Volume 23 | Number 7820 | 2 RiyalsMonday 4 March 2019 | 27 Jumada II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa

Terms & conditions apply

The big Ooredoo Supernet boost

The big Ooredoo Supernet boost

Your home internet will now be up to 5x faster for FREE!

BUSINESS | 01 SPORT | 12

AFC Champions League: QSL giants ready for Asian challenge

Nebras expands footprint in

Jordan's power sector

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Education Excellence Award winners and officials during the award ceremony at Doha Sheraton Hotel, yesterday.

Amir honours winners of 12thEducation Excellence AwardQNA DOHA

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award Ceremony held yesterday at the Doha Sheraton Hotel.

Later H H the Amir met with winners of the Education Excel-lence Award.

During the meeting, H H the Amir exchanged conversations with the winners on their educa-tional achievements and projects and thanked their efforts and that of their families and teachers who supported them on this out-standing path.

H H the Amir also urged the winners to continue on the path of excellence, giving and self-reliance to serve their society and country.

For their part, the winners

expressed great thanks and grat-itude to H H the Amir for the honour and encouragement. The winners said being honoured and meeting H H the Amir is the greatest motivation for them to achieve more excellence and continue on the path of success to serve the country and con-tribute to its prosperity in all areas, especially as they consider H H the Amir their role model.

The ceremony was attended by a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers, Heads of dip-lomatic missions accredited to the State, senior education offi-cials and parents of the out-standing students and researchers.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi affirmed that the State of Qatar’s sound strategic planning and vision and its implementations of development plans and pro-grams in all fields and at all levels are the basis for accomplishing successes and achievements.

The Minister of Education and Higher Education said that the issuance of the general framework of the national edu-cational curriculum of the State came as a clear reference to the educational system and sources of learning in the State of Qatar, and marked the beginning of a

new phase of curricula charac-terized by distinction and con-sistency between theoretical frameworks and scientific appli-cation of knowledge.

He said that the curriculum has been advanced to develop students’ capabilities and their spirit of innovation and creativity, and to promote the spirit of citi-zenship among students and their adherence to the Islamic values and the principles and ethics of the Qatari society.

The Minister congratulated the winners of the Education Excellence Award, stressing that Qatar, under its wise leadership, spares no effort in caring for its students by providing them with academic opportunities, choices and advantages at home and abroad. He also congratulated all those who contributed to this excellence, including parents, schools and teachers. �P2 & 3

Silatech to expand outreach to more countries this yearQNA DOHA

Silatech aims in 2019 to expand its outreach to youth in countries with difficult economic condi-tions, especially in Africa, having created more than one million and 100,000 jobs and employment opportunities for this category in the Arab world over the last 10 years.

Silatech is a strategic partner of the State of Qatar in its efforts to combat terrorism by reducing unemployment, poverty and marginalization of young people and women by enabling them economically, after receiving a grant of ¤5m from the European Union to implement youth employment projects in Yemen, in recognition of the strong per-formance and positive results of its work on societies.

In 2006, as a member in the

High-Level Group and an Ambassador in the UN Alliance of Civilisations, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser launched Silatech as an international non-profit and non-governmental development organisation that aims to connect young people with the jobs and resources needed to establish and develop their projects by offering inno-vative employment solutions in collaboration with partners locally, regionally and interna-tionally with a particular focus on youth employment in coun-tries affected by conflict, economically.

In 10 years, Silatech has managed to provide more than one million and 100,000 jobs or free jobs to young people in the Middle East and Africa. These include 328,304 in Tunisia; 222,619 in Morocco; 406,417 in Sudan; 93,408 in

Yemen; 38,007 in Somalia and 34,040 in Lebanon by the end of 2018.

In order to achieve its current and future plans, Silatech is collaborating with more than 300 regional and international partners at the level of govern-ments and financial institutions in the countries in which it operates, major international organisations, EU, World Bank, UN and its agencies such as the International Labour Organi-sation, UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Women, UN Development Program, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other academic institutions as well as the private sector.

Silatech also provided a number of innovative electronic solutions and platforms to connect young people with jobs. �P4

Qatar and Italian forums plan business educationSACHIN KUMAR THE PENINSULA

The Italian business association Confindustria is considering to cooperate with Qatar associa-tions to start an educational programme to instil entrepre-neurial spirit in students from early stage.

“It would be the first-of-its-kind programme in Qatar by Italy. So, it is very important in the field of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It means that both sides are willing to explore new possible ways of cooperation,” Licia Mattioli, Vice-President for International Affairs – Confindustria, told The Peninsula. “The Educational programme will be aimed to empower young generation to become entrepreneurs,” she added.

Confindustria is the main association representing manu-facturing and service companies

in Italy, with a voluntary mem-bership of more than 150,000 companies, employing over 5.4 million people.

Mattioli, who is also the CEO of an Italian luxury handcrafted jewellery company, was in Doha last week to attend Doha Jew-ellery and Watches Exhibition and held meetings with Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman, Qatari Busi-nessmen Association.

They discussed the possibility to organise a business forum to increase networking and trade partnership especially between SMEs as well as ways of exploring new avenues in the cooperation between the two countries and respective associations, including a possible entrepreneurial edu-cational program to support the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030. �P3

H H the Amir exchanged conversations with the winners on their educational achievements and projects. H H the Amir also thanked them for their efforts and that of their families and teachers.

Amir to leave for Austria todayQNA DOHA

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will head today to Vienna for an official visit to the Republic of Austria, during which H H the Amir will hold talks with President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on the two countries’ relations and means to develop them in different fields in addition to a host issues of common concern.

During H H the Amir’s visit, the Qatari-Austrian Economic Forum will be held in cooper-ation between the Qatar’s Min-istry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar Chamber and Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

An official delegation and a number of Qatari busi-nessmen will accompany H H the Amir.

02 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019HOME

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award ceremony yesterday. H H the Amir also met with winners of the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award.

Amir honours winners of 12th Education Excellence Award

FROM PAGE 1On behalf of the honoured,

award winner in the secondary level Hamad Ali Al Korbi, expressed delight at H H the Amir’s patronage of the

ceremony and honouring of the winners of the Education Excel-lence Award, noting that this is a great day that will remain in the memory of all the winners who have worked hard for this

moment to earn the honour to shake the hands of H H the Amir.

Winning the award was not easy at all, as the winners were given the opportunity to win

this award, which is the most prestigious academic and sci-entific award in Qatar and at the same time represents a strong incentive for them to excel and contribute to the

State of Qatar’s renaissance and progress.

A film about the march of excellence for the outstanding winners of the 2019 award in various categories and their

future aspirations to serve their country was screened during the ceremony. H H the Amir then honoured the winners of the Education Excellence Award for the year 2019.

03MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 HOME

Amir condoles with

President of Somalia

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim

bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy

Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin

Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday

cables of condolences to

the President of the Federal

Republic of Somalia, Mohamed

Abdullahi Farmaajo, on the

victims of a car bomb explosion

that took place in the capital

Mogadhisu, wishing the injured

a speedy recovery. H H the Amir

also condemned the explosion,

stressing the State of Qatar’s

firm rejection of violence and

terrorism regardless of the

motives and reasons. Prime

Minister and Interior Minister

H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser

bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent

a cable of condolences to the

Prime Minister of the Federal

Republic of Somalia, Hassan Ali

Khaire. QNA

OFFICIAL NEWS

Arab Customs Day

celebrated

DOHA: The General Authority

of Customs marked the Arab

Customs Day with a seminar

that raises the awareness on

the importance of protecting

intellectual property. The

Assistant to the President of the

Customs General Authority for

Customs Affairs, Mohammed

Ahmed Al Mohannadi, stressed

on the importance of fighting

counterfeit goods. QNA

Amir congratulates

President of Bulgaria

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim

bin Hamad Al Thani and Deputy

Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin

Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday

cables of congratulations to

President Rumen Radev of

the Republic of Bulgaria on

the occasion of his country’s

National Day. Prime Minister

and Interior Minister H E Sheikh

Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa

Al Thani also sent a cable of

congratulations to the Prime

Minister of the Republic of

Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov. QNA

Prime Minister meets Oman’s Minister of Interior

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with the Minister of Interior of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, at the Arab Interior Ministers Council’s headquarters, in the Republic of Tunisia. They reviewed cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman especially in the security fields. They also exchanged views on a number of topics mentioned on the meeting’s agenda.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award ceremony yesterday. H H the Amir also met with winners of the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award.

Amir meets Education Excellence Award winners

Education Excellence Award continuesjourney of success after 12 yearsQNA DOHA

The State of Qatar celebrated yesterday the 12th edition of the Education Excellence Award ceremony, which honoured 93 winners from 292 who competed in this year’s nine categories.

The event reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to education as an important component to realising Qatar National Vision 2030. It was first launched by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in 2006.

On the sidelines of the cele-brations, the Head of Statistics and Planning Authority, Dr Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabet, said that the Education Excellence Award Cer-emony confirms Qatar’s com-mitment to education and learning, given it is a crucial part of Qatar’s vision for human development.

He added that the ultimate goal was to achieve sustainable, with education being the best way forward towards that goal. He noted the large investments made by Qatar in education, highlighting that it is the highest in the world

on a per capita basis. For his part, the Chairman of

Qatar Businessmen Association, Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, said that the leadership’s commitment to honouring outstanding students, including primary school students, is a clear indication of the impor-tance it attaches to education as the cornerstone of the nation’s advancement and progress, giving citizens confidence in the bright future of their children.

He noted that the distin-guished national cadres con-tributed to the promotion of the country on the world stage in all fields, where every official suc-ceeded in playing his role to the fullest, which contributed to pushing the ship forward and raise it in international forums.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Nuaimi, said that the award proved its success over the years, evident by the number of partic-ipants that increases with every year. He highlighted that the attendance of H H the Amir and honouring of the winners will serve as a great motivation for

students to excel in everything they do.

The Chief Executive of the award and Secretary-General of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, Dr Hamda Hassan Al Sulaiti, said that the attendance of H H the Amir reflects His Highness’ com-mitment to the education system in Qatar, given it is the foundation of the development process carried out in the state.

She stressed that the award, which ended its 12th edition, is proceeding steadily and steadily towards realising the vision and objectives of the wise leadership to reach the building of a distin-guished scientific generation capable of local and international competition. She added that its winners represent the country’s human capital, as it pursues its plans of having distinguished national cadres.

Winners for their part expressed their delight with the award. They also said they were pleased with the attendance of H H the Amir, saying it signalled His Highness’ commitment to education.

Each of the nine categories of the Award has its own rules of nomination.

The organising committee of the Award holds continuous meetings to discuss the can-didacy procedures in order to

expand participation. Awards are handed out to

students, teachers, and schools who excel in their respective roles. Prizes include medals as well as cash that ranges from QR10,000 to QR100,000.

Qatari & Italian forums plan business educationFROM PAGE 1

Elaborating about the educa-tional programme, Mattioli said it could include teaching students about how to set up business and grow it.

“The programme would be aimed at bringing exchanges between the schools and will be parallel to school system. The idea is to focus on young children, from the beginning elementary schooling, to let them understand how to set up a business and grow it. We have already experienced similar initiatives in Italy and they

have proved to be very valuable. During my stay in Doha I also met with the CEO of INJAZ Qatar, an organization which is already engaged in entrepreneurial edu-cation in Qatar and I am confident

that we could plan some joint activities for the future,” she added.

The programme could include exchange of students so that Italian children can come here and learn from here and vice versa.

“A programme of this kind would also help meeting the goals established by the Italian and Qatari Governments to strengthen the cultural cooperation and the exchanges in the field of education and professional training, with particular regard but not limited to the fields of design and fashion

where Italy has a well-known tradition”.

The students will get first hand practical knowledge about entre-preneurship as successful entre-preneurs will be roped in for the programme. “We will associate private sector and business asso-ciations in this effort. One of the best ways to go ahead with this programme is to involve business-women and businessmen to let them understand how it works. Case studies of the busi-nesspersons will be helpful for the children,” she added.

Licia Mattioli, Vice-President for International Affairs, Confindustria, speaking to The Peninsula. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

Prime Minister attends Arab Interior Ministers Council

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani participated in the 36th session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, which was held at the Council’s headquarters in the Republic of Tunisia. The session addressed a number of security topics and the challenges faced by Arab countries. It also discussed the resolutions of a number of conferences and meetings, as well as the outcomes of the joint meetings held with Arab and international authorities in 2018, in addition to covering other important security issues.

The programme could include exchange of students so that Italian children can come here and learn from here and vice versa.

04 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019HOME

CRA participates in preparatory meeting for WRC-2019THE PENINSULA DOHA

The Second Session of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) of the World Radiocom-munication Conference 2019 (WRC-2019) concluded its work February 28. CPM meetings were held at the International Telecom-munications Union (ITU) head-quarters in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 18 to 28, 2019. The preparatory meeting aims to conduct a series of compre-hensive discussions and prepare a consolidated report based on contributions from administra-tions, Radiocommunication Study Groups and other sources, to be used in support of the work of WRC-2019.

A high-level Qatari delegation led by Mohammed Ali Al Mannai (pictured), President of the CRA has participated in the CPM and submitted 12 contributions as part of the CPM documents. During the various working groups meetings, members of the Qatari delegation participated in the discussion of CRA’s contributions, towards the final report format, that will be discussed during the WRC-2019, which is going to be held this year from October 28 to November 22, 2019. WRC is held every four years to revise the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits, as well as to address any issue concerning radiocommunication at global level. The State of Qatar is among the ITU Member States that have signed this Treaty,

which obliges the signatory states to comply with the treaty provi-sions in accordance with the special Radio Regulations.

“CRA ensures that all radio spectrum related matters are effectively managed and allo-cated, therefore ensures to attend and participate in international meetings and conferences like the CPM. Regulatory development creates opportunities for a multi-trillion dollars industry, which in turn enhances the development of communities globally. Global or regional spectrum harmoni-zation for fixed, mobile, satellites and broadcasting industries, is essential to create economies of scale of roaming and interoper-ability,” said Al Mannai.

It is worth mentioning that CRA has published the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) in 2016, it was aligned with the outcomes of the WRC-2015 and took into consideration the projects’ plans in the sectors that are critical to Qatar’s economy. After concluding the WRC-2019 in November 2019, CRA will start updating the NFAP by considering the new outcomes.

Sidra Medicine and MADA sign agreementTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Sidra Medicine, the specialist women’s and chil-dren’s hospital has signed an agreement with the Assistive Technology Center, MADA to provide assistive technologies for patients with disabilities.

Inline with the agreement, MADA will provide assistive technologies that will help with increasing, maintaining or improving the functional capabil-ities of persons with disabilities who are being cared for at Sidra Medicine. MADA will also offer training to Sidra Medicine’s speech, physio and occupational health therapists.

Peter Morris, CEO at Sidra Medicine said, “Our partnership with MADA is a step in the right direction as we work towards helping our young patients become active participants in their own care. We are incredibly proud of our pediatric reha-bilitation teams and therapists and by upskilling them with the MADA assistive technology training to advance the healthcare services available for people with disabilities.”

The MADA devices, which are available in Arabic and English, help children without language to communicate, express new ideas, and integrate into schools and the community. High tech “eye-gaze” equipment such as customised iPads will allow the children to simply gaze at a particular letter or icon on a screen and create language. The devices are particularly helpful for young patients with conditions like Anarthria and Spinal Mus-cular Atrophy. Children with these conditions are often non-verbal and typically use assistive tech-nologies to access communication.

Silatech to expand outreachto more countries this yearFROM PAGE 1

They include the electronic portal for training and employment, providing more than 1,000 free training courses in various disciplines of life and professional skills in Arabic, English and French. As well as a platform to provide professional guidance through psychological evaluations, a platform to link young entrepreneurs with private donors to finance their projects, a platform to connect craftsmen in Palestine with those who want their services, and mobile bank vehicles to deliver banking services to rural and remote areas.

As part of its work to promote the youth employment, Silatech has supported the establishment and rehabilitation of 272 employment and vocational guidance centers in several countries. It also supported the training and rehabilitation of 984 professional trainers and coun-selors to provide career guidance for young people and contributed to the establishment of youth empowerment and unemployment

control centers in several countries such as Bedaya in Qatar which pro-vides youth support and guidance services to establish their own busi-nesses and start their careers.

Other centers include one in Lebanon which is a social insti-tution that combines the power of data and the impact of design and journalistic rigor to produce factual content about the eco-nomic and social challenges facing the Arab world. Silatech also supports a research center that conducts studies and research on issues of economic empowerment, employment and unemployment in the Arab world.Silatech launched initiatives and pro-grams in 17 countries in the Middle East and Africa to reduce unemployment among young people, create jobs, alleviate their suffering and their families from the effects of war and con-flict, empower them with tech-nology and encourage com-munity participation, awareness and guidance as an alternative to illegal immigration or joining

militant groups.H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Silatech and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, will participate at a high-level event hosted by Silatech and entitled “Empowering Youth, Transforming Societies,” in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday.

During the event, Her Highness will give a keynote address to reaffirm Silatech’s commitments to youth empow-erment, as well as announce ambitious future plans to create more employment opportunities and curb effects of rising unem-ployment among youth, including social unrest, illegal migration and extremism.

Prominent figures and decision makers from across the international community such as the UN, the EU, organizations con-cerned with social and economic development, influential figures from various sectors, including governmental and NGOs, financial institutions and the private sector will be attending.

MoPH launches campaign to reduce oral and dental health burdenFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

In a new initiative to contain high preva-lence of oral and dental health problems among children, a comprehensive nationwide campaign has been launched by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

The month long campaign aims to help reaching the national goal to reduce the prevalence of dental caries among children under five years of age by 25% by 2022 and in line with the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, said officials during the launch of the campaign held at MoPH, yesterday.

The Ministry will implement the cam-paign ‘Month of Oral and Dental Health Awareness’ in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and the National Oral Health Committee. It will spread the awareness message at private and public schools.

“Qatar has a significant burden of oral and dental health problems. Statistics show that 88 percent of Qatari children and 61% non-Qatari children aged 6 years have tooth carries. Through the campaign we will reach children, adolescents at schools and

educate them on how to take care of their teeth. We will also educate the mothers, as they can play a major role in their child’s dental health,” said Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director of the Public Health Department , MoPH.

As part of the campaign young school students from different schools will be invited to the MoPH thrice a week and taught about oral and dental health. Each day around 200 stduenst from four schools will be invited for the awareness activities. Awareness activities will be also held across healthcare facilities of PHCC and HMC.

“There are many activities being held under the guidance of National Oral Health Committee under the MoPH to address the burden of oral health problems. The activ-ities of the ‘Month of Oral and Dental Health Awareness’ will be overseen by the National Oral Health Committee. The main message that we are trying to convey during the month long activities is that good oral health is important for everyone. Not taking care of teeth and gums can lead to serious pain, that effects your physical, mental and social wellbeing,” said Dr Wafa Al Mulla, Specialist, Dental and Oral Health, Public Health Department, MoPH.

Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani (second left), Director of the Department of Public Health, with other officials during the launch of ‘Month of Oral and Dental Health Awareness’ held at the Ministry of Public Health, yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA

Bulgarian Embassy celebrates National Day

H E Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro (second left), Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs; H E Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi (fourth left), Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Metin Kazak (third left), Ambassador of Bulgaria to Qatar, jointly cutting a cake to mark the National Day of Bulgaria, at a function hosted by the envoy at the St Regis Hotel in Doha yesterday, as Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdulla Fakhro (fifth left), Director of Protocol; Ali Ibrahim Ahmed (third right), Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Eritrean Ambassador to Qatar; and other diplomats look on. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA

FM meets Chairman of High Council of Libya

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met yesterday with the Chairman of the High Council of State of Libya, Khaled Ammar Al Mishri, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways of boosting and developing them, in addition to issues of common interest.

