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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11093 February 13, 2019 Jumada II 8, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir leads National Sport Day celebrations

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Aspire Zone Foundation’s Football Skills Development Centre as part of his participation in the Qatar Sport Day activities yesterday. The Amir was briefed on the centre’s facilities and the state-of-the- art technology used to develop the skills of its members. The Amir was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Personal Representative of the Amir, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and senior off icials of the Qatar Football Association and Aspire Zone Foundation. O Her Highness Sheikha Moza, Prime Minister take part in celebrations O Thousands of citizens and residents participate in sporting activities

is Highness the Amir Sheikh and on the state-of-the-art technol- players learnt to be champions. Conor Dwyer, as well as members of the dren with special needs in a wheelchair events and activities were held to cele- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani ogy used to train and develop the skills for Education, wider community. game, and football game for brate the country’s sport day, including Hyesterday led the Qatar Na- of its members. Science and Community Develop- HE the Prime Minister and Interior mental disabilities. the various categories of Qatari society, tional Sport Day celebrations, which The Amir was accompanied by His ment (QF) chairperson Her Highness Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Meanwhile, Qatar turned into a large men, women, children and people with saw tens of thousands of residents par- Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended bin Khalifa al-Thani participated in the sporting arena yesterday as citizens special needs, to maintain a healthy and ticipating in numerous activities held Thani, the Personal Representative, FIFA QF’s National Sport Day celebrations at activities organised by the Ministry of and residents stepped out in large num- practical life. across the country. President Gianni Infantino and senior of- Education City. Interior at the Qatar Sports Club court. bers to celebrate the occasion. This year’s National Sport Day was His Highness the Amir visited Aspire fi cials of the Qatar Football Association The activities were also attended by QF In his capacity as Lekhwiya com- The events saw the participation of particularly special as the national Zone Foundation’s Football Skills De- and Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF). vice-chairperson and CEO Sheikha Hind mander, HE Sheikh Abdullah also par- ministries, various government organi- football team recently won the Asian velopment Centre and participated in The biggest annual sport festival bint Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Olympic ticipated with the force’s personnel in sations and agencies, sports clubs and Cup for the fi rst time, further inspiring diff erent kinds of sport activities held in Qatar saw thousands of people de- Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan their National Sport Day celebration, private entities. In addition, there were the people to engage in sporting activi- by members of in the scend on AZF’s unique outdoor and bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Khalifa which was held at the Lekhwiya arena activities for women to instil the idea ties and lead a healthy lifestyle. playground, the offi cial Qatar News indoor facilities to explore and enjoy bin Hamad al-Thani, United Nations Of- and grounds in the presence of a large of community sports through expand- Qatari missions around the world Agency (QNA) reported. the wide range of activities off ered fi ce for Partnerships executive director number of military and civilian mem- ing the base of popular participation in also organised special Sport Day events. His Highness Sheikh Tamim was by the beating heart of Robert Skinner, US Olympic fencer Ibti- bers of the force. various sports activities, for all ages. Pages 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 23, 24 & also briefed on the centre’s facilities and the place where Qatar’s Asian Cup haj Mohamed and US Olympic swimmer HE the Prime Minister joined chil- As in previous years, a wide range of Sport Page 1

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), yesterday attended QF’s National Sport Day celebrations at Education City. The activities at QF were also attended by HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation; HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the ; HE Sheikh Khalifa participated in Qatar Sport Day activities organised by the Ministry of Interior at Qatar Sports Club court. HE bin Hamad al-Thani, Executive Director at United Nations Off ice for Partnerships, Robert Skinner, US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Mohamed and US the Prime Minister also joined children with special needs in a wheelchair basketball game and a football Olympic swimmer Conor Dwyer, as well as members of the wider community. Page 2 match for persons with mental disabilities. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR Sheikha Moza attends QF Sport Day activities

er Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, HChairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday at- tended QF’s National Sport Day celebrations at Education City, which welcomed the public with the aim of encouraging peo- ple to embrace sport and adopt healthy, active lifestyles. The National Sport Day activ- ities at QF were also attended by QF Vice-Chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al- Thani, Qatar Olympic Commit- tee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani, United Nations Offi ce for Part- nerships executive director Rob- ert Skinner, US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Mohamed, and US Ol- ympic swimmer Conor Dwyer, as well as members of the wider community. Sporting events and activities catering to all ages and interests took place in four locations – Ox- QF Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser participated yesterday in National Sport Day activities at Education City. QF Vice Chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Qatar Olympic ygen Park, the Ceremonial Court, Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Mohamed and other dignitaries were present. the Ceremonial Green Spine, and Multaqa (Education City Stu- “To be successful on the inter- challenges across more than 2km of determination and strength to sociation’s events that took place in Ride Tribe, combination vendors, who made sure to use en- dent Centre). The celebrations national stage, a country has to in Oxygen Park, the event was complete. It tested me, and re- the same place. It was very exciting, and fi tness training provided by vironmentally-friendly containers offi cially began with the Qatar address the Sustainable Develop- designed to put visitors’ speed, vealed my weak points. competitive, and included a vari- BeatBox, and wellness instruc- to store their products. Cyclists Tour, spanning a 20km ment Goals at grassroots level, and agility, stamina, and determi- Rinad Abdulla, another visi- ety of fun games, such as the Turtle tion off ered by Vishnu Yoga. “It was great to see so many route that began and ended at QF. QF is certainly helping to contrib- nation to the test. A smaller- tor, said: “My family decided to Race and the Kangaroo Sack Race. QF’s popular Torba Farmers events specifi cally designed for Skinner said: “I’ve been in- ute to this. Sport, health, and life- scale obstacle course tailored for join Qatar Foundation’s National The activities were diverse, and my Market was also open during the women, such as yoga sessions volved, and am familiar, with style choices are sustainable goals younger participants – the QF Sport Day celebrations after son really enjoyed his whole day – day, bringing the best in organ- and fi tness classes. This encour- Qatar Foundation’s work in edu- of any country, and today I can see Mini Track – was also on off er. learning about what was on of- he didn’t want to leave.” ically-grown produce, locally- aged me to take part, along with cation and in helping address in- that QF’s message has reached the Mohamed al-Hajri, a par- fer. We came to Education City Other highlights included prepared food and beverages, and my friends, and we enjoyed the ternational goals, such as educa- local audience in Qatar – the re- ticipant, said: “I really enjoyed early in the morning and headed workouts run by the Dogpound sustainable products to the public. community atmosphere.” tion, in a sustainable way. This is sponse I see is great.” Qatar Foundation’s activities, straight to Ceremonial Green – one of New York City’s most Maryam al-Mansouri, another Vodafone Qatar was the plati- the fi rst time I’ve participated in A new addition to QF’s Na- especially the QF Race at Oxygen Spine, where my son competed high-profi le gyms – high-in- visitor, said: “The market was a num sponsor of QF’s National Qatar’s and QF’s National Sport tional Sport Day celebrations Park. I quickly realised that the in the QF Mini Track. tensity interval training sessions highlight for me. A range of healthy Sport Day 2019 events, with Day activities, and I’m amazed at was an obstacle course called the race wasn’t easy – the course was “My son also had the chance to hosted by Qatar-based gym F45, meals, vegetables, and fruit were Sidra Medicine – a QF member – the response. QF Race. Featuring 17 diff erent challenging, and it required a lot participate in Qatar Diabetes As- spinning classes organised by on off er, as well as diff erent food being the silver sponsor. FM takes part in Sport Day activities Govt and private institutions celebrate National Sport Day

QNA Doha

overnment and private he Ministry of Foreign Minister of State for Foreign institutions in Qatar or- Aff airs organised yes- Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- Gganised yesterday sev- Tterday a number of ac- Muraikhi, HE Secretary-Gen- eral activities to mark the eighth tivities for Qatar Sport Day, eral of the Ministry of Foreign edition of the National Sport with the participation of HE Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Day with the aim of promoting the Deputy Prime Minister al-Hammadi, a large number awareness about the importance and Minister of Foreign Af- of diplomats, heads of diplo- of sports and its role in the lives fairs Sheikh Mohamed bin matic missions, offi cials and of individuals and communities. Abdulrahman al-Thani, HE their families. The Ministry of Justice and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers celebrated the Sport Day jointly with events at Al Markhiya Sports Club, in Public Prosecution holds several events the presence of HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, and Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie kicks a ball at an event organised to Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi taking part in the Sport Day Secretary-General of the Cabi- mark the National Sport Day. activities yesterday. net Hamad bin Ahmed al-Mo- hannadi along with the staff of lifestyle. Al Derham added that HMC and Primary Health Care National Sport Day organised Human Rights Committee the ministry and the secretariat. Qatar University seeks to spread Corporation (PHCC). by the ministry in Mesaimeer. A (NHRC) participated in the Meanwhile, HE the Secretary- the culture of sport among its HMC also organised a number number of department directors Sport Day in Aspire Zone amid General of the Cabinet, Ha- employees. of events in Katara to raise and heads of sections partici- a distinguished presence of mad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, At the same time, as part of awareness about the importance pated in the activities along with senior officials and employees, stressed that the celebration of its ongoing commitment to pro- of sport and its positive eff ects. employees and their families. with the participation of their the Sport Day comes this year moting healthy lifestyles in Qa- Meanwhile, the State Audit The Ministry of Municipality families and workers in the as Qatar enjoys security, stabil- tar, Hamad Medical Corporation Bureau celebrated the National and Environment participated Committee. ity, and prosperity in all areas (HMC) celebrated the National Sport Day amid wide participa- in the National Sport Day by or- Qatari Diar, in collaboration of development under the wise Sport Day with a wide range of tion of the Bureau’s employees ganising various sports activities with Katara Hospitality Compa- leadership of His Highness the activities in the cultural district and their families. The events in diff erent regions of the coun- ny, organised the 2019 National Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of Katara. included many sports activities, try and with the participation Sport Day activities in the Cres- he Public Prosecution tured) took part in the oc- al-Thani. In a speech on the importance most notably cycling. of a number of offi cials and em- cent Park in Lusail City. organised a number of casion. He also stressed the Qatar University (QU) cel- of National Sport Day, HMC The ceremony was attended ployees of the Ministry. CEO of Qatari Diar Abdullah Tactivities for its mem- various achievements of the ebrated the National Sport Day Chief Communications Offi cer by HE President of the State HE the Minister of Munici- bin Hamad al-Attiyah, stressed bers and staff and their families country in the fi eld of sport, by organising a number of events Ali Abdulla al-Khater said that Audit Bureau Sheikh Bandar bin pality and Environment Abdul- the keenness of the company to at Sheraton Park to mark the calling on everyone to lead an with the participation of Qatar the National Sport Day is an in- Mohamed bin Saoud al-Thani lah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al- participate every year in the ac- National Sport Day yesterday. active lifestyle. Charity, Lekhwiya and the Plan- centive for healthy lifestyles and and in the presence of the presi- Subaie stressed that the Sport tivities of the Sport Day. The activities included run- Yousef Buhendi, director of ning and Statistics Authority. an opportunity for HMC to edu- dent of Jordan Audit Bureau Dr Day is an initiative to promote The Chief Executive Offi cer ning, walking, , bas- the Public Relations and Com- Commenting on the occa- cate the public about health ben- Abed Kharabsheh. the concepts of community of Katara Hospitality Hamad ketball and many kids’ games, munications, said that the ac- sion, QU President Dr Hassan efi ts of sports activities. HE the Minister of Endow- sport by expanding the base of Abdulla al-Mulla, said that the aimed at encouraging a healthy tivities of the Sport Day come bin Rashid al-Derham, stressed On the occasion, HE the Min- ments (Awqaf) and Islamic Af- popular participation in various celebration of the Sport Day en- and active lifestyle. in a very festive mood after that National Sport Day is an ister of Public Health Dr Hanan fairs Dr Gaith bin Mubarak al- activities in order to promote hances the objectives of Qatar HE the Attorney General Dr Qatar National Football team’s opportunity to promote the cul- Mohamed al-Kuwari participat- Kuwari participated along with the objectives of Qatar National National Vision 2030 by high- Ali bin Fetais al-Marri (pic- historic Asian Cup victory. ture of sport and healthy food ed in the activities organised by the ministry’s staff and their Vision 2030. lighting the role that sport plays in the community to become a the ministry in partnership with families in the activities of the For its part, the National in creating a healthy society.

HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs Dr Gaith bin Mubarak Qatar University President Dr Hassan bin Rashid al-Derham taking part in National HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari participating in al-Kuwari taking part in Sport Day activities. Sport Day celebrations. a Sport Day event. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 3 QATAR

Alfardan Group holds Sport Day events for staff , families

lfardan Group showed the annually celebrated event. to create an energetic, vibrant awards ceremony for the win- its support for Qatar Na- Alfardan Group chairman atmosphere. ning teams. Final rounds were Ational Sport Day by en- Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan, vice- Spirited competition came to also held for the , table gaging employees and their fam- chairman Ali Hussain Alfardan, the fore during the fi nals of the and billiard games which ilies in a fun and sociable day of board member Fahad Hussain basketball, men’s and women’s were played before the event. sport at the Aspire Ladies Sports Alfardan, and president and volleyball, and football tourna- A variety of fun recreational Hall in Aspire Zone. CEO Omar Hussain Alfardan, ments. Preparations had started activities off ered a chance for The event was designed to en- were present to welcome more early, with several knockout the Alfardan Group employees courage a healthy and active life- than 1,500 employees who par- rounds taking place during the and their family members to en- style among the Alfardan Group ticipated with their families. course of the day, before the joy a lively and memorable Na- team, in keeping with the aim of They also cheered on the teams tournaments culminated in an tional Sport Day. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR

Snapshots from National Sport Day celebrations at Katara yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed & Katara page Thousands turn up at Katara for National Sport Day events he esplanade at Katara – fore the public to see and take to cook food in a healthy way. ciated with clubs and academies, the Cultural Village wit- photographs with, in celebra- Meanwhile, the offi cial Qatar as well as children who loved and Tnessed various sporting tion of Qatar’s recent sporting News Agency (QNA) reported enjoyed martial arts. and fun activities yesterday as achievement. that the activities at Katara area The Qatar Boxing and Wres- Katara celebrated Qatar National The celebrations at Katara were spread over diff erent areas, tling Federation also participat- Sport Day. were held in compliance with including art galleries, the open ed in events and activities held in With more than 70 activities the national eff orts undertaken theatre and hallways, as well as Katara. It organised various box- and the participation of 50 insti- to motivate the practice of sports sports competitions along the ing and activities that tutions from the public and pri- and enrich the culture of leading Corniche, in addition to a large were attended by its players, and vate sectors, including 12 sports a healthy life. number of events held in the in which the public also partici- federations and some 15 health Several pavilions off ered free south. pated, in order to encourage all centres, Sport Day attracted healthy food and diet recipes for The public competed in dif- members of the community to thousands of visitors, Katara visitors while medical institu- ferent sports such as basket- practise sports and attract young said in a statement. tions off ered free medical tests ball, volleyball, , ta- people to join the national box- The activities at Katara also and consultancy to improve the ble tennis, boxing and cycling, ing and wrestling teams. witnessed several visits from of- daily habits and lifestyles of and also enjoyed weightlifting, The Qatar Women’s Sports fi cials and dignitaries who came people. , , and Committee organised various to join the public in the celebra- Speaking on this occasion, . activities, including mini games tions and exercises. Katara general manager Dr Kha- The government entities that for children aged 5 to 13 years, Katara off ered an array of ac- lid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said took part in the event included in co-operation with Kahramaa. tivities, including watersports, Katara always participates in na- Qatar General Electricity & Wa- Also, in co-operation with the and contests for visitors – espe- tional occasions and constantly ter Corporation (Kahramaa), Organising Committee of the cially children – to enhance the motivates its visitors to practise , Hamad National Sport Day events at Ka- culture of engaging the young sports by opening various facili- Medical Corporation (HMC), tara, the committee off ered table generation in sports. In addi- ties for this purpose, especially the Ministry of Commerce and tennis skills for various ages. tion, visitors from both gen- watersports. Industry (MoCI), Ministry of The Qatar Association ders and all age groups enjoyed Katara also provided free wa- Municipality and Environment organised mini golf at Katara many fi tness exercises all along ter, coff ee and fruits for visitors (MME), etc. Beach throughout the day, while the Katara esplanade under the during the festivities in addition Qatar Federation the Qatar Cycling and Triath- Katara hosted more than 70 activities and the participation of 50 institutions from the public and private supervision and with the assist- to taking safety measures and organised a special event that lon Federation held an all-day sectors, including 12 sports federations and some 15 health centres. ance of instructors to provide precautions such as the ambu- included artistic movements, al- aquathlon at the Ka- consultation and help. lance service and special assist- lowing the public to take a closer tara Corniche. The Qatar Vol- HMC held a number of ac- to adopt a healthy lifestyle. members of the community. Competitions such as jogging, ance for the elderly and disabled look at the sport, with the partic- leyball Association organised a tivities to mark National Sport The MoCI participated in the Activities organised by the sit-ups, dragon boat race and persons. ipation of a group of young girls. beach volleyball event and vol- Day and highlight the impor- celebrations at Katara in co-op- MoCI included entertainment others were organised for the Some 15 restaurants also pro- Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and leyball matches in association tance of sport in building a eration with the Economic Zones and photography competitions, visitors. vided complementary healthy Karate Federation had a dis- with Kahramaa, and the Qatar healthy community, while also Company (Manateq), where it sports and motor sports, beach In one of the highlights of food for people to raise aware- tinguished presence at Katara Tennis, and Badminton raising awareness about the organised a variety of sporting volleyball, children’s football, the day, the AFC Asian Cup was ness of having a proper diet and through a special event that in- Federation held tennis games for many benefi ts of physical ac- and recreational activities that boxing, , billiards and brought to Katara and kept be- expose people to diff erent ways volved many young players asso- all categories. tivity and inspiring the public saw wide participation by all table football. CNA-Q holds annual Terry Fox Run CCQ events aim to promote fi tness The CNA-Q Campus was full of activity for National Sport Day yesterday. The college nspiring its community of stu- held the Annual Terry Fox Run promot- dents, employees and their fami- ing cancer research, as well as a tennis Ilies to lead a healthier and more tournament, fitness classes, pool time, active lifestyle, the Community Col- football, volleyball, tennis and fun games lege of Qatar (CCQ) celebrated Qatar for families. Special guests hosted by CNA- National Sport Day (NSD) with a full Q president Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa and vice range of ‘fun and fi t’ activities that fo- president (finance and administration) Dr cus on the body, mind and spirit. Salem al-Naemi, included members of the The whole-day programme, which was Board of Trustees, the Ministry of Educa- hosted at Park 65, is designed to promote tion and Higher Education undersecretary fi tness and highlight the importance of Dr Ibrahim al-Naimi, Qatar Petrochemical exercise for adults and kids alike. Company CEO Dr Mohammed Yousef The programme featured a variety al-Mulla, and leaders from Qatar University of sports activities including jogging, An activity at the National Sport Day event hosted by CCQ yesterday. including president Dr Hassan al-Derham. running, golf, and shooting darts, in ad- dition to a selection of team-building contemplated what NSD means to the programme at the College was a spe- activities such as tug-of-war, a football College and the wider community, elabo- cial event that combined wellness, tournament and a volleyball champion- rating: “While the College’s primary mis- entertainment, team spirit, and a fun ship that witnessed the participation of sion is to empower our community mem- learning experience. a group of employees and students. A bers to achieve academic advancement, The College’s NSD celebration also professional coach led participants on the importance of health and fi tness in witnessed the participation of Qatar an invigorating fi tness class suitable for this endeavour cannot be overlooked.” National Athletics Team Members all ages and activity levels. CCQ’s public relations department Omar Sharif Mohamed and Ahmed CCQ president Dr Mohamed al-Naemi director Safi a al-Sheeb said the NSD Amgad al-Saifi .

QC takes part in Sport Day activities atar Charity (QC), through its headquarters in Qatar and Qmany fi eld offi ces worldwide, participated in Qatar National Sport Day events with a number of special activities focused on the importance of linking the practice of sport to humanitarian work. In collaboration with Qatar Uni- Off icials and participants at Qatar National Sport Day event hosted by QC in versity (QU), Internal Security Force Doha yesterday. (Lekhwiya), Planning and Statistics Authority, and others, QC contributed The sport events were attended Public Relations and many offi cials to a number of activities, including by Mohamed Ali al-Ghamdi, as- and employees. walking, conveying a message that says sistant to the CEO in the Govern- The orphans sponsored by QC “everyone has the right to education.” ance and Institutional Develop- across the globe, in many countries in- QC also took part in the football ment Sector at QC, Ali Gharib, cluding Indonesia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and volleyball matches held with QU director of Local Development De- and Palestine participated in the activ- teams. partment, Adel Lamy, director of ities of the Qatar National Sport Day.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR

Children enjoy a sack race at the Qatar Airways National Sport Day celebrations yesterday.

Left: Qatar football team champions from Al Sadd SC – , , and Salem al-Hajri – joined Qatar Airways staff and families in the celebration. Qatar Airways staff get sporty ational carrier Qatar Air- blood pressure and BMI (body healthy lifestyles and habits, and Airways Group’s celebration of play a vital role in enhancing the München AG, Italian football The partnership, one of the ways hosted an exciting mass index) checkups. helping foster a healthy and en- National Sport Day. We hope that already-fl ourishing sports activ- club AS Roma, and Argentinian biggest sporting sponsorships in Ncelebration of National Qatar Airways Group chief ex- ergetic way of living in Qatar,” he our players’ engagement with ity in Qatar, through its sponsor- club Boca Juniors. the world, will give Qatar Air- Sport Day yesterday, with a vari- ecutive HE Akbar al-Baker said: added. “Conveying pride in Qa- children and families inspires ship of events in Doha, such as In addition, Qatar Airways ways extensive marketing and ety of activities for staff members “Qatar National Sport Day re- tar is one of our highest corpo- them to be active and to adopt a the ExxonMobil Tennis tourna- is the offi cial airline sponsor of branding rights at the 2022 FIFA and their families from the group fl ects the vision of our country’s rate values, and we show pride in healthy lifestyle.” ment, the Total Women’s Ten- CONMEBOL professional foot- World Cup Qatar. and its subsidiaries. wise leadership for building indi- Qatar by taking part in fulfi lling This year’s National Sport Day nis tournament, and the Com- ball competitions across South The agreement also sees Qa- The event at the new Oryx In- viduals and society. its vision.” comes following the historic win mercial Bank Qatar Masters Golf America, including the Copa tar Airways become the Offi cial ternational School Campus in- “Its key message is that sports Qatar football team champi- of Qatar’s national team at the Championship. CONMEBOL Libertadores, the Airline Partner of the 2019, 2020, cluded football, volleyball, bas- should be a part of the culture ons from Al Sadd SC – Akram 2019 AFC Asian Cup this month. Qatar Airways is proud to Copa CONMEBOL Sudamerica- 2021 and 2022 editions of the ketball, cricket, cycling, aerobics, and life of individuals and soci- Afi f, Tarek Salman, and Salem al- The victory marks an incred- sponsor premier sporting clubs na, and the CONMEBOL Recopa. FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA and yoga, as well as a kids’ activ- ety, and is an important aspect Hajri – joined Qatar Airways staff ible milestone for Qatar’s na- around the world. In May 2017, Qatar Airways U-20 World Cup, the FIFA U-17 ity station featuring mini-foot- of our nation’s investment in hu- and families in the celebration tional team, as it is the fi rst time The airline recently revealed announced a groundbreak- World Cup, the FIFA Beach Soc- ball games and sack races, where man development.” and played a mini football match. the team has ever won the AFC multi-year sponsorship agree- ing sponsorship deal with FIFA, cer World Cup, the FIFA eWorld friendly competitions took place. “We are encouraging Qatar Al Sadd SC general manager Asian Cup. ments with several global sports which saw the airline become the Cup, and the FIFA Women’s There was a health check booth Airways staff and other members Turki al-Ali said: “We are so As the country’s national car- entities, including leading Ger- Offi cial Partner and Offi cial Air- World Cup, taking place in France with consultants to administer of the community to incorporate pleased to participate in Qatar rier, Qatar Airways continues to man football team FC Bayern line of FIFA until 2022. this summer.

Sporting envoy QIIB engages in message of progress, positivity

s part of the QIIB’s keenness to engage in all events that Aadd value to nation building and community activities, the bank participated yesterday in the Na- tional Sport Day events. The bank’s participation in the National Sport Day events carries the message of progress and positive spirit that Qatar seeks to convey at various regional and international levels, according to a statement. A large number of QIIB execu- tives and employees led by chief Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar Syed Ahsan Raza Shah attended the Qatar National executive Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad Sport Day event organised by Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation, the al-Shaibei walked along the Doha embassy said in a statement. Students of the Pakistan International School Qatar Corniche, a popular destination for demonstrated various traditional sports of Pakistan. The ambassador was of the view sport activities. The QIIB team led by chief executive Dr Abdulbasit Ahmad al-Shaibei at the start of the bank’s National Sport Day that the sport day is a clear manifestation of Qatar’s resolve to promote cultural sports Al-Shaibei said: “Every year, we activities yesterday. and multicultural integration amongst the various communities. participate in the National Sport Day events as we are keen to draw the soundness of our rational lead- inspiration from the noble values of ership’s mindset and vision and the sports such as interaction, co-op- great success achieved in the im- eration, eff ort, determination, will, plementation of Qatar’s ambitious strength and victory. plans, namely the Qatar National “The advancement of sport in our Vision 2030.” country is no longer a subtitle to an “QIIB’s participation in the Na- important task. It has become the tional Sport Day is not a one-off main headline, a focal point, and a engagement, as we are keen to con- vital part of the overall boom, which solidate and strengthen the values we are witnessing in all fi elds and and principles that sports repre- forums under the guidance, leader- sent in our banking institution and Al-Shaibei with Qatar Central Bank Governor HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud ship and vision of His Highness the its role in our bank, one that serves al-Thani and other dignitaries during the walk on the Doha Corniche Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- the community to extent possible,” yesterday. Thani.” al-Shaibei said. “We call upon eve- He added: “What Qatar has ryone to engage in sports for its ben- Sport Day events is a call for every- and mental health. It also promotes achieved in individual or efi ts on the individual in particular one to adopt sport as a daily life- a universal message of equality and events, the 2019 Asian Cup football and the society in general.” style, not an annual event,” the QIIB co-operation between nations and victory being the latest one, refl ects “Our participation in the National chief said. “Sport boosts physical people.”

