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Wednesday 4 October 2017 | 14 Muharram 1439 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7304 | 2 Riyals

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Emir meets Iran Foreign Minister Emir condoles HIA face-reading with Iraq leaders QNA tech plan to make mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yester- Eday cables of condolences to President of the Republic of Iraq, Dr Fuad Masum, and to Prime Min- boarding easier ister of Iraq Dr Haider Al Abadi, on the death of former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani. Deputy Emir H H Sachin Kumar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al The Peninsula Thani, and Prime Minister and Inte- Trials will also be rior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah oon faces of passengers held to evaluate bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also will become their pass- sent similar cables. ports at the Hamad the effectiveness of International Airport as robots for passenger → See also page 12 instead of showing their facilitation. Spassports and boarding passes, they Hague seminar will be able to board flights by just showing their faces. on Qatar siege The airport is working on a vision to completely transform how project which will do away with passengers experience the airport THE Hague Institute for Global Jus- requirements for a passenger to today. tice stressed that the siege imposed show passport and boarding pass According to the plan, a pas- by the siege countries on Qatar at airport touch points. senger would be required to has not only created major politi- HIA and global IT provider SITA register or get his face captured at cal and economic disturbances in yesterday signed a Memorandum the first touch point at the airport, the region, but also raised many of Understanding (MoU) that pro- from then onwards all he would issues of international law. Speak- vides a framework for the two need to do is to show his face at Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday ers were participating in a seminar partners to trial and enhance inno- check-in, self baggage drop, pre- with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Mohammad — “International legal means avail- vative passenger processing border control just prior to able in the light of the four siege Javad Zarif, and his delegation. They reviewed cooperation between the two solutions at HIA. immigration and ultimately at the countries measures against Qatar”. countries and exchanged views on the current situation in the region. The MoU was signed jointly by boarding gate. HIA Chief Operating Officer, Engr “HIA’s efforts towards innova- → See also page 7 Badr Mohammed Al Meer and Hani tion and its strategic alliances with El Assaad, SITA President, Middle key partners such as SITA, all con- East, India and Africa, at an event tribute towards its ‘Smart Airport’ which took place at Qatar’s five star vision that was officially launched More job categories to be excluded from driving licence airport. in May 2016 under the patronage The main focus of the MoU is to of Prime Minister and Interior Min- Sidi Mohammed ineligible for light-vehicle address traffic congestion, a there are many categories of advance HIA’s initiative to imple- ister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin The Peninsula licences in addition to existing senior official at General Direc- jobs which will be banned ment seamless identity Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani,” said list of above 180 jobs already torate of Traffic Department from getting car driving management across all key passen- Al Meer. o allay traffic congestion banned from having the per- told The Peninsula. licence,” the official said. ger service points using biometrics. woes, more job categories mission. This is being done as “Currently, the demand of In simple terms, the HIA has a → Continued on page 4 Tare likely to be declared part of a national strategy to driving licence is very high and → Continued on page 5 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 03

PM receives message from French Minister PM meets outgoing Ethiopian envoy

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani received a written message from Minister of the Interior of the French Republic, Gerard with Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the State of Qatar, Collomb, pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries and issues of common Mesganu Arga Moach, on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country. The Prime concern. The message was handed over by French Ambassador to Qatar, Eric Chevallier, Minister and Interior Minister wished the Ethiopian ambassador success in his future during a meeting with the Prime Minister and Interior Minister. assignments and relations between the two countries further progress and prosperity.

QDB helps farmers to increase output Culture Minister meets French envoy

Sanaullah Ataullah for promoting their products,” the company,” said Al Kaabi, The Peninsula More greenhouses he added. adding that the projects had air- Farmers said they Farms are struggling to conditioned facilities, regular ith adequate added new increase their production signif- shades and irrigation system. support of greenhouses and icantly for the upcoming season. “All farmers are working to Qatar Devel- acquired more free “We expect about 30 percent increase the productions of their opment Bank space of arable land more production during the forth- farms. We acquired more free (QDB), the coming season as compared to the space of arable land at our farm,” to boost production. Wlocal farmers have increased last year,” said Ali Ahmad Saad said Ahmed Al Khalaf, a promi- vegetable production capacity Mansour Al Kaabi, owner of the nent Qatari businessman and of their farms significantly and Farmers lined up Global Farm for Agricultural owner of an agricultural farm. are expecting to harvest double at the QDB to Supplies. “We have set up new green- the quantity in the upcoming get finances for Al Kaabi said that the com- houses to enhance the seasonal season. The farmers said that their agricultural pany had established hundreds production. I expect that the har- they added new greenhouses at projects. of greenhouses under seven vest of agricultural produce will Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al their farms and acquired more projects during the past four increase manifold during the Ali with Ambassador of the French Republic to Qatar, Eric free spaces of arable land to months of blockade. “Most of the forthcoming season compared Chevallier. The meeting reviewed cooperation between boost production. “The QDB also offers other projects, five projects were to the last year,” said Al Khalaf. the two countries and the means of strengthening and Farmers lined up at the QDB services to the farmers like con- financed by QDB and the The farmers also appreciated developing them in the cultural and sports fields. to get finances for their agricul- sultancy and holding exhibition remaining two were funded by the support of the Ministry of tural projects. “A big number of Municipality and Environment farm owners are visiting the to the local farms. QDB seeking the bank’s services The Ministry allots arable like feasibility studies for land to farms and facilitates projects and providing neces- them in getting water for irriga- Ministry to mark Teachers’ Day sary funds etc.,” said Ali Al tion, agricultural inputs and Mohannadi, Manager for Agri- fertilizers, a farmer told The QNA of the oldest teachers in Qatar, culture and Fisheries at QDB. Peninsula. “The Ministry pro- in recognition of their services “Two types of projects – vided various platforms to nder the Patronage of and contribution in the educa- agricultural and livestock farmers to market their prod- Prime Minister and tional field. breeding - are being imple- ucts like winter vegetable UInterior Minister H E The State of Qatar annually mented at the farms,” said Al markets and contracts with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser celebrates this day in line with Mohannadi, while speaking in a major commercial outlets which bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Min- the World Teachers’ Day set by Qatar TV talk show recently. buy the products directly,” said istry of Education and Higher United Nations Educational, Al Mohannadi said that QDB the farmer. “With the support of Education will celebrate Scientific and Cultural Organi- provides funds to farm owners the Ministry, the farmers got fair Teachers’ Day tomorrow at the sation (Unesco) held annually for their projects and the bank prices for their products in the Qatar National Convention on October 5, in recognition of did not leave any stone unturned last agricultural season,” he Center. their role as a pillar of the edu- A shaded farm in Qatar. in financing the projects. concluded. The event will award 100 cational process.

Qatar envoy in Estonia Be wary of Ministry of Economy detects fake calls, Ooredoo tells 64 violations in September customers

The Peninsula advertising, displaying products detecting violations to protect The Peninsula with false or deceiving consumer rights to monitor if he inspection campaign information. suppliers were abiding by the oredoo has reminded held by a representatives The penalties included obligations stipulated by Law customers to be vigi- Tfrom the Ministry of Econ- administrative closure and No. (8) of 2008 on consumer Olant and not trust calls omy and Commerce in financial fines which vary protection. via social media or commu- September resulted in the sei- between QR 5,000 and QR The Ministry confirmed it nication applications (apps) zure and issuance of 64 30,000 according to the laws will be firm against all those wherein the caller ID displays violations. and decisions governing the negligent and not complying ‘Ooredoo’. The ministry announced the work of consumer protection with the consumer protection Fraudsters are able to violations include the non-com- departments. The ministry law and its executive regula- change their caller ID or dis- pliance with prices of vegetables revealed it received 1,061 com- tions. It also confirmed it will play names to ‘Ooredoo’ using and fruits bulletin, non-display plaints in September, in which intensify its inspection cam- some of the popular commu- of product and service prices, the necessary measures were paigns to control such practices nication apps, to ring President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, received the credentials non-display in Arabic, non-issu- taken to resolve them. and refer all violators to the con- customers and ask for credit of Fahd bin Mohammed Al Attiyah as non-resident ance of receipts in Arabic, The intensive inspections cerned entities to take the card and account details, or Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State increasing prices without prior are part of the Ministry’s keen- appropriate measures against top-up credit details in order of Qatar to the Republic of Estonia. The President wished approvals from concerned ness to regulate and monitor the them to protect the consumer. to release a fake ‘prize’. the Qatari Ambassador success in his new duties to push authorities, offering discounts markets and commercial activ- The Ministry called on all According to the company, forward the cooperation relations between the two countries. without proper required ities in the country with the aim consumers to report any viola- Ooredoo representative will approvals and describing, of controlling prices and tions to the Ministry. ring customers via the account number 4420 0000 only, and all calls registered under the caller ID name ‘Ooredoo’ MEC recalls Chevrolet Silverado model 2014 over power-steering defect received via apps are fake. The company has urged The Peninsula Chevrolet Silverado model of 2014 dealer of Chevrolet vehicles in The ministry said the recall vehicle defects and repairs. The customers to report any scam over defect in power steering con- Qatar, has announced the recall campaign comes within the ministry said that it will coordi- numbers via the 111 call cen- inistry of Economy and trol module. The Ministry of of Chevrolet Silverado model of framework of its ongoing efforts nate with the dealer to follow up tre and to block suspicious Commerce has Economy and Commerce, in col- 2014 over a defect in the power to protect consumers and ensure on the maintenance and repair numbers via their selected Mannounced the recall of laboration with Jaidah automotive, steering control module. that car dealers follow up on works. caller ID apps. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017

Doha Center for Interfaith Deputy Prime Minister meets outgoing envoy Emir greets Dialogue condemns President of Germany Las Vegas mass shooting EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday QNA represent a clear violation to a cable of congratulations to the principles of humanity and President of the Federal Repub- oha International Center the values of all divine religions lic of Germany Frank-Walter for Interfaith Dialogue that urge self-preservation, Steinmeier on the occasion of D(DICID) has strongly which is considered one of the his country’s National Day. condemned the criminal shoot- greatest principles of the true The Deputy Emir H H ing that took place in the US city religion of Islam. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad of Las Vegas on Monday, which The Doha International Al Thani also sent greetings resulted in the death and injury Center for Interfaith Dialogue to Frank-Walter Steinmeier of large number of innocent reiterated its message which on the occasion. people. calls for love and tolerance, Prime Minister and Inte- In a statement issued calling on the peace-loving rior Minister H E Sheikh Wednesday, the DICID affirmed people of the world to Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- its total rejection of such acts renounce violence, fight intol- lifa Al Thani sent a cable of and criminal ideas that claim erance and hatred, and to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah congratulations to Chancel- innocent lives, regardless of work together to protect the bin Zaid Al Mahmoud with Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to lor Dr Angela Merkel on the their religion or faith. innocent and to reject hatred, Qatar, Mesganu Arga Moach, on the occasion of ending his tenure in the country. During occasion of her country’s The Center underlined that violence and terrorism in all the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways of boosting them in various fields. National Day. such trends and criminal ideas its forms. 13 professionals awarded Event Management Degree

The Peninsula Six-month course hirteen local and The six-month regional business training came as part events professionals have earned an Event of QTA’s efforts to Management Degree enhance Qatar’s T(EMD) after completing the pro- competitiveness in gramme certified by the Union business events field. of International Fairs (UFI) in Qatar. The six-month training Qatar’s business programme came as part of events sub-sector Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) boasts growing efforts to enhance Qatar’s com- events management petitiveness in the business services. events field, and was delivered in collaboration with the Exhi- bition, Convention and Event members of the business events Management Company (ECE). sector.” He added, “We are par- Speaking at the graduation ticularly pleased to see ceremony, Ahmed Al Obaidli, participants join us from coun- Director of Exhibitions at QTA, tries across the region, such as Professionals who earned the Event Management Degree (EMD) with officials. said, “This EMD programme is Oman, Iran and Sudan, reinforc- one of many efforts undertaken ing Qatar’s position as one of the to empower local exhibitions region’s business events knowl- management and sustainability Kai Hattendorf, Managing this development through this square metres, spread over professionals with the tools they edge hubs.” in the exhibition industry. Director and CEO of UFI said, unique educational programme world-class venues such as Qatar need to attract and deliver the The EMD programme aims Since the EMD programme “The region boasts world-class which - thanks to the diversity National Convention Centre highest quality of events. As we to help business event profes- was first launched in 2007 by event venues and facilities which of the participants in Doha – also (QNCC) and the Doha Exhibition embark on the Next Chapter of sionals develop essential skills, UFI – the leading global exhibi- encouraged several private and provided a great networking and Convention Center (DECC), the National Tourism Sector particularly those related to tion’s association – it has been governmental organisers to push opportunity.” Qatar’s business an expanded transport network, Strategy 2030, QTA will be project and risk management for delivered 15 times at different forward the role of the exhibi- events sub-sector boasts grow- as well as exceptional accessi- working to further consolidate exhibitions, sales management, locations in Asia, the Middle East tion industry in the region. We ing events management services, bility via Qatar Airways’ reach to and focus the efforts of key exhibition marketing, strategic and Europe. were delighted to contribute to an exhibition capacity of 70,000 150 destinations worldwide. HIA face-reading tech plan to make boarding easier

Continued from page 1 “Our aim is to empower our passengers to experience a seamless journey at their own pace, all the while keeping them informed about what matters to them most,” said Badr Moham- med Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA. “The use of bio- metrics as the only verification required at each passenger touch point along the airport journey will go a long way in improving the flow of passengers, provid- Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman ing a better travel experience as of Ooredoo, congratulating Mutaz Barshim. well as greater operational vis- ibility for the stakeholders,” added Al Meer. Ooredoo congratulates According to HIA statement, trials will also be held to evalu- Qatari athlete Barshim ate the effectiveness of robots for passenger facilitation; block- Hani El Assaad, SITA President, Middle East, India and Africa (left), and Engr Badr Mohammed chain technology for rapid and Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, at the MoU signing ceremony. The Peninsula Championships in Athletics, his secure sharing of data across 2016 Silver Medal at the Olympics stakeholders; and the potential n a step to motivate the next in Rio de Janeiro. Also, Mutaz has use of augmented and virtual ability to use biometrics to iden- by SITA and HIA in Qatar’s air- – doing away with the need to generation of athletes in been recently nominated for the reality for operational tify passengers. port during 2016. These early present travel documents IQatar, Ooredoo yesterday World Athlete of the Year by concepts. In line with HIA’s strategy, trials using SITA’s Smart Path beyond the first step in the honoured Qatari Olympic IAAF. He is one of 10 men nom- It was also announced at the all systems that are being technology at HIA, in collabora- journey. Medalist Mutaz Barshim at the inated for the prestigious prize. event that SITA will be supply- acquired or upgraded for pas- tion with the national carrier Hani El Assaad, SITA Presi- company’s Headquarters in Talking at the event, Sheikh ing and commissioning 62 of its senger processing, such as for Qatar Airways, Government dent, Middle East, India and West Bay. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin next-generation common-use check-in, bag drop, and aircraft Security Agencies and the Africa said: “We at SITA wel- Mutaz, who is now short- Saud Al Thani, Chairman of check-in kiosks, with bag tag boarding, are specified for inte- national regulator, Qatar Civil come the opportunity to work listed for the IAAF Athlete of the Ooredoo, said: “We congratu- printing capability. This will gration with biometric sensors. Aviation Authority, have led to with a world-leading hub such Year award, was greeted by late Qatar’s sporting hero Mutaz enhance passenger experience Such capability will not only SITA optimising the technology as Hamad International Airport Ooredoo’s Chairman, Sheikh on his excellence and success for self-service check-in and provide enhanced security over- and subsequently implement- to push the boundaries of inno- Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud in raising the flag of Qatar in enable progressive deployment sight but also holds tremendous ing it with major airports and vation to truly change the way Al Thani, as well as a host of sen- the international sorting arena. of self-service bag-drop potential to deliver a smooth airlines around the world. passengers will travel in future. ior Ooredoo management. Ooredoo has a long history of facilities. end-to-end journey through the A key benefit of SITA’s Smart Our vision to make air travel The event was held as recog- supporting Qatar’s athletes and SITA will also be supplying airport using a single biometric Path technology is that it seam- easier at every step fits neatly nition for the achievements of Mutaz is a perfect example of a and commissioning boarding token. lessly integrates into existing with the Hamad International Mutaz in high jump, including his Qatari athlete who, despite his pass verification e-gates which The formalisation of this common-use airport infrastruc- Airport’s ‘Smart Airport’ vision current Number One standing in youth, has been able to emerge will be located prior to depar- partnership follows the success- ture and airline systems, and together we can help the IAAF Diamond League, a Gold as a model for the next-gener- tures’ border control. These ful industry-first pilot of allowing passengers to use bio- reshape the future of air Medal at the 2017 World ation of athletes.” kiosks and e-gates will have the biometric exit checks conducted metrics each step of the way transport.” WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 05

Ashghal completes project Foreign Minister meets Iranian counterpart in North and East Al Kheesa

The Peninsula an integrated infrastructure, East of Al Kheesa (Rawdat Al drainage networks, roads and Hamama) were discussed, in shghal has many essential utilities in Al- addition to the current and announced the com- Kheesa, which suffers a shortage future projects in the area.” pletion of Roads and in all infrastructure services. “Ashghal also listened to the Infrastructure In addition, pavement works attendees’ questions and Development were carried out in the area and remarks. It is worth mentioning projectA in North and East of Al 330-road signage were installed that Ashghal has leaped for the Kheesa (Rawdat Al Hamama) – to improve road safety. Electric- better in the last year, as we Package 1. The first package ity connections, noticed weekly achievements, serves about 766 residential telecommunications services, which changed Ashghal’s per- plots, along with a number of and an upgraded irrigation sys- ception in the eyes of citizens schools, mosques, commercial tem were among a package of and municipal council members, outlets, and Ferjan markets in services provided for the local given that all our demands are the area. This was achieved by community as part of the project being met, which pleases eve- upgrading the local roads net- works. Additionally, 790 light- ryone.” Noaimi added. Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani with Minister of Foreign works (about 19.5 km), and ing poles were installed and will He said: “Since the begin- Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Doha yesterday. They providing one-lane and two- be connected to the electrical ning of the blockade, we noticed discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them, along with developments in the lane local roads to facilitate local power by next month. a lot of cooperation between all residents’ access to their houses. The project’s infrastructure entities and noticed more Gulf crisis and Kuwaiti mediation efforts, in addition to the latest developments in the region. The announcement was works involved constructing a achievements recently. Lastly I made at a community meeting surface and ground water drain- would like to thank the Public held yesterday at the Majlis of age network (about 15.7 km) in Works Authority and the Min- Meshaal bin Abdullah Al Noaimi, order to solve the flooding issue ister of Municipality and the Central Municipal Council during the rainy seasons. Environment for his continuous member for Constituency No. 18. The project also involves support”. Majority of people have poor The meeting was attended by upgrading major trunk sewers (15 Mubarak Mohamed Matar Mubarak Mohammed Matar Al km in length), that will solve the Al Kuwari said, “We thank Ash- Kuwari, Director of Al Daayen sanitary overflow issue and will ghal for their continuous Municipality, and dignitaries from eliminate the use of septic tanks communication with the peo- knowledge of Zika: Survey the area, as well as Engineer in North and East Al Kheesa once ple, and ongoing cooperation to Saoud Al Tamimi, Roads Projects these trunk sewers are connected meet the citizens’ needs and Department Manager at Ashghal to outfalls under future projects solve their problems. We also The Peninsula and section heads and concerned Ashghal is planning to launch. The appreciate the efforts made to engineers in Ashghal. project also involves upgrading find quick solutions for emer- wo-thirds of respondents Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, high- the treated sewage effluent net- gency problems, especially to a survey in Qatar about lighted the main features of the work (about 8 km). underground water problems, Tthe Zika virus had poor project and the challenges faced Meshaal bin Abdullah Al whereas underground and rain knowledge of the disease. The by the authority during its Noaimi said: “This meeting is a water pipes are currently being research team of Weill Cornell implementation. He listened to good and new initiative by Ash- laid and will be complete soon.” Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q)’s Insti- the comments of the audience ghal, and I hope other entities The project location is about tute for Population Health (IPH) and answered their questions concerned with community 10km far from the north of Doha surveyed 446 people in Qatar about Ashghal’s ongoing and engagement do the same. Dur- City, and lies between the Al from GCC or other Middle East- future projects in the area. ing the meeting, benefits of the Khor Expressway and Al Shamal ern countries and asked a range Dr Ravinder Mamtani and Dr. Sohaila Cheema Eng. Saoud Al-Tamimi added Roads and Infrastructure Devel- Road in Al Daayen of questions about Zika. that the project aims at providing opment project in North and Municipality. The results showed that 66 harmful to most people but poses the media and discover whether percent of participants had ‘poor’ a more serious risk to pregnant the general public gained useful knowledge of Zika, defined as not women as it can cause grave practical information that they knowing that it is transmitted by medical complications such as the could use to protect their own mosquitos and/or that anyone can birth defect microcephaly, char- health. get the virus and/or that there is acterized by an abnormally small “The results are slightly con- currently no vaccine. Twenty- head in newborn babies. The Zika cerning for us because it appears seven percent had ‘basic’ virus is not currently judged to be that although the Zika virus was knowledge of Zika, defined as a direct threat to the Gulf region extensively covered by interna- knowing that there is currently currently. tional media, this does not no vaccine, that the disease is Lead author of the study Dr. appear to have resulted in peo- transmitted by mosquitos and that Sohaila Cheema, Director of the ple gaining anything more than anyone can get it. Institute for Population Health a superficial understanding of Just seven percent of and Assistant Professor of Health- the disease and the nature of the respondents were found to have care Policy and Research at risk it poses.” ‘broad’ knowledge, defined as WCM-Q, said, “Our aim with this The article, entitled Knowl- having ‘basic’ knowledge and study was not to make people edge and perceptions about Zika additionally knowing that it can worried about Zika virus becom- virus in a Middle East country, has be transmitted through sexual ing prevalent in Qatar, because been published in the health jour- intercourse, blood transfusions the risk of that happening is very nal BMC Infectious Diseases. and from mother to baby dur- low, although future cases are Other contributors to the study ing pregnancy, and that if a indeed possible because of Doha’s included Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean pregnant woman has Zika virus position as a global transport hub. of WCM-Q, and Dr Ravinder there are health risks for her Rather, our aim was to look at an Mamtani, Professor of Healthcare The community meeting at the Majlis of Meshaal bin Abdullah Al Noaimi, a Central Municipal baby. emergent public health issue that Policy and Research in WCM-Q’s Council (CMC) member. The Zika virus is generally not received widespread coverage in Institute for Population Health.

