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Sunday 20 November 2016 | 20 Safar 1438 Volume 21 | Number 6986 | 2 Riyals

Over $15m raised at Rota charity auction

Raynald C Rivera consist of ‘Longing to Learn’ pro- Father Emir and Sheikha Moza attend gala event The Peninsula gramme in Lebanon, the ‘I Had a Dream’ initiative in Jordan and ‘Project ver $15m was raised at the Tomorrow’ in Turkey. Other Rota ini- charity auction during the tiatives that will receive funding sixth biennial Reach Out To include the ‘Opportunities for Life’ pro- Asia (Rota) Gala Dinner gramme in Bangladesh, the ‘Bringing which marked Rota's tenth Back Hope’ project in Yemen and the Oanniversary yesterday at Al Shaqab ‘1 in 11’ campaign in Indonesia, in part- indoor arena. The exact amount raised nership with Unicef and FC Barcelona at the auction will be revealed later. Foundation. Pledges were received Of the diverse items which went during the auction for the said projects under the hammer at the auction con- worth $15.4m which will directly ben- ducted by Lord Poltimore, Europe efit more than 180,000 children in Deputy Chairman of world famous auc- those countries. tion house Sotheby’s, the most valued The event was attended by Father was a Qatari natural Jeewan pearl neck- Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al lace. The rare necklace donated by Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Majed Jewellery is made up of 582 of Nasser as well as Prince Alwaleed bin Qatar's finest pearls of the same colour, Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi quality, shape, size and lustre. Arabia. Other items which went on sale at Speaking at the event, H E Sheikha the biennial event were a trip to space Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chair- for two; Patek Philippe’s dome table person of Rota thanked all the people clock donated by Al Majed Jewellery; a who supported Rota throughout its ten- Hermès men’s trunk donated by Wis- year of existence implementing sam Al Mana; as well as a 2017 BMW different educational initiatives that M3 30 Jahre Limited Edition donated have helped thousands of children in by Al Fardan Automobiles, in addition 13 countries. to a Louis Moinet Mecanograph limited Sheikha Al Mayassa underscored edition watch. the role of education to putting an end Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint The event was held to provide to conflict and providing a better future Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Rota Board, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and funding to Rota's initiatives in various for millions of children around the other dignitaries at the 6th Annual Dinner of Reach Out to Asia held in Al Shaqab, Education City, last evening. countries including education projects world. Pic: A R Al-Baker in support of Syrian refugees which → Continued on page 3 Diabetes treatment Tailgating troubles motorists: Survey centre to open at Irfan Bukhari trend for tailgating appears infrastructure, overall driving the government is likely to The Peninsula unchanged over the last six enjoyment, commute time, driv- deploy vehicle-mounted cam- months (76percent),” it adds. ing behaviour that are often eras to detect speeding. A pilot s concerned departments Currently, to ease road con- linked to cause of accidents. project is under way for the past Al Khor Hospital have focused their atten- gestion and control accidents The findings of the survey few months on Doha’s roads. Ation on ensuring road through smooth traffic, Ashghal’s are based on the views of a rep- A civilian vehicle with sophis- safety and taken steps from five big road infrastructure resentative sample of the ticated speed camera is on the Fazeena Saleem Wakra Hospital opened a year upgrading road infrastructure to developments projects are under residents of Qatar over the last roads for the past few months. The Peninsula later, in 2014, and receives installing sophisticated traffic way including Dukhan Highway 6 months. According to the sur- Sensys Gatso, a leading Swedish approximately 400 patient vis- cameras, residents’ perception East, Lusail Expressway, East vey, majority of the respondents provider of solutions in traffic specialised diabetes its each month. Offering a of driving in Qatar has also con- West Corridor, Al Rayyan Road (68percent) state that road infra- management, is behind the vehi- treatment unit will be multi-disciplinary approach to siderably improved, except for Phase 2 and Rawadat Al Khail structure has improved over the cle-mounted pilot project. The A opened at Al Khor Hos- patient care, the Centres pro- tailgating. Street. Some of them will be last 6 months, leading to shorter company has also installed 46 pital as part of plans to vide patients with improved A survey says the overall complete next year while others commute time (67percent) and sophisticated static speed cam- replicate the National Diabe- access to specialised treat- “positive perception trends of end in 2018 or 2019. more driving enjoyment eras in Doha. It further states that tes Center across all hospitals ment,” said Professor Abou driving in Qatar outweigh the The bi-annual survey, com- (38percent). dangerous driving has reduced within the Hamad Medical Samra. negative ones” in the most missioned by QIC, sets out to Along other measures being over the last six months from Corporation (HMC), said a sen- National Diabetes Center recent Qatar Road Safety Mon- quantify perception trends of taken to achieve goals of 62percent to 57percent. ior official. at the Hamad General Hospi- itor. “However, the perception Qatar’s motorists about National Road Safety Strategy, → Continued on page 3 Like its counterparts at tal also undertakes diabetes Hamad General Hospital and research in which patients are Al Wakra Hospital, the Centre interviewed in order to gener- at Al Khor Hospital will take a ate data about the MoI medical unit multi-disciplinary approach to pathos-genesis of the condi- caring for patients and provides tion. Staffed by senior GenomiQ innovator wins sees 500,000 a ‘one stop shop’ that offers all consultants, nurses, diabetes specialties and services from educators, dietitians and podi- patients a year initial screening through to atry technicians, the Center at Stars of Science finale treatment, health education and Al Wakra Hospital provides a the provision of medication and range of services for adults Sidi Mohamed equipment. from general consultation, foot The Peninsula to challenges thrown his way. With over 8.5 The Peninsula “We planned a diabetes care, screening for diabetic million views on YouTube, Facebook and centre at Al Khor Hospital,” Prof retinopathy and insulin pump edical researcher Sadeem Qdaisat has Instagram this season, Stars of Science broke MEDICAL Services Department at Abou Badi Abou Samra, Chair- therapy. been named the Arab world’s top records for digital engagement. Four million the Ministry of Interior (MoI) sees man of Internal Medicine, In addition to providing Minnovator in the thrilling finale of unique users interacted with the show’s online more than 500,000 patients annu- Hamad Medical Corporation patients with specialised treat- Stars of Science, bringing the eighth season channels this year. ally, which is 10 percent of the total (HMC) told The Peninsula. ment, HMC is focused on of Qatar Foundation’s hit TV show on MBC4 Algerian Abderrahim Bourouis, inven- healthcare services provided in the The diabetes centre at Al informing the public about the to a close. tor of the smart autism shirt Wonderkit, country, according to last year's Wakra Hospital was the second causes, symptoms and compli- This week, viewers around the world cast came in second place with a score of statistics. in a chain of planned facilities cations of Type 2 diabetes and their vote online for one of the four Stars of 31.7percent, earning $150,000. Enthusiasts It provides primary and sec- that are designed to provide other lifestyle related diseases. Science finalists. Sevag Babikian, the savvy were drawn to Abderrahim’s kind heart and ondary health care services to the improved access to specialised “The main risk factors for type Lebanese innovator, took an early lead by curious mind. Sevag Babikian earned Ministry employees, their families diabetic care in Qatar. 2 diabetes include family his- winning the jury vote, however the combined 23.3percent to come in third with his efficient and prisoners at various security “The National Diabetes tory of diabetes, being online and jury vote earned Sadeem a score desktop 3D printer, Modifix. With his auto departments, in addition to eye Center at Hamad General Hos- overweight, old age, a low level of 36.8percent, enough to win $300,000 for scoring and management in Taekwondo sys- tests done at driving schools, Salem pital (HGH) was opened in 2013 of physical activity and a his- GenomiQ, his automated slide dropping in tem, Take One, the dedicated Ghassan Yusuf Saeed Al Rashdi, Medical Services and receives about 2,000 adult tory of gestational diabetes. If genetic testing innovation. from Bahrain came in fourth place with a Department Assistant Director said and 700 paediatric patients you have more than one of Sadeem dazzled fans and foes alike with score of 8.2percent. Sevag won $100,000, in an interview with police maga- each month. This number has these risk factors, it is impor- encyclopaedic knowledge of the medical field while Ghassan was awarded $50,000. zine Al Shurta Maak (Police with doubled during 2016. The tant to get tested," said and his unmatched ability to adapt → Continued on page 3 You). National Diabetes Center at Al Professor Abou Samra. → Continued on page 3 02 HOME SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 HOME 03 Gaza volunteer teacher gets Lifetime Achievement Award

