BUSINESSBUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Installation of steel columns begins at Qatar ZAD Holding maintaining Foundation stable consumer prices despite blockade on Qatar Stadium published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 10772 March 29, 2018 Rajab 12, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets CEO of Rosneft US General: In brief No plan to QATAR | Offi cial Emir sends greetings to Ethiopia’s PM-designate His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin leave vital Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met with Igor Sechin, chief executive off icer of Rosneft, Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh and his accompanying delegation who are visiting Qatar to follow up on the outcome of the talks between the Emir and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week. At the outset of the meeting at Al Bahr Palace, Sechin conveyed al-Thani sent yesterday cables of the Russian president’s greetings to the Emir. For his part, the Emir entrusted Sechin with his greetings to the president. The congratulations to Dr Abiy Ahmed meeting also reviewed bilateral ties. Ali on his election as Prime Minister Udeid base of Ethiopia. O Qatar’s role in fight against terrorism lauded QATAR | Complaint UN told Bahraini jet By Joey Aguilar unconfi rmed reports that the Ameri- Staff Reporter cans are planning to leave the Al Udeid violated Qatar airspace Airbase. Qatar has reported to the UN Educate refugee children General Votel stressed that Qatar has Security Council and the UN he US Central Command (Cent- been a good partner to the US in the Secretary-General a breach of its com) yesterday reiterated that it fi ght against terrorism. Other coun- sovereignty by the Kingdom of Thas no plans to move out of the tries in the region have also contributed Bahrain. In a message addressed at any cost: Sheikha Moza Al Udeid Airbase in to the endeavour, to UN Secretary-General Antonio Qatar and the Incirlik he added. Guterres and Karel van Oosterom, Airbase in Turkey. “We are thank- the president of the UN Security O EAA chairperson holds ation with the United Nations High the ways to ensure education for refu- “We have no plans GT EXCLUSIVE ful for the sup- Council for this month, HE talks with UNHCR chief and Commissioner for Refugees (UN- gees and internally displaced persons, to depart (from) the port that they ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed HCR). in order to build a prosperous future airbase in Qatar and provide us, just bin Saif al-Thani, Qatar’s permanent presidents of IOC and ICRC She urged the global community to for all. I am aware of some of these reports, I as other countries of the region which representative to the UN, mentioned facilitate access to quality education Sheikha Moza spoke about the ob- don’t know where they come from,” provide support to us, and other coali- that a Bahraini fighter jet had QNA for displaced children and to enforce stacles facing the education of refugee General Joseph L Votel, Commander, tion members,” he said. violated the Qatar’s airspace on Geneva severe penalties for perpetrators of and displaced children which prevent US Central Command told reporters According to General Votel, the US March 25. The message described armed confl ict. them from contributing to the build- during a 30-minute teleconference. Centcom is looking forward to con- the incident as a flagrant violation The session was held at the UN ing of their communities. She added General Votel was giving an update tinue such relationship, hoping that of international law, noting that er Highness Sheikha Moza headquarters in Geneva under the title that education must be given prior- on their operations for the US Centcom some of the tensions are addressed at repeated violations of Qatari bint Nasser, Chairperson “Quality Education for a Sustainable ity as it is the tool for the children area of responsibility, which includes the political level and they will not have sovereignty would increase tension Hof the Education Above All Future: A Comprehensive Approach of the present and future. “A global the Gulf region. an impact on the military or security in the region. The government of (EAA) Foundation and Advocate for for Refugees and Internally Displaced approach needs to be adapted, in or- He said leaving the airbase in Qatar co-operation. Qatar renewed its call on the UN to the UN Sustainable Development People.” der to remove institutional barriers, is “not something that we are contem- “This (relationship) has been a key take the necessary measures and Goals, participated yesterday in a United Nations High Commissioner which prevent the recognition and plating at this point”. for our combined security (co-opera- put an end to repeated Bahraini high-level panel discussion organ- for Refugees Filippo Grandi attended verifi cation of refugee education,” she Gulf Times had reported earlier two tion) in the past,” he said. violations. ised by the foundation in co-oper- the session. The discussion touched on said. To Page 28 leading US defence entities refuting the To Page 12

Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 5 QATAR

FM meets president of International Crisis Group Panel discusses UNRWA offi cial HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman draft law on al-Thani met the president of the International Crisis Group (ICG) Robert Malley, in Doha yesterday. The thanks Qatar for meeting discussed means of enhancing road transport co-operation between Qatar and the ICG, in addition to issues of common interest. Following ervices and Public Utilities Com- the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister and mittee at the Advisory Council $50mn donation Minister of Foreign Aff airs witnessed the signing of Sheld a meeting yesterday as part a co-operation agreement between the Ministry of of the 46th ordinary session of the Foreign Aff airs and the International Crisis Group. Council under the chairmanship of its he UN Relief and tarian conditions in Gaza The agreement was signed by the Secretary Rapporteur Mohamed bin Mahdi al- Works Agency for are witnessing serious and General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed Ahbabi. During the meeting, the com- TPalestine Refugees dramatic deterioration, bin Hassan al-Hammadi, and the President the mittee studied a draft law on the regu- in the Near East (UNRWA) stressing the diffi cult situ- Group Robert Malley. lation of road transport and decided to has expressed gratitude to ations that people are going complete its study in its next meeting. Qatar for donating $50mn through and the unprec- to the agency during the edented psychological pres- extraordinary ministerial sures on people as well as meeting to support UN- serious damage in the health RWA, which was held in sector. Rome on March 15. The UN offi cial said it Speaking yesterday dur- is time to make a serious ing a press conference in move to deal with the conse- Gaza, UNRWA Commis- quences of the siege and oc- sioner General Pierre Kra- cupation in Gaza and end the henbuhl thanked Qatar for division due to its disastrous the generous donation and implications on the ground. called on other world coun- He added that UNRWA tries to follow in the foot- has been a witness to the steps of Doha to support its historical wrongdoing that services for more than 5mn refugees have been going Palestinian refugees. through and will tirelessly On Friday, UN Secretary fi ght for their rights and General Antonio Guterres needs. expressed his thanks and Krahenbuhl said the gratitude to His Highness deficit in UNRWA’s budget the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin must be secured through Hamad al-Thani for Qatar’s serious work, adding that pledge to donate $50mn to the additional $100mn that UNRWA. were paid to the organisa- Doha’s donation is the tion constitute a good step biggest among pledges of- but are not enough. fered by donor states that He said the agency is tak- participated in the extraor- ing all the necessary meas- dinary conference. ures to protect the mandate Meanwhile, Krahenbuhl given to it by the United Na- highlighted that humani- tions.

QRCS performs cardiac procedure for Syrian refugees

QNA suff ering from heart prob- Doha lems, and 70 diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac cathe- terisation procedures for the medical team from most in need. Qatar Red Crescent Dr Khaled Alam al-Hu- ASociety (QRCS) is car- da, the co-ordinator of the rying out a charitable project project, said that 90% of by performing cardiac cath- the Syrian refugees reg- eterisation programme for istered with the UN High Syrian refugees in Jordan. Commissioner for Refugees The project will continue (UNHCR) are poor, making until April 5 at a total cost of it unable for them to aff ord QR390,000. the costs of medical treat- In a statement QRCS said ment and operations such as that the project, which is be- diagnostic and therapeutic ing implemented in co-op- catheterisation. eration with Hamad Medical The project is part of the Corporation (HMC) and the Qatar Red Crescent Medi- Jordan Hashemite Char- cal Caravan Programme for ity Organisation (JHCO), 2018, with a total budget aims to diagnose and treat of over QR9mn, including heart diseases among Syrian campaigns for cardiac cath- refugees and conduct free eterisation for children and checkups for 200 patients adults, among others.

Civil Defence conducts emergency rescue drills

QNA Khamis Mohamed al-Mu- Doha raikhi, head of Lekhwiya’s training and preparation committee, said that it in- he General Directo- cluded several basic sce- rate of Civil Defence narios for search and res- Tand the Internal Se- cue. curity Force (Lekhwiya) car- He explained that one of ried out ‘Samlah2’ exercise the scenarios was to save at Ras Laff an Emergency and the number of injured using Safety College. real mechanisms and tools, A number of authorities in a mock drills in the tow- in the state took part in ex- ers area. ercise which was attended He said the drills were by the delegations of the held at two locations: the countries that participated site of the towers area where in the meetings of the In- the training focused on ternational Civil Defence evacuation of people from Organisation (ICDO) which high rise buildings, and an- concluded yesterday. other related to dealing with Director General of Civil landslides. Defence Brigadier Abdullah Major al-Muraikhi said Mohamed al-Suwaidi said that the exercise also in- the exercise aimed to assess cluded establishing an inte- the extent of Qatari teams’ grated camp for the search preparedness to deal with and rescue operations de- emergencies and respond partment, a command and to any emergency as well as control centre, a logistics highlight the potential of tent, a rest tent, a commu- the equipment in the col- nications tent and a medical lege. tent. He pointed out that many Captain Nasser Ahmed, delegations of countries that from the Ras Laff an Emer- participated in the ICDO gency and Safety College, meetings attended the exer- said that the exercise aimed cise and expressed admira- at highlighting the pre- tion for the Qatari capabili- paredness of the parties ties and expertise in the fi eld involved in responding to of civil defence as well as crises and disasters and as- willingness to benefi t from sessing measures taken dur- the experience of Qatar. ing the response in terms of On the nature of the search, rescue and relief op- ‘Samlah2’ exercise, Major erations. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 29 ,2018 QATAR

Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College holds fourth military colleges’ forum

QNA In his opening speech, Com- world, noting that this distinc- Doha mander of Ahmed bin Mohamed tion came as a result of the vari- Military College Major General ous partnerships with the corre- Fahad Mubarak al-Khayareen sponding military colleges. hmed bin Mohamed Mili- stressed the keenness of the Al-Khater pointed out that tary College held yester- college to hold the forum on a academic military colleges in Aday the fourth military regular basis because of its great various countries of the world, colleges’ forum in the presence importance in promoting dis- including Qatar aim to graduate of HE the Deputy Prime Minister cussion and dialogue with the a committed, qualifi ed offi cer and Minister of State for Defence corresponding colleges to meet capable of decision-making and Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed the challenges and propose solu- who has many scientifi c and cul- al-Attiyah. tions on academic military edu- tural skills. The two-day event, held un- cation by experts. Al-Khater said that the col- der the title ‘Academic Military Al-Khayareen stressed that the lege seeks to be one of the best Education In Light of the Cur- candidate is the goal of the col- military colleges in the region rent Challenges’, is witnessing lege and its main task is to develop and the world by selecting an the participation of eight major his performance and upgrade his academic cadre of experts and countries from diff erent regions military and academic level to specialists in this fi eld, as well as around the world. enable him to become a qualifi ed by establishing internal and ex- The forum aims to join eff orts decision-making leader equipped HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah attending the opening session of ternal partnerships with friendly and establish important and with the latest methods of train- fourth military colleges’ forum organised by Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College yesterday. countries and the corresponding distinct partnerships as well as ing, knowledge, science, and val- universities. strengthen co-operation with ues of loyalty to the homeland. Canada, and Malaysia, to benefi t sessions of this forum in various and academic programmes to hamed Military College Dr Khalid He said that the military insti- the corresponding colleges in The forum is being attended from the experts’ suggestions aspects, foremost of which is to meet the standards recognised bin Nasser al-Khater said in press tutions participating in the fo- the friendly countries with ad- by eight friendly countries: the and experiences, he added. take into consideration many in the academic military fi eld. remarks that the academic and rum are very advanced and have vanced expertise in the fi eld of United States, the United King- He noted that the college ben- recommendations in the con- Meanwhile, the Dean of Aca- military programmes at the col- extensive experience and history military academic education. dom, Poland, Turkey, France, efi ted greatly from the previous tinuous development of military demic Aff airs at Ahmed bin Mo- lege are among the best level in the in the fi eld of military academia. Cabinet nod for draft Minister meets San Salvador mayor law on transportation of hazardous materials

he regular Cabinet meet- The Cabinet also approved a ing, chaired by HE the Cabinet hails outcome of Emir’s Russia visit draft resolution of the Minis- TPrime Minister Sheikh The regular Cabinet meeting, chaired by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh ter of Endowments (Awqaf) and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, Islamic Aff airs to establish sec- lifa al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan praised the outcome of the visit of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim tions in the administrative units yesterday approved a draft law bin Hamad al-Thani to Russia on March 25 and 26, stressing that his talks that comprise the General Au- on transportation of hazardous with President Vladimir Putin reflected the strength of bilateral relations thority for Minors’ Aff airs and materials by road and decided to between the two countries and opened new horizons for co-operation. assign their competences, and submit it to the Advisory Council. a draft resolution of Minister of Giving details, HE the Minister Municipality and Environment of Justice and Acting Minister of hazardous materials, as deter- period. to adopt Qatari technical regula- State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Has- mined by the executive regula- The Cabinet also approved a tions. Twinning agreement san Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi tions. draft law amending some provi- In addition, the Cabinet ap- said that under the provisions of 3- Follow safety rules for deal- sions of Law No 1 of 2016 on the proved a draft agreement for HE the Minister of Municipality and the draft law, transportation of ing with hazardous materials organisation of sports clubs. co-operation in the cultural fi eld Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah hazardous substances by road is during shipment, transport and This draft law comes in line between the governments of al-Rumaihi received not permissible without obtain- unloading, as determined by the with ongoing developments and Qatar and Paraguay, and a draft yesterday in his off ice Nayib Bukele, ing a license from the competent executive regulations. updates in international regula- memorandum of understanding mayor of San Salvador Municipality in department and co-ordination The licensee is also prohibited tions and standards related to for co-operation in the areas of El Salvador, and his with other government bodies, from using the lane to transport the independence of sport. youth and sports between the accompanying delegation. They in accordance with the condi- hazardous materials for any- The amendment aims at governments of Qatar and Para- discussed ways of enhancing tions, controls and procedures thing other than the purpose as- strengthening the independence guay. co-operation between the specifi ed by the executive regu- signed in the license. of general assemblies of sports The Cabinet then reviewed Ministry of Municipality and lations. Transportation of hazardous clubs to assume the tasks that are a letter of the Permanent Wa- Environment and San Salvador The licensee shall be commit- materials is prohibited without entrusted to them, to fi nd a clear ter Resources Committee on Municipality in areas of common ted to the following: an operating card, and the licen- and eff ective legal mechanism to the semi-annual report on the interest. Meanwhile, a twining 1- Use lanes authorised for see must keep the card inside the attract Qatari cadres qualifi ed to committee’s work for the period agreement was signed between Doha transportation of hazardous ma- vehicle at all times. work in sports clubs, to involve from July 1 to December 31, 2017, Municipality and San Salvador terials by road, and not change All the parties to whom this athletes from various universi- and a memorandum of Minister Municipality yesterday to promote the lane without permission law applies shall comply with ties, institutes and schools in of Administrative Development, friendly relations, enhance from the competent depart- the regulations within six international competitions and Labour and Social Aff airs on the co-operation and exchange ment, in co-ordination with the months from the date of its im- to enhance the participation of briefi ng of the recommendation experiences in various municipal areas. Department of Civil Defence in plementation. the private sector to invest in the (205) of the International Labour The agreement was signed by Doha the Ministry of Interior. The Minister of Transport and sports sector and provide sports Organisation (ILO) regarding Municipality director Jamal Matar 2- Meet conditions and speci- Communications may extend activities and services in the employment and decent work al-Nuaimi and Bukele. fi cations for transportation of this period for another similar country. for peace and resilience.

Reschedule of Indian board exams hits students, parents

By Joseph Varghese XII students had made all Staff Reporter the arrangements for their travel back home. Now they have to reschedule. Many he decision by In- of the class X students also dia’s Central Board of had made plans for a short TSecondary Education break. Now, we will have to (CBSE) to re-conduct exami- reschedule the opening date nations of Maths for Class X for the class XI,” he added. and Economics for Class XII Several parents who had after the question papers al- made arrangements for trav- legedly leaked, has hit hard el also have to rearrange their several students and their tickets and leave schedule parents in Qatar also. causing great fi nancial loss The travel as well as and inconvenience. coaching plans of many stu- “My son was supposed to dents and their families have fl y home tonight as he had gone haywire. Many of them completed the examinations. were due to travel this week. Now he has to stay back to Syed Shoukath Ali, prin- take the rescheduled exami- cipal of Ideal Indian School, nation for Economics. This said that the dates for the will also aff ect his prepara- fresh examinations and oth- tions for higher studies,” la- er details will be announced mented a parent. within a week. The Class XII Econom- “However, the concerned ics examination was held students and their parents on Monday and the Class X are affected much. The class Maths examination yesterday.

Real estate transaction

The trading volume of registered real estates between March 18 and March 22 at the Ministry of Justice’s real estate registration department stood at QR247,206,165. The department’s weekly report said that the trading included empty lands, residential units, residential buildings, multipurpose buildings and empty multipurpose lands. The trading volume of registered real estates between March 11 and March 15 was QR273,971,698.

Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 9 QATAR

Qatar’s classical QU signs deal with rail Arabic poets hold JV on student internship session at MIA atar Museums (QM), un- ture an environment where clas- atar University (QU) yesterday der the guidance of its sical Arabic poetry can continue to signed a memorandum of un- Qchairperson HE Sheikha thrive and touch new audiences.” Qderstanding (MoU) with Louis Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Kha- Unesco had declared March 21 Berger Egis Rail Joint Venture to pro- lifa al-Thani, has celebrated World as World Poetry Day and has been vide young students with mentoring, Poetry Day by hosting a classical celebrating it since 1999. The event internships and training programmes Arabic poetry evening at the Mu- is meant to support linguistic di- to enhance their potential and cre- seum of Islamic Art (MIA). versity through poetic expression ate opportunities for their career ad- The event paid homage to the and off er endangered languages the vancement. language of the Qur’an, highlight- opportunity to be heard within their The MoU was signed by QU’s vice ing MIA’s “commitment to safe- communities. The observance of president for academic aff airs Dr guarding Islamic culture and re- World Poetry Day is also meant to Omar al-Ansari, Louis Berger senior affi rming its position as an iconic encourage a return to the oral tradi- vice president and managing director cultural centre in the region”, QM tion of poetry recitals and promote (Middle East North Africa) Belal Dei- said in a statement. the teaching of poetry. ranieh and Qatar Egis country manager For centuries, poetry has been an The workshop is the latest ex- Alexandre Busson, in the presence of integral part of Arabic and Islamic ample in a long line of training French ambassador Eric Chevallier, of- culture, building bridges between sessions, talks and other activi- fi cials from QU, Louis Berger and Egis people and emphasising their com- ties organised by MIA and QM to Rail, and representatives from the US mon human values and identities. “engage and enthuse all those who embassy in Qatar. The event, which was open to live in and visit Qatar to engage The MoU aims to strengthen the the public, included poetry read- with art and culture in exciting collaborative relationship between QU ings by some of Qatar’s top local and unexpected ways”, the state- and Louis Berger Egis Rail Joint Ven- poets. They included Mohamed ment notes. ture, providing a foundation to fulfi l Khalifa al-Attiyah, Abdelhamid “It is further evidence of QM’s the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 Hashem Youssef, Ali Mirza Mah- steadfast commitment to sup- such as the development and sustain- moud, Khaled Ahmed Obaidan porting a wide range of opportu- ability of the society and economy. French ambassador Eric Chevallier and off icials from QU, Louis Berger and Egis Rail pose for a photo after the MoU signing ceremony yesterday. and Mohamed Ibrahim al-Sada. nities, and to empowering local The terms of the MoU include col- Commenting on the occasion, talent in taking full advantage of laboration between QU and Louis sion when developing strategic demonstration of it. And there young minds to relate class- portunities for Qatari gradu- MIA deputy director (Learning the support available across QM’s Berger Egis Rail Joint Venture on the plans related to its colleges and will be others.” room education with practi- ates to contribute to fulfi lling & Outreach & Operations) Salem world-leading museums.” exchange of experiences and infor- academic programmes in line Deiranieh said: “The princi- cal experience. In addition to the goals set by Qatar National Abdulla al-Aswad said: “Arabic This year is set to be an “excit- mation including publications, peri- with its role to equip the labour pal aim of the MoU is to recruit the learning aspect, the op- Vision 2030. This MoU sets poetry is one of the earliest forms ing year” for art enthusiasts in odicals, studies, statistics and data, market with high professional and develop Qatar Univer- portunity will provide Qatari out the grounds of the profes- of Arabic literature and has always Qatar with multiple exhibitions as well as the organisation of studies, competencies who will con- sity’s graduates and students students and graduates the op- sional collaboration between been used as a creative outlet for and art lectures set to take place, conferences, meetings and training. tribute to the fulfi lment of the by placing them into develop- portunity to contribute to their the parties and the students, artistes to express their opinions according to QM. To stay up-to- In his remarks, Dr al-Ansari said: goals of Qatar National Vision ment roles on transportation country’s growth.” which will result in specialised and make their voices heard. We date with the latest news, one can “QU is committed to fostering links 2030.” projects. By way of on-the-job Busson said: “Egis Rail be- and sophisticated programmes are pleased to support a new gen- visit http://www.mia.org.qa/en/ with the various sectors of society and Ambassador Chevallier said: training, the graduates and lieves that the signing of this to facilitate the placement of eration of Qatari poets and nur- whats-on to keep abreast of the various needs “France is strongly committed students will experience actual MoU will strengthen the col- QU’s graduates and engineer- of the labour market. This helps the to human capital development construction and project de- laboration between Egis Rail ing graduates into roles in Qa- university to establish a clearer vi- in Qatar. This MoU is a new livery, a great opportunity for and QU to provide new op- tar.” Honda bikes recalled over airbag defect

he Ministry of Economy ordinate with the dealer to follow and Commerce (MEC), in up on the maintenance and repair Tcollaboration with Doha works and will communicate with Marketing Services Company customers to ensure that the nec- (Domasco), has announced the re- essary repairs are carried out. call of Honda GL1800G5GS bikes The MEC has urged all custom- model of 2015 over a potential de- ers to report any violations to its fect in driver airbag. Consumer Protection and Anti- The MEC said the recall cam- Commercial Fraud Department paign comes within the frame- through the following channels: work of its ongoing eff orts to pro- Call centre: 16001, e-mail: info@ tect consumers and ensure that mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_Qa- dealers follow up on bike defects tar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC and repairs. mobile app for Android and IOS: The ministry said that it will co- MEC_Qatar Participants at the Nakilat annual forum. Nakilat Qatarisation rate rises

akilat has achieved a higher oping maritime industry. tive sessions by both the company’s potential and become key contribu- Qatarisation rate of 42% in This was said at the fourth ‘annual management as well as Qatari em- tors to the company and Qatar’s N2017 compared to 37.4% in forum’ for its Qatari employees. The ployees, highlighting the Qatarisa- maritime industry, in line with Qatar the previous year. event was an excellent platform for tion progress and the new and on- National Vision 2030. Through its wide-ranging Qatari- national employees to learn about going initiatives for the professional “This annual forum is an invalua- sation eff orts, which include sup- the company’s career development development of Qatari staff . ble platform to reinforce the impor- porting the training initiatives of plans and programmes, interact This initiative comes as part of tance of Qatarisation to Nakilat, and various educational institutions in with senior management members the company’s robust Qatarisation highlights the company’s commit- the country, the company aims to and have their queries addressed programme that focuses not only on ment in supporting our Qatari staff enhance the skills and abilities of its during the various discussions held. recruiting talented Qataris but also to achieve their professional goals,” employees while raising awareness The forum featured a series of in- developing the existing talent pool managing director Abdullah Fadha- and interest in Qatar’s rapidly devel- sightful presentations and interac- and enabling them reach their full lah al-Sulaiti said.

Part of Furousiya Street to be closed for 5 months

section of Al Furousiya Furousiya Street Development Street, in the three lanes Project, which includes increas- Aleading from Al Furousiya ing the number of lanes to four Roundabout (Equestrian R/A) in each direction with a service to Muaither Roundabout, will road on both sides of the street in be closed from April 1 for fi ve order to enhance traffi c fl ow. months. The project also includes con- During the period, traffi c will verting Al Furousiya and Muaither be diverted to three lanes parallel Roundabouts into signal-con- to the closed section of Al Furo- trolled intersections to ease traf- usiya Street (as shown on the fi c congestion in the area, in ad- map). dition to providing street lighting The diversion aims to enable and pedestrian and cyclist lanes, construction works as part of Al among other works. Temporary closure

shghal will implement a turn right only and use the next temporary closure of the Ol- intersection (as shown on the Aympic Intersection (Sports map). Intersection) on the main lanes The temporary closure aims to of the four sides for a period of 36 complete the final asphalt layer at hours from today evening. the Olympic Intersection as part Traffic through the stretch will of the development works im- resume on Saturday morning. plemented at intersections and During the period, traffic roundabouts in various areas of the heading to the Olympic Inter- Greater Doha to reduce traffic con- section from its four sides can gestion. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, March 29, 2018 QATAR Interior Ministry unveils strategy for 2018-2022 he Ministry of Interior The strategy visualises the MoI ern systems in management and (MoI) yesterday launched as the leader at the regional and advanced technology that help to Tits 2018-2022 strategy to international levels in its area of provide good service and achieve QF’s al-Kuwari and Rosneft’s Sechin sign an agreement as HE enhance the concept of security activities. Its mission is to achieve security and stability. The strat- Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and other dignitaries look on at and stability and ensure Qatar stability, security and perform- egy also includes 27 programmes QSTP yesterday. continues to achieve progress. ance excellence while its core ob- and projects for implementation The new strategy is based on jective is to contribute to a secure in the coming years. the principle of remarkable de- FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar. The 10 objectives of the strat- cline in the crime rate and in- The strategy assists vari- egy are to achieve stable security creasing the degree of security ous departments of the MoI in and reduce crime rates, protect and stability, especially in view transforming their strategic ob- life and property and quick re- Rosneft R&D of the enormous technological jectives into plans, programmes sponse to the requirements of developments and environmen- and projects and putting them residents, protect the society tal changes experienced across into practice, following up and from drugs, achieve safety on the world. ensuring their implementation roads and reduce road traffi c fa- The new strategy was an- as planned. It is also compatible talities, develop a national elec- hub to open nounced by MoI’s Planning and with the Gulf, Arab and inter- tronic security shield, develop Quality Department director Brigadier Abdul Rahman Majid al-Sulaiti announcing the 2018-2022 national environmental changes human skills and capabilities, Brigadier Abdul Rahman Majid strategy yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma and their impacts on the security optimise the utilisation of fi - al-Sulaiti. General Directorate system. nancial and technical resources, of the Public Security assistant ments of the security and safety assigned to the Ministry of In- The whole mission focuses strengthen relations with the at QSTP director general Brigadier Nasser strategies in 2011-2016, the MoI terior in the National Develop- on achieving continuous im- community, raise the effi ciency Jaber al-Nuaimi and several other offi cial hoped the new strategy ment Strategy, in line with the provement and development of in protecting the coastal areas of senior MoI offi cials were present. would eff ectively meet the re- goals and objectives of the Qatar all departments of the ministry the country and lastly protecting n the presence of HE the delighted to sign this impor- While recalling the achieve- quirements during 2018-2022, National Vision 2030. through the application of mod- and securing vital facilities. Minister of Energy and tant agreement with Rosneft, IIndustry Dr Mohamed bin and look forward to welcoming Saleh al-Sada, Qatar Founda- and working with researchers tion (QF) and Russian petro- from the company to further leum industry leader Rosneft develop areas of shared interest yesterday signed an agree- within the energy sector. ment in Doha to open the Ros- “At QF, we believe research ‘Strategy accords top priority to neft Research and Develop- and development are among ment Centre at Qatar Science the most important elements & Technology Park (QSTP). of a competitive and diverse QF chief executive of- economy, and are therefore a fi ce’s offi ce executive director key priority for empowering achieving security and stability’ Omran al-Kuwari and Ros- and activating innovation in neft CEO Igor Sechin were Qatar, as well as with our part- the signatories. Through the ners worldwide.” he 2018-2022 strategy agreement, Rosneft, which Sechin, said, “Today Qatar announced yesterday by is the largest publicly traded is not only an important player Tthe Ministry of Interior petroleum company in the in the Arabian Gulf market, (MoI) accords top priority to world, and QF aim to estab- but also one of the leaders in achieving security and stability lish a groundbreaking research the global oil and gas industry. in Qatar, Public Security Direc- and innovation hub at QSTP The development of modern tor General Staff Major General that will pave the way for new technologies in the fuel and Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi said. technologies, collaborations, energy sector has become a “In view of growing chal- and training programmes. key driver in the socioeco- lenges and confl icts and the The agreement between nomic successes of the coun- spread of terrorism there has QF and Rosneft will also sup- try. Interaction in scientifi c been a special interest across the port Qatar’s drive toward and technical research is one world to strengthen the security economic diversifi cation and of the goals of our cooperation. system to cope up with the re- sustainability by enabling Qatar has created a unique re- quirements of every country,” he Staff Major General Saad bin Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed Brigadier Hussain Hassan Brigadier Mohamed Saad and accelerating the crea- search centre in which leading explained. Jassim al-Khulaifi al-Suwaidi al-Jaber al-Kharji tion of new technologies that world companies and educa- The senior offi cial said the meet the needs of the energy tional institutions operate, 2018-2022 strategy is the result tial crises, reducing fi re incidents strategy by the end of 2016. stressed the importance of stra- sector at QSTP, a free zone which creates grounds for a of the studies done on various and limit the negative eff ects re- “The previous strategy also tegic planning in the Ministry and international hub for real breakthrough in the oil facets of the current situation sulting in the event of occurrence supported the awareness pro- of Interior in developing and the development of market- and gas science.” and changes that the country while reducing fatalities. grammes carried out by the Gen- improving services provided to ready tech products. Rosneft joins a roster of is experiencing in the back- General Directorate of Traf- eral Directorate of Traffi c. The the public. Co-operation between QF leading companies from Qa- ground of the ongoing economic fi c Director General Brigadier current strategy of the ministry He said the new strategy re- and Rosneft will extend to tar, the region, and around the developments. Mohamed Saad al-Kharji said has set a strategic objective of fl ected a new direction in the the joint funding of research world that develop and com- The core objective of the the strategy is in line with the achieving road safety and general services provided by the min- projects focused on address- mercialize their technologies 2018-2022 strategy is to con- requirements of the National safety. The rise in the population istry by reducing the number ing areas of national priority at QSTP, which off ers state- tribute to host a secure FIFA Committee for Traffi c Safety has been accompanied by an in- of physical visits to the service for Qatar, including the po- of-the-art facilities within 2022 World Cup Qatar, he said. strategy in adopting programmes crease in the number of vehicles,” centres with a view to become a tential for venture funding its hi-tech business park to Reacting to the new strat- and projects aimed at improving he added. paperless ministry. vehicles. Meanwhile, Rosneft local and multinational cor- egy, General Directorate of traffi c safety on the road and re- General Directorate of Drug Ministry’s human resources intends to collaborate with porations, research institutes, Civil Defence Director General ducing the number of traffi c ac- Control Director General Briga- department director Briga- academic institutions in Qatar public sector agencies, SMEs, Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed Brigadier Mohamed al-Ateeq cidents resulting in injuries and dier Ahmed Khalifa al-Kuwari dier Hussain Hassan al-Jaber to establish advanced train- and start-ups. al-Suwaidi said it is a continu- deaths. said the new strategy includes a said human resource is the cor- ing and occupational train- The research and develop- ation of the 2011-2016 strategy. within the scope of General Di- Brigadier al-Kharji said the goal to protect the society from nerstone of the success of all ing programmes. The agree- ment centre will focus on de- “The previous strategy contrib- rectorate of Civil Defence, which previous strategy had contrib- drugs, focusing on the continu- institutions. ment serves to strengthen the veloping innovative solutions uted to many achievements in is to protect life and prop- uted to reducing the number ous monitoring and control of “The MoI has accorded im- exchange of knowledge and for the gas-to-liquids process; the fi eld of civil defence, which erty and quick response to the of accidents from 34 per the ports in the country in co- portance to the human elements expertise between Qatar and engineering plastic fabrica- included classifi cation of fi re emergencies. 100,000 people to 30.5 acci- ordination with the relevant as the foremost pillar of Qatar Russia in the sphere of science tion; gas processing to create safety norms and supporting This objective, he said, focus- dents, including reducing traf- authorities. National Vision 2030 and there- and technology. feedstock for the petrochemi- development projects.” es on preparation for response in fi c accident deaths from 13.7 General Directorate of Pass- fore the 2018-2022 strategy in- QF vice chairperson and cal industry; and the creation Al-Suwaidi said the new crises and emergencies and de- deaths per 100,000 people in ports Director General Briga- cludes developing the skills and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint of new catalysts, polymers, strategy includes an objective veloping scenarios to face poten- 2011 to 6.8 deaths in the fi rst dier General Mohamed al-Ateeq capabilities,” he added. Hamad al-Thani said, “We are and lubricants. Armed Forces conduct exercise British delegation visits QC

