Emir: Palestinian Cause Remains at the Forefront of Our Priorities

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THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10408 March 30, 2017 Rajab 2, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir: Palestinian cause remains In brief at the forefront of our priorities

political settlement a success.” QATAR | Services QNA/Agencies Dead Sea, Jordan “Concerning Yemen, and as part MoI opens new centre of the Arab alliance, we reaffi rm our commitment to the unity, territorial at The Pearl-Qatar rab leaders reaffi rmed yesterday integrity and independence of Yemen, The Ministry of Interior (MoI) their commitment to a two- and our support for the constitutional opened a new government services Astate solution to the decades- legitimacy vested in His Excellency complex and services centre at long Arab-Israeli confl ict. President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The Pearl-Qatar yesterday. The Addressing the 28th Arab Summit in “We also reaffi rm our support for complex was inaugurated by the Dead Sea area in Jordan yesterday, the mission of the United Nations Spe- Brig Mohamed Ahmad al-Ateeq, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- cial Envoy to Yemen and the eff orts to director general of the General mad al-Thani said that the Palestinian resume the political consultations to Directorate of Passports. The cause remains at the forefront of our reach a political settlement according event was also attended by priorities in spite of the fact that the to the terms of reference of the Gulf directors of departments at MoI peace process reached a deadlock due Initiative, the Yemeni national dialogue and representatives of several to the intransigent positions of the Is- outcomes and the resolutions of inter- ministries, government bodies and raeli government, its breaches of its national legitimacy.” United Development Company commitments and pledges and its at- His Highness said terrorism still re- (UDC), the master developer of The tempts to impose a fait accompli, with mains as one of the most serious threats Pearl-Qatar. Page 2 intensifying building settlements in the to our Arab region that target its secu- occupied Palestinian territories and the rity and stability. QATAR | Visit Judaisation of Jerusalem, which pose a Undoubtedly, confronting the perils threat to the regional and global stabil- of terrorist groups and adhering to our Philippine president ity and security. faiths and values without radicalism or coming next month “We are required to jointly and seri- exaggeration, and without abandon- Philippine President Rodrigo ously act to put pressure on the inter- ment or negligence, requires us to have Duterte is slated to witness national community and the Security HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani addressing the 28th Arab Summit in the Dead Sea area in Jordan yesterday. a common vision to lead our eff orts to the signing of memoranda of Council to reject the inception of an promote co-operation, and work to fi nd understanding (MoUs) worth apartheid system in the 21st century, estinian ranks is an essential element in not a selective one that allows for dis- according to their choices.” a joint comprehensive approach, in co- $133mn in investment pledges from and to deal fi rmly with Israel to force ending the occupation. placements, in order to alleviate the HH the Emir said the Syrian regime operation with the international com- several Qatari companies during it to stop building settlements, imple- “There is no meaning and no point in suff ering of the brotherly Syrian peo- must be forced to implement Secu- munity, which includes all political, his first state visit to Qatar on April ment international legitimacy resolu- a dispute over an authority that is de- ple, ensure the safety of civilians and rity Council Resolution 2336, which re- security, social and cultural dimensions 15-16. The investment pledges were tions, end the continuous violations void of sovereignty, in light of the oc- speed up human aid access, since a newed the call to allow the humanitar- to eradicate this epidemic. the result of the Doha leg of the against the Palestinian people and lift cupation of the Palestinian territories, lasting and comprehensive cease-fi re ian agencies rapid, safe and unhindered The summit’s host, King Abdullah ‘Philippine Investments Conference’ the unjust siege imposed on the Gaza as no Palestinian State shall be founded represents a step towards the desired access to all areas in Syria. of Jordan, said the creation of a Pales- organised in February by the Strip, which prevents its inhabitants without Gaza, and no State in Gaza political solution. He said that the situation in sisterly tinian state alongside Israel remained Philippine Economic Zone Authority from maintaining a normal life, and to shall be established either. Libya makes it incumbent on us to in- the basis of any comprehensive Arab- (Peza) to attract investments from get it to engage in time-bound serious “Therefore, the State of Qatar is pur- “We are required to jointly tensify our eff orts and to work together Israeli peace deal. Qatar. Page 6 negotiations based on clear-cut prin- suing its eff orts to end the state of di- and seriously act to put in accordance with a unifi ed vision to “Israel is continuing to expand set- ciples rather than negotiations for the vision and restore unity to the national pressure on the international urge the Libyan brethren and prompt tlements and wreck chances of peace ... BRITAIN | Politics sake of negotiations intended for baf- Palestinian action, in accordance with community and the Security them to surpass their disputes, and There is no peace or stability in the region fl ing and time-wasting or exploiting the Doha and Cairo accords.” Council to reject the inception give priority to the supreme national without a just and comprehensive solu- No turning back: Brexit that for building settlements.” HH the Emir said the gravity of the of an apartheid system in the interest to conclude the agreed steps tion to the Palestinian cause through a process launched His Highness stressed that the fi rm stage that our pan-Arab homeland and 21st century, and to deal fi rmly of the Libyan political accord, which two-state solution,” the king said. Britain launched the historic process stance of the State of Qatar on the Pal- the whole region are going through, and with Israel to force it to stop has gained a regional and international Palestinian President Mahmoud Ab- of leaving the EU yesterday, saying estinian issue refl ects the committed the obstacles on way of realising the building settlements” consensus, and continue to support the bas criticised Israeli policy in his speech there was “no turning back”, but Arab stance that the peace process be aspirations of our peoples in develop- legitimate national reconciliation gov- to the summit. its European partners were quick based on a comprehensive, just and ment, security and stability require a “We also fi rmly reassert that putting ernment to fulfi l all its tasks in putting “The Israeli government has since to warn of the diff icult path ahead. lasting settlement in accordance with lot from us in terms of realism, frank- an end to the disaster of the brotherly an end to the suff ering of the brotherly 2009 worked on wrecking the two- Nine months after the stunning vote international legitimacy and the Arab ness, awareness, and conformity of Syrian people depends on adopting ac- Libyan people, confronting the threat state solution by accelerating the tem- for Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa peace initiative based on the principle words and deeds to spare our Arab um- tions and decisions that bind the Syr- of terrorist organisations and restoring po of settlements and the confi scation May gave EU President Donald of a two-state solution to ensure the mah the dangers. ian regime to implement the Geneva security and stability to Libya. of land,” Abbas told the leaders. Tusk formal notification of Britain’s establishment of a Palestinian State on A genuine Arab solidarity is an aux- Conference (1) resolutions which stip- “On the basis of the close brotherly UN Secretary-General Antonio Gu- intention to withdraw from the the borders of June 4, 1967 with East iliary factor in achieving these aspira- ulate the formation of a transitional ties between the State of Qatar and the terres also endorsed a two-state solu- 28-nation bloc. Page 16 Jerusalem as its capital, and the right of tions, while its absence has negative governing body with full authorities, brotherly State of Libya and its people, tion, telling summit participants this return of the Palestinian refugees and eff ects. as well as the relevant resolutions of I affi rm the commitment of the State of was the “only path to ensure that Pal- ARAB WORLD | Confl ict ending the Israeli occupation of all Arab “While welcoming the cease-fi re international legitimacy, which meet Qatar to continue supporting the Liby- estinians and Israelis can realise their territories, including the Syrian Golan. agreement in Syria, we stress the sig- the aspirations of the Syrian people an brothers and helping them overcome national aspirations and live in peace, Turkey ends its military HH the Emir said unifying of the Pal- nifi cance of acting to make it real and and allow them determine their future their diff erences and make the path of security and dignity”. operation in north Syria Turkey yesterday announced its military campaign inside northern Syria was over. Turkey’s top advisory national security council chaired by President Recep Leaders call for handling Arab issues more eff ectively Tayyip Erdogan said the half-year long off ensive in Syria has been QNA pendent Palestinian state with Jerusa- resolutions of the international legiti- sis according to the Gulf initiative, its in Syria would not lead to fruitful re- “concluded successfully,” in a Dead Sea, Jordan lem as its capital. macy and Arab Peace Initiative.” executive mechanism, the results of the sults for the Syrian people. statement. They also demanded a political solu- “The brotherly Syrian people are still Yemeni national dialogue and Security Addressing the summit, Egyptian tion for the Syrian crisis in a way that being exposed to killing and displace- Council resolution 2216. We also call President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said rab leaders called during their preserves Syria’s territorial unity and ment which requires fi nding a political for facilitating humanitarian access to the meeting is taking place amid great speeches in the fi rst working achieves the ambitions and aspirations solution to end this tragedy and pre- various Yemeni regions. challenges facing the entire region and Asession of the 28th Arab Sum- of the Syrian people. serve the unity of Syria and its institu- For his part, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh threatens the unity and cohesion of the mit, which was held yesterday in the In his speech, Custodian of the Two tions in accordance with Geneva Dec- Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Arab countries and their territorial in- Dead Sea area in Jordan, for handling Holy Mosques King Salman bin Ab- laration 1 and United Nations Security said the world is suff ering “crises, ca- tegrity. crises that face the Arab world in a more dulaziz al-Saud said the ongoing se- Council resolution 2254. tastrophes and internecine wars” that He added that these threats, espe- eff ective manner. rious events in the region must not “On the Yemeni aff air, we emphasise have cast shadow on the humanitarian cially terrorism, have weakened the Ar- They called for a settlement for the distract the Arab world from “our em- the importance of preserving Yemen’s conditions of several peoples, both on abs and “we must confront them with a Palestinian issue according to the Arab phasis on the Palestinian cause which unity and achieving its security and the regional and international scenes. clear vision and determination, in order Peace Initiative and based on the two- is central to our nation and seeking for stability as well as the importance of Meanwhile, the emir indicated that to strengthen our national security and state solution and establishing an inde- fi nding a solution for it based on the the political solution to the Yemeni cri- the world’s inaction towards the crisis preserve the future of our generations.” Ashghal building 2.2km underpass at ‘Tilted Roundabout’

he ‘Tilted Roundabout’ near free-flowing traffic at the intersec- fl owing movement as possible. Education City will be converted tion of Al Luqta Street and Al Ghar- Ashghal has said it would not reduce Tinto a parallel signallised inter- rafa Street. the existing number of lanes on Al Lu- section to enable the construction of a As illustrated on the map, the road qta Street, Al Gharrafa Street and Hu- 2.2km underpass that will extend be- change will modify the existing round- war Street. tween the northern and southern ar- about into a signal-controlled inter- The temporary road layout on Al eas of Al Gharrafa, Ashghal announced section. Luqta Street and Al Gharrafa Street yesterday. Road users travelling on Al Luqta will still provide three lanes in each The proposed road change has Street, Al Gharrafa Street and Huwar direction while Huwar Street will been designed in co-ordination Street will experience a slight devia- still provide two lanes in each direc- with the General Directorate of tion from the existing road alignment tion. Traffic and will be implemented to- before reaching the signallised inter- To ensure the safety of road users, morrow with an expected operation change. the speed limit on Al Luqta Street will period of nine months. The signallised interchange will cater be reduced to 50kph. Ashghal has re- The new road layout will enable to motorists travelling in all directions quested all road users to abide by the Ashghal to accelerate construction between Doha, Dukhan and Al Gharra- speed limit, and follow newly imple- of the proposed ‘Tilted Interchange,’ fa and Huwar Street, and includes free mented traffi c road signs to ensure a two-level facility that will enable right turns to provide as much free- their safety. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR

Emir meets Omani Deputy PM FM meets US president’s envoy OFFICIAL

FM holds phone talk with French counterpart

HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani held a telephone conversation yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. They discussed the latest developments in Syria and ways of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister met the Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and North Africa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the Deputy Prime Minister for International Mikhail Bogdanov in Amman Relations, Aff airs and Co-operation, and Special Representative of Sultan Qaboos bin Saieed of yesterday. Oman, Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq bin Taimur al-Saieed, on the sidelines of the Arab Summit Talks during the meeting dealt yesterday. The meeting took place at the Emir’s Dead Sea residence. Sayyid Asaad bin Tariq with the important developments al-Saieed conveyed the greetings of Sultan Qaboos bin Saieed of Oman to HH the Emir. The Emir in Syria and ways of finding a reciprocated Sultan Qaboos bin Saieed’s greetings. Talks during the meeting covered bilateral HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met US President’s Middle-East political solution to the Syrian relations between Qatar and Oman and means of developing them, in addition to issues of common envoy Jason Greenblatt in Amman on Tuesday. They discussed issues of joint interest, particularly crisis. concern. the developments in Palestine and Gaza Strip. On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister met Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of developing them in addition to issues of mutual Qatar to observe interest. PM visits Joint Terrorism Qatar condemns terrorist plot World Autism in Bahrain Analysis Centre in London Qatar expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist Awareness Month plot that targeted prominent QNA figures in Bahrain. In a statement London issued on Tuesday, the Foreign he World Autism Aware- tism Walk” in Katara Cultural Ministry expressed its solidarity ness Month campaign Village on April 8. Primary with Bahrain and support for the E the Prime Minister Twill kick off with a family Health Centres will off er ad- measures it takes to preserve and Minister of Inte- event organised on Saturday at ditional education to families its security and stability. The Hrior Sheikh Abdullah Al Shaqab, from 10am to 2pm. throughout April. statement reiterated Qatar’s bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Activities are open to all fami- World Autism Awareness rejection of violence. yesterday visited the Joint Ter- lies impacted by autism; they Day was fi rst proposed by Qa- rorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) will be able to enjoy horseback tar Foundation chairperson HH Qatar’s envoy to in London, as part of his current riding, sports and other recrea- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to the visit to the UK. tional activities. United Nations in 2007 and was Spain presents During his visit, HE the The World Innovation Sum- adopted without a vote by the credentials Prime Minister met the head mit for Health (WISH) will join UN General Assembly. The fi rst of JTAC Susan Parker where he key local stakeholders at the World Autism Awareness Day King Felipe VI of Spain yesterday was briefed on the centre’s ac- event. The Ministry of Pub- was observed on April 2, 2008. received the credentials of tivities. He discussed aspects lic Health (MoPH) and many Egbert Schillings, CEO, Qatar’s ambassador Mohamed of co-operation between JTAC of the country’s organisations WISH, said, “QF is commit- Jaham al-Kuwari. The and the competent depart- and healthcare and educational ted to helping children with ambassador conveyed HH the ments of Qatar’s Ministry of institutions are holding various autism spectrum disorder and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Interior. awareness and recreational ac- their families. It is because of al-Thani’s greetings to Spain’s The Prime Minister also met tivities throughout April. HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, king and wishes of progress and the director general of the Se- The activities will include chairperson of QF and founder prosperity to the government curity Service Andrew Parker. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani holding a education for parents and the of WISH, that World Autism and people of Spain. The Spanish They reviewed the bilateral re- meeting with UK’s Home Secretary Amber Rudd at the Home Off ice in London. general public as well as tar- Awareness Day is bringing a king reciprocated the greetings lations between Qatar and the geted training for healthcare message of support and rec- of the Emir, and wished progress, UK and ways to develop them, professionals. Activities will ognition to people around the development and prosperity to especially in the security and highlight the impact that this globe. Building on our WISH Qatar. information exchange fi elds. disorder can have on the indi- 2016 policy report on autism, The king also wished the Also yesterday, Sheikh Ab- viduals and their families. we continue to honour that ambassador success in carrying dullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Additional events will be commitment through projects out his duties. Thani met UK’s Home Secretary organised by Hamad Medical and programs both in Qatar Amber Rudd at the Home Offi ce Corporation, Primary Health and abroad.We thank all of our Al-Marri holds in London. Care Corporation, Sidra Medi- partners in this endeavour.” Talks during the meeting dealt cal and Research Centre, World WISH, an initiative of QF, has talks in Geneva with bilateral relations between Health Innovation Summit, a longstanding commitment to Qatar and the UK, especially in Qatar Autism Families Asso- raising awareness around men- HE the Attorney General Dr Ali the fi eld of security and means of ciation, Nomas Centre under tal health issues and developing bin Fetais al-Marri, who is also promoting them. the Ministry of Culture and evidence-based research to ad- UN Special Advocate for the The Prime Minister praised Sports, Renad Academy, Qatar dress related policy challenges Prevention of Corruption, met the the level of co-operation and Institute for Speech and Hear- in areas such as dementia and Director-General of the United co-ordination between the ing (QISH), Ontario Centre autism. WISH recently signed a Nations Off ice at Geneva Michael ministries of interior of both for Special Education, Step by memorandum of understanding Moller in Geneva yesterday. The countries, expressing hope that Step Centre for special Needs, with the Mental Health Friends Attorney General briefed on his the continuous meetings be- and Mind Institute. Association ‘Weyak’ to estab- activities as UN Special Advocate tween the two sides would lead These organisations will also lish a collaborative framework for the Prevention of Corruption to higher levels of co-operation be hosting their own aware- that promotes mental health in and explored prospects for joint and contribute to maintaining ness and education activities Qatar through the mutual ex- action. security in Qatar and the United HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani holding in support of World Autism change of ideas, information, The meeting was attended by the Kingdom. talks with UK’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Awareness Month. Activities awareness events, and research Permanent Representative of the The UK Home Secretary open to the public include a studies. State of Qatar to the UN Off ice at praised the level of co-ordina- ish home secretary witnessed in London yesterday. Later yesterday, the Prime “Walk in Blue” walkathon that WISH is currently part of a Geneva Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri. tion between the two ministries the signing of two security co- Talks during the meeting dealt Minister and Minister of Inte- will take place on the Corniche joint research project with the of interior on various security operation agreements for the with bilateral relations between rior left London, concluding and Villaggio Mall, organised World Innovation Summit for Arab audit bodies’ issues, especially combating 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Qatar and the UK and means of his visit to the United Kingdom, by Ontario Centre for Special Education and the Doha In- terrorism and money launder- HE Sheikh Abdullah bin promoting them in all fi elds. during which he led the Qa- Education. QISH is organising ternational Family Institute to meeting ends ing. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani A number of regional and in- tari delegation to the Qatar-UK a community awareness pro- support the health and well- Later, the Prime Minister and also met UK Foreign Secretary ternational issues of common Business and Investment Fo- gramme at Lulu Hypermarket being of children with autism The 55th executive council Minister of Interior and the Brit- Boris Johnson at his residence concern were also reviewed. rum. from April 4 to 6; and an “Au- in Qatar. meeting of the Arab Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ARABOSAI) came to a close yesterday. The two-day meeting was hosted by the State Audit Bureau of Qatar, HE the President of State Audit MoI opens new services centre at Pearl-Qatar Bureau of Qatar and second deputy president for the executive council of ARABOSAI By Joseph Varghese and Environment, Ministry of “The opening of the Pearl Sheikh Bandar bin Mohamed bin Staff Reporter Foreign Aff airs, Ministry of Jus- Services Centre is part of the Saud al-Thani stressed during tice, Ministry of Economy and commitment of UDC as the the meeting the importance of Commerce, Ministry of Educa- master developer of The Pearl- strengthening the governance he Ministry of Interior tion and Higher Education and Qatar to provide integrated serv- of the higher Arab authorities (MoI) opened a new gov- Kahramaa. ices with high quality, reliability for financial supervision Ternment services complex Speaking to Gulf Times, Brig and effi ciency to the people of and auditing, and working and services centre at The Pearl- al-Ateeq said, “This is an eff ort the island and its institutions in on ensuring independent Qatar yesterday. to diversify the services of dif- an easy and convenient manner and eff ective public sector The complex was inaugurated ferent ministries to various parts at the required level and excel- supervision, in addition to by Brig Mohamed Ahmad al-At- of the country. It is the 23rd cen- lence in business services within building the institutional capacity eeq, director general of the Gen- tre of the ministry with an aim the island”, said Ibrahim Jassim of these bodies to improve their eral Directorate of Passports. to provide all the services for the al-Othman, CEO of UDC. role in the development in the The event was also attended by citizens and residents near to The new services centre will Arab countries. directors of departments at MoI their place of residence and con- be operated on two fl oors. The He pointed out that the and representatives of several venience.” ground fl oor is for the services meeting came out with several ministries, government bodies “To begin with, the service of other ministries and the fi rst recommendations to enhance co- and United Development Com- centre will work only in one shift fl oor for the services of the MoI. operation between the diff erent pany (UDC), the master devel- from 8am to1pm. After assess- The centre has a spacious hall Arab supervision bodies. oper of The Pearl-Qatar. ing the situation for the next six Brig Mohamed Ahmad al-Ateeq, along with other off icials, cuts a ribbon to inaugurate the new services and special areas for people with On the sidelines of the meeting, a The new centre will provide months, we will decide whether centre at The Pearl-Qatar yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam special needs. memorandum of understanding services of seven ministries in- to expand the timing of the serv- There are six counters. Special between Arab Organisation cluding the Ministry of Interior, ices. All passport services will services for clients,” continued aff airs at the Ministry of Foreign several services of the Ministry for offi ces have been facilitated to of Supreme Audit Institutions Ministry of Administrative De- be available at the centre and Brig al-Ateeq. Aff airs said that the Pearl Services the citizens and residents such as provide services of Nationality and the African Organization velopment, Labour and Social all staff in the new centre are Ambassador Mohamed Abdul- Centre was 11th of its kind in the documents attestation and no- Department for men and women of Supreme Audit Institutions Aff airs, Ministry of Municipality trained well to present the best lah al-Sobaie, director of consular country. The centre will provide tarial certifi cation. separately. (AFROSAI-E) was signed. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 3 QATAR Qatar urged to make national resilience a strategic imperative

he growing number of natu- 8,706 reported cases, along with the spare capacity to accommodate dis- ral and man-made disasters second highest death rate, whereas ruptions, and identify economic op- Taround the world highlights Nigeria successfully contained the portunities in the anticipated infl ux the need for GCC countries to adopt outbreak, suff ering just 20 cases and of international visitors. a national resilience framework, ac- eight deaths. These two West African Nabih Maroun, executive vice cording to a Booz Allen Hamilton re- states had such markedly diff erent president, Booz Allen Hamilton- port titled ‘Building National Resil- outcomes because of issues relating Mena said, “The risks faced by GCC ience’. to resilience. countries are diverse, ranging from The report explains how national In the GCC, cyber-attacks are natural events such as fl ooding and resilience is a nation’s ability to sur- costing the government an estimat- sandstorms, to human-related acci- vive crises, seize existing market op- ed $1bn annually, according to the dents. portunities, and prevent and manage ICS Cyber Security Forum. As Qatar “We encourage GCC governments risks in a changing world. continues its vast infrastructure de- to make national resilience an integral According to data from the Organi- velopment projects in preparation to part of their strategic agendas in the sation for Economic Co-operation host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, it is next few years to address such pos- and Development (OECD), the nega- also preparing for the arrival of 1mn sible disruptions, which are concerns tive consequences from a major dis- international visitors to the country. for all mature economies.” ruptive event can reach up to 20% of Booz Allen Hamilton said an eff ec- Booz Allen Hamilton indicates that a country’s GDP. tive national resilience strategy could the best way to tailor resilience strat- The 2014 Ebola outbreak provided help the government build integration egy is to adopt and implement a com- the starkest contrast of how build- between sectors and network systems prehensive framework. As a starting ing resilience can aff ect catastrophic (eg, transportation, telecommunica- point, the World Bank and the OECD events. tions, hospitality), implement neces- have published resilience guidelines Sierra Leone experienced the high- sary security measures, establish sys- that are widely recognised in the in- est rate of infection in Africa with tem redundancies to purposely create ternational community.

HBKU representatives take part in international language conference

Two officials from Hamad Interpreting Unit for diacritisation, speech Bin Khalifa University Education City (Qatar)’, recognition among gave presentations at explored the rationale others and some of the the Globalisation and behind the creation of such implementations in Localisation Association a unit, the challenges and real-world solutions, and conference in Amsterdam, difficulties faced during the reliance on machine an event organised the planning phase, the learning for all the by the world’s leading phases leading to the technologies presented. trade association for the pilot remote interpreting “QCRI is one of the language industry. session, and what needs top research institutes Nada Melhem from to be done to change the Majd Abbar ... insight. around the world dealing the Translation and mindset of interpreters with Arabic language Interpretation Institute and event organisers included presentations technologies, so I was and Majd Abbar from the about the effectiveness of the full suite of pleased to showcase Qatar Computing Research and usefulness of remote advanced Arabic these technologies at the Institute (QCRI) presented interpreting compared language technologies, biggest language solutions their ideas at the event. to other traditional specifically NLP, machine conference,” Abbar said. Melhem’s short talk, interpreting equipment. translation, segmentation, “There was great interest titled ‘Creating a Remote Abbar’s masterclass parsing, normalisation, in what was presented.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR

Scattered rain forecast for today

There is a chance of strong wind and high Ruwais. The minimum scattered rain in the sea to the north. The temperature of 20C is Unesco upbeat in scaling up inshore areas in Qatar maximum temperature expected at Al Khor, today, the Met office of 29C is expected in Ruwais and Dukhan, has said in the weather Doha and at Mesaieed, followed by 21C at forecast. The offshore Wakrah, Al Khor and Abu Mesaieed, Wakrah and forecast is thundery Samra, followed by 28C Abu Samra, and 22C in fl oating mangrove project rain associated with at Dukhan and 26C at Doha.

By Joey Aguilar groves,” the senior Unesco offi cial noted. Staff Reporter She described such initiative as a win-win situation: greening areas and helping to sequester carbon with a very he United Nations Educational, low maintenance structure. Scientifi c and Cultural Organi- “It is quite unique in Qatar if they Tsation (Unesco) Doha Offi ce will pick it up,” she pointed out, expressing remain upbeat in its eff orts to promote optimism on the positive results of the and scale up the fl oating mangrove project, which was launched in April project in Qatar. 2013 at Lusail Marina. The idea is to de- “We are trying to fi nd more partners velop carbon sequestration prototypes from the private sector for the project. in Qatar, which could be used in various We know the pilot went very well, but parts of the world. However, Unesco la- we need to scale it up,” Dr Anna Paolini, mented that no donor has come to fund director, Unesco Representative in the the $2.5mn fi ve-year project. Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen, said Dr Anna Paolini speaks at a press “Unfortunately, until now our inter- at a press briefi ng yesterday. briefing yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer actions have not been successful but we Described as “a highly important en- Rasheed did not give up, we continue to promote vironmental initiative” that will signifi - these activities,” Dr Paolini stressed. cantly sequestrate carbon emissions not of the various marina in a bid to push for Unesco ecological sciences adviser only in Qatar but globally, she stressed the scaling up of the project. “This is to Dr Benno Böer, who was previously as- that the idea was picked up by other show the results and see whether they are signed in Qatar, had told Gulf Times Unesco offi ces in diff erent parts of the interested in sponsoring a larger pilot. In earlier that the project will provide an- world. She believes it is easier for their terms of carbon sequestration, which is a swers on how fi nancially feasible it is, colleagues to present this idea to their main issue here in Qatar, I think a project what is the best design and engineering partners due to larger mangrove popu- like this will help,” she added. technology, and how the systems can be lations in countries where they operate. “Also, it will be nice to see greenery turned profi table through biosaline ma- In Qatar, Dr Paolini said they are plan- in the marina that does not require any rine agriculture, the production of bio- ning to contact the authorities in charge water for growing the fl oating man- fuel and other cash products.

‘Community key to preserving Al Reem Reserve’

Involving and empowering the community It covers nearly 10% of the total land area migratory birds,” she added. “It is quite will play a significant role in preserving of Qatar. unique, there are also small birds with Qatar’s Al Reem Biosphere Reserve, the Dr Paolini stressed that the programme incredible capacities.” United Nations Educational, Scientific and has an important component – the She said fencing the Reserve is not enough Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Doha Off ice integration of the community in the to protect it, but needs the community has said. management of the biosphere reserve, to be empowered to help manage it. “We “Certain areas should be better protected, which include conserving the Rawda, the know that there are issues with hunting with focus on management and agricultural land, and the coastline land. here, it is a popular sport but it is not involvement of the community, especially Unesco is currently preparing an updated completely managed so this we are trying by regulating grazing or hunting so as version of the management plan, as well to address,” the Unesco senior off icial to keep the green areas alive,” Dr Anna as completely revising and assessing pointed out. Paolini, director, Unesco Representative in the progress made in the conservation Qatar is set to host a GCC meeting in April the Arab States of the Gulf and Yemen, told of the national reserve for its reporting to tackle some issues and challenges about a press briefing yesterday. this year. Dr Paolini noted that about 150 the programme and to show how Unesco The biosphere reserve, declared in 2007 species of migratory birds either to or from Doha Off ice is managing and helping the under Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere South Africa, and Antarctica, among other government in managing the Reserve. (MAB) programme, is aimed at eff iciently countries, are stuck in the area for weeks. “Through the management of Al Reem, we managing natural resources for the well- “After the rain, the Reserve is absolutely have good lessons learned to share with being of both human populations and the stunning, it seems like you are in another other countries in the region,” Dr Paolini environment. world and it is also the period of the added.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR Philippine president coming next month

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

hilippine President Rodrigo Du- terte is slated to witness the Psigning of memoranda of under- standing (MoUs) worth $133mn in in- vestment pledges from several Qatari companies during his fi rst state visit to Qatar on April 15-16. The investment pledges were the re- sult of the Doha leg of the ‘Philippine Investments Conference’ organised in February by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) to attract in- vestments from Qatar, said Joseph Timothy Rivera, Peza special adviser to the director general for Middle East and Northern Europe. In his report submitted yesterday to Philippine ambassador Alan L Tim- bayan, Rivera said Peza is “fi nalising the formalities of the eight companies that will sign MoUs with (Peza) director general Charito Plaza in the presence of the president.” Of the $133mn investment pledges, $96mn will come from three of the “approved” MoUs, said Rivera, who Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ... Doha-bound. added that the remaining fi ve MoUs “are still being fi nalised by the Qatari well as the establishment of an ‘Islamic The president is also slated meet side.” City’ in the Philippine island of Palawan. with the Filipino community in Qatar Earlier, Rivera said Qatari investments Rivera also said Duterte is slated to on April 15 at 6pm, he added. in the Philippines were focused on the have a state lunch with HH the Emir Prior to visiting Qatar, Duterte is establishment of retirement villages, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani scheduled to fl y to Saudi Arabia and economic zones, agro-industrial planta- after the welcome ceremonies at the Bahrain. He is also expected to visit the tions, and in the fi elds of IT solutions, as Emiri Diwan on April 16. UAE in May.

