3rd Best News Website in the Middle East BUSINESS | 17 SPORT | 24 ‘Pay more or Defending champion get less Wang misses the cut as after Brexit’ Otaegui leads in Qatar Saturday 24 February 2018 | 8 Jumada II I 1439 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 22 | Number 7447 | 2 Riyals

Russian President meets Deputy PM & Defence Minister Emir reviews ties Self-sufficiency with President of Guinea in production of QNA DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani fresh meat soon held yesterday via telephone a conversation with President SIDI MOHAMED The Gulf crisis helped of the Republic of Guinea THE PENINSULA Qataris increase food Alpha Conde. production, which The call focused on DOHA: Qatar will become self- friendly ties and bilateral sufficient in fresh meat by surged from 40% to cooperation, as well as the producing 100 percent of its 80%, said Minister means to enhance them. The requirement by the end of the of Municipality and two sides also exchanged current year besides producing views on regional and inter- 20 percent of frozen meat, said Environment. national issues of joint Minister of Municipality and interest. Environment H E Mohammed achievement in the decoration bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi. and maintenance of the Cor- Emir greets The Gulf crisis helped Qataris niche and the red road beside increase food production reconstruction of Al Bedaa Sultan of Brunei including poultry products, Park, which has been extended which surged from 40percent to to Wadi Al Sail. The red road DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah 80 percent, the Minister said in needs special care and every Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the centenary ceremony of the foundation an interview with Qatat Tv Al week it has to be washed to sent yesterday a cable of Borwaz programme. He Minister maintain its colour, said the of the Russian Red Army, in Moscow, yesterday. The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed to President congratulations to Sultan pointed out that there is around Minister. Putin the greetings Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wishes of more progress and Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei 1.5 million of livestock in Qatar Regarding the ministry’s prosperity in the relations between the two countries for the benefit of the two friendly peoples. The Darussalam on the occasion currently, which include 40,000 achievement in 2017, he said in Russian president entrusted the deputy prime minister and minister of state for defence affairs with of his country’s independence cows and 70,000 camels. The 2017 unjust siege was imposed. his thanks and greetings to H H the Emir for Qatar’s participation in the ceremony, and his wishes anniversary. Ministry of Municipality and “However, efforts at all levels and of health and wellbeing to the Emir and further wishes of development and growth to relations Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Environment provides farmers all municipalities were doubled between the two friendly countries. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with all the support and during this period,” he added. and Prime Minister and assistance they require for the One of the major achievements Interior Minister H E Sheikh increase of production of live- was the launch of the master plan Abdullah bin Nasser bin stock and breeding. and urban planning, and Khalifa Al Thani also sent “Recently, the ministry highway projects, which were cables of congratulations to revoked the license of 44 farms completed in cooperation with Jewellery & watches expo the Sultan of Brunei Darus- because owners were not using Public Work Authority (Ashghal). salam on his country’s inde- them for the designated jobs,” the Today, every national of the pendence anniversary. Minister said. To a question country can have online access about how the government faced to his plots of land to know about continues to pull crowds Rain forecast for the impact of the siege specially its use for an appropriate in the initial days, he said that the purpose in the coming years - THE PENINSULA experience the three stages and visitors on topics such as; today and tomorrow government had already planned commercial, residential, indus- during the one-hour sessions ‘Collecting Vintage Watches at as to how it would deal the crisis trial or service. The Ministry cur- DOHA: Huge crowds throng the that allow participants to learn Auction,’ ‘Patek Philippe; King DOHA: Chance of moderate and for emergency situation. The rently provides 318 e-services 15th Doha Jewellery and how to bring life to their of the Auction Market,’ and to heavy rain thundery at plan had been worked out two and made the building licenses Watches Exhibition (DJWE) paintings using watercolours today’s session on ‘Collecting times over most areas of the years ago. easier than before. participating in the daily inter- and create designs using wax, Vintage Sports Wristwatches.’ country is expected in the Al Rumaihi pointed out that “Most important active workshops, industry and finally the precise creation For those interested to coming two days. Weather the private sector also played a achievement is that we meetings and discussions which of metals and gems. attend the free Majlis Talks, charts indicate more activity vital role in mitigating the crisis managed to double our live- run in parallel with the show. Visitors are eagerly tomorrow’s discussion will be in the unstable weather and their role should be appre- stock and agricultural products DJWE 2018 is presenting a attending the daily DJWE Majlis on ‘Chopard & Ferdinand pattern affecting the country ciated, adding that they started and we launched projects for wide variety of daily activities, Talks that host informal discus- Berthoud’ and finally on in the next two days. importing items immediately fish farming with each of them to suit all interested visitors. sions for people from the local Monday, ‘The Art of Jewelry in Moderate to heavy rain from other markets in cooper- has an area of 1sqkm and they These activities include a com- community. The talks are being Watches.’ In addition, Artcurial expected over most areas ation with the national carrier are located 26km away from plimentary daily fine jewellery held by Geoffroy Ader, Watch is also providing watch col- including Doha today and Qatar Airways, Milaha the Qatari border, in Qatar’s workshop led by master Expert and Head of Paris auction lectors with daily free tomorrow, which may be Company. The Minister said regional water with production craftsman showcasing the del- house, Artcurial, and have consultations. thundery at times accom- that the Private Engineering capacity of 200 tonnes of fish,” icate art of making jewellery. already been positively received panied with dust raising Office has done great he said. Attendees are dazzled as they by passionate collectors →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 strong wind in some areas.

85 firms taking part in Seasonal Dates Market QFFD provides QR1m

AMNA PERVAIZ RAO Yesterday 30kgs of dates were THE PENINSULA sold out. Today we had to aid to Syria’s Ghouta prepare new boxes of 2kgs and DOHA: Seasonal Dates Market 1kg. As people find it hard to go QNA exacerbated the region’s at Souq Waqif, which has to our shop at Tawaar Mall, they humanitarian tragedy, brought together around 85 local came here and bought many DOHA: Qatar Fund for Devel- including the lack of food and foreign dates companies at boxes”. opment (QFFD) announced products and basic medical one place, is attracting huge Abdul Hadi Al Hajri, owner yesterday that they have services. Five hospitals have crowd. The participating of a Qatari company, said: “The provided QR1m for emergency become inoperable, and most companies are specialised in the second day was better than the response to the humanitarian of the population have resorted production, distribution and first day and third day was better crisis in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. to shelter. Humanitarian aid supply of dates from Kuwait, than the second one. Local cus- Under the intervention, providers have limited access Oman, Iran, Tunisia and Algeria tomers are coming daily to buy Qatar Red Crescent Society to the distressed area. and other countries. The month- dates from our stall. Especially (QRCS) is working in coordi- Meanwhile, UN Special long market will run until March in morning many local ladies nation with local partners to Envoy Staffan de Mistura 15. and expats come to buy dates secure relief and medical sup- renewed his call yesterday for The dates market is offering from us”. plies for the heavily bombed an urgent ceasefire to stop the traders, entrepreneurs and small Visitors buying dates at the Seasonal Dates Market at Souq Waqif, Companies coming from dif- city. QRCS said in a statement “horrific” bombing of the and medium enterprises the yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA ferent countries claimed that, yesterday that they will provide besieged region of eastern opportunity to display and they received a lot of customers 34,500 food meals over 17 days, Ghouta as well as the indiscrim- promote various date produce brought in some creative ideas caramel syrup topping, dates in two days which was more or 2,000 meals per day, at inate mortar shelling on as well as dates-related food and of presenting dates for our local with nuts, dates with coffee than they had expected. “We are shelters and distribution loca- Damascus. industrial products. and international customers. Our powder topping, coconut and selling two types of dates during tions designated by municipal- He said the ceasefire needs Talking to The Peninsula, international customers have dates biscuits and many more”. this month-long market - Al ities and community to be followed by immediate Nooh Al Yazeedi, Owner of some unique way of eating dates. Talking about the sale in the Khalas Malaki and Al Khalas. representatives. humanitarian access to eastern Othough Dates and Sweets- a We have a lot of variety for them, last two days, he said: “Our stall They added that The Ghouta and the evacuation of local company said: “We have which include, dates with has attracted a lot of customers. →CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ongoing military escalation has the sick and injured. 02 HOME SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 CMU-Q honours 134 Deputy PM and Defence Minister meet Russian counterpart outstanding students

THE PENINSULA The students — 55 Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Aisha Al- seniors, 32 juniors, Misnad, Al-Dana Al-Mohannadi, DOHA: Carnegie Mellon Khalid Al-Naemi, Maryam Ameen, University in Qatar (CMU-Q) 23 sophomores Zeina Darwiche, Aisha Fakhroo, recognised 134 students for and 24 freshmen — Muhammad Ghous, Mohamed outstanding academic have been named Hamdi, Mohammed Hashim, performance in the fall 2017 to the Dean’s Ismail Hassan, Majdi Khatib, Omar semester. The students have Khattab, Hassan Marafih, Sarah been named to the Dean’s List, List, a biannual Marafih, Faisal Mir, Fareeduddin a biannual ceremony to cele- ceremony to Mohammed, Menatalla Moussa, brate academic achievement. celebrate academic Bisma Munawar, Hasan Naveed, Michael Trick, dean of achievement. Katharine Phelps, Shaden Shaar, CMU-Q, remarked: “The aca- Faissal Sheikh, Haris Syed, demic programs at Carnegie Masooma Zehra and Moussa Mellon are very demanding. We Zekak. challenge our students to think Kaltham Al-Khuzaei, Sophomore honorees are: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al creatively, delve deep, study and Mohammed Al Khuzaei, Yasmin Abdelaal, Rahil Ahmed, Attiyah shaking hands with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Kuzhugetovich Shoygu, in Moscow, review, and work very, very Alanoud Al-Kuwari, Maryam Al- Zainab Akhtar, Manar Al Farsi, hard. The students who are on Kuwari, Shaikha Al-Misned, Amna Al-Dosari, Liyan yesterday. Al Attiyah is participating in the centenary ceremony of the foundation of the Red Army the Dean’s List have risen to the Maryam Al-Naemi, Fatema Al- Alhakeem, Alya Al-Sulaiti, in the Russian Federation. challenge in each class over the Sayed, Fatima Al-Sooj, Boshra Alanood Al-Thani, Shahad course of a semester. This is no Al-Sulaiti, Shaikha Al-Thani, Al-Tibi, Mohammed Yusuf small feat, and we recognize Malek Anabtawi, Muhammad Ansari, Fahad Salah A H Bahzad, their hard work.” Talha Anees, Layan Azem, Raghid Bsat, Li Chen, Faiq Defi- There were 55 seniors, 32 Ashwini Kamath Basavangudi, andry, Aya Domi, Aya El-Sakka, juniors, 23 sophomores and 24 Muhammad Bashir, Manisha Abraham Farooqui, Muhammad Birla students appeal for world peace freshmen on the list, repre- Dareddy, Nourhan El-Khatib, Khan, Amna Maarafi, Fatima senting CMU-Q’s four academic Noor El-Sakka, Hanan Hassan, Mustafawi, Hassan Nadeem, DOHA: Hundreds of tearful tiny programs: biological sciences, Sabit Hassan, Ali Jafar, Aisha Mohammed Nurul Hoque and tots of Birla Public school made business administration, com- Kazi, Farha Khan, Yasir Khan, Fariza Shiyap. a beeline with their soft toys and puter science and information Khaoula Maatallah, Ahmed Freshman honorees are: laid them at the base of a gun systems. Mohamed, Aisha Mohamed, Samir Abdaljalil, Mohammad mounted on the open stage in Senior honorees are: Fizza Rohith Krishnan Pillai, Umair Ahmad, Aisha Al-Darwish, Aisha front of the whole school as the Aamir, Ali Abbas, Huda Shakeel Qazi, Alfred Godwin Ravindra- Al-Jabir, Noora Al-Mohannadi, students stood in awed silence A M Abbasi, Ahmed Abdeltawab, kumar, Ibrahim Rehman, Reem Al-Sayed, Mariyam Amir, watching the children appealing Dema Mazen Abou Samha- Muhammad Taimur Rizwan, Imane Bendou, Laila El-Beheiry, to the world leadership to daneh, Haya Abuhamra, Amwaj Zain Sadeq, Lina Taha, Fatma Hibah Farid, Joud Ghalayini, Keivin refrain from war and grant them Ahmed, Huda Al Sulaiti, Amna Tlili, Abdul Wasay, Alreem Isufaj, Muhammad Khan, Weilin the freedom to live a peaceful Al-Ansari, Noor Al-Athba Al- Ahmed Johar and Karen Li, Omar Naim, Andrej Pozderac, childhood. Marri, Fatima Al-Attiyah, Youssef. Radu Stefan Revutchi, Faiha This act was a frame from a Maryam Al-Badr, Latifa Al- Junior honorees are: Ommar Sahirah, Swapnendu Sanyal, series of pageantry that the Darwish, Osama Ali, Mir Aburaddad, Kholoud Ahmadi, Abdullah Shaar, Muhammad Syed, school’s art department Mohammed Ali Khan, Tefla Al- Sufia Akhter, Abdulaziz Al- Saeed Syed, Muhammad Ahmed organised as part of sending a A P Sharma (third right), Principal, Birla Public School Doha, with Jalahma, Jwaher Al-Khalifa, Haddad, Amna Ali, Pance Ali, Zahid and Umer Bin Zia. message to the world that peace other officials, during the World Peace Campaign 2017-2018 held is the need of the day. At the start of the pageantry at the school yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT /THE PENINSULA was a pristine world of peace and harmony that existed in the lap of nature which was sud- denly interrupted by man’s greed for more and more wealth which resulted in war and dev- astation. The disruption in peace has been felt over the history of mankind reverberated in the hearts of men across the centuries. Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani ini- tiated efforts as early as 1995 great efforts the Emir H H Principal, led the pageantry towards peace across the conti- Sheikh Thamim bin Hamad Al march holding the national flag. Senior honourees. nents which flame the Emir H H Thani is making towards world Siju Thomas, teacher in the Sheikh Thamin bin Hamad Al peace and congratulated the department of fine arts, con- Thani has been carrying forward. state on its untiring endeavor in ceived the idea, planned it and Students and staff left multi- ensuring world peace in general got it executed with the teams Al Emadi updates Gaza humanitarian situation colour thumb prints on canvas and in the region in particular. of teachers from dance, music, conveying the message that dif- George Edison , Vice –Prin- PE and Languages. GAZA STRIP: Chairman of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami provide urgent aid to the people ferent though we are as human cipal, addressing the students School scouts and guides Qatar National Committee for the Hamdellah, and the good indi- of the strip, based on the direc- beings we are united as mankind recalled the great sufferings that added a special charm to the Reconstruction of Gaza Ambas- cators the latter provided tives of HH the Emir Sheikh and so, we must live in peace. mankind had undergone all discipline. sador H E Mohammed Al Emadi regarding the resolution of the Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani A long winding procession through centuries such as Sreelakshmi, dance teacher, met with UN Special Coordinator humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The who ordered a grant worth $9 of children and pageantry pro- heinous wars and genocide like choreographed the dance for the Middle East Peace Process focused specifically on the Min- million to Gaza. claiming world peace in loud Jewish holocaust, Ruwandan segment, John Mpamei and Nikolay Mladenov to discuss the istry of Health’s crisis and pro- The chairman of the com- and clear language circumnav- genocide, Armenian massacres, Marshal, Music teacher and deteriorating humanitarian viding hospitals with the nec- mittee also discussed Qatar’s igated the school sending a world wars, wars in Europe and HoD, Music composed music. conditions in Gaza. essary medical equipment and effort in the reconstruction of message that Birla students Asia leaving hundreds of mil- Alisha Sulthana , Minha stu- A statement from the com- medicine. Gaza, updating the UN official demand to be heard and peace lions of people killed and greater dents of grade 8 , compered the mittee said that Al Emadi Al Emadi noted that the on the amount of projects cur- is their birth right. number to undergo and survive programme, Ann Rose, also of updated the UN official on the deteriorating humanitarian con- rently being carried out by Qatar A P Sharma, Principal devastations of war. the same grade, proposed a vote outcome of his meeting with ditions prompted Qatar to there. offering felicitation recalled the Shirly rappai, senior Vice of thanks.

