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SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10740 February 25, 2018 Jumada Il 9, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets US Congressman Emir’s Sword Festival winners crowned

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting US Congressman, representative of Utah’s second congressional district Chris Stewart, who is also member of the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and his accompanying delegation. The meeting, at Al Bahr Palace, focused on reviewing strategic ties between Qatar and the US, particularly in counterterrorism. They His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani crowned the winners of the Emir’s Sword Festival. The Emir handed His Highness Sheikh also discussed the latest regional and international developments. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, the owner of ‘Ghazwan’ horse, the Golden Sword after winning the title of the key eighth round, and crowned Khalifa bin Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also met Stewart. The meeting focused on bilateral Shu’ail bin Khalifa al-Kuwari with silver sword after his two horses ‘The Blue Eye’ won the seventh round and “Easter de Faust” claimed the sixth straight relations and the means to enhance them, besides discussing regional and international issues of joint interest. title. Sport Pages 1, 2 In brief

QATAR | Reaction Qatar condemns UN backs Syria attacks in Afghanistan Qatar expressed yesterday its Trump to meet strong condemnation of the two attacks that targeted a diplomatic ceasefi re as East area in Kabul and a military base in Farah province in West Afghanistan, leaving scores of people either dead or injured. In a statement yesterday the Foreign Ministry renewed Qatar’s Ghouta death Gulf leaders to firm position against violence and terrorism regardless of its motives. It also expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims. toll tops 500 QATAR | Awareness AFP in yesterday’s strikes, including eight end GCC crisis Children vulnerable to United Nations children. A night of heavy bombard- injury in road crashes ment sparked fi res in residential dis- O Meetings planned for March and April The Hamad Injury Prevention tricts, it said. Programme (HIPP) launched he UN Security Council yester- The observatory has said the air yesterday traff ic safety awareness day unanimously demanded a strikes are being carried out by Syrian O GCC summit expected later this year activities at a number of schools T30-day ceasefi re in Syria, as new and Russian forces. in Qatar. Choosing schools as the air strikes on the rebel enclave of East- Moscow, which intervened militarily Reuters summit, the offi cial said, which Wash- tional forces at Al Udeid Air Base, venue for those activities was due to ern Ghouta took the civilian death toll in support of Syrian President Bashar Washington ington hopes will be held later this year, which is home to the Combined Air research which showed that children from seven days of bombing to more al-Assad in 2015, has denied any di- as well as Middle East peace and Iran. Operations Center. The centre co- and young adults are among the than 500. rect involvement in the Eastern Ghouta The UAE, along with Saudi Ara- ordinates an array of data and intel- most vulnerable to injury in road With support from Russia, the Se- bombardment. enior Qatari, Saudi and Emirati bia, Bahrain and Egypt, cut off travel ligence from satellites, drones, radar traff ic crashes. Page 2 curity Council approved a resolution “Every minute the council waited on leaders will meet with US Presi- and trade ties with Qatar last June, and US planes fl ying over hot spots in calling for a ceasefi re “without delay” Russia, the human suff ering grew,” the Sdent Donald Trump in the next accusing it of supporting terrorism the Middle East and bombing Islamic INDIA | Obituary to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Ha- couple of months, US offi cials said, and Iran. Doha denies the charges State positions. and medical evacuations. ley, told the Security Council, accusing amid eff orts by Washington to try to and says the countries aim to curtail The Saudi-led bloc has issued a list Bollywood actress At least 127 children are among the Russia of stalling. resolve a dispute between the Gulf its sovereignty. The quartet has also of 13 demands for Qatar as a require- Sridevi passes away 513 dead in the bombing campaign that “As they dragged out the nego- neighbours. imposed a blockade on Qatar, aff ect- ment for re-establishing diplomatic Bollywood diva the regime launched last Sunday on tiations, the bombs from Assad’s Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin ing thousands of GCC citizens, who relations, though Doha has largely re- Sridevi passed Eastern Ghouta, just outside Damas- fighter jets continued to fall. In the Salman, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince have family members spread across fused the demands. away last night cus, the Syrian Observatory for Human three days it took us to adopt this Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahy- the member states. Among the demands are Qatar shut after a cardiac Rights said. resolution, how many mothers lost an of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Washington is hoping to lay the down the Al Jazeera network, close a arrest, confirmed The Britain-based monitor of the their kids to the bombing and the and Qatar’s Emir His Highness Sheikh groundwork for a summit by the sum- Turkish military base and scale down her brother-in-law war said at least 35 civilians were killed shelling?” Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani are all mer. ties with Iran. Sanjay Kapoor. She was 54. The first planning to have bilateral visits with “We would hope the dispute is re- The dispute has put the US in an female superstar of Bollywood was Trump in March and April, a senior solved before the summit to allow max- awkward position, because it relies on reportedly with her husband Boney Crime against humanity, says Emir US offi cial said. imum focus on other strategic concerns Gulf states as key allies in the coalition Kapoor and daughter Khushi at the The agenda will include setting up like Iran,” another US offi cial said. to combat Islamic State militants in time of death. Sridevi along with her His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim “Regardless of political diff erences, a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Qatar is host to US and interna- the region. family were in the UAE to attend the bin Hamad al-Thani has described the what is going on in Eastern Ghouta is a wedding ceremony of Mohit Marwah. ongoing events in Eastern Ghouta crime against humanity. The protection in Syria as a crime against humanity, of civilians in this case remains the holding the international community responsibility of the international responsible for the protection of civilians. community, which it cannot evade.” In a tweet yesterday, the Emir said: (QNA) ‘Though geographically small, Qatar is still independent’

By Ahmed al-Qudah physical to psychological. Doha In a visit from November 17-24, 2017, United Nations’ Offi ce of the High Commissioner for Human heikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Rights (OHCHR) Technical Mission al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Me- led an investigation into the eff ects Sdia Corporation, has tweeted of the blockade on people in Qatar. in honour of his country, hailing the The fi ndings of the investigation were independent decision-making which presented in a report dubbed “On the Doha is fl ourishing through. impact of the Gulf Crisis on human Sheikh Abdulrahman (@ahjh_al- rights”. thani) wrote: “As some think of it, In December 14, 2017 and after a Qatar is geographically a very, very, visit to Qatar, Amnesty International Transparency in school fees vowed very small country, but it is an inde- warned that “the lives of thousands pendent state and is not led by out- of Gulf residents remain in turmoil as QNA Private Schools Aff airs, Tarek al-Ab- same school or move to a diff erent one. siders. Also geographically,” he con- a consequence of the ongoing political Doha dullah, said yesterday in a press confer- He stressed that the goal of updat- tinued “there is a very, very, very big dispute in the region”. ence that the ministry was committed ing the procedures was to help parents country which is not independent On June 5, 2017, neighbouring Saudi to make the enrolment process very boost the educational process. and is being controlled by a very, very, Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt he Ministry of Education and clear to parents when deciding on a He also said that evaluation of pri- very small emirate”. Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani imposed an illegal siege on Qatar, cit- Higher Education said yesterday school for their children. vate schools had become mandatory in Previously, Saudi Crown Prince ing claims and listing neither reasona- Tit was committed to transpar- He said that all schools must an- light of the ministry’s new legislative Mohamed bin Salman described the ened the social fabric and cohesion ble, nor realistic demands. Since then, ency regarding private schools’ tuition nounce their tuition fees for academic powers. Gulf crisis as “a very, very, very small between families in the GCC. the quartet spared no eff ort to spread fees and the parents’ rights to know the 2018/2019 before the beginning of reg- The adviser also discussed the min- problem”. The remark made by the As of January 2018, the National misinformation about Qatar region- amount required before enrolling their istration on March 1. istry’s commitment to improving prince caused outrage on social media Human Rights Committee (NHRC) of ally and internationally, resorting to children. The schools must also inform the par- teachers’ capabilities, as well as the role websites. Users on Twitter, for exam- Qatar has received around 4,000 hu- hate-speech while exploiting religion The adviser to HE the Minister of ents of the fee amount so they can decide of the private sector in improving their ple, expressed their disdain in words, man rights violation complaints. The and sports to vainly justify their illegal Education and Higher Education for whether to enrol their children in the performance. To Page 2 questioning the cynicism that weak- types of violations vary from being siege to the world. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR Deputy PM meets Togo FM HMC turns spotlight on child victims of road accidents

pproximately one in 11 or vehicle occupants. Getting trauma patients seen at young children out of front seats AHamad Medical Corpo- or parents’ laps and into proper ration (HMC)’s Hamad Trauma restraints is the fi rst step. Adult Centre is a child victim with a supervision for children younger road traffi c injury (RTI), HMC than 10 years of age while walk- has said. ing (on or near roads) is the sec- Also, only one out of seven ond main message.” children who die in Qatar from She explains that students, an RTI is treated at a hospital, and alongside their school’s traf- the majority sustains injuries so fi c safety co-ordinators, attend severe that they die at the scene. interactive sessions with pro- “Road traffi c crashes are a grammes tailored to their age. routine occurrence through- “We have created culturally ap- out the world with thousands propriate materials to teach the of people losing their lives on students and we also encourage the roads every day; children learning through role play and and young adults are among the by sharing our personal stories most vulnerable to injury,” HMC Dr Hassan al-Thani. Dr Aisha Fathi Abeid. as well as stories of patients,” said in a statement yesterday. says Dr Abeid. As part of eff orts to reverse infrastructure to deliver high- benefi ts later because they will Dr Rafael Consunji, direc- the above-mentioned trend and quality trauma care, it is equally grow into adults who will carry tor of HIPP, says: “Under this instil good traffi c safety habits vital to emphasise prevention by the traffi c safety message for- programme, we visit schools to in school children, the Hamad convincing people to commit to ward into the future,” notes Dr inform and convince students Injury Prevention Programme safety measures. al-Thani. of proven safe road behaviours, (HIPP) – the community out- “Prevention is one of the key Describing the initiative, Dr asking them to advocate the reach arm of the Hamad Trauma elements for decreasing road Aisha Fathi Abeid, Injury Pre- same to their parents, siblings HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani Centre – has introduced traffi c traffi c-related deaths and inju- vention assistant director at and peers. Restraints (car seats met the Minister of Foreign Aff airs of Togo Robert Dussey, who is currently visiting Qatar. They safety awareness activities at ries, which are a leading cause of HIPP, says: “Under the school- or seatbelts) are designed to pre- discussed bilateral relations and the means to enhance them in economy and cultural sectors. schools in Qatar. death in Qatar. To get this mes- based initiative, which started vent passengers from ejection They also discussed the latest developments in the Gulf and the region. “As we are all aware, pre- sage across eff ectively, we are in 2014, hundreds of school from the vehicle or hitting other vention is always better than starting off in schools, which students have received practical passengers or the vehicle’s in- a fatality or serious injury. We are the cornerstone for building information about being safer ternal frame. The Hamad Trau- at the Hamad Trauma Centre, the community. By investing in on the road, either as pedes- ma Center research team has through HIPP, want to see a children now, we will reap the trians, school bus passengers found that, in Qatar, not using drastic and sustained reduc- a restraint increases the chance tion in the number of road traf- of dying or serious traumatic fic-related deaths and injuries, brain injury by 400% (or by four Transparency in school fees especially among children in times). Qatar. Therefore, our aim is to “Unfortunately, less than 2% From Page 1 increase the fees, he added. The midterm break will be emphasise the importance of of children with serious RTIs He noted that currently there from December 23 to January 3. safe road practices among the in Qatar was using a proper re- He highlighted a number of is no ceiling for tuition fees, but Schools will actually start on public and we are doing this straint; if every child were prop- projects and initiatives that the that there was a plan to establish January 6, given that the 3rd will by focusing on schoolchildren erly restrained on every journey, ministry will undertake in the that once schools are divided be a Thursday. who we see as great advocates then we could save the lives of 40 near future in that regard. into diff erent categories. The spring break will be from for road safety among their children and prevent more than a For his part, Director of the Pri- Registration will take place April 7-11. Since April 11 is a family members and the com- hundred serious RTIs in children vate Schools’ Licensing Depart- from March 1-October 31. Thursday, schools will start on munity,” says Dr Hassan al- every year. This can only hap- ment Hamad al-Ghali said that Parents can receive a refund of April 14. Thani, head of Trauma Services pen if families and communities the ministry accepted the request fees they paid by April 2018, but He noted that schools of dif- at HMC. are educated; if authorities en- of 27 schools to raise tuition fees. not after that period. ferent communities are operated Dr al-Thani, who is also head act new laws requiring all pas- The increase ranged between The academic calendar for under the supervision of their of the Vascular Surgery Sec- sengers to use restraints and the 2% and 20%. private schools will start on Au- embassies, which decide on their tion, highlights that while it is authorities enforce them con- This was out of 115 requests to gust 29, 2018. own academic calendar. important to have a world-class Members of the HIPP team. sistently.” Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 3 QATAR

Defence Ministry holds medical forum

Under the patronage of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, the Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Medical Services Department has held a medical forum at the National Service Camp (Meqdam). The forum was held in co-operation with the US Army Central Medical Command under the theme “How to deal with war injuries and the transfer of the injured to the hospital”. HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Major- General (pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem attended the forum alongside a number of senior army off icials. Staff Brigadier General (sea) Nasser Mohamed al-Kaabi, Commander of Medical Services at the Qatar Armed Forces, noted his keenness to exchange experience in the field and follow up on the latest medical developments and recommendations. The forum aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the participants on various related issues. Col Kramer, Commander of the US Army’s Central Medical Command, praised Qatar’s capabilities in the field of military medicine, stressing the continued exchange of expertise and co-operation in the field. Recognising Jerusalem Over QR1.2bn paid via Ooredoo as Israel’s capital ‘against Money Payroll service in 2017 oredoo has an- “Overall, a massive and understandable access” ers, the statement adds. nounced that its QR1.2bn has been paid to to fi nancial services for us- Interested employers can OOoredoo Money employees via the Oore- ers unable to access a local begin registration for the Payroll service was one of its doo Money Payroll service bank account, such as inter- Ooredoo Money Payroll international principles’ “fastest growing and most in 2017, and every month national and local transfers, service by emailing to mo- popular” services in 2017. the Ooredoo Money Payroll mobile top-up, international bilemoneypayroll@oore- The Ooredoo Money Pay- service is used to pay over airtime top-up as well as an doo.qa By Joseph Varghese roll service was the region’s QR115,000,000 to employ- ATM card that can be used Once registered, custom- Staff Reporter fi rst payroll service via mo- ees across Qatar, directly across Qatar and anywhere in ers can benefi t from all the bile and off ers a “secure and into their Ooredoo Money the world. services of Ooredoo Money convenient” alternative to Wallet that can be accessed The service is also de- instantly by using the Oore- carrying cash. through their phone from signed to save businesses doo Money App or dialling he decision of US The Ooredoo Money anywhere,” the statement on banking processing *140#, anywhere, anytime. president Donald Payroll service saw huge noted. fees, reducing accounting The Ooredoo Money app TTrump to recognise demand in 2017 with more The smart payment and administration costs, is available in seven lan- Jerusalem as the capital of than 135,000 employees method, which is compatible improving business effi- guages - English, Arabic, Israel is against two princi- benefi ting from it, Ooredoo with Qatar’s Wage Protec- ciencies, and above all im- Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, ples of international law, a said in a statement. tion System, off ers a “simple proving the lives of work- Filipino and Nepali. senior legal expert said yes- terday. “The US decision is against the legal princi- ple that criminalises the acquisition of territory Participants of the session. PICTURE: Nasar T K of others by force. United Nations Resolution 242 a symposium organised by House decision, which also Bank since 1967. Moreover, was drafted on this prin- the Arab Centre for Re- included the commitment the present stance of the ciple and is a guide to the search and Policy Studies to move the US embassy White House is in violation political solution of all on the topic, ‘Moving the in Israel, currently located of a declared American po- conflicts in the region,” US Embassy to Jerusalem: in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem. sition dating back to 1964,” Anis Kassim, a practis- The Legal and Political Sig- Participants explored the he added. ing lawyer in Amman and nifi cance’. The opening ses- changes on the demograph- Ayyoub said Israel’s poli- founder-partner of Kas- sion was also attended by ic base and urban landscape cy is aimed at changing the sim Law Firm, said. Salam Karmi Ayyoub, a UK- of Jerusalem as well as the demographic character of “The second legal prin- based criminal barrister impact of regional and glo- Jerusalem, which she de- ciple is that the recogni- and legal consultant, and bal politics on the city. scribed as a policy “that tion of a state’s laws is Ala Mahajna, a lawyer and Kassim pointed out that amounts to crime against contingent on those laws jurist based in Jerusalem. the recognition of Jerusa- humanity and it can be being consistent with in- The session was moderated lem as the capital of Israel described as the crime of ternational law. Therefore, by Mohamed Abdulaziz al- does not provide a precise apartheid”. the US president’s state- Khulaifi , dean of the College defi nition of the borders Mahajna gave a detailed ments that Israel, as a sov- of Law, Qatar University. of Jerusalem. “Israel has presentation of how Israel ereign state, has the right The one-day sympo- expanded the municipal uses its legal mechanism to decide where its capital sium discussed the politi- boundaries of Jerusalem, to maintain control and will be, are inaccurate,” cal signifi cance and legal signifi cantly adding on to enforce demographic and Kassim noted. status of the occupied city its territories from other geographical changes in Je- Kassim was speaking at of Jerusalem and the White parts of the occupied West rusalem. Registration opens for seasonal honey market

ouq Waqif, in co-op- duction of honey, according off ers and discounts by vis- companies, specialised eration with the Min- to the ministry. iting the following link: bit. in the production, supply Sistry of Economy and As part of eff orts to sup- ly/honeymarket and distribution of honey Commerce (MEC), has an- port and encourage com- “The seasonal honey to participate in the honey nounced the opening of free panies to participate in the market off ers traders, en- market, presents an oppor- registration for local fi rms market, the organisers have trepreneurs and small and tunity for the marketing of and foreign companies spe- co-ordinated with Qatar medium enterprises the local honey products and cialised in the production, Airways to provide a 40% unique opportunity to dis- allows foreign companies to supply and distribution of discount on air cargo. Gulf play their honey products exhibit their products, giv- honey in order to partici- Warehousing Company is and related manufactured ing companies the oppor- pate in the Seasonal Honey also off ering free trans- goods to the public, which tunity to enter into agree- Market. portation of goods from will have a positive impact ments and partnerships The market will be or- shipping containers to on their business. Consum- that will give access to new ganised and hosted by Souq warehouses as well as free ers, on the other hand, will markets and promote trade Waqif, in co-operation with storage for participants. have access to a variety of growth in the fi eld of honey the MEC, from March 21 to Participants will also honey products and goods supply. 27. benefi t from free hotel ac- that go into honey produc- The initiative will also The seasonal honey mar- commodation and trans- tion under one exhibition, empower local investors to ket is aimed at supporting portation from and to the thus expanding their pur- market their products in national products, bolster- airport in addition to entry chasing options,” the state- foreign markets by allowing ing trade and opening new visas. Discounts will also be ment notes. local entrepreneurs to gain commercial channels for off ered on car reservations. The ministry has stressed insight into the expertise traders, entrepreneurs and Participating companies that the initiative to in- of participating countries investors in addition to can benefi t from the special vite local fi rms and foreign to improve the quality of providing for support small local honey products and and medium enterprises, Registration process strengthen its position in the MEC has said in a state- foreign markets. ment. The Seasonal Honey The market is the largest Companies and entrepre- to: [email protected], or call Market, which coincides specialised exhibition for neurs wishing to register to 55951115. with the Souq Waqif Spring honey of diff erent types and participate in the Seasonal Registration and participa- Festival, is expected to wit- off ers local and Arab com- Honey Market can send an tion is free for all and exhibi- ness “great success” thanks panies the opportunity to e-mail, including their name, tion space will be allocated to its location in Souq display and promote their phone number, country, city for participants to equip Waqif, one of the leading products as well as goods and a copy of the passport them as necessary. touristic sites in Qatar, the related to the trade and pro- statement adds. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR

PHCC begins medical exam of new students today

he Primary Health that the guardian is required dent and the original birth fi nal health report of the ex- Care Corporation will to conduct a medical exami- certifi cate and a copy of the amination, indicating that Treceive new students nation for the student, bring same, to complete the reg- the health assessment is a from today and issue their the necessary documents istration process. Accord- prerequisite for enrolment health assessment records such as the offi cial vaccina- ing to Dr Samia, the health in schools and is one of the after conducting their tion card, the ID card and a record of the student is valid most important preventive medical examination at all copy of the the ID card along for enrolment for two years health services off ered to health centres, the PHCC with two pictures of the stu- from the date of issue of the new school students. announced yesterday. Executive Director of the Operations Department at PHCC, Dr Samia al-Abdul- lah, said the PHCC has been electronically linked to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. This enables health cen- tres to electronically reg- ister students’ data and medical examination results with the ministry. She added

DIFI discusses Canada refugee families’ issues

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development and the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support and Integration (MRCSSI), held a symposium on Gender, Family and Marital Relationships among Arab Refugee Families in Canada on February 23 in London, Ontario. The symposium included the launch of the research report, Pre- and Post-Migration Stressors and Marital Relations Among Arab Refugee Families in Canada, conducted by DIFI and experts from MRCSSI, the University of Calgary, and the University of Guelph in Canada. In her comments on the report, Noor al-Malki al-Jehani, Executive Director of DIFI, said: “By conducting this study, DIFI aimed to contribute to the knowledge base on Arab refugees, which despite representing 58% of the worlds refugees, are an ignored and understudied segment of the population.”

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR British Council, QNRF launch FameLab contest

he British Council, in part- ing subjects to learn, but not always the participants have received science com- the Qatar National Convention Centre Dr Frank Fitzpatrick, director of their communications skills and passion nership with Qatar National easiest of subjects to talk about, and munication skills training in Arabic and as part of QNRF’s National Scientifi c British Council Qatar, said: “We are for STEM to the public, in a way that would TResearch Fund (QNRF) and that’s the idea behind FameLab, the English, delivered by science communica- Research Competition on March 14 in delighted to be working, through stimulate students and young people’s in- with the support of the Ministry of British Council has said in a statement. tion trainers. After the auditions that will partnership with the Ministry of Edu- FameLab, to develop communication terest in studying STEM areas.” Education and Higher Education, has Participants of FameLab are expected take place on February 25-26, only 12 par- cation and Higher Education. skills with Qatari scientists, to provide Fawziya al-Khater, Assistant Under- launched the FameLab competition for to deliver an entertaining and original ticipants will make it to the fi nal. The winner of FameLab Qatar will win a platform for young scientists, and secretary for Educational Aff airs at the the third year in Qatar. three-minute talk about any scientifi c They will attend a two-day ad- a trip to the UK to represent Qatar in the help them engage the public as well as Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- FameLab, one of the biggest science topic without using PowerPoint or other vanced science communication train- FameLab International Competition at policy makers in their research.” cation, highlighted the importance of the communication competitions in the electronic presentation tools and with ing course (FameLab Master Class), the Cheltenham Science Festival, while Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie, QNRF execu- FameLab Competition’s fi nal stages in world, was initiated by Cheltenham limited use of props. The talk must be delivered by one of the leading com- the runners-up will receive a cash prize tive director, noted: “This competition supporting and developing the communi- Science Festivals in the UK. scientifi cally accurate, but also engaging municators in the UK on March 11-12, to spend on science projects or research. has proven to be a distinct platform for cation skills in science for school students “Science, technology, engineering to a non-scientifi c audience. as preparation for the participants for FameLab is open for participants enabling young scientists, researchers and and teachers in addition to preparing them and mathematics (STEM) are fascinat- In preparation for the competition, the the national fi nal that will take place at aged 16 to 40 years. secondary school students to showcase to become Qatar Science Ambassadors. Raytheon and Thundershowers, strong winds expected today Thales silver sponsors for Dimdex 2018

he organising commit- Company is a technology and tee of Doha International innovation leader specialising TMaritime Defence Exhi- in defence, civil government bition and Conference (Dimdex) and cybersecurity solutions. has announced global defence With a history of innovation contractor Raytheon Company spanning 96 years, Raytheon and French defence electronics provides state-of-the-art elec- group Thales as silver sponsors tronics, mission systems inte- of the upcoming sixth edition gration, C5ITM products and of the region’s leading maritime services, sensing, eff ects and defence show. mission support for customers Dimdex 2018 will be held in more than 80 countries. at Qatar National Conven- Dimdex 2018 has also at- Thundershowers are expected in parts of the country today along with strong winds, the Qatar Met department has said. The weather off ice has also issued a marine tion Centre from March 12 to tracted the attention of indus- warning for thundery rain, windy conditions and high seas today. Rain was detected at a number of places around the country yesterday, including Doha, and the wet spell 14 under the patronage of His try giants beyond the mari- is likely to continue today. Last Wednesday, the Met department had said there were chances of rain around the country until the end of this week due to a spell of ‘unsettled Highness the Emir Sheikh time spectrum. As a global weather’. On its part, the Traff ic Department advised people to exercise caution and drive safely in rainy conditions. Today’s detailed forecast says cloudy conditions are Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, technology leader for the aer- expected both inshore and off shore along with scattered rain, which may be thundery in some places at times. The wind speed may go up to 25 knots in inshore areas hosted and organised by the ospace, transport, defence and during thundery rain, and 30 knots off shore. The temperature in Doha is expected to range from 19-24C today; yesterday, it was 22-27C. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam Qatar Armed Forces. security markets, silver spon- “Over the years, Dimdex sor Thales has the capability to has proven to be a second- design and deploy equipment, to-none platform for decision systems and services to meet makers, offi cial delegations the most complex security re- and defence and maritime quirements. Its international companies from across the footprint allows it to work Q-Chem joins ‘waste-free environment’ campaign globe, to gain and exchange closely with its customers all insights and showcase their over the world. game-changing innovations,” With 180 global exhibitors atar Chemical Com- This award-winning cam- said Staff Brigadier (Sea) Ab- from around the world taking pany Ltd (Q-Chem) paign is consistent with Q- dulbaqi S al-Ansari, chairman part this year across the defence, Qjoined forces with its Chem’s values, the company of Dimdex. maritime and security sectors, partners for the sixth edition of said in a press statement. “We’re “We are delighted to have Dimdex has “earned its position the ‘Waste-Free Environment’ committed to preserving the global technology and defence as one of the most prestigious (WFE) campaign. safety of people, communities leaders such as Raytheon and maritime defence shows in the The WFE is an environmental and the environment. The ini- Thales Group support Dimdex region”, the statement adds. initiative launched by Gulf Pet- tiative is an important regional and become silver sponsors of Off ering its audience “a rochemicals and Chemicals As- driver. It aims to strengthen the the world-class event. This dem- world-class platform for tech- sociation, dedicated to promot- concept of sustainability and onstrates the confi dence Dimdex nology, maritime and defence ing both responsible disposal of the conservation of resources,” has earned and underscores the industry capabilities”, Dimdex waste and returning local envi- said Nasser J al-Kuwari, CEO of value it off ers its partners year on 2018 stays true to Doha’s po- ronments to their beautiful pris- Q-Chem. Q-Chem participating in the campaign. year,” he added. sition as a burgeoning busi- tine state. This year, the WFE focused on Global defence leaders are ness hub. Also, the event acts The campaign, which took the impact of recycling plastic, effi cient use of resources and mental concerns, highlighting the community,” said al-Kuwari. continuing to support Dimdex as as a “pivotal platform for ex- place from February 18 to 22 endeavouring to foster collec- energy. most pressing issues - recycling The eff orts concluded with a “recognised strategic platform hibitors to access key decision across the region and the world, tive responsibility. The cam- “Together with our partners, and responsible litter disposal. a beach clean-up campaign at to showcase the latest industry makers represented by VIP engaged diverse stakeholders, paign contributes to the United we visited several educational in- And, of course, plastic is the main the Al Wakrah Family Beach on innovations and secure lucrative delegates, which has led to the including government entities, Nations’ sustainable develop- stitutions and local communities. focus when tackling environmen- February 22. Schools, munici- meetings with VIP delegates”, a $31.95bn worth of deals com- industrial sectors, educational ment goals. It promotes sustain- Covering all school levels, our tal issues. Ultimately, our eff orts palities, contractors and senior press statement noted. pleted to date since its fi rst institutions and their wider ability, preserves the oceans and ‘ambassadors’ successfully raised will help implant sustainabil- management from participating Silver sponsor Raytheon edition in 2008. communities. encourages the responsible and awareness of diverse environ- ity as a core cultural value in our entities attended.

