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Vodafone-Huawei deal to enhance Al Bayt Stadium turf wireless network laid in record time published in since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11169 April 30, 2019 Sha’baan 25, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir condoles with Sheikha Moza visits EAA projects in Indonesian president His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin PHCC launches Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Thani have sent cables to Indonesian new corporate President Joko Widodo to express condolences on the victims of the floods and landslides.

Call for sighting 2019-23 strategy Ramadan crescent O Stress on high quality High quality integrated family medi- The Crescent Sighting Committee integrated family medicine cine model of care; focus on preventa- at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic tive health, highly skilled and motivat- Aff airs has called upon all Muslims model of care and ed workforce, strong partnerships with to sight the crescent of Ramadan on preventative health patients, families and communities; Saturday, May 4 (Shaaban 29, 1440 enhanced primary care system and col- AH). It said whoever witnesses the Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of (QF) and Education Above All (EAA), attended a By Joseph Varghese laboration for care and patient safety crescent should head to the ministry’s dinner banquet hosted by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in her honour during her visit to Kuala Staff Reporter and eff ective, innovative organisation. headquarters in Dafna area to give Lumpur. The dinner featured a traditional Malaysian show by a group of children enrolled in a special programme co-ordinated by The launch event was also attended testimony. The committee will meet the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to train and teach Malaysian children gifted in the arts. Sheikha Moza visited by Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al- after the Maghrib (sunset) prayer. two out of 131 educational centres in Malaysia supported by EAA’s “Educate A Child” programme in co-operation with the UN High etting an ambitious goal of pro- Thani, director of Public Health Depart- Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). During the visit, she reviewed the achievements of the two schools. Page 24 viding high quality integrated ment at the Ministry of Public Health; Sfamily medicine model of care Prof Lord Darzi of Denham, vice chair of in the country, the Primary Health the Board of Governors, Sidra Medicine; Care Corporation (PHCC) yesterday several dignitaries and over 200 health- launched its Corporate Strategy Plan care professionals from Qatar. Project Qatar 2019 exhibition opens 2019-2023. “This plan supports the vision for a Under the theme,“A Healthier Fu- safe, sustainable and high-quality pri- he 16th edition of Project Qa- at Exhibition and Convention the theme ‘The Future of Construction ture for Our Families” the strategy mary care service provided in modern tar, which has brought together Centre yesterday. in Qatar’, showcases the latest innova- was unveiled in the presence of HE the premises. PHCC has achieved much Tmore than 500 international, The biggest and most diverse edition tions, products and services in con- Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan over the past fi ve years and our goal is regional and local brands from 33 of the exhibition, being held under the struction and all related industries. Mohamed al-Kuwari. to ensure the quality of primary care countries under one roof, was inaugu- patronage of HE the Prime Minister HE al-Kuwari, along with senior gov- There are six priority areas, 20 stra- meets the health needs of the popula- rated by HE the Minister of Commerce and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah ernment offi cials and prominent busi- tegic goals and 80 strategic activities in tion,” HE Dr al-Kuwari, commented. and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani under ness leaders toured the stalls. Page 4 the programme. The priority areas are: To Page 7

Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 3 QATAR

Education MoU with Turkey approved His Highness the Amir 18, 2016, the text of which is signed in Doha on December Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad annexed to this decree and 2, 2015, the text of which is al-Thani yesterday issued shall have the force of law in annexed to this decree and Decree No 20 of 2019, accordance with Article 68 shall have the force of law in approving a memorandum of the Constitution. accordance with Article 68 Amir issues decision of understanding (MoU) on His Highness the Amir also of the Constitution. co-operation in the field of issued Decree No 21 of 2019, The two decrees are higher education between approving the maritime eff ective starting from their the State of Qatar and the transport agreement date of issue and are to Republic of Turkey, signed between the State of Qatar be published in the off icial to reconstitute NHRC in Trabzon on December and the Republic of Turkey, gazette. is Highness the Amir Sheikh tan Mubarak Khamis al-Abdullah, from the date of issue and is to be ing from their date of issue and Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani representative of civil society; Mar- published in the offi cial gazette. are to be published in the offi cial Hyesterday issued the Amiri yam Abdullah Ali al-Attiyah, repre- gazette. Decision No 19 of 2019 on the re- sentative of civil society; Abdullah Envoys to three constitution of the National Human Saqr al-Mohannadi, representative countries named Maritime pact with Rights Committee (NHRC). of the Ministry of Interior; Faisal Ivory Coast approved The decision stipulated that the Abdullah al-Hanzab, representative His Highness the Amir Sheikh NHRC shall be reconstituted as fol- of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs; Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued His Highness the Amir Sheikh lows: Dr Ali Saeed Smaikh al-Marri, Salem Rashid al-Muraikhi, repre- yesterday the Amiri Decision No Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yes- representative of civil society; Dr sentative of the Ministry of Justice; 20 of 2019, appointing Moham- terday issued an instrument of Mohammed Saif al-Kuwari, repre- and Mohamed Hassan al-Obaid- med Abdullah Obaid al-Dehaimi as ratifi cation approving a maritime sentative of civil society; Dr Yousef li, representative of the Ministry ambassador to China. transport agreement between the Mohammed al-Obaidan, repre- of Administrative Development, His Highness the Amir also is- State of Qatar and the Republic sentative of civil society; Dr Asma Labour and Social Aff airs. sued the Amiri Decision No 21 of of Ivory Coast, signed in Doha on Abdullah Mohammed Attiyah, rep- The decision also provided that 2019, appointing Fahad Ibrahim al- September 17, 2018. resentative of civil society; Dr Ab- the committee would select chair- Hamad al-Mana, as ambassador to His Highness the Amir is- dulaziz Abdulqader al-Mughaiseeb, man and vice-chairman from its the Kingdom of . sued an instrument of ratifi ca- representative of civil society; Dr members of representatives of civil His Highness the Amir issued the tion approving an agreement on Ali Ahmed al-Kubaisi, representa- society, and that the term of the Amiri Decision No 22 of 2019, ap- the promotion and protection of tive of civil society; Fawaz Bakhit committee would be three years, pointing Saeed Mubarak al-Khay- mutual investments between the al-Jatal, representative of civil so- renewable for another period or arin al-Hajri, as ambassador to State of Qatar and the Republic ciety; Amal Abdullatif al-Mannai, periods. Afghanistan. of Ivory Coast, signed in Doha on representative of civil society; Sul- The decision is eff ective starting The decisions are eff ective start- September 17, 2018. (QNA)

Public Prosecution holds lecture on cybercrimes law

he Public Prosecu- society and achieve justice, tion organised an in addition to introducing Tawareness lecture on the functions of the Public the cybercrimes law, as part Prosecution. of the programme of fi eld During the lecture, al- visits to students of sec- Kuwari gave an overview of ondary schools, which was the cybercrimes law and the launched last week within obligations of users of social the framework of the edu- networking sites, as well as cational role of public pros- cybercrime penalties, while ecution, and based on its reviewing tips and proce- community responsibility. dures to protect against ex- The lecture targeted stu- posure to cybercrime. dents of a number of sec- Last week, the Public ondary schools, during Prosecution organised its which Deputy Attorney- fi rst awareness lectures General Ahmed Yousef for high school students, al-Kuwari addressed the focusing on the traf- objectives of the Public fi c law and traffi c crimes Prosecution to serve the penalties. (QNA) Deputy Attorney-General Ahmed Yousef al-Kuwari delivers a lecture on cybercrimes law. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 QATAR

German pavilion showcases building sector expertise

By Joey Aguilar business are highlighted at the Staff Reporter ‘Made in Germany’ pavilion at the exhibition. This covers building mate- bout 20 German com- rials, electricity, lighting and panies are participating air-conditioning, environmen- HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, Italian Senate President Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano and other Ain Project Qatar 2019, tal and water technology, waste dignitaries at the ribbon cutting ceremony to off icially open Project Qatar 2019 yesterday at DECC. PICTURES: Ram Chand seeking more business oppor- water treatment, stone technol- tunities within the framework ogy and equipment, stone and of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and stone products and architectural beyond, German ambassador shading structures. Hans-Udo Muzel has said. German SMEs have a reputation The exhibition, which opened of high effi ciency and outstanding yesterday at the Doha Exhibition quality in the international mar- and Convention Centre under the ket, thus, Germany maintains its Biggest, most diverse edition of patronage of HE the Prime Min- strong position worldwide, ac- ister and Interior Minister Sheikh cording to the embassy. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa “German companies have been al-Thani, hosts 15 international involved in various infrastructure pavilions specialising in con- projects on Qatar’s path to the FIFA struction and related industries. World Cup in 2022 and the imple- Project Qatar gets underway “Most of the German compa- mentation of the country’s National nies are in the market, they have Vision 2030 with German know- By Joey Aguilar Discussion will focus on Qa- a very established reputation, how having been actively sought Staff Reporter tar’s smart cities, iconic real es- and looking forward to addi- after in Qatar for many years,” the tate developments towards the tional business certainly within embassy noted, adding that Ger- 2022 FIFA World Cup; and tech- the framework of infrastructure man expertise has been showcased he 16th edition of Project nology and innovation for the projects for the World Cup 2022 through the roofi ng of Khalifa stadi- Qatar, which has brought future of energy in Qatar. and so on,” the envoy said. um and the unique convertible roof Ttogether more than 500 “Manateq would like to em- Many of these are small- of Msheireb Smart City. international, regional and local phasise the importance of de- and medium-sized enterprises Qatar Rail also used German- brands from 33 countries under veloping our private sector and (SMEs), who mostly have been made tunnel boring machines one roof, was inaugurated by SMEs to achieve sustainable taking part in Project Qatar for the drilling work on the HE the Minister of Commerce economic diversifi cation for our every year since its inception in Doha Metro project, which was and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al- nation,” said Mohamed al-Mal- 2004, according to a German completed on schedule. Kuwari at Doha Exhibition and ki, chief planning and business embassy statement. In addition, a German architec- Convention Centre yesterday. development offi cer, Manateq. A wide range of German ex- tural company restored the former The biggest and most diverse In keeping with Project Qa- pertise, state-of-the-art tech- palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jas- edition of the exhibition, being tar’s objective of supporting the nology, and high quality so- sim al-Thani at the newly opened held under the patronage of HE full breadth of requirements in lutions for the construction National Museum of Qatar. the Prime Minister and Inte- the sector, professionals in the rior Minister Sheikh Abdullah construction fi eld can develop bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Dignitaries and diplomats attend the Project Qatar conference. and enhance their skills through under the theme ‘The Future of a series of training and work- Construction in Qatar’, show- sive sponsor of ‘Smart District’ fi rst FIFA World Cup in 2022. We infrastructure for citizen-owned shops certifi ed by CPD London, cases the latest innovations, at Project Qatar 2019, presented hope that the event will support land plots and the local road net- IMA, and ASTM International, products and services in con- exhibits of various innovations the future needs of the compa- work,” Yousef Abdulrahman al- introduced this year. struction and related industries. and smart applications deployed nies and the professionals that Emadi, projects aff airs director Informative sessions will run HE al-Kuwari, along with in Qatar’s greenfi eld smart city, contribute to our construction at Ashghal, said in speech at the on each of the three days and will senior government offi cials, Lusail, and the ‘Smart Nation sector,” he added. Project Qatar conference. include preparing and analysing representatives from the Qa- Programme’ to the minister. Dubbed as Qatar’s largest ex- “In co-operation with Qatar feasibility studies and the prac- tar National Tourism Council, “Through Project Qatar, the hibition for construction materi- Development Bank, we con- tice of building sciences quality other dignitaries, and promi- local market and supply chain als, equipment, and technology, tinuously train Qatari manu- assurance. nent business leaders, toured will stand to benefi t from the Project Qatar has become a plat- facturers, as well as rehabilitate With limited spaces available, the stalls at the event. contributions of more high- form for global and local fi rms to factories and products for non- those interested are encouraged The minister also visited the quality products, innovative showcase their latest services, Qataris, to support their prod- to register as a Project Qatar 15 offi cial pavilions of partici- services and the technical exper- products, and equipment, as well ucts and the local economy,” visitor to attend. pating countries: China, Tur- tise from big global players,” said as deepen their market presence al-Emadi added. One of the inclusive activi- key, Algeria, Germany, Austria, Haidar Mshaimesh, acting gen- and forge new business relations Fahad Zainal, chief corporate ties this year is a giveaway pro- Belgium, India, Iran, , Ku- eral manager, IFP Qatar (event with countries of all sizes. support offi cer of Free Zones gramme that includes profes- wait, , , Roma- organiser) in a statement. “The Public Works Author- Authority, delivered a keynote sional tools, safety products, nia, Russia, and the UK – the “For Qatar’s construction sec- ity (Ashghal) continues to sign address at the conference fol- and others, provided by Project biggest international participa- tor, this is a time of opportunity, new contracts for projects across lowed by a panel discussion with Qatar exhibitors. German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel (right) with HE the Minister tion at Project Qatar to date. particularly as the country pre- Qatar including several that will the ambassadors of Italy, Turkey, Project Qatar is open to the of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari at Project Qatar Parsons International, exclu- pares to deliver the Middle East’s be signed next month to develop Germany, and Pakistan. public from 12noon to 9pm. 2019 yesterday. Ashghal initiative lends helping NBK features subsidiaries at Project Qatar asser Bin Khaled (NBK) biggest names in Qatari industry. Group, a leading busi- QAC is the authorised distrib- hand to local small-scale fi rms Nness conglomerate in utor of Mitsubishi Motors Corpo- Qatar, is taking part in Project ration and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck By Shafeeq Alingal Qatar 2019 with its pavilion and Bus Corporation in Qatar. As Staff Reporter comprising a number of its sub- the company is steadily growing sidiaries. and raising its market share, it The NBK Group pavilion fea- continues to represent one of the he Qualifi cation of Small- tures four companies: Qatar best Japanese quality and attrac- Scale Contractors Initia- Automobile Company (QAC), tive sport vehicles, the statement Ttive by the Public Works the authorised distributor of notes. QAC will display commer- Authority (Ashghal) is turning Mitsubishi Motors Corporation cial vehicles from the Fuso brand, out to be an encouragement for and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and which best serve companies local companies in Qatar. The Bus Corporation; NBK Tires working in this industry. project has so far helped 107 Qa- Services, the authorised dis- Dignitaries at the NBK Group pavilion at Project Qatar. In addition, NBK Tires Servic- tari manufacturers and 152 con- tributor of Michelin Tires, NBK es has been the offi cial importer tractors become part of various Service Centres, the authorised of Michelin tires in Qatar for over works carried by Ashghal. distributor of Bosch; and NBK 35 years and has a long record of Speaking to Gulf Times on Heavy Equipment. successful partnership. Together the sidelines of Project Qatar All the companies will display with Michelin, NBK has been 2019 at Doha Exhibition and some of their products and equip- able to provide automotive users Convention Centre (DECC) HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, Italian Senate President Maria Elisabetta ment that best suit the exhibition in Qatar with products that are Ashghal’s Project Aff airs direc- Casellati and other dignitaries visiting Ashghal’s stall at Project Qatar and show their capabilities in sup- technologically superior. tor Youssef Abdulrahman al- 2019 yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand porting Qatar’s construction and Beside the three above-men- Emadi said the local companies building sector, NBK Group has tioned companies, NBK Service only need to meet certain re- small projects and helping them be ensured,” al-Emadi said. said in a statement. Centres, the authorised distribu- quirements in terms of quality. to be a part of the country’s stra- Ashghal also plans to launch Sheikh Nasser bin Nawaf tor of Bosch, is displaying some “The initiative has helped tegic projects and contribute to few projects that will be imple- al-Thani, deputy CEO of NBK of its products that off er the top them become part of building the local economy. mented through PPP as part of Group, said: “Our participation automotive technology from Ger- construction, grading works, Ashghal recently opened four its eff orts to contribute to the in this prominent exhibition is many. The brand has been operat- road pavement, drainage facil- tenders for road improvement involvement of the private sec- in line with our strategy to sup- ing in Qatar for over 34 years with ity, construction of pedestrian projects. The value of the projects tor and increase its investments port national events and exhibi- aff ordable, branded and quality lanes and works to enhance traf- stands at about QR100mn. The in the implementation of public tions. Being the gold sponsor of service centres and parts. fi c safety,” he explained. authorities are now looking to sector projects. the event, NBK reiterates once A view of the pavilion. The NBK pavilion “welcomes The initiative was launched increase the participation of The new initiative will help again its full commitment to its esteemed visitors in its pavilion in January 2018, in a bid to help local companies. Ashghal to benefi t from the ex- Qatar and its development. At the NBK pavilion, NBK chinery and heavy equipment to have a closer look at the equip- Qatari companies get an ideal “Contracts of few upcoming perience of the private sector in “It also refl ects our belief in the Heavy Equipment represents necessary to support Qatar’s ment, machinery and trucks” on environment for growth. It is development projects includ- project management and im- wise vision of the leadership and several reputable brands in the infrastructure on the way to ac- display, the statement adds. The also aimed at providing Qatari ing welfare project for senior plementation fi elds. Besides, it the strategy of the government, segments of construction and complish the goals of Qatar Na- NBK staff will be always available investors with opportunities citizens will be signed with lo- will lead into transfer of experi- which motivates us to continu- concrete, material handling and tional Vision 2030. The company to off er any kind of assistance and in construction sector by giv- cal companies. More partici- ences between public and private ously invest in various fi elds that power generation. NBK Heavy has served key government or- answer all enquiries about the ing them chances to implement pation of local companies will sectors. strengthen our economy.” Equipment supplies the ma- ganisations as well as some of the various products and services.

QIMC aims to promote industries at Project Qatar atar Industrial Manufactur- tar 2019 refl ects its strategy to support industries before international audi- 20%:80% government-private equity ing Co (QIMC) is participat- national exhibitions and events that ence and familiarise the global com- interests respectively and became one Qing in Project Qatar 2019, highlight the role of national entities munity with investment opportuni- of the pioneers in the fi eld of small and taking place at Doha Exhibition and in supporting our national economy, ties across its businesses. Through medium scale industries in the country. Convention Centre. and also demonstrated the capabili- its subsidiaries, QIMC supplies the Currently, QIMC has equity interest The QIMC pavilion includes stands ties of Qatar. Our pavilion in the ex- local market with required industrial in 20 operational projects in various for its sister companies and subsidiaries hibition embraces many subsidiaries products to maintain Qatar’s self- industrial sectors including chemi- including Qatar Aluminium Extrusion and sister companies which are sup- suffi ciency and start exporting to out- cals, petrochemicals, construction Co, Qatar Plastic Products Co, Amiantit plying our market with high quality side markets. It also demonstrates the materials and food processing. QIMC Qatar Pipes Co Ltd, Qatar Wood Prod- products and eff ectively contributing company’s commitment to economic is also currently investigating the ucts Co and Qatar Paving Stones. in the economic development”. development and diversifi cations as economic feasibility of several other CEO Abdulrahman al-Ansari said: QIMC participation at national and stated in Qatar National Vision 2030. projects in collaboration with local “QIMC’s participation at Project Qa- international fairs aims to promote its QIMC was established with and foreign interested parties. QIMC off icials in front of the pavilion at Project Qatar 2019 yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 5 QATAR

Sheikha Hind meets Italian Senate president FM receives message from Iranian minister

HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, yesterday met with the president of the Italian Senate, Maria Elisabetta Casellati, at . Sheikha Hind discussed QF’s initiatives in the fields of education, science and research and community development with the visiting HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani received dignitary, who was also given an overview of QF’s mission through a presentation and a tour of the open-air a written message from Minister of Foreign Aff airs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohamad Javad Zarif, pertaining viewing platform at the 2015 building. Concluding her visit, the president – who also exchanged gifts with to bilateral relations and means of boosting them. The message was handed to HE the Minister of State for Foreign Sheikha Hind – signed QF’s Visitors’ Book. Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi during a meeting yesterday with ambassador of Iran Mohamad Ali Sobhani.

Advisory Council condemns We will not enter terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka

QNA ing rejection of violence and terrorism in as a procedure by the notary public or Doha all its forms and manifestations, regard- by those delegated by HE the Minister less of causes and motives. The Council of Justice, by which the will of the con- into any alliance expressed its condolences to the people cerned parties is documented in an of- he Advisory Council held its of Sri Lanka and the families of the vic- fi cial record. regular weekly meeting yester- tims, wishing the injured speedy recov- The draft law specifi es how to docu- Tday under the chairmanship of ery. The Advisory Council continued its ment, certify signatures and prove date, HE the Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah meeting, discussing the report of the in addition to the general provisions on bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. At the outset of Legal and Legislative Aff airs Committee cases where the agency is terminated, the meeting, the Council expressed its on a draft law on documentation which copies and electronic procedures and against Qatar deep concern at the terrorist attacks in replaced Law No 9 of 1979 as part of the the organisation and keeping of records, Sri Lanka. modernisation of legislation. documents and indexes related to docu- The Council also expressed strong The draft law included 37 articles, the mentation in accordance with the pro- and Turkey: condemnation of these attacks, reiterat- fi rst of which defi nes documentation visions of the draft law. Somali FM

QNA Doha

omalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad yesterday Sstressed that his country will not enter into any alliance or bloc of any kind against Qatar and Turkey. Due to this, he said, a territorial group, com- prising countries from the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, is trying to exclude Somalia, confi ning it to the coastal countries of the Red Sea. In a seminar held at the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs under the title ‘The Horn of Africa ... Prospects for Political Coop- eration and Economic Integration’, the minister invited Qatar to participate strongly in investment in various areas of maritime infrastructure and other areas, noting that Somalia has the largest beaches in the Horn of Africa after Madagascar, and has a vision to Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad at a seminar held at the Diplomatic develop eight ports. Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs. He underlined that Somalia has taken a neutral position in the Gulf and create job opportunities for young Somali FM said that Somalia has over- crisis, saying that it is a sovereign de- people who make up a large proportion come diff erences with Kenya, and not- cision and others must respect the of the continent. ed that the dispute over the maritime independence of the Somali decision. The minister said that the lack of borders will be referred to the Interna- Awad noted that the Gulf crisis aff ect- advanced infrastructure in his country tional Court of Justice. ed Somalia because it decided to stay will delay the achievement of the de- He stressed that the government of neutral in the dispute. Somalia is not sired development sought by the po- Somalia seeks to create a healthy envi- like before and things have changed. litical leadership, indicating that this ronment within the Somali society to It is keen on the independence of its requires countries with potential, such renounce violence and prompt young decision. as Qatar and others, to consider how people to contribute to building their He added that the Somali leadership they would contribute to the changes country. seeks to achieve Africa comprehensive that the peoples of the region aspire to. The seminar was opened by Di- vision 2063, noting that Somalia and He said that Somalia looks forward rector of the Diplomatic Institute Dr 44 African countries have launched a a strong contribution by Qatar in sup- Abdulaziz bin Mohamed al-Horr who project to set up a joint African market, port of various sectors and areas of stressed the importance of Somalia which will be a chance to end famine development. On the other hand, the and its role in the Horn of Africa. Advisory Council’s economic committee conducts meeting

he Financial and Economic draft law on the organisation of the the presence of HE the Secretary- Affairs Committee of the Ad- auditing profession, and decided to General of the Ministry of Foreign Tvisory Council held the 47th complete its study at its next meet- Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al- regular session yesterday, chaired by ing. The Internal and External Affairs Hammadi. The committee decided to its Rapporteur Ali bin Abdullatif al- Committee of the Advisory Council continue its review in its next meet- Misnad al-Mohanadi. held a meeting within the 47th regu- ing. The Cultural Affairs and Infor- The committee endorsed the rec- lar session of the Council yesterday, mation Committee of the Advisory ommendations on a request for the chaired by its Rapporteur Abdulla Council held a meeting within the general discussion on food security, bin Fahad Ghorab al-Marri. 47th regular session of the Council and decided to submit its recom- The committee studied a draft law yesterday chaired by its Rapporteur mendations to the Advisory Council. amending some provisions of Decree Mohammed bin Ali bin Sultan al- The committee also examined a Law No 14 of 1993 on passports, in Maadid. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 QATAR Qatar’s participation

in Beijing expo hailed Dignitaries at the opening of Qatar’s pavilion at the expo.

QNA The expo will continue until October paves the way for organising it in an ex- ticipation in such exhibitions, in ad- Doha 7. ceptional way. dition to the keenness of the Qatari The expo is being held in Yanqing Qatar’s achievements in the fi eld of leadership and its emphasis on the im- district, Beijing. horticulture and what is displayed in portance of eff ective participation in atar’s participation in the Bei- Qatar and China had signed an the pavilion demonstrate its ability to such activities, as well as the eff orts of jing International Horticul- agreement for Qatar’s participation in implement horticulture in the desert the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- Qtural Exhibition 2019 shows the Beijing international horticulture environment, Briercliff e said, noting ronment. the world the importance of living in a exhibition last year. that the Qatari pavilion is an important Al-Mansouri said that Qatar’s par- green environment, International As- Talking to QNA, Oosterom said that part of the exhibition. ticipation in such events positively re- sociation of Horticultural Producers the Qatari pavilion “refl ects a civilised Further, he noted that many people fl ect the country’s cultural image and (AIPH) president Bernard Oosterom image of the innovative methods used are visiting the Qatari pavilion at ex- as well as its focus on the environment, has said, adding that Qatar has become in all components and sections of hor- hibition, saying that it provides an in- horticulture, agriculture, and agricul- a green environment thanks to its ef- ticulture”. centive to bring many exhibitors and tural technology. forts to realise this important environ- AIPH secretary-general Tim visitors to Qatar in 2021, not only to see The envoy explained that the par- mental and agricultural goal. Briercliff e, too, praised Qatar’s partici- the achievements in the fi eld of horti- ticipation in the exhibition had been Qatar’s ambassador to China Sultan pation in the exhibition, stressing that culture but also to learn about the cul- planned, co-ordinated and prepared bin Salmeen al-Mansouri inaugurated the country’s pavilion is distinctive and ture and ways of life of its people and for more than a year, in order to ensure Qatar’s pavilion at the expo in the pres- presented agricultural and horticul- the various accomplishments. that the pavilion designs refl ect the ence of a number of dignitaries and of- tural exhibits that underlined Qatar’s In a statement to Qatar News Agency heritage, culture and originality of the fi cials. leading and outstanding experiences in (QNA), ambassador country. The exhibition, which was opened by this important fi eld. al-Mansouri stressed the impor- Al-Mansouri said that the design Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sun- He said that Qatar’s participation in tance of participating in such exhibi- of the pavilion is inspired by the sidra day, is attended by 110 countries and the Beijing horticultural exhibition re- tions. tree, which is of great importance to international organisations, as well as fl ects its preparations to host the 2021 He highlighted the experience gained the Qatari community, and is planted A view of Qatar’s pavilion. 120 non-governmental organisations. horticultural expo in Doha, and that it by the State of Qatar from active par- in almost all houses in Qatar. QF hosting Convocation 2019 on May 7

atar Foundation (QF) will Akhlaquna Award will also be re- host on May 7 the annual vealed at Convocation 2019, with Qconvocation ceremony to voting remaining open until May 2. mark the achievements of its Class The initiative, which aims to help of 2019, at Education City’s Cer- nurture positive behavioural change emonial Court. within society, was fi rst announced Honouring the latest graduates by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint from QF’s nine universities, the cer- Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foun- emony will serve as an opportunity dation, in 2017. for the young men and women, who Since it was fi rst held in 2008, are now preparing to enter the next ing alumni network, which already what these young men and women QF’s Convocation ceremony has phase of their lives, to refl ect on has more than 5,000 members. have achieved as QF students; it been a platform to collectively cel- their experience within the unique QF chief communications offi cer looks ahead with great anticipation ebrate the graduation of students learning environment of Education Mayan Zebeib said: “As a celebration to what they will now go on to ac- from Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- City, and to share their successes of academic excellence and self- complish, as leaders, achievers, ac- sity, Texas A&M University at Qatar, and stories with each other. development, QF’s Convocation tive citizens, and drivers of positive in Qatar, Convocation 2019 will see gradu- ceremony mirrors the ecosystem of change. Virginia Commonwealth University ates in fi elds ranging from medicine, knowledge and discovery that those “It marks the start of a new chap- School of the Arts in Qatar, Weill engineering, computer science, and it honours have learned and thrived ter in their story, and refl ects the ex- Cornell Medicine – Qatar, Carnegie international aff airs to art and de- within at Education City – inclu- citement that stems from possibility Mellon University in Qatar, George- sign, communication, law, and Is- sive, vibrant, and multicultural. and opportunity.” town University in Qatar, UCL Qa- lamic studies join QF’s ever-grow- “Convocation not only celebrates The winner of Cycle 2 of QF’s tar, and HEC Paris in Qatar.