Qatar Airways supports Breast Cancer Awareness month More job categories to be The Peninsula limited edition pink BRIC’S lux- excluded from driving licence ury amenity kits for our male pecial limited edition pink and female passengers flying Continued from page 1 amenity kits are now being long-haul in First Class and Busi- “At the time when we Soffered to Qatar Airways’ ness Class will help demonstrate “The department is wait- have banned many jobs First and Business Class passen- our ongoing commitment to ing for the completion of mega categories from getting light- gers to mark the airline’s raising awareness of breast can- urban projects and once they vehicle licences, we have continuing support for Breast cer, and show our support for like roads and bridges are allowed all categories to take Cancer Awareness Month. those affected by it.” completed, the department can motorcycle licences. Also, Each passenger flying long- Qatar Airways has long sup- relax the policy,” the official heavy-vehicle licences are haul in First Class and Business ported Breast Cancer Awareness further said. allowed for workers”, said the Class will be presented with a month with the airline’s staff He clarified that the cate- official. luxury amenity bag created playing their part to help beat the gories of jobs which could be “Until now, the demand of exclusively for Qatar Airways by disease. As well as being encour- banned in near future included motorcycle license is low. We stylish Italian luggage brand aged to wear pink during Breast jobs relating to administration. are encouraging all youth to BRIC’S, in a carefully chosen Cancer Awareness Month, many “These categories don’t require take it. There are about shade of pink called ‘Rose Qatar Airways employees will a driving licence as the com- 50percent of Qatari youth Pompadour’. be taking part in a number of ini- panies are supposed to provide driving motorcycles without Every one of the highly- tiatives to alert staff to the them with transportation,” the licences, and this is very An amenity kit for Business Class Female. sought after amenity kits, dangers of the disease and gen- source said. dangerous and pose serious designed for men and women, erate funds towards fighting was created in France in 1757 at bag contains exclusive products The department has risk to their lives and lives of will be accompanied by a spe- breast cancer. the famous Sèvres porcelain from Italy’s Castello Monte Vib- already banned more than 180 other people”, he revealed. cially created card urging These include various work- facility. The shade, prized for its iano Vecchio, the categories of jobs which To make driving test time customers to Think Pink! and shops and awareness-raising vivacity and beauty, was one of environmentally friendly olive include a number of comfortable for applicants, the encouraging them to support the lectures designed to raise aware- five colours produced by Sèvres, oil company. professions. time has been adjusted from fight against breast cancer. ness of the importance of which helped to define magnif- The skin care range The job categories already 5am to 7am; divided in three Qatar Airways Senior Vice self-assessment and early icence and luxury in includes lip balm, hydrating banned from getting driving days for three different tests President Marketing and Corpo- diagnosis. eighteenth-century France. facial mist, and anti-ageing licences include grocer, including computer test, rate Communications, Salam Al The special pink luxury All passengers flying in First moisturiser in Business Class, butcher, tailor, goldsmith, parking test and road test. Shawa, said: “Qatar Airways is a amenity kits are just the latest Class and Business Class with with added Night Recovery agricultural worker, About the “smart cars” very strong supporter of Breast initiative by the airline to raise Qatar Airways will be offered Cream for First Class kits. decoration technician, mining being used for driving tests Cancer Awareness Month and both awareness and funds for pink versions of the airline’s sig- Pink socks, eyeshades and technician, beautician, without human intervention all the incredibly hard work that the disease that affects millions nature miniature BRIC’S Bellagio ear plugs complete the range mechanic, newspaper and supervision, the official goes into research and develop- of women all around the world. and Sintesis suitcase amenity with the addition of a BRIC’S vendor, barber, servant, said that the move was still ment to help beat breast cancer. The pink shade of Rose Pom- kits, which feature a hard shell signature luggage tag for First cosmetologist, security guard, under consideration and had We hope these very special and padour used for the amenity kits with a Tuscan leather trim. Each Class. porter, shepherd etc. not been implemented yet. 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 45 students take part in ROTA Training programme

Raynald C Rivera annual Youth Leadership pro- The programme was created The Peninsula gramme. The programme is an to provide Qatari youth aged 16 invaluable initiative that invests to 26 with the communication ore than 45 high school in developing crucial skills of and leadership skills to play an and university students Qatari and resident youth. The active role in addressing global Mare taking part in the first phase is an intensive 4-day humanitarian issues and driv- annual ‘ROTA Youth Service programme that will equip youth ing the development of their Clubs – Leadership Training participants with vital skills to communities. 2017’ programme organised by go on to make their voices heard The young participants will Reach Out To Asia, a core pro- on global humanitarian issues take part in the three-phase pro- gramme of Education Above All and positively contribute to their gramme that runs from this Abdulla Al Bakri (centre), Community Development Manager at ROTA, during a press conference (EAA). communities,” said Al Bakri. month to March next year, which at Education City, yesterday. This was announced by The participants were cho- will equip them with core lead- Abdulla Al Bakri, Community sen among the many hopefuls ership, project management, Development Manager at ROTA, who applied online and under- advocacy, teamwork and com- with real life challenges to equip Leadership 2017 programme. As representative. during a press conference at went personal interviews, he munity service skills. them with the skills to make a a previous participant of the pro- ROTA will showcase distin- Education City yesterday, ahead explained. Throughout the programme, meaningful impact in their com- gramme, I was taught several guished projects following the of the four-day intensive train- “This year’s participants participants will work in groups munities. The programme will invaluable skills that have ena- successful completion of the ing which kicks off the have demonstrated eagerness to to complete a series of assigned also help Qatari youth chart their bled me to become an effective programme at next year’s five-month long programme. make a difference in the world tasks and projects to enable career paths, and will prepare leader and speak up on global ROTA’s EMPOWER Youth Con- The intensive training pro- around them, and I am confident them to leverage their goal set- them to become qualified issues. I now feel confident in my ference, a youth-led conference gramme will be held from that once they have completed ting capacity and network with ambassadors for Qatar and ability to impart what I learned that promotes youth develop- October 25 to 28 and will focus the programme, they will be their peers. ROTA at international and to offer like-minded youth ment in Qatar through a network on leadership and project man- empowered to become respon- The ROTA Youth Challenge conventions. with the guidance to go on to of youth service clubs that ena- agement skills. sible global citizens capable of is an effective tool for develop- “It is an honour to be given make an impact on both a local ble youth to become responsible “We are delighted to shaping the future for genera- ing and fine-tuning youth skills an opportunity to be one of the and global scale,” said Saif Al global citizens and empowered announce the new edition of our tions to come,” he added. that will present participants mentors for the Youth Suwadi, ROTA Youth Clubs young leaders.

MoTC Digital WISE picks four projects for Accelerator programme Incubation The Peninsula about the world, society, and innovative EdTech projects with Center opens their place in it. Pixis based in high potential for scalability and he World Innovation Sum- France and its an online platform positive impact in the field of mit for Education (WISE), aiming to become the college education. The chosen projects IdeaCamp Ta leading international ini- councillor of the future through will benefit from a year-long The Peninsula tiative driving innovation and the use of artificial intelligence mentorship programme tailored collaboration in education, has and data science, with the goal to address their specific needs. he Digital Incuba- revealed the names of four of transforming career guidance. Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO, tion Center (DIC) at projects selected to benefit from Pixis helps students explore and WISE, said, “These four promis- Tthe Ministry of the 2017-18 WISE Accelerator identify meaningful degrees and ing initiatives offer smart Transport and Commu- programme. jobs. Tabshoura in a Box (Leb- solutions to pressing education nications (MoTC) has The selected 2017-18 WISE anon) is an initiative of Lebanese challenges including the need for launched IdeaCamp - a Accelerator projects are CamBi- Alternative Learning that 21st century skills to prepare for new program for entre- oScience (UK), a cloud platform deploys an offline server filled an uncertain future of work, the preneurs, developers and delivering individualised online with digital resources. Aligned rapidly advancing field of STEM, designers who have great courses in life science technol- with the Lebanese school cur- and the global refugee crisis. We ideas for a technology ogies for professionals in riculum, the content is designed are pleased to welcome these solution. academia and industry. Its aim CamBioScience, one of the selected projects from the 2017-18 to fill learning gaps and avoid projects to the WISE Accelera- IdeaCamp offers a is to respond to the demands of WISE Accelerator programme. school dropouts in deprived tor programme, where they will series of workshops, the rapidly advancing fields of areas of Lebanon and refugee benefit from mentorship and training courses and science and technology, and an education programme aiming to documentary film as a stimulus communities. global connections, enabling mentorships for five ever-increasing share of jobs develop critical and independ- for learning and debate, Doc Each year, the WISE Accel- them to develop and scale for the weeks that will help requiring a background in STEM. ent thinking in young people. Academy is designed to help erator programme supports the benefit of the wider entrepreneurs develop Doc Academy (UK), an Using the power of teachers and students think development of young, community.” business models, build prototypes and test their ideas with local customers. By the end of the Qatar Patient Safety program, the entrepre- neurs with successful ideas will join the DIC Startup Track to take Week concludes their ideas to the next level, which begins this The Peninsula Al Emadi Hospital. The views and December 1. suggestions of visitors in Villag- Online applications he third Qatar Patient Safety gio on improving health services to join the program will Week organised by the Min- in Qatar were also surveyed be received at www.ide- Tistry of Public Health under through a questionnaire. acamp.qa until October theme “Together for Patient Health service providers were 18, 2017. Applications Safety” has concluded after also surveyed about patient expe- will then be screened and organising a number of events in rience through a questionnaire in owners of the accepted which large number of health which 109 health care providers applications will be noti- practitioners and general public participated. fied. IdeaCamp accepts Dr David Livermore, President of the Cultural Intelligence Center, interacting with others participated. Speaking at the closing cere- applications for any during the workshop. A week-long event included mony of the third Qatar Patient technology idea. How- lectures and seminars. The activ- Safety Week at the Ministry of ever, priority is given to ities were held at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Juliet Ibrahim entrepreneurs who sub- Public Health, Qatar University, from the Ministry of Public Health mit ideas in the following Sidra hosts workshops Aspetar Hospital and the Grand spoke about the National Health technology areas: Block- Hyatt Hotel with participation of Strategy (2017-2022). She briefed chain, 3D printing and The Peninsula Dr. Kholode Al Obaidli, Chief from effective communication all relevant sectors including a the attendees on the basic pillars the Internet of things Learning Officer, who has across cultures; improved cre- large number of health practition- of the health strategy towards bet- (IoT). idra Medical and Research championed for innovative and ativity and innovation; ers and the general public. ter health, better care and better The Digital Incuba- Center (Sidra) hosted a engaging learning and develop- enhanced job performance and Qatar Patient Safety Week is values. The lecture also addressed tion Center (DIC) was Sseries of workshops on cul- ment programs at Sidra said, increased profitability and cost a national initiative created by the the national objectives of the created in 2011 to boost tural intelligence for over 200 “With the rapid rate that our savings. HealthCare Quality and Patient strategy and stressed that the ICT innovation in Qatar, clinical and non-clinical lead- organization is growing and “The cultural intelligence Safety Department (HQPS) as a strategy was prepared through particularly among ers of the organisation recently. with over 80 different nation- model is based on four capabil- conduit to raise awareness and joint efforts. young people at the crit- The workshops were led by alities, it is critical that we have ities – drive, knowledge, spread the concepts of patient Dr. Ron Wyatt, Chief Quality ical early stages of international thought leader and an open dialogue and aware- strategy and action. The work- safety among all healthcare pro- Officer, Hamad Medical Corpo- starting or growing a author Dr David Livermore, ness about our cultural shop was a great exercise in viders as well as the public across ration, Director of Hamad technology-related President of the Cultural Intel- differences in the workplace. As getting a deeper understanding Qatar. The QPSW was attended Healthcare Quality Institute, business. ligence Center. a diverse healthcare organiza- of one’s personal culture versus by seven speakers from outside spoke about the safety of drugs The DIC is looking for Cultural Intelligence is a glo- tion in Qatar, we are taking other cultures within a team and the State of Qatar and 41 speak- and the importance of health care entrepreneurs capable of bally recognised way of active measures to ensure that how can we align expectations. ers from various Qatar-based as one of the main needs of the harnessing emerging assessing and improving effec- we have training and career I am incredibly inspired by an health institutions who partici- individual. He also addressed on technologies to create tiveness for culturally diverse development programs that cul- employee community like Sidra, pated in many lectures and panel the World Health Organization’s innovative products, situations. It is rooted in rigor- tivate a culture of respect, with more than 2500 employ- discussions, in addition to the “Third Global Challenge Initiative solutions, or services that ous, academic research workplace efficiency and safety ees from over 80 different wide participation of specialists on Patient Safety” and the medi- will contribute to Qatar’s conducted by scholars around which will benefit both staff and nationalities and how they can from the medical staff. cal errors. Huda Amer Al digital economy. the world. According to Dr our patients.” utilize those differences to drive A public awareness campaign Katheeri, Director of Health Care The DIC offers start- Livermore, Sidra is the first Dr Livermore who conducts innovation and quality care for was held at the Villaggio Mall on and Patient Safety Department at ups free office space, organization in Qatar, to adopt cultural intelligence workshops patients and their families.” said September 29 and 30 September. the Ministry of Public Health, technical support, train- his Cultural Intelligence model across the globe, pointed out Dr Livermore. The campaign included several thanked the attendees. Winners ing and guidance, into its corporate learning and empirical research reports on Dr Livermore will be back activities organized by the Minis- of the five posters from the local mentorship, as well as employee engagement organizations that improve their in Qatar again to conduct more try of Public Health in cooperation posters on quality improvement business planning and programs. cultural intelligence benefit sessions for leadership at Sidra. with the Qatar Red Crescent and and patient safety were awarded. legal advice. WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 07 ‘International Law authorises prosecution of siege countries’

QNA legal consequences attended by obligations through the law. The international agreement, UN with international criminal law, Dr. Al Qahtani said that the department directors at the Min- four countries, with their siege affirmed that the principles of the international maritime law, the State of Qatar is implementing he Hague Institute for Glo- istry of Foreign Affairs and of Qatar, have committed an act Charter of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration, economic empowerment and job bal Justice stressed that the officials from a number of min- that contravenes international embodied in this Declaration World Trade Organization (WTO) creation projects for Arab youth Tsiege imposed by the four istries and stakeholders. law, and we are here to clarify constitute fundamental princi- law, international investment in 16 Arab countries and aims to countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, At the beginning of the sem- the means of applying interna- ples of international law. law, international public law and generate job opportunities for 2.7 Bahrain and Egypt) on Qatar has inar, Foreign Minister’s Special tional law. He noted that there The speakers pointed out the International Court of million Arab youth by 2020. He not only created major political Envoy on Counterterrorism and are important organizations that that the measures that could be Justice. added there isn’t a state in the and economic disturbances in Mediation in Disputes’ settle- can be resorted to in the appli- taken to address violations of any Dr. Al Qahtani spoke about Arab and Islamic world has done the region, but also raised many ments HE Ambassador Dr. cation of international law, of the basic principles of the Qatar’s efforts in the fight against the same efforts as the State of issues of international law. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, namely the United Nations and international regime or any other terrorism. He stressed that Qatar Qatar in this field. At the end of The speakers, who partici- said that the main problem fac- specialized organizations, which rights violated by these countries has not supported terrorism in the seminar, the Assistant Direc- pated in the seminar entitled ing the international community in his view more effective than against Qatar under international any way. It is the only Arab and tor of the Diplomatic Institute “International legal means avail- is the implementation and appli- others because they have mech- law are to initiate legal actions Islamic country that is a mem- Nadia Ahmed Al Shaibi expressed able in the light of the four siege cation of international law. anisms to resolve disputes in a against states and individuals in ber of the Global Fund and has her thanks and appreciation to countries measures against HE Ambassador added that binding manner, but on condi- the context of the siege of Qatar donated $ 1 million to this fund, the Hague Institute for Global Qatar” organised by the Diplo- the focus on this problem is tion of proof of these by the four countries. which aims to address the root Justice for its valuable participa- matic Institute, said that the siege because there are violations by violations. The participants, Senior causes of violent extremism. tion in providing international is seen as a dangerous escalation the siege countries, stressing that For their part, experts at the Ambassador at the Institute HE H E Ambassador stressed legal frameworks to deal with of friendly relations between these violations are clear to all Hague Institute stressed that an Winand Staring, Dr. Stephen that the State of Qatar contrib- the siege. The participants also Qatar and those countries, and and any simple study will show important principle of conduct Rapp, a legal expert in the US utes to finding a radical solution expressed their thanks to the an attempt to interfere in Qatar’s the huge number of violations among countries was the United government and the United and addressing the causes of vio- Diplomatic Institute, which gave internal affairs. The seminar is committed by the siege countries Nations (UN) General Assembly Nations, and the Chief Executive lent extremism. In order to do so, them the opportunity to partic- among the intellectual events against the State of Qatar. resolution (No. 2625) of 1970, Officer (CEO) of the Institute Ste- 10 million children in 45 coun- ipate in this seminar which organised by the Diplomatic Dr. Al Qahtani said we must also known as the Declaration ven van Hoogstraten presented tries around the world have been highlighted the international law Institute that discuss the dam- prove to the world that there are on Friendly Relations, and the mechanisms for the adjudi- educated through the Education in dealing with the issues of the age caused by the siege and its violations of international although it was not a binding cation of cases in accordance for All programme. siege. Bedaya Center launches ‘Dukan’ Ministry opens QU organises IP new link The Peninsula about visas edaya Center for Entrepre- Awareness Day neurship and Career The Peninsula BDevelopment (Bedaya Center), a joint initiative by The Peninsula Property. o make procedures easier for Qatar Development Bank and They discussed various Qatar’s visitors, the Ministry of Silatech, has launched the sec- atar University (QU) topics which TInterior recently launched, on ond ‘Dukan’ -the cosy little shop held Innovation and included,“Copyright and the its official website, a new link about at Ezdan Mall. This follows the QIntellectual Property University: Protecting your visas, allowing visitors to search for successful opening of the first (IP) Awareness Day aiming Works”, “Innovation and visas based on nationality and branch at the Katara cultural vil- to promote and raise com- Intellectual Property in residence. lage, about a year ago. munity awareness on the Small Businesses”, “The Role This came under the Ministry’s Through ‘Dukan’, Bedaya protection of intellectual of the Ministry of Economy framework which aims to ease visas aims to support small and property at QU. and Commerce’s Intellec- to the country. The new link offers medium businesses founded by Officials inaugurating the second ‘Dukan’ -the cosy little shop The event was organ- tual Property Awareness many options such as the types of young, creative and ambitious ised by the Administration”, “The Role visas, how to avail them and how to at Ezdan Mall. local Qataris, helping them gain newly-established QU Inno- of the Ministry of Economy extend them. It also shows the rules visibility, promote their prod- Ezdan Malls Malik Awan, said, variety of special local projects vation and Intellectual and Commerce’s Intellec- related to every type of visa, in addi- ucts and display their goods and “Ezdan Mall is committed to are displayed, which are Property (IIP) Office, an arm tual Property Administration tion to some general tips. services in one of the most stra- supporting and marketing founded by local talented and of QU Research Planning in obtaining Patents in The Ministry also asked people to tegic shopping malls in town. national goods in view to create creative Qataris under the and Development Office Qatar”, and “Filing Patent participate in an online discussion on Reem Al Suwaidi, General greater self-sufficiency. For this supervision and guidance of and under the auspices of Application and PCT”. the website about their opinion of the Manager of Bedaya, said,” Today reason, we partnered with Bedaya Center for Entrepre- QU Vice-President for Dr. Mohamed Salem new procedures related to visas, and we are pleased to cultivate yet Bedaya Center to back their neurship and Career Research and Graduate Abou El Farag, IIP Office if they have any suggestion or expe- another success by opening the ambitious project ‘Dukan Development. Studies Prof Mariam Al Manager, provided a brief riences of entering Qatar. It also asks second branch of ‘Dukan’ at Bedaya’. Dukan’s objective is support Maadeed. on the office’s functions and people to write if they find any prob- Ezdan mall which will last for Furthermore, Ezdan Mall SMEs in Qatar by showcasing It included presenta- roles such as promoting lems or obstacles. three weeks. This initiative was Group General Manager said their products in an innovative tions delivered by innovation, protecting all The launching of the new link launched last year to support that this project is a quality addi- and different ways that attract intellectual property experts types of IP and enhancing coincided with the official celebration local SME’s and startups by tion to the series of initiatives the public and introduce the from QU and institutions IP awareness among QU of World Tourism Day, which was held highlight the pioneering inno- recently launched by Ezdan Mall products to them. Every two from the public and private community, supporting IP in Doha on September 27, under the vation in the country and to address the siege and pro- weeks, the displayed products sectors. Speakers were Dr enforcement, marketing QU theme of Sustainable Tourism-A Tool facilitate our next generation mote the Qatari culture. Such are changed enabling a large Mohamed Sayed Fares, QU IP rights, and negotiating IP for Development’ and attracted a become future business initiatives included the set-up number of entrepreneurs to par- College of Law Assistant licensing agreements. number of high-level officials from leaders”. of Tamim Al Majd murals, in ticipate and introduce their Professor of Law, Dr Arsa- Prof Mariam Al Maa- the international tourism sector. It also “The Dukan initiative coin- addition to the co-operation projects and products. lan Safari,QU Center for deed, said, “The came at a time when the country wit- cides with the our objective at with the Ministry of Culture & The Dukan initiative has Entrepreneurship Assistant newly-established QU-IIP nesses big development to be a tourist Bedaya to support the youth and Sports, over the past two opened the doors for new prod- Professor, Ahmed M Al- Office will contribute to destination.The MoI earlier announced young Qataris establish their months, to host a range of her- ucts to surface. It aims to supply Sulaiti, Head of Intellectual advancing QU research, that Qatar is now visa-free for citizens projects and businesses in a way itage activities that varied the needs of the local market Property Awareness Admin- inventions and IP profile, of over 80 countries around the world, that will allow a new generation between theatrical shows, plas- and thereby eliminate the istration at Qatar Ministry of while seeking to make in addition it had eased procedures to of entrepreneurs to become tic arts and various forms of dependence on imports. In order Economy and Commerce, research knowledge read- citizens of many other countries. With building blocks of our nation’s traditional crafts, which in turn to provide more details about Nival Nabil, Legal Expert at ily accessible by the this announcement, Qatar is now the future, as well as compliment attracted hundreds of visitors the products at the Dukan, a Qatar Ministry of Economy community, industry and highest in the region in terms of the growth of our local indus- and achieved a great interaction profile is displayed next to each and Commerce and Namir researchers without them number of nationalities eligible to tries and projects” she added. with the public.” item highlighting the business Bachir Sioufi, Patent Attor- violating the laid down rules enter visa-free, making it the most Group General-Manager of Under the roof of Dukan, a behind it and the product itself. ney at Saba & Co Intellectual and regulations.” open country in the region. HBKU and EMRQ sign MoU to collaborate on research projects