Vodafone shows technology’s place in active lifestyle

odafone used their role of being at This enabled the gamers to enjoy Gi- the forefront of the digital era to gaNet’s extremely fast speeds and ultra- Vengage the community on Qatar low latency, eliminating the lag often National Sport Day 2019, in a host of dig- experienced in gaming with current tech- ital and interactive sports activities, pow- nologies. ered by the company’s GigaNet network. Moreover, as the platinum sponsor of Held at Qatar Foundation’s Ceremonial Qatar Foundation’s National Sport Day Court, the family fun activities were de- event, for the second year in a row, Voda- signed to showcase how technology can fone handed out cash prizes worth more enable an active lifestyle and promote than QR40,000 to winners of the QF well-being. Race, a large-scale 3km obstacle course The highlight was the “GigaNet Sprint spanning the length of Oxygen Park. Challenge”, a 15m wall that challenged the Mahday Saad al-Hebabi, Vodafone Qa- young and old alike to race against Voda- tar’s head of business sales, was on hand fone’s superfast GigaNet network. to celebrate with the winners and hand Vodafone unveiled GigaNet – the net- them their cheques. work of the future – last month as the “His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim company’s promise to customers and to bin Hamad al-Thani’s initiative to pro- the country to pioneer the latest technol- mote sports amongst the population is ogies and digital innovations. of immense public value, which Voda- Visitors also got to experience aug- fone has supported since Qatar National mented reality football and virtual reality Sport Day was founded in 2012,” said the Vodafone’s Mahday al-Hebabi with the winners of the QF Race. boxing over Vodafone GigaNet. offi cial. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 7 QATAR Asian Cup on show at Katara event

A record 8,000 visitors flocked al-Kawari, director of Communica- fitness classes that ran through- to Katara yesterday to celebrate tion and Marketing, QFA. out the day, promoting healthy National Sport Day and take part “The record turnout dem- lifestyles for the whole family. in fun-filled family activities organ- onstrates that the Koora Time Koora Time was developed by ised by Qatar Football Association initiative is making a tangible Qatar Shell in partnership with the (QFA) and Qatar Shell as part of contribution to advancing the QFA, and the initiative has won their award-winning Koora Time social development pillar of the eight CSR awards over the past five programme. Qatar National Vision 2030,” said years. Koora Time is based on FC The event, aimed at promoting Andrew Faulkner, managing direc- Barcelona Foundation’s Futbol- a healthy lifestyle and diet among tor and chairman of Qatar Shell Net methodology, and provides Qatar’s youth, opened with the Companies. children with an extra 72 hours of Asian Federation Cup trophy on Two football pitches, including extra-curricular physical education display. one dedicated to children aged 12 per year. “This year’s record number of and under, played host to several Since its launch in March 2013, participants reflect our achieve- tournaments throughout the day. the programme has benefited over ments, in partnership with Qatar In total, each pitch featured 20,000 children across Qatar, and Shell, in engaging the local commu- 10 hours of action, in addition to last year’s programme saw a reduc- Qatari footballers Tameem al-Muhaza and nity to promote a healthier future six other football-related games. tion in Body Mass Index (BMI) of participate in the Koora Time National Sport Day event. for our youth,” said Khalid Mubarak Parents also joined their children in 93% of participants. ‘Walkable’ Msheireb celebrates Sport Day with a walkathon

sheireb Properties (MP), Qatar’s leading sustain- Mable developer and a sub- sidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Sciences and Commu- nity Development, celebrated Qa- tar National Sport Day at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). In attendance were company employees and their families, as well as team members from the two soon-to-be launched hotel properties at MDD — Mandarin Oriental Doha and Al Wadi Hotel Doha MGallery by Accorhotels. The event began with a walka- thon around the city district, starting in Sahat Wadi Msheireb and ending in Barahat Msheireb, the largest covered public square in the . With no better way to showcase Msheireb Downtown Doha as a A view of the activity hub at Barahat Msheireb, the largest covered walkable city, MP used the occa- public square in the Middle East. sion of the National Sport Day to launch what will become an annu- to adopt a healthy lifestyle. place where it is enjoyable to live, al walkathon tradition at Msheireb MDD, the smartest and most work, shop, visit, and spend time Downtown Doha, the new desti- sustainable fully-built city district with family and friends. nation for leisure, living and busi- in the world, aims to reverse the MDD is the result of a three-year ness, and the walkable district in pattern of development in Doha research conducted by MP in collab- the heart of the city. that tended towards isolated land oration with international pioneers In the spirit of the day, the use, reliance on car transportation in design, architecture, and urban morning was filled with fun sport and energy hungry structures. planning to regenerate the old cen- A walkathon was taken out as part of the National Sport Day activities of activities for staff members and It is set to become a new social tre of Doha in a way that promotes Msheireb Properties. their families to encourage them and civic hub in the city centre – a smart and sustainable living.

QIB staff , families enjoy fi tness activities, games on Sport Day

atar Islamic Bank (QIB) celebrated Qatar National QSport Day by hosting a range of activities for employees and their families. The event focused on showcas- ing the fun and rewarding benefi ts of sport to promote the idea that physical activities can be exciting. The event was attended by members of the bank’s executive management team who shared in the activities and excitement of the national holiday. The bank partnered Jade Center to off er a wide variety of fi tness activities and games, suitable for a variety of ages for all members of the family. The activities were tailored to assess the physical abilities of in- dividuals of diff erent ages. Present at the event were health and nutrition specialists, who were able to give attendees advice and an- swer specifi c questions about how to eff ectively make physical activity a daily part of one’s schedule and A moment from a fitness session organised by QIB. (Right) QIB’s executive management team, employees and their families gathered together for embark on a healthier lifestyle. the activities yesterday. Pleased with the turnout of the event, QIB Group CEO Bassel participating in the sports activi- more conscious of their physical During the past week, QIB has health among the people in Qa- Gamal, said: “It make us happy ties. Qatar’s National Sport Day and mental wellbeing, and we are communicated several healthy tar and especially to the ones who to see so many people engaging holds a very positive message and proud to be involved in spreading tips to customers and employees spent hours at their desks to help with the health specialists and goal for the people of Qatar to be this message each year.” to support the culture of sport and them maintain a healthy lifestyle. Mannai fetes long-serving staff on Qatar National Sport Day

annai Corp organised vari- Tournaments were held for our sports activities, we are reduc- ous sporting and recrea- cricket, football, and bad- ing several health risks while de- Mtional activities for Mannai minton in addition to several com- veloping our social skills,” Mannai Group Associates yesterday at the petitive games that were held at added. Doha Marriott Hotel, Beach area. Mannai Staff Recreation Centre As an annual tradition, the com- Khalid Mannai, vice chairman including basketball and volleyball. pany also honoured the employees of the Executive Committee, reit- “This only affi rms our commit- who have completed 25 years of erated the overall health benefi ts ment to Qatari Leadership’s vision service with Mannai Group during by such sporting events held by to develop a healthy society. Man- the year. Mannai Corp. “The corporation nai Corp encourages all employ- Service awards were given to provides plenty of opportunities to ees to be involved in our wellness the long-serving employees from the employees to take part in vari- programmes by participating in Mannai companies. ous sports disciplines in the run- the tournaments that will foster The group acknowledged their up to annual sports festival coin- teamwork among our colleagues contributions and the signifi cant ciding with Qatar National Sport and help network within our peers part they played to the company’s Mannai Corp honoured employees who completed 25 years of service. Day,” he said. across the group. By taking part in growth over the years. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR

Snapshots of events from some of the diplomatic missions: in Islamabad... Qatar’s diplomatic ...Accra missions celebrate National Sport Day

QNA the Qatargas office in Beijing. In Hong Kong, the Consulate In N’Djamena, Chad, act- ...Beijing Doha In a speech, the ambassador General organised several activi- ing charge d’aff aires Hamad bin stressed the importance of the ties which were attended by the Masoud al-Otaibi, embassy staff Sport Day, which refl ects the diplomatic staff . and friends attended the activi- atar’s diplomatic, con- awareness of the State and its In Kuala Lumpur, Qatar’s am- ties. sular and representative leaders about the importance of bassador to Malaysia Fahad bin In Greek capital Athens, am- Qmissions abroad organ- consolidating the values of sport Mohamed Kafood, deputy direc- bassador Abdulaziz Ali al-Naa- ised various sporting events on in society to build a healthy and tor of Protocol Department at ma, a number of offi cials of the the occasion of Qatar National vibrant society. Malaysian Foreign Ministry Wan Greek Ministry of Foreign Af- Sport Day amid great participa- He said Qatar seeks to a global Zaidi Wan Abdullah, a number fairs, athletes and sport and cul- tion and interest. sport hub and with the country of Malaysian Foreign Ministry tural offi cials in Greece attended In Austria’s capital Vienna, hosting the World Cup in 2022, staff , ambassadors and repre- the activities. Qatar’s embassy organised sport authorities have spared no ef- sentatives of Arab and foreign The events included a football events to highlight importance fort to support sports at all levels missions attended the events match between a veteran Greek of sport and its positive impact in the belief that sport educates which included recreational football team and a number of on the life of the citizen. young people and generations games, football and badminton. diplomats. Acting charge d’aff aires Ab- and builds a healthy and vibrant In Hanoi, , the Qatar The embassy distributed sou- dullah bin Nasser al-Fahid, dip- society. embassy staff and a number of venirs to the participants and lomats and staff of the embassy In Canberra, Australia, the Vietnamese citizens participat- thanked the Greek football team and several UN staff participated embassy’s activities were at- ed in the event. for their participation. in the events. tended by diplomatic and ad- In Dushanbe, the capital of In Islamabad, Pakistan, the The programme included sev- ministrative staff as well as a Tajikistan, the embassy events embassy events were attended ...Canberra eral sport activities, including number of citizens and Arab were attended by ambassador by Qatar’s ambassador Saqr football, basketball, volleyball communities. Ibrahim bin Mohamed al-Ab- bin Mubarak al-Mansouri and and other sport competitions. The activities included foot- dullah, members of the embassy members of the embassy and lo- In Accra, Ghana, the em- ball, swimming and other sports. and a number of professors and cal offi cials. bassy’s event included football In the Philippines capital students of Tajik universities. The events included walking, matches. Manila, the embassy activities In a speech, the ambassador a football match, and a number The event was attended by included women’s football, vol- stated that Qatar’s goal behind of games and group contests. Qatar’s ambassador Mohamed leyball and other sports events. the Sport Day is to promote sport In Bangkok, Qatar’s ambas- bin Ahmed al-Humaid, embassy In Bandar Seri Begawan, in and make it a way of life. sador to Thailand Sheikh Jas- staff and their families, a number Brunei, ambassador Jassim bin In Astana, Kazakhstan, am- sim bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, of staff of the Qatar Charity and Ali al-Obaidly participated in bassador Ahmed bin Ali al- members of the embassy, the students of the Language Insti- the embassy activities along with Tamimi and members of the Medical Offi ce, and Qatargas li- tute. diplomats and embassy staff . embassy participated in the aison offi ce, in addition to the At the end of the ceremony, The events included various events which included walking, Qatar Airways regional offi ce in al-Humaid presented a trophy to sports including horseback rid- jogging, and other games and Bangkok and some members of the winning team. ing, hiking and football. exercises. the Arab embassies attended the In Beijing, China, the embas- In Ashgabat, Qatar’s ambas- In Naypyidaw, Myanmar, act- events. sy event was attended by am- sador to Khalifa ing charge d’aff aires Mansour bin In Seoul, ambassador Mo- bassador Sultan bin Salmeen bin Ahmed al-Suwaidi partici- Mubarak al-Khayarin, a number hamed Abdullah al-Duhaimi, al-Mansouri, diplomats and pated in the activities along with of Myanmar offi cials and heads and embassy staff participated embassy staff, Qatari students a number of athletes. of diplomatic missions, as well in the events which included studying at Chinese universi- The events included a football as embassy staff and their fami- walking, football, basketball and ties in Beijing and members of match and cycling. lies participated in the events. volleyball. ...Manila

...Seoul ...Vienna

...Kuala Lumpur

...Athens ...Hong Kong ...Hanoi Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 9 QATAR Qatargas staff , families join National Sport Day events

atargas employees and their families partici- Qpated in the ‘Qatargas Sport Day’, which was organised on the occasion of the Qatar National Sport Day. This annual event is an in- tegral part of the Company’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of its employees and their families. A wide variety of sporting events and activities were held at Aspire Zone and at Al Khor Community sporting facilities. In Doha, the sporting occa- sion commenced with group exercises, thereby ensuring that all participants were warmed MoCI off icials and families at the National Sport Day event. up and ready for the wide varie- ty of sporting activities on off er. The activities for the day included infl atable football courts, volleyball and basket- Ministry’s events at Katara ball hoops, stationary exercise Qatargas off icials and their families celebrate the National Sport Day. bikes, table tennis, table foot- ball, boxing sacks and a football dren. People also queued up at Al Khor Community included a Building a healthy and pro- goal target sheet. Families also the medical booth where the 5km family walkathon, football, ductive society is a key objec- promote physical activities participated in the group exer- Qatargas Medical Team had or- volleyball, badminton, tennis, tive of the human development cises. ganised fun educational tools table tennis, cricket, athletics, pillar of Qatar National Vision In addition, there was chil- and health assessments. bike race, swimming challenge 2030 as well as a key objective he Ministry of Com- recreational competitions, the The event contributed to dren’s activity area and an ob- The wide range of exciting and an introduction to scuba of Qatargas’ corporate social merce and Industry, in ministry aimed at encourag- promoting the values of co- stacle course for young chil- sport activities organised in the diving. responsibility initiatives. Tco-operation with the ing families and community operation and solidarity among Economic Zones Company, members of all age groups to community members in a cas- Manateq, yesterday organised a exercise and engage in physical ual and entertaining atmos- number of sporting and recrea- activities. phere. tional activities at the Katara The event was also aimed at The ministry’s activities in- Cultural Village to mark Qatar raising awareness of the im- cluded recreational competi- National Sport Day. portance of sports and its role tions and sports tournaments UDC encourages awareness The event attracted a large in the daily life of human be- including beach volleyball, number of community mem- ings in addition to encouraging children football, boxing, table bers. Through this year’s va- community members to exer- tennis, and billiards and table riety of sports activities and cise throughout the year. football. on leading ‘a healthy lifestyle’

nited Development cialised trainers. “Temba Arena” Company (UDC), one of Football Court in Costa Malaz Mowasalat employees practise Uthe leading Qatari pub- was offi cially inaugurated by lic shareholding companies and UDC president and CEO Ibrahim the master developer of The Jassim al-Othman, along with skills ‘to enhance camaraderie’ Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Islands, senior offi cials and employees. celebrated National Sport Day “UDC’s support for sport- yesterday in co-operation with related activities will continue owasalat (Karwa), with General Retirement and Social throughout the period lead- a workforce of 7,000, Insurance Authority (GRSIA) ing to the upcoming 2022 FIFA Mincluding about 6,500 and the Public Works Author- World Cup in Qatar. Through its drivers, organised a special set ity, Ashghal. participation in this unique day, of events to celebrate Qatar Na- Events took place simultane- UDC seeks to promote sports tional Sport Day yesterday. ously in Costa Malaz and Porto and raise awareness about the The 5km marathon saw more Arabia districts, where employ- importance of exercising and than 1,000 participate. The ees, residents and visitors of all adopting a healthy lifestyle,” he sport activities took place at ages took part in football tour- Turki bin Mohamed al-Khater, Dr engineer Saad bin Ahmad added. the playgrounds of Karwa City, naments, walkathon, gym area, al-Muhannadi and Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman are seen with other Every year, UDC regularly which the company has perma- obstacle games, wall climbing, off icials and participants during the walkathon at Porto Arabia hosts public sports-related nently set up for drivers to carry foosball tables, ping-pong, and Boardwalk, The Pearl-Qatar. events across the Island to en- out recreational activities on a sport quiz. courage residents and visitors daily basis. Some of the winners celebrate at Mowasalat’s National Sport Day GRSIA president and UDC safety notions and instils a Ashghal president Dr engineer to partake in sports activities. The competitions included activities yesterday. chairman Turki bin Mohamed culture of ‘a healthy mind in a Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi The Pearl-Qatar remains an football, basketball, volleyball, al-Khater, urged the partici- healthy body’ among commu- observed that his organisation ideal location to lead a healthy relay race and some other fun company promotes sport among unity, friendship and camarade- pants to embrace sport as a nity members,” he said. is keen to organise many sport- lifestyle with plenty of open activities. There were special its staff to ensure every employee rie,” he explained. lifestyle, noting that it will help Highlighting the contribu- ing events for its employees spaces, landscaped green areas, events for children and families stays motivated and connected. Event organising committee protect them against chronic tion of sports to public health, throughout the year. sea-facing facades, and vari- of employees who participated “The National Sport Day is had made all arrangements en- diseases and their dangerous al-Khater called on employees Ashghal also encourages its ous amenities and facilities that in large numbers. also the platform through which suring the safety of the partici- complications. to continue exercising, which employees to exercise at the au- support a broad range of indoor Mowasalat director and CEO Mowasalat employees practice pants. The winners were given “National Sport Day pro- will boost their energy and in- thority gymnasium, which has and outdoor recreational activ- Khalid Nasser al-Hail said the their skills in order to enhance medals and other prizes. motes awareness of health and crease their productivity. all the sport equipment and spe- ities across the Island.

Milaha’s HQ transforms into a fi tness centre

ilaha is hosting a week- building challenge, and a treas- towards a healthy plan for the “Through these interactive long indoor and out- ure hunt competition. upcoming eight weeks, to lose and competitive activities, Mi- Mdoor sporting activities A week-long “Challenge Ac- weight and adjust their body laha is seeking to instil healthy and challenges to celebrate Qa- cepted” series, which tests em- mass index and blood pressure. habits among its employees and tar’s National Sport Day, and has ployees’ endurance levels, will The winners; a male and a female engage them in potentially life- transformed its headquarters see Milaha staff competing. employee will earn a round fl ight changing experiences,” accord- into a large fi tness and health Throughout each health and fi t- home. ing to Mai Mohamed al-Malki centre. ness zone, employees will have On the National Sport Day, al-Jehani, corporate communi- Employees from various de- the opportunity to collect coins Milaha hosted an event for the cations manager. Through these partments will compete and col- as part of the Power Quest com- employees and their families at activities, Milaha aims to en- laborate for numerous prizes as petition. Al Arabi sports club; enjoying courage its employees to exercise part of a programme featuring Another competition, the “8 various sports activities includ- and embrace healthy diets, thus four days of yoga, daily healthy weeks BMI challenge’ ensures ing cricket, volleyball, football as promoting staff welfare across live cooking shows, a block that the employees are directed well as kids’ activities. all departments. Milaha sports activities at Al Arabi sports club. Enthusiastic participation at Nakilat’s events

akilat celebrated Qatar National Sport Day 2019 by organising a wide range of fun-fi lled Nactivities for its employees and their families. The employees of Nakilat and its joint ventures ac- tively participated in the sporting activities organised at the Al Legtaifi ya Park in Doha as well as the Laff an Global Village in Ras Laff an Industrial City. Nakilat’s employees and their families enthusi- astically participated in activities such as football, basketball and table tennis. There was also a special designated area for the children to get active and stay entertained. “Overall, the event served as an excellent platform in promoting an active lifestyle and cohesiveness amongst the Nakilat family,” a company spokes- man said, adding Nakilat believes that the health and well-being of its employees is signifi cant in enhanc- ing productivity levels and ensuring the creation of a sustainable workforce. The company actively advocates wellness and healthy lifestyle among its employees and families through various initiatives throughout the year, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 for the devel- opment of a healthy society. Nakilat and its joint ventures celebrate National Sport Day. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR

Culture minister takes part in NSD activities Chief of Staff attends NSD celebrations

HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali yesterday took part in National Sport Day HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem took part in the activities. The ministry organised various events on the occasion. National Sport Day activities yesterday along with other Qatar Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence off icials. MoTC celebrates NSD with major organisations A celebration of health

he Ministry of Transport and Communications Tmarked National Sport and active lifestyle Day 2019 with a vast range of sporting and recreational ac- By Ayman Adly tivities for employees and their Staff Reporter families at Aspire Zone. This year, the ministry was joined by the Civil Aviation Au- eople from diff erent na- thority, Communications Regu- tionalities, ages and back- latory Authority, Mowasalat Pgrounds stepped out in (Karwa), Mwani Qatar, Qatar large numbers yesterday to par- Aeronautical College, Hamad ticipate in the Qatar National Port, Qatar National Broadband Sport Day celebrations across Network, Qatar Rail and QTer- Doha and beyond. minals. It was a day full of sport- Speaking at the event, HE the ing and fun activities at places Minister of Transport and Com- such as the Doha Corniche, As- munications Jassim Seif Ahmed pire Zone, Katara – the Cultural al-Sulaiti said: “Qatar National Village, Museum of Islamic Art Sport Day refl ects the vision of (MIA) Park, Qatar Foundation, our wise leadership for building various public parks and gar- individuals and society. Its key dens and other institutions that message is that sport should be hosted. a signifi cant part of the culture On the Corniche and the green and lifestyle of individuals and patches along the entire stretch, Thousands of people walked, jogged and ran yesterday. society, and an important way of a large number of people gath- investing in human capital.” ered from early in the morn- the most of this occasion and Activities began in the early ing practising various types of do some outdoor activities with morning with warmups, walk- sports and physical activities, friends and colleagues,” said a ing, jogging, and some exercises including walking, running, ex- young Asian expatriate. for women. The programme ercising and diff erent types of An Arab expatriate and his then featured recreational and group and individual games, family members expressed grat- sporting activities such as track such as football and volleyball. itude to the country and its wise events, football, and tug-of- The general mood was festive leadership for the eff orts exerted war competitions for adults and Some of the featured recreational activities during the MoTC’s 2019 and the occasion gave the people to make the day enjoyable for children. NSD celebrations yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen and supplied an opportunity to get together all, especially as many minis- with families, friends and col- tries, government institutions leagues while being engaged in and private entities held a wide various activities in line with range of activities for the general Amiri Diwan staff attend celebrations the spirit of National Sport Day. public. Also, the cool weather encour- The occasion also boosted the aged many people to go outdoors business of shops selling sports and the high turnout of par- apparels, gyms as well as op- ticipants meant roads leading to erators of boats and dhows. A the Doha Corniche, MIA Park, considerable number of people Katara and other places saw a were seen taking joyrides on steady stream of traffi c through- dhows along the Corniche yes- out the day. terday. Traffi c patrols, in collabora- In the run-up to National tion with the security depart- Sport Day, many people bought ments concerned, ensured new sports gear and apparels, smooth traffi c movement thereby increasing the sales of around the country – with a retailers, while others obtained special focus on areas that saw membership in gyms on being a high public turnout – and inspired by the noble message smooth conduct of the celebra- of the Sport Day. Qatar Na- tions in general. tional Sport Day is considered “It is a very nice day, the a pioneering initiative of the weather is excellent and the country that is dedicated to the country recently celebrated the promotion of active lifestyle and Amiri Diwan staff members took part in diff erent activities held as part of Qatar National Sport Day great victory of its national foot- healthy practices, as part of the celebrations yesterday. ball team in the 2019 AFC Asian State’s keenness to maintain the A youngster takes a kick during the Qatar National Sport Day Cup. So, we are keen to make well-being of its inhabitants. celebrations yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand

Watersport against the stunning West Bay skyline. Making light work of heavy stuff . Workout in progress. PICTURE: Ram Chand Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Palestinian talks in Moscow Hundreds fl ee US-backed battle for last IS holdout

