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Saturday 15 April 2017 | 18 Rajab 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7132 | 2 Riyals

Philippine Reserve your President arrives PRESIDENT of the Republic parking lot of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Doha on an official visit to the country. In reception of the Pres- online soon ident upon arrival to Hamad International Airport were Minister of Energy and Indus- Sanaullah Ataullah “We have a complete plan try H E Dr Mohammed bin The Peninsula for vehicles’ parking facilities Saleh Al Sada, Ambassador in Qatar within the plans of Qatar to the Philippines Ali he Ministry of Trans- chalked out by the Ministry bin Ibrahim Al Malki, and port and under National Strategy for Ambassador of Philippines Communications is Traffic Safety,” said Rashid Alan Timbayan. working on a pilot Talib Al Nabit, Assistant Under- The Emir H H Sheikh project to build multi- secretary for Road Transport at Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Tstorey smart parking lots with The Minister of Transport and will hold talks with the Pres- online status-checking and res- Communications in a Qatar TV ident tomorrow morning at ervation facilities at crowded talk-show. President of the Republic of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte being received at the Hamad the Emiri Diwan on bilateral places in the country. “We have started work on International Airport by Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al relations and means of boost- These parking lots will be parking projects from the start Sada, yesterday. ing them in various fields. connected through a smart sys- of this year. The ambitious tem enabling motorists to not project is based on a survey only check the availability of conducted to collect the opin- parking spaces using smart ions of people to assess where phones or computers but also they want parking facilities. reserve them online. And these facilities will be Erdogan in last dash for 'Yes' vote developed as per the size and type of vehicles in the Istanbul sabotage the vote. In the latest country.” AFP issue of its Al Naba magazine, IS As a matter of fact, he A poll by the Konda called for attacks on polling sta- noted, "we cannot depend on urkish President Recep group showed tions in Turkey. the experiences of other coun- Tayyip Erdogan yesterday 'Yes' ahead at 51.5 If the new system is passed, tries in building parking Tmade a final push for votes percent. Erdogan it will abolish the office of prime facilities because the culture in a referendum on expanding minister, enabling the president in a TV interview ParkingP ki llotst willill bbe and needs are different of one his powers, as the authorities to centralise all state bureauc- country to another". said they had foiled a possible expressed racy under his control and also connected through He said that in a "unique jihadist plot against the poll. confidence the to appoint cabinet ministers. a smart system and first-time move", a latest Opinion polls — usually new presidential Supporters see the new sys- modern technology will be used treated with caution in Turkey tem as an essential enabling motorists system would be to not only check in these parking facilities ena- — have predicted a tight out- modernisation step for Turkey bling motorists to get advance come tomorrow despite the approved, saying to streamline government. the availability information about the availa- considerable advantages of the there were no Erdogan in an earlier televi- of parking bility of parking spaces through 'Yes' campaign in both airtime longer undecided sion interview expressed spaces using smart phones and computers and campaign resources. confidence the new presidential where they intend to visit. The referendum will take voters. system would be approved, say- smart phones or "And they could reserve the place under a state of emergency ing there were no longer computers but vacant parking spaces as well. that has been in place since last undecided voters. "'Yes' has also reserve them For example, a motorist wants summer's failed coup, which has "April 16 will be a historic Adding to security concerns, gone up considerably, while 'No' online. to visit Souq Waqif or any other seen some 47,000 arrested in the turning point," Erdogan told a police detained five suspected has gone down," he said. place, he would be able to get biggest crackdown in Turkey's rally in Konya, the Anatolian city Islamic State militants in Istan- A poll by the Konda group the information on the availa- history. seen as the heartland of conserv- bul accused of planning a showed 'Yes' ahead at 51.5 per- bility of parking space there Analysts regard the referen- ative supporters who have "sensational" attack targeting the cent but the Sonar group has immediately and could also dum as a crossroads in the benefited from his rule. weekend referendum. projected a 'No' vote of 51.2 per- reserve the space as per his modern history of the country The referendum is taking Authorities on Tuesday cent, and with other polling choice for a specific date and that will affect not just the shape place after a bloody year of ter- detained another 19 suspected companies producing different time." of its political system but also its ror attacks in Turkey blamed on IS supporters in the Aegean city figures the outcome remains → Continued on page 2 relations with the West. jihadists and Kurdish militants. of Izmir, accused of planning to uncertain.

'No need for Festival ends Trump's nod to Four million transactions via use massive bomb' Metrash2 and MoI website

WASHINGTON: The US Sidi Mohamed Recently the ministry added a new commander in Afghanistan The Peninsula e-service with which people can find who ordered use of the out traffic violations by foreign vehi- "mother of all bombs" to s many as 3,973,298 transactions cles inside Qatar through the Ministry attack an Islamic State were completed through Met- of Interior website. It is part of the ini- stronghold didn't need Pres- Arash2 and Ministry of interior tiatives of the Ministry to expand its ident Donald Trump's (MoI) website in the first Quarter of this e-services and save time and efforts of approval, Pentagon officials year. The Ministry of Inter disclosed this the public. said yesterday. on its official Twitter account that the About 211 electronic services now The officials said Gen. number of transactions on Metrah2 was are available through Metrash2 and the John Nicholson has stand- 3,323,,280 while the number of trans- website of the Ministry. The number of ing authority to use the actions issued through MoI website was subscribers to Metrash2 has reached bomb, which is officially 650,018 making a total of 3,973,298 328,000 so far. called the Massive Ord- transactions. Metrash 2 is an interactive service nance Air Burst bomb, or It also issued 1,084, 413 transactions oriented Mobile app by MoI and avail- MOAB, the largest non- of renewal and cancellation of visas, able on App store, play store and nuclear bomb ever dropped and leave notifications among others Windows store. Metrash 2 services in combat. The bomb had through both Metrash2 and (MoI) web- include many services like visa, resi- been in Afghanistan since site (e-services). The number of dence, traffic violations, renewal of January. transactions related to traffic services driving license, issue or replacement The officials weren't were completed through Metrash2 and for damaged driving license, travel exit authorized to speak publicly Visitors enjoying a ride on the last day of Souq Waqif Festival, yesterday. (MoI) website (e-services) were 169,264. permit, transfer vehicle ownership, on the matter and requested Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula The total inquires on both services dur- community police, CID in addition to anonymity. ing the same period was 2,614,961. different inquiries. 02 HOME SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017

Permanent Mission Sheikh Joaan attends closing ceremony of Camel Festival of Qatar to UN holds briefing on R2P

New York ineffectiveness of the current QNA global order as a result of the failure to resolve the Syrian he Permanent Mission of conflict along with the global the State of Qatar to the network of government focal TUnited Nations held a points on responsibility to pro- briefing at the United Nations tect, she said. headquarters in New York with The Ambassador pointed Dr Simon Adams, Executive out that one of the main objec- Director of the Global Centre for tives of the 7th Meeting was to the Responsibility to Protect on consider strategic cooperation the implementation of the prin- in the prevention of mass ciple of the Responsibility to crimes and means of strength- Protect (R2P) ahead of the ening preventive mechanisms upcoming 7th Meeting of the and better response to regional National R2P Focal Points due in crises. Doha on April 24-25 this year. The Global Centre for the Qatar's Permanent Repre- Responsibility to Protect was sentative to the United Nations, established in February 2008 H E Ambassador Alya Ahmed to promote universal accept- bin Saif Al-Thani, briefed the ance and effective operational participants on the upcoming implementation of the norm of meeting's agenda, which will the "Responsibility to Protect" On behalf of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the closing discuss "Syria and Protection populations from genocide, war ceremony of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which was held in Riyadh, in the presence of the Custodian of the Two from Mass Crimes". crimes, ethnic cleansing and Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and a number of Their Majesties, Princes and guests. It will also highlight the crimes against humanity. Duterte visit to boost relations in several fields: Envoy

Raynald C Rivera MoUs to be signed investments if it is signed during Qatari businessmen. A number Secretary of Labour and Employ- home,” he added. The Peninsula the President’s visit. of Memoranda of Understand- ment Silvestre H. Bello III. Duterte is expected to meet Philippine “We are looking forward to ing (MoUs) on investment “There is a possibility that the around 6,000 Filipinos in Qatar he Philippines is look- Ambassador Alan the signing of a bilateral agree- pledges are expected to be signed Secretary of Labour and Employ- tonight at Lusail Multipurpose ing forward to a Timbayan says Qatari ment on the promotion and during Duterte’s visit. ment of the Philippines Silvestre Hall, a major highlight of his visit fruitful three-day state government is protection of investments. If “When PEZA Director Gen- H. Bello III will meet with the to Qatar where he had a land- visit of President Rod- ‘enthusiastic’ about this will be inked during the eral Charito Plaza came here and Ministry of Labour. We expect slide win during the elections last rigo Duterte who the President’s visit. visit of the President, it is presented an investment road labour issues will be discussed year. Tarrived in Doha last night in the expected to open a lot of invest- show, emphasizing the stability during this meeting,” said “In the recent elections con- final leg of his Middle East tour. A number of MoUs on ments to the Philippines and the viability of doing better Timbayan. ducted here in Qatar, around In a press conference prior because Qatar wants to diver- business in the Philippines as “During my call with the Min- 15,000 of about 44,000 regis- investment pledges to the arrival of President Duterte sify its investments and looks well as the stability of President ister for Administrative tered voters cast their votes. The are expected to be yesterday, Philippine Ambassa- towards the Philippines as a Rodrigo Duterte’s government, Development, Labour and Social President got about 80 percent dor Alan Timbayan said the signed during good place where to place its there were some prospective Affairs, Dr Issa bin Saad Juffali Al of the total votes cast, in other Qatari government is ‘enthusi- Duterte’s visit. investments,” Timbayan said at businessmen who manifested Naimi, he acknowledged the con- words, it was a landslide victory,” astic’ about the President’s visit a press conference at the Phil- their intention to invest in the tributions of the Filipino workers said Timbayan. and he was hopeful the Presi- ippine Embassy yesterday. Philippines, in fact PEZA here in the development of Qatar Whenever he has trips dent’s first official visit to Qatar cooperation between the two The Doha leg of Philippine received several pledges from and I express my gratitude and abroad, meetings with overseas will yield positive results in var- countries, Timbayan noted that the Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) businessmen to invest,” he said. thanks to the Minister for the con- Filipinos have become an impor- ious areas of Philippines-Qatar Philippines is set to benefit from investment roadshow in Febru- He pointed out the possibil- tinued support and hospitality tant part of itinerary of Duterte, bilateral cooperation. a bilateral agreement on recipro- ary have been a success with ity of a meeting between Qatar’s extended to our workers here who who has made caring for over- Highlighting the economic cal promotion and protection of several pledges from labour ministry and Philippine have made Qatar their second seas Filipinos a top priority. Al Zayani praises positive role Focus on sustainable transport system → Continued from page 1 which has also been with an idea to build sustaina- played by Gulf media The parking project is part completed. ble transport system in new of national strategy for traffic The third plan was building roads for the safety of people safety of which more than 10 separate tracks for bicycles. The and properties. Sustainable QNA in all fields. Khalid Al Malik. plans were shared by the Min- plan was completed a long time transport means building mod- Al Zayani referred to the During the meeting, they istry. Around three of them have ago. "Now we are upgrading this ern roads taking into he Secretary-General of high ranking of the Gulf jour- reviewed the efforts made by been implemented so far. plan. Now we have 153 kilometers consideration all types of users; the Gulf Cooperation nalism in the regional and Arab the Gulf Press Union to The first plan was Qatar tracks for bicycles on the roads of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians TCouncil (GCC) Dr Abdul media system, its positive prac- strengthen the cooperation and Guide for Road Design which the country," he said, adding: and people with disabilities Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani tice regarding strengthening the coordination between Gulf was completed in collaboration "Around 264 kilometers new because everyone has an equal underlined the important and Gulf identity and developing the press entities in addition to with other authorities con- tracks for bicycles are under con- right to use the roads. effective role that Gulf press Gulf correlation. ways to develop cooperation cerned like Traffic Department struction of which 64 kilometres Another feature of the mod- plays in strengthening the joint Al Zayani expressed his between the General Secretar- and the Public Works Authority tracks are expected to be com- ern roads is their connection GCC action and highlighting views during his meeting with iat of the GCC and the Gulf (Ashghal). The second plan was pleted within coming year." with vital points like public the achievements of the GCC the Chief of the Gulf Press Union Press Union. Qatar Guide for Traffic Control The Ministry has come up transport, seaport and airport.