Jewellery & watches expo continues to pull crowd CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Through popular demand, the French watchmaking expert Objectif Horlogerie has also returned to DJWE to host compli- mentary daily watchmaking sessions, offering enthusiastic attendees a diploma into the precision and complexity of hand- crafting timepieces. A total of 120 people have already partici- pated and taken home their desirable new qualification, encour- aging others to preregister for the remaining days of the event. This year’s edition is also offering a new bespoke workshop by Objectif Horlogerie where 15 people have been offered the chance to assemble a bespoke Swiss watch, especially designed by experts for DJWE. The limited-edition timepieces carrying the DJWE logo and the Qatari flag, with sapphire glass and 42mm caliber, and is equipped with Swiss automation mechanic and presented in a special leather case clasp of Qatari flag colours. Tomorrow, DJWE 2018 and in partnership with AlBahie, Qatar’s first auction house, will witness a charity auction, called MILE- stones, that will provide jewellery enthusiasts the opportunity to bid on unique signature pieces by the Young Qatari Designers. All Sri Lankan cultural team performs proceeds will benefit “Education Above All” (EAA) Foundation, an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Com- The ‘Pathum Danansooriya Cultural Ensemble’ who were flown in from Sri Lanka performed many items during a programme held munity Development. Brought by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) recently to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Day, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). The programme was and delivered by Auditoire, the six-day event features more than organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha in collaboration with Sri Lanka Coordinating Committee Qatar. 490 brands from over 10 countries bringing an extensive display PICS: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA of classic and contemporary luxury collections by internationally- recognised brands and designers. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 HOME 03 A message of peace from Rome

P K NIAZ society in Europe is being targeted by with non-Catholic religions for the effec- THE PENINSULA the right wing political parties who tive implementation of their religious propagate misunderstandings about rights, by proposing agreement to be DOHA: Dr Sabrina Lei, a revert to Islam, Islam that create Islamophobia. Explaining her signed with a collective, single body, announced that her new work, the Dr Lei said that many social scien- organisation’s activities, representing each religion. translation of the Holy Quran into the tists have observed that Muslim popu- Dr Lei said: Tawasul However, due to different cultural, Italian language, will be launched soon lation in Italy will reach 10 percent by Europe focuses on building legal, organisational and even historic and that she hopes it would fill the ever- 2050. Getting citizenship for Muslims is reasons, accord between Italian state growing need to introduce Islam and its still a big problem. Four percent or 2.5 bridges between the and Islam has not yet been signed, in message of peace, in a better way to the million of the Italian population are Islamic world and the West spite of the fact that Muslims now form European community. Translated from Muslims. They come mainly from by organising interfaith the largest religious group in Italy after Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s 1930 classical Morocco, Tunisia and Pakistan and has dialogue and sharing the Roman Catholics. English version of the Holy Quran, the integrated into the Italian society. The Explaining her organisation’s activ- book, which spans over 1,000 pages, majority of them are young and they are peaceful message of Islam. ities, Dr Lei said: Tawasul Europe completed after almost five years of second or third generation. Unfortu- It also cooperates with focuses on building bridges between the work. nately, they are not getting any religious Layola University’s John Islamic world and the West by organ- Dr Lei, the director of Tawasul Europe education. They are Muslims mainly ising interfaith dialogue and sharing the Centre for Dialogue and Research, a because of their parent’s cultural Felice Centre in Rome, by peaceful message of Islam. It also coop- Rome-based think tank of academics, background. organising an Interfaith erates with Layola University’s John Dr Sabrina Lei intellectuals and cultural activists, was Italy is also experiencing the pitfalls Week every year. Felice Centre in Rome, by organising talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of Islamophobia which was not serious an Interfaith Week every year. of the Doha Conference on Interfaith Dia- five years ago. Though the young Muslim Tawasul’s inspiration comes from people irrespective of relgion or race. It logue, at the Sheraton Doha. generation feels themselves deeply ugees from Muslim countries, is a pos- the universal message of Islam. It sup- is also active in the field of publication “Holy Quran has already been trans- Italian, the lack of religious education itive note. ports the community outreaching and with high-quality books and mono- lated into Italian and it has its impor- poses a problem before them. Politically Italian Constitution is fully demo- interfaith programmes of the Grand graphs on Islam, Arab-Muslim culture tance. However, to reach a wider circle Italy is secular, but majority of the pop- cratic and pluralistic in its spirit, how- Mosque of Rome. Tawasul also cooper- and Islam’s relationship with the West of readers, especially to non-Muslims, ulation is Catholic, Dr Lei said. ever, there is a growing realisation ates with the Municipality of Rome in and Christianity. Around 50 titles I thought of rendering Abdullah Yusuf Inspite of the fact that Islamophobia among many jurists and public intellec- its interfaith roundtable and other cross- including three in English are already Ali’s English version to my language,” is growing, Dr Lei said interfaith pro- tuals in Italy that it approaches the ques- cultural programmes. published and all the books are avail- Dr Lei said. grammes by Vatican, especially under tion of religious freedom in a catego- Dr Sabrina Lei concluded that able in the National Library of Italy. Dr She added that this kind of approach the leadership of Pope Francis to wel- rised way. The Article 8 of the Tawasul, an arabic word which means Lei herself has penned or translated ten is the need of the hour as the Muslim come all religious people especially ref- Constitution stipulating special accord ‘seeking closeness’, is trying to reach all books.

Traffic Dept cautions on driving without licence 85 firms taking SIDI MOHAMED THE PENINSULA part in Seasonal

DOHA: As part of its efforts to crackdown on the violators of traffic rules particularly those Dates Market who drive without licences, the Traffic Depart- ment’s awareness campaign is going on trying CONTINUED FROM PAGE supermarkets. to reach the target group of underage. 1 Daniela, Qatar based Among the reasons that making children Al Khalas Malaki dates expat said : “I saw this to drive cars without licence is careless of are rich in sugar which is market yesterday and it parents or their encouragement to the child’s suitable for young people. Al caught my attention. I visited initiative, said the Ministry of Interior. Khalas dates are for people it and after tasting many The winter camping season create con- with diabetes or the people variety of dates I am con- ducive environment for underage to drive who are not fond of eating a fused about what to buy. I without having licence because the camping sugar. brought my mother here areas are away from the traffic police eyes, “The sale during two with me today to select the said a police officer. days was more than we best variety. The prices are “Children’s driving without licence expected, as the location of very low as compared to mostly prevails in places near schools, par- our stall is not near the supermarkets”. ticularly junior and secondary schools as well The workshop conducted by the Taffic Department in Doha recently. entrance. We have sold out The Seasonal Dates in areas of winter camps, said First Lieu- 20,000 dates per day till now Market is open for all local tenant Fahd Sherida, Traffic Awareness such accidents are committed by unlicenced solutions’ and advised parents not to give their and now we are expecting investors to market their official. children and they think they will be stay cars to children because many students in more customers in coming products in foreign markets The first punishment if underage chil- away from the police, and they do not know Junior and secondary schools bring cars to days,” Saeed Albehaih, and gain insight into the dren found driving without licence is the sei- that escaping itself is another crime. schools and the only explanation is that they Owner of Mkhzon Company expertise of participating zure of the vehicle for three months even “Anyone who commit a traffic accident, are getting approval from them, otherwise they from Kuwait. countries in a bid to improve after the settlement of the case. The driver is advised not to flee. No one can stay away have to report about that. Many local and expats the quality of local date then transferred through the Juvenile Police from legal action. Police will catch the person He also added that the legal age for get- flocked to seasonal dates products and strengthen its to the juveniles’ prosecution (if the child is using latest technologies”, Al Aswad pointed ting driving licence is 18, but 17 years can market to enjoy the variety position in the foreign less than 16 years) Captain Ali Hamad Al out. apply in conditions that a licence holder with of local and dates coming markets. Aswad, Head of Traffic Investigation section Fahd Sherida said that recently, the Juve- at least three years of experience should be from different countries. The The Seasonal Dates in Madinat Khalifa, told the Peninsula. nile Police Department in collaboration with with him. dates at the seasonal dates Market is open to visitors Regarding reasons that make motorist Media and Traffic Awareness section at the The speakers in the session urged par- market cost much more less daily from 8am to 12 noon commit accidents and runaway without General Directorate of Traffic, organised a dis- ents to guide their children and educate them than that available in and from 3pm to 10pm. reporting to traffic police, he said most of cussion on ‘driving without licence, risks and on respect for the law. Video Games Live Concert delights crowd