Continued from page 1 personality Lojain Omran, She also pointed out the spectacular biennial Rota's various local pro- gala dazzled with perform- grammes that help young ance from 2014 Global citizens and residents in Music Humanitarian Awar- Qatar as well as Rota's par- dee Malek Jandali. The ticipation internationally. internationally acclaimed A highlight of the event Syrian-American pianist was the bestowing of Life- and composer performed time Achievement Award to some of his compositions Ahmad Al Sawafiri from along with Laura Metcalf on Gaza who despite losing his cello and Abdulrahim Al limbs from brutal attack, car- Saidi on oud. ries on his noble work Qatar's leading youth educating children as a vol- in helping other children in other coun- choir, Siwar Choir capped unteer teacher. tries. The prominent social media the night's programme attended by local Another feature of the event was the celebrity's skull cap was auctioned fetch- and regional celebrities, chief executives screening of a video tracing the journey ing $500,000 in total. and owners of Qatar’s largest companies of ROTA Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah Hosted by popular Arab media and senior government officials. Qdaisat to bring GenomiQ to market QBG launches Fun & Continued from page 1 Learn at Oxygen Park “Stars of Science has been the driving force behind myself, my fellow candidates and many The Peninsula innovators, leading us to serve our communities through sci- he Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) has launched a ‘Fun & ence and technology,” noted Learn’ educational programme at Oxygen Park, the Green Sadeem, winner of Stars of Sci- TLung of Education City. The initiative is designed to intro- ence Season 8. “I am overjoyed duce children to the importance of agriculture, the environment to win this competition, and and conservation. The ‘Fun & Learn’ programme invites private determined to bring GenomiQ and independent primary schools from across the country to par- to market." ticipate in five interactive activity stations every Thursday from To the young people watch- November 10 until April 27, 2017. ing – you are the future of our More than 40 students from Al-Rashad Model Independ- region and our world. Have con- ent Primary School for Boys joined the inaugural session of fidence in your abilities, don’t be the ‘Fun & Learn’ programme, and an additional 60 students afraid to take the road less trav- from Qatar Academy Al Khor participated the following week. elled, believe in the power of The activities include growing plants in recycled materials at education and seize any opportu- the ‘Green Pipe’ station; creating landscape gardening ornaments nity you have to make your dream from plant pots at the ‘Green Doll’ station; and a treasure hunt to a reality.” explore the landmarks of Oxygen Park. Innovators interested in entering Stars of Science Season 9 still have time, with online applications closing on Decem- ber 1st. Aspiring candidates from MoI medical services around the region are encour- aged to apply via the official Stars of Science website: www. Winners of Stars of Science along with dignitaries. unit treats prisoners starsofscience.com. Continued from page 1 spreading health culture, department is providing lec- “Department offers medical tures and training on first aid DeepMind co-founder services to imprisoned patients especially to new batches who Some improvement and guarantees their rights more are joining the Police college to speak at WISH than mentioned in the interna- and Police Training Institute. tional agreements,” he said. Due The department has also The Peninsula Health in distracted driving to the increase in number of vis- introduced a new awareness Service. itors, the Medical Services programme in preventive he World Innovation He was Department has introduced health conducted during Continued from page 1 Summit for Health (WISH) Chief emergency services and imple- events such as Sports Day, Thas announced Mustafa Product Officer at DeepMind There has been a marginal improvement in the trend for dis- mented patient classification World Food Day, and World Suleyman (pictured) as one of Technologies before the com- tracted driving (85percent), and speeding (74percent). systems. It has also introduced a Nursing Day. four keynote speakers at its pany was bought in 2014 by Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is set to equip vehi- bar code system for patients, The dental clinic at Police highly anticipated summit, Google in their largest European cles of Traffic Department, Lekhwiya and Al Fazaa with 4G-enabled from which their case history College is open, in addition to which takes place in Doha from acquisition to date. cameras to check traffic violations, address emergency cases and could be easily accessed. A ded- similar clinics at the Penal and November 29 to 30. Suleyman’s address will out- provide more safety to residents. icated clinic for chronic diseases Correctional Institutions Mustafa Suleyman is Co- line how health systems are The Telecommunication Department of the MoI recently dis- has also opened. Department which is open five Founder and Head of Applied grappling with the challenge of played the latest security programme called vehicle tracking and The Medical Services days in a week to meet the Artificial Intelligence at Deep- delivering better patient out- monitoring system. The 4G-enabled system will be able to take Department at MoI offers train- increased demand from Mind, where he is responsible for comes with fewer resources. He and send live video streams through the camera mounted on the ing for all practitioners which prisoners. integrating the company’s tech- will explain how, while new vehicles. is approved by the Qatar Coun- The Medical Services nology across a wide range of technologies have changed the This programme is the first of its kind in the GCC and is expected cil for Healthcare Professionals Department is the first among Google products. In February way people shop, bank and to be implemented early next year after successful trials. The sur- for CPD points required at MoI departments to obtain a 2016, he launched DeepMind travel, the same levels of produc- vey further reveals that the trend for abrupt changing of lanes also renewing their licences every ISO certification, in recognition Health, which builds clinician- tivity and improvements have seems to have dropped to 70percent as stated by the respondents two years. to its commitment and stand- led technology in the UK National not been seen in health care. of the survey. In the framework of ards of service. 04 HOME SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016

SJC Chairman Ooredoo launches meets Chief Justice of advanced security Indonesia

QNA services portfolio PRESIDENT of the Court of Cassation and chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) H E Masood The Peninsula Cyber Security Mohamed Al Amri met in Doha yesterday with Indo- oredoo, Qatar’s lead- Cyber-attacks in the nesia's Chief Justice ing telecoms services Gulf region cost Muhammad Hatta Ali and provider, yesterday approximately $1bn the accompanying announced the launch (QR3.67bn) last year. delegation. Qatar and Indonesia signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Judicial Cooperation of its unified Managed During the meeting, the OSecurity Services portfolio, which two sides discussed means yesterday. offers the most comprehensive including the Managed Security to promote cooperation and suite of security services available Operations Centre, Managed Fire- coordination between the a memorandum of understand- dealt with cooperation in the management. The meeting was in the country, supported by wall, Malware Protection, judicial authorities in the ing (MoU) on Judicial fields of training, exchange of attended by Indonesia's Ambas- world-class global security Vulnerability Management, Cloud two countries. Cooperation was signed expertise and consultations on sador to Qatar, Mohammed partners. Web and Email Security and Dis- Following the meeting, between the two sides. The MoU the best practices in litigation Bassiri Sidihabiy. The Managed Security Services tributed Denial of Service portfolio is being made available mitigation suite. via the Qatar Data Centre, Oore- Ooredoo’s Managed Security doo’s facility that protects Operations Centre provides com- companies and organisations in prehensive security monitoring, ECQ plans coaching sessions for students Qatar with round-the-clock pro- incident detection and response tection against breaches and across 750 supported systems, cyber-attacks. monitoring firewalls, servers, rout- The Peninsula Qatar volunteer mentors will Waleed Mohamed Ebrahim Al ers, databases and antivirus deliver coaching sessions for Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, systems. edaya Centre for Entre- the students on ethical busi- Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We have According to a report from ‘The preneurship and Career ness principles, training them launched the unified Managed Arab Gulf States Institute’ in Wash- BDevelopment (Bedaya on how to navigate a compu- Security Services portfolio to offer ington, cyber-attacks in the Gulf Center) and Qatar Shell cele- ter-based business simulation, companies the broadest range of region cost approximately $1bn brated Global and how to pitch an entrepre- security solutions in Qatar, and (QR3.67bn) last year. The situation Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) neurial business idea. make them accessible via a single, is being exacerbated by a lack of at schools and universities with The programme will run comprehensive facility. We have skilled security professionals and the launch of the Enterprise until March 2017, with the seen a sharp rise in the number of under-investment in security Challenge Qatar (ECQ) 2016- Grand Final competition tak- online security incidents affecting solutions. 2017 Programme. ing place in March 2017. companies in Qatar over the past By accessing the facilities of the ECQ is in its fifth year run- In 2015, Qatar Shell signed year, and this new portfolio will Qatar Data Centre, companies will ning with the participation of a Memorandum of Under- offer a complete response that will be able to deploy the latest and more than 1,200 students from Students who participated in Enterprise Challenge Qatar standing with the Ministry of help keep our nation’s data remain most advanced security solutions over 40 schools across Qatar. (ECQ) 2016-2017 Programme. Education and Higher Educa- secure.” without needing to invest in expen- During the celebration, tion to promote the ‘Enterprise Companies that deploy Oore- sive hardware or bring in the highly ECQ mentors delivered special entrepreneurship for their the best business ideas with Challenge Qatar’ programme doo’s Managed Security Services qualified staff necessary to moni- sessions to students about the future career paths. winners being awarded recog- nationwide in all independent portfolio will have access to an tor and manage the security different GEW activities in Mentors also conducted nition prizes. Over the coming and international secondary incredible range of solutions, solutions. Qatar, and the importance of competitions within schools for weeks, Enterprise Challenge schools.

QRCS gets new NICU helps parents bond with newborns Secretary-General The Peninsula parents spending more time practising each day. I felt at home in my surround- bonding techniques such as Kangaroo Care. ings among caregivers who felt like family The Peninsula recent expansion of the Neonatal This is an important practice that encour- and this was an enormous source of com- Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hamad ages parents to have skin-to-skin contact fort during the most difficult time of AMBASSADOR Ali Bin Has- AMedical Corporation’s Women’s Hos- with their baby by placing them on their my life.” san Al Hammadi, who has pital is providing parents the opportunity chest which can play an integral role in a Sally also recalls having the ability to had a rich diplomatic career to become even more involved in the care baby’s recovery process. express breastmilk for baby Masa in one since 1976, has been selected of their critically ill newborn to ensure their “Having my baby girl born at 24 weeks of the two new dedicated breastfeeding as the new Secretary-General best possible chance of recovery. was the worst thing imaginable. I was rooms. Since offering this designated of Qatar Red Crescent Soci- “In our Tiny Baby Unit (TBU), we now shocked, terrified and unprepared for the space, the unit has been able to increase ety (QRCS). Four-month-old Baby Masa ready for have the capacity to allocate individual journey ahead,” said Sally Dandachli the number of babies receiving breast- A graduate of Alexandria space for our babies that are born before discahrge from Women's Hospital. whose baby Masa was born at 24 weeks milk. NICU also offers daily support University (1976), Al Ham- the 28th week of pregnancy,” said Dr Hilal gestation. “Thankfully, the Women’s Hos- sessions for parents during their HUG madi attended many Al Rifai, Women’s Hospital Medical Direc- better chance at bonding with their child.” pital NICU staff caring for Masa were (Helping you grasp) days. HUG is a multi- diplomatic, consular, and cer- tor and Director of its Neonatal/Perinatal In the TBU, each baby is assigned a incredible. The doctors listened attentively disciplinary parent education programme emonial courses while Services. “This means our nurses have nurse who administers one to one care for to our questions, always considered our which organises annual events for staff working at the Qatar's Minis- optimal access to each baby and parents the duration of the baby’s stay in the unit. feedback and the nurses never left my and parents in recognition of World Pre- try of Foreign Affairs and have more privacy which gives them a This allows them to build relationships with baby’s bedside, helping me bond with her maturity Day November 17. Qatar's Embassy in Egypt.