high-profi le delegation from the UK’s Depart- Ament for International Development (DFID) has vis- ited the headquarters of Qa- tar Charity (QC) to review its humanitarian and develop- ment eff orts across the globe and discuss co-operation and co-ordination. The delegation included Alistair Burt, British minister of state for international develop- ment and for the Middle East and North Africa at Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce; Ajay Sharma, UK am- bassador to Qatar; the DFID’s regional representative and Alistair Burt with Mohamed al-Ghamdi and Ajay Sharma. other prominent fi gures. The visiting delegation Burt invited QC offi cials to QC’s fi nancial tracking system enues provides indicators that was received by Mohamed al- visit DFID in the UK to discuss as part of its approach to in- help the executive management Ghamdi, executive director co-operation, co-ordination tegrated management, which take appropriate decisions. of QC’s international co-op- and partnership. enables it to document all its Also, the system of live eration; Yousef al-Hammadi, Al-Ghamdi stressed QC’s processes, procedures, systems follow-up and monitoring of Qatar Armed Forces have conducted the ‘We are all Tamim’ 2018 exercise from March 25 to 28 under director of the institutional keenness to co-operate and co- and mechanisms and sup- QC’s fi eld offi ces, located in the patronage of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid development department; and ordinate with international de- ports the institutional regula- 27 countries around the globe, bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. The Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces HE Major General (pilot) Ghanem a number of Qatar Charity velopment agencies and inter- tory role, by introducing a new was reviewed, which enables bin Shaheen al-Ghanem attended the exercise, which was conducted with the participation of all offi cials. national organisations working work methodology, working the charity to track the projects, commands and branches of the armed forces, including personnel from the Ministry of Interior, The minister praised QC’s in the humanitarian fi eld, aim- according to the latest adopted amounts, expenses and bal- Internal Security Forces (Lekhwiya), Emiri Guard and State Security Department. Staff Brigadier role in the international hu- ing to alleviate the suff ering of international standards, and ances and provides statistics General Mohamed Saleh al-Shahwani, director of the exercise, expressed thanks and appreciation for manitarian arena, saying: “I am those aff ected by humanitarian concentrating on customer on the number of completed the Qatar Armed Forces and the wise leadership of the country for the constant support to further impressed by Qatar Charity’s crises around the world. satisfaction. projects, projects under im- enhance the performance of the forces and keep in touch with latest developments in the field, generous contributions to hu- During the visit, a brief presen- Also, QC’s live fi nancial plementation and the number according to a statement by the Directorate of Defence Communication at the Ministry of Defence. manitarian and development tation was made about Qatar Char- tracking system was reviewed, of current sponsored, updated Staff Brigadier General Jassim Ahmed al-Muhannadi, field forces commander, said the exercise was a eff orts around the world.” It ity, its eff orts and international which calculates all incomes automatically around the clock. joint operation aimed at measuring the ability of the forces to plan and execute joint operations, and is a wonderful eff ort by Qatari standing among international of the charity, made by any A shield was presented to it succeeded in achieving all the targets. humanitarian institutions, in- humanitarian organisations. means, according to QC’s areas the minister at the end of the cluding QC, he added. The minister also listened to of work. Analysis of these rev- delegation’s visit. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 11 QATAR

Qatar Airways brings Qsuite Privilege Club unveils Business Class seat to Chicago

atar Airways has an- nounced that it will in- refreshed brand identity Qtroduce its “revolution- ary” Business Class seat, Qsuite, atar Airways’ frequent ing Qmiles, nominating family on fl ights from Chicago starting fl yer programme, Privi- members to join their member- on April 1. Qlege Club, has announced ship account, updating personal This will allow “even more the launch of its refreshed brand profi les and requesting services travellers to experience the new identity, under the slogan – including cabin upgrades, excess standard of luxury, comfort and ‘Don’t just collect miles, collect baggage, date changes, refunds customisation in international memories’. and much more. travel set by the airline, and The refreshed brand identity, It was last week that strengthening its commitment which was initially announced the award-winning airline to its gateway markets in the US,” at ITB Berlin earlier this month, launched its latest loyalty pro- the Doha-based carrier has said will include a range of new pro- gramme for its youngest travel- in a statement. gramme enhancements, and lers – Oryx Kids Club and Oryx The introduction of the glo- bring a new luxurious look and Kids Loyalty Programme. The bally-acclaimed Business Class feel. Over the upcoming weeks, Oryx Kids Club and Oryx Kids seat on Qatar Airways fl ights from Privilege Club will launch a Loyalty Programme offer spe- Chicago extends Qsuite’s exist- number of celebratory off ers and cial new children’s in-flight ing US presence at both New York more programme enhancements, meal boxes and plush toys on City’s John F Kennedy Interna- Qsuite by Qatar Airways. including a new member log in board, in addition to a new and tional Airport and Washington, area, dashboard and other func- Qatar Airways has rebranded its frequent flyer programme, Privilege exclusive frequent flyer pro- DC’s Dulles International Airport. travellers departing from Chica- The expansion of Qsuite to tionalities. Club. gramme designed just for young Qatar Airways Group chief go to experience this revolution- Chicago is part of Qatar Airways’ Programme guides have also passengers. Children between executive Akbar al-Baker said, ary product for themselves.” commitment to “continuously been updated to refl ect Privilege and conditions can be found at Qatar Airways chief com- the ages of two and 11 will be “Qsuite has already established Qsuite features the industry’s revolutionise the passenger ex- Club’s new programme changes www.qmiles.com mercial offi cer, Ehab Amin, said: able to register for the Oryx itself as an unrivalled product, fi rst-ever double bed available in perience, enabling travellers to and newly added partnerships. A second celebratory off er will “This new brand identity of Priv- Kids Loyalty Programme and setting a new standard in Busi- Business Class and customisable enjoy First Class amenities with- For Platinum members, the new run between April 1-15 off ering ilege Club illustrates our con- earn Qmiles, which they can re- ness Class travel in the aviation private cabins for up to four peo- in the airline’s Business Class redesign will allow them to en- Privilege Club members an ex- tinued commitment to listen to deem for attractive awards and industry, and receiving global ple, perfect for friends, families cabin”, the airline has stressed. joy newly designed membership clusive chance to take advantage our members and make the pro- exclusive benefits. They will acclaim from industry leaders, and business colleagues travel- Qsuite will be fi tted on the Qa- packs, cards and baggage tags. of a 50% Qmiles discount when gramme easier and more engag- also earn Qpoints, which allow international media and — most ling together. With adjustable tar Airways Boeing 777-300 ER The fi rst celebratory off er they pay using Qmiles at select ing to the increasingly discerning them to upgrade to a higher tier. importantly — our valued Busi- panels and movable TV monitors out of Chicago O’Hare Interna- runs until April 12, and will off er stores at Hamad International world traveller. Qatar Airways Privilege Club ness Class travellers. By build- on the centre four seats, Qsuite tional Airport, and will later be Privilege Club members an ex- Airport and the Oryx Galleria, Additional improvements as was named “Best Rewards Pro- ing on the successful launch of provides the “ultimate person- introduced on the airline’s Air- clusive chance to earn 3,000 bo- Doha. For more information and part of Qatar Airways’ Privilege gramme” among airlines in the Qsuite in both New York and alised travel experience that bus A350-900 aircraft on fl ights nus Qmiles in Premium Class and full terms and conditions visit: Club rebrand include mem- region and received the “Out- Washington, DC, we are now tre- enables passengers to create an from New York City – the fi rst US 1,500 bonus Qmiles in Economy https://www.qatarairways.com/ bers’ ability to do all their ac- standing Benefi t” award at the mendously excited to bring this environment that suits their own destination to feature Qsuite on Class when booking a ticket for en/Privilege-Club/qatar-air- count activities online, including sixth annual FlyerTalk awards luxurious, one-of-a-kind prod- unique needs”, the statement this ultra-modern, fuel-effi cient travel until September 30. Terms ways-off ers/QDF.html purchasing award tickets us- 2017. uct to the Windy City, enabling notes. aircraft. Katara set to launch 7th Commercial Bank to issue edition of Senyar fest 200,000 contact-less credit atara – the Cultural Vil- lage will launch the 7th Kedition of the annual festival Senyar from April 4 to 20, featuring a larger number cards in Qatar this year of participants this season. Katara general manager Dr ommercial Bank has an- Contact-less cards are a fast, developing a vibrant contact- and an extremely convenient way Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti nounced that it will is- easy and secure way to pay for less payments environment in of making payments. Our suc- announced that 67 teams will Csue 200,000 contact-less purchases by simply touch- Qatar; this will also provide cessful partnership with Visa, participate in their own wood- credit cards featuring new and ing your card on a reader, and a contact-less convenience ex- MasterCard and leading retailers en boats in the (Haddag) fi sh- vibrant designs in Qatar this year. PIN is not required. Transac- perience when our clients travel clearly demonstrates Commer- ing championship and another Having successfully launched tions are much faster compared abroad so they have a seamless cial Bank’s capabilities in imple- 15 teams in the pearl-diving the contact-less debit card and to cash and PIN-based transac- contact-less payment experi- menting new technologies and championship. the acquiring acceptance in No- tions, making contact-less “Tap ence both in Qatar and during our leading position in Qatar’s “The fi rst of April will be ded- Katara’s Dr al-Sulaiti (right) and al-Jaida announcing details of the vember 2017, Commercial Bank N’ Pay” an important feature for their international travels.” payment space.” icated to receive and prepare the Senyar festival yesterday. has subsequently ramped up the supermarkets, fast-food outlets, Contact-less cards are a step- Commercial Bank assistant participating boats at the Ka- contact-less acquiring capability mass public transport, ticket- ping stone to many other pay- general manager and head (Cards tara beach area,” he explained. turies included the showcase of “Katara’s beach will be busy of its merchant network which ing and sporting events in many ment innovations that will make and Payments) Roya Khajeh said, The festival has witnessed a patience and persistence. “The during the whole month and has paved the way for the bank parts of the world. payment for goods and services “Contact-less card payments signifi cant development this aim is to preserve culture and the participants will be resid- to ensure a seamless and secure Commercial Bank Group CEO more technologically advanced, simplify customer payments year in terms of the duration of heritage from vanishing among ing there and even cooking their contact-less transaction experi- Joseph Abraham said, “Com- convenient and secure. and will reduce cash handling the festival, compared to fi ve this renaissance era, and Ka- food near their boats as it was in ence for its credit card custom- mercial Bank’s new contact-less Being one of the most innova- in stores. Future payments will days in previous editions. The tara is taking responsibility to the past,” al-Jaidah said. “The ers. payment feature is part of our tive payment solution providers head in this direction and we are number of participating teams revive the culture of ancestors,” Red Crescent will have a per- The bank will be going ahead value proposition to our cus- in Qatar, Commercial Bank has pleased that we are fi rst to launch has also increased. The cham- Dr Sulaiti stated. Jihad al-Jaida manent presence throughout with a wide-scale issuing and ac- tomers and to support the gov- already embarked on a journey the complete ecosystem that in- pionship aims to revive ances- from the organising committee the period of the championship quiring of contact-less cards in ernment’s eff orts to encourage to continually give its customers cludes contact-less debit, credit tral heritage while highlighting of Senyar said that participants to ensure their safety.” 2018 with approximately 200,000 cashless payments in Qatar. As more state-of-the-art payment and contact-less POS terminals the traditions, customs and will be accompanied by their The pearl diving champion- contact-less cards to be issued a leader in innovation, Commer- options in the near future. in Qatar. values associated with Qatari families and children, which is ship will start on April 4, (Ghaf- and more than 5,000 terminals cial Bank aims to introduce new Commercial Bank executive “Over 300 merchant outlets in marine life. a good chance for youth to get fal) championship April 7 while accepting contact-less cards to contact-less payment options general manager and head (Retail Qatar already have Commercial The experiences of arduous direct exposure on Qatar’s rich (Haddag) championship will be installed at the leading retail that will transform consumer Banking) Amit Sah said, “Con- Bank’s contact-less POS ready diving voyages of the past cen- culture and heritage. start on April 14. chains in Qatar by end- 2018. experiences and contribute to tact-less cards are a fast, secure for accepting contact-less cards.” Thrills, learning in AAB Treasure Hunt First Korean Fire Noodle Challenge begins today bdullah Abdulghani & amount of time to complete the hidden treasures. According to through a lot of eff ort and proc- of Qatar a variety of well-master Bros Co (AAB), the exclu- challenges in the parks. AAB, the Treasure Hunt has be- esses to revive and renovate exist- planned recreation areas. By Joey Aguilar Asive distributor of Toyota The event was met with great come more than just a compe- ing parks and add new locations RK Murugan, AAB’s acting Staff Reporter and Lexus, concluded its sec- success, as the participation tition in managing time. “It is across Qatar that serve as a family CEO/COO-Automotive Divi- ond AAB Treasure Hunt, in col- doubled this year compared to about the members in the com- hub with ample space for families sion, sent off the fi rst batch of laboration with the Public Parks the fi rst one with around 120 munity putting the eff ort aiming to enjoy nature, as well as for chil- participants at the start of the ore than 200 Qatar Department of the Ministry of people taking part. to prove that teamwork and pas- dren to have safe play areas. Treasure Hunt. Mazin Taha, AAB residents will par- Municipality and Environment The thrilling and high adrena- sion can overcome all limitations AAB noted that participating Rent A Car (RAC) director, and Mticipate in the fi rst recently. The Corporate Social line activity gave participants “a and bring the best results,” AAB teams were surprised to discov- Dalia Sallam, representative of Samyang Korean Fire Noodle Responsibility (CSR) initiative fruitful time exploring fi ve out said. er how well equipped the parks the Public Parks Department, Challenge, scheduled to start was meant to create awareness of 87 public parks in Qatar” such “The success story of this CSR were with sports facilities and were present during the award- today (March 29) at Aspire on environmental care, promote as Gharafa Family, Al Legtaifi ya, event was when the team with children’s area. ing ceremony. Park, it is learnt. The three- Jewan Park shows some the public parks in Qatar and Al Dafna, Busamra and Al Thu- the lowest ranking last year be- Some of the participants In addition to the prizes for day event, organised by Vision Korean noodles. highlight road safety. mama. came the Treasure Hunt Cham- claimed it was the fi rst time for the winners, special prizes were Food Trading, aims to promote PICTURE: Joey Aguilar Unlike common understand- The event also served as an pion this year,” AAB added. “It them to go to the designated also given to the four teams who Korean products in Qatar. ing of a treasure hunt where educational session, where par- shows the power of believing in parks, appreciating the role of managed to deliver successfully “This Samyang Fire Noodle being posted on social media. speed on the road is key, in the ticipants solved environmental one’s self and that a never-give- the Public Parks Department the challenges of Best Selfi e, Best Challenge will be the fi rst time Park also cited the growing de- AAB Treasure Hunt the winners brain teasers, completed park up attitude conquers all.” and the Ministry’s unparalleled Song, Best Team Park Photo and ever in the Middle East. South mand for Korean food and other were chosen based on the lowest challenges and searched for the AAB said the Ministry has gone eff ort of providing the residents Best Social Media Eff ort. Korean embassy offi cials will products in the country. “Our also be attending,” Vision gen- products are now available in eral manager Jewan Park told 60 hypermarket branches such Gulf Times. as LuLu, Al Meera, Spinney’s, He said the competition will and Monoprix, among others,” give the public a chance to try said Park, who came to Qatar in “one hit Korean food item,” 1998 and studied at Qatar Uni- which is a way of enticing them versity. to try other products as well. “If there is no demand you Attendees will also have the are out next week. If you put opportunity to taste Korean products in major supermar- noodles, healthy vinegar and kets and hypermarkets and not other juices at the event, ac- selling for one month you can cording to Park. never go back. They will block “In this challenge, we want you immediately,” he stressed. more people to try the item. Park noted that their sales This is not only for Koreans on Korean products have been but also for Qataris and various steadily increasing especially nationalities like Indians, Fili- Korean noodles. pinos, Indonesians, Arabs and Besides Korean products, he many more,” he said. said, they also plan to sell more Spicy noodle challenge has Japanese items, as well as Chi- AAB management team and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s Public Parks Department become a popular group game nese products, in Qatar in the Murugan flagging off the second AAB Treasure Hunt. representative with the winners. in many countries, which is future. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, March 29, 2018 QATAR HBKU ‘to open Innovation Centre this year’

amad Bin Khalifa Uni- Dr Hasnah was interacting broader community. “The Mak- and beyond,” added Dr Hasnah. their unique brand of experi- versity (HBKU) will with media on the sidelines of erspace is introducing a novel Dr Mohamed Evren Tok, as- ence having worked on suc- Hlaunch an innovation the Makerspace initiative that solution to problems from a sistant professor and assistant cessful business models that centre this year to help the was launched by HBKU at the green perspective. This encour- dean for innovation and com- endorsed green economies or country solve many of the chal- Student Centre. ages the green ways and how we munity advancement at HBKU having effectively promoted lenges and provide solutions for The opening ceremony of the can fi nd more solutions through said, “In the months preceding sustainable lifestyles. sustainable development, said a two-day event included a tour of several means. HBKU will take the Makerspace Initiative, our The event also hosts an in- top offi cial of the university yes- the exhibition space. its knowledge into action to work team members worked dedi- spiring awareness exhibition terday. Maryam Hamad al-Mannai, on the challenges. There will be catedly to develop a collabo- surrounding the many possi- “We will be setting up an In- vice president for Student Af- more initiatives involving the in- rative space that could bring bilities of sustainable survival, novation Centre and will call the fairs; Dr Mounir Hamdi; dean dustries, private sector, govern- together diverse individuals coined Living off the Land, and industries to come with some of of the College of Science and ment and academia,” explained and organisations alike to learn a friendly kids’ zone that aims their specifi c problems. This will Engineering and Dr Emad El- Dr Hasnah. more about green economies, to inspire the next generation help us to think of suitable solu- Din Shahin, dean of the Col- “Sustainable economy and business and entrepreneurship. of green advocates. tions and our faculty and stu- lege of Islamic Studies were also sustainable development are “By roping in different sec- Additionally, members of dents will work on them. It will present on the occasion. the key to every country around tors of the community to par- the general public took part in enable us in providing solutions Makerspace initiative – ti- the world. Building more green take in the hands-on and in- a recycling workshop, where for some of the challenges of tled Green Economy, Business, solutions to the economy is the teractive learning activities, The opening ceremony included a tour of the exhibition space. they brought along their own the country,” said Dr Ahmad M and Entrepreneurship in Qatar way to go forward. This is an ef- we aim to effectively broaden recycling materials – including Hasnah, president, HBKU while aims to promote a greater under- fort to provide more awareness our collective understand- practice and activation.” Qatar, both residents and na- used water bottle caps, water answering a question from Gulf standing of ethics and practices as well as bring solutions to the ing of sustainability and envi- Key speakers at the event tionals, as well as international bottles, newspapers, plastic Times. of green economies across the problems of Qatar, the region ronmental protection through include subject experts from visitors – all of whom bring bags, and textiles. QDB chief rules out rent hikes for Al Furjan Markets Phase 2

By Peter Alagos 16 shops, one market each in grocery, and eateries, among Business Reporter Jerian Jenihat (21 shops), Umm many others,” Al Furjan Mar- Qarn (16), Kharaitiyat (seven), kets project director Abdul and one in Umm Al Khor (10). Rahman al-Suwaidi said. HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali presents the award to atar Development Bank The 26 markets, which are in Al-Khalifa said QDB is in the Moutaz al-Khayyat. will not raise rental rates the design stage, will be located process of finalising the con- Qfor commercial outlets in Umm Lekhba, Al Gharaffa, struction permits and approv- included in Phase 2 of its Al Fur- Izghawa, Bani Hajer, Luaib/Al als of the markets; implemen- jan Markets project, which has QDB CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa (centre) at the press confer- Muhajirah, Al Aziziya, Muaith- tation tender is expected to be already commenced construction ence yesterday. Along with him are (from left) Al Furjan Markets project er North, Bu Sidra, Ain Khalid released in the second quarter Baladna honoured work, according to QDB CEO Ab- director Abdul Rahman al-Suwaidi and Engineering and Project Man- (two lands), Umm Al Saneem of 2018. dulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa. agement director Yousef al-Ghazal. PICTURE: Othman al-Samarraee (three lands), Al Sakhama, “QDB had been studying the Speaking at a press conference Saina Al Humaidi, Al Thakhira, land allocated initially by the yesterday, al-Khalifa said exist- fi nancial. As Qatar Development the sidelines of the press con- Madinat Al Kaaban, Madinat Ministry of Municipalities and at World Theatre ing rents at Al Furjan Markets Bank, our target is to ensure that ference. Ash Shamal, Rawdat Rashed, Environment, and 32 lands in across the country are pegged at we deliver the basic services to Phase 2, according to al-Kha- Al Karaana, Al Wakrah, Al Ut- different cities had been se- QR6,000 per month. the suburbs of Doha. lifa, includes a total of 32 mar- ouriya, Lkhreeb, Al Ghwairyya, lected as the first step in the But unlike the shops built un- “A lot of the locations in- kets, of which, six are expected Al Rayyan Al Jadeed, Aba Al project’s second phase, which Day celebration der Phase 1 of the project, the cluded in the second phase are to be completed in the next 12 Hiran, and Ain Sinan. is distributed between the in- new outlets are larger at 5x12sq outside of Doha and our main months. The remaining 26, he “The commercial activities ternal and external areas of the m (compared to the existing aim is to ensure that these areas added, are expecting completion had been approved by the Min- state land, based on key crite- E the Minister of Cul- ners in this year’s theatre sea- 4x12sq m) and include an extra are served with basic require- by mid-2019. istry of Economy and Com- ria that demonstrates the fea- ture and Sports, Salah son, in which four plays com- fl oor for employees’ accommo- ments and basic needs, so we The first six markets will merce and we are dealing with sibility of building markets to Hbin Ghanem bin Nass- peted. ‘Shelli Yeseer’, which dation. have evolved from Phase 1 and include 78 shops located in 31 commercial activities cover- facilitate and cater to the daily er al-Ali, honoured Baladna was sponsored by Baladna, “We are not increasing the found areas for development,” the following areas: Two mar- ing all of the day-to-day needs needs of the residents of these Food Industries Co WLL, re- bagged most of the awards; in- rents; our target is not actually al-Khalifa told Gulf Times on kets in Muaither South with of residents such as pharmacy, areas.” cently at the celebration of cluding: best-integrated play, World Theatre Day. best script, best directing, and The award was received by best actor in a leading role. Moutaz al-Khayyat, chair- Baladna translates its com- man to the Board of Directors mitment to the Qatar National of Baladna Food Industries, in Vision 2030 through its dif- No plan to leave vital Udeid base, says US General the presence of heads of ac- ferent CSR activities, and its credited diplomatic missions support for Qatari talents and and a large number of Qatari, events across various sectors. From Page 1 Gulf Times in a telephonic con- any of the activities that we have tary preparations to implement support with each other.” Arab and international theatre The company sponsors Qatar has also taken very ference earlier. been conducting and we thank our new policies and strategies in He also travelled to Iraq and practitioners. sports teams, such as Al Khor strong steps in recent months to General Votel also said the US Turkey for the support they pro- south Asia and I am pleased with Syria to meet with his counter- Baladna was honoured for Sports Club, as well as major assist the international commu- does not intend to leave Incirlik vide to us,” he said. what I saw,” he said. parts, coalition leadership on the its active contribution to the exhibitions such as the Qatar nity and the US in their campaign Airbase (in Turkey) at this point, General Votel has been travel- He said he also visited two other ground and indigenous partners. 2017/2018 theatre season as an International Agricultural Ex- against IS, Al Qaeda and other as he cited the support of the ling in the region for the last week Gulf countries where he had the op- “I am pleased with the contin- offi cial sponsor of two of the hibition and Qatar Self Suf- transnational terrorist groups, Turkish government to the US. and a half, beginning his trip in portunity to meet with partners. He ued progress I see with our forces most prominent Qatari plays, fi ciency Exhibition. Baladna ambassador Nathan Sales, coun- “Incirlik has been essential for Afghanistan. discussed the ongoing eff orts and and our coalition partners in the ‘Shelli Yeseer’ and ‘Derat Al also supports various art and ter-terrorism co-ordinator at the the campaign (against terror- “I went there to look at how we evolving situation in the region, as region, who are working togeth- Izz’. During the celebration, culture projects, such as the US Department of State, had told ism) and we have no plans to stop are moving forward in our mili- well as “future inter-activities in er,” he added. the Minister crowned the win- Librtha Heritage Festival.

DHFC’s Food Fest Passport Genesis G70 all set for to off er ‘journey of fl avours’ Mideast launch in April uxury car brand Genesis Genesis general manager for V6. Both are coupled to an oha Festival City has confi rmed that its Africa and the Middle East. 8-speed automatic trans- (DHFC) is giving away LG70 luxury sport sedan “Genesis will succeed by of- mission, which is “ideally Dits very own special will have its offi cial Middle East fering a car that is distinctively matched to the powerful free Food Fest Passport, to launch in April. diff erent from its rivals, and torque curve of the engines”. take mallgoers on “a journey The model will be the third one that leads the market for The G70 also incorporates of fl avours” throughout its Genesis model to arrive in the its combination of athletic el- “numerous advanced driv- restaurants and cafes, which region, extending the brand’s egance, advanced technology er assist systems, excellent will provide many special of- QIIB deputy CEO Jamal Abdullah al-Jamal receiving a plaque from Qatar University president Hassan range of passenger sedans and best-in-class driving per- standards of occupant safety fers. al-Derham. alongside the fl agship large formance.” and a high level of connectiv- The Food Fest Passport G90 and midsized G80. In Qa- Unveiled globally in Korea ity”. will have four locations to tar, Skyline Automotive is the in September 2017, The Gen- “With the G70, Genesis redeem the stamps that can offi cial distribution partner of esis G70 is an “athletic sedan now offers core products in be collected from the mall’s the Genesis brand. with graceful and dynamic each main luxury sedan cat- customer service desks, lo- “The G70 will further en- exterior styling, and elegant egory, and we have achieved cated on the fi rst fl oor Centre QU recognition for hance customer appeal of the and intuitively designed inte- this in little more than a year,” Court and ground fl oor level, Genesis range, off ering the rior”, a press statement notes. added Yilmaz. While details when spending a minimum style, comfort and refi ned per- Middle East versions will of the launch are yet to be of QR50. formance that is critical in a be offered with a choice of announced, deliveries of the Once all four stamps are QIIB’s social initiatives very competitive sporty seg- two petrol engines: a 2.0-li- Genesis G70 are expected to collected, shoppers will sub- ment of the premium automo- tre turbocharged 4-cylinder, begin in selected markets in mit their completed Food tive market.” said Altar Yilmaz, or a turbocharged 3.3-litre the second quarter of 2018. Fest Passport to the custom- s part of its leading role our CSR initiatives and launch that contribute to a sustainable er service team and receive a in corporate social re- its annual CSR report. growth.” QR25 gift voucher to redeem Asponsibility and com- Commenting on QIIB’s hon- He noted: “We also support at any food and beverage munity service, Qatar Cor- our, al-Jamal said, “We are a large number of activities and outlet. porate Social Responsibility pleased to be among the insti- events that serve the society, The special off ers will Network honoured QIIB during tutions that play an outstand- namely in sports, culture, her- continue from April 1 to 30, the CSR initiatives honouring ing role in corporate social re- itage, charity and education as which also comes in con- ceremony held at Qatar Uni- sponsibility. In fact, we have well as other non-profi t activi- junction with DHFC’s fi rst versity recently. a broad-based strategy in this ties”. The deputy CEO stressed anniversary on April 5. Se- The ceremony was attended fi eld that focuses on support- that “QIIB focuses on support- lected venues will have a by HE the Minister of Economy ing innovative initiatives and ing schools and other academic range of discounts and of- and Commerce, Sheikh Ahmed providing value-added servic- institutions through the bank’s fers of up to 25% off for those bin Jassim bin Mohamed al- es and products that benefi t the participation in a number of ac- with a food passport. Thani, among other dignitar- largest segment of the society”. tivities as well as providing them Participating retailers in- ies. He said, “As a bank, we are with appropriate resources.” clude: IKEA, Tim Hortons, QIIB deputy CEO Jamal aware that our main role is to “The bank will continue to Paul cafe, Wagamama, Eata- Abdullah al-Jamal received a provide innovation and nov- implement its strategy to further ly, Nando’s, Sumo Sushi & plaque from Qatar University elty in Islamic banking, de- support and enrich its corpo- Bento, Golden Dragon, Lina’s president Hassan al-Derham. sign products that meet the rate social responsibility pro- cafe, Peal Juices and Bar and This is the third award that aspirations of society, serve grammes so as to achieve the many more. QIIB received during the uni- national economy and small overall objectives of the Qatar versity’s annual events to hon- and medium-sized enterprises National Vision 2030.” The Genesis G70. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 13 REGION/ARAB WORLD European powers Pressure mounts on rebels press for Iran to quit Ghouta holdout sanctions to