The Peninsula HBKU – EMRQ Research Schol- these that showcase HBKU’s ars Program, in which the two commitment to utilizing its amad Bin Khalifa Univer- organizations will collaborate on expertise to work hand-in-hand sity (HBKU), of Qatar joint research projects. with the industry.” HFoundation , and Exxon- The collaboration involves “The HBKU–EMRQ Research Mobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) the participation of graduate stu- Scholars Program highlights our signed a Memorandum of Under- dents from HBKU’s College of joint commitment to research, standing (MoU) yesterday, Humanities & Social Sciences and establishing a solid founda- forging a commitment to (CHSS) and the College of Science tion for Qatar’s sustainable advance science and technology and Engineering (CSE). Research future. Education is a fundamen- through research and develop- undertaken in the program will tal building block in our society, ment in Qatar. This partnership contribute to projects in the fields therefore, we at ExxonMobil aims to strengthen the coopera- of environmental management, have been working closely with tion between the two parties water usage, geology, and safety. our partners to encourage the through the exchange of knowl- Dr. Hasnah said, “At HBKU, pursuit of excellence in educa- edge, student opportunities and we actively work with our part- tion, particularly in science, academic development ners to build a robust ecosystem technology, engineering and programmes. of innovation and entrepreneur- math (STEM),” said Routledge. The MoU was signed by Dr ship. This collaboration with The HBKU–EMRQ Research Ahmad M Hasnah, President of ExxonMobil will build more syn- Scholars Program, within the HBKU, and Alistair Routledge, ergy between our students, signed MoU between the two President and General-Manager faculty and researchers, and the organisations aims to strengthen Officials during the launch of the programme. of ExxonMobil Qatar, at a cere- industry. One of the key focus the collaboration between aca- mony held at the HBKU areas of HBKU is the energy and demics and research, and the Headquarters in Education City, environment sector, and we look industry. The MoU will see fur- advisors and researchers in the organisations will strive towards relations, foster innovation, and in the presence of senior execu- forward to sharing knowledge ther engagement between the undertaken projects in the Schol- the continuous development of facilitate the development and tives from both organizations, and collaborating on research in experts from HBKU and Exxon- ars Program. student research programs, to use of state-of-the-art and marked the launch of the this field. It is partnerships like Mobil, serving as mentors, Through the agreement, both promote academic and industry technology. 08 HOME WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017

Katara and NHRC: Rights of 190 Qatar students in Egypt violated Unesco to launch

QNA which placed restrictions on universities are excluded from placing many obstacles in front NHRC said that it had addressed Cultural Diversity Qatari students studying in Egyp- the decision of imposing visas on of Qatari students studying in the National Council for Human he National Human Rights tian universities. Qataris wishing to visit the Egyp- Egyptian universities, which Rights in Egypt and several inter- Festival 2017 Committee (NHRC) has so The National Human Rights tian territory. caused their failure to attend national organizations, notably Tfar received about 190 Committee said that the Egyp- Although some of the stu- classes, especially since the aca- the United Nations Organization The Peninsula complaints from Qatari students tian procedures require dents have already obtained the demic year 2017/2018 has for Education, Science and Cul- studying in Egyptian universi- obtaining security approval visas to enter Egyptian territory, already begun. The Committee ture (UNESCO), the United he Cultural Village ties, who were prevented from before granting Qatari students the Egyptian authorities refused warned that these obstacles also Nations High Commissioner for Foundation- Katara in completing their studies. a visa to complete their studies their entry after arrival at Egyp- caused absence at the second Human Rights, Amnesty Inter- Tcooperation with the Some of the students were in Egyptian universities or tian airports, claiming they did round examinations and the national and Human Rights Unesco Office in Doha is set also prevented from attending attending examinations, though not obtain security approvals, other exams during September Watch, as those actions against to launch the second edition the final exams last September the Egyptian authorities had pre- and demanded that they return and October 2017, stressing that Qatari students represent a fla- of the annual ‘Cultural Diver- due to the recent measures taken viously said that the Qatari to Qatar, the NHRC added. this represents a gross violation grant violation of the right to sity Festival’ tonight at Katara by the Egyptian authorities students enrolled in Egyptian The Egyptian authorities are of their right to education. The education. Amphitheatre. ‘The Festival will witness the participation of folkloric groups from more than 20 different countries. MEEZA helps to expand The opening ceremony will start at 7.30pm featuring a performance by a Qatari Q-Post’s capabilities folkloric group. It will be fol- lowed by a Palestinian folkloric performance from The Peninsula framework of Qatar Post’s new 8.45pm till 9.30pm. identity.” The festival will feature a n the framework of reinvent- He added: “MEEZA intends wide array of cultural per- ing the country’s postal to draw on its industry exper- formances reflecting Isector to provide ‘21st cen- tise and years-long of authentic cultural identity of tury’ services to its citizens and experience in supporting and more than 20 countries, some businesses, MEEZA, Qatar’s implementing ICT-based of which are taking part for prominent end-to-end Managed projects for big corporations the first time. Among the IT Services & Solutions Provider, and renowned institutions in countries participating in this is helping Qatar Post substan- Qatar as well as the entire edition are Qatar, Palestine, tially expand its capabilities region, and we are confident Lebanon, Algeria, Ethiopia, through a Managed IT services that our partnership will bring Togo, South Africa, China, for all its IT initiatives. about results that will exceed South Korea, Pakistan, Iran, The partnership is coming expectations and significantly Chechnya, Turkey, Hungary, into effect in tandem with Qatar improve the user experience as Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine, Post’s modernization drive and well as make internal processes Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Officials of MEEZA and Q-Post during the launch of the partneship. its recently revealed new visual more efficient.” Mexico and Brazil. identity. On his part, Faleh Alnaemi, Commenting on the occa- Qatar Post’s Chairman and companies in Qatar, in line with comes on the heels of Qatar cover the company’s ICT Infra- sion, Eng. Ahmad Mohamed Al Managing Director, said: our core values of reliability, Post confirming that its newly structure, Security Services, Kuwari, MEEZA’s CEO, said, “As “Since its inception more effectiveness, openness, moder- revealed visual identity marks Service Operations, Disaster AL Sulaiteen a selected ICT partner of the than six decades ago, Qatar nity and excellence.” the postal company’s complete Recovery, Call Center Opera- Ministry of Transportation and Post’s core mission has been to He added: “MEEZA’s expe- service-overhaul, which tions, as well as a number of Communication, MEEZA is bring people closer together as rience in Managed IT Services includes single-counter serv- End User “Desktop-as-a-Serv- Group of delighted to be working with well as bring the world to their and its track-record of success- ices, a mobile application that ice” features. Qatar Post, which we consider doorstep in an efficient man- ful project and ventures in the tracks parcels and supports MEEZA, a Qatar Foundation Companies as a key pillar of the country’s ner. However, the world has field, makes it the right partner online payments, and a joint venture, is an established development over the years, to dramatically changed since and one of the major driving 25-branch renovation process, end-to-end Managed IT Serv- signs contracts help bring the postal company’s then, and it is now time for us forces behind bringing our as well as Qatar’s first-of-its- ices & Solutions Provider based digital infrastructure and its to bring our vision and the serv- vision to fruition, and we are kind logistics hub count on the in Qatar that aims to accelerate The Peninsula end-user services to the 21st ices we provide to customers thrilled to work together to site of the old Doha Interna- the growth of the country and Century. MEEZA has been work- and businesses to the 21st Cen- bring fully reimagined world- tional Airport. the region through the provi- n order to improve its ing closely with the company to tury. Qatar Post’s new visual class services to our users, as To make this possible, sion of world-class Managed IT experience in the field of understand its ICT transforma- identity holds the promise of a well as towards turning Qatar MEEZA will be providing Qatar Services and Solutions. MEEZA’s Iagricultural, poultry as tion objectives and the exact much faster, more connected into one of the major logistical Post with a sophisticated range offerings include Data Centre well as sheep breeds, a del- ways we can contribute to and hands-on user experience hubs between Asia and Europe.” of end-to-end Managed IT Services, Cloud Services and IT egation from AL Sulaiteen achieving their goals, in the to citizens, residents and MEEZA’s announcement Services and Solutions that Security Services. Group of Companies arrived in Warsaw recently for a working visit to the Repub- lic of Poland. The delegation, headed QU-CBE lines up key achievements and future plans by Khaled Abdulla Al Sulaiteen, Vice-Chairman of AL Sulaiteen Group of Com- The Peninsula highly qualified professionals, and Local Development, first-of- systems, Prof Mostafa Kamal Accounting (MAC) program, 22 panies, headed directly to maintaining a strong relationship its-kind in Qatar,” said Dr Hassan said: “The department students have been accepted the city of Olsztyn. atar University College of between the college’s alumni and Mahmoud Abdellatif. will continue to offer the account- among 31 candidates. Around The visit aims at signing Business and Economics its Advisory Board, and keeping On management and market- ing courses in Arabic for the 36.36% are Qataris. While for the of a cooperation contract Q(QU-CBE) held a press con- abreast of the ever-changing ing, Dr Bader Al-Esmail Arabic tracks.” He also noted that Master of Science in Marketing, between the University of ference recently to outline its key needs of the local and regional highlighted the increase of the department’s accounting pro- 26 students have been admitted Warmia and Mazury and Al achievements and future plans labour market, among many research output at CBE Manage- gram has earned endorsement among 46 candidates. Around Sulaiteen Center for for the academic year 2017-18. others.” ment and Marketing Department, by IMA® (Institute of Manage- 46.1% are Qataris.” Research, Studies, Agricul- The press conference was He also stressed the impor- noting that over 70 papers have ment Accountants) and Additionally, CBE promotes tural Training - one of moderated by Dr. Khalid Shams tance of increasing the been published in scientific jour- accreditation by the Association research by providing programs Al-Sulaiteen Group compa- Al Abdulqader, CBE Dean; Dr. organization and implementa- nals and books and presented in of Chartered Certified Account- with thesis track (Master of nies (State of Qatar) the Belaid Aouni, CBE Associate Dean tion of international conferences various conferences. ants (ACCA). Accounting and Master of Science delegation has visited agri- for Research and Graduate Pro- that align with local and regional “CBE Finance and Econom- “These achievements focused in Marketing). It also continues to cultural, poultry as well as grams; Dr. Mahmoud Abdellatif, needs, and of fostering links with ics Department will continue to exclusively on advancing the support faculty members to sheep breeds improving Director of CBE Center for Entre- institutions from various sectors advance its research initiatives accounting profession, recogniz- develop research by securing research and studies preneurship; and Dr. Bader Al through partnerships and collab- through the organization of ing that the accounting program grants. Indeed, in 2017, CBE fac- centers. Esmail, CBE Department Heads orations that enhance education research seminars and seminars meets high educational stand- ulty members have secured nine The delegation also of Management and Marketing; and research outcomes. on tax awareness to ensure a full ards, preparing students to enter internal grants and one external attended the annual cele- Prof Mohamed Gaied of Finance “CBE Center for Entrepre- engagement with the community, the profession of accounting and grant of the Undergraduate bration of the opening of the and Economics; Prof Mostafa neurship has been selected the improvement of research the job market,” he added. Research Experience Program academic year of the univer- Kamal Hassan of Accounting and among the top 35 centers in the metrics, and the establishment of Prof Belaid Aouni said: “There (UREP). sity. And participated in Information Systems. Highlight- world by the Information and research groups in support of the is an increasing demand for pro- In order to support student many important meetings ing the new pillars of CBE’s new Knowledge Management Soci- Corporate Governance Center,” grams offered at CBE. In Fall 2017, exchange activities, CBE selected with the President ,Vice strategy, Dr Khalid Shams Al ety. He also highlighted that the said Prof Mohamed Gaied, on 43 students have been accepted five students to represent the col- President ,senior officials of Abdulqader said: “The college’s center will organize the Interna- finance and economics. in the MBA program among 95 lege at the International Master’s the University andsome new strategy is based on several tional Conference on While speaking about candidates. Around 67.5% are Summer School, held at the Uni- Polish businessmen .the two pillars such as the graduation of Entrepreneurship, Innovation accounting and information Qataris. Regarding the Master of versity of Bradford in the UK. parties discussed aspects of cooperation between the Al Sulaiteen group companies and Major Polish companies particularly in the field of Quarantine offices destroy 38 tonnes food and medicine and they Invites Polish companies to invest in Qatar, that wel- of imported agricultural products comes foreign investment. Mr. Khalid, head of the The Peninsula ent customs points. delegation and vice chair- The quarantine offices man of the board of he Ministry of Municipal- destroyed 114 consignments country’s agricultural wealth directors of Al-Sulaiteen ity and Environment’s weighing more than 38 tonnes for from foreign-originated pests. Group, the head of the del- Tagricultural quarantine violating the agricultural quar- It also provides that all plants, egation, signed a offices have inspected 8,071 antine law and for certain agricultural products and any cooperation contract with imported consignments, weigh- damages. other materials shall be subject the University of Warmia ing more than 93,492 tonnes, The agricultural quarantine to phytosanitary regulations for and Mazury in the office of from various types of imported is a first line of defence for pro- its procedures and to ensure that the President of the Univer- agricultural consignments, plant tection from agricultural other agricultural production sity in the presence of products and production inputs infections. The preventive pro- inputs are in conformity with the members of the delegation in September across the differ- cedure aims to protect the conditions and specifications. accompanying him as well as the media. WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 MIDDLE EAST 09 Palestine Cabinet meets after historic patch up

Gaza City interview on Monday night AFP Yesterday’s cabinet Abbas said there would be “one meeting was the state, one system, one law and he Palestinian cabinet first in Gaza since one weapon” — in an apparent met in Gaza for the reference to Hamas’s military first time since 2014 November 2014, wing. yesterday, as Israel and comes a day Hamas could not “copy or warned it would reject after Palestinian clone Hezbollah’s experience in Tany reconciliation deal between Lebanon,” he added, referring to the Palestinian factions unless Prime Minister Rami a situation where an independ- Islamists Hamas disarm. Hamdallah entered ent armed group exerts major The meeting comes as part the territory for the influence on national politics. of moves to end a decade-long first time since a unity Hamas officials reject the split between the internationally possibility of disarming. recognised Palestinian Author- government collapsed Hamas leader Haniyah said ity, based in the occupied West in June 2015. they were willing to “pay any Bank, and Hamas, which runs the price” for reconciliation but ana- Gaza Strip. since a unity government col- lysts say disarming would The return of the PA to Gaza lapsed in June 2015. effectively mean the end of the had been cautiously welcomed At the beginning of the meet- movement. The United States by the United States and the ing, which took place at the cautiously welcomed Hamdal- United Nations, but Israeli Prime official Gaza residence of Abbas lah’s visit Monday. Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza, Hamdallah pledged to But US special envoy Jason said it could be a “bogus” recon- end the rift. “We are here to turn Greenblatt also said any Pales- ciliation “at the expense of our the page on division, restore the tinian government “must existence”. national project to its correct unambiguously and explicitly Hamas has controlled Gaza direction and establish the (Pal- Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyah (centre) makes a speech in Gaza City commit to nonviolence, recog- since seizing it from the PA in a estinian) state,” he said. yesterday. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (right) and Leader of Hamas in Gaza, nition of the State of Israel, near civil war in 2007, and since Afterwards, government acceptance of previous agree- Yahya Es-Sinvar also attended the meeting. then multiple reconciliation spokesman Yusuf Al Mahmud ments and obligations between attempts have failed. said a full reconciliation deal the parties and peaceful But the Islamists announced would take time. setting up what was seen as a right to exist. of our existence,” Netanyahu said negotiations.” last month they were willing to “The government does not rival government, reducing elec- The United States and the in a statement. UN Middle East envoy Nick- hand over civilian control to the have a magic wand,” he told tricity payments for Gazans. European Union blacklist Hamas “Whoever wants to make olay Mladenov said he was PA, which is dominated by Pal- reporters. A key sticking point between as a terrorist organisation, com- such a reconciliation, our under- “encouraged” by the develop- estinian president Mahmoud The sides were to hold fur- the two Palestinian sides will plicating the formation of any standing is very clear: recognise ments and wanted to see the Abbas’ Fatah movement. ther talks in Cairo. likely be Hamas’s powerful mil- potential unity government. the State of Israel, disband the Palestinian Authority government Yesterday’s cabinet meeting More than two million peo- itary wing that has fought three Israel said any deal would be Hamas military arm, sever the exercise full control in Gaza. “This was the first in Gaza since ple live in impoverished Gaza, wars with Israel since 2008. unacceptable unless Hamas dis- connection with Iran — which is essential for resolving the November 2014, and comes a which has been blockaded by The Palestinian Authority has armed. “We are not prepared to calls for our destruction.” humanitarian situation as soon day after Palestinian Prime Min- Israel and Egypt for years. signed peace deals with Israel, accept bogus reconciliations in In response Hamas said as possible, most notably the crip- ister Rami Hamdallah entered The Palestinian Authority has but Hamas was not party to them which the Palestinian side appar- Israel was the primary benefici- pling electricity and health crises,” the territory for the first time also sought to punish Hamas for and does not recognise Israel’s ently reconciles at the expense ary of the division. In an he said in a statement.

