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Wednesday 9 August 2017 | 17 Dhul-Qa’Da 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7248 | 2 Riyals

Emir receives invitation from Bolivian President Kuwait renews Qatar Airways efforts to end Gulf crisis

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AS THE GULF crisis entered its third month, efforts to UAE corridor break the stalemate intensi- fied yesterday with renewed diplomatic efforts by Kuwait Montreal and the US. AFP & Agencies Kuwait Emir H H Sheikh “Some existing air Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al atar Airways can now route availability has Sabah’s envoys First Deputy access a new route over been assured, and Prime Minister and Minister international waters in some new temporary or of Foreign Affairs Sheikh the Gulf controlled by contingency routes have Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Qthe United Arab Emir- Al Sabah and Minister of State also been developed,” ates and Bahrain, the world for Cabinet Affairs and Acting aviation agency announced. said spokesman of Minister of Information The Montreal-based Inter- the Montreal-based Sheikh Mohammad Al national Civil Aviation International Civil Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Organization (ICAO) has been Aviation Organization Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday a written message from Sabah delivered a letter to H working with “various Middle (ICAO). the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales Ayma, inviting the Emir to attend the Forum of Gas M Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Eastern states to ensure equi- Exporting Countries slated for November in Bolivia’s city of Santa Cruz. The message Sultanate of Oman on the table access to airspace for was handed over by Bolivia’s Minister of Justice, Hector Arce Zaconeta, when the Emir recent regional and Qatar-registered aircraft” since suitability and ATM (air traffic met him at Emiri Diwan. international developments. sanctions were announced on management) measures, which The letter was handed to June 5, ICAO spokesman may still be subject to further Deputy Prime Minister for Anthony Philbin said. “Some modification if necessary, by International Relations and existing air route availability has mutual agreement,” Philbin Cooperation Affairs and been assured, and some new said. Saj Ahmad, chief analyst Personal Representative of temporary or contingency routes at the aviation consultancy Siege countries violating Sultan Qaboos, Asa’ad bin have also been developed,” Strategic Aero Research, said Tariq bin Taimour Al Said. including through Bahrain and the new corridor, though tem- postal movement: Minister Earlier yesterday, Vice- UAE airspace, he said. porary, bodes “well for a longer President and Prime Qatar had asked the ICAO term solution that may provide countries’ infringements on the emphasised the postal corre- Minister of the UAE and the to approve new routes after much needed breathing space QNA UPU Constitution and General spondences is a human right and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain for Qatar Airways”. Regulations, which are the first delivering them to their desti- Mohammad bin Rashid Al and Egypt banned Qatar Air- Ahmad told Al Jazeera that inister of Transport and of their kind in the world and a nations is a social matter. Maktoum received a letter ways from their airspace as part while he does not “see any Communications H E dangerous precedent to the UPU The meeting also reviewed from Kuwaiti Emir of economic and diplomatic resumption of pre-June 2017 MJassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti conventions. cooperation in the field of post addressing the UAE President boycott. The air traffic restric- normalcy in terms of flights to met here yesterday with Bishar The two officials discussed and means of furthering H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed tions have caused headaches and from Doha”, it will enable Hussein, Director-General of the blockading countries’ violations enhancing and developing them, Al Nahyan. for the 2.4 million residents of Qatar Airways to fly a little Universal Postal Union (UPU), of UPU systems, particularly as well as boosting relations Kuwaiti envoys handed Qatar. “The ICAO and the states more efficiently, particularly in response to the complaint the Article 4 of UPU conventions between Qatar and the UPU. over similar letter to Bahrain involved are continuously mon- when it could not previously fly State of Qatar had submitted to relating to freedom of transit of King in Manama, Kuwait itoring related air route over UAE airspace. the UPU about blockading postal items. The meeting also →Picture on page 3 News Agency reported.

LATAM Airlines Group supports QA Abdalelah Haroun wins bronze PROMISING Qatari atin America’s leading air- strong partnership with LATAM. sprinter Abdalelah line showed strong support “We look forward to growing Haroun won the bronze Lfor Qatar this week when and expanding our presence in South medal when he clocked Qatar Airways hosted the LATAM America when we launch a brand 44.48 seconds in the Airlines Group Board of Direc- new direct service between Doha, men’s 400 metres final of tors for its first-ever meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Santiago, IAAF World Athletics Doha. Chile starting in early 2018.” Championships in Lon- The board members, includ- During their two-day visit to don, yesterday. The young ing Chairman of the Board Qatar, LATAM’s Board of Direc- star blasted through in the Ignacio Cueto and Chief Execu- tors were able to see first-hand final stretch at the London tive Officer Enrique Cueto, Qatar Airways’ new operational Stadium to earn Qatar’s arrived at Doha’s state-of-the-art base and facilities. As well as tour- first medal in the 2017 Hamad International Airport ing the airline’s Airbus A350-900, Worlds while World (HIA), after flying on Qatar Air- they also visited the cargo opera- record holder South Afri- ways flights from Sao Paulo, tions and technical hangar, where can Wayde van Niekerk Brazil, and Madrid, Spain, allow- an aircraft was undergoing an got his bid for an auda- ing them to experience the inspection by engineers, the Inte- cious 200/400m double airline’s renowned world-class grated Operations Centre, where off to a flying start when service for themselves. While in every Qatar Airways flight around he defended his one-lap Doha they were given an exten- the world is managed, and world- title in 43.98 seconds. Ste- sive tour of Qatar Airways’ hi-tech class HIA, complete with its ven Gardiner of the operational centre and technical modern and convenient airport Bahamas claimed silver in facilities, as well as one of the air- hotel, luxurious First Class and 44.41sec to round-up the Abdalelah Haroun of Qatar line’s Airbus A350 aircraft. Business Class lounges and Duty podium. Qatar Airways Group Chief Free shops and luxury boutiques. → See also page 24 celebrates after the race. Executive Akbar Al Baker said: LATAM Airlines Group Board of Directors during a tour of Qatar “We were delighted to extend Airways’ hi-tech operational centre and technical facilities. → Continued on page 2 the warmest of welcomes to LATAM’s board members and Belgium and EU fully support Kuwaiti mediation offer them a taste of authentic Arabian hospitality. LATAM Airlines Group’s presence in Qatar sends an important signal OUTGOING Ambassador of Belgium to Qatar, Christophe Payot, “LATAM’s presence here in that the business is as usual both for Qatar Airways and the State has said that Belgium and the European Union are playing their Qatar sends an important signal due role for the early resolution of Gulf crisis by emphasising on that it is business as usual both of Qatar, and that we continue to strengthen our links with our the process of dialogue and fully supporting Kuwaiti mediation. for Qatar Airways and the State “We hope this crisis will be resolved soon through dialogue as of Qatar, and that we continue valued partners around the world. Qatar Airways has a very strong it was solved in 2014. Belgium fully supports Kuwaiti mediation to strengthen our links with our partnership with LATAM”. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and we appreciate efforts of the Emir of Kuwait in this regard,” he valued partners around the said while talking to The Peninsula. world. Qatar Airways has a very → Full report on page 3 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017

Minister approves Minister meets Universal Postal Union chief Zakat Fund gives QR11m results of Secondary for needy Certificate examination families in July

QNA At Qatar Independent QNA Technical Secondary inister of Education School for boys, the suc- THE TOTAL assistance pro- and Higher Educa- cess ratio was 52.17 vided by the Zakat Fund at Mtion H E Dr percent, while Qatar Bank- the Ministry of Endowments Mohammad bin Abdulwahed ing Studies and Business (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Al Hammadi, yesterday Administration Independ- for needy families in the approved the results of the ent Secondary School for country last July amounted second session secondary Boys saw a success ratio of to QR11m, distributed of cases school certificate examina- 75 percent. that are legitimately owed to tion for the academic year The Director of the Eval- the Fund’s assistance. 2016-2017. uation Institute of the The Zakat Fund said in The ratio of success in Ministry of Education and a press release Tuesday that day schools was 72.89, while Higher Education Khalid Al these expenses, which ben- in adult education it was Harqan extended congratu- Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, with Bishar Hussein, efited 2073 families, comes 78.48 percent, and at the lations to outstanding and Director-General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), in Doha, yesterday. The meeting was within the framework of Religious Institute Prepara- successful students, and attended by Mohammed Ali Al Mannai, President of the Communications Regulatory Authority permanent assistance pro- tory and Secondary wished them successful life and Faleh Mohamed Al Naemi, Qatar Post Chairman and Managing Director. vided on a monthly basis Independent School For Boys in their undergraduate and intermittent assistance was 100 percent. studies. which is provided for spe- cific needs. According to the state- ment, these assistances are provided after taking the social and field research pro- Envoy: Dialogue only way to solve crisis cedures necessary for the applicants for assistance and to verify the accuracy of their Chisinau horizons to realize the interests of the two data and documents in order QNA In an interview with countries and the two friendly peoples. to ensure that the Zakat of In this context, the Ambassador noted the people of Qatar will mbassador of the State of LP Magazine, Qatar’s that the Moldovan Parliament recently reached actual Qatar to the Republic of Ambassador to adopted a law exempting citizens of Qatar beneficiaries. Moldova, H E Mohammed Ali Republic of Moldova H E from the visa requirement to Moldova if they Meanwhile,the number Al Malki (pictured), stressed obtain a visa issued by any European Union of files of assistance cases in that dialogue is the only way Mohammed Ali Al Malki or Schengen country. “In return, Qatar the Zakat Fund exceeded toA solve the Gulf crisis, pointing out that said Qatar did not enter allowed the Moldovan citizen to enter its twenty thousand files. the four countries sparked the Gulf cri- the regional conflict by territory by obtaining entry visa upon arrival sis to impose guardianship on the State providing that they have return tickets, a of Qatar. its choice, but it was hotel reservation and $1,500. Turkish presence In an interview with LP Magazine, the surprised and found Moldova is an important economic creates ‘balance Ambassador said that Qatar did not enter itself facing a plan partner and we see great opportunities to the regional conflict by its choice, but it deepen relations between the two coun- in the region’ was surprised and found itself facing a implemented by the tries, he stressed pointing that Moldova has plan implemented by the countries of the siege countries. many advantages that attract Qatari and A SENIOR MP of Turkey’s siege (The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the foreign investors such as its fertile land and governing party told Al United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt). the geographical location, as well as the Jazeera that Turkish presence The envoy said that cutting off diplo- warnings, the State of Qatar, since the imposed on the country. hard working population and professional in Qatar creates “a balance in matic relations and imposing economic beginning of the crisis, has maintained its “We have proved to the world, and staff, in addition to its attractive tax system the region” as military forces sanctions on Qatar is an imposition of the stance that dialogue is the only way to above all to those who want to defame for Qatari investors. of the two countries held mil- four countries’ concept of the foreign pol- resolve the crisis and therefore it wel- our country with lies and perverse claims, Ambassador Mohammed Ali Al Malki itary exercises. icy of the State of Qatar which will put the comed the mediation of the sisterly State that the truth is on our side,” he said. expressed hope that the near future would “Turkey is protecting its own State in a position that will endanger our of Kuwait, adding that Qatar also stressed On bilateral relations between Qatar see exchange of visits between business- interests through the base in independence and sovereignty, adding on the need to resolve the crisis within and Moldova, the Ambassador said that men from the two countries, signing Qatar, rather than taking that this can not be accepted by the Qatari the framework of the Gulf Cooperation the diplomatic relations, which began 20 agreements on avoiding double taxation sides between the parties at leadership or people. Council (GCC). years ago, are constantly evolving, and and reciprocal protection of investments. odds. The Qatari Ambassador considered The State of Qatar and its people, led have been culminated with the opening This will give Moldova greater attractive- And Ankara’s interests that the issuance of immediate laws in by Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of the embassies of the two countries in ness and will give Qatari businessmen require stability in the region, the four countries that prevent sympathy Al Thani, have taken a number of effec- Doha and Chisinau, expressing hope in information about the areas and sectors therefore Turkey would be with the State of Qatar confirms their tive measures to counter external signing cooperation agreements that will of the Moldovan economy and the possi- against an attack on Saudi desire to blur the truth they fear. pressures, threats and blackmail from increase bilateral cooperation and raise bility of direct investment in the Moldovan Arabia as much as Qatar,” He added that despite the threats and the first days of the crisis and the siege the relations to a broader and wider market. Yasin Aktay said yesterday.

Siege won’t prevent Qatar from NHRC chief meets Arab human rights official developing international relations

Madrid international universities, and there are mosques QNA and Christian churches. The Ambassador expressed his hope for the atar’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, development of relations with the Spanish region H E Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari said of Extremadura, which can provide much to the Qthat the unjust siege will not prevent the State of Qatar, especially in the field of agricul- State of Qatar from developing its relations with ture and education. He also expressed Qatar’s the world. interest in investing in In an interview with the Spain, and called on the Spanish news site Hoy, the Head of the Government of Qatari Ambassador under- Extremadura to visit Qatar lined that the siege violates with delegations of compa- the international law and nies from the region to meet human rights, and that the with Qatari officials and The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Chairman, Dr Ali bin Sumaikh Al Marri, United Nations has taken a companies. met here yesterday with the Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee on Human clear position against the The Qatar’s envoy said Rights, Dr Amjad Shammout. The meeting dealt with the repercussions of the siege on siege, which has no real he believes that the rela- human rights, the humanitarian situation of the citizens of the State of Qatar and its basis or justification. tions in the food sector residents, both the nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council and other countries. The Ambassador said could be better developed that the real reason behind in view of the region’s mod- the siege is the intention to ern agricultural sector and change Qatar’s internal and extensive experience in this foreign policy. “They want field, stressing keenness to Strong ties between Qatar Airways and Latam to control us . They do not Qatar’s Ambassador to cooperate with the Kingdom → Continued from page 1 want Qatar to be an open Spain, H E Mohammed bin of Spain in a number of sec- Airways also announced it was Airways made a strategic invest- and tolerant country,” he tors, such as tourism in Links between Latam and leasing four Latam Airlines ment by acquiring 10 per cent added. Jaham Al Kuwari, says the which Qatar is currently Qatar Airways are extensive. Just Group Airbus A350-900 aircraft of Latam Airlines Group. June He noted that there are siege countries fabricated investing heavily. this month Qatar Airways for up to a year, to meet increas- 2017 marked the seven-year more than 150 different accusations, which were not The Ambassador said started a new codeshare agree- ing customer demand. Latam anniversary of Qatar Airways’ nationalities living together agreed by the United States that Extremadura will hold ment with Latam Airlines Brazil A350s feature 30 Business Class operations to So Paulo, Brazil, in Qatar, including 5,000 a meeting with the partici- (part of the Latam Airline seats and 309 Economy Class and Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Spanish working in impor- and Europe and many Arab pation of 22 ambassadors Group), which includes new seats, giving Qatar Airways the the award-winning airline con- tant sectors such as countries. from Arab countries with codeshares on Latam’s routes necessary capacity to meet tinues to strengthen its presence infrastructure, education, diplomatic missions in between So Paulo’s Guarulhos growing demand. Qatar Air- in the region. Qatar Airways’ new sport and health. Spain on October 9 to dis- Airport and 25 domestic cities ways-configured A350s offer 36 service to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, The siege countries fabricated artificial accu- cuss development and investments, stressing across Brazil including Rio de seats in Business Class and 247 with the flight going on to San- sations, which were not agreed by the United that the Spanish economy is showing good Janeiro (GIG), Salvador (SSA), seats in Economy Class. Qatar tiago, Chile, will be operated by States and Europe and many Arab countries, the growth and that it is a very important country Campo Grande (CGR), Foz do Airways currently operates a an Airbus A350-900, offering four Ambassador reiterated, noting that Qatar has 11 in Europe. Iguaçu (IGU) and Recife (REC). fleet of 19 Airbus A350-900s. flights a week between South Earlier this year, Qatar In December 2016, Qatar America and Doha. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 HOME 03 Foreign Minister meets US official QNA

inister of Foreign Affairs The Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin underscored MAbdulrahman Al Thani the importance met yesterday with US Assistant of international Secretary of the Treasury for Ter- rorist Financing, Marshall will, capacity and Billingslea. coordination to During the meeting, they dis- combat terrorism. cussed the efforts of the State of Qatar and the United States in the field of combating terrorism and United States towards this issue, means of enhancing cooperation which is reflected in the signing between the two countries. of the Memorandum of Under- The Foreign Minister said that standing (MoU) in the field of the fight against terrorism counter-terrorism on July 11, 2017. requires prioritising the issues of The Minister underscored the combating the financing of ter- importance of international will, rorists and terrorist organisations capacity and coordination to and further cooperation between combat terrorism, expressing the financial intelligence units in the support of the State of Qatar for field of combating terrorism all international efforts that would financing. enhance cooperation in combat- Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met yesterday with US Assistant Secretary of the The Minister referred to the ing the phenomenon of Treasury for Terrorist Financing, Marshall Billingslea. commitment of Qatar and the trans-border terrorism.

