MONDAY MARCH 5, 2018 JUMADA AL-AKHIRAH 17, 1439 VOL.11 NO. 4199 QR 2

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EMIR PATRONISES 11TH EDUCATION EXCELLENCE DAY CEREMONY

Emir honours winners of Education Excellence Award MALEK HELALI to continue their run of excel- Award reflects the Emir’s keen respect for cultural diversity,” DOHA lence and success, to depend on The Emir urged the winners interest in the performance of Hammadi added. themselves and serve the coun- the country’s education system Qatar has now over 20 uni- THE Emir HH Sheikh Tamim try and the community. to continue their run of and its outputs. versities and colleges in addi- bin Hamad al Thani honoured The winners expressed excellence and success, to “We have been advancing tion to around 2,500 students 64 winners of the Education gratitude to the Emir for hon- depend on themselves and in our journey of achieving edu- studying abroad, he noted. Excellence Award at the 11th ouring them, stressing that serve the country and the cational excellence by adopting He said the first scientific edition of the Education Excel- winning the Emir’s appre- community the latest techniques and edu- specialty public school will be lence Day ceremony in Doha ciation will motivate them to cational projects and research opened next September which on Sunday. continue the journey of success studies in the fields of evalua- will operate on a comprehen- The Emir met the winners and service to the country. achieving this goal by imple- tion and training. This has con- sive curriculum focused on sci- and expressed his delight at Minister of Education and menting an educational system tributed to the development of entific subjects, engineering, celebrating their achievement Higher Education HE Dr Mo- that follow the finest interna- our talent and the exploration technology, and mathematics in view of what this outstand- hammed bin Abdul Wahed al tional standards in education.” of their creative and innova- in order to support specialisa- ing group adds qualitatively Hammadi said, “Achieving ed- He said the Emir’s pat- tive potential in addition to tions to serve a knowledge and to the country’s scientific ucational excellence has been ronising of the ceremony and refining their critical thinking creativity-based economy. progress. a strategic goal of the country. honouring of the winners of and constructive dialogue skills The Emir urged the winners Qatar has come a long way in the Education Excellence Day while promoting tolerance and More on pages 2 & 16 Ô

Emir to visit FM, US envoys discuss Gulf crisis Docu reveals role Belgium & QNA Bulgaria DOHA of siege states in DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minis- QNA ter of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mo- DOHA hammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani met envoys of US Secretary of State, 1996 failed coup THE Emir HH Sheikh Tamim Retired General Anthony Zinni, and bin Hamad al Thani will head Deputy Assistant Secretary of State TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK since 1996, while those involved for Belgium on Monday for an for Arabian Gulf Affairs Tim Lenderk- DOHA exposed the means Saudi Arabia official visit, followed by a state ing, in Doha on Sunday. employed, and the decisive plan- visit to Bulgaria. They discussed the developments IN its investigative programme ning for overthrowing the regime During the visit, the Emir in the Gulf crisis, the Kuwaiti media- #WhatIsHiddenIsGreatest, Al in Doha. will hold talks with leaders tion efforts and illegal measures taken Jazeera has revealed the role of Two operations rooms were and senior officials of the two by the siege countries against Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain set up in Manama for coordinat- countries to boost Qatar’s The meeting was attended by HE and Egypt in planning and prepar- ing and planning the coup attempt relations with them. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al ing a failed coup in Qatar in 1996. and the second in Al Khubar in A number of cooperation Thani, Secretary of the Emir for Invest- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- The investigation showed that Saudi Arabia to lead the operation. agreements and memoranda of ment Affairs. rahman al Thani with US envoys Anthony Zinni and Tim Lenderking in Doha on Sunday. the coup attempt was made under As for the role of Cairo, the understanding will be signed in Earlier in the day, Zinni met the the direct supervision of the block- Egyptian intelligence provided various fields during the visit. Emir of Kuwait HH Sheikh Sabah al Zinni and Lenderking’s visit to the re- Lenderking will discuss possible ways ading countries. A secret docu- support with arms and intelligence The Emir will be accompanied by Ahmad al Jaber al Sabah in Kuwait and gion was aimed at reaching out to all to resolve the dispute, as well as dis- ment revealed that the zero hour by recruiting two retired Egyptian an official delegation as well as discussed the Gulf crisis. parties to the Gulf dispute. cuss arrangements for the next US- in the coup attempt was 3am of brigades who were inside Qatar. a delegation of businessmen. A US State Department source said The source said Zinni and Gulf summit. February 14, 1996. Jaber Hamad al Marri, the “There have been attempts by chief aide to the leader of the coup neighbouring countries to bring in cell, said, “Egyptian arms entered foreign mercenaries, as a prelude Qatari territory in preparation for to entering the country and over- the coup against the regime.” throwing the regime,” said Patrick At the dawn of February 14, 250 new dialysis cases every year: HMC official Nickolas Theros, a former US Saudi, Bahraini and Emirati ambassador to Qatar. forces were mobilised to support CATHERINE W GICHUKI all the cases. ney disease is as high in women as in A leaked document issued by the coup attempt. The Saudi 8th DOHA “We are conducting a study to KIDNEY men,” he said. the Saudi intelligence (Taif branch) Brigade, based in Al Ahsa, was as- look at the effects of chronic kidney There are also genetic kidney revealed support and facilities pro- signed to the Salwa border cross- ABOUT 250 new cases of patients disease on the Qatari population. AILMENTS diseases such as polycystic kidney vided to the Qatari military partici- ing to support the coup attempt, requiring dialysis is being reported About eight to 10 percent of the disease or autoimmune, and more pants in the coup attempt. while a special Bahraini force was in Qatar every year, Hamad Medical population is suffering from it,” he O The main causes of kidney common among women like lupus The investigation presents preparing to carry out a landing in Corporation (HMC) officials have said. disease are diabetes mellitus nephritis. the testimony of the most promi- western Doha. said. Currently, there are 650 pa- Malki said there is about 90 and hypertension and they “People who are at a high risk nent leaders of the coup, includ- An Emirati air force also vowed tients on hemodialysis and 250 on percent success rate against acute account for 70 percent of cases are advised to go for an annual ing Fahd al Maliki, a former of- to take over the Qatari airspace. “A peritoneal dialysis. kidney disease. screening, including those with ficial in the Qatari intelligence, coup attempt was foiled by a mili- At a press conference on Sun- Chronic kidney disease affects ap- O Chronic kidney disease diabetes, hypertension and obese. who was released after the tary officer two hours before zero day, HMC Head of Nephrology proximately 195 million people world- affects 195 million people People whose families have kidney quashing of the death sentence hour, after which arrests were Dr Hassan al Malki said the main wide and is the eighth leading cause worldwide and is the eighth problems are also required to do against him. made. Most of the participants causes of kidney disease are diabe- of death among women, with close to leading causes of death among regular check up,” said Malki. This episode reveals how Sau- managed to escape and some were tes mellitus and hypertension which 600,000 deaths reported each year. women di Arabia had secretly supported arrested, including Saudis,” said and they account for 70 percent of “The risk of developing chronic kid- Continued on page 3 Ô the change of regime in Qatar Patrick. 02 Monday, March 5, 2018

HH THE EMIR MEETS WINNERS OF EDUCATION EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani met with the win- ners of the 11th Education Excellence Day award at the Sheraton Doha Hotel on Sunday. At the outset of the meeting, HH the Emir expressed his delight at meeting them to celebrate and encourage their achievement, in view of what this outstanding group adds qualitatively to the country’s path and scientific progress. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani. (QNA/Doha)

‘We have benefited greatly from the unjust blockade im- posed on us since last June as we have been able to explore our areas of strength and outline our main chal- lenges and needs’ ~ Dr Mohamed bin Abdul-Wahid al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Higher Education ‘Students affected by siege ‘Winning award is the result of a reintegrated successfully’ collective effort’ MALEK HELALI Shura Council, this experience has brought the best number of outstanding individuals applying for and MALEK HELALI es the sense of confidence, re- DOHA out of Qatar’s people in terms of qualification and earning the excellence award in all its categories which DOHA sponsibility and self-reliance fighting spirit while contributing to the modelling of reflects the robustness of Qatar’s people and their vic- among the participants. THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad the people’s national identity and demonstration of tory over siege by defeating its inhumane purpose. WINNING the Education Ex- “We are living in a chang- al Thani on Sunday honoured the 64 winners of the solidarity with the leadership.” Hammadi said: “The educationally excellent indi- cellence Day award is a result ing world where our country Educational Excellence Award organised by the The minister also stressed on the blockade’s role viduals we are celebrating today are Qatar’s core nation- of the collective efforts of the is facing multiple challenges. Ministry of Education and Higher Education. in redirecting Qatar’s educational policies by imple- al potential and carry the responsibility of opening the winners’ schools, parents and So, allow me to praise the ex- Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh menting emergency and long-term programmes. country’s economy to new initiatives and investments society and contributes to the cellence of our Qatari youth Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani attended the The celebration was attended by a number of their so that we can produce our own food and medicine and advancement of Qatar’s na- who have managed to deal honouring ceremony held at Doha Sheraton. excellencies sheikhs, ministers and heads of diplo- diversify the sources of our income in order to achieve tional capabilities as well as with the blockade with wis- Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Edu- matic delegations in the country as well as senior of- our economic independence which are missions that its human capital in order dom and proficiency,” Min- cation and Higher Education HE Dr Mohamed bin ficials at the ministry and parents of the winners. cannot be delayed. Qatar still needs the contribution of to achieve its national vision hali said. Abdul-Wahid al Hammadi said that those Qatari The minister noted that Qatar currently has over its children in building its economy and defending its se- and developmental projects, He concluded: “I hope students who were affected by the blockade have 20 universities and colleges in addition to around curity through hard work, dedication and self-reliance.” according to Dr Saleh al Min- this occasion would motivate been successfully reintegrated with better academic 2,500 students studying science and liberal arts in dif- The minister congratulated the winners: “You hali, the winner in the PhD our peers to climb the ladder options and educational environments guaranteed ferent international educational institutions abroad. are Qatar’s ambassadors in interacting with other category. of excellence.” to advance their academic careers. He added that the first scientific specialty public cultures and civilisations and contributing con- Minhali said in his speech Brigadier General Ali al Hammadi said: “We have benefited greatly from school with a comprehensive curriculum focused on structively to scientific and human experiences as on behalf of the award win- Kuwari, director of Qatar the unjust blockade imposed on us since last June scientific subjects will be opened next September to your excellence today is your main road to pioneer- ners during the honouring Leadership Academy, which as we have been able to explore our areas of strength further support knowledge-based economy. ing your fields of specialty and your main driver to ceremony that the Emir HH won the award in private and outline our main challenges and needs. As HH The minister noted that following the blockade, the continuing your journey of distinction among your Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al school’s category, said that the Emir highlighted in the latest speech to the country has witnessed an unprecedented leap in the peers worldwide in order to build your country.” Thani has realised with his the achievement came as a wisdom and vision that high result of collaboration be- quality education following tween the teaching and ad- the modern global trends ministrative staff. is the only way to build the He said in a statement Increasing number of award winners proof country’s national expertise released by the Ministry of and achieve a knowledge- Education and Higher Edu- based economy and commu- cation that the school has es- of Qatar’s robust education system: Nuaimi nication revolution. tablished an operation room According to him, this specialised in fulfilling the MALEK HELALI of the 11th edition of the Education patronage of the award triggers com- international organisations. has enabled Qatar to dive award’s evaluation criteria. DOHA Excellence Day that the award win- petition among the participants. President of the Executive Com- into the new millennium with “The academy is consid- ners from different age groups and “Despite the development of the mittee of the Educational Excellence confidence while keeping its ered a unique institution on THE increasing number of Educa- academic levels have competed hon- award and the augmentation of the Day award Hassan al Mohammadi fifth rank internationally in national and regional levels tion Excellence Day award winners is orably to provide for the demands of evaluation standards, we found that the noted that the current 11th edition of the the quality of education for attended by multinational indicative of Qatar’s robust education their community. applicants were excelling in their efforts award received a record number of 291 the second consecutive year students aiming to achieve system, increased awareness of the Fawzia al Khater, undersecretary and achievements,” Khater added. entries of which 64 were declared win- as per the global competitive- big in an Arab and Muslim award among students as well as their for educational affairs at the ministry, Executive President of the Educa- ners, which reflects the spread of aware- ness reports of 2016-2017 environment. Providing in- potential and priorities, according to said: “The creativity and excellence of tion Excellence Award Dr Hamda al ness of the award in the Qatari society. and 2017-2018 issued by the ternal housing for the stu- the Undersecretary of the Ministry of this year’s award winners delighted us Sulaiti said that the award is consid- Mohammadi added that a number World Economic Forum in dents contributes to shaping Education and Higher Education Dr and reassured us that our students are ered a proof of Qatar’s success in ad- of winners have previously won the Davos, Switzerland. their personalities and rein- Ibrahim al Nuaimi. following the right path of success that vancing the quality of its education to award at lower educational levels, Minhali noted that forcing their values of self- Nuaimi said in a statement on the our beloved country is aiming for.” reach international standards, which which bears testimony to their con- the excellence award has discipline and outstanding occasion of the awarding ceremony Khater noted that HH the Emir’s was reflected in the reports of many tinuous pursuit for excellence. achieved its goals through academic performance,” the the promotion of knowledge director added. and scientific research and Brigadier General Kuwari by emphasising the spirit of explained that the academy competition between indi- includes educational orien- viduals and institutions redi- tations in the academic and recting their energy towards leadership fields that incorpo- development, leadership and rate physical training and fo- societal contributions. He cus on discipline and self-re- added that the award advanc- liance in a strict environment. ‘We are living in a changing world where our country is facing multiple challenges. So, allow me to praise the excellence of our Qatari youth who have managed to deal with the blockade with wisdom and proficiency’ ~ Dr Saleh al Minhali, a winner in PhD category Nation Monday, March 5, 2018 03

Blockade beyond cutting diplomatic ties: Marri Qatar to send team

MALEK HELALI ‘Qatar respects 230 international organisations,” to Russia to see WC DOHA international he added. The NHRC chief explained THE events during the ongoing rights organisa- that the United Nations’ report is preparations: Thawadi crisis have gone beyond cutting tions and that among the most important deci- HISHAM ALJUNDI Cup 2022 is for Arabs and people diplomatic ties, especially given is reflected by sions that condemned the siege DOHA across the Middle East.” the decisions that followed the countries. Khalid al Khater, an eco- blockade, which violated all hu- their presence He said there are legal pro- QATAR will host FIFA World Cup nomic expert, said that the siege man rights and international in Doha. At cedures taking place from the 2022 and is sending a team to Rus- imposed on Qatar has failed ow- agreements, said Chairman of the the beginning NHRC’s part and the United Na- sia to experience its preparations ing to the limited exposure of the National Human Rights Commit- tions’ report will support these le- for FIFA World Cup 2018, the blockading countries to the Qatari tee Dr Smaikh Ali al Marri. of the block- gal procedures. Secretary-General of the Supreme economy. “The diversity of the Speaking at the Alraya fo- ade, the siege According to him, in April, Committee for Delivery and Lega- Qatari investments has enabled rum titled ‘Qatar: pride and vic- countries tried some of the intenational com- cy, Hassan al Thawadi has said. Qatar to tackle the crisis success- tory despite 9 months of block- plaints filed against the siege Speaking at a seminar organ- fully. We have found cheaper and ade’ in Doha on Sunday, the to isolate Qatar countries will be investigated. ised by an Arabic daily on Sunday, qualitatively better alternatives NHRC chairman said the com- and promote Marri added, “Qatar respects Thawadi said that the attempts by to the supplies from siege coun- mittee received around 1,500 its boycott’ international rights organisations the siege countries to prevent the tries,” Khater explained. complaints from those affect- Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee and that is reflected by their pres- World Cup from taking place in He pointed out that Qataris ed by the blockade during the Dr Smaikh Ali al Marri. ence in Doha. At the beginning of Doha by spreading malicious ru- always saw their neighbours as first week alone. the blockade, the siege countries mours against Qatar have failed brothers but the crisis has led to Marri noted that there had numerous violations of human blockading countries. We called tried to isolate Qatar and promote miserably. their disillusionment. been many shifts in the stand- rights owing to the blockade. for a conference at the beginning its boycott. What Qatar is under- He added that all are welcome He said though the siege was points of the blockading countries “We got in touch with the Unit- of the crisis to face the illegitimate going is a collective punishment to watch the World Cup in Doha intended to hurt Qatar economical- after the issuing of the United ed Nations and human rights or- demands of the blockading coun- and that is what international in 2022. “We follow the lead of ly, it has, on the contrary, affected Nations’ report that indicated ganisations to put pressure on the tries which was attended by over organisations confirmed.” HH the Emir who said that World the siege nation more than Qatar.

Shura Council MoPH warns panel reviews Oneiza Service Centre carries out against use of draft law on silicone injection 20,000 transactions a month THE Ministry of Public Health industrial zones (MoPH) has warned all the health- HISHAM ALJUNDI He further said that the Justice, in addition to Qatar multaneously. Besides, there care facilities in Qatar against the ADVISORY (Shura) Council’s DOHA centre offers all governmen- General Electricity and Wa- is a hall dedicated to the use of silicone injection. In a circu- Services and Public Utilities tal services, including the ter Corporation ‘Kahramaa’, Passport and Immigration lar on Sunday, the MoPH stated, Committee held a meeting THE Oneiza Service Centre of MoI services bringing great among others,”he explained. Department and another to “Based on the safety alert from the on Sunday as part of the 46th the Ministry of Interior (MoI) relief to the residents of Regarding the workflow in- the Criminal Investigation US-FDA, the use of injectable sili- ordinary session under the carries out more than 20,000 the area. side the centre, Major Obaidly Department,”he added. cone gluteal contouring or breast chairmanship of its Rappor- transactions every month, the “The service centre pro- said there are 13 counters to Visitors can finish their enhancement is not approved. teur Mohammed bin Mahdi al Head of the Centre, Major Ali vides services related to provide governmental serv- transactions smoothly Such use can lead to ongoing pain, Ahbabi. The committee con- al Obaidly has said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ices and 18 counters for MoI whether it is related to issu- infection and serious injuries such tinued reviewing draft law on Major Obaidly added that Ministry of Economy and services, including the Traffic ance of visas or traffic trans- as embolism (blockage of blood industrial zones and decided the number of transactions Commerce, MoI, Ministry Department. actions. The centre operates vessels), stroke and death.” to refer its recommendations increases during summer hol- of Education and Higher “The centre’s hall can ac- in two shifts in the morning The product is not registered in to the Council. (QNA) Major Ali al Obaidly. idays and national vacations. Education and Ministry of commodate 200 visitors si- and evening. Qatar. (TNN) Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily to avoid any kidney stones: Kadi Continued from page 1 Ô a walkathon at the Doha Corniche from 3pm to 6pm on March 9. “THERE are different kinds of kidney From March 5 to 8, health awareness stones but the most common is calcium booths will be set up at the main entranc- oxalate, which is caused by dehydration. es of Hamad General Hospital, Women’s, Therefore, it is advisable to drink 1.5 to 2 Al Wakra and Al Khor Hospitals. Clinical litres of water daily,” Kadi said. teams from HMC will be present at the “Sodium also causes kidney stones booths and will provide patients, visitors and it is advisable to reduce the intake of with information leaflets and health edu- sodium. The amount of sodium in bottled cation materials. Dietitians and nephrol- water is 6 milligrammes per litre. And the ogy educators will be available to provide amount you can take in a day is 2,500 mil- advice and answer questions. ligrammes,” HMC Nephrology Consultant From March 11 to 13, the HMC will Dr Essa Abuhelaiqa Abuhelaiqa. host various awareness activities at se- Malki said several events are being lect primary health centres, second- organised across Qatar to celebrate the ary schools, Qatar University, the Uni- World Kidney Day. versity of Calgary in Qatar, and Weill People are invited to participate in Cornell Medicine. Officials at a press conference in Doha on Sunday. (HANSON K JOSEPH)

9th QIFF to showcase global delicacies Food fest to see greater

SANTHOSH CHANDRAN DOHA participation: AlQurese

THE ninth edition of Qatar International SANTHOSH CHANDRAN Food Festival (QIFF) showcasing mouth- DOHA watering flavours of different countries will be held at Hotel Park in Doha from QATAR International Food March 15 to 25. Festival (QIFF) will be an The 11-day festival is being organised inspiration for aspiring en- by Qatar Tourism Authority(QTA) with trepreneurs to invest in the support from several companies repre- country’s food and bever- senting the entertainment, hospitality age sector in order to boost and food and beverage sectors in Qatar. hospitality and tourism, the The QIFF 2018’s strategic partner is Chief Marketing & Promo- Katara Hospitality, the global hotel own- tion Officer at Qatar Tour- er, developer and operator based in Qatar. ism Authority (QTA) Rashed Announcing this at a press conference AlQurese said on Sunday. on Sunday, Chief Marketing & Promotion Speaking to media at a Officer at QTA, Rashed AlQurese said, press conference in Doha, “As an international food festival that cel- Director of Festivals and Tourism Events at QTA Mashal Shahbik with other officials at a AlQurese said: “The number ebrates a host of cultures from all corners press conference in Doha on Sunday. (JALAL PATHIYOOR) of participants at the up- of the globe, QIFF demonstrates Qatar’s coming festival is expected message of welcoming the world. Offering participants and total area covered in its Katara Hospitality said, “Qatar Interna- to increase by 36 percent Chief Marketing & Promotion Officer at QTA, Rashed AlQurese. authentic family-friendly experiences, the ninth edition. We are particularly pleased tional Food Festival has become a beacon this year. The QIFF is the (JALAL PATHIYOOR) QIFF continues to be an important pillar to see that QIFF has paved the way for in- for Qatar’s growing hospitality industry second country-wide festi- of the next chapter of the National Tour- novative initiatives in the space of festi- and we are honoured to partner with Qa- val of 2018, and follows on Qatari-owned F&B entrepre- pation of 117 entities includ- ism Sector Strategy 2030.” vals and events.” tar Tourism Authority. Katara Hospitality from Shop Qatar, which wit- neurs in bringing food from ing, among others,17 hotels, Underground parking with a capacity The festival will feature live cooking is delighted to give back to the community nessed a 40 percent increase gate to plate,” he added. a large number of restaurants to accommodate over 2,500 vehicles, 16 theatres, cooking classes and food pho- through its recently opened Hotel Park, in sales based on the total According to the QTA of- as well as home-based units. additional restroom units for QIFF and tography sessions and contests. More an illustration of our commitment to so- number of coupons entered ficial, the festival will offer Furthermore, embassies ramps for easier wheelchair and pram than 60 restaurants and cafes around cial responsibility and the importance of into raffle draws over the an opportunity to the entre- of nine countries–Turkey access to the festival will be provided by Qatar will have a presence at the festival. promoting sustainability.” month-long festival.” preneurs to get new ideas Mexico,Ethiopia, India, Leb- QTA in association with its partners. They will offer special food groupings Other partners of the festival include “As the country’s food val- on F&B business and start anon, Philippines, South Af- Director of Festivals and Tourism of at least three menu items at a pre-set Msheireb Museums, beIN, Doha Film ue chain rapidly develops, the fresh ventures. rica, the USA and Vietnam – Events at QTA, Mashal Shahbik said, price of QR49 (cafes & restaurants) and Institute, Qatar Culinary Professionals, festival is shedding a bright It is noteworthy that the will be offering visitors to the “We are very pleased to see QIFF con- QR99 (hotels). Askar, Mini Zoo Events, AlRayyan Water spotlight on the role of local 11-day festival beginning on festival a wide variety of food tinue to grow both in terms of number of Chief Corporate Services Officer at and RAW ME. farms, farmers’ markets and March 15 will see a partici- items from across the world. 04 Monday, March 5, 2018 Nation QGOSM issues 20,000 standard specifications in 2017 QNA and management systems. banning of incandescent these areas. mad International Airport. tyres, toys and packaging, as signments. The report also DOHA In a report issued on Sun- lamps to provide 35 percent In the field of conformity The organisation also well as car spare parts, used included the achievements of day, the organisation said, in of its energy consumption, the verification, several achieve- referred to its cooperation and others. the organisation in the field of QATAR General Organization last year, it participated in a importation of power-saving ments were recorded by with the Anti-Doping Labora- The organisation also re- laboratories, energy conserva- for Standards and Meteorol- number of projects that serve air conditioning devices to adopting the certificate of con- tory to check samples of toys, fused entry to 401 consign- tion, cooperation and coordi- ogy (QGOSM) in 2017 issued the Qatar National Vision provide more than 38 percent formity to national standards shampoos, hair care products ments of various goods, after nation with relevant authori- five technical regulations and 2030. The projects were in the of its power consumption, regulations, certificate of con- and food packages unaccom- it was found to be inconsist- ties in the country. more than 20,000 standard field of quality and compliance, power-saving tyres, the survey formity of construction prod- panied by test reports or cer- ent with the technical regula- The achievements of the specifications in the mechani- including the establishment of SME projects for 276 enter- ucts, registration of private tificates of conformity upon tions and approved country Qatar General Organization cal, metal and automotive of a national database of all prises, the constraints encoun- laboratories, the green path to arrival at ports. standards. for Standards and Meteorol- specifications, electrical and standardisation activity docu- tered and how to support the the state ports for companies In the field of consign- Besides, due to increased ogy last year included sign- chemical specifications, spin- ments containing more than national product. committed to the approved ments, the organisation re- awareness among traders on ing a memorandum of un- ning and weaving, construc- 33,000 certificates of conform- It also includes making standards to facilitate the re- leased more than 35,000 introducing restricted goods derstanding with the Turkish tion specifications, construc- ity to cars, tyres and motorcy- recommendations to the au- lease of containers. consignments to conform to and products and compliance Standards Institution and a tion materials, oil and gas, cles, conformity verification thorities concerned in the The release also highlight- the technical regulations and with the requirements needed cooperation agreement with food and agricultural specifi- manuals and Qatar’s National State in terms of quality and ed the rate of release since the approved Qatari standards, for them to facilitate the entry the government of Turkmeni- cations, standards and calibra- Programme for Conservation conformity, as well as their activation of the route at the which included rebar, bricks, of imported goods and prod- stan in the fields of standardi- tion, specifications of medical and Energy Efficiency. participation in other activi- Hamad Port amounting to 36 interlock, gabro and electri- ucts. This has reduced the sation, meteorology, certifica- devices, information systems The programme includes ties and projects related to percent and 65 percent at Ha- cal equipment, cosmetics, percentage of rejected con- tion and accreditation. QU, QatarDebate Center in pact to enhance youth competencies

QatarDebate holds 4th debate league TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK were from Carnegie Mellon DOHA University in Qatar, College of North Atlantic Qatar, Qatar QATARDEBATE, a member University and Weill Cornell of Qatar Foundation for Edu- Medical College in Qatar. cation, Science and Commu- It is a league system. The nity Development, recently debate points earned by the organised the 4th Qatar top two teams from each uni- Universities Debate League versity at tournaments are Officials of Qatar University and QatarDebate Center at a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony in Doha on Sunday. (QUDL) in English. accumulated. Here are the Hosted by College of North team rankings for this week- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ised sessions to QU members. Atlantic in Qatar, the event saw end: Weill Cornell Medicine in DOHA Commenting on the MoU, Yafei participation of 16 teams from Qatar got the highest points, said, “We are pleased to partner with four institutions. The partici- followed by Carnegie Mellon QATAR University (QU) has signed QatarDebate Center through this MoU. pants debated three motions University in Qatar, then Qa- a memorandum of understanding As Qatar’s national first university, during the tournament. tar University, and College of (MoU) with QatarDebate Center Qatar University attracts the highest The 16 debating teams North Atlantic Qatar. (QD) to enhance youth’s competen- number of youth, as the University cies in the art of debate by equipping serves more than 20,000 students. We them with the best skills and high- have been collaborating with QatarDe- end technologies. bate Center for many years and it has The MoU was signed by QU Di- contributed to many achievements and rector of Student Services & Activities successful results. Through such part- Abdulla al Yafei and QD Community nerships, we will continue our efforts Engagement Manager Jamal Jassim al to support youth activities, events and Baker in the presence of officials from programmes to drive forward QU’s on- both institutions. going support to youth initiatives.” According to the MoU, QU will pro- Baker said, “Since its inception in vide logistic assistance to ensure the Qatar University Director of Student Services & Activities Abdulla al Yafei and QatarDe- 2008, QatarDebate Center has built a success of the workshops and train- bate Center Community Engagement Manager Jamal Jassim al Baker at a memorandum strong relationship with Qatar Univer- ing sessions that QD will offer on the of understanding signing ceremony in Doha on Sunday. sity. In this regard, QatarDebate Cent- QU campus. The institution will also er provided QU’s members with oppor- contribute to facilitating the students’ QD will contribute to providing them to represent QU in international tunities to heighten their skills through participation in training camps, lo- qualified trainers to give specialised debating championships. The centre training provided by the centre’s train- cal and international championships workshops and training, as well as will also provide an Arabic-language ers and referees. This MoU will serve and public debates, as well as hosting counselling and supervision to the training programme on debates to the to strengthen the relationship between of Universities Debate Championship members of QU Debate Club. Addi- members of QU Arabic for Non Native both institutions and will contribute to The 16 debating teams were from Carnegie Mellon University in and Qatar Universities Debate League tionally, QD will assist QU in the selec- Speakers Center, as well as Arabic and the development of youth intellectual Qatar, College of North Atlantic Qatar, Qatar University and Weill Cor- in Arabic and English. tion and training of students to prepare English-language training and special- and communication capacities.” nell Medical College in Qatar.

MEC recalls Yamaha Motorcycle ATV – RAPTOR90 2016-2017 models QICCA launches 2nd phase of training

THE Ministry of Economy and TOR90 models of 2016-2017. and preparing arbitrators programme Commerce (MEC), in collabo- According to the minis- ration with Al Badi Trading & try, the bikes were recalled Contracting Company, dealer because the break pad con- QNA includes a number of topics al Thani said the programme the expansion of Qatari arbi- The programme also in- of Yamaha bikes in Qatar, has tains asbestos material that DOHA such as the discussion of the is in line with Qatar’s inter- trators in order to benefit the cludes a mock trial. It tar- announced the recall of Yama- is environmentally prohib- substantive and formal condi- est in commercial arbitration, country’s leading experience gets lawyers and legal advis- ha Motorcycle ATV – RAP- ited. (TNN) QATAR University (QU) on tions of the arbitral tribunal, which led it to issue arbitra- in arbitration, which has at- ers, legal and administrative Sunday hosted the second the independence of the ar- tion law No 2 of 2017. tracted attention at regional leaders in the public and phase of training and prepar- bitration agreement, arbitra- “The programme includes and global levels,” he said. private sector companies, le- ing arbitrators programme, tion in the jurisprudence of all aspects of commercial ar- The ‘Professional Certifi- gal departments, ministries organised by Qatar Interna- international law, arbitration bitration and the practical cate’ programme aims to pre- and government institutions, Qatar participates in Arab tional Center for Conciliation of investment disputes based reality of its application. It pare and qualify Qatari cadres banks and financial institu- and Arbitration (QICCA) of on national investment legis- provides graduates with suffi- through scientific training in tions, and heads and mem- League’s Permanent Qatar Chamber in cooperation lation and the drafting and in- cient knowledge of arbitration order to assume the responsi- bers of boards and directors with the QU’s Center for Con- terpretation of the arbitration at the scientific and practical bility of settling commercial, of companies, business own- tinuing Education under the agreement in international level, paving way for their reg- financial and investment-re- ers, contractors and commer- Representatives’ meeting title ‘Arbitration Agreement contracts for construction. istration as arbitrators with lated disputes through arbi- cial agents, as well as arbitra- and its Drafting Regulations’. QICCA board member the Ministry of Justice. The tration, thereby reducing the tors and experts in the field of QNA estinian territories, including The four-day program Sheikh Thani bin Ali bin Saud programme contributes to burden on the judiciary. commercial disputes. CAIRO Israeli violations in Jerusalem, the settlements, the refugees, THE 149th session of the the UNRWA and others. Council of the Arab League at The meeting will also dis- the Level of Permanent Rep- cuss the situation in Syria, AZF prepares for 2nd Aspire International Kite Festival resentatives kicked off at the Libya and Yemen, and the Arab League General Secre- support for peace and devel- tariat headquarters in Cairo, opment in Sudan, Somalia TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Egypt, on Sunday. and the Comoros, as well as DOHA Qatar is taking part in the the peaceful resolution of the meeting with a delegation led border dispute between Erit- ASPIRE Zone Foundation by its Permanent Representa- rea and Djibouti. (AZF) is putting the fin- tive to the Arab League Saif The meeting will also ishing touches to the 2nd bin Muqaddam al Buainain. discuss Arab relations with Aspire International Kite Topics on the agenda of the regional and international Festival which runs from meeting include the report of groups such as the Arab- March 6 to 9. the Secretary-General on the African relations, the Arab- Following the success of activities of the Secretariat, European relations and the the last year’s edition, the an- the procedures for the imple- Arab-Russian cooperation nual event will see 23 inter- mentation of the intersession- forum, and the strengthening national teams take part. al resolutions of the Council of cooperation with the coun- In addition to Qatar, vis- (148-149) and the scheduling tries of Central Asia and the iting countries participating of the 150th Ordinary Session Republic of Azerbaijan, and this year include Austria, Aus- of the Arab League Council at the Arab relations with China, tralia, Canada, China, France, The 2nd Aspire International Kite Festival runs from March 6 to 9. The annual event will see 23 international teams take part. the ministerial level. India and Japan. Germany, Hungary, Indone- The meeting will also dis- The Council will also con- sia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New dom and the United States of From inception and de- Foundation’s experienced and vides evidence of AZF’s abil- cuss the Palestinian issue, the sider the Arab nominations for Zealand, Netherlands, Paki- America. sign to delivery and build, the multidisciplinary events man- ity to execute the best sports Arab-Israeli conflict and the the positions of the United Na- stan, Philippines, Spain, Sin- Participating teams are event has been managed to agement experts. and entertainment events for activation of the Arab peace tions and its specialised agen- gapore, Sweden, Switzerland, due to arrive in Doha from the very highest international This year’s 2nd Aspire In- members of the local commu- imitative, in addition to the re- cies and other international Thailand, the United King- Monday (today). standards by Aspire Zone ternational Kite Festival pro- nity in Qatar. cent developments in the Pal- organisations and institutions. Nation Monday, March 5, 2018 05 Al Jazeera’s Future of Media Leaders’ Summit today

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK mented, “Our priority is to continue to DOHA report the truth to our audience, and to do that effectively we must harness the THINKERS, experts, professionals and latest technologies. Over two days, we will media industry leaders will gather at the pool the world’s media and technological Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha, expertise, explore the limitless possibili- on Monday and Tuesday, for the second ties ahead of us and collaboratively shape annual Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN) the industry’s future. It is a future that has Future of Media Leaders’ Summit. never been closer.” The first edition held last year es- “The Future Media Leaders’ Summit tablished the summit as a platform for will ensure that our industry maintains thought leadership and a source of the lat- its reach to global audiences as effective- est industry innovations. ly as possible, rising to challenges such The summit being held under the theme as confronting the proliferation of fake ‘Media and Cloud - Limitless Possibilities’ news while maximising the opportunities is once again bringing together leaders of to counter them using technologies like the world’s most significant technology artificial intelligence, bots, virtual and companies and media institutions to dis- augmented reality.” cuss pressing, complex issues which the in- Mohamed Abuagla, executive director dustry must prioritise and understand. (CIO/ CTO), Technology & Operations, The summit aims to debate, inform and ‘Our priority is to continue to report the truth to our audience, and to do that effectively we must harness the latest Al Jazeera Media Network, said: “We are discuss the latest technological develop- thrilled to once again host this industry ments. It will examine how these develop- technologies. Over two days, we will pool the world’s media and technological expertise, explore the limitless leading and prestigious event in Doha. In ments are changing human behaviour; how possibilities ahead of us and collaboratively shape the industry’s future. It is a future that has never been closer’ these times of constant change, continu- the media industry can work with suppliers ous technological developments and scien- and innovators to pioneer new techniques ~ Dr Mostefa Souag, acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network tific advancements, it’s paramount for Al for content creation and distribution; and Jazeera to not only stay current but to lead how the technology industry can respond to and define the next wave of media technol- new challenges in uncharted territory. ing the same topics, but broken down into Rosica, CEO of Avid; and Alfonso De Ga- General Manager Richard Friedel; Chris ogies alongside industry partners.” Over two days, keynote speakers will parallel workshops on technology, work- etano, Director of Global Partnerships for Johns, chief engineer, Broadcast Strategy “Al Jazeera has always been a plat- address topics, including media and cloud, flow and content, in order to ensure that Emerging Markets, at Google; are slated to at Sky UK and Tim Richards, chairman of form for voicing thoughts and sharing cyber security and manipulated content, broad subjects can be converted into ac- take part in the event. the International Broadcasting Convention ideas. We do that naturally in our award- artificial intelligence, automation, TV+ and tionable detail. The media present will include Ali (IBC), will be among other senior delegates winning journalism and content; and we the augmented newsroom. On the technology side, speakers and Shah, head of Emerging Technologies and at the summit. are doing that now in the media technol- These keynote speeches will be the de- delegates such as Yousef Khalidi, CVP at Morwen Williams, head of Newsgathering Dr Mostefa Souag, acting director gen- ogy space via this event and involvement parture points for follow-up sessions cover- Microsoft; Ken Morse, CTO at Cisco; Jeff Operations, both at the BBC. Fox Network’s eral of Al Jazeera Media Network, com- in other industry forums.”

