QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah edges into slender Top Qatar jewellery brand targets Europe lead in and US buyers Qatar published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11103 February 23, 2019 Jumada II 18, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir visits Doha Advisory Council Speaker meets UN chief Jewellery and Watches Exhibition ‘1980s Show a His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited yesterday the 16th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, currently taking place in the Doha Exhibition huge success and Convention Centre. The Amir toured the exhibition’s pavilions where the latest designs of Qatari and international companies for jewellery, watches, and precious in Qatar,’ says stones are displayed. He also visited the pavilion of Qatari jewellery designers to view their latest innovations. Pages 3, 16 Alia al-Ghanim Qatar Airways denies O Qatar-Kuwait cultural ties relived at concerts reports that passengers By Ayman Adly survived disaster Staff Reporter ‘The 1980s Show’ was conducted as Qatar Airways denied yesterday the part of Qatar taking part in the celebra- suggestions of some media outlets HE the Advisory Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud has met in New York with UN Secretary-General tions of Kuwait National and Libera- outside Qatar that passengers on its Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the two-day parliamentary hearing which began at United Nations headquarters on he strong historic and cultural tion Day. It was organised by the QNCC Doha-Lagos flight survived a disaster Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed means of enhancing co-operation besides a number of issues of mutual interest. ties between Qatar and Kuwait in co-operation with JACC. All the due to a technical malfunction. The It was attended by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Ambassador, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, Twere relived at two sold-out tickets for the shows were sold out in a flight’s diversion to Khartoum was and a number of Advisory Council members. Page 2 concerts titled ‘The 1980s Show’ that very short time. preventive and routine action, it said concluded successfully yesterday at “Also the interaction of the Qatari in a statement. the Qatar National Convention Cen- audience was magnifi cent and gave us tre’s (QNCC) Al Mayassa Theatre. great happiness and comfort, stressing “Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural the historical and culture links among Qatar committed to preventive diplomacy Centre (JACC) brought the magnifi cent the people of Qatar and Kuwait. This show for the fi rst time outside Kuwait was very clear with the reaction of QNA Nations in New York, that Qatar He also noted that the international and the great turnout of the people in the Qatari audience with the Kuwaiti New York sought to mediate some confl icts that community faces real challenges that Qatar had a very positive impact on performance showing material from were threats to international peace pose a threat to international peace the performers and the centre,” JACC the Kuwaiti culture and folk heritage,” and security in the Middle East, such and security, adding that they were deputy director Alia al-Ghanim told pointed out al-Ghanim. E the Advisory Council Speak- as resolving the crisis in Lebanon, challenges that could give the UN a Gulf Times. “Qatar is our very fi rst stop for the er Ahmed bin Abdullah bin the confl ict in Darfur, relations be- true test of its success in achieving ‘The 1980s Show’ by more than 80 show as a friendly and brotherly coun- HZaid al-Mahmoud said that tween Sudan and Chad and between peace. musicians and singers revived the fond try, with our deep, close relations and Qatar attaches great importance to Djibouti and Eritrea, as well as in Af- HE the Advisory Council Speaker memories of many in the audience, ties. Due to the hard work of the peo- preventive diplomacy in view of the ghanistan. stressed the importance of the roles by bringing on a fl ood of happy feel- ple at the Private Engineering Offi ce, growing role of this strategy in the He noted that Qatar has proposed parliaments can play in the world in ings during their time as children and Al Rayyan Channel and QNCC, all the achievement of international peace to host an international conference order to achieve international peace youngsters. The performance featured necessary requirements for the success and security. on preventive diplomacy, given the and security, by supporting the strat- a unique selection of the programmes of the show were made available, which He also stressed, during a parlia- importance of a preventive diplomacy egy of preventive diplomacy. and scenes aired by Kuwait TV and Ra- is one of the main drivers behind such a mentary hearing held at the United strategy. To Page 2 dio during the 80s. huge success,” she stressed. To Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, February 23, 2019 QATAR Ooredoo Myanmar Advisory Council Speaker holds meetings in New York customer base surpasses 10mn

oredoo Myanmar, the ing on rural customers, Myan- an all 3G network in 2014. leading telecom service mar’s fi rst Chatbot – Ooredoo “True to our vision of enrich- HE the Speaker of Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud met separately with Chamber of Representatives of Oprovider in Myanmar, Next, My Ooredoo App with ing people’s digital lives, Oore- Uruguay President Jorge Gandini, Thai National Legislative Assembly President Pornpech Wichitcholchai, the Turkish Parliamentary announced yesterday that its more effi cient with personal- doo spearheaded the launch of Group president at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Dr Ravza Kavakci Kan, and Australian Senate President Dr Scott Ryan, on the sidelines active customer base in Myan- ised off ers and digital enter- 4G technology in the country. of the two-day parliamentary hearing which began at UN Headquarters in New York yesterday. During the meetings, they discussed the mar has surpassed 10mn as of tainments, Ooredoo VIP-the In 2018, we completed the roll parliamentary relations between Qatar, Uruguay, Thailand, Turkey and Australia, in addition to ways of supporting and enhancing them. February 14 this year. loyalty programme with re- out of 300 4G Plus townships They also discussed the most important topics on the agenda of the parliamentary hearing. The meetings were attended by a number of Ooredoo launched its 3G ward and discounts, M-Pitesan across Myanmar with our 4G members of the Advisory Council. services in August 2014 as the with more user friendly and Plus network certifi ed as the fi rst international operator easier to access all mobile pay- fastest by Ookla. The remark- after Myanmar opened up its ment services, the fi rst IoT able milestone of 10 million telecommunications industry. services in Myanmar focusing customer base in Myanmar is Ooredoo now covers 92% of on Public Services, Health and a testimony of our custom- country’s population with its Safety, Agriculture Solution ers’ appreciation for our prod- network. and Transportation, Dealer ucts, services and we remain Ooredoo is committed to App for Ooredoo Trader Part- committed to invest further in and has been at the forefront ner and Sales Force App for in- progress of Myanmar.” of bringing in latest technolo- ternal sale team members. Alok Verma, acting CEO of gies with innovative products Ooredoo also supports em- Ooredoo Myanmar, said, “Be- and services in digitalisation powering women to become cause of Ooredoo Myanmar’s of Myanmar, according to a entrepreneurs by opening digital products and customer statement. Ooredoo Kiosks in rural ar- centric services, we surpassed In May 2016, Ooredoo My- eas where those women utilise 10mn customers. I do thank anmar became the fi rst opera- Sale Force App to do business our customers for their contin- tor to launch 4G Plus technolo- transitions. uous support and being loyal gy in the country. According to Sheikh Saud bin Nasser customers. We will strengthen the results from tests taken us- al-Thani, Group CEO, Oore- our position as digital life- Qatar committed to preventive diplomacy ing Speedtest by Ookla, Oore- doo, personally celebrated style operator for our custom- doo’s 4G network, now present this milestone with Ooredoo ers. We will keep on investing in more than 300 townships, is Myanmar employees in Yan- in strengthening coverage in From Page 1 tar believes that peace can only around the world has aff ected Speaker and his accompanying recognised as Myanmar’s fast- gon yesterday, where he said, existing 4G network town- be achieved by justice and bal- the people’s confi dence in the delegation are currently partici- est mobile network with the “Myanmar continues to be ships to provide the fastest and He pointed out that peace does ancing the interests of diff erent ability of the international com- pating in a parliamentary hear- lowest latency during Q2-Q3 the fastest emerging market in strongest network. Ooredoo not simply mean the absence of countries, regardless of the size munity to provide solutions, ing held at the United Nations 2018. South East Asia. Ooredoo with Myanmar team is geared up to war, but goes beyond that to re- of their wealth or geographi- leading to further division. on the parliamentary response Some of digital initiatives of the aim to elevate digitalisa- provide more innovative digi- spect for legitimacy and for hu- cal area, and that the world will He wondered what the role of to the challenges resulting from Ooredoo for a wide range of end tion in the country has infused talised services and products man rights, and to addressing not enjoy peace without respect parliamentarians is in encourag- multilateralism. users are Swel Sone 456- digit- state-of-the art technologies combined with best customer tensions arising from confl icts for international legitimacy ing both countries and the United HE the Permanent Representa- al entertainment and informa- and innovations. In Myan- experiences to transform My- that are yet to be resolved in a and without resolving disputes Nations to rely on preventive di- tive of Qatar to the UN Sheikha tion services such as weather, mar, we were the fl ag bearers anmar to be a digital leader fair and equitable manner. through dialogue. plomacy, in order to realise the Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani crops price, horoscopes focus- of 3G technology launching among Asean countries.” He stressed in this context HE al-Mahmoud pointed out vision of a world living peacefully. attended the session along with that the Advisory Council in Qa- that failure to resolve confl icts HE the Advisory Council members of the Advisory Council.

Qatari projects in Sudanese state offer thousands of jobs: official Gambia president meets

The governor of Sudan’s Nile River The governor of the River Nile Attorney-General state, Hatem al-Wassilah, said state said that the Qatari oasis that the projects implemented project is a role model in the Arab by Qatar in the state provided region, for the great benefits thousands of job opportunities that will be provided to Sudan for Sudanese youth. Al-Wassilah in general, and to the states in praised the level of strategic particular. He added that the project economic partnership between area of 481,000 acres, pointing out Qatar and Sudan, saying that that Qatar reclaimed 159,000 acres it is very strong and solid. according to the latest international He pointed out that Qatar agricultural specifications. He further assigns social responsibility added that the Nile River state will projects special priorities in its benefit from 640,000 feddans, an The president of Gambia, Adama Barrow, met with UN Advocate for investments in Sudan, including unprecedented event that opens the Prevention of Corruption HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri in Banjul the establishment of cities and up new areas of modernisation yesterday. The meeting focused on discussing a number of projects villages, the provision of services, of villages and pastures as well that the two sides can co-operate on, the most prominent of which and the development and as the establishment of new is to develop and build the capabilities of judges and prosecutors rehabilitation of infrastructure, as infrastructures such as roads, in Gambia, in order to enhance the independence of judiciary and well as the establishment of smart health, education and water the rule of law. The meeting was attended by Gambia’s Minister partnerships with communities to facilities with the introduction of Foreign Aff airs Mamadou Tangara, and Minister of Justice and Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani celebrating the milestone with Ooredoo Myanmar board members serve the macro-economy of the of the latest technologies in Attorney General Abubacarr Tambadou. and employees in Yangon. country and stimulate investors. agriculture to increase production.

Conservation experts attend QNL workshop in Oman QF opens access to reservation and conser- camera using diff erent lighting ners in Qatar and the region to Art Trail programme vation specialists learned sources and fi lters to acquire a preserve the rich cultural her- Pabout the latest best prac- selection of images, with each itage of Qatar and in libraries he latest edition of Qatar (Education City Mosque), which tices at a workshop organised in providing unique information throughout the Arab region, Foundations (QF) Art Trail featured a modern prayer rug Oman by Qatar National Library about the object under exami- and to raise awareness about Tprogramme is well under- exhibition that recently con- (QNL), in its role as IFLA’s Re- nation. Refl ectance spectros- the conservation of rare books, way, with the next tour set to take cluded. gional Preservation and Conser- copy is an eff ective technique manuscripts and documents.” place today, at the 2015 building Showcasing the work of stu- vation (PAC) Centre, and Unesco. in identifying pigments, and The workshop is part of a (QF headquarters). dents from QF partner university The three-day workshop was reveals information vital to pre- larger project working towards Open to the public, the tours, Virginia Commonwealth Univer- held from February 19 to 21 in serving historical items. preserving documentary her- which take place periodically sity School of the Arts in Qatar collaboration with the National “We are delighted that ex- itage in the Arab region by throughout the year, are led by QF (VCUarts Qatar), the exhibition Records and Archives Authority perts from across the Arab re- understanding the needs and art specialists and aim to show- was divided into two sections – in Oman, and was attended by gion attended the workshop and challenges of the relevant insti- case some of the artwork displayed the fi nalists of the VCUarts Qatar book and manuscript conser- learned about the latest skills tutions, and enhancing knowl- across Education City. Materials Library Modern Prayer vation specialists from Qatar, and tools for preserving histori- edge and information sharing. Catering to diff erent age Design Competition in 2017, Oman, Kuwait, Iran and other cal manuscripts. The session Abdul Mohsin bin Saeed The workshop in progress. groups and interests, the initia- and MFA in Design students and countries. is more important than ever, bin Sultan al-Hinai, director- tive strives to inspire creativity faculty members who attended The workshop, ‘Practical as the preservation of valuable general of the General Direc- acting head of the Preservation and colours, and their relevance among Qatar’s community, while a week-long workshop in the Methods for the Scientifi c Ex- heritage in the region is facing torate of Documentation at the Department at the National to technical examination of increasing artistic appreciation Netherlands in 2018. amination of Library Objects’, several challenges such as lim- National Records and Archives Records and Archives Author- documents, manuscripts and and awareness and also providing Rabab Abdulla, one of the exhib- focused on technical photogra- ited resources and lack of tech- Authority in Oman, said: “It ity in Oman, added: “The work- books.” opportunities for social interac- itors who took part in the workshop phy of heritage collections and nical expertise,” said Stephane is important that experts in shop covered the fundamentals QNL was selected as IFLA’s tion and discussion. in the Netherlands, said: “Art is a the technique of refl ectance Ipert, Preservation and Conser- this fi eld understand scientifi c of examining paper, including Regional PAC Centre in 2015, Previous tours organised form of communication, and the spectroscopy. vation manager at QNL. methods and modern skills to its decorations, illuminations and now supports libraries through the current edition of exhibition at Minaretein gave us an Technical photography rep- “The state-of-the-art digiti- preserve heritage in libraries and colours. It also focused on across the Mena region to safe- the Art Trail initiative have in- opportunity to show the public the resents a collection of images sation centre at Qatar National and museums.” developing technical skills re- guard documentary heritage in cluded Qatar National Library meaning and signifi cance of prayer taken with a modifi ed digital Library is working with part- Badriah bint Isa al-Nadabiah, lated to optical spectroscopy its diverse forms and formats. and the Minaretein Building rugs. (QNA)

QU organises ‘Open House Day’ for students

igh school students and During the event, exhibitions tunity for high school students to pate in the country’s labour market their parents from both showcased the various col- communicate directly with the after graduation”, the statement Hfemale and male schools leges and departments of serv- faculty members in diff erent dis- notes. in Qatar discovered opportunities ice at QU, thereby displaying to ciplines and colleges in order to All secondary schools in the and got a fi rst-hand feel for uni- high school students and their respond to their enquiries, orient country, including private schools versity life at Qatar University’s guardians the wide variety of them to university life, provide for boys and girls, were invited (QU) ‘Open House Day’. specialisations available at the support and facilities for students to attend as well as international The three-day event was or- university and the conditions of and create an encouraging learn- schools, in order to benefi t from all ganised by the Student Activity acceptance. ing environment, QU said in a the services that are provided. and Orientation Department in The Centre of Continuing Edu- statement. During the event, the app for QU from February 18 to 20, with cation and the Foundation pro- The ‘Open House Day’ “embod- the ‘Qarari campaign’ was shared. the fi rst day dedicated to male gramme at QU familiarised the ies one of the university’s most im- This is a mobile application that secondary schools and interna- students with dates related to portant messages to connect with raises awareness among youth of tional schools, and the remain- preparatory exams, which qualify the outside community and to at- the importance of selecting majors ing two days allocated to girls’ students for admission. tract as many national students as that fi t their literary and scientifi c During the event, the exhibition showcased the various colleges and departments of service at QU. schools. The event was also an oppor- possible to qualify them to partici- preferences. Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 3 QATAR/REGION ‘1980s Show a huge success in Qatar’: al-Ghanim

From Page 1 Kuwait not only have common accents and shared traditions She expressed the hope to but their relations goes deep present more music and cul- into the history with joint cul- ture shows in Qatar as part of ture and folk heritage, which following up the great success made it easy to convey its mes- of this show, and described the sage and take the audience on Qatari audiences as having fi ne a refreshing artistic journey of artistic taste which is very near fun, entertainment and nos- and similar to that of the Ku- talgic joy. He also praised the waiti people. well-organised and generous The audience, who attended reception of both the Qatari the show yesterday and the day public and the people in charge before, expressed their satis- of the organisation of the show faction and happiness about in Qatar. the featured scenes and the ‘The 1980s Show’ is part of musical rendition of the Ku- a series of Qatari and Kuwaiti waiti performance, stressing performances and culture that they have seen and heard festivities, conducted in both something unique that revived Kuwait and Qatar, as part of their good memories and gave Qatar taking part at Kuwait immense joy. National and Liberation Day, Jassim al-Qamiss, the direc- due to the high esteem the tor of the show, pointed out Qatari people have for Kuwait that the people of Qatar and and its people. A moment from ‘The 1980s Show’ performed at the QNCC. PICTURE: Nasar TK Forum off ers new insights into history of jewellery in Qatar, watch collecting he second edition of of the creative and practical Qatar Pearls: Treasures from the the Doha Jewellery and challenges facing emerging jew- Seas and the Rivers, as part of TWatches Exhibition ellery designers and the suc- the Qatar-Russia Year of Cul- (DJWE) Forum brought to- cesses in their careers so far. A ture. The exhibit told the story gether international jewellery graduate gemmologist born in of pearl fi shing in Qatar, drawing and watch designers, leading New York, Mardan creates fi ne parallels between the history of experts, as well as local and in- handmade jewellery. the pearl industry in Russia and ternational infl uencers for an Al-Sulaiti began her career in in Qatar. exciting programme of seminars jewellery design in 2007, when Off ering an international curated by acclaimed brands and she won her fi rst jewellery de- perspective on the successful international watches and jew- sign award. She is one of 12 lo- preservation of craftmanship, ellery experts and Qatar-based cal designers chosen to show- From Jaipur to the World, Tarang academics. case their collections under the Arora, Creative Director and This year’s DJWE Forum, held Young Qatari Designers (YQD) CEO of Amrapali Jewels, shared on Thursday, off ered 100 guests initiative, in a pavilion dedicated the journey of Amrapali Muse- an insider perspective with ses- to Qatari talent. um of Jewellery in Jaipur, India. sions on watch collecting, natu- Nawbar follows a long line of Arora said that while the journey ral pearls, the history of jewellery jewellers in her family history; of Amrapali Jewels had begun in Qatar, the infl uence of Indian she is now part of the Nawbar in Jaipur, their commitment to designs, and a session with Alex family’s fourth generation of sharing the country’s living cul- Popov, chairman of the World jewellers. The Nawbar jewellery ture, seen across its regions, rit- Diamond Museum. Qatari de- legacy was founded by Khalil uals and religions, has seen the signer and noted artist, Ahmed Nawbar in Beirut back in 1881. revival of older Indian aesthetics al-Obaidly, was the host and One of the key sessions in the in genres such as Tribal, Mughal, moderator of the Forum. Forum was the history of jew- Rajput, Temple etc, and has seen Al-Obaidly, also an offi cial of ellery making in Qatar with an them becoming recognisable Qatar National Tourism Council outstanding presentation by Dr across the world. The Amra- commented: “Since its launch, Jochen Sokoly, Professor of Is- pali Museum Collection is made One of the sessions at the DJWE Forum. the Doha Jewellery and Watches lamic Arts and Civilisation, and available for study and research Exhibition has been keen to de- Dr Najla Ismail, expert in Qatari to scholars, designers, travellers, velop events that enhance the jewellery at the Qatar National students and connoisseurs. It is status of the exhibition and its Museum. The speakers shared also the inspiration for the de- prestigious position within the their vision and specialised sign of the luxury jewels sold by international calendar of jewellery knowledge of art and architec- Amrapali Jewels in their stores in and watches. On the learning side ture of the Islamic world. India, Pakistan and the UK. and the exchange of experiences Local jewellery infl uencers Robert Punkenhofer, founder among diff erent pioneers, DJWE and designers were well-repre- of the hybrid agency ART&IDEA, has highlighted the country’s out- sented at the forum. Aisha Al- spoke on the legacy and crafts- standing talent and the history of fardan, prominent Qatari busi- manship of the Austrian lux- the pearl and jewellery industry nesswoman, and 24th on the ury watch brand Carl Suchy & in Qatar, as well as inspiring suc- Forbes list of the 50 Top Busi- Sohne. cess stories both locally and in- nesswomen in the Arab World, Punkerhofer successfully re- ternationally. We are thrilled to shared fascinating details about vived the 196-year old brand have hosted this outstanding elite her family’s collection of pearls in 2016 with the launch of Carl group of speakers from Qatar and – one of the largest private col- Suchy & Sohne Waltz No 1, a from across the world, and look lections of natural pearls in the striking timepiece that he co- forward to providing more in the world. The Alfardan family’s designed, with a dial that mim- coming years.” passion and expertise in pearls is ics the fi ne movement of a waltz Representing the new gen- widely known, and the family is and a striking guilloche design. eration of regional emerging frequently consulted by brands Punkerhofer credits a multidis- jewellery designers in a special and museums for advice. ciplinary approach to business session, “Young Jewellery De- Popov spoke about the collec- and a talented team of renown signers”, Qatari designer Nada tions of diamonds and diamond designers and watchmakers for al-Sulaiti (Hairaat Fine Jew- jewellery, including famous this success. His advice to up- A view of the audience at the DJWE Forum. ellery); Iraq designer, Rima stones housed at The World Dia- and-coming independent niche Mardan (Rima Mardan Fine Jew- mond Museum in Moscow, and brands was to focus on out- brands and models which drive their passion for watch collect- the technical achievements be- and designs from more than 500 ellery) and Dima Nawbar (Atelier their deep history and signifi - standing handcraft and daring the current vintage watch mar- ing, and encouraged watch col- hind each timepiece and the rich brands from over 10 countries. Nawbar) from Lebanon, revealed cance. He explained about the creativity. ket. He spoke on how collectors lectors to expand their knowl- history of the brand. For more information about the fascinating stories behind similar heritage shared by Qatar Geoff roy Ader, Artcurial’s in- perceive the value of watches, edge. The informative session Presented by QNTC and or- DJWE and its exclusive activi- the pieces they create, and where and Russia. In June 2018, the ternational expert on modern and the “nicknames” that are encouraged collectors or would- ganised by Auditoire, DJWE of- ties, and to pre-register for any they draw their inspiration from. World Diamond Museum hosted and vintage watches, gave at- given to timepieces. Members be collectors to engage with their fers visitors six days of exclusive of the workshops, visit: https:// Al-Sulaiti and Mardan spoke the highly acclaimed exhibition, tendees insights into the star of the Qatar Watch Club shared watch collections, to learn about experiences of craftsmanship djwe.qa/register-online/