Qatar to host Global Aviation Belgium supports Kuwaiti mediation: Envoy

Training By Irfan Bukhari set to leave for his next diplo- and was also constructing Al The Peninsula The outgoing Belgian matic assignment this week, said Wakrah Stadium. He said many Symposium ambassador said that he had spent a great time in other Belgian companies work- utgoing Ambassador Qatar full of discoveries. “An ing in sustainability, water QNA of Belgium to Qatar, that MENA region important chapter of my life is management, research and Christophe Payot was already facing a closing now,” he said. development sectors of Qatar. n the coming year, Qatar (pictured), has said number of challenges Outgoing Belgian ambassa- He said that the bilateral will host the 5th Global that Belgium and which needed a dor said that during his stay in cooperation and partnership in IAviation Training Sympo- Othe European Union are playing office as an ambassador in sports was tremendous. “Belgian sium on the advanced trainer their due role for the early res- collective response. Doha, bilateral relations made cycling legend brought cycling programme (Trainer), the first olution of Gulf crisis by stressing a remarkable progress starting to Qatar back in 2002 and last of its kind organised by the on dialogue and fully support- and dialogue are needed to with the economic and trade year World Cycling Champion- International Civil Aviation ing Kuwaiti mediation. resolve the Gulf crisis so that delegation visit to Qatar back in ship was held here in Doha. KAS Organization (ICAO) in the “We hope this crisis will be we all can collectively address said that if the crisis persisted March 2015. “The visit gave a Eupen, a Belgian football club, is Middle East and North Africa resolved soon through dialogue other challenges and defeat for longer, it would impact boost to bilateral relations and owned by Aspire Zone Founda- Aviation Training Region. as it was solved in 2014. Belgium global issues of extremism and economy of the whole region. there was remarkable progress tion through which Qatar is Qatar’s hosting of the fully supports Kuwaiti mediation terrorism,” he added. Payot has He said that the European in bilateral trade in 2015, 2016.” developing young players for its event is part of a partnership and we appreciate efforts of the been posted as vice-ambassa- Union was also playing its role He said that Qatar’s decision future team,” he added. between the Qatar Aviation Emir of Kuwait in this regard,” dor to Washington and leaving for “quick resolution” of the of granting permanent residency When asked whether trade Science College and the ICAO he said while talking to The Doha this week. standoff as depicted by its high to some expats was a ‘welcome between Belgium and Qatar was Office for Global Aviation Peninsula. He said that Belgium was official’s visit to Kuwait last step”. “We are still waiting for affected by the current blockade, Security Training (GAT). The outgoing ambassador optimistic that the tension in the month. “The region between the details like the criteria of eligi- he said he had not heard any The partnership agree- said that MENA region was region would defuse soon Gulf and Europe is passing bility but it is a step forward, we major complaint from any Bel- ment was signed by the already facing a number of through dialogue and we are in through problems therefore we welcome it,” he added. gian company yet as Belgian Director General of QAC, H E challenges which needed a col- constant contact with all parties (Gulf and Europe) have to solve The ambassador said that “Six exports were either coming to Sheikh Jabor bin Hamad Al lective response. “Dialogue is involved and fully supporting those issues with joint efforts,” Construct”, a Belgian construc- Doha directly or they had found Thani, and the Deputy Direc- the only way to go to resolve mediation role of Kuwait. “They he said, adding that all parties tion company, had built mega alternate routes. tor of the Technical the crisis. Middle East and (Kuwait) know the region and would have to found solution of projects in Qatar including The He said that Belgium was the Cooperation Department of North Africa is already facing their brothers well therefore the crisis “quite quickly”. Tornado Tower, Convention first country from Europe to sign ICAO, and Director of the unrest and war in Syria, Libya, they are in a position to get the Payot, who after serving Center, Education City, expansion LNG import agreement with WMO Office for Global Avia- Yemen therefore deescalation dispute settled,” he added. He three and a half year in Doha is of Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar in 2006. tion Security Training, Meshesha Belayneh. This symposium will be an important opportunity for ICAO Member States to meet training authorities and Qatar Airways organisations to explore the prospects and opportunities of new partnerships, as well as to raise awareness of the starts flying to priorities for strengthening the key capabilities of avia- tion training in the near and long term. 450 participants from all Sohar in Oman over the world are expected to attend the symposium, The Peninsula “We are delighted to add Sohar including universities, spe- to our global route network. We cialised training centres and he first Qatar Airways non- launched services to the Sultan- major international organi- stop flight from Doha to ate of Oman nearly 17 years ago, sations working in this sector TSohar touched down yes- and ever since, we have added such as the International Air terday at Sohar Airport, additional frequencies on a Transport Association and inaugurating the award-winning yearly basis to accommodate the International Airports airline’s newest destination in demand for increased capacity Council and other the Middle East, and its third des- to this charming country, known stakeholders. tination in the Sultanate of for its traditional culture and the Qatar Aviation Science Oman. warmth of the Omani people. Academy’s hosting of this Qatar Airways Chief Com- Now passengers from Sohar will Qatar Airways and Omani officials at the launch of the flight to Sohar in Oman. event will be reflected on its mercial Officer, Ehab Amin, who have the opportunity to experi- strategic vision towards travelled on board the inaugu- ence our award-winning service, ceramics, perfumes, herbs and operations of Sohar Airport. We on the Doha-Salalah route. developing the human ele- ral flight, was greeted by Ali bin connecting them to a wide vari- honey. will ensure that all passengers The new route to Sohar will ment of this vital sector in Fahd Al Hajri, Ambassador of ety of popular summer holiday Oman Airports Management have a seamless and convenient be served by an Airbus A320 air- Qatar and the region, espe- Qatar in Oman, and officials destinations.” Company, Chief Executive travel experience.” craft, featuring 12 seats in cially that the symposium will from Oman Airports Manage- Sohar is a city known both Officer, Sheikh Aiman bin The airline will operate three Business Class and 132 seats in be attended by distinguished ment Company (OAMC), for its traditional Omani culture Ahmed Al Hosni said: “We are weekly flights between Doha and Economy Class. international experts to high- including Chief Operations and beautiful beaches. As the delighted to welcome Qatar Air- Sohar, bringing the total capac- The 2017 Airline of the Year, light the best training Officer, David Wilson; General Sultanate of Oman’s largest city ways as a new strategic partner ity across Oman to 59 weekly as awarded by Skytrax, has a practices that can be used by Manager Commercial Opera- in the governorate of Northern in Sohar, which plays a signifi- flights. Qatar Airways first began host of exciting new destinations the College to support the avi- tions, Sheikh Samer Ahmed Al Al Batinah and the country’s cant role in the Sultanate of service to the Sultanate of Oman planned for the remainder of this ation sector in Qatar and Nabhani; General Manager main shipping hub, this vibrant Oman’s business model, and is by launching flights to the capi- year and 2018, including Can- promote it. Operations, Ali Zaid Al Balushi; coastal city offers a range of home to many successful tal, Muscat in 2000. In 2013, berra, Australia; Chiang Mai, The “Trainer” Advanced General Manager Information tourist attractions and activities, projects implemented by the Salalah was added to the airline’s Thailand; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Program is a collaborative and Communication Technol- in particular water sports such Omani Government.” growing network as the second San Francisco, US.; and Santiago, international training net- ogy, Dr Moaman Mohammed Al as diving, snorkelling and kite Sheikh Aiman bin Ahmed Al destination in the Sultanate of Chile, to name a few. work of more than 90 Busaidi and government officials boarding. Shoppers will not want Hosni added: “The new direct Oman. The award-winning air- Qatar Airways has received specialised training centres of Al Batinah Governorate. to miss the city’s souq, which route between Doha and Sohar line currently operates five daily Airline of the Year award by the and institutions in more than Qatar Airways Group Chief offers traditional Omani handi- operated by Qatar Airways is a flights between Doha and Mus- prestigious 2017 Skytrax World 70 ICAO member countries. Executive, Akbar Al Baker said: crafts as well as leather goods, prestigious addition to the cat, and three daily return flights Airline Awards. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 US chooses Qataris for Staycation offer by Shangri-La Hotel The Peninsula Shangri-La’s lavishly luxurious cities in the world: their very rooms pegged at rates starting own Doha.” hangri-La Hotel Doha has from just QR775 until the end of The Staycation package is leadership programme announced an exclusive August - when you show your designed to foster a sense of SStaycation offer for Qatar valid residents’ ID - in addition generous liberation and easy nationals and residents only, to two free Fun City tickets per luxury for the whole family. As The Peninsula elegantly filling the gap for Doha booking, twenty percent dis- well as two free Fun City tick- The IVLP programme locals looking for inspiration for counts on all the hotels’ ets per booking, up to two wo Qatari researchers counts among its their 2017 summer plans. celebrated restaurants, includ- children below twelve can stay from Sidra Medical and alumni British Prime Families wondering about ing a breakfast and dinner buffet for free in the same room with TResearch Center (Sidra) the best destination for a relax- at the internationally acclaimed their parents, while up to two have been selected to attend a Ministers Theresa ing leisure break may be Sridan, and twenty-five percent children below six years can prestigious leadership pro- May, Tony Blair, pleasantly astonished to dis- off at their fabulous spa, Chi, this also enjoy complimentary buf- gramme hosted by the United Margaret Thatcher cover that, after all, there’s no could be one of the most cost- fet meals when accompanied States Department of State. place like home. The West-Bay effective luxury holidays you’ll by a paying adult in Sridan, the Dr Rashid Al Ali, Deputy and Gordon Brown as based Shangri-La with its stun- ever experience. All the better - hotel’s popular all-day dining Chief Research Officer and Divi- well as international ning views is a well-established some might say - for also taking venue. Additional children sion Chief Biomedical leaders such as Kim Asian luxury hotel with long advantage of Doha’s excellent under six, and all six-to-twelve- Informatics and Ahmad Al Dae Jung (South experience in catering to the luxury-browsing opportunities. year-olds, may dine half-price. Shaibi, Graduate Associate — Dr Rashid Al Ali, above, and stringent demands of high tour- Alex Willats, General Man- Furthermore, with leisure have been selected to participate Korea), Nicolas Ahmad Al Shaibi. ism. Accordingly, they have ager of Shangri-La Hotel Doha, schedules in mind, the Shangri- in the International Visitor Sarkozy (France) and arranged a limited number of said: “Limited availability allows La has arranged uniquely Leadership Program (IVLP) on Anwar Sadat (Egypt). packages of hard-to-resist offers the hotel to treat all its Stayca- convenient early check-in at 10 Regional Health Challenges: finely calculated to tempt Doha’s tion guests with the same special am and late check-out at 4 pm Research and Remedies taking denizens away from the airport care that characterises our so you can really make the most place in the United States. (Egypt) and luminaries such as a little longer. famous Arab-style hospitality of the stay. IVLP is the US Department Noble prize winner Dr Muham- Staying at the Shangri-La and Eastern standards of excel- Leave your worries behind of State’s premier professional mad Yunus (Bangladesh). Hotel Doha gives you the oppor- lent service, but at special rates - your ideal vacation is closer exchange programme offered The Regional Health Chal- tunity at last to visit all those to honour our local friends. We than you think! Treating the annually to only a handful of lenges: Research and Remedies great Qatari sites you’ve never look forward tremendously to whole family to a Shangri-La select nominees worldwide. The programme is based on foster- quite got around to, while being welcoming everyone to enjoy Hotel Doha Staycation just might US Embassy in Doha oversees ing international cooperation in able to relax in opulence after a the vacation of a lifetime in one be the break you need this the IVLP locally and works with health management pro- much needed excursion. With the of the most famous destination summer. Qatari partners to bring this grammes that prevent or unique professional exchange minimise loss of life to commu- opportunity to select leaders in nicable and non-communicable a variety of fields. illnesses. It will also address The IVLP programme was specific public health challenges treatments, and potential solu- formally established in 1952 and and needs of countries and com- tions to public health threats and boasts a distinguished alumni munities in crisis. challenges that can improve the of leaders, visionaries, innova- Dr Rashid and Al Shaibi’s lives of people in Qatar. tors, academics and emerging project activities during the Sidra Chief Learning Officer, talent. Dr Rashid and Al Shaibi, three-week programme will Dr Kholode Al Obaidli, said, “We will be among one of few include visits to hospitals, clin- are very proud to have Dr researchers from the Middle ics, rural health facilities, Rashid Al Ali and Ahmad Al East selected to join the pro- laboratories, as well as aca- Shaibi attend the IVLP pro- gramme. Notable alumni demic and research institutions gramme and representing Sidra include British Prime Ministers in the US. They will also exam- as well as Qatar’s research Theresa May, Tony Blair, Mar- ine media coverage of disease expertise. The selection of the garet Thatcher and Gordon and its influence on the public two worthy individuals high- Brown as well as international and government. Key takeaways lights our commitment to leaders such as Kim Dae Jung from the programme will be to supporting the development of (South Korea), Nicolas Sarkozy gain a better appreciation of cut- our employees, at all stages of The entrance to Shangri-La Hotel Doha. (France) and Anwar Sadat ting edge research, technology, their career journey at Sidra.” MEC recalls 2016 Breast milk has cognitive benefits: Expert BMW X1 model The Peninsula most infants require. Babies who benefit from breastfeeding as it receive formula are deprived of the decreases the risk of excessive or pro- breastfeeding specialist from many nutritional, immunologic, and longed postpartum bleeding, and also The Peninsula Hamad Medical Corporation growth-promoting factors they would lowers the risk of developing ovar- A(HMC) stressed the importance have received from their mother’s ian cancer and breast cancer. he Ministry of Economy and Commerce, of breastfeeding babies from birth milk,” he noted. Dr Khan advises that lactating in collaboration with Al Fardan Automo- during a workshop recently organ- According to him, the American women should ensure that they Tbiles, dealer of BMW vehicles in Qatar, ised at Al Wakra Hospital in Academy of Pediatrics strongly pro- drink enough fluids to satisfy their has announced the recall of BMW X1 model of recognition of World Breastfeeding motes breastfeeding babies but thirst. 2016 because of a recess on the inside of the Week, held each year from August 1 stresses that when direct breastfeed- “Getting into the habit of having instrument panel. to 7. ing is not possible, the next best a beverage when the baby suckles at The Ministry said the recall campaign In his presentation about the choice is to feed babies with the breast is good practice. Forcing comes within the framework of its ongoing importance of breastfeeding, Dr expressed breast milk. the drinking of fluids is not recom- efforts to protect consumers and ensure that Mohammed Ilyas Khan, Certified Lac- Dr Khan added that breast milk mended, but drinking water, juice, or car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and tation Consultant in the Obstetrics produces cognitive benefits for other beverages as desired is helpful. repair them. The Ministry said that it will coor- and Gynecology Department at Al babies. “Studies on premature and However, mothers do not need to dinate with the dealer to follow up on the Khor Hospital, said: “A mother’s milk term infants have documented bet- drink cow’s milk or consume dairy maintenance and repair works and will com- is unique in helping a baby achieve Dr. Mohammed Ilyas Khan, ter cognitive outcomes in infants who products to produce human milk,” he municate with customers to ensure that the optimal growth and development.” Breastfeeding Specialist/ are breastfed versus those who are stated. necessary repairs are carried out. According to Dr Khan, the milk of Lactation Consultant in the formula fed. Breastfed babies, when “A daily multivitamin or prenatal The Ministry has urged all customers to different mammals is not inter- Obstetrics and Gynecology followed over time, tend to have an vitamin will ensure sufficient vita- report violations to its Consumer Protection changeable. Cow’s milk, even when Department of Al Khor Hospital. intelligent quotient that is higher than mins and minerals during lactation. and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department on: altered into commercially available formula-fed babies and better per- For most women, an additional 300 Call centre: 16001; Email: [email protected]; infant formula, is not the optimal food “Human breast milk minimises formance on other tests of cognitive to 500 calories in their diet will ade- Twitter: @MEC_Qatar; Instagram: to support infant growth and exposure to foreign proteins and pro- and intellectual function.” quately support lactation,” Dr Khan MEC_Qatar. development. vides virtually all of the nutrients According to him, women also added. Heya-The Summer Edition set for rollout