NHRC to launch campaign on MoPH honours Aspetar, Al Emadi Hospital ‘Right to Education’ TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK general of Aspetar Hospi- a celebration in recognition THE National Human Rights DOHA tal and CEO of Aspire Zone of the hard work and commit- Committee (NHRC) will launch Foundation, and Dr Moham- ment that Aspetar and Aspire on Monday a campaign on the MINISTRY of Public Health med Abdullah al Emadi, Al Zone Foundation staff mem- ‘Right to Education’. (MoPH) has honoured As- Emadi Hospital chairman, bers have put into reaching The campaign, which will petar, the orthopaedic and founder and general surgery this milestone.” run through the month of sports medicine hospital, consultant. On his part, Dr Emadi March, aims to disseminate the and Al Emadi Hospital for Katheeri said the minis- stressed the importance of the culture of the rights and duties passing the assessment of the try aims to achieve the high- ongoing role of the MoPH in of students in education, among Patient Safety Friendly Hos- est international standards improving the health sector in school students, parents and pital Initiative (PSFHI). for the safety and quality Qatar to ensure an integrated educational staff. The initiative is a tool to of healthcare services de- healthcare system that pro- Director of Public Relations measure the level of patient livered to the population of vides high-quality healthcare and Media unit in NHRC Abdul- safety in the hospitals. This Huda al Katheeri, acting director of Health Care Quality and Patient Safety Department at MoPH, pre- Qatar. services as per the best inter- lah al Mahmoud said that the tool was developed by the sented the certificates of appreciation and trophies to Mohammad Khalifa al Suwaidi, director-general of In his speech, Suwaidi national standards. launch of this campaign comes World Health Organization’s Aspetar Hospital and CEO of Aspire Zone Foundation, and Dr Mohammed Abdullah al Emadi, Al Emadi said, “Since opening its doors It is worth mentioning within the Committee’s efforts Regional Office for the East- Hospital chairman, founder and general surgery consultant. in 2007, Aspetar has placed that Aspetar and Al Ema- and its keenness to disseminate ern Mediterranean (WHO- patient safety and quality di Hospitals are accred- the culture of human rights in EMRO). director of Health Care Qual- ment at MoPH, presented the and trophies to Mohammad improvement at the top of its ited by the Accreditation segments of society. (QNA) Huda al Katheeri, acting ity and Patient Safety Depart- certificates of appreciation Khalifa al Suwaidi, director- agenda. Today’s ceremony is Canada International. QA expands its partnership with UnionPay International TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

QATAR Airways (QA) has an- nounced that it is extending its partnership with international bank card network UnionPay to an additional 31 countries and regions, providing a convenient payment option for even more QA passengers around the world when booking tickets on the airline’s website. Customers in countries includ- ing Qatar, Kuwait, India, Oman, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil and South Africa, among others, will be able to take advantage of Un- ionPay’s secure payment option when booking tickets on the air- line’s website to more than 150 destinations on QA’s extensive global network. The expansion of the agreement was signed on February 28,2018, at a special ceremony held at the Un- The UnionPay payment option will be available in 31 additional countries and ionPay head office in Shanghai, rep- regions for Qatar Airways passengers. resented by Marwan Koleilat, Qatar Airways Senior Vice-President Asia they reach their final destina- tomers. Our expanded agreement Pacific; and Larry Wang, UnionPay tion. The expansion of our agree- with Qatar Airways will increase International Vice-President. ment with UnionPay will provide UnionPay card acceptance rate in Under the expanded agree- even more customers the oppor- the airline industry, offering better ment, QA and UnionPay will em- tunity to use UnionPay as their card-using experiences to Union- bark upon greater collaboration for preferred payment option when Pay cardholders outside mainland various sales and marketing initia- booking their tickets online, ensur- China. The co-branded card to be tives. Both parties will also look at ing a convenient and hassle-free issued will enhance the benefits we creating a new and exclusive co- booking experience.” provide for our cardholders in the branded card that will provide Un- Wang said: “As more and more aviation industry, and will enhance ionPay customers exclusive ben- travellers prefer to go on free-and- UnionPay’s value proposition and efits on selected products by QA. independent travels, UnionPay boost our overseas expansion.” Koleilat said: “We always seek International continues to deepen With about 90 million cards to ensure that our passengers’ our partnerships with interna- issued outside mainland China, journey is smooth and seamless, tional airlines, to provide safe and UnionPay is offering payment con- from the moment they book their smooth online flight ticket pur- venience to a growing number of tickets until the point at which chase service to our global cus- global customers.

grammes, activities and different Qatar Committee for the Alliance projects in four priority areas of alliance of civilizations– educa- tion, youth, migration, media–and of Civilizations launches award includes the launch of encouraging awards for researchers and stu- QNA Foreign Ministry Secretary- dents,” he said. DOHA General and Vice-President of the The award will be presented Committee HE Dr Ahmed bin Has- for the year 2019 at the level of QATAR Committee for the Alli- san al Hammadi said the award educational institutions which im- ance of Civilizations launched the comes in line with Qatar National plement outstanding programmes ‘Alliance of Civilization Award’ in Vision 2030 and Qatar’s Second that promote a culture of dialogue cooperation with Qatar National National Development Strategy and respect for others, and for the Commission for Education, Culture (2017-2022) as well as Qatar’s institutions which instil the spirit of and Science, at an event held at the plan for civilizations’ alliance coexistence between the people of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha (2017-2022). Qatar including citizens and expats, on Sunday. “The award covers all the pro- Hammadi said. 06 Monday, March 5, 2018 Nation

HAMMADI MEETS UK AMBASSADOR WCM-Q offers Qatari students chance to work with scientists

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ply for a summer internship internships are a wonderful ence. “Qatar aims to diver- DOHA in the college’s laboratories opportunity to learn new skills sify its economy away from as part of WCM-Q’s outreach and take the first step towards a dependence on hydrocar- QATARI high school and col- programmes and its ambition a career as scientists.” bons towards a sustainable, lege students with a passion under the Qatar Foundation WCM-Q’s Research Intern- knowledge-based economy. for science are invited to apply umbrella to increase local, ship for National High School The country is fast-becoming for an internship at Weill Cor- homegrown research capacity Students is offered as a two- a scientific and educational nell Medicine – Qatar (WCM- in Qatar. week or four-week programme hub in the region and Weill Q), a leading biomedical re- Yassir Hussain, assistant that earns participants 50 to Cornell is contributing signif- search institution. director of research training 100 volunteer hours. icantly to these efforts in the WCM-Q launched its bio- and outreach, said the intern- The Research Internship biomedical sciences, by shar- medical research programme ships are a great opportunity for National College Students ing our expertise and creating in 2009, focusing on diseases for young people considering runs for either four or eight the next generation of physi- prevalent in the Arabian Gulf a career in the sciences. “The weeks and teaches both labo- cians and researchers.” like diabetes and obesity. training programmes offer ratory skills and research To apply or for more in- Since then it has gone from students the chance to learn management skills. Both in- formation about the Research strength to strength, with its key research skills and to work ternships are part of the Bio- Internship for National High researchers publishing more alongside professional scien- medical Research Training School Students or the Re- than 800 scientific papers in tists to tackle major real-life Programs for Qataris. search Internship for National Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al Hammadi met with Am- some of the world’s leading issues of high significance. Dr Khaled Machaca, as- College Students visit ‘https:// bassador of the United Kingdom to Qatar HE Ajay Sharma on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed research journals. WCM-Q is part of Cornell Uni- sociate dean for research at qatar-weill.cornell.edu/re- bilateral relations and ways of developing them, in addition to matters of mutual concern. (QNA) Qatari high school and col- versity an Ivy League school, WCM-Q, said the internships search/research-training-pro- lege students are invited to ap- and for Qatari nationals these offered valuable work experi- grams/overview’. New community classes on offer at Georgetown

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK China, and the Middle East,” DOHA explained Reardon-Anderson. “The course is open to all in- STARTING the week of March terested parties – no prior 11, members of the public knowledge is required.” will have the opportunity to Another new course which learn a new skill or explore has already proven popular personal interests through a will be taught by Professor diverse range of courses on of- Clyde Wilcox, a professor of fer at Georgetown University government at Georgetown in Qatar (GU-Q). University. Titled ‘Hillary The Spring session of the Clinton, Donald Trump, and University’s popular Com- the American Presidency’, munity Education Program it focuses on the 2016 US includes a lineup of 17 courses elections and the first year taught by GU-Q faculty and of Trump’s term in the staff, industry experts, and White House. leading academics in Qatar. “I think that there is Community classes are enormous interest in Donald open to all, with weekly ses- Trump’s surprise victory and sions held in the evenings at in Clinton’s loss. And tremen- the GU-Q campus in Educa- dous confusion, even in the Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s colloquium was attended by students, staff, faculty, guests as well as members of the public. tion City to suit the needs US, as to how this happened,” of working professionals. A said Wilcox. “I hope students number of these classes are will take away a better under- taught exclusively in Arabic, standing of American elec- including ‘Formal Spoken Ar- tions, on the eve of a set of HBKU colloquium discusses abic’ and ‘Co-Active Coaching’. Congressional elections that For the first time this are very important as well.” year, GU-Q’s founding dean, While registration is Professor James Reardon- open until the end of the first region’s law & digital culture Anderson, will be offering week of classes (on March a course titled ‘Map of the 17), GU-Q encourages inter- Modern World’. The course ested students to sign up on- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Professor Clinton Fran- is an adapted version of the line to book their spot early. DOHA cis, dean of CLPP, said: “Our class he teaches to Georget- The classes are open to all recent colloquium sheds light own undergraduate students, students over the age of 18, CO-ORGANISED by the Col- on digital space and addresses which will be enhanced to and no previous qualifica- lege of Law and Public Policy its evolution, especially with take into account the broader tion or degree is required in (CLPP) and the College of Hu- regards to user safety, rights experiences of community order to enrol. manities and Social Sciences and responsibilities of the dig- class participants. More information about (CHSS), Hamad Bin Khalifa ital community, and the law.” “The course will cover the the courses is available on University (HBKU) recently “Through in-depth discus- impact of physical geography the Community Educa- held a novel colloquium titled sions, we were able to capi- on the history and current tion Program website: ‘ht- ‘Digital Humanities, Big Data talise on valuable perspec- events in various regions of tps://epe.qatar.georgetown. and the Law’. tives offered by the experts the world, including the Unit- edu/community-education/ The two-hour colloquium, in attendance, as well as ben- ed States, Europe, Russia, spring-2018’. which was attended by stu- efit from compelling views on dents, staff, faculty, guests as emerging trends and their ac- well as members of the pub- companying challenges.” lic, primarily addressed the The discussion was at- multiple uses of big data and tended by several key guests, computation techniques with- many of whom contributed in humanities, public policy to the session as they shared making and the law. The topic their relevant insight and ex- is a diverse and growing field pertise. They included faculty of research that brings tech- member at HBKU’s College nological tools and computing of Humanities and Social methodologies to the study Sciences (CHSS), Dr Salvino of humanities. Salvaggio; General Counsel In broader terms, the col- at Siemens Qatar, Martin Professor Clinton Francis addresses the colloquium. loquium discussed the way in Schulz; Assistant Professor at which Middle East culture is CHSS, Dr Wajdi Zaghouani; legal education, both on a govern complex events and offers a Juris Doctor (JD) pro- being defined and driven by Research Director of Social national and regional scale, transactions. In order to fos- gram, which is the first gradu- digital culture; how big data Computing at Qatar Comput- HBKU’s CLPP offers training ter growth within the edu- ate law degree of its kind in has opened up new avenues ing Research Institute (QCRI), to students from a variety of cational system and provide the MENA region. to study social and political Dr Ingmar Weber; and disciplines. Professors ensure broad opportunities, the Col- To find out more about phenomena; and methods General Manager at ADGS, that students understand the lege has also developed execu- HBKU’s colleges, programs The Spring session of the Community Education Program includes a for improving the collection Christophe Billiottete. diverse legal systems that tive training for government and research institutes, visit lineup of 17 courses taught by GU-Q faculty and staff, industry experts of big data. As a notable provider of inform Qatari law and that and corporate leaders. CLPP ‘hbku.edu.qa’. and leading academics in Qatar. CNA-Q invites public to ‘test drive their campus’

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK petition is designed to allow stu- at the root of what we do. By host- DOHA dents to demonstrate the skills they ing our annual on-campus skills have learned in their programme competition, we are reinforcing COLLEGE of the North Atlantic - in practical scenarios they will en- the importance of skilled trades Qatar (CNA-Q) is opening its doors counter in the Qatari workforce. and vocational learning for achiev- to the interested public on March 7. As in past years, over 200 high ing economic growth and personal “We are inviting future stu- school students will join the com- success,” said Dr Ken MacLeod, dents, parents, industry repre- petitions, as a way to expose youth president of CNA-Q. “Our stu- sentatives and any other interested to their many vocational and tech- dents’ success comes from learning parties to attend an open house nical learning options at the Col- workforce-ready skills on campus to showcase our incredible cam- lege. Additionally, post-secondary that leads them to be effective con- pus and the experiential learning students from other institutions tributors to Qatar National Vision methods in action,” said College in Qatar are joining the health 2030. Technical and vocational Registrar, Shawna Garrett. “During sciences competitions as practice skills are key to fulfilling QNV the open house, the annual CNA-Q scenarios where healthcare profes- 2030, and CNA-Q is educating and skills competition will be running sionals have to work together in an supplying the workers to make the where spectators can experience allied setting. vision a reality.” the applied learning that the Col- The CNA-Q annual skills com- The general public, students, lege is known for. Come and ‘test petition is modelled from world parents, industry and ministry drive our campus’.” skills, which is a global competition representatives are invited to tour Students will participate in 50 with a mandate to raise the profile the CNA-Q campus on March 7, skills competitions tailored to their and recognition of skilled trades from 9 to 11am. You can come to area of study in business studies, and professions. the Dr Latifa al Houty Auditorium engineering technology, health “As the leading provider of in Building 1 for guided tours. For sciences, information technology, Technical and Vocational Educa- more information contact Asma al academic studies or the technician tion and Training (TVET) in Qatar, Kuwari: ‘Asma.AlKuwari@cna-qa- Students will participate in 50 skills competitions tailored to their area of study. certificate programme. Each com- experiential and applied learning is tar.edu.qa’. Nation Monday, March 5, 2018 07 FQSA-QICDRC pact to help speedy settlement of sports disputes TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK petent in the consideration of sports The move will enable FQSA to ing that arbitration is a successful and DOHA disputes. benefit from the international arbi- effective means of settling disputes in QICDRC signed a memorandum tration environment available in a quick and confidential manner. “Our QATAR International Court and Dis- of understanding (MoU) with the QICDRC facilities, which will be partnership with the FQSA will con- pute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) FQSA to begin their cooperation in solidate our efforts in the field of alter- has opened the official premises of the the field of alternative dispute resolu- reflected positively on the organi- native dispute resolution, which will Foundation of Qatar Sports Arbitra- tion. The MoU provides for joint coop- sation’s performance of its arbitra- contribute to enhancing the dispute tion (FQSA). eration to strengthen the international tion functions in sports disputes resolution environment in Qatar.” The move will enable FQSA to arbitration environment in Qatar and Mohannadi said that the partner- benefit from the international ar- co-ordinate the organisation of events, mation on various dispute settlement ship with QICDRC will enhance the bitration environment available in seminars, training workshops and instruments for the common interest, legal environment for the alternative QICDRC facilities, which will be re- conferences on arbitration, concilia- the creation of an international dis- means of conflict in the sports sector flected positively on the organisation’s tion and mediation. pute settlement environment. and will allow FQSA to start operations performance of its arbitration func- Faisal bin Rashid al Sahouti, CEO Sahouti stressed the significance in facilities equipped with the latest tions in sports disputes. of QICDRC, and Ibrahim bin Khalil al of the MoU to focus on mutual co- technological means. He added that The FQSA was established in ac- Mohannadi, president of FQSA signed operation between the two parties in the FQSA is looking to benefit from the Faisal bin Rashid al Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, and Ibrahim bin Khalil al cordance with international standards the MoU. The MoU also included the supporting and enhancing the arbitra- expertise of the QICDRC to enhance Mohannadi, president of FQSA, signed the MoU. applied in the sports sector to be com- exchange of experiences and infor- tion environment in Qatar, recognis- the arbitration environment in Qatar. First exhibition by Ai Weiwei QC opens office in Sri Lanka QATAR Charity (QC) opened an office in the Republic of in the Gulf to open in Qatar Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony was attended by several of- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK alongside personal mementos and photo- ficials and representatives DOHA graphs. Laundromat also features the film of a number of Arab em- ‘Idomeni’ (2016) which captures the eve- bassies and humanitarian QATAR Museums (QM) will present an ryday conditions of the refugees up to the organisations. exhibition of recent works by the Chinese moment when the camp was evacuated Chief Operating Officer of artist Ai Weiwei – his first in the Gulf and 17,062 photos relating to refugees. Qatar Charity Faisal bin Rashi region. Alongside Laundromat, other projects Alfahidh said the office’s open- The exhibition,which takes place at by the artist will be exhibited in the Fire ing is within the aim of directly the Garage Gallery in the Fire Station Station, including Stacked Porcelain Vas- supervising and following up from March 15 to June 1, will feature es as a Pillar (2016), which represents six the Charity’s projects in con- one of Ai Weiwei’s most prominent and themes of the refugee condition — War, struction, development and poignant projects highlighting the plight Ruins, Journey, Crossing the Sea, Refu- relief fields. of refugees, Laundromat (2016). gee Camps and Demonstrations, as well Alfahidh added the Char- donor countries, especially Lanka did not begin today but His show in Doha highlights Qatar’s as Tyre (2016), a traditional symbol of ity seeks to open up to the the United Nations agencies, started in 1993 as its projects development as a creative and artistic hub safety turned on its head by being crafted other international organisa- in line with its policies along- and programs were carried out that encourages dialogue through artistic Ai Weiwei from marble and representing the strug- tions operating in Sri Lanka side the strategy of the Sri in coordination with local as- expression. It also reflects the determina- gle faced by refugees crossing the Medi- and discuss with them the Lankan government in sus- sociations accredited in Qatar, tion of QM and its Chairperson Her Ex- Weiwei to Doha for his first show in the terranean Sea. possibility of entering into tainable development. noting that the cost of these cellency Sheikha al Mayassa bint Hamad Gulf. And as home to our community of Ai Weiwei is renowned for making qualitative and strategic part- He added that QC’s hu- projects were more than QR14 bin Khalifa al Thani to bring the world’s artists in residence, the Fire Station is the strong aesthetic statements that resonate nerships as well as with the manitarian intervention in Sri million. (QNA/COLOMBO) leading contemporary artists to the coun- ideal venue. We hope that by bringing in- with timely phenomena across today’s try to inspire future generations of artis- ternational artists to Qatar and exchang- geopolitical world. From architecture to tic talent and engage the local commu- ing ideas with artists from Qatar and the installations, social media to documenta- nity, as well as offer a regional platform region, we are able to encourage creative ries, Ai uses a wide range of mediums as to some of the world’s most unique and sparks amongst a young generation in the expressions of new ways for his audiences NORKA to open Long time powerful voices. Middle East.” to examine society and its values. The exhibition follows Ai Weiwei’s Reflecting Ai Weiwei’s continuing en- Ai was born in Beijing in 1957 and Indian expat first visit to Qatar in April 2017, when he gagement with the global refugee crisis, currently resides and works in Berlin. Ai satellite office in Doha discussed his life and work at a packed this monumental work brings together is the current Einstein Visiting Professor passes away public event at the Museum of Islamic thousands of articles of clothing collected at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK), SANTHOSH CHANDRAN includes elected members of Art and met with young artists at the Fire from a makeshift refugee camp in Ido- and he is the recipient of the 2015 Ambas- DOHA Kerala Legislative Assembly, Station. meni – a small village in northern Greece sador of Conscience Award from Amnesty members of Indian Parlia- Khalifa al Obaidly, director of the Fire and official border crossing to the former International and the 2012 Václav Havel NON-RESIDENT Keralites Af- ment, business community, Station Artist in Residence Programme, Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In all, Prize for Creative Dissent from the Hu- fairs Department (NORKA), a writers, scientists and repre- said: “It is a real privilege to welcome Ai 2,046 items of clothing will be displayed man Rights Foundation. department of the state govern- sentatives of socio-cultural ment of the Indian state of Ker- organisation of Kerala expatri- ala, will open its satellite office ates across the world. in Doha. Speaking on the occasion, NORKA was established by NORKA Director KK Sankaran the government to redress the urged the Kerala community to grievances of non-resident Ker- explore schemes of investment, alites, one of the largest sections social welfare, employment and Mahmood Haji of the Indian population migrat- infrastructure development. ing to foreign countries. “Special committees will be SANTHOSH CHANDRAN Speaking at a press confer- formed in Qatar to create aware- DOHA ence in Doha, members of Loka ness about different schemes Kerala Sabha in Doha said the that benefited the Kerala com- A LONG time Indian resident new office will help coordinate munity in Qatar,” NORKA Vice- died in Doha on Saturday. welfare scheme of NORKA that Chairman CK Menon said. The deceased identified as benefits large number of Kerala Other members at the press Minnlathuveettil Mahmood expatriates in Qatar. conference included CV Rappai, Haji (54) was working at a su- Loka Kerala Sabha is a SAM Basheer, PN Baburajan permarket for more than 10 global body of Keralites which and John Gilbert. years. Hailing originally from Kannur district in the south- ern Indian state of Kerala, Haji is survived by wife Suhara and children Aisha Mahamood and Muzammil Mahamood. Haji was also very active in socio-cultural activities of the Indian community in Doha. Best Buddies Qatar marks international month with array of activities at Gulf Mall

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK supporting Best Buddies Qatar DOHA in its noble mission of empow- ering people with and without BEST Buddies Qatar is cel- intellectual and developmen- ebrating Best Buddies Inter- tal disabilities as part of our national month along with 60 corporate social responsibility chapters around the world in exercise. We look forward to March. hosting more events of Best The organisation has Buddies Qatar in future.” opened Best Buddies Qatar Moreover, a storytelling Village at the Gulf Mall as part session was held at Best Bud- of the celebrations where its dies Qatar Village where chil- members and visitors can en- dren listened to famous Qatari joy wide range of activities such storyteller Ibrahim al Bashri as colouring, storytelling, col- with rapt attention. lecting puzzles, memory games Bashri said: “I see no dif- and question mazes. ference between people with Speaking at the opening and without disabilities. It is ceremony of the village, Best my great pleasure to be invited Buddies Qatar’s Executive Di- by Best Buddies Qatar to this rector Laalei Abu Alfain said: event to contribute to their “Best Buddies Qatar holds nu- mission. I enjoy communicat- merous activities across the ing with all children.” country in March to celebrate Obaid Abbasi, father Best Buddies International of two children who par- month every year. We are glad offers an opportunity for chil- of people with and without in- for helping us promote our ticipated in the events at the to bring joy to the organisa- dren to play a variety of games tellectual and developmental programme,” she added. village,commented: “My chil- tion’s members and involve and also engage in artistic ac- disabilities through social inte- Mohammed Mournir Sha- dren had a great time at the more children and their fami- tivities while community mem- gration and long lasting friend- hin, administration manager village. They enjoyed drawing, lies in our events.” bers learn about Best Buddies ships. We express appreciation of Gulf Mall, said: “As the Gulf colouring, collecting puzzles “Best Buddies Qatar Village Qatar’s mission to enhance life to the Gulf Mall management Mall management we consider and various other activities.” 08 Monday, March 5, 2018

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 PRINTED AT ALI BIN ALI PRINTING PRESS Opinion HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI CHAIRMAN ADEL ALI BIN ALI MANAGING DIRECTOR DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

New Law Promises Boost To Public Hygiene Understanding Siege Qatar seeks to maintain the highest standards of Through Cultural Symbols public hygiene because a healthy society can’t be imagined without a clean and healthy environment Qatar’s museums have been built around cultural tradition and heritage; LEANLINESS is nearest to the God, mainly from disposal of wastes in an ir- goes the saying. No wonder then all responsible and haphazard manner. Peo- their foundations aren’t built on foreign influences religions lay stress on cleanliness ple lacking civic sense tend to litter public and scriptures tell us that keeping places like parks, playgrounds, bus stops, as Abu Dhabi’s Louvre has sought to do Coneself physically clean is the first beaches, waterfronts, etc. with wastes and step towards cleansing the soul. leftovers impairing the beauty and sanitary Islam goes one step further making per- conditions of the defiled spots. sonal hygiene a part of the faith. A Hadith, There are people who think nothing of Prophet’s (PBUH) saying, quoted in Shahi dumping household wastes by the roadside, Muslim says that cleanliness is half the ‘Im- in the alleys of their localities or in other va- aan’ (Belief). The ablution Muslims have cant spaces instead of putting the garbage to perform before each prayer five times a in designated places and dustbins kept day is also an essential part of the religious for this purpose. The litters and garbage ritual. According to an- thrown randomly not only other Hadith, the Prophet mar the beauty and aesthet- (PBUH) advocated not only Promoting public hygiene ics of a city and its landscape personal hygiene but also is also one of the impor- but are also a health hazard exhorted his followers to tant goals of Qatar as they provide breeding spare no efforts to maintain National Vision 2030 grounds to disease-causing public hygiene i.e. to keep germs and insects. the environment clean. The implementation of Islam gives specific instruction to Mus- the new Law No. 18 of 2017 wouldn’t have lims to maintain the cleanliness of the come a day too soon to hold the violators roads and streets. To rid the streets and accountable and curb this civic crime. The public places of impurities and filth is con- Minister of Municipality and Environment sidered a charity. The Prophet (PBUH) HE Mohammed bin Abdullah al Rumaihi strictly warned against defiling them as has instructed all municipalities to strictly it would provoke Allah’s curse as well as enforce the new law to deter the violators the people’s, saying Beware of the three and curb this misconduct and playing hav- acts that cause others to curse you reliev- oc with the country’s hygiene during his ing yourselves in a watering place, on foot recent meeting with municipal directors, paths or shaded places where people can sit inspectors and heads of public hygiene de- ATIONS and the people that lay ASHOK K SINGH | Henderson, director of the Gulf and En- or take rest. (Abu Dawud, No 26). partments in the wake of the promulgation economic and inhuman siege on TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ergy Policy Program at The Washing- In keeping with its Arab-Islamic tra- of the new rule. neighbours with political objec- ton Institute of Near East Policy said, dition, Qatar seeks to maintain the high- That the new law is not all about col- tives possess a mindset that goes with Fanar and Souq Waqif. “In the children’s section of Abu Dhabi’s est standards of public hygiene because a lecting fines and penalties from the law- Nbeyond mundane world of coer- Not for once one feels like being wok- new flagship Louvre Museum, a map of healthy society can’t be imagined without a breakers but also about creating awareness cive statecraft. They have a mindset that en up with a jolt while walking leisurely the southern Gulf completely omits the clean and healthy environment. Promoting of the need to keep the environment clean is deeply cultural. from the Souk to MIA. Looking across Qatari peninsula – a geographical dele- public hygiene is also one of the important is a welcome strategy, for public awareness Culture is nuanced but it unfailingly the waters from the MIA Park, the glit- tion that is probably incompatible with goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. is the best deterrence. The honourable min- defines the nations that lay siege. Museums tering towers of the West Bay reminds of France’s agreement to let Abu Dhabi use Implementation of the new Law No. 18 ister stressed this much when he told the offer an insight into understanding of their the change the society has adopted with the Louvre's name.” of 2017 on Public Hygiene and Cleaning by meeting that the essential objective of the culture. The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), ease and comfort. But there is nothing on Didier Rykner of La Tribune art news the Ministry of Municipality and Environ- measure is not impose penalties and collect Doha and the Louvre Abu Dhabi can help either side of waters that sticks out or cre- website was quoted by the Sunday Times ment from February 1 to address the prob- fines but to promote hygiene by making it a us understand the matrix of culture. They ates feeling of alienation. The symmetri- stating, “The Louvre has been kidnapped lem of violation of public hygiene is an im- habit of thinking through raising awareness are a cultural study in sharp contrasts. cal aesthetics of it all is unmistakably by diplomatic issues in the Middle East. portant step in that direction. among the public about the importance of Standing majestically on reclaimed striking and appealing It’s scandalous. No one seriously believes The threat to public hygiene comes public hygiene. land on the Doha Corniche, the MIA stirs The strength of Qatar lies in preserv- it was a mistake.” The omission showed imagination as an iconic piece of architec- ing its past, its identity and heritage and that the Louvre had little control over ture. Designed by I M Pei, a Chinese Amer- amalgamating them with gradual and the Arab museum to which it had lent its ican who is a legend and now 100 years old, seamless change with the times. Souq name, he said. the MIA’s cream-coloured limestone façade Wafiq and the MIA faultlessly represent Qatar has as a part of its strategy and merges beautifully with the surrounding the two strands. vision decided against imposing foreign cultural and architectural landscape. The MIA is as traditional as it’s mod- influences and blindly copy likes of Lou- Fanar, Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre, ern. It’s as local as it’s global. It represents vre, Smithsonian or Metropolitan. It’s also known as Spiral Mosque for its spiral- the cultural philosophy and mission of the building museums that open a window ing minaret, on one side and the bustling Qatari leadership and the society. on the cultural strengths and civilisational Souq Waqif with its ageless and universal In contrast, Abu Dhabi’s Louvre is resilience of the Qatari society. The mu- appeal on the other are reminders of the rather an unsophisticated attempt to im- seums showcase what’s lies at the root of cultural philosophy enshrined in vision plant the quintessentially French cultural the society. Only a society that doesn’t feel for Qatari society. They represent the con- icon on a desert in Abu Dhabi. Louvre besieged from within and outside can have tinuity of tradition and cultural heritage. went to Abu Dhabi with ambition to bring the self-confidence to live with its pride Great care has been taken to preserve European cultural renaissance to the and glory and realise its full potential. the tradition and heritage and amalgamate UAE. In the process, the internationally The countries that imposed siege on them with the rise of a thriving entrepre- acclaimed museum was hijacked and fell Qatar miscalculated the inner strength of neurial society in Qatar. The upcoming victim to politics and diplomacy. It has Qatar and its self-confidence. They failed Msheireb Downtown Doha in proximity to been surrounded with controversies from to take into account the ease with which Souq Waqif further affirms the idea of pres- the time it was planned. Qatar lives with its past and the present ervation of Qatari heritage and will set an That’s why the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the confidence that’s at the centre of international benchmark in aesthetic influ- can willfully or carelessly fell victim to building a future. The source of renais- ences with all the efficiency of a smart city. misrepresenting the maps of Qatar and sance can be found in the nation’s history, Across the busy Corniche road with Oman within weeks of opening its doors. identity and cultural tradition. It can’t be its vast green lawns interspersed with tall It corrected its mistake after a storm of transposed across the seas in a vacuum. palm tress on the one side and turquoise protests and said in a statement that the They forgot and need to remember blue of the Arabian Gulf on the other is mistake was due to “negligence”. that cultural power can trump political the MIA that stands in complete harmony Not everybody was convinced. Simon and economic power. The Myth Of A Kinder, Gentler Xi Jinping

Many writers and commentators wrongly thought that China with its increasing wealth would be less repressive during Xi’s reign

ISAAC STONE FISH | Quotes’. And in June 2017, Liu was released about Xi’s life, past, and worldview, and vincing explanations for why he may have long history of Pollyannish statements TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE from prison—into state custody at a hospital, expect those to predict his future? sent his daughter to a school considered the about China. “Trade freely with China, where he died of liver cancer five weeks later. Simplistic thinking also deserves some pinnacle of Western education—the pos- and time is on our side,” George W Bush N January 2013, The New York Times Kristof was far from the only unrealis- share of the blame. Kristof claimed reform sibility, for example, that she actually just said, while Bill Clinton called the opening columnist Nicholas Kristof predicted tically hopeful prognosticator, though he is in Xi’s “genes,” because Xi Zhongxun, wanted to study there, or that Xi thought of China’s political system, “inevitable, just the newly anointed Chinese Commu- probably has the most experience with the his father, “was a pioneer of economic re- it would be valuable for her to understand as inevitably the Berlin Wall fell.” Just like nist Party Secretary Xi Jinping would country, and its failed flirtations with liberal- structuring and publicly denounced” the how that world worked. The son of the late Gordon Chang’s notorious 2001 book The Ispearhead political and economic re- ism: He won a Pulitzer Prize for his report- Tiananmen massacre, and because his Libyan strongman Moamer Qadhafi earned Coming Collapse of China, Bush and Clin- form, remove the body of Mao Zedong ing on the June 1989 massacre of Chinese mother “chooses to live” in the capitalistic a PhD at the London School of Economics, ton might be right but early: It’s certainly from its hallowed mausoleum, and release pushing for reform in Tiananmen Square. southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. “You while the increasingly authoritarian Cam- possible China liberalises and democra- the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Beijing in year one of Xi’s term, for exam- can make the case that Xi has reformist im- bodian leader Hun Sen sent his son to West tises – it’s just very unlikely. Xiaobo from prison. His “hunch,” Kristof ple, reminded BBC world affairs editor John pulses,” the CNN host Fareed Zakaria wrote Point. There is no indication that any of that In 2004, the day before the 15th an- added, “may be wrong entirely.” Simpson of the Soviet Union just before the in 2011. “His father, once a comrade of Mao ideological openness reformed the parents niversary of the Tiananmen Massacre, Readers: It was. Berlin Wall fell. Over the last quarter centu- Zedong’s, was purged three times.” Zaka- or their children. Kristof wrote that Chinese leaders “knew On February 25, in a stunning turn, ry, many Westerners expected China’s grow- ria’s father Rafiq was an Islamic theologian The same holds true for some of the that after the Chinese could watch Eddie the Party abolished the two-term limit for ing wealth and economic openness to lead and politician who supported the ban of modern world’s cruelest leaders. Com- Murphy, wear tight pink dresses and strug- the Chinese presidency, meaning that the to liberalism and democracy. Instead, China Salman Rushdie’s 1988 novel The Satanic munist Vietnam’s founding ruler Ho Chi gle over what to order at Starbucks, the 64-year-old Xi could remain in power indefi- has grown richer and more repressive. Verses. How silly would it be to expect the Minh spent four formative years in France, revolution was finished. No middle class is nitely. In December 2012, Xi laid a wreath by Why have so many of us been wrong younger Zakaria to advocate for the same the Liberian warlord Charles Taylor stud- content with more choices of coffees than a statue of the reform-minded Chinese lead- about Xi and the direction China is head- ban? There is no gene for political views. ied economics at Bentley College in Massa- of candidates on a ballot.” Mann called this er Deng Xiaoping and pledged allegiance to ing? The most straightforward answer is Similarly, despite dozens of prominent chusetts, and Syria’s ruler Bashar al Assad idea the ‘Starbucks Fallacy’. Indeed, in De- the principle of “reform and opening up.” the difficulty of accurate prediction (the examples, including Kim Jong-un, who trained as an ophthalmologist in London. cember, Starbucks opened its largest store Since then, however, his China has grown reason why, for example, I didn’t buy Am- studied in Switzerland, people wrongly A more fundamental problem is ho w in the world in Shanghai – a 29,000 feet more politically and economically repres- azon stock in 2008 and earn a return 22 assume that an exposure or openness to this deeply held desire that China – like emporium with 400 staff. The company’s sive. Many Chinese people still revere Mao, times over). In arguably the most-analysed places considered liberal places correlates Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—will CEO said he expects China to be the com- and the Chinese leadership still publicly presidential election in history, Donald with liberal views. Xi sent his only daugh- one day become more like America clouds pany’s biggest market. Chinese political idolises him. In February 2016, China Cen- Trump shocked millions of people, includ- ter to Harvard; therefore, he must have ad- views about what is actually happening in polling data is terrible, and it’s impossible tral Television, the country’s main broad- ing himself, by winning. If we couldn’t mired the Western-style education, with its China. James Mann, the author of 2008’s to say if China’s middle class is “content” caster, published an article titled ‘18 Famous predict any of that, how could we possi- emphasis on free thought, Zakaria, Kristof, ‘The China Fantasy: Why Capitalism Will with their choice of coffee over candidates. Sayings by Mao Zedong That Xi Always bly cobble together the scant public facts and others implied. But there are more con- Not Bring Democracy to China’, cited the But for Xi, it’s certainly working.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Monday, March 5, 2018 09 Have your say Is there an issue you feel strongly about, or an article you want to comment on? QT will carry your voice to the public and to Analysis places where it matters. Write to us at PO BOX 23493, DOHA, QATAR O FAX: +974 44416790 O[email protected] Defeating ISIS In Syria Is Just The Beginning Control your emotions I was so humbled during my quiet time this morning. I was reading a story about a child throwing a tantrum at a toy store, and then it hit me how easy The Trump administration is deepening its partnership with the Syrian Kurds seemingly it is for us adults to throw tantrums as well. When something don’t go our with little consideration for the full political or human consequences of such a choice way or when we are simply irritated, it’s so easy to unleash our ‘dark sides’. And when we are not comforted, this S the world watches the Syrian fighters left the battle against ISIS to fight lead us to seeking our own glory, which government’s relentless bombing the Turks, according to local and western most of the time could mean binge of Ghouta, 300 miles to the east, journalists. eating, going on a shopping spree, or the United States remains focused All of this raises the key question: sometimes, unleashing 'evils' at some- Aon eradicating the last vestiges of What does the United States hope to one. I was chatting to a girlfriend and the Islamic State. On February 11, Sec- achieve in Syria by investing so heavily in told her that whenever my husband retary of Defence James Mattis stressed the SDF? and I have disagreements, instead of that, following the group’s defeat, there When pro-Assad elements, including throwing a tantrum, I try to see the is no plan for a deeper US commitment Russian mercenaries, tried to recapture bigger picture. I see to it to ask my- in Syria. Several weeks later on Febru- a key oilfield from the SDF on February self first about what I really feel. Of- ary 23, President Donald Trump echoed 7, they were met with US airstrikes. Pro- tentimes I actually just miss him, and Mattis’s message, saying that the 1,700 to government forces have skirmished fre- then other issues cloud that. It is im- 2,000 US troops in the country would “go quently with the SDF in the days since. If portant that we get to the root of the home” after ISIS had been beaten. Washington’s sole objective in Syria was issue first before throwing a tantrum Yet on February 7, just a few days fighting ISIS, then it wouldn’t make any about something that normally are just before Mattis’s remarks, Major General difference whether Assad or the SDF con- petty things and misunderstandings. James Jarrard, the commander of US trolled the oilfields. In fact, it appears that Whether with a friend or with a family special forces in Syria, told the media what the United States really wants to do member, we need to always be on the that his mission is to support the Syr- is deprive Assad of oil and gas revenues same boat addressing the issue rather ian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian to extract political concessions from him. than teaming up with the issue and Kurdish militia-led force that has been The United States appears ready But this strategy ignores the obvious: The fighting each other. For many times, instrumental in the fight against ISIS. and all too eager to bind its fate to economic woes of Syrians won’t compel whenever I am angry, I tend to over- The SDF, however, has enemies beyond one uncontrolled actor in a complex Assad to make any concessions—he is un- eat. Yes, I listen to people’s explana- ISIS that include the Syrian government civil war without understanding how moved by their suffering. tions and stories but with the intent of and its Iranian allies. In an interview the other actors will respond Washington’s decision to anoint the answering and becoming a little judge- with CNN on that same day, Lieutenant SDF as its chief vehicle for achieving mental. Right there and then, I know General Paul Funk, the commander of US structure—a herculean task for the seven its broader aims is a perilous one. The I am unleashing the selfishness in me. forces in Syria and Iraq, promised that to 10 US foreign service officers and aid Trump administration wants to believe We must learn to control our temper, Americans in the town of Manbij, which officials Satterfield said would be de- the SDF is relatively democratic, when, because it's easy to say something and the Kurdish-led SDF captured in August ploying to northeastern Syria alongside instead, its behaviour often alienates im- later regret it. I like to be aware of what 2016, would “defend themselves.” Both US soldiers. The Trump administration portant local communities. It also wants selfishness and anger can do to me, so Robert Ford he and Jarrard were aiming their mes- has, so far, said nothing publicly about the Turks to stop complaining about when I feel that it starts to consume Tribune News Service sages not at ISIS—which has been absent strategies, benchmarks, or timelines for the SDF’s ties to the PKK, even though me... I'll get down on my knees as soon from Manbij for months—but at Turkey. a project that, to a significant degree, it knows the Turks aren’t totally wrong as I can. Seeking God’s kingdom first How such pledges square with the smacks of nation-building. about the SDF. It wants Assad to leave the has given me a lot of wisdom and dis- notion that the US mission in Syria is The Trump administration is deepen- SDF alone to fight ISIS even as it deprives cernment. I am thankful I have a won- The Trump adminis- limited to defeating ISIS is unclear. De- ing its partnership with the SDF seem- him of revenues and territory in the east. derful family and a loving God. What fending the SDF from its enemies exceeds ingly with little consideration for the The Trump administration also hopes are you thankful for today? tration wants to erect the parameters of an anti-ISIS campaign, full political or human consequences of that Assad will make real concessions not to mention the 2001 congressional such a choice. Russia, Iran, and the Syr- when he has never done so before—one of Marguerite Faure a local government authorisation for use of military force ian government, have all denounced the its most egregious acts of self-deception. against Al Qaeda. Yet the Trump admin- US goal of building up local governments The United States appears ready and in eastern Syria to istration’s proposed defence budget for in eastern Syria. And Turkey, America’s all too eager to bind its fate to one uncon- 2019 aims to transform the SDF into a NATO ally, is furious. The US military trolled actor in a complex civil war with- fight against ISIS and, 35,000-man local security force, at a cost customarily denies any links between the out understanding how the other actors of another $300 million in 2019; this SDF and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party will respond. Russia has blasted the US should the need arise, would come on top of the $393 million it (PKK), Turkey’s enemy. In his testimony, effort to establish a local Kurdish author- plans to spend on ammunition and weap- Satterfield acknowledged links between ity in eastern Syria, and believes Wash- the Syrian govern- ons for the group this fiscal year; the total some of America’s Syrian-Kurdish mili- ington’s ultimate aim in Syria remains re- amount set to be spent on the SDF this tia allies and the PKK—in itself, a newsy gime change; Iran also has vowed to end year is $500 million. The Trump admin- admission—and asserted that the SDF’s US influence in Syria’s Kurdish region. ment. The message, it istration also wants to erect a local gov- leadership recognised it must change. Earlier this month, I spoke to the ernment in eastern Syria to fight against But any signs of such a shift are scant. House Foreign Affairs Committee about seems, is that Wash- ISIS and, should the need arise, the Syr- For months in northeastern Syria, the America’s current Syria policy. Most “At colleges & universities ian government. The message, it seems, SDF’s policy of forced conscription has of the representatives asked questions across Canada, men and ington has big plans is that Washington has big plans for the aggravated relations between Arabs and about how to remove Assad or rid Syria of Syrian Kurds. Kurds and hampered rebuilding efforts. Iran. These were important questions in women are learning the same for the Syrian Kurds On January 11, David Satterfield, the In mid-January, the killing of two Ar- 2013 or 2014, but the balance in the war skills & being trained the same acting assistant secretary of state for abs in SDF custody inflamed tensions in makes them irrelevant now. Today, the near east affairs, offered something of a Kurdish-dominated Manbij. On Febru- United States has a policy of incremen- way. They should be paid the preview of those plans. He told senators ary 15, the local affiliate of the independ- talism, working on behalf of one player in that, as the United States works to stabi- ent group “Raqqa is Being Slaughtered the Syrian morass. America’s adversaries same for work of equal value.” lise northeastern Syria, it would push for Silently” reported that Kurdish SDF of- will learn how better to attack US forces the “emergence of a different kind of lo- ficials in two towns had ordered shop- and allies. With time, US personnel will Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) cal governance-based political structure” keepers to close their stores and join face greater risk while the deepening mo- Prime Minister of Canada there. What might this entail? According demonstrations demanding that Turkey rass will demand either concession or es- to a State Department official I spoke to, release Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s im- calation. The Trump administration and this program will involve helping the SDF prisoned leader. After Turkey attacked Congress would do well to come to terms rebuild local government and vital infra- the Kurdish enclave of Afrin, many SDF with that reality.

