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published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11140 April 1, 2019 Rajab 25, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir hopes summit results QATAR | Offi cial Amir congratulates Slovakia’s leader His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani sent yesterday a will benefi t Arab people cable of congratulations to Zuzana Caputova on winning the presidential elections in the Slovak Republic, wishing her success and further progress and prosperity to the people of Slovakia. His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent cables of congratulations to Zuzana Caputova. Page 16

ARAB WORLD | Politics Boutefl ika announces new Algerian govt Protest-hit Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika yesterday named a new government headed by recently appointed Noureddine Bedoui, a statement from the presidency said. State television reported that armed forces chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who has called for Bouteflika to step down, remained as deputy defence minister. Veteran politician Ramtane Lamamra, who His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with other leaders at the 30th Arab summit in Tunis yesterday. Page 2 was appointed deputy prime minister and foreign minister on March 11, was z not named in the new administration. Amir attends opening session of 30th Arab League Summit Page 9 is Highness the Amir Sheikh the opening session of the 30th Arab for the benefi t of the Arab people. EUROPE | Politics Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani League Summit. His Highness Sheikh Tamim wished Hattended, along with the The Amir and the accompanying the president health and happiness Erdogan declares his party leaders of Arab countries, the open- delegation were seen off upon depar- and to the Tunisian people further winner of local elections ing session of the 30th Summit of ture at Tunis-Carthage International progress and prosperity. Turkish President Recep Tayyip the Council of the Arab League, Airport by Habib Essid, adviser to Tu- Earlier upon his arrival at Carthage Erdogan declares his ruling Justice and which was held in Tunis yesterday nisia president. International Airport, the Amir and Development Party (AKP) the winner morning. His Highness the Amir sent a cable the accompanying delegation were of municipal elections. “The results The session was attended by mem- to Tunisia President Beji Caid Essebsi, welcomed by Prime Minister of Tu- have shown that, as the AK Party, bers of the offi cial delegation accom- expressing deep thanks and apprecia- nisia Youssef Chahed, Adviser to the we have once again emerged as the panying the Amir, and heads of del- tion for the hospitality and honour ac- President of the Republic of Tunisia number one party by a landslide in this egations participating in the summit. corded to him and the accompanying Habib Essid, Tunisian Defence Minis- poll — as always was the case since the A number of leaders from regional delegation during the visit to Tunisia ter Abdelkareem Zubaidi, Qatar’s am- November 3, 2002, elections,” Erdogan and international organisations also to attend the summit. bassador to Tunisia Nasser bin Saad says in Istanbul. He says the next attended the session. The Amir hoped that the summit’s al-Humaidi, Tunisian ambassador to general elections will be held in June His Highness the Amir left Tunis results would contribute to support- Qatar Salah al-Salhi, and members of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with Tunisian President 2023. Page 16 yesterday afternoon after attending ing and promoting joint Arab action the Qatari embassy. Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis yesterday.

Saudis hacked Amazon CEO’s phone Kuwait Amir calls for unity to zRiyadh retaliates to Washington Post’s coverage of Khashoggi murder face challenges of Arab Nation Agencies kingdom was responsible. Washington The results, he wrote, “have been turned over to federal offi cials”. QNA national eff orts to eliminate terrorism. that satisfi es the demands of the Syrian Bezos hired Gavin de Becker & As- Tunis On the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict, people and achieves Syria’s security, he investigator hired to look sociates to fi nd out how his intimate the Kuwaiti Amir said it continues to be sovereignty and territorial integrity into the release of intimate im- text messages and photos made their the Arab world’s “chief concern”, while should be made possible. Tages of Jeff Bezos said yesterday way into the hands of the Enquirer, he Arab world remains deter- the matter has been largely overlooked Regarding the situation in Yemen, he has concluded that Saudi Arabian which reported on the Amazon chief’s mined to overcome all chal- by the international community. He he said the eff orts to implement the authorities hacked the Amazon chief’s extramarital aff air, leading to his di- Tlenges thrust upon the region, stressed that unless a just settlement of Stockholm agreement are facing ob- phone to access his personal data. vorce. the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al- the Palestinian question which leads to stacles and hoped a political solution to Gavin de Becker linked the hack to De Becker, a longtime security con- Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah said yester- the end of the occupation and the es- end the bloody confl ict and human suf- extensive coverage by The Washington sultant, said he had concluded his day, calling for unity and concerted tablishment of a Palestinian state with fering in Yemen will be reached. Post newspaper, which is owned by investigation into the publication in response across the board in the face of East Jerusalem as its capital, there will In particular, the Amir of Kuwait Bezos, of the murder of Saudi journal- Jeff Bezos, president and CEO of Amazon January of leaked text messages be- such adversity. be no peace in the region. welcomed the United Nations plan of ist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom’s tween Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, Allaying concerns over lagging Stressing that any peace process that action presented by Ghassan Salame, consulate in Istanbul last year. “It’s clear that MBS considers The a former television anchor who the growth across the region, he told a is not based on those referrals will stay Special Representative of the Secretary “Our investigators and several ex- Washington Post to be a major en- National Enquirer tabloid newspaper gathering of Arab leaders and senior away from the ground and not achieve General to Libya. perts concluded with high confi dence emy,” de Becker wrote, referring to the said Bezos was dating. offi cials in the Tunisian capital that a just and comprehensive solution. He Meanwhile, he pointed out that it that the Saudis had access to Bezos’ oil-rich kingdom’s powerful Crown Bezos has accused Enquirer pub- keeping the status quo is no longer an expressed regret and disapproval for US was necessary to maintain amicable phone, and gained private informa- Prince Mohamed bin Salman, whom lisher American Media Inc (AMI), led option. recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over relations with Iran, which fully abide tion,” de Becker wrote on The Daily the US Senate, after a closed-door by David Pecker, of “blackmail” for He highlighted a decade-long plan the occupied Golan Heights and said by the principles of international law, Beast website. briefi ng by the CIA, named as “re- threatening to publish the intimate to fulfi l the ambitions of the Arab peo- the step departs from UN resolution including non-interference in the in- He said that while the brother of Be- sponsible” for the murder. photos if he did not halt the investiga- ple, pinpointing initiatives Kuwait has 497 and damages the peace process. ternal aff airs of other states. zos’s mistress was paid by the National But de Becker did not specify which tion. made in recent years to push that plan On the situation in Syria, the Amir On the scourge of terrorism, the Enquirer scandal sheet for the release of part of the Saudi government he was The Amazon chief declined to do closer to fruition. said the world is convinced that the Amir said it remains a lingering threat, the information, his role may have been blaming for the hack, and gave few so, instead publishing copies of emails In this context, the Amir reiterated fi ghting that has lasted for more than citing the “horrifi c” attacks on a pair of a red herring, and the plot went far be- details about the investigation that from American Media Inc, the parent sharp condemnation of the attacks as a eight years will not lead to a solution to mosques in New Zealand recently as af- yond one man seeking to cash in. led him to the conclusion that the company of the National Enquirer. criminal act, while supporting all inter- the bloody confl ict. A political solution fi rmation. Page 8 Gulf Times 2 Monday, April 1, 2019 QATAR

Amir attends opening session of 30th Arab summit in Tunis

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attending the opening session of the 30th Arab summit at the Conference Palace His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by Prime Minister of Tunisia in Tunis, yesterday. Youssef Chahed, at Carthage International Airport yesterday. QNL’s events in Advisory Council and African Parliamentary Union sign MoU

April to focus he Advisory Council signed a memorandum Tof understanding (MoU) with the African Parliamentary Union (APU) for parliamen- tary co-operation between both on human rights sides. From the Qatari side the MoU n April, visitors to Qatar Na- tance to everyone, and for this Palestinian historian, Su- was signed by HE the Speaker of tional Library ( QNL) will be reason we have chosen this as had Kulaibo, author of sev- the Council Ahmed bin Abdul- Iable to engage in activities the dedicated theme this month. eral books about Jerusalem, lah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and that highlight topics relating to Our events throughout April will will take visitors on a journey for the APU side the MoU was human rights around the world. provide everyone with a chance through the history of the an- signed by head of APU and Pres- On April 4, a lecture, “It Is My to learn more about the diff er- cient city in a lecture on April 1 ident of the National Assembly Right,” will highlight the rights ent facets of human rights” said at the Library’s Special Events of Burkina Faso Alassane Bala of young adults. At another lec- Najlaa Alshahwani, senior infor- Area. Also to mark World Book Sakande. ture on April 10, Jawad Nachet, mation services librarian of hu- Day, the Library, in co-oper- Under the MoU, they agreed a scholar in pedagogy and psy- manities at QNL. ation with the Qatar Literacy to set up a work programme for chology, will explore the mean- Initiative, will host a lecture, co-operation between both par- ing of solidarity and coexistence “The subject of human “Textual Threshold Discourse ties to strengthen bonds and from a human rights perspective, rights is of great interest in Qatari Novels,” where par- exchange experiences and joint and provide participants with and importance to ticipants will be able to discuss initiatives on issues of mutual advice on how to live peacefully. everyone, and for this the concept of text thresholds concern, as well as strengthen In the lecture, “Internation- reason we have chosen this in novels − considered to be the presence and role of both HE the Speaker of the Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and head of APU and President al Humanitarian and Human as the dedicated theme this one of the most important sides in international parliamen- of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso Alassane Bala Sakande, signing the MoU. Rights Law”, taking place on month” critical research tools in litera- tary forums. April 6, Dr Sama AlShawi, from ture. This came during the meet- the National Commission on In- “The activities are comple- On April 23, reading fans can ing between the two sides, where ternational Humanitarian Law mented by the Library’s collec- join a book discussion at the Li- they discussed the parliamentary at Qatar’s Ministry of Justice, tion including books and online brary, “World Book Day: Blind relations and ways of boosting will discuss existing humanitar- publications about human rights Date with a Book is Just around them, as well as the relations be- ian laws and their applications. and the refugee crisis, and we the Corner,” will give partici- tween the Advisory Council and On April 22, Dr Ahmed al- encourage everyone to visit us, pants the chance to blindly se- the National Assembly of Burki- Meraikhi, the UN Secretary register as a member, and benefi t lect a book and read, together na Faso. General’s Humanitarian En- from these resources.” with other participants. They also reviewed issues on voy, will discuss the regional At the April meeting of the Visitors to QNL can attend the agenda of the 140th session and international dimensions, Library’s Readers and Opin- the fi fth meeting of the English of the General Assembly of the and the consequences of the ions group, visitors will have Fiction Book Club on April 24, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) refugee crisis in the Arab the chance to discuss the book, where the epic novel, Moloka’i, which begins its meetings in world. At the lecture, “Refu- My Name is Faraj: Love and by Alan Brennert, will be dis- Doha on Saturday. gee Crisis in the Arab World: Slavery in the Gulf, by Moham- cussed. The meeting was attended by Dimensions, Implications, and med Ali Abdullah. The book The monthly Science Book Member of the Advisory Council Solutions,” he will explore the tells the story of Faraj, a young Forum will hold its monthly ses- and chairman of the Qatar-Af- possibility of turning the crisis boy abducted from his home in sion on April 28. The lecture, rica friendship group, Mohamed into a positive opportunity for Zanzibar and forced into slav- “How We Capture and Create bin Ali al-Henzab, members of the region. ery as a pearl diver, who later Solar Energy?,” will explore the the group and ambassador of HE the Speaker of the Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and head of APU and President “The subject of human rights uses his talents to seek free- creation and usage of renewable Burkina Faso to Qatar Adama of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso Alassane Bala Sakande, chairing a meeting between the is of great interest and impor- dom. energy. Compaore. Advisory Council and the African Parliamentary Union in Doha yesterday.

Al-Hammadi meets Ukraine envoy Award-winning speaker to attend Petrol, diesel prices education conference in Doha increase in April

QNA ence the insights he has gained media, with the ability to distin- he diesel and gasoline (Super) has been set at QR1.85 Doha from his own experience as he guish between reliable and unre- prices for April 2019, per litre for April, compared to leads one of the most innova- liable sources. Tincreased between 16% 1.60 in March, registering an tive schools in the world, as well Richard Gerver has been de- and 5.5%, Qatar Petroleum has increase of 15.6%. he Ministry of Education as the outstanding ideas gained scribed as one of the most in- announced. The price of gasoline 91 (Pre- and Higher Education from world leaders, scientists spirational leaders of his genera- Qatar Petroleum has set the mium) has been set at QR1.80 Twill organise the Educa- and major companies that won tion. price of the diesel at QR1.95 per per litre in April compared to HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr tion Conference 2019 under the the Nobel Prize. His views and ideas on edu- litre in April, compared to QR QR1.55 per litre in March, an Ahmad bin Hassan al-Hammadi met the outgoing ambassador theme “Education Makes a Dif- Grever will raise challenging cation, his goals, the process of 1.85 in March, up by 5.4%. increase of 16.1%. of Ukraine to Qatar, Yevhen Mykytenko, in Doha yesterday. HE ference” as an educational sci- questions about the future of ed- change and leadership have given The price of gasoline 95 – QNA al-Hammadi the Ukrainian ambassador for his eff orts in entifi c platform to share local, ucation and the challenges faced him the opportunity to work in promoting the bilateral relations, and wished him regional and international expe- by all to ensure that students are many prestigious organisations success in his future assignments. riences, ideas and best practices prepared not only to survive in a and companies in these fi elds. in the fi eld of education. world of great change but also to He has worked in various The ministry said in a press prosper and develop, in addition schools and government agen- Road safety panel holds meeting release that award-winning to preparing a working paper cies around the world, and has Defence ministry training exercise speaker, bestselling author and for the participants containing extended his infl uence to the with transport ministry offi cials world-renowned thinker, Ri- a series of key questions on the music sector, advising the in- The Directorate of Moral Guidance of the Ministry of Defence chard Gerver, will be the offi cial concept of leadership, as well dustry, as well as sports and Ol- announced that Armed Forces will carry out a training exercise at Ras speaker at the opening ceremo- as additional lectures on quality ympic organisations. he National Road of the committee Dr Ibrahim Matbakh from 8am to 6:30pm from today till April 3. ny of the conference, while Dr management in learning. Dr Hitmi Khalifa al-Hitmi is a Safety Strategy fol- al-Nuaimi said the projects of The Directorate of Moral Guidance of the Ministry of Defence has Hitmi Khalifa Alhitmi will be In his speech at the closing researcher and lecturer at Qatar T low-up committee the Ministry of Transport and advised the visitors to the area to exercise caution. offi cially speaking at the closing ceremony Dr Hitmi Khalifa al- University and the University of held a meeting with officials Communications are very im- ceremony of the Education Con- hitmi will help attendees to ac- Edinburgh. from the Ministry of Trans- portant to achieving the goals Qatar condemns bid on Afghan VP’s life ference at the Qatar National quire the skill of teaching, and He holds a PhD in busi- port and Communications of the National Road Safety Convention Centre. provide them with the means ness from the University of (MoTC) as part of its consul- Strategy. Qatar has expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of In his keynote address at the to help them research and learn Edinburgh-Scotland and is a tations with representatives Al-Nuaimi said the commit- the assassination attempt against First Vice-President of Afghanistan conference, Gerver will talk about various subjects, includ- graduate of Hamad Bin Khalifa of ministries and entities tee’s role is to support the min- Abdul Rashid Dostum, in which four of his bodyguards were killed and about how to build an innova- ing the ability to solve the prob- University. He holds a master’s concerned. istry to achieve its priorities six others were injured. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of tive educational system that can lems they face in daily life, and degree in Marketing Manage- HE Undersecretary of the and address the challenges that Foreign Aff airs expressed Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting violence and make a great impact on learners. will help the community fi ght ment from Aberdeen University Ministry of Education and may aff ect the progress of these terrorism regardless of their motives and causes. – QNA He will share with the audi- rumours spread through social of Scotland. Higher Education and head projects. – QNA Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 3 QATAR Educating frontline workers about delirium priority: HMC ducating frontline health- “Delirium is usually trig- care professionals is es- gered by a medical illness, and Esential to prevent and while more common among detect delirium, particularly hospital patients, it can occur in elderly patients, says a phy- in the community setting. For sician from Hamad Medical elderly patients in hospital, Corporation (HMC). delirium can be triggered by a “Delirium, complex and of- combination of factors includ- ten multi-factorial, is a clinical ing infection, dehydration, state of acute confusion due to poor nutrition, and certain rapid changes in brain func- medications such as pain kill- tion that occur with underly- ers. Delirium can also be trig- ing medical conditions,” said gered in hospital patients by Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, senior surgery and anaesthesia. consultant and chairperson “Delirium is a particularly of Geriatrics and Long Term signifi cant problem for our eld- Care, HMC. erly patients because a confused Educating frontline health- patient is at higher risk for falls care professionals is essential and injuries. In the short-term, to help prevent and detect the delirium can increase the length problem to a great extent,” she of hospital stays and can im- stated. pact a patient’s ability to re- Dr Hanadi al-Hamad Dr Mani Chandran and members of the Memory Clinic team. Raising awareness about the cover from their illness,” added warning signs of delirium was Dr al-Hamad. symptoms, such as memory their usual self. A key symptom In most cases, the symptoms normal behaviour,” noted confuse delirium and dementia a key aim of World Delirium Dr Mani Chandran, senior problems, language problems, of delirium is that the person de- fl uctuate with the person ap- Dr Chandran. because both conditions appear Awareness Day events held consultant geriatric psychia- disorientation, and even vivid velops diffi culty focusing or pay- pearing better at certain times Dr Chandran said both edu- superfi cially similar. across HMC’s four general hos- trist, Department of Geri- hallucinations. ing attention,” said Dr Chandran. and worse at other times. cating and empowering family HMC is working with the Min- pitals during March. Studies atric Medicine, Rumailah “Families can be integral to de- “Some elderly patients with Symptoms of delirium can be members to spot the diff erence istry of Public Health and health suggest as many as one in three Hospital, said delirium of- tecting delirium because they are delirium will appear agitated diffi cult for healthcare teams between delirium and dementia sector partners across Qatar to de- elderly hospital patients will be ten causes a variety of other often the fi rst to notice that their or restless while others will to recognise as they will be is also a priority for his depart- velop a clinical practice guideline aff ected by delirium. cognitive and behavioural family member isn’t acting like become quiet and withdrawn. unfamiliar with a patient’s ment. He noted many people to improve delirium care in Qatar. Ethnic groups ‘disproportionately Love Ball Arabia raises aff ected by heat-related illness’ $7.47mn for children

Weill Cornell Medicine- Qatar (WCM-Q) study Areveals that some ethnic with special needs groups are disproportionately aff ected by heat-related illness. The WCM-Q team aimed to ove Ball Arabia, held in HE Sheikha Al Mayassa, in this engaging and fun way.” gain insights from California partnership with Qa- chairperson of Qatar Muse- The evening comprised a data that could help them un- Ltar Museums and under ums, said: “Love Ball Arabia gala dinner with an immersive derstand the pattern of emer- the patronage of HE Sheikha was organised in support of theatrical performance, com- gency room visits caused by Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin one of the noblest purposes I bining dance, music and art heat-related illness in Qatar. Khalifa al-Thani and Natalia can imagine: providing care produced by acclaimed per- The research, conducted by Vodianova on Friday evening, and assistance to some of the formers alongside actors with Dr Grigory Ostrovskiy, assistant welcomed high-profi le guests most vulnerable people in our special needs. Presented by professor, Emergency Medicine; from around the world for a society – children with special the incredible Iman Bowie, the Dr Ziyad Mahfoud, associate gala dinner and auction to raise needs. The two organisations programme included a unique professor, Healthcare Policy funds for support programmes we recognised have done tre- performance by Sergei Polun- and Research; and student Rana for children with special needs mendous work in improving in, accompanied by the musi- Abualsaud, showed that emer- in Qatar and Russia. the lives of children with dis- cal piece, ‘The Song of Distant gency room visits in Califor- The charity gala and auction abilities and inspiring the same Earth’. The dance was cre- nia for heat-related illness like managed to raise $7,471,976 for qualities of hope, growth and ated specifi cally for Love Ball heat exhaustion and heatstroke both Naked Heart Foundation renewal. Arabia. rose by 35% over a decade. The and Al Shafallah Centre, ac- “I was deeply moved to see The performance was fol- increase was higher among Af- Dr Grigory Ostrovskiy, Rana Abualsaud and Dr Ziyad Mahfoud. cording to a press statement. people from many diff erent lowed by an exclusive fashion rican-Americans, Asian-Amer- All proceeds from Love Ball nations and backgrounds gath- show by Ulyana Sergeenko fea- icans and Hispanics than in the 2015 heat-related emergency peak temperature and heat inten- of factors that might account Arabia will benefi t the work of ered at the Museum of Islamic turing the full Spring-Summer overall population. department visits rose by an av- sity. The disproportionate increase for the disparity, such as lower Al Shafallah Centre and Naked Art in a universal eff ort to im- 2019 collection, complement- “Global warming will lead erage of 67% for African-Amer- [among minorities] prompts the socioeconomic status, living in Heart Foundation, funding the prove the lives of children with ed with brand-new couture to more heat-related illness in icans, 53% for Asian-Americans search for ethnicity-based factors densely populated areas with development of professional special needs.” pieces inspired by and devoted the future and further research and 63% for Hispanics. These that aff ect heat vulnerability,” the poor access to air-conditioning, support services for families of Natalia Vodianova, founder to Qatar. The models on the is needed to make sure we un- visits increased by only 27% study notes. and higher rates of employment children with mental, physi- of Naked Heart Foundation, catwalk included Madeline derstand the factors that lead among whites. The rates for Afri- The research was based on in outdoor and physically de- cal and sensory disabilities as added: “Love Ball Arabia is Stuart, the world’s fi rst super- to the more vulnerable popula- can-Americans and Asians were data drawn from the California manding labour. The research well as enhancing advocacy our inclusivity work in ac- model with Down’s Syndrome, tions being disproportionately always higher than for the over- Environmental Health Tracking has now gained mainstream at- campaigns in both Russia and tion: making sure people with and each appearance was ac- aff ected. This study is also rel- all population across the decade, Programme, which logs emer- tention after being featured in Qatar while raising awareness special needs enjoy equal op- companied by the world’s rar- evant to Qatar as it shows how while Hispanic populations and gency room visits and hospitali- a report by Reuters, the global of the cause. portunities. The event fea- est Burmese rubies from Faidee an environmental tracking pro- white populations had similar sations due to heat-related med- news agency. The funds raised from Love tured performers with mental jewellery house. gramme could be very useful in increases in rates until 2013 after ical conditions. California has Class of 2019 student Rana Ball Arabia will aid Al Shafallah and physical disability along- The evening culminated in this country, which can get very which the rates diverged. particularly high-quality, freely Abualsaud presented the re- in establishing a highly-antic- side their typically developed a charity auction held by Lord hot,” said Dr Ostrovskiy. “The overall trend shows an in- available data on heat-related search at the annual meeting ipated new community centre peers and ballet icons, and Mark Poltimore of Sotheby’s, The study, which was pub- crease in presentation during the illness, making the state an at- of the Society for Academic catering to individuals with brought to life the experi- off ering a variety of extraordi- lished in the journal Wilderness last few years for all ethnicities, tractive target for researchers in Emergency Medicine, a leading intellectual disabilities and au- ences of families like mine. nary lots from ‘money-can’t- & Environmental Medicine, which may be explained by a com- this area. professional body for academic tism, aged above 21 years, the I’m proud and honoured to buy’ experiences to exclusive found that between 2005 and mon risk factor such as increase in The study suggested a number Emergency Physicians. statement noted. champion inclusion in action luxury items. QBRI, WCM-Q working Young women most at risk of on dementia research atar Biomedical Re- and research dedicated to fi nding search Institute (QBRI), breakthroughs for dementia. undiagnosed endometriosis Qpart of Hamad Bin Kha- “We adopt a holistic approach lifa University, which is a Qatar to research into dementia, be- Dr Omar El-Agnaf, executive ith endometriosis af- sation of symptoms of a disease pause. The often painful disor- Foundation (QF) member, is cause the link between neuro- director, QBRI. fecting one in 10 fe- like endometriosis, could re- der is caused by the tissue that leading the region in accelerat- logical disorders in the elderly and Wmales, young women sult in a signifi cant delay from normally lines the inside of the ing research in dementia. other medical conditions is well tional study with my team here are thought to be most at risk when a woman fi rst experi- uterus — the endometrium — QBRI is working with Weill documented,” he said, adding, in WCM-Q, HMC and QBRI. of being undiagnosed or misdi- ences symptoms and when she growing outside the uterus. The Cornell Medicine-Qatar “For instance, patients with type We have enrolled cohorts of pa- agnosed for endometriosis, ac- eventually gets diagnosed and primary symptom of endome- (WCM-Q), a QF partner uni- 2 diabetes are three-to-four times tients with dementia, who have cording to an offi cial of Hamad treated,” pointed out Dr Herod. triosis is pelvic pain which is versity, and Hamad Medical more likely to develop Alzheim- undergone detailed clinical as- Medical Corporation (HMC). Each year, around 100 women often associated with men- Corporation (HMC), in a study er’s or Parkinson’s disease.” sessment and collection of blood Dr Jonathan Herod, senior are admitted to HMC’s inpatient strual periods. Impaired fertil- to identify dementia amongst “In addition, it has been report- samples. We will search for dis- consultant – obstetrics and units due to endometriosis and ity is among the complications Dr Jonathan Herod Qatar’s population. ed that 50% of patients with type ease markers in patients with gynaecology at the Women’s related complications. Dr Herod caused by the disease. This partnership will enhance 2 diabetes will develop dementia. and without type 2 diabetes who Wellness and Research Center notes that while endometriosis As the symptoms of endome- visualise the inside of the abdo- the country’s national strategy This means we cannot tackle one are at risk of developing demen- (WWRC), says this is due in part has no known cure, pain medi- triosis are often not specifi c, the men and pelvis. against dementia and accelerate disease without tackling the other. tia,” says Malik. to a lack of awareness about the cines, hormone therapy, and diagnosis cannot be made by During March, HMC joined research into the disease. Our study in collaboration with The steps that are being taken chronic condition. surgery can help suppress the the symptoms alone. Dr Herod the international community QBRI’s Neurological Disor- HMC and WCM-Q, will help us by QBRI will help decision- Endometriosis is a progres- condition and help with pain says to determine whether a in recognising Endometriosis ders Research Centre is unique to better understand the clinical makers formulate clear strate- sive gynaecological condition management and infertility. woman’s symptoms are linked Awareness Month to highlight to the region and explores background, family history, and gies to fi ght dementia and set that doctors currently consider The World Health Organi- to endometriosis, doctors will the condition and educate wom- brain-related disorders, includ- environmental and lifestyle fac- up specialised centres dedicated incurable. Diagnosing endome- sation estimates that around take a medical history and per- en of reproductive age about its ing Alzheimer’s disease, Par- tors related to dementia and type to providing support to demen- triosis can be diffi cult because 176mn women across the world form a pelvic examination. Fur- symptoms and treatment. Dr kinson’s disease, autism, and 2 diabetes.” tia patients in the country. At the symptoms vary considera- have endometriosis. Dr Herod ther investigation such as an Herod said it’s important to epilepsy, through national and Prof Rayaz A Malik, profes- present, neither Qatar nor the bly, with many other conditions says the chronic condition af- ultrasound scan and diagnostic raise awareness about the com- international collaborations. sor of Medicine at WCM-Q and region have specialised clinical having similar symptoms. fects women during their re- laparoscopy procedure may also plex condition because while Dr Omar El-Agnaf, executive consultant physician at HMC, centres or support groups ex- “A general lack of awareness productive years, typically be recommended. This is a mi- it often entails severe adverse director, QBRI, emphasised the said, “We currently have an clusively for patients aff ected by by both women and healthcare the years between the onset nor day case operation where a symptoms, delays in obtaining a need to increase public awareness ongoing clinical and transla- dementia, and their families. providers, due to the normali- of menstruation until meno- fi bre optic telescope is used to diagnosis are common.

Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 5 QATAR

1mn bonus Qmiles to be won with QIB-Qatar Airways co-branded cards

atar Islamic Bank (QIB) rewarding our customers in most rewarding cards in the has announced an exclu- the best way possible,” said D market. Qsive campaign for QIB- Anand, QIB Personal Banking The cardholders accumulate Qatar Airways Visa co-branded Group general manager. “The Qmiles on their local or interna- cardholders. The campaign will off er has arrived at the right tional spends. Cardholders have reward 33 cardholders with a time as we know our custom- peace of mind on their shopping chance to win prizes worth 1mn ers are planning their trips dur- experience as anything they buy Qmiles, enabling customers to ing the upcoming holidays and is automatically insured against use their cards to travel around the summer period. At QIB, we loss, theft, or damage. Addi- the world. believe in rewarding our loyal tionally, cardholders have free For 30 days starting from customers’ spending habits access to more than 850 airport today (April 1), all QIB-Qatar with exclusive programmes to lounges across the world. Airways Visa cardholders will surpass their expectations,” he The Visa QIB-Qatar Airways be eligible to win a total of 1mn said. signature credit card entails Qmiles. There will be two draws an- several elite benefi ts, including Every transaction of QR500 nouncing winners of Qmiles. multilingual concierge services or more will enable the card- The fi rst draw will take place with a 24-hour personal assist- holder to enter the daily draw on the April 17 and the second ant that can arrange dinner and get a chance to win one of and fi nal draw will take place on reservation, chauff eur and taxi, the 30 prizes of 20,000 bonus May 5. All draws will take place tickets, gifts, and travel experi- Qmiles each, while custom- at QIB’s headquarters at Grand ence. ers who spend a minimum of Hamad Street with the pres- Additionally, cardholders are Qatari Diar senior managers and leaders during one of the programmes. QR5,000 during the campaign ence of a representative from entitled to an array of discounts period will enter the fi nal draw the Ministry of Commerce and and off ers on luxurious hotels, to win one of three prizes of Industry, and all Qmiles will be full multi-trip travel insurance 50,000, 100,000, and 250,000 credited into the respective cus- and much more. Qmiles. tomers’ privilege club accounts Terms and conditions apply. “It gives us pleasure to col- with Qatar Airways. For more information about the HEC Paris delivers leadership laborate with Qatar Airways, The QIB-Qatar Airways Visa Qmiles campaign, visit www. as we share a common goal of co-branded card is one of the qib.com.qa. programmes for Qatari Diar

EC Paris and Qatari Diar cessfully designed and been de- faculty with great skills and ex- The modules include leadership have partnered to design livering these two programmes pertise. We are confi dent that perspective, business strategy Hand deliver two leader- for Qatari Diar. This association this programme will immensely and decision-making, collabora- ship programmes intended to- boosts our confi dence to expand benefi t our senior management tion and team building, strate- wards the holistic development our corporate programme port- and subsequently our employees. gic implementation and change of Qatari Diar’s senior managers folio in tune with the changing “We would like to reiterate our management, people and per- and leaders. global dynamics. strong partnership with HEC formance management, and With this association, HEC “We are confi dent that senior Paris in Qatar, which will hope- leadership. Paris in Qatar will bring its ex- managers of Qatari Diar will im- fully grow from here on for fu- HEC Paris has extensive ex- pertise in the fi eld of executive mensely benefi t from the pro- ture programmes we plan to do to perience in designing and de- education with the aim to sup- gramme and from the solid aca- drive our growth story.” livering customised learning port the growth trajectory of Qa- demic input of our world-class The Management Develop- solutions to companies facing tari Diar, it was announced in a faculty and would be able to drive ment Programme consists of four business challenges. Working statement yesterday. tangible benefi ts for the holistic modules of four days each with a hand-in-hand with individual The fi rst programme to run growth of their organisation,” focus on leadership and business companies, HEC Paris in Qatar from January to April 2019 is said Dr Nils Plambeck, dean and strategy, negotiation skills and off ers executive educational pro- ‘Management Development Pro- CEO of HEC Paris in Qatar. change management, fi nance grammes specifi cally designed gramme’ (MDP) with a total of 35 Dana al-Mulla, chief admin- and decision making, and refl ec- for each fi rm’s needs. managers and directors taking istration offi cer at Qatari Diar, tion of leadership and perform- As global providers of execu- part. added: “The programme is a ance management. tive education, HEC Paris has The second programme, tar- great learning experience for our At the end of these modules, developed customised profes- geting the Senior Leadership senior management to get trained the participants will be required sional development programmes Team, is the ‘LEAD Programme’, and learn the new age leadership to submit a fi nal individual im- for executives, business lead- 10-20-30 promotion back at Safari which began in February and will nuances from the globally lead- provement project based on the ers, and managers of some of the run until November 2019. “HEC ing faculties. learnings achieved. world’s biggest companies, op- Paris in Qatar is extremely de- “HEC Paris in Qatar has ex- The Lead Programme is a six- erating in a wide range of indus- afari Group has an- QR20 and German-made 1-litre lator and headsets make up the lighted and proud to have suc- tremely qualifi ed and renowned module course of two days each. tries and sectors. nounced that the latest Rotpunkt fl ask for QR30, among promotional items in the elec- S10-20-30 promotion will others. tronics section. begin at its outlets in Doha to- The Safari bakery and hot Apart from the 10-20-30 day. Customers can avail of a food section will off er a wide promotion, Safari will organise wide variety of food products range of Western, South In- evening music shows by well- and consumer durables for dian, North Indian, Arabic and known artistes from Qatar for QR10, QR20 and QR30 as part Chinese food. The promotion three days starting tomorrow. Vodafone provides Qatar Islamic of this initiative, the retail chain incorporates combo off ers such The shows will be conducted at has said in a statement. as 400gm of ghee rice with dal the Safari Mall food court from Products off ered in the pro- curry and half chicken fry, for 6.30pm, and entry is free for motion include fruits, vegeta- QR10. customers. bles, fi sh, meat, bakery items, Besides, the hot food section Further, the fi nal and fi fth Bank access to its ‘Giganet 5G’ hot live food and other food also has kappa, fi sh curry, beef draw of the ongoing ‘Win 10kg items, cosmetics, household roast and burger available at a Gold’ initiative will be held durables, readymade garments, “nominal price”. during this promotional pe- uilding on a series of suc- footwear, electronics and com- The promotion includes sal- riod. Safari Group has already cessful milestones since puter accessories. ads, cheese items, fresh jam, given away gold prizes to previ- Bswitching on its fi rst live Taking into consideration butter block, mixed pickles, ous winners — 1kg gold for four 5G network in August last year, the requirements of children green salads, juice, milk prod- fi rst-prize winners, 500gm gold Vodafone Qatar announced yes- preparing for the coming aca- ucts, snacks, etc. for four second-prize winners, terday that it was providing QIB demic year, Safari has also in- Meanwhile, the household 300gm gold for four third-prize with access to its state-of-the- cluded a wide variety of sta- section is off ering a variety of winners and 200gm gold for art GigaNet 5G network. tionery items, school bags, etc. products – including cosmetics four fourth-prize winners. Vodafone and QIB’s partner- The highlights of the promotion items from prominent manu- A total of 10kg gold is being ship began in 2014 and has grown include 1,200gm Sadia chicken facturers, while emergency given away as part of the pro- over the years. Having provided for QR10, 750gm Nutella for lights, trimmers, torch, calcu- motion through fi ve draws. the country’s largest Islamic bank with solutions such as mobile and fi xed services as well as bulk SMS services, Vodafone aims to help businesses succeed in a digital world. Maserati bags DJWE Sponsor award Building on the successful partnership, Vodafone’s 5G de- ployment at QIB included a land- aserati Qatar has been mark video conference session presented with the between QIB’s Fanar offi ce, and M‘Best DJWE Sponsor’ its headquarters in Bank Street, award for their ‘long-term and which took place with a fl aw- strategic partnership with Doha less connection demonstrating Vodafone and QIB’s partnership began in 2014 and has grown over the years. Jewellery and Watches Exhibi- the low latency benefi ts and high tion (DJWE),’ the company an- speed of 5G. strong business sector in line bank’s productivity and improve dafone’s 5G over Wi-Fi solution nounced yesterday. Mahday al-Hebabi, director with the Qatar National Vision customer service.” QIB has made for internal use. From banking to The 2019 edition of the DJWE (Business Sales) at Vodafone Qa- 2030. We are extremely proud to signifi cant progress, ushering in real estate, Vodafone Qatar has was held at the Doha Exhibition tar said, “Vodafone is committed build on our on-going collabora- a new age of banking by adapting been working on creating a strong and Convention Centre from to supporting the country’s busi- tion with QIB and provide it with innovative technologies and de- digital ecosystem by providing February 20 to 25. nesses with high-tech solutions, our 5G network. The innova- ploying digital initiatives. key businesses in the country Organised by Qatar National thus contributing to creating a tive technology will enhance the And now, QIB has adopted Vo- with its world-class solutions. Tourism Council and Auditoire Qatar, the DJWE’s awards rec- ognise the stakeholder’s valu- able eff orts and signifi cant con- tribution to making the widely acclaimed, Doha-based exhibi- Qatar Chamber concludes training workshop tion a sensational success. The award ceremony to hon- our the DJWE’s main stakehold- QNA Chamber, Ahmed Abo Nahia, said cal training, all modern laws relat- for Saviours and Practical Applica- ers took place on March 14 amid Maserati Qatar is presented with the ‘Best DJWE Sponsor’ award. Doha that the purpose of the programme ed to customs, in addition to cus- tions, and a distinguished group of a celebratory atmosphere at W is to provide good vocational train- toms procedures and exemptions, customs experts. The Qatar Cham- Doha hotel. For the third year in a the distinguished exhibition. with them since 2017, and we are ing to customs trustees, to help customs clearance, outstanding ber said in statement, launched in row, Maserati Qatar becomes an Commenting on the partner- looking forward to continuing atar Chamber concluded them learn the most important conditions of fees, rules of origin, 2015, it has been able to qualify for integral part of the success of the ship, Charly Dagher, general this partnership for many years yesterday its 16th work- laws and guidelines related to their prevention and restriction. about 774 delegates and customs DJWE, by being the offi cial car manager of Maserati Qatar at to come. It’s a great opportu- Qshop for training customs job. He added that the programme The programme also focused on agents so far, noting that trainees sponsor of the must-visit exhi- Alfardan Sports Motors—Qa- nity to showcase our powerful, trustees. The workshop was or- also contributes to increasing the commercial and customs terms, receive after the completion of the bition for jewellery afi cionados. tar’s offi cial Maserati Import- exclusive cars in all their glory. ganised in co-operation with Gen- workers effi ciency. international agreements, the Har- programme a certifi cate from the The Italian luxury brand provid- er—said: “It’s an honour for us Maserati’s core values of crafts- eral Customs Authority. A total of The programme dealt with monised System, the protection of Chamber, qualifying them for the ed a fl eet of its high-perform- to partner with the Doha Jew- manship, exclusivity, and luxu- 58 trainees took part in the event. training materials related to the intellectual property, the Customs fi nal test prepared by the General ance vehicles to cater to high- ellery and Watches Exhibition. ry are unmistakably refl ected in Head of Public Relations at Qatar work of the customs broker, practi- Law, the Al Nadeeb Programme Authority for Customs. profi le guests and VIPs attending We have been collaborating the spirit of the DJWE.”

Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 7 QATAR Huawei launches P30 series smartphones

eading technology brand Hua- camera features. Super Night Mode, er and more convenient capabilities wei has announced the launch 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom and such as 40W Huawei SuperCharge, Lof the P30 and P30 Pro, featur- 50x digital zoom, Dual-View Video along with 15W Huawei Wireless ing a completely redesigned camera Capture, and super-bokeh portrait Quick Charging and Wireless Reverse to deliver an unrivalled smartphone are among the highlights. Charge too. photography experience, according to The 40MP main camera with a The Huawei P30 series features a statement. Huawei SuperSpectrum Sensor lets brand new gradient colours Amber more light in, so clear photographs Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Black The Huawei P30 series and video content can be captured in and Aurora and a pioneering process features brand new the dark. The 20MP camera has an ul- to create extra-thin layers of colour gradient colours Amber tra-wide angle while the 8MP camera that seamlessly blend into each other Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, has a 5x SuperZoom lens. whilst also increasing its durability. Black and Aurora and a The Huawei Time of Flight Camera The all-new dual curved design, pioneering process to create is designed to measure depth of fi eld with a curved OLED on the front, and QNRF, QSRTC recognise winners of 11th UREP competition. extra-thin layers of colour allowing multi-level Bokeh eff ects, curved glass back creates a thin, sleek that seamlessly blend into producing portraits with beautifully and easy to hold design. each other whilst also blurred backgrounds and sharp sub- The notch has been reduced and the increasing its durability jects in the foreground. earpiece has been removed by using There is also a 32MP front camera Huawei Acoustic Display Technol- The world’s fi rst Leica Quad Cam- for the perfect selfi e. Films can be ogy to use the screen for phone calls era system combines new sensors, captured in the P30 series 21:9 cine- instead. lens setup, image signal processor matic aspect ratio and edited with the The FullView display cleverly inte- (ISP), a dual NPU (neural network AI Video Editor, featuring a new range grates the new and improved fi nger- QNRF, QSRTC processing unit), and custom image of special eff ects and cinematic fi lters. print scanner into the screen, provid- processing algorithms which work The P30 Pro features a large ing the Huawei P30 Pro with a display honour winners to enable sophisticated professional 4,200mAh battery that supports fast- size of 6.47 inches. in annual contest atar National Research Fund H2S Sensors based on CuOx Nanopar- development, under the supervision (QNRF), a member of Qatar ticle Decorated Graphene.’ of a mentor. Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie, QFoundation (QF) and Qatar In the poster presentation catego- executive director, QNRF, said, “Over Shell Research and Technology Cen- ry, Tamuq won first place with, ‘An the years, undergraduate students tre (QSRTC), held the 11th Annual Investigation of the Factors Affect- have built on their UREP experience Undergraduate Research Experience ing Barite Sagging Related to Drilling to pursue further education and de- Programme (UREP) competition yes- Fluid Properties,’ while QU secured velop their research to actively con- terday. second and third places respectively tribute towards the development of This year, the competition included for projects titled, ‘Optimisation of Qatar. six oral presentations and eight poster Eggshell Membrane as a Novel Bio- “We take special pride in the fact presentations which were evaluated by sorbent for Remediation of Boron that more than 235 scientifi c publica- an expert panel of judges and included from Water: Mechanistic Studies,’ tions have been generated in the past nine projects from Qatar University and ‘Computational Insights into the UREP cycles which include 20 book (QU), three projects from Texas A&M Mechanism of Palladium-Catalysed chapters, 105 journal papers, 38 online University at Qatar (Tamuq) – a QF Alkylation of Aldehyde-Derived Hy- papers, and 73 conference papers.” Huawei P30 Pro(left) and Huawei P30. partner university – and one project drazones.’ Hussain Alhijji, vice president, QS- each from University of Calgary in Qa- The winning students were given RTC, said, “We believe R&D is a fun- tar and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, prizes and awards in recognition of damental part of Shell’s past and fu- a member of QF. their achievement and hard work. ture success. Therefore, we continue to In the oral presentation category, The competition is held annually invest in people, projects, and facilities QU won fi rst place for the project, to recognise outstanding projects of and in the same spirit, Qatar Shell is ‘Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygena- UREP – one of QNRF’s main funding co-funding this important competi- tion Simulator for Patient Manage- programmes, specifi cally for under- tion. The UREP programme not only ment Training at HMC,’ while Tamuq graduate students in Qatar. seeds the brilliant ideas from students won second place for the project titled, The programme aims to develop and supports their development, but ‘From Pore-Scale to Field-Scale Un- the nation’s research infrastructure also acknowledges the mentoring derstanding of Multi-Phase Flow in by engaging students in various proc- professors and peers who constitute Porous Media.’ Third place was secured esses at building their research skills an important part of the participants’ by a team from QU for ‘Fabrication of and contributing to their professional academic journey.”

Initiative to boost accessibility at Vodafone stores Sasol, the international integrated chemicals and energy com- pany, represented by its Accessible Qatar (AQ) social respon- sibility initiative, is engaging with Vodafone Qatar to conduct detailed accessibility audits of the latter’s stores. The objective is to make it possible for disabled people to visit Vodafone stores and promote awareness on the issues of accessibility and inclusion. So far, 13 Vodafone stores, both independent outlets and shops located within shopping centres, have been audited us- ing an audit system and a smartphone application developed by the AQ initiative. Accessibility experts delivered detailed reports on the level of accessibility at every store, along with recommendations on A Vodafone Store. how to improve accessibility for the disabled community. The accessibility information was also added to AQ website tion to other benefits enjoyed by disabled visitors to its stores, and mobile application. such as priority service, special care, and the opportunity to The AQ website and application contain expert-audited receive training on how to use devices. information on accessibility to various public venues in Mohamed al-Yami, director of External Affairs at Vodafone Qatar, helping people with disabilities to know the accessibil- Qatar, commented: “We are committed to providing a unique ity details of the venue they like to visit, without facing any communication experience to all our customers and to mak- unpleasant surprises. ing all our stores and installations accessible to everyone. Vodafone Qatar is committed to supporting the disabled We ensure both digital and physical accessibility and train community in Qatar though its corporate social responsibility our employees on how to serve people with disabilities. We programme as well as through discounts of up to 50% on all believe in the ability of the disabled community and its right its postpaid Red plans. to participate in the technological revolution that we are ex- The company also offers the disabled community a 10% periencing. We thank Sasol for its efforts, and we look forward discount on the prices of a number of mobile devices, in addi- to even better and easier accessibility in all our sites.”

Qatargas staff ers in blood donation drive

atargas employees and contractors participated in a month-long blood donation drive, organised by the Qcompany’s Medical Department in co-operation with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), at the Qatargas Doha Head Offi ce, Ras Laff an Headquarters and Al Khor Community. Qatargas has been organising blood donation drives for the past 18 years, in co-operation with HMC. This year, ap- proximately 380 Qatargas employees and contractors regis- tered for the campaign, and a total of 273 units of blood col- lected, according to a statement. As part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibil- ity initiatives, Qatargas organises blood donation cam- paigns engaging the employees in a wide range of health awareness programmes and supporting the local health organisations. Blood donation helps save the lives of thousands of patients every year including those affected with cancer, haemorrhagic disorders, thrombocytopenia, and blood diseases. Blood donation is also an essential part of caring A Qatargas employee donating blood during the campaign. for both children and adults who are undergoing surgery, including organ transplantation, and of those requiring of blood and blood components, Qatargas believes that surgery as part of their treatment for diseases like cancer. such campaigns also help promote a culture of voluntary In addition to helping the blood bank increase its supply blood donation in the society, the statement added. Gulf Times 8 Monday, April 1, 2019 QATAR/ARAB WORLD QIFF ends after 11 Tunisian president stresses need for days of food, fun Arab joint action

QNA Tunis and festivities unisian President Beji Caid Essebsi stressed the need to promote Arab joint action, and he 10th edition of Qatar terclasses of four international Tachieve Arab reconciliation based on mu- International Food Fes- chefs. Torba Farmers Market also tual trust, stressing that Arab countries have no Ttival (QIFF) concluded extended its weekend timings to choice but to co-operate and enhance confi dence on Saturday after 11 days of cel- operate throughout the duration and co-operation between them. ebrating food and culture from of the festival. The president said in a speech during the open- around the world. Khalifa Essa al-Kubaisi, Media ing session of the 30th Summit of the Council of Every day, throngs of foodies Relations manager at QF, said: the Arab League yesterday in Tunis that the lib- and fun-seeking families arrived “Qatar Foundation is proud to eration of the Arab region from all crises, tension at Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Oxy- have hosted the 10th edition of and threats is a pressing need and not be delayed. gen Park to enjoy newer fl avours, the Qatar International Food He reiterated Tunisia’s fi rm determination that live entertainment and outdoor Festival at Education City’s Oxy- this summit should be a new step in promoting fun in Qatar’s beautiful spring gen Park, and we congratulate Arab solidarity and activating joint Arab action in weather, the organisers said in a the organisers and participants all its dimensions. statement. for their eff orts in ensuring the He said that “we must work to overcome dif- To mark the special edition, success of this event. ferences, clean up the Arab atmosphere and QIFF this year hosted 37 inter- “Throughout the festival, strengthen the bonds of solidarity between us, national and local celebrity chefs visitors have also been able to stressing that the challenges and threats facing to enthral audiences with their explore Education City and its the Arab region are too large to be addressed in- culinary brilliance. This is the diverse facilities, learning about A view of Oxygen Park. dividually.” largest number of chefs hosted QF’s initiatives and activities.” The Tunisian president called to “take a careful in any one edition. In addition to Qatar Airways was the offi cial and fi rm stand to identify the causes of weakness live cooking demos and cooking airline partner of QIFF’s 10th and imbalances in our joint Arab work, so that we competitions, people sampled edition, fl ying in more than 20 can unite our vision and develop a collective as- F&B off erings at 157 booths, 12 international chefs to participate sessment of risks and challenges and rearrange food trucks and various booths at in the festival this year as well as priorities on the basis of the most important be- the Torba Farmers Market within off ering special discounted fares fore the important.” QF’s Education City. to selected destinations. He confi rmed that the Arab dimension repre- Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi: “We must Alongside the main festival, Qatar Airways senior vice- sents the most important fundamentals in Tuni- work to overcome diff erences” QIFF off ered month-long side president (Marketing and Cor- sia’s foreign policy. activities, including exclusive porate Communications) Salam President Essebsi stressed the centrality of the erated that the international community consid- Chef’s Table sessions and cook- al-Shawa said: “The national Palestinian cause, stressing that achieving this ers Golan an occupied Arab land. ing masterclasses with inter- airline carrier brought in the goal requires intensifying and co-ordinating ac- He called for concerted eff orts to end the oc- national chefs, nutrition work- largest number of chefs from tions in order to put an end to the decisions and cupation in order to achieve security and stability shops for schoolchildren and across the globe to the 10th edi- practices aimed to change the basic issues of the at the regional and international levels violating exclusive QIFF Menu listing dis- tion of QIFF to showcase an array Palestinian cause, and to face any violation of international legitimacy resolutions and increas- counted meals at over 90 popular of new cuisines, while enjoying the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, ing the level of tension in the region. eateries across the country. fun-fi lled activities and live en- especially their right to self-determination, and On the situation in Yemen, the Tunisian presi- Mashal Shahbik from Qa- tertainment. It has been a great Chef Noora al-Kuwari the historical and legal status of the Holy City of dent reiterated the call for continued regional and tar National Tourism Council experience and we look forward Jerusalem. international eff orts to restore legitimacy in this (QNTC) said: “QIFF has estab- to the next one in 2020.” He added that the achievement of security country and to create conditions for negotiations lished itself as an annual tradi- QIFF’s partner from last year and stability in the Arab region and the world as to reach a political settlement that will resolve tion where visitors consistently beIN also joined this year’s edi- a whole passes through a just and comprehensive the crisis and put an end to the human suff ering experience the best of our coun- tion, holding daily cooking settlement of the Palestinian issue that guaran- of the Yemeni people. try’s food and beverage off erings, competitions and bringing in tees the rights of the Palestinian people, and lead He reiterated Tunisia’s welcome to the Stock- scenic locations and wonderful international star chefs from to the establishment of an independent Palestin- holm agreement reached by the parties involved spring weather. We are proud Discovery’s Food Network and ian state with Jerusalem as its capital, based on in Yemen. of its legacy of 10 years and look Fatafeat channel. Khalid al- the resolutions of international legitimacy, the The Tunisian President discussed develop- forward to seeing it grow further, Marzooqi, head of Direct Sales Arab peace initiative and the principle of a two- ments in Iraq and expressed hope that eff orts to curating new experiences every at beIN Media Group, said: “In- state solution. rebuild liberated areas are successful. year for residents and visitors. volving our famous chefs in QIFF He said that the situation in Libya remains a He congratulated the people of Iraq on winning “QIFF has also become a plat- and having them participate in matter of deep concern for Tunisia, considering their battle against terrorism. form for local businesses to in- the diff erent activities highlights that the repercussions of the crisis situation in The Tunisian president also called for activat- troduce new, innovative off er- beIN’s promise to always provide this country not only aff ect neighbouring coun- ing Arab mechanisms for the prevention, man- ings to a diverse audience. It has its viewers the opportunity to get tries, but security and stability throughout the agement and settlement of confl icts in order to been a delight to see our local even closer to the content they region. prevent the prolongation of crises and the obsta- chefs demonstrating their talent love.” Chef Morimoto at work. The Tunisian president renewed his country’s cles to resolving them. side by side with the world’s top Vodafone Qatar, the offi cial support for the UN eff orts and for all regional He also stressed the need to further strengthen cooks.” telecommunications partner, was an absolute delight. We’re as well as several other part- and international eff orts to help end this crisis, Arab relations with other regional gatherings and QF collaborated with QIFF provided free high-speed Inter- glad too that QIFFs visitors en- ners, including W Doha, Torba away from the confl ict of interests and interfer- spaces in the political, economic and cultural this year as its strategic partner, net facility to QIFF visitors and joyed interacting with our Voda- Farmers Market, Kidzania Doha, ence in the internal aff airs of Libya, stressing his fi elds, in addition to expanding the circle of sup- hosting the 10th edition at Oxy- organisers through its GigaNet fone Red Maze where they were Aura Hospitality, Qatar-India confi dence in the ability of the Libyan parties to port for Arab issues in the international arena. gen Park. The partnership ex- network. Diego Camberos, chief challenged to answer questions 2019 Year of Culture, Akly, La overcome diff erences and give priority to the su- He warned that terrorism remains the biggest tended beyond the festival’s ven- operating offi cer at Vodafone on our new Red postpaid plans Cantine, Zomato, Talabat, Uber, preme interest of their country in a framework of threat to the region’s stability, security, and de- ue with Qatar National Library Qatar, noted: “To see thousands along with food-related ques- Chargello Qatar, Wahab, Qatar consensus and constructive dialogue. velopment. hosting QIFF’s healthy nutrition of people soaking up the amaz- tions.” Cooking Academy, Qatar TV, On the Syrian crisis, Essebsi called for acceler- He urged all Arab countries to work together workshops for schoolchildren ing culinary atmosphere then QIFF 2019 was organised and Oasis Water, DFI, LES, QNB, ating the political resolution to the crisis. on eliminating the root causes of terrorism by and the Chef’s Garden restaurant use our GigaNet network to cap- delivered by QNTC with support Infi nity, InterContinental Doha, On the latest developments aimed at stabilising adopting a joint comprehensive strategy in that in Education City hosting Mas- ture and share their experiences from the above festival partners Gymmito0, F45 and Strong Box. the occupation of the Syrian Golan, Essebsi reit- regard.