The Peninsula including abayas, kaftans, jalabiyas, report (2016), it is projected to be pleased to see local Heya participants haute couture gowns and worth $368bn by 2021. return to take part in this special sum- atar Summer Festival (QSF) accessories. Ahmed Al Obaidly, Director of mer edition. All participants have organisers have announced a Mashal Shahbik, Director of Tour- Exhibitions at QTA, said, “Heya Ara- signed up to be part of the upcoming Qcollaboration with Heya Ara- ism Events and Festivals at Qatar bian Fashion Exhibition has steadily 12th edition.” bian Fashion Exhibition to roll out Tourism Authority (QTA) said, “We grown to be the hallmark business- The Heya – The Summer Editio Heya – The Summer Edition, a mall- are very pleased to be partnering with to-consumer exhibition that promotes npop-up shops form part of QSF’s based version of the popular Design Creationz to bring this new expressions of our Arab heritage. exciting retail offering. exhibition, as part of the festival’s and unique feature to QSF. As Qatar’s Taking a sampling of it beyond Throughout the festival, retailers retail offering. shopping scene continues to grow, the traditional event halls at DECC to at participating malls are offering From August 25 to September 5, bringing a sampling of Heya Arabian one of Doha’s newest retail and enter- attractive shopping discounts that local designers will showcase their Fashion Exhibition to shoppers at QSF tainment destinations comes as part reach up to 50 percent. latest abaya and Arabian fashion cre- allows local entrepreneurs to bene- of our efforts to stimulate consumer And, for every QR200 spent at ations at pop-up shops spread across fit from the high footfall at Qatar’s interest in the upcoming 12th edition any of the pop-up shops or partici- Mall of Qatar. Up to 20 designers will malls, while providing visitors with of the exhibition planned for October pating outlets in these malls, shoppers feature at the pop-up shops on two an authentic Qatari experience dur- later this year.” can enter the mega raffle draw to be rotations with the first group exhib- ing QSF.” Heya – The Summer Edition is held on September 5 and have a iting between August 25 and 29, the The exponential growth of the being delivered by Design Creationz, chance to win one of 10 exciting cash second group will follow between Islamic fashion market places the organiser of Heya Arabian Fashion prizes or a super luxury car. August 30 and September 5. Heya exhibition at the forefront of Exhibition, Qatar’s longest running Other malls participating in the Fashion enthusiasts and shoppers fashion spending trends relevant to bi-annual fashion event. Festival include Al Khor Mall, Doha will be treated to an eclectic mix of this region. According to the State Esraa Abel, spokesperson at Festival City, The Mall, Gulf Mall, contemporary modest fashion, of the Global Islamic Economy Design Creationz, said, “We are Lagoona Mall and Landmark Mall. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 HOME 05

Jumbo Electronics’ solidarity with Tamim Al Majd

Video Home & Electronic Centre and Jumbo Electronics’ management and employees in a show of support and solidarity to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed the ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural, a symbol of perseverance and unity in these times of crisis in Qatar. Present at the signing were the representatives of the board of directors — Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Khal and Omar Ahmed Al Khal along with CV Rappai, Director & CEO, Video Home & Electronic Centre and Jumbo Electronics. The ‘Tamim Al Majd’ mural is on display at the Jumbo Electronics showroom located at Barwa Village for customers who visit the outlet to leave a message on the mural as a sign of support. Asean envoys mark bloc’s 50th anniversary

Raynald C Rivera and prosperity in the region. The Peninsula The Thai Ambassador said “Today, Asean with a population of 622 million is collectively the third larg- he 50th founding anniversary Asean had successfully est economy in Asia and the seventh in of the Association of South- promoted dialogue and the world, with a combined GDP of east Asian Nations (Asean) cooperation for peace and $2.6trillion. It has attracted more than was celebrated with a flag- security. $120bn in foreign direct investment.” raising ceremony at the “With its extensive webs of Free TEmbassy of Thailand yesterday. Trade Agreements (FTAs) such as Asean Ibrahim Fakhroo, Director of Pro- only becoming stronger to meet with plus one, with major economies in the tocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new challenges but also forging itself region, and an increasing investment in joined the ambassadors of Brunei, Indo- to the next level of cooperation as a infrastructure and human resources, nesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, community. Asean is also ready to con- Asean is poised to become one of the Thailand and Vietnam, guests from the tribute more to the world’s peace and growth areas supporting the emergence business sector, Asean community and prosperity. Asean’s resolve to cooper- of the Asian Century,” he said. local media to mark the occasion. ate with external partners has made As it enters the sixth decade, he said Thailand Ambassador Soonthorn Asean a strong, trusted, and unbiased Asean is now embarking upon the for- Chaiyindeepum, who is Chairman of the broker,” said the ambassador. mation of the Regional Comprehensive Thailand Ambassador and ACD Chairman Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum (fourth Asean Committee in Doha (ACD), traced He stressed that politically, Asean Economic Partnership (RCEP) which will Asean’s endeavours in the past five dec- had successfully promoted dialogue and include 16 countries in the region, cov- right), Ibrahim Fakhroo, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign ades in various fields and its growth as cooperation for peace and security, ering more than 45 percent of the world Affairs (fourth left) and other Asean ambassadors in the traditional Asean an organisation. while economically, it had played an population with $21 trillion of combined handshake during celebrations of the bloc’s 50th anniversary at Thailand “Today, Asean is more resilient, not important role contributing to growth GDP and 40 percent of global trade. Embassy yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017

Registration opens for ROTA Leadership Training 2017

The Peninsula

ducation Above All (EAA) foundation, Ethrough its programme Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), has opened registration for ROTA Youth Service Clubs- Leadership Training 2017 “ROTA Youth Challenge” which aims to develop the leadership, communication, project management and community service skills of young people in Qatar. The Leadership Training Programme is the first phase of ROTA’s three-phase Youth Amaal bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, CEO, Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW), with media persons and volunteers, after the honouring ceremony at the Ali Challenges programme that bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/ The Peninsula will be rolled out over the next five months. Extensive training pro- vided during the programme QFSW honours participants of national event will better prepare candi- dates, aged between 16 and 26, to play an active role in Amna Pervaiz Rao icon in Al Sadd Sports Club different entities to present them blockade was a failure since day the development of their The Peninsula recently. token of appreciation. During the one. We never counted days to communities and engage in Around 2,000 citizens During this national event event I was happy to youth par- show our unity and success. We local and international atar Foundation for and residents formed around 2,000 citizens and resi- ticipating to express their love believe in Allah first and then our humanitarian action. Social Work (QFSW) the iconic image dents formed the iconic image and affection. In future, events Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Taking place from Octo- held the honouring with each holding a with each holding a wooden piece are coming, which will be imple- Hamad Al Thani. He will never ber 25 to 28 in Doha, the ceremony for people of the image to form the portrait, mented by our energetic youth.” let us down as a nation. The four-day intensive training Qwho actively partici- wooden piece of the showing their love to their beloved “Our event was a part of the countries which have created the will focus on leadership and pated in national event, at Al image to form the country and its wise leadership. ongoing global campaign named disputes will definitely dismiss the fundamentals of team- Atiyah Hall, yesterday. portrait. Amaal bint Abdullatif Al ‘Tamim Al Majd’. Different it themselves.” work with a specific focus on The national event was an Mannai, QFSW’s CEO, during the organisations from sports, cul- Qatar Players Association, social project management. initiative of the Qatari Voice ceremony told The Peninsula: ture and volunteering sectors Qatar Football Association, At the start of the training and organised by Qatar Foun- institutions. The appreciation “The national event we recently actively participated to make this Supreme Committee for Deliv- programme, participants will dation for Social Work (QFSW) was given to the media persons hosted was a hugely successful a success,” she added. ery & Legacy 2022, Al Kass be provided with a detailed in collaboration with Qatar Cul- and volunteers who actively par- event. We have gathered all the Talking about the comple- Sports Channel and Qatar Stars description of the project, tural Heritage Center, Al Saad ticipated at the recent National media persons, active partici- tion of more than 60 days of League participated in the including work mechanis- Sports Club and other local event for setting (Tamim Al Majd) pants and representatives of blockade, Amaal said: “The national event. mand types of projects. beIN Media Group and CBS Studios International in content deal

The Peninsula crime drama Instinct, starring entertain audiences around the Alan Cumming, military series beIN subscribers will world.” eIN Media Group, the lead- Seal Team, starring David Bore- Yousef Al Obaidly, Deputy ing pay TV and anaz, and THE CW’s new drama be able to watch CBS CEO of beIN Media Group, was bentertainment platform in Valor. This agreement also ena- series as and when equally excited about this rela- Mena (Middle East and North bles beIN to stack CBS content they want, as part tionship between beIN and CBS. Africa), and CBS Studios Inter- on the beIN On-demand plat- Commenting on this develop- national yesterday announced form. beIN subscribers will be of their subscription ment, he said, “beIN is extremely an exclusive multiplatform able to watch CBS series as and (SVOD service), catch pleased to welcome CBS to beIN licensing agreement for CBS and when they want, as part of their up on it in case they network. Through this deal, TV The CW programming. subscription (SVOD service), missed any important lovers in MENA will be able to For the first time, beIN catch up on it in case they watch a wide selection of great Media Group’s portfolio of missed any important episode, episode, and also series on beIN SERIES channel. entertainment channels will and also watch box sets of their watch box sets of their This agreement cements beIN’s broadcast hit CBS series includ- favourite series. favourite series. position as a premium content ing action-drama Macgyver; the “We are excited to be work- broadcaster in MENA.” CBS All Access original series THE CW’s new drama Valor. ing with the beIN Medi Group CBS Studios International is The Good Fight; the number one on this significant agreement for “The deal further demon- the leading supplier of program- new series on US television, Bull; with James Corden. The agree- slate series, which will be avail- the Mena region,” said Stephen strates CBS’ ming to the international CBS’ 2017 summer event series, ment will also cover the able to beIN subscribers Tague, Executive Vice President, ability to produce industry- television marketplace, licens- Salvation; and Emmy Award- first-window rights to a selec- day-and-date with the US Client Relations, EMEA, CBS Stu- leading programming that helps ing to more than 200 markets in winning The Late Late Show tion of CBS and The CW’s new broadcast. This includes new dios International. drive subscription platforms and more than 60 languages. Katara to screen South African film

The Peninsula

South African film — ‘One Human- ity’ — will be screened on August 29 A at Katara Drama Theatre. The film addresses aspects of South African history while highlighting essen- tial facts on how South Africans united as a one nation, said South African Ambassa- dor Shirish Soni during a meeting with Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibra- him Al Sulaiti yesterday. The Ambassador also proposed hold- ing a South African festival in October, which promises to be filled with events, activities and surprises that emphasise on South African culture. Dr Al Sulaiti welcomed the proposal and stated that Katara ensures an artistic plat- form to host a diverse array of events aimed at shedding light on various cultures and civilisations. The meeting was held with an aim to strengthen cultural relations between the countries. At the end of the meeting, Dr Al Sulaiti presented a souvenir to the South African envoy. Dr Al Sulaiti also met with Croatian Ambassador Tomislav Bosnjak on Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (right) presents a the occasion of the conclusion of his dip- memento to South African Ambassador Shirish Soni at Katara, yesterday. lomatic mission to Doha. The Croatian ambassador expressed his host various activities and events all year Katara’s GM presented a memento to the utmost appreciation and gratitude to the long, for the visitors to witness wide array Croatian ambassador and wished him suc- Cultural Village for its unceasing efforts to of cultures. At the meeting’s conclusion, cess in his next mission. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 07

President Zuma Gazans face survives vote to oust him

Cape Town new Israel AFP

SOUTH AFRICAN President Jacob Zuma yesterday sur- vived a parliamentary vote of restrictions no confidence, with enough ANC lawmakers sticking by Gaza City their leader despite divisions AP and fierce criticism of his rule. The ban on laptops, The motion brought by ew Israeli restric- hard-shell suitcases the opposition needed to tions on and even shampoo secure 201 of the 400 votes Palestinians exiting and toothpaste, in parliament to succeed, but the blockaded which took effect on fell short with 177 votes, Gaza Strip, includ- August 1, applies to national assembly Speaker Ning a ban on laptop computers, Baleka Mbete announced. hard-shell suitcases and even all Palestinians who If Zuma had lost, he would shampoo and toothpaste, have want to travel to Israel, have been forced to resign Smoke billows following a reported air strike on a rebel-held area in the southern Syrian further disrupted travel for the or through Israel to along with his entire cabinet. city of Daraa, yesterday. lucky few who are allowed to the West Bank and Criticism of Zuma from within cross the border into Israel. neighbouring Jordan. the African National Congress Israel is citing unspecified (ANC) has grown amid multi- security concerns as the reason Heavy shelling in Damascus suburbs ple corruption scandals and for forcing engineers, journal- have to move all the data by South Africa’s mounting eco- ists, business people and human email or any other means nomic woes, while the rights workers to leave their which is almost impossible,” he Beirut faction, which was not party to Observatory said rebels killed celebrated party of Nelson electronic work tools behind. said. “This affects you in all AP the ceasefire brokered by Egypt nine soldiers and captured at Mandela has declined sharply For those affected, the restric- directions, professionally, and Russia and signed in Cairo least one fighting for the Syrian at the polls. But ANC officials tions are unfair, inexplicable unfortunately.” ro-government forces on July 22. army’s vaunted 4th Division, in and analysts had predicted the and mean new headaches in the The ban, which took effect intensified their assault on Air strikes on the Ein Terma battle on Monday. It said the president would survive the struggles of daily life in Gaza. on August 1, applies to all Pal- Pthe rebel-held suburbs of and Zamalka towns in Ghouta bombardment continued vote given the party’s large “My laptop that has all my estinians who want to travel to the Syrian capital, activists said blasted debris hundreds of feet yesterday. parliamentary majority. work files that I can’t take back Israel, or through Israel to the yesterday, a day after rebels into the air, as seen in footage “What kind of cease-fire is with me is a big problem for West Bank and neighbouring beat back an attempted govern- posted by the Ghouta Media this?” said Observatory director Iranian drone comes me,” said Ahmed Abu Shahla, Jordan. With Israel and Egypt ment advance, killing several Center on social media. The Rami Abdurrahman. “I don’t an employee of an intellectual maintaining a tight blockade on soldiers. The fighting threw into opposition-affiliated center said consider this a cease-fire.” close to US fighter jet property firm in the United Hamas-ruled Gaza, the Erez sharp relief the fragility of a so- one civilian was killed and sev- For its part, Faylaq al-Rah- WASHINGTON: An Iranian Arab Emirates who was return- crossing is virtually the only called “cease-fire” that was eral others wounded. man said it came under attack drone came within 100 feet ing to the Gulf after visiting way out of the territory. supposed to bring calm to the But mortars also fell on by the Islam Army over the (31 meters) of a US Navy war- relatives in Gaza. As he boarded Israel and Egypt imposed besieged enclave inhabited by Douma, Al Rayhan and Housh weekend, it said in a statement. plane as it prepared to land a bus at the border, he was the blockade after Hamas won some 400,000 people. Al Douahira, towns and villages It said in separate statement on an aircraft carrier in the forced to leave his laptop parliamentary elections in Opposition media activist held by the Islam Army faction, published on Sunday that it Gulf, a US official said yester- behind. He said he didn’t bother 2006 and routed forces loyal Anas Al Dimashqi said govern- which is party to the cease-fire, would agree to a cease-fire that day. The official, speaking on to put his projects on flash to the internationally recog- ment air raids and artillery fire according to Al Dimashqi and does not “compromise the prin- condition of anonymity, said drives because he feared they nized government of have reached a rate of 60 to 70 the Britain-based Syrian ciples of the revolution,” but said the US Navy F/A-18E had to would be confiscated. Palestinian President Mahmoud strikes per day on areas held by Observatory for Human Rights it was not consulted for the maneuver to avoid an Iranian “My loss is high because you Abbas the following year. the Faylaq Al Rahman rebel monitoring group. The Cairo agreement. QOM-1 drone, which ignored repeated radio calls. The offi- cial described the interaction as “unsafe and Arab League voices deep concern unprofessional.” over spread of cholera in Yemen Rowhani under fire for male-only cabinet Morocco protester