RAYNALD C RIVERA heartstrings of the young and providing gamers several THE PENINSULA young at heart in attendance at exciting activities which pro- Qatar National Convention Cen- vided an added value to the DOHA: With Qatar Philharmonic tre’s Al Mayassa Theatre yes- whole concert experience. An Orchestra’s stirring rendition of terday night. area which offered free play on a rich repertoire of compositions American instrumentalist the latest game systems was set from the most popular video and vocalist Laura Intravia mes- up at the venue. games of all time coupled with merised the audience as she per- There was also a music- striking background visuals, the formed songs in various lan- based zone which enabled con- highly acclaimed Video Games guages as well as played flute certgoers to gamify music and Live concert spectacular last and piano. play through favorite songs. In night certainly did not disap- Under the baton of choir- addition, attendees also point. master Felicitas Fuchs, the Qatar enjoyed an area which show- Led by award winning Irish Philharmonic Choir along with cased ways to see video game composer and conductor Eimear the Qatar Concert Choir staged music in a new light in an inter- Noone, the orchestra received a stellar performance of the active setting. ovations as it performed med- songs accompanied by Qatar The venue was turned into leys of familiar themes from Philharmonic. gamers’s hub with over a dozen renowned video games in synch Themes of God of War, stalls offering a wide array of with memorable video mon- Journey, Assassin’s Creed II and merchandise from t-shirts and Video Games Live Concert playing popular video games music held at the QNCC yesterday. tages, breathtaking lights, and World of Warcraft were among caps printed with favourite video Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula special effects. the pieces which were per- game characters to books, toys Welcoming hundreds in the formed at the unique show and artworks. A number of cos- crowd at the start of the show, which showcased the power of players garbed in elaborate cos- It was the third consecutive world perform along with exclu- Qatar Philharmonic’s next Noone expressed absolute gaming and music. tumes paraded onstage prior to year Video Games Live had been sive synchronized video footage concert will be “Mahler’s First delight to perform in what she Gamers and music enthusi- the show. performed in Doha. Started in and music arrangements, syn- Symphony” on March 3, 7.30pm dubbed “one of the most gasci- asts enjoyed the concert as much A pre-show performance 2002, the show is an immersive chronized lighting, well known at the Katara Opera House. Led nating cities in the world with as the varied activities organized featuring international Lebanese concert event created and pro- internet solo performers, elec- by maestro Tung-Chieh Chuang, one of the world’s best orches- on the sidelines of the show. vocalist Sammy Clark singing the duced by well-known game tronic percussion, live action and the show will play Richard Wag- tras.” The concert was a fitting Hours before the show, Vir- Arabic version of music from industry veteran and superstar unique interactive segments ner’s Siegfried Idyll, WWV 103 tribute to the most beloved video tuocity, Qatar’s first video game famous anime Grendizer Tommy Tallarico. It has seen top resulting to a complete enter- and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony games which tugged at the and eSports capital, started attracted a huge crowd. orchestras and choirs around the tainment experience. No. 1 in D Major. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 Syria bombing toll climbs to 400 AGENCIES World leaders a day favour. Opposition activists say earlier called for an Russian warplanes are taking BEIRUT: Syrian government part in bombarding eastern warplanes supported by Russia urgent cease-fire in Ghouta. continued their bombardment Syria to allow relief Salwa Aksoy, vice president of the rebel-controlled eastern agencies to deliver of the Syrian National Coalition, suburbs of Damascus for a sixth aid and evacuate told reporters in Turkey that day yesterday, killing nine according to the United Nations people, opposition activists and the critically sick charter countries that are part of a war monitor reported. The and wounded from a conflict have no right to vote death toll from the past week besieged areas to on draft resolutions. climbed to more than 400. receive medical care. Aksoy said in Turkey yes- The new wave of bombings terday that “what is happening came a day after the Syrian army in Ghouta is a war of annihila- dropped leaflets over rebel-held tion and crimes against eastern suburbs of the capital, Staffan de Mistura called again humanity.” She blamed Assad’s Damascus, calling on residents in a statement for an urgent government as well as his to leave for their own safety and ceasefire to relieve the “appalling backers Russia and Iran for the urging opposition fighters to suffering” of civilians in eastern violence. hand themselves over. The leaf- Ghouta by stopping the bombing The United States accused People inspect missile remains in the besieged town of Douma, in eastern Ghouta, in Damascus, lets were dropped by helicopters there and the “indiscriminate” Syrian President Bashar Assad Syria, yesterday. over the area known as eastern mortar shelling of Syria’s capital of planning “to bomb or starve” Ghouta, telling residents that Damascus. opponents in besieged eastern Hammouriyeh, Zamalka, Douma Russia and Iran for an immediate 2011 when the Assad regime they are surrounded from all UN spokesperson Alessandra Ghouta into submission - just as and al-Marj. The Britain-based meeting for re-establishing “ten- cracked down on demonstrators sides by the Syrian army. Vellucci said in a statement read his forces did in Aleppo. group monitors the Syria war sion reduction zones”, in a state- with unexpected ferocity. The number of casualties has at news briefing in Geneva yes- Kelley Currie, US ambas- through a network of activists on ment read out by UN spokes- According to UN officials, overwhelmed rescuers and doc- terday that “the ceasefire needs sador for economic and social the ground. woman Alessandra Vellucci hundreds of thousands of people tors at hospitals, many of which to be followed by immediate, affairs, told the UN Security State news agency SANA during a briefing in Geneva. have been killed in the conflict have also been bombed. World unhindered humanitarian access Council that the Syrian leader is reported that a projectile hit the De Mistura underlined that to date. leaders a day earlier called for to eastern Ghouta and evacua- counting on Russia, a key ally capital’s Rukneddine neighbour- immediate, unhindered human- AFP adds from Brussels: EU an urgent cease-fire in Syria to tion of sick and injured.” and veto-wielding member of hood killing a man and wounding itarian access to Eastern Ghouta, foreign policy chief Federica allow relief agencies to deliver A main Syrian opposition the council, to make sure it “is 15 others. It said the shell ignited as well as evacuation of the sick Mogherini called yesterday for aid and evacuate the critically group called on the international unable to stop their suffering.” a fire in the area and caused and injured had to follow the an immediate ceasefire and aid sick and wounded from besieged community to prevent Russia The opposition’s Syrian Civil damage. UN special envoy for cease-fire. deliveries in the rebel-held areas to receive medical care. from voting on a new UN Secu- Defence rescue group reported Syria calls for immediate truce In the past eight months, Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta But Russia’s U N ambassador rity Council resolution saying yesterday new airstrikes in Anatolia reports: The UN Assad regime forces have inten- after more than 400 civilians Vassily Nebenzia, who called Moscow is part of the conflict in Douma, Arbeen and other towns special envoy for Syria yesterday sified their siege, making it were killed there. “The massacre Thursday’s meeting, put forward the Arab country. that make up the eastern sub- reiterated his call for immediate nearly impossible for food or in Eastern Ghouta must stop last-minute amendments, saying Russia has been a main urbs of Damascus known as cease-fire amid “horrific” bomb- medicine to get into the district now,” Mogherini said in a state- the proposed resolution was backer for Syrian President eastern Ghouta. ings in besieged Eastern Ghouta, and leaving thousands of patients ment. “The European Union is “simply unrealistic.” A new vote Bashar Assad and has joined the The Syrian Observatory for a suburb of Damascus. in need of treatment. running out of words to describe was likely yesterday. battle on his side since 2015, tip- Human Rights said at least nine Staffan De Mistura called on Syria has been locked in a the horror being experienced by UN Special Envoy for Syria ping the balance of power in his people were killed in raids on guarantor countries Turkey, devastating conflict since early the people of Eastern Ghouta.” UN reveals new abuses in South Sudan NEWS BYTES Iran grouds ATR AP five-year civil war, released on evidence” against both President since the conflict erupted in was violated within hours. Dis- yesterday by a United Nations Salva Kiir’s government forces December 2013, just two years gusted, the United States planes after crash JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN: The commission, includes that hor- and rebels, identify more than after independence from Sudan. announced a largely symbolic witness accounts remain rific day in Pagak town and 40 senior military officials, More than two million people arms embargo and urged the UN TEHRAN: Iran’s civil avia- appalling. One South Sudanese many others as the team collects including three state governors, have fled the country, the largest Security Council to do the same. tion organisation has man returned home after hiding evidence in the hopes of one day “who may bear individual refugee crisis since the Rwandan South Sudan’s government grounded ATR planes from government soldiers to find finding justice. responsibility for war crimes.” genocide 24 years ago. Millions yesterday said it was asking the belonging to Aseman they had blinded his mother, “I did not expect to be con- The report will be presented who remain at home face UN commission for the names Airlines after one of them gouging out her eyes with spears. fronted with so much ritual to the UN Human Rights Council hunger. of the accused senior military crashed this week with 66 She had tried to defend her humiliation and degradation in Geneva next month. They also The new UN report is an officials and will investigate. people on board, state 17-year-old daughter from being deliberately done for multiple will be made available to judi- account of the gang-rapes, cas- “We can’t condone anyone television reported abused by more than a dozen reasons. The suffering and cru- cial mechanisms such as a hybrid trations, ethnic violence and committing crimes and taking yesterday. The measure is soldiers and didn’t succeed. Sev- elty was worse than anyone court for South Sudan, which other abuses that have left much the law in their own hands,” temporary as authorities enteen soldiers then molested could have imagined,” Andrew long has been urged by the inter- of the impoverished East African spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny investigate the cause of her. The family’s father was Clapham, a commission member national community but has nation in despair, while interna- said, while adding that such Sunday’s accident, which beheaded. and international law professor, never appeared. tional frustration with the war- reports “can sometimes be cut- saw an ATR-72 twin- The latest report on human told. Untold tens of thousands ring sides grows. An attempt at and-paste and based on engine plane, in service rights abuses in South Sudan’s The findings, with “sufficient have been killed in South Sudan a cease-fire in late December hearsay.” since 1993, crash in Iran’s Zagros mountains. Aseman, which is banned from flying in the Euro- pean Union, operates five Turkey awards ATR-72s, according to the suspended prison company’s website. terms to 3 academics Politician hacked to death in Tanzania REUTERS by heavy weapons. Calling themselves “Aca- NAIROBI: An opposition ISTANBUL: A Turkish court demics for Peace”, the 1,128 sig- politician was hacked to sentenced three academics natories included Turkish death at his home in yesterday to suspended prison scholars and prominent over- central Tanzania, police terms on terrorism charges for seas academics such as Amer- said yesterday, as his party signing a 2016 petition calling ican linguist Noam Chomsky. described the murder as a for an end to state violence They said Turkey was con- “political assassination.” against Turkey’s Kurds, two demning residents of towns in Godfrey Luena, of the lawyers in the case said. the southeast to hunger through Chadema party, was the The three from Istanbul the use of curfews and also elected head of the small University, who each received called for a solution to the con- Namawala municipality in A crowd gathers around a burnt out shell of a car torched outside the Central Police Station in suspended jail sentences of 15 flict that included talks with the the central Morogoro Harare, yesterday, following the fatal shooting of civilian pedestrians during clashes between months, were the first to be Kurdish political movement. Region. He was the second commuters and police. convicted of 148 academics The government says its party official to be killed now being prosecuted for measures were necessary to in such circumstances in signing the open letter to the root out Kurdish militants who the past fortnight. Luena’s Two dead in Zimbabwe clashes Turkish government. The three had dug trenches and laid murder was confirmed by were found guilty of using the explosives. The United Nations regional police com- AFP and passengers. still in the middle of the oper- media to spread terrorist has estimated the security mander Ulrich Matei, who The ban was reversed ation enforcing the ban and propaganda. operations left 2,000 people said the motive was HARARE: Zimbabwean police within hours by the government, unaware of the cancellation,” The letter, entitled “We will dead and up to half a million unknown and the killers said yesterday they had shot two but police had already been Matanga said. not be a party to this crime!”, displaced. were being sought. people dead and injured four deployed to implement it. “Police officers fired shots was published in January 2016 “I do not think the verdict Chadema deputy sec- others during a confrontation in “I wish to announce the that unfortunately killed two in reaction to months of fighting is lawful,” said one of the law- retary John Mnyika said the capital Harare over a ban on death of two people in a very people and injured four between the state and the out- yers who declined to be named Luena had left his home on commuter minibuses in the city unfortunate and regrettable others.” lawed Kurdistan Workers Party due to the sensitivity of the Thursday night to look into centre. incident on 22 February,” police He said three police (PKK), after a two and a half- issue. “What they did does not a power cut affecting his City authorities on Thursday commissioner general Godwin officers were seriously injured year ceasefire broke down in constitute a crime under terror house alone. “He was then banned minibuses from using Matanga told journalists. and three police cars were 2015. The government put large laws. There needs to be a call attacked by a group of pick-up points in central Harare “As the (unbanning) direc- badly damaged in violent parts of the southeast under to violence for it to be a crime.” men armed with in a move to tackle traffic con- tive was given, the police and clashes that followed the curfew and some largely The lawyer said there would machetes,” Mnyika said. gestion, angering both drivers other security agencies were shooting. Kurdish areas were bombarded not be an appeal. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 ASIA 05 India, Canada pledge to fight terrorism IANS “Recognising that signed between the two coun- terrorism, violent tries. The Framework recognised NEW DELHI: India and Canada the urgent imperative to disrupt yesterday pledged to combat extremism and recruitment, terrorist move- terrorism in all its forms and radicalisation to ments and the flow of foreign manifestations while declaring violence present terrorist fighters, address the that no country should allow its acute challenges to threat posed by cross-border and territory to be used for terrorist state-sponsored terrorism, stop and violent extremist activities. global peace, stability sources of terrorist financing, The assertion by the two and prosperity, the dismantle terrorist infrastructure countries came in a joint state- leaders resolved to and prevent supply of arms to ment issued after talks between combat terrorism and terrorists and counter violent Prime Minister Narendra Modi extremism and radicalisation to and his Canadian counterpart violent extremism in violence. Justin Trudeau and assumes sig- all their forms and The two sides emphasised nificance in the context of per- manifestations,” the the need to deny operating space ceived softness on the part of to terrorist and violent extremist India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a joint press Canada towards Khalistani sep- joint statement said. groups. conference in New Delhi, yesterday. aratists operating on its soil. Under the Framework, both “Recognising that terrorism, accountable state sponsors of sides committed to further Canada’s National Security and over-flight throughout the Indo- while ensuring respect for sov- violent extremism and radicali- terrorism, including cross-border develop exchanges and facilitate Intelligence Advisor, and regular Pacific region, in accordance ereignty and territorial integrity, sation to violence present acute terrorism. They further empha- effective cooperation in the fields exchanges and coordination with international law, including the rule of law and challenges to global peace, sta- sised that no country should of security, finance, justice, and between India and Canada, the rights and jurisdiction of environment. bility and prosperity, the leaders allow its territory to be used for law enforcement, including, which will be guided by the joint states under UN Convention for Modi and Trudeau also resolved to combat terrorism and terrorist and violent extremist where appropriate, at the oper- National Security Advisors’ Law of the Sea (Unclos), the two expressed “strong concern” over violent extremism in all their activities.” Modi and Trudeau ational level. Dialogue. leaders supported bolstering the prevailing security situation forms and manifestations,” the also welcomed the agreement on It consists of institutionalised The joint statement further regional connectivity through in Afghanistan and the recent joint statement said. a bilateral Framework for Coop- cooperation between the said that to reaffirm the impor- transparent development of political developments in the “They called for bringing ter- eration on Countering Terrorism National Security Council Sec- tance of lawful commerce and infrastructure and use of respon- Maldives and their implications rorists to justice and holding and Violent Extremism that was retariat of India and the office of the freedom of navigation and sible debt financing practices, for free society.

Nepal to hold Maldives warns India against presidential interfering in internal affairs polls in March AFP popular holiday destination. The UN human rights chief MALÉ: The Maldives has has described the imposition of IANS warned India against inter- a state of emergency following fering in its political crisis, a power struggle with the KATHMANDU: Nepal will deepening a rift with the Supreme Court as “an all-out hold its presidential election on country once seen as its closest assault on democracy”. March 13, the Election ally. Exiled opposition leader Commission (EC) announced New Delhi has expressed Mohamed Nasheed has urged yesterday. concern about the situation in India to intervene militarily in The election body set the the honeymoon islands, whose the crisis — a request the gov- date for the election after EC president has sacked top judges, ernment has not publicly officials held separate meet- jailed political dissidents and addressed. ings with political party leaders imposed a state of emergency The Yameen regime has including Prime Minister K.P. in recent weeks. leaned heavily on India’s Sharma Oli on Thursday, On Wednesday it said it regional rival China for polit- according to the Commission was “deeply dismayed” by the ical and financial support to spokesman Navaraj Dhakal. extension of emergency rule, build infrastructure in the The new president and earning an official rebuke from nation of 1,190 tiny coral vice-president is elected the Maldives foreign ministry. islands. Youth Congress activists holding placards of billionaire jeweler Nirav Modi and shout slogans during through voting by the Electoral “There is no doubt that the Meanwhile, The first round a protest against government in Mumbai, yesterday. College comprising parliamen- Maldives is experiencing one of of presidential elections in Mal- tarians of the Federal Parlia- the most difficult periods in the dives will be held in early Sep- ment and Provincial Assem- PNB transfers 1,415 employees post scam history of the nation,” the tember and preparations for the blies, a month after the islands’ ministry said in a state- polls have already begun, the formation of Federal Parlia- IANS factually incorrect as the bank was detected in its Brady House ment late Thursday. Elections Commission has ment as per the constitutional has transferred 257 sub staff, 437 branch, in which bank officials “It is therefore important announced. provisions, reports Xinhua NEW DELHI: In its bid to bury clerks and 721 officers since Feb- were also involved. that friends and partners in the It said on Thursday that a news agency. “There will be a rumours that 18,000 employees ruary 19, 2018, as per prevailing The Central Bureau of Inves- international community, second round, if necessary, separate election to choose have been transferred following Rotational Transfer Policy of the tigation (CBI) on February 17 had including India, refrain from would be held within 21 days new vice president a week the detection of $1.8bn fraud, bank,” PNB has tweeted. arrested PNB’s retired Deputy any actions that could hinder from the election day. after the presidential election,” Punjab National Bank (PNB) has It further added that the Manager, Gokulnath Shetty and resolving the situation facing The President’s Office in a EC Spokesman Dhakal said. clarified it has only transferred working of the branches is its Single Window Operator the country.” statement said it welcomed the The tenures of current 1,415 employees as part of its “going on smoothly” and the Manoj Kharat in the multi-crore Maldives President Abdulla announcement and encour- President Bidya Devi Bhandari Rotational Transfer Policy. transfers are in no way affecting fraud case. Both these officials Yameen has jailed almost all his aged all relevant stakeholders and Vice President Nanda “There have been reports the customer service of the remained in one branch of PNB political opponents since to offer the Elections Commis- Bahadur Pun will be over soon, appearing in the media that the bank. The bank decision to for several years, while the usual coming to power in late 2013 sion their full, unreserved sup- who were elected to the posts bank has transferred close to transfer these officials came norm is employees getting trans- and the resulting fall-out has port for the conduct of their in October 2015. 18,000 employees. The same is soon after Rs11,300 crore fraud ferred every two-three years. dented the nation’s image as a work.

Myanmar budgets Taiwan seeks new phase of China ties in reshuffle

$15m for border fence AFP Chen is familiar took office in 2016. Beijing has stepped up the pressure on her TAIPEI: Taiwan replaced its with cross-strait government with increased mil- AP although they are long-time set- China affairs chief yesterday, exchanges... he can itary drills and by wooing away tlers. Most are stateless and face promoting a minister associated also create a new Taiwan’s dwindling number of BANGKOK: Myanmar’s parlia- widespread social and official with pro-independence politics phase and a new diplomatic allies. ment has approved a budget of discrimination. in what it said was a bid to forge When China last month about $15m for the construc- The Rohingya fled largely a “new phase” in relations with vision in cross-strait began operating new flight routes tion of a fence and related in response to brutal violence rival Beijing. affairs by returning in the Taiwan Strait without con- projects along the border with by state security forces, who Analysts said the move, part to the job,” cabinet sulting the island, Taipei slammed Bangladesh in Rakhine state, have been accused of gross of a major reshuffle, signalled a the move as “reckless and polit- from which about 700,000 human rights abuses and “eth- push by President Tsai Ing-wen spokesman Hsu Kuo- ically motivated”. members of its persecuted nic cleansing.” to take a more assertive stance yung said. Taiwan retaliated by blocking ethnic Rohingya Muslim The security forces acted as ties with the Chinese govern- requests by two Chinese airlines minority have fled violence after a Rohingya militant group ment grow increasingly frosty. to operate 176 additional cross- since last August. carried out coordinated attacks China still sees Taiwan as part “Chen is familiar with cross- relations, said Hung Chin-fu, a strait flights during the peak Lawmaker Myo Zaw Aung on more than 30 police outposts of its territory to be reunified and strait exchanges... he can also political analyst at National Lunar New Year holiday period. said yesterday the budget was and other targets. has cut off official communica- create a new phase and a new Cheng Kung University. The reshuffle also aimed proposed by the Home Affairs Negotiations are underway tions with Taipei as Tsai refuses vision in cross-strait affairs by “She aims to find a strategic to boost support for Tsai’s DPP Ministry, the Defense Ministry to have the Rohingya return to to acknowledge the self-ruling, returning to the job,” cabinet balance, a dynamic equilibrium ahead of her mid-term test with and the Border Affairs Ministry, Myanmar, but there is extreme democratic island is part of “one spokesman Hsu Kuo-yung told betw een the two sides so Taiwan key local government elections which are all controlled by the concern that their safety and China”. reporters. won’t be in a passive situation by the end of 2018, analysts said. military. Deputy Home Affairs well-being is not guaranteed. Chen Ming-tong (pictured) Presidential secretary-gen- where it keeps taking punches National Security Council Minister Gen. Aung Soe testified Many have no homes to return will take over the Mainland eral Joseph Wu, a confidant of by China,” he said. secretary-general Yen Teh-fa is Thursday, the day the budget to because their villages were Affairs Council (MAC) which Tsai with expertise in interna- Tsai has pledged to maintain also set to replace gaffe-prone was approved, that fences cover- burned down. oversees Taiwan’s relations tional and cross-strait relations, the “status quo” with Beijing but defence minister Feng Shih-kuan, ing 202km of the 293km border The military’s actions with China. also became the new foreign pro-independence politicians who was criticised and ridiculed have already been completed. against the Rohingya are He previously served as head minister. in her Democratic Progressive for giving himself a perfect mark There is widespread prej- widely supported by Myanmar’s of the MAC from 2007 to 2008 The pair replace relatively Party (DPP) have criticised her of “100 points” when grading his udice against the Rohingya Buddhist majority, which has under Taiwan’s former presi- conservative ministers, indicat- for not taking a tougher stance. job performance and for describ- because they are seen as illegal little sympathy for the Muslim dent Chen Shui-bian, who was a ing Tsai’s intention to take a more Ties with Beijing have become ing himself as “more handsome” immigrants from Bangladesh, minority. staunch independence advocate. bullish approach to cross-strait increasingly tense since Tsai than a top movie star. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 Ivanka Trump to push pressure on North Korea