UN chief: any solution to crisis must ensure Syria’s territorial integrity

UN Secretary-General Anto- strengthening of Arab action, nio Guterres said that any facing the challenges in Syria, solution to the Syrian crisis Yemen and Palestine, calling must ensure the territorial for the unity of the Arab integrity of Syria, including world as a prerequisite for the occupied Golan Heights. peace and stability in the re- In a speech at the opening gion for its unity and preven- session of the Summit of tion of external interference. the League of Arab States Jordanian King Abdullah in Tunis yesterday, Guterres reaff irmed that the Palestin- stressed the need to work ian cause has been and will together to achieve peace, always remain the foremost resolve the outstanding concern for all Arabs, noting problems and respond to the that addressing this cause needs of the Syrian people, must be in line with Arab pointing out at the same constants. time that any solution to the “The Palestinian cause must Syrian crisis must include the remain Arabs core and unity and sovereignty of the primary cause,” King Abdul- Syrian people. lah said, delivering Jordan’s Guterres also pointed out address at the opening of the that the UN supports the Arab summit in Tunis. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD Leaked reports reveal severe abuse of Saudi political prisoners Guardian News & Media A spokesman declined to dis- Cuts, burns and bruising documented, despite denials of torture were in custody in January. use to keep their headdresses in London cuss the issue, despite being The reasons for their arrests place. given repeated opportunities to vary, and in some cases, their The lashes led to deep and do so. The men believed to have been visible injuries in the chest and some advisers to the king include alleged off ences have not been lasting bruising. olitical prisoners in Saudi Offi cials did not challenge the examined include Adel Ahmad lower back” “The patient must a pardon for all political prison- published. Female prisoners have also Arabia are said to be suf- authenticity of the reports. The Banaemah, Mohamed Saud al- be transferred from solitary con- ers, the release of individuals Human Rights Watch called been described as experienc- Pfering from malnutrition, Guardian has been able inde- Bisher, Fahad Abdullaziz al-Su- fi nement to the specialised clinic jailed from 2017, for Saudi Arabia to “immediately ing severe weight loss, with one cuts, bruises and burns, accord- pendently to verify the accuracy naidi, Zuhair Kutbi, Abdullaziz for immediate treatment and and the release of prisoners release all jailed human rights woman said to have lost half her ing to leaked medical reports and contents of one of the ex- Fawzan al-Fawzan and Yasser further medical examinations” deemed to have health problems. activists and peaceful dissidents, body weight, according to the that are understood to have been aminations. Abdullah al-Ayyaf. “The patient has diffi culty On Thursday, Saudi Arabia re- and invite international moni- activist. prepared for the country’s ruler, The conditions of other in- The Guardian understands walking because of a number of leased pending a full trial three tors to conduct a comprehensive Justin Shilad, a Middle East King Salman. dividuals, as described in the the women include Samar Mo- bruises visible on the legs area. A women, believed to be Aziza al- and transparent investigation research associate at the Com- The reports seem to provide documents, are consistent with hamed Badawi, Hatoon Ajwad number of injuries are also vis- Youssef, Eman al-Nafj an, and Dr into their treatment”. mittee to Protect Journalists, the fi rst documented evidence reports that have emerged in- al-Fassi and Abeer Adbdullatif ible on the forearm and lower Rokaya Mohareb. A spokesperson added: “Sau- said the case of Fahd al-Sunaidi, from within the heart of the roy- volving claims of torture, though al-Namankany. back area. The Guardian approached di detainees including women a journalist, showed the extent al court that political prisoners the Guardian has not been able The Guardian has been told Malnutrition and obvious Saudi authorities on 21 March activists have alleged that au- and reach of the crackdown or- are facing severe physical abuse, to corroborate the details. the examinations took place in dryness on the skin” for comment. A spokesman said thorities mistreated them with dered by the crown prince. despite the government’s denials Pressure on Saudi Arabia January and the medical reports, “The patient suff ers from a he would respond, but has not unspeakable cruelty, including “This is not someone who re- that men and women in custody over the detention and treat- which are marked confi dential, number of bruises visible on provided a comment. electric shocks, whippings and ally stirred the pot in terms of are being tortured. ment of political prisoners has have been included in a detailed the body, especially in the areas In previous media reports, a sexual harassment, and new rev- the topics he covered … The fact The Guardian has been told been growing in recent months overview that includes three of back, abdomen and thighs. It spokesman for the Saudi embas- elations of medical reports ap- that he is in detention for no dis- the medical reports will be given amid claims that some female broad recommendations to the also appears to be malnourished sy in Washington said the king- pear to confi rm what they have cernible reason, the fact that he to King Salman along with rec- activists have been subjected to king about what to do next. due to lack of eating and facial dom had signed the convention said for months.” was not known as a controversial ommendations that are said to electric shocks and lashings in According to the medical re- pallor and general weakness in against torture and prohibits its One rights activist, who spoke fi gure, it really demonstrates the include a potential pardon for custody. ports seen by the Guardian, the the body” use. on the condition of anonymity, totality of Mohamed bin Sal- all the prisoners, or at least early With the kingdom also reeling comments about the detainees “The patient cannot move at He said Saudi Arabia “takes said the descriptions contained man’s crackdown on press free- release for those with serious from the aftermath of the mur- suggest many have been severely all due to wounds in both legs any and all allegations of ill in the reports, including that in- dom, on independent journalism health problems. der of the dissident journalist ill-treated and have a range of as well as severe weakness in the treatment of defendants await- dividuals were being held in soli- or any commentary that smacks These options are part of a Jamal Khashoggi, King Salman is health problems. body due to malnutrition and ing trial or prisoners serving tary confi nement, were consist- of a critical or independent na- substantial internal review said said to have ordered a review of In almost all cases, the reports lack of fl uids” their sentences very seriously”. ent with evidence that had been ture,” he said. to have been ordered by the king, the decision to arrest and detain demanded the prisoners be ur- “The patient suff ers from se- The Guardian was warned by collected by activists. “In terms of researching Saudi who approved the commission- about 200 men and women in a gently transferred from solitary vere burns throughout the body. several human rights experts The person said the only way Arabia (and political deten- ing of examinations of up to 60 crackdown ordered by his heir, confi nement to a medical centre. Old wounds were not completely during the course of its report- to verify the reports fully would tions), the cone of silence is not prisoners, many of them wom- Crown Prince Mohamed bin Sal- The remarks on detainees in- healed because of medical negli- ing that trying to contact family be to give independent monitors like anything I have ever seen, en, for a report to be circulated man. clude: gence” members of people in detention access to the individuals who and I have researched Libya, around the royal court, a source According to a source with “The patient suff ers from se- “The patient suff ers from dif- would pose serious risks to the had been identifi ed, and make Syria, Yemen, Iraq … The level of said. knowledge of the review, the vere weight loss with continuous fi culty in movement due to se- family members living in Saudi their assessments public. fear, intimidation and all round Some of the assessments were royal court set aside objections bloody vomiting. There are also vere malnutrition and general Arabia. The activist said female pris- silencing of information, it is leaked to the Guardian, which from Prince Mohamed’s aides a number of wounds and bruises lack of fl uids. There are also a Rights organisations and ac- oners had been electrocuted, beyond what we see in the war asked the Saudi government to and sought brief medical exami- scattered in several areas of the number of bruises, wounds and tivists who track detentions tied to chairs and beaten around zones in the region where you comment on the medical reports nations on a number of detainees body” sores throughout the body” confi rmed the nine individuals their thighs, backs and buttocks have the Islamic State operat- more than a week ago. to get a snapshot of their health. “There are also a number of The recommendations from named in the medical reports with an agal, a cord that men ing.” Lebanon ‘is not capable of Israel reopens Gaza crossing hosting more Syrian refugees’ as mediators push for deal QNA Tunis Reuters Gaza ebanese President General Michel Aoun said Lebanon is not capable of hosting anymore LSyrian refugees, which is equivalent to half srael reopened its commer- of its citizens, and it will absolutely not accept any cial crossing with the Gaza form of settlement. IStrip yesterday, a day after a In his speech at the opening session of the Arab smaller-than-expected Pales- League Summit yesterday, Aoun said, “We are con- tinian protest along the volatile cerned about the insistence of the international frontier. community to keep the Syrians displaced, in Leba- In another sign of the con- non although it is aware of the poor conditions in frontation easing — as Egyptian which they are living, although it knows that most Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the opening mediators pushed on for a full of the Syrian regions have become safe, and that session of the 30th Arab League summit in the ceasefi re — Palestinians said Is- Lebanon is no longer capable of carrying this bur- Tunisian capital Tunis, yesterday. rael would today almost double den which puts strain on it at the economic, social the breadth of Mediterranean and security levels, and despite the affi rmation of eignty of a brotherly State, but also threatens the waters where they are permit- the international humanitarian organisations that sovereignty of the Lebanese State which owns lands ted to fi sh. 80% of the Syrian displaced in Lebanon wish to re- that were gradually bitten off by Israel, especially Gaza medical offi cials said turn to their lands and properties. in the Shebaa Farms, the Kfarshouba Hills and the four Palestinians were killed by “We are concerned about the insistence on link- northern part of Al-Ghajar village. The Lebanese Israeli fi re during demonstra- ing the return of the displaced to the political solu- ownership of these lands is proven by internation- tions on Saturday marking the tion, rather giving precedence to the political solu- ally recognised documents and maps, he added. fi rst anniversary of the “Great tion, although we all know that it might take long. Aoun said, “Over the past years, the world has March of Return” protests. Does the international community seek to turn the spent billions on armaments, killing and destruc- But while around 40,000 displaced into hostages in order to use them as lev- tion. Had this money or some of it been used on protesters, some hurling gre- Relatives of Bilal al-Najjar, 17, mourn during his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. erage against Syria and Lebanon as well, to make development, education, evolution, industry, ag- nades and explosives, turned them accept the solutions that may be imposed,” riculture, investments, and creation of job oppor- out on Saturday, according to ruling Hamas group, were de- which rocket strikes from Gaza southern Israel overnight and he said. Aoun referred to the decision signed by tunities for the youth what leap would our States the Israeli military, several signs ployed in bright orange vests on Israeli border towns have Israeli tank fi re on Hamas posi- the American president “ that recognises the sov- have made. Would our youth and children have pointed to pullback from wider to deter people from going near become a main issue. tions in response. ereignty of Israel over the Golan Heights, follow- been an easy prey for radical thinking which turned violence. Israel’s border fence, a frequent The crossing had been closed No injuries were reported. ing his previous decision acknowledging Al-Quds them into terrorists and into war and destruction An Israeli military spokes- fl ashpoint. on Monday after a rocket that Around 200 Gazans have (Jerusalem) as a capital for Israel and transferring machines. We are also concerned about Israel’s at- man noted that there had been A Hamas offi cial said Egyp- wounded seven Israelis north of been killed by Israeli troops his embassy to it, in contradiction to all the relevant tempts to violate Resolution 194 and to ultimately “signifi cantly less violence” tian mediators were expected Tel Aviv touched off a two-day since the protests started on international resolutions, including Paragraph 4 deprive the Palestinians of their land and identity, during Saturday’s protest — to hold talks in Israel to try to surge in cross-border violence. March 30 last year, according Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, in which all the adoption of the “Jewish Nation-State” law for which organisers had billed a fi nalise a deal. But trucks carrying food and to Palestinian Health Ministry the member states undertake to “refrain from the Israel and the denial of the right of return, and the “mn person march” — than in Israel has maintained an of- fuel rolled into Gaza through fi gures. threat or use of force against the territorial integrity attempt to settle the Palestinians of the diaspora past weekly demonstrations. fi cial silence about any pend- the reopened Kerem Shalom An Israeli soldier was also or political independence of any State.” where they are, of which Lebanon has the largest In addition, hundreds of Pal- ing agreement, a week before crossing on Sunday despite killed by a Palestinian sniper This decision does not only threaten the sover- share.” estinian men, some from Gaza’s a closely contested election in the fi ring of several rockets at in July.

African Union to host Libya ‘reconciliation’ conference Algeria’s embattled president

The African Union will host a series of international efforts “reconciliation” conference in have so far failed to unite the names new government July aimed at uniting Libya’s country. The United Nations is political rivals, AU commission due to hold another confer- chief Moussa Faki said late ence next month in the central DPA Saturday. Libyan city of Ghadames, Algiers “It’s an opportunity for the which is aimed at drawing up a Libyans,” Faki said during a “roadmap” to lead to elections. press conference in Tunis, Between 120 and 150 del- lgeria’s long-serving President Abdelaziz on the sidelines of an Arab egates are expected to attend Boutefl ika, who has been facing mass protests League summit in the Tunisian the forum from April 14-16, Aagainst his rule for more than a month, has ap- capital. Announcement of UN envoy Ghassan Salame pointed a new government. the July talks in Addis Ababa said earlier this month. The The government, headed by Noureddine Bedoui, is followed a meeting on Libya UN backs a Government of composed of 27 ministers, Algeria’s state news agency which included Faki, UN chief National Accord in the capital APS reported on Sunday, citing a presidential state- Protesters rally against the Algerian ruling party Antonio Guterres and the Tripoli, while a rival administra- ment. yesterday at the Place de la Republique in Paris. EU’s top diplomat Federica tion in the east is supported Six members of the former government have kept Mogherini. by Khalifa Haftar and his self- their posts in the new cabinet, according to the agency. Sabri Boukadoum, Algeria’s ambassador to the “It’s high time that the (politi- styled Libyan National Army. Boutefl ika, 82, has maintained his position as de- United Nations, has been appointed foreign minis- cal) actors discuss the fate of Reaching a lasting accord fence minister in the caretaker government, despite ter; and Mohamed Loukal, the governor of the central their country,” Faki said. is seen as vital for creating protests demanding he step down. bank, as fi nance minister, according to the agency. Libya has been mired in chaos stability in the country, as well He has also kept as military chief of staff the pow- Earlier this month, Boutefl ika appointed Bedoui, a since the 2011 ouster of dicta- as getting the economy back erful General Gaid Saleh, who earlier this week called former interior minister, as prime minister after the tor Muammar Gaddafi and a on track. for Boutefl ika to be declared unfi t for offi ce on health ailing president renounced a bid to run for a fi fth term grounds. in offi ce after mass street protests.

Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 11 AFRICA Picasso in I Coast? A village tells of its brush with the artist

AFP visit to the region at the turn of “Whenever someone empha- forming the white cotton into a “It was him who taught us to Fakaha, Côte d’Ivoire the century.” sised the infl uence of African art work of art covered with animal use sponges and toothbrushes A whole mythology has grown on the development of his own motifs and fi gures in masks. to be quicker and more precise,” up around the question of Africa work, he would shrug his shoul- And there is an element of Pi- says Silue Naganki, one of the I’m sure! I tell you, he came. and Picasso, who never spoke of ders, annoyed at being reduced casso in it, with a defi nite simi- artists who takes his inspiration I saw him!” insists Soro having been to Fakaha. to that: although it is certain he larity between his works and from long-dead ancestors. “Navaghi, keen to extinguish For the artist who once pro- was infl uenced by it from 1906 those of the artists of Fakaha. “Before him, we never used any doubts about Picasso’s visit vocatively brushed off the sub- when he experienced his fi rst But is this just a random re- the frames either. It was him who to a small Ivorian village famed ject, saying: “Negro art? Don’t (African) sculptures,” says Gilles semblance or creative coinci- advised us to paint the frames.” for its painted textiles. know it” was also an ardent ad- Plazy, one of his biographers. dence? Or did Pablo Picasso ac- Ducking into his house, Soro Whether in tourist brochures mirer and passionate collector of “Picasso used everything that tually see or even own one of the Navaghi comes up with the “ul- or online, it is not unusual to fi nd African art, who built up an im- came through his door and inte- Fakaha canvases? timate proof” - a cotton canvas references to Picasso’s reputed pressive private collection. grated it into the constant evolu- “I tell you, he came here. He featuring Picasso himself. visit to Fakaha, a remote village Highlighting the resemblance tion of his artistic process,” he was inspired by us,” repeats Soro The fabric is covered with in northern Ivory Coast, some between African sculpture and told AFP. Navaghi, who is in his 60s. multiple motifs of a bald, 650km from Abidjan, the eco- some of Picasso’s work, many “He opened up new paths.” Picasso apparently broke white man, sometimes wear- nomic capital. art critics see the symbolism and For the several hundred resi- An artist paints on a cotton fabric in his workshop, in the village of down while driving to Korhogo, ing shorts, sometimes in a grass French travel guide Petit imagery of Africa as one of his dents of Fakaha, there is no Fakaha. but set off on foot and eventually skirt, who is variously clutching Fute describes Fakaha as “in- sources of inspiration. question about where the cel- turned up in the village “bare a pencil or paintbrush or even ternationally renowned” for its One often-cited example is ebrated Andalusian artist and For decades, these local artists Their dexterity is fascinating, chested and without shoes”, some twigs. hand-spun cotton cloth which the striking similarity between sculptor found his inspiration, have been hard at work in open their moves precise. Navaghi says. A self-portrait by the master! is painted by the Senufo people an African Grebo mask and one after stumbling upon their vil- huts around a sandy track, where Working with knives or sticks, The artist stayed there for Surely there can be no doubt, and that once “charmed a cer- of the faces in his 1907 work ‘Les lage some 15km from the main they can be found smearing earth- they plunge their tools into the several days and even gave the even for an amateur, that this is tain Picasso as he paid a discreet Demoiselles d’Avignon’. road to Korhogo. based pigments onto canvas. bowls of colour, quickly trans- villagers some advice, they say. Picasso, proclaims Navaghi. Journalist arrested by state agents

AFP links to rebels in the Niger Delta Warri, Nigeria in the country’s southeast and threats to oil companies. He had no access to a lawyer rmed men thought to be or his family during this time, state agents arrested a according to the Committee to ANigerian journalist, pre- Protect Journalists (CPJ). viously detained for more than He was freed in August last two years, at a meeting with col- year following a campaign by leagues yesterday, witnesses and rights organisations. watchdog groups told AFP. CPJ Africa programme co-or- “Two DSS (State Security dinator Angela Quintal said: “We Service) vehicles stormed the are deeply worried that he has offi ce” of the Bayelsa Federated once again been arrested and that Newspaper Publishers’ Asso- his whereabouts are not known. ciation in Yenagoa in Nigeria’s “We call on federal and state southern Bayelsa state around authorities in Nigeria to disclose lunchtime, as Jones Abiri was in where Abiri is being detained and a meeting with six colleagues, the reasons for his arrest, and urge A Congolese policeman stands watch outside a Mavivi neighbourhood polling station in Beni yesterday during partial parliamentary elections held in parts of the country. the association’s secretary gen- that they ensure that his rights are eral Eric Eweke told AFP. not violated yet again and that due They “threatened that if tries process is respected.” to run, they would shoot at him,” Abiri is the editor and pub- said Eweke. lisher of the Weekly Source Another witness, who agreed newspaper. to speak on condition of ano- Amnesty International also nymity, said: “The men jumped expressed concern over the ar- out of the vehicles in a gestapo rest “by armed men suspected to DRC towns vote in polls fashion while he (Abiri) was chat- be DSS operatives”. ting with his friends and shouted “The humiliating manner of at him that he was under arrest. his arrest is unacceptable,” it “While he was demanding to added. know his off ence, he was force- Reporters Without Borders fully pushed into a waiting vehi- places Nigeria in 119th place out cle at gunpoint.” of 180 on its World Press Free- delayed by confl ict, Ebola DSS spokesman Peter Afu- dom Index. nanya told local press “I don’t It says journalists “are often Agencies armed militias, according to will continue to hold sway in the One of Tele 50’s main share- on February 24 by unknown at- have any information” on the threatened, subjected to physi- Beni, DR Congo an AFP correspondent on the nation’s politics, if many top holders in Moise Ekanga, a close tackers, forcing staff to evacuate incident. cal violence, or denied access to ground. cabinet posts are fi lled by his ally of Kabila. patients. Abiri was previously detained information by government offi - At stake are 15 seats in DR supporters. In Beni, voter Patrick Kasun- It re-opened on Saturday, the by intelligence offi cers for two cials, police, and sometimes the oters in Beni and Butem- Congo’s lower house of parlia- A Congolese television ex- ga said “we’re not altogether ministry said in a statement. years without trial over alleged public itself.” bo, towns in northeast- ment, which counts 500 law- ecutive with links to Kabila, on happy” in the three towns vot- “For now it is managed by Vern Democratic Republic makers. Saturday accused the new au- ing yesterday since they “all the ministry in collaboration of Congo ravaged by confl ict But they are not eligible to thorities of censorship, after wanted to vote for president but with the World Health Organi- Three civilians killed in Burkina attack and an Ebola epidemic, took vote in the presidential election, his channel’s signal was cut in the (electoral commission) stole sation (WHO) and Unicef,” it part in long-delayed elections three months after veteran op- Kinshasa. this choice from us.” said. Three civilians were killed in a This is the first attack in the yesterday. position leader Felix Tshisekedi “Since (Saturday) morn- Yesterday’s polling follows an Aid workers have faced mis- militant attack on Saturday in violence-ridden country to claim Parliamentary and munici- won that election, the country’s ing the analogue signal of Tele uptick in cases of Ebola in re- trust in some areas as they seek Yendere in western Burkina Faso, lives so near the border with pal polls also took place in the fi rst peaceful transfer of power 50 has been cut with no reason cent days after a lull of several to contain the Ebola outbreak, near the border with Ivory Coast, Ivory Coast. western Yumbi region some since independence from Bel- given to us,” the station’s direc- weeks. which has become the most security sources said. Two civilians were injured in the 300kmnorth of the capital gium in 1960. tor general Jean-Marie Kasam- The epidemic, which broke severe in Congo’s history. The The town was attacked “by a attack, according to a diff erent Kinshasa, three months after Nor will the vote will have any ba told AFP. out in August, has so far killed WHO has said the distrust is group of armed individuals,” security source. a massacre claimed at least 535 impact on the balance of power “I appeal to the defenders of more than 650 people. fuelled by false rumours about two of whom were killed by Yendere was the target of a civilian lives. in parliament, where the party press freedoms to get Tele 50’s Meanwhile, an Ebola treat- treatments and preference for authorities, a source told AFP. similar attack earlier this month, All three are opposition of former president Joseph Ka- rights restored without delay,” ment centre located at the epi- traditional medicine. “Three civilians, all passengers in which claimed no victims. strongholds in the vast cen- bila won a commanding major- he added. centre of the current outbreak Another MSF centre in a public transport vehicle, were On Thursday, four Burkina Faso tral African country, with a ity of seats. A Congolese media ministry has resumed operations after Butembo was also attacked in killed,” said the source, describing paramilitary police members combined electorate of around Tshisekedi’s party is working offi cial, speaking to AFP, reject- it was attacked last month, the late February but reopened a the assailants as “terrorists”. died in an attack on a base near 1mn. to put together a coalition gov- ed any suggestion of a political country’s health ministry said week later. “Two assailants were killed by the border with Mali, a region Voting was proceeding ernment with Kabila’s. motive, citing an international on Saturday. MSF has pulled out from security forces in response. that sees frequent attacks by smoothly in the Mavivi and The formation of the new obligation to gradually switch The centre run by Medecins the area since the two attacks There were no victims among the extremists, security sources Ngadi districts of Beni that have government is being closely from analogue to digital chan- Sans Frontieres (MSF) in the and has not said when it might security forces.” said. seen frequent unrest involving watched for signs that Kabila nels. district of Katwa was set on fi re resume medical activities. In Rwanda, the long, slow journey to forgiveness

AFP ghum and sweet potatoes outside arrival of the teams of machete- forced to join - found him there. But Shyirahwamaboko, at in the village were still treat- Gakwenzire slowly found Mutete, Rwanda the small town of Mutete, 40km wielding men, members of a mi- Shyirahwamaboko said he at fi rst, refused to confess his ing his wife Rose with respect, space in his heart to accept that north of Rwanda’s capital Kigali. litia gang from the Hutu major- fi rst tried to protect his friend’s crimes, so he was handed a much despite the crimes he had com- his old friend was truly sorry for “I hurt him so much, but he ity known as the “Interahamwe”. father. harsher sentence. mitted. what he had done. heir embrace is long and forgave me,” says Shyirahwam- They came to hunt down and But the militia gave him a stark “It was hard,” he said, adding In the end, he summoned the “I did not feel able to speak warm. aboko, 68. kill Tutsi people they called choice, he said, either he give up that he envied those who came courage and asked for forgive- or share anything with those T Pascal Shyirahwam- “Now he is my best friend.” “cockroaches.” the man to be killed, or be killed forward immediately to confess ness from his old classmate. responsible for what had hap- aboko and Jean-Bosco Gakwen- Twenty-fi ve years ago this “They went to each and every himself. what they had done. When he was released from pened,” Gakwenzire said. zire have known each other since April, the town of Mutete was house that they knew had Tut- “I saved myself,” he said qui- “I was confused. How could I prison, he came to meet Gak- “But with time, with prayer, they were in school together, the scene of unimaginable vio- sis,” Gakwenzire said wearily, his etly, and later he took part in the explain to people that I had killed wenzire face-to-face. little by little, we began to for- well over half a century ago. lence, when neighbour turned eyes fi lled with sadness as he re- killing of several others. someone who was innocent?” “It was an unspeakable give, to speak of forgiveness and It was a hard-won hug after a on neighbour. members the traumatic events. After the genocide, Shyi- For a long time, he did not be- shame,” Shyirahwamaboko said. to teach it.” long path to forgiveness. More than a thousand resi- “They were cutting them with rahwamaboko was arrested and lieve he could ever be forgiven. “It was very shameful to stand After the genocide, Gakwen- In 1994, Shyirahwamaboko dents of the town were massacred machetes.” put on trial in a community “At fi rst, we thought it was in front of someone you had done zire took a long time to rebuild. was part of the gang who hacked in the days following the out- Gakwenzire managed to hide court known as “Gacaca”, a spe- impossible, because we commit- so much harm when you had pre- He eventually remarried and Gakwenzire’s father to death as break of inter-ethnic violence, a from the killers. But his wife and cial system introduced to deal ted acts worthy of wild animals,” viously shared everything.” has had fi ve more children. Rwanda spiralled into the hor- genocide in which over 800,000 four of his six children were dis- with the overwhelming number Shyirahwamaboko added, but Confessing in public helped “I forgave many people, who rifi c violence of genocide. mostly Tutsi people were slaugh- covered by the gangs. of people who had to face justice. after a long introspection “we reset their relationship. are all my neighbours. I know Today the two men chat with tered between April to July 1994, They were all massacred. As a means of promoting rec- came to understand that it could “I do not know if it is because that those who are dead will nev- brotherly smiles after prayers in according to the UN. His father fl ed to the for- onciliation, many who confessed not continue as it was.” I have become wiser with age, er come back, that what we have their local church. Gakwenzire, a slender est with his cattle but an Inte- to even the most terrible crimes Things changed. but the reality is that I feel better lost will never come back. But it Both are elderly farmers, who 65-year-old dressed in an or- rahamwe gang - which Shyi- were condemned only to carry While Shyirahwamaboko was than before,” said Shyirahwam- allowed me to go forward, not to till the lush fi elds of cassava, sor- ange cowboy hat, remembers the rahwamboko said he had been out simple public works. inside jail, he heard that people aboko. go back down”. Gulf Times 12 Monday, April 1, 2019 AMERICAS

MOO-VING ALONG INVESTIGATION POLITICS SHOW OF SUPPORT FRACAS Murdered student thought Biden bids to quell storm Trump steps up for trooper Man hospitalised after car was Uber ride: police over campaign trail kiss charged with war crimes parking lot altercation

A South Carolina man has been charged in Former vice president Joe Biden yesterday President Donald Trump has moved to intervene A 47-year-old man was hospitalised after an the murder of a University of South Carolina insisted he had never acted inappropriately in the case of a San Diego-based Navy Seal apparent altercation in the Dodger Stadium student who may have gotten into her killer’s car towards women as a growing row about a kiss charged with killing an injured Islamic State parking lot following Friday’s extra-innings Major mistakenly believing that it was her Uber ride, on the campaign trail cast a shadow over his fighter in Iraq. Trump wrote on Twitter on League Baseball game in Los Angeles, police police said. Nathaniel Rowland, 24, was charged expected run for the White House. A former Saturday that “in honor of his past service to our said over the weekend. Local media reported with the murder and kidnapping of Samantha state lawmaker last week recalled being country,” Eddie Gallagher “will soon be moved that the man suff ered a head injury when he Josephson, 21, who was last seen outside of Five “mortified” when Biden had planted a “big, slow to less restrictive confinement while he awaits fell after being punched by another man, and Points bar in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday kiss” on the back of her head on the sidelines his day in court. Process should move quickly!” the Dodgers issued a statement on Saturday morning, Columbia Police Chief William Holbrook of a rally in Nevada five years ago. “In my Gallagher is charged with multiple war crimes night saying they were cooperating with an said during a news conference on Saturday many years on the campaign trail and in public based on allegations from fellow Seals that, investigation into the incident. The Dodgers said evening. “We believe that she simply mistakenly life, not once — never — did I believe I acted during deployment in 2017, he killed a teenage that in Friday’s incident, “an altercation occurred Cows are guided through a tunnel after their got into this particular car thinking that it was an inappropriately,” Biden said on Twitter. “If it is ISIS fighter who was brought to his unit for suddenly between two men” leaving the cattle carrier collided with a cement barrier on Uber ride,” Holbrook said. “She opened the door, suggested that I did so, I will listen respectfully. medical treatment. He is accused of stabbing the stadium. “One of the men was injured as a result a highway in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. got into it and departed with the suspect driving.” But it was never my intention.” fighter in the neck. of the altercation.”