MEC detects violations by vendors

A surprise inspection campaign against street vendors in the Doha Corniche resulted in the detection of six irregularities, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) tweeted yesterday. Pictured is an inspector during the MEC drive. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 7 QATAR

The Vodafone virtual drum kit. Vodafone showcases Qatar’s fi rst ‘Symphony of Sound and Speed’

odafone has staged a ‘Sym- consumers and demonstrate how the ideal partner to bring the digital mu- phony of Sound and Speed’ at latest technologies can enhance their sic experience to everyday users. The Vthe Red Bull Car Park Drift in lives”, the statement notes. telecom provider continues to use its quest to continue “showcasing ex- In this symphony, a virtual drum its international expertise to deliver citing technological experiences in the kit, ‘Freedrums’, was used to showcase world-class reliable network infra- country”. how mobile connectivity can empower structure, connecting consumers to In this fi rst for Qatar, the audience anyone, anywhere to create an immer- people and things that matter the experienced a fusion of sound, speed sive drumming experience without the most,” the statement adds. and smoke in a symphony that brought confi nement of private soundproof Diego Camberos, commercial direc- together traditional and digital mu- studios. tor at Vodafone Qatar, said: “Technol- sic instruments enhanced by the raw ‘Freedrums’ consist of two drum- ogy is revolutionising every aspect of sound of drifting cars, Vodafone Qatar sticks equipped with digital sensors our lives, including the way we pro- said in a statement. that connect to an app available to duce and consume music. As Qatar’s The musical performance, con- download on a smartphone and rep- World Class Network, we are pleased ducted by an eight-piece band, took licate the drumming experience any- to help consumers discover exciting place on Friday at Losail Circuit where. digital music instruments, in this case Sports Club. “To ensure a seamless perform- allowing aspiring drummers in the Vodafone Qatar’s participation in ance, the drum kit requires a fast country to explore their passion any- the event “refl ects its commitment to network to download and maintain where and anytime, using mobile con- bring digital solutions that can inspire the app, making Vodafone Qatar the nectivity.”

Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 9 QATAR Qumra 2018 to host over 150 fi lm experts zIndustry professionals from more than 25 nations gather in Doha

umra 2018, presented by consultations and one-on-one meet- fi lmmaker-mentors Ghassan Sal- fi lm, production, media and enter- Doha Film Institute (DFI), ings for projects still in development; hab, Annemarie Jacir, Kaouther Ben tainment delegates who will also Qwill be held from March 9 and a series of works-in-progress Hania and Tala Hadid; Mark Adams, participate in the programme. to 14, hosting more than 150 inter- screenings and feedback sessions for artistic director of Edinburgh Film This year’s Qumra Masters are national fi lm industry experts who projects in post-production. Festival; Cameron Bailey, artistic Venice Golden Lion-winning Rus- will mentor 34 projects, mostly Qumra covers the script-to- director of Toronto International sian director and writer Andrey helmed by fi rst- and second-time screen journey and beyond, and Film Festival; Paul Federbush, in- Zvyagintsev; Cannes Palme d’Or- fi lmmakers. with the inclusion of VoD and online ternational director, Feature Film winning Thai fi lmmaker and visual Along with the Qumra Masters, platforms, fi lmmakers can look be- Programme, the Sundance Film artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul; the six-day event will welcome ac- yond conventional platforms to take Institute; Mirsad Purivatra, festival the only documentary director to complished fi lm directors, produc- their projects to a wider audience. director of Sarajevo Film Festival; win the Berlinale Golden Bear Ital- ers, fi lm festival directors, program- Fatma al-Remaihi, chief ex- Joana Vincente, executive director ian director Gianfranco Rosi; Oscar- mers, consultants, fund managers, ecutive offi cer of DFI, said: “In the of Independent Filmmaker Project; winning British costume designer sales professionals, acquisition fourth edition of Qumra, we con- Christophe Leparc, managing di- Sandy Powell, Order of the British heads, script experts, distributors, tinue to see remarkable participa- rector of the Directors Fortnight, Empire, and Oscar-nominated di- video on demand (VoD) platforms tion from the world’s leading fi lm Cannes Film Festival; Cara Cu- rector Bennett Miller. and broadcasters, and other indus- industry professionals that gener- sumano, director of Programming The Qumra 2018 industry events try professionals. ously contribute to the growth of of Tribeca Film Festival; and Bero include workshops and meetings for Several of them have formed the fi lm industry in Qatar and the Beyer, festival director of Rotter- fi rst- and second-time fi lmmak- Class photo of Qumra 2017. strong bonds to the annual event, region. This is an incredible oppor- dam, among others. ers with international fi lm indus- which has become a unique and im- tunity for emerging fi lmmakers to There is a strong representa- try experts in bespoke mentorship portant platform and project incu- not only have the guidance of legen- tion of fi lm festivals, fi lm consult- labs; the Qumra Masterclasses, led bator for new voices and compelling dary names in cinema nurture their ants, fi lm institutes, fi lm funds, by acclaimed fi lmmakers; Qumra stories in Arab and world cinema. projects, but also to gain access to distributors and sales agents such Screenings of feature fi lms present- Qumra 2018 industry delegates international industry experts who as: Locarno Film Festival, Venice ed by the Qumra Masters and recip- include representation from more will help them navigate the full life Film Festival/Final Cut, Hot Docs, ients of funding from the Institute, than 15 leading international fi lm cycle of their projects.” IDFA, FID Marseille, Busan Inter- followed by question-and-answer festivals, and executives from some “Through the last three editions national Film Festival, Malmo Arab sessions; and the Qumra Talks, of the world’s leading fi lm produc- of Qumra, we have seen many of the Film Festival, CNC Aide aux Cin- which are panel-style discussions tion companies, sales and distribu- selected projects go on to win inter- emas du Monde, Eurimages Fund, that cover a broad range of topics. tion companies, and cultural and national critical and award acclaim. Luxembourg Film Fund, Medien- Qumra 2018 has also introduced funding agencies. As we prepare for Qumra 2018, we board Berlin-Brandenburg, Doc the Qumra Pass Events for the gen- International delegates come are confi dent that the wisdom and and Film International, Memento eral public this year, which will give from countries ranging from Argen- experience of this year’s accom- International, MAMI Mumbai Film them access to Qumra Masterclasses, tina to Singapore, Sweden to South plished contributors will provide Festival, Seville International, The Qumra Screenings and Qumra Talks. Africa and the UK to the US. Among invaluable tools to a new generation Match Factory, Metropolis Art Cin- Qumra Pass is open for all citizens the attendees from the region are of fi lmmakers.” ema, Tribeca Film Institute, Torino and residents of Qatar and the region, delegates from Jordan, Lebanon, Among the leading names at- Film Lab, Sundance Film Institute, and applications will be processed Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia, tending Qumra are movie producer The Royal Film Commission – Jor- on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. DFI has said in a statement. Wendi Deng Murdoch, CEO of Rad- dan, and Venice Biennale, among The price for Qumra Pass is QR500; The Qumra industry programme ical Media Jon Kamen; Funa Madu- other industry leaders. students and Culture Pass by Qatar focuses on 34 projects from 25 coun- ka, Content Acquisition - Global Qatar-based organisations in- Museums holders can purchase it for tries at various stages of develop- Independent Feature Films & Docu- clude teams from beIN Sports, Qa- a discounted price of QR350. For more ment. The sessions are presented in mentaries at Netfl ix; Bobby Allen, tar TV, Al Jazeera Media Network information on the Qumra Pass, one two strands: tutorials, workshops, vice-president - Content of MUBI; along with over 120 Qatar-based can visit www.dohafi lminstitute.com DI teams up with Berlin university for seminar

he Doha Institute In his lecture, Dr Dayeh for Graduate Studies discussed the signifi cance T(DI), in co-operation of critical concepts in hu- with the Free University manities and social sci- of Berlin, has held a three- ences and proceeded to day seminar titled ‘Critical tackle some of the issues Concepts in the Humanities that frame and direct the and Social Sciences’. intended approach – both The seminar, which con- theoretically and practi- cluded yesterday, brought cally – such as the possibil- together prominent social ity of translating concepts scientists from Germany through languages and dis- The seminar in progress. and the Arab world. ciplinary fi elds and coun- In his welcoming speech, terbalancing between the DI acting president and international and local. vice-president for Academic The second lecture was Aff airs Dr Yasir Suleiman delivered by Dr Ayman El- Malley said “the interdisci- Desouky, professor of Mod- plinarity aspect of the social ern Arabic Literature and sciences and humanities Comparative Literature at uniquely allows for the study the DI. of everything related to hu- In his paper, ‘The After- man beings, society and their life of Concepts: Untrans- respective histories”. latable or Philosophemes’, The opening session he discussed the impor- chaired by Dr Abdelwa- tance of the critique of hab El-Aff endi, dean of the concepts not only when School of Social Sciences it comes to the social sci- and Humanities at the ences and interdisciplinary DI, opened with a lecture studies, but also in terms of on ‘Travelling Concepts: understanding the specifi - The Ethical Dimension of cities of cultural, historical Scholarly Pursuits’ by Dr and social diff erences as Islam Dayeh, professor of phenomena resisting the Arabic Studies at the Free systematic imposition of University of Berlin. meanings.

Katara Arab Novel Prize sees signifi cant turnout

QNA egory of unpublished novels Doha by young writers. Dr al-Sulaiti added that female participants reached atara - Cultural Vil- 322 this year whereas there lage Foundation has were 961 men participants. Kannounced that the Regarding origins of the turnout at the Katara Arab participant novelists, Dr al- Novel Prize this year marked Sulaiti said that most of the a signifi cant increase in the participants were from the number of participants with Levant (Syria-Jordan-Leb- a total of 1,283 contestants. anon-Palestine) and Iraq General Manager of Katara with a total of 413 novelists. Dr Khalid al-Sulaiti said that Egypt and Sudan came next the number of participating with 383 participants fol- published novels this year is lowed by North African coun- 562, while unpublished par- tries with 365 participants, ticipating novels were 596 while GCC countries also with another 47 in the un- marked a signifi cant turnout published studies category. this year with 118 participants Moreover, 78 participants and four others from diff erent are contesting in the cat- non-Arab countries. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR QBRI invites applications for research

Students engaged in a question and answer session with the QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham. The event aimed to engage a programme dialogue with students to discuss matters of concern and interest, and encourage their he Hamad Bin Khalifa Top candidates will be evalu- munication and team-building participation in university aff airs. University (HBKU) has ated and interviewed by mem- skills, and allow participants to Tannounced that its Qatar bers of a selection committee experience the challenges and Biomedical Research Institute before fi nal decisions are made. rewards of scientifi c research, (QBRI) is welcoming applica- Candidates may apply online by the statement notes. The pro- tions for its Summer Research choosing two preferred subject gramme’s three main research Programme (SRP) 2018. areas. areas have been further divided As part of the programme, All applications will be re- into 18 projects that students QU students discuss matters of the institute will off er inten- ceived by the QBRI selection may select from for their in- sive training opportunities in committee, and evaluated ternship. the fi elds of diabetes, cancer against specifi c criteria, in- The subject of neurological and neurological disorders cluding the student’s academic disorders will cover focus areas concern, interest with president to exceptional undergradu- records and letters of recom- on neurodevelopmental and ate students who are currently mendation. The programme’s neurodegenerative diseases, enrolled in higher education application deadline is March aiming to identify new genes large number of students In his remarks, Dr al-Derham Dr al-Derham also noted that off ers students an environment institutions, both within and 29. responsible for such disorders participated in a discus- said: “QU places the student at QU was committed to six core to engage with their studies and outside Education City, HBKU To fi nd out more - or send in and investigating new diag- Asion session with Qatar the centre of the learning proc- values, derived from its guiding extra-curricular opportunities said in a statement. an application - one can follow nostic tools and developing University (QU) president Dr ess. The organisation is com- principles and aligned with its through which they can develop Beginning in May, the fourth the link: www.qbri.org.qa/in- innovative therapeutics. The Hassan al-Derham at the ‘Meet mitted to off ering high-quality mission statement - excellence, the essential QU graduate at- year of SRP will run for a total ternship/srp18 cancer programme explores the President’ event organised academic programmes and pro- honesty, academic freedom, in- tributes, competencies and em- duration of eight weeks and fo- Dr Omar El-Agnaf, acting ex- initiation and progression, recently at the QU Ibn Khaldoon viding the labour market with novation, diversity and social ployability skills.” cus on basic, applied and trans- ecutive director at QBRI, said: concentrating on early diag- Hall. qualifi ed graduates who are ca- responsibility. Al-Derham gave a brief on the lational research. “The SRP is an opportunity for nosis and treatment. Finally, Themed ‘Suggest, Ask and pable of contributing to Qatar’s “QU is committed to develop- changes that had occurred in the Entry requirements for SRP participants to gain hands-on the topic of diabetes targets Discuss… Participate in Shap- socioeconomic development. ing a qualifi cations framework Student Aff airs Sector. He also 2018 include enrolment in an laboratory experience and learn diabetes prevention and early ing the Present and the Fu- “Over the past two years, based on clear statements of announced the establishment diagnosis and an understand- undergraduate programme in how to formulate ideas, design ture of your University’, the QU has developed a new strat- graduate attributes and a com- of a new multi-purpose hall for a biological or medical-related experiments and test hypoth- ing of molecular causes of the two-day event (February 21 for egy that aligns with the cur- prehensive competency-based male students by the end of the science, completion of at least eses - all essential components disease, specifically within the male students and February 22 rent challenges, the needs of curriculum in line with its mis- year and of a new building for two years of coursework by the for achieving new medical context of Qatar. start date, and maintaining a breakthroughs.” Students who have previous- for females) aimed to engage a the labour market and the latest sion, vision, values and distinc- the Student Aff airs Sector to be minimum grade point average The SRP aims to encourage ly completed the programme dialogue with students to dis- trends in the higher education tive mandate as a national uni- inaugurated in 2019. of three. critical thinking, enhance com- credit their experience as a sig- cuss matters of concern and sector. The university has also versity,” al-Derham said. During the event, students nifi cant phase of their academic interest, and encourage their established a new vision, which “The organisation is also asked questions, discussed and professional development. participation in university af- is ‘to be regionally recognised committed to implementing an concerns and commented on a Safa Salim, a College of Sci- fairs, according to a statement for distinctive excellence in education excellence framework wide range of topics, including ence and Engineering student by QU. education and research, an in- of learner-centric, experiential, the establishment of a health who has started her PhD, was It was attended by QU vice- stitution of choice for students research-informed, digitally en- centre, academic programmes, a former intern at the research presidents, college deans, and scholars and a catalyst for riched and entrepreneurial edu- student housing facilities and institute. heads of departments and pro- the sustainable soci-economic cation, and providing a student bus schedule, among many Sharing her experience, she grammes, faculty and staff . development of Qatar’.” experience framework which others. said: “The programme en- hanced my theoretical knowl- edge about diabetes and stem cell-related projects, and helped me gain a better under- standing of the scientifi c com- Compensations claims panel gets 7,000 applications munity in Qatar, which was hugely benefi cial when it came he Compensations Claims offi cial source at the Committee claims submitted by the com- damages after they were denied to identifying my PhD supervi- Committee has received said it has completed 34 weeks panies that sustained losses and access to their real estate prop- sor and project.” T7,000 applications from of work and is continuing to col- economic damages due to the erty in the UAE. However, all the Boshra Mohamed J H al- those aff ected by the unjust block- lect, classify and document all blockade. An international law grievances of Qatari students, Sulaiti, a participant of last ade imposed on Qatar since June 5, the claims and take the necessary fi rm has been following up each who used to study in the block- year’s edition, added: “I can 2017 by Saudi Arabia, the United steps with the help of legal ex- case with the Committee ans ading countries have been fully unreservedly say that this was Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. perts. They study each case sepa- seek to get compensations. resolved. The Committee, estab- a memorable experience and I Arabic daily Arrayah reported rately to take the proper course. A source at the Commit- lished by the government shortly am now confi dent that I have that the claims include 4,000 Besides, the Committee has tee stressed that the majority of after the blockade, continues to QBRI will off er intensive training opportunities to undergraduate the necessary skills to embark submitted by individuals and fi nished classifying and docu- the recently submitted claims receive claims at its headquarter students in the fields of diabetes, cancer and neurological disorders. on my career.” 3,000 by various companies. An menting around 95% of the are from people who sustained at the Palm Tower. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 11 QATAR Young Qatari Designers compete with world’s prestigious brands he Young Qatari Design- Jewellery), Shikha Mohamed – partnership between DJWE and in round- and petal-shaped pink ers (YQD), presented in AlGhla Jewellery and Jawaher AlBahie Auction House will pro- sapphires. Tthe 15th edition of the & Hissa Mohamed al-Mannai mote the Young Qatari Design- ‘Qatar’ is Nouf Jewellery’s Doha Jewellery and Watches Ex- (Ghand Jewellery). ers by hosting an auction today, item for the auction, a Qatari hibition (DJWE 2018), have wit- The YQD pavilion was hon- where buyers can bid on a signa- fl ag-inspired white gold hinged- nessed a large number of visitors oured by the visit of His High- ture piece designed by this year’s bracelet with 2.05 carat round- and industry leaders fl ocking to ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim six local designers. cut diamonds and 11.80 carat view their exclusive collections, bin Hamad al-Thani, who was The six luxurious lots for the rubies, totaling 684 stones set the organisers have said. presented unique collections of auction include bespoke jewel- in 36.85 grams of white gold. These collections have been jewellery and gems. Over the fi rst lery pieces that will leave a per- The auction will also feature exhibited alongside prestigious days of the exhibition, a large sonalised mark at DJWE. Ghand Hairaat’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’, a international brands at the Doha number of visitors and VIPS vis- Jewellery will be presenting pair of drop earrings each de- Exhibition and Convention iting the pavilion praised the de- ‘Mihrab’, a pair of diamond and signed as tops of oval-cut natu- Centre. tails of the designs, the way they white gold earrings designed as ral turquoise framed by round- Held under the patronage of were displayed and the refi ne- tops of curving archways with cut diamonds suspending a HE the Prime Minister and Min- ment of these luxurious pieces, suspending lines of baguette single Tahitian pearl, in addition ister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah which represent Qatar in this and round-cut diamonds set to Ghada al-Buainain Jewellery’s bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, exhibition. The Young Qatari in 8.61gm of white gold with ‘Pipe in Gold’, a white gold neck- the Young Qatari Designers ini- Designers’ selection of fi ne jew- 2.74-carat white diamonds. Al- lace erupting in a spectacular tiative is one of the exhibition’s ellery attracted a large number of Ghla Jewellery will present ‘Ti- cluster of pearls and diamonds. key pillars to support and de- visitors and some of the unique ara’ as their signature piece, set The Young Qatari Designers velop young creative talent by pieces were sold immediately, in yellow gold with the outline of are presented alongside more providing a global platform to the statement noted. Qatar in mother of pearl among than 490 acclaimed brands from present their jewellery, A fresh addition to the 15th starbursts of rubies. 10 countries. This year’s DJWE according to a statement. edition of DJWE is the ‘Mile- Leila Issam Fine Jewellery has already witnessed a fl urry of The Young Qatari Designers collections have been exhibited alongside prestigious international brands at The YQD initiative shines stones’ charity auction where will showcase ‘Ombres’, a pair luxury reveals, including Adler the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. a spotlight on three new and proceeds will be given to Educa- of white gold diamond and pink – who showcased its newest three returning talented de- tion Above All, a global move- sapphire earrings each designed creations, Tag Heuer – which clusively targeting females with and present their unique world- East and Almuftah Jewellery. signers: Nada al-Sulaiti ment that contributes to human, as tops of round and petal- presented the connected modu- the new Da Vinci Automatic 36. class collections; Alfardan Jew- Doha Jewellery and Watches (Hairaat), Nouf al-Meer (Nouf social and economic develop- shaped sapphires with yellow lar 41, and Louis Moinet – which Returning to exhibit this year ellery Company, Ali Bin Ali Exhibition 2018 is presented by Jewellery), Ghada al-Buainain, ment through the provision diamonds suspending a line of unveiled a new Qatar Tourbillon, are Qatar’s premier jewellery pa- Group, Al Majed Jewellery, Amiri Qatar Tourism Authority and Leila Abu Issa (Leila Issam Fine of quality education. The new white diamonds and terminating as well as IWC Schaff hausen ex- trons, who continue to support Gems WLL, Fifty One delivered by Auditoire.

Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge takes its rightful place at DJWE olls-Royce Motor Cars Royce, Wraith Black Badge, themselves when visiting the Royce Black Badge Wraith with Authority and delivered by Au- Doha, the authorised takes its rightful place at the Alfardan Jewellery stand, which the fi nest jewels and watches ditoire, a top-tier brand expe- Rdealer of Rolls-Royce Alfardan Jewellery stand. is located at the main entrance of here at the show that mirrors the rience agency that creates im- Motor Cars in Qatar, is display- Featuring an eye-catching the exhibition, covering an area craftsmanship used in making pressive live events that inspire, ing the “fi nest in luxury” with Mugello Red interior, the of 3,800sqm and including 65 a Rolls-Royce motor car. As the motivate and engage audiences. the Rolls-Royce Wraith Black commanding presence of the international brands of jewellery country’s leading luxury event, The leading luxury event fea- Badge at the 15th edition of Doha Wraith Black Badge is a high- and watches. we’re excited to be a part of the tures more than 400 brands Jewellery and Watches Exhibi- light for visitors to the DJWE,” Commenting on their partici- exhibition for the fi rst time with from over 10 countries. It show- tion (DWJE), taking place until Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha pation in the DJWE, Rabih Ataya, such a striking and powerful cases the fi nest classic and con- tomorrow. said in a statement. general manager of Rolls-Royce motor car.” temporary luxury collections by The Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge at the 15th edition of the Doha “The bolder incarnation Visitors to the DJWE can Motor Cars Doha, said: “It’s our The six-day exhibition is key local and global brands and Jewellery and Watches Exhibition. of the most powerful Rolls- see the Wraith Black Badge for pleasure to display the Rolls- presented by Qatar Tourism designers. Delhi jeweller sees change in buying habits good for trade

By Ramesh Mathew designs and patterns that Staff Reporter we have at our boutique. Since our participation in the 2016 expo, we have been ndia’s Hazoorilal Jew- receiving a good number of ellers, under the stew- Qatari clients for our orna- Iardship of Sandeep ments, made of diamonds Narang, is a relatively new- and other precious stones,” comer at the Doha Jewellery said general manager Tarun and Watches Exhibition Gadi. (DJWE), having been a par- While acknowledging ticipant only since the 13th the support received from edition in 2016. the clientele in Doha, Gadi Hazoorilal Jewellers off ers a range of ornaments, studded However, that has not said their interest in some with emerald and other precious stones. prevented the company of the ethnic Indian designs from being able to win over has “literally fl oored him”. markably good demand for business more challeng- a good number of affl uent “It seems they have come emerald stones. Others, ing as well as interesting. customers in Qatar, courte- across similar ornaments in too, have good appeal. Now, Young customers travel sy of their innovative range some Bollywood movies in Tanzanite is also becoming across the world and they of ornaments. the past few years and now popular with people here,” demand the latest in trend. The Delhi-based jeweller, they are now asking us to he said. I think it is owing to the who has been in the busi- provide those designs and Narang’s designer popularity of platforms ness since 1952, has a bou- patterns,” the company of- daughter Tanya, too, herself such as Instagram that we tique at the Alfardan Jewel- fi cial added. interacts with customers at receive, in Delhi, queries lery pavilion, showcasing Gadi said Narang has the boutique. Her creation from customers in Doha an array of creative designs. been keenly watching global Millefi ori is going down and other places who say “We are indeed amazed developments and knows well with customers here. they are highly impressed by the response from our what each market requires “The changing buying with our ornaments, espe- Qatari customers, who are every season. “Across the habits among some of the cially necklaces and bridal obviously happy with the Middle East, there is re- customers are making the collections,” Gadi added. ‘Jewellery market remains buoyant’

By Ramesh Mathew pointed out that since Staff Reporter women constitute more than 90% of their cus- tomers in the Qatar expo, atar’s jewellery they have largely concen- market continues trated on ornaments worn Qto be buoyant and by women. “There are also customers here have huge some requests for cuffl inks exposure to high-end orna- and Thasbiya, made of pre- ments, says Sajith Kottayan cious stones for men,” he of Devji Aurum. added. The well-known jeweller Devji Aurum has been has been a regular partici- doing business with Al- pant in the Doha Jewellery The Devji Aurum boutique at Alfardan Jewellery pavilion. fardan Jewellery for more and Watches Exhibition PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam than four decades and the over the years. jeweller says their com- Devji Aurum, which is attracts a large number of large collection of bridal pany is well aware of the featured at the Alfardan buyers and many of their wear, and many of them are tastes, likes and interests Jewellery pavilion at Doha clients were repeat visitors. available in traditional Ara- of customers in the Qatari Exhibition and Convention “Customers have been reg- bic designs. “It is interest- market. Centre, has been one of the ularly fl ocking to our bou- ing to fi nd that some Qatari “Each piece showcased fi rst jewellers in the Gulf re- tique as they are immensely women have a penchant for here has a unique feature gion, nearing more than six happy with our range of ornaments designed in In- or two, which every dis- decades of being a part of handcrafted ornaments,” he dian patterns and designs,” cernible customer in Qa- the business. stressed. added Kottiyan. tar knows about,” said Kottayan said the expo The jeweller has a fairly The Devji executive Kottiyan. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR ‘Boucheron has carved out a niche in Qatari market’

By Peter Alagos high-end in Qatar. Our position in the quite happy with this partnership,” other clients, Poulit-Duquesne regards the Middle East region as Business Reporter country is the one we should have at Poulit-Duquesne told Gulf Times in said Qatari women are “high-end an important market. Only recently, the worldwide level, meaning they an interview on the sidelines of the clientele”, who have a distinct taste Boucheron opened its second understand that Boucheron is a high- event. for world-class jewellery. boutique in Kuwait, she said. Boucheron has positioned itself as a end brand,” said Poulit-Duquesne, Asked about the role of the DJWE “They have initiative, they know Aside from preparations for the leading brand in Qatar owing to its who lauded Boucheron’s partnership in promoting Boucheron’s image everything and they really celebration of Boucheron’s 160th sophisticated craftsmanship, which with Fifty One East. in Qatar, she said: “The exhibition understand the product and the anniversary in July, other plans complements the Qataris’ innate “We are really happy with the is really an important tool to craftsmanship, the history, and in the pipeline include focus on passion and exquisite taste for high- collaboration with Fifty One East. position ourselves in the country. the position of the brand. They are newly-tapped markets in China and end jewellery. Because of this partnership, we are It also shows what we really do as in love with stones and with the Moscow. Qatar is an important market for growing more than steadily. They Boucheron and to present the high craftsmanship and design of our “The Middle East is very important Boucheron, according to its chief have positioned us in the right jewellery collection that we have. I pieces, so they are, I would say, an for us, but on the worldwide basis, executive off icer Hélène Poulit- direction. believe they are suff icient enough advanced type of clientele,” she our big priority is China where we Duquesne, who was in Qatar for the “We have the right clients in Qatar, so that people understand what we said. had just opened two boutiques last 15th Doha Jewellery and Watches some of whom we’ve already met are doing.” She noted that while Boucheron January. I would say that the Asia Exhibition (DJWE). and they love Boucheron and they Asked to describe the Qatari woman does not plan to open another Pacific region, excluding Japan, is Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, chief executive “I am happy that our image is really understand the brand, so I am and what distinguishes her from boutique in Qatar, the company still really a priority now,” she said. off icer, Boucheron. Boucheron dazzles visitors at Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