Netanyahu backs expansion of Defence casts doubt on case against Benghazi suspect West Bank Washington Khattala was not the ringleader working at the compound — another local unarmed force hundreds of times,” he said, add- AP and only went to the site of the were to blame for the attacks. working with the Americans did ing that he later plowed through settlement attacks because he was curious The defense has called Abu their job in alerting the pending parked vehicles and a wooden efence attorneys worked about what was happening. Khattala a “Libyan patriot” who strike. He said members of that roadblock. yesterday to raise doubt Defense attorney Michelle Peter- fought on America’s side in the group who had been trained to They eventually reached the sraeli Prime Minister Ben- Dthat Ahmed Abu Khattala son cross-examined the war against Gadhafi. shout “attack, attack, attack” to CIA annex, which was then jamin Netanyahu yesterday was the man who orchestrated diplomatic security agent, Chris “You knew there were Gad- warn the Americans did scream attacked by mortars. He recalled Ipledged to build “thou- the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Wickland, who had testified hafi loyalists who still the words into their radios just being treated in a medical room sands” of new homes in a Libya, highlighting evidence about confronting members of remained?” she asked before the strike. for his injuries, drinking water major West Bank settlement about how local Libyan forces a Libyan security force who he Wickland. On Monday, Wickland and eating fruit for energy. He east of Jerusalem, insisting it working for the Americans didn’t thought let down the Americans “Yes,” he replied. offered an emotional account of was having trouble breathing would one day be part of Israel. defend the U.S. compounds. during the attack. “By the time the revolution how he tried to save Stevens and because of the smoke he had “We shall build here The trial for Abu Khattala “I remember looking at them was over, there were still loyal- Smith at the diplomatic com- inhaled, but there was no oxy- thousands of housing units” entered its second day with U.S. dead in the eye and said ‘Where ists?” she asked. pound. He retook the stand gen to help with that and he and add industrial zones, government prosecutors contin- were you?’” Wickland said he “I would assume so,” Wick- Tuesday morning and continued grabbed a gun and took up a Netanyahu said during a uing to question a diplomatic told them during a lull in the land replied. his harrowing tale of surviving position to help with the attack visit to the Maaleh Adumim security agent who tried unsuc- attack. After gunfire resumed, Wickland testified that the and how he and other Americans on the annex. settlement of 37,000 cessfully to save ambassador the disorganized local force “just armed local Libyan force that jumped in an armored vehicle Later, he heard a loud explo- people. Chris Stevens and Sean Patrick started running.” scattered at one point during the in hopes of driving to the CIA sion and David Ubben, another “This place will be a part Smith, a State Department infor- Peterson, who sat next to attack might have been disor- annex nearby. Wickland, who diplomatic security agent, was of the state of Israel,” he mation management officer, Abu Khattala during the trial, ganized, but did not show was driving, described how the brought down to the medical added, speaking in Hebrew. from a burning U.S. compound. highlighted the Libyan force’s hostility toward the Americans. vehicle was attacked during their room. Netanyahu has repeatedly Nearly eight hours later, two lack of response in helping Two of the members of that force circuitous drive through groups “The mortar basically had spoken of major blocs of West more Americans, contract secu- defend U.S. personnel as part of Wickland knew personally were of hostile Libyans. ripped off his leg,” Wickland Bank settlements being rity officers Tyrone Woods and a strategy to suggest that other so disturbed by what had hap- “I just floored it. They (armed said. “He had shrapnel in his absorbed into Israel. in a Glen Doherty, died in a mortar local Libyans — perhaps former pened that they had “tears in men along the road) all raised up face, and it had ripped off part future peace agreement with attack on a CIA complex nearby. loyalists to former Libyan leader their eyes,” he said. (their weapons) and started of his arm. It’s hard to see your the Palestinians. The defense says Abu Muammar Gaddafi or turncoats Wickland also testified that shooting the car, pelting the car friend like that.” Turkey seeks to isolate Syria Idlib jihadists opposing truce

Istanbul two countries involved, are due The aim was to encourage Reuters to police its edges. jihadist fighters who are not Cavusoglu said the first stage, members of al Qaeda to “melt urkey is luring militants already under way, was to sep- into society”. away from the jihadist arate “moderate rebels” from At least two million people Talliance that controls Syr- “terror organisations” - a refer- live in Idlib, the largest populated ia’s northwestern Idlib province ence to Nusra, which cut ties with Syrian area held by rebels - as a step towards implementing al Qaeda last year, rebranded including some nationalist Free a deal to reduce violence there, itself and now spearheads the Syrian Army factions who some- Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavu- Tahrir al-Sham jihadist alliance times fought alongside jihadists. soglu said yesterday. that dominates Idlib. The province’s population has Idlib is one of four “de-esca- His comments endorsed ballooned as thousands of civil- lation” zones which foreign remarks by a rebel source who ians and combatants have left powers agreed to establish in said that efforts by foreign states areas seized by the Syrian army opposition territory in western were under way to encourage in other parts of the country, with Syria after years of civil war. But defections from the alliance, to the help of Russian jets and Iran- the former al Qaeda branch break it up, isolate it and reduce backed militias. which controls the province has its capacity to oppose any Turk- Turkey already controls a pledged to keep fighting Syrian ish military deployment. swathe of northern Syria east of government forces and their “With regards to Nusra, they Idlib following a military incur- allies. are working to weaken it sion in 2016. The rebel source The ex-Nusra Front’s stance through intelligence opera- said up to 2,000 fighters being has raised doubt about how Tur- tions,” the source told Reuters. trained by Turkish forces could key, one of three parties to the Those could include assassina- deploy to Idlib, where many peo- Displaced residents unloading their belongings from a truck inside a refugee camp for people agreement, can proceed with tions and campaigns to undercut ple have close ties to Turkey and displaced by fightings between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Islamic State militants in Ain plans to deploy observers inside the group’s popular support, the could welcome a Turkish Issa, Syria, yesterday. Idlib. Russia and Iran, the other source said. presence. 10 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Catalonian struggle What Jeremy Corbyn can ll over the world, secessionist movements are gaining momentum and gaining acceptance in the regions where they are erupting. This is largely a result of the individualism that is ruling our times. teach the Arab Spring Ethnic A and regional groups are demanding independence and self-rule fueled by a desire for has changed the political landscape. Cor- by splits, and can only really come alive distinct identity and more prosperity. Kurdistan David Hearst byn’s transformation from muppet to again under a new leadership drawn from witnessed a referendum last week, which sent master of all he surveys is remarkable. And its youth. Other elements of the opposition shockwaves through the region and invited it holds clear lessons for the battered bat- are in an even worst state. They are not consequences, and now we are seeing the Catalonian talions of the Arab Spring. addressing the central question in the Arab clamour for secession from Spain gathering speed. In Corbyn has much in common with the world. This is no longer about identity poli- the same way as the Kurdistan referendum trigged a hat a difference a year makes. This forces that led the Arab Spring: both repre- tics and whether you label yourself Islamist tremor across the Middle East, the Catalonian time last year Jeremy Corbyn was sent the poor and the working classes; both or secular. It is about how to govern, in referendum sent ripples across Europe. The only fighting to stay leader of the emerged from the fringes of the political Corbyn’s words, for the many not the few. difference is that Europe is no Middle East or Asia. This Labour Party. It mattered little spectrum; both surprised the establish- Its about giving everyone a fair share of is a continent where ideals of freedom and democracy that he had just been re-elected ment; both had the overwhelming majority the state’s resources, about creating a state are deeply entrenched in popular culture, are Wby 250,000 party members, the largest mandate of the media against them; and both were which protects rather than preys off its considered sacrosanct and protected by constitutions. ever won by a party leader. It mattered even less the frequent targets of attempted coups. people. Its about a functional and fair The biggest fallout of the Catalonian referendum is that Labour had become the largest political party The military coup in Egypt succeeded, minded economy. To this neither political that the issue has been thrust into the global limelight. in Europe. Corbyn was savaged by Labour MPs and but the same counter revolutionary forces Islam nor the other opposing secular liberal It has sparked a constitutional crisis in Spain and has the media at every turn. “They won’t stop until they funded by the same dictatorships also tried forces provide alternative answers other raised fears of unrest and prolonged political instability see our blood on the floor,” one member of his team a coup in Tunisia, Turkey and latterly in than to mouth the discredited economic in its wealthiest region, deepening the divide between observed. Corbyn was assailed for not singing the Qatar. The right wing of the Labour Party mantra of global capital. They are resilient Madrid and Barcelona. At the same time, it’s a crisis national anthem, for debating whether to wear a and the most senior members of the parlia- as a protest movement, but they have no that could have been prevented from worsening if both white or red poppy, for refusing to kneel before the mentary party openly and repeatedly tried programme, no manifesto for the day after sides had acted with restraint. It’s unfortunate that Queen. The right wing Daily Mail styled him “Com- to unseat their party leader. a dictator falls. They seek power but have almost 900 people were injured during the police rade Corbyn”. The soft left were even less But there are significant differences, little idea what to do with it. forgiving. too. In his most difficult moments, Corbyn I am not saying these opposition forces crackdown on the The BBC, a public service broadcaster with a stuck by his constituency and never dis- are redundant. They are needed now more referendum, which would legal duty to be impartial, also had the knives out tanced himself from it; he did not appease, than ever before because Arab regimes only help to harden for him. In one infamous interview, Laura even in moments when he looked bad; he since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, have positions. Leaders in The biggest Kuenssberg, its political editor, did not so much did not triangulate or change his message. failed miserably to create a self-confident, fallout of the Catalonia must realise that grill Corbyn, as turn him over slowly on a roasting He stuck to his guns in the knowledge that independent and economically prosperous independence cannot be Catalonian spit. Kuenssberg assailed him for his well-known voters would deliver, which they did. Arab world, and their model of governance achieved through a mere opposition to nuclear weapons, and — in a longer The Islamist victors of the first free is broken. Look at the wealthiest country in referendum is declaration after a vote, interview published online - for his opposition to elections in the modern history of Egypt the Arab world, Saudi Arabia, a regime that the issue and leaders in Madrid must shoot-to-kill policing. and Tunisia thought they needed to recon- which is now trying to rebrand itself as a has been thrust realise that the desire and LK [interrupting]. So yes or no. You would cile with their enemies in the old regime, champion of women’s rights. It has just calls for independence into the global never push the nuclear button? big business and the establishment to given up half a trillion dollars of its wealth cannot be suppressed JC: I’ve answered you perfectly clearly. It’s secure stability in society. By doing so, they in civil and military contracts, and pledges, limelight. through force. The only immoral to have or use nuclear weapons. I’ve allowed the establishment to drive a wedge to Donald Trump, while their economy is option for both sides is to sit made that clear all of my life. between them, their voters, and their fel- contracting. across the table for At no point did she produce counter-argu- low revolutionaries. In contrast, Corbyn does have a plan negotiations. The European ments like the widespread scepticism of military Mohamed Morsi begun his presidency and if the turnaround in his fortunes was commission reacted wisely when it said the strategists on the wisdom of maintaining a by taking an oath in Tahrir Square. He attributed to any single factor it was his referendum was “not legal” but at the same time called weapon Britain could never use independently. ended it by abandoning the secular left in manifesto. Just five weeks before the date on the Spanish government to open dialogue, saying Her editorial purpose was to portray Corbyn as favour of his new found friends in the of the last general election, Corbyn was violence could not be an instrument in politics. man unfit to govern. Army. A week before they marched him off trailing 20 points in the polls behind the We cannot say that people in Catalonia have Half the shadow cabinet helped her to convey to prison, Morsi thought the army had his Conservatives, having just lost massively in spoken up unanimously in favour of secession after the this message: Andy Burnham, shadow home sec- back. Today, a continually compromising local elections. His fortunes changes once vote. According to officials, only 2.26 million Catalans – retary; Maria Eagle, shadow defence secretary; — and compromised — Ennadha party in his manifesto appeared. Why? Because for which is only 43 percent of the region’s 5.3 million Hilary Benn, shadow foreign secretary; Angela Tunisia backed a law giving amnesty to the first time in a generation, it offered vot- eligible voters – took part in the referendum which was Eagle, shadow business secretary; Lord Falconer, corruption in the era of Ben Ali. To be a ers an appealing and clear alternative. staged in defiance of the Spanish government and the shadow justice secretary; and Heidi Alexander, supporter of the Arab Spring is to be con- There is another lesson here for the constitutional court and the Catalan high court. The shadow health secretary. tinually betrayed. And for what? Scraps of forces of the Arab world: public opinion is number of voters was less than half the population. It Kuenssberg was taken to the BBC Trust for international aid? The IMF? volatile and no battle is ever won or lost. seems that the proponents of independence came out that interview and the Trust ruled in Corbyn’s Not that their former partners in the The counter-revolutionary forces of abso- to vote while those who opposed it or didn’t have a favour. It found that the BBC’s political editor had secular left fared much better. They were lute monarchs and military dictators have view stayed back. inaccurately reported the Labour leader’s views corrupted by the bribes they were given to sunk billions of dollars trying to sell the Europe as a continent is already populated with too about shoot-to-kill, presenting his general views sabotage their fellow revolutionaries; they notion that the Arab Spring is dead and that many small countries and further splintering of states as a response to a specific question about the too played identity politics, lacking the everyone who took part in it should pack would only increase the number. Formation of new Paris attacks, when they plainly were not. vision to understand that unity was more up and go home. Corbyn proves there is life Kuenssberg was undeterred by the finding that important than sectional gain. after death. states doesn’t always lead to a better future and more she had breached the BBC’s own rules of imparti- Corbyn’s movement understood that Lesson number one: never give up. Les- prosperity, though it can be an expression of identity. ality and fairness. It was the political hunting the media would never back him. So it cre- son number two: know your constituency. European leaders too need to take a strong and clear season, and Corbyn was fair game. Martha Kear- ated its own alternative channels of Lesson number three: never allow anyone stance on an issue that is getting out of control. ney, John Humphreys were all part of the hunting communication with the electorate which to get between you and it. Lesson number party. worked well - social media, meetings on four: create your own media. Lesson Fast forward a few months and look how dif- the door step and in the town hall - all well number five: construct a programme that ferently Kuenssberg (who turned up at the Labour below the radar of the national media. helps the working class. Lesson number six: Party conference with a bodyguard) treats Cor- The forces which led the Arab Spring do not try to reconcile with those who hate QUOTE OF THE DAY byn. Gone are the smears and the epithets. were overwhelmed by the hostility of the you, because you will lose either way. Corbyn is being reported straight. The BBC is media and could not keep Whatever the future holds for him, Cor- starting to treat Corbyn seriously as a future in touch with their elector- byn has changed the landscape of British prime minister. ate. In exile they are still politics — which is more than can be said I don‘t think that vote was Which is just as well, because he could eas- far from being a govern- for a host of Labour leaders before him. particularly an unexpected ily be. Even if he never is, the Labour leader is ment in waiting. The Arab states do not need yet another tradi- one. I have put an offer out setting the domestic agenda. Austerity, privati- Brotherhood is wracked tional leader. They need a transformation. there as what the future sation of the NHS, inner city regeneration (code That can only be done from the inside, partnership for the UK and for gentrification), student fees, zero contract from the youth upwards. No outside the EU could be. Now we hours - the words which formed the narrative Corbyn’s transformation from power is going to help them. In fact, it will for the last two decades have become politically actively thwart them. This is a job for wait to hear from the EU muppet to master of all he toxic. Labour will never again be - in Peter Man- surveys is remarkable and Arabs themselves. They have already paid what their response is. delson’s phrase - intensely relaxed about the in blood for losing once, in Egypt, in Syria, filthy rich. (In February this year, Mandelson it holds clear lessons for the in Libya, in Yemen. One day, however, said he worked to undermine Corbyn “every battered battalions of the Arab they will prevail and for that they have to Theresa May day”.) Spring. prepare now. UK Prime Minister Whatever the future holds for him, Corbyn The writer is editor-in-chief of Middle East WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 OPINION 11 Are Trump, Tillerson doing good cop, bad cop?