Souq Waqif Festival concludes

The last day of Souq Waqif Festival was filled with fun events and activities for children. The festival saw thousands of visitors flock to Doha’s most visited spot as it coincides with Qatar’s school break. Pics: Baher Amin / The Peninsula SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 03

Hamas rally Hassan Rowhani Evacuations registers to run continue from in May elections Tehran AP four Syria towns IRAN'S President Hassan Rowhani registered yester- day to run in the upcoming presidential elections in May. Rashidin, Syria Evacuation Rowhani, 68, registered on AFP the fourth day of the allocated Men, women and period which ends on Satur- undreds of civilians children packed onto day evening. In 2013, he had and fighters who buses leaving registered on the first day. have been under government- The upcoming vote will crippling siege for controlled Fuaa and be seen, among other things, more than two Kafraya and rebel- as a referendum on the 2015 Hyears left four Syrian towns in held Madaya and nuclear agreement with fleets of buses yesterday under Zabadani, with many world powers, under which a delayed evacuation deal. expressing despair at Iran agreed to curb its ura- Men, women and children nium enrichment in exchange not knowing when Supporters of the Hamas movement protesting against the Israeli blockade of the Gaza packed onto buses leaving gov- for the lifting of international they might return. ernment-controlled Fuaa and Strip, in Khan Yunis, yesterday. sanctions. Kafraya and rebel-held Madaya Running on the platform and Zabadani, with many "More freedom and peace," expressing despair at not know- They arrived at a marshalling Rowhani vowed to remain loyal ing when they might return. point in Rashidin, west of sec- to the 2016 land nuclear deal, "When I first went onto the ond city Aleppo, followed by 20 3 WFP contract workers and urged all Iranians to vote. bus, I broke down from sad- ambulances. "From now on, protect- ness, I fell on the ground and The Syrian Observatory for ing the deal is one of the most they had to help me," said Fuaa Human Rights said 5,000 peo- killed in South Sudan important economic and resident Abu Hussein. "I just ple had left the two towns, political issues," said Row- couldn't bear it." The deal to including 1,300 pro-govern- hani. He said he would evacuate the towns is the latest ment fighters. The Observatory Juba were killed while trying to get war in 2013. In a statement, continue his past promise to in a string of such agreements said 2,200 people from AFP through the fighting to a ware- Human Rights Watch said gov- "salvage the economy" and through Syria's six-year civil war. Zabadani and Madaya had left, house used by the food agency ernment soldiers carried out "engage constructively" with They have been touted by among them 400 rebels. he World Food Pro- in the town. "collective punishment" in Wau the world. "We do not with- the government as the best way Madaya resident Amjad al- gramme (WFP) Two were hacked to death against people of minority eth- draw," said Rowhani. to end the fighting but rebels Maleh, speaking from a Tcondemned the deaths of with machetes and one was nic groups that are seen to be Rowhani also mentioned say they are forced out by siege departing bus, said that rebels three contract workers in fight- shot, the statement said. supporting Machar. the giant joint gas field, the and bombardment. among the evacuees had been ing that engulfed South Sudan's "We are outraged and heart- Witnesses, including a local North Field, Iran will be Critics say deals are perma- allowed to keep light weapons. second-largest city Wau earlier broken by the deaths of our priest, had also told AFP they developing with Qatar. nently changing the ethnic and "It is a very bad feeling when this week. colleagues, who worked every saw targeted killings by govern- Earlier on Wednesday religious map, but in an exclu- you see those who besieged you At least 16 civilians were day to help provide life-saving ment troops of civilians former hardline President sive interview with AFP this and killed you with hunger and killed in clashes that started with food to millions of their fellow suspected of backing the rebels. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and week President Bashar al-Assad bombardment right in front of a rebel ambush of government countrymen," WFP country "The pattern of abuses by his close ally Hamid Baghaei insisted the evacuations were you," Maleh said. "Madaya troops near Wau on Sunday director Joyce Luma said in the government forces against civil- also filed to run for the only temporary and people cried today -- the ones who before spreading into the city statement. ians in Wau has become presidency. would return once the "terror- stayed and the ones who left." the following day, according to The clash in Wau was the predictable, with soldiers tak- Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line ists" had been defeated. More than 30,000 people are the UNMISS peacekeeping latest spasm of violence to rock ing revenge against unarmed cleric close to Supreme At least 80 buses left Fuaa expected to be evacuated under mission. South Sudan since a power civilians based on their ethnic- Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- and Kafraya in Idlib province the deal, which began on The WFP said in a statement struggle between President ity," Daniel Bekele, HRW's nei, has announced plans to in the northwest, a correspond- Wednesday with an exchange that three South Sudanese who Salva Kiir and his former dep- senior director for Africa advo- run promising to fight pov- ent in rebel-held territory said. of prisoners. had been contracted as porters uty Riek Machar led to a civil cacy said in a statement. erty and corruption.

Mosul offensive Nigeria marks 3 years since schoolgirls' mass abduction

Abuja three years after this deplora- suicide bombings, often strap- AP ble and devastating act of ping them to young women. violence, the majority of the girls Children have been used to igerians yesterday remain missing," a half-dozen carry out 27 attacks in the first marked three years since independent experts for the three months of this year, Nthe mass abduction of United Nations, who visited already nearing last year's total nearly 300 schoolgirls by Boko Nigeria last year, said in a state- of 30, the UN children's agency Haram extremists amid anger ment this week. said this week. that government efforts to nego- The failure of Nigeria's former On Wednesday, Nigerian tiate their freedom appear to government to free the girls security officials said they had have stalled. sparked a global Bring Back Our thwarted plans by Islamic State Activists were rallying in the Girls movement and was a factor group-linked Boko Haram Smoke billowing in west Mosul near the Great Mosque of Al Nuri, where Islamic State capital, Abuja, and commercial Buhari's 2015 election win over members to attack the embas- (IS) group leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi declared his caliphate back in 2014, during the hub Lagos to urge President former President Goodluck sies of the United States and ongoing offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the city from IS militants. Muhammadu Buhari's govern- Jonathan. The schoolgirls from Britain, along with "other West- ment to do more to free the Chibok village are among thou- ern interests" in the capital. One nearly 200 schoolgirls who sands of people abducted by the faction of Boko Haram is allied remain captive. Nigeria-based Boko Haram as with the Islamic State group. Nigeria in October it continues to threaten parts of Nigeria's military in the past announced the release of 21 of the northeast and has spread year has rescued thousands of Tanzania gunmen kill 8 policemen the Chibok schoolgirls after into neighbouring countries. Boko Haram captives while lib- negotiations with the extremist The Chibok abduction is not erating towns and villages from group, and it said another group even the largest. Nigerian offi- the group's control, but many Nairobi African nation. attack in their vehicle in the of 83 girls would be released cials refuse to acknowledge the have been detained as possible AFP "President John Pombe eastern region of Kibiti as they "very soon." abduction of more than 500 Boko Haram suspects. Magufuli is surprised and very returned from patrol, and their No one has been freed since children from the northeastern Boko Haram's seven-year GUNMEN have ambushed and sorry to learn of the news of the assailants fled into a nearby for- then. The government this week town of Damasak in November Islamic uprising has killed more killed eight police officers in death of eight police officers est, the statement said. said negotiations have "gone 2014, Human Rights Watch said than 20,000 people and driven eastern Tanzania, the presi- killed last night by armed peo- The officers were part of a quite far" but face challenges. It last month. Buhari late last year 2.6 million from their homes, dency said, the latest in a string ple," Tanzania's presidency said unit deployed to pacify the refused to give details, citing announced that Boko Haram with millions facing starvation of killings targeting politicians in a statement. region south of Tanzania's larg- security reasons. had been "crushed," but it con- because of the disruption in and security officers in the East The policemen came under est city Dar Es Salaam. "It is deeply shocking that tinues to carry out deadly markets and agriculture. Rights group slams Yemen journalist's death sentence

Dubai Arabia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) The Houthis hail from Yemen's Shi- Rival bodies loyal to internationally conflict in the Arabian peninsula coun- AFP said it was the first death sentence issued ite-linked Zaidi minority in northern recognised president Abdrabuh Mansur try has escalated over the past two years. against a journalist in Yemen. Yemen. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia Hadi operate out of second city Aden or Eight reporters were killed in Yemen eporters Without Borders said Fri- "This Houthi-imposed death sen- has been leading a military intervention from exile in Saudi Arabia. last year, according to the International day it was "appalled" at a death tence sets a dangerous precedent for against the Houthis and their allies in Yemen's press union condemned the Federation of Journalists. Rsentence handed to a veteran journalists in Yemen," said Alexandra the kingdom's impoverished sentence as "arbitrary" and accused the RSF says at least 16 journalists and journalist by a court in Yemen's rebel- El Khazen, the head of RSF's Middle East neighbour. rebels of "targeting press freedom". media workers are currently being held held capital. desk. The Houthis, supported by renegade It said Jubaihi, 61, was seized from by armed groups in Yemen including The court in Sanaa, which is con- "Issued at the end of an unfair trial, troops loyal to former president Ali his home on September 6. the Huthis and Al Qaeda. trolled by Iran-backed Huthi insurgents, it constitutes a grave violation of inter- Abdullah Saleh, have controlled all gov- Press watchdogs and human rights Yemen is ranked 170th out of 180 on Thursday found Yahya Al Jubaihi national law. We urge Huthi leaders to ernment institutions in Sana'a since they groups have been deeply critical of the countries in the organisation's 2016 guilty of spying for neighbouring Saudi free this journalist at once," she said. overran the capital in September 2014. rebels' treatment of journalists as the World Press Freedom Index. 04 ASIA SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 Haj pilgrimage via sea route likely to resume

New policy Mumbai "A high-level committee, 2,300-odd nautical miles operators. January 11. It is the biggest IANS formed by the government to between Mumbai and Jeddah in This year, he said, 129,196 increase in the Haj quota for The 'revolutionary frame the Haj Policy 2018 as per just two-three days. Earlier, ships applications were received India after many years," the Min- and pilgrim-friendly nion Minister the Supreme Court's 2012 order, used to take 12 to 15 days to cover online. ister said. decision' of sea travel Mukhtar Abbas is exploring the issue for send- this distance," he said. "The Ministry of Minority More than 500 trainers from will cut down travel Naqvi yesterday ing pilgrims via the sea route to He said the new Haj policy Affairs along with other agen- different states are participating expenses by nearly said the Centre is Jeddah in Saudi Arabia," the Min- is aimed at making the entire pil- cies has started preparations for in the three-day training pro- half compared with "actively consider- ister of State for Minority Affairs grimage process easier and the biggest annual pilgrimage gramme that deals with various air fares, says Union Uing" a plan to resume -- after 22 said at a training programme at transparent. Facilities for pil- very early in coordination with dos and don'ts to be adhered to Minister Mukhtar years -- the use of the Arabian the Haj House here. grims will be the focus of the new various agencies, " he added. The during the pilgrimage. They are Abbas Naqvi. Sea route to ferry Haj pilgrims The committee will soon policy. aim is to provide world class enlightened about transport, to Saudi Arabia and consulta- submit its report to the In 2016, as many as 99,903 facilities to Haj pilgrims. accommodation and laws in tions with the Shipping Ministry government. pilgrims went to Jeddah for Haj With an increase of 34,005 Saudi Arabia, among other The new Haj policy is are already on. At present, Haj pilgrims through the Haj Committee of in India's annual Haj quota by things. aimed at making the He said the "revolutionary travel by air from 21 points India, besides nearly 36,000 host country Saudi Arabia, Officials from the Haj Com- entire pilgrimage and pilgrim-friendly decision" across the country. persons who went through pri- announced last year, all Indian mittee of India, Saudi Arabia process easier and of sea travel will cut down travel The minister said another vate tour operators. states will benefit for this year's Consulate, BrihanMumbai transparent. Facilities expenses by nearly half com- advantage was that ships now- In 2017, a total of 1,70,025 pilgrimage, Naqvi said. Municipal Corporation, Saudi for pilgrims will be the pared with air fares. The use of adays are modern and well persons will go for Haj from "The decision was taken dur- Airlines, Air India, customs and focus of the new the sea route between Mumbai equipped to ferry 4,000 to 5,000 India, including 1,25,025 through ing the signing of a bilateral immigration departments and policy. and Jeddah for Haj was discon- persons at one go. the Haj Committee and 45,000 annual Haj agreement between doctors are involved in the tinued in 1995. "They can cover the others through private the two countries at Jeddah on endeavour.

