. to help prevent accidents and Nurse told The Peninsula that in Bangladesh. many as 300 applicants are amad Trauma Center at Dr Hassan Al Thani, Head of protect the safety of individuals he was associated with Orbis Under this partnership, on the waiting list while all Hamad General Hospi- Trauma and Vascular Surgery at through enforcing necessary for the last 21 years and always Qatar Charity has been mobi- vacancies are already filled,” Htal recently received a Hamad Medical Corporation traffic laws and legislation. He felt satisfaction in dispensing lising support for the campaign she said. delegation from the GCC Traf- (HMC), as well as other senior cli- added that public education and his job as the organization was (Fundraising License She said that availability fic Department as part of this nicians and officials from the provisions to ensure drivers are bringing smiles to those in 2016/4384), while Orbis, with of seats for KG to grade 4 was year’s GCC Traffic Week Corporate Communication qualified are also required. need. its 15 years of experience zero. “We face extra pressure initiative. Department’s Public Relations Ali Darwish, Assistant Exec- The flying hospital has also working in eye health in Bang- on two grounds: firstly our Organised each year by the team, welcomed the delegation. utive Director of the Ambulance received the gold standard seal ladesh, has been busy low fee structures and sec- Ministry of Interior’s Traffic In his welcoming speech, Dr Service at HMC, highlighted the of approval by gaining its implementing it. ondly the quality of education Department, this year’s events Al Thani stressed the importance role of the Ambulance Service accreditation from the When asked how residents at PIS,” Otho said, adding that were held under the theme of unifying efforts aimed at in caring for those injured prior renowned American Associa- of Qatar could contribute to currently total number of stu- ‘Your Life is a Trust’. Activities reducing injuries caused by road to, and during, transport to hos- tion for Accreditation for the cause, Thompson said that dents at PIS was 3600. held during the week aimed to traffic accidents. He stated that pital. He noted that technology Ambulatory Surgery Facilities the people could donate PIS Principal said that the foster cooperation between GCC traffic accidents are one of the advancements introduced into International (AAAASFI). towards the campaign in tex- school was not only having government organisations and leading causes of death and dis- HMC ambulances have “In Qatar, the Flying Eye ting ‘El Ein’ (the eye) to: 92133 students from Pakistani com- community groups to improve ability in the region. improved the level of care pro- Hospital is celebrating Qatar to donate QR25; 92632 to munity but was also serving traffic safety in the region and Dr Al Thani stressed the vided to the injured before they Creating Vision and the sup- donate QR50 and 92642 to as many as 29 nationalities. to help prevent avoidable deaths need to fully implement the arrive at hospital. port of the Qatar Fund for donate QR100. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 HOME 09 Qatar Charity launches health centre in Chad

The Peninsula in the region, immunizing chil- The same Qatari dren against those diseases and Qatari benefactor contributing to the achievement has donated money donor had previously of the Millennium Development to construct an inte- financed a number Goals. grated health centre, of important projects Stressing on the distinctive- launched by Qatar ness of the health centre which Charity,A in Omdurman in Chad, to be carried out is considered a special develop- in order to raise hope and con- in Omdurman in mental project, the Health tribute to better health care Chad, including Minister of the Republic of Chad there. said in his speech at the open- drilling of a solar- A large ceremony was ded- ing ceremony of the center that H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, icated to this occasion in the QC is used to carry out such powered artesian and other senior officials from the Ministries of Education of the Gulf States during the presence of the Health Minister; development projects that meet well, a grain-grinding inauguration of the Arab Educational Training Center for Gulf States, yesterday. Hamad bin Abdul Hadi Al Hajri, the concerns of people in Chad Ambassador of Qatar in Chad, machine, and electric and promote development serv- officials and religious figures in pumps for farmers to ing both the health sector and Qatar, and a large gathering of irrigate their crops. human development through its Minister opens Arab Educational villagers and people from the income-generating projects, and surrounding areas. other significant efforts in Chad. The Health Minister said, Further, he pointed out that “The projects implemented by and the patients and visitors; the ministry has assigned med- Training Center for Gulf States Qatar Charity help alleviate basic medical equipment and ical staff for the clinic, consisting major worries of the citizens.” office supplies, in addition to an of a doctor, an administrative The centre is going to offer electric generator to keep the director, a nurse and a labora- Mohammed Osman this centre to meet its needs on training courses on teachers help to 20,000 people through centre constantly operating. tory technician in order to The Peninsula training and development of performances and students its medical staff, a 250 square Uthman ibn Affan health provide medical services to the education system. achievements, the Minister metre building consisting of 8 centre aims at providing people residents of the region, men- E Dr Mohammed Abdul "The centre is one of the best noted. main rooms and their depend- with medical services, reducing tioning that this health center Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, educational training centres in In his opening speech, the encies, a pharmacy, a store, epidemics and infectious dis- will help the residents of the HMinister of Education Arab countries in terms of qual- General Manager of the Bureau private toilets for both the staff eases which are very prevalent area get needed medical and Higher Education yester- ity of training provided to of Education for the Gulf States, services. day inaugurated the Arab educational leaderships and Dr Ali bin AbdulKhaliq Al Karni, It’s noteworthy that the Educational Training Center for manpower capacities building," said that training is one of the same Qatari donor had previ- Gulf States in presence of a he added. core areas for education devel- ously financed a number of number of senior officials from Meanwhile, six senior offi- opment, capacity building and important projects to be carried the Ministries of Education of cials were honored by the Arab promotions. out in Omdurman in Chad, the Gulf States. Bureau for Education in the Gulf The current significant including drilling of a solar- We count a lot on the cen- States for their dedication and development in Qatari educa- powered artesian well, a tre to train teachers, educational efforts. tion system has proved this fact, grain-grinding machine, elec- managements, leaderships in Emphasising the importance he added, noting that the inau- tric pumps for farmers to the Ministries of Education of of training in the process of edu- guration of the centre today here irrigate their crops, and other the member countries of the cation developments, the comes in line with the Qatari income-generating projects. He Arab Bureau of Education for the minister pointed out that the and other GCC States vision. pledged as well to develop this Gulf States, said the Minister of ministry is about to launch new Dr Muza Nasser Al Kaabi, village through implementing Education and Higher building for the educational Director of the Arab Educational sustainable future projects, Education. training center under the min- Center for GCC States, high- mainly building a primary Speaking to media on the istry of education. lighted that the centre since its school, a mosque, a Holy Quran sidelines of the inauguration This year training pro- opening in 2001 used its all memorization center, and a ceremony of the new centre, the grammes are based on capacities to achieve excellence Officials at the ceremony to open the health centre in Chad. training center. Minister said that Qatar needed measuring the impacts of in its training programmes. 10 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 HOME 11 12 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 13

Saudi to set up $3bn Unite against joint investment fund for Jordan Syria war, UN AMMAN: Saudi Arabia is to set up a $3 billion joint invest- ment fund for Jordan, among 15 cooperation agreements signed by King Salman dur- chief tells Arabs ing a visit to Amman, state media said yesterday. Other agreements include Amman measures to boost power AFP Call for Arab unity generation, tackle worsening "When Arab countries water shortages, and improve N chief Antonio are divided, it has housing and health services, Petra Guterres called on allowed others to Jordan's official news Arab leaders yester- agency said. intervene and to day to set aside their It said the accords cov- manipulate situations, differences to con- ered uranium mining and Ufront Syria's six-year conflict, as creating instability, water desalination projects, he toured a Syrian refugee camp breeding conflict and and that a memorandum was in Jordan. facilitating the lives of signed to build a $70m solar "Arab unity is a very impor- terrorist organisations," power station on Jordan's United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (right) talks to Syrian women and girls tant element in order to allow UN Chief Antonio eastern border. The agree- this region to be stabilised and Guterres said on the during a visit to the Zaatari refugee camp which shelters some 80,000 refugees, east of ments, worth a total of $3.5bn, for... the Syrian refugees to find eve of Arab League Mafraq in Jordan, yesterday. were signed on Monday again a future that corresponds Summit in Jordan evening shortly after Salman's to their aspirations," Guterres today. refugees and not jihadists seek- Syrian situation are able to come based on the two-state solution arrival for an Arab summit said. ing to infiltrate the country. together these refugees that are and the international legitimacy later this week, Petra added. Speaking on the eve of an Guterres, who headed the living here artificially now for resolutions. Arab League summit hosted by government forces, jihadists, UNHCR when the Syrian war more than four years in this The meeting also tackled the Jordan, the UN chief said: "When rebels, and Kurds against each broke out, said he remembered camp will be able to restart their Syrian crisis and the need to find Turkey sends team Arab countries are divided, it has other. the first Syrian refugees arriving lives again, to find jobs, to work, a political solution to the conflict allowed others to intervene and The war has killed more than in Zaatari when it opened. to have a normal life." that safeguards the unity of the to UK over flight ban to manipulate situations, creat- 320,000 people and forced 4.9 "How sad it is, how terrible King Abdullah II of Jordan Arab country and its people in ing instability, breeding conflict million people to flee their coun- it is, that today we still have Zaa- yesterday met with the United addition to the importance that ANKARA: Turkey sent a team and facilitating the lives of ter- try. In Jordan, where the UN High tari camp... and that the tragedy Nations Secretary- General, the international community of experts to Britain yester- rorist organisations." Commissioner for Refugees of Syrians is going on and on and Antonio Guterres, for talks on shoulders its responsibility day to try to pursuade London Guterres met with women (UNHCR) says it has registered on," he said. regional developments ahead of toward refugee host states, to lift a ban on passengers and girls living in Zaatari, home 630,000 Syrians, the govern- He urged the international the Arab summit. The meeting including Jordan. carrying large electronic to some 80,000 Syrian ment says it is hosting 1.4 community to step up humani- touched on regional and inter- Guterres pointed to the enor- devices on flights from Istan- refugees. million. tarian aid to the refugees in national efforts to revive the mous burden Jordan shoulders bul, the Turkish transport Syria's conflict began with Jordan says the influx has Jordan and other regional coun- Middle East peace process by hosting a large number of Syr- minister said. protests against President Bashar strained its resources and has tries that are hosting them. through launching serious and ian refugees, which requires that Britain issued a ban last Al Assad in 2011 but has turned insisted it must screen newcom- "I hope that if all countries effective negotiations between the global community delivers week on laptops and tablet into a brutal war pitting ers to ensure they are genuine that have an influence on the the Palestinians and Israelis, on aid pledges to the Amman. computers in the passenger compartment of flights from five countries from the Mid- dle East and northern Africa as well as Turkey. Ahmet Arslan told CNN Over 300 dead since west Mosul offensive began: UN Turk he "felt" Britain would shortly lift the ban "because Geneva people were killed... between 17 supported by the coalition in an the impact on civilians is reduced Jadida neighbourhood that killed our meetings suggest this" but AFP February and 22 March," the UN effort to dislodge IS from Iraq's to an absolute minimum". a large number of civilians, said talks with the US would rights office said in a second-largest city. With IS reportedly using Colville said IS had packed the likely be "longer-running." ver 300 civilians have statement. Baghdad and the US defence civilians as human shields in building with at least 140 people "What I expect from the been killed since last The UN also has "reports" of department are investigating buildings around western Mosul, who were used as shields. UK especially is for the ban Omonth in an offensive another 95 people killed in four reports that coalition air strikes Zeid's spokesman Rupert Colville Witnesses said IS had also to be lifted as soon as possi- against the Islamic State group western Mosul neighbourhoods have killed dozens if not hun- noted that it was "clearly not "booby-trapped the house" with ble," Arslan said.The British in western Mosul, the UN said between March 23 and 26, it said. dreds of people in recent days. easy" to ensure that non-com- improvised explosive devices, move came after Washington yesterday, adding the toll could The rights office said it was UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al batants were spared. according to the UN. banned electronic devices exceed 400 if fresh killings are not in a position to provide a Hussein said he welcomed the "What we are saying is that There was also evidence that larger than mobile phones on verified. breakdown of the deaths caused probes and that his office did not in these circumstances you have IS was forcing families to remain direct flights to the US from "According to information by IS violence and air strikes by directly blame the coalition for got to be exceptionally careful," in at least 15 frontline western 10 airports in seven Middle verified by the UN Human Rights the international anti-jihadist any specific deaths. Colville told reporters in Geneva. Mosul homes, using the sites to Eastern countries and Turkey, Office and the UN Assistance coalition. But he called for "an urgent Referring to the March 17 launch attacks on government allowing them only in hold Mission in Iraq, at least 307 Iraqi forces are being review of tactics to ensure that bombing of a house in the Al forces. luggage.