Korean military exercises that Matthew Pennington & often exacerbate tensions on the Matthew Lee divided Korean Peninsula. The AP official wasn’t authorised to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity. Even that appears a remote f President Donald Trump and his top diplo- possibility. Analysts and even mat are playing “good cop, bad cop” with governments in between say North Korea, it doesn’t appear to be working: Trump is making it increasingly Entreaties of diplomacy aren’t yielding difficult for the North to have meaningful talks, and military threats aren’t confidence in any diplomatic Iscaring Pyongyang into halting its nuclear effort with the United States, advance. given his threats to demolish a Instead, America’s mixed messaging may be 2-year-old arms control pact with increasing the risk of miscalculation by the iso- Iran. lated, communist government, which lacks insight And back-channel diplomacy into the Trump administration’s thinking and between senior US and North could mistake brinkmanship for an overt threat of Korean diplomats — primarily war. aimed at freeing detained Ameri- Although American military action could invite cans — hasn’t helped repair any devastating consequences for its South Korean trust. In fact, the two sides have ally, Trump has threatened to use military options barely communicated for the last and offered sometimes apocalyptic visions of the couple of weeks and there is no North unless it ends its nuclear and missile testing. sign North Korea wants to re- US President Donald Trump smiles at Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in the Oval office of the White North Korea has launched intercontinental engage, according to officials with ballistic missiles that can potentially strike the US House in Washington DC. knowledge of the discussions. mainland and a month ago conducted its largest The “good cop, bad cop” ploy ever underground nuclear explosion. It has threat- acknowledging open channels of communications example of the president appearing to step on his is unlikely to work, said Evans ened to explode another nuclear bomb above the between the two countries. top diplomat’s toes, even if advertently, perhaps Revere, a former State Depart- Pacific. Hours later, Trump chimed in. more concerning for the United States is the lack ment official who took part in Amid all the threats, however, some level of “I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of results Trump’s hardnosed approach or Tiller- unofficial talks in Switzerland US-North Korean diplomacy has survived. of State, that he is wasting his time trying to nego- son’s softer tack have produced. with North Korean officials last Speaking last weekend in China, which wants tiate with Little Rocket Man,” Trump tweeted Trump’s “bad cop” may have galvanised action month. The North, he said, wants Washington to resume a full dialogue with Sunday, once again deploying his pet name for by China, the North’s traditional diplomatic pro- only to speak to Washington as Pyongyang, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson fueled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “Save your tector and main trading partner, which has agreed “one nuclear power to another.” speculation of a new diplomatic effort, energy Rex, we’ll do what has to be done!” to tough new UN sanctions on its ally’s primary The jarring tweet fueled a narrative that Trump sources of revenue for weapons development. The Matthew Pennington is a reporter on was undermining his chief interlocutor with the measures include banning imports of North US-Asian affairs for The Associated world. But officials close to Tillerson insisted that Korean coal, iron ore and textiles, and new limits Press. Formerly in Thailand, Pakistan Trump’s “bad cop” may the pair were on the same page, and that Trump on crucial oil and petroleum supplies. and Afghanistan and Matthew Lee is have galvanised action by was merely sending a message to North Korea that But none of the economic pressure has forced the Chief state department corre- China, the North’s traditional it would have to show up in serious negotiating Kim’s government to even slow down a nuclear spondent for The Associated Press, diplomatic protector and mood to any diplomatic talks. acceleration that could soon put the entire United covering US foreign policy and inter- Whatever the intent, confusion was the result. States within range. national affairs. main trading partner, which And on Monday, White House spokeswoman Tillerson’s “good cop” has hardly fared better. has agreed to tough new Sarah Huckabee Sanders compounded the impres- The North professes to not even be interested in UN sanctions on its ally’s sion that the White House views diplomacy as a diplomacy unless the US abandons its “hostile primary sources of revenue dead end. policy.” The only conversations the US is willing to During his meetings in Beijing, the Chinese for weapons development. have with North Korea are about the fate of the assured Tillerson they would implement the UN The measures include banning three Americans being held there, she said. Back- sanctions and press their local authorities near D-RING ROAD imports of North Korean coal, channel talks in the spring led to the release of North Korea’s border to stamp out banned activity, POST BOX: 3488 iron ore and textiles, and college student Otto Warmbier, who returned according to a State Department official familiar home with brain damage and died days later. with the talks. DOHA - QATAR new limits on crucial oil and “Beyond that there will be no conversations China wants the North to halt its nuclear and [email protected] petroleum supplies. with North Korea at this time,” Sanders said. missile tests, however remote the goal, and is eye- While the episode represents the latest ing the winter months when there are no US-South EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Is Brexit really going to help British workers? MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505 fight for better pay and conditions. That’s how But long term, the failure to stand with women workers DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR things improve. was both unethical and left workers as a whole weaker, Nick Dearden TEL: 4455 7769 Al Jazeera But any move away from this free movement leaving women more exploited — just what big business means “managed migration” under which wanted. migrant workers are judged primarily by their None of this means that things are fine for British LOCAL NEWS SECTION economic value. That means employers bringing workers. Britain has a very deregulated “labour mar- TEL: 4455 7743 workers into the country on strict terms. More ket”, with dreadful stories emerging regularly of big orkers’ strength comes power is in the hands of the employer, who business employing workers on disgraceful terms BUSINESS NEWS SECTION through united action. decides whether an employee can stay in the and conditions, fuelling unprecedented level of ine- TEL: 4462 7535 It’s a pretty simple rule country or not. That makes organising for rights quality in society. This has not been created by of history. When the and protections so scary that it’s unlikely to European free movement and the answer is not to SPORT NEWS SECTION most marginalised and happen. further divide the workforce, but to fight for a better TEL: 4455 7745 Wexploited workers stand up for them- “Brexit and immigration” examines a number deal — just as the migrant and women workers did selves, better off workers need to stand of managed migration schemes — from the rela- 150 years ago. ONLINE SECTION with them. It was the struggles of the tively benign “guest worker” scheme in Germany. That better deal — “free movement plus” — could TEL: 4462 7501 match girls, the Irish dockers and the They all have one thing in common — the fewer include new rules to enhance collective bargaining, [email protected] sweatshop workers of late 19th-century rights migrant workers have, the more they will especially in low-skill sectors, a boost to the minimum London that transformed British trade be exploited. wages, and making sure employers really can’t use for- PUBLIC RELATIONS unionism and made it a mass force for In the short term, and under the influence of a eign workers to undercut wages by increasing penalties. social change. deeply xenophobic media — which would have us It could also include investment strategies which ensure TEL: 4455 7613 A strong workers’ movement would believe the UK is “overrun” with migrants - some money follows migrants to parts of the country suffer- [email protected] never accept the rights of a minority workers today see a direct benefit to themselves ing long-term deprivation. being removed. Yet that is exactly what in limiting migration. It is precisely the same In fact, the implications of these arguments are ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT the end of EU free movement rules in mindset which led some trade unions, a century much bigger than Europe. The development of free TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 Britain would mean. ago, to oppose women’s entry into the workforce movement within Europe has been accompanied by a FAX: 4455 7870 European migrant workers would in Britain on the grounds that it was undermining barbaric immigration policy at Europe’s borders, with [email protected] have fewer rights in Britain and would, men’s wages. 5,000 people dying trying to reach Europe last year. therefore, be less able to defend their Research suggests that women’s entry into the This is both inhuman, especially given so many are try- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT pay and conditions. That explains the workforce did have some negative short-term ing to escape from the consequences of European TEL: 4455 7857 stark warning contained in a report effect on wages. In all likelihood, it had a much foreign policy, but also a recipe for exploitation as [email protected] released today by Another Europe is bigger effect than recent migration, which has migrants arriving from outside the EU, without permis- Possible: the big winners of a post-Brexit actually helped raise wages, outside of some spe- sion, are forced into the highly exploitative illegal SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION “controlled migration” system will not be cific economic sectors and areas of the country. economy. TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 British workers, but unscrupulous This is what globalisation is all about — free cap- FAX: 44557819 employers. ital and controlled people. How do we reverse this? “Brexit and immigration: prioritising By constraining the ability of big business to do [email protected] the rights of all workers”, by Luke Pulling up the drawbridge what it wants, where it wants, when it wants, and Cooper and Zoe Gardner, argues that a won’t create a more supporting and expanding each other’s rights and managed migration system — however equal Britain. Domestic protections. All thoughts and views “generous” — would be worse for Euro- Pulling up the drawbridge won’t create a more expressed in these columns pean and British workers than the status and foreign policy are equal Britain. Domestic and foreign policy are inti- quo. intimately connected. Only mately connected. Only by supporting a more equal, are those of the writers, not That’s because free movement gives by supporting a more equal, sustainable, generous and peaceful world, will we cre- of the newspaper. rights to workers — to live, work and sustainable, generous and ate a better Britain. study. It’s not an unlimited right, con- peaceful world, will we All correspondence trary to popular belief, but it does mean The writer is the director of UK campaigning organisation regarding Views and create a better Britain. Global Justice Now. He was previously the director of Jubilee that European citizens have the right to Opinion pages should be join with their British colleagues and Debt Campaign. mailed to the [email protected] 12 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 Barzani has Former Iraqi president Talabani dead Sulaimaniyah Born in 1933 in the mountain village of AFP Kalkan, he studied law at Baghdad Univer- sity and did a stint in the army before joining x-Iraqi president and Kurdish leader the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Jalal Talabani (pictured) died yester- Mullah Mustafa Barzani, father of current only one Eday in Germany, officials in his party Kurdistan regional president Massud said. Barzani. Talabani, 83, was Iraq’s president from Talabani took to the hills in a first upris- 2005 to 2014 and a key figure in Iraqi Kurdis- ing against the Iraqi government in 1961 but tan, where voters last week overwhelmingly famously fell out with Barzani, who sued for man to beat backed independence in a disputed peace with Baghdad, and joined a KDP splin- referendum. ter faction in 1964. Eleven years later, he “Our leader died in Germany,” an offi- established the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Sulaimaniyah cial with Talabani’s Patriotic Union of (PUK) after Barzani’s forces, abandoned by AFP The Kurdish region, Kurdistan (PUK) said. their Iranian, US and Israeli allies, were A family member said Talabani’s health after Iraq’s Kurds voted 92.7 percent in routed by Saddam Hussein’s army. n ex-minister in Iraq’s which last week had taken a turn for the worse and he has favour of independence in the September He became president in April 2005 after first post-invasion voted in favour of been transported to Germany, along with 25 referendum. the first post-Saddam election in Iraq and government will be independence in his wife and two children, before the refer- The vote, rejected by Baghdad as illegal, continued in the post until 2014, when he Athe sole candidate for a referendum, will endum. Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker Zana Said has put deep strain on ties between the Kurds was replaced by the current president, Fuad the presidency of the country’s paid tribute to Talabani as “the only presi- and central Iraqi authorities, who have cut Masum. Iraq’s head of state plays a largely autonomous Kurdish region in hold presidential and dent whose death saddens Arabs, Kurds and off international flights to the region and ceremonial role and is elected by members a November election, an offi- legislative elections all other ethnicities”. threatened further action. Talabani was an of parliament. cial said yesterday. on November 1. “We pray to God that his death will help avuncular politician and a skilled negotia- In August 2008, the married father of Mohammad Tofiq Rahim, to bring back good relations between the tor, who spent years building bridges two underwent successful heart surgery in a staunch opponent of current brothers of Iraq.” between the country’s divided factions, the United States, then in 2012 he was flown Kurdish leader Massud Barzani Talabani’s death, following a decades- despite his efforts for Kurdish to Germany after suffering a stroke, casting who has repeatedly said he will to Barzani. The most recent old struggle for Kurdish statehood, came independence. doubt over his ability to ever return to Iraq. not stand again for the post, presidential vote in the auton- was the only person to put for- omous Kurdish region was in ward his candidacy, the 2009. Originally, a presidential autonomous region’s electoral term of office was four years, chief said. but in 2013 parliament Boosting ties France says “By the deadline for candi- extended it by two years. dates on Tuesday, we had A general election was held Iraq PM’s received all the documents in September 2013, but Kurd- necessary for Mohammad ish parliamentary activity has Tofiq Rahim to be a candidate been frozen since November Paris visit for the presidency of Kurdis- 2015, enabling Barzani to tan. He is the only person to remain in power. will boost ties have declared himself a can- Rahim has opposed Barza- didate,” electoral commission ni’s mandate being extended. Paris head Yari Hadji Omar said by “The commission must now Reuters telephone from the regional examine the documents and capital Arbil. accept his candidacy,” Hadji rance appeared to back- The Kurdish region, which Omar said of Rahim. track yesterday on last week voted overwhelm- In September 2003, Rahim Fefforts to mediate ingly in favour of independence became industry minister in the between Iraq’s government in a referendum rejected both first Iraqi cabinet that followed and Kurdish regional author- by Baghdad and by Iraq’s the US-led invasion of Iraq and ities, saying a visit by Iraqi neighbours Turkey and Iran, overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider Abadi will hold presidential and leg- The September 25 referendum would centre on bilateral ties islative elections on November on Kurdish independence, a and fighting Islamist 1. The electoral commission has Barzani initiative, returned a militants. approved 21 lists of candidates resounding 92.73 percent “yes” Abadi is due in Paris for the legislative vote. result. today for a two-day visit. Rahim, 64, a former mem- But it also provoked a European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn (left) meets with Foreign While the invitation had ber of the Kurdish peshmerga resounding “no” from Baghdad, Affairs Minister of Tunisia, Humeys El Cihinavi at the Foreign Ministry in Tunis, Tunisia, been made prior to an inde- security forces, is a member of Tehran and Ankara and sent yesterday. pendence vote held in Iraqi Goran, a party strongly opposed regional tensions soaring. Kurdistan last month, French President Emmanuel Macron’s office on Friday issued a statement offering to Mugabe meets help ease tensions between 78,000 civilians could be trapped in Iraq’s Hawija: UN Baghdad and the Kurds. That drew a response South African Baghdad militants after the Iraqi army Iraqi security officials say the Hawija,” Laerke said. from Abadi’s office on Satur- Reuters collapsed in 2014 in the face of militants prevent some residents Laerke said more people day in which Iraqi officials President Zuma the Islamic State offensive and from leaving, while others are were expected to flee the fight- made clear that the invitation p to 78,000 people could remains the last militant-held afraid of escaping towards gov- ing in areas around Hawija in the was not related to the Kurd- Pretoria be trapped in Islamic town in the country’s north. ernment forces because of the next 24 to 48 hours as security ish independence AFP UState-held Hawija in UN humanitarian spokes- explosives that might have been forces push into more densely referendum. northern Iraq, the United man Jens Laerke said the laid by Islamic State around the populated areas. “President (Macron) ... imbabwean President Nations said yesterday, as secu- number of people who have fled town. “We remain concerned for Hawija, north of Baghdad, recalled the importance of Robert Mugabe rity forces push to recapture the the fighting has increased from the lives and well-being of these and a stretch of land along the preserving unity and Iraq’s Zreturned to South Africa town. 7,000 people during the first vulnerable civilians and remind Syrian border, west of the Iraqi (territorial) integrity while yesterday for the first time Iraq started an offensive on week of the operation to some those doing the fighting that capital, are the last stretches of recognising the rights of the since his wife claimed diplo- September 21 to seize Hawija, 12,500 people now. But up to civilians must be protected at all territory in Iraq still in the hands Kurdish people,” the Elysee matic immunity over which fell to the hands of 78,000 remain trapped, he said. times and allowed to safely leave of Islamic State. statement had said. allegedly assaulting a model in a Johannesburg hotel room. Mugabe, 93, was not accompanied by his wife Grace as he met President Concern as Nigerian Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, six weeks after the alleged attack sparked diplomatic tension leader goes missing between the two neighbours. Mugabe used his opening Umuahia “They came here just to kill eve- remarks at the talks to stress Reuters rybody,” he said, adding that around the close relations between 20 IPOB members were shot dead Zimbabwe and South Africa, secessionist leader seeking but most of the bodies were taken by but did not mention the inci- independence from Nigeria soldiers. Reuters witnesses — a dent. “Had we had a say in the Ahas been missing since an reporter and TV cameraman — on choice of a neighbour, we alleged military raid more than two September 27 saw six corpses with would have chosen you,” he weeks ago left his house in the city bullet wounds in a morgue, who IPOB said, to laughter from minis- of Umuahia riddled with bullet said were among their members. ters on both sides. holes, its windows smashed and Two resembled men in pho- “We are one — one peo- doors hanging off hinges. tographs held by weeping ple, one revolution, one The disappearance of Nnamdi relatives who told Reuters their struggle, one future,” he Kanu, after the raid the army says brothers were killed in the raid, added. Grace Mugabe, 52, is did not happen, threatens to ignite though nobody could verify the alleged to have assaulted separatist unrest capable of desta- identities of the four others. Gabriella Engels with an elec- bilising southeastern Nigeria, a “The military did not raid trical extension cable at the region where a million people died Nnamdi Kanu’s residence,” a mili- chic Johannesburg hotel in a 1967-70 civil war over the tary spokesman told reporters in where the Mugabes’ two sons, short-lived Republic of Biafra. the capital, Abuja. “Nnamdi Kanu who are in their 20s, were Kingsley Kanu, 48, said he was is not in the custody of the military.” staying. Engels suffered cuts with his older brother Nnamdi, the The allegation and denial are the to her forehead and the back Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) biggest flashpoint of a military of her head during the alleged leader, at their family home on the deployment in the southeast. August 13 assault. The first evening of September 14 when sol- Civil society groups and ana- Peter Ujam holds a photograph of his brother, Omyaka Ujam, who he says was killed in lady was granted diplomatic diers stormed in. “They were lysts say the military presence and immunity by South African an alleged raid at Nnamdi Kanu’s home on September 12, 2017, which the army said did shooting everything they saw,” he its leader’s disappearance could authorities and promptly flew not take place, as his sister Philomena Ngene reacts in the city of Umuahia, southeastern said, pointing to bullet holes in walls prompt the separatists to abandon out of the country. Nigeria. and windows. their policy of non-violence. WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 ASIA 13

Indian tycoon Militants storm Mallya arrested again in London Kashmir army London AFP

ritish police rearrested Indian tycoon Vijay base; 4 dead BMallya yesterday amid an ongoing extradition request from India, where he Srinagar is accused of fraud. AFP All the three militants Mallya left India in March have been killed. An 2016 owing more than $1 bil- hree militants who yes- assistant sub-inspector lion after defaulting on loan terday stormed a payments to state-owned paramilitary base near of BSF also died in the banks and allegedly misusing the main airport in initial assault, said the funds. Indian-administered director-general of The flamboyant financier, TKashmir have been killed, police who co-owns Formula One police S P Vaid. said, ending an hours-long gun- team Force India, was battle that also left a soldier dead. expected to appear in a Lon- Three paramilitary troopers inspector-general of police, don courtroom later on and a police officer were injured Muneer Ahmed Khan, blamed Tuesday to face additional Smoke rises from the military building after it was blasted by Indian army where last suspected when the attackers hurled gre- Pakistan-based militant group charges. nades and fired automatic Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack militant was believed to be holed up in Humhama on the outskirts of Srinagar, the summer “He has been arrested,” a weapons at the Border Security but denied some media reports capital of Kashmir, yesterday. spokesman for the Crown Force (BSF) base next to the high- that the fortified airport was the Prosecution Service said. security Srinagar airport before target. He told reporters the colonial rule in 1947 but both trict southwest of Srinagar. India says Pakistan initiates “New charges are being added dawn, said director-general of Islamist group was a threat claim the territory in full. The rival armies routinely cross-border firing to help on.” police S P Vaid. “because they believe in surprise For decades rebel groups target each other across the rebels cross into Indian-admin- Mallya was out on bail “All the three militants have suicide attacks”. have fought Indian soldiers heavily militarised Line of Con- istered Kashmir to launch after being arrested by police been killed. An assistant sub- In August the group claimed deployed in the territory, trol that divides the territory. attacks. Islamabad says it gives in April following an extradi- inspector of BSF also died in the responsiblity after three militants demanding independence or a On Monday the Indian army only diplomatic support to the tion request from India in initial assault,” Vaid said. stormed a police base at Pulwama merger of the former Himalayan said it killed five suspected Kashmiri campaign for early February. Flights at the airport, which in Kashmir, killing eight govern- kingdom with Pakistan. rebels in two separate gunbat- self-determination. Indian investigators shares a compound wall with the ment personnel. The three Yesterday’s attack came tles on the border. Indian Last week Pakistan said demanded the 61-year-old be base, resumed after being sus- attackers were also killed in a hours before an Indian soldier authorities said two children three civilians were killed on brought home to face fraud pended briefly with at least one two-day battle. Kashmir has been was killed by Pakistani fire on were also killed by Pakistani its side of the border in Kash- charges related to the bank flight from New Delhi cancelled, divided between India and Paki- the de facto Kashmiri border in gunfire at another location along mir after Indian soldiers defaults. Mallya insisted he authorities said. Kashmir’s stan since the end of British the mountainous Poonch dis- the Line of Control. opened fire. was innocent and denied flee- ing the charges in his homeland, following the legal hearing in London in June. “I deny all allegations that Top court to examine Modi’s political funding plan have been made and I will continue to deny them,” he said outside court. “I have not New Delhi political donations. The Supreme from the finance and law min- instruments, these bonds resem- from 20,000 rupees limit eluded any court. If it is my Bloomberg Court of India yesterday agreed istries, apart from the poll panel. ble promissory notes backed by earlier. lawful duty to be here, I’m to hear a public interest litiga- The court hasn’t fixed a date for the nation’s central bank, which A petition filed by a non-gov- happy to be here,” he added. ndia’s Prime Minister Naren- tion, akin to a class action suit, next hearing. allow donors to pay political par- ernment organization, “I’ve given enough evi- dra Modi’s attempt to that challenges the introduction In the annual budget speech ties with banks as an Association For Democratic dence to prove my case.” Ieliminate corruption in elec- of electoral bonds and seeks a this February, India’s Finance intermediary. Reforms, said the attempt to Known for his lavish life- tion funding has landed in the ban on cash donations to polit- Minister Arun Jaitley introduced The government had also clean up political donations had style, Mallya made Kingfisher country’s top court amid allega- ical parties. “electoral bonds” as a measure cracked down on cash dona- opened the “floodgates to unlim- beer a global brand and ran a tions that the measures will lead A bench headed by Chief Jus- designed to cleanse the funding tions reducing the permissible ited corporate donations” and now-defunct airline with the to a spike in anonymous tice Dipak Misra sought replies to political parties. Unlike debt amount to 2,000 rupees ($31) “anonymous financing”. same name.

Polluted river Three students NEWS BYTES crushed by train while taking selfies Malayalam actor Dileep gets bail; fans cheer as he leaves jail NEW DELHI: Three college stu- dents were killed by an express KOCHI: Malayalam superstar Dileep (pic- train yesterday while taking pho- tured), arrested for alleged involvement tos of themselves on a track in in the kidnapping of an actress, was yes- India, the country with the world’s terday granted bail by the Kerala High worst record for selfie deaths. The Court. The actor later left Aluva sub-jail three were photographing them- here to loud cheers from hundreds of his selves on a railway bridge when the fans. The bail conditions include surren- train hit them in the town of Bidadi dering his passport, furnishing a bond of in the southern state of Karnataka, Rs100,000, a pledge to stay away from police said. “We found their muti- witnesses in the case and to keep away lated bodies on the track and from the media. This is the third time Dileep investigations have been taken up,” approached the High Court for bail. He had also sought bail R S Bylanjaiah, a local railway earlier twice from the trial court. The court order on his bail police officer, told AFP. He said the was brought to Aluva sub-jail, where Dileep has been housed, three had parked their motorbikes by his brother. In stark contrast to being hooted by angry crowds on the embankment below the who had gathered to see Dileep following his arrest on July 10, on 30-metre bridge before walking to Tuesday hundreds of fans gathered to cheer the star. His fans, Workers remove religious offerings and frames which were immersed in the Yamuna its centre to take pictures. Last including women, began collecting soon after he was granted bail river after the Durga Puja festival in New Delhi, yesterday. Activists have urged greater month a man was crushed to death by the Kerala High Court around 2pm. They were seen distribut- accountability for cleaning up the nation’s waterways which are often clogged with by an elephant when he tried to ing sweets and chanting slogans in his favour. religious offerings around the time of festivals across India. take a selfie with him in the east- ern state of Odisha. Hadiya case: Supreme Court to examine if High Court can annul marriage NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court yesterday said it will exam- ine whether the Kerala High Court could annul a marriage while Crackdown on Muslim-run leather units hits jobs hearing a habeas corpus plea by the parents of a young woman who had converted from Hinduism to Islam and married a New Delhi assertive in their calls for a clamp-down on a closure of abattoirs operating without Muslim. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Reuters both the meat and leather industries, run by licenses. Slaughterhouse owners complain that Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said: “We want to Muslims, who make up 14 percent of India’s much of India’s meat and leather trade takes know how the Kerala High Court can annul the marriage under government crackdown on Muslim- 1.3 billion people. “The writing was already place in the informal sector, and it’s hard to Article 226 of the Constitution by exercising its special powers dominated abattoirs and the trade of on the wall,” Nazir Ahmed, CEO of shoe- get licences, especially for smaller units. to entertain pleas against the State.” The scope of entertaining Acattle dragged down India’s exports maker Park Exports, told Reuters by phone In May, citing cruelty to animals, the fed- pleas under Article 226 by the High Court has been expanded of leather shoes by more than 13 percent in from Agra, a shoe-making hub and home to eral government banned the trade of cattle to include issues not involving state actors but does it also extend June, as leading global brands turned to the Taj Mahal. “We have killed the goose that for slaughter, and restricted livestock sales to taking recourse to nullify a marriage, the court observed. China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan laid the golden egg.” only for agricultural purposes such as The apex court’s remarks came while hearing a plea by Shafin to secure supplies. India, the world’s second-biggest sup- ploughing and dairy production. Jahan, challenging the High Court order that nullified his mar- The drop in exports of shoes and leather plier of shoes and leather garments, exports But the country’s top court overturned riage with Hadiya. The bench also wondered whether the garments comes as a setback for Prime Min- nearly half its leather goods, with overseas that order, citing the hardship the ban had 24-year-old woman could be placed in her father’s custody. ister Narendra Modi, who has sought to sales estimated at $5.7 billion in the 2016/17 caused. That has not brought relief as Observing that “a father can’t have control over a 24-yr-old create millions of jobs by more than dou- fiscal year to March, down 3.2 percent from repeated attacks on trucks carrying cattle girl”, the court said that it may send her to a safe home and her bling the leather industry’s revenues to $27 a year earlier. Footwear exports fell more still rankle the leather trade. father can’t insist on her custody. The court had doubts about billion by 2020. than 4 percent in April-June, to $674 mil- “The supreme court has allowed the its own August 16 order wherein it asked the National Investi- Emboldened by the victory of Modi’s lion. In March, after being appointed chief resumption of trade for cattle, but the ground gation Agency (NIA) to probe the conversion and marriage of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2014 gen- minister of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most pop- reality is that cow vigilante groups continue Hindu girl Akhila, now known as Hadiya after conversion, in eral election, Hindu hard-liners, who ulous state and a major leather exporter, Yogi to be active and no one wants to risk his life Kerala in 2016. consider cows sacred, became more Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu monk, ordered by transporting cattle,” Ahmed said. 14 ASIA WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 Nawaz Sharif returns as PML-N party chief

Islamabad Khaqan Abbasi, a loyalist, as four years. formality as PML-N has a vast Reuters Back with full force prime minister. “Nawaz Sharif is the symbol majority. Sharif has appeared “There have been Sharif’s re-election as party of economic development in before an anti-corruption court akistan’s ruling party attempts again and chief brings him back into the Pakistan,” Interior Minister and is expected to be indicted yesterday re-elected again to exit me, but political fold, he said, contradict- Ahsan Iqbal said in his address next week, along with three of ousted premier Nawaz you will always keep ing those who thought he would to the party members. his children. Sharif (pictured) as its giving me an entry no longer be relevant. Abbasi presented an “open Sharif, his children -- Has- leader, saying he was “There have been attempts challenge to all the dictators and san, Hussain, Maryam -- and again and again,” P“back with full force”, a day after again and again to exit me, but you PPP” to compare the develop- son-in-law Captain Safdar are Sharif said. using its parliamentary majority will always keep giving me an ment work carried out by them facing investigations related to to amend a law to allow him to entry again and again,” Sharif told with that of the PML-N. ownership of properties in Lon- Jafar Iqbal, who re-take the job. party workers after his election. “I Parliament amended a law don and the firms Azizia Steel as headed a five- Jafar Iqbal, who headed a congratulate that you’re bringing on Monday to enable Sharif to well as another 16 offshore five-member election body, said member election Nawaz Sharif back with full force.” re-take the PML-N leadership. companies. Sharif had been elected party body, said Sharif had No one came forward to con- Opposition lawmakers tore up The veteran leader denies president unopposed by the been elected party test Sharif, Iqbal said amid paper copies of the Election Bill any wrongdoing and has alleged Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s president unopposed. clapping, thumping and slogans 2017, passed by the Senate last there was a conspiracy against (PML-N) central executive in support of Sharif in televised week, that allowed Sharif to him, with senior PML-N figures committee. Supreme Court disqualified him step down as president of PML- proceedings of the election in become the party president pointing fingers at elements of Sharif resigned as prime for not declaring a source of N, though he kept control of the Islamabad. The former prime again. Pakistan’s powerful military. The minister in July after the income. He was also forced to party and installed Shahid minister will lead the party for The vote was more of a army denies playing a role.