Chairman of DICID meets QCS honours Woqod for supporting Pakistani Breast Cancer Conference official The Peninsula

QNA atar Cancer Society (QCS) has honoured Qatar Fuel CHAIRMAN of Doha QCompany (Woqod) in rec- International Centre for ognition of its support for the Interfaith Dialogue Breast Cancer Conference that (DICID) Dr Ibrahim Saleh the Society recently officiated Al Nuaimi met yesterday on the occasion of Breast Can- with the Chairman of cer Awareness Month. Pakistan's Council of Eng Fahad Abdullah Al Sub- Islamic Ideology, Muham- aiey, Chief Marketing officer at mad Khan Sheerani. Woqod, was recently presented The meeting dealt with a commemorative plaque with several topics during a visit of a delegation Eng Fahad Abdullah Al Subaiey, Chief Marketing Officer at including the role of dia- from Qatar Cancer Society to the Woqod, being presented with a commemorative plaque by logue in promoting Islam, corporate headquarters of a Qatar Cancer Society official. being the core of the Woqod at Woqod Tower in West Islamic religion and one Bay. in raising awareness of the dis- cultural and sporting events in of its fundamentals. Woqod was the sponsor of ease and “stressed that Woqod Qatar. This programme extends During the meeting, the Breast Cancer Conference will continue its support and will from a mission and vision estab- Dr Al Nuaimi made a that Qatar Cancer Society organ- collaborate in various initiatives lished by senior management. presentation on DICID's ised from October 28 to 29 at that benefit the people of Qatar.” Qatar Fuel Company activities, including the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Qatar Cancer Society (Woqod) and Qatar Cancer Soci- annual conference, Convention Hotel under the extended their gratitude to Qatar ety recently signed an roundtable and training patronage of Prime Minister and Fuel Company for its charitable agreement in October to estab- courses in addition to the Interior Minister H E Sheikh endeavours that are a part of the lish a collaboration between the cultural seminars of dif- Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani. Woqod corporate social respon- two entities in the field of social ferent communities Al Subaiey praised the sibility programme, which aims awareness and specifically to residing in Qatar. efforts of Qatar Cancer Society to support various social, address cancer-related causes. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 HOME 05

Ministry and Ashghal opens North Kahramaa hold lecture Canal Crossing Bridge on Tarsheed MINISTRY of Public Health Huda NV each direction and three major in collaboration with utility The Peninsula New bridge interchanges in Northern Doha. distributor, Qatar General Elec- The partially-opened In addition to the upgraded tricity and Water (Kahramaa) educing travel times bridge is a 200-metre- North and South Canal Crossings, has organised a lecture to create on northern areas of long vital crossing it will deliver three major inter- awareness among its employees Doha, the Public between Lusail City changes at Al Wadha, The Pearl about the National Programme Works Authority and Onaiza, each as high as four for Conservation and Energy and north of the Pearl (Ashghal) opened the levels, comprising a network of Efficiency (Tarsheed). Interchange. RNorth Canal Crossing (NCC) vehicle and Light Rail tunnels, The move aims at ration- Bridge, part of Lusail Express- underpasses, flyovers and alisation of electricity and way, to the public on Friday. The bridge will reduce junctions. water consumption by build- Major interchanges and under- travel times to Meanwhile, six major tunnels ing an efficient lifestyle of the passes of the project are at the Legtaifiya area and at The Pearl and Onaiza Inter- people. It will support the advanced stages of structural will provide easy changes and the underpass at Al ongoing drive of Kahramaa to construction, with 3 million access to Lusail City Wadha are at advanced stages reduce the violations and curb cubic metres of materials exca- and north areas of structural construction and An overview of the newly-opened North Canal Crossing Bridge. the wastage of utility. vated, according to authorities. of Qatar. utility works. “Energy efficient water The partially-opened bridge Over 3,000,000 cubic taps and bulbs could be used is a 200-metre-long vital cross- metres of materials have been meet the future transport needs rapidly developing Lusail City to reduce the consumption of ing between Lusail City and reduce travel times to residen- excavated to enable works on of Qatar and will facilitate faster, Development. electrify and water,” said north of the Pearl Interchange, tial and commercial these sites, to date. Some 38,000 safer and seamless traffic move- Ashghal has also ensured the Salem Al Marri, from Tarsheed currently under construction. developments in Legtaifiya area metres of telecommunication, ment of people and goods. The preservation of local marine during the lecture. Air-condi- The opened part of the bridge and will provide easy access to water and electricity utility net- expressway will serve local tour- ecology throughout construction tioners and lights should not will provide two lanes in each Lusail City and north areas of work lines have been laid, while ist attractions such as the Katara of the North and South Canal be running unnecessarily. The direction and it forms a section Qatar, according to Ashghal. 513,000 cubic metres of concrete Cultural Village, growing resi- Crossings. Ashghal has imple- Tarsheed programme helped of the permanent road. The Lusail Expressway is one of and 55,000 cubic metres of rebar dential communities such as The mented a monitoring programme decrease the consumption 14% North Canal Crossing Bridge the Expressway Programmes key steel works have been utilised to Pearl, as well as key commercial which uses marine conservation of electricity and 17% water by upgrade is due to be completed projects currently under con- deliver the current completion. and diplomatic areas. Most nota- techniques to regularly assess November, 2015. It aims at in the final quarter of 2017. struction. The project involves The world-class infrastruc- bly, it will provide direct, free environmental conditions and reducing consumption at 20% The bridge opening will 5.3km of four-lane highway in tures have been designed to flowing connection to the seagrass health. power and 35% water. QRCS attends HMC's career & volunteering fair

The Peninsula secondary school students to the 450 visitors and participants activities, particularly medical future employment opportuni- from 35 public and private and health-related services, such atar Red Crescent Society ties in the medical sector in organisations, including Commu- as first-aid training, community (QRCS) has participated in Qatar, as well as the require- nity College, Hamad Bin Khalifa health education, the state-aux- Qthe Seventh Career and ments of the local job market. University (HBKU), Community iliary role in emergency, and Volunteering Program Fair, held Parents, teachers, administrative Police, Qatar Diabetes Associa- partnerships with the Ministry of by Hamad Medical Corporation staff, and the public were also tion (QDA), Qatar Rehabilitation Public Health (MoPH) and HMC. (HMC) over three days at Bayt Al- addressed by the event. Institute (QRI), and Primary Among the activities of QRCS Dhiyafah in Hamad Bin Khalifa QRCS's Medical Affairs Health Care Corporation (PHCC). publicised during the fair were Medical City. Department and Volunteers Sec- QRCS's corner gave the visi- direct and indirect public health The career fair was an tion set up a corner to tors an overview of the messages and health education informative venue to introduce communicate with the event's organisation's wide range of campaigns. Participants at the Career and Volunteering Program Fair. 06 HOME SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016