Pakistan files seven Cooling off Kerala man among 36 dead charges against Jadhav in US attack Islamabad * Funded subversive seces- IANS sionist and terrorist elements Kasaragode through Hawala/Hundi for sub- IANS lleged Indian spy Kulb- verting the Pakistani youth hushan Jadhav has been against the country, especially AN Islamic State (IS) activist Aslapped with seven in Balochistan. from Kerala is believed to have charges, including sponsoring * Sponsored explosions of been killed along with 36 IS mil- IED attacks on important instal- gas pipelines and electric itants when the US unleashed lations and attacks on Shias in pylons in Sibi and Sui areas in a massive GBU-43 bomb, also Pakistan -- according to the list Balochistan. known as the "mother of all read out by the country's top * Sponsored IED explosions bombs", on the terror group's foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz in Quetta in 2015, causing mas- position in a cave network in yesterday. sive damage to life and eastern Afghanistan. Aziz said Jhadav, who has property. According to Indian intel- been sentenced to death, was * Sponsored attack on ligence officials, Murshid "directly involved" in the fol- Hazaras in Quetta and Shia Mohammed, in his 20s, who lowing list of subversive acts. Zaireen enroute to and from hailed from Kasaragode in * He sponsored and directed Iran. Kerala, was among the IS mil- IEDs and grenade attacks in * Abetted attacks through itants killed after the US Gawadar and Turbat in anti-state elements against military struck the IS' posi- Balochistan. forces in areas of Turbat, Pun- tion in Nangarhar province, * Directed attacks on the jgur, Gawadar, Pasni and Jiwani on Thursday with a massive A boy splashes in the water of a decorative shallow pool adorning the gardens radar station and civilian boats during 2014-15, killing and 10-tonne missile-powered in the sea, opposite Jiwani Port injuring many civilians and surrounding the India Gate monument on a hot day in New Delhi, yesterday. bomb. in Gwadar district. soldiers. A top intelligence officer in Kasargode said that around Thursday midnight they got information of Mohammed being killed in the US military Kejriwal hopeful of winning civic elections assault. "The information of the death came to a relative of New Delhi angry after party MLA Jarnail 272 wards of the three munici- work done by the Bharatiya they can't pay their employees. Mohammed. Unlike similar IANS Singh resigned in the middle of pal corporations in Delhi and "it Janata Party in the three munic- The MCDs under BJP rule did news received in February his term to contest the February will be wrong to see this (bypoll ipal areas in the last 10 year. nothing. There is huge corrup- about the death of another day after the AAP suffered 4 Punjab assembly elections. result) as a trailer for municipal "I ask people -- (tell) one tion in the MCDs," Kejriwal said. youth from here, this time a drubbing in the Rajouri "I was getting a feedback that elections". good thing the BJP has done in The Chief Minister pointed there are no pictures (to AGarden assembly seat the constituency's people were "The Delhi loss was just an the municipal bodies in the last to the work done by the AAP establish the death)". bypoll in Delhi, Chief Minister angry that Jarnail Singh left to anger against one candidate, 10 years." government in Delhi and said A relative of Mohammed Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said contest Punjab assembly elec- nothing more". "For 10 years, the BJP has that the April 23 civic polls will received only a message that the defeat will not impact his tions. People of Rajouri Garden The Bharatiya Janata Party's been in charge of the MCDs; you be a referendum on their "good he was killed, according to party's prospects in the April 23 did not like that Jarnail Singh left candidate won the seat in the can see how much filth there is work" in the national capital. the Kerala Police intelligence civic elections. them midway. We failed to con- bypoll, the Congress came sec- on the streets of Delhi. All the "There is a lot of positivity in wing. Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi vince the voters," Kejriwal said. ond, while the AAP candidate dengue, malaria... and this is Delhi about the work we have The bomb used in the Party lost the bypoll because the Kejriwal said he is hopeful came a distant third. despite all the money they have. done, especially in education, strike is claimed to be the big- people in the constituency were of winning the elections to the Kejriwal also questioned the They are so short of cash that health and water availability". gest-ever non-nuclear bomb.

Alliance Air to increase Delhi- Army probes video of Dharamshala alleged human shield flight frequency Srinagar Budgam district was the AFP scene of violence this week New Delhi as police and paramilitary IANS he Indian army is inves- officers opened fire on thou- tigating allegations a sands of protesters shouting NATIONAL passenger car- Tman was tied to a jeep slogans against Indian rule rier Air India yesterday said and used as a human shield during a local poll. that its subsidiary Alliance Air by soldiers in Kashmir after Eight civilians were killed will increase the frequency of video of the apparent inci- and dozens wounded in the its Delhi-Dharamshala flight dent generated outrage. election violence, including from April 15. The 11-second clip, which troops who were pelted with "On the occasion of went viral on social media stones. Gufran Ali (third left) and Sarwed Ahmed Nadar (third right) with their eight month old son Himachal Pradesh day on yesterday, showed an uni- The footage of the man 15th April, Alliance Air the Karam and physicians during a press conference at a hospital in Noida, yesterday. dentified man bound to the bound to the jeep caused out- subsidiary of Air India will front of an army jeep as it led cry and demands for an increase the frequency of a convoy through Budgam immediate inquiry. Delhi-Dharamshala flight". Iraqi baby with 8 limbs treated in India district in Kashmir. Rights activists say Indian The airline said that it will A voice speaking Hindi in forces in Kashmir have been continue to deploy ATR 72 Noida which the affected individual has His blood veins were also the background can be heard using human shields since the aircraft on the same route to IANS more than the usual number of adjoined to his liver veins," Ash- saying "stone throwers will late 1980s, when an armed operate the new flight. limbs and, in this case, the boy, ish Rai, Senior Consultant, meet a similar fate" as villag- insurgency against Indian rule Currently, there is only one team of doctors here has named Karam who was brought Plastic and Reconstructive Sur- ers watch. erupted across territory. flight being operated between successfully operated to hospital in a very critical con- gery, Jaypee Hospital, said. Army spokesman Colo- "These kinds of crimes Delhi and Dharamshala. Air A upon a seven-month-old dition, had eight limbs. With the help of complex nel Rajesh Kalia said the have gone unnoticed here for India's subsidiary operates baby from Iraq who was suffer- "Both the legs of the baby microscopic technique, these video was being examined. decades. Now, because of an flights to 34 destinations with ing from polymelia -- a birth which were protruding out of veins were separated and then "The contents of the explosion in social media, it's a fleet of eight ATR 72-600 defect involving limbs -- to give the stomach were connected his legs protruding out of his video are being verified and finally coming out," Kashmiri (70 seater) and two ATR him a new lease of life. through his sternum and there stomach were removed from his investigated. activist Khurram Parvez said. 42-320 (48 seater) aircraft. Polymelia is a birth defect in was no abdominal wall defect. body. SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 ASIA 05 Huge bomb deployment for tactical reasons: US Achin Mother of all bombs The strike came as US Pres- Reuters ident Donald Trump prepares to It was the right time dispatch his first high-level del- he top US military to use it tactically egation to Kabul, amid commander in against the right uncertainty about his plans for Afghanistan said yes- target on the the nearly 9,000 American terday that the battlefield. Afghan troops stationed in decision to deploy one and US forces Afghanistan. Tof the largest conventional reported that the Nicknamed "the mother of bombs ever used in combat was weapon achieved its all bombs," the weapon was purely tactical, and made as part intended purpose: dropped from an MC-130 aircraft of the campaign against Islamic in the Achin district of Nan- Official State-linked fighters. garhar, bordering Pakistan. As many as 36 suspected Nicholson said he was in Islamic State militants were As many as 36 constant communication with suspected IS militants killed in the strike on Thursday officials in Washington, but the Afghan commandos prepare to launch mortar shells on an IS militant stronghold in Achin evening in the eastern province were killed in the decision to use the 9,797kg GBU- district of Nangarhar, yesterday. of Nangarhar, Afghan defence strike on Thursday 43 bomb was based on his officials said, adding there were evening. assessment of military needs and "It was the right time to use spokesman Dawlat Waziri said parts of the province, was no civilian casualties. not broader political it tactically against the right tar- recently that no civilians were destroyed," Waziri said in a Amaq, the news agency affil- considerations. get on the battlefield." harmed in the massive blast that statement. iated with IS in the Middle East, The statements could not be "This was the first time that Afghan and US forces were targeted a network of caves and He was using an Arabic term carried a statement denying that independently verified, and yes- we encountered an extensive at the scene of the strike and tunnels that had been heavily that refers to IS, which has estab- the group had suffered casual- terday Afghan and foreign troops obstacle to our progress," he said reported that the "weapon mined. lished a small stronghold in ties in the attack, citing an in the vicinity were not allowing of a joint Afghan-US operation achieved its intended purpose,", "No civilian has been hurt eastern Afghanistan and unidentified source who had reporters or locals to approach that has been targeting IS since Nicholson said. and only the base, which Daesh launched deadly attacks on the been in contact. the scene of the blast. March. Afghan Defence Ministry used to launch attacks in other capital, Kabul. China urges US & N Korea to Pakistan orders strict visa issuance policy