CAIRO: The Arab League is deeply concerned about the Tehran women’s affairs, told the Etamad The head of the reformist camp in a coma dies deteriorating health situation in Yemen amid new reports AFP daily after news of the line-up was in parliament, Mohammed Reza RABAT: A protester in a coma indicating that the cholera disease is claiming more lives leaked. Aref, also voiced his disappoint- after being struck on the head in the war-ravaged Arab country. In a press statement, ranian President Hassan Row- Many on social media said Rou- ment: “We expected at least one last month in clashes between Arab League Secretary General Abul-Gheit said that his hani put forward a new cabinet hani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric woman to be nominated,” he said. demonstrators and security concern is growing due to recent shocking UN reports Iline-up yesterday that was who whipped up reformist support Aref noted, according to Iranian forces in northern Morocco about the steadily rise in the number of cholera infec- immediately criticised by reform- to secure re-election in May, was media, most of the members of the died of his injuries. The tions especially in the remote areas in Yemen due to the ists for its lack of women or young failing to keep his campaign prom- delegation that accompanied EU neglected northern Rif region lack of emergency measures to curb the spread of the people. ises of greater diversity. foreign policy chief Federica Mogh- of Morocco has been shaken waterborne disease. The ministerial line-up, which “The people’s message in the last erini to Iran on Saturday for by weeks of protests and vio- Abul-Gheit lauded the efforts exerted by the King- must still be approved by parlia- two elections has had little reflec- Rowhani’s inauguration in parlia- lence with demonstrators dom of Saudi Arabia to deal with this situation ease the ment, also lacked minorities and tion in the proposed cabinet,” ment were women — saying this demanding jobs, development suffering of the Yemeni people through dispatching USD actually increased the average age tweeted Mohammad Karroubi, son was very meaningful. First vice- and an end to corruption. On 66.7mln-worth of humanitarian and medical aid to compared to Rowhani’s first term. of jailed opposition leader Mehdi president Eshagh Jahanguiri echoed July 20, Imad Atabi was hit in Yemenis. “The lack of women ministers Karroubi. “How can you speak of him in a tweet saying: “We should the head in clashes in the main He stressed that the improvement of the humanitar- shows we are treading water,” Sha- equality of the entire nation and increase the number of women, Rif city of Al-Hoceima, and ian and medical situation requires the restoration of hindokht Mowlaverdi, Rouhani’s ignore women and religious minor- minorities and youths in positions taken to a military hospital in stability in the conflict-ravaged Arab country. outgoing vice president for ities?” he asked. of responsibility.” Rabat after falling into a coma. Kenya tallies votes in high-stakes election Nairobi clerks in a polling station where AFP ballot papers were pre-marked as “rejected”. ote counting was under- In the port city of Mombasa way in Kenya yesterday a clerk was arrested for issuing Vafter elections domi- double ballot papers to certain nated by a close battle between voters, local police said. President Uhuru Kenyatta and IEBC chief Wafula Chebu- his rival Raila Odinga, which kati said voting had gone has raised fears of violence in “smoothly” despite minor east Africa’s most vibrant delays and technical hiccups at democracy. some of the 41,000 polling Only a few hours after polls stations. closed, more than one-and-a In semi-arid northwest half million votes had been tal- Turkana, flooding from heavy lied in the presidential vote, but rain cut off roads and several some were still voting due to polling stations had still not delays and long queues. It was Electoral Commission officials count ballots at a polling opened by closing time. too early to see any trends. station in Nairobi, yesterday. Odinga’s National Super “We now enter the most Alliance opposition coalition critical moment in the election agreed was riddled with irreg- “I also want to say that if I (NASA) released a statement cycle,” electoral commission ularities — sparked violence lose, I will accept the will of the praising poll officials and secu- (IEBC) chief Wafula Chebukati which left more than 1,100 peo- people,” Kenyatta said after rity forces. told reporters after polls closed. ple dead and 600,000 voting. Odinga, 72, is taking his “We commend them for the Emotions are high after a displaced. fourth and likely final stab at good job so far and urge them bad-tempered campaign People stood patiently for the presidency. He claims elec- to keep it up,” it said. marred by opposition claims of hours in snaking queues around tions in 2007 and 2013 were However, the coalition a plot to rig the vote, and count- the country for a vote that went stolen from him. complained some of its voters ing is considered the most off peacefully, despite reports “In the unlikely event that had been turned away or their sensitive part of the process in of some technical glitches and I lose I don’t need a speech, I names were missing from the a country with a history of post- delays. will just speak from my heart,” voters’ register. poll violence. Kenyatta, who is seeking a he said shortly before voting. NASA also said it had Elections took place a dec- second term in office, urged The IEBC electoral commis- reports of “pre-marked ballot ade after a shambolic 2007 vote Odinga to accept the result sion moved quickly to deal with papers” and attempts to bribe — which foreign observers should he lose. any complaints, removing voters. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 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 Political instability he disqualification of former Pakistani Prime Minister and head of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court on charges of concealing assets under certain articles of the country’s constitution T has established rule of law in a State coping against terrorism and at the same time ensued new wave Saudi media endangering Qatari of political instability granting space to some political parties to challenge decades-old control of Sharif’s party over the biggest province, Punjab. As ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif is set to start lives on Haj: Al Marri his political rally from capital Islamabad to his stronghold and hometown Lahore, the emergence of cleric Tahir-ul- Qadri, an opponent of the ruling party, on country’s leave their jobs, their homes, business, political landscape heralds new era of turmoil in a country David Hearst education, or health care as a result of which has seen numerous martial laws since its birth. In a the demand from their governments to highly-charged political atmosphere developed with the return home in 14 days. ouster of Nawaz Sharif, further political polarisation may A Saudi widow living in Qatar was create troubles for security establishment to knock out told by her government to return home, hydra-headed monster of terrorism. Many political leaders even if it meant leaving her two young and media outlets known for their proximity to the military he lives of Qatari pilgrims on Haj are children behind. establishment of Pakistan are criticising Sharif for flexing being endangered by claims in the She told the NHRC: “I don’t have a job his muscles while the PML-N is adamant that its leader will Saudi media that Qatar is behind , but I am supporting my family finan- take to streets to not loose grip on general elections attempts by the Houthis and Iran to cially from my late husband’s family, scheduled next year. bomb Makkah, Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al which is paid by the state of Qatar. TMarri (pictured), the chairman of National “I am enrolled at Qatar university Around a year ahead of next general polls, electioneering in Pakistan has kicked start practically and Human Rights Committee in Doha told Middle and living in a rented house until the all political parties will have to East Eye. inheritance case is settled. Marri said the claims amounted to “hate “On June 8, Saudi authorities told me fight a long battle on streets to speech” and were making an already difficult to go back to Saudi Arabia without my bag winning votes. Pakistan’s situation for the Haj pilgrims from Qatar children. “I can not leave my children the UN Rapporteur on Human Rights and While on ground it simply worse. “These claims are coming from the alone in Qatar, but I am afraid arbitrary would form the basis of a series of legal politicians should seems a political standoff avoid playing tug- official media in Saudi. They are saying that actions will be taken against me if I do actions conducted in local courts, Qatari between Nawaz Sharif and his Qatar, the Houthis and Iran are planning to not comply. courts and finally in the International of-war which can biggest political enemy Imran bomb Makkah. What do you think the reaction Even the dead are not immune from Court for Justice (IOJ) in The Hague. A eventually harm Khan, many independent of ordinary Saudis will be when they hear the actions of Riyadh. A man whose team of Swiss human rights lawyers had analysts think that the whole the country and this? This is hate speech and its not safe for father died at Hamad hospital in Doha been engaged by Qatar. political upheaval is being Qatari citizens to go to Haj this year,” he said. was prevented from travelling to Qatar to “They have a right to cut diplomatic derail its journey induced to sabotage or derail He added Qatar had asked for assurances bury his body. ties. But they have no right under inter- to peace and China-Pakistan Economic that the Haj pilgrims would not be treated in He said: “On June 7, Saudi authorities national law to violate the rights of prosperity. Corridor (CPEC), a pivotal part the same way as pilgrims on Umra, who were prohibited me from going to Qatar to ordinary citizens whose life, religious of China’s ambitious One Belt deported two days after the blockade was receive his body. They don’t respect the freedoms, education, property, busi- One Road initiative. announced. They did not get them. sanctity of death.” His father was buried nesses and families are being targeted in Though after Nawaz “We are asking the Saudi government to in a funeral attended by this way,” Marri said. Sharif’s disqualification, his party – the PML-N – has guarantee the safety of Qatari citizens. This is more than 100 Qataris The UN High Commission for elected new Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a duty for the Saudi government. The pilgrims but no member of his Human Rights, Amnesty International former minister for petroleum and natural resources, the should be secure in any Haj,” Marri said. family could attend. Marri and Human Rights Watch have all con- smooth transition of baton of power from one premier to More than 20,000 Muslims from Qatar said all these violations demned the human rights violations as another and that too in the same party is unlikely to ensure have applied for visas for this year’s Haj, but would be investigated by a result of the blockade imposed by political stability in the days to come. Qatar has only been given a quota of 1,600. Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Bahrain The future political scenario of Pakistan is very clear: Even with these, there have been to date no and Egypt. Nawaz Sharif, having no high government office, will focus contact between the companies that facilitate It is becoming clear that the Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the UN high on developing momentum for the next elections. His rivals, the travel logistics between Qatar and Saudi. measures being adopted are commissioner for human rights, said: “It is particularly Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek- In contrast, there are now eight Iranian overly broad in scope and becoming clear that the measures being i-Insaaf, will continue trying its level best to reap consular officials in Jeddah to prepare for this implementation and have the adopted are overly broad in scope and maximum benefits from Sharif’s disqualification and will year’s Haj. potential to seriously disrupt implementation and have the potential to “They gave Iran permission for direct seriously disrupt the lives of thousands of try to spare no room for beleaguered PML-N supremo. the lives of thousands of Aggressive politics on streets can hit hard on country’s flights from Tehran, but have told us that women, children and men, simply because women, children and men, reviving economy, harm efforts of security agencies to Qatari pilgrims can only fly from a third coun- they belong to one of the nationalities defeat terrorism and even in worst case scenario can try to two airports Jeddah and Medina. All this simply because they belong involved in the dispute.” affect ongoing CPEC projects. amounts to a direct violation of the principle to one of the nationalities The writer is Editor in Chief of Middle East Eye. Under current scenario, responsibility lies on the of freedom of religious practice,” Marri said. involved in the dispute. He was chief foreign leader writer of The Guard- shoulders of all politicians to exercise restraint and avoid Saudi and Qatar have been locked in a bit- ter war of words over this year’s Haj. On ian, former Associate Foreign Editor, European playing political tug-of-war to that level which can Sunday the Saudi foreign minister, Adel Al Zeid Raad Al Hussein Editor, Moscow Bureau Chief, European Corre- eventually harm the country or derail its journey to peace Jubeir, said that Qatar’s criticisms of the UN High Commissioner for spondent, and Ireland Correspondent. He joined and prosperity. restrictions on access of its own citizens to the Human Rights The Guardian from The Scotsman, where he was annual Haj pilgrimage amounted to a “decla- education correspondent. ration of war”. “We reserve the right to respond to anyone who is working on the internationalisation of the holy sites,” he said. QUOTE OF THE DAY The Qataris responded by saying no offi- cial from their side had called for a change in the status of how the annual pilgrimage is administered by Riyadh. Qatar’s Foreign Min- After many years of ister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman failure, countries are Al Thani, said: “We are tired of responding to coming together false information and stories invented from nothing.” to finally address The National Human Rights Committee the dangers posed has assembled a thick dossier of alleged human rights violations to both Qataris resi- by North Korea. We dent in the four blockading countries and to must be tough & citizens of those countries who were resident decisive! in the Gulf state. It has received more than 2,400 com- plaints of violations of the rights of the citizens Donald Trump Officials receiving complaints from people at the Compensation Claims Committee of Saudi, Bahrain and the Emirates who have US President been forced to separate from their families, headquarters at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 OPINION 09 What’s next for Mosul’s future?

is an adaptive and tactical organi- Saad Aldouri sation; therefore we can expect that Anatolia they will revert to their tried and tested method of terrorist and insurgent tactics. With provincial and national elections approaching, Daesh will e are approaching one month since likely seek to cause as much dis- the liberation of Mosul was ruption and damage as possible to announced by Iraqi Prime Minister, ensure that any institutional proc- Haider Al Abadi, and the over- esses and progress are thwarted. whelming size of the challenge Key infrastructure elements will Wahead to rebuild the city is beginning to loom large. also continue to be targeted. After a bruising eight-month battle to recapture One such example is Mosul’s Mosul, which has led to devastating destruction water infrastructure which has across the city, the task to rebuild livelihoods will be reportedly been booby-trapped by defining for the country and its political representa- militants. Ensuring the security and tives. With many of Mosul’s 1.5 million population stability of basic infrastructure have yet to return to the city; the urgency of stabilis- services will be a vital safeguard ing and starting to rebuild is greater than ever. against renewed unrest among Ensuring that security needs are met in Mosul local populations and help ensure and rebuilding the local population’s confidence in the demise of Daesh in the long the security forces is the first major obstacle that term. must be overcome. Since the beginning of the cam- The devastation in Mosul is paign to reclaim territory from Daesh, there have clear for all to see, but the push by been consistent fears over retribution, particularly the Iraqi authorities to stabilize the from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMFs), which city and begin the rebuilding proc- have become an important component of the anti- ess is of utmost importance at this Daesh forces in Iraq. critical stage. Beginning to imple- However, while there have been various reports ment some of the initial 26 Children who fled with their families from their homes fill bottles with water at Salamiyah camp, near Mosul. of incidents taking place, the frequency of such retri- construction projects that the Iraqi bution has been limited, with sectarian government has approved and re- confrontations largely being avoided in Mosul. Sig- important in assessing the ability of the Iraqi state Planning Minister Salman Al Jumaili recently establishing security will help build nificantly, the Mosul offensive was led by the Iraqi system to be sufficiently inclusive in its governance. announced plans for a 10-year reconstruction plan confidence among local popula- security forces, without involvement of the PMFs. Political progress in stabilising the country and for Mosul and other areas liberated from Daesh. The tions and encourage the return of Indeed, the work done by the Golden Division has reconstructing it will also determine to what extent cost of this plan is expected to be $100 billion, with thousands of internally displaced earned significant local support through their efforts Daesh will be defeated in the long term, as it seeks to the funds being sourced from domestic revenue, people to Mosul. to protect civilians in Mosul as they worked through revert to its insurgent tactics and cause damage and international lending and grants. the city on foot. destruction across the country. However, from the outset this plan seems ambi- The writer is a research assistant with Despite the morale boost of victory felt across the Rebuilding Mosul tious given the country’s weak economic situation. the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country, the question remains over whether suffi- The destruction experienced in the battle to The Iraqi economy still relies heavily on oil revenues Program at Chatham House, a London- cient political progress can be made in the local and retake Mosul is difficult to overstate, with the urban and recorded a substantial deficit in 2016 estimated based think tank. His fields of expertise national authorities to earn the confidence of local warfare in Western Mosul causing particular devas- to be over 10 percent of GDP. As things stand, the are Iraq and youth policy in the MENA populations. tation to buildings and infrastructure. Iraqi government will find it very difficult to reach region. In this regard, upcoming elections will be Rebuilding the city is a mammoth task that will the $100 billion target they have for reconstruction. take many years and will require billions of dollars in The future of Daesh support, as well as strong coordination between the Although Daesh has been pushed out of Mosul local authorities, national authorities and interna- and almost all of its other territories in Iraq, it is by Despite the morale boost tional donors. Given that Iraq has been plagued with no means a dead entity in Iraq. of driving Daesh from issues surrounding corruption, mismanagement and The social impact they have had over the past the Iraqi city, questions security problems in delivering such services in the three years, as well as ongoing sectarian tensions and D-RING ROAD past, major efforts will have to be made by both the the group’s previous success in using insurgent tac- POST BOX: 3488 remain over the region’s prime minister and his cabinet, as well as interna- tics, means that their threat will endure for years to future. tional actors, to ensure that these shortcomings are come as they start to return to asymmetric warfare. DOHA - QATAR addressed. Daesh’s history in Iraq since 2003 tells us that it [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Even new UN sanctions might not budge North Korea FAX: +974 4455 7758