Mercedes-Benz recalls 2016 model

he Ministry of Economy and comes within the framework of its on- The MEC has urged all customers to Commerce (MEC), in collabo- going eff orts to protect consumers and report any violations to its Consum- Tration with Nasser Bin Khaled ensure that car dealers follow up on ve- er Protection and Anti-Commercial Automobiles, has announced the recall hicle defects and repairs. Fraud Department through the fol- of Mercedes-Benz S Class 2016 model The MEC will co-ordinate with the lowing channels: Hotline: 16001, e- because the stud at the linkage of the dealer to follow up on the maintenance mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ trunk partition may not correspond to and repair works and communicate MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, factory specifi cation. with customers to ensure that the nec- MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: The MEC said the recall campaign essary repairs are carried out. MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 7 QATAR

The Lexus vehicles used for the test drive. Hybrids lead the charge of new Lexus models

bdullah Abdulghani & Bros engineered 3.5-litre direct-injected V6 The RC F has an all-new 5.0-litre Company, the sole distributor hybrid engine (2GR-FXS), which is an 32-valve V8 engine that provides maxi- Afor Lexus in Qatar, recently or- evolution of the base six-cylinder driv- mum power at higher engine revolu- ganised a test drive event for the media etrain and produces a combined system tions than previously possible. with the latest Lexus models such as output of 308hp at 6,300 rpm with For the fi rst time in a Lexus perform- hybrid vehicles RX 450h and GS 450h, 34.2kg-m of torque at 4,600 rpm. ance engine, the RC F uses the Atkinson sports vehicles RCF and GSF and the IS The RX 450h also features newly cycle at cruising speeds for enhanced 350 sedan. shaped intake ports and combustion fuel economy. Lexus GS 450h is a premium execu- chambers that generate a high degree In the Atkinson cycle, the inlet valves tive saloon with a full hybrid power- of tumble inside the cylinders and im- are held open longer than normal to al- train. The fi rst hybrid model ever mar- prove combustion. low a reverse fl ow of intake air into the keted by Lexus, it marked the world’s The hybrid-powered drivetrain in intake manifold, thereby decreasing fi rst mass-produced rear-wheel drive the all-new Lexus RX is the latest, most pumping loss and increasing thermal luxury hybrid vehicle. advanced iteration of the Lexus Hybrid effi ciency. Although the engine at the heart of Drive system. A uniquely tuned 8-speed Sports the GS 450h was the same 3.5-litre V6 The Lexus IS 350 suggests speed and Direct Shift transmission improves powering the GS 350, it was assisted agility. Cockpit-like design, multiway linear response to accelerator-pedal by a high-output, permanent magnet adjustable front seats, dashboard with operation, letting the driver feel more electric motor that endowed the car an operation zone and a display zone, immersed in the torque and power as it with sports car-like performance com- and longer wheelbase which increases is applied. bined fuel economy typical of a 2.0-li- rear seat space and luggage capacity are The GSF also has a 5.0-litre 32-valve tre four-cylinder saloon, and low emis- among the highlights. V8 engine that provides maximum sion levels. The Lexus RC F sports coupe was de- power at higher engine revolutions Unlike other GS models, this power signed for optimum grip and handling than previously possible. plant was paired with a continuously agility, off ering reduced roll, higher The engine is Lexus’ most powerful variable transmission. cornering speeds and enhanced cor- V8 engine, with 12% more power than The RX 450h has a completely re- nering eff ectiveness. the IS F engine on which it is based. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR QIFF opening brings together food, culture lovers

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

ood lovers have begun to converge on the Hotel Park to savour the diverse range of local and inter- Fnational cuisine off ered at the eighth Qatar Inter- national Food Festival (QIFF), which opened yesterday. The 11-day culinary celebration also started treating visitors to a variety of signature dining experiences, in- cluding Dinner in the Sky, Garden Picnics and High-Tea/ Fine Dining. Senior offi cials of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Katara Hospitality, ambassadors of various countries, and other dignitaries graced the opening of the event yesterday, which also featured entertainment and cultural performances. QIFF welcomes visitors who want to learn from re- nowned chefs to the QIFF Cooking Theatre, which runs live demonstrations daily from 4pm to 9pm. It features Food Network’s Andy Bates and Graham Elliot on stage to share their secret ingredients and techniques. “The QIFF Cooking Theatre is a long-standing feature QIFF features live cooking demonstrations. of the festival and we are excited to bring it back this year An entertainment show at the festival yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma with a slew of world-renowned chefs,” QTA’s festivals them some of the things that I do. More importantly, I and tourism events Mashal Shahbik said. can’t wait to try some incredible food at QIFF – especial- way and I will also give tips on how to prepare ahead. The In addition, a series of Chef’s Table events are being “The variety of cuisines, skills and techniques they ly some of the signature Qatari dishes that I haven’t ex- second recipe is going to be an explosion of fl avours and held at select fi ve-star hotel restaurants, giving residents bring off ers something for everyone. It is truly a space perienced before, such as Mathrooba – and learn about colours that represents the culinary world of Miami where and visitors an opportunity to enjoy special live cooking for connoisseurs and novices alike to learn all about how the country’s food, culture and history,” he said. I now live,” he said. and dining experiences with internationally-acclaimed to handle, prepare, cook, present and even photograph Later in the week, Bates, a champion of British food The QIFF Cooking Theatre will also feature chefs from chefs. food,” she noted. and family-style cooking is set to take to the stage for neighbouring countries such as Kuwaiti cook Fawaz al- Organisers have also partnered with Uber to provide fes- Elliot, one of the most recognised cooks in the US to- three consecutive days. Fans can catch him presenting Omaim and ‘Queen of the Arabian Kitchen’, chef Manal tival-goers with aff ordable options to reach the Hotel Park. day, will take to the Cooking Theatre stage twice on the live on April 3 at 9pm, April 4 at 8pm, and on April 5 at al-Alem. Adding a dash of oriental spice, Indian celebrity Throughout the event, registered users can use the pro- fi rst weekend of QIFF: March 31 at 8pm and on April 1 at 9pm. Bates, who is also coming to Qatar for the fi rst time, chef, Sanjeev Kapoor will also appear in the Theatre. mocode QIFF2017 to receive a 20% discount for trips to the 7pm. is keeping his two recipes at the Cooking Theatre a sur- The festival, which will run until April 8, will also allow peo- festival grounds. First-time users of the application will “It is my fi rst time visiting Qatar and I am extremely prise. ple to enjoy specially-curated QIFF Menus on off er at their fa- also receive up to a QR40 off on their fi rst trip to the fes- excited to interact with the amazing people and show “The fi rst recipe is a British classic made the ‘proper’ vourite cafes and restaurants participating across the country. tival. DFI to Vodafone Qatar launches ‘Bill present Manager’ to prevent bill shock fi lms at odafone Qatar has launched its ‘Bill With holidaymakers in Qatar spending Hotel Park Manager’ solution to ensure that Vo- almost QR16,000 per trip, such issues can Vdafone Red postpaid customers do prove to be a costly headache, Vodafone said. not experience ‘bill shock’ when travelling But the fi ndings also indicate the widespread n celebration of Qatar International abroad. disruption such problems create, “far beyond Food Festival (QIFF), Doha Film In- New research from Vodafone revealed that their fi nancial impact.” Istitute (DFI) has curated an eclectic ‘bill shock’ has been a prevalent issue among Of those aff ected, 45% said they returned selection of fi lms for the community to holidaymakers travelling abroad from Qatar. from their holiday more stressed than when enjoy. DFI will present family-friendly Excessive mobile phone bills when travel- they left, 36% said issues on their trip caused fi lms daily at 7pm from today to April 7 ling is the leading issue experienced by 36% them to lose their temper, and more than one at the Hotel Park by The Sheraton Grand of people who had a travel problem in the last in fi ve (21%) said such problems ruined their Hotel Doha. The open-air, free screenings year, according to a fi nding in a new survey trip altogether. includes two feature fi lms, the Made in of more than 200 holidaymakers conducted Vodafone’s ‘Bill Manager’ “is perfect” for Qatar Short Film Programme and the In- by Intelligence Qatar – a mix of Qataris and customers travelling abroad. For customers ternational Short Film Programme. expats resident in Qatar, which uncovered the who start roaming in one of the 78 countries Fatma al-Remaihi, CEO, DFI, said the most commonly occurring issues that people included in the Vodafone Passport Pack and programme of 13 fi lms shines the spotlight travelling abroad have faced. for those who reach QR100 in terms of roam- on emerging national talent and introduc- ‘Bill Manager’ is an innovative product that ing data or voice usage, they will automati- es visitors and the local audiences to fi lms automatically gives customers the benefi ts of Vodafone Qatar COO Mohamed al-Sadah. cally receive 1GB data valid in 78 countries, that will appeal to people of all ages. Vodafone Passport when they roam without 1GB additional data valid in the GCC coun- Screenings of the crowd-sourced fi lm having to activate it in advance. ‘Bill Man- (18%); and poor customer service (11%). tries, and 100 roaming minutes valid for a initiative by DFI and Qatar Tourism Au- ager’ will also automatically apply the best The in-depth research fi ndings also high- week with no extra charge. thority, Dari Qatar by Ahmad al-Sharif local data products when customers go out of light the extent to which such travel troubles If a customer consumes the data or min- (Qatar / 2016) will take place on April 1 bundle using local data. threaten to spoil the fun for Qatar’s residents utes within a week, ‘Bill Manager’ will give and 4, and Oscar winning Kiki’s Delivery Vodafone Passport is the only mobile planning their perfect get-away, with more them the same benefi ts the moment their us- Service feature fi lm by Hayao Miyazaki product in Qatar that works on all operators than one in fi ve holidaymakers or 22% say- age reaches another QR100 and so on. (Japan / 1989) tomorrow and April 6. in the countries where it applies, once again ing they’ve had a trip beset by problems in the Vodafone Qatar chief operating offi cer The Made in Qatar Short Film Pro- protecting customers from shock charges past. Mohamed al-Sadah said: “Our ‘Bill Man- gramme on April 2 and 7 includes screen- that can apply from roaming on the wrong But the fi ndings also reveal that too few ager’ service has saved customers more than ings of The Palm Tree (Qatar / 2015) by network while on holiday. holidaymakers manage such issues proac- QR5mn primarily from international roam- Jassim al-Rumaihi ; Makh’bz (Qatar / As well as ‘bill shock’, other commonly re- tively. Less than half (46%) of those ques- ing usage in just a few weeks. The response 2015) by Aisha al-Muhannadi; Rain (Qa- ported complaints uncovered by the research tioned have complained when faced with from customers has exceeded all expecta- tar / 2012) by Rahab Elewaly ; Shishbarak included problems with their accommoda- such situations, just one in six (16%) made tions. It really is one of the most innovative (Qatar / 2016) by Bayan Dahdah and the tion, aff ecting 25% of people; delays with a compensation claim, and almost a third developments to benefi t consumers in re- popular animation Hero and the Message fl ights (18%); hidden and additional charges (30%) took no action at all. cent years.” (Qatar / 2016) by Pawel Borowski.

Ministry releases new bus map

he Ministry of Transport and Communica- tions (MoTC) has released a revamped bus Tmap - that will not only help residents to see all information about current bus services but also improve their interaction with other future public transit services planned for Qatar. The revamped map is one of the several initia- tives defi ned in the Qatar Public Transport Program (QPTP) that is currently being implemented. The new map can be easily accessed through various channels including the Ministry’s website www.motc.gov.qa and Mowasalat’s. The map will also be available at bus stations, bus stop shelters and onboard the buses in order to help passengers get around Qatar smoothly. This map is one of multiple initiatives being carried out to revolutionise how public transport is perceived across Qatar. Great steps have been taken in the proc- ess of improving Qatar’s public transit services with the number of public buses reaching 250 in 2016, cov- ering 51 routes, in addition to allocating some 17 areas of land for developing bus-related facilities. More information on public bus services may be had by calling 44588888.

1,091 cases of exhaust tinkering: Traff ic Dept The Traff ic Department spotted 20,410 violations during an inspection campaign across Qatar since January 26 this year, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported. These included 1,091 unauthorised modification of vehicles’ exhaust sound, 2,068 cases of illegal tinting of windows, 533 violations for unauthorised use of parking lots designated for the handicapped, and 786 cases of vehicles without rear plate numbers.There were 40 seat belt violations, 26 cases of using mobile phones while driving, 240 of stunt driving, 123 headlights and rear lights defects, 63 reckless driving, 23 cases of fleeing a traff ic patrol, 55 incidents of racing on public roads, 39 cases of modification of the original colour of vehicles, 26 cases of jumping the red light, and 1,390 unauthorised overtaking from the right, in addition to various other issues. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 9 QATAR Improvement in road Tamuq hosts chemistry expert infrastructure: survey for lecture series ajority of motorists in Qa- There has been a marginal im- the eff orts of QIC Insured to actively tar believe that roads in the provement in the trend for dis- support the creation of safer roads, he fourth talk in Texas A&M Uni- Mcountry have become “less tracted driving, according to 80% in line with Qatar’s National Road versity at Qatar’s Distinguished dangerous due to improved road in- of the respondents. Speeding on Safety Strategy and Qatar National TLecture Series featured Dr Alan W frastructure”, according to a survey. the roads too appears to have de- Vision 2030.” Weimer from the University of Colorado The survey commissioned by QIC creased (64%). The trend for abrupt He added: “While the observed Boulder. Insured, the retail arm of leading changing of lanes seems to have trends are mainly positive, further In his talk, “Solarthermal Chemistry insurer QIC, delivers encouraging dropped (67%). However, the per- eff orts in education, enforcement, — The Path Forward,” Weimer provided a perception trends of Qatar’s mo- ception trend for tailgating appears and infrastructure improvement are framework for using concentrated sunlight torists about infrastructure, overall unchanged over the last six months needed by all stakeholders, public and renewable electricity to drive chemical driving enjoyment, commute time, (76%). and private entities, and media to processing. and driving behaviour that are of- Salem al-Mannai, deputy group inculcate the culture of road safety He said solarthermal opportunities are ten linked to the cause of accidents president and CEO at QIC Mena, in Qatar. plentiful in several regions of the world, in Qatar. said: “It is indeed encouraging to “This means working collabora- including Africa, Australia and the Mid- The survey, which was conducted observe that most of the dimen- tively across all elements of the road dle East. Solar energy is the undisputed by YouGov in February, is based on sions included in the survey have transport system and recognising champion of renewable energies and the the views of a representative sample Salem al-Mannai, deputy group developed in the right direction, that everybody has a role to play in sun plays a unique role in energy produc- of the residents of Qatar. president and CEO, QIC Mena. which can be attributed to the improving road safety. It would also tion, Weimer said. Therefore, it is critical Survey highlights over the last various initiatives taken by the lay the foundations for a safe road to invest, develop and commercialise en- six months indicate that majority mute time (58%) and more driving ministry for improving road safety transport system that will benefi t ergy production processes for sustainable Dr Alan W Weimer of the respondents (64%) “strongly enjoyment (46%). in Qatar. future generations.” energy. agree” / “agree” that road infra- Only 38% of the respondents be- “We are proud to be associated The study will be repeated every “There’s an incredible amount of sun- that the better way to go might be hy- structure has improved over the last lieve that dangerous driving may have with this unique, long-term per- six months with the next scheduled light in Qatar — if you can harness it,” he brid, i.e., solar PV and thermochemical- six months, leading to shorter com- increased over the last six months. ception study as it demonstrates release in the third quarter of 2017. said. processing farms in which energy from the Weimer said that although photovoltaic sun produces electricity during daylight (PV) cells have won the solar race, the bet- but in parallel is “collected” to drive chem- ter way to go might be hybrid solar PV/ ical reactions that store energy later use. chemical-solarthermal farms in which en- Weimer is a globally recognised expert ergy from the sun is collected and focused in fl uid-particle processing, solar tech- to drive chemical reactions that would in nologies, and nano-materials. Weimer is QA Cargo transports horses turn produce electricity. co-author of more than 300 journal pub- Weimer said that although PV cells have lications with more than 5,000 citations, won the fi rst leg of the solar race, solar holds more than 30 patents and has formed for FEI World Cup Finals thermo-chemical processes have proven two spinoff companies.

ifty of the fi nest European horses were treated with ex- Fceptional care and attention by Qatar Airways Cargo as they were transported to Eppley Airfi eld in Omaha, Nebraska, for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping and FEI World Cup Dressage Finals, which began yesterday. Qatar Airways Cargo ensured the safety and comfort of the horses throughout their journey from Am- sterdam to Omaha on a Boeing 777 freighter for the fi ve-day event, the airline announced in a statement. Each horse stall on the freighter was loaded with two horses, with a total of 11 grooms accompanying the equine guests. The freighter also carried 20 tonnes of equine equip- ment. On board the aircraft, an am- bient temperature of 12 – 15C in the cargo bay during the fl ight ensured a comfortable journey for the horses. The cargo carrier will also fl y the horses back to Amsterdam after the Fifty thoroughbreds were flown on Boeing 777 freighter from Amsterdam to Omaha. FEI World Cup Finals. Ulrich Ogiermann, chief offi cer of on-time delivery, making us the cent upsurge in the transportation of live and between Europe and the US. cargo, at Qatar Airways, described premier carrier of live animals.” animals, especially horses. In 2016-17, The cargo carrier will receive an- the mission as another success- Edwin Hofstede, director at ECS the cargo carrier transported over 2,300 other Boeing 777 freighter later this ful equine charter. “We place great Livestock B V, the cargo carrier’s horses, a 10% increase over 2015-16. year, increasing its freighter fl eet to emphasis on care and safety in live customer, said, “The successful Qatar Airways Cargo transports a total of 22 aircraft by the end of animal transportation, particularly charter is testament to Qatar Air- a variety of animals in accordance 2017. Qatar Airways Cargo was also horses which require specialist serv- ways Cargo’s wealth of experience with International Air Transport As- awarded the Global Cargo Airline of ice and well-trained staff . We off er in transporting star-performing sociation Live Animal Regulations. the Year award at one of the leading personalised solutions, high quality horses around the world.” Horses are transported primarily be- air freight industry exhibitions, Air operations and an excellent record Qatar Airways Cargo has seen a re- tween the Middle East and Europe, Cargo Africa in February this year.

Boomerango is one of the attractions at Aqua Park Qatar. Aqua Park opening today

qua Park Qatar is a great time at the park,” opening today for it was explained in a Athe 2017 season, statement. with a host of attractions to “The Stingray Surfi ng entertain visitors of all ages. Machine, the fi rst of its Under the motto ‘more kind in Qatar, has gotten fun for less,’ the theme park better and more thrilling. off ers access from QR100 The Boomerango and Space onwards, it was announced Boat are among the more yesterday. than 10 attractions. “With huge downward “The opening weekend’s price adjustments from programme, until Saturday, last year and fl exible op- will also feature a special tions of paying extra (as attraction – The rugged low as QR30) for selected Toxic Rampage, taking the attractions, every visi- excitement to a whole new tor is guaranteed to have level,” it was added. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR Commercial Bank names fi nal batch of credit card campaign winners ommercial Bank has an- and payments, said: “‘Win with or points can be redeemed for net-worth individual custom- nounced the fi nal batch Commercial Bank Visa credit charity. ers. This elite programme al- Cof winners from its “Win card’ campaign was created to “Commercial Bank issues the lows limited edition customers with Commercial Bank Visa raise awareness of the benefi ts widest range of credit, debit and the opportunity to enjoy unique credit card” campaign. of choosing to use the credit card payroll (WPS) cards available to lifestyle experiences and an en- A total of 150 customers won for retail spending.” suit all customers’ needs. Com- hanced rewards programme. 10,000 Reward Points by spend- All Commercial Bank credit mercial Bank’s market leading “Always fi rst for card innova- ing a minimum of QR7,500 in a card holders are eligible to rewards programme allows cus- tion, Commercial Bank was the single month during October, earn Reward Points. They can tomers to earn Reward Points fi rst in Qatar to off er credit cards, November or December on re- redeem their points by visit- when using their credit cards for point of sale machines and mo- tail purchase transactions us- ing the bank’s online rewards retail purchases that can be in- bile point of sale machines, and ing their Commercial Bank Visa portal. With Commercial Bank stantly redeemed for fl ights, ho- has been the exclusive provider credit card. rewards, customers can book tels and discounts from Qatar’s of Diners Club credit cards in To conclude a successful cam- fl ights to any destination, with leading stores. Qatar for over 20 years. As Qa- paign, a lucky customer won any airline, with no blackout “Commercial Bank also is- tar’s leading provider of innova- 250,000 Reward Points in the dates and no hidden charges sues limited edition credit cards, tion-led payment solutions, the grand prize draw, with the run- or taxes. Customers can also Qatar’s leading ultra-premium bank manages over 50% of com- ner-up and third-placed winner choose to redeem their Reward card package that provides the mercial retail business point of receiving 150,000 and 100,000 Points for gift vouchers that highest level of unparalleled sales transactions and will con- Reward Points respectively. are accepted at the widest va- preferential and personalised tinue to increase its market share Roya Khajeh, AGM, cards riety of popular stores in Qatar, services for the discerning high in this sector.” The winners with Commercial Bank executives.

Jumbo Electronics mega promotion begins Santa Monica Breakfast Club opens

umbo Electronics’ bi-annual ‘Mega anta Monica Breakfast scale wall art that transported the Promotion’ has already become pop- Club (SMBC), in partner- essence of the iconic LA County Jular with customers, the company Sship with Jaidah Automo- known for its friendly, social, announced yesterday. tive, Chevrolet cars’ exclusive open-minded environment and Customers shopping at any of the Jum- dealer in Qatar, has opened its healthy living mentality. bo Electronics stores for a minimum of doors in Doha last week, intro- Jaidah Automotive sponsorship QR1,000 will get an assured gift, based on ducing a fresh concept of West comes as part of a diverse com- the price range of their purchase. Coast comfort food. munity engagement initiative by The assured gifts include an Oscar Steam Several diplomats attended Chevrolet. This partnership is Iron, JBL Flip 3 Bluetooth speaker, Thrumm the event and Doha socialites to celebrate American heritage Smart watch, LG Sound bars, JBL Wireless who enjoyed an evening full of in Qatar, channelled through the Headphones, LG X Power Mobiles, LG 43” and live entertainment, interactive West Coast cuisine themed menu 49” televisions, iPhone 6S and LG V20 mobiles. games, as well as food and and venue of SMBC. Customers can also benefi t from special beverage tastings. Chevrolet will display the all- SMBC introduces a fresh concept off ers across all product categories. Some The bi-annual mega promotion runs until April 15. SMBC, located at West Bay new 2017 Chevrolet Trax for vis- of West Coast comfort food. of the leading brands that can be purchased Lagoon, Grand Hyatt Doha, is itors to explore the latest tech- from a Jumbo store include LG, Morphy Ri- interest and pay over six or 12 months as buying extended warranty can get up to 12 open daily from 6am to midnight nology and safety features to the California coastal cuisine brunch chards, Apple, JBL, Harman Kardon, Broth- per the respective bank terms. Customers months additional extended warranty free. except for Thursday and Friday, new models. Chevrolet will be between 12.30pm and 3.30pm. er, Oscar, Indesit, Forbes, Nikkai and a wide can also earn and redeem points from three The Mega Promotion is running until when doors open until 2am. off ering discounts, off ers, games Soft beverage brunch is priced range of accessories. loyalty programmes: Airmiles, Nojoom and April 15 across all Jumbo Electronics Stores, SMBC has designs by inter- and many surprises to SMBC at QR260 per person and special In addition, customers can shop us- Jumbo Digits. On Jumbo Digits one can earn LG Brand Shop at Mall of Qatar and Harman national graffi ti artist Achilleas and Chevrolet customers. beverages brunch at QR360 for ing leading bank credit cards at 0% double points. During this period customer House in City Center Doha. Michaelides, who created large- On Fridays there is a special an unlimited free fl ow. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD Govt forces, rebels reach evacuation deal for towns

AFP Beirut

our Syrian towns are to be evacuated under an agree- Saudi Arabia’s King Salman meets with Egypt’s President Abdel Fment between pro-gov- Fattah al-Sisi on the sidelines of the 28th Ordinary Summit of the ernment forces and rebels, in the Arab League at the Dead Sea, Jordan, yesterday. latest of a series of deals to end crippling years-long sieges. The agreement is expected to involve more than 30,000 peo- ple, said the Syrian Observatory Saudi king invites for Human Rights. The deal reached late Tuesday involves Zabadani and Madaya, Egypt’s Sisi to visit besieged by regime fi ghters near Damascus, and Fuaa and Kafraya in northwest Syria that are en- Reuters have denied the existence of circled by rebels. Cairo tensions or disagreements Such evacuations have been between the two countries. touted by President Bashar Egypt voted in favour of al-Assad as a way to end his audi Arabia’s King Sal- a Russian-backed UN reso- country’s six-year war, but his man has invited Egyptian lution on Syria in October, opponents say the regime is re- SPresident Abdel Fattah which excluded calls to stop drawing Syria’s map with forced al-Sisi to visit his country, a bombing Aleppo. displacement. public show of good relations. In January an Egyptian The confl ict has killed more Sisi welcomed the invita- court rejected a government than 320,000 people and forced tion and in turn invited Salman plan to transfer two unin- millions more from their homes. back, his offi ce said in a state- habited Red Sea islands to In the central city of Homs, ment yesterday. Saudi Arabia.The kingdom where evacuations from the last The two leaders met at an agreed in April last year to rebel-held district resumed last Arab summit in Jordan and provide Egypt with 700,000 month, a bomb on a bus killed discussed improving relations, tonnes of refined oil products fi ve people yesterday, state me- the statement said. a month for five years, but the dia said. “King Salman promised to cargoes stopped arriving in The Observatory, a British- A Civil Defence member stands among children during a war safety awareness campaign in the rebel held besieged city of Douma, in the eastern visit Egypt in the very near early October. based monitor, said the residents Damascus suburb of Ghouta, Syria, yesterday. future based on an invitation Shipments resumed this of Zabadani, Madaya, Fuaa, and from President Abdel Fattah month, however, and Egypt’s Kafraya are to quit their home- to Aleppo, then on to Latakia and a reason.The UN has hosted offensive to encircle the Islam- begun to flow out. The tech- al-Sisi,” the statement also Petroleum Ministry said they towns over the course of 60 days Damascus. several rounds of peace talks in ic State group’s Syrian bastion nicians were able to open the said. had only been stopped for from next Tuesday. At least 600,000 people are Geneva to try to reach a politi- of Raqqa. door and ease pressure on the Officials from both sides commercial reasons. All of the residents of Fuaa and living under siege in Syria, ac- cal solution to the conflict. The campaign is now fo- dam,” the official said. Kafraya are expected to leave, cording to the United Nations, Yesterday, UN envoy Staffan cused on the key IS-held town The UN has warned of cata- while it was unclear if the evacu- with another 4mn people in so- de Mistura met with opposition of Tabqa and the adjacent dam strophic flooding downstream Lebanon’s Aoun takes tumble as summit starts ations of Madaya and Zabadani called “hard-to-reach” areas. delegates and government rep- on the Euphrates River, where if the dam were to burst, but would empty the towns com- The four towns are part of an resentatives. engineers carried out urgent the SDF and the US-led coali- Lebanese President Michel last year in a political deal that pletely. existing deal reached in 2015 And Russia’s deputy for- maintenance yesterday. tion have insisted there is no Aoun tripped and fell face saw Saad al-Hariri appointed Part of the Yarmuk Palestinian that has seen simultaneous eign minister Genady Gatilov The technicians came under structural damage. down as Arab heads of state prime minister, ending a 2-1/2 camp south of Damascus is also evacuations and aid deliveries, held talks with opposition del- fire from at least six IS shells as Technicians inside the com- gathered at the start of their year vacuum in the presi- to be evacuated. the last of which took place in egates, after meeting govern- they worked to open a spillway plex and the Observatory said summit at the Dead Sea in dency. Despite his fall, he later “As a goodwill measure, a November. ment representatives on Mon- to drain water that had built up the dam’s main electrical con- Jordan yesterday, television addressed the summit. ceasefi re for the towns came The new deal, which Syria’s day. in the reservoir, AFP’s corre- trol room had been knocked footage showed. En route to the same meeting, into eff ect overnight,” said Ob- Arab Red Crescent will help Expectations for the talks spondent there said. out. SDF fighters have ad- Aoun, 82, appeared to trip on Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Moham- servatory chief Rami Abdel Rah- implement, also stipulates that remain limited, with the two People could be seen run- vanced to within eight kilome- a low, red-carpeted podium ed bin Rashid, also slipped man, adding it would last nine Syria’s government release sides still far apart on resolving ning for cover along part of tres of Raqqa city at their clos- where flags of Arab states had as he disembarked from a months. 1,500 prisoners held for politi- a conflict that began with anti- the dam, whose northern en- est point. been arranged. plane on arrival in Amman, In all, 32,000 people are ex- cal activism since the uprising government protests but has trance has been captured by the Government forces mean- Two men in suits rushed to stumbling as he reached the pected to be evacuated, he said. began in 2011 but gives no time become a complex war putting US-backed Syrian Democratic while advanced against IS fur- help him to his feet as Egyp- bottom of the stairs down to Hassan Sharaf, who is co- frame. government forces, rebels, Forces. ther west in Aleppo province, tian President Abdel Fattah the runway, where a group of ordinating the deal for the gov- In Damascus yesterday Kurds, and militants against But the engineers were able taking the village of Deir Hafer al-Sisi stood nearby. people was waiting to meet ernment, said a total of 16,000 meanwhile, Assad replaced the each other. to complete their work and and securing 24 kilometres Aoun became head of state him. people would quit Fuaa and Ka- justice, economy, and develop- In the country’s north, US- leave, an SDF official and the of the Aleppo-Raqa highway, fraya “in two waves” going fi rst ment ministers, without giving backed fighters are waging an Observatory said. “Water has state media said. Houthi fi ghters threatening Camel festival strategic strait: US offi cial

AFP been migrated from the Strait Tillerson has also recom- Washington of Hormuz,” US Central Com- mended aiding forces from the mand chief General Joe Votel United Arab Emirates driving told the House Armed Services Houthi rebels from the key port outhi rebels in Yemen Committee. of Hodeida on the Red Sea, The are threatening free Washington Post reported. Hmovement into and out “I am extraordinarily He suggested increasing of the Red Sea with missiles, concerned about air-to-air refuelling and intel- mines and other sophisticated another contested ligence support the US military defences on a key strait, a top maritime chokepoint already provides the coalition. US general said yesterday. in the region” “I am extraordinarily con- The Bab el-Mandeb Strait cerned about another contest- connects the Red Sea to the In- The installations threaten ed maritime chokepoint in the dian Ocean, a strategic passage “commerce and ships and region,” Votel said, referring for world trade. our security operations in the to tensions with Iran over the Bordering it to the east, area,” he said. Strait of Hormuz, which links Yemen is locked in a deadly “I am extraordinarily con- the Arabian Gulf to the Indian civil war between government cerned about another contest- Ocean. forces backed by a coalition and ed maritime chokepoint in the More than 300 “incidents” the Iran-supported Houthis. region,” Votel said. take place in the Strait of Hor- Acting “with the support Defence Secretary Jim Mat- muz each year, Votel said, of Iran,” the rebels have de- tis is reported to support in- about 10 to 15 % of which he ployed “coastal defence mis- creasing military support for said were either “unprofes- siles, radar systems, mines the coalition. sional” or “unsafe,” putting US A man stands next to camels during the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rimah Governorate, north-east of Riyadh yesterday. and explosives boats that have US Secretary of State Rex vessels and crews at risk.

Vice Media gets ready Drone strikes kill fi ve Security forces shoot for Mideast foray Qaeda suspects in Yemen dead two militants Reuters some of the highest smartphone Reuters “The source of gun fi re was Dubai penetration rates in the world in AFP The raids come two weeks after US Presi- Dubai dealt with immediately and countries such as Saudi Arabia Aden dent Donald Trump’s administration report- neutralised and the mission was and the United Arab Emirates edly gave the CIA new powers to conduct drone completed successfully,” the ice Media is bringing its make it an ideal market to expand strikes against extremist targets in the Middle audi security forces killed statement said, adding that four edgy style of journalism into. “That’s just a tremendous rone strikes killed fi ve suspected Al East.Since March 2, the US has launched doz- two men who opened fi re other people with a history of Vto the Middle East to tap opportunity and we think that this Qaeda militants in southern Yemen ens of strikes against Al Qaeda targets in Abyan Son police during a raid on involvement in “terrorist and what it believes is an underserved is the time that we come in and Dyesterday, a security offi cial said, as the and the neighbouring provinces of Shabwa and a farm in eastern Saudi Arabia criminal acts” had been arrested. market of young, digital hungry steal a lot of market share,” Vice US intensifi es air raids on militants in the war- Baida. used by militants to plot and No policemen or innocent consumers. Co-Founder and Chief Executive torn country. In the fi rst three days of the strikes at least 22 prepare for attacks, the interior citizens were hurt in the raid, Vice announced its arrival with Shane Smith told Reuters in an in- Four suspected members of Al Qaeda in the suspected AQAP fi ghters were killed, security ministry said yesterday. it said. Activists posted photos a party yesterday at the glitzy Ar- terview in Dubai yesterday. Arabian Peninsula died when two missiles hit a offi cials and tribal sources have said. The Mokhtar Brigades, iden- of one of the two men with two mani Hotel in the world’s tallest Vice, which is aiming for 50 vehicle on the outskirts of the town of Mudiyah More than two years of civil war in Yemen tifi ed the two men as Meqdad bullet holes in the back and one tower, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, staff in Dubai by the end of the in Abyan province, the offi cial said. between government forces and rebels who al-Nimr and Mohamed al-Nimr, in the head. the global trade hub where the year, will launch a website and In a separate raid, three missiles hit a mo- control the capital have created a power vac- describing them as “martyrs”. The incident came less than New York-based company will set digital channel this summer and torbike driving down a side street in the town uum which AQAP has exploited to consolidate SPA said security forces came three weeks after a wanted mili- up its regional headquarters. is in active discussions about a 24- of Rawda in nearby Shabwa province, killing its presence in the south and east. under fi re while conducting a tant suspect was fatally wound- Vice reckons the region’s hour regional cable channel to be a man known locally as an AQAP member, the Washington regards AQAP as the militant search in a farm outside the town ed during an operation by Saudi youthful population coupled with broadcast from the emirate. offi cial said. network’s most dangerous arm. of Awamiya. security forces in Awamiya. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, March 30, 2017 ARAB WORLD

Police Iraqi forces battle toward shoot dead Palestinian landmark Mosul mosque woman Reuters Reuters lapse, burying families inside. Jerusalem Mosul Rescue workers are still pulling bodies out of the site. One local health official sraeli paramilitary police of- raqi special forces and police said yesterday 250 bodies had fi cers shot dead a Palestinian fought Islamic State mili- been recovered from the site, Iwoman who tried to attack Itants to edge closer to the though that is higher than Ira- them with scissors outside Jeru- Al-Nuri mosque in western Mo- qi military estimates. salem’s walled Old City yester- sul yesterday, tightening their But rescue efforts have been day, Israeli police said. control around the landmark hampered by a lack of equip- The incident occurred at Da- site in the battle to recapture ment and poor security. mascus Gate, a heavily guarded Iraq’s second city. What exactly happened on entrance to the Old City and The close-quarters fi ghting March 17 is still unclear. scene of similar violence in the is focused on the Old City sur- Iraqi military command has past. rounding the mosque, where said one line of investigation “Police responded to a life- Islamic State leader Abu Bakr is whether Islamic State rigged threatening situation and the fe- al-Baghdadi proclaimed a explosives that ultimately male fi ghter was shot dead at the caliphate nearly three years ago caused the blast that destroyed scene,” Israeli police spokesman across territory controlled by buildings. Micky Rosenfeld said. the group in both Iraq and Syria. Iraqi military said there was Luba Samri, a police spokes- Thousands of residents have no indication the building was woman, said the 49-year-old fl ed from IS-held areas inside hit directly by the strike. woman had “approached a group Mosul, the militants’ biggest re- Eyewitnesses have said a of offi cers, pulled out a knife and maining stronghold in Iraq. strike may have hit a mas- tried to stab them”. But tens of thousands more sive truck bomb parked by the Rosenfeld later said the wom- are still trapped inside homes, building. an had used scissors and police caught in the fi ghting, shelling Others say families were ei- video footage showed two still and air strikes as Iraqi forces ther sheltering in a basement images of her standing behind a backed by a US-led coalition or had been forced inside. police barrier facing offi cers and advance in the west. “My initial assessment is brandishing a sharp object. Helicopters circling west Mo- that we probably had a role in The video also showed scissors sul strafed IS positions beyond Iraqi rapid response members fire a missile against Islamic State militants during a battle in Mosul yesterday. these casualties,” Townsend, on the ground. the city train station, the site of the senior coalition com- Samri said the woman was heavy back-and-forth fi ghting Rapid Response elite interior vilians in Iraq, and he expressed mander in Iraq, told a Penta- a resident of East Jerusalem, in recent days, and thick black ministry troops were advanc- concern about those trapped in gon news briefing. which Israel captured along with smoke rose into the sky, Reuters ing on the edge of the Old City, western Mosul. “What I don’t know is were the adjacent West Bank in the reporters on the ground said. clambering over garden walls. The senior US commander they (the civilians) gathered 1967 Middle East war and which Heavy sustained gunfi re Islamic State responded with in Iraq acknowledged on Tues- there by the enemy? We still Palestinians now seek for a state. could be heard from the Old City rocket fi re, streaking the sky day that the US-led coalition have some assessments to At least 241 Palestinians have area, where militants are hid- with white smoke plumes. probably had a role in an ex- do....I would say this, that it been killed in Israel and the Pal- ing among residents and using “There are teams going into plosion in Mosul believed to sure looks like they were.” estinian Territories in a period of the alleyways, traditional fam- the Old City since yesterday,” have killed scores of civilians, The incident has heightened sporadic violence that began in ily homes and snaking narrow said Rapid Response offi cial Abd but said Islamic State could fears for the safety of civil- October 2015 but has tapered off roads to their advantage, fl eeing al-Amir. also be to blame. ians, an important concern for in recent months. residents say. Iraqi troops shot down at As investigators probe the Iraq’s government. Israel says at least 161 were “Federal police forces have least one suspected IS drone. March 17 blast, Lieutenant The United Nations rights Palestinians who launched stab- imposed full control over the The militants have been us- General Stephen Townsend chief said on Tuesday at least bing, shooting or ramming at- Qadheeb al-Ban area and the ing small commercial models to A civilian who was injured during the ongoing conflict between said increases in casualties 307 civilians had been killed tacks using vehicles on Israelis Al-Malab sports stadium in the spy and drop munitions on Iraqi government forces and Islamic State (IS) group militants in Mosul is were to be expected as the war and 273 wounded in west- before being killed by Israeli se- western wing of Old Mosul and military positions. wheeled into a trauma field hospital yesterday. entered its deadliest phase. ern Mosul since Feb 17, say- curity forces. are besieging militants around With the battle entering Local officials and eyewit- ing Islamic State was herding Others died during clashes and the Al-Nuri mosque,” federal the densely populated areas of eral hundred civilians have been Pope Francis said at his week- nesses say as many as 240 peo- residents into booby-trapped protests.Two American tourists police chief Lieutenant Gen- western Mosul, civilian casual- killed in the last month, and ly audience in St Peter’s Square ple may have been killed in the buildings as human shields and 37 Israelis have been killed in eral Raed Shaker Jawdat said in ties are becoming more of a risk. residents say IS militants are yesterday that it was “urgent Al-Jadida district when a huge and firing on those who tried such incidents since the violence a statement. The United Nations says sev- using them as human shields. and imperative” to protect ci- blast caused a building to col- to flee. began.