stop provoking each other Islamabad Interior Minister Chaudhry immigration department to among others, by interior sec- Internews Nisar Ali Khan yesterday ensure that arrangements for retary, advocate general and Beijing or in action, to stop provoking decided that a ban would be transportation of staff of for- chairman of National Database AP and threatening each other and he interior ministry of imposed on issuance of visas eign delegates and guests and Registration Authority. not to allow the situation to Pakistan has directed the to the foreigners submitting coming to Pakistan for hunting The meeting decided that here can be no winners in become irretrievable and out Tauthorities concerned to incomplete documents and that purposes were made only in future the missions abroad a war between the US and of control". ensure strict implementation of such people would never be through international airports and personnel deputed for issu- TNorth Korea over He urged all sides to take a rules and regulations regarding allowed to enter the country. and no one was allowed to ance of visas would be Pyongyang's nuclear weapons flexible approach to resuming issuance of visas to foreigners The meeting instructed the enter the country without going responsible for assisting the and missile programmes, Chi- dialogue. "As long as dialogue as well as their arrival and stay foreign affairs ministry, the through the immigration visa applicants and maintain- nese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes place, it can be official or in the country. country’s missions abroad, the process. ing record and sharing the said yesterday, while pledging unofficial, through one chan- A meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Authority and the The meeting was attended, details with interior ministry. support for dialogue between nel or dual channels, bilateral the sides. or multilateral. China is willing "Once a war really happens, to give support to all of them". the result will be nothing but Wang last month urged multiple loss. No one can North Korea to suspend its Manila deports become a winner," Wang told nuclear weapon and missile Death penalty upheld for 'black widow' reporters at a news conference tests in exchange for South with French Foreign Minister Korea and the US putting their Tokyo Kijima's first victim, alleged Kuwaiti Jean-Marc Ayrault. war games on hold, reviving a AFP Kanae Kijima wrote 53-year-old Takao Terada was IS member "Therefore, we call upon all proposal first raised by to her readers: "I found dead in Tokyo in January the parties, no matter verbally Pyongyang. Japanese "black widow" 2009. convicted of murdering hope to see you again Kenzo Ando, 80, died in his Manila A three boyfriends she had somewhere someday." home in Chiba prefecture in May AFP met online and dated for their 2009, and three months later money faces execution after 41-year-old Yoshiyuki Oide was A Kuwaiti man suspected to Japan's Supreme Court yester- committed suicide, according to found poisoned in a rented car, be a member of the IS group day dismissed her final appeal. public broadcaster NHK also from briquette fumes. was deported yesterday by the Kanae Kijima, 42, who has yesterday. Kijima was convicted with- Philippines to face charges at married twice since she was The case has been closely out the witness testimony or home, a justice department detained in 2009, killed three followed in Japan and major confession often relied upon in official said. men in the space of eight media flashed news of the top Japanese prosecutions. "Hussein Al-Dhafiri, one months through carbon mon- court decision across television Instead prosecutors rested of the two suspected IS mem- oxide poisoning, by burning screens. their case on layers of circum- bers arrested in the charcoal briquettes after giving Kijima writes a blog from stantial evidence, such as Philippines last month, was them sleeping tablets. the detention centre where she Kijima's purchases of sleeping flown out of the country to A spokesman for Japan's top has been held, detailing her life pills and coal briquettes, in addi- Kuwait," undersecretary court confirmed it had ruled inside, the food and talking tion to the fact that she had met Erickson Balmes said. against an appeal lodged by about men she likes. with each man shortly before he A statement from the Kijima. In the latest post on Thurs- died. Kuwaiti embassy said Dhafiri China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and French Foreign Her legal team has claimed day, she wrote to her readers: "I She was also found guilty of was due to be tried in his Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at a joint news conference at the her innocence, saying the three hope to see you again some- seven other lesser crimes, home country. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, yesterday. men were likely to have where someday." including fraud and theft. "Evidence obtained by Kuwait's state security agen- cies also showed that he is planning to carry out terror- istic attacks in the State of Bali jails NZ woman over drug case Abu Sayyaf leader Kuwait," the statement said. Dhafiri was arrested along with a Syrian woman Denpasar offers to surrender Rahaf Zina, also named as a AFP member of the jihadist group. "Zina and Dhafiri married New Zealand woman was Zamboanga City The militant leader, how- after her high-ranking IS jailed for two and a half Anatolia ever, has reportedly set commander husband was Ayears on the Indonesian conditions for his surrender, killed in Syria," said Justice resort island of Bail after being adulan Sahiron, the most which includes remaining Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre caught with a tiny amount of senior Abu Sayyaf leader under Philippine authorities' recently. crystal methamphetamine. Rin the southern Philippines custody. He earlier said the pair Bali airport authorities province, wishes to surrender, a "Sahiron wants to surren- had entered the country as became suspicious of Myra Wil- security official said. der provided he will not be part of plans for "a bombing liams as she was acting strangely Lt Gen Carlito Galvez Jr, turned over to the US or other operation" in the Philippines when she arrived on the island commander of Western Mind- countries," Galvez said. or Kuwait. in August, shouting and refus- anao Command said Sahiron US interest on Sahiron is Philippine President ing to queue up to have her wants to turn himself to author- believed to have stemmed from Rodrigo Duterte has warned travel documents checked. ities because "he is already old." his participation in the kidnap- that IS members might make When immigration officials Myra Williams (front right) of New Zealand attends her trial Sahiron, a one-armed ban- ping of American national Jeffry their way into the country by took the 28-year-old for ques- dit, is known as the most senior Schilling during the late 1990s infiltrating its communities, at a court in Denpasar on Bali island. tioning, 0.43 grammes of crystal Abu Sayyaf leader based in Sulu in Sulu. concentrated in the south of meth wrapped in plastic slipped A court in the Balinese cap- The sentence was less than province and wanted by the US Reports of Sahiron's plan the largely Catholic out of her pocket. ital Denpasar on Thursday the three years recommended Department of Justice for a came a few days after 11 Abu country. The anti-drug agency said convicted her of using drugs and by prosecutors at a previous bounty of $1m. Sayyaf members from Basilan The Philippines has been that she had admitted taking sentenced her to two and half hearing. Galvez said the surrender and Tawi-Tawi surrendered. battling with extremist groups crystal meth, ecstasy and mar- years in jail. Chief judge Ni Made Indonesia has some of the plan of Sahiron was passed on The number of militants for years in the remote south- ijuana at a party in the Purnami said she had "been toughest anti-drugs laws in the by elderly leaders from Sulu from the group who surren- ern region, some of whom Australian city of Melbourne proven legally and convincingly world, including capital punish- following relentless military dered to lawmen already have since pledged allegiance before flying to Bali. guilty of abusing drugs". ment for traffickers. offensives. reached 50 since last year. to IS. 06 EUROPE SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017

Russia to snub 'Eurovision' Plight of migrants contest over Ukraine row

Growing conflict annexed by Russia. Moscow in the event is seen as a matter of accused Ukraine of discriminating national pride. Ukraine said Russian against Samoylova and of breach- Kiev said that Samoylova has singer Yulia ing the contest’s rules. The contest violated Ukraine’s borders by Samoylova could organisers also condemned the entering Crimea without seeking not travel to Kiev for Ukrainian decision but said the permission from the Ukrainian the competition event will go ahead. authorities. Moscow annexed Cri- next month because Russia’s Channel One, the state mea in 2014, but all but a handful she had performed broadcaster that transmits the con- of countries consider it part of in Crimea after the test to large Russian audiences, Ukraine. said organisers had offered the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry region was annexed option of sending a different con- Peskov expressed “regret that the by Russia. testant or of having Samoylova Eurovision organisers have turned perform via video link from Mos- out to be unable to fulfil the terms Moscow accused cow. “In our view this represents of their own rules,” and compel Ukraine of discrimination against the Russian Ukraine to allow Samoylova to discriminating entry, and of course our team will travel to Kiev. against Samoylova not under any circumstances agree The organisers of the contest, and of breaching the to such terms,” said Yuri Aksyuta, the European Broadcast Union Migrants carry belongings as they walk to board buses in Grande-Synthe to contest’s rules. the station’s chief producer for (EBU), said in a statement they had head to reception and orientation centres in northern France, yesterday. They musical and entertainment done everything in their power so leave a makeshift camp where around 300 migrants had found shelter after the Moscow programmes. that all eligible countries could destruction by a fire of their nearby camp. Reuters “Naturally, we are not taking take part. “We strongly condemn part in the Eurovision 2017 com- the Ukrainian authorities’ decision ussia’s state broadcaster petition under the terms that are to impose a travel ban on Julia has said it will boycott being offered to us, and we will not Samoylova as we believe it thor- this year’s Eurovision broadcast it either,” he said. oughly undermines the integrity song contest after the “The absence of a Russian par- and non-political nature of the Germany arrests three for backing violence host country, Ukraine, ticipant, in my view, is a very Eurovision Song Contest,” Frank Berlin magazine Focus said on its comment when contacted. Rsaid it would bar entry to the Rus- serious blow to the reputation of Dieter Freiling, chairman of the Reuters website. Focus said the suspects - a sian contestant and Moscow the contest itself, and for Russian event’s steering committee, said in It cited the chief public 27-year-old Afghan, a rejected two possible compromises viewers it is also another reason statement released by the EBU. erman police have prosecutor in the northern 27-year-old Turk and a suggested by the organisers. not to pay attention to the contest.” “However, preparations con- arrested three people town of Celle as saying yes- 25-year-old German - were Ukraine said Russian singer The annual singing contest attracts tinue apace for the Eurovision Song Gon suspicion of sup- terday that there had been an arrested on Thursday evening. Yulia Samoylova could not travel millions of television viewers Contest in the host city Kyiv. Our porting a suspected Islamist arrest warrant for the two It added that the Salafist they to Kiev for the competition next across Europe. For many countries, top priority remains to produce a militant and helping to pre- men and one woman. The are suspected of supporting month because she had performed especially former Communist spectacular Eurovision Song pare a serious act of violent prosecutor’s office was not had been arrested on Febru- in Crimea after the region was states in Europe, performing well Contest.” subversion against the state, immediately available to ary 21 and is in custody. Outbreak of panic mars processions in Spain Russian daily appeals Madrid Kremlin to protect staff AFP

n outbreak of panic Moscow “an absolute lie." “Nobody can sparked by troublemak- Reuters detain or harass anyone who is Aers caused mayhem in simply not present in the repub- Seville's nightime Good Friday ussia’s most famous cam- lic,” Karimov told the Interfax processions, famed for their reli- paigning newspaper said news agency. Novaya’s report gious floats, hooded penitents Ryesterday it had appealed also caused outrage among and hordes of spectators, seri- to the Kremlin to protect its Chechnya’s Muslim clerics, who ously injuring one person, staff after Chechen clerics said adopted a resolution saying it Spanish authorities said the paper faced “retribution” had insulted the dignity and yesterday. for alleging that a section of Islamic faith of Chechen men Emergency services said men in Chechnya were being and society. eight people were detained in tortured and killed. “We promise that retribu- connection with the incidents Novaya Gazeta published tion will catch up with the that took place from 4am local an article this month which said hate-mongers wherever and time (0200GMT), sending peo- authorities in the majority Mus- whoever they are and with no ple running in panic and leaving lim southern Russian republic statute of limitations,” the res- children in tears in different had rounded up over 100 men olution read. parts of the processions. and tortured them. It said at Dmitry Muratov, Novaya’s In a statement, the Cecop People leave an area following a stampede in Sevilla, yesterday. least three of them had been editor, said yesterday that the centre that oversees security killed. resolution was an incitement during the processions in the onto a lamppost. "There were isolated cases without any on windows and the famed pen- Kremlin critics saw the to violence and that he was southern Spanish city said those children, women with prams," apparent connection that are itents, some of them with their report as further evidence that worried about his staff’s safety. detained had variously she said, adding some people similar to cases of vandalism and hoods off, waiting anxiously as Moscow allows authorities in “This resolution is encour- "shouted", used metallic objects rushed down steps towards the hooliganism," it said. an onlooker on a balcony urged Chechnya to run the region - aging religious fanatics to to make loud noise or made river, falling over themselves in Cecop said three of those everyone to calm down. which has been consumed by retaliate against our journal- "wild gesticulations" to create panic. "The first thing people arrested were "common delin- The situation was later two wars since the Soviet col- ists,” he said in a statement, panic in the thousands-strong think is that there is a terrorist quents". Some 17 people were brought back under control and lapse - as a feudal fiefdom in calling on the authorities to crowds. attack." taken to hospital for injuries and the processions continued. exchange for separatist and protect journalists and stop An AFP photographer An initial probe showed that panic attacks, it said. Organised by religious brother- radical Islamist sentiment being anyone whipping up hatred present said she heard what there were three initial move- One of them was in inten- hoods and featuring huge floats brutally suppressed. against them. Two of Novaya’s sounded like a stampede of gal- ments of panic, which sparked sive care in a serious condition, of wooden sculptures of religious Chechnya’s Moscow- reporters specialising in Chech- loping animals, and then a mass a "domino effect" in other parts suffering from brain trauma. A scenes accompanied by hooded backed president Ramzan nya - Anna Politkovskaya and of people pushed towards her. of the city, Cecop said. It added video posted on Spanish news penitents, the processions Kadyrov denies allegations Natalya Estermirova - have Standing on the Isabel II that the different incidents did site El Confidencial showed what known as "La Madruga" are the human rights are routinely been murdered in the last dec- bridge that goes over Seville's not appear to be coordinated. looked like a post-panic scene, high point of Easter Week fes- flouted. His spokesman Alvi ade. Neither case has been fully Guadalquivir River, she climbed "These are with people hanging onto bars tivities in Seville. Karimov called Novaya’s report solved. Ukraine could miss out on up to $3.65bn of China energy loans