CONFLICT Tehran starts drills to test cruise missile Nine killed, 13 hurt Iran yesterday began large- missiles and was launched last in war-torn Yemen scale naval drills at the mouth week. Iranian off icials in the past Watchdog says Iran adhering of the Gulf, which will feature its have threatened to block the Nine civilians were killed and at first submarine cruise missile Strait of Hormuz, a major oil least 13 wounded earlier this week launches, state media reported, shipping route, in retaliation for in attacks in the provinces of at a time of rising tensions with any hostile US action, includ- to terms of nuclear deal Hodeidah and Hajjah in war-torn the United States. ing attempts to halt Iranian Yemen, the UN said yesterday. In More than 100 vessels were oil exports through sanctions. Hodeidah, eight people were killed taking part in the three-day war US President Donald Trump AFP The IAEA’s latest report IAEA chief Yukiya Amano re- Haspel told a Senate hearing and 10 were wounded Tuesday games in a vast area stretching pulled out of an international Vienna showed that over the past jected pressure on the agency, that Iran was “technically” in when an artillery shell hit a market from the Strait of Hormuz to the agreement on Iran’s nuclear three-month period, Iran’s saying: “If our credibility is compliance with the JCPOA. to the west of the Tuhayta district, Indian Ocean, the state news programme last May and reim- stock of heavy water had thrown into question, and, The European Union — according to a statement by the agency IRNA reported. posed sanctions on Tehran. ran has been adhering to risen from 122.8 to 124.8 met- in particular, if attempts are along with the European sig- UN Off ice for the Co-ordination of “The exercise will cover He said the deal was flawed a deal with world pow- ric tonnes and that it held made to micro-manage or natories to the deal, collec- Humanitarian Aff airs. The statement confronting a range of threats, because it did not include curbs Iers limiting its nuclear 163.8kg of enriched uranium, put pressure on the Agency tively known as the E3 — have added that unconfirmed reports testing weapons, and evaluating on Iran’s development of ballistic programme, the UN atomic up from 149.4kg in Novem- in nuclear verification, that is been scrambling to find ways indicated a woman was killed and the readiness of equipment and missiles or its support for prox- watchdog said yesterday, as ber. Both levels are within the counter-productive and ex- to keep the deal alive, last three children injured the next personnel,” navy commander ies. Iran has expanded its missile diplomatic wrangling contin- limits foreseen by the JCPOA. tremely harmful.” month setting up a special day when a house was hit in the Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, programme, particularly its ues over the future of the ac- Last week, European na- In May, US President payments vehicle to bypass northern province of Hajjah. “These said in remarks carried by state ballistic missiles. Iran launched cord. tions rejected a call from US Donald Trump dramatically US sanctions. attack are unconscionable,” said the television. “Submarine missile its domestically made destroyer The latest report from the Vice President Mike Pence to withdrew from the JCPOA. However, while Iran ini- UN’s humanitarian co-ordinator for launches will be carried out... in Sahand in December, which International Atomic Energy follow the US lead in with- This was followed by sweep- tially welcomed the creation Yemen, Lise Grande. “The country addition to helicopter and drone off icials say has radar-evading Agency confirmed that Iran drawing from the Iranian nu- ing new American sanctions of the vehicle — called INS- is facing the worst food security launches from the deck of the stealth properties. The USS was still complying with the clear deal. on Iran in November. TEX — as a “first step”, last crisis in the world and yet the killing Sahand destroyer,” Khanzadi John C Stennis entered the Gulf 2015 Joint Comprehensive Israel has welcomed the Trump’s own intelligence week Iranian Foreign Minis- continues. Parties to the conflict are said. State media said Iran would in December, ending a long Plan of Action (JCPOA) with US withdrawal from the chiefs have contradicted him ter Mohamed Javad Zarif said obliged to do everything possible be testing its new domestically absence of US aircraft carriers in global powers under which deal, claiming that Iran is over the question of Iran’s that the mechanism “falls to protect civilians.” The statement built Fateh (Conqueror) subma- the strategic waterway. Tehran drastically scaled harbouring a secret atomic adherence to the deal. short of the commitments said there have been 271 civilian rine which is armed with cruise back its nuclear programme warehouse. Without naming Last month Central Intel- by the E3 to save the nuclear casualties, between January 1 and in return for sanctions relief. specific countries, in January ligence Agency Director Gina deal”. February 14 in Yemen. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, February 23, 2019 AFRICA/ARAB WORLD Syrian Kurds evacuate civilians from IS redoubt

Trump in troop reversal; Move could encourage Europeans to keep forces in Syria: official

Reuters Near Baghouz/Erbil

urdish-led forces in Syria said they would complete Kthe evacuation of thou- sands of civilians from Islamic State’s last redoubt in the area yesterday, and welcomed a White House reversal of President Don- ald Trump’s decision to pull out all US troops. With Washington’s allies poised for victory against Islamic State fi ghters making a fi nal stand in a pocket near the Iraqi border, the White House announced plans on Thursday to keep “a small peace- keeping force” of 200 troops in Syria. The announcement partially reversed Trump’s abrupt decision in December to withdraw the en- tire 2,000-strong US contingent, which had alarmed Washington’s Kurdish allies and prompted De- fence Secretary Jim Mattis to quit. Women and children who fled the Islamic State (IS) group’s last embattled holdout of Baghouz wait to evacuate the area in northern Deir Ezzor province. An administration offi cial later put the total number of troops to group, which ruled around a third all the civilians, at any moment litia as a national security threat. ropean allies would contribute stay at 400, split between a safe of both Iraq and Syria at its self- we will take the decision to storm “We evaluate the White House troops, or whether the force would zone being negotiated for north- proclaimed Caliphate’s height Baghouz or force the terrorists to decision...positively,” Abdulkarim be able to secure the area. eastern Syria and a US military four years ago. surrender,” said Bali. Omar, co-chair of foreign rela- “Even if 200 troops remain and base at Tanf, near the border with Reporters near the front line Though the fall of Baghouz tions in the region held by the US- the US decides to continue claim- Iraq and Jordan. at Baghouz saw dozens of trucks would mark a milestone in the backed SDF told Reuters. ing the airspace, it’s not clear Although the US contingent leaving loaded with civilians, and campaign against Islamic State, “This decision may encourage whether that would convince would now be small, the offi cial empty ones driving inside accom- the militant group is still seen other European states, particu- Britain, France and other partners indicated that the 200 troops in panied by fi ghters from the Syrian as a security threat, using guer- larly our partners in the interna- to stay — and whether that could the northweast would be part of a Democratic Forces (SDF) militia. rilla tactics and still holding some tional coalition against terrorism, keep the Syrian regime out of the wider commitment of about 800- Mustafa Bali, an SDF spokes- territory in a remote area west of to keep forces in the region,” Omar northeast for now, or Turkey, or an 1,500 troops also drawn from Eu- man, said the evacuation would be the Euphrates River. The battle added. “I believe that keeping a IS resurgence.” ropean allies to set up and observe completed yesterday, with thou- against Islamic State in the area number of American troops and a The Kurds, who want to pre- a safe zone. sands of civilians still inside the has taken place since December in larger number of (other) coalition serve the autonomy they have Kurdish leaders suggested the pocket from an estimated 7,000 the shadow of Trump’s abrupt de- troops, with air protection, will carved out, have made overtures to US troop decision could have a at the start of the day, though by cision to withdraw all US troops, play a role in securing stability and President Bashar al-Assad, urging large impact on the fate of the area, nightfall it was unclear if it had which raised doubt about the fu- protecting the region too.” government forces to deploy at the preventing a security vacuum. been completed. ture of the fi ghters that had served The SDF’s top commander ear- borders as Washington withdraws. Washington could keep control More than 20,000 civilians have as US allies on the ground. lier this week called for 1,000 to The US decision may strength- of the air space and European al- left Baghouz in recent weeks, ac- The Kurdish-led authorities 1,500 international troops to re- en the Kurds’ hand. “I believe that lies could complement the force cording to previous SDF estimates. in the north welcomed the White main in Syria to help fi ght Islamic these forces in this region...will be with more troops. The US-led coalition which House reversal. State and expressed hope Wash- a motivation, an incentive and also The planned assault on the fi nal supports the SDF has said Islamic They had feared that a total ington would halt Trump’s plans a means of pressure on Damascus Islamic State redoubt in the area, State’s “most hardened fi ghters” US withdrawal would leave their for a total pullout. to try seriously to have a dialogue Baghouz, would eff ectively end are holed up inside. area exposed to attack by Turkey, A Western diplomat said it re- to resolve the Syrian crisis,” Omar the territorial rule of the militant “If we succeed in evacuating which sees the main Kurdish mi- mained to be seen whether Eu- said.

DEMONSTRATION Thousands protest Bouteflika’s Troop fi re kills Palestinian teenager re-election bid Thousands of people in cities AFP grenades, incendiary devices and stones to- across Algeria marched yesterday Gaza City wards Israeli soldiers, an army spokesperson to protest against President Ab- said. delaziz Bouteflika’s plan to seek a Israeli forces “responded with anti-riot fifth term and police used tear gas Palestinian teenager was killed yester- means and shot according to the operational to disperse crowds in the capital. day by Israeli fi re during clashes along procedures,” they said. The 81-year-old Bouteflika, in off ice Athe Gaza border, the Hamas-run health At least 251 Palestinians have been killed by since 1999, will contest the April ministry in the enclave said. Israeli fi re since March 2018, the majority shot 18 presidential election despite Yussef al-Daya, 14, was hit in the chest to the during weekly border protests and others hit concerns over his health. He has east of Gaza City, ministry spokesman Ashraf A woman helps a Palestinian boy after by tank fi re or air strikes. been seen in public only a handful al-Qudra said. inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli troops during Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the of times since suff ering a stroke Around 30 other Palestinians were wounded a protest at the border fence, yesterday. same period. in 2013. “No to Bouteflika and no by Israeli fi re in rallies along the frontier, he Israeli has fought three wars with Gaza’s to Said,” a crowd chanted while added. the border, without commenting on the teen- rulers Hamas since 2008 and the enclave has marching through the centre of The Israeli army said around 8,000 Pales- ager’s death. been under a crippling blockade for more than Algiers. The president’s youngest tinians demonstrated at various points along The protesters set tyres ablaze and threw a decade. brother Said Bouteflika is a presi- dential adviser. Reuters journalists filmed riot police firing tear gas over a crowd that ran to escape.

TRAGEDY Buhari promises security for Death toll from SA coal mine blast climbs to 18 delayed presidential election The death toll from a gas explosion that occurred at disused South African coal mine on February 3 Reuters rity offi cials told Reuters that an rose to 18 after rescuers recovered Abuja/Maiduguri attack in Borno on a governor’s 13 more bodies, police said yester- convoy on route to an election day. The disaster occurred at Gloria rally on Feb 12 was deadlier than coal mine, located near the town of resident Muhamadu Buhari the government had said. Middelburg in the eastern province yesterday urged Nigerians Yesterday, police patrol vehicles of Mpumalanga. More than 20 peo- P“to go out and vote”, prom- were seen moving around Borno’s ple went into the mine, reputedly to ising that there would be adequate capital Maiduguri. Electoral com- steal copper cables. security for today’s postponed mission vehicles were also seen election that pits him in a tight ferrying election material under race with businessman Atiku heavy police guard. “I think eve- UNREST Abubakar. rybody has to be concerned about Bashir declares The Independent National the security... it is something that Electoral Commission (INEC) an- A man tries to run away from a rickety road side shop as cars are set it worries people,” James Jatto, a emergency nounced a week’s delay to voting on fire following deadly clashes between supporters of the ruling All pastor in Maiduguri said. For Ali across Sudan in the early hours of last Saturday, Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Gwarfa, an internally displaced just as some of Nigeria’s 72.8mn Party (PDP) at Kofa in Bebeji district of Kano, yesterday. person in Bakassi camp in Mai- Sudanese President Omar al- eligible voters were preparing to duguri, said he was preparing to Bashir declared a nationwide go to polling stations. vice president who is represent- faces a close contest against Atiku cast his vote in a nearby centre state of emergency yesterday and In a televised morning address ing the main opposition People’s to lead a country that has Africa’s despite the insecurity. “We must dissolved the government, in an on the eve of the vote, Buhari Democratic Party (PDP), made a largest economy and is its top oil go and vote for the candidates of eff ort to quell weeks of demonstra- asked Nigerians to “cast aside similar appeal to voters through his producer, but is plagued by cor- our choice,” Gwarfa said. tions that have rocked his rule doubt and have faith that INEC Twitter feed on Thursday night. ruption and insecurity. The Boko Acting Inspector General of Po- of three decades. “I announce will rise to the occasion” today. “This Saturday, a vote for PDP is a Haram militant group and its off - lice Mohamed Adamu said police imposing a state of emergency “Do not be afraid of rumours of vote to get Nigeria working again. shoot, Islamic State in West Africa would ensure security at the polls. across the country for one year,” violence and unrest. Our security Come out, vote and #DefendY- Province, have carried out deadly In President Buhari’s hometown Bashir said in a televised address agencies have worked diligently ourVote,” Atiku said in a tweet ac- sporadic raids in the northeast’s of Daura in northern Nigeria, an to the nation. “I announce dissolv- to ensure that adequate security companied by a video of his rallies. Borno state. election offi cial, Saeed Ahmed, ing the government at the federal measures are in place,” he said. Buhari, a former military ruler who Boko Haram has warned people said electoral materials were be- level and at the provincial levels,” Buhari’s rival Atiku, a former was later elected president in 2015, not to vote. Witnesses and secu- ing transferred to polling stations. he added. Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 5 AMERICAS

Father of US-born woman who joined IS sues over citizenship North Carolina AFP However, it said that the State Washington Department accepted a letter from the US mission to the Unit- ed Nations that affi rmed that he he father of an Alabama had ended his position before his woman who joined the daughter’s birth and granted her TIslamic State (IS) group in a passport. Syria is suing to bring her home The lawsuit said that Hoda orders new poll after the Trump administration Muthana was also entitled to took the extraordinary step of citizenship due to her mother AFP/DPA/Reuters they tainted the results of the ty in the district where mail-in State Republicans said they declaring that she was not a US as she became a US permanent Washington entire election and cast doubt ballots favoured the Republican. respected Harris’s decision to citizen. resident, anticipating the loss of on its fairness,” Board of Elec- The seat, one of 13 represent- resolve a “tremendously diffi - Hoda Muthana (pictured diplomatic status, in July 1994. tions chairman Bob Cordle said, ing North Carolina in the US cult situation”. right), 24, says that she regrets She furtively went to Syria in orth Carolina offi cials according to news reports. House of Representatives, has “The people of North Caro- joining the extremists and is 2014 when the IS group was car- have ordered a new con- “It certainly was a tainted been vacant since the new Con- lina deserve nothing less than willing to face prosecution in the rying out a grisly campaign of Ngressional election after election,” he said. “The people gress was sworn in last month. the full confi dence and trust United States over her incendi- beheadings and mass rape and the contest – the last undecided of North Carolina deserve a fair North Carolina law requires in the electoral system,” party ary propaganda on behalf of the turned to social media to praise race in the US House of Rep- election.” that a new primary nominating chairman Robin Hayes said in a ruthless but dwindling group. the killings of Westerners. resentatives – was tainted by McCready hailed the move election also be conducted in statement. A day after President Donald Justice Department fi nds appro- Secretary of State Mike Pom- fraud accusations. as “a great step forward for de- the district, which covers parts Cases of outright US electoral Trump declared on Twitter that priate and necessary,” said the peo, who was named in the law- The southeastern state’s mocracy in North Carolina”. of Charlotte and the southeast fraud are rare despite Trump’s he had issued orders to bar her, lawsuit fi led with the US District suit along with Trump, in a terse board of elections voted to hold In earlier testimony, Har- of the state. claims following the 2016 presi- Muthana’s father fi led an emer- Court in Washington. “She sim- statement on Wednesday said a new House race in the 9th Dis- ris had maintained that he was Republicans have held the dential election that “millions” gency lawsuit asking a federal ply requires the assistance of her that Hoda Muthana was not a trict after Republican candidate unaware of any absentee ballot seat since 1963. of people had voted illegally. court to affi rm that his daughter government in facilitating that citizen. Mark Harris, who is accused of tampering, and had suggested Democrats seized control of Earlier, Harris said he had is a US citizen and let her re- return for herself and her young Pompeo did not outline the le- hiring an operative involved in that there was a Democratic plot the US House in January fol- known Dowless was going door turn along with her toddler son, son.” gal rationale but in an interview an absentee ballot tampering afoot to deny him a seat in Con- lowing the November 2018 mid- to door on the candidate’s behalf whose father was a Tunisian re- In the lawsuit, Ahmed Ali on Thursday, asked if the key is- scheme, dramatically reversed gress. terms, dealing a major blow to to help voters obtain absentee ligious extremist who was killed Ahmed said that he was asked sue was that her father had been course and called for a new vote. On Wednesday his own son Republican President Donald ballots, a process that is legal. in battle. by Yemen to surrender his dip- a diplomat, Pompeo said, “That’s Harris leads Democrat Dan John Harris, a federal prosecu- Trump’s ability to push his leg- Harris said Dowless assured The brewing legal battle hing- lomatic identity card on June 2, right.” McCready by 905 votes in un- tor, testifi ed that he had warned islative agenda through Con- him he would not collect the es on the murky timeline of bu- 1994 as the Arab country de- “She may have been born here. certifi ed returns in the district. his father about hiring the op- gress. ballots from the voters, which reaucratic paperwork in 1994 scended into one of its civil wars. She is not a US citizen, nor is she “It’s become clear to me that erative, McCrae Dowless. The outcome of the new elec- would violate state law. when Muthana was born and her Hoda Muthana was born in entitled to US citizenship,” Pom- the public’s confi dence in the “In weighing it out, I did not tion will have no impact on the However, residents of at least father, Ahmed Ali Muthana, left New Jersey on October 28 of that peo told NBC television’s Today 9th District seat general elec- consider John’s to be a warning Democrats’ newly-won major- two counties in the district said a position at Yemen’s mission to year and the family later settled show. tion has been undermined to that this was a problem,” the ity in the chamber. Dowless and his paid workers the United Nations. in Hoover, Alabama, a prosper- In a separate interview with an extent that a new election elder Harris said. “I just be- It is unclear whether Harris, collected incomplete absentee The US Constitution grants ous suburb of Birmingham. the Fox Business Network, is warranted,” Harris told the lieved he was over-reacting.” 52, will run again. ballots and, in some instances, citizenship to everyone born in The State Department initial- Pompeo dismissed the “heart- board of elections. According to press reports, He told the board he was re- falsely signed as witnesses and the country – with the exception ly questioned Hoda Muthana’s strings” pitch in Muthana’s pleas The fi ve-member panel said Dowless was responsible for the covering from an infection last fi lled in votes for contests left of children of diplomats, as they right to citizenship when her to return home. it voted unanimously for a new collection of incomplete absen- month that led to sepsis and blank, according to testimony at are not under US jurisdiction. father sought a passport for her “This is a woman who infl icted election and will set the date at tee ballots from voters in at least two strokes, and said his illness the hearing. “Upon her return to the United as a child because US records enormous risk on American sol- a subsequent meeting. one county. led to memory lapses during the Harris campaign offi cials said States, Mr Muthana’s daughter is showed he had been a diplomat diers, on American citizens. She “It appears to me the irregu- Harris reportedly won 61% hearing that made him realise he they did not pay Dowless to do prepared and willing to surrender until February 1995, the lawsuit is a terrorist. She’s not coming larities and improprieties oc- of the absentee ballots in rural was not prepared for the “rig- anything illegal, and Dowless to any charges the United States said. back,” he said. curred to such an extent that Bladen County – the only coun- ours” of the proceeding. maintained his innocence.