AFP Near Baghouz, Syria

xhausted families trudged out of the Islamic State Egroup’s last bastion in eastern Syria yesterday, as Kurd- ish-led forces boxed holdout militants into an ever-shrinking Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talks during a meeting with representatives of Palestinian groups and movements as a part pocket. of an intra-Palestinian talks in Moscow, yesterday. Hundreds fl ed at night but hundreds more during the day as plumes of grey smoke billowed into the sky over Baghouz, where diehard IS fi ghters are making their last stand. The extremist group declared a cross-border “caliphate” in Palestinian teen dies of wounds Syria and Iraq in 2014, but vari- ous military campaigns have chipped it down to a fragment on the Iraqi border. Civilians fleeing the battered Islamic State-held holdout of Baghouz After a pause of more than a in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor walk past an armoured after border fi re: Gaza ministry week to allow out civilians, the vehicle belonging to the Manbij military council into a nearby area Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), yesterday. declared a last push to retake the AFP pocket from the extremists on with dirty hair and women pant- province of Deir Ezzor in Sep- Gaza City US denies telling banks to stop working with government Saturday. ing heavily after their odyssey tember, slowly tightening the Aided by the warplanes and out of Baghouz. noose around the militants and The United States has denied accusations it is financial siege on the Palestinian Authority,” he artillery of a US-led coalition, About half of them were their families since December. Palestinian teenager pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestin- said. “Washington has asked for financial aid given the Kurdish-led alliance has Ukrainian or Russian women and In the past two months, more died yesterday four days ian government, whose relations with Washington to the authority to be stopped, and it has also is- pressed into a patch of less than their children, while most of the than 37,000 people, mostly Aafter he was hit by an have been plummeting. sued a circular to banks not to receive transfers for four square kilometres (one others were Syrian. wives and children of militant Israeli tear gas canister during Several Palestinian off icials have accused the US the authority’s accounts.” square mile).SDF spokesman A 34-year-old woman from fi ghters, have fl ed into SDF-held clashes along the Gaza border, of trying to force banks not to deal with transac- Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki has said Mustefa Bali said 600 civilians Crimea tore pieces of bread to areas, the Observatory says. the Hamas-run enclave’s health tions linked to the Palestinian Authority, which has on local radio that the US was using “all means to fl ed the combat zone at night give her three children. That fi gure includes some ministry said. limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank. press Arab countries to stop financial support for and the Syrian Observatory for She identifi ed herself as Um 3,400 suspected militants de- Hassan Nofel, 17, was hit in “The United States has not requested that foreign our people”. Relations between the US and the Human Rights said another 350 Khaled and said she came to Syr- tained by the SDF, according the face with a tear gas canis- donors restrict assistance to the Palestinians, nor Palestinians have broken down since President made it out during the day. ia fi ve years ago after divorcing to the Britain-based monitor, ter on Friday during a protest has it requested that financial institutions cease Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s The SDF have set up a pair of her Tatar husband. which relies on sources inside east of Al-Bureij in central transfers to Palestinian Authority (PA) bank ac- capital in late 2017. sand berms on a scrubby plateau Once there, she married an Syria for its information. Gaza, the ministry said. counts,” a US off icial said late Monday. The Palestinians consider the eastern part of the overlooking Baghouz. Azeri IS member and had two At a gathering point for new Two Palestinian teenag- “We are aware of media reports suggesting this city their capital and have boycotted the Trump Most of the neighbourhoods other children. “They are all fa- arrivals, dozens of men knelt on ers were killed and 17 others has occurred. Those reports are incorrect.” administration since. visible along the hazy horizon therless now,” she said in broken the ground. wounded by Israeli gunfire On Sunday, senior Palestinian off icial Hussein In response the US has cut more than $500mn in are under their control, but the Arabic, her voice shaking. Iraqi and Syrian women and that day during protests and al-Sheikh charged that Washington was launching annual aid to the Palestinians, mostly to the United southernmost parts of the town Coalition spokesperson Sean children prepared to make the clashes along the heavily for- a “financial siege” on the PA. “Major international Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. The cuts — from which sounds of a fi re- Ryan said US-backed forces long journey north to a Kurdish- tified frontier. financial institutions and parties have begun to have worsened long-term financial shortfalls for fi ght can be heard — are still held were facing a fi erce fi ghtback. held camp for the displaced, af- At the time, the Israeli army accede to an American request to impose a tight the PA, which is heavily reliant on international aid. by IS. “The progress is slow and me- ter spending the night in tents. said some 8,200 “fighter and Suddenly, black dots appeared thodical as the enemy is fully en- A very thin child with dark demonstrators” had gathered on the dirt road that snakes trenched and IS fi ghters contin- circles around his eyes stumbled along the border to throw dures”, a spokesman said. At least 250 Palestinians riod. Israel says its actions are across the plain from the ruins of ue to conduct counter attacks,” onto a truck, as other children stones and a number of ex- Palestinians in Gaza have have been killed by Israeli fire necessary to defend the border the little town. he said. screamed out for water and their plosive devices towards its for nearly a year gathered at since then, the majority shot and stop infiltrations and at- The SDF watched them warily “The coalition continues to mothers asked how long the troops. least weekly along the border during clashes, though others tacks, which it accuses Hamas at fi rst, but as the group of about strike at IS targets whenever drive would take. The Israeli forces “re- for often-violent protests, have been hit by tank fire or air of seeking to orchestrate. 25 people got closer, members available.” On Monday, the Ob- “Six hours? In the cold?” sponded with riot dispersal calling on Israel to end its strikes. Israel and Palestinian fight- of the Free Burma Rangers vol- servatory said a coalition air shouted a wrinkled Iraqi woman. means and fired according decade-long blockade of the Two Israeli soldiers have ers in Gaza have fought three unteer medical group scrambled strike killed 16 civilians. Bali, the SDF spokesman, said to standard operating proce- enclave. been killed over the same pe- wars since 2008. down the hill to meet them. An Italian journalist was also on Saturday that up to 600 mili- There are no other NGOs or wounded as he covered the tants could still be left inside the United Nations agencies present clashes and evacuated for treat- pocket. CAPTURE at the site. ment, a colleague said on Twit- But the group’s elusive leader Morocco arrests Half a dozen among the new ter. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who pro- arrivals were adult men. The SDF launched the bat- claimed the “caliphate” in 2014 three French The rest were young children tle to expel IS from the eastern was likely not there, he said. nationals accused Acting Pentagon chief in of militant links surprise Baghdad visit Moroccan authorities said yes- terday they had arrested three French nationals suspected of AFP its constitution. They also US to present Mideast links to the Islamic State militant Baghdad sparked renewed calls for group for alleged involvement a US withdrawal both from in “financing terrorism”. The sus- pro-Iran factions within pects, one of whom is of Algerian cting Pentagon chief the government and from origin, were arrested on Monday Patrick Shanahan ar- Iran-trained armed groups vision in Warsaw in Sale near the capital Rabat, the Arived in Baghdad on whose power has risen General Directorate of National an unannounced visit yes- sharply during the fight- Security said in a statement. In- terday for talks on the sen- back against the Islamic AFP resurgent Russia — has stressed that it still joins vestigations have shown that the sitive issue of a continued State group that culminat- Warsaw the European Union in backing a 2015 deal negoti- suspects have “succeeded in forg- troop presence following Patrick Shanahan ed in December 2017. ated by former US president Barack Obama to ease ing close ties with active fighters” withdrawal from neighbour- Those calls are likely to sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear within IS in Syria and Iraq, it said. ing Syria. last month, is due to hold intensify as Washington he United States is seeking this week in War- programme. They are accused of “involvement Shanahan is keen to re- talks with Prime Ministrer carries out the full troop saw to rally the world behind a vision of the President Donald Trump stormed out of the deal in fundraising for extremist circles assure Iraqi leaders after Adel Abdel Mahdi and top withdrawal from Syria un- TMiddle East that includes maximum pres- last year, calling it “terrible”, and has reimposed to finance terrorist operations,” it President Donald Trump military advisers and com- veiled in a shock announce- sure on Iran and strong backing of Israel, but it is sweeping US sanctions aimed at strangling Iran’s said, adding that investigations angered many by saying he manders. ment by Trump in Decem- winning little fresh support. economy and curbing its regional power. were continuing with a view to wanted to keep troops at Trump’s comments ber. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month an- The countries that are sending top offi cials to finding possible accomplices. the Al-Asad airbase, north- about Iran, in an inter- The plan, judged pre- nounced the two-day conference starting today, Warsaw are pushing for a tough line on Iran includ- The North African kingdom, which west of Baghdad, to keep an view with CBS television cipitate by both US allies saying that foreign ministers from around the world ing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and relies heavily on tourism, was eye on Iran. aired on February 3, drew a and senior figures within would come to Poland to take up the “destabilising some other regional allies of the United States. shaken by the grisly murders of The acting defence sec- stern rebuff from President Trump’s own administra- infl uence” of Iran in the Middle East. Netanyahu said that Iran remained the foremost two Scandinavian hikers by sus- retary, who flew in from Barham Saleh, who said the tion, prompted the resig- A show of unity would serve as a powerful re- item on the agenda — “how to continue preventing pected militants in the High Atlas Afghanistan on his foreign use of Iraq as a base against nation of Shanahan’s pred- joinder to Iran’s regime, which just this week is cel- it from entrenchment in Syria, how to thwart its mountains in December. tour since taking office a third country violated ecessor, Jim Mattis. ebrating 40 years of the Islamic revolution. aggression in the region and, above all, how to pre- But with few RSVPs coming, the United States vent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.” and Poland have toned down the agenda, stating Yet the United States is also expected in Warsaw that the conference is not focused on Iran or on to off er hints of its proposals for peace between Is- building a coalition against it, but rather looking rael and the Palestinians. more broadly at the Middle East. Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, Sudan security agents detain professors US Vice President Mike Pence will address the who has been putting fi nal touches on a “deal of conference, whose co-host is Pompeo. the century” for the Middle East, will make a rare Even though the meeting takes place in the Eu- speaking appearance tomorrow. AFP the east African country for the University of Khartoum said.Several other professors ropean Union, major European powers are send- Kushner, whose family is close to Netanyahu, is Khartoum weeks since a government where professors and lecturers were also unable to partici- ing low-level representation with the exception not expected to unveil the proposal until after the decision to triple the price of had planned to hold a sit-in, pate in the sit-in after security of British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who April 9 election in Israel. bread last December. witnesses said. agents closed the gates of the signalled that he primarily wants to address the The Trump administration faces an uphill climb udanese security agents The protests have escalated “Fourteen professors, eight venue where they had gathered humanitarian crisis triggered by the Saudi-led of- in selling any deal to the Palestinian Authority, yesterday detained a into nationwide demonstra- from University of Khartoum before heading to the sit-in, he fensive in Yemen. which remains livid over Trump’s landmark 2017 Sgroup of university pro- tions against Bashir’s govern- and six from other universi- said. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said decision to recognise Jerusalem — claimed by both fessors in Khartoum headed for ment, with protesters calling ties, were on their way to take Hassan serves as a spokes- she had previous commitments and Pompeo in- peoples — as Israel’s capital. a sit-in protest against Presi- for the veteran leader’s resig- part in the sit-in when security man for a group of university stead will have breakfast with her in Brussels on his The Palestinian government — which has la- dent Omar al-Bashir’s govern- nation. agents took them away,” Uni- professors who are actively way home. belled the Warsaw conference an “American con- ment, fellow academics said. Yesterday, the authorities versity of Khartoum professor participating in anti-govern- Even host Poland — which is eager for strong spiracy” — has refused talks with the United States Deadly protests have rocked deployed security forces near Mamdouh Mohamed Hassan ment rallies. relations with the United States in the face of a until it starts what it calls a more balanced policy. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 AMERICAS

POLITICS IN THE DOCK ANTI-SEMITISM MALICIOUS LEADERSHIP Canada minister quits over Female students sue Yale, Trump: Ilhan Omar should Twitter trolls sought to sow Government to prioritise corporate graft charges frats over ‘discrimination’ quit over lobby comments Canada divisions: CBC artificial intelligence

Canadian Veterans Aff airs Minister Jody Wilson- Yale University and its fraternities yesterday faced US President Donald Trump said yesterday he Canada’s public broadcaster said yesterday it found President Donald Trump on Monday ordered Raybould quit yesterday amid allegations that a discrimination lawsuit filed alleging the all-male believes that Democratic US Representative Ilhan in a trove of Twitter messages evidence of possible the US administration to give greater priority senior off icials tried to pressure her last year to student organisations limit female students’ Omar should resign after her comments about the foreign actors trying to sow divisions between to artificial intelligence, a move seen as firing help construction company SNC-Lavalin Group opportunities at the university and beyond. The pro-Israel lobby in the United States. “Anti-Semitism Canadians on pipelines, migrants and other hot- up a battle for leadership with China. The Inc avoid a corruption trial when she was justice lawsuit accuses the university of failing to apply has no place in the United States Congress,” said button issues. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp American AI Initiative executive order calls minister. Wilson-Raybould resigned in a letter to its own policies on equal opportunities to the Trump, who has himself been criticised for remarks (CBC) said it identified roughly 21,600 malicious for the administration to “devote the full Prime Minister Justin Trudeau but did not give fraternities and also alleges that it has failed to off ensive to racial and ethnic minorities. Omar was tweets targeting Canadians, mostly sent in 2017, out resources of the federal government” to help a reason for leaving. Trudeau told reporters on curtail sexual harassment and assault. Three criticised by both Republicans and Democrats for of 9.6mn scanned. The troll accounts — since deleted fuel AI innovation. “Americans have profited Monday that he had full confidence in Wilson- female students filed the suit in federal court in saying on Twitter that the American Israel Public by Twitter — are suspected of originating in Russia, tremendously from being the early developers Raybould, who he demoted from the justice Connecticut, home of the elite university with Aff airs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group, Iran and Venezuela. They retweeted messages from and international leaders in AI,” a White portfolio last month after the Globe and Mail about 12,000 students. They are seeking to was paying US politicians to support Israel. House Canadian activists, politicians and media reports House statement said. “However, as the pace newspaper reported she had brushed off off icials force the fraternities to admit women and want Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic House highlighting opposition to pipelines. They also of AI innovation increases around the world, urging her to help SNC-Lavalin avoid a trial over the university to do more to end activities that leaders condemned her remarks, calling for an stoked immigration fears, disseminating strong we cannot sit idly by and presume that our bribery and corruption charges. allegedly promote sexual harassment. apology. Omar apologised later that day. reactions to the Quebec City mosque shooting. leadership is guaranteed.”

Immigration Trump ‘undecided’ on deal offi cers’ union opposes Trump to avert another shutdown pick to lead ICE By Sarah N Lynch, Reuters Reuters Washington Washington union representing US immigration and cus- resident Donald Trump said toms agents yesterday urged the Senate to block yesterday he has yet to de- Aconfi rmation of President Donald Trump’s Pcide whether to support an nominee to head the immigration enforcement agency, agreement reached by congres- citing past racially tinged and controversial comments. sional negotiators to avert another The National Immigration and Customs Enforce- partial government shutdown that ment Council, which represents more than 7,000 includes no funds for his promised agents, endorsed Trump in the 2016 US presidential US-Mexican border wall. election. But it opposes the Republican president’s But the Republican president, nomination of Ronald Vitiello to head the US Immi- who triggered a 35-day closure of gration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. about a quarter of the federal gov- A letter from union President Chris Crane to the top ernment with a December demand Republican and Democrat on the Senate Homeland for $5.7bn from Congress to help Security Committee, seen by Reuters, said the nomi- build the wall, said he did not an- nee “lacks the judgment and professionalism to ef- ticipate another partial shutdown. fectively lead a federal agency.” An ICE representative “I have to study it. I’m not happy could not immediately be reached for comment. about it,” Trump told reporters at The Senate committee is scheduled to vote today on the White House about the ten- whether to approve Vitiello’s nomination and send it tative funding deal, which would to the full Senate for a confi rmation vote. need to be passed by the Democrat- Vitiello, a former top Customs and Border Protec- ic-led House and Republican-con- tion offi cial, was named as ICE’s acting director in trolled Senate and signed by him. the summer, shortly after Trump ended a contentious But he said another partial gov- policy of separating immigrant children from their ernment shutdown appeared un- parents at the border. likely. Vitiello could face some opposition from Democrats, Democratic and Republican ne- particularly after he refused during his confi rmation gotiators hammered out the deal on hearing on November 15 to rule out reinstating the child Monday night on border security separation policy. “We will get less people bringing their provisions and money to keep sev- children. So it is an option,” he said at the time. eral government agencies, includ- Yesterday’s letter marked the fi rst time the union ing the Department of Homeland has openly opposed the nomination of any presiden- Security and the Justice Depart- tial appointee. ment, funded through September President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso on Monday night. The union broke with its parent organisation, the 30, the end of the federal fi scal year. American Federation of Government Employees, Temporary funding for about a Congressional sources said the abandoned “unreasonable” de- Trump’s long-promised wall was ly for the wall, an action he might when it endorsed Trump in 2016. fourth of the government is due to agreement includes $1.37bn for mands. a cornerstone of his presidential take to redirect other funds already In the letter, Crane cited numerous concerns that expire on Friday. new along 90km of the Tom Graves, a House Republican campaign. provided by Congress to pay for ranged from allegations of whistleblower retaliation Congressional Republicans have southern border but only with cur- who serves on the congressional He had said it would be paid for wall construction instead. and lying to lawmakers during Vitiello’s confi rmation shown little appetite for another rently used designs such as “steel conference committee that worked by Mexico and not by US taxpayers. Fellow Republicans have told process, to off ensive tweets that Vitiello made while shutdown after taking heavy criti- bollard” fencing. on the border security and other The president last month agreed Trump such a step would almost serving at Customs and Border Protection. cism over the prior one. It also addresses capacity at im- funding, raised questions about the to end the shutdown without get- certainly face a legal challenge. In one social media post, Vitiello suggested the Senate Majority Leader Mitch migration detention facilities, spe- compromise. ting money for a wall. “Just so you know — we’re build- Democratic Party should be renamed as “NeoKlan- McConnell’s comments on the cifi cally the number of beds for Graves wrote on Twitter that he The shutdown roiled fi nancial ing the wall anyway,” Trump said at ist,” a reference to the Ku Klux Klan white supremacist Senate fl oor touting the agreement people awaiting possible deporta- had not “signed off on the reported markets and left hundreds of thou- Monday’s rally in the border city of group, and in another Vitiello compared then-candi- reached on Monday night left little tion. ‘deal’ nor have I seen it. Based on sands of federal workers and con- El Paso. date Trump to the troublemaking Dennis the Menace doubt that the top Republican in “I can’t say I’m thrilled,” Trump the reports, I have concerns. Lots of tractors without pay. The number of beds in detention newspaper comic character. At the time he did this, Congress wants Trump to support said of the agreement. questions too.” Trump will have to decide facilities has been a contentious Crane wrote, Vitiello’s Twitter account showed him it. Trump added that he did not “I am cautiously optimistic that whether to sign the measure into part of the negotiations because wearing a Border Patrol uniform. Top Senate Democrat Chuck want to see another shutdown but we will get this through,” Democrat law if it is passed by Congress given it can either constrain or expand Crane wrote that such comments violate offi cial Schumer was more direct, saying: that if there were one, it would be Nita Lowey, who chairs the House its backing by congressional Re- the Trump administration’s abil- codes of conduct at the Department of Homeland Se- “I strongly urge the president to the Democrats’ fault. of Representatives Appropriations publicans, or side with conserva- ity to aggressively deport more im- curity and could jeopardise criminal cases that go to sign this.” The tentative deal still requires Committee, told CNN. “We cannot tive commentators who have the migrants, including those seeking trial because they could be used by the defence to im- Trump triggered the 35-day par- congressional staff experts to write shut the government down.” president’s ear such as Sean Hanni- asylum. peach ICE’s credibility. tial government shutdown — the formal legislation, fi lling in details Lowey has said the legislation ty of Fox News, who late on Monday Congressional aides yester- “This type of conduct would result in a rank and fi le longest in US history — with his lacking in the broad outline agreed might be written by today, leav- called it a “garbage compromise.” day gave diff ering accounts on the ICE employee being disciplined, if not possibly re- December demand for $5.7bn to to late on Monday. ing little time for Congress to pass While Democrats oppose the number of beds the deal permitted, moved from employment,” Crane wrote. help build the wall, which Demo- McConnell said he hopes his the measure by Friday’s midnight wall, they support border security with some saying it would drop to “We are not aware that Mr Vitiello was ever disci- crats oppose. chamber can act on the legis- deadline. eff orts. 40,520 by later this year and others plined for his actions and instead of being demoted or At a rally in El Paso, Texas, on lation “in short order,” calling Lowey said the deal had the Trump has threatened to declare saying it could rise to 58,500. fi red, if confi rmed as ICE Director, he will be promoted Monday night, he made clear he the agreement “certainly good backing of House Speaker Nancy a “national emergency” if Congress Democrats had sought to limit to the highest position in one of the nation’s largest would not drop his quest for a wall. news” and saying Democrats had Pelosi and other Democrats. does not provide money specifi cal- the number. law enforcement agencies,” the union president wrote.

Florida’s gun control debate persists one year after Parkland mass shooting

By Daniel Trotta, Reuters in Parkland, Florida, killed 17 “Broward County schools and former New York City mayor Washington people with a semi-automatic are not safer today than they Michael Bloomberg. rifl e in a fi ve-and-a-half-minute were last year,” said state Sena- , whose shooting spree at the school on tor Lauren Book, a Democrat daughter Meadow was among year after Florida law- Feb 14, 2018. who sat on the special commis- those killed in Parkland, supports makers rushed through Twenty states passed some sion and whose district includes arming the teachers. A far-reaching legislation form of gun regulation last year, Marjory Stoneman Douglas “Whoever’s against it, they on school safety and gun con- including nine states with a Re- High School. didn’t have a daughter begging trol in response to the deadliest publican governor, according to Book has been critical of for life on the third fl oor, hoping high school shooting in US his- the gun control group Everytown schools for not complying with that someone was there to save tory, the state is on the verge of for Gun Safety. the requirement of posting one her,” said Pollack, a Republican reopening the heart-wrenching Florida, one of the most gun- armed defender on each campus, member of the state school board debate. friendly states in the country, for failing to enact emergency who is co-authoring the book Gun control advocates vow to quickly imposed a three-day “code red” procedures and the with Eden. block a recommendation to arm waiting period for gun purchases under-reporting crime commit- Emboldened by sweeping teachers, while conservatives aim and raised the age limit for buy- ted by students. electoral victories in 2018, Dem- to rescind the new gun restric- ing rifl es from 18 to 21. She does not, however, support ocratic lawmakers are pushing tions. The law also required schools the commission’s recommenda- for even more gun control laws in The opposing viewpoints are to place at least one armed staff tion to allow classroom teachers statehouses nationwide this year. likely to create some tension member or law enforcement of- who pass a 148-hour course to Families of the Marjory Stone- when the Florida legislative ses- fi cer at each campus and retrofi t carry concealed fi rearms. man Douglas victims are also sion begins next month. classrooms with “hard corners,” Last year’s law permits some pushing for a 2020 ballot initia- “A lot of those nerves are still which give students a place to school personnel to carry weap- tive to ban semi-automatic rifl es raw, and there are still a lot of de- seek cover from gunfi re. ons, but not in the classroom. similar to the one used in the bates about all of these things,” Since then, the sheriff of Bro- Arming teachers would require 2018 attack. said Max Eden, a senior fellow at ward County was dismissed, new legislation, and a leading Marion Hammer, the National the conservative Manhattan In- a special commission issued a gun-control advocacy group has Rifl e Association’s lobbyist for stitute who is working on a book 458-page report to examine what made stopping that proposal a Florida, said the gun rights group Aalayah Eastmond (centre), a survivor of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School about the shooting with a vic- happened as well as make recom- top priority. has not taken a position on legis- in Parkland, Florida, receives a standing ovation while testifying to the House Judiciary Committee in the tim’s father. mendations and schools across “We don’t want guns in our lation proposed in the state this Rayburn House Off ice Building on Capitol Hill on February 6, 2019. Massive student protests Florida have had nearly a year classrooms,” said Gay Valimont, year. across the country reshaped to implement the law’s require- volunteer leader of the Florida But she chastised Second for last year’s measure. provisions, saying they were not looking at the facts, (lawmakers) the US debate on fi rearms af- ments. chapter of Moms Demand Ac- Amendment supporters in the State Representative Mike Hill, properly vetted. instead let emotional mob rule ter a former student of Marjory Even so, some schools have yet tion For Gun Sense In America, statehouse who “turned their a Republican, is sponsoring a bill “Emotions were running high,” control the day, and they voted Stoneman Douglas High School to fully comply with law. which is funded by billionaire backs on gun owners,” and voted to repeal the 2018 law’s fi rearms Hill said. “Instead of relying on for that measure.” Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 13 ASIA Myanmar cracks down Over 100 drug traffi ckers to on protest against statue surrender in AFP Yangon Bangladesh olice fi red rubber bullets into a crowd of several thousand Pdemonstrators in eastern AFP whom poured across the bor- Myanmar yesterday, activists said, Dhaka der since Myanmar launched as protests mount over a new and what the UN says has de- controversial statue. scribed as ethnic cleansing in The bronze structure depicts ore than 100 sus- August 2017. the father of de facto civilian pected meth traffi ck- Police said those who will leader Aung San Suu Kyi – Aung Mers are expected to surrender will “not receive San – on horseback and was un- surrender to Bangladeshi au- any general amnesty”. veiled early this month in the thorities this week thanks to a “They will be treated ac- capital of Kayah state despite deadly police crackdown that cording to the conventional strong opposition. has sown fear, offi cials said law,” Hossain said. Aung San is widely revered yesterday. Another police offi cial by the majority ethnic Bamar Bangladesh in 2018 said the mass surrender (Burmese) population as an in- launched a “war” on drugs was prompted by the crack- dependence hero for his role following a proliferation of il- down against drug traffi ck- in the struggle against British legal substances in the South ers, which has left nearly colonial rule. Asian nation of 165mn people, 300 people, including 40 But the general, who was as- mostly of cheap methamphet- from Teknaf, dead and some sassinated before independence amine pills called yaba. 25,000 people arrested in 1948, is viewed less favour- Police said those surren- since May. ably among many ethnic mi- dering on February 16 in the “They want to live a normal nority groups, who see him as a southeastern town of Teknaf life. Their profession has be- symbol of Bamar domination. would include drugs traders, come risky due to the ongoing Yesterday, several thousand traffi ckers and several “god- combined operation launched people marched to the Kayah fathers”. by security forces,” Cox’s Ba- state parliament only to be Teknaf is known as the zar deputy police chief Iqbal blocked by police in riot gear, country’s main drug smug- Hossain said. who were lined up behind rolls gling hub and is located in Hossain said some of the of barbed wire. Cox’s Bazar district – home drug traders already named by One protest leader, Myo Hla- to around a million Ro- home ministry in its “list” of ing Win, told AFP by phone that Police block protesters as they gather near a statue of General Aung San during a demonstration in Loikaw yesterday. hingya refugees – bordering drug kingpins are also among 10 people had been injured after Myanmar. those surrendering to the police fi red rubber bullets into after him triggered mass protests fl ashpoint in a larger debate over July, when plans for the statue “No one should spend any “It would be a historic authorities. the crowd. in eastern Mon state in 2017. autonomy. were fi rst announced. Most of time in court or behind bars for event and a great success in According to the Depart- “They attacked unarmed “We want to build statues of His daughter, Suu Kyi, swept those have been detained in the exercising their human rights,” our ongoing fi ght against ment of Narcotics Control, people,” he said. “This should our own heroes, not of the Gen- to power in 2015 elections after last fortnight. Smith said. drugs,” said Masud Hossain, some fi ve million people in not happen under a democratic eral (Aung San),” Myo Hlaing Win nearly half a century of junta- If convicted, they could face Several dozen protesters also Cox’s Bazar police chief, said, Bangladesh are drug users government.” said. rule, vowing to end decades of up to six months in jail while the gathered on Tuesday afternoon likening it to the surrender of with yaba the most popular Images showed medics clean- Local police in Kayah state, confl ict between the military protest leaders could be sen- in central Yangon in solidarity Colombian Medellin cartel substance. The country last ing up blood streaming from located on the border with Thai- and ethnic armed groups fi ght- tenced to up to two years with with those in Kayah state. in 1992. year alone seized a record wounds of dazed-looking pro- land, could not be reached for ing over resources, territory, and hard labour. “Aung San Suu Kyi said she Cox’s Bazar is fl ooded 53mn yaba pills. testers, many dressed in local comment. local control of government. “These protests were peaceful would bring peace,” student ac- with yaba with many of the In October, authorities traditional red woven garments. The protest was symboli- But peace talks have achieved and lawful,” said CEO of Fortify tivist Mu Zu Zen shouted to the Rohingya refugees used as made yaba a class-A banned Statues of Aung San have cally held on Union Day, a public little and resentment over the Rights Matthew Smith in a state- rally in front of a monument to “mules” for carrying the pills. substance and parliament been defaced in border states holiday meant to celebrate the lack of progress has festered. ment over the weekend, calling the country’s independence. The pills have become an passed a law allowing the and the Suu Kyi-led govern- nation’s unity. So far 82 protesters have been for the government to end the “But now our people have easy source of income for the death penalty for dealing the ment’s plan to rename a bridge The statues of Aung San are a arrested in Kayah state since last crackdown. been shot”. Rohingya, some 740,000 of drug. TV channel linked to former Lanka seeks Thailand PM suspended hangmen