Vice-President RAF sends fresh aid of Sudan commends for residents in Taiz QC's projects The Peninsula water. It was distributed to THE Vice-President of Sudan, Supporting Yemenis 118,611 families comprising Hassabo Mohamed Abdel heikh Thani bin Abdul- RAF implemented 831,211 members across the Taiz Rahman, appreciated Qatar lah Foundation for three projects at a city. There was severe shortage Charity's (QC) efforts in Sudan, Humanitarian Services cost of over of drinking water due to besiege especially the leading human- (RAF) has implemented QR785,000 to provide of the city. It was very difficult itarian projects that greatly three projects at a cost to provide clean water to the cit- contributed to the develop- fresh humanitarian Sof over QR785,000 to provide izens due to dense population. ment field. He assured that aid to rescue Yemenis. fresh humanitarian aid to rescue And the families were unable to QC's humanitarian impact in besieged Yemenis in Taiz city. buy the water due to financial People receiving aid at a distribution point set up by RAF in Sudan is noticeable. The aid includes 2,000 bas- The aid includes reason. RAF also provided 5,000 He believed that QC's Taiz, a besieged city of Yemen. kets of basic food items, 600 2,000 baskets of basic cooking gas cylinders to 2,877 projects would continue and tankers carrying drinking water food items, 600 families comprising 21,139 mem- expand asserting that the and 5,000 cooking gas cylinders. tankers carrying bers. They could not afford to orphans and poor went up. RAF implemented many Sudanese government is will- More than 866,000 people ben- drinking water and buy gas cylinders due to high The humanitarian aid humanitarian projects in collab- ing to facilitate the efitted from the projects. 5,000 cooking gas prices. reached on right time. It was pro- oration of its local partners in administrative procedures and First project related to sup- cylinders. These projects provided great vide at a time when the Yemen. The projects include dis- to overcome the obstacles fac- ply foods. At least 1,951 families relief to the beneficiary families. humanitarian situation in Taiz tribution of baskets of basic ing Qatar Charity. He hoped comprising about 13,651 mem- They were provided foods, drink- city was deteriorating and get- foodstuffs, packets of cooked that QC would continue its bers received food baskets. The reducing the suffering of ing water and gas cylinders as ting more complicated day by foods, blankets, home appli- humanitarian support, which food baskets include basic foods besieged residents of Taiz city they were unable to buy due to day. The starvation was threat- ances, solar system, tents, has positively affected the like rice, flour, edible oil, pasta, especially poor families that are their poor financial condition. ening to some families. Cases of medicines, medical supplies, lives of millions of Sudanese tuna and dates among others. fighting for survival due to lack They are leading hard life due to malnutrition were detected hor- food supplements, baby milks, since it started its projects in A basket includes enough of foods. latest development. The unrest rifically especially among the drinking water. Hundreds of Sudan. materials for a family compris- Second project was about increased poverty and unem- children due to lack of basic serv- thousands of inhabitants of Taiz During his visit to the ing five to six members for three drinking water. RAF mobilised ployment rate. The income of the ices and breaking out epidemic city benefitted from these project of ‘Rufakaa’ Model Vil- months. The move aimed at 600 tankers carrying drinking people shrieked. The plights of and other infectious diseases. projects. lage, the Vice-President stressed that this village is a multi-purpose humanitarian project, especially in terms of creating an integrated envi- ronment for the targeted orphans' families. The objec- Collecting old tive can be realised through providing sufficient infra- structure in the education, health and vocational train- books, for a cause ing fields. The Vice-President also praised the strong relations Irfan Bukhari Rilwan has authored two books in between Qatar and the Repub- The Peninsula Tamil language, first on child psychol- lic of Sudan, at both official ogy and second revolving around three and non-official levels as well conflict-hit villages of northern Sri as QC's projects that devel- e loves books and he loves help- Lanka. “I take donations only in forms oped various regions in Sudan. ing his countrymen and these of books and not cash,” he said. Htwo things inspired him starting He said that in case residents a campaign to collect old books from donated Arabic books, he used to send the residents of Qatar. them to Islamic seminaries in Sri Lanka. IBPN elects Being a writer of two books, Issa- He said that there were as many as 200 deen Rilwan (pictured), a Sri Lankan Arabic colleges in Sri Lanka. “Mostly I Visitors at the Diabetes Expo' 16. expat, has launched an old-books col- help school library but if the books are office-bearers lection campaign to help his country’s related to higher education, they are “resource-hungry” dispatched to univer- THE election meeting sched- libraries of school sities or colleges for Aster marks World Diabetes Day ule to be held today to elect and colleges. “So far their full academic uti- the president and manag- I have collected lisation,” he added. The Peninsula Cultural Centre, Madhyamam Newspa- ing committee members for more than 300 When asked about per, Media One and Voice of Kerala was Indian Business and Profes- books from expats. the response he n line with World Diabetes Day marked held at Holiday Villa, on November 14 sionals Network (IBPN) has The first donor hails received after promot- globally on every November 14 and the and was led by Dr TPV Saseendranath, been called off as the elec- from UK while the ing his cause using Iassociated worldwide campaign Specialist- Ophthalmologist, Aster Med- tions were not needed since other is from Kerala, social media tools, against the disease, Aster Medical Centre, ical Centre, C Ring Road, Dr Gireesh the candidates were elected India,” he said. To Rilwan said that in last a division of Aster DM Healthcare and the Kumar B, Specialist - Internal Medicine, unopposed, the letter signed by promote his cause of one week he had largest healthcare provider in the Middle Aster Medical Centre, Al Hilal and Dr Dinesh Udenia, the First Sec- helping libraries in received a dozen East and India, was organised free, open- Jobin Rajan Benjamin, Specialist - Inter- retary at the Embassy of India Sri Lanka, Rilwan, an MBA, also recently phone calls from various aspiring book to-all events including, Diabetic Expo, nal Medicine, Aster Hospital and was and the election officer, said. started using social media platforms to donors. “To facilitate donors, I collect interactive sessions and Continuing Med- participated by 90 people. KM Varghese, the incum- tell people about the good thing he is the gifted books from their doorstep. ical Education (CME) to raise awareness Commenting on the events, Dr bent president was doing. One Pakistani expat has promised me on diabetics among residents in Qatar. Sameer Moopan, Managing Director, DM re-elected unopposed, who The idea of collecting used books giving medical books,” he said. He said The 10-day long Diabetic Expo began Healthcare, said, “These events are as reported earlier had the and sending them to school libraries of the cargo charges on books shipment on November 10 and ended on Novem- organised as a part of Aster Community approval of the forum mem- his village came to his mind during his from Qatar to Sri Lanka were econom- ber 19 at Aster Medical Centre Platinum, Good Health Programme and our bers to continue to let him visit to his hometown this summer. ical which he used to bear himself. Al Gharafa. Diabetic exhibition along attempt towards ensuring that the res- finish many initiatives he had “There were only round 1,000 books in Rilwan said that he would happily with the free services of monitoring idents in Qatar are aware of the under taken in the first term. my town’s school library though the facilitate anyone wanting to establish blood pressure levels, free diabetic preventive measures and the various “We have taken a number of students was greater than a full-scale library at any educational check-up under the guidance of special- treatment procedures for diabetes." number of initiatives, most the available book,” he said. He said that institution in Sri Lanka without being ist doctors got overwhelming response "The Diabetes Expo, Interactive and of which are undertaken are during his stay in his village, he also involved in financial aspects of the and attended by more than 4,200 scientific sessions are aimed at provid- very unique and under taken organised an essay competition among project. He said his four books were yet people. ing a wakeup call to the all type of people for the first time by IBPN,” school students. not published. The interactive session on Diabetes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and beat said Varghese, when for family with the support of Friends diabetes,” Dr Moopan said. contacted. 14 films from across the globe competing at Ajyal Youth Film Festival

The Peninsula acclaimed filmmakers such as Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 21. Eagle Huntress (Mongolia, UK, Ken Loach, Gianfranco Rosi, All jurors watch feature and short USA/2016) by Otto Bell, Twice ourteen feature films from Asghar Farhadi and Taika Wai- films specially curated for their Upon a Time (Lebanon/2016) by across the globe are com- titi, who are some of the most age groups, and each of the three Niam Itani, and The World of Us Fpeting at the fourth annual powerful voices within the inter- juries award a Best Film prize in (South Korea/ 2016) by Yoon Ajyal Youth Film Festival from national film community,” she both categories. Ga-eun. November 30 to December 5 at added. Four films are screening in The Bader segment includes Katara Cultural Village. Youth participation is at the Mohaq section including Hunt for five films: Fatima (France/2015) These include festival win- heart of the Festival and its jury the Wilderpeople (New Zea- by Philippe Faucon; Fire at Sea ners and Academy Award programme, provides young land/2016) directed by Taika (Italy, France/2016) by Gian- submissions, that cover themes people between the ages of 8 and Waititi, Kai (South Korea/2016) franco Rosi; I, Daniel Blake (UK, and issues impacting youth in 21 an opportunity to watch, ana- by Lee Sung-gang, France, Belgium / 2016) by Ken Qatar and around the world. lyse and discuss films from all Listen to the Silence (Geor- Loach; Life, Animated (USA, Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival over the world, developing crit- gia, Qatar/2016) by Mariam France/2016) by Roger Ross Wil- Director and CEO of Doha Film ical thinking, self-expression, Chachia, and Secret Society of liams; and The Salesman Institute, said: “The feature films and an appreciation of cinema. Souptown (Estonia, Fin- directed by Asghar Farhadi. Tick- in-competition at Ajyal are The Ajyal Competition cate- land/2015) by Margus Paju. ets priced QR25 are available for indeed some of the finest works A still from Salesman. gories include Mohaq (New Moon Five films compete in the purchase 24 hours a day at ajy- in world cinema today. They are in Arabic), Ajyal’s youngest Hilal section: Enclave (Serbia, alfilm.com or from Ajyal Katara all poignant takes on life that emotions, familial bonding and their lives.” jurors, aged 8 to 12. Ajyal’s jurors Germany/2015) by Goran Main Box Office in Katara Build- inspire and move you with real- fantasy takes, these films are “The selection also celebrates aged 13 to 17 comprise the Hilal Radovanović, Sonita (Iran, Ger- ing 12 or Ajyal FNAC Ticket life and fictional tales. Through sure to engage our Ajyal jurors, excellence in world cinema jury (Crescent Moon in Arabic) many, Switzerland/2015) by Outlet, FNAC Qatar at Lagoona stories of nature, human and make a positive impact on today and includes films from and Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami, The Mall. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 HOME 07

Reduced exports Huge turnout at Katara Traditional Dhow Festival push livestock growth by 21%

The Peninsula Masterplan ivestock witnessed growth Qatar has more than by 21% this year due to a a million head of Lpolicy that reduced the livestock owned by exports during the Holy Month 12,653 animal of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha, breeders. which led to decline in the prices, said a senior official The number of from the Ministry of Municipal- owners increased by ity and Environment (MME). 31.9% comparing to Qatar has more than a mil- the past year. The sixth edition of Katara lion head of livestock owned by Traditional Dhow Festival saw a 12,653 animal breeders, accord- ter of Qatar Chamber. ing to a statistical data of the The meeting was chaired by huge public turnout. The five-day previous year, said Farhoud Mohammed Ahmed Al Ubaid- grand maritime event brought in Hadi Al Hajri, Director of Live- ali, member of the board of over 230 participants from the stock Department in the MME. directors of QC and head of the GCC and India and more than 100 Al Hajri added that the number Agriculture and Environment dhows. The event offered visitors of owners increased by 31.9% Committee. In order to reduce a glimpse of the way of life comparing to the past year. the cost of veterinary services, people used to lead in old-times. There are a number of the ministry imports medicines The event included traditional barns that located out of the through the GCC unified pur- maritime tournaments such as master plan and these will be chasing system from the rowing, diving, Al Ghazl, Al Hdaq, transferred to the new com- manufacturing company and Al Lufah and Al Nahmah. plexes of barns which consist companies importing comple- of nine complexes, Al Hajri said. mentary treatments have been The ministry provides directed to import from Latin direct support to animal breed- American countries to reduce ers including veterinary cost, Al Hajri said. services like medical checkup, Committee members sug- Exports of transport & tourism services at QR54.6bn treatments and vaccinations, gested provision of cumulative said Al Hajri, pointing out that support to animal breeders to The Peninsula The report, released by the activity, and Qatar Airways, in number of passengers doubled there are also indirect supports encourage breeding and empha- Ministry of Economy and Com- particular. in five years, and about four-fold like provision of subsidised fod- sised the importance of guidance atar's export of transport merce, stated the large increase The air cargo sector has over the last ten years. ders, drinking waters, green and raising awareness of own- and tourism services has in the export of services was witnessed significant growth The report also pointed out fodders that is subsidised by ers. The meeting also discussed Qgrown rapidly over the driven mainly by the transport with shipment registering an that tourism exports, which con- Hassad Food Company. issues related to food security past five years. The sales of sector, which contributed about average growth of 26% in 2014 stitute an important aspect of This facilitates recruitments projects offered recently in par- transport and tourism services half of the total service exports. and 2015. service exports, had also wit- of manpower in cooperation ticular poultry, fodders and to non-residents in Qatar Export of transport services rose Similarly, passenger num- nessed a rapid growth over the with the Ministry of Interior, greenhouse projects. Omer Al jumped to QR54.6bn in 2015 from QR6.4bn in 2010 to QR27bn bers grew from 12.4 million in past five years. and allocation of land plots, said Ansari, Secretary of Technical from QR11bn in 2010, showing in 2015. 2010 to about 25.3 million pas- The number of tourist visit- Al Hajri during the fourth meet- Team for Food Security, said a average growth rate of about The report explained that the sengers in 2015. Qatar Airways ing Qatar increased from 1.7 ing of the Committee for number of sub-technical teams 44.9% per annum, said ‘Qatar growth of the national exports is one of the largest growing air- million in 2010 to 2.9 million Agriculture and Environment have been formed to enhance Competitive Economic Outlook’ of transport services volume was lines in terms of number of tourists in 2015, a growth rate of held recently at the headquar- participation of private sector. report released yesterday. driven mainly by air transport passengers in recent years. Its 72%.