Shura Council Speaker holds meetings in Amman

QNA/AMMAN

Speaker of Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, met yesterday with the Speaker of the House of Represent-atives in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the President of the 29th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (APU) Eng. Atef Tarawneh, the Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Federal Republic of Somalia Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdulrahman and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of the

Sudan Prof. Ibrahim Ahmed Omer. During these meetings held sepa-rately, the parliamentary relations of common interest were discussed as well as ways of strengthening and supporting them. These meetings, held on the side-

lines of the 29th APU Conference, were attended by a number of Shura Council members. The conference began earlier today in Amman, and will continue for two days under the theme “Jerusalem: the Eternal Capital of the State of Palestine”.

05MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 HOME

Ooredoo, Dell EMC launch smart stadium

technology for mega-events worldwide

THE PENINSULA DOHA

At last week’s Mobile World Congress, Ooredoo, the region’s leading enabler of digital business innovation, and Dell EMC, the world’s leading provider of cloud infrastructure and innovative business solutions, launched a smart stadium demo to transform mega-events around the world.

The technology titans have developed smart stadium tech-nology that aims to maximise the safety and security of athletes and coaches, fans, media, and organ-isers at Qatar’s soccer tour-nament in 2022 and additional mega-events worldwide.

The smart stadium solution combines the speed, capacity, and reliability of Ooredoo’s industry-leading 5G network with Dell EMC’s deep learning capabilities to deliver enhanced security. As the first country to demo the solution, Qatar can accelerate its digital transfor-mation as well as strengthen its position as a hub for global events. Ooredoo expects to roll-out the solution across its markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and South East Asia.

By using camera-enabled drones to patrol venues, mega-event organisers can record and transmit high definition video footage via Ooredoo’s secure 5G network to local data centres. Here, the data is combined with CCTV footage and analysed by computers – all within seconds – to spot hazards such as dan-gerous objects and potential disturbances.

The system also utilises multi-cloud, edge computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and video ana-lytics technology from Dell EMC to identify potentially dangerous objects in real time, giving all stakeholders of events the ability to respond promptly.

Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Chief Operating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: “As Qatar ascends the world stage in mega-events, our partnership with Dell EMC com-bines the strengths of both com-panies to ensure that Qatar is a world leader in smart stadium and mega-event safety and security. At Mobile World Con-gress, we’re showcasing how technology can allow fans, players, and media worldwide to focus on what matters most

– enjoying a world class sporting event.”

Visitors to the Ooredoo stand experienced a live demo of a key component of the security solution — object detection —which uses deep learning tech-niques and a specially configured “neural network” to detect and track potentially hazardous objects.

Ghassan Kosta — Country Manager, Qatar-Dell EMC, said: “Fans are more connected than ever before. By combining Oore-doo’s 5G technology with Dell EMC’s innovations, mega-event organisers can integrate the eco-system of staff, vendors, and fans for real-time decision-making to enhance fan safety. Our part-nership can also expand the smart stadium experience across mobile ticketing, concessions, and loyalty programmes.”

The solutions being developed will not only benefit Qatar’s soccer tournament in 2022 but will also be invaluable for all large events in the future, presenting Ooredoo with the opportunity to expand the offering across its geographic footprint and other parts of the world.

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief Business Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, and Ghassan Kosta, Country Manager - Qatar - Dell EMC, pose for a group photo with other officials.

06 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019HOME

WCM-Q Grand Rounds discusses healthcare for older patientsTHE PENINSULA DOHA

The latest developments and challenges involved in providing healthcare to older patients were explained at the Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM-Q) Grand Rounds.

Dr Mai Mahmoud (pictured), Assistant Professor of Medicine at WCM-Q, identified health issues and common challenges relating to older adults and explained how healthcare providers can use evi-dence-based practices to create effective care plans.

Dr Mahmoud, who also holds the positions of Consultant in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Hamad Medical Corporation, said that the global pop-ulation is aging. According to the WHO, between 2015 and 2050 the proportion of the world’s population aged over 60 will rise from 12 percent to 22 percent. By 2020 there will be more older adults than children aged under 5 years globally, while in the US, it is pre-dicted that adults over 65 will account for more than 50 percent of healthcare visits.

Dr Mahmoud explained that societies and healthcare systems should prepare for rise in the aging population by creating age-friendly environ-ments, both within health institutions and in the wider community. “I am glad to see healthy ageing is a

priority in Qatar National Development Strategy 2018-2022,” she said.

Explaining the health challenges faced by older patients, Dr. Mahmoud said,“With age, the organs of the body lose their physiological reserve of cells, which function somewhat like spare parts that allow each organ to maintain its function during an insult like an illness. Also, there are more medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, that require medications, so we often have the additional issue of polypharmacy and the side-effects of medications to consider. All these challenges make older patients more vulnerable to severe diseases and complica-tions when compared to younger population.”

New managing committee of ICBF takes charge THE PENINSULA DOHA

The new managing committee of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) for 2019 -2020 has taken office.

ICBF is functioning under the aegis of the Embassy of India, Qatar and the Ambas-sador of India to Qatar is the patron of ICBF.

Coordinating Officer of ICBF is Dr Mohammed Aleem, who is also the Second Secretary (L&CW) at the Embassy of India, Qatar.

P N Baburajan is the newly elected President of ICBF, who is a well-known social worker in Qatar for more than two decades. Following are the pro-files of the new managing com-mittee members, Mahesh Gowda — Vice-President and Head of ICBF Associate Organ-isations; Avinash Gaikwad — General -Secretary; Nivedita Ketkar — Treasurer.

Other members are

Subramanya Hebbagelu — Joint Secretary, Head of Facilities, Minor Assistance and Coordi-nator Media & PR; Santhosh Kumar Pillai - Joint Secretary, Head of Youth Activities & Labor Assistance; Juttas Paul — Head of Media and Development; Rajani Murthy — Head of

Medical Assistance & Domestic Workers Welfare; Ziad Usman — Head of Sponsorship and Events; Senthil Athiban Agastheeswaran — Head of Medical Camps & Fishermen Welfare.

The new committee plans many programmes including upcoming blood donation camp on March 8, 2019, ICBF Day on March 30, 2019.

Free medical camp in April for fishermen and labour com-munity as well as Hajikka Essay competition for school students in April are planned. ICBF is also planning to launch new ini-tiatives for the benefit of Indian community members at large.

ICBF is a unique organi-sation, has undertaken the noble task of providing succor and solace to the needy and under privileged brethren in distress at Qatar by way of providing financial, medical and various other assistance and welfare activities of Indian Community at large.

P N Baburajan, the newly elected President of ICBF.

‘The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue’ reflects civilisationsTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Landed earlier this year at the Institut du monde arabe (IMA) in Paris, ‘The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue’, a travelling cross-cultural exhibition organised at the initiative of the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, features a collection of a unique assembly of artefacts reflecting the interaction of civilisations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present.

The exhibition gathered its visitors during the month of Feb-ruary around interesting open cultural discussions that were held at the heart of the majlis, the main hub of the exhibition, and the space of hospitality and dialogue present in every home in the Arabian Gulf.

The exhibition, present at IMA until the March 10, 2019, invites visitors to sit in the majlis to listen to stories and engage in conversations on what they see and hear; transmitting the cul-tural dialogue by exchanging their impressions of the exhi-bition and learning about how much common ground exists between different cultures.

The open discussions that

were held on the carefully selected topics of ‘The Power of Language in Shaping Culture’ and ‘Evolving Art to Identities’, focused on the advancement and preservation of culture through language and art, giving participants an opportunity to view the world with a different

lens and explore other tradi-tions, customs, beliefs, societies, and much more.

Commenting on the exhibi-tion’s distinguished concept, Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal Al Thani, Member of the board of trustees of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, who attended the first cultural

dialogue, said: “Since its launch, the Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue has aimed to create a respectful and meaningful dialogue among different cultures and commu-nities and has reflected the growing importance of museums in voicing the rich history that cultures possess.’

“We are elated to expand our

horizons and offer the public in Paris an open platform to discuss and debate on the various impactful subjects around art, language and culture in presence of respectful speakers. We believe the valuable feature of this exhibition in the form of dis-cussions at the heart of the majlis resulted in a great exchange

between the culture veterans and the visitors, and we are proud to act as a cultural bridge bringing people together under one roof”.

Through ‘The Power of Lan-guage in Shaping Culture’, ‘The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue’ embraced the different thoughts surrounding the preservation of language as a means of pre-serving culture and discussed the way language and culture have developed over time and influ-enced each other.

This open discussion also invited visitors to share their experiences and perceptions about the power that a language has in the shaping of culture, while discovering the way the language is able to form a whole generation of thoughts and stories.The discussion was hon-oured by the participation of renowned speakers including Jacqueline Morand-Deviller, Associate Professor of Public Law and Political Science and Professor Emeritus at Pantheon-Sorbonne University, as well as Dr Nasser Al Hinzab, Legal Counsel of the State of Qatar to Unesco, who have shared their impactful opinions engaging the audience in an interactive dialogue.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal Al Thani, Member of the Board of Trustees of Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, during the first cultural dialogue.

NU-Q offers executive programme on sport communicationTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Communication professionals interested in learning more about how to use their marketing skills to take full advantage of media mega-events like the World Cup have the opportunity to do so through an executive education master-class being offered at North-western University in Qatar (NU-Q) in March.

Students who enrol in the Sport Communication, Mar-keting, and Governance mas-terclass at NU-Q will study suc-cessful sport organisations that have generated new audiences and revenues through their engagement with sport and

examine how that is used in emerging markets such as China, India, and the Middle East. “We at Northwestern want to connect human and material assets in communication in a way that is useful to people in Qatar as we offer this timely and relevant course in the run-up to the World Cup. Through pro-grammes like these, NU-Q is working with local Qatari organisations and individuals in planning how to best market Qatari based organisations and individuals during major inter-national sporting events,” said Everette E Dennis, Dean and CEO of NU-Q.

“It is our aim to craft exec-utive education courses that are especially useful for people

engaged in work in and around the World Cup activities — and to people who are simply inter-ested in being better informed,” said Jairo Lugo-Ocando, Director of NU-Q’s Executive and Graduate Education Program.

The Sport Communication, Marketing, and Governance masterclass featuring leading experts will take place over the course of three consecutive weeks and will include topics such as Sport Marketing and Sport Branding, Sport Law, Gov-ernance, and Ethics: The Inter-national Sport Governing System and the Need for Change and Embracing Change in Sport Communication and Media Technologies.

“The MENA region doesn’t rate among the top 10 sport media markets in the world, but it is the fastest growing,” said Craig L. LaMay, an associate professor at NU-Q and a faculty associate at Northwestern’s Institute for Policy Research, who will examine important issues for the news media involved in sports as well as issues for executives and offi-cials from a variety of organi-zations that use sports as a platform for promotion, branding, and diplomacy.

“Not only are new sport competitions coming to the region, but sport media have also proliferated over the last decade, including in the last few years – new direct-to-consumer

media with new sports offerings,” said LaMay.

The Executive Education in Communication and Media

program will take place in NU-Q’s state-of-the-art building in Education City on March 17 and 24.

The Northwestern University in Qatar.

QF event sheds light on Qatar’s culture THE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Foundation (QF) recently hosted its annual ‘Our Heritage’ event, which aims to showcase the country’s rich culture to the wider community, at Education City’s Ceremonial Court.

The event brought together people from across the country to sample local food and learn about the country’s customs t h r o u g h i n t e r a c t i v e

demonstrations, including pearl extraction and falcon presen-tations. Additionally, Qatar Nanny Training Academy, a member of QF hosted arts and crafts workshops, as well as offered children the chance to play traditional games, while Qatar Music Academy, also a member of QF taught visitors about instruments from around the region, giving people the chance to learn how to play them.

The Majlis features a collection of a unique assembly of artefacts reflecting the interaction of civilisations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present — gathered its visitors during the month of February around interesting open cultural discussions that were held at the heart of the majlis, the main hub of the exhibition.

QC delivers aid to refugees in LebanonTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Charity (QC) has provided fresh humanitarian aid of heating fuel, warm clothes and other winter assistance to Syrian refugees in Arsal and many other areas of Lebanon to ease their suffering.

This aid comes as part of Qatar Charity’s ‘Below Zero’ campaign in light of recent bliz-zards and rainstorms that hit the country in the last few days, flooding the refugee camps there.

Despite the accumulated

snow that covered the streets and continuous rainfall , Qatar Charity’s field teams managed to deliver the aid to the Syrian refugees in the affected areas.

A Syrian refugee in a camp, which is three kilometers away from Arsal, thanked the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the people in Qatar for their continued support.

He noted that the fuel oil that Qatar Charity teams and its local partners distributed to the refugees, is a basic material needed by affected families in the harsh cold.

An activity during Qatar Foundation’s annual event at Education City’s Ceremonial Court.

07MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 HOME

IIS Principal receives award The Principal of Ideal Indian School, Syed Shoukath Ali, with AKS 100 effective principal award 2019. Ali received the award in a ceremony held in New Delhi recently. He received a certificate and a memento.

08 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019HOME

Jumbo Electronics begins Ooredoo Mobile Money service at all branches THE PENINSULA DOHA

Jumbo Electronics, a premium dealer of Ooredoo, has begun Ooredoo Mobile Money service across its branches in Qatar. Thanks to this partnership of over 12 years with Ooredoo, Ooredoo Money customers will now be able to access all the Ooredoo Money services they need at any Jumbo Electronics branch, including depositing cash, adding new bene-ficiaries, learning about how the Ooredoo Mobile Money facility works and more.

Now, customers who want to send money home via Ooredoo Money can simply visit their nearest Jumbo Electronics outlet and start transferring money

through Ooredoo Mobile Money and MoneyGram — a leading money transfer service provider — to over 200 countries worldwide. Customers can also send money to selected countries’ bank accounts and mobile wallets using Al Dar Exchange and Ooredoo Exchange services.

Ooredoo Money offers simple and understandable access to essential financial services such as international and local transfers, mobile top-up, interna-tional airtime top-up and more. Ooredoo Mobile Money is easy to use and completely secure with a 4-digit mPIN, one-time password feature and free notification on every log-in.

With Ooredoo Money, cus-tomers can receive money

overseas within 10 minutes from over 500,000 MoneyGram outlets across the globe, and use Al Dar exchange services to send money directly to bank accounts in 11 countries. The Ooredoo Money service ‘International Top Up’ option also allows customers to recharge any prepaid mobile number across the world and pur-chase data bundles for selected countries.

Customers can benefit from all the services of Ooredoo Mobile Money instantly by using their Ooredoo Mobile Money App, or simply by dialing *140# anywhere, anytime. The Ooredoo Mobile Money app is available in seven languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Tagalog and Nepali.

Customers can access the Ooredoo Money services at Jumbo Electronics outlets at Umsaieed, Al Khor, Najma, City Centre Mall,

Barwa Village, Airport Road, Plaza Mall in Asian Town & Al Nasser. Last month, Jumbo also began managing the Ooredoo outlet at

Pearl-Qatar as a franchisee store, thus expanding the number of its branches offering Ooredoo services.

The Management of Jumbo Electronics with one of the first customers using the Ooredoo Mobile Money Service at its branch.

HBKU Student Affairs actively promotes community outreach efforts and seeks to integrate existing and incoming students into the University’s multicultural environment.

HBKU to host Kuwaiti studentsTHE PENINSULA DOHA

In an effort to build on bilateral ties and showcase academic programs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) will host 10 prospective Kuwaiti national students.

The visitors, whose visit will extend for four days, will have the chance to learn more about the University’s programs, initi-atives, and research opportu-nities available to international students, as well as the range of teaching facilities and other aca-demic resources.

This HBKU-sponsored visit, in cooperation with the Embassy of Kuwait, coincides with the celebration of Kuwait National Day on February 25.

Wide-ranging events to cel-ebrate Kuwait’s sovereignty were held in Qatar under the theme of ‘Kuwait and Qatar: One People’. The events served to underscore the strong ties binding Qatar and Kuwait, as well as the two countries’ mutual vision in the fields of Higher Education and human development.

Hafeez bin Mohammed Al Ajmi, Ambassador of Kuwait to Qatar, said, “The delegation of students who are set to visit HBKU will undoubtedly benefit from a unique cultural and aca-demic exchange and

experience. We are particularly pleased to associate with HBKU as one of our valued partners and a distinguished provider of educational services in the region.”

Maryam Al Mannai, Vice-President for Student Affairs at HBKU, said, “We value the con-tribution of our international students to the academic and social life on campus and all of our degree programs have sig-nificant representation from Kuwait.

Our ambition is for students to find value in HBKU’s nurturing environment where they can obtain a world-class research

education not far from home.”“On the occasion of Kuwait

National Day, we are pleased to welcome these students to our community as a way to deepen the collaborative ties the two countries share. Multiculturalism and diversity are intrinsic char-acteristics of the HBKU com-munity, which seeks to attract students from the region and beyond,” she added.

Building regional partner-ships supports the University’s mission of being an academic hub, and strengthens its stance of being a driver of positive transformation in Qatar and the region.

In addition, HBKU will be sponsoring current Kuwaiti stu-dents to participate in a lead-ership program offered by HEC Paris, a Qatar Foundation partner university.

Programs such as those offered by HEC are valuable con-tributions to building leadership capacity for students to pursue their personal visions.

The Kuwaiti students taking part in the visit will be intro-duced to HBKU’s multidisci-plinary specialised research and teaching capabilities based on the institution’s commitment to cultivating excellence and inno-vation, and the opportunities to actively contribute to solving challenges for Qatar and the world.

HMC welcomes global consultants visiting in March and April THE PENINSULA DOHA

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will welcome a number of visiting consultants from various medical specialties in March and April.

The visiting consultants include Dr Nikhil Shah, Chief of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at Piedmont Healthcare, Atlanta, Georgia, US, will visit from March 7 to 12. Dr Ahmed Nassar, a specialist orthopedic surgeon will visit between March 9 and 15.

Dr Noriya Uedo, Vice Director of the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka, Japan, will visit from March 18 to 21.

Dr Philippe Morel, a digestive laparoscopic surgery specialist from Clinique de Genolier, Genolier, Switzerland, will visit from April 4 to 11.

Dr Duncan Whitwell, Con-sultant Orthopedic Surgeon at

the Nuffield Orthopedic Centre NHS Trust in Oxford, England, will visit from April 7 to 10. Patients wishing to make an appointment should call the Bone and Joint Center at 40411140 or 40411141.

Other experts are scheduled to visit this year as part of HMC’s focus on hosting highly-respected physicians and sur-geons from around the world. Hosting visiting international consultants who are experts in

their field is in line with HMC’s commitment to providing spe-cialised medical services to the people of Qatar.

Members of the public wishing to book an appointment with one of the visiting consultants are advised to discuss this option with their physician.

If your doctor agrees that an appointment with a visiting con-sultant is appropriate, they will provide a referral.

Dr Philippe MorelDr Nikhil Shah

Texas A&M at Qatar professor to receive prestigious awardTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Dr Eyad Masad (pictured), professor at Texas A&M University at Qatar and Texas A&M University (USA), will receive the prestigious 2019 James Laurie Prize from the Transportation and Development Institute of the American Society of Civil Engi-neers (ASCE).

The award was established by ASCE in 1912 in honour of the first president of the society. The prize is awarded each year to an ASCE member who has contributed to the advancement of transpor-tation engineering, either in research, planning, design or con-struction. Masad was selected for the honour for his “definite and transformative contributions to the advancement of transpor-tation engineering through your continuing innovative research on asphalt concrete micro-mechanical modelling.”

Masad is a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Program

at Texas A&M at Qatar and also holds the Zachry Professor in Design and Construction Inte-gration II at Texas A&M’s main campus. He is also the executive director for global initiatives of the Texas A&M Engineering Exper-iment Station, an engineering research and service agency of the State of Texas.

Masad’s research focuses on microstructure characterisation, constitutive modelling, and micro-mechanics of pavement materials and systems. He has active research groups and programs in

the United States and Qatar, and has published more than 350 technical papers and reports. Masad is a fellow of ASCE and has served as associate editor of two major engineering journals. Through the years, he has received several prestigious academic and professional awards in recognition of his professional, academic, research and administrative contributions.