Boucheron has once again exceeded the expectations of clients and visitors at the annual Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition. Boucheron chief executive off icer Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, who was in Qatar recently, sat down with Gulf Times to discuss plans in the pipeline, including preparations for Boucheron’s 160th anniversary. Gulf Times: Provide a brief background of your career and your extensive experience in the world of watches and jewellery? Hélène Poulit-Duquesne: “I have been working for Cartier for more than 17 years, so…” GT: Cartier is just on the opposite side of the hallway... Poulit-Duquesne: “Yes! (laughs) I went Serpent Bohème Toi et Moi ring, set with malachite, in Goutte ring set with a pear diamond and rock crystal, to say ‘hello!’ to friends over there.” yellow gold. paved with diamonds, in white gold. “Because 17 years is a very long way, I think I basically got all my jewellery anniversary, the new collection of experience and watches because I high jewellery for July will be very also have been working with a lot special. And we present pieces that of watches at Cartier, which is good are really innovative not only in terms because Cartier is at the forefront of of aesthetic but also in terms of the jewellery industry. technique.” “I learned a lot about the stones…I’m GT: Can you tell us more about the in love with stones; I learned a lot Maison’s achievements in 2017? about watchmaking mechanisms, so Poulit-Duquesne: “In 2017, we’ve done I got a lot of experience, especially a lot of things. We’ve pretty much on the product side and also on the prepared everything for the 160th commercial side…the majority of my anniversary. We launched a new career at Cartier was on the product advertising campaign and a new retail side that’s why I am very linked to the concept that we’ve been deploying in product.” Geneva, Moscow, Paris. We also have GT: Where do you feel your strength Place Vendôme at night 1949. two new Chinese boutiques with this is? Is it on the product or commercial new concept. side, and how do you utilise that “We began the big work of renovating strength now that you are with Vendôme, our flagship boutique Boucheron? in Paris. We opened two boutiques Poulit-Duquesne: “I think my big in China. We opened a boutique in strength is with the vision. It’s Moscow. We launched the Serpent the feedback I got pretty much Bohème Couleur collection, which from everybody, and especially at is a great achievement and went Boucheron, because when I joined extremely well.” the company the first thing I said GT: This year, Boucheron celebrates was ‘I’ll set up a plan. I want to see its 160th anniversary. What plans were the shareholders to explain where put in place to highlight the house’s I want to go; to give the vision, and legacy? then validate it – that vision and the Poulit-Duquesne: “The first thing investment that we need to go there’. was Vendôrama – the exhibition that “Then I explained to all the company we held in Paris, which was really Frédéric Boucheron employees where we’re going, and important for the Maison. This lasted I think this is my main strength for two weeks. The second very because I truly believe that when important thing would be the launch people know where they are they in Paris of the high jewellery collection go faster but when they don’t know for the 160th anniversary in July. And where they go, they are like in a the last but not the least is that by mess.” the end of the year, there will be the GT: So, can you say that this strength reopening of the 26 Place Vendôme was what led you to Boucheron? Flagship, so we have three very big Poulit-Duquesne: “What led me to Serpent Bohème sleepers, L motif, set with rhodolite garnet, in pink gold. projects during the year to really Boucheron is special. In fact, I’ve been express our 160th anniversary.” known in the industry for years. I’m be really visionary in the way he really similar in the way we’re thinking GT: How would you describe the really interested in the history of the was doing things – pushing the about creation. And even in terms of enthusiasm of clients and the press diff erent Maisons, so I read a lot of boundaries of high jewellery in terms personality, we’re very close, so it’s towards the Vendôrama exhibition held books about the history of the brand, of craftsmanship but also in terms really very easy for us to discuss and by Boucheron last month in Paris? etc. of style, which was really interesting; to project Boucheron in the future. Poulit-Duquesne: “We did extremely “And when you know a lot about high that’s why he won the awards at GT: Does this come natural for you well! It was so outstanding. We jewellery, you’re supposed to be in international exhibitions in Paris. and your creative team? had incredible feedback from the love with Boucheron because the “He was really innovative in the way Poulit-Duquesne: “I think it’s quite press and also on social media. On positioning of the Maison is so, I would he was doing business – he was natural as soon as you’re clear on Instagram, people were all expressing say, that at the beginning of the late creating and manufacturing in terms the fact that you have to innovate on what they had experienced and they 19th century and the beginning of the of craftsmanship, and that’s why in something that is very strong in terms kept on posting online. 20th century, there were two Maisons the DNA of the brand there is still of patrimony.” “I think we really…at least in Paris it in Paris if you really have a nice piece a duty of innovation, so for us the GT: What distinguishes Boucheron was kind of a shock, like a wakeup call – Cartier and Boucheron. So, for me it creation is quite easy. You just take from other French and international in Boucheron and people that were was like a dream to join Boucheron. the patrimony and your duty is to luxury houses? thinking that Boucheron didn’t do a lot And, if you ask people from the make the most of it to go into the Poulit-Duquesne: “We always say in the past years were really like ‘wow, industry about Boucheron, they regard future.” internally the signature is ‘créateur Boucheron is back!’ so, the message the brand in high esteem.” GT: Frédéric Boucheron was ahead visionnaire’, so in the way we are was really good.” GT: How do you describe your of his time. Is it a challenge to be thinking we still envision the brand GT: You made a statement... management philosophy? innovative but at the same time for the future and not only in the Poulit-Duquesne: “In our country, in Poulit-Duquesne: “For me, it was not deviating from the vision of past. We’re not only doing what we’ve our city it was important to make a quite easy. The first thing I did when Boucheron? been doing in the last 160 years and I statement that Boucheron is back.” I joined the company was to dive Poulit-Duquesne: “I think it’s kind of think that’s really diff erent from other GT: Do you see another Vendôrama in into the archives, so I spent time in hard work. We have to work, meaning Maisons, and it’s really what positions the future? the books, in the drawings to really that every day we are questioning us diff erently in the market.” Poulit-Duquesne: “For the time being understand and be sure that what I ourselves ‘are we in the right GT: Boucheron has a unique ability to we considered going to Japan, so had in mind about Boucheron was still direction?’. But I think it is quite easy adapt, renew, and innovate. To what the next stop for Vendôrama should the patrimony of the brand. in a company like Boucheron because extent do you oversee the creative be in Tokyo... I think that majority of “Then, I felt convinced, which I knew we are a small, agile and pretty young side of Boucheron? the proposition would be the same before that I really understood company – young in terms of people. Poulit-Duquesne: “I’m really involved but to adapt a little bit to the type of that in the patrimony of the brand, “We have a really talented creative in products because I love products audience locally because we know Frédéric Boucheron was someone director, Claire Choisne, and we get and creation… Every week we have that Japanese people will not react really special and a great man. along very well together probably discussions based on the drawings exactly the same like Parisians, so we And Frédéric Boucheron used to because we’re two women and we’re that I receive… because it is our 160th have to adapt a little.” A view of Vendôrama. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 13 REGION/ARAB WORLD Rescuers say cannot keep up with air strikes battering Ghouta

Reuters operates in rebel territory, said Beirut it had documented at least 350 deaths in four days earlier this week. escuers in Syria’s eastern “Maybe there are many Ghouta said the bomb- more,” said Siraj Mahmoud, a Ring would not let up long civil defence spokesman in the enough for them to count the suburbs.”We weren’t able to bodies, in one of the bloodiest air count the martyrs yesterday be- assaults of the seven-year war. cause the warplanes are touring Warplanes pounded the rebel the skies.” enclave yesterday, the seventh As the bombs rain down, some day in a row of a fi erce escala- hitting emergency centres and tion by Damascus and its allies, vehicles, workers have struggled an emergency service, a witness to pull people from the rubble, and a monitoring group said. Mahmoud said. “But if we have Residents holed up in base- to go out running on our legs and ments and medical charities dig with our hands to rescue the decried attacks on a dozen hos- people, we will still be here.” pitals, as the United Nations A witness in Douma said Displaced Yemeni children, who fled due to the fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and rebels, stand outside a tent after attending a class at a camp in the northern district pleaded for a truce in Ghouta, he woke up in the early hours of Abs in Hajjah province, yesterday. the only big rebel bastion near on Saturday to the sound of a the capital. squadron of jets bombing near- The Damascus government by. and Russia, its key ally, say they The streets have mostly re- only target militants. mained empty. They have said they seek to The United Nations says near- stop mortar attacks injuring ly 400,000 people live in east- dozens in the capital, and have ern Ghouta, a pocket of satellite accused insurgents in Ghouta towns and farms under govern- IS-claimed suicide of holding people as human ment siege since 2013, without shields. enough food or medicine. There was no immediate com- The local opposition council ment from the Syrian military. said it was setting up emergency A surge of rocket fi re, shell- volunteer teams in several dis- ing and air strikes has killed over tricts to reinforce shelters with 500 people since Sunday night, sandbags and try to link them attacks kill fi ve in Aden the Syrian Observatory for Hu- through tunnels. man Rights said. “Every day we say God willing AFP The dead included more than tomorrow will be better...Today, Aden 120 children. the main sight in the Ghouta is The Britain-based monitor limbs, blood,” Mahmoud said. said raids hit Douma, Zamalka ”There is no need to dig graves, wo suicide car bombings and other towns there yesterday, we will be buried under our against security forces in killing 31 people. houses.” Tthe southern Yemeni port First responders searched for Several previous ceasefi re at- of Aden killed at least fi ve peo- survivors after strikes on Kafr tempts have quickly unravelled ple yesterday, offi cials said, in Batna, Douma and Harasta, the during the multi-sided confl ict, an attack claimed by the Islamic Civil Defence in eastern Ghouta which has killed hundreds of State group. said. thousands and forced 11mn peo- Five people, including secu- The rescue service, which ple out of their homes. rity offi cers and a child, died in the blasts at the headquarters of an anti-terror unit in the Tawa- hi district, Aden security chief General Shallal al-Shae said. He said 24 civilians on a nearby beach were wounded as were seven guards. Shae hailed the “vigilance” of the security forces, saying they intercepted the explosive-laden cars and stopped them entering the compound. IS propaganda arm Amaq claimed the attack in a message on the Telegram messaging app, Displaced Yemeni children attend a class inside a tent at a camp in the northern district of Abs in Hajjah province. saying two of the group’s fi ght- ers carried out the “martyr- ratists seize much of the strate- Hadi’s government since it was peatedly attacked Aden, claiming has fought alongside the Ha- dom-seeking” operation. gic coastal city from the Saudi- forced out of the capital Sanaa hundreds of victims and mainly di’s forces since 2015 in a war Syrian children injured by reported regime bombardment sit in a The bombings comes af- backed government. in 2014 by Houthi rebels. targeting government forces. against the Houthis from north make-shift clinic to receive treatment for their wounds in the ter deadly clashes in Aden last Aden has been the base of During the chaos in Yemen The UAE and Saudi Arabia Yemen that has left more than rebel-held town of Douma, yesterday. month that saw southern sepa- President Abd-Rabbu Mansour over the past few years IS has re- lead a military coalition that 9,200 people dead.

Palestinian Fates vary of foreign militants hurt after clashes detained in Iraq and Syria

AFP down. Iraq is one of the countries in the enclave of Afrin. The Kurdish QNA Qamishli the world that carries out the most administration in northeastern Syr- Occupied Jerusalem executions. ia is self-proclaimed, which leaves Most countries, especially in Eu- many legal question marks hanging raq and Syria’s Kurds have net- rope where a string of deadly attacks over its dealing with foreign states ne Palestinian was in- ted foreign militants by the has had a major impact on public over such an issue. jured during clashes that Ithousands but while the former opinion, do not want to see those The semi-autonomous region is Obroke out with the Israeli is expediting trials, the latter would detained nationals return on their led by a de facto government and occupation forces in Dheisheh rather send them home. soil. elections are due for its parliament refugee camp south of Bethle- A Baghdad court last Monday There appears to be little ambiva- but its fl edgling institutions are not hem yesterday. sentenced Frenchwoman Melina lence in Iraq over the fate of the for- recognised internationally. Palestinian security sources Boughedir to seven months in pris- eign fi ghters and their families. “According to which law can we told WAFA news agency that on, a term she had already served by “These people have killed, put sentence them?” Khalil asked, add- clashes erupted when the oc- the time she was tried. women into slavery... They have ing: “We don’t have big prisons.” cupation forces raided the camp The authorities only found her committed war crimes on Iraqi soil, Abdul Karim Omar, a senior offi - and the area of near Solomons guilty of entering Iraq illegally and and Iraqi law prevails,” said the main cial in one of the three cantons of the Pools. The soldiers opened fi re she will soon be able to return to spokesman of Iraq’s judiciary, Abdel autonomous Kurdish territory, said at the protesters resulting in one France, a country which was one of Sattar Bayraqdar. a bilateral deal had been reached getting injured in the foot from the Islamic State group’s main sup- with Indonesia and Russia, calling live fi re. pliers of foreign fi ghters. “We want foreign militants for others to follow suit. The Israeli forces also detained The 27-year-old is one among the to be tried in their “We wish to deliver these prison- 22-year-old Akram Atrash after thousands of foreigners suspected home countries” ers to their countries,” he said. raiding and ransacking his fam- of having fought for or supported But after being held up as the he- ily home in Dheisheh camp. At- militant groups, more or less direct- Across the border, the Syrian roes of the war against IS, Syria’s rash was shot and injured four ly, over the past years. Kurds have more misgivings. “We Kurds face the risk of isolation on months ago during clashes with Iraq, which has detained at least have arrested thousands of foreign the international scene and appear soldiers in the camp. 560 women, as well as 600 children, militants and we still capture some ready to accommodate some of the Meanwhile, the Israeli navy identifi ed as militant or relatives of every day,” Redur Khalil, a senior states least willing to take back their unit detained two Palestinian suspected IS fi ghters, is wasting no spokesman, said in the Kurdish re- militants. fi shermen in the sea of Al-Su- time in putting them on trial. gion of Syria. “If it’s not possible to deliver daniya, northwest of the Gaza In January, a court sentenced a Khalil is an offi cial in the People’s them, we will put them into court Strip, according to a WAFA. German woman to death on charges Protection Units, a group which here,” Omar said. The correspondent said Israeli of providing logistical support to formed the backbone of an outfi t Sentences in Syrian Kurdish navy boats opened fi re toward IS and on Sunday a Turkish woman that was the US-led coalition’s main courts go up to 20 years in jail for Palestinian fi shermen and their was also handed the death penalty. ground partner in the fi ght against terrorism-related charges but can boats, which were sailing about France so far has ignored appeals IS in Syria. be reduced. four nautical miles into the sea. by families and lawyers advocating “We want foreign militants to be The families of and lawyers of The navy forced two fi shermen repatriations and said it supported tried in their home countries,” he some of the detained foreign mili- to take off their clothes and go the idea of its nationals detained in said. tants have voiced concern that these in the water on a very cold day Iraq and Syria being tried there. The Kurdish forces have more im- foreign detainees will turn into bar- before detaining them and their Paris has said it would only inter- mediate priorities, such as fending gaining chips in geopolitical horse- boat. vene if death penalties were handed off a Turkish military off ensive on trading. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, February 25, 2018 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ 213th showroom opens in Kuwait

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has announced that its 213th showroom globally, located in Jaleeb Al Shuyoukh, Kuwait, has been inaugurated by Colonel Ibrahim al-Duay, Jaleeb Al Shuyoukh area Police Commander. Present on the occasion were General Ali Hamdan al-Daihani, Farwaniya Governorate consultant and acting manager of the Governor’s Off ice; Shamlal Ahamed M P, managing director - International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Abdul Salam K P, Group executive director - Malabar Group; management team members of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, well-wishers and guests. Turkey says Egypt presidential race starts with Sisi favourite to win

AFP Mussa is little known by the Banners by Sisi supporters Sabbahi, a former presidential US embassy public and previously backed glorifying him and calling for candidate, told a news confer- Cairo the incumbent. his re-election are strung across ence as the opposition called for Egypt’s National Election the streets, and the president’s a boycott in January. ampaigning began in Authority has urged the media every move and offi cial meet- Among key fi gures detained Egypt’s presidential to be “objective” and banned ings get wide media coverage. ahead of the polls were Abdel Celection yesterday with government offi cials from “try- Before becoming president Moneim Abul Fotouh, a former move ‘extremely incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ing to infl uence the outcome of in 2013, Sisi led the military in leading member of the out- likely to romp to victory in the the election, positively or nega- ousting the country’s fi rst freely lawed Muslim Brotherhood, absence of a serious challenger tively”. elected leader, the Islamist Mo- and former army chief of staff in the two-candidate race. Sisi’s campaign spokesman hamed Mursi. Sami Anan. The former army chief will Mohamed Bahaa Abu Shukka, He stormed to victory in the Abul Fotouh, who had joined face the head of the liberal Ghad in statements aired yester- following year’s presidential the call to boycott the election, worrying’ party, Mussa Mustapha Mussa, day by television stations, said election after security forces was also put on a terror list and after the other potential con- campaigners will canvass the crushed all his Islamist and lib- accused of spreading false news AFP salem,” the Turkish foreign min- to recognise East Jerusalem as tenders withdrew or were ar- country door to door to encour- eral opponents and sent hun- that could harm Egypt’s inter- Ankara istry said in a statement. the Palestinian capital. rested ahead of the March 26- age people to vote. dreds of them to prison. ests. “Turkey will continue its ef- East Jerusalem was annexed 28 polls. They will visit factories and His critics say he has silenced The army detained Anan, fort to protect the legitimate by Israel after it seized control In January, a coalition of farms to explain to voters the all forms of political opposition saying he announced his candi- urkey yesterday described rights of the Palestinian public... of the area in the 1967 war, but eight opposition parties and 150 importance of taking part in the during his fi rst four-year term. dacy illegally while still a regis- as “extremely worrying” against this extremely worrying the move has never been rec- public fi gures called for a boy- election even if Sisi is seen “as “How can we speak of an tered offi cer. Tthe US move to open its decision by the US,” the ministry ognised by the international cott of the election, branding it the favourite candidate,” Abu election when there is no guar- He was seen as the most embassy in Jerusalem in May to added. community.Jerusalem is per- a “charade”. Shukka said. antee of a free vote?,” Hamdeen credible election rival to Sisi. coincide with the 70th anniver- Ankara said the decision haps the most sensitive issue in sary of the founding of Israel. showed the US does not hear, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Friday’s announcement by “and worse still, does not care The Palestinian leadership Washington to move the em- about the voice of the interna- on Friday said the US move, a bassy from Tel Aviv to the dis- tional community’s conscience”. year earlier than originally ex- puted city follows US President Turkish President Recep pected, was “a provocation to Armed man detained ahead of Israel rally Donald Trump’s recognition of Tayyip Erdogan led condemna- Arabs”. Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in tion of the ruling in December The founding of Israel on December. and called an Organisation of May 14, 1948 is mourned by AFP then a porous border with Egypt in 2007. were shouts of “Blacks out!” and attacks “This decision shows the US Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Palestinians as the Nakba, or Tel Aviv Police said comments posted in response on African-run shops. Yesterday’s solidar- administration’s insistence on summit of the leaders of Mus- “catastrophe” when an esti- to the Facebook entry included “I am ity event was initiated by Israeli residents damaging the grounds for peace lim nations in Istanbul shortly mated 750,000 Palestinians ei- armed.” “Israel police immediately located of Neve Shaanan but organisers said they by trampling over international after Trump’s announcement ther fled or were expelled from sraeli police said they detained two men, the two suspects, detained them for ques- hoped that people would come from all over law, resolutions of United Na- last year. their homes in the war sur- one armed, after they allegedly made tioning and at the conclusion confi scated Israel to show support. tions Security Council on Jeru- The leaders urged the world rounding Israel’s creation. Ionline threats to disrupt a rally yester- from one of the suspects his weapon,” the The interior ministry says there are cur- day in solidarity with African migrants fac- statement added. rently about 42,000 African migrants in Is- ing expulsion. Police said they expected about 5,000 rael, half of them children, women or men It said the men were “detained for ques- people to take part in the solidarity rally, in with families.Single men have been given tioning” after a Facebook post apparently the Neve Shaanan neighbourhood of south the choice of leaving Israel by early April or Ancient necropolis uncovered south of Cairo calling for a violent counter-protest as op- Tel Aviv, where many of the migrants have facing indefi nite imprisonment. Egyptian archaeologists have discovered an Ptolomaic era. The site, which is more than 2,000 ponents of a government crackdown on the settled. Most are from Sudan or Eritrea and say ancient necropolis containing 40 stone sarcophagi, years old, is expected to take another five years to migrants gathered in Tel Aviv. A smaller counter-protest was taking they would be at risk if repatriated. about 1,000 small statues and a necklace charm excavate. “It’s only the beginning,” said Enany.”We “Friends it’s happening...the battle to place nearby, Israeli media said, but there Acknowledging that some could face bearing the hieroglyphic inscription “happy new are very soon going to add a new archaeological throw out the infi ltrators,” said the post, re- were no immediate reports of friction be- danger if returned home, Israel is propos- year”. attraction to Middle Egypt.” Egypt’s relics are a draw produced in a police statement.”It’s time to tween the two sides. ing to send them to an unnamed third coun- Antiquities minister Khaled El-Enany said yester- for foreign visitors and authorities hope new finds riot and defend our home.” Police were out in force and said they try, which migrants and aid workers say is day the discovery near Tuna al-Gabal, south of can help attract more as a way to help revive tour- The term “infi ltrators” is used by Israeli would not tolerate public disorder. Rwanda or Uganda. Cairo, consisted of a large number of burial shafts ism hit by the unrest that followed the overthrow of authorities and supporters of mass depor- In 2012, an anti-migrant demonstration The policy has drawn criticism from the dating from the late Pharaonic period to the early former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. tation to refer to the migrants, who began in Tel Aviv drew about 1,000 participants United Nations refugee agency as well as entering Israel illegally through what was and spiralled into a race riot in which there some Israelis. Yazidi survivor won’t return home for fear of new ‘genocide’

AFP sorrowful eyes said she and her Khalaf’s father and one of ternational court.” She said she Geneva family never expected to be at- her brothers were among those was consumed with thoughts tacked. killed, and she was abducted. of the estimated 3,000 Yazidi “We hadn’t harmed anybody, “When we were taken, they did women and girls who remain in arida Abbas Khalaf, one of we hadn’t off ended anybody... everything to us. captivity, and of the thousands thousands of Yazidi wom- We just wanted to live in peace,” They physically abused wom- who have gotten away but re- Fen abducted, raped and she said. en and girls as young as eight,” main stuck in poorly serviced brutalised by Islamic State group But the Kurdish-speaking she said. camps in Iraq. fi ghters, says the militants’ de- Yazidis, became particular tar- Khalaf was taken to one of IS’ “They need help, they need parture has not made it safe to gets of hatred for the IS extrem- infamous slave markets, where treatment, and they are not get- return to Iraq. ists that seized Sinjar in 2014 Yazidi women and girls were ting that” in the camps, she said, “Everything is still the same. and unleashed a brutal cam- sold and traded as slaves across warning that without support, The same people who joined paign against the minority that the militants’ self-proclaimed “many will die from suicide”. (IS) are still in those neighbour- the United Nations has called a and since-crumbled “caliphate” She hailed Germany, Canada hoods. “genocide”. When IS militants in Syria and Iraq. and Australia for taking in many How can we return and trust descended on the village, they “They picked the ones they Yazidi survivors, but said there them again?” Khalaf said in an gave the Yazidis two weeks to wanted, just like they were at the was an urgent need for more interview with AFP this week. convert — or risk the conse- supermarket or buying an ani- countries to do their part. “Who will guarantee that quences. mal,” she said. She also called on the inter- genocide will not happen again, Khalaf, who has written a In captivity, Khalaf said she national community to help re- by perpetrators using another book about her experience ti- managed to remain strong de- build the villages destroyed in name?” she asked, speaking tled: “The Girl Who Beat ISIS”, spite undescribable torment, Islamic State group fighters unleashed a brutal campaign against the Yazidi minority in Iraq’s northern Sinjar and to provide protection through a translator. described what happened when seeking inspiration in her faith Sinjar region in 2014. to Yazidis interested in returning Khalaf was 18 when IS fi ghters those two weeks were up. and upbringing, and in her de- home. “I could only consider go- arrived in her once peaceful vil- “They gathered all of us in sire to provide support to the girls their chance to get away. Asked what her daily life is December after a years-long ing back once I see justice, an in- lage of Kocho in Iraq’s northern the village and they asked us to younger girls held and ravaged After a long and arduous jour- like now, she said it was focused battle to retake large swathes of ternational court recognising this Sinjar region on August 3, 2014. convert. We refused, and they alongside her. ney, she fi nally made her way to on helping ensure recognition of territory the extremists seized as a genocide, and with interna- Speaking on the sidelines of started killing the men,” she said. She said she never stopped Germany, which has taken in the genocide committed against in 2014. But that is far from tional protection,” she said. a summit for human rights de- “That one day alone they thinking about escape, and af- more than 1,000 Yazidi survi- the Yazidis and “bringing IS to enough, Khalaf said, insisting: “Otherwise, how can we know fenders in Geneva, the young killed more than 450 men and ter four months, a poorly locked vors, providing them with refuge justice”. Baghdad declared vic- “I want to see IS and those who we will not face another woman with long black hair and boys.” door gave her and several other and psycho-social support. tory over the militant group last committed these crimes in in- genocide?” Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 15 AFRICA Cameroon opposition party picks presidential candidate

AFP Bamenda after veteran leader and He is fl uent in both English and country’s 23mn population. 74, said he would “pass the torch “With every passing day an in- said whether he will stand for Bamenda, Cameroon perennial presidential hopeful French, and the SDF draws much After easily beating two other to the person you choose” on nocent Cameroonian dies, a wife re-election, though his party re- John Fru Ndi ruled out running of its backing from two predomi- candidates, one of whom pulled Thursday after losing to Biya loses her husband,” Fru Ndi told gards him as “the natural candi- on Thursday. nantly English-speaking en- out late, in yesterday’s vote, Osih three times - in 1992, 2004 and Biya. date”. ameroon’s main oppo- Osih, a former businessman claves in the west of Cameroon, told the press that “our doors are 2011 - as well as boycotting the “Houses are being razed with Critics say his rule has been sition party yesterday who hails from the troubled anglo- formerly ruled by both Britain open” and he would not rule out a vote in 1997. no regard for life or human dig- characterised by ruthless exploi- Cselected deputy leader phone southwest of the country, and France. coalition with other parties. In a letter to Biya published nity, women are being raped and tation, corruption and repres- Joshua Osih as its presidential told excited activists that he would Tensions are high in the anglo- He will likely have a rival in yesterday, Fru Ndi accused the granaries with the fruit of sion. candidate to challenge the long- mobilise the party in all 366 local phone regions, where protesters prominent lawyer Akere Muna, government troops and police agricultural workers’ hard labour Anglophone demonstrators ruling President Paul Biya in authorities for the election, ex- who claim discrimination by the an anglophone who last month of committing “atrocities” in are reduced to ashes,” he added, have demanded a federal state, elections later this year. pected to be held in October. French-speaking majority have won the endorsement of sev- the anglophone regions, as he as he blamed the “forces of law while some secessionists have Osih was elected at a Social “Etoudi is within our reach,” he led to violence and a crackdown. eral small opposition parties and warned that the deepening rift and order.” even called for an independent Democratic Front (SDF) party said, referring to the presidential Anglophones account for grassroots groups. was “bringing us closer and clos- The 85-year-old Biya, in state they have dubbed “Am- congress in the western city of residence. about a fi fth of the west African The SDF’s founder Fru Ndi, er to civil war”. power since 1982, has not yet bazonia”. DRC bans anti-Kabila protest by Catholics

Agencies be with us in spirit,” said Gisele Kinshasa Mukadi from the poor, northern Matete district. “He supports us. It’s good he authorities in the Dem- to know for it motivates us ocratic Republic of Congo more.” Thave banned a protest Civil servant Cesar Babwe, march planned today against 62, found that Friday’s mass President Joseph Kabila, after was “spiritual rearmament for two similar rallies were brutally Sunday’s assault. The Pope is put down last month. with us. The universal church is Kinshasa governor Andre mobilised for peace in the DRC, Kimbuta told the Catholic or- which comes via democratic al- ganisers in a letter yesterday that ternatives.” without an agreed route, the city Political tension in DR Congo authorities “cannot guarantee has been mounting since Sep- proper supervision” of the dem- tember 2016, when clashes be- onstration. tween youths and security forces Kimbuta’s decision came af- left dozens of people dead in ter organisers were invited to a Kinshasa. Relatives of missing schoolgirls react in Dapchi in the northeastern state of Yobe, after an attack on the village by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria. More than 100 girls are reported working session to discuss pos- Fears have multiplied that a missing after the Boko Haram school attack that President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday called a “national disaster”. But locals in the remote town of Dapchi said they had been left sible routes but the meeting end- sprawling, chronically unstable vulnerable to attack because soldiers had been withdrawn in the last few weeks. ed without a deal when members country, which experienced wars of a key opposition group did not from 1996-97 and from 1998- turn up. 2003, could explode into vio- Fifteen people were killed by lence once more, shaking central security forces on New Year’s and southern Africa. Eve and January 21 in peace- Kabila, who took over from his ful protests that sought to heap assassinated father in 2001, is at pressure on Kabila to step down, the helm of a government that according to tolls given by the critics and grassroots groups say Fresh Nigeria abductions United Nations and organisers. is riven with corruption and in- The government says two peo- competence. ple died. He was due to stand down Today’s march in Kinshasa from offi ce in December 2016, was called by the Lay Co-ordi- ending his second elected term, nation Committee (CLC), an or- but he has controversially stayed a blow for girls’ education ganisation close to the church, on under laws enabling him to an infl uential social and spiritual retain power until his successor Agencies and said they were still missing. the London-based think tank setback for education for girls About 106 have been found force in the troubled central Af- is elected. London Nigerian President Muham- Chatham House, said. would only further the aims of or freed, but at least 100 are still rican country. Under a deal brokered by the madu Buhari on Friday called “This shows the state can- Boko Haram, whose name in believed to be in captivity in the Ahead of the protest, many church, he agreed that elec- the abduction a national dis- not guarantee that children in the local Hausa language means northeast. Catholics in the capital attended tions would be held by the end he kidnapping of doz- aster, and said he was sending school are safe,” she added. “Western education is forbid- The United Nations Chil- mass on Friday, heeding a call by of 2017. ens more schoolgirls in more troops and reconnaissance The abduction could hinder den.” dren’s Fund (Unicef) said the Pope Francis to pray for peace in But the plan fell through be- Tnortheast Nigeria by aircraft to look for the girls. girls’ education in Nigeria’s Activists also fear the fresh tragedy of the Chibok girls’ ab- their country and in war-bat- cause of what the authorities Boko Haram militants could un- “This is a national disaster. conservative northeast, where kidnappings could undermine duction had not been forgotten tered South Sudan. called “logistical problems” in dermine eff orts to keep girls in We are sorry that this could the majority of girls are married eff orts to negotiate the release of and described the latest kidnap- In the Sacred Heart church, preparing the vote. schools and threaten progress have happened and share your off before they turn 18, accord- the Chibok schoolgirls, and pos- ping as a “new horror”. Father Crispin Mbala urged In January, Kabila said he on women’s education in the re- pain,” Buhari said in a statement ing to charity Girls Not Brides. sibly even pave the way for more It said more than 2,295 teach- Christians to join the non-vio- stood by the latest timetable to gion, experts said. directed to the parents of the “Already, trying to convince abductions by Boko Haram. ers had been killed and almost lent march. hold elections - on December At least 100 schoolgirls from missing girls. parents to keep their daughters “The Dapchi incident is a ma- 1,400 schools destroyed since “The antidote to fear is com- 23 this year, two years later than the village of Dapchi were Earlier in the week he sent in school is a challenge,” said jor setback for hopes and expec- the insurgency began in 2009. mitment,” the Jesuit priest told scheduled. snatched by a faction of the mil- more security forces and a min- Aisha Mohamed-Oyebode, co- tations for a conclusive release Boko Haram has killed more worshippers in a church fre- But he has refused to state itant group last week, according isterial team to the area. convener of the Bring Back Our of the remaining Chibok girls than 20,000 people and forced quented by several prominent clearly whether he intends to to the government, in a mass The mass kidnapping may Girls campaign that drew inter- and all others still held by Boko more than 2mn others to fl ee public fi gures. stand again. kidnapping that echoed the ab- drive parents to keep their chil- national attention to the Chibok Haram,” said Nnamdi Obasi, In- their homes during its nine-year Some churchgoers said on Fri- Every Thursday, at 9pm, duction of some 220 girls from a dren out of school due to fears abductions. ternational Crisis Group senior insurgency. day how they felt bolstered by church bells toll across the city to Chibok school in April 2014. for their safety, analysts say. “Now, this added fear of more analyst for Nigeria. The militant group has gained Francis’ action. remind people of the 2016 tran- Authorities said on Wednes- “If I was a parent in Nigeria, girls being abducted - it’s going Nigeria is still haunted by the global infamy for its use of chil- “When we march on Sunday, sitional agreement and the need day the Dapchi girls had been I’d be so scared to send my child to make it even more diffi cult.” kidnapping of the Chibok girls dren, including girls, as “human we won’t be alone. The Pope will to keep it. rescued, but later backtracked to school,” Sola Tayo, a fellow at Mohamed-Oyebode said any in 2014. bombs” in suicide attacks.