The Ritz-Carlton Doha management team with the ISO 22000 and HACCP certifications. The Ritz-Carlton, Doha is 1st Qatar hotel to get ISO 22000 & HACCP certifications

The Peninsula both certifications is a proud manufacturing practices for all accomplishment for our Ritz- sectors of the food industry, he Ritz-Carlton, Doha Carlton ladies and gentlemen, for developed in the 1960s by a received the coveted ISO consistently upholding uncom- team of scientists and engineers T22000 and Hazard Anal- promising standards in food to produce “zero defects” food ysis and Critical Control Points safety, assuring our guests with products for Nasa astronauts. It (HACCP) global certifications for trust when visiting our restau- provides a framework to pro- complying with the highest level rants, banquets and outside duce foods safely and to prove of food safety standards and catering,” said Cruchet. “Obtain- they were produced safely based regulatory and statutory ing ISO 22000 and HACCP on a systematic approach to the requirements. certifications will continue to identification, evaluation and The award was presented by strengthen the hotel’s credibility control of food safety hazards. Selim Kseib, Country Chief and reputation, build customer ISO 22000 certification pro- Executive of Bureau Veritas satisfaction and trust, reduce vides a complete Food Safety Qatar, leader in Testing, Inspec- operating costs and increase Management System that can be tion and Certification (TIC) operational efficiency.” applied to organisations in the services. The award ceremony Located on its own exclusive global food supply chain. ISO hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha private island, The Ritz-Carlton, 22000 integrates the principles was attended by Mohammed Doha is the choice destination of the HACCP system and appli- Obeidat, Operational Risk Man- for food and beverage and cation steps developed by the ager of Katara Hospitality, Erden renowned for hosting diplo- Codex Alimentarius Commis- Kendigelen, General Manager matic, governmental and sion of the WHO. of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, culi- international corporate delega- Bureau Veritas is a govern- nary leaders of the hotel led by tions at its versatile indoor and ing body that offers innovative Executive Chef (master chef of outdoor event spaces. The hotel solutions that go beyond simple France – MCF) Gael Cruchet, recently celebrated its 15th year compliance with regulations and and members of the media. anniversary on October 17, 2016. standards, reducing risk, improv- “Being the first and sole hotel HACCP is the international ing performance and promoting in Qatar to acquire platform for legislation and food sustainable development. 08 MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016

Egypt sentences 2-day Yemen truce takes effect journalists union head Cairo No reprieve AP Cairo Minutes after it went AFP he Saudi-led military into effect, coalition declared a activists in Taiz n Egyptian court sen- 48-hour ceasefire in said that rebel tenced the head of the Yemen yesterday, on shelling continued in Ajournalists’ union and the condition that Shia the city. two members to two years in Trebels abide by it and allow prison for “harbouring fugi- humanitarian assistance into tives”, allowing them to pay besieged cities, particularly the The truce would take bail pending an appeal. city of Taiz. effect at 12pm Journalists Syndicate However, minutes after it yesterday and that it president Yahiya Kallash, went into effect, activists in Taiz could be renewed. Gamal Abd el-Rahim and said that rebel shelling contin- Khaled Elbalshy were ued in the city while a charged in May with shelter- rebel-affiliated military spokes- to the Saudi-backed, interna- ing two journalists wanted man said that there was no halt tionally-recognised government over protests against the of fighting. have made advances in Taiz, transfer of two Red Sea Col. Sharaf Loqman, a mili- which has been besieged by the islands to Saudi Arabia. tary spokesman, told The rebels for the past year. The court set bail at Associated Press that the fight- The coalition has demanded 10,000 Egyptian pounds ing hasn't stopped at any of the that the Houthis send their rep- ($615, ¤580), a court official A customer buys sweets at a market in Sanaa as a 48-hour ceasefire, announced by a Saudi- front-lines. He said that the resentatives to meet with a said. Their arrest following a rebels support a full cessation of de-escalation committee based led coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels, began yesterday. May 1 police raid on the union hostilities, but that the reality at in a southern Saudi city, in order building to detain two report- the moment is, "all parties are to make security and military rebels a share of power. deal. The coalition made no to flee the country when the ers from an opposition engaged in fighting." arrangements to end rebel con- The truce also comes two comment on Kerry's announce- Houthis joined ranks with forces website drew condemnation The Saudi news agency SPA trol over several cities in the days after an earlier plan for a ment. The conflict in Yemen has loyal to the ousted Yemeni Pres- from rights groups. carried a statement from the north — including the capital, US-brokered ceasefire faltered. divided the country into rival ident Ali Abdullah Saleh and The European Union said coalition that said the truce Sanaa. While the coalition US Secretary of State John Kerry, regions with the northern — pre- descended from their northern the indictment of the journal- would take effect at 12pm Yem- stressed that the ceasefire is who met with Houthi represent- dominated by Shia — under rebel enclave — seizing the capital and ists’ syndicate members was eni time yesterday and that it aimed at paving the way for atives in Oman this week, set control while the south — mostly pushing southward. The coali- “a worrying development”. could be renewed. The coalition peace, it didn't elaborate on November 17 as the beginning of Sunnis — is under the coalition's tion imposed a blockade on “It reflects broader limi- warned the rebels, known as whether it's accepting the UN- the ceasefire. The plan was control. Yemen, and the airstrikes along tations on freedom of Houthis, against any sort of mil- brokered peace plan — which immediately rejected by Hadi's The coalition intervened in with ground fighting have left expression and press freedom itary movement. The ceasefire sidelines President Abed Rabbo government, which accused Yemen in March 2015 at the over 4,000 civilians dead and in Egypt,” an EU spokesper- comes at a time that forces loyal Mansour Hadi and gives the Kerry of striking a unilateral request of Hadi, who was forced tens of thousands wounded. son said at the time.

Somalia PM secures truce between 2 regions Mogadishu erupted after a dispute over buildings planned Reuters in Galkayo, a city that is divided between the two sides. “Prime Minister (Omar) Sharmarke trav- omalia’s prime minister said yesterday he elled to Galkayo and over (the) last week worked had secured a ceasefire between two war- to negotiate an immediate ceasefire and an ini- Sring regions in the Horn of Africa nation, tiation of preliminary talks for a lasting peace two weeks after a peace deal collapsed leading agreement,” a statement from his office said. to fighting that killed at least 29 people. The Gal- “What happened over the last month and mudug and Puntland semi-autonomous regions weeks in Galkayo is very unfortunate. It is the have a history of clashes and the latest round of responsibility of all here and absent to make sure fighting between their forces two weeks ago we do not see a repeat,” Sharmarke said. Iraqi girls eager to get lives back

Iraq Having survived the mili- minorities as slaves and Reuters tants’ oppressive rule, Afrah and enforced its conservative rules Asil, 19, want to put the harrow- on others using female religious A wounded man is trapped under the wreckage of collapsed buildings after the war crafts he first thing Iraqi teenager ing experience behind them, police. belonging to the Russian forces carried out airstrikes on residential areas at the Yakid al Afrah did when she return to Tikrit, resume studies, “I hardly went out, I slept, Ades village of Aleppo, Syria, yesterday. Tescaped Islamic State cap- work and get their lives back. ate, that was it. A few months tivity near Mosul was to remove “I’ve lost two years of my ago they cut off the Internet, too. her face veil and throw it defi- education. I want to get back to It was boring. I didn’t want to go antly to the ground. school, complete my studies and to one of their schools where Hospitals hit and schools closed The ultra-hardline militants then qualify to become a den- they teach you only about weap- kidnapped and used Afrah, 16, tist,” Afrah said. Asil, for her part, ons and religion,” she said. her older sister Asil and 14 other wanted to go back to her job Afrah wore a long brown family members and relatives issuing food hygiene certificates coat and bright woolly hat. She as Syria regime pounds Aleppo as human shields when they to restaurants and cafes. said she would continue to wear withdrew from the Iraqi city of The two sisters spoke as the Muslim headscarf but was Tikrit, her hometown around they waited in the desert along- relieved to show her face again. Aleppo barbarous aerial strikes.” 200km south, early last year. side hundreds of other displaced Asil had also shed her niqab. AFP Intense strikes The bombardment has badly For a year and a half the Iraqis trying to cross into Kurd- The elder sister narrowly The intensity of the affected rescue and medical family was trapped in the vil- ish-controlled areas a few avoided being married off to an ntense government air bombardment has facilities in the east, which have lage of Bawiza just north of the kilometres northeast of Mosul. Islamic State fighter while they strikes and artillery fire forced residents to already routinely been targeted jihadists’ Iraqi stronghold. The Explosions could be heard lived in Bawiza, she said. A few yesterday shook the rebel- stay indoors, in government attacks. girls tried to keep a low profile coming from the city, as the months later they learned the held side of Aleppo City, On Friday, regime shelling and barely ventured outdoors. campaign to drive IS out con- fighter had been killed in battle. leaving streets where multiple hospitals of the Maadi neighbourhood When Iraqi forces pushed tinues with fierce street battles The family stocked up on blan- all-but-deserted. Ihave been hit and schools forced partially destroyed one of the into the village a few days ago, between the militants and Iraqi kets and warm clothes for to close. last hospitals serving residents part of the US-backed campaign forces. winter, anticipating time dis- The ferocious bombardment The bombardment in the east, forcing it to shut.Two to oust Islamic State from Mosul, Islamic State has taken placed in a camp somewhere. saw rockets, mortar shells and has badly affected patients were killed and medi- they were determined not to be civilians hostage to avoid being They do not know when they barrel bombs pound residential rescue and medical cal staff were injured in the taken hostage again, and rushed targeted by air strikes, has exe- will be allowed into Kurdish- neighbourhoods, shaking build- facilities in the east. attack, a medical source said. towards the military’s armoured cuted people in Mosul, used held territory, and how long it ings and terrifying residents, an The last pediatric hospital in vehicles. women from religious will take after that to get home. AFP correspondent in east the east was also forced to close Aleppo said. The city has been divided after being damaged in a barrel “People went to sleep to the between government control in bomb attack earlier in the week, sound of bombardment and the west and rebel control in the with medical staff evacuating awoke to the sound of bombard- east since mid-2012. babies from incubators and ment,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, More than 250,000 people transferring them to a new loca- head of the Syrian Observatory remain in the opposition-held tion. And a centre belonging to for Human Rights, a Britain- part of the city, which has been the White Helmet rescue group based monitor of the war. besieged by the regime since in the Bab al-Nayrab district was Syrian government troops July. The intensity of the bom- totally destroyed in an air strike unleashed their assault on the bardment has forced residents on Friday, an AFP correspond- rebel side of the city on Tues- to stay indoors, leaving streets ent said. day, as they once again press to all-but-deserted. He reported the building was recapture the opposition-held “People don’t dare to leave wiped out in the attack, and the districts of divided Aleppo. their homes,” Abdel Rahman group’s vehicles were also com- Once the country’s eco- said. Schools in east Aleppo, pletely destroyed. The White nomic powerhouse, Aleppo has many of which already operate Helmets have struggled to keep been ravaged by the war that from basements because of gov- up with calls for help since the began in March 2011 with anti- ernment attacks, announced in renewed bombardment began, government protests and has a statement they would close at times unable to leave their A member of the Iraqi Federal Police fires his weapon at an Islamic State (IS) group target since left more than 300,000 today as well “for the safety of centres because of the intensity people dead. students and teachers, after the of the government fire. on the front line near the village of Tall Adh-Dhahab, south of Mosul, yesterday. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 ASIA / AFRICA 09