He will be recognised at the annual ASCE International Con-ference on Transportation and Development (ICTD 2019) in Alex-andria, Va. (USA) in June. ASCE represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries. Founded in 1852, ASCE is the oldest engineering society in the US and stands at the forefront of the civil engineering profession, which plans, designs, constructs and operates society’s economic and social engine—the built envi-ronment—while protecting and restoring the natural environment.

The visitors will have the chance to learn more about the University’s programs, initiatives, and research opportunities available to international students, as well as the range of teaching facilities and other academic resources.

QRCS, QFFD provide winter aid in northern Syria and TurkeyTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Under its 2019 Warm Winter campaign, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has initiated a multifaceted program for the internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities in northern Syria, as well as the Syrian refugees in Turkey.

Funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), the program is aimed at meeting the increasing needs in the northern part of the war-torn country.

QRCS’s representation mission in Turkey already

provided 2,400 winter clothes bags for children of the 5-14 age group in the city and countryside of Al Bab.

Each bag contained underwear, outerwear, cap, gloves, coat, and shoes.

In partnership with the Turkish Red Crescent, another 16,000 winter clothes bags are prepared for distribution, 10,000 in the city and countryside of Idlib, and 6,000 in Kilis, a city in south-central Turkey.

Also, work is in progress to distribute a total of 200,000 litres of heating oil to 2,000 fam-ilies, or 10,000 persons, in the

city of Jisr Al Shughur. Each family will receive an average of 100 litres.

Together with the Turkish Red Crescent and the municipal council of Kilis, QRCS is to deliver 1,200 tonnes of coal for the city’s Syrian refugees to use in heating.

At the same time, QRCS’s field teams are restoring 985 damaged houses in northern Syria, to be handed over to their owners within a few days. The beneficiaries are estimated at 5,000 persons.

Under the project, 250 torn tents inhabited by most affected

families will be replaced in Jisr Al Shughur. Over 200 tents will be replaced later.

The communities of the northern governorates of Syria suffer appalling living conditions due to the destruction of houses, deficiency of infrastructure, overpopulation, and lack of the least requirements for a decent life.

This program is part of the ‘Warm Winter’, a campaign launched by QRCS three months ago to help the dis-placed during the cold winter, by securing basic winterisation supplies.

09MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 MIDDLE EAST

On brink of defeat, IS in Syria unleashes car bombsREUTERS NEAR BAGHOUZ, SYRIA

Islamic State (IS) launched car bombs and suicide attackers against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) assaulting Baghouz, in a last-ditch effort to stave off defeat in its final patch of territory, fighters from the US-backed force said yesterday.

Capturing the village in eastern Syria will be a milestone in international efforts to roll back the jihadists, whose self-styled “caliphate” covered roughly one third of Syria and Iraq at its height in 2014.

But it is universally accepted that the group, which has been in territorial retreat since then and suffered its major defeats in 2017, will remain a security threat as an insurgent force with sleeper cells and some desolate pockets of territory.

The SDF had said it expected a “decisive battle” after advancing gradually for 18 hours to avoid land mines sown by

Islamic State (IS), whose fighters are also using underground tunnels to stage ambushes and then disappear.

By midday, however, there was no sign of the battle being over, and a spokesman for the US-led international coalition supporting the SDF said the pace of the advance had ebbed.

“ISIS fighters have been using suicide vests and car bombs to slow down the SDF offensive and hide from Coa-lition strikes in the area of

Baghuz,” Col. Sean Ryan told Reuters.

“They still hold civilians and are lacing the tunnels with IEDs as well,” he said, referring to improvised explosive devices.

The SDF has previously esti-mated several hundred IS insur-gents to be inside Baghouz, mostly foreigners, and the coa-lition has described them as the “most hardened” militants. But Ryan said their hiding under-ground made it difficult to determine current numbers.

From a position about 3km from the front line yesterday afternoon, warplanes and the pounding of artillery could be heard overhead as plumes of smoke rose over Baghouz.

An SDF commander there said that IS had sent explosive-ridden vehicles towards advancing fighters the night before. Air strikes destroyed two of them, and the SDF fired on a third to blow it up, he said.

Sinjar Shammar, from the Kurdish YPG which spearheads

Yemen: UK urges greater peace efforts as 5 kids dead in Hodeida attackBLOOMBERG & AFP SANA’A

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt visited Yemen’s port city of Aden as part of a regional tour and urged parties in the nation’s four-year conflict to make greater efforts to secure a lasting peace.

“This is actually the worst humani-tarian crisis that we face right now,” Hunt said in comments posted on Twitter. It’s “essential” that the opposing sides take the steps needed to follow through on peace talks held in Stockholm in December, he added.

Hunt met with Deputy Prime Min-ister Ahmed Saeed Al Khanbashi and Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani, as well as aid workers. Earlier he visited President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel Salem in Muscat, Oman, the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office said in a statement.

The conflict, seen as a proxy battle

for regional influence between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has ravaged a country already struggling with deep poverty

and dysfunction. Thousands of civilians have been killed with millions more either fleeing or forced from their

homes. Hunt is the first British foreign minister to visit the country since 1996, his department said, adding that the trip was to show the UK’s support for the government of Yemen and for United Nations efforts to secure peace.

“People in Yemen are on the brink of starvation and none of the parties really want a return to hostilities -- so now is the time to take a deep breath, put aside the anger and mistrust after four years of terrible fighting and take the risks that are always necessary at the start of any peace process,” Hunt said in the statement.

Meanwhile, five Yemeni children were killed in an attack on their home in flashpoint Hodeida province, the UN and medics said, months into a ceasefire agreed by the government and rebels.

The UN children’s agency (Unicef) said that the five children were “playing at home” when they were killed. It did not give details on the nature of the attack or the perpetrators.

“Each day, eight children are killed or injured across 31 active conflict zones in the country,” Unicef executive director Henrietta Fore said in a statement Saturday.

Medics in the Tuhayta district, in southern Hodeida, yesterday confirmed that they had transferred dead and wounded children to a hospital in the government-held Khokha district nearby. The Red Sea province of Hodeida has witnessed some of the Yemen war’s most intense fighting, which has eased since the government and Huthi rebels agreed to a ceasefire in the area in December.

The Iran-backed Huthis have battled the government and its allies in a coa-lition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for control of the impov-erished country for four years.

Hodeida, held by the rebels since 2014, has witnessed intermittent clashes between the Huthis and pro-gov-ernment forces since the ceasefire went into effect on December 18.

Yemen’s Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani gestures as he walks with British Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt (second right), at the Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen, yesterday.

Smoke rises from a village near Baghouz, Syria, after an attack yesterday.

the SDF coalition, was wounded when shrapnel from a shell struck the armoured vehicle he was driving. “My comrade was sent to the hospital. His leg is gone,” said Shammar, 22, as his arm was being bandaged at a first-aid point. “(But) morale is great (at the front line). I will return to the comrades in a bit... God willing, we will triumph.”

After declaring a modern-day caliphate across large swathes of territory it had seized in flash offensives in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, IS attracted thousands of foreigners to live under its rule and defend its realm.

But its rapid expansion also attracted an array of enemies, both local and international, who began rolling back those gains. As IS territory shrivelled, thou-sands of fighters, followers and civilians retreated to Baghouz, a small cluster of hamlets and farmland along the Euphrates River.

Over the last few weeks, they poured out in greater numbers than expected, holding up the final assault. An SDF commander told Reuters on Thursday that many of the people leaving the enclave had been sheltering underground in caves and tunnels.

Israel bans senior Islamic official from entering Aqsa MosqueAP/RAMALLAH

Israeli police have banned several Islamic officials appointed by Jordan from entering a Jerusalem holy site following clashes between Pales-tinian worshippers and Israeli authorities in recent weeks.

Abdel Azem Salhab, the highest-ranking official in the Jordanian-run council over-seeing the site, said that police handed him and two other Pal-estinian officials the order.

The site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, is con-sidered the third-holiest place in Islam and the holiest by Jews.

Salhab said police informed him the ban was because of his role in opening a gate that has been closed by Israeli court order since 2003. Jordan’s Reli-gious Affairs Minister Abdel Nasser Abu Albasal condemned the Israeli decision as “a new escalation” meant to disrupt the council’s work.Gazans resume Umrah

after years of Egyptian banAP/GAZA CITY

Palestinians in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip resumed a minor pilgrimage (Umrah) to Saudi Arabia, yesterday after nearly five years of an Egyptian ban.

The first convoy of 800 Palestinians passed into Egypt through Gaza’s Rafah crossing. Airplanes will carry the Palestinians from the Egyptian capital to Makkah, Islam’s holiest city. “It’s an incredible feeling, thank God for that. We have waited for this moment since 2014,” said Fathia Abu Eita, a passenger on the Cairo-bound bus.

Egypt halted the Umrah program for Gazans in 2015 over instability in the northern Sinai that borders the Palestinian enclave, but still allowed transit for the main hajj pilgrimage.

Egypt largely sealed off its border with

Gaza when the Hamas group forcibly wrested control from the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in a 2007, after winning legislative elections a year earlier. As Cairo’s relations improved with Hamas, Egypt started reo-pening the border more regularly last summer, in part pressured by Hamas’ dem-onstrations against the crippling Egyptian-Israeli blockade.

Over the past few years, Egypt’s military has ratcheted up its battle against Islamist militants in the northern Sinai. Hamas has also restricted the movement of militants on its side of the border, helping to pacify the restive region and paving the way for the resumption of the umrah.

Palestinian officials said Egypt and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority had reached an agreement to permit the pilgrimage.

People from the first convoy, pass through the Rafah border gate to transport and perform Umrah in Makkah after Egypt reopened the border for the pilgrims following years of closure, in Rafah, Gaza, yesterday.

Syria takes part in first Arab meeting since 2011AFP AMMAN

Syria attended a meeting of Arab states yesterday for the first time since its conflict broke out in 2011, marking another step towards the country’s political reintegration into the region.

Syria’s parliament speaker, Hammouda Sabbagh, travelled to Amman for an Arab inter-parlia-mentary meeting.

His Jordanian counterpart, Atef al-Tarawneh, called in a speech for regional countries “to work towards a political settlement to the Syrian crisis... and for Syria to regain its place” in the Arab world.

A growing number of Arab states have voiced support for Syria’s return to the Arab League, which suspended the country’s membership in November 2011 as the death toll mounted in its war.

Divisions within the pan-Arab organisation, however, have stalled the readmission of Syria, which with the support of Russia and Iran has largely regained control of its ter-ritory from rebel groups and jihadists.

But the UAE reopened its Damascus embassy in December, the same month as Sudanese Pres-ident Omar al-Bashir made the first visit of any Arab leader to the Syrian capital since 2011.

Turkey’s new drone software to spot terrorists with easeANATOLIA ANKARA

Turkish drones have new software that can find terrorists with pinpoint accuracy, Turkey’s interior minister said yesterday.

“With our new software developed for drones, they [ter-rorists] won’t even be able to walk in the mountains. As of mid-May, the whole world will be speaking about this new software,” Suleyman Soylu told a meeting with repre-sentatives of NGOs, local officials, and chamber heads in the capital

Ankara. Stressing that membership in the terror group PKK is an all-time low, he added: “In past, thou-sands would join the group. In 2017 and 2018, a total of 294 people joined the PKK. The number of people who surrendered during the same period was 800.”

He underlined that 350 of the 800 terrorists laid down their arms after government officials reached out to their families and convinced to them to renounce terrorism.

Soylu went on to say that 42 terrorists surrendered in the first

two months of 2019, including 27 who were persuaded by authorities.

In addition, he said that among thousands of PKK members who surrendered over the course of recent years, only five had rejoined the terror group.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as the US and the EU.

In its terror campaign against Turkey, which has lasted for more than three decades, over 40,000 people have been killed, including women and children.

Bennett won’t back law banning Netanyahu trialANATOLIA/JERUSALEM

Naftali Bennett, a partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coal i t ion government, said he will not back any law giving immunity to the embattled premier from graft charges.

“We will not support a law that will affect the current sit-uation,” Bennett, the leader of the New Right party, said in statements cited by The Times of Israel portal.

Bennett, who is the current education minister, however, said his party would support Netanyahu as the next prime minister. On Thursday, Israeli Attorney-General Avichai Man-delblit said he will indict Netanyahu in three separate cases on charges of corruption and bribery.

A commander of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that IS had sent explosive-ridden vehicles towards advancing fighters in Baghouz. Air strikes destroyed two of them, and the SDF fired on a third to blow it up.

Saud Al Qahtani, since removed from his role as an adviser to the prince and media czar, created a “blacklist” hashtag on social media urging Saudis to name and shame “mercenaries” who’d taken neighbouring Qatar’s side in a Gulf feud.

10 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019VIEWS

‘Traitor’ is the new ‘Infidel’ as nationalism grips Saudi Arabia

Muna Abu Sulayman was relaxing in bed last month when her phone pinged with news that the grand mufti,

Saudi Arabia’s religious leader, had died.After checking that the alert

appeared to originate from an official source, the former talk show host shared it with 544,000 Twitter fol-lowers. It was a fateful misjudgment that pitched her deep into an ugly struggle over what it means to be Saudi as the kingdom forges a new identity under its young crown prince.

The story about the mufti was fake. Abu Sulayman deleted her post and apologised, but the damage was done. Over several sleepless nights, she watched as tweet after tweet branded her “scum,” “impure” -- she’s from the ethnically diverse western region -- and a foreign-funded “traitor” who should be stripped of her citizenship.

Just as notably, the abuse didn’t include what’s long been the insult of choice in the conserv-ative Islamic kingdom: Infidel. After all, as one of the few high-profile women to appear on TV with her face uncovered during less lenient times, the vivacious 45-year-old challenged gender con-

ventions upheld by hardline clerics.It wasn’t an oversight. Saudi Arabia’s

undergoing an aggressive nationalist rebranding, downplaying an austere reli-gious doctrine associated abroad with terrorism, and promoting veneration of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he pursues an economic overhaul. Amid efforts to maintain domestic support while redesigning the contract between state and citizen, traitors, not infidels, are the enemy. Many Saudis seem to have taken their lead from official rhetoric. Accusations of betrayal are lobbed online, printed on threatening notes and trumpeted in red letters on newspaper front pages. Anyone perceived as showing the kingdom in a bad light can be targeted, even come-dians poking fun at its idiosyncrasies.

“If a person is neutral or stands with the enemy against this country, it’s our right to call him a traitor,” Abdullah Al Fozan, a member of the consultative

council, said in a televised diatribe that went viral late last year. The risk is that baiting people to turn on fellow citizens under the guise of patriotism might rupture a society already under strain from the costs imposed by Prince Mohammed’s “Vision 2030” reforms, and deter the foreign investors and vis-itors he wants to attract. “The gov-ernment needs to step in with a lot of might and make sure these hateful cam-paigns don’t end up destroying the fabric of society,” AbuSulayman said at her villa in Riyadh. The abuse risks sullying changes she’s proud of. For now, officials aren’t hurrying to squash the spiteful mood -- a “with us or against us” mindset seen by some Saudis as needed to steer the country through a tough transition.

Under his plan for life after oil, the 33-year-old son of King Salman is ending an era of cheap utilities, tax-free shopping and plentiful government jobs. He’s also relaxed social restrictions, lifting bans on cinemas and women driving. But simultaneously, authorities have arrested dozens of dissenters in a political crackdown.

A top aide to Prince Mohammed began stoking the conviction that Saudi Arabia is menaced by foes at home and abroad in 2017. Saud Al Qahtani, since removed from his role as an adviser to the prince and media czar, created a “blacklist” hashtag on social media urging Saudis to name and shame “mer-cenaries” who’d taken neighbouring Qatar’s side in a Gulf feud. Al Qahtani didn’t respond to a phone message requesting comment.

Local newspapers picked up the baton last year after the arrest of prom-inent women’s rights activists accused of collaborating with unspecified foreign organisations. Al Jazirah published the names and photographs of two of the women on its front page under a headline calling them traitors. It was an act, many concluded, unlikely to have happened without the tacit approval of officials.

Al Qahtani lost his job in October -- placed under investigation for his alleged role in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi -- but the siege mentality he fostered has spread. To nationalists, foreign assertions that the crown prince knew of the operation are really a plot to damage his credibility. There’s an echo of the nativist trium-phalism that accompanied political earthquakes in Europe and the US, with

VIVIAN NEREIM BLOOMBERG

QUOTE OF THE DAY

America will never be a socialist country. Socialism is not about

the environment, it’s not about justice, it’s not about virtue. It’s about power for the

ruling class.

Donald Trump US President

Halal certification organisations, lab-grown meat, and labelling debate

The halal certification organisations perform an important function.

They issue halal meat certif-icates which accompany each consignment destined to Muslim countries. There are hundreds of these organisations worldwide. Some are better staffed and equipped than others to perform monitoring and verification activities. The verification activities are needed because the increased globalisation and complexity of the global meat industry has resulted in an increased risk of food fraud and cross-contami-nation with meat of other species. According to one report 20% of the samples of sausages labeled as con-taining only one type of

meat were found cross-con-taminated with meat of other species. For example, sausage labeled as ‘beef only’ also had pork in it. When the lab-grown meat hits the market, it could become another source of cross-contamination. How the lab-grown meat is defined by its regulatory agency is going to make a difference. The question that the halal meat consumers would like to be answered is: What are the halal certifi-cation organizations up-to in the labeling debate?

A review of the events indicates that investors like billionaire Bill Gates and agriculture giants Cargill and Tyson, in the United States, are optimistic about the future of lab-grown meat, which they believe is eco-friendly. Some other countries like Israel are also investing in this technology. As the new technology often brings new concerns, the US Cattlemen’s Association filed a petition requesting the United States Department of Agriculture’s

Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA, FSIS) that FSIS exclude so-called “lab-grown meat” from the defi-nitions of “beef” and “meat”. At that point, FSIS asked interested people to submit their comments. As a con-cerned Muslim, on May 5, 2018, I submitted the fol-lowing comments:

1). Since, no animal slaughtering is involved in the production of lab-grown meat, the Islamic religious scholars may find it not meeting the Islamic requirements. This can potentially impact upon the export of halal meat from the United States to the Muslim countries.

2). For whatever reason, some consumers may want to avoid the lab-grown meat. Therefore, lab-grown meat should be clearly stated on the product label so that consumers can make an informed decision at the grocery store.

3). Whichever regu-latory agency’s jurisdiction the lab-grown meat is placed under, the shape of

the federal “inspection seal” should be different than the circular shape currently used for the livestock and poultry products.

The debate on how lab-grown meat is to be labeled continues and some states, such as Missouri, have passed bills that only con-ventional meat gets to be labeled as “meat” to protect the traditional agriculture. It would be nice if major halal certifications organisations could come up with their views on lab-grown meat, through “Ijtehad”, and let those views be known to public. Public awareness of their views will help many consumers to make an informed decision when meat and poultry products, grown in the laboratories, become available in the supermarkets and restaurants.

The writer is former employee of the United States Department of Agri-culture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA, FSIS), the agency that regu-lates the meat industry.

Qatar’s real estate has seen some spectacular changes in recent years, with rapid growth and a range of iconic towers, malls, gated communities, hotels and luxury villas coming onto the market. Swift expansion has transformed the skyline and propelled the country into the top ranks of the global real estate market.

CHAIRMANSHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFIeditorinchief@pen.com.qa

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMEDm.salim@pen.com.qa

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED OSMAN ALI osman@pen.com.qa

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

EDITORIAL

Qatar’s resilient real estate

The real estate sector of Qatar has shown resilience last year. The sector attracted investors which was visible in several deals that were signed in 2018.

According to the data of the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, Doha was the most sought after among real estate buyers in 2018. The municipality topped the country in terms of real estate deals last year. Doha witnessed real estate deals worth QR10.7bn last year, leaving behind other municipalities by wide margin.