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A colleague of mine got so rattled -- on or off screen. 10 Monday, March 5, 2018 Philippines / Southeast Asia / World Seven dead in east DR Congo raid Australia to sign historic maritime South Africa listeriosis outbreak toll hits blamed on Ugandan rebels boundary treaty with East Timor 180: Ministry GOMA, DR CONGO Seven people died in a raid by suspected SYDNEY Australia will sign a landmark maritime boundary JOHANNESBURG South African health officials said on Sunday NEWS Ugandan Islamist rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of agreement with East Timor next week in New York, Australian that listeriosis has killed 180 people since the start of last IN BRIEF Congo, the latest in a string of deadly cross-border attacks, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Sunday. The two countries year and originated at a food factory in the country’s north- officials said Sunday. “Six people were shot dead and another finalised a treaty last week following a long-running border east. Listeriosis is caused by a bacteria found in soil, water, was stabbed” in the village of Eringeti in DR Congo’s restive dispute in the Timor Sea that included spy allegations, UN vegetation and animal faeces, and can contaminate food. It is North Kivu province, a Congolese military source told AFP. (AFP) arbitration and a bitter diplomatic spat. (DPA) prevented by basic hygiene and washing food. (AFP) Sierra Leone Key suspect in leader defends presidential Burkina Faso serial candidate attacks arrested AFP AFP KAMBIA, SIERRA LEONE OUAGADOUGOU One shot dead in night assault SIERRA Leone’s outgo- A SUSPECTED key figure in ing leader has defended the the deadly Burkina Faso at- OUAGADOUGOU One person presidential candidate widely tacks has been arrested, a gov- was shot dead after three seen as his handpicked suc- ernment source said Sunday. people attempted to storm a cessor on amid accusations of Saying the person held roadblock near the Burkinabe personal interference, and hit could be “one of the brains” presidential compound on out at opponents of an elec- behind Friday’s attacks, the Sunday, a government source tion day vehicle ban. source told AFP there were told AFP. Two of the trio man- The West African nation “very strong suspicions” that aged to flee the scene but goes to the polls on Wednes- “army infiltrators” had passed the third was arrested and day to choose a replacement information to the assailants gunned down after attempt- for Ernest Bai Koroma, who for the coordinated attacks in ing to seize the weapon of a is stepping down after 10 the capital claimed by GSIM, guard, the source said. The years as president, along with a jihadist group allied to al- incident in the early hours a new parliament. Qaeda. came two days after eight Koroma told AFP at a Sunday saw further unrest soldiers were killed in deadly rally Saturday in the western when one person was shot twin attacks on the French town of Kambia that Samura dead after three people at- embassy and the Burkinabe Kamara, the candidate of the tempted to storm a roadblock military HQ in the capital ruling All Peoples Congress in the early hours near the Ouagadougou. (AFP) (APC), would not act as “his presidential compound, a gov- master’s voice”, adding: “He ernment source told AFP. is definitely going to be him- Two of the trio managed to the attack on the military HQ self.” (File photo) South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema (2nd right) talks to the press after staging a flee the scene but the third was was a suicide car bombing and The president is staying walk out during the election by the Members of Parliament of the new South African President in Cape Town recently. (AFP) arrested and gunned down that a regional anti-terrorism on as party chairman after after attempting to seize the meeting may have been the in- stepping aside, leading to ac- weapon of a guard, the source tended target. cusations he wants to retain said. Visiting the HQ on Satur- control of the APC from be- S Africa firebrand Malema The suspect in custody was day, Prime minister Paul Kaba hind the scenes via his former arrested several hours after Thieba said he saw “apocalyp- foreign minister. Friday’s twin attacks on the tic scenes” and condemned Koroma also defended his French embassy and the coun- “with the utmost severity this record, admitting he was “not launches presidency bid try’s military HQ in the capital terrorist attack, cowardly, saying we got it all right” with Ouagadougou saw seven sol- which attacks our country, an economy hit by the twin diers killed, the source. That once again, which sows death, blows of Ebola and slumped AFP last month of president Jacob “We want to give land to was a new toll after eight had unnecessary destruction”. commodity prices, but also JOHANNESBURG Zuma, long the target of Male- The Economic Freedom our people, it is going to hap- been declared dead. GSIM, which has admit- tarred by successive corrup- ma’s ire, the EFF has switched Fighters (EFF) leader used pen, it will happen in our The source added that nine ted responsibility for previous tion allegations. RADICAL South African op- its attentions to the main op- a speech at a packed lifetime, whether they like assailants were killed, one attacks in the troubled Sahel Surrounded by hundreds position leader Julius Malema position DA, accusing it of arena in Johannesburg to it or not. The land will be re- more than previously report- region, claimed to have car- of supporters waving red launched on Sunday his cam- being a racist party that pro- confirm that he would seek turned,” he said. ed. At least 80 people were ried out the twin attacks, in a flags and covered top to toe in paign to be elected president motes the interests of whites. to unseat the mayor of Port “We are not going to lis- injured. message cited by Mauritania’s the red sun icon of the APC, in 2019 by aggressively dis- “All white people who are ten to any Britain, we are not The government has said Al-Akhbar news agency. Koroma looked at ease as his tancing his party from a one- voting DA, who are angry with Elizabeth whose adminis- going to listen to European last day in power approaches. time coalition partner. what we are going to do in tration his party propped- Parliament, we are not going “I’m campaigning so that The Economic Freedom PE... all of you can go to hell, up since 2016 elections to listen to UN -- we are going our APC party will remain in Fighters (EFF) leader used a we don’t care about you. We to listen to the people of South power to continue the good speech at a packed arena in don’t care about white feel- Malema founded the EFF Africa,” Malema added. work we have started,” Ko- Johannesburg to confirm that ings,” he said to loud applause in 2013 when he was expelled He was referring to a letter roma told the small crowd, he would seek to unseat the and cheering. from the ANC along with a sent on Tuesday by right-wing arguing against the influence mayor of Port Elizabeth whose “We don’t hate white peo- number of allies, and the par- British UKIP MEP Janice At- of social media and for con- administration his party ple, we just love black people.” ty now has the third largest kinson to Foreign Secretary tinuity of his road building propped-up since 2016 elec- Malema has sought to re- number of MPs in the Nation- Boris Johnson calling on Lon- programme. tions. build ties with the ruling Afri- al Assembly. don to “step in” over the issue Sierra Leone’s president The mayor of the south can National Congress (ANC) In his speech, Malema of land redistribution in South also addressed concerns by coast city, Athol Trollip, is a since President Cyril Ram- welcomed the ANC’s recent Africa. rights groups that a ban on member of the Democratic aphosa succeeded Zuma last resolution to seek to expedite Malema also announced all vehicles without a govern- Alliance (DA) party which month. the process of redistributing a voter registration drive for ment pass on voting day could has governed Port Elizabeth “Ramaphosa must do the land to “rightful owners” that EFF supporters. disenfranchise large swathes as well as Johannesburg and right thing. We don’t care is widely understood to mean “All fighters in all branches of the population reliant on Pretoria with the support of about him being a billionaire, transferring land owned by must be registered to vote. If public and private transport Malema’s EFF. we want him to do the right whites to economically disad- you are not registered, then to reach polling stations. But since the resignation thing,” said Malema. vantaged blacks. you are a criminal.” Burkinabe soldiers patrol in Ouagadougou on Saturday. (AFP) S Korea sending envoys to N Korea Aquino summoned in vaccination case as Trump suggests US willing to talk AGENCIES “You are hereby warned Comelec also ordered the other MANILA, PHILIPPINES that failure on your part to respondents from the Depart- REUTERS The drills will take place the Korean peninsula as well comply with the subpoena shall ment of Health –undersecre- SEOUL next month, a South Korean as possibly arrange talks be- FORMER Philippine president be considered as waiver of your taries Carol Tanio, Gerardo presidential security adviser tween North Korea and the Benigno Aquino III and two right to present your defence Bayugo, Lilibeth David and SOUTH Korea will dispatch said according to the Yonhap United States, it said. of his Cabinet officials were and the case shall be considered Mario Villaverde; assistant sec- a delegation led by senior se- news agency. They had been After the visit to North Ko- ordered to appear at the Com- submitted for resolution based retaries Lyndon Lee Suy and curity officials for a two-day delayed until after the Win- rea the envoys will travel to mission on Elections (Comelec) on the evidence on record... Fail Nestor Santiago; and directors visit to North Korea starting ter Olympics and Paralympic the United States to brief of- on March 15 to answer why not under the penalty of law,” Laureano Cruz, Joyce Ducusin Monday, the presidential Blue games in South Korea. ficials, and Seoul said it would they should not be charged the Feb. 19 subpoena stated. and Mar Wynne Bello – to ap- House announced Sunday, as South Korea’s presidential also coordinate closely with for launching the anti-dengue Manny Luna, VACC legal pear on March 8 and submit US President Donald Trump Blue House said in a state- officials in Japan and China. campaign just a few weeks be- counsel, is confident they have their counter-affidavit. hinted that he is ready to talk ment that National Security During a joke-filled mono- fore the May 2016 elections. a strong case against the offi- Complainants Cruz and to Pyongyang. Office (NSO) head Chung Eui- logue at a dinner with journal- In a subpoena, Comelec law cials. Clarito Cairo Jr. were also or- For its part, North Korea yong and National Intelli- ists in Washington on Satur- department director Maria No- Former Philippine president “The fact that the com- dered to appear on March 8, 9 said it was not begging to gence Service (NIS) chief Suh day, Trump suggested that the rina Tangaro-Casingal directed Benigno Aquino plaint was not dismissed out- and 15. talk with Washington and de- Hoon, a veteran of past nego- United States will be meet- Aquino, former budget secre- right, there is sufficient basis Several administration and nounced upcoming US-South tiations with the North, will be ing with North Korea but has tary Florencio Abad and former Crime and Corruption, rep- to proceed. But of course, opposition congressmen have Korean joint-military exercis- among the 10-member South told Pyongyang it must first health secretary Janette Garin resented by Francis Cruz, probable cause is a different called on President Duterte to es, warning that it would take Korean delegation visiting “denuke.” to appear for a preliminary charged the three for election issue. This will now depend on form a single team that would counter measures against the Pyongyang. “We will be meeting and hearing and to submit their related offenses, including the the counter-affidavit they will look into the death of at least United States if they went The visit was part of an we’ll see if anything positive counter-affidavits. disbursement of funds 45 days submit,” Luna said. 14 schoolchildren who were ahead. effort to lower tensions on happens,” he added. The Volunteers Against before a regular election. Aside from the three, vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Vietnam seeks to pacify China as landmark Most Thais doubt junta will hold 2019 polls US carrier visit signals warming relations DPA head to the polling stations BANGKOK as soon as possible in hopes REUTERS co-operation between Hanoi its Blue Whale gas field now of better trade deals once the HONG KONG/HANOI and Washington, according being developed by US oil A MAJORITY of Thais sur- country returns to democrat- to diplomats and others fa- major Exxon Mobil, as well veyed said they do not believe ic rule. THE visit of a US aircraft car- miliar with discussions. as the increasingly fortified a general election will be held Two-thirds of respond- rier to Vietnam for the first Vietnamese diplomats Paracel islands, which China next year as promised by the ents consider another elec- time since the end of the Vi- and military officers have re- occupies and Vietnam also ruling military government. tion delay acceptable, the etnam War is a powerful sym- peatedly stressed the coun- claims. More than 64 per cent of survey found. Since coming bol of the growing strategic try’s independent foreign China’s rapid construc- respondents across Thailand to power in a 2014 coup, the ties between the former foes. policy and its desire for broad tion and build-up of the seven said they are not confident in junta has postponed elec- But the arrival on Monday foreign relations - hoping features it holds in the dis- the pledged February 2019 tion dates at least four times, of the USS Carl Vinson also to maintain stable ties with puted Spratly group further election timeline due to pre- with the latest timeline being illustrates Hanoi’s complex China while standing up to it south has alarmed Vietnam vious broken promises, sur- stretched from November and evolving relationship over the South China Sea, the and other regional govern- vey results from the National 2018 to early next year. with Beijing over the disput- sources said. ments. Institute of Development The generals have said ed South China Sea. The Vinson will mark the As it seeks to enforce its Administration (NIDA) think- they need to see their reforms For months now, Viet- biggest US military presence claims to much of the South tank in Bangkok showed on through and restore political namese envoys have been in the country since 1975 China Sea, China’s navy and Pro-democracy activists wearing masks mock Thailand’s Prime Min- Sunday. stability before stepping down working to ease the concerns when it berths in Danang for coastguard now routinely pa- ister Prayuth Chan-ocha as Pinocchio during a protest against junta Nearly 80 per cent of re- for a newly elected govern- of their giant Chinese neigh- a five-day stay. trol vast swathes of the area at a university in Bangkok, Thailand, recently. (REUTERS) spondents said they want to ment. bour over the visit and the The port city on Viet- through which some $3 tril- prospect of broader security nam’s central coast is close to lion in trade passes annually. India Monday, March 5, 2018 11

News NPP stakes claim to form in brief India, Pakistan trade heavy fire on LoC; next govt in Meghalaya schools shut in Poonch, Rajouri districts JAMMU The Indian and Pakistani forces traded heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch dis- trict late on Saturday, Defence Ministry sources said here on NPP won 19 seats and has backing of 15 MLAs, taking the combined strength of alliance to 34 Sunday. "Pakistan Army resorted to heavy unprovoked shelling and firing in Balakote sector. They used small arms, automat- ics and mortars to target Defence and civilian facilities. Our positions retaliated effectively. Firing exchanges continued for nearly two hours. No casualty or damage was reported on our side," the source said. As a precautionary measure, authori- ties in Poonch and Rajouri districts have shut down all schools close to the LoC till Monday. (IANS)

Karti Chidambaram made to confront Indrani Mukerjea in INX media case

MUMBAI Moving ahead in the INX Media alleged bribery case, the CBI brought Karti Chidambaram, son of ex-Finance Minis- ter P. Chidambaram, face-to-face with murder accused Indrani Mukerjea, here on Sunday. A special Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) six-member team brought the 46-year-old Karti Chidambaram from New Delhi to Mumbai this morning and took him to the Byculla Women's Jail, where Indrani Mukerjea is lodged. THE wife of former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea, Indrani is accused of killing Sheena Bora, her daughter from a previous husband. The couple is in custody in connection with Sheena Bora's sensational murder in 2012. SHORTLY after landing in Mumbai, the CBI team whisked Karti Chidambaram to the jail around 11 a.m. and confronted him with Indrani Mukerjea after which they were subjected to inter- rogation for nearly four hours. Besides the two and the CBI officers, nobody was permitted inside the interrogation venue and nothing is known of what transpired therein, according to official sources.(IANS)

Three arrested PNB scam: Mauritius over psychotropic promises action drugs in Kolkata against offenders KOLKATA The Kolkata unit of NEW DELHI In connection with the Narcotics Control Bureau on the alleged Rs 12,600-crore Sunday seized a large quantity fraud at the state-run Punjab of psychotropic substances National Bank (PNB), also including Ecstacy, LSD blots involving overseas branches, Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party celebrate election results in three northeast states outside the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. (AFP) and Magic mushrooms from a Mauritius has promised house in the city and arrested regulatory action against IANS (NEDA) Himanta Biswa Sarma single largest party. The Chief should be respected and the three persons in connection individuals or entities found GUWAHATI said that a delegation compris- minister, however, failed to pro- BJP winning only two seats with it, a senior NCB official to be linked with "fraudulent ing the legislators of NPP, UDP, duce letters of support from any has proven that people rejected said. practices". THE National People's Party BJP, HSPDP and UDF met the The mandate in Meghalaya other party. Senior Congress them,” he added. Acting on a tip-off, the Taking cognizance of (NPP) on Sunday met Megha- Governor at the Raj Bhavan on leaders Ahmed Patel and Kamal “It is a fractured mandate. NCB officials on Sunday raided media reports about the PNB laya Governor Ganga Prasad Sunday and said they have the is against the Congress. The Nath on Saturday met Governor Now it is a question of looking the house of Vivek Sharma fraud by accused diamantaire and staked claim to form the required numbers to form the role of the BJP is just a Ganga Prasad requesting him to at people who would like to look in south Kolkata and seized Nirav Modi and his uncle next government in the state. nest state government. facilitator. We are invite the Congress to form the at common agenda acceptable the drugs and hallucinogenic Mehul Choksi, the Financial The NPP, which secured 19 "The mandate in Meghalaya facilitating the regional new government in Meghalaya. to the state’s people and come substances. "13.5 grammes Services Commission (FSC) of seats on its own, has the back- is against the Congress. The role parties in Meghalaya to “We have already met the together,” outgoing Chief Min- of Ecstacy like substance, 2.49 Mauritius has said in a state- ing of six United Democratic of the BJP is just a facilitator. We governor and handed him a let- ister Mukul Sangma told IANS. grams of Magic mushrooms, ment that it is in constant Party (UDP) legislators, four are facilitating the regional par- unite and form a ter to request him to invite the Sangma, retained Ampati 20 LSD blots and nine pink, communication on the matter People's Democratic Front ties in Meghalaya to unite and government in the state to Congress being the single larg- seat for the sixth consecutive star-shaped pills believed to be "with its international counter- (PDF) MLAs, two each from the form a government in the state keep the Congress at bay est party,” Nath told IANS. The term and unseated two-time MDMA, were recovered from parts under existing exchange Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to keep the Congress at bay," Congress which emerged as the National People’s Party (NPP) the house," NCB Kolkata Zonal of information agreements". and Hill State People's Demo- said Sarma, who has been camp- Convener of the BJP-led single largest party winning 21 candidate Nihim D Shira in Head Dilip Kumar Srivastava "The FSC will take neces- cratic Party (HSPDP) MLAs ing in the state since Saturday. alliance Himanta Biswa assembly seats is short of ten Songsak. Asked if the Congress said in a release. sary regulatory action against and an Independents legislator, "It will be a government of seats to get an absolute major- had sent feelers to other par- "Three people named any of its licensee/approved taking the combined strength of the regional political parties to ity in the 60 member assembly. ties and independents to form Vivek Sharma, Rishab Sharma Officer/Management Com- the alliance to 34. be led by the NPP. The BJP has halaya," said Sarma. “We will stake claim to form the the new government, Sangma and a disc jockey (DJ) named pany found to be linked with This leaves the ruling Con- two legislators and our party On the other hand, outgo- government. We are already in said: “All parties have gone on Deep Chakraborty have been any illegal, harmful and/or gress, despite retaining 21 seats, has also decided to extend sup- ing Meghalaya Chief Minister touch with other political par- their own and the regional par- arrested. They were involved in fraudulent practices that may lagging in the numbers game. port to the NPP. We are there to Mukul Sangma also met the ties. We are confident of form- ties have not shown any pre- supplying the drugs to college cause any prejudice to the Assam Health Minister and facilitate and we are doing that Governor and said that his ing the new government,” the poll alliance either with the students and some elite people good repute of Mauritius," it convener of the BJP-led alliance to ensure that there is a non- party should be invited to form senior Congress leader said. Bharatiya Janata Party or the of the city," he explained. (IANS) said. (IANS) North East Democratic Alliance Congress government in Meg- the next government as it is the “The voice of the people NPP.”

Rajendran re-elected Haryana to punish those abandoning milch cows Conservationists sound alarm as 106 leopards die in two months IANS ‘The government has tagged the state has taken a number CPI Kerala secretary CHANDIGARH of steps for the protection of IANS tra (18) and Rajashtan (11). The cattle in the gaushalas as it cows. NEW DELHI incidents of mortality were re- IANS THE Haryana government would help in knowing their The Khattar government ported from 18 states. Accord- MALAPPURAM, KERALA will soon enact a stringent law location. Tagging of cattle imposed a ban on beef in A staggering 106 leopards have ing to official records, a total of to punish those found aban- kept in the houses would 2015, followed by a ban on died in the first two months of 431 leopards died in 2017. KANAM Rajendran was on doning their milch cows, Chief also be carried out so that cow slaughter in the state. this year in forest areas across These included 159 inci- Sunday unanimously elected Minister Manohar Lal Khattar From setting up of crech- the country -- a number that dents of poaching. Some 450 for a second three-year term said on Sunday. these are not abandoned in es for cows to sterilising and conservationists and officials big cats died in 2016 and 127 as the Kerala secretary of the Khattar told the media any situation,’ Khattar said rounding up stray bulls, set- said was alarmingly high for of them were found poached. Communist Party of India here that the state govern- ting up an e-portal for live- the "vulnerable" feline species Leopards have been targeted (CPI). ment has already enacted the stock, setting up 'gaushalas', in India. by poachers for their expensive The 67-year-old veteran 'Gauvansh Sanrakshan and While seeking the support announcing a cattle insurance According to the Wildlife hides and other body parts. trade union leader is a former Kanam Rajendran. Gausamvardhan' Act for the of the people in effective im- scheme and even appointing Protection Society of India However, habitat loss, espe- two-time legislator. Rajendran protection of cows. plementation of the drive to a senior police officer to ex- (WPSI), which compiled the cially due to farming, has posed first became the secretary at former Rajya Sabha member "The government has protect the livestock, the Chief clusively monitor smuggling data, the maximum number of a new threat to them. According the Kottayam state conference K.E. Ismail. They tried to put tagged cattle in the gaushalas Minister appealed to them not of cows in the state - the BJP deaths was due to poaching as to experts involved in tracking in 2015, and on Sunday he was up a candidate against Rajen- as it would help in knowing to abandon their cattle and government in Haryana has evident from seizures of leopard illegal wildlife trade, an animal given another term. dran but failed after former their location. Tagging of cat- keep them in their houses as done it all. hides and other body parts. skin changes lots of hands be- There is a section in the Kerala minister and senior tle kept in the houses would it was not easy for the govern- Khattar, a former Rashtri- Only 12 of the big cats died fore it reaches a possible mar- party which is opposed to legislator C Divakaran with- also be carried out so that ment alone to protect them. ya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) of natural causes. Uttarakhand ket in China where it can fetch Rajendran and is headed by drew from the contest after these are not abandoned in The Bharatiya Janata activist, took over as Chief tops the list with 24 leopard around Rs50 lakh -- sometimes former Kerala Minister and initially agreeing to it. any situation," Khattar said. Party (BJP) government in Minister on October 26, 2014. deaths, followed by Maharash- even higher than that. Caste discrimination a reality in Himachal Pradesh schools IANS cial activists, that was not a ginger on small landholdings, Thakur told IANS. As per the SHIMLA stray incident. have been fighting for decades guidelines of state educa- They say centuries-old to get the status of a Scheduled tion authorities, each student CASTE discrimination con- caste-based attitudes persist You can visit any Tribe. Himachal Pradesh has a is asked to sit as per his roll tinues to leave a bad taste in almost every rural school government school in the population of over 6.8 million number during all school ac- among students savouring despite India banning dis- trans-Giri area and you will as per the Census for 2011, and tivities, Thakur added. their midday meals in almost crimination in 1955. find separate queues for Dalits comprise one fourth of Article 15 of the Constitu- every rural government school The midday meal is a na- the state's population. It says tion bars discrimination on of Himachal Pradesh, a state tionwide school programme Dalit students during the more than 90 percent people the basis of caste and laws are where the literacy rate is at a of the Indian government to midday meal. Even the head live in rural areas -- in 17,882 in place to penalise it. But so- high of 82.8 percent. improve the nutritional sta- cook employed for villages -- of the total 20,690 ciologists believe the practice Lower caste students face tus of school-age children. preparing the meals is not revenue villages. persists in the state as the social discrimination in all Social activist Kuldeep Verma from a lower caste An optimistic Ashwani Ku- most marginalised communi- school activities, including said caste-based discrimina- mar Thakur, Principal of the ties, including Dalits, are of- partaking the midday meal. tion during the serving of the Social activist Kuldeep Verma Government Senior Secondary ten barred from public places Even the chefs employed midday meal is common in the School at Chikhar Satlai, one in villages like temples and in 15,000-plus government state, more prominent in the of the remotest schools located water taps. schools for cooking meals are extremely backward trans-Giri head cook employed for pre- some 50 km from the state Often students in schools largely from the higher castes. areas of Sirmaur district, and paring the meals is not from a capital, told IANS they are across the state refuse to eat The latest instance of seg- calls for dignity for the lower- lower caste," Verma, who runs educating the students about the midday meal because it regating Dalit students in a caste community. the People's Action for People Lower caste students face social discrimination in all school activities, caste discrimination laws. was cooked by a Dalit. They government school in Kullu "You can visit any govern- in Need (PAPN) NGO in Sir- including partaking the midday meal. "We are sensitising our say such oral traditions and district during a live telecast of ment school in the trans-Giri maur, told IANS. students so that they change cultures are often practised Prime Minister Narendra Mo- area and you will find separate He said the students be- against mingling with their while in school. their behaviour and attitudes, in those areas where there is di's programme has hogged queues for Dalit students dur- longing to the higher castes peers belonging to the lower Locals in the trans-Giri ar- but at times we face strong re- a culture of "devta" or deity the headlines. But, claim so- ing the midday meal. Even the are tutored by their parents castes and to sit separately eas, mainly farmers cultivating sistance from village elders," worship. 12 Monday, March 5, 2018 Gulf / Middle East

News Macron urges Tehran to ‘pressure’ UN plans humanitarian aid in brief Syria to halt E Ghouta offensive delivery to Ghouta today Car-ramming in AFP ing the implementation of the Israel wounds 3; PARIS humanitarian truce” sought by AFP ian Affairs, or OCHA, said on tari added. suspect shot the UN, his office said. DAMASCUS Sunday in a statement. Russia-backed regime FRENCH President Em- Their talks came as a mon- Eastern Ghouta’s 400,000 forces have since February 18 JERUSALEM An Arab Israeli manuel Macron called on his itoring group said forces loyal THE United Nations said it residents have lived under re- killed more than 640 civilians crashed into a police officer Iranian counterpart Hassan to President Bashar al-Assad plans to deliver much-needed gime siege since 2013, facing -- including over 150 children and two soldiers on Sunday Rouhani on Sunday to put the had seized control of over a humanitarian assistance on severe shortages in food and -- in a ferocious bombard- in northern Israel before “necessary pressure” on the quarter of Eastern Ghouta, on Monday to Syrians besieged in medicine. Ali al-Zaatari, the ment of Eastern Ghouta, one being shot and wounded in Syrian government to halt “in- the edge of Damascus, after the rebel-held enclave of East- UN’s humanitarian coordina- of the armed opposition’s last what authorities called a discriminate” attacks on civil- two weeks of devastating bom- ern Ghouta near Damascus. tor in Syria who will be lead- strongholds in the country. “terror attack”. The border ians in the rebel-held enclave bardment. A convoy that would en- ing Monday’s operation, said: Fighting on the ground has police officer and two sol- of Eastern Ghouta. The offensive has report- ter the enclave would consist “We hope that the convoy may intensified, with government diers were lightly wounded. During a telephone call be- edly killed more than 640 of “46 truckloads of health proceed as planned and will be forces reportedly advancing Video shared online of the tween the two leaders, Macron civilians and sent hundreds and nutrition supplies, along followed by other convoys.” on several fronts since Thurs- incident in the city of Acre underscored the “particular more fleeing, prompting grow- with food for 27,500 people “Our teams on the ground day and are said to have recap- showed one of the secu- responsiblity for Iran, because French President Emmanuel ing international calls to end in need”, the UN Office for the are ready to do all that is need- tured two areas in the east and rity force members being of its ties to the regime, regard- Macron the bloodshed. Coordination of Humanitar- ed to make this happen,” Zaa- southeast of the enclave. thrown into the air when hit. The police officer was hit near a market, while the two others were near a train station, police said. (AFP) Rescue teams recover German arrested Thousands of civilians for throwing rocks black boxes at site of at Israeli forces TEL AVIV Israeli police ar- flee as Syria forces take Iran plane crash rested a German national for allegedly throwing rocks AFP at Israeli security forces dur- TEHRAN The crash site has been hit ing a West Bank protest last back quarter of Ghouta by heavy snowfall in recent week, police said Sunday. RESCUE teams have recov- days, making rescue oper- The 24-year-old suspect ered the black boxes of a plane ations particularly danger- was arrested for throwing that crashed last month in the ous due to avalanche rocks during a Friday anti- The Eastern Ghouta offensive has reportedly killed more than 640 civilians mountains of southwestern occupation protest in the Iran leaving 66 people dead, risks, according to officials West Bank village of Bil’in. official media reported on quoted by local media Police said that the suspect Sunday. confessed to throwing rocks “The box that recorded domestic flight out of Tehran, and that they are working to flight parameters and the went down in a snowstorm on deport him. On Saturday, a one with conversations in the February 18 and crashed at a Jerusalem court extended cockpit have been handed height of about 4,000 metres the German national’s de- over to judicial authorities,” (13,000 feet). tention until Monday. (DPA) Reza Jafarzadeh, the public There have been no report- relations director of Iran’s civ- ed survivors from the plane’s 4 soldiers, 10 il aviation organisation, told 66 passengers and crew. militants killed in official news agency IRNA. The crash site has been hit Sinai campaign Jafarzadeh said the two by heavy snowfall in recent black boxes of the Aseman days, making rescue opera- CAIRO Egypt’s military said Airlines ATR-72 were found tions particularly dangerous on Sunday four soldiers and on Saturday by rescue teams, due to avalanche risks, accord- 10 militants were killed in who had resumed search op- ing to officials quoted by local a military operation in Sinai erations in the Zagros moun- media. against Islamic State fight- tains on Friday after bad So far, only body parts have ers. The deaths raise military weather forced them to halt been recovered from the scene casualties to at least 16 efforts for nearly a week. of the crash. Forensic teams dead, along with more than They were to be handed have performed tests on 51 100 militants, since the start over to investigators seeking samples of human tissue in at- of the operation on Feb 9, to determine the cause of the tempts to identify the victims, according to previous army accident. The aircraft, on a IRNA reported. tolls. The army launched the campaign after Egyptian Pres- ident Sisi, who is standing in elections for his second term this month, gave them Netanyahu opposes a three month deadline to crush IS in Sinai. (AFP) Iraqi Kurdistan early polls as graft leader criticises federal budget probes intensify ERBIL, IRAQ The Iraqi parlia- AFP Ex-aide released, ment’s approval of a federal JERUSALEM budget that cuts allocations put under for Kurdistan is a blow to ISRAELI Prime Minister Ben- house arrest regional partnership, the au- jamin Netanyahu has said he tonomous region’s Prime Min- opposes early elections, as TEL AVIV A former aide to Is- ister Nechirvan Barzani said corruption probes linked to raeli Prime Minister Benjamin on Sunday. “It is unfortunate Syrians flee their homes with their belongings in the town of Beit Sawa in Syria’s besieged eastern Ghouta region on Sunday.(AFP) him intensify speculation over Netanyahu and a top busi- that principles of partnership his future. Israeli media have nessman were released and and consensus have been AFP control of 10 percent of East- raised the possibility of a June put under house arrest Sun- ignored,” Barzani said at a DAMASCUS Trump and May blame Russia, ern Ghouta, rebel fighters poll, with graft investigations day after 14 days in custody press conference in Erbil, the Syria for E Ghouta suffering clashed with regime forces on potentially weakening the pre- over suspicions of fraud involv- capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. “If SYRIA’S regime has seized Sunday in the eastern part of mier’s ability to hold together ing the premier, police said. we want to have an Iraq that control of over a quarter of LONDON Russia and Syria are responsible for the “heart-breaking the enclave, the Observatory his right-wing coalition. Tel Aviv magistrates court is stable, it will not be re- rebel-held Eastern Ghouta on human suffering” in the Syrian rebel-held enclave of Eastern said. “There is no reason for that released Nir Hefetz, a former solved through strong against the edge of Damascus after Ghouta, US President Donald Trump and his British counterpart Rami Abdel Rahman, head to happen if there is good will,” media adviser to the Netanya- weak, but through dialogue,” two weeks of devastating bom- Theresa May said Sunday. The two leaders discussed the “ap- of the Britain-based monitor- Netanyahu said before depart- hu family, and Shaul Elovitch, Barzani said. (DPA) bardment, sending hundreds palling humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta” during a phone ing group, said at least 12 re- ing for a visit to the United the controlling shareholder of of civilians into flight, a moni- call Sunday detailed by May’s Downing Street office. “They agreed gime fighters had been killed States late Saturday. telecoms group Bezeq, after Jordanian farmers tor said on Sunday. it was a humanitarian catastrophe, and that the overwhelming in two areas, Al-Rihan and “For me, there is good will. complex questioning of the rally to protest The Syrian Observatory responsibility for the heart-breaking human suffering lay with Shifoniya, in overnight clashes I hope that the other (coalition) two men, Netanyahu, his wife new tax for Human Rights said re- the Syrian regime and Russia, as the regime’s main backer,” the with the Jaish al-Islam rebel partners also have it.” and other suspects. Police gime forces had advanced to prime minister’s office said. May and Trump said “Russia and oth- group. Netanyahu will meet US suspect Elovitch’s business AMMAN Jordanian farmers three kilometres (two miles) ers with influence over the Syrian regime must act now to cease Jaish al-Islam shares con- President Donald Trump on was given regulatory breaks in on Sunday staged a sit-in from Douma, the main town, their campaign of violence and to protect civilians”. (AFP) trol of rebel-held parts of East- Monday at the White House return for Netanyahu receiving protest outside the parlia- after retaking “more than 25 ern Ghouta with Faylaq al- and is set to address pro-Isra- positive coverage on Walla!, ment headquarters in the percent” of Eastern Ghouta, Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham. el lobbying group AIPAC on a news website he owns. (AFP) capital Amman against the in operations mostly through tional pressure to end the state media. Damascus and Moscow say Tuesday. Israeli police recom- introduction of a tax on farmlands. bloodshed, regime backer Rus- The source said govern- they are trying to clear the area mended Netanyahu’s indict- agricultural goods. The pro- The government’s advance sia last week announced daily ment forces seized a number of of “terrorists”. ment in two corruption cases ish parties want a law passed testers, who brought cows, into the last major opposition five-hour “humanitarian paus- districts including Al-Nashabi- Hamza Bayraqdar, a last month and investigations to allow religious students to poultry and eggs to the site enclave near the capital, on the es” in the enclave. But while yeh and Otaya, and had “eradi- spokesman for Jaish al-Islam, are continuing in others. continue to be exempted from of their sit-in, demanded back of 15 days of air strikes, the air campaign has eased, cated terrorist groups” on the said on Twitter that the group’s He and his wife Sara were military conscription. that the parliament exercise artillery fire and rocket attacks fighting has intensified on the eastern outskirts of Damascus. forces had launched “surprise questioned by police on Friday Other members of the pressure on the government that are reported to have left ground. They have reached the cen- attacks” against regime posi- in a third case of alleged graft. coalition oppose such a law, to reverse its decision. Farm- more than 640 civilians dead, Backed by Russian air tre of the enclave, to the edge tions. At the same time, there are but the ultra-Orthodox have ers have been holding sit-ins sent hundreds of residents into power, the Syrian military has of Beit Sawa, according to the The Observatory, which re- signs that a split is emerging threatened to block a 2019 since the 10-per-cent tax flight to western parts of the advanced on several fronts, Observatory. lies on a network of sources on within his coalition that threat- budget that Finance Minister took effect last month. (DPA) enclave. retaking control of farms and After advances in recent the ground, said rebels had re- ens to pull the government Moshe Kahlon wants to see ap- Under growing interna- villages, a military source told days that saw the regime seize taken some parts of Shifoniya. apart. Ultra-Orthodox Jew- proved this month. Iran denies links to Bahrain ‘terror cell’ TEHRAN Iran said Sunday Jordan skate park puts smile on faces of refugee children that claims Bahrain had arrested a 116-member “terrorist cell” trained by Iran AFP from countries such as Syria, The skatepark’s name was 2003 has killed hundreds of were “baseless”. “Pinning the AMMAN Iraq or Sudan. inspired by the topography thousands and displaced mil- blame on others and repeat- Mohammed Duma, a lions of others. The skatepark’s ing outdated scenarios and HAIR flying in the wind Ma- 40-year-old Sudanese man of Amman, a city built on name was inspired by the to- baseless accusations against nar, Amniya and Farida hur- who fled the war in Darfur, seven hills pography of Amman, a city others will not help the tle down the slopes of “7Hills looks on with pride and a touch built on seven hills. Bahraini government resolve Skate Park” in the Jordanian of apprehension as his two for relocation to the United “This park has become a its problems with its citizens,” capital Amman where refugee daughters, aged four and eight, States, Canada or Britain. breath of fresh air for young said foreign ministry spokes- children come to play. learn to ride a skateboard with Salima Issa, a 26-year-old refugees from Sudan, Somalia, man Bahram Ghasemi on The 650-square-metre their trainer. housewife, sits on a patch of Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Pales- the ministry’s website. “We (almost 7,000-foot) concrete “We come here every Mon- grass with her two-year-old tine,” said Mohammed Zaka- once again advise Bahraini space was built in December day. Life in Jordan is very son, who is busy nibbling on ria, one of the park managers. officials to prepare the ground 2014 by skateboard enthusiasts expensive, it’s the only place crackers. Skateboarding “is a diffi- for engagement and dialogue from around the world. where I can take my girls to She watches as her son Mo- cult sport, which allows you to with their own people instead The money was raised dur- play and have fun for free,” said hammed, four, and eight-year- gain self-confidence and learn of beefing up security and ing a fundraising campaign by Duma. old daughter Amniya cruise by that falling is not the end of the police arrangements,” he a German NGO and a local as- He has applied with the on their skateboards. world, and that you have to try added. (AFP) sociation that offers free class- United Nations High Commis- Issa too fled Darfur, where a second and third time to suc- Refugee children skate at the “7Hills Skate Park” in Amman recently. es for the children of refugees sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) the conflict that broke out in ceed,” he explained. (AFP) Pakistan / South Asia Monday, March 5, 2018 13 Pakistan loses 50 per cent market share in Afghan capital 3 Pakistani fishermen languishing in Yemeni jail for over a decade