AFP Beirut buttress N-deal

ressure was mounting Reuters the April Foreign Aff airs Coun- yesterday for rebels to Brussels/Paris cil,” the diplomat said. Paccept a negotiated with- But another diplomat said: “It drawal from their fi nal hold- will be complicated because this out in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, rance, Britain and Ger- will need time to convince the as hundreds boarded buses to many sought yesterday to member states.” leave another part of the bat- Fpersuade their EU partners The sanctions would not in- tered enclave. to back new sanctions on Iran to volve measures that were lifted Thousands of opposition preserve a nuclear deal with Te- under the nuclear deal but would fi ghters and civilians have hran that US President Donald instead target individual Ira- agreed to quit the former rebel Trump has threatened to pull out nians that the EU believes are bastion of Ghouta, target of a of in May, diplomats said. behind Iran’s ballistic weapons fi ve-week-long assault by the The new measures proposed and its support for the govern- regime. by London, Paris and Berlin were ment of Syrian President Bashar Syrian troops have re- discussed by the EU’s 28 ambas- al-Assad, which is also subject to captured more than 90% of sadors and could include mem- sanctions. Ghouta, and are draining the bers of Iran’s most powerful Any Iranians targeted would last opposition pockets with security force, the Islamic Revo- be subject to asset freezes and negotiated pull-outs mediated lutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), bans on travelling to the EU or by Russia. diplomats said. doing business with companies Moscow has secured two Trump has given the Euro- based in the bloc. such deals already and has been pean signatories a May 12 dead- EU envoys discussed possible pressing Jaish al-Islam, the line to “fi x the terrible fl aws” of sanctions on the basis of last rebel faction in control of the the 2015 nuclear deal, which was week’s meeting of foreign min- third and fi nal pocket of the en- agreed under his predecessor isters in Brussels, who agreed clave near Damascus, to leave Barack Obama, or he will refuse that Iran needed to be held to too. Syrian civilians and rebels evacuated from the Eastern Ghouta region rest in a tent after arriving in Qalaat al-Mandiq, some 45 kilometres to extend US sanctions relief on account for its role in Syria’s The group holds Ghouta’s northwest of the central city of Hama, yesterday. Iran. seven-year war, even while largest town of Douma, whose The European Union rejects upholding the Iran nuclear ac- population has swelled to an sit point in northwestern Syria those criticisms. cord. estimated 200,000 with people after having evacuated Ghouta But Britain, France and Ger- At that meeting, France also displaced from other devastat- the previous evening. many hope their steps could urged the EU to consider new ed districts. Dozens of buses pulled in encourage Trump to issue new sanctions on Iran, citing pub- Jaish al-Islam had hoped to to the Qalaat al-Madiq stag- waivers preventing US sanctions licly the “proliferation of bal- reach a settlement that would ing ground with their windows lifted under the deal from being listic missiles.” avoid their evacuation, but they broken, an AFP correspondent reimposed next month. But countries ranging from were now facing the spectre of a there said.Evacuees said people In Brussels at the closed-door Sweden and Ireland to Iran’s renewed blitz on Douma. had thrown rocks at the convoy meeting, the three pushed for closest European allies Italy Syrian troops were clustering as it drove through govern- agreement on possible travel and Greece still need to be con- around the town for a second ment-held parts of Syria. bans and asset freezes before a vinced.Austria is also wary, one day yesterday, Syria’s Al-Watan Once they reached Qalaat al- foreign ministers’ meeting next diplomat said. daily reported. Madiq, wounded rebels hobbled month, four diplomats told Reu- Given strong EU support “The Syrian army amassed off the buses to get medical treat- ters. for the nuclear deal, signed by further around Douma to in- ment and aid groups could be Some EU capitals said they the United States, China, Rus- crease pressure on Jaish al-Is- seen handing out toys, milk, and need more time, and discussions sia, Britain, France, Germany, lam to accept a reconciliation juice to children. are expected to continue next the European Union and Iran, deal, like those in neighbour- Some evacuees had family week. many governments are wary ing towns and cities in Eastern members and friends waiting to A total of 15 Iranian individu- of doing anything that might Ghouta,” it said. take them to the neighbouring als and companies are on a list jeopardise it. The armed faction was also Wounded Syrians are wheeled on a gurney as Syrian civilians and rebels evacuated from the Eastern province of Idlib, but others were circulated to EU governments, Any EU-wide measures under growing pressure from Ghouta region arrive in Qalaat al-Mandiq. bussed to displacement camps. but there was no direct discus- would be the first significant Douma’s residents, several According to state media, an- sion of names at Wednesday’s punitive steps since the bloc hundred of whom descended not Syrian government forces, fl ed Douma into government A fi rst deal saw more than other 3,000 boarded buses in the meeting, one diplomat said. lifted broad economic sanc- into the town’s main square would have a presence in the territory via a humanitarian 4,500 hardline rebels and ci- Faylaq-held pocket of Ghouta Britain, France and Germa- tions on Iran last year follow- yesterday. town. corridor yesterday, state media vilians bussed out of the town yesterday for new evacuations. ny have proposed the extra EU ing the accord to curb Tehran’s They marched down streets But negotiations faltered over reported. of Harasta to opposition-held They said more than 128,000 sanctions over Iran’s ballistic nuclear ambitions for at least a lined by crumbling buildings, the group’s demands that Syr- Determined to clear rebels Idlib province in northern Syria. people had fl ed Ghouta in recent missile programmes and its role decade. demanding to know how nego- ia’s regime grant them a general out of their six-year bastion of A second agreement between weeks, many of them through in the war in Syria, according to a Ballistic missiles fired by tiations with Russia were go- amnesty and allow Douma’s Ghouta, President Bashar al- Russia and the Faylaq al-Rah- routes into government-held document seen by Reuters. Yemen’s Houthi militia killed a ing and calling for the release of residents to move freely across Assad launched a military as- man has already seen nearly territory that were opened by ad- Diplomats pointed to the next man in Riyadh on Sunday. people held by Jaish al-Islam, the country, a source with sault on the suburb on February 20,000 people quit the towns of vancing army troops. EU foreign ministers’ meet- Iran says its missiles are residents said in Beirut. knowledge of the talks said. 18.He pursued a divide-and- Arbin and Zamalka and the Jo- The UN humanitarian co-or- ing in Luxembourg on April 16, purely defensive weapons. It Jaish al-Islam had been in “At the end of their meeting conquer strategy, seizing most bar district since last week. dinator in Syria, Ali al-Zaatari, the last formal gathering on the has given no indication that it talks with Russia to reach a set- Monday, the Russians gave Jaish of the enclave then breaking Their spokesman Wael Al- said 26,000 of those who had EU agenda before Trump’s May would walk away from the nu- tlement whereby they could al-Islam two choices: surren- up what was left of it into three wan has said as many as 30,000 come to the shelters outside deadline, although governments clear deal due to the proposed stay in Douma as government- der or face an attack,” another pockets each controlled by a could be evacuated from those Ghouta have now left to stay with can always convene other ses- new sanctions, which are mi- provided water and electricity source close to the talks said. diff erent group. towns in total. relatives in Damascus or to re- sions. nor compared with the broad returned to the town. Anticipating further bom- Moscow stepped in to nego- Yesterday alone, more than turn to their devastated Ghouta “The idea is to have a fi nal de- sanctions lifted as part of the Russian military police, but bardment, hundreds of civilians tiate a deal for each area. 6,000 people reached a tran- neighbourhoods. cision on Iran sanctions by or at deal.

UNREST Pentagon confirms top Qaeda member Israel warns it may use lethal 10 UAE-backed dead in Libya strike A high-ranking Al Qaeda operative troops killed in and another militant were killed fi re on Gaza border protests in a US air strike in Libya, the Pentagon confirmed yesterday. The March 24 strike near Ubari AFP Yemen attack in southern Libya killed “two Al Jerusalem Qaeda terrorists, including Musa Abu Dawud, a high ranking Al AFP sour Hadi since 2016, when Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic srael has warned that its Aden Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen Maghreb (AQIM) off icial,” the US soldiers could use live fi re withdrew from the city. military’s Africa Command said Iif Gaza Palestinians try to The UAE is a key member in a statement. Off icials said the breach the border with Israel en Yemeni soldiers of a military coalition, led by strike had been co-ordinated with during a mass rally planned for trained and backed by Saudi Arabia, which has fought the UN-backed Government of tomorrow. Tthe United Arab Emir- alongside the Yemeni govern- National Accord (GNA) of Prime The demonstration marks ates were killed yesterday in an ment against Yemen’s Houthi Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. the annual Palestinian Land attack by armed extremists in rebels as well as hardline “Dawud trained AQIM recruits Day, commemorating the kill- southwest Yemen, military and groups. in Libya for attack operations in ing of six unarmed Arab pro- medical sources said. The UAE trains and supports the region,” the statement read. testers in Israel in 1976. Five gunmen were also killed elite forces in southeast and “He provided critical logistics It is expected to kick off in the attack on a military post southwest Yemen, including support, funding and weapons to more than six weeks of protests in the Hajr district of the port brigades stationed in Mukalla AQIM, enabling the terrorist group throughout the Palestinian ter- city Mukalla, a high-ranking known as “Quwat al-Nokhba”. to threaten and attack US and ritories leading up to the inau- military source said on condi- The troops were key in driving Western interests in the region.” guration of the new US embassy tion of anonymity. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Pe- Libya has been gripped by chaos in Jerusalem around May 14. A source at the Ibn Sina ninsula out of Mukalla in April since a Nato-backed uprising top- Gazans are expected to gather military hospital in Muka- 2016, one year after they over- pled and killed dictator Muammar from tomorrow in camps being A Palestinian youth cuts a cake during a demonstration near the Gaza-Israel border on the outskirts of lla confi rmed that 10 soldiers ran the coastal city in the midst Gaddafi in 2011, with rival adminis- erected along the border fence, Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. had been pronounced dead of Yemen’s civil war. trations and multiple militias vying a few hundred metres (yards) after the attack. Mukalla, lo- Networks, including AQAP for control of the oil-rich country. from the Israeli lines. ments, including more than 100 troops) there is authorisation to against it and will deny its cated on the Gulf of Aden, and the Islamic State group, Militants and people-traff ickers Israeli armed forces chief special forces snipers, had been open fi re.” popular and peaceful founda- has been controlled by the have exploited the Yemen war to have taken advantage of the Lieutenant General Gadi Ei- deployed to the border and the Offi cially, protest is being tion,” said Haniya. Saudi-backed government of expand their presence in pock- chaos to gain a foothold in the senkot said in comments pub- army was prepared for all sce- organised by civil society, but The Israeli security cabinet President Abd-Rabbu Man- ets across southern Yemen. North African country. lished yesterday by local daily narios. Israel believes Hamas and allied met yesterday to discuss mili- Yediot Aharonot that the cur- Among them is the pros- groups are behind the plans. tary preparations but did not rent border tension presented pect of an attempt by protest- Hamas leader Ismail Haniya issue any public statement. CONFLICT POLITICS the most serious risk of confl ict ers, organised or not, to break said his movement was in- Soldiers posted at the border Sudan extends ceasefire with rebels Voting ends in since he took up his post in 2015. through the border fence which volved as “an investment in this regularly fi re live ammunition Israeli tanks yesterday fi red surrounds the Gaza Strip, home peaceful and popular event to at Gazans who come too close, Sudan has extended a unilateral ceasefire with rebels in its three Egypt’s election at positions of Gaza’s rulers to 2mn Palestinians largely cut support the steadfastness of the but Israel this time is worried main conflict areas for an additional three months, until the end of Polls have closed on the third and Hamas, in the wake of heavy off from the rest of the world by Palestinians in their battle to about the possible presence of June, state news agency SUNA reported yesterday, citing a presiden- final day of voting in Egypt’s presi- gunfi re from the strip, the deto- Israeli and Egyptian blockades. regain their legitimate rights.” women and children in the dan- tial decree. Fighting between the army and rebels in the Kordofan dential election, state television re- nation of roadside bombs aimed “We won’t allow mass infi l- Speaking to journalists in ger zone. and Blue Nile regions broke out in 2011, when South Sudan declared ported yesterday. Egyptian voters at Israeli border patrols and an tration into Israel and to dam- the Gaza Strip, he said Israel Thousands, if not tens of independence. have said they received payments, incursion by three armed Pal- age the fence,” Eisenkot told was seeking to delegitimise the thousands, of Gazans are ex- Conflict in Darfur began in 2003 when some tribes took up arms food and other incentives to go to estinians who penetrated some Yediot. planned protest. pected to join border protests in against Sudan’s Arab-led government. The ceasefire was set to expire the polls as authorities sought to 20 kilometres into Israel before “The instructions are to “It will describe it as an ac- coming six weeks, culminating at the end of March. In October, the United States lifted 20-year-old achieve the high turnout President being captured. use a lot of force,” he said. “In tivity that belongs to Hamas, on May 15 with a march toward sanctions tied to progress on counter-terrorism co-operation and on Abdel Fattah al-Sisi wants to legiti- Eisenkot said reinforce- the event of mortal danger (to will threaten to use violence the barrier. resolving internal conflicts. mise his all but guaranteed victory. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, March 29, 2018 AFRICA

OUTBREAK IN EXILE CRACKDOWN DEBATE POLITICS Deadly listeria strain not Gambia charges renegade Tanzania slaps opposition Chad on track for presidential Zambia delays debate on found at SA food factory generals with desertion leaders with sedition rap reform after charter forum motion to impeach Lungu

Tests at an RCL Foods processed-food factory The Gambian army has filed desertion charges Tanzania has charged six opposition leaders The central African state of Chad is on course Zambia’s parliament yesterday delayed a debate found no traces of a strain of listeria that has against two renegade generals who went into exile with sedition and incitement to violence, a move for reforms to the presidency after a forum on on a motion seeking to impeach President killed almost 200 people, but they did find with former president Yahya Jammeh last year, the branded by critics of the government as an eff ort constitutional change that was boycotted by Edgar Lungu over accusations of breaching evidence of other strains that could also cause force told AFP yesterday. General Umpa Mendy to silence dissent. Freeman Mbowe, chairman of the opposition. The meeting, which ended late the constitution, according to a letter from the the disease, the South African Ministry of Health and General Ansumana Tamba sought refuge in the main opposition CHADEMA party, was charged Tuesday, increases the presidential tenure from parliamentary clerk seen by Reuters. Zambia’s said yesterday. Listeria broke out in South Africa Equatorial Guinea alongside Jammeh in January with five other senior party leaders at a court in Dar five to six years, with a maximum of two terms. main opposition party, the United Party for in January last year and has since infected 2017 after his brutal 22-year rule came to an end. es Salaam. The opposition leaders, four of whom The current mandate is five years with no limits National Development (UPND), filed a motion last almost 1,000 people, 180 of whom have died, Major Lamin Sanyang, an army spokesman, said are members of parliament, were detained at a on re-election. The forum was attended by more week. The notice set yesterday as the date for the the world’s worst recorded listeria outbreak. the pair were “charged with desertion of duty remand prison until a court rules today on their bail than 700 pro-government figures in political lawmakers’ debate and vote on the motion. “In Most of them had contracted the ST6 strain contrary to the Gambia Armed Forces Act”, and applications. They were also charged with taking parties and religious and social groups. It was view of the gravity of the motion, the same is being of the disease. “Whole genome sequencing would appear before a general court martial part in an illegal demonstration in Dar es Salaam launched on March 19 by Chadian President studied and we shall revert to you in due course,” has confirmed that the strains found in the on April 4. Mendy was in personal charge of in February that led to the death of a student, Idriss Deby — currently serving his fifth term — said the letter sent on Monday from the Clerk of production facility are not the ST6 outbreak protecting the mercurial former leader, while allegedly killed by a stray bullet while police who declared that it would “lead to the birth of the National Assembly to Garry Nkombo, UPND strain,” the ministry said in a statement. Tamba was the head of his presidential guard. engaged in a street battle with rioters. the Fourth Republic.” parliamentary Chief Whip who filed the motion. Woman jailed in landmark SA ruling for racist rant

Reuters less” and “they are clueless, clue- Justice Minister Michael Mas- Johannesburg less”. utha said the custodial sentence In her rant, she several times could “serve as a deterrent” to called the policeman a “kaffi r”, others. South African court yester- apartheid-era slang for a black “It was a question of escalating day jailed a white woman person and one of the worst terms and intensifying the fi ght against Protesters take part in demonstration organised by Ghana First Patriotic Front in downtown Accra against a Ghana-US defence co- Afor yelling racist abuse at a of hate speech in South Africa. racism by fi nding even more operation agreement which was ratified by the Parliament last week. black policeman, in a case that laid Momberg wiped away tears as sterner measures,” he told eNCA bare attitudes that endure more judge Pravina Rugoonandan read television. than two decades after the end of the ruling in a Johannesburg court, Johannesburg-based criminal apartheid. fi nding her guilty on four counts. lawyer Zola Majavu, who was not In a ruling that lawyers believed Momberg’s lawyer Kevin Lawlor involved in the case, said: “This to be the fi rst prison term imposed said she will seek the right to ap- case has been put on the spotlight, it may be the fi rst time — at least Ghana protesters rally in South Africa for verbal racial peal her sentence. abuse, estate agent Vicki Momb- The episode highlighted how that I’m aware of — that a person erg was sentenced to three years, 24 years after Nelson Mandela has been sentenced to jail without with one year suspended, for di- became South Africa’s fi rst black the option of a fi ne for such ac- recting deeply off ensive slurs at president, espousing reconcilia- tion.” However, in October, two white against US military deal the offi cer. tion, it is still struggling with race Previously people convicted of relations. farmers who had been fi lmed the same crime have been fi ned. Despite the emergence of a pushing a wailing black man into AFP “We’ll resist this deal with the US be- Last week, the US Embassy in Accra said A video clip went viral follow- black middle class, income gaps a coffi n were sentenced to jail for Accra cause it does not favour us.” Washington had “not requested, nor does ing the incident in 2016 when the remain clearly visible along race attempted murder, assault and Protesters wearing the black and red of it plan to establish a military base or bases policeman tried to help Momberg lines, fuelling perceptions of white kidnapping. the opposition National Democratic Con- in Ghana”. It added: “This year, the United after thieves broke into her car at privilege. In 2016, a court ordered Penny undreds of people took to the gress (NDC) carried signs reading: “Akufo- States of America is investing over $20mn night at a shopping centre. Black people make up 80% of Sparrow, a white woman, to pay streets of Accra, Ghana’s capital, Addo must not sell Ghana,” and “Incompe- in training and equipment for the Ghana- It showed her saying she wanted South Africa’s 54mn population, 150,000 rand ($9,941) to charity Hyesterday to protest against a con- tent government, incompetent agreement”. ian armed forces.” to be helped by a white or ethnic but most its wealth remains in the after she was found guilty of hate troversial military deal with Washington In a tweet supporting the protest, former Joint exercises were planned for this year Indian offi cer, and that black peo- hands of whites, who account for speech for referring to blacks as which was passed by parliament last week. president John Mahama said: “I join in de- “which require access to Ghanaian bases ple were “plain and simple use- about 8%. “monkeys” in a Facebook post. The agreement was approved by Presi- claring #GhanaFirst as my compatriots by US participants and those from other dent Nana Akufo-Addo’s government on and other democratic forces converge to nations when included,” it added. Friday but has come under heavy criticism demonstrate their opposition to the Gha- In the past decade, the United States has from the opposition who say it undermines na/US military agreement.” expanded its military presence in Africa, the country’s sovereignty. On Tuesday, a high-ranking NDC member, ostensibly to stop the spread of Islamist Ghana and the United States are work- Koku Anyidoho, was reportedly called in for extremism by groups such as Islamic State, Rwanda auctions assets of Kagame critic ing to forge closer ties between their armed questioning by police after a radio interview Boko Haram and Shebaab on the conti- forces but both have denied rumours that on Monday in which he said there would be a nent. Washington is planning to set up military “civilian coup d’etat” over the deal. Ghana, a major producer of gold and co- Reuters of so called rule of law. Since the bases in the West African nation. Such remarks are “treasonable”, Infor- coa, prides itself as being a beacon of sta- Kigali 1980s our father worked hard to get “This is an insensitive government,” said mation Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid bility in a region blighted by coups, dicta- this factory. Over 35 years of hard protester Yaa Yaa Abban. said in a statement on Tuesday. tors and corruption. work and now in three hours you wandan authorities yester- take it away,” Anne Rwigara told a day sold assets belonging to court bailiff and tax body offi cials. Rthe family of a woman who The revenue authority’s direc- was barred from standing against tor general Richard Tusabe told President Paul Kagame at an elec- Anne Rwigara, representative Reuters the auction was legal and Rebels kill 11 in northeastern DR Congo tion last year and then jailed pend- of business at the Premier not politically motivated. ing trial for alleged incitement to Tobacco Company, addresses “There are more assets to be sold. insurrection. media during an auction of We need to sell more to recover gov- Reuters of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, dent Joseph Kabila refused to step down The sale is a fresh blow to Diane assets in Kigali belonging to the ernment funds. The key is to recover Goma a local activist group, also said ADF rebels at the end of his mandate in 2016 and it is Rwigara, who has accused Kagame family of Diane Shima Rwigara, government funds,” he said. had killed 11 civilians, mostly with machet- unclear if a presidential vote to replace him of stifl ing dissent and criticised his a prominent critic of Rwanda’s Kagame won international credit es and hachets. will be held this December as scheduled. Rwandan Patriotic Front’s grip on President Paul Kagame. for restoring stability in Rwanda slamist rebels are suspected of killing at The government and United Nations Local army spokesman Mak Hazu- the country since it fought its way and presiding over a rapid econom- least 11 civilians in an attack in north- have blamed the spree of massacres near kay said the military had attacked armed to power to end a genocide in 1994. ment and forgery aim to punish ic recovery after the genocide, in Ieastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Beni since 2014, most carried out with groups on Tuesday and that troops were The revenue authority sold the the family because Rwigara chal- which an estimated 800,000 eth- offi cials said yesterday, adding to some crude weapons, on the ADF but independ- now targeting ADF strongholds in Virunga stock of Premier Tobacco Com- lenged Kagame and to deter other nic Tutsis and politically moderate 1,000 civilians who have been killed there ent experts say some Congolese soldiers National Park, near the border with Ugan- pany owned by Rwigara’s family potential opponents. ethnic Hutus were killed. in similar attacks since 2014. have also been involved. da. to another tobacco company for She also said the company’s Human rights groups and some The civilians were killed by rebels from Beni is one of several hotspots in eastern Tuesday’s attack came the on same day around 500mn Rwandan francs stock is worth about 1bn francs. others say he has muzzled inde- a Ugandan Islamist group called the Al- and central Congo where mounting vio- the UN Security Council renewed for a year ($577,842.29) and said it was re- This year the family fi led a court pendent media and suppressed lied Democratic Forces (ADF) during a raid lence has raised fears the massive Central its Congo peacekeeping mission, which covering unpaid back taxes. case saying the revenue authority potential democratic opponents. on the city of Beni late on Tuesday, Mayor African country could slide back into civil was fi rst deployed during a 1998-2003 war Rwigara’s sister Anne said the illegally seized company assets. Kagame won the August elec- Nyonyi Bwanakawa told Reuters. war. that killed millions of people, most from auction and the charges of incite- “This is banditry in a country tion with 98.8% of the vote. The Center of Study for the Promotion Militia violence has spiked since Presi- hunger and disease. Hopes high Ethiopia’s new PM will ease political turmoil

AFP But analysts say Abiy cannot a government development plan ienated from a government they ples’ Democratic Organization Abiy’s election as party chair- “We don’t know on what Addis Ababa stabilise Ethiopia unless he con- they felt was unfair. criticise for locking up dissidents (OPDO), the party representing man was made by 180 top EPRDF terms...Abiy is coming to the vinces the country’s long-serv- This sparked protests that and ignoring the demands of lo- Oromos in the EPRDF, as the coali- offi cials in a vote behind closed post,” he said. ing ruling coalition to change its would spread across the country cal communities. tion scrambled to fi nd a successor. doors about which few details Aside from a decision on the or the fi rst time, Ethiopia authoritarian ways. and cause hundreds of deaths “His priority should be to calm Long seen as a tool of more have been released. state of emergency, observers has picked a leader from the First on his agenda, they say, and tens of thousands of arrests. the country and, secondly, he powerful EPRDF factions, the While some analysts believe the will be watching what happens FOromo ethnic group that should be repealing a widely Their grievances were targeted needs to address the questions OPDO had raised its political vote was swayed by the protests, a to 11 high-profi le dissidents who drove years of anti-government criticised state of emergency im- at the all-powerful Ethiopian of the youth because the young clout last year by reaching out to former diplomat in Ethiopia also were arrested this week, some of protests, and analysts say Abiy posed after Hailemariam’s resig- People’s Revolutionary Demo- people are the ones that can help the protesters. highlighted the central role Oro- whom had left prison last month Ahmed faces a tricky task of rec- nation last month. cratic Front (EPRDF), the coali- our country,” Hana Dabele, a data Abiy, then a top OPDO offi cial, mos play in the rapidly growing in the prisoner release. onciliation and reform. “Lifting the state of emergency tion of four ethnically based par- encoder in the capital Addis Aba- was part of that outreach, and Awol economy, and the EPRDF’s de- In the countryside, the protest- The 42-year-old former min- is, I think, the fi rst or most impor- ties which has ruled Ethiopia ba, said of Abiy. said believes he will continue that sire to have Ethiopia, still one of ers are waiting. “I will be happy if ister of science and technology tant step. Without that, there is since chasing the communist After organising a mass release reform push as prime minister. Africa’s poorest countries, reach (Abiy) responds to Oromo” de- will take the reigns of one Africa’s no reform agenda,” said Awol Allo, Derg regime from power in 1991. of jailed politicians and journal- “When you look at the change middle-income status by 2025. mands, a protester who participat- fastest growing economies after an Ethiopian political commenta- The government declared a ists last January in a reaction that has taken place within the With the entire process done ed in demonstrations in the restive more than two years of protests tor who teaches law in Britain. 10-month state of emergency in to the public disenchantment, OPDO as an organisation, I think in secret, Ethiopian political ana- town of Ambo two years ago told and political turmoil that led to Ethiopia’s spiral into crisis be- October 2016 to stop the pro- Hailemariam made the surprise there is every reason to believe lyst Hallelujah Lulie said it’s un- AFP on condition of anonymity. prime minister Hailemariam De- gan in late 2015 when Oromo ac- tests, but many from the Oromo decision to resign. that Ahmed will...push some of clear what promises Abiy made But if he doesn’t, the protester salegn’s shock resignation last tivists who have long complained and the second-largest ethnic Shortly after, Abiy was elevated the reform agenda set up by his to other EPRDF parties to gain says “Oromo people (will) not month. of marginalisation condemned group the Amhara still feel al- to the top post of the Oromo Peo- own party,” Awol said. their support. give up the struggle.” Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 15 AMERICAS

IN THE DOCK TECHNOLOGY POLITICS DIPLOMACY JUSTICE Prosecutors portray Orlando Baltimore emergency calls Russia spy communicated US tells UN members to pay Daniels’ lawyer seeks to gunman’s widow as a liar system was hacked with ex-Trump aide share of peacekeeping bill force Trump testimony

A federal prosecutor yesterday portrayed the Baltimore’s computer network that supports A former Russian intelligence off icer who worked US Ambassador Nikki Haley yesterday told The lawyer for Stormy Daniels, the adult actress widow of the Orlando, Florida, nightclub gunman emergency calls was hacked this past weekend with US President Donald Trump’s former top countries at the United Nations that they need to who claims to have had a one night stand with as a liar during closing arguments in her trial, and suff ered temporary disruption that forced campaign off icials Paul Manafort and Rick “step up” and pay a bigger share of the multi- Donald Trump, said yesterday he wants the saying she helped him check out potential city off icials to resort to manual operations Gates was communicating with Gates during billion-dollar bill for peacekeeping operations. The president to testify about the non-disclosure attack sites before the massacre of 49 people to handle calls, the city mayor’s off ice said. A the 2016 presidential campaign, according to largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, agreement she signed. Michael Avenatti filed in 2016. Noor Salman, the widow of gunman “limited breach” aff ecting Baltimore’s computer- court records filed by Special Counsel Robert the United States last year negotiated a $600mn the motion Tuesday with the Los Angeles court Omar Mateen, initially told investigators after assisted dispatch system, which is used to Mueller’s off ice. The connection between Gates cut to that budget, but Haley made clear the that is hearing Daniels’ suit seeking to have the the rampage at Pulse nightclub that her husband support and direct 911 and other emergency and the former intelligence off icer, identified administration wants to further trim the bill. agreement declared invalid. The motion asks the had acted without her knowledge. Later she calls, was identified Sunday morning, according only as “Person A” in the records filed late on The United States will cap its contribution to court to order that Trump and his personal lawyer admitted knowing he had left home with a to Frank Johnson, Baltimore’s chief information Tuesday, is significant because criminal charges 25%, down from the current level of 28.5%. “One Michael Cohen be produced to give depositions gun and had watched extremist videos online, off icer. The disruption was the second cyber against Gates and Manafort relate only to their country should not shoulder more than one for two hours ahead of a trial. Daniels, whose prosecutor Sara Sweeney told jurors. “You’re attack on a major US city within the past week, lobbying work for Ukraine prior to the 2016 US quarter of the UN peacekeeping budget, and we real name is Stephanie Cliff ord, signed the non- going to have to find that Ms Salman knowingly coming just days after Atlanta was struck by a presidential election. Gates pleaded guilty last look forward to a more equitable distribution of disclosure agreement just days before the 2016 engaged in misleading conduct,” Sweeney said. widespread ransomware attack. month to lying to the FBI. the budget among member states,” she said. presidential election in return for $130,000.