Canada’s House Democrats launch resolution top civil to stop Trump border emergency servant DPA Some Republican senators said, referring to the text of the terday included a visit to the Washington have voiced concern over the constitution. US-Mexico border, also said rejects president’s declaration, mean- She added that Trump is “dis- Trump’s claim that there is a cri- ing that the measure could pass honouring the offi ce in which he sis at the border is false. emocrats in the US House in the upper chamber and set serves” with the declaration. Representative Joaquin Cas- media of Representatives have up the possibility that Trump Pelosi told reporters on a con- tro, sponsor of the resolution, Dmoved forward with a would veto it. ference call that the resolution said that Trump’s emergency resolution to block US President House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be put up for a vote in the declaration is an “unconstitu- claims Donald Trump’s declaration of a said yesterday that she and oth- House early next week and pre- tional power grab” and an at- national emergency, calling it an er lawmakers who support the dicted it would pass in the Dem- tempt to undermine the judici- unconstitutional “power grab”. resolution are taking the action ocrat-controlled chamber, add- ary and the legislative branches. Pelosi: We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution AFP The resolution has garnered to uphold and protect the Con- ing that she hopes it will receive “This is a historic power grab and defend our system of checks and balances against the Ottawa overwhelming support from stitution. bipartisan support. and it will require historic unity,” president’s assault. Democrats in the House, but its “The president’s declaration She said she has written a let- Castro said on the call. chances in the Republican-con- clearly violates Congress’ exclu- ter to all members of the House The resolution so far has The declaration came as Trump made building a wall anada’s top bureaucrat trolled Senate are unclear. sive power of the purse,” Pelosi urging them to support the reso- more than 220 supporters in the Trump agreed to spending leg- along the border one of his top has slammed accusations lution. 435-member House, but only islation that averted a second campaign promises. Cof political interference “The president’s decision to one Republican is among them, government shutdown. He maintains that it is neces- in the prosecution of engineer- go outside the bounds of the he said. The bills included about sary to stop illegal immigration, ing giant SNC-Lavalin as false law to try to get what he failed If the resolution makes it to $1.375bn dollars to build border crime and drugs. and defamatory, while warning to achieve in the constitutional Trump’s desk, it could lead to a barriers, but that was far less Trump tweeted a photo of a that heated discourse over the legislative process violates the veto, which would be the fi rst of than Trump sought. construction site on Thursday, bombshell risked inciting vio- Constitution and must be ter- his administration, and it likely Trump intends to use ex- saying that the wall already is lence. minated,” Pelosi said, quoting would be sustained. ecutive action and the national being built. Privy Council Clerk Michael the letter. Trump set the stage for the emergency declaration to free up “We have just built this pow- Wernick said a Globe and Mail “We have a solemn responsi- constitutional clash when he more money to build hundreds erful Wall in New Mexico,” article that touched off a po- bility to uphold the Constitution declared a national emergency of kilometres of barriers on the Trump said on Twitter. “Com- litical fi restorm and the resigna- and defend our system of checks last week, saying that it was southern frontier. pleted on January 30, 2019 – 47 tions of a cabinet minister and and balances against the presi- necessary because the situation Some of the money is to come days ahead of schedule! Many Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Trump: We have just built this powerful wall in New Mexico ... many dent’s assault,” she continued. at the US-Mexico border re- from the Pentagon’s construc- miles more now under con- top adviser “contains errors, miles more now under construction! Pelosi, whose agenda yes- quires construction of a wall. tion budget and drug forfeitures. struction!” unfounded speculation and, in some cases, is simply defama- tory”. Testifying before the House of Commons justice committee looking into the meddling al- Smollett dropped from Empire Judge issues gag order on former legations, he also warned about the increasingly negative tone of current political discourse sur- Reuters Trump adviser Roger Stone rounding the matter. Los Angeles “I worry about the rising tide of incitements to violence when AFP again(st) Hillary Clinton and people use terms like treason ox is cutting Jussie Smol- Washington incarcerated Paul Manafort and traitor in open discourse,” lett’s character from its prior to his conviction for any he said. Fpopular hip-hop drama crime”. “Those are the words that lead Empire after the actor was ar- n angry US judge has is- During Thursday’s hearing, to assassination,” he said. “I’m rested and accused of staging a sued a gag order on Rog- Stone apologised to the judge worried that somebody is going hoax hate crime attack on him- Aer Stone after the former for what he called a “stupid lack to be shot in this country this self, show offi cials said yester- adviser to Donald Trump post- of judgment” and appeared to year during the (upcoming) po- day. ed a picture of her on Instagram blame an unnamed assistant for litical campaign.” The move came a day after with crosshairs in the back- the off ensive Instagram post. For weeks, Trudeau’s govern- the 36-year-old was charged ground. “I am kicking myself for my ment has been rocked by allega- with lying to Chicago police Stone, 66, is charged with ly- own stupidity, but not more tions that undue pressure was about the allegedly staged in- ing to Congress, witness tam- than my wife is kicking me,” he Stone: apologised. put on former attorney general cident, in which he said two pering and obstruction stem- said. Jody Wilson-Raybould for an masked men beat him and slung ming from his contacts with Jackson was having none of He is the sixth campaign as- out-of-court settlement with a noose around his neck while This picture taken on Thursday shows Smollett leaving Cook WikiLeaks, which published it, and after saying his apology sociate of Trump indicted by SNC-Lavalin. yelling racist and homophobic County jail after posting bond. Russian-hacked communica- rings “quite hollow”, she or- Mueller’s team. The Montreal-based fi rm was abuse. tions from Democrat Hillary dered him not to communicate Stone, who launched his ca- charged in 2015 with corruption Smollett’s character, Jamal co-creators and producers said hoped the incident would ad- Clinton’s camp during the 2016 publicly about the case any- reer as a campaign aide to Ri- for allegedly bribing offi cials in Lyon, will be removed from the in a statement. “While these vance his career and secure him election campaign. more. chard Nixon and has a tattoo on Libya between 2001 and 2011 to fi nal two episodes of the current allegations are very disturb- a higher salary. Stone has pleaded not guilty Stone left court without his back of the fi rst US presi- secure government contracts season of Empire, according to ing, we are placing our trust in Detectives interviewed more to the charges, which resulted speaking to reporters. dent to resign from offi ce, has during former strongman Mua- 20th Century Fox Television, the legal system as the process than 100 people, reviewed foot- from Special Counsel Robert Jackson had imposed a partial spent decades advising Repub- mmar Gaddafi ’s reign. which said it wanted to avoid plays out.” age from more than 55 surveil- Mueller’s investigation into gag order on Stone last week, lican political campaigns. It lobbied the government, “further disruption” on the set Lawyers for Smollett did not lance cameras, and executed whether the president’s cam- telling him not to speak to the His association with Trump including senior offi cials in Tru- of the show. respond to a request for com- more than 50 search warrants paign colluded with Russia. media or make public state- dates back to 1979, and he was deau’s offi ce, for an out-of-court Smollett faces up to three ment. during the investigation. Stone was ordered to appear ments around the courthouse one of the fi rst to enlist when settlement that would include years in prison if convicted in According to court docu- Offi cials did not spell out how in court by US District Court or in its immediate vicinity. the billionaire real estate mag- paying a fi ne and agreeing to put the case, which has become ments, the black and openly gay Smollett had hoped to boost his Judge Amy Berman Jackson af- Stone’s court appearances nate launched his run for the in place compliance measures. fodder for the culture wars that actor wrote a personal cheque salary by staging such a hoax. ter he posted the infl ammatory have been rowdy aff airs featur- presidency in 2015. However, Wilson-Raybould have roiled the United States for $3,500 to two brothers and A judge set bail at $100,000 picture of her on his Instagram ing supporters and opponents Stone left the campaign refused to ask prosecutors to since Donald Trump’s 2016 gave them $100 to buy the rope, on Thursday and ordered Smol- account several days ago. and a large media contingent. months later but the indict- settle with the company, and the election. ski masks, gloves and red base- lett to surrender his passport. A caption accompanying Stone pleaded not guilty in ment shows he remained in trial is set to proceed. “The events of the past few ball caps that were used in the He was released after paying the image said Jackson was an federal court in Washington active communication with Earlier this month she quit weeks have been incredibly supposed attack on January 29. 10% of the bail amount as stip- “Obama appointed Judge who last month to the seven charges Trump’s team, providing sup- Trudeau’s cabinet. emotional for all of us,” Empire’s Police said that Smollett ulated by the judge. dismissed the Benghazi charges against him. port and information. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, February 23, 2019 ASIA

Frenchman Cambodia placed on global arrested for fl ying drone remanded money laundering watchlist in custody Reuters The FATF is an inter-gov- ment” to address the problem. the FATF said in the report, This month, the EU began a has also faced criticism for muz- Jakarta ernmental organisation that The FATF listing comes as adding: formal, 18-month process that zling the media and free speech. underpins the fi ght against Cambodia faces the loss of pref- “Cambodia has made mini- could result in Cambodia los- The EU is Cambodia’s larg- AFP money laundering and terrorist erential trade treatment from mal use of fi nancial intelligence ing its access to the EU’s “eve- est trading partner, accounting Naypyidaw, Myanmar global money laundering fi nancing. the European Union due to in investigating ML/TF.” rything but arms” trade regime, for 45% of its exports in 2018. watchdog placed Cam- A spokesman for Cambodia’s concerns over its human rights The Cambodian Financial which allows the world’s poor Clothing factories there employ Abodia on its watchlist Ministry of Economy and Fi- record. Intelligence Unit did not su- countries to sell goods, other about 700,000 workers, and French tourist facing up yesterday because of concern nance said he could not com- Cambodia’s inclusion on the pervise its booming casino and than weapons, tariff -free into garments are a large share of to three years in prison for the country, which has never ment on the FATF issue and re- list follows an FATF “mutual real estate sectors, long identi- the 28-member bloc. exports to the bloc worth some Afl ying a drone near Myan- prosecuted a money laundering ferred questions to the National evaluation report” on its poli- fi ed by organisations such as the The EU warned Cambodia 4.9bn euros. mar’s parliament was remanded case, is vulnerable to the con- Bank of Cambodia, which did cies to counter money launder- United Nations Offi ce on Drugs that it could lose the special sta- According to the FATF, there in custody yesterday after a fi rst cealment of illegally acquired not immediately respond to an ing (ML) and terrorism fi nanc- and Crime as highly exposed to tus last year after Prime Minis- are 12 countries on the list. court appearance. money. e-mail request for comment. ing (TF) conducted in 2017. money laundering by organised ter Hun Sen’s ruling party won North Korea and Iran are Frenchman Arthur Desclaux, Cambodia inclusion on a FATF president Marshall Bill- The report contained several crime groups. all of the seats in parliament in listed under a tougher regime, 27, was detained February 7 in “grey list” drawn up by the ingslea said Cambodia had “sig- damning fi ndings and observa- Cambodia had been removed a general election. known as the “black list”, which Naypyitaw and faces charges un- Financial Action Task Force nifi cant defi ciencies”. tions, including that no money from the FATF “grey list” in 2015. The main opposition party calls on states to take active der an export-import law. (FATF) could curtail interna- “It really runs the gamut,” laundering case had ever been A more restricted fi nancial was outlawed and its leader ar- countermeasures against them, Myanmar has tight restric- tional fi nancial, investment he told reporters, though add- prosecuted in Cambodia. environment comes as Cambo- rested before the vote. including in the case of North tions on drone usage in the coun- and trade fl ows to and from the ed that Cambodia had made a Cambodia’s judicial system dia is also facing the prospect of Hun Sen’s government, who Korea limiting or prohibiting try – especially at religious and Southeast Asian country. “high-level political commit- had “high levels of corruption”, tougher trade conditions. has ruled Cambodia since 1985, fi nancial transactions. government sites. Desclaux will return to court in fi ve days for his next hearing. “Today we regret that he is still in prison, we were hoping for a quick solution,” French embassy consul Frederic Inza said. Mass funerals for “It is hoped that the next hear- ing on the 27th will settle his sit- uation and have him released.” Three journalists and their driver spent two months in jail Dhaka fi re victims in 2017 after being nabbed with a drone outside the sprawling AFP district in southwest Bang- walked, rode in rickshaws or parliament complex. Dhaka ladesh, where funerals were ate in local restaurants. Dozens Journalists Lau Hon Meng quickly organised. were injured, including nine from Singapore and Mok Choy Special prayers were also said listed in critical condition. Lin from Malaysia were making ass funerals were held at Friday prayers in mosques The disaster was a repeat of a documentary for Turkish state yesterday for victims across the country. a June 2010 fi re in the nearby broadcaster TRT when they were Mof a devastating fi re Police forensic experts were neighbourhood of Nimtoli in detained in October 2017 along in Dhaka – fuelled by illegally brought in to carry out DNA which 123 people were killed. with Myanmar reporter Aung stored chemicals – that killed tests on at least 21 other bodies Again a blaze ripped through Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin. nearly 70 people, as investiga- burned beyond recognition. residential buildings that dou- Expecting to receive a fi ne, tors revealed that an even bigger The discovery of the huge bled as chemical warehouses. they confessed to fl ying the disaster was narrowly avoided. consignment of drums raised While a criminal inquiry has drone over parliament but were Hundreds of chemical drums new fears about the extent of been launched, authorities faced instead sentenced to two months were found in the basement of one the deadly danger in store- diffi cult questions over why ac- in prison under Myanmar’s of fi ve blocks engulfed by the in- rooms across the labyrinthine tion promised after the Nimtoli aircraft act. ferno in the Bangladesh capital’s Chawkbazar district. disaster was not carried out. historic Chawkbazar district. “We were just lucky,” said na- Dhaka Mayor Sayeed Khokon “A huge bomb” would have tional fi re chief Ali Ahmed. vowed to launch a new crack- People pray for the victims of a fire in Dhaka yesterday. gone off had the fi re spread to “The whole neighbourhood down and move chemical ware- the basement, according to Me- would have been engulfed if houses from residential build- possible task as a 2015 survey turn a blind eye to the stores. sages of the buildings are very hedi Hasan Ansary, a professor the fi re had reached the chemi- ings to an industrial area outside found that most of the residen- “We have sent letters of warn- narrow,” he said. Lanka’s at an elite engineering universi- cals in the basement. It would the capital. tial buildings in old Dhaka were ing many times. But nothing The fi re prompted angry ty who is a member of an offi cial have been like a bomb and the “We will sit with law enforce- being used as warehouses. happened. If these buildings con- reactions in newspapers. probe committee. building would have collapsed,” ment agencies, do our home- “We conducted the survey tinued to be used as chemical The Daily Star highlighted fi rst satellite “The impact would have been Ahmed said. work and then launch the drive,” in 1,300 buildings in one ward warehouses, there will be repeat how action to move the chemi- devastating,” he said. The fi re is believed to have been he said, promising to start the and found that 70% are used as of this tragedy,” said Zulfi ker Rah- cals had been promised after the City authorities said 46 bod- started late Wednesday by a gas crackdown by next month. godowns (storage warehouses). man, a fi re department director. “Nimtoli fi asco”. set for April ies from a disaster that saw vic- cylinder explosion which quickly A building would be sealed Of these, 80% are chemical Rahman also said the fi ve “As we have just found out, tims burned alive by fi reballs in spread to at least fi ve buildings. off if one of 29 types of highly warehouses,” he said. buildings devastated this time nothing much has happened the street have been identifi ed Victims were burned alive by infl ammable chemicals were Residents said chemical stor- did not have basic fi re safety and hundreds of families have launch and handed over to families for exploding canisters that sent found, he added. age is a lucrative business in Old protection. lost their loved ones because burial. fi reballs into the streets, smoth- Ansary, however, said city Dhaka where building owners “They did not have fi re extin- the Nimtoli fi re has disappeared IANS Many were from Noakhali ering people in fl ames as they authorities faced a near-im- allegedly bribe authorities to guishers, the exit and entry pas- from collective memory.” Colombo

ri Lanka will launch its fi rst satellite into space in April, Aerial view Smarking its entry into the Lanka economic growth slowest space age, an offi cial has said. To be named Raavana-1, it is a research satellite built by two in 17 years: central bank chief Sri Lankan students from the University of Peradeniya and AFP showdown was only ended by well in the last few months,” the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Colombo the Supreme Court in Decem- Coomaraswamy told report- Modern Technologies. ber when it held that Sirisena’s ers. “But businessmen have It was designed and built at actions were unconstitutional concerns about political the Kyushu Institute of Technol- political crisis in Sri and illegal. stability.” ogy in Japan and is 1,000 cubic Lanka last year led to The bank governor said During the crisis, three in- cm in size and weighs 1.1kg, Xin- Athe slowest economic he expected better growth in ternational credit rating agen- hua news agency reported. expansion in 17 years, the 2019 as the outfl ow of foreign cies downgraded the country’s According to the Sri Lankan central bank said yesterday. capital had reversed. debt, making it more expensive media, Raavana-1 was handed Growth for 2018 was cut “All in all, we are in a better to borrow abroad. over to the Japan Aerospace Ex- from a forecast above 5% to place this year,” he said, warn- Sri Lanka had to abandon ploration Agency on February about 3% because of damage ing however that there could plans to raise loans abroad. 18 and will be launched to the to the economy from a confl ict be fi scal slippage because the An International Monetary International Space Station on between the president and government was likely to off er Fund programme was also April 17, through the assistance prime minister, Central Bank sweeteners to the people during suspended, though the gov- of Cygnus-1, an US spacecraft. of Sri Lanka governor Indra- a presidential election this year. ernment has opened talks to It is expected to fulfi l fi ve mis- jith Coomaraswamy said. Coomaraswamy noted that revive the three-year $1.5bn sions, including capturing pic- President Maithripala Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court bail-out which began in 2016. tures of Sri Lanka and its sur- Sirisena sacked Prime Minister had demonstrated its inde- The 2018 growth compares rounding regions. Ranil Wickremesinghe in Oc- pendence underscoring that with 3.1% in 2017 when the coun- Raavana-1 is expected to orbit This aerial photo taken from a hot air balloon shows a hot air balloon flying over traditional houses tober and dissolved parliament key institutions functioned try faced the twin eff ects of a 400km away from earth and will on stilts on Inle lake in Shan State of Myanmar. even though he did not have a despite the crisis. major drought followed by fl oods have a lifespan of one and half majority to back the move. The “Our systems stood up very that killed more than 210 people. years.

Trump and Kim impersonators detained for questioning Bomb blast AFP terview, and told them to stop where they were swarmed by press. massage parlour, play a round of Hanoi making media appearances or In character, Trump lookalike golf and maybe try some of Ha- in Nepal risk being deported. White said they came with an noi’s culinary delights. “They basically said stop do- intention to scale down North But they may not be allowed im Jong-un and Donald ing the impersonation or we will Korea’s nuclear ambitions. to do so by authorities in Viet- injures three Trump impersonators kick you out of the country,” “We’re working toward nam, a one-party communist Kwere held for questioning Howard X said after he was re- peace. Through negotiations, state hoping to pull off next hree people were injured by Vietnamese police after they leased from questioning and with dialogue, we want to help week’s summit without any after a roadside bomb ex- appeared in Hanoi, where the back at his hotel, where he be- North Korea of course,” he said, embarrassment as the world Tploded outside the offi ce of US and North Korean leaders lieved plainclothes police were wearing heavy bronzer and with watches. a telecom company in Kathmandu will meet next week for a second monitoring him. freshly gelled hair. Vietnam’s hardline admin- yesterday, police in Nepal said. summit. The police told the pair they Full-time Kim impersonator istration has little tolerance for The explosion near Ncell Private Kim impersonator Howard could only travel around the city Howard X joked that his col- spontaneous public gatherings of Limited, part of the Malaysian tele- X and Donald Trump lookalike with an approved itinerary and league might have to look past any sort, and Vietnamese securi- communications fi rm Axiata Group Russell White staged a ‘meet- travel guide. Pyongyang’s nuclear intentions ty personnel were keeping a close US President Donald Trump impersonator Russel White, left, and North Berhad, took place around 7:55pm. ing’ in downtown Hanoi yester- Howard X, a Hong Kong resi- in order to meet eye-to-eye. eye on the impersonators during Korean leader Kim Jong-un impersonator Howard X pose together for One of the injured is in critical day ahead of a second summit dent, insisted he was in Vietnam “Hopefully he can overlook all their afternoon walkabout. photographs outside the Opera House in Hanoi yesterday. condition, police spokesman Ut- between the real Trump and legally and will not leave unless my nuclear missiles and lift the Howard X also ran into to se- tam Subedi said. Kim on February 27-28 in the he is forced to do so. sanctions,” said Howard X, who curity issues last June ahead of eventually permitted into the rants”, calling for any lookalikes No group immediately claimed Vietnamese capital. The pair appeared with also visited Singapore ahead of the fi rst Trump-Kim meeting in city state. of Russian leader Vladimir Pu- responsibility for the explosion. About 10 police offi cers later black-clad security guards at the leaders’ meeting last year. Singapore, when he was held at The pair say they are looking tin, China’s Xi Jinping or Brazil- Security was beefed up in the showed up at a local TV station Hanoi’s Metropole hotel and Before the police standoff , the the airport and told to stay away for a few more impersonators ian President Jair Bolsonaro to Nepali capital following the ex- where they were giving an in- Opera House earlier in the day, men said they planned to visit a from summit venues. He was to complete their band of “ty- come forward. plosion. (DPA) Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Vote on Micronesia state breakaway postponed once again

AFP national elections on March 5. containing a combined land- currently illegal and would need to live and work in the United new source of fi nancing to sub- in the region. The state’s major Wellington But chief legal counsel for the mass of only 700sq km. Chuuk constitutional amendments to States. Independence advocates stitute for the abandoned com- feature is Chuuk lagoon, also Chuuk state legislature Eliesa is the largest of the FSM’s four proceed. “One reason for the say if a new nation of Chuuk pact, while Beijing could culti- known as Truk lagoon, an im- Tuiloma, said the vote, which states and, with about 50,000 delay is to allow more time for was formed, they would simply vate a new ally in the Pacifi c,” mense body of water more than referendum next month was originally supposed to take people, has around half the public education on what the negotiate a new compact with research group Fitch Solutions 60km across created by a barrier on independence for place in March 2015, had been country’s population. referendum would mean, and Washington, but US offi cials said in a briefi ng note on the sit- reef, off ering an ideal shelter for A the Micronesian state of put off again until a date yet to Some locals have long been another is to allow more time for have said this is unlikely to hap- uation this week. ships. Chuuk has been postponed, of- be determined. “Yes, it’s been resentful the national capital legal experts and others to com- pen. “Indeed, China could even It has already demonstrated fi cials in the Pacifi c nation said delayed,” he told AFP. “This will Palikir is in Pohnpei state and plete their work,” he said If the United States did play assume responsibility for Chu- its military usefulness, when Ja- yesterday, defusing an issue seen allow us to look more closely at believe they do not receive a fair A major complicating factor hardball and refuse a new com- uk’s defence and foreign poli- pan based one if its fl eets there in as a potential fl ashpoint between the constitutional implications.” share of government resources, is that the resource-poor coun- pact, analysts fear Chuuk would cies, especially if it establishes World War II. China and the United States. The Federated States of leading to a push for independ- try is in a compact of free asso- turn to China — further height- a military presence in the archi- The lagoon contains the The vote to decide if Chuuk Micronesia (FSM) consists of ence. ciation with the United States, ening already tense competition pelago,” it said. The prospect of a wrecks of more than 50 Japanese should secede from the Feder- more than 600 islands in the FSM government spokesman meaning grants from Washing- between Beijing and Washington Chinese military base on Chuuk ships bombed by the US in 1944 ated States of Micronesia was northern Pacifi c scattered over Richard Clark said secession as ton prop up most of its services. in the Pacifi c. would set alarm bells ringing and is renowned as one of the scheduled to be held alongside thousands of kilometres but proposed in the referendum was Citizens also get the right “Chuuk would fi nd in China a in Washington and for its allies world’s best diving spots. N Korea warns of food crisis before leaders’ summit

Reuters boosted sanctions on North Ko- United Nations rea since 2006 in a bid to choke off funding for Pyongyang’s nu- clear and ballistic missile pro- orth Korea has warned grammes. A welcoming banner with images of US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that it is facing a food “The DPRK government calls hangs at a South Korean restaurant ahead of USA-DPRK summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Nshortfall of some 1.4mn on international organisations tonnes in 2019 and has been to urgently respond to address- and some 41% of North Kore- want to make it sound like sanc- vest was only 65% of what should forced to almost halve rations, ing the food situation,” read the ans are undernourished, Du- tions equals starvation so the US be normal due to the combina- blaming high temperatures, North Korean memo, which the jarric said. Along with extreme should really be benevolent and tion of an infl uenza outbreak, a drought, fl oods and United Na- country’s UN mission described weather, the North Korean memo give them up,” he said. heat wave and a typhoon. tions sanctions in a memo seen as a follow-up to joint assess- also blames UN sanctions for Humanitarian aid nearly Russia is considering sending by Reuters. ment with the World Food Pro- restricting the delivery of farm- ground to a halt in 2018 as the 50,000 tonnes of wheat in hu- The release of the undated gramme between Nov 26 and Dec ing materials and hindering fuel United States stepped up en- manitarian aid to North Korea two-page memo by the North 7, 2018. WFP declined to com- supply for the agricultural sector. forcement of UN sanctions, even to help it cope with natural dis- Korean mission to the United ment. US Special Representative for though the Security Council asters, the Interfax news agency Nations comes ahead of a sec- The offi cial name for North North Korea Stephen Biegun said North Korea sanctions commit- cited senior Russian lawmaker ond summit next week between Korea is the Democratic People’s earlier this month the United tee has said sanctions “are not Konstantin Kosachev as saying US President Donald Trump and Republic of Korea (DPRK). The A man places North Korean and US flags outside the Opera House, States had eased rules on hu- intended to have adverse hu- last week. North Korean leader Kim Jong- memo said North Korea’s food ahead of the upcoming Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi. manitarian assistance to North manitarian consequences for the Kim Young-hee, a North Kore- un on denuclearisation of the production last year was 4.951mn Korea and was working to clear a civilian population.” an defector and an expert on the Korean peninsula. tonnes, 503,000 tonnes down on crops, but that it would still be man Stephane Dujarric said on backlog of UN approvals. “While Security Council sanc- North Korean economy at Korea Washington has been de- 2017. left with a gap and from January Thursday. Benjamin Silberstein, co-ed- tions clearly exempt humanitar- Development Bank in Seoul, did manding that North Korea give The United Nations con- would cut daily rations to 300g He said the United Nations and itor of North Korean Economy ian activities, there have been not think the memo was asking up a nuclear weapons programme firmed these figures as offi- per person from 550g. aid groups were only able to help Watch and an associate scholar at unintended consequences on for food. that threatens the United States, cial government data provided UN offi cials and aid groups one third of 6mn people estimat- the Foreign Policy Research In- humanitarian operations,” Du- “The memo seems like a mes- while North Korea has been seek- at the end of January and said in North Korea were consulting ed to be in need last year due to a stitute, said the harvest had been jarric said. sage saying ‘although UN sanc- ing a lifting of punishing sanc- North Korea’s food production the government to “further un- lack of funding. A UN appeal for bad but there was no sign of an Margareta Wahlstrom, presi- tions do not aff ect people’s lives tions, a formal end to the 1950-53 included rice, wheat, potatoes derstand the impact of the food $111mn in 2018 was only a quarter emergency. dent of the Swedish Red Cross, directly, they aff ect the whole Korean War and security guaran- and soy beans. North Korea security situation on the most funded, Dujarric said. “Of course it’s at least par- told Reuters after a trip to North economy and people’s liveli- tees. said it would import 200,000 vulnerable people in order to take The United Nations estimates tially about the sanctions,” Sil- Korea in November that, as far as hoods are getting worse. So The 15-member UN Secu- tonnes of food and produce early action to address their hu- a total of 10.3mn people —almost berstein said. “Just look at the the areas in which they operated wouldn’t it be good if sanctions rity Council has unanimously about 400,000 tonnes of early manitarian needs,” UN spokes- half the population — are in need way the letter is worded. They were concerned, the maze har- were eased?’,” she said.