Private birthday party for Mugabe Death toll from Somalia Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe celebrated his 94th birthday yesterday with a private black-tie party hosted blasts rises to 45: offi cial by his family, three months after he was ousted from power. Mu- gabe’s birthday was previously a Reuters and guards of offi cials who were wall was partly destroyed in the major public event in Zimbabwe, Mogadishu at the scene. The death toll may blast. marked by an outpouring of fawn- rise,” Major Mohamed Abdullahi Al Shebaab said its attackers ing congratulations and tributes told Reuters yesterday. had killed 35 soldiers and fi ve of in off icial media from regime he death toll from twin car “At the hotel, at least 21 died. its fi ghters were also killed. loyalists, government ministries bomb blasts in the Somali So the total I have is 36 dead and “Five including the two driv- and agencies. His actual birthday Tcapital late on Friday has more others injured.” ers martyred from our side. We on Wednesday was declared an risen to 45 from the initially re- He said the main attack in- killed 35 soldiers in last night’s annual public holiday for the first ported 18, a senior government volved the use of a vehicle loaded operations. The other Muja- time this year, but the occasion offi cial said yesterday. with explosives attempting to hideen came back safely,” Ab- was greeted without fanfare. “The Al Qaeda-linked Al Shebaab breach a checkpoint leading to diasis Abu Musab, Al Shebaab’s party is only for close family mem- militants claimed responsibility the presidential palace, but secu- military operations spokesman, bers and friends. It is not for the for the attack near the president’s rity forces prevented the assault. said. public and it is strictly by invite,” residence and a hotel close by. “The security forces foiled The group wants to overthrow Louisa Nyanhongo, a member “The death toll from last the intent of the terrorists. They the Somali government and im- of Mugabe’s close circle, said. An night’s blasts has risen to 45, and were aiming for key targets but pose its own administration. invitation card that appeared on 36 others were injured,” the offi - they could not even go closer, It has killed hundreds of civil- social media said guests would be cial, who asked not to be named, there were fi ve of them killed ians across East Africa and thou- “celebrating our hero”, alongside told Reuters. by the security force,” Abdulahi sands of Somalis in a decade- a smiling photograph of Mugabe. Separately, a police offi cer said said. long insurgency. The card said the party was at he was sure of 36 deaths. The ambulance services had In October, more than 500 “Blue Roof” - the lavish private “At least 15 people including a put the toll at 18 on Friday, and people were killed in twin bomb residence where Mugabe and his military offi cer and a local cialoffi updated it to 21 early yesterday. blasts in Mogadishu. wife Grace, 52, have been living in died outside the palace last night. Reuters pictures showed at Those attacks were the dead- apparent seclusion since he was And more than that were injured. least fi ve vehicles destroyed out- liest since Al Shebaab began an A resident stands within the debris at the scene after a suicide car explosion in front of Doorbin hotel in forced to resign after a military They were mostly palace guards side the hotel, whose perimeter insurgency in 2007. Mogadishu, Somalia. intervention. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, February 25, 2018 AMERICA

Woman rams Governor pushes new WH barrier

Reuters Washington

Tennessee woman driving a white van on Friday Florida gun sale limits intentionally drove into a White House security Abarrier but did not breach it, and she was imme- Reuters On Capitol Hill on Friday, a diately apprehended and put under arrest, the US Secret Parkland, Florida group of 18 House Republicans Service said. urged House Speaker Paul Ryan No shots were fi red and no law enforcement personnel to schedule a vote on legislation were hurt, the Secret Service said in a statement. lorida Governor Rick Scott, a strengthening background checks. Previous encounters with the 35-year-old woman loyal ally of the US gun lobby The legislation already passed from La Vergne, Tennessee, near the White House had Funder mounting pressure to the House in December. resulted “in numerous arrests for a variety of criminal act in the aftermath of last week’s But it was coupled with a con- violations,” it added, without giving her name. deadly mass shooting, urged state troversial measure aimed at sig- “The female was again charged today with numer- lawmakers on Friday to tighten ac- nifi cantly expanding permits for ous criminal violations and transported to the Metro- cess to fi rearms for young people carrying concealed weapons. politan Police Department,” the statement said, adding and the mentally disturbed. The group of House Republi- that normal operations had resumed at the White House Scott said he would work with cans urged Ryan to bring it to the complex. the Republican-controlled legis- House fl oor as a stand-alone bill so The woman was seen holding a gun in her hand, ac- lature over the next two weeks to that it will have a greater chance of cording to a police report cited by the local Fox network raise the minimum legal age for approval by the Senate and enact- TV station. buying any gun in Florida from 18 ment into law. According to the report, she faces charges of unlawful to 21, with some exceptions for Scott also called for posting law entry, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of younger individuals serving in the enforcement offi cers in every pub- an unregistered fi rearm, aggravated assault on a police military or law enforcement. lic school and for mandatory “ac- offi cer, assault with a dangerous weapon-car, destruc- That proposal put the Repub- tive shooter training” for students tion of government property and contempt of court, the lican governor at odds with the and faculty. Fox station said. National Rifl e Association (NRA), He spoke as staff members were The Washington Metropolitan Police Department did which has opposed higher age lim- returning to Stoneman Douglas for not immediately respond to a Reuters enquiry. its in Florida, where a person must the fi rst time since the massacre. “This minivan came and crashed into the barricade be at least 21 to buy a handgun but “Everything was quiet, and and tried to push through the barricade and his tires can be as young as 18 to purchase looked like it was frozen in time,” were burning rubber and a lot of smoke was coming up,” an assault rifl e. social studies teacher Greg Pitt- eyewitness Chris Bello, 50, of New York, told reporters But Scott, who has been en- man said. near the scene. dorsed by the NRA and received its A young man views memorials on a fence surrounding Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Outside the school, some teach- “And then about 30 seconds after that the two secu- highest rating for supporting the ers gazed at fl owers and makeshift rity guards that were in the booth, you know, ordered rights of gun owners, said he op- in giving us the proactive ability to Lauderdale suburb of Parkland were use a gun,” echoing similar calls by memorials. him to stop doing what he was doing and he didn’t lis- posed an outright ban on assault keep Florida safer.” shot with a semiautomatic AR-15- US President Donald Trump. One woman who brought bal- ten,” Bello said. rifl es, as some gun control advo- But critics of the plan, which style assault weapon, which author- The governor called in particular loons to add to the displays fell to The White House was put on a temporary partial lock- cates have demanded. closely mirrored proposed meas- ities say was purchased legally last for a new program allowing a family her knees in tears. down following the crash, which occurred shortly after He also backed adoption of a law, ures unveiled on Friday by leaders year by the accused gunman, Niko- member, police offi cer or commu- Classes are due to resume on a meeting there between President Donald Trump and like those enacted in a handful of of the state legislature, said it failed las Cruz, when he was 18 years of age. nity welfare expert to seek a special Wednesday, but the building where Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was other states, allowing police and to go far enough. Cruz, now 19, a former Stone- court order barring the purchase or most of the bloodshed occurred still at the White House. family members to obtain restrain- “He is doing the bare minimum,” man Douglas student who authori- possession of a fi rearm by anyone will remain closed. Trump later tweeted: “Thank you to the great men ing orders to bar people suspected said US Senator Bill Nelson, a ties said had a history of run-ins shown to pose a safety threat due to Speaking to reporters on Friday, and women of the United States @SecretService for a of posing a threat of violence from Florida Democrat widely expected with the law and was expelled from mental illness or violent behavior. Trump criticised the armed sher- job well done!” possessing guns. to face a re-election challenge this school for disciplinary problems, Scott also urged amending state iff ’s deputy assigned to the school Streets surrounding the White House were cordoned Broward County Sheriff Scott year from Scott. has been charged with 17 counts of law so that anyone involuntarily for doing a “poor job.” off , snarling local traffi c. Israel, who is leading the investi- Julie Kessel, president of the premeditated murder. hospitalized as dangerously men- The deputy, Scot Peterson, re- A reporter for the local Fox affi liate tweeted that a wit- gation of the February 14 shoot- League of Women Voters of Flor- In addition to age limits, Scott tally ill be stripped of all access to signed after an internal investiga- ness had reported seeing offi cers pull a woman out of the ing rampage at Marjory Stoneman ida, called Scott’s proposals “very said he wanted to change state laws fi rearms, with a court hearing re- tion found he failed to go inside and vehicle’s window at gunpoint. Douglas High School, welcomed small, incremental changes.” to make it “virtually impossible for quired before their gun rights could confront the shooter, the Broward He posted a photograph of what he said was the white Scott’s plan as a “strong fi rst step The 17 people slain in the Fort anyone who has mental issues to be restored. sheriff said on Thursday. minivan that hit the barrier. Reuters video showed the minivan with an American fl ag emblem on the back and with both its rear window and a side window smashed. The video showed a law enforcement offi cer checking Corporate partners cut cord with NRA as gun control debate rages the underside of the van with a mirror. CNN, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, said the action of driving into the barricade was not directed The fallout over last week’s shooting Alphabet Inc’s Google and Roku nationwide had off ered incentives to And North American Van Lines aimed solely at boosting gun sales,” at the president or anyone at the White House and that rampage at a Florida high school Inc on Friday, asking them to drop NRA members, according to Think- said it was scrapping its an aff iliate wrote screenwriter Randi Mayem mental health issues may have been a factor. started to take its toll on National NRATV from their platforms. Progress.com, a news site owned by relationship with the NRA. Singer. Rifle Association’s roster of corporate “We have been just disgusted by the Center for American Progress David Hogg, one of the student Moms Demand Action, which sent partners on Friday as a half dozen NRATV since its beginning,” Shannon Action Fund. survivors of last week’s attack who the letters to the streaming platform, Trump urges Mexico to block companies severed marketing ties Watts, founder of the Moms Demand The attrition started late Thursday launched the #NeverAgain anti- also posted an online petition using with the gun advocacy organisation. Action group, told Reuters. “It tries to when three rental car brands owned gun violence movement, said the the hashtag #DumpNRATV. illegals coming from El Salvador The exodus of corporate names, pit Americans against one another, by Enterprise Holdings Inc said they students would target any company “To be aff iliated with them, ranging from a major insurer to car all in an attempt to further their were ending discount programs, and with ties to the NRA, in addition to whether you are a company or a S President Donald Trump on Friday called on rental brands and a household mov- agenda of selling guns.” First National Bank of Omaha said it lawmakers who accept donations. lawmaker, it is not going to pay off in Mexico to do more to prevent violent illegal im- ing company, occurred after the NRA AT&T said it does not carry NRATV. would not renew the NRA’s contract About a dozen other companies the long run,” said Watts, the group’s Umigrants from El Salvador from entering the launched a counter-off ensive against None of the other companies to issue a co-branded Visa card. with marketing ties to the NRA, in- founder, signaling the start of a United States, again pushing his long-proposed border a student-led campaign for tighter immediately responded to requests By Friday, the list of defectors cluding FedEx Corp and Hertz, which broader campaign. “Doing business wall but stopping short of saying Mexico would fund it. US gun ownership laws. for comment. expanded to include Symantec Corp, off er discount programs, did not with the NRA is clearly bad business.” Trump, in a post on Twitter, said US law enforcement At the same time, gun control The US Constitution’s Second which ended an discount program respond to requests for comment. The target of its ire is NRATV, was removing gang members from El Salvador but that activists are stepping up pressure on Amendment protects the right of for its LifeLock identity theft product. Meanwhile, an online campaign which describes itself as “America’s they continued to return, adding: “El Salvador just takes Amazon.com Inc and other online Americans to bear arms. Home security company using the Twitter hashtag #StopN- Most Patriotic Team on a Mission to our money, and Mexico must help MORE with this prob- streaming platforms to drop the on- The NRA, which has long used SimpliSafe and Hertz Corp also termi- RAmazon picked up steam, putting Take Back The Truth.” lem. We need The Wall!” line video channel NRATV, featuring campaign donations and eff ective nated discount programs. pressure on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos The channel features program- El Salvador’s Foreign Ministry rejected Trump’s com- gun-friendly programming produced lobbying to command political influ- Chubb Ltd said it would stop un- to drop the channel. ming that leans heavily on speeches ments, saying they “again, go against the dignity of the by the NRA. ence, argues that stricter gun control derwriting a NRA-branded insurance Many of those tweeting are in the by NRA chief executive Wayne LaPi- country and omit the eff orts and contributions” in re- Moms Demand Action for Gun would erode individual rights. policy for gun owners that covers entertainment industry. erre and spokeswoman Dana Loesch. gional cooperation with the United States in fi ghting Sense in America, founded after 20 The group has not commented on legal costs in self-defense shootings. “Ironic how the @NRA likes to Yet another campaign, using the criminal gangs. first-graders were shot and killed at a companies cutting ties. Another insurer, MetLife Inc, also point a finger at what kids watch on hashtag #BoycottNRA, was the top The Salvadoran government underscored recent ar- Connecticut school in 2012, sent let- Before the corporate defec- said it had ended an auto and home TV...while they spew vile rhetoric on trending topic on Twitter on Friday rests of gang leaders and hits to their criminal organisa- ters to Apple Inc, AT&T Inc, Amazon, tions, nearly two dozen companies incentive program for NRA members. NRAtv, streamed on @Amazon and morning. tions, as well as joint eff orts with Honduras and Guate- mala, collectively known as the Northern Triangle.

Manafort ‘paid’ Europeans to lobby for pro-Moscow Kyiv Hair Force One: Trump admits

AFP sion with the Trump campaign of working for him, eventually re- did not charge Manafort with struggle to hide his bald spot Washington money laundering, tax fraud and turned to the United States and, in any crime specifi cally tied to the banking fraud connected to work 2016, joined Trump’s presidential Hapsburg Group, those activities he did for Viktor Yanukovych from election campaign. were cited to show Manafort had DPA onald Trump’s ex-cam- 2006-2014. Backed by Moscow, Yanukovych been actively lobbying for Ukraine Washington paign chief Paul Manafort Austrian media reported that was eyed suspiciously at the time and had allegedly broken laws by Dsecretly paid a group of the former European chancellor in in much of Europe for his pro-Rus- not registering as such in the Unit- former senior European politicians question was Alfred Gusenbauer, sia stance and widespread accusa- ed States. resident Donald Trump has confi rmed more than 2mn euros ($2.5mn) to the country’s leader from 2007-8. tions of deep corruption. In Kiev, Ukrainian prosecu- Washington’s worst-kept secret: He’s lobby for Ukraine’s then-leader Gusenbauer yesterday denied Manafort is believed to have tors said yesterday they wanted to Pbalding under his wispy blond helmet backed by Russia, US prosecutors to the Austria Press Agency and to been behind Yanukovych’s spec- co-operate with Washington over of hair. have claimed. public radio that he had conducted tacular political comeback after Manafort. After a raucous reception from the Con- The charges, lodged in a Wash- any such lobbying work, however, huge protests dubbed the Orange Sergiy Gorbatyuk, head of spe- servative Political Action Conference on Fri- ington federal court by Special adding that he had never heard of Revolution overturned his fraud- cial investigations at the General day at a resort outside Washington, the right- Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday, the Hapsburg Group. tainted victory in 2004. Prosecutor’s Offi ce, said Ukrain- wing populist pointed at his face on a video said Manafort retained the so- With Manafort’s help Yanu- ian prosecutors would be sending screen, calling it “a nice picture.” called Hapsburg Group of onetime “We have criminal kovych’s Party of Regions won a letter to Mueller in the coming As the approving audience roared, Trump politicians to “take positions fa- proceedings under way parliamentary elections in 2006 days. seemed to focus on his scalp, waving his hand vourable to Ukraine, including by where we are looking into and in 2010 he beat rival Yulia Ty- “We want to understand how over the back of his head while staring at the lobbying the United States.” Paul Manafort’s activities. moshenko in a presidential poll. they will be co-operating with us,” screen. The group, which operated The accusations overlap Yanukovych’s allies say that Gorbatyuk told AFP. “Oh, boy,” the 71-year-old sighed, with an from 2012-2013, was managed by with our investigation. Until the shrewd political strategist had “We have criminal proceedings air of resignation. an unnamed “former European now we had practically no enormous infl uence over him. under way where we are looking Trump feigned primping his hair, then chancellor,” who along with other co-operation” A report in the Atlantic maga- into Paul Manafort’s activities,” he shrugged to the audience. members of the group lobbied US zine said the two men developed a added. “I try like hell to hide that bald spot, folks. I legislators and White House offi - “I met Manafort two times I “highly personal relationship” and “The accusations made against work hard at it,” he said. US President Donald Trump speaks about his cials, the indictment alleged. think...but I had nothing to do even swam naked together outside him overlap with our investiga- “Doesn’t look bad, hey, we’re hanging in. hair during the 2018 Conservative Political They were to “appear to be pro- with Paul Manafort’s activities Yanukovych’s bathhouse. tion and cooperation is important We’re hanging in, we’re hanging in there, Action Conference at National Harbor in viding their independent assess- in Ukraine or with Yanukovych’s Yanukovych currently lives in to achieve results,” Gorbatyuk said. right? Together, we’re hanging in.” Oxon Hill, Maryland on Friday. ments of government of Ukraine Party of Regions and his activities Russia and is wanted in Ukraine for “That’s what we should say in The signature hair style worn for decades actions, when in fact they were in the US,” Gusenbauer, 58, told ra- high treason. the letter to Mueller.” by the New York real estate tycoon and former large patch of nearly bare scalp on the back of paid lobbyists for Ukraine,” ac- dio station Oe1. The Hapsburg Group was meant He added that Ukrainian pros- television star was already the subject of ridi- his head and fl ooding social media with photos cording to the indictment. Yanukovych served as Ukraine’s to “act informally and without any ecutors wanted to question Mana- cule long before he won the 2016 election as a and videos. Manafort, 68, has been accused president from 2010 until he was visible relationship” to the Ukraine fort several years ago but a formal political novice. Medical records disclosed last month by by the team investigating Russian ousted in 2014 as a result of a pop- government, a memorandum writ- request sent to the US authorities Trump’s confession on Friday followed his Trump’s White House doctor noted a 1-milli- meddling in the 2016 US presiden- ular uprising. ten by Manafort in June 2012 read. went unanswered. “Until now we February 2 bad hair day, when he was board- gram daily dose of Propecia, a drug to combat tial elections and possible collu- After that, Manafort stopped While the latest indictment had practically no co-operation.” ing Air Force One in swirling winds, exposing a male-pattern baldness. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 17 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

UNREST Three bombs rock capital of Myanmar’s Rakhine state

New US sanctions ‘threaten Three bombs exploded early yes- terday in the capital of Myanmar’s Rakhine state, a cauldron of ethnic tensions roiled by insurgencies and a military crackdown on the Rohingya, injuring one police of- co-operation over North Korea’ ficer, off icials said. The three blasts at separate locations around Sit- Reuters tunate for the world” if the steps Foreign Ministry said the gov- demand the US side immedi- China remains North Korea’s tigate its citizens and entities twe included one at the home of Beijing did not work. ernment had always fully and ately stops such relevant mis- largest trading partner and sole suspected of helping North Ko- a high-ranking off icial, police said. In addressing the Trump ad- thoroughly enforced United taken actions to avoid harming major ally, though overall trade rea. Besides the bloody campaign ministration’s biggest national Nations resolutions on North bilateral cooperation in the rel- has fallen in recent months as It also called on Taiwan fi rms against the Rohingya in the hina reacted with an- security challenge, the US Korea, and absolutely did not evant area,” it added, without the sanctions take eff ect. and citizens not to break UN state’s north, Rakhine has been ger yesterday to new US Treasury sanctioned one per- allow any of its citizens or com- elaborating. The latest US sanctions name sanctions. struggling with a decade-long Csanctions aimed at in- son, 27 companies and 28 ships, panies to contravene them. China has repeatedly ex- two Chinese shipping fi rms Reuters was unable to reach rebellion fought by ethnic Rakhine creasing pressure on nuclear- according to a statement on China will “seriously han- pressed opposition to any sanc- — Shandong province-based Tsang or his companies, Pro- Buddhist insurgents, though equipped North Korea, saying the US Treasury Department’s dle” in accordance with the law tions against North Korea not Weihai World-Shipping Freight Gain Group Corp and Kingly bombings in the state capital the unilateral targeting of Chi- website. those found to have done so, it done within the framework of and Shanghai-based Shang- Won International Company are rare. The blasts hit at around nese fi rms and people risked The sanctions’ targets in- added. the United Nations, and insisted hai Dongfeng Shipping Co Ltd Ltd, for comment. 4:00am (2130 GMT Friday), the harming co-operation on the clude a Taiwan passport holder, “China resolutely opposes it is fully enforcing the exist- Reuters was unable to locate Tsang declined to talk to a off icer said. One was detonated problem. as well as shipping and energy the US side enacting unilateral ing — and already very tough — contact details for the Chinese reporter from Taiwan’s Apple in the compound of the state The United States said on fi rms in mainland China, Hong sanctions and ‘long-armed ju- sanctions. companies. Daily yesterday morning, ac- government secretary’s home, Friday it was imposing its larg- Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. risdiction’ in accordance with China’s January trade with The United States also named cording to video footage from while the two others exploded in est package of sanctions aimed The actions block assets held its domestic law against Chi- North Korea fell to the lowest Taiwan citizen Tsang Yung Yuan the newspaper. front of an off ice in the city and on at getting North Korea to give by the fi rms and individuals in nese entities or individuals,” the level since at least June 2014, and designated two of his com- The self-ruled island’s Justice a road leading to a beach. A local up its nuclear and missile pro- the United States and prohibit ministry said. the latest sign that China has panies in the sanctions list. Ministry said authorities have off icial from the state government grammes, and President Donald US citizens from dealing with “We have already lodged kept up pressure on its isolated Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry launched a probe into Tsang and confirmed the explosions. Photos Trump warned of a “phase two” them. stern representations with the neighbour in line with United said it was in touch with the his two companies, Taiwan’s of the sites showed shattered that could be “very, very unfor- In a terse statement, China’s US side about this issue, and Nations trade sanctions. United States and would inves- Central News Agency reported. windows and scattered debris.

Communist Party to meet on reform ahead of govt reshuffl e

Reuters would entail. The statement said China needs Beijing to “further supply-side structural reform” and “deepen reform in keep areas”, and “boost con- sumption and eff ective investment”. It also said hina’s ruling Communist Party will hold the government “needs to maintain the continu- a three-day meeting of its top offi cials ity and sustainability of its economic policy.” Cstarting tomorrow to discuss deepening China will also continue to adopt a proactive of reform, and will also likely decide on key per- fi scal policy and a prudent monetary policy to sonnel decisions ahead of a government reshuffl e fulfi l its 2018 economic and social development next month. goals, Xinhua added. In a statement on Saturday following a meet- China’s economy grew 6.9% in 2017, the fi rst ing chaired by President Xi Jinping, who is also annual acceleration in economic growth since head of the party, the offi cial Xinhua news agency 2010. This will be the third plenary session of the said the party’s Central Committee would hold a party since a party congress ended in October plenary session from Feb 26 to Feb 28. with a slew of new senior party posts announced. The Central Committee is the largest of the The overseas edition of the party’s People’s party’s elite decision-making bodies, and is Daily said on its WeChat account that since 1978, made up of 204 full members and about 170 al- third plenums have traditionally been about ternate members. deepening reform, and everyone should “pay The meeting overseen by Xi discussed propos- close attention” to what message on reform this als about deepening of reform for government plenum puts out. bodies, which will be put to the plenum for for- This year marks 40 years since China began mal approval. landmark economic reforms following the chaos It did not give details of what those reforms of the Cultural Revolution.