Former Mali Anti-racism march rebels agree to IS counter-attacks join peace meet to defend Raqqa

Bamako Tabqa Dam, Syria SDF forces stationed near the AFP AFP airport, the alliance's media arm said. Fierce clashes broke FORMER rebels in Mali yes- lashes raged around a key out but the SDF held back the terday reversed a decision to northern Syrian town attack and managed to seize boycott a national reconcili- Cyesterday after the some ammunition and rocket ation conference after Islamic State group launched a stores from IS, according to pic- receiving assurances from the counter-attack to fend off a US- tures published by the SDF. government, a spokesman backed advance near the SDF fighters are also bearing said. militants' stronghold Raqqa. down on the Tabqa dam after The talks were agreed in Backed by air power from capturing its northern entrance a 2015 peace deal signed by the international coalition on Friday from IS fighters. The Tuareg-led rebels, the gov- bombing IS, the Syrian Demo- fight around the structure has ernment and pro-Bamako cratic Forces are laying the been backed by forces from the militias aimed at ending suc- groundwork for an assault on the US-led coalition, with American- cessive separatist uprisings in heart of the jihadists' so-called made armoured vehicles bearing South African citizens and foreign nationals, gather to protest against a wave of Mali's north, most recently in "caliphate". A key part of the cam- the markings of the US Marine xenophobic attacks throughout South Africa and in support to unity during a march in 2012, and to isolate jihadist paign is the battle for the IS-held Corps seen moving along a Johannesburg, yesterday. groups. town of Tabqa on the Euphrates nearby road. On Monday, the Coordi- River, as well as the adjacent dam A correspondent at the dam nation of Movements of and military airport. yesterday said it was generally Azawad (CMA), the former The SDF seized the Tabqa quiet around the dam itself, rebel alliance, and Mali's oppo- airbase late Sunday and began despite the occasional IS-fired Prosecutors demand life for ex-first lady Gbagbo sition groupings announced moving north towards the town mortar that landed in SDF-con- they would not attend, saying itself, but IS fighters began trolled parts of the riverbank. Abidjan country's top criminal court. Simone Gbagbo is already serv- the planned 7-day meeting was pushing back yesterday, the Planes could be heard AFP He described her as a shad- ing a 20-year sentence for not long enough and its aims Syrian Observatory for Human above as SDF forces patrolled owy figure who orchestrated "endangering state security." were too limited. Rights said. the northern entrance of the rosecutors yesterday attacks on her husband's oppo- Laurent Gbagbo is on trial But CMA representatives "The fighting is a result of structure. Yesterday, coalition demanded a life jail term nents. "After her spouse came for crimes against humanity, were present at the summit IS launching a counter-offen- forces could be seen standing Pfor Ivory Coast's former to power, she started to impose including murder, rape and per- on Tuesday, including a sive to exhaust the Syrian near military vehicles less than first lady, Simone Gbagbo, who herself as the real head of secution, having been handed spokesman for the ex-rebels, Democratic Forces around the 2km from the dam, their mor- is on trial for alleged crimes Ivory Coast, the army, the over in November 2011 to the Mohamed Elmaouloud Ram- Tabqa military airport," tar rounds casually stacked against humanity. police and gendarmerie," Yeo International Criminal Court adane. Ramadane said the Observatory head Rami Abdel nearby. After a brief pause in "Gentlemen of the jury, you said. (ICC) in The Hague. CMA had reversed its decision Rahman said. He said the SDF fighting on Monday to allow will declare Madame Gbagbo Gbagbo, the 67-year-old The ICC also wanted to after the government agreed was working to "consolidate its technicians to enter the dam guilty of crimes against wife of former Ivory Coast pres- prosecute his wife and issued a that "the process would con- positions" near the airport complex, SDF fighters resumed humanity and war crimes and ident Laurent Gbagbo, was not warrant for her arrest, but Ivo- tinue" beyond the scheduled ahead of a final push for the their operations around the sentence her to life imprison- in court as the jury retired to rian authorities refused to hand conclusion of the summit on town. IS began the attack by structure, said spokeswoman ment," prosecutor Aly Yeo consider a verdict. Once dubbed her over, insisting she would April 2. dispatching a car bomb towards Jihan Sheikh Ahmed. urged in his summing up at the Ivory Coast's "Iron Lady," receive a fair trial at home. 14 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Merkel moves on erman Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Conservatives have received a well- deserved shot in the arm with the party winning a regional election in the western state of Saarland, boosting Merkel’s prospects G of winning a fourth term in September’s national election and also denting the hopes of the Why Washington was a no right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) whose rise has caused concern across Europe. The victory is important because the vote was seen as a bellwether for the national election in September. Merkel’s center- show at human rights hearings right Christian Democrats (CDU) won 40.7% of Sunday’s vote, a solid 5.5 percent increase compared staffing of the State Department than The move occurred against the back- with the vote four years ago and a convincing win over Lauren Carasik outright hostility to the Commission and drop of other indications that the Trump the centre-left Social Democrat Party (SPD,) which only Al Jazeera its mission. But whether the result of administration has little interest in took 29.6 percent. intentional snub, dysfunction or differ- embracing a multilateral approach to The forthcoming national election in Germany has ent priorities, the move damages US human rights and institutions. acquired huge importance and is watched with keen leadership. Earlier last week, UN ambassador interest for two reasons. First, Merkel is seeking a “This reduces a lot of the Trump Nikki Haley announced that the US was fourth term in office, and second, the anti-immigrant he Trump administration’s failure to administration’s credibility and legiti- boycotting a UN Human Rights Council and anti-Islamic parties are trying hard to capture appear at hearings at the Inter- macy on human rights issues,” Jose session because of perceived anti-Israel power all over Europe. As the most powerful country in American Commission on Human Miguel Vivanco, head of the Americas bias. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson the European Union, the election in Germany has the Rights on March 21 telegraphs its division of Human Rights Watch, told the previously threatened to withdraw from potential to decide the direction of the EU at a time disregard for international institu- Miami Herald. “In addition to it being a the Human Rights Council altogether, Ttions generally and human rights in symbol of arrogance, [the US] risks not given what he says is unfair treatment of when it’s facing multiple challenges caused by Brexit. Merkel has acquired enough experience and goodwill particular. being taken seriously when they criticise Israel, as well as the inclusion of coun- to lead the bloc through these trying times. But more Trump officials notified the Commission, other countries for not showing up at tries with blemished human rights importantly, Merkel is being projected as the which is the independent human rights organ these hearings,” Vivianco said. The records among its ranks. of the Organisation of American States, a day administration’s absence didn’t thwart In a letter obtained by Foreign Pol- undisputed leader of the before the scheduled hearings that it would the proceedings, during which groups icy, the top diplomat said that the human liberal world by the not attend. State Department official con- offered testimony amid the spectacle of rights body required “substantial international media, an tended that it would be inappropriate to empty chairs administration officials reform” if the US is to remain involved. honour she has received participate since several of the hearings were expected to fill, while Commission Tillerson also provoked consternation The victory of after the election of Donald addressed issues under judicial review: the officials expressed dismay at Washing- when he skipped the release of the State Angela Merkel’s Trump as US president. administration’s executive actions on immi- ton’s intransigence. Department’s annual human rights The reactionary and party in a state gration and its greenlighting of the Dakota Commission Vice President Marga- report, which reviews the record of all regressive policies of Access Pipeline, which are winding their ways rette May Macaulay called the other nations but abstains from assess- election has Trump, on issues ranging through the courts. administration’s refusal to show up “a ing its own shortcomings. buoyed her from climate change to But that explanation failed to assuage crit- pity”, while Commissioner Paulo Van- Critics are wary of other administra- re-election bid. immigration, have caused ics, who argued that Washington’s absence nuchi lamented the refusal to attend, tion efforts to undermine transnational concern in the US and erodes its legitimacy, emboldens authoritar- “which is what would accountability, such as its effective with- abroad, whereas Merkel ian leaders in the hemisphere to shrug off have made it possible drawal from Extractive Industries has been steadfast, their own accountability and dodge dialogue for there to be a demo- Transparency Initiative. President Donald clearheaded and and presages broader disengagement with cratic exchange of Trump is reportedly planning to cut bil- determined in her defence international human rights institutions. opposing views being lions from UN funding, which could usher of freedom and liberalism. She had the rare courage to The move represented an abrupt depar- aired”. in a “breakdown of the international open Germany’s borders to more than a million ture from past practice. The United States has humanitarian system as we know it”. refugees while leaders of other European countries a long, bipartisan history of engaging with the Washington’s human rights Under ordinary circumstances, balked. That decision was primarily responsible for the Commission, even when the topic is being liti- Washington prefers not to be named and rise of AfD, but it seems Merkel is weathering the storm, gated. Further undermining the record has been far from shamed for violating international though it will not be easy. administration’s stated excuse, among the perfect, both at home and norms. But Trump’s contempt for multi- The victory of conservatives in Saarland is hearings scheduled were the country’s failure abroad, but at least the lateralism and accountability is hardly heartening because it comes after another state to respect the rights of asylum seekers - Obama administration surprising. After all, this president previ- election in September, when in an unprecedented grievances that predate the Trump ously expressed no qualms about result, the AfD convincingly beat Merkel’s CDU in her administration but endure under his watch - promoted the architecture promoting torture, filling up Guantan- home state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It also and a case about Peruvian-Japanese of internationalism and the amo Bay prison and killing the families comes after far-right populist Geert Wilders was detention during World War II that is not the human rights principles of terrorists. soundly beaten by Conservative Prime Minister Mark subject of pending litigation. To be sure, Washington’s human A State Department official sought to offer and protections it sought rights record has been far from perfect, Rutte in the Dutch election earlier in March. to uphold. While the Trump According to the latest INSA poll for Germany’s Bild reassuring words, claiming that the refusal to both at home and abroad, but at least the newspaper, Merkel’s conservatives and the centre-left participate “does not have any bearing on cur- administration has given Obama administration promoted the Social Democrats (SPD) are now neck-and-neck. The rent or future US engagement with the occasional, anemic lip architecture of internationalism and the conservatives gained one percentage point to 32 Commission”. But if ongoing litigation were human rights principles and protections really the driving force behind Washington’s service to these ideals, its it sought to uphold. While the Trump percent while the SPD was unchanged on 32 percent, absence, officials could have signalled their actions speak far louder administration has given occasional, with the AfD lagging at a distant 11 percent. respect for the process and the participating anemic lip service to these ideals, its The world needs leaders like Merkel. than words. parties by attending the meeting and rebuffing actions speak far louder than words. questions they deemed inadvisable to answer. Human rights groups were outraged. Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liber- ties Union human rights programme, noted: QUOTE OF THE DAY “This is another worrying sign that the Trump Administration is not only launching an assault on human rights at home, but is also trying to undermine international bodies Arab unity is a very charged with holding abusive governments accountable.” important element And according to Clara Long, US Pro- in order to allow this gramme researcher at Human Rights Watch: region to be stabilised “In pulling out of this hearing, the United and for... the Syrian States is offering a negative example for the rest of the countries in the Americas, who refugees to find again a show up and engage in the Inter-American future that corresponds system.” The refusal to participate puts the US to their aspirations. in the company of other countries whose human rights records it disdains. Some observers have suggested that the Antonio Guterres administration’s decision may be more reflec- UN Secretary-General tive of lax attention to protocols and its WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 OPINION 15 The populist drift of the French election campaign