Guinea-Bissau Tens of thousands press Park to quit names new prime minister Mass protest husband and two daughters. "Park simply doesn't feel GUINEA-BISSAU President So far, the candlelight ashamed of the wrongs she and Jose Mario Vaz named Umaro protests have been her friend did. She must go." Sissoco Embalo as prime min- largely peaceful, with The anti-Park rallies have ister of the troubled west many families continued despite two televised African state, replacing Baciro participating, but apologies from the president Dja whose government he dis- there was still a heavy over a scandal linked to her solved earlier in the week. police presence, with friendship with long-time con- "Mr Umaro El Mokhtar fidante Choi Soon-Sil, who has Sissoco Embalo is named buses and trucks been arrested for fraud and prime minister," said a pres- blocking access roads abuse of power. idential decree. to the Presidential Prosecutors said they would The new premier was Blue House. formally indict Choi and two sworn in later on Friday in a other alleged accomplices brief ceremony. tomorrow, prior to trial. Monday's dissolution by Seoul They have been investigat- the head of state aimed to AFP ing allegations that Choi, 60, solve a succession crisis that leveraged her relationship with has paralysed the tiny west Park to coerce donations from African state. ens of thousands of large companies like Samsung Guinea-Bissau has been protestors gathered in to non-profit foundations which in the throes of a power strug- Seoul yesterday for the she set up and used for personal gle since August 2015, when fourth in a weekly gain. Vaz sacked then prime min- series of mass protests Fresh from the college ister Domingos Simoes Taimed at forcing President Park entrance exam they spent their Pereira, leader of the ruling Geun-Hye to resign over a cor- entire school lives preparing for, African Party for the Inde- ruption scandal. Protestors hold candles and banners calling for the resignation of South Korea's President a large number of high-school pendence of Guinea and Cape The demonstrations -- Park Geun-hye during an anti-government rally in central Seoul, yesterday. students were among the early Verde (PAIGC). among the largest seen in South arrivals at yesterday's rally. Two factions of the rul- Korea since the pro-democracy "Making this country better ing PAIGC had failed to protests of the 1980s -- have So far the candlelight pro- Nam said he expected the Hours before yesterday's is more important than entering resolve their differences provided a stark challenge to tests have been largely peaceful, ranks of protestors to be swelled protest was scheduled to start, a a good college", said Park Chai- over Pereira's successor, Park's authority, but the presi- with many families participat- by thousands of students who sat crowd of around 50,000 had Un, as he collected donations to Dja, since he was given the dent has defied calls to step ing, but there was still a heavy the national college entrance already gathered along Seoul's buy candles and bottled water job in June, with some law- down. police presence, with buses and exam earlier in the week. ceremonial Gwanghwamun for protesters. makers refusing to work After claiming a turnout of trucks blocking access roads to And this being South Korea boulevard, south of the presiden- "When things go this wrong with him. around one million for last week's the presidential Blue House. -- with the world's highest tial Blue House. with the country, it will become The new 44-year-old pre- protest, organisers said they "We want to have a peace- smartphone penetration rate -- "We're here to show my chil- even more difficult for us to find mier is not a well-known expected some 500,000 people ful protest," Nam Jeong-Su, many had downloaded a special dren the site where history is jobs. That's why I am here," said public figure though he has yesterday, while police predicted spokesman for the Korean Con- app showing a burning candle being made", said Kim Myung- one of his classmates, Kim served as advisor to several one-tenth that number. federation of Trade Unions,said. to hold aloft during the rally. Hee, 30, who came with her Mi-Sung. heads of state.

China govt takes measures to Indonesians hold peaceful rally to promote 'unity'

reduce air fumes Jakarta Tunggal Ika", which means unity Basuki Purnama Purnama ear- Reuters in diversity, while others per- lier this month. PROVINCIAL governments formed traditional dances. Police fired tear gas and across China are taking meas- "This is about diversity, but water cannon to quell the ures ranging from inspecting housands of Indonesians also about unity. We have to protest. outdoor barbecues to halting held a peaceful rally yes- separate politics from ethnicity, "The economy is growing, production at industrial plants Tterday to promote unity, religion, and race," said 25-year infrastructure is being built eve- to reduce worsening air pollu- saying they were worried by old Iwan Saputra. rywhere. Don't let this all be tion, the official Xinhua news signs of growing racial and reli- "I want Indonesia to stay destroyed just because of ego," agency said yesterday. gious intolerance in their united." said Saidiman Ahmad, an activ- China has adopted vari- country. Concerns about rising hard- ist with Liberal Islam Network, ous measures over the years Dressed in red and white line Islamic sentiment in the recently. to reduce the blankets of shirts, the colours of the Indo- country of 250 million people Some analysts have said the smog which shroud many of nesian flag, religious leaders, have grown since police decided police decision to pursue the the country's northern cities members of human rights on Wednesday to investigate a case was a blow to democracy in the winter, causing hazard- groups, lawmakers and others blasphemy complaint by Mus- as well as diversity. ous traffic conditions and marched along a central Jakarta lim groups against the Christian Indonesia recognises six People wave a large Indonesia flag as they take part in a disrupting daily life. street. governor of Jakarta. religions and is home to several The local government in rally against what they see as growing racial and religious Some held posters with the More than 100,000 Muslims minority groups that adhere to Hebei province has halted intolerance in their country, in Jakarta, yesterday. national motto "Bhinneka protested against Governor traditional beliefs. seven major industries in the city including steel, cement and glass, said Xinhua. The Shijiazhuang city government, also in Hebei 15 missing as boat collides province, said that car own- Congo authorities block oppn protest ers with certain number plates can only drive on spe- Kinshasa heavy presence. They also pre- figure Samy Badibanga as with cargo vessel: Official cific days until the end of the Reuters vented activists and the UN prime minister on Thursday year, following days of acrid peacekeeping mission in under a power-sharing deal Jakarta ship transporting tapioca starch smog. Congo from approaching the that allows the president to AFP from Vietnam. Authorities in Chengdu, a uthorities in Democratic house of veteran opposition stay in office until at least April All 22 Vietnamese crew city in the southwestern prov- Republic of Congo leader Etienne Tshisekedi, wit- 2018. members aboard the cargo ves- ince of Sichuan, have sent law Ablocked an opposition nesses said. The main opposition bloc t least 15 people are sel were safe but the speetboat enforcement officials to demonstration in the capital "The sites where the meet- denounced the choice as a Amissing after a speed- carrying mostly Indonesian inspect construction sites and yesterday aimed at putting ing was to have taken place provocation but its attempts to boat collided with a fishermen sunk after the barbecues. pressure on President Joseph have been isolated," police stop the government's agenda Vietnamese cargo vessel yes- collision. Meanwhile, in the north- Kabila to step down next spokesman Pierre Mwanam- appear to be struggling to gain terday and capsized in the "Twelve people have been ern municipality of Tianjin, month at the end of his man- putu said in a statement. traction. Java Sea, according to an rescued alive while 15 others the municipal government date, witnesses said. Police shut down a similar Fifty people died in anti- official. are still missing," Frans Supri- has asked 119 companies to The rally was banned and protest on November 5. government street protests in The passenger boat was fer- adi, a spokesman for the local halt production until security forces maintained a Kabila named opposition September. rying 27 people some 50 disaster agency, said. January. kilometre off the coast of A rescue team has been Tuban, a small town in East deployed by boat and helicop- Java, when it collided with a ter to search for the missing. Trump's adviser vows to tackle North Korea N-threat

Seoul strengthen the US alliance with Cho spoke to South Korean The US President Barack Reuters South Korea, calling the relation- reporters in Washington follow- Obama has been criticised by ship "vital," the South's deputy ing the meeting with Flynn, Congressional Republicans that presidential national security Yonhap said. his policy of "strategic patience" S President-elect Donald adviser Cho Tae-yong was The North conducted its was a failure and that he must Trump's national security quoted as saying by Yonhap fourth and fifth nuclear tests this make full use of sanctions Uadviser says North news agency. year under young leader Kim authorities given to him by Korea's nuclear programme Cho was leading a South Jong Un, who has vowed to build Congress. would be given a high priority Korean delegation to the US to a nuclear arsenal and ballistic Trump pledged his commit- under the new administration, meet with key advisers to the missiles to deliver them. ment to defend South Korea a South Korean official who held president-elect to discuss the The UN Security Council has under an existing security alli- talks with him said yesterday. two countries' response to the held discussions to adopt a ance during a phone call with Michael Flynn, one of North's pursuit of nuclear weap- toughened new sanctions reso- South Korean President Park The crew and passengers of a Vietnamese vessel are rescued Trump's closest advisers, also ons in defiance of international lution following the North's Geun-hye, Yonhap said last said he would work to sanctions. September 9 nuclear blast. week. some 50km off the coast of Tuban, in East Java, yesterday. 10 VIEWS SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016