London be funded by the loan. loan is under (Ukrainian) state Minister Yuriy Butsa also said the mapped out in 2012 under ousted Prosecutor’s office asked the Reuters The government says the guarantee. A project of this size proposals would not all be ready president Viktor Yanukovich. government to explain the rea- proposal for at least one of the is political, due to this the issue by the deadline but he was con- Many of the projects he had ear- sons for the delays, accusing kraine could miss out on projects will be ready by the needs a joint position of the fident that Ukraine would secure marked for the money were in officials at Naftogaz and Ugles- energy sector funding deadline. It is not clear whether economy, energy and finance some of the funding. the east of Ukraine, his heartland intezgaz of “official negligence”, Ufrom China worth up to CDB will allow Ukraine to access ministries,” Uglesintezgaz chief “We have every intention to and a coal-mining area. according to a document seen by $3.65bn because squabbles part of the funding if proposals Andriy Suprun told Reuters. use those funds. I know there is But with the east unstable Reuters. Suprun said his office between ministries and the state- for the full amount are not ready. “There is a certain lack of some serious work going on at and Ukraine run by President and home had been searched by run energy firm Naftogaz have Failure to secure all of it convergence in the positions of Naftogaz, so I believe in the near- Petro Poroshenko the plans the prosecutor’s investigators. He held up project proposals, would deprive Ukraine of much- us (Uglesintezgaz) and the energy est time we will see some under consideration have denied any wrongdoing. according to interviews with needed funds to upgrade energy ministry,” he said, without elab- progress,” he told Reuters. changed. A spokesman for the prose- officials. infrastructure. It would also send orating on their differences. “The loan was signed under Suprun said they include cutor’s office declined to Ukraine signed the loan a poor signal about efficiency Spokespeople for the econ- different conditions, in different building two new coal-fired comment on questions from agreement with the China Devel- and transparency to foreign omy, energy and finance times, for different purposes. Our power stations in Kiev and the Reuters about the case. A spokes- opment Bank (CDB) in 2012 and investors whose cash is vital for ministries did not respond to intention is to use the opportu- western city of Lviv and an woman for Naftogaz declined it must submit proposals for economic recovery after conflict requests for comment about the nity to finance the projects which upgrade in drilling capacity at a immediate comment on the projects by June to receive over Crimea and eastern status of the loan or reason for are needed at this point of time Naftogaz subsidiary. They would investigation. funding. Ukraine. the delays. A spokeswoman for and the needs have changed replace Soviet-era power pro- Prime Minister Volodymyr But with the deadline loom- The head of Naftogaz coal Naftogaz referred queries on the much.” Asked whether at least duction facilities, which run on Groysman at a meeting on March ing, Naftogaz and the relevant and gas subsidiary, Uglesintez- loan to Suprun. CBD did not one project would be submitted mainly expensively imported gas, 17 had also demanded project government departments have gaz, does not expect all the respond to requests for a before the June deadline, he said: with units that run on coal. plans be finalised as soon as pos- yet to sign off on any of the coal proposals to be ready in time. comment. “I believe it will happen.” sible so he could present them to or gas projects that were due to “The sum is huge and the Ukraine’s Deputy Finance The loan agreement was first In March, the General the Chinese side, Suprun said. SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 EUROPE 07 Prosecutors seek to lift Le Pen's immunity Pre-poll tactics vote with Le Pen, who heads the conservative rival Francois Fil- anti-EU, anti-immigration lon. Former prime minister Fillon The move comes just National Front (FN), one of the was revealed in January to have nine days before frontrunners in the April 23 first given his wife a suspected fake France heads to the round. The request was made at job as a parliamentary assistant polls for a highly the end of last month after Le for which she was paid a total unpredictable vote Pen, who is a member of the ¤680,000 from the public purse. with Le Pen, who European Parliament (MEP), The affair, which culminated heads the anti-EU, invoked her parliamentary with the former "Mister Clean" anti-immigration immunity in refusing to attend of the right being formally National Front, one questioning by investigating charged last month, has thrown magistrates. his campaign into turmoil but in of the frontrunners The prosecutors also made a the past few weeks he has in the April 23 first similar request regarding climbed back into the race. round. another MEP from Le Pen's party, While polls still show Le Pen Marie-Christine Boutonnet, who and centrist independent While polls still show also avoided questioning. Emmanuel Macron leading the Le Pen and centrist Le Pen, who has presented field on around 22-24 percent independent the investigation as a plot to each, Fillon and radical Commu- Emmanuel Macron derail her presidential bid, nist-backed candidate Jean-Luc leading the field on shrugged off the move, saying it Melenchon are closing in on around 22-24 was "normal"."It's totally normal them, on around 18-20 percent percent each. procedure, I'm not surprised," each. A veteran leftist and euro- Campaign posters for the French presidential candidates on billboards, in front of the Mont- she told France Info radio. sceptic famous for his mass Blanc massif, near Houches, southeastern France, yesterday. Her lawyer Rodolphe Bosse- rallies and fiery speeches, Melen- Paris lut expressed astonishment, chon has surged from behind on AFP however, saying his client had a platform of massive spending The case against Le Pen was vehemently denied any wrong- designer at FN headquarters, expressed willingness to answer increases and a threat to pull out triggered by a complaint from doing. In a TV debate last week, were charged with concealment. questions after the upcoming of key EU treaties. the European Parliament, which Ford worker Philippe Poutou, The two are among those sus- rench prosecutors have general elections in June, The two leaders of the first accuses the FN of defrauding it candidate of the New Anticapi- pected of being paid with asked the European "depending on results of the round will go through to a deci- to the tune of some ¤340,000. talist Party tore into her. parliamentary funds for work in parliament to lift the presidential vote". sive run-off on May 7. The parliament believes the "For someone who is anti- France. immunity of far-right If elected president — a sce- Surveys show Le Pen would party used funds allotted for par- European, she doesn't mind Le Pen has already had her presidential candidate nario analysts deem unlikely but be beaten by any of the other liamentary assistants to pay FN having her fingers in Europe's parliamentary immunity lifted FMarine Le Pen over an expenses not impossible — Le Pen would three main contenders at the staff for party work in France. In till," he said. Investigators prob- over a separate affair dating to scandal, deepening her legal have immunity from final hurdle but analysts have February, the assembly began ing the allegations against the FN 2015 when she shared graphic woes on the eve of the election, prosecution. warned of a possible upset, after withholding part of her pay to raided the party's headquarters pictures of Islamic State atroci- legal sources said yesterday. The investigation appears to Britain's shock vote to quit the recover the money. outside Paris last month. ties on Twitter. The move comes just nine have had little impact on her EU and Donald Trump's election Le Pen, who has pledged to Le Pen's chief of staff Cath- The pictures triggered an days before France heads to the campaign, being dwarfed by the in the US, both of which pollsters put France's EU membership to erine Griset and Charles investigation for "dissemination polls for a highly unpredictable bigger scandal engulfing her failed to predict. a referendum if elected, has Hourcade, previously a graphic of violent images".

Leaving for holidays Big asteroid to run past Rome court lifts block of Uber Earth on Wednesday services in Italy

Paris was in our immediate neigh- Rome AFP bourhood was 400 years ago, Reuters and it's next brush with Earth n asteroid as big as the won't happen until sometime Rome court yesterday Rock of Gibraltar will after 2600. suspended a lower Astreak past Earth on April The April 19 flyby is an "out- Acourt ruling that had 19 at a safe but uncomfortably standing opportunity" for blocked the use of smart close distance, according to astronomers and amateur star- phone apps for Uber cars in astronomers. gazers, Nasa said. "Astronomers Italy. "Although there is no pos- plan to observe it with tele- The court accepted an sibility for the asteroid to collide scopes around the world to appeal by Uber against the with our planet, this will be a learn as much about it as pos- first ruling, made a week ago, Trucks queue on a motorway in the direction of Italy near a tunnel, as people leave for very close approach for an sible," the US space agency said. which said Uber could not use holidays, yesterday, in Chamonix, southeastern France. asteroid this size," Nasa said in Besides its size and trajec- its Black, Lux, Suv, X, XL, a statement. tory, scientists also know that Select and Van phone appli- Dubbed 2014-JO25 and its surface is twice as reflective cations nor could it promote roughly 650 metres (2,000 feet) as that of the Moon. It should or advertise its services in across, the asteroid will come be visible with a small optical Italy. within 1.8m km of Earth, less telescope for one or two nights The first court had ruled Ukraine's anti-graft fight targets telecoms than five times the distance to before moving out of range. in favour of a suit filed by Ita- the Moon. 2014-J25 was discovered in ly’s major traditional taxi Kiev privatisation under ousted pres- disbanded Party of Regions. It will pass closest to our May 2014 by astronomers at the associations, taking the view AFP ident Viktor Yanukovych in Ukrtelecom held an effec- planet after having looped Catalina Sky Survey near Tuc- that the apps constituted March 2011. Ukrainian media tive monopoly over telephone around the Sun. 2014-J25's will son, Arizona. unfair competition. ne of Ukraine's richest quoted Lutsenko as saying that land lines and was an early pio- then continue on past Jupiter Also on April 19, a comet Italy’s two main con- men vowed yesterday to Yanukovych's government gave neer in cell phone services prior before heading back toward the known as PanSTARRS will sumer groups, Codacons and Odefend his ownership of Ukrtelecom for a nominal sum to its privatisation. centre of our Solar System. make its closest approach to UNC, welcomed the latest rul- a major telecoms company after to a shell company based in Ukraine's February 2014 Smaller asteroids whizz by Earth at a "very safe" distance ing, saying it gave people its shares were impounded by Cyprus that was purchased by pro-EU revolution left Akhme- Earth several times a week. But of 175million km (109 million more choice. a court following a probe into Akhmetov in October 2013. tov and other oligarchs who the last time one at least this miles), according to Nasa. The graft under the deposed Rus- Akhmetov's main holding critics say grew fabulously size came as close was in 2004, comet has brightened recently sian-backed regime. company said in a statement to wealthy thanks to close govern- when Toutatis -- five kilome- and should be visible in the Fugitive Romanian Prosecutor General Yuriy Interfax-Ukraine that it would ment connections on the back tres (3.1 miles) across -- passed dawn sky with binoculars or a Lutsenko announced Thursday defend its interests in Ukrtele- foot. Akhmetov soon turned into within four lunar distances. small telescope. media boss that a Kiev court had "frozen" com and demand an "objective an early target of an anti-graft The next close encounter Asteroids are composed of the shares of tycoon Rinat and independent investigation" campaign launched by post- with a big rock will not happen rocky and metallic material, caught in Serbia Akhmetov in the Ukrtelecom of the case. revolt President Petro before 2027, when the 800 whereas comets -- generally company and its subsidiary The billionaire has played a Poroshenko. He defended his metre wide asteroid 199-AN10 smaller -- are more typically Bucharest TriMob. dominant role in Ukrainian pol- interests furiously and the ini- will fly by at just one lunar dis- made of ice, dust and rocky AFP The decision was issued itics for more than a decade and tial vigour of Ukraine's drive to tance, about 380,000km stuff. Both were formed early after a nearly two-year investi- twice served in parliament as a clean up business and politics (236,000 miles). in the history of the Solar Sys- fugitive Romanian gation into Ukrtelecom's member of Yanukovych's now- slowed down. The last time 2014-JO25 tem some 4.5 billion years ago. media mogul and Aex-MP, who is wanted over alleged corruption, fraud and tax evasion, has been arrested in Serbia, Romanian PM urges Alitalia workers to approve compromise deal authorities said yesterday. Sebastian Ghita was detained overnight in the Ser- Rome routes that analysts say are crit- Airlines, which infused cash and three years had been aimed at negotiations, we were able to bian capital Belgrade, AP ical for Alitalia's survival. It is to a new business plan into an air- helping the airline better com- reach a verbal agreement over- Romanian police said in a be put to a referendum of Alita- line that was losing a reported 2 pete with low-cost carriers that night that reduces the work and statement. The 38-year-old remier Paolo Gentiloni lia workers next week. million euros a day. Alitalia had have captured nearly half of the economic sacrifices, even though had false Slovenian papers urged Alitalia workers yes- At a news conference yester- been run by an all-Italian con- Italian market. the overall burden will be signif- and was with his brother Pterday to approve a day, Gentiloni said the sortium led by banks Unicredit The agreement reached early icant," said Carmello Barbagallo when he was caught, the compromise deal to relaunch negotiations were difficult but and Intesa Sanpaolo, which still yesterday trims the number of of the UIL union. Romanian interior ministry Italy's struggling flagship airline that it was in the government's retains a 51 percent stake though ground crew to be cut to 980 and Alitalia's Luigi Gubitosi said said. Ghita, the head of a pri- that was reached in last-ditch, interest to push through a deal. Etihad runs the airline. caps the salary cut at 8 percent, great progress had been made. vate TV station and a former government-mediated negotia- "I hope it's confirmed by the In March, Alitalia's board had the ANSA news agency reported. After the deal was presented to Social Democrat lawmaker, tions between unions and Alitalia workers," he said. "Alitalia is a approved an initial business plan Alitalia employs 12,500 people Alitalia's board yesterday, he is embroiled in several crim- management. private company but the govern- that foresaw layoffs of more than worldwide. The agreement also said: "We didn't get everything inal cases for alleged The deal reached early yes- ment hasn't spared any effort to 2,000 ground personnel and sal- calls for new long-range flights we wanted, but from our point money-laundering and brib- terday reduces proposed job and find an agreed-upon turnaround ary cuts of flight personnel by 25 to boost revenue, as per the of view we did everything pos- ery in Romania, one of the salary cuts and calls for greater plan." Alitalia was taken over to 35 percent. The ¤1bn (1.07bn) information available. sible and above all we respected European Union's poorest investment in the long-range nearly three years ago by Etihad in cost-cutting measures over "After months of the deadline," ANSA reported. and most corrupt countries. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 15 APRIL 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