Remi Piet Al Jazeera

o far, the French electoral season has offered nothing more than a sorry display of politics. Instead of being presented with an educated debate on policy options and electoral pro- grammes, the French population has been Sforced to watch its politicians wade around in the mud of legal troubles. After weeks of French media obsessing about corruption scandals surrounding Marine Le Pen and Francois Fillon, French voters finally got a glimpse of a comprehensive political exchange during the first presidential TV debate. Unfortunately after this single night of discussion between the five leading candidates over their visions for the country’s future, the campaign went back to the gutter the very next day. French presidential candidates Francois Fillon, Emmanuel Macron, Jean-Luc Melenchon, Marine Le Pen and Benoit Hamon, pose before On Thursday, yet another distraction occupied a televised debate in Aubervilliers. public attention, as the Republican candidate Fran- cois Fillon accused President Francois Hollande of leading a covert operation from a “black cabinet” in Despite the sad show the candidates put up last pull out of the eurozone, a decision that would imme- the Elysee Palace to influence the judicial investiga- week, expectations remain high. More than 10 mil- diately lead to a colossal monetary depreciation like being held accountable for their tion against him. lion people watched the lengthy televised debate, the one the United Kingdom recently experienced. proposals. This populist drift is a shame, as the coming knowing that the outcome of this election will have For France, the consequences of leaving the EU Fillon and Le Pen are both try- weeks are important. France is at a crossroads and serious consequences and could mean the end of the would be far more severe due to the current level of ing to gain support by attacking an political decisions that have to be made by the next European Union. integration of the country into the union. In case of a unpopular president. If they can government will determine not only its future but If the embezzlement practices under investiga- Frexit, lower and middle classes would inevitably lose continue to implement this strategy severely affect the European Union and the balance tion morally disqualify the right-wing candidates, the a sizeable share of their purchasing power. successfully, one of them would be of its alliances. voters deserve to hear the other alternatives to the Fillon, on the other hand, wants to slash 500,000 able to step in the Elysee Palace Communist-backed Jean Luc Melenchon is a Hollande administration, widely perceived as jobs in hospitals, schools and security forces, priva- without their policy programme stubborn revolutionary who wants to draw France disappointing. tising most of these services, without mentioning that being challenged. It already close to Russia. Benoit Hamon, the socialist, is a Unfortunately, as both Fillon and Le Pen try to such a privatisation surge would make these services worked in Washington, but hope- young — almost naive — politician with idealistic escape corruption charges by claiming to be the unaffordable for the poor. He also wants a fiscal fully it will not work in Paris. dreams of providing a minimum income to everyone scapegoats of both French and European justice, they reform that would vastly benefit the top 1 percent, to without demanding any work in return. Emmanuel have turned their economic and political pro- which he belongs. The writer is a research associate on Macron, the quintessential centrist, agrees with grammes into an inaudible hubbub and taken Regarding societal development, Fillon and Le political economy and foreign policy at almost everyone. attention away from the other candidates. Pen want to counteract liberal advances - same-sex the Florida International University. Francois Fillon, the pro-market republican, fan- The strategies adopted by Fillon and Le Pen are marriage, secularism, social blending. Both candi- cies himself as the gravedigger of public services and blindingly obvious and do not hold water. Stealing a dates are heavily supported by traditional Catholic wants to slash civil service jobs to fill the pockets of page of Donald Trump’s playbook, they hope that by circles that would welcome a return to the times the wealthy, starting with his own. Finally far-right pointing fingers at a made-up conspiracy, they will when individual differences and cultural mixing Marine Le Pen barks out xenophobic arguments as rally their supporters and turn the voters’ eyes away were frowned upon. Not surprisingly, both Fillon and soon as one mentions refugees or Islam and wor- from the fact that they used family members or party Le Pen have long been cultivating close relationships ships both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin while representatives to funnel public money through ficti- with Putin. dreaming of a Frexit. tious employment. Le Pen was in Moscow on Friday and Fillon has D-RING ROAD always been a regular presence at the Kremlin’s POST BOX: 3488 Hiding in plain sight social gatherings. As a result, the foreign policy plat- DOHA - QATAR By jamming media Yet what is more troublesome is that Fillon and form of both candidates seems to have been dictated Le Pen’s populist distraction strategies, by making by Moscow. Le Pen is saying there is nothing wrong [email protected] airwaves with false claims sure that the media is solely focused on conspiracy with the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Fillon, on of conspiracy, both Le Pen claims, allow them to keep their dangerous proposi- the other hand, called for an intervention of the and Fillon manage to avoid tions hidden from scrutiny. French army in favour of Bashar Al Assad’s forces and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE being held accountable for Whether in the field of foreign policy, economy Iran. These issues cannot be adequately explained to TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 or societal structure, what Fillon and Le Pen propose the public in debates that last a few mere hours. But FAX: +974 4455 7758 their proposals. would raise eyebrows if voters were made aware. by jamming media airwaves with false claims of con- In regards to economic policy, Le Pen wants to spiracy, both Le Pen and Fillon manage to avoid MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR China’s ‘Great Firewall’ is yet another trade barrier TEL: 4455 7769 LOCAL NEWS SECTION the Trump administration, as well as China. Meanwhile, local Chinese versions of Pinterest have TEL: 4455 7743 Pinterest’s troubles aren’t unique. Last year, flooded China’s market since 2012 with middling success. If Adam Minter China excluded thousands of US websites from the recent ban holds, at least one of those companies may BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Bloomberg China, including eight of the 25 most-trafficked enjoy a highly lucrative opportunity to become “China’s TEL: 4462 7535 global sites. Yet, so far at least, there’s been Pinterest.” hardly a word of protest out of Washington Pinterest’s options, on the other hand, are limited. The SPORT NEWS SECTION against these systematic denials of market Chinese government is notoriously opaque about why it TEL: 4455 7745 he San Francisco-based photo- access. Similar restrictions against US auto- blocks sites, and there are no formal procedures for sharing site Pinterest would makers, say, would almost certainly have appeal. (Mark Zuckerberg’s years-long lobbying effort to ONLINE SECTION seem to rank low on the list of prompted complaints to the World Trade push Facebook back into China might qualify as the TEL: 4462 7501 potential threats to China. Organisation. informal process.) That’s not just unfair. It’s also a likely [email protected] Beloved by fashion designers, The costs imposed by this policy are adding violation of China’s treaty obligations under the World Tphotographers, cooks and hobbyists, the up. In 2015, the global value of international Trade Organisation, which requires transparency, due PUBLIC RELATIONS seven-year-old website is a global hub data flows came to $2.8 trillion, exceeding the process and non-discrimination in government decisions for the sharing of images, trends and global flow of merchandise for the first time. affecting companies. TEL: 4455 7613 ideas on topics ranging from living- The US economy has benefited more than most The idea of dragging China before the WTO to argue [email protected] room design to what to cook at your from that trade. In 2014, the US exported nearly that “Great Firewall” represents a trade barrier isn’t a new Saturday barbecue. $400 billion in digital services, accounting for idea. The European Union has contemplated such an ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Unfortunately, Pinterest’s innocuous- more than half of all US services exports and approach since at least the late 2000s. And late last year, in TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 ness couldn’t save it from the same fate as generating a $159 billion trade surplus in the a move that could lay the groundwork for a case, the FAX: 4455 7870 other foreign internet companies in China, sector. Obama administration argued that China’s worsening cen- [email protected] including Facebook and Alphabet (for- Though it’s impossible to calculate what Face- sorship posed a “significant burden” on foreign internet merly known as Google). Earlier this book, Google and Twitter might’ve earned in service providers. The next step, though — a formal com- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT month, the Chinese govern- China’s booming Internet sector had they been plaint and case before the WTO — is up to the Trump TEL: 4455 7857 ment blocked Chinese allowed to compete, there’s little question that they administration. [email protected] internet users from access- would have added measurably to that surplus. For Such a case wouldn’t be a slam dunk. China has long cited ing the site. And that should example, the New York Times Co., a tiny digital WTO clauses that give countries room to impose measures to SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION make Pinterest of interest to business compared to Facebook, claims to have lost protect public morality and order. Even if it lost the WTO TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 at least $3 million due to the blocking of its website case, the Chinese government would be highly unlikely to FAX: 44557819 in 2012. abide by the decision in full. The Chinese government is doubtless aware of But the WTO recently ruled against a Chinese attempt to [email protected] Though it’s impossible to the opportunities that online protectionism creates invoke public morality as an excuse to restrict the import and calculate what Facebook, for domestic companies. In June 2009, China distribution of American books, magazines, films and other Google and Twitter might blocked Twitter; two months later, Sina Corp. published material. And any Chinese attempt to ignore WTO All thoughts and views have earned in China’s launched a wildly successful knock-off microblog, rulings would undermine its recent posturing as a champion expressed in these columns Weibo, that has thrived for years in the absence of of free trade. booming Internet sector foreign competition. A negotiated settlement — perhaps integrated into a long- are those of the writers, not had they been allowed Likewise, when Google announced in May delayed US-China investment treaty — that opens China to of the newspaper. to compete, there’s little 2010 that it was contemplating the total shut- US internet companies while acknowledging China’s right to question that they would down of its Chinese offices, the stock of Baidu Inc. censor selectively (not wholesale) for morality and public All correspondence — its leading Chinese competitor and a keen order, might be the best outcome for all sides. have added measurably to regarding Views and observer and imitator of Google’s business — ral- Opinion pages should be that surplus. lied 16.6 percent in a single day, while smaller The writer is a Bloomberg view columnist. He is the author of rivals enjoyed similar bumps. “Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade.” mailed to the [email protected] 16 ASIA WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

Ineligible people Indian state in bid to stop child trafficking responsible for long queues Stringent action Kolkata Bengal's Jalpaiguri district. to keep an eye on the patients' plaint is also a crime". IANS She also asked the other grievances. Banerjee's comments come West Bengal Chief departments associated with the "I would request all the against the backdrop of a recent at RBI offices Minister asked the est Bengal Chief matter to play their role so that inspectors and officers in- crackdown at a Jalpaiguri-based police and other Minister Mamata trafficking can be stopped. charge to keep an eye on their child adoption centre, for its New Delhi departments Banerjee yester- "Apart from the police and respective local hospitals. If alleged involvement in several IANS associated with the Wday directed the the BDOs, those who are asso- such cases come to the police cases of child trafficking. matter to play their state police and the bureaucracy ciated with child welfare have station it has be referred to the According to CID sources, 17 SEVERAL "ineligible" people role so that trafficking to monitor the issue of child traf- to look into the issue. This is also new committee formed under newborns were trafficked to were queuing up at Reserve can be stopped. ficking and stop the traffickers a responsibility of the Social respective district magistrate," various parts of India and abroad Bank of India (RBI) counters at all costs. Welfare Officers. The Women she said. in the name of adoption by pro- to deposit demonetised notes, "The police and the block and Child Department also has She also cautioned the ducing manufactured Parliament was informed yes- According to CID development officers (BDO) to play the role they are expected administration to verify such documents. terday. sources, 17 newborns have to take responsibility to to," the Trinamool Congress complaints first before taking Several persons, including "Several people who are were trafficked to thoroughly monitor the issue supremo said. action against the accused med- political leaders, child protec- ineligible queuing up at RBI various parts of India of child trafficking in the state. Referring to the repeated ical facility. tion officers, doctors and owners counters making the queue and abroad by Whoever is involved in traffick- complaints of over-charging and "If the complaint is genuine of the accused child adoption longer," Minister of State for producing manufactured ing should not be spared," negligence against the medical then take appropriate action but centre, were arrested by the Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal documents. Banerjee said during an admin- facilities in the state, Banerjee if the complaint is not genuine, sleuths earlier this month for said. istrative meeting in West asked the police administration remember lodging a false com- involvement in the case. "As each application has to be checked at the counters for his/her absence from the country from passport stamp marks, it is taking consider- North Korea conducts able time for counter staff. It is compounded by the incom- plete documentation". third rocket engine test "Long queues are formed at Mumbai and Delhi only as Washinton in an intercontinental ballistic large number of persons from Reuters missile (ICBM). the neighbouring states are Earlier this month, North turning up and several staff orth Korea has carried Korean leader Kim Jong Un said members have been engaged out another test of a his country had conducted a to attend to the large number Nrocket engine that US test of a new high-thrust engine of people turning up at the officials believe could be part at its Tongchang-ri rocket counters," Meghwal said. of its programme to develop an launch station, saying it was "a "An officer of the rank of intercontinental ballistic mis- new birth" of its rocket General Manger has been sile, officials said yesterday. industry. assigned the task at Mumbai The latest test follows one At the time, North Korea's Office. Department of Currency earlier this month, and is official media said the engine Management, Central Office another sign of Pyongyang's would help it achieve world- have been advising the specific advancing weapons class satellite launch capability, offices to deal with applicants programme. indicating the test was of a new with more sensitivity". Several US officials, speak- type of rocket engine for long- The grace period for ing on the condition of range missiles. Indian citizens residing in anonymity, said the test took Kim also has said North India, who were abroad dur- place on Friday night and the Korea is close to an ICBM ing November-December, engine could possibly be used test-launch. 2016, is upto March 31, 2017. French President Francois Hollande (back left) and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (back right) witness an agreement signing ceremony at the prime minister's office in Putrajaya, yesterday. Malaysia undecided on buying Rafale jets Govt sends Thaksin $494m tax bill Kuala Lumpur "Rafale is seen as a frontrun- Eurofighter Typhoon, built by Reuters ner as Malaysia looks to buy up BAE Systems. Bangkok his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, political division in Thailand. to 18 jets in a deal potentially "I know you will be making Reuters said. Defence Minister Prawit alaysian Prime Minister worth more than $2bn," sources a decision, and against that "We need to exercise our Wongsuwan said the tax claim Najib Razak said yester- have said. background, we want to provide hai tax authorities have right to appeal to show that no was not aimed at bullying the Mday that he discussed Malaysia's plan is to the necessary support," Hol- sent ousted former prime legal miracle can happen to Shinawatras. the possible purchase of Das- replace the Royal Malaysian lande said. Tminister Thaksin Shina- collect tax from Dr Thaksin". "A court ruled against an sault Aviation SA's Rafale fighter Air Force's (RMAF) squadron "Our ministers are already watra a whopping $494m tax Allies of Thaksin say the attempt by tax authorities to jets with French President Fran- of Russian MiG-29 combat working to that effect. All I bill over the sale of shares in a new tax claim is politically claim $35m from the share sale cois Hollande but remained planes, nearly half of which are would like to say is that the telecoms company more than motivated. from Thaksin's children in undecided. grounded. Rafale jet is the best in its cate- a decade ago, his lawyer said He has lived in exile since 2010," Noppadon said. "We're not ready yet to Defence Minister Hisham- gory, and then we propose to yesterday. being overthrown in the year "The court said they could make a decision, but we take muddin Hussein was reported discuss the prices, and the spec- "Thaksin's legal team 2006 to avoid corruption not be taxed because the shares note of its success in other coun- in the media as saying the race ifications. I trust you will make would appeal to the revenue charges, but his populist move- were owned by Thaksin and tries...," Najib said at a joint news for new fighter jets has nar- the decision when the time department within 30 days," ment remains at the heart of his wife," he said. conference with Hollande. rowed to the Rafale and the comes," he added.