AP Moon would emphasise the importance of holding US-North SEOUL: Ivanka Trump told Korea talks in the meeting with South Korea’s president Trump. yesterday that she will use her Moon hopes to make Moon hopes to make the visit to the Winter Olympics to the Olympics an Olympics an avenue for peace advocate maximum pressure on on the divided Korean Peninsula. North Korea to halt its nuclear avenue for peace on “North Korea’s participation in programme. the divided Korean the Winter Olympic Games has The daughter of President Peninsula. served as an opportunity for us Donald Trump is leading the US to engage in active discussions delegation at this weekend’s ‘maximum pressure campaign between the two Koreas and this closing ceremony for the to ensure that the Korean Penin- has led to lowering of tensions Pyeongchang Games. sula is denuclearised’. on the peninsula and an South Korean President A high-level North Korean improvement in inter-Korean Moon Jae-in, however, high- delegation will also attend the relations,” Moon said. lighted at a banquet at the pres- closing ceremony, but the South Moon met Kim Yo Jong, the idential compound how the Korean government said it’s sister of North Korean leader Olympics have served as a unlikely that Trump will meet Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yong South Korean President Moon Jae-In (right) shakes hands with Ivanka Trump during their dinner vehicle for dialogue between the the North Koreans. Nam, North Korea’s nominal meeting at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul yesterday. two Koreas. Vice President Mike Pence, head of state, a day after the The banquet’s start was who attended the Olympics’ opening ceremony and urged officials have yet to make direct For now, there are no signs emphasized that the purpose of delayed by about half an hour as opening ceremony, sat awk- North Korea to do more to contact. that Ivanka Trump will meet Kim her visit is to celebrate the Moon and Trump held a closed- wardly in a VIP box with the engage in a dialogue with the Earlier this week, the US Yong Chol, vice chairman of achievements of the athletes, door meeting. younger sister of North Korean United States. government said Pence had been North Korea’s ruling Workers’ noting that she is a winter sports In her remarks, Trump said leader Kim Jong Un behind him. While the games appear to set to meet North Korean offi- Party Central Committee, who enthusiast herself. She is she was in South Korea to cele- The two had no apparent have paved the way for possible cials during his visit to South is to attend the closing expected to attend the games brate the Olympics and to reaf- contact. rapprochement between the Korea, but that the North Korean ceremony. today before tomorrow’s closing firm the US commitment to a South Korean media said Koreas, US and North Korean side canceled at the last minute. The White House has ceremony.

Japan arrests men who fired at N Korean embassy Malaysian PM mocked

AFP several times around 3:50am (1850 GMT). “They were arrested for being out of touch TOKYO: Two Japanese right-wing on the spot,” he said, adding that extremists were arrested no one was injured in the incident AFP rather than exercising. yesterday after firing shots at a at the General Association of In the same session, he sug- Tokyo building that serves as a de Korean Residents or Chongryon. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s gested Malaysians complaining facto embassy for North Korea, The two men drove up to the scandal-plagued Prime about high living costs should police said. building and fired shots toward Minister Najib Razak was be careful about where they No one was injured in the the gate from their vehicle, local accused of being out of touch choose to eat, and should avoid early morning attack, which only media said. They then came out with ordinary people Friday going to fancy Japanese restau- damaged the gate of the facility, of the vehicle and were arrested. after revealing he had switched rants and instead pick eateries but it marked a rare incident of The two men are associated from eating locally-grown rice offering local fare. gun violence in a nation that with right-wing movements, with to the pricey grain quinoa. Quinoa is sold at few shops prides itself on strict weapons Katsurada known to have pro- Opposition lawmakers in Malaysia and is far more controls and street safety. tested against North Korea in the lined up to mock the aristo- expensive than rice, a staple The incident comes as North past, media said. cratic premier, who is regularly food in the country of 32 Korea commands extended global Nam Sung-U, deputy chair of attacked for leading a luxurious million. media attention with its partici- Chongryon, called it a “despicable lifestyle at a time that many are Veteran opposition law- pation in the Pyeongchang Winter act of terror.” In a statement, he Police officers are seen in front of the headquarters of the General complaining about rising living maker Lim Kit Siang said that Olympics. Satoshi Katsurada, 56, blamed the Japanese govern- Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), after police costs, with corruption allega- until Najib’s speech, “I did not and Yoshinori Kawamura, 46, ment’s ‘hostile policies’ against the arrested two men suspected of shooting in to the building, in tions swirling around him. even know that quinoa existed”. were arrested after allegedly firing North for fuelling hatred toward Tokyo, yesterday. Some Malaysian netizens “This reminds me of the “what appears to be a gun” ethnic Koreans in Japan. simply responded with Marie Antoinette story of the bemusement, admitting they last queen of France before the had never heard of quinoa, a French Revolution in 1789,” he health food grown in South said. Scientists invent America that is popular in He was referring to an 18th Rain hampers search for landslide Europe and North America. century French legend: when floating ‘firefly’ Najib, who must call elec- informed that the peasants had tions by August and is battling no bread to eat, Marie Antoi- light in Japan victims in Indonesia; toll reaches 7 allegations huge sums were nette, unaware of a raging looted from a state fund, made famine, was said to have REUTERS AP yesterday and one of the people Farmers were working in the remarks during a question- uttered the immortal words, ‘let injured in the disaster had died in their rice paddies in Central Java’s and-answer session at a hos- them eat cake’. It is not the first TOKYO: Japanese engi- BREBES: Heavy rains hampered a hospital. He said the number of Brebes district Thursday morning pital Thursday about his gov- time Najib has been in hot neering researchers say they the search yesterday for victims missing is 14, down from 18, due when the soggy hillside above ernment’s 2018 budget. water over culinary comments have created a tiny electronic of a landslide on the Indonesian to a duplicated name and two them collapsed under the weight “I don’t eat rice. I eat in the food-mad country -- he light the size of a firefly which island of Java as authorities raised people incorrectly reported as of torrential rains. quinoa. It’s protein-based, less was ridiculed in 2014 after rides waves of ultrasound, the death toll to seven. victims. The search involving Survivors described a sudden carbohydrate, less sugar con- pointing out the price of the and could eventually figure The chief of the disaster mit- more than 500 rescuers including roar as the landslide was tent, so it’s better than rice,” he popular food water spinach had in applications ranging from igation agency in Brebes, Eko police, volunteers and soldiers unleashed, sweeping trees and said, explaining he chose to dropped during his time in moving displays to projection Andalas, said a body was found was halted due to heavy rains. everything else in its path. keep fit by controlling his diet office. mapping. Named Luciola for its resemblance to the firefly, the featherweight levitating par- ticle weighs 16.2 mg, has a Biggest Indonesian party backs President Widodo diameter of 3.5 mm (0.14 inch), and emits a red REUTERS A presidential candidate said in a December survey 53 Subianto has been reported Asked about a vice president for glimmer that can just about needs the support of parties percent of respondents would as saying he is willing to run for his ticket, Widodo told reporters illuminate text. JAKARTA: Indonesia’s biggest together got 25 percent of the support Widodo, while his president in 2019, though he has he would need to consult other But its minuscule size political party in parliament national vote in the previous nearest rival, Subianto, got 18.5 not confirmed this. Candidates parties. “We will talk to all par- belies the power of the 285 yesterday endorsed President election or have 20 percent of percent. have until mid August to register. ties, then we will tell you,” he said. microspeakers emitting ultra- Joko Widodo as its candidate for seats in parliament. sonic waves that hold up the elections in 2019, joining four Four other political parties light, and have a frequency other parties backing him for a have already officially declared inaudible to the human ear, second term. support for Widodo including the allowing Luciola to operate The presidential election is second-biggest party, Golkar. in apparent total silence. widely expected to be a re-run Widodo, a former furniture It took two years for of a 2014 vote with Widodo salesman, is Indonesia’s first Luciola to get this far, said cir- taking on retired general president to come from outside cuit design specialist Makoto Prabowo Subianto of the oppo- the political and military elite. Takamiya, a member of the sition Gerindra (Greater Indo- The former governor of the Kawahara Universal Infor- nesia Movement) party. capital, Jakarta, beat tycoons and mation Network Project that “I hearby state that the PDIP former generals in 2014, riding developed the device. presidential candidate is Joko a wave of support for his ener- “Ultimately, my hope is Widodo,” Megawati Sukarnop- getic style and tough record on that such tiny objects will utri, chairwoman of the nation- corruption. have smartphone capabilities alist Democratic Party of While in office, Widodo has and be built to float about Struggle (PDIP) party, said in a led a push to build infrastructure helping us in our everyday video from the party’s congress though annual growth in South- lives in smarter ways,” said on the island of Bali. east Asia’s biggest economy, at the University of Tokyo pro- Photographs on the Twitter around 5 percent, has yet to fessor, who hopes it will be feed of cabinet secretary and reach the 7 percent he pledged commercially viable in five PDIP member Pramono Anung when campaigning in 2014. to 10 years. The developers showed a smiling Widodo and Widodo remains the most expect Luciola to find appli- Sukarnoputri holding up their popular candidate in most cations in the so-called arms together surrounded by opinion polls. Pollster Saiful Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left), greeted by Secretary-General PDI-P party Hasto Kristiyanto Internet of Things. party members. Mujani Research and Consulting (right), at the opening of party meeting in Sanur, Bali, yesterday. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 ASIA 07 Pakistan & Afghanistan launch gas pipeline

AP inauguration but Farhad said Afghanistan has devised a KABUL: Afghanistan’s president detailed security plan to protect and Pakistan’s prime minister the pipeline construction as well launched a 1,814 km gas pipeline The US has advocated as the pipeline. yesterday that will feed Turk- the pipeline as a Taliban spokesman Zabi- menistan gas to Afghanistan, as hullah Mujahid told the AP in a well as Pakistan and eventually source of much telephone interview that the reli- to India. needed gas to all 3 gious movement was ready to The first part of the inaugu- countries guarantee the pipeline’s security. ration took place in Turkmeni- “We are ready to protect TAPI. It stan, on the border with Afghan- The United States has advo- is good and important and vital istan’s western province of Herat, cated the pipeline as a source of for the economy of Afghanistan,” followed by a ceremony in much needed gas to all three he said, noting the pipeline had Afghanistan. The launch was countries over an alternative been under consideration during shown live on Afghan pipeline, which is also being the Taliban rule that ended in television. negotiated, bringing gas from Iran 2001. Heavy security will guard the through Pakistan and into India. Afghan President Ashraf pipeline construction through The TAPI pipeline is a rare Ghani told the gathering that the war-weary Afghanistan, said show of cooperation between pipeline is a message to future Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (second right), with Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, President of Jelani Farhad, spokesman for the often hostile neighbors Pakistan generations. Turkmenistan (second left), Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (right) and India’s External Herat provincial governor’s office. and India as well as the often con- “We hope our next genera- Affairs Minister M J Akbar look on during the TAPI gas pipeline project inauguration in Herat province “It’s a golden day for Afghan- tentious neighbors Pakistan and tion will see this pipeline as the in Afghanistan, yesterday. istan today,” Farhad said. “It will Afghanistan. foundation of a joint position in help our economy and create Pakistan’s Prime Minister our region which is aimed at meters (43 billion cubic yards) of of Afghanistan’s first railway cooperation throughout our thousands of jobs.” The long Shahid Khaqan Abbasi attended improving our economy, pro- gas from Turkmenistan to Paki- tracks, from the Turkmenistan region,” said Ghani. “We, Afghans awaited pipeline project, which the ceremonies along with a rep- viding jobs and increasing our stan and India through Afghani- border to Iran. He added he have suffered but now we are is known by the acronym TAPI, resentative of the Indian security, all in our fight against stan’s Herat, Farah, Helmand and hoped the pipeline would signal looking to our future and we have is expected to take two years to government. extremists,” Ghani said. Nimroz provinces. the start of better regional no hostility with any country and complete, but it has been several Security has been a leading The pipeline will have a Ghani said the next big cooperation. want only our national interests years in the planning. concern leading up to the capacity to carry 33 billion cubic project being readied is the laying “Our message is one of to be protected.”

Philippines summons US NAB witness admits Calibri font existed in 2006 INTERNEWS during the investigation carried Investigation Amjad Nazir Olakh Muzaffar Abbasi, head of the references NAB filed last week. envoy over out by the Joint Investigation and another official on NAB’s prosecution team sitting The counsel for the Sharif family, ISLAMABAD: The star witness Team in the Panama Papers Wednesday and they had dis- with the witness in the Pakistani Ayesha Hamid, raised objections Duterte report against the daughter and the case. cussed the notes for today’s High Commission in London as to the filing of supplementary son-in-law of former Prime During the seven-hour pro- statement and cross-examina- an observer, objected to the references pertaining to Al- AFP Minister Nawaz Sharif in the ceeding of the National Account- tion. Radley admitted during question about Radley’s meeting Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Avenfield Apartments reference ability Bureau (NAB)’s supple- cross-examination that the Cal- with NAB officials, saying he was investments. MANILA: The Philippine told the accountability court mentary reference on Avenfield ibri font existed since April 2005 present as an observer in com- Hamid argued that the ref- government summoned the US yesterday that the Calibri font Apartments against the Sharif in a beta version of Windows pliance with an order of the erences were not in line with the ambassador over an American existed when the trust deed of family, Radley said that he was Vista. Khawaja Haris, the Islamabad High Court and it directives contained in the intelligence report that listed the property was prepared. taking help from the notes he counsel for Nawaz Sharif, should not be seen otherwise. Supreme Court’s verdict. President Rodrigo Duterte and But the font was not com- had prepared for today’s state- during the course of cross- “Yesterday’s meeting must The apex court in its July 28 his deadly war on drugs as a mercially available before Jan- ment and cross-questioning. examination asked Radley if he have also been convened in judgement had said that supple- ‘regional threat’, Manila said uary 2007 and the trust deed Admits to accountability was answering questions about compliance with the court’s mentary references could be yesterday. US envoy Sung Kim was prepared in February 2006 court hearing Avenfield Apart- Calibri font by looking at the order,” Haris responded to the filed if new assets were discov- met Duterte’s chief aide on hence it was fabricated, said ments case he had a meeting notes. objection sarcastically. ered, she said. But the supple- Thursday to discuss the US forensic expert Robert M Radley with NAB officials a day earlier The witness answered in the During the cross-examina- mentary references were based ‘Worldwide Threat Assessment’ while testifying from the Paki- He admitted that he along affirmative and said that the tion, Radley also admitted that on old information about the released last week, the two stani High Commission in with another witness, Akhtar notes were prepared for cross- he had not read the entire trust companies owned by a son of nations said. London via video link. Raja of the Quist Solicitors, had examination and he had dis- deed and that his focus was some Nawaz Sharif. As per United Under a section headed Radley had identified the use held a meeting with NAB Deputy cussed the notes with the NAB selected paragraphs. Kingdom law anyone could ‘regional threats’, the report of Calibri font in the document Prosecutor General Sardar Muz- officials for over two hours on The accountability court also obtain information by filling out listed Cambodian leader Hun of the trust deed of the property affar Abbasi, Director Wednesday. At this Sardar took up the two supplementary a simple form, she said. Sen’s crackdown on dissent, Duterte’s war on crime and corruption as well as the flight of the Rohingya minority from Myanmar to Philippine police say 10 dead Bangladesh. Duterte’s spokesman Harry in deadly night of drug busts Roque said in a statement that Executive Secretary Salvador REUTERS province where 32 people were Medialdea summoned Kim killed in a single day in August over the report, which has MANILA: Philippine police last year. drawn sharp criticism from the killed 10 suspected drug Bulacan police chief Romeo president’s camp. peddlers and arrested 63 people Caramat said the 10 suspects Duterte was elected in 2016 in dozens of operations during were killed in eight different in part on a vow to kill tens of the single deadliest night of the towns in 45 separate ‘buy-bust’ thousands of criminals in a bid country’s ferocious war on incidents, or sting operations. to rid the country of narcotics. drugs since police resumed Police say those operations The International Criminal participation in early usually involve officers posing Court this month launched a December. as buyers in efforts to appre- preliminary examination into Since President Rodrigo hend dealers, some of whom allegations of thousands of Duterte allowed police to are killed because they violently extrajudicial killings committed resume operations following a resist. during the president’s narcotics two-month suspension over the Caramat said 63 people crackdown. A US embassy death of an unarmed teenager, were arrested and a dozen statement said its ambassador 88 people have been killed and handguns, spent shells and met Medialdea to explain the close to 9,000 arrested, the about 270 packages of drugs nature of the Office of the Residential fire in Manila latest police data show. were seized. More than 4,000 Director of National Intelli- The operations ran from Filipinos have been killed by A firefighter (left) sifts through the smoldering rubble of a destroyed house after a fire hit a residential gence report, which the state- Wednesday night through to police during Duterte’s area in Manila, yesterday. No one was injured in the incident but a dozen houses were destroyed, ment said was “based on Thursday morning in the prov- 19-month-old war on drugs, widely available according to firefighters. ince of Bulacan, north of and hundreds more by uniden- information”. Manila, the capital. This is the tified armed men.