3D illusion! Canadian man pleads guilty to mosque killings

By Alice Chiche, AFP “I’ve decided to plead guilty to all He told the court yesterday how he Quebec City of the charges...in order to prevent the had been “swept away by fear and by families of the victims from having to horrible despair that had brought on relive” the horrors of the attack, said thoughts of suicide.” Canadian man known for his far- Bissonnette, who also faced six counts Turning to the families and friends of right, nationalist sympathies yes- of attempted murder. the victims and survivors packed into Aterday pleaded guilty to the killing Sobs erupted in the courtroom as the courtroom, he off ered an apology last year of six worshippers at a Quebec Judge Francois Huot accepted Bisson- but added, “I know my actions are un- mosque — a surprising turn of events in a nette’s guilty plea, following a court- forgivable.” case that shocked the country. ordered psychiatric assessment. “I fi nd The six victims — Ibrahima Barry, The rampage on January 29, 2017 was you guilty of these murders,” he said. Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belka- one of the worst attacks on an Islamic Bissonnette, who was a university cemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine A visitor boxes with a 3D image of US President Donald Trump on display at the Museum of Illusions in place of worship in the West, and also student at the time of the shooting, Soufi ane and Aboubaker Thabti — were Hollywood, California. The pop up museum contains a series of optical illusions giving the visitor the chance to left more than 30 injured. could now face a life sentence, or a min- Canadian dual nationals born in Algeria produce unusual 3D images of themselves. Described in the immediate after- imum of 25 years in prison. (two), Guinea (two), Morocco and Tu- math by Prime Minister Justin Tru- In court yesterday, Bissonnette — nisia, and who had long ago resettled in deau as a “terrorist attack,” the shoot- who police say called an emergency line Quebec. ing spree was a brutal blow to Canada’s and confessed shortly after the shooting They were a scholar, a butcher, a day- multicultural society, and to a nation — read aloud from a crumpled piece of care operator, a food industry worker, that welcomes tens of thousands of ref- paper, saying: “I bitterly regret what I a public servant and a computer pro- ugees each year. did, the lives that I destroyed. “I am nei- grammer — all connected by faith. Alexandre Bissonnette, 28, opened ther a terrorist, nor an Islamophobe.” The attack at once prompted march- Facebook tweaks privacy tools fi re on a cold, snowy night at the end of “I do not know why I did a foolish es of solidarity with the Muslim com- Sunday prayers at Quebec City’s Islamic thing like that, and still today I’m hav- munity, but also emboldened nation- Cultural Center, a mosque located in a ing a hard time believing it.” alist and right-wing extremists who normally quiet neighbourhood. Introverted and educated, Bisson- became more vocal against immigra- to ease discontent over data leak He had initially pleaded not guilty at nette had been described after his arrest tion and “radical Islam,” despite dis- the start of the trial on Monday on the as a white supremacist opposed to Mus- tancing themselves from the young advice of his lawyers, but apparently lim immigration, but not affi liated with attacker seemingly inspired by their Reuters Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. see the information they’ve shared had a change of heart. any group. rhetoric. New York The data leak has raised investor and manage it. concerns that any failure by big tech “The biggest diff erence is ease companies to protect privacy could de- of access in settings, which fulfi ls acebook Inc has adjusted pri- ter advertisers — Facebook’s lifeblood Mark Zuckerberg’s promise to make vacy settings to give users more — and lead to tougher regulation. the privacy process and permissions Fcontrol over their information Analysts said the revamps Face- more transparent to users,” Wedbush Trump rejects former judge’s appeal for in a few taps, it said yesterday, after book rolled out yesterday looked analyst Michael Pachter said. an outcry over a whistleblower’s alle- more like tweaks than big changes, It was uncertain whether the gations that members’ data was used making data management more changes will satisfy lawmakers. repealing second amendment rights to sway the 2016 US election. transparent rather than changing the They were announced ahead of a It put all the settings on one page way the company does business. stringent European Union data law and made it easier to change and “It doesn’t seem that the changes which comes into force in May. Agencies series of nationwide protests that were Second Amendment,” he said. more straightforward to stop apps that have been proposed are particu- It requires companies to give peo- Washington the largest in support of gun control The amendment states that “a well using data. larly meaningful,” Pivotal Research ple a “right to portability” — to take for nearly two decades and came in re- regulated Militia, being necessary to the Until now changing settings had Group analyst Brian Wieser said. their data with them — and imposes sponse to the Valentine’s Day school security of a free State, the right of the been complex, spread over at least 20 “There are several problems and fi nes of up to 4% of global revenue for resident Donald Trump yester- shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 people to keep and bear Arms, shall not screens, which had frustrated users. one needs to address operationally companies breaking the law. day rejected a former US Supreme students and staff ers dead. be infringed.” The world’s largest social network what Facebook is doing to provide Lawmakers in the United States are PCourt judge’s call for the repeal of “Rarely in my lifetime have I seen the “Today that concern is a relic of the said in a blog post it had been work- confi dence that personal data is pro- still clamouring for Zuckerberg him- the Second Amendment to the US Con- type of civic engagement school chil- 18th century,” when states worried that ing on the updates for some time but tected.” self to explain how users’ data ended stitution, which guarantees the right to dren and their supporters demonstrated a standing national army could be used sped things up to appease users’ an- Facebook chief executive Mark up in the hands of Cambridge Ana- bear arms. in Washington and other major cities against them, Stevens said. ger over how the company uses their Zuckerberg has repeatedly apolo- lytica. He plans to testify before Con- “THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL throughout the country this past Satur- In 2008, the Supreme Court held that data and as lawmakers around the gised for the mistakes the company gress, a source briefed on the matter NEVER BE REPEALED!,” Trump wrote day,” wrote the former high court judge, the Second Amendment protects the globe called for strong regulation. made and has promised to crack said on Tuesday. in a tweet in response to the appeal by now aged 97. right of individuals to possess fi rearms “Last week showed how much more down on abuse of the Facebook plat- Facebook has said it has received former justice John Paul Stevens. Stephens, who was nominated to the for self-defence in the home, in the work we need to do to enforce our pol- form and restrict developers’ access invitations to testify and that it is “As much as Democrats would like to Supreme Court by Republican president landmark case “District of Columbia v icies and help people understand how to user information. talking to legislators. Zuckerberg and see this happen, and despite the words Gerald Ford in 1975, said the protests Heller.” Facebook works and the choices they The changes Facebook announced the CEOs of Alphabet Inc and Twitter yesterday of former Supreme Court “reveal the broad public support for It ruled a ban on handguns and laws have over their data,” Facebook wrote yesterday let users add more layers of Inc have been invited to testify at an Justice Stevens, NO WAY. We need more legislation to minimise the risk of mass on storage requirements for rifl es and in the blog post yesterday. protection, control what they share April 10 hearing on data privacy. Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS killings of school children and others.” shotguns violated this. Facebook fi rst acknowledged that and delete it if they want to, control The US Federal Trade Commission hold the Supreme Court!,” Trump add- But he said activists, who are calling A decade on, Stevens remains con- user data had been improperly chan- the ads they see, and manage who sees has opened an investigation into Fa- ed. for a ban on assault rifl es and raising the vinced that decision was “wrong and nelled via a third-party app to po- their posts and profi le information. cebook and attorneys representing 37 Stevens made the call Tuesday in legal age to buy a fi rearm to 21, should go certainly was debatable,” and that it has litical consultancy Cambridge Ana- There is also a new page — Access states are also pressing Zuckerberg to an op-ed in The New York Times three further in their demands. handed the NRA “a propaganda weapon lytica, which was hired by Donald Your Information — where users can explain what happened. days after the ‘March for Our Lives’, a “They should demand a repeal of the of immense power.” Court fi nds solution elusive in gerrymandering case

By Lawrence Hurley, Reuters the issue. Several acknowledged term, starting in October, along the case, raised concerns about maintain control of the US House preme Court is whether Mary- The Wisconsin challengers Washington problems with the way Demo- with another case from North a ruling so soon before the 2018 of Representatives and various land’s electoral map violated the presented a diff erent argument, crats drew the Maryland district. Carolina. mid-term election in November state legislatures. US Constitution’s First Amend- that the Republican-drawn map Based on questions they asked, Partisan gerrymandering, he that would “upset settled expec- Republican voters sued Mary- ment guarantee of free speech. violated the First Amendment S Supreme Court justices the justices seemed no closer to said, “seems like a pretty clear tation” but also indicated there land after the Democratic-led The novel legal theory pur- right to freedom of expression yesterday appeared con- answering the major question violation of the Constitution was evidence of partisan intent. legislature in 2011 redrew the sued by the challengers is that and association and the 14th Ufl icted over what to do now before them in this case and in some form” but the problem The rulings in the Maryland boundaries of the state’s Sixth Republican voters were retaliated Amendment guarantee of equal — if anything — to rein in poli- in a similar one involving Wis- is fi nding a “practical remedy” and Wisconsin cases, due by the District in a way that removed against by Democrats based on protection under the law because ticians who draw state electoral consin — whether courts should that would avoid forcing federal end of June, could alter the US Republican-leaning areas and their political views. of the extent to which it margin- maps with the aim of entrench- be able to intervene to curb the judges to decide a huge number political landscape, either by im- added Democratic-leaning areas. In a 2004 ruling in another alised Democratic voters. ing their party in power in a manipulation of electoral district of highly politicised cases. posing limits on partisan gerry- Maryland’s map led to Demo- case, Kennedy, who sometimes Gerrymandered electoral maps closely watched case from Mary- boundaries purely to favour one In the Maryland case, there mandering or by allowing it even crat John Delaney beating in- sides with the liberal justices in often concentrate voters who land over the practice known as party over another. appeared little dispute on the in its most extreme forms. cumbent Republican Roscoe Bar- major rulings, parted with his tend to favor the minority party partisan gerrymandering. On October 3, the court, which bench that the congressional The Supreme Court for dec- tlett to take the district in 2012. conservative colleagues to sug- into a small number of districts The nine justices heard an hour has a 5-4 conservative major- district’s lines were indeed drawn ades has been willing to invali- At the time, Maryland also had gest that if partisan gerryman- to dilute their statewide clout of arguments in a challenge by ity, seemed similarly unsure on with partisan intent. date state electoral maps due to a Democratic governor, Martin dering went too far courts might and distribute the rest of those Republican voters to a US House how to proceed when it heard Liberal Justice Elena Kagan racial discrimination but never O’Malley. have to step in if a “workable voters in other districts in num- of Representatives district in arguments in a challenge by agreed with Breyer about the those created just for partisan Current Governor Hogan’s standard” could be found. bers too small to be a majority. Maryland drawn by Democratic Democratic voters to Republi- problem of deciding how much advantage. election victory in 2014 il- Conservative Justice Samuel Legislative districts are re- state legislators. can-drawn legislative districts partisan line-drawing is too Both parties over the years lustrated Republican strength Alito yesterday told the attorney drawn nationwide every decade The voters, who have the back- statewide in Wisconsin, and has much, but, she said: “This case is have engaged in partisan gerry- statewide. for the Republican plaintiff s he to refl ect population changes af- ing of Republican Maryland Gov- not yet issued a ruling. too much.” mandering. But Republicans currently did not think their challenge un- ter the national census. ernor Larry Hogan, are appeal- Stephen Breyer, one of the four “How much more evidence of Democrats have said partisan hold just one of Maryland’s eight der the First Amendment was a Redistricting in most states ing a lower court ruling rejecting liberal justices, suggested that partisan intent could we need?” gerrymandering by Republi- congressional seats because of workable standard. is done by the party in power, their challenge. the court put off deciding the Kagan added. cans in such states as Wiscon- the way the electoral boundaries “I don’t see how any legisla- though some states in the inter- The justices appeared to cases and instead hear another Conservative Justice Anthony sin and Pennsylvania has helped are drawn. ture would ever be able to redis- est of fairness assign the task to struggle to fi nd a way to resolve round of arguments in its next Kennedy, a potential key vote in President Donald Trump’s party The question before the Su- trict,” Alito said. independent commissions. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, March 29, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Kim shows unity with Xi in his fi rst

foreign trip North Korean leader Kim Jong-un waving from his train as it prepares to depart from Beijing railway station.

AFP tweeted that Xi had sent him a juncture, Kim and Xi believed summit, the South’s presidential Beijing message on Tuesday to say his that it was time to seize the offi ce said. Confi rmation of the meeting with Kim “went very opportunity to consult,” Bon- visit ended 24 hours of specu- well and that KIM looks forward nie Glaser, a China expert at lation about the identity of a orth Korean leader Kim to his meeting with me”. the Washington-based Center mysterious North Korean visi- Jong-un was given a lav- “In the meantime, and unfor- for Strategic and International tor after Japanese media spotted Nish welcome by Chinese tunately, maximum sanctions Studies, told AFP. a green train, similar to the one President Xi Jinping during a and pressure must be main- “Both likely concluded that used by Kim’s father, arriving in secretive trip to Beijing as both tained at all cost!” he tweeted. further deterioration in relations Beijing on Monday and depart- sides try to repair frayed rela- Trump also said there was would be harmful.” ing the following day. tions before Pyongyang’s land- now “a good chance that Kim Deng Yuwen, an independ- Despite the news blackout mark summits with Seoul and Jong-un will do what is right for ent Chinese international rela- a heavy police presence at key Washington. his people and for humanity” tions scholar, said North Korea venues, barricades and myste- US President Donald Trump and denuclearise. needed to turn to its old ally rious motorcades hinted at his welcomed the Beijing meeting “Look forward to our meet- ahead of the US summit, as Kim presence. and said there was now a “good ing!” he added. will be sceptical that Trump will North Korea’s offi cial Rodong chance” Kim told Xi there was “no provide his regime with security Sinmun newspaper yesterday Kim would scrap his nuclear question that my fi rst foreign guarantees. featured photos of Chinese of- weapons — but warned that visit would be to the Chinese “North Korea needs the big fi cials greeting Kim and his wife sanctions must stay in force in capital”, according to North Ko- brother to protect it at a crucial with fl owers at the train station. the meantime. rea’s offi cial KCNA news agency. moment,” Deng said. South Ko- His visit to China came as a sur- On his fi rst trip abroad since “This is my solemn duty as rea said last month after talks prise given the state of relations taking power, Kim and his wife someone who should value and with Kim in Pyongyang that he between the Cold War-era allies, were greeted by an honour guard continue the DPRK-PRC (North would consider abandoning his which fought together in the and a banquet hosted by Xi, ac- Korea-China) relations through nuclear weapons in exchange 1950-53 Korean War. cording to state media, which generations.” for US security guarantees, and China chaired six-party talks confi rmed the “unoffi cial” visit KCNA said Xi accepted an would halt weapons tests while on North Korea that collapsed in only after Kim had returned by invitation to visit Pyongyang in talks were under way. 2009 but its calls to revive that train to North Korea. what would be his fi rst trip to China’s President Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol Ju “The issue of denuclearisa- forum have not been heeded so The two men held talks at the the North Korean capital since walking in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. tion of the Korean Peninsula can far. stately Great Hall of the People he took power in 2012. be resolved, if South Korea and Frustrated by its neighbour’s during which they hailed their The two men had not met ing it was “a strategic choice and Hall of the People, according to does not cut a deal with Trump the United States respond to our nuclear weapons programme nations’ historic relations, with since Kim took over after the the only right choice” and that television images which showed that hurts Chinese interests eff orts with goodwill, create an and under pressure from Trump, Kim pledging he was “commit- death of his father, Kim Jong- he was willing to maintain fre- the North Korean leader taking during a summit expected to be atmosphere of peace and stabil- China has used its economic lev- ted to denuclearisation” on the il, in December 2011. Relations quent contact with Kim “under meticulous notes. held in May. ity while taking progressive and erage to squeeze Kim’s regime. Korean peninsula, according to have been strained as China has the new circumstances”, accord- Later, Xi and his wife, Peng Kim’s visit puts China back synchronous measures for the At the same time, Beijing fears China’s Xinhua news agency. backed a series of tough UN ing to Xinhua. Liyuan, waved goodbye while in the diplomatic game af- realisation of peace,” Kim said, the collapse of the regime in Kim also expressed willing- sanctions against Pyongyang Xi and Kim shook hands and Kim and his spouse, Ri Sol-ju, ter appearing sidelined by according to Xinhua. Pyongyang would send waves of ness to hold the summits with over its nuclear and missile tests. sat across from each other at smiled as they left in a black car. Pyongyang’s approaches to Chinese special envoy Yang refugees into China and place US Trump and South Korean Presi- But Xi underscored the im- a long conference table, both Analysts said Xi likely wanted Seoul and Washington. Jiechi will travel to Seoul today troops stationed on its border in dent Moon Jae-in, it said. Trump portance of developing ties, say- fl anked by offi cials, at the Great to see Kim to ensure North Korea “It shows that at this crucial to brief Moon about the Kim-Xi a unifi ed Korea.

Australian PM Vital link Turnbull forced Suu Kyi confi dant to delay tax cut

Win Myint elected Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been forced to delay introducing a Myanmar president bill to cut corporate tax due to a lack of Senate support, denying him a much-needed AFP elections, the same vote that political victory as he Naypyidaw elevated Suu Kyi to parliament struggles with poor polling after a combined 15 years of a year from an election. The house arrest. conservative leader wanted yanmar’s parliament She is still widely regarded to cut the corporate tax rate yesterday elected a as a heroine in Myanmar even to 25% from 30% this week to Mstaunch ally of Aung though her reputation lies shore up his white-collar base, San Suu Kyi as the country’s shattered globally for failing to after back-to-back scandals new president, allowing her to speak up on behalf of the coun- left him without several maintain a tight grip on top- try’s Rohingya Muslim com- members of his ministry. level decision-making. Win munity. An army crackdown But Finance Minister Mathias Myint, 66, had been tipped for has driven almost 700,000 of Cormann told the upper house the role after former president the persecuted minority out late on Tuesday he would now Htin Kyaw suddenly stepped of the country since last Au- introduce the tax cut bill in down last week, citing the need gust. Her supporters say she the next week of parliament, for rest. has her hands tied by the mili- which is scheduled for Suu Kyi is barred by the mil- tary, which retains control over May, after failing to get the itary-drafted constitution from three key ministries — home necessary votes from two the presidency because she was aff airs, borders and defence — independent Senators. The married to a foreigner and has and is guaranteed a quarter of delay leaves Turnbull without two sons who are British citi- the parliamentary seats. an upbeat message as he zens. She has instead served as Supreme Court advocate approaches a 30th straight state counsellor since her par- Khin Maung Zaw worked with Newspoll, a wide-watched ty’s landslide 2015 election vic- Win Myint in recent years and A section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge leads to an artificial island, to be opened in Zhuhai, China. opinion poll which has for tory, declaring she would work said: “He is an honest person, the last 29 surveys had him “above” the president. But her he is quite hard-working, but trailing the Labor opposition. position has no offi cial consti- sometimes he is stern.” As Losing 30 Newspolls would be tutional role. speaker he was known for his a symbolic blow for Turnbull That makes it crucial for her passion for protocol, famously since he used that benchmark to have a compliant friend as dressing down members of to justify ousting former president as she manages an parliament for failing to don the leader Tony Abbott in 2015. often fraught power-sharing correct clothing. Singapore invites HRW to fake The next Newspoll is due out arrangement with the still His tenure was marked by on April 8. “The government’s powerful military, which ruled “exerting strict control over failure to pass the tax cuts the country for almost half a the MPs”, said Khin Zaw Win, means it has nothing to century. director of Yangon think-tank news hearing as dispute grows change the narrative that it “I will do my best to carry out The Tampadipa Institute. is a government stuck in a my duties for the people,” Win Activists have been frustrat- Reuters in May, or after May, after Par- speech campaigner. “From the went unanswered, he said. “The rut,” said Haydon Manning, a Myint told reporters as he left ed at his reluctance to abolish Singapore liament reopens,” the committee examples it relies on, HRW seems purpose of the hearing was not political science professor at parliament after the vote. Win a controversial online defama- said in a press release, address- to advocate the use of false and to discuss our fi ndings and rec- Flinders University in South Myint, who resigned as lower tion law that has seen dozens ing Human Rights Watch (HRW). fabricated allegations in political ommendations in good faith, or Australia. Turnbull desperately house speaker last week, swept of people face charges for Face- ingapore yesterday invited Vikram Nair, a member of the discourse,” Nair said in a writ- to get our input into dealing with needs some good news after up nearly two thirds of the votes book posts critical of the gov- Human Rights Watch to ruling People’s Action Party, ten argument submitted to the ‘deliberate online falsehoods’ ... several months of negative in a parliament dominated by ernment or military. Sgive evidence at a parlia- said this week Human Rights committee. Nair was among 79 but to engage in ridiculous and headlines.” Turnbull has Suu Kyi’s National League for Observers say his appoint- mentary hearing on “fake news” Watch had in a recent report used people asked to speak in parlia- irrelevant arguments aimed to struggled for months against a Democracy (NLD) party. ment is unlikely to change poli- as a dispute grew between the “clearly false” examples to fur- ment over the eight days set for discredit our report and Human tide of long-running scandals He beat two opponents, in- tics much although he could New York-based group and the ther its agenda and undermine the hearing. Rights Watch,” he said in a state- over which he has seemed cluding the military-backed assume some duties from Suu city state. public discourse. The committee said it had ment. to have limited control. The acting president Myint Swe. Kyi, who is notoriously unwill- A parliamentary committee in In its report, the rights group earlier invited a HRW offi cial to Last week, representatives of second half of 2017 was The former lawyer hails from ing to delegate. Singapore is reviewing possible called on Singapore to amend or speak at a hearing in late March, global tech giants including Fa- dominated by a string of Suu Kyi’s inner circle — the pair “We cannot expect a very measures to prevent “deliberate repeal laws that it said were too which the group fi rst accepted cebook and Twitter spoke at the politician resignations amid fought side-by-side during the high political impact on My- online falsehoods”, mirroring ef- broadly worded and were used but later declined. hearing to express concern about questions about whether they 1988 democracy movement anmar democratisation,” said forts in various countries to tack- to “arrest, harass, and prosecute Human Rights Watch Asia di- new laws to tackle falsehoods, held dual citizenship, a status that was violently quashed by independent analyst Yan Myo le false information amid growing critical voices”, including a Sedi- rector Brad Adams said it had saying suffi cient rules were al- which is banned for elected the junta and saw Win Myint, Thein. questions about the infl uence of tion Act and Public Order Act. sought the Singapore govern- ready in place. Singapore ranks off icials in Australia. The start alongside many others, being Political analyst Yan Kyaw internet companies. The group cited several exam- ment’s view ahead of the publica- 151 out of 180 countries in a World of 2018 was then consumed taken political prisoner. said that while Win Myint’s Activists worry that laws ples including a defamation case tion of its report but had received Press Freedom Index issued by by then deputy prime minister As Myanmar emerged from profi le may rise, “he won’t do aimed at “fake news” could be against a blogger, a case against none. The group’s earlier off er to Reporters Without Borders, a Barnaby Joyce’s admission outright military rule, Win anything against Daw Aung San used to stifl e free speech. an activist opposed to the death send an offi cial to testify before non-government group that pro- that he was expecting a child Myint won his seat in 2012 by- Suu Kyi”. “We can hear you on any date penalty and a case against a free- the Singapore committee also motes freedom of information. with a former employee. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND

COMMENT INVESTIGATION ANNOUNCEMENT TRAGEDY INDUSTRIAL ACTION Britain will deliver Brexit One held in hunt for Hatton Ireland sets abortion Family of woman hit Rail strike brings travel despite funding claims: PM Garden heist ringleader referendum date for May 25 by bricks ‘want answers’ misery for commuters

Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday said her Police hunting for a ringleader behind the £14mn Ireland will vote in a referendum on May 25 on The family of a woman left fighting for life after Hundreds of thousands of commuters suff ered government would deliver on Britain’s vote to leave Hatton Garden heist nicknamed “Basil” have whether or not to liberalise abortion laws, the being crushed under a pallet of bricks demanded disruption yesterday as a strike hit the the European Union, after the referendum result made an arrest. Scotland Yard said a 57-year-old government said yesterday, off ering voters the answers yesterday. The victim was understood Docklands Light Railway. Most of the network was questioned by some critics who say funding man was detained in London in connection with first opportunity in 35 years to overhaul one of to have been on the school run when she was hit was shut, with only 10 trains operating out of rules were broken by Brexit campaigners. “If the 2015 burglary in which elderly crooks broke the world’s strictest regimes. Abortion has long by the load, which fell from a 100ft crane in Mile the usual 55 at peak-time. The DLR will also be there are those who are trying to suggest that the into a secure vault and removed jewellery, cash, been a divisive issue in once stridently Catholic End. A friend of the woman said: “Her family are suspended today and many services will be government should be rejecting the result of the gold and platinum. Flying Squad detectives have Ireland where a complete ban was lifted only in devastated, we all are. She has ended up fighting cancelled tomorrow morning. A further four referendum as a result of these sort of claims, I say been searching for those who evaded capture 2013 when terminations were allowed in cases for life in hospital on her 29th birthday. We had days of strikes have been ordered for the end to them very clearly...the referendum was held, the after the burglary. Their main target has been where the mother’s life was in danger. Voters seen pallets of bricks wobbling up there, it was just of April — threatening to cause travel chaos for vote was taken, the people gave their view and we Basil, a mystery figure who has evaded capture will be asked if they wish to repeal the eighth not safe. It could have been any of us..” Footage of London Marathon spectators. The RMT union will be delivering on it,” May said. Meanwhile Irish for the last three years. He helped the gang amendment of the constitution that was inserted the incident on morning shows the woman lying is in dispute with KeolisAmey — which runs off icials have been told to expect new proposals break into the building but his identity has never in 1983 to enshrine the equal right to life of the unconscious among smashed bricks and other the DLR for Transport for London — over staff imminently from Britain on how it plans to avoid a become public. Those convicted of the burglary mother and her unborn child, and to instead debris in Burdett Road, as members of the public working conditions, and has refused to rule out post-Brexit hard border, The Times reported. say they did not know his real name. enable parliament to set the laws. and site workers give her first aid. further strikes after April.

Britain’s Fans turn out for comedian’s funeral youngest High court councillor dies at 21 overturns Guardian News and Media London

woman who was consid- ered Britain’s youngest Alocal councillor when she decision to was elected at 18 has died sud- denly. Clarissa Slade, 21, who was studying classics at the University of Winchester, was found dead in her fl at by her housemate. Slade was a Conservative coun- free rapist cillor on Mid Devon district coun- cil, after being elected in 2015. Guardian News and Media Board proceedings, which pre- “I want to take this opportunity Her father, Colin – who is also London vents any reasons being given for to reiterate my heartfelt sympathy a councillor – said that the loss of decisions made by the board. for all they, and the other victims, his daughter was devastating and “There are no obvious reasons have suff ered as a result of Wor- that she “had much more to give”. ictims of the serial sex at- why the open justice principle boys’ hideous crimes,” he said. He added that it was not yet tacker John Worboys have should not apply to the Parole “I took expert legal advice known what had caused her death Vsucceeded in forcing the Board in the context of providing from leading counsel on whether and that he was “in the dark”. “It Parole Board to reconsider its de- information on matters of public I should bring a challenge. The is tragic her life has been cut so cision to release him from prison. concern,” Leveson added. bar for judicial review is set high. short. She said her long-term Three judges at the high court Lawyers for two unnamed vic- I considered whether the deci- ambition was to be prime minis- in London have ordered the Pa- tims had argued that the full extent sion was legally rational – in other ter – who knows what she could role Board to carry out a “fresh of Worboys’ off ending should have words, a decision which no rea- have achieved. She will be greatly determination” – and Worboys been taken into account and that sonable Parole Board could have missed by all who knew her.” will remain in prison pending the the decision to free him on licence, made. Police are treating her death as outcome. even on the evidence considered, “The advice I received was that unexplained and a postmortem is Sir Brian Leveson, Justice Jay was “irrational”. such an argument was highly un- to be carried out. and Justice Garnham said yester- Worboys, 60, now goes by the likely to succeed. And, indeed, this A spokesperson for the univer- day, when ruling in favour of two name John Radford. He was jailed argument did not succeed. How- sity said it was deeply saddened by women who brought the chal- indefi nitely in 2009 with a mini- ever, the victims succeeded in a her death, adding “our thoughts lenge, that the Parole Board should mum term of eight years after be- diff erent argument.” and prayers are with her family have undertaken “further inquiry ing found guilty of 19 off ences, Gauke announced his intention and friends at this diffi cult time”. into the circumstances of his of- including rape, sexual assault and to “conduct further work to exam- At the time of her election, fending”. drugging late-night passengers, ine the Parole Board rules in their Slade said she had become the Nick Hardwick, the chair of the committed against 12 victims. entirety”. He added: “As a result of country’s youngest councillor. Parole Board, has been forced to However, police believe he com- the work that has been completed North Devon MP Peter Heaton- resign after David Gauke, the jus- mitted crimes against 105 women to date, I have already decided to Jones tweeted: “I knew Clarissa tice secretary, told him his position between 2002 and 2008, when he abolish rule 25 and will do so as well. She was hardworking and was untenable. was caught. Worboys has served soon as possible after the Easter always so upbeat, and had a bright The judge quashed the board’s 10 years in jail. Harriet Wistrich, recess. future. Such a sad day.” decision to release Worboys and the solicitor who represented the “This will enable us to provide His words were echoed by ordered it to hold a fresh hearing two unnamed victims, said after- for the Parole Board to make avail- Kevin Foster, Conservative MP for before “a diff erently constituted wards: “It was immediately clear able summaries of the decisions Torbay, who said he was “shocked panel”. that all those who had encoun- they make to victims. In addition, and deeply saddened” to learn of Leveson said Worboys’ “ap- tered (Worboys) previously were I will bring forward proposals for her death. Stephen Walford, Mid parent deftness in impression convinced he was a danger to Parole Board decisions to be chal- Devon council’s chief executive, management” should have raised women and would off end again.” lenged. said: “This is clearly a great shock doubts about how genuine was his One of the two victims, known “I intend to consult on the de- to everyone at the council and will belated admission of guilt. only as NBV, said: “Since January 4 tail of these proposals by the end aff ect all those who worked with The Parole Board, he said, (when the decision to free Worboys of April alongside other proposals Clarissa. should have been aware that that it was revealed) I have felt frozen in to improve the way that victims “Clarissa’s parents, who are did not have material from the po- shock, disgusted and traumatised are kept informed about the parole both serving councillors here at lice or Crown Prosecutions Service by the thought that Worboys could process.” Mid Devon, will be devastated by to challenge his version of events. be on the streets so soon … News After the hearing, Phillippa this news and we will be support- A key issue in assessing the risk that we have won this case fi nally Kaufmann QC, who represented ing them in any way we can.” posed by releasing Worboys, Lev- brought huge relief.” the victims, said removing Hard- Before Slade began her degree eson pointed out, was “whether he Gauke said he welcomed the wick was the wrong response. she said she had no intention of Children wearing “Diddy Men” costumes, a character popularised by Ken Dodd, line up after was being open and honest”. judgment and congratulated the “It looks as though he has been resigning and remained commit- the comedian’s funeral at Liverpool Cathedral, in Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. The judgment also supported a victims who brought the unprec- scapegoated for something that is ted to serving her ward. challenge against rule 25 of Parole edented legal action. not his responsibility.”