NEWS BYTES UN battles mounting illness in Rohingya camps

Nepal’s Maoists form alliance Cox’s Bazar with main communist party AFP elief agencies yesterday KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Maoist party announced yesterday fought to contain a diar- an alliance with the largest communist bloc, ahead of key Rrhoea outbreak around elections seen as the final step in the Himalayan nation’s camps in Bangladesh where post-war transition to a federal democracy. The two parties, more than 500,000 Rohingya with a third smaller partner, have agreed a tie up for general have taken shelter in the past elections later this year, and plan to unify as a single com- five weeks. munist party following the polls. “We had said before, after The United Nations said the signing of the peace deal, that Nepal should have a sin- meanwhile it would seek $430 gle communist party. We are now finishing that incomplete million to increase operations in process,” Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal said at a press the camps along the Bangladesh- conference announcing the deal. The Maoists have dominated Myanmar border. The Rohingya Nepal’s politics for more than 20 years after waging a dec- Muslims have poured across the ade-long insurgency against government forces that claimed frontier to escape a military more than 16,000 lives. The civil war ended in a peace deal crackdown in Buddhist-major- in 2006 that saw rebel leader Dahal become Nepal’s first ity Myanmar. post-war prime minister. The 240-year-old Hindu monar- A 20-bed treatment clinic chy was abolished two years later beginning the Himalayan was opened at Kutupalong ref- nation’s transformation to a secular republic. Three main ugee camp Monday to treat Parents gathering with their children at a relief point for babies and pregnant women at the parties — the Maoists, the Communist Party Nepal-Union diarrhoea victims and another Kutupalang refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, yesterday. Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Nepali Congress (NC) 60-bed facility would be set up — have since monopolised the political sphere, forming var- this week, a UN spokesman said. he said. Bangladesh authorities drinking and hygiene facilities. around the border town of Cox’s ying brittle coalitions with one another. UN staff and volunteers were were not aware of diarrhoea- The Doctors Without Borders Bazar already had 300,000 peo- touring Kutupalong and nearby related deaths in the camps, but (MSF) group also said the camps ple who fled earlier violence in Pakistan Elections Bill-2017 passed makeshift camps to identify the health department said more were on the brink of a public Myanmar’s Rakhine state. those who have not sought treat- than 10,500 Rohingya had been health disaster. Mark Lowcock, a UN under ISLAMABAD: The Lower House of the Parliament of Paki- ment, UN refugee agency treated since the influx began on The camps face dire short- secretary general for humani- stan has passed three bills including the Elections Bill, 2017, spokesman Andrej Mahecic said. August 25. ages of food and medicine in tarian affairs, said the world through voice voting and rejected the amendments moved “We have seen an increas- Last week the World Health what has become one of the body would be seeking “some- by the Opposition. Minister for Law and Justice tabled the ing trend of diarrhoeal disease Organisation warned of a grow- world’s largest refugee thing like $430 million to enable Elections Bill, 2017, in the House as passed by the Senate cases, including cases of diar- ing cholera risk in the makeshift settlements. us to scale up the relief with amendments following which the House passed the rhoea with severe dehydration,” camps as they lacked safe The overwhelmed camps operation.” bill. It has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament and would become an Act after the signature of the Presi- dent. The Bill consolidates eight election laws which shall stand repealed after its enactment. The Bill contains numer- ous electoral reforms including strengthening of Election Bangladesh top judge’s leave sparks Pakistan FM Commission of Pakistan by making it fully independent and autonomous. rumours over landmark verdict leaves for

Lahore’s Metro rolling stock arrives Dhaka “He was formerly a cancer Bar Association, told reporters. three-day AFP patient,” Huq said, adding that “You know, the nation knows LAHORE: The first batch of the rolling stock for the Orange those behind the claims “have and the people of the world US visit Line Metro Train reached the provincial metropolis of Lahore angladesh’s chief justice mental problems” or “ill know a political party (and) the yesterday and it was parked at the train project depot at Der- began a one-month period motives”. The head of Bangla- government have piled pressure aGujjran near Quid-i-Azam Interchange of the Ring Road. More Bof leave yesterday amid desh’s top bar association said on him in many ways,” he said. Islamabad than three-fourths of the civil work on the train project has claims he was forced to go on Sinha was forced to take leave “We think he was sent on a Internews so far been completed. A special ceremony for unveiling the holiday after a landmark ver- after he led the Supreme Court one-month leave as part of this rolling stock will be held on October 7 on the premises of the dict that went against the when it scrapped parliament’s pressure. He did not take the akistan Foreign Minister depot. A total of 27 sets of trains, each comprising of five cars, government. Justice Minister power to sack top judges. leave ... He was forced to.” Sinha Khawaja Asif left for a are being imported from China for the project. As many as 23 Anisul Huq rejected widespread “Our association of lawyers made headlines in August when Pthree-day tour of the US train sets will reach Lahore by the end of this year as per the speculation linking S. K. Sinha’s thinks that immense pressure the Supreme Court scrapped yesterday, where he is schedule issued by the Chinese contractor. The metro train will absence to the ruling, saying the has been piled on him so that he parliament’s power to sack top expected to meet US Secretary operate at a commercial speed of 80km per hour and cover the top judge’s decision was due to take a one-month leave,” Joynul judges, in a verdict seen as bol- of State Rex Tillerson to resume end-to-end 27km long journey in just 45 minutes. illness. Abedin, head of Supreme Court stering judicial independence. bilateral talks and work out ways to dispel tensions that cropped up after US President Donald Trump’s announce- Afghan operation against IS ment of a new policy for Myanmar soldiers nabbed Afghanistan and South Asia. The Foreign Minister told Geo News on Monday that he with two million pills would clear Pakistan’s posi- tion in meetings with US Yangon of violence that has left hun- officials. He will also report- AFP dreds dead and sent 500,000 edly meet US National Muslim Rohingya residents Security Adviser H.R. McMas- wo Myanmar soldiers are fleeing into Bangladesh. ter during the trip. The visit being questioned after Myanmar’s army has flooded comes amid tensions follow- Tthey were caught with the area since August 25 in a ing Trump’s accusation of nearly two million “yaba” pills major offensive designed to flush Pakistan “being a safe haven in restive Rakhine state, police out Rohingya militants. But their for terrorist organisations”. said yesterday, as the drugs presence appears to have failed Asif will also be address- trade goes on despite commu- to slow the drug trade. ing a gathering at the US nal violence. Yaba, a Thai word meaning Institute of Peace in Wash- The men were held after “crazy medicine”, is a concoc- ington on US-Pakistan 1.88 million tablets said to be tion of methamphetamine and relations on October 5, the worth around $2.8 million were caffeine that has become pop- institute said, pointing out found in a military vehicle in ular among young people in that Trump’s speech had not the town of Maungdaw on Bangladesh. only “unsettled US-Pakistan A member of the Afghan security forces escorting alleged Islamic State fighters and Taliban October 1, a senior anti-drugs Myanmar’s western border relations” but also had “seri- being presented to the media at the police headquarters in Jalalabad, yesterday. Afghan officer told AFP on condition of zone is awash with metham- ous implications for US police said 10 alleged Islamic state fighters were arrested during an operation in Nangarhar. anonymity. phetamine, most destined for interests in Afghanistan, Maungdaw is the epicentre Bangladesh. nuclear non-proliferation”. WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 ASIA 15 Pathologist testifies on signs Kim Jong-Nam was poisoned

Shah Alam Organs damaged prank for a reality TV show. Their AFP lawyers blame North Korean Vital organs, agents. he half-brother of including his lungs South Korea has accused the North Korea's leader and brain, swelled North of ordering the hit but suffered extensive due to a build-up of Pyongyang denies the organ damage after fluid, testified allegations. being attacked with a Mohamad Shah The charge sheet blames Tnerve agent, a pathologist said Mahmood, who Kim's death on the women along yesterday, as more chilling carried out the post- with four other people still at details emerged at the trial of his mortem on Kim large, who are not named. Four alleged killers. North Korean suspects fled Jong-Nam. Vital organs, including his Malaysia on the day of the mur- lungs and brain, swelled due to der. On the second day of a build-up of fluid, testified chemical so deadly it is listed as a proceedings yesterday, Moha- Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian Siti Aisyah who are on trial for the killing of Kim Mohamad Shah Mahmood, who weapon of mass destruction, was mad Shah described to the Sham Jong Nam, are escorted as they leave the Shah Alam High Court,Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. carried out the post-mortem on rubbed on his face. Alam High Court, outside Kuala Kim Jong-Nam. Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Lumpur, how he carried out the and spleen were among organs A post-mortem report sub- very low levels of an enzyme Two women are on trial Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, post-mortem. affected, he added. mitted as evidence to the trial vital for his nervous system to accused of attacking Kim Jong- who were arrested a few days "The overall findings showed He said the weight of Kim's showed that VX was found not function, a condition which could Un's estranged relative with the after the killing, have pleaded not congestion of the organs and right lung had increased to 690 just on Kim's face and eyes but have been caused by exposure deadly nerve agent VX at Kuala guilty to the murder. swelling of the lungs," he said, grams (24 ounces), above the also in his blood and urine, and to poison. Lumpur airport on February 13, in The defendants, who face using the medical term which average for an adult lung. on his clothes and luggage. The pathologist, Nur Ashikin an assassination that shocked the death by hanging if convicted, refers to an excessive accumu- From the examination, he Earlier, a chemical patholo- Othman, said Kim had a level of world. He died an agonising death say they were duped into believ- lation of body fluid. concluded that Kim had "died gist who examined a sample of 344 units per litre, far below the about 20 minutes after the VX, a ing they were taking part in a Parts of the brain, the liver due to VX poisoning". Kim's blood testified it showed usual level for men.

Australia to fit warships with anti-missile defence systems Two Swedes wounded in Sydney systems, produced by Lockheed wants to target the U.S. main- Navantia and Fincantieri all increase defence spending by Reuters Martin, in conjunction with land with a nuclear-tipped competing for the A$35 billion A$30 billion to be worth A$195 Philippine SAAB Australia technology, ballistic missile, has said its mis- ($27.39 billion) contract. billion, or 2 percent of GDP, by ustralian Prime Minister Turnbull said. siles could strike Australia. The decision to use the Aegis 2021-2022 as Canberra seeks to rebel attack Malcolm Turnbull said Tensions in the region have “Recent events in our region ballistic missile defence systems protect its strategic and trade Ayesterday nine war ships spiked considerably in recent have proven that Australia’s brings Australia in line with U.S. interests in the Asia-Pacific. Manila set for construction in 2020 will months as North Korea con- future frigates must be equipped and Japanese vessels, allowing Australia selected French AP be fitted with long-range ducted a series of tests of its to defend Australia from the international cooperation, Vice naval contractor DCNS last year anti-missile defence systems to medium-and long-range ballis- threat of medium- and long- Admiral Tim Barrett, Australia’s to build its fleet of 12 submarines, uspected communist counter the threat of rogue tic missiles, some of which flew range missile attacks,” Turnbull navy chief, told reporters in ahead of other offers from Japan rebels staged an nations. over Japan, as well as its sixth said in a speech in Sydney. Sydney. and Germany, one the world’s Sattack on a police car Australia’s proposed frig- nuclear test on Sept. 3. Work on the frigates is set to The proposed frigates are most lucrative defence in the central Philippines ates will use Aegis combat Pyongyang, which ultimately begin in 2020, with BAE Systems, part of Australia’s plan to contracts. yesterday and two Swed- ish citizens and their driver in a passing van were wounded in the crossfire, police said. Thai police seeking Interpol Dating app draws criticism in Indonesia A police report said a Swedish man was shot in notice for former PM's arrest Jakarta It has attracted more than Indonesian men who apply the wrist and a Swedish AFP 56,000 members since its to one of the country's Islamic woman was injured in the Bangkok launch in April, according to courts, which have jurisdiction shoulder, while their Fil- AP Tinder-style dating app developer Lindu Cipta Pra- over marriage, are able to take ipino van driver was for polygamists has nayama. But women's rights a second wife under certain cir- wounded in the face, hai police said yesterday A sparked controversy in campaigners have criticised the cumstances. For example, a stomach and thigh during they are seeking an inter- Indonesia, the world's most app, warning of a strong link court may review and grant an the attack by the New Tnational request for the populous Muslim nation -- but between polygamy and domes- application if the man's first wife People's Army in the arrest of former Prime Minis- its developer says he "just wants tic violence. is unable to bear children or has coastal town of Cauayan ter Yingluck Shinawatra, to help" unmarried middle-aged "Due to the controversy, I a disability and gives her in Negros Occidental (pictured) who is believed to women. Indonesian law defines initially wanted to permanently permission. province. be in England after fleeing to marriage as between a man and shut down the site, but when I Adriana Venny Aryani, from The foreigners and Dubai to evade a prison a woman but polygamy is tol- saw many women in their 40s Indonesia's National Commis- their driver were taken to sentence. erated in certain circumstances, of 50s who are still virgins and sion on Violence Against a hospital. One guerrilla Deputy Police Commis- despite being generally frowned unmarried I decided to keep it," Women, said polygamy as facil- was wounded in the gun- sioner Gen. Srivara upon. Pranayama said yesterday. itated by Ayo Poligami could be battle in the village of Rangsibrahmanakul said the Ayo Poligami, loosely trans- "Can you image being in harmful to wives. Caliling, police said. United Arab Emirates con- lated as "let's go polygamy", is a your 40s or 50s but never been "When the husband is prac- The five policemen in firmed that Yingluck went from notice. "If Interpol can issue the free smartphone app that touched by a man?" added the ticing polygamy, women are the patrol car targeted by Dubai to England. He also said red notice then authorities can matches married and single 35-year-old, who created the emotionally abused, economi- the rebels were not he asked the international proceed (with the arrest)," Sri- Muslim men with women who app after failing to find a wife cally (abused), and sometimes wounded, the report said. police organization Interpol on vara said, but added that he want to create "big families". on several dating sites. violently," she said. Sunday to issue a red notice — could not speak for British a request to locate and authorities about whether they provisionally arrest someone would arrest her. pending extradition — for Srivara refused to comment Yingluck. on whether Interpol would Opposition leader's deputy flees Cambodia Yingluck, whose govern- comply with the request and ment was ousted in a 2014 issue a red notice, as there Phnom Penh opposition Cambodia National Cambodia, adding that she “did Known internationally for coup, was sentenced in absen- could be objections that the Reuters Rescue Party (CNRP), was not feel safe”. campaigns to fight sex traffick- tia to five years' imprisonment case against Yingluck is politi- arrested on Sept. 3 and charged “Democracy in Cambodia is ing and assert women’s rights, on Sept. 27 for negligence in cal in nature and she could n outspoken deputy of with treason in a widening very rapidly eroding to a point Mu Sochua had been among the instituting a money-losing rice potentially qualify for political Cambodia’s detained crackdown on critics of Hun Sen, where no other opposing forces most vocal opposition politicians subsidy program. She fled Thai- asylum. Aopposition leader fled the which his opponents say is a ploy are left to fight dictatorship,” she in Cambodia since Kem Sokha land before the verdict and has Deputy Police spokesman country yesterday, saying she to win an election next year. said. was arrested and accused of called the case against her Col. Krissana Pattanacharoen feared for her safety after Prime “Without a true opposition Government spokesman plotting to take power with U.S. politically motivated. said Monday that police have Minister Hun Sen threatened and with the wide level of fear, Phay Siphan said Mu Sochua had help. She told Reuters last week Srivara said he cited a Thai already sent a request to Thai- further arrests of opposition there’s no hope for free and fair “left of her own choice” and he that around half the CNRP’s arrest warrant for Yingluck as land's foreign ministry to politicians. elections in 2018,” Mu Sochua, did not know whether authori- members of parliament had fled part of the request for a red revoke Yingluck's passport. Kem Sokha, leader of the 63, told Reuters after leaving ties had planned to arrest her. the country in fear. Sri Lanka parliament commemorates 70th anniversary

Colombo independent Parliament and notes that the Opposition R. Sampanthan, Leader IANS Parliament of Sri Lanka is the oldest Par- of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella, liament elected by universal adult Chief Government Whip Minister Gay- special Sitting of Parliament was franchise in the Asia region with an unbro- antha Karunathilaka, Chief Opposition held yesterday to commemorate the ken record of democratic governance and Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and A70th Anniversary of Parliamentary wishes for itself and the people of Sri the leaders of the recognized political Democracy in Sri Lanka. At the com- Lanka a prosperity, development and fur- parties in Parliament. The Speaker Karu mencement of Public Business, the Prime ther strengthening of democratic Jayasuriya delivered the Vote of Thanks. Minister and the Leader of the opposition traditions, principles and rule of law," it Speakers of the Parliaments of the SAARC in Parliament moved a Vote to recognize said. countries who are in Sri Lanka to partic- the occasion of the special sitting. The speeches began with the Presi- ipate in the 8th conference of the "That this Parliament at its meeting dent Maithripala Sirisena and was Association of SAARC Speakers and Par- today commemorates with pride the 70th followed with speeches by the Prime Min- liamentarians were present at the A Sri Lankan soldier standing at the ceremony of the national anniversary of its first meeting as an ister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of Speaker's Gallery. parliament in Colombo, yesterday. 16 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017

Belgium moves to expel imam over Catalans protest police crackdown security fears