East Libyan fi ghter jet crashes outside Tobruk, four killed Engineers repair Tabqa dam spillways after shelling A fighter jet belonging to east Libyan forces crashed in a resi- dential area south of the city of Reuters spillways at the northern end of Tobruk yesterday, killing the pilot Tabqa Dam, Syria the 4-km-long dam in a bid to and a family of three, military relieve water pressure. off icials said. The MiG jet suff ered Islamic State fi red from the a technical fault while it was pillways at the Tabqa southern end of the dam, which being piloted by Saleh Joudah, Dam in Syria are working it controls, and at least two ex- the commander of Tobruk air Snormally after engineers plosions were heard. No one base, said Ahmed al-Mismari, managed to carry out repairs, was injured. spokesman for the eastern-based a local alliance of Kurdish and The south end covers the Libyan National Army (LNA). Arab militias said yesterday, de- main channel and fl ood gates, Libya is home to a patchwork spite shelling by Islamic State as well as operational buildings of armed groups with shifting that temporarily halted their and a hydroelectric plant. loyalties. work. The engineers were also at the The LNA, which does not recog- A media offi cial with the US- dam on Tuesday carrying out nise the UN-backed government backed Syrian Democratic Forc- an assessment of its soundness in Tripoli, has made territorial es (SDF) militia bloc said repairs as they tried to open the two gain in recent months in eastern continued after the shelling in- spillways, one of which was half and central Libya, while also cident, witnessed by Reuters, open and the other completely fighting rival factions inside areas and the spillways were now shut. The Syrian government under its control. functioning normally. has warned a collapse in the A video was showing a prisoner The dam is a major strate- dam could cause catastrophic exchange between the LNA and gic objective of the SDF’s US- fl ooding in the cities and towns the Benghazi Defence Brigades backed campaign to isolate and in the Euphrates valley down- (BDB), a faction that seized con- capture the Islamic State-held stream. Those areas represent trol of two of Libya’s key oil ports city of Raqqa, some 40km to the Islamic State’s most important earlier this month. east. Syrian Arab Red Crescent members and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inspect yesterday the Tabqa dam which has been recently partially remaining possessions in Syria. Three LNA troops captured The SDF began an assault to recaptured by US-backed SDF as part of their battle for the Islamic State group’s stronghold in nearby Raqqa. The head of the Kurdish YPG during the oil port fighting were capture it last week after the co- militia, fi ghting in the Raqqa seen being exchanged for six alition landed some of its fi ght- Sunday. Yesterday they cut the ian government both said on strikes by the US-led coalition have both said the dam is not campaign as part of the SDF al- women who had been trapped ers on the southern side of the road from Tabqa to Raqqa, the Sunday that the hydroelectric fi ghting the militants in the in danger, but they paused their liance, has said the fi nal assault by fighting in Benghazi. Euphrates near Tabqa, leading SDF said. dam on the Euphrates river was country’s north. assault to capture it on Monday on the city will begin in early to its capture of an air base on Islamic State and the Syr- vulnerable to collapse after air The SDF and the coalition and gave engineers access to April.

Egypt unearths part of ancient King Khufu’s boat

Reuters Archaeologists and conservation Cairo experts extracted the piece from a pit nearly three-metres underground and moved it to a conservation centre lo- plank of wood believed to be from cated next to the discovery site. the boat of an ancient Egyptian Egyptian and Japanese archaeolo- Aking has been unearthed near the gists are working on the project with Great Pyramid at Giza, archaeologists an aim to restore all the boat’s pieces said yesterday. and display them in the Grand Egyptian The boat, which is the second such Museum when it opens next year. vessel to be found on the site, was be- Egypt hopes ongoing archaeological lieved to have been built for King Khufu discoveries can boost its ailing tour- who ruled Egypt during the fourth dy- ism industry, a critical source of hard nasty more than 4,500 years ago. currency which has suff ered in the af- First discovered in the 1980s, experts termath of mass protests that toppled say they have so far uncovered 700 former president Hosni Mubarak in pieces of the boat from the site and now 2011. believe that they have unearthed most The number of tourists visiting Egypt of its pieces. stood at 9.3mn in 2015, compared to “We are celebrating the extraction more than 14.7mn in 2010, but the of the largest plank of wood,” said the country’s tourism minister expressed project’s main supervisor Mamdouh hope earlier this month that numbers Taha, adding it measures 26 metres (85 could return to levels experienced be- A team prepares a wooden piece of the second Khufu boat in order to transfer it to a lab, where it will be feet) long. fore the uprising. restored, in Giza, Egypt, yesterday. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 13 AFRICA

LEGAL CORRUPTION TRIAL HEALTH INSURGENCY Tanzanians detained Nigeria clears senate chief Ivory Coast’s former first 270 people died in Nigeria Uganda hails surrender of without trial protest over customs allegations lady cleared of war crimes meningitis outbreak senior LRA commander

Dozens of Tanzanian Muslims accused of terror The president of Nigeria’s upper house of A court in Ivory Coast acquitted former First Nearly 270 people, most of them children, have Uganda’s army yesterday hailed the surrender off ences said yesterday they would boycott parliament has been cleared of any wrongdoing Lady Simone Gbagbo of crimes against died in the past five months during the latest of a senior commander of the Lord’s Resistance pre-trial trial hearings to protest spending over allegations that he attempted to evade humanity and war crimes charges linked to her meningitis outbreak to hit Nigeria, public health Army who was in charge of communication four years in custody. Most of the 61 suspects, payment of customs duties on a car, the role in a 2011 civil war that killed about 3,000 off icials said yesterday. “Presently we have 1,828 for leader Joseph Kony. Major Michael Omona including preachers, were arrested in mainly chairman of the Senate committee that people, state television announced on Tuesday. suspected cases... and we have 269 deaths in returned to his hometo wn of Gulu in northern Christian Arusha. They all deny implication in investigated the claims said yesterday. The car The trial, the West African nation’s first for crimes about 15 states,” Olubunmi Ojo of the National Uganda on Monday, 23 years after he was the violence which included a May 2013 attack duty allegations related to newspaper reports against humanity, was held in an Ivorian court Centre for Disease Control told local television. kidnapped by the feared LRA. He handed himself on a Catholic church during an inaugural mass that the Senate failed to pay import duties of after the government rejected her extradition At least five northern states — Sokoto, Zamfara, over to US troops in the Central African Republic attended by the Vatican ambassador to the 74mn naira ($240,650) on a bulletproof car to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Katsina, Kebbi, Niger — and the Federal Capital last month, said army spokesman Richard country and Arusha’s archbishop. A newspaper, worth 298mn naira. The reports said the car Hague. Gbagbo, who has often been absent Territory have been hit hard and have crossed Karemire. Mwananchi, quoted one suspect as complaining belonged to Senate President Bukola Saraki. from the trial on complaints of poor health, the threshold for an epidemic, she added. “Having him weakens the command and control to the judge that its was always the same story — Samuel Anyanwu, who chairs the Senate was not present for the verdict. Her husband, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, director of disease control at of the LRA because communication is a major that the inquiry was not over. Another urged the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, is standing trial the federal ministry of health in Abuja, said those component in command and control of the authorities to come out and “declare we are held Petition, said its report found that Saraki had no before the ICC on similar charges connected to six states accounted for 1,090 infected people military even if it is a ragtag force like the LRA,” indefinitely, until we die”. links with the importer and dealer of the vehicle. the brief conflict. and 154 deaths. Karemire told AFP.

Ghana seeks new dawn for struggling power sector

AFP % of supply to the national grid Accra and, in addition, develop 38,000 solar-powered homes in “off - grid” communities. hana’s new government Harnessing the power of Afri- is looking to fi x a crip- ca’s most abundant free resource Gpling power crisis with a — the sun — to provide electric- complete overhaul of its defi cit- ity has long been a challenge for ridden energy sector including a governments across the conti- boost for solar energy. nent. Intermittent power supply is- In Ghana there are hopes that sues have dogged the west Afri- more people will sign up to a can nation since the 1980s and 500-watt solar panel scheme became particularly acute in the started under Mahama for homes last fi ve years — although there and businesses. has been some improvement re- The panels come free, but tak- cently. ers must still foot start-up costs President Nana Akufo-Addo of around $1,500. blames his predecessor John The Energy Commission Dramani Mahama whose energy wants to see 200,000 such sys- policies, he said last month, had tems installed, but the scheme’s led to “gargantuan debt”. coordinator, Kenneth Appiah, Ghana’s energy sector was says since it was launched in crushed by an accumulated debt February last year only 409 units of $2.4bn, he said, as the cost have been installed. of buying in fuel, paying energy Among those who have re- suppliers and running ineffi cient ceived the panels — each instal- Ahmed Kathrada’s body is lowered into a grave in Johannesburg, South Africa state companies spiralled out of lation is worth about $450 — is control. accountancy lecturer Daniel Its bad fi nancial situation Nkrumah-Afyeefi . “constitutes the single major He said the programme was hurdle to Ghanaians enjoying a good starting point to get his reliable and aff ordable electricity home off the grid and he planned supply”, he said last month in his to add more panels to lower food fi rst State of the Nation address. refrigeration costs and avoid hot, Improvements in the provi- sleepless nights. SA ruling party leaders sion of power were seen in the “When you live in a place like run-up to December’s election Accra and you need to store food but Akufo-Addo said the chal- items, when power runs off and lenges within the sector were far on like that some of the things from over and high costs were a get spoiled,” he told AFP. major stumbling block. “You tend to be buying as and Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic when you eat, and that ends up split on Gordhan’s fate Party (NPP) has now begun to increasing your cost of purchas- develop a new electricity mas- ing food items.” Gordhan has the confidence As Gordhan’s future hung in press the hope that you will wanting on many fronts...and it like it is,” said Motlanthe. terplan, which also includes pos- Ghana has seen four diff erent of markets and investors the balance, more volatile trading choose the correct way, that is would not hesitate to call for the Zuma’s offi ce said in a state- sibly listing state-owned power power crises since 1982 due to in the rand currency underlined gaining momentum, to consider resignation of the president of ment issued ahead of the service generation and supply compa- low water levels in the country’s Reuters his reputation as an emblem of stepping down?” Motlanthe said, the country with whom the buck that he would “not attend the nies on the stock exchange. dams, said Ishmael Ackah, head Johannesburg South Africa’s stability among reading from Kathrada’s letter, stops,” said Motlanthe. funeral and memorial service in Such asset sales would not of policy at the Africa Centre for investors. which drew prolonged applause After his retirement from poli- compliance with the wishes of only move the underperform- Energy Policy. Local assets have been under and a standing ovation. tics in 1999, Kathrada kept a low the family”. ing utilities off the government’s In 1997, the country began us- outh Africa’s ruling African pressure since Monday when Zuma, backed by the top ech- profi le, but in recent years had Neeshan Balton, the executive books, but private ownership ing thermal energy to comple- National Congress party is Zuma ordered Gordhan to aban- elons of the ANC, has survived spoken out against corruption director of the Ahmed Kathrada may well make them more effi - ment hydro-electric power but Ssplit at the top over wheth- don an investor roadshow in several scandals. and failings in the ruling ANC. Foundation, told Gordhan, who cient, experts say. struggles to keep its power sta- er Finance Minister Pravin Gord- Britain and fl y home. Zuma has Njabulo Nzuza, Secretary Gen- He openly criticised the cur- joined mourners for the funeral, This year’s budget also includ- tions going at full capacity, as han should be sacked, sources not given a reason for the recall. eral of the ANC Youth League, rent government of Zuma, which that “irrespective of whether ed ambitious plans for renewable the economy grows and demand said yesterday. After attending Kathrada’s fu- supported cabinet changes, say- has been accused of corruption, you are a minister or not in days energy to provide two to three increases. President Jacob Zuma wants neral, Gordhan said that he will ing a reshuffl e was “normal”. mismanagement and of failing or weeks to come — you remain to replace Gordhan and has the “open a new chapter” of his life The funeral of celebrated to transform the lives of black true to the values and principles support of party Chairwoman if speculation that Zuma is set to South African anti-apartheid South Africans. that Ahmed Kathrada would be Buhari acts to fill vacant ministries Baleka Mbete and Deputy Sec- sack him possibly later in the day activist Ahmed Kathrada yester- Quoting from a letter Kathrada proud of”. retary-General Jessie Duarte, the proves correct. day was transformed into a rally wrote to Zuma a year ago calling Balton then asked Gordhan to Nigeria’s President Muhamadu Buhari has submitted the names sources said. “You deal with it in a profes- against President Jacob Zuma, for him to stand down, Motlan- rise, prompting a standing ova- of two ministerial nominees to the Senate, the upper house said But Deputy President Cyril sional way...and if one is told who had been barred from the the received long and thunderous tion from the mourners. yesterday moving to reassert his authority after returning from Ramaphosa, Secretary-General one’s services are not required event. applause from mourners — in- Gordhan told local media after seven weeks of medical leave. Gwede Mantashe and Treasur- any longer, that’s the end of The family of the African Na- cluding serving ministers. the service that Kathrada’s letter Buhari nominated Stephen Ocheni, of Kogi state and Suleiman er-General Zweli Mkhize want one chapter, and we open a new tional Congress (ANC) stalwart, “In the face of such persist- to Zuma was a “message to all of Hassan from Gombe state, to fill the vacant labour and environment Gordhan to remain and have ex- chapter,” he said. one of Nelson Mandela’s closest ently widespread criticism...is it us that we have the responsibility ministries, said the Senate on its off icial Twitter account. pressed their opinion to Zuma, Zuma did not attend the fu- colleagues in the struggle against asking too much to express the to steer this country in the right They were the first major political appointments since the ailing according to the sources. neral, in line with the wishes of white minority rule who died on hope that you will choose the way, not just for our own pockets president returned from Britain on March 10 following medical leave The rift at the top comes amid Kathrada’s family. Tuesday aged 87, had asked Zuma correct way that is gaining mo- and for ourselves but for the ben- for an unspecified illness. party divisions over the fi nance Aff ectionately known as “Un- to stay away. mentum’ to consider stepping efi t of millions of south Africans”. Since then, he has worked only a handful of hours each day. minister’s plans to rein in spend- cle Kathy”, the liberation struggle It was however attended by down?” Kathrada wrote in 2016. Opposition EFF party lead- Nigerian law makes it mandatory for a minister to be appointed ing as the economy stagnates, stalwart who spent 26 years in vice president Cyril Ramaphosa, Motlanthe said that “354 days er Julius Malema tweeted that from each of the country’s 36 states. analysts say. prison under the apartheid gov- cabinet ministers and all of the ago today comrade Kathy wrote “speculation is that (Gordhan The role of minister of environment was left open earlier this year While Zuma does not need the ernment, was a critic of Zuma. country’s living post-apartheid this letter to which a reply has and deputy fi nance minister after Amina Mohammed, from Gombe, became the United Nations’ backing of the top six ANC mem- Addressing mourners at the former presidents. not been forthcoming”. Mcebisi Jonas) may be fi red” deputy secretary-general. bers to fi re ministers, open criti- funeral, former president Kgale- In a fi ery eulogy, former presi- An unidentifi ed mourner shortly after the funeral. The former minister of labour — James Ocholi, from Kogi — died in a cism might undermine his own ma Motlanthe said Kathrada had dent Kgalema Motlanthe said shouted out “down with Zuma” Kathrada was among those car crash a year ago and the position has since remained vacant. position within the party. written an open letter to Zuma in Kathrada was “deeply disturbed in Zulu with other mourners re- tried and jailed alongside Man- The nominees will be vetted by the Senate and, if confirmed, their “The three have told Zuma he’s April last year asking him to re- by the current post-apartheid sponding “down”. dela.He died in hospital in Jo- names will be returned to Buhari for ministerial roles to be formally making a mistake,” a senior party sign. failure of politics”. “On a day like this we should hannesburg after a short illness assigned to them. source told Reuters. “Is it asking too much to ex- “He found current leadership not mince words, we should say following brain surgery. DR Congo probes killing of UN researchers

AFP Tuesday, one of them decapitated. Guterres vowed Tuesday that the Kasai’s capital Kananga to Kin- dentifi ed assailants on March 12 there was a “high probability” the all 39 had been beheaded. Kinshasa International pressure has world body would do “everything shasa before being sent back to along with four Congolese accom- bodies were those of his son and France warned last week that mounted on the government to possible” to ensure justice over the their countries, Charles-Antoine panying them in Kasai-Central Catalan. drastic cuts to the mission would calm the unrest, with the UN Se- killings. Bambara, spokesman for the UN province. “Dental records and DNA sam- be tantamount to “playing with uthorities in the Demo- curity Council about to vote on its “I trust that the Congolese au- mission known as MONUSCO, Government spokesman Lam- ples will be used to confi rm the fi re” as the DRC is also embroiled cratic Republic of Congo peacekeeping mission in the giant thorities will conduct a full inves- said yesterday. bert Mende said the woman’s body identities. in election turmoil. Asaid yesterday they have central African country. tigation into this incident. The UN, EU and African Union had been decapitated. This will take some time,” he France has circulated a draft launched a probe into the killing Kasai, a diamond-rich area, has The United Nations will also on Tuesday expressed “grave con- The remote region has been added on Facebook. resolution to renew the mandate of two UN researchers in an attack been gripped by a violent tribal conduct an inquiry,” he said. cern” at the explosion of violence plagued by violence since mid- On Monday, Congolese national of the peacekeeping mission, but that has thrown the spotlight on uprising since traditional chieftain The Security Council is expect- which has left hundreds of people August, when government forces police accused rebels of massa- is facing scrutiny from the United surging violence in the troubled Kamwina Nsapu was killed in Au- ed to vote on the mandate for its dead since last summer. killed Kamwina Nsapu, a tribal cring 39 of their offi cers in Kasai. States which is seeking cuts to UN country. gust last year. mission in the DR Congo, where it Kasai is known for diamond chief and militia leader who had The victims were killed in an peace operations. American Michael Sharp and “As soon as they disappeared, has nearly 19,000 troops deployed, extraction but the industry has rebelled against President Joseph “ambush” early Friday as they The infl uential Catholic Church Swedish-Chilean dual national military magistrates launched an its largest and costliest peacekeep- almost totally collapsed, and like Kabila’s central government. were travelling in trucks, and bur- in DR Congo brokered a deal in late Zaida Catalan were kidnapped investigation, which has now been ing mission. elsewhere in the DR Congo, the Several days before the two UN ied in a mass grave by supporters December to pave the way for elec- in the restive region of Kasai on accelerated by the discovery of the About 200 of the troops are de- population lives in miserable con- experts were kidnapped, a Uru- of the late Kamwina Nsapu, a po- tions by the end of 2017, but the March 12 along with four Congo- bodies,” government spokesman ployed in Kasai. ditions without basic needs such guayan peacekeeper was shot and lice spokesman said. agreement has been bogged down lese nationals. Lambert Mende told AFP. The bodies of the two UN re- as water and electricity. injured in the same region. Jordan Anderson, Africa analyst in disputes over the appointment Their bodies found in a grave on UN Secretary-General Antonio searchers will be transferred from The two were kidnapped by uni- Sharp’s father, John Sharp, said for IHS Markit, cited reports that of a new prime minister. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, March 30, 2017 AMERICAS

INVESTMENT MEDIA EDUCATION SNIFF Ontario Teachers’ Pension US theatres to show 1984 Canadian govt backs artificial 12-yr-old wins rotten gets lower rate of return film on April 4 intelligence institute sneaker contest in NY

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s rate More than 180 movie theatres across the US will The Canadian and Ontario governments plan Seven young contestants put their best and of return dropped to 4.2% last year from screen the film 1984 on April 4 as a reaction to to team up with businesses to invest about smelliest shoe forward at the 42nd National 13% in 2015, the fund said yesterday, citing President Trump’s administration. The film will be C$200mn to fund an artificial intelligence Rotten Sneaker Contest in New York City on unfavourable currency movements. The results screened in 165 cities across 43 US states, as well institute at the University of Toronto. Artificial Tuesday. Twelve-year-old Connor Slocombe still exceeded a benchmark target of 3.5% for as in Canada, England, Sweden and Croatia. “Less intelligence has been touted as an emerging claimed the first place title for having the worst- the fund, The plan, which administers pensions than one month into the new administration, theatre technology with potential to transform industries smelling sneaker after three prior attempts to Shannon Winckler from Wheaton, Illinois, sits for 316,000 working and retired teachers in owners collectively believe the clock is already from healthcare and manufacturing to financial win the contest in years past. The four judges of before her shoes are judged. Canada’s most populous province, said its net striking thirteen,” the website says. “Orwell’s portrait services. Those hopes have attracted companies the contest, which was held at Ripley’s Believe assets grew to C$175.6bn at the end of 2016 of a government that manufactures their own facts, like Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook, as It or Not! Times Square, all cringed at the smell that kind of gets up your nose and makes your eyes from C$171.4bn a year earlier. The fund, which demands total obedience, and demonises foreign well as banks and manufacturers. The centre, of Slocombe’s beat-up shoe. George Aldrich, water,” Aldrich said. “And then the heave part, which is has investments in more than 50 countries, said enemies, has never been timelier.” The screenings to be known as the Vector Institute, will train AI a chemical specialist at Nasa, said Slocombe just an involuntary reaction. He had all three of them.” currency movements had a negative impact of will take place April 4 because that is the date the scientists who are needed by Canadian industry, managed to create all the smells he sniff s for in a Techniques for developing the putrid odours included 280 basis points on its rate of return in 2016. story’s main character, Winston Smith, starts a diary. said Ed Clark, who will head the institute. shoe. “One is the very putrid and then the pungent never wearing socks and walking through mud.

Woman arrested for driving into police car near US Capitol

AFP plex remains open to the public. Washington The Metropolitan Police De- partment earlier said the driver had apparently struck a police woman was arrested cruiser and tried running over yesterday near the US several other offi cers. ACapitol after driving into The incident occurred in the a police vehicle and narrowly 100 block of Independence Av- missing several offi cers on foot, enue, just steps from the Ray- but police said the incident ap- burn House Offi ce Building, pears unrelated to terrorism. where several members of Con- Capitol Police communica- gress have their offi ces. tions director Eva Malecki told During fair weather lawmak- reporters offi cers had “ob- ers often walk outside and cross served an erratic and aggres- Independence Avenue from the sive driver” in the area, and at- Rayburn building as they head tempted to stop the vehicle. to the Capitol, and the area on “The driver negotiated a U- the corner of the Washing- turn and fl ed the scene nearly ton Mall is often crowded with striking offi cers and strik- tourists. ing at least one other vehicle,” The Senate and House of Malecki said. “A brief pursuit Representatives entered into followed until the vehicle was session just minutes after the stopped.” alleged attack. Police fi red shots during the The incident occurred one incident, which occurred just week after an assault in Lon- a block from the Capitol com- don, where a 52-year-old man plex, but no one was injured ploughed through a crowd of and the suspect was taken into pedestrians on Westminster Surrounded by miners from Rosebud Mining, President Donald Trump signs the Energy Independence Executive Order at the Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in custody. Bridge near parliament in an Washington. President Donald Trump claimed an end to the “war on coal” Tuesday, as he moved to roll back climate protections enacted by predecessor Barack Obama. “This incident appears to be attack that left four people dead criminal in nature with no nex- and 50 wounded. us to terrorism,” Malecki said, That attacker was shot dead adding that the Capitol com- by police.

Court throws out Trump’s fund request ruling that upheld NY credit card law for wall hits GoP snag Republicans may be inclined ises, saying it is poorly planned to look at other things we can do Representative Bill Pascrell, a on North American-assembled Reuters credit card companies a sur- to delay a funding move and that there are other border to try to get that 60-vote thresh- New Jersey Democrat, said Ross vehicles. Washington charge that is added to the price security measures already con- old” on border and interior secu- told lawmakers in the closed- House Ways and Means Com- of a product. Reuters structed or under consideration. rity. door session that the administra- mittee Chairman Kevin Brady The law did not stop retailers Washington When he ran for president, Lawmakers said progress was tion was still aiming to complete told reporters that market access, he US Supreme Court yes- from off ering a discount for cash Trump pledged Mexico would being made on legislation to keep Nafta renegotiations by the end modernising Nafta and “holding terday threw out a ruling purchases. pay to build the wall, designed to the government running beyond of 2017. trading partners accountable” Tthat upheld a New York The case hinged on whether resident Donald Trump’s keep illegal immigrants and drugs April 28. That time frame is viewed by were key objectives articulated by law barring retailers from charg- the justices saw the law as a call for $1.5bn this year to from entering the United States. House Speaker Paul Ryan re- some members as “ambitious,” Ross and Vaughn ing more to buy with credit, speech restriction or a tradition- Phelp build a wall along the The Mexican government has moved another potential land especially because it is not clear “They were very clear, they sending the case back to a lower al form of price regulation that is border with Mexico could be in said it will not do so. mine on Tuesday when he said a when the administration will want to open access in ag, manu- court to decide as a free speech not subject to a free speech chal- jeopardy as fellow Republicans in The initiative has also faced re- Republican drive to end federal formally notify Congress of its facturing and services as well, so issue not as pricing regulation. lenge. Congress weigh delaying a deci- sistance among Republicans, in- funding for women’s healthcare intention to launch Nafta renego- they want this to be a 21st century The merchants that chal- Although the court, in a rul- sion on the request. cluding lawmakers representing provider Planned Parenthood tiations, Pascrell said. agreement,” Brady said. lenged the law argued it violated ing authored by Chief Justice Republican Senator Roy Blunt, some border towns. would be best accomplished on The notification will trigger Spokesmen for the Commerce their free speech rights under the John Roberts, ruled that it is a a member of his party’s leader- The federal government would legislation other than the up- a 90-day consultation period Department and USTR were not US speech regulation, it did not de- ship, told reporters on Tuesday have to purchase land in many lo- coming funding bill. before substantial talks can be- immediately available for com- Constitution’s First Amend- cide whether or not the measure that money for the wall likely cations in order to construct the Democrats have vowed to stop gin. ment on the meeting. ment, and the 8-0 ruling by the is lawful. would not be coupled with a edifi ce, which could make con- the must-do money bill if it end- Tuesday’s meeting was a legal Lawmakers said the admin- justices handed them at least a Five merchants, including a spending bill that must pass by struction costs soar. ed Planned Parenthood’s federal requirement to prepare the no- istration has not settled on the temporary victory. Brooklyn ice cream parlour and April 28 to avoid shutting down Reuters reported the wall funds. tifi cation and preserve the “fast form of the negotiations, wheth- The justices returned the a hair salon near Binghamton, federal agencies whose funding could end up costing as much as Trump administration trade track” authority for approving er Nafta will remain a tri-lateral matter to the New York-based challenged the law. expires then. $21.6bn, far more than the $12bn offi cials want a revamped North a renegotiated deal with only an agreement or whether it would be 2nd US Merchants contend laws like Blunt said the must-do fund- Trump cited. American Free Trade Agreement up-or-down vote in Congress. split into two bilateral trade deals. Circuit Court of Appeals, the one in New York infringe on ing “comes together better” Representative Mario Diaz- to improve access for US farm President Donald Trump has “My sense is that they are not which upheld the law in 2015 as their free speech rights by dic- without Trump’s additional re- Balart also expressed scepticism products, manufactured goods long vilifi ed Nafta as draining prejudging the form, they are legitimate pricing regulation. tating how they describe their quest for the border wall and about Congress’ ability to ap- and services in Canada and Mex- millions of manufacturing jobs to focused on the substance of the Retailers are forced to pay fees pricing to customers. military programmes and could prove funds for the wall, given ico, said lawmakers who met with Mexico, and he has vowed to quit agreement itself with Mexico and to credit card companies every Retailers have long com- be considered “at a later time”. the super-majority vote needed them on Tuesday. the trade pact unless it can be Canada,” Brady said. time a customer buys with a plained about the cost of accept- Democrats are threatening in the Senate for most major leg- Members of the House of Rep- renegotiated to shrink US trade Some lawmakers expressed card. ing credit cards including “swipe to block the bill funding federal islation. resentatives Ways and Means defi cits. frustration that the Trump offi cials The New York law barred fees,” a percentage of a credit agencies from April 29 to Sep- Asked about the wall, Diaz- Committee met with Commerce Lawmakers said Ross and were short on specifi c answers. retailers from imposing a sur- card transaction the merchants tember 30, the end of the current Balart, a senior member of the Secretary Wilbur Ross and acting Vaughn discussed broad negoti- “I wouldn’t exactly call this charge on customers who made pay to networks such as Master- fi scal year, if money for the border House of Representatives’ Ap- US Trade Representative Stephen ating objectives, but did not get meeting as moving the ball for- purchases with a credit card. Card Inc and Visa Inc every time wall is included. propriations Committee and a Vaughn to discuss the adminis- into specifi c issues such as US ward very much,” said Repre- It also made it impossible for a credit card is swiped to pay for They object to one of Trump’s leading voice on immigration tration’s plans for renegotiating access to Canada’s dairy sector sentative Ron Kind, a Wisconsin merchants to call fees paid to a purchase. premier 2016 campaign prom- policy, said: “I’m always willing the 23-year-old trade deal. or rules of origin for parts used Democrat. Woman who was symbol of housing crisis dies

Guardian News and Media posed to protect her,” Iris Mer- when the owners fi rst sought which included a judge grant- heart rate never returned to being evicted. There’s a lot of is mine,” adding, “All of this is London riouns, Canada’s niece, told an eviction. ing more than ten requests for normal.” frustration, a lot of anger and a killing me.” the Guardian on Tuesday. “She Carolyn Radisch, her hus- an eviction delay - came to a By many measures, San lot of sadness.” Mark Chernev, an attorney would have lived longer had band Peter Owens, and his close when a court recently Francisco is one of the most Merriouns was in tears re- for the property owner, said ris Canada, a 100-year-old she not had to suffer so much. brother Stephen Owens had ruled in the owners’ favour expensive cities in the country, counting her fi nal conversa- in an e-mail on Tuesday: “The woman whose eviction be- It was such a long arduous purchased the six-unit prop- and ordered the San Francisco and low-income renters, par- tions with her aunt, trying to owners were saddened to hear Icame a symbol of San Fran- fight.” erty in 2002 and granted Can- sheriff ’s offi ce to proceed with ticularly longtime residents of explain to her why she was un- of Iris Canada’s passing - she cisco’s housing crisis, died on The death of the centenar- ada a “life estate” agreement, the eviction. colour, have struggled to stay able to go back home. lived a remarkable life and will Saturday, one month after she ian marks the end of a pro- allowing her to remain until Offi cers subsequently in the region as the technol- “She just felt kind of thrown be remembered fondly.” lost her home. tracted battle that received she died at a fi xed rate of $700 changed the locks on Canada’s ogy industry has continued to away,” said Merriouns. “She Reached by phone, Eileen Canada, who died after suf- international attention as a a month. door, prompting intense pro- exacerbate wealth disparities. was a person of dignity and Hirst, chief of staff for the San fering a stroke, has struggled representation of gentrifi ca- The owners claimed that tests at the offi ce of Sheriff “It was clear all along that pride, and she was not yelling Francisco sheriff ’s offi ce, said, with serious health complica- tion and income inequality in Canada eventually stopped Vicki Hennessy, who told ac- this woman was not going to and screaming. “We are very sorry to learn that tions since the San Francisco San Francisco amid Califor- living in her unit and failed tivists that she was acting at survive this eviction,” said She was just simply saying, Iris Canada has passed away” sheriff ’s offi ce evicted her nia’s growing housing short- to maintain the property, but the direction of the court. Tommi Avicolli, director of ‘I want to remain in my home’.” and did not comment further. on 10 February, according to age. Canada and her family vehe- Canada’s health worsened counselling programmes with In an interview with the “Evictions have detrimen- housing activists and Canada’s Canada’s fi ght to stay in mently denied the accusations after the eviction, and she the Housing Rights Commit- Guardian at her home last Oc- tal aff ects on your health,” family. her fi rst-fl oor two-bedroom and said she wanted to remain spent most of her time in re- tee, a local advocacy group. tober, Canada said: “I love my Avicolli said, adding that for “Iris Canada was betrayed by apartment - her home of more in the unit until her death. cent weeks at the hospital, “Something needs to be house. This is my place. This is some people “it is absolutely all the systems that were sup- than 50 years - began in 2014 The lengthy court fi ght - according to Merriouns. “Her done to stop our seniors from my furniture. Everything here deadly”. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 15 ASEAN

ANIMAL SENTENCED POLITICS LETTER OF INTENT MUD FUN! Indonesian man found Ex-Thai tourism chief jailed Cambodia government ups Indonesia in tentative deal dead inside giant python for Hollywood bribes pressure on the opposition for A400M military jets

An Indonesian farmer has been discovered Thailand’s former tourism chief was sentenced Cambodia’s interior ministry yesterday told the main Indonesia has signed a letter of intent to inside the belly of a giant python after the yesterday to 50 years in jail for taking bribes worth opposition party its leader had been elected illegally buy Airbus A400M military aircraft, French swollen snake was caught near where the man 60mn baht ($1.74mn) from a pair of Hollywood and it must change its campaign slogan ahead of local President Francois Hollande’s off ice said vanished while harvesting his crops, an off icial producers. Juthamas Siriwan, a former governor elections. Rivals and human rights groups accuse yesterday. The provisional agreement was said yesterday. The body of 25-year-old Akbar of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and her Prime Minister Hun Sen of unfair manoeuvring to signed during a visit to Indonesia by Hollande was found when local people cut open the 7m daughter, Jittasopa Siriwan, were found guilty of keep his three-decade-old grip on power at a general and covers an unspecified number of aircraft, python after it was found bloated and slithering taking bribes from Gerald and Patricia Green from election next year for which the local ballot in June will according to a list of deals issued by his off ice. awkwardly in the village of Salubiro, on the 2002 to 2007, an off icial at the Bangkok criminal be a springboard. The opposition Cambodia National Hinting at industrial work as part of any deal, eastern island of Sulawesi on Monday. “We were court confirmed to DPA. The Greens were found Rescue Party (CNRP) chose Kem Sokha as its new the head of Airbus Military Aircraft, Fernando immediately suspicious that the snake had to have transferred money into Jittasopa’s bank leader this month. An interior ministry off icial told Alonso, said the aircraft would form the basis Balinese children put mud on their body during swallowed Akbar because around the site we account in order to win a bid to run the Bangkok the opposition party that its leadership election had of further industrial co-operation. At present a mud bath tradition known as found palm fruit, his harvesting tool and a boot,” Film Festival in 2003. Juthamas, 70, was given a breached an internal party rule which required an Indonesia operates Lockheed Martin C-130 Mebuug-buugan, in Kedonganan village, near said Junaidi, a senior village off icial. Junaidi said maximum sentence of 50 years, and her daughter 18-month waiting period. “The congress was illegal,” transporter planes and Spanish CASA planes Denpasar. The Mebuug-buugan is held a day the snake had swallowed the farmer whole. was sentenced to 44 years. Prak Sam Oeun told reporters yesterday. built under licence. after Nyepi aimed at neutralising bad traits.