Reuters/AFP ting pro-military and royalist featured interviews with two selecting a princess as a candi- to resume Bangkok Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- prime minister candidates from date for prime minister, days af- ocha against a populist move- Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party. ter the move provoked a rebuke ment led by Thaksin and his Voice TV has previously been from her brother, King Maha executions hailand’s telecoms regu- followers, will be the fi rst since shut down twice, two days Vajiralongkorn. lator yesterday suspended a military coup in 2014 and before the 2014 coup, which Thai Raksa Chart on Friday AFP Tthe operating license of comes amid concerns over the brought down Thaksin’s sister, proposed Princess Ubolratana Thai Raksa Chart party leader Preechaphol Pongpanit makes the Colombo a television channel linked to junta’s attempts to crack down then Prime Minister Yingluck as its prime ministerial candi- traditional Thai gesture of respect while speaking to journalists on ousted former prime minister on opponents. Shinawatra, and in 2017. date for March polls, an unprec- arrival at the party headquarters in Bangkok yesterday. Thaksin Shinawatra weeks ahead Voice TV is owned by two Its chief executive, Me- edented bid in Thailand where ri Lanka has started ad- of a general election, citing children of Thaksin, who was kin Petchplai, called the order the royal family is seen as above recommend that Thai Raksa If Thai Raksa Chart is dis- vertising for hangmen, af- national security concerns. ousted in a coup in 2006 and “unfair”, and said the channel the political fray. Chart be disbanded. banded, it will amount to a crip- Ster the president vowed to Two programmes on Voice TV, who has lived in self-imposed would appeal and demand more But Thai monarchs have inter- A contrite party leader pling setback for Pheu Thai – the resume executions for the fi rst Tonight Thailand and Wake Up exile since 2008 to avoid cor- than 100mn baht ($3.19mn) in vened in times of political crisis Preechaphol Pongpanit reiter- country’s most popular party af- time in four decades as part of a News, spread information that ruption charges he says were damages. since 1932 when the country be- ated yesterday his party’s com- fi liated with ex-premier Thaksin hardline anti-drugs crackdown caused public confusion and politically motivated. “When the country is head- came a constitutional monarchy. pliance with the royal command Shinawatra – which had hoped inspired by the Philippines. divisiveness, said the National Takorn Tantasith, the regu- ing towards an election in a few King Vajiralongkorn quashed and said it did everything “sin- to secure a large number of seats Candidates must have “mental Broadcasting and Telecommu- lator’s secretary-general, said weeks, (this) should stop be- the candidacy the same day it cerely with good intentions”. in the lower house to off set the strength” and “excellent moral nications Commission, without the violation was against tel- cause the people need quality, was fi led in a royal command “Above us is His Majesty and junta-appointed senate. character”, according to job ads elaborating. evision broadcasting laws, well-rounded news to inform calling it “highly inappropri- the monarchy,” he told report- The events of recent days placed by prison authorities to “The NBTC ordered Voice TV particularly a section that their decisions on the vote,” said ate”, prompting an immediate ers at the party’s headquarters, have seeded unease in a coun- fi ll long-vacant positions. to improve itself with a suspen- concerns national security and Mekin. reversal from the party. bowing his head and pressing try known for behind the scenes There are two vacancies, and sion of the operating licence for peace and order. A leader of Thai Raksa Chart, The princess was disquali- his palms together in a gesture of plotting. only Sri Lankan men aged be- 15 days,” said Perapong Manakit, Some of the episodes men- a party linked to the power- fi ed on Monday by the Election respect. After rumours swirled of a tween 18 and 45 need apply. one of the commissioners. tioned in a copy of the NBTC ful Shinawatra clan, expressed Commission, which is currently “We are ready to be fresh coup, Prayut dismissed it Sri Lanka has not hanged any The March 24 election, pit- order, published by Voice TV, public contrition yesterday for discussing whether it should investigated.” as “fake news”. convicts since a moratorium on capital punishment was imposed in 1976, but President Maithri- pala Sirisena last week an- nounced plans to resume hang- ings within two months. Vietnam as host to Cambodia PM blasts ‘interference’ Sirisena told parliament he was committed to bringing back the death penalty for drug of- Trump-Kim summit fenders, after vowing a tougher as EU trade restrictions threaten line on spiralling narcotics-re- lated crime, modelled on a crack- positive sign: PM AFP response to elections in Cam- its independence and sover- the reputation of our industry down in the Philippines. Phnom Penh bodia last year held without the eignty for anything”, he wrote will be harmed, and Cambo- Following a visit to the Philip- Reuters ment environment is good, opposition after the Supreme on his offi cial Facebook page, dia’s development will be halt- pines last month, Sirisena said he Hanoi that Vietnam’s development Court dissolved the party in the which has more than 10mn ed,” the Garment Manufactur- wanted to copy President Rodrigo model is going in a right di- ambodian premier Hun run-up to the vote. followers. ers Association in Cambodia Duterte’s controversial strongarm rection and especially that the Sen warned against in- Cambodia is the EU’s sixth “We want to be good friends said in a statement in response. tactics in dealing with illegal drugs. he choice of Vietnam security and safety in Vietnam Cterference in the coun- largest garment supplier and with other partner countries Tariff s on garments will Criminals in Sri Lanka are regularly as host of this month’s is wonderful,” Phuc told gov- try’s aff airs yesterday, his rstfi the industry currently employs that want to see Cambodia rise by 12% and it will more given death sentences for murder, Tsummit between US ernment offi cials at the Hanoi comments since the European more than 700,000 workers, progress without interference than double for footwear ex- rape and drug-related crimes but un- President Donald Trump and Stock Exchange. Union launched steps to cancel according to the country’s fac- in the country’s internal af- ports from eight to 17%, the til now their punishments have been North Korean leader Kim Jong- “Vietnam will demonstrate trade benefi ts that would ham- tory association. fairs,” he added. statement added. routinely commuted to life in jail. un shows the Southeast Asian its international role and do its mer the local garment industry. Analysts say Hun Sen, who He did not explicitly mention The loss of EBA could cost An executioner was in post at the nation is headed in the right di- best to let the word ‘Vietnam’ The bloc announced on Mon- has ruled Cambodia for more the EBA deal, but the country’s Cambodia up to $700mn a year, main prison in Colombo until his rection, Prime Minister Nguy- ring out.” day it would begin a process of than 34 years, is eager to retain ministry of foreign aff airs is- said union leader Pav Sina. retirement in 2014, but attempts to en Xuan Phuc said yesterday. Vietnam’s Foreign Minis- intensive monitoring to decide the trade preferences, but does sued a statement the same day “We fear that investors might replace him failed. Three recruits had Last week, Trump said he ter Pham Binh Minh is visit- whether to suspend duty-free not want to be seen bending to calling the decision from the move to other countries that quit within weeks with no work to do. would hold his second meeting ing North Korea for three days preferences under the “Every- international pressure. bloc an “extreme injustice”. have EBA, so it will aff ect the “Selected candidates will be with Kim in the Vietnamese from February 12 ahead of the thing But Arms” (EBA) deal. In recent months he has re- The EU is still at least a year jobs for Cambodians.” referred to a test conducted at capital Hanoi on February 27 summit. The move would deal a crip- quested pardons for dozens of away from making a decision on The US embassy in Phnom the National Hospital to check and 28. That follows an un- In a statement yesterday, pling blow to Cambodia’s robust activists and opposition mem- whether to scrap the preferences. Penh said in a statement that it the mental strength,” according precedented June 11 summit of North Korean state news agen- garment and footwear industry, bers arrested ahead of the July Union leaders and businesses “shares the EU’s concerns” and to the advertisement. the two leaders in the wealthy cy KCNA confi rmed the Viet- which exports more than $4bn vote, but he has also lashed said the loss would have a dis- called for the charges against The chosen candidates will city state of Singapore. namese delegation had arrived, worth of products to the bloc. out at trade threats in defi ant astrous impact on the industry. Kem Sokha, the leader of the now be off ered a maximum salary of “This important event has but did not provide any details It comes after repeated speeches. “The competitiveness of our dissolved Cambodia National 36,410 rupees ($208) a month and shown that Vietnam’s invest- of their itinerary or agenda. warnings from Brussels and in Cambodia “cannot exchange sector will unduly be put at risk, Rescue Party, to be dropped. will be eligible for a state pension. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Indonesian IS fighter dies in Syria

An Indonesian militant said to be an Islamic State executioner has been killed in Syria, police said Aussie PM suff ers defeat yesterday. Muhammed Saifuddin, also known by his aliases Mohammed Yusop Karim Fais and Abu Walid, was killed by artillery fire from Syrian government forces in mid-January, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said. over refugee medical bill Saifuddin was among three Southeast Asian militants listed AFP ing applause and cheers from symbolic budget vote in 1941 house in December, and will last year as “global terrorists” by Canberra observers in the parliamentary and immediately resigned. return to the Senate for a vote the US government for allegedly viewing gallery in Canberra. Morrison ruled out calling a today after several changes were recruiting foreign fighters to join Morrison lost his parliamen- snap election, saying the vote made to it. the Islamic State. ustralia’s conservative tary majority last year and has was not a no-confi dence mo- It is expected to pass as the Saifuddin was jailed for nine years minority government been relying on crossbench- tion in his government and he coalition does not have the in the Philippines for possession Asuff ered a damaging ers to keep control of the lower was still planning for a national numbers in the upper house to of illegal firearms and explosives. political defeat yesterday, be- House of Representatives. poll in May. block it. He returned to Indonesia in 2013 coming the fi rst administra- But the 75-74 vote – which “These are not matters that The push to speed up medi- upon his release and left for tion in nearly a century to lose came on the fi rst sitting day go to issues of confi dence and cal evacuations was fi rst made Syria with his wife months later, a vote on major legislation of parliament this year – in I don’t consider them in those by independent MP Kerryn Indonesia’s National Counter- and sparking calls for a snap favour of the refugee bill op- terms,” Morrison told reporters Phelps last year after she won Terrorism Agency said. election. posed by the government is in Canberra. the Liberal Party stronghold of Police said Saifuddin had Despite a bruising and highly a blow to the already embat- The bill passed with the sup- Wentworth when former PM appeared in an Islamic State personal lobbying eff ort, Prime tled prime minister and raised port of the main opposition Malcolm Turnbull was ousted propaganda video in 2016 Minister Scott Morrison was questions about whether he Labor Party and crossbenchers in a party coup. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison showing him along with two defeated by MPs who insisted can remain in offi ce. from the left-leaning Greens Since then, the government other militants beheading three refugees held in off shore facili- When the sitting government and independent MPs. had lurched from crisis to cri- seekers sent to Nauru and Pa- the camps for processing and captives. ties have the right to be trans- last lost a vote on substantive Many of the independent sis, and a disastrous showing pua New Guinea, with reports barred them from resettling in ferred to Australia for medical legislation in 1929, then prime MPs have indicated they want in elections in Victoria state of abuse, suicide and lengthy Australia. treatment. minister Stanley Bruce imme- the government to serve its full intensifi ed expectations it is detention periods. Rights groups praised the Tanzanian busted It is the fi rst time in decades diately called an election, and term, which ends in May. heading for defeat in May. Under a harsh policy meant vote, with the Human Rights that an Australian government lost it. The bill, which is an amend- The vote in favour of the bill to deter asylum-seekers from Law Centre calling it a “water- with kilo of meth has lost a vote on a substan- The government of prime ment to government legislation, came amid growing concern reaching Australia by boat, shed moment in refugee politics in stomach tive piece of legislation, spark- minister Arthur Fadden lost a was fi rst passed by the upper about the wellbeing of asylum- Canberra sends arrivals to and Australian history”. A Tanzanian man was arrested in Bali after more than a kilogram of methamphetamine was found inside his stomach, Indonesian authorities said yesterday. Immigration off icials on the Banned Chinese billionaire holiday island - who routinely detain foreigners for drug off ences - said they nabbed Abdul Rahman Asman at the international airport on January 30. calls Australia ‘a giant baby’ An X-ray and CT scan turned up some 99 plastic baggies filled AFP “The growth of a giant baby thorities have not suffi ciently ex- ence in late 2017, amid concerns with white powder that Asman Beijing takes time, and Australia still plained his alleged wrongdoings. over China’s growing infl u- had swallowed, topping a kilo in has a long way to go. I under- “The wording in the docu- ence in the country’s politics, weight, authorities said. stand this,” Huang told China’s ments sent to me has been academia and media. Dozens of the baggies were Chinese billionaire state-run Global Times in an vague. I don’t understand what Huang said relations be- displayed on a table at the customs barred from Australia interview published yesterday. they mean and neither does my tween Canberra and Beijing have off ice yesterday as Asman, 42, was Aon suspicions he is part The property tycoon led one of lawyer and we have had no op- “stumbled over the years” be- paraded before reporters in an of a Communist Party infl u- a series of “reunifi cation councils” portunity to directly challenge cause “in a new era of interna- orange jumpsuit and restrained ence campaign has lashed out that advocate support of Chinese them,” he said. tional relations, Australia has not with hand and leg irons. at Canberra, calling it a “gi- Communist Party policies. Huang said Australian politi- found a position that best meets Indonesia has some of the world’s ant baby” that hasn’t found its Australian intelligence agen- cians from both the Liberal and Australia’s national interest”. strictest drug laws, including place in international politics. cies believe the groups are fronts Labor parties had accepted his He also suggested that Australia execution by firing squad for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin arrives at a hotel in Huang Xiangmo, a long- for infl uence campaigns designed cheques because “they have suff ered from an underlying big- traff ickers. Beijing yesterday. term Sydney resident, had been to skew Australian politics. enough confi dence in the legit- otry, saying that “racism and pop- There are dozens of smugglers on a prominent donor to Austral- China experts and former Aus- imacy of these donations”. ulism have shown signs of rising”. death row, including a cocaine- ia’s two major parties before he tralian intelligence offi cials say Relations between Beijing “If you can treat Chinese mule British grandmother, an was blocked from re-entering the groups take direction from and Canberra have soured af- like this today, you can do the American caught with crystal the country last week - with the Chinese Communist Party’s ter the Australian government same to Jews and Arabs tomor- methamphetamine, and several Top US offi cials his permanent residency visa United Front Work Department. introduced a slew of laws to row. That’s the most dangerous west African inmates sentenced revoked. Huang said Australian au- guard against foreign interfer- thing,” he said. to death for drug crimes. arrive in China for trade talks Mother of dead maid

Reuters answer reporters’ questions. Beijing Washington is expected to keep pressing Beijing on calls for justice long-standing demands that op US offi cials arrived it make sweeping structural in the Chinese capital reforms to protect American Thomson Reuters Foundation Kulasegaran reiterated yesterday dog in a covered car parking area Tyesterday ahead of high- companies’ intellectual prop- Kuala Lumpur that Malaysia was ready to “declare attached to the house. level trade talks as the world’s erty, end policies aimed at war” on human traffi cking and She was found with bruises on two largest economies attempt forcing the transfer of tech- forced labour, adding that a review her face and died from her inju- to hammer out a deal ahead of a nology to Chinese companies, year after the death of an of labour laws was underway. ries the next day. March 1 deadline and avoid an- and curb industrial subsidies. Indonesian maid who was Lisao’s death was among a se- “A year later there is still no A visitor takes pictures of a bonsai displayed at the 8th World other escalation of tariff s. Talks kicked off in Beijing Aforced to sleep outside ries of high profi le migrant abuse justice,” said Glorene Das, exec- Bonsai Convention in Saitama. US Trade Representative with discussions among dep- next to a dog, her mother called cases in Malaysia, which relies utive director of migrant rights Robert Lighthizer and Treas- uty-level offi cials on Monday for justice, as several other cases heavily on foreign workers in group Tenaganita. ury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before minister-level meet- of abuse languish in Malaysia’s sectors from manufacturing to “This is not an isolated case. are scheduled to hold talks ings later in the week. A round courts. plantations and domestic work. We have a number of cases on Thursday and Friday with of talks at the end of January Adelina Lisao’s death sparked Malaysia is offi cially host to fi led in court for unpaid wages, Poignant plea Chinese Vice Premier Liu ended with some progress re- public outrage. Her employers, nearly 2mn migrant workers, wrongful dismissal and deduc- He, top economic adviser to ported – but no deal and US a mother and her daughter, have though some estimates say mil- tions... but these cases just stay President Xi Jinping. declarations that much more been charged in court for murder lions more work in the country there.” If the two sides cannot reach work was needed. and for hiring a foreigner with- illegally, many the victims of Malaysia said last month it after Japanese a deal by March 1, US tariff s on US President Donald Trump out valid documents but progress traffi cking who were duped with was mulling a separate law to $200bn worth of Chinese im- said last week he did not plan with the case has been slow. promises of lucrative pay. protect domestic workers, a ports are scheduled to increase to meet with Xi before the “I have been missing my child Indonesia and Cambodia, key move welcomed by Tenaganita to 25% from 10%. China will March 1 deadline, dampening for a year,” Lisao’s mother, Yo- sources of migrant workers to who say the group is extremely bonsai burglary likely respond by raising tariff s hopes that a trade pact could hana Banunaek, told report- Malaysia, have in the past tem- vulnerable to forced labour due on $60bn worth of US goods be reached quickly. ers yesterday through Skype porarily banned their citizens to the isolated nature of their AFP trees “like our children”. that it announced last year in However, White House sen- from Indonesia’s eastern city of from going to work in Malaysia work in a household. Tokyo “I am fi lled with sadness retaliation. ior counsellor Kellyanne Conway Kupang. as maids after cases of abuse. The US State Department’s and heartache,” she wrote. “We’re looking forward said on Monday a meeting was “She died not because of her Lisao, who was in her 20s, was 2018 Traffi cking in Persons re- Iimura keeps some 3,000 to several important days of still possible soon, telling Fox sickness but because she was rescued from her employer’s port put Malaysia in its Tier 2 Japanese cultivator miniature trees on display at talks,” Mnuchin told reporters News Channel that Trump wants tortured,” she added during a home in Malaysia’s northern Watch List – the second-lowest of bonsai trees ap- the 5,000sq m (6,000sq yard) after arriving at a Beijing hotel. a deal with China, but it must be memorial service to mark Lisao’s state of Penang on Feb. 10 last ranking – for not meeting the Apealed yesterday for garden so that visitors can ap- Lighthizer, who arrived at the “fair to Americans, and American one year death anniversary. year after neighbours reported minimum standards in eff orts to the thieves who made off with preciate bonsai art. hotel earlier in the day, did not workers and American interests”. Human Resources Minister M she had been sleeping next to a eliminate human traffi cking. his expensive potted plants to Since the theft he has take good care of them. installed security cameras. Seiji Iimura, a fi fth-gener- “You know, bonsai is na- ation bonsai cultivator who ture in miniature. Looking at a runs a garden in Kawaguchi, bonsai tree is like walking into north of Tokyo, said the seven a deep mountain while staying China defers NZ event amid concerns of diplomatic rift tiny trees stolen from his gar- at home,” Iimura said. den were his “family treasure”. Bonsai is an Asian art form “It’s something I would of sculpting small trees. Bonsai Reuters “Our relationship with China fi nd dates that would work,” Ar- reports questioned if an Air New around 5G and how that is rolled never sell even if I got 10mn trees often appear as if shaped Wellington is a complex relationship and dern said. Zealand fl ight which was recent- out is governed by a regulation, a yen ($90,000),” he said. by wind or the weight of snow. sometimes it will have its chal- Ties with China have been ly refused entry to China may be process that checks that what- “Of course I hate the thief Sculpting them requires a deli- lenges,” Ardern told TVNZ in an tense under Ardern’s govern- a part of the deteriorating rela- ever decision we make is in the who stole them, but I want cate technique of chiselling hina has postponed a ma- interview. ment which has openly raised tionship, although the airline, best interest of New Zealanders to tell him or her: please pour branches to twist and pull them jor tourism campaign in New Zealand said yester- concerns about Beijing’s grow- the government and Chinese au- data and security,” she said. water on them and please take into shape, all the while bat- CNew Zealand days before its day that an event to launch the ing infl uence in the South Pa- thorities have all said it was due Huawei faces international care of them,” Iimura said. “I tling to keep the tree alive. launch and Prime Minister Jacinda China-New Zealand Year of cifi c, and rejected Chinese tel- to some administrative issue. scrutiny over its ties with the would feel sad if they die.” Exported Japanese bon- Ardern’s visit to Beijing has been Tourism 2019 in Wellington next ecoms giant Huawei’s fi rst local Ardern also dismissed claims Chinese government and suspi- Iimura reported to police last sai trees have become a hit further delayed as concerns mount week was postponed by the Chi- bid to build a 5G mobile network. that the Huawei ban had any im- cion Beijing could use its tech- month that seven bonsai trees, overseas. of strained ties over China’s grow- nese and Ardern told reporters Opposition National Party pact on the diplomatic ties, and nology for spying. worth more than 7mn yen in In 2018, exported ing infl uence in the Pacifi c. that dates for her trip to China, leader Simon Bridges blamed insisted that New Zealand was No evidence has been produced total – including a 400-year- about 12bn yen worth of trees, Ardern yesterday acknowledged planned for the end of 2018, has Ardern and her deputy Winston not pushed into the decision by publicly and the fi rm has repeat- old gnarled juniper – had been bonsai and potted fl owers, up there were ‘complexities’ in the still not been fi nalised. Peters for “steadily deteriorating other countries. edly denied the claims, but the stolen from his garden. from 4.5bn yen about a dec- relationship with China, but dis- “I have been issued with an relations” with China, and said “Some of the issues of Hua- allegations have led several West- His wife Fuyumi wrote in a ade ago, according to data missed concerns of a rift with New invitation to visit China, that the ties were at the worst ever. wei has been raised a couple of ern countries to restrict Huawei’s recent Facebook entry that the published by the agriculture Zealand’s largest trading partner. has not changed. We continue to Opponents and local media times. But actually the decision access to their markets. couple had raised the bonsai ministry. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 15 BRITAIN/IRELAND

TRIAL LEGAL PEOPLE VERDICT DECISION Tattooist admits taking Residents lose viewing Speedboat killer may not Motorist who used gadget Fracking refused at off customer’s ear platform privacy case fight extradition to UK to foil speed cameras jailed second site in Lancashire

A tattooist yesterday pleaded guilty to perform- Residents in glass-walled apartments have lost Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd may no longer fight A BMW driver who attached a ‘laser jam- The government has refused planning permission ing illegal body modifications on clients includ- their bid to stop visitors to the Tate Modern gallery his extradition to the UK, his lawyer has said. Mariam mer’ to his car to dodge speed cameras has for fracking at a second site in Lancashire. Energy ing taking off an ear and splitting a customer’s looking into their homes. The owners of four flats Kublashvili said Shepherd’s legal team would agree been jailed. Businessman Michael Twizell, 58, firm Cuadrilla’s application for Roseacre Wood tongue. Brendan McCarthy, 50, who has no in the Neo Bankside development on London’s to the move if they could ensure his safety in Britain. installed the device to block the signals which was refused by the local council and was the medical qualifications, carried out the surgical South Bank claim the neighbouring gallery’s viewing Shepherd, 31, is being held in a maximum security track how fast cars are travelling. Officers subject of a public inquiry. The company, already procedures at his “Dr Evil” studio in the central platform caused a “relentless” invasion of their pri- jail in Tbilisi, Georgia, having fled the UK before launched an investigation after finding their drilling at nearby Preston New Road, appealed. city of Wolverhampton between 2012 and 2015, vacy. Their claim was dismissed at the High Court. being convicted of the manslaughter of Charlotte equipment recorded an error code when Twiz- But the secretary of state said highway safety prosecutors said. His arrest followed complaints Justice Mann said the claimants have “submitted Brown, 24. Last month, a judge in Georgia ruled ell drove past a police safety camera van on the issues have not been “satisfactorily addressed” about online images of him removing a client’s themselves to a sensitivity to privacy” due to the against a petition to fast-track Shepherd’s extradition A658 near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Twizell and refused planning permission. Cuadrilla said ear. McCarthy later said believed the procedures extensive use of glass walls in their properties. He after his legal team argued he would be tortured in was arrested after police established he was it was “naturally disappointed” with the decision. were lawful because his clients had consented. At added: “These properties are impressive, and no Britain. Yesterday, Kublashvili told the BBC’s Victoria using a device on the front of his BMW 3 Series Lancashire County Council refused permission to Wolverhampton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty doubt there are advantages to be enjoyed in such Derbyshire programme that Shepherd’s legal team that illegally interfered with police cameras. He extract shale gas at both Roseacre Wood and Lit- to three counts of causing grievous bodily harm extensive glassed views, but that in eff ect comes at will make a decision over the next step within 10 was jailed for three months and fined £1,500 at tle Plumpton in 2015 on the grounds of noise and with intent and will be sentenced at a later date. a price in terms of privacy.” days. York crown court after pleading guilty. traff ic impact, but Cuadrilla appealed.