Brussels Several labour unions AFP and grassroots pro- independence groups elgium has moved to expel an Egyptian had urged workers Bpreacher at the coun- throughout Catalonia try’s biggest mosque because to go on partial or full- he posed a “national security” day strikes after the threat, officials said yester- day. Immigration Minister referendum that the Theo Francken revoked the Spanish government residency permit of the imam had deemed illegal of the Saudi-financed Grand and invalid. Mosque, near the EU head- quarters in Brussels. Belgium has been hit by several attacks since 2016, Barcelona including suicide bombings AP claimed by the Islamic State group that killed 32 people at ighways were Brussels airport and a metro blocked, schools station. closed and much “Everybody knows there business halted is a problem with the Grand across Catalonia Mosque in Brussels. I decided Hyesterday as workers and stu- to withdraw the residency dents joined strikes and took to permit of the imam of this the streets to protest the use of mosque,” Francken told Bel- force by police that left hundreds RTL. “We have had very clear injured during a disputed refer- signals he is a man who is endum on the region’s very radicalised, salafist, very secession. conservative and dangerous In the regional capital, Bar- for our society and national celona, where bus and subway security,” Francken added. services were affected, disori- Francken did not identify ented tourists scrambled to find the imam but his office said open cafeterias to avoid the pro- Protesters gather at the Placa de la Universitat square during a general strike in Catalonia called by Catalan unions in his name is Abdelhadi Sewif, tests. There were moments of Barcelona, yesterday. a man of Egyptian origin who tension when a handful of picket- has lived in Belgium for 13 ers forced the closure of shops that years. Belgian authorities first had remained open in the city’s the regional offices of Spain’s to vote turned out. The vote was in rebellion, breaking the orders opposition leaders to find multi- decided in March not to famed Las Ramblas boulevard, but National Police. boycotted by most of Spain’s of the courts and lying and trick- partisan consensus on the renew the imam’s residence elsewhere the demonstrations The building became a focal national parties on grounds it ing people,” said Spain’s top response. permit but he has appealed were largely peaceful. point for protesters, gathering was illegal and lacked basic official in Catalonia, Enric Millo, The general strike in Cata- against the decision and Several labour unions and thousands at midday who guarantees, such as transpar- yesterday. lonia called by judges will review his case on grassroots pro-independence shouted that the police were an ency, a proper census or an Catalan President Carles pro-independence groups was October 24, an official said. groups had urged workers “occupying force” and urged independent electoral govern- Puigdemont has declared the not fully backed by Spain’s two throughout Catalonia to go on Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ing body. vote valid and has announced it main unions, the UGT and CCOO partial or full-day strikes after the to resign. “They brought violence The central government in will present the final results this groups, who invited workers to Romania & Bulgaria referendum that the Spanish gov- with them,” Llavina said. They Madrid is blaming Catalan sep- week to Catalonia’s regional decide individually whether to open new border ernment had deemed illegal and have beaten people who were aratist politicians and grassroots parliament, which would trig- halt work or not to protest police invalid. holding their hands up. How can groups for the violence, saying ger the process of breaking away violence, but not in support of crossing “People are angry, very we not be outraged?” they “plotted to break the law” from Spain. secession. angry,” said Josep Llavina, a Catalan officials say that 90 and drew citizens to an unlaw- The Spanish national gov- “I disagree with the strike. In BUCHAREST: The Romanian 53-year-old self-employed percent of the 2.3 million peo- ful vote. ernment has said it will respond fact, at work nobody told me and Bulgarian prime minis- worker who had traveled to Bar- ple who voted Sunday were in “Nothing of this would have with “all necessary measures” anything about a strike. So I ters have opened a new celona from a nearby town to favor of independence. But happened if the (Catalan) gov- to counter such a move, and is decided to come,” said Jose Boli- border checkpoint between participate in the protest outside fewer than half of those eligible ernment hadn’t declared itself holding talks with national var, 54, a town hall employee. their countries, both of which want to join the visa-free Schengen travel zone. Romanian Premier Mihai Spain to extradite Tudose met Bulgarian Prime Irish court refers EU-US data transfer case to EU Minister Boiko Borisov for the Russian hacking official opening ceremony yesterday of the Lipnita-Kay- suspect to US Dublin mechanism used by giants such US, via its European headquar- decision that may endanger the nardza crossing, which links AFP as Facebook to transfer Euro- ters in Dublin. SCCs are now transfer of data across the Atlan- southeast Romania to north- Madrid pean users’ data to the US. “I widely used by data exporters tic and around the globe.” east Bulgaria. AFP reland’s High Court yester- therefore have decided to ask and are intended to allow for the SCCs “are essential to compa- Romania and Bulgaria day asked the EU’s Court of the Court of Justice for a prelim- legal transfer of data from EU nies of all sizes, and upholding need to demonstrate that pain’s High Court said IJustice of the European Union inary ruling,” she concluded. citizens as long as “adequate them is critical to ensuring the their borders are secure in yesterday it had agreed to decide on rules on the trans- The legal action follows a protection” is in place. economy can continue to grow order to join Schengen. A Sto a US request to extra- fer of data from Europe to the complaint by Austrian privacy In an emailed statement, without disruption,” the statement statement from Romania’s dite a Russian man accused US in a case with far-reaching lawyer Max Schrems to Ireland’s Facebook said it was “essential the said. Schrems argues that the SCCs border police said the cross- of controlling one of the implications for industry. Data Protection Commissioner CJEU now considers the extensive offer no redress for European citi- ing meets required security world’s top generators of Judge Caroline Costello said (DPC) about Facebook’s use of evidence demonstrating the zens in the US in the event of their standards. The border cross- spam and online extortion. that “only a decision of CJEU can so-called standard contractual robust protections in place under data being accessed by a third party, ing which cost ¤6m will ease Peter Levashov from resolve the potential for incon- clauses (SCCs) to transfer per- Standard Contractual Clauses and such as US intelligence services, or international traffic and will Saint Petersburg, a 37-year- sistent applications” of the sonal data from Europe to the US law, before it makes any compromised in some other way. be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. old who goes by a string of names, was arrested at Bar- celona airport on April 7 by Spanish authorities acting on Big Ben under renovation a US warrant. Balkan leaders back Serbia’s US prosecutors accuse the purported hacker of control- ling the Kelihos network of tens of thousands of infected bid to join European Union computers, stealing personal data and renting the network Sofia EU presidency in January while Romania will out to others to send spam Reuters take over in 2019. Many Serbs, however, remain emails by the millions and sceptical about joining the bloc and view West- extort ransoms. His defence he prime ministers of Bulgaria, Greece ern European countries as outspoken advocates team had argued that the US and Romania gave their support to their of the 1999 NATO bombing to halt the killing extradition demand was TBalkan neighbour Serbia’s bid to join and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in the former “politically motivated”. the European Union yesterday, saying the province of Kosovo, in which thousands of civil- Levashov, a computer integration of the western Balkans would ians had been killed. specialist, had served in the guarantee regional peace and stability. Vucic accused the European Union of Russian army and worked for Serbia, which in the 1990s was seen as using double standards by refusing to accept President Vladimir Putin’s pariah of Western Balkans for its central role the Catalan independence referendum while United Russia party, accord- in wars that followed the collapse of Yugo- largely welcoming a separate Kosovo. ing to his lawyers. slavia, expects to complete negotiations on “We support Spain, it is our friendly coun- In the course of his work EU membership by 2019. try,” said Vucic. “But the European he had access to confidential “All of us know that the natural place of Commission responded in a different way documents which he fears Serbia is in the European Union,” Bulgarian (over Kosovo) and it was against my people authorities in the US may Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said after a and my state. Kosovo’s declaration of inde- demand he turn over to them four-party summit in the Black Sea city of pendence from Serbia in 2008 was accepted if he is extradited there, the Varna with Greek Prime Minister Alexis by Washington and most EU states, but lawyers had argued. Tsipras, Romanian Prime Minister Mihai rejected by Belgrade and its allies. But the High Court said in Tudose and Serbian President Alexander “Kosovo gained independence without its ruling that “none of the Scaffolding covers part of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Vucic. Borissov said that the three EU mem- even holding a referendum but Catalonia ... allegations relating to the Big Ben in the evening sunlight in London, yesterday. The Houses bers would work to speed up the process to cannot get anything like that,” Vucic said. political motivation” for the of Parliament are undergoing extensive renovations to protect the the advantage of peace and stability in the “Sometimes, we, the Serbs, are asking our- extradition request “has been heritage of the building. Balkans and Europe generally. selves why we should have been the victim accepted”. Bulgaria takes over the rotating six-month of double standards?” WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 EUROPE 17 French MPs adopt tough anti-terror law

Paris 10 different laws. “The concentration the state of emergency did not prevent house Senate in July, the police will AFP of powers in the hands of the executive a string of attacks in the past two years. have powers to expand border controls The bill was approved on and weakening of judicial oversight is On Monday, anti-discrimination to areas around international train rance’s lower house of its first reading in the lower not a new characteristic of France’s group SOS Racisme demonstrated stations, ports and airports. It also parliament yesterday house of parliament by counter-terrorism efforts,” said outside parliament against provisions allows the authorities to shut down a overwhelmingly approved a 415 votes to 127, with 19 Benedicte Jeannerod, France director that will allow police to carry out more mosque or other place of worship if new counter-terrorism bill, for Human Rights Watch. “But the spot ID checks. “People who are preachers are found to promote radical making permanent several abstentions. It is expected normalisation of emergency powers supposedly foreigners, black or north “ideas and theories”. Fcontroversial measures in place under to become law before crosses a new line.” African will be stigmatised,” Thierry Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far- a nearly two-year-old state of the state of emergency Tuesday’s vote comes after more Paul Valette, head of another anti- right National Front who ran a failed emergency. It will allow the authorities declared after the 2015 bloodshed this weekend, when a racism group, Egalite Nationale, told presidential bid, complained Tuesday to confine suspected jihadist suspected Tunisian radical stabbed two the Liberation newspaper. UN experts that the law did not go far enough in sympathisers to their neighbourhoods, Paris attacks elapses on 20-year-old women to death in the also raised objections in a letter to the combatting the “Islamist ideology that close places of worship accused of November 1 after being Mediterranean port city of Marseille. French government last week. is waging war on us”. condoning terror and carry out more extended six times. The attack by 29-year-old Ahmed But a poll published by the Ex-president Francois Hollande on-the-spot identity checks — all Hanachi, who was shot dead by troops conservative Le Figaro newspaper last declared a state of emergency after the without the prior approval of a judge. on anti-terrorism patrol, brings to 241 week showed 57 percent of the French wave of bombings and shootings at The legislation has encountered the number of people killed in attacks in favour. The Islamic State group, Paris nightspots and France’s national little resistance from a public It is expected to become law before claimed by, or attributed to, jihadists which is fast losing territory across the stadium in November 2015, in which traumatised by a string of militant the state of emergency declared after since January 2015. remaining parts of its self-proclaimed 130 people were killed. It was meant attacks, despite criticism it will the 2015 Paris attacks elapses on “We’re still in a state of war,” caliphate in Iraq and Syria, has claimed to be temporary but was repeatedly undermine civil liberties. The bill was November 1 after being extended six Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told several recent attacks in France as the extended in order to protect major approved on its first reading in the times. Since 2012, France has parliament yesterday, warning of a work of its devotees, including the sporting and cultural events, as well as lower house of parliament by 415 votes progressively tightened its legal arsenal “very serious threat” level. Marseille assault. Under the anti-terror this year’s presidential and to 127, with 19 abstentions. to tackle terror threats, passing around Rights groups have countered that bill, which was passed by the upper parliamentary elections.

Johnson vows Montenegro Senior MEP calls loyalty to May holds suspected as divided UK drug kingpin for sacking of Podgorica Tories meet AFP n Australian-Mon- Boris Johnson Manchester tenegrin man was AP Aremanded into custody by a court in Montenegro yes- Strasbourg round of negotiations last week oreign Secretary Boris terday over suspected drug Reuters did not produce enough agree- Johnson assured British trafficking. Vaso Ulic, 58, was ment on key issues for the EU to FConservatives yesterday arrested in Montenegro in late he European Parlia- yield to May’s demands for imme- that he supports “every sylla- August as part of a joint oper- ment savaged the diate talks on a free trade deal and ble” of Prime Minister Theresa ation with Australia. British government’s a transition to it after Brexit. May’s plans for Brexit. Both countries suspect handling of Brexit Juncker last week said it But unity is in short supply Ulic of organising the traffick- negotiations yester- would take “miracles” for talks in the U.K.’s fractious, anxious ing of 60kg of MDMA Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson gathers his papers Tday, voting against opening talks next week to unblock a move to governing party — and John- — commonly known as after addressing the Conservative Party conference in yet on future trade and con- a new phase by the end of this son’s vow of loyalty did not ecstasy — to Australia from demning disarray in Prime month, let alone in time for EU quell suspicions he covets the Manchester, yesterday. several countries between Minister Theresa May’s team. national leaders to approve such leadership. July 2007 and May 2008, The leader of the EU legisla- a shift in gear when they meet Johnson told delegates to Union in a speech last month in ambitions — by laying out his according to police. Born in ture’s biggest party, a German ally for a summit on Oct. 19-20. the Conservative annual con- Florence — “on whose every own distinct roadmap for Brit- Montenegro, Ulic moved to of conservative Chancellor Angela The test the EU has set is to ference that “the whole country syllable I can tell you, the whole ain’s exit from the European Australia in 1974 and obtained Merkel, said cabinet in-fighting make “sufficient progress”— owes (May) a debt for her stead- Cabinet is united,” Johnson said. Union. citizenship there. He returned was putting a deal at risk and which it has not defined—on fastness in taking Britain Johnson has spent weeks With EU divorce negotia- to the tiny Balkans nation in called on May to sack her own for- agreeing rights for EU citizens in forward, as she will, to a great giving the opposite impression. tions proceeding at a snail’s 2004 to live in a winegrowing eign secretary, Boris Johnson. Britain after Brexit, land border Brexit deal.” He has been accused of under- pace, Johnson has positioned area, according to his lawyer. “Please sack Johnson,” arrangements with Ireland and May laid out her plans for mining the prime minister himself as a champion of a As Montenegro and Aus- demanded Manfred Weber, a how much London will pay Brus- Britain’s exit from the European — and advancing his leadership clean-break “hard Brexit.” tralia do not have an leading figure in the assembly, sels on its departure. extradition treaty, Ulic should which must approve any deal Echoing Barnier, Parliament be tried in his native country, struck by EU negotiator Michel called on EU leaders by 557 While welcoming May’s highlighted London’s refusal to criticised the European Union Ulic’s lawyer Milos Vuksa- Barnier before Britain leaves in votes to 92 to delay making a pledges in a speech at Florence let the European Court of Justice position as intransigent, many novic said. The prosecutors March 2019. decision on that progress 10 days ago to strengthen legal be the ultimate arbiter on rights were critical of conflicting sig- suspect Ulic of “organising Opening the debate in Stras- “unless there is a major break- guarantees for expatriates and or to commit to paying substan- nals being given by May, drugs trafficking over the bourg, Barnier and EU chief through in line with this to pay into the EU budget during tial sums due beyond 2020. Johnson and others on where phone,” Vuksanovic said. executive Jean-Claude Juncker resolution in all three areas dur- a two-year post-Brexit transi- And though some, includ- negotiating “red lines” lie for “My client has lived repeated their view that a fourth ing the fifth negotiation round”. tion period, critical speakers ing the UK Independence Party, Britain. peacefully with his family for more than a decade,” he said. Montenegro lies on the so- called “Balkan route” used by traffickers to smuggle drugs, Putin calls for better US ties as he meets new envoy weapons and people towards western Europe.

Moscow credentials from Washington’s are at dangerously low ebb. of constructive, predicable and condolences to the American peo- Serbia backs AFP new ambassador to Moscow. “As far as bilateral ties with mutually beneficial cooperation. ple following the Las Vegas shooting The US Senate last week the United States are concerned, We are convinced it should be which killed at least 59 people and Mladic’s release ussian President Vladimir confirmed businessman, veteran their current level cannot be sat- based on the meticulous adher- wounded more than 500. Putin yesterday called for diplomat and former presiden- isfying,” Putin said at the Kremlin ence to the principles of equality, Spokesman Dmitry Peskov ear- on health grounds R“predictable and mutually tial candidate Jon Huntsman as after he received diplomatic cre- respect of national interests and lier said that the president wanted beneficial” ties with the United ambassador to Russia, filling a dentials from Huntsman. non-interference in domestic to restore ties with the US but Belgrade States as he received diplomatic crucial post at a time when ties “We are in favour affairs.” Putin again expressed stressed he could not do it alone. AP

erbia said yesterday that former Bosnian Serb Smilitary commander Opera reopening Outgoing German minister Ratko Mladic, who is being tried for genocide at a UN tri- confident of three-way coalition bunal, should be released provisionally from detention in The Hague, Netherlands, Berlin and the pro-business Free Demo- on health grounds. Reuters crats (FDP). Schaeuble said the Serbia’s state TV said parties would work out a deal. Tuesday that the government utgoing German Finance “I advise calm. A way will be was responding to requests Minister Wolfgang Schaeu- found,” he told a special edition of from the defense and family Oble said he is confident his the Bild am Sonntag newspaper by issuing a guarantee that conservatives can work out a new published on Tuesday, the anniver- 74-year-old Mladic would not three-way coalition government. sary of German reunification. flee while undergoing hospi- Chancellor Angela Merkel won Leaders of Bavaria’s Christian tal treatment in Serbia. a fourth term in office in a Septem- Social Union (CSU) - stung by a Judges at the Nether- ber 24 election, but a fractured vote drop in support of more than 10 lands-based UN war crimes that saw the far right enter parlia- percent in the election - want the tribunal for the former Yugo- ment means she is trying to work conservative bloc to agree policies slavia rejected in May a out a three-way coalition that is on immigration, pensions and similar defense motion seek- untested at federal level. healthcare before opening coali- ing Mladic’s release for a The Bavarian sister party of tion negotiations with the other two medical treatment in Russia. Merkel’s Christian Democratic parties. Merkel has rejected a CSU Mladic had two strokes and a Intendants of the State Opera Juergen Flimm (right) and Matthias Schulz (left) Union (CDU) is shaping up as an demand for 200,000 per year cap heart attack before he was with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer ahead obstacle to her efforts to forge the on immigration, complicating her imprisoned and his lawyers of the reopening of the State Opera in Berlin, yesterday. tie-up between their conservative efforts to form a new say that his condition has fur- bloc, the environmentalist Greens, government. ther deteriorated in jail. 18 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 US orders expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats

Washington Routine US visa operations AFP Mysterious attacks in Havana were suspended The mysterious indefinitely in response to the he United States attacks, and US officials urged attacks have ordered the expulsion Americans to refrain from vis- affected at least 22 of 15 Cuban diplomats iting the island. yesterday, accusing US embassy staff in Cuba reacted by calling the Havana of failing to Havana over the past US move hasty, and said it Tprotect their American counter- few months. would affect bilateral relations. parts from harm in a series of Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno attacks on their health. Secretary of State Rodriguez Parrilla earlier said Secretary of State Rex Till- Rex Tillerson said, his country has found no evi- erson said, however, that however, that dence to support US claims that Washington would maintain Washington would diplomats were harmed due to diplomatic relations even maintain diplomatic attacks. US officials previously though the size of the US mis- relations even told reporters they believed sion in Havana would be though the size of some kind of inaudible sound reduced to a minimum. the US mission in weapon was used on the US staff “Until the government of either inside or outside their res- Havana would be US President Donald Trump examines emergency lights being given to a crowd of local Cuba can ensure the safety of idences in Havana. reduced to a our diplomats in Cuba, our Canadians in Cuba have also residents affected by Hurricane Maria as he visits a disaster relief distribution point at Calgary embassy will be reduced to minimum. been hurt, with a source close Chapel in San Juan yesterday. emergency personnel to mini- to that country’s embassy tell- mize the number of diplomats ing AFP that more than five at risk of exposure to harm,” he expelled two Cuban diplomats families were affected, includ- Trump, Melania meet storm said. “This order will ensure in May, and Tillerson has raised ing several children. equity in our respective diplo- the possibility of closing the Cuban-American Senator matic operations,” he said. American mission in Cuba alto- Marco Rubio, an outspoken survivors in Puerto Rico The attacks, which US offi- gether over the issue. critic of the Havana regime, has cials initially suggested could Observers doubt that Cuba demanded that, until those have been carried out with some would have risked antagoniz- responsible for the attacks are Guaynabo could help the island’s 3.4 million “No one has ever seen any- sort of covert acoustic device, ing its neighbors at the end of found, Washington should expel AFP American citizens. thing like that. What is your have affected at least 22 US 2016 -- when relations between the same number of Cuban dip- Shortly after touching down death count?” he asked. So far embassy staff in Havana over the the former enemies were still lomats as Americans it is pulling resident Donald Trump at Muniz Air National Guard 16 people are confirmed dead past few months. Those affected thawing. And even Washington from Havana. shook hands with storm Base at the beginning of his five from the storm. “I hate to tell you have exhibited physical symp- has not blamed Cuba directly, Washington should also Psurvivors on the US island hour trip, Trump rallied disas- Puerto Rico but you threw our toms including ear complaints, although no other suspects have consider putting Cuba back on of Puerto Rico yesterday, dur- ter management workers telling budget a little out of whack, but hearing loss, dizziness, headache, been identified. a terror blacklist, Rubio said. ing a trip designed to quiet them they “can be very proud” that’s fine,” Trump said. fatigue, cognitive issues, and dif- The Cuban diplomats, who “The era of constructive engage- critics who branded his initial of their response. But many of Before traveling to the island ficulty sleeping. were given seven days to depart, ment has been replaced by one response slow and ham-fisted. the pugilistic president’s com- Trump had feuded with local Tillerson said the US would were not declared persona non depicting the Cuban government Trump and First Lady Mel- ments appeared to be aimed at officials over the pace of the “maintain diplomatic relations grata, a US official speaking on as behaving badly,” said Paul ania Trump visited the quieting his own critics, inviting relief effort, berating San Juan’s with Cuba, and will continue to condition of anonymity said. Webster Hare, a former British municipality of Guaynabo, officials to say “nice things” mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and cooperate with Cuba as we pur- “Our position on assurances is ambassador to Havana and walking among trees felled by about the response and con- suggesting Puerto Ricans were sue the investigation into these not presume Cuban culpability,” political science professor at Hurricane Maria’s jet-blast trasting it with previous storms. “ingrates” who “want everything attacks.” US relations with the official said. “What it does is Boston University. winds. He asked residents about “We saved a lot of lives.” to be done for them.” Havana were only fully restored require the Cuban government Webster Hare cited a Sep- their homes, posing for photos Trump said, comparing the out- Luckily for the White House, in 2015 -- after a half-century to be able to fulfill their obliga- tember speech at the UN General and softly shot paper towels come favorably to that of few Puerto Ricans have had the Cold War breakdown — and tions with the safety and well Assembly in which Trump said basketball-style into a crowd. Hurricane Katrina, which rav- time or — quite literally the have deteriorated since Presi- being and protection of foreign the United States “has stood Nearly two weeks after Hur- aged New Orleans in 2005. energy -- to read or hear of the dent Donald Trump took office diplomats in their country.” against the corrupt and destabi- ricane Maria thrashed through the “If you look at a real catas- president’s barbed remarks. in January. The US diplomats leaving lizing regime in Cuba.” Trump US territory, much of the island trophe like Katrina and you look But the president’s visit was Last week, Tillerson said he Cuba are expected to be out of further implied that further rap- remains short of food and with- at the tremendous hundreds and carefully choreographed to was withdrawing more than half the country by the end of the prochement is on hold as he “will out access to power or drinking hundreds of people that died avoid any embarrassing pro- the personnel from the US week. The State Department not lift sanctions on the Cuban water. The administration’s crit- and what happened here with a tests. Along the route of his embassy in Cuba in response to gave the Cubans a list of which government until it makes fun- ics said the early response was not storm that was just totally motorcade at least one sign the unexplained attacks. The US diplomats they wanted expelled. damental reforms.” fast enough or on a scale that overbearing.” declared him a “bad hombre”.