Fire Station hosts talk on Qatar’s pearling heritage

The Fire Station has hosted a talk by Jihad al-Jaidah, a member of the committee organising Katara’s Senyar Festival. The talk, titled Our Sea and Free Diving, highlighted the importance of the pearling industry in Qatar’s heritage and culture. Another talk, titled Our Sea and the Environment, will take place tomorrow and feature professor Dr Mehsin Alyafe, who specialises in the fishing industry and environment. The session “will off er rare insight into Qatar’s local marine A talk in session at the Fire Station. environment and help attendees explore its secrets and understand the destructive impact of environmental and industrial changes”, Qatar Museums (QM) has said in a statement. The sessions are part of the QM Department of Education’s diverse programme of workshops that aim to inspire audiences in Qatar by presenting them with thought- provoking cultural experiences.

Qatar Museums continues World Book Day event

ollowing a series of activities in celebration of Unesco World Book Day, Qatar Museums (QM) has Fannounced that it will host an interactive reading session at Qatar National Library tomorrow at 4.30pm. At the event, artist Charlene Kasdorf will read The Path towards the Island, a children’s book written by Qatari author Shaikha al-Zeyara and illustrated by Kasdorf. The book, which has been recently released by QM, features some of the incredible animals that visitors can see in the natural history gallery at the newly opened Na- tional Museum of Qatar. Commenting on the event, Kasdorf said: “Illustration techniques help build creative stamina in children. It’s always wonderful to host such events, especially when parents who accompany the children are so receptive. Visual literacy is an important aspect of ‘reading’ a pic- ture book.” In addition to the reading session, children – aged sev- en to 10 years – will be invited to participate in an inter- active workshop where they will learn new techniques to create unique characters and improve their drawing skills. Free copies of QM’s children’s activity books will also be distributed to participants. The event is part of “QM’s commitment to engage members of the community, promoting an educational culture and highlighting the importance of arts and mu- seums in a well-rounded educational curriculum”, ac- cording to a press statement. Qatar Museums publications allow audiences to ex- plore the vast collection, discover exhibitions and engage with diff erent facets of Qatar’s culture World Book Day is an annual event organised by the Unesco to promote reading, publishing and copyright. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 7 QATAR

HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari with other off icials at the launch ceremony of the strategy. PHCC launches new corporate 2019-23 strategy

From Page 1 “Qatar is entering a new era healthcare model, one that is drop in emergency visits,” ex- a well-positioned leader in the Ghaith al-Kuwari, executive The plan focuses on providing of healthcare delivery; PHCC fully integrated into a primary plained Dr Abdulmalik. ongoing eff ort to transform the director, Strategy Planning & more comprehensive services, Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, man- has the right outlook to think care setting, you’re typically “You’re also looking at a huge state’s health care system,” she Business and Health Intelli- integrated care, shifting the bal- aging director of PHCC, high- in terms of integrated care for looking at a reduction of 30% drop in speciality care visits added. gence at PHCC also spoke at the ance of care from curative, hospi- lighted that the new plan will further development of Qatar’s emergency room visits, some- because patients are getting Steve Emery, assistant man- launch event highlighting the tal-based treatment to enhanced be very important for Qatar’s healthcare system. When you times for the higher needs and their needs met at primary care. aging director, Strategy Plan- priorities and key programmes preventative, health and wellness healthcare system. look at a successful national higher risk groups, up to 50% There is no doubt that PHCC is ning, PHCC and Dr Mohamed of the strategy. services in the community. QSTP an international hub for scientifi c, technological innovation: roundtable

QNA companies, QSTP seeks to adopt and cluding programs to accelerate the de- Doha embrace scientifi c and technologi- velopment of technological projects. cal research that provides promising QSTP’s ‘Accelerator’, an intensive Off icials and participants at the roundtable. technological products that can be two-month programme designed to atar Science and Technology delivered to the markets and that can provide aspiring entrepreneurs with Park (QSTP) is a premier hub benefi t the community or offi cial au- training, coaching and mentorship to Qfor scientifi c and technological thorities in the country. help determine if their idea has com- innovation, technological entrepre- As a free zone and a major incuba- mercial potential, along with QSTP neurship and attracting leading tech- tor for applied research, innovative Incubation Center, a technology-fo- nology companies and projects, within technology and entrepreneurship in cused incubation program that aims its eff orts as one of Qatar Foundation’s the State of Qatar, QSTP aims to at- to foster local tech entrepreneurship in research, development and innovation tract a number of local or international the State of Qatar. partners, to enable the development companies in the fi eld of technology or Saleh said that the QSTP has two of new high-tech products and serv- research to come to the State of Qatar types of support, namely the Product ices to support the commercialisation to carry out its technological activities Development Fund and the Tech Ven- of promising technological products, and to introduce products in line with ture Fund, pointing out that QSTP has while providing modern facilities and the needs of the market. already funded projects worth about atmosphere for the incubation of tech- He pointed out in this context that QR 14mn, stressing that QSTP is al- nology companies. it currently has 30 to 40 companies ways seeking to attract international Operating across four overarching operating in various technological companies with great expertise to pro- themes, Energy, Environment, Health activities to support the exchange of vide appropriate support to emerging Sciences, and Information and Com- experiences and knowledge in this companies. munication Technologies, QSTP’s framework and promote business and Wadha al-Adgham, manager of Edu- programmes and services are designed the delivery of products to the markets. cation Programs at the QSTP Innovation to support Qatar’s drive toward sus- He noted the ability of the QSTP to Center, spoke about the programmes tainable economic development and attract the largest international com- off ered by the QSTP Innovation Center, diversifi cation. panies, pointing out that there are pointing out that these programs are At a media roundtable at QSTP, ex- many companies that have research available to young people who have in- ecutive director Yosouf Abdulrahman centres within the QSTP such as Total, novative projects so they can come Saleh highlighted the development ExxonMobil and Shell, and the Rus- to the QSTP and showcase their pilot of an innovation and entrepreneur- sian company Rosneft which opened projects and learn about programs pro- ship ecosystem in Qatar, stressing that its fi rst research centre outside Russia vided by the Innovation Center, which QSTP plays a very important role in in Qatar, confi rming the important role can help them promote their projects supporting the community through of QSTP in embracing technology. and deliver their products to markets. adopting and embracing technical and The QSTP executive director re- Yousuf al-Jaber, director, Total Re- technological projects in particular. viewed the programmes off ered by the search Center, Qatar, said Qatar is a He stressed that QSTP enjoys a dif- park, which comes within the frame- very strategic place for research, and ferent status from the rest of the re- work of supporting technological Total research centre has been operat- search institutions as it endeavours to projects, pointing out that the QSTP ing in Qatar through Qatar Science and support innovation and host emerging has many educational programs, in- Technology Park since its inception.

Weekly service to Umm Qasr

QTerminals has announced the launch of a weekly service to Umm Qasr, Iraq, with eff ect from yesterday. The service rotation comprises Hamad Port, Umm Qasr, Shuwaikh (Kuwait) and Hamad Port. “The new service will provide the fastest transit for gateway and transshipment cargo from Hamad Port to Umm Qasr,” QTerminals tweeted yesterday. QTerminals is a terminal operating entity jointly established by Mwani Qatar and Milaha. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 QATAR Qatar Airways’ ‘Quisine’ woos economy class passengers

atar Airways has revealed a new Economy Class on-board ex- Qperience branded ‘Quisine’, designed to further elevate customers’ dining experience. Passengers are to be presented with redesigned menu cards which will include a service timeline on all long-haul and ultra-long-haul fl ights, ensuring they can plan their journey without missing anything on off er. A pre-dinner drinks option will also Qatar Airways has revealed a new now be available on fl ights of over fi ve Economy Class on-board experience hours, with refreshments and cocktail branded ‘Quisine’. snacks available prior to the main meal being served. our new Economy Class experience to Food portions have increased by off er a proposition that ensures our pas- 25% — 50%, with a greater focus on sengers’ journeys are best in class. the use of local, fresh and healthy in- “In addition to our products, which Military Medical Training gredients that are in season. showcase a new retail of table- Meals will also feature individually- ware, we have also focused on the wrapped artisanal warm infused bread reduction of single use plastics with and an individual bottle of water. the introduction of more sustainable A wider selection of mid-fl ight products. movie snacks includes an array of Working with local companies, in Center inaugurated cheese and crackers, chocolate bar, po- addition to esteemed suppliers such tato crisps and popcorn, with fl avours as Godiva Chocolatier and 4700BC QNA such as Himalayan Salted Caramel and Popcorn, ensures that we are off ering Doha French Butter and Pink Salt provided our passengers a premium service in by gourmet popcorn brand 4700BC. Economy Class.” Quisine will be launched with a A multiple-award-winning airline, nder the patronage of HE the phased introduction across the air- Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Deputy Prime Minister and line’s network from April, beginning Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World UMinister of State for Defence with fl ights to and from Brussels, Car- Airline Awards, managed by interna- Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Atti- diff , Gothenburg, Moscow and St Pe- tional air transport rating organisation yah, HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar tersburg. Skytrax. Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pi- Qatar Airways Group chief executive, The airline will add a number of new lot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem HE Akbar al-Baker, said: “These lat- destinations to its extensive route net- inaugurated on Sunday the Military est on-board dining enhancements will work in 2019, including Izmir, Turkey; Medical Training Center, which was es- undoubtedly provide our passengers Rabat, Morocco; Malta; Davao, Philip- tablished in co-operation with Hamad with an even higher level of satisfaction pines; Lisbon, ; Mogadishu, International Training Center. and luxury. We have carefully crafted Somalia and Langkawi, Malaysia. The Military Medical Training Cent- er of the Qatar Armed Forces is the fi rst Inaugural Qatar Airways flight to Rabat on May 29 medical training centre for military medical services. The centre includes Qatar Airways will launch flights to Airways’ extensive global network many medical, health and administra- Rabat, Morocco, on May 29. Services to spanning six continents.” tive training courses. the Moroccan capital will be served by Qatar Airways currently operates The commander of Medical Servic- a Boeing 787 three times a week. five weekly flights from Doha to Mar- es, Brigadier General Nasser Mohamed Qatar Airways also announced its rakech via Casablanca on a Boeing 777, al-Kaabi said that the centre aims to joint business agreement with Royal in addition to two direct weekly flights provide training courses for medical Air Maroc to expand the number of from Doha to Casablanca. cadres who will form the future nu- services available to meet increased The carrier’s joint business agree- cleus of the Military Medical Training Forces also launched its website in the allows visitors to follow up on me- The website aims to highlight the consumer demand for flights to ment partner, Royal Air Maroc, provides Center under the supervision of Ha- presence of the Chief of Staff . A pres- dia coverage and events organised or medical and health benefi ts of the Morocco. five weekly flights from Casablanca to mad International Training Center. entation was also made on the main shared by medical services and medi- members of the Armed Forces and vis- In addition to launching Rabat via Doha. The Medical Services of the Armed contents of the website. The website cal centres of the Armed Forces. itors of the website. Marrakech, Qatar Airways will also Visitors to Morocco can enjoy a wide now off er daily flights to Casablanca, variety of activities, from exploring lush providing seamless connectivity for gardens to shopping for crafts, textiles passengers who wish to explore the and jewellery in its many traditional country’s many vibrant cities. souqs. Qatar Airways Group chief executive Travellers can also enjoy modern NU-Q introduces prospective students to programmes HE Akbar al-Baker said: “Morocco is architecture set against the backdrop a tremendously popular destination of centuries of history and culture. with our passengers, and we are very Qatar Airways currently operates a QNA comed students to attend the sessions. Majlis — that explores content on me- their student bodies, student newspa- pleased to launch this new gateway, modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft Doha After hearing from NU-Q’s leaders dia, journalism, and communication. per and yearbook editors, athletes, as while also increasing our presence in via its hub, Hamad International Airport and touring the campus, the group Everette E Dennis, dean and CEO, well as future leaders and global en- the country by expanding our joint (HIA) to more than 160 destinations learned more about the Journalism noted that NU-Q is a place where “cre- trepreneurs — coming together to get business agreement with Royal Air worldwide. orthwestern University in Qa- and Strategic Communication and ativity takes place, ideas are formed, their fi rst glimpse of NU-Q. Maroc. Our expansion in Morocco HIA has recently been ranked as tar (NU-Q) recently held an Communication programmes, as well knowledge is gained, and research is Speaking on what makes NU-Q demonstrates our commitment to the fourth best airport in the world at the Nevent at the NU-Q’s campus as the liberal arts programme off ered conducted. At NU-Q you will fi nd in- a one-of-a-kind institution, Alex region, which began in 2002. Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019. for new students and their families at NU-Q. novation labs, a Newsroom, studios, Schultes, director of admissions “Our close partnership with Royal Additionally, the airport has been to learn more about the school’s pro- In addition, the students and their and all kinds of facilities, which is of a pointed out that it is “a unique place, Air Maroc will also provide our pas- ranked as a five-star Airport and was grammes and to meet with faculty, families also attended a session that sense, only the beginning of what can one that unites knowledge, ideas, am- sengers access to their comprehensive honoured with the title of ‘Best Airport students, and alumni. introduced a variety of student re- happen here.” bition, imagination, and a lot of hard network in North and West Africa, while in the Middle East’ for the fifth year in a The group of admitted students rep- search projects, which demonstrate The diverse Class of 2023 brings work, and fuses it all together with enabling Royal Air Maroc passengers row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Mid- resents a record of 72 countries from NU-Q’s interdisciplinary curriculum, together students who have demon- one of the most engaging and dynamic to enjoy seamless connectivity to Qatar dle East’ for the fourth year in a row. around the world. as well as a visit to the university’s in- strated strong academic credentials, city-states of our time.” The event — Preview NU-Q — wel- house digital museum — the Media including valedictorians, presidents of

Safari names gold promotion draw winners Mowasalat marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work

s part of its corporate social responsibility, Mowasalat A(Karwa) participated in the ac- tivities conducted in connection with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work observance. The activities were organised by Qa- tar North Oil and Dolphin Energy on April 25 and 28, respectively. They were aimed at encouraging safety in workplace and promote a safe driving culture to eliminate road acci- dents and save lives. The training programmes as part of Mowasalat off icials during World Day for Safety and Health at Work observance. the observance provided the employ- ees and drivers with theoretical and practical presentations. Mowasalat provided practical ex- periences to the attendees by using its advanced driving simulators, seat belt convincer, fatal vision goggles and other devices related to safe driving. Safari Hypermarket Group, Qatar, has announced the winners of the fifth lucky draw for the ‘Win 10kg Gold’ During the programmes, Mowasalat promotion. The draw held at Safari Mall, Abu Hamour, in the presence of an off icial from the Ministry of Commerce elaborated easy ways for checking tyre and Industry and members of the Safari management and staff . The winners of the draw are: first prize of 1kg gold pressure and distributed fl yers with — Abdul Saff ar (coupon No 1671389), second prize of 500gm gold — Hydar Ali Kuraishi (coupon No 3696748), third important safety tips. prize of 300gm gold — Appus Jainulabeden (coupon No 1136514) and fourth prize of 200gm gold — Mohamed The presentations were made by a Shareef (coupon No 3791968). team of qualifi ed trainers from the in- ternationally-accredited Karwa Driv- ing School. Mowasalat had also participated in Volkswagen Teramont 2019 model recalled over safety concerns the third edition of Conference and In addition, Mowasalat had par- able for staff . These include sport Exhibition of Occupational Health & ticipated in a panel discussion where facilities and adequate medical care he Ministry of Commerce and The recall campaign comes within try said that it will co-ordinate with the Safety as a golden sponsor. it highlighted security and safety pro- through its integrated medical centre Industry, in co-operation with the framework of the ministry’s con- dealer to follow up on the maintenance The company showcased the lat- cedures within the company’s facilities and accredited medical commission TQ Auto, has announced the re- tinuous eff orts to protect consumers and repair works and will communicate est security and safety technologies in providing adequate housing for its and other main requirements that call of Volkswagen Teramont model of and ensure that car dealers follow up on with customers to ensure that the nec- and standards in its public and school drivers and support staff in Karwa City. ensure the application of the highest 2019 due to faulty rear coil springs. vehicle defects and repairs. The minis- essary repairs are carried out. transport bus and other types of buses. At Karwa City, all services are avail- safety standards. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 9 QATAR Registration for Al Furjan retail space draw to open on May 1

egistration for the fi rst the markets pin number with the Top officials and experts at the UK-Qatar Health Research Forum. batch of Phase 2 of the Al applicant’s resident pin number RFurjan Markets raffl e draw thus allowing applicants who are to award retail space will begin within the market zone to obtain on May 1, the Qatar Develop- priority over others,” Bassam al- ment Bank (QDB) said. Mannai, executive director of The registration process Real Estate at QDB, said. for the fi rst batch of Al Furjan In compliance with the prin- Markets, located in Muaither ciple of equal opportunity and in Qatar, UK experts share views South, Al Khor, Umm Al Qarn, order to give a chance to people Al Kharaitiyat will last for 30 who have not yet benefi ted from days, and the bank is inviting all the project, the raffl e draw num- Qatari citizens to apply through bers are linked to the personal Al Furjan mobile application to phone numbers and identity at Health Research Forum supervise the governance of the cards of the applicants. raffl e process and to ensure total “Our aim through this project compliance and transparency. is to provide and establish all atar University (QU) and improves effi ciency and An integrated electronic sys- values of transparency and in- yesterday opened the also makes way for innovation.” tem has been developed to al- tegrity. Therefore a committee Q‘Joining Forces’ UK-Qa- Professor Michael Fren- low applicants to apply for the from various government sec- tar Health Research Forum, or- neaux, chief of Scientifi c, draw through the Al Furjan mo- tors has been formed to oversee ganised by the UK Science and Academic and Faculty Aff airs, bile application, which can be all rules and regulations related Innovation Network — on be- HMC, stated: “Hamad Medi- downloaded from Apple Store or to the raffl e,” he added. half of the British government cal Corporation, through the Google Play. Applicants can ap- The Al Furjan Markets project with support from the Brit- Academic Health System, is de- ply for over 70 retail stores dur- is a unique initiative launched ish Council and the Academic lighted to have provided fi nan- ing the fi rst stage. in collaboration with a number Health System at Hamad Medi- cial and organisational support QDB has taken all required of the government sectors, in cal Corporation (HMC). for this important event.” measures to overcome and con- co-operation with QDB, which The two-day event provides QU vice president for Medi- trol any obstacles or diffi culties is handling all construction a platform for leading health cal and Health Sciences and that might complicate any pro- and administrative work for the research experts from the UK dean of the College of Medicine cedure associated with the raffl e project. and Qatar to join forces in dis- Dr Egon Toft said the forum draw. Applicants are required to The initiative is considered cussing research, bilateral col- brings together the best minds deposit some funds or relevant one of Qatar’s strategic projects laboration, and address global to tackle some pressing health licences as a form of guarantee. and is intended to support the health challenges. issues facing the community “We are pleased to announce commercial sector in the coun- “The delivery of this event and the world at large. the commencement of accept- try, as part of the development further demonstrates the UK’s The forum comprises a series ing registration applications for of a sustainable economy in line commitment to supporting Qa- of panel discussions and key- the raffl e draw of Al Furjan Mar- with the Qatar National Vision tar National Vision 2030 and note presentations from leaders kets Phase 2. Upon citizens’ re- 2030 to create a diverse perma- Qatar’s National Health Strate- in their respective fi elds, which quests, QDB has managed to link nent economic environment. gy 2018-2022, and saw 22 infl u- Dr al-Derham, Dr Toft and other off icials at the event. includes the themes diabetes, ential UK speakers from leading obesity and cardiovascular dis- research institutions and gov- In addition to the invited across a range of issues includ- that the future of health must be eases, genomics and personal- ernment departments travel- speakers, the event is open to ing diabetes, obesity, cardio- based on collaboration. Joining ised medicine and cancer. ling to Doha,” a statement said. academics and representatives vascular disease and cancer. forces means getting together The second day broaches The forum engages both from key health research part- “I am confi dent that this the best individuals, groups, the themes infectious diseases, the academic community and ners across Qatar and the UK. forum will support and lead organisations, institutions, and molecular medicine and neuro- healthcare providers alike, pro- British ambassador Ajay to long-term, productive col- ensuring that we build on each sciences. moting the transfer of knowl- Sharma said: “The UK and Qa- laborations and benefi t patients other’s expertise to obtain the Throughout the programme, edge and innovation in health tar are longstanding partners in in our countries as well as glo- maximum benefi t. the UK and Qatar participants research. healthcare and I am delighted to bally.” “It also means that we ensure had the opportunity to network It is also an opportunity to see so many distinguished ex- QU president Dr Hassan al- a communicative environment and discuss their research, ad- strengthen ties between Qatar perts — academics and health- Derham said in his speech, “The that is better suited to address dress major public health chal- and the UK to jointly address care professionals — here to theme of the event is ‘Joining complex health challenges, an lenges and explore future col- global health challenges. discuss the latest research Forces.’ I believe, as many do, environment that saves time laborations. Al Furjan Markets Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD Patients urged to seek advice on medicine intake during Ramadan

QNA Doha

amad Medical Corpora- tion (HMC) has reminded Dignitaries at the ceremony. Hpatients who take daily medications and plan to fast to consult their physician before changing the timing and dosage. According to Executive Di- rector of Pharmacy at HMC Dr Asia Express Exchange Moza Sulaiman al-Hail, several studies have shown that patients often change the intake time and dosage of their medication with- out fi rst seeking medical advice. rebrands as LuLu Exchange “This behaviour could alter the pharmacological properties of a drug and impact the eff ective- sia Express Exchange, a change brand in the GCC. al-Ghazali, director, LuLu Ex- of LuLu Financial Group, which ness of the medication and the leading fi nancial serv- The new brand name and change; and other dignitaries. is an ISO 9001:2015-certifi ed patient’s tolerance of the drug.” Aices company in Oman, logo was revealed by Sultan bin Offi cials from the Royal global fi nancial services enter- She explained that unsuper- announced its rebranding as Salim bin Said al-Habsi, dep- Oman Police, Oman Chamber prise that operates more than vised changes to medication Dr Moza al-Hail LuLu Exchange at a gala cer- uty chairman, Central Bank of of Commerce and the Ministry 180 branches across several timings can render a medicine emony held in Muscat on Sun- Oman; in the presence of Munu of Manpower also attended the GCC countries such as Qatar, useless and also cause serious switching to a once a day regi- Health Care Corporation wish day. Mahawar, Indian ambassador function. Oman, Kuwait as well as India, health complications. men, which works well for most to remind members of the pub- The name change brings all to Oman; Adeeb Ahamed, man- The newly branded LuLu Ex- Bangladesh, the Philippines, During Ramadan, most pa- antibiotics, or to a sustained lic about the Ramadan Health companies of LuLu Financial aging director, LuLu Exchange; change has 32 branches across the Seychelles, Hong Kong and tients who require daily medica- release formula for certain anti- website and companion smart- Group under the LuLu Ex- Sheikh Mohamed Hamed Ali Oman. LuLu Exchange is part Malaysia. tions are able to work with their hypertensive medications,” she phone and tablet app. healthcare team to safely make noted. The Ramadan Health website adjustments so that medicines Dr al-Hail also asked patients is Qatar’s first online resource can be taken between sunset and who are ill to be vigilant during devoted to health and wellness dawn. However, Dr al-Hail has Ramadan. “If sick patients fast, during the holy month. Visit urged patients to get medical ad- they should do so under medi- the Ramadan Health website vice before making any changes. cal supervision of their doctor, at www.hamad.qa/ramadan- QBG, Education City Mosque She added: “Your doctor and pharmacist, or another health health, or download the app to pharmacist can be really helpful professional familiar with their your phone or tablet by search- in these circumstances. condition and medical history.” ing for ‘Qatar Health’ (available They can help you man- The Ministry of Public for iOS and Android operating host Qur’an competition age dose adjustments, such as Health, HMC and the Primary systems).

he third edition of the AlUtrujah Holy Qur’an competition organised by The TQur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a mem- ber of Qatar Foundation (QF), and the Education IS airs video purporting City is under way and the fi nal rounds will take place at the beginning of the holy month of Ra- madan at Minaretein. The competition, divided into four diff er- to be leader al-Baghdadi ent age-groups – including schoolchildren and adults – encourages participants to memorise the Holy Qur’an, and highlights the Qur’anic Reuters In the footage released yesterday, he is dressed in verses and stories that focus on botanical terms. Cairo black robes and a beige waistcoat, with a long grey- Fatima al-Khulaifi , manager of QBG, said, ing beard dyed red at the bottom. “AlUtrujah is the name of the pleasant citron A rifl e leans against the wall behind him. fruit. The name of the competition was selected slamic State’s media network yesterday pub- He congratulated militants in Libya for a deadly based on the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad lished a threatening video message purporting attack earlier this month on the southern desert (PBUH): ‘The example of the believer who reads Ito come from its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in town of Fuqaha, where they later retreated, and the Holy Qur’an is the example of AlUtrujah; its what would be his fi rst appearance since declaring militants in Burkina Faso and Mali for pledging al- taste is delicious and its scent is pleasant. the militants’ now-defunct “caliphate” fi ve years legiance to Islamic State. “The competition encourages the Qatari ago. At the height of its power IS ruled over millions community and students to memorise the Holy In the 18-minute video from the Al Furqan net- of people in territory running from northern Syria Qur’an and to act upon it being the Holy Book of work, a bearded man with Baghdadi’s appearance through towns and villages along the Tigris and Allah, the guidance and mercy for human beings. says the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka were IS’ re- Euphrates valleys to the outskirts of Baghdad. This edition of the AlUtrujah Competition helps sponse to losses in its last territorial stronghold of But the fall in 2017 of Mosul and Raqqa, its Qatar’s community, and students in particular” QBG and the Education City Mosque is hosting the AlUtrujah Holy Qur’an competition. Baghouz in Syria. strongholds in Iraq and Syria respectively, stripped The group will seek revenge for jailed and killed Baghdadi of the trappings of a caliph and turned members, he says, calling for militants operating in him into a fugitive thought to be moving along the west Africa to multiply attacks against “Crusader desert border between Iraq and Syria. France and its allies”. The authenticity and date of There had been confl icting reports over whether the recording could not be independently verifi ed. Baghdadi, an Iraqi, is still alive. Drone video of carrier appears ‘years old’: US The video would be the fi rst from Baghdadi since The CIA had no immediate comment on the he was fi lmed in the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. video. More recent speeches have been released as au- “We are aware of a video posted today reportedly AFP The video was shot by a mili- Gulf by the USS Dwight D Ei- sea, followed by imagery pur- dio recordings. showing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,” said Pentagon Washington tary drone, Iran’s Tasnim news senhower (CVN 69),” Lt portedly from its cameras of an Introductory script at the start of the video dates spokesman Navy Commander Sean Robertson.”We agency claimed on Sunday in Chloe Morgan, US Naval Forc- escort ship and then an aircraft it to earlier in April, and he can be seen sitting are continuing to support partner forces in their a report on its website, and es Central Command spokesper- carrier with planes parked on cross-legged on the fl oor giving an address to three mission of an enduring defeat of ISIS.” ootage of an American published some of the imagery son, said in an e-mail. the deck. aides who have their faces blurred. US air strikes killed most of Baghdadi’s top aircraft carrier in the Gulf from the surveillance fl ight. The video, which could not be Tasnim did not identify the The speaker appears to be in good health and lieutenants, including “war minister” Abu Omar Fwhich Iran claimed it shot “The footage the Iranians independently verifi ed, showed vessels or say when the drone looks like a slightly older version of Baghdadi than al-Shishani, “governor of the Iraqi region” Abu with a drone in the Gulf appears recently released...appears to a light blue drone of the Iranian footage was shot, but in the when he was pictured in 2014, addressing follow- Muslim al-Turkmani, group spokesman Abu Mo- to be “several years old”, the US be several years old, and of the Revolutionary Guards taking video, the number “69” is seen ers from a pulpit to declare a caliphate stretching hamed al-Adnani and “governor for Syria” Abu Ali Navy has said. last deployment to the Arabian off from a desert base near the clearly on the aircraft carrier. across Iraq and Syria. al-Anbari.