KARACHI: India has succeeded to penetrate in Kabul slashing the market share of Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistani fishermen are said to be languishing in a Yemeni prison for more by more than 50 per cent in the last two years, Chairman Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber than a decade, it was reported on Sunday. The three fishermen, identified as Saleem Dad, Imam News of Commerce and Industry Zubair Motiwala told Dawn on Friday. Motiwala who recently visited Baksh Ayub, and Khuda Baksh Lal, said their fellow inmate Ghulam Wali Mohammad had died dur- in brief Kabul said the penetration of India and China has limited Pakistan’s option to retain its market ing the custody. Family members of Imam Baksh said Yemeni authorities had reportedly arrested share while India subsidises heavily on its exports. He said Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan 11 fishermen when they allegedly drifted into Yemen's territorial water after losing way in the sea. fell to $1.2 billion from $2.7bn within in the last two years and the country has been losing Inmate Imam Baksh, while talking to media, said that they have been in captivity for more than 10 even the traditional markets of flour, men and women’s clothes and red meat.(DAWN.COM) years. The fishermen belong to different coastal districts of Balochistan.(DAWN.COM) Election of first female Dalit senator in Pakistan stirs optimism I feel proud, I am thankful to the of true democracy," tweeted is likely to give it a dominat- the court also barred Sharif rights activist Jibran Na- ing majority. The Pakistan from leading his party, forc- Pakistan People’s Party that they sir. Pakistan's Hindus, who People's Party (PPP) won 12 ing all PML-N candidates of- make up around two percent and the Pakistan Tehreek-e- ficially to stand as independ- nominated me, says Kumari Kohli of the country's 200 million Insaf party of former cricket ents because they had been people, have long faced eco- star Imran Khan came third selected by the axed chief. AFP optimism on social media, nomic and social discrimina- with six. Following the win, Sharif ISLAMABAD as Pakistanis celebrated the tion. "Pakistan Muslim called on his supporters to rare success for a woman Members of parliament League-Nawaz has secured a keep fighting at the ballot PAKISTAN elected its first from a marginalised com- and of provincial assemblies clear majority in the Senate box in the face of pressure female senator from the low- munity at the bottom of the voted Saturday to fill half the polls," the party announced from the courts. est Dalit caste in weekend Hindu caste hierarchy. seats in the Senate, or upper late Saturday on its official Despite the court rulings, polls which also saw the rul- "I feel proud, I am thank- house, before elections due Twitter account. the PML-N has won a string ing party strengthen its hand ful to Pakistan People's Party this summer for the lower The victory came despite of by-elections following the ahead of a general election in that they nominated me," house of parliament. legal setbacks. ousting of Sharif. the Muslim-majority coun- Kohli said Sunday. The ruling Pakistan Mus- Last July the Supreme The Sharif clan and their try. "Kudos to PPP for elect- lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Court toppled PML-N supre- supporters have repeatedly de- The surprise victory of ing #KrishnaKohli.... Our won 15 of the 52 seats up for mo Nawaz Sharif from the nied corruption, suggesting Na- opposition candidate Krish- parliament should have rep- election to secure a total of 33 premiership over corruption waz is the victim of a conspiracy na Kumari Kohli in the Sen- resentatives of all religions, spots in the 104-seat upper allegations. driven by Pakistan's powerful Pakistani opposition candidate Krishna Kumari Kohli is walking out from ate election stirred a wave of classes & genders in pursuit house. Support from allies Ahead of the Senate vote, military establishment. Sindh provincial assembly after the Senate election in Karachi. (AFP) New US advisors Sharif: PML-N retains support hope to give Afghan soldiers vital boost of lawmakers despite SC rule

AFP WASHINGTON Germany calls ‘I would accept for more troops court decision A brigade of seasoned American in Afghanistan soldiers has arrived in Afghani- only if people stop stan in recent days on a much- BERLIN: German Defence trumpeted mission to offer a Minister Ursula von der Leyen supporting me’ new type of training -- as well plans to expand Germany’s as motivation -- to beleaguered contribution to training Afghan partners. security forces in Afghani- AGENCIES Pentagon officials hope the stan, raising the country’s KOTLA deployment of hundreds of deployment by a third to battle-hardened, expert troops 1,300 troops, according to IN his first address after across the country will help information received by dpa. the ruling Pakistan Mus- turn the tide in the war, but Af- The existing parliamentary lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ghanistan watchers are skepti- mandate for the force, which emerged victorious in the Sen- cal about how much difference has been deployed since ate elections, Nawaz Sharif they can make in the 16-year- 2002, allows for a maximum said the plague that infested old conflict. of 980 German military, with the country for the last 70 Most of the troops in the so- 963 currently stationed. The years should now be got rid of. called Security Force Assistance defence minister, currently Addressing a public Brigade, or SFAB, have multiple serving in a caretaker capac- rally in Gujrat’s Kotla area, Afghanistan combat deploy- ity but thought likely to con- the PML-N chief said that ments under their belts, speak tinue in her post as part of a similar decisions of ousting some level of Pashto or Dari new German coalition, sees prime ministers have been and–after having themselves the revival of the Taliban and taken in the past 70. undergone special training– the incursion of Islamic State “But will the same trend have now volunteered to return. into the Central Asian country continue for the next 70 "They are coming here be- as a growing threat. (DPA) years,” he asked the large cause they are passionate about gathering. the mission," Navy Captain Mentioning the ruling par- Tom Gresback, a spokesman for tracked dozens of cases of re- ty’s victory in the upper house NATO's Resolute Support mis- ported human rights violations of parliament polls, the de- sion in Kabul, said. in Afghan security units, includ- posed premier said that de- The United States and ing several involving child sexu- spite the Supreme Court’s NATO have already tried vari- al assault. decision to remove him as the (File photo) Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves at supporters. ous training models for Afghan The Pentagon has been party chief and asking the par- security forces, but even after all training partner forces in vari- ty candidates to contest the for bringing the country on these years many units remain ous conflicts for decades, and elections independently, the Kamal alleges open horse trading in Senate polls the path to progress,” he said. beset by corruption and deser- the approach has been buoyed PML-N had stood victorious. Earlier addressing the tions and are suffering horren- in recent years by local forces' “The National and provin- Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) Chief Mustafa Kamal on Sunday alleged that ‘horse-trading’ rally, the ex-prime minister’s dous casualty rates. successes against the Islamic cial assemblies stood against took place in the Senate elections.. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Kamal daughter Maryam Nawaz said US officials have also State group in Iraq and Syria. the decision and brought vic- claimed that offers were made to buy them. He urged the Urdu speaking community to be said the recent polls results tory to the PML-N,” Sharif thankful that three out of four candidates of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) indicated that the opponents added. were not elected as “MQM is a brain tumor which cannot be treated with a panadol.” Sen- have accepted defeat. She said He went on to say ate election results are out. The former Karachi mayor stated that he has no personal en- that none of the allegations Pakistan oppn leader contacts PTI that he would only accept the mity with MQM but lamented that the mandate of the Muhajir nation was being sold since had been proved against Na- court’s decision if the people the past 30 years. He alleged that on raising voice against K-Electric, a briefcase would waz Sharif. stop supporting him. She added, “I congratulate reach London and further said there is no clean water to drink in the city. (TRIBUNE.COM.PK) over nomination for caretaker PM “I have been ousted for not the people who have stood by taking salary from my son but the PML-N in all times.” TRIBUNE.COM.PK the PTI Vice Chairperson Shah ISLAMABAD Mehmood Qureshi to discuss the interim setup in the centre The leader of the Opposi- as well as the provinces. tion in National Assembly Syed “PTI will soon forward the Bangladeshi police detain 3 after attack on prominent writer Khurshid Ahmed Shah offi- names of its nominees for the cially reached out to Pakistan caretaker prime minister and DHAKA: Bangladeshi police arrested three city of Sylhet on Saturday. Police said that Iqbal, a respected writer and academ- ics who will face the full force of the law. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on behalf chief ministers to the opposi- men on Sunday as they investigate a knife Rahman, 25, identified as a student at an ic popular with children for his science Police said that now they are trying to of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) tion leader,” a spokesperson attack on Zafar Iqbal, a popular author Islamic school, had said he attacked the fiction, was flown to a military hospital in ascertain whether there is any link with to discuss setting up the care- for PPP said. He said discus- and professor of computer science and writer as he was an enemy of Islam. Rah- Dhaka for treatment on Saturday night. any militant group to the attack. Islamic taker government ahead of the sions surrounding the caretak- engineering. Police said the arrests were man is receiving treatment in a hospital He is now out of danger and will recover militants in Bangladesh have increased upcoming general elections. er government had been going in connection with background checks on as he was attacked by students at the in a few days, said Munshi Mujibur Rah- attacks on a number of secularist, atheist According to a press state- on within PTI and the nomina- suspected assailant Faizur Rahman. scene before the university authorities, man, a senior consultant at the hospital. writers, bloggers, publishers, foreigners, ment issued by the PPP’s media tions for the interim setup will He was detained at the scene after with the help of police, took him into Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina described and religious minorities over the past five cell, the PPP leader contacted soon start coming in. the attack on Iqbal at a university in the custody. those responsible for the attack as fanat- years. (REUTERS) Call for release of Chinese wives of GB men in Xinjiang DAWN.COM The resolution was ta- Pakistani men. extremist groups when stay in the region. They GILGIT bled by lawmaker Bibi It says many children Intermarriages the Chinese government have also played an impor- Salima during the ongoing belonging to GB families launched a crackdown on tant role in joint projects THE Gilgit-Baltistan Leg- GBLA session on Friday. have been suffering because There are also many cases of intermarriages be- elements involved in reli- launched by the two coun- islative Assembly (GBLA) It says that the citizens of their Chinese mothers are giously-motivated acts of tries in GB, including Kara- through a unanimous reso- the two countries frequently under detention in Xinjiang tween the people of GB and Xinjiang province in terrorism in Xinjiang prov- koram Highway which has lution has called for the visit each other’s countries province. which rules and laws of the two countries were ince. now been declared a route federal government to take via the Khunjerab Pass. The resolution has de- followed. Over 50 citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan, But, he added, no one of the China-Pakistan Eco- urgent steps for the release There are also many manded that the federal most of them affiliated with import and export from these women had nomic Corridor. of over 50 Chinese wives of cases of intermarriages be- government take up this businesses between Pakistan and China, are been found involved in acts It claims that Chinese GB men detained in neigh- tween the people of GB and issue with the Chinese au- of terrorism in China. The workers and engineers bouring Xinjiang province Xinjiang province in which thorities. married to Muslim women in Xinjiang province. resolution says that the GB working in the region have of China. rules and laws of the two Speaking on the resolu- The Chinese police have arrested these women. is the gateway to Pakistan- never complained about lo- Over 50 citizens of GB, countries were followed. tion, Pakistan Peoples Party China friendship and its cal people and no untoward most of them affiliated with But, the resolution says, member Javed Hussain said people have historical, tra- incident with Chinese citi- import and export busi- last year the Chinese police that the history of intermar- elled to China with their up the issue with the China ditional and cultural rela- zens in GB has ever been re- nesses between Pakistan had started arresting those riages between the people of children who were now in government. tionship with the people of ported. and China, are married to Chinese citizens who are GB and Xinjiang province China without any help from GBLA Deputy Speak- Xinjiang province. The resolution says that Muslim women in Xinjiang married to foreigners and was decades-old. their families because their er Jaffarullah Khan said It says the GB people the Pakistan-China relation- province. among those who have been He said in many cases fathers were in Pakistan. that many of these women have always respected and ship has become strong due The Chinese police have taken into custody are the women under detention in He urged the federal were arrested on suspicion provided hospitality to Chi- to border trade between the arrested these women. women who have married to Xinjiang province had trav- government to urgently take of their links to religious nese guests during their two countries through GB. 14 Monday, March 5, 2018 UK/ Europe French publisher determined to Thousands take to streets in Barcelona Macedonians rally against name reprint Celine’s anti-Semitic rants against Catalan separatism change deal with Greece PARIS The head of France's most prestigious publishing house BARCELONA Thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona SKOPJE Thousands of flag-waving protestors in the Macedonian NEWS said Sunday he still wanted to reprint a collection of anti-Semitic on Sunday in the name of Spanish unity, protesting Catalan separa- capital on Sunday chanted “We are Macedonians” at a rally to pro- IN BRIEF pamphlets by Louis-Ferdinand Celine. Antoine Gallimard declared tism. Local police estimated that at least 15,000 people took part test a possible change to the name of the former Yugoslav republic that he had "not renounced" plans to publish a 1,000-page com- in the demonstrations, according to newspaper El Pais. The rally to comply with a demand by Greece. The protestors gathered pendium of novelist's essays from the late 1930s after an outcry was organised by the "Tabarnia" group, which criticizes the Catalan under the statue of Hellenic ruler Alexander the Great in Skopje’s forced him to put the project on ice in January. (AFP) independence movement using humour and satire. (DPA) main square. (REUTERS)

France’s Le Pen, party face expanded EU funding probe: Report

AFP PARIS

JUDGES are investigating whether French far-right lead- er Marine Le Pen and her party illegally took more EU parlia- ment money to pay for France- based staff than previously thought, a report said Sunday. If confirmed, the claims could cast a pall over the Na- tional Front congress next weekend aimed at recasting the party's image after a series of setbacks since Le Pen lost Marine Le Pen. to Emmanuel Macron in last year's presidential race. her estranged father Jean- The party is suspected of Marie Le Pen -- being inves- using money from Brussels tigated over salaries paid to earmarked for parliamentary around 40 parliamentary as- assistants to pay staff for party sistants. work in France. If tried and convicted, she The Journal du Diman- faces up to three years im- che newspaper said the two prisonment and a fine of up French judges looking into the to 375,000 euros, though it is suspected EU funding scandal unlikely she would receive a now think it may have been custodial sentence. Chancellor Angela Merkel. carried out from July 2009 Le Pen is running unop- into 2012. posed for a third term as the That would mean nearly National Front leader at a con- SPD party members applaud during a press conference after results of the referendum on the coalition deal was announced in Berlin on Sunday. (AFP) seven million euros ($8.6 mil- gress in Lille, northern France, lion) was potentially misused, on March 10 and 11. She will up from a previous estimate of propose changing the party's some five million euros. name in a bid to break with its SPD nod to coalition deal puts Le Pen was charged last past association with overt rac- June with breach of trust over ism and anti-Semitism. the salaries paid to her chief Last week she was charged of staff Catherine Griset and over posting on Twitter grue- Merkel back in driver’s seat her bodyguard Thierry Legier, some images of purported and for complicity in breach of atrocities by Islamic State ji- trust as FN leader. hadists just a few weeks after the grand right-left coalition is She is one of 17 National the Paris terror attacks in No- Veteran leader enters her fourth term Macron hails coalition agreement known in Germany, European Front lawmakers -- along with vember 2015. with weaker cards than before PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron has congratulated Commission vice president German Chancellor Angela Merkel and acting SPD leader Olaf Frans Timmermans wrote on Scholz after Germany’s Social Democrats voted in favour of Twitter: "GroGO! For solidarity AFP But the chancellor, in power forming a new coalition, the French presidency said on Sunday. in Germany and EU!" BERLIN for 12 years, has has had to pay “It’s good news for Europe,” Macron’s office said. Merkel is expected to Austrian far right comes a high price to coax the reluc- “France and Germany will work together on new initiatives launch her fourth government CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel tant Social Democratic Party in the coming weeks to bring the European project forward,” the by mid-March. But the long- distant second as on Sunday vowed to work with (SPD) back into another loveless President’s office said in a statement. serving leader faces a far rocki- the Social Democrats for the "grand coalition". Macron’s ambitious reform plans for further integration of er road ahead. "good of Germany" as the centre- Congratulating the SPD for the euro zone had been put on hold for months by the absence A crushing majority en- former bastion votes left party agreed to join her new its "clear result", Merkel said she of a new government in Germany. (REUTERS) joyed by her conservatives and coalition, but the veteran leader was looking forward to "further the SPD in the last coalition REUTERS Carinthia, a southern prov- will go into her fourth term with cooperation for the good of our has been trimmed to a slim 56 VIENNA weaker cards than before. country," according to a tweet the SPD relented. With the party and three female ministers to percent (399 out of total 709) ince that borders Italy and Two in three of the SPD's attributed to her on her CDU riven over the way forward, the the cabinet. European partners of seats in parliament this time AUSTRIA'S far-right Freedom Slovenia, was the strong- rank and file v oting in a crunch party's account. leadership promised its more waiting impatiently for Germany round. Party (FPO) came a distant hold of the late FPO leader referendum backed a new part- Stung by their worst post- than 460,000 members the final to end its longest stretch of coali- Both sides had been weak- second as the province of Car- Joerg Haider, who died in a nership with Merkel's conserva- war results, the SPD had initially say on any coalition deal. tion haggling since the end of the ened as voters angry about the inthia voted on Sunday, the car crash a decade ago tives, heralding an end to the po- ruled out another four years un- "We now have clarity. The war heaved a sigh of relief, with arrival of more than a million third regional election this litical stalemate that has plagued der Merkel's shadow. SPD will be in the next govern- French President Emmanuel asylum seekers in Germany year in which it has failed to Europe's biggest economy since But after Merkel's attempt ment," said SPD's caretaker Macron calling the SPD decision since 2015 turned to the far- match its performance in Oc- told ORF, congratulating Kai- September's inconclusive elec- to cobble together a government chairman Olaf Scholz, adding his "good news for Europe." right party Alternative for Ger- tober's parliamentary elec- ser. The national coalition gov- tions. with two smaller parties failed, party plans to send three male In a nod to the "GroKo" as many (AfD). tion. ernment has been in place for Carinthia, a southern prov- less than three months, during ince that borders Italy and which it has faced growing op- Slovenia, was the stronghold position to its plans to keep of the late FPO leader Joerg allowing smoking in bars and Haider, who died in a car crash restaurants. Italy votes amidst far-right, populist surge a decade ago. A petition for a ban has It is also the only province been signed by more than AFP the hundreds of thousands of Five Star Movement (M5S) and the Femen activist group who where the FPO came first in Oc- 460,000 people, an embarrass- ROME migrants who have arrived by Topless activist the anti-immigration League had "Berlusconi, you have ex- tober's parliamentary election, ment for the FPO, which has boat from Libya since 2013. The billionaire tycoon Silvio was "the ultimate dream". pired" scrawled across her tor- with 32 percent of the vote. The championed the idea of direct ITALIANS voted Sunday in one Immigration was thrust "The Italian people have so. Berlusconi faces opposition party came third nationally and democracy. Party members of the country's most uncertain into heart of the election cam- Berlusconi was ambushed gone farther, in a shorter peri- from his ambitious coalition went into coalition with Chan- have also been embroiled in an- elections ever, marked by a far- paign by the brutal killing of a as he cast his vote in Milan od of time, than the British did partner Salvini, whose anti- cellor Sebastian Kurz's con- ti-Semitism scandals involving right and populist surge, anti- teenaged recovering drug ad- by a topless woman from for Brexit and the Americans immigration and euro-sceptic servatives. their student fraternities. immigration tub-thumping dict blamed on Nigerian im- the Femen activist group did for Trump," said Bannon, rhetoric has fired up the cam- With nearly all votes for Kurz's conservative People's and a leading role for come- migrants. who had ‘Berlusconi, you who was in Rome on Sunday. paign while spooking financial Carinthia's regional parlia- Party came third with 15.3 per- back king Silvio Berlusconi. The killing prompted a rac- have expired’ scrawled Berlusconi, a three-times markets. ment counted, a projection by cent while the Greens fell well The last polls carried out in ist "revenge" gun rampage by across her torso prime minister, has returned Salvini has said he should pollster SORA for broadcaster short of the 5 percent needed mid-February suggested that committed fascist Luca Traini, to the limelight despite a politi- be nominated prime minis- ORF showed Governor Peter to stay in the local parliament, a right-wing coalition led by who shot and wounded six Af- cal career overshadowed by sex ter if his party comes ahead of Kaiser's Social Democrats in with 3.1 percent, the projection Berlusconi's centre-right Forza ricans. comparisons to Britain's vote scandals and legal woes. Berlusconi's and their coalition first place with 47.8 percent, showed. Those two parties are Italia (Go Italy) party will pick The right have promised to to leave the European Union Barred from holding office wins a majority. 11 points higher than five years currently in coalition locally up the most votes -- roughly 37 expel "600,000 illegals", with and the rise of US President because of a tax fraud convic- However despite the big ago. with the Social Democrats. percent. League leader Matteo Salvini, Donald Trump. tion, he has put forward Eu- gains enjoyed by the far right, The FPO gained six points, "I am very, very happy The 81-year-old media whose campaign slogans in- Former White House ad- ropean Parliament President polls indicate that the likeliest securing 22.9 percent, well about this great result," Kai- mogul's four-party group is clude "Italians first", repeat- viser Steve Bannon -- the man Antonio Tajani as his prime result is a stalemate between short of its target of "clearly ser told ORF. He later said he bolstered by two resurgent edly referring to "out of control helped Trump ride a populist ministerial nominee. the M5S, Berlusconi's coalition above 25 percent". would invite all three other par- far-right forces -- the League immigration". wave to power -- told the Ital- The billionaire tycoon was and the centre-left grouping "Of course you always hope liamentary parties to hold coa- and Brothers of Italy -- which The surge in right-wing ian press that a hookup be- ambushed as he cast his vote in led by the ruling Democratic for a bit more," the FPO's leader lition talks and said all tie-ups have capitalised on fears over and populist parties has drawn tween the anti-establishment Milan by a topless woman from Party (PD). in Carinthia, Gernot Darmann, were possible.

UK relaxes pub rules for wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

AFP across the country to join to- ment led a four-week consul- cal significance". The law has LONDON gether and celebrate this mo- tation before approving the already been used for royal mentous and happy occasion move. events including the 2011 BRITISH pubs will be allowed for our royal family and for The move was welcomed wedding of Prince Harry's to open late for the wedding our nation," said Rudd. by Brigid Simmonds, chief elder brother, Prince William, of Prince Harry and Meghan The couple will marry at Govt decree executive of the British Beer to his wife Kate, and the 90th Markle, described on Sunday St George's Chapel, Windsor The government decree will and Pub Association. birthday celebrations of their as "a day of national celebra- Castle, a residence of Queen allow pubs to stay open late "This will allow the nation grandmother the queen in tion" by Home Secretary Am- Elizabeth II's located west of to celebrate and raise a glass 2016. ber Rudd. London. on the eve of the royal to Harry and Meghan in a re- The 2005 changes intro- The government decree The newlyweds will de- nuptials and following the sponsible manner, whilst giv- duced 24-hour alcohol licenc- will allow pubs to stay open part the ceremony in a horse- ceremony on May 19, with ing a timely boost to the great es, held by between 8,200 late on the eve of the royal drawn carriage, before a pri- doors ordered to close at 1 British beer and pub sector," and 8,400 premises including nuptials and following the vate party in the evening at am (0100 GMT). she said. hotel bars and supermarkets. ceremony on May 19, with St George's Hall in Windsor Legislation introduced in Many pubs continue to doors ordered to close at Castle. 2005 allows the government close at 11:00pm, with just 11 Duchess of Cambridge Catherine (right) and Prince Harry and 1:00am (0100 GMT). "It's clear that the public Harry and Meghan Markle on to relax opening hours for percent of 24-hour licences his fiancee Meghan Markle (centre) attend a meeting in London "The royal wedding is back the idea of having more a day of national celebration," an "occasion of exceptional held by pubs, bars and night- recently. (REUTERS) a chance for communities time to raise a glass to Prince she added, after the govern- international, national, or lo- clubs. US / Americas Monday, March 5, 2018 15 Trump receives warm welcome at journalist-hosted roast Two police officers killed in Colombia car bombing

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump was warmly received by members of what he calls the CALDONO: Two Colombian police officers were killed Saturday when criminals bombed their "fake news" media on Saturday night at a light-hearted gala that is one of Washington's longest- car, then hurled grenades and strafed it with gunfire, local authorities said. The officers NEWS running traditions. Trump was the guest of honour at the 133rd Gridiron dinner, where prominent were near the town of Caldono, in southwestern Colombia, when their vehicle was "at- IN BRIEF Washington-based journalists traditionally make fun of the president and take jabs at the US politi- tacked with an explosive," the police said in a statement. Officers Jorge Andres Quintero, cal scene. The event featured journalists in costumes satirizing US politics and the White House 31, and Jhoan Sebastian Rodriguez, 25, were on their way to pick up a man detained at culture in raucous skits, songs and speeches. About 600 people attended, including members of a nearby police station. The statement added that guerrillas formerly with the FARC rebel Congress, Trump's cabinet and several ambassadors and prominent politicians. (DPA) group are active in the area, but did not directly assign blame. (AFP)

Trump’s quip belies Kushner’s real problems Trump praises China’s AFP never been higher. On Sun- Kelly, the White House chief their portfolio." Trump gave Xi for extending rule WASHINGTON day, even a former top adviser of staff, could find a way Kushner an almost unprec- to Trump hinted that it might to usher the Kushners out, edently broad portfolio, from DONALD Trump's son-in-law be time for the couple, both Christie pointed to the recent streamlining the US govern- AFP outlet CNN. "He's now pres- Jared Kushner has had such a senior advisers to the presi- resignation of Trump con- ment to working for Middle WASHINGTON ident for life," the 71-year- bad patch recently, including dent, to go. fidante Hope Hicks amid a East peace. old US president said, elicit- losing his top-secret security Chris Christie, the former swirl of controversy. But a recent report in the DONALD Trump on Satur- ing chuckles from the crowd clearance, that the president New Jersey governor who for "She did the noble thing," New York Times questioned day appeared to cheer on of Republican donors. "And himself is joking about it. a time led Trump's transition Christie said. "If I'm not 100 possible links between meet- China's Xi Jinping for pav- look, he was able to do that. Trump, in a lighthearted team, said the White House percent an asset for the presi- ings Kushner held in the ing the way to a limitless I think it's great." speech Saturday before a staff, including family mem- dent, I'm going to back away." White House and loans worth tenure, while delivering a He garnered even more dinner of Washington media bers, needed to put the presi- Reince Priebus, Trump's hundreds of millions of dol- lighthearted address at a laughs when he quipped: leaders, quipped that Kush- dent's interests first. former chief of staff, said on lars subsequently granted to Florida fundraising event. "Maybe we'll have to give ner had arrived late because "For Jared and Ivanka and the same program that he his family's business. Trump seemed to jok- that a shot some day." he "couldn't get through secu- the other family members, I Senior Advisor to President agreed with most of what And a Washington Post ingly muse over making Though the US leader's rity." think everyone has to focus on Trump Jared Kushner. Christie said. report suggested that officials such power consolidation comments struck a jocu- But Trump's jesting tone what's best for the president," But he also said he thought from China, Israel, Mexico moves himself, according to lar tone, many on Twitter belied the fact that the politi- he said on ABC's "This Week." they're ill-serving this presi- that after a rough start, the and the United Arab Emirates audio from the closed-door voiced concern over the cal pressure on Kushner, and "I think, unfortunately, dent." Asked about reports Kushners had gradually had discussed ways to exploit event at his Mar-a-Lago prospect of an indefinite to a lesser degree on his wife you know, because of all the that Trump had even hinted "found a place" in the White Kushner's inexperience and resort published by news Trump presidency. Ivanka Trump, has probably infighting and all the leaking, to friends that he hoped John House that "fits in nicely with financial entanglements. All fairly traded Salvadorans vote in Trump tariffs may come steel, aluminum should be free key legislative and next week; uncertainty from tariff, says GOP Lawmaker municipal elections AFP a soldier linked to right-wing over exemption for allies REUTERS SAN SALVADOR death squads. MEXICO CITY The elections will give a SALVADORANS cast ballots measure of Sanchez Ceren's THE top US Republican law- Sunday in legislative and mu- strength at a time when the maker overseeing trade policy nicipal elections that will serve country has been battered by said on Sunday all fairly traded as a test of strength of leftist violent crime. steel and aluminum should be President Salvador Sanchez "There are many depu- excluded from President Don- Ceren in his final year of office. ties who are up for re-election ald Trump's tariffs, especially Police and army troops were who have done nothing for the those of NAFTA partners Cana- deployed across the country to country. That's why you have to da and Mexico. provide security for the elec- think hard (about who to vote Kevin Brady, chairman of tions, the ninth since a 1992 for). Our future is at stake," said the House Ways and Means peace accord ended a bloody 12- Idalia Hernandez, a university Committee, made his remarks year civil war. student. shortly after US Commerce At stake are all 84 seats in After three months of cam- Secretary Wilbur Ross said he the single-chamber Congress paigning, the faces of the can- could not rule out the prospect and mayoralties and council didates are everywhere, their of no exemptions. seats in the tiny Central Ameri- pictures hanging from light Mexico and Canada have can country's 262 municipali- posts in towns throughout the both threatened retaliation if ties. country. Trump goes ahead with impos- The main parties participat- The new elected officials ing the metal tariffs later this ing in the elections are the rul- will take up their positions on week. Asked whether the two ing Farabundo Marti National May 1. NAFTA allies should be ex- Liberation Movement, and the In the current Congress, empted, Brady told reporters: Republican Nationalist Alliance ARENA has a slight majority, "Yes, and going further, exclud- (ARENA), a conservative op- with 35 seats to the FMLN's ing all fairly traded steel and position party that is favored to 31. Three other parties hold 18 aluminum, not just from these make gains. seats. two countries." The two parties were deadly That has forced Sanchez The tariffs, which Trump opponents during the civil war, Ceren to negotiate to get legisla- says are needed to protect do- with guerrilla groups under tion passed. mestic industries against unfair the banner of the FMLN fight- He has succeeded in getting competition from China and ing against a succession of US- the Congress to fund certain other nations, have sparked backed governments. ARENA, popular social programs like fears of a wider global trade for its part, was co-founded in free lunches and school supplies war. The European Union's 1981 by Roberto D'Aubuisson, for public school students. trade chief on Friday warned of US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (left) and Attorney General Jeff Sessions wait for the start of ceremonies as the late evangelist Billy possible retaliation. Graham lies in honour in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, recently. (REUTERS) "I think we can make a very strong case for other he's talking about a fairly broad well be some sort of retaliation, countries as well," said Brady. Falcon cuts divisive figure British PM raises brush." Trump ignited fears of but the amounts that they're Brady made his comments ‘deep concern’ over a trade war and an outcry from talking about are also pretty in Mexico City, where offi- US trading partners this week It’s some $3 billion of goods trivial. cials from Mexico, the United in Venezuela’s election tariffs in a phone when he abruptly announced that the Europeans have "It's some $3 billion of States and Canada are holding call with Trump blanket 25 percent tariffs on threatened to put goods that the Europeans have the seventh round of talks to AFP government, rest assured imported steel and 10 percent something on. Well, in our threatened to put something modernize the North Ameri- CARACAS that we will be recognized by on aluminum. sized economy, that’s a tiny, on. Well, in our sized economy, can Free Trade Agreement. the international community AFP British Prime Minister that's a tiny, tiny fraction of one HENRI Falcon, the main and we will rescue relations WASHINGTON Theresa May said she raised tiny fraction of one percent percent." "So while it might af- opponent to unpopular with our allies," he told re- her "deep concern" over the Wilbur Ross fect an individual producer for President Nicolas Maduro porters. US President Donald Trump tariffs in a phone call with a little while, overall it's not in Venezuela's presidential But analysts say the main appears intent on moving for- Trump on Sunday, her office going to be much more than a election, is in the unusual problem for Falcon, a 56- ward next week on US steel said. The European Union has fect in the coming week, played rounding error," he said. position of being unloved by year old former mayor and and aluminum tariffs with no said it is drawing up measures down the impact on the US The move has been highly both Maduro's ruling social- state governor who defected exemptions for allies, the US against leading US brands like economy of retaliatory meas- controversial among Republi- ists and the main opposition from the ruling socialists in commerce secretary said Sun- Harley-Davidson and Levi's ures. cans and within the adminis- alike. 2010, is that he is seen as a day, minimizing the threat of jeans, while China warned it He said $9 billion in US tration, but Trump on Friday Falcon, 56, rejected calls traitor by both the opposi- retaliation as "pretty trivial." "won't sit idly by" if its inter- tariffs would be a fraction of tweeted that "trade wars are from the opposition Demo- tion and the government. "I know he's had conver- ests are hurt. one percent of the US econo- good, and easy to win." cratic Unity Roundtable "Falcon has generally sations with a number of the Canada, which has the my. Peter Navarro, a top (MUD) this weekend to join shown a predisposition to play world leaders," Commerce most to lose as the top source "So, the notion that it White House trade advi- their boycott of the May 20 by the government's rules and Secretary Wilbur Ross said on of US steel and aluminum would destroy a lot of jobs, sor, said the administration election, insisting his victory has been one of the fiercest ABC's "This Week." "The deci- imports, has called the tariffs raise prices, disrupt things, is would consider exemptions would end Venezuela's diplo- advocates of electoral partici- sion, obviously, is his. But as of "unacceptable." Ross, who said wrong," he said. "As to the idea on a case-by-case basis but Kevin Brady, chairman of the House matic isolation. pation," said Risa Grais-Tar- the moment, as far as I know, he expected them to go into ef- of retaliation, sure there may "no country exclusions." Ways and Means Committee. "Once we change this gow of Eurasia Group. Hollywood braced for best picture photo finish at Oscars

awards editor Tim Gray said, alleged serial sex attacker Har- tographer, Rachel Morrison, This year’s Oscars gala is seen as adding Christopher Nolan's vey Weinstein. who shot Dee Rees's racial dra- sweeping war epic "Dunkirk" With the #MeToo and ma "Mudbound." an opportunity for Tinseltown to the mix. "I'm guessing that Time's Up campaigns against The Time's Up initiative 'The Shape of Water' will win, sexual misconduct and gen- is not planning a coordinated to support female filmmaking but that's just a guess." der inequality dominating the protest on Sunday -- like the The 90th Academy 2018 awards circuit, this year's striking red carpet "blackout" AFP Missouri" has begun to pull Awards–hosted for the sec- Oscars gala is seen as an oppor- at the Golden Globes. HOLLYWOOD, UNITED STATES away in late betting for the ond straight year by late night tunity for Tinseltown to sup- But leaders of the move- industry's biggest prize, but funnyman Jimmy Kimmel port female filmmaking. ment told journalists there HOLLYWOOD is set for a Oscarologists believe fairy tale –will be beamed live around Greta Gerwig is only the would be "a moment that's real-life cliffhanger Sunday at romance "The Shape of Water" the world by ABC from Holly- fifth woman in Oscars history been carved out" during the the Oscars–the race for best and socially-conscious horror wood's Dolby Theatre. to be nominated for best direc- ceremony. picture is coming down to the movie "Get Out" will make it a The show caps a difficult tor, but faces tough competi- "It's really important that wire to cap an awards season photo finish. few months during which the tion from Guillermo Del Toro, you know that Time's Up is overshadowed by scandal over "I don't remember a year industry has declared war on the runaway favorite for "The not about the red carpet," said sexual misconduct in showbiz. with so much uncertainty. the pervasive culture of sexual Shape of Water." powerhouse Hollywood pro- TV crews rehearse and get ready on the red carpet a few hours be- Dark crime comedy "Three There are at least four strong impropriety unearthed by the There was also the first nod ducer Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's fore the “Oscars”, the 90th Annual Academy Awards, in Hollywood, Billboards Outside Ebbing, possibilities to win," Variety's downfall of movie mogul and in history for a female cinema- Anatomy," "Scandal"). California, on Sunday. (AFP) 16 Monday, March 5, 2018 The Last Word