Police probe High court rules to restart into avalanche Japan two nuclear reactors deaths in Japan Tokyo the lower court's move "lacked Tokyo AFP rationality." Reuters "Our company, while Japanese appeals court regarding safety as our prior- INVESTIGATORS pored over yesterday ruled that a ity, will seek to gain the a Japanese mountain yester- Apair of nuclear reactors understanding of Fukui prefec- day after a massive avalanche halted by a lower court order ture as well as residents of host tore through a group of high can be restarted, in a victory for communities as we move school students and teachers, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's toward restarting". killing eight, amid questions energy policy. The government of Fukui about why avalanche warn- Japan shut down all of its prefecture, where the nuclear ings were ignored and whether reactors after the Fukushima power industry is a major they had proper equipment. nuclear crisis in 2011, relying on employer, approved the reac- The avalanche in central imported fossil fuels to power tors' restart before the Japan on Monday, which its economy. Due to public injunction, which was initiated struck along some 50 metres opposition, only a handful have by concerned residents of neigh- People hold yellow balloons dedicated to the victims onboard the sunken ferry Sewol during of a steep slope just above a since been restarted. bouring Shiga prefecture. ski area, killed seven students an event at a port in Jindo, yesterday. In yesterday's decision the But a crane accident at the and an instructor who were Osaka High Court in western Takahama plant in January part of a 48-person group Japan struck down an injunc- prompted the prefecture to ask taking part in winter climb- Sewol ferry workers found human remains tion by a lower court that had KEPCO for a safety review. ing training. forced the two reactors to be Yoshihide Suga, the govern- A Tochigi prefectural Seoul still be inside the vessel and the entrance of the vessel or shut down over safety ment's top spokesman, police spokesman said inves- AFP leaving their families emotion- through a window," Lee added concerns. refrained from commenting tigations, which included the ally trapped in grieving yesterday. At issue were the No 3 and directly on the court decision, use of drones, were focused on alvage workers who raised process. There was no indication No 4 reactors at the Takahama but said the government stands whether or not there had been South Korea's sunken "Six fragments of bone rang- whether they were from a sin- nuclear plant in Fukui by its policy of promoting errors of judgment, in partic- SSewol ferry found bone ing in length from four to 18cm gle victim, or several prefecture. nuclear energy so long as reac- ular by the Tochigi High School fragments yesterday believed to were recovered on the deck of individuals. The district court in Otsu tors meet the nation's safety Athletics Federation, which be from victims missing since the semi-submersible Dockwise Officials from the National city near Fukui ordered Kansai standards. sponsored the training. the 2014 disaster, the maritime White Marlin," Lee Cheol-Jo, a Forensic Service as well as the Electric Power (KEPCO) in It was not clear if the plain- He declined to give details ministry said. senior official in charge of sal- coast guard and the health min- March last year to suspend their tiffs would appeal the ruling, but said investigators were Almost all the victims were vage operation, said. istry have been dispatched to operations, spurring the utility but outside the courthouse they also looking into whether the schoolchildren and nine bodies "They are suspected to have identify the remains, a process to appeal. said judges failed to take into students had proper safety were still unaccounted for, rais- been found among sand that expected to take around two to KEPCO hailed the decision consideration the wishes of equipment. ing the prospect that they could leaked out from an opening at three weeks, Lee said. to cancel the injunction, saying those living near the reactors. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 ASIA 17 Afghanistan reopens American University after 2016 attack

Kabul at the campus in the Afghan knowledge and that is going to The attack has cast a pall President Ashraf Ghani has ister with the government. AFP capital after the attack last succeed," he said. over the education sector, seen given special permission for a The raid began with a sui- August, in which students The attack was one of the as a rare symbol of hope for the private foreign security com- cide bombing at the campus undreds of students trapped during the nearly first major militant assaults on young at a time of rising pany to fortify the campus with gates which paved the way for returned yesterday to the 10-hour raid sent anguished a prominent university in insecurity. more concrete blast walls and two gunmen to enter to com- Helite American Univer- pleas for help on social media. Afghanistan. "All our classes will resume bulletproof gates. pound at dusk, when it is usually sity in Kabul seven months after "I don't think anything The university, which opened today. We have worked on Private security companies packed with students. militants stormed the campus against any group is taught in 2006 and has more than 1,700 boosting the security of the uni- were banned from operating No group claimed respon- -- including those wounded in here," said Rahmatullah, a students, was long seen as a high- versity for the past seven independently in Afghanistan in sibility, but it occurred during a the bloody assault that killed 16 returning student who was one profile target for militants, partly months," Zubaida Akbar, the the year 2010 in an attempt to Taliban summer offensive people. of those wounded in the attack. because it attracts foreign faculty university's director of commu- control illegal weapons in the against the Western-backed Security has been increased "It is just a centre to promote members. nication, said yesterday. war-torn country, and must reg- government. EU seeks explanation on Duterte's tirades

Manila EU programme Duterte, who has lashed out AP at the EU repeatedly for raising The EU's external human rights concerns over his he European Union action service said it deadly crackdown on illegal osummoned a Philip- hauled Charge drugs, said in a speech Friday pine envoy to explain d'Affaires Alan the EU had proposed a "health- an expletive-laden Deniega in to its based solution" to the drug tirade by President Brussels problem that involved dispens- TRodrigo Duterte, who threat- headquarters to ing methampetamine, locally ened to hang EU officials for provide "an known as shabu, cocaine or opposing his efforts to re- explanation for the heroin. impose the death penalty. The EU said that in cooper- recent, unacceptable The EU's external action ation with the World Health comments of A deserted neighbourhood in the town of Ayr in far north Queensland as Cyclone Debbie service, the equivalent of a for- Organization and experts, it was eign office, said it hauled Charge President Duterte. working with Manila's Depart- hit the coastline, yesterday. d'Affaires Alan Deniega in to its ment of Health and the Brussels headquarters to pro- The EU was working government's main anti-drug vide "an explanation for the to implement a agency and selected villages to Cyclone Debbie batters Australia recent, unacceptable comments programme that implement a programme that of President Duterte." "aims to support "aims to support recovery from Ayr the coast of Queensland state and was expected to weaken The move highlights grow- recovery from addiction, while keeping fami- AFP with destructive wind gusts of further. ing European exasperation with addiction, while lies together and facilitating up to 270kph near its broad At least one person was seri- the president. keeping families development of social and job "monster" cyclone core. ously injured, but the extent of Earlier, the EU denied his skills." smashed into northeast There were fears its arrival damage was not expected to be together. allegations that it proposed solv- The voluntary programme A Australia yesterday, cut- would coincide with early known until daybreak with con- ing the Philippines' drug plans to develop "recovery clin- ting power, damaging buildings morning high tides and cause ditions too dangerous for problem by creating treatment "suggested, discussed, proposed ics and recovery homes," where and uprooting trees, with coastal severe flooding, but it slowed emergency crews to venture clinics where illegal drugs such or considered the use of any sub- patients can receive better care, residents battling lashing rain before making landfall outside. as methamphetamine or cocaine stitution drugs when treating education and counseling with- and howling winds. between the towns of Bowen The federal government said would be dispensed. addiction to methamphetamine out prescribing medication and Great Barrier Reef islands and Airlie Beach in the early it was on standby to help with The European Union Dele- ... or any other drug addiction in ensuring confidentiality. Live- popular with foreign tourists afternoon. the clean-up, with soldiers, hel- gation to the Philippines issued the Philippines." It did not men- lihood skills will be taught, the were battered by the category By late evening, it had been icopters and planes ready to a statement saying it has not tion Duterte by name. EU said. four storm which slammed into downgraded to category two mobilise. Islamabad Former Taiwan leader not guilty in leaks case launches special Taipei found not guilty" of violating the The judicial probe was inves- it was trounced by Tsai Ing-wen anti-polio drive AFP Communication Security and tigating whether the and her opposition Democratic Surveillance Act and the Per- parliamentary speaker at the Progressive Party (DPP). Islamabad Taiwanese court yester- sonal Information Protection Act, time -- a political rival of Ma -- The KMT hailed Tuesday's AP day found former said Judge Wu Yung-yi. had improperly influenced the ruling and urged lawmaker Ker A president Ma Ying-jeou Ma was not present when the case against Ker in an attempt to not to appeal the case to avoid A PAKISTANI health official (pictured) not guilty in a politi- verdict was announced. benefit the lawmaker. "political name-smearing and says a special anti-polio drive cal leaks case, one of a series of Throughout the trial he had While still in office Ma had wasting judicial resources". has been launched in Islam- lawsuits brought against him denied any wrongdoing. immunity from prosecution. But But Ker's lawyer Zan Keng- abad after traces of the polio since he stepped down last year. Yesterday's case, which had since he stepped down in May goan expressed shock at the virus were found in the city's Ma was acquitted of leaking been filed by lawmaker Ker last year after serving the max- verdict and vowed to appeal. sewage system. secrets and of defamation. He Chien-ming, accused Ma of ask- imum two terms, he has been hit The leaks controversy The virus was detected will face a new trial after state ing the then-prosecutor-general with a series of corruption and sparked a political storm in 2013 weeks ago but so far no cases prosecutors brought fresh leaks to leak information to him about defamation by implying that the other allegations. and saw two top officials resign, have been reported in charges against him earlier this a confidential judicial probe in lawmaker had sought to influ- Ma's Beijing-friendly while thousands of protesters Islamabad. month. 2013. ence a court case which he (Ker) Kuomintang (KMT) party held took to the streets to demand Dr Rana Safdar, who "Defendant Ma Ying-jeou is Ma was also accused of was facing. power from 2008 to 2016, before Ma's resignation. coordinated Pakistan's polio eradication centre, says the three-day vaccination cam- paign started on Monday. Safdar says police have taken Chariot festival China holds military drills steps to protect the polio workers. The Taliban and other near Myanmar border militants have in the past attacked vaccination centres Beijing adding the drills were part of and health workers because AFP annual training. they perceive the vaccination "The Chinese People's Lib- drives as part of a Western hina's army held drills eration Army (PLA) forces on conspiracy to sterilize Paki- near its border with Tuesday staged an air-ground, stani children or collect CMyanmar yesterday, state live-fire drill in south China, intelligence. media reported, in a show of close to the border with Myan- Pakistan is one of only strength from Beijing following mar," Xinhua said. three countries in the world weeks of clashes between eth- It quoted Colonel Fang Xin with ongoing wild poliovirus nic rebels and Myanmar's as saying the drill "demonstrated transmission, alongside military. the PLA's resolve and will in Afghanistan and Nigeria. Tens of thousands of peo- safeguarding national security" In the last stage of polio ple have fled to China in recent and "protecting people's safety eradication, Pakistan has months to escape the battles in and their property". made tremendous progress Myanmar's borderlands. Beijing held similar exer- towards poliovirus transmis- The bloodshed has threat- cises in 2015 when several of sion interruption and ened to derail a push by de facto its nationals were killed by stray eradication. leader Aung San Suu Kyi to end rockets fired by Myanmar's The number of children decades of fighting with ethnic army during a surge in violence paralysed by the wild poliovi- insurgents. in the Kokang border region in rus has dropped progressively "China's infantry, artillery northeastern Shan state. from 306 in 2014 to 54 in 2015 Devotees play traditional drums as they take part in the Chariot Festival at Ashon in and air force took part in yes- A ceasefire was announced to 20 in 2016 and 2 cases in Kathmandu, yesterday. terday's exercise," the official between the military and rebel 2017 so far. Xinhua news agency said, groups two weeks later. 18 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

New French franc France’s Hamon would not be devalued in talks euro with Frexit: Le Pen

Paris Merkel in Berlin Reuters FRENCH far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen sought Berlin yesterday to reassure business AFP Schulz support leaders worried about her plans During the one-day to dump the euro, saying new rench Socialist presi- French francs “probably” would visit, Hamon also met dential candidate not drop in value. Merkel’s Social Benoit Hamon took Le Pen, who wants to hold a his call to broaden Democratic referendum on France’s use of decision-making in challenger in euro, says the currency is a prob- Fthe eurozone to Berlin yester- Germany’s lem because of differences in SPD chairman and candidate for Chancellery Martin Schulz (left) and French Socialist presidential day in talks with German September general competitiveness with Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel. election, Martin candidate Benoit Hamon give a statement after a meeting at the SPD headquarters in Berlin, “Bringing back national cur- During a one-day visit, Schulz, who offered yesterday. rencies would allow each country Hamon met the German leader, his backing. to re-establish their real value and who has said she would speak in terms of the legal foundation However Schulz, the former The leftwing former educa- that is what would happen. Would with any of the mainstream to replace the Eurogroup of and as far as the political diffi- European Parliament president, tion minister has captured that lead to a devaluation of the candidates in the French race eurozone finance ministers culty of implementing a proposal told reporters that Hamon had the headlines with his proposal to pay new franc? Probably not,” she said. ahead of next month’s first with an assembly of deputies like this but did not close the door support of Europe’s socialist par- everyone in France a so-called She added however that new round—excluding far-right from national parliaments and to the discussion, which I see as ties including his SPD for the “basic income” of around 750 German marks would surge in contender Marine Le Pen. the European Parliament. positive,” he said. election. euros ($800) a month, a costly value because the euro was too Hamon also met Merkel’s The new body would have Merkel, who has in recent “I have long wished Benoit and radical reform of state weak for the German economy Social Democratic (SPD) chal- decision-making powers over months sat down with French Hamon success in the presiden- spending. while being too strong for the lenger in Germany’s September budgets and the harmonisa- candidates Francois Fillon and tial race in France,” he said. Polls currently show that French economy. general election, Martin Schulz, tion of fiscal and social the current frontrunner in the Hamon has been sharply crit- Macron, who professes to be nei- “My election is an opportu- who offered his backing. policies in the 19 countries race, independent centrist ical in the past of Merkel’s drive ther left nor right, has a slim lead nity, there is no reason to be Following the Merkel meet- using the euro. Emmanuel Macron, did not com- for budgetary discipline in the over Le Pen in the run-up to the afraid,” she told the gathering of ing, Hamon told reporters that “The chancellor told me ment on the talks in keeping with eurozone and her perceived polit- April 23 first round of the French business leaders meeting sepa- she had listened to his proposal about the reservations she had protocol. ical dominance in it. vote. rately with candidates.