Guards repel assault on Libya’s biggest oilfi eld

Reuters ernment, has sharpened a power them civilians, a World Health Or- Tripoli/Benghazi struggle that has fractured Libya ganisation offi cial said yesterday. since Gaddafi ’s fall. A hospital in Tripoli was evacu- The assault by the Haftar-led ated after shelling shattered some n armed group attacked Libyan National Army (LNA), windows, he added in a tweet. Libya’s largest oilfi eld but which is allied to a parallel gov- The UN refugee agency UN- Awas repelled after clashes ernment based in the eastern city HCR said 146 refugees, mainly with its protection force yesterday, of Benghazi, stalled on Tripoli’s Africans and a handful of Syrians, while fi ghting escalated in eastern stoutly defended southern out- were evacuated yesterday from strongman Khalifa Haftar’s eff ort skirts last week. Libya to Italy, where their asylum to capture the capital, Tripoli. But fi ghting intensifi ed again claims will be processed. Most of The state oil company NOC said yesterday, with heavy shelling, them had been transferred earlier unknown gunmen fi red a rocket small-arms fi re and a warplane all this month from detention centres propelled grenade at a control sta- heard in the centre of Tripoli com- near the fi ghting, a spokeswoman tion of El Sharara oil fi eld. ing from southern districts, resi- said. But 3,300 migrants and refu- Guards at the oilfi eld eventually dents said. gees remain trapped in detention repelled the attackers, an oil engi- Fighters loyal to the internationally-recognised Government of National No more details were immedi- centres near the Tripoli clashes, neer there told Reuters. Accord (GNA) reacts as fellow fighters prepare to shoot a truck-mounted ately available. the UNHCR said. There were no casualties among gun during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, in The LNA carried out an air raid “It’s now crucial that other oil workers and production was Espiaa, about 40 kilometres south of Tripoli, yesterday. overnight on at least one target States match this gesture and of- unaff ected, the National Oil Corp south of Tripoli, residents said, fer similar evacuation places for (NOC) said in a statement. factional confl ict and blockades Haftar’s three-week-old off en- though it was less intense than one refugees caught up in the confl ict,” Opec member Libya’s oil output since the 2011 uprising that top- sive to seize Tripoli, seat of Libya’s on Saturday night. The battle for UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said has been repeatedly disrupted by pled dictator Muammar Gaddafi . internationally recognised gov- Tripoli has killed 345 people, 22 of in a statement. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 11 ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Five soldiers dead in Sudan army, protest leaders battle with militants diff er on joint council make-up

AFP quarters in central Khartoum. AFP Khartoum Kabbashi said that during Kano yesterday’s talks it was agreed with protest leaders to open udan’s army rulers and some roads, a railway line and t least fi ve Nigerian sol- protest leaders yesterday two bridges that lead to — or diers were killed and Soff ered diff ering visions pass near — the military head- Asome 30 are missing three for a joint council, but a military quarters. When asked whether days after Boko Haram militants spokesman said he hoped a fi nal by doing this the army was overran an army base, security structure for the body could be planning to disperse the sit-in, sources said yesterday. agreed soon. he said: “That’s not what we are Gunmen from the Islamic The talks came after the two saying”. The joint civilian-mili- State West Africa Province sides on Saturday agreed to tary council would be the overall (ISWAP), the IS-linked faction form a joint civilian-military ruling body, the protest leaders of Boko Haram, attacked the body to rule the northeast Afri- say, while they want a separate base in Nigeria’s northeastern can country. transitional civilian adminis- Borno state on Friday. “The military council has tration to run the country’s day- “We have recovered fi ve bod- presented its vision for a to-day aff airs. ies of soldiers who paid the 10-member joint council, with That civilian government supreme price fi ghting the ter- seven military representatives would work towards the fi rst rorists,” a military offi cer said, and three civilians,” a spokes- post-Bashir elections, protest giving the fi rst reports of casu- man for the existing ruling mili- leaders say. alty numbers. tary council Lieutenant General The military council has so “Search and rescue teams are Shamseddine Kabbashi told re- far insisted it has assumed pow- still looking for around 30 more porters after a joint panel met er for a two-year transitional soldiers who have gone miss- yesterday. period. ing since the attack,” the offi cer “The Alliance for Freedom Thousands of protesters fi rst added. ISWAP fi ghters on Fri- and Change presented its vision massed outside the army head- day launched an assault on the of a 15-member joint council, quarters on April 6, demanding base at Mararrabar Kimba, 135 with eight civilians and seven that the armed forces back them kilometres from the state capital military representatives,” he in ousting Bashir. Maiduguri. The fi ghters, report- said, referring to the group that Five days later, the army took edly driving over a dozen pickup is leading the protest movement power through a transitional trucks with heavy machine guns that has rocked Sudan for more military council, having de- welded onto the back, were ac- than four months. posed Bashir, after months of companied by three armoured Kabbashi said yesterday’s protests that began with unrest personnel carriers and fl anked talks ended with both sides over a tripling of bread prices. by a fl eet of gunmen fi ring from agreeing to consider each oth- Sudanese foreign language students march during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum, yesterday. Since then the 10-member motorbikes. er’s views. council of generals has contin- Some soldiers scattered into Kabbashi defended the mili- fying why the army generals the composition of the sover- hours. “Our sit-ins and march- ousted veteran leader Omar al- ued to resist calls to step down. the bush to escape. A second tary’s demand for a majority in were insisting on having a ma- eign council. es shall continue until all the Bashir on April 11 amid massive Western governments have offi cer confi rmed the toll of fi ve the joint council. jority in the joint council. It also said that both sides revolution’s goals are achieved,” protests against his rule. expressed support for protest- dead. “The necessities that made He said that talks will con- will present proposals on tran- the alliance added. The creation of a joint council ers’ demands, but Sudan’s key “There are high hopes the us take the people’s side are still tinue today. sitional structures, including A joint council, if agreed, would pave the way for a civil- donors have backed the military missing soldiers will be found present and that’s why it mer- In a statement, the protest a future civilian government would replace the existing ian administration as demanded council, while African states — or will fi nd their way back,” its for us to be in the sovereign leaders’ alliance confi rmed that and legislative body, and their 10-member military council by protesters, as they continue have called for more time for the he added. council,” he said, without clari- no agreement was reached over respective powers, within 24 that took power after the army to rally outside the army head- army to hand power to civilians.

Palestinians keep up refusal of tax revenues Six killed after church attack in Burkina Faso AFP last week to provide the PA Ramallah with $100mn monthly, poten- tially averting a financial crisis Reuters Mali in December because of caused by the row. Dakar deadly attacks, including in he Palestinians yesterday Abbas yesterday called Soum, the region where Sun- restated their refusal to on the body to honour that day’s attack took place. Taccept tax revenues col- pledge. nidentifi ed gunmen Spokesman Remy Fulgance lected on their behalf by Israel “We do not have high hopes, killed a pastor and fi ve Dandjinou said yesterday that so long as the Jewish state de- but perhaps the amount could Ucongregants at a Protes- the latest attack was the fi rst to ducts millions of dollars over a be considered a debt that we tant church in northern Burkina target a church in the country. dispute about prisoners. return as soon as Israel re- Faso on Sunday, authorities said, “Armed groups...have every “Our position is as it was: We turns” the money, he said. the fi rst attack on a church in a interest in troubling or going will not receive any money from Abbas also renewed his op- country that has seen an upsurge against the good understand- Israel if it is incomplete,” Pales- position to a proposed US of hardliner violence this year. ing between religions. We have tinian Authority (PA) president peace plan expected to be un- observed this strategy in other Mahmoud Abbas told the week- veiled this summer. “Armed groups...have countries in the region and in the ly cabinet meeting in the West He has refused to negotiate every interest in world,” said Rinaldo Depagne, Bank city of Ramallah. with Donald Trump’s admin- troubling or going West Africa Project Director at “This is something we will istration since December 2017, against the good International Crisis Group. not accept at any cost.” when the US president contro- understanding Government spokesman Dan- Israel collects around Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a session of the weekly cabinet meeting, in Ramallah in versially recognised Jerusalem between religions” djinou told Reuters the attack $190mn a month in customs the occupied West Bank, yesterday. as Israel’s capital. took place in the commune of duties levied on goods destined Abbas praised Europe’s con- Burkina Faso, which boasts of Silgadji. for Palestinian markets that ilies of prisoners or directly to ment — minus the $10mn de- those who have carried out at- tinued support for a two-state a history of religious tolerance, He said he was unable to pro- transit through Israeli ports, inmates serving time in Israeli duction — had recently been tacks against Israelis as encour- solution and opposition to the has been beset by a rise in at- vide more detail on the attack or and then it transfers the money jails. transferred to PA bank accounts, aging further violence. US embassy move, and said tacks as groups based in neigh- the perpetrators. to the PA. The Palestinians responded in the hope the authority would The PA describes the pay- the continent had a responsi- bouring Mali seek to extend their Around 55 to 60% of Burkina In February, the Jewish state by saying they would refuse any quietly accept payment. ments as a form of welfare, bility to solve the conflict. infl uence over the Sahel, the arid Faso’s population is Muslim, decided to deduct around funds where unilateral deduc- But after two weeks, the radio while the Palestinian public re- “The European position — I scrubland south of the Sahara. roughly 20-25% are Christian $10mn a month from those tions had been made. said, the money was returned to gards prisoners jailed by Israel don’t want to say it is 100% The government declared a and the rest follow indigenous revenues, corresponding to the Israeli public radio reported the Israeli fi nance ministry. as national heroes. fair, but it has started to (show) state of emergency in several regions, according to the US amount it said the PA paid fam- yesterday that a month’s pay- Israel sees the payments to The Arab League pledged understanding,” he said. northern provinces bordering State Department.

TRAGEDY Death toll hits 13 after landslides 38 killed as fl oods worsen in Mozambique in DR Congo Seven people died in a landslide AFP season, when river levels were watched houses fall one by one food items. But unfortunately in eastern DR Congo yesterday, Pemba already high, increasing the risk in the storm and floods. the weather conditions are bringing the death toll to 13 over of river fl ooding,” the UN agen- “Everything was falling... changing too fast and threat- the past three days, as torrential cy said in its latest update. properly built houses too,” she ening the operation. It’s rain- rain lashes the region, local off icials eavy rain battered “Humanitarian needs in said. ing again and the second flight said. Already on Friday, six people northern Mozambique Mozambique have sky-rock- “We went outside running, couldn’t go.” had been killed in Mahanga in the Hyesterday as residents eted, and the humanitarian so that things wouldn’t fall on To the north of Pemba, the province of North Kivu, according to and relief workers confronted response will need to rapidly us, especially the children. town of Macomia was also a local NGO for indigenous peoples. devastation wrought by Cy- scale-up.” “To rebuild this home, we badly hit, with homes and Then yesterday, seven more people clone Kenneth, the strongest According to figures pro- will have to demolish it and businesses destroyed, roofs were killed in a second landslide cyclone to ever hit Africa, which vided by the Mozambique start again.” torn off, trees and electric py- in the same area, the administra- killed 38 people and destroyed authorities to NGOs, around In Pemba, a tourist destina- lons uprooted. tor for the Masisi territory, Cosmas thousands of homes. 200,000 people in Pemba city, tion, staff mopped up pools of “We have grave fears for the Tangakolo, said. Roads have been washed the capital of Cabo Delgado, water at a hotel and collected thousands of families cur- away, fi elds submerged and are in danger. tree branches out of the lob- rently taking shelter under the many buildings wrecked by the The National Institute of by fountain, while labourers wreckage of their homes. ELECTION storm, which came weeks after Disaster Management (INGC) struggled to clear out the city’s They urgently need food, Benin counts Cyclone Idai struck the Mo- said 38 people have died, 39 drainage system blocked by water and shelter to survive zambican city of Beira, 1,000 have been injured, more than flood debris. the coming days,” said Nicho- votes, but result kilometres to the south. 23,000 people are without “(We) planned to mobilise las Finney, head of Save the in little doubt Cyclone Kenneth made land- shelter and nearly 35,000 as much aid as possible to Ibo Children’s response team in fall late on Thursday in Cabo homes have been either partly and also from there to Quis- Mozambique. Election officials in Benin Delgado province, packing wind or completely destroyed. sanga,” said UN OCHA official The northern region hit counted votes yesterday, a day gusts of up to 220 kilometres Before smashing into Mo- Saviano Abreu, naming two by Cyclone Kenneth is more after controversial parliamentary per hour. zambique, the cyclone hit the Residents walk in the flooded streets of the Paquite district of areas outside Pemba worst hit sparsely populated than Beira, polls without a single opposi- The UN Offi ce for the Co- Comoros islands, killing at Pemba yesterday, as Cyclone Kenneth hit northern Mozambique. by storm damage and flooding. which was hit by Cyclone Idai tion candidate. The Internet, cut ordination of Humanitarian Af- least three people and damag- “It was the priority for gov- in mid-March when about on Sunday for the voting, had fairs (OCHA) described it as the ing 75,000 homes. on Sunday morning. “If it continues to rain. we ernment and humanitarian or- 1,000 people were killed in returned. strongest cyclone to ever lash “The water came inside the As rain poured down and don’t know what we’ll do,” he ganisations, as these two areas Mozambique and Zimbabwe. All candidates contesting for the continent, and predicted house and all the way to the roads in the district became said as water streamed of his are in urgent need. But the area has also been the 83 parliamentary seats further heavy rain over the backyard,” said Sumala Cabila, unpassable except for four- slanted roof. “We managed to send one hard hit by deadly raids by a come from just two parties, the coming days. 23, standing in his family home wheel-drive vehicles, Cabila’s Fellow resident Tina Ma- flight with World Food Pro- militant group over the past 18 Republican Bloc and the Progres- “Cyclone Kenneth made in Pemba’s working-class sister struggled to look after chude, whose home was gramme (WFP) supplies of rice months that the army has been sive Union, and both of them are landfall at the end of the rainy Paquite suburb which flooded her one-month-old child. largely flattened, said she had and biscuits, and some non- unable to control. allied to President Patrice Talon. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 AMERICAS

OUTBREAK JUSTICE ‘LOSS OF CONFIDENCE’ CONSERVATION DEFENCE Number of measles cases Bomb threat at NM court Guantanamo prison San Diego’s giant pandas Scientists mull planet’s in US rises to 704: off icial trying border vigilante commander fired to head home to China response to meteor threat

The number of measles cases in the United A bomb threat yesterday prompted security The commander of the US prison at The last two giant pandas living at the San Diego A conference that opened yesterday will include States reached a record-setting 704 for the off icers to evacuate the courthouse where the Guantanamo, where 40 “war on terror” Zoo in California will be sent to the People’s an exercise to test how Nasa and the international year last week, the greatest number of cases leader of a paramilitary group that has detained detainees are still held after 17 years, has been Republic of China this spring, ending a more than community would respond to an asteroid found in 25 years, health officials said yesterday. The undocumented migrants crossing the US-Mexico fired for “loss of confidence,” the military said two-decade conservation programme that helped to be on a collision course with Earth. Groups Centers for Disease Control and Prevention border faces federal weapons charges. Larry yesterday. Navy Rear Admiral John Ring was bring the black-and-white bears back from the of scientists will address what should be done, said that as of April 29, 704 measles cases Hopkins, commander of the United Constitutional removed on Saturday as commander, Joint Task brink of extinction. The two remaining pandas, Bai including whether to attempt to deflect the object. have been confirmed in 22 US states since the Patriots, has been charged with being a felon in Force-Guantanamo, according to a statement Yun and her 6-year-old cub Xiao Liwu, will be sent Among the questions that will be posed are whether start of the year. That was a jump of 78 cases possession of a firearm after the FBI said it found from the US Southern Command, which to China in the coming days after three weeks world leaders would provide funding and make from the previous week, it said. About 3% of guns during a 2017 visit to his home. Moments oversees the prison. Ring was relieved “due to a of goodbyes that culminated over the weekend, other decisions at critical points, and how the public the measles cases developed pneumonia, before Hopkins was to stand and face US Magistrate loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the the last chance for Californians to see them. would respond. The five-day conference is the while 9% were serious enough to require Judge Karen Molzen, a US Marshal walked towards statement said. Ring’s deputy, Army Brigadier “We knew when we started the programme that sixth by the International Academy of Astronautics hospitalisation, said CDC director Robert him, motioned to him to get up and cleared the General John Hussey, has been named acting they were not our bears and that they wouldn’t on planetary defence and reflects the increasing Redfield. “At this time, there has been no courtroom. “There’s been a bomb threat, all of you commander. No specific reason was given from be staying so that was always in our minds,” the recognition of the potential threat posed by meteors death,” Redfield said. have to evacuate,” the marshal said. Ring’s removal. pandas’ keeper, Dallas Dumont, told Reuters. and other objects in near-Earth orbit.

Demanding healthcare NY offi cials hit back at Trump over NRA ‘siege’ Reuters 10,000 ‘false or misleading’ claims in offi ce: Post Washington After just over 800 days in off ice, truth, the Post said: 22% of his President Donald Trump has erroneous comments are made at ew York’s governor yes- made more than 10,000 “false or rallies of his dedicated support- terday assailed President misleading claims,” according to ers. NDonald Trump for back- a tally released yesterday by the Another notable element of ing the National Rifl e Associa- Washington Post. these claims is that the former tion in its dispute with the state, The count, kept by the news- reality television star — who accusing the US leader of being paper’s ‘Fact Checker’ database, frequently rails against the “fake afraid of the powerful gun lobby. was started in the Republican news” media — has a tendency to Two days after a gunman leader’s first 100 days in off ice in repeat the same false formulas sprayed a California synagogue early 2017. again and again. with bullets, killing a worship- At the time, Trump averaged The Post said the president per, New York Governor Andrew just five false claims a day. passed the 10,000-untruth mark Protesters supporting Medicare for All hold a rally outside PhRMA headquarters in Washington, DC, yesterday. The rally was held by Cuomo urged Trump to do more In the past seven months, that on Friday. the group Progressive Democrats of America. to stop gun deaths. total has risen to an average of As well as denouncing the In a statement directed at the nearly 23 every day, made at ral- media as “enemies of the people,” president, Cuomo said 74,600 lies, on Twitter, in speeches or in Trump also lashed out at fact Americans had died from gun vi- encounters with the media. checkers themselves earlier this olence since Trump was elected During his “Make America year, calling them “some of the in November 2016. Great Again” rallies, Trump has most dishonest people in the “You have done nothing but taken the most liberties with the media.” tweet about it,” Cuomo said. Democrats insist on ‘substantial’ “Unlike you, President Trump, New York is not afraid to stand as evidenced by North’s ouster. tion about him, according to a up to the NRA.” “The NRA is under siege by letter from LaPierre to NRA board State Attorney General Letitia Cuomo and the New York State members that was published by new revenue for infrastructure James on Saturday confi rmed her AG, who are illegally using the the Wall Street Journal on Friday. offi ce had issued subpoenas as State’s legal apparatus to take North’s allegations included Reuters Both sides are keeping expectations low Senators Dick Durbin, Patty Murray, Deb- part of an investigation related to down and destroy this very im- that LaPierre had received about Washington for the meeting and no formal proposals are bie Stabenow, Ron Wyden and Carper will the NRA. portant organisation, & others,” $275,000 in wardrobe items paid expected to be exchanged. also attend, along with House Majority Leader The New York Times reported Trump wrote on Twitter without for by an NRA vendor, the news- “We want to hear what they have to say Steny Hoyer, No 3 House Democrat James the probe involved the group’s providing evidence. paper reported. op Democrats in Congress told US about it, and we’ll react to that. But no, Clyburn and Representative Ben Ray Lujan. tax-exempt status. “It must get its act together The NRA board went into ex- President Donald Trump yesterday we’re not...coming into it with a blueprint,” Trump, who vowed in 2016 as a presi- “In any case we pursue, we will quickly, stop the internal fi ght- ecutive session during a meeting Tthat the has “massive” Kudlow said. dential candidate to back $1tn of infrastruc- follow the facts wherever they ing,” Trump said of the NRA. yesterday as it debated next steps, infrastructure needs which must be met In a February 2018 meeting with lawmak- ture spending over 10 years, has been vague may lead. We wish the President New York offi cials have run up according to media reports. with “substantial, new and real revenue.” ers, Trump had endorsed hiking the federal about his plans in recent months. would share our respect for the against the gun advocacy organi- The NRA, with more than 5mn In a letter ahead of a White House meet- gasoline tax by 25 cents per gallon to fund In February last year, Trump asked Con- law,” James said yesterday. sation as the state aims to tighten members, is the most powerful ing with Trump today, House Speaker Nan- infrastructure improvements, Democratic gress to authorise $200bn in federal money The NRA annual meeting was gun restrictions. and well-connected gun lobby in cy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Senator Tom Carper said. over 10 years to spur road, bridge and other roiled over the weekend after The NRA last year sued Cuomo the United States. Charles Schumer said the deal must be The current tax of 18.4 cents a gallon on projects mostly funded by states, cities and internal disputes spilled into and the state’s fi nancial regulator NRA offi cials did not respond “comprehensive and include clean energy gasoline has been in place since 1993. the private sector. the open with retired US Marine for engaging in what it said was a to a request for comment. and resiliency priorities.” The federally-mandated diesel tax is 24.4 That plan was roundly criticised and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North “blacklisting campaign” aimed Trump has embraced the gun Any deal must “go beyond transportation cents a gallon. never voted on in Congress, which was then saying he would step down as at swaying banks and insurers to lobby, vowing not to tighten US and into broadband, water, energy, schools, Schumer will not consider a proposal to controlled by Republicans. NRA president. stop doing business with it. fi rearms laws and advocating housing and other initiatives. We must also raise the gas tax unless “Trump considers Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell North said he was being forced The state legislature passed proposals such as arming teach- invest in resiliency and risk mitigation of undoing some of the 2017 tax cuts for the told reporters on April 11 that a big infra- out because of his allegations gun restrictions this year includ- ers as a way of preventing school our current infrastructure to deal with cli- wealthy,” a source close to Schumer said structure boost is popular but “nobody on that NRA leaders engaged in fi - ing prohibiting armed teachers shootings. mate change,” the Democrats added. yesterday. either side has stepped up with a credible nancial improprieties. in schools and extending waiting The NRA spent $30.3mn to The White House did not immediately Other key Democrats attending today’s proposal to pay for it”. The Republican Trump shifted periods to buy guns. support Trump’s 2016 presiden- comment, but Trump economic adviser Trump meeting include Representatives “I’m all for taking it up once the president the spotlight yesterday to Cuomo NRA chief executive Wayne tial campaign, according to the Larry Kudlow told reporters yesterday that Peter DeFazio, who chairs the House Trans- and Democrats, everybody says OK, here’s and James, Democratic offi cials LaPierre had accused North of Center for Responsive Politics, the president has not made up his mind on portation and Infrastructure Committee, how we’re going to pay for it. As soon as that in his home state, after divisions trying to oust him by threatening a group that tracks campaign whether to support raising a federal tax on and Richard Neal, who chairs the tax-writ- magically appears I think we have a way for- within NRA leadership surfaced, to release “damaging” informa- spending. gasoline as part of an infrastructure package. ing Ways and Means Committee. ward,” he said.