Al Rayyan came second in terms of value of deals while Al Daayen was on the third place. Al Wakrah, which has undergone remarkable infrastructure development in the past few years, was on the fourth place in terms of real estate deals.

The value of properties sold in Al Rayyan Municipality was QR6.37bn in 2018, while it was QR2.76bn in Al Daayen Municipality. Total value of real estate deals in Al Wakrah Municipality was QR1.84bn in 2018. These deals involving billions of riyals shows the strength of country’s real estate sector.

Qatar’s real estate has seen some spectacular changes in recent years, with rapid growth and a range of iconic towers, malls, gated commu-nities, hotels and luxury villas coming onto the market. Swift expansion has transformed the skyline and propelled the country into the top ranks of the global real estate market.

Much of the real estate growth in recent years is attributed to strong GDP expansion, built on the back of major oil and gas reserves.

Several new projects in the commercial real estate are due to launch in near future.

With the expected opening of five new malls this year, and other commercial establish-ments next year, the organised supply of retail space in Qatar is forecast to exceed over 2 million square metres (sqm) by 2020.

These five new malls, which are estimated to be completed by the end of this year, include Doha Mall (Abu Hamour), Katara Mall (Al Qassar), Northgate Mall (North Doha), La Galleria (Msheireb) and Doha Souq (Al Mirqab),

according to Q4 2018 Qatar market review released by DTZ/Cushman & Wakefield, yesterday.

The organised retail supply in Qatar has increased by more than 100 percent since 2015 with the opening of 13 new malls in Doha, Al Khor and Al Wakhra. Total supply of gross leasable area within retail malls now tops 1.4 million sqm, of which almost 800,000 sqm is provided in the country’s five largest ‘super-regional’ malls. All these new projects will further strengthen Qatar’s real estate sector.

DR. MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH

Donald Trump-inspired slogans like “Saudi First” and “Saudi The Great.’ But what’s happening also has local flavours.

“Nationalism came in at a time when Saudi Arabia was not only trying to curtail the religious identity inside the country, but was also following a more assertive foreign policy,” said Eman Alhussein, a Saudi visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations. Prince Mohammed says he’s embracing moder-ation and has reined in a once-powerful religious police. He’s also rallied Saudis around the kingdom’s war in Yemen, part of its proxy struggle with rival Iran, as well as the split with Qatar.

Pride is palpable, especially among those who’d long hoped for social change, and patriotic merchandise abounds. In Riyadh’s Taiba market, where incense smoke floats past vendors squeezing pomegranate juice, t-shirts stamped with “Vision 2030” cost 25 riyals ($6.7). Nearby, pins portraying Prince Mohammed, often referred to as MBS, sell for 50 riyals alongside scented candles.

“It was almost taboo at one point to be proud of being just exclusively Saudi,” said Prince Talal Al Faisal, a 38-year-old busi-nessman and junior royal. Extreme nation-alists are a vocal minority “not to be con-fused with the patriotic majority” who love their country and want to make it better, he said. Yet the shift has a malevolent side, and Saudis differ over who’s to blame.

Abdulaziz, a 25-year-old, said he felt the drive has been managed from the top. Recent social-media adulation of “loyal citizen” Al Qahtani by well-known Saudis has encouraged such thoughts.

Khalid Al Othman, head of a local urban development company, says fanning an exclusionary nationalism while wanting to build bridges to the world could be self-defeating.

“I’m actually convinced that on a higher level, the king and MBS don’t endorse it,” he said. “It’s against their interests.” Whoever is responsible, they’re changing behavior. One young Saudi said he’s abandoned Twitter and holds back in family gatherings to avoid questions over loyalty. Sofana Dahlan’s speaking up. A 40-year-old lawyer and entrepreneur in Jeddah, Dahlan was subjected to a smear campaign last year after the posting of a truncated video of a speech she’d given in 2013 on the challenges and triumphs of being a Saudi woman. The virtual assailant accused Dahlan of “defaming the state,” including photos of her at a conference in Qatar held years before the diplomatic rift. Strangers warned her to “expect a funeral” in calls to her office; notes left on her car denounced a traitor who deserved to die.

Dahlan reported the threats to the police to little effect. On the verge of sending her children abroad, she sought help from Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the gov-ernor of her region, on October 1. One day later -- the same day Khashoggi was murdered -- the abuse stopped.

Still mystified over who was respon-sible, she’s grateful it’s over. But her sense of security is shattered. “Feeling safe is a mental state,” Dahlan said, “and that mental state is not ever going to come back”.

A file picture of Jamal Khashoggi speaking at Al Sharq Forum conference.

If you are of Asian, Caribbean or African heritage, you can’t really expect to be treated as “pukka British” no matter where you were born and how long you have or your family have lived in the UK. Unsurprisingly, then, the treatment of Shamima, while supported by some among them, has caused anxiety in British minority ethnic communities.

11MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 OPINION

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICETEL: 4455 7741 / 767FAX: +974 4455 7758

MANAGING EDITORTEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITORTEL: 4455 7769

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION TEL: 4462 7535

SPORT NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7745

ONLINE SECTION TEL: 4462 7501info@pen.com.qa

PUBLIC RELATIONSTEL: 4455 7613pr@pen.com.qa

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENTTEL: 4455 7837 / 780FAX: 4455 7870 adv@pen.com.qa

CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENTTEL: 4455 7857adv@pen.com.qa

SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTIONTEL: 4455 7809 / 839FAX: 44557819info@tawseelqatar.com

D-RING ROADPOST BOX: 3488DOHA - QATAReditor@pen.com.qa

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers,not of the newspaper.

All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be sent to editor-in-chiefoffice or mailed to the editorinchief@pen.com.qa

US threat looms over foreignfirms trading with Cuba

When do you become ‘British enough’?

CARLOS BATISTA AFP

PRIYAMVADA GOPAL AL JAZEERA

US President Donald Trump’s administration is bran-dishing the threat of sanc-tions against foreign com-

panies “trafficking” with Cuba, a move hitherto mothballed by Wash-

ington so as not to offend allies. The White House has broken with

two decades of precedent in threat-ening to activate Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which extended the US embargo to apply to foreign companies trading with Cuba.

The European Union is Cuba’s largest foreign investor and will watch with interest as the countdown to Trump’s March 17 deadline to activate new sanctions against Cuba approaches.

Title III specifically penalizes foreign companies allegedly “traf-ficking” property that was confiscated by the Cuban regime under Fidel Castro but previously belonged to US nationals or Cuban immigrants to the US. Although the Helms-Burton Act was signed in 1996, Title III was been systematically suspended every six months to prevent discord between the US and key partners, including the EU.

But that may come to an end as

earlier this year, Trump fixed a 45-day suspension from February 1 that expires on March 17.

“I think the Trump administration is trying to create confusion... to scare off investment in Cuba,” the European Union’s ambassador to Havana, Alberto Navarro said.

He said the EU would view the move as “a sword of Damocles” for its companies in Cuba. “We’re very worried about this,” added Navarro.

“We cannot accept that a country tries to impose its laws outside its own borders... that would be a return to the jungle.”

After years of thaw introduced under the administration of US pres-ident Barack Obama, Washington has returned to the language of the Cold War in the once-again frosty US-Cuba relationship.

“We encourage any person doing business in Cuba to reconsider whether they are trafficking in confis-cated property and abetting this dic-tatorship,” said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in January.

Activating Title III could open the way for thousands of claims against Cuba in US courts.

For Cuban political scientist and former diplomat Jesus Arboleya, Title III is a “legal and political aberration” that will create new difficulties for Cuba to attract foreign investment.

Cuba needs that to boost its economy, which is already hampered by US sanctions. In 2017 it attracted only $2 billion in investments -- it needs $5 billion to spark growth.

“Our country is ready to meet whatever measures that reinforce the embargo, including the application of new elements to the Helms-Burton

law,” said Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.

Among the companies that could be affected by Title III are Canadian firm Sherritt International, which part owns the Pedro Soto Alba nickel plant that used to belong to the Moa Bay Mining Company.

Another is the emblematic Hotel Habana Libre run by Spain’s Melia but which used to be a Hilton.

During the 1960s, Castro nation-alized a number of foreign enterprises.

Firms from Britain, Canada, France, Spain and Switzerland received compensation but the breakdown of relations with Wash-ington, followed by the embargo, scuppered any possibility of a deal with the US.

A US commission for the certifi-cation of claims abroad ratified almost 6,000 claims worth $1.9 billion, which would now be worth $6 billion at a six percent annual interest rate, according to a study by Richard Feinberg of the Brookings Latin America Initiative.

International law and US judicial practice mean the US should only support the claims of those citizens who were American at the time of the seizures, Feinberg said.

But the activation of Title III also validates the claims of Cuban citizens who have since obtained US nation-ality, which has increased the number of claimants by tens of thousands.

When the Helms-Burton law was enacted in 1996, Cuba retaliated with its ‘Law 80’ which excluded from compensation “anyone born in or nat-uralized in the United States” who invokes the Helms-Burton act.

A teenager, just out of her childhood years, is groomed online by members of a group well known for advo-

cating misogyny, regressive social practices, religious absolutism and violence. She disappears to join the group in its compound abroad. During a four year period, she is “married”, subjected to statutory rape, and loses two babies. Heavily pregnant and in a refugee camp as the group faces mil-itary defeat, she asks to return to the only country she can legitimately call home. The request is denied and she is subsequently stripped of British citizenship.

Many have noted correctly that had the young woman in question been a white Briton, it would have been less easy for British Home Sec-retary Sajid Javid to have made political capital by refusing a citizen’s request to return to her homeland, and less likely that he would have attempted to do so.

Shamima Begum, however, is brown, wears full hijab, has parents of Bangladeshi origin and is reported to have made ill-advised statements to a British journalist. She has apparently expressed little remorse for her action in running away from home to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS), a patriarchal death cult in whose care, needless to say, she was likely subjected to signif-icant amounts of ideological control despite exercising an obstinate child’s will in joining them.

As Anthony Lloyd, the journalist who interviewed her notes, “people do make crass statements at a time such as this”, not least when sur-rounded by current and former members of the cult in question.

He, himself, is clear that Shamima

and other Britons who joined ISIL must now be brought back to face transparent, robust justice and to prevent further indoctrination into violent extremism. He has also said clearly that Shamima “has consid-erably more doubt and reserve over Islamic State” than has been suggested in the British media. She has certainly spoken of her husband, a Dutch convert to Islam and a former ISIL member, being tortured at their hands.

With one eye on his own pro-spective bid for the leadership of the Tory party, Javid did not hesitate to revoke Shamima’s British citizenship, a move very well received by British voters, including many who regard themselves as otherwise tolerant and liberal. Despite, or perhaps because of, Javid’s own ancestral links to Pakistan, which lends his actions a certain racial credibility, the message is loud and clear: If you are not white and have heritage links to Asian or African countries, you will be denied the right to due process and a fair trial and asked to “go back” to these places.

Bangladesh, rightly, has made clear that it takes no responsibility for Shamima, who was neither born nor raised there; that she may be entitled to Bangladeshi citizenship through her parents is not legally relevant. Her newborn child is certainly British by right, not Bangladeshi.

By trying to pass responsibility to Bangladesh, the British government implies that non-European nations have a greater affinity for suspected criminals and terrorists who in turn have a claim upon their citizenship. Since Shamima does not already hold a Bangladeshi passport it is likely that Javid’s decision will be overturned as illegal.

Apart from being legally dubious, Britain’s attempt to strip a British-born woman of citizenship underlines what many in Britain believe: That those who are not white and British, “really” belong somewhere else in the first and last instance, no matter how tenuous their relationship to that “somewhere else” is.

The most crudely honest decla-ration may have come from British author Allison Pearson, who wrote in the Telegraph newspaper: “Shamima Begum may have been born here, but she was never British.”

Disgraceful as it is, Pearson’s comment simply makes visible assumptions that are rife in the British media and which clearly underpinned the home secretary’s canny calcu-lation: All citizens are supposed to be equal but citizens from minority ethnic communities are, in fact, less equal than others.

If you are of Asian, Caribbean or African heritage, you can’t really expect to be treated as “pukka British” no matter where you were born and how long you have or your family have lived in the UK.

Unsurprisingly, then, the treatment of Shamima, while sup-ported by some among them, has caused anxiety in British minority ethnic communities, particularly those largely comprising Muslims, prom-inent targets of right-wing propaganda.

Coming as it has in the wake of the Windrush scandal, where hundreds of Britons of West Indian descent have been and are still being deported “back” to Caribbean countries they have never lived in, the Home Office’s move has reinforced the suggestion that those who have ties to migrant communities and who are also racial minorities, must live constantly under the sign of not being quite fully British.

Citizenship for these groups, it turns out, is entirely conditional. They must constantly justify why they are in the UK in the first place, work three times as hard to be considered “British” and still face the charge that they can “never” be British, not really. They belong “over there”.

The point here is not that Shamima or others like her are innocent (though the law must presume that until proven otherwise), but that she is both subject and entitled to the same judicial processes and, if necessary, punishment as any other British citizen, including serious criminals, might be.

Indeed, the best chance of holding her accountable for any crimes she might have committed would be to let her return to Britain and face the courts and the “British justice” that many in this country like to uphold as

The European Union is Cuba’s largest foreign investor and will watch with interest as the countdown to Trump’s March 17 deadline to activate new sanctions against Cuba approaches.

a global model.Instead, what has been allowed

to happen sends out a grim warning; a manifestly racist trial by media in which well-known figures like the TV host Piers Morgan have screamed, using deliberately bestial images, about women who “have sex with” and “breed with” terrorists.

You do not have to be a sup-porter of any form of religious extremism or even especially liberal to consider the grave impli-cations of what it means to bypass the law and judicial process alto-gether in favour of a heavy-handed state response to tabloid headlines screaming about “jihadi brides”.

The 1981 Nationality Act has provisions, with certain conditions, for a person to be stripped of citi-zenship “if the Secretary of State is satisfied that deprivation is con-ducive to the public good”, not the public “mood”.

Ultimately though, the identity crisis about what it means to be “British” is not actually one that is taking place among British ethnic minority communities. As London mayor Sadiq Khan has rightly noted, the Home Office has “called into question the very nature of what it means to be a citizen of this country at all”.

The real crisis, as is evident from the endless shambolic drama around Brexit has to do with British identity itself, about what “Britain” is in a century where it has lost global pre-eminence for good, and where it is now dependent on its former colonies (the so-called “Commonwealth”) to save it from economic meltdown after it departs the European Union, should it do so at all.

Security footage of three British schoolgirls (from left) Kadiza Sultana, Shamima Begum and Amira Abase passing through security checks at Gatwick airport on their way to join Islamic State.

Surfers’ day

12 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019AFRICA

ANATOLIA/ALGIERS

The Movement of Society for Peace, Algeria’s largest Islamic party, threatened yesterday to withdraw from next month’s presidential election if President Abdelaziz Bouteflika seeks a fifth term in office.

Announcing its support for popular protests against Bouteflika standing again, a statement called on the nation’s political authority to respond to the demands of the people and in particular to fore-stall Bouteflika’s fifth term.

Earlier yesterday, 145 members of the movement’s Shura Council voted in favour of a decision to pull out from the race while 97 voted against, local media said.

Supporters of the withdrawal argue that the move was taken “in tandem with the desire of the people, who have gone out in the millions against the nomination of incumbent President Bouteflika.”

Separately, according to Swiss daily La Tribune de Geneve, there is no indication that Bouteflika, who has been undergoing treatment in a Swiss hospital for a week, is close to leaving.

People take to the streets in Algiers downtown, Algeria, yesterday.

Nigeria court: Extradition of Cameroon separatists ‘illegal’AFP LAGOS

A Nigerian court has condemned as “illegal and unconstitutional” the arrest and deportation of Cameroonian sepa-ratists who had applied for asylum in Nigeria, their lawyers said yesterday.

In January 2018, Nigeria arrested and sent back 47 anglophone separa-tists who had fled Cameroon following a crackdown by the authorities.

The move was denounced by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, which said most of them had filed asylum claims. It accused Nigeria of breaching international agreements.

“Justice Chikere declared the arrest

and detention of the 12 applicants illegal,” said a statement from Nigerian law firm Falana & Falana, referring to a ruling issued last week in the capital Abuja.

“Consequently, Justice Chikere declared the deportation of the appli-cants illegal and unconstitutional, awarded (compensation) to each of them and ordered the federal government to ensure that they are brought back to Nigeria forthwith.”

Among the 12 Cameroonian claimants in this case was separatist leader Julius Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, president of the self-declared “Republic of Ambazonia”. He and his supporters were among those arrested by Nigerian

intelligence agents on January 9, 2018. Nigerian officials sent the group back to Cameroon a few weeks later on January 26.

For months, the 47 have been held in isolation at a high-security facility at police headquarters in Yaounde, Cam-eroon’s capital. In December, a military court in Yaounde opened a trial against Ayuk Tabe and nine others for “ter-rorism” and “secession”.

Just before the start of that trial, Ayuk Tabe was transferred to a lower security prison in the capital where he can receive visits.

The next hearing is scheduled for March 7. Defence lawyers have already argued before the court that the

defendants should be returned to Nigeria. During last week’s hearing in Abuja, defence lawyer Femi Fakana had argued that the arrest and detention of refugees and asylum seekers constituted a breach of Nigeria’s constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The judge agreed, saying the expulsion of the group was in “utter vio-lation” of legal obligations which ban Nigeria “from expelling or deporting ref-ugees” from the country. He ordered the government to ensure they were brought back to Nigeria, and that their fundamental rights were respected.

Mark Bareta, one of the leading advocates of the anglophone separatist

cause, welcomed the Nigerian court ruling. English-speaking Cameroonians “are happy that at least in Nigeria there is an independent judiciary,” he wrote on his Facebook page, which has more than 100,000 followers.

They were hoping that the Nigerian government would respect this legal ruling, he added.

Clashes between the armed forces and separatists take place almost daily in the two Anglophone regions on the western flank of Cameroon.

Resentment there at perceived mar-ginalisation by the French-speaking majority boiled over into an armed uprising in late 2016, prompting a harsh government crackdown.

Bouteflika announces candidacy for re-electionREUTERS ALGIERS

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has submitted official papers confirming he will seek re-election next month, Ennahar TV said yesterday, despite mass protests against the 82-year-old extending his 20-year rule.

The state news agency APS published a declaration of his assets, which is one formal requirement for him to run in the April 18 presidential election.

Adding to the confusion, election commission head Abdel-wahab Derbal said that each can-didate must appear in person at the Constitutional Council in Algiers by midnight on Sunday if they wish to stand.

Yesterday evening, Boutef-lika’s campaign manager Abdelghani Zaalane arrived at the council in Algiers. He did not speak to reporters as he went into the building.

Tens of thousands of pro-testers had been rallying throughout the day in cities around Algeria to call for Boute-flika to step down after his 20 years in power. Bouteflika has not spoken about the protests or addressed the protesters’ concerns.

On Friday demonstrators filled the centre of the capital in one of the biggest displays of dissent — rare in Algeria — since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings which unseated rulers in neigh-bouring countries.

Official election papers were submitted for Bouteflika, 82, in

shaky health for years, at the Constitutional Council in Algiers, the private TV channel said.

But there was no sign of Bouteflika, who Swiss television said on Saturday night had been in a hospital in Geneva that day. The president has rarely been seen in public since he suffered a stroke in 2013

Addition to the confusion, Al Arabiya television quoted an official in Boutleflika’s team as saying the papers had yet to be submitted. They would be read out after the formal move, the station added.

His opponents say he is no longer fit to lead, citing his health

and what they call chronic cor-ruption and a lack of economic reforms to tackle high unem-ployment, which exceeds 25 percent among people under the age of 30.