Cashing in Households face biggest Man dies after 5-hour council tax rises in 14 years wait for ambulance London Evening Standard The crew called for “urgent London assistance” and two additional Guardian News and Media this year will help off set some of compared with 2010, when the crews were needed to get him London the fi nancial pressures they face Tories came into government. down stairs. He arrived in hospi- but the reality is that many coun- “Under the last Labour govern- patient who told 999 tal at 8.31pm. After surgery for a cils are now beyond the point ment council tax doubled and in call-handlers he had a po- perforated bowel he was admit- ouseholds will be hit where council tax income can Labour-run Wales it has trebled. Atentially fatal illness died ted to intensive care but died 10 with the steepest council be expected to plug the growing It’s Conservative councils across after waiting almost fi ve hours days later. Htax rise in 14 years from funding gaps they face. This means the country who are delivering for an ambulance, the Standard An investigation found his April, with the average house- councils will have to continue to high-quality services while man- revealed. initial call was correctly rated hold in England paying £81 more cut back services or stop some aging taxpayers’ money more ef- London Ambulance Service as “category three”, meaning it at a time when most local au- altogether to plug funding gaps. fectively.” admitted the man had to wait was not life-threatening or se- thorities are driving though big “The need for adequate funding On Tuesday, Javid sent in gov- longer than expected because of rious, and a response was due cuts to services. for local government is urgent. ernment commissioners to di- high demand during winter. within two hours. However, a The infl ation-busting average We have repeatedly warned of the rectly control the fi nances and At the time it was receiving 90-minute call-back to check on 5.1% increase on band D properties serious consequences of fund- governance of Northamptonshire more than 250 calls an hour. his condition did not happen be- in England pushes up the average ing pressures facing services car- county council, which declared The man, who has not been cause the call centre was so busy. bill to £1,671. Almost all councils ing for the elderly and disabled, eff ective bankruptcy in February. identifi ed, had called 999 at The investigation found a call- that provide social care have opted protecting children and tackling The Tory-run council is putting 2.09pm on a Sunday last Decem- back “may have identifi ed the to levy an average £30 charge to homelessness for the people that up council tax bills by 5.98% from ber while suff ering severe ab- patient’s deteriorating condi- help meet the spiralling cost of rely on them and the fi nancial sus- April while pushing though cuts of dominal pain and vomiting. He tion”. adult care services, offi cial fi gures tainability of other services coun- £40mn, including closing 21 of its told the call-handler that he had About 8,400 people in the UK show. cils provide.” 36 libraries. Addison’s disease, a rare condi- have Addison’s disease. Many Council leaders warned that The shadow communities sec- Ministry of Housing, Com- tion of the adrenal glands that need daily medication. despite the steep rise, town halls retary, Andrew Gwynne, said: munities and Local Government prevents production of essential Patricia Bain, chief qual- would still have to reduce services. “This shows that under the Tories fi gures show the biggest year- hormones. ity offi cer at LAS, said: “We have They said they had little choice you pay more for less. Over the last on-year rises of £86 are found in When an ambulance failed to apologised to the family of this but to ask residents to pay more eight years, council budgets have predominantly Conservative-run arrive, he made a second 999 call patient for the time it took to as they struggled to balance the been reduced by 50% and serv- county councils, where the average Memorabilia celebrating the engagement of Prince Harry at 6.44pm, saying he was strug- reach them.” books since government funding ices cut, with local people forced bill is £1,749. The lowest, at £55, to fiancee US actress Meghan Markle are for sale in a gling to breathe and had fallen Details of the case emerged had been halved since 2011. to pick up the slack as council tax for an average bill of £1,405, are gift shop in Windsor, west of London. Harry and Meghan over. The call was upgraded and yesterday as LAS published de- Lord Porter, the Conservative bills soar.” The Communities Sec- in London. The rise is the biggest Markle will marry on May 19 at St George’s Chapel in an ambulance arrived 19 minutes tails of eight serious incidents chair of the Local Government As- retary, Sajid Javid, said council tax annual increase since the height of Windsor Castle. later, at 7.03pm — four hours 54 reported to health commission- sociation, said: “The extra income bills were 7.6% lower in real terms New Labour in 2004-05. minutes after his fi rst 999 call. ers last month. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, March 29, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Firefi ghters ‘ashamed’ at response to Manchester terror attack

Guardian News and Media waiting to be deployed after the An offi cial review of the re- Members have talked about by two hours and six minutes they were dealing with a maraud- prompted Burnham to commis- London bombing – some of them so close sponse to the attack, published their embarrassment that they after the bombing, which left 22 ing terrorist attack, like those ex- sion Lord Kerslake to carry out that they had heard the explo- on Tuesday, prompted calls for weren’t deployed and also feel- dead and scores injured. perienced in Mumbai and Paris. the independent review, which sion – but “the order never came ministers to rethink “infl exible” ing ashamed that they were pre- Many firefighters heard the When they arrived at the are- concluded the fi re service played irefi ghters felt “embar- down from the top”. rules for dealing with terror- vented from doing anything that explosion from their base just na, more than two hours after “no meaningful role”. rassed” and “ashamed” His comments came after ist atrocities so that emergency night.” over half a mile away from the Salman Abedi detonated his sui- The Manchester Evening News Fthat they were stopped Greater Manchester fi re and res- services can use common sense The report by Bob Kerslake, arena and were desperate to de- cide bomb, the visibly frustrated said it had been “inundated” from helping victims of the Man- cue service (GMFRS) was forced to save lives in future attacks. commissioned by the mayor of ploy, the report found. Instead, fi re offi cers were not immediately with calls from fi refi ghters in the chester Arena terror attack more to issue an unreserved apology for Rowe told BBC Breakfast yes- Greater Manchester, Andy Burn- they were told to drive to anoth- allowed on to the concourse to 24 hours after the attack speak- quickly, the north-west secre- turning up two hours late to the terday: “Members were very an- ham, found poor communica- er fire station three miles away help because of communication ing of the shame they felt at being tary of the Fire Brigades Union Manchester Arena attack because gry that they weren’t being de- tions between the police and fi re and were left to watch reports errors between “risk-averse” of- prevented from helping. Many has said. fi re chiefs followed protocol in- ployed to the scene. service meant the “valuable” as- on TV. fi cers in charge, the report said. had elite training in how to re- Mark Rowe said crews were stead of showing “pragmatism”. “There was frustration. sistance of fi re crews was delayed Fire chiefs wrongly believed Complaints from fi refi ghters spond to a terrorist attack. Bottle and can ‘Sensational Butterflies’ exhibition deposit return scheme gets green light

Guardian News and Media consultation which demonstrate London that they off er clear benefi ts and are resistant to fraud, and costs on businesses, consumers and the ll drinks containers in Eng- taxpayer are proportionate”. land, whether plastic, glass The Campaign to Protect Rural Aor metal, will be covered by England (CPRE) has lobbied for a deposit return scheme, the gov- a DRS for a decade and its litter ernment has announced. programme director, Samantha The forthcoming scheme is in- Harding, said: “I am thrilled that tended to cut the litter polluting we will fi nally see the many ben- the land and sea by returning a efi ts a deposit system will bring small cash sum to consumers who to England, not least the absence return their bottles and cans. of ugly drinks containers in our Similar schemes operate in 38 beautiful countryside. countries, and campaigners have “What’s signifi cant is that pro- A visitor poses for a picture with a Blue Morpho (right) and a Paper Kite butterfly during a photocall for the “Sensational Butterflies” exhibition at the Natural History Museum in worked for a decade for its intro- ducers will now pay the full costs London yesterday. duction in England. of their packaging, reducing the Fees vary depending on the size burden on the taxpayer and set- of the bottle or can and many use ting a strong precedent for other “reverse vending machines” to schemes where the polluter pays,” automate the return. she added. Once returned, retailers are re- Bill Bryson, author and former sponsible for properly recycling CPRE president, said: “I whole- the containers. Deposit return heartedly congratulate Gove for schemes (DRS) have increased re- his wisdom in fi nally accepting the cycling rates to more than 90% in case for a deposit return system in other countries. the UK.” Border exit records At present just 43% of the 13bn The Green party’s co-leader plastic bottles sold each year in the Caroline Lucas, a member of the UK are recycled, and 700,000 are Environmental Audit Committee littered every day. In Germany, a of MPs which backed a DRS in De- DRS was introduced in 2003 and cember, said: “After a long delay 99% of plastic bottles are recy- it is good to see the government cled. moving forward on this issue. This of 600,000 ‘missing’ “We can be in no doubt that scheme should have been intro- plastic is wreaking havoc on our duced long ago – and it is just the Guardian News and Media Home Offi ce record that they duction of the exit check pro- The chief inspector said that whose visas had expired within marine environment,” said Envi- tip of the iceberg when it comes to London ever entered the country. gramme as “shambolic” with by June 2017, despite the prom- the previous two years but there ronment Secretary, Michael Gove. reducing plastic waste.” Bolt quoted Home Offi ce staff persistent issues about data ise of 100% coverage, gaps still was no record of departure. “At “It is absolutely vital we act now “If ministers really are serious complaining that they had been quality, gaps and threats of remained in collecting data on the same time, there was no to tackle this threat and curb the about tackling the scourge of plas- heresa May’s long-prom- “mis-sold the programme”, that sanctions against airlines that those arriving by sea, ferries, for record of departure for 513,000 millions of plastic bottles a day tic pollution they will implement ised system of “100% exit it was “rushed” and “fl awed” didn’t comply. rail journeys in and out of Britain identifi ed non-visa nationals,” that go unrecycled. We have al- this deposit return scheme as soon Tchecks” at Britain’s bor- and that inside the department One check-in agent who con- and travel to and from Ireland he added. ready banned harmful microbeads as possible, then revise their ut- ders is so unreliable that it con- there had been no comprehen- tacted the Home Offi ce to ask within the common travel area. A Home Offi ce special inves- and cut plastic bag use, and now terly unambitious target of elimi- tains no departure records for sion of the vast and complicated what to do about a passenger Between April 2015 and March tigation was launched last year we want to take action on plas- nating unavoidable single-use more than 600,000 people who nature of the data and the pat- trying to leave the UK on an ex- 2017 the Home Offi ce collect- when it was identifi ed that 8,474 tic bottles to help clean up our plastics by 2042,” she said. should have left the country in terns it showed. pired passport was told: “It’s up ed on its database more than out of 52,238 Chinese visa holders oceans.” Tanya Steele, WWF’s chief ex- the past two years, a watchdog “Because it was not possible to you.” 607mn records of departures who were required to leave Britain The new DRS for England an- ecutive, said: “Plastic waste in the has revealed. to be certain about a person’s May, during her time as home from Britain as a result of the between April 2015 and March nounced by Gove is subject to a UK will rise by a fi fth by 2030. We A report by David Bolt, the movements they could not rely secretary, had repeatedly prom- exit check programme. The vast 2016 had not been recorded as consultation this year and it is not need to be tackling the problem on chief inspector of borders and on it as evidence of immigration ised to introduce a full exit check majority were for British or Eu- having left the country. yet clear whether all retailers of all fronts by reducing, reusing and immigration, said that the sys- (non) compliance,” the chief in- programme through the e-bor- ropean nationals. Chinese visa holders are con- single-use drinks will be required recycling. That means introducing a tem also contains a growing spector said. ders system by the 2015 general However, Bolt’s investigation sidered a low-risk group by the to participate. standard approach to recycling and, “unmatched pot” of more than Industry representatives election on the pledge of keep- has established that as of March Home Offi ce and the British em- The government says it “will ultimately, ending the use of avoid- 201,000 records of departures quoted by Bolt were far more ing track of everybody coming in 2017 there were 88,134 visa na- bassy in Beijing contacted Chi- only take forward options from the able single-use plastic by 2025.” of people for whom there is no scathing, describing the intro- and going out of Britain. tionals – from outside Europe – nese tour operators.

Two Ireland rugby players Tories’ election leafl et cleared of rape charges sparks racism claims London Evening Standard was in any way racist, as did local London Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, who Reuters had deliberated for three hours who had come to his house af- said the critics should themselves Belfast and 45 minutes. ter meeting the men in a Belfast apologise for an unfounded alle- The rugby players hugged their nightclub a day after they had onservative chairman gation of racism. families outside the courtroom returned from Ireland’s tour of Brandon Lewis was under But former minister Nicholas reland rugby internation- where a defence lawyer said the South Africa, he told the court. Cmassive pressure to in- Boles, the MP for Grantham and als Paddy Jackson and Stuart trial should never have hap- Olding told the court he had tervene yesterday after Tories in Sleaford, tweeted: “This leafl et is IOlding were yesterday found pened. been “in complete control” of Romford were accused of using disgraceful. The individuals re- not guilty of raping a woman at a “The prosecution made much his actions despite a day of heavy “dog whistle racism” in an elec- sponsible should apologise, and party in 2016. of a perceived privilege position drinking. tion leafl et. withdraw it, or face disciplinary After an eight-week trial that provided by virtue of Paddy be- In a statement read by his so- Two senior Tories condemned action. We cannot attack (Jer- the judge said had been made ing an international rugby play- licitor outside the court, Olding their party’s leafl et as “disgrace- emy) Corbyn for indulging anti- extremely diffi cult for the jury er. We say that it was his status said that while he had committed ful” and “bad”, with a former Semitism in Labour and allow mes- by intense media coverage, the as a famous sportsman that no criminal off ence, he regretted minister calling for disciplinary sages like this to go unchallenged.” men walked free but remain sus- drove the decision to prosecute the events that had taken place. measures and an apology. He ended with a challenge pended from playing until the in the first place,” Jackson’s so- “I am sorry for the hurt that The leafl et sent out in Haver- to the Conservative chairman Irish rugby union completes its licitor, Joe McVeigh, said out- was caused to the complainant, it ing complains that if Labour Lewis, saying: “@Brandon Lewis own review. side the court. was never my intention to cause seized control of the town hall over to you.” Jackson was also acquitted of a “Paddy and his parents have any upset to anyone on that in May the borough would “be- Boles declined to comment separate charge of sexual assault. paid a heavy price personally, night,” he said. come increasingly like an inner- further yesterday morning and Two other men who faced professionally and fi nancially. The trial received widespread city area”. It tells voters that there was an expectation among charges in connection with the This price was paid despite the media coverage across both Havering could resemble “bor- Tories that Lewis or a vice-chair incident were also found not fact he is and has never been Ireland and Northern Ireland, oughs like Hackney, Newham, would issue a statement on the guilty. anything other than entirely in- where rugby is one of the few Camden and Barking rather than row. However, no statement had Neither of the players, who nocent.” sports where players from both a traditional part of Essex and to been received as the Standard between them have represented Jackson, 26, and Olding, 25, sides of the border represent one get ready “for massive popula- went to press, despite requests. their country 29 times, have were accused of raping the wom- national team. tion increases from London.” The leafl et was being highlight- played for their club, Ulster, or an in Jackson’s home in the early Jackson’s lawyer said that “vile One of the three councillors who ed by Labour centrists as an ex- at national level, since they were hours of June 28, 2016. commentary” on social media put the leafl et out, Damian White, ample of “dog-whistle” politics, charged last July. Under cross-examination, throughout the trial went well revealed to the Evening Standard where unacceptable messages Some people cried in the pub- Jackson repeatedly denied he had beyond fair comment and raised that it was approved by Conserva- were communicated to voters sur- lic gallery when the unanimous forced the woman. concerns about the integrity of Irish rugby player Stuart Olding (right) leaves court in Belfast tive Campaign HQ before it went reptitiously. White said the leafl et verdict was read out after the jury She was one of several women the trial process. yesterday after being found not guilty of a charge of rape. to the printers. He denied that it refl ected local concerns. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 19 EUROPE

TERRORISM DEFENCE GREEN DRIVE EDUCATION ART AUCTION Italy arrests Moroccan Poland buys US missiles to Schiphol airport unveils EU extends qualifications First Van Gogh in 20 years planning truck attack counter bolder Russia new ‘clean-air’ bus fleet ‘passports’ for refugees to go under hammer

Italian anti-terrorism police yesterday arrested Poland yesterday signed the largest arms Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol airport yesterday A Council of Europe project to help refugees to have The first Van Gogh painting to go under the an Italian citizen of Moroccan origin who they procurement deal in its history, agreeing with saw the launch of 100 new electric passenger their qualifications recognised abroad was extended hammer in France in more than two decades said was an Islamic State sympathiser planning a the United States to buy Raytheon’s Patriot buses, said to be the largest fleet of its kind in yesterday to include more countries. France, was unveiled yesterday. ‘Women Mending Nets truck attack. It was the latest in a series of arrests missile defence system for $4.75bn in a major Europe, as it pursues clean-air targets. More than Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Armenia will in the Dunes’, which the Dutch artist painted this month involving suspected supporters of step to modernise its forces against a bolder 100,000 passengers will now step daily into participate in the second phase of the three-year early in his career at Scheveningen near The Islamist terrorism and came as Italy stepped up the Russia. “It is an extraordinary, historic moment; battery-powered buses operated by Connexxion, project, joining Greece, Norway, Italy and the UK Hague, is expected to go for around 5mn euros number of foreigners it expels. Elmahdi Halili, 23, it is Poland’s introduction into a whole new French transport giant Transdev’s subsidiary in from the first phase, the project’s chief, Sjur Bergan, ($6mn) when it is auctioned in June. But with the arrested in the northern city of Turin, “was studying world of state-of-the-art technology, modern the Netherlands, Transdev said. The contract announced at a news conference. “When you flee art market booming, and prices for artists like how to prepare a truck for an attack”, Francesco weaponry, and defensive means,” President to provide “clean air” transport, connecting your country, do you think of taking your diploma Van Gogh rocketing, experts said it was hard to Messina, the city’s police chief said. Police said Halili Andrzej Duda said during the signing ceremony. Schiphol to cities like Amsterdam and Haarlem, with you?” Bergan asked. Launched in Greece last predict exactly when the bidding would stop. received a two-year suspended prison term in 2015 Nato member Poland has accelerated eff orts is estimated at some 1.9bn euros ($2.3bn) year, the project has already helped 73 refugees to The oil on paper, which belongs to a European for “instigating terrorism” by running a website to overhaul its ageing weaponry following over the next 15 years. “We believe the future have their university qualifications recognised after collector, also graced the walls of the Van Gogh praising Islamic State and hailing the attacks it or Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea of mobility will be electric,” Transdev’s chief completing a test and interview with two specialists Museum for eight years after being previously its supporters perpetrated in Europe. peninsula in 2014. executive Thierry Mallet said. from the education system in their country of origin. on show in Montreal.

EU plans for France honours gendarme who faster troop movements

Reuters sacrifi ced life in terror attack Brussels

Reuters he European Union yes- Paris terday announced a plan Tto enable military person- nel and equipment to be moved resident Emmanuel Macron yes- more quickly across Europe, terday led national tributes to the which Nato sees as vital in the Pgendarme who switched places event of a confl ict with Russia with a woman hostage during an attack to overcome border delays and on a supermarket in southern France bridges too weak for tanks. last week and was killed by the Islamist Russia’s Zapad war games on gunman. Nato’s eastern fl ank late last year Colonel Arnaud Beltrame’s heroism raised alarm in Brussels and Wash- has helped reassure a nation left shaken ington that large-scale drills could and in mourning after Moroccan-born accidentally trigger a confl ict in Radouane Lakdim’s killing spree, an at- eastern Europe but leave Nato un- tack that rekindled a debate over how able to speedily mass troops there. France deals with suspected militant Confl icting regulations across Islamists. 28 EU countries, bridges and Tributes began with a minute’s si- tunnels too narrow or weak for lence in gendarme barracks across heavy equipment and few spe- France, before Beltrame’s Tricolour- cial allowances for transfers of draped coffi n was carried into the US troops all make it diffi cult for cobbled courtyard of Les Invalides, a Nato, commanders say. former military hospital, where Macron “By facilitating military mo- solemnly addressed the nation. bility within the EU, we can be “To accept to die so the innocent can more eff ective in preventing live: that is the essence of what it means crises, more effi cient in deploy- to be a soldier,” he said. ing our missions, and quicker in “Others, even many who are brave, reacting when challenges arise,” would have wavered or hesitated.” EU foreign policy chief Federica After speaking, Macron posthu- Mogherini said of the so-called mously awarded Beltrame the Legion of Action Plan on Military Mobility. Honour, France’s highest order of merit. The plan will now go to EU More than 240 people have been governments and the European killed since early 2015 in France in at- Parliament for discussion. tacks carried out by Islamist militants Following a pilot programme or individuals inspired by extremist last year to identify weak spots groups. along North Sea-Baltic routes, Macron said France would prevail where Russia regularly conducts with calm against an “insidious enemy” military drills and has built up its that wanted to divide the French people air defences in Kaliningrad, the and deprive them of their freedoms. European Commission will next Lakdim’s rampage began when he year outline the best routes across shot dead the occupant of a car he stole Europe for military transport. and fi red on a group of police joggers, Republican Guards, gendarmes and cadets from the Ecole Militaire Interarmes carry the coff in of Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame during a national ceremony at the The Commission, which over- wounding one. Hotel des Invalides in Paris yesterday. sees the EU’s common budget, He then headed to a supermarket in will also look at areas to up- Trebes, east of the popular medieval Beltrame was found with bullet and deal with the threat posed by home- But he had recently received a sum- lations between Islam and the state to grade infrastructure and esti- tourist city of Carcassonne, where he wounds to an arm and foot and a grave grown militants and foreign extremists. mons from the DGSI spy agency and foster a more homegrown form of Islam mate costs, how to streamline killed an employee and a customer. knife wound to the neck. “What we are fi ghting is clandestine was to be informed he was no longer that would better fi t with France’s fi rm customs procedures for muni- Beltrame, 44, led the team of gen- He died the following morning in Islamic fundamentalism, which spreads viewed as a security risk, Interior Min- separation of church and state. tions and dangerous goods, and darmes who arrived fi rst on the scene. hospital. through social media, which does its ister Gerard Collomb said. Far-right party leader Marine Le Pen seek better cooperation between He persuaded Lakdim to release a Colleagues of Beltrame have paid work out of sight, which preys on weak Friday’s attack was the fi rst since and opposition leader Laurent Wau- EU agencies. Easier diplomatic woman he was holding as a human tribute to the gendarme’s sense of duty, and unstable minds, and which on our Macron, in power since May, toughened quiez have both called for foreigners on clearance is also needed. shield, laying down his weapon and calmness under pressure and a generos- soil corrupts and indoctrinates on a security laws and lifted a two-year state the Fiche S list to be expelled and the Before retiring last year, the putting his mobile phone on a table with ity which inspired those serving beside daily basis,” Macron said. of emergency. most dangerous French nationals on the top US commander in Europe, the line surreptitiously left open. him. Lakdim had been on a government Right-wing political opponents have watch list to be imprisoned. Ben Hodges, called for a military When three shots later rang out, elite The attack has once again exposed watch list — known as Fiche S — since pressed Macron to deal fi rmly with rad- “We must fi ght our battle within the zone of free movement similar police stormed the building and shot secular France’s struggle to integrate 2014, suspected of links to a local ical preachers. bounds of the law,” Philippe told law- to the EU’s passport-free travel dead Lakdim. Europe’s largest Muslim community Salafi st network. Macron has pledged to redefi ne re- makers on Tuesday. “Schengen” zone. Russia buries fi rst Siberian mall blaze victims

By Dmitry Serebryakov, AFP “The fi re alarm hadn’t worked But many observers said the She had saved her daughter Kemerovo, Russia for a week. Why?” Putin told In- Kremlin’s reaction was insuffi - from the burning cinema but vestigative Committee chief Al- cient and belated. died after going back in to save exander Bastrykin, also querying “The authorities were late in others, pupils said. ussia yesterday held a na- why a public warning system was announcing mourning,” politi- Television broadcasts car- tional day of mourning and not switched on, why doors were cal analyst Abbas Gallyamov told ried a black ribbon on the screen Rburied the fi rst victims of a locked and why fl ammable mate- Vedomosti business daily. or a message “Kemerovo — we fi re that ravaged a busy shopping rials were used in construction. “Possibly they didn’t want to mourn.” centre killing 64 people, most of Putin condemned rumours spoil the positive mood after the The front pages of some news- them children. that the real toll was much high- elections and there was hope that papers were published in black Flags were lowered and enter- er, blaming these on bogus sto- the tragedy would not turn out to and white, while Komsomolskaya tainment events cancelled three ries posted on social networks, be so large-scale.” Pravda tabloid covered its front days after Sunday’s devastating including from abroad, and Regional authorities have and back pages with photos of fi re in the western Siberian city warned against attempts to “sow come in for particular criticism, the victims. of Kemerovo, one of the deadliest distrust.” since the veteran regional gov- Investigators have said the recorded in Russia over the past “We defi nitely must not allow ernor Aman Tuleyev — who lost most likely cause of the fi re, century. this in any circumstances,” said a young relative in the fi re — has which broke out on the top fl oor The youngest victim was a Putin, who has said he does not not visited the scene nor met an- of the mall, was an electrical two-year-old boy, while at least surf the Internet. gry residents. fault. 19 of the 64 people who perished Russia yesterday announced On Tuesday, Kemerovo resi- The authorities have opened were under 10, said a list pub- a criminal probe into hate crime dents packed the main square in criminal probes into caus- lished by regional authorities. A after an obscure Ukrainian prank a rare protest, some holding plac- ing death through negligence, total 41 children died in the fi re. caller posted videos on YouTube ards and shouted slogans calling breaches of fi re safety and pro- A criminal investigation has claiming hundreds died. for the sacking of Tuleyev and viding unsafe services. been opened and fi ve people have Opposition leader Alexei Na- Putin. A court yesterday ruled that been detained over the incident valny accused the authorities of Thousands of people also the head of the company that amid public anger over blatant vi- scapegoating outside forces in- gathered in Moscow and other managed the shopping centre, olations reported by investigators stead of focusing on rampant of- cities to mourn the victims and a director of the company that including non-functioning fi re fi cial corruption. vent their anger at the authori- Mourners stand in front of a makeshift memorial on the day of national mourning for the victims owned the building, and a secu- alarms and locked cinema doors. “These people...were killed ties. of a shopping mall fire in Kemerovo on an embankment of the Yenisei River in the Siberian city of rity guard who failed to trigger President Vladimir Putin — by corruption and for me that is Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Krasnoyarsk. the public warning system must who was this month re-elected as clear as day,” he wrote on his Peskov refused to comment yes- remain in custody until May 25 as for a fourth term — yesterday blog, saying fi re safety offi cials terday on the regional authori- victims as regional emergencies grandchildren Konstantin, 8, and the children who died were “top well as the director of the compa- told the top investigator in charge regularly “extort bribes.” ties’ actions. minister Alexander Mamontov Maria, 10, who died in one of the students and well brought up.” ny that developed the fi re safety of the probe to check “all the Putin visited Kemerovo on “Putin has said that it is hardly said 27 bodies had been identi- mall’s cinemas. Dozens of pupils of Tatiana system. versions” and said many ques- Tuesday after a huge outpouring appropriate to issue hasty judge- fi ed. “These are our children, our pu- Darsaliya, an English teacher Russian prosecutors have or- tions remained unanswered, of public grief and criticism and ments,” he said. Several hundred people at- pils,” the children’s teacher Svet- who died, attended a memorial dered checks into fi re safety at state news agency RIA Novosti upbraided offi cials at a televised In the Kemerovo region, rela- tended the funeral of 57-year-old lana Sazheva said in televised re- service in a city cathedral, RIA all shopping centres with leisure reported. meeting. tives held the fi rst funerals for Nadezhda Agarkova and her two marks outside the church, adding Novosti reported. facilities. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, March 29, 2018 INDIA

JUDICIARY MUSIC AVIATION TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY SC asks Delhi HC to American rapper Tyga Flight aborted after Mumbai Harbour Line Garmin launches decide real AIADMK to perform in Delhi hoax bomb call services to be extended smartwatch in India

The Supreme Court yesterday asked Grammy nominated American rapper Tyga, who An Air India flight to Kolkata flight was aborted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Smart wearables maker Garmin India yesterday the Delhi High Court to decide on a plea always wanted to tour in India, is set to debut in New Delhi yesterday after a bomb threat call. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will today launched an analog digital smartwatch ‘Vivomove challenging the Election Commission order in the country with a solo performance in New All 228 passengers were evacuated, police said, inaugurate the extension of Harbour Line HR’ with in-built wellness features at Rs15,999. It is recognising the AIADMK faction led by Delhi on April 20. Tyga will be bringing his world adding the call turned out to be a hoax. The services from Andheri to Goregaon, which will currently available at select Helios stores and will Deputy Chief Minister O Pannerselvam tour to promote his newly-released Kyoto album The incident was reported around 2.25pm as prove to be a boon for hundreds of thousands of soon be available across leading online platforms. as the real one and granting it the “two to India for a headlining show. “I have always the Dreamliner flight was set to take off from Mumbai commuters, an off icial said. Presently, The hybrid watch, which features a crystal leaves” election symbol. Putting the March 9 wanted to tour in India, the sounds and sights of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. “An the Harbour Line, a crucial direct connect for touchscreen with a discreet display, includes fitness interim order by a single judge in abeyance, the country are so fascinating and I’ve heard the unknown person called the airline’s call centre commuters travelling directly to Chhatrapati monitoring tools and displays the steps taken, Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M music industry is one to watch out for,” Tyga said in Mumbai to say a bomb had been planted Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Central Railway, is calories burnt, distance travelled and heart rate. “A Khanwilkar asked the acting chief justice in a statement. The hip-hop sensation has worked on the flight. The passengers were off loaded available only up to Andheri on Western Railway. unique feature of Vivomove HR is that the watch of the Delhi High Court to set up a two- with the likes of Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Rick to carry out the security drills,” Deputy It is now being extended up to Goregaon on hands dynamically move out when you interact judge bench that will hear the matter and Ross, Drake, Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Nicki Minaj Commissioner of Police Sanjay Bhatia said. WR with the introduction of 49 new suburban with the touchscreen and then move back to the decide by the end of April. The top court and Wiz Khalifa. The 28-year-old is expected to The aircraft was taken to a bay to be searched. train services, the off icial said, adding this would correct time when you are done,” Garmin India said order came on a plea by Tamil Nadu Chief perform tracks like AYO, Rack city, Still got it, “Eff orts are on to identify the caller. Prima facie, immediately benefit more than 13,000 daily in a statement. “It has wellness monitoring tools Minister K Palaniswami, Pannerselvam and Make it nasty and Temperature at his first-ever it appears to be a hoax call,” Bhatia added. commuters between Borivali and Andheri who such as all-day stress tracking and relaxation timer E Madhusudhanan who had challenged the India tour which will also showcases his 14-track The passengers were later flown to Kolkata on can now board the Harbour Line trains bound for to help you manage your stress levels and maintain March 9 order by the single judge. concept album. another aircraft. CSMT from Goregaon. a healthy lifestyle,” the statement said.