Pilot drinking In safe hands delays Japan Chinese-Australian plane despite political donor wins new rules Japan’s All Nippon Airways said yesterday it was forced to defamation case delay a domestic flight earlier this week after a co-pilot failed an alcohol breath test despite AFP it would appeal the decision. new rules. The case came Sydney The decision came as tensions after Japan introduced fresh between Canberra and Beijing regulations to clamp down on rise over fears of Chinese infl u- alcohol consumption by pilots, Chinese-Australian bil- ence in Australian politics. after several incidents involving lionaire businessman An Australian citizen who flight crew drinking hit the Ayesterday won a high- made his money in property headlines. On Tuesday, the profi le defamation case against development, Chau has con- ANA co-pilot was scheduled to a newspaper that alleged he sistently denied any links to fly a Boeing 777 with 322 pas- was co-conspirator in a plot to the Communist Party of China sengers on board from Kobe bribe a top United Nations offi - or the UN scandal, and said in western Japan to Haneda cial, amid fears of Beijing med- his faith in the Australian legal airport in Tokyo. But he failed dling in domestic politics. system “has been vindicated”. a breath test, and said he had Fairfax Media, publish- Chau added that he would consumed a can of beer and er of The Sydney Morning donate the damages to charities half a can of a spirit-based Herald, was ordered to pay supporting Australian military drink in his hotel room about Chau Chak Wing A$280,000 veterans and their families. The six hours before the flight. The (US$199,000) in damages after ruling came almost a year after flight was delayed by more a judge at the Federal Court of Andrew Hastie — who chairs than an hour while a replace- Australia ruled that the 2015 Canberra’s intelligence and se- ment pilot was found. The article was defamatory. curity committee — used the airline said in a statement it “The natural and ordinary legal protection of parliamen- would deal with the case “rigor- meaning of the words em- tary privilege to identify Chau Indonesian forestry off icials prepare to carry a rescued crocodile in a car from a hotel in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, yesterday. ously”. It has banned pilots and ployed in the article, and the as a previously unnamed fi gure Three birds of prey and a crocodile were rescued from the hotel which were illegally harbouring wildlife as a tourist attraction. co-pilots from drinking alcohol overall impression conveyed in a US Federal Bureau of In- up to 24 hours before a flight. by the article considered as a vestigation case. whole, was not merely one of That case related to former suspicion, but one of guilt,” UN president of the General Justice Michael Wigney said in Assembly, John Ashe, who was his judgement. accused of accepting bribes “I consider their (Fairfax and from Chinese business persons Japan probe Hayabusa2 lands on distant asteroid its reporter) conduct to have seeking to infl uence the world been unreasonable in many re- body. He was arrested in 2015 spects.” and died a year later. The scan- AFP live webcast of the control room Makoto Yoshikawa. “I’m really the collection of “fresh” materials bullet was actually fi red to allow New Fairfax owner Nine said dal was a major blow to the UN. Tokyo showed dozens of JAXA staff relieved now. It felt very long until unexposed to millennia of wind the collection of samples. members nervously monitoring the moment the touchdown hap- and radiation. The mission has not been data ahead of the touchdown be- pened,” he said. He said the fi ring Scientists hope those samples completely plain sailing and the Australian jailed for life Japanese probe sent to col- fore exploding into applause after of the bullet — the fi rst of three may provide answers to some fun- probe’s landing was originally lect samples from an as- receiving a signal from Hayabusa2 planned in this mission — “will damental questions about life and scheduled for last year. But it was An Australian man who drove a car into dozens of pedestrians on Ateroid 300mn km away for that it had landed. “We made a lead to a leap, or new discoveries, the universe, including whether pushed back after surveys found a busy shopping street in central Melbourne in 2017, killing six, has clues about the origin of life and successful touchdown, including in planetary science.” elements from space helped the asteroid’s surface was more been jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 46 years, the solar system landed success- fi ring a bullet” into the Ryugu as- The asteroid is thought to con- give rise to life on Earth. Former rugged than initially thought, the Victorian state Supreme Court said yesterday. James Gargasou- fully yesterday, scientists said. teroid, Yuichi Tsuda, Hayabusa2 tain relatively large amounts of Queen rocker and space fan Brian forcing JAXA to take more time to las, 29, was handed a life sentence for each of the murders, whose Hayabusa2 touched down project manager, told reporters. organic matter and water from May tweeted: “Hurrah. Brilliant fi nd a suitable landing site. victims included a baby and a 10-year-old girl. “This was one of the briefl y on the Ryugu asteroid, fi red “We made the ideal touchdown in some 4.6bn years ago when the success in touchdown on Ryugu.” The Hayabusa2 mission, with worst examples of mass murder in Australian history,” Justice Mark a bullet into the surface to puff up the best conditions,” he said. solar system was born. During Communication with Hayabusa2 a price tag of around 30bn yen Weinberg told Gargasoulas at the sentencing hearing in Melbourne. dust for collection and blasted The complicated procedure a later mission, Hayabusa2 will is cut off at times because its an- ($270mn), was launched in De- “The horror of what you did has profoundly aff ected the lives of many back to its holding position, said took less time than expected and eventually fi re an “impactor” to tennas are not always pointed cember 2014 and is scheduled to of those who were present that day in Bourke Street, and who either offi cials from the Japan Aerospace appeared to go without a hitch, blast out material from under- towards Earth and it could take return to Earth with its samples witnessed your actions, or their aftermath.” Exploration Agency (JAXA). A said Hayabusa2 mission manager neath Ryugu’s surface, allowing several more days to confi rm the in 2020. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, February 23, 2019 BRITAIN Meghan faces backlash over lavish US baby shower

AFP friends at what British newspa- to open her friends’ gifts at the cism from environmental lobby added: “can you be a self-identi- The coverage led Hollywood in the US, crediting Markle with London pers referred to as “the most ex- party, preferring to unwrap them Friends of the Earth. fying international humanitarian superstar George Clooney to bringing “many black traditions pensive hotel suite in the US”. once she was home with Prince The paper also trawled com- and have a £300,000-plus baby claim she was being “vilifi ed to her royal wedding”. The party, hosted at Man- Harry. ments posted on the parenting shower held for your already fab- and chased” in the same way as The royal couple are set to eghan Markle drew hattan’s Mark Hotel by Serena Although neither Markle nor website Mumsnet, quoting one ulously privileged unborn child?” Harry’s mother, the late princess make a three-day trip to Moroc- fresh scorn from the Williams and attended by other British taxpayers footed the bill, person who was “quite disgusted Meanwhile the Daily Telegraph Diana. co this weekend at the request of MBritish media this week high-profi le fi gures including The Times led the critically- by the way she is burning through — said to be the Queen’s fa- Clooney, a close friend of the Britain’s government — the fi rst after celebrating the imminent Amal Clooney, saw guests ser- toned coverage, headlining its money”. voured newspaper each morning couple, told an Australian maga- royal visit since Prince Charles arrival of her fi rst baby with what enaded by a harpist and given ex- article on Friday: “Meghan’s ex- The Times added: “To some — reported the “glamour” of the zine last month there was a risk and Camilla visited the kingdom they described as an “extrava- pensive gifts, they reported. travagant New York baby shower British minds the mere concept American gathering may have of “history repeating” itself with in 2011. gant” trip to New York in a pri- A fellow guest, CBS presenter provokes fl ood of indignation.” of a baby shower — an American “surpassed” Markle’s wedding the feverish media attention. Queen Elizabeth II’s f irst and vate jet. Gayle King, said the group were It said the visit had “prompted import — seems inappropriate.” last year to Prince Harry. Markle had another high-pro- last visit to the North African The Duchess of Sussex, due to taught how to arrange fl owers, a debate about extravagance, In the right-wing Daily Mail, Markle, 37, has been dubbed fi le defender this week: Beyonce. country was in 1980 and became give birth in the spring, returned with their fi nished creations be- style and the environmental columnist Jan Moir asked what “the diffi cult duchess” in Brit- The singer posted a tribute to known as the “tour from hell” to Britain on Thursday after en- ing donated to charity. impact of crossing the Atlantic could Queen Elizabeth II make of ish media following several royal the former actress on her web- because of a series of planning er- joying a party with celebrity She said the duchess chose not in a private jet”, including criti- the duchess’s “lavish trip”. She staff departures. site to mark Black History Month rors, according to British media. IS teen ‘willing Queen attends service to change to keep British citizenship’

Guardian News and Media British citizenship. London “Neither myself or any of my family have had any contact with Shamima,” it said. “We hamima Begum has said have discovered from media re- she is “willing to change”, ports, along with the rest of the Sas she issued a plea to the country, that she gave birth to government for “mercy” after a baby boy. We were pleased to the home secretary moved to learn from your comments in the strip her of her British national- Commons that you recognise ity. my nephew, Shamima’s son, as a The British-born 19-year-old, British citizen. who travelled from east London “As a family, we ask now how to Syria to join Islamic State in we can assist you in bringing my 2015, wants to return from Syria nephew home to us. In all of this because her newborn son is un- debacle, he is the one true in- well, and she does not wish to nocent and should not lose the allow him to return to the UK privilege of being raised in the alone. safety of this country.” Queen Elizabeth attends a service to mark the centenary of the granting by King George V of the prefix ‘Royal’ to the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, at the Guards’ However, her family are ex- The letter said her family were Chapel, at Wellington Barracks in London, Britain, yesterday. ploring legal and practical op- “shocked and appalled at the vile tions to bring her baby to London comments” Begum had made in while she undergoes what could recent days, which they noted be a long drawn-out appeal were not representative of Brit- against the removal of her British ish values. citizenship. The teenager has been in the In response to whether she “thrall” of a “murderous and had anything to say to politicians misogynistic cult” for four years in Westminster, Begum told Sky now, and “her exploitation at News: “I would like them to re- their hands has fundamentally Dozens of Tory MPs ‘ready evaluate my case with a bit more damaged her”, the letter contin- mercy in their heart, you know.” ued. Asked if she can change or be “We hope you understand rehabilitated, she replied: “I am our position in this respect and willing to change.” why we must, therefore, assist She added that she was Shamima in challenging your to block no-deal Brexit’ “struggling to get my supplies decision to take away the one in right now”, referring to an ap- thing that is her only hope at re- Guardian News and Media Brexiters led again to the prime whip, leaves May facing the most MP Oliver Letwin and Labour’s “We are a group that has parent lack of resources in the habilitation, her British citizen- London minister’s own deal being reject- serious Cabinet revolt of her Yvette Cooper, which is due to brought together Leavers and northern Syrian camp that has ship.” ed by parliament. premiership next week as at least be debated on Wednesday. Remainers and I think people been her home since she fl ed the Earlier Tory MP Phillip Lee, a Percy, who voted to leave the four Cabinet ministers and al- A senior source close to those are seeing intransigence in other embattled enclave where Isis is former minister, criticised Jav- ozens of Conservative EU, told BBC Radio 4’s Today most a dozen junior ones are un- plotting the rebellion said there colleagues, people who are per- making its fi nal stand. id’s “populist” decision to strip MPs are prepared to vote programme “some of my col- derstood to be prepared to back a was no way the members of the haps in denial about what the “I don’t have a card because Begum of her citizenship, saying Dagainst the government leagues have got to recognise motion to delay Brexit. government would resign vol- parliamentary arithmetic actu- they lost my card, so I have to it deeply concerned him. in order to block the UK leaving that the game they have thus far Amid expectations that Tory untarily and May would have to ally is on some of these matters run around to take care of my son Meanwhile, the Muslim Coun- the EU without a deal, one of the been playing with regards to this MPs from the hardline Euro- sack them. and people are just growing in- now, when I am sick. I am not cil of Britain has warned Javid’s leaders of a group of more than whole process is not going to end pean Research Group (ERG) In what would eff ectively re- creasingly frustrated that whilst getting my stuff .” move heightens fears of a two- 100 Tory politicians has said. well for them and could poten- would continue to oppose the sult in parliament taking con- we are prepared to make com- Begum’s family has written tiered citizenship scheme, set- The warning to Theresa May tially end with the delaying of – prime minister’s package even if trol of the Brexit process, the promises other are not.” directly to Sajid Javid, asking the ting a dangerous precedent and was delivered yesterday by An- perhaps even no Brexit – which she returns from Brussels with amendment would require May While he accepted that the home secretary to help bring her demonstrating an “abdication of drew Percy of the Brexit delivery some of us have spent a lot of our changes to the backstop ar- to extend the Article 50 deadline government could choose not newborn son to Britain. The let- responsibility”, and the govern- group – regarded in the party parliamentary and political ca- rangements on the Irish border rather than allow the UK to leave to hold a meaningful vote next ter, written by Begum’s oldest ment’s chief adviser on counter- as a moderate band of Remain reers campaigning for.” question, Percy said dozens of the EU without a deal. week, he said it was inevitable sister, Renu, also said the family ing extremism warned radicals and Brexit-supporting MPs – The threat, which was also his colleagues were saying they “A lot of colleagues have com- that this would happen at some would help her to challenge the could exploit the unease caused who said many wanted to act if contained in a letter from the would support such motions as promised from their positions,” point and that fellow Tory MPs decision to strip Begum of her by the decision. the “intransigence” of hardline leaders of the group to the party the one proposed by the Tory Percy added. would “naturally decamp”. Blair urges Corbyn to Ex-MP accused of accessing Labour data

Guardian News and Media individuals who are authorised to back new Brexit vote London access it, and may be used only for purposes authorised by the party Reuters votes just lying on the table wait- British media have reported as data controller.” Edinburgh ing to be taken, you just need to dozens more could follow if Cor- abour has reported its She added: “Much of the data say it,” said Blair, a centre-left byn does not back a plan to put former MP Joan Ryan to the held on our systems tends to reveal Europhile who backs a second May’s Brexit withdrawal deal to a LInformation Commission- individuals’ political opinions and abour leader Jeremy Cor- referendum on Brexit. public vote. er’s Offi ce, though she strongly is therefore ‘special category’ data, byn could seize on a “huge With just fi ve weeks until Some of those defectors have denies accessing party systems benefi ting from enhanced protec- Lopportunity” to win back Britain is due to leave the EU on teamed up with some pro-EU to contact members after resign- tion under the legislation.” key seats in its former Scottish March 29, May is yet to get the Conservative lawmakers who are ing from the party on Tuesday to Ryan told the Guardian: “I have heartland by endorsing a sec- changes to her exit deal with also pushing for a second ref- join the breakaway Independent no idea what Formby is talking ond vote on Brexit, former prime Brussels she needs to secure its erendum, a further sign of the Group. about. Neither I nor my offi ce have minister Tony Blair said. ratifi cation in parliament. fragmentation of British politics It is understood the party has accessed or used any Labour party He said Labour could recover She has ruled out a second ref- wrought by the decision to leave informed the commissioner about data since I resigned the Labour ground from the Scottish arm of erendum, saying that would ne- the EU. the alleged breach and that it in- whip and my membership of the Prime Minister Theresa May’s gate “the will of the British peo- Labour has seven of Scotland’s tends to submit a full report. Sus- Labour party.” Conservatives, led by Ruth ple” expressed in 2016. 59 seats in Britain’s 650-seat picions about the breach prompt- A Labour party spokesperson Davidson, by offering a second Ahead of a promised parlia- parliament, having fallen to a low ed party offi cials to shut down its said: “The Labour party became vote and a way out for Scots, mentary debate and vote on the of just one seat in the 2015 elec- key canvassing software. aware of attempts to access per- most of whom oppose Britain’s next steps on Brexit on Febru- tion. The two tools shut down on sonal data held on the party’s sys- planned exit from the European ary 27, Corbyn is under intense But its position is still weak for Wednesday were Contact Crea- tems for unauthorised use. Per- Union. pressure from moderates within a party that for decades domi- tor, which is a party canvassing sonal data the party holds about “The vulnerability of Ruth his party to back a second refer- nated Scottish politics and had software, and Organise. Content individuals is protected by law, Davidson’s Conservatives is that endum explicitly, now that the 41 seats in 2005. Creator identifi es specifi c people under the GDPR and Data Protec- they are tied to Theresa May. terms of Brexit are known. To be voted back into power in a constituency that candidates tion Act 2018. That is a vulnerability, but it’s Corbyn, a longtime euroscep- in Britain, Labour would prob- can target with messages. “We are aware that the infor- only a vulnerability you can ex- tic, has said Labour is focusing ably have to recover a signifi cant The party’s general secretary, mation commissioner is taking an ploit if you’re prepared to say, on securing an early national number of seats in Scotland, Jennie Formby, told staff in a mes- increasingly serious view of mis- ‘We’d stop the thing’,” Blair, pre- election before any possible re- which is traditionally more left- sage that “data held by the party, use of personal data and requires mier for a decade to 2007, told sort to a second referendum. leaning but is now dominated by including data within Contact a data controller to take reasonable Holyrood Magazine in an inter- Nine of his lawmakers have re- the Scottish National Party. Creator and other systems used and proportionate steps to ensure view published yesterday. signed this week, with most sup- The next national election is for election or other campaign- the security of data held on its sys- “So, you’ve literally got those porting a second referendum. not due until 2022. Blair: ‘chance for Corbyn to win Scotland’ ing work, may only be accessed by tems.” Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 9 EUROPE