HH THE EMIR PATRONISES EDUCATION EXCELLENCE DAY

Emir urges winners to ‘serve their community and country’ THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani patron- light at meeting them to celebrate and encourage their achieve- ised the 11th edition of the Education Excellence Day ceremony ment, in view of what this outstanding group adds qualitatively to which took place at Doha Sheraton Hotel on Sunday morning. the country’s path and scientific progress. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister and Minis- HH the Emir also urged the winners to continue their excel- ter of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani, lence, successes and to depend on themselves in order to serve a number of sheikhs and ministers, heads of the diplomatic mis- their country and community. sions accredited to the State, senior education officials, parents For their part, the winners expressed their thanks to HH the of the outstanding students and guests. Emir for honouring them, stressing that meeting HH the Emir is HH the Emir also met with the winners of the Education the main motive to continue the journey of success and serving Excellence Day award. the country. The meeting was also attended by the PM. At the outset of the meeting, HH the Emir expressed his de- (By MALEK HELALI) www.facebook.com/QatarTribune

www.youtube.com/QatarTribuneChannel

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MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018

DOW24,398.52 QE 8,730.06 SENSEX 34,046.94 GOLD 1,324.00 Seetharaman bags ‘CEO of the Year’ -210.46 PTS +76.74 PTS -137.10 PTS +1.44% award from EMEA Finance PAGE 18 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 16.51 BRENT 64.11 +0.44% WTI 61.12 +0.21% SILVER +1.44% ‘Indonesian building suppliers Ooredoo shareholders approve board’s plans, aim to tap into Qatari market’ QR3.5/share dividend TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Ex-envoy Hadi says Indonesia in a position to meet Qatar’s rising demand for construction materials DOHA

SATYENDRA PATHAK OOREDOO said on Sunday DOHA that its shareholders have ap- proved plans of the board, INDONESIAN firms are in Indonesia is rich in food which had recommended a talks to supply a larger volume products and Qatar wants to dividend of QR3.5 per share. of building materials to Qatari ensure that there is sufficient At the meeting, the share- market, the country’s former holders also discussed and ambassador to Qatar has said. stock of food in the country. approved the company’s Cor- Former Indonesian Am- In such a situation, both the porate Governance Report bassador to Qatar Dedi Saif El countries can come together and financial statements for Ooredoo Chairman Sheikh Abdulla Hadi, who is heading a visiting to achieve this goal 2017. bin Mohammed bin Saud al Thani Indonesian trade delegation, Ooredoo Chairman at the AGM held on Sunday. told Qatar Tribune that Indo- Dedi Saif El Hadi Sheikh Abdulla bin Moham- nesian firms are in a position med bin Saud al Thani said, strong contributions from to meet the growing demand “Ooredoo delivered positive Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Mal- for building materials in Qa- bin Ahmed bin Towar al Ku- results across our markets dives and Oman. tar at a time when the country wari. in 2017, and we have built Excluding Foreign Ex- is facing economic blockade The meeting reviewed the strong networks and an ap- change translation impact, from its neighbours. ways to strengthen bilateral pealing range of digital prod- revenues increased by 2 “We all know that Qatar Qatar Chamber Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar al Kuwari with former Indonesian economic and trade coopera- ucts and services that will percent, compared to the has embarked upon various Ambassador to Qatar Dedi Saif El Hadi and other officials, at a meeting in Doha on Sunday. tion between the two countries. serve as the foundation for reported 1 percent revenue construction projects to pre- The meeting also discussed our next stage of growth and increase. The company’s cus- pare itself for the 2022 FIFA “We have already met with products and Qatar wants to said, Indonesia has a lot to of- possibilities of establishing digital transformation. tomer base increased 18 per- World Cup. The requirement officials of Qatar Chamber and ensure there is sufficient stock fer to Qatari investors. joint ventures between Qatari “Our efforts are sustained cent to 164 million. for building materials is huge in AlJaber Engineering to discuss of food in the country. In such “Indonesia is rich in natu- and Indonesian businessmen by a vibrant and successful Group EBITDA increased Qatar. We want to tap this mar- business opportunities in the a situation, both the countries ral resources and there are in- and investment opportunities brand. The Ooredoo brand 3 percent to QR13.8 billion ket. Supplying building mate- two countries. Our talks have can come together to achieve vestment opportunities in sec- in the two countries. has rolled out across all our with a corresponding in- rials from Indonesia to Qatar been fruitful and business this goal,” Hadi said. tors like tourism, real estate, Kuwari said Qatari busi- major markets, and our mes- crease in EBITDA margin to would be easier once direct groups from the two coun- Health is another sector mining, food security, halal nessmen were looking forward sage about ‘Enriching Digital 42 percent. Group net profit shipping lines between the two tries are expected to work on where Indonesian companies and other services, he noted. to cooperating with their coun- Lives’ resonates with young to Ooredoo shareholders was countries are active,” Hadi said. joint ventures in the real estate have a lot to offer to Qatar, The Indonesian delegation terparts in Indonesia. people from Tunis to Jakarta, QR2 billion. Hadi, who acts as a coun- and construction sectors,” the he said, adding the delegation comprising representatives The Indonesian market is and of course with the youth Data revenue stood at sellor of the Qatari-Indonesian former envoy said. would be meeting officials at from companies specialised very large and full of opportuni- of Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.” QAR 15.3 billion in 2017, up Business Council, said that Hadi said there was im- Hamad Medical Corporation in smart solutions, infrastruc- ties to attract Qatari business- Highlights from the 2017 16 percent from QR13.1 bil- a delegation of seven busi- mense scope for partnership and Sidra on Monday to work ture projects, transportation, men, he said, adding that Qatari financial results include the lion in 2016 and the group’s nesspersons is currently in between the two countries in on possible ties in this vital rail and medical sector held a businessmen were interested in group increasing revenue revenue from business serv- Qatar to explore business op- the food sector. sector. meeting with Qatar Chamber learning about the available op- to QR32.7 billion, driven by ices was QR5.5 billion. portunities in the country. “Indonesia is rich in food Besides business deals, he Vice-Chairman Mohammed portunities in Indonesia. Industries Qatar looking to expand footprint in next five years: Kaabi

ASIF IQBAL achieves its full potential.” DOHA On the competitive advantage of IQ, Kaabi said, from the date INDUSTRIES Qatar (IQ), which of incorporation to-date, IQ has reported a net profit of QR3.3 bil- grown significantly in all facets of lion in 2017, is currently evaluating business. The production facilities, a wide spectrum of potential capi- product ranges, geographical pres- tal expenditure (capex) opportuni- ence, operating asset base, cash po- ties in the areas of capacity expan- sition and the number of investee sion, reliability, efficiency, health companies have grown exponen- and safety, and environment, its tially over this period. Chairman Saad Sherida al Kaabi “This commendable growth in has said. almost all key business areas was Addressing shareholders at the achieved by exploring a number of company’s annual general meeting competitive advantages possessed on Sunday, Kaabi said, “We believe by the group including assured such investments are essential to (IQ’s) commendable supply of feedstock, competitively maintain our competitive position growth in almost all priced energy contracts and young- and add value to our shareholders. key business areas er, efficient and well maintained fa- The group will evaluate each op- was achieved by exploring cilities,” Kaabi added. portunity on its merits and ensure a number of competitive He said these advantages have the investment is in line with the advantages possessed by enabled the group to maintain a group’s long-term strategic goals.” the group including assured stronger profitability and liquidity Kaabi said the company would supply of feedstock and position, an investment grade cred- keep its shareholders informed of competitively priced energy it rating, and allowed IQ to position any such capital investments as and contracts. itself as one of the leading and most when a decision is made. profitable entities in the region. In the group’s business strat- — Industries Qatar Chairman Assessing the financial results egy over the next five years (2018- Saad Sherida al Kaabi of 2017, Kaabi said it was a year full 2022), the IQ chairman said, it will of opportunities and challenges as continue to focus on market devel- reduce our operating costs and im- crude oil prices reached below $30 opment by expanding its geograph- prove operational efficiency with- per barrel in early 2016 and recov- ical footprint, and efficiency gains out compromising on the quality, ered and stabilised in 2017. “This via the on-going cost optimisation which resulted in the group’s ability presented increased opportunities programmes. to reduce its controllable operating and created renewed optimism for Updating shareholders regard- costs. the petrochemical segment within ing the impact of the cost and op- “The group will continue to as- the group. As a result, the group erational optimisation efforts that sess its business requirements in- was able to achieve growth in both the group initiated in 2015, Kaabi cluding capex, operational expend- its revenue and net profit, with the said it has proved to be a tremen- iture (opex), and human capital to former being QR14.3 billion and dous success. ensure that the group continues to the latter being QR 3.3 billion in “We were able to continuously maintain its competitive edge, and 2017,” Kaabi said.

IQ board members address shareholders, officials and other guests at its annual general meeting held in Doha on Sunday. 18 Monday, March 5, 2018 Economy & Business Seetharaman bags ‘CEO of the Year’ award from EMEA Finance TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK areas which require CEOs' at- changes, robotics and artificial development could lead to DOHA tention include realignment Seetharaman won the intelligence are going to play cashless economies. of business model in accord- award for bringing trans- important roles and the cus- "Banks and the financial DOHA Bank CEO R Seethara- ance with structural changes in formational leadership in tomer will be more empowered regulators should address the man was named the "CEO of environment, building strong Doha Bank with focus on in the digital environment." trade-off between convenience the Year" by the EMEA Finance corporate image, sustaining "Fintech, internet of things, and security when it comes to Middle East Banking Awards growth, grooming people for technology and sustaina- block chain and artificial intel- digital banking. From compli- 2017 at a ceremony in Dubai global environment, leveraging ble development ligence are some of the major ance perspective banks and recently, a press statement said technology, giving back to soci- technological developments," the regulators have to deal on Sunday. ety and managing stakeholder Bank CEO said, “The fourth Seetharaman pointed out. with questions arising from Seetharaman won the expectations." tndustrial revolution combines "Robotics, enabled by arti- digital banking. award for bringing transforma- "Digital governance and advanced technologies in in- ficial intelligence and machine "To protect customers, tional leadership in Doha Bank sustainable development are novative ways, dramatically learning, is proving to be a thwart organised criminals, with focus on technology and the key enablers of future bank- reshaping the way people live, game changer that can bring and ensure financial stability, sustainable development, the ing,” he added. work and relate to one another." unique operational efficien- prudential and conduct regula- statement said. Giving insight on the fu- He said, "Various industries cies to the financial services tors and legislators need to en- Highlighting the role of ture trends impacting digital are getting redefined, the health industry." sure that regulation is future- CEO in the new millennium, space and the challenges faced sector can be reimagined, Doha Bank CEO R Seetharaman (left) receives the award at an event According to Seetharaman, proofed for the digital age,” he Seetharaman said, “The key in digital economy, the Doha the work space is undergoing in Dubai recently. accelerating digital ecosystem said. Amwal launches QBA hosts Pepy, reviews first listed ETF on Qatar Exchange ways to boost investment

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK cision to include Qatar to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA emerging market indices DOHA by MSCI and FTSE, there AMWAL has announced in has been an increase in for- THE Qatari Businessmen As- a press statement on Sun- eign funds invested in the sociation held a meeting with day the launch of Qatar’s market both actively and Guillaume Pepy, CEO of the first listed exchange traded passively via index trackers French Railway Company and funds (ETF) on the Qatar and ETFs. Chairman of the Qatari French Stock Exchange (QSE), the Realising the impor- Committee at MEDEF Inter- QE Index ETF (QETF QD/ tance of the emerging mar- national, a press statement QETF.QA), for investors kets indices inclusion, as said on Sunday. seeking to capture exposure well as the rapid growth of The meeting was organ- to companies listed on the ETFs as an investment ve- ised in honour of Pepy’s visit QSE. hicle, Amwal, in partner- to Qatar. Pepy represents QETF is the first Qa- ship with Doha Bank as a MEDEF, which is one of the tar listed ETF designed to founder, has chosen to of- largest trade organisations track the Qatar Exchange fer an innovative addition in France and QBA is its first index which screens for the to its line-up of products by international partner since its top 20 listed companies in introducing the QE Index establishment 14 years ago. Qatar by market cap and li- ETF (QETF) to address in- The meeting was attended quidity. The QETF will start vestors’ interest to gain ex- by French Ambassador to Qa- trading on March 5, and has posure to the growing Qa- tar HE Eric Chevallier; Ab- total expense ratio of 0.50 tar Stock Exchange which dallah al Subaie, Chairman of percent. is characterised by both at- Qatar Rail; Hussein al Fardan, The ETF industry holds tractive fundamental valua- QBA First Deputy; Sheikh Na- over $4.5 trillion in total tions and one of the highest waf bin Nasser al Thani, QBA assets under management dividend yields in emerging board member; QBA members (AUM) and since the de- markets. Ibrahim al Jaidah, Maqbool Khalfan and Mohamed Althaf, and Sarah Abdalla, QBA Dep- uty General Manager. Earlier, a meeting was held QBA Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al Thani with Guillaume Pepy (right), CEO of the French Railway Company and Chairman of the Qatari between Sheikh Faisal bin French Committee at MEDEF International, and other dignitaries at an event in Doha on Sunday. MDPS to take part in 49th Qassim al Thani, QBA Chair- man and Pepy. The meeting wise leadership of the Emir both countries." tion," Pepy noted. expansion of its local private discussed ways to enhance co- His Highness Sheikh Tamim Pepy said the purpose of Pepy continued his speech sector in line with its vision session of UN Statistical operation between Qatar and bin Hamad al Thani." his visit to Doha is to set up an talking about his idea for the 2030." France and promote invest- He added, "This economic action plan that will be imple- Qatari-French Business Coun- Subaie made a presenta- Commission in New York ment, as well as work together development led the private mented by MEDEF Interna- cil which is to promote coop- tion on the social and eco- to create new partnerships, sector and economic institu- tional with Qatar over the next eration in the field of Public nomic trends and challenges QNA the progress achieved by the especially with Qatar, which tions to a stage of maturity months. Private Partnership (PPP), affecting the transport sector DOHA states at the developmental is heading towards self-suffi- through which we started to He said the MEDEF wants saying the French private sec- in Qatar, as well as the key role level, the statement said. ciency. Sheikh Faisal pointed look for investment and co- to build on the very strong re- tor has a longstanding exper- played by the sector in provid- THE Ministry of Develop- The session will discuss a out the readiness of QBA operation opportunities not lationship between France and tise and has been developing ing Qatar's national vision and ment Planning and Statistics number of reports, including members to cooperate with only in the local and regional Qatar and take their business such PPP schemes in France development strategies. (MDPS) will participate in the the new handbook of statisti- MEDEF and to identify the markets, but also in the global relationship to the next level. for decades, which makes this Subaie briefed about the 49th session of the United Na- cal organisation, which deals investment opportunities and market. "The current situation experience of great benefit for achievements of the Qatar tions Statistical Commission with the mechanisms of official economic projects available in "Therefore, the QBA will opens fields of opportunities the Qatari partners. Railways Company in the past to be held at the UN headquar- statistics, open data, economic France and Qatar. be happy to explore the pos- for Qatari-French cooperation Pepy said, “The French 12 months including the com- ters in New York on March statistics and their evolution Jaidah said, "In Qatar, sibility of partnership and co- in key sectors such as agribusi- companies are more deter- pletion of 77 percent of the 6-9, a press statement said on in national accounts, Interna- regardless of the blockade, operation, whether these op- ness, logistics along with the mined than ever to engage metro project, awarding of Sunday. tional Comparison Programme which we were able to over- portunities exist in France or usual strong sectors of cooper- with Qatari counterparts and the operating service provider Minister of Development and price statistics. come, is experiencing eco- in Qatar, as long as it achieves ation such as energy, defense contribute to the economic di- contract and the launch of Planning and Statistics HE Dr Topics related to social and nomic development under the common profit and interest to infrastructure and transporta- versification of Qatar and the metro retail leasing units. Saleh bin Mohammad al Na- demographic statistics will be bit will lead the MDPS delega- of major interest to the Sta- tion, and will meet a number of tistical Commission this year, heads of international and re- in particular with regard to gional organisations, the state- household surveys, population ment added. statistics and science and tech- Qatar, France to boost trade relations Nabit will also lead the nology statistics, the statement delegation in discussions re- noted. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK its French counterpart, and partnerships and alliances. lated to cooperation and will Forums held by the United DOHA promoting the French com- Hailing the Qatari econ- share experiences related to Nations and the role of coun- panies in the Qatari market. omy’s continued growth de- the modernisation of national tries participating in these fo- QATAR Chamber Vice Chair- Tawar said the Qatari spite the seige, Pepy said, statistical systems. rums will also be highlighted. man Mohammed bin Ahmed private sector proved its effi- "The siege is a new opportu- The agenda of 49th ses- During the session, mem- bin Tawar al Kuwari met with ciency and power, during the nity for businessmen to put sion of the United Nations ber states will shed light on Guillaume Pepy, the CEO of siege. extra efforts for strengthening Statistical Commission' in- statistical capacity-building the French Railway Company He said the Qatari local national economy by boosting cludes important topics on the mechanisms in their respective and Chairman of the Qatari market is wide open to French self-sufficiency and promot- sustainable development and countries and coordinate the French Committee at ME- companies for investments, ing local industry and invest- indicators, building national efforts of the state and interna- DEF International, and his which will add value to the na- ments." databases and making them tional organisations in training accompanying delegation in tional economy. He assured MEDEF’s sup- available for users who include statistical cadres. Doha, a press statement said Pepy said the objective of port to Qatar, pointing out that the authors of reports in the Qatar represents the Asian on Sunday. the visit was to learn about the the federation will intensify public and private sectors and Group in the United Nations The meeting reviewed en- Qatari local market and the Qatar Chamber Vice Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Tawar visits between both countries’ civil society organisations in Statistical Commission until hancing cooperation between sectors in which both coun- al Kuwari with Chairman of the Qatari French Committee at MEDEF businessmen to transfer value- order to allow them to assess 2019. the Qatari private sector and tries’ businessmen can build International, Guillaume Pepy in Doha on Sunday. added industries to Qatar.

QICCA HOLDS ARBITRATION PROGRAMME DBCQ appoints Robert Willem as new chair

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK between the DBCQ and the DOHA Embassy of The Netherlands, based on numerous past initia- ROBERT Willem Cats has been tives and the upcoming events elected as the new Chairman for this year, including, the or- of the Dutch Business Council ganisation of the Global Money Qatar (DBCQ) after Henk Jan Week in Qatar. Hoogendoorn stepped down. Tahzib-Lie said, “I am The election was held at the proud that Dutch companies annual general members’ as- are big investors in Qatar. It’s sembly at the residence of The great to see that Qatar and the Netherlands Ambassador to Netherlands connect, inspire Qatar, HE Bahia Tahzib-Lie, and complement each other in Doha recently, a press state- across a wide range of sectors, ment said on Sunday. including food security, energy, During the assembly, Mat- infrastructure, sports, educa- thijs Westra, Valerie Pans, tion, and healthcare. Marieke Witkamp, Freek "We are thrilled that DBCQ Matheij and Nick Leissner were has selected obesity as a theme Qatar University (QU) on Sunday hosted the second phase of training and preparing arbitrators pro- appointed as members of the for this year. Together with the gramme, organised by Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) of Qatar executive board. Dutch businesses, I look for- Chamber, in cooperation with the QU’s Centre for Continuing Education, under the title ‘Arbitration The meeting stressed on ward to contributing to the pro- Agreement and its Drafting Regulations’. (QNA) the continued collaboration The new executive board of Dutch Business Council Qatar. motion of a healthy lifestyle.” Economy & Business Monday, March 5, 2018 19 Qatari realty sector shows steadiness: SAK Holding TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK injecting liquidity to finance nities because of opening up estate sector, which needs to observers. DOHA infrastructure investments. to new markets," SAK said. to keep pace with forthcom- “This growth is one of the "The move boosted confi- Implementing a wide ing projects in economic, challenges that will require QATAR'S real estate sector dence in the real estate sec- range of vital projects in part- trade, and services sectors. exceptional efforts to sup- demonstrated unparalleled tor, enabling it to maintain nership with the private sec- It will also boost small and port retail sector growth in steadiness against the unjust its desirability by a large seg- tor also boosted the realty medium enterprises in par- Qatar,” the report noted. siege imposed on Qatar by ment of local and foreign in- sector, the report added. ticular, and inject different The monthly report the Saudi-led bloc, accord- vestors who are looking for The number of approved levels of real estate liquidity hailed the efforts to stimulate ing to SAK Holding Group's promising investments op- projects reached 33 at a total in parallel with development and support investments in monthly report. portunities." value of QR8 billion in five and expansion works in the health services sector to fur- SAK Market Watch Office SAK said the Ministry of different sectors including hotel industry in view of the ther boost the country’s GDP report said, "Construction Development Planning and education, health, environ- expected surge in the capac- by expanding construction of works maintained its pace Statistics (MDPS) report ment, logistics and food pro- ity of the hospitality sector as hospitals and health centres and was not affected by rami- showing 34 percent jump in duction. hotel rooms are expected to as per international specifi- fications of the siege despite building permits in January The qualitative leap in increase by 15 percent during cations and standards. closure of sea, air and land signals positive growth in the efforts to attract innovative 2018. “This allows health inves- ports. It quickly overcame construction sector despite initiatives will attract more The real estate sector tors to keep pace with urban the crisis that threatened flow the geopolitical challenges. investments that are prom- should also keep pace with and residential expansion in of real estate sector imports “Sustained pumping of ising, diversify sources of plans to promote and at- remote areas, which the re- including raw materials and real estate liquidity has a pos- income, and will make the tract traders and consumers port believes will have a posi- other related items." itive impact on the construc- Qatari economy more com- to commercial complexes, tive impact on the construc- SAK applauded con- tion sector contributing to petitive, the report noted. which will grow by 30 per- tion sector and its services cerned authorities in charge growth of various economic The report says that in- cent after opening mega and in pumping real estate of Qatar’s real estate portfo- sectors, and creation of sig- frastructure development commercial markets this liquidity in more than one di- lio for its sustained policy in nificant investment opportu- projects will benefit the real year and next year according rection.” China does not Trump threatens to tax want a trade war with US, European auto imports says minister The US president’s tweet suggest he is refusing to yield to American business interests

REUTERS China's annual session of BEIJING parliament, which opens this week. CHINA does not want a trade "China does not want war with the United States to fight a trade war with the but will defend its interests, United States, but we ab- a senior Chinese diplomat solutely will not sit by and said on Sunday, after US watch as China's interests are President Donald Trump an- damaged," Zhang, who is a nounced a plan to put tariffs spokesman for parliament on steel and aluminium im- and was formerly an ambas- ports. sador to the United States, Trump struck a defiant said. tone on Friday, saying trade "If policies are made on wars were good and easy to the basis of mistaken judge- win, a day after he said he ments or assumptions, it will intended to put duties of 25 damage bilateral relations percent on steel imports and and bring about consequenc- 10 percent on aluminium es that neither country wants products. to see," he said. Trump believes the tariffs will safeguard American jobs, but many economists say the impact of price increases for users of steel and aluminium, such as the auto and oil in- dustries, will destroy more jobs than curbs on imports create. Nonetheless, there is growing bipartisan consen- sus in Washington, and sup- port within the US business community, for the US gov- ernment to counter what are seen as Beijing's predatory industrial policies and mar- An employee of German car manufacturer Mercedes Benz installs the brand’s characteristic star on a Mercedes S-Class (S-Klasse) at a production line at the Mercedes Benz factory China does not want to ket restrictions on foreign in Sindelfingen, Germany. (File photo)(REUTERS) fight a trade war with the firms. United States, but we Trump has long sought a REUTERS imbalance!” the tariffs“to defend Euro- makes our global economy imposing tariffs or other trade way to a more balanced trade WASHINGTON The United States imposes pean industry, and the world work.” barriers.” absolutely will not sit by relationship with China and a 2.5-percent tariff on cars trading system,” according German automakers Trump’s threat comes and watch as China’s is also considering potential US President Donald Trump assembled in Europe and a Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG amid mounting transatlantic interests are damaged trade sanctions against Bei- kept up pressure on trading 25-percent tariff on European- and BMW AG build vehicles tension on trade. jing under a "Section 301" in- partners on Saturday, threat- built vans and pickup trucks. at plants in the United States. On Thursday, Trump said Chinese Vice Foreign vestigation into China's intel- ening European automakers Europe imposes a 10-percent BMW employs more than the United States would apply Minister Zhang Yesui lectual property practices and with a tax on imports if the tariff on US-built cars. 9,000 workers in South Caro- duties of 25 percent on im- pressure on foreign compa- European Union retaliates Trump criticised Europe lina and is one of the state’s ported steel and 10 percent on nies for technology transfers. against his plan to slap tariffs in remarks at a fundraiser, ac- largest employers. aluminum to protect domestic Trade tensions between His administration has on aluminum and steel. cording to video posted online German auto The United States ac- producers. the world's two largest said the United States mis- Trump’s tweet suggested Saturday, and suggested they brands in US counts for about 15 percent Major automakers say the economies have risen since takenly supported China's he is refusing to yield to US would not increase tariffs. of worldwide Mercedes-Benz move will hike the cost of cars Trump took office in 2017, membership in the World business interests and foreign “The European Union: The United States accounts and BMW brand sales, while it and trucks. and although China only ac- Trade Organisation in 2001 trading partners alarmed at brutal. They’ve been brutal to for about 15 percent of accounts for 5 percent of VW The next day, European counts for a small fraction on terms that have failed the prospect of a trade war us,” Trump said at a Florida worldwide Mercedes-Benz and brand sales and 12 percent of Commission President Jean- of US steel imports, its mas- to force Beijing to open its that rattled financial markets fundraiser. “They’ve banded BMW brand sales, while it Audi sales. Claude Juncker told German sive industry expansion has economy. this week. together in order to beat the accounts for 5 percent of VW The United States had a television that“We will put tar- helped produce a global glut Diplomatic and US busi- “If the E.U. wants to fur- United States in trade.” brand sales and 12 percent of $22.3 billion automotive vehi- iffs on Harley-Davidson (mo- of steel that has driven down ness sources say the United ther increase their already Trump did not respond to cle and parts trade deficit with torcycles), on bourbon and on prices. States has all but frozen a massive tariffs and barriers on questions about tariffs or oth- Audi sales. Germany in 2017 and a $7 blue jeans - Levis.” Negotiations and mutual formal mechanism for talks US companies doing business er topics upon returning to the billion deficit with the United Canada also has said it will opening of markets were the on commercial disputes there, we will simply apply a White House Saturday. Kingdom, according to US retaliate for any tariffs on steel best ways to resolve trade with China because it is not Tax on their Cars which free- In a speech Friday night to a copy of her remarks. She government data. and aluminum. frictions, Chinese Vice For- satisfied Beijing has met its ly pour into the US,” Trump at Harvard University, Euro- called the Trump action“one- Last year, Germany’s au- Trump had tweeted on Fri- eign Minister Zhang Yesui promises to ease market re- wrote on Twitter.“They make pean Commissioner for Com- sided protectionist measures, tomotive trade association day that trade wars are good said at a briefing ahead of strictions. it impossible for our cars (and petition Margrethe Vestager which hurt, not just jobs, but said“the United States would and“easy to win,” roiling US more) to sell there. Big trade said the EU will respond to the whole system of rules that be shooting itself in the foot by financial markets. Amazon eyes French grocery market Volkswagen to pursue IPO plan

REUTERS adding that the Whole Foods Last month Amazon said it for trucks division: Handelsblatt PARIS deal marked a new step in that would create 2,000 new jobs ambition. in France and it has also set- REUTERS and that the IPO could bring US e-commerce giant Amazon “We would very much tled a long-running dispute BERLIN the group proceeds of more aims to launch its grocery de- like to launch this service in with French tax authorities than 10 billion euros ($12.3 livery service in France as part 2,000 jobs France, but everything in its that had been seeking nearly VOLKSWAGEN intends to billion). of global ambitions to expand Last month Amazon said it own time. A launch represents 200 million euros from the change the legal structure of The paper added that no in food retail, though the move an investment,” he said. company. its trucks business this month final decision has been taken is not imminent, its general would create 2,000 new jobs Privately held French su- In a separate interview as a first step towards an ini- and that the plans require ap- manager for France said in a in France and it has also permarket operator Systeme with Journal du Dimanche, tial public offering (IPO) of the proval from the supervisory newspaper interview. settled a long-running dispute U said last week that it was French Finance Minister Bru- division, German paper Han- and management boards. Staff Amazon’s purchase of with French tax authorities discussing a possible grocery no Le Maire said: “Amazon is delsblatt reported. councils would also have to Whole Foods in the United that had been seeking nearly supply deal with Amazon, welcomed in France because Changing Volkswagen be brought into the process, States last year has prompted 200 million euros from the though a major deal between my absolute priority is to cre- Truck & Bus, with brands which could happen in the speculation that it could next company Amazon and a French retailer ate jobs, and Amazon repre- MAN and Scania, to a public next few weeks, Handelsblatt target the European food and has yet to materialize. sents thousands of jobs.” limited company would be a reported. supermarket sector. Amazon has made small Le Maire also said first step to making the unit the first time in the early part A spokeswoman for VW’s “(Food) is a strong devel- forays in that direction and that“partnerships are under ready for capital markets, of the coming year,” the paper trucks division declined to opment axis for Amazon since has steadily been building its discussions between Amazon Handelsblatt reported, citing quoted an unnamed manager comment on the article, re- the launch of our Amazon presence in France, where and some French groups, no- company sources. as saying. ferring only to previous com- Fresh offer in the US in Sep- it has run its Amazon Prime tably in the food products sec- The next stage would be to Handelsblatt said that VW ments made by managers tember 2016,” Frederic Duval Now express delivery service tor” and that the government engage investment banks. intends to retain a majority that an IPO for the business is told the Journal du Dimanche, in Paris since 2016. would ensure fair competition. “Shares could be traded for stake in the division for now among possible options. 20 Monday, March 5, 2018 Economy & Business Global gas markets roiled by Papua quake, Europe deep-freeze

cent since last week, to $8.80 said in an investor note on the day the seasonal drop-off in Asia is showing signs of taper- ing as temperatures plum- ExxonMobil has declared force majeure per million British thermal earthquake’s likely impact on demand in North Asia - which ing off, most of Europe has meted. units (mmBtu). the LNG sector. includes Japan, China and been caught by a wave of ex- European importers were on exports from its Papua LNG project Exxon is having trou- The outage has left several South Korea, the world’s top treme cold late in the season, vying with bids from Asia for ble gauging the extent of the North Asian buyers seeking three buyers - as winter ends which pushed up British spot spot LNG cargoes from Qatar REUTERS exports from its Papua New earthquake’s damage, given replacement cargoes in the and temperatures rise pre- natural gas prices to record and the United States, traders SINGAPORE Guinea LNG project, which the remoteness of the gas field, spot market, leading to a fur- vented a bigger price rise. highs of 275 pence per therm said. has been shut since a powerful in the mountainous jungles of ther rise in market activity, Spot LNG prices for May on March 1, the equivalent of With warmer weather GLOBAL natural gas mar- earthquake on Monday, an in- Papua New Guinea, 700 km which already hit records in were already $1 lower than over $30 per mmBtu, and up approaching in most of Eu- kets were roiled this week as dustry source familiar with the (435 miles) from the export January. April’s, at around $7.75 per 130 percent from the last close rope, traders said the sup- an earthquake in Papua New matter said on Friday. terminal. Several importers for Chi- mmBtu, the traders said. in February, and up 400 per- ply squeeze would likely ease Guinea caused a large-scale A company declares a force “It is difficult to assess the na as well as Taiwan’s CPC The market situation has cent since the end of December. into next week. Weather data supply disruption of lique- majeure when it is unable to duration of production out- Corp are seeking to replace also been eased by increasing The spike was a result of in Thomson Reuters Eikon fied natural gas (LNG) while carry out a contract because of ages, but in our view, given disrupted contracted supplies supplies from Malaysia’s Bin- extreme cold across western showed temperatures across a late winter blast in Europe forces beyond its control. the location and magnitude of from Papua with short-term tulu LNG export facility, which Europe, caused by unusual Si- most of western Europe will triggered unprecedented price Exxon declined to com- the earthquake, as well as the delivery cargoes from the spot had seen disruptions in recent berian winds which the media likely rise toward the seasonal spikes. ment on the force majeure. scale of the aftershocks, we market, said three traders that weeks, said two traders with has dubbed“The Beast from norm of around 5 degrees Cel- ExxonMobil Corp has As a result, Asian spot anticipate at least a month’s participate in the market. knowledge of the matter. the East” and which caused a sius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) declared force majeure on LNG prices jumped by 5 per- downtime is likely,” UBS bank Other traders said on Fri- While the winter in North surge in gas demand for heat- within a week. EU aims to tax Faster 5G still far off for internet giants at ‘2 to 6 percent’: most mobile phone users REUTERS BARCELONA