Analysts say the protesters, who began hitting the streets 10 days ago, lack leadership and organisation in a country still dominated by veterans, like Bouteflika, of the 1954-62 inde-pendence war against France.

But traditionally weak and divided opposition and civic groups have called for protests to go on should Bouteflika, in power for 20 years, continue pursuit of re-election.

The government has played on fears among many Algerians of a return of bloodshed seen in the 1990s when an estimated 200,000 people were killed after Islamists took up arms when the military cancelled elections they were poised to win.

But the new series of protests have been generally peaceful, apart from Friday when scuffles with police left 183 injured.

Thousands of students gathered yesterday at university faculties, one of them near the Constitutional Council where presidential candidates filed their papers, chanting: “No to a fifth term!” or “A free and dem-ocratic Algeria!”

There was heavy security around the Constitutional Council, and police prevented restive students from leaving the campus nearby, keeping the

main gates shut.But thousands were later

marching through the centre like on Friday. A diplomatic source estimated as many as 70,000 people had massed in Algiers, including a rally at Bab Ezzouar university, the country’s biggest.

“We will not stop until we get rid of this system,” said Aicha, a 23-year-old student.

According to witnesses and local television footage, pro-testers also turned out in their thousands in other cities around the North African country such as Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Batna, Blida, Skikda and Bouira. Some 6,000 also protested in central Paris, where many Alge-rians live.

By evening, seven candi-dates running against Bouteflika had registered. The first to arrive was Ali Ghediri, a retired general. “I tell the people a new

dawn has started,” he told reporters.

Another candidate, Rachid Nakkaz, a businessman, came in a taxi and said: “We should remain peaceful to give a good image of our democracy.”

Opposition groups failed to agree on one candidate, making any campaign a tough uphill challenge in a country domi-nated by one party - the FLN - since independence.

Many Algerians eschewed public political activity for years, for fear of trouble from the per-vasive security apparatus or out of disillusionment with the lack of change in the leadership.

After the decade-long Islamist insurgency that Boute-flika crushed early in his rule, Algerians generally tolerated a political system leaving little room for dissent as a price to pay for relative peace and stability.

Largest Islamic party threatens to withdraw from polls

Nigerian oil pipeline explosion forces hundreds to fleeAFP/WARRI, NIGERIA

A major Nigerian oil pipeline has exploded, local police said yesterday, forcing nearby resi-dents to flee and raising suspi-cions of possible sabotage.

The Nembe Creek Trunk pipeline runs from an oil ter-minal in Bonny to the state of Bayelsa with capacity of 150,000 barrels per day. The explosion

happened on Friday. “We have not been officially

briefed on the incident, but it occurred,” Bayelsa State Police spokesman Asinim Butswat said.

“No lives were lost as a result of the explosion and we can’t confirm if it was an attack by militants or an equipment failure unless the people man-aging the facility go there” to determine the cause, he said.

Opec member Nigeria is Africa’s biggest producer of crude oil.

Ndiana-Abasi Mathew, a public relations official for Aiteo, the company that manages the pipeline, confirmed the incident in a text message on Saturday. “There is no official statement at the moment but I can gladly inform you that the fire has been contained and no lives were lost,” Mathew said.

Oyinkro Jasper, a local chief from Kalablomi, one of the affected communities, said the blast forced hundreds of residents to flee as it caused “a huge inferno” along the pipeline, which ran through six communities.

Nigerian pipelines are prone to accidents and are sometimes pierced by people who refine the oil themselves to sell on the informal market.

Libya: Haftar’s forces control southAP/CAIRO

A spokesman for the forces of a Libyan strongman based in the country’s east says his self-styled Libyan National Army has seized control of Libya’s southern border with Algeria.

The spokesman, Ahmed Al Mesmari, says Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s troops entered several southern towns, including Ghat and Awaynat, the previous week. The advances are the latest in an operation Haftar announced in January to “eliminate gangs, Islamic State terrorists and criminals” in the south. The spokesman says Haftar’s forces now control all Libya’s borders except the one to the west. Kite surfers enjoy strong winds during a training day at Al Nakheel beach, in Benghazi, Libya, yesterday.

Sudanese continue protest despite banAP/CAIRO

Sudanese protesters are marching toward courthouses in different cities across the country, including in the capital of Khartoum.

It’s the latest in two-and-a-half months of protests that call for the overthrow of President Omar Hassan Al Bashir.

Yesterday’s marches were called for by the Sudanese Profes-sionals Association, an umbrella group of independent professional unions that has been spearheading the protests.

Al-Bashir has banned unauthorized public gatherings and granted sweeping powers to the police after imposing a state of emergency last month. But the measure failed to deter protesters who have kept demonstrating.

The current wave of unrest erupted in December, initially over rising prices and shortages but quickly turned to calls for the ouster of Al-Bashir, who seized power in a 1989 coup. A heavy security crackdown has killed scores.

Seven dead in Nigeria herders’ attack ANATOLIA/LAGOS

Seven people were killed in an early morning attack which locals blamed on herders in Benue state, Nigerian army confirmed on Sunday.

“Our men who responded to a distress call have recovered seven bodies from Tse-Kuma community,” Adeyemi Yekini, com-mander of a special military squad codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke, told reporters in Makurdi, the state’s capital.

On the other hand, Francis Ayaga, administrative head of Gwer West Local Government Council where the attack had taken place, claimed that at least 16 people were killed in the village while hundreds have been displaced in what he warned could spark a humanitarian crisis in the area.

Repeated clashes between farmers and herders occur in central Nigeria, resulting in multiple deaths and mass displacement.

World Wildlife Day

13MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 ASIA

Border quiet but Kashmir tense amid crackdownREUTERS SRINAGAR

A s India and Pakistan seemingly dial down hostilities that brought the arch enemies to the brink of another war, a massive crackdown on militancy in the Indian-controlled Kashmir region is killing both militants and security personnel in big numbers.

At the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the nuclear-armed neighbours, there was relative calm in the past 24 hours, their armies said yes-terday. The exchange of fire in the past few days has killed seven people on the Pakistani

side and four on the Indian side, though the release of a downed Indian fighter pilot by Pakistan on Friday night has helped de-escalate tensions.

“By and large the LoC was calm last night but you never know when it will become active again,” said Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, a minister in Pakistani Kashmir. “Tension still prevails.”

Indian warplanes carried out air strikes on Tuesday inside

northeast Pakistan’s Balakot on what New Delhi called militant camps. Islamabad denied any such camps existed, as did some villagers in the area when Reuters visited.

Nevertheless, Pakistan retal-iated on Wednesday with its own aerial mission in a show of force. The countries have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947. In Kashmir, troops shot dead two militants after a three-day gun battle that

also killed five security force per-sonnel, taking the total death toll to 25 in the past two weeks. The fresh anti-militancy drive was launched after a Kashmiri suicide bomber, a member of a Pakistan-based militant group, killed 40 Indian paramilitary police on Feb-ruary 14.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also come down hard on separatist groups operating in Kashmir, including by banning the Jamaat-e-Islami party, two of whose clerics were detained in raids on Saturday night.

Yesterday, residents observed a shutdown in South Kashmir’s Tral area against the

detentions. Shops were closed and traffic was off the roads in the area, and a protest march took place. Indian authorities have arrested more than 300 Jamaat leaders and activists in the past two weeks, accusing the group of supporting attempts to “carve out an Islamic State out of India” by destabilising the government.

Amit Shah, the president of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party that faces a general election by May, told an election rally that the government has made it clear to the separatists that “if they want to live in India, they will have to speak the lan-guage of India, not Pakistan’s”.

The government, however, has come under pressure from the opposition to share proof that “a very large number” of mili-tants were killed in air strikes inside Pakistan this week, after doubts were raised there were any casualties in the attack.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, one of Modi’s top lieutenants, said on Saturday “no security agencies ever share operational details” and dismissed sugges-tions that the escalation in ten-sions with Pakistan had anything to do with domestic politics ahead of the election. Pollsters expect the ruling party to benefit from the nationalistic passion sweeping the country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left), greeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ‘Sankalp’ rally in Patna, yesterday.

Elephants walk through the Manas National Park, a Unesco Natural World Heritage site, at Baksa in Assam, yesterday. World Wildlife Day is observed on March 3, the signature day of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

Modi: Congress and allies demoralising army by asking proof of air strikesIANS PATNA

In the first show of strength in Bihar ruled by BJP in alliance with JD-U, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday attacked Congress and its allies for demoralising security forces by asking for proof of air strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and for “making the enemies smile” by issuing statements.

“I want to know from Con-gress and its allies why they are demoralizing security forces by asking for proof of the air strikes against terror camps. Why are they issuing such statements that benefit our enemies?” Modi asked addressing NDA’s Sankalp rally in Patna where he formally launched NDA’s campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar.

“Congress and its allies are doing things which are enough for making the enemies smile. At a time when there was a need to speak as one against terror fac-tories, 21 parties in Delhi came together to speak against the NDA. People won’t forgive them,”

Modi said.Modi reminded thousands of

people gathered to hear him at Gandhi Maidan here that when the entire country is rejoicing over the IAF’s successful air-strikes on terror camps in Paki-stan’s Balakot, “a few of our own people have raised suspicion on such a strikes”.

Modi cautioned people against opposition’s ‘Mahagath-bandhan’ agenda, which was “personal and for their own family.” “Had the Mahamilavat government been there, there wouldn’t have been any decision or development because they have a habit of developing them-selves,” Modi said.

The Opposition, he said, has a one-point agenda — eliminate or remove Modi, who is a ‘chowkidar’ and ‘pradhan sewak’ of the country and its people.

“Instead of considering the good work done by the Modi gov-ernment, the Opposition now-adays is in a competition to abuse the ‘chowkidaar’, but rest assured, this ‘chowkidaar’ of yours is as alert as ever,” he

added. Since early yesterday thousands of NDA leaders, workers and supporters gathered in the Bihar capital —with hundreds thronging the venue since Saturday night — to hear the Prime Minister at the Sankalp rally.

Modi and Bihar Chief Min-ister Nitish Kumar shared dais at the political rally after a decade. Both had come together last time at a rally in 2009 in Ludhiana in Punjab.

Security was tight at the Sankalp rally in Gandhi Maidan. It was on October 27, 2013 when Gandhi Maidan was rocked by serial bomb blasts. Modi was then the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. At least six people had been killed and around 100 injured in the blasts.

Yesterday, all roads virtually led to the Gandhi Maidan as par-ticipants marched to the venue waving saffron and green flags of BJP, JD-U and LJP of Union

Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. Hundreds of vehicles car-

rying thousands of people were stuck in the outskirts of Patna and Gandhi Setu that connects north Bihar to Patna.

The NDA had hired 18 trains and nearly 5,000 buses to ferry supporters to the Sankalp rally.

Senior Superintendent of Police Garima Malik said nearly 4,000 police personnel had been deployed in and around the sprawling ground.

Clashes as police stop BJP bike rallies in Bengal, several injuredIANS KOLKATA

Several people were injured as clashes broke out in various parts of West Bengal yesterday when police sought to stop BJP activists from holding the ‘Vijay Sankalp’ bike rallies.

Launched by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Friday, the bike rallies are part of the party’s nationwide outreach campaign ahead of the

upcoming Lok Sabha elections.However, in West Bengal, the

rallies were denied permission because of board examinations and traffic issues, a senior police officer said.

In Kolkata, police inter-cepted the rally participants on Central Avenue, Jorabagan, Kakurgachi and other important points, while disruptions were reported from North 24 Par-ganas, Howrah, West Burdwan, South Dinajpur, Cooch Behar and

West Medinipur districts.Workers of the BJP and the

ruling Trinamool Congress clashed in Baraboni of West Burdwan district during the rally, police said.

BJP leader and Union min-ister Babul Supriyo, who led the bike rally in Baraboni, accused the police of attempts to stop the event.

“West Bengal Police tried so hard to obstruct BJP’s peaceful #VijaySankalpaBikeRally at

Amdiha More, Baraboni but how could they have stopped us when we had the support of the people with us??” he said in a series of tweets. “Log saath aate gaye aur carvaan banta gaya (people kept on joining, and the caravan took shape)”.

In West Medinipur’s Goaltore area, BJP activists tried to break police barricades, leading to a baton-charge and scuffle, which left several people injured.

“We have detained eight BJP

workers,” an officer of Goaltore police station said.

In Durgapur, the activists scuffled with police, following which the Rapid Action Force was called in to restore order.

State BJP President Dilip Ghosh said around 100 such rallies were being organised in Bengal. “I have flagged off a rally in Durgapur. Workers are being arrested and such arrests will take place everywhere. But we will be successful,” he said.

Delhi Assembly to go paperless ahead of voteIANS NEW DELHI

The Delhi Assembly has sought help from the state government for turning paperless after the delay in the implementation of the Centre’s project for paperless Assemblies.

During the budget session of the Assembly, which concluded last week, the General Purposes Committee (GPC) of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha had tabled a report stating the paperless project was “badly delayed”.

“The Assembly Secretariat sought Rs 20 crore in the budget estimates for 2019-20. The project will be modified to suit the needs of the Assembly and its members,” said the report.

The government has allo-cated the amount for the purpose.

“A lot of papers are used in the Assembly. Our aim is to make it paperless by the next session. The work will start from April and the implemen-tation will take around six months,” Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said.

“It will take a little time, as we need to first develop a cen-tralised system. There will be a display screen on MLAs’ seats. Everything, from questions and answers to reports, will be available on the touch of finger,” he said.

Goel said the study and the estimate part of the project has been completed and with the sanctioning of the money, the work will also begin next month. “A team from the Assembly visited the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in 2015 after it turned paperless to get first hand knowledge. They (Himachal Assembly) also have nearly the same number of MLAs as we do,” he said.

Troops shot dead two militants in a three-day gun battle that also killed five security force personnel, taking the total death toll to 25 in the past two weeks.

Congress slams Modi over OIC condemning ‘Indian terrorism’IANS NEW DELHI

The Congress yesterday slammed the Narendra Modi government over the Organi-sation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopting a resolution condemning “Indian barbarities and human rights violations” in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress strongly reacted to New Delhi by attending the summit in Abu Dhabi and accused the Modi government of “surrendering India’s national interest”.

The resolution was adopted on Saturday, a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the summit. Besides terming elimination of Burhan Wani as an “extra judicial killing”, the OIC condemned “intensified Indian barbarities since 2016 in Kashmir that led to the death of over 220 people” and also criticised the “inhuman practice of using pellet guns”.

“The Modi government had touted the invitation to the OIC as a great diplomatic success but it has turn out to be a huge embarrassment for India. The OIC resolution not just condemned Indian terrorism in Kashmir but also called India an occupier in Kashmir,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said here. “For so many decades India has deliber-ately chosen to avoid attending the OIC. But the Modi government by attending got India labelled a terrorist country and an occupier in Kashmir,” said the former Union Minister.

While the Modi government subsequently said J&K is an integral part of India and its matters are strictly internal, Tewari said it was only a face saving exercise. “We condemn this abject surrender of national interest, in the strongest possible terms and ask Modi and Swaraj is this the big diplomatic success they have been touting,” Tewari said.

American missile award for top Indian scientistIANS BENGALURU

State-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman G Satheesh Reddy is the joint winner of the 2019 Missile Systems Award given by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in the US, said the Virginia-based aerospace technical society, yesterday.

“Reddy was selected for his over three decades of national contributions to indigenous design, development and deployment of diversified stra-tegic and tactical missile systems, guided weapons, advanced avionics and navi-gation technologies in India,” said the society in a statement.

Reddy, 55, is also the Defence Secretary and Director-General of DRDO’s aerospace arm Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

14 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019ASIA

Imran orders to bring back

Pakistanis stranded in GulfINTERNEWS KARACHI

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered the author-ities to make special arrange-ments to bring back Pakistani nationals stranded in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries due to the recent closure of Paki-stan’s airspace and airports.

Pakistan had shut down its airspace on Wednesday fol-lowing aerial engagement between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets over Kashmir on Wednesday.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan partially opened the airspace on Friday , after which flight operations resumed at Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar airports.

However, thousands of Paki-stani passengers hit by the sudden cancellation of their flights are still waiting in dif-ferent countries for their turn to be taken back home.

Pakistan’s International Air-lines (PIA) flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing are also still suspended.

A PIA spokesman said that restoration of its normal flight schedule from Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta stations started after “remaining suspended for four days”.

According to a PIA

statement, during the last four days, more than 400 flights and 25,000 passengers were affected, and more than 8,000 passengers had been transported to their destinations since the restoration of the flight operations.

Quoting Aviation Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro, the statement said that PM Khan had given instructions to facilitate the stranded passengers on pri-ority “especially, those who are stuck in Saudi Arabia and Gulf as they may be facing a shortage of funds and expiry of their visas”.

Following the instructions, the statement said that PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik assured the government that “every possible effort will be carried out to clear the backlog within the shortest possible span of time”. He said that very soon the situation would return to normalcy.

“However, complete resto-ration will happen when flight

operations from across the country resume. PIA flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing remain temporarily sus-pended,” the statement added. Meanwhile, flights partially resumed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport early morning yesterday after being suspended for over 80 hours due to tensions and hostilities between Pakistani and Indian troops.

Although flights had partially resumed at other major interna-tional airports in Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta on March 1, Lahore airport had remained closed. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the CAA yesterday said that flight operations to and from Lahore airport had resumed along existing routes. The notice said flight operations at Lahore are expected to resume completely by March 8, 11.59pm. Flight oper-ations at the other major inter-national airports have returned to normalcy.

PIA spokesperson, Mashood-Tajwar, said normal flight oper-ations at other major airports in Punjab, including Multan, Fais-alabad and Sialkot, were expected to resume today.

According to a Euro control estimate, the closure of Pakistani airspace impacted an approx-imate 400 flights a day.

A military helicopter rescues people from atop an overturned truck in a flooded area in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. At least 20 people were killed in flash floods in southern Afghanistan.

Afghanistan donates $1m for Palestinians ANATOLIA ISTANBUL

Afghanistan yesterday donated $1m in financial aid for Pales-tinian refugees at an event in Istanbul.

Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Abdul Rahim Sayed presented the aid to Pierre Kra-henbuhl, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), at a cer-emony also featuring Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Cavusoglu praised the Afghan government and people for their help for the Palestinian people, coming in the wake of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation states to support the Palestinians.

Afghanistan’s ambassador called Afghanistan’s stance for the cause of Palestine ‘strong’. “We Afghans face many eco-nomic problems and we’re struggling and fighting for a better future for our people. We’re aware of the difficulties that people of Palestine are facing,” said Sayed.

Krahenbuhl thanked Afghanistan for its “immense gesture” at a time that Afghan-istan “faces so many challenges and has gone through so much pain, suffering and despair.”

“It is something that will be written in golden letters in the history of UNWRA. It means so much to us, as a message to the entire world,” said the UN representative.

US investigating if Pakistan used US-built F-16 to down Indian jetREUTERS ISLAMABAD

The United States yesterday said it was trying to find out if Pakistan used the US-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, potentially in violation of US agreements.

Pakistan and India both carried out aerial bombing mis-sions last week, including a clash on Wednesday that saw an Indian pilot shot down over the disputed region of Kashmir.

A Pakistan military spokesman had denied Indian claims that Pakistan used F-16 jets.

Pakistan returned the

captured Indian pilot on Friday in a high-profile handover as a “peace gesture”, which appeared to significantly dial down tensions.

The US Embassy in Islamabad yesterday said it was looking into reports that Pakistan used F-16 jets to shoot down the Indian pilot, a potential violation of Washing-ton’s military sale agreements that limit how Pakistan can use the planes.

“We are aware of these reports and are seeking more information,” a US Embassy spokesperson said. “We take all allegations of misuse of defence articles very seriously.”

While Pakistan has denied using F-16 jets during a dogfight that downed an Indian Mig-21 warplane over Kashmir on Wednesday, it has not specified which planes it used, though it assembles Chinese-designed JF-17 fighter jets on its soil.