Farmer ordered to pay Catholic Church seeking over fatal cow attack to fi x ‘systemic failures’ AFP Reuters of some bishops and religious lematic behaviour in them?” he Vienna Vatican City superiors in addressing cases of said. clergy sexual abuse, and the dis- Before proof of McCarrick’s cernment to understand how to child sex abuse decades ago was n Austrian farmer has he Roman Catholic establish just accountability for discovered last year, his sexual been ordered to pay Church must repair the these massive failures”, Cupich misconduct with adult men A€490,000 ($555,000) in T“systemic failures” that said. studying for the priesthood and compensation to the widower enabled sexual abuse to take root At the start of the confer- his abuse of power over them of a woman who was trampled around the world, and bishops ence on Thursday, fi ve victims was an open secret. to death by a herd of his cows in should start policing each oth- told painful stories of abuse and Critics have asked how Mc- 2014. er’s behaviour, leading cardinals cover-up, and the Pope said they Carrick could have risen to be- A court in Innsbruck issued said yesterday. could expect concrete measures come archbishop of Washing- its ruling on Thursday in a civil Cardinals Blase Cupich of to come out of the meeting. ton, DC from 2001-2006 while lawsuit brought by the woman’s Chicago and Oswald Gracias of Victims groups have com- many allegedly knew of his mis- husband and son, public broad- Mumbai spoke on the second plained that while some priests conduct with adults. caster ORF reported. day of a conference of some 200 who sexually abused children Francis ordered a “thorough The farmer is to appeal, it senior church offi cials convened were eventually disciplined by study” last year of all documents added. by Pope Francis to confront what the church and sentenced by concerning McCarrick. The incident took place on he has called the scourge of sex- civil authorities, the bishops The four US dioceses where he July 28, 2014, when the 45-year- ual abuse by the clergy. who either enabled the abuse or served – New York, Metuchen, old German holidaymaker was “This past year has taught it covered up have not been pun- Newark, and Washington – have hiking with her dog in the Pin- us that the (systemic) failures ished. launched independent investi- nistal valley of the Austrian Alps in holding clerics of all rank re- Pope Francis is seen during the four-day meeting on the global sexual abuse crisis, at the Vatican. In what appeared to be a ref- gations. in Tyrol. sponsible are due in large meas- erence to the McCarrick case, The conference ends tomor- The cows suddenly surround- ure to fl aws in the way we inter- In Chile, all of the country’s a grand jury in Pennsylvania re- the US church, was dismissed Cardinal Gracias said bishops row when the Pope will make a ed her and trampled her. act and communicate with each 34 bishops off ered their resigna- vealed that priests had sexually from the priesthood after the should “fraternally correct” fi nal speech. Despite attempts to resusci- other,” Cupich said. tions over a nationwide scandal; abused about 1,000 people over Vatican found him guilty of sex- each other. The Vatican says it will then tate the woman, she died of her Various aspects of the sexual Francis’s trip to Ireland shone a seven decades in that US state ual abuse of minors and adults “Do we really engage in an formulate follow-up measures injuries at the scene. abuse crisis made 2018 the worst new light on decades of abuse in alone. over decades. open conversation and point out to make sure all bishop return Her husband and son had ac- year for the Pope since his elec- the once staunchly Catholic na- Last week, Theodore McCar- The church had “to confront honestly to our brother bishops home knowing how to put anti- cused the farmer of negligence, tion in 2013. tion; and, a damning report by rick, once a powerful cardinal in the past grave and callous errors or priests when we notice prob- abuse procedures into place. while the farmer insisted that he had put up warning signs on the pasture. Top Swiss court The court ruled that the signs were not enough and that the upholds sentence grazing land should have been In Moldova, voters choose in FGM case fenced off . The ruling angered Tyrol’s A ban on female genital farmers who see it as a threat to mutilation extends to cases their livelihood in the mountain- between Russia and Europe where the ritual cutting was ous region which is a popular performed in another country tourist attraction. prior to the perpetrator coming The Tyrolean Chamber of Ag- AFP by individual constituencies. With corruption widespread to Switzerland, the nation’s riculture slammed the decision Chisinau Dodon’s pro-Moscow party and the country among the highest court said yesterday, as being “out of touch with real- is leading in the polls, advocat- poorest in Europe, few have upholding a Somali woman’s ity”. ing for Moldova to join Russia’s much trust in Moldova’s politi- conviction last year. Regional politicians were also oters in Moldova head to Eurasian Economic Union over cians. The woman, who was not critical. the polls tomorrow for a the EU. “They are all liars and identified in Swiss Federal “However tragic the case may Vparliamentary election The alliance of pro-European thieves,” said Tatiana, a Tribunal documents, had two be, the court’s decision is not refl ecting the tiny ex-Soviet parties, which favours joining 60-year-old former factory Passers-by are seen through a red banner bearing the Socialist daughters circumcised in comprehensible,” complained republic’s longstanding divi- the EU and the North Atlan- worker, complaining of a pen- Party’s star symbol in Chisinau. their homeland in 2013 before Tyrol’s regional governor Guen- sion between pro-Russians and tic Treaty Organisation (Nato), sion of less than €50 per month. immigrating to Switzerland in ther Platter. pro-Europeans. comes second. “How can you live on that?” accused the ruling party leader President Vladimir Putin. 2015 to join family already in the The farmers’ association and Wedged between Ukraine In third place is the centre- Macar Naghirnaec, a Plahotniuc of running a vast “Of course, Russia is not in- European country. the local chamber of commerce and Romania, Moldova has left Democratic Party led by 23-year-old NGO worker, said money laundering scheme be- diff erent to the formation of the She was found guilty in 2018 of similarly warned of “fatal conse- struggled to fi nd its place since powerful oligarch Vlad Plahot- it has hardly surprising that tween 2013 and 2014. Moldovan parliament,” Putin female genital mutilation (FGM) quences” for the sector. gaining independence with the niuc, which holds a majority voters had little faith. His party denounced this as said after a meeting with Do- by a regional Swiss court, where 1991 collapse of the Soviet Un- in the current parliament and “Moldova’s democracy is Moscow’s “interference” in the don in Moscow last month. she received a suspended eight- ion. leads the government. getting worse. People who were vote. As well as seeking to keep month jail sentence. Dead cow kicks While many in the country of It has pursued a balanced ap- convicted by a court will get to Analysts fear a new period of Moldova in its sphere of infl u- She appealed, arguing that the 3.5mn want to maintain close proach between Moscow and parliament,” said Naghirnaec. instability for the country after ence, Moscow has long backed mutilation occurred in the Somali slaughterhouse ties with Moscow, others seek Brussels. Many cited the example of the vote, with no party likely separatists in the country’s capital Mogadishu at a time when worker in the face to follow the example of Ro- Campaign posters in Russian businessman Ilan Shor, who to gain the majority needed to Russian-speaking breakaway she had no ties to Switzerland. mania – with which Moldova and Romanian hang in a fl ea was convicted in a billion-dol- form a government. region of Transnistria. The court rejected that argument, A 41-year-old was injured at a shares a language and long his- market in the capital Chisinau, lar fraud case dubbed Moldo- “With political apathy and Russian Security Council saying a Swiss ban on FGM slaughterhouse in southern tory – and look west to the Eu- where volunteers from all par- va’s “crime of the century” and distrust of politicians, there is a chief Nikolai Patrushev has that was tightened in 2012 by Germany when he was kicked in ropean Union. ties were handing out leafl ets to is likely to make it into parlia- risk of weak participation,” said warned that the West could lawmakers to prevent people the face by a dead cow. Tomorrow’s vote is shaping passersby this week. ment. Igor Botan, the director of the be seeking to stoke divisions living in the country from taking The kick was thought to have up as a three-way race between At a stand of the pro-EU Shor remains free pending an ADEPT think tank. in Moldova, pointing to the their daughters abroad to be been caused by a nerve impulse, the pro-Russian Socialist party ACUM alliance of parties, cam- appeal, but critics say the fact Moldova signed an associa- pro-EU revolution in Ukraine circumcised applied in this case, which isn’t uncommon, police in of President Igor Dodon, the paigner Ruslan Verbitchi told that he is allowed to stand de- tion agreement with the EU in that ousted a Moscow-backed too. Aalen said. ruling Democratic party, and a AFP that Moldova has two ma- spite his conviction is a damn- 2014, but last year Brussels leader. “Female genital mutilation is The slaughterhouse employee pro-European alliance. jor problems: “Endemic cor- ing indictment of Moldova’s reduced its fi nancial aid to the The West, he said, could also punishable if the off ence had hung the dead cow on a It will be held under a new ruption and the violation of political system. country citing a “deterioration “push Moldovan society to- is committed abroad, the hook for further processing on electoral system that divides human rights.” Adding to the tense climate of the rule of law”. wards division and confl ict ... perpetrator is in Switzerland and Thursday when he was kicked. the 101-seat parliament into Voters, however, showed lit- in the last days of the campaign, Russia has meanwhile rallied we have already seen this in is not extradited,” the Swiss court He was taken to the hospital. seats elected by party lists and tle enthusiasm for the polls. yesterday Russian authorities behind Dodon, a close ally of Ukraine in 2014”. said.

Swedish teen brings climate action campaign to France Magistrates stage

AFP for looming climate change con- protest in Romania Paris sequences has gained global res- onance since she began skipping class for weekly Friday protests Reuters fulfi l its constitutional duties,” eenage climate activist in Stockholm six months ago. Bucharest Bucharest prosecutors said in a Greta Thunberg brought She made global headlines in statement. Ther class-boycott cam- December with a strong-willed The February decree, put paign to Paris yesterday, hoping speech at a United Nations cli- agistrates protested forward by Justice Minister to encourage more French stu- mate meeting in Poland, and last outside courthouses Tudorel Toader, changes the dents to hit the streets with de- month took her message to the Macross Romania yes- appointment process of chief mands for bold eff orts to combat top corporate echelons at the terday and many prosecutors prosecutors and removes most global warming. World Economic Forum in Davos, will stop work next week, in an oversight of a prosecuting unit The Friday protests that the Switzerland. unprecedented protest against that investigates magistrates, 16-year-old Swede launched in In the last six months, tens of changes in judicial legislation something critics say was cre- August have gained little traction thousands of high school stu- that have raised alarm bells ated to intimidate. so far in France, where the land- dents – in Sydney, Brussels, Ber- over the rule of law. Judges and prosecutors mark COP21 international accord lin, The Hague, London and oth- Romania’s government used gathered outside courthouses on cutting emissions was signed er cities – have followed her lead. an emergency decree to alter across the country yesterday in 2015. On Thursday, she joined the legislation on Tuesday, in silent protest, holding ban- After urging the EU in Brussels around 7,500 Belgian student mostly stripping prosecutors ners that read “Independence”, to move more aggressively on activists who staged a march in of more of their powers. “Rule of law”, “An independ- greenhouse gas cuts on Thurs- Brussels, their seventh such pro- It was the latest in a series ent judiciary has independent day, Thunberg then travelled test. of changes the ruling Social prosecutors”, and “Mister min- to Paris where she met up with “I think it is very good that the Democrats have made in the ister, enough”. young activists from France, Bel- Thunberg takes part in a press conference in Paris ahead of a march for the environment and the climate young protest in the streets of past two years that have trig- Prosecutors in cities from gium and Germany for a march organised by students. Europe to defend the environ- gered massive street protests. capital Bucharest to the small which was also joined by French ment,” European Commission The European Commission, eastern Romanian city of actress Juliette Binoche. However, outside Paris, only “France, the country of COP21, Nicolas Hulot resigned abruptly chief Jean-Claude Juncker said US State Department, and Suceava will not work cases “I never thought it would get two other class-cutting marches needs to do what it says it will,” as environment minister, say- on Thursday, urging adults to join thousands of Romanian mag- except emergencies from Mon- so big and I think it’s amazing,” have been organised – one in she added. ing that the government was not them. istrates have said the changes day for three to seven days. she said of her campaign, speak- Beauvais just north of Paris and Under the 2015 Paris deal to making enough progress. However, despite the enthu- threaten the independence of Many judges will follow suit. ing to journalists ahead of the one in the southwestern city of limit global warming to well be- “There have been other social siastic reception, Thunberg said the judiciary and the rule of Prosecutors’ and judges’ march. “We, children, we should Dax. low 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit), movements which were very ac- she had received little indication law. associations were meeting not have to do this, adults should Last Friday, only around 200 the 28-nation EU has pledged to tive” in France, said 22-year-old on Thursday that EU leaders were “Sudden changes made to decide on further forms of be taking responsibility.” students protested outside the cut greenhouse gas emissions by Romaric Thurel, one of the co- ready to heed her call for faster to judicial laws through an protest. A crowd of around 1,000 environment ministry in Paris. at least 40% by 2030, compared ordinators of Youth For Climate action. emergency decree, without Romania is regularly ranked people took part in the protest “I don’t know why young peo- to 1990. France. “France is a big country “I didn’t hear any concrete consulting the Superior Mag- one of the European Union’s in central Paris, one of dozens ple mobilise massively in some Still, France’s climate eff orts and it takes time to mobilise, but promise by political leaders and istrates Council and the body most corrupt states, and Brus- planned in cities across Europe as countries and not others,” Thun- have come increasingly un- we feel a shift.” offi cials; they only say that they of magistrates, have a major sels has kept its justice system part of her “Fridays For Future” berg said in an interview with Le der the spotlight since August Thunberg’s determined cam- are going to try their best,” she impact on the ability of the under special monitoring since movement. Parisien, published yesterday. when high-profi le green activist paign to hold adults accountable said. overall prosecuting body to it joined the bloc in 2007. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, February 23, 2019 INDIA

TRAGEDY CRIME PEOPLE DECISION INVESTIGATION 25 dead in Assam after Complaint lodged over Stalin, Rajinikanth call on Notification on more powers Vadra grilled for 7 hours consuming moonshine fake NRI voting claims DMDK leader Vijayakant for Assam Rifles withdrawn in money laundering case

Twenty-five people, including 15 women, have died The Election Commission (EC) yesterday lodged Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M K Stalin The Union Home Ministry yesterday withdrew The enforcement directorate yesterday ques- and over 40 others have taken ill after consum- a police complaint against unknown persons for and actor Rajinikanth yesterday called on Desiya a notification giving sweeping powers to Assam tioned Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of ing spurious liquor at a tea garden in Assam’s spreading “fake news” about non-resident Indians Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder A Vijay- Rifles to conduct searches without a warrant Congress president Rahul Gandhi, for over seven Golaghat district, the police said yesterday. The (NRIs) being allowed to vote online in the coming akant to enquire about his health. Stalin called on and take people into custody in the non-Armed hours in a money laundering case, for the fifth incident took place on Thursday night at the Lok Sabha elections. In a letter to the deputy Vijayakant a day after Congress leader S Thiruna- Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) areas. Ac- time. The case relates to overseas ownership of Salmora tea estate in Golaghat, 300km from Gu- commissioner of police (DCP), New Delhi district, vukarasar met the DMDK leader and urged him to cording to informed sources, fears of a backlash undisclosed assets worth £1.9mn. Vadra arrived wahati. “The death toll so far is 25, which includes the EC said that publication of such fake news take a decision on the alliance that is good for the forced the Centre to scrap the notification. The at the ED’s Jamnagar off ice in central Delhi at 15 women and 10 men. While 18 people died at the using the logo of the EC was causing “severe nation. Speaking to reporters Stalin said Vijayakant ministry put the notification in abeyance and 10.30am and left the agency’s off ice at 7.20pm. Golaghat Civil Hospital, the rest died at the Jorhat confusion in the public, thereby creating public has returned from the US after treatment and he would bring now only after a thorough review He was allowed to go out for lunch for over an Medical College and Hospital,” said Rathin Bord- nuisance and mischief”. “The unauthorised use had met him to enquire about his health. Stalin and consultations with the state governments hour. Earlier in the morning, scores of Congress oloi, joint director of health, Golaghat district. He of EC logo and the completely false statement said he did not speak about politics with Vijayakant concerned, they said. The issue of re-conferring workers gathered outside, raising slogans against said the people were brought to the hospitals with regarding online voting seems to be done with a as the purpose of his visit was only to enquire powers under CrPC to Assam Rifles – given in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vadra was ques- complaints of severe vomiting and chest pain. “We deliberate intent to cause mischief and mislead about his health. Rajinikant too said he met Vijay- 1941 and taken back in 2006 – had been pend- tioned under sections of Prevention of Money tried our best, but it was too late,” he said. the public,” the EC complaint read. akant only to enquire about his health. ing for long. Laundering Act (PMLA). Court orders Strengthening ties eviction of millions living on forest land

Guardian News and Media erishment, disease and death, New Delhi an urgent humanitarian crisis, and it will do nothing to save the forests which these tribespeople illions will be evicted in have protected for generations.” India after the Supreme Groups campaigning for the MCourt ruled that indig- tribal people – among the poor- enous people illegally living on est, most neglected and margin- forest land should move. alised of India’s communities Campaigners for the rights of – say that many of them would tribal and forest-dwelling people not have understood the need to have called the court’s decision produce the relevant documents “an unprecedented disaster,” and proving their right to the land to “the biggest mass eviction in the the assessing committees. name of conservation, ever”. That claim has been rejected The ruling came in response to by wildlife groups who said that, petitions fi led by various wild- given that millions of claims life conservation groups, which were fi led on this issue (of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in during talks in Seoul. Modi is on a two-day visit to South Korea as part of an wanted the court to declare the about 1.2mn were accepted), effort to strengthen ties between the two countries. 2006 Forest Rights Act invalid. there was widespread grassroots The act gives forest dwelling awareness of the need to stake people the right to their ancestral their claim and how to do it. lands, including those in special- For wildlife protection groups, ly “protected” areas that contain the issue is of India’s forests be- sanctuaries and wildlife parks to ing relentlessly eroded by hu- conserve wild life. The groups mans encroaching on animal told the court that “tribal” peo- habitats. There have been innu- ple in 17 states had encroached merable cases of villagers ille- illegally on these protected areas, gally living on protected forests jeopardising eff orts to protect meant exclusively for animals. Congress has ‘fair chance’ wildlife and forests. Debi Goenka, the head of the The conservation groups said Conservation Action Trust, said state governments should see if that human rights activists and families could prove their claim other groups who opposed the under the act and, if they could, court order seemed to think that they should be allowed to live and India could live without its for- work on the land. If they failed to ests. to form government: Fitch prove their claim, they should be He said: “What they don’t evicted by the state government. realise is that, barring two, all Bloomberg/IANS both will have to try and cobble gramme, will have a “minimal the grouping won in the 2014 At the February 27 meeting, The supreme court has or- of India’s rivers are forest-de- New Delhi together a coalition with region- eff ect” on swinging voters to election. Rahul will present a copy of the dered the 17 state governments pendent. Satellite imagery has al parties at a time when the rul- its side, the group said, adding Meanwhile, a meeting of op- CMP to the other opposition – where claims were consid- shown tribal encroachments into ing BJP has disagreements with that the Kashmir attack allows position leaders to discuss a leaders. ered by special committees – to protected forests. Can a country rime Minister Narendra many large “potential kingmak- the ruling party to “drum up common minimum programme West Bengal Chief Minis- act on about 1.1mn claims now survive without forests? If they Modi will “struggle” to er parties,” Fitch Solutions said. nationalistic sentiment and to (CMP) has been postponed from ter and Trinamool Congress rejected as bogus and evict the think India can survive without Pwin a simple majority in “We at Fitch Solutions are rally the electorate behind the February 26 to February 27, in- leader Mamata Banerjee, And- families. Depending on the size forests and without water, so be the upcoming general election bucking the overwhelming con- BJP.” formed sources said yesterday. hra Pradesh Chief Minister and of the families, more than 1mn it.” and the opposition Congress sensus at this juncture that the The BJP lost three state elec- The meeting will be held at Par- TDP leader N Chandrababu claims could translate to about The issue is expected to be- party has a “fair chance” at BJP will most likely form the tions to the Congress in De- liament Annexe at 1pm. Naidu, Delhi Chief Minister and 5mn-7mn people being evicted come more heated in the com- forming government with sup- next government after the up- cember and various polls have The date change was made to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, by July 27. ing weeks. Wildlife groups insist port from regional allies, ac- coming elections,” Fitch said in shown declining support for PM ensure the availability of all the former Jammu and Kashmir Survival International’s direc- that all the court has done is tell cording to Fitch Solutions Macro a report. The Congress party, Modi and BJP. For example, a re- opposition leaders. Chief Minister and National tor, Stephen Corry, said: “This state governments to recover Research. headed by Rahul Gandhi, has a cent India Today poll predicted On February 13, the leaders Conference leader Farooq Ab- judgment is a death sentence for forest land from people who Neither of the country’s main fair chance of marshalling a coa- the ruling National Democratic met and decided to have a pre- dullah and Rahul Gandhi at- millions of tribal people in India, made bogus claims which, af- national parties is likely to get a lition government, it added. Alliance coalition could fall poll pact and a common agenda tended the February 13 meeting land theft on an epic scale and ter due process, were rejected. majority in the lower house of The BJP’s recent populist short of the majority mark in the to defeat the Bharatiya Janata at Nationalist Congress Party a monumental injustice. It will Those with genuine claims will the parliament, the affi liate of spending eff orts, including a 543-seat parliament and win 237 Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar’s lead to wholesale misery, impov- be given title deeds to the land. Fitch Ratings said. That means farmer income support pro- seats, down from the 336 seats elections. residence in New Delhi. Kerala protesters must pay Angry teachers Lookout notice issued for shutdown losses: court for Chanda Kochhar IANS LOC is a routine process” which New Delhi was done in cases of economic By Ashraf Padanna dalism during the opposition Thampan told the court that off ences so that a tab was kept on Thiruvananthapuram shutdown and 990 cases during the state-run public transport their movement. the Sabarimala protests. Tham- company KSRTC suff ered losses he Central Bureau of In- This is the fi rst time a lookout pan said the party leaders must to the tune of Rs30mn besides vestigation (CBI) and the circular (LOC) has been issued he Kerala High Court yes- be made defendants in all cases. the destruction of public proper- Tenforcement directorate against Chanda Kochhar. terday observed that the Chief justice Hrishikesh Roy ties worth Rs3.85mn during the are likely to issue summons for The CBI had earlier issued Tgovernment must recover and justice A K Jayasankaran Sabarimala protests. questioning former ICICI Bank LOC against Deepak Kochhar and the damages caused during this Nambiar has initiated action At least 150 police offi cers, 11 CEO and managing director Dhoot after it registered a prelim- week’s shutdown against the against Youth Congress state offi cials and 141 citizens were Chanda Kochhar, her husband inary enquiry in March last year twin political murders and dur- president Dean Kuriakose and injured in the attacks by protest- Deepak Kochhar and industrial- to keep a tab on their travel plans ing the Sabarimala protests last two UDF leaders in Kasaragod, M ers who did not even spare police ist V N Dhoot in connection with at the immigration desks at the month from the parties which C Kamarudheen and A Govindan stations. the Rs32.5bn loan case involving international airports. had resorted to vandalism. Nair. The court sought a detailed the Videocon Group and ICICI The ED, which had registered The opposition Congress-led All three appeared in court and statement on the properties van- Bank, CBI sources said yesterday. a case of money laundering ear- United Democratic Front (UDF) pleaded that the shutdown call dalised during the protests and The CBI sources said the agen- lier this month on the basis of the had called the shutdown on was in response to emotions run- posted the case for further hear- cy would initiate the summons as CBI charge-sheet, is also plan- Monday, after the ruling Com- ning high over the killings of Sar- ing on March 5. it had completed the scrutiny of ning to summon those named in munist Party of India (Marxist) ath Lal, 24, and Kripesh, 19, near The judges had on Monday documents it had seized during the charge-sheet. or CPM killed two of its workers, Periyer in the northern district. warned all parties that they face the January 24 raids carried out A senior ED offi cial requesting disregarding a court ban on such The government lawyer also severe consequences as shut- at four locations in Maharashtra. anonymity said that they were fl ash strikes last month. sought to highlight the losses downs were in violation of its “We will soon start issuing studying the case fi les relating to The Sabarimala Karma arising from the Sabarimala ac- order. summons to all concerned per- transaction of the money of the Samithy (action committee) had tion panel leaders’ decision. The Last month, the same bench sons in the case,” said the source. companies included in the CBI called for protests that turned committee had called a shut- ordered that shutdowns can be He indicated that the agency will charge-sheet. violent at many places against a down after a man’s death from declared only after giving prior fi rst call Deepak Kochhar and “And once we identify the court order allowing women of stone throwing by CPM activists notice of seven days during Dhoot for questioning as they shady transactions, if any alleged all ages to enter the temple. at a protest march. which any citizen can challenge were the benefi ciaries of the kickbacks were paid, we will call The court’s observation came Prime Minister Narendra Mo- the call in court. The court had A teacher reacts as he and others shout slogans during loans disbursed by ICICI. them for questioning,” he added. during a hearing after remarks di’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said damages to public and pri- a protest demanding a hike in their salaries outside The source also said that the The offi cial added they were by government lawyer Ranjith had staged a series of protests vate properties will be recov- the state assembly building in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, agency had issued a lookout cir- collecting the list of assets owned Thampan that party leaders were over Sabarimala which turned ered from the shutdown enforc- yesterday. cular against Chanda Kochhar. by the Kochhars and Dhoot in In- responsible for 189 cases of van- violent. ers. The source said “issuance of a dia and abroad. Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

DISASTER LAW AND ORDER CRIME ANGER SUCCESS 7.5-magnitude quake hits Brazil looks to arrest US charges two El Chapo’s Protesters march against Mexico government says Peru-Ecuador border senior Vale executive sons with drug traff icking Morales re-election bid fuel theft down 72 %