Billboard graffi ti lashes out at Corbyn Anti-Brexit campaigners have turned their attention to Jeremy Corbyn by erecting a largely blank billboard in the Labour leader’s constituency that invites May asks people to write slogans challeng- ing his position. Until now, the guerrilla advertis- ing campaign targeted Tory and Ukip Brexiters with billboards depicting Twitter accounts that highlight the past predictions MPs to hold and statements of politicians, including Theresa May and Boris Johnson. However yesterday morning, the Corbyn billboard – complete with stepladder – appeared opposite Arsenal’s Emirates stadium in nerve on north London. Young Remainers quickly got to work filling it in with slogans demanding another referendum on Brexit. They included Shakira Martin, the National Union of Students president, who wrote: “You have Brexit talks let down the mandem (slang for a group of friends).” Martin, who Guardian News and Media EU’s position that they will not ments to be ratifi ed would be po- arrived with activists from the London reopen the withdrawal agree- tentially waived. For Our Future’s Sake (FFS) cam- ment.” Dominic Grieve, the Tory MP paign, said she felt disappointed Despite that, the prime min- and former attorney general, by Corbyn, whom she had heresa May has appealed ister signalled no changes to her asked May how a departure date supported in successive Labour to MPs for more time to plans, just an extended deadline. of March 29 would work with a leadership campaigns. Tpush Brussels into agree- “So our work continues,” she vote taken at the end of February “He needs to go back to the ing to changes to her Brexit said. “Having secured an agree- or later, given that the Constitu- backbenches because at the deal, in an update to the Com- ment with the European Union tional Reform and Governance moment what we really need is mons that contained no new an- for further talks, we now need Act dictates that treaties cannot leadership and he is not capable nouncements and reiterated her some time to complete that be ratifi ed without a waiting pe- of delivering that.” opposition to a Labour compro- process. The talks are at a crucial riod of 21 Commons sitting days. One of the people behind the mise plan. stage. We now all need to hold May said: “Where there’s in- billboard campaign, which tweets With negotiations over pos- our nerve to get the changes this suffi cient time remaining fol- from the Led By Donkeys ac- sible changes to the Irish border house requires and deliver Brexit lowing the successful meaning- count, said they had chosen the backstop at a crucial stage, par- on time.” ful vote we will make provision location because they believed liament needed to hold its nerve, The main update provided by in the withdrawal agreement bill, Corbyn regularly cycled past. the prime minister said, adding the prime minister was confi r- with parliament’s consent, to “The idea for the design was one that a Brexit motion to be de- mation that the amendable mo- ensure that we’re able to ratify on that came up when we were hav- bated tomorrow would reiterate tion on Brexit to be debated to- time to guarantee our exit in an ing a discussion about how to di- those intentions. morrow will refl ect the words of orderly way.” rect it at Corbyn. We were thinking However, in response, Jeremy the Brady measure. She also con- In the statement, May reiter- about what he has said on Brexit Corbyn said May had off ered fi rmed that if no revised deal was ated her rejection of a customs and then someone just said that MPs only “more excuses and ready to be voted on by February union, which was one of fi ve leaving it blank would best reflect more delays”. 27, a further amendable motion demands made by Corbyn if she what he has done. We mocked By rejecting Labour’s idea of would be tabled. wanted Labour to back her deal. it up and then just went with it,” customs union membership, Answering questions after- She said a customs union would said the activist, one of a group of May had shown she only wanted wards, May laid open the pos- prevent the UK from signing its friends behind the campaign. to “deliberately run down the sibility that a meaningful vote own trade deals and was “a less “We hope Jeremy will take notice clock and play chicken with peo- might take place well into March, desirable outcome than that of this, although this is not really ple’s livelihoods”, the opposition announcing that a usual waiting which is provided for in the po- a protest against him: we want leader said. period for international agree- litical declaration”. the leadership to listen the May’s statement followed talks views of Labour members who last week in Brussels where she Premier has no plans to quit: spokesman are largely in favour of another sought legally binding changes referendum.” to the backstop, as outlined in an Prime Minister Theresa May has International Trade Secretary The slogans included “Our policy, amendment to a Brexit motion no plans to resign this summer, and close friend to the PM, our futures” and “Power to the passed in the Commons at the her political spokesman said told the newspaper. “Liam is people”. One of the activists, end of last month. yesterday, denying reports that convinced she’ll go this summer. Rosie McKenna, 24, said she had The amendment, tabled by the the British leader was ready He says everything the premier voted for Corbyn twice in Labour Tory backbencher Graham Brady, to step aside after Brexit. The has told him suggests that,” the leadership elections but now be- “gave me a clear mandate and Sun newspaper reported that senior Tory source told The Sun. lieved he was not listening to the sent an unequivocal message to May was preparing to resign in “She’s determined to ensure the views of the party’s membership. the European Union”, May said. the summer to have influence right person follows her, and “He promised to do that and Having discussed it with the over who succeeds her. May is she’ll have no say at all if it gets it’s clear now that he is just not head of the European commis- believed to be waiting for Brexit to the stage of forcing her out,” doing it. He’s not listening any sion, Jean-Claude Juncker, May to be resolved before she goes, the source told the newspaper more.” told MPs: “As expected, presi- a source close to Liam Fox, the earlier. Prime Minister Theresa May is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain, yesterday. dent Juncker maintained the Labour to set out plans Welsh sheep farmers to decarbonise UK fear British branding Guardian News and Media lamb and beef, which are worth London £200mn a year in exports, Guardian News and Media ment’s handling of Brexit, which is Cortez and Bernie Sanders. could put the Welsh industry at London at its core deeply pessimistic, with Long-Bailey said Labour was a disadvantage. nothing to say about the future.” determined to move beyond armers and food produc- He said: “The Welsh brand She said a future Labour govern- rhetoric about a green revolution ers in Wales may suff er af- has been developed over a abour is to set out how the ment would oversee an economic and work out exactly how that Fter Brexit if their lamb and number of years for lamb and UK can move swiftly to revolution to tackle the climate could be achieved, and how it beef is marketed under the un- beef, and is widely recognised La decarbonised future to crisis, using the full power of the could translate to new well-paid, ion fl ag rather than with specifi c in the retail and food service in- tackle the unfolding climate cri- state to decarbonise the economy unionised jobs across the UK. Welsh branding, industry chiefs dustry in a number of key mar- sis and put “meat on the bones” and create hundreds of thousands “We’re launching an unprec- have said. kets in Europe, Asia and north of its promise to create hundreds of green jobs in struggling towns edented call for evidence about The body that markets Welsh America. of thousands of high-skilled, un- and cities across the UK. what this means for your town, lamb and beef has expressed “There are a number of ad- ionised green jobs. “We believe that together, we your city, your region,” she said. concern that in some parts vantages in using the Welsh Trade unionists and industry can transform the UK through “We want to bring unions, in- of the world UK red meat is food brand, in that it enables us leaders will come together with a green jobs revolution, tack- dustry, universities, the public viewed negatively. It is keen to tell a distinctive story about academics, engineers and public ling the environmental crisis sector and others together to to make sure that after Britain the quality and provenance of institutions to build detailed re- in a way that brings hope and build this vision out into a prac- leaves the EU there will be a our product. It enables us to gional plans setting out the chal- prosperity back to parts of the tical reality.” Labour says a key clear way to differentiate be- differentiate Welsh lamb and lenges and opportunities ahead. UK that have been held back for plank of its plan will be to ensure tween Welsh red meat and the Welsh beef as a premium prod- The proposal, due to be out- too long.” a “just transition” to high qual- UK-wide product. uct. lined today by Rebecca Long- Last year a UN report said ity green jobs for those currently The use of UK branding within “We are aware of research Bailey, the shadow business there were only 12 years left to working in carbon-emitting in- the food and drinks is a sensitive that suggests that there are secretary, will involve a national avoid the worst impacts of cli- dustries. To do that it will have to issue in Wales and was high- some negative connotations call for evidence and a series of mate breakdown. And this week persuade its trade union backers, lighted at last year’s Royal Welsh to the UK food brand in some regional events to build “a de- a report said insects were facing who represent people in high- Show, when Lesley Griffi ths, the parts of the world, particularly tailed action plan” to maximise extinction, threatening a “cata- carbon industries, that there is a rural aff airs minister, expressed in the context of red meat.” The the benefi ts of moving to a zero- strophic collapse of nature’s eco- viable economic alternative. concern over the proliferation of UK government has said prod- carbon future. systems”, and another said cli- The party hopes that once union fl ags – and lack of Welsh ucts such as Welsh lamb that “A decade of austerity and mate change posed a “systemic the evidence has been collected dragon fl ags. have European GI (geographi- decades of neoliberalism have risk” to the economy and society. it will form the basis of a green Yesterday, Gwyn Howells, cal indication) status will get left many in our country asking: Labour’s pitch echoes the Green paper to be published in autumn the chief executive of Hybu UK GI status after Brexit. To be what is Britain for?” Long-Bailey New Deal that is gaining ground in 2019 at party conference, with Cig Cymru – Meat Promo- compatible with World Trade told the Guardian. “This has been the US, backed by left-wing Dem- plans for how each region might tion Wales – suggested British Organization rules, the scheme brought into focus by the govern- ocrats such as Alexandria Ocasio- move to a decarbonised future. An anti-Brexit protester holds a placard in London, yesterday. branding on products such as will have to be UK-wide. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 BRITAIN Council apologises for misleading residents over tree felling

Guardian New and Media “decay within the stem”. It added lished ruling by the local govern- confusing information, the verac- of street trees and their replace- ing to fell the tree, meaning it did strategy towards street trees and London that an independent surveyor had ment and social care ombudsman ity of the council statement that ments with saplings. not consider the issue of possible to apologise to Ms C for mislead- “confi rmed a decay pocket … as has made a fi nding of fault against “felling is always the last resort” The tree in question had been highway damage. ing her.” well as damage to the highway the council. and their lack of transparency recommended for removal in 2015 The report, which refers to The offi cial strategy for Streets heffi eld council has apolo- network”. A similar e-mail was The ombudsman ruled that the when dealing with the public. as part of its Streets Ahead high- Sally Goldsmith as “Ms C”, said: Ahead – under which about 5,500 gised after a year-long inde- sent to another complainant. contractor, Amey, had “deliber- “This refl ects on the council, ways project. “We fi nd the council at fault for trees have been removed since Spendent investigation found However, Goldsmith subse- ately set out not to reveal the true not only with regard to this tree However, the council rejected not giving its independent tree 2012 and replaced with saplings it “deliberately” misled residents quently used freedom of informa- advice it had received”. but for many threatened trees advice from its own surveyor that panel all its reasons for wanting – said that felling was only con- over the city’s street tree-felling tion laws to get hold of a copy of Goldsmith said the case raises throughout the city.” could save the tree, maintaining it to remove this tree and for a mis- sidered as a “last resort”. But the programme. the surveyor’s report. She found concerns about the council’s ap- The report said the council had was damaging the pavement. Two leading reply to an enquiry from ombudsman said the evidence in A resident, Sally Goldsmith, the report had actually recom- proach to the wider felling pro- accepted the fi ndings while not- attempts were made to fell the tree Ms C. this case to support this claim was questioned the decision to remove mended the tree be retained, that gramme. Campaigners believe ing the authority had said it was but were frustrated by protesters. “We consider the faults have “far from convincing”. an alder tree in Aldam Way, Totley, decay was healing well and that many trees have been removed under “exceptional pressure” due The ombudsman said one of caused uncertainty about wheth- The council has agreed to pro- and was told by a council contrac- pavement damage was “minor”. unnecessarily. to public protests over its wider the council’s faults in the case was er the tree needs removing. The vide written apologies to resi- tor in August 2017 that removal Her complaint has been up- She said: “I’m also pleased tree-felling policy, which in- failing to give the independent council has agreed to reconsider dents and said it would retain the was recommended because of held. A soon-to-be offi cially pub- they raised real concerns over the volved the removal of thousands panel all of its reasons for want- its decision as part of its new tree “if possible”. Charles tours theatre production Man wins fi t-for-work appeal months after death

Guardian News and Media that still wasn’t good enough – London until I went (to the upper tribu- nal), when it was good enough.” Ribble Valley Citizens Advice he family of a man who said Hayward was anxious ahead spent the last 18 months of of his disability benefi t appeal This life fi ghting a decision tribunal due to take place on that he was fi t to work has won July 4 last year. His daughter is his case – seven months after he clear that the stress did not kill died. him but equally adamant that “it Jeff Hayward, from Clitheroe, didn’t help”. Lancashire, was 52 when he died She said her father, who Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, walks with Annie Spears, the producer of the immersive theatre production, The Alice Experience, as he tours the production during a of a heart attack in June last year, worked as a warehouse man, visit to St George’s Hall in Liverpool, north west, England, yesterday. The Alice Experience is a walkthrough immersive family production based on Alice’s Adventures in two weeks before he was due to had never previously claimed Wonderland. go to a disability benefi t appeal benefi ts but he lost his job when tribunal. he had painful ulcers and large The father-of-two and grand- patches on his skin through father had cellulitis – a pain- which his veins were visible. ful bacterial skin infection – on Overturning the original de- his legs and his GP deemed him cision, the upper tribunal found unfi t to work. Nevertheless, in that Hayward could not walk November 2016, after losing his more than 50 metres. job of more than 25 years, he was His daughter said: “If you refused employment support al- had a problem, everyone went lowance (ESA) after a health as- to my Dad. He’d help everyone Millions of elderly hit as sessor awarded him no disability out, everyone loved my Dad, he points. was amazing. It was hard (fi ght- He went through fi ve stages ing his case) but I just wanted of applications and appeals, ac- to get it for my dad because of cording to Ribble Valley Citizens all the stress they had put him Advice, which assisted him. But through.” it was only last month that his Work capability assessments, cashpoints disappear daughter Holly, who took up his used to ascertain eligibility for case after his death, was told he ESA, have been dogged by com- Guardian News and Media £2.2bn – adding up to more than linked to internet banking and object to the idea of it being tor to oversee these changes and was entitled to the highest rate plaints that they are inaccurate, London £100bn a year. However, almost electronic payments aff ecting phased out. ensure no one is excluded.” of ESA. bureaucratic and have a negative 3,000 were lost in the six months millions of customers showed But banks are killing off cash as Mike Cherry, of the Federation His family will have been paid impact on claimants. Statistics to December 2018 – more than the importance of access to cash it is cheaper for them to process of Small Businesses, said: “The his backdated benefi ts but re- published in 2015 showed that lmost 500 cashpoints are half of which had been free to for vital household bills. electronic payments rather than rapid pace of bank and cashpoint mains angry about the stress almost 90 people a month were being axed each month, use, according to research by the Recent problems involving having to handle, count, trans- closures is hurting small busi- Hayward was put through and dying after being declared fi t for Aleaving millions of Brit- Which? consumer group. TSB, Visa and other fi nancial port, and guard notes and coins. nesses. Millions of small fi rms that the decision was overturned work. ons struggling to withdraw At the same time, banks are fi rms left people unable to pay Travel organisations such as have customers who want to pay on the basis of the same medical Katy Marshall, the Ribble Val- money from their banks. closing more branches to cut for petrol, groceries or restau- Transport for London refuse to using notes and coins. The ma- evidence he had previously sub- ley Citizens Advice manager, The cash crisis has led to de- costs, with more than 3,300 rant meals. take cash, making it impossi- jority of shoppers either use cash mitted. said: “This is far from being an mands for ministers to set up a being axed since 2015. Con- Some Lloyds customers faced ble to buy a ticket with coins or frequently or want to see access Holly Hayward said: “For isolated case as sadly we see watchdog to protect access to sumer campaigners and small ‘intermittent issues’ on Monday notes. to it maintained. Bank branches someone who was genuinely many very incapacitated people withdrawals as the machines are businesses say that despite the when trying to log on to its on- Jenni Allen, of Which? Money, and cashpoints create a natural ill, worked all their life, never who struggle to appeal against a fi nancial lifeline to much of the increased popularity of dig- line banking system, while last said: “The alarming rate of cash- draw for high streets. They give asked for a penny (previously), it the decision that they are fi t for population. ital payments using contact- month, hundreds of thousands point and bank closures risks shoppers a reason to visit. made him feel worthless. He was work. We often hear: ‘But my The elderly in particular rely less cards or mobile phone apps of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of leaving people facing an uphill “When bank branches and stressed and depressed, it made doctor says I can’t work. How on them to pay their bills. such as Apple Pay, having access Scotland customers were unable battle to access the cash they cashpoints are lost, local growth him feel worse than he already can they say that I can?’ They The nation’s 63,000 hole-in- to cash remains a necessity for to make payments from their rely on. Cash is also a vital back- often takes a hit. It’s time for a did. can and they do – it is a cruel and the-wall machines process more more than 25mn Britons. online accounts. up as fallible digital payments regulator to be given responsi- “He had two letters the GP had unfair system for a great many than 50mn transactions a week Which? said repeated IT The Which? research shows grow in popularity. So the gov- bility for protecting access to written to them and obviously people.” with a total value of more than problems and systems failures most Britons still use cash and ernment must appoint a regula- notes and coins.”

Hospital fire Arts bodies slow to Iranian couple given become diverse: study

Guardian News and media over two years. That compares leave to remain in UK to a BME fi gure of 16% in the UK London working population and nearer to Guardian New and Media “indentured servitude”. parents to one of their grand- 40% in London. Only 5% of staff London Placing the blame on the 2012 children, a non-verbal teenager rts organisations in Eng- at major partner museums are changes made by Theresa May with severe autism who requires land are “treading water” not white, “a longstanding issue when she was home secretary, constant supervision. Their help Awhen it comes to improv- which urgently needs address- he Home Offi ce has aban- Vassiliou said the couple now face enables the boy’s mother – a sin- ing the diversity of their leaders ing”, the report says. doned its battle to separate a bill of around £20,000 in Home gle parent – to continue her work and workers, with progress par- The total percentage of disa- Ta couple from their four Offi ce fees to turn their new in- as an NHS nurse. ticularly slow for disabled people. bled workers across the national British children, 11 grandchildren defi nite leave to remain status More than 127,800 people had An annual statistical report, portfolio has increased from 4% and a great-grandchild by forcing into that of British citizens. signed a petition on change.org published yesterday by Arts to 5% and is static at 4% for muse- them to return to Iran. This sum excludes the £2,622 calling on the Home Offi ce to al- Council England (ACE), showed ums. That is despite 20% of adults The climbdown happened a cost of their applications up to low the couple to stay in the UK slow progress in representation of in England identifi ed as having a month after the Guardian broke now and all their legal fees. and they have now been given people from a black and minor- work-limiting disability. the story of the government’s at- “This is the price of a human leave to remain. ity ethnic (BME) background, and The female workforce in tempts to force the 83-year-old rights visa,” said Vassiliou. “This “We’ve been given the world, barely any progress in the area of the national portfolio has fallen great-grandfather, Rezvan Ha- is the price that all those granted everything, words cannot express disabled employees. from 55% in 2015 to 50% but ACE bibimarand, and 73-year-old leave to remain in the UK on hu- how happy and grateful we are not Nicholas Serota, the ACE chair, says the gender data refl ects a fall great-grandmother, Mozaff ar man rights grounds must face. to be separated from and be able said compiling the data was not in “unknown” responses. The Saberi, out of the country. “Over the last few years, costs to still see our grandchildren and an exercise in box-ticking. “It dis- number of female chief executives The case of the couple, who have risen to a level tantamount children,” said Habibimarand. closes the success or failure of the has risen from 40% to 51% over bought their fl at in Edinburgh in to binding ‘successful’ applicants “I am also happy that those arts and culture sector to take seri- the last three years, and female 1978, was raised in the House of to 10 years of indentured servi- who believed in human rights and ously the challenge we all face as a artistic directors are up from 28% Commons and more than 127,000 tude to the Home Offi ce, all in the helped and supported us based society. In some respects there are to 46%. people had signed an online peti- name of continuing to remain in on the true nature of these rights improvements; in others we are Abid Hussain, the diversity di- tion calling for them to be allowed the UK after it has already been helped us overcome this plight,” still treading water. In all areas, we rector of ACE, said progress was to stay in the UK. accepted that their removal would said Saberi. “We hope nobody intend to do more.” being made. “The key message The family are delighted but breach the UK’s human rights ob- gets separated or be in a situation The data covers the 663 arts for me is that we’re heading in the their lawyer, John Vassiliou, a ligations,” he added. to fear this separation from their organisations in ACE’s national right direction but how do we ac- partner at McGill & Co Solici- The couple live near their children and grandchildren in the portfolio and 21 museums. celerate the pace of that change?” tors, has accused the Home Of- close-knit family in Edinburgh future anywhere in the world. The Firefighters attend to a fire at the George Bryan Centre at the It shows: He pointed to the rising number fice of forcing families into a and depend heavily on their daily pain caused by this fear is insur- Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Tamworth, central England. A slight rise in the BME of BME people being appointed to long and ruinously expensive support. But they also act as co- mountable.” workforce, up to 12% from 10% lead arts organisations. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 17 EUROPE Lawmakers back bill to isolate Russian Internet

By Maria Antonova, AFP It proposes creating a centre to Russian legislators move to ban soldiers from using smartphones while on duty scale of the potential threat from Moscow “ensure and control the routing Washington. of Internet traffi c” and would re- Russian lawmakers have backed a bill that would said it aimed to ensure “national security” in the The bill warns that foreign secret services and “This isn’t kindergarten!” quire Internet Service Providers ban soldiers from using smartphones while on “sphere of information” and to cover information “terrorist” organisations are interested in the said Andrei Lugovoi, one of the awmakers have backed a (ISPs) to install “technical meas- duty to post online or give information to media. that is not classed as a military secret. activities of Russian troops, particularly those key suspects in the 2006 mur- bill that could cut off Rus- ures to withstand threats”. The move comes after journalists have used The bill bans troops from carrying “electronic who are serving in Syria, where Russia has been der of Kremlin critic Alexander Lsia’s Internet traffi c from It also mandates regular photos and videos posted on social media by devices” that can post video and photos online carrying out a military intervention since 2015 to Litvinenko in Britain. foreign servers, a move critics say “drills” to test whether Russia’s troops to gain information on Russia’s military or reveal their geo-locations. back President Bashar al-Assad. “All of the websites in Syria” is a step towards censorship and Internet can function in an iso- involvement in Syria and in Ukraine – where Kyiv It bans troops, conscripts and reservists from The bill’s backers say that information posted have been turned off by the US possibly an isolated network like lated mode. and its Western allies say Moscow gives military informing media or putting information online online or given to media could be used to form before, he claimed. in North Korea. Internet freedom activists say backing to pro-Russian separatists. that reveals they or others are in the military, a “prejudiced view of Russia’s government poli- Lugovoi said the Internet’s The bill passed its fi rst reading that the bill is another censorship The Russian military has long sought to limit describes their duties or gives their location. cies”. “root servers” – which act as by 334 votes to 47 after an unu- bid following previous eff orts in troops’ use of social media to avoid information It also bans giving out information about the Soldiers who broke the law could be given early a sort of backbone structure – sually heated debate in the lower Russia to control global social leaks. actions of military commanders or the locations discharge. are located “in the Pentagon, in house State Duma, where many networking platforms and block The Meduza independent news site wrote that of military headquarters. Basic mobile phones without cameras will not be Nasa, in Amsterdam”, while Rus- lawmakers from minority par- the Telegram messenger service. with the bill “we will know less about hazing and MPs in the State Duma voted on the key second banned, and troops will still be able to use smart- sian authorities have no idea how ties criticised the proposed law Though the bill claims to ad- the military in Ukraine”. reading of the bill, which will be followed by a phones while off -duty, the first deputy chief of traffi c is routed even within Rus- as vague and too costly. dress external threats, it would The defence committee of the State Duma lower final reading, a senate vote and then a signing by the defence committee, Andrei Krasov told Tass sia. Authors of the initiative say just be another law that “permits house of parliament, which wrote the legislation, President Vladimir Putin. state news agency. If passed, the law could make that Russia must ensure the se- limiting rights and freedoms it possible to cut Russia off from curity of its networks after US on the Internet” in Russia, said the global Web, or to initiate an President Donald Trump un- Artyom Kozlyuk, who heads will be slower and more expen- Taking questions on the fl oor, from some minority party law- would build the technical infra- Internet blackout in an isolated veiled a new American cyberse- Roskomsvoboda, a group that sive,” Kozlyuk said. the authors of the bill were un- makers. structure required to support the region if it is rocked by unrest or curity strategy last year that said campaigns against Internet reg- While some critics have said able to estimate the long-term “How many of you are IT legal provisions. opposition, said Andrei Soldatov, Russia had carried out cyber-at- ulation. Russia is considering creating a costs, say what threats it would experts here, raise your hand. “Russia doesn’t manufacture who co-authored a book on the tacks with impunity. He believes measures outlined China-style fi rewall, it would be repel, or even explain how it One? Then how can we vote for any IT hardware except cables, history of Internet surveillance The bill aims to put in place in the bill could cost more than cheaper and easier to adapt the would work. a bill we don’t understand?” said maybe some people should hang in Russia. “defence mechanisms to ensure 100bn roubles ($1.5bn) per year, North Korean model of a nation- They said expert opinions Valery Gartung of the left-wing themselves on them,” shouted “This is very serious,” he said, the long-term stable functioning from both public and private cof- wide intranet, he said. “North could be incorporated into the Just Russia party. MP Sergei Ivanov of the nation- adding that it seemed the bill had of Internet networks in Russia” fers. Korea’s experience shows that a bill for its second reading. Others predicted that it would alist LDPR. offi cial support “so the chances if the US takes action in cyber- “De facto, it will have a serious totally autonomous Internet is The vagueness of the proposal trigger a dysfunctional “Internet One of the bill’s authors dis- that it will become law are very space to threaten them. economic eff ect ... everything possible.” sparked unusual exasperation Brexit”, or wondered how Russia missed the criticism, citing the high”.