Pakistan bought several batches of F-16 planes, built by Lockheed Martin Corp, from Washington before relations soured and the US cut off sub-sidised sales in 2016.

It is not clear what exactly these so-called “end-user agreements” restrict Pakistan from doing. “The US Gov-ernment does not comment on o r c o n f i r m p e n d i n g

investigations of this nature,” the embassy added.

On Thursday Indian officials displayed to reporters parts of what they called an air-to-air missile that can only be fired from F-16 jets, alleging they were used to bomb its side of the disputed Kashmir border on Wednesday.

A Pakistan military spokesman told reporters on Wednesday that Pakistani jets “locked” on Indian targets to demonstrate Pakistan’s capacity to strike back at India, but then chose to fire in an empty field where there would be no casualties.

Pakistan said its mission on

Wednesday was in retaliation for India violating its airspace and sovereignty a day earlier, when Indian jets bombed a forest area near the northern city of Balakot.

India said it struck at mil-itant training camps, but Islamabad denied the claims. Cross-border shelling in the past few days has killed seven people on the Paki-stani side and four on the Indian side of Kashmir. But yesterday it was relatively quiet near the de facto border of Kashmir. “By and large the LoC was calm last night but you never know when it will become active again,” said Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, a minister in Pakistani Kashmir. “Tension still prevails.”

Dhaka cracks down on chemical depots after fireAFP DHAKA

Bangladesh is cracking down on chemical warehouses in an historic Dhaka district a week after a fire killed 70 people in buildings used for deodorant and plastics storage, an official said yesterday.

Five task forces led by mil-itary officers, police and officials have raided Old Dhaka buildings and cut off utilities to at least 50 buildings in the past three days after chemical warehouses were found in their basement and under floors.

The owners of the buildings have been ordered to relocate the flammable chemicals to safer places outside the capital as part of the initiative launched on Thursday.

“We are determined there will be no flammable chemical warehouses in any Old Dhaka residential area,” Dhaka’s mayor Sayeed Khokon said.

He said the drive would con-tinue until April 1.

The crackdown is in response to a massive fire which broke out on February 21 at Chawkbazar, a 300-year-old historic Old Dhaka district, killing at least 70 people and injuring another 50.

Fire service officials said a warehouse of deodorant and granular plastic in one of the five buildings that caught fire fuelled the inferno, which took more

than 12 hours to control. The disaster recalled a June

2010 fire in the nearby neigh-bourhood of Nimtoli in which 123 people died. Again a blaze ripped through residential buildings that doubled as chemical warehouses.

Residents said chemical storage is a lucrative business in Old Dhaka, which was founded by the Mughals in 1608, where building owners allegedly bribe authorities to turn a blind eye to the stores.

On Saturday, the taskforce faced resistance from Old Dhaka traders, prompting the author-ities to halt the drive for several hours. It resumed after inter-vention by the mayor. According to a 2015 survey, some 70 percent of Old Dhaka residential buildings are used to hoard chemicals and other goods.

“In our estimate there are 20,000-25,000 chemical ware-houses and factories in Old Dhaka,” Abu Naser Khan, pres-ident of local environmental rights group Poribesh Bachao Andolon said.

“Each of this warehouse is a ticking time bomb. Chemicals are stored haphazardly there without following any proper guidelines. There will be more disasters if these warehouses continue to remain there,” he said. The authorities launched a similar drive after the 2010 fire, but it ground to a halt following pressures from business owners.

Bangladesh returns ‘detained’ Myanmar soldierAFP COX’S BAZAR

Bangladesh forces yesterday handed back a Myanmar soldier more than two months after he strayed across the border into a jungle in Bangladesh.

Aung Bo Bo Thein, 30, was detained by Bangladeshi security forces on January 24 near the s o u t h e r n t o w n o f Naikhongchhari, Brigadier General Sajedur Rahman said.

“He crossed the border and

was found in a jungle. Today we have handed him over to Myanmar border police through a flag meeting,” said Rahman, border guard regional commander.

Ties between Bangladesh and Myanmar have soured since about 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled the Buddhist-majority country in 2017 fol-lowing a military clampdown in restive Rakhine state.

Dhaka had already been hosting another 300,000

Rohingya who took refuge in camps in Bangladesh’s south-eastern Cox’s Bazar district after previous bouts of violence.

Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement in November 2017 for the repatri-ation of the Rohingya, but the persecuted Muslim minority has refused to go back unless they are granted citizenship and other rights. This week Bangladesh told the UN Security Council that it will no longer be able to take in refugees from Myanmar.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told a Council meeting that the crisis over the repatri-ation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in his country had gone from “bad to worse” and urged the council to take “decisive” action. Rahman said Rohingya arrivals from Myanmar have almost stopped, with none arriving in the past few weeks. Myanmar’s Ambas-sador Hau Do Suan insisted his government was taking steps and appealed for patience.

Flight operations have partially resumed at Lahore airport while Multan, Faisalabad and Sialkot airports are expected to open today.

Pakistan urged to take actionagainst all terrorist groupsREUTERS LONDON

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday spoke on telephone to discuss the situation after recent tensions and hostilities between Pakistan and India.

The British prime minister lauded PM Khan’s commitment’s to reducing tensions with India, and also emphasised the impor-tance of taking action against all terrorist groups.

“She welcomed his (PM Imran Khan’s) commitment to reducing tensions with India,” May’s office said in a statement

after the telephonic call between the two leaders.

“The leaders discussed the need to address the causes of this conflict. The prime minister emphasised the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups, in support of global efforts to combat terrorism.”

Flood rescue operations in Kandahar

A girl holds a candle as she takes part with others during a vigil for peace, in Lahore, yesterday.

15MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 ASIA

China’s Xi faces challenges as legislature meetsAFP BEIJING

China’s rubber-stamp parliament opened its annual session yesterday as President Xi Jinping faces growing concerns about the slowing economy, a major chal-lenge to the country’s pre-eminent leader.

One year after the legislature abolished presidential term limits and etched Xi’s name on the con-stitution, his “new era” vision of a resurgent China at the centre of world affairs has hit unforeseen road bumps.

Economic growth is slowing, a festering trade war with the United States has eroded confi-dence and Xi’s signature Belt and Road global trade infrastructure initiative has faced setbacks in some countries.

Bubbles of discontent have appeared as the state has pushed deeper into the economy and people’s lives. “This will be a much more difficult situation for Xi Jinping than last year. Last year he was riding high,” said Hong Kong-based political analyst Willy Lam. Premier Li Keqiang is expected to open the National People’s Congress by announcing

a lower GDP growth forecast for 2019, setting the tone for a session heavy on economic leg-islation and expected to last two weeks. Nearly 3,000 delegates will ratify a raft of bills in a session expected to last two weeks, including a foreign investment law that could address some US demands and possible tax cuts.

“Xi Jinping has been criticised by party members for not han-dling the economy well, and failing to tackle the challenges posed by Donald Trump,” said Lam.

Lam believes Xi avoided holding a fourth plenum of the party’s Central Committee last

autumn because of his weakened position. But he convened a meeting with hundreds of pro-vincial and ministerial leaders in Beijing in January to warn them on the need to prevent “major risks” in politics and the economy.

“We must increase our read-iness for unexpected develop-ments, take precautions, and properly prepare for major risks that may arise in the economic field,” Xi warned.

China reported 6.6 percent growth in 2018, the slowest in nearly three decades. Inde-pendent analysts estimate it was worse. Three-quarters of prov-inces have lowered annual growth targets for 2019.

Delegates from around the country will convene for the NPC session and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body that runs simul-taneously and begins discussions. “Behind closed doors NPC members from the provinces will demand Xi Jinping do something about reviving the economy,” Lam said, adding he will face “angry voices”.

Still Xi presides from a position of strength with no

potential challengers on the horizon. “For him it’s not only the backbone of the economy that makes him a strong leader, but also political ideology. An ongoing campaign places Xi centre stage,” said Matthias Stepan of Germany’s Mercator Institute for China Studies, noting it made it hard for any competitor to emerge.

Most recently the party released a “Study to Make China strong” propaganda app that grades people’s knowledge of all things Xi. In 2017 Xi expanded his portfolio into economics — once seen as the purview of the premier — stamping it with a new wordy banner: “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialist Economy with Chinese Characteristics for

a New Era”. His push to increase the state and party’s role in the economy has coincided with a downturn.

Video game, film and TV makers have struggled to nav-igate the vagaries of changing censorship guidelines while Internet companies have been forced to retrench in some areas and step up monitoring.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Premier Li Keqiang arrive for the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People yesterday.

One year after the legislature abolished presidential term limits and etched Xi’s name on the constitution, his “new era” vision of a resurgent China at the centre of world affairs has hit unforeseen road bumps.

Australia sends more help for Solomon Islands oil spillREUTERS SYDNEY

Australia is sending more help to the Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands to stop oil from a grounded cargo ship destroying a World Heritage-listed marine sanctuary, Australia’s foreign minister said yesterday.

At least 75 tonnes of heavy fuel oil has spilled from Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier Solomon Trader since Cyclone Oma drove it onto a reef at Rennell Island on February 5.

The ship was carrying 700

tonnes of oil when it ran aground and there are fears the remaining fuel will spoil Rennell Island, the world’s largest raised coral atoll and home to many species found nowhere else.

“Australia remains extremely concerned by the ongoing risk of a major oil spill,” said Foreign Minister Marise Payne in a release yesterday.

“Up to 75 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the ship has dis-persed across the Island’s sea and shoreline, contaminating the ecologically delicate area. “Given escalating ecological damage,

and a lack of action by com-mercial entities involved, the Solomon Islands Government has requested Australia’s assistance.” Payne said, Australia was sending equipment, vessels and experts under the leadership of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The eastern half of Rennell Island was the first natural property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List with cus-tomary management, and is home to 1,200 Polynesians who live by subsistence farming, hunting and fishing, the United

Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) website showed.

The United Nations body describes the site, with its unique limestone formations, a large lake and dense forest, as “a true natural laboratory for scientific study”. Unesco listed East Rennell as “in danger” in 2013 for threats posed by commercial logging of its forests for export to China and the introduction of rats. Indonesian firm Bintan Mining SI chartered the ship to take bauxite from its mine on the western half of Rennell Island to

China. Bintan Mining could not be immediately reached for comment. The bulk carrier ran aground while loading bauxite during a cyclone, Radio New Zealand reported.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on its website on Thursday that oil had leaked for six kilometres across the shore. “There is a high risk remaining heavy fuel oil on the vessel (currently estimated at over 600 tonnes) will be released into the surrounding area,” the foreign affairs department said.

Malaysia open to proposalsto resume MH370 hunt AP KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia’s transport minister said yesterday that the government is open to new proposals from US technology firm Ocean Infinity or any other companies to resume the hunt for Flight MH370, as families of passengers marked the fifth anniversary of the jet’s myste-rious disappearance.

Ocean Infinity mounted a “no cure, no fee” search for the plane in the southern Indian Ocean in January 2018 that ended in May without any clue on where it could have crashed.

But the company’s CEO, Oliver Plunkett, said in a video shown at the public remembrance event at a mall near Kuala Lumpur that the company hopes to resume the hunt with better technology it obtained in the past year.

The Ocean Infinity mission came a year after an official search by Malaysia, Australia and China ended in futility.

Plunkett said his company has better technology now after successfully locating an Argen-tinian submarine. He said the firm is still reviewing all possible data on Flight 370.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it’s been frustrating

that the two searches failed to produce any clues and that he “welcomes credible leads and also concrete proposals to resume the search.” He told reporters that the government is “waiting for specific proposals, in particular from Ocean Infinity.” He brushed off sugges-tions of offering rewards to find the plane, but said the gov-ernment is willing to discuss proposals from any companies prepared to resume the search.

“There must be a proposal from a specific company... we cannot just be out there without credible leads. That’s the most practical thing to do,” Loke said.

Malaysia’s ruling coalition loses seat in by-pollREUTERS KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia’s ruling coalition lost a state constituency in a by-election, in a sign of waning popularity of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s alliance.

Mahathir ’s Pakatan Harapan coalition, or Alliance of Hope, lost a seat in the Semenyih constituency in Selangor state by 1,914 votes. It had won the seat in May 2018 but a by-election had to be called following the death of the lawmaker in January.

The constituency was won by Barisan Nasional — Malay-sia’s grand old party that was ousted in a national election last year after over 60 years in power.

The loss is a blow for Mahathir’s coalition, which has been facing criticism of failing to deliver promised reforms quickly and protecting Islam and rights of the majority ethnic Malays. Mahathir’s coalition won overwhelming support from ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, but it secured the votes of only 30 percent of Malay voters, according to esti-mates by independent polling firm Merdeka Center.

Polls published since have showed the coalition has been losing support among the Malays.

Australia to bar visitors with domestic violence convictionsAFP SYDNEY

Visitors who have been convicted of violence against women and children will be kicked out or barred from entering Australia, Immi-gration Minister David Coleman said yesterday, as Canberra steps up its crackdown on foreign crim-inals.

The new laws, which came into force on Thursday, build on existing legislation requiring visitor visas to be cancelled if the holder has been sentenced to 12 months

or more in jail. “Australia has no tolerance for domestic vio-lence perpetrators,” Coleman said, adding that no minimum sentence threshold was required.

“If you’ve been convicted of a violent crime against women or children, you are not welcome in this country.” Canberra has in the past denied visas to American R&B singer Chris Brown and boxing star Floyd Mayweather fol-lowing their domestic violence convictions. New Zealand has previously expressed frus-tration with Canberra’s law on deporting convicts.

Nazarbayev announces initiatives to support welfare of Kazakhstan citizensTHE PENINSULA DOHA

The 18th Nur Otan Party Congress was held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, on February 27, 2019 where the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, announced a number of signif-icant government initiatives to support the welfare of citizens and families across the country, said the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Qatar in a statement.

President Nazarbayev announced $3.6bn of gov-ernment funding for a number of wide-reaching initiatives aimed at helping low-income families, including raising the salaries of the lowest-bracket public sector workers, and increasing spending on affordable housing, healthcare and infrastructure development.

According to the Kazakh Pres-ident: “The government will focus on raising incomes and supporting low-income families, resolving housing issues for low-income citizens, improving edu-cation and healthcare, and implementing a comprehensive regional development plan.”

The President announced that lowest-bracket public sector salaries will be raised by 25 percent, as part of the govern-ment’s increasing focus on low-income groups.

This will cover employees working in healthcare, edu-cation, social protection, culture, sport, and agriculture, among other sectors: “I call on the gov-ernment to raise salaries for all low-wage workers who support citizens at the district, regional and local level by 25 percent.”

The government will allocate $790m to social assistance for

low-income and large families: “Each Kazakhstani family should feel the benefits of today’s announcement. Large families will receive a minimum payment of $56 per child to ensure tar-geted support for families with children who are recipients of social assistance.”

In addition, social assistance for parents caring for children with disabilities will be increased by 30 percent, a measure which is expected to impact around 100,000 people.

The government is also aiming to streamline the social assistance application process,

to further support large and low-income families.

The President announced additional funding for affordable housing and infrastructure development. This includes $930m allocated to investment in Kazakhstan’s road infra-structure, to expand the network

of roads across the country. The government will allocate an additional $320m towards healthcare system, focusing on disease prevention and the pro-motion of healthy lifestyles.

The President stressed that all citizens should have access to high-quality healthcare services.

The Kazakh government will increase its focus on supporting the development of Kazakhstan’s rural regions. President Nazarbayev announced $240m of funding for the implemen-tation of the ‘Village is the Cradle of the Country’ project, stressing that this initiative will facilitate rural youth employment.

This renewed focus on Kaza-khstan’s rural regions will include building housing and infrastructure, and supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses and processing industries.

16 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019EUROPE

Migrants scramble aboard Calais ferryAFP LILLE

Dozens of migrants hoping to reach Britain scrambled aboard a cross-Channel ferry in northern France, sparking a 12-hour manhunt as police combed the ship to find them, officials said yesterday.

Around 100 migrants broke into the dock area of the port of Calais late Saturday, and dozens managed to get on board the ferry that had just arrived from Dover, England.

A total of 63 migrants were detained, many of whom had tried to hide on board the Danish-operated DFDS ‘Calais Seaways’, regional authorities said.

Yesterday morning, firemen talked down the last group of about a dozen migrants who had climbed high above the deck to a catwalk attached to the ship’s funnel.

The migrants managed to get aboard the ferry by using a main-tenance ladder at high tide,

senior regional official Jean-Philippe Vennin said.

“Two of the migrants fell into the sea and were quickly rescued by firemen,” he added.

Police off-loaded vehicles arriving from Britain on the ferry before making a top-to-bottom search of the ship.

Those detained were taken to Calais police headquarters, Vennin said.

Cross-Channel ferry traffic was delayed overnight with at least two forced to remain at sea before being allowed into port.

The ‘Calais Seaways’ was itself moved overnight so the harbour could resume

operations.To reach the port area, “the

migrants crossed a pedestrian gangway normally used by employees and I am convinced the place had been cased and that last night’s operation was orchestrated by people smug-glers,” harbour master Jean-Marc Puissesseau told reporters after the police search ended.

“It’s not normal to have 100 migrants break into a secure area such as a harbour. There must be a failure somewhere,” local mayor Natacha Bouchart said, before blaming police force cutbacks.

“We must reinforce our police forces on the eve of Brexit which people smugglers exploit in a bid to promote their traf-ficking,” regional president Xavier Bertrand said on Twitter.

Migrants, many from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, and smugglers have diversified ways of trying to cross the Channel.

Many still hide in trucks headed to the ports, but more

recently others have attempted to cross the Channel aboard small vessels and lifeboats stolen from local harbours or acquired by traffickers.

On Friday, a French court jailed two Iraqis and an Iranian for organising illegal migrant boat trips to Britain.

A 30-year-old Iranian,

considered the group leader, received an 18-month sentence, while his two accomplices, aged 39 and 32, were each jailed for a year.

Some 500 people attempted to cross the Channel last year -- most of them in November and December, compared with just 13 such known attempts in 2017.

French interior ministry figures showed that 276 people successfully reached British waters.

In December, London dis-patched a Royal Navy cutter to help coastguard vessels survey the 33km of sea that separates France and Britain at its nar-rowest point.

Firemen of the Grimp (Groupement de reconnaissance et d’intervention en milieux perilleux) attempt to get migrants to come down from a ferry funnel, in the northern French port of Calais, yesterday.

Pulitzer-winning photojournalist Behrakis deadAP ATHENS

Yannis Behrakis (pictured), a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo-journalist, has died. He was 58.

His death on Saturday was confirmed by his employers, Reuters, where he had worked since 1987. Behrakis had long been ill with cancer.

Born in Athens in 1960, Beh-rakis studied photography at a private school and worked at a studio before fulfilling his lifelong dream to become a

photojournalist. Since early 1989, he had been on assignments

across Europe, the Mideast, Asia and Africa, often in conflict zones.

In 2000, he was ambushed in Sierra Leone, likely by rebels, and barely escaped along with Reuters’ co-worker Mark Chisholm. Their Reuters col-league Kurt Schork, Behrakis’ close friend, and AP cameraman Miguel Gil Moreno were killed.

Behrakis led a team of Reuters photographers to the 2016 Pulitzer Prize, covering the refugee crisis.

One of his photos from that

assignment, a Syrian carrying his young daughter in his arms during a storm and kissing her, was one of his favourites. He used it as a background on his Twitter account.

His colleagues were gen-erous in praising his work, but also his willingness to share advice with the competition.

“Yannis was the best photo-journalist of his generation ... the sole reason I became (one),” said Istanbul-based AP photographer Lefteris Pitarakis, who noted that Behrakis “cared deeply about the

people he had the privilege to photograph in their most extreme situations.”

“I was lucky to have him as my teacher and mentor.”

Thanassis Stavrakis, an Athens-based photographer, said that “we all looked up to him and were grateful for the time he took to help colleagues with edits and advice. “He influenced a generation of photographers.”