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]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Yemen truce Appointments signal 48-hour ceasefire declared by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which started at noon yesterday, is the latest bid by the coalition A forces to end the conflict in the country. Saudi national security hard line Arabia and its Gulf allies took the initiative for the ceasefire to pave the way for a negotiated settlement though the Houthi rebels have been continuing their fight. This is the third truce announced this year. The those concerned about warrantless gone through different iterations, con- Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the ceasefire Nancy Benac wiretaps have “exaggerated the extent to tinue to evolve and still have big gaps. could be extended if the Iran-backed Houthi rebels AP which this is somehow violative of our On immigration, his views have reciprocate and if they allow humanitarian aid to be Constitution.” His appointment to a fed- arrived at a policy that sounds much delivered into areas under eral judgeship in 1986 fell through after like Washington as usual. The siege. The Houthis haven’t responded to the he was accused of making racially approach he sketched out in a post- coalition move, but the truce risks failing if they violate charged statements while US attorney in election interview on “60 Minutes” the ceasefire. “The truce will be renewed if the other wasn’t just talk. If there was any doubt Alabama. would embrace the Obama adminis- party adheres to it, activates the DCC (De-escalation about whether Donald Trump meant —Pompeo, the three-term congress- tration’s push to deport the most and Coordination Committee) for Dhahran al-Janoub business with his hard-line campaign man from Kansas, is an outspoken serious criminals who are in the US and lifts the siege of Taiz,” the SPA said citing a letter pronouncements on immigration, race, opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, has illegally as well as the call by many sent from Yemen’s internationally backed President terrorism and more, the president-elect said NSA leaker Edward Snowden is a Republican lawmakers to secure the Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to the Saudi government. Iwent a long way to dispel them Friday with traitor who deserves the death sentence border before considering any legal The DCC is a United Nations-sponsored military his first appointments to his national security and has said Muslim leaders are “poten- status for those who’ve committed commission which is responsible for overseeing team and at the Justice Department. tially complicit” in terrorist attacks if immigration violations but otherwise ceasefires in Yemen. Trump’s trifecta in selecting Sen. they do not denounce violence carried lived lawfully. He even pulled back a The war in Yemen has Jeff Sessions for attorney general, out in the name of Islam. bit on his vaunted southern wall, sug- killed more than 10,000 retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn for —Flynn stepped down as director of gesting a fence may be enough for The latest people, according to the national security adviser and Rep. Mike the Defense Intelligence Agency in April part of it. ceasefire declared UN estimates, displaced Pompeo to lead the CIA sent a strong 2014 and said he’d been forced out Trump the campaigner also moved millions and has worsened message that Americans are going to because he disagreed with Obama’s away from his inflammatory vow to by the Saudi- disease and hunger. The get what they voted for in electing a approach to combatting extremism. freeze the entry of foreign Muslims into led coalition current conflict started Republican whose campaign talk about Critics said he’d mismanaged the the US, settling late in the race on offers a golden when the Iran-backed national security matters largely tog- agency. Flynn has pressed for a more “extreme” vetting of immigrants from opportunity to Houthis overthrew the gled between tough and tougher. aggressive US campaign against the countries and regions plagued by vio- legitimate government led There has been ongoing mystery about Islamic State group, and favors working lent radicalism. end the conflict. by Abd-Rabbu Mansour what to expect in a Trump presidency: Even more closely with Russia. He’s vowed to crush the Islamic State Hadi in late 2014. Saudi some of Trump’s own supporters wrote off The three appointments sync up with group, but won’t say how. Arabia and its allies were some of his more provocative campaign messages that Trump voters sent in the Trump has also said he believes in forced to intervene to comments. exit polls on Election Night. enhanced interrogation techniques, restore the government of Hadi. Several rounds of Trump’s own policy statements have Trump’s backers put a higher pri- which can include waterboarding and negotiations have been held to bring peace to Yemen, zigged and zagged depending on the audi- ority on addressing terrorism and other types of torture that are against the many of them led by the United Nations, but the ence. And his first two appointments to the immigration than did Clinton’s sup- law and that many experts argue are Houthis have been unwilling to retreat from the White House staff — GOP Chairman Reince porters. Three-fourths of them said ineffective. territories they captured and allow the Haadi Priebus as chief of staff and onetime Breit- the US was doing very badly or some- Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of Cal- government back in power. The war has destroyed an bart News chief Steve Bannon as a senior what badly at dealing with IS. Just 2 in ifornia, the chairman of the House impoverished country and the spread of diseases is adviser — sent a mixed message with the 10 thought blacks are treated unfairly Intelligence Committee, on Friday dis- posing another huge threat, with its health services choice of an establishment figure and a in the US criminal justice system. missed Trump’s comments about unable to cope with the threat. According to the WTO, flame-throwing outsider. Three-fourths backed building a wall waterboarding as the talk of a “first-time Yemen is at risk of a significant cholera outbreak with But Friday’s picks offered a concrete indi- on the southern border to control ille- neophyte running for office.” the number of suspected cases doubling within 12 days cation that Trump’s presidency may in fact be gal immigration. “Water-boarding coming back, I find to over 4,000 last week. headed sharply to the right on issues of Trump’s positions, meanwhile, have that hard to believe,” he said. The latest ceasefire offers a golden opportunity to national security. Houthis and forces loyal to former president Ali “If you believe in personnel as policy, it’s Abdullah Saleh to end this conflict. Saleh and Houthis pretty clear where the arrows are pointing,” must realise that a continuation of this war will not says Calvin Mackenzie, a presidential scholar help them achieve their goals and the only path at Colby College in Maine. forward is through the negotiation process. With the Princeton historian Julian Zelizer says the Middle East in turmoil and the US electing a new three choices all represent conservative fig- president, whose foreign and Middle East policies are ures with track records in government, not looking unfavourable to our region, there is a need for “wildly out-of-the-box people who don’t even all parties in Yemen to seize the initiative and work come from the world of politics.” together for peace. “That’s a message not just about him fol- lowing through on his campaign promises, but it’s about partisanship,” says Zelizer. “He’s giving a signal to the Republicans to stick with him because he’ll deliver.” QUOTE OF THE DAY Trump still has plenty of big appointments yet to make, including secretary of state, that could telegraph other directions. And Con- gress, too, will have a say in setting national The United States security policy. Trump’s three latest all have sharply dif- condemns in the fered with Obama administration policy: strongest terms these —Sessions, the Alabama senator and horrific attacks against former federal prosecutor, is known for his medical infrastructure and tough stance on immigration enforcement. He’s questioned whether terrorism suspects humanitarian aid workers. should get the protection of the US court sys- There is no excuse for tem, opposes closing the detention center at these heinous actions. Guantanamo Bay and has highlighted con- cerns about voting fraud, which the Obama Donald Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, campaign CEO Stephen administration sees as a non-issue. Susan Rice He has said Obama’s counterterrorism Bannon and Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus celebrate at US National Security Adviser policies have “emboldened our enemies” and Trump’s election night rally. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 OPINION 11 In Gaza, we aren’t mourning Clinton’s loss