Gun control, climate: new generation takes Trump’s aides repeat to barricades in US

By Catherine Triomphe, AFP we were not seeing a lot of ac- New York tivism,” said Elizabeth Matto, a Rutgers University specialist in youthful political participation. threat to shut border n the United States, David “The teenagers we are calling Hogg is a leading campaigner Generation Z now,” she said, are Reuters White House adviser Kellyanne Con- Ifor gun control, while in Eu- showing a “real inclination to Washington way told Fox News Sunday that the situa- rope, Greta Thunberg fi ghts to engage in expressing their politi- tion at the border was at “melting point” defend the climate. cal voice.” “They are starting to and said the president was serious in his They may only be teenagers, recognise what a force they are to he Trump administration yester- threat. but both have drawn worldwide be reckoned with...a generation day doubled down on its threat to “It certainly is not a bluff . You can take followings for their clear mes- that wants to make things better Tshut down the southern border the president seriously.” sages and fi erce commitment — and who does not really see their with Mexico, a day after it cut aid to Cen- Neither Trump aide off ered any spe- symbols of a generation of sur- age as a barrier.” tral American countries which President cifi c details or timeline for the potential prising militancy. As proof she cited the involve- Donald Trump accused of deliberately border shutdown. Hogg, who is 18, is a leader of ment of Americans aged 18 to sending migrants to the United States. At a rally on Saturday at the border in the March for Our Lives move- 29 in last November’s US con- Faced with a surge of asylum seekers El Paso, Texas, Democratic presiden- ment, launched by students gressional election: some 31% of from Central American countries who tial hopeful Beto O’Rourke denounced from his high school in Parkland, them voted, the highest rate in travel through Mexico, Trump said on Trump’s immigration policies as the poli- Florida, where a heavily-armed 25 years, according to Tufts Uni- Friday there was a “good likelihood” he tics of “fear and division.” gunman massacred 17 people on versity’s Center for Information would close the border this coming week if Trump has repeatedly said he would February 14, 2018. and Research on Civic Learning Mexico does not stop unauthorised immi- close the US border with Mexico during The movement, pushing for & Engagement (CIRCLE). grants from reaching the United States. He his two years in offi ce. stricter gun control legislation, More educated than older also accused, without providing evidence, His latest threat had workers and stu- has mobilized hundreds of thou- Americans, and having grown up the nations of having “set up” migrant dents who frequently cross the border sands of young Americans. with — and become completely caravans and sending them north. worried about the potential disruption to Thunberg, a Swedish student fl uent in — the ways of social Speaking to ABC’s This Week show, their lives. who looks younger even than her media, this generation knows White House acting Chief of Staff Mick The government says it is struggling 16 years, has become the Europe- how to organise and draw atten- Mulvaney said the president had few oth- to deal with a surge in recent days of asy- an face of the fi ght against global tion, said Sam Abrams, a political er options in the absence of any support lum seekers from countries in Central warming, inspiring huge crowds science professor at Sarah Law- from Democrats for more border security America who travel through Mexico and Migrant rights protesters demonstrate against forced family separations on the US of young protesters to take to the rence College in New York. or legislative action to change the immi- on Saturday cut aid to El Salvador, Gua- Mexico border, outside police headquarters in Los Angeles on Saturday. streets, including in Germany, These young militants can gration law. temala and Honduras — a move other which had not seen such massive quickly assemble videos that are “Faced with those limitations, the Democrats warned would only worsen not solve that problem,” Senate minority Homeland Security offi cials said, which turnouts since the heady days of “almost movie-quality stuff ,” president will do everything he can. If the situation. whip Dick Durbin told NBC News’ Meet would be the highest monthly number in reunifi cation. said Abrams, who is 39. closing the ports of entry means that, “What we need to do is focus on what’s the Press. more than a decade. Thunberg has come far from “This generation knows how that’s exactly what he intends to do,” happening in Central America, where He also cast doubt on the viability of Most of those people can remain in the the days when she mounted a to do that and convey these sto- Mulvaney said. three countries are disassembling before shutting the border, describing the threat United States while their asylum claims brave but lonely protest standing ries really eff ectively.” “We need border security and we’re our eyes and people are desperately com- as “totally unrealistic.” are processed, which can take years be- on the steps of the Swedish par- Without social media, says going to do the best we can with what we ing to the United States. The president’s The month was on track for 100,000 cause of ballooning immigration court liament. She is now mentioned Hogg — who has 950,000 Twit- have,” he added. cutting off aid to these countries will border apprehensions, Department of backlogs. as a possible Nobel Peace Prize ter followers — the Parkland stu- winner for 2019. dents could still have organized Were she to win that lofty their protests “but not nearly to award, Thunberg would be the the scale that we did.” youngest laureate ever, younger But even if social media make Women in aviation even than Pakistani schoolgirl it far easier to attract attention NYC okays congestion charge, plastic bag ban Malala Yousafzai, who at 17 won or draw followers, they off er no the 2014 Nobel for her fi ght — guarantee that this young gen- Guardian News and Media away during a session that on Manhattan homes that sell even after being shot by a Taliban eration can eff ect real change, New York could spill into today, when for $25mn or higher and an in- gunman — for education rights Abrams emphasised. the spending plan for 2019- ternet sales tax. for girls and women. “The big question always is: 2020 is due to be in place. The Metropolitan Trans- Some members of this new can they sustain a movement?” rivers travelling into Most single-use plastic bags portation Authority will be generation are even more pre- “Social change,” he added, “it the busiest sections provided by supermarkets and subject to a reorganisation cocious. Consider American is slow, it takes years.” Dof Manhattan will other stores will be banned plan and other reforms Cuomo schoolgirl Alice Paul Tapper, who With college students coming be subject to a congestion statewide starting March 1, has demanded. was only 10 in 2017 when she and going — and graduating — charge starting in 2021 and 2020. Other criminal justice re- started her “Raise Your Hand” Abrams says he has seen many single-use plastic bags will Counties will have the op- forms include requiring pros- campaign to encourage girls not student movements burst onto be banned across New York tion of charging fi ve cents for ecutors and defence lawyers to let themselves be intimidated. the scene, and then lose steam state in less than a year, un- paper bags, with two cents to share all case information The movement caught fi re on and fade away. der a $175.5bn state budget going to local governments well in advance of trials, and social media, boosted by help Nineteen-year-old Zanagee agreement announced yes- and three cents to the state speeding up the time it takes from her Girl Scout troop and Artis, who last year co-founded terday by the governor, An- environmental protection for a case to go to trial. also by the celebrity of her father, the Zero Hour coalition for cli- drew Cuomo, and legislative fund. The budget agreement CNN newsman Jake Tapper. mate and environmental justice, leaders. The Manhattan tolls plan establishes a state commis- Her new book Raise Your admits that after months of in- Other agreements in the will be the fi rst of its kind in sion that will come up with Hand, published last week, brief- tensive activism, he shed most budget include the closure the US. a system for the public fi- ly ranked 12th on Amazon’s list of of his leadership responsibilities of up to three state prisons, State leaders said a review nancing of legislative and “hot new releases.” after starting his studies in polit- eliminating cash bail for mis- board will determine the toll statewide offices, with up According to several experts, ical science and the environment demeanour and nonviolent amount, exemptions and to $100m in taxpayer funds these examples illustrate a rise at Brown University. felony arrests, a permanent credits for drivers headed into authorised annually for in youthful involvement not seen “Older youths like me,” he told 2% cap on local property taxes the central business district. such a system. in years — akin, some say, to the AFP, “we are going to be more busy A handout photo provided yesterday by the Florida Keys and another $1bn for public The billions the tolls are ex- Cuomo and legislative lead- activism seen during the US civil and will have less time” for activism. News Bureau of the Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration education. pected to raise will go toward ers also agreed to allow three rights protests of the 1960s. “But I don’t have any doubt Squadron performing manoeuvres near Key West, Florida. The “I am proud to announce fi xing New York City’s ailing hours of paid time off for New If youth has always been syn- that Zero Hour will be able to performance is part of the Southernmost Air Spectacular that is that together, we got it done,” mass transit system. Yorkers to vote on election day onymous with protests, the continue,” he said. “With the being staged at Naval Air Station Key West in the Florida Keys. Cuomo said. The state budget includes and expand voting hours up- trend seemed to have gone latent rise of social media, we are able The show is themed ‘Women in Aviation’. Lawmakers planned to be- two other revenue sources for state to begin at 6am instead for years. “We went through a to connect with a lot more youths gin passing budget bills right the subways: a “mansion tax” of noon. generation or almost two when than before.” Nato celebrates 70 years, but Trump is not cause for partying

By Shaun Tandon, AFP work “to make sure that Nato is the alliance’s goal set in 2014 of on defence,” Pompeo said to Stoltenberg will meet Trump to- stepped up attacks on Nato, the “Just think how concerned Washington around for the next 70 years” and spending 2% of GDP on defence. laughter. morrow and deliver an address to alliance has long been a bane the US is with a couple of Rus- take aim at Russia over its 2014 Trump has even derisively Nato leaders will hold an an- Congress the following day. for the left, which plans to be sian planes going to Venezuela,” takeover of the Crimean penin- asked whether it is worth de- nual summit in December in Derek Chollet, who managed out in force to protest the an- he said. eventy years after it was sula from Ukraine. fending small Nato states such as London, but the 70th anniversary US defence policy on Nato under niversary. “We also want people to un- formed to counter the So- Pompeo told a congressional Montenegro. celebrations are notably low-key. former president Barack Obama, Peace groups plan marches derstand that Nato has become a Sviet Union, Russia has re- hearing last week he was hope- Pompeo said he will discuss It marks a stark contrast with said he expected Nato members around Washington and a coun- global alliance in ways that have turned to the top of the agenda ful “we will be able to announce spending and again pointed to the 50th anniversary in 1999, to present a “good news story” on ter-conference on alternatives to very little to do with the defense for Nato. another series of actions that we Germany, which plans for de- which rattled Russia and sealed the value of the alliance without Nato. of Europe,” he said. But the alliance faces another, will jointly take together to push fence spending well below 2% off Washington streets in a way the drama of a high-stakes sum- “Nato should have been retired Indeed, Trump recently pro- more unlikely problem — criti- back against what Russia is doing and declining by 2023. that locals still talk about. mit. rather than reprogrammed for posed bringing Brazil into the al- cism from the US president. there in Crimea.” “When I talk to my counter- Heads of state visited Bill Clin- “But the concern is Trump. domination in the 21st century,” liance as he welcomed the coun- The 29-nation North At- But if countering Russia is a parts, they will begin by saying, ton’s White House, new mem- There is a sort of tangerine cloud said Joseph Gerson, disarma- try’s new hard-right president, lantic Treaty Organization is familiar role for Nato, its new ‘America needs to do X and Y bers the Czech Republic, Hunga- hanging over all of this,” said ment co-ordinator of the Ameri- Jair Bolsonaro. celebrating its 70th anniver- internal dynamics are not, with because Russia poses a threat,’” ry and Poland were inducted, and Chollet, executive vice president can Friends Service Committee, And Nato has been engaged in sary with talks among for- President Donald Trump repeat- Pompeo told a forum of the con- leaders plotted the next moves at the German Marshall Fund of the Quakers’ peace advocacy or- 17 years in the war in Afghanistan eign ministers on Wednesday edly suggesting that the allies are servative National Review maga- in Nato’s bombing campaign in the United States. ganisation. — a mission unlikely to have been and Thursday in Washington, freeloaders. zine. Serbia. “They are concerned that the He said that, even if one does envisioned by Nato’s fi rst sec- where, in a Cold War redux, the The businessman-turned- “Then you ask them ‘Well, This year foreign ministers will founding member of the alliance not empathise with President retary general, Hastings Ismay, resurgent power of Russia will president, who berated allies at that’s awesome. Tell me what be speaking at The Anthem, a hip has become the most unpredict- Vladimir Putin, it should have who famously said the alliance be the chief item. a Nato summit last year at the you’re prepared to do.’ And they new music venue booked for the able, and perhaps most unreli- been expected that Russia would was designed to “keep the Rus- US Secretary of State Mike group’s Brussels headquarters, is say, ‘It’s tough. Our voters just occasion. able.” be “snapping back” in response sians out, the Americans in and Pompeo said the ministers will pressing member states to meet really don’t like to spend money Nato Secretary General Jens While the populist right has to Nato’s expansion. the Germans down.” Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 13 ASIA Thai demonstrators protest alleged cheating in election Dimuth Karunaratne AFP Demonstrators Bangkok were collecting signatures for a petition to demand hai demonstrators yes- the dismissal of Lanka test terday protested against Election Commission Talleged cheating in the members, who have junta-ruled kingdom’s fi rst conceded some captain election since a 2014 coup, a errors in tabulation week after the controversial poll but stand by the latest sowed confusion over the ballot fi gures held after results. A military-backed party and “It is the Pheu Thai party its main rival tied to a self- which won the election,” or- traffi c exiled billionaire have both ganiser and activist Anurak claimed the right to lead the Jeantawanich said. government, as inconsistent Demonstrators were collect- accident tallies released by the Election ing signatures for a petition to Commission have raised suspi- demand the dismissal of Elec- cion among voters. tion Commission members, Reuters The junta-aligned Phalang who have conceded some errors Colombo Pracharat Party clinched the in tabulation but stand by the popular vote but its rival Pheu latest fi gures. Thai – linked to former pre- Other protesters hud- ri Lanka’s test captain Di- mier Thaksin Shinawatra – has dled near Bangkok’s Victory muth Karunaratne was ar- formed a coalition claiming a Monument. Srested yesterday for drink majority of seats in the lower As of Sunday, a separate driving after an accident injured house. change.org petition calling for at least one person near the main Full results will be ratifi ed by the commission members to be hospital in capital Colombo, a May 9 but anger has mounted as sacked had garnered more than police spokesman said. the wait continues, prompting 800,000 signatures online. “He was arrested early this demonstrations at two Bangkok With parliamentary seats morning for drinking and driving landmarks. yet to be confi rmed, both sides after the vehicle driven by him A small but spirited group are engaged in a furious bout hit a three wheeler and injured its gathered near the tourist of horsetrading to convince driver,” police spokesman Ruwan hotspot Erawan Shrine holding smaller non-aligned parties to Gunasekera said. a banner that read “Cheating join them. Thai anti-junta protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Bangkok yesterday, disputing results of the country’s first general “He has been granted bail. He Election” and “People Want to But the overall math favours election since a 2014 coup. will be produced in the court to- Vote”. the junta under rules it wrote. morrow (Monday).” It featured the face of 2014 The senate or upper house parties need 376 lawmakers – Analysts are predicting a aire ex-premier Thaksin have Millennial-oriented new- Karunaratne, who has no his- coup leader Prayut Chan-O- will be made up of 250 military- more than half the seats – in deadlock scenario where Prayut won every election since 2001, comer Future Forward fi nished tory of disciplinary problems, or Cha, who is standing as the appointed members who get to the lower house to override that is leader but Pheu Thai com- but this election has seen new third in the popular vote and has his lawyer was not immediately prime ministerial candidate for cast votes for prime minister. advantage and pick their own mands a lower house majority. faces emerge in Thailand’s frac- joined the coalition with Pheu available for comments. Phalang Pracharat. That means the anti-junta candidate. Parties affi liated with billion- tious political landscape. Thai. Sri Lanka Cricket confi rmed the incident and said it will fol- low due process in determining the future course of action. “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform that a road accident Bangladesh arrests Rohingya woman killed in drugs clampdown has occurred in the early hours of Sunday between a three- wheeler and a vehicle driven by AFP incidents in Teknaf, which is hingya in August 2017 sparked Akter came from a refugee national player Dimuth Karu- owners of blaze-hit Dhaka close to refugee camps housing an exodus of 740,000 refugees camp in Teknaf. naratne,” the board said in a about 1mn Muslim Rohingya to fl ee the country and join Rights activists questioned statement. who have fl ed from Myanmar. some 300,000 refugees already the death, saying the woman’s “Dimuth is undergoing due le- angladesh security forces Teknaf is a hub for dealing in in camps in Bangladesh. name was not on a list of known gal procedures with regard to the Dhaka tower have shot dead a Ro- “yaba” – a methamphetamine- Border Guard Bangladesh drug traders kept by Bangla- incident. Bhingya woman in a bor- based stimulant that translates (BGB) said the Rohingya wom- deshi law agencies. “In the meantime, Sri Lanka AFP the burning building, in the der town known as a gateway in Thai as “crazy medicine” – an was killed during a gun- Two alleged drug traders Cricket will also follow the due Dhaka upmarket Banani commer- for smuggling meth pills from which has become popular in fi ght between security forces were killed by police in a sepa- process as per his ‘Player Con- cial district, made it to safety neighbouring Myanmar, offi - Bangladesh. and armed smugglers on the rate incident in Teknaf late Sat- tractual Obligation’ with the by sliding down cables on the cials said yesterday. More than 300 people – in- Naf river, which acts as a bor- urday. Police said 10,000 pieces organisation and conduct an in- olice in Bangladesh said side of the building, but others Rights activists said Rumana cluding nearly 20 Rohingya – der between Bangladesh and of yaba, six guns and 18 rounds quiry in order to take necessary yesterday they had ar- took their chances and jumped Akter, 20, was the fi rst Ro- have been killed in the clamp- Myanmar. of ammunition were found. action.” Prested the owners of in a bid to escape the smoke hingya woman to be killed in a down launched in May last year. BGB spokesman Shari- As part of clampdown Bang- Sri Lanka won a two-test se- an offi ce tower in Dhaka that and heat. clampdown by Bangladesh au- Impoverished Rohingya ful Islam told reporters the ladesh authorities in October ries against South Africa last caught fi re earlier this week, Six people leaped to their thorities against the narcotics refugees are used by dealers to woman’s body was found after made yaba a class-A banned month under Karunaratne’s cap- killing 26 people and renewing deaths. trade. transport the drug from My- a 15-minute gunbattle “along substance and parliament taincy to become the fi rst Asian the country’s debate over lax Firefi ghters backed by mili- She was one of three alleged anmar, offi cials say. A military with 10,000 pieces of yaba and passed a law allowing the death team to win a test series in the safety standards. tary specialists – some in heli- smugglers killed in two separate crackdown against the Ro- three sharp knives in her bag”. penalty for dealing in the drug. African nation. The latest deadly blaze to hit copters – tackled the fl ames, Bangladesh’s congested capital lowering ropes to help peo- tore through the 22-storey FR ple escape, while rescuers on Tower on Thursday, leaving some long ladders smashed through of the hundreds trapped inside windows. Call for charter reform screaming for help as horrifi ed The arrests came as a senior Maldivian court frees $6.5mn onlookers massed outside. minister called the fi re an act Police said they had de- of murder amid growing pub- tained two men, S M H I Faru- lic clamour for better building que and Tasvir Ul Islam – who safety standards. in former president’s accounts is district leader of the oppo- “Defi nitely this is murder. It sition Bangladesh Nationalist is not an accident ... Nobody AFP for political and fi nancial sup- Party (BNP) – in the capital, will escape the law,” housing Malé port as he came under interna- after fi ling charges against and public works minister Re- tional criticism over his dismal them for criminal negligence. zaul Karim told reporters on human rights record. “We arrested Faruque just Friday. Maldivian court yes- The nation of 340,000 Sunni after midnight. He is the 45% Authorities have ordered an terday ordered the au- Muslims is now heavily in debt owner of the building. He investigation into safety meas- Athorities to lift a freeze to Beijing. also owns the land on which ures at the tower. Fire offi cials on former strongman president Authorities believe millions the building was construct- said the blaze-hit building Abdulla Yameen’s bank accounts of dollars allegedly siphoned ed,” deputy commissioner lacked fi re exits and sprinklers, holding about $6.5mn but said a off by Yameen could be stashed Mashiur Rahman said. while access to its emergency money laundering case against abroad, and have said that talks Senior police offi cial Shah- staircase was padlocked. him would proceed. are underway with foreign enti- A man, centre, stands with a placard as people participate in jahan Saju said that Islam, The city’s housing author- The High Court overturned ties to repatriate any cash found. a rally calling for reforms on Myanmar’s 2008 constitution in who contested the parlia- ity later said fi ve upper fl oors in the Criminal Court’s earlier Yameen’s chief lawyer and the capital Naypyidaw yesterday. mentary election in December the building were illegally add- decision to freeze the eight ac- Former president Abdulla Yameen former justice minister Azima and lost, was arrested at 11pm ed without offi cial permission. counts over allegations that Shakoor is also facing charges of (1700 GMT) on Saturday over According to a 2012 study Yameen had received illicit pay- The move came ahead of April embezzlement and helping her allegations he owns part of the by Bangladesh University of ments just before he lost his re- 6 parliamentary elections con- boss to launder money. FR building – which authori- Engineering and Technology, election bid in September. tested by his Progressive Party The Maldives was on the verge ties have said was extended most high-rise buildings in Yameen, who came to power of Maldives. of being slapped with Western- illegally and lacked adequate 15mn-strong Dhaka have in- in 2013 and jailed many of his Since Yameen’s shock elec- led sanctions before opposition Sherpa eyes Everest fi re safety measures. adequate fi re safety measures. opponents or forced them into tion defeat, all dissidents have leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Police said they were also Experts said inspections of exile, was arrested last month on returned to the Indian Ocean won an unexpected landslide in looking for the owner of the buildings in the city frequent- a charge of trying to bribe wit- archipelago and most have had last year’s election, campaigning summit to break construction fi rm which built ly found fi re stairs blocked nesses in his money laundering their convictions overturned. on a pledge to end corruption in the tower in the 1990s. with stored goods and exit trial, but was released from cus- During his fi ve-year tenure, the country otherwise known Some of those stuck inside doors locked. tody on Thursday. Yameen relied heavily on China for its luxury tourism. his own record

DPA brings me recognition,” he told Kathmandu reporters in Kathmandu. The 49-year-old will guide around 40 climbers from the Health offi cials fear resurgence of leprosy in Nepal renowned Nepali Sher- US, Japan, India and China this pa guide announced season, which runs between IANS status could be lost if prevalence of Health Services said that the “It will take only a couple of years rosy, which should be held every Ayesterday that he will April and May. Kathmandu rate reaches 1% of total popula- prevalence rate was 0.92% and to reach one percent if this upward four months, has not been held leave for a record-breaking He is leaving for Lukla, the tion, Kathmandu Post reported. 0.89% in 2017 and 2016, respec- trend continues,” he added. for the last eight months. 23rd expedition to the top of gateway to Everest, in one week Experts already fear that this tively, the news report said. The prevalence rate is over 1% Kathmandu Post quoted Bibek the world’s highest mountain and plans to reach the top of ealth offi cials in Nepal marks the resurgence of the disease “It will be a great setback for in various districts of the Tarai re- Kumar Lal, director at EDCD, in a week’s time. Everest in the last week of May. fear leprosy resurgence in Nepal. The percentage could be the country if it loses the status,” gion, Baskota said, adding that the as saying that there is a severe Kami Rita Sherpa, who has Every year, hundreds of Hin the country with more, an offi cial said, as the cur- said Rabindra Baskota, a doctor country had received the leprosy crunch in manpower that hin- guided expeditions on Everest climbers attempt to scale Ever- prevalence rate reaching 0.94% rent given fi gures have been de- and chief of the LCD section. eliminated status, after reducing its ders proper functioning. for over two decades, success- est during the spring climbing in 2018. rived just from preliminary data. Incubation period of leprosy prevalence rate by 0.77%, in 2009. There are only three staff fully climbed the mountain for a season. Leprosy-free status was given The Leprosy Control and Dis- varies from one to 20 years and Sishir Silwal, a focal person working in the leprosy section record 22 times in May last year. More than 5,000 people have to the Himalayan nation after ability (LCD) section of Epide- diagnosis of more patients could for the leprosy control pro- and the same team looks after “Guiding foreign climbers summited the 8,848m peak it declared elimination of the miology and Disease Control help stop the further spread of gramme in Gulmi district, said the disability programme, as up Everest is my job. That’s that straddles the border of disease in 2009. However, that Division (EDCD) of Department the disease, according to him. regular review meetings for lep- well, he told the newspaper. what I do for a living. But it also Nepal and China. Gulf Times 14 Monday, April 1, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Taiwan blasts China for ‘reckless’ fi ghter jet incursion

AFP broadcast warnings after two condemn China for such behav- nese jets had crossed the line was guard ship through the Taiwan arms supplier. Earlier this month perate need of an upgrade. China Taipei J-11 fi ghter jets crossed over the iour,” the ministry added. in 2011. Strait, angering Beijing. Al- Taiwan said it had made a formal has signifi cantly stepped up dip- “median line” within the waters China has ramped up the That incident was portrayed though the straits are an interna- request to the US for new fi ghter lomatic and military pressure on that separate the island from the number of fi ghter and warship by both sides as an inadvertent tional waterway China often hits jets. Since 2002, the US has re- Taiwan since the Beijing-sceptic aipei hit out at China yes- mainland. crossings near Taiwan or through mistake by two jets responding to out when US or other western peatedly denied such requests, President Tsai Ing-wen took of- terday for what it said was “At 11am, March 31, 2 PLAAF the straits in recent years, rattling a nearby US spy plane. But yes- navy ships pass through them. fearing a possible backlash from fi ce in 2016, including staging a Ta “reckless and provoca- J-11 jets violated the long-held nerves on the island at a time terday Taipei described the latest Beijing sees Taiwan as part of Beijing. series of military exercises near tive” incursion by two fi ghter jets tacit agreement by crossing the when relations are at a low point. incursion as a deliberate act. its territory awaiting unifi cation, But in that time China has the island. across a largely respected line median line of the Taiwan Strait,” But it is highly unusual for Presidential Offi ce spokesman even though the two sides have massively increased spending She will be fi ghting for re- dividing the two sides in the Tai- the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs them to cross the so-called me- Alex Huang called the fl ights been ruled separately since the on its armed forces, including election in January 2020. Last wan Strait. said on Twitter. dian line, a widely agreed upon “provocative and damaging the end of a civil war in 1949. Wash- highly advanced fi fth-generation week Tsai made a brief stop The Defence Ministry said “It was an intentional, reckless boundary that passes through cross-straits status quo”. The ington diplomatically recognises jet fi ghters. That has left Taiwan in Hawaii to deliver a speech, Taiwan scrambled its own air- and provocative action. We’ve the middle of the straits. Taiwan- fl ights come a week after the US China over Taiwan but remains with an ageing airforce that ana- prompting China to lodge an of- craft yesterday morning and informed regional partners and ese media said the last time Chi- sailed a destroyer and a coast- the island’s chief military ally and lysts say is outgunned and in des- fi cial protest with Washington. Proposed extradition law changes in Hong Kong spark protests

Reuters Hong Kong

housands of people pro- Critics fear any extradition agreement could leave both business figures and dissidents in Hong Kong tested in Hong Kong yes- vulnerable to China’s politicised courts, fatally undermining a business hub that has thrived off its Tterday against a govern- reputation for a transparent and independent judiciary. ment plan to change extradition laws, fearing an erosion of per- the guarantee that it would enjoy sonal freedom and the city’s sta- a high degree of autonomy and tus as an international business freedoms not allowed in main- hub. land China, there has been no The Hong Kong government formal mechanism for the sur- proposal, announced in Febru- render of fugitives to mainland ary, would grant the city’s leader China. executive power to send fugitives Hong Kong’s Secretary for Se- to jurisdictions not covered by curity, John Lee, told reporters existing arrangements, including last week the government had no Mainland China and Taiwan. plans to scrap the bill. “It is not an Protest organisers said 12,000 easy decision, but it is a cautious, people took the streets yesterday, careful, and serious decision,” he while police estimated the crowd said, adding that the Hong Kong at 5,200 at its peak. government “has the sole right to “Hong Kong people all have to decide whether or not to process bear the negative consequence (extradition requests).” of this ordinance. This carries Hong Kong’s business com- Protesters march along a street during a rally in Hong Kong to the risk of personal freedom be- munity has expressed concern protest against the government’s plans to approve extraditions with ing restricted,” Lam Wing-kee, Protesters at a rally in Hong Kong. over the inclusion of economic mainland China, Taiwan and Macau. a bookseller who said in 2016 he and fi nancial crimes in the bill. was detained by Chinese agents, strongly opposed by some law- “We are gravely concerned Rights Watch and Hong Kong The government later removed Hong Kong’s level of “protec- proposed arrangements will re- told the crowd. makers, legal and rights groups that anyone extradited to Chi- Human Rights Monitor wrote nine types of crime relevant to tions for the legitimate rights duce the appeal of Hong Kong to The government said last week who fear that it could be exploit- na will be at risk of torture and in an open letter to Carrie Lam, bankruptcies, fi nancial trading of defendants,” the American international companies consid- it will present the amendments ed by Beijing’s Communist Party other ill-treatment and other the city’s leader, yesterday. Since and intellectual property. But Chamber of Commerce in Hong ering Hong Kong as a base for re- to legislators on Wednesday. leaders and hurt Hong Kong’s ju- grave human rights violations,” Hong Kong reverted from Brit- there is still a risk of rendition Kong said. gional operations,” the chamber The planned changes have been dicial independence. Amnesty International, Human ish to Chinese rule in 1997 with to jurisdictions that do not share “We strongly believe that the said in a statement on Friday.

New Zealand PM Ardern in China Seven die in China for state visit N Korea calls Madrid embassy New Zealand Prime Minister plant explosion Jacinda Ardern touched down in Beijing ahead of a day of meetings with Chinese Reuters on its offi cial Weibo account. leaders. Ardern will meet raid a ‘grave terrorist attack’ Beijing “The cause of the incident is President Xi Jinping and being investigated,” it said of Prime Minister Li Keqiang the blast that killed seven peo- amid growing concerns AFP armed group assaulted the DPRK defect, which he refused to do. after more than a month, said plant explosion in Chi- ple and injured fi ve others, one about tensions between Seoul Embassy in Spain,” a spokesman Speculation over the identity Thae Yong Ho, a former North na’s Jiangsu province of whom was severely hurt. New Zealand and China. for the foreign ministry said in a and motive of the assailants has Korean diplomat who defected Ahas killed seven peo- Plant owner Kunshan Waff er New Zealand is still deciding statement carried by the offi cial swirled in the media since the in 2016. ple, authorities said yesterday, Technology Corp Ltd, a Tai- whether to allow telecom orth Korea yesterday de- KCNA news agency, using the murky raid, with some suggest- “The fact that North Korea’s the second deadly blast in the wan-based maker of magne- operator Spark to work with scribed the February raid acronym for the North’s offi cial ing links to the US Central Intel- reaction comes 37 days after the province this month as Beijing sium alloy injection moulding China’s Huawei for its 5G Non its embassy in Madrid name. ligence Agency and FBI. incident shows it put a lot of begins a nationwide industrial products and aluminium alloy update, after the country’s by a dissident group as a “grave “We are following the rumours Hours after the court state- consideration into the offi cial safety inspection campaign. die castings, was not immedi- security bureau raised terrorist attack” and urged an in- of all hues now in the air that FBI ment, the Cheollima Civil De- statement,” Thae wrote on his Yesterday’s blast involved a ately available for comment. national security concerns in vestigation into the perpetrators. of the United States and the small fense (CCD) — a dissident group website. container of scrap metal that The company was fi ned last November. A group of armed men burst into fry of anti-DPRK ‘body’ were in- believed to include high-pro- He added that the North was exploded in the outdoor yard May by the Kunshan environ- Ardern’s long-planned visit Pyongyang’s Spanish embassy volved in the terror incident,” it fi le North Korean defectors — pressuring Spanish authorities to of a metal-moulding plant in a mental protection bureau for was shortened following last month and roughed up em- added. “We expect that the au- claimed responsibility for the confi rm the identity of the group bonded area in the city of Kun- violating water pollution rules, the Christchurch attacks on ployees before fl eeing with docu- thorities concerned in Spain ... raid. responsible for the raid. The CCD shan, causing the plant to catch according to state-owned two mosques that killed 50 ments and computers. carry out an investigation into It said the raid had no links to — which off ers to assist people fi re, the local government said newspaper the Beijing News. people. The incident came just days the incident to the last in a re- the Hanoi summit — which end- attempting to defect from North before a high-stakes nuclear sponsible manner.” ed abruptly with no agreement Korea — emerged in 2017 when it summit in Hanoi between North An investigation into the raid —and that no other governments posted an online video of the son Korean leader Kim Jong-un and is already underway in Madrid. were involved until after the of the North Korean leader’s as- US President Donald Trump that Last week, a Spanish court event. sassinated brother, saying it had Designs of the times ultimately failed to reach an ac- named Mexican national Adrian “The organisation shared cer- guaranteed his safety. cord. Hong Chang as leader of the tain information of enormous Last month the group declared In its fi rst offi cial comment on group who contacted “the FBI potential value with the FBI in itself a government-in-exile for the raid, North Korea suggested in New York fi ve days after the the United States, under mutu- the North called “Free Joseon”, the possible involvement of the assault” with information re- ally agreed terms of confi dential- using an old name for Korea. US Federal Bureau of Investiga- lated to the incident in the em- ity,” the CCD said in a statement The CCD has identifi ed itself as tion and called on Spanish au- bassy. According to investigat- posted on its website last week. a group of defectors around the thorities to bring the “terrorists ing judge Jose de la Mata, two of Reports of the alleged ties world but it is still unclear who is and their wire-pullers to justice”. the assailants took the embassy’s between the intruders and the behind the shadowy organisation “A grave terrorist attack oc- commercial attache to an under- FBI appeared to have prompted — although some speculate it has curred on February 22, where an ground room and urged him to Pyongyang to break its silence links to South Korea’s spy agency.