Flypast! Thai junta eyes law to regulate Buddhism

Reuters Bangkok

hailand’s military government is work- ing on a law to help regulate Buddhism, Toffi cials say, giving the junta far more say over a pillar of Thai society that has so far eluded its control. The proposed bill, which has not been made public, would appear to signifi cantly reduce the say of the Sangha Supreme Council, Bud- dhism’s governing body in Thailand. A source within the government who did not wish to be named said the bill would set up a new committee that would set policies to “sup- port and protect Buddhism,” though it wouldn’t touch on religious practices. The bill would give monks chosen by the Sangha Council only three of the 27 seats on the committee. Other seats would go to the prime minister, police chief, a number of other senior offi cials as well as experts on Buddhism, members of Buddhist universities and representatives of Buddhist groups chosen by the prime minister, the source said. “The bill does not ‘support’, but forces monks to obey and stay under state governance, which is inappropriate,” Phra Metha Winairos, deputy dean of Mahamakut Buddhist University, told Reuters. “This state interference will down- grade religion.” The proposed law comes amid a swirl of con- The South Korean Air Force Black Eagles aerobatic team flies past Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. troversies around a religion professed by 95% of Thais, and with most opposition to army rule neutralised since a 2014 coup. While police have lifted a three-week siege of the giant Dhammakaya temple north of Bang- kok, the temple’s defi ance of attempts to arrest its former abbot in a money laundering case has highlighted the limit of state authority over monks. The draft of the new bill is being reviewed by the Sangha Supreme Council, said the head of the National Offi ce of Buddhism. Malaysia in ‘sensitive’ No member of the council of elder monks was available for comment. “This bill will benefi t monks and help spread Buddhism,” said Pongporn Pramsaneh, the re- cently appointed former detective who now heads the government offi ce that handles Bud- dhist aff airs. He declined to give details about the bill. talks with North Korea There are already indications the Sangha Council’s infl uence has been weakened. AFP bilateral ties. Three Malaysian em- Najib spoke on the eve of a six-day as an attempt to smear the secretive son, Kim Han-Sol, could be targeted Last year, the junta rejected the name put for- Kuala Lumpur bassy staff and six family members visit to India, with the body of Kim regime. next. ward by the council to be the new Supreme Pa- are currently stranded in North Ko- still at a hospital morgue in Kuala Pyongyang has also refused to Two women — one Vietnamese triarch of Buddhism, an abbot who had ties with rea’s capital after both countries re- Lumpur despite rumours it would be confi rm the identity of the victim, and one Indonesian — have been the Dhammakaya temple and who had been under alaysia’s Prime Minister called their ambassadors and barred repatriated. who was carrying a North Korean arrested and charged with the mur- investigation over a scam involving luxury cars. Najib Razak said yester- citizens from leaving. Inspector General of Police Khalid passport bearing the name of Kim der. The military-appointed parliament then Mday his government was “This is a discussion with a govern- Abu Bakar told reporters at a sepa- Chol when he was killed. Airport CCTV footage shows them granted new King Maha Vajiralongkorn the engaged in “very sensitive” talks ment and this is very sensitive,” Najib rate news conference: “In the case It insists that the man died of a approaching the 45-year-old victim power to pick a chief monk himself. with North Korea over nine Malay- said at a late night press conference, of Kim Jong-nam, something is go- heart attack and that the body should and apparently smearing his face Pongporn at the Buddhist aff airs offi ce said sians being prevented from leaving after after chairing a meeting of the ing on. I do not want to say what, just be handed over to them. with a piece of cloth. the renewed push on the bill had nothing to Pyongyang after the assassination of ruling Barisan National coalition. wait for the statement.” Malaysia however has offi cially Malaysian investigators are seek- do with the Dhammakaya temple, which frus- Kim Jong-nam. “What is important for us is the South Korea has blamed confi rmed his identity using DNA ing seven North Korean suspects, trated an attempt by thousands of police this Kim, the estranged half brother result. What we want to achieve Pyongyang for the killing, citing evidence and said it is waiting for his four of whom left Malaysia on the month to search for its former abbot, Phra of North Korean leader Kim Jong- is the safety of the Malaysians in what they say was a standing order next of kin to claim the body. day of the murder. Dhammachayo. un, was poisoned with a lethal nerve Pyongyang and also maintain the from Kim Jong-un to kill his exiled Kim’s wife and children, living in Malaysia’s police chief has said he Critics of the temple say it is sympathetic agent at the Kuala Lumpur airport image of Malaysia as a sovereign half-brother. the Chinese territory of Macau are believes they fl ed to Pyongyang while to the “red shirt” movement of ousted prime on February 13 in a brazen Cold War- country which upholds the principle But the North denies this and has thought to be in hiding since the the other three are hiding in North minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which the temple style assassination that has damaged of rule of law.” denounced Malaysia’s investigation murder, with fears his 21-year-old Korea’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur. denies. Myanmar stumbles on path to democracy under Suu Kyi

By Caroline Henshaw, AFP the violence in Rakhine state is former junta that gorged itself and still does not listen to its people. Rights Council agreed to dis- Yangon fast losing her fans among an in- its cronies on Myanmar’s resourc- Several of Suu Kyi’s fl agship patch a fact-fi nding mission to ternational community that was es and brutally suppressed dissent. policies are already faltering. investigate whether troops had once bedazzled by her power as a The government is hobbled Growth is slowing and foreign committed atrocities in the north or decades Myanmar’s peo- rights defender. by a military constitution that investment is expected to fall for of Rakhine State. ple dreamed of democracy, Expectations of what the NLD bars Suu Kyi from the presidency the fi rst time in four years, while The government has rejected Fbut a year into offi ce Aung could achieve in a year governing and guarantees them a quarter double-digit infl ation is eating the probe, saying it would only San Suu Kyi’s elected government one of Southeast Asia’s poorest of parliament seats — enough to up people’s incomes. “infl ame” tensions, and lashed is struggling to revive a sluggish countries were unreasonably high, block any changes. Political insiders complain Suu out at those reporting abuses. economy and shake off the ves- according to Myanmar watchers. It also gives the army control Kyi has concentrated too much But despite the new govern- tiges of the still powerful military. But now many are question- over the three most important power in her own hands and is ment’s teething problems, many Swept into power on a wave of ing whether the government will ministries: defence, borders and stifl ing debate within the party. still revere “mother Suu” as a saint- optimism and hatred of the gen- ever be able to piece the country home aff airs. Prosecutions against journal- like fi gure who delivered Myanmar erals who ruled for 50 years, Suu back together. A prominent NLD lawyer who ists, satirists and activists under from military oppression. Kyi’s National League for De- “There is a growing sense was trying to scrap the charter, a vague online defamation law “I’m not convinced public mocracy (NLD) vowed to boost among the politically engaged Ko Ni, was murdered in broad have meanwhile surged over the discontent is as widespread as prosperity and end decades of urban electorate that the gov- daylight at Yangon airport in a past year — several brought by often perceived,” said Renaud bloody civil war. ernment is not meeting their ex- killing allegedly masterminded NLD members. Egreteau, a visiting fellow at the But while ‘The Lady’, as she is pectations,” said political analyst by a former military offi cer. The Lady has also faced criti- A March 30, 2016, file photo of Aung San Suu Kyi and military ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, widely known, still draws wide- Richard Horsey, a consultant for Speaking at his funeral, Suu cism for mishandling peace talks generals share a lighter moment during the handover ceremony in pointing out that the NLD retains spread personal adoration in the International Crisis Group. Kyi urged the public to be patient. with ethnic insurgents in Myan- Naypyidaw. strong support in its rural heart- many areas of the country, dis- “Partly, that is because those “For the history of a country, mar’s borderlands, where fi ght- lands. senting voices are rising. expectations were inevitably far for the history of a government, ing is at its most intense in dec- ation would improve under a new Internationally, many have Government adviser Aung Tun Suu Kyi cuts an increasingly too high...but partly it is due to 10 months or one year is not ades. government. But it hasn’t, it’s been shocked at Suu Kyi’s silence Thet said it was too early to judge aloof fi gure, say analysts, ducking government under-perform- much,” she told the crowd. Analysts warn that rising an- even got worse,” said veteran My- over an army crackdown on Ro- the NLD. “We can’t say after a press conferences and remaining ance.” But many in Myanmar wryly ger in ethnic minority areas could anmar commentator and author hingya Muslims so brutal UN in- year what the government’s per- silent over a bloody army crack- Most MPs have little or no po- joke that the NLD is just “old see the NLD lose power to local Bertil Lintner. vestigators believe it may amount formance has been like an exam. down on Rohingya Muslims. litical experience and many spent wine in a new bottle” — new parties in April 1 by-elections. “She’s become a fi g leaf for to crimes against humanity. We can’t say if they have passed Her reticence to speak out on years languishing in jail under the packaging for a government that “There was hope that the situ- continued military rule.” Last week the UN Human or failed,” he said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, March 30, 2017 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA South Korea media slam govt over ferry ‘remains’

AFP remains had been found by workers Animal bones and human bones are tioned on board the semi-submersible Seoul and were “suspected to be one of the easily discernible even to the naked Dockwise White Marlin to avoid any missing victims”. eye, it added. Relatives who have set further misidentifi cations, the mari- Little more than fi ve hours later it up home at a port near the accident time ministry said. outh Korean authorities faced a withdrew the assertion, saying the site burst into tears when a senior of- The vessel is expected fi nally to deluge of criticism yesterday for pieces had been confi rmed to be seven fi cial told them “human remains” had bring the Sewol to port at Mokpo in Sannouncing that human remains animal bone fragments. been retrieved, the paper said. the coming days, although preparato- had been found from the sunken Se- Citing forensic experts, Yonhap They rushed to reach a semi-sub- ry work for the journey was suspended wol ferry, only to correct themselves news agency said they were from ani- mersible anchored out at sea, where yesterday due to bad weather, Yonhap within hours to say they were animal mal legs — and could be immediately the wreck has been loaded and the reported. bones. Newspapers said relatives of identifi ed as such by any specialist. bone fragments were found, only to be Almost all the victims of the sinking the missing had been put through In a front-page headline yesterday, told of their animal origins. were schoolchildren. Investigations “heaven and hell” and accused the the Hankook Ilbo declared: “Mari- Lost for words and exhausted, they concluded the disaster was largely maritime ministry of recklessness. time ministry gives relatives double returned to their shelters in silence, man-made — the cumulative result Nine of the 304 people killed nearly punch”. according to the daily. of an illegal redesign of the ship, an three years ago in one of the South’s “Relatives of missing people had to An unidentifi ed ministry offi cial overloaded cargo bay, inexperienced worst maritime disasters have never undergo heaven and hell in one swoop was quoted by the Chosun Ilbo news- crew and a questionable relationship been found. Salvaging the wreck in as the government recklessly went paper as saying: “The bones were in between the ship operators and state one piece — fi nally achieved in a com- ahead with an important announce- muck and we were unable to take a regulators. plex operation last week — had been a ment without checking basic facts,” it close look at them” before forensic The ministry was heavily criticised key demand of their families, who say said. experts arrived. “We never imagined over the sinking, and the Kyunghyang they have been unable to mourn prop- The Dong-A Ilbo daily said it had they could be from an animal.” daily said the announcement debacle erly without the remains. “jumped the gun”, under a headline Reports suggested the bones could occurred because it was now overly South Korean newspapers carry front-page stories about bone fragments found The maritime ministry raised their reading: “The maritime ministry have come from food on board the Se- eager to prove itself by producing re- from the sunken Sewol ferry and pictures of relatives of the missing people from hopes Tuesday when it said human goofs up, again”. wol. A forensic scientist will be sta- sults in the search for the missing. the ferry disaster in Seoul. Cyclone Debbie abates, military brings in relief

AFP Ayr, Australia

owns remained cut off in northern Australia yes- Tterday after being pum- melled by a powerful cyclone that washed battered yachts ashore and ripped roofs off houses, as the military mobilised to help with the clean-up. The category four Cyclone Debbie slammed into the coast of Queensland state between Bo- wen and Airlie Beach on Tuesday afternoon, packing destructive winds and devastating some of A plane that was flipped by strong winds from Cyclone Debbie is seen the region’s tourist hotspots. at the airport in the town of Bowen, located south of the northern “It was the vibration and Australian city of Townsville. A yacht washed up at the marina on Hamilton Island. the hum, it was jaw-dropping, body-rocking and eyeball-pop- injury — a man crushed by a col- How Cyclone Debbie got her name ping. It was immense,” Lachlan lapsing wall. Queenan, who was sheltering in Emergency crews began as- The huge storm that tore “The practice of naming storms 1975, according to its Bureau of his Airlie Beach home, told the sessing the damage but blocked through parts of northeastern (tropical cyclones) began years Meteorology, and other areas Australian Broadcasting Cor- roads and fl ash fl ooding ham- Australia this week was almost ago in order to help in the have followed suit. Currently, poration. Debbie has since been pered eff orts, as soldiers, military called Caleb instead of Debbie. quick identification of storms Australia uses 104 names in a downgraded to a tropical low but helicopters and planes started The next one will be named in warning messages because system that started from the the Bureau of Meteorology still deploying to help restore infra- Ernie. Debbie started life as a names are presumed to be 2008-09 season. warned of damaging wind gusts structure and supply emergency tropical low off Queensland far easier to remember than Other regions, such as the with “intense” rain, sparking food, water and fuel. state, but formed into a cyclone numbers and technical terms,” Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico Fallen trees on Hamilton Island after strong Cyclone Debbie hit the fl ooding fears as river levels rise. Queensland Premier Annasta- just after Caleb — another the WMO website said. They and the North Atlantic, use Whitsundays Islands in Queensland. “This rainfall is likely to lead to cia Palaszczuk fl ew by helicopter weather system brewing off used to be arbitrarily picked, but names better suited to their major river fl ooding over a broad to Bowen, which bore much of Western Australia — fizzled by the middle of last century the parts of the world. Whitsunday Regional Council baby girl was born at an ambu- area this week,” it said. Some are- the brunt, and said mass evacu- out. The process of choosing practice of using female names First up in 2016-17 for Australia mayor Andrew Willcox described lance station on the Whitsun- as have been drenched in “a phe- ations helped save lives. a moniker for storms comes began, with meteorologists later was Yvette. Before Debbie came Bowen as “like a war zone”. day islands as the storm raged nomenal” 1,000mm (39 inches) Tens of thousands moved to from a formal system managed moving to an alphabetic list. Caleb, Blanche and Alfred, with “This beautiful seaside town outside. “You know, out of all of of rain in just 48 hours — the higher ground or cyclone shelters by the World Meteorological Australia was the first country the next tropical cyclones set is now half-wrecked but we will this, to see a little miracle, I think equivalent of half a year’s worth, or left the region before Cyclone Organisation, with 10 global to switch to alternating between to be Ernie, then Frances, Greg, rebuild,” he told Channel Nine brings a smile to a lot of faces,” according to the weather bureau. Debbie made landfall. “Thank- regions submitting names. male and female names in and Hilda. television. In the mining town said Palaszczuk. Roads to the towns of Bowen, fully the extent of the damage of Collinsville, residents said the Great Barrier Reef islands Airlie Beach and Proserpine were here is not as widespread as we storm was emotionally draining, popular with foreign tourists inaccessible, with more than fi rst anticipated,” she said, but schools. Damage to shops, fences “Around Proserpine itself, it Pictures posted on social me- with winds raging for hours as were among the worst hit. 60,000 homes without power added after visiting Proserpine that are down. This is going to be was like a town that was sur- dia showed a light plane fl ipped they cowered inside. Daydream Island Resort said and communications down in that a huge recovery eff ort was a big eff ort. We have trees down rounded by a sea of water. They upside down, yachts washed Wind gusts of up to 270kph it sustained signifi cant damage, many areas. But no deaths were needed. on roads, we have power lines have never seen so much water in ashore, power poles down and were reported near Debbie’s including to its jetty and accom- reported and only one signifi cant “Damage to homes. Damage to down,” she told the ABC. their life.” trees fallen on houses. broad core. On a brighter note, a modation wings.

Fog grounds flights in and Japan ruling party Freeze frame out of New Zealand capital Thick flog blanketed the New Zealand capital yesterday, leading to the cancellation of more than 100 flights and leaving travellers urges strike capability stranded. “Fog and low cloud are also currently forecast in the Wellington area for tomorrow morning,” Air New Zealand said in an e-mailed statement, adding it would decide today whether it can amid N Korea threat resume services. Airport off icials were off ering free bottled water, blankets and snacks to anybody forced to stay at the terminal overnight, media said. New Zealand’s Meteorological Service said AFP fense (THAAD) and shore-based the fog was forecast to clear by today afternoon. Tokyo Aegis missile defence systems. “We can’t waste a moment to Japan’s ruling party said yester- strengthen our ballistic missile day the government should con- defence,” it said. Taiwan demands release of sider developing the capability to The recommendations, how- rights activist held in China strike enemy bases if the country ever, do not include calls for Japan is attacked, citing North Korea’s to wield a so-called fi rst strike Taiwanese off icials and NGOs details about Lee’s situation. missile and nuclear threats. For capability, which would entail yesterday demanded the The deputy minister for years Tokyo has harboured deep hitting an enemy before it could immediate release of a pro- Taiwan’s Mainland Aff airs suspicion of Pyongyang and seen launch an attack. Japan has main- democracy activist detained Council, Chiu Chui-cheng, itself as increasingly vulnerable to tained a strictly defence-only in China. The whereabouts said Beijing should provide its nuclear and missile ambitions. policy. Its pacifi st constitution, of Lee Ming-che, 42, had not a clear explanation for Lee’s North Korea conducted two imposed by occupying US forces been known since March 19, detention. “We demand nuclear tests last year and test- after World War II, bans the use when he entered mainland the immediate release of fi red four ballistic missiles just of force except in the strictest China from Macau. Earlier Lee Ming-che. The Chinese this month, three of which landed meaning of self-protection. yesterday, Beijing confirmed government so far has not off Japan’s coast. The United States stations An Emirati woman takes a selfie under a blooming cherry blossom tree in a park in Tokyo, yesterday. that Lee was being held clearly said which law he was “North Korea’s provoca- some 47,000 troops in Japan and on suspicion of pursuing violating,” Taiwan Association tive acts are reaching levels our guarantees its security through a activities harmful to China’s for Human Rights secretary country can simply no longer formal alliance. national security. Lee is in general Chiu E-ling told a overlook,” a Liberal Democratic Abe, who heads the LDP, is a Hong Kong convicts two over ivory using radiocarbon dating good health, a spokesman news conference in Taipei. Party (LDP) security panel said staunch supporter of the secu- for Beijing’s Taiwan Aff airs Lee Ching-yu, the activist’s in a proposal to be submitted to rity relationship with the US. But Off ice said at a news wife, said at the same Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he has long called for revising the A Hong Kong court has convicted government licence. But the pair fines — of HK$6,000 (US$770) conference. “Developments gathering that her husband early as today. The panel called on constitution, seen by conserva- two people of illegally possessing were convicted and fined after and HK$8,000 — on the operator of the investigation, in line was most involved in the government immediately to tives as an outdated legacy of the ivory chopsticks after radiocarbon the dating process established of the store and its proprietor. with judicial process, will promoting human rights and study ways to strike enemy bases country’s wartime defeat and dating proved the items were the ivory was obtained after “It’s the first time the Hong Kong be disclosed in a timely democracy. “He often shares if attacked, including through the occupation. Under Abe Japan in produced after 1990 and therefore 1990. Off icials had bought the government has ever used fashion,” said spokesman Taiwan’s democratisation deployment of cruise missiles. 2015 passed a controversial new unlawful, the government said chopsticks from a crafts shop radiocarbon analysis to determine Ma Xiaoguang, according experience online with It also urged the government law that allows the Self-Defense yesterday. Domestic trade in during an operation last August the age of ivory — that’s a total to China’s state-run Xinhua Internet surfers. The move to “immediately consider” if it Forces, the country’s military, to ivory imported legally into Hong in the city’s Sheung Wan district, game-changer in the market,” News Agency. is innocent in any civilised should introduce the US Ter- go into battle to protect treaty ally Kong before that year is not which is dotted with curio and WildAid wildlife campaigner Alex He declined to reveal further country,” she said. minal High Altitude Area De- the US. against the law if the seller has a antique vendors. A court imposed Hoff ord said. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND May triggers ‘historic’ Brexit z Two years of talks loom; exit planned in 2019 z United Kingdom’s future unclear

Reuters London

rime Minister Theresa May formally began Britain’s Pdivorce from the European Union yesterday, declaring there was no turning back and usher- ing in a tortuous exit process that will test the bloc’s cohesion and pitch her country into the un- known. In one of the most signifi cant steps by a British leader since World War II, May notifi ed EU Council president Donald Tusk in a hand-delivered letter that Key points from PM’s letter Britain would quit the club it Calling for a “deep and special of Ireland, an EU member state, joined in 1973. partnership” with Brussels, Prime and Northern Ireland, a British “The United Kingdom is leav- Minister Theresa May struck a province. “We want to avoid a ing the European Union,” May conciliatory tone yesterday in return to a hard border between told parliament nine months af- her letter formally announcing our two countries,” she said. The ter Britain shocked investors and Britain’s permanent representative to the European Union, Tim Barrow, leaves after he delivers Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit letter to EU Britain’s intention to leave the prime minister also said she world leaders by unexpectedly Council president Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. EU. Here are the main points wanted to ensure that Britain’s voting to quit the bloc. “This is from the historic letter: withdrawal “does not harm the an historic moment from which courage other member states to Republic of Ireland”. “We also have there can be no turning back.” break away. ‘Special partnership’ an important responsibility to The prime minister, an initial May’s notice of the UK’s inten- May called for continued strong make sure that nothing is done to opponent of Brexit who won the tion to leave the bloc under Arti- ties with the EU, in contrast with jeopardise the peace process in top job in the political turmoil cle 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty some of the harsh rhetoric com- Northern Ireland, and to continue that followed the referendum was hand-delivered to Tusk in ing from pro-Brexit campaign- to uphold the Belfast Agreement,” vote, now has two years to ne- Brussels by Tim Barrow, Brit- ers. “The government of the she said. gotiate the terms of the divorce ain’s permanent representative UK wants to agree a deep and before it comes into eff ect in late to the EU, on the top fl oor of the special partnership between Power to Scotland March 2019. new Europa Building in Brussels, the UK and the EU, taking in A day after Scotland’s parlia- May, 60, has one of the tough- according to a Reuters photogra- both economic and security co- ment voted in favour of est jobs of any recent British pher in the room. operation,” she said. holding a new independence prime minister: holding Britain That moment formally set the referendum, the letter also together in the face of renewed clock ticking on Britain’s two- EU citizens held out the possibility of new Scottish independence demands, year exit process. The future status of around 3mn powers for the devolved ad- while conducting arduous talks The sterling, which has lost 25 EU citizens living in Britain and ministrations. Referring to the with 27 other EU states on fi - cents against the dollar since the more than 1mn British nationals powers that would be returned nance, trade, security and other June 23 referendum, jumped to in other parts of the bloc has to the British government from complex issues. $1.25. been a major source of discord the EU, May wrote that some The outcome of the nego- May signed the six-page since the referendum. “We should could then be handed over to tiations will shape the future of Brexit letter on Tuesday night, Sinn Fein’s Northern leader Michelle O’Neill joins members of the anti-Brexit campaign group ‘Border remember that at the heart of our Northern Ireland, Scotland and Britain’s $2.6tn economy, the pictured alone at the Cabinet communities against Brexit’ as they demonstrate outside Parliament Building, the seat of the Northern Ireland talks are the interests of all our Wales. world’s fi fth biggest, and deter- table beneath a clock, a Brit- Assembly, on the Stormont Estate in Belfast, Northern Ireland, yesterday. citizens,” she wrote. “We should mine whether London can keep ish flag and an oil-painting of aim to strike an early agreement Parallel negotiations its place as one of the top two Britain’s first prime minister, that will be hard given the depth of Britain will aim to establish be seen as a threat to disrupt the about their rights.” May has said May said she wanted Brexit global fi nancial centres. Robert Walpole. the relationship. its own free trade deals with security and counterterrorism that she can only guarantee the negotiations to be conducted in For the EU, already reeling Her letter sought to set a posi- “We believe it is necessary countries beyond Europe, and co-operation for which Britain, status of EU nationals when she parallel with discussions on the from successive crises over debt tive tone for the talks though to agree the terms of our future impose limits on immigration as a member of the US-backed receives reciprocal assurances on future relationship between Brit- and refugees, the loss of it admitted that the task of partnership alongside those of from the continent, May has Anglophone Five Eyes system, is guarantees for British citizens. ain and the EU. “We...believe it is Britain is the biggest blow extracting the UK from our withdrawal from the EU,” said. highly valued. necessary to agree the terms of yet to 60 years of eff orts the EU was momentous May told Tusk in her letter, add- In an attempt to start Brexit “We should work together to No deal our future partnership alongside to forge European unity and that reaching com- ing that London wanted an am- talks on a conciliatory note, May minimise disruption and give British business leaders have those of our withdrawal from in the wake of two world prehensive agreements bitious free trade agreement with said she wanted a special part- as much certainty as possible,” warned about the prospect of the European Union,” she wrote. wars. within two years would the EU. nership with the EU though she May said. “Weakening our co- Britain crashing out of the EU Its leaders say they do be a challenge. “If, however, we leave the Eu- laced that ambition with a clear operation for the prosperity and without an agreement in place, Transition period not want to pun- May wants to ropean Union without an agree- linkage of the economic and se- protection of our citizens would which would lead to higher The letter said May wanted ish Britain. negotiate ment the default position is that curity relationship. be a costly mistake.” trade tariff s for most goods. May Britain and the EU to “mini- But with Britain’s we would have to trade on World EU leaders will welcome assur- Tusk said the EU would seek to had earlier said that “no deal mise disruption and give as nationalist, divorce Trade Organisation terms,” she ances of a constructive approach minimise the cost of Brexit to EU is better than a bad deal” but much certainty and possible”, anti-EU par- and the said. and appreciate a commitment citizens and businesses and that she appeared to tone down her particularly for the business ties on the future May has promised to seek the to remain a close partner for the Brussels wanted an orderly with- approach in the letter. “Both the community. “In order to avoid rise across trading greatest possible access to Euro- EU and to encourage its develop- drawal for Britain. United Kingdom and the Eu- any cliff -edge as we move from Europe, they rela- pean markets but said Britain was ment, as well as an explicit rec- “We already miss you,” said ropean Union would of course our current relationship to our cannot af- tionship not seeking membership of the ognition that Britain cannot re- Tusk who will send the 27 other cope... but it is not the outcome future partnership, people and ford to give with the ‘single market’ of 500mn people tain the best bits of membership states draft negotiating guide- that either side should seek,” businesses in both the UK and London EU within as she understood there could after leaving. lines within 48 hours. “Thank the EU would benefit from im- gener- the two- be no “cherry picking” of a free They may be less warm to an you and goodbye.” Northern Ireland plementation periods to adjust ous terms year period, trade area based on unfettered implication that Britain could The course of the Brexit talks A key priority in the letter was in a smooth and orderly way to that though EU movement of goods, services, live with a breakdown of talks on — and even their scope — is un- the border between the Republic new arrangements,” she said. might en- offi cials say capital and people. trade coupled with what might certain.