EU peace team Red carpet welcome ready to Germany launches intervene in probe into Turkey Bosnia case Sarajevo ‘spying’ claims Reuters

THE European Union peace- Berlin targets in Lower Saxony, keeping force (EUFOR) in AFP including a school and at least Bosnia warned its political two companies, fearing people leaders yesterday it was pre- erman prosecutors could suffer “retaliation” if they pared to intervene at short announced an investiga- travelled to Turkey while una- notice should violence Gtion yesterday into ware they were on a watch list. resume two decades after end claims that Turkish agents are Turkish authorities were of its ethnic war that killed spying on alleged followers of acting with “something close to 100,000 people. exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen paranoia,” he said, adding “all Concerns are rising about in Germany. Gulen supporters are assumed increasing instability includ- The probe came as a Ger- to be terrorists and enemies of ing secessionist pressures in man state minister accused the state even though there is Bosnia, a parliamentary boy- Turkey of the “unacceptable” not tiniest scrap of evidence.” cott in Montenegro and Georgian President Georgy Margvelashvili (right) and Latvian President Raimonds espionage against supporters “As of today, we have no renewed tensions between Vejonis (second right) attend a welcoming ceremony with their wives Maka Chichua of Gulen, blamed by President evidence whatsoever that Serbia Kosovo. (left) and Iveta Vejone at the Presidential Palace in Tbilisi, Georgia, yesterday. Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a Gulen supporters have violated “A lot has been achieved failed coup attempt last year. any rules in any way.” but a lot can be lost again,” The claims open a new According to German media, Major General Anton Waldner front in the diplomatic row Turkish officials handed target said at a ceremony in the Bos- between Nato allies Germany list including names, addresses, nian capital Sarajevo marking and Turkey. telephone numbers and photo- his takeover of the command Nato-Russia talks tomorrow “It is clear that the Turkish graphs to their German of Eufor, which has 800 troops secret service MIT is investigat- counterparts at Munich Security deployed in Bosnia. Brussels when joint exercises and peace- Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, ing people living in Germany,” Conference in February. Prose- “There is still an execu- Reuters keeping have been suspended. diplomats said. said Boris Pistorius, interior cutors will now examine how tive mandate which allows “The Nato-Russia Council is Afghanistan will also be on minister of northern German Turkey compiled such detailed significant reinforcement at ato envoys will hold a for- an important platform for dia- the agenda, but it is not clear if state of Lower Saxony, deplor- information on their targets. short notice of (Eufor). I will mal meeting with Russia logue to reduce tensions and Nato’s top commander will ing “intensity and ruthlessness” “The success of our inves- not hesitate to call (on) these Ntomorrow, their fourth increase transparency and pre- address his suspicions that Rus- of Turkey’s pursuit of people tigation will depend largely on reserve forces if needed,” since 2014 crisis in Ukraine dictability,” Nato spokeswoman sia may be supplying Taliban living abroad. “It’s intolerable information shared with us by Waldner, , said. “You, politi- halted regular talks, although Oana Lungescu said. insurgents. Moscow has rejected and unacceptable,” he said at a German counter-espionage cal leaders, have the most both sides continue to accuse On tomorrow’s agenda is that as a lie. press conference. agencies,” spokeswoman powerful key in your hands.” each other of destabilising east- separatist conflict in Ukraine The Council comes just Erdogan’s government had Frauke Koehler said about the Eufor’s new operations ern Europe. that West accuses Russia of weeks after the first telephone asked Berlin to help spy on about probe into “persons unknown”. chief, General James Everard, The Nato-Russia Council, orchestrating. Moscow denies, call in two years between the 300 alleged Gulen supporters, Interior Minister Thomas de said there were “external the forum bringing together but Russia’s 2014 annexation of head of Nato’s military commit- Pistorius said, adding the list was Maiziere meanwhile warned influences at play in the wider Nato ambassadors and Russia’s Crimea remains divisive. tee, General Petr Pavel, and the handed to Germany’s BND spy Turkey against spying in Ger- Western Balkans region, and top diplomat to the US-led alli- Troop movements by both chief of the Russian General service, which turned it over to many, saying “espionage in Bosnia, (that) have the ance, is seen as a way to prevent Nato and Russia will be dis- Staff Valery Gerasimov. Pavel is state governments. activities on German soil is pun- potential to challenge tensions escalating by explain- cussed, as well as Moscow’s seeking a face-to-face But Pistorius’s state decided ishable by law and will not be progress. ing each other’s positions, even deployment of missiles to its meeting. to inform the more than 10 tolerated by us”. UK court cuts soldier’s sentence for slaying Taliban London 2013 for shooting the fighter at governing the treatment of pris- be released three and a half AFP close range in Afghanistan’s Hel- oners of war. years after his original Decem- mand Province on September 15, Blackman was originally ber 2013 conviction. British court yesterday cut 2011, after the man was seriously sentenced to life in prison with Apart from army veterans, a soldier’s sentence for injured by fire from an Apache a 10-year minimum although the campaign to free Blackman Akilling an injured Taliban helicopter. this was later reduced to eight also had the support of the Daily fighter to seven years after his “There you are. Shuffle off years to account for the fact he Mail newspaper and best-sell- murder conviction was reduced this mortal coil... It’s nothing you was suffering from combat stress ing author Frederick Forsyth. to manslaughter on the grounds wouldn’t do to us,” Blackman disorder. That was the same rea- “You treated that Afghan of diminished responsibility. was heard saying, paraphrasing son given by judges earlier this man with contempt and mur- Veterans hugged, cheered William Shakespeare’s Hamlet” month for downgrading his con- dered him in cold blood,” judge and waved flags bearing former in footage captured by a camera viction to manslaughter. Jeff Blackett told Blackman at his Royal Marine Alexander Black- on another soldier’s helmet. “As with any person sen- court-martial in 2013. “By doing man’s image outside the Royal “Obviously this doesn’t go tenced to a determinate term, his so you have betrayed your corps Claire Blackman (centre), wife of jailed former British soldier Courts of Justice in London after anywhere, fellas. I just broke the release will ordinarily be at half- and all British service personnel the ruling, which means he could Geneva Convention,” he said to way point of the sentence,” judge who have served in Afghanistan, Alexander Blackman, Marine A, reacts outside The Royal Courts be released within weeks. his fellow Royal Marines, a ref- Robert Thomas said yesterday. and you have tarnished their of Justice in London, yesterday after learning the result of her Blackman was sentenced in erence to international laws That means Blackman would reputation,” Blackett said. husband's reduced sentence. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 EUROPE 19 Scottish MPs back independence on eve of Brexit

Edinburgh prime minister reiterating that AFP Move to British govt the time was not ripe for a ref- Scotland First Minister erendum and describing the four cotland’s parliament Nicola Sturgeon will nations of the United Kingdom voted yesterday to back now make a formal as an “unstoppable force”. First Minister Nicola request for a The SNP leader has sug- Sturgeon’s call for a sec- referendum but she gested an independence vote ond independence should be held by spring 2019 at needs approval from Sreferendum, another headache the latest—before Britain leaves the British for Prime Minister Theresa May the EU. as she battles to keep the coun- government. Neither leader has expressed try united just a day before a willingness to compromise and triggering Brexit. spurred the independence cam- the rift is unlikely to end before The vote by lawmakers in paign of Sturgeon, head of ruling Article 50 is triggered. Edinburgh was 69 in favour and Scottish National Party (SNP), Rejecting Sturgeon’s request 59 against despite May’s last- who argues that Scotland is being would be politically risky for May, minute appeals. forced out of the European bloc whose government is also trying “I hope the UK government against its will. to prevent the collapse of the will respect the will of this par- Both Scotland and Northern power-sharing arrangement liament, and if it does so I will Ireland voted to remain in the which governs Northern Ireland. enter discussion in good faith EU, but they were outnumbered Despite May’s assertion that and with a willingness to com- by voters in England and Wales she will seek best Brexit deal for promise,” Sturgeon said. who backed Brexit. all of Britain—including Scotland— Sturgeon will now make a for- A survey by ScotCen pub- she has failed to convince the SNP Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (centre) attends a debate on a second referendum mal request for a referendum but lished earlier this month showed which has warned of the negative on independence at Scotland's Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh, yesterday. she needs approval from the Brit- support at 46 percent—its high- consequences of leaving the EU. ish government and parliament in est level since the yearly study The economic uncertainty of referendum, but the SNP claims jobs. Energy announced “largest London to do so and May has began in 1999. Scotland outside the United breaking away from the Euro- Scotland’s economic hand undeveloped discovery” of oil in already said “now is not the time”. Sturgeon and May met in Kingdom was a factor in voters pean single market would cost was strengthened on Monday British waters, located west of Last year’s Brexit vote has Scotland on Monday, with the rejecting independence in a 2014 Scotland tens of thousands of when exploration firm Hurricane the Scottish Shetland Islands. May to fire starting gun on Brexit today ‘Punishing’ Britain

London independence demands, while encourage other member states Reuters conducting arduous talks with to follow its example and break will hurt EU too: 27 other EU states on finance, away. rime Minister Theresa May trade, security and a host of EU officials expect May’s (pictured) will file formal other complex issues. notice of intention to leave the PBrexit divorce papers The outcome of the negoti- bloc under Article 50 of the EU’s London Mayor today, pitching the United King- ations will shape the future of Lisbon Treaty to be hand-deliv- dom into the unknown and Britain’s $2.6trillion economy, ered by British diplomats today, triggering years of uncertain the world’s fifth biggest, and when May will also speak to Brussels negotiations that will test the determine whether London can parliament. AFP endurance of the European keep its place as one of the top The Brexit letter will seek to Union. effect in late March 2019. two global financial centres. set a positive tone for the talks he mayor of London yes- Nine months after Britons “We stand on the threshold For the EU, already reeling and recap 12 key points which terday warned the voted to leave, May will notify of a significant moment for Brit- from successive crises over debt May set out as her goals in a TEuropean Union against EU Council President Donald ain as we begin the negotiations and refugees, the loss of Britain speech on January 17. punishing Britain in Brexit Tusk in a letter that the UK really that will lead us towards a new is the biggest blow yet to 60 Within 48 hours of reading negotiations, saying that eve- is quitting the club it joined in partnership with Europe,” May years of efforts to forge Euro- the letter, Tusk will send the 27 ryone would suffer the 1973. said on Monday. “We are going pean unity in the wake of two other states draft negotiating consequences. The prime minister, an ini- to take this opportunity to forge devastating world wars. guidelines. He will outline his Speaking in Brussels yes- tial opponent of Brexit who won a more global Britain.” Its leaders say they do not views in Malta, where from terday, Sadiq Khan (pictured) the top job in the political tur- On the eve of Brexit, May, 60, want to punish Britain. But with today he will be attending a con- also urged Prime Minister moil that followed the has one of the toughest jobs of nationalist, anti-EU parties on gress of centre-right leaders. Theresa May to give a “cast cast iron guarantee of their referendum vote, will then have any recent British prime minis- the rise across the bloc, they Ambassadors of the 27 will then iron” guarantee of the rights of rights to remain in the UK,” two years to settle the terms of ter: holding Britain together in cannot afford to give London meet in Brussels to discuss EU citizens living in Britain. Khan said. the divorce before it comes into the face of renewed Scottish generous terms that might Tusk’s draft. “There is no need for the EU Khan also held a minute of to send a message or to instil silence for victims of last week’s fear by punishing the UK,” Khan attack outside the British par- told an event run by the Polit- liament and said it was UK likely to ico Europe newspaper. important for Britain and the A unique decoration “A bad Brexit deal that hurts EU to keep cooperating on London would hurt the EU too,” security after Brexit. have direct rule added Khan, who is meeting After meeting Khan, Tajani key EU figures including Euro- said that he would “work hard for N Ireland pean Parliament chief Antonio towards achieving a fair and Tajani while in Brussels. orderly divorce between the if talks fail Khan warned that businesses European Union and the United driven out of London, one of Kingdom”. London world’s leading financial centres, MEPs will have the final Reuters would “leave Europe altogether vote on any Brexit deal, and are and go to New York and Singa- also set to vote next week in BRITAIN will consider all pore instead.” “A bad Brexit really Strasbourg on a resolution on options for Northern Ireland is a lose-lose situation.” their goals for the including direct rule from The London mayor, whose negotiations. London if politicians there fail city voted overwhelmingly Manfred Weber, the Ger- to form a regional govern- against Brexit in last year’s ref- man head of the European ment in the next three weeks, erendum, called on May to set People’s Party, the largest group minister for the province said a positive tone for the Brexit in the parliament, warned Brit- yesterday. talks by quickly agreeing to ain’s bill to leave would be Northern Ireland politics protect the rights of the three “very costly”. has been in crisis since Irish million EU citizens in Britain, The EU says Britain will nationalist party Sinn Fein Figurines of Easter Bunnies stand in a garden in Straupitz in Spreewald region, eastern including one million in have to agree to meet billions pulled out of government in Germany, yesterday. According to the residents, a couple collecting Easter and Christmas London. of euros of spending commit- January, sparking a March 2 figurines, more than 300 Easter Bunny statuettes actually decorate their garden. “It would be a perfect ges- ments made while still a election that ended majority ture of goodwill to provide a member as part of the divorce. pro-British unionists had enjoyed in the province for almost a century. The expiration on Mon- day of a three-week deadline Police erect new security barriers to form a government raised fears that power might revert from regional parliament to around Queen’s Windsor Castle government in London, a step that took five years to reverse London The new barriers were put to Windsor, recent events in the last time it happened. Reuters in place ahead of the regular Westminster clearly highlight the “We do not want to see a “Changing the Guard” ceremony need for extra security measures return to direct rule,” North- olice erected new barriers today which sees soldiers in to be introduced,” said Assistant ern Ireland minister James around Queen Elizabeth’s scarlet tunics and bearskin hats Chief Constable Dave Hardcas- Brokenshire told British par- PWindsor Castle home yes- parade with an army band tle of Thames Valley Police. liament yesterday. “But terday to boost protection a through the town of Windsor “The force believes it is pro- should talks not succeed, the week after a man killed four before heading into the castle. portionate and necessary to put government will have to con- people in an attack around par- The ceremony is hugely pop- in place extra security measures sider all options.” liament in central London. ular with tourists with more than to further protect and support If no agreement has been The additional measures fol- 1.3 million people visiting the cas- public and the Guard Change.” reached, the British parlia- lowed a review of security at tle every year. Police said the new Last Wednesday, Khalid ment will begin to fill the Windsor, the oldest and largest barriers in Windsor would be in Masood, 52, killed three and power vacuum in Northern inhabited castle in the world addition to usual road closures. injured about 50 people at West- Security barriers placed near Windsor Castle in Windsor, when it returns from its located about 32km to the west “While there is no intelli- minster Bridge before fatally Easter recess on April 18. of the British capital, police said. gence to indicate specific threat stabbing a policeman. Britain, yesterday. 20 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017