Two doctors sentenced to death for Australian deputy PM resigns after new harassment claim murdering colleague in Peshawar REUTERS He will remain in parlia- after the new allegation of sexual Little-known outside Aus- ment, safeguarding Turnbull’s harassment emerged tralia, Joyce made international INTERNEWS commission of the offence. SYDNEY: Australia’s deputy shaky one-seat majority. yesterday. headlines in 2015 when he A third accused in the case, prime minister said yesterday he Joyce’s decision came after He denied any wrongdoing deported two dogs brought into PESHAWAR: An anti-terrorism Habibur Rehman, was also con- will resign as leader of his party a falling-out with Turnbull, who but acknowledged the allegation Australia by US actor Johnny court in Pakistan’s northwest victed and was sentenced to after weeks of pressure over an is in the United States for meet- had hastened his decision. Depp without the proper paper- Peshawar yesterday convicted seven years rigorous affair with a staffer that brought ings with President Donald “I will say on Monday work, a row that became known two doctors and awarded them imprisonment. him into open conflict with his Trump and who declined to morning at the party room I will as the ‘war on terrier’. death sentence for kidnapping Senior advocate Syed Abdul premier and a new allegation of leave him in charge while he is step down as the leader of the Joyce had only been back in their doctor friend for ransom Fayyaz appeared for the com- sexual harassment emerged. out of the country. National Party and deputy leader parliament less than a month and subsequently stabbing him plainant Mohammad Ashfaq, Barnaby Joyce said he will Turnbull called Joyce’s affair of Australia,” Joyce said. after falling victim to a citizen- to death. father of the deceased Dr step down on Monday as leader a ‘shocking error of judgment’ Joyce, whose support base ship crisis that has dogged Turn- ATC judge Sabir Khan pro- Salman Shahzad, and con- of the National party, the junior last week, to which Joyce rests in Australia’s traditionally bull’s government. nounced that the prosecution tended that there was incon- partner in Prime Minister Mal- responded by calling Turnbull conservative rural areas, wore Australia’s High Court had proved its case against the trovertible evidence against the colm Turnbull’s centre-right ‘inept’. his trademark Akubra bush- deemed Joyce was a New Zea- two accused persons named Dr accused persons. He contended coalition, after resisting earlier Joyce, a practising Catholic, man’s hat as he spoke to jour- land citizen in October, forcing Ahmad Ali and Dr Haseeb that the accused had kidnapped calls to quit over the affair with has been married for 24 years nalists in Armidale, the farming Turnbull to rule in minority until Anwer and the evidence on Dr Shahzad and killed him in a his former media secretary, with and has campaigned on family town he represents about 485 Joyce re-contested and won his record connected them with the brutal manner. whom he is expecting a child. values. He said he decided to quit km northeast of Sydney. seat again. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Interfaith dialogue To stop climate change, he recently concluded 13th Doha International Interfaith Conference, held under the theme “Religions and Human Rights”, stressed the importance of not taking religions as a pretext Tfor acts of extremism and violence, and called for we need to open borders preserving human dignity, love, peace and solidarity among the followers of the three semitic religions, and But there is something more to be disease. Only 2 percent of these deaths excluding extremism and hatred. said here. An open border policy may occur in the North. The South suffers the The two-day conference, organised by the Doha also be the key to stopping climate rest, and the vast majority of climate International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), change itself. mortality occurs in the countries with the with a participation of over 500 delegates from 50 Scientists tell us that on our present lowest carbon emissions in the world. countries, was graced with the presence of leaders trajectory we have only a 5 percent Yes, Britain has its floods, southern and academics from the three major monotheistic JASON HICKEL chance of keeping global warming Europe its droughts, and the United religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, discussing AL JAZEERA below the danger threshold of 2 States its hurricanes. But as devastating and sharing their thoughts about religious values and degrees, as our addiction to endlessly as these are for ordinary people’s lives, addressing the basic issue of human rights. expanding economic growth and those governments have so far absorbed Central topics at this year’s gathering included the O stop climate change, we need consumption is swiftly wiping out the the costs and kept chugging along with concept of human rights in religions and religious views to open borders Europe is gains we’re making through the status quo - more growth, more on human rights violations. To discuss these topics, facing its biggest refugee crisis technology and renewable energy. As a consumption, more emissions, more the conference also hosted international law Tsince World War II. What is new recent op-ed in the New York Times capitalism. They are not acting on specialists, human rights advocates and media this time around is that many of the put it, “The climate crisis? It’s climate change because they have no professionals. displaced are being driven from their capitalism, stupid.” We need a new real reason to care. The consequences of Addressing the opening session, the Minister of homes by the destructive effects of economic system - one that does not their industrial over-consumption are State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, climate change. And this is just the require this mad rush up an harming lands far beyond their borders. stressed the need for countering religious and ethnic beginning. exponential curve - but our leaders are It’s a textbook case of moral hazard: fanaticism and solving disputes by peaceful means. As sea levels rise, swallowing island unwilling to take that step. There is a they are willing to take the risk because He also said that the aim of the meet should be to nations and swamping large parts of yawning gap between the threat posed someone else bears the cost. Of course, consolidate the values of Bangladesh, and by climate breakdown and how little eventually, this will change. They will get moderation and tolerance and as droughts we are doing to address it. serious when their coastal cities flood to modernise moderate trigger food This is a puzzle. Why are we so and their food imports dry up - but by religious discourse. shortages willing to gamble thus with the fate of then it will be too late. In the final communiqué across much of human civilization, with 95 percent The solution is simple, at least the DICID has called for the the global certainty of catastrophe? Is it that conceptually: open the borders. By By organising implementation of religious As sea levels South, the we’re in denial? Are we just repressing tearing down the walls that separate the the interfaith values and strengthening of rise, swallowing refugee crisis a reality that’s too traumatic to causes and consequences of climate conference international law to protect island nations will only confront? Yes, probably. But it’s also change we can force a more honest every year, Qatar human rights and stop and swamping worsen. And we something much simpler: a geography reckoning with reality. Once the victims violations, no matter the can expect that problem. of climate change have the right to seek is spreading perpetrators are the states, large parts of Europe’s right- The great irony of global warming refuge in Europe and North America, it the message individuals or groups. Bangladesh, and wing parties is that its causes and consequences are will obliterate the moral hazard of global of dialogue, Compassion, empathy and as droughts trigger will respond by inversely distributed. The rich nations warming. As rich nations finally start to tolerance human love are the basic food shortages doubling down of the global North are responsible for feel the heat, so to speak, you can bet values of religion and its on their 70 percent of historical CO2 emissions, they’ll act fast, doing everything in their and peaceful followers must overcome all across much of the already-potent but they bear only about 18 percent of power to ensure that people’s home coexistence stereotypes and negative global South. anti-immigrant the total costs. It’s the South that takes regions remain livable. Even if it means among the restrictions that harm these rhetoric with a the hit: according to the Climate pushing for a new, more ecological, values. push to seal off Vulnerability Monitor, the global South economic model. followers of The conference also called the borders. loses nearly $600bn each year due to This might seem unrealistic at a time religions, based on the international Pundits on the left denounce this as a drought, floods, landslides, storms and of rising anti-immigrant sentiment. But on Islamic values. community to provide craven, mean-spirited stance towards wildfires. As climate change worsens, either we do it now, finding orderly ways necessary protection for those who are suffering the most from their losses will reach a staggering $1 to integrate climate refugees and children, women and people our collective climate crisis. And they’re trillion per year by 2030. allowing ourselves to be spurred to with special needs, and family, right: opening the borders to climate And then there’s the human toll. action by the suffering we’re forced to especially those who are refugees is a matter of basic justice. We Global warming claims some 400,000 confront, or down the road, we’re going subjected to violations during war and conflict. need to devise policies to ensure that all lives each year worldwide - many due to face a refugee crisis more severe, It is a fact that rights violations are afflicting many have the right to access safe and to extreme weather events but most due violent and destabilising than anything countries and threatening security and stability. Wars habitable parts of the planet we share. to climate change-induced hunger and we can imagine. We have a choice. and armed conflicts are not only creating unending refugee issues, it also result in ethnic cleansing and human trafficking. The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue was established in 2011 with the aim of Kids demand adults take responsibility on guns promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence between religions and applying religious values to the challenges Binary choices in public debates failing to act, elected officials bear shootings on Wednesday, and has facing humanity. are rarely helpful. But too many responsibility for the scourge of gun ordered the Justice Department to By organising the interfaith meeting every year, violence in America. For too many ban bump stocks, the device used Qatar is spreading the message of dialogue, tolerance Americans have allowed bad faith of them, protecting unfettered by the shooter who killed more and peaceful coexistence among the followers of and fanaticism to hold this field for access to guns is more important than 50 people at a concert in Las religions, based on Islamic values. far too long. The madness will end than protecting lives. Vegas last year. But so far he has where responsibility begins. But it is not only elected been careful to avoid rhetoric or officials. The public, too, needs to action that would offend the gun become more engaged -- and lobby. BLOOMBERG demand that its leaders be. This is Majority opinion favors sensible the service the students of gun regulation, including near- QUOTE OF THE DAY Stoneman Douglas High are universal support for universal OU are responsible.” providing by organizing a “March background checks. Activating that That’s what students of for Our Lives” next month in majority, turning passive We are still working on “YMarjory Stoneman Washington. (The march has supporters into mobilized activists, the language, on some Douglas High School chanted received support from Everytown is the key to stopping more gun of the paragraphs, but Saturday at a rally in Fort for Gun Safety, which is backed by violence. “My message for the we are almost there Lauderdale, Florida, following the Bloomberg LP founder Michael people in office,” student Cameron most recent school massacre, which Bloomberg.) The kids are not Kasky told CNN, “is you’re either on Syria ceasefire. took place at their school and left 17 buying the evasive plea that “now is with us or against us.” of their fellow students and not the time” to discuss gun politics. Binary choices in public debates Mansour Al Otaibi teachers dead. While it’s too soon to tell what are rarely helpful. But too many UN Security Council It’s not a chant that flows impact their activism will have, Americans have allowed bad faith President gracefully from the tongue. Yet its President Donald Trump is paying and fanaticism to hold this field for meaning is clear. In their simplicity, attention -- he held a “listening far too long. The madness will end the three words pack a wallop: By session” with survivors of school where responsibility begins. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 OPINION 09 China’s new anti-graft superministry adds to concerns about suspects’ rights CHRISTIAN SHEPHERD Xi has vowed that his fight commission are established, investigations. REUTERS against deep-seated corrup- according to state media The National Peoples Con- that might allow corrupt offi- tion in the ruling Communist reports. gress declined to comment on cials to interfere with local new “super- Party should intensify, saying In the eastern port city of the issue. A parliament news investigations against them, ministry” set to that China needs strong mech- Tianjin, for example, those department official said they according to party statements. deepen Chinese anisms to form a “cage” to being supervised will jump to would answer reporters’ One such measures is a President Xi Jinping’s prevent officials of all levels 600,000 from 90,000, questions during next month’s secretive and controversial sys- A parliament session. The CCDI war on graft and extend it to from breaking rules. according to state-backed tem of residential detention all state employees is likely to At an upcoming annual Beijing News. Nationwide fig- did not respond to requests for known as “shuanggui”, which undermine years of work by meeting in March, China’s ures for the increase have not comment. rights groups say allows torture. Chinese legal reformers to rubber-stamp parliament is been released. Since the proposed In 2013, a Chinese court protect the rights of suspects expected to establish a new All state and public-sector reforms were announced by found five CCDI officials guilty during investigations, government branch, the employees, as well as manag- the CCDI in 2016, it has faced of torture after they accidentally according to some Chinese National Supervision Com- ers working for a state-backed a flurry of criticism from Chi- drowned a suspect while Probes undertaken academics. mission, potentially on par schools, hospitals, institutes or nese legal experts, who have attempting to extract a Probes undertaken as part with China’s cabinet and mili- companies, can be targeted by called for more limits on the confession. as part of Xi’s of Xi’s anti-corruption cam- tary commission, to oversee the new supervision, regard- commission’s power, warning Xi announced last October anti-corruption paign have used the party’s the fight against corruption. less of whether they are a that a system without con- that under the supervision com- campaign have rules for internal investiga- The changes are expected to party member or not, accord- straints puts suspects at risk. mission the “shuanggui” system used the party’s tions and are therefore outside further empower the already ing to the latest draft of the In recent months, as the would be replaced with a the boundaries of China’s feared party watchdog, the pending supervision law. plan nears realisation, many “liuzhi” or detention system. rules for internal criminal justice system. Central Commission of Disci- It is unclear from the cur- critics have stopped speaking The new law includes steps investigations That means reforms intro- pline Commission (CCDI), rent draft whether regular out publicly, but some legal to prevent abuses, such as and are therefore duced in 2012 that provided political analysts say. staff at state-backed institu- scholars told Reuters that their informing family members and outside the some protection to suspects In some localities, the tions can be investigated, fears persist. employers shortly after a sus- don’t apply in those cases, number of individuals that thought some experts believe Tong Zhiwei, a law profes- pect is detained and required boundaries of raising the possibility of forced could be targeted with an the wording leaves this possi- sor at the East China video recordings of interroga- China’s criminal confessions and miscarriages investigation will increase bility open. University of Political Science tions, according to the most justice system. of justice, some legal scholars many fold after the provin- Though China’s criminal and Law in Shanghai, said he recent draft. say. cial-level branches of the justice system has long been is concerned that the body will One potential change, for criticised for its failure to be too politically powerful to example, is the introduction of stamp out forced confessions be held in check by the courts dedicated detention centres and illegal detentions, an or prosecutors. with video and sound recording amendment to China’s crimi- Jiang Mingan, a legal equipment for use by only the nal procedure law in 2012 was scholar at Peking University, commission, rather than using seen by legal scholars as hav- said that the leadership has hotel rooms as was common ing made modest progress yet to fully take on board under shuanggui. towards better protection of expert suggestions on the But as the draft law stands, suspects rights and improved need for suspects to be pro- the system will have much in requirements for evidence. tected by criminal procedure common with shuanggui and Those provisions have law and access to legal the failure to ensure suspects been used in the overturning counsel. have access to a lawyer as soon of a number of high-profile “There are two goals for as they are detained risks cases of miscarriages of the supervision law, one is to abuses, rights groups and some justice. strengthen anti-corruption, scholars say. In 2014, for example, Nian the second is to standardize Bin, a former food stall owner, the commission’s behaviour was acquitted of murder and prevent abuses. As I charges after the court found understand it, more needs to there was insufficient evi- be done for the second goal,” dence against him. Nian, who he said. D-RING ROAD was jailed for eight years The special investigatory POST BOX: 3488 before the ruling, said the measures used during Xi’s war police tortured him until he on graft are necessary to cut DOHA - QATAR confessed during through powerful networks [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TODD PITMAN & TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 ESTHER HTUSAN AP but now, “everything is gone, not even the seizing land they’ve lived on for FAX: +974 4455 7758 trees are left,” the woman, named Zubairia, generations. t First, their villages were told AP by telephone. “They just bulldozed One list, published by the government MANAGING EDITOR burned to the ground. Now, everything ... I could hardly recognize it.” in December, indicated 787 houses would TEL: 4462 7505 Myanmar’s government is using The 18-year-old said other homes in be constructed, most of them for Buddhists Abulldozers to literally erase the same area that had been abandoned or Hindus. Only 22 of the houses were DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR them from the earth — in a vast but not damaged were also flattened. “All slated for “Bengalis” — the word Myanmar TEL: 4455 7769 operation rights groups say is destroying the memories that I had there are gone,” nationalists often use to describe the crucial evidence of mass atrocities she said. “They’ve been erased.” Rohingya, who they say are illegal migrants LOCAL NEWS SECTION against the nation’s ethnic Rohingya Myanmar’s armed forces are accused from Bangladesh. TEL: 4455 7743 Muslim minority. not just of burning Muslim villages with the Myint Khine said the government had Satellite images of Myanmar’s troubled help of Buddhist mobs, but of carrying out no ulterior motive. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Rakhine state, released by Colorado-based massacres, rapes and widespread looting. “Of course we have been using TEL: 4462 7535 DigitalGlobe yesterday, show that dozens The latest crisis in Rakhine state began in machines like earth removers and bulldoz- August after Rohingya insurgents launched ers because we have to clear the ground SPORT NEWS SECTION a series of unprecedented attacks on secu- first before building new houses,” he said. TEL: 4455 7745 rity posts. Chris Lewa, whose Arakan Project Aerial photographs of leveled villages monitors the persecuted Muslim minori- ONLINE SECTION in northern Rakhine State were first made ty’s plight, said the degree to which the TEL: 4462 7501 Myanmar bulldozes public Feb. 9 when the European Union’s villages had been razed would make it even [email protected] ambassador to Myanmar, Kristian Schmidt, harder for the Rohingya, who have no cit- posted images taken from an aircraft of izenship and few rights, to ever reclaim PUBLIC RELATIONS what is left of what he described as a “vast bulldozed their land. TEL: 4455 7613 area” south of the town of Maungdaw. “How will they identify where they [email protected] Satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe lived, if nothing is left, if nothing can be indicates at least 28 villages or hamlets recognized?” Lewa said. “Their culture, ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Rohingya villages were leveled by bulldozers and other their history, their past, their present — it’s TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 machinery in a 30-mile (50-kilometer) all being erased. When you see the pictures, FAX: 4455 7870 radius around Maungdaw between Decem- it’s clear that whatever was left — the [email protected] ber and February; on some of the cleared mosques, the cemeteries, the homes — of empty villages and hamlets have been areas, construction crews had erected new they’re gone.” CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT completely leveled by authorities in recent buildings or housing structures and heli- Richard Weir, a Myanmar expert with TEL: 4455 7857 weeks — far more than previously reported. pads. A similar analysis by Human Rights Human Rights Watch, said on the images [email protected] The villages were all set ablaze in the wake Watch on Friday said at least 55 villages he had seen, “there’s no more landmarks, of violence last August, when a brutal clear- have been affected so far. there’s no trees, there’s no vegetation.” SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION ance operation by security forces drove The images offer an important window “Everything is wiped away, and this is TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Satellite images hundreds of thousands of Rohingya into into what is effectively a part of Myanmar very concerning, because these are crime FAX: 44557819 of Myanmar’s exile in Bangladesh. that is largely sealed off to the outside scenes,” he said. “There’s been no credible [email protected] troubled Rakhine While Myanmar’s government claims world. Myanmar bars independent media investigation of these crimes. And so, what state, released by it’s simply trying to rebuild a devastated access to the state. we’re talking about really is obstruction of region, the operation has raised deep con- The government has spoken of plans justice.” Both Weir and Lewa said no mass All thoughts and views Colorado-based cern among human rights advocates, who to rebuild the region for months, and it has graves were known to have been destroyed. DigitalGlobe say the government is destroying what been busily expanding roads, repairing But, Weir added: “We don’t know where expressed in these yesterday, show amounts to scores of crime scenes before bridges, and constructing shelters, includ- all the graves are ... because there is no columns are those of the that dozens of any credible investigation takes place. The ing dozens at a large transit camp at access.” writers, not of the operation has also horrified the Rohingya, Taungpyo, near the Bangladesh border. The Zubairia, who asked that only one of newspaper. empty villages and who believe the government is intention- camp opened in January to house return- her names be used to protect her iden- hamlets have been ally eviscerating the dwindling remnants ing refugees; but none have arrived and tify because she feared reprisals, said she completely leveled of their culture to make it nearly impossi- Rohingya have continued to flee. did not believe any of the newly con- All correspondence by authorities ble for them to return. Myint Khine, a government adminis- structed homes were intended for regarding Views and One displaced Rohingya woman, whose trator in Maungdaw, said some of the new Rohingya. “Even if they give us small Opinion pages should be in recent weeks village was among those razed, said she homes were intended for Muslims. But that houses to live in, it will never be the same — far more than recently visited her former home in Myin does not appear to be the case for the for us,” she said. “How can we be happy send to editor-in-chief previously reported. Hlut and was shocked by what she saw. majority of those built or planned so far, about our houses being ripped off from office or mailed to the Most houses had been torched last year, and many Rohingya fear authorities are our land?” [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 France unveils plan to fight radicalisation