10,000 evacuated over Canada fl oods, rescuers search for pets

AFP a press conference. “Water levels animals supplied by their own- Montreal are falling and we hope that we ers,” he said. can protect the area,” she said, About 40 animals were res- noting that construction of new cued since late on Sunday, but ore than 10,000 peo- gravel barriers was underway to the group was too late to save a ple have been evacu- keep waters at bay. dog, a guinea pig and another un- Mated from their homes in About 9,000 people have been specifi ed animal believed to have eastern Canada in recent days as displaced in Quebec province, or drowned or died of hypothermia. spring fl oods broke record levels twice the number in 2017, which “Flooding is incredibly stress- set in 2017, offi cials said yester- had seen the region’s worst fl ood- ful on animals,” Dussault told day, warning that it could take ing in a half-century. AFP. weeks for the waters to recede. In the rush to fl ee the rising In New Brunswick, more than Meanwhile an operation is un- water scores of pets were aban- 1,000 people have been forced derway to rescue pets from homes doned. from their homes. in the area that had to be aban- Eric Dussault, whose Animal A handful also were evacuated doned during evacuations. Rescue Network is spearheading in the capital Ottawa. Hardest hit was the town of the eff ort to fi nd the marooned Several thousand soldiers have Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, west pets, said an emergency shelter been deployed throughout On- of Montreal, where more than has been set up and people with tario, Quebec and New Brunswick 6,000 people were forced to fl ee training in animal rescues and ex- to help with evacuations and fi ll rising waters over the weekend pertise in cat and dog behaviours sandbags. after a natural dike was breached. have been sent door to door. Guilbault said she expects there Flooding in the town “is sta- “We have a huge number of an- will be a break in rainfall, but bilising,” Quebec Public Safety imals we need to evacuate. We’re added that waters are likely take a Canadian police off icers provide relief on a flooded street in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac in the suburbs of Montreal. Minister Genevieve Guilbault told working with a list of hundreds of long time to recede. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 13 ASIA

Police chief Lanka on high alert as more suspended ri Lanka’s president sus- pended the chief of police Syesterday and appointed a new defence secretary in a shake- up of the shell-shocked country’s security services following the attacks by militants feared Easter Sunday terror attacks. Police chief Pujith Jayasun- Reuters/AFP multi-ethnic nation. But gov- dara had refused to quit to clear Colombo ernment offi cials said it would the way for a shake-up of the help security forces identify 85,000-strong force, prompting people as a hunt for any remain- President Maithripala Sirisena to ri Lankan security offi cials ing attackers and their support suspend him yesterday. have warned that militants network continues across the Senior Deputy Inspector- Sbehind Easter Sunday’s Indian Ocean island, which was General Chandana Wickrama- suicide bombings are planning gripped by civil war for decades ratne was appointed acting po- attacks and could be dressed until 2009. lice chief in his place, Sirisena’s in uniform, as the archbishop The Archbishop of Colombo, offi ce said in a statement. of Colombo complained about Malcolm Ranjith, said that se- Separately Sirisena appointed insuffi cient security around curity had not been suffi ciently yesterday a former head of the churches. stepped up around churches. army, Shantha Kottegoda, as the The militants were target- “We are not satisfi ed with the country’s top defence offi cial. ing fi ve locations for attacks on security arrangements and urge His predecessor at the min- Sunday just passed or yesterday, authorities to ensure our safety,” istry of defence and law and or- security sources said. he told reporters. der, Hemasiri Fernando, stepped “There could be another wave Authorities suspect mem- down on Thursday in the wake of of attacks,” the head of the po- bers of two little known groups the attacks, which were claimed lice ministerial security division – National Thawheedh Jamaath by the Islamic State group. (MSD) said in a letter to law- (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu General Kottegoda, 69, was makers and other offi cials seen Ibrahim – of carrying out the forced to retire as head of the army by Reuters. Easter attacks, though Islamic in December 2005, by then-presi- “The relevant informa- State has claimed responsibility. dent Mahinda Rajapakse. tion further notes that persons Prime Minister Ranil Wick- Sirisena said an intelligence dressed in military uniforms and remesinghe said a tight-knit agency from a neighbouring coun- using a van could be involved in group of people was involved, try had provided precise details of the attacks.” mostly close friends and fami- the impending attack 17 days in Security forces searched a lies. They spoke face-to-face, advance, but local authorities had burial ground in Colombo yes- possibly to evade electronic failed to take counter measures. terday following information surveillance. Offi cial sources said the presi- that explosives had been hidden “They were small enough dent was referring to informa- there, but the troops did not fi nd that they were not using nor- tion provided by India’s Research any, offi cials said. mal communications, in- and Analysis Wing which appar- There were no attacks on stead meeting each other,” ently gleaned details of the East- Sunday and security across Wickremesinghe said. A Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) soldier checks a burial ground in Colombo yesterday, a week after a series of bomb blasts targeting er attacks from a jihadist suspect Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka He added the co-ordinated churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. in Indian custody. has been ramped up, with bombings, the type of explosives The government has since de- scores of suspected militants used and the tightly guarded visiting temples were recovered last year, after months of tension, “At a time when the whole next two months because of clared a state of emergency and arrested since the April 21 at- plot suggested the bombers had from a safe house in the east, the only to be forced to reinstate country has been aff ected by a the bombings. Tourist arrivals deployed thousands of troops for tacks on hotels and churches guidance. site of a gun battle on Friday that him under pressure from the major catastrophe, politicians in areas elsewhere in Sri Lanka search operations against - that killed more than 250 “IS has claimed, we also felt killed Zahran’s father and his two Supreme Court. should stop fi nding fault with would likely go down by about ist extremists. people, including 40 foreign there has to be some interna- brothers. Since then their relation- each other,” he said. 30%, he told reporters at a travel However, cordon and search nationals. tional links,” he said, referring to His wife and daughter escaped ship has deteriorated further to Instead they must have conference in Dubai. searches were carried out across The government has also Islamic State. an explosion with minor injuries, the point where their factions broad discussion on what steps In India, police said they had the country and 13 foreign na- banned women from wearing Authorities believe Zahran hospital staff and police said. actively try to undermine each needed to be taken to solve this raided the homes of three people tionals overstaying their visas face veils under an emergency Hashim, the founder of NTJ, Many Sri Lankans believe other, including not sharing and take this country out of in the southern state of Kerala, were arrested, police said. law that was put in place after was the mastermind and one of a deep rift between President security information, defence this crisis.” close to Sri Lanka, in connection It was not clear if the foreign- the attacks. the nine suicide bombers. Maithripala Sirisena and Wick- sources say. Sri Lanka’s Tourism Bureau with their links to Islamic State. ers – 10 Nigerians and one each There were concerns within One military source said that remesinghe has undermined The archbishop criticised the chairman, Kishu Gomes, said They did not say if there was from India, Iran and Thailand – the Muslim community that the fi ve sets of white attire com- national security. bickering at the top levels of gov- tourist arrivals in Colombo were any connection to the attacks in were linked to religious extrem- ban could fuel tensions in the monly worn by Buddhists when Sirisena fi red Wickremesinghe ernment. expected to fall 50% over the Sri Lanka. ists or the Easter attacks. (AFP) 3,000kg Nepal president in Beijing Two dead in raid on garbage collected militants’ den in Everest DPA Ahmed told reporters. Authorities enhanced se- Dhaka He said the militants fi red curity across Bangladesh in guns when battalion members the aftermath of last week’s region initially knocked their door deadly bomb attacks carried t least two suspects slightly after midnight and the out by suspected Islamist mili- IANS were killed in a bomb lawmen retaliated with bullets. tants on churches and hotels in Kathmandu Aexplosion after security Later in the morning, a huge Sri Lanka. forces raided a militants’ hide- explosion blew away parts of The series of attacks, out in the Bangladeshi capital the roof of the house and shook claimed by the Islamic State total of 3,000kg of solid Dhaka, police said yesterday. the entire neighbourhood kill- group, killed more than 250 waste has been collected The explosions occurred ing the militants at the scene, people, including an 8-year- Afrom the Mt Everest region hours after the members of the battalion chief said without old Bangladeshi boy. since the beginning of the Nepal Raid Action Battalion (RAB) elaborating the identity of the Bangladesh launched an government-backed Sagarmatha cordoned off the one-storey suspects. anti-militant crackdown after Cleaning Campaign on April 14, tin-roofed home in Dhaka’s He said DNA profi ling a popular restaurant in Dhaka the media reported yesterday. Bochila neighbourhood early would determine the suspects’ was attacked by home-grown Dandu Raj Ghimire, director, yesterday on information that identity. militants on July 1, 2016, kill- general of department of tour- a group of militants were holed A bomb disposal unit con- ing 22 civilians, mostly foreign ism, informed that of the total up inside, battalion offi cer ducted a search operation at nationals. garbage collected so far, 2,000kg Mufti Mahmud Khan said. the crime scene, Khan said. More than 100 suspected has been sent to Okhaldhunga Nepal’s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and China’s President Xi Jinping review honour guards The bodies of two people Police detained three people, radical Islamists have been while 1,000kg has been brought during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. were found at the scene, including the caretaker of the killed in raids by security forces to Kathmandu using Nepali battalion chief Benazir home, for interrogation. since then. Army helicopters for disposal, reports The Himalayan Times. “Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign. All the nec- essary things including food, wa- China ready to help ter and shelter have already been Bangladesh jobs website aims to arranged there,” Ghimire said. The department estimates if EU imposes curbs: that around Rs23mn would be spent on the campaign. “Under this campaign we will curb abuse of migrant workers Cambodian PM be collecting around 5,000kg of garbage from the Base Camp Thomson Reuters Foundation will match their skills (and) ises about jobs and pay to entice ond-highest source of foreign Reuters world’s largest trading bloc area, while 2,000kg of garbage Dhaka the employers will get the best workers then charge high fees currency earnings after clothes Phnom Penh over its human rights records. would be collected from the workers... it (the website) is a that trap them in debt bondage. manufacturing, government During a meeting with Chi- South Col region and around win-win situation,” said IOM’s Bangladesh is one of the most data shows. nese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, 3,000kg from Camp II and Camp angladesh has launched Bangladesh deputy Dimanche expensive nations in the world While the country has more hina will help Cambodia Li pledged to help Cambodia if III areas,” Ghimire added. an online job portal to help Sharon. for those seeking to work over- than 1,200 licensed recruitment if the European Union the EU withdraws the market ac- The team also located four Breduce high fees incurred Every year, thousands of seas, with some migrant work- agencies, they are located mostly C(EU) withdraws special cess, according to a post on Hun bodies while cleaning the Base by thousands of workers seek- Bangladeshis look to join the ers paying fees of up to $8,500, in cities and are out-of-reach for market access over its rights Sen’s offi cial Facebook page. Camp. ing employment abroad and 7.5mn workers already in jobs according to the . a huge section of job seekers, record, Cambodian Prime Min- “In this regard... Prime This is the fi rst time that the curb exploitative tactics used by overseas, labour activists said. Eliminating the role of middle- said Shakirul Islam, head of Ovi- ister Hun Sen said yesterday as Minister Li Keqiang also con- Ministry of Culture, Tourism unscrupulous brokers. At least 1mn secured jobs men will help reduce the fees, said bashi Karmi Unnayan Program, a he announced a $89mn Chinese fi rmed his eff orts to help Cam- and Civil Aviation, the Ministry The government-run website abroad in 2017 – the highest Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury migrant rights group. aid package for his military. bodia,” the post said. of Environment, Nepali Army, was established by the UN In- number ever recorded by the Noman, secretary general of the “That’s why the workers are Hun Sen, who is on a fi ve-day China is Cambodia’s biggest Nepal Mountaineering Asso- ternational Organisation for Mi- government – with most working Bangladesh Association of In- dependent upon these middle- trip to China to attend a Belt and aid donor and investor, pouring ciation, Sagarmatha Pollution gration (IOM) and Bdjobs.com, a in the construction and cleaning ternational Recruiting Agencies, men to reach these recruitment Road Initiative (BRI) forum in in billions of dollars in develop- Control Committee, Khumbu local website, and launched on sectors in the Middle East. which includes majority of the agencies,” Islam told the Thom- Beijing, held bilateral talks with ment aid and loans through the Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipal- Sunday. The government in February licensed recruitment agencies. son Reuters Foundation. “The President Xi Jinping and signed Belt and Road initiative. ity and Nepal Tourism Board are The portal will connect job said it was planning to sideline About half of the migrant agencies, which lack the capac- several agreements with Cam- Unlike, Western countries, working jointly to clean up the seekers with the country’s li- recruitment brokers who dupe workers who depend upon bro- ity, are also dependent upon bodia’s most important ally. China does not question Cam- world’s highest peak. censed recruitment agencies di- or exploit workers they send kers experience some form of these unoffi cial middlemen to Cambodia benefi ts from the bodia’s record on rights. The department has esti- rectly in a bid to cut out the lay- abroad by compiling a list of fraud or harassment, according get workers.” EU’s “Everything But Arms” “China will continue to sup- mated that at least 500 foreign ers of unoffi cial middlemen, who certifi ed labour agents. to the Refugee and Migratory Migration experts and civil trade scheme which allows the port the national defence sec- climbers and over 1,000 climb- activists say have dominated The current informal recruit- Movements Research Unit, a servants are, however, aware of world’s least developed coun- tor in Cambodia, and in this ing support staff will visit higher and often abused the system for ment system involves unoffi cial rights group. the challenges that they may tries to export most goods to regard, the Chinese president camps of Mt Everest as well as migrant workers for decades. middlemen, who despite bring- Remittances from migrant face in their bid to replace re- the EU free of duties. announced that China will Mt Lhotse, the fourth tallest “Migrants will be able to reg- ing recruiters and rural workers workers are key for Bangladesh’s cruitment practices that have But Cambodia risks los- provide $89mn to Cambodia’s mountain. ister and identify the job that together, often give false prom- economy, making up the sec- been running for decades. ing the special access to the defence sector,” the post said. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Two US Navy warships sail through strategic Taiwan Strait

Reuters Taiwan as a sign of support from and Stethem. The 112-mile-wide through the strait. “US ships “The Taiwan issue is the most ers a wayward province of “one speech from President Xi Jin- Washington the Trump administration amid (180-km) Taiwan Strait separates freely passing through the Tai- important and sensitive issue in China” and sacred Chinese terri- ping, threatening to attack Tai- growing friction between Taipei Taiwan from China. wan Strait is part of the mission Sino-US relations,” he told a dai- tory. It said a recent Taiwan Strait wan should it not accept Chinese and Beijing. “The ships’ transit through of carrying out the Indo-Pacifi c ly news briefi ng. passage by a French warship, fi rst rule. he US military said it Taiwan is one of a growing the Taiwan Strait demonstrates strategy,” it said in a statement. The United States has no for- reported by Reuters on Wednes- Last month, Beijing unveiled sent two Navy warships number of fl ashpoints in the US- the US commitment to a free and Taiwan’s armed forces moni- mal ties with Taiwan but is bound day, was illegal. a target of 7.5% rise in defence Tthrough the Taiwan Strait China relationship, which also open Indo-Pacifi c,” Commander tored the transit and nothing out by law to help provide the island China’s Geng told the same spending for 2019, a slower rate on Sunday as the Pentagon in- include a trade war, US sanctions Clay Doss, a spokesman for the of the ordinary happened, the with the means to defend itself briefi ng in Beijing that China than last year but still outpacing creases the frequency of move- and China’s increasingly muscu- US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, said in ministry said. and is its main source of arms. hoped that France could ensure its economic growth target. Chi- ment through the strategic wa- lar military posture in the South a statement. Doss said there were In Beijing, Chinese foreign The Pentagon says Washington such an incident did not happen na has repeatedly sent military terway despite opposition from China Sea, where the United no unsafe or unprofessional in- ministry spokesman Geng Sh- has sold Taipei more than $15bn again. aircraft and ships to circle Taiwan China. States also conducts freedom- teractions with other countries’ uang said China had paid close in weaponry since 2010. Beijing’s concerns about Tai- on exercises in the past few years The voyage risks further rais- of-navigation patrols. vessels during the transit. Tai- attention to the sailing and had China has been ramping up wan are likely to factor into Chi- and worked to isolate it interna- ing tensions with China but will The two destroyers were iden- wan’s Ministry of Defense said expressed concern to the United pressure to assert its sovereignty nese defence spending this year, tionally, whittling down its few likely be viewed by self-ruled tifi ed as the William P Lawrence the US ships had sailed north States. over the island, which it consid- following a stern New Year’s remaining diplomatic allies. ’s emperor to abdicate today

AFP Security beefed up in Tokyo Divers scoured moats around including terrorism acts, from the Imperial Palace and happening near the palace and or the emperor’s abdica- police dogs sniff ed in bushes the Akasaka Imperial property tion today, Japanese work- yesterday as authorities as well as streets accessing Fers are enjoying an un- ramped up security for the them,” said the off icial who precedented 10-day holiday as a start of Japan’s new “Reiwa” declined to be identified rash of special days off combine imperial era. The new era because he was not authorised with the traditional “Golden begins tomorrow when Crown to speak to media. Week” in May. Prince ascends the Kyodo News said several But not everyone is popping Chrysanthemum Throne a thousand police off icers the champagne corks in fa- day after the abdication of his will provide security for the mously workaholic Japan. “To father, Emperor Akihito, brings ceremonies and a public be honest, I don’t know how to an end the 31-year Heisei era. appearance by the new to spend the time when we are Police stepped up security emperor on Thursday when suddenly given 10 days of holi- at the Imperial Palace, a 115 huge crowds of well-wishers days,” said 31-year-old fi nance hectare (284 acre) site that are expected. “I feel like there worker Seishu Sato. is home to the emperor and are more police off icers today. “If you want to go travel- empress in the heart of Tokyo. I see way more people than ling, it’s going to be crowded Off icers poked at bushes with usual,” said Mariko Hiratsuka, everywhere and tour costs have steel sticks to check for hidden 36, who jogs around the palace surged ... I might end up staying objects, while dogs sniff ed once a week with a friend. at my parents’ place,” he said. nearby. Divers checked the Police yesterday declined to A survey by the Asahi Shimbun murky water of a dozen moats comment on media reports daily showed 45% of Japanese that surround the palace. Public that two knives were found “felt unhappy” about the long access to the plaza in front of on the classroom desk of vacation, with only 35% saying the palace will be restricted Prince Hisahito, the 12-year-old they “felt happy”. during the abdication and grandson of Emperor Akihito. “I won’t be able to take days ascension ceremonies. Security Security camera footage off . On the contrary, we’ll be will be tight at Naruhito’s showed a man disguised as super-busy,” said Takeru Jo, a residence in the Akasaka royal a construction worker enter 46-year-old pizzeria worker. estate, a police off icial said. the grounds of the junior high Others who have to work “We will be enhancing security school in Tokyo, Kyodo News over the period complain about to prevent illegal behaviour, said, citing police. Japanese Emperor Akihito (right) and Crown Prince Naruhito wave to well wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. childcare. “For parents in the service sector, the 10 days of holiday is a headache. After- Key ceremonies in imperial succession school care, nurseries — eve- rything is closed,” tweeted one Emperor Akihito’s abdication and the jewel are enclosed in tailcoat. Akihito wore a Western and declares his succession disgruntled parent. today, one of several ceremonies cases. The mirror is kept at Ise morning coat when he became to the world. Britain’s Prince Many expect Tokyo and other marking the transition to his heir Grand Shrine, the holiest Shinto emperor in January 1989. Charles and Princess Diana and large cities to empty as Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, will be a site in Japan. Prime Minister US Vice President Dan Quayle seize the rare opportunity for an brief, relatively simple and rare Shinzo Abe will announce the May 4: Emperor, Empress were among the 2,200 people overseas trip. event. The last abdication by a abdication followed by Akihito’s greet well-wishers at palace who attended the ceremony for “Most of our tours for the Japanese monarch was in 1817. final remarks as emperor. Naruhito and Masako make Akihito in 1990. The royal couple holiday period were sold out last Naruhito will become emperor Empress Michiko, Naruhito and their first public appearance, will ride in an open-top Toyota year,” said Hideki Wakamatsu, tomorrow, but his formal Crown Princess Masako will greeting well-wishers gathered Century limousine through a spokesman for Nippon Travel enthronement will take place attend along with the leaders of at the Imperial Palace. They will central Tokyo. Some 120,000 Agency, adding that many oth- at a more elaborate ceremony both houses of parliament and appear six times during the day people, many waving national ers were on the waiting list. in October, to which foreign Supreme Court justices. from 10am. A large turnout is flags, lined the route in 1990 to As the holiday kicked off on dignitaries will be invited. expected as the public event cheer Akihito and Michiko as Saturday, airports were packed Tomorrow: Regalia takes place during a 10-day they passed by in a Rolls-Royce and there were long queues for Today: Abdication Ceremony Inheritance holiday. More than 100,000 Corniche III. Shinkansen bullet trains. High- The ceremony will take place This is the first stage of people flocked to see Akihito and ways out of Tokyo were jammed in the Imperial Palace’s ‘Matsu Naruhito’s accession to the Michiko in 1990. Nov 14-15: Great Thanksgiving with motorists aiming to make a no ma’, or ‘Hall of Pine’, known throne. Chamberlains put the Ceremony getaway from the capital. Policemen patrol the area surrounding the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. for its polished wood floor and seals, sword and jewel on desks Oct 22: Enthronement Naruhito will off er newly Still, if people are curiously considered the palace’s most in front of the new emperor as Ceremony harvested rice and sake rice indiff erent to the idea of extra the Open University of Japan, Hara. But Hideto Tsuboi, from prestigious room. About 300 proof of his rightful succession. Naruhito proclaims his wine to imperial ancestors and holidays as a result of the em- said much of this stemmed from the Kyoto-based International people will attend the event The ceremony is observed by a enthronement in a ceremony deities, and partake of them peror, the imperial family re- the imperial couple’s “welfare- Research Center for Japanese broadcast live on national small group that includes adult attended by dignitaries from himself as he prays for bumper mains as popular as ever. related activities”. “Their atten- Studies, said one of the main television. Imperial chamberlains male royalty and representatives nearly 200 countries. Like his crops and national peace. A poll by public broadcaster tion to the elderly, the disabled reasons for Akihito’s popularity carry the state and privy seals of the three branches of the father, the new emperor is The government has earmarked NHK found almost no one would and the victims of natural dis- lay in the fact that he was “con- into the room along with two of government, including Abe expected to wear a traditional 2.7bn yen ($24mn) for the admit to a “feeling of antipathy” asters — those ignored by politi- scious of the responsibility of Japan’s ‘Three Sacred Treasures’ and his cabinet. Akihito and robe and headdress. He will step ceremony, including costs towards the emperor with the cians in the past three decades — the post-war generation” to re- – a sword and a jewel – which Michiko will not be present. The into the ‘Takamikura’ – a 6.5m to build temporary halls at vast majority saying they had a has earned public support,” Hara fl ect on Japan’s wartime atroci- together with a mirror are ceremony is not open to female (21ft) high pavilion that weighs the Imperial Palace for the “positive feeling” or “respect.” told AFP. ties. symbols of the throne. They royalty, but Satsuki Katayama, about 8 tonnes – and briefly occasion, although there has Only 22% voiced indiff erence. The fact that Emperor Akihito On the 73rd anniversary of are said to originate in ancient the only female minister in Abe’s sit on a cushioned chair with a been controversy over the This positive sentiment has married his sweetheart Michiko the end of World War II last mythology. cabinet, will be the first woman seat made from tatami straw. constitutionality of the state risen every year since 2003, ac- “for love”— the fi rst love mar- year, Akihito reiterated “deep The sword, representing one in modern history to attend. Naruhito then stands as the funding the event that involves cording to the NHK poll. Take- riage in imperial history — has remorse” over the war and his kept at a shrine in central Japan, Naruhito will wear a Western pavilion curtains are drawn open strong religious elements. shi Hara, politics professor at also boosted his standing, said continued wishes for peace.

Australia holds feisty first poll debate as race tightens

The two men vying to lead Tapping into that sense of man, the pair could off er only Australia for the next three growing malaise, Shorten tepid endorsements about public Indonesia detains Vietnamese years faced off over the accused the Liberal government service in parliament and on a economy and plummeting of looking after “the top end few specific issues. Yesterday’s trust in politicians in a testy of town”. “There is a mood poll showed the election will first televised election for change in Australia,” he be closely fought, but also debate yesterday. As polls said, promising to improve underscored the complexities fi shermen after high seas clash showed the race to the May incomes and put “middle and of Australia’s election system – 18 vote tightening, embattled working class people back on which asks voters to rank parties conservative Prime Minister top”. “Everything is going up in by preferences and encourages AFP east Asian Nations),” Indo- then fled, the navy said. Video for several months, but In- Scott Morrison and frontrunner Australia except people’s wages,” voting pacts between major Jakarta nesia’s foreign ministry said. circulating on social media donesian fisheries minister Bill Shorten of the centre-left he said. Morrison accused the and minor parties. The poll for Jakarta claims the area in the purported to show a Viet- Susi Pudjiastuti announced on opposition Labor party traded Labor leader of not being honest the first time counted support southernmost reaches of the namese patrol boat ramming Monday that it would resume sometimes personal barbs as with voters about the cost of for controversial mining mogul ndonesia has accused the South China Sea as its exclusive the left side of the Indonesian this weekend. “On the 4th they debated the country’s new emissions reduction targets Clive Palmer, who has bought Vietnamese coastguard of economic zone — waters where vessel as the armed navy crew (of May) we will be sinking 51 future. Morrison – who faces and other policy changes. For his way to five percent of the Iramming one of its vessels a state has the right to exploit shouted expletives. boats, mostly from Vietnam!” electoral defeat less than a months the polls have shown the vote with months of ad spending to block the interception of a resources. Indonesia, the world’s big- She did not say if it was in year after coming to office opposition headed for a sizeable worth tens of millions of dollars. boat fishing illegally, as a senior The navy said two Vietnam- gest archipelago nation, has retaliation for the latest diplo- in a party coup – painted victory, but ahead of the debate His populist “Make Australia minister announced a return to ese coast guard ships tried to been trying to stop foreign matic clash with Vietnam. Two the opposition leader as a a Newspoll survey showed Great” message can be seen sinking foreign trawlers. prevent the apprehension of an vessels fishing illegally in its years ago, Indonesia changed poor custodian of this G20 Labor’s lead narrowing to two on billboards and TV screens The clash in the South China illegal fishing boat by ramming territory, claiming it costs the the name of the southern part economy. “Who do you trust percentage points, well within the across the country, echoing the Sea at the weekend saw Jakarta its vessel. economy billions of dollars an- of the South China Sea to the to manage a $2tn economy?” margin of error. The campaign campaign waged successfully by summon Vietnam’s ambassa- The fishing boat sank pos- nually. It turned to a campaign North Natuna Sea in a bid to asked Morrison, framing the so far has been dominated by Donald Trump in his 2016 run for dor on Monday, after the navy sibly due to an accidental col- of blowing up captured foreign show its sovereignty. More re- debate as a choice between shrill attacks and hyperbolic the White House. The Newspoll detained a dozen Vietnamese lision, Indonesian authorities boats as a deterrent. cently, it inaugurated a new the Liberal party’s continued accusations of impending predicted that 60% of Palmer’s fishermen. said without elaborating. A Hundreds of detained foreign military base in the chain of stewardship and costly policy doom if one side or the other supporters would preference “The actions taken by the dozen fishermen were detained fishing vessels have been sunk, several hundred small islands changes. While Australia’s wins. That tension was on full Morrison’s Liberal party, boosting Vietnamese coast guard ship and remain in Indonesian cus- including many Vietnamese to beef up its border defence. economy has grown solidly for display, with cries of “rubbish” its showing relative to Labor. endangered the lives of offic- tody. boats — after the crews were The moves have prompted more than two decades, storm and frequent interruptions from Morrison tried to distance himself ers from both countries and Two others escaped deten- removed — since 2014, with criticism from Beijing whose clouds are gathering and the candidates as moderators in from Palmer, but insisted Labor is not in accordance with in- tion by jumping into the water. some blown up in spectacular claims in the sea overlap Indo- there is unease at the rising Perth tried to keep the debate on and the Greens were a bigger risk ternational law or the spirit of They were picked by the Vi- public displays. nesia’s around the remote Na- cost of living and vast income track. When asked to say what to the Australian economy than Asean (Association of South- etnamese coast guard, which The practice was suspended tuna Islands. disparities. they admired about the other the controversial millionaire. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 15

BRITAIN Huawei deal to put intelligence ties at risk, warns US

Guardian New and Media ed the UK was prepared to give dor” like Huawei was used by Cabinet ministers present and issue was “a fundamental issue He said such decisions were jected at the NSC meeting, Jere- London Huawei the go-ahead to sup- another country, the US would months of US lobbying. of national security” and added: something that “western de- my Hunt, reiterated his concerns ply “non-core” infrastructure “have to reassess the ability for The decision was leaked to the “Whether somebody mentioned mocracies who are concerned about Huawei overnight on an – a security measure that the US us to share information and be Daily Telegraph, prompting an it in passing and leaked it is trivial about human rights need to think offi cial visit to Africa. US offi cial has warned yesterday said would not work in interconnected,” implying in- inquiry in which ministers, ad- in comparison.” carefully about”. The foreign secretary, widely that the UK and any other practice. telligence sharing could be at visers and offi cials are likely to Repeating rhetoric used by Although Strayer was sim- considered a Conservative lead- Awestern countries that Robert Strayer, a deputy as- risk. be interviewed, and which will US intelligence agencies last ply restating the position of the ership candidate, said there adopt Huawei technology for 5G sistant secretary at the US de- Last week a tense UK national probably lead to calls for the week, Strayer said countries Trump administration about should be “a degree of caution” mobile phone networks risk af- partment of state, said yesterday security council meeting nar- leaker to be sacked, regardless of that adopted Huawei technology Chinese telecoms equipment, about the role of large Chinese fecting intelligence co-operation that Huawei “was not a trusted rowly approved in principle to their seniority. risked handing China “a loaded the briefi ng was clearly a calcu- companies in the UK “because with the US. vendor” and any use of its tech- Huawei being allowed to supply But earlier yesterday, Con- gun”, amid fears the technology lated intervention after the leak of the degree of control the Chi- The escalation of the rhetoric nology in 5G networks was a risk. “non-core” 5G technology, de- servative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg could be used for mass surveil- in the UK. nese state is able to exercise over comes days after a leak indicat- He said if an “untrusted ven- spite objections from fi ve of the said that he thought the Huawei lance. One of the ministers who ob- them”.