Germany arrests Third life term for Carlos the Jackal Afghan for 'helping' slain Paris Paris bombing ruling wanted fugitive in the 1970s and AFP early 1980s, when Europe was US soldiers Prosecutor Remi repeatedly targeted by groups elf-styled revolutionary Crosson du Cormier sympathetic to the Palestinian Berlin Carlos the Jackal, had told the court in cause. He boasted at the start of Reuters already serving two life Paris that all evidence the trial: “No one in the Palestin- terms for murder, was ian resistance has executed more GERMAN police have gathered in this given a third life sen- people than I have.” arrested a suspected Afghan Stence yesterday for a deadly 1974 investigation points to He has claimed personal Taliban commander believed Paris bombing. Carlos in the grenade responsibility for 80 deaths but to have taken part in an Prosecutor Remi Crosson du attack on a store in the repeatedly denied responsibil- attack on a military convoy Cormier had told the court in French capital that left ity for the Paris attack on the about a decade ago in which Paris on Monday that “all evi- two dead and 34 Drugstore Publicis store in the at least 16 US and Afghan sol- dence gathered in this injured on September upmarket Left Bank district of diers were killed. investigation points to Carlos” 15, 1974. Saint-Germain. A file photo of Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known as Carlos the The federal prosecutor’s while admitting that investiga- Carlos argued that he should Jackal (right) seated next to his lawyer Francis Vuillemin in office said yesterday that the tors had found no DNA, not be required to testify against court in Paris. 30-year old Afghan citizen, fingerprints or CCTV evidence had derided the two-week trial himself and said he faced death identified only as Abdullah P, from the grenade attack on a as “judicial palaeontology”. if he divulged operational was arrested in the southern store in the French capital that Defence lawyer Francis Vuil- information. tage. Three people were killed. giving international security state of Bavaria on March 23 left two dead and 34 injured on lemin, calling for an acquittal, Yesterday he returned to his Carlos is serving life sen- services the slip while on the run. and was being detained dur- September 15, 1974. said a conviction would only “Palestinian resistance” rule- tences for the murders of two The nickname came from a ing the continuing The white-haired defendant feed the cult status of his client, book, saying: “You don’t snitch, policemen in Paris in 1975 and fictional terrorist in the 1971 Fre- investigation. wearing a black shirt and jacket who has been in prison in France and you don’t cooperate with a of a former comrade who derick Forsyth novel, The Day of The suspect is believed to with a trademark kerchief in the since he was arrested by French court you don’t recognise.” betrayed him. the Jackal, which was turned into have joined the Taliban insur- breast pocket, blew kisses at elite police in the Sudanese cap- Little known at the time of He was also found guilty of a popular film. gency in 2002 and entered a supporters at the start of hear- ital Khartoum in 1994. the Drugstore Publicis attack, four bombings in Paris and Mar- Georges Holleaux, a lawyer unit commanded by his ing, taking the stand to denounce “If you convict him, he wins, Carlos rose to international seille in 1982 and 1983, some representing the two widows of father, the prosecutir said in the “absurdity of a trial held 43 if you acquit him, he loses,” Vuil- notoriety the following year targeting trains, which killed a the men killed and 16 other peo- the statement. years after the fact”. lemin told the three-judge panel. when his commando group total of 11 people and injured ple affected by the attacks, said In 2004, he took over the Lawyers for the 67-year-old “So acquit Carlos and he will take burst into a meeting of the nearly 150. before the trial that his clients unit and received weapons Venezuela native, whose real it out on his lawyers.” powerful OPEC oil cartel in He was dubbed “Carlos the relished the chance of seeing including an artillery piece, a name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, Carlos was the world’s most Vienna, taking 11 people hos- Jackal” by the press when he was Carlos face justice. rocket and several guns. He was involved in sev- eral attacks on foreign and Afghan soldiers, including one Uniting against domestic violence in which a convoy of seven or Riots in Paris after eight military vehicles was attacked with at least two bombs and rocket-propelled Chinese man shot dead grenades, according to the prosecutors. “In this attack, at least 16 Paris/Beijing man of Chinese origin was shot American and Afghan soldiers Reuters dead at his home in front of his were killed,” said the family after police were called statement. rench police said yester- to investigate an altercation A spokeswoman for the day they opened an with a neighbour. prosecutors said the attack Finquiry after a Chinese Police said the man attacked was in Kunar province bor- man was shot dead by police at police with scissors, adding an dering Pakistan but it was his Paris home, triggering riots inquiry had been opened. The unclear in which year it took in Paris by members of the Chi- man’s family, denied this and place. nese community and a some media said he was holding He is also suspected of diplomatic protest by Beijing. scissors because he had been trying to kill soldiers in The shooting on Sunday, cutting fish. Police said they another attack in which it was which led China’s foreign min- questioned 35 people after not clear whether the deto- istry to call in a French diplomat, street protests and three mem- nated bombs hit their targets, brought about a 100 members of bers of police had been treated the statement said. French-Chinese community on for slight injuries, they said. The suspect left his unit to streets in Paris’s main China- In Beijing, the foreign min- in 2008 shortly before get- town district. istry said yesterday it had ting married and was Some protesters threw pro- summoned a French diplomat threatened with death, the jectiles outside the police to explain events. It also sought statement said. In 2009, he Dutch Queen Maxima (second right) and Argentine First Lady Juliana Awada (right) headquarters and a number of a thorough investigation by fled to Pakistan and arrived visit a facilitation centre of domestic violence, in Amsterdam, yesterday as part of the vehicles were torched in a con- French authorities and steps to in Germany in July 2011 via Argentinian presidential couple state visit to the Netherlands. frontation with riot police. ensure safety of Chinese citi- the so-called Balkan route for Reports said a 56-year-old zens in France. migrants.

Austria to seek relaxation in EU Georgia celebrates start of visa-free travel to EU Tbilisi Kingdom or Ireland. oldest cultural capital of Visa-free EU travel for violations of the 90-day limit on migration AFP “Historic day for Georgia to Europe—Athens... Midday, we Ukrainians is expected to enter stays, or if there is a surge in asy- enjoy visa free travel to the EU! will travel to the political capi- into force this summer. lum applications. relocation plan ro-Western former Soviet Thanks to our friends! Go Georgia tal of Europe—Brussels—to Originally the plan prompted Leading up to this reform, republic of Georgia yester- towards European integration!” celebrate this big achievement,” concerns that Georgians and Georgia has carried out sweep- Vienna Pday hailed “historic” first Georgian President Giorgi Mar- he said in separate televised Ukrainians might abuse the sys- ing reforms, at the EU’s request, Reuters day of visa-free travel to Europe gvelashvili wrote on Twitter. remarks. tem and stay on illegally in the to address issues of document for its citizens as a waiver agreed To celebrate first visa-free Georgia and Ukraine, a much European Union, which is still security, border management, AUSTRIA will seek an with the European Union travel day, Prime Minister Giorgi larger former Soviet state, have grappling with challenges related migration and asylum. exemption from having to entered into force. Kvirikashvili and his cabinet long urged the EU to grant visa- to the massive influx of migrants In 2014 Georgia and Ukraine accept more asylum-seekers The new regulation allows members, some MPs and a group free travel to help deepen ties in 2015. signed the EU Association Agree- under an EU relocation sys- Georgians to travel to EU for of students flew from Tbilisi to with the West, but their efforts The bloc revised its plan in ment to deepen political and tem, it said yesterday, arguing non-work purposes for up to 90 Athens, and then on to Brussels. have been greeted with hostility December in order to allow visa economic relations with the it has already taken in its fair days, over any 180-day period, “Today, together with stu- and suspicion in their Soviet-era requirements to be reintroduced 28-nation bloc, including share during migration crisis. but does not apply to the United dents, we are travelling to the master Russia. at short notice in case of mass through free trade. The move is a new blow to the system that would cover only a fraction of migrant arrivals to the EU and that has barely been imple- EU asks Hungary to ensure migrant mented because of opposition led by Eastern European countries. holding camps comply with rules It also coincides with a tightening of security and immigration rules by the gov- Budapest asylum requests are processed. means anyone above the age of ernment in Austria, where a Reuters “In a very friendly spirit of 14 will be held in shipping con- wave of arrivals that began in positive cooperation we decided tainers on the border. 2015 helped fuel a rise in sup- ungary must ensure that to work together through our Human Rights Watch said port for the far-right Freedom its new policy of detain- experts and ensure EU rules also yesterday the law would force Party. Hing migrants on its border are complied with,” Dimitris all migrants “to go through an “We believe an exception does not break EU rules on pro- Avramopoulos told reporters unfair fast track procedure while is necessary for Austria for tecting people in need of asylum, after his meeting in Budapest. detained in a transit zone.” having already fulfilled its the European Commission said “The European principles Avramopoulos urged Hun- obligation. We will discuss yesterday as the legislation came have been unanimously agreed gary to ensure asylum requests A file photo of migrants standing in line to receive free food that with European Commis- into force. by all member states and should are processed fairly. sion,” Chancellor Christian The European Commissioner therefore be respected and Prime Minister Viktor Orban outside a customs warehouse in Belgrade. Kern told reporters after a in charge of migration issues said implemented by everyone too.” has called mass migration a weekly cabinet meeting. “We the government has agreed to The UN refugee agency threat to Europe’s socioeco- shipping containers at two tran- processed, the Interior Ministry will send a letter as quickly work with EU experts regarding UNHCR has said Hungary will nomic make up and a “Trojan sit zones on Hungary’s border said, adding that they would get as possible and then begin legislation under which migrants be breaking international and EU horse for terrorism”. with Serbia to house migrants three meals a day and access to discussions.” will be held in camps while their law if it detains children. The law Hungary has placed 324 while their asylum requests are healthcare. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 AMERICAS 21 Sessions demands cities get tough on migrants