TWO TRIBES: BREXIT’S KEY PLAYERS

The Brexit process will see senior British and European politicians ‘We can’t have our cake and eat it’ battle it out over two years of tough negotiations. Here is a sum- mary of the key players in the talks. The Away Team Guardian News and Media Farage celebrates ‘impossible dream’ whether they voted to leave or job as prime minister and frac- Theresa May took over as prime minister and Conservative London remain at the referendum. tured Labour’s decades-old elec- leader from David Cameron after the Brexit vote in June and, Leading Brexit supporter Nigel the European Parliament, is “When I sit around the negoti- toral coalition, continues to pitch despite having campaigned to stay in the EU, is steering Britain Farage celebrated the start of the former leader of the UK ating table in the months ahead, I senior political fi gures against towards a clean break with the bloc. She has promised to control ritain accepts it cannot Britain’s departure from the EU Independence Party (Ukip) whose will represent every person in the each other as the ferocity of the EU migration, even at the cost of leaving Europe’s single market, have its cake and eat it yesterday saying it was a vindica- rise pushed then prime minister whole United Kingdom – young debate shows no sign of reduc- and warned that governments must pay greater heed to voter Bwhen negotiating a Brexit tion for him after long years of David Cameron into calling an EU and old, rich and poor, city, town, ing. concerns about globalisation. deal with the EU, Philip Ham- campaigning. Wearing Union Jack membership referendum in 2013. country and all the villages and Michael Heseltine, the David Davis is one of the three strongly eurosceptic mond, the chancellor, has said. socks, the 52-year-old Farage sat He said that advocating Britain’s hamlets in between. And yes, former deputy prime minister, ministers appointed to key posts in May’s government. The chancellor struck a note of outside the Marquis of Granby departure from the EU was “a mi- those EU nationals who have told the Guardian the move rep- He leads the newly created department for exiting the compromise on paying an EU di- pub after Prime Minister nority sport” for many years. “We made this country their home,” resented the “worst peacetime European Union (DExEU). Davis, 68, has a reputation for vorce bill and dismissed the idea Theresa May made the were laughed at, abused.. and hey she said. decision taken by any modern being tough, principled and sometimes reckless. Firm of using Wednesday as a cut-off historic announcement. here we are,” said Farage, a former “It is my fi erce determination post-war government”, in con- in his belief that Britain can thrive outside the EU, he date for guaranteeing the rights “Today’s the day for commodities trader who to get the right deal for every sin- trast to his former Cabinet col- has admitted the economy would suffer if EU migration of EU citizens, as Cabinet mem- me after 25 years of resigned as Ukip leader gle person in this country. For, as league, Michael Howard, who stopped overnight and has conceded Britain could pay for contin- bers gathered in Downing Street campaigning that the following last year’s we face the opportunities ahead called it the start of an “excit- ued access to the single market. to discuss their approach to ne- impossible dream came Brexit referendum, saying of us on this momentous jour- ing chapter in the history of Tim Barrow was appointed permanent representative to the EU gotiating exit from the European true,” he told SkyNews. he had achieved his ney, our shared values, interests the United Kingdom” while in January after predecessor Ivan Rogers unexpectedly resigned, Union. Farage, a member of lifelong dream. and ambitions can – and must – acknowledging the road ahead amid claims that ministers did not like his warnings about the May set out her plans, and re- bring us together.” could be bumpy. mood in Brussels. A career diplomat, bearded 53-year-old Barrow’s vealed the letter sent to the EU, Labour said it respected the Gus O’Donnell, the former most recent foreign posting was as ambassador to Moscow, at the specially convened meet- derstand we can’t cherry pick, that. The question is about get- decision of the public but vowed head of the civil service, warned although he has previously spent two stints in Brussels. ing yesterday. Ministers loudly we can’t have our cake and eat it”. ting the very best possible deal to hold the government to ac- of diffi cult talks ahead, saying it The Home Side banged the table after the prime His language was in contrast and making sure our PM has the count every step of the way. was “like jumping out of a plane Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission minister fi nished speaking and with that of Boris Johnson, the maximum fl exibility, the maxi- Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour fl own by EU leaders in a para- president is a grizzled former prime minister of Luxem- closed the session. pro-Brexit foreign secretary, who mum negotiating muscle.” leader, said: “Britain is going to chute designed by them to dis- bourg whom the eurosceptics love to hate as a symbol The clock started ticking on said in October: “Our policy is On the issue of paying a divorce change as a result. The question courage others taking the same of federalist overreach. Juncker now presides over two years of talks from the mo- having our cake and eating it. We bill of up to £50bn, as demanded is how. The Conservatives want risk”. the vast Brussels bureaucracy that will lead the Brexit ment the prime minister’s six- are pro-secco but by no means by some EU offi cials, Hammond to use Brexit to turn our country Tim Farron, the LibDem lead- negotiations for Europe, though EU leaders will insist on page letter outlining her require- anti-pasto.” said he thought this was simply into a low-wage tax haven. La- er, issued a separate warning, keeping a close eye on developments. ments was delivered by Sir Tim Hammond also played down a “very aggressive starting line” bour is determined to ensure we saying May’s strategy would be Michel Barnier, the Commission’s chief Brexit nego- Barrow, the UK ambassador to the idea that the UK could crash for the discussions but accepted can rebuild and transform Brit- dangerous to the economy and tiator, is a former European commissioner for financial the EU, to Donald Tusk, presi- out of the EU with no deal, which the UK would have to “settle the ain, so no one and no commu- fail to reduce immigration. services once derided by the British media as “the dent of the European council, at Johnson has said would be “per- rights and obligations we have as nity is left behind. “Theresa May’s tactic is most dangerous man in Europe” after he capped bo- 12.30pm. fectly OK” and May claimed a departing member”. “It will be a national clear: to accuse anyone who nuses for bankers. Like his close ally Juncker, Barnier Hammond said the govern- would be better than a bad deal. The chancellor also insisted he failure of historic pro- dares question her head- has promised a fair deal for Britain, but is not expected ment knew its decision on Brexit “Of course, we have plans for had not been marginalised by the portions if the prime long, blindfold charge to- to grant London any special favours. would have “some consequenc- day one after leaving the EU with prime minister during the proc- minister comes back wards hard Brexit of being Donald Tusk, the European Council president is tasked with es” but he disavowed his pre- a huge variety of diff erent out- ess of drafting the letter, after from Brussels without democracy deniers,” he wrote ensuring that the EU-Britain divorce doesn’t turn ugly. Tusk is the vious warning from before the comes,” he told BBC Radio 4’s having been forced into perform- having secured pro- in the Guardian. “This is de- first official from the former Soviet dominated eastern states to referendum, when campaigning Today programme. “But we are ing a U-turn on a tax rise for the tection for jobs and spite it looking increasingly be president of the European Council, a job that involves building to remain, that Brexit was a “leap very clear what we are seeking to self-employed in his budget. living standards.” likely that the result of her consensus among member states. Close to German Chancellor on the dark”. do is negotiate a deep and special On Monday night, May pitched The action reckless, divisive Brexit will be to Angela Merkel, Tusk will be keen to rein in calls to punish Britain, The chancellor said accept- relationship with the EU. the triggering of Article 50 as the triggering leave the single market and not as well as protect the fate of the millions of eastern Europeans ing the UK would leave the single “I am absolutely confi dent we moment when the British peo- Brexit, which reduce immigration – the very resident in the UK. market and customs union had will negotiate a deal. I don’t think ple must fi nally unite, as people cost David opposite of what Brexiteers “sent a clear signal that we un- anybody has any doubt about should no longer be defi ned by Cameron his pitched to the people.” Gulf Times 18 Thursday, March 30, 2017 BRITAIN

PEOPLE CONTROVERSY CRIME CONTAMINATION PLEA Singer George Michael laid Landlord bans ‘coloured Teenager slashed in Probe launched as human Call to allow judges to to rest at private funeral people’ over curry smell face over ‘wrong look’ waste found in Coke cans work up to 75 years of age

Best-selling British superstar singer George A buy-to-let tycoon facing a public backlash over Police have started a manhunt after a youth was Coca-Cola has called in police to investigate after Judges should be allowed to sit beyond the age Michael was buried in London yesterday in a his ban on “coloured” tenants has said: “I would slashed in the face for looking at a couple in the human waste turned up in a consignment of of 70 to ease the growing problem of judicial private funeral some three months after his death do it again.” Fergus Wilson has banned “coloured” “wrong” way. Neighbours said the 17-year-old was its drink cans at one of the company’s factories recruitment, the UK’s most senior judge, Lord on Christmas Day, his publicist said. Several luxury people from renting his homes because he claims attacked with a knife after he made eye contact in Northern Ireland. Police off icials confirmed Neuberger, said. Giving evidence to the Lords cars with blacked-out windows arrived and later they leave them smelling of curry, costing him with the couple as they walked hand-in-hand in they have opened an inquiry into how faeces constitution committee, the president of the left Highgate Cemetery in north London. Michael’s thousands of pounds after they leave. The Equality Dagenham. The knifeman allegedly screamed, ended up in the cans at the Hellenic Bottling supreme court revealed he had been lobbying mother is buried there. Born in London in 1963 and Human Rights Commission has pledged to “What are you looking at?” and slashed the victim Company factory in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Coca-Cola for the upper age limit to be increased to 75. as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiatou, son of a Greek investigate the matter. Wilson insisted he was across the face. The teenager fled to Becontree suspended processing at the plant. The soft drinks Neuberger said: “I have been pressing for changes Cypriot immigrant father and English mother, “not racist” and said his move was an “economic Tube station, where TfL staff called paramedics. giant said it impounded all the aff ected cans and to age limit. It’s bit odd that it’s being reduced (from Michael became one of the best-selling British decision”. He said his stance was no diff erent from Neighbour Susan Snow, 63, said: “All it takes these that the contamination did not aff ect any products the previous age of 75) at the time retirement recording artists of all time. He sold over 115mn his ban on letting his properties to smokers and days is one wrong look and you can get stabbed, that were on sale. According to the Belfast ages elsewhere are going up. And the problem records worldwide by the time of his death. Earlier dog owners. The 69-year-old said: “There has been it’s pathetic really. It’s so lucky the poor boy wasn’t Telegraph, factory workers at the plant in Lisburn of recruitment means that if you are going to get this month, a coroner said the singer died of much support for the stance I have taken. I do not blinded or worse. The area is getting so bad I’m were left horrified when they made the discovery first-class (applicants) they are probably going to natural causes. apologise for it.” scared to walk my dogs out at night any more.” inside a number of cans on the production line. be rather older than they are at present.”

Judge Terror attack vigil hails boy who saved 17 held after sister from knifeman protest at

London Evening Standard London

judge has praised the “ex- airport over traordinary courage” of Aa teenager who saved his sister’s life when a knife-wield- ing kung fu champion burst into their home. The 15-year-old was stabbed in the arms and chest as he defended deportations his 22-year-old sister from Walter Pantellaro. Guardian News and Media It is believed to be the fi rst time is here in the UK. If they take me The Italian, who was in the grip London that protesters have got on to an back to Ghana I will kill myself.” of a bout of insanity, had kicked airport runway and prevented a Sam Jones, from LGSMigrants, his way into their Vauxhall fl at in Home Offi ce charter fl ight from said: “For too long the govern- the middle of the night, launching olice have arrested 17 an- departing. Dozens of people due ment has kept these brutal mass a “frenzied” attack on the woman ti-deportation protesters to be deported were returned to deportation fl ights under wraps. in her own bedroom. Pwho locked themselves to immigration removal centres. The government is snatching peo- Judge Jeremy Donne QC on an aircraft at Stansted airport, One of the people due to be ple from their beds in the dead Tuesday ordered that Pantellaro be preventing a charter flight due fl own out was disabled traffi ck- of night, handcuffi ng them and locked up indefi nitely and hailed the to remove asylum seekers and ing victim Lovelyn Edobor. The forcing them on to planes with no boy’s bravery. He told Inner London other migrants from the UK Home Offi ce had unsuccessfully witnesses. I don’t think that’s the crown court: “But for his interven- from taking off. attempted to remove her on Sat- kind of society most of us want to tion, we would quite likely be deal- The protesters locked them- urday evening. She complained live in. We must stop these violent ing with a death. selves to the wing of a Titan Air- that she was placed in a waist belt mass deportations now.” “Entirely regardless of his own ways fl ight and refused to move. restraint and dragged along by Susan James, from Plane Stu- safety, he fought with the defend- All 17 protesters involved with the chain “like a goat”. Her law- pid, said: “Mass deportations ant and left his sister only to get a the action have been arrested on yers mounted a last-minute legal like the one we stopped are im- chair as a weapon with which he suspicion of aggravated trespass challenge on Tuesday night and moral, unfair and illegal. I don’t was able to force the defendant and are now in police custody. a high court judge ruled that she want to stay silent in the face of out of the fl at. He showed quite Essex police said they had re- should not be put on the plane. mass deportations that are delib- extraordinary courage.” ceived reports that a group of The activists were from three erately rushed and secretive.” After hearing that the boy was protesters gained access to Stan- groups – End Deportations, Les- Since 2002, the Home Offi ce forced to miss his GCSEs due to sted airport’s airside at about bians and Gays Support the Mi- has organised mass deporta- his injuries, the judge awarded 9.30pm on Tuesday night. A grants (LGSMigrants) and Plane tions on charter fl ights every few him £750. His sister, who suff ered spokesman said: “We were con- Stupid, an environmental and months. The fl ights are secretive wounds to her left arm and shoul- tacted by Stansted airport after social justice direct action group. and depart from undisclosed loca- der, is now afraid to leave her own protesters entered and locked One of the protesters at the tions in the middle of the night. home and fearful of being out at themselves on to an aircraft des- scene, Emma Hughes, of End People are given little notice night. tined for Nigeria. Offi cers remain Deportations, said: “This is an of their removal, often meaning Pantellaro, 27, a world kung fu at the scene to carry out further unprecedented victory in the they have just a few days to fi ght champion, had been in the UK on investigations. Inquiries are on- fi ght against mass deportations, for their right to stay. Cuts to le- holiday for less than two weeks going.” which are racist, violent and kill gal aid mean that those with chil- when he carried out the attack on Campaigners said the protest people … This is just the begin- dren or partners in the UK who May 1. Armed with a knife from a was to stop a Home Offi ce “mass ning – we’ll keep fi ghting until have valid human rights-based stolen multi-tool, he stabbed the deportation charter fl ight” from the government agrees to stop claims to stay cannot access free woman as she lay in bed. He later the Essex airport to Nigeria and charter fl ights and mass depor- legal help and often cannot aff ord attacked bouncers at a club. Ghana. They said that deportees tations once and for all.” to pay private lawyers to fi ght When questioned by police, he on the fl ight included people One woman who was due to their cases. said: “I do what I like.” He claimed who feared for their lives and had be put on the fl ight, in an article Last year, more than 1,536 to have taken 10 grams of cocaine claimed asylum. on the Detained Voices website, people were deported from the which made him “furious like a ti- Flights were temporarily sus- said: “My ex-husband said he UK on charter fl ights to Albania, ger”, but tests revealed he had only pended at the airport on Tues- knows I am being deported. He Jamaica, Pakistan, Nigeria and cannabis in his system. He said he day evening after the group en- is waiting for me. He is planning Ghana. wanted to take “possession” of the tered a secure area and erected a to kill me. If he kills me who will Home Offi ce fi gures show last fl at so he could sleep there. A police off icer wipes his face during an event in London yesterday to mark one week since blockade near a non-commercial look after my children?” year over 50% of people who Asked why he stabbed the a man drove his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and then stabbed a police runway. Police quickly contained A male deportee said: “I have were put on charter fl ights were woman, he said: “Because I am off icer. the incident and fl ights later re- been in this country for almost taken off after last-minute legal racist.” sumed. 18 years. My family and my life challenges.

Centre opened Man dies after being Dirtier diesel buses put mauled by pet dog onto route near pupils London Evening Standard Another neighbour, Geff London Morgan, 52, said: “I heard shouting saying ‘get the dog off London Evening Standard scheme from other routes. near John Burns school, said: me’ — the dog was barking re- London The G1 — which goes through “They obviously hoped nobody man died after being ally loudly. The police smashed Battersea, Streatham and Khan’s would notice, but how could we savaged by his Staff ord- the door down and they pulled former constituency of Tooting, not — diffi cult to miss these pol- A shire bull terrier while him out. They were working irtier diesel buses that including St George’s Hospi- luting old buses.” he was being fi lmed by a BBC on him outside the door — he were removed from a tal — lost six single-decker Euro Samantha Napoli, 44, whose documentary crew. was bleeding from his neck. DLondon high street to 6s. They were replaced with Euro 11-year-old son attends John The 41-year-old man was He was semi-conscious. There tackle toxic air have been put on 3 single-deckers from the 424 Burns, said: “You can move the rushed to hospital after the at- was a lot of blood.” It is not yet a route that goes close to at least Putney service which are about buses around as much as you like tack at a fl at in Wood Green on known what programme the a dozen schools and through a 13 years old and retrofi tted to — the pollution is going to stay.” Monday last week but details man was being interviewed major hospital, the Standard has Euro 5 level. Leon Daniels, TfL’s manag- of the attack only emerged about by the BBC. learned. Jonathan Cook, deputy leader ing director of surface trans- yesterday. A spokesman for the cor- Angry residents criticised of Wandsworth council, said: port, said the buses moved from The victim was named by poration said: “We are aware mayor Sadiq Khan after discov- “London faces an air quality cri- Putney were being upgraded as neighbours as Mario Perivoi- of an incident but we cannot ering six buses, at least a decade sis but worsening the situation in quickly as possible to make them tos, 41, who lived in the fl at in comment any further as it’s an old, were recently moved from Battersea and Tooting to improve greener, and he apologised for a four storey housing block run ongoing investigation.” Putney High Street to the G1 Putney clearly isn’t the way to delays in doing so. by Homes for Haringey. A neighbour said: “We knew service in south-west London. do it.” He described it as “crazy” “This is taking a little longer Residents said that on the the family for 20 years, they A Wandsworth council chief to make dirtier buses go near so than thought, so while these day he was killed they heard were a nice family. Mario had accused Transport for London of many schools and a hospital and buses are retrofi tted there is a shouting from the fl at. A his struggles. He loved his dog keeping it “in the dark” over the accused TfL of keeping people short-term movement of these neighbour who lived above him and looked after him really switch. “in the dark” about the swap . vehicles to routes outside of said: “I heard it all, it was just well. It’s not a bad dog at all.” Putney High Street broke the Wandsworth said the G1 went Putney,” he added. awful. I heard someone shout- The dog was seized by offi c- annual EU limit for nitrogen di- past at least six schools and was Eight single-deckers were ing ‘get the dog off me, get the ers and is now at a secure ken- oxide just nine days into 2017. close to a further 13 schools and also switched between the 39 dog off me, Mario’. That’s when nels, while a decision is made Earlier this month the mayor 15 nurseries. The less frequent in Putney and the 164 and 80 in Prince William talks with Staff ordshire Police chief constable I heard the dog really start and on whether or not to put it hailed it as the first of 12 low- 424 ran near 11 schools and 11 Sutton. Twenty-four hybrids Jane Sawyers at the National Memorial Arboretum in Mario must have stepped in. I down. emission bus zones. About 30 nurseries, it added. on the 63 from King’s Cross to Alrewas after opening the new visitors centre. The police heard them shouting for the Staff ordshire bull terriers are cleaner buses that meet the Michael Kougellis, 45, a fa- Peckham Rye were swapped memorial is a blue police lamp taken from Hitchin police dog to get off him and that’s not a breed prohibited under the higher Euro 6 pollution stand- ther-of-two of Wickersley Road, with dirtier models on the 93 in station in Hertfordshire. when it must have bitten him. I Dangerous Dogs Act and are a ard were brought in for the Battersea, where the G1 turns Putney. heard screaming for help.” popular choice for pets. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 19 EUROPE

RESCUED ELECTIONS POLITICS CRITICAL ENVIRONMENT Boat with 91 migrants Serbian premier on path to Walesa condemns Poland’s Russian filmmaker slams Norway says emissions to runs aground in Cyprus first-round presidential win populist ‘dictatorship’ crackdown on protesters fall to 1990 levels by 2020

Ninety-one people, including 42 children, Serbian Prime Minster Aleksandar Vucic was Poland’s freedom icon Lech Walesa yesterday laid Renowned arthouse film director Alexander Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions will fall to were rescued in Cyprus yesterday after their heading toward a first-round triumph in presidential into the powerful boss of the governing right-wing Sokurov has used an award speech to condemn around 1990 levels by 2020, the government said vessel ran aground in rough seas, authorities elections over the weekend, pollsters said yesterday. party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, asking if he was seeking the Russian police’s rough treatment of young yesterday, far from original goals of deep cuts said. Search and rescue co-ordinators said the A phone survey carried out by the Demostat agency to turn the country into “a dictatorship”. Walesa has protesters at Sunday’s opposition rallies. “I for an economy struggling with high emissions occupants were on board a small fishing boat on 1,200 voters from March 21 to 27 indicated Vucic been highly critical of Kaczynski and his Law and think the government is making a big mistake from oil and gas. Prime Minister Erna Solberg said when they were thrown off course towards winning 56.2% of the ballots. For a win in the first Justice (PiS) party. The populist PiS administration by behaving so unceremoniously with young revised projections showed progress in curbing Cyprus’ northwestern coast and subsequently round, on Sunday, he needs to win more than half has pushed through a string of overhauls that led people, with schoolchildren and students,” emissions since her right-wing government came struck rocks. “There were rough sea conditions of the votes cast. None of the candidates from the to mass protests and an EU threat of sanctions. In Sokurov said in a video of the ceremony to power in 2013, aided by a faster than expected at the time,” a spokesman for the rescue fragmented, bickering opposition was tipped to an interview with German weekly Die Zeit, Walesa published by the Meduza news site. Sokurov shift to electric cars in the Nordic nation. “Updated coordination centre said. The nationalities of collect votes even in the double digits. In a potential accused Kaczynski of going down an “undemocratic made the comments late on Tuesday at the emissions forecasts show for the first time a the migrants were not immediately known. The additional blow to the opposition, the leading path”. “He wants to eliminate everything that Nikas, Russia’s most prestigious film award decline towards 2020,” the government said. broader area where the migrants ran aground challenger is Luka Maksimovic, who runs under disturbs him — the constitutional court, the courts, ceremony. The ceremony was not shown live Norway’s greenhouse gas emissions were 53.9mn was within a patchwork of rival jurisdictions that an alias and behind the mask of a mock character, parliament,” said Walesa. “The big question is: does on state-controlled television but is set to air tonnes in 2015 and the finance ministry forecast a divide the island along ethnic lines. Ljubisa Preletacevic Beli. he want dictatorship?” Walesa asked. tomorrow. decline to around 1990 levels of 51.7mn by 2020.

Charter change Ex-PM Valls endorses Macron for presidency

AFP Paris

rance’s former prime min- ister Manuel Valls yesterday Fendorsed the presidential bid of centrist Emmanuel Macron, be- coming the most high-profi le So- cialist to back the ex-banker over the party’s own nominee. His support was seen as a mixed blessing for Macron, giving him the backing of a leading politician but weakening his claim to repre- sent a break with the past. Macron quit the Socialist gov- ernment last year to form his own movement, En Marche (On the Move), saying he wanted to shake up the political class. Valls’ nod comes less than a month before the fi rst round of the election on April 23, in which polls show Ma- People hold banners and wave Turkish flags during the campaign for the constitutional referendum in Ankara yesterday. cron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen running neck-and-neck. The former premier cited the “risks” of a Le Pen victory in con- fi rming his support for Macron, in an interview with BFM TV. Le Pen pounced on the defection as proof of her claim that Macron is eff ectively a surrogate for outgoing President Francois Hollande. It showed Macron was a “simple cog in a grand plan to save Hol- Brexit request could be lande’s entourage”, the National Front leader wrote on her website. Conservative candidate Francois Fillon put it more simply.”Emmanuel Macron is Francois Hollande,” he said. Macron, 39, thanked Valls for his support but said it did not mean revoked: draft EU paper the ex-premier would land a job in his cabinet if he won, stressing that Reuters ‘We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye’ stressed they cannot last more than his goal was to “refresh the faces” Brussels three years and should also be “strictly of French politics. EU president Donald Tusk said the bloc But the former Polish premier added act as one and preserve its interests,” limited” in their scope. He has said his door is open to all already misses Britain but would act as one that the European Union would stay they said in the statement. Negotiations on such transitional ar- who want to join his economically he European Parliament said in to defend its interests after London yester- together during the talks on Britain’s exit. “Our first priority will be to minimise rangements can start only after “sub- liberal pro-EU movement — but a draft position paper yesterday day triggered the two-year exit process. “Paradoxically there is also something the uncertainty caused by the decision of stantial progress” is made on a with- that he will not be beholden to big- Tthat Brexit can be revoked. “What can I add to this? We already positive in Brexit. Brexit has made us, the the United Kingdom for our citizens, busi- drawal agreement that should include name endorsers. The draft, seen by Reuters on the day miss you. Thank you and goodbye,” Tusk community of 27 more determined and nesses and member states,” they added. a Brexit bill, guarantees for citizens’ Valls’ choice of Macron is a fur- that Article 50 on Britain’s leaving the said in Brussels after receiving a letter more united than before,” he added. “Therefore, we will start by focusing rights and legal certainties for compa- ther blow for the struggling So- European Union was invoked, also said from British Prime Minister Theresa May “Today I can say that we will remain on all key arrangements for an orderly nies, the document said. cialist candidate Benoit Hamon, there should be transitional arrange- requesting the EU divorce. determined and united, also in the future, withdrawal,” they said. Britain should also recognise that the 49, who beat Valls to the party’s ments to smooth the divorce but no “There is no reason to pretend this is a during the diff icult negotiations ahead,” The EU27 said they would “approach European Court of Justice, the EU’s top nomination in a January primary. more than three years. happy day,” he said in a short statement he added. these talks constructively and strive to court, will be the “competent author- Asked how he would vote, Valls said London-based EU agencies, the Eu- to reporters, adding: “In essence this is The remaining EU 27 members issued find an agreement” and added that “we ity for the interpretation and enforce- he would back his former economy ropean Banking Authority and the Eu- about damage control.” a statement through Tusk saying they hope to have the United Kingdom as a ment of the withdrawal agreement”, a minister “because I think you should ropean Medicines Agency, must move In a historic moment at around 1.26pm, would prioritise an “orderly” divorce — in close partner” in future. statement that may not go down well in not take any risks for the Republic. So, as soon as practicably possible must Tusk accepted the letter from Tim Bar- contrast to May saying in her letter that Tusk will issue more detailed political London, where many want a quick end I will vote for Emmanuel Macron.” move, the draft paper said. row, the British ambassador to the EU, as she wanted to discuss new ties and the guidelines for the Brexit negotiations, of the ECJ powers over Britain. His remarks were seen as a refer- The draft sets the red lines for the they shook hands against a backdrop of split in parallel. which EU leaders will sign off on at a The Brexit bill should include out- ence to a possible win by 48-year- elected European Parliament on the EU and Union Jack flags. “In these negotiations the Union will summit on April 29. standing commitments to the EU budget old Le Pen — a prospect that the conduct of divorce talks with Britain and also “provision for off -balance sheet upstart Macron, a relative new- before a trade deal can be discussed. items, contingent liabilities and other comer to politics, is seen as best The recognition by the lawmakers gotiator Michel Barnier to making refer- changed their mind they would not get The legislature’s Brexit team, led by fi nancial costs that arise directly as a placed to prevent. that Article 50 can be revoked was seen ences to the reversibility of the process. a better deal than what they had so far former Belgian Prime Minister Guy result of its withdrawal,” the document Macron is currently tipped to as a concession to strengthen the hand But the document, which needs the in their relations with the EU. Verhofstadt, accepted that in case of said, raising the prospect of a tab even easily beat the anti-immigration, of Britons who never wanted to quit, de- approval of the whole legislature next The Parliament will have a fi nal say Brexit there should be transitional ar- higher than the 60bn euros ($64.5bn) anti-EU Le Pen in the second round spite opposition from the EU chief ne- week, made it clear that in case Britons on any deal struck with Britain. rangements to smooth the divorce, but fi gure circulated in past week. election run-off on May 7, but after Britain’s shock vote to quit the EU and Donald Trump’s surprise elec- tion in the United States no-one is ruling out another upset. Hamon won the Socialist pri- mary on a tide of disaff ection with ‘Human hen’ takes a crack at hatching eggs the party’s centrist lurch under Hollande and Valls. But he has failed since to rally party heavy- AFP able Poincheval avoiding eye contact with the “Being inside the rock didn’t bother me at all,” weights around his bid. Paris crowds gathered around the glass case. he added. “Normally there is a moment when your Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le “He is going into himself,” his father said, de- anxiety mounts, but with the rock that didn’t hap- Drian has also come out in favour scribing the experience of observing his son pen. I was almost anxious about not being anx- of Macron, as has Lyon Mayor Ger- he French artist who spent a week en- through the vitrine as “like watching him on TV”. ious.” ard Collomb. tombed inside a rock began an even more He revealed that when Poincheval was a child he After talking to geologists, he put that down to Hamon, who has fallen from Tbizarre feat yesterday - sitting on a dozen had a pet chicken, and promised that any “hen- the “extreme calmness” of the limestone. fourth to fi fth place in polls for the eggs until they hatch. men and hen-women” his son brings into the “I learned it had been laid down gently, layer by fi rst round behind Communist- Abraham Poincheval aims to become a “hu- world will be allowed to live out their natural lives layer, over thousands of years, and had never been backed fi rebrand Jean-Luc Melen- man hen” by sitting and laying on the eggs inside on his smallholding in the west of France. tormented.” chon, has accused them of having a glass vitrine at a Paris modern art museum until “I have prepared everything to welcome the Even though the rock is also egg-shaped, “stabbed him in the back”. the chicks emerge. chicks including a luxury chicken coop. I can as- Poincheval said the two performances were not Political analyst Pascal Perrine- The performance, called “Egg”, could last three French artist Abraham Poincheval sits on real sure you that they will never be the centrepiece of directly linked. au said the split was proof of Valls’ to four weeks, with the artist getting only a half- chicken eggs until they hatch during a perform- a grand feast,” said Christian Poincheval, an in- When he emerged from the rock, however, Chi- prediction of a division into “two hour break every 24 hours to keep him from crack- ance at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. ventor best known for pills that make fl atulence nese students told him the story of Sun Wukong, irreconcilable lefts” — one that is ing. smell of roses and even chocolate. the Monkey King who was born from a stone egg. still wedded to the class struggle He is also on a special diet rich in ginger so he specially designed to stop him from accidentally He saw the performance as a meditation on “the Often described as France’s most extreme artist, and another that backs reforms. can keep the eggs at a minimum of 37 degrees Cel- crushing the eggs. cycles of life. The cycle from egg to chick takes Poincheval is no stranger to bizarre performances. Candidates from all the big tradi- sius. While Poincheval described his time inside the roughly 21 to 26 days, which correspondents al- He once spent a fortnight inside a stuff ed bear tional parties have seen their cam- Poincheval, 44, made headlines earlier this limestone rock as blissful, he acknowledged that most to a woman’s (menstrual) cycle.” eating worms and insects; was buried under a rock paigns upended by the youthful month after declaring his seven days inside a rock sitting on the eggs for such a long time had him His son had said earlier that he was inspired by for eight days; and navigated France’s Rhone river Macron — a fresh face in staid French a mind-altering “trip”. worried. a tragicomic short story by the French writer Guy inside a giant corked bottle. politics — and the nationalist Le Pen. This time, however, he looked distinctly ill at “I have never been so directly exposed to the de Maupassant. He also spent a week last year on top of a 20-m While drawing support from ease as he stepped into the vitrine in the Palais de public before. Usually I am inside something. But In “Toine”, a bad-tempered farmer’s wife gets (65-ft) pole outside a Paris train station. the left Macron has also won over Tokyo museum in his socks. every performance is a fi rst,” he said. revenge on her idle bon vivant husband by using His big dream, however, is to walk on the clouds. some politicians on the centre and He quickly wrapped himself in a heavy tradi- His father Christian acknowledged that it was a his body to keep her chickens’ eggs warm when he “I have been working on it for fi ve years, but it is the right turned off by the multiple tional Korean cape and sat on a “laying table” test of his mental strength, with the usually ami- is paralysed by a mysterious malady. not quite there yet,” he said. scandals engulfi ng Fillon, 63. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, March 30, 2017 INDIA

INVESTIGATION BUSINESS TRIAL ELECTION DIPLOMACY Nurse recruitment Banks to remain Two IS suspects plead HC dismisses Swaraj India’s Malaysian PM to visit scam accused arrested closed on April 1: RBI guilty before court plea for common symbol India for five days

Two years after the Rs2bn nurse recruitment The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yesterday Two suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) The Delhi High Court yesterday dismissed a plea Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will arrive in scam surfaced in Kerala, the Central Bureau of said banks need not remain open on April 1, militant group yesterday moved an application by the Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India party Chennai today at the start of a five-day state visit Investigation yesterday arrested the key accused M as against its earlier order, because it may before a New Delhi court, pleading guilty to the challenging the Delhi Election Commission’s denial to India. Welcoming his Malaysian counterpart Varghese Uthup in Kochi. He was arrested after he aff ect the annual closing, especially in view charges. Sheikh Azhar-ul-Islam alias Abdul Sattar of a common symbol to its candidates for the to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet arrived from the Middle East. Uthup told reporters of the State Bank of India (SBI) merger. “In Sheikh and Mohamed Farhan alias Mohamed upcoming civic polls. The Election Commission said yesterday: “India is delighted to welcome you, he will reveal everything at the appropriate time. consultation with the government, it has Rafiq Shaikh pleaded guilty to the charges last week told the Delhi High Court it cannot allot Prime Minister. Your visit will further boost India- The 50-year-old who was in the Middle East to been decided that while the agency banks before District Judge Amar Nath, who listed a common symbol to an unrecognised party. For Malaysia ties.” Earlier in the day, the Malaysian evade the arrest, had no option but to surrender are to keep all their branches dealing with the matter for April 10. The court has asked a common symbol, the party has to get 6% votes prime minister tweeted: “I’ll be travelling to India after the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court government business open on all days in the the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file or have at least two legislators, the EC said. Swaraj for a 5-day visit. A country that’s been our friend earlier rejected his anticipatory bail plea. His Kochi- current financial year (including Saturday, a reply on the plea. The NIA arrested Sheikh, India is set to contest the April 22 municipal polls since 1957. Looking forward to meeting PM @ based firm has allegedly been recruiting nurses Sunday and all holidays) as already advised, Farhan and Adnan Hassan alias Mohamed in Delhi. Its lawyer has told the court that under narendramodi again.” In Chennai Razak meet to Kuwait and was collecting R 1.95mn as service these branches need not be kept open on Hussain in January last year for involvement in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief instead of the mandatory Rs19,500. Trouble started April 1,” the RBI said in a statement. SBI a conspiracy to identify, motivate and radicalise, (Amendment) Order, the Election Commission Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. He will arrive for Uthup when an Income Tax Department raid at merger with its five associate banks and recruit and train Indians inside and outside the allows newly registered political parties to have in Delhi tomorrow and meet President Pranab his recruitment agency in 2015 found huge sums of Bharatiya Mahila Bank will come into eff ect country. Both Sheikh and Farhan said they were a common symbol for all candidates in the first Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and unaccounted money. from April 1. remorseful for the alleged acts. election. other leaders. He will also visit Rajasthan.