Lalu off to Delhi for SC junks plea treatment at AIIMS

IANS for new probe Ranchi

ormer Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal F(RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, who is behind bars following his into Gandhi’s conviction in four fodder scam cases, yesterday left for the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi for treatment. Yadav left for the national cap- ital by the Rajdhani Express train in the evening. assassination A special Central Bureau of Investigation court on Tuesday IANS The court said Gandhi’s as- Holding that the submission allowed Yadav’s relatives to take New Delhi sassin Nathuram Godse was by the petitioner that Savarkar the RJD chief to AIIMS for treat- convicted on the basis of the evi- has been held guilty for the mur- ment. It granted the permission dence of eyewitnesses who were der of Gandhi is “misplaced”, the based on reports by two medical he Supreme Court yes- present at the prayer meeting. court said: “We are, however, not teams. terday rejected an appeal “The meeting itself was at- inclined to enter into the correct- Hundreds of RJD workers Tseeking a fresh investi- tended by innumerable people. ness or fairness of the fi ndings in gathered at the Ranchi railway gation into the assassination of Each one of the eyewitnesses this report” as “that would be station to see off the former Bihar Mahatma Gandhi, saying it was described how Godse moved for- another exercise in futility and chief minister. not convinced there was any ward and shot Gandhiji. All the would none the less pan new fi res As he was brought to the station need. evidence reveals that three shots of controversy.” under heavy security, slogans like The bench of Justices S A entered the body,” said the order “This court must at all cost be “Jail ka phatak tootega, Lalu choo- Bobde and L Nageswara Rao rejecting the plea for reinvestiga- vary of such contentious issues tega (the gate of jail will be broken dismissed the plea by Pankaj tion. and must not allow its jurisdic- and Lalu will walk free)” were Kumudchandra Phadnis, who Not accepting the fourth bullet tion to be invoked for such pur- raised by the supporters. had sought re-investigation of theory, the court said there were poses”, the order said. Three party leaders accompa- the assassination on the basis two exit wounds while one bul- Sharan, who had examined the nied him on the train. of fresh material which, he said, let did not exit the body. “Thus, material brought by Phadnis, too A medical board was set up last was not available earlier and only two spent bullet were found did not favour any re-investiga- week in the local Rajendra Insti- pointed to the involvement of an at the place of occurrence. No tion into the killing of Mahatma tute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), unseen hand in it. fourth spent bullet or empty car- Gandhi. where Yadav was shifted from jail “We are, however, not satis- tridge was found at the place of Gandhi was assassinated on on March 17 after he complained fi ed that new research into a long occurrence.” January 30, 1948 by Godse while of chest pain and discomfort. concluded matter justifi es a re- The court also declined the he was attending a daily prayer The medical board recom- initiation of criminal investiga- plea for a review of Justice Ka- meeting at Birla House. Nine mended that Yadav be shifted to tion or that anything that might poor Commission that had people were tried for the con- a higher medical centre as he has be stated should be allowed to probed the involvement of Hindu spiracy and murder. multiple health-related issues reopen a case such as this,” the right-wing leader V D Sarvarkar On February 10, 1949, the trial which needed better care and judges said. and his group. court convicted seven and ac- monitoring. A second medical The court said the “criminal The court pointed to the re- quitted one. Godse and Narayan board on Monday recommended cases which result in conviction port of amicus curiae Amarendra Apte were given the death sen- that he be sent to AIIMS. and even execution of death sen- Sharan that the fi nding of the tence, four were given life sen- Yadav has been in the Ranchi tences and the demise of those Kapoor Commission was “un- tence and one was sentenced to jail since December 23 last year who have served life sentences fair” as Sarvarkar or his repre- seven years imprisonment. when he was convicted by a court ought not to be reviewed, neither sentative never had the opportu- The Punjab High Court upheld for fraudulent withdrawal from is there a provision in law for re- nity to present his side before it. the conviction of fi ve and acquit- the Deoghar treasury and was view”. Sharan, in his report, said ted two. subsequently given three-and- In response to Phadnis’s de- that the fi nding on the alleged Phadnis moved the top court a-half years’ of imprisonment on mand that the nation had a right involvement of Sarvarkar and challenging the Bombay High January 6 this year. to know the truth, the court said: his group was rendered after his Court verdict which had de- On January 24, he was sen- “.... such a right cannot be in- death and no opportunity was clined to entertain his plea and tenced to fi ve years jail in the voked where the truth is already given to him or any of his rep- go into two questions he had Chaibasa treasury case, while well-known merely because resentatives. The amicus curiae raised – whether the four bullets on March 24 he was awarded 14 some academic research raises a had also told the court that the were fi red as alleged and whether years of imprisonment and fi ned RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is accompanied by supporters as he comes out of the Rajendra Institute diff erent perspective in law. fi nding by the commission was the Kapoor Commission report Rs6mn in the Dumka treasury of Medical Science (RIMS) after a medical board recommended that he be shifted to AIIMS, in Ranchi “This would amount to reo- “unfair since Savarkar had been should be reopened after 46 case. yesterday. pening issues based on hearsay.” acquitted at the trial”. years. Dravid to launch poll Congress alleges ‘tea scam’ in Maharashtra

awareness campaigns pertain merely to serving tea, but IANS Mumbai also snacks, meals, refreshments IANS time voters (aged 18-19) reg- Election Commission against the served at cabinet meetings, fl ow- Bengaluru istered to cast their vote in the Bharatiya Janata Party president ers and garlands for felicitations, ensuing elections, Dravid, who Amit Shah’s alleged violation he Congress’s Mumbai unit gifts, shawls, coconuts at various has an appeal among the youth, of the election code by terming yesterday alleged a massive departmental meetings, func- ormer Indian cricket cap- can help in bringing them to pool Chief Minister Siddaramaiah T“tea scam” in Maharash- tions and for delegations. tain and sports icon Rahul booths,” said the poll panel. “anti-Hindu” on Monday. tra chief minister’s offi ce (CMO) Besides, the expenses cited in FDravid will urge the people After the EC’s announcement “We have brought to the notice where on average of 18,500 cups the RTI reply included not only of Karnataka to vote in the state on Tuesday that polling for the of the poll panel and the state’s of the hot beverage are served Mantralaya (the state govern- assembly elections on May 12 225-member assembly will be chief electoral offi cer that Shah daily, costing nearly Rs33.5mn. ment’s headquarters in Mumbai), through awareness campaigns by held on May 12 and votes counted had violated the poll code by ac- However, hours later, the CMO but also CM’s offi cial residence the Election Commission in a bid on May 25, the CEO said the poll cusing Siddaramaiah of being denied the allegations hurled by ‘Varsha’, the Sahyadri Govern- to ensure a high turnout, an of- panel was placing emphasis on Ahindu (anti-Hindu) instead of Mumbai Congress president San- ment Guest House, the CM’s of- fi cial said. increasing awareness among the being pro-Ahinda,” the party’s jay Nirupam. fi cial residence Ramgiri in Nagpur “Through 30-second-long people of the state to come to state unit vice-president V R Nirupam said there has been a and the Hyderabad House there. video messages that will be vote. Sudarshan said. dramatic and steady increase in Justifying the hike in expendi- shown on television channels and Through ramps and wheel- Ahinda is a Kannada acronym the amount of expenses incurred ture, the CMO said there has been posters and hoardings that will chair facilities for the disabled for the socio-political movement on tea consumption in the CMO “a stupendous increase in the be put up across the state, Dravid and a special drive to register Siddaramaiah launched in 2006 in the past three years. number of visitors meeting (Ma- will encourage more people to primitive tribes and nomadic for the betterment of minorities, Citing RTI replies, he said the harashtra Chief Minister Deven- vote for the state assembly polls,” tribes from the state, the poll backward classes and Dalits, af- amount spent on tea has risen dra) Fadnavis, Indian and foreign an offi cial from the state election panel hopes to see a higher voter ter he quit the Janata Dal-Secular from Rs57,99,156 in 2015-2016 delegations, business groups and commission said in Bengaluru. turnout on May 12. (JD-S). Later he joined the Con- to Rs1,20,92,972 in 2016-2017 prominent personalities.” Campaign posters which read Renowned Kannada fi lm di- gress. and then Rs3,34,64,905 (almost Seeking to know “what kind of “Play fair, make democracy win. rector and lyricist Yograj Bhat is “Shah had stated at Shiv- Rs33.5mn) in 2017-18. tea is Fadnavis drinking, since we Let’s say yes to ethical elections”, also making an election anthem amogga on March 26 that he “This is a staggering increase of have heard of only green tea, yel- “Cast your vote, make democ- for the EC, aiming to increase (Siddaramaiah) should look at 577%. It means that on average, low tea and so on”, Nirupam sar- racy win” and a few other slogans voter turnout and raise aware- how the Karnataka government daily a whopping 18,591 cups of castically observed that “the CM in English and Kannada were ness on ethical voting. The an- is dividing Hindus and Lingay- tea are served in CMO... How is it and CMO seem to be indulging released yesterday by the Chief them is yet to be released. ats, let alone other religions. In Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Off icer Sanjiv Kumar launches election possible?” he asked. in some kind of highly expensive Electoral Offi cer Sanjiv Kumar. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s rul- reality, he is not pro-Ahinda but posters featuring former cricketer Rahul Dravid, who has been In a defence, a CMO spokes- ‘golden tea’ to mount up such a “With nearly 15, 42,000 fi rst- ing Congress complained to the Ahindu,” said Sudarshan. appointed as the state election icon, in Bengaluru yesterday. man said the expenses did not huge bill”. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 21 INDIA Brief truce in Rajya Sabha as it bids farewell to retiring members

IANS farewell speeches stressed that members would be entering the Modi said what happens in the prime minister, saying as an old said (the government was) by democracy for their politics,” he New Delhi there should be more discussion House. It is ironical that even Lok Sabha (disruptions) need member of the upper house, she the people and for the people. I said. and less disruption. Some even though the Rajya Sabha is proud not be followed in the upper had “seen it all from Shah Bano learnt from Manmohan Singh ji Former Samajwadi Party MP suggested tweaking the rules that it passed the Women’s Res- house. to Shoorpanakha.” how silence speaks much more Naresh Agrawal, who has joined rder returned briefl y to of conduct to make parliament ervation Bill way back in 2010... He said that thanks to dis- She also took a subtle jibe at than the loud noise on many the BJP, lamented that the media Rajya Sabha yesterday disruption-free. there is still a very low represen- ruptions, the retiring members Modi, citing the conduct of ear- fronts,” she added. presented his words in a twisted Ofor the fi rst time since The retiring members also tation of women in this House,” missed the opportunity to con- lier prime ministers like Rajiv Deputy Chairman P J Ku- form on several occasions mere- March 5 as the upper house of recalled their experiences and he said. tribute towards a crucial legisla- Gandhi, Chandrashekhar and rien, of the Congress, who is ly for the sake of their TRPs. He parliament assembled to bid fondly remembered their asso- Naidu rued that disruptions tion like the triple talaq bill that Manmohan Singh. also retiring, said earlier when also thanked Modi and Bharati- farewell to its retiring members. ciations with various colleagues, have become a part of “political was listed to be taken up in the “Rajiv Gandhi was so char- MPs were angry with the gov- ya Janata Party president Amit However, the truce lasted cutting across party lines. tactics” and the House has often current session. ismatic that when he sat in the ernment, they would walk out. Shah for “accepting” him in only for the duration of fare- Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu “become the theatre of protest Opposition Congress Party House, all the galleries above Nowadays, he said, people the party despite his often say- well speeches and the members appreciated the contribution politics”. leader Ghulam Nabi Azad tried (public and press galleries) used “walk into the well” (in front ing things which he “should not who have been agitating for the of women MPs, who constitute “In democracy, there is agree- to justify the protests by mem- to be full. of the presiding officer’s po- have said”. last few weeks were again on only 11.7% of the total member- ment and there is disagreement. bers, saying they raise issues of “Chandrashekhar was the dium). Communist Party of India their feet as soon as the cham- ship. If you agree to disagree, there is public concern and not of their prime minister who would pick “Earlier, ministers were grilled (Marxist) member Tapan Sen ber reassembled after the lunch “Six of our women members nothing wrong in it. But there is private concern. the phone when a junior member by the members. Today only slo- said that in the last 12 years he break. are retiring this time and two of a way. Let us not further erode Congress MP Renuka Chowd- like me called to tell him that ri- gan shouting. Sloganeering is saw two governments function- Interestingly, a majority of the them are returning to the House. the quality of our polity,” he said. hury did rake up the “Soorpna- ots were happening in my state. not going to do any harm to the ing and could now see a “pat- retiring members in their short Besides, three new women Prime Minister Narendra kha” jibe made against her by the Those were the days when we government...MPs are killing tern” in the disruptions. Firm worked for Indian parties, says data breach whistleblower

IANS It said in 2011, SCL India New Delhi undertook a state-wide re- search campaign to identify voter caste by household. hristopher Wylie, who “This booth-level polling blew the lid off Facebook data formed the basis of fur- Cuser personal data being ther research into swing voter illegally used for political pur- motivation and supporter poses, yesterday said his former mobilisation strategies which employer Cambridge Analytica were presented to individual had an Indian arm and con- candidates and tailored to ducted election research on be- their constituencies.” half of some parties including During the 2009 Lok Sabha the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), elections, SCL India managed now a Bharatiya Janata Party the campaign of a number of ally, for “desired outcome”. candidates. Wylie said SCL Group, the “The research and campaign parent organisation of Cam- teams employed SCL India’s bridge Analytica, has its main proprietary data collection offi ce in Indirapuram in Ghaz- methodologies to form strate- iabad and its regional offi ces in gies that gave the clients suc- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cut- cessful election campaigns.” tack, Guwahati, Hyderabad, In- In the 2010 Bihar electons, dore, Kolkata, Patna and Pune. SCL India was asked to pro- Students appearing for their class 12 examinations enter an exam centre as their parents outside, in Kolkata. “I’ve been getting a lot of vide electoral research and requests from Indian journal- strategy for the JD-U of Chief ists. So here are some of SCL’s Minister Nitish Kumar. past projects in India. To the “SCL undertook a behav- most frequently asked ques- ioural research programme tar- tion - yes, SCL/CA works in geting over 75% of households India and has offi ces there. to assist the client in not only This is what modern colonial- identifying the correct bat- ism looks like,” Wylie tweeted. tlegrounds but also the right Students slam CBSE He posted two pictures of audiences, messages and, most what looks like slides of a pitch importantly, the right castes to presentation of SCL India ex- target with their campaigns.” plaining its national experi- In the 2007 Uttar Pradesh ence in the country. polls, SCL India carried out a It said the company has a full political survey on behalf database of over 600 districts of a “major party” which the over re-exam decision and 700,000 villages. But it document didn’t name. didn’t identify the source of “The research included a IANS nations and other details will The issue was one of the top “We all are very aff ected with Akanksha Sharma, 15, a Class 10 the database or whether it was party audit and a state-wide New Delhi be hosted on the CBSE website trending topics in the virtual the news. Why could the CBSE student from south Delhi said: “I collected from any social me- census of politically active within a week, the board said in world. not keep the question paper don’t know what my fault is. Why dia sites. individuals using in-depth in- a statement. “Well done CBSE,” tweeted @ safe? It speaks a lot about its in- should I write my maths exam “Our micro-level informa- terviews to assess the satisfac- he Central Board of Sec- More than 2.8mn students are abhi13580. He said he was “one competency,” said Tishita Cho- again? Just tell me why. It is not tion includes household level tion levels of party workers at ondary Education faced a aff ected by the decision, offi cials of those students who is getting pra, mother of a Class 10 student my fault. I should not be punished demographics, specifi cally fo- booth level.” Thailstorm of rebukes and said. tortured by your system”. of Shiv Nadar School. for the paper leak.” cusing on caste data, linked to It said SCL India also carried criticism yesterday after it de- Parents and students dubbed “Why the hell do 28 lakh stu- “My daughter worked so hard Ironically, she said, Prime online mapping applications.” out a psephological study and cided to re-conduct exams of the CBSE “incompetent” and dents have to suff er because of for her exam and was very ex- Minister Narendra Modi had ad- SCL India, according to the opinion polling for a “national Class 10 mathematics and Class slammed it for “playing with the your fault? You failed to secure cited after the paper. But she is dressed CBSE students in a tel- tweeted document, helped cli- party to identify swing voters”. 12 economics following alleged future of the students” by re- the question papers properly, it’s completely dejected now and evised address, asking “us not to ents to identify and target key “This was followed by more leak of question papers that has conducting the exams. not our mistake. Just resign...” asked me what’s her fault in all fear exams”. groups within the population “to in-depth analysis of the behav- shaken the faith of many stu- “My son Aujaswi studied re- While the twitterati were up in this.” “Is this what he meant we eff ectively infl uence their behav- ioural dynamics at work in key dents and parents in the school ally hard for CBSE Class 10 board arms against the central board, Chopra raised some questions should not fear about,” she said, iour to realise a desired outcome”. seats which in turn informed board. math exams held today. His joy dozens of students and parents on the functioning of the board, urging the government to revoke It explained that SCL pro- the party’s eff orts to ensure a The CBSE said it “has decided of fi nishing exams was short were also dejected. Many also saying “why did it not have any the decision and “not make our vided its clients the research local structure and communi- to re-conduct the examination lived. He is extremely dejected as complained that their post- alternative paper” when it came lives miserable”. to develop and “disseminate cation strategy that matched to uphold the sanctity of board the maths paper got leaked and exam plans had gone haywire, to know of the leak well before the Human Resource Develop- the right messages from the the caste make-up and attitu- examinations and in the interest this ‘leaking government’ will apart from the mental torture exam and “why did it not cancel ment Minister Prakash Java- right sources using the right dinal positions of the pre-iden- of fairness to the students.” hold the exam again,” Congress they had to undergo because of the paper” in the fi rst place, in- dekar said a special team of the communication channels”. tifi ed swing population.” The new dates for the exami- leader Ajay Maken tweeted. the CBSE’s “incompetency”. stead of re-conducting it now. Delhi police was investigating. Congress must be part of ICICI denies charges anti-BJP front: Mamata against Kochchar IANS ocon group for a debt consoli- Mumbai dation programme and for the IANS I come to Delhi I always meet her. I Sinha and Arun Shourie. group’s oil and gas capital ex- New Delhi came to see her. She is fi ne now.” While Kejriwal did not speak to penditure programme aggregat- “I told her that in the 2019 elec- the media, the BJP rebels expressed mid a controversy over ing approximately Rs400bn. tions there should be one-to-one their support for her endeavours. ICICI Bank’s exposure The private lender’s current est Bengal Chief Min- (contest) from everywhere. In all Former minister Yashwant Sin- Ato Videocon group, the exposure to the Videocon group ister Mamata Banerjee states those parties which have ha met Banerjee along with BJP private lender yesterday said its was a part of this syndicated Wyesterday said the Con- a stronghold in their own area MP Shatrughan Sinha and said board reposed full “confi dence” consortium arrangement. gress Party cannot be excluded should fi ght from there. they came to meet her as there was and “faith” on its managing “ICICI Bank was not the lead from any anti-Bharatiya Janata “We want the Congress to be a need to save the country. “We director and CEO Chanda Ko- bank for this consortium and the Party formation in the next Lok with us. The Congress should worked together for a long time in chhar and after reviewing the bank only sanctioned its share of Sabha polls in which parties dom- also help in this one-to-one the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee govern- bank’s internal credit approval facilities aggregating approxi- inant in a state will take the lead in fi ght. We have spoken to other ment and you are all familiar with processes, concluded there was mately Rs3,250 crore which was putting a one-to-one fi ght against parties. All regional parties, in her personality,” he said. no question of any favouritism, less than 10% of the total consor- the ruling alliance. a kind of conclave, should work “The role she has played in nepotism or quid-pro-quo. tium facility in April 2012,” it said. Banerjee, who has been camp- together,” Banerjee added. this direction is admirable. “The board has come to the con- The bank also said its credit ing here for the last two days, Referring to poll-bound Karana- We came to thank her and she clusion that there is no question of approval authorisation frame- drove to the 10 Janpath residence taka, she said the Congress was in should continue discharging the any quid pro quo/ nepotism/con- work is laid down by the board of United Progressive Alliance power and should return to power. role strongly in the future. She fl ict of interest as is being alleged in of directors and the larger expo- chairperson Sonia Gandhi and She said the BJP should be has our full support and co-op- various rumours. The board has full sures are approved by the board’s inquired about her health and voted out in the country and it eration,” Yashwant Sinha said. confi dence and reposes full faith in credit committee. discussed the political situation. will be defeated if the opposition Shatrughan Sinha said Baner- the bank’s MD & CEO, Chanda Ko- The majority of credit com- The Trinamool Congress chief parties come together. jee was a mass leader connected chhar,” it said in a statement. mittee members are independ- said Gandhi was a senior leader of Earlier, Banerjee met Delhi to the grassroots. According to the lender, in ent directors of the bank and the the country and continued to play Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Shourie hailed Banerjee’s West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meets BJP rebel 2012, a consortium of over 20 chairman of the credit commit- a role in politics. “There has always and got the backing of BJP rebels pitch for one-to-one contest leaders Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha in banks and fi nancial institutions tee, till June 2015, was always a been a good relationship. Whenever Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant with the BJP. New Delhi yesterday. sanctioned facilities to the Vide- non-executive director. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, March 29, 2018 LATIN AMERICA

POLLUTION DECISION CRIME DEFENCE POLICY Ecuador cuts off Six arrested over Haiti installs high Swiss slaps sanctions Assange Internet access journalist’s killing command for new army on Venezuela

Ecuador said it has stopped Julian Assange’s Six people including two alleged journalists Haiti’s president has installed a seven-member Switzerland unveiled a sanctions package ability to communicate to the outside world from have been arrested for the killing of a Mexican high command for the new army, pledging against Venezuela yesterday, joining other its London embassy, where the WikiLeaks founder journalist who was stabbed in January, that the force due to have 5,000 soldiers European countries in cracking down on the has been holed up since 2012. The decision was local media reported yesterday. Carlos will help the impoverished Caribbean nation South American country following alleged human taken because the Australian had broken a 2017 Dominguez Rodriguez, 63, was attacked recover from natural disasters and rebuild rights violations. Neutral Switzerland said it was promise to not interfere in other country’s aff airs when his car stopped in at a traff ic light in infrastructure. The country’s army was “seriously concerned by the repeated violations while in the mission, an Ecuadorian government Nuevo Laredo, a city in Tamaulipas state, disbanded in 1995 by then-president Jean- of individual freedoms in Venezuela, where the statement said. It came after Assange on Monday which borders the US. Rodriguez’ son Carlos Bertrand Aristide after he returned to power principle of separation of powers is severely used Twitter to challenge Britain’s accusation that Dominguez Ramirez told Radio Formula following a coup, leaving the national police undermined and the process in view of the Russia was responsible for the March 4 nerve that the detainees included two alleged responsible for security. The military’s return forthcoming elections suff ers from a serious lack agent poisoning of a Russian former double agent journalists and a family member of a former has been a divisive topic in a country still of legitimacy”. The sale, supply, export and transit in Salisbury. He also questioned the decision by Nuevo Laredo mayor. “It was betrayal, it was suff ering from a catastrophic earthquake and a to Venezuela of arms and goods which can be Workers take samples from a river dyed with Britain and more than 20 countries to retaliate planned,” Ramirez said, adding that his father fierce hurricane in recent years. Critics express used for internal repression will be banned under paint after a truck spilled its load in a traff ic against the poisoning by expelling Russian had been lured to a place where the killers concern the armed forces would meddle in the steps which went into eff ect immediately. accident in Chiloe, Chile. diplomats deemed spies. started following him. politics and plunder vital resources. communities and “incredible heritage”.