Pro-democracy activists wearing masks mock Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as Pinocchio during a protest against junta at a university in Bangkok, yesterday. Jumbo celebration Thailand activists in masks protest against junta leader

Reuters have gained momentum in re- “Elections must take place this “We urge everyone in the Bangkok cent weeks with gatherings tak- year. Down with dictatorship. country to come out and join us,” ing place in several provinces Long live democracy.” said Rangsiman Rome, another across Thailand. Around 100 police offi cers activist in Bangkok. “It’s time to undreds of pro-democ- Yesterday, around 300 activ- were deployed at the university take back our future. racy activists in Thailand ists congregated at Bangkok’s but they did not interfere with Prayuth and Prawit must go,” Hwore cartoon masks por- Thammasat University, wearing the event. Offi cials have so far he added, referring to another traying the country’s junta lead- and distributing paper masks re- not commented on the latest junta leader Prawit Wongsuwan. er with a long nose yesterday, sembling Prime Minister Pray- spate of protests, but last week Watana Muangsook, a mem- calling him a “liar” for delaying uth Chan-ocha to Pinocchio. a spokesman for the junta said ber of the Puea Thai party which a general election promised this One of them, Sirawith Ser- it was not concerned by the pro- has won every election in the last year. itiwat, said the mask was called tests and would rely on the po- decade, also came to Saturday’s The junta has promised and Yuth-nocchio — a reference to lice to maintain peace and order. gathering “to show support” to postponed elections several the infamous fi ctional charac- Prayuth said earlier this week the activists. times since it came to power fol- ter whose nose gets longer every young activists should focus on “People have the right to de- lowing a coup in 2014, with the time he lies. their studies and “not think they mand elections,” Wattana said. latest date set for November. “Enough with the lies.Time’s have to change the country.” The junta lodged a lawsuit last The military-appointed legis- up for dictatorship. It’s the peo- Protests are planned for every week against seven activists for lature changed the election law ple’s time now. We must vote this Saturday in March and May in inciting unrest and 43 protesters last month, signalling another year,” Sirawith told the crowd. Bangkok and other provinces, for illegal gathering after a pro- delay to early 2019. Activists also held up three with a large gathering between test last month at the Democracy Contestant Kwanrapee Boonchaisuk reacts as she is crowned winner of the Miss Jumbo 2018 That sparked a series of anti- fi ngers, which they said symbol- May 19-22 to mark the four-year Monument in Bangkok that also at a department store in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand yesterday. junta, pro-election protests that ised their demands in the slogan: anniversary of the coup. involved hundreds of activists. Australia mullet heads celebrate hairstyle revival

AFP “It’s... one of the most Australian cul- Kurri Kurri tural haircuts you can have. You’ve got to grow a mullet at least once in your life- time. It’s not a hairstyle, it’s a lifestyle,” Business at the front, party at the he said. back” was the mantra for the crowd The winner of the junior division, “of Australians sporting a mullet 12-year-old Alex Keavy, said he was haircut at an inaugural festival celebrating not fazed by the style’s old-fashioned the vintage style yesterday. reputation.“It’s out of its time but I still More than 150 people showcasing the like it and all my friends keep telling me hairstyle popular in the 1970s and 80s that they want one but I don’t think a lot fl ocked to a small town north of Sydney of people can wear it properly,” he said. for the event, swishing their locks and pa- “I just love it because I like its style and rading their chops to cheering fans. I like long hair.” The mullet has remained a staple hair- Laurie Manurele, who drove 12 hours style in Kurri Kurri, some 150 kilometres from the neighbouring state of Victoria from Sydney, according to Laura Johnson, to take part in the contest, has tended his a local publican who organised the festi- mullet for 46 years. val. Thirty-one-year-old Australian Shane Hanrahan (centre) celebrates after winning the He said he was impressed at the com- “There’s a school of thought from our “best mullet” award at Mulletfest 2018 in the town of Kurri Kurri, 150kms north of petition he faced.“The quality of mullets locals at our table of knowledge here at the Sydney, yesterday. here today is absolutely unbelievable,” he Chelly (Chelmsford) Hotel that they have said. had the mullets for the longest,” she said sporting their mullet haircut for over 60 contest participant passionate about the “It’s amazing what’s out there and at Kurri Kurri yesterday. years.” style, the cut is timeless and also intrinsi- Australia is the capital of the world for A child sports a mullet haircut at Mulletfest 2018 in the town of Kurri Kurri. “We’ve got folks here that have been For Lloyd Martin, a fl amboyant mullet- cally Australian. mullets.” Gulf Times 18 Sunday, February 25, 2018 BRITAIN

Green way Big six UK energy companies routinely overcharge customers

Guardian News and Media its only dropped 1% despite los- London ing 750,000 customers to more competitively priced rivals. More than half of British Gas he UK’s big six energy customers are on SVTs, with companies have been ac- similar shares for E.ON, EDF and Tcused of dirty tricks after npower. analysis for the Guardian re- SSE has the highest propor- vealed that they are routinely tion, and Scottish Power the charging customers almost ex- lowest. actly the same amount after The data compiled by Octo- switching them off controversial pus on big six pricing tactics is a default tariff s. snapshot taken of tariff s off ered In the face of Theresa May’s on February 18 in the London re- plans to impose a price cap on gion. standard variable tariff s (SVTs), It excludes fi xed tariff s with which more than half of energy extras, such as boiler cover. customers are on despite their While the gap is small or non- steep prices, companies such as existent in most cases between British Gas, E.ON and SSE have the SVT and the most expensive pledged to phase out such tariff s fi xed tariff , the big six do of- and shift billpayers onto better fer cheaper fi xes to lure in new value fi xed deals. customers. For example, British The chief of energy regula- Gas’s cheapest fi x is £200 below tor Ofgem has welcomed such its SVT. moves as a sign of progress in the Although the fi gures are taken energy market. on a single day, an examination But data compiled for the of the companies’ tariff s over a Guardian shows that in the case 90-day period ending on 18 Feb- Raul Mullan, age three, attends at an event organised yesterday by the Green Party to highlight their demand for air pollution action from the government, in Brixton, London. of market leader British Gas, the ruary showed the pricing behav- most expensive fi xed deal — that iour is not an anomaly. many customers are being moved Greg Jackson, the founder and on to — is identical to its SVT, at chief executive of Octopus, call- £1,099.84. ing the pricing cynical and said: It is understood that when “Time and time again we see the customers contact their supplier big six ducking and diving to fi nd to change their tariff , most are new ways of covertly ripping off moved to the most expensive fi x their loyal customers. that the company off ers. “This latest is a cynical move Each company’s cheapest as now even the experts — press, fi xed deals are often only avail- regulators and politicians — ‘Pure illusion’: Tusk able through comparison sites. won’t be able to hold them to E.ON charged £1093.35 for account, and it shows why the both its SVT and most costly fi x, energy price cap is so vital.” while the gap for ScottishPower British Gas declined comment was just £8.49 and npower’s was but SSE said: “We work hard to £37, the fi gures obtained by chal- keep prices down and our fi xed lenger supplier Octopus show. deals give customers the secu- SSE was slightly better, with a rity of knowing their prices are slams Brexit plans £54.73 gap, and EDF’s gap was locked in for a set period of time.” £82.83. E.ON said it was still working By Danny Kemp, AFP don, said they had agreed that Britain Juncker took a swipe at former British around a dozen of her senior Cabinet The data suggests the compa- out the detail of ending SVTs but: Brussels would seek to align itself with European prime minister David Cameron, who op- colleagues for eight hours of talks at her nies are engaged in what is largely “Our new model of off ering cus- Union rules in certain sectors of the econ- posed Juncker’s appointment in 2014 but country retreat Chequers on Thursday, in a rebadging process rather than a tomers a one-year tariff as the omy, but will retain the right to diverge. lost his own job two years later after los- a bid to thrash out their considerable dif- genuine eff ort to cut customers’ default option U President Donald Tusk dismissed “It looks like the cake philosophy is still ing the Brexit referendum he had himself ferences. bills by switching them to more … (will) be cheaper than their plans for post-Brexit relations with alive,” Tusk said, referring to earlier com- called. Tusk said EU leaders would adopt their competitive products. current standard variable prod- ELondon, reportedly devised by the Brit- ments by British offi cials that they want- “Where is Mr Cameron now?” the guidelines for the future relationship at a John Penrose, the Tory MP uct.” ish government, as “based on pure illusion”. ed to “have their cake and eat it” when it former Luxembourg premier said. “I have summit on March 22-23 “whether the UK who pressured Theresa May to Npower said its tariff was Tusk’s comments late on Friday came came to leaving the EU’s single market heard some rumours that he is in a quiet, is ready with its vision or not.” confi rm a cap last October, said: cheaper and “also protects cus- after Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabi- and enjoying its benefi ts. comfortable position,” quipped Tusk. “We cannot stand by and wait,” he “The big six need to do more than tomers from any price increase net agreed Britain’s plans for the future The EU president said there could be Juncker had earlier jokingly suggested added. just a cosmetic exercise. No one for the next three years”. relationship at a marathon meeting. She is “no cherry-picking and no single market a that he could do the job better. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar — should be fooled if they’re just It added: “It is also worth not- due to unveil them in a speech next Friday. la carte” for Britain, and that the EU would “I am not the British prime minister, it whose country wants any Brexit deal to moving customers from one rip- ing that our cheapest generally “I’m glad that the UK government be “absolutely realistic in our proposals.” would be good for Britain if I was it, but prevent the return of border and customs off tariff to another, with a diff er- available tariff is now £92 less seems to be moving towards a more de- European Commission President Jean- I am not,” Juncker told a reporter who checks with British-ruled Northern Ire- ent label on the tin. than our SVT product.” tailed position,” said Tusk, who will meet Claude Juncker then wryly told the as- quizzed him on when he expected to get land — added to the pressure on Britain. “The only way we’ll put a EDF said: “We don’t agree that May in London the day before her speech. sembled reporters: “The president of the details of the outcome of the British cabi- “We’d like to see a very close relation- stop to these dirty tricks is with moving customers on to a deal “However if the media reports are cor- council was off ering you the headline for net meeting. ship between the UK and the EU, one that an energy price cap, so I’m de- which is almost identical to their rect I am afraid that the UK position today tomorrow.” May is under pressure to set out more isn’t very diff erent from the one we have lighted the government is about existing standard tariff is in their is based on pure illusion,” the European Their comments capped a day of digs details of her position before talks get un- now, but I don’t think the United King- to bring one in.” best interests and we don’t do it.” Council president told a press conference at the British side in the increasingly derway on the future partnership in April, dom has yet squared the circle,” he said. British Gas last week cited Asked what percentage of cus- after a summit in Brussels. tense negotiations over Britain’s planned but with Brussels warning that Britain “Sooner or later that fundamental is- the price cap as one reason it is tomers were moved off an SVT on One British minister, who was not departure from the European Union in cannot have everything it wants. sue will have to be confronted and I think shedding 4,000 jobs, although to the company’s most expensive present during the cabinet talks in Lon- March 2019. The British Prime Minister gathered it would be better done sooner.” its consumer energy arm’s prof- fi x, none of the big six responded. Extended risk of snow puts spring on hold for now

Guardian News and Media the coldest spell the UK has had Pub scraps snail London at this time of year since March 2013 and would be a reminder of An English pub has the prolonged cold conditions in cancelled a charity pring has been postponed the winter of 2010. snail race scheduled to as the “beast from the east” “In lots of places, tempera- take place yesterday Sbrings the coldest end to a tures will be struggling to get after unseasonably icy British winter in fi ve years, the above freezing. When you add on weather made potential Met Offi ce has said. the strength of the wind it might competitors too slow to Freezing temperatures, snow feel like minus double digits in compete. showers and “bitingly cold” some places,” she said. “The cold snap winds are expected to last un- “It has been quite mild recent- has led to a medical til at least 1 March, the date that ly, so it could be a bit of a shock to problem with our racing spring offi cially starts, according some who may feel the weather snails — it’s called hiber- to the meteorological calendar. has tricked them. It’s going to nation,” the Dartmoor Parts of south-east England stay cold now for quite some Union Inn in southwest could be colder than the north time. In fact, the cold conditions England said on its pole this weekend, as forecast- and risk of snow could last into Facebook page. ers predict that temperatures in the start of March.” Temperatures the Arctic could rise above freez- Public Health England ap- across much of Europe ing during the polar night for the pealed for people to keep an eye are below normal for fi rst time in recorded history. on the most vulnerable. the time of year, and Freezing air from Siberia is Thomas Waite, from PHE’s British weather fore- expected to cover the UK this extreme events team, said: “Cold casters have warned weekend and remain there for all temperatures, indoors and out, of bitterly cold winds of next week, bringing signifi - pose real health risks to many, and snow that could cant and disruptive snowfall. and every winter we know that disrupt transport and The wintry blast, nicknamed thousands of people get ill and cut off rural communi- “the beast from the east”, will even die following exposure to ties over the coming cause temperatures to drop below cold conditions. week. 0C from tonight, with some areas “It’s critical that if you know England’s public experiencing lows of -8C (17.6F), anyone over 65, with young chil- health authority said on and snow forecast to fall in Lon- dren or who has heart or lung Friday the prolonged don and the east of England. conditions, that you keep an eye cold weather posed a The Met Offi ce has issued on them and think what help danger to elderly peo- a yellow weather warning for they may need. Staying warm by ple and young children snow – the second most severe heating your home to at least 18C if they could not heat on the forecasters’ scale – cov- can be crucial to staying well.” their homes. ering large parts of south-east The temperatures had already The Dartmoor England, where 5-10cm of snow dropped yesterday morning, Union Inn said it could fall. although most parts of the UK planned to reschedule On Tuesday, the warning will would experience winter sun- what it had billed as be extended through north-east shine over the weekend. “The 1st International England and parts of Scotland, Mitchell added: “It’s large- Snail Grand National”, with snow showers expected ly sunny across the UK and it in aid of a local air across the UK on Wednesday. should stay dry for the rest of the ambulance service, Becky Mitchell, a Met Offi ce day and tomorrow, so that’s the once the weather meteorologist, said it would be good news.” A cancellation notice is posted on Facebook from The Dartmoor Union Inn in London yesterday. warms up. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 19 EUROPE

CRIME IN THE DOCK ART EXPO CELEBRATIONS Mass DNA test begins in Abdelslam brother charged Max Beckmann exhibition Estonia marks centenary of Dutch child murder case with armed robbery opens at Potsdam gallery independence declaration

Nearly 20 years after the suspected murder A Belgian judge yesterday charged the brother of A new exhibition by German artist Max Estonia yesterday celebrated 100 years since of a child near the German border, authorities Salah Abdeslam, the prime surviving suspect in Beckmann has already attracted great interest declaring independence with a military parade in the Dutch city of Landgraaf have begun a the November 2015 attacks in Paris that killed 130 at a gallery in Potsdam outside Berlin, with and other festivities in the Baltic state. Flag- mass DNA test to find the off ender. A total of people, with armed robbery. A spokeswoman for hundreds coming to see the German artist’s waving Estonians watched the parade in capital 21,500 men between the ages of 18 and 75 Belgian prosecutors Ine Van Wymersch confirmed paintings, sculptures and sketches. The Tallin, with about 11,000 soldiers and hundreds near the Dutch-German border have been the charge against Mohamed Abdeslam who Barberini Museum said that 560 visitors had of vehicles from both the domestic army and asked to voluntarily give a DNA sample for was one of two people charged, while two others come through the doors within the first two other Nato countries taking part in a show of the investigation, a police spokeswoman said were released following their arrests on Thursday. hours to see “Max Beckmann. Welttheater” strength. “The independence and freedom of yesterday. Nicky Verstappen went missing Belgian media quoted Mohamed Abdeslam’s lawyer (“World Theatre”), which includes more than our people has never been and should not be from a vacation camp in Brunssummerheide as saying he denied the charge. Belgian newspaper 100 pieces. Beckmann was born in Leipzig in taken for granted,” said General Riho Teras, on the Dutch-German border in 1998. A day La Derniere Heure said Mohamed Abdeslam, who 1884 and dealt with topics including World War Estonia’s chief of staff . “The war of independence Off icers salute during a military parade later, police found the boy’s body. Even though was wielding a knife, had robbed 70,000 euros from I in his art. He was later rejected by the Nazis as sent a clear message: anything is possible if a yesterday to celebrate 100 years since Estonia the cause of death was never declared with Molenbeek municipal employees who had been on a creator of “degenerate art,” and moved to the nation really wants it,” he said, referring to the declared independence for the first time in certainty, authorities assume it was murder. their way to deposit the money in a bank in January. Netherlands and eventually the United States. 1918-1920 war with the Russian empire. 1918, in Tallinn. Tense Italy campaign winds up

Reuters Earlier yesterday, student protesters Milan who had climbed a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, symbol of Italian unifi cation, near the location for the CasaPound meeting, lit French President Emmanuel Macron (right) touches an Aubrac cow as he visits the 55th International Agriculture Fair (Salon de l’Agriculture) at orthern League leader Matteo Salvini fl ares and waved an anti-Fascist banner, be- the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris. yesterday drew thousands of support- fore being removed by police. Ners to a rally in Milan as campaigning In Rome a large march against racism pro- intensifi ed ahead of a March 4 election expect- ceeded peacefully with several government ed to give most seats to a right-wing coalition members, including Prime Minister Paolo of which his party is a member. Gentiloni, present. Salvini, 44, who has pulled the League away In the fi nal polls before a blackout period Macron engages hecklers at from its original aim to secure independence kicked in a week ago, the coalition in which for the wealthy north towards euro-scepti- Salvini looks to be playing second fi ddle to cism and opposing immigration, is counting former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s For- on drawing up to 50,000 supporters to the rally za Italia was in the lead. in Italy’s fi nancial capital. Alongside the smaller, nationalist Broth- farm-show rite of passage After arriving in a crowded Duomo square ers of Italy, the group is set to get the most where supporters had been chanting “come seats in parliament, but looks unlikely to March 4 we’ll vote Lega,” Salvini climbed over secure a working majority without striking Reuters trist president has promised 5bn Nicolas Sarkozy, during his be cut by more than Britain’s con- two barriers and forced his way though cam- further post-election deals with other par- Paris euros ($6.2bn) in agricultural in- presidential farm show debut a tribution as it exits the 28-mem- eras to shake hands with people. ties. vestment as well as minimum farm decade ago, let rip with an exple- ber bloc, he told reporters. Big rallies have so far been noticeably absent “Salvini is the ideal man for Italy...the pri- prices to prevent producers selling tive-laden insult against a man Thibault Guybert, a cereal from campaigning to form Italy’s 65th govern- ority is to control the borders and then give a rance’s Emmanuel Macron at a loss. in the crowd who had declined to farmer from the Paris region who ment in little more than 70 years, with a new helping hand to the economy,” said Claudio was booed yesterday by an- But farmers and their FNSEA shake his hand. had joined in the booing, said the electoral law leaving the outcome highly un- Gaiola, a 52-year-old electronics goods maker Fgry farmers during his fi rst lobby group remain concerned His words were caught on video president would be judged on his certain. from Turin who sported a blue baseball cap visit as president to the country’s about issues ranging from trade and haunted him for the rest of his actions, and bigger protests should “It’s time to get off the Internet,” Salvini had saying “Salvini premier”. main agricultural fair, amid rising talks with the South American term. not be ruled out. written on Twitter, a platform where much of Violence has punctuated recent weeks, most discontent over producer prices, Mercosur bloc to a land-buying Macron yesterday responded “We wanted to jostle President the campaigning has been carried out, ahead dramatically when a man with declared Nazi European Union trade talks and spree by Chinese investors. diff erently to provocation, scrap- Macron a bit to make our displeas- of the event. sympathies shot and injured six Africans in the Chinese land purchases. In a country with a profound at- ping his itinerary to engage sev- ure known and let him know we’re Several other demonstrations were also tak- small town of Macerata. Macron was greeted by jeering tachment to its pastoral roots, the eral of his hecklers in a lengthy and not just going to leave it there,” ing place yesterday in Milan and other cities Far-left protesters and police scuffl ed in the farmers and activists soon after his Salon de l’Agriculture is a manda- detailed exchange on trade policy, Guybert said on BFM TV. around the country. northern city of Turin on Friday. arrival at the southern Paris show- tory rite of passage for political social charges and food standards “We’ll have to be very clear Not far from the central Piazza Duomo po- Far-right group Forza Nuova (New Force), ground, before stopping to talk leaders, who tend either to relish the in front of TV cameras. with him and fi nd out whether he lice clashed with left-wing protesters who one of whose members was tied up and beaten policy with a group of hecklers. event — as former president Jacques The budget for the EU’s Com- wants to keep French agriculture were trying to reach a cordoned-off rally of by far-left activists last week, plans a meeting Elected last May, France’s cen- Chirac visibly did — or endure it. mon Agricultural Policy should not or not.” neo-Fascist group CasaPound. in Palermo, Sicily. Albania’s Chams call for Greek Conservatives call for shift to right apology over wartime expulsion as Merkel decides cabinet posts Reuters ‘Alexander the Great’ removed Tirana from Skopje airport signboard Reuters Macedonian authorities yesterday removed the Berlin lbania’s Cham community, expelled from sign “Alexander the Great” from Skopje airport, in Greece after World War II, yesterday another move to appease neighbour Greece and Aasked Greece to apologise for what they resolve a crippling diplomatic row. everal senior German con- called a genocide against them and permit them Social Democrat Zoran Zaev’s cabinet decided servatives yesterday called to return to the area in northern Greece from on February 6 to rename the airport and the Sfor their party to shift to the which they were removed. country’s main highway, both previously called right to win back voters, throw- Greece, which dismisses the Cham issue after the great Hellenic ruler and conqueror. ing down the gauntlet to Chan- as non-existent, and neighbour Albania have Name signs were this week already removed cellor Angela Merkel before she started talks on a number of issues including from the highway, from the border with Greece announces her choice of cabinet their borders and a state of war law still active to the border with Serbia. ministers today. in Greece since Italy invaded it from Albania in The move may take Skopje a step further The Christian Democrats World War II. toward resolving a 27-year-long row with Athens (CDU) vote at a party meeting to- The talks are intended to reach agreements by over the name Macedonia which emerged as morrow on whether to back a co- Orthodox Easter on April 8 to ensure Albania has soon as the country emerged from the disinte- alition deal with the Social Dem- no obstacles in its path to the start of accession grating former Yugoslavia in 1991. ocrats (SPD), which would hand negotiations with the European Union, of which Greece insists that the name belongs to its Merkel a fourth term at the top of Greece is a member. northernmost province and that the Macedonian a grand coalition and keep them in Both are members of Nato. legacy is a part of Hellenic heritage, accusing offi ce for another four years. The Chams are enraged that their demands Skopje of attempting to steal both. SPD members also have to vote are being neglected and at the idea that Tirana Macedonian nationalists, who reigned on the agreement. and Athens could agree to drop terms like Came- between 2006 and last year when Zaev and his Although the CDU is widely ria and Northern Epirus, respectively the name SDSM party took over, further aggravated the expected to back the deal — and Albanians use for lands in Greece and Greeks for Greeks by naming infrastructure after Alexander approve Merkel’s ally, Annegret (From left) Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania’s State Premier and politician of the Social Democratic Party lands in Albania. and erecting massive Hellenic-style statues for Kramp-Karrenbauer, as CDU (SPD), Manuela Schwesig, designated next leader of the Social Democratic Party, Andrea Nahles and Addressing a rally of a few thousand Chams at hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2008, Athens general secretary — there are Brandenburg’s State Premier and politician of the Social Democratic Party, Dietmar Woidke talk to the the gate of the compound where the Greek Em- blocked a prepared invitation for Macedonia to rumblings among conservatives media prior in Potsdam yesterday. bassy is located, Shpetim Idrizi, the leader of the join Nato along with Albania and Croatia. that the party needs fresh blood Cham party, said they wanted fi rst “an apology Zaev’s conciliatory moves since he assumed and a new political direction. CDU will send a signal about the Merkel has positioned the CDU However, her Catholic, western for thousands of Chams killed at home, not in off ice have thawed relations to the point that UN- “Sometimes the conservative direction of policy in the next four in the centre ground. German background contrasts the battlefront.” brokered talks were revived. element of the conservative bloc years. She has promised “renewal” in with Merkel’s Protestant, eastern “We Albanians of Chameria do not want a re- could be more prominent,” CDU Long-standing ally Peter Alt- her team to ward off party critics. roots. venge, we do not want a change of borders, we premier of the state of Schleswig maier is widely tipped to take over But many are looking to a post- While socially conservative, want an apology so we can be able to forgive and to large photos held aloft by supporters purport- Holstein, Daniel Guenther, told the economy ministry and Ursula Merkel era. known for opposing gay mar- the two peoples can live peacefully and we can ing to show the collaboration of Greek wartime the Neue Osnabruecker newspa- von der Leyen to keep defence. Handing the ministries of fi - riage, Kramp-Karrenbauer is a return to live in our homes. We are peaceful,” Id- leaders with the Nazi occupiers. per. One question is whether Jens nance and foreign aff airs to the strong supporter of the minimum rizi said. After two rounds of talks between the for- Senior Bavarian CSU conserva- Spahn, 37, an arch-conservative SPD to secure a coalition deal fur- wage and workers rights. “We want to get back to our homes, to get eign ministers of Greece and Albania, Greece’s tive Alexander Dobrindt told state secretary in the fi nance ther undermined her authority. Merkel needs SPD members to back the status we had before we were violently Foreign Ministry “categorically” in late January the Passauer Neue Presse: “The ministry, who spoke out against Merkel took a step towards vote ‘yes’ in a postal ballot for a removed. We do not ask for our properties, we denied statements by Albanian offi cials that the conservative bloc must cover the Merkel’s refugee policy, will get a grooming a successor by an- renewal of the 2013-2017 grand want our homeland, and our homeland is Came- Cham issue had been included in the talks. spectrum from the centre to the post. nouncing Saarland state premier coalition. ria,” Idrizi said to applause from the peaceful “It is one thing for the Albanian side to want democratic right.” The CSU and SPD will an- Kramp-Karrenbauer, 55, as her The outcome, to be announced crowd. to raise the issue and another for the issue to be Merkel has drawn most criti- nounce their cabinet posts later. choice for CDU secretary general. on March 4, is unclear. Demonstrators held up placards reading accepted for discussion,” it said. cism for a bailout of Greece in The conservatives bled support Dubbed “mini-Merkel” by me- If SPD members reject the deal, “Chameria Genocide; We will never forget”. “We call on the Albanian side not to raise is- the euro zone debt crisis and her to the far-right in the September dia, Kramp-Karrenbauer may not the most likely scenarios are a Idrizi dismissed allegations by Greece that the sues that hinder the sincere and constructive open-door migrant policy. 24 election, slumping to their be diff erent enough for some in new election or a minority gov- Chams collaborated with the Nazis, and pointed dialogue that is under way.” Her six cabinet picks from her lowest level since 1949. the party. ernment. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, February 25, 2018 INDIA

POLITICS INSURGENCY VISIT ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE Sonia cancels Rae Bareli Meghalaya rebel Hazare to mobilise Puppet theatre festival Special prayers held visit, sparks rumours killed in gunfight support for Lokpal enthrals Delhi audience for ailing Parrikar in Goa

A last-minute cancellation of a day-long visit Commandos yesterday killed a top Garo Noted social activist Anna Hazare will visit The ongoing Ishara International Puppet Theatre Special prayers were held at Panaji’s Immaculate by former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to rebel leader wanted for his alleged Lucknow tomorrow to moblise support for the Festival in New Delhi is celebrating its 16th Conception Church yesterday for the health of her parliamentary constituency of Rae Bareli involvement in several killings and bombings Lokpal and Lokayukta, one of his aides said anniversary this year and, with an exciting list Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is suff ering yesterday has triggered speculation about in Meghalaya. Acting on a tip off, Special yesterday. “The visit will be an attempt to mobilise of performances taking place, visitors have a lot from a pancreas-related ailment. Speaking to her health. Gandhi was scheduled to visit Rae Force (SF-10) commandos raided Sudugre public support for the Lokpal at national level and to look for. The sensational and magical shows, reporters after conducting the special religious Bareli after a gap of almost two years and the area in East Garo Hills district and shot dead Lokayukta at the state level,” Sunil Lal said. “After produced by Teamwork Arts, bring alive the sheer service, Fr Cleto Pereira said that prayers were visit was cancelled without any explanation Sohan Dalbot Shira, the military wing chief the March 23 Satyagrah (protest) in Delhi, Anna beauty of puppets on stage. The festival kicked said for Parrikar’s health and his quick return to late on Friday. Poor health has prevented of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Hazare will be in Uttar Pradesh for two days,” Lal off on February 20 at India Habitat Centre and will off ice. “God has given him wisdom which he uses the senior Congress leader from visiting in a gun battle, police said. “It is confirmed added. The legislation to have an eff ective Lokpal reach its culmination on February 27. From the to improve the lot of Goa and, therefore, today the family stronghold in the last two years. that he has been killed in a gunfight with at the national level and Lokayuktas in all the states traditional to modern forms of puppetry, ranging the people from Panaji decided to have special District Congress president V K Shukla said the SF-10 commandos at 11.50am and we was passed by parliament in December 2013 but it from rod to string puppets; to mixed performances prayers for him,” Pereira said. Parrikar was rushed all preparations for Gandhi’s visit had been are waiting for further details of the entire has made little headway. Hazare will be in Lucknow with dance, theatre, music and more - the Ishara to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai last week, where, completed but they were informed late on operation,” Meghalaya Police Commissioner tomorrow and will spend the next day in Sitapur International Puppet Theatre Festival is bigger and according to the Chief Minister’s Off ice, he was Friday that she would not be able to make it. Swaraj Bir Singh said. before leaving for Pune on Wednesday. better this time around. diagnosed with a pancreas-related ailment. 9 more held for murder of Kerala tribal man Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the first flight connecting the Union Territory of Daman and Diu with Ahmedabad under the Udaan Scheme yesterday. Agencies We are surprised how this group of Rs1mn to Madhu’s family. Thiruvananthapuram of people managed to go into the Kerala is among the states in forest and beat him up,” Chan- India with the highest literacy drika said. rates. ine more men were ar- “Moreover, after he was beat- “That people have no hesita- rested yesterday con- en up, he was made to walk from tion to kill someone who was Tamil Nadu got higher funds Nnection with the alleged inside the forest to the police worn out from starvation, that murder of a 27-year-old “men- station. He was hardly able to they were enjoying themselves tally unstable” youth in Kerala. walk,” Chandrika said. taking selfi es during the act, is a Two suspects were arrested “When Madhu asked for wa- distress signal,” Kerala Finance on Friday for the murder of the ter, he was teased and after giv- Minister Thomas Isaac said in a allocations under BJP: Modi tribal man Madhu who was at- ing a few drops they dropped the Facebook post. tacked on Thursday night in the rest of the water on the ground to Relatives of the victim said IANS on the soil of great poet and Referring to the long coastline, neerselvam said the state gov- forest in Attapady near Palakkad mock him.” Madhu was mentally unstable Chennai freedom fi ghter Mahakavi Sub- Modi said the central government ernment continues to follow the by a lynch mob for alleged theft. Chandrika said while an in- and was staying away from the ramania Bharathi, Modi said he has given Rs1bn to Tamil Nadu for footsteps of Jayalalithaa. They accused him of stealing jured Madhu struggled to walk family for many years. bows his head to Tamil culture converting 750 fi shing boats to Earlier Modi was received at food and beat him up, according with his injuries, a Forest De- They said he used to come out ooing the people of and language. long-liners for deep sea fi shing. the Chennai airport by Gover- to preliminary investigations by partment jeep followed him. of the forests once in a while to Tamil Nadu particular- Noting that around 950,000 Underlining the importance nor Banwarilal Purohit, Palan- police released yesterday. State Forest Minister P Raju collect food items for sustenance Wly women, Prime Min- women in Tamil Nadu benefi ted of the woman in a family and iswami and Panneerselvam. He died as police were taking told reporters that he will look and he was not a thief as was al- ister Narendra Modi yesterday from the central government’s society, he said empowering a From the airport he went to him to hospital. into the matter raised by Chan- leged by the mob. said the state got higher funds al- free cooking gas scheme, he woman is empowering a whole naval base INS Adyar by a heli- Madhu’s autopsy report re- drika, and appropriate action The lynching has triggered locations and projects with huge said that over Rs240bn worth family. copter and from there he went ceived yesterday confi rmed that will be taken against the off end- widespread protest across the investments under his Bharatiya of projects are implemented by He said around Rs4.16tn has by road to Kalaivanar Arangam the youth had died of trauma ers. state with many taking to social Janata Party government. the central government in Tamil been given under the Mudra where the function was held. caused by injuries to his head and “Our ministry has sought a media to condemn the incident. However in his about 15 Nadu after the BJP came to pow- loan scheme of which 70% is for A large number of people back, Inspector General of Police report from the chief secretary It also exposed living condi- minute speech, he avoided any er at the Centre. women. had gathered on the pavement M R Ajithkumar said. about the incident and the ac- tions of tribals in remote areas of reference to the strong demand The central government Modi said the women of India along Modi’s route to Kalaivanar “Eleven people have been de- tion taken by the state govern- the state. Attapadi is one of the from state parties for setting up has sanctioned Rs37bn for the are coming out of their age old Arangam and greeted him. tained and we are looking for ment,” federal Tribal Aff airs most impoverished areas of the a Cauvery Management Board, Chennai Metro Rail project, he shackles and seeking self- em- Earlier in the day, Modi four more,” Minister Jual Oram said. state that frequently hit head- as directed by the Supreme said. ployment. fl agged off the fi rst fl ight con- Ajithkumar said. “Eight have To protest against the brutal lines over malnutrition deaths of Court to which Chief Minister K Taking a dig at the earlier The subsidised two-wheeler necting the Union Territory of been charged with murder.” attack, the opposition Congress children. Palaniswami made a reference in Congress-led government at scheme is part of the All India Daman and Diu with Ahmeda- Madhu’s hands were tied and he and Bharatiya Janata Party are In New Delhi Congress presi- his welcome address at a func- the Centre, Modi said under the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazgh- bad under the Udaan Scheme was beaten up by a group of people observing a protest in Mannar- dent Rahul Gandhi condemned tion here. previous regime, Tamil Nadu agam’s 2016 poll promise. besides projects worth Rs10bn. who accused him of stealing food caud, under which Attappady the lynching of the tribal man Modi was here to launch the got just Rs81bn under the 13th Under the scheme, the gov- “Daman has now been con- items from local grocery stores falls. and said people must guard Tamil Nadu government’s sub- Finance Commission whereas ernment will provide 50% sub- nected to Diu with air services and eateries, the victim’s mother The harassment and beating against growing intolerance in sidised scooter scheme called under BJP regime, the state got sidy subject to a maximum of and therefore people from south said. up of Madhu by the mob was society and speak out against Amma Two Wheeler Scheme for around Rs180bn under the 14th Rs25,000 for the purchase of India and other parts of the Following the autopsy, the fi lmed on a mobile phone and such acts of mindless violence. working women as a part of 70th Finance Commission allocation. two wheelers by working wom- world could conveniently visit body was taken to his home near posted on social media leading to “I am deeply disturbed by the birth anniversary of late chief According to him, Tamil Nadu en. the Union Territory,” Modi said. Agali in Palakkad district yester- widespread outrage and protests savage and cruel lynching of a minister J Jayalalithaa. got Rs7bn during 2016-17 and Palaniswami urged Modi to Though the coastal towns of day. by tribal rights activists. tribal in Kerala yesterday, cap- He also planted a tree sap- Rs2bn during 2017-18 under the take steps to set up the Cauvery Daman and Diu are part of the Madhu’s sister Chandrika has “It is a blot on the societal tured on camera,” Gandhi wrote ling and inaugurated the plan to rural housing scheme, while for Management Board and Cau- same union territory, they are accused the Forest Department and cultural progress Kerala has in Twitter. plant 7mn tree saplings as a part urban housing, over Rs60bn has very Water Regulation Commit- located nearly 700km apart. offi cials of failing to do their made so far,” Chief Minister Pi- “We must guard against of Jayalalithaa birth anniversary been given to the state. tee as per the apex court’s order While Daman borders south duty. narayi Vijayan said in a Facebook growing intolerance in our soci- celebrations in the state. He also added that around in the river water dispute case. Gujarat, Diu is on the Saurashtra “Madhu lived in the forest in post. ety and speak out in one voice to Beginning his speech in Tamil Rs26bn has been given under Welcoming the gathering, coast in western Gujarat. Both a cave and access to this place is He also said the state govern- condemn these acts of mindless saying that he is proud to stand the crop insurance scheme. Deputy Chief Minister O Pan- are popular beach resorts. only to those who have the right. ment would give a compensation violence,” he added.