French minister THE telecoms world is gear- ing up for 5G, the next genera- AFP avoidance strategies used tion wireless technology that PARIS by the tech titans known as promises to go beyond phones GAFA – Google, Amazon, and link up everything from THE EU will soon unveil a Facebook and Apple – de- vehicles to household devices, plan for taxing major inter- prive EU governments of or anything else with an inter- net companies like Amazon billions of euros while giv- net connection at far greater and Facebook by imposing a ing them an unfair advan- speeds. levy of two to six percent on tage over smaller rivals. Yet most consumers will revenues in every country The Organisation for wait years to experience where they operate, French Economic Cooperation and the benefits. While the first finance minister Bruno Le Development says such commercial 5G projects will Maire said on Sunday. strategies cost governments launch in the United States in "The range will be from around the world as much 2018, many users in emerging two to six percent; but clos- as $240 billion (195 billion markets are still awaiting 4G er to two than to six," Le euros) a year in lost rev- and are likely to have to grap- Maire told the Journal du enue, according to a 2015 ple with ropey 3G connections Dimanche newspaper. estimate. for years more. The European Commis- Asked if the proposed Among industry insiders, sion has said it will present rate might be criticised as the debate is about whether by end March an overhaul too low, Le Maire said: "I 5G will deliver on all the prom- of its tax rules, which cur- would rather have a law that ises that its most excited pro- rently allow US digital econ- can be implemented quickly ponents make and how much omy giants to report their instead of drawn-out nego- they can afford rolling out the income from across the bloc tiations." new technology when profits in any member state. American tech giants are squeezed by competition That leads them to pick appear to believe the Euro- and regulation. low-tax nations like Ireland, pean tax revamp is in the Unlike 2G, 3G and 4G the Netherlands or Luxem- cards, with several already wireless that focused on mo- bourg, depriving other na- announcing pledges to pay bile phones, the promoters of tions of their share of the more in each country where 5G say it offers faster, more revenue even though they they operate as govern- stable connections for cars, may account for more of a ments step up their fiscal homes, factories and offices. company's earnings. demands. Norway’s Telenor is testing "The heads of these Amazon said last month uses of 5G in driverless snow- companies know them- that it had settled a major ploughs, traffic systems and selves that this system can't tax claim in France and that even autonomous boats for continue," Le Maire said. it would start declaring all the nation’s fishing industry. Critics say the tax- its earnings in the country. Yet it is unlikely to deploy 5G commercially before 2020 and Telenor’s boss remains cau- A 5G sign is seen at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain recently. (REUTERS) tious about what the technol- ogy will offer. 5G promoters say it can ments will start slowly in tra cash for the 5G rollout, “5G is, so far, too much deliver data 10 times or more 2020 with widescale moves operators are looking to shut hype, in the sense of its posi- faster than 4G and cut latency, not likely until 2025, while down 2G and 3G networks to tion as a new revolutionary the lag-time when data is sent many emerging markets are reduce the costs of running technology,” Telenor Chief Ex- or received. As well offering still struggling to catch up on multiple networks and to free ecutive Sigve Brekke told Reu- new applications, extra speed fixed broadband and 3G data up spectrum for 5G. ters at Mobile World Congress makes it easier to store data in More stable services. “We’re working in a in Barcelona, where 5G over- the cloud instead of on a device. The new networks also capex-restricted industry,” shadowed other topics. Yet 4G advances and new connections come at a price. industry consultant Bengt “I look at 5G as much software could offer many of Unlike 2G, 3G and 4G Expanding 5G could mean Nordstrom said. more an evolution on what the benefits promised by 5G, wireless that focused on capital expenditure rising to This is likely to slow the we already have,” he said at Chuck Robbins, chief execu- mobile phones, the promoters 16 to 17 percent of revenues rollout. GSMA forecast 4G the conference, attended by tive of networks supplier Cis- of 5G say it offers faster, more generated by the mobile in- would still account for more executives from the world’s co, said in Barcelona. stable connections for cars, dustry from 2020, up from 15 than half of mobile subscrip- mobile network operators and Nordea Bank analysts told percent now, said Mats Gran- tions in 2025, while 5G would technology suppliers. investors there“seems to be homes, factories and offices ryd, director general of the only be at 14 percent. Telenor expects 5G to com- a bit too much optimism on global trade body GSMA. South Korea tried out 5G plement existing networks, which industry issues 5G will GSMA, which represents for a few weeks at the Winter helping cut operating costs solve.” For network equipment nearly 800 operators and Olympics in Pyeongchang to after the hefty capital outlay The first commercial 5G makers, such as Ericsson and some 300 suppliers, forecasts enable the use of driverless and offering greater scope for projects launch in the United Nokia, which are struggling capital expenditure (capex) shuttle buses and to allow ul- delivering high bandwidth States this year and will be fol- with declining sales for 4G on mobile networks world- tra-high resolution 360-de- video and almost instantane- lowed by Japan and South Ko- gear, the rollout cannot come wide would be $500 billion gree video to be beamed ous links for autonomous cars rea in 2019. China is expected soon enough. over the three years between wirelessly around Olympic or medical procedures. to join the fray in 2020. But in Europe, deploy- 2018 to 2020. To find the ex- venues. Saudi’s $16 bn syndicated ArcelorMittal stands by $1 bn Mexico pledge loan to cut funding costs REUTERS his tariff plan next week as MEXICO CITY promised. ArcelorMittal’s spokesman in REUTERS banks a margin of 103 basis ArcelorMittal’s spokes- Mexico said 80 percent of the DUBAI points over Libor. Since then, ARCELORMITTAL, the man in Mexico said 80 per- the kingdom has issued $39 world’s largest steelmaker, cent of the steel the company steel the company produced in SAUDI Arabia’s planned $16 billion in international bonds. has not changed its plan to produced in the country was the country was destined for billion syndicated loan, one of Once completed, the re- invest $1 billion dollars in destined for the local market, the local market, with the the largest ever in emerging vised debt facility will comprise a new production line in with the remaining 20 percent remaining 20 percent markets, will cut the kingdom’s an Islamic tranche correspond- Mexico, a spokesman said on exported to the United States, exported to the United States, cost of funding by paying banks ing to more than 30 percent Friday, despite uncertainty Canada and other markets. Canada and other markets much less than on previous of the size of the loan, which around terms of trade in “In this context, we will borrowings. means in excess of $5 billion, North America. keep working in the same The ministry of finance said the ministry of finance said on Since ArecelorMittal an- way,” said Ricardo Bussey, the country region linked by the on Twitter that it would of- Twitter. nounced the investment in corporate affairs director for 1994 NAFTA accord. fer banks a margin of 75 basis A group of 16 international September, talks initiated by ArcelorMittal Mexico, add- Mexican steelmaker points over the London Inter- banks will provide the new US President Donald Trump ing that the investment would Ternium also announced bank Offered Rate (Libor) for loan, the ministry of finance to renegotiate the North take place over three years. plans to build a new Mexican the loan, which Saudi Arabia’s said, two more than the 14 in- American Free Trade Agree- The investment covers facility in September, with an Debt Management Office plans ternational banks supporting ment have bogged down, and construction of a new hot investment of $1.1 billion. On to close by mid-March. the original $10 billion syndi- Trump stirred fears of a global strip mill, which upon com- Friday, Ternium said it could Offers from international cated facility. trade war on Thursday by an- pletion in about three years ArcelorMittal operates six facilities at three ports in Mexico. not immediately comment on banks for the loan, which will “Saudi Arabia’s debt man- nouncing plans for steep tar- will allow annual production its future plans. refinance, extend and increase agement office usually doesn’t iffs on steel and aluminium of 2.5 million tonnes of flat six facilities at three ports in million tonnes last year. ArcelorMittal said in a an existing $10 billion facility price aggressively, but this time imports. rolled steel, the company said Mexico. Mexico is a key production statement earlier on Friday raised in 2016 and due in 2021, they have reduced their loan Mexico’s steel cham- in September. The company’s main Mexi- platform for the company. that it was assessing the poten- exceeded $20 billion, it said. margins by 28 basis points,” ber has called for The new production will be can plant is in the west coast During the first half of 2017 tial global impact of planned Saudi Arabia’s loan in 2016 said Mohammed Khnifer, debt immediate“equivalent and for domestic, non-auto, gen- port city of Lazaro Cardenas. ArcelorMittal produced nearly US tariffs on steel imports, was its first jumbo debt deal af- capital markets senior associ- reciprocal tariffs on steel im- eral industry customers, the Bussey said he expected pro- $12 billion of steel in North while saying governments ter a slump in international oil ate at the Islamic Development ports from the United States” company said. duction this year would rise America while shipping about were right to take a tough ap- prices hit its finances. It offered Bank group. if Trump follows through on ArcelorMittal operates to 4.2 million tonnes from 3.8 $11 billion from the three- proach to unfair trade. 2 www.guide.com.qa  Monday, March 5, 2018

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Al Sadd - Economic Group Building next to Al Osmakh Mall Office No. 302 Mobile: 33355889 - 30031353 - Tel: 44633523 - toll free number: 8000853 22 Monday, March 5, 2018 Economy & Business What Anbang’s takeover shows about China’s financial problems By placing debt-ridden Anbang under receivership, China’s regulators have acted strangely, but in a relatively transparent and investor-friendly way

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE BEIJING

CHINESE regulators have taken control of the Anbang Insurance Group, a privately owned Chi- nese conglomerate that owns New York’s Waldorf Astoria, temporar- ily putting management of the hotel and other high-profile international properties under the Chinese gov- ernment’s control. China’s insurance regulator said in a statement Friday that “there exist illegal operations at Anbang, posing threats to the company’s sol- vency.” The statement said a group of government agencies will take control of the company’s board and management for one year. Anbang’s chairman, Wu Xiaohui, has been indicted on suspicion of economic crimes, it said. The government will eventually restructure Anbang’s shareholding and again make the company pri- vate, the statement said. Wu was known as one of China’s “Gray Rhinos” — ambitious, po- litically connected tycoons whose companies incurred extraordinary debt while buying prestigious for- eign assets — enough debt, regula- tors believed, to potentially destabi- lize the country’s financial system. Last year, the Chinese government began cracking down. Authorities detained Wu in June, and he hasn’t been heard from since. Authorities have chastened other Gray Rhino companies, which have struggled financially in recent months. HNA Group, which owns several airlines, a 25 percent stake of Hilton Worldwide and several tourism and logistics companies, has an estimated $90 billion in debt, and has sought to raise capital from its employees. Dalian Wanda, a real estate giant that owns AMC Cinemas, plans to sell its last two overseas property developments. “Why Anbang right now, and not HNA? I don’t know,” said Anne Stevenson-Yang, research director at the China-focused J Capital Re- search. “Anbang hasn’t defaulted on anything, and HNA has. I think Anbang’s holdings in the banks, and the banks’ outstanding loans to Anbang, are a critical portion. “I don’t know what’s going on Anbang Insurance Group Co. purchased Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., which owns the Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, pictured here, and other posh properties, for $6.5 billion. (TNS) right now, but the Chinese financial system is obsessed with the possi- Wu ran the company under a bility of a financial crisis,” she said. What happened to Anbang? Significance of state takeover Byzantine ownership structure, “So you can’t allow a company like The Chinese government on February 23 seized control of Rather than following traditional regulatory making its true owners — and his Evergrande (China’s second-largest Anbang Insurance Group Co Ltd and said its chairman Wu methods of nationalising Anbang or forcing its sale own wealth — difficult to discern. property developer), or even HNA, Xiaohui had been prosecuted for economic crimes. Wu was to another financial firm, Beijing chose to have a Before his fall, Wu had found a to default because you don’t under- arrested in June as troubles mounted for one of China’s committee of regulators run Anbang for at least a comfortable place among the global stand what the collateral damage elite. He made deals with the pri- will be.” most aggressive buyers of overseas assets. The China year. It can be read two way — either the Chinese vate equity group Blackstone; last Wu was extraordinarily po- Insurance Regulatory Commission said Anbang had state is taking action because its problems are year, he was involved in failed talks litically connected. He married a violated laws and regulations which“may seriously much more severe and more different than people with President Donald Trump’s granddaughter of Deng Xiaoping, endanger the solvency of the company”. So, to protect the thought or it wants to show that it is willing to act son-in-law, Jared Kushner, over a China’s leader in the 1980s. Yet ex- shareholders money China made a hostile takeover. boldly property development in Manhat- perts say his problems may mean tan. he’s fallen out of favour. In 2015, he gave a talk at Har- President Xi Jinping, in power Chinese state is taking action,” said assurance that Anbang will re- Wu grew up in southeastern giant, with assets of about $300 vard University, in which he pon- since 2012, has tightened Commu- Fraser Howie, the author of “Red main private. “Look at it this way China’s Zhejiang province. Accord- billion. It is China’s second-largest dered his place in the universe. nist Party control over private en- Capitalism: The Fragile Financial — you’re on a bus, and the driver’s ing to a 2016 New York Times re- insurer in terms of life insurance “Our troubles are truly very, terprises, to stabilize the financial Foundations of China’s Extraordi- drunk,” Howie said. “You seize con- port, he worked as a car salesman premiums, Bloomberg reported. very small,” he said, according system and crack down on capital nary Rise.” “But you can also put a trol of the wheel, but you still don’t and a low-level anti-smuggling of- Anbang also owns the Westin to the Standard, a Hong Kong flight. positive spin on that: Here’s a gov- own the bus. That’s what the regula- ficial. St. Francis in San Francisco, the newspaper. “Once you’ve thought “There is one way to read this, ernment that’s willing to act, and tor’s doing here.” Anbang started in 2004 as InterContinental Miami and in- through things clearly, there is no which is that China’s problems are act boldly. That gives us confidence Anbang’s office in Hong Kong an auto insurance company and surance companies in Europe and trouble left. At the end of our life, much more severe and more dif- that they’ll do so in other scenarios.” did not reply to a request for com- moved into life insurance in 2010. Asia. It purchased the Waldorf As- we return to zero, so you absolutely ferent than people thought, so the He emphasized the regulators’ ment. It rapidly developed into a financial toria for $1.95 billion in 2014. must enjoy the journey.”

Toyota starts firm to speed development of autonomous cars

a “smooth software pipeline or stock options, he said. The JV comprises Toyota and two of its from research to commer- From Google Like all automobile man- cialization,” a company news ufacturers, Toyota is looking major suppliers — Denso and Aisin Seiki release said. O The company will be for ways to break down bu- With 300 employees now, headed by James Kuffner, reaucracy so it doesn’t get left TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE ners will invest $2.8 billion, the new company will even- now chief technical officer behind as the industry moves SAN FRANCISCO Toyota said, but didn’t say tually employ 1,000, Toyota of the Toyota Research rapidly toward robotic cars when. said. Institute in Silicon Valley. powered by electric drive. IN an attempt to move driver- The company will be Kuffner said he’ll move Toyota has been reshuf- less-car software more quick- headed by James Kuffner, with his family from Silicon O Kuffner, a Stanford fling top management and ly into its cars and trucks, now chief technical officer of Valley to Tokyo, where the University graduate and diversifying its board of direc- Toyota is creating a separate the Toyota Research Institute company conducts much of Carnegie Mellon University tors to face what Toyota Mo- company and hopes to fill it in Silicon Valley. its internal business in Eng- professor, was a tor Corp. President Akio Toy- with some of the world’s best Kuffner, a Stanford Uni- lish. oda sees as existential threats autonomous-vehicle coders. versity graduate and Carnegie Tech talent is scarce in researcher at Google from to the traditional automotive Toyota Research Insti- Mellon University professor, general, but especially so 2009 to 2016 business. tute-Advanced Development, was a researcher at Google in driverless-car develop- “Over the next 100 years, based in Tokyo, will draw on from 2009 to 2016. He’s well ment. Toyota has driverless there is no guarantee that work turned out by Toyota’s known in the coding com- research centers in Los Al- on the recent politics (that automobile manufacturers research labs and transform it munity as co-inventor of the tos, Ann Arbor, Mich., and seek to reduce immigration) will continue to play leading into commercial-ready prod- randomly exploring random Cambridge, Mass. The Tokyo it’s harder for some of the tal- roles in mobility,” he said at a ucts. tree algorithm, a benchmark center will help extend the ent to come to the U.S.,” Kuff- company event in November. The joint venture com- in robot motion planning. network, he said. ner said. “A crucial battle has begun — prises Toyota and two of its Toyota is hoping such tal- “We have always adopted Also, a small, new growth not one about winning or los- Toyota hopes to fill its new joint-venture company with some of the major parts suppliers — Den- ent will help attract “world the approach to take talent company could attract more ing, but one about surviving world’s best autonomous-vehicle coders. (TNS) so and Aisin Seiki. The part- class” programmers to create wherever we can get it. Based desirable workers with equity or dying.” MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018

Aussies close in on Test win Wie wins thrilling Singapore title South Africa are still 124 runs short of Michelle Wie drains 40-foot putts on the last ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Australia despite Markram’s ton PAGE 26 hole to claim first trophy since 2014 PAGE 23 CRYSTAL PALACE VS MAN UTD Gharafa boss expects tough match against Saudi’s Al Ahli

The Cheetahs host to Al Jazira to put their first on Sunday. points on the board. Since signing for the four- Al Ahli in the AFC Al Ahli have begun the time QSL champions from CL; Al Sadd face competition strongly, winning French Ligue 1 club Nice, two from two, with goals from Sneijder has scored eight Uzbekistan side Taiseer al Jassam and Mohan- goals in 11 appearances in QSL Nasaf in Qarshi today nad Asseri – his second match- and AFC Champions League winner in as many games – matches. helping the Saudi Arabian side Elsewhere, Al Sadd will IKOLI VICTOR to a 2-1 victory over Al Jazira lock horns against Nasaf of DOHA on Matchday Two. Uzbekistan in their Champi- A third win in a row would ons League Group C match GHARAFA coach Bulent Uy- edge Al Ahli towards knockout on Monday in Qarshi. Coach gun says he expects a difficult stage qualification, while de- Jesualdo Ferreira stressed the match against Al Ahli of Saudi feat would see the sides level importance of the game at the Arabia but will be looking to on points. The last meeting pre-match press conference record back-to-back home between the pair, in the 2013 on Sunday. wins in Group A of the AFC group stage, ended in an en- “We are going to play a cru- Champions League when they tertaining 2-2 draw in Doha. Al Sadd players enjoy a training session before their AFC Champions League match against Uzbekistan cial game and everyone in the welcome table-toppers Al Ahli Speaking at the pre-match Al Gharafa coach Bulent Uygun side Nasaf on Sunday. team knows how important it Saudi FC to Thani Bin Jassim press conference on Sun- is to win because the points Stadium on Monday. day, Bulent Uygun said: “The Bulent said the absence of our fans who will support us Rayyan on Thursday, Bulent contribute to resolution of dis- could get us closer to the next Recent signing Mehdi match will certainly be tough of Mahdi Ali, Thamer Gamal today. There is no doubt that said the win would provide the putes and improves commu- stage of the competition.” Taremi scored his second and difficult against Al Ahli, and Fahid al Shammari, who’s Ahli have distinct qualities but needed boost to the morale of nication between countries. Ferreira alos pointed out and third goals of the current leaders of the Saudi league and serving a five-match ban by despite injuries and absence of the players. Gharafa will rely on the that Nasaf were “a strong campaign in a 3-0 victory over the AFC group. the Asian Football Conedera- some players we will strive to Al Ahli is the first team services of Dutch midfielder side” that was playing at home Tractorsazi Tabriz two weeks “Technically, we have pre- tion, would not deter his play- do our best.” from one of the blockading Wesley Sneijder who retired and that the Wolves had no ago as Al Gharafa recovered pared the players well to record ers from attaining victory. Still basking in their 6-1 countries to visit Qatar and from international foot- doubts about the difficulty of from their opening-day loss another win,” he added. “We will play to the delight QNB Stars League win over Al the coach believes that sports ball after a glittering career the fixture.

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships Lavillenie seals treble, Pozzi hails Bannister in victory The Frenchman cleared 5.90 for a title to add to his previous wins in 2016 and 2012; Poland set new world indoor 4x400m relay record

AFP BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM

FRANCE’S Renaud Lavillenie displayed all his experience to bag a third world indoor pole vault title on Sunday as Briton Andrew Pozzi hailed the late Roger Bannister as the inspi- ration behind his hurdles tri- umph. In a bold show of games- manship, the Frenchman came into the competition at 5.70 metres – which six of the 15-strong field failed to make – passed at 5.80 and went clear at 5.85 and 5.90 after one failure at the latter. With no fewer than nine men owning season’s bests of 5.88m or better, the pressure was on at the business end of a gripping vaulting display. American Sam Hendricks (5.85) eventually took silver from Poland’s Piotr Lisek on countback as a host of rivals fell by the wayside. But world record holder Lavillenie was left punch- ing the air in triumph as he cleared 5.90 for a title to add to his previous wins in 2016 and 2012. Fittingly on the day Ban- nister died aged 88, British team captain Pozzi said his victory in the 60m hurdles had been inspired by the first man France’s Renaud Lavillenie celebrates his victory in the men’s pole to run a mile in under four vault final at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at Karol Zalewski, Rafal Omelko, Lukasz Krawczuk and Jakub Krzewina of Poland celebrate winning the men’s 4x400 metres relay and setting a minutes. the Arena in Birmingham on Sunday. (AFP) new world record at the World Indoor Championship on Sunday. (REUTERS) “Roger Bannister was an unbelievable athlete and un- spurt to defend his 3000m There was more Ethio- ahead of Poland and Britain. believable person,” said Pozzi, title with some ease, the pian glory as Samuel Tefera, The time set by the US whose winning 7.46sec edged 20-year-old crossing the line just 18, hared home to win the quartet also including Quan- American Jarret Eaton into in 8:14.41 ahead of teenage men’s 1500m in 3:58.19. era Hayes, Georganne Moline silver. teammate Selemon Barega. A cagey opening saw the and 400m silver medallist “I’m very sorry that he has “During the race I saw first 800m run in an incredi- Shakima Wimbley beat the left us but I read one of his everyone was very confident, bly slow 2:23 before Morocco’s previous record set by Russia quotes before heading down but I was the one controlling Abdelaati Iguider upped the back in 2004 by three-hun- to the track: ‘Every morning in everybody,” said Kejelcha, pace, but Tefera came through dredths of a second. Africa a gazelle wakes up and who said he would now target for gold and Poland’s Marcin The men’s relay went the it knows it must move faster the 5000m world record of Lewandowski snatched silver way of Poland, Jakub Krze- than the lion or it will not sur- 12:37.35 set by his compa- wina anchoring a team com- vive’.” triot Kenenisa Bekele. prising Karol Zalewski, Rafal Two defending track There was no holding Omelko and Lukasz Krawc- champions stepped up to win back in the women’s 800m zuk to a world indoor record successive titles, but there was as Burundi’s Francine Niy- of 3:01.77, smashing the pre- no luck for Brittney Reese, the onsaba also successfully de- vious best set by the USA in American bidding for a fourth fended her title in 1:58.31, Sopot in 2014. world indoor long jump title the fastest time run over the Krzewina overhauled who was pushed into silver by distance this season. ahead of the Moroccan who American Vernon Norwood in Serbian Ivana Spanovic. Niyonsaba held off a spir- won the event in 2012. the final 15 metres for a mem- Spanovic went out to ited effort from Ajee Wilson in Courtney Okolo won a orable victory that shattered 6.96m on her fourth jump to a fast-finishing final lap, the second gold of the world in- the US team’s bid for a seventh beat Reese by 7cm. American winning a second doors as she anchored the US successive title, Belgium win- In a slow tactical race, successive world indoor silver, women’s team to victory in the ning bronze. Britain’s Andrew Pozzi celebrates with the Union flag after his victory in the men’s 60m hurdles final at the Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha pro- with Briton Shelayna Oskan- 4x400m relay in a new cham- SEE ALSO PAGE 26 duced a devastating last-lap 2018 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships on Sunday. (AFP) Clarke taking bronze. pionship record of 3:23.85 Sports Monday, March 5, 2018 27

Asian silver for Qatari wrestler Sakandelidze Al Wakrah edge Al Shamal in Qatar Cup

Giorgi Sakandelidze (Qatar) with the Asian Wrestling Championship silver medal in Bishek, Kyrgyzstan. He lost the Freestyle 125kg final to Davit Modzmanashvili (Uzbekistan). This was Qatar’s only medal in the championships. Al Wakrah, the QBF League runners-up, contrived a thrilling 84-81 victory in the Qatar Cup Basketball Championship Uzbekistan emerged as the Freestyle champions and Greco-Roman title was won by the hosts Kyrgyzstan. China won in Al Gharafa on Sunday. In an up and down match, Marcus Johnson and Earnest Lee Ross scored 21 each for the win- the overall women’s title. ners. Moses Ehambie led all scorers with 24 for Al Shamal and Dominic James chipped in 22. World's top 10 players QFA, ISC sign MoU to promote soccer among confirmed for Qatar Indian expats

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK sibility strategy, the QFA will cations at the Qatar Football DOHA provide necessary support for Association, said: “The MoU Open table tennis all activities and events organ- demonstrates the QFA’s com- THE Qatar Football Associa- ised by the ISC. mitment to support the differ- tion (QFA) signed a four-year The ISC, which functions ent communities in Qatar by VICTOR BOLORUNDURO Memorandum of Understand- under the aegis of the Embassy organising various activities DOHA ing (MoU) with the Indian of India, will focus on promot- and events in general and the Sports Centre (ISC) and will ing various sports activities Indian community in particu- ALL the world top-ten players collaborate until 2022 to pro- among the expatriate commu- lar.” in both the male and female mote football among the In- nities in Qatar. The ISC will He added: “The MoU also categories, with the excep- dian community in Qatar. have a strong presence in all of underlines the social respon- tion of former World No. 1 Ma The QFA was represented QFA’s future events. sibility strategy of the QFA, Long of China, have confirmed by Khalid al Kuwari, Director The QFA and all segments which has a strong relation- their participation in the 2017 of Marketing and Communica- of the Indian community in ship with the Indian commu- ITTF World Tour Platinum tions, and Ali al Salat, Head of Qatar have been working to- nity. We have previously sup- Qatar Open, the 23rd edition, Media and Communications. gether for many years. The ported various annual football which will be held from March Nilangshu Dey, President of MoU reflects the vision of the tournaments organised for the 8 to 11 at the Ali Bin Hamad Al the ISC and Mohammed S QFA to strengthen its partner- Indian community and backed Attiyah Arena in Doha. Bukhari, Head of Institutional ships with the local communi- cultural and sports activities In all, 219 male and 95 and Commercial Development ties and promote community in the Indian schools in Qa- female players from 43 coun- at ISC, attended the signing participation in football. tar. We hope to develop this tries will participate in the ceremony. Khalid al Kuwari, Director partnership even more in the event, which begins with the As part of its social respon- of Marketing and Communi- future.” qualifying rounds from March 6 to 7. Doha is the first of the six Platinum events, which is one of the top events on the inter- national table tennis calendar. Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) President Khaleel Ahmed al Mohannadi (centre) during a press A total prize money of conference in Doha. $235,000 is up for grabs with the singles winners in both the 6-11, 11-4 in an exciting final. males and females categories A total prize money of $235,000 is up for grabs with But for the first time, Ger- going home with $28,000 and the singles winners in both the males and females cat- many’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov the finalists getting $14,000 egories going home with $28,000 and the finalists get- will lead the men’s pack in and the semi-finalists $6,750 ting $14,000 and the semi-finalists $6,750 each. Ma’s absence, who has been each. ommitted due to China's deci- Qatar Table Tennis As- sion to start promoting junior sociation (QTTA) President has put the country on the Platinum event last year as we players ahead of the 2020 To- Khaleel Ahmed al Mohannadi world map and gave us vis- were adjudged excellent in all kyo Games. said, "Qatar is proud to once ibility." departments. This year we are Zhendong and newly- again host this annual event The QTTA head added taking the competition even crowned World No.1 Timo that has grown to become one that the competition has now higher and we believe all the Boll are seeded second and of the signature tournaments reached a stage that the organ- participants will have a good third, respectively. of the ITTF World Tour. Every isers no longer have to pick the time in Doha," he added. In the women’s category, player loves to be in Doha due tickets and lodging tabs of the China’s Olympic cham- Chen and Zhu Yuling are the to the quality of the organisa- participants as everybody now pion Ma Long won the men’s top two seeds followed by tion and the strength of the pays to come. singles title last year, beating Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, field. The Qatar Open is a blue "The Qatar Open won in compatriot and No.2 seed Fan Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa and QFA Marketing and Communications Director Khalid al Kuwari (centre) and ISC President Nilangshu Dey ribbon competition for us. It all the criteria to become a Zhendong 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 5-11, Wang. (second right) with other officials after the MoU signing ceremony in Doha on Sunday.

DOHA TRIATHLON 2018 ON MARCH 16

The Doha Triathlon 2018 will take place on March 16 and all arrangements are being put in place, accord- ing to Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation President Dr Mohammed Jeham al Kuwari. During a press conference in Doha on Sunday, he announced that the event would be organised by Tasama Sports Devel- opment on March 16 in the surrounding area of the Museum of Islamic Art in partnership with the QCTF and Museium of Islamic Art. The Qatar Tourism Authority is the presenting partner of the event. 26 Monday, March 5, 2018 Sports FIRST CRICKET TEST MATCH DURBAN British athletics Aussies close in on win great Bannister despite Markram’s ton dies aged 88 AFP LONDON

RECORD-BREAKING Brit- ish athlete Roger Bannister, the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, has died aged 88, his family announced on Sunday. "Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3rd March 2018, aged 88, sur- rounded by his family who Roger Bannister were as loved by him, as he was loved by them," his fam- in the 1980s. ily said. Coe was speaking at the "He banked his treasure in World Indoor Championships the hearts of his friends," they in Birmingham, where specta- added, in a statement pub- tors saluted Bannister with a lished by the Press Association minute's applause as the lights news agency. were dimmed after footage of Bannister gained glo- his running career was shown bal sporting glory on May 6, on giant screens. 1954, when he ran a mile (1.6 Then, as a mark of respect kilometres) in three minutes, to Bannister, no competition 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road took place for a further two track in Oxford. minutes. Sebastian Coe, president Half a century later after of the International Associa- Bannister's record, the Royal tion of Athletics Federations, Mint celebrated the occasion said Bannister's death marked by issuing a 50 pence coin "a day of intense sadness both showing an athlete's running for our nation and for all of us legs against a stopwatch. in athletics". British Prime Minister "There is not a single ath- Theresa May described Ban- lete of my generation who was nister as "a great British sport- not inspired by Roger and his ing icon whose achievements achievements both on and off were an inspiration to us all". the track," tweeted Coe, who "He will be greatly missed," won two Olympic gold medals she wrote on Twitter. Justice done as England win after freak run out

AFP sight when Chris Woakes failed South Africa batsman’s Aiden Markram (left) walks with his teammate Quinton de Kock after having been dismissed by Australia’s bowler Mitchell Marsh during the fourth day of WELLINGTON to grasp a drive from William- the first cricket Test match at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Sunday. (AFP) son. JUSTICE was done for Eng- But the ball deflected off land with a freakish run out his fingertips into the stumps The visitors need just one wicket to go 1-0 up; South African opener Markram defies with 143 which set up their four-run at the non-striker's end where win over New Zealand in the Santner was out of his crease. AFP SCOREBOARD amid the carnage. The recov- fell cheaply. third one-day international in "You earn a little bit of luck DURBAN (SOUTH AFRICA) ery started with a determined Markram and Elgar put on Wellington, with the tourists' along the way," Morgan said AUSTRALIA (1st innings): 351 3-1-10-1 partnership for the fifth wicket 29 for the first wicket before captain on Sunday acknowl- Sunday as the teams prepared AIDEN Markram led a stirring SOUTH AFRICA (1st innings): 162 SOUTH AFRICA (2nd innings): with De Bruyn, who made a Elgar edged a sharply lifting edging the lucky turn. to move to Dunedin for game AUSTRALIA (2nd innings, overnight 213-9): A. Markram c Paine b M. Marsh 143 South African fightback but C. Bancroft st De Kock b Maharaj 53 D. Elgar c Paine b Starc 9 stylish 36 before he was caught delivery from Starc to wicket- Mitchell Santner was in a four on Wednesday. "Woakesy could not prevent Australia D. Warner c sub (Mulder) b Rabada 28 H. Amla lbw b Hazlewood 8 behind off Josh Hazlewood. It keeper Tim Paine to be out for potentially match-winning part- was trying to catch the ball and from closing in on victory on U. Khawaja c De Kock b Maharaj 6 A. de Villiers run out (Warner) 0 was the only wicket to fall be- nine. nership with Kane Williamson it's a really unlucky way to get the fourth day of the first Test S. Smith lbw b Elgar 38 F. du Plessis b Cummins 4 tween lunch and tea. Amla avoided a pair but when he was run out after the out. Obviously, a significant S. Marsh c De Villiers b Morkel 33 T. de Bruyn c Paine b Hazlewood 36 at Kingsmead on Sunday. M. Marsh c Amla b Rabada 6 Q. de Kock not out 81 Markram was joined by De only made eight before he was ball deflected on to the stumps moment in the game." Opening batsman T. Paine c De Villiers b Maharaj 14 V. Philander c Paine b Starc 6 Kock, whose form leading into leg before wicket to Hazle- from a dropped caught-and- But Morgan was certain Markram made 143 but South P. Cummins b Maharaj 26 K. Maharaj b Starc 0 the Test had been dismal. But wood. bowled chance. Santner had been legitimate- Africa were hanging on at 293 M. Starc c Elgar b Morkel 7 K. Rabada b Starc 0 the left-handed wicketkeeper South Africa then suffered England captain Eoin Mor- ly caught when he clipped a N. Lyon c Amla b Morkel 2 M. Morkel not out 0 for nine, still 124 runs short of J. Hazlewood not out 9 Extras (b2, lb3, nb1) 6 looked in good touch from the a hammer blow when De Vil- gan admitted the wicket was Moeen Ali ball to Roy at mid- a target of 417, when bad light Extras (lb5) 5 Total (9 wkts, 89 overs) 293 start and took the fight to the liers, their top scorer in the a match-turning fluke, but wicket in an incident similar to stopped play. Total (74.4 overs) 227 Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Elgar), 2-39 (Amla), 3-39 (De Australians. first innings, was run out for he was also adamant Santner a denied catch in a Twenty20 South Africa were in des- Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Warner), 2-71 (Khawaja), Villiers), 4-49 (Du Plessis), 5-136 (De Bruyn), 6-283 It was Markram's third nought. should have been given out 87 match against Australia in Ho- 3-108 (Bancroft), 4-146 (Smith), 5-156 (M. Marsh), (Markram), 7-290 (Philander), 8-290 (Maharaj), 9-290 perate trouble at 49 for four 6-175 (Paine), 7-185 (S. Marsh), 8-203 (Starc), (Rabada) Test century but easily his Markram turned a ball runs earlier when Jason Roy bart last month. but Markram shared stands of 9-209 (Lyon) Bowling: Starc 16-1-74-4 (1nb), Hazlewood 14-1-57- important innings. He made from off-spinner Nathan Lyon took a ground-level catch with With England going 2-1 up 87 with Theunis de Bruyn (36) Bowling: Morkel 15-4-47-3, Philander 14-4-35-0, 2, Lyon 32-7-86-0, Cummins 15-3-47-1, M. Marsh hundreds against Bangladesh behind square leg and did New Zealand already in dire in the series, Morgan was not and 147 with Quinton de Kock Maharaj 29.4-4-102-4, Rabada 13-6-28-2, Elgar 7-2-21-1, Smith 5-3-3-0. and Zimbabwe, two of cricket's not respond when De Villiers straits at 112 for six in reply to prepared to complain about (81 not out) which gave South lesser powers, earlier in the called him through for a run. England's 234. the process for ruling on dis- Africa hope that they could to tell Australian captain Ste- scheduled close. season. He showed good com- De Villiers had to turn and Countless replays proved puted catches. "It potentially pull off a miracle victory. ve Smith that play could only That South Africa would posure, a sound technique and tried to go back but could not inconclusive, and Santner was could have (cost us) if we His dismissal, though, continue if he used slow bowl- even entertain faint hopes of some elegant off side drives in beat David Warner's throw to given not out after the televi- didn't get that run out, but opened the door for Australia ers. De Kock and Morne Mor- victory seemed impossible a 218-ball innings which in- Lyon. sion umpire Rod Tucker could there's no other solution to it," to rip through the tail. Mitchell kel survived nine overs in ev- when their four most senior cluded 19 boundaries. Pat Cummins struck with not be certain the ball had not he said. Starc took three wickets in five er-deteriorating light against batsmen were dismissed with- The damage was done be- his third ball of the innings brushed the grass. "If the umpire's unsure he balls to have South Africa nine Smith and Nathan Lyon be- out reaching double figures. fore lunch when Dean Elgar, when he beat Du Plessis for Santner progressed from has every right to go upstairs down. fore the umpires took the play- But Markram, in only his Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers pace and flattened his off two to 41 and New Zealand and on TV it just doesn't look That caused the umpires ers off five minutes before the seventh Test, remained calm and captain Faf du Plessis all stump. were 199 for six with victory in out." New-look India eye T20 success in Lanka tri-series