Washington Comply with law Some local law enforcement AFP officials in cities with large Jeff Sessions migrant populations warn that onald Trump’s attor- demanded such a policy would poison com- ney general warned “sanctuary cities” — munity relations. In January, US cities that turn- from Boston to police chiefs from major cities ing a blind eye to Chicago to Los stressed they wanted to tackle illegal migrants Angeles — do more crime, whoever carries it out. Dcould jeopardise billions in fed- to turn illegal “Cities that aim to build trust- eral funding, as the immigrants over to ing and supportive relations with administration doubled down on the federal immigrant communities should tough immigration policies. not be punished because this is authorities for Jeff Sessions demanded so- essential to reducing crime and called “sanctuary cities” — from deportation. helping victims,” the group said in Boston to Chicago to Los Ange- a joint statement with mayors. les — do more to turn illegal The Trump Los Angeles Mayor Eric Fatima Avelica, 13, whose father was deported while dropping her sister off at school, speaking immigrants over to the federal administration is Garcetti gave an equally strident at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, yesterday. authorities for deportation. trying to force response, accusing Sessions of “The Department of Justice local police to keep trying to push local authorities has a duty to enforce our nation’s immigrants detained into unconstitutional actions. laws, including our immigration until the immigration “LA’s values are not for sale,” laws,” he said from the White he said. “There are constitutional US charges 3 Iraqi refugees authorities can House. “Unfortunately, some show up. protections against the kind of states and cities have adopted pol- punitive, counterproductive icies designed to frustrate this actions proposed today by the with immigration fraud enforcement of immigration laws.” policies of sanctuary cities were attorney general.” The Justice Department ended.” “These policies endan- “Slashing funds for first would work to claw back grants ger lives of every American,” he responders, for our port and air- Washington permanent residents of the included him on the extensive worth around $4.1bn a year, he added. port, for counterterrorism, crime Reuters United States, but while Mash- lists of family members provided warned. The 70-year-old former The Trump administration is fighting and community build- handani was applying for as part of the naturalization proc- senator zeroed in on the issue of trying to force local police to keep ing serves no one — not this city, hree Iraqi refugees in Vir- citizenship, officials determined ess, the department said. illegal immigrants who have immigrants detained until the not the federal government, not ginia were charged with that his fingerprints matched When interviewed by agents been convicted or detained on immigration authorities — with the American people.” Timmigration fraud yester- those found on a document at a from the Federal Bureau of Inves- suspicion of serious crimes. their more limited resources — San Francisco insisted that day after failing to disclose their site where a US citizen kid- tigation, Yousif al Mashhandani He cited examples of those can show up. However, the “sanctuary cities are safer cities”. relationship to a man who was napped in Iraq in 2004 had been said he omitted references to Majid involved in “drug trafficking, hit administration’s critics accuses it “When immigrants can enrol involved in the kidnapping of a rescued, the statement said. because when he was a refugee, and run, rape, sex offenses of creating a climate of fear, and their children in school, access US citizen in Iraq in 2004, the According to an affidavit in others had told him he would not against a child and even murder.” falsely associating immigrants health care for vaccinations, and Justice Department said. support of the criminal com- be allowed into the United States Trump’s backers in the right- with criminality. They point to report crimes, our city and Yousif al Mashhandani, 35, plaint, a US citizen identified only if any immediate family members wing media often feature stories multiple studies that show immi- county is safer,” said Deirdre of Vienna, Virginia; his brother, as RH was kidnapped and held had a criminal background. about Hispanic immigrants who grants commit crime at lower Hussey, spokeswoman for San Adil Hasan, 38, of Burke, Vir- with other hostages for months Hasan also acknowledged have committed violent crimes rates than native-born citizens. Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. ginia; and Hasan’s wife, Enas in horrible conditions in an that he had falsified some of the while in the country illegally. The Lawyers’ Committee for “It is shocking that the US Ibrahim, 32, also of Burke, were underground bunker in Iraq, the statement he made as part of his “Assaults, burglaries, drug Civil Rights accused Sessions of attorney general, the nation’s top arrested yesterday and charged Justice Department said. application for refugee status, crimes, gang rapes, crimes trying to “create a police state” law enforcement official, does with attempting to obtain natu- A raid in 2005 freed the hos- including saying he had been against children and murderers,” where local law enforcement not agree with this basic princi- ralization as U.S. citizens in a tages, and Majid Al Mashhandani, held hostage and tortured by a Sessions said. “Countless Amer- “are acting at the behest of the ple of public safety.” The debate manner contrary to law, the the brother of the two men Shia militia, the department said. icans would be alive today and federal government to round up is unlikely to be resolved soon, department said in a arrested in Virginia, admitted his Mashhandani, Hasan and Ibra- countless loved ones would not immigrants in communities with many legal issues expected statement. complicity in the kidnapping. Nei- him could not immediately be be grieving today if these across the country.” to be taken up in the courts. All three are lawful ther brother in the United States reached for comment.

Brazil suspends Protest against refugee ban Kushner to face Russia three more meat plants in investigation panel bribery scandal Washington collusion between the Trump AFP campaign and the Kremlin. Trump took to Twitter to Sao Paulo onald Trump’s son-in- insist that “Trump Russia story Reuters law and top aide Jared is a hoax,” urging lawmakers to DKushner will appear instead focus on his losing rival razil’s Agriculture Min- before a Senate panel investi- for the presidency, Hillary Clin- istry said it ordered gating Russian interference in ton, the former secretary of Bthree more food the US election, the White state. US intelligence has con- processing facilities to sus- House said. Kushner, 36, was cluded that Russia launched a pend production amid an Trump’s main intermediary broad-ranging campaign investigation into alleged cor- with foreign governments dur- designed to help Trump win ruption of inspectors and ing the 2016 election campaign election. unsanitary conditions in the and now plays that role in the In addition to investigations world’s biggest meat White House. He arranged in the Senate and House of Rep- producer. meetings between Trump and resentatives, an FBI probe of That brings to six the leaders from Japanese Prime Russian interference in last number of food processing Minister Shinzo Abe to Mexican year’s presidential election, plants that have been ordered President Enrique Pena Nieto. including Moscow’s possible temporarily closed by Brazil- Photos of refugees in rafts outside the Trump Building at 40 Wall St as part of a protest But it is his contacts with collusion with Trump’s cam- ian authorities. against America’s refugee ban in New York City, yesterday. Russian officials that are now paign, is placing the president A total of 21 plants are coming under the microscope, under even more pressure over included in a police investi- amid explosive allegations of his Russia ties. gation and are not allowed to export any product, although they may still produce for the domestic market. All three plants ordered US veteran gets terror & racism charges over black man’s murder closed on Monday are in Parana state, where the scan- New York publicly on a Midtown street US Army from 2009 to 2012, a ing to US media. Dagan told the paper. “How do dal has been centered. They AFP corner.” stint that included a tour of duty He arrived in New York on you describe it? He was off.” include units of Souza Ramos, He was formally charged in in Afghanistan — turned himself Friday and took a hotel room Jackson, who surrendered near Industria de Laticinios SSPMA white US Army veteran New York State Supreme Court in to police in Times Squareto- under a false name. Then he said Times Square, told police he and Fabrica de Farinha de faced terror and racism with one count each of murder morrow, according to local media he would start the first of many selected New York to start a kill- Carnes Castro. Acharges yesterday as he in the first and second degrees reports. He told police he consid- murders of black men that he ing rampage. His victim, a former Several major meat was indicted for fatally stabbing as an act of terrorism, murder in ered the killing to be “practice planned. When questioned by youth corps division leader who importers issued bans after a 66-year-old black man. the second degree as a hate prior to going to Times Square to police after his surrender, there recently spent most days return- Brazilian federal police on James Jackson, 28, “prowled crime, as well as three counts of kill additional black men,” was no indication where the hate ing bottles for five cents each, March 17 unveiled an inves- the streets of New York for three criminal possession of a weapon. according to the complaint. It said developed. lived in a humble hotel room for tigation into alleged days in search of a black person The March 20 attack comes he was “angered by black men A law enforcement official two decades. payments to government to assassinate in order to launch as several major US cities includ- mixing with white women.” who spoke on the condition of As Caughman rooted for gar- health officials by meat a campaign of terrorism against ing New York grapple with an The ex-serviceman told anonymity since the investiga- bage and cans in a dumpster, a processing companies to our Manhattan community and increase in hate crimes. Police police he had traveled to the city tion is continuing, told the Times white man in a long coat forgo inspections and ignore the values we celebrate,” Man- say Jackson admitted stabbing on a bus from his home in Bal- that: “He told the cops, ‘I’ve hated approached him from behind, abuses, code-named “Oper- hattan District Attorney Cyrus Timothy Caughman multiple timore, about 275km to the black men since I was a kid. I’ve pulling a sword from it. ation Weak Flesh.” Vance said in a statement. times near the low-rent shelter south. Jackson attended a pres- had these feelings since I was a On Wednesday, Vance’s Agriculture Minister “Last week, with total pres- where the victim lived. Caugh- tigious secondary school in young person. I hate black men.’” office launched a “Too New York Blairo Maggi said investiga- ence of mind, he acted on his man managed to walk two Baltimore, and in 2009 joined A former landlord told the Times To Hate” campaign to encour- tors have not found any meat plan, randomly selecting a blocks to a police station but was the Army in intelligence. In addi- that Jackson was months behind age victims and witnesses of product that could harm the beloved New Yorker solely on pronounced dead at an area tion to the Afghanistan tour, he on his rent, and a filthy tenant. violence against an ethnic group, health of consumers in Bra- the basis of his skin color, and hospital. was stationed for some time in “He definitely had some community or religion to come zil or abroad. stabbing him repeatedly and Jackson — who served in the Baumholder, Germany, accord- issues of some kind,” Marcus forward to testify. 22 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 Programme to be axed by Trump saves energy

Paris reducing the greenhouse gas powering 862,546 homes with expected to sign an executive climate and energy at the Union AFP Energy efficiency emissions that drive global electricity each year, or burn- order to dismantle the EPA’s cli- of Concerned Scientists, a Wash- The Energy Star warming, Delmas said. ing 6.23 billion pounds of coal,” mate change policies, many of ington-based policy think tank. oluntary efficiency certification scheme “These findings are impor- Delmas said. The study was them put in place by his prede- “I think the reason that it is programmes — tant because they show that published on Monday in the cessor, Barack Obama. marked for elimination in purely under threat from including one voluntary information pro- journal Nature Energy. In a budget blueprint ideological,” he said. Beyond the targeted for elimi- the Trump grammes can be effective to One of the three pro- unveiled this month, Trump animus against climate change nation by the Trump administration offers reduce energy and CO2 emis- grammes analysed was set up called for axing dozens of the measures, “there’s the ideology administrationV — have led to tax credits, rebates sions,” she said. by the US Green Building Coun- agency’s programmes, includ- of what the government’s role energy savings of up to 30 per- and other incentives The energy supplied to cil, a nonprofit organisation. ing Energy Star. should be, the idea that the pri- cent in commercial buildings in to commercial buildings around the world — The other two are operated by Exactly why is not obvious, vate sector could do it better.” Los Angeles, researchers have building owners to mostly through electricity the federal government — given that the voluntary pro- Under the proposed federal reported. — accounts for about one-third Energy Star is overseen by the gramme — which is not a budget, the agency’s $8.2bn Describing their study as the improve energy of total energy use, which means Environmental Protection regulation — helps consumers budget would be cut by more first large-scale analysis of efficiency. that gains in efficiency can make Agency, while the Department and businesses save money. than 30 percent, and 3,200 of green certification schemes for a serious dent in global of Energy runs the Better Build- “Without the information pro- its staff would be laid off. big buildings, a pair of research- warming. ing Challenge. vided by Energy Star, customers The EPA’s Office of Research ers from the University of environmental economist. The Based on their findings for The EPA says that since its cannot evaluate the energy effi- and Development would see its California at Los Angeles Energy Star certification scheme Los Angeles, the researchers inception, Energy Star has low- ciency of different products and funding slashed to $250m from reviewed data on nearly under threat from the Trump estimate that a modest 20 per- ered consumers’ electricity bills make more efficient choices,” $483m. Congress — which has 179,000 properties in the city. administration offers tax cred- cent participation rate for office by $430bn (€400bn) and Delmas said. Many consumers the final say on budget matters “We found that — with the its, rebates and other incentives and industrial real estate in the avoided 2.7bn tonnes of green- trust the Energy Star label, and — may decide not to kill Energy programmes — there is a signif- to commercial building owners United States would cut emis- house gas emissions. It’s annual depend on it to make smart Star, Cowin said. “I think it will icant improvement in energy to improve energy efficiency. sions by nearly six million operating costs are about $55m choices in buying big ticket survive,” he said. “It has a lot of efficiency,” said co-author Besides lowering energy tonnes annually. (€52m). items, said Robert Cowin, direc- support on both sides of the Magali Delmas, an costs, this also contributes to “This is the equivalent of President Donald Trump is tor of government affairs for aisle.”