Christchurch attacker lodges complaint on prison conditions

The suspected Australian white Auckland prison. A Corrections The suspect is held in Auckland’s appearance one day after the supremacist who opened fire on spokesperson did neither deny Paremoremo Prison on the North attack he was charged with one worshippers in two mosques in nor confirm the claim but told Island, the country’s only high count of murder but further Christchurch earlier this month, DPA yesterday he was “managed security unit after he was flown charges are expected to be added killing 50 people, has reportedly in accordance with the provisions there from Christchurch by the at his next appearance. lodged a complaint over prison set out in the Corrections Act New Zealand Defence Force. The Police have not yet confirmed conditions. According to New 2004 and our international 28-year-old was remanded in if he would face any terrorism- Zealand media reports, the obligations for the treatment of custody and is set to reappear at related charges. 28-year-old has lodged a formal prisoners.” “At this time he has the High Court in Christchurch There are concerns that he will complaint about his rights in no access to television, radio or on April 5. It is likely that he will use his trial as a platform to prison. A Corrections source newspapers and no approved remain in Auckland and will broadcast his white supremacist told the news website Stuff that visitors,” the spokesperson added. appear in court via audio-visual beliefs, in a manner similar to Models display creations from the “Heaven Gaia” collection by Xiong Ying during the China the prisoner complained he was “For operational security reasons link. He has rejected a duty lawyer Anders Breivik, the Norwegian Fashion Week in Beijing yesterday. being denied access to visitors no further information will be and said he would represent right-wing terrorist who murdered and phone calls from his cell in an provided.” himself in court. At his first court 77 people in 2011. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 15 BRITAIN

Anglicans pray for divine guidance as May under pressure Brexit continues to confound people

With Britain’s political world in the Christian tradition”. “Those chaos over Brexit, Christians British values of care for the to forge a softer deal across the country this weekend underdog, care for the stranger, took part in special prayer ses- tolerance.” By Kylie MacLellan and Brexit options, there was specu- sions hoping for some divine help As the floor was opened to Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters lation that an election could be in healing bitter Brexit divisions. parishioners, one woman called London called, though such a vote would “It doesn’t matter whether for help in being “patient”, some- be unpredictable and it is unclear you voted leave or remain, thing she was struggling with in who would lead the Conserva- we’re still one humanity, one the inescapable and ever-growing ritain’s exit from the Euro- tives into it. nation,” Stephen Cottrell, Bishop crisis. pean Union was in disarray The Sunday Times said May’s of Chelmsford, told AFP after Another echoed the bishop’s Bafter the implosion of Prime media chief, Robbie Gibb, and imploring his congregation to call for a return to “traditional Minister Theresa May’s Brexit her political aide Stephen Par- heal the rift. values”, although the definition strategy left her under pressure kinson were pushing for an elec- The Church of England has pro- of what those values are is one from rival factions to leave with- tion against the will of her chief moted the initiative as “tea and of many debates swirling around out a deal, go for an election or enforcer in parliament, Julian prayer drop-ins” — combining two Brexit, highlighting the challenges forge a much softer divorce. Smith. of its most well-known sources of in uniting the country around a After one of the most tumul- The Conservative Party’s dep- comfort. common message. tuous weeks in British politics uty chair, James Cleverly, said it Despite a sharp decline in “It’s going to be a long process, since the 2016 referendum, it was was not planning for an election. church attendance, Cottrell be- there’s no easy solution to unity,” still uncertain how, when or even But the deputy leader of the lieves faith still has the power to said Sadler’s husband Stuart, 66. if the United Kingdom will ever opposition Labour Party, Tom unite the country after Brexit. Three years from a hugely leave the bloc it fi rst joined 46 Watson, said his party was on “It’s no good the church stand- divisive referendum over Britain’s years ago. election footing. ing on the sidelines, waving our EU membership in which the A third defeat of May’s divorce Labour’s foreign aff airs hands saying ‘why doesn’t every- Leave vote won by 52%, Anglican deal, after her pledge to quit if it spokeswoman, Emily Thornber- body just love each other’, what leaders have called for communi- was passed, left one of the weak- ry, said it could try to call a vote we’ve got to do is show what that ties across the country “to join est leaders in a generation grap- of no confi dence in May’s gov- love looks like in action,” he said. together in conversation and pling with a perilous crisis over ernment. Worshipper Angela Sadler, 65, prayer”. Brexit, the United Kingdom’s “We don’t know if she is going said the church needed to play a The result in Chelmsford was most signifi cant move since to remain prime minister, if we are larger role in helping resolve the about the same as the national World War II. Prime Minister Theresa May leaves with her husband Philip after attending a church service, near her going to get somebody else, who broader issues surrounding the average, with Leave winning by Parliament will vote today on Maidenhead constituency, west of London. that other person is going to be — crisis. 52.8%. diff erent Brexit options and then it is a mess,” Thornberry said. “It’s quite diff icult for the Angela Stuart said she felt May could try one last roll of the is considering what may happen forced May to ask the bloc for a Parliament is due to vote at Opponents of Brexit fear it will church because the church needs “compelled” to come to the serv- dice by bringing her deal back to but I don’t think any decisions delay. around 1900 GMT today on a make Britain poorer and divide to be seen as a non-political body, ice, “to stand amongst others that a vote in parliament as soon as have been made,” he told BBC TV. Currently, Brexit is due to take range of alternative Brexit op- the West as it grapples with both which is correct, but I also think... believe the same”. tomorrow. Many in May’s party, though, place at 2200 GMT on April 12 tions selected by Speaker John the unconventional US presiden- we need to see more of God’s “We are a great nation and we “There are no ideal choices have lost patience. unless May comes up with an- Bercow from nine proposals put cy of Donald Trump and growing love,” she said. do need the Lord in this nation, available and there are very good The Sun newspaper reported other option. forward by lawmakers, including assertiveness from Russia and As sunlight flooded through and prayer is so important in arguments against any possible that 170 of her 314 Conservative The labyrinthine Brexit crisis a no-deal exit, preventing a no- China. the ornate stained glass windows bringing that forward,” she said. outcome at the moment but we lawmakers had sent her a letter has left the United Kingdom di- deal exit, a customs union, or a Supporters of Brexit say while of Chelmsford Cathedral, Cottrell A recent survey found that are going to have to do some- demanding that Brexit take place vided: supporters of both Brexit second referendum. the divorce might bring some told the group of around 20 around four in 10 British adults thing,” said Justice Secretary in the next few months — deal or and EU membership marched “We are clearly going to have to short-term instability, in the worshippers that the values of have been left feeling powerless, David Gauke, who voted in the no deal. through London last week. consider very carefully the will of longer term it will allow the Unit- the church could be expressed angry or worried by Brexit, expos- 2016 referendum to stay in the EU. The United Kingdom was due Many on both sides feel be- parliament,” Gauke said. ed Kingdom to thrive if cut free through a return to “British ing the mental toll being taken on “The prime minister is refl ect- to leave the EU on March 29 but trayed by a political elite that has With no majority yet in the from what they cast as a doomed values” that were “rooted in citizens. ing on what the options are, and the political deadlock in London failed to show leadership. House of Commons for any of the attempt in European unity.

Police get more powers to tackle knife crime Meghan to shun London hospital

By Matthew Taylor 4 ‘random’ stabbings linked ple, and most stops found no wrongdoing. famed for royal births: Sun Guardian News and Media Stop and search has been linked by aca- The victims of a spate of stabbings in north demics and some in policing to outbreaks of London may have been targeted at random disorder, while others have linked its use to a Reuters olice in England and Wales are being because they were “alone and vulnerable”, drop in crime. Section 60 is often enforced af- London given more power to stop and search police have said. ter an incident of serious violence when police Ppeople without “reasonable suspi- Four people were attacked in the Ed- anticipate reprisals, or at major public events. cion” in an attempt to tackle knife crime. monton area between 7.02pm on Saturday The power was deployed at last year’s eghan Markle has broken a four-decade tradition The home secretary, Sajid Javid, has an- and 9.43am yesterday, and two remain in a Notting Hill Carnival, and during an opera- by shunning the London hospital where many royal nounced he is making it easier for offi cers critical condition. tion outside Stratford station in east Lon- Mbabies, including her husband Britain’s Prince Har- to impose a section 60 order, which allows Police believe a male suspect, who may don last year. ry, were born, The Sun newspaper has reported. Meghan and them to search anyone in an area if serious have mental health problems, was acting In 2017-18, police in England and Wales Harry, who married last year, are expecting their fi rst child violence is anticipated. alone. carried out 2,501 stops and searches under this spring. Critics argue that stop and search powers Acting DCI Stuart Smillie from the Metro- section 60, up from 631 in the previous year. But the former actress has opted not to give birth at the are frequently misused, disproportionately politan police said: “Police are treating the Overall, police stop and search activity Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, favoured by British roy- targeting non-white people, undermining four stabbing-related incidents as potentially has fallen sharply in recent years. alty since 1977, the newspaper said, citing an unidentifi ed community relations and ultimately inef- linked. The four victims are all from diff er- Theresa May, when home secretary, source. fective at reducing crime. ent backgrounds and appear to have been warned police about the damage such dis- Princess Diana gave birth to Harry at St Mary’s in 1984 and However, Javid defended the move, say- selected at random due to them being alone proportionality caused and pressed for Kate, the wife of Harry’s elder brother William, gave birth to ing: “The police are on the front line in the and vulnerable. There is nothing to suggest change, resulting in a drop in the overall level. all three of her children, George, Charlotte and Louis, there. battle against serious violence and it’s vital this incident is terror-related.” May, who will host a summit on serious Meghan, 37, has opted for a maternity hospital closer to we give them the right tools to do their jobs.” youth violence today, said stop and search their new home in the ancient town of Windsor, The Sun said He said stop and search was a “hugely ef- was an “important tool” in the fi ght against under the headline “Meghan snubs Kate & Di hospital.” fective power when it comes to disrupting by police, marked the fourth consecutive knife crime. “The child will not be born at the Lindo,” the newspaper crime, taking weapons off our streets and annual rise in the number of homicides fol- “These changes will support police offi c- quoted the source as saying. “She and Harry have decided keeping us safe”. lowing a long-term decline. ers tackling serious violence in the worst af- that rather than go somewhere as public as the Lindo, they “That’s why we are making it simpler for According to analysis by the Guardian, the fected areas,” she said in a statement. will allow Meghan to recover somewhere more private,” the police in areas particularly aff ected by seri- Metropolitan police had already increased its “Stop and search powers are an impor- source was quoted as saying. ous violence to use section 60 and increas- use of stop and search last year, with a 19% tant tool in the fi ght against knife crime, Kensington Palace could not be immediately reached for ing the number of offi cers who can author- rise in searches carried out among London’s and we will continue to drive tough law en- comment on the report. The child will be seventh in line to ise the power.” minority black population, which was tar- forcement to protect the public. As a whole the British throne, though the birth is set to grab headlines Between March 2017 and 2018, 285 kill- geted more than the white population. society, we also need to take a hard look at across the globe. There has long been fascination with the ings were carried out with a knife or sharp The research also revealed that searches the root causes of these crimes so we can in- British royal family, particularly in the United States, and instrument, the highest since Home Offi ce of black people were less likely to detect tervene earlier and stop young people from William, Kate, Harry and Meghan are regularly greeted by records began in 1946. The rates, recorded crime than those conducted on white peo- being drawn into violence in the fi rst place.” large crowds and feted like fi lm stars. Meghan ... storm in a teacup First piano to Australia comes home after 231 years

By Steven Morris “Australians are an intensely musi- suff ered splits and cracking on its way that piano, it came out with the First Guardian News and Media cal people. If we can recreate its voice it out. Fleet.” may enable us to touch our past iden- “One day on the voyage it was so It was, indeed, found to be the First tity, to have a greater understanding hot they couldn’t sit on the deck, next Fleet piano and was sold on to a collec- piano that sailed to Australia of what that might mean, to discover day there was snow, ice, rain. The hu- tor called Stewart Symonds, who do- with the fi rst British settlers has when, how, why we’ve changed.” midity levels were shooting up and nated it, along with 141 other pianos, to Abeen returned to home soil 231 Over the next nine or 10 months, down. When the piano hit the colony the Western Australian Academy of Per- years on, to be painstakingly restored in Lucy Coad, one of the world’s foremost (in January 1788) it was a Sydney sum- forming Arts at Edith Cowan University a workshop near Bath. piano restorers, will strip the instru- mer — 104F (40C), humid with thun- in Perth, where Lancaster teaches. Dubbed the First Fleet piano, the ment down, replace lost parts and lov- derstorms. It was housed in an offi cer’s The project is not just about restor- mahogany instrument has survived ingly put it back together. tent with a dirt fl oor. This piano must ing the First Fleet piano. (just about) the ravages of the ocean Giving it back its voice, which Coad have wondered what hit it.” It also highlights a critical lack of ex- voyage, searing heat once it arrived, says is likely to be more “nasal” than a In Australia, Worgan gave piano pert piano restorers like Coad. not to mention the attention of modern piano, involves making sure lessons to a settler called Elizabeth The piano had to be fl own to the UK woodworm over the centuries and the the materials she uses in the restoration Macarthur, and when he returned to because of a shortage of restorers in the indignity of being stored at one point in are as true to the original as possible, England in 1791 he gave it to her. southern hemisphere, which Lancaster a laundry room. even down to sourcing leather tanned Lancaster said it may not have been called a “looming disaster”. It is cracked and warped but, as the using the same methods as employed the most generous present — the piano Coad said: “There is a lack of restor- fi rst piano to be played in Australia, is by 18th-century craftspeople. was probably not worth taking back. ers and funding to keep these skills revered as one of the most treasured in- Getting the tension of the strings The ‘First Fleet Piano’ is to be restored by the square piano conservation By the mid-1830s the instrument is going in the UK as well. We need to struments in the country. just so is a complicated mathematical specialist Lucy Coad. believed to have been sold on to a fam- encourage more people into the trade. The key aim of the restoration project exercise — too light and the sound will ily of farmers in the town of Windsor, It’s a dying trade and we must put more will be to give it back its original sound be wrong, too tight and the structure of Smaller than a modern piano, it was ment offi cials, convicts and the piano, 45km north-west of Sydney. funding into these skills to make sure and provide a musical link with the the instrument may be compromised. fi tted with “campaign legs” allowing it to reach Australia. In 1965, the Sydney antiques dealer these instruments can be preserved. 18th-century colonists. Like the original makers, Coad will to be folded easily for storage. It is not known whether the instru- William Bradshaw heard of a “spinet” It’s taken this project to stimulate chat “I’m looking forward to hearing the use animal glue (hers will be made from In May the following year, it was ment was played while at sea but Wor- up for sale in Windsor. in this, but it is a real crisis.” voice of this instrument,” said Geof- fi sh). onboard HMS Sirius, the fl agship of gan performed on it as the ship lay an- “The owners wanted to sell it to buy a The piano will be returned next year, frey Lancaster, the Australian pianist Happily, the ebony and ivory of the the First Fleet, in the ownership of the chored off Rio de Janeiro. washing machine,” said Lancaster. in time for the 250th anniversary of and professor of historical performance keys are intact. ship’s surgeon George Worgan. Crew and piano endured some harsh “It was stored in the laundry, though Captain Cook setting foot on Austral- practice, who has accompanied the in- The square piano was built in London It took eight months for the fl eet, conditions. the recurring mantra in the family for ian soil — and the 250th anniversary of strument on its return to the UK. in 1786 by Frederick Beck. carrying seamen, marines, govern- Lancaster said he believed the piano generations had been: “Don’t bash on Beethoven’s birth. Gulf Times 16 Monday, April 1, 2019 EUROPE

CAUSE UNKNOWN RESHUFFLE POLITICS REEL LIFE STUDY 3 dead as plane crashes France gets new minister Estonia parliament to meet Film director receives top Europe-wide decline in into asparagus field for European aff airs despite lack of government prize under house arrest insect-feeding birds

Three people died yesterday when the small French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday Estonia’s newly-elected parliament is scheduled Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov, under house The number of birds that feed on insects such plane they were in crashed into an asparagus appointed legislator Amelie de Montchalin as to convene for the first time on Thursday, more arrest for a year and a half on embezzlement as beetles and caterpillars declined significantly field south of the German city of Frankfurt. new European aff airs minister to replace Nathalie than one month after elections that left the Baltic allegations, received one of the country’s most in Europe over the course of 25 years, a study The six-seater slammed into the village of Loiseau in a small, expected cabinet reshuff le two nation without an easy path to a new government. prestigious film prizes this weekend. Serebrennikov has found. On average, there was a 13 per cent Erzhausen, its charred debris scattered across months before the European elections. Loiseau Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has called for the was presented the Nika Award in absentia for his film decrease in the number of insect-eating birds the farm field in a 20m radius. Police said they quit her job on Wednesday to lead Macron’s party parliament to gather on April 4, the president’s off ice Leto (Summer), about famed Soviet rock star Viktor in Europe between 1990 and 2015, reported did not immediately know where the plane had for the European election campaign. The vote announced yesterday. The central orders of business Tsoi, at a ceremony on Saturday evening in Moscow. a scientific paper published in the journal taken off from or where it was going. A small will be held in France and the other countries of are expected to be electing parliament’s leadership “I sincerely hope this is the last time that this great Conservation Biology. The decline reflects a airfield is located not far from the site of the the European Union in late May. The government and the formal resignation of the country’s current artist, Kirill Serebrennikov, is unable to receive his trend in the fall of the insect population. But crash. The area was cordoned off and multiple also appointed Macron’s communication adviser government led by Prime Minister Juri Ratas. prize in person,” the film’s producer, Ilya Stewart, the study’s authors also attributed it to the loss agencies were at the scene. The tragedy was Sibeth Ndiaye as government spokeswoman Ratas and his Centre Party have drawn criticism for said at the ceremony. Serebrennikov was taken into of grasslands and the conversion of land for compounded by a road accident in which two with the rank of junior minister and Cedric O, an seeking to bring the far-right Conservative People’s custody in mid-2017 on allegations embezzling state agricultural uses. Around half of all bird species people lost their lives a few kilometres from economics adviser to Macron, as junior minister Party party into a coalition together with the funding for the arts. Leto was being filmed at the in Europe feed on insects. Omnivorous birds the plane crash site. for digital economy. conservative Pro Patria (Isamaa) party. time. He has denied the charges in court. have not seen a similar population decline.

Comedian takes early lead in Ukraine vote

Reuters ter the exit poll. Kyiv Poroshenko, who said the elections had been fair and in line with international stand- comedian, with a popular ards, sought to portray Zelen- anti-corruption message skiy as unfi t to represent Ukraine Abut no political experi- abroad, especially in taking on ence, yesterday took the lead Russian President Vladimir Pu- in the fi rst round of Ukraine’s tin in international talks. presidential election, early exit “We must preserve sanctions polls showed. as they are a powerful tool for Volodymyr Zelenskiy, 41, who making sure Russia also takes plays a fi ctional president in a part in these discussions. And TV show, had consistently led Russia won’t be represented by opinion polls in a three-horse (Russian TV comedians) Maxim race against incumbent Petro Galkin or Evgeniy Petrosyan, but Poroshenko and former Prime actually, just so you know, Rus- Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. sia will be represented by Putin.” According to a preliminary He also played on a suspicion exit poll based on ballots cast that Zelenskiy’s campaign was by 1500GMT, two hours before masterminded by Ihor Kolo- voting closed, Zelenskiy had se- moisky, a tycoon whose channel cured 30.4% of votes compared airs Zelenskiy’s shows. to Poroshenko’s 17.8%. The two men deny being in At stake is the leadership of a cahoots. country on the front line of the “Fate decided to put me up West’s standoff with Russia after against that Kolomoisky puppet the 2014 Maidan street protests in the second round. We won’t ejected Poroshenko’s Kremlin- give Kolomoisky any chance,” friendly predecessor and Russia Poroshenko said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan casts his ballot at a polling station in Istanbul yesterday. annexed the Crimean peninsula. Tymoshenko, who had won Investors are watching to 14.2% of the votes, immediately see if the next president will challenged the accuracy of the push reforms required to keep result, saying her internal poll- the country in an International ing put her in second place be- Monetary Fund bailout pro- hind Zelenskiy. gramme that has supported She said at a press conference Ukraine through war, sharp re- that she might contest the fi nal cession and a currency plunge. result. Erdogan party leads No candidate is expected to Poroshenko has fought to receive more than half the votes, integrate the country with the meaning the election would go European Union and Nato, to a run-off on April 21. while strengthening the mili- Out of a crowded fi eld of 39 tary which is fi ghting Kremlin- candidates, none of the likely backed separatists in the east of winners wants to move Ukraine the country. in municipal elections back into Russia’s orbit. Voting around the country “I would like to say ‘thank off ered a snapshot of Ukraine’s DPA/Reuters Erdogan said yesterday that his AK which picked Erdogan as mayor in 1994. Erdogan, who cast his ballot at a school you’ to all the Ukrainians who recent history. Istanbul Party had lost some cities in yesterday’s The AKP’s Binali Yildirim, former pre- in Istanbul’s Uskudar district along did not vote just for fun,” Zelen- Soldiers lined up to vote in mayoral elections, and pledged that his mier and ex-parliament speaker, had a with his wife Emine, told reporters in skiy told his cheering supporters makeshift polling stations in the government would now focus on imple- slim lead in Istanbul, Anadolu said. the morning: “I hope we close the bal- yesterday evening. “It is only the east. urkey’s ruling Justice and Devel- menting strong economic plans. With 88% of ballots counted, Yildirim lot boxes in the evening with a high voter beginning, we will not relax.” Voters formed long lines out- opment Party (AKP) was leading Speaking at a news conference in Is- was at 49.6% of votes. turnout.” In keeping with the relaxed side polling stations in neigh- Tnationwide in municipal elections tanbul, Erdogan said the next elections Opposition candidate Ekrem Imamo- The president isn’t on the ballot, but he style of his campaign, Zelen- bouring EU member Poland, yesterday but the crucial mayoral races in would be held in June 2023 and that Tur- glu was at 47.7%. dominated the campaign, saying he vis- skiy’s election night venue pro- where between 1mn and 2mn Ankara and Istanbul were in a dead heat. key would carefully implement a “strong Imamoglu, from the Republican Peo- ited 59 of 81 provinces. vided a bar with free alcohol, Ukrainians have moved, many in Yesterday’s polls are seen as a test for economic programme” without compro- ple’s Party (CHP) and centre-right Iyi He has also been on every television table football and table tennis search of jobs and higher wages. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, amidst mising on free market rules. (Good) party alliance, told a press con- screen, with each poll event headlined by games. Pushing the use of the Ukrain- an economic recession and nine months Erdogan has been in power for 16 years, ference: “Unfortunately there is real ma- broadcasters. Poroshenko called the result a ian language and instrumental after he took charge as executive presi- fi rst as prime minister and then as presi- nipulation here,” asking people to watch Analysts say the elections are a refer- “severe lesson”, especially from in establishing a new independ- dent with vastly expanded powers. dent from 2014, but his party could be as ballots were being counted. endum on Erdogan’s policies since par- younger voters and appealed ent Orthodox church, confec- With more than three-quarters of bal- losing its grip on Ankara. Turkey’s more than 57mn eligible vot- liamentary and presidential polls in June, for their support in the second tionery magnate Poroshenko, lots counted nationwide, Erdogan’s AKP The opposition’s mayoral candidate ers voted for 1,389 mayors, and tens of when he promised a “new Turkey.” round. 53, has cast himself as the man to was at 45.7%, state news agency Anadolu for the capital, Mansur Yavas, was lead- thousands of municipal council members This time, Erdogan has said Turkey’s “You see changes in the coun- prevent Ukraine again becoming reported. ing at 50%, ahead of the AKP’s Mehmet and neighbourhood chiefs at 200,000 very survival is at stake, as he referred to try, but want them to be quicker, a Russian vassal state. The ruling alliance as a whole was Ozhaseki, who was at 47.6%. ballot boxes. rising Islamophobia and showed footage deeper and of higher quality. I But reforms crucial to keep ahead at 52.1%, with the opposition alli- The Turkish capital has been controlled Voter turnout was more than 83%, ac- of the mosque shootings in New Zealand have understood the motives foreign aid fl owing have been ance at 37.2%. by conservatives since 1994, as has Istanbul, cording to Anadolu. at rallies. behind your protest,” he said af- patchy. Slovaks choose change, pick woman as president

By Laszlo Juhasz, AFP has lost,” analyst Grigorij Me- become an opposition president changes that would deprive pros- Bratislava seznikov told AFP. criticising everything the ruling ecutors and the police of political Headlines from the country’s coalition does.” infl uence.” newspapers yesterday suggest- Yet “she will represent a In addition to fi ghting for jus- he election of Zuzana ed the vote was a fresh start for stronger system of checks and tice for all, Caputova had prom- Caputova as Slovakia’s the central European nation of balances in relation to the govern- ised better care for the elderly Tfi rst female president was 5.4mn. ment than Sefcovic would have.” and environmental protection. hailed yesterday as a vote for “Zuzana Caputova gives us Caputova, who will be sworn in Teacher Iveta Rabelyova said: change, with the anti-graft ac- hope but the real fi ght will only on June 15, is no stranger to tough “Caputova has challenged the tivist expected to provide a check come now,” said Dennik N, a battles. typical image of a top politician: on a government tarnished after leading opposition daily. She is known for having suc- she is a woman, divorced, a po- last year’s murder of a journalist. European Council President cessfully blocked a planned land- litical novice.” The 45-year-old environ- Donald Tusk congratulated fi ll in her hometown of Pezinok “It is a good feeling that our mental lawyer’s clear victory Caputova yesterday, tweeting: “A after a decade-long grassroots citizens chose someone who Saturday over the ruling party’s strong vote, at the heart of Eu- campaign. breaks all these stereotypes,” the candidate was a blow to the pop- rope, for decency in politics, rule She was also one of the tens of 34-year-old told AFP. ulist-left Smer-SD — the largest of law and tolerance.” thousands of protesters who took “Women are under-represent- grouping in parliament — and Caputova ran on the slogan to the streets after Kuciak’s death ed at top-level posts, this might could spell trouble for them in of “Stand up to evil” but made in February 2018. begin to change now,” added the the EU elections and next year’s a point of keeping her rhetoric The journalist had been pre- resident of the southern town of general vote. measured. paring to publish a story on al- Komarno. She is a relative political new- “Let us look for what connects leged ties between Slovak politi- Many Slovaks who voted for comer known for taking part in us. Let us promote cooperation cians and the Italian mafi a. Sefcovic had said the important mass anti-government protests above personal interests,” she The killings forced then-prime position necessitated a man, yet last year after the shootings of said as the results rolled in. minister Robert Fico to resign but “Caputova won despite her sex” investigative journalist Jan Ku- The offi ce of president is large- he remains the Smer-SD’s leader according to analyst Vilagi. ciak and his fi ancee. The uproar ly ceremonial, but the role does and is a close ally of the current She had been “a strong oppo- toppled the then-premier. involve ratifying international premier. nent to Sefcovic more because Caputova won 58.4% of the treaties, appointing top judges. Five people have been charged, of her story, her personality, val- Slovakia’s President Andrej Kiska poses with presidential-elect Zuzana Caputova at her party’s vote according to a fi nal tally of The president is commander- including a millionaire business- ues,” Vilagi told AFP. headquarters in Bratislava late on Saturday. results released yesterday, com- in-chief of the armed forces and man with alleged Smer-SD ties Caputova also won in con- pared with 41.6% for her ruling can veto laws passed by parlia- who is suspected of ordering the servative, Catholic Slovakia de- stressing traditional family values big-city voters but she also took lot — compared to 50% at the party rival, EU energy commis- ment. murders over Kuciak’s investiga- spite being openly pro-choice on the campaign trail, appealing the lead for the more conserva- last presidential run-off — sug- sioner Maros Sefcovic. “A can- Analyst Aneta Vilagi predicted tion into his activity. and promoting greater rights for to voters “who insist that Slovakia tive rural electorate, if by a slim gesting that Caputova’s idea of didate embodying democratic Caputova would “engage in a Speaking to AFP on the cam- same-sex couples. remain a Christian country.” margin. change was not to the liking of forces has won, and Sefcovic, purposeful confrontation with paign trail, Caputova said she Sefcovic had tried to use that But according to offi cial statis- Yet fewer than 42% of eligi- everyone fed up with the main who was a symbol of continuity, the government...rather than would “initiate systematic liberal stance to his advantage by tics, Caputova not only won over ble voters chose to cast a bal- political players. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 17 INDIA Perfume trader Ajmal faces tough challenge in Assam