rusingha told espncricinfo.com. Sri Lanka at home and Bangladesh likely to "What we can aspire to... is to try and get better every time we train, be tough nuts to crack every time we play, and try to do our best," the 49-year-old former all- AFP And 26-year-old left-arm seamer rounder said. COLOMBO Jaydev Unadkat, who has already Dinesh Chandimal will lead taken seven wickets in six T20 inter- Sri Lanka in the absence of Angelo INDIA'S rising talent will be put national appearances, made head- to the test in this week's tri-nation lines when he was bought for $1.8 India enjoyed one-day interna- Twenty20 series in Sri Lanka in the million by the Rajasthan Royals in tional and T20 series wins over absence of some established stars. January - the highest price paid for Rohit Sharma-led India enter the an Indian player. South Africa earlier this month, tournament against Sri Lanka and India enjoyed one-day inter- but face a resurgent Sri Lanka Bangladesh as favourites, but must national and T20 series wins over in their opener on Tuesday. cope without big-hitters Virat Kohli South Africa earlier this month, but and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. face a resurgent Sri Lanka in their Mathews who is recovering from a Selectors opted to rest the star opener on Tuesday. hamstring injury sustained in Bang- pair for the short-format series and "India has decided to rest their ladesh. instead experiment with fresh faces. star players after the arduous South The Tigers will be looking to in- Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Africa tour and this gives an oppor- terim coach and former West Indies Pant, who has just two T20 interna- tunity to some young players to show bowling great Courtney Walsh for tional appearances, and rookie pace- their mettle... and that they are ready some inspiration after dropping to man Mohammed Siraj, 23, are being for international cricket," former In- 10th in the T20 rankings. given the opportunity to gain inter- dia captain Sunil Gavaskar wrote in "If we can get consistent, we will national experience. the Times of India. be happy. It is going to be the biggest Pant, 20, recently smashed the Sri Lanka will face a home crowd challenge and it is something that second-fastest T20 century off 32 buoyed by their recent tour of Bang- India’s captain Rohit Sharma before a training session: Exciting opportunity to lead a young India side. (AFP) I will be stressing on a lot," said balls for Delhi against Himachal ladesh where they thrashed the hosts 55-year-old Walsh. Pradesh -- just two balls short of in all three formats. The upswing has been credited to desh through their most successful against his old charges. The T20 tri-series, timed to com- Chris Gayle's all-time quickest 100 The sweep ended a Sri Lanka new coach Chandika Hathurusingha, period in his three years in charge "We can definitely go and com- memorate Sri Lanka's 70 years since off 30 balls in the 2013 Indian Pre- slump which saw them win just 14 of who was appointed in December. before returning home to lead a pete with bigger teams, but in cricket independence, begins on Tuesday mier League (IPL). 57 matches in 2017. Hathurusingha coached Bangla- beleaguered Sri Lanka to victory you can't guarantee results," Hathu- and runs until March 18 in Colombo. Sports Monday, March 5, 2018 25 In race to recuperate before World Cup Fiorentina Neymar leaves hospital captain Astori dies ahead of after successful surgery league game French newspaper L’Equipe claimed that the national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmer may have All Serie A football matches exaggerated the damage to the foot of the world’s most expensive player postponed after Astori’s death DPA his contract until 2022. AFP prised from Barcelona for a ROME He played 14 times for BELO HORIZONTE world record 222 million eu- the Italian national team, ros ($264 million) to help the FIORENTINA captain Da- making his last appearance BRAZILIAN superstar Ney- Qatari-owned Parisians win a vide Astori died in the night against Israel in September. mar left hospital by helicop- first Champions League title. ahead of his side’s Sunday The Lega Serie A was ter on Sunday, a day after And while Brazil scored game at Udinese, the Flor- called off and is to set a new a successful foot operation, a self-interest victory in en- ence club said. date for the seven games of to begin his recovery ahead suring Neymar underwent Cardiac arrest appeared the Sunday programme. of a possible World Cup re- an immediate operation that to be the possible cause of the “There are some hypoth- turn. PSG initially seemed reluc- death of the 31-year-old de- esis about a new date for the The 26-year-old Paris tant to sanction, the French fender, who was playing his [postponed] games,” said Saint-Germain forward club are keen to regain some third season with La Viola. Giovanni Malago, the presi- went to the airport in Belo control over their player’s re- “The dent of Horizonte by helicopter, covery. idea is that the Italian from where he was expect- Brazilian surgeon Rod- the foot- Olympic ed to head on a private jet rigo Lasmar performed the baller died commit- to his luxury villa at the operation, accompanied by of a cardiac tee, who Mangaratiba beach resort Saillant, who previously op- arrest due holds the around 100km from Rio de to natural interim Janeiro. causes,” the presiden- According to Brazilian Close Udine pub- cy of the website Uol, Neymar’s en- lic prosecu- Lega. tourage have already pre- monitoring tor Antonio “I will pared his recovery “head- De Nicolo discuss it quarters” at his villa, which O His recovery will be moni- was quoted with the includes a gymnasium and a tored by Brazil and PSG as saying. clubs. It machine capable of produc- physiotherapist Rafael “It is could be ing 300kg of ice a day, simi- Martini, who has been strange that possible to lar to those used by modern working alongside Neymar this hap- play them football clubs. since he started his career pened to after the His recovery will be at Santos in Sao Paulo. a profes- [sched- monitored by Brazil and PSG sional who uled] end physiotherapist Rafael Mar- was closely of the sea- tini, who has been working Return by monitored, Italy’s defender Davide Astori son [on alongside Neymar since he and without May 20] started his career at Santos May 1 or 2 ? warning signals.” as Italy are not playing the in Sao Paulo. Astori’s teammates re- World Cup [beginning in The whole of Brazil is O If PSG beat Real and portedly found the captain Russia on June 14].” holding its breath while wait- then make it through the in the room of the hotel La Three Serie B games were ing to see if their star player, quarter-finals too, he might di Moret in Udine after he also called off and a minute who captained the country to even be able to play in the did not show up for break- of silence will be observed Olympic gold on home turf in Champions League fast. Fiorentina had arrived before games in the other 2016, would be fit to play in semi-final second leg on Saturday in Italy’s north-east lower divisions. Russia. May 1 or 2. town. “There are not many But while Brazil frets Astori, who was born in words to say, but I feel close over his potential World Cup San Giovanni Bianco, a vil- to the family, the team-mates availability, PSG are keen to lage near Bergamo, is sur- and all those who met Dav- get Neymar back playing be- erated on ex-Brazil star Ro- vived by his partner and a ide in these years,” Damiano fore the end of the season, al- naldo’s injured knee. two-year-old daughter. Tommasi, the president of though he will miss Tuesday’s “The recovery time will He made his debut in the the Italian footballers asso- crunch Champions League depend on the player’s evo- Serie A with Cagliari in Sep- ciation, told Radio 1. last 16 second leg at home to lution. In six weeks we will tember 2008. After six sea- “Today there were not Real Madrid. make a new evaluation,” Las- sons with the Sardinia side the conditions to play. There Both Brazil and PSG Brazil and PSG star Neymar prepares to board a plane at Pampulha airport in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on mar said on Saturday. he played one year at Roma maybe be organizational hailed a successful operation Sunday. (REUTERS) Saillant, meanwhile, de- and moved to Florence in problems (but) that will be on Saturday on the fractured nied there was any conflict 2014. He recently renewed easy to overcome.” fifth metatarsal in Neymar’s between the Brazilian foot- right foot. ball federation and PSG over The world’s most ex- their separate interests. pensive player will not start That was a reference to training for at least another an article in French newspa- six weeks, the French doctor per l’Equipe, which claimed representing PSG at the Belo that Lasmar had lied over the Horizonte hospital, Gerard nature of the fracture to force Saillant, told journalists on Neymar to undergo surgery. Saturday. PSG had been hoping the Should his recovery go forward would regain full fit- well, Neymar could even be ness much sooner from what back in club action in May. they considered a hairline If PSG beat Real and then fracture, whereas Brazil were make it through the quarter- keen to have him operated finals too, he might even be on to ensure he could recover able to play in the Champions and be fully fit by June. League semi-final second leg Lasmar said he would on May 1 or 2, or if not then need two to three months perhaps the May 26 final in of recovery while PSG had Kiev, Ukraine -- should the hoped he be out for only six French outfit get that far. to eight weeks. With PSG boasting a Cocooned away in his 14-point lead at the top of homeland, Neymar appears Ligue 1, they can afford to to be ensuring Brazil contin- Italy’s Olympic Committee chief Giovanni Malago and FIGC commis- do without Neymar for do- Soccer star Neymar boards a plane at Pampulha airport in Belo Horizonte in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on ue to hold the upper hand in sioner Roberto Fabbricini observe a minute of silence, during a news mestic duties, but he was Sunday. (REUTERS) their arm-wrestle with PSG. conference in Rome, on Sunday. (REUTERS) Cologne face relegation Roma smash Napoli to end 10-win streak after loss to Stuttgart tenham. Dzeko is the first player to score at Dybala, left out of the Argen- DPA the match. tine squad this week, shrugged BERLIN Andreas Beck extended least 50 goals in three of Europe’s off his rustiness by pouncing in Stuttgart’s lead on 57 min- major leagues -- Serie A, Bundesliga the third minute of injury time. STUTTGART came from a utes before Milos Jojic gave Lazio, now down in fourth goal down in Cologne to win Cologne a lifeline with a well- and the Premier League spot in the table, a point back 3-2 and leave the hosts rooted taken free-kick three min- from Roma, had already defeat- to the bottom of the Bundes- utes from time. But the hosts AFP “We had 27 shots so we are ed Juventus twice this season in liga table with just nine games couldn’t find another and it ROME just trying to figure out how the Italian Super Cup and Serie left to play. finished 3-2. Roma scored so easily. We are A. The evergreen Claudio The result means that NAPOLI’S 10-match winning sorry for our great crowd but They looked to be hanging Pizarro put Cologne 1-0 up Stuttgart coach Tayfun Ko- streak in Serie A came to an the tifosi know that we always on for a point until Dybala, out after just seven minutes as rkut remains unbeaten since end on Saturday when they give our maximum.” for a month with a thigh injury, they swarmed all over the taking over at the end of Janu- slumped to a shock 4-2 home When Lorenzo Insigne gave scored a memorable goal when visitors. Yuya Osako thought ary, with 13 points from five defeat to AS Roma as the lead- Napoli the lead from close range he held off a Marco Parolo chal- he’d made it 2-0 but the goal games. ers suffered just their second after six minutes it seemed the lenge before driving the ball was chalked off by the video Cologne, meanwhile, look league loss this season. evening would be straightfor- past Thomas Strakosha in the assistant referee for a foul on hopelessly adrift at the foot of The result kept Napoli on ward. (From left) Roma’s Kevin Strootman, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Lazio goal. Stuttgart keeper Ron-Robert the table, eight points behind top of the table but their lead is But Turkey’s Cengiz Under Dzeko celebrate during a Serie A match in Naples on Sunday. Juventus will now travel to Zieler. Mainz with time running out. now just one point after Juven- levelled just a minute later with (REUTERS) London for the second leg of But a double in first- A win away at struggling Wer- tus earlier defeated Lazio cour- a deflected shot. their Champions League last-16 half injury time from Mario der Bremen next week is now tesy of an injury-time strike That set the stage for Edin player to score at least 50 goals on but the three points allowed clash after a 2-2 draw in Turin Gomez - the second courtesy a must. from Paulo Dybala. Dzeko to carve out a little bit of in three of Europe’s major Roma to move into third place in February. of a howler from Cologne goal- “We won’t give up,” coach Juventus, crucially, also personal history. leagues -- Italy’s Serie A, the in the table, albeit 16 points be- “I didn’t know if I was keeper Timo Horn - somehow Stefan Ruthenbeck said. have a game in hand -- at home He made it 2-1 in the 26th German Bundesliga and the hind the pacesetters. meant to play 90 minutes, as it sent a lacklustre Stuttgart in “Against Bremen, we’ll once against Atalanta in 10 days’ minute with a header from an Premier League in England. Argentina striker Dybala was my first start and we have at the break a goal to the good. again show that we’re a team time. “There were a lot of posi- Alessandro Florenzi cross be- Diego Perotti made it 4-1 ten marked his comeback after a a big game on Wednesday,” Dy- Gomez struck a tame effort that plays on the front foot.” tives in this game,” insisted fore he curled in a terrific left- minutes from time after pounc- month on the sidelines by scor- bala told Sky Sports Italia. from the right-hand corner of In Sunday’s late game, Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri foot strike from the edge of the ing on a lazy clearance from on- ing a last-gasp winner in Juve’s “I felt good and got the goal. the penalty area that trickled champions-elect Bayern Mu- whose only other league loss area in the 79th minute for 3-1. loan Roma left-back Mario Rui. 1-0 victory at Lazio in a per- But we must improve our tech- over Horn and into the net. nich attempt to extend their this season had been at home to That goal allowed the Bos- Dries Mertens pulled one fect boost ahead of next week’s nique in London and come out “It’s a ball the keeper has lead at the top to 20 points Juventus in December. nian striker to become the first back for Napoli in time added- Champions League clash at Tot- stronger in the first half.” to save,” Horn told Sky after with victory at Freiburg. 24 Monday, March 5 , 2018 Sports Curling free kick Sneijder retires from Holland and could join Koeman’s staff The Gharafa captain had 133 caps for his country in 14 years

AFP after training with his Al DOHA Gharafa side as they prepared for an AFC Champions League DUTCH midfielder Wesley game on Tuesday. Sneijder on Sunday called Holland surprisingly failed time on his glittering interna- to qualify for this year’s World tional football career and said Cup in Russia and Koeman, he is likely to join Ronald Koe- sacked by English Premier man’s national team coaching League side Everton earlier staff. this season, has been tasked Sneijder made his deci- with dragging the team back sion to retire -- after 14 years to top level of international and a record 133 caps for his football. country -- following a visit to Qatar, where the midfielder now plays, by Koeman this weekend. Alongside Arjen Robben, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi scores his goal from a free kick during a Spanish league match at Camp Nou Satdium in Barcelona on Sunday. (REUTERS) Robin van Persie and Mark van Bommel, Sneijder pro- pelled the Netherlands to the Time up 2010 World Cup final where “There’s always a time that an extra-time goal from An- you have to leave and the time Messi’s 600th career goal dres Iniesta saw Spain win the has come to give the chance title. to the new generation to new But although he is bring- ing down the curtain on his talents to show their qualities. playing career, it is unlikely to Enough is enough. I am 33. be his last involvement with This summer I will be 34. The helps Barca edge Atletico international football, he told next World Cup I will be 38, AFP. it’s nonsense, you know?” “I had 15 amazing years in The Argentine’s brilliance ensure Barcelona go eight points clear at the top of La Liga the national team of Holland,” he said. “I understand that Koe- “There’s always a time that man wants a fresh start with AFP The rest of the half was a you have to leave and the time younger players. We spoke BARCELONA picture of Barca dominance, has come to give the chance to openly about it and I respect interrupted only by the in- the new generation to new tal- his decision,” said Sneijder. BARCELONA have one hand jured Iniesta being replaced ents to show their qualities.” He played at three Euro- on the La Liga title after Lionel by Andre Gomes and a hand- He added: “Enough is pean championships and three Messi’s sensational free-kick ful of minor skirmishes, the enough. I am 33. This summer World Cups in the orange shirt. earned them a deserved 1-0 most noteworthy of which saw I will be 34. The next World In club football he starred victory over Atletico Madrid Messi hack down Filipe Luis Cup I will be 38, it’s nonsense, for Ajax, Real Madrid and on Sunday. and earn a yellow card. you know?” above all Inter Milan, with Atletico arrived at the Atletico’s demise was He then revealed he had whom he won a Serie A, Italian Camp Nou on the back of eight summed up by Luis tripping spoken to Koeman, only ap- Cup and Champions League consecutive wins but Barca over his own feet during a rare pointed national manager last treble in 2010. He also won halted the surge and instead attack down the left but half- month, about a coaching role league titles in his homeland restored their own lead at the time helped the visitors, who with the team. and in Spain and Turkey. top to eight points, with 11 were more competitive after “Maybe, I will be close to Sneijder also revealed that games left to play. the break. the team. But we are going to he wants to win a 134th cap to Messi proved the differ- Luis Suarez thought he talk about this in the next few say goodbye to the Dutch fans, ence again, his bending first- had scored a second after half- weeks. “We have a very good but wants to do that in Amster- half strike worthy of winning volleying through Oblak’s legs relationship and we talk about dam. any contest and taking his own but was flagged offside, before all the things. “I want to play the game career tally to an astonishing Jose Gimenez applied a crucial “The feeling was very good, in the Amsterdam Arena, of 600 goals, 539 for Barca and block to deflect a Messi shot so probably I will stay close to course, and the next game 61 for Argentina. over. the team.” planned is in the PSV (Eind- The only blot on a domi- There was one nervy mo- He was speaking in Doha hoven) stadium.” nant Barcelona performance ment for the hosts five min- was an injury to Andres Inies- utes from time as Diego Costa ta, who had to be substituted headed down for Kevin Ga- after 34 minutes with what the meiro to slam home. Costa, club confirmed was a strain in however, had strayed offside the back of his thigh. and Barca held on for what Iniesta now has 10 days will surely prove a crucial to recover before next week’s three points. Champions League second leg against Chelsea. The build-up to this con- Results test, labelled ‘the Grand Fi- nal’ by sections of the Spanish Levante 1 Espanyol 1 press, was driven by talk of a Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 0 Barcelona dip following three Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his goal against Atletico Madrid in Barcelona on Sunday. (REUTERS) draws in five league games, Played Saturday with the in-form Atletico Griezmann, meanwhile, who Even Messi hit the wall Oblak. Villarreal 0 Girona 2 primed to move within two came in with seven goals in with a poor free-kick and For all Atletico’s discipline points of their rivals. two games, was largely anony- then sent a cross-field switch and defensive rigour, one mis- Sevilla 2 Athletic Bilbao 0 But Diego Simeone’s strat- mous. straight into the advertising take in the 26th minute was Deportivo 1) Eibar 1 egy of absorb and counter Ernesto Valverde made a boards. all it needed. Thomas Partey Leganes 2 Malaga 0 failed to pay off here and, in statement of attacking intent The Argentinian shook his clipped the back of Messi’s Real Madrid 3 Getafe 1 the end, the visitors might eas- by plumping for the more cre- head but soon recovered, mo- foot 25 yards out and the for- ily have been beaten by a more ative Philippe Countinho over ments later escaping a cage of ward whipped the free-kick emphatic scoreline. Paulinho but his team took a four Atletico defenders before beyond the scrambling Oblak Monday Al Gharafa captain Wesley Sneijder attends a training session on the Atletico striker Antoine while to find their rhythm. driving a shot straight at Jan and into the top corner. Celta Vigo v Las Palmas eve of their AFC Champions League match in Doha on Sunday. (AFP) Man City beat Chelsea to go 18 points clear Conte fires back at ‘anti- football’ criticism of tactics equalizing when his shot was Woeful Arsenal lose at Brighton well saved by Mat Ryan but REUTERS ing little ambition or attempt Arsenal could not force their MANCHESTER to press or counter-attack in DPA team like Chelsea, who are still way through as Brighton hung numbers. LONDON the champions, and beat them on to go 10th. CHELSEA manager Antonio Sky television pundit Jamie in the way we did today, that is Beaten 3-0 by Manchester Conte defended his negative Redknapp, the former Liver- MANCHESTER City marched why it is so good.” City in the League Cup final approach to Sunday’s 1-0 Pre- pool and England midfielder, closer to securing the Eng- Chelsea tried to stifle the last Sunday and again by the mier League defeat by Man- was scathing in his assessment lish Premier League title with City attack and did so in the same scoreline in the league chester City, saying to play open of Conte’s tactics. weeks to spare as they beat first half but a mistake by when the two sides met four football against Pep Guardiola’s “Today that was such a fifth-placed visitors Chelsea Andreas Christensen allowed days later, Arsenal look short side was to risk heavy defeat. hard watch, that was anti-foot- 1-0 on Sunday to extend their David Silva to cross for Ber- on belief. The former Juventus and ball. That was a crime against lead to 18 points. nardo Silva to score at the far “We were passive, strug- Italy manager said Arsenal’s football what they did today. I Bernardo Silva scored the post. gling for confidence and two 3-0 defeats by City last really felt that so strongly.” only goal one minute into the Earlier on Sunday, Arse- heavy-legged but respond- week, in the League Cup final Conte fired back at Red- second half as Pep Guardiola’s nal manager Arsene Wenger ed well in the second-half,” and a Premier League game at knapp’s comments. side dented Chelsea’s hopes of admitted his side have almost Wenger said. the Emirates, showed what can “The pundit has to use the a top-four finish. no chance of finishing in the “It is difficult to recover happen if teams play too openly head to understand when you With nine games to go, City top four of the Premier League from what happened to us last against City. speak about tactics because I lead Liverpool by 18 points after they were beaten 2-1 at week - we are going through a “I am not so stupid to play think you must have knowl- and need just 12 points to be Brighton & Hove Albion. Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring a goal with team tough time.” against Manchester City open edge to speak about tactics and sure of the title, while Chelsea The defeat - with Lewis mates during a Premier League match in Manchester on Sunday. For Brighton, the win was and to lose 3-0 or 4-0,” Conte not only to speak in a stupid stay fifth, five points behind Dunk and Glenn Murray scor- (REUTERS) another vital three points in told reporters. way,” he said. fourth-placed Tottenham. ing the goals for the home side their battle for survival and “If I remember well, two The Italian suggested that “It was so important, a win - was Arsenal’s fourth straight behind,” Wenger admitted. utes as Dunk and then Murray they now sit seven points days ago, Arsenal played twice any other approach could have today is another step closer,” loss, their worst run since “We need two teams to col- put them in control. above the relegation zone. against them and then you crit- led to a damaging loss. Guardiola said. 2002. lapse, not one. But at the mo- Pierre-Emerick Aubam- “The fact we got the two icise a lot Wenger because they “We tried to have patience. “We need four victories The result left Arsenal ment we have different wor- eyang pulled one back for Ar- goals early gave us that buffer concede three goals in only 30 When you are 1-0 down you to be champions. It is in our sixth, 13 points behind the top ries in how to come back to senal just before half-time and that we could hang onto but minutes.” can always have the possibility hands and, if our behaviour is four with just nine games to winning a game.” the visitors did respond in the over the 90 minutes I felt we Chelsea played winger to score. When you concede the like today, we will be champi- go. Toothless in attack and second half, dominating pos- were very worthy winners,” Eden Hazard as a lone striker space to Manchester City there ons. “It is very difficult, nearly clueless in midfield, Arsenal session. Brighton manager Chris and operated a deep midfield is the risk for the game to finish “[To play] against a strong impossible now, we are too far were 2-0 down within 26 min- Mesut Oezil went closest to Hughton said. in front of their backline, show- 3 or 4-0,” he said. Sports Monday, March 5, 2018 23

Wilder improves to 40-0 with 10th round TKO of Wie to go! unbeaten Ortiz AFP LOS ANGELES Last hole birdie gives AMERICAN Deontay Wilder recovered from a seventh- round scare to retain his World Boxing Council heavyweight ti- Michelle Wie of the US gives a fist bump to her caddy after tle on Saturday and keep intact winning the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore his record of knocking out every on Sunday. (AFP) American Singapore title opponent he has faced. Wilder knocked down Cu- ba’s Luis Ortiz three times in AFP/REUTERS win was the US Open in 2014. “It’s been makes you practise. It’s that winning the fight, finishing off the previ- SINGAPORE a tough journey but I’m just really proud putt that makes you practise for hours ously unbeaten challenger with that I pulled myself out of it.” and hours and hours, and even the hard a right uppercut as the referee AMERICAN Michelle Wie deliv- “Winning is everything. I mean, there times, it gets you going back. stopped the fight with 55 sec- ered when it mattered most Sun- is no better feeling than when you sink “You know that good feeling is on the onds left in the 10th round. day, draining a 40-foot putt for a that winning putt. It’s a high, for sure,” other side. It’s just everything. Winning’s “I figured out a way to come birdie on the last hole to claim a Wie, dressed in bright pink and with everything.” back. A true champion always dramatic one-stroke victory at the dyed-blonde locks, told reporters after There had been chances on the last finds way. That’s what I did to- HSBC Women’s World Champi- signing for a seven-under 65 to complete for both Nelly Korda, 19, and Danielle night,” Wilder said. onship. a one-stroke victory on 17-under for the Kang, 25, to force a play-off with Wie. The 32-year-old Wilder im- All day long it had seemed as tournament. Kang went wide to end the day with a proved to 40-0 with 39 knock- though a moment of magic was “You go out there, and it’s this feeling two-under 70. outs as he made the seventh needed to lift the trophy, with so that gets you going. It’s this feeling that Korda’s gettable knock took a bend to defence of his heavyweight title. many players within sight of the the right and into misery and a one-un- Wilder knocked Ortiz down lead at the Sentosa Golf Club. der 71 for the rising star, who had looked in the fifth and twice in the final But Wie’s 11th-hour birdie so unflappable all week long. round but Ortiz made him work helped her break free from a pack Canadian Brooke Henderson then for the victory at Barclays Cent- of four players that included a birdied the last for a 67 and a share of er arena in New York. Wilder heartbroken Jenny Shin of South second on 16 under 272 with the pair. barely survived the seventh af- Korea, who had led coming into Korda was consoled by sister and ter Ortiz surprised him with a the last before bogeying. fellow LPGA star Jessica as she left the right hook and left hand combi- The 25-year-old Shin had course. “It definitely hurts, but that’s nation and followed it up with a one shot to spare from Amer- golf,” said Korda. barrage of his own. icans Wie, Nelly Korda and Wie had been pecking away at the “He hit me with flurry of Danielle Kang until fluffing two players who had led the event for punches but it wasn’t hard,” her lines. most of the day, and neither Korda nor Wilder said of Ortiz. “He She found the sand, and Kang were ever able to break free from knocked me off balance. I just then a bogey five for a seven- each other or from the field. had to get my fundamentals under 65 that left the door open The two Americans were then over- back and I did.” for Wie. taken by the surging Shin, who claimed This was the first career ti- With the victory, Wie the lead outright with a birdie four on tle fight and first loss for the claimed her fifth career LPGA the 16th after never really attracting stout Ortiz who weighed in at title with a final-round seven- notice until the business end of the 241 pounds, almost 30 pounds under 65, for a closing score of tournament. heavier than the taller and lean- 17-under par 271. The trophy looked to be her’s for er 6-foot-7 Wilder. “That has to be the best the taking until that final hole. Wilder has been trying un- putt of my career,” said an “The nerves that I got on 18, successfully to get a unification elated Wie, whose last I think any human being would fight with two-belt titleholder experience it,” she said. Anthony Joshua and now hopes Benign conditions, apart this win is a stepping stone to from the heat, had helped en- more heavyweight hardware. sure a series of low scores. But with no date set to fight The tournament and course England’s Joshua, Wilder had record was broken by South to face the dangerous counter- Korean Kim Sei Young, punching Ortiz (28-1). whose 10 under 62 topped Wilder hopes to next fight the mark of 64 set by South the winner of a Joshua-Joseph That has to be the best putt of my Korean Park Inbee last year. Parker unification title fight on career. It’s been a tough journey but I’m Former world number one March 31 in Cardiff, Wales. just really proud that I pulled myself out Lydia Ko of New Zealand was Together they are all part of another to charge up the lea- a crop of new fighters who are of it. Winning is everything. I mean, there is no derboard early, opening with trying to bring the heavyweight better feeling than when you sink that winning putt. four straight birdies. But she division back into the boxing It’s a high, for sure. found she had left her run too spotlight. late as her five-under 67 left her “I am ready right now. I Michelle Wie at 12-under and tied for 10th. want to unify. I am ready when- ever those guys are,” Wilder said.

Harden helps Rockets beat Streaking rookie Boston for 15th straight win Sharma hangs onto WGC Mexico lead AFP Houston’s Gordon made LOS ANGELES one of two free throws to make AFP it 123-120 with 2.3 seconds re- MEXICO CITY JAMES Harden scored 26 maining. I don’t really want to think points and Eric Gordon scored Boston tried to answer but INDIA’S Shubhankar Shar- 29 off the bench as the Houston Marcus Smart’s three-point ma survived some shaky mo- about it (making history). Rockets stretched their win- heave bounced off the rim at ments to maintain his two- History may be? That would put too much ning streak to a season-high 15 the buzzer to give Houston the shot lead at the WGC Mexico pressure on me. I just want games with a 123-120 win over victory. Championship after the third With a win in the final round, Sharma would become the to go ahead and enjoy the Boston Celtics. “He almost made a lucky round on Saturday. myself. Tomorrow will be a Houston’s winning streak shot,” Harden said of Smart’s Sharma, the 21-year-old youngest player to win a WGC ties the second-longest in desperate attempt. “That’s a Asian Tour Order of Merit event, eclipsing the mark of lot of fun with a lot of good franchise history which was very good team over there. We leader whose European Tour Patrick Reed who won the players in the mix. achieved two times during the just wanted to compete at a high wins this season at Johan- 2014 WGC Mexico Shubhankar Sharma Hakeem Olajuwon-era in the level. nesburg and the Maybank Championship at 23 years 1990s. “Early on in the game they Championship have pro- old. “We’re on a wave right now. were hot, they made so many pelled him to number 75 in We’ve got 20 games left we’ve threes. We just had to compete, the world, is making his first got to take it one at a time and keep fighting for four quarters start in an elite World Golf back from a bogey at the Results try to have fun with it,” said and we got a win.” Championships event. eighth with a birdie at 11, but 200 - Shubhankar Sharma Harden after Saturday’s victory. Harden said the their atten- He’s vying to break into surrendered a shot at 13. (IND) 65-66-69 The Rockets best run of suc- tion to defence was the differ- the top 50 in time to earn a He rolled in a 16-foot 202 - Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) cess all-time was a 22-game win ence maker. Masters berth. With a win birdie putt at 14 to reclaim streak during the 2007-08 NBA “In the first half they were on Sunday he would become sole possession of the lead, 70-68-64, Phil Mickelson season. getting a lot of easy looks, they the youngest player to win and he was two clear even af- 69-68-65, Sergio Garcia (ESP) It’s their second long win- made us scramble defensively. a WGC event, eclipsing the ter his bogey at 16. 68-65-69, Rafa Cabrera Bello ning streak of this season after The second half we picked it up mark of Patrick Reed who He closed with a tremen- (ESP) 66-67-69 Houston won 14 in a row begin- a little more,” he said. won the 2014 WGC Mexico dous par save at the last, 203 - Pat Perez 68-67-68, ning in November and stretch- Elsewhere, Gary Harris Championship at 23 years calmly rolling in a 15-foot ing into December. scored 32 points, Will Barton old. putt to maintain his cushion Dustin Johnson 69-66-68, Marcus Morris had 21 added 23 and the Denver Nug- “I don’t really want to as he tries to become the first Brian Harman 68-67-68, points off the bench for the vis- gets did most of their damage think about it,” Sharma said. player since Jim Benepe at Xander Schauffele 65-68-70 iting Celtics, who had won four behind the three-point line in a “That would put too much the 1988 Western Open to 204 - Justin Thomas 72-70-62 consecutive games since the all- 126-117 win over LeBron James pressure on me. I just want win a first US PGA Tour title 206 - Tony Finau 68-70-68, star break. and the Cleveland Cavaliers. to go ahead and enjoy myself. in his tour debut. “Tomorrow will be a lot of “I got off to a great start,” Marc Leishman (AUS) 69-68- fun with a lot of good players Sharma said. “Made a few 69, Charley Hoffman 70-66- in the mix.” mistakes coming in, but I’ve 70, Jordan Spieth 70-67-69, Sharma hit 11 of 14 fair- done a fairly good job of the Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) ways - his highest total of the distances and the yardages.” 66-69-71, Brendan Steele week - and 10 of 18 greens in Sharma will tee off on regulation during his third Sunday alongside Hatton and 69-66-71 round. Mickelson. Hatton carded a 207 - Kevin Kisner 70-71-66, He had five birdies and 64 to join the group sharing Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 70-68- three bogeys in his two-un- second while the 43-year-old 69, Bubba Watson 69-66-72, der par 69 at Club de Golf Mickelson posted a bogey- Kyle Stanley 71-65-71 Chapultepec near Mexico free 65. City, where his 13-under par Mickelson, chasing his 208 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) total of 200 put him two first title wince the 2013 Brit- clear of five-time major win- Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma, plays his shot at green one, during ish Open, arrived in Mexico Mickelson said he ner Phil Mickelson, reigning the third round of the World Golf Championship in Mexico City on buoyed by three straight top- wouldn’t get too concerned Masters champion Sergio Saturday. (AFP) 10 finishes. about whether that translates Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton and “It’s been a long time to a victory on Sunday. Rafa Cabrera Bello. 203 that also included 2017 Sharma, leading by two to since my game’s been back to “If it doesn’t, it’s going Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) drives to the basket while World number one and US PGA Tour rookie of the start the day, made a quick this point,” he said. “I’m back to happen soon because I’m Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart defends during the third quarter of an defending champion Dustin year Xander Schauffele, Pat start with three birdies in his playing some of my best golf playing too well for it not to,” NBA game at Toyota Center in Hosuton on Saturday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) Johnson headed a group on Perez and Brian Harman. first six holes. He bounced again.” he said. Monday, March 5, 2018

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OU would be forgiven if you defined a mentalist as a magician who tricks the mind. That was D.C$@H)*KK342 my perception too, and having watched many magic shows in Fperson and on TV, I felt anyone with sharp observation skills can figure out how an illusionist ‘works’ his ‘magic’. So it was with scepticism that I prepared myself to meet Nipin Niravath, a famed Indian mentalist, who was in Qatar for a psychological enter- 0#K0)30410 tainment and motivational talk ‘Connect- ing Dots’ organised by CADD Arabia at the Hilton, Doha. At first glance, he came across as a regular person in comfortable clothes and a flat cap, no sign of a cape or top hat any- where. One of the first questions I asked him was what is mentalism? Instead of an- swering me straight, he asked my permis- sion to do a small demonstration. Giving me a calculator, he asked me to compute a few numbers of my choice, which also included my date of birth. Another guest present was also asked to input his choice of numbers into the calculation and I ended up with a 12-digit number. Niravath then casually asked me to pick up his Qatar Airways boarding pass lying on the table behind, on which he had flown into Doha the previous day. To my total shock and disbelief, I realised that the number on the calculator, which I obtained after doing many calcula- tions, was the same as the digital number of the boarding pass. “That,” he said with a flourish, “is Nipin Niravath, a popular Indian mentalist, at one of his shows. mentalism.” *%0)('*)" *4HC"Y C)1LY  

“It is all about the wow factor, what you are feeling right now. This is the highlight of my shows. When people see such shows on TV, they feel it is fake or pre-planned. But when they see it live, it always ends up astonishing them, render- ing them so speechless at times that they even forget to clap, just look on in won- der,” said Niravath. I could totally relate to the feeling of wonder as with just that one trick he had me completely mesmerised, and like a child, I was looking forward to more. He went on to showcase his abilities with a few more tricks, each more delightful and unbelievable than the last. “Mentalism is a mixture of mind- reading, influence, suggestion, hypnosis, body-language analysis and understanding micro-expressions. But the main thing is to create a wow-factor and entertain the With his shows, Nipin Niravath aims to wow the audience and entertain them using his amazing mentalist abilities. audience. Showmanship is a very impor- tant part of the success of a show. It is not started performing. enough just to be able to perform mind- He says that while entertainment is reading tricks, but you must also give a his focus, he has also found practical uses performance that thoroughly entertains to mentalism: one of them being to fight the audience,” explained Niravath. crime. His mentalism abilities have been But is it really possible to read some- utilised multiple times by the Kochi police one’s mind? department, where he is based, to help “Maybe not exactly reading the mind, question suspects. but I can definitely fool or influence an- Niravath’s abilities came to the fore other person’s mind. I can influence your and he rose to fame due to his appearance subconscious mind to act in a way that is of in a television show in India’s Mazhavil my choosing.” Manorama TV Channel. He was a guest on He explained his statement with a numerous episodes of ‘Ugram Ujjwalam’, simple misdirection trick where he asked a very popular show of the channel. Now, me to choose a number from one to 10, he hosts a show titled ‘Vismayam – The and while asking me to do it, very subtly he Mentalist Show’ on Kairali TV, an instant used his fingers to influence me to choose hit and which has made Niravath a house- the number that he wanted. The indication hold name in South India. was very subtle and unless he had pointed Niravath at the ‘Connecting Dots’ show in Qatar organised by CADD Arabia. He is also known for his motiva- it out to me, I would never have noticed. tional talks and he frequently conducts “It is purely psychological, a science training workshops on leadership, and an art,” he said. But he is quick to personality development, entrepreneur- point out that he is not a psychologist ship, public speaking, business and life and neither has he learned the particu- skills in India and abroad. He is the lar science. founder of ‘Fortis Mente’, a specialised “I’m not a person who does therapy, training programmme to achieve suc- even though psychology is a huge part cess in business and life. of what I do. My job is to create amazing “I feel a person needs to get recharged things and astound people. Even adver- every once in a while, to regain his energy tising or marketing uses psychological and to refocus on aims and life goals. analysis to predict market reactions There are many things in our minds. and influence behaviour. It happens in Many times our emotions are suppressed everyday life to everyone. and that is a pain and torture. It needs to “Body language is also one of the be taken out. My motivational training is key elements of what I do. Everyone focused on rejuvenating a person, return- ing his self-confidence and realigning him Niravath has performed in various countries around the world. with his life-goals.” But what are his life-goals? has some mannerism or the other that And because of that I would say a mother “Everyday is a new experience. I have a they themselves are not aware of and is the best mentalist in the world. A mother lot of new projects coming up, many shows which might be a common indication can aptly predict a child’s reactions to any around the world. I just want to be some- of their thoughts. What I do is observe given event and can detect even the small- one loved by everyone.” these movements and try to guess what est movement the child makes. This is it means, and if I can guess it correctly, because she is always watching the child For more information, visit www. then I can influence the person’s mind to and observing his behaviour and reac- nipinniravath.com. get the answer that I want.” tions,” he said. He punctuates this by asking me why Niravath said he got into this profes- I’m tapping my finger. Is it because I’m still sion because he wanted to do something sceptical? It unnerves me as I realise that extraordinary as he feels normal is bor- while I’m trying to understand him, he is ing. He learned mentalism at a work- busy studying me. shop in Florida after which he practised “It all comes down to observation skills. the craft for five-six years before he  *4HC"Y C)1LY  *++&43'"

Reports by Santhosh j#KC'(K*)'% Chandran For events and press releases, email [email protected] or call (974) 44422077

THREE-DAY sports festi- val - ‘Expats SportEv 2018’ organised by Indian expatri- ate organisation Cultural k1*41,&H0( Forum concluded at Hamad DAquatic Centre at Aspire Zone and Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha, recently. Sports Association Kerala (SAK- Qatar) won the overall championship, while Youth Forum bagged the first runners-up position and Calicut Sports Club were the second runners-up. In the women’s category, Youth Forum won the overall championship, with SAK-Qatar and Calicut Sports Club winning the first and second runners-up positions respectively. Different individual championships were awarded to Nihal Abdul Rahim (SAK-Qatar), Kannan (Thrishur Youth Club), and Neenu Sreekanth (SAK-Qatar). Sixteen community teams partici- pated in 18 items, under four catego- ries, in the sports meet. The event was organised under the patronage of Qatar Sports for All (QSFA) Federation at the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Cultural Forum Sports Excellence Awards for individuals and groups were also distributed on the occasion. _4H3C4#K0)30410` *4HC"Y C)1LY  

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In the individual category, the awards were won by volleyball player Ashiq Ahmed, cricketer Jashmir Kasara- gode, hockey player Neethu Thampi, and former Indian national athletic champion Mohammed Shaheen. In the group category, Vazhakkad Association Qatar (VAQ), Volleyball Head Hamad Muhammed al Mohan- Loving Indians in Qatar (VOLIQ), Qatar nadi, Qatar Police Sports Federation Expats Cricket Community (QECC), Official Khalid Muhammed Kaboura, Qatar Indian Association for Sports Ministry of Interior Public Relation Of- and Games (QIA), SAK-Qatar and ICA ficer Mubarak Shareeda Hayyi Ahmed Alumni won the awards. al Mutlaq, Qatar Basketball Federation The Best Team Manager’s trophy Head of Competitions Yaseen Mah- went to Yasir of Pathanamthitta Sports moud, Kerala student athlete Aparna Club, and the Best Disciplined Team’s Roy, KT Ashraf, Faisal Kunnath, Suijith trophy was won by SKIA-Qatar. Kumar, Faisal Hudawi from the Min- The prominent personalities who istry of Interior and Cultural Forum attended the event included Hamad President Taj Aluvathe. Medical Corporation (HMC’s) Qatar Re- The concluding ceremony featured habilitation Institute Chairperson Wafa traditional Arabian dances by children Al Yazeedi, HMC Assistant Executive and a breath-taking martial arts perform- Director Public Relations (Corporate ance by the Doha-based UMAI team. Communications) Khalifa Ahmed al Radio Jockeys from Radio Malayalam Yafai, Community Policing Dept Com- 98.6 FM enthralled the audience with an munity Policing Affairs Section (MoI) interactive edutainment show. ND&4%03,(,*2* 4H3C4(1L*,C)(L3K HE logo of Qatar Cheruvadi welfare of members and support the Welfare Association (QCWA) was activities of members.  unveiled at the annual general Forum President Ashraf Theliri K)*2)C++0/*)3C(K*)C body meeting held in Doha, recently. presided over the event. The others Forum patron KP Salahudeen inaugu- who spoke on the occasion included rated the event. CT Siddiqu, Basheer Thuvarikkal, Ga- 1L3,H)04C44*&410H Speaking on the occasion, Salahu- far EN, Aziz Purayil, Mujeeb NK and deen said the forum will focus on the Yasar KT. NDIAN expatriate students can the Government of India under this apply for scholarships instituted scheme covering the institutions -  by India’s Ministry of External NITs, IITs, Schools of Planning and Affairs (MEA). According to a state- Architecture, ‘A’ Grade institutions ment issued by the Indian Embassy accredited by NAAC and recognised in Qatar, MEA awards 150 scholar- by UGC, Central Universities of ships to children (studying in India) India and other institutions covered of PIOs/NRIs and Indian workers under the DASA Scheme. working in ECR countries whose All eligible candidates may ap- monthly gross income doesn’t ex- ply for the scholarship accordingly ceed $4000. under the Scholarship Programme A partial assistance to the extent for Diaspora Children scheme. For of 75% (maximum of $4000) of the further details, please log on to the total Institutional Economic Cost SPDC website www.spdcindia.gov. (IEC) per annum would be borne by in. Members of Kerala expatriate forum unveils a logo of the forum in Doha, recently.  *4HC"Y C)1LY 