A deep magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck the Brazilian prosecutors are seeking the arrest Two sons of Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Opposition supporters and community Mexico said the theft of state fuel has been Peru-Ecuador border region early yesterday of a Vale SA senior executive, authorities said Chapo” Guzman — both on the run in Mexico organisations took to the streets of several reduced by 72% since it launched a strategy morning, the US Geological Survey said, yesterday, following the collapse of a dam holding — have been charged with drug trafficking by Bolivian cities to protest against President Evo to combat the crime at the end of last year. causing tremors that the Ecuadorian president mining byproducts that is believed to have US authorities, the department of justice said. Morales’ plans to stand for a fourth term of off ice. “We’ve achieved a substantial reduction in oil said were felt around the country. The quake’s killed over 300 people. This is the first time that Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 34, and 28-year-old Demonstrators were out on the streets of major theft. If we continue like this we could save epicentre was in a sparsely populated area prosecutors are seeking to detain a senior-level Ovidio Guzman Lopez, were accused last year cities on a day that marked the third anniversary of around 50bn pesos ($2.6bn),” said President 224km east-southeast of Ambato, Ecuador, at executive, although several mid-level employees of conspiring to distribute cocaine, marijuana a referendum in which Morales was defeated in his Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in a press a depth of 132km. The USGS’s initial reading have been arrested in the wake of the disaster and methamphetamine from Mexico and bid to secure public support to remove term limits. conference. Octavio Romero, the director assessed the quake, which occurred at 5.17am in the town of Brumadinho. Eight employees are other countries into the US between 2008 and Bolivia’s 2009 constitution limits a president to two of state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos local time (1017GMT), at magnitude 7.7. There still being held. The executive, director of ferrous 2018. If convicted, the pair face a minimum consecutive terms of off ice. However, despite his (Pemex), said 7.8bn pesos had been saved was no risk of a tsunami being triggered, metals Peter Poppinga, has not been arrested sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison. 2016 referendum defeat, his government rejected between December 21, when the strategy was according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning after a judge declined to issue a warrant. But “El Chapo” was earlier this month found guilty the result while the constitutional court, filled with launched, and February 19. Part of the strategy Centre, and there were no initial reports of prosecutors said they are still seeking his arrest in of trafficking over 130 tonnes of drugs into the Morales loyalists, ruled that it was his human right involved the closing of pipelines from which casualties or damage. an appeal of the judge’s decision. US by a New York jury. to seek re-election. most of the country’s fuel is transported. Bolsanaro criticises fi lm on Brazilian revolutionary

Guardian News and Media The fi lm’s distributor, Paris Brasilia Filmes, said in a statement it had no forecast time for the fi lm’s release and was waiting for the fi lm about a leftist Brazilian right moment, citing a competi- revolutionary, directed by tive premiere calendar. But the ANarcos star Wagner Moura, fi lm’s producer, Andrea Barata has been denounced by President Ribeiro, told reporters that the Jair Bolsonaro and sparked con- distributor had said it “wasn’t the troversy across the country before adequate moment” for release. it has even been released. The fi lm has become a light- The fi lm, Marighella, is the ning rod for Brazil’s culture People wait for the start of “Venezuela Aid Live” concert, organised by British billionaire Richard Branson to raise money for the Venezuelan relief effort at Tienditas directorial debut for Moura, a wars. Marighella’s completion International Bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, yesterday. Brazilian actor from the Netfl ix comes shortly after Brazil elect- television series. It tells the story ed as president Jair Bolsonaro, a of Carlos Marighella, a contro- far-right former military captain versial Marxist guerrilla fi ghter who openly admires the dicta- during the beginning of Brazil’s torship and its use of torture. military dictatorship, which He once called General Carlos lasted from 1964 to 1985. Ustra, an infamous general dur- Marighella was assassinated ing the dictatorship who oversaw the torture of hundreds of peo- US aid to Caracas a pretext by the state in 1969. The dissi- dent called for violence against ple, a “Brazilian hero”. dictatorship leaders and police “Wagner Moura doesn’t show offi cers in the “Mini-manual for the crimes practised by Carlos urban guerillas”. Marighella,” Bolsonaro said in a The fi lm, which premiered video, citing Marighella’s call for violence against police and mili- for military action: Russia at the Berlin Film Festival last weekend, has already proved tary offi cers. hugely controversial in Brazil, Critics started the hashtag AFP On Thursday, Guaido set out Ukraine, so they decided to hold ian assistance” to Venezuela, ger confl ict and lead to serious causing worries over distribu- #MarighellaTerrorista and fl ood- Moscow in a convoy to collect US-sup- a new coup d’etat,” she said. warning it could spark confl ict consequences,” said China’s tion. The fi lm currently has no ed the Internet Movie Database plied food and medicine stock- She warned that a US mili- in the crisis-torn country. foreign ministry spokesman release date in the country. (IMDb) with one-star reviews and piled in Colombia, vowing to tary intervention in Venezuela China has loaned billions to Geng Shuang. “We will encounter a lot of negative comments, despite the ussia yesterday accused bring in the aid by today. would lead to a “sharp increase Venezuela and has remained “This is not what anyone trouble when we go back to Brazil,” fact that the fi lm is not yet availa- the US of using aid de- Maduro has closed the bor- in tensions” around the world. committed to President Nicolas wants to see,” Geng said. Moura said after the premiere. ble for Brazilians to see. Leftists on Rliveries to Venezuela as a der with Brazil to prevent the Shipments of food and medi- Maduro even as the country has “China is against a military Moura brought contemporary social media launched a counter- ploy to carry out military action entry of aid and the military has cine for Venezuelans suff ering fallen deeper into economic crisis. intervention in Venezuela and Brazilian politics to the red car- attack before IMDb removed all against President Nicolas Ma- beefed up security at the Co- in the country’s economic cri- “If the so-called humanitar- against any behaviour that pet at the Berlin Film Festival by comments and ratings. duro’s government. lombian border. sis have become a focus of the ian assistance were forcefully might cause escalation or tur- holding up a sign commemorat- In The Hollywood Reporter’s “A dangerous provocation, in- Zakharova alleged that the US power struggle between Ma- sent to Venezuela it might trig- moil,” he told reporters. ing Marielle Franco, an up-and- review of the fi lm, the critic stigated and led by Washington, is had moved special forces and duro and Guaido. coming leftist politician who wrote: “Moura paints Marighella planned for today,” foreign minis- military equipment “closer to Maduro has said Russia was Thousands flock to Venezuela aid concert was assassinated last year. himself as a tirelessly self-sacri- try spokeswoman Maria Zakha- Venezuelan territory” and was providing 300 tonnes of aid but “The Brazilian state is racist,” fi cing martyr … even though his rova said, pointing to eff orts by considering large-scale weap- Moscow has not provided details. Thousands of people, many edge of the Colombian city of Moura said in a press conference real Marxist-informed ideology opposition leader Juan Guaido to ons purchases to arm the op- Russian news agencies re- waving Venezuelan flags, Cucuta, the barricaded border at the screening. “The state- was more astringent than that. pick up US aid being stockpiled position. ported that Venezuela’s Min- streamed into a concert site on crossing visible nearby. “It’s sponsored violence committed “The fi lmmaker arguably does on the Colombian border. Noting that it had been fi ve ister of Industries and Na- the Venezuela-Colombia border amazing to see thousands come against revolutionaries in the Marighella’s legacy a disservice Guaido’s plans to try to bring years since the Ukrainian revo- tional Production Tareck El yesterday for an international to the concert,” said British 1960s is the same that’s commit- by simplifying him into a hu- the aid across the border are lution that ousted a Russian- Aissami would visit Moscow to charity concert to push for entrepreneur Richard Branson, ted in the favelas against blacks.” manitarian freedom fi ghter bat- aimed at provoking clashes, she backed leader — which Moscow meet with Russian offi cials. humanitarian aid deliveries who organised the Venezuela Moura and his colleagues said they tling against one-dimensional said, to provide “a convenient has accused the US of orches- A source quoted by the In- in defiance of a blockade by Aid Live concert. “It will be a will crowdfund for independent fascist enemies.” The fi lm has pretext for conducting military trating — Zakharova said Wash- terfax news agency said talks the government of President magical day,” the billionaire distribution if they have to. They also sparked debate about race – action”. Russia is a key support- ington was preparing for more would focus on “co-operation Nicolas Maduro. Many chanted told reporters, adding that plan to hold the fi lm’s premiere in some on the right have accused er of Maduro’s government and regime change in Venezuela. in trade and the economy”. “Freedom” and “the government he wanted to “build bridges a squatter camp of the Movement Moura of criminalising blacks by has repeatedly accused Wash- “It seems that in Washington Meanwhile China yesterday is going to fall” while they of hope” for the Venezuelan of Roofl ess Workers (MTST), a casting Seu Jorge, a black singer- ington of trying to carry out a there is nothing to mark the fi fth said it was against forcefully waited under a hot sun on the people. far-left peasant movement. turned-actor, as the lead. coup in Venezuela. anniversary of the coup d’etat in sending “so-called humanitar-

Escobar home razed Brazil police eye new tactic Ortega, opposition to combat child traffi cking look to resolve crisis AFP would usually come in from Managua multilateral organisations. Thomson Reuters Foundation Every year, more than 4,000 girls between the ages of 9 and 13 Nicaragua’s GDP shrank 4% Rio de Janeiro people are listed as missing in years old, the report said. last year and some economists the state of Rio, according to The man is suspected of traf- resident Daniel Ortega say it could contract 11% in government fi gures. fi cking the children, and they are and Nicaragua’s op- 2019. s part of an eff ort to ghtfi In Brazil, forced disappear- still missing more than 15 years Pposition have agreed to Protests initially started human traffi cking, the ance cases are almost never later. resume negotiations to resolve last April over a now-ditched ABrazilian state of Rio de solved, said state Judge Adriana Among the failings listed in a long-running political crisis pension reform, and escalated Janeiro plans to create an alert de Mello, at least in part due to the report was the fact that po- sparked by protests against his quickly as they were met by a system that can be activated authorities taking too long to lice took too long to start looking rule, with at least 320 people harsh government crackdown. whenever a child goes missing, a begin searching for the children. for the children. killed in a brutal government The Nicaraguan opposition state secretary said. The project was inspired by In Brazil, the law states au- crackdown. accuses former guerrilla leader Mobile phones in the area sur- the Amber Alert system in the thorities are required to search Ortega said that the gov- Ortega, in power since 2007, of rounding where the child dis- US, a programme that has re- for missing children immedi- ernment is working to “set establishing a corrupt dicta- appeared will receive messages covered more than 900 children ately, but many police offi cers the table for negotiations next torship with his wife and Vice with the child’s name, a physical since it was created in 1996, ac- tell families to come back after Wednesday” with representa- President Rosario Murillo. description and where they were cording to the US department of the child has been missing for tives from the opposition, Negotiations broke down last seen. justice. 24 hours, said de Mello, who au- which is demanding his resig- in June as Ortega refused the In cases of suspected human The US system allows law en- thored the report. nation. opposition’s main demands to traffi cking, the system will also forcement to interrupt regular At the event, the judge spoke The opposition accepted his step down and bring forward allow for photos of suspects to programming on TV and radio directly to the mothers of the invitation to negotiate. presidential elections. be transmitted to mobiles. broadcasts, and send messages children. Ortega made the appeal Protests lasted until October “We want to present this to wireless devices when a child “I apologise for how you were during an event commemorat- and as well as the many dead, project to (telephone) companies is missing. mistreated by the Brazilian jus- ing the 85th anniversary of the more than 750 people were ar- in the next six months,” said Fa- The state secretary introduced tice system,” de Mello said. death of guerrilla leader Au- rested and accused of terror- biana Bentes, Rio’s state secre- the plan at an event focused “You suff ered all sorts of hu- gusto Sandino, to an audience ism. tary for social development and around a report on government miliation.” of Cabinet members, military Thousands of people fl ed to human rights. failings in one prominent case of The chief suspect has yet to Colombian President Ivan Duque arrives to an event prior to personnel, the police and sup- neighbouring Central Ameri- “We need their support. suspected traffi cking. face prison time, though he has the demolition of the Monaco Building, in Medellin, Colombia, porters. can countries. They need to understand this is In the case, Rio’s authori- to present himself every month which was once home to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. It comes as the government Ortega’s handling of the a social service, that everyone ties were found to have failed to to law enforcement, to limit the The site will become a park in memory of the victims of the faces an economic crisis and a protests drew international needs,” she told the Thomson properly investigate a man now risk that he may fl ee prosecu- drug war. $315mn defi cit, as it struggles condemnation and sanctions Reuters Foundation. charged with kidnapping three tion. without funding and loans that from the US. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, February 23, 2019 PAKISTAN

Five children die of suspected food poisoning Five children died of suspected food poisoning after a meal at a restaurant located in Karachi’s Offi cials must implement Saddar area, police said. According to police off icials, the five children were aged from one to nine years. Their mother and paternal aunt are critically ill and under treatment at a private hospital. The deceased are 1.5-year-old open door policy: Imran Abdul Ali, four-year-old Aziz Faisal, six-year old Aliya, seven- „ Nawaz’s treatment cost implement an open door policy and rich. “We will hold each and establishment secretary, and the year-old Tauheed, and nine-year- nation Rs280mn, says Imran for the public and should end every one accountable.” secretary to prime minister old Salvi. the practice of keeping people The prime minister said that It was decided that normal According to police off icials, the „ PM Off ice expenses slashed waiting in the pretext of offi cial he has envisioned a Pakistan tenure on the post would be two family reached Karachi from by 31%, cabinet told meetings,” the prime minister where the poor and the highest years and continuation of ten- Quetta at 11.30pm last night and stressed. offi cials will get the same type of ure will be subject to review by were staying at a guest house in Internews “A comprehensive pro- medical treatment at a govern- the minister-in-charge after the Saddar. Islamabad/Rajanpur gramme for the assistance of the ment hospital. initial six months. “The family had ordered food poor segments of the society will Khan also chaired a central It was also decided that nor- from a nearby restaurant at their be announced soon. Skill devel- cabinet meeting in Islamabad, mal tenure of two years could be guest house,” off icials said. rime Minister Imran Khan opment of the youth and devel- during which it was revealed extended to three years on the “The family had also eaten food has directed government opment of agriculture is among that the Prime Minister’s Offi ce basis of a performance review at a restaurant in Khuzdar before Poffi cials to ensure that an the top priorities of the govern- had taken lead in cutting down by the prime minister in con- reaching Karachi,” the off icials open door policy is implemented ment,” Khan said. its expenditure by 31% during sultation with the minister-in- added. “Later that night, the and that people are not made to Meanwhile in Punjab’s Ra- the current fi nancial year, re- charge. five children, their mother and wait for hours because of offi cial janpur, where the prime min- sulting in savings of Rs303mn. The cabinet also granted ex- paternal aunt started feeling meetings. ister was attending a ceremony “The savings have been made post facto approval of a memo- sick and were taken to a private The premier met members of to inaugurate the Insaf health under various headings, includ- randum of understanding (MoU) hospital.” the National Assembly (MNAs) cards, he said that during Nawaz ing pay and allowances, food ex- on industrial co-operation Superintendent Police Gulshan from Sargodha Division in Is- Sharif’s three stints as prime penses, motor vehicle fuel, and between the China’s National Tahir Noorani said the cause of lamabad and was briefed about minister, his medical treatment cash rewards,” said an offi cial Development and Reform Com- the children’s death appears to issues faced by citizens. cost the nation Rs280mn. statement issued to media after mission and the Pakistan’s Fed- be food poisoning, according Speaking to the lawmakers, Punjab Health Minister Yas- the meeting. eral Board of Investment. Prime Minister Khan: Attempts by government off icials to create to initial investigation into the Khan said: “It is the Pakistan meen Rashid was also present at According to the statement, It ratifi ed the decision taken diff iculties for the public are unacceptable. incident. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govern- the ceremony. Prime Minister Khan reiterated by the Cabinet Committee on Further investigation is under ment’s top agenda to depo- The Insaf health card is her his call for a maximum possible State Owned Enterprises (CCo- The cabinet gave the nod to a The cabinet approved the ap- way, he added. liticise bureaucracy and ensure initiative. cut in expenditure, and urged SOEs) at its meeting held earlier proposal to appoint M/S Hor- pointment of Justice Shahid Ka- The restaurant in Saddar has provision of public services.” The government will provide all the ministers to ensure that this year. wath Hussain Chaudhry and rim as a judge and Justice Tahira been temporarily sealed by “Attempts by government of- the Insaf health cards to the un- the PTI government’s austerity The cabinet granted ex post Co to audit the accounts of the Safdar as president of a special the Sindh Food Authority, fi cials to create diffi culties for derprivileged families. drive is implemented in letter facto approval to appointments National Database Registration court, constituted under Crimi- and samples of food taken the public are unacceptable,” he The prime minister said that and spirit. of administrator and deputy ad- Authority (NADRA) for the fi - nal Law Amendment (Special for chemical examination. – added. the government hospitals used It was decided that in future ministrators in the Abandoned nancial year 2017-18. Court) Act 1976. Internews The prime minister directed to provide better healthcare, a high-level committee would Properties Organisation. The cabinet ratifi ed the Visa The cabinet also approved the the MNAs to identify those in- but the politicians prefer to have propose a panel of suitable offi c- The cabinet approved the ap- Abolition Agreement between composition of a steering com- volved in corruption, bribery, their treatment abroad. ers for posting against the slot of pointment of Azhar Hameed as Pakistan and Cyprus for diplo- mittee for the Sustainable De- Foreign income and nepotism. “I was born in a government a secretary of a ministry. the Employees Old Age Benefi ts matic and offi cial/service pass- velopment Goals Achievement “The appointed representa- hospital, my sisters were too. In The committee would be Institution (EOBI) chairman. port holders. Programme. declaration is tives should play an active role the past, these hospitals used headed by adviser to the prime It also approved an MoU be- It approved the appointment It approved the MoU between mandatory in ensuring that problems faced to provide standard healthcare,” minister on establishment, and tween China’s Yunnan Minzu of Raja Amer Khan as chairman Pakistan and China Overseas by citizens are identifi ed and re- Khan said. include Minister for Education University (YMU) and the Na- of the Implementation Tribu- Ports Holdings Company under The income tax law of Pakistan solved,” Khan added. He lamented that the law is Shafqat Mehmood, the con- tional University of Modern nal for Newspaper Employees the Clean Green Pakistan Move- has made it mandatory for “Government offi cials must applied diff erently for the poor cerned minister-in-charge, the Languages (NUML). (ITNE). ment (CGP-M). taxpayers to declare foreign income and assets in order to avoid penalty, Vishno Raja Qavi, a former chief tax policy at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), All in a day’s work has said. Bans reinstated on He was highlighting the key points of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) groups linked to LeT at a seminar organised by the Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA). Reuters/AFP city of Mumbai in 2008 that Qavi said that under the newly- Islamabad killed 166 people. introduced section, a resident The US has off ered $10mn individual, who has foreign for information leading to income above $10,000 or has akistan has reinstated Saeed’s arrest and conviction. foreign assets above Rs100,000, a ban on two charities “It was decided during the is required to file a statement Plinked to the founder of meeting to accelerate action under Section 116A of the Income an Islamist militant group that against proscribed organisa- Tax Ordinance 2001. has carried out attacks in India, tions,” Pakistan’s interior min- He said that such taxpayer is the interior ministry said yes- istry said in a statement. also required to file normal tax terday. Saeed, who denies being the return in order to avoid penalties. The ban comes as Pakistan mastermind of the Mumbai at- – Internews faces international pressure tacks and says he has no links to act against militant groups, to militant violence, has main- amid escalating tension with tained that the two charities – Prisoners freed by its nuclear-armed neighbour, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and India, following a suicide bomb Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation Saudi Arabia start attack on Indian police in In- (FIF) – are vital for helping the arriving home dia-administered Kashmir. poor and have no militant ties. The attack, in which 40 In- JuD spokesman Yahya Muja- The repatriation process of dian paramilitary troops were hid said the two groups would Pakistanis released from Saudi killed, was claimed by the Pa- turn to the courts to overturn jails has started, with some kistan-based Jaish-e-Moham- the latest ban. already arriving in the country, mad (JeM) militant group. Saeed has been placed under reported Express News. Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah- house arrest several times over The move came after Saudi e-Insaniat Foundation were the past decade but he has al- Crown Prince Mohamed bin designated “proscribed organ- ways been released after a few Salman responded to Prime isations”, the interior ministry months and has mostly been Minister Imran Khan’s request said in a statement, adding that living freely in Pakistan, to the and ordered the release of more Prime Minister Imran Khan anger of both India and the US. than 2,000 Pakistanis from Saudi had ordered offi cials to accel- Pakistan has long banned the prisons. erate action against banned LeT but for many years allowed Amid emotional scenes at groups. its charity wings to operate an the Allama Iqbal International The statement did not pro- extensive network including Airport, five Pakistanis landed in vide further details. 300 seminaries and schools, Lahore from Jeddah. The two banned charities are hospitals, a publishing house Ecstatic family members lauded linked to founder of another and ambulance services. the premier’s eff orts to bring their prominent Islamist group, the The US has repeatedly com- loved ones home. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). plained about Pakistan’s fail- The Saudi prince was recently Pakistan’s National Secu- ure to shut down the charities An animal barber clips hair on a horse’s coat on a street in Lahore. in Pakistan on a two-day visit. – rity Committee, made up of top it deems “terrorist fronts” Internews military and civilian offi cials, for LeT – Pakistan last year decided late on Thursday to banned the two charities but ban the charities liked to LeT the order was temporary and it founder Hafi z Saeed, who has lapsed. long been on a UN internation- India has ratcheted up pres- al terrorism blacklist. sure on Pakistan since the Pakistan to spend $8.8bn in northwest tribal districts The United States and In- February 14 attack in Indian- dia have blamed the LeT for administered Kashmir. numerous deadly militant at- India accused Pakistan of Internews Thirty per cent of the funds 19, sanitation system programme the defunct Federally Adminis- culture and tourism for services tacks, including a four-day having a hand in the attack. Peshawar will be allocated for the devel- in all tribal district headquarters, tered Tribal Areas (Fata) include delivery. siege by gunmen in the Indian Pakistan denies that. opment of local governments in rehabilitation and solarisation purchase of land for seven dis- According to estimates, the merged districts. of 220 DWSS under the grant of trict transport offi ces, bus ter- projects proposed in the health, onsultations over the 10- Over the next three years, the USAID in tribal districts and six minals, housing, three trucking education, gender development Army court-martials senior offi cers for spying year development plan development funds will be used water and sanitation schemes in terminals, infrastructure devel- and social welfare sectors would Cto spend Rs1.2tn ($8.7bn) to build 702 village and neigh- North Waziristan with the sup- opment, staff procurement, and cost Rs408.977bn, whereas the The military is conducting court-martial proceedings against two in Pakistan’s northwest merged bourhood councils, 1,000km port of Unicef. establishment of driving schools. infrastructure development in- senior off icers on charges of espionage, a spokesman said yesterday, districts has continued for fourth of farm-to-market link roads, The future plans for the Public As for the tourism, archaeolo- cluding transport, roads, com- without giving details. consecutive day. sanitation schemes, 500 solar- Health Engineering Department gy and sports sector, the tourism munication, urban development, “The army chief has ordered their court martial,” Major General Asif A statement issued here said powered drinking water supply (PHED) include the rehabilita- department has planned for pro- water management, and energy Ghafoor, the military’s main spokesman, told a news conference, add- the meeting was held to chalk out schemes (DWSS), 100 gravity- tion, improvement, solarisation vision of basic sports facilities, and power components are to be ing that the two are individual cases. plans for local government, pub- based drinking water supply and augmentation of existing 518 construction of 25 playgrounds allocated around Rs433.586bn. He gave no details on the identity or rank of the off icers nor what lic health engineering, transport, schemes, solarisation of the ex- DWSS, 391 pumping and gravity at sub-divisional level, construc- Similarly, the projects pro- country or organisation they were alleged to be spying for, but said: housing, tourism, and sports de- isting 200 DWSS, construction DWSS for the unserved areas in tion of seven sports complexes at posed for the economic growth “There is no network as such.” partments. of drains, capacity development all tribal districts, 10 new sani- district level, development of 14 including agriculture, livestock, Separately, Ghafoor also said a former head of Pakistan’s spy agency It said that offi cials discussed of elected local representatives, tation programmes for all tribal tourist destinations, exploration fi sheries, industries, mines, min- Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General Asad Durrani, has been found plans and strategies and identi- and projects for solid waste man- districts, master planning for of 20 major archaeological sites, erals and forestry are estimated guilty of violating the military’s code of conduct. fi ed possible hurdles to eff ective agement. provision of DWSS and sanita- talent hunting with youth mobi- to cost Rs251.362bn. Durrani was facing an army’s inquiry for co-authoring a book with and rapid development. As for the public health sec- tion facilities in all tribal dis- lisation, and direct facilitation of Additionally, the resource mo- AS Dulat, a former chief of India’s spy agency Research and Analysis The consultations are being tor, the ongoing programmes to tricts, and capacity building of 10,000 youths. bilisation, institutional reforms, Wing (RAW), Spy Chronicles, published last summer. held in the seven-day consulta- be completed until 2021 include PHED staff members in merged As a fi rst step for intervention, fi nancial inclusion, economy and Durrani has been stripped of his pension and other benefits as a tive workshop organised to frame the completion of 89 schemes areas. the tourism department plans capacity building projects are retired off icer, Ghafoor said. the 10-year development plan for identifi ed in the ADP (Annual Similarly, the proposed plan the establishment and strength- estimated to cost an amount of the merged tribal districts. Development Programme) 2018- by the transport department for ening of local offi ces for sports, Rs133.884bn. Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES Palace rejects rebels’ ransom plea despite threat to kill hostages