sanctions in the past and it’s not clear to me things region, an argument that plays to China’s strong preference MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Pennington are going to be much different this time.” for policies that preserve long-term stability and the status TEL: 4462 7505 AP Speaking in the Philippines after meeting Asian quo. The US has been arguing that an unfettered North foreign ministers, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Korea could lead to an arms race in which Japan, South DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR on Monday said there is “no daylight” in the view Korea and even Vietnam could pursue their own nuclear TEL: 4455 7769 among Washington and its partners that North weapons, said a US official who briefed reporters traveling Korea must move toward abandoning its nuclear with Tillerson on condition of anonymity. he strongest sanctions yet weapons. But he was quick to stress the importance There have been a half-dozen previous U.N. resolu- LOCAL NEWS SECTION against North Korea could still of everyone enforcing the new, tougher sanctions. tions on North Korea since 2006, when the country TEL: 4455 7743 prove no match for the commu- “We will be monitoring that carefully,” he said. became the first and only one this century to conduct a nist country’s relentless nuclear The UN penalties aim to cut off roughly $1 bil- nuclear test explosion. Four further atomic tests since then BUSINESS NEWS SECTION weapons ambitions. lion of North Korea’s estimated $3 billion in annual have honed its capability to miniaturise a nuclear device. TEL: 4462 7535 TWhile the United States hails a new exports, by banning countries from importing its Last month’s pair of groundbreaking tests of long-range package of UN penalties that could cut a coal, iron, lead and seafood products, and stopping ballistic missiles has put the continental United States in SPORT NEWS SECTION third of North Korea’s exports, the sanc- them from letting in more North Korean laborers, range for the first time. TEL: 4455 7745 tions themselves aren’t the American who help Kim’s government by sending cash home. While uncertainty remains over the North’s ability to objective. They’re only a tactic for getting Trump’s UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, called it “the wed a warhead with such a missile and strike a US target, it ONLINE SECTION Kim Jong Un’s totalitarian government to single largest economic sanctions package ever lev- is a prospect that looms large over Trump’s presidency. TEL: 4462 7501 end its missile advances and atomic weap- eled against” North Korea. Amid all the pressure, his administration has left open [email protected] ons tests. And there is little evidence to Even if, in the best-case scenario, the sanctions the possibility of resuming talks with Pyongyang. suggest this newest round of economic hurt North Korea’s economy and weaken its gov- In Manila, Tillerson said he hoped the North would PUBLIC RELATIONS pressure will be more successful than pre- ernment, questions remain over what to do next. “choose a different pathway and when the conditions are vious efforts. Can North Korea be persuaded to give up its weap- right, that we can sit and have a dialogue.” He urged TEL: 4455 7613 Nevertheless, President Donald Trump ons of mass destruction, removing the threat to the North Korea to first halt tests for an “extended period,” [email protected] yesterday hailed the sanctions as neces- United States and its allies, South Korea and Japan? however often such confidence-building measures have sary “to finally address the dangers posed If not, what new options does the United States failed. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT by North Korea.” He tweeted: “We must be have? Trump is only the latest US president to North Korea shows scant interest in playing by Ameri- TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 tough & decisive!” choose sanctions instead of confronting the North ca’s rules. Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told Asian foreign FAX: 4455 7870 Whatever the economic pain on militarily or offering diplomatic talks without ministers at the same meeting Tillerson attended that [email protected] Pyongyang, Kim’s government has nuclear concessions. “under no circumstances” will his country put its nuclear expressed no interest in negotiating away Much rests on the willingness of China, the weapons or ballistic missiles on the negotiating table. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT its fast-growing arsenal of perhaps 20 North’s traditionally ally and main trading partner. North Korea would not “flinch” from bolstering its nuclear TEL: 4455 7857 nuclear bombs and the ballistic missiles China opposes Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons, and forces “unless the hostile policy nuclear threat of the U.S.” [email protected] needed to deliver them. For the young was uncharacteristically forthright in saying so this against it are “fundamentally eliminated,” he said. North Korean leader, the weapons are week. But it remains cautious of triggering a North Washington has dismissed a Chinese proposal designed SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION fundamental to the survival of his authori- Korean collapse, fearful of fomenting chaos along to pique Pyongyang’s interest: a suspension of American TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 tarian regime, even if they deepen its border or advancing any scenario that would military exercises with South Korea if the North freezes its FAX: 44557819 diplomatic isolation and bring even more lead to a reunified and US-allied Korea on its weapons development. extreme poverty for his long-suffering doorstep. The stances reflect a fundamental impasse that no [email protected] people. In private diplomatic conversations, the US has amount of sanctions may be able to change. While the US And the sanctions may not prove effec- been telling Beijing that the North’s weapons devel- position is that North Korea must ultimately give up its tive. The North has learned through opment will eventually spread instability in the nukes, the North insists it must keep them. All thoughts and views decades of US efforts at isolation how to Richard Nephew, a former State Department official expressed in these columns circumvent commercial and financial who helped craft the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, wrote restrictions, and reluctant powers like that for sanctions to succeed, they have to be paired with a are those of the writers, not China and Russia have often proven half- Whatever the economic credible negotiating effort. of the newspaper. hearted partners when it comes to policing pain on Pyongyang, Kim’s It’s time to “cut a deal,” Nephew wrote on the 38 North their ally. government has expressed website, “to reduce the threat of North Korea’s existing All correspondence “On paper, this is a pretty strict con- no interest in negotiating arsenal and to stabilise the peninsula before the situation regarding Views and tainment of North Korea economically,” gets out of hand.” Opinion pages should be said Scott Snyder, an expert on the Koreas away its fast-growing at the Council on Foreign Relations. “But arsenal. The author is reporter on US -Asian affairs for The Associated mailed to the North Korea has been able to evade Press. Formerly in Thailand, Pakistan and Afghanistan. [email protected] 10 ASIA WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017

Special status Congress wins big over BJP in RS battle to J&K: SC seeks Centre’s Gandhinagar Chidambaram, who was part of claiming that it went to the BJP and held his hand. This is against IANS In a jolt to BJP, a Congress delegation that met while the lawmaker said he had law,” Nitinbhai Patel told report- response the Election Commission yester- voted for Patel. ers after the decision. n a jolt to BJP, Congress Congress candidate day seeking rejection of votes of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minis- “The decision is sad. If the CD candidate Ahmed Patel Ahmed Patel, 68, the two Congress rebels said: ter Nitinbhai Patel said that of voting is made public, not just New Delhi scraped through to notch a powerful political “Money, muscle and manipula- Election Commission’s decision us the whole nation will say the IANS victory in a bitterly-con- secretary to Congress tion could not win in the Guarat to reject the votes of the two decision is wrong,” he added. tested Rajya Sabha election Rajya Sabha elections.” rebel Congress MLAs was Nitinbhai Patel also said: he Supreme Court yes- Iagainst all out efforts of the BJP President Sonia “BJP can break a few weak “wrong” and the party may take “Our polling agent raised the terday issued notice to to check his attempt to seek a Gandhi, is said to have Congress MLAs but BJP cannot legal action against it. issue immediately but we Tthe Centre and the fifth term. secured 44 votes break the Congress party,” he “I believe they already had thought it is for EC to decide fur- Jammu and Kashmir govern- Patel, 68, the powerful polit- defeating Congress said in his reaction. plans since Monday to make this ther on it. I demand EC to make ment on a plea challenging ical secretary to Congress High drama marked the day- fabricated story and conspiracy. CD public. If required we will the validity of the Article 370 President Sonia Gandhi, is said defector. long developments during Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil take legal action.” of the Constitution that gives to have secured 44 votes defeat- polling in Gandhinagar where had seen the CD himself also and The Election Commission special status to the state. ing Congress defector alone triumphs). This is not just two Congress MLAs defied and knows that he stood up in anger. ordered rejection of the votes of A bench of Chief Justice Balwantsinh Rajput. my victory. It is a defeat of the voted for the BJP along with “Shaktisinh Gohil Ji was two rebel Congress MLAs in the JS Khehar, Justice AK Goel The other two successful most blatant use of money cross-voting by an NCP legisla- angry when MLA (Raghavji Bhai Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections, and Justice DY Chandrachud candidates in the election were power, muscle power and abuse tor that could threaten Patel’s Patel) showed him his vote, he giving a new twist to the out- asked the Centre and the state BJP President Amit Shah and of state machinery,” Patel chances. The fate of the vote of was visibly angry. He tried to come involving Congress to file response on an appeal Union Minister Smriti Irani. tweeted soon after he won. a JD-U MLA was unclear with his snatch the ballot paper. He even President’s political secretary filed by one Kumari Vijay- “Satyamev Jayate (Truth Senior Congress leader P party General Secretary asked the MLA to show it twice Ahmed Patel. alakshmi Jha against a Delhi High Court order. Jha argued that Article 370 was a temporary provi- Independence Day preparations sion that had lapsed with the Sonia attacks Modi govt saying dissolution of the state’s Con- stituent Assembly in 1957. Continuance of tempo- rary provision of the Article many sections living in fear 370, which had never got the assent or approval of the President or Parliament, on New Delhi adversary appears all-powerful, matters like citizenship, IANS we can succeed if we persevere amounted to a fraud on the in fighting for the India we believe basic structure of the ongress President Sonia in and cherish,” she said. Constitution. Gandhi (pictured) yester- Gandhi said Congress must The plea said that the spe- Cday launched a scathing never bow before those “who cial status to the state was attack on the Narendra Modi gov- assault the liberty of the individ- against the nation’s sover- ernment, saying that many ual and of society” and must eignty, integrity and unity. sections were living in fear and always remain on the frontline in In April, a High Court that liberty of the individual was defence of liberty and numerous bench of Justices G. Rohini being daily trampled upon by values associated with liberty, and and Justice Jayant Nath had anti-social elements and self- the institutions that go with it. dismissed Jha’s plea follow- appointed vigilantes. “This is the task history ing which the petitioner Addressing a special Congress enjoined upon us, to fight every moved the apex court. Working Committee meeting inch of the way until we prevail here on the 75th anniversary of and re-establish the values on the Quit India Movement, Gan- which free India was founded and Gyan Singh dhi highlighted the party’s role in built since 1947,” she said. the freedom struggle and took a Attacking the BJP, Gandhi said Sohanpal dead swipe at the BJP on the issue of day encourages and empowers political descendants of those nationalism. “Today many sec- them to flout the rule of law and who had collaborated with the KOLKATA: Former West Ben- tions live in fear, none more than unleash oppression. All this taken colonial government were hold- gal Minister, freedom fighter the minorities, the Dalits, the tri- together is the biggest threat to ing high office. and ten-time legislator Gyan bals and women. Not a day passes liberty, and is the enemy of plu- “While we salute the patriots, Singh Sohanpal, one of the without an incident where the lib- ralism and diversity.” we must not forget that there most respected politicians in erty of the individual has not been She said the Quit India move- were organizations and individ- the state, died at the state-run trampled upon by anti-social ele- ment was a reminder for the party uals who opposed the 1942 SSKM hospital yesterday fol- ments or self-appointed that “brute force” can and must movement and actually collabo- lowing old-age problems. He vigilantes,” she said. be resisted in the name of free- rated with the colonial was 92. Fondly called ‘Chacha’ Gandhi accused the govern- dom and called upon party government. Their political (uncle) by all, Sohanpal began ment of encouraging vigilantes workers to persevere at time descendants are the very people his long march in public life by Workers paint a statue of the national emblem ahead of and said there was threat to the when the party is facing multi- who today hold high office and joining the Congress during the the Independence Day celebrations at the state secretariat country’s pluralism. faceted challenges. have arrogated to themselves the 1942 Quit India movement, and building in Mumbai. “Far from curbing their “Even when the odds appear role of torch bearers of our free- was the oldest candidate in fray onslaught, the government of the to be against us, and the dom,” she said. during last year’s assembly polls. Making his maiden entry into the state assembly in 1969 from the Kharagpur constitu- CPI-M Bengal ency in then Midnapore Police sack couple for faking Everest climb district, Sohanpal kept the Con- gress flag high in the body wants cosmopolitan seat on nine New Delhi imposed a 10-year mountain- “We dismissed them from governments and morphed pho- more occasions. He remained punishment for AFP eering ban on Dinesh and service on Saturday after the tos to show that they had reached a bachelor. Tarakeshwari Rathod, a married completion of an internal the top of Mount Everest — Known for his honesty, MP Ritabrata wo Indian police officers couple, after finding they had departmental inquiry,” Pune’s which, in fact, they had not.” frugal living and amicable who falsely claimed to doctored photos to support their additional commissioner of Nepal’s tourism department behaviour, such was KOLKATA: The CPI-M West Thave reached the summit claim. Now the police force in police Sahebrao Patil said. initially awarded the Rathods a Sohanpal’s acceptability, that Bengal state committee recom- of Mount Everest last year have Pune, where the couple worked “We found that they had certificate after they said they had even his rivals refrained from mended punitive action against been sacked, authorities said. has dismissed them after con- given false information to media, reached the top of the highest attacking him personally dur- party Rajya Sabha member Nepal’s government last year ducting its own investigation. cheated the Indian and Nepali mountain on May 23, 2016. ing election campaigns. Ritabrata Banerjee over life- style-related allegations. State Party Secretary Sur- jya Kanta Mishra said the Dangerous path three-member commission Odisha to give property formed to look into the allega- tions found basis in the charges, though the final deci- rights to slum dwellers sion would be taken by the Central Committee. “He has to rectify. He is a young comrade. Bhubaneswar reporters in Bhubaneswar. We have also considered his Reuters “As far as is practicable, contribution in various fora efforts will be made to provide like parliament at such a young he eastern Indian state of these rights on an in situ basis,” age.” Odisha will give land rights he said, adding that the “historic” The party had in February Tto slum dwellers in small decision will help remove resi- issued a “public warning” to towns and property rights to dents’ constant fear of eviction Banerjee for threatening a those living in city settlements in and harassment. party supporter who had raised a “historic” step officials said While Odisha and other questions in the social media would benefit tens of thousands states have programmes to give about the source of funds of the in one of the poorest states. land to the landless poor in rural young leader’s expensive The state cabinet has areas, a similar effort has not watch and pen. approved two ordinances to been undertaken in cities before, The issue related to a Face- assign land and property rights said G. Mathi Vathanan, commis- book post by a party worker to about 200,000 slum dwelling sioner at the department of who pasted a photo of Baner- households that will enable rede- housing and urban jee with a MontBlanc pen and velopment, Chief Minister development. Apple smartwatch and ques- Naveen Patnaik said yesterday. In small towns, slum dwell- tioned how — despite being a “The urban poor in slums will ers will get rights over up to 600 party wholetimer — he could get land rights for residential use sq ft (56 sq mt) of land, while in afford such expensive that are heritable, mortgageable the cities, they will get rights over People walk under power cables through an alley at a slum in Mumbai, yesterday. gadgets. and non-transferable,” he told up to 450 sq ft, he said. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 ASIA 11 Tillerson in Thailand; focus on North Korea