Labour urged to Infected blood resolve new Brexit vote crisis victims seek

Guardian News and Media London mass screening he Labour MPs behind the parliamentary drive for a Tconfi rmatory referendum on Brexit have written to their party’s governing body urging it to use the European elections to for hepatitis C campaign for a fresh poll regard- less of whether a deal has been Guardian News and Media mate victims are still dying at the aware they were infected. reached with the government. London rate of one every four days. Half “The only recommendation The call, from Peter Kyle and of those with haemophilia who from the Penrose report was for a Phil Wilson, comes before a were infected have now died. ‘look back’ screening programme crunch meeting of the party’s ictims of the NHS con- Young women were unknow- for anyone believed to be at risk national executive committee taminated blood scandal ingly infected by their husbands. of infection from that period, but today to consider a draft mani- Vhave called on the govern- Women needing transfusions af- it was not followed up. There’s festo for the May 23 vote. ment to extend mass screening ter childbirth and patients who never really been a justifi cation Presented by Labour’s policy for hepatitis C infections to pre- needed blood after surgery also for not doing it. chief, Andrew Fisher, the mani- vent more deaths. picked up lethal viruses. In one “It’s not unusual for our mem- festo is expected to stick closely In the run-up to the public case a boy who went to the den- bers to tell us that they were test- to the conference policy of sup- inquiry into the medical disaster tist and ended up needing a blood ed for HIV without their knowl- porting a referendum but only to that has killed thousands of peo- transfusion was infected. edge, without their consent and prevent a Conservative version ple, lawyers and patients’ groups The inquiry will start at Fleet- were not informed of the re- of a Brexit deal. are pressing the health service for bank House, off Fleet Street in sults. This scandal has torn apart Wilson and Kyle, who have public awareness programmes central London. Hearings will thousands of lives. We hope the drafted an amendment to any and testing of those given blood run from Tuesday to Friday every inquiry will fi nally expose the future binding Brexit vote which products or transfusions during week and will be broadcast live truth about why this happened would commit MPs to passing the 1970s, 80s and 90s. online. There is expected to be and hold those responsible to ac- May’s withdrawal deal subject The infected blood inquiry about 2,500 witness statements, count.” to a public vote, said that option will begin hearing individuals’ with health department staff , Gene Matthews, a partner at had the most popular support in testimonies in London today be- NHS offi cials and politicians the law fi rm Leigh Day, which rep- the party. fore hearing witnesses in Belfast, likely to be questioned in the resents about 300 victims, said: In their letter to the NEC yes- Leeds, Edinburgh and Cardiff later stages. “It is estimated many thousands terday the pair wrote that it was over the coming months. The The two main groups of vic- of people remain unaware of the “an opportunity to hold the Tory inquiry is expected to take up to tims are haemophilia patients fact that they are suff ering as a government to account on its three years. who were given plasma or factor result of HCV which they received botched approach to Brexit”. It will investigate why so many 8 products derived from many as a result of contaminated blood The letter said a confi rma- patients, many with haemophilia donors, and other patients who provided in the 1970s, 1980s and tory ballot was supported by who needed regular treatment, were given transfusions normally early 1990s. There are also fami- 203 Labour MPs, including 110 were given blood plasma from from a single donor. About 90% lies who lost loved ones from the from seats that had a majority the US contaminated with HIV, of haemophiliacs were infected; virus after they became infected Leave vote three years ago and hepatitis C and other viruses. the infection for those receiving during this period of time. had been whipped by the Labour Many of the products derived transfusions was closer to 1%. “We have people coming to us frontbench when MPs took part from blood donated by prisoners The hepatitis C virus, or HCV who have been diagnosed very in indicative votes in parliament. and drug addicts who were paid. as it is also known, was not for- recently. We urge the department “If a ‘deal’ is implemented More than 25,000 people may mally identifi ed until 1989 by of health to help people iden- without fi rst going to the peo- have been infected, Sir Brian scientists in California. Before tify whether they have the virus, ple for confi rmation, then in Langstaff , a former high court then it was called non-A, non especially as new treatments, the months and years ahead, the judge and chair of the inquiry, B viral hepatitis. The damage it which have become more widely public will have a right to say told a preliminary hearing last infl icts on the liver does not usu- available during the past few ‘this isn’t the Brexit I voted for’,” autumn. Medical records have ally show in the initial stages of years, are very eff ective and have the letter said. gone missing and government infection. a 90% success rate in clearing the “The public wants Brexit to be documents destroyed, raising Clive Smith, the chair of virus from the body.” over. They are looking to the La- questions about whether there trustees at the Haemophilia Des Collins of Collins Solici- bour party to resolve this Brexit were attempts to evade respon- Society, said: “There was no tors, which represents more than crisis. The way to resolve this sibility. test for hepatitis C until 1991, 1,000 victims, said look back crisis is in a confi rmatory ballot Nearly 3,000 people have died and there were often no symp- testing was not seen as the pri- with the facts of the deal before Labour’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer arrives at the Cabinet off ice for continuing Brexit talks with the as a result of the contamination, toms until the liver began to mary focus of the inquiry, but it the British people.” Conservative government in London yesterday. and patient support groups esti- fail, so many people were not was important. Police ‘failed stalking Tolkien premiere Rules on rape victims’ digital data slammed victim who killed self’ seek consent for data consistently Thomson Reuters Foundation London and proportionately across forces. Guardian News and Media Police Conduct (IOPC) yester- ter six incidents, and they should A spokesman for the Crown London day released limited parts of its have been. Prosecution Service (CPS) was not report. The IOPC said one offi cer, now he police faced an outcry immediately available for com- Allen had even breached a retired, could have faced discipli- yesterday over new poli- ment. olice repeatedly failed a non-molestation order (NMO) nary proceedings after the failure Tcies which demand rape The consent forms ask victims stalking victim who went meant to protect Reece from him to arrest Allen after he broke an and sexual assault victims hand to give police permission to down- Pon to kill herself, crushed after she had fi rst attempted sui- NMO in December 2016: “We over their phones to police to be load data from their phone using by the weight of harassment she cide, the IOPC said. were of the opinion there was combed for data or risk seeing an extraction tool. was suff ering, a report has found. The NMO had been obtained an indication that an offi cer may their cases dropped. Complainants are warned if Nicholas Allen subjected his in November 2016, with Allen have behaved in a manner which Women’s and privacy cam- they refuse “it may not be possible former partner Justene Reece, taking weeks to break it three justifi ed the bringing of discipli- paigners said the consent forms for the investigation or prosecu- 46, and her friends to a cam- times, all reported to police. nary proceedings. issued to all police forces across tion to continue”. paign of threats and harassment The IOPC concluded that er- “This was because they had England and Wales could add to The new policy came following between September 2016 and rors in the way the force held taken a decision not to arrest victims’ feelings of violation and controversies over the way that February 2017, which ended only the information or how it was the woman’s ex-partner when deter them from reporting serious rape and sexual assault cases have after she took her own life. searched for on its systems meant he was in breach of his non- sexual crimes. been handled by police and pros- Thirty-four incidents were offi cers trying to assess how dan- molestation order, after assess- “Making this demand of victims ecutors. reported to Staff ordshire police, gerous Allen was had only a frac- ing that the woman appeared to routine is likely to create a huge The CPS announced a review of including a threat Allen made to tion of the information. have gone out willingly with him. further barrier to reporting rape,” all rape and serious sexual assault “put a bullet in someone”, but It said 16 incidents were not Additionally, a number of com- said Rachel Krys, co-director of cases in January last year following police failed to take decisive ac- linked on the force’s systems to plaints were raised about incivil- the End Violence Against Women the collapse of several prosecu- tion to stop him. previous incidents, and of the ity and advice given that caused Coalition.“It is an attempt to make tions over failures to disclose rel- Only after Reece’s death was remainder, many were linked to evidence to be lost, which re- intense scrutiny of victims rou- evant evidence to defence lawyers. Allen, 47, charged and convicted one other incident rather than to lated specifi cally to this offi cer.” tine and accepted, when for many Justice offi cials say the changes of manslaughter, coercive be- all of them. The IOPC said seven offi cers and years we have attempted to ensure will strengthen policy around evi- haviour and stalking, and jailed Stalking and harassment one civilian staff member should the investigation and trial process dence disclosure. for 10 years. Reece killed herself are old issues for police and in receive management action in- is fair to those reporting rape.” Women’s groups said demand- in February 2017, leaving a note Reece’s case key policies meant cluding training. A spokesman for the National ing details of contacts between al- saying she had “run out of fi ght” to protect women such as her It said: “A number of issues Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said leged rapists and victims, who in after six months of threats and were not followed. Thus, a man- were also identifi ed as unsatis- Actor Harry Gilby arrives for the premiere of Tolkien at the police have a duty to pursue all many cases already know one an- harassment. datory domestic abuse risk as- factory performance for other Curzon Mayfair, in London, Britain, yesterday. reasonable lines of enquiry and the other, will only increase scrutiny The Independent Offi ce for sessment was not carried out af- offi cers” changes would help ensure police of victims. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 EUROPE EU security chiefs unite against religious extremist threat

By Michel Moutot, AFP evident at the Dutch headquar- ple at the offi ces of the satirical tional connections of the terror- patched from their home juris- terrorism services, who asked According to the most recent The Hague ters of Europol, where the patch- magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris ists – some of them came from dictions to work with the roughly for anonymity because he is not fi gures, the SIS database had work of information exchanges a year earlier. Iraq and Syria through Turkey, 170 liaison offi cers from every EU authorised to speak to the press, 76.5mn entries at the end of 2017. between individual EU states That attack heralded a wave of Greece, gathering in Hungary, member state, alongside offi cials confi rmed the need for co-ordi- “It took the Paris attacks of ith the religious ex- has been replaced with a more bloody religious extremist strikes in Germany, and then went to from outside nations maintain- nated EU action. 2015 for member states to grasp tremists behind the streamlined multilateral sharing in Europe, including the massa- France and back,” he said. ing permanent contact with Eu- “We all have guys who have the importance of sharing data Wbloodshed in Paris system. cre at the Bataclan concert hall in In the days following the Char- ropol. made round trips between our at the European level,” accord- and Brussels able to criss-cross “If there’s one area where Eu- Paris in November 2015, and the lie Hebdo attack, Europol sent “It’s gotten even better over countries and the Syria-Iraq ing to a recent report by Severine European borders at will, anti- rope works, it’s this,” said Jean- suicide bombings at the Brussels specialists in criminal fi nancing, the years,” said Nollet, who re- zone. The need to share infor- Wernert, a counter-terrorism terror chiefs have been forced to Dominique Nollet, a French airport and a metro station four drug traffi cking, social network turned to France last year to di- mation and reinforce our links expert in the cabinet of European come together to seek a common gendarmerie colonel who spent months later. monitoring and database analysis rect its national digital crime is now obvious to everyone,” he Union Security Commissioner response to a global threat. 11 years with the agency in The “After the 2015 attacks, we re- to assist local police forces. agency. said. Julian King. Experts say that the deeper Hague. ceived the request from France “It was the pilot we used to “Terrorist intelligence, which The ECTC is bolstered by the However, she noted that “even security co-operation was a wa- “Europol allows us to bring to- and Belgium to help them on the create the European Counter- had been very compartmental- Schengen Information System today all member states do not tershed moment of the European gether our data and analysis in a analytical work on these cases,” Terrorism Centre,” Navarrete ised and reserved for specialised (SIS), which for decades has col- systematically contribute to Eu- Parliament term that winds up huge data base,” he told AFP. said Manuel Navarrete, a Spanish said. “One single point doing services, is now much more eas- lected data on wanted persons in ropean databases, and some do in May, when new elections for In January 2016, the agency Guardia Civil general who directs analytical work, working online, ily shared,” he said. “Nobody can the EU, which generally allows not have biometric data in their the legislative body will be con- created its European Coun- the ECTC. everything together.” aff ord to make any mistakes, the the free movement of people and national fi les, which can pose ducted. ter-Terrorism Centre (ECTC), “It was diffi cult to deal with The ECTC now counts nearly stakes are too high.” goods across the bloc’s internal problems when trying to confi rm The transformation is most spurred by the killing of 12 peo- this case because of the interna- 100 police experts who were dis- A member of France’s anti- borders. an individual’s identity”. faces weeks of coalition govt talks The white whale with the harness before it was freed. AFP cal, as did French far-right leader with them to try to ease tensions Madrid Marine Le Pen. over Catalonia’s failed secession Sanchez, who has never been bid in 2017. elected before, coming to power A message that fell fl at as pain faces weeks of coa- in June after ousting PP prime Spaniards fl ocked to vote, with Fisherman lauded lition talks after Prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a no- turnout close to 76%, around 10 SMinister Pedro Sanchez’s confi dence vote, has several op- percentage points higher than in Socialists scored big but failed to tions to govern. 2016. for freeing whale gain a majority in a snap election He could try to rule on his own “The Spaniards wanted to vote that split the right-wing bloc and as he did during the 10 months and they did so massively,” wrote let ultra-nationalists into parlia- that he was in power with the veteran journalist Lucia Mendez from body harness ment. backing of far-left Podemos and in the conservative daily El Mun- Time, though, is on their side. smaller regional groupings. do. “They didn’t buy the story With the country set to return “We will try,” Deputy Prime that presented Pedro Sanchez as DPA “When I was in the water, it to the polls on May 26 for region- Minister Carmen Calvo promised a traitor capable of selling Spain Stockholm came really close ... and I man- al, local and European Parlia- yesterday. to the separatists.” aged to reach and unfasten the ment elections, and Spain’s three The Socialists could even try Sanchez could also try to front buckle,” he told NRK. rightist parties unable to form to forego the support of Catalan cosy up to the centre-right Ciu- Norwegian fi sherman Hesten said that the other a coalition even if they wanted Prime Minister Sanchez with Socialist Party (PSOE) party president separatists, now that it has more dadanos, which won 57 seats. has been lauded for strap was more diffi cult to re- to, Sanchez will go slowly, and Cristina Narbona during a PSOE meeting in Madrid yesterday, a day seats than before. Together, they would form an Asuccessfully removing move, but he managed to at- a government is unlikely before after winning general elections. All Sanchez would need is for absolute majority but voters from a harness attached to a white tach a hook to it and the strap June. Catalan separatist lawmakers to both parties would likely frown whale believed to have escaped came off as the whale swam “We must wait and see what the 85 seats they secured in the the 176-seat majority needed to abstain in the second round of an on such a move. from a Russian navy facility, a away. will happen in the municipal last election in 2016. govern. investiture vote when only a sim- “With Rivera no!” Socialist news report said. Whale researcher Audun elections ... in many regions and Their nearest rivals, the main The election was much com- ple majority is needed. supporters chanted outside the In recent days, the white Rikardsen at UiT – the Arc- of course in the European Parlia- opposition conservative Popular mented in Europe, where the Sanchez could also try to form party’s headquarters on Sunday whale has approached fi shing tic University of Norway in ment,” Socialist party president Party (PP), bagged just 66 seats rise of far-right and/or populist a coalition with Podemos and night as a beaming Sanchez de- boats off the coast of Finnmark Tromso – welcomed the eff ort, Cristina Narbona told Spanish compared to 137 three years ago, movements has caused concern. the more moderate of Catalo- livered his victory speech. in northern Norway. saying that the whale was like- radio. “There is no hurry ... we its worst showing in over two “The predominance of pro- nia’s two separatist parties, ERC, The feeling is mutual in Ciu- Fisherman Joar Hesten, 26, ly not fully grown and would are still campaigning.” decades. gressive forces in Spain and the which together would provide a dadanos, whose leader Albert was able to remove two straps have suff ered as a result of the Financial markets were how- Conservative votes were split collapse of the right-wing PP is majority in parliament. Rivera built his campaign on dis- attached to the animal late on straps. ever concerned about a new peri- among two other parties, the a message of hope,” Greek Prime But the separatists have proven paraging Sanchez, criticising his Friday after several failed at- Rikardsen said he had been od of instability in Spain, and the centre-right Ciudadanos and Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted. unreliable allies. attempts to negotiate with Cata- tempts by personnel from in touch with a Russian col- country’s benchmark share index ultra-nationalist Vox, which “Let’s not rush into predicting Sanchez was forced to call the lan separatists. the Norwegian Directorate of league who believed the whale was the worst performer among won just over 10% of the vote in a the dominance of the right in Eu- election after they joined the PP Senior Ciudadanos leader Ines Fisheries, Norwegian public had been used on some capac- leading European indices. country that has had no far-right rope.” and Ciudadanos in opposing his Arrimadas told Spanish radio broadcaster NRK reported. ity by the Russian navy. The Socialists came fi rst in party to speak of since the death Italy’s hardline Interior Min- 2019 budget. yesterday that her party could Hesten, who accompanied He did not give details. Sunday’s snap poll, winning 123 of dictator Francisco Franco in ister Mateo Salvini thought oth- His reliance on separatists not ally with Sanchez, calling the directorate staff , put on a The US Navy is known to seats out of 350, or close to 29% 1975. erwise, noting that Vox had gone also earned him accusations him a “public danger, someone survival suit before jumping have trained dolphins for tasks of the vote – short of an absolute The three rightist parties to- from “0 to 24 seats”, and congrat- from right-wing parties of being capable of anything” to stay in into the waters off the island of such as detecting and recover- majority but an improvement on gether have 147 seats, far from ulating its leader Santiago Abas- a “traitor” for trying to engage power. Rolfsoya to assist the whale. ing equipment.

Putin fl oats ‘common citizenship’ Turkey says UAE spy idea for Russians and Ukrainians suspect committed suicide in prison AFP Observers are closely watch- to move troops across the bor- Moscow ing for signs of a thaw in ties be- der under the pretext of pro- tween Russia and Ukraine after tecting the interests of Russian Reuters Jamal Khashoggi six months ago. a comedian with no political ex- nationals. Istanbul The United Arab Emirates is a ussian President Vladimir perience, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, in response, has close ally of . This picture taken in October Putin said yesterday that won a landslide victory in presi- pledged to grant Ukrainian citi- Relations with Turkey have last year shows a demonstrator RUkrainians and Russians dential elections in Ukraine this zenship to Russians who “suf- man held by Turkey on been strained since the two Arab holding a poster with a picture were “one people” and would month. fer” under Kremlin rule. suspicion of spying for the states launched a blockade of of Khashoggi, outside the Saudi benefi t from common citizen- The Kremlin has not con- Zelenskiy said he doubted AUnited Arab Emirates has their Gulf neighbour, Qatar, in Arabia consulate in Istanbul. ship, after he angered Kyiv by gratulated Zelenskiy, and in one many Ukrainians would take committed suicide by hanging 2017, while Ankara supported off ering to fast-track Russian of the fi rst announcements after Moscow up on its off er because himself in prison, the Istanbul Doha. including a trusted Palestin- passports for Ukrainians. the vote, Putin said Moscow was a Russian passport means “the prosecutor’s offi ce said yester- Saudi Arabia and the UAE also ian doctor who can go there and “I’ve said many times that thinking of making it easier for right to be arrested for a peace- day. view Turkish President Recep do the autopsy on my father’s Ukrainians and Russians are all Ukrainians to obtain Russian ful protest” and “the right not to The suspect, named as Zaki Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist-root- corpse in order to fi nd the truth brotherly nations. Moreover, I citizenship. have free and competitive elec- Y M Hasan, was found hanging ed ruling AK Party as a supporter himself,” he said. believe that they are essentially Last week, Putin signed a de- tions”. from the bathroom door in his of groups like the Muslim Broth- A woman who identifi ed her- one people with various cul- cree allowing people living in Putin: If Ukraine gives Yesterday Putin appeared to one-person cell in Silivri prison, erhood, which they oppose. self as Hasan’s sister in the same tural, linguistic and historic pe- breakaway regions of eastern passports to Russians and we go out of his way to show that he west of Istanbul, when guards Turkey has not identifi ed the interview said that she is certain culiarities,” a smiling Putin told Ukraine to receive a Russian in Russia give passports and was not off ended. arrived to give him food on Sun- nationality of either detainee but her brother would not have com- reporters. passport within three months of citizenship to Ukrainians, then “We have a lot in common,” day morning, the prosecutor’s Turkish state broadcaster TRT’s mitted suicide. “If Ukraine gives passports applying for one. sooner or later ... everyone will he said, referring to Zelenskiy. offi ce statement said. service said both were Khashoggi, a Washington Post to Russians and we in Russia Kyiv and the West have con- have common citizenship. This “It means he’ll fi nd a common It said the man had been regis- Palestinians and carried Pales- columnist and critic of Saudi give passports and citizenship demned the decree, saying Pu- should be welcomed. language.” tered in a roll-call that morning. tinian passports. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Sal- to Ukrainians, then sooner or tin is seeking to further desta- Zelenskiy’s critics, led by out- An investigation has been Hasan was a 55-year-old re- man, was killed in the Saudi con- later we will inevitably have a bilise Ukraine, while critics at Russian-speaking separatists in going President Petro Porosh- launched and the Istanbul foren- tired major general and a senior sulate in Istanbul on October 2 by predictable outcome – everyone home say the move would be a eastern Ukraine. enko, have said the 41-year-old sics institute has carried out an intelligence offi cial, TRT said on a team of Saudi operatives, pro- will have common citizenship.” major burden for the already- Some in Kyiv and the West political novice will not be able autopsy, the statement added. its website. voking an international outcry. “This should be welcomed,” struggling Russian economy. worry that Moscow’s off er of to stand up to Putin. The dead man was one of two In an interview with Saudi- According to the senior Turk- Putin said before saying “Good- In 2014, Moscow annexed citizenship to Ukrainians would He is due to take offi ce by ear- suspects charged with interna- owned Al-Arabiya TV, a man who ish offi cial, one of the two men bye” to reporters in Ukrainian. Crimea and moved to support give the Kremlin a justifi cation ly June. tional, political and military es- identifi ed himself as Hasan’s son arrived in Turkey in October, pionage. said that his father had gone to days after Khashoggi was killed, The pair were arrested on April Turkey to search for a job and the while the other arrived later to Report: Germany’s right-wing radicals increasingly diff icult to monitor 19 and had confessed to spying family had lost contact with him help his colleague. on Arab nationals, a senior Turk- on April 7. The US Central Intelligence Germany’s domestic spy agency says it is have been picked up, now hold little influence extremists known as Reich Citizens ish offi cial said at the time. “We were surprised that he Agency (CIA) and some West- finding it increasingly diff icult to monitor in the far-right scene. (Reichsbuerger). UAE offi cials were not imme- was suddenly arrested after the ern countries believe the crown the country’s right-wing extremist scene, “Above all, small groups and individuals with The spy agency says radicalisation and diately available for comment false accusations against him,” prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto according to a report published on Sunday. little complex organisation” have emerged as interaction now primarily takes place online on the death and there has been the son Youssef said. ruler, ordered the killing, which The far-right scene in Germany has become key players, according to the document. in social media networks and messenger no offi cial statement following He said he wanted Hasan’s Saudi offi cials deny. less organised, making it more diff icult to Germany has been home to a number of services, a factor that makes observation Turkey’s announcement of the body sent home and urged Pales- The Saudi public prosecutor monitor, according to an internal report from high-profile groups of right-wing radicals, “much more labour-intensive” than before. arrests. tinian President Mahmoud Ab- has indicted 11 unidentifi ed sus- the intelligence agency quoted by the Welt such as the National Socialist Underground, The intelligence agency, known as the Investigators are examining bas and world powers to investi- pects on charges of ordering and am Sonntag newspaper. responsible for killing eight Turks on Federal Off ice for the Protection of the whether the arrival in Turkey of gate his father’s death. committing the crime, includ- Meanwhile, the larger extremist groups, in German streets between 2000 and 2007, Constitution, could not be reached for a one of the detainees was related “I want the creation of a spe- ing fi ve who could face the death which potential criminals would previously and a dissident group of anti-government statement on the report. to the murder of Saudi journalist cialised medical committee, penalty. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 17 INDIA

PM says 40 of Mamata’s MLAs in touch; Trinamool hits back

IANS over Bengal after May 23, Didi Bengal have only one motto in this Derek O’Brien hit back, tweet- soil and stones and said it was “It will bring me good luck be- grateful for this because otherwise Sreerampur, West Bengal (Banerjee), you will see that your Lok Sabha election. ing: “Expiry Babu PM, let’s get “holy and inspirational” to him. cause this soil is holy to me. It is your goons would use the stones to MLAs will also abandon you and “Didi has crossed all limits this this straight. Nobody will go with “Didi, who once talked about my inspiration. I will be grateful break people’s heads. So send me run away. Forty of your MLAs time. The Trinamool Congress you. Not even one councillor. ‘mati and manush’ (soil and hu- to Didi for the ‘rasgullas’ made as many stones as possible so that rime Minister Narendra are in touch with me even today,” goons are trying to stop people Are you election campaigning or man being), is now talking about out of Bengal’s soil, as not eve- the heads of Bengal’s people re- Modi yesterday claimed Modi said at an election rally in from casting their votes. Our par- horse trading! Your expiry date feeding me ‘rasgullas’ made out ryone is fortunate enough to get main unharmed,” he said. Pthat 40 legislators of West Hooghly district. ty candidates are being attacked is near. Today, we are complain- of Bengal’s soil and stones. How such holy ‘prasad’,” Modi added. Modi further said that Ban- Bengals ruling Trinamool Con- “It will be tough for you to save and stopped from campaign- ing to the Election Commission. lucky I am! The soil of Bengal gave The prime minister also ridi- erjee knew that her prime min- gress (TMC) were in “touch” yourself. You have cheated the ing. Yet people in the villages are Charging you with horse trad- birth to so many statesmen such culed Banerjee by asking her to isterial aspirations were hollow, with him and would desert Chief people of Bengal,” Modi said. turning up in the polling stations ing.” Later, he posted another as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, send as many stones as possible as no one can be on that chair Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Trinamool has 213 MLAs with only one motto...’chup chap tweet: “The complaint against Swami Vivekananda, Chaitan- in the sweets so that the Trina- with a handful of seats. He also But the Trinamool hit back in the 295-member West Bengal kamal chap, booth booth se TMC Modi for horse trading has been ya Mahaprabhu, Netaji Subhas mool-backed goons do not have claimed that Banerjee was trying by fi ling a “horse trading” com- Assembly. saaf’ (silently vote for the lotus fi led with ECI. Monday, 7pm.” Chandra Bose and Shyama Prasad enough stones left to attack the to establish her nephew and Tri- plaint against Modi with the Modi said despite all the attacks symbol, remove Trinamool from In his speech, Modi took a dig Mookerjee. If Modi gets ‘rasgullas’ people of West Bengal. namool MP Abhishek Banerjee as Election Commission. and intimidation by the state’s rul- all booths),” he said. at Banerjee for also claiming to made out of this soil, it will be like “You said there will be stones the next chief minister of West “When the lotus blooms all ing Trinamool, the people of West Soon after, Trinamool leader send him ‘rasgullas’ made out of ‘prasad’ to him,” he said. inside the ‘rasgullas’. I would be Bengal. The rich and famous cast their votes in Mumbai