By Catherine S Valente on our no-ransom policy,” he rorist kidnappers,” Col. Noel Manila Times said in a separate statement. Detoyato, military public aff airs President Rodrigo Duterte gives a peace sign with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Murad Ebrahim (front third right) during “To give in to the demands chief, said. the Ceremonial Confirmation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law Plebiscite Law Canvass Results and Oath-taking of Transition Authority at of terrorists and other lawless “We will continue with our the Malacanang palace in Manila, yesterday. alacanang yesterday groups would embolden them ongoing combat operations, maintained the gov- to engage in more abductions there is one ongoing right now,” Mernment’s policy of not that would allow them to con- he told reporters in an interview. paying ransom for the release duct extremist and other crimi- He said the military’s Eastern of hostages, despite a threat by nal activities as they could buy Mindanao Command and the the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to more arms and weapons,” Panelo Western Mindanao Command Duterte swears in Ebrahim execute a Malaysian and two In- added. were in close co-ordination donesians who were abducted in He made the statement after with its counterparts in Kuala Mindanao. Abu Sayyaf terrorists posted a Lumpur and Jakarta through the Palace spokesman Salvador video online threatening to ex- trilateral patrol operations in the Panelo expressed confi dence in ecute their captives. southern seas. as Bangsamoro region chief the capability of government The ASG released a video On Wednesday, President Ro- forces to rescue the captives of which showed the Indonesian drigo Duterte urged Indonesia the terrorist group. hostages — believed to be Heri and Malaysia to join forces with AFP had killed some 150,000 people Murad’s MILF signed a their objective to autonomy. “We’re standing fi rm on no- Ardiansyah, 19, and Hariadin, 45 the Philippines in combating Manila since the 1970s. peace treaty with the Philip- Despite the MILF peace deal, ransom policy. The government — being guarded by gunmen. crime on the high seas. Duterte and Murad, leader pine government in 2014, and violence persisted as more forces will hunt them in the wild The Malaysian hostage, Jari “I call upon the Brunei Da- of the Moro Islamic Liberation the legislature of the mainly radical groups set up shop in forests of Mindanao and unleash Abdulla, 24, was not with the russalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- he Philippines yesterday Front (MILF), have both said Catholic Asian nation last year that segment of the country. their might and blow them to duo. Philippines-East Association of handed over the reins of they hope the pact will help passed a law creating the self- In May 2017, hundreds of kingdom come,” Panelo told Ma- The captives, their eyes cov- Southeast Asian Growth Area Ta new Muslim-led terri- head off the rise of extremism rule area, which voters later foreign and local pro-IS gun- nila Times in a text message. ered with black cloth and hands (BIMP-EAGA). We are doing tory to rebel leaders who waged in the country’s southern re- ratified. Murad and his transi- men seized Marawi. “The ASG continues to be on tied behind their backs, made commerce. Our navies must be a decades-long fi ght for auton- gion of Mindanao. tion body will form a cabinet The Philippine military the run as a result of the order of an emotional appeal for their vigilant. We have to be one in omy, but are now tasked with “The road to peace may be as well as pass laws until the wrested back the ruined city the president to the military to governments to save them. One our patrols. These pirates, they securing peace and prosperity. long and rough, but I am glad temporary arrangement ends after a five-month battle that crush them,” he said. militant held a knife to the neck have no souls, I assure you. I am President Rodrigo Duterte that we’ve fi nally reached its with the election of a regional claimed more than a thou- The government, Panelo add- of Hariadin as he spoke to the telling the military forces, fi nish personally swore in Murad end point,” Duterte said in a parliament in May 2022. sand lives. An earlier peace ed, was strongly against paying camera. them (pirates) off ,” Duterte said Ebrahim, head of the nation’s speech after also swearing the During Murad’s term some treaty between Manila and a ransom to the Abu Sayyaf terror- The hostages were kidnapped in his speech in Davao City. largest Muslim group, as inter- other members of a Bangsam- of his more than 10,000 armed rival rebel faction had created ists as the money enables them at sea off Sandakan in Sabah on “Once again, Indonesia and im chief minister at a symbolic oro transition government, a fighters are expected to grad- a self-rule area in 1996, but it to buy more fi rearms to carry out Dec. 5, 2018. Malaysia, we have to band to- Manila ceremony. majority of them picked by the ually disarm under the terms was hampered by funding and more kidnappings and terror at- The terrorists are believed to gether. The world is chang- It comes after voters deci- MILF. “Most of all we would set by the peace treaty. corruption, while the MILF tacks. be holding nearly a dozen cap- ing including the economy. It sively backed in January the like to see an end to the vio- The rebellion began in the fought on. “We are doing our best to se- tives, mostly foreigners. could either go bad or very bad founding of the so-called Bang- lence that has wracked Mind- early 1970s as a bid to set up The new entity is better- cure the release of hostages (one The military said combat op- or where it could go well. But samoro region in the south, the anao and have cost so many a separate Muslim state in the funded and slightly larger. The Malaysian and two Indonesians) erations against the Abu Sayyaf we have to go to a bad level and culmination of a peace deal to lives for nothing,” the presi- Mindanao region. national government retains from the evil hands of the Abu would continue. I hope we can survive it,” he end a separatist insurgency that dent added. The rebels later scaled down police powers. Sayyaf Group, but we stand fi rm “We never negotiate with ter- added.

Negros Occidental Minister seeks meeting braces for El Nino Minors’ birth certifi cates The Negros Occidental provincial government set aside funds for with German envoy cloud seeding operations, as it prepares for the looming eff ects of the El Nino phenomenon DPA “Berlin Embassy is handling essential ‘to curb traffi cking’ to local farmers, the provincial Manila it. I told them to tell the Ger- agriculturist said, Manila Times man Foreign Ministry to send reported. the German ambassador to me Manila Times in the South. And DFA Con- “shall not be required,” the ing changes in the passport Japhet Masculino said the Off ice he Philippines’ foreign because I’d rather fi nish my own Manila sular informs me that there is DFA said. entries; renewal applications of the Provincial Agriculturist minister yesterday called fi ghts than have others do it,” he a 50,000 backlog of passport of brown and green passports would also buy equipment, such Ton Germany to send its added. applications still under in- Foreign service bearing no complete middle as water and irrigation pumps, to ambassador to him to discuss his In an interview with ARD, he government’s fi ght vestigation. That is to make posts and consular offi ces name; applicants included in help local farmers. remarks comparing Adolf Hit- Locsin backed Duterte’s state- against child sex traf- our passport credible world- may require additional the Department’s watchlist. But the eff ects of El Nino on the ler’s massacre of Jews to Presi- ments in 2016 likening his ad- Tfi cking is the main rea- wide,” Locsin said. documents... “For the aforementioned agriculture sector in the province dent Rodrigo Duterte’s crack- ministration’s campaign against son why minors are required to The Department of Foreign exceptions, the application could only be minimal, he added. down on illegal drugs. illegal drugs to the Nazi dicta- submit birth certifi cates when Affairs (DFA) in December It said the order should requirements existing under The Philippine Atmospheric, Foreign Secretary Teodoro tor’s slaughtering of at least 6mn renewing passports, Foreign 2018 issued an order clarify- cover only regular renew- the Passport Act, IRR, and Geophysical and Astronomical Locsin confi rmed that the Phil- Jews. Aff airs Secretary Teodoro Loc- ing the process of passport als of passports and shall other existing relevant cir- Services Administration (Pagasa) ippine ambassador to Germany In a speech months after he sin Jr said yesterday. renewal “to enhance the not cover the following cases culars shall remain,” the DFA earlier said a mild El Nino phe- had been summoned by the Ger- became president in 2016, the Locsin issued the state- convenience of and unbur- where birth certificates is- said. nomenon has already been aff ect- man Foreign Ministry in protest 73-year-old leader said he would ment on Twitter when a neti- den the public and passport sued by the Philippine Sta- Foreign service posts and ing some provinces. The state at his remarks to German public be “happy to slaughter” 3mn ad- zen asked about the necessity applicants from unnecessary tistics Authority (PSA) shall consular offices may re- weather bureau, in an advisory, television network ARD. dicts in the same way that Hitler to provide birth certificates requirements for the renewal still be required: first-time quire additional documents said a weak El Nino was occurring “Yes, what now?” he tweeted killed Jews. Duterte apologised for minors during passport of their passports.” passport applications; re- to ascertain the Philippine in the tropical Pacific region and in reply to reports of the protest for his statement after an outcry, renewals. The presentation of a birth newal applications for lost citizenship of passport ap- would likely continue until the and Germany’s summoning of and both countries have since “Yes, to prevent child sex certificate in the application or mutilated passports; re- plicants or proof of filiation second quarter of the year. the Philippine ambassador. moved forward. trafficking which is rampant for the renewal of passport newal applications requir- of minors. Court dismisses Aquino’s complaint against former project manager

By Neil Jayson Servallos no’s company KCAP without Thus, should Falcis now pay is handling the case, said the Manila Times consent from the former. his credit card bill, BDO can grave threat case was a mere The charges fi led in Maka- directly initiate legal action “afterthought, a measly ploy ti stemmed from 13 alleged against him to compel him to to retaliate” and to respond to he Makati City Prosecu- transactions amounting to pay,” the resolution said. the P45mn qualified-theft case tor’s Offi ce has dismissed P404,794.34. “He is only liable to BDO for filed against Nicko. Tthe qualifi ed theft case “No evidence was presented the card transactions that he had Aquino said her harsh words fi led by Kris Aquino against her with regard to any agreement made using the card,” it added. against Nicko were more of a former project manager Ni- between Aquino and Falcis as re- Aquino also yesterday filed threat of legal action. canor “Nicko” Falcis, who was gards the use of the subject cred- her counter-affidavit on a Her counter-affidavit said also managing director of Kris it card (under Falcis’ name),” the grave threat case lodged against the Falcis brothers failed to Cojuangco Aquino Productions order read. her by Nicko and his brother submit to the prosecutor an (KCAP). Emmanuel Medina, Medina explained that with Jesus before the Quezon City audio recording of her alleged Makati senior deputy city pros- Falcis’ name on the card, he Prosecutor’s Office. threat. ecutor, approved on Monday could use it according to the “I did not threaten to kill “What they submitted was Assistant City Prosecutor Paolo terms imposed by BDO and “us- Nicko. I was very angry at them a mere screenshot of an article Barcelona’s resolution, moving ing it for personal expenses does so I said something when I was about the audio recording, mak- for the dismissal of the case for not make him liable for theft.” interviewed last Sept 27, 2018. I ing it a hearsay and inadmissible lack of probable cause. “As cardholder, Falcis is per- was hoping to personally meet in court,” Aquino said. This was one of the com- sonally liable to BDO for any and them today. Aquino, who was accompa- plaints lodged against Falcis in all amounts charged to the card. But they are not here. Let’s nied by sons, Joshua and Bimby several cities over his alleged It is for this reason that Falcis’ meet on next hearing on March and sister Balsy, expressed con- charging of more than P1mn to a name appears in the credit cards 8,” she told reporters. fi dence that the complaint fi led Television host and actress Kris Aquino walks with her lawyer and sons, Bimby and Josh to the Quezon BDO corporate card under Aqui- statement of account. The Divina law office, which against her would be dismissed. City Prosecutor’s Off ice. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, February 23, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan

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 As Maduro holds on, opposition eyes negotiated transition Germany’s defence spending must rise to 2% of GDP by 2024 to meet the country’s Nato commitments.

Venezuela’s opposition is trying to convince ruling Socialist Party offi cials to join a transition government, shifting focus as it seeks to unseat President Nicolas Maduro, who has clung to power in the face of growing international pressure and US sanctions. Last month, Venezuelan opposition leader and Congress chief Juan Will Germany permit Guaido invoked the constitution to assume the interim presidency after declaring Maduro’s re-election in May 2018 illegitimate. He swiftly received recognition from the United States and Latin American powers. In an eff ort to secure the backing of Venezuela’s military, Guaido proposed an amnesty for offi cers who turn on Maduro’s government. joint European security? But defections have been minimal and top brass has declared allegiance to Maduro, dimming hopes of a quick end to an economic disaster that has prompted millions of desperate Venezuelans to fl ee By Joschka Fischer whether achieving joint European was to claim the status of a victorious politics on Germany’s behalf. But abroad, fuelling a regional humanitarian crisis. Berlin security with Germany’s participation power for his country after World War this cozy division of labour, like the Amid fears the changes have stalled, opposition leaders have is even possible. II. Doing so invited French citizens American-led postwar order, came to begun to talk in the past week about bringing ruling Socialist Party Europeans must not allow wishful to forget the Vichy regime, the defeat an end with the election of Trump. stalwarts into a potential transition government. S President Donald Trump thinking to obscure important facts, by the Nazis in 1940, and the internal A German return to traditional power “This transition requires a large national agreement between the has proved truly disruptive to as happened when the European political rifts of the 1930s. It was thanks politics certainly has its risks. But the country’s political forces,” Edgar Zambrano, vice-president of the the transatlantic relationship. Monetary Union was being formed to de Gaulle that France maintained its alternative is to maintain the status opposition-run National Assembly, said in an interview. UHis questioning of America’s in the 1990s. From the start, there historical course. quo and forego a joint EU security Zambrano said any transition must include “Chavismo,” the left- mutual-defence commitments presents were pronounced diff erences between The same cannot be said for policy. A policy consisting of more wing movement founded by Venezuela’s late leader Hugo Chavez, Nato with an ominous and potentially individual member states not only with Germany. During the 20th century, than lofty words necessarily implies who hand-picked Maduro as his successor. existential crisis. The US security respect to economic and fi scal policy, Germany made two bids for European a deepening of political integration “You cannot disappear Chavismo guarantee, after all, is one of the two but also in terms of political culture and hegemony and world domination, in the name of European sovereignty. and you cannot go from persecuted pillars upon which European peace and mentality. Nonetheless, wilful ignorance and the price it paid was its own Without common export rules, for “They must to persecutor. This is not political prosperity have rested since the end of prevailed, and the monetary union was destruction, to say nothing of Europe’s. example, there can be no meaningful revenge,” he said. World War II. And nor has Trump spared launched without the integrated political Its sense of historical continuity was co-operation on European armaments pay for what It was not immediately clear how the second pillar: the rules-based global institutions that such a project requires. demolished in 1945, at which point its development, let alone more actively the opposition is building trade system and economic order. The EU must not make this mistake culture and traditions were devalued far-reaching and ambitious projects. they have bridges. Just two years after Trump’s election, again. Today, the main fact that cannot and its territorial integrity destroyed. Germans are currently engaged Opposition leaders say they Europeans fi nd themselves shivering be ignored is that a joint security policy Germany became synonymous with in an intense debate over defence spending, which must rise to 2% of done” maintain contact with government alone in the icy winds of international will require a compromise between aggression, terror, and genocide. Germany and France, the two largest Postwar Germany abandoned GDP by 2024 to meet the country’s Nato offi cials and military cersoffi but politics, rightly wondering what is to be done. It stands to reason that Europe and most powerful member states. Such military-based power politics and commitments. Given the foreseeable keep such talks confi dential to avoid aff ecting those involved. must deepen its internal bonds, close a compromise will not come easily. The foreign adventurism, and concerned geopolitical risks on the horizon, in the Maduro says he is the victim of a US-orchestrated coup attempt ranks, and strengthen its military two countries’ political mentalities, itself primarily with economic absence of a joint EU security policy, and has refused to resign. capacity. Some might question whether historical narratives, and geopolitical development. Germans simply saw German defence spending would have Many rank-and-fi le opposition supporters hope to see Maduro and this is what Europeans truly want, given interests are simply too far apart, and in no other way to gain reentry to the to rise even higher to make up for the his allies exiled or behind bars, and would be frustrated by attempts that we are living in the age of Brexit, many cases diametrically opposed. Still, democratic West, let alone reclaim US’s withdrawal from Europe. to bring them into the transition. which will deprive the European Union owing to its particular history, Germany political sovereignty. This strategy Needless to say, Germany’s Guaido’s decision to assume the interim presidency revitalised of its second-strongest military and poses the bigger obstacle, even if its culminated in the reunifi cation of East rearmament on its own would raise Venezuela’s fragmented and disillusioned opposition and led to a economic power. offi cial rhetoric suggests otherwise. and West Germany in 1990. many questions and historical fl urry of street protests. But just because the British don’t For its part, France’s traditional With the shift away from power concerns. Rearmament with and for Hopes of quick change were fuelled by diplomatic support seem to know what they want doesn’t self-image refl ects its long history as politics in 1945, Germans on both the Europe and Nato, however, would be a from numerous countries and tough US sanctions on mean the rest of Europe is in the same a great European power, even if that left and the right became pacifi sts. completely diff erent matter. One way or Venezuela’s vital oil industry, which has bankrolled Maduro’s boat. In fact, most Europeans favour a era – and Europe’s global dominance And to this day, many Germans remain another, Europe must grow stronger. It government. stronger, more powerful EU with a joint generally – has passed. As a nuclear deeply and emotionally committed is in everyone’s interest that Germany Some in the opposition quietly predicted a military security policy. power and a permanent member of to neutrality, despite many decades be productively engaged in that process. pronouncement in favour of Guaido as early as January 23, the day he The big exception is Germany. As the United Nations Security Council, of European integration and Nato – Project Syndicate proclaimed himself president at a rally in Caracas. the EU’s economic engine and most France views its military actions and membership. This has been particularly Top military offi cials were silent for hours after Guaido’s populous member state, there can be arms exports not as moral failures but true in the post-reunifi cation period, Joschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign pronouncement, leading to speculation that Maduro was frantically no joint security policy without the as the prerogatives of a world power owing in no small measure to America’s minister and vice chancellor from 1998 negotiating with offi cers not to switch sides. country that sits at the very heart of conducting foreign policy. security guarantee and willingness to to 2005, was a leader of the German Yet only a handful of active offi cers backed Guaido. Europe. But it is an open question The genius of Charles de Gaulle manage the dirty business of power Green Party for almost 20 years. Expectations of a quick military proclamation have given way to concerns over a slow and complicated path forward, both in Caracas and Washington. “I don’t think (Washington) understood the complexities of the target, of Venezuela: all the overlapping security that Maduro has available; the things at his disposal,” said one former US administration offi cial in touch with current cials.offi The idea of a unity in Venezuela was in fact included in a little- Business and biodiversity noticed provision of a Transition Law passed by the National Assembly last month. Venezuela’s four main opposition parties all back the idea, but in By Robert Watson functioning ecosystems and a minimal taking to safeguard biodiversity as part Assessment in 2005. The new report the past week have increasingly discussed the issue. Bonn level of biodiversity. Without a healthy of the Act4Nature initiative. will place a much stronger emphasis “People must understand that Chavismo is not just Maduro,” environment, forced migrations, confl icts By integrating biodiversity concerns on the role that all decision-makers, legislator Stalin Gonzalez said in an interview with Reuters last week, over resources, and a range of other direct into their global growth strategies, including those in businesses, have to in comments that sparked a backlash on social media. t the World Economic Forum’s and indirect disruptions to global trade and by supporting targets set by play in safeguarding biodiversity. Some opposition supporters say they would be open to middle- (WEF) annual meeting and commerce become more likely. the international community, these The scientifi c and expert evidence ranking or dissident socialists being included in an interim in Davos last month, the According to one estimate cited in businesses are helping to lay the is unequivocal: human activities are government, but not the top brass. Aevidence of mounting threats this year’s Global Risks Report, the groundwork for a major summit in Beijing changing Earth’s climate and destroying “They must pay for what they have done,” said Maria Elena to nature, and of nature’s contributions annual value of nature’s contributions next year. The delegates who gather the natural resources and ecosystems Fonseca, who at age 78 struggles to make ends meet despite working to people, featured higher on the to people – in the form of food, water for CBD COP15 will decide on global on which we all rely. Businesses, as a psychologist. agenda than ever before. The task for purifi cation, pollination, protection biodiversity targets for the next decade. governments, and members of civil Like countless Venezuelans, Fonseca has seen her income eroded business leaders around the world is to against fl oods, and so forth – is $125tn, Biodiversity pledges by businesses society – including indigenous peoples by hyperinfl ation that now tops 2mn percent annually. embrace this evidence and start acting or is roughly two-thirds more than vary. For its part, AXA Insurance and local communities – all have a duty Fonseca receives remittance from her daughter abroad, who is as stewards, rather than spoilers, of our global GDP. Hence, the WEF concludes Company is developing new ways to to reduce and reverse this damage. among the estimated 3mn Venezuelans who have fl ed the once- vital natural assets. that biodiversity loss and ecosystem account for biodiversity loss in its But while we all need to work assessments of fi nancial risk. This, in together, the private sector, in prosperous nation since 2015. The latest edition of the WEF’s collapse are both more likely and potentially more damaging to business turn, will help to channel investments particular, must redouble its eff orts “It’s not about revenge: it’s about justice,” she said. Global Risks Report is correct in concluding that, “Of all risks, it is in than most other global threats. toward projects that maintain or to protect natural systems and shape relation to the environment that the Fortunately, last November, prior reinforce ecosystems. Meanwhile, the the future we want. That will require To Advertise world is most clearly sleepwalking into to the 14th meeting of the Conference French cosmetics company L’Oréal business leaders with a vision that catastrophe.” But PwC’s latest annual of the Parties to the Convention on has pledged that, by 2020, none of its extends beyond quarterly earnings. [email protected] CEO survey, also released at Davos, Biological Diversity (CBD COP14), products will include ingredients linked Around the world, customers are Display reveals that business leaders no longer participants in the Business and to deforestation. becoming increasingly concerned about include environmental concerns in their Biodiversity Forum recognised For others seeking to incorporate the wider consequences of production 44466621 44418811 top-ten threats to corporate growth. the “urgent need for increased biodiversity considerations and consumption. By recognising Such fi ndings refl ect an inexcusable collective ambition to halt and reverse into their decision-making, the that business as usual can no longer Classified myopia on the part of business leaders. biodiversity loss.” Intergovernmental Platform on continue, corporate leaders can usher 44466609 44418811 The loss of biodiversity – stemming To that end, a growing number of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services’ in a future that is better both for their from the destruction of individual fi rms have committed to such collective latest regional assessment reports bottom lines and for our shared natural Subscription species, entire ecosystems, and even action. Many, for example, have off er a range of evidence-based policy world. – Project Syndicate genetic resources – is not just an signed onto the global Business and options. And at its next plenary session [email protected] environmental issue; it is also a threat Biodiversity Pledge that was introduced this coming May, IPBES will release the Robert Watson is Chair of the to global development, security, and at the CBD gathering in Mexico in 2016. fi rst global assessment of biodiversity Intergovernmental Platform on economic prosperity. Products ranging And last July, companies meeting in and ecosystem services since the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved from coff ee to cotton rely on strong, France detailed concrete steps they are landmark Millennium Ecosystem (IPBES). Gulf Times Saturday, February 23, 2019 15 COMMENT Property bust rattles Australia’s economy