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

NDONESIAN Ambassador to Qatar Air Marshal (Retd) HE Mu- hammad Basri Sidehabi hosted 4H*40(3C404%*"L*('( Imam Shamsi Ali, a prominent Indonesian moderate Muslim scholar and community members to his residence recently. Speaking on the occasion, the envoy welcomed and appreciated the role of K)*+3404' &(,3+(1L*,C) Imam Ali, who is known for promoting inter-faith dialogue. Imam Ali was invited by the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) to represent the US at the 13th Doha Interfaith Dialogue Con- ference under the theme ‘Religion and Human Rights’, attended by as many as 500 participants from 70 countries from across the world. Addressing the gathering at the envoy’s house, Imam Ali said that In- donesia has a responsibility to address the misunderstandings about Islam in the West and America. He also talked about the promotion of fundamental ficial Boy Dharmawan, Imam Ali has re- 2009 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. eration of North America. He also serves freedoms like freedom of belief, free- ceived the prestigious non-military gold In inter-faith organisations, Imam as the Vice President of the Asian-Ameri- dom of thought and expression, and medal which is one of the highest awards Ali serves as a Board member for the can Coalition USA (AAC-USA) and its UN other liberties. recognised by the US government to Partnership of Faith in NY, and is a co- Representative and as an Advisory Board In New York City, Imam Ali is well native-born and naturalised US citizens. founder of the UNCC (Universal Clergy member to numerous inter-faith organi- known for promoting inter-faith dialogue He plays an important role in building Coalition-International). Furthermore, sations, including the Tanenbaum Center among Abrahamic faiths. He was also bridges between religious communities he is a Board member of the Muslim and Federation for Middle East Peace. appointed ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the in the American society and the world. Foundation of America, Inc., and Chair- The event was used by the Ambas- International Religious Federation in In 2006, he was named one of the seven man of the annual Muslim Day Parade sador to present socio-political situation 2002, and is a recipient of the 2008 ICLI most influential religious leaders in New in NYC. in Indonesia and the role of the embassy Interfaith Award. York City by the New York Magazine. He is also the Chairman of the Board in serving and protecting the Indonesian According to Indonesian Embassy of- He is also one of the 100 recipients of the of Trustees for the ASEAN Muslim Fed- community abroad. 3'"13)1&3' *4HC"Y C)1LY   K)342¡0,H &)(0)" $0,1*+0(40$(0C(*4

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK event. The objective of this activ- ity was to make children under- ITH the arrival of spring, stand that different festivals are The Springfield Nursery celebrated around the world with  celebrated the annual unique traditions, food, clothing Spring Festival 2018 with great and activities, so that they learn to enthusiasm. The Nursery was appreciate and respect this cul- decorated with colourful hangings, tural diversity. flowers, kites and balloons, depict- On this day, children wore ing the theme of spring. their traditional attire and brought Teachers and children also ar- traditional sweets and snacks to ranged different stalls during the share with classmates.  *4HC"Y C)1LY  3'"13)1&3'

Team Mediaplus plants saplings to mark the day. 0C+ 0H3CK,&(.*34(4%3)*4+04'C"10,0I)C'3*4( TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK

EAM Mediaplus joined the Qatar Environment Day celebrations with an awareness drive. The members of the team headed by CEO Amanulla Vadakkangara came out with placards proclaiming the message of the day and inviting all to join the drive. ‘Our environment, our heritage’ was the theme for Qatar Environment Day 2018. This theme encourages all to protect the environment which is our heritage. It implores us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. Qatar Environment Day is the biggest annual event for positive environmental action and is ob- served on February 26 every year. Qatar has been at the forefront of environment protection initia- Mediaplus CEO Amanulla Vadakkangara inaugurates tives and this occasion reconfirms the commit- Qatar Environment Day activities ment of the people to protecting the environment.

traditional events along with educational and recreational Venue: Tornado Tower, West Bay Admisison: Free activities. HEC Paris in Qatar is offering an Executive Short Program The 13th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition in ‘Leading Leaders through Complexity’ with Dr Michelle brings together hundreds of designers and brands under SEASONAL DATES MARKET Zandvoort. Course Tuition Fees $2,195 one roof. Visitors can learn about the latest designs in abayas, jalabiyas and gowns by designers from different When: Till March 15 countries. The latest dessigns in shoes, belts and bags Ì   Time: 8 am to 12 pm | 3 pm to 10 pm KARTING AT LOSAIL CIRCUIT SPORTS CLUB are also on show. Venue: Souq Waqif Doha When: Every Thursday & Friday until May 31 Admission: Free Time: 5 pm to 10 pm ISLAMIC ARMS AND ARMOUR FROM THE The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has or- Venue: Losail Circuit Sports Club COLLECTION OF FADEL AL MANSOORI ganised Seasonal Dates Market, the largest display and Admission: QR125 for adults for a 15-minute ses- When: Till May 12, 2018 sale of dates in the country, which will run until March 15 sion | QR25 for childdren for a 5-minute session Venue: Museum of Islamic Art at Souq Waqif. The market has 85 local and foreign busi- Karting action is back again for the start of the winter for This exhibition showcases Islamic arms and armour nesses selling their ware. The varieties come from Kuwait, all the adrenaline junkies in Qatar looking for some track from the private collection of Fadel al Mansoori, includ- ing both edged weapons and firearms. The objects Oman, Iran, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria and Qatar. action at the Losail Circuit Sports Club. A karting track for on display range from the 17th to the 19th century, adults juniors are available. and were produced primarily in greater Turkey, Iran PERSPECTIVES - CONTEMPORARY and India. WOMEN ARAB ARTISTS EXHIBIT QATAR’S BEST TALENTS HALAL QATAR FESTIVAL When: Till March 19 When: Every Friday MIA PARK BAZAAR When: Till March 10 Time: 9 am to 7 pm Time: 4 pm When: Till end of May 2018 Time: 8 am to 12 pm | 3 pm to 10 pm Venue: Art 29 at W Doha Hotel and Residences Venue: Oasis, Mall of Qatar Time: 2pm to 8pm (Fri) | 12pm to 6pm (Sat) | Venue: Katara, Parking Area 01 Admission: Free Qatarís Best Talents showcases up to 10 performances 12pm to 6pm Sun Admission: Free Perspectives showcases the artworks of 11 female Arab in dancing, singing, and other performing arts selected by Venue: Museum of Islamic Art The theme of the festival centres around a distinct fea- artists representing seven Arab countries. The exhibition MOA in collaboration with some of the nation’s top acad- Admission: Free ture of Qatari heritage, one that is drawn from deep within is presented by Al Markhiya Art Gallery. emies. With a vibrant mix of around 150 stalls. MIA Park the deserts of Qatar -† sheep and goat breeding. The Bazaar is a modern version of the old souq tradition. festival will present specific methods that help in breed- HEC PARIS EXECUTIVE SHORT PROGRAM 13TH HEYA ARABIAN FASHION EXHIBITION Browse and buy handcraft, accessories, paintings, ing and raising sheep and will also showcase numerous When: March 28 – 29 When: April 25 - 29 clothing, food, jewellery, photography and art. Venue: DECC D)*&4H'*$4 *4HC"Y C)1LY  Q

VICTOR BOLORUNDURO DOHA

RADITIONAL fine-dining cuisine from the Indian sub- continent along with ambience and pocket-friendly prices can be quite a poser in Qatar. But like Bobby McFerrin said, Don’t worry, be happy, for Spicy Route, the award-winning restaurant re- defining North Indian dining experience has arrived in Qatar. Located in serene envi- ronment, its combination of The interior of the exquisite interiors, Spicy Route. white-cushioned Management and staff of Spicy Route restaurant sofas, neatly set up tables and interest- ing metal pieces adorning the ceilings, all designed by two of India’s finest architects Lalita Tharani and Mujib Ahmed, gives the feeling of walking into a five-star hotel. When you first enter the restaurant, LC42342 40H34342 tucked away in an almost unnoticeable but very ambient area in Barwa Village, you are instantly ushered into a bright and energetic atmosphere which leaves your taste buds watering in excitement 34NC'C)'L0K31" *&'0$C" of what to expect. This impressive fine-dining restau- world and became instrumental in the rant offers a very large, hip space with popularity of Indian spices that we modern décor. Spicy Route operates on know today,” said Spicy Route Manag- two floors, complete with multiple types ing Partner Jeronimo D’Souza. of seating. “We pride ourselves on fresh, healthy The restaurant’s kitchen, located on food. Spicy Route focuses on bringing the ground floor, is surrounded by a glass a casual, fast approach to traditional wall to allow customers watch their food Indian dishes, and that is exactly what being prepared in front of them. we’ve done. Our customers range from Diners have the option of either sitting Indians and other people from the sub- on the ground floor which offers a roomy, continent with good taste for fine food as high-ceiling set-up or the upper floor with well as Qataris and Westerners who love its cozier, low-ceiling atmosphere. traditional Indian cuisine,” he added. Just like the seating area, the menu Spicy Route doesn’t skimp on show- has something for everyone. Whether you casing its rich traditional Indian food. are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, there From the delectable Lamb Chops, Buraji is an option for you at Spicy Route. Kebab, and Mutton Patiala, Seekh The various spice jars, conspicu- Kebab to all types of briyani as well as ously arranged on the shelves on the its enticing Bhuna Gosht the restaurant first floor, are a striking feature at the makes you yearn for more. restaurant. More? Try the signature dessert “The spices on display talk directly The exquisite interior of the Spicy Route restaurant. Kamal Katori, served in an orange peel about who we are. The Spice Route that has a creamy and refreshing mix reflects the journey of from milk and juicy orange pieces that spices from the Mala- bursts in your mouth. bar Coast in Kerala Spicy route menus also allow you to through Sri Lanka, build your own plate with options such as Malaysia, Indonesia, bowls, salads and wraps. While the inte- Thailand and Mid- rior of Spicy Route may be modern, the dle East over sev- food at Spicy Route is definitely prepared eral thousand years. with traditional taste. Through trading in the While making Indian food approach- old days, these Indian able to those who may not be accus- spices were brought to tomed, Spicy Route is definitely giving a various places across thehe fun twist for those who are.

The Murgh Nizami Briyani from Spicy Route KamalaKamala Katori, the signature dessert from Spicy Route.  *4HC"Y C)1LY  **-$*)+

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

ITERARY agent and provocateur John Brock- man has turned popular science into a sort of modern shamanism, packaged non-fiction into gobbets of smart thinking, made stars of unlike- D)0'&)4'*IC(31(Y ly writers and continues to direct, deepen and contribute to some of the most hotly contested conver- sations in civic life. This Idea Is Brilliant is the latest of Brockman’s annual anthologies drawn from edge.org, his website and shop window. It is one of the stronger books in the series. It is also one of the more troubling, addressing, informing and entertaining a public that has recently )C'3*4C,3'" become extraordinarily confused about truth and false- hood, fact and knowledge. Edge.org’s purpose has always been to collide scien- tists, business people and public intellectuals in fruitful ways. This year, the mix in the anthology leans towards the cognitive sciences, philosophy and the “freakonomic” end of the non-fiction bookshelf. It is a good time to re- turn to basics: to ask how we know what we know, what role rationality plays in knowing, what tech does to help and hinder that knowing, and, frankly, whether in our hunger to democratise knowledge we have built a prim- rose-lined digital path straight to post-truth perdition. Many contributors, biting the bullet, reckon so. Measuring the decline in the art of conversation against the rise of social media, anthropologist Nina Jablonski fears that “people are opting for leaner modes of com- munication because they’ve been socialised inadequate- ly in richer ones”. Meanwhile, an applied mathematician, Coco Krumme, turning the pages of Jorge Luis Borges’s short story The Lottery in Babylon, conceptualises the way our relationship with local and national gov- ernment is being automated to the point where fixing wayward algorithms involves the applications of yet more algorithms. In this way, civic life becomes opaque and arbitrary: a lottery. “To combat digital distraction, they’d throttle email on Sundays and build apps for meditation,” Krumme writes. “Instead of recommender systems that reveal what you most want to hear, they’d inject a set of countervailing views. The irony is that these manufactured gestures only intensify the hold of a Babylonian lottery.” In democratising knowledge, we may have built a primrose-lined path to post-truth perdition Of course, IT wasn’t created on a whim. It is a cogni- tive prosthesis for significant shortfalls in the way we think. Psychologist Adam Waytz cuts to the heart of this in his essay The illusion of explanatory depth – a phrase describing how people “feel they understand the world with far greater detail, coherence and depth than they really do”. Humility is a watchword here. If our thinking has holes in it, if we forget, misconstrue, misinterpret or persist in false belief, if we care more for the social con- sequences of our beliefs than their accuracy, and if we suppress our appetite for innovation in times of crisis (all subjects of separate essays here), there are conse- quences. Why on earth would we imagine we can build machines that don’t reflect our own biases, or don’t – in '3(C2**H'3+0'*C(-L*$$0-4*$$LC'$0-4*$Y$LC')*,0)C'3*4C,3'" a ham-fisted effort to correct for them – create ones of their own we can barely spot, let alone fix? K,C"(34-4*$342Y$LC''01LH*0('*L0,KC4HL34H0)'LC'-4*$342YC4HY Neuroscientist Sam Harris is one of several here who, searching for a solution to the “truthiness” $L0'L0)34*&)L&420)'*H0+*1)C'3(0-4*$,0H20$0LC%0I&3,'CK)3+@ crisis, simply appeals to basic decency. We must, he argues, be willing to be seen to change our minds: )*(0@,340HH323'C,KC'L(')C32L''*K*('@')&'LK0)H3'3*4 “Wherever we look, we find otherwise sane men and women making extraordinary efforts to avoid chang- lution has equipped us with social capacities that, smartly to be the species shaped by evolution to possess the ing [them].” handled, run rings round the “cleverest” algorithm. most open hearts and the greatest proclivity for car- He has a point. Though our cognitive biases, shortfalls Let psychologist Abigail Marsh have the last ing on Earth.” This may, when all’s said and done, and the like make us less than ideal rational agents, evo- word: “We have our flaws... but we can also claim have to be enough. D)1LC0*,*2" *4HC"Y C)1LY  

This picture released by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology (INAH), shows a ‘Dipped Fist’ in the ‘Gran aquifer’ of Sac Actun in Quinta Roo state, Mexico. *((3,(Y C"C4)0,31(/*&4H 34&4H0)$C'0) 0#31*1C%0 L0C43+C,)0+C34(341,&H02*+KL*'L0)0(}C4 0#'341'0,0KLC4'@,3-0C43+C,}C($0,,C(23C4'(,*'L( C4HI0C)(YC)1LC0*,*23('()0%0C,0H

AFP them to piece together bits of the cave’s history dating all the way back RCHAEOLOGISTS who to the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to have been exploring the 11,700 years ago). world’s largest underwater The animal remains include gom- cave –recently discovered photheres – an extinct elephant-like in Mexico – presented their animal – as well as giant sloths and Dfindings, including fossils of giant bears, archaeologists told a press con- sloths and an elaborate shrine to the ference. Mayan God of Commerce. Then there are the artefacts left Researchers discovered last month inside by humans: burnt human bones, that two large networks of underwater ceramics, wall etchings and more. caves in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, “It is very unlikely that there is the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos networks, another site in the world with these are in fact connected, forming the larg- characteristics. There is an impressive est such structure on Earth. amount of archaeological artefacts Diving with scuba gear, they have inside, and the level of preservation been exploring the ancient relics left is also impressive,” said Guillermo de in the caves over the millenia, in a Anda, an underwater archaeologist. project sponsored by Mexico’s National The relics include a shrine to the Institute of Anthropology and History Mayan god of war and commerce, with (INAH). a staircase accessed through a sink- Researchers believe the water level hole in the middle of the jungle. in the caves has fluctuated over time, Many other of the hundreds of sink- and that they were a source of water in holes that connect to the cave have times of severe drought – a sometimes elaborate signs of ritual activity around perilous one. them, archaeologists said. Some of the animals and humans The ancient Mayans viewed caves, who ventured inside never made it “and especially ones that led to wa- out alive. Today, their remains are a ter, as extremely sacred places,” the treasure trove for scientists, enabling INAH said.  *4HC"Y C)1LY  *,,"$**H m(OQLK0QXKGnPCOGFYQTUV RKEVWTGQHCV5C\\KGCYCTFU AFP

NE day before Hollywood hon- ors the year’s best films at the Oscars, the Razzies honour the year’s worst - and the winner is The Emoji Movie. The animated film beat other dud 2017 films such as Baywatch, Fifty Shades Darker, The Mummy and Transform- ers: The Last Knight to win an infamous Golden Rasberry award. The year saw “Hollywood’s recycled D%0420)([4¡43'"C) trash heap attains an all-time high,” with a “toxic-level lack of originality,” the organis- '*)0,0C(0$*),H$3H0 ers said in a statement. The Emoji Movie, the first animated *4DK)3,  movie to win the award in the Razzie’s 38- year history, also “won” in the categories of worst screenplay, worst screen combo and A video announcing the award win- Nominees rarely attend the Razzies, IANS worst director. ners included an ‘In Memoriam’ segment, usually held in small venues somewhere in Tom Cruise won in the Worst Actor with pictures of Hollywood luminar- and around Los Angeles. ARVEL’S Avengers: Infin- category for his star role in another reboot ies – including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Sandra Bullock turned up in 2010 to ity War, which features an of The Mummy, while a cross-dressing Spacey, Woody Allen and Bill Cosby – accept worst actress for All About Steve, a ensemble of superheroes, Tyler Perry won in the Worst Actress caught up in sex scandals. day before winning best actress Oscar for BOO 2!: A Madea Halloween The Blind Side will release worldwide on April 27. category for “Very sorry ... but we won’t be missing . The release of Avengers: Infin- - the ninth ‘Madea’ film. you - or your kind,” the video said. Most of the Razzie categories are ity War in the US has been ad- Mel Gibson won the Worst Support- The Razzies were created in 1980 as chosen by the 800 or so members of vanced from May 4 to April 27. ing Actor award for the comedy Daddy’s an antidote to Hollywood’s star-studded, the Golden Raspberry Award Founda- The movie was earlier sched- Home 2, and Kim Basinger won for sup- back-slapping annual awards season, tion, who earn voting rights by paying a uled to release in India one week porting actress in the erotic thriller Fifty which climaxed on Sunday with the Acad- $40 membership fee, with a $25 annual before the US, but with the date Shades Darker. emy Awards. renewal. shift the film will open on the same date. Marvel announced the news in a Twitter thread with star Robert Downey Jr. The date change means 0K)0(04'C'3*43404'0)'C34+04'+C''0)([%C*42*)3C that the Disney tent pole will open day-and-date worldwide. IANS gin’, ‘Transparent’, ‘Fresh Off the Boat’... she said: “As a little girl growing up in Anthony and Joe Russo re- It turns out that viewers want shows that Corpus Christi, Texas, I was inspired by a turned to direct Avengers: Infinity CTRESS-ACTIVIST Eva Longoria, look like their lives -- with diverse charac- young, Mexican American singer named War, which also sees stars Downey a member of the Time’s Up ters and stories. Selena Quintanilla, whose skin looked like Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Dmovement, says diversifying “Even more importantly, the way mine, whose hair texture resembled mine, Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick entertainment will be good for we are represented in entertainment who sounded like me. Boseman, Tom Holland, and Mark Hollywood. matters,” she wrote. “She wouldn’t live long enough to see Ruffalo reprising their roles. Longoria, who is also a pro- She believes, “When a girl the impact her talent made in the world, In this latest instalment, the ducer, has drawn attention to sees herself as a scientist, or a but she is responsible for paving the way Avengers will also team up with the the need of diverse characters boy sees someone with his skin for a young girl like me to eventually por- Guardians of the Galaxy, led by and stories in an article for colour as a law student, it plants tray Gabrielle Solis on ‘Desperate House- Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord. Time.com. a seed that this is possible”. wives’. It was during my time on ‘Desper- The Russo brothers directed “Audiences are send- To cite an example, Longo- ate Housewives’ that I realised I wanted to Captain America: Winter Soldier ing Hollywood a clear ria said archery suddenly create more opportunities for others in my and Captain America: Civil War, message, turning out gained popularity with community. And I couldn’t do that without which became 2016’s top world- in record numbers girls in 2012 coinciding getting behind the camera as a producer wide grosser with $1.16 billion. to see films like with the releases of films and director.” Joss Whedon directed 2012’s The Coco, Black Pan- including The Hunger Longoria stressed: “We should diver- Avengers and 2015’s Avengers: ther, Girls’ Trip Games and Brave, and sify entertainment and it will be good for Age of Ultron. and Wonder after years of ‘CSI’ Hollywood’s bottom line. We need diverse The two Avengers films have Woman. Top breaking TV ratings decision-makers green lighting and fund- grossed nearly $3 billion world- television shows records, there was an ing content; otherwise, similarity bias leads wide. The Avengers is the fifth- include ‘Scan- increase in foren- us to seek out people who share our back- highest grosser of all time at $1.52 dal’, ‘This is Us’, sics studies across grounds or experiences. billion and Age of Ultron is the ‘Blackish’, ‘One Eva the nation. “And given that 95 per cent of Hol- seventh-highest at $1.41 billion. Day At A Time’, Longoria Of her own lywood film executives are white, that bias ‘Jane the Vir- experience, doesn’t seem likely to change. *,,"$**H *4HC"Y C)1LY   *,,"$**H400H('*'C-0 Neha Dhupia ('C4H([ 0LCL&K3C IANS During the audition round in Chandigarh, Neha felt unsafe because of a contestant Harpaveet. In his form, EHA Dhupia feels people associated he suggested that he will flirt with Neha, and bragged with Hindi filmdom should speak up about his sexual strength. more often on issues of concern and Dismissing him, she said: “You know what your take stands. problem is your perception about woman. You have The actress spoke about no respect for any woman. You this during an appearance think your masculinity is go- on the “Vh1 Inside Access” ing to come through when you show , a statement from brag about your sexual strength. the channel said. 0400H'*'C-0(3H0(Y$0400H When you spoke about other “We need to take gang leaders, you referred to their sides, we need to '*'C-0('C4H(Y$0400H'*'C,- personality traits like confidence, take stands, we need CI*&'L*$/C)$01C4K&(L dressing sense and fitness but not to talk about how 1340+CY$LC'LCKK04( for me. far we can push I0L34H1,*(0HH**)(YL*$ “So, according to you, I have cinema, what hap- no personality traits just because pens behind closed K)*/0((3*4C,3'3( I am a woman and that gives you doors, how professional the right to flirt with me. I know it is,” Neha said. exactly what men like you think. “We need to come out and talk about things; wheth- We have many female contestants who come on er there is an ecosystem in the industry or not,” she ‘Roadies’ journey. Neither do you have any respect added. for girls nor do you have anything good to say about Neha also said people in Bollywood are very protec- them so it’s our responsibility to make sure that peo- tive of each other, which according to her is not a great ple like you don’t come on the journey. thing all the time. “You know why? I wouldn’t have said this but I am On the work front, the actress is also seen judging not feeling safe! This is my area, my territory so if I am ‘Roadies Xtreme’, which is aired on MTV. not feeling safe you don’t get to go ahead in this show.” L3(3('L0¡''0('YI0('%0)(3*4*/+0[ C4H3)C0H3 IANS cent times played a government agent These are goals and challenges you in TV show ‘24’ and a police officer in give yourself. And it’s so good to see so T 45, she does push-ups effort- Tamil movie Adangathey. many people who are motivated to do lessly in a sari, runs marathons Her last release Vodka Diaries saw stuff like this now. It’s great that fitness and has worked her way towards her essay a poetess and her upcoming has become so much bigger in people’s D Saaho washboard abs. Mandira Bedi says she movie will see her as a gang- conscience now than before,” added the feels her fittest ever, and finds it inter- ster. mother of a six-year-old boy. esting that she is mostly offered roles All through her shooting sched- Mandira said the trigger for her of either a gangster or a police officer. ules as well as other work and home journey towards fitness was an invita- “Over the last two years, the roles commitments and even vacations, tion to be a part of reality TV show that get offered to me are either of what brings her peace is her fitness ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’. a gangster or of a cop... By the way, sessions. She loves running, and even “I wanted to be a strong contender, I’m pretty bada**... So, it’s nice. I am ran at the Tata Mumbai Marathon as wanted to compete for it and I wanted happy. The short hair and the whole fit- the face of ASICS. to be good. That’s when I got myself a ness thing... People can only see me as Fit Mandira said: “Running has personal trainer and started working a cop or a gangster,” Mandira said over become a huge thing. People are taking out seriously. After that, I enjoyed it phone from Mumbai, laughing. to it more than ever. Even if I step out so much... Now I haven’t trained with Mandira became a known face as at 7 am in my neighbourhood, there a trainer in many years. I am self- the kohl-eyed, curly haired, fiery and are around 20 or 25 runners, a mix motivated now and I love exercising... independent protagonist from TV se- of struggling and seasoned ones. The Not just for what it does physically, but rial ‘Shanti’, which was a rage among running culture has picked up over the mentally and emotionally too.” Indian telly viewers in mid-1990s. She last two years... For me, running is like She admits that initially her draw also surprised viewers as the uber styl- meditation.” was also to get slim and trim, but ulti- ish cricket show presenter. However, running a marathon, she mately it became about not just looking The actress’s transformation over says, is something “you do for your- good, but feeling good too. the years has been tremendous. self”. “I am stronger and fitter than I ever “I have changed a lot from then, of “There’s a wonderful sense of was... I think this is the fittest and best course,” said Mandira, who has in re- achievement when you complete a run. version of me. I genuinely feel good.” Mandira Bedi.  *4HC"Y C)1LY  ,C"L*&(0

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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle /HYHO Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis ACROSS 3 Eye part 38 Susan of “L.A. 56 Grad 1 Drone sound 4 Sunday dinner Law” 57 Longtime “Live!”   5 Spicy dip side dish 47 Ottawa-to-NYC host 10 French flag 5 Weightlifting dir. 59 Author Wiesel couleur maneuver 49 Prefix with ware 60 Omar of   14 Parade celebrity 6 Driving 51 With 34-Down, “Shooter” 15 Cotton swabs 7 “Elementary” really retro eating 61 Body part whose &RPSOHWHWKHJULG 16 Pair on a co-star Lucy programs parts are aptly Disneyland hat 8 Nimble 53 Vague discomfort, found at the VRHDFKURZFROXPQ 17 Verdi highlight 9 Ed with seven with “the” bottom of this DQGE\ER[ 18 It’s prohibited on Emmys 54 Makes a choice puzzle’s four many highways 10 Summer 55 Romance writer longest answers LQEROGERUGHUV  19 Vast landmass Olympics event Roberts 64 Plant sci. FRQWDLQVHYHU\GLJLW 20 Musical since 1996 WR)RUVWUDWHJLHV Christmas staple 11 Word with back ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: 22 Culinary or whip RQKRZWRVROYH student’s assent 12 Historic canal 6XGRNXYLVLWZZZ 24 Native American 13 “Aim High ... VXGRNXRUJXN symbol Fly-Fight-Win” 26 Bit of cheer? military org. 62/87,2172 27 22% of the U.S. 21 Non-neutral Solution to previous puzzle Senate atom 78(6'$<ҋ638==/( 30 WWII female 23 Took a load off 32 Program breaks 25 Purplish hue 36 Enthusiastic 27 Ante, e.g. 37 “Good Lord!” 28 Small egg 39 Miscellany 29 Takes full 40 [Uh-oh!] advantage of 41 Big name in 31 Gravy thickener threshers 33 From far away 42 In __ of: (perhaps very replacing far) 43 City ENE of Reno 34 See 51-Down 44 One of pop 35 “The March King” music’s Papas 37 Unexpected 03/07/18 45 Permits 46 Takes a load off 48 Mil. officers 49 High-IQ group  ‹7KH0HSKDP*URXS'LVWULEXWHGE\ 50 Perilous hisser 52 In check 7ULEXQH&RQWHQW$JHQF\$OOULJKWVUHVHUYHG 54 Succeeding like nobody’s business 58 Like most kosher frankfurters By Nancy Black, Tribune Content Agency, 62 Water sport 63 Only inanimate 'C)C,- Linda Black Horoscopes zodiac sign 65 Iams alternative ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19 ) TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20) GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20) 66 “Quite so” 67 Historical period Consider priorities, and plan your Collaborate with your partner Practice your moves before 68 Slimming procedure, briefly upcoming action. Professional today and tomorrow. Stick to a performance. The possibil- 69 Shopping club advice comes in handy. Attend to familiar routines. Listen to loved ity of mechanical or technical 70 Swearing-in rituals shared finances over the next two ones, especially children. Enjoy error is high. Keep things simple 71 For fear that days. Review options and choose. simple pleasures together. and elegant. Slow and rest. DOWN 1 “Careless CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22) LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22) VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22) Whisper” pop Love blossoms over the next few Discuss home renovations or A creative undercurrent flows group 2 “__ comes days. Entertaining distrac- changes with your family over through your work. Anticipate trouble!” By Jeffrey Wechsler 03/07/18 tions abound; take care of the next few days. Go over resistance. Present your argument ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC business first. Express your options. Don’t touch sav- tactfully. Think diplomatically, artistry and creative ideas. ings. Work up your budget. and choose words carefully. THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22) SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) Unscramble these four Jumbles, one letter to each square, Focus on moneymaking for a You’re creating a buzz. Enjoy a Concentrate on organizing and to form four ordinary words. few days. Not everything goes two-day self-confident phase. En- cleaning today and tomorrow. as planned. Keep expectations courage another’s enthusiasm. You Listen more than you speak. Sort, CHAHT realistic and scheduling flex- can’t be two places at the same file and discover buried treasure. ible. Delegate what you can. time. Use your power responsibly. Make repairs and handle messes. ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19 ) AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18 ) PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20 ) HURGS

Confer with allies over the Consider career opportunities Get into a two-day adventurous next few days. Find agree- through tomorrow. Seek out phase. Explore near or far. Study MATIGS ment on some tough issues. lucrative possibilities. Comple- and investigate. Costs can vary Cultivate leadership. Put in a tion leads to profits. Beat a widely. Don’t waste funding on free JUSTCheck out the new, JUMBLE app good word for someone else. deadline and win a prize. something you don’t need. NOIRUJ Investigate fresh terrain this year. Strengthen community bonds to go further, Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as /"*& faster. Explore a profitable opportunity that fulfills a personal dream. Summer suggested by the above cartoon. $0)0I*)4 relaxation and fun lead to a retrospective phase, before your work, health and fitness blossom. Prepare for winter community, family and romantic connections. '*HC"X To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most (Answers tomorrow) Jumbles: SWUNG HIKER SPRUCE PACIFY challenging. Yesterday’s Answer: After all the passengers left, the ocean liner was the — “CREW’S” SHIP  *4HC"Y C)1LY 

CITY CENTRE CINEMA VILLAGGIO CINEMA ASIAN TOWN CINEMA MALL CINEMA

DEATH WISH (ACTION): 11 AM, 12.15 PM, 1.15 PM, 2.30 PM, 3.30 PM, 4.45 PM, DEATH WISH (ACTION): 10.30 AM, 11.30 AM, 12.45 PM, 1.45 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, MAYAANADHI (MALAYALAM): 12.30 PM, 3.15 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM, 8.45 PM, 9.45 GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 3 PM, 4.30 PM, 6 PM 5.45 PM, 7 PM, 8 PM, 9.15 PM, 10.15 PM, 11.30 PM, 12.30 AM. (VIP SCREEN): 5.15 PM, 6.15 PM, 7.30 PM, 8.30 PM, 9.45 PM, 10.45 PM, 12 AM, 1 AM PM, 11.30 PM, 12.30 AM, 2 AM DEATH WISH (ACTION): 5 PM, 7.30 PM, 11.15 PM 10.30 AM, 12.45 PM, 3 PM, 5.15 PM, 7.30 PM, 9.45 PM, 12 AM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 10.45 AM, 12.45 PM, 2.45 PM, 4.45 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 12.3O PM, 1 PM, 3.15 PM, 4 PM, 7 PM, 8.30 PM, 10 VEEREY KI WEDDING (HINDI): 7 PM PARI (HINDI): 2.30 PM, 11.30 PM BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 12.45 PM, 3.30 PM, 6.15 PM, 9 PM, 11.45 PM THE LEISURE SEEKER (DRAMA): 6.45 PM, 9.15 PM, 11.45 PM PM, 11.15 PM, 1 AM, 2 AM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 10.45 AM, 12.45 PM, 2.45 PM, 4.45 PM, 6.45 PM, 8.45 PM, THE SHADOW EFFECT (ACTION): 9.30 PM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM, HEY JUDE (MALAYALAM): 4 PM AADHI (MALAYALAM): 1 PM 10.45 PM, 12.45 AM 11 PM, 1 AM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 2 PM, 11.15 PM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 7 PM PARI (HINDI): 6 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM, 12 AM, 1 AM I TONYA (COMEDY): 11.45 AM, 4.45 PM, 9.45 PM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 9.30 PM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM, 11 PM THE SHADOW EFFECT (ACTION): 10.30 PM, 3 PM, 7.30 PM, 12 AM THE LEISURE SEEKER (DRAMA): 5 PM BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 9 PM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 10 PM, 12 AM LAST FLAG FLYING (COMEDY): 12.3O PM, 5 PM, 9.30 PM GULF MALL CINEMA THE LEISURE SEEKER (DRAMA): 11.15 AM, 1.45 PM, 4.15 PM, 6.45 PM, 9.15 BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 10.30 AM, 11.15 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3.45 PM, 4.45 PM, 11.45 PM PM, 6.30 PM, 7.30 PM, 9.15 PM, 10.15 PM, 12 AM, 1 AM. (IMAX 3D) 12 PM, DEATH WISH (ACTION): 10.30 AM, 12.45 PM, 3 PM, 5.15 PM, 7.30 PM, 9.45 LANDMARK CINEMA PARI (HINDI): 10.15 AM, 1 PM, 3.45 PM, 6.30 PM, 9.15 PM, 12 AM 2.45 PM, 5.30 PM, 8.15 PM, 11 PM PM, 12 AM , 1 AM (VIP SCREEN): 11 AM, 12.15 PM, 1.15 PM, 2.30 PM, 3.30 MAYAANADHI (MALAYALAM): 12.45 PM, 3.30 PM, 6.15 PM, 9 PM, 11.45 PM GAME NIGHT (COMEDY): 12.15 PM, 2.30 PM, 4.45 PM, 7 PM, 9.15 PM, PM, 4.45 PM, 5.45 PM, 7 PM, 8 PM, 9.15 PM, 10.15 PM, 11.30 PM, 12.30 AM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 2.30 PM, 4 PM, 5.30 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM, 12 AM 11.30 PM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 10.30 AM, 12.30 PM, 2.30 PM, 4.3O PM, DEATH WISH (ACTION): 7 PM, 9.30 PM, 11.30 PM 6.30 PM, 8.30 PM, 10.30 PM, 12.30 AM SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY (HINDI): 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 8 PM, 11 PM JUMANJI (ADVENTURE): 2.30 PM, 7 PM, 11.3O PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 2.30 PM, 9 PM EARLY MAN (ANIMATION): 12.15 PM, 4.30 PM, 8.45 PM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 11 AM, 3 PM, 7 PM, 11 PM VEEREY KI WEDDING (HINDI): 12.30 PM, 3.15 PM, 6 PM, 8.45 PM, 11.30 PM MAYAANADHI (MALAYALAM): 5 PM, 11 PM THE LEISURE SEEKER (DRAMA): 12.30 PM, 3 PM, 5.30 PM, 8 PM, 10.30 PM COCO (ANIMATION): 2.15 PM, 6.30 PM, 10.45 PM THE SHADOW EFFECT (ACTION): 7.30 PM, 11.30 PM THE SHADOW EFFECT (ACTION): 10.45 AM, 12.45 PM, 5.15 PM, 9.45 PM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 10 PM, 12 AM, 1AM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 9.15 PM LAST FLAG FLYING (COMEDY): 2.45 PM, 7.15 PM, 11.45 PM OKDET EL KHAWAGA (ARABIC): 12.3O PM, 5 PM, 9.30 PM BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 4.30 PM, 7 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 10.30 AM, 3.45 PM, 9 PM PARI (HINDI): 2 PM, 7 PM, 12 AM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 2.30 PM I TONYA (COMEDY): 1.30 PM, 6.4 5PM, 12 AM BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 12.45 PM, 3.30 PM, 6.15 PM, 9 PM, 11.45 PM. (3D): 11 AM, 1.45 PM, 4.30 PM, 7.15 PM, 10 PM, 12.45 PM GAME NIGHT (COMEDY): 11 AM, 3.15 PM, 7.30 PM, 11.45 PM ROYAL PLAZA EARLY MAN (ANIMATION): 1 PM, 5 PM, 9 PM, PARI (HINDI): 12.30 PM, 3.15 PM, 6 PM, 8.45 PM, 11.30 PM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 3.30 PM, 5 PM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 10 PM, 12 AM, 1 AM DEATH WISH (ACTION): 9 PM, 11 PM OKDET EL KHAWAGA (ARABIC): 1.15 PM, 5.30 PM, 9.45 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 3 PM, 11.30 PM PARI (HINDI): 2.30 PM THE LEISURE SEEKER (DRAMA): 9.30 PM BLACK PANTHER (ACTION): 6.30 PM THE MIDNIGHT MAN (HORROR): 7.30 PM, 11.30 PM AL KHOR CINEMA I TONYA (COMEDY): 9.15 PM MAYAANADHI (MALAYALAM): 5 PM TALQ SENA3Y (ARABIC): 5.30 PM CAPTAIN (MALAYALAM): 11.30 AM, 2.30 PM, 5.30 PM, 8.30 PM, 11.30 PM THE SHADOW EFFECT (ACTION): 7.30 PM GNOME ALONE (ANIMATION): 10.30 AM, 12.15 PM, 2.15 PM, 4.15 PM DEATH WISH (ACTION): 12.30 PM, 2.45 PM, 5 PM, 7.15 PM, 9.30 PM, 11.45 PM MAYAANADHI (MALAYALAM): 6.15 PM, 9 PM, 11.45 PM

NOTICE. Timings are subject to change without prior notice.

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