Firefighters at work IATA flays US NEWS BYTES electronics ban Legal spat in US state over as ineffective naming of child

Montreal WASHINGTON: A civil rights group is suing the US state Reuters of Georgia because it will not let a couple give their toddler daughter “Allah” as her last name. Parents Elizabeth Handy n international airline and Bilal Walk want to name their 22-month-old daugh- trade organisation yes- ter ZalyKha Graceful Lorraina Allah. But state officials at Aterday denounced the the Department of Public Health said that under Georgia Trump administration ban on law, the child’s last name should either be Handy, Walk or a some electronics on direct combination of the two, according to the The Atlanta Journal- flights from several Muslim- Constitution newspaper. The Georgia branch of the American majority countries, criticizing Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the state on March 23. the policy as a move toward “Government has no business telling parents what they can “more restricted borders and and cannot name their children,” said ACLU of Georgia Exec- protectionism.” utive Director, Andrea Young. The parents said they said gave Speaking to the Montreal her the child the name Allah because it was “noble” and it had Council on Foreign Relations, nothing to do with religion. The parents said that because Alexandre de Juniac, director of the state’s actions, they cannot get a birth certificate for general and chief executive the child and therefore they cannot obtain a social security of the International Air Trans- number either. They also fear they will have problems with port Association (IATA), access to health care, schools and travel, the paper reported. A New York City Fire Department (FDNY) firefighter arriving at the scene of a rooftop fire questioned the efficacy of the at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan in New York City, New York, yesterday. ban, which prohibits elec- tronics larger than a Man in custody after suspicious cellphone on direct flights to the United States from 10 air- package near White House ports in the Middle East and WASHINGTON: Tours were suspended at the White House North Africa. yesterday and the Secret Service established a “security perim- Washington rocked by rumours “The current measures eter” after a man with a suspicious package approached a are not an acceptable long- Secret Service officer near the presidential mansion, a spokes- term solution to whatever woman said. The unidentified man was taken into custody threat they are trying to mit- and explosive disposal teams were on the scene, Secret Serv- of missing black girls igate,” de Juniac said. “Even ice spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan told reporters in the White in the short term it is difficult House briefing room. The package was being inspected, she to understand their said. “We separated the individual and the package. He is Washington shared online hundreds of thou- King, said in a tweet. Several effectiveness.” now in Secret Service custody,” she said. “We established a AFP sands of times. players from the NBA’s Wash- The regulations, security perimeter, so the media was moved in here and East However, sign of the heated ington Wizards shared the false prompted by reports that mil- Wing tours were temporarily suspended. All other activity in hen the police depart- interest in the topic, many posts information on their social itant groups want to smuggle the White House continues as normal.” ment in Washington strayed into falsehoods about media accounts, contributing to explosive devices in elec- Wdecided to use social kidnappings and human traf- its spread. tronic gadgets, require that media to spread the word about ficking, along with accusations Chris Paul, a star for the Los electronics larger than a cell- Morales to return to Cuba teens gone missing in the city, of media purposely ignoring the Angeles Clippers, posted a mes- phone, including laptops and they never imagined the move issue. sage on Twitter urging his six tablets, must be stowed with for throat surgery would spark a wild rumour, Emotions peaked with an million followers to “stay vigi- checked baggage on US- LA PAZ: Bolivian President Evo Morales said yesterday that fanned by racial tensions. Instagram post that stated, erro- lant and keep our kids safe.” bound passenger flights. he is returning to Cuba to have a small nodule in his vocal Officers posted a string of neously, that “14 girls have gone The false news found root in Britain followed suit with cords removed, in what would be the socialist leader’s sec- missing person notices on Twit- missing in DC in the last 24 fertile soil — many black Amer- a similar ban on larger carry- ond trip to the communist-ruled nation for medical attention ter around the second week of hours,” referring to Washington icans feel news pertaining to on electronics on direct this month. “Tomorrow night I will travel with urgency. I don’t March, many of them involving by the abbreviation for its for- them doesn’t receive the same inbound flights from six feel pain, it’s hoarse,” Morales, 57, told a group of coca farmers teenagers. The young women mal name, District of Columbia. media coverage as events affect- countries, and Canada is con- in the Bolivian capital La Paz. “I feel that everyday it’s get- pictured were predominantly Since then social networks have ing white Americans, especially sidering its own policy on ting worse, and it’s better to quickly have this minor surgery.” black and between the ages of been lit up with false rumors, when police are involved. electronics. The airports cov- Morales, who has led the Andean nation for 11 years, went to 13 and 15. under hashtags like #BringBack- The Washington police ered by the US ban differ from Cuba for treatment earlier this month after he was forced to Authorities in the US capital OurGirls, #missingDCgirls and department found itself caught those in the UK one, and de cancel public appearances due to a severe sore throat. He had said they wanted to harness the #Findourgirls. in a tornado of publicity, and Juniac questioned why the initially planned to return to Cuba in April for minor throat power of social media “to gen- “Sex trafficking/slavery is was peppered with questions at two countries did not have a surgery expected to last 15 to 20 minutes, Cuban state media erate immediate public attention pervasive in the US and world. a contentious public meeting in common list. He admonished reported during his visit earlier this month. Morales won a for missing young people”. It Don’t label our #missingDCgirls a predominantly black neigh- the two governments for third presidential term in 2014 but is barred constitutionally appeared they achieved their as runaways and not search,” borhood last week. Although the what he characterized as from running for a fourth consecutive term. Last year he said goal, and some. The posts went Bernice King, the daughter of federal government is fre- insufficient communication he may look for a way to run again even though he lost a ref- viral, aggregated by users and civil rights icon Martin Luther quently in the news. and coordination. erendum on the issue. ELN rebels accused of Democrats oppose Trump’s Supreme Court pick massacring five BOGOTA: Colombian prosecutors accused the ELN rebels of Washington growing effort to block a confir- showdown over the confirma- The confirmation of Gorsuch, 49, “massacring” five people in an attack aimed at taking control Reuters mation vote through the use of tion of the conservative appeals would restore the nine-seat of the narcotics trade in a remote, impoverished region. Pros- a procedural hurdle called a fil- court judge from Colorado, but court’s conservative majority, a ecutor General Nestor Martinez said seven guerrillas wearing emocratic opposition to ibuster that requires 60 votes in Republicans could change the major campaign promise for camouflage and ELN arm bands attacked the northeastern President Donald the 100-seat Senate to allow a Senate’s rules to disallow filibus- Trump. town of Litoral de San Juan on Saturday, killing five people and DTrump’s US Supreme confirmation vote requiring a ters against Supreme Court The latest Democrats to join forcing 52 from their homes. “The country cannot return to the Court nominee grew on Monday simple majority. Republicans nominees. the fight include Bill Nelson of days of watching massacres,” he said in a press conference. The while the White House control the Senate 52-48. There Trump is seeking to avoid Florida, who expressed “real ELN, or National Liberation Army, denied responsibility for the demanded a “fair, up-or-down are now 20, up from 16 on Fri- another setback in Congress concerns” Gorsuch would be attack in the Choco department, saying Martinez’s office “has vote” in the Senate on confirm- day, who have backed after major healthcare legisla- hostile to voting rights, sympa- dedicated itself to lying.” The accusation is the latest blow to ing Neil Gorsuch to the lifetime Democratic leader Chuck tion he supported was pulled thetic to efforts to lift campaign President Juan Manuel Santos’s efforts to make peace with the post. Schumer’s filibuster call. from the House of Representa- finance restrictions and support ELN, the last active rebel group in a 53-year-old civil war that Four more Democratic sen- Democratic opposition to tives floor amid opposition businesses over workers and has killed more than 260,000 people. ators added their support to a Gorsuch could prompt a Senate within his own party on Friday. consumers. WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017 MORNING BREAK 23

PRAYER TIMINGS

Italian artisan crafts 24-carat gold shoes FAJR 04.12 am SHOROOK 05.29 am Turin, Italy AFP ZUHR 11.39 am MAGHRIB 05.51 pm ASR 03.07 pm ISHA 07.21 pm ilthy rich and already boast enough glass slippers to win a dozen princes? Italian shoe- WEATHER TODAY maker Antonio Vietri has the thing for you: 24-carat gold o o Fshoes. Vietri, from Turin in northern Italy, 22 C 28 C hopes to attract shoppers from wealthy Minimum Maximum Gulf countries with his blue or black suede moccasins with stitched gold- plated uppers. “These are the first shoes in the world in 24-carat gold,” he told report- ers. “The particularity of these shoes is that gold is not simply applied, it is not like an accessory or a button. Gold is an integral part of the shoe”. Small strips of gold are woven by hand and sewn with leather to ensure the moccasin uppers are comfortable. Vietri is just one of a wave of “Made in Italy” producers seeking to tap into the high-end Gulf fashion market, par- ticularly in oil-rich states such as the Women shoes with gold dust patterns and Swarovski crystals made by artisans for A&V Fashion, in Turin. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other countries. His men’s gold line was shoe,” he said. “If the shoe is too light, They retail for up to €25,000 with prices starting at €250, and launched in 2016 “after eight months the gold will bend. If the shoe is too ($27,000) for the men’s collection, and another in which shoes feature designs of studies and attempts,” Vietri said. heavy, it hurts.” €30,000 for the women’s line. by international artists. The women’s followed this year. Each pair of shoes, made with 230 The price includes delivery by hel- The luxury collection features silk “The difficulty was in finding the grams of gold, is one-of-a-kind and is icopter, and the shoes are presented pumps embellished with gold or silver right balance between the strength made to measure using 3D foot in a black lacquered box. and customers can decorate their cho- Hazy to misty at places at first be- of the gold and the flexibility of the scanners. Vietri also does a traditional line sen model with pearls or diamonds. comes mild daytime and partly cloudy with chance of light rain at places by night. HIGH TIDE 05:30 - 18:15 LOW TIDE 12:00 Medicinal plant gardens prescribed Wall Street’s Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department ‘Fearless Girl’ to cure Kenya’s health woes statue to stay

Busia, Kenya cost of conventional medicine, cou- for herbal medicines has increased the Reuters pled with inadequate public health number of dealers selling both raw and until 2018 service delivery, has driven people semi-processed preparations. olletta Anyango saunters around towards herbal medicine, she added. But Ngugi highlighted potential chal- New York a large, well-kept garden, care- The group members, who number lenges to safety and quality due to weak AFP Cfully identifying and plucking the more than 30, have one communal gar- guidelines, regulations and standards for leaves of plants ranging from herbs and den, while individuals cultivate their own the products, practitioners and retailers. THE popular bronze statue of a vegetables to fruit bushes and trees. gardens too. They receive training to Increasingly, recognition of traditional young girl staring down a bull on Some have shed their leaves in defence plant, care for and harvest the medici- medicine by scientific community and Wall Street will stay in place until against the dry weather typical of west- nal and fruit plants which are then made media is leading to its inclusion in gov- March 2018, New York Mayor Bill ern Kenya early in the year, while into products by members. ernment development plans and policies, de Blasio announced yesterday. others are lush green. Mercy Odhiambo, in charge of pro- she added. For example, the state is mak- Initially installed on March 7 Anyango belongs to Farmers With a moting Didasco Products, said ing an effort to register and license for one week, the “Fearless Girl” Vision, a community organisation based mosquito repellent is popular due to practitioners. sculpture appeared in media in Busia County that created the garden the high prevalence of the biting insects Farmers With a Vision CEO Dida- around the world, seen by many for medicinal plants, which it processes in Kenya. “It is bought mostly by people cus Odhiambo said the group is as a defiant symbol of women’s into treatments and other products. who work on night shifts. It is obtained working to ensure standardisation and rights under the new administra- The group’s aim is to help preserve from the artemisia plant, which has good practices in its production proc- tion of President Donald Trump, these plants, not only to fight diseases properties for treating malaria, among esses, and has approached the Kenya who has bragged about assaulting but also for the purpose of research, other ailments,” she explained. Bureau of Standards for certification. women. The exhibit of artist Kris- while producing income for its mem- Grace Ngugi, head of economic eth- The organisation is conducting joint ten Visbal’s work was first bers. They make anti-fungal and nobotany at National Museums of Kenya, seminars with Action for Natural Med- extended until April 2 and is now bacterial soaps, oils, ointments, mos- Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage, icine, an international group that raises set to run until next year’s Interna- quito-repellent jelly, anti-malarial tea, said growing use of herbal treatments is community awareness about use of tional Women’s Day on March 8. and black stones to extract snake-bite an opportunity for the traditional med- medical plants, and is also working De Blasio, an outspoken Trump venom, marketed under the registered icine industry to expand. with the ministry of health, he added. critic, said the statue “means so label Didasco Products. To take advantage of that, more “We train people about cultivation much to the people of New York,” They also sell detergents, washing- medicinal plant nurseries and gardens of different medicinal plants in gardens, especially the city’s women and girls. up powder, liquid floor cleaner and could be established, including contract- as well as hygienic production of effec- “She spoke to the moment,” he disinfectants. Anyango, who is involved ing farmers to supply herbs, she said. tive natural medicines from the plants,” told reporters in front of the defi- in sales, said uptake is high. The high The development of urban markets said Odhiambo. ant girl. The relevant municipal agencies voted in favour of keep- ing the statue, he said. The artwork was installed by asset managers State Street Global Advisors, with Comeback in style City Hall’s agreement. It marked start of the firm’s campaign to encourage companies in which it invests to increase number of women on their boards of directors. The young girl faces down the “Charging Bull” sculp- ture, installed in December 1989 — also temporarily at first —by Ital- ian-American artist Arturo Di Modica to symbolise “the strength and power of the American peo- ple.” It has since become a symbol of Wall Street. Visbal chose to depict a young girl to show others that it is possi- ble for them to forge a career on Wall Street, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said. She was referring to a recent report showing that fewer than 20 percent of board seats of S&P 500 companies are occupied by women. FROM LEFT: Mark Harris, Laurent Bouzereau, Lawrence Kasdan, Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, Ted “We can issue all the reports Sarandos and George Stevens Jr attend the Five Came Back world premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln we want,” Brewer said, “they will Center in New York City, yesterday. have not have the symbol a sculp- ture does.” 24 HOME WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2017