IANS switched to the Bharatiya Janata by winning 18 assembly seats in of the panchayati raj system. Ajmal had recently said his party In other election-related leaders. He alleged that those Guwahati Party in 2015 following the then 2011. The party also increased “The people in Dhubri have is contesting only in three seats to news, the Congress in Telan- with money power were given Congress minister Himanta its tally to three in the 2014 Lok got frustrated as Ajmal had ensure that the division of ‘secular’ gana suffered yet another blow tickets to contest the elections Biswa Sarma. A popular minor- Sabha polls. nothing for the constituency, votes between the Congress and with its senior leader Ponguleti while hardworking party lead- ith the Congress ity leader from Golakganj, along Last year’s panchayat poll re- which he has been holding for AIUDF does not help the BJP. Sudhakar Reddy resigning from ers were ignored. fielding former leg- the Indo-Bangladesh border in sults, however, signalled rough the last two terms. There are The Dhubri Lok Sabha con- the party. Reddy’s resignations came Wislator Abu Taher Dhubri district, Bepari is im- weather ahead for the party, no roads, no development. Why stituency is going to the polls in A former member of Telan- hours before Gandhi’s arrival to Bepari from Dhubri in Assam mensely popular, particularly which had cashed in on the sen- should we vote for Ajmal this the last leg on April 23. gana Legislative Council, Sud- kick off the party’s campaign for in the forthcoming Lok Sabha among the religious minorities. timents of Bengali-speaking time,” asked Abul Hussain, a While Ajmal will seek a third hakar Reddy is likely to join BJP. the April 11 elections to all 17 Lok polls, it may not be a cake- He returned to the Congress Muslims in Assam against the teacher of Jaleswar area in Dhu- consecutive term from Dhubri, He took the decision two days Sabha constituencies in the state. walk for sitting MP and All In- soon after he was denied a BJP backdrop of illegal infi ltration bri district. the party’s Radheshyam Biswas after his term as a member of The senior leader from dia United Democratic Front ticket for 2016 assembly polls. from Bangladesh. The AIUDF Both Ajmal and his brother will seek re-election from Kar- the Council came to an end. Khammam district is likely to (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal Formed in 2005 by perfume could win only 26 zila panchayat Sirajuddin Ajmal, who had won imganj. For Barpeta, the AIUDF In his resignation letter sent meet Prime Minister Narendra in the Muslim-dominated con- trader Badruddin Ajmal, the seats in the 2018 panchayat polls, the Barpeta Lok Saba constitu- has dropped Sirajudin Ajmal to Congress president Rahul Modi and join the party at a BJP stituency. AIUDF became the state’s prin- compared to 76 seats in 2013, an ency in 2014, are facing strong and given the ticket to Hafiz Gandhi, he voiced displeasure rally to be held in Hyderabad A Congress legislator, Bepari cipal opposition party in 2011 over 65% loss in all the three tiers anti-incumbency wave this time. Rafiqul Islam. over the functioning of state today. Rahul vows to defeat Modi, form coalition government

IANS Mahabubnagar on March 29. Bengaluru The BJP is making elaborate arrangements for the meeting in Hyderabad as it will sup- ongress president Rahul plement the party’s campaign Gandhi yesterday said for four Lok Sabha constitu- Chis party would form a encies. It will be mobilising coalition government with the crowds from Hyderabad, Se- Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and cunderabad, Malkajgiri and other allies by defeating Prime Chevella Lok Sabha constitu- Minister Narendra Modi in the encies. upcoming general elections. Secunderabad was the only “Just as we formed a coa- seat the BJP won in the 2014 lition government with the elections. This time the party JD-S in Karnataka in May has denied a ticket to outgo- 2018 and kept the BJP out of ing MP and former minister power, we will do the same in Bandaru Dattatreya. The party the Centre with it (JD-S) and has fielded G Kishan Reddy, a other parties after defeat- former president of the party’s ing the NDA government,” he state unit. said at a public meeting with Gandhi will launch the Con- the ruling coalition partner in gress’ campaign for the April 11 Bengaluru. elections in Telangana by ad- Polling across Karnataka will dressing the first rally in Za- be held on April 18 and 23 for 28 heerabad today. parliamentary seats. Later in the day he will ad- Accusing the Bharatiya Ja- dress another election rally in nata Party-led National Dem- Wanaparthy. Runners take part in a “Voter Awareness Marathon” in Amritsar yesterday. ocratic Alliance government The meetings will cover Za- of doing nothing for the farm- heerabad, Nagarkurnool and ers, poor, youth, women and Nalgonda Lok Sabha con- others since coming to power stituencies. People from other in 2014, Gandhi said Modi neighbouring constituencies also lied to the nation and its would also be mobilised for the people, having promised to meetings. deposit Rs15 lakh in each bank Minister Raghunath Mo- account from the black money hanty resigns from BJD (11:58) ‘Chowkidar’ is the spirit, stashed away in Switzerland, Bhubaneswar, March 31 (IANS) create 2 crore jobs and bring In other news, former Odisha “achche din” (good days). minister Raghunath Mohanty “Instead, he worked only for yesterday resigned from the the rich and 15-20 crorepatis Biju Janata Dal (BJD). (billionaires). He became a Mohanty, who was also the not linked to uniform: PM ‘chowkidar’ for industrialists party’s vice-president, ten- like Anil Ambani and Adani dered his resignation to Chief IANS a uniform but ‘watchman’ is a duty, then the future of the stu- He said people have to be ter, his government would act and fugitives like Vijay Mallya, Minister and BJD president New Delhi spirit. dent is secured. If a policeman chowkidars to build a strong tough against corruption. Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi Naveen Patnaik. He was an as- In 2014, when the BJP gave performs his duty, the problems government and work in the “In the last five years, I put who fled the country,” Gandhi pirant for the Basta assembly him the responsibility to visit are resolved. And in that sense, spirit of a watchman to take the all my strength to do what was said. constituency in Balasore. rime Minister Narendra every corner of the nation, “I public participation is the main country forward. lacking, to fulfil the necessities Meanwhile campaigning for “I am tendering my resigna- Modi yesterday expressed told the people that the respon- reason of the success of my Modi responded to various from toilets, electricity, roads, next month’s elections to all 17 tion from the primary member- Pconfidence that the sibility of Delhi means that you country,” Modi said. questions posed to him by peo- trains, to buses. Now in the next Lok Sabha seats in Telangana ship as well as vice-president Bharatiya Janata Party would are trusting a watchman,” he “I had said my effort would ple as well as supporters who at- five years, our focus would be will gather further momentum from the BJD for personal rea- win the general election and said. be not to allow the public mon- tended the video-conferencing. on to build a strong structure. with Prime Minister Narendra sons,” Mohanty wrote in his said that ‘chowkidar’ (watch- “Once again, the people of ey to be wasted. As a watchman, He also said he spent five “In the first five years, the Modi and Gandhi addressing resignation letter. man) is not an identity recog- the country are going to give I will discharge my responsibil- years in fulfilling the country’s government tried to fulfil the election rallies in the state to- Interacting with the me- nised by uniforms, but it is the us the opportunity to serve the ity,” the prime minister said. requirements and his next five basic requirements and the next day. dia, he alleged that the BJD spirit behind the word. country,” Modi said. Modi said that ever since he years will be focused on ad- five years will be to address the Modi will address a public has strayed from the founding Amid shouting of slogans “Today people are liking the has been entrusted with the re- dressing its aspirations. ambitions and aspirations of meeting at the L B Stadium in principles due to the conspiracy ‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ at Talka- chowkidar. The teacher is a sponsibility to lead the nation, he The prime minister urged the the country,” he said. Hyderabad today evening. hatched by some people in the tora Stadium where Modi inter- big caretaker (watchman). He has tried his best to protect the youth be vigilant about the op- The prime minister said in This will be the prime minis- party. acted with people throughout protects the next generation. I nation’s wealth from the corrupt. position’s “false promises” and the last five years, he success- ter’s second visit to Telangana in The former minister however, the country via video confer- salute such chowkidar,” Modi “We are all chowkidars, com- analyse their track record. fully dragged people who looted four days. He launched the party’s said he was yet to decide on a encing, Modi said watchman is said. mitted to a strong and prosper- He also hinted that if he gets the country through corruption campaign by addressing a rally in future course of action. not an identity recognised by “If a teacher performs his ous India”, Modi said. re-elected as prime minis- means to jail. Tale of two Delhis: Deadly air exposes rich-poor divide

AFP exceeding World Health Or- particles entering the blood- vines and a faux stream as he places is nothing more than a New Delhi ganisation (WHO) limits. stream. breathes lungfuls of filtered fantasy. But for Ramavtar Singh Delhi’s smog peaks from air circulating through expen- “What will I do if I spend all there is no escape: like many October to February, routinely sive filters. the money on one meal? How alls draped in lush of the city’s poorest, he eats, exceeding WHO recommen- “We need to bring greenery to will I feed my family?” said the vertical gardens and sleeps, and works outside. dations for PM2.5 – tiny and concrete jungles and create plac- rickshaw cyclist, who earns W air filtered through “I work for six to eight hours harmful airborne particles – es where everybody can come about Rs1,200 a month. purifiers insulate diners at every day and my children eat and some days registers levels for a breath of fresh air,” insists He cannot dream of buying a swanky New Delhi food court and sleep outside most times more than 20 times safe limits. S KSayal, CEO of Bharti Realty the foreign-made air purifiers from the choking haze outside of the year,” the father of five Experts warn the long-term which owns Worldmark Aerocity. to protect his family at home – in one of the most polluted tells AFP at a roadside food health consequences of living Delhi’s affluent, who are of- machines favoured by Delhi’s places on earth. stall, gulping down a dish of enveloped in pollution are dis- ten better informed about the elite, expat communities and But these eco-eateries, of- rice and lentils. astrous, often causing chronic dangers of pollution, increas- office workers – that easily fering cleaner air as well as Singh earns a living by cy- sickness and in some cases ingly expect the same safety cost Singh’s annual wage. modern menus to the well cling passengers and cargo early death. measures they have in place “The rich and the poor have heeled are beyond reach for around Delhi on his rickshaw, Across town, Abhimanyu at home, to be available when to breathe the same poisonous the poor, who have little a strenuous activity that Mawatwal is settling down for they are out. air. But the poor are more ex- means of escaping the deadly means he’s inhaling dangerous lunch at a food court in World- High-end eateries, bars and posed to pollution,” explains smog which coats the city for concentrations of tiny pollut- mark Aerocity, a grand com- cinemas are tapping into that Sunil Dahiya, a campaigner for much of the year. ants deep into his lungs. mercial centre boasting puri- demand – installing electronic Greenpeace India. Air pollution kills more than At best, he can wrap a rag fied air. air purifiers and creating ded- He adds: “Most of the time, 1mn Indians every year, ac- over his mouth on smoggy A meal here could cost twice Yoga enthusiasts practice in Lodhi Gardens amid heavy smog icated areas of rich vegetation they don’t even know the ef- cording to a study by Lancet days, a low-cost approach Singh’s monthly salary, but it conditions in New Delhi. to help filter airborne toxins. fects the toxic air is having on Planetary Health, and Delhi is taken by labourers and rick- is a price Mawatwal is will- But for Singh, and the one their health. Poor communi- ranked one of the most toxic shaw drivers that does little ing to pay because outside the “I love to come here for my oxygen shot,” the office work- in five Indians living on less ties are definitely at the losing urban centres to live, regularly to prevent the most dangerous smog is at hazardous levels. meals. It is like getting a quick er says, surrounded by creeper than Rs150 a day, visiting such end.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, April 1, 2019 INDIA Congress to augment social media battle ahead of polls

IANS ing out with catchy videos to get guarantee, farm loan waiver and Congress party. Besides Twit- He said that the party is not mainstream media has boomer- we have asked for submissions of New Delhi its message across. steps to boost entrepreneurship ter, which is the default option only reaching out to the youth anged. It is giving them dimin- both slogan and a logo design,” The party has lagged behind and start-ups. for political messaging, we are through social media but also to ishing returns,” he said. he said. the BJP in fi nalising its election Congress spokesman Sanjay seeing a huge traction in What- other sections of the society. The Congress is expected to Nyay is among the biggest he Congress is gearing slogans for the Lok Sabha elec- Jha said that Gandhi’s “sharp, sApp, Facebook, YouTube and Jha said it was the young de- release its manifesto tomorrow poll promises of the Congress up to further augment its tions but has plans to maximise witty, humorous and fact- the fast rise of Instagram,” Jha mographic dividend that was and the party will make a big and income guarantee scheme Tdigital battle for the Lok the social media impact in the based questioning of the BJP told IANS. the biggest consumer of social reach out through social media. that promises every family in the Sabha elections in the com- coming days by employing ad- has become hugely popular and A party leader, who did not media earlier but now it covers a “We shall disseminate its con- poorest 20% segment income ing days and has plans to dis- vertising companies. has created a new benchmark want to be named, said that so- wider population across various tent customised to various target support of Rs6,000 a month. seminate customised content of Congress president Rahul in social media political dis- cial media is very useful at a time age groups, geographic dispersal groups. That’s where specifi c The Congress has also zeroed its manifesto to various target Gandhi, who has been targeting course”. when sections of traditional me- and income levels. bespoke approach works on so- in on companies that will take groups. the government through pithy, “Our catchy videos are be- dia were not giving the party its “This is a positive develop- cial media,” Jha said. forward its digital outreach. The party views social me- sarcastic tweets, has also been coming a rage and going viral, due space. ment. The BJP is in panic mode He said Congress is also Sources said the companies fi- dia as a critical communication giving an inkling to the party’s which has augmented our polit- “The message reaches the hence the brazen attempt to use crowdsourcing ideas. nalised include DesignBoard asset in its battle to oust the manifesto on social media by ical narrative. We believe social audience directly and quickly public assets like railways and “For instance, on Nyay (ny- and SilverPush. It has also Bharatiya Janata Party-led gov- sharing information about the media will be the most critical through social media and there airlines to push political agenda. untam aay yojana, the party’s hired companies for media ad- ernment from offi ce and is com- promise of minimum income communication asset for the is traction,” he said. PM Modi’s over-exposure in minimum income programme), vertising. CPM slams Rahul, vows to defeat him in Wayanad

IANS contest from Wayanad, we, the Jana Sena (BDJS), ridiculed the New Delhi /Thiruvananthapuram Left will ensure his defeat,” Vi- Congress president. A designer checks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) campaign flags out of a printer at a workshop in Hyderabad. jayan told said in Thiruvanan- “It’s a shame for the Con- thapuram. gress chief to run away from he Communist Party of Kerala CPM secretary Kodi- Amethi and seek solace in the India (Marxist), the main yeri Balakrishnan said Gan- arms of the IUML, which is Tforce in Kerala’s ruling dhi’s move will ensure a Left strong in Wayanad,” said Kerala Left Democratic Alliance (LDF), victory in all the 20 seats in the BJP president P S Sreedharan We still back our son: Amethi voters yesterday reacted sharply to the state. Pillai. Congress’s announcement that “He is coming here because Senior Congress leader and IANS every one considers Rahul Gan- with roads by (Rahul’s father Shiv Kumar Pandey, a resident of party president Rahul Gandhi he is not confi dent of his win in former defence minister A K Amethi dhi a part of their family. So the and former prime minister) Ra- the Musafi rkhana area. would contest from the state’s Amethi. And the Left will show Antony earlier in the day an- voters will back the son of Am- jiv Gandhi,” said Mahendra Nath However, there were some Wayanad parliamentary con- Gandhi what our power here is,” nounced Gandhi’s decision to ethi, rather than the outsider Dubey, a resident of Korwa vil- Irani supporters as well. Shyam stituency and vowed to defeat he said, adding that the Left was contest from Wayanad. nfazed by their MP Ra- Smriti Irani,” he told IANS. lage. He added that the road was Maurya from Pipraula Thakur him. confi dent of repeating its 2004 Making the announcement hul Gandhi’s decision And the Congress leader’s full of potholes three years ago, village said that he will back the CPM’s former chief Prakash performance when it won 18 of in New Delhi, Antony said Gan- Uto contest from Kerala’s claims found substantial sup- but Rahul Gandhi got it repaired. BJP because a lot of development Karat said the Congress’s de- the state’s 20 seats. dhi was not keen to contest on a Wayanad seat as well in the Lok port. Ram Mishra, a resident of “Our village got its identity has taken place under Prime cision went against its “stat- The Wayanad seat has been second seat. “But there was tre- Sabha elections, voters in Am- Darda village, about 25km from from the Hindustan Aeronau- Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- ed commitment” to fi ght the allocated to the Communist Par- mendous pressure from south ethi say they will support “the the Gauriganj district head- tics Limited (HAL) factory. Who ernment. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ty of India (CPI) and its candi- Indian states, the Congress Party son” of their “VIP constituency”. quarters said: “Whatever work brought it here? It was Congress “The BJP brought to our vil- “In Kerala, it is the LDF, which date P P Suneer said that he was as well as from the allies that he Amethi goes to polls on May 6. you see here is all because of the and Rajiv Gandhi’s vision,” said lage the common service kiosk, is the main force that can fi ght not alarmed by the stature of his should contest.” The Congress yesterday an- Congress.” Almin Khan of Baraulia village. because of which I don’t have to the BJP. And Rahul Gandhi is opposing candidate. Wayanad became a Lok Sabha nounced the party president’s Deepak Singh, a Congress Ali Sher, a resident of go to the bank, 5kms away,” he going to Kerala to fi ght the LDF, “The candidate does not mat- constituency in 2009, and M I decision to contest from two member of the Legislative Council Musafi rkhana, said: “This will said. which means we have to take on ter, as elections are fought on Shanawaz of the Congress won it seats – Amethi and Wayanad. from Amethi, said: “Accepting the remain a VIP seat till the time Another resident said that the (Congress-led) United Dem- issues. By now I have already that year by a margin of 153,439 Gandhi has represented Am- party workers’ demand to contest it is represented by the Gandhi Pipraula Thakur had become a ocratic Front (UDF), of which he completed three rounds of my votes. However, his margin ethi undefeated since 2004, but election from Wayanad is a wel- family. We don’t want to lose it digital village due to Irani’s ef- will be a candidate. campaign and I am on a strong dropped to 20,870 in 2014, and faces a stiff competition from come move by Rahul Gandhi.” by voting for the BJP.” forts. Shyam Singh said: “Now “The UDF consists of not only footing as the backing that I have last year he died after a long ill- the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sm- “Now the competition is no “The Congress has given a lot my grandson and granddaughter Congress but Muslim League is of the Left forces, which has a ness. The seat has been lying va- riti Irani this time. His winning more between Gandhi and the to Amethi – schools, colleges, the know how to use the Internet on and other parties which have good chemistry with the elec- cant since then. margin narrowed to just over BJP. Now it is a competition be- fertiliser factory, the Ordnance the mobile phone.” a dubious reputation. And we torate in the Wayanad constitu- Considered a safe seat for the 100,000 votes against Irani in tween Congress workers in Am- factory, the Rail Neer plant, the Amethi has remained a Con- shall work to defeat the UDF ency,” he said. Congress, there was a scram- 2014. ethi and Wayanad on who will SAIL plant and many other gov- gress bastion since 1980. It was in all constituencies including Gandhi’s decision to contest ble between the party’s various Asked if the voters in Amethi ensure more votes for him,” he ernment projects,” said Syed fi rst represented by Sanjay Gan- Wayanad,” Karat said in a video from Wayanad was greeted with factions for a ticket and former will support Gandhi after his said. Iqbal Haider, a social activist. dhi, the younger son of Indira. message. excitement in Malappuram, chief minister Oommen Chandy new decision, Congress district “The canals were built in the Haider said: “In 2014, Smriti After his death in 1981 in a plane Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay- the stronghold of Indian Un- had even managed to swing it in chief Yogendra Mishra was quick area during Indiraji’s term,” Irani raised the ‘VIP versus the crash, Rajiv represented the seat an also said that Gandhi’s deci- ion Muslim League (IUML), the favour of his close confi dante T to bring in the “son versus the Singh said, referring to Gandhi’s common man’ parallel. But after till 1991. sion was not “symbolic”. UDF’s second biggest constitu- Siddique. outsider” analogy in his party grandmother and slain prime she became a minister, she also Congress’ Satish Sharma re- “In Kerala, as we all know, ent in Kerala – and where three However, Chandy was the leader’s support. minister Indira Gandhi. started behaving like a VIP with tained Amethi till 1996 but lost the fight is between the Left of Wayanad’s assembly seg- fi rst to speak of the possibility of He claimed that Gandhi will “She travelled across the dis- us.” it to BJP’s Sanjay Singh in 1998. and the Congress, with the ments fall in. Gandhi contesting from Waya- get no less than 500,000 votes trict to ensure that the farmers Irani promised to provide However, former Congress pres- BJP not in the picture at all. He The Bharatiya Janata Party nad last week. in Amethi despite his decision don’t sleep hungry,” he said. hand pumps to many people but ident Sonia Gandhi won back the should have fought against the (BJP), which has given the Waya- Wayanad will vote on April 23 to contest from two seats. “Here “The villages were connected could not fulfi ll her promise, said seat in 1999. BJP. Now that he has decided to nad seat to ally Bharat Dharma and Amethi on May 6. BJP faces tough fi ght in Priyanka insulted Hindus, fi rst round in Karnataka says UP chief minister IANS Ram Janmabhoomi site as the Lucknow matter was in court. IANS fi rst phase are: Udupi-Chik- South, as its six-time winner and Meanwhile, a day after Bhim Bengaluru magalur, Hassan, Dakshina federal minister H N Ananth Ku- Army chief Chandrasekhar Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, mar died in November last year. ttar Pradesh Chief Min- Azad held a road show in Prime Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajna- The JD(S) has fi elded its su- ister Yogi Adityanath Minister Narendra Modi’s par- he Bharatiya Janata Party gar, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru premo H D Deve Gowda from Uyesterday accused Con- liamentary constituency of (BJP) faces a tough battle North, Bengaluru Central, Ben- Tumkur, his elder grandson Pra- gress general secretary Priyanka Varanasi, Bahujan Samaj Party Tin Karnataka’s fi rst phase galuru South, Chikkaballapur jwal Revanna from Hassan and Gandhi Vadra of insulting Hin- chief Mayawati accused the BJP of polling for 14 Lok Sabha seats and Kolar. another grandson Nikhil Ku- dus by not going to the make- of supporting the Dalit leader on April 18, as the ruling allies The JD(S) is in the fray in maraswamy, from Mandya and shift Ram temple during her visit for splitting the caste vote in Congress and Janata Dal-Secu- Hassan, Mandya, Tumkur and Pramod Madhavaraj, a former to Ayodhya. the upcoming Lok Sabha elec- lar (JD-S) have fi elded joint can- Udupi-Chikamagalur, and Con- Congress minister from Udupi- Addressing a rally at the Bisa- tions. didates to prevent their bankable gress in the remaining 10 seats, Chikamagalur. dah village in Dadri area, he said: “To split the votes of Dal- votes from splitting. including four in the Bengaluru Deve Gowda opted for Tum- “Priyanka Gandhi Vadra insulted its and to benefi t itself, the BJP “The going will be tough for region. kur to enable Prajwal to contest Hindus by saying that she did has put up Chandrasekhar Azad the BJP this time, as it faces our “As our combined vote share from Hassan which he has won not visit the temple as the mat- to contest from Varanasi. This joint candidates with higher vote was 51.8% against the 43% of the for a record six times since 1991. ter was in court. group has been formed under a share prospects,” a Congress of- BJP in the 2014 general elections “As joint candidates, our par- “Three members of her family conspiracy and the BJP, through fi cial told IANS. and 56.3% against 36.2% of the ty JD(S) is in a strong position are on bail. I want to ask Vadra this, is playing its heinous anti- Of the 28 seats in the state, the BJP in the 2018 assembly elec- to retain Hassan, Mandya and does she meet them or not?” Dalit politics,” Mayawati tweet- BJP won 17, Congress nine and tions, our prospects of winning Tumkur and give a tough fi ght Adityanath was referring to her ed. JD(S) 2 in triangular contests on more seats jointly is brighter to BJP in Udupi-Chikamagalur mother and United Progressive “First the BJP tried to send April 17, 2014, as the polling was than that of BJP,” claimed Con- where the Congress has a good Alliance chairperson Sonia Gan- Chandrasekhar in the BSP to held in a single phase then. gress offi cial Ravi Gowda. presence,” JD(S) offi cial Ramesh dhi, and brother and Congress spy but its conspiracy failed. To In a pre-poll tie-up, the Con- The Congress has fi elded fi ve Babu told IANS. president Rahul Gandhi being remove the arrogant, autocrat- gress is contesting 10 seats and of the six outgoing lawmakers The BJP, however, is upbeat on out on bail in the National Her- ic, casteist and communal BJP the JD(S) four, while the BJP is from their respective seats, bar- not only retaining the six seats it ald case and her husband Rob- from power, every single vote is contesting 13 seats in the fi rst ring Tumkur, which it gifted to won in 2014, but also wrest Chi- ert Vadra out on bail in a money precious. Don’t let your vote be phase, and is supporting actress the JD(S) as part of seat-sharing tradurga, Chikkaballapur and laundering case. wasted – an appeal,” she said in Sumalatha Ambareesh, an in- deal. Bengaluru Rural from the Con- The senior Bharatiya Janata another tweet. dependent, in Mandya, about The BJP too fi elded fi ve of the gress, riding on the popularity of Party’s remarks came two days Azad on Saturday held a road 100km southwest of Bengaluru, six outgoing lawmakers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi A worker displays T-shirts with images of Prime Minister Narendra after Vadra, during her visit to show in Varanasi and announced a JD(S) stronghold. their respective seats and fi elded and the “achievements” of its Modi and Congress Party Chief Rahul Gandhi for sale inside a shop the temple town of Ayodhya, that he will be contesting against The 14 constituencies in the Tejasvi Surya from Bengaluru government in the past fi ve years. at a market in Kolkata. said she won’t be visiting the Modi. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

Danger lingers two years after deadly Mocoa landslide hit Colombian province

By Anastasia Moloney, Reuters 2017, triggered a deadly torrent of forts, so far 300 new homes have the Thomson Reuters Founda- river banks who are the most vul- is at high risk of flooding. But work on building another 1,150 Mocoa, Colombia mud, debris and rocks, and caused been built for property owners tion. nerable, he said. Torres, who narrowly escaped new houses in and around Mo- rivers to burst their banks, wash- who lost theirs in the disaster. But the funds needed from “It’s a very complex task. It’s being washed away in the dead- coa is set to start soon, mostly ing away entire neighbourhoods. But around 25,000 residents of the national government to buy very diffi cult to do because you ly landslide, says she has no op- for homeowners who lost their wo years after a mudslide At least 300 people lost their Mocoa, the rainy and humid cap- the land for resettling people have to give people psychoso- tion but to stay where she is as property in the disaster. that killed more than 300 lives and hundreds more went ital of Colombia’s southern prov- and to build new homes have not cial care so that people take the she cannot afford to leave and “There are very many houses Tpeople in the Colombian missing, many of them children, ince of Putumayo in the Amazon yet been defi ned or secured, the initiative (to leave), because the pay higher rent in a safer part of to build,” Castro said. rainforest town of Mocoa, local in the worst disaster to hit Co- basin, live in areas that are at risk mayor said. historical tradition here is to live town. Surrounded by mountain- authorities are struggling to get lombia in recent decades. of fl ooding and mudslides, ac- The resettlement of tens of alongside the rivers,” Castro said. “We live in permanent danger,” ous rainforest and with six riv- the funds to resettle tens of thou- Local community leaders put cording to Jose Antonio Castro, thousands of people would take Community leader Eugenia Torres said. “I live here out of ne- ers running through and around sands of residents living in areas the combined toll of the dead and the town’s mayor. about 20 years in total and be Torres and her daughter live cessity, not because I want to or Mocoa, the town’s topography at risk of fl ooding. missing at around 1,000 people. “It’s most advisable to create carried out in phases, starting in a destitute part of Mocoa, don’t want to leave.” and location makes it prone to Torrential rains on March 31, As part of reconstruction ef- a resettlement plan,” Castro told with communities living along alongside a river that she knows According to the mayor, mudslides and fl ash fl oods.