AFP “The most pressing issue for Mumbai Mumbaikars is unemployment and rising costs of living,” shop trader Jignesh Shah told AFP as he illionaires and Bollywood queued in the suburb of Chembur. stars urged people to go out “As a middle class family it gets Band vote as they took their really diffi cult when real estate turn with Mumbai’s millions of costs are so high and transporta- slum dwellers yesterday to cast tion is a mess,” the 56-year-old ballots in the world’s biggest elec- added. tion. About 60% of Mumbai’s popu- India’s fi lm and fi nance capi- lation live in slums. tal took centre stage in the fourth At the other end of the wealth of seven rounds of the mammoth spectrum, Ambani has raised eye- democratic exercise due to wrap brows by backing the Congress up on May 19 with results expect- candidate in his Mumbai con- ed four days later. stituency, although the BJP is not At least 40,000 police and se- standing in that seat. curity personnel were deployed Ambani has regularly spoken across the megacity of 20mn in support of Modi’s BJP govern- people while workers were given ment and the Reliance Industries a holiday to vote for Mumbai’s six tycoon’s son, Anant Ambani, at- Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan, wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan show ink marks on their fingers after casting their votes at lawmakers. tended a recent Modi rally. a polling station in Mumbai yesterday. Twenty-six of the 10,000 poll- Yesterday’s voting in nine states ing stations were staff ed by wom- will be particularly crucial for en only. Modi’s chances of securing a sec- Media scrums were set up at ond term after his landslide win in the stations where India’s richest 2014. man, Mukesh Ambani, Bollywood More than three dozen seats superstars including Amitabh were at stake in Madhya Pradesh, Bachchan and Aamir Khan, as well Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, all as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar traditional BJP strongholds. Violence mars fourth voted. Defeats suff ered by the ruling “It’s a very proud and happy day party in three recent state elec- for all of us today. Happy voting tions have raised Congress hopes day everyone,” Bollywood super- that it can eat into the govern- star Aamir Khan said alongside his ment’s majority. director wife Kiran Rao at a school Modi’s party won 282 of the in the Bandra area. 543 seats contested last time but round of mega election “This is the moment that mat- analysts say this election will be ters.... Every vote is a voice that closer. Reuters ing station in another constitu- sometimes bloody, fi ght in West is voting in three phases due to in Uttar Pradesh and Maharash- counts,” tweeted Priyanka Chopra Congress has hit out at Modi’s Kolkata ency in the state after a scuffl e Bengal with Trinamool, whose security concerns, paramilitary tra, both of which are ruled by the Jonas, wife of US star Nick Jonas, handling of the economy, the fail- between voters and troops, who chief, Mamata Banerjee, is one forces fired teargas and pel- BJP and its allies. alongside a selfi e of herself show- ure to produce promised jobs and were demanding that mobile of Modi’s biggest critics and who lets to disperse youth throwing Uttar Pradesh elects the most ing indelible ink on her fi nger nail. massive debt in rural India which est Bengal, crucial for phones be kept aside while vot- is a possible candidate for prime stones at them, a police officer lawmakers, with Maharashtra Prime Minister Narendra Mo- has seen thousands of farmers Prime Minister Naren- ing, as rules state. minister. said. next and West Bengal third. di’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commit suicide. Wdra Modi’s hopes of re- There were no immediate re- The BJP currently holds only Four persons suff ered pellet Political analysts say the BJP and their partners Shiv Sena, to- The 68-year-old prime min- taining power, took centre stage ports of any poll-related injuries two of West Bengal’s 42 parlia- injuries, of which two had been may struggle to repeat its strong gether won all of Mumbai’s seats ister, still seen as the frontrun- in India’s staggered general elec- in West Bengal, where at least mentary seats. hospitalised in Srinagar, the of- showing this time due mainly to at the last elections in 2014. ner, has increasingly relied on his tion yesterday after clashes broke one person was killed and three “We have asked for central fi cer said, declining to be identi- a jobs shortage and weak farm They also won all but a handful tough security stance and his na- out between supporters of his injured during the third phase of forces at all polling booths so that fi ed. prices, issues that the main op- of seats in Maharashtra. tionalist credentials. Bharatiya Janata Party and the voting last week. free and fair elections can be held More than 128mn people were position Congress Party has Now former MP Priya Dutt, a At a rally in Mumbai on Friday, state’s Trinamool Congress. Yesterday’s was the fourth in the state,” said Mukhtar Ab- eligible to vote in this round of seized on. member of one of India’s most fa- Modi said only his BJP govern- Security forces chased away round in the country’s phased bas Naqvi, a minister in Modi’s the seven-phase election, held First-time voter Ankita mous acting families, is trying to ment can guarantee safety for the people wielding sticks after election, which involves some cabinet. across 72 seats in nine states. Bhavke, a college student in make a comeback for the opposi- city, the scene of militant attacks workers from BJP took on those 900mn voters and which started Maidul Islam, a professor of About 62.56% of those eligible Mumbai, said she voted for eco- tion Congress Party in the city. 10 years ago. from Trinamool Congress in the on April 11 with Modi in the lead. political science at Kolkata’s had voted by 8pm, according to nomic development. Actress Urmila Matondkar is “Modi is confi dent those who city of Asansol, police said. The last phase is on May 19 and Centre for Studies in Social Sci- interim fi gures from the Election “I want the country to be at also running for Congress. strike with terror on this city will Modi is hoping to gain seats in results are expected four days ences, said the stakes were high Commission. par with the best in the world,” The concerns of the rich and be hunted down. That is how a West Bengal to off set likely losses later. for both parties, with Trinamool Modi’s coalition won more she said. famous – Ambani and his family city and that is how a country is in the north of the country. There are a total of 545 seats hoping to be part of a federal gov- than 75% of the seats in the nine “There’s been some progress live in 27-storey luxury high-rise run,” said the prime minister who An Election Commission of- in parliament’s lower house Lok ernment coalition. states in the previous election, in in the last fi ve years.” – were far from the ordinary voters has given himself the nickname of fi cial said paramilitary forces Sabha. In Jammu and Kashmir’s 2014. India’s fi nancial markets were in line however. ‘chowkidar’ (watchman). fi red a blank round inside a poll- The BJP is in a direct, and Anantnag constituency, which Many of the constituencies are closed yesterday for the election. EC to decide on complaints Sacked BSF trooper to against Modi, Rahul today take on PM in Varanasi

IANS “But then Akhileshji (SP chief IANS Chandra Bhushan Kumar told ing the Lok Sabha polls, com- Lucknow Akhilesh Yadav) gave a thought New Delhi reporters. plaints against Gandhi stem about whom to fi eld against the “At present there are three from his use of “chowkidar chor fake chowkidaar (watchman),” leaders against which alleged hai (watchman is a thief)” slo- n a surprise development, the Yadav said. he Election Commission complaints are there - Narendra gan. Samajwadi Party yesterday “The people now have to (EC) will take a decision Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Amit Also yesterday, the Supreme Ichanged its candidate in the choose between a real watch- Ttoday on complaints of Shah. The matters are under Court said it would hear today a Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and fi eld- man and a fake watchman. Even alleged violations of the model consideration with the Commis- Congress petition that claimed ed former Border Security Force Akhileshji said that we are stand- code of conduct (MCC) against sion,” he said. that the Election Commission trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against ing with the real watchman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sandeep Saxena, another had refused to act on a complaint Prime Minister Narendra Modi. not with a person who only be- Congress president Rahul Gan- deputy election commissioner, against Modi and Shah for mak- Yadav, a resident of Harayana’s lieves in rhetoric,” the former dhi and Bharatiya Janata Party said there was a need to take a ing “hate speeches” and “using” Rewari district, was dismissed trooper said. chief Amit Shah, an offi cial said comprehensive view of all the armed forces for “political prop- from service after he complained He said that the Aam Aadmi yesterday. complaints adding each alleged aganda.” about poor quality of food served Party will support his candida- “Regarding the alleged com- violation would have to be taken The Congress alleged that the to the BSF personnel. ture in the Lok Sabha polls. plaints of violation of model up separately and decision would EC’s “silence” was an indirect “Today I fi led the nomination Yadav had earlier announced code of conduct against senior be taken accordingly. endorsement of the violation of papers from Varanasi as Sama- that he would contest as an inde- leaders of two political parties, There are several complaints the MCC. jwadi Party candidate,” Yadav pendent candidate from Varanasi. the Commission has already of alleged MCC violations A bench, headed by Chief Jus- told IANS. He said the fi ght in The BSF constable was dis- taken all the inputs and details against the three leaders. While tice Ranjan Gogoi, agreed to hear Varanasi is now between “a real missed in 2017 after he posted a and has scheduled a meeting Modi and Shah have been ac- the petition today after it was chowkidaar (watchman) and a video on Facebook complaining tomorrow morning for taking a cused of making “hate speech- mentioned as “urgent” by law- fake chowkidaar”. about the poor quality of food decision on each of the issues,” es” and “using” armed forces yers Abhishk Singhvi and Sunil Women sit on top of a vehicle as they leave after casting their votes Earlier the party had fi elded provided to the security person- Deputy Election Commissioner for “political propaganda” dur- Fernandes. outside a polling station at Sirohi district in Rajasthan yesterday. Shalini Yadav. nel. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 INDIA

CONTROVERSY JUDICIARY CRIME INVESTIGATION ASSISTANCE Shami’s estranged wife HC rejects plea seeking Two arrested in Goa Cops accused of trying to Kerala expects World Bank detained after high drama gag order on CJI case prostitution case frame man in rape case loan for rebuilding

Hasin Jahan, the estranged wife of cricketer The Delhi High Court yesterday refused to Two Afghan nationals, including an off icial serving The Ghaziabad police have suspended three Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohamed Shami, was taken into custody in entertain a plea seeking to restrain media from in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Communication and policemen and registered a criminal case after a high level meeting to discuss the Amroha in Uttar Pradesh after she went to reporting the sexual harassment allegation Information Technology, were arrested following against them for allegedly threatening a man of ‘rebuild Kerala’ initiative in aftermath of her husband’s house and created a ruckus. against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. A a raid on a prostitution racket in the beach village implicating him in a rape case if he did not pay the worst-ever floods that hit the state last She was later released on bail. Hasin Jahan division bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon of Calangute in Goa, an off icial said yesterday. Rs60,000 in bribe, an off icial said yesterday. year, indicated yesterday that the World reached Shami’s house in Sahaspur Ali Nagar and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani rejected According to the police, Mohamed Omar Arian, who Acting on the complaint by Nawab Ali Saifi, Bank would provide a Rs3,596 crore loan for village late on Sunday night. When her in-laws the plea and asked the petitioner to go to the is a director of Internal Audit at Afghanistan’s Ministry police filed a case against Ashutosh Tarar, Vijay rebuilding activities covering various sectors. asked her to leave, she locked herself and her Supreme Court. “We will not interfere in the issue... of Communication and Information Technology, and Kumar Sharma and Javed. Two others – Rakesh He said that the World Bank has, in principle, child in a room. The police were called. When Everything is with the Supreme Court. Go to the Mohamed Azmal Hodman, an Afghanistan based- Khurana and Parminder – have also been agreed to give the loan but wants the state they failed to bring a truce between the two Supreme Court,” the court said. The bench also lawyer, were arrested during the raid. Two women named in the case. Saifi stated in his complaint government to chip in 30% would work out to sides, they took Hasin Jahan into custody. said there was a Supreme Court order dated April from Uzbekistan were also rescued. “The two Khurana and Parminder, both property dealers, be around Rs1,541 crore. “From what we have Talking to reporters, Hasin Jahan said: “I have 20 on this. The high court was hearing a petition accused from Afghanistan have been arrested under in collusion with the policemen, called him to the gathered is that the World Bank sanction of come to my husband’s house and I have every filed by the Anti-Corruption Council of India. The sections 370 (prostitution), 370(iii) of the Indian Penal police station where a woman was present. Even the loan is expected to come in June, when right to stay here. My in-laws are misbehaving council urged the court to restrain TV channels, Code and Sections 4, 5 and 7 of the Immoral Traff ic when the woman refused to recognise him, the this would be taken up in their meeting with me and the police are supporting them. newspapers as well as social media platforms from Prevention Act, 1956,” the police said, adding they policemen threatened to implicate him in a rape then. In the present fiscal year, an amount of They should have arrested them but they are publishing or airing the allegations against the CJI were on the lookout for a pimp who had solicited case. Saifi alleged the policemen were working Rs1,541 crores would be utilised for rebuilding taking me to the police station.” till a three-judge panel arrives at a conclusion. the services of the two Uzbek women. at the behest of the property dealers. activities,” Vijayan added.

EC confi rms Testing time for students bogus voting by Kannur IS suspects in CPM workers

IANS Thiruvananthapuram Kerala under

he Election Commission yesterday confi rmed that Tbogus voting took place at a polling booth in Kannur dis- trict and that three women ac- NIA lens after tivists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have been found guilty. “This happened in the polling booth at Pillathara in Kasargode Lok Sabha constituency (in Kan- nur district). After detailed ex- calls to Lanka amination of the visuals, it has been found that three women IANS preachers on YouTube are also nationals and some foreigners, voted twice. We have asked the New Delhi under scrutiny of the NIA, the and injured 500. Fifteen people, returning offi cer to register cases offi cial, requesting anonymity, including three suicide bombers, against the three under various told IANS. died during a raid by Sri Lankan IPC sections,” Chief Electoral uspected Islamic State The NIA suspects that the op- security forces on Friday night Offi cer Tikka Ram Meena said, sympathisers in various erators in Kerala are IS sympa- and nearly 100 people have been adding police would conduct a Sparts of Kerala are on the thisers and might have been in detained on the island nation. detailed probe. National Investigation Agency’s touch with the groups headed by The IS claimed responsibility “The offi cial documents are radar following the horrendous Zahran Hashim, a radical Tamil- for the bombings and released a now kept in the strong room and Easter Sunday bombings in Sri speaking cleric who is believed video that showed Hashim and after the Election Commission Lanka, sources said yesterday. to have masterminded the Sri seven other men pledging alle- offi cials give the directions, they This follows intercepts of calls Lanka blasts. giance to group’s chief Abu Bakr will also be checked,” said Meena. between suspects in the state al-Baghdadi. “Two polling agents of the and the island nation as well According to an NIA The Sri Lankan government CPM candidate will also be pro- as some Facebook accounts on offi cial, the phone has pointed a fi nger at Hashim ceeded against for abetting the which “provocative” materials intercepts include chats indirectly as the prime suspect crime. The polling offi cials in the were uploaded, the sources said. that occurred on multiple in the Easter Sunday blasts and booth will also face the probe. According to an NIA offi cial, occasions among people accused him of leading a lit- There is nothing called ‘open the phone intercepts include in Malappuram, Kasargod tle-known group, the National vote’ (as pointed out by CPM chats that occurred on multi- and Palakkad in Kerala and Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), af- leaders after the controversy ple occasions among people in those in Sri Lanka fi liated to the Islamic State. Sri broke out).” Malappuram, Kasargod and Pal- Lankan intelligence offi cials One of the women, Salina, is a akkad in Kerala and those in Sri Hashim was found to be in and Prime Minister Ranil Wick- local member and she has to re- Lanka. touch with the IS sympathisers remesinghe believe that Hashim sign from the post and face the Besides, Facebook accounts during his visit to Malappuram in may have masterminded the at- probe, said Meena. of some suspects in Kerala and Kerala, and Coimbatore, Tiruch- tacks. Since Saturday, after TV Tamil Nadu that had been active irappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore and Another offi cial from a cen- channels started airing visuals till 10 days before the Sri Lanka Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu tral intelligence agency said of the bogus voting in the Kasar- blasts are part of investigation some time in 2017-2018, another Hashim was also associated with god Lok Sabha constituency, the of the anti-terror agency which offi cial said. Tamil Nadu-based Islamic State Congress took up the issue with unearthed a suspected IS mod- Though Ahamed Arafat, sympathisers through illegal Meena. ule in Kasargod and Palakkad Aboobacker Siddique and Riyas trade and social media sites like On Sunday, Meena sought a during its raid on Sunday at the Abu Bakar whose houses were YouTube and Facebook but has detailed report from the district houses of three people. raided, were questioned, the not been found to be involved in collectors of Kannur and Kasar- The Facebook accounts, the NIA could not link them to the any terror activities. god from where the incidents details of which were not shared Sri Lanka blasts, the offi cial said. Hashim, the offi cial suspects, were reported. by the offi cial on grounds that it However, it confi rmed they might have come in contact with Kerala voted on April 23 for all can aff ect the investigation, were had links with accused in a 2016 these Islamic State sympathis- 20 Lok Sabha seats. being used to upload “militant case in which 14 people from ers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu The district collectors met preachings and provocative” Kasaragod left India or their through this way and he later offi cials attached to the polling materials to radicalise people workplaces in the Middle East visited India aimed at radicalis- booths where the incidents hap- and persuade them to pledge al- for Afghanistan and Syria to join ing them to establish a pro-Is- pened and sought their version. Students appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) wait outside an exam centre in legiance to the IS. the IS. lamic State module. The CPM’s Kannur district Bengaluru yesterday. The Common Entrance Test is a competitive exam conducted for the The IP addresses of some The April 21 attacks on three Offi cials said several Sri Lanka secretary M V Jayarajan late Sat- purpose of admission of students to the first year or first semester of full-time courses in computers and laptops used to churches and three luxury hotels IS operatives were also in touch urday explained that its workers medical, dental and engineering courses in professional colleges in various states of India. upload some incriminating vid- in Colombo and elsewhere killed with Indian suspects in Tamil had only done “open voting”. eos and sermons of diff erent 253 people, including 11 Indian Nadu and Kerala. Teacher sacked for giving Defence meeting States on high alert as ‘0’ marks instead of 99 cyclone intensifi es IANS not to venture into the sea and New Delhi highlighted that there is a sea- IANS revised the marks to 99. The action against the two teach- sonal ban on fi shing in sea up to Hyderabad incident caused huge embar- ers late on Sunday, a day after a June 14 due to breeding season,” rassment to the board. three-member committee sub- ffi cials yesterday took said the statement. With 21 students com- mitted its report to the govern- stock of the situation After a request by the states, n the most glaring example mitting suicide and many ment, which admitted to the Oarising out of the cy- the Ministry of Home Aff airs of the scale of goof-up in students like Navya coming discrepancies. clonic storm Fani that has been promised to release in advance ITelangana Board of Inter- out in the open to vent their However, opposition par- intensifying in the southeast the fi rst instalment of the State mediate examinations a stu- anger, the state government ties and student groups are Bay of Bengal in a National Cri- Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), dent was given ‘0’ marks in- was forced to order re-veri- demanding action against the sis Management Committee added the statement. stead of ‘99’in a subject. fication of answer sheets of higher-ups in the board and (NCMC) meeting in New Delhi, Chief secretaries and princi- Gajji Navya failed in Inter- 3.28 lakh students who failed also the information technol- a Home Ministry statement said. pal secretaries of Tamil Nadu, mediate Second Year (12th to obtain the pass marks. A ogy company for the massive The meeting chaired by Cabi- Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and standard) as she scored ‘0’ total of 9.47 students had ap- bungling. net Secretary P K Sinha followed West Bengal attended the meet- marks in Telugu paper. The peared in the exams for both They alleged that BIE was directions from Prime Minister ing through video conference. student from Mancherial dis- First and Second Year in Feb- shielding those who commit- Narendra Modi who is closely Senior offi cers from the central trict scored 99 marks in Com- ruary-March. ted serious blunders like giv- monitoring the situation, the ministries and agencies con- merce, 96 in Civics, 95 in Eco- After an inquiry into Na- ing single digit marks to many statement said. cerned were also in attendance. nomics and 68 in English. vya’s case, BIE suspended a students who had done well The NCMC will again meet According to the India Mete- She was shocked to see the teacher. It also announced that in First Year exams and also today as Fani has been gaining orological Department’s (IMD) results declared by the Tel- it has imposed Rs5,000 as fi ne marking many students as ‘ab- strength in the southeast Bay of forecast, Fani is at present locat- angana Board of Intermediate against Uma Devi, a teacher of sent’ though they had appeared Bengal and is likely to intensify ed at 880km southeast of Chen- (BIE) on April 18. She could not a private school who evaluated in the exams. into a very severe cyclonic storm nai and is expected to intensify believe when she saw ‘0’ in Tel- the Telugu paper of Navya. She While free re-verifi cation of later in the day. into a very severe cyclonic storm ugu as she had scored 98 in the was also sacked by her school answer scripts of all failed stu- “During the meeting, offi cers by today. The storm will con- subject in the 11th standard and management. dents was undertaken, thou- of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, tinue to move northwest till May equally good marks in the other BIE also suspended Vijay sands of students who passed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shakes hands with her Odisha and West Bengal con- 1 and thereafter recurve north- subjects. Kumar, a teacher of a tribal the exams but were not satis- Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe during a bilateral fi rmed their full preparedness to eastwards gradually. With a leading Telugu daily welfare school, who had served fi ed with the marks they got meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Co-operation deal with any emerging situation “The government is keeping highlighting her plight, the as a scrutiniser but failed to no- also applied for re-valuation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meet in Bishkek, arising out of the cyclonic storm. a close watch on the impact on BIE swung into action and af- tice the blunder. with the payment of prescribed Kyrgyzstan yesterday. “The state governments have states on the eastern coast,” the ter checking her answer sheet The board announced the fee. adequately warned fi shermen statement said. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 19

LATINLATIN AMERICAAMERICA Mexico plans special minimum wage for domestic workers

Thomson Reuters Foundation where the general baseline is 103 said Andres Peñaloza, head of the Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled In May, the commission will mum wage could lead to higher continue to hire them and they Monterrey, Mexico pesos ($5.45) per day. National Minimum Wage Com- last year that the country’s 2.3mn present the results of its studies social security contributions to just keep them informal,” Kaplan While Mexico has dozens of mission CONASAMI. domestic workers — mostly to the all-male board, made up cover the cost of healthcare, said said. diff erent minimum wages for “In summary, the situation women — had a right to social se- of 22 business and workers rep- David Kaplan, senior labour mar- Oscar-nominated Mexican ac- exico’s government is various kinds of jobs — from they’ve had is a drama,” he told curity coverage, and nearly 2,000 resentatives, which will make the ket specialist at the Inter-Amer- tress Yalitza Aparicio helped ad- planning to introduce a plumbers to truck drivers — the the Thomson Reuters Foundation have signed up to an ongoing pi- fi nal decision. ican Development Bank (IADB). vance the debate after she starred Mspecifi c minimum wage vast majority of domestic work- by phone, adding that the coun- lot scheme, said the Social Secu- “The proposal...is an act of Yet setting the wage too high in the award-winning 2018 Net- for its 2mn domestic workers in a ers do not even have contracts try owed a “historic social debt to rity Institute IMSS. justice, and a detonator of cul- could have adverse eff ects, ac- fl ix fi lm Roma as Cleo, a young drive to boost their labour rights and are at risk of exploitation, a pretty vulnerable group.” Penaloza said that CONA- tural change that we should be cording to both the Mexico City- indigenous domestic worker liv- after years of neglect, an offi cial campaigners and offi cials say. The senate last week approved SAMI, which organised the event carrying out in this new era,” said based economist and Peñaloza. ing with a middle-class family in said. “It’s a group where most work- a change to labour law adding on Thursday, was mulling four Nadine Gasman, head of the Na- “If the minimum wage for do- Mexico City. Activists, academics, and gov- ers are women...they’re discrim- protections for domestic work- diff erent minimum wages for do- tional Women’s Institute INMU- mestic workers is unrealistically “I’m happy that the fi lm man- ernment offi cials met last week to inated against, the vast major- ers, including banning the hir- mestic workers — ranging from JERES. high, then there’s only two pos- aged to open lots of people’s discuss fi xing a unique minimum ity don’t have a written contract, ing of people younger than 15 and 103 pesos to more than 300 pesos Setting a baseline for domestic sibilities; people don’t hire do- eyes,” Aparicio told EFE news wage for the workers in a country only 3% have social security,” mandating a written contract. per day. workers above the general mini- mestic workers anymore or they agency in March. Going gets tough Poll preparations for US-bound migrants amid Mexico curbs

AFP open-doors policy. Arriaga, Mexico But that has posed its own problems. On Thursday, at least 1,300 ravelling through Mexico mainly Cuban migrants broke out has become even more dif- of a detention centre in southern Tfi cult for Central American Chiapas state and set fi re to the migrants like Oscar Vialta and facility in protest at overcrowd- his family, frustrated by tighter ing. Around 700 returned soon immigration rules and a local after to the shelter in Tapachula population reluctant to give them because they had nowhere else shelter or support as they move to go, but around 600 are still at toward the US to try to improve large. their lives. US President Donald Trump Vialta, 42, his wife and two says the migrants are a threat to children left Honduras at the US national security and has de- beginning of April, joining a mi- manded that Mexico detain them grant caravan heading for the US and send them home. Panama President Juan Carlos Varela greets delegates of Panama’s Electoral Council during the presentation of the security plan ahead of the general elections at the border. But when they arrived in Waiting for that elusive hu- Electoral Tribunal building in Panama City, Panama yesterday. Mexico, they ran foul of stiff er manitarian visa is not the Vialta new regulations which have re- family’s only problem. stricted them to Mexico’s south- They must be prepared to up ern states and prevented them and run at a moment’s notice, from going further north to the wary of swoops by Mexico’s Na- border. tional Institute of Migration Po- Their only legal hope is to be lice — the “migras.” given a humanitarian visa. The Vialtas had a narrow es- “It would let us work and move cape last week when they just on,” says a frustrated Vialta, “but managed to evade one such raid, Chile vows to crack down on when we arrived they gave us the in which more than 300 migrants runaround and all we got was lies.” were rounded up. He and his family are waiting by “When we saw them, they were the railway tracks in the southern almost on top of us, and we man- town of Arriaga, planning to hitch aged to get ourselves into a fi eld,” ‘tourist burglars’ targeting US a ride on a freight train known as he said. “The Beast”. Jumping on a freight Now, he says, they will seek train is many migrants’ means of the cover of the woods and fi elds, Tribune News Service pected of crimes enter the coun- suspicion of multiple vehi- enforces immigration poli- block their entry. “There’s a lot getting north to the US border, away from main roads, to avoid Los Angeles try. cle burglaries. Each was in the cies, said the agency is aware of of intelligence going on behind despite the risks of falling off . immigration agents. The Chilean embassy in US on temporary waivers, po- “tourist burglars” and is sharing the scenes,” the offi cial said. Some have been mutilated by Jose Vallecillo, 41, lives with the Washington issued a statement lice said. In January, four other information with law enforce- Once The Times detailed the the wheels as they tried to clam- same fear. Travelling with his wife hile’s government has saying it takes seriously any Chilean men were arrested in ment. crimes this week, headlines ber aboard. Another hazard is and daughter, he says the attitude pledged to crack down on threat to international security. connection with 20 home bur- The ESTA – Electronic System popped up across Chile and encountering criminal gangs who of Mexicans towards migrants has CChilean crews suspected “The ministry of foreign af- glaries and other thefts from for Travel Authorisation – can spread through the Chilean com- prey on vulnerable migrants. changed. of committing hundreds of bur- fairs of Chile considers that this vehicles at golf courses in the be used for tourism, business, munity in Los Angeles. Ricardo Dozens have been kidnapped “We’ve been disappointed. Be- glaries in southern California is a situation of high concern,” same community. study or medical purposes for 90 Flores, owner of Rincon Chileno, and murdered by suspected drug cause the truth is that we are hu- and across other states. the statement said. “In fact, the A crew believed to be con- days. The streamlined visa waiv- a Chilean restaurant and deli- gangs who were trying to recruit man beings, and migrating is not a Travelling bands of so-called representative of the investiga- nected to a Chilean ring pried ers are good for two years and catessen in East Hollywood and them. crime. You migrate not expecting tourist burglars from Chile are tive police of Chile in Washing- into a Laguna Niguel jewellery can be used for multiple entries. Lawndale, said relatives and Since October, tens of thou- to do great things but just to make a growing concern for law en- ton is closely monitoring the store last month, swiping more The visa waiver doesn’t guar- friends fl ooded his phone to dis- sands of Central Americans and your life a little better,” he said. forcement, and southern Cali- situation and is in contact with than $1mn in goods. antee entry into the US, said the cuss the series of crimes. Cubans have traversed Mexico in In October of last year, when fornia was identifi ed as a hot our consulates and with federal, Similar crimes have been re- offi cial, who requested ano- He said Chileans visiting the so-called “caravans” in the hope the fi rst caravans of migrants zone, with scores of cars, busi- state and local law enforcement ported in Texas, Arizona, Colo- nymity because he was not au- store didn’t know about the bur- of obtaining sanctuary in the US. travelled through Mexico, mi- nesses and homes targeted for in order to control and prevent rado, New York and other states thorised to speak publicly. The glaries and speculated that the Under pressure to do more grants from Honduras, El Salva- theft. reoccurrence of these regretta- as well as several European determination is made after crews are receiving help with trav- to curb the mass movement of dor, Guatemala and beyond felt a The Los Angeles Times report- ble events.” countries, the FBI said. interviews on US soil. But until el and living expenses from inside migrants through its territory, surge of popular solidarity from ed that a visa waiver programme Simi Valley police recently An offi cial with US Customs an arrest is made, an individual the US. He called for more scru- Mexico has tightened a previously Mexicans. has helped some Chileans sus- arrested three Chilean men on and Border Protection, which can’t be fl agged in a database to tiny of the waiver programme.