Bangkok that trade between Thai- land and North Korea had dropped Tillerson’s top priority by as much as 94 percent over the Pyongyang poses new has been urging past year. Southeast Asian “Thailand will act as a good countries to do more member of the United Nations ... level of threat: Tokyo one result is trade which dropped to cut funding streams significantly. It dropped 94 per- for North Korea. cent,” Don told reporters. Tokyo US President Donald Trump AFP has spoken to Prayuth by tele- Bangkok phone and invited him to the orth Korea’s missile development poses a “new level Reuters White House, but no date has been of threat”, Japan’s defence ministry said in an annual set yet. Nreport that also reiterated concerns over China’s S Secretary of State Human rights groups have increasing military posture. Japan, which lies across the sea Rex Tillerson yester- voiced concern about the re- from North Korea, has been wary for decades over its mis- day pressed Thai establishment of normal relations sile development as well as Pyongyang’s history of abducting leaders for more while Thailand’s junta continues Japanese citizens to train its spies. action on North to crack down on critics. “It would “Especially since last year, when it pushed ahead with two UKorea during the highest level visit be a practical mistake for Tiller- nuclear tests and launched more than 20 ballistic missiles, it to Thailand by a US official since son to not condition positive has posed a new level of threat,” Defence Minister Itsunori a military coup in 2014 soured diplomatic relations on improve- Onodera said in the white paper. relations with the United States. ments in the protection of human “It is conceivable that, over time, the risk will increase for Tillerson’s top priority has rights,” Matthew Smith, of the For- the deployment of ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads been urging Southeast Asian coun- tify Rights group, said. that put our nation within their reach,” the paper said. tries to do more to cut funding Thailand’s military seized Japan’s white paper also reiterated Tokyo’s concerns about streams for North Korea. power in May 2014 after months China’s efforts to expand its military influence and territorial The United States believes of street protests with a promise claims, particularly in waters around Japan. North Korean front companies are to eventually restore democracy, active in Thailand and is trying to but elections will not happen encourage the Thais to shut them before next year and a new con- China holds war games down, Assistant Secretary for East stitution retains a powerful Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan political say for the army. Thornton told reporters aboard Since the coup, Thailand has as tensions spike Tillerson’s plane. The companies aligned itself more closely with are using Bangkok as a regional Beijing, and this year approved Shanghai hub and change their names fre- purchases of more than $500m AFP quently, she said. worth of Chinese submarines, Before meeting Tillerson, tanks and helicopters, besides he Chinese navy and air force flexed their muscles in Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (left) with Thailand Prime construction of a new rail link. live-fire drills in seas adjacent to the Korean Peninsula, ocha said Thailand would support Minister Prayuth Chanocha during a meeting at Government Another source of friction is Tthe defence ministry said, amid regional tensions over a UN resolution on new sanctions House in Bangkok yesterday. Thailand’s trade surplus over the North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weaponry. The “large-scale” on Pyongyang over its missile United States. It was the 11th larg- exercises were being conducted in the seas and skies off Chi- tests. But he made no mention of est last year, at nearly $19bn, na’s east coast in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf, and included specific action. The United States respects and guarantees human residence and highlighted the although Thai officials expect a the firing of dozens of missiles, a notice posted late Monday was encouraging Thailand to take rights and fundamental freedoms 200-year-old relationship. sharp rise in US imports to reduce on the Ministry of Defence website said. as many North Korean refugees at home and plays a leading role “We want to continue to grow it. During his five-hour visit to Naval and air force assets including dozens of ships, more as it can handle, Thornton said. in advancing regional security and that relationship, even in its ups Bangkok, Tillerson signed a con- than 10 aircraft, submarines and an unspecified number of Thailand’s own politics and prosperity,” a US embassy spokes- and downs,” he said. dolence book for the revered late coastal defence personnel took part in the drills, which the human rights record were also in man said. Tillerson met Thailand’s for- King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose ministry said were aimed at testing weapons and honing the focus, as Washington strengthens eign minister, Don Pramudwinai, death after seven decades on the military’s abilities in conducting coastal assaults and inter- relations with its oldest ally in the Ups and Downs before junta chief Prayuth. Don throne was felt deeply in cepting air targets. The ministry did not specify how long the region after they were down- Tillerson offered no specific also emphasised support for the Thailand. drills were to last but a four-day shipping ban ending on Tues- graded following the coup. message on human rights when UN resolution on North Korea. Tillerson’s visit follows his day was issued for the area where the drills were held, “We want Thailand to emerge he spoke to the American com- Following his meeting with attendance at a regional security according to notices by the military and local authorities. as a strengthened democracy that munity at the ambassador’s Tillerson, Don told reporters in forum in Manila at the weekend. Party drops plans Up to 100 feared dead in China quake

Beijing More than 38,000 people for Sharif’s brother AFP visited the tourist site yesterday, according to the official Xinhua 6.5-magnitude earth- news agency. quake rattled southwest Electricity was cut off briefly, to replace him AChina late yesterday, kill- but was then restored, she said. ing at least five people, with up Some houses at the scenic to 100 feared dead, according to spot collapsed following the Lahore a government estimate. quake and authorities were Reuters Five people died and more organising young people to help than 60 were injured in the evacuate residents, a staff he brother of ousted Paki- quake, the official Xinhua news worker at the park told stani leader Nawaz Sharif agency said, including 30 who Xinhua. Twill not contest a parlia- were in critical condition. But Photos from the area posted mentary by-election for the China’s National Commission for to social media showed masses vacant seat, party sources said Disaster Reduction estimated of people milling about on yesterday, effectively scuttling that as many as 100 people may People stand outside buildings after an earthquake was felt streets scattered with light previous plans for him to take have perished, based on 2010 in Xian in central China’s Shanxi province yesterday. debris, and a taxi dented from over as prime minister in census data of the mountainous, being hit by a large boulder. September. sparsely populated region. 9.20pm (1320 GMT), not far from of 10km, the US Geological Sur- Over 600 fire officers and Sharif, 68, was disqualified Over 130,000 houses may the site of a massive 8.0-mag- vey said. soldiers have been deployed, the by the Supreme Court last be damaged, it added in a state- nitude earthquake that struck in The affected region, Jiuzhai- People’s Daily newspaper said. month but kept his grip on the main reason why Shahbaz may ment posted on its website, 2008 leaving 87,000 people gou county, includes one of the The Red Cross Society of ruling Pakistan Muslim League- not take over is linked to the based on a preliminary analysis dead or missing. country’s most famous national China said it was deploying Nawaz (PML-N) party and general elections and the par- of the disaster in a remote region Its epicentre was 284km parks, a Unesco World Heritage emergency specialists and vol- outlined plans for Shahid ty’s fears that its grip on the of Sichuan province. north of the provincial capital Site known for karst formations unteers to assist affected Khaqan Abbasi to act as interim vital Punjab province will The quake occurred around Chengdu and struck at a depth and lakes. communities. prime minister until his brother, weaken if he steps down as Shahbaz (pictured), becomes chief minister. eligible to take over by winning The way Pakistan’s politi- the by-election. cal system is set up means any But Sharif and PML-N lead- party that sweeps Punjab will Landslide in southwest ership have decided that most likely go on to form a gov- Shahbaz should continue in his ernment after the 2018 poll. role as chief minister of the Nawaz resigned last month China leaves 24 dead politically vital Punjab province after the Supreme Court dis- that accounts for more than half qualified him for not declaring of Pakistan’s 190 million a small source of income — Beijing 6am, the official Xinhua news people. something he rejects AFP agency said, adding that four “Shahbaz will definitely not receiving. others were injured and one per- contest for NA 120,” said one of The veteran leader has crit- landslide triggered by son remained missing. Shahbaz’s aides in Lahore, icised the court’s decision and heavy rain killed at least As of late afternoon, author- referring to the National on Wednesday plans to begin a A 24 people in China’s ities estimated that 71 houses Assembly seat left vacant by two-day drive to Lahore via all mountainous southwestern and 5km of roads had been Nawaz. the major towns along the way, province of Sichuan yesterday, destroyed, the Sichuan govern- A senior PML-N figure in a move that his supporters say state media reported. ment information office said in Lahore confirmed that the chief will show how popular he Extreme weather this sum- a social media post. Rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a landslide minister would not be contest- remains with voters. mer has triggered a series of Photos showed rescue work- that occurred in Gengdi village, Sichuan province, yesterday. ing the seat, a move likely to His supporters also argue landslides and floods across the ers digging with hoes through leave Abbasi in charge until the that it is not clear if the country, leaving scores dead and sticky brown mud, their bodies watxching the rescue from a jumpsuits holding an IV drip next general elections, likely in Supreme Court disqualifi- tens of thousands displaced. caked and splattered, and destroyed hillside. aloft as they carried a man mid-2018. cation means he is barred from The latest disaster hit a vil- women in colorful headwraps One image showed hard- through a muddy cornfield on a PML-N officials say the contesting the next election. lage in Puge county at around typical of the Yi ethnic minority hatted men in bright orange stretcher. 12 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 Macron to backpedal on creating First Lady status Paris Huge opposition Lady proposition comes at a bad AFP time for Macron as opinion polls The issue has become show his popularity slipping rench President a new political badly only three months after Emmanuel Macron is headache for Macron the young centrist clinched a preparing to back- after an online sensational victory in May. pedal on the issue of petition against One survey published last creating an official creating the role week showed just 36 percent of FFirst Lady position for his wife respondents held a positive view garnered around in the face of attacks from left- 285,000 signatures of him. As well as pushing wing opponents and a petition through cuts to public spending, and an opinion poll against the move, officials and parliament is also preparing to reports said. showed a majority of vote for a new ethics law this The newly elected 39-year- French people were week which will prevent MPs old president had promised in also opposed. from employing their partners March on the campaign trail to or family members as assistants The presidency will French farmer Cedric Herrou stands outside the courthouse in Aix-en-Provence yesterday create “a real status” for his wife after a series of scandals. Brigitte (pictured), who is his clarify Brigitte Macron had always made ahead of his trial for illegally assisting migrants. former schoolteacher. Macron’s position clear that Brigitte would not be The issue has become a new later this month or in paid in the proposed role as First political headache for Macron early September, a Lady, arguing that creating the Farmer defiant despite suspended after an online petition against member of her position would make it more creating the role garnered entourage said. transparent. “Paid by the Repub- around 285,000 signatures and lic, no. Having a role, a real jail term for aiding illegal migrants an opinion poll showed a major- status, a real capacity to act, ity of French people were also yes,” Macron said in March opposed. The presidency will when asked about his vision for Aix-en-Provence said. “I will continue to fight mood to compromise. “I say to clarify Brigitte Macron’s posi- the future position. AFP from prison.” He would be all the families I helped that I do tion later this month or in early Brigitte would “have the role appealing the sentence to the not regret anything, that I did it September, a member of her that she’s always had. That’s to French appeals court yes- country’s top court, he added. with pleasure,” he said. “If the entourage said yesterday, add- say that she is at my side terday increased the Earlier, just before entering immigration was coming from ing that there were would be no because it balances me. We’ve A sentence against a farmer court to receive his sentence, he the north of Europe, the courts change to the constitution to always worked like that,” he who has made a point of help- told reporters: “It is the role of wouldn’t be acting this way, this create a First Lady position. added. “She will have a role, she ing migrants cross the border a citizen in a democracy to take is state racism,” he added. Government spokesman won’t be hidden because she’s from Italy, but stopped short of action when the state fails to.” Herrou is one of several Christophe Castaner said in a French president has historically part of my life,” he said. jailing him. Herrou, an organic olive people to appear in court in tweet: “Brigitte Macron plays a always played a public role at Brigitte Macron, who at 64 The court in Aix-en-Pro- farmer, is a leading figure in southern France charged with role, has responsibilities. We official functions, welcoming is 25 years older than her hus- vence gave activist Cedric Roya Citoyenne, an association illegally assisting migrants who want transparency and a frame- heads of state or other VIPs at band, married her former pupil Herrou a four-month suspended dedicated to helping migrants. have travelled up through work for the means at her meetings or dinners. after they fell in love while writ- sentence — half the length the At his trial in February, he Europe after crossing the Med- disposal.” “The idea is for the She has a small security and ing a play together at school in prosecutor had asked for, but received a suspended €3,000 iterranean in rickety boats. French people to know how secretarial staff paid for by the their home town of Amiens, more than his initial sentence. fine for helping migrants on the His home is just a few kilo- much this role costs,” Aurore presidential budget, but she has northern France. Reports say “This is a warning sentence,” the Italian side cross the border. metres from the border with Berge, a senior lawmaker from no formal job title — like the part- she is preparing to take an active court’s senior judge told him. “If But he was acquitted on Italy and despite the court case Macron’s Republic on the Move ners of the British prime minister role supporting mental health you are convicted again, you risk another charge of sheltering he continues to help migrants party, told Europe 1 radio. or German chancellor. and disabled charities. having this sentence applied.” around 50 Eritrean illegal who turn up on his doorstep The new status would have The staff of Valerie Trier- The petition against her Herrou was unrepentant as migrants at a disused railway prepare their applications for seen France copy the American weiler, the former partner of becoming First Lady was posted he emerged from court, where building. The appeals court con- asylum. Last month he was tradition of a prominent public ex-president Francois Hollande, on the website change.org by a around 30 activists and support- firmed the first conviction but arrested and charged as he role for the First Lady. Neither cost 400,000 euros ($470,000) “painter-activist” Thierry Paul ers were on hand to support reversed the acquittal. Hailed as accompanied 156 migrants to country has ever had a female in 2013, according to public fig- Valette and had 278,000 signa- him. “They’ll just have to put me a hero by some, irresponsible Marseille to help them file their head of state. The wife of the ures. The focus on the First tures at midday yesterday. in prison, it’ll be simpler,” he by others, Herrou was in no asylum requests.

Security alert Army Games in Brussels Georgia slams Putin’s Brussels visit to Abkhazia AFP

elgian police set up a Moscow as crucial to security in the security cordon in a AFP region. “The united Russian Bsuburb of Brussels yes- base on Abkhazia’s territory terday after arresting a man eorgia reacted furiously continues to play a key role in who said the car he was driv- yesterday after Russian providing stability in the ing contained explosive GPresident Vladimir Putin region,” Putin said. material, prosecutors said. visited the Moscow-backed Khajimba, like Putin, is a Around 400 people were separatist region of Abkhazia former officer in the Soviet-era being confined inside the cor- on the anniversary of the out- KGB spy agency. He was elected don in Molenbeek while break of a brief war between president of Abkhazia in 2014 police inspect the vehicle in Tbilisi and Moscow. and shortly afterwards signed question. The driver ran at Putin visited the Black Sea a strategic partnership deal least one red light, leading to resort town of Pitsunda in Abk- with Russia that formalised a police chase that resulted in hazia for talks with the leader Russian dominance in the tiny the vehicle colliding with of the self-proclaimed country, separatist region. other cars. Police shot at the Raul Khajimba, on the ninth Putin’s visit came after two car, prosecutors said. anniversary of the start of the Russian tourists in Abkhazia After being stopped, the war on August 8, 2008. were killed and dozens injured driver “immediately declared he A T-72 tank, operated by a crew from Russia, drives during the Tank Biathlon competition, Georgia’s foreign ministry by an explosion at a munitions had explosives in the vehicle,” a part of the International Army Games 2017, at a range in the settlement of Alabino, outside condemned Putin’s visit to what depot earlier this month. The spokesman for the Brussels Moscow, yesterday. it called an occupied region as region is popular with Russians prosecution service said. a “cynical action,” saying it rep- as a cut-price holiday resented a continuation of destination. Moscow’s “deliberate policy Meanwhile the exiled against Georgia.” It urged Mos- former leader of Georgia cow to cease “provocative warned of more potential Rus- Italy and Malta keep migrant vessel in limbo actions” and called on the inter- sian dominance, saying Moscow national community to respond could be preparing to annex Rome normally coordinated with the maritime law” with Libya not Borders (MSF), which has not to Russia’s “aggressive steps.” neighbouring Belarus. AFP Italian coast guard. considered as a safe port “so signed up to the new code. Abkhazia is internationally “I think Russia is preparing When the Golfo Azzurro we have to take them to a Also, C-Star, a vessel char- recognised as part of ex-Soviet for takeover and annexation of Spanish vessel with three approached the Italian island of European port.” Proactiva is one tered by a group of European Georgia but Russia sees it as a Belarus,” Mikhail Saakashvili Libyan migrants aboard Lampedusa, the closest to the of four NGOs which have signed far-right activists opposed to separate country — along with said in a telephone interview Awas kept in international Libyan coast, Italian authorities up to the code — the group for- migrants, was still moored off another region, South Ossetia during a visit to Lithuania’s cap- waters yesterday after Italy and denied it passage. Proactiva’s mally did so yesterday at the the Tunisian coast as fishermen — following the brief war with ital Vilnius. Malta refused to let it to dock. mission head Gerard Canals said Italian interior ministry — and a powerful union prevented Georgia. Moscow has thousands A vocal Kremlin critic, The three aboard the ship that Malta had said Italy was whereas five counterparts them from loading supplies. of troops stationed in the two stripped of both his Georgian Golfo Azzurro, chartered by responsable for the rescue and operating search-and-rescue Two weeks ago, Turkish breakaway regions in what and Ukrainian citizenship, he Spain’s Proactiva Open Arms should take the migrants. activities off Libya have rejected Cypriot authorities released Georgia calls a military “occu- added that Russian military NGO and rescued on Sunday, “The rescue on Sunday hap- the new rules. the C-Star’s captain and crew pation”, and supports them infrastructure deployed in Bela- were in limbo, illustrating pol- pened under the coordination Having been denied entry to after detaining them over financially. rus for September’s massive icy confusion a week after Rome of the Italian MRCC (coastguards Italy and Malta to change crew accusations of using false In televised comments, “Zapad” (West) manoeuvres introduced a controversial code headquarters) in Rome but in the and load supplies, the Golfo documentation. Putin stressed that Russia “could be used for that at any of conduct for charity boats res- Maltese SAR (search and rescue Azzurro was stuck between Malta In a separate development, “firmly guarantees the security time.” Nato states have cuing migrants in the zone). “We asked to disembark and Sicily midday yesterday. UN’s new envoy to Libya yester- and self-sufficiency of Abk- expressed concern over Mos- Mediterranean. in Lampedusa because it was Italian authorities last Sat- day endorsed an Italy drive to hazia, its independence. I am cow’s upcoming drills in A Proactiva spokesman said closer but the Italian authorities urday did allow 127 migrants to strengthen the Libyan coast- sure that this will continue in Belarus and Kaliningrad, Rus- the vessel was some 180km off told us to see with Malta. disembark on Lampedusa after guard to ensure boatloads of the future.” He described Rus- sia’s westernmost outpost, but the Libyan coast as the NGO “We cannot take them back their rescue by Prudence, a ves- migrants are intercepted before sia’s military base, which is have not suggested the Krem- attempted a rescue operation to Libya because it’s against sel chartered by Doctors without reaching international waters. shared with Abkhazian forces, lin has designs on Minsk. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 EUROPE 13 Dutch egg probe widens to chicken meat tests