Border row puts Mexican Protests mark Brazil president in Trump bind

By Dave Graham, Reuters Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard Mexico City said he did not believe Trump was de- manding an outright stop to the mi- grant fl ow, which has run into the mil- onald Trump’s threat to shut lions over the past decade. coup anniversary the US border if Mexico does “What can be done is to improve Dnot halt all illegal immigration work on registering and regulat- AFP has exposed the limitations of the new ing (migration),” Ebrard told Reuters. Rio de Janeiro Mexican government’s strategy of try- “They’re asking us to put into eff ect ing to appease the US president as he what we said we would do.” gears up for re-election. The government has vowed to curb undreds of protesters chant- Amid a surge in migrant detentions migration by addressing the root caus- ing “dictatorship never again” at the southwest US border, Trump on es, keeping better tabs on the people Htook to the streets of Brazil’s Friday said he would close the 3,200km entering Mexico and adopting a more capital yesterday for the 55th anniver- frontier, or sections of it, during the humane approach to the phenomenon. sary of the coup that established more coming week if Mexico did not halt the In exchange, Lopez Obrador has than two decades of military rule. fl ow of people. sought to enlist Trump’s aid in Further demonstrations against the Casting the government under left- tackling the problems of Central 1964-1985 dictatorship were planned ist President Andres Manuel Lopez America, which critics say has been in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo af- Obrador as the villain in his struggle to scarred by a history of messy US in- ter far-right President Jair Bolsonaro curb illegal immigration to the United terventions. sparked widespread anger by ordering States, Trump returned to a signature Lopez Obrador had said last week the defence forces to commemorate theme of his 2015-2016 presidential migration was chiefl y a matter for the overthrow of then-president Joao election bid. Washington and the troubled region, Goulart. His words were a slap in the face to refl ecting the view that Mexico cannot Nearly 1,000 noisy protesters in Lopez Obrador, who has refused to help being sandwiched between the Brasilia accused Bolsonaro, an ex-ar- answer back to provocative comments struggling countries and the richest my captain and unabashed admirer of from Trump. nation on the planet. the country’s former dictators, of be- Instead, the Mexican leader has Instead, the US State Department ing a “militant” and demanded “Bol- worked to cement his powerbase by said on Saturday it was cutting off aid sonaro out.” combating poverty with welfare hand- to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Hon- The demonstration came a day af- outs and lambasting his predecessors duras, raising questions about Trump’s ter an appeals court judge overturned as corrupt. commitment to helping there. another judge’s decision to bar com- Last week, Lopez Obrador again said Soaring border arrests have rankled memorations sought by Bolsonaro. he would not quarrel with Trump, in- with the US president. Appellate judge Maria do Carmo voking “love and peace” and repeating US Customs and Border Patrol pro- Cardoso accepted the government’s his commitment to curbing migration. jections are for over 90,000 appre- argument that Brazilian democracy A protester holds a mask depicting Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a demonstration in Brasilia However, for former Mexican foreign hensions to be logged during March, was strong enough to support “a plu- yesterday against celebrations marking the anniversary of a 1964 coup. minister Jorge Castaneda, Mexico faces according to data provided to the Mex- ralism of ideas.” “incredibly damaging” consequences ican government. That is up more than “I see no violation of human rights, But unlike its South American mistake was not killing enough leftists. paper wrote in an editorial last week. if Trump does order “go-slows” at the 140% from March 2018, and a seven- particularly as similar demonstrations neighbours, Brazil has not prosecut- Early in his political career he said “It’s evident he is more inclined to border, which would pitch Lopez Obra- fold jump from 2017. took place in the barracks in preceding ed military offi cials for regime-era on the fl oor of Congress that he was stir up the most extreme sectors of dor into uncomfortable new territory. At the same time, Lopez Obrador is years with no negative consequences,” crimes, leaving the events of that dark “in favour of a dictatorship” and that public opinion, who were among his “He’s totally unfamiliar with inter- sending fewer migrants back home. she wrote. period unresolved. Brazil would “never resolve grave na- earliest supporters in his presidential national aff airs. He’d prefer not to have The fall partly refl ects the govern- Bolsonaro, who is on a three-day Bolsonaro, who ran for the presi- tional problems with this irresponsi- campaign.” to worry about these things,” Castane- ment’s decision to issue humanitarian visit to Israel, is the country’s fi rst dency as a political outsider deter- ble democracy.” While a majority of Brazilians look da said, noting that the US president visas to encourage Central Americans president since democracy was re- mined to dismantle a culture of cor- Like many in the military and part of dimly on the dictatorship, some recall had tested many governments. to stay in Mexico. stored in 1985 to publicly exalt the ruption, has seen his approval rating the wider population, Bolsonaro con- it as a time of order and relative safety, “Nobody’s been able to fi nd a way to The visas proved so popular that the military regime, though he argues its plunge amid scandals and missteps siders the 1964 coup a saving grace. compared to the rise of violent crime manage Trump. It’s a mess.” government had to suspend them, of- rise to power was not a “coup.” since his January 1 inauguration. He has pointed to the collapse of the in recent decades. Staunchly non-interventionist in fi cials say. In the past, the tough-talking Bol- Reuters adds: Brazil’s armed forces Venezuelan economy under its social- Brazil in 2017 had 64,000 murders, international aff airs, Lopez Obrador Yet by agreeing in December to ac- sonaro has referred to the dictatorship yesterday paid tribute to the 1964 ist government as proof the military by far more than any other country. shows little interest in diplomacy. cept Central American asylum seek- as a “glorious” time in Brazilian history. coup after far-right President Jair Bol- saved Brazil from such a fate. Brazil, unlike South American He has often said “the best foreign ers while their claims are processed in He was quoted in 2008 as saying sonaro reversed an 8-year-ban on cel- Instead of public celebrations, Bra- neighbours Argentina and Chile that policy is domestic policy.” the United States, Lopez Obrador gave that “the error of the dictatorship was ebrations. zil’s armed forces say they will hold also endured brutal, US-backed mili- But as the destination of 80% of the impression he could be “pushed that it tortured but did not kill.” The military has not been allowed internal programmes and panels look- tary regimes during the Cold War, has Mexico’s exports and workplace of around” by Trump, said former foreign Since taking offi ce, Bolsonaro has to observe the 1964 coup since 2011, ing at events that led to Brazil’s coup, never tried anyone for the murders, hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, minister Castaneda, who backed Lopez had fond words for military dictators when former President Dilma Rous- what happened during the military torture and other abuses carried out the United States off ers Trump plenty Obrador’s closest rival in the last elec- in 1970s and 1980s Latin America, seff , a one-time leftist guerrilla who regime and the importance of the 1985 during its dictatorship. of leverage to apply pressure via the tion. such as Alfredo Stroessner of Para- was imprisoned and tortured under return to democracy. In 2014, a Truth Commission report border. “I think the US administration and guay and Chile’s Augusto Pinochet. the dictatorship, ordered an end to Despite the more sober approach presented evidence that Brazil’s mili- Policy experts say Trump’s demand the advisers in the White House know At least 434 people were killed or events marking the date. from the military, Bolsonaro’s public tary regime had murdered or “disap- is not realistic and that Mexican au- it’s not a good idea,” she told Reuters. disappeared in Brazil during the 21- Brazil’s Defense Ministry said the encouragement has dismayed many. peared” 434 political dissidents and thorities are already stretched. But if push came to shove, Mexico year dictatorship, far fewer than the armed forces will not hold public “By insisting on a celebratory tone, tortured upward of 50,000 others. Still, Mexico has signalled it will would suff er most, said Castaneda. 30,000 deaths in Argentina and more commemorations. the president has once again shown But a 1979 amnesty law remains in redouble eff orts to contain migration, “The Americans have a much greater than 3,200 in Chile during their re- Bolsonaro, a retired Army captain, that he is ambiguous about the eff ect, meaning that neither the mili- which stems largely from three poor, capacity...to outlast the Mexicans,” he spective periods of right-wing mili- has long praised the 1964-85 military democratic principles he claims to tary nor leftist guerrillas at the time violent Central American countries: said. “For Mexicans, it’s a life or death tary rule. government and often said its biggest defend,” the Folha de S Paulo news- have been held accountable. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. issue.” Maduro supporters, opponents rally amid blackouts

AFP telephone and Internet services Latin American nation, which is economy and pushing it towards Caracas across the country. spiralling ever deeper into eco- civil war in open violation of in- The most recent blackout nomic chaos during the protract- ternational law,” foreign ministry halted activities last Monday and ed political crisis. spokeswoman Maria Zakharova enezuelan security forces Thursday. Guaido moved to keep the said in a statement. fi red tear gas on Saturday “Our lights go out at every pressure on the Maduro govern- Amid the political crisis, the Vto disperse demonstrators moment, we don’t have Internet ment by calling for a new mass Red Cross announced that in 15 in Caracas outraged by massive service...the water service has protest. days it would start distributing power outages that have kept been terrible for more than a year, “We are organising Operation humanitarian aid in Venezuela. much of the country in darkness and with these blackouts things Freedom. And we want everyone Aid has been at the centre of since early March. have gotten a lot worse,” said a in the streets around Venezuela the power struggle between Ma- AFP journalists on the scene protester at a Caracas demo who on April 6,” Guaido said at a rally duro and Guaido. said the security forces blocked did not want to give her name. on Saturday in Los Teques, not Maduro’s decision to accept opposition protesters from con- She was in a crowd with her far from Caracas. international aid is a major policy centrating at certain points in the neighbours protesting by bang- In response, Maduro also shift, because until now he had western side of the capital city. ing pots. called another new mass coun- claimed Venezuela’s problems The latest power outage hit “I refuse to leave Venezuela, ter-demonstration “to say no to were caused by the United States just after 7pm on Friday, aff ect- because I am certain that there US terrorist imperialism.” and others while denying any ing Caracas and at least 20 of the is so much here to fi ght for,” said He also called on the “colec- crisis existed. oil producing country’s 23 states. another marcher who identifi ed tivos” — pro-government en- According to the United Na- The blackouts have hit Ven- herself only as Andrea. “We are forcers that the opposition de- tions, a quarter of Venezuela’s ezuela hard — worsening the going to stay in the street fi ght- scribe as armed paramilitary 30mn people have urgent hu- already-dire economic and living ing.” thugs — to have “zero toler- manitarian aid needs. conditions in a country that is She said that while Caracas ance” for violence at the pro- On February 23 shipments of witnessing a political showdown outages were bad, in many states tests. food and medicine sent by the between the head of the coun- they are much worse, making it “They are inciting people United States, Colombia and try’s leftist government, Nicolas impossible for millions to use re- with hatred. We are calling for Brasil in support of Guaido were Maduro, and opposition leader frigerators. love. We are calling for peace,” blocked from entering Venezuela Juan Guaido. Maduro has blamed the pre- said Maduro’s social movements at the border by the Maduro gov- The United States and more vious outages on sabotage, but chief Jesus Camargo. ernment. than 50 other countries recog- experts have said infrastructure Separately in Moscow, Russia Seven people were killed and nise Guaido as interim president. crumbling from years of neglect warned US offi cials to stop in- scores wounded in the following Russia, along with China, back is a likelier culprit than outside terfering in the standoff between violence. Maduro. interference. Maduro and Guaido. Maduro at the time claimed The blackouts that began on Malnutrition and disease are “We recommend that the that the aid was a preamble to a March 7 have aff ected the wa- on the rise as living conditions United States stop threaten- military intervention to oust him ter service, transportation, and plummet in the oil-producing ing Venezuela, smothering its from power. Protesters march during a blackout in Caracas yesterday. Gulf Times 20 Monday, April 1, 2019 PAKISTAN Two-year extension to Envoy warns against use military courts expires of FATF as Internews tutional amendment for the There has been no offi cial the two-year term of the courts confi dence over the issue as Islamabad purpose. data available about the cases would expire. without their support the period The government had earlier heard and tried by these military Giving details of the cases of the military courts could not planned a meeting of the par- courts. The National Assembly, decided by the military courts, be extended. political tool he military courts in Paki- liamentary leaders and heads of however, had been informed the minister had said that a total He said the ruling Pakistan Te- stan that had been set up political parties for a briefi ng on in November last year that the of 478 cases had been decided, hreek-i-Insaf believed that the Tunder the National Action the issue of implementation of military authorities had to de- which meant that the conviction military courts set up through Internews symptoms of terrorism.” Plan (NAP) in 2015 to try civil- the NAP on March 28, but it had cide 185 terrorism-related cases rate of the cases was more than a political consensus under the New York The Pakistani envoy also re- ians on terrorism charges ceased to cancel it following the oppo- before expiry of their two-year 60%. NAP against terrorism in 2015 ferred to the rise of right-wing to function yesterday as their sition parties’ decision to boy- term in March. He said a total of 284 con- had delivered and even the Su- extremism and Islamophobia second two-year constitutional cott the event due to the prevail- In a written reply to a ques- victs had been awarded death preme Court had upheld the n the Security Council, Pa- in some Western countries term expired at midnight. ing tense political atmosphere in tion raised by legislator Mohsin sentences and 56 of them had establishment of these courts. kistan has warned against and called for swift action The government, which has the country. Dawar, Defence Minister Pervez already been executed. Simi- On the other hand, the Paki- Ithe politicisation of the against this deliberate hate already decided in principle to Sources in the government say Khattak had informed the Na- larly, he said, 192 convicts had stan People’s Party, which had UN’s counter-terrorism ma- mongering which she said of- give another extension to the that the draft law to give second tional Assembly that since the been awarded rigorous impris- previously taken a tough stance chinery saying this would only ten led to violence. military courts for two more extension to the military courts launch of the military operation onment, two accused acquit- on the issue and extended only compromise the integrity of Expressing solidarity with years, is still struggling to seek had been prepared and the two Zarb-i-Azb, the interior min- ted and 54 cases dropped due to conditional support to the pre- the regime. the government and the peo- the co-operation of the oppo- ministries concerned law and istry had referred a total of 717 technical reasons. vious government of the Paki- Speaking in the Security ple of New Zealand on the re- sition parties over the issue as interior had already initiated cases of terrorism to the military Federal Minister for Infor- stan Muslim League-N over the Council debate on “Preventing cent terror attack in Christch- it does not have the required the process of reinstating the courts. mation Fawad Chaudhry, when issue, is again opposed to the and Combating the Financ- urch, Ambassador Lodhi said two-thirds majority in any of military courts even before the Of the total cases, 185 were contacted, said the government idea of giving an extension to the ing of Terrorism,” ambassador that such attacks demonstrat- the two houses of the parlia- expiry of their two-year term on still under process and they had had already decided to engage military courts to try civilians on Maleeha Lodhi said that cur- ed that terrorism could not be ment to carry out the consti- March 30. to be decided by March 30 when the opposition to take it into terrorism charges. rent structures like FATF and associated with any faith, eth- the 1267 Sanctions regimes nicity or nationality. should not be used as political “Pakistan”, Lodhi said, “has tools by some to advance their been the principal victim Envoy to India geopolitical goals. of terrorism, including that “There is also a need to supported, sponsored and fi - named foreign make these institutions more nanced from abroad.” Omani air chief visiting Pakistan inclusive of the wider mem- “But this has not dimin- secretary bership in their decision- ished my country’s resolve to making processes”, she added. eliminate this scourge. It has Pakistan High Commissioner to Internews The visit comes within the She pointed in her com- in fact reinforced our will to India Sohail Mahmood has been Islamabad scope of existing defence co- prehensive statement to the fi ght until the last terrorist is named as the country’s new operation and at the invitation several gaps that existed in the eliminated from the country”, foreign secretary. extended from Pakistan Air international community’s she added. Speaking to media in Multan he commander of the Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar counter terrorism strategy. Highlighting Pakistan’s yesterday, Foreign Minister Royal Air Force of Oman Khan during his bilateral visit She identifi ed the lack of in- achievements in its counter- Shah Mahmood Qureshi Tis visiting Pakistan on a to Oman during September ternational attention given to terrorism eff orts, Lodhi said announced that Mahmood four-day offi cial visit, offi cial 2018. foreign intervention and for- that Pakistan had adopted a will replace Tehmina Janjua, sources have said. The period March 2018 to eign occupation, denial of the multipronged strategy which who is retiring on April 16 after Ali Javed, the ambassador March 2019 marks a watershed right to self-determination to included military-led law en- serving in the position for two of Pakistan to Oman, yester- in bilateral parliamentary, po- peoples living under foreign forcement campaign and a years. day saw off Air Vice Marshal litical and defence relations occupation and continued comprehensive national plan “Sohail Mahmood has been Mater bin Ali al-Obaidani, the witnessing an unprecedented violations of international law of action. appointed foreign secretary Commander Royal Air Force of growth and exchanges begin- and the UN Charter as exam- “Our 20-point National after consultation with the prime Oman (CRAFO), and his ac- ning with bilateral visits of ples of such gaps. Action Plan”, she underscored, minister,” Qureshi said. companying delegation, at the Chief of Army Staff General The Pakistani envoy as- “focuses as much on coun- Praising Janjua’s work, Qureshi Seeb airbase. Bajwa and Chief of Naval Staff serted that despite being ob- ter measures as on preventive said that she handled diff icult The Omani air chief, head- Admiral Abbasi in March and vious causative factors, these approaches, including con- situations in an excellent manner. ing to Pakistan for a four-day July 2018, whereas Air Chief situations were ignored or cast fronting the risks arising from Janjua was the first woman bilateral visit, expressed keen- Marshal Khan and chairman aside. terrorist fi nancing”. to become Pakistan’s foreign ness to executing the substan- of Joint Chiefs of Staff Com- She said that the interna- “By successfully conduct- secretary. tive visit schedule and said mittee General Hayat visited tional community agreed that ing the largest counter-terror- With vast diplomatic visit is a valuable opportu- the Sultanate in September continued and persistent vio- ism operation anywhere in the experience under his belt, nity to boost co-operation be- 2018 and February 2019, re- lations of human rights con- world by deploying 200,000 Mahmood previously served tween the air forces of the two spectively. tributed to violent extremism of our troops, the ambassa- as Pakistan’s ambassador to countries as well as augment Other substantive visits and yet killings continue in dor said, “our security forces Turkey. bilateral relations. during the same period in- Indian-administered Kashmir have turned the tide against Before that, he served as the In addition to reviewing a cluded chairman of Senate and Palestine. terrorism”. ambassador to Thailand and guard of honour and holding of Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani, Ambassador Lodhi under- Lodhi also told the Secu- permanent representative to the bilateral talks with his coun- coinciding with Sultanate’s scored that brutalisation and rity Council that Pakistan UNESCP Bangkok for four years terpart, the Oman Air Force National Day in November oppression of people strug- had criminalised terror- till 2013. chief will hold separate meet- 2018 and Foreign Minister gling for their legitimate right ist fi nancing in accordance Mahmood has also served ings with the complete spec- Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to self-determination consti- with the Terrorism Financ- as political co-ordinator for trum of Pakistan armed forces who co-chaired the 7th Joint tuted state terrorism, which ing Convention and had Pakistan’s delegation to the leadership including chairman Commission in January this Pakistan’s ambassador to Oman Ali Javed shaking hands with should also be the focus of in- enacted laws to eliminate UN Security Council before of Joint Chiefs of Staff Com- year. Royal Air Force of Oman commander Air Vice Marshal Mater bin Ali ternational attention. terrorism fi nancing risks assuming off ice in Bangkok. mittee General Hayat, Chief of The “Pak-Oman Friendship al-Obaidani. Lodhi said, “Pakistan has and implement its interna- He was additional foreign Army Staff General Bajwa and Group” in the Senate of Pa- always advocated that in- tional obligations, includ- secretary for America at the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral kistan consisting of Senators during March 17 to 21 followed on March 24 and 25, whose visit ternational eff orts should be ing those arising from FATF headquarters before leaving Abbasi, to forge bilateral de- Mir Kabeer and Ashok Kaum by a visit of Minister for Reli- coincided with Pakistan Day cel- geared towards fi ghting the recommendations and 1267 for Thailand. (Internews) fence co-operation. undertook the inaugural visit gious Aff airs Noorul Haq Qadri ebrations in Oman. root causes and not just the Sanction Regime. Karachi revitalisation drive aims to remake Pakistan’s largest city

Reuters Karachi’s economy, improves Pakistan crowded network of private buses and Karachi effi ciency and Pakistan’s economy,” vans cart thousands to and from work said former fi nance minister and Ka- in the bustling downtown. rachi resident Mifath Ismail. “It is the Shah, the provincial transport min- t a historic market commis- only port city in Pakistan and it’s the ister, blames delays in the rail and bus sioned by Queen Victoria in Pa- hub of all international trade.” projects on the federal government, Akistan’s southern metropolis of A study by the NED University of which he accuses of “playing political Karachi, third-generation spice seller Engineering and Technology found games”. Mohammed Shakeel Abbasi complains that traffi c congestion costs Karachi The federal information ministry did that a move to clear illegal encroach- $2bn annually. Data from the local mu- not respond to a request for comment. ments has left poor shopkeepers nicipal corporation showed more than Karachi’s administration has been jobless. 3 million motorcycles currently in use dominated for decades by the Mohajir “My own business has been cut in with 25,000 added each month. Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has half,” said Abbasi of the modernisa- To be sure, eff orts to revitalise Kara- traditionally drawn support from the tion drive ordered by the country’s chi have achieved some success, most descendents of Urdu-speakers who Supreme Court in January to clean up notably in curbing the violent crime for migrated from India following parti- large swathes of the city’s historic cen- which the city had become notorious. tion in 1947, but had little following tre, which he says has driven away so In 2013, the national government beyond the city. many vendors that fewer people now of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif The MQM was involved in bloody visit the area. gave free rein to the paramilitary Rang- factional battles in the 1990s and “We need these changes for the ers for a sweeping crackdown on 2000s and was accused by opponents country to move forward but it needs criminal gangs. of running the city like a mafi a fi efdom, to be done properly,” he said, sur- That, say police offi cials, saw the allegations it denied. rounded by barrels of mango pickle, annual number of murders fall from It has come under increasing pres- chilli powder and turmeric at the stall more than 2,500 to fewer than 500 in sure since the crime crackdown, which his grandfather built more than 80 the space of a year. saw the party split into several fac- years ago. “If this had been achieved in the tions. As a result, the city’s politics are The modernisation of Karachi’s old West, studies would have been car- now more competitive, but also more downtown is one of a string of projects ried out to replicate these results,” said fragmented. aimed at revitalising Pakistan’s largest senior police offi cial Abdul Khalique “There is no one taking ownership of city and economic powerhouse, which Shaikh. Karachi,” the city’s MQM mayor Wa- has long been plagued by traffi c con- The falling crime rate has meant seem Akhtar told Reuters, adding the gestion, water and electricity short- some upscale neighbourhoods have city saw little return for the millions ages and rampant crime. Vehicles are stuck in a traff ic jam in Karachi yesterday. seen a spike in new restaurants, from in revenue that went to provincial and But experts say the politicking by lo- hipster burger joints to taco food federal governments. “From the Fed- cal parties and wrangling between dif- according to Sindh province’s Trans- ran Khan announced the allocation of city’s infrastructure has failed to keep trucks, alongside high-end retail eral or Sindh government there is no ferent levels of government that have port Minister Awais Qadir Shah. 162bn rupees ($1.15bn) for Karachi’s pace with a population that has sky- outlets. seriousness.” stalled Karachi’s growth for decades Muhammed Sualeh Faruqui, chief development, to be primarily spent on rocketed more than 300%, leaving But decades of growing congestion None of this is any comfort for Ka- continue to hold back development. executive offi cer, federal development transport and sewage projects. many public services such as health, and neglect have turned places such rachi’s long suff ering commuters who Public transit programmes, includ- corporation in charge of the bus project “We need to make a master plan for transport, and water either provided as the Saddar area, where the Empress are forced to trudge through hours of ing a shiny new bus service and the that is expected to move 250,000 com- Karachi and defi ne the limits of the city by an informal private sector or con- Market is located, from a spot where all traffi c on their daily commutes, as the revival of a long-closed inner city rail muters daily, said an agreement be- and whether it will expand beyond its trolled by organised crime. Karachiites once rubbed shoulders into city’s main traffi c artery comes to a service, are among the projects stuck tween the provincial and federal gov- current area,” Khan said. The city nevertheless remains key a rundown shopping and business dis- complete standstill during rush hours. in the gridlock. ernment should be fi nalised soon. In the 1960s, Karachi boasted the to Pakistan’s economy, accounting for trict avoided by the well-off . “With the non-serious attitude of all Both transport schemes have been But no movement has been made on tallest building in South Asia, an oper- 20% of the country’s gross domestic The once fashionable part of town, the parties involved, I don’t see the held up awaiting authorisation from the bus or rail projects since Reuters ational inner-city rail service, vibrant product (GDP), according to World now lined with crumbling colonial-era project taking off for the next two, Islamabad to invite bids to supply new spoke to Faruqui in January. nightlife, and booming tourism. Bank fi gures. buildings, is a transport hub for nearly three years,” a senior bureaucrat, who buses and begin laying railways tracks, On Saturday, Prime Minister Im- But more than 50 years later, the “Improving Karachi’s effi ciency and 20mn residents. Every day, an over- asked not to be identifi ed, said. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

48 Filipinos in death row Billions worth El Nino assured assistance

By Catherine S Valente damage to farm sector Manila Times By Eireene J Gomez and General Santos) and the Manila Times Bangsamoro Autonomous alacanang has as- Region in Muslim Mindanao. sured the public that The DA’s DRRM Opera- Mthe Philippine govern- gricultural damage tions Center said a total of ment was doing everything to caused by a weak El P95.875mn in financial as- save all overseas Filipino work- ANino went up further sistance from the Agricultur- ers (OFWs) who were on death to P4.35bn from the P1.33bn al Credit Policy Council had row abroad, including the 48 in recorded earlier, the Disaster been allocated for the Sur- Malaysia. Risk Reduction and Manage- vival and Recovery Assistance Palace spokesman Salvador ment (DRRM) Operations Programme that would bene- Panelo made the statement fol- Center of the Department of fit 3,835 affected farmers. lowing the appeal of Senior Agriculture (DA) said yester- The Philippine Crop In- Deputy Minority Leader and day. surance Corp. had also paid Buhay party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Drought claimed 233,007 P43.083mn to 3,534 farm- Atienza Jr to the Malaysian gov- metric tonnes (MT) of rice and ers in Bicol, Central Luzon, ernment to spare the lives of 48 corn, up by 213% from 74,348 Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Filipinos sentenced to the death MT recorded on March 19. Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), in Kuala Lumpur. The area of drought-ridden Western Visayas and North- “Defi nitely we will not (leave agricultural lands also grew ern Mindanao, it added. them behind). We will always re- to 149,914 hectares, aff ecting Moreover, a total of spond to the call of distress from 138,859 farmers and fi sherfolk. P18.3mn was released for any OFW,” Panelo told reporters Damage to the rice sector cloud seeding by the Philip- in a press conference. alone stood at P2.6bn, aff ect- pine Air Force. “I think the Secretary of La- ing 108,845 rice farmers in 37 Agriculture Secretary Em- bour (Silvestre Bello 3rd) is doing provinces. manuel Pinol said the cloud something about that already. The estimated volume of seeding would continue in We’re waiting, in fact, for his re- production loss was pegged at Cagayan Valley, Davao and port of the latest,” he added. 125,590 MT over 111,851 hec- Soccsksargen in the coming On Thursday, Atienza called tares of agricultural areas. weeks. on the Malaysian government to For corn, the DA said damage “A minimum area of 23,293 grant commutation of the death and losses climbed to P1.66bn hectares have been saved due sentences meted out to Filipinos, or 107,417 MT, covering 37,643 to the 7,700 units of pump following reports that Malaysia hectares. About 30,014 corn and engine sets distributed has decided to scrap the manda- farmers in 13 provinces were between 2017 and 2018, with tory hanging for 11 off ences. aff ected, it added. an equivalent production Citing Department of Foreign The affected regions in- volume of 90,100 MT of palay Aff airs records, Atienza said cluded the Cordillera Ad- (unhusked rice) amounting to there were 48 Filipino citizens ministrative Region, Ilocos, P1.53 billion,” the DA’s DRRM awaiting execution in Malaysia. Cagayan Valley, Central Lu- Operations Center said. In October last year, Atienza zon, Southern Luzon, Bicol, The Philippine Atmos- said Malaysia’s Pakatan Hara- Western Visayas, Eastern pheric, Geophysical and As- pan or Alliance of Hope coalition Visayas, Zamboanga Penin- tronomical Services Admin- imposed a moratorium on all sula, Northern Mindanao, istration has reported that El judicial executions pending the Davao, Soccsksargen (South Nino had peaked and would passage of new legislation that Cotabato, Cotabato Province, start weakening in the next would remove the mandatory Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani months. Agricultural damage caused by a weak El Nino went up further to 4.35bn pesos. death sentence for 11 off ences. Public vehicle drivers 14 farmers killed in Death penalty revival face surprise drug tests sought for road rage