Ex-model Beating the heat held over smuggling of SC bans sale of red sanders

IANS Vijayawada 800,000 new

court in Andhra Pradesh yesterday sent to jail Aformer air hostess and model Sangeeta Chatterjee for her alleged involvement in red vehicles over sanders smuggling. The 26-year-old was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police from her home in Kolkata on Tuesday night, was brought to Chittoor district and presented emission levels before a court at Pakala. The magistrate sent her to judicial Ruling to take heavy toll custody for 14 days. on vehicle manufacturers, The woman was later shifted already hit by a slowdown to Chittoor sub-jail. The police during November-December plan to move a petition seeking last year her custody for interrogation in various cases. Agencies The woman was allegedly in- New Delhi volved in spreading red sanders smuggling network in six states in India and also in other coun- he Supreme Court yester- tries, including China and Japan. day banned the sale of more Chatterjee is allegedly the Tthan 800,000 new vehicles second wife of red sanders which fall short of new emissions smuggler M Lakshman, who was standards, declaring public health arrested in July 2014 from Nepal. more important than company Lakshman, who hails from profi ts. Manipur, was living in Chen- The court ordered a halt to the nai where he had a wife. Till his sale and registration of vehicles arrest in July 2014, he was con- that will not meet new pollution sidered the biggest smuggler standards come April 1, when a Millions of new cars pour onto India’s roads every year, worsening air involved in felling of red san- cleaner model of engine will be- pollution in cities that already rank as the world’s dirtiest. dalwood trees in the forests of come the norm. Chittoor, Kurnool and Kadapa The ruling is expected to af- except on proof that such a ve- spite the looming April deadline. districts of Andhra Pradesh. fect as many as 824,000 vehicles hicle has already been sold on or India, the world’s fi fth big- According to the police, Chat- not yet sold or registered, said before 31st March, 2017,” it added. gest auto market, has said it will terjee studied till Class 10 and the Society of Indian Automobile Millions of new cars pour onto switch directly to BS-VI stand- became a model in TV commer- Manufacturers (SIAM). India’s roads every year, worsen- ards by April 2020, skipping the cials. She later did some course “The health of the people is far, ing air pollution in cities that al- interim BS-V grading altogether. and became an air hostess. She far more important than the com- ready rank as the world’s dirtiest. Yesterday’s order was the latest came in contact with Lakshman mercial interests of the manu- New Delhi took the unenviable to hit auto companies in India. in Kolkata, where he frequently facturers or the loss that they title of the world’s most polluted In 2015 the same court ordered stayed as he had established a are likely to suff er,” Justices M B city in a 2014 survey of 1,600 cit- a moratorium on the registration base there too. Lokur and Deepak Gupta said in ies around the globe by the World of large diesel luxury cars in Delhi. After the arrest of Lakshman, their order. Health Organisation. The judgment would take a Chatterjee had taken over the “On and from 1st April, 2017 Twelve other Indian cities also heavy toll on vehicle manufac- control of his network’s ille- such vehicles that are not BS-IV ranked in the top 20. turers, already hit by a slowdown gal activities, including hawala (Bharat Stage-IV) compliant shall In a move to combat escalating during November-December last transactions worth millions of not be sold in India by any manu- pollution, the government an- year due to the ban on old notes. rupees. facturer or dealer, that is to say nounced in January last year that According to one estimate, the Andhra Pradesh police had in that such vehicles whether two- all vehicles sold in India would government’s notes ban decision 2016 raided her home in Kolkata wheeler, three-wheeler, four- have to meet higher emissions had cost the industry revenue and seized several documents for wheeler or commercial vehicles standards from April 1, 2017. worth Rs80bn. properties. will not be sold in India by any In court, SIAM and automakers Yesterday’s verdict hit the two- However, a local court granted manufacturer or dealer....,” the argued that they should “be given wheeler sector the hardest. her bail, dealing a blow to And- court said in its order. reasonable time to dispose of the According to the data placed in hra Pradesh police’s eff orts to “All the vehicle registering au- existing stock” manufactured le- the court, 670,000 of the 825,000 bring her to justice. thorities under the Motor Vehi- gally until March 31. vehicles lying with dealers and Chatterjee failed to appear cles Act, 1988 are prohibited for The court dismissed this ap- companies were two-wheelers. before the court despite sum- registering such vehicles on and peal, saying car companies “chose Transport vehicles accounted monses being issued six times. Women cover their faces to protect them from the searing heat in Nagpur yesterday. The city from 1st April, 2017 that do not to sit back and declined to take for another 97,000 and cars, In December, the court issued a is reeling under an intense heatwave with the temperature crossing 40 degrees Celsius. meet BS-IV emission standards, suffi cient pro-active steps” de- about 16,000. non-bailable warrant against her.

Canadian minister in Delhi Not interested in becoming Court upholds sacking of 10,000 teachers president, says RSS chief IANS ess by May 31 and complete it by Agartala/New Delhi December 31 in compliance with IANS coming here. When we work send a positive message to the the obligatory qualifi cations as Nagpur in the Sangh, we don’t go there deprived and most marginal- mandated by the NCERT (Na- (to such high posts). There are ised sections as well as provide n a major setback to the tional Council for Educational many Swayamsevaks up there a feeling of honour,” Manjhi, Tripura government, the Su- Research and Training).” ashtriya Swayamsevek and they know it well,” he said - chief of the Hindustaan Awami Ipreme Court yesterday up- “The state government may Sangh chief Mohan obliquely hinting at Prime Min- Morcha, said in a press release. held the Tripura High Court order consult with the union MHRD RBhagwat yesterday dis- ister Narendra Modi, a former Manjhi said if a Dalit was sacking over 10,000 teachers but (Ministry of Human Resource missed reports that he was in Swayamsevak who should know elected the next president of the allowed them to continue in their Development) about the proce- the race for the president of In- about the RSS culture. country, it would symbolise a jobs till December 31, the state’s dure of the recruitment process dia’s post and asserted that he “Even if in an impossible vibrant democracy. “All politi- law secretary said. and procedure,” he said. will not accept even if he was situation my name is nomi- cal parties should come forward The apex court asked the Tripu- The Supreme Court order came nominated. nated, we will not accept it,” for a consensus over a Dalit as ra government to initiate a fresh on three special leave petitions “I am not interested in that said Bhagwat and assured his the next president.” recruitment process and allowed fi led separately by the Tripura post. Such news is only for en- followers not to panic about the Manjhi’s major ally in Bihar, the terminated teachers to partici- government, benefi ciary teachers tertainment. That is never go- news. the BJP, has made it clear that pate in the selection process. and terminated teachers. ing to happen,” Bhagwat told “It is entertaining news and the national leaders of the party “A Supreme Court division Tripura Law and Education reporters. should be looked at that way will consider his demand. bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Minister Tapan Chakraborty said in The Bharatiya Janata Party’s and left at that,” he added. Leaders of Bihar’s ruling Goel and Justice Uday Umesh Agartala that the state government ally Shiv Sena earlier in the Meanwhile, in Patna, former combine comprising the Janata Lalit upheld the Tripura High would take its next course of action week urged the central gov- Bihar chief minister and an ally Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Court’s May 7, 2014, order ter- after receiving a certifi ed copy of ernment to consider Bhagwat of the BJP, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Dal and the Congress are yet to minating the jobs of 10,323 gov- the Supreme Court judgment. for the post of the president, demanded that the next presi- react to Manjhi’s proposal. ernment teachers. However, the “The government would stand saying it would pave the way dent should be a Dalit. President Pranab Mukher- Supreme Court allowed them to behind the government teachers,” for India to become a Hindu Manjhi’s demand has created jee’s tenure will end in July. continue in service till December he told reporters. Rashtra. a dilemma for BJP and other K R Narayanan, who was 31,” Tripura Law Secretary D M A division bench of the Tripura But Bhagwat yesterday in- parties, including the Congress, president from 1997 to 2002 Canadian Small Business and Tourism Minister Bardish Jamatia said. High Court had passed the order sisted his only priority was the over the issue. was a Dalit. Before that he was Chagger meets Minister of State for Culture and Tourism “The Supreme Court also and asked the state government to RSS. “India’s next president elected as vice president in 1992 Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi yesterday. asked the Tripura government to frame a new employment policy “We close all doors before should be a Dalit, as it will as a Congress candidate. initiate a fresh recruitment proc- within two months. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 21 INDIA Grounded Abattoirs crackdown MP accuses Air India of stokes Muslim unease Fears of meat shortages, to a series of attacks in Uttar disruption of exports mount Pradesh. After his landslide victory ‘cheating’ Agencies in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath Mumbai/ New Delhi should have adopted a more in- clusive approach, she said. IANS don’t know any MP’... ‘I even India is one of the largest ex- Mumbai said -you are a senior person, crackdown on unlicensed porters of buff alo meat, sell- remain calm and don’t raise abattoirs in Uttar Pradesh ing $4bn worth of beef in the your blood pressure’ to him,” Ahas spread to other states 2015/16 fi scal year. hiv Sena MP Ravindra the MP said. ruled by Prime Minister Naren- Its biggest buyers included Vi- Gaikwad, who has been But he didn’t calm down dra Modi’s party, as Hindu hard- etnam, Malaysia and Egypt. Sbarred by Indian airlines and continued that he had liners press a political agenda Uttar Pradesh is the biggest pro- from fl ying, yesterday targeted been handling MPs for 25 years that risks alienating the coun- ducer of buff alo meat in the coun- the national carrier Air India and would lodge a complaint try’s Muslim minority. try, and exporters said the latest and accused it of “cheating (against Gaikwad) with (Prime The move started after Modi crackdown will hurt business. people and giving poor serv- Minister Narendra) Modi, even appointed Yogi Adityanath as “Right now everyone is very ice.” as his other colleagues at- chief minister of Uttar Pradesh scared because they don’t know A week after he was ground- tempted to pacify him. following the Bharatiya Janata whether what they are doing will ed following an assault on a “However, he could not be Party’s landslide victory in elec- be termed as legal or illegal,” said 60-year-old Air India staff er controlled and he pounced on tions there this month. Priya Sud, partner at Al Noor on March 23, Gaikwad said me and started dragging me The demands by right-wing Exports, which operates slaugh- his grouse was over the “inef- out of the aircraft, but his col- Hindu groups to stop the slaugh- A meat shop owner sits outside his closed shop in Gurugram, Haryana, yesterday. ter houses in Uttar Pradesh. fi ciency and bad service” pro- leagues said ‘he was crazy’ and ter of cows could stoke commu- Muslims working in the meat vided by the carrier and not for not to heed him. He insulted nal tensions with Muslims, who dia co-ordinator of the Rashtriya toirs operating without licences, “overall issues of public health, industry are fearful for their jobs being denied a business class my position as an MP and even dominate the meat industry. Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideo- media and offi cials said. hygiene and safety”. and meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh seat for which he held an open referred to the PM,” Gaikwad Most of the beef produced in logical parent of the BJP. On Tuesday, Hindu vigilantes Raghubar Das, chief minister have gone on strike in protest. ticket. claimed. India comes from buff alo rather A senior BJP offi cial also de- forcibly shut down a KFC outlet of Jharkhand, also issued adver- Abdul Faheem Qureshi, presi- “The media is showing only Till the end, Gaikwad said than cattle. fended the action, saying it in Delhi’s satellite city of Gu- tisements in local papers to ap- dent of the Muslim All India Ja- one-sided version of Air India, the airline officials did not India’s history is pockmarked was part of the party’s election rugram, in the state of Haryana peal to meat sellers to follow his miatul Quresh Action Committee which is misleading...,” Gaik- take his complaint and it was by horrifi c Hindu-Muslim com- manifesto in Uttar Pradesh and also ruled by the BJP, for sell- government’s instructions. that represents the cause of meat wad said. not forwarded to the airline’s munal clashes. followed through on the stand ing chicken during the nine-day In Rajasthan, 16 illegal slaugh- sellers, said his organisation was “On the Pune-New Delhi top brass, though a senior as- In Modi’s home state of Gu- taken by Modi during 2014 gen- Hindu festival of Navratra. terhouses were shut down last considering legal action. fl ight that day, I had a business sistant general manager later jarat, 1,000 people, mostly Mus- eral election campaign, when he “We have not received any week, a government offi cial said. “Even we respect Hindu sen- class ticket and I was also is- came, profusely apologised lims, were killed after a wave of spoke out against India increas- notifi cation from the authori- The closures have led to fears timents and are against cow sued a business class boarding and escorted him out of the riots in 2002 when he was chief ing meat exports. ties on limiting operations dur- of meat shortages and disrup- slaughter,” Qureshi said. pass. Until I boarded... nobody aircraft. minister. “Even Modiji vowed to put an ing the Navratras...,” a KFC India tion of exports of buff alo beef “But this is being carried out informed me that there was no Gaikwad said it there have A Supreme Court investiga- end to pink revolution during the spokeswoman said. and other meat products. only for political gains.” business class on that fl ight,” been repeated complaints tion found no case against Modi, 2014 election campaign, so there “We would like to reiterate The move by a number of state Opposition Congress Party he said. against Air India, owned by who denied any wrongdoing. is nothing wrong in shutting that KFC has the highest respect governments has led to “a huge member and spokesman Man- In a statement released yes- the government, pertaining to Adityanath ordered the clo- down illegal shops,” the offi cial for the cultural and religious be- sense of apprehension in the ish Tewari said slaughterhouse terday, he said he has travelled its services, food, cleanliness, sure of abattoirs operating with- said, using a term of respect and liefs of all communities and be- minority section,” said Neerja owners must seek legal recourse. innumerable times in economy ontime performance and cus- out licences soon after taking referring to the modernisation lieve that consumers are free to Chowdhury, a political com- “Supply of all kinds of meat class. tomer satisfaction. over as chief minister on March of meat and poultry processing make choices and decisions.” mentator. has been disrupted due to the “I am a simple person lead- About the fl ying ban im- 18. units. KFC said its outlets were op- “The debate is beyond legal new rules,” said Iqbal Qureshi, ing an ordinary life... I mingle posed on him, the Osmanabad “If it is legal, nobody has a Several other BJP-ruled states, erating normally in other states. and illegal. Only recently cow president of the Meat Murga with the poor, farmers, labour- MP from Maharashtra said that right to stop it. But if it is illegal, including Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Senior Jharkhand govern- vigilante groups have burned Vyapar Kalyan Samiti, a meat ers... So my concern was not Air India unilaterally cancelled why should this be allowed to Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and ment offi cial K G Rahate said down slaughter houses, creat- sellers’ group in Uttar Pradesh. travelling economy class, but his return ticket to Pune last function? We believe in the rule Madhya Pradesh, have followed authorities were acting against ing an environment of insecu- “Restaurants don’t have the denial of service matching week. of the land,” said Rajiv Tuli, me- suit, ordering closures of abat- illegal abattoirs keeping in mind rity,” Chowdhury said, referring enough meat to serve.” the tickets issued to passen- “I have not been informed gers. offi cially about this ban... I “In fact, there was a handi- learnt of it through the media... capped passenger sitting in the Under what rules has it been second row so I even off ered imposed, what inquiry was Kenya woman him my seat in the fi rst row for conducted before imposing the his comfort... A wrong impres- ban, has any action been taken sion has been created that my against the employee before targeted in fresh reaction was for not getting a curtailing my rights,” Gaikwad business class seat,” Gaikwad asked. said in the statement. Reiterating that he has al- mob violence Venting his ire at Air India, ready lodged complaints with the MP said passengers are Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Agencies not given the service and fa- Mahajan and Civil Aviation New Delhi cilities as per their tickets and Minister A Gajapathi Raju, when he asked for the com- Gaikwad demanded to know plaint book, it was not given under what laws his wings were Kenyan woman was attacked yesterday, to him till the flight landed in clipped and he was deprived of police said, in the same northern city New Delhi. fl ying. Awhere a mob had assaulted African stu- Gaikwad said he had re- After Air India on Tuesday dents following the death of a local teenager from quested the airlines staff to let cancelled his Mumbai-New a suspected drug overdose. him meet some senior offi cials Delhi fl ight ticket, Gaikwad The woman was allegedly dragged out of and that he would sit in the air- booked himself on Rajdhani an Ola taxi and repeatedly slapped and kicked craft till then. Express, but didn’t board the by unknown assailants as she returned to her “Suddenly, one person train. home in Greater Noida, a satellite city outside named Sukumar rushed in- He reportedly decided at the New Delhi. side in a huff , created a ruckus last minute to travel by car to “She has lodged a formal complaint and al- shouting, ‘Who is this MP, I the national capital. leged that four to fi ve men attacked her. We have launched an investigation,” senior police offi cer Sujata Singh said. Separatist strike paralyses Kashmir The 25-year-old student suff ered bruising from the attack and was taken to hospital for A shutdown called by Budgam district on Tuesday. treatment, Singh said. separatists against the shooting Three civilians died in firing by Police said the men are yet to be identifi ed. death of three civilians security forces on protesters “They attacked her when she resisted and tried paralysed Kashmir Valley in Budgam where mobs to shout for help. We have registered a case and yesterday. Clashes erupted tried to disrupt operation are investigating to identify and nab the attack- in Baramulla’s old town and against militants. In Srinagar, ers,” an offi cial said. Palhalan town as angry men Independent legislator “We are in touch with Ola offi cials and getting threw stones at security forces, Engineer Rashid was taken the details of the cab driver who fl ed from the forcing them to use tear smoke into preventive custody along spot during the attack,” he said. canisters to disperse the mobs. with some of his supporters The incident came as police stepped up securi- Clashes also broke out between as he was proceeding to ty in the city’s sprawling suburbs where mobs on protesters and security forces in lay a siege to Chief Minister Monday attacked a group of Africans with sticks Yaripora area of Kulgam district Mehbooba Mufti’s residence and metal chairs. after the burial of Tauseef in Gupkar Road area. Rashid Police have arrested fi ve people over the assault Ahmad Wagay, a Hizbul militant and his supporters were lodged but are still looking for at least four others and who was killed in a gunfight in Rajbagh police station after have set up security checkpoints and increased with the security forces in their arrest. patrols as part of the manhunt.

Father of baby girl buried alive arrested

AFP tigating offi cer Jyoti Prakash Pande The baby suddenly cries as a large, New Delhi said. jubilant crowd tries to arrange an am- He said Chandra under questioning bulance. had admitted burying the baby, saying The incident highlights the scandal olice said yesterday they have he was too poor to raise a daughter. of female foeticide still plaguing the arrested a man on suspicion of Many parents consider daughters to world’s second most populous nation, Pburying his newborn daughter be a burden because of the huge dow- which has a skewed sex ratio of 940 fe- alive because he wanted a boy. ries still frequently required for mar- males for every 1,000 males, according Local villagers rescued the baby riage, while sons are expected to sup- to the last offi cial census in 2011. over the weekend after spotting her port them in their old age. Earlier this month police recovered feet sticking up from a shallow sand The couple already have two daugh- 19 female foetuses from a sewer in pit in farmland in the Jajpur district of ters and a son and had aborted two Maharashtra and accused a doctor of the eastern state of Odisha. earlier pregnancies, the offi cer said. illegally aborting them on behalf of Police arrested her father Ramesh It is unclear what will happen to the parents desperate for a boy. Chandra for attempted manslaughter. newborn, named Dharitri by staff at India banned prenatal sex determi- The 35-year-old part-time taxi the hospital where she is under obser- nation to stop its misuse, although the driver is suspected of taking the baby vation. tests are still thought to be common, from her mother soon after she was A mobile video shot at the time of particularly in poor rural areas. born on Saturday. her rescue shows a villager slowly re- A 2011 study in the British medical “They were unable to explain about moving sand with his bare hands and journal The Lancet found that up to the missing child after we scanned the gently pulling out the infant wrapped 12mn girls had been aborted in the last locality for expecting mothers,” inves- in a blue piece of cloth. three decades in India. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, March 30, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

VIOLENCE CRIME LAW AND ORDER ACCIDENT MILITANCY Two inmates killed in Newspaper editor Brazil police hold Peruvian plane with 141 on Two dead after suspected prison riot, 13 injured shot in Mexico top Rio lawmaker board bursts into flames ELN rebels attack soldiers

Two inmates were killed and 13 injured during a A newspaper editor in eastern Mexico yesterday Brazilian federal police yesterday detained Jorge A plane with 141 people on board went up in flames Two Colombian soldiers have died after an attack prison riot in northern Mexico, the government became the fourth journalist to be shot in the Picciani, the speaker of the Rio de Janeiro state on Tuesday after crash landing at an airport in by fighters believed to be aligned with the National of the state of Nuevo Leon said, the second fatal country this month, an off icial said. Armando legislature, for questioning and were carrying out the central Peruvian town of Jauja, local media Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group. The troops security breach within a week in the country’s Arrieta was in serious condition in hospital after arrest warrants against five members of the state reported. There were no deaths, though many were escorting a bus in the region of Arauca, on the troubled prison system. The deaths occurred in the being shot several times by two men, said Jorge audit court in a corruption probe, a source involved people sustained minor injuries, as passengers border with Venezuela, when they were attacked Cadereyta penitentiary near the city of Monterrey Morales, regional leader of the State Commission in the operation said. In a statement, police were able to disembark the Boeing 737 in time, by ELN fighters, local news website El Tiempo after about 50 inmates attacked the prison’s for the Care and Protection of Journalists. “He was confirmed that a number of state court auditors according to newspaper El Comercio, which reported. Two soldiers died and three were injured pharmacy and set fire to cells, the government arriving home in the early morning after finishing and legislators were being sought in connection published footage of the incident online. One in the attack, which the military blamed on the said. It was the second consecutive day of violence work on the newspaper” and the two men shot at with a suspected graft scheme, without specifying video showed people running from the Peruvian “Domingo Lain” division of the ELN. In response, there. On Monday, two guards and five prisoners him when he got out of his car, Morales said. “He the targets. It added the operation was part of a Airlines plane, which appeared to have veered off Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on were hurt after inmates blocked corridors in the is in very serious condition. They shot him almost sweep executing more than 43 arrest and search the runway and had a broken wing, with smoke Twitter that he had urged the country’s military facility with burning mattresses. On Friday, three point-blank.” Arrieta is editor of the newspaper La seizure warrants. The warrants are part of a probe billowing. Witnesses said the pilot had lost control and police to intensify their eff orts against the inmates died in a prison riot in the neighbouring Opinion in the town of Poza Rica in Veracruz, one into alleged embezzlement of public funds by in high winds, while others said the fire had been group. Colombian authorities began negotiations state of Tamaulipas after a jailbreak. of the most violent states in a country. government off icials, according to the statement. caused by an exploding tyre. with the ELN in Quito on February 7 Native tribe EU official meets Brazil minister fears Trump’s Mexico wall will split them

AFP crossings have been closed to Saric, Mexico them. Only San Miguel remains as a free transit point within rea- n the baked sands sonable distance. of northern Mexico, Now they fear that too will Obarefoot tribeswomen be blocked when Trump builds chant and dance in clouds of the wall. He says it will stop il- incense, calling on the eagle to legal migrants and drugs reach- save them from US President ing the US. But Chuhuhua and Donald Trump’s border wall. her fellow Tohono O’odham The US-Mexico frontier say it will break apart their an- runs through more than just cestral land. the deserts of Sonora and Ari- If forced to go via another, zona. For the Tohono O’odham more distant border crossing, with their eagle totem, it di- “we would waste more than vides their people. seven hours going all the way These are their ancestral round,” says Gemma Martin, lands, a nation that was here a Tohono woman living on the thousands of years before the Mexican side. modern states of America and “What do we do if it is a EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis (left) greets Brazil’s Health Minister Ricardo Barros during a meeting in Brasilia. Brazil was rocked by Mexico were drawn on the map medical emergency? By the investigators’ accusations on March 17 that the 21 meat processing companies used chemicals to hide the smell of rotting meat and bribed health inspectors to pass off their in the 19th century. time we get there it may be too products as safe. “This is our land,” says tribal late.” elder Alicia Chuhuhua, 80, Tohono leaders plan to take at the ceremony among the their claim against the wall to looming cactus plants, speak- the United Nations along with ing in the tongue of her tribe other Native American tribes, through a Spanish-language said one of them, Mike Wilson. interpreter. He served in the US Army “We want it without and is now a human rights ac- ‘muros’,” walls, she says, us- tivist. “The new version of the ing the Spanish word — in her wall would be even worse,” says indigenous tongue, there is no Wilson, in cowboy boots and a US govt ratchets up term for “wall” or “border.” grey ponytail. The 3,000 strong Tohono “It is a form of human rights O’odham population — the violation,” he says, because it name means “desert people” — would deny freedom of move- is recognised as an indigenous ment to members of a tribe on nation in the US. their own territory. Most of them live on the US The Mexican government pressure on Venezuela side of the border in the town has also promised to support of Sells, Arizona, with a few a case the tribe is planning to Tribune News Service ernment is working with other the goal “is not immediate sus- group’s Inter-American Demo- Tillerson has shared little hundred estimated to live in file next month at the Inter- Washington foreign leaders to increase inter- pension,” but that it was time for cratic Charter. Last year, OAS about his vision for the hemi- Mexico. American Court of Human national pressure on Venezue- the 34 member OAS to consider secretary-general Luis Almagro sphere, but many wonder how They are allowed to cross to Rights. lan President Nicolas Maduro’s all available tools to help the issued a scathing 75-page re- decades of fi ghting the Venezue- and fro through the San Miguel Even before the wall has he Trump administration socialist government, including people of Venezuela. port accusing Maduro’s govern- lan government as head of Exxon Gate, for funerals on the Mexi- been built, however, the To- is demonstrating willing- threatening to suspend the gov- In an emotional three-plus- ment of repeatedly violating the Mobil has shaped his perspec- can side, for example, or for hono O’odham are divided Tness to ramp up pressure ernment from the United Na- hour debate on Venezuelan de- group’s human rights and de- tive. medical treatment in Arizona. among themselves. The tribe’s on Venezuela as the Organisa- tions-like OAS. mocracy one ambassador walked mocracy standards. In 2007, Tillerson was at the Chuhuhua remembers living vice-president Verlon Jose told tion of American States begins a “We need to act with urgency out and others threatened to do On Tuesday, Almagro rec- helm of the company when a semi-nomadic life as a girl. In reporters he would see the wall new debate on what to do about and clarity of purpose for in- the same as Venezuelan Vice ommended that the OAS sus- then-Venezuelan president her day, the Tohono harvested built “over my dead body.” the economic and humanitar- deed, as the saying goes, the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sam- pend Venezuela if it does not Hugo Chavez took control of bil- dragon fruit and made cactus But others have cast doubt ian crisis in the South American whole world is watching,” said uel Moncada insulted those that hold elections soon. “We do lions of dollars’ worth of Exxon syrup. on his stance. David Garcia, country. Michael Fitzpatrick, a deputy had spoken against his govern- not support any invasion,” Al- assets. Later in 2015, with Ma- Just a decade ago, there was a former member of the To- A month after the Trump ad- assistant secretary of state for ment. magro said. “We want elections duro as president, the two sides still a bus that took Tohono hono Supreme Council, says ministration issued sanctions the Western Hemisphere. “This While no action was taken, soon.” confronted each other again children from the Mexican some in the tribal leader- against Venezuelan Vice Presi- is an important day for the OAS, the OAS debated whether the The intensifi ed US push when Exxon Mobil struck oil off state of Sonora across to Sells ship are reluctant to oppose dent Tareck El Aissami, accus- which is fulfi lling its responsi- embattled Venezuelan govern- against Venezuela raises ques- the coast of neighbouring Guy- for school. Washington for fear of los- ing him of drug traffi cking and bility to safeguard democracy.” ment was fulfi lling its demo- tions about the infl uence of new ana in an area that Venezuela But one by one, border ing US subsidies. money laundering, the US gov- Fitzpatrick emphasised that cratic obligations under the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. also claims. Peru floods leave 94 dead, 700,000 homeless

Tribune News Service lief efforts. One affected city fl ooded homes, according to A spokesman for President Lima is the beach town of Catacaos, General Jorge Chavez of COEN, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said the where floodwaters reaching 6 the Spanish acronym for the government has sent hundreds feet high have killed four and National Centre for Emergency of military and police person- xtreme weather has bat- left much of the city inundated. Operations. Military and police nel to help in relief eff orts. He tered many parts of the Five hundred people there were personnel were using infl atable also appointed special ministers Eworld this year, but few evacuated on Tuesday morn- boats to reach areas left isolated in each province to manage re- countries have suff ered more in ing, with many others still by fl oods, he said. lief eff orts. COEN reported that lives, homes and crops lost than awaiting rescue. “We know this is an extreme a total of 150,000 houses and Peru, the Andean country that “We’re trapped and we can’t situation, but we are pleading for businesses have been fl ooded has been beset with torrential get out,” said Carmela Calle, a calm. Please be confi dent that out. rains and massive fl ooding for 43-year old housewife in Cata- all will be taken care of,” Chavez “I have lost my grocery store much of this year. caos who spoke to the Los An- said. But there were widespread and my house, which no longer The Peruvian government geles Times by phone. “Please complaints that offi cials were exists,” said Mariano Carreras yesterday raised the death toll help us. We are on the roof with responding too slowly. of Changoyape, a town in Lam- from fl oods to 94 while relief a newborn baby and two elderly “We don’t know where to turn bayeque province. agencies estimated that 700,000 relatives. We are desperate and because no one is helping us. We “My children have no people have been left homeless without food. We have lost eve- hear on TV that the government clothes to wear, and the flood in 12 of the country’s 25 prov- rything.” is sending support but until now took away all their school inces. The cost to Peru’s econo- The government’s meteorol- we have seen nothing,” said Hec- books,” he told a Times re- my in lost productivity has been ogy service said there is little tor Santos, a Piura resident and porter by phone. “We are des- estimated at $3.1bn, or 1.6% of chance of a respite in the near owner of a fl ooded house. “We perate and having nothing. the country’s annual output of future, as heavy rains are fore- have no place to sleep,” he said, Who will help us?” goods and services. cast to continue through this telling a radio reporter he was International aid has begun The price tag for fixing weekend. Rains have been un- speaking from his roof. to arrive, with the US pledg- roads and bridges is at least seasonably intense since January An aerial view of flooded streets in Piura, northern Peru. Reynaldo Hilbck Guzman, ing $525,000 million in relief. $1bn and will take two to three with the most severe damages governor of Piura province, said China’s ambassador to Peru, Jia years to complete, Transpor- reported in the country’s north- with 8,400 homes destroyed by northwestern city of Piura, a their homes. Four bridges con- the volume of water coursing Guide, said his country will do- tation Minister Martin Viz- west coastal areas due to what the fl ooding. Some southern and metropolis of 1.8mn, where ris- necting the centre of the town through the Piura River is un- nate $1.5mn to relief eff orts. Also carra said. has been described as a coastal central parts of the capital have ing fl oodwaters reached the cen- with outlying districts were re- precedented and overwhelming pledging aid are France, South Widespread damage to roads El Nino. gone six days without drinking tral square known as Plaza de ported washed out. levees. Floods already have de- Korea, Colombia, Venezuela, and highways has isolated Eight people have been re- water. Armas, killing four and forcing More than 1,200 people in stroyed 15,000 acres of crops, he Ecuador and the Vatican, among many victims, hampering re- ported killed in Lima, the capital, Damages were worse in the hundreds of families to abandon Piura have been rescued from said. others. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