AFP A total of 512 people of hardliners. are currently serving A total of 512 people are cur- LILLE: The French government rently serving time for terrorism said yesterday it would seal off time for terrorism offences in France and a further extremists within prisons and offences in France 1,139 prisoners have been flagged open new centres to reintegrate and a further 1,139 up as being radicalised. returning militants into the prisoners have been To prevent extremism society as part of a plan to halt spreading further, Philippe said the spread of radicalisation. flagged up as being he would create 1,500 places in The government is experi- radicalised. separate prison wings “especially menting with various ways of for radicalised inmates”. ending the drift towards He also announced plans for extremism of young people might de-install dangerous soft- three new centres that will growing up on the margins of ware,” Prime Minister Edouard attempt to reintegrate radicals society, in predominantly iwm- Philippe said in the northern city referred by French courts, migrant suburbs where organi- of Lille where he presented his including jihadists returning sations like the IS militant group strategy, flanked by a dozen from fallen IS strongholds in the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe (front row centre)delivers a speech during the presentation of or Al Qaeda recruit. ministers. Middle East. the national plan for the prevention of radicalisation, as part of a visit in Lille, northern France,yesterday. The plan unveiled yesterday “But in France and elsewhere A first de-radicalisation trial is the third in four years and aims there are good approaches to ended in failure last July, with a - Investments in psycholog- grown rapidly in number in teaching students to separate fact to draw lessons from past fail- prevention and disengagement.” centre in western France that ical care for returning children recent years. from rumour on the Internet. ures, after three years marked France is particularly keen to operated on a voluntary basis of jihadists. So far 68 children - More training for teachers - Making it easier to reassign by a series of attacks that left stop extremism flourishing in its shutting after less than a year have been repatriated, most of to help them detect early signs public servants that show signs over 240 people dead. prisons, where some of the jihad- with no improvements to show. them under 13. of radicalisation and to debunk of radicalisation to jobs that do “No one has a magic formula ists behind attacks in recent Other measures announced - Tighter controls on private conspiracy theories. not involve contact with the for ‘deradicalisation’ as if you years first came under the spell by Philippe include: Islamic schools which have - More investment in public.

Another jailed Support for Catalan at lowest level since 2014: Survey German citizen AFP Pro-independence MP seeks justice in Turkey freed MADRID: Support for Catalan independence plummeted in AFP politicians wanted by Madrid REUTERS January to the lowest level in on charges of sedition and four years in the wealthy north- GENEVA: Anna Gabriel, a pro- rebellion. BERLIN: Germany said western Spanish region that is independence former member Gabriel said exile was not an yesterday that another of its home to some 7.5 million people, of the Catalan parliament, says “easy option but ... imprisoned citizens has been released a survey said yesterday. she has not sought to flee justice persons deserve to have their from jail in Turkey, a week A failed declaration of inde- in choosing Swiss exile, but on voices heard.” On Wednesday, after German-Turkish jour- pendence by the regional par- the contrary wants to see justice Spanish justice issued a warrant nalist Deniz Yucel was freed liament on October 27 deeply done. “I have not abandoned for her arrest valid only in Spain. from detention in a move that divided Catalans and triggered the Spanish state by choice. I “I cannot freely return home helped to ease tensions Spain’s worst political crisis since have not fled justice, I want -- my personal situation wor- between the two Nato allies. the country returned to democ- justice ... even if it comes at a ries me but also that of Catalonia Berlin has been pressing racy following the death of long- Catalan regional police officers - Mossos d’Esquadra - drag a personal cost,” Gabriel said. and of the whole of the Spanish Ankara to release German cit- time dictator Francisco Franco woman during a protest called by the ‘Commitees in defence of the “If I could choose, I would state,” said Gabriel. izens jailed during a Turkish in 1975. Republic’ to block the TSJC (Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia), choose to be a free citizen who “And if the Spanish state crackdown on alleged sup- But a poll by the regional in Barcelona, yesterday. could return home now,” added were to call for (my) extradition, porters of a failed 2016 mili- government backed Catalan the former spokeswoman for we shall study a possible request tary coup. Germany and other Centre of Opinion Studies (CEO), 43.6 percent opposing it. president Carles Puigdemont is the far-left CUP party, who is for political asylum” in Switzer- Western nations have said the which is dependent on the Spanish Prime Minister Mar- in exile in Belgium and is one of one of several secessionist land, she added. clampdown is excessive and regional government, said 40.8 iano Rajoy moved to stop the several secessionist politicians led to the jailing of many percent of respondents inter- crisis by imposing direct rule on wanted by Madrid on charges of Barcelona to protest against 100 people. The protestors held innocent people, a charge viewed last month favoured the semi-autonomous region, sedition and rebellion. “repression” by the Spanish state up a giant banner reading: “Stop Turkey rejects. independence. sacking its government, dis- “The result does not surprise since the independence the coup d’etat”. “I am pleased that there A total of 1,200 people were solving parliament and calling me,” said Spanish government declaration. The organisers of the pro- has been another release. A interviewed between January 10 snap elections. spokesman Inigo Mendez de “These people were hin- test, the Committees for the person about whom we have and 30 and 50.3 percent said But in a major setback for the Vigo said, evoking what he dering access to the Superior Defence of the Republic (CDR), not released details has been they were opposed to central government, separatist termed the “grotesque” behav- Court of Justice of Catalonia and said: “Day after day, we see how released, though with a ban independence. parties once again won a iour of the separatists. disturbing” the judicial process, the rotten and corroded judicial on leaving the country,” a A similar survey undertaken majority of 70 seats in the 135- Catalan police meanwhile a spokesman for the regional system of the Kingdom of Spain Foreign Ministry spokesman in October at the height of the seat parliament in the December yesterday arrested 14 people police said. -- a direct legacy of Francoism told a regular government crisis showed 48.7 percent polls. who had chained themselves to The arrests came during a -- is repressing Catalan news conference in Berlin. favouring independence and Former Catalan regional the gate of a top court in demonstration staged by about citizens.” The spokesman declined to give any details about where the person had been imprisoned, how long they had been in jail, or their Stolen Edgar Degas artwork found UK police probe package gender. Four Germans remain in prison in Turkey on polit- REUTERS Choristes, or The Chorus budget ministers said in a sent to Harry & Meghan ical grounds, he said. Singers, is done in pastels and statement. Yucel was detained a year PARIS: French customs police depicts a line of men singing in The statement gave no AP The force said the substance ago on suspicion of spreading have found a painting by 19th the opera Don Juan. information about why the “was tested and confirmed as propaganda in support of a ter- century master Edgar Degas that The police were making painting was on the bus or who LONDON: Police are investi- non-suspicious.” rorist organisation and inciting was stolen nine years ago from random checks on a bus at a left it there. gating a suspicious package that The force said counterter- violence. He denies the accu- a museum in Marseille in the highway rest area about 30km The French artist is most was sent to Prince Harry and rorism detectives are investi- sations. Last Friday, he was luggage compartment of a bus east of Paris on February 16 famous for his paintings and his fiancee Meghan Markle as gating the incident as an alleged freed pending trial and allowed near Paris, the government said when they found it and the sculptures of dancers and is a racist hate crime, Scotland malicious communication to return to Germany. yesterday. Orsay museum confirmed its often associated with the Yard said. offence, “and it is being treated Last month Turkey urged Degas’ 1877 painting Les authenticity, the culture and Impressionist movement. The Metropolitan Police as a racist hate crime.” Germany, its biggest trading force said “a package con- The Evening Standard partner, to mend fences and taining a substance” was deliv- newspaper reported that the they have since resumed ered to St James’s Palace, where package was a letter containing bilateral government consul- Harry has his office, on Feb- white powder and a racist tations suspended after ruary 12. message. Yucel’s arrest.