Singer steps down as judge Nine schoolchildren on show after controversy die in road crash Agencies The 20 injured children IANS for Protection of Child Rights sang the female version of Moh Patna have been admitted to hospi- Mumbai (NCPCR) on Friday issued notices moh ke dhaage that was also tal, he added. to both the singer and the channel. sung by Papon, tweeted in his Chief Minister Nitish Ku- The fi lm industry is divided on support: “I got so many calls t least nine schoolchil- mar has expressed sorrow and inger Angarag Mahanta, the issue. While some came out yesterday for this ridiculous dren were killed and grief over the incident. popularly known as Papon, in support of the singer, others misinterpretation of a man’s A20 others injured in The state government said Shas stepped down as a judge slammed him. gesture of aff ection! I am a girl Bihar yesterday after an SUV it would give compensation of on the singing reality show The Actress Suchitra Krishna- and I know what is sexual per- crashed into them outside Rs400,000 for the family of Voice India Kids after a complaint moorthi tweeted: “If anybody version in a man! And Papon is their school in an apparent each of the deceased. was fi led against him for “inap- behaved with my daughter the anything but that! Leave aside hit-and-run, police said. In another accident, an propriately kissing” a girl. way Papon did with the teen- for a kid! Lotsa love Papon. Offi cers said the driver hit elderly woman was killed “Since I am in no mental state age girl I would slap him several #iStandbyPapon” the children at speed as he was and eight others, including to fulfi l most of my professional times in such a way that no one Meanwhile, thousands of driving away from another students, were injured when obligations, I have decided to step dared behave that way again.” people in Assam and particularly location close to the school, a private school bus and an down as a judge on the show till On Friday, Paon said in a state- the youth have come out on the where his vehicle had brushed SUV collided head-on in the matter in which I have been ment: “I might have done it sponta- streets to support the popular against a pedestrian. Haryana’s Gurugram, police falsely implicated is fully resolved neously but in today’s environment, musical icon. The incident took place in said. and the investigations are over,” to touch a girl child, however inno- “We are here for supporting Muzaff arpur district, around The Suraj School’s bus and Papon tweeted yesterday. cent your thoughts are, is not advis- Papon da. He is a nice person and 70km from the state capital the Scorpio collided on the “I have full faith in the judi- able. I am sorry for that.” we don’t think he had any bad Patna. Gurugram-Pataudi road. cial system and eventually the Actress Raveena Tandon tweet- intention behind the incident. “Eyewitnesses have told Police said the 65-year-old truth will prevail. In the interim, ed: “Whatever the situation, ac- The girl was a minor one and she us that the driver didn’t stop woman, identifi ed as Kailash I would appreciate that my pri- cidental, unintentional, aff ection, is like his daughter. It’s a pure even after running over these Devi and travelling in the SUV, vacy is respected,” he added. love, though it is sad the Papon act of aff ection for a disciple and middle-school children,” Anil died on the spot. Earlier this week, a video in controversy happened, it will be nothing else. However, a section Kumar Singh, deputy inspec- Six people in the car were which Papon is seen planting a an eye opener and lesson for all to is trying to malign the image of tor general of police said. injured, some critically, and kiss on the lips of the 11-year-old not getting carried away, and not the musical icon,” said a group of “His car overturned after they were admitted to the girl contestant of the show on crossing a line which can be seen students and youths who called the accident and he ran away Rockland Hospital in Manesar. &TV channel went viral online. as inappropriate.” themselves as Paponist, a kind of Relatives wait outside a hospital where many of the students injured from the spot. We are still Two students in the bus The National Commission Singer Monali Thakur, who fan club of Papon. in the Muzaff arpur accident are admitted. looking for him,” he said. were also injured. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 21 INDIA Liberalised land laws fail poor farmers: activists

Reuters But more governments are dation at a conference in New By 1962, all states had adopted farmers can take possession. “It is the only hope for the ru- nearly a third of farmland, while New Delhi adopting a model leasing law Delhi. laws that limited the amount The model Land Leasing Act ral poor,” he said. more than 56% of rural house- proposed in 2016 by the gov- Campaigners disagree, argu- of land an individual or family proposed by Niti Aayog recom- Liberalising leasing laws is key holds are landless, according to ernment think tank Niti Aay- ing that leasing will not resolve could own. mends that all lease arrange- to doubling farmers’ incomes by the non-profi t IndiaSpend. ndian states are increasingly og. the unequal distribution of land. Surplus land was meant to be ments be formal to protect the 2022, a fl agship policy goal of Less than a fi fth of about allowing land to be leased, States have largely failed to re- “Land leasing will not solve redistributed among the poor for owner’s rights, while also giving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 52mn acres of surplus land in the Ibut campaigners say the distribute land in line with laws landlessness,” said Ramesh farming. tenants access to benefi ts such Haque added. hands of families and individuals move has not helped the rural passed almost 60 years ago, said Sharma, of the rights group Ekta Haque noted that only about as farm credit and insurance. While more than half India’s has been declared, IndiaSpend poor obtain land as promised six T Haque, chairman of Niti Aay- Parishad. 5mn acres have been redistrib- Uttar Pradesh and Uttara- population depends on agricul- estimates. decades ago. og’s land policy unit. “Encouraging leasing instead uted to approximately 6mn poor khand states now allow leasing, ture for a living, land holdings Over the weekend, protests Most states ban or restrict “To improve rural poor’s ac- of redistributing land is a gross farmers. while Maharashtra, Madhya are small and fragmented, and erupted in Gujarat following the leasing of agricultural land to cess to land, the only solution is failure of the state to understand Sharma said that even when Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat are productivity is among the lowest death of an activist who immo- prevent the abusive tenancy ar- liberalising land leasing laws,” he the needs of the poor and land- land is redistributed on paper, also expected to do so, Haque in the world. lated himself over delays in hand- rangements of the past. told the Thomson Reuters Foun- less.” there is often a long delay before said. About 5% of farmers control ing land to the Dalit community. Congress gave Martial art skills clean govt in Karnataka, says Rahul

IANS and the Bharatiya Janata Party Athani, Karnataka (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. nvoking the teachings of 12th “Basavanna’s fi rst sermon is century social reformer Ba- ‘don’t indulge in theft’. Modi Isavanna, Congress president says the Congress government Rahul Gandhi yesterday claimed in Karnataka is corrupt. When his party’s government in Kar- he says it, on his right side is his nataka gave a clean administra- chief ministerial candidate B S tion in the last fi ve years. Yeddyurappa who had gone to “Following the teachings of jail, on the other side, four more Basavanna, our party has given ministers who too had gone to a clean administration over the jail,” Gandhi said. last fi ve years in Karnataka. We “He (Modi) banned high cur- have developed rapidly and did rency notes, implemented GST not make any fake promises,” and destroyed lakhs of business- Soldiers display martial art skills at an event organised by the Indian Army’s ASC Centre and College in Bengaluru yesterday. Gandhi said at a public rally here es, but Jay Shah’s (BJP pPresident in Belagavi district. Amit Shah’s son) business turned Gandhi, who is on a three- into Rs80 crore from Rs50,000 day visit to the state’s erstwhile within three months. But Modi Mumbai-Karnataka region, said does not speak about it.” the Congress government in the Quoting Basavanna’s other southern state had truly imbibed sermon – don’t indulge in vio- the philosophy of Basavanna’s lence, Gandhi accused the Modi teachings – follow what you government of dividing society preach. on communal lines. “Basavanna said: ‘Do not Interacting with hundreds of Allegations are false, harm’. But under the Modi gov- women at Tikota in the neigh- ernment, atrocities against Dal- bouring Vijayapura district, its, Adivasis and minorities have Gandhi said Karnataka was the been on the rise. We started cel- fi rst state in the country to have ebrating Akka Mahadevi Jayanti an industrial park for women en- and Kittur Rani Chennamma trepreneurs. Jayanti. The BJP only talks, it “Karnataka is ahead of most Choksi tells employees didn’t do anything when it was states in empowering women. We in power in the state earlier believe that everyone should have Agencies to an association with him, but Yesterday, authorities seized national, cheated the bank with through forged documents. (2008-13),” Gandhi said. equal opportunities,” he said. Mumbai that he was in no position to pay a farmhouse, a solar power the help of some of its offi cials, The same day, the agency also Noting that women’s em- State Chief Minister Siddara- their salaries and they were free plant and land that belonged to using letters of credit (LCs) – a fi led a case against Inder Chand powerment is an integral goal of maiah, party’s state unit presi- to look for other opportunities him. loan instrument similar to those Chundawat, the then senior the state’s development, Gan- dent G Parameshwara, other ehul Choksi, one of until he could prove himself in- Also yesterday, the Enforce- used by Modi’s and Choksi’s branch manager PNB’s Barmer dhi said the Congress govern- state leaders and cabinet minis- two businessmen al- nocent. ment Directorate, which fi ghts fi rms in the alleged fraud. offi ce in Rajasthan, for alleged ment had implemented many ters from the state’s northwest Mlegedly involved in “With recent false allegations fi nancial crimes, said on Twit- The ED on Wednesday fi led a abuse of his offi cial position schemes, which helped the region accompanied Gandhi on perpetrating India’s biggest- levelled against me of defrauding ter it had taken possession of 21 case against businessman Amit by depositing various govern- women improve their life and his day-long visit to the dis- ever banking fraud, broke his the PNB Bank and media frenzy, other properties belonging to Singla and others on a com- ment subsidies to the tune of Rs unlock their potential. tricts of Belagavi, Vijayapura and silence at the weekend with an the situation has gone grave, Modi worth Rs5.24bn ($81mn) plaint of the Bank of Maharash- 15.7mn in a fi ctitious account. “For the benefi t of women, Chikkodi. open letter to employees claim- which is turning graver by the in the latest swoop in Mumbai tra (BoM) of criminal misappro- The offi cial was suspended fol- our government has launched Meghalaya’s ruling Con- ing his innocence and telling day,” Choksi wrote in the letter and Pune. priation of a loan he had taken lowing an internal inquiry. ‘Anila Bhagya’ scheme to pro- gress has promised that it would them to look for other jobs. sent to employees on Friday. Earlier in the week, the agen- vide free cooking gas connection create 300,000 new jobs, be- Choksi and his nephew Nirav The scandal, which came to cy said it had seized luxury cars Modi ‘most expensive watchman’: Sibal and stove to about 30 lakh fami- sides promising to enhance Modi, both owners of jewellery light earlier this month, has worth millions of rupees be- lies. ‘Mathrupoorna’ scheme Rs500,000 health insurance store chains, are suspected of shaken confi dence in state-run longing to Modi. The Congress Party yesterday the management of defaulting meets the nutritional needs of cover announced by the central colluding with two employees lenders and turned the spotlight A lawyer for Modi has denied slammed Prime Minister banks must be fixed in the next pregnant women,” he said. government if it returns to pow- from Punjab National Bank, the again on India’s deep-seated his client was involved in any Narendra Modi’s silence 60 days. “Modiji used to give Participating in the “Jana er in the state. country’s second-largest state corruption problem. fraud. Choksi’s fi rm, Gitanjali on major banking scams a statement everyday against Ashirwade Yatra” (seeking peo- “It shall be our endeavour to lender, in an alleged $1.8bn At least a dozen people – six Gems, has also denied involve- unearthed in the country over the Congress when a (2G) ple’s blessings) to return to pow- create three lakh new jobs, and fraud. from the bank and six more ment in the alleged fraud. the last few days and termed scam worth Rs1.76 lakh crore er in the ensuing assembly elec- provide one job or livelihood per The businessmen are said to from Modi’s and Choksi’s com- Separately, the Central Bu- him the “most expensive was alleged during the UPA tion, the party chief repeatedly youth per every needy family,” have been issued with illegal panies – have been arrested and reau of Investigation on Thurs- chowkidar” (watchman) in the regime, senior party leader quoted Basavanna. the Congress manifesto released letters of undertaking (LoUs) the investigation is still con- day registered a case against a world. Demanding a probe by Kapil Sibal said. “That was a “Basavanna had said fi ve yesterday ahead of the February from PNB over a seven-year pe- tinuing. Delhi-based jeweller on a fraud the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) presumptive loss. Later, the things – don’t indulge in theft, 27 assembly polls said. riod, and to have used them to Modi, who according to complaint fi led by Oriental into the alleged Rs113bn Punjab court said there was no scam don’t indulge in violence, do not The 20-page manifesto which get loans from overseas branch- Forbes magazine has a net worth Bank of Commerce, another National Bank (PNB) fraud, the at all,” he said. “He (Modi) gets lie, do not boast about yourself highlighted the party’s promises es of other, mostly Indian banks. of some $1.8bn, owns Fire- state-owned bank, a police opposition party demanded a house, a plane; he is the most and don’t spread anger,” recalled was released simultaneously in Choksi, who owns Gitanjali star International and a chain source said. that the accountability of the expensive watchman in the Gandhi in a veiled attack on three diff erent regions of the Gems, told employees he did of eponymous boutique stores The lender has alleged the Finance Ministry, the RBI and world,” Sibal added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi state. not want anyone to suff er due from New York to Beijing. fi rm, Dwarka Das Seth Inter- Tolerance not enough, love needed: Trudeau

IANS backgrounds, different stories... me wrong there. But tolerance puters on wrists or embedded in could not aff ord to have a world New Delhi that matters. Understanding is not good enough for a society brain.” where people are led to silence or that everyone has a right to a like India or Canada. Think about “All that is possible, all sorts of people are ignored”. complete life lived in respect and it ‘I tolerate you’. Doesn’t exactly technologies down the line that The Trudeaus later had a con- olerance is not enough in a love and acceptance is essential,” have a very nice ring to it. There is are going help shape the future but versation with Samyak Chakra- pluralistic society like India the schoolteacher-turned-poli- no religion in the world that tells it won’t defi ne the future.” barty, managing director of Xbn Twhere love for each other tician said at UN Young Change- you tolerate your neighbour. No. He said by a better world he Labs, and UN Goodwill Ambas- is needed more, Canadian Prime makers Conclave at the packed Love your neighbour, accept your meant a place to live in where it sador for India Dia Mirza during Minister Justin Trudeau said yes- Indira Gandhi Stadium in New neighbour, embrace your neigh- “doesn’t matter where you are which he stressed on sustain- terday – the last day of a contro- Delhi. bour.” born, to what kind of a family, able development, saying a strong versy-mired week-long state visit He was accompanied by his wife Trudeau’s pep talk to the Indian whether you are a boy or a girl, economy could not be built unless to the country. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau who in- youth rang out amid an ongoing what your skin colour is, who you the environment is protected. Trudeau, one of the most fa- troduced her husband as an “ally”, debate over social and religious fall in love with.” He said the G7 meeting, to be vourite liberal mascots in the a “big brother” who himself had tolerance in India. He saw a refl ection of that world held in his Canada in June this world, told a gathering of nearly fears but knew how to move for- He urged the youth to strive for while visiting an ashram of Ma- year, would have an extra focus on 5,000 Indian students and young ward. a world which is fairer to all and hatma Gandhi during his trip to empowerment of women and the professionals that people in the As Trudeau walked up to the gives opportunities for all to suc- India, he said. menace of plastic. world needed to recognise eve- podium to address young girls ceed. “I had a deep and moving expe- “When we empower (women), ryone’s rights and not discrimi- and boys – most of them in school “But what does that world ac- rience of visiting Gandhi’s ashram women grow. This will help in nate against them for who they uniforms, Sophie Gregoire hugged tually look like,” he asked, add- and certainly the refl ection of shaping business communities were and what their backgrounds him warmly. ing “not a hyperloop from Delhi what it means to be successful. and politics for the better.” were. Trudeau said a little toler- to Mumbai, self-driving cars, You think of the impact and the The event was hosted by Xbn “Diversity, pluralism, bringing ance would be wonderful in some electric cars or flying cars or power of his example, his life.” Labs, an eco-system of impact people together with different places in the world. “Don’t get even artificial intelligence com- The prime minister said “we enterprises. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, February 25, 2018 LATIN AMERICA

CHILD ABUSE CLAIMS NABBED UN INVESTIGATION TWEETS ABANDONED Papal investigator meets Ecuador’s ‘Pablo Escobar’ Ex-Guatemala president Olympic judo champ Silva Over 100 Central American accused Chilean bishop extradited to US Colom accused of graft accuses cops of racism migrants rescued in Mexico

A Vatican investigator, sent to Chile by Pope A drug kingpin dubbed Ecuador’s “Pablo Escobar” Guatemala’s former president Alvaro Colom Brazilian Olympic judo champion Rafaela Silva More than 100 Central American migrants, Francis to interview sex abuse victims, met on who was under arrest in Colombia was extradited has been accused of corruption. He is accused said she was stopped by police on a Rio de including dozens of minors, were rescued from Friday with Chilean Bishop Juan Barros about to the United States early yesterday, local off icials of fraud and misappropriation of public funds Janeiro road Friday and treated as “a bandit” a truck found abandoned in a violent region of accusations that he covered-up sexual abuse of said in Bogota. Washington Prado, also known as during the construction of the Transurbano because she is black. Silva, who won gold in the northern Mexico near the US border, authorities minors committed by a priest. The investigator, “Gerard,” faces charges of moving more than 250 public transport system in the Central American 2016 Rio Olympics and has been an outspoken said on Friday. The migrants, from Honduras, Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu, declined to share tonnes of Colombian cocaine from Ecuador’s Pacific country, the public prosecutor reported late advocate of the poor, mostly black inhabitants Guatemala and El Salvador, were suff ering from details of the interview with Barros, but told coast to Central America and beyond to the United Friday. In addition to Colom, a whole slew of his of Rio’s tough favela neighbourhoods, said she dehydration and asphyxiation when soldiers came reporters the meeting was “cordial and friendly”. States, Colombian prosecutors said in a statement. former ministers are also accused. At least $35mn was on her way home from the airport when across the truck in Tamaulipas, where migrants Earlier in the day, the Vatican’s lead investigator, Colombian authorities captured the 36-year-old is believe to have been siphoned off during police stopped the taxi. In a series of tweets, often attempt illegal border crossings. Mexico’s Archbishop Charles Scicluna, was released from a Prado in April 2017 and held him in a maximum the public bus project, according to the public she said she was ordered out of the vehicle migration institute INM said soldiers patrolling in hospital in Santiago after undergoing emergency security prison in Bogota. Authorities compared prosecutor and the International Commission and questioned about where she worked, while the city of Camargo in Tamaulipas heard yells for gallbladder surgery. Scicluna has recovered well Prado to the late Colombian kingpin Escobar — Against Impunity in Guatemala, a commission the driver was questioned separately. After the help from within the truck’s trailer, where they and will remain in the country to rest, Episcopal killed in a 1993 police operation in Medellin — for his set up by the United Nations, is currently bearing policeman recognised who she was, she was discovered 103 migrants, including 36 minors, who Conference spokesman Jaime Coiro said. powerful role in Ecuador’s drug traff icking world. down hard on corrupt politicians in Guatemala. allowed to go. had been crammed together for about 12 hours. New tough Nafta talks start today in Mexico

By Yussel Gonzalez, AFP players in his own Republican party are Mexico City opposed to sweeping changes. Trump told The Wall Street Journal last month he would be “a little bit fl exible” on egotiators from the United States, his threat to withdraw from Nafta because Mexico and Canada open a new he understood the Mexican elections were Nround of talks today on overhaul- complicating the negotiations. ing the North American Free Trade Agree- A series of thorny issues will be on the ment, with the Mexican hosts already table in Mexico City. warning of turbulence. One is rules of origin for the auto sector Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso — the amount of a car’s content that must Venezuelan opposition presidential pre-candidate and evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci gestures during a press conference in Caracas. Guajardo said the renegotiation of the be produced in the region for it to qualify 24-year-old trade deal is entering a criti- for duty-free status. cal phase as the three countries head to The United States wants to increase their seventh round of talks, scheduled to the North American content require- run through March 5. ment from 62.5% to 85%, and add a new Pastor has faith he can unseat Venezuela’s Maduro “It’s going to be a diffi cult meeting, requirement for a minimum of 50% US- because the more you advance in the ne- made content. gotiations and wrap up work on the con- Mexico, Canada and the automakers all By Alexander Martinez, AFP coalition Democratic Unity Round- of the electorate wants to vote. Why “If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t be structive issues...what you’re left with are reject that proposal. Caracas table from running and banned sev- deny them that right?” here. I can be the next president of the highly complex issues,” Guajardo told At the last round of talks, Canada made eral prominent opposition fi gures There seems little doubt that the this country,” he said. journalists. a counter-proposal that would accept the from participating. few thousand fervent followers who “People want change, a leader “That’s why, as of this round, there new content requirement but change the espite unpopularity and a The United States and European packed a hall to hear him preach this with values, because politics in our won’t be any more easy rounds.” way “content” is counted, including in- deepening economic crisis, Union have imposed sanctions on week would vote for him. countries has fallen very low.” After the last round of talks, in Mon- tellectual property and new technology in DVenezuela’s President Nico- Maduro and his offi cials, with Wash- People in the congregation, young Bertucci added: “I don’t know treal, US Trade Representative Robert the calculation. las Maduro seems such a certainty ington calling him a “dictator.” and old, held their arms up in sup- what Nicolas Maduro communi- Lighthizer said the three sides were mak- Lighthizer bluntly rejected the idea. for re-election in April that only an Bertucci scoff s at assertions from plication, tears streaming down their cates, but clearly I represent the good ing progress, but “very slowly.” Guajardo has said Mexico is working on evangelical pastor has found the faith the opposition that he is merely a po- faces, as a suited Bertucci murmured and the light,” bringing Christian The uncertainty looming over the deal is a compromise solution. to run against him. litical stooge to legitimize Maduro’s into a microphone on a stage over a values to the country. only increasing as the clock ticks on. However, the head of Mexico’s automo- “I am the light in the darkness,” election. Other would-be candidates soundtrack of motivational music. “If I am the light someone must be Mexico, which sends some 80% of its bile manufacturers’ association, Eduardo said little-known pastor Javier Ber- have only a few more days to register. But it’s a stretch to believe Bertuc- the darkness, or evil.” exports to the United States, is gearing up Solis, played down expectations of a Mex- tucci, without a hint of irony, so far Analysts believe Henri Falcon, a ci can make more than a tiny dent in While Bertucci insists he has no for elections on July 1. ican-led breakthrough. the only opponent willing to try to polarising fi gure in the opposition, the national vote. political past, his name was men- The presidential frontrunner, the fi ery “The Mexican auto industry has no par- unseat the leftist leader in a presi- will eventually emerge as Maduro’s Most will say he hasn’t a prayer. tioned in the Panama Papers scan- leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has ticular stance in this round. We aren’t pro- dential election which Maduro’s op- main challenger. Still, he says his fusion of politics dal over tax evasion, but he denies sent mixed signals on Nafta. posing anything diff erent than what we ponents accuse him of rigging. Bertucci, 48, says Maduro is and religious faith is what the coun- wrongdoing. At one point, he said he would start have already said, which is that the rules Mainstream opposition parties “beatable” in the ballot and criti- try needs to overcome its deep eco- “I met with a well-known import- the negotiations over and “make Donald of origin in the original Nafta should be say they are boycotting the April 22 cised the opposition for eff ectively nomic crisis, which has made food er and I asked him if we could import Trump see reason” — though his cam- maintained,” he told Mexican newspaper poll because they have no guarantees giving him a clear run to a second and medicine shortages the norm. meat which would be fi nanced with paign has sought to strike a more moder- Reforma. they would be free and fair. six-year term. Evangelical movements, like Ber- money from many volunteers,” in ate tone. Still, analysts are generally optimistic A ballot wasn’t due until Decem- “It’s a mistake to leave the way tucci’s Maranatha Church, have his church. But negotiations broke Washington has also sent mixed signals the deal will survive. ber but the Constituent Assembly, clear (for Maduro) and continue with gained ground against traditional down, he said, “and nothing hap- since Trump triggered the renegotiation “We still think the most likely scenario an all-powerful legislature stacked talk that everyone is cheating,” he churches in Venezuela and across pened.” of what he has described as the worst trade is a successful renegotiation, due to the with Maduro loyalists, announced said after preaching to a packed con- Latin America in recent years. He will have to leave his role as deal in history. fact that the agreement is positive for all in January that the date was being gregation at his church. Bertucci believes he can emulate pastor to contest the election, a deci- While his message that Nafta costs three economies and the supply chains are brought forward. The government “continue to take pastor Fabricio Alvarado, who will sion that “pains my heart, but it’s the American jobs has played well with his tightly linked,” Santander bank said in a Venezuela’s Supreme Court issued all the space. They have always had contest a run-off vote for the presi- right one. God loves this country and base, the US business sector and many big note. a ruling that excludes the opposition the advantage, but more than 50% dency of Costa Rica on April 1. it was necessary to make a sacrifi ce.” Military takeover of Rio stirs dictatorship ghosts