Crime scene Stolen parrot wings uni helps revive its way back to zoo indigenous languages Guardian News and Media Folha de Sao Paulo reported. Brasilia Freddie’s ordeal was far from over. Earlier this month, the par- AFP the colonisers arrived,” he said. guage,” he added. rot was reportedly bitten on the leg Altamira, Brazil “Contact with Europeans un- “Today about 80 of the Xi- n Amazonian parrot called by a snake – thankfully of a non- leashed the slow death of indig- paya sing in this language dur- Freddy Krueger has made venomous variety. enous languages. But curiously, ing their festivals, formulating Aheadlines in Brazil after Freddie bled profusely but sur- housands of indigenous even some of the languages that new sentences, and even using managing to fi nd its way back to vived, only to be stolen days later languages have disap- have disappeared have ended it to choose the names of their the zoo from which it was stolen when three armed raiders burst Tpeared in Brazil since it up leaving traces in Portuguese children.” while recovering from a four-year into Cascavel’s zoo, overpowered was colonised by Portugal in the as it is spoken in Brazil, such as While training people to teach nightmare that saw it shot in a gun its security guard and made off 16th century. But more than 200 abacaxi for pineapple, for exam- the language to new students is battle, abducted by armed thieves with two parrots and a cylinder of still survive in Latin America’s ple.” an option, Santana says a better and bitten by a snake. gas. biggest country, including one In the case of Xipaya, the uni- plan is to focus on “adult work- The turquoise-fronted Amazon Two days later, however, Fred- that was “resuscitated” — with versity’s work at reviving Xipaya shops, so that they can talk to parrot – whose Elm Street-in- die returned, discovered by zoo the help of its last remaining was no small task. The indig- their children.” spired moniker stems from its bul- staff at the foot of a pine tree be- speaker — by experts at the Fed- enous group had “scattered — “For children to really express let-disfi gured face – was pilfered side his cage. eral University of Para in north- most of them were working as themselves in their indigenous from a zoo in the southern city of The details of Freddie’s come- ern Brazil. farm labourers for large land- language, they need to start Cascavel on the night of April 16. back remain murky, although Nelivaldo Cardoso Santana, owners,” Santana explained. speaking it at home from an According to Brazil’s Folha de drops of blood found near his a linguistics professor, revealed “They gradually got together early age with their parents,” he Sao Paulo newspaper, Freddie’s former abode have fuelled specu- how he and his team were able in the 1990s and obtained land said. capture was just the latest in a se- lation that the notoriously aggres- to help 80 Xipaya indigenous where they could settle, but they But he noted: “As a general ries of misadventures to aff ect the sive parrot bit his way out. people from the Xingu region no longer spoke their language,” rule, it is important for teach- Amazona aestiva bird. “He’s a bit of a wild one,” Ilair learn to speak their ancestral he said. ers to be indigenous and to be Freddie was fi rst brought to the Dettoni, the zoo’s vet, was quoted language. The last known speaker was trained in bilingual teaching zoo about four years ago, having as saying. “People have long thought an elderly woman. methods with appropriate text- been severely injured in a shootout Dettoni suspected Freddie’s that only Tupi and Guarani, the “We recorded her talking and books. between police and gangsters dur- mangled features might have two best known indigenous lan- singing, and we developed a ba- “For that to happen, it would ing a raid on the drug den where he proven his salvation, given the guages, were spoken. But there sic grammar,” the professor said. need real political will, which is Police investigators inspect the site where a car bomb had lived with his villain owner. limited market for deformed par- are many more, with many dia- “Then the Indians organised lacking here in Para, where the exploded, causing injury to two police off icers according “In the shootout, (Freddie) was rots. “I don’t know if Freddy is lects,” explains Santana. cooking or craft workshops with authorities favour teaching Por- to El Salvador National Police, in Soyapango, El Salvador, hit in the upper-beak … blinded really unlucky or really lucky,” he “It is estimated that there were her, giving the food or plant tuguese to the detriment of the yesterday. and suff ered burns to the feathers said. The second parrot and the more than 3,000 of them before names in the ancestral lan- indigenous languages.” that grow between the eyes,” the gas cylinder have yet to be found. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 PAKISTAN

KP govt tells bodies Govt plans to take charge to enforce Rs15,000 of over 30,000 minimum Reuters groups carrying out attacks spokesman General Asif Gha- declined in recent years. South Asian country since 2000. salary Islamabad in India and Afghanistan, has foor told reporters at military Pakistan has been eager to “The benefi t will be that when vowed major reforms, and Prime headquarters in the garrison city show that it has severed links children grow and leave these Minister Imran Khan has prom- of Rawalpindi. with militant groups that have institutions, they will have the Internews akistan plans to take con- ised that the South Asian nation “An Islamic education will in the past carried out attacks in same career opportunities that Peshawar trol of a network of over will no longer tolerate such out- continue to be provided but neighbouring Afghanistan and those coming from a private P30,000 madrasas as part fi ts operating on its territory. there will be no hate speech,” India. school have,” Ghafoor said. “We of a drive to “mainstream” the Critics of the edu- he added, saying that religious Last month, the government want to end violent extremism in he Islamic schools by bringing cation system say that children schools will come under the announced it had taken control Pakistan and that will only hap- province Directorate them under state control, the who attend such schools, where purview of the ministry of edu- of 182 religious schools and de- pen when our children have the Tof Labour has directed military’s spokesman said yes- Ghafoor: When children leave they spend most of the day cations and incorporate other tained more than 100 people as same education and opportuni- all the inspection staff in the terday. these institutions, they will have memorising the Qur’an, are of- subjects into their syllabus. part of its biggest push against ties.” province to start taking action Modernising madrasa educa- the same career opportunities ten ill-equipped for the modern The military spokesman said banned groups. He added that madrasa leg- against the private educational tion is a thorny issue in Pakistan, as those from private schools. world, and some madrasas act that Pakistan would pay for the Security services have kept a islation would be presented in institutions, health centres and a deeply conservative Muslim as breeding grounds for militant madrasas by diverting cash to close eye on madrasas associat- parliament in another month security agencies if they failed nation where religious schools lions of poor children. outfi ts. education from the cost of anti- ed with radicalising youths and and that would be followed by a to pay minimum monthly wages are often blamed for radicalisa- Pakistan’s new government, “The government of Pakistan terrorism security operations, feeding recruits to Islamist mili- fi nalised syllabus, appointment of Rs15,000 (about $106) to their tion of youngsters but are the facing pressure from global ... has decided that these ma- which are less necessary because tant outfi ts that have killed tens of teachers and allocation of fi - staff through the banks. only education available to mil- powers to act against militant drasas will be mainstreamed,” militant attacks have sharply of thousands of people in the nances. Offi cial sources said that the directorate at an emergency meeting instructed the labour inspectors to ensure payment of minimum wages to the staff Saying it with dance of private organisations, and to Air coolers come to rescue take legal action against default- ers after the deadline. It said that Labour Secretary Khayyam Hassan chaired the as heatwave hits Punjab meeting, which was attended by Labour Director Irfanullah Khan, Chief Inspector (factories) Internews to three hours,” Zain Khan ex- if other cities of Punjab are taken Wajid Ali Hashmi, and all in- Lahore plained. into consideration.” spection staff working under the He said many people prefer air Expounding on the prices, Asif directorate. coolers over air conditioners be- Khan said that a 20” cooler with a The meeting was convened ith the onset of sum- cause of skyrocketing electricity silver-wire motor costs Rs5,000, after various complaints were mer, people across bills. while one that comes with a cop- received through the Pakistan Wdiff erent cities of Pun- Besides, air coolers have cer- per-wire motor cooler is sold at Citizen Portal about the non- jab have braced themselves for tain advantages that make it a Rs6,500. payment of notifi ed wages to scorching temperatures and been preferred choice. Likewise, a 24” air cooler with workers in the province. taking various measures to beat “[People purchase air coolers silver-wire costs Rs8,500, while The sources said the labour the heat. because] they are mobile, there- the one with copper wire is sold secretary took notice of various While the wealthy have air fore, they can be easily moved at Rs9,500. complaints received through the conditioners installed in their from one place to other,” Zain Like Asif Khan, air-cooler website regarding various issues homes, the majority of the popu- Khan said. “They are also very manufacturing worker Moham- including non-payment of min- lation has started investing in lo- handy because if there is no elec- ed Zubair said that a silver-wire imum wages through scheduled cally-manufactured air coolers a tricity, they can be easily operat- motor fan uses as much electric- banks. cheaper yet eff ective alternative. ed through motorbike batteries.” ity as an air-conditioner, while Interestingly, the directorate’s As a result, the manufactur- Since they’re portable, peo- a fan with a copper-wire motor actions are not visible to the ing and selling of air coolers – ple not only buy them for their consumes 50% less electricity. public as far as compliance with mostly working on 12 volts – has homes but rickshaw drivers in- “The designs of coolers with the minimum wages to staff of increased in the market. stall these coolers in their vehi- plastic bodies are beautiful but the institutions is concerned. Zain Khan, a 15-year-old cles to combat soaring tempera- those with an iron body of- In the complaints, it was worker in an air-cooler manu- tures. fer more cooling, besides being stated that private educational facturing shop near Gulberg’s Shopkeepers also use them in cheaper and more effi cient,” Zu- institutions, private health cen- main market, said that he has their stores to keep themselves bair said. tres, and private security com- been setting up air coolers for cool. Mohamed Qasim, a customer panies are not implementing the the past three years, adding that Shopkeeper Asif Khan shared who had come to purchase an air minimum wages law even after he sets up four to fi ve coolers in that he has been associated with cooler at one of the shops, re- the Peshawar High Court (PHC) a day. the business of selling air coolers vealed that he is the owner of an in May 2018 struck down the “In the past, the entire cooler for a long time. auto-repair shop which gets very Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govern- used to be manufactured in a “The making of air coolers has hot during summer. ment’s amendment to end the single shop, but the trend has become commonplace, and they “I am unable to aff ord an air applicability of labour law on the changed over time,” he ex- are becoming increasingly popu- conditioner for my shop because minimum wage to these institu- plained. “Nowadays, we procure lar among middle-class families it is expensive, and also con- tions in the province. the body of air coolers in various because of the cost-eff ective- sumes a lot of electricity. Hence, A division bench comprising sizes from Lahore’s Lunda Bazar.” ness,” he said. an air cooler is the best choice,” Justice Ikramullah Khan and Jus- Once the body is obtained, Asif Khan also explained that he opined. tice Ishtiaq Ibrahim had declared makers purchase diff erent brands according to an estimate, there “These coolers work for longer illegal the amendments exempt- of fans from Gujranwala, whereas are nearly 100 shops in Lahore hours and there is neither a need ing the private educational insti- Chinese pumps required to make that deal with the manufacturing to change their gas nor there are tutions from the applicability of the machine work are bought and selling of these air coolers. any problems related to their minimum wage law. from Lahore. “On average, a shopkeeper cleaning.” After the enforcement of the “Once all the components of sells 25,000 to 30,000 coolers Qasim said that he can clean Constitution (18th Amendment) the air cooler – the body, the fan per season, which lasts from May the cooler within a few minutes, Act 2010, four labour laws were and the pump – are assembled, to July,” he said. “And these fi g- adding that replacing a pump is passed in the province in 2013. fi tting them together and set- ures are only for Lahore, which much cheaper than getting an Dancers perform during an event in Lahore yesterday to mark International Dance Day. Following the passage of the ting up the cooler only takes two means the sales are much higher air conditioner repaired, and the International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance, created by the Dance Committee of the laws, the minimum monthly sal- motor of the cooler is also long- International Theatre Institute, the main partner for the performing arts of Unesco. ary was fi xed at Rs15,000 in the Temperature to soar above 40°C in lasting. province. Mohamed Asghar said that he The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a heat- prefers plastic-body coolers over wave that is expected to hit Karachi from tomorrow (May 1) to May 3. iron ones, because he has young According to the weather body, the maximum daytime temperatures will children in the house. hover between 40-42° Celsius during these three days, as the sea breeze “When it comes to the iron- halts and the increased humidity pushes the mercury upward. body coolers, the fear of short- House of Khan: Pakistani fi nds fame “Winds flow will be from North/Northwest during daytime. Authorities circuit or electrocution bothers and all stakeholders are requested to take precautionary measures and me, so I decided to opt for a plas- keep themselves abreast for update from Met Off ice,” it said in a state- tic-body one,” he explained. ment. Despite the increasing sales of as Game of Thrones doppelganger The weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country yester- the air coolers, shopkeepers la- day. ment that many people have now The highest maximum temperatures were recorded at Shaheed Bena- started investing in DC-inverter Reuters/AFP zirabad, Jacobabad, Moenjodaro, Chhor, Rahimyar Khan, Rohri, Mithi, and air-conditioners, leading to a Rawalpindi Larkana, at 44°C. decline in the overall sales of air coolers. s the north prepared for the battle of Winter- Afell, people in the city of Rawalpindi were surprised to see Tyrion Lannister serving Academics in Lahore form body fl atbread at a local restaurant. Waiter Rozi Khan has taken Rozi Khan: says he would love social media in his homeland to meet Dinklage. Internews forming the Progressive Aca- decline in industrial productiv- – where Game of Thrones has a Lahore demic’s Collective (PAC). ity. strong following – by storm for ed calling me Peter Dinklage. Professor Nida Kirmani from They said that a new genera- his uncanny resemblance to US After that I saw his show, and the LUMS, Professor Ammar tion of academics is working in actor Peter Dinklage, who plays then slowly, slowly I became fa- number of academics Jan from the FC College, Sarah the educational institutions and Lannister in the HBO fantasy mous,” Khan said. from public and private Suhail from the Information that it is time to promote critical series. The resemblance goes beyond People take a ‘we-fie’ with Rozi Khan in Rawalpindi. Aeducational institutes in Technology University (ITU), thinking among the students and Khan so resembles the actor facial features: both men are 4’ Lahore gathered to set up a forum Punjab Professors and Lecturers academics. that he gets regularly stopped 5” (135cm) tall. Born in Mansehra in northern The television series has won for protection of academic free- Association (PPLA) vice-presi- They said they would launch by strangers desperate for a pic- “My wish is to work in mov- Pakistan, Khan says he would 47 Emmys – more than any dom and articulate progressive dent Faiza Rana, Dr Tania Saeed campaign to confront the chal- ture. ies. And my other wish is that love to meet Dinklage, describ- other fi ctional show in history interventions based on scholarly from the LUMS, Haider Shahbaz lenges and propose to set up a “I don’t mind. A lot of my I should meet Peter Dinklage,” ing him as a friend and brother. – along with a Golden Globe for research. from the FC College, and others forum for academics engaged in pictures have been taken, that’s Khan added. “I love him very much, he is Dinklage, 49, for best support- The academics’ discussion on discussed the issues of academic research and teaching at public why I have become very famous Restaurant owner Malik my friend ... he is my height so I ing actor in 2012. the issues faced by Pakistani uni- staff s’ struggles and exclusion on and private sector universities in everywhere,” he said. Aslam Pervez described Khan as like him a lot,” said Khan. Game of Thrones tells the versities and on mapping a pro- campuses. Pakistan. Until a few months ago, the a hard worker – and also a draw- For customers, seeing Lan- story of noble families vying for gressive future was held at the The participants discussed The forum would serve as a 26-year-old had never heard of card for the eatery. nister in the fl esh is also a thrill. control of the Iron Throne, all Human Rights Commission of the problems being faced by the collective space for academ- Dinklage. “When he takes a day off or “When I saw him, I’m happy, I the while keeping one eye on the Pakistan (HRCP) offi ce in Garden academics in the country, espe- ics to voice their expert opinion But his life changed when the gets sick, people look for him feel that I met with Lannister in “White Walkers” leading hordes Town. cially the 50% proposed cut in on various aspects of Pakistan’s son of the restaurant owner he and ask where did he go? They real [life],” said Zain Hadri, 20. of the undead toward an inva- Professor Ali Usman Qasmi the Higher Education Commis- polity, economy and society and works for spotted the resem- get upset. They love him. There The eighth and fi nal season sion from the North. from the Lahore University of sion funds, rising religious ex- to mobilise in support of pro- blance and posted his picture on is always a crowd here but it has of the wildly popular Game of It is based on the A Song of Management Sciences (LUMS) tremism, widening income gaps, gressive values within the higher Facebook. boomed because of him,” he Thrones, which premiered on Ice and Fire series of books by described the reason behind environmental degradation, and education sector. “In the beginning, they start- said. April 14, concludes on May 19. George R R Martin. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Woman dead, six hurt in condo fi re Palace says sea DPA Manila

t least one woman died and six people were ‘irritants’ to Ahurt in a huge fire that hit a residential condomini- um building in the Philippine capital yesterday, the Bureau of Fire Protection said. The lone fatality’s body was be resolved found on the 21st floor of the gutted Pacific Coast Tower in the Manila suburban city of Paranque, the bureau said. The 80-year-old woman had suffered severe burns, it through talks added. Initial investigation showed the fire broke out on By Ralph Villanueva the 18th floor and spread up to Manila Times the 21st floor. The cause of the fire was not yet known. Smoke bil- erritorial incursions lowed out of the building as raised by President Ro- fire trucks converged outside, Tdrigo Duterte during a snarling traffic along a major meeting with Chinese President boulevard in Manila. Xi Jingping last week would be The fire began just before resolved via bilateral talks, Ma- noon time and reached a gen- lacanang said yesterday. eral alarm less than an hour In a press briefi ng, Palace later, prompting all nearby spokesman Salvador Panelo fire stations to send in trucks Residents watch as black smoke billows from a 23-storey residential building after a fire broke out in said that while Xi had reiter- to help put out the fire. Paranaque City in suburban Manila, yesterday. ated Beijing’s claims to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) or WPS, he also expressed will- ingness to discuss “irritants” such as the increased presence of Chinese vessels in disputed areas. “Both of them agree that the Malacanang defends Ang mechanism of bilateral relations will be used to resolve the con- fl ict,” Panelo told reporters. He added that the government was optimistic of “positive” over ouster plot report results, but also admitted that much still had to be done. By Catherine S Valente “The publisher does not in- named, how would he know terday that his resignation was “The next movement will be Manila Times terfere with editorial and the that they are not involved or proof there would always be the negotiation. They already reporters. He’s after profi t, how not,” he added. ”Let them re- individuals willing stand up for talked about the irritants. But, to make money.” solve their confl ict,” he contin- truth and honesty. if you were to ask me, we have alacanang yesterday Ang penned the article, ued, referring to Ang and Sal- His decision to question to wait for their offi cial response rejected confl ict of which came out last week that vosa. Panelo also downplayed the veracity of the story “is a about our complaints,” he said. Minterest claims over included a matrix of links be- Vice President Maria Leonor strong statement against Du- Duterte, who has courted Manila Times’ publication of tween journalists and other in- “Leni” Robredo’s statement re- terte’s drive to absolute power Beijing’s favour and set aside an an article linking journalists to dividuals. The publication gen- minding Duterte that allowing through fake news and political international arbitral ruling that a supposed ouster plot against erated immediate controversy foreign intelligence agencies to persecution,” de Lima said in a upheld the Philippines’ claims, Photo taken on April 27 shows President Rodrigo Duterte being President Rodrigo Duterte. and led to the forced resigna- spy on Filipinos was prohibited statement. “But Ipe’s (Salvosa’s recently toughened his stance received by China President Xi Jinping prior to the start of the The fact that the Times’ tion of Times managing editor under Philippine laws. nickname) resignation does not against continued Chinese in- Leaders’ Roundtable Discussion in the second Belt and Road owner and publisher, Dr Dante Felipe Salvosa 2nd, who said: “A “The vice president is enti- end there. The bigger issue is cursions. Forum for International Co-operation in China. Ang, is also Duterte’s special diagram is by no means an evi- tled to her own opinion. It’s a the Duterte regime’s clamp- Reports that Chinese vessels envoy for international rela- dence of ‘destabilisation’ or an democratic country. She’s free down on media institutions to were circling Philippine-held affi rming or disputing it. Be- said the Philippines did not have tions makes the article ques- ‘ouster plot.’” to express her opinion,” he said. coerce them into becoming its Pagasa (Thitu) Island prompted cause if they dispute it, we will to ask for China’s permission to tionable, critics have said. Panelo, who earlier con- “You know it’s not an act of mouthpiece,” she added. the president to warn of “suicide talk and insist that it is not true,” declare parts of the West Phil- “I don’t see anything there,” fi rmed that an ouster plot exist- treason. It’s an exchange of an “We simply cannot stand missions.” He also demanded Panelo said. ippine Sea as marine protected Palace spokesman Salvador ed based on foreign intelligence intelligence information and all down and watch while Duterte that Chines fi shers stop the har- “What is that? Who is that? areas. Panelo told reporters. reports, questioned this: “Does countries do that.” and his troll army sabotage and vesting of giant clams in Scar- Why is it there? What are they “As far as we are concerned, “He is just a publisher. He’s he (Salvosa) have a personal Salvosa, meanwhile, has repress press freedom and the borough Shoal. doing there? We do not know the that is ours. You do not have to not meddling with editorial,” he knowledge (about the plot)? found an ally in detained Sena- right of every citizen to infor- “We raised certain protests. answers to that yet,” he added. ask any consent from anyone,” added. (Even if) he knows the people tor Leila de Lima, who said yes- mation.” We still do not know if they are The Palace spokesman also he said.

Bounty off er for ex-drug agency offi cial’s capture

Malacanang has off ered a P10mn bounty for the capture of a former off icial of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who has been OFWs in Libya told to seek shelter at embassy linked to the smuggling of P2.4bn worth of “shabu” into the country. Former PDEA deputy director Eduardo Acierto was named in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug matrix in 2018, Manila Times reported. Justice By Bernadette E Tamayo to our kababayan working there and Foreign Aff airs Secretary Teodoro Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Palace has yet to issue a formal Manila Times their dependents to evacuate to safer Locsin Jr also expressed concern for the announcement but confirmed that the off er was from the Off ice of locations now. The embassy can accom- safety of Filipinos in Esbea. “Please go the President. Guevarra also warned “persons coddling or protecting modate those who wish to evacuate until to the embassy, I beg you,” he said on Acierto that they will also be arrested and prosecuted under Section 4 of he Department of Foreign Aff airs it is safe for them to return there,” Cato Twitter. In another tweet, Cato said, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs law.” “Acierto has been indicted, (DFA) has appealed to 60 Filipinos said. “It’s house-to-house in the outskirts of together with other individuals, for the importation of shabu worth about Tworking in a hospital in Esbea, “The situation in the area has reached Tripoli and not in capital proper itself. P2.4bn stashed inside magnetic lifters,” Guevarra said. Palace Spokesman Libya to immediately take shelter at the dangerous levels. The embassy will make Fighting taking place in areas where Salvador Panelo said he did not have any information about the bounty. Philippine embassy after two artillery arrangements to extricate our kababayan some Filipinos are located. PhilinLibya Acierto resurfaced in March and tagged Davao-based Chinese business- rounds struck the medical facility on as soon as this could be done,” he added. (Philippine embassy in Libya) already man Michael Yang and a certain Allan Lim as allegedly behind drug op- Sunday. Cato also turned to Twitter to reiterate encountered undocumented household erations in Davao and Cagayan de Oro in 2004. He also showed photos Charge d’Aff aires and Philippine head his call, “The Philippine embassy in Lib- workers.” of Lim and Yang together with President Rodrigo Duterte and former top of mission Elmer Cato on Facebook said ya appeals to more than 60 of our kaba- The DFA has so far repatriated 32 Fili- aide Christopher “Bong” Go. the administrators of Ali Omar Ashkar bayan working at the Ali Omar Ashkr pinos who have left Tripoli since fi ghting Speaking at a turnover of grants to beneficiaries of the Department or So- Hospital in Esbea have told the Philip- Hospital in Esbea and their dependents began on April 4. cial Welfare and Development’s Unconditional Cash Transfer Programme pine embassy that “they could no longer to evacuate now. The area is no longer Nineteen others were earlier repatri- also in March, Duterte said that the public should not believe Acierto. assure the safety and security of our safe. Please don’t wait for more artillery ated by the embassy, the DFA and the “Do not believe these, especially Acierto,” Duterte said. kababayan (fellowmen) there.” rounds to fall. Please move to the em- Department of Labour and Employ- Charge d’Aff aires and Philippine head of “In view of this, the embassy appeals bassy now.” ment. mission Elmer Cato Tricycle operators group pledges support to Go

Manila Times the city for the enthusiastic re- of the private sector. Go assured international loan fi nancing for Manila ception he received from them. the Toda that if elected to the the project since June 6, 2018. Speaking at the summit, Go Senate he would undertake a re- There were also plans for oth- reaffi rmed his commitment to view of existing laws, including er bridges such as the Mercury- he National Capital Re- champion the cause of the Toda those governing their livelihood Evangelista Bridge, the JP Rizal- gion-Tricycle Operators and promote their welfare, re- and operations, to ensure the Lopez Jaena Bridge, as well as the Tand Drivers Associa- calling that a chance meeting regulations would be benefi cial BGC-Ortigas Link, all meant to tion (NCR Toda) Coalition has with Sevilla in a eatery in Pasay to them. reduce traffi c and improve travel pledged their support for the City marked the beginning of his The former top aide of Presi- time between Pasig and nearby candidacy of Senate aspirant earnest eff orts to help the Toda. dent Duterte also told them that cities in Metro Manila, among Christopher Lawrence “Bong” “We swapped stories. He spoke he remains committed to sup- others. Go. of the grievances of the Toda. porting the campaign of Presi- Likewise, Go told the Toda in “We solemnly swear to sup- I told him I will bring these to dent Rodrigo Duterte against Pasig that they could also benefi t port the candidacy of Go as President Duterte. Hence, we criminality, corruption and ille- from his advocacy to improve the senator. We assure you of our have the Toda Summit,” Go said. gal drugs, as he warned them to delivery of health services in the partnership in working for the In January this year, the gov- stay away from drugs. country, particularly through change President Rodrigo Du- ernment held a national Toda In addition, Go said he sup- the establishment of Malasakit terte is pushing for,” the NCR Summit in Pasay City to listen to ports the Duterte administra- Center. Out of the 34 Malasakit TODA said in a manifest. the concern of the tricycle oper- tion’s development and infra- Center currently in operation, Signed by Toda leaders in ators and drivers in the country. structure programmes, noting three are in the NCR. Other pri- Metro Manila led by NCR Toda Toda offi cials were also invited there are many ongoing and ority concerns Go had identifi ed Coalition President Ace Sevilla, to Malacanang to express their planned projects that would to be part of his legislative agen- the pledge of support was given concerns. benefi t not only Pasig but other da include agriculture, housing, to Go during the Pasig City First Sevilla noted that during their adjacent cities in Metro Manila. education, long-term sports Toda Summit held at Urbano Ve- meeting with President Duterte, Among others, he cited development, fi re protection lasco Avenue in Barangay Pinag- arranged by Go, he requested P27.3bn project for the construc- and prevention, localised peace buhatan last Saturday. fuel subsidy for tricycle drivers tion of consisting of 10 bridges talks, barangay welfare, crea- Earlier in the day, Go went similar to that enjoyed by jeep- crossing the Pasig-Marikina tion of a Department of OFW, around Pasig City in a motor- ney drivers. He said this would River and Manggahan Floodway. and improved benefi ts for senior cade. He thanked the people of soon be realised through the help The government has requested citizens. Supporters of Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go crowd around his caravan in Paranaque City. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka 30 - 04 -2019 Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES What if elections in India lead to a hung parliament?