Romanian leader backs anti-graft chief

REUTERS conflicts of interest, fraud and sons for Kovesi’s dismissal. abuse of power in one of “There haven’t been solid BUCHAREST: Romania’s chief Europe’s most corrupt states. reasons unveiled by him, in anti-corruption prosecutor, It has led to scores of top order to allow a decision to dis- under fire from the justice officials being sent for trial. miss (her),” Iohannis said.“Yes, minister who called for her Justice Minister Tudorel I do support Kovesi. I do back dismissal for exceeding her Toader’s call on Thursday for her activity and I do back the authority, won support from Kovesi to be sacked for “acts and DNA activity. They do a very President Klaus Iohannis facts intolerable to the rule of good job,” he said. yesterday, who praised her work law” had the potential to desta- “I can only say I did not like in fighting graft. bilise a crackdown on graft and the minister’s performance,” Laura Codruta Kovesi has immediately triggered street Iohannis went on, adding that led an anti-corruption prosecu- protests. presidential experts would carry tion agency called DNA since Romania’s president how- on an assessment of Toader’s 2013 which has investigated ever, rallied to her support yes- report on Kovesi and that “it A Degas painting stolen from a museum in Marseille nine years ago has been found on a bus near lawmakers, ministers, and other terday and criticised Toader for would take a bit,” until a final Paris, yesterday. top officials and exposed failing to provide sufficient rea- conclusion was reached. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 EUROPE 11 EU doubles Sahel military force funds

AFP The European Union announced an extra BRUSSELS: European leaders $61m for the G5 Sahel yesterday doubled their funding for a force tackling militants in force at a conference the Sahel, but African leaders in Brussels with heads warned the money must come of state from Burkina quickly if it is to be effective. The European Union Faso, Chad, Mali, announced an extra $61m for the Mauritania and Niger, G5 Sahel force at a conference taking total pledges in Brussels with heads of state by international from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, taking donors to over $505m. total pledges by international donors to over $504m. of the Libyan state to the whole But just a fraction of that of its territory.” money is currently available to Yesterday’s meeting, spend and Niger President Maha- attended by 32 leaders including madou Issoufou, the current French President Emmanuel chair of the G5 Sahel group, said Macron and German Chancellor Heads of states and representatives of European and African countries during a High Level Conference on the Sahel at the European it was needed urgently to deal Angela Merkel, observed a Commission, in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. with an influx of IS group fighters minute’s silence in honour of two driven out of Libya and Syria. soldiers from France’s counter- on the West. headquarters and command attacks in Mali as the G5 force eight billion euros for develop- The chaos in Libya, where terror force in West Africa who The G5 force aims to train structure and carried out two geared up, warning “they’re not ment assistance in the Sahel from rival militias, tribes and jihadists were killed in a mine blast on and equip 5,000 local troops to operations, with French support, going to sit back with their arms 2014 to 2020, while France are vying for influence, is fuel- Wednesday. patrol hotspots and restore in the troubled “tri-border” area crossed”. pledged 1.2 billion euros over the ling instability in the Sahel, Iss- It was the latest in a surge of authority in lawless areas. As where Mali, Niger and Burkina Recent operations against next five years and Germany 1.7 oufou and African Union Com- attacks underscoring the chal- well as fighting militants, the Faso meet. militants in northern Mali have billion euros. mission chairman Moussa Faki lenge facing the five countries, force also tackles smuggling and It is intended to become fully left around 30 rebels dead, The EU’s diplomatic chief Mahamat warned, calling for an among the poorest in the world, illegal immigration networks operational in mid-2018, and to Macron said, vowing “total deter- Federica Mogherini said more international push to bring peace which are on the frontline of a that operate in the vast, remote operate alongside France’s 4,000 mination” to defeat the threat. pledges from individual countries to the oil-rich state. war against militants. areas on the margins of the troops in the area as well as the Opening the conference, were expected, saying “the price “The Libyan crisis has been, Europe hopes that spending Sahara. UN’s 12,000-strong MINUSMA European Commission President of not having peace has to be paid we know, the detonator of the money to improve the security “IS fighters driven out of peacekeeping operation in Mali. Jean-Claude Juncker said “secu- every day”. degradation of the security situ- and economic situation in the Libya and Syria are taking refuge International pledges for the rity and development must go As well as EU leaders and the ation in the Sahel, and day after region will help stem the flow of in the Sahel, especially from force now total $509m, Mogh- hand in hand” in the Sahel, an United Nations, around a dozen day, it contributes to its amplifi- migrants seeking a better life Libya, so it’s urgent the pledged erini said, but up to now only the area almost as big as the EU other countries were represented cation,” said Issoufou. across the Mediterranean and funds are mobilised as quickly $61m has been made available. where a fifth of the population do by foreign ministers including “We must put an end to this prevent the Sahel becoming a as possible,” Mahamadou said. Mahamat said militant not have reliable food supplies. Saudi Arabia, Norway, Morocco chaos by restoring the authority springboard for jihadist attacks The force has so far set up a groups would likely step up The bloc has budgeted nearly and Tunisia.

Barcelona attacks’ suspect to face Net migration to UK drops by 100,000 charges in France AP key reason behind the Brexit enjoying their best period of eco- vote. May to set out Brexit plan nomic growth for over a decade AP LONDON: Brexit is little more Kallum Pickering, senior UK AFP has lessened the need for many than a year away but there is economist at Berenberg Bank, to search opportunities abroad. PARIS: The French prosecu- mounting evidence it’s having a said yesterday that Brexit is LONDON: Prime Minister Theresa May will make a speech next In 2017, the eurozone economy tor’s office said yesterday an major impact on the number of “working” already on the migra- Friday on Britain’s relationship with the EU following Brexit after expanded by 2.5 percent, way unnamed person detained in European citizens looking to live tion front, and that it may make her cabinet agreed a plan at a marathon meeting, her spokesman ahead of Britain’s 1.7 percent France in connection with the and work in Britain. the political calculus facing the said. growth. August extremist attacks in Figures released this week British government a little bit One minister who was not present said they had agreed Britain At the height of the eurozone Spain will be handed prelim- show net migration - the dif- easier. would seek to align itself with European Union rules in certain debt crisis, job opportunities inary charges. ference between those coming “It puts the government sectors of the economy, but will retain the right to diverge. were scarce in many countries, The prosecutor’s office said into Britain and those leaving under less pressure than before The prime minister gathered around a dozen of her senior notably in Spain and Greece, the suspect is being held as part - from other European Union to introduce restrictive migra- Cabinet colleagues for eight hours of talks at her country retreat where unemployment levels rose of an inquiry into “attempted countries falling below 100,000 tion policies in order to satisfy Chequers on Thursday, in a bid to thrash out their considerable to around 25 percent. murder as part of a terrorist for the first time since March some voters’ demands for differences. So Britain, whose economy enterprise” and “criminal ter- 2013. reduced inflows of workers from The full Cabinet will discuss the plans, likely at their reg- was growing more strongly than rorist association.” Separate figures show the the EU,” he said. ular weekly meeting on Tuesday, before May makes her speech. most in the EU, had a magnetic A French judge launched number of EU nationals working One of the pillars of being a The address is expected to take place somewhere in Britain. pull. In the two years up to the an investigation last month in Britain increasing by 101,000, member of the EU is the free Brexit vote, which also coincided of potential French connec- its lowest amount since Sep- movement of people to live and EU for the period after official May have said the country must with some of the darkest times tions to the attacks in Barce- tember 2013. work anywhere in the EU. So a Brexit day on March 29, 2019, remain “open” to foreign financially in the eurozone, the lona and the resort town of Both indicate that the June college graduate from, say, that freedom of movement will workers. net number of EU citizens Cambrils, which left 16 people 2016 vote to leave the EU has Romania, can pack a bag the day ostensibly end. As with so many Brexit is not the only reason working in Britain rose by an dead. Most of the men changed the dynamics of immi- after graduation and go look for other Brexit-related issues, it’s behind the turn in the migration average of 250,000 a year. believed responsible were gration into Britain, where the work anywhere else in the EU. unclear what a future immigra- and employment numbers. Also, the relative attraction killed in confrontations with number of foreign arrivals and After Brexit, or at least after tion system in Britain will look The fact that many EU econ- of Britain financially has dimin- police. its impact on local communities, any transition that the British like but members of the govern- omies, and particularly those in ished, indirectly because of the The prosecutor’s office public services and wages was a government agrees on with the ment of Prime Minister Theresa the 19-country eurozone, are Brexit vote. says the person arrested in the Tarn region on Tuesday was in the network of one of the Spanish suspects. Czech calls to extradite Poland to demote Russian hacker from US 1980s military REUTERS pro-Russian line, diverging from the stance of his own govt members PRAGUE: Czech President Nato- and EU-member-state’s Milos Zeman has urged Justice government, such as by REUTERS Minister Robert Pelikan to opposing Western sanctions extradite a suspected Russian imposed on Moscow over its WARSAW: Poland’s right- computer hacker to Russia 2014 annexation of Crimea and wing government is preparing rather than the United States, a its support of pro-Russian sep- to strip the rank of members Czech weekly reported aratists in Ukraine. of the communist military yesterday, a stance at odds with “It is true there have been council that enforced martial Prime Minister Andrej Babis. two meetings this year where law in the 1980s, including Czech police arrested Yev- the president asked me not to Poland’s only astronaut, a geniy Nikulin in Prague in extradite a Russian citizen to newspaper reported. October 2016 on a US warrant, the United States but to Russia,” The ruling nationalist Law four years after he is alleged to the website of the newspaper Police officials gather at the scene of a shooting outside a branch of UBS bank, in Zurich, yesterday. and Justice party (PiS) has have hacked into US-based Respekt quoted Pelikan as made much of its efforts to social media companies saying. erase the legacy of four dec- LinkedIn, Dropbox and A Justice Ministry spokes- ades of communist rule and Two dead in Zurich shooting Formspring. woman said she was aware of restore what it considers to After his arrest in Prague, the meetings but not their con- be Poland’s true identity. AFP dispatched and found one dead “We are not searching for Russia also asked for Nikulin’s tent, though she had no reason The law being prepared and one person badly injured, anyone,” police spokesman extradition on a Moscow court to doubt the authenticity of the would demote to the rank of ZURICH: Two people were shot who later died of their injuries,” Christian Spaltenstein said. warrant over the alleged theft comment. private the members of the dead in central Zurich yesterday, Zurich city police said in a The Blick daily meanwhile of $3,450 via Webmoney in Respekt quoted Babis, who Military Council of National police said, as media reported statement. quoted a witness saying those 2009, according to the Czech professes a strong pro-EU and Salvation (WRON), led by the numerous shots had been fired Police cordoned off a large involved had been a couple who Justice Ministry said at the time. Nato stance, as saying earlier this late generals Wojciech in what appeared to have been area around the scene and had been at a nearby restaurant A Czech court subsequently month he would prefer Nikulin Jaruzelski and Czeslaw a private dispute. insisted that the “situation is when they began a loud argu- ruled that Nikulin, 29, could be to be sent to the US, but had no Kiszczak, which ran Poland The shots rang out around under control.” ment. “They both went out into extradited to either country, power over the decision. from December 1981 until July 2:30pm outside a UBS bank Police did not provide any the street. There, the man shot leaving the final word up to A decision to hand over 1983. But it would also demote branch just a stone’s throw from details but appeared to have the woman, and then turned the Pelikan, who has no time limit Nikulin to Moscow could hurt Miroslaw Hermaszewski, Zurich’s railway station. concluded there was no outside gun on himself,” the unnamed for a decision. Prague’s relations with Poland’s only astronaut. “Rescue workers were shooter. witness was quoted as saying. Zeman has often taken a Washington. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018

Colombia to Armed officer install electronic readers at was a ‘coward’, borders Trump says REUTERS BOGOTA: Colombia will install AFP electronic readers on doors at border controls with Venezuela WASHINGTON: US President to identify valid passports and Donald Trump yesterday cast entry visas in a bid to better doubt on the character of an Trump has indicated monitor thousands of people armed deputy who failed to fleeing an economic and social intervene during last week’s he is weighing calls crisis in the oil producing school shooting in Florida, saying for a toughening of nation. he froze or was a ‘coward’. gun regulations in the Scanners will be fitted at the “They’re trained, they didn’t wake of the Parkland seven border crossings between react properly under pressure the two nations, the director of or they were a coward,” Trump shooting, unleashed migration, Christian Kruger said said, calling out the school by a 19-year-old yesterday. resource officer Scot Peterson former student Chile-Japan diplomacy The legal daily entry of by name. Venezuelan migrants into Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet (left), shakes hands with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at “When it came time to get armed with a semi- Colombia has fallen by 30 per- Abe’s official residence in Tokyo, yesterday. in there and do something he automatic rifle. cent in the last two weeks, the didn’t have the courage or migration agency said on something happened,” Trump semi-automatic rifle, but has Thursday, after the government said. “But he certainly did a also responded with a deeply imposed stricter border poor job. There’s no question controversial call to arm controls. about that.” teachers. More than half a million The Broward County sheriff On Thursday he doubled Mexico must do more to combat MS-13: Trump Venezuelans were living in said Thursday that Peterson down on the National Rifle AP Salvador of just paying lip service Rick Perry said yesterday that the Colombia as of the end of last was present during the Valen- Association’s longstanding to combatting the violent inter- threat merely a negotiating tactic. year, fleeing runaway inflation tine’s Day rampage that left 14 position that armed Americans WASHINGTON: President national gang based there and “The President is a first-rate and malnutrition. Over 60 per- students and three teachers were the first line of defense in Donald Trump called yesterday said Mexico “must help MORE negotiator,” he told Fox & Friends cent of Venezuelans said that dead at Marjory Stoneman confronting deadly attacks, on Mexico to block MS-13 gang with this problem.” He added: yesterday morning, “and I will during the previous three Douglas High School, but did saying: “To stop a bad guy with members from traveling through “We need The Wall!” The Friday suggest to you that that is what is months they had woken up not act to stop it. a gun, it takes a good guy with their country on the way to the morning tweet comes a day after going on.” Perry says Trump is hungry because they did not Peterson resigned after a gun.” US. Trump suggested he may pull the ‘clearly’ sending messages not just have enough money to buy being suspended without pay. The US Congress has long In a tweet, Trump said that US Immigration and Customs to California, “but also to food, according to a university Trump has indicated he is been deadlocked on the gun gang members are being removed Enforcement agency out of Cali- Congress.” study. “Colombians or Vene- weighing calls for a toughening debate, accomplishing nothing ‘by the thousands’ by federal law fornia to protest so-called ‘sanc- Trump Thursday said his zuelans who wants to enter or of gun regulations in the wake despite a spate of mass shoot- enforcement agents, “but these tuary’ jurisdictions, which the administration is making strides leave our country present the of the Parkland shooting, ings and polls showing that killers come back in from El Sal- administration claims are a against the MS-13 gang but has document and a technological unleashed by a 19-year-old Americans support stricter gun vador, and through Mexico, like magnet for immigrants who been ‘getting no help from the system authorises or denies the former student armed with a laws by a two-to-one margin. water.” Trump accused El commit crimes. Energy Secretary state of California’. next step,” Kruger said.

Colombian former rebel Petro leads polls ahead of presidential vote

REUTERS office for 15 years, a ruling that Another 20 percent said they was later overturned. Inde- would vote blank in the election. BOGOTA: Leftist former mayor pendent left leaning candidate Rodrigo Londono, former leader of Bogota Gustavo Petro leads Sergio Fajardo, a mathematician of the Marxist guerrilla group the polls ahead of Colombia’s pres- and former mayor of Medellin, Revolutionary Armed Forces of idential election in May when came in behind Petro with 16 Colombia (FARC) known by his voters will choose a successor percent support. nom de guerre Timochenko, to Juan Manuel Santos, according Ivan Duque, who is backed failed to get any backing in the to a survey yesterday by the by right-wing former President poll with 0 percent. National Consulting Center. Alvaro Uribe, was supported by The FARC signed a peace Petro, once a member of the 15 percent of those consulted in accord in late 2016 and has now-defunct M-19 rebel move- the poll. become a political party. ment and mayor of the capital Duque is not yet the official The nascent party, which between 2012 and 2015, had 22 candidate for the Center Dem- kept its Spanish acronym FARC percent support in the poll con- ocratic party. He must still par- by changing its name to the Rev- ducted between February 19 and ticipate in a vote to choose a olutionary Alternative Common 21. single candidate for a right-wing Force (FARC), suspended its A controversial politician, alliance between Marta Lucia campaign two weeks ago after Petro’s 2011 election was seen Ramirez, a former defense min- Londono was booed and his as proof that politics was the ister under Uribe, and ex convoy attacked with eggs and way forward for rebel inspector General Alejandro bottles during tours in the cities Drug operation in Brazil movements. Ordonez. of Armenia and Cali. He was removed from his Former right-wing Vice If none of the candidates get Armed forces members patrol during an operation against drug dealers in Vila Kennedy slum, in post by the inspector general for President German Vargas Lleras more than half of the valid votes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. mismanagement of garbage col- came in fourth in the poll with a second round will be held in lection and banned from holding 8 percent. June.