By Sebastian Smith, AFP Facing an understandably ternational’s director in Brazil, perhaps lingering resentment. Rio de Janeiro nervous public, the govern- Jurema Werneck. Another key fi gure in the Rio ment made what looked like an Temer made it clear Friday that intervention — Temer’s secu- immediate PR blunder by sug- the army will use deadly force rity minister Sergio Etchegoyen he ghosts of Brazil’s dicta- gesting that mass arrests and when justifi ed. — has previously lambasted the torship are stirring in the mass searches might become the But rights activists, weary af- truth commission’s report as Twake of President Michel norm. ter years of botched police opera- “pathetic.” Temer’s order for the army to That would mean, for example, tions and stray bullets, ask who Etchegoyen’s father, Leo, take over policing in Rio de Ja- that an entire street, rather than will hold the soldiers to account. served in high positions during neiro. a single house, could be subjected The army wants troops to be the dictatorship, while an uncle There’s no direct comparison to an intense raid. subject only to military courts, allegedly headed the so-called between the Rio operation and There was strong backlash, while the police it is working “House of Death” — a property the 1964 coup that brought two including from Brazil’s highest- alongside have to face regular near Rio where mainly far left decades of military rule to Latin profi le anti-corruption prosecu- courts. political prisoners were fatally America’s biggest country. tor, Deltan Dallagnol. Adding a politically explosive tortured. In this case, the military isn’t The government has softened twist to that already complex is- One story fuelling conspiracy overturning a president — it’s its message on the collective sue, the army’s top commander, theories has been that Rio is only just taking charge of Rio state’s searches. General Eduardo Villas Boas, said a trial balloon for more wide- security situation after months But there are still widespread this week he wants “a guarantee spread military takeovers. of escalating crime. fears that military intervention of being able to act without risk- Last year, Etchegoyen him- But the echoes have been loud will become a blunt instrument ing a new truth commission.” self described Rio de Janeiro as a enough to force the government endangering poor and defence- He was referring to the Na- “laboratory.” into extraordinary denials. less people in the favelas, while tional Truth Commission, a body This week, though, he back- “I’m going to tell you how doing little to eradicate narco set up by then leftist president tracked partly on this, stressing many marks I give the idea of a gangs. Dilma Rousseff to examine ap- there was “currently” no need for military coup: zero,” Temer told A short video made by three palling human rights abuses a takeover in other states. Radio Bandeirantes on Friday. young black men about surviving committed during the military But on Friday, Temer stirred The centre-right president A soldier patrols close to the Vila Kennedy favela in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. encounters with police — includ- dictatorship. the pot when he revealed that went on to say that there was “no ing advising against carrying a Many saw the commission as a he’d considered extending the mood” in the military or popula- dents have grown used to seeing on Friday in western Rio. During ent this time. Now the army isn’t long umbrella that could be mis- way to air painful memories and federal government’s takeover tion for a coup. camoufl aged soldiers support the 2016 Olympics, troops fo- only helping out — it’s taking full taken for a gun — went immedi- promote reconciliation, even if from the Rio security services to Earlier, the defense minister, the police in their battle against cused on securing tourist areas, charge, with generals replacing ately viral on social media. an amnesty meant that confessed the entire state government. Raul Jungmann, stated “there is powerfully armed drug gangs. patrolling with rifl es among the the entire civilian leadership of “The intervention in Rio is an torturers revealed in the com- “It was a conversation we had no risk to democracy....On the Some 8,500 troops arrived last bathing-suit clad crowds of Co- the police. inadequate and extreme meas- mission’s fi nal 2014 report could but it was soon discarded,” he contrary, we are strengthening July in an ongoing deployment pacabana and Ipanema. This hasn’t happened any- ure that causes concern because not be tried. told Radio Bandeirantes. democracy.” to help with operations in fave- But the “intervencao,” as it’s where in Brazil since democracy it puts the population’s human Villas Boas, however, revealed “It was a very radical thing and Over the last decade, Rio resi- las, the latest of which took place called in Portuguese, is diff er- returned in 1985. rights at risk,” said Amnesty In- the army’s nervousness and I quickly refuted it,” he said. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 23 PAKISTAN

DECISION Sindh bans sale, purchase, display of toy guns

The Sindh province government yesterday imposed a ban on Sharif terms SC verdicts the manufacture, sale, purchase, use and display of toy guns and pistols. According to a notifica- tion issued by home department, the ban will be implemented throughout Sindh. The decision was made after the Rangers sent a letter to the home department as pre-election rigging and reported that the use of toy guns and pistols for criminal acts Internews dent had deprived the party of general elections,” Sharif said. document since it was prepared Pakistan High Commission in has been commonplace in Karachi Islamabad an opportunity to contest the “It is up to the people of Pa- in Calibri font in February 2006 London via video link. and other districts of the province. coming Senate elections despite kistan to decide whether the while the font was not commer- He admitted before the ac- “The use of toy guns by children being the largest political party recent judgements should be cially available till January 2007. countability court that he was causes grievous injuries and nega- akistan’s former prime in the country. “Such decisions written in golden words or Radley, the prosecution wit- fi rst cousin of Wajid Zia, the tive eff ect on the children’s minds,” minister Nawaz Sharif could only be handed down otherwise,” he said. ness, said in his testimony that head of the six-member Joint the letter said, adding that con- Psaid yesterday that the under a martial law regime,” he Regarding the accountabil- before January 2007 the use Investigation Team (JIT) con- sidering the possibility of use and Supreme Court verdicts that said. ity court’s proceedings where of the font was limited to the stituted by the Supreme Court eff ectiveness of dummy weapons had removed him from the prime “It’s a matter of concern for forensic expert Robert M Ra- professionals and IT experts. to investigate Panama Papers for street crime, the Pakistan minister offi ce and also barred the nation that the apex court dley concluded his testimony During the cross examination leaks, and had recommended Rangers strongly recommend that him from heading his own po- that has removed a prime min- yesterday, Sharif said that the yesterday, he admitted that he fi ling of references against a complete ban be imposed on litical party were tantamount ister over Iqama and on the expert had admitted to using was not an IT expert but, re- Sharif, his children and former Nawaz Sharif : “Such decisions the sale and purchase of all type to “pre-poll rigging”. same ground debarred the pres- Calibri font in 2005. sponding to another question, fi nance minister Ishaq Dar. could only be handed down of toy guns. Talking to the media after at- ident of a political party from Radley was not an informa- he conceded that he had down- Raja rejected the impression under a martial law regime” tending the proceedings of the running the party, is planning tion technology expert but had loaded Calibri font in 2005 that his law fi rm was selected accountability court in three to disqualify him from con- used the font (before it was and was also using it before its because of his relation with Zia political or social associations. APATHY references the National Ac- testing elections for lifetime. commercially available), said formal launch. and said that the JIT had hired Raja said that after the JIT Passport off ice countability Bureau (NAB) had This is tantamount to pre-poll the former prime minister. Also in the day, Akhtar Riaz his services. engaged him and gave him some fi led on the directive of the Su- rigging,” said Sharif. During Thursday’s proceed- Raja, another prosecution wit- He also denied his associa- documents, he observed some non-operational preme Court, Sharif said that “I am very much clear that ings, Radley had said the trust ness and the owner of UK- tion with any political party of anomalies in the papers and de- for two months the decision to remove him from the coming decision would deed of Avenfi eld Apartments based fi rm Quist solicitor, testi- Pakistan and said that his Fa- cided to hire a forensic expert the position of Pakistan Muslim disqualify me for lifetime and signed by Sharif’s daughter fi ed against the Sharif family in cebook account was suffi cient to verify genuineness of some People of southwest port town League-Nawaz (PML-N) presi- debar me from contesting Maryam Nawaz was a forged Avenfi eld Apartment case from to seek information about his papers. of Gwadar are facing diff iculties in obtaining their passports as the passport off ice in the city has been non-operational for the past two months. According to off icials, Mass wedding ceremony the Internet server of the passport SC disqualifi es PTI off ice was burnt some two months back and since then the off ice has been closed. “We have sent lawmaker from KP the server to Islamabad for repair but it has not been sent back by the authorities concerned,” an Internews stay on the ECP’s order from off icial said. The in-charge and Islamabad the Islamabad High Court. other members of the passport Khan was disqualifi ed off ice staff were not available at over allegations that he was the premises either. “We have no he Supreme Court a serving government school option but to travel to Turbat for (SC) of Pakistan yes- teacher in the Kohistan dis- our passport-related issues,” said Tterday disqualifi ed trict before the 2013 elec- Elahi Bakhsh Baluch, a resident Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, tions and that he resigned of Gwadar. He said the posts of member of provincial as- from his post just two days the off ice in-charge, data entry sembly (MPA) from Shang- prior to the election. operator and supporting staff in la, Abdul Munim Khan, for Alam said in his petition Gwadar’s passpon off ice had been holding on to his position as that, according to the law, a lying vacant for a long time. a government employee un- government servant could til two days prior to the 2013 not contest elections unless election. there was a two-year gap WINDFALL The disqualifi cation came from the time he retired and Heavy rains as a result of a petition fi led election time. by Jamiat Ulema Islam’s Khan has been serving as break dry spell in Sher Alam against Khan, an adviser to KP Chief Min- Baluchistan who had been serving as ister Pervez Khattak and a the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa special assistant to the chief The Quetta valley and several adviser for tourism. minister for tourism, and had parts of Pakistan’s Baluchistan The Election Commission also travelled to China with province received heavy rains of Pakistan (ECP), in April the KP CM for a road show. yesterday which continued 2017, had disqualifi ed Khan Following the SC’s ruling, the throughout the day, ending a year- Brides attend a mass wedding ceremony in Quetta yesterday. Mass-marriages are common in Pakistan, to reduce wedding costs. on Alam’s petition; however, ECP was ordered to denotify long dry spell in the province. As the PTI lawmaker had taken a Khan immediately. predicted by the Met off ice, Quetta and surrounding areas received light drizzle in the morning which turned into heavy showers in the afternoon that continued till late evening. Though people Police use social 12 acquitted of child abuse charges were happy to receive rainfall in a long time, they faced diff iculties because of frequent power break- AFP jailed for life in April last year. threatening to leak the videos. charged with raping and mur- downs. Heavy rainfall exposed media to arrest Lahore Judge Chaudhry Ilyas acquit- The police, who had con- dering a six-year-old girl, in a the performance of the Quetta ted the men of “sexual abuse of spicuously failed to act despite case that shocked the country Metropolitan Corporation (QMC) a young boy and making a video pleas from some parents, even- and sparked major riots in his as most roads of the provincial Pakistani court acquit- to blackmail his family,” a court tually made dozens of arrests home district. capital were flooded with rainwa- fugitive offi cials ted 12 men of child sex offi cial said. after clashes between relatives Imran Ali, 24, was on trial for ter due to blockage of drains and Aabuse and blackmail Prosecutors produced 16 and authorities brought the is- killing Zainab Fatima Ameen in overflowing gutters. The sanitary charges yesterday, the latest witnesses against the accused sue into the media spotlight. Kasur last month. staff of the QMC was absent and Internews sent a list containing the verdict in a massive paedophilia men, but could not prove the In March 2016, Pakistan’s He faces further charges in no eff orts were witnessed to drain Karachi names of the 16 police offi cials scandal that rocked the country charges, the offi cial said. An- Senate also passed a bill that the cases of at least seven other out the rainwater from the roads. to government institutions and in August 2015. other court offi cial confi rmed criminalised sexual assault children attacked in the Punjab There were also reports that the provincial secretaries, the The abuse and extortion the details. against minors, child pornog- city – fi ve of whom were mur- some mud walls collapsed on the olice in Sindh province Federal Investigation Author- scandal, which authorities have In the village of Hussain raphy and traffi cking for the dered – in a spate of assaults outskirts of the city, however, no have started an adver- ity (FIA), the Pakistan Rangers called the largest in Pakistan’s Khanwala in Kasur, southwest fi rst time - previously only the that had stoked fears a serial casualty was reported. Growers Ptising campaign and will and the Frontier Corps. The history, allegedly involved of Lahore, videos were made acts of abuse were punishable child killer was on the loose. expressed their happiness as the make use of social media to FIA was also requested to put hundreds of victims in Punjab of at least 280 children being by law. Ali has confessed to all eight dry spell broke, saying rain would arrest 16 police offi cials, in- the names of the suspects on province. sexually abused by a gang who Last week a court handed attacks, including the death of benefit the fruit orchards and cluding Rao Anwar, allegedly the Exit Control List. Two of the accused were blackmailed their parents by four death sentences to a man Zainab. wheat crop. involved in the extrajudicial The Supreme Court had murder of Naqeeb Mehsud. also issued contempt of court A social media cell is being notice to Anwar after he failed set up under Malir’s Senior Su- to appear before the court, and perintendent of Police Adeel had directed the State Bank Chandio, through which pic- of Pakistan to freeze all his tures, videos and offi cial pro- accounts. Land allotment to former army fi les of the wanted policemen The apex court had revoked would be made public. his protective bail which he “Their pictures will help had been granted earlier, and us nab them as they are not ordered the ISI, the MI and the recognised by the people,” a IB to assist in apprehending chief questioned in Senate police offi cial said while talk- him and to submit a report in ing to this correspondent. Ac- this regard in 15 days. cording to the police, it will be On January 31, the PPP- Internews asked about the legality of it were never drawn and the concerns of Swat people be diffi cult for the accused to hide backed Sindh Chief Minis- Islamabad answered except for a terse statement that addressed. after the start of the campaign. ter Syed Murad Ali Shah had it had been done in accordance with the In a brief chat with reporters later, Ba- Mehsud, a 27-year-old na- claimed that his provincial gov- constitution. bar said that the self-confessed terrorist tive of Waziristan, was among ernment was serious about ar- and allotment to former army chief However, Senate Chairman Raza Rab- and killer of the children of Army Pub- three men who were accused resting Anwar for further inves- Gen Raheel Sharif was questioned bani did not allow any further discussion lic School was “enjoying state hospital- of being terrorists and killed tigations into the murder case. Lin the Senate yesterday, as a Pa- on the issue and told Babar that he might ity” but the peaceful people of Swat were by then Malir SSP Rao An- He had expressed surprise kistan Peoples’ Party senator sought to raise the issue through a question in the charged with terrorism. What message war in a fake encounter on that people were casting know under which law the allotment had lower house. was being conveyed to the people of Swat, January 13. doubts about the sincerity of been made. Then the senator raised the issue of he asked Anwar and his encounter the provincial government in Raising the issue of allotment of 88 protest demonstrations in Swat against Some important questions which re- team have since gone into hid- making eff orts for arresting acres of land to Gen Sharif as a ‘post-re- harassment and humiliation of people at mained unanswered in the Senate ses- ing. However, some members the suspended policeman. tirement benefi t’, Senator Farhatullah Ba- security check-posts. sion included the one asked by Senator of the team have been arrested To support his statement, bar asked if all army chiefs had obtained He said protest demonstrations had Jehanzeb Jamaldini seeking details of by the police. he said it was PPP Chairman similar benefi t on their retirement. erupted when travellers, particularly foreign visits undertaken by the chief jus- Moreover, the federal in- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who He said his repeated questions on the women, children and the elderly, under- tices of superior courts over the last fi ve terior ministry and the home had taken notice of Mehsud’s issue had remained unanswered. went great diffi culty at the check-posts years, with year-wise break up, duration ministries of all the four prov- murder, adding that it was on Speaking on an issue of public impor- Gen Raheel Sharif while waiting in long queues. and purpose of visits and expenditure in- inces of the country, as well the party chief’s order that tance, he said that on Wednesday the Na- When some people protested they were curred in each case. as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit- an inquiry committee was tional Accountability Bureau (NAB) had remained dormant for over a decade, arrested and terrorism cases registered Law Minister Chaudhry Mahmood Baltistan, were issued with constituted. arrested a senior civil servant in Lahore on he said. against them, Senator Babar said. Bashir Virk in his written reply said that an alert for the arrest of these He had assured the media the charge of being involved in illegal land Earlier, NAB had taken action against “Real terrorists enjoy state protection a response from the registrars of the Su- suspects, sources said on that his government was in transfers. some offi cials of the Sindh government on but innocent people of Swat are charged preme Court and the high courts was still Thursday. close contact with all the rel- A day earlier NAB reopened a corrup- similar grounds. with terrorism merely for demanding awaited though they had been request- Additional Inspector Gen- evant agencies and that Anwar tion reference against some retired army Babar said that a former army chief was self-respect,” he said demanding that ed to provide the requisite information eral of Police Dr Aftab Pathan would be arrested soon. generals in a land transfer case that had allotted 88 acres of land but the questions the terrorism cases be immediately with- months ago. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, February 25, 2018 PHILIPPINES Top presidential critic marks a year in detention over illegal drug charges

DPA that they paid her millions of Manila pesos when she was justice minister from 2010 to 2015 to allow them to continue trad- key critic of Philippine ing drugs in prison. President Rodrigo Du- Bail is not allowed for such Aterte yesterday marked charges. one year in detention due to Presidential spokesman allegations she received bribes Harry Roque said De Lima’s from illegal drug syndicates. detention “shows the crimi- Senator Leila De Lima nal justice system in the Phil- thanked her supporters who ippines is alive, eff ective and visited her in her detention working.” cell at the national police “Senator De Lima has been headquarters in Manila, where detained because of drug they also held a picket to call charges,” he said. for her release. “She is a living symbol that Catholic faithful carry placards as they join a “march for life” at a park in Manila, early yesterday. “What is it like? It is both the Philippines has become a too short and too long,” she narco-state with her election told them after a Mass inside in offi ce funded by drugs.” her cell. “It is both a curse and Roque, who greeted De a blessing. Lima’s “happy anniversary” It has made me both weaker at the start of his statement, and stronger.” urged everyone to “refrain De Lima has maintained from infl uencing the outcome that the charges against her of (De Lima’s) case and just let Catholics protest drug were politically motivated the legal process proceed ac- due to her staunch criticisms cordingly.” against Duterte’s campaign De Lima, who was elected against illegal drugs. senator in 2016, also served The 58-year-old senator as head of the Commission on said she has not been physi- Human Rights from 2008 to cally well, citing spikes in her 2010. killings and divorce blood pressure and sugar lev- Before that, she was a law- els, as well as vertigo attacks yer representing underprivi- Reuters due to the heat inside her non- leged sectors and then opposi- Manila air-conditioned cell. tion politicians. “My psychological and She first crossed paths emotional well-being have with Duterte when he was round a thousand Catho- also taken quite a beating,” she still mayor of the southern lics in the Philippines admitted. “Because how does city of Davao. Amarched in Manila yes- one bear such an intense char- She launched an investiga- terday to protest President Ro- acter assassination, the slut- tion into alleged extrajudicial drigo Duterte’s bloody war on shaming and all the lies?” killings and the existence of drugs and his eff orts to reinstate “The most painful is not a rumoured group called the the death penalty. knowing when I’m going to Davao Death Squad. The protests come a day after see my mother, not knowing But she failed to find suffi- students in the capital and pro- if I would still be around to see cient proof to charge Duterte vincial universities held demon- my children and grandchil- in court, although she was strations against Duterte, and a dren witness my vindication,” convinced that alleged extra- day before the 32nd anniversary she added. judicial killings happened in of the “People Power” revolution The charges against De Lima the city and the death squad that drove dictator Ferdinand were based on allegations by sanctioned by Duterte ex- Marcos into exile. national penitentiary inmates isted. Catholic devotees prayed the rosary and sang hymns as bish- ops and the Philippines’ own cardinal read sermons against Measles outbreak declared in Zamboanga what they say are not “pro-life” policies in the government. The Department of Health pected to benefit from the The protesters carried ban- yesterday reported a mea- vaccination. The City Health ners and placards with the mas- sles outbreak in Zamboanga Office under Dr Dulce Amor sage “Protect and Defend the City, prompting the agency Miravite declared a measles Sanctity of Life and Marriage,” and the local government to outbreak after it recorded “End Impunity” and “Stop the launch a massive immunisa- 100 measles cases since Killings.” Protesters hold placards denouncing President Rodrigo Duterte and march towards the ‘People Power’ monument in Manila yesterday, ahead tion programme in villages, January this year, which was Despite criticism of the Phil- of the revolution anniversary that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Manila Times reported. 1,300% higher compared ippine leader’s bloody war on The mass immunisation, to the cases in the same drugs campaign, Duterte re- from “very high” three months ed the pending bills in Congress come increasingly vocal on the said Broderick Pabillo, Manila which began on February period last year. mains wildly popular and a before. Another survey by the introducing divorce and re-im- drugs killings, with the church auxillary bishop. 19, will run until March 23. Health officials have repeat- trusted public offi cial in the privately-run pollster gave his posing capital punishment. calling for justice and off ering More than 4,000 suspected Health workers visit houses edly appealed to mothers Southeast Asian nation. government the best rating so The majority of the Philip- sanctuary to drug users. drug dealers have been killed in all 98 villages in an effort to have their children vacci- The Social Weather Station’s far for a Philippine administra- pines’ 105mn people are Catho- “The threat is still there. We since Duterte took offi ce in June to vaccinate children aged nated to protect them from (SWS) latest quarterly poll shows tion since surveys started in the lic. Despite the popularity of the still hear news of extrajudicial 2016. Police said the killings re- 6 months to 5 years. Nearly measles, which is highly Duterte’s trust rating bounced 1980s. anti-drugs crackdown, some killings. And still the bill of the sulted from self-defence during 122,000 children are ex- contagious. back to “excellent” in December The Catholic Church protest- sectors of the church have be- death penalty is in Congress,” raids and sting operations. Call for swift prosecution of Filipina maid’s killers

By Catherine S Valente me, the ban stays. No deploy- Manila Times ment of Filipinos, whatsoever, to that country,” Duterte said. Duterte also fl oated the pos- alacanang yesterday sibility of expanding to other called for the swift countries the deployment ban, Mprosecution of the saying he could no longer stand suspects behind the killing of persistent reports of abuses overseas Filipino worker (OFW) against OFWs. Joanna Demafelis in Kuwait in “The (deployment) ban will Students raise their artworks during an attempt to stage the largest art lesson in Quezon City, Metro Manila. 2016. continue and it will extend to It issued the statement as other countries. It will be dif- the Department of Foreign Af- fi cult for them,” the president fairs (DFA) confi rmed that the said. “I will not allow (abuses suspects behind Demafelis’ against OFWs). I don’t have killing—her employers Nad- Ciriaco A Lagunzad III (centre), Undersecretary for Workers Protection, any plans to send you (to other er Essam Assaf and his wife, Human Resource, and Internal Auditing Services Cluster in the Filipino countries) just to let you be Students in record bid Mona—were apprehended by Department of Labour, speaks during a meeting with the Filipino treated cruelly. That’s not my authorities in Lebanon and community at his country’s embassy in Kuwait City, yesterday. style.” Syria. Palace spokesman Harry He, however, failed to men- Roque said he is hopeful that cruiters accountable for what than a year ago. This prompted tion which countries may be in- for biggest art lesson justice will be swiftly served. happened to her, Roque said, President Duterte to implement cluded in the expanded deploy- “We’re thankful, but hoping “PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa a total ban on the deployment ment ban. Speaking to Palace that they will be prosecuted and Duterte) asked NBI (National of OFWs to Kuwait. He also or- reporters on Tuesday last week, Reuters world’s biggest art class. dents joined the lesson and the punished soonest,” Roque told Bureau of Investigation) to dered the repatriation of Fili- Roque said Duterte was refer- Manila Middle school pupils from figure would be sent to Guin- reporters in a text message. summon them.” pino workers who want to come ring to nations where OFWs ex- about 200 schools listened ness World Records for an eval- Demafelis’ employers, a Leb- Demafelis’ remains were home. perience inhumane treatment. for about an hour as a teacher uation. anese and his Syrian wife, were found in a freezer early this Last week, Duterte visited the “He was referring to coun- early 17,000 students taught them how to draw a India holds the record for the identifi ed as the principal sus- month in an apartment aban- wake of Demafelis in Sara, Iloilo. tries that would treat Filipinos in the Philippines mask. largest art lesson with 14,135 pects in the torture and murder doned by her employers. An “It behoves upon the police of without due regard to their hu- Ngathered in a park in “I learned a lot,” said one of people taking art in one in of the 29-year-old maid. autopsy report showed she Kuwait and the Interpol, there’s manity. But there is no specifi c the capital, Manila, yesterday the students, Kathleen Pareno. 2014, Guinness World Records Asked whether the govern- was severely beaten before be- a serious crime. Catching the country in mind yet,” Roque in a bid to set a record for the Organisers said 16,692 stu- said on its website. ment will hold Demafelis’ re- ing placed in the freezer more employers is their problem. For said. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

UNHRC Police foil opposition BNP’s to urge universal jurisdiction black fl ag demonstration for Lanka By Mizan Rahman joint secretary general Syed cannons, charged baton to such programme. We can’t al- At another press confer- person Khaleda Zia was sent Dhaka Moazzem Hossain Alal and disperse them, leaving Ataur low programmes that disrupt ence, BNP senior joint secretary to jail after a special court sen- central leader Mostafi zur Rah- Rahman Dhali, Milon, Moni public life.” Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced tenced her to fi ve years’ rigor- rights man Babul. and Nipun injured. Later, at a press conference that their party will bring out ous imprisonment in the Zia olice yesterday foiled op- As part of BNP’s programme, At one stage, Fakhrul, BNP around 12 noon, Mirza Fakhrul processions across the country Orphanage Trust graft case. position Bangladesh Na- leaders and activists of the standing committee members alleged that police attacked on Monday protesting the at- Meanwhile, mentioning that process Ptionalist Party’s (BNP) party and its associate bod- Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Ab- their peaceful programme and tack on their peaceful black fl ag the government never obstructs black fl ag demonstration in ies started gathering in front of bas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, and foiled it without any provoca- showing programme in the city. any peaceful programme, Home front of its Nayapaltan central their Nayapaltan central offi ce Nazrul Islam Khan and other tion. He claimed that their party’s Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Agencies offi ce protesting the denial of since 9:30am. The demonstra- central leaders left the place and He also alleged that the gov- at least 230 leaders and activ- yesterday said law enforcers Colombo permission to hold a rally in the tion was scheduled to begin at entered the party offi ce. ernment itself is provoking to ists, including several women take necessary steps if anyone city on Thursday last. 11am. A large number of law en- create a violent situation in the ones, were injured as police intensifi es people’s suff erings The BNP claimed that at least When a group of party wom- forcement personnel were seen country. charged baton on them. doing excesses. he UN Human Rights 230 leaders and activists, in- en leaders and activists tried deployed in front of the BNP’s Fakhrul also strongly con- Rizvi also said police arrested “It was needed to free the Council (UNHRC) is to re- cluding chairperson’s adviser to stand in front of their offi ce central offi ce. They arrested demned and protested the po- over 150 party men and follow- area to ease people’s suff erings,” Tceive a report that will rec- Ataur Rahman Dhali, organising with black fl ags, police chased many BNP leaders and activists lice attacks on their programme. ers. He demanded their imme- he said about police foiling the ommend “other avenues includ- secretary Fazlul Haq Milon and them and arrested 10 of them. from diff erent lanes and places Later, Fakhrul together with diate release. black fl ag demonstration of ing the application of universal executive committee members They also damaged a make- adjacent to the BNP offi ce. party central leaders and about On February 22, BNP an- BNP in front of its Nayapaltan jurisdiction” that could foster Nilufar Chowdhury Moni and shift stage built in front of the Talking to reporter in front 200 party activists came out nounced that it will hold black central offi ce in the capital. accountability in Sri Lanka. Nipun Roy, were injured in the party offi ce to stage protest. of the BNP offi ce, Dhaka Met- of the central offi ce around fl ag demonstration protesting After a meeting of the law The report by UN High Com- police action. They were taken As some party activists, ropolitan Police Motijheel Zone 1:20pm. Police, however, did the denial of permission for its and order coordination com- missioner for Human Rights to hospitals, the party spokes- led by party central leaders offi cial ASM Shibli Noman said, not arrest or chase them. planned rally on Thursday de- mittee in Barura sub-district Zeid Raad al-Hussein will be man added. including secretary general “Showing black fl ag occupying Some party female leaders manding the release of party auditorium, the minister was presented at the 37th session of The BNP claimed that police Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alam- city road is not a peaceful pro- were taken to diff erent hospi- chairperson Khaleda Zia from replying to queries from report- the UNHRC to be held in Geneva arrested more than 150 sup- gir, tried to stage a demon- gramme. They did not take any tals by two ambulances around jail. ers about BNP’s allegation that from February 26 to March 23. porters of the party, including stration, police used water prior permission for arranging 1:30pm. On February 8, BNP chair- police foiled its procession. Noting that though Sri Lanka had constructively collaborated with the UNHRC over its human rights record the transitional justice action has been virtually Pinkathon in Nepal capital stalled for more than a year. Bangladesh frees “Progress with some confi - dence-building measures has often been insuffi cient and in- conclusive and the structures detained foreign set up to co-ordinate imple- mentation have not consoli- dated enough or did not receive suffi cient political support aid workers to move things forward,” the report says. Reuters from the United Kingdom, two The report notes that 2017 Dhaka were from Italy, and one each was marked by intermittent were from Turkey, the Neth- ethnic tensions and attacks on erlands, Norway, Belgium, minorities which are unlikely to he Bangladesh police Brazil, Korea and Kenya. dissipate completely. authority has freed all “All of them were going to The continuing allegations Tthe foreign aid workers a refugees’ camp from Cox’s of torture and surveillance and who had been detained near Bazar by their own vehicles, lack of progress in implement- the city of Cox’s Bazar after but they could not produce ing critical confi dence build- failing to show their pass- their passport, visa or work ing measures have not helped ports, visas or work permits, a permit,” Khair said. in achieving reconciliation and senior police offi cial said yes- “All of them were freed accountability allegations of terday. later after their written un- human rights abuses. The Rapid Action Battal- dertaking that in future they The UNHRC in previous res- ion (RAB), the elite force of will not visit any camp or will olutions had recommended in- the Bangladesh police, had on not come out without a valid ternational judges and tribunals Friday detained 11 aid work- passport or visa,” Khair added. to probe the rights abuses. ers with a number of diff er- Nearly 700,000 Rohingya But the government refused ent non-government organi- have fl ed Myanmar’s Rakhine to allow international judges zations (NGOs) and handed State and crossed into Bang- Girls participate in the “Pinkathon” in Kathmandu yesterday. saying the move would violate them over to local police. ladesh since August, when Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. Mohammad Abul Khair, of- attacks on security posts by fi cer in charge of the police insurgents triggered a military station in the Ukhiya sub- crackdown that the United district, near Cox’s Bazar, said Nations has said amounts to two of the aid workers were ethnic cleansing. Nepal govt begins informal talks Attache recalled from UK for own safety, says Lanka army chief Sri Lanka’s Army Chief Lt Gen Fernando, who was serving with Madhesh-based parties Mahesh Senanayake yesterday as the military attache in the said the country’s defence Sri Lankan mission in London, attache in the United Kingdom caused controversy when he IANS “Informal talks with some of is still open with the bottom line Nepal’s plains in 2015, with the talks with us to take us on board was recalled for his own safety made throat cutting gestures to Kathmandu the RJP-N (Rastriya Janata Party- of constitution amendment. promulgation of constitution then we will carry the demand after he was filmed making Tamil demonstrators opposite the Nepal) leaders have taken place “If the government is ready to later got unifi ed as one and con- for amendment. If no progress “throat cutting gestures” to mission in London on February 4. and the formal talks with the RJP- make amendments in the con- tinued their protest. is seen and the government ex- Tamil protesters outside the “As the commander of epal’s newly formed N are yet to be made. With the stitution especially the left al- With a range of agreements pansion proceeds, we will again Sri Lankan High Commission in the army, I have to take government has start- completion of the elections we liance, if it is ready to make the and promises the agitating party give an ultimatum to the gov- London earlier this month. responsibility for his safety. Ned informal talks with have clarifi ed our line of a con- amendments then we will have wants a conclusion, but at the ernment. If the demands of the British politicians had When he serves in another Madhesh-based parties whose stitutional amendment to be our no problem in boarding the gov- same time is fortifi ed with an amendment are met on the given demanded action against country his security cannot be demands of constitution amend- bottom line,” Keshav Jha, general ernment,” Jha added. option of protest. time duration, then it will be fi ne Brigadier Priyanka Fernando guaranteed. So I wanted him to ment has remained on board ever secretary of the RJP-N, said. The disgruntled alliance of “If the left alliance at this otherwise we will be compelled for openly making a death return,” Senanayake said in the since they raised it at the time of Jha clarifi ed that the doors for Madhesh-based parties who point of time talks about the par- to go on multi-phased protests,” threat at the demonstrators. northern town of Vavuniya. its’ promulgation in 2015. talks with the disgruntled party went on a marathon protest in ticipation in the government and Jha clarifi ed. Festive spirit ‘She Power project’ aims to train women for ICT sector