With despair and hope, Berlin fi lm festival tackles climate change Italy PM calls for By David Courbet, AFP Berlin

rue to its nature as a socially-conscious fi lm Tfestival, this month’s Berlinale showcases a string a fairer Europe of unfl inching climate change documentaries raising the alarm Reuters excluded from power in Rome by about mankind’s destructive be- Strasbourg the rise of the populist League haviour while proposing some and 5- Movement (M5S) solutions. coalition, lined up to criticise Among the Berlin festival’s talian Prime Minister Conte’s government. highlights is Anthropocene: Giuseppe Conte has called They objected to Rome’s the Human Epoch, fi lmed over Ifor a less austere Euro- straying from eurozone budget three years on six continents, pean Union more in tune with rules, passing measures against with stunning panoramic shots popular demands for economic asylum-seekers, or siding with to show the devastating and at growth, but he faced a barrage Russia to thwart EU support for times terrifying ways humans of criticism after his keynote the opposition in Venezuela. have altered their landscape. speech in the EU legislature. The sharp exchanges with a “We have reached an unprec- Speaking to the European prime minister who, as an aca- edented moment in planetary British actress Tilda Swinton and her daughter actress Honor Swinton Parliament in Strasbourg as part demic and political novice, is history. Humans now aff ect the Byrne pose for photographers during a photocall for the film The of a series of contributions by seen as the moderate face of a Earth and its processes more Souvenir at the 69th Berlinale film festival. national leaders to a debate on government dominated by radi- than all other natural forces the future of the Union, Conte cal voices, illustrated themes combined,” said Jennifer Ba- gargantuan industrial machines from more solar energy and elec- stressed the continued com- that will be aired in elections ichwal, the fi lm’s Canadian co- deployed to hollow out the earth tric cars to “greenifying” cities, mitment of Rome’s populist to the EU assembly this coming director. or move mountains in the inter- farming at sea and reducing in- government to EU integration May. From concrete seawalls built to est of mining. equality. – a commitment some doubted While Conte himself reject- preserve the Chinese coast to the “You have to wonder what To achieve this, “it is going to after the coalition’s election last ed charges from the fl oor that pockmarked moonscapes created people will think in 40 or 50 take a monumental eff ort from year. he was a mere “puppet” of the by Germany’s coal mines, rising years from now about the things all facets of society”, Gameau told However, in renewing Italian League and M5S, his far-right sea levels in Venice and deforest- we’re doing today,” Geyrhalter, AFP at the festival. calls for more fl exibility in euro- Interior Minister Matteo Sal- ation in Nigeria, the fi lm shines who also directed the 2005 food “We know that 50% of emis- zone budget rules, common debt vini, leader of the League, also an unforgiving spotlight on man- industry documentary Our Daily sions come from the wealthiest instruments for the EU currency leapt to his defence. kind’s footprint on the planet. Bread, said at the Berlin fi lm fes- 7% of the population, and that area, an EU unemployment fund He called it “shameful” that Calls for increased awareness tival. “Technology progresses 71% of emissions come from and a change in rules intended “European bureaucrats” had come as the United Nations con- faster than people can really just 100 companies. Perhaps this to avoid new bank collapses, he “insulted” not just the premier fi rmed last week that the past comprehend.” can narrow our focus?” added said that years of austerity had but all Italy. four years were the warmest on In Earth, he singles out the Gameau, who made his name driven a wedge between elites “The European elites (are) record, fuelled by a rise in emis- environmental blunder that hap- with 2014’s Sugarland about the and people that endangered the against the choices of the peo- sions of man-made greenhouse pened at a former salt mine in insidious eff ects of sugar on our Union. ples,” Salvini said in a state- gases. Wolfenbuettel, central Germa- bodies. “The powerful opposition ment. “Prepare the crates. On Other startling statistics reveal ny, which was turned into a site Also opting for a more op- that the European people, in its May 26, the people will fi nally human activities have pumped for storing nuclear waste in the timistic take on tackling the various forms, is demonstrating send these folks packing.” more than 390bn tonnes of cli- 1970s. planet’s woes is The Biggest Little in the face of the elites speaks After weeks of tension with mate-altering carbon emissions After residents were reas- Farm, which chronicles US di- to our consciences and reminds France after senior fi gures in into the atmosphere since the sured the move was totally safe, rector John Chester and his wife us that politics, too assertive on his government hailed protest- Industrial Revolution, while the it emerged decades later that Molly’s battle to turn a drought- economic rationales, has not ers opposed to President Em- amount of plastic produced has experts had underestimated the hit, supposedly infertile piece done its homework and has giv- manuel Macron, Conte off ered Conte: The powerful opposition that the European people ... is soared from 2mn tonnes annually risks of groundwater contamina- of land near Los Angeles into a en up on its mission,” Conte told a veiled rebuff to French com- demonstrating in the face of the elites speaks to our consciences. in 1950 to around 300mn today. tion, prompting years of political thriving, sustainable farm – with the assembled lawmakers. plaints, which culminated in Nevertheless, climate change and scientifi c wrangling on how a little light relief from Emma the Insisting that his administra- recalling the French envoy from UN Security Council. on high borrowing and slow scepticism persists with lead- best to decommission the site. pig and Greasy the rooster. tion is keeping its “accounts in Rome. Barring soon-to-be ex-EU growth. ers like US President Donald Cutting through the bleakness, The moving portrayal of a pair order”, Conte said it is also seek- “We should not be afraid of member Britain, France is the Socialist leader Udo Bull- Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro the Berlin festival also off ered eco of idealists searching for balance ing to stimulate growth. confl ict. We should show that bloc’s lone voice on the global mann accused Rome of showing doubting mankind’s responsibil- documentaries that give a more with Mother Nature, and the tri- He called for the EU to end we can control it,” Conte said. body. “the ugly face of inhumanity” ity for global warming. hopeful view of the future. als that they encounter along long arguments over how to “We should not oppose change Over nearly three hours of de- toward-asylum seekers landing However, even countries that Australian director Damon the way, makes the case for eco- handle migrants arriving by with sterile and damaging con- bate, tempers fl ared at times. on Italy’s shores. acknowledge the human impact, Gameau’s 2040, conceived as friendly agriculture and livestock sea across the Mediterranean servatism. Instead, we should Anti-EU members spoke in Speaking Italian, former Bel- like Germany, are struggling to a visual letter to his four-year- farming free from pesticides and – a longstanding Italian com- allow confl ict to emerge, to Conte’s defence and the cham- gian prime minister Guy Ver- meet targets for reducing carbon old daughter, explores what the drugs. plaint – and to play a stronger, demonstrate – in democratic ber’s speaker had to ask his fel- hofstadt, the liberal leader, said dioxide emissions. world could look like in the near “Obviously I don’t think that more united role in global aff airs forms – its propulsive force.” low Italians to mind their lan- that his “love for Italy”, a found- In Earth, Austrian fi lmmaker future if people adopted the best we alone or any one farm alone while maintaining dialogue with On a day when Rome also ir- guage. ing member of the EU, made it Nikolaus Geyrhalter focusses technologies and practices al- can change the climate crisis. But other powers such as the United ritated Paris by questioning the Manfred Weber, German “painful” for him to see what he on our insatiable appetite for ready available to save the planet I think that if we each do our part States, Russia and China. need for a new Alpine rail link, leader of the main conservative called the country’s “political nature’s resources by turning a – and asks children what changes for the ecosystem then that will However, leaders of main- Conte appeared to tweak French bloc in the European Parlia- disintegration” that began with critical lens on the tools used to they want to see. be how we solve the problem,” stream political groups, whose interests by calling for a com- ment, accused Conte of run- the administrations of conserv- alter the world’s geology, like the The solutions proposed range said the farmer-fi lmmaker. Italian allies found themselves bined EU permanent seat on the ning an economic policy based ative Silvio Berlusconi.

Belgium closes airspace due to strike

Belgian airspace is to be closed to all flights below 8,000m today as a national strike threatened to bring the European country to a standstill. Hungarian scientists protest govt ‘attack on science’ With “no certainty” on how many controllers would be following the strike movement, Belgium’s Skeyes air traff ic control agency said it is “forced to prohibit” national air traff ic until 10pm (2100 GMT) today. Reuters media, the economy, as well as The academy, which carries trate their resources.” He last clashed with the edu- No aircraft flying below 8,000m altitude – the area controlled by Skeyes Budapest education and now scientifi c re- out scientifi c research using a The protesters in Budapest cation establishment over the – will be allowed to fly over the country, Dominique Dehaene, the search. network of specialised research held up signs saying “MTA is not Central European University company’s spokesman, told AFP. “The current situation, which institutions, is solely funded by an ATM”. (CEU), founded by billionaire Government, military and emergency flights will be allowed, he added. ungarian scientists held keeps 5,000 MTA researchers the government, receiving 40bn They brought scientifi c books George Soros, which said it was Above 8,000 metres, a control centre in the Dutch city of Maastricht books above their heads and staff in an existential and forints ($142mn) a year. with them, which they held aloft forced out of the country. controls aircraft flying over Belgian territory. Has they protested yester- scientifi c limbo, threatens the Orban posted an open let- in a reminder of the importance Physicist Zoltan Berenyi said day against government plans to future of the entire Hungarian ter on his website yesterday, in of independent science. that the MTA may have proved reorganise the Hungarian Acad- scientifi c community,” academy which he addressed some of the Orban’s move to revamp vari- to be too independent for Orban. Catalan separatists’ rebellion trial starts emy of Sciences (MTA)’s re- workers said in a statement on criticism levelled at his plans. ous parts of society have drawn “We see that in today’s Hun- search and funding to try to reap their website. “The guarantee to generate criticism from international gary many things can be done Catalan separatist leaders accused of rebellion for trying to make their more economic benefi ts. The government last year de- economic benefi ts from knowl- partners, including a resolution even in the university and sci- region independent from Spain launched their defence yesterday at the Prime Minister Viktor Orban, cided to reroute funds from the edge is still missing from the re- in the European Parliament last entifi c fi elds. We see what hap- start of a long-awaited trial at Madrid’s Supreme Court. a conservative leader who came MTA, and last month it launched search and innovation system,” year to sanction Hungary for pened to the CEU,” he said. “One Twelve defendants are in the dock over an independence referendum, to power in 2010, has tightened a tender for the funds instead of Orban wrote. “The increase of fl outing EU rules on democracy, thing I am certain this isn’t is an held on October 1, 2017, in defiance of a court ban, and a short-lived his control of Hungarian pub- allowing research institutions to domestic industry’s added value civil rights and corruption. attempt to make research more declaration of independence. lic life, such as the courts, the allocate them as they saw fi t. is possible only if they concen- Orban has rejected that. effi cient.” Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 INDIA

CONTROVERSY PROTEST INVESTIGATION TRIBUTE LIFESTYLE Karnataka BJP seeks judicial Jharkhand police demand Court nod for lie-detector Vajpayee portrait unveiled Swiggy launches Stores for probe into audio tape 13 months’ salary test of actor’s friends in Central Hall of Parliament grocery, medicine delivery

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka unit Around 70,000 police in Jharkhand yesterday A Kerala court yesterday granted permission President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday unveiled In a bid to challenge the dominance of online yesterday sought a judicial inquiry into an audio launched a protest demanding that the to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to a life-size portrait of former prime minister Atal fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) delivery tape in which state assembly Speaker K R Ramesh government meet their seven-point demands, conduct lie-detector tests on seven friends of late Bihari Vajpayee in the Central Hall of Parliament. platforms like Grofers and Big Basket, food Kumar’s name figured in an alleged conversation including 13 months’ salary in a year. “We Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani. On February Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister delivery app Swiggy yesterday launched between party leader B S Yeddyurappa and Janata have started our phase-wise agitation and 8, Jaff er Idukki, Sabumon and five others had Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra “Stores” – a platform to allow users to Dal-Secular legislator Naganagouda Kandakur’s will wear a black ribbon while on duty. If the presented themselves before the Ernakulam Mahajan, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya order groceries, medicines and other daily son Sharanagouda. “The speaker should order state government does not consider our Chief Judicial Magistrate, off ering to undergo the Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former prime ministers amenities. “Swiggy Stores extends the option a House committee probe or judicial inquiry demands, we will sit on fast from February 20,” tests as demanded by the CBI that is probing the Manmohan Singh and H D Devegowda and of ordering food from nearby restaurants to into the audio tape as we do not trust the (state) said Jharkhand Police Association president popular actor’s death in 2016. According to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran L K Advani ordering anything from any store across your government to hold a fair probe by its police Yogendra Singh. “The policemen will then go guidelines, the test can take place only with the were present at the unveiling. Kovind said that city,” Sriharsha Majety, co-founder and CEO monitored SIT,” BJP legislator J C Madhuswamy on leave four days from February 28,” Singh concurrence of those who are to undergo it. Mani, Vajpayee will always be remembered for his of Swiggy wrote in a blog-post. With Stores, said in the assembly amid ruckus between the added. The police launched the agitation after 45, who acted in some 200 films in Malayalam decisive leadership during challenging situations Swiggy aims to connect people to every store, ruling and opposition members. Madhuswamy’s their meeting with the state home department and other languages, was admitted to a hospital including the 1998 nuclear test and the Kargil retailer or brand – both online and offline – and colleague Suresh Kumar said his party feared a on Monday failed to reach a consensus. in Kochi on March 4, 2016 for an alleged liver war. Modi said there was equal power in the deliver goods to people’s doorsteps. “We’re Special Investigation Team probe would lead to a However, the state government has agreed ailment. He died two days later. Forensic experts former leader’s speeches as well as in his silence. taking our first step by launching across witch hunt against its members. “Hence, we urge a on some demands, including payment of 13 said an insecticide was found in the actor’s blood “His communication skills were unparalleled and Gurugram and will deliver from over 3,500 judicial probe into the audio tape,” Kumar said. months’ salaries in a year. but the police failed to crack the case. he had a great sense of humour,” he said. stores across the city,” Majety added. Camps set up at Kumbh Mela to protect children from traffi ckers

Reuters Many families believe that be- Lucknow cause they are in a place of faith, that God will protect them, so often ignore safety checklists, amps to protect children anti-traffi cking campaigners from human traffi ckers added. Chave been set up for the Practices to protect children fi rst time at the world’s biggest that were fi rst developed by the religious festival, the Kumbh Aangan Trust and used in two Mela in Uttar Pradesh state. separate religious fairs in Bihar During the event, as many as and Uttar Pradesh in 2018, have 150mn people are expected to now become the template at the visit the festival city of Praya- Kumbh Mela. graj to bathe at the confl uence At the seven booths, housed Relatives of victims who died in an early morning hotel blaze wait at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi yesterday. of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and near the temporary ashrams a mythical third river, the Saras- where pilgrims stay, a database wati, from January 15 to March of all children visiting the event 31. will be maintained. “In the melee, it is very easy Each child will also be given a for a child to just disappear,” said detailed identifi cation card that Subedar Singh, a campaigner includes the exact ashram where with anti-traffi cking charity their family are staying. Pragati Gramodyog Evam Samaj The Kumbh Mela has always 17 dead as fi re sweeps Kalyan Sansthan. had lost and found booths to “Thousands of children, par- help reunite lost children and the ticularly girls between 12-15 elderly with their families. years old, are left behind by their But often children are unable families to take care of the eld- to remember the name of the erly, who spend up to a month ashram where they are staying or here. These girls are always at their parent’s telephone number, through hotel in Delhi risk,” he told the Thomson Reu- said police offi cer Neeraj Pandey, ters Foundation yesterday. who is in-charge of the security Agencies dra Jain told reporters that rules brought under control and that of 13 from Kerala who had come also told news portal The Quint Armed with temporary iden- at the Kumbh Mela. New Delhi were fl outed to construct extra 35 people were rescued by fi re- to Delhi for a wedding. Fires are about her ordeal. tity cards and pamphlets, Singh “Children are often confused fl oors, with a terrace being used fi ghters in an operation lasting common across India because “I saw everything was in and a group of volunteers have when they are brought to the as an open air restaurant. several hours and involving at of poor safety standards and lax fl ames. I screamed for help but helped set up seven camps to booths and we spend many days t least 17 people died He also directed the fi re de- least 25 fi re engines. enforcement of regulations. nobody could help. I spotted keep track of children who travel trying to locate their families,” when a fi re ripped partment to inspect other “There was wooden panelling Activists say builders and a wire outside and thought I with their families to attend the said Pandey. Athrough a budget hotel in buildings in the congested area on corridors because of which landlords often amend building could climb down with its help. eight-week festival. Parents at the event have Delhi yesterday, prompting au- and fi le a report within a week. people could not use corridors plans to add space, and ignore However the wire broke after I Religious congregations are often complained about ado- thorities to launch a safety check Three Myanmar citizens stay- to evacuate,” another fi re offi cer safety norms to save costs. reached the fi rst fl oor. I fell down an integral part of Indian cul- lescent girls who have gone of other buildings in the vicinity. ing at the hotel were missing, the told reporters. Many commercial establish- and fractured my hip. I stayed in ture but are becoming dangerous missing, though no human traf- Victims included a woman NDTV network reported. Police said they were investi- ments in the city lack emergency this hotel for one night and this places for children and thou- fi cking cases have ever been fi led and a child who jumped from a Most of the guests were gating the cause, and a judicial exits or fi re fi ghting equipment. happened to me,” she said. sands are reported missing each to date, he added. window to escape the blaze that sleeping at the time the fi re probe has been ordered into the Jain said hotels and similar Prime Minister Narendra year, child rights campaigners The police have also for the broke out before dawn at the broke out and suff ocated to latest disaster to raise concerns establishments were not sup- Modi said he was “deeply sad- say. fi rst time set up a fully compu- budget Hotel Arpit Palace. death. Four people were injured over fi re safety in India. posed to extend beyond four dened” by the loss of life in a “We have consistently seen terised network to track children Images showed fl ames and in the incident. The hotel is in the Karol Bagh fl oors in that area. statement posted on Twitter. that during these events, there is with 14 booths spread across the thick smoke billowing out of the It is estimated around 120 district, a busy commercial “This hotel had been built Building fi res are particularly a noticeable spike in the number enormous venue. top fl oor of the hotel, located in people were inside the hotel centre criss-crossed by narrow up to six fl oors. It’s gross negli- frequent in big Indian cities of children reported missing,” “It seems like a small inter- a congested part of the Indian – built around 25 years ago – alleys where electric wires dan- gence on the part of the offi cers where millions live in cramped said Smita Dharmamer of Aan- vention, but the impact is big,” capital. when the fi re started. gle overhead. who allowed the extra fl oors to and dilapidated properties. gan Trust, a charity that works said Shitla Prasad Pandey, a Guests at the hotel – popu- “We have confi rmed with The area, which houses hun- be built,” he said. In December, eight people on child protection across six In- fourth generation priest at the lar with budget and business hospital authorities the toll is dreds of hotels, shops and of- Survivors said they were jolt- were killed when a fi re engulfed dian states. Kumbh Mela. travellers – were unable to use now 17 including a child,” Sunil fi ces, is packed with tourists ed out of sleep and leaned out of a hospital in Mumbai. “And while we say missing, “So many sacred activities go corridors to escape because of Choudhary, a senior fi re brigade and shoppers. windows to keep breathing. In 2017, 14 people were killed, the fact is that there are organ- on at this event but what can be wooden panelling, according to offi cial, said. Three members of an ex- Chan Chan, a guest from also in Mumbai, when a huge ised groups at work and the chil- more sacred than ensuring the a fi re offi cer. G C Misra, Delhi fi re services tended family were among the Myanmar who jumped from blaze roared through a popular dren are traffi cked.” safety of children.” Delhi Home Minister Satyen- director, said the blaze had been dead. They were part of a group the second fl oor of the hotel, restaurant.

Akhilesh stopped from going Kerala temple opens for 5 to Allahabad University days amid tight security

IANS banned age group of 10 to 50 IANS had not only lost the upcom- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Sabarimala, Kerala years. Lucknow ing Lok Sabha elections but also Yogi Adityanath said the deci- For the fi rst time since the earned the ire of the youth. sion was taken by the district verdict was delivered authori- The incident triggered a war administration based on the ven as the Supreme ties have not imposed prohibi- ormer Uttar Pradesh chief of words between the BJP and threat assessment of violence. Court is looking into tory orders. But the adminis- minister Akhilesh Yadav the Samajwadi Party. “SP has a history of lawless- Enumerous review peti- tration is leaving nothing to Fwas yesterday prevented As the news spread, scores of ness and his visit could have cre- tions on its September 28 ver- chance and has posted close to from taking a fl ight to attend an Samajwadi Party workers and ated problems. There was a fear dict on entry of women into 2,500 police offi cials at various event organised by the Students leaders rushed to the airport and of student groups creating law Sabarimala temple, the shrine places in and around the tem- Union at Allahabad University, raised anti-government slogans. and order problem,” he said. opened amidst tight security ple town. triggering a political storm. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) After staying put at the air- at 5pm yesterday for fi ve days However, the Sabarimala Yadav was planning to fl y by supremo Mayawati denounced port for more than two hours, of rituals. Karma Samithi activists, who a private plane but was told by the action against Yadav. the former chief minister left for The temple’s chief priest V have been in protest mode a senior district offi cial that the She wondered if the central his residence in a huff . N Vasudevan Nampoothiri said since the verdict, chased away Samajwadi Party leader did not and state BJP governments were He hit out at Adityanath for they had expected the court to a large number of women who have the permission to do so. so afraid of the BSP-SP alliance the “language being used in the deliver the verdict before the tried to pray at the temple and A fuming Yadav, who returned that they were resorting to such assembly and on the streets.” temple opened. vowed that they would not al- home after arguing with the “anti-democratic methods”. He said the BJP had deliber- The court heard the re- low temple traditions to be airport offi cials for about two The 63-year-old Dalit leader ately precipitated the crisis out view petitions on February 6 broken. hours, said the Uttar Pradesh accused the BJP governments of of fear that he would further and gave time till yesterday to State Devasom Minister government was so scared of him trying to “curb our political ac- expose the state and the central those who need to give in writ- Kadakampally Surendran in- that they stopped him from go- tivities”. governments. ing if there were any more is- formed the Kerala Assembly ing to Allahabad University. “This is very unfortunate and “I had informed the university sues that should be brought last week that so far only two Calling it “remote control poli- undemocratic. It will be fought about my programme in Decem- before the judges. women in the hitherto banned tics of two-and-a-half men”, Ya- at all levels.” ber last year. A letter was sent to The temple town has wit- age group have prayed at the dav alleged that he was detained at The state government dis- the district administration on nessed protests by Hindu temple. the airport on the premise that his missed the allegations and said February 2 as I did not want any groups since September 28 However, there are ru- presence at the university could the university authorities had inconvenience during the on- when the Supreme Court mours that quite a few lead to law and order issues. on February 2 asked Yadav not going Kumbh. But I was not in- delivered the verdict al- “women” will arrive to pray The 45-year-old leader said to visit as the university disap- formed about the problems that Samajwadi Party workers clash with police during a protest after lowing women of all ages to at the temple before it closes that the ruling Bharatiya Janata proved of “political participa- the government is now citing,” their party chief Akhilesh Yadav was stopped from boarding a enter the temple, includ- for the month on February 17 Party, by committing such acts, tion in campus events”. he said. plane at Lucknow airport yesterday. ing those from the hitherto at 10pm. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA Brazil miner ‘knew dam faced risk of collapse’

Reuters The report, dated October 3, an independent audit around the “There is no known report, au- story, dropping as much as 2.6% in 2015 at a nearby mine co-owned A separate Vale report dated No- Belo Horizonte, Brazil 2018, classifi ed the dam at Bru- same time guaranteed the dam’s dit or study with any mention of an to $11.10. by Vale. vember 15, 2017, also seen by Reu- madinho in the state of Minas stability and why the miner did not imminent risk of collapse at Dam 1 The company has lost a quarter Vale’s internal October re- ters, states that any structure with Gerais as being two times more take precautions, such as moving in the Corrego do Feijao mine in of its market capitalisation — or port placed the Brumadinho an annual chance of failure above ale SA, the world’s largest likely to fail than the maximum a company canteen that was just Brumadinho,” Vale said in an e- nearly $19bn — since the Janu- dam within an “attention zone,” one in 10,000 should be brought to iron ore miner, knew last level of risk tolerated under inter- downhill from the structure. mailed statement. ary 25 dam collapse, Brazil’s most saying that “all prevention and the attention of the chief executive Vyear that the dam in Brazil nal guidelines. Vale said the report, called “Ge- “To the contrary, the dam had all deadly mining accident. mitigation controls” should be and the board. that collapsed in January and killed The previously unreported otechnical Risk Management Re- its certifi cates of safety and stabil- The disaster in the mineral- applied. The dam’s annual chance of at least 165 people had a height- document is the fi rst evidence that sults,” comprised the views of spe- ity attested to by local and foreign rich state of Minas Gerais was the Nine other dams in Brazil, out collapse was registered as one ened risk of rupturing, according Vale itself was concerned about cialist engineers, who are obliged specialists.” second major collapse of a mining of 57 that were studied, were also in 5,000, or twice the tolerable to an internal document seen by the safety of the dam. to work within strict procedures US-listed shares of Vale extend- dam in the region in about three placed in the “attention zone,” ac- “maximum level of individual Reuters. It raises questions as to why when they identify any risks. ed losses following the Reuters years, following a similar disaster cording to the report. risk,” according to the report.