Conventional wisdom has it that the current national elections in India will not produce a clear-cut result as in 2014. The reason is that there is no defi nite trend for or against any party at the national level although such tendencies are there in some states such as in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. However, in the absence of an all-India “wave”, neither of the two main groups of protagonists - the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the parties in the “secular” camp - is expected easily to cross the half-way mark of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. The general assumption is that the NDA may barely cross the Girls in Bangladesh learn to talk fi nishing line or just fall short while the BJP will not get a majority of its own although it is likely to emerge as the largest party. In that event, there is every possibility of the BJP being given the fi rst chance by the President to form a government. Furthermore, their way out of forced marriage there will be no diffi culty for it if the NDA has a majority. However, the thinness of the NDA’s lead over the other parties can pose a problem. For instance, the critics are bound to interpret A project in Bangladesh’s While this month’s festival marks stories and substitution of orna – in 2015, and now stages shows based on the fi rst time Dhaka has hosted the denoting a shawl worn by Muslim girls women and men’s stories of inequality the NDA’s slender majority as a virtual rejection by the voters of its Narsingdi district is one international event celebrating women’s and women – to teach the letter “o”. and abuse in Dhaka – warned against legitimacy in view of the fall in its seats from the present 336. of several making inroads potential and confronting gender “It’s creeping in. A four-year-old is presuming that urban women were not There is a political need, therefore, for the BJP to repeat its inequality, it emerged that, in a small now reading O for orna, which is the aff ected by violence or discrimination. 2014 performance if the party wants to persist with its current on women’s rights, despite town southeast of Dhaka, a 19-year- desire for modesty.” “People kept asking us: ‘Why are you dominance. a wider conservative old woman who reported that her “Today, Bangladeshis are more open, doing this with urban women? They’re headteacher had sexually harassed her but this openness about feminism is educated and have all the information The scene will backlash that has proved was doused in kerosene and set alight. very town-based,” says Muktasree they need.’ But it’s not true,” she says. There is a political obviously be even worse deadly She died 10 days later. The incident Chakma, whose Sparc organisation “We’ve had messages from (urban) for the BJP if the NDA is underlined the social issues facing women works for the rights of indigenous women saying: ‘I am facing something need, therefore, unable to get a majority who report sexual harassment. women. “If you go to rural areas, they at home with my husband or in-laws.’ and there is a hung By Jo Griff in “There have been a lot of positive don’t like the word ‘feminist’ and no Sometimes the response is: ‘You’re for the BJP to Dhaka changes (for women), especially over one can say it or they face a backlash. I educated, how can you be facing this?’ parliament. It has been the past decade,” says Education am from Chittagong Hill Tracts, where And of course, not all urban women are repeat its 2014 suggested that it will Minister Dipu Moni. “We have had there was armed confl ict for 20 years. the same.” then have to look for hen Modina Begum heard a strong focus on girls and getting In confl ict areas, women are always Elita Karim, a journalist and singer performance potential allies to cross that a 13-year-old girl more into Stem education, as well collateral damage – rape, gang-rape, who recently released a music video the magical fi gure of 272. in her village in central as increasing enrolment in technical domestic violence, kidnap – these are encouraging the under-19 women’s if the party In this context, several WBangladesh was about and vocational education. In some the main issues for us. football team and all girls to play sport, to be married off , she went straight to areas, such as medicine, girls are now “I have faced death threats, rape threats says the media reinforces taboos about wants to persist names are already in the girl’s parents and persuaded them outperforming boys and winning all … especially in cases where they try to women staying out in the evening to the air, such as those of to cancel the wedding, rescuing the the prizes. But we still have a long way sell an indigenous girl. There is a practice attend a rehearsal or study. with its current Telangana Chief Minister teenager from a fate Begum herself had to go.” where if the girl is not seen as a ‘good “The MeToo movement was not K Chandrashekhar Rao escaped. Moni is one of 14 female ministers indigenous girl’ she will be sold. Usually as big here as it was in India … many dominance and the rising Andhra “I convinced my parents to call off in the government of a country where the man who pays the most is physically offi ces and workplaces in Dhaka do not my own marriage, let me fi nish my women have long dominated leadership disabled or very old, or already has wives. have a sexual harassment policy, so Pradesh leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, although both have been studies and become self-reliant before positions: today, the prime minister, Now indigenous youth are also raising progress is slow.” critical of the BJP. Another party whose name has fi gured in getting married,” says Begum, now 19, leader of the main opposition party and their voices against these practices. It’s For Huq, whose organisation also the speculation is that of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a one-time as she leads a group of girls in English parliamentary speaker are all women. not like Dhaka, but it’s getting better,” campaigns for the separation of church ally of the BJP which is now engaged in trying to maintain its and digital skills at the Edge club in “It’s great to have so many women Chakma says. and state, the practice of women dominance in the eastern state of Odisha against a combative Narsingdi district, 50km north-east of in powerful positions. It has symbolic The importance of equipping inheriting half as much as their brothers the capital, Dhaka. importance and infl uences the women, through education and micro- “is going to be the last bastion (of BJP. “Now my parents have faith in me aspirations of young girls. But it is by fi nancing, to create livelihoods in rural gender inequality in Bangladesh)… Given such possibilities, it is obvious that the BJP will not be and I have the confi dence to speak out no means enough; it is not substantive areas to prevent mass migration to work There is no excuse for not raising able to display the kind of chutzpah that it does at present. It for others.” change,” says Huq, who says the in Dhaka’s garment factories, where these issues, other than most of the is bound to be far more subdued, a posture it adopted recently The Edge club initiative, run by the ruling Awami League’s alliance with many toil in exploitative conditions, lawmakers don’t want to change it. when concluding pre-poll seat arrangements with the Shiv British Council and social development organisations like the pressure group was another theme at the festival, They don’t want to share property organisation Brac, is helping to equip Hefazat-e-Islam might endanger past which was founded in 2010 by Jude with their sisters.” Nevertheless, she Sena, the Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party. girls with skills and teach them about gains. Kelly, former artistic director of is optimistic. “The government is very How will the national opposition fare in these circumstances? their rights. The project is making Rising conservatism is manifesting London’s Southbank Centre, and now attached to its image as being for female For a start, it will have to accept the inconvenient truth about breakthroughs on gender equality in “insidious ways, including the takes place in 17 cities worldwide. empowerment, so there is space for us itself that an inability to get its act together to stand united despite a climate of increasing increasing assertion of Islamic identity”, But Tasaff y Hossain – whose to push,” she says. “But there is a lot of against the BJP made it lose the race. conservatism in the country. warns Huq, citing changes to school organisation Bonhishikha (Unlearn work to be done in terms of mobilising Two years after the government textbooks, such as the removal of Hindu gender) brought its production to Dhaka women.” – Guardian News and Media Moreover, the ego hassles among its senior leaders which of Sheikh Hasina introduced a law scuttled the earlier talks about forming a ‘mahagathbandhan’ allowing girls under 18 to marry, (grand alliance) with a single opposition candidate against the with parental and judicial consent, in BJP in every constituency will continue to help the BJP retain its “special cases” such as early pregnancy, hold on power. or where marriage would protect the “family’s honour”, rights campaigners The only card which the opposition can play even in its remain divided on the extent to which fractured state is to assert that the 2014 outcome was an the legal loophole has led to a rise in aberration caused up by two factors - the unexpected rise of early marriage. But Bangladesh has Modi as a popular leader and the equally unexpected collapse the world’s fourth highest rate of child of the Congress because of corruption - an old malady - and marriage, and they are determined to keep opposing it. policy paralysis, a new affl iction. Shireen Huq, founder of women’s In the absence of either one or the other of these two factors, rights organisation Naripokkho, the scene would have been diff erent. In a way, this is what says: “Some people who defend the appears to be happening at present, with the BJP losing some of government’s action say: ‘It’s not its earlier momentum and the Congress partly recovering its old such a bad thing, why are you so upset about it?’ They say that, in any case, self under a new leadership. the parents of the young girl must seek permission from the court, so there are built-in checks and balances. To Advertise “But we have had newspaper reports of local administrative offi cers rushing [email protected] to the site of a marriage ceremony. As Display soon as they know an underage girl or boy is being married, they have 44466621 44418811 the power to intervene to stop it. But now they think: ‘Yes, maybe they have Classified permission from the court.’ Once the 44466609 44418811 marriage is solemnised, it’s too late.” Huq was speaking at the Women of Subscription the World festival in Dhaka, where deep disparities between women’s lives in [email protected] urban and rural areas, and in the public and private realms, were the subject of discussions, pop-up performances and There have been a lot of positive changes for women, especially over the past decade, according to Bangladesh © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved workshops. Education Minister Dipu Moni. Gulf Times Tuesday, April 30, 2019 23 COMMENT When facts change, change the pact

By Jean Pisani-Ferry 3% growth and 2% infl ation. The economically sound investments that Paris risk-free long-term interest rate – at will benefi t future generations. which most eurozone countries would Europe should therefore reform soon borrow – was 5%. Stabilising the its fi scal framework. Defi cit hawks he European Union’s Stability debt ratio at its prevailing 60% level (especially in Germany) will no doubt and Growth Pact, which sets therefore required governments to protest, but prohibition without a fi scal rules for its member keep their budget defi cits below 3% of rationale is politically unsustainable. Tstates, is like the emperor’s GDP – or, put another way, to maintain Why wouldn’t EU citizens accept new clothes. Almost everyone sees it a primary budget balance (revenues channelling debt-fi nanced public has none, yet few admit it openly. This minus spending, excluding interest investments into environmental disingenuous silence is bad economics payments) of zero. research, renewable energy, clean and bad politics. Such guidelines made sense. If transportation systems, and other For starters, the pact’s rules are growth faltered, revenue shrank, or eff orts to contain climate change, when so hopelessly complex that almost markets started pricing in a default, fi nancial conditions would make such no government minister, let alone there would be a real risk of debt investments collectively profi table? member of parliament, can decipher spiralling out of control – as Europe’s Longstanding criticism of the pact for them. There are now various reform sovereign-debt crisis of 2010-2012 neglecting the distinction between proposals that aim to simplify things, later showed. The 3%-of-GDP defi cit investment and current spending is including by a group of French and threshold that triggers the activation of valid, to the extent that investment is German economists to which I belong. a stronger policy monitoring procedure defi ned economically rather than in Most of these proposals would was thus a rough but reasonably accounting terms. place less emphasis on estimating calibrated benchmark. Moreover, it The EU should therefore agree on a member states’ cyclically-adjusted was wise to aim for signifi cantly lower set of goals – such as the transition to budget defi cits – a notoriously diffi cult defi cits, in order to maintain a safety a low-carbon economy, broader access calculation – and focus instead on margin. to employment, and output-enhancing monitoring growth in public spending. In 2019, the median debt for the economic reforms – that justify public Concretely, each government would same 11 countries is 70% of GDP, spending temporarily in excess of commit to expenditures consistent while the International Monetary the fi scal rule (unless, of course, the with the country’s economic growth Fund currently forecasts 1.5% growth country is in a fi nancially precarious outlook and expected tax receipts, and 2% infl ation (debt is a bit lower state). Such an exemption should be and in line with a medium-term and growth a bit higher if all eurozone conditional on long-term interest rates debt target. There would be less members are included). True, projected remaining exceptionally low. If rates micromanagement by EU institutions, growth is half the level it was in 1997. were to rise, governments would have more room for national decision- Nonetheless, stabilising the debt ratio to trim and eventually discontinue making, and more responsibility for requires keeping budget defi cits below these investments. individual governments. 2.5% of GDP, which remains close to The need to revise the EU’s fi scal Ministers have so far shown no the pact’s 3% limit. rules is clear. The main political appetite for such radical reform. The big change from two decades parties competing in May’s European But there is now a second reason to ago, however, is the collapse in interest Under such conditions, a budget- The European Commission insists today’s negative real interest rates to Parliament elections should recognise overhaul the EU’s fi scal framework: rates. Investors were recently willing defi cit limit of 3% of GDP is, in fact, that the 3% threshold is only an upper fi nance investments and reforms. And, it and make the case openly. At a time today’s economic conditions are very to buy ten-year German government fairly lax. If long-term interest rates limit. Reforms to the pact in 2011 as Olivier Blanchard of the Peterson when the EU’s very purpose is being diff erent from those when the pact was bonds yielding essentially nothing. remain near zero for a few more have tightened the screws. Eurozone Institute has forcefully argued, there is questioned, economics taboos are designed over two decades ago. “When Taking infl ation into account, the real years, governments will be able to countries are expected to keep their no compelling economic reason to cut the last thing Europe needs. – Project facts change, I change my mind,” John cost of German debt is signifi cantly run primary defi cits greater than structural budget defi cit (corrected for debt when borrowing is costless. Syndicate Maynard Keynes famously said. And negative – as it is, to a lesser degree, 2% of GDP without exceeding that cyclical eff ects) close to zero, and those The EU sits between a rock and a z Jean Pisani-Ferry, a professor the facts have certainly changed. for France, Spain, and most other limit. Many EU countries are likely with a debt ratio exceeding 60% of hard place. It should not let member at the Hertie School of Governance The pact entered into force in eurozone members. Even Italy, with to use this opportunity to fi nance GDP are mandated to reduce it. states make a habit of fi nancing (Berlin) and Sciences Po (Paris), holds 1997. At the time, the median public debt exceeding 130% of GDP and current spending on the cheap. But However, the resulting constraints recurring current expenditures with the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa chair at debt among the 11 EU countries that dismal growth, was able to borrow at should fi nancial conditions change are too tight. The zero target for debt. But nor should it prevent them the European University Institute and would initially adopt the euro was 2.6%, or 2.4 percentage points less abruptly, they will be forced to adjust the structural defi cit prevents from taking advantage of persistently is a senior fellow at Bruegel, a Brussels- 60% of GDP, while the forecast was than Germany in 1997. precipitously. governments from borrowing at low interest rates to fi nance based think tank.

Obesity raises risk of early death by 50% Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 330c Minimum Temperature : 240c By Victoria Allen Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, show Men were more at risk than women, and them to wake often. Daily Mail the heaviest people were 50% more having previous health conditions raised The eff ects of obesity were also seen WEDNESDAY likely to die early in a given year. the risk of developing new ones. for osteoarthritis, which can occur when Maximum Temperature : 360c But just being overweight more than Study co-author Dr Christiane too much body weight puts pressure on Minimum Temperature : 250c eing obese can raise the risk of doubles the danger of getting Type 2 Lundegaard Haase, of healthcare the joints, damaging cartilage. THURSDAY dying early by 50%, a ma- diabetes, as well as raising the risk of fi rm Novo Nordisk, said: “With the Compared with a person of a healthy Maximum Temperature : 370c jor study shows. Even being osteoarthritis by a third, the odds of number of people living with obesity weight, an overweight person was Minimum Temperature : 260c slightly overweight raises the getting asthma by 28%, of having high almost tripling worldwide over the found to have a 34% higher risk of B Fisherman's forecast likelihood of serious illnesses like Type 2 blood pressure by 50% and the risk of past 30 years, our fi ndings have osteoarthritis, rising to two-thirds diabetes and arthritis. heart failure by 16%. serious implications for public health.” among the obese. The survey of 2.8mn Britons The risks extended even to the lowest Professor Nick Finer, a senior obesity The risk of early death was only seen WARNING concluded that those who are above a obesity category, with people with a scientist at Novo Nordisk and honorary in the study once people reached the Inshore : Nil healthy weight are at a heightened risk BMI of 30 to 34.9 fi ve times more likely clinical professor at University College second and third stages of obesity – a Offshore : Expected strong wind of developing 10 out of 12 severe health to suff er from Type 2 diabetes and sleep London, said: “The ‘real worldness’ of BMI of 35 to 45. Caroline Cerny, of the with high sea at North- east area by afternoon conditions. apnoea – a sleep condition linked to this research makes it compelling. Obesity Health Alliance, said: “These These include stroke, heart failure snoring which can lead to a heart attack “These are phenomenal risk factors fi ndings are hugely worrying. Obesity WEATHER or an irregular heartbeat, angina, sleep or stroke. – a 12-fold increased risk for Type 2 can have serious implications for long- Inshore : Relatively hot daytime with some clouds apnoea and chronic kidney disease. Obese people at the lower end of the diabetes is staggering. GPs not wanting term health, making it all the more vital Offshore : Fine With more than a quarter of UK scale were a third more likely to suff er to broach the issue of being overweight that we help people be a healthy weight.” adults classed as obese, and around six angina and had 8% higher odds of is still an issue. It is changing for the Victoria Taylor, of the British Heart WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North- in 10 as overweight, health experts say suff ering a mini-stroke or a full stroke. better but the scale of the challenge is Foundation, said: “It’s a well-known easterly 05-15/18 KT the fi ndings are “hugely worrying” for They also had a 70% higher risk of heart daunting for doctors.” fact obesity can seriously increase your Offshrore : Northwesterly 05-15/22 the country and the NHS. failure and a 60% greater risk of chronic He added: “People should know risk of developing heart and circulatory KT Researchers, who used anonymous kidney disease. The chances of having what their BMI is and shouldn’t diseases, as well as Type 2 diabetes. Visibility : 4 -8 KM medical records to track people’s health high blood pressure and cholesterol were reassure themselves they are just a little Despite this, more than a quarter of over a decade, divided them into fi ve at least double in this group. bit overweight and it is all right. We UK adults are obese. It’s something Offshore : 2 -4/7 FT groups based on their body mass index The severely obese, who make up know the risks rise even in the slightly we urgently need action on.” The BMI system is used around the world to give a (BMI), which is calculated by dividing about 3% of the population, had a risk overweight range for some of these Around the region weight by height. People were either a of Type 2 diabetes more than 12 times conditions.” Being overweight can cause general guide to healthy weight. Weather normal weight for their size, overweight higher than that of a normal-weight diabetes by making the body resistant But it is not without its critics. Some Weather tomorrow Max/min with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, obese with a person, and their risk of sleep apnoea to insulin, resulting in abnormally high experts say it is a “blunt tool” which today Max/min Cloudy 36/21 BMI of 30 to 34.9, more obese with a was almost 22 times higher. blood sugar levels. does not distinguish muscle, which is Baghdad M Sunny 34/20 Sunny 36/23 BMI of 35 to 39.9, or ‘morbidly obese’ Among the 12 medical conditions, Sleep apnoea is caused when fatty heavier than fat, meaning healthy well- Kuwait CitySunny 34/22 M Sunny 33/25 with a BMI of 40 to 45. Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnoea were tissue builds up in the neck, blocking built athletes such as rugby players can Manama Sunny 30/24 Sunny 33/26 The results, presented at the European most strongly linked to people’s weight. a person’s airway at night and caused appear obese. Muscat Sunny 33/28 Tehran P Cloudy 23/12 M Sunny 26/16

Live issues Paper receipts may be bad for your health

By The Times Editorial Board receipts to customers, but most still and Drug Administration banned about the presence of these chemicals Los Angeles Times rely on old-fashioned paper proofs of bisphenol A, or BPA, from being used – which environmental groups had purchase - some of them comically in baby bottles and sippy cups in been warning about for some years – Around the world long. CVS drugstore, for example, is 2012, and California has added it to that became a big selling point of the Weather Weather any fi nancial institutions, so notorious for super-long receipts the Proposition 65 list of hazardous bill: Not only is thermal paper diffi cult today Max/min tomorrow Max/min insurance companies, fi lled with coupons and promotional chemicals that require consumer to recycle, it is a ubiquitous source of Athens M Sunny 23/13 Cloudy 22/13 utilities, Internet service come-ons that it has become a social warnings. Because of BPA’s negative a worrisome chemical that makes it a Beirut P Cloudy 24/18 M Sunny 25/22 Mproviders and other media joke. Cashiers often foist these press, it has been replaced in many potential danger to humans. Bangkok P Cloudy 36/28 S T Storms 37/28 businesses that provide services pieces of paper on customers whether uses with bisphenol S, a chemical The trade associations for retailers, Berlin M Sunny 19/08 Cloudy 19/07 to consumers have wholeheartedly they want them or not. cousin. But it may be no safer; studies grocery stores and banks are all opposed Cairo P Cloudy 36/23 M Sunny 39/25 embraced paperless billing. For But there is a good reason to off er show it acts the same way in the body. unless their members can be exempted Cape Town S Showers 18/14 P Cloudy 20/13 obvious reasons: Sending bills by customers a non-paper alternative BPA and BPS lurk in products all from the law. They argue that paper Colombo T Storm 29/27 T Storm 29/27 e-mail and collecting payments beyond the fact that they produce around us, notably in plastics, and receipts are still necessary for patrons Dhaka M Sunny 37/28 P Cloudy 36/27 digitally saves time and money. quite a bit of trash: Paper receipts may research has shown that most people to prove they bought something and Hong Kong T Storm 27/22 S T Storms 24/22 It makes life easier for consumers as be treated with hazardous chemicals. have trace amounts in their bodies. to return purchases, at least until the Istanbul Sunny 23/14 M Cloudy 21/12 well to settle their accounts without It seems unbelievable, but it’s true. But that the millions of paper receipts technology advances. In rural locations Jakarta T Storm 32/26 S T Storms 33/26 having to dig out their cheque books, Sales receipts handed out by most consumers handle every day might be with spotty wireless service, there’s Karachi Sunny 36/26 Sunny 37/26 hunt around for stamps and then retailers are usually printed on thermal another – and signifi cant – source of no assurance that e-mailed receipts London P Cloudy 18/07 Showers 17/08 wander out to the mailbox. To sweeten paper using heat rather than ink. This exposure is not well known. will transmit quickly enough to be Manila P Cloudy 37/27 M Sunny 37/28 the deal, paperless transactions are an process results in shiny slips of paper It was news even to California useful to patrons. The companies also Moscow P Cloudy 12/02 M Sunny 16/06 environmental benefi t because they that are coated with bisphenol A or Assemblyman Phil Ting, who is express concern about the cost involved New Delhi M Sunny 43/27 M Sunny 42/26 save uncountable tonnes of water, bisphenol S, endocrine-disrupting now pushing legislation that would in having to buy new point-of-sale New York Cloudy 19/10 Cloudy 12/11 trees and power that would have gone industrial chemicals that can be require large retailers, banks and readers capable of sending e-mailed Paris M Sunny 19/07 P Cloudy 21/09 into producing paper, which has a absorbed through the skin and into other business to off er paper receipts receipts, especially as they adjust to Sao Paulo P Cloudy 26/17 P Cloudy 28/19 relatively short useful life. the bloodstream. These chemicals act only upon customer request by 2022. paying higher minimum wages. And Seoul M Cloudy 23/08 P Cloudy 22/09 Businesses that sell things, like hormones and there is growing Originally, Ting was targeting receipts they worry their customers might be Singapore T Storm 32/26 S T Storms 33/27 however, have been slower to adopt concern that they may be causing as a way to cut off a signifi cant source concerned about privacy intrusions as Sydney P Cloudy 23/16 Cloudy 23/16 paperless technology. Some stores and cancer, infertility and birth defects, of waste in the face of a faltering the companies begin to collect e-mails Tokyo Rain 15/13 Rain 21/13 restaurants now off er e-mail or text among other things. The Food recycling market. But when he learned and other contact data. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, April 30, 2019 QATAR

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser visited and met with refugee students at two learning centres supported by EAA’s Educate A Child programme in Kuala Lumpur, Dignity For Children School and Sahabat Support Center School.

Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail hosted a dinner banquet welcoming Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to Kuala Lumpur. Sheikha Moza visits EAA centres Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with refugee students at two learning centres supported by EAA’s Educate A Child programme in Kuala Lumpur, Dignity For Children School and Sahabat Support Center School. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi joined Sheikha Moza and the accompanying for refugee kids delegation at Dignity School. in Malaysia

QNA carnival. The school includes partnership aimed at enrolling have been working with other Kuala Lumpur refugee students from 17 coun- more than 450,000 refugee and partners and advocates to pro- tries. The carnival witnessed internally displaced children in vide access to quality primary the participation of about 300 schools in 15 countries and builds education to some of the most er Highness Sheikha children and included various on existing collaboration. The marginalised children around Moza bint Nasser, Chair- sports activities and an exhibi- partnership will make available the world. EAA and its partners Hperson of Education tion of handicrafts and art by a shared contribution of almost are already supporting more than Above All (EAA), visited two the students of the school. “It is US$100mn in support for learn- 10.4mn out-of-school children out of 131 educational centres clear from what I have seen here ing among refugee and internally in 50 countries, providing them in Malaysia supported by EAA’s in Malaysia that quality prima- displaced children. Support for with access to education. Some ‘Educate A Child’ programme ry education can truly change this partnership project will in- 2.3mn of these children are refu- in co-operation with the United the course of a child’s life,” said clude a contribution from EAA’s gees or internally displaced. Nations High Commissioner for Sheikha Moza. strategic partner, the Qatar Fund Meanwhile, Sheikha Moza and Refugees (UNHCR). During the “Equipping refugees with for Development. the accompanying delegation at- visit, Sheikha Moza reviewed the knowledge and skills means they “With over 4mn refugee chil- tended a dinner banquet hosted achievements of the two schools. can be assets to their host coun- dren currently out of school by Deputy Prime Minister of Ma- Her Highness Sheikha Moza, tries and later support the re- worldwide, there is so much laysia Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. accompanied by UN High Com- building of their home countries. more to do,” Sheikha Moza said. The dinner included a traditional missioner for Refugees Filip- I’m proud of the work being done “I urge more partners to come Malaysian show by a group of po Grandi, saw fi rst-hand the here and thankful to Malaysia forward – we all need to be play- children enrolled in a special pro- achievements made at Dignity and its people for helping these ing our part to get more children gramme co-ordinated by the Ma- Centre. Sheikha Moza also vis- children access a better future.” into classrooms – which is where laysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts ited the Sahabat Support Centre Sheikha Moza’s visit follows an they belong.” and Culture to train and teach Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser interacting with refugee students at a learning centre supported School as part of their annual agreement to pursue a strategic Since 2012, EAA and UNHCR Malaysian children gifted in art. by EAA’s Educate A Child programme in Kuala Lumpur. Azerbaijan embassy in Doha hosts Republic Day celebrations

By Ayman Adly Staff Reporter

he embassy of Azerbaijan yesterday hosted a recep- Ttion to celebrate Azerbai- jan’s Republic Day in the pres- ence of Qatari dignitaries, heads of diplomatic missions and other guests. Azerbaijan’s ambassador Rashad Ismayilov said this year’s celebration comes as Azerbaijan and Qatar celebrate the 25th an- niversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Present on the occasion were HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie and ambassador Ibrahim Yousef Fakhro, director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi and among other dignitaries. HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie cutting Addressing the gathering, Is- the ceremonial cake with Azerbaijan’s ambassador Rashad Ismayilov as the director of Protocol at the Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka with Azerbaijan ambassador Rashad Ismayilov mayilov said: “On May 28, 1918, Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, ambassador Ibrahim Yousef Fakhro, looks on. PICTURES: Jayan Orma and others at the reception. the fi rst democratic republic was created for the fi rst time in the He also talked about the tries have a relationship “built on of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham these visits, including the forma- principle of mutual respect that system for Qatari citizens has Muslim world. The people of Az- progress and prosperity achieved solid common values in all fi elds, Aliyev to Qatar in 2017 launched tion of a joint economic, trade and has a positive infl uence on the contributed towards increasing erbaijan are justifi ably proud that by the country throughout its his- which is a true refl ection of the a new era of bilateral relations be- technical committee to build the development of co-operation be- the number of Qataris visiting this republic was created by our tory in diff erent fi elds, including strong human, cultural and eco- tween the two countries, which basis for economic and trade rela- tween them in all fi elds and serve Azerbaijan. Besides, after launch- people. This is a historic event for economy and culture and also in nomic links between our coun- would contribute to building a tions. The second meeting of this the interests of both countries ing direct fl ights to Baku, Qatar our people and on a global scale. terms of its relations with other tries.” larger network of relations in the committee has been held in Doha in the regional and international Airways has played an important The people of Azerbaijan gained countries. “It should be noted Azerbaijan and Qatar are seek- fi elds of interest in order to serve this year. “Personal contacts be- context,” the ambassador con- role in establishing a bridge be- independence. that Azerbaijan has made great ing to develop co-operation in all the cause of development in both tween the political leaders of the tinued. Further, he pointed out tween the people of Azerbaijan The world’s fi rst Muslim demo- strides in all areas in the 28 years political and economic fi elds, he countries, it was observed. two countries have played a posi- that “one of the most important and Qatar. cratic republic was established in since the re-establishment of its stressed. The offi cial visit of His A number of bilateral agree- tive role in the strengthening of goals for the near future should Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief Azerbaijan. This in itself showed independence,” he added. Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim ments and memorandums of bilateral relations. be an increase in trade, and there Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudah- again how progressive and tal- On 25 years of diplomatic ties bin Hamad al-Thani to Azerbai- understanding between the two Ties established between the are good opportunities for this”. ka was among the other guests ented our people are.” with Qatar, he said the two coun- jan in 2016 and the offi cial visit governments were signed during two countries are based on the Ismayilov said the simplifi ed visa present at the reception.