TERROR CHARGE Hard labour Pakistan court stops extradition of US citizen

GHQ backs A Pakistani court has temporar- ily barred the extradition of a US citizen of Pakistani origin who is accused of planning a terrorist attack in New York, a lawyer said yesterday. Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Raheel Sharif Islamabad High Court suspended the extradition order against Talha Haroon, 19, who is currently jailed in Rawalpindi pending his repatriation. Lawyer Tariq Asad, who petitioned the Islamabad High Court against as anti-terror the order, said he had won a stay. Siddiqui also summoned off icials from the interior ministry for the next court hearing on April 11, ac- cording to an order seen by AFP. “The allegation was that he was planning an armed operation coalition head against a public place in New York with IS,” Asad said, referring to the Internews/Agencies tion between the two countries Islamic State group. Islamabad would have a positive impact on He said Haroon had returned from regional peace and stability. the US to Pakistan more than a Lt Gen (r) Shoaib said that the year ago. eneral Headquarters decision of Pakistan joining the (GHQ) of Pakistan unan- 39 countries military alliance DEFENCE Gimously supported Gen- and allowing General (r) Raheel ‘Pak Navy to play eral (retd) Raheel Sharif’s joining Sharif to lead it is not only in the the military alliance of 39 Mus- best interest of Pakistan but also key role in Indian lim countries as its chief after General (retd) Raheel Sharif for Muslims all over the world. incumbent Army Chief General He explained that the main ob- Ocean region’ Qamar Javed Bajwa had direct Regarding Iran, the defence jective of the alliance is to target interaction with Saudi Arabia, analyst who is generally consid- ISIS. The Pakistan Navy will play a UAE and Iran on the issue, Lt ered close to military and de- Meanwhile, Defence Minsiter significant role for maintenance of Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib said. fends establishment in TV talk Khwaja Asif said the decision to peace and stability in the Indian Referring to his recent ex- shows, said the Iranian ambas- appoint Pakistan’s former army Ocean region, the country’s naval changes with the military lead- sador during his recent meeting chief General Raheel Sharif to chief Admiral Mohamed Zakaullah ership, Lt Gen (retd) Shoaib with the army chief was told that head the 39-nation coalition of has said. He said this in an address said that Iran has been assured Pakistan would never be part of Muslim nations is an adminis- to the navy’s Command and Staff even by the GHQ that there is no any anti-Iran military alliance. trative decision, . Conference here on Tuesday, in truth in the propaganda that the Shoaib said Iran was told that According to Asif, the force is which the matters related to op- military alliance would be used Tehran’s closeness with Pa- “purely against terrorism” and erational preparedness, prevailing against Iran. kistan’s enemy India and the not linked to the confl ict in Yem- security situation and develop- “It (the alliance) will neither agreement between the two en, Dawn online reported. mental plans of the Pakistan Navy be used against Iran nor has any countries on Chabahar have not He said: “The decision was were reviewed. connection with Yemen,” Shoaib been considered by Islamabad as taken after much deliberation A Pakistani labourer carries bricks on his back at a construction site at a residential area in The naval chief was briefed about said on behalf of his military anti-Pakistan because of close and I will stand by it in Parlia- Islamabad yesterday. ongoing and future projects and connections. The retired general relations between Pakistan and ment.” plans, Pakistan Today reported. is a well-known defence analyst. Iran. “They (Saudi Arabia) fi rst Shoaib disclosed that the re- On similar lines, Shoaib said, wrote a letter to our govern- cent illumination of Dubai’s Burj the Iranian envoy was told that ment regarding the matter some Khalifa with the green and white Tehran should have trust on Pa- six weeks ago, after which the colours of the pattern of Paki- kistan, which could never be part government discussed the mat- stan’s fl ag was the consequence of any anti-Iran alliance. ter internally and sent a written of the army chief’s successful Ambassador of Iran Mehdi agreement to the proposal after a Coin commemorating Edhi to be meetings with UAE rulers. Honardoost early this month week,” he said. The army chief, he said, was called on the Gen Bajwa to dis- The defence minister re- informed on 22nd March about cuss “matters of regional secu- mained cryptic when asked this event by Dubai on 23rd rity and mutual interest”. which other nations will be issued by State Bank of Pakistan March. On 23rd March, the DG An ISPR press release said contributing to the coalition, ISPR in a tweet message said, that ambassador Honardoost and said the details of the coali- “Pakistan and UAE share strong acknowledged and appreciated tion will only be revealed after a Agencies thorised SBP to issue the com- and inscribed with “era of hu- away at the age of 88 in Karachi and cultural ties,” and thanked Pakistan Army’s contributions meeting is held in May. Islamabad memorative coin in memory of manity Abdul Sattar Edhi” on top on July 9, 2016. the UAE government and said to regional peace and stability Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s the late philanthropist. while his birth and death dates His funeral was attended by that Dubai-based Pakistanis felt and expressed his appreciation (PTI) Ali Mohamed Khan said The government had author- are inscribed on the bottom. thousands of people, includ- Dubai their home. for Operation Raddul Fasaad. the government needed to dis- he State Bank of Paki- ised SBP to issue a coin worth Revered by many as a na- ing high-profi le politicians and “Thanks to @BurjKhalifa, While thanking the ambas- cuss the appointment. stan (SBP) on Tuesday Rs50 in recognition of Edhi’s tional hero, Abdul Sattar Edhi government offi cials. UAE authorities and people of sador, Gen Bajwa said Pakistan “I want to hear it from the Tannounced it will launch service. created a charitable empire out The iconic social worker was UAE for adding colours to our Army “greatly values the his- horse’s mouth,” Khan said, add- a special coin on March 31 in The coin will be available of nothing. given a guard of honour and a #PakDay celebrations,” said the torical relationship between the ing it was “strange” that Raheel honour of late humanitar- through the exchange counters He managed Pakistan’s 19-gun salute by the Pakistan ISPR message. General (retd) two brotherly countries which Sharif remained silent on the is- ian and Edhi Foundation Chair- in all fi eld offi ces of SBP Bank- largest welfare organisation Army as his body was taken Shoaib said the army chief’s vis- can never be compromised on sue. man Abdul Sattar Edhi, a press ing Services Corp, the state- almost single-handedly with away from the National Sta- its to Saudi Arabia and UAE were any cost”. The headquarters of the mili- release issued from the bank ment added. the assistance of private do- dium after a state funeral. His also of great help to remove some He also said that enhanced tary alliance would be based in stated. One side of the coin is en- nations. body was then taken to Edhi vil- recent past misunderstandings. military-to-military co-opera- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The federal government au- graved with Edhi’s side portrait The humanitarian passed lage, where he was laid to rest. Afghans plan to double special forces from 17,000

AFP Kabul

fghanistan plans to dou- ble the number of elite Aspecial forces from 17,000 troops, offi cials said, part of a long-term strategy to bolster units stretched and exhausted by persistent attacks from Taliban insurgents and other Islamist militants. Special forces, who rep- resent a small fraction of the 300,000-strong armed forces, have been carrying out nearly 70% of the army’s off ensive op- erations across the country, un- derlining Afghanistan’s heavy reliance on them. While regular forces, includ- ing police, are deployed largely to defend positions, special forc- es are taking the battle to mili- tants from Kunduz in the north to Helmand in the south, some- times working in tandem with Afghan army Special Forces take part in a military exercise in Rishkhur district outside Kabul on February 25. US counterparts. “Our commando forces have drive to “substantially” increase Kamal, a special forces com- der too much strain. A smaller US counter-terror- The outgoing US military “We’ll adjust as we see fi t,” to be strengthened and have to numbers would take longer, said mander. There hasn’t been any Last year, the top US com- ism unit is engaged in fi ghting spokesman in Kabul, Brigadier Cleveland said. be better equipped,” Defence Nato coalition spokesman Cap- interruption.” mander in Afghanistan, General radical networks including Al General Charles Cleveland, said “As they (special forces) Ministry spokesman Dawlat tain Bill Salvin. When they reach the bat- John Nicholson, discussed plans Qaeda and Islamic State, and of- Afghan special forces were “the go into the spring fighting, Waziri said. “It’s going to take several years tlefi eld, newly trained troops to strengthen and regenerate the ten works closely with elite Af- absolute best in this region”. they are absolutely going to be Waziri declined to give ex- to grow to the level that (Afghan will likely be conducting off en- force over the winter months. ghan units in the fi eld. “But by the end of the year stronger than where they were act numbers, saying only that President Ashraf) Ghani cur- sive operations, from tracking At the special forces base, Nicholson said last month they were stretched. An awful in the fall.” the special operations division rently envisions,” Salvin said. militant cells to clearing towns Nato trainers work alongside that thousands more advisers lot was asked of them.” Nato is also trying to help the would be increased to the level of Recruitment and training was seized by insurgents. Afghan instructors, teaching would be needed to help pre- Cleveland said any move conventional army corps be- an army corps. already underway for more com- “There is a huge need for the a range of courses from basic pare Afghan forces to break the to boost commando numbers come more eff ective and relieve But three Afghan and Western mandos, as well as special forces number of commandos and shooting and room clearance for “stalemate” in the 15-year con- would be factored into coalition pressure on elite units, according offi cials, speaking on condition support units like medical care, special forces to increase in the new commandos, to advanced fl ict, a factor US President Don- deliberations over the future of to Cleveland. of anonymity, said that under intelligence, logistics and com- country,” said Mohamed Arif, a leadership courses for the more ald Trump must consider when the international mission. “The real goal is to get the current plans, special forces munications, he added. new commando recruit.” experienced. he decides his strategy for Af- It peaked at some 100,000 conventional corps up to the would double and the govern- On exercises at the Afghan ar- “As long as they are well The Nato instructors are part ghanistan. soldiers in 2011, but fell sharply same level of profi ciency at their ment was talking to foreign do- my’s special operations training equipped, they can defend the of the Resolute Support mission More than two years after the with the intention of eventu- job as the special forces are at nors about contributing through base just outside Kabul, soldiers country very well.” involving some 13,000 inter- departure of most international ally handing over control to local their jobs. funding and other assistance. were confi dent that they could Afghanistan’s international national troops, more than half troops, Afghan forces control forces. “We want these corps to be Recruitment in recent months handle the workload. allies regularly praise the per- of them Americans, who train just 57 % of the country, com- A stubborn enemy, lack of re- able to conduct their operations has focused on replacing spe- “There has been an increase formance of the special forces, special and regular forces and pared with 72 % a year ago, ac- sources and high casualty rates without having to misuse, if cial forces troops lost during in our operations, but we will but there is also concern that sometimes advise Afghan troops cording to SIGAR, a Congres- among Afghan troops have seen you will, the special operations last year’s fi ghting, meaning the keep up our eff orts,” said Fawad the workload places them un- on the battlefi eld. sional oversight body. that objective pushed back. forces.” Gulf Times 24 Thursday, March 30, 2017 PHILIPPINES Govt, China to hold direct talks on sea dispute

AFP Sea,” spokesman Charles Jose war with Beijing over the sea Manila told reporters. China rejects the row. tribunal’s ruling and asserts sov- After his election he pivoted ereignty over almost all of the his nation’s foreign policy away hina and the Philippines South China Sea, despite partial from traditional ally the United will hold direct talks on counter-claims from Brunei, States towards China. Ctheir maritime dispute Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philip- Jose said the direct talks would File photo shows former Philippine police off icer Arthur Lascanas speaking in tears as he relates the death of his brothers, and confesses to a in May, Filipino offi cials said pines and Vietnam. be the “platform” where the litany of brutal crimes allegedly ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte when he was the mayor of the southern city of Davao, during a press yesterday, as President Rodrigo It has extensively reclaimed Philippines could raise issues conference in Manila, while Jose Manuel Diokno (right), one of the nation’s leading human rights lawyers, listens. Duterte seeks stronger economic reefs and installed military and like China’s construction of ar- ties with Beijing. other facilities including air- tifi cial islands. Last year a United Nations- strips on some outcrops. Both nations were still fi nalis- backed international tribunal China has always favoured ing the agenda, dates and level of rejected Beijing’s claims to most bilateral talks with each rival representation, he added. of the South China Sea, includ- claimant instead of negotiations Duterte’s spokesman hailed Duterte off ers authoritarianism ing disputed areas close to the involving all six, as was previ- the proposed meeting. coasts of its neighbours. ously favoured by the Philip- “Through this bilateral mech- But Duterte, elected last year, pines. anism, mutual trust and mari- has played down that ruling and Analysts say direct talks with time co-operation will be forged as panacea for all problems pushed for rapprochement with smaller neighbours would allow and misunderstandings will be China as he seeks billions of China to exert its massive eco- avoided,” Ernesto Abella said. dollars in trade and investment nomic and political leverage in Duterte last week heaped AFP and arrests without warrants. from it. a region dependent on Chinese praise on China for improving Manila “It is a cruel process and it is China this week off ered to trade. trade relations and for suppos- taken care of by the military,” host a meeting in May of a “bi- Jose said the Chinese invita- edly committing not to build on Duterte said of warrantless lateral consultation mechanism” tion for the May bilateral talks another disputed shoal that lies hree turbulent decades arrests, referring in that con- to tackle issues related to the sea set no preconditions. even closer to the Philippines after the Philippines text to him being “just like Mr row, the Philippine foreign de- “What is important is we have than the reclaimed reefs. Tshed dictatorship, Presi- Marcos”. With his style of gov- partment said. a peaceful means (to resolve the “China has a word of honour,” dent Rodrigo Duterte is off ering erning, Duterte is subjecting “This is a new proposal, a bi- dispute),” he added. Duterte said. “Whatever China a return to authoritarian rule as the Philippines’ democratic lateral consultation mechanism Duterte, 72, has repeatedly says, in good stead, it will a solution to all the problems institutions to stress-tests, specifi cally on the South China said he does not want to go to really do.” democracy has failed to fi x. according to Ronald Mendoza, In a series of recent speech- the Harvard-educated dean of es, Duterte has repeatedly said the school of government at martial law may be needed to Ateneo University in Manila. save his nation of 100mn peo- But Mendoza said this could ple from descending into drug, turn out to be a positive by crime and terrorism-induced identifying the weakest parts Ex-Negros mayor, eight anarchy. of the nation’s young democ- Duterte’s warnings echo back racy and proving that strong to dictator Ferdinand Mar- institutions can withstand cos, who was toppled in a 1986 Duterte: authoritarian rule as solution pressures. “People Power” revolution, and Mendoza cited as one posi- others face action over are placing intense scrutiny said was the threat of com- and parliamentary system. tive the Armed Forces of the on the democratic institutions munism, while Duterte is do- He has promoted it as a way Philippines, which responded that have been slowly rebuilt ing the same based on drugs to end the injustices served out to Duterte’s warnings of mar- since then. and criminality, according to by “Imperial Manila”, portray- tial law with a statement say- project irregularities “I think the situation to- Diokno. ing the capital as home to cor- ing there was no need for it. day is the closest we’ve been Diokno said some rela- rupt elites – in much the same The military has also reject- to an authoritarian form of tives of those killed by po- way that Trump has described ed repeated calls by Duterte, a By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino “It is an established public policy, as well as government in 30 years,” Jose lice and unknown vigilan- Washington as a “swamp” that former city mayor and lawyer, Manila Times statutory mandate, that all government procure- Manuel Diokno, dean of law at tes feared retribution if they must be drained. to join the police as frontline ment shall be done through competitive public Manila’s De la Salle University complained, while intimida- The president’s many sup- enforcers in his drug war. bidding. Alternative methods shall be resorted and one of the nation’s leading tion tactics were being used porters believe federalism can Mendoza pointed to an in- he Offi ce of the Ombudsman has found basis to only in the highly exceptional cases provided human rights lawyers, said. against dissenters. work and, with a commanding dependent central bank as an- to fi le a graft case before the Sandiganbayan under the law,” the statement said. “There are so many parallels Nevertheless, like US Presi- majority in Congress, he will other bright spot, while Diokno Tagainst former Mayor Romel Yogore of Val- Citing procurement rules, it added that shop- between what’s happening to- dent Donald Trump and other be able to achieve it. said the Philippines’ feisty me- ladolid, Negros Occidental and several others over ping may be resorted to for projects that involve day and what happened before populist leaders around the His critics fear constitu- dia was proving to be an impor- the alleged awarding of a project for the repair of “readily available off-the-shelf goods or ordi- (during the Marcos dictator- world who are posing chal- tional change, which currently tant bulwark for democracy. two mechanical grain dryers without public bid- nary/regular office equipment to be procured ship).” lenges for democracy, Duterte limits the president to a single Mendoza said Congress and ding in 2008. directly from suppliers of known qualifications.” Diokno said one commo- is operating atop a solid base term of six years, could ce- the police force were institu- Facing indictment with Yogore are then-Munici- The respondents presented no BAC resolution nality was a climate of fear, of support. ment authoritarian rule. tions with weaknesses that had pal Agricultural Offi cer Giovanni Robles; then-Bids to justify the resort to shopping, according to the created partly by Duterte’s Many Filipinos have cheered Duterte has further raised been exposed under Duterte. and Awards Committee (BAC) members Joseph ombudsman. controversial drug war that his drug war and believe he alarm by proposing the return But overall he remained cau- Alfonso Manayon, Ernesto Genobis, Daisy Galve, The statement “the status of Franmar as the has claimed thousands of is the strongman needed to of the Marcos-era Philippine tiously optimistic the Philip- Cherryl Aguirre, Merlene Magbanua and Ramonito alleged exclusive distributor of Chung Ching lives since he took office nine radically change a deeply cor- Constabulary, a combined pines’ democratic institutions Amazona; and Romeo Tanalgo of FranMar Agro- mechanical dryers does not merit the resort to months ago. rupt political system that has military and police force that and the Filipino people would Industrial Sales. shopping” because the “condition of exclusiv- “The situation today is sim- created one of Asia’s biggest was one of the dictator’s main prevent a slide back to martial A statement issued yesterday said Yogore and ity of the source is applicable only in direct con- ilar to the Marcos period in the rich-poor divides. ways of suppressing dissent. law. the then-BAC members allegedly awarded the tracting.” sense that both are fuelled by Duterte intends to funda- He also last week raised the “We are in a much stronger project for the repair of the mechanical grain The ombudsman said investigation showed the barrel of the gun,” he said. mentally reshape Philippine prospect of bringing back a place than we were several dec- dryers to Franmar for P698,000 “availing of the that Franmar was allegedly only a sub-dealer of Marcos justified his au- democracy by changing the Marcos order allowing secu- ades ago,” Mendoza said. alternative method of shopping.” the brand of dryers. thoritarian rule by what he constitution to create a federal rity forces to conduct searches

Dead humpback whale washes up Speaker, Floirendo admit to diffi culties in friendship on Aurora shore A six-metre long humpback By Llanesca T Panti match between Alvarez’s female House speaker. Alvarez insisted Speaker Bebot and I have no sues. Meanwhile, I can assure prohibits public offi cers from whale (Megaptera novaean- Manila Times companion and Floreindo’s there would be no love lost be- fi ght with each other. I still off er everyone that I was not in any “directly or indirectly having fi - gliae) was buried yesterday in partner, Cathy Binag, during tween him and Floirendo, say- a hand of friendship to Speaker way involved in the negotiation nancial or pecuniary interest in Dipaculao, Aurora province after the Masskara Festival in Bacolod ing he didn’t owe his successful Alvarez. If ever there is a confl ict, of the Joint Venture Agreement any business, contract or trans- it was found dead on the shore peaker Pantaleon Alva- City last October. speakership bid to the Davao- it could be likened to a brotherly between Tadeco and BuCor,” action in connection with which by barangay (village) residents, rez and Davao del Norte based business magnate. misunderstanding which I am Floirendo said. he intervenes or takes part in his Manila Times reported. SRep. Antonio “Tonyboy” “If our quarrel stems from “He did not help me to be- sure would be patched up in no On her Facebook page, offi cial capacity, or in which he is Dipaculao Mayor Joana Floirendo Jr. all but admitted a personal matter between come the speaker, and even if time at all. I would like everyone Floirendo’s partner Binag prohibited by the Constitution Salamanca said the whale was yesterday that animosity involv- Speaker Alvarez and myself, he is a major contributor to the to know that I tried and reached seemed outraged, saying: “Loy- or by any law from having any found dead on the beach in ing their women got in the way I appeal to the Speaker to president, it is not a license for out to him but he refused to alty to your friends ends when interest.” Barangay Lipit at about 6pm of their once strong alliance. meet with me personally...” him to steal from government talk to me since this all started,” money is involved. When your “He was still a sitting con- on Tuesday With no available Alvarez has fi led a graft com- coff ers,” Alvarez added. Floirendo added. ambition to become rich and gressman in 2004. This is a vio- facilities to measure its weight, plaint against Floirendo before Alvarez admitted to the aff air Floirendo is the top donor of He also denied he was out to famous is more important than lation of the Constitution and Salamanca, with the assistance the Offi ce of the Ombudsman in and the incident but said these then Davao City mayor Rodrigo oust Alvarez as speaker. your friendship. – read this! – the Anti-Graft law. It’s clear that of the municipal agriculture connection with the 2003 joint should be viewed separately Duterte’s presidential campaign, “I did not give any statement greed and arrogance will never he has a problem. He did not di- office and Lipit village officials, venture between the Floiren- from the ombudsman com- pitching in P75mn. then to defend myself as there win.” vest his interests in Tadeco, and proceeded with the burying do family-owned banana fi rm plaint. Unlike Alvarez, Floirendo is in was no truth to it at all. I never “You don’t bite the hand that that means he should now start of the humpback whale where Tagum Agricultural Develop- “This Tadeco contract has a conciliatory mood, saying they attempted to talk to Arroyo nor feeds you….” walking to prison. I am not jok- seawater could not reach ment Corp (Tadeco) and the been kept for so long. Nobody would eventually iron out their would I ever support any plot Alvarez did not comment on ing. I am a lawyer. I know what I it.Maylanny Marzan, a village Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), was able to peek on it because diff erences. to oust Speaker Alvarez who, in rumours that Floirendo was am doing,” Alvarez said. resident, said the animal’s size which supposedly allowed Ta- there was an eff ort to hide it,” the “If our quarrel stems from a the fi rst place, is a good friend of plotting his ouster to install “We should focus on the Ta- is double that of a full grown deco to lease part of land of the speaker, who is also representing personal matter between Speak- mine and whom I fully support- former president turned Rep. deco contract. Its contract was Philippine buffalo. “This is our Davao Penal Colony at a bargain. Davao del Norte, said. er Alvarez and myself, I appeal ed during the last election and Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga as renewed in 2004 without pub- first time to see such a kind of The same contract also guar- Alvarez is married to busi- to the Speaker to meet with me in his bid for the speakership,” speaker, but expressed confi - lic bidding. They developed the whale which drifted into shallow anteed BuCor an annual share nesswoman Emelita “Emily” personally so that we can settle Floirendo said. dence that such attempts won’t land by employing the inmates. waters in our village,” she noted. of P26,541,809 on production Apostol-Alvarez, with whom he this like gentlemen. For now, I “If ever there is an iota of truth prosper. Tadeco is renting the entire The Bureau of Fisheries and that will automatically increase has four children. ask the public not to be swayed to the ouster plot, I am not a part “That’s nothing. Go ahead. I 5,308 hectares of land for just Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said by 10% every fi ve years, and Floirendo has long been es- by false allegations, especially of it,” he added. did not dream of this position so P5,000 per year while the mar- humpback whale of this size that BuCor must receive profi t tranged from his wife, Miss my constituents in District 2, On the allegations involv- I can let it go anytime,” Alvarez ket value is at P1,535 per hectare. (5-6 meters) is a baby or calf shares. Universe 1973 Margarita Moran. Davao del Norte,” Floirendo said ing Tadeco, he said: “Because said. The question is, was the govern- of baleen whale species, which DZMM radio anchor Noli de Emily’s running to Floirendo and in a separate statement provided these allegations happened 14 He insisted that Floirendo was ment on the winning or losing is one of the larger rorqual Castro yesterday asked Alva- Binag because of marital woes by his lawyer, Nicolas Banga. years ago, I am curious as to his guilty of violating the Anti-Graft side in this deal? That’s it,” Alva- species. rez about the reported shouting reportedly got the goat of the “Let me make it clear that real intentions and the real is- and Corrupt Practices Act which rez added. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES

Indian army chief conferred Nepalese honorary rank

Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat was yesterday conferred the rank of honorary General Bangladesh police raid of the Nepal army by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari at a special ceremony at the president’s off icial residence Sheetal Niwas, media reports said. General Rawat, who is in Kathmandu on a four-day visit to the Himalayan country, also paid two extremist hideouts courtesy calls on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Defence AFP several areas, including Boro- homegrown Islamist organisation. Minister Bal Krishna Khand and Dhaka hat and Kutumbagh areas of There has been a resurgence his Nepali counterpart General Moulvibazar city, from 2pm. of extremist attacks in recent Rajendra Chhetri, the Kathmandu The prohibitory orders were weeks in the Muslim-majority Post reported. angladesh police came also imposed in a 2km radius nation of 160mn after a relative It has been a tradition between under grenade attack of the Khalilpur union com- lull since fi ve IS-linked gun- the Indian and Nepali armies to Bwhen they raided two plex area, Moulvibazar Deputy men killed 22 people including confer the honorary top rank on suspected Islamist extremist Commissioner Tofail Ahmed 18 foreign hostages at a Dhaka each other’s chiefs to signify their hideouts yesterday, days after said. cafe on July 1. close and special military ties. a major anti-militant drive in The police took the measure IS has also claimed at least The first Indian army chief, which 10 people were killed. in these areas to avoid any un- two of three other incidents General K M Cariappa was the Police said counter-terror- toward incident, said the report. this month in which attack- first Indian army chief to be ism offi cers raided two houses The raids came after army ers blew themselves at secu- decorated with the title in 1950. in Moulvibazar district in the commandos stormed a fi ve- rity checkpoints, including one Earlier yesterday, General Rawat northeast after receiving a storey building in the nearby targeting an elite security force handed over a stallion light breed, tip-off that extremists were city of Sylhet, triggering a tasked with tackling Islamist two brood mares, two gelds and two sheltering there. violent three-day stand-off . militancy. donkey stallions to the Nepal army. A stand-off ensued, with At least four extremists died Analysts say Islamist mili- General Rawat, who was those inside the houses throw- and another six people includ- tants pose a growing danger in appointed to the top post of ing grenades, local police chief ing two police offi cers were conservative Bangladesh, where Indian army on December 31, will Rashedul Islam said. killed when two bombs went a long-running political crisis also visit Bangladesh during his “In one of the houses, we sus- off on Saturday near a crowd has radicalised opponents of the first foreign visit. pect there are eight to nine of watching the operation. government. Police seen standing near the militant hideout in Borohat area of Moulvibazar city yesterday. them,” he said, adding the hous- The Islamic State group Bangladesh prides itself on es were owned by a Bangladeshi claimed the twin bomb at- being a mainly moderate Mus- atheist bloggers, foreigners and tionwide crackdown on Islamist of a new faction of the banned Nepal leader -origin British citizen. tacks but the government lim country. But that percep- religious minorities. extremist groups, killing around Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangla- Local administration im- has rejected the claim, in- tion has been damaged by a Since the cafe attack, secu- 60 suspected militants. desh, which has been blamed by seeks India’s posed prohibitory orders in stead blaming a banned series of gruesome killings of rity forces have launched a na- These include the founders authorities for most attacks. support for polls Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi has sought India’s support, particularly with vehicles and logistics, for the Nepal to formally upcoming local level elections, a Bangladesh Bank heist was media report said yesterday. After his meeting with newly appointed Indian ambassador to join Chinese Belt Nepal, Majeev Singh Puri, Nidhi, who is also minister for home ‘state-sponsored’: US offi cial aff airs, said he had repeated the request made with Indian and Road: PM off icials during his recent visit to Reuters dition of anonymity, blamed in which hackers breached stolen money from Dhaka to New Delhi, the Kathmandu Post Manila North Korea. Bangladesh Bank’s systems Manila. reported. IANS “We all know the Bangla- and used the SWIFT mes- Philippine investigators have Ambassador Puri responded Kathmandu desh Bank heist, this is just saging network to order the fi led criminal charges against positively, said Nidhi. he heist of $81mn from one example of a state-spon- transfer of nearly $1bn from its several individuals and a re- Nepal will hold its first local the Bangladesh central sored attack that was done on account at the New York Fed. mittance company for money elections in two decades on epal Prime Minister Tbank’s account at the the banking sector,” Siller told The US central bank re- laundering in connection May 14 which will pave the way Pushpa Kamal Dahal New York Federal Reserve last a cyber security forum. jected most of the requests with the heist at the country’s for provincial and then national Nyesterday said Nepal will year was “state-sponsored,” An offi cial briefed on the but fi lled some of them, re- Department of Justice (DOJ). elections later in the year. formally sign a memorandum of an FBI offi cer in the Philip- probe said in Washington last sulting in $81mn being trans- None of these cases have yet The home ministry, through understanding (MoU) with Chi- pines, who has been involved week that the FBI believes ferred to bank accounts in the been fi led in court, however. the ministry of foreign aff airs, na to become part of the latter’s in the investigations, said North Korea was responsible Philippines. The money was Siller said the FBI was has already sent a request to ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. yesterday. for the heist. The offi cial did quickly withdrawn and later working closely with the Phil- New Delhi for material support. Dahal, who returned home Lamont Siller, the legal at- not give details. disappeared in the huge casino ippines government “to en- According to the Indian embassy, from his China visit yester- tache at the US embassy, did The Wall Street Journal re- industry in the country. sure those responsible for the the ambassador assured “serious day, informed reporters that his not elaborate but his com- ported US prosecutors were There have been no arrests attack do not go unpunished.” consideration of the request”. country would become part of ments in a speech in Manila building potential cases that in the case. “So for us in the FBI, it is Besides, Nidhi and Puri also the Belt and Road Initiative as Pushpa Kamal Dahal: “We are are a strong signal that au- would accuse North Korea A Chinese casino owner in never over. We are going to agreed to enhance cooperation early as possible and reap ben- going to sign the deal with China thorities in the United States of directing the heist, and the Philippines told that Sen- bring these individuals to jus- for fighting terrorism that efi ts from the initiative, Xinhua as early as possible to ensure our are close to naming who car- would charge alleged Chinese ate inquiry he took millions tice so that we can show others, poses serious threat to both news agency reported. participation in the Belt and Road ried out one of the world’s middlemen. of dollars from two Chinese that you maybe able to muster neighbouring countries. “We are going to sign the deal Initiative.” biggest cyber heists. The FBI has been leading high-rollers in February. He such attacks, even state-spon- They also discussed about with China as early as possible to Last week, offi cials in an international investigation said the two men were re- sored, but you will not get away bilateral security cooperation and ensure our participation in the Briefi ng media about his visit Washington, speaking on con- into the February 2016 heist, sponsible for transferring the with it in the end.” Nepal’s political situation. Belt and Road Initiative,” the prime to China, the prime minister minister said, adding that Nepal is said the visit was successful in keen to develop cross-border rail- strengthening and enhancing way networks, roads, transmis- bilateral co-operation in various sion lines, industrial parks as well sectors, including trade, com- Chariot Festival as other infrastructure under the merce, connectivity, tourism Nepal asks climbers ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. and agriculture, among others. He expressed confi dence that “During my meeting with Nepali people will benefi t from Chinese President Xi Jinping in to clean Everest camp Nepal’s participation in the Belt Beijing, I expressed commitment and Road Initiative. on behalf of the government of “We agreed to cooperate more Nepal that we would like to be- Reuters garbage they have retrieved, said in jointly building the Belt and come part of the Belt and Road Kathmandu tourism department offi cial Du- Road,” he said. Initiative,” he said. rga Dutta Dhakal. Nepal initially signed a frame- The ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, “This way we hope to bring work MoU with China in De- proposed by China in 2013, aims epal is urging climb- down the trash without any cember 2014, though the Hima- to build a trade and infrastruc- ers on Mount Everest, extra cost, using helicopters layan nation has yet to fi nalise ture network connecting Asia Nthe world’s highest that return empty after dump- co-operation projects to be de- with Europe and Africa along the peak, to help remove garbage ing climbing ropes at the high veloped under the initiative. ancient trade routes. from a camp abandoned two camp,” he said yesterday. years ago after an earthquake The helicopters operate dur- triggered avalanches killing 18 ing the climbing season that people, as offi cials prepare to typically runs from March to handle a rush of climbers. May to dump climbing ropes. Tourism and mountain Sherpas would be paid to EU to explore investment climbing are the main sources pick up the trash, said vet- of income for the Himalayan eran climber Russell Brice, a nation and make up 4% of its New Zealander who runs the opportunities in Lanka economy. Climbing is recov- Himalayan Experience guid- ering from a series of earth- ing company. “We will pay $2 quakes in 2015 that killed a for each kilo of trash the Sher- IANS The EIB, a European long- total of 9,000 people. pas bring down,” Brice said. Colombo term lending institution and Ten huge canvas bags each Mountaineers have removed owned directly by the 28 EU capable of holding 80kg (176 lbs) more than 16 tonnes of trash member states, has support- Devotees play traditional drums as they take part in the Chariot Festival at Ashon in of trash are to be placed at the from Everest in the past, but high-level delegation ed investments in Sri Lanka Kathmandu yesterday. ruined site of Camp 2 on Mount there are no estimates of how from the European In- since 2002, including backing Everest for climbers to deposit much still litters the mountain. Avestment Bank (EIB) will climate-related investment, make a three-day offi cial visit private companies and post- to Sri Lanka aiming to explore tsunami recovery. investment opportunities in the “The European Investment country, the European Union Bank has a strong track record (EU) offi ce has said. of supporting transformation- Maldives ex-leader vows fi ghtback after vote chaos Andrew McDowell, newly ap- al investment that improves pointed EIB vice president, will lives and economic opportuni- AFP former strongman president tion, said the incident had ex- eed said. “I want to be able to bility and dented its image as a discuss the recent engagement ties across Asia and around the Colombo Abdul Gayoom. posed the government’s shaky go back and contest elections. I tourism paradise. and future investment with Sri world. This week’s visit to Sri A vote of no-confi dence in the majority and strengthened his will contest elections.” Almost all key opposition lead- Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Lanka builds on the fruitful dis- house speaker, intended to desta- resolve to try again. Nasheed became the Mal- ers and several ruling party dis- Wickremesinghe and senior cussions with Minister (of Fi- xiled Maldives opposition bilise President Abdulla Yameen “I am not disappointed,” he dives’ fi rst democratically sidents have either been jailed or government offi cials, business nance) Karunanayake following leader Mohamed Nasheed before elections next year, ended said in Colombo from where he elected president in 2008, fl ed into exile since he took offi ce. leaders, members of the diplo- the European Investment Bank’s Evowed yesterday to keep up in defeat on Monday when soldiers co-ordinated the abortive par- but was narrowly defeated by That has led to Yameen’s es- matic community and fi nan- fi rst ever support for water in- the pressure on the government took away 13 opposition MPs and liamentary push. Yameen in a controversial 2013 trangement from Gayoom, his cial institutions, Xinhua news vestment in Sri Lanka and the after it deployed troops to remove the rest walked out in protest. “I don’t think there was a election run-off . half-brother, who himself ruled agency reported. fi rst loan for public sector in- his MPs from parliament, drawing The scenes, captured on failure, but we did not come out He now lives in exile in London the country for three decades McDowell will also in- vestment agreed with this gov- a warning from Washington. camera and circulated on social with an outright victory.” after he was convicted in 2015 on before he was ousted in 2008. spect the ongoing con- ernment,” McDowell said before Nasheed admitted he had media, prompted the US em- Nasheed accused the govern- terrorism charges that were wide- Yesterday, Nasheed said his Mal- struction work to upgrade his arrival in Colombo. been unable to secure “outright bassy to urge Male to “restore ment of using intimidation to ly seen as politically motivated. divian Democratic Party (MDP) wastewater infrastructure in Co- McDowel will become the victory” in his attempt to seize faith in democratic processes”. prevent its MPs from defecting Yameen has presided over a would launch a fresh bid with lombo which is fi nanced by the fi rst vice president of the EIB control of parliament by enter- Nasheed, who has pledged to the opposition side. major crackdown on political Gayoom to control parliament, al- EIB in conjunction with the Asian to visit Sri Lanka in more than ing into a pact with the cur- to return to the honeymoon is- “The end game is to ensure dissent in the nation of 340,000 though it remains unclear whether Development Bank. fi ve years. rent president’s half-brother, lands to contest the 2018 elec- free and fair elections,” Nash- that has raised fears over its sta- they have the necessary support. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, March 30, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Unlocking potential