TV show on graft scandal Brazil’s Lula angers Rousseff campaigns

Reuters Brasilia

ormer Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff has ac- Fcused Netfl ix of political after shots bias and character assassination in its series based on the massive Car Wash corruption investiga- tion that rocked Brazil’s political establishment. Since its debut on Friday, the series called The Mechanism fi red at bus has enthralled Brazilians with its dramatisation of the politi- AFP Temer expressed “regret” yester- On the left, Lula is seen as the cal scandal that contributed to Curitiba, Brazil day and said “we need to reunite victim of politicised judges. Il- Rousseff ’s downfall and im- Brazilians. We need to pacify the lustrating the ugly pre-election peachment in 2016. country. This wave of violence, atmosphere, centre-right presi- But it sparked mocking me- razil’s jittery presidential this climate of ‘us against them,’ dential candidate and Sao Paulo mes and angry tweets in Brazil campaign entered disturb- cannot continue.” state governor Geraldo Alckmin with accusations including that Bing new territory yester- However, Lula’s chief rival, initially reacted to reports of some dialogue delivered by left- day after scandal-plagued leftist right-wing former army captain shots fi red against Lula’s buses by ist ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula frontrunner Luiz Inacio Lula da Jair Bolsonaro, arrived in Curitiba saying the leftists were “reaping da Silva in the show resembled Silva’s bus convoy was shot at for his own rally early yesterday what they sowed,” Folha newspa- the words of a right-wing politi- and his main rival branded him a with a more combative message. per reported. cian in a real-life wire tap. “scoundrel.” He called Lula “a scoundrel” Yesterday Alckmin rowed back, Rousseff assailed the series as Lula, who is fi ghting in the and said “we can’t accept elec- tweeting that “all forms of vio- a travesty of history aimed at her courts to avoid starting a 12-year tions without Lula being locked lence must be condemned...The Workers’ Party and its founder prison sentence for corrup- up.” country is tired of division and Lula, who has been convicted of tion, was due to address a rally Not mentioning the shooting calls to confl ict.” corruption for receiving a luxury in Curitiba at the culmination incident, Bolsonaro instead re- There was clearer condem- seaside apartment as a bribe. of a campaign bus tour through peated his campaign promise of nation of the incident from the “Under the guise of telling the southern Brazil when the shoot- loosening gun laws to arm citi- economy minister and possible story of the Car Wash investi- ing occurred. zens against criminals. centre-right presidential candi- gation in a series ‘based on real The 10-day trip had been pre- “I want a...police that shoots date Henrique Meirelles. events,’ the director Jose Padilha viously targeted by opponents to kill,” he told several hundred He tweeted: “What happened distorts reality and spreads all throwing stones and eggs at the cheering supporters outside Cu- on Tuesday...was an attack on sorts of lies to attack me and two-term former president, who ritiba’s airport, where he fl ew in freedom of expression of a politi- president Lula,” Rousseff said. despite his legal problems leads before driving off to another cam- cal leader and was inadmissible in The director, she said, polls ahead of the October 7 elec- paign stop. a democracy.” “doesn’t merely reproduce fake tion. When Lula left offi ce at the Lula’s biggest challenge right news. He has turned himself into But the shooting incident late start of 2011, he was Brazil’s most now is avoiding jail. a creator of fake news.” Tuesday sharply ramped up ten- popular president on record, hav- On Monday, a court rejected his Padilha could not immedi- sion in the most turbulent leader- ing presided over a commodi- latest appeal against a 12-year- ately be reached for comment, ship contest since Brazil’s military ties-fuelled economic boom and and-one-month prison sentence and Netfl ix did not respond to dictatorship ended in 1985. winning plaudits for his social for taking a luxury apartment as requests for comment. Lula and his Workers’ Party policies. a bribe. Padilha said this month that said the shots were fi red in an ap- However, he also inspires pas- That leaves him depending on a he hoped to remind viewers that parent ambush, with two bullets sionate opposition and is blamed Supreme Court decision expected rampant corruption in Brazil was hitting one bus, one bullet hitting by the right and many in the cen- on April 4 if he is to remain free, not the fault of any particular another, and the third bus, where tre for Brazil’s slide into the mam- let alone be allowed on the presi- politician or party. Lula was travelling, escaping un- moth “Car Wash” corruption dential ballot. “The series is trying to take a scathed. No one was hurt. scandal that has shaken the coun- Even then, he faces another six position that is non-ideologi- Gleisi Hoff mann, leader of try over the last four years. corruption cases. cal,” he said in that interview. the Workers’ Party, which Lula Although dozens of other top Despite the daunting legal situ- Workers Party offi cials said founded, said the incident should politicians, including Temer, have ation, Lula is a runaway favourite they were consulting lawyers to be investigated as a possible as- also been charged or convicted, in opinion polls, with around 35% see what legal action they can Federal deputy Jair Bolsonaro, a candidate for Brazil’s presidential election, is greeted by supporters as sassination attempt. right-wing opponents see Lula as of voter intentions, followed by take. he arrives at Afonso Pena airport in Curitiba, Brazil, yesterday. Centre-right President Michel the graft scandal’s biggest culprit. Bolsonaro with around 17%. Maduro draws censure Students protest Bogota blocks app over hacking fears for ‘harassment’ of MPs count, is administered by Farrow Reuters Bogota Colombia S A S and Farrow Mex- Reuters sembly in Geneva this week was and workers’ rights to organise. ico S A P I de CV, the statement Geneva attended by 147 parliamentary “In Venezuela these days, they said. Attempts to reach Farrow for delegations, recognises the Na- are moving from crisis to crisis,” olombia, which will hold comment were unsuccessful. tional Assembly and not the Martin Chungong, IPU presi- presidential elections in A number listed for Farrow he world body linking na- Constituent Assembly. dent, told a news briefi ng. CMay, yesterday blocked in Colombia belongs to anoth- tional parliaments yester- In a statement, the IPU’s “The legitimately elected access to a cell phone application er company. There is no listed Tday called on authorities Committee on the Human Rights parliamentary institution is be- it said might be connected with number for the Mexico branch of in Venezuela to halt “harass- of Parliamentarians denounced ing subverted — the National Cambridge Analytica, the po- the company. ment” of opposition MPs and “the scale of ongoing eff orts, Assembly that was elected by litical consultancy that has been “As a preventative measure eff orts to undermine and usurp with apparent immunity, to re- the people — is being subvert- accused of violating Facebook and taking into account the po- the powers of the opposition-led press opposition members and ed by an institution that is not users’ privacy to infl uence elec- tential risk of a wrongful and National Assembly. undermine the integrity and au- largely recognised internation- tions in Britain and the US. massive illegal use of the person- The opposition in 2015 won a tonomy of the National Assem- ally, the Constituent Assem- Lawmakers in the US and Eu- al data of thousands of Colombi- broad majority in the legislative bly of Venezuela.” bly,” he said. rope are demanding to know ans collected via the download of elections, but President Nicolas It had received credible and The Venezuelan delegation to more about Facebook’s privacy the application, the application Maduro’s allies on the Supreme serious allegations of human the IPU assembly was composed practices after a whistleblower is temporarily blocked while ap- Court stripped it of many of its rights violations aff ecting 57 of parliamentarians from the Na- said Cambridge Analytica im- propriate investigations are un- powers and systematically shot Venezuelan parliamentarians tional Assembly. properly accessed data to target dertaken and defi nitive decisions down every piece of legislation it from the coalition of the Demo- “Many of them expressed the US and British voters in close- adopted,” the regulator said. approved. cratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). concern that when they return to run elections. The regulator did not specify Maduro last year led the crea- “Since March 2017, close to 40 Venezuela they might be arrested Colombia’s commerce regula- what evidence it had of a con- tion of a legislative superbody parliamentarians were attacked at the airport on account of their tor said in a statement it would nection between Cambridge called the Constituent Assembly, with impunity by law enforce- participation in this meeting,” block the application which gives Analytica and Farrow. which has no formal checks on its ment offi cers and pro-govern- Chungong said. users free top-ups in exchange The application will be blocked powers. ment supporters during demon- “So far, I think that the Ven- for receiving ads and recom- on the Google Play app store and Its creation led many countries strations”, it said. ezuelan authorities have not A student is arrested outside the education ministry building mending their friends. on social media, as will websites around the world to describe Last week the Internation- gone that far as to really arrest during a protest in Santiago, Chile, after the constitutional The app has more than a million where it can be downloaded. Maduro as a dictator, a charge he al Labour Organisation (ILO) systematically members of par- court struck down a law that would have banned downloads in Colombia and Mex- The regulator added it has re- dismisses as part of a campaign launched a commission of in- liament,” he added. “But given universities operating for profit, dealing a blow to free ico combined, the regulator said. quested cooperation and infor- against him by the US. quiry into complaints that Ven- what is happening in the coun- tuition reforms brought in by former leftwing president The app, which users down- mation from its counterparts in The Inter-Parliamentary Un- ezuela is violating standards in- try, you cannot rule that possi- Michelle Bachelet. load via the Google Play store and the US, UK, European Union and ion (IPU), whose general as- cluding freedom of association bility out.” sign into using their Facebook ac- Mexico. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 23 PAKISTAN PM holds fi rst one-on-one New airport to get security meeting with chief justice equipment Internews judiciary by former prime min- references against him. ment would provide all resourc- pecially in private medical col- Islamabad ister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter The meeting was not unprec- es to the judiciary in order to leges, provision of clean drinking Maryam Nawaz and other rela- edented as a similar interaction enable it to provide speedy and water, better sanitation and tives facing corruption charges took place between the then inexpensive justice in addition to protection of environment. from Japan n a surprise move amid in an accountability court, legal prime minister Yousuf Gilani facilitating easy access of justice According to the Supreme heightened tensions between observers believe. and the former chief justice If- to the people. Court’s handout, Abbasi also Ithe ruling party and the ju- Analysts see the move as part tikhar Chaudhry in February Abbasi also highlighted dif- told Nisar that the Council of Internews airports in Multan and Faisal- diciary, Prime Minister Shahid of an eff ort by the prime min- 2010 at the height of tension fi culties of the Federal Board of Common Interest had approved Islamabad abad and installing additional Khaqan Abbasi dashed to the ister to convince the judiciary on the appointment of judges. Revenue and the tax department national water policy that would equipment in the Karachi air- Supreme Court of Pakistan to that the PML-N government A three-hour-long follow-up due to litigation involving reve- help in fruition of the chief jus- port and the new Islamabad have his fi rst one-on-one meet- does not want to confront it meeting was held over a dinner nue in diff erent courts. The chief tice’s eff orts in that direction. apan is to provide security airport. ing with Chief Justice Saqib and to communicate the dif- the next evening. justice assured the prime min- The chief justice assured the equipment on a grant ba- This equipment embraces Nisar. fi culties the government faces Meanwhile, an offi cial hand- ister that he would look into the prime minister that the judiciary Jsis to the new Islamabad technology that meets inter- Offi cial sources confi rmed due to judiciary’s active role out issued by the Supreme Court matter and such litigation would would continue to perform its international airport, which is national security standards yesterday that the meeting in questioning the quality of said the meeting was arranged be fast-tracked. constitutional duties independ- scheduled to go into operation set by the United States and took place late in the night on governance. on the prime minister’s request The prime minister pledged ently, fairly, transparently, with- on April 20, after an agree- the European Union. The Tuesday. The initiative came against received through Attorney Gen- full support for public interest out fear or favour and strictly in ment signed between Japan equipment would reduce the The unexpected meeting be- the backdrop of Abbasi’s recent eral Ashtar Ausaf. It was held litigation initiatives undertaken accordance with law. and Pakistan here this week. risk of security-related inci- tween the heads of the two in- interview to a private TV chan- in a cordial atmosphere in the by the chief justice. He assured Sources in the PM Offi ce said The agreement for $27.3mn dents at the four airports and stitutions which continued for nel in which he said that his gov- chambers of the chief justice. that all steps would be taken to this was not a planned meeting in grant aid under the eco- improve operations. some hours may help in defusing ernment was ready to initiate a The handout stated the prime materialise the chief justice’s since no one in the bureaucracy nomic and social development Chief Representative Japan the perceived tension between dialogue with any institution. minister showed keen interest in vision with respect to free edu- was aware of the prime min- programme was signed by International Co-operation the ruling Pakistan Muslim The same off er had been ex- providing all possible assistance cation, public health, improve- ister’s plan to meet the chief acting Japanese ambassador Agency (JICA) Pakistan offi ce League-N (PML-N) and the ju- tended by Sharif while talking in revamping the judicial system ments in government hospitals justice until the last minute. Takashi Harada and econom- Yasuhiro Tojo said the project diciary and in lowering political to the media outside the ac- as visualised by the chief justice. and provision of quality and The prime minister went to the ic aff airs division secretary would help the government temperature especially against countability court where he The prime minister assured aff ordable health services, re- Supreme Court in a private car Ghazanfar Jilani on behalf of achieve the key objective of the backdrop of criticism of the had come to face corruption the top judge that the govern- vamping medical education es- without his protocol. their respective governments. the National Aviation Policy The provision of equipment 2015, which is “to improve has been made under the sec- the governance and oversight White House divided ond phase of the airport se- for the compliance of ICAO curity project, which will also standards of aviation safety, over Pakistan: report Road work supply security equipment security and effi ciency” in Pa- The Trump White House is divided over for the screening of checked- kistan. how to deal with Pakistan, with some in baggage, hand baggage and Ambassador Harada added off icials favouring a hardline approach vehicles in Karachi, Faisalabad that the two grants would and others warning against alienating a and Multan. support the government’s nuclear-armed country of 200mn people, The project is a follow-up work and strengthen the bond the US media has reported. of the grant aid signed in 2013. between Japan and Pakistan. The divide – reported by the prestigious The Civil Aviation Authority The grant from the eco- Foreign Policy magazine – is reflected (CAA) had procured security nomic and social development in recent statements by US off icials equipment, such as X-ray ma- programme will also be used to who continue to urge Pakistan to do chines for vehicles and explo- procure meteorological obser- more for eliminating terrorism but sives detection for airports in vation equipment, enabling also acknowledge that Pakistan has Karachi, Lahore and Islama- the Pakistan Meteorological taken “some positive steps in the right bad. Department (PMD) to improve direction”. With the new grant, the the accuracy of its weather According to the report, the CAA will be able to develop its forecasts and disseminate hardliners argue that years of aid and security capacity by procuring early warnings for climate dis- accommodation with Pakistan “have equipment for international asters. produced little in return” and now is the time for some “punitive actions”. Those urging caution point out that Pakistan is not only a nuclear nation but also has a strategic location – “borders China” – and Tourist counter at that’s why it would be a mistake to alienate it. But some in the administration believe new airport planned that recent punitive actions – such as the suspension of security aid – have had Internews willing to provide support for a positive impact on Pakistan and urge Islamabad this purpose. the Trump administration to keep up the Khan said it was time to pressure. promote a tourist-friendly “We’ve certainly seen Pakistan take some A tourist information centre image of Pakistan, which positive steps in the right direction,” will be set up at a counter requires co-operation State Department spokesperson Heather A worker ties steel bars at a construction site for a road in Peshawar yesterday. of the new Islamabad between organisations and Nauert said at a recent news briefing. international airport by the involvement of a public- the Pakistan Tourism private partnership. Development Corporation He said Prime Minister Shahid (PTDC). The counter Khaqan Abbasi had directed will also screen tourism that the PTDC take measures documentaries. to promote and develop Ministry gets nod to fi nalise extradition treaties Off icials said yesterday that Pakistan’s tourism industry. the decision to set up the He added that a number of counter was made during tourists from the Central Internews The Pakistani nationals will dition treaty with few countries ing to sources in the Federal satisfi ed enough on the grounds a meeting between special Asian republics intend to visit Islamabad complete their remaining prison such as Thailand and does not Investigation Agency (FIA). that when Pakistanis are found adviser to prime minister Pakistan but the number is terms in Pakistan who are pres- have such treaties with a large This was a long-awaited de- involved in petty issues, they Mehtab Abbasi and PTDC on the lower side due to the ently lodged in prisons of dif- number of the countries. mand of all law enforcement would be easily extradited to managing director Ghafoor lack of direct flights and the nterior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has ferent countries under diff erent This phenomenon has been agencies including the FIA that Pakistan,” an offi cial said. Khan. long route via the United given the go-ahead to the minis- charges as a result of extradition leading the country to a number Pakistan should sign the extradi- This is not the fi rst attempt Abbasi instructed concerned Arab Emirates. Itry of interior to fi nalise crucial treaties, said interior ministry of issues when it comes to extra- tion treaties with all the countries of signing extradition treaties off icers to allocate space Tajik Airlines has applied with extradition treaties with key global spokesman. dition of Pakistani nationals who of the world for smooth exchange with diff erent countries. Earlier to the PTDC and praised the Civil Aviation Authority powers including the United King- There are thousands of Paki- are wanted by law but are resid- of criminals who are wanted by in 2010, a similar move was also the organisation’s eff orts to operate flights from dom (UK), China and other impor- stanis in jails of US, UK, China ing abroad in the countries with law, stated the sources. made by Islamabad in 2010 when to promote tourism in the Islamabad to Dushanbe, tant countries in the Gulf, Middle and other Arab and European which Pakistan does not have a The sources said that the Pa- Rehman Malik was the interior country. which is pending. East and adjoining belt. countries on account of the bilateral agreement of exchange kistanis would have lesser issues minister. He expressed the hope that Pakistan International The move is likely to come into various crimes. Most of them of off enders. while getting visas of the coun- However, this move of the tourism in Pakistan would Airlines may also operate eff ect quickly as the minister has are serving sentences for charg- The move of the interior min- tries when the treaties are signed government had brought little flourish with the proper flights to Central Asian directed the relevant authori- es of drug smuggling and are ister will bring a lot of positive with them. fruit as Pakistan is yet to sign publicity and promotion, and countries to bring more ties to come up with a concrete under trial in many cases. changes on the international “While awarding visas to Paki- these treaties with majority of said the government was tourists to Pakistan. roadmap in this regard. Pakistan has signed the extra- image of Pakistan, accord- stanis, these countries would be the states of the world. Panel begins monitoring No reason for possible delay of election preparations in elections, say authorities Internews including purchase of ballot pa- that during 2018 general elec- Islamabad pers. The forum was given brief- tion, presiding offi cers will is- ing on the draft voter lists and sue results on mobile through Internews ed as having said that the issue elections for a few weeks owing to These sources explained that the display centres, which will the result transmission sys- Islamabad of delimitations of electoral con- technical reasons,” the report said. the ECP has done the delimi- he Election Commission remain open for public viewing tem (RTS) for which a contract stituencies has not been resolved The technical reasons as re- tation of the constituencies as of Pakistan (ECP) has till April 24. was signed with National Da- as yet, and thus could linger on ferred to by Bajwa are not ex- per the mechanism evolved and Tassumed formal charge The draft voter lists have tabase and Registration Au- wo key state functionar- causing delay. plained in the report but gen- enacted by the Parliament. of monitoring of the electoral been displayed at more than thority (Nadra) on February ies – Chief Justice of Pa- The top judge feared, “It may erally it is believed that these These sources said that as against process, reviewing preparations 14,000 display centres to fa- 14 this year. Tkistan Saqib Nisar and revive the Doctrine of Necessity reasons are connected with 2018, the objections received against for the general election sched- cilitate people in correction and Polling stations throughout Army Chief Qamar Bajwa – have once again, which would not au- the controversies related to the delimitation of constituencies be- uled in summer, expressing registration as voters. Pakistan have been connected recently hinted at the possible gur well for the country.” Nisar process of delimitation of con- fore 2002 elections were too high, satisfaction thereon. Khan emphasised that maxi- via google map, enabling peo- delay in the general elections in though wished that the govern- stituencies, the report said. yet there was no question raised Offi cials said yesterday that mum number of female com- ple to have a look at location of summer but the concerned au- ment resolve this issue before ECP offi cials, when contacted, about the delay of polls. a meeting of the election com- puterised national identity card their respective polling station. thority, the Election Commis- completion of its term so that said on condition of anonym- He disclosed that in 2002 a mission’s monitoring commit- (CNIC) holders should be reg- So far 89,500 polling stations sion of Pakistan (ECP), does not elections are not delayed. ity that so for the Commission total of 985 complaints were tee held earlier this week with istered as voters, whereas the have been identifi ed and work see any sound reason for polls’ The army chief, who recently has received only 89 petitions received, while this time only chief election commissioner meeting was told that the door- is under way for provision of all postponement. met a group of journalists, is against the preliminary report 89 complaints/representations Raza Khan and attended, among to-door registration of voters necessary facilities there. Although the statements of quoted by a senior mediaperson on delimitation but hardly any have been received so far. In none others, by the four election was under way in 103 districts The meeting emphasised Nisar and Bajwa as refl ected in having assured that elections of these petitions contain any of these 89 complaints, the ECP commission members Shakeel and would continue till April 30. that the polling stations should the media recently have furthered will be held on time and will be serious objection. sources said that any substantive Baloch, Irshad Qaiser, Ghafoor It was underlined that it was be established at ground fl oor doubts about the holding of polls fair and free. These sources said that the law point has been raised. Soomro and Ibrahim Qureshi the last golden opportunity for so as to facilitate female vot- on time, senior ECP offi cials were The army chief, according to the Commission is still receiving The ECP is sure that if there is no and all the provincial election people to be part of the upcom- ers and special persons and for yesterday quoted by The News report, declared that a level play- objections, which will be de- other reason to delay the polls, the commissioners. ing electoral process by getting this, the election commission daily as insisting that there is no ing fi eld would be provided to all cided as per the timeframe set by issue of delimitation of constitu- The meeting expressed sat- themselves registered as voters. was constantly in touch with the reason for election delay. the political parties. “However, the ECP and on the basis of prin- encies will be settled in routine and isfaction over the preparations, The meeting was informed provincial governments. Chief Justice Nisar was quot- the chief did not rule out a delay in ciples laid down in the law. as per the law of the land. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, March 29, 2018 PHILIPPINES Child slavery Crackdown ordered survivors on fake medicines fi ght to heal By Catherine S Valente Manila Times scars of abuse

resident Rodrigo Duterte Thomson Reuters Foundation themselves and aid them to has ordered the Philippine Manila recover from abuse. “Such PNational Police (PNP) to activities are a very important arrest those behind the spread of medium for women and girls fake medicines in the market, his fter years of being who have suff ered abuse,” said top legal counsel said yesterday. abused, exploited and Dolores Rubia, director of af- Duterte issued the directive Aenslaved, the girls in tercare for the International after the Food and Drug Admin- gloves do not hesitate to strike Justice Mission in Manila. istration (FDA) warned the pub- when their turn arrives. “They allow them to express lic about the proliferation of fake Cheered on by their friends, their feelings, they are thera- Biogesic brand of 500mg para- the Filipina children launch peutic, and off er the chance cetamol tablets in the market. into a frenzied fl urry of kicks to learn skills for the future,” “The president has ordered and jabs against their trainers. added Rubia of the global the Chief PNP (Director General These young survivors of charity, which works with lo- Ronald de la Rosa) to arrest all modern slavery are learning cal partners to support child persons who manufacture, im- martial arts as part of their victims of cybersex traffi ck- port, distribute, sell, administer, recovery in a shelter for child ing. dispense fake drugs,” Chief Legal traffi cking victims in Manila, The Visayan shelter in Ma- Counsel Salvador Panelo told re- the capital of the Philippines. nila is home to about 45 girls, porters in an interview. “I like learning to fi ght be- ranging in age from 3 to 23. Panelo said Duterte wanted to cause I want to protect my- Some have lived here for fi le economic sabotage charges self and the other girls,” said years. Most of the girls arriv- against the culprits. 15-year-old Ash, raising her ing at the centre have been “They will be charged with gentle voice to be heard over rescued in police raids, found economic sabotage because the constant thud of fi sts and by charities or escaped from those acts undermine not only feet. cybersex dens, brothels or the economy because it will af- “I’m tired but happy...Muay homes where they were forced fect the law of supply and de- Thai will be useful when I be- to work as maids. mand and affect the prices, but come a police detective one For those who have been ex- it also threatens the security of day,” she told the Thomson ploited by their relatives or are the nation because it endangers Reuters Foundation during a involved in court cases against the health of the people. That martial arts lesson at the shel- their abusers, going home may is why to the president’s mind, ter run by the Visayan Forum be not an option, says Visayan, these people should be arrested Foundation, an anti-traffi ck- which helps the girls fi nd jobs and charged for economic sab- ing charity. and a place to live once they otage,” he said. Rodrigo Duterte has issued the directive after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public about the proliferation of a fake Cybersex child traffi cking are old enough and ready to The president’s lawyer cited brand of paracetamol tablets in the market. — where victims are forced to leave. a 2011 study that drugs and perform sex acts, abused or The shelter provides visit- medicines accounted for 46% bal pandemic, impacting the ing countries,” Panelo said. On Monday, the FDA warned and the general public are hereby raped over webcam for global ing teachers so the girls can of total medical out-of-pocket safety of patients around the He warned that the presence consumers against the purchase warned as to the availability of clients — is a growing prob- catch up on their education expenses of Philippine house- world. It is estimated that 10% of fake medicines could result and consumption of counterfeit this counterfeit drug product in lem in a country regarded by and sit exams, as well as a wide holds. of the world’s medicines are in “considerable loss of gov- Biogesic paracetamol 500mg the market, which poses poten- activists and anti-slavery or- range of activities such as arts “Substandard and falsified counterfeit on average, with ernment revenues, specifically tablets. tial danger or injury to consum- ganisations as a regional hub and crafts, karaoke, dancing medicines have become a glo- peaks of up to 70% in develop- in the form of taxes.” “All healthcare professionals ers,” the FDA said. for modern slavery. and martial arts, said Rachel Children as young as one or Subia of the charity. two are sexually exploited by “These activities are a good traffi ckers and also their own way to help the girls forget relatives in the Philippines, their past experiences...it is which has been identifi ed as healing for them,” Subia said. Homeless set to move into empty Plunder charges registered the epicentre of the livestream As each awaits their turn sex abuse trade by the United to take on the instructors, the Nations’ children’s agency girls fi ddle with their gloves homes if handover delayed against former govt offi cials (Unicef). and joke, laugh and whoop For the girls at the shelter loudly, watching as the others — many of whom have been put their newfound skills to Thomson Reuters Foundation risking their health and safety, money lying idle,” Beltran told By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino der — was allegedly delivered abused, beaten and betrayed the test. Manila and constantly facing eviction. the Thomson Reuters Founda- Manila Times to and received by Argosino by their families — the chance Those stepping forward The only solution is to match tion. “Most of the units that and Robles in two instances to be active, creative, and even are a picture of concentration empty government homes with were occupied in Bulacan don’t at City of Dreams Manila in aggressive, is a welcome op- — eyes narrowed, shoulders housands of homeless Fil- the homeless,” he said. have running water or electric- lunder cases have been Paranaque City, as follows: portunity. raised and fi sts clenched — as ipinos are ready to illegal- Last March, Kadamay led ity; some don’t even have doors fi led against former Bu- P20mn at about 2am on No- From self defence sessions they fi ght. Tly occupy empty govern- about 12,000 homeless peo- or roofs. Preau of Immigration (BI) vember 27, 2016 and P30mn at in Kenya to Kung Fu lessons “At fi rst, the girls were so ment housing if a plan to hand ple from Manila in an overnight But it’s still better than being deputy commissioners Al Ar- about 5.45am of the same day. taught by nuns in India, a awkward,” said Muay Thai in- over these buildings is delayed, march to occupy 6,000 apart- on the street.” gosino and Michael Robles, as The amount, the Ombuds- growing number of projects structor Olivia Cruz, who has campaigners said, underlining a ments in an empty government A spokeswoman for the Na- well as retired police general man alleged, was handed by globally teach women and helped to run the bi-monthly growing crisis in one of South- site in Bulacan, about 40km tional Housing Authority, a Wenceslao Sombero Jr, for al- Sombero. No bail was recom- girls martial arts to boost their martial arts sessions since east Asia’s poorest countries. away. government entity that pro- legedly receiving bribe money mended by the Ombudsman in confi dence, help them defend they started earlier this year. There are about 4.5mn home- A year on, the occupiers vides affordable housing for from Macau tycoon Jack Lam the plunder case. less people in the Philippines of number 20,000 and a resolution low-income families, said they in 2016, in exchange for the re- In the charge sheet accusing a population of about 106mn, to give empty homes meant for are still validating the occupi- lease of illegal Chinese work- Argosino, Robles, and Sombe- according to the statistics offi ce. the police and armed forces to ers to determine those quali- ers. ro of graft and bribery in viola- About 3mn homeless are in the homeless is awaiting Presi- fied to get “the idle units”. The The Sandiganbayan’s Fourth tion of Republic Act 3019 (An- Manila, possibly the most in any dent Rodrigo Duterte’s ap- NHA will re-award the units Division will handle the plun- ti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Seven dead after trucks city in the world, charities esti- proval. to those who qualify after the der, graft and bribery cases Act), the Ombudsman alleged mate. The president’s spokesman president signs the resolution, fi led by the Offi ce of the Om- that the former immigration At the same time, nearly did not return calls and e-mails Elsie Trinidad said, without budsman against Argosino, offi cials, in conspiracy with crash into eatery 115,000 units of public housing seeking comment on the reso- specifying a timeline. Robles, Sombero and Lam, also Sombero who was president of are empty across the country, lution. The NHA last year commit- known as Lam Yin Lok. Asian Gaming Service Provider according to rights group Kad- More such occupations are ted to building 800,000 homes In the charge sheet, the Om- Association, Inc., demanded DPA when a 10-wheeler truck amay. planned if there are delays, said over five years. budsman said that on Novem- and received P50mn from Lam. Manila slammed into another truck “More people are moving Michael Beltran at Kadamay, The backlog for government ber 27, 2016, Argosino, Robles This was to facilitate the re- parked on the road in front of to the cities as they lose their which estimates nearly 90% of housing is about 5.5mn, cam- and Sombero illegally received lease of 1,316 Chinese arrested an eatery in the town of Taal homes and lands to highways homes meant for the police and paigners estimate. P50mn “through a series or and detained at Fontana Leisure even people were killed in the province of Batangas, and industries,” said John Paul armed forces are vacant, main- “The homelessness situation combination of overt or crimi- Park in Clark Field, Pampanga yesterday in a pre-dawn some 80 kilometres south of Lapid at the non-profi t Urban ly because they are too far from is an emergency,” Beltran said. nal acts, or similar schemes or on November 24, 2016. Sseven-vehicle crash as the capital Manila. Poor Resource Centre of the city centres. “Homeless numbers will con- means.” The Ombudsman recom- tens of thousands of people The trucks hit some of Philippines, set up in 2010 to ad- “It’s ironic that when there tinue to rise. Occupations will According to the charge mended P30,000 bail for each travelled home to the Philip- the victims as they ate at the dress rising poverty in cities. are millions of homeless peo- also rise as long as there are sheet, the cash payment, accused in the graft case and pines provinces for the Easter roadside food stall and fi ve “They are forced to live in ple, there are thousands of empty homes and no legal way which totalled P50mn — the P20,000 bail for each accused in holiday, police said. other vehicles that were either shanties and under bridges, housing units built with public for them to get homes.” threshold amount for plun- the bribery case. Three people were injured parked or passing by. Anti-drugs operation cops will have no break during Holy Week

By Roy Narra Double Barrel,” with uniformed men visiting had returned to his operations. Manila Times the house of an individual reportedly in- He warned the supplier, who he said has volved in drugs based on the police district’s a two-letter and one-syllable name, that he watch list. was being monitored. “I know you and I will here will be no breaks in the anti-drug Under new Tokhang rules, operations are arrest you. “Tokhang” operations for the Holy implemented by two eight-man teams for We are already monitoring you,” de la Rosa TWeek, according to Philippine Na- each police station from Mondays to Fridays said, without identifying the person. tional Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela from 8am to 5pm. Pre-designated teams National Capital Region Police Offi ce Rosa. must be led by a senior offi cer, accompanied (NCRPO) chief Oscar Albayalde echoed Dela Dela Rosa said policemen would be moni- by accredited media personnel, and members Rosa. toring areas where most people would go of the village anti-drug abuse council. “Probably this (Good) Friday, we will less- for the long break, because there were more The “upper barrel” involves the serv- en the operations but just the same, if there chances that drug dealers would thrive there. ing of warrant of arrest, search operations, will be someone who will ask for help, we will “We will continue our operations espe- and drug-bust operations by uniformed and be there,” he said. According to the Philippine cially that people are on their party mode. non-uniformed men from the PNP Station Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), 123,648 There are chances that they will get drugs Drug Enforcement Unit at any time of the “drug personalities” were arrested in 91,704 in order to maximise their enjoyment,” he day. anti-drug operations since July 1, 2016 until said. Dela Rosa also said that bars in Bonifacio March 20. “Tokhang,” a Visayan term for “knock and Global City would be monitored based on in- A total of 4,075 people were killed in anti- Members of the Philippine Coast Guard inspect luggage at a bus terminal in Quezon City yesterday, as the plead,” is the “lower barrel” of PNP’s “Project formation that a supplier of the ecstasy drug drug operations in the same period. annual holiday trek to the provinces reaches its peak. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Prisons to allow Lanka president cuts PM’s inmates to use mobile duties in power struggle phone AFP Sirisena appointed a special local government elections last brought down only if Sirisena Agencies Colombo inquiry which cleared Wick- month. can unite his own fractured Dhaka remesinghe of any wrong- The president blamed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and doing. But Mahendran was premier for their electoral engineer defections from ri Lankan President held responsible for passing setbacks. Wickremesinghe’s UNP. nmates in a Bangladeshi jail Maithripala Sirisena yes- sensitive information to his Earlier this year, Sirisena Tensions between the coali- will be allowed to use mo- Sterday reduced the re- bond-dealer son-in-law Ar- publicly lambasted Wickremes- tion partners have also esca- Ibile phones twice a month to sponsibilities of Prime Minis- jun Aloysius to make $75mn in inghe and his UNP, saying they lated over Sirisena’s attempts speak to their families. ter Ranil Wickremesinghe as a undue profi ts. had mismanaged the economy. to extend his presidential term The service will be introduced power struggle worsened with- Sirisena joined hands with Sirisena said the current gov- by one more year till 2021, a initially at the Tangail District in their uneasy coalition. Wickremesinghe’s United Na- ernment was also more corrupt move that was rejected by the Jail as a pilot project. Sirisena took away the cen- tional Party (UNP) to oust than the former regime they Supreme Court earlier this year. Iqbal Hasan, additional in- tral bank, the policy-making strongman president Mahinda toppled together. The UNP has suggested that spector general of prisons, said National Operations Room and Rajapakse in January 2015 after A section within Sirisena’s it may go it alone at the next that the service would be intro- several other institutions from a decade in power. party supports a no-confi dence general election in 2020. duced gradually in all prisons the control of Wickremesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena PM Ranil Wickramasinghe But since then their alliance move against Wickremesinghe Presidential powers to sack throughout the country follow- who had held them since coming has fractured, with Sirisena slated for April 4. However, the the government and call early ing the result of the pilot project. to power in January 2015. to Finance Minister Mangala from the prime minister’s con- clashing with free-market UNP is the largest single party elections were removed through “A prisoner will be allowed to The changes were published Samaraweera. trol. In 2015 a central bank gov- champion Wickremesinghe in the 225-member assembly a constitutional amendment speak to his family once every in a government gazette no- There was no offi cial explana- ernor appointed by Wickremes- over economic policy. and commands a comfortable introduced in the early days of fortnight. Initially we will allow tice issued yesterday which tion for why the Central Bank of inghe, Arjuna Mahendran, was Relations worsened further majority with the help of allies. the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe them 10 minutes to speak. How- transferred the responsibilities Sri Lanka had been taken away accused of insider trading. after their coalition did badly in The premier could be coalition. ever, the jail superintendent can increase or decrease the time,” he said. At present, family members can meet the convicted inmates twice a month and other prison- ers once a month. Continue pressure on Myanmar There will be a small charge applied to mobile phone conver- sations, which will be deducted from the amount deposited by the inmates, according to Hasan. to take back Rohingya: Hasina He also said the conversation over the phone will be recorded. Every prisoner will have to pro- Agencies ernment has completed the She also mentioned that the issue of Rohingya crisis. vide two mobile phone numbers Dhaka biometric registration of the WHO will help Bangladesh pro- Referring to establishment of when they are registered and can Myanmar’s displaced nationals vide immunisation and medical community clinics across Bang- call to those two numbers only, who have entered Bangladesh services to the Rohingya. ladesh, she said such initiative he said. rime Minister Sheikh facing atrocities unleashed by Expressing her concern over was a vision of Bangabandhu to Family members will be noti- Hasina has reiterated her the Myanmar forces in Rakhine the health condition, sanita- reach healthcare services at the fi ed the time of call through a Pcall to the international state. tion and waterborne diseases of doorsteps of rural people. text message, the day before an community to continue pres- Hasina said the government the Rohingya in the upcoming Dr Khetrapal Singh highly inmate makes the call. sure on Myanmar to take back has given identity cards to Ro- monsoon, Dr Khetrapal Singh appreciated the prime minister Abul Bashar, jailor at Tangail its nationals from Bangladesh. hingya so that they could be said it would be a challenging for her dynamic leadership as District Jail, said those accused She made the call when identifi ed easily and the My- job to tackle those and urged well as for Bangladesh’s devel- or convicted of terrorism will WHO-SEARO regional direc- anmar government could take the government to continue its opment, particularly on fl ood not be allowed to use the serv- tor Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh them back. immunisation activities. control, saying the country is ice. He also said prisoners will be met her at her offi cial residence She said some 28,000 people She said the huge number an example in the world on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: “Bangladesh has given shelter to charged 1 taka per minute to talk in Dhaka yesterday. are working round the clock to of Rohingya refugees, which is issue. Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds.” over phone. Prime minister’s press sec- manage more than 1,000,000 more than the total population She also lauded Bangladesh’s The project has been initiated retary Ihsanul Karim briefed Rohingya. of Bhutan, is the main problem achievement on health and san- prime minister’s daughter Sai- Saima Wazed Hossain, chair- by access to information (A2I) reporters after the meeting. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh to manage. “This is a gigantic itation and said, “Its achieve- ma Wazed Hossain for her role person, Bangladesh National service innovation fund of Prime The prime minister informed highly appreciated Bangladesh job,” she added. ment in reducing child mortal- in creating awareness on autism Advisory Committee for Autism Minister’s Offi ce and Bangladesh the WHO regional director that government’s move over the Hasina said her government ity and maternal mortality rate globally. and Neuro Developmental Dis- Jail Authority. Bangladesh has given shel- Rohingya issue. is in touch with fi ve neigh- is commended globally.” The WHO regional director orders and also member of the He said there will be four ter to Rohingya refugees on “The Bangladesh govern- bouring countries border- At the meeting, the issue of said that now people of South WHO’s expert advisory panel phone booths made in a room humanitarian grounds. ment is doing a great job,” she ing with Myanmar, including autism was also discussed when Asia know about the autism and on mental health, was present inside the jail, adding bigger jails She said the Bangladesh gov- said. Thailand, China and India, on WHO regional director praised are aware about it. during the meeting. will have more booths. Protests over road project in Nepal