By Tom Westbrook/Reuters unsold apartments in its development in the Sydney hopes that the rate of Sydney price falls slowing slightly in January signals the bottom of the market approaching, he added. s property prices rocketed toward the As monthly insolvencies in the construction heady peak of Sydney’s real-estate industry hit their highest in almost three years boom in 2017, the bulldozers came to in November, consequences have begun to AEpping. ripple outwards through Australia’s economy, Eucalypt-lined streets of red-brick which has grown for 27 years straight without a bungalows in the middle-class suburb were recession. snapped up at hefty premiums by developers, A slew of profi t downgrades and weak results razed, and quickly remade as apartment blocks. at businesses from banks to advertisers and Many units were sold off -the-plan — where retailers has followed and the central bank has buyers enter into contracts and pay deposits now opened the door to a cut in interest rates. before construction starts — to Chinese Australia’s house price falls are not entirely investors drawn by the location’s reputation unwelcome and have been partly engineered by as a Chinese community hub and its highly- authorities to improve aff ordability. regarded schools. Epping prices, for example, doubled in the But prices are now in freefall, and the suburb eight years leading to the 2017 peak. is being refashioned once more, this time into Curbs on lending to foreigners and a the epicentre of a bust. clampdown on capital fl ows by Beijing hurt As buyers disappear and miss settlement demand from Chinese investors, Australia’s payments, some projects are sinking under largest source of international property their debts. investment. “Once the sales rates and pricing Last fi nancial year, foreign investment in dropped, it just couldn’t service all of its residential property dropped 58% to A$12.5bn, commitments,” said Philip Campbell-Wilson, government fi gures show. who is liquidating one such new development, Local residential property investors are Gondon’s Elysee Epping. also fi nding it tougher to borrow as banks Campbell-Wilson is fi nalising a list of tighten loan conditions under pressure from creditors which include building contractors regulators. as well as fi nanciers and debts of A$57mn The impacts have been underestimated ($40mn). according to Peter Summers, chief executive of The developer’s parent company did not AVJennings, a developer exposed to suburban An excavator is parked at the construction site of an apartment block in the suburb of Epping, Sydney. return phone calls and sales staff for the markets in Melbourne and Sydney, which is development directed Reuters to its receiver, now looking to slow supply as the market turns the least aff ordable in the world by researcher Monday reported a slowdown in building waste Group as well as furniture seller Nick Scali are Newgate Advisory, which declined to comment. sour. Demographia, based on the ratio of median volume growth in the fi rst half of its fi scal year, also feeling the negative eff ects. Now 61 of Gondon’s 130 apartments are for “In a couple of projects, we’ve already house prices to median income. an announcement that halved the value of its Grocers Coles Group Ltd and Woolworths sale all bundled together to recoup creditors’ reduced our stage sizes and delayed a couple of And with the central bank cooling on the idea shares. Group Ltd have also reported slowdowns. funds, pushing prices in the area lower still. stages,” he said. of a rate hike, the prospect of higher mortgage “It fl ows through everything,” said Jason “People are just not as confi dent or sure Prices in the Epping area have already The company announced a 91% drop in repayments sparking a rush of defaults is Teh, Chief Investment Offi cer at Vertium Asset as to where things are going,” said Darryl fallen more than a fi fth from their peak in half-year profi t as a combination of delays and reduced. Management. Abotomey, chief executive of car repairer and August 2017, according to data from property buyers’ reticence sapped sales. But the sentiment has still brought forward- Housing price falls tend to discourage parts distributor Bapcor Ltd, which has cut its consultant Corelogic, the steepest falls in The pullback is not bad news for everyone. looking construction indicators to a screeching spending because home owners feel less outlook as drivers postpone vehicle servicing. Sydney. While the heaviest wipeouts have been halt. wealthy, save more, and cut back on purchases. His thoughts were echoed at Epping, where “Up until December there’s actually been an reserved for the frothiest sections of the Monthly building approvals are down by “The question is whether there’s more to realtor Oliver Yap said an apartment nearby acceleration of the decrease in pricing,” said market, like apartments built largely for foreign 40% from their peak and construction loans hit come...the economic momentum, as showed by that fetched A$562,000 a year ago had taken Jay Carter, sales director at the Australian arm buyers, developers such as Mirvac Group say a three-year low in December. company earnings is getting worse,” Teh said, months to attract a A$415,000 off er. of Chinese developer Poly Real Estate Group they are so far unscathed and even on the Profi ts are falling, or forecast to drop at adding it would probably take a central bank Rents have also sagged. Co, which recently built a 516-unit complex in lookout for sites. building suppliers CSR Ltd and Boral Ltd, and rate cut to arrest the decline. “We don’t think this year will be good, Epping. Price falls are also giving fi rst-home buyers ancillary companies are also suff ering. Property classifi eds sites Domain Australia there’s no reason for it to be good,” Yap said. Poly plans to hang on to most of roughly 30 a chance to get into a market ranked as among Garbage collector Bingo Industries Ltd on Holdings Ltd and News Corp-owned rival REA “There is a huge oversupply of apartments.”

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 240c Public offi cer entering house without permission Minimum Temperature : 170c SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 170c By Dr Nizar Kochery shall cause deferment of judgment A: The granting of a no-objection A: According to Article 803 of the Doha in the original lawsuit whenever certificate is the discretion of the civil laws, in fire insurance, the MONDAY it is fit for judgment. The court employer. However, as per the entry, insurer shall be responsible for Maximum Temperature : 240c shall decide on joinder applications exit and residence law (Law No. 21 all damages arising from the fire Minimum Temperature : 160c Question: Is it legal to enter one’s together with the original lawsuit, of 2015), there is no requirement of or from the start of a fire that can Fisherman's forecast premises without authorisation? whenever it is possible, otherwise a no-objection certificate from the become a complete fire or for a fire Does the law grant any kind of it shall reserve the joinder applica- previous employer for a resident to risk that can materialise. Its liability WARNING Inshore : Nil exemption to the public officials? tion for judgment after granting take up a new job in Qatar. The em- shall not be limited to the dam- Offshore : Nil What will be the punishment for the same. ployee can transfer the job with the ages arising directly from the fire a person who entered a resi- approval of the Ministry of Labour, but also covers the damages that WEATHER Inshore : Mild daytime with scat- dence without any official order? after five years of service with the arise as an inevitable result thereof, tered clouds to partly Please advise. NOC from previous employer. particularly the damages caused to cloudy and a chance employer not needed insured property by reason of using of light rain at some JA, Doha methods of rescue or of prevention places,cold by night. Insurance coverage of the extension of fire. The insurer Offshore : Partly cloudy with Answer: As per Article 162 of Q: My employer terminated me in fire accident shall ensure providing compensa- chance of light rain to Penal Law, any public officer who, without any reason and I have tion for the damages arising from the north later WIND under pretext of the powers of his completed seven years in the the fire even if such fire arises from Inshore : Northeasterly-South- office, enters the house of a person company. The company did not Q: In case of fire accident, is a defect in the insured property. The easterly 05-15 KT or any of its attachments, with- pay my dues. Another company the insurance coverage limited insurer shall be liable for damages Offshrore : Northeasterly-South- out the consent of the concerned has offered me a job, but they to direct damages? If a fire ac- arising from an inadvertent fault of easterly 03-12/15 KT person or causes someone else to require NOC from the old spon- cident resulted from the defect the insured and shall also be liable enter therein except in those cases sor company. Is it possible to in the insured object, whether for damages arising from a sudden Visibility : 4-8 KM authorised by law, shall be pun- file a case against the company the insurer can reject the accident or a force majeure, as per Offshore : 1-3/4 FT ished with imprisonment for a term for not issuing an NOC? Please claims on such defect? What is Article 805. Around the region not exceeding three years or a fine advise. the law on insurance? Please Weather Weather not exceeding QR10,000 or both. advise. z Please send your questions to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min The same penalty shall apply to PI, Doha YG, Doha [email protected] Baghdad M Sunny 21/09 Sunny 21/08 any public officer who searches a Kuwait CityM Sunny 21/12 P Cloudy 23/12 person, a house or a store with- Manama P Cloudy 23/17 M Sunny 23/17 out the consent of the concerned LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Muscat Cloudy 26/21 P Cloudy 27/21 person, or causes someone else to Tehran M Sunny 12/03 P Cloudy 12/03 do the same except in those cases According to Article 207 of the authority which issued the order or authorised by law. Criminal Procedure Code, if the the judgment shall order to place the court considering the case finds that suspect in a therapeutic facility until the decision on the case depends on it decides to release him on the basis Joinder application the contested document and that of medical reports. for a legal case there is a reason to proceed with According to Article 213, in establishing the evidence of forgery, every crime committed against a it may refer the documents to the minor under 16, it may be ordered, Q: I have invested a small amount Public Prosecution, and suspend if necessary, to hand the minor in a business on a friend’s re- the proceedings until the forgery over to a trustworthy person who quest. My colleague also invested is decided. The court may, if the undertakes to observe and protect in the same business. It was decision on the forgery action is him or to an officially recognised agreed to share profit according within its jurisdiction, investigate care body, until the case is decided to the contract. But the friend did the claim itself and rule on the on. Such order shall be issued by not share the profit and he did validity of the document. The court the Public Prosecution or the court not respond to our requests. My may also adjudicate the claimant of considering the case. Around the world colleague has filed a legal case forgery to pay a fine of Qr1,000 if a If the crime is against a mentally Weather Weather against him for cheating. Can I ruling or order of non-existence of disabled person, the order may be today Max/min tomorrow Max/min join as party to the case filed by forgery is issued. issued by the Public Prosecution or Athens Rain 11/05 Showers 07/05 my colleague? How can I add my If it is necessary to examine the the court considering the case to Beirut M Sunny 16/12 Sunny 18/14 name as additional party to the condition of the suspect suff ering temporarily place him in a therapeutic Bangkok Sunny 34/27 M Sunny 34/27 case? Please advise. from mental disability or serious facility, or hand him over to someone Berlin P Cloudy 06/-3 Sunny 11/-1 mental illness, the Public Prosecution shall, in this case, be placed in a trustworthy, as the case may be, until Cairo M Sunny 21/12 P Cloudy 23/13 ON, Doha or the court considering the case may specialised therapeutic facility as the case is decided on. Cape Town Sunny 24/18 P Cloudy 23/17 order to place him under observation ordered by the Public Prosecution The judge shall refrain from Colombo P Cloudy 31/25 P Cloudy 29/25 A: According to Article 78 of the in a specialised therapeutic facility, or the court considering the case, participating in the consideration of Dhaka Sunny 33/19 M Sunny 31/21 Civil and Commercial code of for successive periods, each of which as the case may be. Suspension the case if the crime was committed Hong Kong Rain 22/17 M Cloudy 21/18 procedure, any interested person do not exceed 15 days and the total of of the case does not prevent the against himself, if he has performed Istanbul Rain 06/02 Rain & Snow 04/02 may join the lawsuit to any of the which does not exceed 45 days, after undertaking of investigation a judicial control duty in the case, Jakarta T Storm 32/24 T Storm 31/25 parties or claim judgment for a hearing the statements of the Public procedures which are considered an act of investigation, referral, Karachi P Cloudy 26/18 Sunny 26/19 remedy connected with the lawsuit. Prosecution and the attorney for the urgent and necessary. conviction, or defence of a litigant, London Sunny 16/02 Sunny 14/01 The joinder application shall be in suspect. The time spent by the suspect or testified or assumed an expert Manila M Sunny 32/22 Sunny 32/22 accordance with the normal pro- As per Article 210, if it is proved in the therapeutic facility shall be role. The judge shall also refrain Moscow M Cloudy -4/-06 Cloudy 02/0 cedure for filing lawsuits, prior to that the suspect is unable to deducted from the term of penalty from participating in considering New Delhi M Cloudy 22/11 P Cloudy 22/11 the date of the session, or by verbal defend himself because of mental or measures of which he may be the case if he is a relative of one of New York Cloudy 07/04 Rain 13/02 application in the presence of the disability, or serious mental illness, adjudged. the parties or witnesses through Paris Sunny 15/01 Sunny 14/01 parties, to be noted in the records occurring after the crime, the If an order that there is insuffi cient kinship or affinity to the fourth Sao Paulo I T Storms 31/22 P Cloudy 32/23 of the same. The joinder applica- institution of the case against him evidence to proceed in the criminal degree. He shall also refrain from Seoul M Cloudy 11/-4 Sunny 09/-3 tion shall not be permitted after or the continuation of his trial case or an acquittal of the suspect is participating in the appeal of a Singapore P Cloudy 33/24 P Cloudy 34/25 close of pleadings. The court shall shall be suspended until the reason issued, because of a mental disability judgment, if the appealed judgment Sydney Showers 22/18 Cloudy 22/19 decide on every dispute relating no longer exists, and the suspect or serious mental illness, the was issued by him. Tokyo Cloudy 14/05 Clear 12/03 to acceptance of joinder. Joinder Gulf Times 16 Saturday, February 23, 2019 QATAR Top Qatar jewellery brand targets Europe, US buyers

By Peter Alagos have in our lives into elegant and luxury Business Reporter pieces of jewellery. I think each collection that I make brings something diff erent as I grow and mature,” she continued. espite having a strong presence in Asked to describe the Qatari woman and Wires in Gold ring in yellow, rose and white gold, pink sapphire. the country, Qatari jewellery brand what distinguishes her from other clients, DGhada Al Buainain is looking to ex- she said: “Qatari women have beautiful pand its prominence in the international taste and they always challenge me to de- markets as well. sign beautiful jewellery.” The brand is currently participating at Al-Buainain started designing jewellery the 16th edition of the Doha Jewellery and at the age of 20, and designed her fi rst col- Watches Exhibition (DJWE), which runs lection in 2014 when she was 22. She called until February 25 at the Doha Exhibition Pipe in Gold bracelet in rose gold, diamonds. Digital Garden blue flower ring in white the collection ‘Pipe in Gold’ “since it was and Convention Centre. and yellow gold. taken from a mechanical character,” and Elaborating further on the company’s Ghada Al Buainain as a leading brand in included four main pieces. expansion plans, Qatari designer Ghada the local and international markets. lection as a local luxury brand. From there she added new pieces to Rashid al-Buainain told Gulf Times that In terms of being a distinct brand “For our brand to be part of the DJWE her collection, which were some smaller aside from the DJWE, “we are starting this among other Qatari and international lux- with all the luxury brands from all over the pieces that can be changed depending on year with a show in New York and we will ury houses, al-Buainain said perception world is good to be recognised in the right preference, called “the fi ttings”. She then end it in Europe.” “I totally agree that Qa- makes the brand unique. “The way Ghada market…we are still trying to fi gure out the designed her next collection, ‘Digital Gar- tar is an important market for our brand, looks at jewellery is diff erent. We believe right way to do things, but with each and den’. “My thoughts are inspired from the but we also see that our brand could work in the power of jewellery, and the trans- every experience, we learn new things,” she environment around me. I love the feel- perfectly abroad,” said al-Buainain, who formative quality it has on any outfi t,” she said. “Since we started Ghada Al Buainain ing I get when I see the transformation of noted that having a good marketing plan pointed out. She lauded the DJWE’s role in jewellery, we followed the same line of everyday objects into pieces of jewellery,” plays a signifi cant role in positioning helping promote Ghada Al Buainain’s col- converting unconventional things that we she said. Pipe in Gold twisted ring in yellow gold. Fifty One East introduces new brands to customers

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

ifty One East, Qatar’s leading department store, Fhas introduced several new and renowned brands to Qatar at the 16th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition being held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre until Febru- ary 25. The brands include David A collection from Marina B. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Yurman, Imperia Jewels, Ma- rina B, Mattioli, and WATCHe. Offi cials of these fi rms told Gulf Times that they are quite excited about the response they are get- ting from the visitors at the ex- hibition. “This is a very special and rare brand showcasing heritage. Marina is the third generation family member of Bulgari fam- ily and she started working with the family,” said Guy Bedarida, chairman and creative director of the brand. The brands include David Some of the special collections from David Yurman. An Imperia Jewels art piece. Yurman, Imperia els said: “We are basically a dia- we have some special collec- to see in motion its mechanics. Jewels, Marina mond company and have started tions. We have jewellery that is Its ergonomics and its lightness a brand named Imperia based in in various colours and they can bring a very great comfort dur- B, Mattioli, and Belgium and manufactured in It- be used matching the clothes or ing its use. WATCHe aly. It is a high-end luxury brand the bags of the person. Founded in 2006 by Lebanese with lightweight products. “It “We have also several studded designer Tarfa Itani, Falamank “Later Marina started her own is a 100-year-old company and rings which are very special and by Tarfa Itani matches its rich business. She improvised on the we do participate in many exhi- highly attractive,” said an offi - oriental heritage with tradi- jewellery and introduced several bitions around the world. Our cial of the brand. The WATCHe tional craftsmanship to produce new features that brought a lot products range from $5,000 to brand presents its new prod- unique and handmade pieces of attention from the jewellery several thousands of dollars. uct range in its We, We7 wrist of fi ne contemporary jewellery. world. The brand is more than “We are planning to mar- watch section. The new model “I have been in the business for 40 years old now and has been ket our products through Fifty We7 incorporates a new system more than 10 years. I am the de- given a rebirth with several daz- One East in Qatar.” Mattioli of pivoting allowing initially to signer of the jewellery. One of zling new collections,” he ex- is another brand introduced accede to the time and espe- my specialties is the Solai col- plained. for the fi rst time in Qatar. “It cially to display to the sight of lection, inspired by sun and its Saurabh Jain of Imperia Jew- is a 100-year-old brand and its wearer its privacy and thus positive energy,” Itani added. A special art piece from Mattioli. The Solai collection from Falamank by Tarfa Itani. Bespoke luxury brand Faberge attracting younger audience in Qatar

By Peter Alagos Spirit of Ecstasy, described the Fab- mortar retail platform to serve our Business Reporter erge egg as “unique” and “one of its clients, and quite often what we do kind.” is a lot of bespoke here at Faberge – “This occasion is very important clients come to us because they want aberge, which fi rst launched in because the jewellery exhibition is something unique; they want to cre- the Qatari market at the Doha one of a kind in the world. The stand- ate a family heirloom that could be FJewellery and Watches Exhibi- ards of this exhibition are high and passed down from generation to gen- tion (DJWE) about nine years ago, has they will remain to be high, which eration, and I think Faberge is one of witnessed a growing market among is the impetus of this event. That is the revered names for bespoke jew- the younger generation in Qatar. “We why the exhibitors here are always ellery, so it’s often private visits to are interacting with a very young au- showcasing something unique and people’s homes,” noted Lindsay, who dience in Qatar, which is really excit- distinctive,” Alfardan told Gulf Times. said Faberge has outlets in in Villag- ing for Faberge,” Faberge managing Lindsay stressed that Faberge has gio, Landmark, The Pearl-Qatar, and director Antony Lindsay told Gulf always been about embracing the Alfardan Centre. Times on the sidelines of the unveil- philosophy of its founder, Peter Karl He also lauded Alfardan Jewel- ing of Faberge’s ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ egg Faberge. “He was a pioneer and vi- lery’s partnership with Faberge in at the DJWE. sionary of his time – a forward think- Qatar: “We continue to work under “Our creations are contemporary, er. We strive at Faberge to reinvent the guidance of Alfardan Jewellery. refreshing, and diff erent, and it’s at- luxury with a sense of wonder, sur- Hussain Alfardan and his family have tracting a younger audience, so we prise, and discovery by doing things been very instrumental in helping us have younger people coming by the a little bit diff erently, and I think the in this market. We’ve sold watches booth and they’re becoming friends. Faberge managing director Antony Lindsay beside the ‘egg bar’, which unveiling of the Spirit of Ecstasy egg that we’ve made and they really The next year they come back and showcases some of the latest collections that has been attracting a lot of is a fi ne example of that,” Lindsay fur- helped us and advised us in the design they bring their friends,” he contin- interest among the younger generation. PICTURES: Jayan Orma ther said. aspect of the watches so that they’re ued. On Faberge’s market presence in fi t for this market and we’ve had great According to Lindsay, the pieces input in the jewellery that they wear that we could fl y out to sit with our Qatar, Lindsay said: “Since Faberge’s success.” being showcased at the Faberge booth and we enjoy doing that as well, so we clients; we have consultations. And fi rst launch in Qatar, we found that He added: “I am a strong believer in inside the Alfardan Jewellery pavilion can make bespoke pieces whether it’s we understand what they would like, there’s an existing clientele – Faberge the power of collaboration; I am ab- provide inspiration to many people, an adaptation of an existing piece or that means sorting gem stones, as afi cionados, they’re collectors of pre- solutely delighted to be working with especially for those who want be- literally starting from a blank sheet of well,” Lindsay pointed out. 1917 Faberge pieces.” Alfardan and the family had been fan- Egg necklace adorned with Burmese rubies on spoke pieces. “That’s the big part of paper. Alfardan Group chairman Hussain “We expand year on year but we tastic both on a business and personal display at the Faberge booth inside the Alfardan what we do – it gives people creative “We have an in-house design team Ibrahim Alfardan, who unveiled the don’t necessarily need a brick-and- level.” Jewellery pavilion.