Shun populism

rench presidential election race is getting tighter with just eight days to go for voting. It has been a roller-coaster ride for the leading Fcandidates with the latest opinion poll showing the four leading candidates just three percentage points apart. The campaigns of candidates have all the virulence it requires for an Trump said no troops in election at this crucial junction when Europe is going through a period of upheaval which has spilled in ample measure into France too. Migration, the future of European Union, economy and Syria; aides aren’t sure Islamophobia continue to be the dominant issues with candidates, ranging from far-right Marine Le Pen to the far-left’s Jean-Luc Melenchon, taking Because Trump’s national security cabi- Syria presents problems. The US Air diametrically opposite views. Eli Lake net has not reached consensus, the Force relies on Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base There are several candidates in the fray, but the Bloomberg Islamic State war plan is now being to launch bombing raids over Islamic world has its eyes focused on Le Pen. This is because debated at the policy coordinating com- State positions in Syria. The Turks con- of the poisonous agenda she and her National Front mittee, the interagency group hosted at sider the Syrian Kurdish forces to be have been pushing for years. Her victory, if it hap- the State Department of subject matter allies of Kurdish separatists within Tur- pens, will be a blow for France and the image it experts that prepares issues for the prin- key and have complained that Obama projects to the outside world. Instead of taking istening to his campaign rhetoric, the cipals’ committee and deputies’ was effectively arming militias with France to progress, or at least sticking to the values last thing you would expect Donald committee, after which a question weapons that would be turned on their the country has been known for, Le Pen would take Trump to do as president would be to reaches the president’s desk for a own government. her country down a dark alley, a country where xen- escalate a ground war in the Middle decision. Keane, who said he was not speaking ophobia, Islamophobia and hatred of minorities will East. He won the Republican nomina- The genesis of this debate starts with for McMaster, told me he favoured a plan be normal. Le Pen stands for subverting the current Ltion last year by campaigning against both one of Trump’s first actions as president, to begin a military operation along the system. She is also anti-European Union and anti- George W Bush’s war in Iraq and Barack when he told the Pentagon to develop a Euphrates River Valley. “A better option globalisation, and her recent statement that France Obama’s war in Libya. strategy to defeat the Islamic State. is to start the operation in the southeast was not responsible for rounding up Jews during But as Trump’s young presidency has Trump’s first national security adviser, along the Euphrates River Valley, estab- World War II to be sent shown, many of the candidate’s foreign policy Michael Flynn, opposed sending conven- lish a US base of operations, work with to German concentra- positions are not as firmly held as his support- tional forces into a complicated war our Sunni Arab coalition partners, who tion camps triggered a ers had hoped. It’s not just that Trump struck zone, where they would be targets of Al have made repeated offers to help us controversy. Like Don- the Syrian regime after last week’s chemical Qaeda, the Islamic State, Iran and Russia. against the regime and also ISIS. We The French must ald Trump’s America weapons attack on rebels outside of Damas- In Flynn’s brief tenure, he supported a have turned those down during the reject Le Pen in First policy, Le Pen cus. It’s not just his recent reversals on Chinese deal with Russia to work together against Obama administration.” Keane added the same way wants to make the currency manipulation and the Nato alliance. the Islamic State and Al Qaeda’s Syria that US conventional forces would be the French “to be proud to The president’s biggest foreign policy surprise affiliate, similar to a bargain Obama’s anchor of that initial push, which he said as the Dutch be French again” though may be yet to come. secretary of state, John Kerry’s tried and would most likely require around 10,000 rejected Geert that pride is going to be Senior White House and administration failed to seal with Moscow. US conventional forces, with an expecta- Wilders recently. built by trampling on the officials tell me Trump’s National Security Inside the Pentagon, military leaders tion that Arab allies in the region would rights of others. Adviser, Gen H R McMaster, has been quietly favour a more robust version of Obama’s provide more troops to the US-led effort. According to a poll pressing his colleagues to question the under- strategy against the Islamic State. This “The president wants to defeat ISIS, by Ipsos-SopraSteria, lying assumptions of a draft war plan against has been a combination of airstrikes and he wants to win, what he needs is a US- centrist Emmanuel the Islamic State (IS) that would maintain only special operations forces that train and led conventional coalition ground force Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen were a light US ground troop presence in Syria. support local forces. Military leaders that can take Raqqa and clean out the tied on 22 percent each, with the far-left’s Jean-Luc McMaster’s critics inside the administration favour lifting restrictive rules of engage- Euphrates River Valley of ISIS all the way Melenchon and conservative Francois Fillon on 20 say he wants to send tens of thousands of ment for US special operations forces to the Iraq border,” Keane said. “Hand- and 19 percent respectively. ground troops to the Euphrates River Valley. and using more close air support, like wringing about US ground troops in Syria The two top scorers in the first round on April 23 His supporters insist he is only trying to facili- attack helicopters, in future operations was a fetish of the Obama administra- will go through to contest a run-off on May 7. And tate a better interagency process to develop against the Islamic State capital in Raqqa. tion. Time to look honestly at a winning according to the opinion poll, Macron is likely to win Trump’s new strategy to defeat the self- McMaster, however, is sceptical of military strategy.” that face-off described caliphate that controls territory in this approach. To start, it relies primarily White House and administration offi- with 63 percent of votes. Iraq and Syria. on Syrian Kurdish militias to conquer cials familiar with the current debate tell The world will expect the French to reject Le Pen US special operations forces and some and hold Arab-majority territory. Jack me there is no consensus on how many in the same way as the Dutch rejected the far-right conventional forces have been in Iraq and Keane, a retired four-star Army general troops to send to Syria and Iraq. Two leader Geert Wilders recently. Even if she doesn’t get Syria since 2014, when Obama reversed course who is close to McMaster, acknowledged sources told me one plan would envision elected, she and her party have spewed enough and ordered a new air campaign against the to me this week that the Kurdish forces sending up to 50,000 troops. Blogger venom into French politics and they have been dom- Islamic State. But so far, the US presence on have been willing to fight the Islamic and conspiracy theorist Mike Cernovich inating the political discourse for a long time now. the ground has been much smaller and quieter State, whereas Arab wrote on April 9 that McMaster wanted But it is heartening that her popularity has been than more traditional military campaigns, par- militias have primarily 150,000 ground troops for Syria, but US dwindling in the past few weeks due to a number of ticularly for Syria. It’s the difference between fought against the Assad officials I spoke with said that number factors, including a lackluster performance in televi- boots on the ground and slippers on the regime. was wildly inflated and no such plan has sion debates. ground. There are other rea- been under consideration. Trump himself has been on different sides sons that relying too In public, the tightlipped McMaster of this issue. He promised during his campaign much on the Kurds in has not revealed support for conven- that he would develop a plan to destroy the tional ground forces in Syria. But on Islamic State. At times during the campaign he Sunday in an interview with Fox News, said he favoured sending ground troops to US special operations forces McMaster gave some insights into his Syria to accomplish this task. More recently, and some conventional thinking on the broader strategy against Trump told Fox Business this week that that forces have been in Iraq the Islamic State. “We are conducting would not be his approach to fighting the Syr- very effective operations alongside our QUOTE OF THE DAY ian regime: “We’re not going into Syria,” he and Syria since 2014, when partners in Syria and in Iraq to defeat said. Obama reversed course and ISIS, to destroy ISIS and reestablish con- McMaster himself has found resistance to a trol of that territory, control of those more robust ground troop presence in Syria. In ordered a new air campaign populations, protect those populations, We call on all parties to two meetings since the end of February of against the Islamic State. But allow refugees to come back, begin refrain from provoking Trump’s national security cabinet, known as so far, the US presence on reconstruction,” he said. and threatening each the principals’ committee, Trump’s top advis- That’s significant. Obama never said ers have failed to reach consensus on the the ground has been much the goal of the US intervention in Iraq other, whether in words Islamic State strategy. The White House and smaller and quieter than and Syria was to defeat the Islamic State, or actions, and not let administration officials say Secretary of more traditional military let alone to protect the population from the situation(North Defence James Mattis, Chairman of the Joint the group and begin reconstruction. Korea tension) get to Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford and General campaigns, particularly for Those aims are much closer to the goals an irreversible and Joseph Votel, who is in charge of US Central Syria. It’s the difference of George W. Bush’s surge strategy for Command, oppose sending more conventional between boots on the Iraq at the end of his second term, under unmanageable stage. forces into Syria. Meanwhile, White House which US conventional forces embedded senior strategist Stephen Bannon has derided ground and slippers on the with the Iraqi army would “clear, hold Wang Yi McMaster to his colleagues as trying to start a ground. and build” areas that once belonged to al Chinese Foreign Minister new Iraq War, according to these sources. Qaeda’s franchise. SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 OPINION 09 Russia and Nato: Drama redux

Dimitar Bechev Al Jazeera

all it Cold War 2.0 or any other name, it is beyond doubt that Russia and the West are at a lowest point in their relationship since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The reset of ties that President Donald CTrump promised to usher in is over before it even started, cut short by the scandal over Russian inter- ference in the US elections and the US strikes against Bashar Al Assad’s regime in Syria. After insisting that US support for Nato is conditional on allies paying in their fair share, Trump is now reassuring everyone that the commitment is “ironclad”. Michael Flynn is long gone and Russia sceptics such as Defence Secretary James Mattis and National Security Adviser H R McMaster set the tune. But can this low point in relations actually lead to a direct conflict between Russia and Nato? The war in Eastern Ukraine goes on under reported and Vladimir Putin ratchets up his rhetoric. In a statement on 12 April, he pledged to fight back “colour revolutions” in any of the post-Soviet coun- tries within the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyr- gyzstan, and Tajikistan. As ever, Russia is ready to cut deals with the West outside its “near abroad” but insists that the latter should stay off limits. The vex- ing issue is where the line is drawn separating the Soldiers attend welcoming ceremony for US-led Nato troops at polygon in Poland, yesterday. Russian from the Western spheres of influence. The three Baltic states fear that they, too, could fall prey brigade” in Romania, which is essentially a platform town - might escalate into an Eastern Ukraine-like Putin who will certainly win but will to Russian aggression. The traumatic memories of for reinforced cooperation with Poland, Bulgaria, insurgency and, heaven forbid, pit Nato against Mos- struggle hard to demonstrate that their annexation in 1940 by the Soviets have left a Turkey, Canada, US, the Netherlands and Germany. cow into a direct military clash. popular enthusiasm for his leadership deep imprint. Justifiably or not, the presence of Rus- What Nato is after is not necessarily matching Not to be easily dismissed, these fears are in all has not waned. Russia comes into the sian-speaking communities makes the Crimean Russia’s military capabilities along a vast territorial likelihood overblown. As Mark Galeotti of the Insti- spotlight when it throws its weight precedent painfully relevant to Estonia and Latvia. stretch from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In the north, tute of International Relations Prague noted, “Putin’s around in international politics but, in It is hardly surprising that those nations have the Atlantic Alliance will need a three-times greater calculation appears to be that the scarier he seems, truth, the important story is what goes cheered NATO’s decision to upgrade its role, switch- force to repeal a direct attack. Russia has further- the more political traction he has”. on domestically in Russian society. ing from “reassurance” to “enhanced forward more turned Crimea into a fortress, to use Putin’s The confrontation with Nato wins points inside Rus- presence”, to use the alliance’s lingo. Not only has own words. The build-up of naval forces and coastal sia where a majority sees the alliance as a threat. But Nato developed contingency plans on how to coun- defences along with the deployment of strategic Putin is not in a position to bully Nato in Eastern Europe teract a putative Russian invasion but also resolved bombers and advanced anti-aircraft missiles consol- or indeed haggle with the West using the standoff as a to send in battalion-size battle groups in each of the idated Russian supremacy in the Black Sea. bargaining chip. The attention of the US and other major three Baltic countries, as well as Poland. However, Nato is setting tripwires and signalling players in Nato is focused on Russia’s moves in Syria. In The deployment of the 4,000-strong contingent to Putin that it will stand its ground and escalate in their assessment, they have done enough to reassure the D-RING ROAD with contributions from 16 member states should be the event that Russia crosses the line. Eastern Europeans through enhanced forward presence POST BOX: 3488 done by next month, with Germany in charge of the Rightly, many security experts are troubled that as well as the enlargement to Montenegro. force in Lithuania, Canada in Latvia, the United King- the standoff can get out of hand. Russia has Russia is talking again to the Atlantic Alliance, after DOHA - QATAR dom in Estonia and the United States in Poland. responded to Western build-up by incursions in Nato ties were frozen in March 2014. Last month, the Rus- [email protected] In parallel, Nato’s Warsaw Summit (July 2016) airspace, harassing US and allied ships and aircraft in sian chief of staff General Valery Gerasimov was on the gave a green light to a “multinational framework both the Baltic and the Black Sea, kidnapping an phone with General Petr Pavel who heads Nato’s Mili- Estonian border guard, launching snap exercises tary Committee. There is a mechanism in place to avoid EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE rehearsing invasion or even a nuclear strike in the unwanted crises spiralling out of control. Russia will TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Baltic, and deploying nuclear-capable Iskander mis- continue probing Nato to expose the weak spots and FAX: +974 4455 7758 Nato is setting tripwires siles in the Kaliningrad enclave tucked between the cracks in its defences. But one should not forget that and signalling to Putin that Lithuania and Poland. Russia has issued blunt it faces its own constraints. The economic crisis beset- MANAGING EDITOR threats against Finland and Sweden in case they ting Russia has already resulted in cuts of its defence TEL: 4462 7505 it will stand its ground and abandon neutrality in favour of joining Nato. It is spending. The ambitious modernisation programme of escalate in the event that pressuring Belarus to establish an airbase on its soil. its arms forces is bound to slow down. Moscow is DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Under a nightmare scenario, a minor incident - such already overstretched in Eastern Ukraine and Syria. Russia crosses the line. TEL: 4455 7769 as civil unrest by Russians in an Estonian border Last but not least, 2018 will be an election year for