The Hague Contamination It is believed the toxic sub- AFP stance was introduced to poultry Hard-hit Germany farms by a Dutch business n a new twist in Europe’s yesterday called on named Chickfriend brought in tainted egg scandal, Dutch Belgian and Dutch to treat red lice, a parasite in authorities yesterday authorities to quickly chickens. announced that they had shed light on what it Currently Dutch authorities started testing chicken have closed down 138 poultry termed a “criminal Imeat coming from affected poul- farms — about a fifth of those network” involved in try farms to determine whether across the country — and warned it, too, was contaminated. the contamination of that eggs from another 59 farms Scientists are looking for the eggs with fipronil. contained enough levels of presence of the insecticide fipronil that they should not be Dutch authorities have fipronil, a substance potentially eaten by children. dangerous to humans, after closed down 138 Belgium has blocked produc- supermarkets in Germany, the poultry farms and tion from 51 farms — a quarter Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden warned that eggs of those nationwide — with and Switzerland pulled millions from another 59 farms fipronil found at 21 farms, of eggs from the shelves. contained enough although levels were ten times “We are currently testing levels of fipronil that below the maximum EU limit, the chicken meat in the poultry farms they should not be country’s food and safety author- where eggs were infected to deter- eaten by children. ity AFSCA said. mine whether the meat is Other European countries contaminated as well,” Tjitte Mas- like Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, tenbroek, spokesman for food assisted by Belgium is continu- Portugal and Romania said they security agency NVWA, said. ing, looking at the role of were analysing imported eggs, A worker inspects freshly laid eggs on a production line at a poultry farm in Wortel near The probe focuses on “a few companies in contaminating but so far no contaminated eggs dozen” farms that produce both Dutch poultry farms with were found. Antwerp, Belgium, yesterday. eggs and chicken meat, NVWA fipronil. said. Millions of chickens now Meanwhile, the French gov- face being culled in the Nether- ernment said that “thirteen Low to no risk from pesticide-tainted eggs: Experts lands as the scandal widens batches of contaminated eggs across Europe. from The Netherlands” were Paris from the market... is more important (for) repeated exposure heighted cancer risk, Hard-hit Germany yesterday delivered in July to food process- AFP reassuring the public about the safety of said Boobis. called on Belgian and Dutch ing companies located in their food rather than protecting their The British Food Standards Agency says authorities to quickly shed light central-western France. he pesticide fipronil at the heart of health,” said Alan Boobis, a toxicology pro- the number of tainted eggs represented on what it termed a “criminal Mastenbroek said so far her Europe’s latest food safety scare is fessor at Imperial College London. about 0.0001 percent of eggs imported into network” involved in the con- agency’s “highest priority” has Tfound in common household prod- A scientific paper published in 2004, the UK each year, and there was “no need” tamination of eggs with fipronil. been the detection of contami- ucts used to rid the family dog of ticks, kill reported that seven people known to have for concern. “When one sees a criminal nated eggs. Most farms lawn pests, and in cockroach bait. It is also drunk fipronil in Sri Lanka, where self-poi- The German BfR food and chemical energy that’s almost organised exclusively produce one or the a prolific killer of bloodsucking red mites soning is common, failed in their suicide safety advisory body, however, warns that as a network it’s unacceptable,” other, said Eric Hubers at LTO, a that can devastate poultry farms, but attempts. Two had taken doses of 100 mil- the highest contamination levels measured German Agriculture Minister Dutch farming organisation. Europe prohibits its use on food-produc- lilitres each (3.4 fluid ounces). in eggs so far may exceed recommended Christian Schmidt said. If the meat tests are negative ing animals. The group’s symptoms included vom- levels for children. In the Netherlands He again criticised Belgian for fipronil, producers will be Tests with lab rats have observed toxic iting, agitation and seizures, but all authorities have also warned that eggs from and Dutch authorities’ tardy cleared to resume sales, Masten- effects on the nervous system, and the pes- recovered fully, within days. Those doses, 59 farms contained levels of fipronil too response to the crisis. Belgium’s broek said. LTO said the ticide is deemed dangerous to bees said Boobis, were “thousands and thou- high to be eaten by children. top agricultural official on Mon- probability of chicken meat — crucial crop pollinators — causing it to sands of times higher” than anything the France, which has received some of the day ordered the country’s food found to be infected was small. be banned for crop farming in many coun- tainted eggs may contain. contaminated eggs, insisted that trace safety agency to report within a However, if fipronil was detected tries. For humans, the World Health The European Union considers a con- amounts of fipronil do not necessarily pose day why it failed to notify neigh- “farming will be completely sus- Organization lists fipronil as “moderately centration of 0.72 milligrammes of fipronil a health risk, and ordered further tests. bouring countries until July 20 pended,” Mastenbroek said. hazardous”. With traces found in eggs from per kilogramme of egg as the maximum Belgium, which has blocked produc- despite knowing about fipronil The contaminated egg scan- Dutch and Belgium, consumers are safe level, even though exceeding this is tion from 51 farms, said fipronil contamination since June. Mas- dal broke last week when up to concerned. not necessarily dangerous. Eggs are with- concentrations found so far were “far tenbroek said that a criminal 180 Dutch farms were shuttered At the levels reported, there seems to drawn from the market at an even lower below” EU limits, and there was no need probe by the NVWA under Dutch due to the presence of fipronil be little or no risk even for people who have cut-off — 0.005 mg/kg. Studies so far have for a recall. Most of the contaminated eggs prosecution authorities and discovered in some of the eggs. eaten tainted eggs. “Withdrawing the eggs also found no evidence that long-term, have been traced and destroyed.

Sea exercise Manchester NEWS BYTES airport pipe British police search for jogger bomb plotter who knocked woman into road

found guilty LONDON: British police appealed yesterday for help in trac- ing a jogger who appeared to push a woman into the path of London an oncoming bus on a busy west London street. Closed cir- Reuters cuit TV footage showed the male runner jog past one man on Putney Bridge on May 5 before knocking into the 33-year- man who tried to old victim. As she tumbled to the ground, her head and upper smuggle a pipe bomb body fell into the path of an oncoming bus which managed A onto a flight from Brit- to swerve out of her way. The jogger ran on but returned ain’s Manchester Airport was heading in the other direction about 15 minutes later, the found guilty of possessing Metropolitan Police said. The man but did not acknowledge explosives with intent to the victim when she tried to speak to him and instead kept harm yesterday. on running. After the woman fell into the road, the bus stopped HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is undergoing sea trials, sails with the USS George HW Bush Nadeem Muhammed, 43, and passengers went to help the victim who had sustained and her carrier strike group, during Exercise Saxon Warrior, off the coast of Scotland, was trying to board a Ryanair minor injuries. Police said that the footage had been released Britain, yesterday. flight to Italy on January 30, as the investigation into identity of the runner, described as when security officials dis- a white man in his 30s, had so far been unsuccessful. covered the explosive device hidden in his carry-on lug- Former UK policeman jailed for gage. Built inside a sealed marker pen barrel, the bomb filming nudists from helicopter Kids glued to phones could had been designed to be acti- vated manually. LONDON: A British former police officer was yesterday jailed Airport security officials for a year for using a police helicopter to film a couple hav- seized the device but released ing sex and other people sunbathing nude. Adrian Pogmore save UK: Former spy chief the man. Muhammed later filmed graphic scenes of a couple making love on their patio, returned to the airport and a woman sunbathing naked in her garden, two nudists sit- flew to Italy on February 5. ting outside their caravan and a couple lying naked outside London parenting may be helping them systems full of sensitive infor- He was arrested by the police their home. Judge Peter Kelson at Sheffield Crown Court in Reuters and saving the country.” mation. In a report published in upon his return to Britain on northern England told Pogmore: “You, quite literally, con- Hannigan, who left GCHQ at January, the job site Indeed said February 12. Muhammed sidered yourself above the law.” Pogmore admitted four counts arents who think they are the start of this year, said par- Britain has the second worst claimed that one of his chil- of misconduct in a public office and has been sacked by South being responsible by lim- ents are often scared of the cyber security skill shortage in dren probably put the pipe Yorkshire Police. The court heard that Pogmore, 51, was called Piting their children’s time virtual world because they don’t the world, with interest in jobs bomb in his luggage. the “team deviant” by colleagues, and was described as a online should think again: they understand it as their kids do. hitting less than a third of But prosecutors said “sex-obsessed air observer”. could be putting their kids and “We need young people to employer demand. Muhammed intended to det- Britain’s security at a disadvan- explore this digital world just as In February, the government onate the device during the Memorial to Jewish children vandalised tage, according to a former they explore the physical world,” opened the National Cyber Secu- Ryanair flight. “Nadeem British spy chief. he said, adding Britain is “des- rity Centre - part of GCHQ - to Muhammed’s motive for LYON: A memorial to Jewish children deported during World “If you appear to be spend- perately short” of cyber skills. help plug that gap. Hannigan attempting to take this device War II in eastern France has been vandalised, a local Jewish ing your holiday unsuccessfully “The baseline of understanding said it’s not too late for parents onto a plane remains charity said, leading to condemnation from the French gov- attempting to separate your is too low and often behind our to get involved too. He suggested unknown. However it is clear ernment. “We are horrified but we won’t give up. We’ll rebuild children from Wi-Fi or their dig- competitors.” they buy a Raspberry Pi, a small that the consequences, had he it,” said Jean Levy, the head of a charity committed to preserv- ital devices, do not despair,” Britain’s parliament and computer designed to help young been successful, could have ing the memory of the 44 Jewish children deported from Izieu Robert Hannigan, a former National Health Service have people learn programming skills, been disastrous,” Sue Hem- in eastern France in 1944. A plaque bearing the names of the director of the Government been hit by cyber attacks in and build it with their children. ming for the Crown victims, who were sent to Nazi-run death camps, has been Communications Headquarters, recent months, leaving lawmak- “Leave aside your fears of being Prosecution Service said. He desecrated and smashed, Levy said. Interior Minister Gerard wrote in the British newspaper ers, their aides and hospitals a nerd: that would be a problem was found guilty and will be Collomb called the attack “cowardly and despicable.” The Telegraph. “Your poor locked out of their computer to be proud of,” he said. sentenced on August 23. 14 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 UN slams Venezuela on ‘excessive force’

Recent demonstrations in Venezuela have stemmed from anger over the installation of an all-powerful Constituent Assembly that many see as a power grab by President Nicolas Maduro.

Caracas AFP

he United Nations yes- terday slammed Venezuela’s use of “excessive force” against protesters, LEFT: Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of the Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and member of the National Constituent Assembly, arrives to attend to its Tamid worsening tensions and session in Caracas, yesterday. A view of a session of the National Constituent Assembly in Caracas, yesterday. fresh moves against the opposition. Meanwhile, the country’s failing to prevent street protests right to peaceful protest and for onstrators in Venezuela.” supreme court sentenced a prom- in their jurisdictions. “fighting for change in It highlighted witness inent opposition mayor in the Recent demonstrations in Venezuela.” accounts of police and soldiers middle of the night to 15 months Venezuela have stemmed from Meanwhile, the Constituent using “disproportionate force to Maradona defends in prison and stripped him of his anger over the installation of an Assembly was to convene in the instill fear, crush dissent, and to right to hold political office. all-powerful Constituent Assem- same building as the opposition- prevent demonstrators from Ramon Muchacho, the mayor of bly that many see as a power grab controlled legislature, amid calls assembling, rallying and reach- Maduro over crisis the upscale Caracas municipal- by President Nicolas Maduro. for protests. Pro-government mil- ing public institutions to present ity of Chacao, was one of a group In a statement after the rul- itants outside were preventing petitions.” of opposition mayors who had ing, Muchacho said he had been opposition lawmakers from UN chief Antonio Guterres “is Buenos Aires been threatened with arrest for convicted for guaranteeing the entering. concerned that recent develop- AFP Late Monday, the head of the ments could lead to further pro-Maduro assembly, former escalation of tensions,” his rgentine football hero Diego Maradona defended Vene- foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez, spokesman said in a statement. zuela’s President Nicolas Maduro yesterday over a deadly led soldiers and others in invad- Four months of street pro- Apolitical crisis in which the socialist leader’s opponents ing the chamber where the tests, accompanied by violent have branded him a dictator. opposition-controlled National clashes with security forces, have World Cup winner Maradona, 56, was a friend of Maduro’s Assembly meets, sharpening ten- left nearly 130 people dead. late predecessor Hugo Chavez and joined in his anti-US “Boli- sions between the rival bodies. Major Latin American nations varian” socialist rhetoric. The developments followed have rejected the legitimacy of “We are Chavistas to the death. When Maduro gives an order, a raid on an army base over the the Constituent Assembly, and I will serve as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against weekend apparently led by two South American nations have imperialism,” Maradona wrote in a message on Facebook. renegade officers, one on active indefinitely suspended Venezuela Chavez won admirers abroad for welfare policies for the duty and the other who had been from the Mercosur trading bloc poor. But under Maduro, Venezuela’s economy has collapsed discharged three years earlier. for breaking “democratic order.” and a violent political struggle has broken out. The military is still searching Foreign ministers of 16 Latin “Long live Chavez. Long live Maduro. Long live the revolu- for rebels who fled with weapons American and Caribbean nations tion,” Maradona wrote. stolen from the base’s armory. as well as Canada met in Peru to “Long live the true Venezuelans, not the ones who are serv- The UN rights office based in evaluate further measures. ing their own interests and those of the right-wing.” Colombia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Angela Holguin Switzerland lamented what it Colombian President Juan Maduro’s rivals accuse him of tearing up democracy to cling attends a meeting with foreign ministers and representatives called “widespread and system- Manuel Santos has warned it to power in the oil-rich country. He says he is the victim of a from across the Americas to discuss issues related to the atic use of excessive force and “can’t be excluded” that relations US-backed capitalist plot. Venezuelan crisis, in Lima, yesterday. arbitrary detentions against dem- with Venezuela could be cut.