Venezuela opposition ‘El Chapo’ rally over blocked aid found guilty AFP Caracas

ens of thousands of op- position activists fl ooded Tthe streets of Venezuela in US of drug yesterday to demand the military allow in desperately-needed aid, as President Nicolas Maduro’s supporters rallied against “im- perialist intervention.” Opposition leader Juan Guaido called the Youth Day traffi cking demonstrations to honour 40 people killed in anti-govern- Reuters nickname means “Shorty.” His an encrypted electronic commu- ment rallies and press for the New York smuggling exploits, the violence nication system run through se- food and medicine to be brought he used and the sheer size of his cret computer servers in Canada. into the economically-ravaged illicit business made Guzman the A former bodyguard testifi ed South American country. he world’s most infamous world’s most notorious drug bar- that he watched Guzman kill While waiting for the National cartel boss Joaquin “El on since Colombia’s Pablo Esco- three rival drug cartel members, Assembly leader to speak in east TChapo” Guzman, who bar, who was shot dead by police including one victim who he shot Caracas, his supporters chanted: rose from poverty in rural Mexico in 1993. and then ordered to be buried “Freedom!” to run a global drug empire and Guzman’s lawyers say he was even as he was still gasping for “We’re asking the military amass billions of dollars, was set up as a “fall guy” by Ismael air. authorities to let in the aid and found guilty in a US court yester- “El Mayo” Zambada, a powerful Estimates of how much money to protect it so that it reaches day of drug traffi cking. Jurors in drug lord from Sinaloa who re- Guzman made from drugs vary. those most in need,” Juan Perez, federal court in Brooklyn found mains at large. In 2009, Forbes Magazine put 68, said. Guzman, 61, guilty on all 10 Mexico has been mired for 12 him on its list of the world’s rich- Guaido, who stunned the counts. He now faces a possible years in a deadly military-led war est people, with an estimated world on January 23 when he de- sentence of life in prison. against drug gangs. $1bn. clared himself acting president, Guzman, one of the major President Andres Manuel It later dropped him from the said the protest would “demand figures in Mexican drug wars Lopez Obrador was elected last list, saying it was too diffi cult to the entry of humanitarian aid that have roiled the country year after promising a change, quantify his assets. that will save the lives of more since 2006, was extradited to suggesting a negotiated peace The US justice department than 300,000 Venezuelans.” the US for trial in 2017 after he and amnesty for non-violent said in 2017 it sought forfei- Taking his authority from was arrested in Mexico the year drug dealers, traffi ckers and ture of more than $14bn in drug the constitution, Guaido says before. farmers. proceeds and illicit profi ts from Maduro’s presidency is “ille- Though other high-ranking The most detailed evidence Guzman. gitimate” as it was founded on cartel fi gures had been extradited against Guzman came from more The trial also featured exten- fl awed elections. previously, Guzman was the fi rst than a dozen former associates sive testimony about corruption He is trying to force the so- to go to trial instead of pleading who struck deals to co-operate in Mexico, most of it involving cialist leader from power so he guilty. with US prosecutors. bribes to law enforcement, mili- can set up a transitional govern- The trial, which featured tes- Through them, jurors heard tary and local government of- ment and hold new presidential timony from more than 50 wit- how the Sinaloa Cartel gained fi cials so the cartel could carry elections. nesses, off ered the public an power amid the shifting al- out its day-to-day drug shipping Maduro meanwhile called a unprecedented look at the inner legiances of the Mexican drug operations undisturbed. march of young leftists in the workings of the Sinaloa Cartel, trade in the 1990s, eventually The most shocking allegation centre of Caracas denouncing named for the state in north- coming to control almost the en- came from Guzman’s former top foreign intervention in Ven- western Mexico where Guzman tire Pacifi c coast of Mexico. aide Alex Cifuentes, who ac- ezuela’s affairs and collect- was born in a poor mountain vil- They heard how Guzman made cused former Mexican president ing signatures of people who lage. a name for himself in the 1980s Enrique Pena Nieto of taking a reject US President Donald The legend of Guzman was as “El Rapido,” the speedy one, $100mn bribe from Guzman. Trump. burnished by two dramatic es- by building cross-border tunnels A spokesman for the ex-presi- The fate of tonnes of aid piling capes he made from Mexican that allowed him to move cocaine dent has denied the claim. up in Colombian collection cen- prisons and by a “Robin Hood” from Mexico into the US faster In one of the trial’s fi nal days, tres at the border with Venezuela image he cultivated among Si- than anyone else. Guzman told the judge he would has become central to the power naloa’s poor. The witnesses, who included not testify in his own defence. struggle between Guaido and US prosecutors said he traf- some of Guzman’s top lieuten- The same day, he grinned Maduro, who is backed by the fi cked tonnes of cocaine, heroin, ants, a communications engi- broadly at audience member powerful armed forces. marijuana and methampheta- neer and a onetime mistress, Alejandro Edda, the Mexican Venezuela is in the grip of re- mine into the US over more than described how he built a sophis- actor who plays Guzman in the cession and hyperinfl ation while two decades, consolidating his ticated organisation reminiscent Netfl ix drama Narcos. millions of people are suff ering power in Mexico through mur- of a multinational corporation, Despite his ties to government from a shortage of basic neces- Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, take part in a rally to press the military to ders and wars with rival cartels. with fl eets of planes and boats, offi cials, Guzman often lived on sities. let in US humanitarian aid, in Urena, Tachira State, Venezuela, on the border with Colombia, yesterday. Small in stature, Guzman’s detailed accounting ledgers and the run. Two players hospitalised Haiti unrest Southern Copper after fi re at Brazilian club halts plant operations Reuters debris from a ravine, Southern Copper said. Bangu, one of the oldest and Lima inhalation, the military said in a The offi cials said they would The company, controlled by most traditional clubs in Rio, statement. begin reviews of Flamengo’s Grupo Mexico, said it suspended were training at a military Bangu could not be reached training centre and other clubs’ outhern Copper Corpora- operations at its copper ore con- athletics centre when the for comment about the blaze, lodgings immediately. tion said that a key plant it centrator as a precaution during blaze started after lunch which TV Globo said may have “Our visit tomorrow will re- Suses to produce copper in a downpour at its Cuajone mine Reuters started in an air conditioning view all that,” said Fabio Vilel- Peru would not fully restart for on Friday. Rio de Janeiro unit. la, a prosecutor with the Rio another three to fi ve days while The concentrator would not be Friday’s fatal fi re at the Ninho employment division. “First work is done on its tailings and fully restarted until the company do Urubu also started when an to see if the training centre is railway infrastructure following fi nishes repairs and upgrades on fi re broke out at the air conditioning unit caught or isn’t in a fit state to func- heavy rains. a railway and the tunnel used to training centre used by fi re. tion. And preventively so that Peru’s environmental regula- dispose of tailings, work that is ARio de Janeiro football Flamengo did not have per- further tragedies do not oc- tor OEFA has been investigating estimated to take three to fi ve club Bangu sending at least two mits to build the temporary cur, not just in Flamengo but a potential tailings spill at South- days to complete, it said. players to hospital with smoke lodgings in the training centre at other clubs, we are going to ern Copper’s Cuajone mine, after “The concentrator... will start inhalation but causing no seri- that caught fi re, although the mount a sweep of other train- being alerted by local residents of operations following repairs,” ous injuries. club denied there was any re- ing centres.” a “greenish solution” that start- Souther Copper said in a state- The incident occurred days lation between their ignoring Five of the dead teenag- ed streaming into a nearby river. ment. after 10 Flamengo youth play- the warnings issued by the city ers were buried on Monday in Southern Copper, one of the A spokesman for the com- ers died and three others were government and the fi re itself. towns and cities across Brazil. world’s largest copper producers, pany said the concentrator at its injured when their lodgings TV Globo said Flamengo had The boys, all aged between 14 said there was no tailings spill. Toquepala mine had also been caught fi re. lacked permits for other parts of and 16, were at Flamengo train- The company said its opera- suspended due to rains, and that Bangu, one of the oldest and the centre for more than a year. ing with the youth team and tions, though, were being “seri- both concentrators were already most traditional clubs in Rio, Prosecutors met with Fla- hoping to make it to the profes- ously aff ected” by a recent bout starting to process some ore and were training at a military ath- mengo directors on Monday sional ranks. of intense rains in Peru’s south- that tailings were being stock- letics centre when the blaze and said the club had promised One of the three boys injured ern copper belt. piled to be disposed of later. started after lunch. to negotiate settlements with in the fi re was released from There has been fl ooding at The company said in its state- The fi re was quickly brought the bereaved families of the 10 hospital on Monday but two Haitian police patrol the streets as they try to break up a some of its installations, and a ment that its Toquepala and under control but two players boys and also to make sure they others are still under observa- demonstration in Port-au-Prince against Haitian President search eff ort is underway to find Cuajone mines were operating at were taken to hospital suff er- had all the necessary permits in tion, one of them in serious but Jovenel Moise and the misuse of Petrocaribe funds. a worker swept away by a mas- about 60%-70% of capacity and ing from the eff ects of smoke order. stable condition. sive mudslide while helping clear that its Ilo smelter was at 70%. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 PAKISTAN

Blank space Judges ‘disagree’ on harnessing suo motu powers

Internews qi said this proves the disagree- parties – the Pakistan Muslim Islamabad ment among judges regarding the League – Nawaz (PML-N) and parameters and interpretation of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) A man reads a copy of the local edition of the International New York Times in Islamabad, which Article 184(3). – faced a tough time due to use shows a single-column blank space on the front page, in place of an opinion piece criticising nstead of regularising the “Thus, the only bare minimum of suo motu powers by the apex Pakistan’s army. The article by Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of a movement which calls for an end public interest jurisdiction by agreement among them is that court, with a number of politi- what it says are enforced disappearances and extra-judicial murders of ethnic Pashtuns by security Iamending its rules, the Su- they will act in accordance with cians facing disqualifi cation. off icials, was available online, however. The paper is printed in Pakistan by the local preme Court of Pakistan has re- the Constitution, which resolves The Article 225 of the Con- English-language Express Tribune. solved that it will exercise its suo nothing as each judge has his stitution says that no election motu jurisdiction “in accordance own interpretation of the con- dispute can be called in question with the Constitution”. stitutional provision of Article except via election petitions, but Suo motu is Latin for “on it’s 184(3),” he said. dozens of lawmakers have been Saudi prince own motion”. In legal terms, suo Former attorney general Ir- disqualifi ed through the exercise motu powers allows the Supreme fan Qadir, who has been a strong of the quo warranto under Article likely to sign Court to initiate actions without critic of the suo motu jurisdic- 184(3). $10bn MoUs Pakistan’s Banao fi rst requiring a case to be fi led. tion in the past, said that the full Chief Justice Khosa: has said that Interestingly, there is no op- “The issue of the exercise of court’s decision was unfortunate. the Supreme Court’s suo motu tion of fi ling appeal against the Pakistan and Saudi Arabia jurisdiction under Article 184(3) He added that the Supreme powers would be exercised ‘very judgment in a suo motu case. are expected to ink three certifi cates fetch of the Constitution was dis- Court uses suo motu powers to sparingly’. The PPP’s latest manifesto major memoranda of cussed threadbare from all pos- regularise politics by applying also states that Article 184(3) has understanding (MoUs) sible angles, and it was affi rmed Article 62(1) of the Constitution tutions,” he pointed out been used in ways that “did not amounting to over $10bn $1mn in two weeks that such jurisdiction will be and maintaining good govern- Chief Justice Khosa in his fi rst inspire great confi dence in its use during the upcoming visit exercised in accordance with the ance in the country, which is not speech on January 17 said that by courts in human rights issues”. of Saudi Crown Prince Constitution,” say the minutes of its domain. either through a full court meet- Both the senior-most judg- Mohamed bin Salman. Internews Comparatively, yields on Pa- the February 6 full court meet- “Where it is written in the ing or through a judicial exercise, es, Justices Gulzar Ahmad and “Three mega government- Karachi kistan’s fi ve Eurobonds matur- ing. Constitution or the judges’ code an eff ort shall be made to deter- Sheikh Azmat Saeed, were part to-government MoUs will be ing during 2019 to 2036 hover Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif of conduct, that the apex court mine and lay down the scope and of the bench led by former chief signed and their total volume between 6.6% to 8.2%. Saeed Khosa had called the full will intervene in governance is- parameters of the exercise of the justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, which will be in double digit billion he government of Paki- The PBCs are being mar- court to consider the amendment sues due to executive’s failure?” original jurisdiction of this court heard several public interest dollars,” Board of Investment stan has received $1mn keted by the consortium of six in order XXV Supreme Court he questioned. under Article 184(3). matters. (BoI) chairman Haroon Sharif Tfrom the sale of the banks, including the National Rules, relating to the exercise of Qadir also lamented that the “And, if deemed appropriate, Justice Ahmad, who is next in said. “Pakistan Banao Certifi cate” Bank of Pakistan, the Habib powers under Article 184(3) of court exercising quo warranto to carve out the scope of an in- line to become the chief justice He said the three MOUs will (PBC), launched less than two Bank, the Allied Bank, the JS the Constitution as proposed by jurisdiction had ousted a number tra-court appeal in such matters and will hold the post for over be signed in the fields of oil weeks ago to replenish de- Bank, and the Standard Char- the Supreme Court Bar Associa- of political leaders, judges and through an appropriate amend- two years, has already initiated refining, liquefied natural pleting reserves of foreign ex- tered Bank. tion (SCBA) last year. civil servants, but there is no ment of the Supreme Court Rules proceedings of public interest gas (LNG) and mineral change, sources said. The transaction is being Former SCBA president Peer check on the court’s authority. or to suitably amend the provi- litigation for removal of en- development. “At least 50 investors have managed by the SBP and the Kaleem Khursheed had submit- Quo warranto is a legal action sions relating to review jurisdic- croachments from Karachi. The prince is due to visit remitted approximately $1mn NBP, which provides services ted proposed amendments to the that requires a person to show tion so as to enlarge its scope in Likewise, Justice Saeed has Pakistan this weekend. to the State Bank of Pakistan such as collection of proceeds, Supreme Court rules to regular- under which authority he or she such cases,” he said. authored two rulings, wherein (SBP)’s account maintained distribution of periodic pay- ise the public interest jurisdic- has acted. The chief justice also said that the jurisdiction of quo warranto with the National Bank of ments (profi t and redemption), tion under Article 184(3). Qadir said that it is about time suo motu exercise of the Supreme to examine the qualifi cation of PPP to release Pakistan (NBP)’s New York and handling of investors’ que- He said that the bar had rec- the parliament looked into the Court’s jurisdiction under Article lawmakers under Article 62(1)(f) branch,” a source privy to the ries with respect to investment ommended rules guiding where matter so that tracheotomy of 184(3) of the Constitution shall of the Constitution has been ex- 2018 poll report infl ows said. in the certifi cates. the Supreme Court should exer- power could not be violated fur- be exercised very sparingly and tended last year. The government launched Standard and Poor’s this cise public interest jurisdiction ther. only in respect of larger issues He also endorsed the forma- The Pakistan Peoples Party the new scheme in late Janu- week downgraded Pakistan’s and where it should not. Another lawyer, who request- of national importance, where tion of a joint investigation team (PPP) has finalised its “White ary to encourage the millions long-term sovereign credit The bar had proposed that the ed anonymity, said that when the either there is no other adequate (JIT) to probe the Panama Papers Paper” on alleged rigging in of Pakistanis living abroad to rating. right to appeal should be given superior judiciary has structured or effi cacious remedy available, case. the 2018 general elections, pour their dollar savings into The government is hoping against verdicts rendered under discretionary powers of execu- or the available constitutional or He does not spare executive which would be launched on the PBCs, as it strives to im- the certifi cates will exceed the Article 184(3) of the Constitu- tive authorities, including the legal remedies are ineff ective or authorities regarding the en- the return of party chairman prove dwindling foreign ex- target amount of $1bn by the tion, Khursheed said. prime minister, then it must also are rendered incapacitated. forcement of fundamental rights Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from change reserves that has hit the end of June. Legal experts believe that there regulate the chief justice’s un- Senior lawyers believe that in the country. his visit to the US and Europe. economy. The off ering of the certifi - is no consensus among the Su- fettered powers of suo motu and there will be a challenge for the However, Justice Saeed is re- “We are waiting for PPP The PBCs are not bonds, nor cates closes on June 30. preme Court judges to regulate constitution of benches. chief justice, who is retiring in tiring in August. chairman Bilawal Bhutto are they traded in international To catch up, the bank ap- the public interest jurisdiction “If the judiciary does not regu- December, to evolve a consensus After analysing past judg- Zardari to return for the markets; they are a primary pointed by the government to and giving right to appeal in suo larise the public interest jurisdic- among the Supreme Court judges ments, it can be said that future launch of the White Paper,” market instrument. market the certifi cate issuance motu cases through amendment tion, then parliament might take to regulate suo motu powers by chief justices have varying ap- said sources in the PPP who The source said the response needs to strengthen their con- of the apex court’s rules. up the issue, which may become amending the apex court’s rules. proaches to public interest litiga- were involved in drafting the has been better-than-expect- nections and standing in the Renowned lawyer Faisal Siddi- a source of tension among insti- Both the leading opposition tion. document. ed, as 5,000 investors have foreign countries. been registered with a Web- They must team up to help based portal to procure the arrange meetings with Paki- bonds. stani diaspora, which may re- The demand is mainly from sult in higher infl ows into the Pakistani expatriates living in PBCs. International skiers take Europe and the US. There are, however, some “We expect a nice response challenges to be addressed, from the Gulf countries, espe- such as technical glitches that cially the United Arab Emir- the NBP may experience, that to the slopes of Pakistan ates, as well,” the source added. may leave investors unable to “We’re testing an appetite for get certifi cates online. this unique product from the At a time when international AFP overseas Pakistanis. funds transfers are coming un- Naltar “We see more investment der greater scrutiny because of applications to be received in security concerns, the PBCs times to come given signifi cant will encourage overseas Paki- kiers descend in long, returns being off ered on these stanis to send money through rhythmic swoops down certifi cates.” legal sources. Spristine white slopes in The dollar-denominated “The funds under the northern Pakistan, braking in a PBCs are being off ered at high- scheme are routed through spray of snow as soldiers carrying er yields than foreign bonds. a bank account after a tough semi-automatic weapons watch The latest off ering is 100% procedure of screening,” a impassively. guaranteed by the government. banking expert said. “Banks Dozens of athletes took part The minimum investment is ensure transactions are not il- at a rare international competi- $5,000, with no upper limit. licit and suspicious in terms of tion in the South Asian country, The government off ers ma- money laundering and terror- which boasts some of the world’s turities of three and fi ve years, ist fi nancing.” highest mountains but remains with yields of 6.25% and 6.75% Remittances from expatri- off -piste for most winter sports respectively. ates are an important source of enthusiasts after years of confl ict The six-monthly return on foreign exchange for Pakistan. and a lack of infrastructure. the certifi cates is set to the It remains a key source to Nestled in the Karakoram In this picture taken on January 29, a Pakistani security personnel London Interbank Off ered Rate manage the current account mountain range, the Naltar Ski keeps watch during the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup. (LIBOR) plus 400 basis points. defi cit. Resort has been at the heart of Pakistan’s eff orts to draw winter “Pakistan has a lot of things to mitted that she used to think it sport tourists since the fi rst in- learn but with every year it’s get- was a “pretty dangerous coun- Four off icers killed in ambush ternational competition was held ting better,” said Ukrainian skier try”. there in 2015. Anastasiia Gorbunova, who ad- “Now I know it’s a cliché be- Taliban gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle and killed four cause as I saw, people are sweet, off icers in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, off icials said, in a they are nice, they try to make region once riven by militant violence but since cleared following you feel like you’re at home and I military crackdowns. appreciate that.” The ambush, claimed by the Hizbul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Security has dramatically im- In this picture taken on January 30, children ski on a snow-covered Pakistani Taliban, was the first major attack in the Dera Ismail Khan proved across Pakistan following street – with wooden sticks set up to practice the slalom – next to (DI Khan) district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since a suicide blast killed a crackdown on militant groups their homes near the slopes where the CAS Karakoram International a candidate in the lead-up to the July general election. in recent years. Alpine Ski Cup was taking place at the Pakistan Air Force-owned and Senior police off icial Mohamed Iqbal told Reuters that four off icers Authorities recently re- operated Naltar Ski Resort, some 25km north of Gilgit in Pakistan’s were killed and three people wounded. opened another resort in the remote mountainous north. nearby Swat Valley that had been closed for years by insurgent ac- lar grounding of fl ights during mountain in the world. Arrest warrant issued for KP minister tivity, while other ski facilities inclement weather made access Skiers at the Naltar event were are being developed elsewhere in to ski fi elds a tricky prospect – hosted by the Pakistan Air Force, An anti-terrorism court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the country. “off -piste and maybe with a heli- who own the ski resort and fa- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai for Laura Moore, a representative copter”. cilitated their transport from Is- continuously not appearing for hearings of the cases pertaining to of the International Ski Federa- “I think it’s defi nitely more for lamabad. attacks on Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament House in 2014. tion with the Azerbaijan team, the adventurer,” Moore said dur- “Not all countries have moun- Further, the anti-terrorism court in Islamabad issued non-bailable said that Pakistan boasts unri- ing the competition on Sunday. tains like this,” Berkin Usta, a arrest warrants for 26 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers. In this picture taken on January 29, Turkish skier Berkin Usta takes valled ski conditions. Pakistan is home to several Turkish skier who won the men’s The court also approved requests for exemption from hearings part in the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup, at the Paki- However, she added that the peaks higher than 8,000m, in- Grand Slalom event. “It’s really filed by PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jehangir Tareen, Asad stan Air Force-owned and operated Naltar Ski Resort. lengthy road travel and the regu- cluding K2, the second tallest good.” Umar, and Shafqat Mehmood. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Glamour Suspected New law aims gunrunners killed in to strengthen shootout DPA Manila

ive suspected gunrunners strategy to were killed in a shoot-out Fwith police officers in the Philippine capital yesterday, a police report said. The suspects were selling one dozen 38-calibre pistols to an undercover police officer prevent HIV in a private compound in the Manila suburban city of Que- By Glee Jalea House health committee. available to minors. The provi- zon, when back-up police of- Manila Times “This law will help prevent sion allows persons aged 15 to ficers arrived to arrest them. the further spread of HIV-Aids 17 years to undergo HIV test- They opened fire, prompting among Filipinos, especially ing even without the consent of the police officers to retaliate, measure signed into law among the vulnerable groups,” their parent or guardian. the police report said. in December last year Eriguel said. Department of She said this would pre- The five suspects were killed Awould strengthen the Health (DoH) data showed that vent the spread of the epidemic on the spot, it added. country’s policy on Human Im- HIV and Aids cases in the Philip- among young Filipinos and re- The police officer who acted munodefi ciency Virus (HIV) and pines rose to 11,103 in 2017 from move the stigma on people living as a buyer was wounded in the Acquired Immune Defi ciency 9,264 cases in 2016. with HIV or Aids. shoot-out and immediately Syndrome (Aids), a lawmaker Under RA 11166, the PNAC The law also contains provi- taken to hospital for treatment. said yesterday. will promote and adopt a range sions penalising discrimination A gun ban has been in place Republic Act (RA) 11166 or the of measures and interventions against people living with HIV since last month in the Philip- “Philippine HIV and Aids Act,” to prevent or control the spread or Aids in employment, school pines ahead of mid-term elec- which was signed by President of HIV among the general pop- enrolment, travel, housing, pub- tions in May. Rodrigo Duterte in December ulation, especially among the lic offi ce, credit and insurance, The campaign period for 2018, will expand access to HIV- key populations and vulnerable hospitals and health institu- some of the candidates in the prevention strategies nation- communities. The law will pro- tions, and burial services. polls began yesterday. Elections wide. The new law repealed RA mote the rights, welfare and par- Violators of the law will face in the Philippines have often 9504 or the Philippine Aids Pre- ticipation of people living with imprisonment of one year to 10 been marred by violence and vention and Control Act of 1998. HIV and the aff ected children, years and may be fi ned P50,000 allegations of cheating. It will strengthen and reconsti- young people, families and part- to P500,000. The law author- For the polls on May 13, po- tute the Philippine National Aids ners of people living with HIV. It ises the DoH to establish a pro- lice have identified 701 of 1,634 Council (PNAC) with full budg- would also prohibit mass media gramme to provide free and cities and municipalities na- etary support. from identifying persons with accessible treatment and medi- tionwide as “hotspots” or areas The measure was co-authored HIV or Aids, Eriguel said. cation to all persons living with Miss Philippines Catriona Gray who was crowned Miss Universe 2018 attends Bibhu with intense political rivalry, by La Union 2nd District Rep. She noted that an impor- HIV and Aids. It also establishes Mohapatra fall 2019 runway show during New York Fashion Week (NYFW) held at the threats from armed groups and Sandra Eriguel and consolidated tant provision of the law makes an annual budget to implement Spring Studios Gallery II located at 6 St Johns Lane, in New York City. history of election-related vio- into a substitute bill under the health services for HIV-Aids the provisions of the law. lence.