IANS ries ago, clashed with riot police as saying that fi ve protesters Kathmandu as they voiced their opposition were arrested and three were in- to the construction project. jured during the clashes. The project would see an ex- The Nepal army, which is everal protesters were pressway built between Kath- overseeing and administering detained and some were mandu and the southern Terai the government project, as- Sinjured in Kathmandu region, Efe news reported. sured residents that the new yesterday as Nepali police used The new road, which would road would be “a win-win for all water cannon to disperse a dem- replace a smaller route, would stakeholders”, an army spokes- onstration against a planned threaten various religious and person had said in January. road expansion project. Newar cultural heritage sites, The proposed Kathmandu- Hundreds of local residents, as well as encroach on farm- Terai expressway would reduce including members of the Ne- land, aff ecting the livelihoods of travel time from the Nepali capi- war community, one of the fi rst locals. tal city to the southern plains Smoke rises from a teargas shell fired by the police to disperse the crowd during the protest against the road expansion projects causing groups to settle in Nepal centu- Efe news cited police sources from fi ve hours to just one hour. people in the aff ected areas to lose their houses and lands in Kathmandu yesterday. Library helps Nepali women gain cash and confi dence Thomson Reuters Foundation the world among families hit mountainous neighbourhood. more confi dent and boosting their 9,000 people and disrupted the “I was here alone. It was not was married at just 9 years old, Bhimdhunga by disasters, confl ict or shifting Marahattha, the library head family’s fi nances in the process. lives of more than 8mon. my husband’s decision but my was happy to show off the cattle weather patterns. In Nepal – and who is a community member But there are “some negatives “After the earthquake, our own to construct the green- that have made her a respected many other places – women are herself, often travels house-to- too”, Marahattha admitted. whole house collapsed. Every- houses and start doing vegetable businesswoman in her remote or farmers trying to fi gure often left behind in rural ar- house visiting remote moun- Women often complain to her thing went bad and my husband farming,” she said proudly. Himalayan village. out how to heal a sick cow eas as men seek work in cities or tain-top farms to fi eld questions of feeling overwhelmed, as if “all went to a foreign country to The community library – al- “After my husband left me, I For grow tomatoes com- overseas. For some women, the and train female farmers. the responsibilities are on their earn,” she said. though a simple idea – has proved lived with my mother-in-law, mercially in this Himalayan absence of men can open up op- “We have a lot of enquir- head”, looking after both land But then she heard about the hugely popular with the com- who took pity on me. But she community, help is at hand in portunities to try out their own ies,” she said, proudly fl icking and children. agricultural training being of- munity, said Rakesh Khadka, a died a few years ago. We had the form of a crumbling, earth- ideas, learn new skills and gain through log books fi lled with And the shift in family dy- fered by Marahattha at the li- project offi cer with the Practical many expenses for my children’s quake-scarred library. confi dence. neat rows of curling Nepali namics, together with the dis- brary and went along. Answers programme in Nepal. studies, so I had to make an in- In a rural area where searching In Nepal, the Tribeni com- scrawl. ruption to family life that ac- “I immediately took up the Established in 2011, the facility come,” she said. for information online or pay- munity library in Bhimdhunga During the planting season, companies migration, has led to practices in my own house and was at fi rst little used, but by 2013 She heard about the library ing for expert advice is rarely an is one of 22 that are part of a she might receive as many as a rise in the number of divorces, have since been vegetable farm- “we were inundated”, he said. and started training with the option, the library is a fi rst stop “Practical Answers” programme 1,000 questions a month – but Marahattha said. ing seriously,” said Lama, who Sometimes the library refers other women. Khadka learned for female farmers daunted by jointly run by READ Nepal, a lit- on average it is closer to 500, Wearing a red shawl draped has constructed a number of tough questions to Kathmandu, to rear cows, build sheds and their new role: running the fam- eracy and anti-poverty organi- she said. They range from how across her shoulder to match her large plastic-covered tunnels where experts can better advise calculate the correct nutrient re- ily farm while their husbands are sation, and Practical Action, a to treat crop diseases to how to bright red bindi and lipstick, Uru- and makeshift greenhouses to on technical issues. But answers quirements for her animals. She away looking for work. British charity. use a computer or market goods mila Lama, 33, still has a youthful boost her vegetable production. are often found locally, with now has eight cows, with each “Most of the men have mi- Besides providing resource in town. face – though her back bent from “I realised we can have a good women sharing solutions among fully grown animal worth about grated for money now in Nepal. books, the hubs collect queries While the library is open to all, toil makes her seem older. income from this,” she said. themselves, Khadka said. $1,000 at market, she said. It’s a very huge problem,” said from across the community, log Marahattha has found more in- She lives with her 11-year-old Initially, she earned about $60 Little by little, women are be- She also sells milk in town Meera Marahattha, the “human them and set about providing terest from women – in particu- son on a remote farm on a steep a month from growing vegeta- coming more self-suffi cient and and manure as fertiliser to other Google” who runs the library. tailored answers to farming and lar those suddenly put in charge hillside overlooking the lush Kath- bles such as sweet peppers and using the library less often or com- farmers. But there’s an upside. “Be- other technical challenges. of their households as their hus- mandu Valley. But their living tomatoes. ing mainly to socialise, he added. Khadka earns about Rs30,000 cause of this male migration, In Bhimdhunga, the library bands or sons migrate abroad in quarters are a tin shack, hastily Today she makes triple that Crossing her sandy yard, ($288) a month. That’s more than females have the opportunity to off ers a computer suite, a chil- search of work. built after a powerful earthquake in amount, and can pay for her Chini Khadka, 55, pushes back a her son, who works as a teacher, lead,” she added – sometimes for dren’s nursery and a women’s That change has off ered some 2015 reduced their home, and many son’s school fees and the family’s loose door to reveal a baby calf, she boasts – and is even enough for the fi rst time. health section, attracting about women a chance to try out their others in the area, to rubble. daily expenses without having to closely guarded by its mother. her to hire another female farm- Migration is growing around 200 active members from the own farming ideas, becoming The disaster killed nearly ask her husband for money. Khadka, who is illiterate and hand to help tend the vegetables. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, March 29, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES National mood in America on gun rights is changing

Last Saturday’s student-led marches in Washington and elsewhere in the United States of America served notice to members of the US Congress that the days of unchallenged National Rifl e Association (NRA) control over their votes are over. The turnout by hundreds of thousands of marchers across America was impressive by any measure, but one would be wrong to expect the NRA to cede an inch of political territory without a fi ght. It was an extraordinary coming-out Clean indoor air becoming party for a movement that is now, at long last, undeniably mass. The marches against gun violence would not have been as big without the undercurrent of rage that liberals, Democrats, good-government activists, racial minorities, ethical conservatives and others carry through daily life under President Donald Trump’s regime. The March for Our China’s latest must-have Lives is only the latest confi rmation of how spectacularly the National Rifl e Association has gone awry. Helen Roxburgh and Starbucks built its enormous new are set in such a way that you have to “In the future you can imagine the The turnout does suggest the American public has reached Shanghai Shanghai Reserve Roastery to Leed commit to meeting 15 μg/m3 [PM2.5] scenario where you want to go out for a a turning point. Members of Congress would do well Platinum standards, including air in the ambient air; it might not be coff ee or a meal, but before you choose quality monitoring. that much of a challenge in UK or US the restaurant or coff ee shop you look calculate whether this movement can translate into a serious he newly opened luxury China’s only home-grown, cities, but in China it’s particularly up which one has the best indoor air voting bloc in November capable of unseating anyone who Cordis hotel looks much international green building standard, challenging. Especially when, say, it hits quality,” says Watson. puts loyalty to the NRA above all else. like many other high-end Reset, is primarily focused on indoor 200 outside and you need to get a 95% As well as top-quality fi lters, So far, no matter how Thotels in Shanghai, with its air quality. Launched by the China- reduction in PM levels.” guaranteeing good indoor air requires high the death toll – glass-sided swimming pool, vast twin based architect Raefer Wallis, a Top-quality fi ltration systems like reliable monitors which are maintained Students in including the 17 deaths ballrooms and upscale spa. But the fi rst Reset-certifi ed space must have been JLL’s use a tight mesh that removes to prevent them “drifting”. The Reset from a high school gun Cordis hotel on mainland China boasts within healthy limits for PM2.5 (12μg/ dust and particulates far too small to be certifi cation also grades monitors: the US have something that is genuinely rare in big m3), carbon dioxide (600 ppm), VOCs seen by the naked eye. Ceiling fi ltration grade A monitors are far more accurate massacre last month in Chinese cities: clean indoor air. (400μg/m3) and other pollutants units ensure clean air is spread evenly, and professionally calibrated, whereas served notice to Parkland, Florida – NRA- Modest occupancy rates in the for three consecutive months, and is and the best units off er automation to mass-produced grade C monitors are, backed congressional megacity’s 5,000-plus hotels mean reassessed annually. adjust their fi ltration rate depending on in Wallis’ words, a “Russian-roulette” members of the conservatives have refused operators have been desperately Meanwhile, as part of its 13th Five- outdoor pollution. Systems also need and can collect wildly inaccurate to entertain any piece competing to attract guests with Year Plan, Beijing mandated at least half to allow an adequate fresh air supply, readings. Congress of legislation that aims cheap deals and ever more luxurious of new urban buildings must be green- otherwise PM2.5 falls but carbon The rapid expansion of the clean air to reduce the number or features. In a city where air pollution certifi ed by 2020. As public interest and dioxide increases. Developers such as market also leaves it open to abuse, with as measured by PM2.5s – tiny particles regulatory arguments for improving Tishman Speyer are working within unreliable marketing and questionable lethality of military-style fi rearms. deemed particularly harmful to health indoor air gather strength, Chinese Reset standards to install high-end purifi ers promising additional tricks America must call out the NRA’s stranglehold for what – recently increased 9% year-on-year businesses and institutions are rushing clean air fi lters across their whole China such as the ability to repel mosquitos. it really is: a pro-death agenda. No one who believes in the and now regularly exceeds capital to be ahead of the curve. portfolio. According to the Xinhua news outlet, sanctity of human life can look at the trail of bloodshed Beijing – one luxury hotel has a new “We worked with a couple of schools The World Health Organisation a quarter of consumer air purifiers infl icted by assault rifl es, fed by high-capacity magazines, wheeze. [on indoor air quality] in Shanghai and estimates indoor and outdoor air tested by a government inspection and reasonably assert that such weapons must remain free of All the air that enters the Cordis Beijing in 2013 and 2014,” says Tom pollution causes around 6.5mn agency failed quality checks, and new regulation. Hongqiao is passed through two levels Watson, director of engineering at premature deaths every year, while state standards are reportedly in the of fi ltration and continuously cleaned, environmental consulting company a comprehensive global 2017 study pipeline. Rapid-fi re guns of the AR-15 variety simply do not belong while double-glazed windows remain PureLiving, which now works concluded China and India accounted “We were in a shopping mall earlier in civilian hands, as the massacres in Parkland, Orlando, closed to seal the fresh air inside. with around a third of Fortune 100 for about half of all premature deaths this week where they had monitors Sandy Hook Elementary, Las Vegas, Aurora, Colo., and Pollution monitors are fi tted in all 396 companies to clean up their offi ce air. from pollution in 2015. Data analysis installed and the data was amazing,” San Bernardino, Calif. – just to mention a few – have guest rooms and TV screens display “As soon as they made the changes it by the German Institute of Global and says Wallis. “But the monitor was right underscored. PM2.5 levels. Air quality inside the became their market diff erentiator, then Area Studies found that working in an next to the fi ltered air supply. So what Young people made clear last Saturday that they are rooms is typically around 10 times all the other schools had to follow suit, offi ce with high-level ltration fi systems the monitor was reading was 30μg/ tired of the slaughter and the NRA’s refusal at every turn better than that outside. and that’s what we’re seeing replicated can raise an employee’s life expectancy, m3 of PM2.5; what the people were A screen inside a Cordis hotel room now in the commercial market. estimating that staff in Tishman’s breathing was 300μg/m3.” to entertain sensible gun-control legislation. National shows the air inside is 9.7 times cleaner “At fi rst this will be a point of market China offi ces gained an average of For Shanghai’s Cordis hotel, the polls consistently show that strong majorities of adults than that outside. diff erence, then a necessity.” 6.3 days a year on people working in Reset certifi cation is a hard-earned also favour tighter control over assault weapons and high- “I think people can sleep easier In the city’s new Taikoo Hui complex, unfi ltered workplaces. point of diff erentiation on its many capacity magazines. The national mood has changed. knowing that the air quality in their the air inside consultancy JLL’s Subtler impacts of pollution are still luxury competitors. O’Shea is hopeful The increasingly shrill tenor of NRA-led commentary room is far superior to any other hotel, 22nd-fl oor offi ce is largely unaff ected being investigated. A landmark 2017 the clean air will ultimately boost room suggests the gun movement’s anxiety is growing. On the and far superior to what it is outside,” by the hazy skyline outside. Last study from Harvard’s Centre for Health prices by around 10%. eve of last Saturday’s marches, NRA commentator Grant says John O’Shea, managing director year, the offi ce was recognised as the and the Global Environment found “I think back to the days when Stinchfi eld declared that “the socialists that have taken over of Cordis Hongqiao. Guests have so far healthiest in the Asia-Pacifi c region occupants of high-performing green everyone used to charge for the rated the Shanghai hotel highest for and the third healthiest in the world, buildings had higher cognitive function, internet,” he says. “Now the Internet’s the Democratic Party are using the murder of 17 children to satisfaction out of the Langham Group- meeting stringent standards from the fewer symptoms of sickness and better like hot water – if you don’t have high push an unconstitutional agenda. ... The leaders are people owned brand’s 22-hotel portfolio. International Well Building Institute, sleep quality. Good indoor air can also speed, fast, easy-access internet for who hate our country.” While air pollution has long been and introducing a customised app help with staff retention: a Reset survey free, then it’s over. The indoor air That’s absurd. on the nation’s mind, indoor air is for staff to check real-time indoor air concluded that 56% of surveyed staff quality is going to be like that too – if The verbal attacks have been particularly vicious against a newer battleground. Even in very quality. in China use poor workplace health as a you can’t guarantee your customers Parkland student survivors such as Emma Gonzalez, whose polluted cities, indoor air quality can “To be honest, our fi rst response was primary reason to change jobs. much better air quality than the photo has been manipulated to depict her tearing up the be worse than the air outside. As well that this is too tough in a fi rst-tier city With a plethora of apps and competitors, it’s going to be a fait as PM2.5-heavy air entering homes and in China,” admits Xuchao Wu, head of aff ordable monitors available, greater accompli. It’s already getting that kind Constitution. One conservative politician denounced this offi ces through open windows or poor energy and sustainability services, JLL knowledge of air quality could aff ect of importance.” - Guardian News & teenager as a “skinhead.” insulation, high levels of formaldehyde, Greater China. “The Well standards Chinese consumer behaviour too. Media NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch did her best to portray carbon dioxide and volatile organic the march as a Planned Parenthood-sponsored rally. Fox compounds (VOCs) – gases that can News and Breitbart echoed her words. be emitted by poor building materials, In the past, national outrage over mass shootings has tended furniture, paints and adhesives – are an to die down after a few days. But six weeks have passed since additional concern. “Indoor pollution is a very serious the Parkland massacre, and so far the activism is still growing. problem and health threat, not just If pro-NRA members of Congress think their seats are safe in in China but worldwide,” says Sieren this atmosphere, they might want to think again. Ernst, founder of environmental consultancy Ethics & Environment. “Most people spend 90% of their time indoors, and the exposures that we are To Advertise getting from that time remain largely unexamined.” [email protected] Public awareness in China is on the Display rise, though. In 2013, market research provider Euromonitor says there were 44466621 44418811 3.1mn air purifi ers in China, in a market worth 6.9bn renminbi (£774mn). By Classified the end of this year, sales are expected 44466609 44418811 to more than double in size to 7.5mn air purifi ers, in a market worth nearly Subscription 16.5bn renminbi. A growing number of employers [email protected] and building managers are installing air fi lters in offi ces, while relocation companies are off ering indoor air- © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved quality assessments to top-tier expats, Smog over Shanghai in January this year as the air quality index reached 235 and authorities issued a ‘yellow warning’. Gulf Times Thursday, March 29, 2018 27 COMMENT Macron takes aim at European politics

By Mark Leonard On defence policy, Macron wants parties that are just as ripe for London to work within existing EU treaties, disruption as France’s mainstream and he supports proposals for a parties were in 2017. For example, he Permanent Structured Co-operation has mocked the centre-right European ntil the terrorist attack at a (PESCO) agreement and a European People’s Party (EPP), asking how market in southern France on Defense Fund. But he also hopes to any parliamentary group can call March 23, French President move beyond the current EU and itself Christian Democratic when it UEmmanuel Macron had been even Nato frameworks to establish includes the parties of former Italian planning to launch a new European- a European Intervention Initiative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and level political campaign. Though (EII), which would operate alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor the offi cial rollout has now been British, US, and other allied Orban. postponed, Macron’s latest project expeditionary forces. Macron also recognises that the remains central to his presidency and On migration, Macron wants both decline of the centre left in Europe – to his conception of power. to secure Europe’s external borders along with the impending post-Brexit Macron’s “La Grande Marche pour and ensure that the burden of taking exodus of UK Labour Party MPs – l’Europe” will mimic the programme in refugees is shared across the EU. In has left a large void that needs to be that toppled France’s dominant the short term, he is pushing for an fi lled. To that end, he has considered political parties and transformed his agreement among member states on creating a Europe-wide “En Marche La Republique En Marche ! movement refugee quotas. But, in the long run, !” movement that could nominate its into a political force in 2017. Over the he supports greater harmonisation of own Spitzenkandidat to the European course of six weeks, he will dispatch asylum systems, or even the creation of Commission presidency. In fact, 10 ministers and 200 parliamentarians a central EU asylum agency. there has already been some talk of to survey the French people’s views Macron also hopes to reconcile positioning European Commissioner on Europe and European issues. The opposite ideas with respect to the for Competition Margrethe Vestager results will then be considered in euro. While pushing for reforms for that role. developing a platform that can beat within France that will reduce the Initially, the Macronistes had populist and Eurosceptic parties in the risks of financial contagion, he is planned to recruit defectors from 2019 European Parliament election. also calling for a common eurozone other party groups, and then ally with Macron has persuaded all other EU budget and finance ministry to make the left-leaning Alliance of Liberals member states (with the exception of the monetary union more resilient to and Democrats for Europe. But the Hungary and the United Kingdom) to future shocks. creation of a European En Marche ! conduct similar public consultations, Beyond these areas, Macron wants to could mean that they will try to edge which he hopes will lay the boost innovation in the digital sphere, out the ALDE, too. At any rate, German groundwork for the EU-level reforms by establishing a European version of Chancellor Angela Merkel will insist he proposed in major speeches in the United States’ Defence Advanced on a conservative candidate for the Athens and at the Sorbonne last year. Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Commission presidency, so Macron To understand the full scope of At the same time, he wants to protect might try to use that as a bargaining Macron’s ambitions, we should national sovereignty in the digital age chip for concessions on other issues. consider the principles that underpin through regulations and a common Much remains to be seen, but it is his worldview and guide his approach French President Emmanuel Macron fi scal approach. already clear that Macron has brought to politics. Few are better acquainted The second Ricoeurian concept a new kind of thinking to European with Macron’s thinking than French Philosophe et le President. A few is really about drawing strength from Similarly, Macron’s vision for Europe underpinning Macron’s worldview is politics. In his view, sovereignty in historian and philosopher François weeks ago, I met with him in his Paris the opposition between two confl icting seems to reconcile the irreconcilable: the idea of a European “refoundation.” Europe can really be exercised only Dosse. Dosse not only taught Macron apartment to discuss his latest work, viewpoints, unlike a Hegelian his plan is both to preserve member Whereas the fi rst wave of European at the level of the EU. He is taking at Sciences Po in the late 1990s, but and he explained Macron’s approach to approach, which seeks synthesis states’ sovereignty and deepen EU integration was largely limited to France from the Fifth Republic to a also introduced him to his intellectual European reform as a combination of between two poles. Macron’s embrace integration. Institutionally, this means economics, Macron now wants to Sixth Republic that is no longer strictly mentor, French philosopher Paul two fundamental Ricoeurian concepts. of the Ricoeurian model is evident supporting supranational bodies while focus on politics and culture, starting franco-francaise, but truly European. Ricoeur, for whom Macron worked as a The fi rst is “consensus dissensuel.” in his frequent use of the phrase “en also allowing for more fl exibility in with the European Parliament election – Project Syndicate research assistant for two years. This may sound like a highfalutin meme temps” (“at the same time”) areas where national governments, next year. Dosse recently published a book version of “having one’s cake and when describing parallel domestic- rather than Brussels, are better When Macron looks at the EU zMark Leonard is director of the about Macron and Ricoeur titled Le eating it.” But, according to Dosse, it reform proposals. positioned to solve problems. political stage, he sees stale cartel European Council on Foreign Relations.

Saving the shrinking middle Three-day forecast TODAY But median incomes have stagnated, the United States’ National Football The more these changes feed Maximum Temperature : 370c By Mohamed A El-Erian Minimum Temperature : 250c London which, combined with the impact League), European soccer is now into better policies, the greater the of technology and insuffi cient dominated by a handful of teams that potential for political parties to FRIDAY policy attention to the potential have become business behemoths. present more compelling agendas, Maximum Temperature : 360c here was a time when distributional eff ects of unfettered This last example also sheds light on especially if they are presented by Minimum Temperature : 240c many regarded being in the globalisation, has gradually hollowed important questions concerning what more engaging leaders. SATURDAY middle of the distribution out the middle class around the world. lies ahead. Is the erosion of the middle The decline of the middle in Maximum Temperature : 330c T– socially, politically, and in As a result, both the hope and reality really inevitable? Are we in the midst business is also likely to result in some Minimum Temperature : 240c of a satisfying middle-class life, of what economists call “multiple pushback, though the impact will the business world – as a favourable, Fisherman's forecast stabilising, and desirable outcome. with its potential for upward social equilibria,” in which one unfavourable diff er signifi cantly by industry and From the anchoring role in society mobility, are in decline. shift makes another, even worse, will be continuously challenged by WARNING of the middle class to the agility In addition to weakening an shift more probable? Or will a mix of structural headwinds. It is more likely Inshore : Nil and resilience of mid-size fi rms, important social stabilising force, natural mean reversion and responsive to occur in some industries, such as Offshore : Expected poor visibility the middle was seen as consistent the diminution of the middle class policies restore the soundness and big tech, where a regulatory response at places at first with both individual and collective has fuelled the politics of anger benefi ts of the centre? will probably be one outcome of a WEATHER Inshore : Misty at places at first well-being. Yet, in recent years, the and undermined the political Given the rapid changes in developing backlash, and less likely for becomes relatively hot middle has become less stable, less centre, hitherto dominated by technology and political disruptions, asset management. daytime with slight dust predictable, and more elusive, and established parties. As polarisation it is hard to know what lies ahead. But These developments have at times and some high clouds. its primacy – in economics, politics, and fragmentation have increased, there seem to be enough indicators to the potential to slow what, for WIND business, asset management, and bipartisan policies have become a lot suggest that, in certain areas, a strong now, has been a self-reinforcing Inshore : Northeasterly-South- even sports – has become increasingly more diffi cult to pursue. middle can indeed be reclaimed if migration away from the middle. But easterly 04-13 KT Offshrore : Southeasterly-North- unsustainable. This trend is also refl ected in policies adapt quickly enough. That restoring faith in the feasibility and easterly 03-12 KT Driven by structural changes, as declining public trust in expert is probably the case when it comes desirability of the middle – belief well as lagging business and policy opinion and established institutions. to economic policies, where there that the middle is strong enough to Visibility : 4-8 KM/3 KM or less at And all this has supported the growth is at last greater recognition of the promote stability and prosperity – places at first responses, the middle has been eroded SEA STATE – or is at risk – almost everywhere of more extreme political parties and/ importance of structural changes and will take time, and sustained effort. Offshore : 1-3 FT you look. Should this trend continue – or anti-establishment movements. distributional eff ects. And that loss of faith, compounded which is subject to some debate – the The middle is also proving less For example, economists are by accelerating technological beginning to resist the inclination change and the fragmentation of implications would be far-reaching. friendly and stable for business. Around the region For decades, a rising median In sector after sector, mid-size to rely on too many simplifying international order, goes a long way Weather household income in advanced companies face greater competition assumptions that facilitate toward explaining why the future Weather tomorrow Max/min economies anchored the growth of a from small disruptors and/or their modelling but are removed from seems less predictable, and why the today Max/min P Cloudy 25/14 middle class that often opted for the large counterparts. This includes reality. They are also beginning to average person feels more unsettled. Baghdad Cloudy 41/19 Cloudy 36/21 political centre. Together with stable the fi nancial sector, where higher redress the inadequate inclusion – Project Syndicate Kuwait City P Cloudy 37/21 Sunny 38/23 and trusted institutions, the middle regulatory and compliance costs have of fi nancial linkages and insights Manama Sunny 34/23 Sunny 36/26 class acted as a stabiliser for a more eaten away at the sustainability of from behavioural science, as well as zMohamed A El-Erian, Chief Muscat Sunny 34/25 S Showers 28/15 prosperous society. In business, too, an mid-size providers. This is visible in overemphasis on single equilibrium Economic Adviser at Allianz, was Tehran M Sunny 30/19 environment in which mid-size fi rms the number of mergers among mid- conditions. And they are deepening Chairman of US President Barack fl ourished was viewed as desirable, size asset managers that lack a strong their understanding of accelerating Obama’s Global Development because it reconciled small fi rms’ lack corporate parent. structural changes associated with Council and is the author of The of balance-sheet strength with their Sports, too, is losing its middle. In technology, the impact of China and Only Game in Town: Central Banks, larger counterparts’ tendency to slip the absence of forced equalisation other emerging economies, and the Instability, and Avoiding the Next into oligopolistic complacency. mechanisms (such as those used in politics of anger. Collapse. Live issues

Around the world Treatment for frozen shoulder Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 19/10 Sunny 19/12 Tribune News Service ligaments that hold the shoulder joint A thorough and careful assessment be managed with nonprescription Beirut Rain 18/14 Rain 18/14 Washington, DC in place tighten due to infl ammation is important because frozen shoulder medications that reduce Bangkok P Cloudy 32/27 M Sunny 34/27 and restrict the joint’s movement. The is commonly misdiagnosed as being a infl ammation, such as ibuprofen and Berlin Showers 08/-1 P Cloudy 12/02 condition typically progresses through rotator cuff tear. And people who have aspirin. If that’s not enough, stronger Cairo Cloudy 19/16 Sunny 21/15 ear Mayo Clinic: Is frozen three stages. During the fi rst stage, rotator cuff tears often are told they prescription anti-infl ammatory drugs Cape Town S Showers 20/15 P Cloudy 20/15 shoulder always improved moving the shoulder becomes painful. have frozen shoulder. Accordingly, it is may be useful. Colombo I T Storms 31/26 M Sunny 31/26 with physical therapy, or In the second stage, the pain subsides, critical that patients who are thought In cases with signifi cant pain Dhaka S T Storms 35/24 S T Storms 34/24 Dare there sometimes other but the shoulder becomes stiff er and to have either condition be evaluated and stiff ness, an injection of a Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/20 Sunny 23/20 measures that must be taken? How more diffi cult to move. In the third for the other to ensure an accurate corticosteroid medication into the Istanbul Showers 09/05 P Cloudy 12/08 long should it take to heal? stage, the stiff ness decreases, and the diagnosis and proper treatment. joint often is recommended. That Jakarta S T Storms 33/24 P Cloudy 33/24 A: In many cases, physical therapy shoulder’s range of motion gradually Physical therapy is the mainstay medication can decrease infl ammation Karachi Sunny 41/22 Sunny 38/23 is all that’s needed to treat frozen returns. of treatment for frozen shoulder. and make physical therapy easier to London Rain 09/04 Rain 08/03 shoulder. It can take time, however. It’s not clear what causes frozen A physical therapist can provide perform. When shoulder stiff ness Manila P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 32/25 Even with treatment, it may be six shoulder, but people with diabetes, exercises to help restore the shoulder’s is not accompanied by pain, Moscow M Sunny 0/-13 P Cloudy 01/-3 months to a year before full function those who have thyroid problems and range of motion and mobility. In more corticosteroid injections are less New Delhi Sunny 37/21 Sunny 36/19 is restored. If there’s ongoing pain anyone who has had shoulder surgery than 90% of cases, frozen shoulder benefi cial. New York S Showers 12/09 Showers 17/04 involved or if physical therapy isn’t are at an increased risk for developing goes away with physical therapy and Stiff ness that lasts beyond a full Paris Rain 12/04 Showers 12/03 enough to resolve the problem, then this disorder. Frozen shoulder usually time. But, even when physical therapy course of physical therapy over six Sao Paulo P Cloudy 28/18 M Sunny 28/19 medication injections or, rarely, can be identifi ed based on a person’s is done consistently, it still may to 12 months or shoulder stiff ness Seoul P Cloudy 19/07 Sunny 19/07 surgery may be necessary to treat symptoms, but, in some situations, take up to a year to gain back all lost that gets signifi cantly worse during Singapore T Storm 31/25 T Storm 31/25 frozen shoulder. an X-ray, MRI or other imaging exams shoulder function. physical therapy may signal that Sydney Sunny 26/18 P Cloudy 28/20 Frozen shoulder, also called may be needed to rule out other The pain that characterises the fi rst surgery is needed. – Mayo Clinic News Tokyo Clear 24/10 Clear 18/10 adhesive capsulitis, happens when the problems. stage of frozen shoulder usually can Network Gulf Times 28 Thursday, March 29, 2018 QATAR

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and UN SDG Advocate, participated on a high-level panel yesterday, urging the international community to facilitate access to quality education for displaced Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All children and to enforce stricter sanctions against perpetrators of (EAA) Foundation, met yesterday with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) armed conflict. The event, which was organised by EAA in co- Refugees, at the United Nations Off ice in Geneva. During the meeting, they discussed Foundation, toured the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum yesterday operation with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, took place at the the concerted eff orts of EAA and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in delivering quality with Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). United Nations Off ice in Geneva. PICTURES: Aisha al-Musalam/ education to displaced children, which includes projects in 12 countries, as well as to The exhibitions explore the major humanitarian challenges in today’s world. HHOPL explore further collaboration. Sheikha Moza calls for educating refugee kids

From Page 1 tries. The meeting also reviewed the President, Peter Maurer, at the ICRC Sheikha Moza said the increasing future co-operation aspects. headquarters in Geneva. number of armed confl icts are tar- Both parties then took a tour of an The meeting reviewed a number of geting everything that is being built. exhibition that highlighted refugee issues related to protecting educa- “The world needs to unite in order to children’s journey and the challenges tion in confl ict zones and post-con- put an end to those who are encour- they face for education. fl ict zones as well as means of mutual aging armed confl icts and to impose Sheikha Moza also met with Inter- cooperation with EAA in this regard. stricter sanctions on them by the national Olympic Committee (IOC) After the meeting, they visited UN.” President Thomas Bach at the UN the International Red Cross and Earlier, Sheikha Moza met with offi ce in Geneva and discussed ways Red Crescent Museum, where they Grandi, where they discussed the of cooperation between EAA and Ol- toured an exhibition that sheds light joint eff orts between EAA and UNH- ympic Refuge Foundation in provid- on the major contemporary humani- Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, met with the President of CR, which includes providing quality ing sports facilities for refugees. tarian challenges such as defending the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting, they explored education to refugee children, such She also met International Com- human dignity and restoring family avenues of collaboration between Education Above All and the Olympic Refuge Foundation to enable greater access to sports as establishing projects in 12 coun- mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) bonds. facilities for refugees.