US salmonella Mexico braces for more Tropical Storm Franklin cases linked to Mexico City It was set to finish crossing until the centre moves back over AFP the peninsula later and enter the water, and strengthening is Mexico papayas Gulf of Mexico, where it could expected thereafter until land- ropical Storm Franklin strengthen — possibly into a hur- fall occurs in mainland Mexico,” DES MOINES: An increas- swept Mexico’s Yucatan ricane — before crashing back it said. Mexican authorities had ing number of people have TPeninsula yesterday, into the Mexican coastline. preventively evacuated some been sickened by eating dumping heavy rain on its pris- The storm’s second landfall 300 residents of small fishing papaya now traced to a farm tine beaches but doing relatively is expected tonight or early villages in the storm’s path. located in southern Mexico, little damage — though the coun- tomorrow, to the north of the “Fortunately we have not US public health officials said try was braced for a second major port city of Veracruz, received reports of any problems in an update on the outbreak round. Franklin made landfall according to forecasts. or accidents related to the first reported more than two early yesterday some 350km The storm currently has storm,” the governor of Quintana weeks ago. south of the beach resort of Can- maximum sustained winds of Roo state, Carlos Joaquin, told Salmonella has now sick- cun, and was advancing to the 75km per hour, according to the Mexican radio network Formula. ened 109 people in 16 states northwest at 20km per hour, Miami-based NHC in its 1500 The international airport in A worker cleans the beach in Mahahual, Quintana Roo State, and 35 were serious enough according to the US National GMT bulletin. Chetumal, the state capital, reo- yesterday, after tropical storm Franklin made landfall on to be hospitalised, the US Hurricane Center (NHC). “Some weakening is likely pened after closing overnight. Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its web page dedicated to the outbreak. One person in New York City died. Farmer demonstration ‘Torture’ psychologists Papaya traced to the Car- ica de Campeche farm in Campeche, Mexico, appears of CIA to stand trial to be the likely source, the FDA said. The farm is located on the Gulf of Mexico side of Washington Liberties Union on behalf of the the Yucatan Peninsula. AFP ex-detainees, will be the first Papayas from the Carica involving the torture programme de Campeche farm tested wo ‘torture’ psychologists to go to trial. positive for five different who helped design the The government has headed strains of salmonella bacte- TCIA’s post-9/11 detainee off previous efforts, citing what ria, which can cause diarrhea, interrogation programme will is said is a need to protect sensi- vomiting, stomach pain and stand trial in September for pro- tive intelligence. fever. Young children, older moting the use of torture The case targets psycholo- adults and people with weak- methods like water-boarding, gists James Mitchell and Bruce ened immune systems are the starvation and chaining prison- Jessen, who were recruited by most likely to have severe ers in extreme stress positions. the CIA in 2002 to design and infections. Federal judges in Washing- help conduct interrogations of Cases in New York nearly ton state late Monday ordered a war-on-terror suspects captured tripled to 36 since the last lawsuit on behalf of three former in Afghanistan and elsewhere. report on July 21 and New Jer- detainees — one of whom died The two were paid $80m for sey cases have more than in a CIA prison following harsh their work, which included help- doubled to 26. Virginia has interrogation — to go to a jury ing interrogate Khalid Sheikh had 11 cases, Pennsylvania Farmers start gathering for a demonstration in Mexico City, yesterday as part of nationwide trial, rejecting efforts to force a Mohammed, the mastermind of seven and Maryland has had protests against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and what they call settlement and prevent a full the September 11, 2001 attacks six. Connecticut and Minne- their government’s broken promises on land rights and working conditions. hearing of the case. The lawsuit, by Al-Qaeda, and Abu Zubaydah, sota each have four cases, and filed by the American Civil another top Qaeda official. Massachusetts has had three. WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017 BREAK TIME 15

CONCEPTIS SUDOKU

08:00 News 13:10 Gold Rush 09:10 Bad Dog 13:10 Stuck In The 08:30 The Listening Post 13:55 Running Wild With 10:05 Mutant Planet Middle 09:00 Face To Face Bear Grylls 11:00 Untamed China 15:20 Miraculous Tales 10:00 News 14:40 Gold Divers With Nigel Of Ladybug And 10:30 Inside Story 15:25 Fast N' Loud Marven Cat Noir 11:00 News 16:10 Wheeler Dealers 11:55 Dog Rescuers 15:45 Elena Of Avalor 11:30 The Stream 17:00 How Do They Do 12:50 Guardians Of 16:10 Liv And Maddie 12:00 News It? Rescue 16:35 Descendants 12:30 Artscape - Poets of 18:20 Storage 13:45 Bad Dog Wicked World Protest Hunters 14:40 Mutant Planet 16:40 Girl Meets World 13:00 NEWSHOUR 18:50 Running Wild With 15:35 Untamed & Uncut 18:20 Disney Mickey 14:00 News Bear Grylls 16:30 Treehouse Mouse 14:30 Inside Story 20:35 How Do They Do Masters 18:25 Alex & Co. 15:00 Al Jazeera World It? 17:25 The Bronx Zoo 18:50 Best Friends 16:00 NEWSHOUR 21:00 Blowing Up History 18:20 Insane Pools: Off Whenever 17:00 News 21:50 Strip The City The Deep End 20:35 Cracke 17:30 The Stream 22:40 Made By 19:15 Bad Dog 20:40 Bizaardvark Yesterday's answer 18:00 Newsgrid Destruction 20:10 Untamed & 21:05 Austin & Ally 19:00 News 23:05 Made By Uncut 21:30 Stuck In The Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- 19:30 Witness Destruction 21:05 The Bronx Zoo Middle placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:00 News 23:30 Fast N' Loud 22:00 Insane Pools: Off 21:55 Tsum Tsum place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 20:30 Inside Story 00:20 Wheeler Dealers The Deep End Shorts that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 21:00 NEWSHOUR 01:05 Blowing Up History 22:55 Mutant Planet 22:00 Bunk'd contains the same number only once. 22:00 News 01:50 Strip The City 23:50 Untamed & Uncut 22:25 Miraculous Tales 22:30 The Stream 02:35 Made By 00:45 Treehouse Of Ladybug And 23:00 CROSSWORD Witness Destruction Masters Cat Noir BABY BLUES

NOVO — Pearl SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Jawab Leteqal (2D/Arabic) 10:00am, 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40pm & 12:00midnight 6 Days (2D/Action) 1:30, 5:30 & 9:30pm The Dark Tower (2D/Action) 11:00am, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:00, 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm Atomic Blonde (2D/Thriller) 10:00am, 2:40, 7:20pm & 12:00midnight Baby Driver (2D/Action) 12:20, 5:00 & 9:40pm First Kill (2D/Action) 11:30am, 3:30, 7:30 & 11:30pm Mamnoun Min El Ektirab (2D/Arabic) 10:00am, 2:40, 7:20pm & 12:00midnight Bling (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 12:50, 2:40 & 4:30pm War For The Planet of The Apes (2D/Action) 6:40, 9:40 & 11:40pm Jab Harry Met Sejal (2D/Hindi) 10:00am, 3:10 & 8:20pm Baywatch (2D/Comedy) 12:50, 6:00 & 11:20pm Boyka: Undisputed (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight The Big Sick (2D/Comedy) 12:10, 4:50 & 9:30pm Dunkirk (2D IMAX/Action) 11:00am, 1:10, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:50pm & 12:00midnight Boyka: Undisputed (2D/Action) 2:30, 7:00 & 11:30pm

MALL Bling (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:00pm Jab Harry Met Sejal (2D/Hindi) 2:15, 7:00 & 11:15pm 6 Days (2D/Action) 3:00 & 5:30pm The Dark Tower (2D/Action) 3:00, 9:30 & 11:45pm The Big Sick (2D/Comedy) 5:00pm Mamnoun Min El Ektirab (2D/Arabic) 5:00 & 9:30pm Finally Found Someone (2D/Tagalog) 5:30, 7:15 & 9:30pm First Kill (2D/Action) 7:45 & 11:30pm

LANDMARK Mamnoun Min El Ektirab (2D/Arabic) 2:45 & 9:30pm The Big Sick (2D/Comedy) 2:30 & 5:00pm Bling (2D/Animation) 3:00 & 4:30pm Finally Found Someone (2D/Tagalog) 5:00 & 8:45pm Jab Harry Met Sejal (2D/Hindi) 6:00 & 11:00pm Huroob Ezterari (2D/Arabic) 7:30pm First Kill (2D/Action) 7:30 & 11:30pm The Dark Tower (2D/Action) 9:30 & 11:30pm

ROYAL PLAZA

Bling (2D/Animation) 2:00, 3:30 & 5:30pm The Big Sick (2D/Comedy) 2:30 & 6:30pm Mamnoun Min El Ektirab (2D/Arabic) 4:30 & 9:30pm Jab Harry Met Sejal (2D/Hindi) 2:15, 8:45 & 11:15pm First Kill (2D/Action) 2:30, 7:30 & 11:30pm Yesterday’s answer Finally Found Someone (2D/Tagalog) 5:00 & 7:30pm The Dark Tower (2D/Action) 9:45 & 11:30pm ALL IN THE MIND ASIAN TOWN Jab Harry Met Sejal (Hindi) 6:00, 6:30, 8:45, 9:00, 9:15, 11:30pm & 12:00midnight Sunday Holiday (2D/Malayalam) 9:15pm & 12:00midnight Vikram Vedha (2D/Tamil) 6:30pm

CIRCLE, CONE, CUBE, CUBOID, CYLINDER, AL KHOR DECAGON, DODECAHEDRON, Jab Harry Met Sejal (Hindi) 11:15am, 2:15, 5:15, 8:15 & 11:15pm ELLIPSE, HEPTAGON, Dark Tower (2D/Action) 2:30, 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30pm Bling 11:45am & 1:30pm HEXAGON, NONAGON, Finally Found Someone (Tagalog) 3:45, 9:00 & 11:30pm OCTAGON, OCTAHEDRON, Dunkirk (2D/Thriller) 12:15 & 4:45pm Sunday Holiday (Malayalam) 6:15pm PARALLELOGRAM, PENTAGON, POLYGON, POLYHEDRON, PRISM, ROXY PYRAMID, QUADRILATERAL, Chunkzz (Animation) 12:00noon, 3:00 & 6:00pm RECTANGLE, RHOMBUS, The Dark Tower 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00pm & 01:00am SEMICIRCLE, SPHERE, First Kill (Thriller) 12:00noon, 2:20, 4:30, 6:50, 9:00 & 11:10pm SQUARE, TETRAHEDRON, Jab Harry Met Sejal (Hindi) 12:00noon, 2:50, 5:40, 8:30 & 11:20pm Dunkirk (2D/Thriller) 9:00 & 11:15pm Atomic Blonde 12:00noon & 2:30pm TRAPEZIUM, TRIANGLE. 16 HOME WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Qatari artists to create country’s largest mosaic FAJR 03.42 am SHOROOK 05.04 am The Peninsula ZUHR 11.39 am MAGHRIB 06.16 pm Radi Al Hajri Lina Al Ali ASR 03.08 pm ISHA 07.46 pm atari artists Lina Al Ali and Radi Al Hajri together with citi- WEATHER TODAY zens and residents Qwill create the o o country’s largest mosaic dubbed ‘For the Love of Qatar’ 33 C 43 C at Doha Festival City (DFC) Minimum Maximum from August 10 to 15. The collective work of art is an initiative of the ongoing Qatar Summer Festival (QSF). The artists will be at DFC between noon and 3pm and again between 5pm and 8pm daily throughout the six days. During those times, children opportunity to interact with message on a larger scale, and adults alike are invited to people, while at the same time which in turn represents and take part in creating a mosaic enhancing the mall-goers’ reflects the Nation’s pride in for Qatar which, once com- experience.” Qatar.” pleted, will be displayed at the She added, “Working with Al Ali, who is a children’s Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al our partners, we are always book author and full-time vis- Thani Museum. exploring new ways in which ual arts teacher, shared the Mashal Shahbik, Director we can create authentic Qatari same sentiments. “I believe of Tourism Events and Festi- experiences for our visitors.” that art has the power to vals at Qatar Tourism Al Hajri is a multi-talented transform a common mun- Authority, said, “We are very artist who likes to express dane reality to a surreal pleased to be providing a himself through poetry, writ- beautiful expression that unique platform for artistic ing and art. speaks to people from all is a nationwide festival that to date with QSF activities can expression at QSF this year, Commenting on his walks of life,” she said. “For celebrates the country’s fam- follow the Qatar Events Cal- especially with so many peo- upcoming collaboration with the Love of Qatar delivers a ily entertainment, retail and endar’s dedicated social ple seeking an avenue to QSF, he said, “This event relies simple yet powerful message hospitality offerings. In its media accounts on Twitter express solidarity with Qatar on the participation of the for everyone living in this fourth edition, QSF 2017 and Instagram (@QatarCalen- and its people. Bringing local public to complete a mosaic country.” stretches from Eid Al Fitr to dar), Facebook (Facebook. artists to areas with high foot- of individual feelings and Held under the theme Eid Al Adha. com/QatarCalendar) and fall gives them a unique expressions that will create a “Colour Your Summer,” QSF Those who wish to stay up Snapchat (QatarCalendar).

Hazy to misty at places at first, be- comes hot daytime with some clouds and humid by night. MIA extends ‘Imperial Threads’ expo HIGH TIDE 05:15 – 18:30 LOW TIDE 01:00 – 11:00

Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department till January on popular demand

The Peninsula neighbouring empires, primarily from The second section introduces vis- the 15th to the 19th centuries. itors to the Ottoman artistic production he Museum of Islamic Art’s (MIA) It also illustrates the cultural and with works ranging from the 16th to latest exhibition, Imperial artistic background of this time by fea- 18th centuries. TThreads: Motifs and Artisans turing artefacts including carpets, It showcases examples of carpets from Turkey, Iran and India, has been manuscripts, metalwork and in addition to other mediums charac- extended until January 27, due to pop- ceramics. teristic of local tribal designs, merged ular demand. The exhibition is broken down into with outside influences coming from The exhibition shows a new ele- three sections, each one focusing on a Iranian ateliers. ment of MIA’s extraordinary specific empire. The Safavid Empire The last section highlighting the permanent collection by highlighting section (1501-1736) showcases works Mughal Empire (1526-1858), offers a the connection between three major from the Safavid royal Kitabkhanah, look into the culmination of artistic dynasties that marked the start of the or manuscripts workshop, as well as styles integrating Safavid, Ottoman and early modern period in Islamic art - artistic motifs developed under patrons local traditions. the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal such as Shah Tahmasp. The Safavids Of note are the detailed floral programmes, workshops, activities and empires. played a major role in the transfer of designs that represent a major part of events continue to be organised along- The Imperial Threads exhibition artistic practices by means of travel- the decorative repertoire, found par- side the exhibition, which will inspire focuses on the exchange of artistic and ling artists to the neighbouring ticularly in carpets and jewellery. engagement and provide enriching material cultures between three Ottoman and Mughal courts. A range of educational opportunities for the people of Qatar. Perseid meteor set to illuminate Qatar skies

The Peninsula

he “Perseid meteor” Tshower will be seen over Qatar sky and Northern Hemisphere sky from the evening of Saturday until dawn of Sunday, A screen shot of the virtual reality advertisement of Ooredoo. Qatar Calendar House (QCH) announced. Perseid Ooredoo releases new meteor shower is usually active ture for Perseid meteor. every year between first until The meteor is one of impor- mid of August, while its peak tant and best meteors seen from will be in between evening of the Earth, where the average virtual reality ad August 12 and dawn of August shower, when it arrives its 13 every year. Astronomer peak, will be in between 90 The Peninsula The state-of-the art advertisement will expert at (QCH) Dr Beshir Mar- -100 Perseid meteor per hour. work on both Android and iOS phones. zouk said. The debris from Comet oredoo has released a new virtual real- Manar Khalifa Al Muraikhi, Director of PR Qatar residents and Arabic “Swift-Tuttle” is the main rea- ity advertisement, designed to and Corporate Communications, said: “Oore- area countries residents don’t son for the Perseid meteor. Oshowcase the clear investment Oore- doo is proud to have created our first virtual need astronomical telescopes When Earth passes through, it doo has placed in its network and technology reality video all about our 4G Pro and soon to see Perseid meteor shower. leaves behind the dust and for Qatar. The advertisement, which is avail- 5G speeds. We believe in constantly invest- They can see it by naked eye debris every year, creating the able on YouTube now, takes viewers on a ing in our services to offer a leading data from more dark places and annual Perseid meteor shower. 360-degree experience to see the interactiv- experience, and we hope this small snippet places without light and envi- “Swift-Tuttle” last passed ity of the Supernet when using the internet of what our network will soon be able to ronment pollutions. One has to nearby Earth during its orbit and more across Qatar. achieve will excite our customers.” look at Northeast horizon of around the sun in 1992, and the Anyone with augmented reality glasses The advertisement is also the first virtual Qatar sky to see Perseid mete- next time will be in 2126. can enjoy the virtual reality experience free reality video done by a telecommunications ors. Moreover residents can As known, the best time for of charge via Ooredoo’s YouTube page now, company in the region to promote speed and take a nice photo for Perseid viewing and observing Perseid and for customers without augmented real- network. Thanks to the advert, people from meteor by using recent digital meteor is after midnight until ity glasses, they can view it as a 360-degree across the world will be able to explore Qatar cameras, but they must increase dawn, while the best location is video on their smart device by turning on the and see some of the countries landmark build- exposure time of camera while a darker location without light 360 feature in YouTube. ings and sites. taking photo to get a best pic- and environmental pollutions.