By Dempsey Reyes City Jeepney Terminal, Pasay police ‘massacre’ Manila Times de Cascia Chapel on Quirino Manila Times City UV terminals, SM Mall of Manila Avenue, Baclaran in Parañaque Asia terminal, Nichols Jeepney City on Friday, decried the ap- terminal, Ninoy Aquino Inter- AFP with communist rebels — who Euraoba said. Police arrested an- parently unchanging trend in he Philippine Drug national Airport terminal and Manila are waging a 50-year-old insur- other 12 men while they recov- he founding chair- violent crimes committed by Enforcement Agency three tricycle terminals near gency that has killed thousands ered various fi rearms from those man of the Volunteers perpetrators. T(PDEA) has launched a the vicinity. — and has ordered his troops to killed, Euraoba added. However TAgainst Crime and Cor- The victim will be interred surprise mandatory drug test- Aquino said the programme ights groups yesterday “destroy” them. rights and peasant groups said ruption (VACC) on Saturday at Providence Park in Dasmar- ing for public transport driv- would cover 49 other terminals condemned what they The latest violence occurred the 14 men killed on Saturday again pushed for the reimpo- iñas, Cavite on March 30, after ers nationwide, reiterating its nationwide. Rcalled a “massacre” of 14 in three separate incidents in were farmers, some elderly, cit- sition of the death penalty in a Mass at the same chapel at crackdown of users in various Oplan Harabas is imple- farmers by police in the central Negros island, the centre of ing witness accounts contra- the Philippines over the recent 1:30pm. workplaces. mented with the Land Trans- Philippines as authorities de- the nation’s sugar industry and dicting the police’s statement. spate of road rage crimes in Having just attended the The programme, dubbed portation Office, Land Trans- fended the incident as a legiti- home to some of the country’s “They were defenceless. It’s diff erent areas in the country. burial of 16-year-old Chris- “Oplan Harabas” and led by portation Franchising and mate operation against suspect- wealthiest landowners as well as clear that it was a massacre. Dante Jimenez cited the tine Silawan, who was vio- PDEA Director General Aaron Regulatory Board, Philippine ed communist rebels. some of its poorest farm work- They are tagged as members and killing of road rage victim lently murdered in Lapu-Lapu Aquino, was implemented in National Police, Manila In- Police say the 14 men on Sat- ers. sympathisers (of communist Larry Fortaleza, 54, who was City in Cebu also this month, Pasay City public transporta- ternational Airport Author- urday shot at offi cers with search Authorities say the operation rebels) but they are farmers as- gunned down in Pasay City Jimenez expressed serious tion terminals as pilot areas. ity, Metro Manila Development warrants for illegal fi rearms, was a response to communist serting their rights to land,” said last March 17. concern over the killing of Aquino said under the pro- Authority, local government prompting them to return fi re. rebel attacks in Negros, adding Maria Sol Taule, legal counsel for Police identifi ed the sus- Fortaleza, and aired his urgent gramme, drivers found positive units and various stakeholders. But rights groups insist the one policeman was wounded. rights group Karapatan. pect, who is still at large, as appeal for legislators, espe- of drug use would be stripped Based on the data presented men were “farmers asserting “They fought back against “President Duterte is attack- Rey Dongon, aged between cially those running for re- off their licenses to ensure the to reporters, a total of 3,654 their rights to land”, the latest our operating units. We were ing his critics including people 24-26 years old, and a resident election in the midterm elec- safety of commuters. drivers, bus conductors and victims caught up in a violent forced to fi re back. Some of (the fi ghting for their rights. It’s an at Upper Narra Street, Baran- tions on May 13, to seriously The PDEA chief, however, dispatchers were arrested from crackdown under President Ro- 14 men) are farmers but we can- all-out attack on all they suspect gay Payatas B in Quezon City. consider the implications of assured that those whose re- January 2018 until January this drigo Duterte. Duterte’s govern- not confi rm how many,” provin- to be enemies, whether farmers Jimenez, who was at the the incident in terms of law sults turned out positive would year over violation of Republic ment has cancelled peace talks cial police spokesman Edilberto or lawyers.” victim’s wake at the Santa Rita and order and public safety. undergo rehabilitation with the Act 9165 or the “Comprehen- agency’s help. sive Dangerous Drugs Act of “The important thing there 2002.” is how he will obtain again his Aquino explained that driv- license after getting a certifi- ers would often lose sleep as cate after graduating from the they have two to three days of De Lima tells Sara not to back dishonest candidates rehabilitation center. We are work duty. “Eventually, the implementing this because we only thing they would do be- want to help the drivers and it cause of no sleep at all is to use Manila Times use her to gain public approval ahead of her (Duterte-Carpio) earlier remark that “Unless you are one of them, don’t is important also to have inter- illegal drugs such as shabu. Manila the national and local elections on May honesty was not an election issue. waste your life defending the dishon- ventions with the conductors After using this drug, they can 13. The senator reminded Duterte-Car- est, the corrupt, and the people whom and drivers,” Aquino told re- drive continuously, but the De Lima gave the unsolicited advice pio that most candidates stand by her you know will abuse their office. Your porters at a chance interview in problem there are the side ef- etained Senator Leila de Lima has after the presidential daughter, the cam- not because they believe in her vision ambition should not take precedence Pasay City. fects of shabu. That is why urged Davao City Mayor Sara Du- paign manager of administration’s Hug- but simply because they are taking the over our country’s future,” she said in The surprise drug testing there were accidents occurring Dterte-Carpio to stop campaigning pong ng Pagbabago, sent her an open opportunity to reap all the benefits a reply to Duterte-Carpio’s “Honesty” was conducted at the Pasay on the road,” he pointed out. for “dishonest” candidates who merely letter lashing out at her for disputing they can get from siding with her. letter. Former senator’s call to adopt desalination to boost water supply

Manila Times ground water sources. “Even it can still be tapped for treated tion,” Ilarde said. The Philippines than purchase the same for our Manila now Angat Dam, La Mesa Dam water supply by the concession- should also solicit advice and help needs,” Ilarde said. and other sources are nearing aire water companies. Treating from Gulf state countries such as Ilarde, a pioneer environmen- critical low level. Angat Dam is such polluted water might be Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emir- talist in Congress, has studied the ormer senator Eddie Ilarde on top of an earthquake fault,” too expensive, that is why they ates and others, also Barcelona, condition of Laguna de Bay, Pasig has urged the government he said. are looking at abandoned deep Spain about the best procedure in River and Manila Bay, and has rec- Fto explore desalination of Laguna de Bay, the biggest in- wells,” he said. conserving desalinated water and ommended how these waterways sea water to help solve the water land fresh water lake in South- “We suggest desalination of its distribution, he said. can help the people. He is found- shortage experienced in parts of east Asia, he noted, was on the water from Manila Bay, which, “These places depend mostly ing chairman of Maharlika Move- Metro Manila and Rizal. throes of drying up due to its due to a concerted eff ort of De- on desalinated water. Second- ment for National Transformation In a statement, Ilarde warned shallowness and pollution, ex- partment of Environment and hand desalination equipment and an active supporter of the re- that a long dry spell or El Nino acerbated by the dry spell. Natural Resources, to clean it, can donation shall be most welcome. habilitation of Manila Bay, Pasig Eddie Ilarde: solution for water shortage? meant depletion of water from “But due to the crisis we face, supply any quantity for desalina- The government can do no less River and Laguna de Bay. Gulf Times 22 Monday, April 1, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Don’t leave safety of planes in the hands of makers

Two of Boeing’s 737 Max planes have plunged into deadly nose-down crashes in the past fi ve months. But beyond solving the software glitch, troubling questions remain about the Federal Aviation Administration’s ability to regulate safety of the airline manufacturers. At issue is the FAA’s practice of relying on aircraft makers to essentially certify their own planes for fl ight. Currently, airline manufacturers perform the safety tests and inspections, while the FAA oversees their work. During a recent Senate hearing, FAA Acting NZ failed to record Administrator Daniel Elwell defended a programme that allows manufacturers to certify their own products, telling lawmakers it has resulted in safe aircraft designs. The programme – known as Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA) – saves time and money: Elwell said hate crimes for years the agency would need 10,000 more employees and an additional $1.8bn a year to complete the work now done by designated airline industry employees. Reuters “I listed it every year…I wrote at people from harmful communication an Islamic extremist, which the judge Christchurch/Wellington various points to government about it online. described as a “deliberate attempt to But Senator Richard Blumenthal said at the hearing that and it was simply said that it wasn’t “There are hate speech laws in the tap into public fear about radicalised leaving the airlines in charge of safety puts “the fox in charge necessary and it wasn’t a priority,” De Human Rights Act, but whether data Muslims”. of the henhouse,” and promised to introduce legislation to eeks before a gunman Bres said. should be collected is an operational The likely number is far higher, change the system. Blumenthal said the FAA’s decision to do killed 50 Muslims in In its latest report on New Zealand matter for Police,” a spokeswoman said say human rights experts, because Christchurch, a man had in 2017, the UN committee repeated its by email. accessible records encompass only safety on the cheap is “neither safe nor cheap.” threatened to burn copies concerns and requests and asked the New Zealand has had no previous cases that are appealed or the most Outsourcing the W of the Qur’an outside New Zealand government to provide the data for its extremist mass attacks, unlike severe charges that reach New safety certifi cation mosques, in what community leaders next report as a priority. neighbouring Australia, but civil society Zealand’s highest courts, not the tens of The FAA must take to the airline said was the latest in a long list of When current Justice and Intelligence members say an underbelly of racism thousands of cases dealt with in lower threatening behaviour against religious Serivces Minister Andrew Little took has always existed and may have been District Courts each year. steps to ensure manufacturers minorities. offi ce in late 2017, the Human Rights escalating. One of those was a 2016 case, fi rst stretches back Police said they warned a 38-year- Commission said in their incoming Anjum Rahman from the Islamic reported by the New Zealand Herald, in independence and decades. During that old man over the incident, which was briefi ng the country needed a central Women’s Council of New Zealand said which a Christchurch man delivered a time, the safety record unrelated to the Christchurch attack, system for recording details about the group had repeatedly alerted the bloodied pig’s head to Al Noor mosque, safety are its top but could not say if it was part of a crimes motivated by hatred and racism government over the past fi ve years which was attacked this month. of Boeing and Airbus pattern. and steps currently taken by police were about the rise of the extreme right and He was charged with “off ensive priorities – the two dominant That’s because, unlike many insuffi cient. the growing threat Muslim women felt behaviour” and fi ned NZ$800 ($543), airline makers – has Western countries including the “Understanding the scale, extent, and in New Zealand. court records show. been strong. But questions have been raised repeatedly United Kingdom and the United location of hate crimes is essential and “Without the data, without the In 2017, lawmakers asked police States, New Zealand’s government is a prerequisite to ensuring adequate measurement it’s really hard to push whether hate crime was increasing about the cozy relationship between the FAA and the airline keeps no comprehensive record of resources are available to address the for change...I feel like it wasn’t taken but were told it could not be measured manufacturers. hate crimes, failing to act on requests issue,” the briefi ng said. seriously because it wasn’t hard data because it was not recorded as a specifi c The US Department of Transportation’s inspector general to do so from local and international Little did not respond to Reuters’ because we didn’t have it,” she said, category, according to Parliamentary released an audit in 2011 that fl agged the FAA’s oversight agencies spanning more than a request for comment but told local adding she felt “a resistance to creating records. decade. media on Saturday that current hate that data.” The Human Rights Commission said of the ODA programme in which the manufacturers “For many years our view has speech laws were inadequate and he One in 10 New Zealand adults it received 417 complaints relating to handled 90% of the safety certifi cations. The audit said consistently been that this needs would work with offi cials to review have experienced hate speech online race in 2018, up from 350 in 2014. the FAA needed to improve its oversight, including better to be prioritised and implemented the legislation, including considering according to a 2018 study by Internet Those included 63 complaints of monitoring and training of agency workers. urgently,” said Janet Anderson-Bidois, whether a separate hate crime off ence safety organisation Netsafe, with people “racial disharmony”, which includes Chief Legal Adviser at the Human should be created. of Asian descent or who identifi ed as hate speech, a 26% jump from four In 2012, the Transportation Department’s watchdog Rights Commission, the independent Police said they took hate crimes ‘other’ ethnicity most aff ected. years earlier. found FAA employees complained their managers had government agency tasked with seriously and were continually looking Since 2002, a law has specifi ed judges Lawmaker Golriz Ghahraman, a “too close a relationship with Boeing offi cials,” and that protecting human rights. to improve the way they worked. should take hostility towards a group of former human rights lawyer who was agency bosses did not always back eff orts to hold the “It is imperative that we have good “We are engaged in ongoing people with a “common characteristic”, born in Iran and came to New Zealand data.” conversations with community leaders such as race or religion, into account as a child refugee, said she had received manufacturers accountable. A suspected white supremacist has and representatives about a range of when sentencing. death threats and xenophobia including A 2015 audit by the inspector general found the FAA been charged with murder over the issues, including how police record A Reuters review of sentencing being called a “terrorist” and “Jihadist” lacked adequate staffi ng to oversee the ODA programme. Christchurch shootings and will appear allegations of hate crime and crimes of records found 22 such cases since 2002, online. In the case of the 737 Max planes, Boeing rushed to in court again on April 5. prejudice,” said a police spokesperson most with a racial motive. Before the Christchurch attacks, In the wake of New Zealand’s worst via email. Those included the murder of a most of the public had felt safe, she develop a fuel-effi cient jet to compete with a new Airbus mass shooting, questions are being The National Party, in power from Korean student, the hurling of a pipe said. model announced in 2010. An engineer who worked on the asked about what signs agencies missed 2008 to 2017, said while in government, bomb at a Sikh Temple, and threats to “Minorities didn’t, but no one was 737 Max project told the New York Times the timeline to and where resources should have it introduced legislation to protect politicians by a non-Muslim posing as listening to them.” develop the plane was “extremely compressed,” adding “it been allocated to protect vulnerable communities. was go, go, go.” The Seattle Times reported Boeing’s original Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern safety analysis for a new fl ight control system on the Max has ordered a Royal Commission, a 737 contained crucial fl aws. powerful form of inquiry, into the Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requested the attack. Anwar Ghani from the Federation of inspector general conduct an audit to see how the 737 Max Islamic Associations of New Zealand, was certifi ed. Federal prosecutors also are investigating the said anecdotal evidence suggested plane’s development. there had been a rise in anti-Muslim The FAA was slow to ground the 737 Max after the two behaviour in recent years. “When there is a hot spot in crashes, following the lead of other countries and raising global events and when Muslims are questions about pressure from Boeing. Going forward, the involved…we do see the pulse of hate FAA must take steps to ensure independence and safety are crime coming from certain members of its top priorities. the community,” he said. Joris De Bres, New Zealand’s Race Relations Commissioner between 2002 and 2013, said he was alarmed To Advertise at signs of an uptick in threats against Muslims when he took up the role [email protected] soon after the 9/11 attacks in the Display United States. De Bres said he repeatedly asked 44466621 44418811 the government and police to create a central system for recording details Classified about crimes motivated by hatred and 44466609 44418811 racism. He raised the issue with the United Subscription Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which in its [email protected] 2007 review of New Zealand said the lack of records was a concern, and asked the government to collect data on This handout picture released by the Australian Prime Minister Off ice on March 29, 2019 shows Prime Minister Scott Morrison visiting © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved complaints of racially motivated crimes. the Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand to lay a wreath and pay their respects to the victims of the twin mosque terror attack. Gulf Times Monday, April 1, 2019 23

QATAR VR fi lm X-Ray Fashion exposes ‘the other side’ of fashion industry z Qatar Museums brings interactive VR experience to Al Riwaq Gallery

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

unique virtual reality (VR) fi lm titled X-Ray Fashion Awill open to the public to- day (April 1) at Qatar Museum’s Gallery (QM) Al Riwaq, putting the spotlight on ‘the other side’ of the $2.5tn fashion industry – dubbed as the world’s second largest polluter. Premiered at the 2018 Venice Film Festival (VR section), the exhibition comes to the Middle East for the fi rst time as part of QM extensive 2019 programme. It will be on show until April 21. “Our goal at QM is to bring unique experiences to Qatar and make them accessible to all. X- Ray Fashion is a powerful state- Jeppe Jost Etzerodt giving instructions to a visitor at the X-Ray Fashion exhibition. PICTURE: Ram Chand (From left) Signe Ungermand, Sheikha Reem al-Thani and Maria Herholdt Engermann at the exhibition. ment that transports viewers to a new reality, transforming percep- and fashion photographer Franc- son takes a step and enters the and Jeppe Jost Etzerodt. tions and educating visitors on esco Carrozzini (Franca: Chaos beginning of the supply chain: This cinematic experience is important issues in the world of and Creation), the show is a cin- how cotton is produced and un- a pioneering VR piece that tests fashion,” QM’s Director of Exhibi- ematic VR experience built around der what circumstances the peo- Fashion industry – world’s second largest polluter the implementation of physical tions Sheikha Reem al-Thani said. a 49sqm physical installation that ple are working. and sensory eff ects through set- “The immersive show is an guides the viewer through the dif- Then it moves to a factory in 1. The fashion industry accounts identified as a major contributor purchasing 60% more items of tings that incorporate heat, wind, extraordinary undertaking and I ferent stages of the fast fashion gar- India, showing how the environ- for 10% of global carbon emissions to plastics in our oceans. clothing than 20 years ago. scent and shifting terrain. hope many people in Qatar take ment production; from cotton farm ment is aff ected by the colouring – more than all international flights 4. 10,000 litres of water are 7. In some countries, 40% of By adding multidimensional advantage of this opportunity to to sweatshop, and from catwalk to of all the clothes as, well as the and maritime shipping combined. needed to produce a pair of jeans the clothes in many people’s sensorial eff ects, the fi lmmakers see art and technology intertwine consumer purchase to the afterlife inhabitants. 2. 20% of global waste water – the same amount of water one wardrobes are never worn. seek to draw the participant into in a remarkable manner to make of the garment. “From a sweatshop, it contin- comes from the production of person drinks in a year. 8. 85% of textiles are sent to the an immersive physical experi- such an impact,” she added. Visitors will have the opportu- ues to a big mall and move into a garments, while cotton farming is 5. 75mn people work in fashion- landfills or incinerators – 60% ence that enriches storytelling in X-Ray Fashion was created nity to experience a 360-degree time lapse so you see how over- responsible for nearly a quarter of related jobs – around 80% of them within a year of being made. a new way. by Danish VR production house live-action footage that imparts consumption just becomes faster the world’s insecticides. are women. 9. $500bn in value is lost annually “VR is a strong and powerful MANND and co-produced by a stunning and photo-realistic and faster,” MANND co-founder 3. The textile industry has been 6. The average consumer is now due to under-use of clothes. empathy machine to work with, the World Bank Group’s Con- atmosphere. The transitions Signe Ungermand told reporters. in conveying a message where nect4Climate programme and between the scenes consist of a “Then we take you to a landfi ll, audiences can take the story to the late Paul G Allen’s Vulcan CGI environment that allows the and shows the afterlife of clothes toured around the US in Las Ve- “X Ray Fashion – it came from industry, to really show what was heart. By creating a sensorial VR Productions with the support viewer to walk between the seven that 60% of what people buy is gas, Seattle and Los Angeles, and an idea that you had to look be- going on behind all the beautiful installation, we not only show, of Alcantara, a certifi ed carbon diff erent scenes. within one year thrown away or just came from the United Na- hind the curtains so to speak and clothing,” stressed Ungermand, but also make our audiences feel neutral company. The X-Ray Fashion story starts given elsewhere.” tions Environmental Conference behind the fl esh and come into who was joined by co-founders the consequences on their own Directed by Italian-born director from the catwalk where the per- From Italy, the exhibition in Kenya before going to Qatar. the bone, the core of the fashion Maria Herholdt Engermann body”, Engermann said. Dreama launches Ajaweed initiative Unsettled weather

he Orphans Care Cen- until weekend tre (Dreama) yesterday Tlaunched the Ajaweed nsettled weather condi- Meanwhile, today’s detailed initiative to open the door for tions are expected to re- forecast says strong winds are ex- all the segments of the commu- Uturn to the country from pected in some places around the nity to get to know, socialise, and this evening until the weekend due country. Also, windy conditions make friends with the children to the deepening of a low-pressure and high seas have been forecast of the centre as a means of suc- system over the region, the Qatar off shore along with thundery rain cessful social integration. Met department has said. in some areas by late tonight. Qatar Foundation for Social In a report yesterday, the The wind speed may go up to Work (QFSW) executive director Met department said the cloud 35 knots off shore and 30 knots Amal bint Abdullatif al-Mannai amount will increase gradually inshore, with the sea level rising received the Ajaweed fl ag from and there is a chance of scattered, to 13ft. the athletes of the Qatari Paral- intermittent rain of variable in- It will be relatively hot today ympic Committee and fi xing it to tensity – especially in the evening and slight to blowing dust is ex- the base in front of the Tornado and at night. The rain may turn pected at times. Cloudy condi- Tower, marking the launch. thundery at times, accompanied tions have been forecast later in Dreama executive director by strong winds. the day and there is a chance of Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser al- This, in turn, will result in ris- light rain in some places. Misnad, and the executive direc- ing dust in some areas and high The minimum temperature to- tors of the centres under the um- waves off shore, ranging from day is expected to be 23C in Doha, brella of the QFSW were present, 5-8ft and reaching 12ft at times. Al Khor and Ruwais and 24C in according to a statement. The prevailing winds will be Wakrah, Mesaieed, Dukhan and The initiative also shores up northeasterly to southeasterly, Abu Samra, while the maximum support, donations, and volun- moderate to fresh in intensity and will range from 29C in Ruwais to teering to off er any possible serv- strong at times, especially during 36C in Abu Samra, with Doha ex- ice or teach any useful skill to the The Dreama Ajaweed campaign flag was taken across the country. thunderstorms, the report states. pected to see a high of 33C. children of Dreama Center. The Met department has ad- Yesterday, the minimum tem- Al-Mannai stressed that em- in line with the centre’s vision and The name of the initiative is northern Qatar with the fl ag. It initiative Dreama Ajaweed be- vised people to be cautious in perature was 20C in Turayna, powering the orphans would be mission to raise the awareness derived from the local proverb was carried across the country in cause giving is the best refl ection view of the expected unsettled Shehaimiya and Ghuwairiyah, an added value to the develop- and educate the local community “Give, even if you only have a lit- motorcades, cycles, on camels, of the noble eff orts to empower weather conditions and avoid go- while in Doha it was 23C. The ment of the community in par- about the groups supported by tle.” horses, and dhows. the orphans and integrate them ing to sea. They should also follow maximum, on the other hand, ticular and humanity in general. Dreama and highlight the active The launch ceremony began Dreama’s Community Aware- into the community. latest weather updates through was 37C in Abu Samra, 36C in Al-Misnad stated that the role the centre is playing to serve on March 23 with parachut- ness Offi ce director Noor al- More information may be had the department’s offi cial social Umm Bab and Dukhan and 34C Dreama Ajaweed campaign comes the orphans in Qatar. ists landing in Al Ruwais area in Muhannadi said: “We called the from www.dreama.org.qa media accounts. in Batna. Doha saw a high of 27C. Katara hosts Oscar Opera and Classical Music Awards

he Katara amphitheatre witnessed the dazzling 7th international Oscar Opera and Classical TMusic Awards yesterday with 100 musicians performing with some world-class musicians. The ceremony was presented by Italian musician Enrico Stinchello and Inas Mohamed who honoured the six winners of the Opera Oscar awards on stage, while other winners were announced from many nominees. The renowned Qatari maestro Matar Ali al-Kuwari was bestowed the Opera golden award and another special golden award went to the career of the Italian Operatic soprano Mariella Devia. During the ceremony, Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti was honoured by Alfre- do Troisi - owner of the copyright of the ceremony, for his eff orts to host this very special occasion in Ka- tara for the second time. Speaking at the event, Dr al-Sulaiti noted that choosing Katara to host the awards for the second time refl ects the confi dence it has on the interna- tional level and the capability to host such events on a large scale. Katara had hosted for the fi rst time the Oscar Opera and Classical Music Awards in 2014 in co-operation Qatari maestro Matar Ali al-Kuwari speaks after receiving the Opera with Italy-based Verona per L’Arena institution. golden award. The winners and performers on the stage yesterday. PICTURES: Shaji Kayamkulam Gulf Times 24 Monday, April 1, 2019 QATAR

Earth Hour in Doha Lights out at LuLu outlets

LuLu Hypermarkets observed Earth Hour on Saturday, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, by switching off all external lights at all their branches across Qatar. The Pearl-Qatar switches off

The Doha Bank tower. Doha Bank marks Earth Hour

Doha Bank showed its support for the annual Earth Hour global initiative by switching off lights at its corporate headquarters in West Bay and various branches across Qatar for an hour on Saturday, from 8.30pm until 9.30pm. Participation in the initiative “reinforced its commitment to climate change action”, the bank said in a statement. Porto Arabia before the lights were switched off . Porto Arabia after the lights were switched off . “Doha Bank is known as one of the most active advocates of corporate social responsibility (CSR) owing to the numerous Kahramaa observes Earth Hour green initiatives that we organise and support, including the Al Dana Green Run, Eco-Schools Programme, beach-cleaning Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) on Saturday marked Earth Hour under and tree-planting initiatives, among others. Climate change is a the theme ‘Connect to Earth’ at Kahramaa Awareness Park. Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal real challenge for the modern world and organisations have an al-Kuwari said in remarks delivered on the sidelines of the function that the corporation marks the important responsibility at hand to support the change towards a occasion every year. The global event is organised on the last Saturday of March every year, and low-carbon emission future,” said Dr R Seetharaman, CEO of Doha unnecessary lights and electric appliances are switched of to inculcate the values of not operating Bank. “Like every year, we are proud to support the global Earth non-essential equipment and lighting, – helping cut down on electricity consumption and eventually Hour initiative and raise awareness about energy conservation reduce harmful carbon emissions and preserve the globe. He noted that such a celebration would while continuing to support and advocate our green policies support the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Eff iciency (Tarsheed), which was across all areas of our organisation and encouraging our teams launched in 2012. He added that, during the first five years of its implementation, the programme to ‘Reduce, Reuse & Recycle’ to minimise resource utilisation and achieved positive results and continued to make achievements in the second five-year plan, a contribute to the eff orts of saving our planet,” he added. stage that has witnessed many successes. Al-Kuwari said Tarsheed is a renewable programme Doha Bank’s work in raising environmental awareness has and each year carries new ideas and initiatives. He noted that Kahramaa’s most important project been recognised over the years through a series of awards and for rationalising fuel consumption and encouraging environment preservation is promoting the accolades, including ‘Best Green Bank 2008 at the Industry use of electric cars, explaining that this initiative is carried out with the Ministry of Transport and Awards’ from Bankers Middle East, and ‘Golden Peacock Global Communications. Further, he said many organisations join Kahramaa in marking Earth Hour by Award for Sustainability’ in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017, the holding individual events, such as Aspire Foundation and Katara, stressing that the goal of marking statement adds. Earth Hour is to inculcate the culture within the whole community. — QNA Earth Hour celebrations at Kahramaa Awareness Park. PICTURE: Nasar T K

QDF welcomes Al Jazeera Perfumes

atar Duty Free (QDF) has Bruce Bowman, said: “It has been As an award-winning brand, we gant and luxury, high-end stores, announced the launch a privilege to work with the pres- specialise in providing our cus- as well as more than 30 restau- Qof the fi rst-ever airport tigious Qatari fragrance brand Al tomers with the most exclusive rants and cafes covering an area branch of the award-winning Qa- Jazeera Perfumes, as we bring this collection of perfume oils in the of 40,000sq m at HIA, provid- tari brand, Al Jazeera Perfumes, elegant fragrance brand to our Middle East. This airport exclu- ing travellers with a world-class at Hamad International Airport home and hub, Hamad Interna- sive will provide an excellent op- shopping experience under one (HIA). tional Airport. We are proud to portunity for us to increase our roof. Luxury brands also available Located in Concourse C adja- support and feature local brands presence in partnership with an at the fi ve-star airport include cent to the iconic Lamp Bear, the amongst the wide array of luxury award-winning retailer at HIA.” Tiff any & Co, Gucci, Bulgari, boutique combines elements of Al stores available at HIA. Al Jazeera Perfumes breezed Hermes, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Jazeera Perfumes’ Middle Eastern We constantly strive to enhance into the world of fragrances and Moncler, Rolex and Harrods. inspiration with a sleek contem- our off ering and delight custom- perfumes in 1998, and achieved In addition, the award-winning porary twist. ers with an experience worth immediate success in Doha. The duty-free retailer regularly show- The royal gold-themed airport travelling for, and are confi dent brand continued to expand its cases podiums and pop-up stores shop brings the brand’s high- that Al Jazeera Perfumes will be footprint by opening a number including the Maison Christian street concept to the heart of HIA an instant success with all our of branches in Oman and Kuwait, Dior boutique, a TUMI Pop-up, and will showcase a selection of passengers.” as well as an exclusive store at the Dior Les Parfums and the best-selling fragrances, including Al Jazeera Perfumes general the heart of Champs-Elysees in Aigner Luxury Boutique. Al Jazeera Perfumes Boutique at HIA. Magic and Malachite. In addition, manager, Ahmed Essa al-Hashe- Paris, France. In 2017, Al Jazeera QDF was awarded ‘Airport Re- the store off ers a special fragrance mi, said: “We are very proud to Perfumes was named ‘Brand of tailer of the Year’ at the 2018 DFNI won ‘Best In-Flight Duty-Free ice, which is operated by Qatar ing ranked fi fth ‘Best Airport in collection of the fi nest quality partner with Qatar Duty Free to the Year’ at the World Branding Global Awards. In April, the lead- Program’ for the Middle East and Duty Free. the World’, fourth ‘Best Airport for from Montale Paris, the French launch our very fi rst Al Jazeera Awards at Kensington Palace in ing airport retailer was recognised Africa and was acknowledged HIA, the home of QDF, has Shopping’ and fi fth ‘Best Airport ambassadors of oud. Perfumes airport exclusive shop London. at the PAX International Reader- as an industry leader for its out- already met several signifi cant for Dining’ at the Skytrax World QDF senior vice president, at Hamad International Airport. QDF boasts more than 90 ele- ship Awards, when Qatar Airways standing in-fl ight duty-free serv- milestones in 2018, including be- Airport Awards 2018.

India Cultural Exhibitions open at Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Museum

heikh Faisal Bin Qassim between Qatar and India. Com- Vinita Sharma will be opened si- Al Thani Museum (FBQ posed of fi ve main topics – Com- multaneously at FBQ Museum’s SMuseum) has announced munity, Trade, Arts, Food and new contemporary art space The the offi cial opening of its Qatar- Incense – the exhibition takes White Majlis. The exhibition will India Cultural Exhibitions in line one on a journey exploring the establish their achievement as with the Qatar India 2019 Year of rich and diverse Indian cultures, artists trained by masters and Culture, in partnership with the the long historic links between depict their journeys to becom- Indian embassy. Qatar and India and cultural sim- ing experimental contemporary A Qatar Museums initiative, ilarities between Qatar and India. artists in their own right. the Year of Culture is a year-long Aspects of language, religion, After an exclusive VIP preview programme developed to deepen calligraphy, fashion and design, on April 4, the exhibitions will be understanding between nations spices and trade are placed in an offi cially open to the public on through mutual exchanges of astonishing and reviving context, April 5 and on display until the arts, culture, heritage and sport. thus raising awareness of close end of July 2019 during museum Under the context of cultural ex- links that one might have forgot- opening hours. Exhibition cura- change, FBQ Museum brings to- ten in the passage of time. Com- tor Prof Mohamedmoin Sadeq gether the treasures of the muse- plementing the rather historic will off er a lecture about the ex- um owned collection in order to exhibition at the FBQ Museum’s hibition at the museum’s main promote mutual understanding, main hall, an exhibition by In- hall on April 13 at 3pm, followed Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum has announced the official opening of its Qatar-India Cultural Exhibitions. recognition and appreciation dian miniature artists Ajay and by a guided tour.