Hotels, tourism hubs reopen in Boracay Palace says Supreme Court should Candidates for mid-term The Department of Tourism (DoT) has allowed more than 300 hotels and tourism hubs to polls hit campaign trail operate in Boracay following a decide legitimacy of plebiscite rigid assessment by the Inter- Agency Task Force that carried DPA interview with Manila radio out the island’s six-month By Catherine S Valente gue that since there has been Manila station DZBB. “That is the big- rehabilitation, Manila Times Manila Times a ratification by the people gest frustration for voters, who reported. then that cured the unconsti- see these illegal posters every- These establishments were tutionality. It depends on the he campaign period for where.” “For the public, they allowed to accept reservations alacanang said yes- Supreme Court,” she added. mid-term elections in think that these candidates from visitors, bringing the terday it would let the Sayadi said her camp had Tthe Philippines kicked who violate this rule should be number of available rooms to MSupreme Court (SC) documented the violence, off yesterday with poll offi- automatically disqualified,” he 11,612. decide on the legality of the threats and intimidation that cials reminding candidates to said, noting that candidates “We are pleased to announce plebiscite for the Bangsamoro transpired within and outside strictly follow rules to avoid will be given due process before that 316 accommodation Organic Law (BOL) amid ac- of polling places during the disqualification. being disqualified. establishments have complied cusations of harassment and casting of votes in Cotabato Half of the 24-member Sen- On the eve of the campaign with the requirements of the intimidation. City for its inclusion in the ate, more than 200 House of period, President Rodrigo Du- Department of Environment “That’s why I said yester- Bangsamoro Autonomous Representatives seats and tens terte reminded those in gov- and Natural Resources (DENR), day they can always fi le ap- Region in Muslim Mindanao of thousands of local govern- ernment, the military and po- Department of the Interior and propriate charges regarding (BARMM) on January 21. ment posts are up for grabs in lice not to get involved in the Local Government (DILG) and their claims. But remember She also showed docu- the May 13 elections. campaign of any candidate. the DoT,” the agency said in a that there is still a pending ments that would prove her James Jimenez, spokesman “I have ordered the military, I statement. The establishments petition before the Supreme claims that government and for the Commission on Elec- have ordered the police (to stay) that were opened include the Court questioning the consti- military officials, who were tions, urged candidates to put neutral,” he said in a speech on Shangri-la Resort, Savoy Hotel tutionality of the BOL? If the Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi (left) and Palace supposed to protect the in- up campaign posters only in Monday evening. “The cabinet Boracay, Fairways and Bluewa- Supreme Court decides it’s spokesman Salvador Panelo. tegrity of the plebiscite, al- designated areas and to follow should be neutral. Don’t med- ter Resort, Hennan resorts and unconstitutional, then all of it legedly conspired with the the size regulation for the ma- dle in politics.” Alta Vista de Boracay. becomes moot and academic. thia Guiani Sayadi has said her offi cials conspired with the MILF to ensure the victory of terial. Duterte added that the cam- All establishments were shut The plebiscite would be in- legal team was preparing for Moro Islamic Liberation Front the BOL. “The posting of materials paign ban does not apply to down during the rehabilitation validated,” Palace spokesman the fi ling of a petition before (MILF) to ensure that the “They are all fully docu- that are wrong in size and in him: “As a political entity my- of the island. Boracay reopened Salvador Panelo said in a press the high court to nullify the “yes” vote would win. mented and we will present the wrong location is an elec- self, because I was chosen by on October 26, 2018. briefi ng. plebiscite. The mayor claimed “On the other hand, I’m them at the proper forum at tion offence and that can get the people, I can chose whether Cotabato City Mayor Cyn- that government and military sure the petitioners will ar- the proper time,” Sayadi said. you disqualified,” he said in an to campaign (or not).” Senator’s call to scrap Japan donates equipment to fi ght terror excise tax on fuel Manila Times Manila By Bernadette E Tamayo Manila Times he Japanese government donated bomb suits and other equipment to enator Paolo Benigno Tthe Philippine National Police (PNP) “Bam” Aquino has ap- to help authorities fi ght terrorism and Spealed to Malacanang crime. to suspend the excise tax on Koji Haneda, the Japanese ambassador fuel under the Tax Reform for to the Philippines, presented 440 ballistic Acceleration and Inclusion helmets, six units of bomb suits, and six (Train) Law to ease the burden units of ballistic shields to PNP Chief Oscar of consumers. Albayalde in a turnover yesterday morning. The senator made the call as The bomb suits and ballistic shields will oil companies announced that be given to the Explosive and Ordnance De- they would raise their pump tection units. prices. The ballistic helmets would be used by “I appeal to President Du- PNP personnel involved in the conduct of terte to suspend the additional internal security and anti-terrorism opera- tax on petroleum to help our A tricycle driver watches as tions. fellowmen,” Aquino said. a gasoline station attendant Haneda said in his speech that this is “The people have no one to pumps fuel in a gasoline station part of Japan’s pledge to co-operate with turn to but Malacanang be- at UN Avenue in Manila. the Philippines in advancing institutional cause Congress has adjourned capabilities to fi ght terrorism and drug- its session),” he added. “I hope that even temporar- related crimes. Aquino was one of four ily, through the suspension of “As we challenge violent extremism in senators who voted against the excise tax on oil, our people the region it is crucial now more than ever ratifi cation of the Train Law in will have some respite from that Japan and the Philippines work to- December 2018. their everyday struggle against gether to enhance our collective capabili- In May 2018, he fi led the poverty,” he said in Filipino. ties keeping in mind that the safety of our Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill, With oil prices in the world people is of paramount importance. This is seeking to suspend and roll market rising, he said the gov- the rationale underlying Japan’s continu- back the excise tax on fuel ernment should immediately ing support on partnership with the PNP,” under the Train Law once the suspend the excise tax on fuel he said. country’s infl ation rate ex- under the Train Law to help Last year, the Japanese government do- ceeds the government’s target lower prices of petroleum nated 100 patrol cars to the PNP, and these for three straight months. products. were deployed in various regions. The Japanese government donated bomb suits, ballistic shields and ballistic helmets to the PNP. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Joint N Korea-S Korea Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] Olympic bid faces odds 44350478 (News), 2032 games, as “sport could once more 44466404 (Sport), Reuters Seoul/Berlin make a contribution to peace on the 44466636 (Home delivery) Korean Peninsula and the world”. “From a political perspective it would 44350474 f North and succeed be huge,” said one senior IOC member facebook.com/gulftimes in their long-shot bid to host who spoke to Reuters on the condition the 2032 Summer Olympics, of anonymity because of the sensitive twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Iany athletic feats at the Games process. “Because we can say that the may be overshadowed by the political IOC brought peace in that area a year ago achievements needed to make it during the Games in Pyeongchang and happen. it is a huge achievement for the IOC and Buoyed by the role the 2018 President Thomas Bach.” GULF TIMES Pyeongchang Winter Olympics played But privately, IOC members also in easing tensions last year, South expressed scepticism. Korean and North Korean offi cials “We have not really spoken about are due to meet on Friday with the it yet,” another member said. “Any International Olympic Committee (IOC) discussions today are more an exercise in Switzerland to discuss what would be in political marketing than real details of US economy facing the fi rst ever bid by two countries. such Games.” To make Olympic history, experts Last year’s Games in Pyeongchang say the bid would need to overcome may have left warm feelings in Seoul and international sanctions against North Pyongyang, but the two Koreas share an headwinds amid older, darker Olympic history. Korea, decades of mistrust between Seoul and Pyongyang, and wide political After Seoul was selected to host the 1988 and economic diff erences between two Summer Olympics, North Korea proposed recession warnings countries still offi cially at war. that it be allowed to co-host the Games. The Switzerland meeting comes ahead Those talks went nowhere and just of a second summit between North Korean months before the Olympics opened, As time is running out to avoid a second partial US leader Kim Jong-un and US President North Korean agents bombed a South government shutdown, Nobel laureate Paul Krugman has Donald Trump in Vietnam, which will be Korean airliner, killing 115 people. said the US economy may be heading into a recession. key to the future of reclusive North Korea’s The one surviving agent said the relations with the world. attack was aimed at disrupting the And the Federal Reserve doesn’t have the firepower to Since the Olympic bid was announced Games. combat a slump properly. after a summit between Kim and South Later, North Korea pursued its “There seems to be an accumulation of smaller Korean President Moon Jae-in in nuclear weapons and ballistic missile problems and the underlying backdrop is that we have no Pyongyang in September, South Korean programmes, earning the ire of South offi cials have been pushing forward with Korea and the international community, good policy response,” he said in a Bloomberg interview. plans despite the obstacles. which imposed stifl ing sanctions on Krugman isn’t alone in seeing a gloomy outlook for On Monday Seoul was named as the Pyongyang. This handout image provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government yesterday shows the world’s biggest economy. US chief financial officers city that would make the South Korean North Korea also faces international a poster to celebrate the selection of Seoul as the South Korean candidate city for in a Duke University survey published in December bid. sanctions over human rights abuses, its bid for the 2032 Summer Olympics. South Korea has picked its capital Seoul In a statement, Seoul Mayor Park including prison camps and repressive for its bid for the 2032 summer Olympics, which it aims to jointly host with North overwhelmingly said they expect a recession within two Won-soon said offi cials would soon seek control over much of the population. Korea. The Korean letters read “Seoul and Pyongyang hand in hand”. years. to establish a line of communication “At this very moment it is diffi cult to The Fed has halted its interest-rate hiking cycle amid with Pyongyang and “make all-out imagine it without some huge political “The fact that North Korea is pursuing “Mass Games” performances there in many a headwind facing the economy. A Federal Reserve eff orts” to co-host with North Korea and changes,” one senior IOC member told hosting an Olympic games is a statement September. make the 2032 Olympics the “last stop Reuters, comparing the idea to East and of their intent to denuclearise, to become “This looks like an audition for an Bank of New York gauge put the chance of a recession at to establish the peace”. Yesterday, the West Germany trying to co-host the part of the international community, Olympics opening ceremony,” Gianni 21% a year from now, the highest since 2008. North’s state news agency, KCNA, said Olympics at the height of the Cold War. and to open their doors,” said chairman Merlo, the head of the International A separate Bloomberg survey earlier last month showed an Olympic committee delegation led by “Is it possible or realistic to have Games of South Korea’s parliamentary sports Sports Press Association told Reuters at economists raised the probability of a recession in the minister of physical culture and sports in two countries with such diff erent committee An Min-suk. the event. Kim Il Guk had left for Switzerland, but political, economic and infrastructure A joint bid could be welcomed under Other countries have pitched multi- next 12 months to 25%, the highest in more than six did not mention the joint bid. systems?” the IOC’s Agenda 2020 and New Norm city Olympics, including an Italian bid years, amid the shutdown and trade war. For its part, the IOC said in a Advocates see the Olympics as reforms of recent years, which aim to that is one of the fi nalists of the 2026 The Wall Street’s statement it “welcomes very much” the precisely the vehicle to bridge many of reduce the size of the Games and the Winter Games. biggest banks have been two Koreas’ intention to jointly host the the gaps between the two Koreas. burden on the host city or country. But North Korea will pose more The Fed doesn’t Among a long list of potential challenges. scouring US data for bidders mentioned for the 2032 Games Current sanctions against North have the signals of an impending are Mumbai, Shanghai, Melbourne, Korea bar or limit a whole spectrum recession. Johannesburg and the German state of of activities including fi nancial fi repower to JPMorgan sees a 35% North Rhine-Westphalia. transactions, oil imports, and joint South Korea has made a positive ventures. combat a slump chance of a recession impression both times it hosted the During the 2018 Winter Olympics in this year, up from 16% in Olympics, the second IOC member said. Pyeongchang, North Korean athletes properly March last year. Globally, “The level of organisation is fantastic,” could not be gifted the Galaxy Note 8 UBS has studied 40 the member said. “It means they have smartphones that sponsor Samsung the skills for such events.” Electronics gave to all athletes, due to countries over about 40 years and found the US to be The North Koreans, meanwhile, have sanctions. among those currently behaving in a way inconsistent long made athletics a major part of “A North-South Korea joint Olympic with prior peaks. their international outreach, and have hosting will fi t the Olympic spirit to That said, the Fed’s Survey of Professional Forecasters poured signifi cant amounts of their a T — promoting peace, reducing war limited resources into building sports and building relationships,” said Kim late last year showed that they were starting to sour on infrastructure as part of Kim Jong-un’s Yeon-chul, Director of Korea Institute the economy’s prospects four quarters from now. But drive to become a “sports power”. For for National Unifi cation. their pessimism might be too remote to mean much. example, they tout Pyongyang’s May Day “But in order for it to happen, To be sure, several US economic indicators are slowing stadium as one of the largest in the world, everything has to go together — and it already sports Olympic rings and a down, but economic data have yet to fall off a cliff. resolution of the North Korean nuclear South Korea capital city Seoul’s Mayor Park Won-soon gives a presentation during cauldron for an Olympic fl ame. issue, the US-North Korea relations, Americans will begin feeling the effects this year of a a general meeting of Korean Sport & Olympic Committee in Jincheon, South Korea, This was not lost on international and the acceptance of the international marked slowing in world economic growth but should on Monday. visitors who attended the opening of the community.” be spared a new recession, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund said in late 2018. As the Donald Trump administration ramps up debt sales to cover a budget deficit projected to hit $1tn this year, a potent mix of a strong dollar, weak stock markets and flat yield curve squeezing the availability of global Why populists’ royal election bid shook Thailand money don’t bode well for the US economy. In a wider sense, the global economy entered 2019 with a weakened momentum. Reuters has been to protect the monarchy. Bangkok The early protesters wore yellow Emerging markets are buckling under the weight of a — a colour associated with the late strong dollar; the eurozone is growing at a slower pace; King Bhumibol Adulyadej — to show Germany’s economy contracted in the third quarter, he political career of their reverence for the monarchy and Japan’s economy shrank at an annualised rate of 2.5% in Thailand’s Princess Ubolratana Thai culture that they said Thaksin Rajakanya Sirivadhana threatened through corruption and Q3; and Britain is being battered by Brexit chaos. Barnavadi lasted only three consolidating his own personal power. On top of that, China, the engine of global growth for the T days, but in that time her declaration The military deposed Thaksin in 2006 past 15 years, is growing at its slowest pace in a decade. that she would be a candidate for prime and, since then, Thai politics have been The question is whether the US can resist the minister in a March election shook up locked in a cycle of his allies winning the kingdom. elections and later being ousted from downdraft, providing a balance for the rest of the world. For the sister of King Maha power by court rulings or coups — Most economists forecast US growth will ebb a bit in Vajiralongkorn to enter politics was most recently in 2014, when the army 2019 on the back of protectionism, higher interest rates shocking enough, but what threatened to overthrew the remnants of a government and the fading support of tax cuts. upend Thailand’s political dynamic was that had been led by Thaksin’s sister the fact that she declared her candidacy Yingluck. But if businesses, consumers and other countries for a populist party linked to an exiled Nominating Princess Ubolratana was conclude that the US is not a bastion of predictability former prime minister. Thai Raksa Chart’s attempt to turn the and stability for the global economy, it is a greater By Monday, the country’s Election table and invoke the appeal of the royal concern. Commission had disqualifi ed the family as a populist princess. princess, 67, from taking part in the But the gambit was quickly shut down election, echoing the words of the by her brother, who ascended to the king himself, who said on Friday her throne in 2016, after the death of their To Advertise candidacy was “inappropriate”. father, and will be offi cially crowned in Still, even though the princess won’t May. [email protected] be a candidate in the March 24 vote, her Still, the brief entry of royalty into Display political ambitions — and the populists’ politics may only deepen Thailand’s audacious gambit in nominating her — political divisions, said Anusorn Unno, 44466621 44418811 could linger in voters’ minds. (FILES) This picture taken on March 24, 2010 shows Thai Princess Ubolratana Dean of the Faculty of Sociology and The election is the fi rst since a 2014 Rajakanya visiting the Thailand pavilion at the Hong Kong Entertainment Expo. Anthropology at Thammasat University. Classified military coup, and will pit allies of “For Thai Raksa Chart supporters, 44466609 44418811 ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Raksa Chart party sought to fl ip the By longstanding tradition, the royal this has created more sympathy to the Shinawatra against urban and middle longstanding charge by opponents that family have kept themselves above party... Subscription class opponents espousing extreme Thaksin and his allies were insuffi ciently politics as a symbol of Thai culture. These would see the party as a victim devotion to the Thai monarchy. loyal to the monarchy. Since 2005, when protesters in this situation,” he said. [email protected] Thaksin or his proxies have won every The royal family is revered in Thailand drawn mostly from the middle-class As for Thaksin’s opponents, they are election in Thailand since 2001. as semi-divine. and urban establishment began likely to be galvanised by what they will With its nomination of the king’s Insulting the monarchy is against the demonstrating against Thaksin’s rule, see as an attempt to manipulate the © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved sister for prime minister, the Thai law, punished by up to 15 years in prison. the rallying call of anti-Thaksin forces monarchy, said Anusorn. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 13, 2019 23 QATAR Japanese martial art Kendo attracts many enthusiasts

By Peter Alagos which is why do conduct many we can transform ourselves into a Business Reporter demonstrations as much as we national team in the future. can,” al-Mohannadi told Gulf “We would also like play a role Times on the sidelines of the in the growth of martial arts in he traditional Japanese event. Qatar and hopefully in the future, martial art of Kendo has According to al-Mohannadi, we would like to see ourselves as Tattracted many people Aspire is an ideal venue to intro- part of a government body so to the Doha Kendo Club’s event duce Kendo to Qatar residents that Kendo would get offi cial rec- held during Aspire Zone Foun- during NSD celebrations be- ognition,” al-Mohannadi further dation’s (AZF) National Sport cause of its fi rst-rate facilities. stressed. Day (NSD) celebrations yester- “It’s now our second time to join In a statement earlier, AZF day. the NSD celebrations in Aspire, NSD Organising Committee Football craze at Aspire following Qatar’s win at the 2019 Asian Cup. PICTURE: Jayaram Kendo is among the several which has fresh air, as well as chairman Nasser Abdullah al- martial arts featured at As- a nice and comfortable atmos- Hajiri said AZF provides a unique pire, which attracted more than phere,” he pointed out. platform to introduce new sports 30,000 visitors to its world-class Al-Mohannadi said the club is to members of the local commu- venue. Many children participat- aiming to join international com- nity in Qatar. ed in the club’s demonstrations petitions and work to promote “Since it started, NSD has pro- led by Doha Kendo Club founder the growth of Kendo in Qatar. But vided the perfect opportunity to & club manager Abdulrahman most importantly, al-Mohannadi off er diff erent types of activity in Rashid al-Mohannadi and Sensei said the club wants to represent Qatar, such as Rugby, US Foot- Aspire underscores Junichi Tashiro. Qatar as a national team in the ball, Japanese Kendo, and Russian “Properly trained, Kendo can future. self-defence martial art Sambo. off er discipline, harmony, and “Going forward, we want to During the NSD, Aspire Zone will respect for one’s self and his or join the European Kendo Cham- combine sports from the East and her opponent…Kendo is open pionships, as well as the World- West in an opportunity to explore to everyone and we would like wide Kendo Championships…we cultures and sports from across to have more people to join in, are a club but with more work, the world,” he said. role in 2019 AFC Asian Cup victory

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter

spire Zone Foundation’s (AZF) signifi cant role in AQatar’s historic win at the recently-held 2019 AFC Asian Cup has helped elevate further Aspire Zone’s status as a major sports hub and destination. “This year, we can clearly see the wisdom of the nation’s leaders in dedicating a for sport. February is now linked to sport victories after the Kids engage in a friendly race. PICTURES: Jayaram amazing achievement of our na- tional football team, which was joined AZF’s National Sport Day Doha Kendo Club founder & club manager Abdulrahman Rashid al-Mohannadi leading a demonstration while of course led by Aspire academy (NSD) celebrations yesterday. Sensei Junichi Tashiro looks on. graduates. The Qatari team has Families and children were treat- been making headlines across ed to 30 sporting events Aspire’s the world, which indicates that world-class venues, such as the the eff orts of everyone at Aspire outdoor Football Pitch 10, Aspire Zone have now paid off . Dome, and Aspire Park. “This success is not only relat- Aspire Logistics director gen- ed to its sate-of-the-art facilities eral Abdulla Nasser al-Naemi at Aspire but it is also due to the kick-started Aspire’s NSD cel- expertise of its staff who’ve in- ebration with the fun run. Join- vested a lot in building the current ing him was al-Suwaidi and generation of Qatari champions. hundreds of running enthusiasts I expect that this generation will who conquered the 3km course change the face of sport in Qatar around Khalifa International and Asia,” said AZF CEO Moham- Stadium. Full contact sports like kickboxing are becoming more popular in Qatar. ed Khalifa al-Suwaidi. The fun run was followed by a Highlighting the series of As- 2km-walk around Aspire’s lake Because of Qatar’s win at the than the National Sport Day to pire’s sports activities yesterday led by AZF president Hilal bin Ja- Asian Cup led by graduates of raise the awareness of our com- was the presence of His High- ham al-Kuwari, who was joined Aspire Academy, Afi fa said many munity,” he said. ness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin by al-Suwaidi, al-Naemi, Deputy people are now eager to explore the AZF NSD Organising Com- Hamad al-Thani at the event. Director General of the Academy academy and its programmes, and mittee chairman Nasser Ab- His Highness Sheikh Jas- Ali Salem Afi fa, and Aspetar act- to learn the secret of the achieve- dullah al-Hajiri added: “Aspire sim bin Hamad al-Thani, the ing CEO Abdelaziz al-Kuwari. ments of its graduates. Zone can fulfi l one of its strate- Personal Representative of His Al-Naemi said the “good organ- Al-Kuwari said, “Aspetar’s gic objectives in line with Qatar Highness the Amir also visited isation,” variety of activities, and staff work behind the scene to National Vision 2030, which is Aspire Zone where he learned dedication of Aspire’s logistical help sport stars perform at their to modernise the country and about Russian martial arts, and human resources was the re- best and allow them to unlock transform it into a sustainable Sambo. He was joined by Rus- sult of hundreds of hours of plan- their potential. We are not only society capable of providing the sian ambassador Nurmakhmad ning and preparation to organise providing support to world- highest standards of living for its Kholov. its 2019 NSD event “in a way that beating athletes, we are also rais- citizens by building generations More than 30,000 people, refl ects the place of Aspire Zone at ing people’s awareness about of physically and psychologically Members of the Doha Kendo Club while training. PICTURES: Jayaram. many of which are families, the heart the community.” health. There is no better day healthy people.” Sambo transcends cultural boundaries, says Russian martial arts expert

By Peter Alagos the ‘Year of Culture Qatar-Russia Business Reporter 2018’ and had attracted a large number of participants during the interactive master classes he Russian martial arts and workshops led by top Rus- of Sambo, which made sian Sambo experts. Tits Qatar debut at Aspire It also featured a variety of Zone Foundation’s (AZF) Na- entertainment installations for tional Sport Day (NSD) celebra- children and an exhibition space tions yesterday, conveys a mes- showcasing the 80-year history sage that transcends cultural, of the unique self-defence sport, racial, and religious bounda- attracting hundreds of visitors ries, according to a martial arts interested in learning the Russian expert. martial art. “Sambo teaches many life les- ‘Sambo Russian Martial Art sons, such as discipline, dedi- Sport Day’ witnessed the pres- cation, and team work, which ence of His Highness Sheikh are universal values that unite Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, all countries. We want to intro- the Personal Representative of Qatar’s ambassador to Russia Fahad bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and duce Sambo to Qatar not only His Highness the Amir Sheikh Russian ambassador Nurmakhmad Kholov at the ‘Sambo Russian as a sport but also as a way to Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as Martial Art Sport Day’ event held at Aspire Zone yesterday. bring people of diff erent back- well as Qatar’s ambassador to grounds together,” International Russia Fahad bin Mohamed al- Russia. We are pleased to have a unique face of Russian sports Sambo Federation (Fias) execu- Attiyah, Russian ambassador seen our communities actively culture, we very much value the Sambo athletes warm up during a demonstration. PICTURE: Jayaram tive director Sergev Tabakov told Nurmakhmad Kholov, and Fias engage in this unique aspect of positive response and engage- Gulf Times on the sidelines of president Vasily Shestakov. Russian sport and look forward to ment we have seen in introducing that aims to promote mutual relations between the State of Sport Day’, hosted by Fias with the ‘Sambo Russian Martial Art Al-Attiyah said, “The intro- continued collaboration between this sport to the diverse commu- understanding, recognition, Qatar and the Russian Federa- Russian oil company Rosneft, Sport Day’ event held at Aspire duction of Sambo during our our two nations.” nities celebrating National Sport and appreciation between tion, and to celebrate the vi- comes to Qatar this year to ex- Zone yesterday. National Sport Day is further Shestakov added, “We are Day this year.” countries. ‘Qatar-Russia Year brant complexity of both na- tend a rich programme of cultural The event is part of a series of testament to the value of cultur- delighted with the outstanding Every year, Qatar runs a of Culture’ took place in 2018 tions and their people. exchange begun in the ‘Qatar- projects held in the framework of al exchange between Qatar and turnout for the Sambo show. As cultural exchange programme with the aim of strengthening ‘Sambo Russian Martial Art Russia 2018 Year of Culture’. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, February 13, 2019 QATAR Amir participates in Sport Day activities His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday participated in the activities of Qatar Sport Day on a visit to Aspire Zone Foundation’s Football Skills Development Center. His Highness participated in diff erent kinds of sport activities held by members of the Aspire Academy in the playground. His Highness the Amir was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, the Personal Representative of the Amir, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and senior off icials of the Qatar Football Association and the Aspire Zone Foundation. His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Thani also participated in activities organised by the Ministry of Interior in Qatar Sports Club court.

Sheikh Joaan: Sport Day refl ects leadership’s interest in sport Advisory Council Speaker stresses importance of sports

QNA QNA Doha Doha

HE the President of the Qatar Olympic he Advisory Council cele- Committee (QOC), Sheikh Joaan bin Ha- brated the National Sport Day mad al-Thani, has described Qatar Sport Tyesterday with the participa- Day as a special occasion celebrated by tion of its Speaker HE Ahmed bin citizens and residents. Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. In a statement he said Qatar is one This year’s celebration comes in of the first countries in the world to light of the historic achievement ac- dedicate a paid sport day as an off icial complished by Qatar national foot- holiday to exercise sports. This reflects ball team by winning the 2019 Asian the interest of the wise leadership in Cup, an event that gave the celebra- sport and its most important role in tion of the Sport Day this year a spe- building human being in the country, cial taste and an additional sense of he said, adding sport is one of the most the importance of sport, its role and important factors in the pillars of the HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani its multiple benefi ts. Qatar National Vision 2030. In remarks to journalists, HE al- This year’s Sport Day celebrations come a lifestyle because of its physical Mahmoud said that the Sport Day, coincide with several sporting achieve- and health benefits for individuals and which was set by a decision of His ments by Qatar, most notably after the communities, and to become a general Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim first football team claimed Asian Cup, culture in all segments of society. The bin Hamad al-Thani in 2011, affi rms where the players overcame diff iculties regular practice of sports protects the importance of sports in the lives and demonstrated their ability to claim against diseases and contribute to the of individuals and communities. a deserved win, he said, adding the win creation of healthy and sound communi- He said that the Asian Cup victory is the result of eff orts continued over ties that can perform the tasks of build- gives this great sporting event a beau- the years and they are the best example ing countries, contribute and maintain tiful dimension that refl ects the im- for our youth. their development. In this aspect, Qatar portance of sports and indicates that The QOC president pointed out that boasts mega sport facilities and institu- sport is no less important than other Qatar has turned into a large sports tions available across the country.” things for the communities as well. arena in which everyone is practising all He thanked ministries and institu- The Speaker added that the Ad- kinds of sports. “In this day, we aim to tions for organising sporting events visory Council is celebrating this raise awareness about the importance and recreational activities to mark the wonderful occasion to remind the of sport and encourage its practice to be- Sport Day. society that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. HE the Advisory Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud taking part in the Sport Day celebration.