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] of Chinese cities Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) By Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng Fax 44350474 Hong Kong

esidential property prices in China’s fi rst-tier cities – Beijing, Shanghai, RGuangzhou, and Shenzhen GULF TIMES – are back up. A home there now runs buyers half as much as a home in the world’s most expensive cities: New York City, London, and Hong Kong. Letting some of the air out Sparks fl y as of this housing bubble, before too much pressure builds up, will require improved management of China’s rapid urbanisation – and not just in the four fi rst-tier cities. India nail series Of course, the housing situation is most urgent in the fi rst-tier cities. And their governments have moved quickly to cool the market. Beijing, win over Aussies for example, raised the required down payment for residents purchasing a second fl at for investment to as As India celebrate the return of the Border-Gavaskar much as 80% of the price, and barred Trophy from previous holders Australia, the overriding non-residents from such investments consensus is that the hosts maintained order between altogether. But this is just a temporary fi x. A the sport’s top two Test sides in a series that had longer-term solution will require everything. the authorities to address the fact Urbanisation pressure is being felt by the top 100 (out of 600) Chinese cities. Seldom has a tour been dragged deep into the gutter that demand for a limited supply of through tit-for-tat accusations of cheating and foul residential property is high and rising, industrial city in China, with per development, manufacture, and sale 2008. Foshan’s ceramic industry, play only for it to rise magnifi cently in the wake of owing to the rapid fl ow of often-young capita income reaching $17,202 of household appliances. for example, has transformed itself Chinese talent to cities that off er in 2016, compared to $16,624 for The city also created linkages from a dirty, energy-intensive, and some quality cricket by the bitterest of antagonists. access to economic opportunities, Beijing and $16,251 for Shanghai. In with others nearby, with each fragmented industry into a clean, “It was a magnifi cent series, one of the best I’ve not to mention better public 2015, Foshan’s GDP grew by 8.3%, complementing the others’ energy-efficient, and consolidated been part of,” Australia captain Steve Smith, a key infrastructure. Policymakers must compared to 6.7% in Beijing and 6.8% comparative advantages, thereby sector, largely owing to high protagonist in the series, said after his team fi nally determine the proper balance between in Shanghai, with industry accounting reinforcing collective progress. At the standards designed and enforced state control and market forces in for 60% of the city’s GDP. same time, however, Foshan fostered by the municipal government. succumbed to a 2-1 loss in the fourth and fi nal Test on guiding urbanisation throughout the Moreover, in a country where intense competition internally and Meanwhile, local governments Tuesday. country. excessive debt is a growing concern, with other cities in China, which in Northeast China continue to Given their history, it seemed inevitable that tempers As it stands, urbanisation pressure Foshan’s loan-to-GDP ratio in 2011 may well be the biggest reason for its struggle with the supply-side would fl are between sides that endorse an identical is being felt by the top 100 (out of was only 85% – far less than the success. structural reforms needed to tackle brand of aggressive cricket when they met in Pune for 600) Chinese cities, which housed national average of 121%. Foshan’s Foshan’s municipal government, overcapacity, excessive leverage, 714.3mn residents – 52.8% of the total rapid GDP growth – among the fastest which was among the fi rst to high transaction costs, and gaps in the opener, which passed without incident barring a population – and generated 75.7% in China – was driven by the private experiment with township and village technology upgrading. surprise win for the visitors. of China’s GDP in 2016. Of those sector, with appropriate local- enterprises and privatisation in the There is increasing awareness The veneer cracked in the second Test, however, when 100 cities, six recorded GDP growth government support, and therefore early 1980s, has played an important in China of the potential of cities. all hell broke loose after Smith gestured to his dressing above 10% last year, compared to the depended largely on self-fi nancing, role in buoying private enterprise. As Foshan has proved, cities have a national average of 6.7%; 82 recorded not debt. Likewise, the private sector In particular, it has supported unique capacity to support growth – room whether to review an lbw decision against him GDP growth between 6.7% and 10%; has fi nanced about two-thirds of skills upgrading and built critical including by fostering competition, during a tense but fruitless run chase in Bengaluru. and just 12 grew by 6.7% or less. Foshan’s fi xed investment, which runs infrastructure, while avoiding creating advancing innovation, and phasing The “brain fade” drew a predictable reaction from his Perhaps more signifi cant, per capita up to 30-40% of GDP. unaff ordable housing or unnecessary out obsolete industries – while feisty Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, who claimed it GDP in 33 Chinese cities is higher Foshan’s development strategy offi ce buildings. In a country plagued addressing social challenges, tackling was but one of several similar breaches by the tourists, than $12,475, meaning that, by World focused on embedding the city by excess capacity and housing pollution, and creating a labour force Bank standards, they have attained within the supply chains of the bubbles, this was a prescient policy. that can cope with technological an allegation Australia summarily dismissed. high-income status. Four years ago, dynamic Pearl River Delta – which The key to success has been the disruption. As China attempts to The incident quickly snowballed into a major crisis only 16 Chinese cities had crossed includes the global cities of Hong authorities’ fl exible approach, manage urbanisation – responding to, with both boards springing to the defence of their that threshold. Urbanisation in these Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou guided by close monitoring of market rather than attempting to overpower, respective captains. high-income cities may provide more – thereby securing linkages to the signals. Thanks to such monitoring, market forces – the Foshan model The game’s governing valuable insight into how to continue entire world. It also included the Foshan’s municipal- and county-level may well prove invaluable. – Project China’s remarkable development story development of skills and capacity governments recognised a dramatic Syndicate body moved quickly to than the experiences of the fi rst-tier in specialised sectors, creating the restructuring in global supply chains Given their douse the fl ames with cities. world’s largest lighting and furniture and responded accordingly, such as zAndrew Sheng is Distinguished a lenient view of the A new book, China’s Evolving markets in the world. by improving housing and healthcare, Fellow at the Asia Global Institute history, it episode, which must Growth Model: The Story of Foshan Foshan now boasts numerous providing such social services even at the University of Hong Kong and have felt like deja vu (co-authored by one of us), off ers a private fi rms and small- and medium- to migrant labour, and addressing a member of the UNEP Advisory seemed case study of one of those cities. In size enterprises spread across the excessive pollution. Council on Sustainable Finance. Xiao for India coach Anil recent years, Foshan has transformed city’s more than 30 specialised The local government has also Geng, President of the Hong Kong inevitable that Kumble. itself from a rural county outside industrial clusters and integrated into driven Foshan’s private enterprises Institution for International Finance, Kumble was captain of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong global supply chains. Midea Global, largely to complete a difficult is a professor at the University of Hong tempers would the Indian team who province, into the most dynamic for example, is a global leader in the process of restructuring since Kong. fl are threatened to abandon their 2008 tour of Australia after Harbhajan Singh was found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds, a conviction that was later overturned. A dramatic comeback for Europe Match referee Richie Richardson sat Kohli and Smith down before the third Test, reminding them of their By Anatole Kaletsky as the root cause of populism. After launched a bond-buying programme Brexit Europe by strengthening the duty to uphold the spirit of the game. London all, Germany has experienced a similar to America’s, but on a far larger Franco-German axis – and the start The draw in Ranchi stood out for Cheteshwar Pujara’s much larger infl ux of foreigners than scale. By purchasing almost three of a French reform process would Britain or the US. Instead, populism times the total net issuance of eurozone reassure German voters that their dogged resistance and Pat Cummins’ successful return he Dutch are famous for will look more like an Anglo-Saxon bonds, the ECB eff ectively circumvented government, by easing EU austerity, to Test cricket but the bitterness returned when Glenn building dykes that hold phenomenon, motivated less by eurozone rules and began to monetise would not merely be pouring money Maxwell mocked Kohli for an injury that would keep back the tides and storms immigration and economic policy Europe’s government defi cits, as well into a bottomless pit. him out of the series decider. Tsweeping across the Atlantic. than by conservative cultural attitudes as creating a mutual support system This brings us to the ideological India prevailed in Dharamsala, the third new Test Have the Dutch now done it again, among Trump and Brexit voters and between strong economies such as implications if centrist forces win holding back the wave of populist the unusual demographic alliances Germany and weaker ones like Italy and and economic recovery accelerates venue unveiled in the series, after some fi ne individual politics that seemed to be threatening pitting old against young, rural against Spain. in Europe this year. In the immediate performances pushed the balance in the home side’s Europe after last year’s Brexit urban, and university graduates The ECB’s actions quickly reversed aftermath of the global fi nancial favour, but there was little let up in the acrimony. referendum and Donald Trump’s against less educated voters in the US the fragmentation of the European crisis, the European “social market” Ravindra Jadeja exchanged heated words with victory in the United States? and Britain. banking system and eliminated fears of model of capitalism seemed like a The unexpectedly weak The economic implications will also a euro breakup. The immediate result logical alternative to the Thatcher- Matthew Wade and Smith was caught on camera performance of Geert Wilders’ be far-reaching if the centre holds was an upsurge in confi dence among Reagan market fundamentalism that mouthing abuse towards Murali Vijay after he claimed Freedom Party (PVV) in the Dutch in Europe. The European Union is a both businesses and consumers. had broken down after 30 years of a clean catch that was overturned by the TV umpire. election on March 15 seems to suggest bigger trading partner than the US for By last summer, most of Europe was global dominance. Indeed, president “I have sort of been very intense in my own little bubble, this. Despite predictions running most emerging economies. And the already enjoying a decent recovery, Barack Obama moved the US toward and at times I have let my emotions and actions just falter as high as 25% of the popular vote euro is the only real alternative to the when renewed fears of disintegration, greater government activism in for Wilders, the PVV gained only dollar as an international currency. this time caused by politics, not macroeconomic management, a little bit throughout this series and I apologise for that,” 13%. If voters in France’s upcoming So the EU’s continuing commitment fi nance, suddenly overwhelmed the fi nancial regulation, environmental added Smith, the top scorer in the series. presidential election prove closer to a philosophy of open trade, improvement in economic conditions. policy, and health care. Kohli, who endured a poor run with the bat, made no to the Dutch than to Americans and globalisation, and carbon reduction Brexit and Trump created an Paradoxically, however, Europe such conciliatory attempt, saying he was no longer Britons in their susceptibility to could be suffi cient to prevent a expectation that Europe would be the moved in the opposite direction. xenophobia and protectionism, their paradigm shift toward protectionism next domino to fall to populism in the Under German pressure, the friends with the Australian cricketers. However, Kohli decision will have global implications and climate-change denial that looming Dutch, French, and German EU became the last bastion of would be meeting many of them over the next few for politics, economics, and the seemed almost inevitable with elections. monetarism, fi scal austerity, and weeks during the world’s premier T20 league and ideology of global capitalism. Trump’s election. Of course, this possibility still the “disciplining” role of fi nancial there’s still chance that things could change for the A swing back to the centre in Such a change in global cannot be dismissed, which is why markets. The result was the near-fatal better. continental Europe would strongly leadership would require a dramatic international investors remain euro crisis of 2010-2012. suggest that the unexpected victories improvement in Europe’s economic cautious about Europe. But if the If this year’s elections result in a for populist and anti-globalisation performance. Fortunately, that populist victories that worry investors centrist French president and a revival movements in the US and Britain outcome can be expected if voters do not in fact happen, a surge of of Franco-German co-operation, the To Advertise were not primarily a response to reject populist politics in France business and consumer confi dence EU’s unexpected infatuation with unemployment and disappointing and Germany. The EU has suff ered a will send waves of investment fl owing market fundamentalism will probably [email protected] economic performance since the prolonged economic slump since the into the eurozone. end. Europe will enjoy a better, more Display fi nancial crisis, mass migration, or the 2008 fi nancial crisis, largely because The key event will be the fi nal round sustainable, and socially inclusive Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 threat of terrorism. This conclusion the German government vetoed the of the French election on May 7. If economic recovery than the US under follows from the fact that France kind of monetary and fi scal stimulus this results in a victory for Emmanuel Trump. If this happens, the rest of the Classified has suff ered from much higher that helped to pull the US out of Macron, the centrist front-runner, world may again start to see the EU as Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 unemployment and a longer post- recession in 2010. Germany’s veto on France will embark on a path leading a source of inspiration and a model. – crisis recession than either the US or US-style quantitative easing was also to at least a modicum of economic Project Syndicate Subscription Britain, as well as experiencing more the main reason for the near-collapse reforms. [email protected] problems with terrorism. of the single currency in 2012. That, in turn, will create a much zAnatole Kaletsky is Chief Economist If German voters in the autumn But a dramatic change to European more co-operative relationship and Co-Chairman of Gavekal follow the French and Dutch in moving policy and economic conditions between France and Germany. Dragonomics and the author of 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved back toward the political centre, occurred in March 2015, when the Both main candidates for German Capitalism 4.0, The Birth of a New immigration will also be discredited European Central Bank belatedly Chancellor are eager to rebuild post- Economy. Gulf Times Thursday, March 30, 2017 27 COMMENT From Great Britain to Little England?

Prime Minister Theresa will not be the cakewalk that UK to navigate an ever more challenging Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and international environment. This will May’s government others have promised. require it to do things very diff erently has made various It is telling that the same small than it has in past decades. economies that know the most about In fact, the UK’s survival could announcements indicating global engagement are consistently depend on it. Brexit, and UK the types of post-Brexit pessimistic about Brexit. Economic policymakers’ failure to develop a policymakers from the Nordics and coherent, robust economic strategy policy changes it will the Netherlands to New Zealand and has breathed new life into the pursue Singapore understand that regional Scottish independence movement. integration matters, and that Brexit Many are confi dent that the small- will have large negative eff ects. economy model would work well for By Michael O’Sullivan In the coming months, the world’s an independent Scotland. To be sure, and David Skilling small, open economies will function Scotland has signifi cant economic Zurich as canaries in the coal mine for the exposures that it needs to address, and global trade system. Small countries it might need the security of a larger on the periphery of the EU, such as economic unit. But it is not obvious ritish Prime Minister Theresa Norway and Switzerland, have learned that the UK provides such security, May blinked more than once that benefi ting from EU integration especially now that it is on a path as she prepared to invoke requires limiting the scope for to leave the EU’s single market and BArticle 50 of the Treaty of independent domestic policymaking. customs union. Lisbon and initiate Britain’s exit from Given these countries’ experience, Independence would allow Scotland the European Union. According to the Brexiteers should rein in their to develop policies that are more May, Brexit will transform the United expectations for how much control in line with other successful small Kingdom into what she calls “Global they can realistically “take back.” economies – not least by retaining EU Britain.” But what lies ahead is really May’s government has made various membership. As Scotland confronts anyone’s guess. The UK has long been announcements indicating the types the strategic challenges of Brexit, shorn of its empire; now it will be of post-Brexit policy changes it will it will also have an opportunity to shorn of Europe, too. pursue. Chancellor of the Exchequer develop policies that are better suited Singapore, Switzerland, and Norway Philip Hammond, for example, to it. are often mentioned as models for has talked about a low-tax, light- Britain chose to leave the EU the UK to follow as it pursues its own regulation model. But this model’s because it had an outsized opinion of trade policies outside of the EU. This success in city-state settings such itself. But it will soon have to follow is ironic (or perhaps fi tting), given that as Singapore, Hong Kong, or Dubai a small-country model, like that of all three are small countries that do is no guarantee that it will work for a Switzerland or Norway. Forty years not share Great Britain’s sense of self- G-20 economy. Meanwhile, May has Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May signs the off icial letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, invoking Article 50 after leaving New Zealand in the importance in world aff airs. suggested that the UK will, once again, and signalling the United Kingdom’s intention to leave the EU, in the cabinet off ice inside 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. lurch to join the European Economic The experience of small states is embrace industrial policy, though it Community, the UK might soon have instructive for the UK. From the view remains unclear what she means by capital at all levels, from compulsory, from investment in high-quality well-developed social insurance, less access to the European market of New Zealand or Singapore, it is this. vocational, and university education infrastructure and human capital, to flexible labour markets, active than New Zealand does. Its journey fanciful to think that concluding new The UK has always had a high to lifelong-learning programmes. sectoral policies that assist certain labour-market policies, and the from Great Britain to Little England free-trade agreements with large degree of autonomy to shape its own These investments enable more people industries. But all are meant to ensure fiscal space to pursue countercyclical may well be complete. – Project emerging markets such as China and economic strategy, but Brexit will to take advantage of the opportunities the country’s position near the stimulus policies (small economies Syndicate India will come easily for the UK. The probably force policymakers to craft a that globalisation provides, while also productivity frontier, and within key tend to be fiscally conservative, gestation period for FTAs is long even comprehensive agenda that makes the increasing productivity and wages. international economic clusters. partly for this reason). zMichael O’Sullivan is Chief under favourable conditions; and country’s priorities explicit. As they Second, small countries have Third, because small countries are The upcoming Brexit negotiations Investment Offi cer in the International today a protectionist cloud hangs over do, they should learn from successful growth policies specifi cally geared highly exposed to external shocks, will pose a generational challenge Wealth Management Division at Credit the United States and potentially other small economies. toward boosting their competitive they have a range of measures in for the UK. But, beyond handling Suisse. David Skilling is Director of countries. Signing a new FTA with the For starters, small countries invest strength in the global economy. These place to manage economic risks and those talks well, the UK also needs Landfall Strategy, a Singapore-based “America First” Trump administration heavily in knowledge and human measures can take a variety of forms, ensure resilience. These include to develop policies that will enable it economic advisory fi rm. Weather report Pruitt and the pesticide threat Three-day forecast TODAY High: 29 C By Mojisola Ojebode those for pesticides, which are an organophosphate pesticide killed has been linked to a variety of birth essential to ensuring food safety. 23 children, who ate a lunch of tainted defects. Low : 22 C Ibadan, Nigeria Inshore: Hazy to misty at places Anybody who consumes food grown rice, potatoes, and soy. All of this paints a grim picture of at first becomes partly cloudy to cloudy at times with chance of or produced in the US should now be These sorts of tragedies happen what could happen in the US if the scattered rain. new report issued by the worried. Indeed, dismantling the EPA even when guidelines for pesticide EPA’s opponents – who now include United Nations (UN) takes amounts to arming a public-health registration and use are in place. the agency’s director – get their FRIDAY a controversial stance on time bomb – one that has detonated In Nigeria, for example, the way. In 2006 and 2007, the US used High: 27 C Asynthetic pesticides. The repeatedly in developing countries. National Agency for Food and more than 5bn pounds of pesticides Low: 22 C conventional wisdom is that they are In 1984, a pesticide-manufacturing Drug Administration and Control annually – and that was with EPA M Sunny essential to feed the world’s growing plant in Bhopal, India, released 27 (NAFDAC) banned 30 agrochemicals regulations in place. Without population, which is expected to tonnes of methyl isocyanate, a gas (pesticides and fertilisers) in 2008, adequate regulation, those quantities hit 9bn by 2050. But the report’s used to produce some pesticides. after a number of deaths and are likely to rise. SATURDAY authors call our reliance on synthetic The leak killed an estimated 15,000- poisonings. But it was inadequate to Of course, the US is not the only High: 30 C pesticides “a short-term solution 20,000 people, and left several prevent the deaths from pesticide country at risk from excessive use of Low: 23 C that undermines the right to adequate thousand more with permanent poisoning of 18 people in Nigeria’s organophosphates. While pesticide Sunny food and health for present and future disabilities. The plant was Ondo state in 2015. use in developing countries is much generations.” They are right. understaff ed, and had substandard And the danger of inadequate lower than in the US, data from the As a scientist from Nigeria whose operating and safety procedures. regulation is not limited to acute Food and Agriculture Organisation Fishermen’s forecast of the United Nations (FAO) show work focuses on controlling post- None of the six safety systems that disasters. The accumulation of toxic OFFSHORE DOHA harvest losses, I have seen fi rst- could have prevented the accident was substances from chemicals applied a steady increase in countries in Wind: NE-NW 06-16/22 KT hand what happens when the use of operational. both in the fi eld and in storage Africa and Asia. Farmers in these Waves: 2-4/7 Feet synthetic pesticides is not properly The Bhopal tragedy remains the also contributes to the continuous regions are understandably looking INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 03-13 KT regulated. Yet much of the world world’s worst industrial disaster. But decline in the quality of our natural for easy ways to reduce crop losses Waves: 1-2/3 Feet is still following the conventional it is just a small part of an enormous environment – namely, our soil, water, and increase their income. And there wisdom, with dire consequences for tableau of needless suff ering. The and air. are few regulations in place to stop Around the region public health. World Health Organisation estimates More than 250 studies have linked them. Weather Weather The United States seems poised to that there are 3mn cases of pesticide agrochemicals to several types of In fact, the FAO reports that most today Max/min tomorrow Max/min increase its already extensive pesticide poisoning worldwide each year, cancers, including cancers of the pesticide-poisoning cases occur Abu Dhabi Sunny 30/22 Sunny 31/23 use further. Last month, former leading to up to 250,000 deaths. brain, breast, colon, liver, lungs, in developing countries, precisely Baghdad M Sunny 28/16 S Showers 28/16 Dubai Oklahoma Attorney General Scott In 1996, for example, insecticide- prostate, and thyroid. Children, in because health standards there tend Sunny 31/21 Sunny 31/23 Kuwait City M Sunny 28/19 T Storms 24/19 Pruitt was confi rmed as director of treated brown beans, purportedly particular, seem to be susceptible to to be inadequate or non-existent. Manama Sunny 27/21 M Sunny 27/21 the Environmental Protection Agency. stored for planting, found their way the toxic eff ects of pesticides: research The UN report found that only 35% of Muscat Sunny 32/26 Sunny 32/27 Pruitt, who sued the EPA many times onto the market in Nigeria, a “leak” shows that the increased incidence of developing countries had regulatory Riyadh S Showers 31/21 M Sunny 32/21 in his previous job, seems intent on connected with the deaths of a childhood leukaemia and brain cancer guidance on pesticide use, and all of Tehran P Cloudy 18/09 Sunny 20/12 slashing its budget and dismantling number of people in the southwest could be the result of early exposure. them struggle with enforcement. – many of its regulations, including region of the country. In 2013, in India, And exposure to such chemicals Project Syndicate Live issues Why are kidney stones so painful?

Washington stones are calcium-based, typically a stone gets into the ureter, the ureter vibrations that break the stones into Tribune News Service calcium oxalate. Less common are reacts by clamping down on the stone tiny pieces. Those pieces then pass out uric acid stones, struvite stones and in an attempt to squeeze it out. Those of the body in urine. cystine stones. Doctors use blood and spasms can lead to signifi cant pain. Another option to remove a stone UESTION: How do urine tests to fi nd out what kind of Third, if the stone is blocking the in the ureter or kidney is a procedure doctors decide on the stones are present. If you have passed ureter, urine backs up into the kidney, in which a thin, lighted tube, called a Around the world best treatment for kidney a stone, a laboratory analysis also can causing pressure within the kidney. ureteroscope, equipped with a camera is Weather Weather Qstones? When I had a reveal the makeup of the stone. People often describe kidney stone passed through the urethra and bladder today Max/min tomorrow Max/min calcium stone, my doctor gave me Many uric acid and cystine stones pain as fl ank pain that starts under to the ureter. Once the stone is located, Athens Cloudy 21/11 S Showers 19/08 medication and told me to drink can be dissolved by taking medication the rib cage and goes down toward special tools can snare the stone or break Beirut Cloudy 24/16 S T Storms 21/15 P Cloudy 33/27 plenty of water until it passed. When and drinking extra fl uids. Calcium- the testicles in men or the labia in it into pieces that pass in the urine. Bangkok 34/27 P Cloudy Berlin S Showers 17/09 M Sunny 22/08 my mother had one, she went through based stones are diff erent, because women. To ease pain, healthcare If a stone is particularly large, Cairo Sunny 29/16 Sunny 27/15 a procedure to break up the stone. they don’t dissolve. You have to get providers often recommend over- minimally invasive surgery may Cape Town M Sunny 27/14 S Showers 22/13 Why the diff erence? Also, what makes them to pass through your urinary the-counter pain relievers for those be necessary. A procedure called Colombo S T Storms 33/25 T Storms 33/24 these stones so painful? system or have them removed. who are waiting for a kidney stone to percutaneous nephrolithotomy Dhaka S T Storms 34/26 S T Storms 31/25 Hong Kong Cloudy 23/21 Rain 23/16 A: Treatment for kidney stones Drinking extra water can help pass. Sometimes, narcotics also are involves surgically removing a kidney Istanbul Sunny 18/08 Cloudy 13/05 depends on a stone’s size, type and fl ush out the urinary system, making prescribed. stone using small telescopes and Jakarta T Storms 32/24 S T Storms 32/24 location. As in your case, extra fl uids it easier for a small stone to pass. Stones that are too large to pass instruments inserted through a small Karachi Sunny 34/23 Sunny 34/23 and medication may be all that’s Medication to relax the muscles in through the urinary tract on their half-inch incision in the back. London P Cloudy 21/12 P Cloudy 16/09 Manila P Cloudy M Sunny 36/25 needed for some small stones. Other your ureter – the tube that connects own or stones that are causing other Because you have a history of kidney 34/24 Moscow P Cloudy 01/-7 S Showers 03/-3 treatment may be necessary when a your kidney to your bladder – also can problems, such as bleeding, kidney stones, if you haven’t already done New Delhi Sunny 39/24 P Cloudy 39/23 stone is larger. The pain associated help a stone pass more quickly and damage or urinary tract infections, so, talk with your healthcare provider New York M Sunny 12/05 Rain 08/04 with kidney stones usually is the result with less pain. usually require more invasive about strategies you can use to help Paris Sunny 22/11 Showers 18/09 of spasms triggered by a stone stuck Kidney stones often can be quite treatment. prevent stones in the future. In many Sao Paulo P Cloudy 24/15 P Cloudy 22/14 Seoul M Sunny 17/05 Showers 16/04 in the ureter, coupled with pressure in painful. There are several reasons One procedure that can break up a cases, dietary changes, an increase in Singapore T Storms 32/24 T Storms 32/25 the kidney from urine backup. for that. First, the ureter is small kidney stone is called extracorporeal fl uids and, sometimes, medication can Sydney Rain 24/15 Cloudy 19/15 Kidney stones form from minerals and infl exible, so it can’t stretch to shock wave lithotripsy, or ESWL. It help reduce the risk of kidney stones. Tokyo Clear 18/06 Cloudy 15/06 and acid salts. About 85% of kidney accommodate a stone. Second, when uses sound waves to create strong – Mayo Clinic News Network Gulf Times 28 Thursday, March 30, 2017 QATAR

Festival of Kerala at Doha concert for Syrian LuLu Hypermarkets

uLu outlets will host ‘Festival of Kerala’ from today as a part of the ongoing Qatar International Food Festival and LuLu World Food LExpo 2017. The festival will be offi cially inaugurated by Doha Bank Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman today at 7pm at LuLu Hypermarket, Barwa cause to fete Pavarotti City with a cake-cutting ceremony. A huge collection of authentic Kerala street food will be the highlight. By Ramesh Mathew According to LuLu Management, more than 500 varieties of delicious Staff Reporter Kerala food items and food products will be available. Irachi puttu, kappa biriyani, thattu dosa, crab curry, squid curry and Kuttanadan duck roast will be on display and available at reasonable pric- Brave New World’, a con- es. Special attention has been given to include the ethnic foods from all cert to pay tribute to the districts of Kerala and the counter is decorated to create an authentic am- ‘legendary Italian tenor and bience of the festival. classical artiste Luciano Pa- Snacks such as elayada, achappam, uzhunnuvada, parippu vada, varotti and in support of Syrian kozhukatta and mulaku vada will also be available. refugees, especially children, This is the 16th consecutive year that LuLu Hypermarket is hosting across the world, will be held at the festival. Noted chef Anil Kumar will be visiting LuLu Hypermarkets the Qatar National Convention tomorrow to conduct live cooking sessions involving customers. Kerala Centre (QNCC) on February 1, fashion show and Mohiniyattam for kids also have been organised tomor- 2018. row at LuLu Hypermarket, Barwa City. The event was announced Major attractions that would constitute the soul of the festival are: Rice yesterday by the concert or- N’ Spice Festival, Salad Fest, Cheese Fest and Meat & Fish Fest. Fun-fi lled ganisers, Pavarotti Founda- competitions are organised throughout the festival period. tion and Rosso Italiano. Italian A cookery contest will take place on April 7, the last day of the festival, ambassador Guido De Sanctis at LuLu Hypermarket, Barwa City. lauded the eff orts being made by Qatar in hosting an event of this magnitude to be held in support of a noble cause that would go a long way in promot- ing brotherhood. “It is a real privilege to wel- Nicoletta Mantovani (fourth from right), Italian ambassador Guido De Sanctis (third left), Dana Alfardan (fourth left) and others at the come the Pavarotti Foundation announcement of the Brave New World concert yesterday. in Doha and to be part of this challenging endeavour to help Victims of war cessful concerts here and some for the country’s residents. the displaced Syrians recover of his ardent fans and followers Rosso Italiano CEO Essa from the ongoing confl ict,” The late Pavarotti’s wife Doha yesterday. Mantovani said were from this country. Ros- al-Zeyara said, “the concert the envoy said while remind- Nicoletta Mantovani recalled Qatari composer Dana Alfardan, so Italiano managing direc- along with its vision to support ing that his country is a strong that her husband too was a child who composed the song `Brave tor and co-founder and Brave displaced Syrian families is in advocate for education and an heavily hit by the brutalities of New World’, captured the emo- New World executive pro- line with Qatar National Vision active supporter of the Syrian World War II. tions of the Syrian cause and ducer Laura Somma thanked 2030 and its human develop- cause. “The Syrian children too face a the courage needed to pursue the Qatar Foundation, Doha’s ment pillar to build key mile- The announcement of the similar situation these days, un- a new world into the lyrics in an Italian Embassy and Pavarotti stones in the fi eld of education. concert for which Dana Al- able to pursue their education exceptional manner. “I would Foundation for their trust and He added, “with a combi- fardan composed the song and deprived of many advan- like to express my highest generosity in securing com- nation of the Italian cultural ‘Brave New World’, coincides tages that their more fortunate gratitude for Dana’s generosity, mitments from all partners be- heritage and the Qatari musi- with the 10th death anniversary counterparts are having in other creativity and commitment to tween Italy and Qatar. cal and cultural tradition, Brave of Pavarotti. parts of the world,” she said in this concert,” she added. “We have fi nally gathered all New World is an event that the The show would feature a the right partners to make this world has not seen yet.” mix of Western, Italian and event a moment to remember,” Composer Dana Alfardan, Arabic music and culture. Qa- tion president, founder and in the entire Middle East. she said. Rosso Italiano COO Ali al-Haj, tari musicians Ali al-Abdusat- wife of Pavarotti, Nicoletta While appreciating the ges- Somma said their company QNCC’s events and market- tar and Fahad al-Kubaisi have Mantovani, said their founda- ture of the Doha organisers, hoped to convince additional ing deputy director Abdulrah- embraced the project, said the tion was extremely pleased to Mantovani said her husband al- partners to join their team in man al-Ajail, and St Regis Doha organisers. host the concert, which she ways had a place for Qatar as he the coming months for making sales director Deep Kumar also A wide variety of authentic Kerala street food will be the highlight of the Luciano Pavarotti Founda- said is the fi rst of its kind ever had performed some of his suc- the concert a major experience spoke at the press conference. festival at LuLu outlets.