Activist Lewis honoured US Supreme Court may curb union power years after civil rights arrest REUTERS The justices considered a sim- child-support specialist for the AFSCME and other public-sector ilar case in 2016, and after hearing state of Illinois who opted not to unions have called the case a well- AP and across the South in the WASHINGTON: The US Supreme arguments appeared poised to join the union that represents funded attack by corporations and 1960s, and as chairman of the Court on Monday will consider for overturn a 1977 Supreme Court employees like him, the American billionaires to undermine organ- JACKSON: The first time John Student Nonviolent Coordi- the second time in two years precedent that let unions force Federation of State, County and ised labour. Lewis traveled to Mississippi in nating Committee, he helped whether to choke off a critical non-members covered by con- Municipal Employees (AFSCME). “This case is about power,” 1961, he was arrested and jailed organize the 1963 March on funding stream for public- tracts negotiated by organized In both cases, the challengers American Federation of Teachers with other Freedom Riders, Washington. Georgia voters employee unions, potentially labour to pay fees in lieu of union argued that being forced to pay President Randi Weingarten said. black and white, who chal- elected him as a Democrat to reducing organised labor’s influ- dues to help cover non-political the agency fees to unions whose “The funders of this case want lenged segregation in a bus the US House in 1986, and he ence in the workplace and at the union expenditures. views they may not share violates a new Gilded Age, this time on station. remains in office. ballot box. But the death of conservative their rights to free speech and free steroids,” Weingarten added, Lewis, who is African- Lewis, 78, returns to Mis- The nine justices will hear a Justice Antonin Scalia the fol- association under the US Consti- referring to a period in the late American, remembers going sissippi yesterday, one of five challenge backed by anti-union lowing month left the court with tution’s First Amendment. 19th century known for its con- into a restroom labeled for people being honored for groups to the legality of fees that an even split of conservatives and ‘I LOSE MY JOB’ Janus, 65, is centration of wealth among white men only. A Jackson advancing civil rights. workers who are not members of liberals, and its 4-4 ruling in backed in the legal fight by anti- industrialists. More than half the police officer told him and other A private group called unions representing teachers, March 2016 did not resolve the union groups including the states have so-called right-to- young people in the group to Friends of Mississippi Civil police, firefighters and certain legal question. National Right to Work Legal work laws that prohibit agency leave. They refused. Rights organized a gala yes- other government employees Republican President Donald Defense Foundation. fees, at least for certain workers. “The next words he said: terday and symposium today must pay to help cover the costs Trump’s appointment of Justice He said in an interview he is In those states, unions still repre- ‘You’re under arrest.’ And that to celebrate the new Mississippi of collective bargaining with state Neil Gorsuch last year restored the not a member of a political party sent workers but membership was my introduction to the state Civil Rights Museum. and local governments. Supreme Court’s 5-4 conserva- and his objection to the fees was rates are lower. of Mississippi and the city of Lewis’ jail mug shot hangs About two dozen states tive majority. Gorsuch could cast not based on politics. Janus said Federal employee unions Jackson,” Lewis told The Asso- in a gallery at the museum with require payment of these so- the deciding vote in dooming he has chafed at having to pay the cannot collect agency fees. ciated Press on Thursday in a those of other Freedom Riders. called agency fees, covering agency fees. Depriving unions of fees, currently just under $50 a The union membership rate phone interview from Atlanta. He was scheduled to speak at roughly 5 million public-sector agency fees could hamstring their month, since starting his current among public-sector workers was After 37 days of being the museum’s state-sponsored workers, that provide millions of ability to spend in political races. stint working for Illinois in 2007. nearly 35 percent in 2017, more locked up in sweltering local opening in December but can- dollars annually to unions. Their They typically back Democratic “I don’t agree with the fact than five times higher than the jails and a notorious state celed his appearance because disappearance would deliver candidates over Republicans. that someone is telling me I have unionisation rate for workers in prison on the disorderly con- Republican Gov. Phil Bryant another blow to a US organised The 2016 case was brought by to support something without the private sector, US Bureau of duct charge, Lewis was invited President Donald labor movement already in a non-union California public asking me about that. This is not Labour Statistics figures show. The released. He continued working Trump. Lewis said Thursday diminished state compared to past school teachers. The plaintiff in freedom of association. If I don’t case does not affect private-sector for racial equality in Mississippi that he has never met Trump. decades. the current case is Mark Janus, a pay, I lose my job,” Janus said. unions. SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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Black Panther is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name.

Fiore

eminine and romantic, but also brimming with personality, Fiore is the new Salvatore Ferragamo timepiece. Drawing inspiration from the heel of the Fshoe created in 1947 by the Maison’s founder, the timepiece stands out with its original flower-shaped case, which is also reflected in the dial decoration. The lacquered top ring highlights once more its exclusive design. The 24 mm-diameter case version is available either in black or white with a double-tour studded strap, or in three gold colors with a fine bangle bracelet. The 30mm-diameter case version is bolder; available in a total look blue or black with two rows of studs on the strap. Completing the collection is the IP gold version with a red strap. On sale from April 2018 in Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques, from authorized retailers, and online at ferragamotimepieces.com. The world of Salvatore Ferragamo Timepieces embraces the values of the Swiss watchmaking tradition and reflects the sophisticated design of the Florentine maison: a style well-known all over the world for its creative combination of different types of textures, research of innovative materials, and the unmistakable use of colour. All orchestrated by a manufacturing process based exclusively on the finest craftsmanship. Ferragamo Timepieces have been a success right from the outset, offering a unique interpretation of luxury sport and other distinctive styles. A world in which the iconic features of the Florentine maison find their ideal expression: from the use of colour, including signature Ferragamo Red, to the incorporation of the brand’s iconic sym- bols, like the Gancino and the Vara bow. The watches are available at MSS pavilion at DJWE2018.

Versus Claremont eminine, vibrant, young: this is Versus Claremont, the new FVersus Versace watch. The tiny case is made even more delicate thanks to its green “Florida Keys” total look, a vivid, refreshing Pan- tone color, straight out of the S/S 2018 trend reports. The details are meticu- lously crafted: a curved sunray dial, with the same finish as the bezel, and a fine strap or, alternatively, a bracelet with polished satin-finish links. The watch’s style is emphasized by the Lion’s head in 3D on the central lugs. Also available in white, blue or nude, rose gold steel, two-tone or yellow gold, Versus Claremont is a touch of glam for the Versus Versace girl gangs. The watches are available at MSS pavilion at DJWE2018. 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04.45 am Modern humans got bigger brains SHOROOK 06.02 am IANS obvious traits that makes us human. The brain increase was ancestor, the average brain size ZUHR 11.47 am MAGHRIB 05.35 pm It’s related to cultural complexity, lan- increased gradually over three million ASR 03.05 pm ISHA 07.05 pm NEW YORK: Modern humans have guage, tool making and all these other driven by three different years. brains that are more than three times things that make us unique,” said factors, primarily evolution The increase was driven by three WEATHER TODAY larger than our closest living relatives, Andrew Du from the University of Chi- of larger brain sizes different factors, primarily evolution chimpanzees and bonobos, and we cago and first author of the study. within individual species of larger brain sizes within individual have the gradual increase in brain size “The earliest hominins had brain species populations, but also by the of our ancestors over the past three sizes like chimpanzees, and they have populations, but also addition of new, larger-brained spe- million years to thank for that, a new increased dramatically since then. So, by the addition of new, cies and extinction of smaller-brained study says. it’s important to understand how we larger-brained species ones, the study said. The study, published in the journal got here,” Du added. and extinction of smaller- “The conventional wisdom was Proceedings of the Royal Society B, The researchers compared pub- that our large brains had evolved involved an analysis of 94 hominin lished research data on the skull vol- brained ones, the study because of a series of step-like fossils. umes of 94 fossil specimens from 13 said. increases each one making our ances- It showed that brain size increased different species, beginning with the tors smarter. Not surprisingly the gradually and consistently, driven by earliest unambiguous human ances- overlap with that of modern-day reality is more complex, with no clear evolution within populations, intro- tors, Australopithecus, from 3.2 mil- humans. link between brain size and behav- duction of larger-brained species and lion years ago to pre-modern species, The researchers saw that when the iour,” said Bernard Wood, Professor extinction of smaller-brained ones. including Homo erectus, from 500,000 species were counted at the clade level, at George Washington University and “Brain size is one of the most years ago when brain size began to or groups descending from a common senior author of the study.

Kylie Jenner’s tweet sees Snapchat shares fall BLOOMBERG

WASHINGTON: Snap Inc’s flagship platform has lost o o some luster, at least according to one social-media influ- encer in the Kardashian-Jenner clan. 19 C 26 C Shares of the Snapchat parent company sank 6.1 per- Minimum Maximum cent on Thursday, wiping out $1.3bn in market value, on the heels of a tweet on Wednesday from Kylie Jenner, Expected thundery rain at places at times who said she doesn’t open the app anymore. Whether it’s associated with sudden strong wind the demands of her newfound motherhood, or the recent app redesign, the testament drew similar replies from her 24.5 million followers. Wall Street analysts too have

HIGH TIDE 10:00 – 00:00 LOW TIDE 05:45 – 17:15 begun to notice, citing recent user engagement trends COURTESY: Qatar Meteorology Department noticed since the platform’s redesign. Jenner’s tweet was followed late Thursday by one from Maybelline New York, asking its followers if it should stay on the Snapchat platform. The beauty-product brand owned by Paris-based L’Oreal SA said its “Snapchat views have dropped dramatically,” but it still wanted to con- nect with its followers. Citigroup analyst Mark May downgraded the stock to sell from neutral earlier this week after seeing a “sig- nificant jump” in negative reviews of the app’s redesign. He expects the reviews could cause user engagement to ‘Made in North Korea’ exhibition fall, hurting financial results. Meanwhile, as the app takes criticism, Chief Executive Visitors look at items on display at the ‘Made in North Korea: Everyday Graphics from the DPRK’ Evan Spiegel may become one of the highest paid execu- exhibition in London, Britain, yesterday. tives in the US After the company’s IPO last March, Spiegel got a $636.6m stock grant that will be payable through 2020. Finalists for Lukas Book Prize announced AP Friendship, and Hope in an ican Life.” nonfiction book, and the The finalists for the Work- American Classroom,” Jessica The Lukas prize, named for $10,000 Mark Lynton History in-Progress Award are Chris NEW YORK: Stories of immi- Bruder’s “Nomadland: Sur- the late author and journalist, Prize, for which nominees Hamby’s “Soul Full of Coal grants, transient workers and viving America in the Twenty- is presented by the Columbia include Frances Fitzgerald’s Dust,” Arthur Holland Michel’s a Wisconsin auto plant are First Century” and Amy Gold- Graduate School of Journalism “The Evangelicals” and “Eyes in the Sky,” Rachel among the nominees for the J stein’s “Janesville: An and the Nieman Foundation for Jonathan Eig’s Muhammad Ali Louise Snyder’s “No Visible Anthony Lukas Book Prize. American Story.” The other Journalism at Harvard Univer- biography “Ali.” Bruises,” Katherine E. Stand- The $10,000 award hon- nominees are Nate Blakeslee’s sity. The Columbia school and Other Lynton finalists are efer’s “Lightning Flowers” and ours nonfiction books of both “American Wolf: A True Story Nieman also announced final- Edward L. Ayers’ Civil War Susan Vinocour’s “The Trials literary quality and social of Survival and Obsession in ists for the J. Anthony Lukas history “The Thin Light of of Barbara Briggs: Poverty, impact. The finalists the West” and Lauren Work-In-Progress Award, Freedom,” Caroline Fraser’s Insanity, and Justice in announced yesterday include Markham’s “The Far Away which provides $25,000 grants Laura Ingalls Wilder biog- America.” Helen Thorpe’s “The New- Brothers: Two Young Migrants to two authors currently raphy “Prairie Fires” and Winners will be comers: Finding Refuge, and the Making of an Amer- working on a “significant” Stephen Kotkin’s “Stalin.” announced March 27.

British actor reveals Things you didn’t know about the Oscars battle with cancer AP such as last year’s supersized-one in which STOMACH PAINS Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway pre- AFP LOS ANGELES: You have a firm grip on Oscar guests are often hungry. It may sented “La La Land” with the top trophy this year’s Oscar nominees, last year’s be self-imposed, either because of nom- that belonged to “Moonlight.” Such gaffes LONDON: British actor and winners and what host Jimmy Kimmel will inee nerves or a skin-tight gown with no and other standout moments become comedian Stephen Fry undoubtedly joke about (and the best room for error or eating. Attendees do have fodder for the host, with a village of comedy (pictured) revealed yesterday picture award goes to ... oops). a chance to nibble during a pre-show cock- writers backstage to help craft witticisms. he has been battling prostate But there are aspects of Hollywood’s tail hour that includes hors d’oeuvres trays, The best, like Kimmel’s teasing rebuke cancer, adding that he was stellar night that may be a surprise. Let’s but skip that and it’s three hours or more to Beatty (“Warren, what did you do?!”) currently “fit and well”. pull the curtain back a bit on a ceremony until a post-ceremony dinner at the Gov- feel spontaneous and are out quickly so The 60-year-old wrote on that strives for effortless glamor but, like ernors Ball. Not all are invited, which means the audience doesn’t lose the thread. Hosts Twitter that over the last two any machine, is made up of nuts and bolts some famished guests end up asking their also need to be ready with “savers” to months he had “been in the and simple human need. limo driver to head to fast food, fast. Advice follow a joke that bombs, says longtime throes of a rather unwelcome Besides stars, designer duds and lots from an insider: carry a clutch roomy awards writer Bruce Vilanch. and unexpected adventure”. of close-ups, here’s what else the 8pm EST enough for a sandwich and don’t fret that “I’m sorry I haven’t felt able Sunday, March 4, telecast on ABC will you’ll get busted by security. WINNERS, MEET MEDIA to talk about it (until) now, but include: Oscar recipients are shepherded back- here I am explaining what has STAY IN YOUR LANE stage for photos and video and to face a been going on,” he said, posting STAND-INS, AKA SIT-DOWNS There are two paths on the Oscars red rapid-fire Question and Answer session a link to a video message on his for a Golden Globe for playing Cameras never find an empty seat at carpet: one for famous people, and one for with a packed room of journalists (yes, personal website. writer Oscar Wilde in the year the Academy Awards, with a troop of seat- everyone else. Stanchions and velvet ropes “how does it feel to win” and “where will Fry said he underwent sur- 1997 movie “Wilde”, said that fillers at the ready to occupy any chair separate the recognisable from the not. you keep your trophy” are staple queries). gery to remove part of his pros- he had been staying out of the vacated by a bathroom- or bar-bound Famous folks walk on the side of the While the winners clutch their award and, tate and lymph nodes in Jan- public eye as he continued to guest. carpet closest to the cameras and reporters, in some cases, a celebratory glass of booze, uary, and “it all seemed to go recover. A parade of extras in tuxedoes and and stars often collide or share impromptu reporters hold up numbered cards to be pretty well”. “I’ve been keeping my head gowns arrive hours before the show begins carpet greetings. The non-famous, mean- called on by an academy representative. “As far as we know it’s all down as much as possible and are ready to swoop in and sit once the while, walk along the carpet closest to the This has caused more than one star to been got,” he said, adding: “For because you want to get better cameras start rolling. Getting the gig, like fan bleachers, with beefy-looking security exclaim they feel like they’re at an auction the moment I’m fit and well and without strangers sending you so much in Hollywood, depends on who guards ushering them along to reduce star- and playfully call out numbers. Reporters happy.” cards and letters because you you know: Seat-fillers are family and gazing across the aisle. There’s everything giggle. With backstage monitors showing He revealed it was discov- have to reply to them all.” friends of movie academy staff and to see, folks, but move along. the ceremony, some winners ask to pause ered after visiting his doctor for Fry first made his name accounting firm. Are there polite tussles to the questions to hear outcomes for nom- a routine flu jab before acting in British television sub for Streep, Hanks or other A-listers, WRITERS, STAT! inated friends or colleagues. Reporters holiday. shows “Blackadder” and earning bragging rights? We can only hope. Live shows inevitably hit speed bumps, oblige. Fry, who was nominated “Jeeves and Wooster”.