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Afghanistan draws closer to Russia TEL: 4462 7535 SPORT NEWS SECTION countries have contacts of one form or another with immediate fruit due to the absence of the US, which holds the TEL: 4455 7745 this organisation,” the Russian leader told Mir televi- key to the Afghan situation. Shadi Khan sion, according the Kremlin. However, he said, the Russian summit, supported by most Anatolia ONLINE SECTION He said Russia wanted to develop relations with concerned parties, including Kabul, was a way toward a regional TEL: 4462 7501 “all” forces in Afghanistan based on three principles: solution to the post-9/11 war. [email protected] the recognition of Afghanistan’s constitution, disar- “America has refused to attend the conference because it abul appears to have softened mament, and reaching full national accord. appears to be confused over Russia’s initiative,” Khan said. “If PUBLIC RELATIONS its stance on Russia’s alleged “Our view is that by assisting Afghanistan’s legit- Washington attended the conference that would mean it rec- support for the Taliban as Mos- imate government, together with other participants ognised Moscow’s diplomatic supremacy.” TEL: 4455 7613 cow successfully held an in the settlement process, we will eventually achieve He added that Washington cannot afford to stay away from [email protected] international conference on reconciliation there,” he said. the process for long as its strategy to date has failed to bring KAfghanistan yesterday. According to Indian experts, the Moscow confer- peace to Afghanistan. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT The Russian Foreign Ministry said the ence was very important for India, which shares a “Sooner or later, it will have to join the process,” Khan said. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 meeting involved senior diplomats from close relationship with Afghanistan. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Thurs- FAX: 4455 7870 Afghanistan, China India, Iran, Pakistan and Defence analyst Krishna Jha said India supports day that Washington would not be represented at the conference [email protected] ex-Soviet Central Asian nations. “every effort to stabilise situation in Afghanistan and because “it was unclear to us what the purpose was.” Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister fight against terrorism. “It seemed to be a unilateral Russian attempt to assert influ- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT Hekmat Khalil said the government was con- “The Indian government has invested heavily in ence in the region that we felt wasn’t constructive at this time,” TEL: 4455 7857 vinced that the 16-year conflict cannot be Afghanistan, so they are hoping that the situation Toner said. [email protected] resolved militarily. improves and all stakeholders come to the table for The spokesman added that the Taliban has “no viable alter- The Foreign Ministry added that Afghan- peace talks.” native but to enter into direct talks” to achieve its goals. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION istan and Russia had developed amicable India often accuses Pakistan of supporting the “Going forward we do plan to work with Russia and other TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 relations and effective cooperation on com- Afghan Taliban for its own interests, while Pakistan key regional stakeholders to enhance dialogue on Afghanistan,” FAX: 44557819 bating terrorism and drug smuggling. accuses India of using proxies in Afghanistan to desta- Toner said. “Relations will not get affected by the bilse Islamabad. US non-participation is not necessarily a bad omen for Wash- [email protected] propaganda launched by some individuals Tahir Khan, an Islamabad-based expert, said the ington-Moscow ties in the Middle East or US engagement in through the free press and media because Moscow-led peace initiative was unlikely to yield Afghanistan specifically, according to Richard Weitz, director the diplomatic organ is the main and prin- of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the DC-based All thoughts and views cipal entity of the Afghan government,” the Hudson Institute. expressed in these columns ministry said in a statement released “So far, the Trump administration has supported the Astana Tuesday. talks on Syria and seems open to Russian peace efforts as long are those of the writers, not Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Russian President Vladimir as there is no Russian military support for the Taliban,” Weitz of the newspaper. Putin said Russia would help Afghanistan Putin said Russia would said. get on track towards peacefully resolving its help Afghanistan get on As for the Russian initiative’s chance of success with the US All correspondence internal problems and development. track towards peacefully absent from the table, Weitz said: “It is very hard whether or regarding Views and However, he described the terror threat not the US is involved in the peace process, given the differ- Opinion pages should be emanating from Afghanistan as “very resolving its internal ences between the Taliban and the Afghan government. serious”. problems and development. “China, Iran, Pakistan, and India will also press to have their mailed to the “As far as the Taliban is concerned, many interests respected,” he added. [email protected] 10 AMERICAS SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 North Korea will be taken care of: Trump Washington Nuclear threat the Korean peninsula. Trump also flexed prevent Pyongyang from developing a AFP his military muscle last week by order- nuclear-tipped ballistic missile capable Separately on Twitter ing cruise missile strikes on a Syrian of reaching the United States. S President Donald Trump Trump expressed airbase the US believed was the origin He has asked his advisers to give him (pictured) vowed that the confidence China, of an alleged chemical weapons attack all options for dealing with the nuclear- "problem" of North Korea Pyongyang's sole ally, on civilians in a northern Syria town. armed North. The US president has also "will be taken care of," as would "properly deal with There are reports of activity at a said he would not signal his punches speculation mounted that North Korea." nuclear test site in North Korea ahead before embarking on any military action UPyongyang might be preparing another of Saturday's 105th anniversary of the abroad. Asked on Thursday whether the nuclear or missile test. A US aircraft carrier and its birth of the country's founder Kim bomb dropped in Afghanistan -- a GBU- "North Korea is a problem, the prob- naval strike group has Il-Sung. 43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb lem will be taken care of," Trump told been diverted to the A US monitoring group, 38North, has better known by its nickname, the reporters. Korean peninsula. described the Punggye-ri test site as "Mother Of All Bombs" -- was a warn- Separately on Twitter he expressed "primed and ready." The Voice of Amer- ing to Pyongyang, Trump demurred. confidence China, Pyongyang's sole ally, ica, quoting US government and other "I don't know if this sends a message would "properly deal with North Korea." the biggest non-nuclear bomb the US sources, said North Korea "has appar- to North Korea," he said. "It doesn't make But, "if they are unable to do so, the military possesses on Afghanistan, tar- ently placed a nuclear device in a tunnel any difference if it does or not." The US, with its allies, will! USA." The omi- geting a complex used by the Islamic and it could be detonated Saturday AM North is under multiple sets of United nous comments came the same day State group. A US aircraft carrier and its Korea time." Nations sanctions over its nuclear and Trump ordered the dropping of naval strike group has been diverted to Trump has repeatedly said he will ballistic missile programmes. WikiLeaks is hostile intelligence service: CIA Temer agrees to pension bill changes BRASILIA: Brazilian President Michel Temer has agreed to make further changes to a landmark pension reform amid fears that a Washington non-state hostile intelligence corruption investigation into dozens of politicians could paralyze AFP service often abetted by state Congress, a senior lawmaker said. actors like Russia." Pompeo The draft proposal will likely reduce the number of years of entral Intelligence compared WikiLeaks and its work required to retire with full benefits to 40 from the original Agency Director Mike founder Julian Assange to leak- amendment of 49 years, said congressman Carlos Marun, who Pompeo branded ers of the pre-internet days like leads the pension reform commission in the lower house. WikiLeaks a "hostile former CIA official Philip Agee. Another major alteration sets a minimum retirement age of intelligence service," Agee's exposing the identi- 50 for women and 55 for men, which would gradually increase to Csaying it threatens democratic ties of undercover CIA agents reach 65. The change means a softer transition for Brazilians who nations and joins hands with was blamed for the assassina- are closer to retirement age. dictators. tion of the agency's Athens The changes could reduce the savings the government expected In his first public remarks station chief in 1974. with the reform to cut some of the world’s most generous pen- since becoming chief of the US On Wednesday, Assange sion benefits. spy agency in February, Pom- published an opinion piece in the peo focused on the anti-secrecy Washington Post in which he group and other leakers of clas- said his group's mission was the sified information like Edward same as America's most Man dragged off flight plans to sue Snowden as one of the key respected newspapers: "to pub- threats facing the United States. lish newsworthy content." Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Mike Pompeo CHICAGO: The man dragged off a United Airlines flight, sparking "WikiLeaks walks like a hos- "WikiLeaks's sole interest is speaks at The Center for Strategic and International Studies an international uproar, suffered a broken nose and concussion, tile intelligence service and talks expressing constitutionally pro- in Washington, yesterday. his lawyer said, adding that he is planning to sue. like a hostile intelligence serv- tected truths," he said, professing David Dao was released from the hospital overnight and was ice. It has encouraged its "overwhelming admiration for Last year it published files alleged ties between the Trump at a "secure location," attorney Thomas Demetrio said at a news followers to find jobs at CIA in both America and the idea of and communications from the campaign and Russia. conference during which a member of Dao's family spoke out for order to obtain intelligence... And America." Democratic Party, damaging The Guardian newspaper in the first time. United remained under a spotlight Thursday as rep- it overwhelmingly focuses on the While it has released secret presidential candidate Hillary Britain reported Thursday that resentatives of the carrier faced tough questioning at a city council United States, while seeking sup- materials from around the Clinton's campaign. US intelli- British intelligence played a crit- hearing in Chicago, where the airline is headquartered and where port from anti-democratic world, WikiLeaks's notoriety gence says that release was part ical role in alerting the US the incident occurred. countries and organizations," comes from its US-related of a Russian plot to aid eventual government to contacts between said Pompeo. scoops. In 2010 it published election victor Donald Trump. members of Trump's campaign "It is time to call out WikiLe- 251,000 classified cables from The FBI and other US agen- team and Russian intelligence aks for what it really is -- a US embassies around the world. cies are in fact investigating operatives. Four shot at Atlanta rail station