By Mizan Rahman The executive committee of and can read and write English, ers, printers and smartphones. Dhaka the National Economic Council will be eligible for participate For becoming call centre (ECNEC) on May 2, 2017 ap- in the project. Trainings will be agents, the women will be given proved the project involving an given in 21 sub-districts across training on document manage- angladesh has taken a estimated cost of 818.9mn taka. the country. ment, database management, special project to help “Initially the project will be The project director said document scanning, e-pub- Btrain more women entre- implanted from March to No- currently they are selecting lishing and managing incoming preneurs in the country’s thriv- vember this year, but the gov- vendors who will be provid- and outgoing calls. ing ICT sector, providing them ernment has a plan to expand it ing training to the women. The participants in all the with necessary training and in future so more women can be The nine-month training will three training programmes will some other initial supports. involve in the ICT sector,” Palak start in March after selection get internship for two months “The ‘She Power Project’ is said. of the vendors by February. when they will get a monthly designed to train more female Briefi ng the project design, All the participating wom- internship allowance of 3,000 entrepreneurs in the ICT sec- project director Solaiman en will have to go through a taka to 4,000 taka each. tor, which will also be a leap Mondol said initially a total of three-month training pro- On completion of intern- forward in women empower- 10,500 women will be provid- gramme, followed by two ships, they will be placed at ment,” State Minister for In- ed with necessary trainings to months of internship. related local organisations for formation and Communica- achieve three primary goals of To be entrepreneurs, the gathering practical experience tion Technology (ICT) Zunaid the project. The goals include women will get training on before starting their own busi- Ahmed Palak told newsmen in training 4,000 women entre- websites, graphic design, data ness. Dhaka yesterday. preneurs, developing skill sets entry, software development, “The women, who will suc- The project has been devel- of another 4,000 women in mobile app development and cessfully complete the trainings oped under the guidance of the providing Internet-based serv- Google translation. at all levels in three categories, ICT division, which is fund- ices and engaging 2,500 women For providing IT services, will be given 20,000 taka each A young Bangladeshi woman smiles as her two fellows apply coloured powder on her face during ing also for its implementation in call centres. the women will get training on from the project fund for buy- celebrations of a festival in Dhaka. across the country, the state Women aged between 18 and troubleshooting and repairing ing a laptop,” the project direc- minister said. 40, have basic knowledge in ICT laptops and desktop comput- tor said. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, February 25, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Qatar’s economic performance gets global endorsement

Qatar’s steady economic performance has got further endorsement from the international rating agencies, which expect government’s infrastructure plan to underpin economic activates in the country. While S&P recently affi rmed Qatar’s long- and short-term ratings on Qatar at ‘AA-/A-1+’, Fitch expects Qatar’s fi scal defi cit to narrow despite the unjustifi ed economic blockade on Qatar from June last year. The ratings affi rmation, according to S&P, refl ects its expectation that the authorities will continue to actively Global pessimism manage the downside impact of the blockade while preserving Qatar’s core rating strengths, including strong public fi nances. Analysts believe the high level of government assets will remain a core strength of Qatar’s rating. In an update, the global rating agency said Qatari government has taken measures to support confi dence in amid plenty Qatar’s banking system, including the repatriation into the domestic banking system of $43bn (26% of GDP) in public sector – mostly Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) – assets, By Michael Spence A host of factors contributes to alone, and there are serious questions views about the economy’s trajectory. Milan the divergence between data and about whether the global community’s When policymakers provide adequate previously held abroad. perception, beginning with people’s response is even close to aggressive protection to their citizens, those views Fitch expects its headline measure of Qatar’s fi scal defi cit to innate biases. One such bias is the enough to stave off disaster. The may be more likely to skew positively. decline to 2.5% of GDP in 2017 few years ago, I wrote a book “optimism gap”: people tend to be apparent crumbling of the post- This point was driven home in a from 5.1% in 2016, including called The Next Convergence, more optimistic about their own war global order – and the lack of a recent New York Times article, which Qatar’s rating is estimated investment income about how developing circumstances than they are about clear idea as to what will replace it – cited a European Commission survey compounds concerns about the effi cacy indicating that 80% of Swedes “express of the Qatar Investment Aeconomies were “catching those of others, or of society in general. supported by up” to their advanced counterparts in Another is what the Nobel laureate of international co-operation. positive views about robots and artifi cial Authority (QIA). terms of income, wealth, health, and Daniel Kahneman and his long-time It is also true that aggregate intelligence.” On the other hand, “a the strong net The demand for recent other measures of well-being. I looked collaborator, the psychologist Amos economic data can and do obscure more survey by the Pew Research Center found bond and loan placements not just at how these countries had Tversky, refer to as the “availability localised problems. While the benefi ts that 72% of Americans were ‘worried’ external asset by QNB suggest continued achieved rapid growth – including the heuristic”: people estimate the of globalisation have been enormous, about a future in which robots and computers substitute for humans.” interest among non-resident central role played by an open global frequency of events by the ease with they have been unevenly spread. position economy – but also at the opportunities which examples come to mind. Many regional and local economies Swedes broadly view technology as institutional investors and challenges this process of When it comes to assessing economic have been rocked by job losses and the essential to foster competitiveness, fuel (primarily from Asia-Pacifi c) in exposure to the country, convergence would bring. and social trends, both biases are decline of entire industrial sectors – productivity growth, and thus expand the report said, adding international oil companies are keen In writing the book, I had planned to shaped by the news cycle. Pinker developments that have contributed to surpluses that will be distributed to participate in expanding Qatar’s liquefi ed natural gas include a lot of data in visual form. But cites data indicating that the share rising inequality. among workers, management, and a respected literary agent told me that of negative news stories has trended The danger of ignoring the owners according to shared values, production. using graphs was a bad idea, because upward in the post-war period. Since distributional aspects of growth or used to help adapt worker skills. Highlighting that there are also signs of broader only a small share of people absorb the advent of digital and social media, patterns has lately come to the fore, as And there is a comprehensive – and economic resilience, Fitch said the central bank data show quantitative information better when the news cycle has been shortened to widening inequality has emerged as a admittedly expensive – social-security non-resident interbank and customer deposits at Qatar’s it is presented visually. I came to realise minutes, encouraging a continuous key contributor to negative attitudes system to support people in transition. commercial banks grew in December for the fi rst time since that graphs are, in a sense, answers to fl ow of imprecise, sensational, false, or about economic and social progress. In the US, pessimistic views of major June, when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain questions. If you don’t pose a question, deeply biased content. Negative news Pinker and others rightly point out economic trends may be fuelled partly a graph is somewhere between tends to sell better, perhaps because that rising inequality does not imply by a lack of adequate policy responses and Egypt severed diplomatic, fi nancial and trade links with uninteresting and meaningless. of a built-in negativity bias. It doesn’t absolute losses for subgroups, unless and less robust social-safety nets. Qatar and closed air, land and sea borders. Recently, the Harvard University help that on social media, users can overall income growth is fl at. Attitudes toward globalisation and Qatar’s GDP grew 1.1% in the fi rst three quarters of 2017, psychologist Steven Pinker published a “self-select” the type of content to But while extreme inequality and digital technology also tend to be more after a second-quarter contraction, while imports have book documenting long-term positive which they are exposed, potentially poverty are unacceptable in most positive in high-growth developing rebounded, refl ecting the substitution of Saudi Arabia and trends in multiple dimensions of reinforcing their existing biases. societies, some disparities of income countries like India and China, where well-being, which he calls “the fruits Uncertainty, too, can fuel a more and wealth are widely viewed as a progress is highly visible and digital the UAE in supply chains. of the Enlightenment.” Progress is pessimistic assessment of trends. And tolerable, even inevitable, corollary of technologies look more like growth The government’s narrow tax base means revenues depend not, Pinker acknowledges, consistent; there is no shortage of uncertainty in a market economy, though the specifi c engines than threats. far more on hydrocarbons than on the rest of the economy. there have been signifi cant setbacks the world today. level of inequality that is considered While there is no shortage of challenges But steady economic performance could reduce the need as new challenges, such as climate In developed countries, globalisation appropriate varies across countries. facing economies and societies today, to support the private sector and give the authorities change, have emerged. But, generally, and automation have already produced The real issue, then, becomes perceived they should not be allowed to obscure well-being has been improving since signifi cant shifts in labour markets and fairness in a particular society – a hard positive long-term trends. The best confi dence to continue fi scal reforms such as implementing at least the mid-18th century, with income distribution. The continuing indicator to quantify. Meritocracy, remedies for “undue” and potentially value added or excise tax, which has been postponed. the Industrial Revolution bringing a takeover of economic activity by transparency, and constraints on the debilitating pessimism are practical: Qatar’s rating is supported by the strong net external asset sharp acceleration in welfare gains. artifi cial intelligence and robotics is extremes seem to be the most salient eff ective fact-based policymaking, position. Asset market returns in 2017 supported QIA assets, Since World War II, 85% of the world’s likely to sustain and even accelerate dimensions of that question. shaped by scientifi c inquiry and social and may have off set the public sector’s estimated $32bn population living in developing these trends. Such global economic and To some extent, societies’ solidarity. – Project Syndicate countries have benefi ted as well. technological forces are widely viewed perceptions of economic trends – deposit injection into the banking sector in June-December. Yet, while Pinker uses many graphs as beyond the control of countries’ whether positive or negative – comes zMichael Spence, a Nobel laureate in S&P expects Qatar’s liquid external assets to continue to to demonstrate this progress, most governance structures, raising doubts down to policy responses. When economics, is professor of Economics at off set the country’s stock of debt by a sizeable margin. people seem not to perceive it, or at about the effi cacy of policy responses. policymakers ignore losses in particular New York University’s Stern School of The analysts also expect Qatar to continue with key least to discount it relative to immediate Similarly, climate change is beyond regions or sectors, the result is anger Business and Senior Fellow at the Hoover macroeconomic policies of fi scal consolidation and the problems and worries. Why? the capacity of any country to address and social division – and negative Institution. economic-growth-enhancing $200bn infrastructure development plan for 2014-2020 (16% of GDP on average over the period). Two things are very clear from observations made on Qatar recently by premier international rating agencies. The high level of government assets still remains a core strength of Qatar’s rating. And in comparison with regional peers, Qatar’s fi scal defi cits have been modest and its fi nancing strategy remains crystal clear.

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An automobile plant in India. Attitudes toward globalisation and digital technology tend to be more positive in high-growth developing countries like India and China, © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved where progress is highly visible. Gulf Times Sunday, February 25, 2018 27 COMMENT Education in the digital age

By Koichi Hamada Heckman has shown, education of pressured to memorise information Tokyo young children has a signifi cant impact from a very young age. on productivity. Parents will go so far as to move to That is why Prime Minister Shinzo a district where the kindergarten is he Fourth Industrial Abe has announced that half of linked to a renowned university. Revolution stands out from its the extra revenues raised from the This system did not begin in Japan. predecessors in a critical way: consumption-tax hike that will go into On the contrary, it is an outgrowth Trather than making it easier eff ect in 2019 will be invested in pre- of the system for assessing and for humans to use their surroundings school education. promoting Chinese bureaucrats that more eff ectively for their own benefi t, To give young people the tools they prevailed until the early twentieth technology is displacing humans in the will need to thrive in the changing century. workplace. digital economy, such investment While it is a form of meritocracy, The question is who will benefi t must focus on improving the quality of and thus superior to nepotism, it now. education. fails to take into account the reality Automated or otherwise That may mean transforming that a capacity for rote learning does technology-enabled services can curricula to focus less on rote learning not necessarily imply an aptitude for increase profi t margins for companies, or straightforward calculation and creativity or ingenuity. while representing for users cheaper, more on skills like critical thinking, Even if it did, we might not fi nd more convenient, or more reliable communication, and leadership. out, because memorising enough options than those produced Education in Japan today – and information to secure high scores on exclusively by humans. perhaps also in South Korea – is assessments leaves little time to learn But, of course, this comes at a high something like the game “Jeopardy”: to think – to develop skills or foster cost for the humans who previously the one who knows the most facts is talents that could amount to a real fi lled those roles. the winner. contribution to one’s community and People all over the world The best-known means by which country. have embraced ridesharing and Japanese students are ranked is In fact, a system based on hensachi transportation services like Uber, hensachi – literally translated as actively discourages those who do have to the detriment of traditional taxi “standard deviation” – which refl ects valuable talents from developing them drivers. how far from the statistical mean a into useful skills. When artifi cial intelligence-enabled typical student admitted to a given Yet, in the age of AI, those talents driverless cars become cost-eff ective institution scores on a test focused on and skills are more valuable than ever. and reliable, Uber and taxi drivers alike memorised formulas and facts. The Fourth Industrial Revolution will become obsolete. Students with higher positive will amount to a major test for a In stock trading, 79% of market hensachi scores are admitted to more Japanese education system focused transactions are now performed by rigorous high schools and colleges, on reciting facts and performing software, according to Frank Zhang where they are often encouraged to formulaic calculations – precisely the of the Yale School of Management, study medicine, simply because the areas where humans cannot compete refl ecting the hope that machines Japanese students feel pressured to memorise information from a very young age. entrance exam is diffi cult, even if they with intelligent machines. will be able to identify patterns more have no interest in a medical career. With all of our technological eff ectively than a human could – a While simultaneous interpreters To win, it is vital not just to a job that takes advantage of this new Otherwise, they compete to become developments, human ingenuity and hope that may have contributed to the – who occupy a high-paid avoid being displaced by new economy. bureaucrats at the most infl uential creativity remain unmatched. recent stock-market correction. profession – may scoff at the notion technologies, but also to capitalise Such responses are good not just for ministries – for example, fi nance, We should make the most of In any case, this doesn’t bode well that machines will threaten their on the new opportunities they individuals, but also for economies as economy, or foreign aff airs – or they that, and give our young people for human traders. positions any time soon, the success present. a whole. try to get on the fast track to the top of the opportunity to use their innate I myself have saved on translation of machine learning in highly This might mean investing in In Japan, for example, human- elite fi rms like Toyota or Sony. advantages as eff ectively as possible. – costs since realising that, with some complex strategic games like Go cutting-edge businesses like Uber, capital development is crucial to Hensachi scores thus determine Project Syndicate edits by me, Google Translate can suggests that machines’ ability to as the Japanese-Korean industrialist support growth as the population ages people’s entire career trajectories. work just fi ne, though this means learn should not be underestimated. Masayoshi Son has done. and shrinks. High scores mean a comfortable life, zKoichi Hamada is professor Emeritus lost income for the graduate students In short, the AI-driven revolution Or it might mean acquiring the And that process begins early: as all the way through retirement. at Yale University and a special adviser whom I used to hire the task. will have its winners and losers. knowledge and skills needed to secure the Nobel laureate economist James Given this, Japanese students feel to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Kuwait celebrates 57th National Day today Three-day forecast fi rst held along the Gulf Street with TODAY QNA Maximum Temperature : 240c Kuwait various state bodies, folklore bands and students taking part. Minimum Temperature : 190c In 1985, “Sahat Al-Alam’ (the MONDAY uwait’s celebration of its Flag Square), near the Arabian Gulf Maximum Temperature : 230c 57th National Day coincides coastline, was designated as site of Minimum Temperature : 180c this year with the 40th festivities; its area amounts to 10,000 TUESDAY anniversary of the country’s sq m. The country’s tallest fl agpole, Maximum Temperature : 230c K Minimum Temperature : 190c national anthem, an occasion that standing 36 meters, was built at there. The jubilant Kuwaiti people expresses Kuwaitis’ belonging, loyalty Fisherman's forecast and pride of their homeland. enjoy the festivities this year amid Kuwait celebrates the 57th remarkable achievements in the WARNING economic development, prosperity Inshore : Expected thundery National Day today which is also rain at places at times the 27th Liberation Day and the 12th and national unity under the wise associated with sudden anniversary of the assumption of leadership of the Emir Sheikh Sabah strong wind offi ce by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Offshore : Expected thunder rain associated with strong Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad wind and high sea at who took offi ce after the executive al-Jaber al-Sabah and the Prime places and legislative authorities pledged Since its independence, Kuwait has made great strides on the road of progress Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Muabark al- WEATHER and prosperity. Inshore : Partly cloudy to cloudy allegiance to him at a historic Hamad al-Sabah. with scattered rain may parliamentary session on January 29, The emir of Kuwait is working hard be thundery at places 2006. Independence Day was shifted on May It has been working with regional to make his country a major economic at times WIND The 40th anniversary of the 18, 1964, to February 25 to coincide and international organisation to help hub and a source of democracy. He Inshore : Northeasterly-North- national anthem adds to the grandeur with the date of the coronation of realise the aspirations of the peoples approved the development plan to westerly 08-18/25 KT of the national celebrations across Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah in of the world for development, security build vital projects that will promote Offshore : Northeasterly-North- westerly 10-20/30 KT Kuwait that witnesses a remarkable commemoration of his role in building and stability. Kuwait and turn it into a global Visibility : 4 - 8 KM/ 3 KM development in all fi elds under the Kuwait as an independent, fully It was able to build fi rm relations fi nancial and commercial centre that SEA STATE wise leadership. sovereign, democratic and modern with almost all countries of the world attracts investment and diversifi es the Offshore : 3-6 FT, Rises to 10 FT The anthem was fi rst broadcast on country. thanks to contributions to the eff orts, income resources in order to build a bright future. February 25, 1978, in synchronisation Kuwait celebrated its fi rst led by the United Nations, the Arab Around the region with the independence day and the Independence Day on June 19, 1962, League, the Organisation of Islamic Meanwhile, the emir of Kuwait has Weather anniversary of late Emir Sheikh Jaber with a grand military parade at the Co-operation and the Gulf Co- paid great attention to the national Weather tomorrow Max/min al-Ahmad al-Sabah’s assumption of old airport where the late Emir Sheikh operation Council to ensure stability unity, and stressed the unity and today Max/min Cloudy 19/12 power. Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah pledged and security worldwide. solidarity among the people of Baghdad M Sunny 20/13 P Cloudy 23/15 Kuwait actually gained to set up a constituent assembly Kuwait also plays a prominent Kuwait, the rejection of diff erences Kuwait City P Cloudy 23/13 P Cloudy 23/17 independence from Britain on June to work out a modern constitution role in humanitarian eff orts, which and problems and the strive to build Manama S Showers 23/16 M Sunny 25/21 19, 1961 by virtue of a treaty signed by and arrange for legislative elections. became a distinctive feature in its the future of Kuwait by love and Muscat P Cloudy 29/22 M Sunny 14/06 Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah, The constitution was approved in foreign policy and deservedly led to tolerance. “We in this country are Tehran P Cloudy 12/03 the 11th ruler of the country, and November 1962 and the polls were the UN recognition of the Emir Sheikh loving brothers, there is no place for Sir George H Middleton. The treaty held on January 23, 1963. Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah as fanaticism to any sect, tribe or group ended Kuwait’s status as a British Since its independence, Kuwait Humanitarian Leader and Kuwait as at the expense of the homeland. We protectorate under the pact signed by has made great strides on the road of Humanitarian Centre in September are loyal to Allah and then to the Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah and Britain progress and prosperity and abided by 2014. homeland in which we live. We protect on January 23, 1899, to protect the a balanced foreign open-door policy The national celebrations have the homeland by our national unity country from external threats. based on friendship, peace and mutual passed through diff erent stages since and build it by the solidarity of our The date of celebrating the benefi t co-operation. the early 1960s. The festivities were sons,” the emir of Kuwait said. Live issues Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Eye and balance exercises may ease MS symptoms Athens S Showers 14/10 Rain 14/06 Beirut Rain 19/14 P Cloudy 18/15 Bangkok S T Storms 34/26 M Sunny 34/25 By Lisa Rapaport in a supervised exercise programme, by participation in exercise such as walking, both with and without head Berlin P Cloudy -1/-9 P Cloudy -1/-8 Reuters Health while the rest were put on a waiting (this) programme; however, additional movements and eyes open and closed, Cairo P Cloudy 24/15 Sunny 26/14 list. research in this area is needed,” said as well as eye movement exercises to Cape Town Cloudy 21/14 Sunny 26/16 At the start of the study, lead study author Jeff rey Hebert of help improve visual stability. Colombo S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/24 eople with multiple sclerosis researchers gave all of the the University of Colorado School of For the exercise group, the benefi ts Dhaka Sunny 34/22 P Cloudy 31/19 who do balance and eye participants computer-based Medicine in Denver. persisted even when they cut back to Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/17 P Cloudy 21/18 movement exercises may balance tests. None of the “The . . . programme is most supervised workouts just once a week. Istanbul S Showers 07/05 S Showers 09/03 Pfeel steadier on their feet and participants approached scores of generalisable to ambulatory patients By the end of the study, they had average Jakarta T Storm 32/24 S T Storms 31/24 experience less fatigue and dizziness, a 90 out of 100 that are typical for with MS who have some limitations balance test scores of 75, compared with Karachi Sunny 33/20 P Cloudy 33/18 small trial suggests. healthy adults without balance related to balance and fatigue,” Hebert 65 in the control group. London Sunny 04/-2 M Cloudy 02/-3 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare, issues. said by e-mail. The people who did the exercises Manila P Cloudy 33/25 P Cloudy 32/25 disabling autoimmune disease that After six weeks, however, average In the exercise group, people also saw greater improvements in their Moscow P Cloudy -13/-24 Cloudy -15/-26 damages the central nervous system. scores rose more for the exercise completed supervised exercises twice fatigue and dizziness test scores than New Delhi Sunny 29/15 Sunny 29/16 It can lead to fatigue, pain, vision loss group. While both groups started with a week and received instructions to the other group. New York Rain 10/06 P Cloudy 14/02 and impaired co-ordination and motor scores around 62-63, those in the exercise daily at home for the fi rst six In addition, researchers found Paris Sunny 03/-6 M Sunny 01/-7 skills. exercise group rose to an average of 73, weeks. Then, for the next eight weeks, that patients in the exercise group Sao Paulo M Cloudy 26/18 T Storms 26/19 For the current study, researchers compared with an increase to 66 in the they got one supervised workout a who had lesions in brain regions Seoul P Cloudy 08/-4 P Cloudy 09/-2 focused on 88 adults with MS who other group. week plus daily exercises to do at that are important to balance and Singapore T Storm 31/24 T Storm 30/24 were able to walk 100 meters assisted “It is possible that disability home. eye movement control had greater Sydney Rain 23/18 Rain 21/19 with a cane if necessary. Half of them due to MS can be improved or the Exercises included balancing improvements in balance than people Tokyo Cloudy 07/02 Cloudy 08/03 were randomly selected to participate accumulation of disability lessened on diff erent surfaces and while without these lesions. Gulf Times 28 Sunday, February 25, 2018 QATAR

A performance by the world-famous Igor Moiseyev Ballet. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Qatar-Russia Year of Culture gets underway

By Joseph Varghese Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Ballet marked the beginning of the cel- Staff Reporter bin Nasser al-Ali, Russian Minister of ebrations that will last for the whole Culture Vladimir Medinsky, Qatar’s year. The performance, directed by ambassador to Russia Fahad bin Mo- Elena Shcherbakova, renowned artistic HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, Vladimir Medinsky and other dignitaries at the event. he Qatar-Russia 2018 Year of hamed al-Attiyah, Russian ambassa- and executive director of Igor Moiseyev Culture got under way yesterday dor to Qatar Nurmakhmad Kholov and State Academic Ensemble of Popular The initiative was launched in 2012 nication that can reinforce our shared The Igor Moiseyev Ballet started Tat Katara - the Cultural Village other VIP guests. Dance, is part of Qatar Museums’ (QM) under the guidance of QM’s chairper- human values of tolerance and peace. with a performance featuring a group in the presence of HE the Minister of The award-winning Igor Moiseyev Years of Culture initiative. son, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- This year will give the people of Qatar of 50 artistes, captivating audiences mad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and aims to the chance to discover Russian culture, with their mesmerising show. It is of- build bridges between nations and es- while at the same time introducing ten described as the greatest folk dance tablish Qatar as a cultural destination. Russians to the diversity of Qatari cul- group in the world, entertaining audi- HE al-Ali said Qatar has maintained ture, one that is known for its apprecia- ences for over 80 years. The group’s a strong bond with Russia for a long tion of intercultural interactions.” iconic choreography is marked by its time. “The cultural year refl ects the Medinsky said: “This celebration harmonious fusion of technical bril- richness of creativity in both countries, will result in an increase in the number liance and folk dance spontaneity. The the desire of intellectuals and artists to of Russian tourists to Qatar. Earlier, dances refl ect the diverse cultures of extend communication bridges and the Doha was the transit point for many the world, painting choreographic activation of common human values Russians but hereafter this beautiful scenes, miniatures and one-act ballets expressed perfectly through creativity. country will be the fi nal destination for against music of great Russian com- Today, we need to renew our visions Russian tourists. We are looking for- posers including Modest Mussorgsky, and relationships to strengthen the ward to this year’s cultural exchange Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov and Mikhail values of tolerance and human rights. programme, creating an atmosphere of Glinka, among others. “The Qatar-Russia 2018 Year of Cul- understanding and trust between our Russia will present more than 100 ture showcases the rich creativity found nations that helping strengthen op- exciting cultural programmes and ex- in the two countries and the desire of portunities for tourism and economic hibitions in Qatar to mark the Qatar- our people to build bridges of commu- exchange.” Russia Year of Culture

Moments from the performances.