Behrakis is survived by his wife, Elisavet, their daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Dimitri, from a previous marriage.

A total of 63 migrants were detained, many of whom had tried to hide on board the Danish-operated DFDS ‘Calais Seaways’, regional authorities said.

Dutch husband of IS teen wants to take her homeAP LONDON

The Dutch man who married a British teenager after she ran away to join the IS militant group said he wants to return home to the Netherlands with Shamima Begum and their newborn son.

Yago Riedijk, 27, said from a Kurdish-run detention centre that he met Begum within days of her arrival in Syria when she was 15. He said that the mar-riage was “her own choice.”

When asked if marrying a 15-year-old was appropriate, he said: “To be honest, when my friend came and said there was a girl who was interested in marriage, I wasn’t that inter-ested because of her age, but I accepted the offer anyway.”

Riedijk sayid that while he fought for IS, he now rejects the group and tried to leave it.

Begum fled east London with two other friends to travel to Syria to marry IS fighters in 2015 at a time when the group’s online recruitment programme lured many impressionable young people to its self-pro-claimed caliphate.

Begum, now 19, resurfaced at a refugee camp in Syria and recently said she wanted to come home. But her apparent lack of remorse has triggered criticism in Britain and the family has expressed its own shock at her lack of repentance.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has revoked her citizenship - even while saying he wouldn’t make a decision that would render a person stateless.

Brexit supporters give May three tests for EU deal: Sunday Times

Battle of the oranges

REUTERS LONDON

Brexit-supporting lawmakers who voted down British Prime Minister Theresa May’s European Union withdrawal deal in January have outlined demands for a revised treaty to ensure their support, the Sunday Times newspaper said.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected May’s deal in January. Many were unhappy with the “Irish backstop”, insurance to prevent return of hard border controls between EU member Ireland and British-ruled Northern Ireland.

Critics said it could leave the country tied to EU rules indefi-nitely. Britain, due to exit the bloc on March 29, is attempting to amend the deal to provide assurances that the backstop would not be indefinite.

The Sunday Times said hardline Brexit supporters from May’s Conservative Party had drawn up a document outlining three tests the deal must pass to gain their support.

These are a “clearly worded, legally binding, treaty-level clause which unambiguously overrides” the text of the with-drawal agreement, with lan-guage that goes beyond empha-sising the temporary nature of the backstop and a clear means to exit the backstop if subse-quent trade talks fail.

The paper said the plan had been drawn up with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Northern Irish party which props up May’s minority government.

If May secures the demands, she would win the backing of the DUP and the Brexit-supporting lawmakers in a vote on the deal which she has promised would be held before March 12, the Times said.

The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday that the bloc was ready to give Britain more guarantees that the backstop was only intended to be temporary and used for a “worst-case scenario”.

“We know that there are misgivings in Britain that the backstop could keep Britain forever connected to the EU,” Michel Barnier said in an interview with Germany’s Die Welt newspaper.

In a further sign that former opponents of May’s deal might now back a revised version, Graham Brady, a senior Con-servative lawmaker, said he would support it with legally binding assurances on the backstop.

Members of battle teams throw oranges at each other during the traditional “Battle of the oranges” during the carnival, in Ivrea, near Turin, yesterday. During the event, which marks the people’s rebellion against tyrannical rulers in the Middle Ages, revellers parading on floats represent guards of the tyrant, while those on foot the townsfolk.

Italy’s Democratic Party votes to elect new leaderREUTERS ROME

Supporters of Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party (PD) voted yesterday to elect a new leader one year after the group lost power in a humbling defeat at a national, parliamentary election.

Previously led by former prime minister Matteo Renzi, the PD was thrown into turmoil by the 2018 ballot box beating as the electorate punished the party for not doing enough to tackle growing poverty, high unem-p l o y m e n t a n d m a s s immigration.

Following months of internal feuding, three candidates have put themselves forward — the governor of the Lazio region, Nicola Zingaretti, the interim PD

chief Maurizio Martina and Roberto Giachetti, who is seen as the closest to Renzi.

Yesterday’s primary election is being held in some 7,000 voting booths set up around Italy by PD supporters.

Opinion polls suggest Zinga-retti, whose actor-brother plays the lead role in the Italian TV police drama Inspector Mon-talbano, should win more than 50 percent of the vote.

If he fails to take an outright majority, party chiefs will gather on March 17 to decide the matter.

The primary vote comes at a time of growing tension within Italy’s coalition government as the far-right League and anti-system 5-Star Movement struggle to overcome growing policy disputes in the face of an

u n e x p e c t e d e c o n o m i c slowdown.

In a heartening sign for Italy’s left, tens of thousands took to the streets of the financial capital Milan on Saturday to denounce racism and the anti-migrant policies of the League — the largest such protest since the government took office.

The League has surged in the polls on the back of its anti-immigration stance, with a survey in Corriere della Sera daily at the weekend putting its support at 35.9 percent, more than double the 17.4 percent it won in last March’s ballot.

By contrast support for 5-Star has dropped to 21.2 percent from 32.7 percent, as the group struggles to adjust from life as a vociferous, opposition

force to a ruling government party.

Corriere put backing for the PD at 18.5 percent, little changed from a year ago but up from 16.1 percent that it registered in a similar survey at the start of February.

All three PD leadership con-tenders have ruled out cutting any coalition deals with 5-Star in future and say early elections would be needed if the current government fell.

Renzi, whose confrontational leadership style made him a highly divisive figure both inside and outside his party, has not openly backed any of the three candidates but has dismissed speculation that he might breakaway to create his own group.

Irish Premier sees Brexit extension to June as ‘very likely’REUTERS DUBLIN

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has told Cabinet colleagues that a delay of Brit-ain’s exit date from the EU from March 29 to June is “very likely”, Ireland’s Sunday Inde-pendent quoted an unnamed minister as saying.

An Irish government spokesman declined to comment on the veracity of the report but said the Cabinet’s focus was “solely on securing a deal”.

17MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 EUROPE

Estonia votes in general electionAFP TALLINN

Estonians voted yesterday in a general election with the centre-left coalition duelling its tradi-tional liberal rivals and a surging far-right party buoyed by a backlash from mostly rural voters in the Baltic eurozone state.

The lacklustre campaign has focused on bread and butter issues like taxation and public spending, as well as tensions over Russian language education for Estonia’s sizeable Russian minority and the rural-urban divide.

Nearly 40 percent of the 880,690 eligible voters have used e-voting in advanced polling, with officials confident the online system can withstand any attempted meddling.

A poll collating e-voters and those intent on using paper ballots yesterday suggests a tight race.

Prime Minister Juri Ratas’s centrist Centre party scored 24.5 percent support, narrowly trailing the liberal Reform party led by former MEP Kaja Kallas with 26.6 percent, according to pollster Kantar Emor.

Promising to slash income and excise taxes and pushing anti-immigration rhetoric, the far-right EKRE stands to more than double its support to 17.3 percent, but could struggle to find coalition partners.

With 5-6 parties expected to enter the 101-seat parliament, the splintered outcome will make for tricky coalition building.

Traditional rivals, Centre and Reform have alternated in gov-ernment and even governed together over the nearly three decades since Estonia broke free from the crumbling Soviet Union.

Both strongly support Esto-nia’s EU and Nato membership and have favoured austerity to keep spending in check, giving

the country the eurozone’s lowest debt-to-GDP ratio.

Centre has vowed to hike pensions by 8.4 percent and to replace Estonia’s 20 percent flat income tax and 21 percent cor-porate tax with a progressive system to boost state revenue.

Nixing a progressive tax, business-friendly Reform instead wants to raise the tax-free monthly minimum and lower

unemployment insurance pre-miums to aid job creation.

Joblessness hovers at just under five percent while eco-nomic growth is expected to slow to 2.7 percent this year, from the 3.9 percent in 2018.

While it won just seven seats in the 2015 election, the EKRE is set to capture a close third spot behind established parties.

Staunchly eurosceptic, it

called for an “Estxit” referendum on Estonia’s EU membership, although the move would fail in the pro-EU country.

The party’s deep suspicion towards Moscow means it strongly supports Nato mem-bership and the multinational battalion the alliance installed in Estonia in 2017 as a tripwire against possible Russian adventurism.

A woman casts her ballot in a voting station in Tallinn, yesterday.

Balkan states hold anti-govt protestsBLOOMBERG BELGRADE

Thousands of protesters marched through the capitals of Serbia and Montenegro yesterday as demonstrators kept up pressure on governments to curb corruption and allow more freedom in a region that hopes to integrate with the European Union.

In Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, several thousand people took part in a fourth weekend rally in a row over alle-gations of corrupt practices of President Milo Djukanovic, who has been the dominant politician in the smallest former Yugoslav republic for almost three decades. Meanwhile, in the biggest state of the former fed-eration, more than 10,000 people took to the streets of Bel-grade for a 13th protest against President Aleksandar Vucic and his administration.

“We will liberate this country from you,” opposition lawmaker

Marinika Tepic said in her speech at the rally in Serbia. “We will defeat you, we won’t stop.”

Rallies against ruling parties have intensified across southeast Europe.

In Albania, protesters have sought to oust Premier Edi Rama, also over perceived corruption, which has led to riots and tear-gas tinged clashes with the police. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, activists have protested in the Bosnian Serb capital Banja Luka, demanding a proper investi-gation into a high-profile murder case that is threatening to desta-bilize the government.

Djukanovic, who rejects the allegations of corruption, rose to power as a Communist and tran-sitioned to the multi-party system in 1991. Since then he has served continuously as president or prime minister, except for a few brief breaks.

Vucic returned to power in Serbia seven years ago after serving under late strongman Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s.

Both Vucic and Djukanovic pledge to bring their countries into the EU sometime next decade. To do that, they’ve got to crack down on graft and improve the rule of law, and Serbia must mend ties with Kosovo, whose 2008 secession it vows never to accept.

Montenegrin protesters are demanding the resignation of Djukanovic and his handpicked prime minister, Dusko Markovic.

They’re calling for the authorities to reduce the pro-government slant of state media as a condition for fair elections. Serb protesters are angry over

what they say is cronyism in Vucic’s ruling Progressive Party and his influence over both state-owned and private media.

Most opposition parties in Serbia and in Montenegro boycott their parliaments, simi-larly saying that there’s little room for debate.

Protesters light torches during a protest staged by Citizens’ Movement “97,000 Odupri Se” (97.000 Resist) demanding the resignations of Montenegrian President Milo Djukanovic and Prime Minister Dusko Markovic, in Podgorica, yesterday.

Orban doubles down on anti-EU campaignBLOOMBERG BUDAPEST

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban plans to target European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans in the next phase of a controversial anti-immigration campaign that currently features Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and billionaire George Soros.

“You will see an additional actor on the posters: Mr. Tim-mermans,” Orban said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. He called critics from the

European People’s Party “useful” for trying to split conservative ranks and serving the interests of the left.

The Hungarian government last month started running bill-boards depicting Juncker as doing the bidding of Hungarian-born Soros, a donor to liberal causes and a frequent foil in Fidesz’s anti-immigration rhetoric. The campaign is set to end as planned on March 15, gov-ernment spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said in a Twitter post.

While Orban has defended the posters as being “based on

facts,” the campaign was sharply criticised by some European leaders, including Timmermans, who called it “almost Monty Python-esque if it weren’t serious.”

Signaling a greater determi-nation to confront populist forces in the run-up to the EU’s legis-lative elections in May, the EU Christian Democrats are set to discuss expelling or suspending Orban’s Fidesz party from their ranks after enough petitions were gathered for such a move.

In an interview published on Friday, Manfred Weber — the

EPP’s candidate to succeed Juncker — called on Orban to end his anti-EU campaign and apologize, saying “all options are on the table.” But in the Welt interview, Orban backed Weber as representing a break from Juncker’s policies.

“If the EPP wants to be elected in central Europe, then it has to say: Mr. Juncker is the past. Mr. Weber is the future,” Orban said, adding that he plans to support his candidacy. “The name Weber should stand for change, which Europe urgently needs.”

German public sector workersto get pay hikeBLOOMBERG BERLIN

German states agreed to a new labour contract with public-sector employees including teachers, police and nursing-home staff that increases wages by about 8 percent over the next couple of years as they seek to boost recruitment.

While Germany is seeking to improve services such as daycare for working mothers, it has struggled to fill positions because pay is low and there are plenty of other job openings with unemployment in the country at a record low.

Under the new contract, which affects about 1 million employees, German states will retroactively raise wages by 3.2 percent from January 2019, the Ver.di union said in a statement.

A second 3.2 percent hike will follow in January next year, with a 1.4 percent increase in January 2021.

Pay structures were also adjusted to boost earnings for entry-level staff.

“This is the best result in many years and a good day for civil-service employees,” Frank Bsirske, chairman of Ver.di, said in the statement released after the deal was reached late on Saturday in the German city of Potsdam.

“We’ve sustainably improved the attractiveness of public service for career starters and skilled workers. That’s a win for both unions and employers.’

The wage increase could provide some support for European Central Bank policy makers as they grapple with weak underlying price pres-sures in the euro area.

Spain says illegal migration by sea drops in FebruaryAP MADRID

Spain’s government said that unauthorised immigration by sea has dropped in the last month, falling to 930 people arriving in February compared to over 4,000 in January.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said while on a visit to Spain’s northern African enclave of Melilla that “the upward trend of recent months has been broken.”

Spain became the leading entry point into Europe for illegal migrants last year, when it received over 57,000 people by sea compared to 21,000 in 2017.

Opposition parties have criticised the Socialist-led gov-ernment for being soft on illegal migration.

‘Yellow vest’ protesters up the ante on MacronAFP PARIS

“Yellow vest” protesters marched in cities across France for a 16th straight week on Saturday in a bid to keep up pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron in demonstrations again marred by vandalism and violence.

In Paris, a man was reportedly hit in the face by a rubber bullet fired by a contro-versial riot control weapon, while in the southwestern city of Bordeaux an MP accused police of assaulting him.

About 39,300 people pro-tested nationwide, including 4,000 in Paris, according to the interior ministry — down on the 46,600 turnout announced the previous weekend.

Regarding the possible police shooting of a man with a

so-called defence ball launcher, known by the French abbrevi-ation LBDs, Paris police chief Michel Delpuech said “an internal administrative investi-gation has been opened”.

The weapons fire 40-milli-metre rubber projectiles, con-sidered non-lethal, but have been blamed for serious injuries to a number of demonstrators.

Macron last week rejected a call from rights watchdog the Council of Europe to suspend their use.

Elsewhere in the country, in Bordeaux, an MP from the far-left France Unbowed party, Loic

Prud’homme, said police had assaulted him with batons on the edges of a march and that he had filed a formal complaint.

The local regional governor insisted police had intervened to stop protesters taking an unau-thorised route and had done their job correctly.

In the western city of Nantes, police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators, some of whom hurled projectiles including petrol bombs and bottles con-taining acid.

“There has been a lot of

damage... bus shelters, a bank branch, a travel agency, a business,” said Claude d’Harcourt, a regional governor for the Nantes area.

There was also trouble in Nice, Strasbourg and Lille, where protesters marched carrying signs and banners, including “Macron accomplice of the worst scum, finance” and “stop capi-talist militias”.

Police used tear gas else-where in the country, including at protests in Bordeaux, Morlaix, Arles and Lyon.

“Those who are still in the street today will never give up,

it’s the hard core,” said one dem-onstrator at the Lyon protest, a farmer from the region.

On Friday, the French leader had repeated a call for calm after weeks of “unacceptable” out-breaks of violence.

The protests have also seen spates of vandalism with mon-uments defaced, businesses damaged and cars set alight.

This week’s demonstrations had been billed by organisers as a prelude to a “big month” of protests to mark four months of the “yellow vest” movement and the end of the debates cham-pioned by Macron.

About 39,300 people protested nationwide, according to the interior ministry — down on the 46,600 turnout announced the previous weekend.

Gdansk votes to elect successorto slain mayorAP WARSAW

Residents in Poland’s northern city of Gdansk voted yesterday in a by-election to choose the successor to late Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, who was fatally stabbed during a charity event.

The slaying of the liberal longtime mayor became a platform for calls for political reconciliation but also criticism of Poland’s conservative ruling party.

Adamowicz was a critic of the Law and Justice party.

Adamowicz, 53, was serving his sixth term as Gdansk mayor when a man stabbed him on the stage of the January 13 charity event.

18 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 AMERICAS

Bolton defends US-North Korea summitAFP WASHINGTON

US national security adviser John Bolton denied that last week’s nuclear summit with North Korea was a failure, despite President Donald Trump coming home empty-handed.

A high-stakes second meeting to strike a disarmament deal between the North’s Kim Jong-Un and Trump broke up in disarray Thursday in Hanoi, without even a joint statement.

But Bolton said that Trump’s failure to obtain commitments from Pyongyang on destroying its nuclear capability should be seen as “a success, defined as the pres-ident protecting and advancing American national interests.”

The White House aide said the issue was whether North Korea would accept what the president called “the big deal” — denuclearising completely —or something less, “which was unacceptable to us.”

“So the president held firm

to his view. He deepened his relationship with Kim Jong-Un. I don’t view it as a failure at all when American national interests are protected.”

The outcome in Hanoi fell far short of expectations, after critics said the two leaders’ initial his-toric meeting in Singapore — which produced only a vague commitment from Kim to work “toward complete denucleari-sation of the Korean peninsula” — had yielded more style than substance.

Trump admits failure of US policies in Syria, IraqANATOLIA WASHINGTON

US President criticised his country’s foreign policies in Iraq and Syria, saying that his administration will focus on fixing up America’s infra-structure rather than fighting “endless wars”.

During his two-hour speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Donald Trump said that IS militants will be defeated “hundred percent” in a day or two and reiterated his administration’s firmness to pull American troops.

“We will leave a small group of guys and gals (sol-diers) but we want to bring our people back home. It is time,” Trump said in the annual event in Maryland.

“We would be in Syria for 4 months but we ended up 5 years. Just funny.”

He slammed the Middle East policies of former US gov-ernments, recalling his first-time visit to Iraq in 2017 when they had to turn off all the lights at the military plane before landing for security purposes.

“Think of this. We spent seven trillion dollars in the

Middle East and we can’t land a plane with lights on, 20 years later. How bad is that!” Trump said.

He also criticised his former defence secretary James Mattis and other gen-erals in Syria and Iraq for being too slow in finishing IS group and said that he learns more about what is going on from the soldiers than generals.

The president added that he is not going to be a president who will sit behind his desk, hinting direct involvement in all military policies and com-mitment to major withdrawal from the Middle East.

Executive order for free speech to be signedAP WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump announced he would soon sign an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal resources.

Trump is highlighting con-cerns from some conservatives that their voices were being censored, whether on social media or at the nation’s uni-versities. He did not go into more detail about what the

order would say, but his com-ments immediately drew scrutiny from those who noted that public research univer-sities already have a constitu-tional obligation to protect free speech.

“An executive order is unnecessary as public research universities are already bound by the First Amendment, which they deeply respect and honor,” said Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

“It is core to their academic mission.”

Trump invited Hayden Wil-liams to join him on Saturday while he addressed activists attending the Conservative Political Action Conference. Williams was punched Feb-ruary 19 while on the campus of University of California, Ber-keley. He was recruiting for the conservative group Talking Points USA.

Trump told the audience that Williams “took a hard punch in the face for all of us.”

House panel to probe obstruction of justiceREUTERS WASHINGTON

The House Judiciary Committee will seek documents from more than 60 people and organisa-tions as it begins investigations into possible obstruction of justice and abuse of power by President Donald Trump, the panel’s chairman said yesterday.

Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said the panel wanted to get documents from the Department of Justice, the pres-ident’s son Donald Trump Jr and Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weis-selberg, among others.

“We are going to initiate investigations into abuses of power, into corruption ... and into obstruction of justice,” Nadler said. “It’s our job to protect the rule of law.”