ATLANTA: Four people were shot at an Atlanta rail station and a suspect was in custody, the city’s transit authority said. The shoot- Mexico govt to ing took place at the West Lake Station at about 4:30pm EDT, and emergency responders are at the scene, the Metropolitan Atlanta extradite accused Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) said in a statement. The con- dition of the victims was unknown, it said. “A suspect has been gunman to US detained and the investigation is ongoing,” the statement said, adding that the West Lake Station, on Atlanta’s west side, has been Mexico City temporarily closed. Reuters

exico’s government said it plans to extra- Guatemala rocked by new riot Mdite the man accused of pulling the trigger in the GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala authorities grappled with new 2010 killing of a US Border violence in one of its juvenile detention centres on Thursday, a Patrol agent in a case tied to month after a blaze in a children's shelter killed 41 girls and shook the US government’s ill-fated the government. Gang members held in a facility on the capital's “Fast and Furious” gun-run- southern outskirts rebelled, wounding guards in a protest over ning sting. the lack of conjugal visits and stoves, police and the social wel- Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes fare in charge said. After negotiations, one guard taken hostage was arrested on Wednesday was released and taken to hospital with serious knife wounds to on the border of the northern his torso, head and hand. While the Las Gaviotas detention center Venezuelan National Guard personnel and opposition activists clash in Caracas, yesterday. Mexican states of Sinaloa and was designed to hold 500 juveniles, most of the 42 gang members Chihuahua for the shooting involved were aged over 18 -- typical in such facilities in Guate- of Border Patrol agent Brian mala as young detainees reach adulthood behind bars. Terry, according to the US Venezuela arrests two oppn leaders Marshal for Arizona. Identifying the suspect Caracas 15 years. Reverol said the two rallies called by opposition lead- only as Heraclio “N”, the Mex- US will send F-35 fighters to Europe AFP detainees "confessed taking part ers are set for Wednesday next ican attorney general’s office in this week's violence." week. That is expected to be the said in a statement that fol- WASHINGTON: The US Air Force will this weekend deploy a small enezuelan authorities said Five people, including a next big showdown in an lowing his capture by number of F-35A fighter jets to Europe for several weeks of train- yesterday they arrested 13-year-old boy have been increasingly fraught crisis that Mexican marines, steps were ing with other US and NATO military aircraft, the Pentagon said Vtwo opposition youth killed since April 6 in clashes has raised international con- underway to initiate the proc- yesterday. leaders, the latest move in a with riot police during a wave cerns for Venezuela's stability. ess of his extradition to the The deployment would allow the US Air Force to “further dem- crackdown on anti-government of protests against Maduro. Jus- The opposition is demand- United States. onstrate the operational capabilities” of the stealthy fighter jet. It protests that have left five dead. tice First rejected Reverol's ing the authorities set a date for The suspect is due to be did not name the countries where the aircraft would be deployed to. Jose Sanchez and Alejandro allegations. It wrote on its Twit- postponed regional elections. tried in the US District Court The F-35, which is the Pentagon’s costliest arms program, has Sanchez were arrested "for ter account that the two youth It is also furious over moves for the District of Arizona for been dogged by problems. organizing terrorist acts and leaders were "abducted" by mil- to limit the powers of the legis- crimes including homicide, assaults against the peace of the itary intelligence forces. lature and ban Capriles from conspiracy and drug traffick- country," Interior Minister Nes- "Nestor Reverol, the real ter- politics. Those moves have ing, the office added. Ecuador to partially recount votes tor Reverol wrote on Twitter. rorism is the one you are leading raised international condemna- Osorio-Arellanes is the The two are youth leaders by repressing the people," it tion including from the United fifth drug cartel figure sought QUITO: Ecuador’s electoral council late Thursday night approved of the Justice First party, one of wrote. Police fired tear gas and States and the European Union. by US authorities for the kill- a partial recount of votes in the recent disputed presidential elec- the main groups in the center- rubber bullets to disperse pro- Maduro has resisted oppo- ing to be apprehended. tion, in a bid to highlight what it says was a fair process after the right opposition coalition testers in Caracas in the latest sition efforts to hold a vote on Terry’s cousin Robert losing conservative candidate said there was fraud. pushing for President Nicolas eruption of unrest on Thursday, removing him, vowing to con- Heyer said the slain agent’s The April 2 election was won by the government’s socialist Maduro to be removed from AFP reporters saw. Maduro is tinue the "socialist revolution" family was “very grateful” to candidate Lenin Moreno in a close contest, rebutting a tide of mar- office. fighting off efforts to oust him launched by his late predeces- law enforcement authorities ket-friendly governments that have recently come to power in Venezuelan authorities drew as Venezuela, once a booming sor Hugo Chavez. on both sides of the border for South America. international criticism last week oil-exporting nation, struggles Maduro says the economic the detention. “With the arrest The recount of the equivalent of 1.2 million votes, which would for banning the party's most with shortages of food and crisis is the result of what he of Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes account for 12 percent of the total votes cast, will take place on prominent figure, Henrique medicine. calls a US-backed capitalist only one other suspect Tuesday in public in the capital Quito. The council has not dis- Capriles, from public office for The next major organized conspiracy. remains at large. ,” he said. closed what sort of ballots would be recounted. SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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NOVO — Pearl SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Fast & Furious 8 (2D/Action) 10:30, 11:00, 11:40am, 12:00noon, 12:30, 1:15, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 5:00, 5:20, 6:00, 6:30, 6:45, 8:00, 8:10, 9:00, 9:30, 9:40, 11:00, 11:15, 11:55pm, 12:15 & 12:30am Going In Style (2D/Comedy) 11:00am, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00pm Smurfs: The Lost Village (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 & 8:00pm Yabani Asli (2D/Arabic) 2:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Rabbit School (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 1:30, 5:00 & 8:30pm Robo-Dog: Airborne (2D/Family) 11:40am, 3:10 & 6:40pm Eloise (2D/Horror) 10:10pm & 12:00midnight Chips (2D/Comedy) 10:00am, 4:00 & 10:00pm Aftermath (2D/Thriller) 12:00noon, 6:00pm & 12:00midnight Fast & Furious 8 (2D IMAX/Action) 10:00am, 12:50, 3:40, 6:30, 9:20pm & 12:10am

Yesterday’s answer MALL

Smurfs: The Lost Village (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:45pm Rabbit School (2D/Animation) 2:00pm The Great Father (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 11:00pm The Fate of The Furiour 3:45, 6:15, 8:30, 8:45 & 11:15pm Robo Dog: Airborne (2D/Family) 5:30pm Shivalinga (2D/Tamil) 5:30pm Beauty & The Beast (2D/Family) 7:15pm Eloise (2D/Horror) 9:30pm Kadamvan (2D/Tamil) 11:15pm

LANDMARK

The Great Father (2D/Malayalam) 2:15 & 11:00pm Rabbit School (2D/Animation) 2:30pm Robo Dog: Airborne (2D/Family) 2:15 & 9:15pm Smurfs: The Lost Village (2D/Animation) 4:15pm The Fate of The Furious 4:00, 6:00, 6:30, 8:30 & 11:00pm Eloise (2D/Horror) 5:00 & 11:30pm Shivalinga (2D/Tamil) 6:45pm Kadamvan (2D/Tamil) 9:00pm

ROYAL PLAZA The Fate of The Furiour 2:30, 4:30, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Beauty & The Beast (2D/Family) 2:15pm Yesterday’s answer Smurfs: The Lost Village (2D/Animation) 3:00pm Rabbit School (2D/Animation) 4:45pm Shivalinga (2D/Tamil) 6:30pm ALL IN THE MIND The Great Father (2D/Malayalam) 6:45 & 11:00pm Robo Dog: Airborne (2D/Family) 9:00pm Eloise (2D/Horror) 9:30pm Kadamvan (2D/Tamil) 11:15pm

ASIAN TOWN AVOCADO, AZURE, BEIGE, BLACK, BLUE, BRONZE, The Great Father (Malayalam) 1:00, 4:00, 4:30, 7:00 & 10:00pm BROWN, CAMEL, CARAMEL, Take Off (Malayalam) 1:30, 4:30, 6:30pm CERISE, CRIMSON, CYAN, Kadamban (Tamil) 1:30 & 7:30pm GOLD, GREEN, INDIGO, Shivalinga 12:30, 3:00 & 9:30pm KHAKI, LAVENDER, LILAC, MAGENTA, MAROON, NAVY, OLIVE, ORANGE, PEACH, ROXY PINK, PURPLE, RED, Rabbit School 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm RUSSET, RUST, SAGE, SCARLET, SEPIA, SILVER, Begum Jaan 2:00, 4:30 & 7:00pm TAN, TEAL, TURQUOISE, Fast & Furious 8 2:00, 4:45, 7:30 & 10:15pm VIOLET, WHITE, YELLOW. The Great Father 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Kadamban 8:00 & 10:20pm Shivalinga 9:30pm & 12:00midnight 20 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 15 APRIL 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Disney drops first trailer for FAJR 03.52 am SHOROOK 05.11 am 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' ZUHR 11.34 am MAGHRIB 05.59 pm ASR 03.03 pm ISHA 07.29 pm Los Angeles Now, reach out. What do you AFP see?" says a mysterious male voice. WEATHER TODAY isney premiered the "Light. Darkness. And bal- highly-anticipated first ance," Rey replies. o o Dtrailer for "Star Wars: "It's so much bigger," the The Last Jedi" at a fan event in voice says. 26 C 40 C Florida on Friday, sending the "I only know one truth. It's Minimum Maximum internet into a frenzy of time for the Jedi -- to end," excitement. says the voice, which seems The footage was shown at likely to be Luke. the "Star Wars Celebration" Although Disney has been gathering in Orlando, Florida, teasing snippets of footage, it during a panel on the eighth is the first fully-formed trailer installment in the blockbuster for "The Last Jedi" and it had space opera, due for release more than 400,000 views on December 15. within half an hour of being The 132-second clip teases posted online, with #The- Star Wars products are lined up at the annual Star Wars Celebration where Walt Disney Luke Skywalker's first meet- LastJedi quickly becoming the Co licensees are selling a new Luke Skywalker action figure, limited-edition Stormtrooper ing with Rey, as he teaches her top trending hashtag world- helmets and other coveted merchandise, in Orlando, Florida, US, yesterday. the ways of the Force, open- wide on Twitter. ing with the young apprentice Directed by Rian Johnson played by Daisy Ridley on the ("Looper," "Brick"), "The Last (Oscar Isaac), Finn (John a new star, Kelly Marie Tran, The film also stars Carrie island where fans saw her Jedi" sees the return of the Boyega) and a few members who plays Rose, a mainte- Fisher as Leia. Fisher died in encounter Luke at the end of new characters introduced in of the original crew, including nance worker who is part of December but had wrapped "The Force Awakens." 2015's seventh installment Luke (Mark Hamill). the resistance. "I can't wait for shooting "The Last Jedi" before "Breathe, just breathe. including Rey, Poe Dameron The Florida panel unveiled you to meet her," Tran said. her death.

From Netherlands to Norway, Klangstof on dark rock journey Hazy at places at first becomes hot daytime with slight dust at places Indio dark atmospherics of rural Norway in year engrossed in only one album -- Wardt told AFP before a pre-Coachella and some clouds. AFP guitar rock that breaks free from tra- Radiohead's "OK Computer," the English rehearsal at a Los Angeles studio. "Nor- HIGH TIDE 06:30 - 20:00 LOW TIDE 01:45 - 12:45 ditional song structure. He was kicking rockers' seminal 1997 transformation way just makes you feel that you don't Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department hen Koen Van Der Wardt was off Coachella on Friday, becoming the into digital experimentation. have to care about anything around 14, his parents moved with first Dutch act to play the leading music He first picked up a guitar in Nor- you," he said, "because there isn't much Whim from their native Neth- festival that takes place in the desert way simply out of boredom. But he around other than beautiful nature." LATEST NEWS erlands to rural Norway, longing for of southern California. Now 24, Van gradually came to appreciate his par- Although the music bears the clear UPDATE nature. His musical awakening was an Der Wardt recalls growing up in The ents' decision to move. "It was very influence of Radiohead, Van Der Wardt's unintended consequence. Netherlands listening to electronic inspirational to have no pressure from high-pitched, melody-resistant vocals As the frontman and principal dance music like other Dutch the outside world that you usually have and Klangstof's Nordic sensibility also www.thepeninsulaqatar.com songwriter of the band Klangstof, Van preteens. when you live in a city or live in a bring to mind the Icelandic post-rock- Der Wardt conjures up the In Norway, he said, he spent his first country with a lot of people," Van Der ers Sigur Ros.