Chile’s Pinera Paraguay poll campaign consolidates Trump administration lead in polls backs citizenship path Santiago Reuters for ‘Dreamers’: Official hile’s conservative pres- idential candidate Washington citizenship,” Michael Dough- CSebastian Pinera has Reuters erty, assistant DHS secretary for consolidated a strong lead in border, immigration and trade polls for the November presi- he Trump administration policy, said at a Senate hearing, dential election, a survey by would support legislation in response to questioning on pollster CERC Mori showed. Tallowing illegal immi- the Trump administration’s The poll showed that Pin- grants who came to the United position on whether “Dream- era, a former president, States as children to gain law- ers,” as they are often called, would win 44 percent of the ful permanent status and should be allowed to stay in the vote in the first round on eventually citizenship, a United States. November 19, up from 35 per- Department of Homeland Secu- Earlier in the hearing, when cent in CERC Mori’s previous rity official said in testimony to asked what Trump would like poll released in early July. Congress yesterday. to see in a “DACA fix bill,” Alejandro Guillier, a center- The Trump administration Dougherty recited a list of the left senator, would take 30 last month ended the Deferred administration’s immigration Mario Abdo Benitez, one of the two presidential candidates of the ruling Colorado Party percent in the first round, the Action for Childhood Arrivals priorities, including border con- poll said, while hard-left can- for the December 17 election, speaks during the inscription of the different applicants’ policy, which began in 2012 trol, expanding the ability to didate Beatriz Sanchez would candidacies at the party headquarters in Asuncion, Paraguay, yesterday. under former president Barack quickly remove people who take 11 percent. Obama and offered nearly enter illegally and do not claim CERC Mori said it was not 800,000 young people who asylum, better vetting, reduc- able to accurately estimate vot- came to the United States illegally ing visa overstays, reforming ing intentions for a possible as children protection from non-immigrant business visas second round, which would be deportation and the right to work and establishing a merit-based required if no candidate wins Ecuador VP jailed in bribery case legally in the United States. system that favors skilled more than 50 percent of the The administration said it immigrants. vote. With six presidential can- Quito Under investigation by the Ecuadoran lawmakers in ended DACA because Obama Several Republican bills didates from the left, there is a AFP US Justice Department, Odebre- August unanimously voted to overstepped his constitutional have been introduced in Con- possibility of a broad alliance cht agreed in December to pay allow the corruption probe authority by creating the policy gress that address various in a second round against the cuador’s vice president, a record $3.5bn fine after admit- against Glas to go ahead. He was unilaterally and without Con- aspects of that agenda, includ- right-wing Pinera. Jorge Glas, was ordered ting to paying $788m in bribes barred from leaving the coun- gressional approval. President ing one that has been endorsed At present, however, Elocked up on Monday across 12 countries to secure try. Glas has denied any link to Donald Trump called on Con- by the White House, but many there is no sign of such an pending a criminal investigation juicy tenders. Glas is just the lat- the Odebrecht scandal, though gress to enact a law to protect Democrats and immigration alliance forming, according into allegations he took $16m in est political figure in Latin his uncle, Ricardo Rivera, has DACA recipients, and last month groups see those proposals as to Marta Lagos, director of bribes from Odebrecht, a Bra- America to be identified as a been arrested for his alleged angered some of his fellow poison pills that would kill the CERC Mori. “If a movement zilian construction giant that suspected recipient of bribes participation in the affair. Republicans by negotiating with chance for a deal on the issue. forms against Pinera, then paid illegal kickbacks to win from the Brazilian group. “I acknowledge UNDER PRO- congressional Democratic lead- Democrats say it is unfair to someone could emerge as a public contracts. Fallout from the scandal has TEST this detestable outrage ers on possible legislation. DACA recipients to make leg- leader. The point is that this The country’s highest court cast a cloud over politicians in against me, though I am confident “Under a rational bill these islation helping them movement does not exist and ordered the preventive deten- several other countries, includ- justice will prevail and that I will individuals would be able to contingent on a broad suite of nor does the leadership,” she tion along with a freeze of Glas’ ing Mexico, Peru, Panama and prove my innocence,” Glas become lawful permanent res- enforcement and reform told a news conference. assets and bank accounts. Venezuela. tweeted after the court order. idents with a pathway to measures. WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017 AMERICAS 19 Motive for massacre baffles investigators

Las Vegas day and a half,” McConnell told Reuters Las Vegas shooting journalists. Federal, state and Paddock seemed atypical of aw enforcement offi- local investigators the troubled, angry young men cials were puzzled have found no who experts said have come to yesterday over what embody the mass-shooter pro- evidence that motivated a retiree file in the United States. with no criminal record Paddock, 64, had Public records on Paddock Lto assemble an arsenal in a high- even incidental point to an itinerant existence rise Las Vegas hotel and rain contacts with foreign across the US West and South- gunfire onto a outdoor concert, or domestic east, including stints as an killing at least 59 people. extremist groups. apartment manager and aero- The gunman, identified as space industry worker. He Stephen Paddock, ended Sunday President Donald appeared to be settling in to a night’s shooting spree, the dead- Trump told reporters quiet life when he bought a home liest in modern US history, by that Paddock had in a Nevada retirement commu- killing himself. He left an arse- been “a sick man, a nity a few years ago. Police said nal of 42 guns but no clear clues demented man”. they found 23 guns in Paddock’s as to why he staged the attack on suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel. a crowd of 20,000 from a 32nd- They found another 19 firearms, floor window of the Mandalay ... he did this completely by explosives and thousands of Bay hotel. More than 500 peo- himself.” rounds of ammunition at Pad- ple were injured, some He described his brother as dock’s home in Mesquite, 145km trampled. a financially well-off enthusiast northeast of Las Vegas. Federal, state and local of video poker and cruises, with A search of his car turned up investigators have found no evi- no history of mental health a supply of ammonium nitrate, Belongings are scattered and left behind at the site of the mass shooting at the Route 91 dence that Paddock, 64, had even issues. a fertilizer that can be formed incidental contacts with foreign President Donald Trump told Harvest Festival, in Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday. into explosives and was used in or domestic extremist groups, reporters that Paddock had been the 1995 Oklahoma City bomb- and reviews of his history show “a sick man, a demented man”. Tokyo. nightclub in Orlando last year. Democratic leader Chuck ing of a federal office building no underlying pattern of law- He declined to answer a ques- The closest Paddock The latter attack was previously Schumer urged Trump to bring that killed 168 people, Lombardo breaking or hate speech, a senior tion about whether he appeared to have ever come to the deadliest mass shooting in together both major parties to said. Chris Sullivan, the owner of US homeland security official considered the attack an act of a brush with the law was a traf- modern US history. devise a solution to gun Mesquite’s Guns & Guitars shop, said. “We cannot even rule out domestic terrorism. Trump was fic infraction, authorities said. Democrats reiterated what is violence. issued a statement confirming mental illness or some form of due to visit Las Vegas today. The attack stirred the frac- generally the party’s stance, that “I am requesting the presi- that Paddock was a customer brain damage, although there’s US officials discounted a tious debate about gun legislative action is needed to dent to call us together, who cleared background checks no evidence of that, either,” the claim of responsibility by the ownership in the United States, reduce mass shootings. Repub- Democrats and Republicans, to and said his business was coop- official said. Islamic State militant group and which is protected by the Sec- licans, who control the White come up with a reasonable solu- erating with investigators. Paddock’s brother, Eric, has said they believed Paddock acted ond Amendment to the House and both chambers of Con- tion,” Schumer told journalists. Lombardo said investigators described himself as equally alone. Although police said they Constitution, and about how gress, argue that restrictions on Senate Republican leader Mitch knew a gun dealer had come for- mystified by the attack. “It just had no other suspects, Clark much that right should be sub- lawful gun ownership cannot McConnell said it was too soon ward to say that he had sold makes less sense the more we County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo ject to controls. deter criminal behavior. after the attack to discuss “leg- weapons to the suspect, but it use any kind of reason to figure said investigators wanted to talk Sunday’s shooting followed “We’ll be talking about gun islative solutions” to gun was not clear if he was referring it out,” Eric Paddock said in a text with Paddock’s girlfriend and the massacre of 26 young chil- laws as time goes by,” said violence. to Sullivan. He said police were message on Tuesday. “I will bet live-in companion, Marilou dren and educators in Newtown, Trump, who strongly supported “It’s particularly inappropri- aware of other people engaged any amount of money that they Danley, who he said was Connecticut, in 2012, and the gun rights during his presiden- ate to politicize an event like this, in those transactions, including will not find any link to anything traveling abroad, possibly in slaying of 49 people at a gay tial campaign. US Senate which just happened in the last at least one in Arizona. Vegas carnage unavoidable, security experts say

Los Angeles nearby Mandalay Bay hotel unlikely to be put in place for AFP before killing himself, police fear of driving away tourists, the said. His motive was not imme- experts said. “Hotels and casi- he deadly attack on con- diately known. nos have to find a fine balance certgoers in Las Vegas has “The ironic part of this thing between security and staying a Tprompted a debate about is that security in Vegas is actu- welcoming place,” said Jason security measures at hotels and ally very good but with a Porter, vice president of Pink- open-air venues, but little could halfway creative mind and a erton, a risk management have been done to prevent Sun- means to do something in a free services company. day’s carnage, experts say. country, it causes issues like Brosnan said should hotels The challenges lie in part in this,” said Tegan Broadwater, in Las Vegas adopt stringent the difficulty of imposing harsh president and founder of Tacti- security protocols that include policies on places and events cal Systems Network, a security metal detectors and searching meant for fun and relaxation, consultancy firm based in Texas. guests’ luggage, that would and foiling a perpetrator bent He said Paddock probably likely impact the region’s tour- on bloodshed. “This was an very easily sneaked his arsenal— ism industry which generated A sign advertising a gun range is seen near the Las Vegas Strip yesterday. unpreventable incident, period,” which included at least 16 rifles nearly $60bn in economic activ- said Patrick Brosnan, a former and ammunition—into his room ity in 2016, according to a study NYPD detective who now runs given relatively lax security by Las Vegas-based Applied How did Las Vegas shooter get a private security firm called measures at hotels. Analysis. Brosnan Risk Consultants. “It would actually be very Richard Frankel, a former Brosnan and several other simple for anyone to get into a FBI agent, prosecutor and pro- security experts interviewed by hotel on any typical day with fessor of homeland security at his arsenal? Easily, and legally AFP said the shooting at a coun- that kind of armament because St. John’s University, said Sun- try music festival that left at least hotels don’t usually vet the type day night’s mass shooting — the 59 people dead and more than of baggage that’s being brought deadliest in modern US history— Washington Those databases are not open market, with private sell- 500 injured underscored the in,” Broadwater told AFP. “You would likely spur a rethink of AFP always perfect, relying on often ers of used guns not having to difficulty for law enforcement usually pull up to a concierge, security measures at open-air spotty reporting from the states. run background checks, and no to stay one step ahead of some- you load your bags and you venues. wenty-three guns in his Dylann Roof, the white restrictions on long gun one planning such attacks. wheel them up to your room.” He said new protocols could hotel room. Nineteen supremacist who killed nine purchases. The gunman, retired Any radical changes in secu- include stationing snipers on the Tmore at home. Piles of people in an African-American Automatic weapons have accountant Stephen Paddock, rity at hotels in Las Vegas—a roofs of nearby buildings and ammunition, and devices that church in Charleston, South been banned in the United States 64, shot at concertgoers from a gambling hub that attracts some using helicopters and unmanned converted assault rifles to auto- Carolina on June 17, 2015, for three decades. But convert- room on the 32nd floor of the 43 million visitors annually—are drones during such events. matic weapons that fired like cleared a handgun purchase ing a semi-automatic weapon, machine guns. background check just weeks including the AR-15 and AK-47- How did Las Vegas gunman before, despite having a drug type assault rifles widely Stephen Paddock, who shot and conviction on his record. available in US gun shops, into killed 59 people from his 32nd But if a person’s record is an automatic weapon is easy. story hotel window, amass an clean — and Paddock evidently For $40 you can buy a trigger arsenal of firearms? In the did not raise any red flags — he crank, a small device that can be United States, and particularly can buy as many guns as he attached to the trigger. It can in states like Nevada, it’s easy. wants. There are some controls, make the gun fire three or four And totally legal. points out Laura Cutilletta, the times with each turn of the crank, Although the country is legal director at the Law Center significantly faster than using a notorious for its lax gun laws, to Prevent Gun Violence. finger to pull the trigger. For as there are some restrictions on Licensed gun dealers, who little as $99, you can get a bump multiple sales of handguns. But handle perhaps 60 percent of stock, a spring-loaded stock if someone wants to build up a all firearm sales, have to report that, with one pull of the trigger, cache of rifles the way Paddock multiple handgun sales to the keeps the weapon firing using did, they could do so without Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and its own recoil. It can enable the anyone noticing. Tobacco. “Multiple” means two weapon to fire at a rate of 600 Most gun sales are by feder- or more guns to the same pur- rounds a minute or more. ally-licensed vendors who must chaser within five business days. Trigger cranks and bump put buyers through background Three states — California, stocks are completely legal, they checks. The FBI will run their New York and New Jersey — even come with ATF certifications name through the National prohibit sales of more than one that they do not constitute an ille- Instant Criminal Background handgun in 30 to 90 days, with gal conversion of the guns. Check System, which refers to slight variations between them. According to reports Paddock had The home of Stephen Paddock is seen in Mesquite, Nevada, yesterday. three databases of offenders. Beyond that, the country is an two weapons with bump stocks. 20 MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Katara opens paintings of FAJR 04.11 am SHOROOK 05.27 am celebrity chef Halladjian ZUHR 11.23 am MAGHRIB 05.20 pm ASR 02.46 pm ISHA 06.50 pm The Peninsula artist displays paintings which certain story of her life. She focus on women and convey said that she worked to WEATHER TODAY elebrity Chef Zar- various feelings and emotions focus on the presence of mig Halladjian expressed in vibrant colours women and she chose to o o exhibits another through her unique style. address the exhibition in the side of her mul- “Katara has opened its name of her mother for her 30 C 39 C tifaceted talent, doors to the artist Zarmig to love and sacrifices, as the Minimum Maximum Cshowcasing 40 of her paint- offer visitors of Katara a mother is symbol of tender- ings at her solo exhibition collection of the most beau- ness, affection and love. titled “Inspiration of the tiful works of art. It would Zarmig holds a master Fruit of Susie Tree” which provide the public with a degree in Public Health of opened on Monday at new and distinct experi- Food and has several tele- Katara Building 19. ence,” said Katara General vision programs in local and The show, which runs Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibra- international television until October 8, features him Al Sulaiti, who officially channels. She published paintings of different sizes opened the exhibition. several cooking books, two created without using the Zarmig said: “I am of which are Culinary Art paintbrush, but the artist’s pleased to present my first secrets and The Art of Carv- fingers, drawing a close exhibition in Katara, this ing. She has been a judge in relation between her pas- beautiful and attractive cul- international culinary com- sion for gastronomy and her tural edifice” petitions and a consultant penchant for visual arts. Zarmig adds that each in the food and hospitality In her Katara debut, the of her paintings tells a industries. Hissa debuts shoe designs at Paris Fashion Week

The Peninsula

Hot daytime with slight dust to atari designer Hissa Al Haddad debuted her first shoe blowing dust at places at times collection in Paris Fashion Week yesterday in the Le and some clouds. QBristol Paris. Hissa Haddad is a bespoke Qatari brand of artisanal Ital- ian made shoes founded by its visionary and female entrepreneur Hissa Al Haddad. HIGH TIDE 03:45 – 16:00 LOW TIDE 09:15 – 22:45 Inspired by the Middle East’s rich heritage and pearl Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department trade, the brands aesthetic reflects that beauty in each and every handcrafted piece. After two years of meticulous research and perfection Hissa Haddad is introducing its capsule collection of 10 unique designs and colours. During the event the brand unveiled its SS18 collection Celebrity Chef Zarmig Halladjian (left) and Katara General Manager Dr Khalid with nine new designs. bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (second left) along with other guests at the opening of “Inspiration of the Fruit of Susie Tree” exhibition at Katara Building 19. QU launches 14th cycle of ‘I am A Researcher’

The Peninsula teachers from seven high Dr Noora Al Thani said: towards achieving a knowl- economy. It also stresses schools in Qatar which “Al-Bairaq is a unique expe- edge-based economy. It also interdisciplinary research that he fourteenth cycle of “I included Tariq Bin Ziad Inde- rience that motivates high highlights CAM’s commitment can cover any and all STEM am A Researcher” mod- pendent Secondary School for school students to innovate to promoting scientific culture (Science, Technology, Engi- Tule of Qatar University’s Boys, Al-Arqam Academy – and achieve their full poten- and research from high school neering and Mathematics) (QU) Al Bairaq Programme Girls, Omar Bin Abdulaziz tial through a wide range of to university towards achiev- subjects. recently launched in a cere- Secondary School for Boys, Al projects. The projects that ing the objectives and The Programme is sup- mony held at the University. Bayan Educational Complex contribute to shape their per- priorities of the State of ported by UNESCO Doha The event was attended by for Girls, Jassim bin Hamad sonalities and enhancing their Qatar,” she added. Office (Partner), Qatar Dr Noora Al Thani, QU Center Independent Secondary critical-thinking, problem- Al Bairaq promotes inno- National Commission for Edu- for Advanced Materials (CAM) School for Boys, Aisha Bint Abi solving and teamwork skills.” vation, entrepreneurship and cation, Culture and Science Manager of Outreach and Bkr Independent Secondary “It is the result of the com- applied research in line with (Partner), RasGas Company Engagement and Al Bairaq School For Girls, and Omar Ibn mitted vision of QU to build a Qatar National Vision 2030, Limited (gold sponsor), and Supervisor and a large number Al-Khattab Secondary School generation capable of and the country’s ambitions Shell Qatar (silver sponsor). of Grade 12 students and for Boys. research and development towards a knowledge-based Pistorius family vows legal action over movie

Johannesburg The double-amputee AFP sprinter shot Steenkamp four times with high-calibre bullets he family of jailed Paral- through a locked bathroom ympic athlete Oscar door. He maintained that he TPistorius said yesterday mistook the model for an that it would pursue legal action intruder. The family statement, over a coming US film about his issued by Oscar’s brother Carl murder of his girlfriend Reeva Pistorius, dismissed the film as Steenkamp. a biased “representation of what In a statement, the Pistorius the prosecution tried to family said neither it nor the portray.” Steenkamps were consulted On Monday, the Steenkamps about the film, Blade Runner also distanced themselves from Killer, which is set to premiere the film, saying they were “hor- People visit the Ancient Colosseum in Rome yesterday. on the Lifetime network in the rified and upset” at reports that US on November 11. The ath- it claimed to tell the story from lete’s family criticised the the perspective of Reeva and her Colosseum to open up highest level project for not being a “true mother June. The trailer for the reflection” of the shooting nor film, which stars German model Rome Roman society’s lowest seen in his life,” Italian Cul- of Pistorius’s marathon trial Toni Garrn as Steenkamp, shows AFP commoner: the ture Minister Dario which gripped the world. Pistorius and Steenkamp in bed, plebeian. Franceschini said at a media “The ‘film’ is a gross misrep- having arguments before her he highest level of But the seats boasted a presentation. resentation of the truth,” the death and Pistorius opening fire. Rome’s ancient Colos- breathtaking view — not Far below, tourists peer- family said in a statement. “We In 2016, an appeals court Tseum will be opened only of the gladiator battles ing down into the maze of will be taking legal action.” upgraded Pistorius’s man- to the public for the first far below, but of the heart galleries in the monument’s Pistorius, 30, is serving a six- slaughter conviction to murder. time in 40 years on Novem- of the empire. belly appear as tiny specks, year prison term for killing South African state prosectors ber 1, Italy’s culture minister “It is an incredible view showing just how far away Steenkamp in his house in the are pushing for a longer sen- said yesterday. of the Colosseum and Rome, the commoners were from South African capital of Preto- tence, with the appeals court Seats on the fifth level which the visitor will the arena floor, where ter- ria in the early hours of due to hear the case on Novem- of the amphitheatre were remember as one of the rified prisoners were forced Valentine’s Day on 2013. ber 3. once reserved for ancient most beautiful things he has to fight wild beasts.