“It’s very clear that the pres-ident obstructed justice,” Nadler said, adding it was too soon to consider whether impeachment should be pursued, however.

“Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen.”

As evidence of obstruction, Nadler cited Trump’s May 2017 firing of FBI Director James Comey, who was leading an

investigation into Russia activ-ities in the 2016 US Presidential election and possible collusion with Trump’s campaign.

That investigation was sub-sequently taken over by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is expected to deliver his findings to the US attorne- general within weeks.

Nadler also cited what he called Trump’s attempts to intimidate witnesses in the investigation.

He said the committee would release today the list of people and organisations it would request documents from.

Trump has denied his cam-paign worked with Moscow. “I am an innocent man being per-secuted by some very bad, con-flicted & corrupt people in a Witch Hunt that is illegal &

should never have been allowed to start,” Trump said in a tweet.

Trump told a group of con-servative activists and politicians on Saturday that investigators want to look at his finances and business dealings because no evidence of collusion has been found. “All of a sudden they are trying to take you out with bullshit,” he said.

While the Mueller investi-gation is focused on specific crimes, Congress’ probes will cast a wider net.”

“Testimony by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen last week directly implicated Trump in various crimes including campaign finance violations.”

Congressional investigators will also look at whether Trump used the White House for per-sonal enrichment in violation of the Constitution’s emoluments clause, he said.

“All of these have to be investigated and laid out to the American people,” said Nadler, whose committee would take the lead in any effort to impeach the president. “This investigation goes far beyond collusion.”

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy attacked Nadler as having an impeachment agenda.

SpaceX capsule docks with ISSAFP WASHINGTON

SpaceX’s new Dragon capsule successfully docked on the Inter-national Space Station yesterday, Nasa and SpaceX confirmed during a live broadcast of the mission.

“We can confirm hard capture is complete,” Nasa said.

The announcement was met with applause at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The docking began at 1051 GMT, more than 400km above the Earth’s surface, north of New Zealand — and 27 hours after the capsule’s launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Although the contact appeared slow, the ISS and the capsule were moving at a speed of over 27,000km per hour in orbit around the Earth.

On board the ISS, the crew — American Anne McClain, Russian Oleg Kononenko, and Canadian David Saint-Jacques — were scheduled to open the airlock at 1330 GMT.

The mission is a test launch with only a dummy on board the capsule ahead of a manned flight scheduled for later this year.

The Dragon capsule will remain on the ISS until Friday before detaching to splash down in the Atlantic. It will be slowed by four parachutes, in what is the one of the mission’s riskiest stages.

The launch is a key step towards resuming manned space flights from US soil after an eight-year break.

SpaceX, founded by bil-lionaire Elon Musk, has made the trip to the ISS a dozen times before since 2012, but only to refuel the station. Transporting people is a more complex task, requiring seats, a pressurized

cabin with breathable air, tem-perature regulation and emer-gency infrastructure.

After its shuttle programme was shut down in July 2011 fol-lowing a 30-year run, Nasa began outsourcing the logistics of its space missions.

It pays Russia to get its people up to the ISS orbiting

research facility at a cost of $82m per head for a round trip.

In 2014, the US space agency awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing for them to take over this task. In SpaceX’s case, Nasa has agreed to pay $2.6bn for six round trips to the ISS.

The switch from Nasa owning spacecraft to paying

private firms for a service was initiated under former president Barack Obama — but due to development delays, has come to fruition under US President Donald Trump.

“We’ve got Nasa “rocking” again. Great activity and success. Congrats to SPACEX and all!” Trump tweeted yesterday.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket docked with the International Space Station (ISS) during the Demo-1 mission, yesterday.

Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said: We are going to initiate investigations into abuses of power, into corruption ... and into obstruction of justice. It’s our job to protect the rule of law.”

Call for mass protests in CaracasAFP CARACAS

Venezuela’s opposition leader called for mass protests across the country yesterday as he announced his return to the country after a week touring Latin American allies.

“I’m announcing my return to the country. I am calling on the Venezuelan people to mobilize all over the country tomorrow at 11:00am (1500 GMT),” Guaido said on Twitter.

Guaido, who has been rec-ognised by more than 50 coun-tries as interim president, gave no details of when or how he would return.

He asked supporters to pay close attention for messages of where the demonstrations would take place today. “Let’s go Ven-ezuela,” he said.

Defying a travel ban by Pres-ident Nicolas Maduro, Guaido slipped across the border to Colombia last week to try to bring in the aid and to meet with visiting US Vice-President Mike Pence.

The 35-year-old political newcomer continued on to

Brazil, where he met the new right-wing president, Jair Bol-sonaro, and on Friday travelled to Paraguay and Argentina. He has spent the weekend in Ecuador.

Guaido stunned the world on January 23, proclaiming himself Venezuela’s acting president after the National Assembly he leads declared Maduro a usurper and illegitimate over his May re-election which was widely crit-

icized as fraudulent.Guaido wants to oust Maduro

and set up a transitional gov-ernment ahead of new elections.

Maduro — who retains the support of Venezuela’s powerful military — enjoys strong support from Russia, which accuses Washington of interventionism, and China, which is concerned over the fate of billions of dollars in loans to Maduro’s regime.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido (centre) after a meeting with Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno in Salinas, Ecuador, yesterday.

US winterstorm spreading from Midwest to NortheastAP ST. LOUIS

A storm that dropped several inches of snow in the central United States over the weekend is spreading to the Northeast, where it could disrupt today’s commutes.

Up to 15cm of snow had fallen in parts of far western Kansas by yesterday morning.

But most areas of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois that were within the path of the storm had gotten no more than a few inches of snow. Fore-casters warn that bitter cold temperatures will follow storm.

The snow was expected to move into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic states early today before spreading into the rest of the Northeast.

Two dead, six injured after car hits crowd in New OrleansAP NEW ORLEANS

Two people have been killed and six injured after being struck by a vehicle on a busy New Orleans thoroughfare, authorities said.

Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson told local media that a suspect is in custody following the incident that happened about 8pm on Saturday along a multiple-block stretch of Esplanade Ave.

Ferguson said the suspect is being tested to determine whether he was intoxicated. His identity was not released, adding that bystanders in the area were the ones who stopped the driver.

“We were able to apprehend the subject so quickly because citizens stopped this individual, because they thought they were helping someone who had just been involved in a one-car accident,” Ferguson said.

EMS spokesman Jonathan Fourcade said a man and a woman — both about 30 years old — were killed. The injured ranged in age from 28 to 65. Five of the injured were taken to the hospital while one refused treatment.

Photographs of the scene showed mangled bikes along the side of the street.

A witness said that he saw a dark sports car speeding down the street. The driver swerved into the bike lane to try to go around a vehicle.

19MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019 HOME

Kenyans using football as means of community interactionFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

They come from a land widely known around the world for its distance runners and safaris.

Kenyan expats in Qatar are coming from all corners of their county such as Nairobi, Garissa, Mobasa, and many more. The vibrant and active community has around 27,000 Kenyans living in Qatar. They are employed in different sectors including media, security, engi-neering, hospitality and energy.

“We are a very active expa-triate community in Qatar. We host several activities and get involved in events as tool to pull all Kenyans together as a com-munity. Social media is one of the main channels we use for networking and communi-cating,” said John Ngurugwe, a Kenyan community leader in Qatar.

“The Kenyan embassy in Qatar offers immense support to the community in taking care of welfare and supporting activities. We try to keep the community engaged through cultural diplomacy. We organise cultural, sport and community events fre-quently. These events bring the community together,” he said.

The FC Kenya, a Kenyan Football Team in Qatar, engages

with many voluntary efforts besides being active in sport activities. It was formed as a small team in 2012 and has expanded in the past years into a well-recognised community base.

It has been an active team playing for the Qatar Community Football League organised by Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. FC Kenya has facil-itated the Kenyan community members in Qatar to take part in many training programmes and workshops organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

“The football matches are one of the most popular events

which bring Kenyans together,” said Ngurugwe.

Besides sport and cultural activities, the social welfare of Kenyan expatriates is also taken into consideration by the com-munity leaders. Corniche Diaspora Sacco Kenya in Qatar is a savings and credit cooper-ative society for Kenyans living and working in Qatar. The mem-bership to the society is vol-untary and open to all Kenyans living in Qatar.

The founders of Corniche Diaspora Sacco Kenya in Qatar are Kenyan professionals based here in Qatar working in dif-ferent organizations who came together with the sole purpose

of pooling together and sharing resources.

“We aim at supporting and empowering the Kenyans in Qatar,” said Ngurugwe.

Corniche Diaspora Sacco Kenya in Qatar aims at efficiently promoting savings, credit and investment programmes by offering high quality and diver-sified financial products and services to members.

“Corniche Diaspora Sacco Kenya in Qatar promotes the financial interests of the members by uplifting their standards of living through mobilization of deposits, savings and granting loans,” said Ngurugwe.

FC Kenya during a match

Team members of FC Kenya

FAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

Green Maasai Troupe is a group of Kenyan expats volun-teers who regularly involve in social work and charity events in Qatar.

The group made up of volunteers engages in environment conversation, creating awareness, humanitarian, sport, music and acrobats, observing United Nations events.

Green Maasai Troupe was launched in 2011 by Peter Kimani, Samuel Nyuthi, and Zacccheus Njuguna, and today includes more than 50 members. The group organizes volunteering activ-ities, hospital visits, donates clothes, recycles, and runs envi-ronmental conservation and awareness programs.

The group’s vision is helping to transform the community motivating it to lead a healthy, quality life and promoting human welfare.

“We started with three members and now have grown widely with an aim to give back to the country we live and our com-munity. As a volunteer group, we get engaged with wide range of events,” said Njuguna, Chairman and Co-founder of Green Maasai Troupe.

The community based voluntary group was one of the three finalists of the first edition of Akhlaquna award by Qatar Foun-dation to endorse the idea that knowledge and morality are intertwined, guiding together the prosperity of societies.

Green Maasai Troupe follows the UN calendar and also takes part in numerous awareness activities held in Qatar. In a most recent event the group joined other communities in Qatar raising awareness about cancer as part of the World Cancer Day programme.

The Green Maasai Troupe had a booth at the park where people were educated about different aspects of cancer, including the importance of early detection and how to curb the stigma associated with the disease. They also undertook a walk around the park to impress on the visitors the importance of being phys-ically active.

In its environment activities, Green Maasai Troupe follows the reduce, reuse and recycle policy. It has launched a green book initiative by recycling paper.

A group discussion among members of Green Maasai Troupe

Kenyan expatriates during a cultural event in Qatar

Understanding social responsibility

KENYA

IRFAN BUKHARI THE PENINSULA

Like Kenyan community which is living an active life in Qatar by participating in various social, cultural

and sporting activities, the embassy of Kenya in Qatar too is performing a great job in bringing two countries closer to each other.

Paddy C Ahenda , a former member of the Parliament of Kenya, took charge of his office as Ambassador of Kenya to Qatar a month ago with a vision to take bilateral ties to new heights of cooperation.

“It is my first appointment as a diplomat. Earlier I served as member of the parliament and used to contribute to the legis-lative process of the country,” Ahenda said.

Ambassador Ahenda not only wants to give a fresh spirit to existing strong Kenya-Qatar relations to serve his country but he says that he wants to serve the whole Africa.

He describes geographical shape of Africa as a walking human being. “Nairobi is the heart of Africa; it is the heartbeat of Africa,” he said. Ahenda said that almost all multinational companies operating in Africa had their headquarters in Nairobi.

“Also headquarters of two UN agencies, UNEP and UN-Habitat, are in Nairobi which indicates the importance of the heart of Africa,” the Ambassador

added.The Kenyan Ambassador

said that Nairobi due to its geo-graphic placement was hosting international companies from Europe and the US and had a huge potential for foreign investment in different sectors.

“Qatari investors can invest with huge profits in real estate sector as Kenya is a fast devel-oping country in Africa and Nairobi is set to become one of the biggest cities in next thirty years. There exists huge demand in housing sector and investment in this sector are sure to bring lucrative returns within

minimum span of time like one to two years,” the Ambassador added.

On Kenya-Qatar relations, Ambassador Ahenda said, “They are moving very fast towards more strength. I am here to enhance existing bilateral ties.”

Kenya and Qatar have the foundations to develop and expand their existing ties. “We have lot of bilateral agreements and MoUs,” he added.

Ahenda believes in boosting bilateral cooperation in sports and culture. “Qatar is in prepara-tions to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are member of FIFA. Our

runners are unbeatable in the world. We can enhance our ties through sports and cultural exchanges,” he noted.

Coming again to available opportunities of investment in Kenya, the Ambassador said that agri sector was another area of tremendous potential for foreign investment. “With thousands and thousands of hectors of fertile lands, cheap manpower and other infrastructure, Qatari busi-nessmen can invest in agribus-iness in Kenya particularly in the organic production of fruits and vegetables.”

He said that in near future he

was set to have meeting with Qatari companies in this regard.

On bilateral trade, the Ambas-sador said that its current volume was not very big ‘but seeing the potential I will try to increase the volume in months and years to come.’

The Ambassador said that both countries were enjoying excellent political relations. “By the end of this month, former prime minister of Kenya is vis-iting Qatar while a delegation of around 20 parliamentarians will be participating in 140th session of General Assembly of Inter-Par-liamentary Union (IPU) in April in Doha.”

Ahenda said that Kenyan members of the parliament during their visit to Doha would also have several meetings with Qatari officials.

To a question about Kenyan expatriates in Qatar, the Ambas-sador said that there were around 30, 000 Kenyans living and working in Qatar in different sectors and in particular in the

security sector. “We hope that the number may increase up to 100, 000 by next year as Kenyan workforce is likely to join ongoing 2022 World Cup projects.”

He said that the embassy maintained contacts with com-munity members and invited them on various functions organized by the embassy like Republic Day etc.

In security sector, the Ambas-sador said, Kenyans were the best and therefore deployed on many UN peace keeping missions.

With a gleam of happiness in his eyes, the Ambassador con-gratulated Qatar football team for winning Asian Cup and termed it a ‘big achievement’. He also said that Qatar’s prepara-tions for 2022 World Cup were fantastic and Qatar would surely hold the most successful mega sporting event.

On tourism, Ahenda said that though many Qataris used to visit Kenya particularly due to its world-renowned safaris but the number could be increased man-ifold by showcasing other tourist attractions in Kenya including Great Migration of wildebeest from Masai Mara reserve in Kenya to Tanzania.

To another question regarding handling of blockade by Qatar, the Ambassador said that in his opinion the blockade had proved as a ‘blessing in dis-guise’ for Qatar.

“Due to this crisis, Qatar explored new opportunities and expanded its base of trade part-nerships with many countries of the world.”

Kenya has huge potential for foreign investment

Qatar is in preparations to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. We are member of FIFA. Our runners are unbeatable in the world. We can enhance our ties through sports and cultural exchanges.

Qatari investors can invest with huge profits in real estate sector as Kenya is a fast developing country in Africa and

Nairobi is set to become one of the biggest cities in next thirty years.

Nairobi, due to its geographic placement, is hosting international companies from Europe and the US and has a huge potential for foreign investment in different sectors.

Paddy C Ahenda, Ambassador of Kenya to the State of Qatar, speaking to The Peninsula. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA

20 MONDAY 4 MARCH 2019MORNING BREAK

FAJRSHOROOK

04. 39 AM

05. 55 AM

11. 46 AM

03. 07 PM

05. 39 PM

07. 09 PM

ZUHRASR

MAGHRIBISHA

PRAYER TIMINGS

HIGH TIDE 03:58 – 15:04 LOW TIDE 11:45 –21:55

Moderate temperature daytime and cold

by night.

WEATHER TODAY

Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department

Minimum Maximum15oC 24oC

Qatar-Italy military ties strong: EnvoyRAYNALD C RIVERA THE PENINSULA

The Italian Ambassador to Qatar, Pasquale Salzano, has underlined the strong commitment of Italy to Qatar with respect to cooperation in the military field spanning all sectors which include providing advanced trainings, thus laying a solid foundation for stable bilateral relations in the future.

Salzano was speaking at a press conference yesterday on the occasion of the visit of Italian frigate Carlo Mar-gottini, which is on its second call at Doha Port following its participation at last year’s DIMDEX.

“This new visit of the Mar-gottini — along with the former visits of the “sisters” frigates “Carabiniere” and “Martinengo” — confirms the solid commitment of the Italian Navy to continue to cooperate with the Qatari Navy and shows how close and dynamic our partnership is,” said Salzano.

Frigate Margottini is cur-rently on a naval campaign in the Middle East and the Arabian Sea, aimed at ensuring presence and sur-veillance for the protection of sea lines of communication of national interest. In its four-day visit in Doha, it conducts cooperation activities with the

Qatari Navy. The envoy stressed that military cooper-ation between Italy and Qatar spans all sectors “but we are especially proud that they are focused also on training pro-grammes and education, con-tinuous contacts and exchange of best practices.”

“In this respect Italy rep-resents for Qatar much more than a reliable industrial partner in the supply of naval units: by providing advanced trainings for the Qatari per-sonnel — namely for the Navy’s future leaders — we are together laying the foun-dation for stable and strong bilateral relations, not only for the present but most impor-tantly for the future,” he said.

Salzano also underscored Italy’s strong naval traditions built over the years “based on the dedication and the profes-sionalism of the proud women and men which form the Italian Navy, whose skills have kept pace with industrial developments and techno-logical innovation.”

He referred to the Mar-gottini as ‘a jewel of the Italian technology’ being a sophisti-cated naval unit which had been the result of commitment and effective partnership between Italian institutions and defence industry in devel-oping advance platforms and multi-purpose systems capable of operating in the

most challenging theatres. “This vessel embodies all Italy’s well-known assets: innovation and creativity applied to the industrial design and highly customised manufacturing. It is a clear sample of the excellence reached by the Italian com-panies in the shipbuilding sector and specialised naval equipment,” he said.

ITS Magottini Com-manding Officer, Commander Marco Guerriero, presented

the various features and capa-bilities of the frigate as well as spoke of its naval campaign.

Frigate Carlo Margottini is the third unit of the Italo-French FREMM programme and the second in ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) version. Identified by the hull number F 592, according to Nato clas-sification, the ship has a dis-placement of 6700 tonnes, can reach a speed of 27 knots, and has a crew of 168 men and women. Leading companies

in the Italian defence industry namely Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA and Elettronica which designed, built and equipped the frigate also presented at yesterday’s event.

On board ITS Margottini are two NH90 NFH multi-role helicopters with specific avi-onics and mission equipment for naval operations produced by Leonardo. A statement said, Qatar will start receiving their NH90 helicopters by the end of 2021,

Pasquale Salzano (left), Ambassador of Italy to Qatar, with officials from Qatar Amiri Navy Forces, Mohammed Desmal Al Kuwari (right) and Omer Al Meghisib beside an NH90 NFH multi-role helicopter after a press conference held on-board the Italian Navy Frigate ITS Margotini at Doha Port yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA

Third Aspire International Kite Festival begins on WednesdayQNA DOHA

Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is gearing up to host the third edition of the popular Aspire International Kite Festival at Aspire Park from March 6 to 9.

The mind-blowing festival turns

the blue skies of Aspire Park into a 3-D artistic platform and will feature more than 80 international kiters this year. With their fabulous creative designs, these competitive kiters will be com-peting in four award categories: The Best Design and Innovation Award, The Biggest Kite Award, the Longest Kite Award, and the Best National Flag

Award. Teams from China, France, Pakistan, and Mexico won each of these award categories last year and 2019s edition is expected to attract even more internat ional competitors.

The 2019 edition of the Kite Fes-tival will also feature more than 13 government and private schools

competing in their annual schools competition, with hundreds of children also taking part in the festivals lively activities, workshops and site visits.

Last year, Oscar Academy, Muaz Bin Jabal Independent School for Boys and Halima Al-Saadeia Independent School for Girls were the winners of the kite flying competitions.