a historic opportunity to reaffirm Yasmeen Elkhoudary her unwavering support to Israel. Al Jazeera But has anyone in the US asked why this plan is the only one that was passed down from Obama to n December 14, 1998, we had a Trump without question? Is send- day off at school. As an eight- ing military aid to Israel more year-old child, I couldn’t be important than Obamacare, for Ohappier. All the shops were example? Why do the AIPAC and closed and there were roadblocks eve- Israel always emerge as victors rywhere. The streets were filled with regardless of who sits in the oval Palestinian flags, and white and red striped office? As a woman, I’m deeply flags I couldn’t recognise. I asked my offended by Trump’s victory. As a father and he explained that those were Palestinian, however, particularly American flags, and that Bill Clinton, the after watching Trump’s speech to President of the United States, was going to the AIPAC , I couldn’t care less who visit Gaza City later that day. won. In truth, I stopped caring about Little did I know that I would be hear- American elections once Obama ing Clinton’s name almost every day for the slapped us in the face with stagger- next 18 years, but it will not be on happy ing indifference to Palestine, which occasions. The late Palestinian President, in fact made our lives a living hell. Yasser Arafat, had invited Bill Clinton and Hereby, I dedicate Trump’s victory First Lady Hillary Clinton to inaugurate the to every democracy-loving Ameri- The Gaza airport before being completely destroyed by Israeli bombings in the 2008-2009, Israeli bombardment Gaza International Airport . Clinton’s heli- can senator, congressman/woman, copters landed on the airport’s runway in of Gaza. and campaigner, who gambled with Rafah and then took off to Gaza City, where our lives and futures in order to win Clinton addressed the Palestinian National against terrorists.” Despite Clinton’s when that failed, they decided to didn’t.Stuck in Cairo during the spring more AIPAC votes. In particular, I Council in what went down in history as passionate interest in Palestinian punish us for making the “wrong break because of the US and Israel’s con- dedicate it to Hillary Clinton and the first visit ever by an American presi- education, she had little praise for democratic choice”. tinuous siege on Gaza, I remember her establishment, and to everyone dent to a “sovereign” Palestinian entity. Gaza’s American school; on the con- When Hamas won Bush’s elec- watching Obama’s 2009 speech in Cairo who was distraught by the outcome The following year, my siblings and I trary, when two American supplied tions, I had just graduated from University with mixed feelings. of the democratic elections that led joined 65 other students in the newly Israeli F-16 jets razed the school to school and was ready to leave Gaza Despite his attempt to offer a more to Trump’s victory. opened American International School in the ground in 2008/9, Secretary of to study at the American University reconciliatory tone, he had already Will Clinton call for boycotting her Gaza, a school fully staffed by American State Hillary Clinton had nothing to in Cairo. From that year on, crossing stated his positions on fundamental own people for “making the wrong and Canadian teachers, with textbooks say. Her indifference came as no sur- the border out of or into Gaza turned Palestinian issues in two speeches to democratic choice”, will she impose that had come all the way from the United prise, and was no different than her into a fine experience of hell on AIPAC — the American Israel Public collective punishment on them like States to Gaza. reaction, or lack thereof, to Israel’s earth. The US, like any other country Affairs Committee — during his cam- she encouraged Israel to do with us? In the meantime, Senator Hillary Clin- destruction of Gaza’s Airport three on a divinely inspired global peace- paign: He believed that “Jerusalem will Will she justify the misery that Ameri- ton joined Elie Wiesel in addressing years after she herself had inaugu- promoting mission, had decided to remain the undivided capital of Israel” can people will face under Trump like “anti-Israel” and “anti-Semitic” rhetoric in rated it with Arafat and her husband. lead an international boycott of Pal- and was opposed to the right of return. she justified the people of Gaza’s suf- Palestinian textbooks. In 2001, she sent a Driven by a mission from God to estine due to the failure of both the Hope quickly evaporated as fering under the 2014 Israeli assault letter to President George W Bush urging spread peace and democracy in the elections and the civil war it ignited Obama’s eight years in office proved to by saying , “they’re trapped by their him to force Yasser Arafat into changing Middle East, Bush pressed for a Pal- in tipping the balance of power as it be no different for the Palestinians, leadership, unfortunately”? the Palestinian Authority’s “hateful rheto- estinian National Council against all wanted it. The boycott entailed vigor- especially those besieged in Gaza. With ric” as a condition for peace. odds in 2006. But when Hamas, as ous US support for Israel’s complete Clinton as secretary of state, things got In 2007, she questioned Mahmoud predicted, won the elections, he imprisonment of the Gaza Strip’s even worse: in her own words to the Abbas’ eligibility as a “partner for peace”, approved a plan to overthrow inhabitants with occasional military AIPAC, Clinton was an outspoken given that textbooks issued under his Hamas by igniting a Palestinian civil assaults — three in less than six years. enemy of BDS (the Boycott, Divest- administration were “inciting hatred”. This war with the help of Israel. As a student activist campaigning ment, Sanctions movement), a proud came after she co-sponsored a Congress In the meantime, Clinton was for Palestine in the American University opponent of any Palestine-related UN resolution that supported the busy co-sponsoring a Congress res- in Cairo , my colleagues and I found resolutions, a proud condemner of the D-RING ROAD building of Israel’s apartheid olution entitled, “The Palestinian ourselves engaging in endless conver- Goldstone Report, a staunch defender POST BOX: 3488 wall in the West Bank, which Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006”. The sations with American study-abroad of Israel’s assaults on Gaza, and a she defended by saying: resolution, which was introduced students, who had a positive opinion major factor behind the US blocking DOHA - QATAR “This is not against the Pal- after Hamas won the elections and about the Bush administration’s policies Palestine’s statehood bids at the UN. [email protected] estinian people, this is taken over Gaza as a result of Bush’s towards Palestine, to convince them of When the US announced a plan to interference, denied Hamas any par- the results of the democratic elections provide Israel with $38bn in military Hereby, I dedicate Trump’s ticipation in the “peace process” that had just brought Hamas to power. aid over the next decade, sealing off EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE unless it recognised Israel, disarmed After all, these students needed to know Obama’s heroic and peaceful legacy, TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 victory to every democracy- and renounced violence. The bill was the truth before voting in the next US Clinton expressed her delight in a FAX: +974 4455 7758 loving American senator, signed into law by Bush in December presidential elections in 2008. statement congratulating Obama and congressman/woman, and 2006, and was effectively the Barack Obama was running for Netanyahu on this important “diplo- MANAGING EDITOR approval Israel needed to launch its office and our hopes were up in the sky, matic achievement”. She promised that TEL: 4462 7505 campaigner, who gambled ongoing siege of Gaza. Effectively, to the extent that a group of Palestinians “as president”, she would work to with our lives and futures in Bush and Clinton tried to change the in Gaza joined his campaign over Skype implement this agreement. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR results of the elections they forced , hoping that Obama’s victory was going Sadly for Clinton, the plan will be order to win more AIPAC votes. TEL: 4455 7743 upon us with a violent civil war, and to bring a just solution to their misery. It implemented without her. She missed

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7769

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION What does Africa need to tackle climate change? TEL: 4462 7535

SPORT NEWS SECTION climate negotiations have once again Africa are estimated to be degraded. investments are made available. TEL: 4455 7745 Aly Abou-Sabaa failed, and will now be postponed until Planting legumes such as faba bean, The third aspect is climate-risk Al Jazeera May 2017. chickpeas and lentils that naturally fix management. In Morocco, we have ONLINE SECTION In contrast to this lack of action on a nitrogen to the soil reducing the need for happily re-housed part of the ICARDA TEL: 4462 7501 global scale, we have seen at COP22 that fertiliser, is an important approach to gene bank since we evacuated Aleppo in [email protected] rom making jam with cactus there is no shortage of willingness to reversing this trend. The production of Syria in July 2012. fruit, to reviving traditional confront climate change in Africa. Every legumes has been hit hard in Morocco in This important resource stores PUBLIC RELATIONS underground canals to defend single African country has included recent years, due to labour shortages and genetic material to help breeders against drought, Morocco has a adapting agriculture as part of their plant diseases. Improved varieties of develop drought and climate-tolerant TEL: 4455 7613 F [email protected] leading role in the fight against climate climate change strategies submitted to chickpeas and lentils have been tested and disease-resilient crops, limiting change in Africa (PDF). One of its long- the United Nations Framework that will not only improve soil health but future risk to food supplies. standing goals has been transforming Convention on Climate Change are resistant to diseases and suitable for Bringing the collection of wheat, ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT agriculture to become more sustainable. (UNFCCC). What is missing is sufficient harvest with a machine. These lines have barley, chickpea, lentil and faba bean TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 This vital sector, which contributes investment. been well received by farmers and could samples to Morocco puts them within FAX: 4455 7870 almost a fifth of the country’s gross Out of the 10 countries most affected now go into national breeding easy reach of seed scientists, breeders [email protected] domestic product, was the inspiration for by greenhouse gas emissions, six of them programmes in Morocco and beyond. and farmers, where they can be most the Green Morocco Plan, launched in are in Africa, yet the continent only The second area is water control. A effective. So we have the plans, the CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT 2008, to modernise agriculture and receives 5 percent of dedicated climate third of areas growing olives in Morocco strategies, the shared knowledge and TEL: 4455 7857 make it more productive and efficient. funding. are still using traditional flood irrigation the examples of best practice. What we [email protected] And that need remains as urgent as ever And without investment, we cannot methods, consuming water levels that really need now is fundingto bring with the rising impact of global warming. move forward. In Morocco, only 18 are far beyond what the trees actually solutions such as these to scale. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION Climate-related challenges in agriculture percent of farmers have access to bank require. Adaptation projects currently TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 are also common to many of Morocco’s loans, hampering their ability to invest in ICARDA has been working with the account for just 20 percent of climate FAX: 44557819 African neighbours. Yet the biggest better, more sustainable methods. Moroccan government to encourage the public funds but need at least 50 percent factor that continues to link experiences The cost of adapting agriculture to uptake of drip irrigation, which applies in order to strike a balance with efforts [email protected] across the continent is a lack of cope with the effects of climate change less water at the base of the tree only. that seek to mitigate the effects of investment to adapt and meet the will cost between $20bn and $30bn a Farmers can receive between 80-100 climate change. growing demand for food in the face of year until 2030, according to the African percent of the funds to install drip To benefit from the best methods, All thoughts and views rising temperatures. Development Bank. irrigation equipment, which can reduce we need funding to expand capacity expressed in these columns This is why the Moroccan presidency Where the money should go water consumption by up to 70 percent. building and means of sharing our of this year’s COP climate summit has At COP, the International Center for Conservation agriculture is another knowledge so that African countries can are those of the writers, not made African agriculture one of its Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas important option to conserve soil-water learn how to adapt to climate change. of the newspaper. priorities when addressing climate (ICARDA) is joining forces with the content, particularly for rain-fed farming There are many opportunities and change. For the first time, pan-African Moroccan government and partners, to which is predominant in Morocco. solutions for how to feed the world All correspondence experts and officials meet to discuss their suggest that there are three key areas for Locally manufactured seeders have while better coping with the climate regarding Views and Opinion best solutions while making a united investment that will help safeguard made it possible for smallholder farmers change that we collectively work on to pages should be mailed to plea for $30bn to put them into action. African agriculture in the face of climate to use zero-tillage technology at an tackle at events like COP. But without Such regional action has become critical, change. The first is better soil affordable price. This technological investment, these plans will just the [email protected]. as talks to include agriculture in the management. Up to 65 percent of soils in package has great potential to expand if languish on paper. qa 12 ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 Refugee resettlement: US officials in Australia

Sydney Resettlement deal later adjusted his stance to pro- University, said the deal may Reuters pose that the ban should apply require further negotiation once Resettlement is to people from nations that had Trump was in office. Duterte accuses West of unlikely to come been "compromised by "All of the signs from the S officials have before Trump's terrorism". Trump administration are that arrived in Australia January 20 Many of asylum seekers at deals like this are looked at hypocrisy over refugees to begin assessing inauguration, and the camps are Muslims who have unfavourably," Jackman said. asylum seekers held Turnbull said the fled conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Should Trump veto the deal, Zamboanga City on Papua New timeline would be Afghanistan and Pakistan. the detainees would be left with Anatolia UGuinea's Manus Island and "Officials from Homeland the choice of returning to their determined by Nauru for resettlement in the American officials. Security are in Australia right home countries or remaining in United States, Prime Minister now in fact and they will be Nauru or Papua New Guinea. he Philippine President has laid into Western countries Malcolm Turnbull said going to Nauru shortly," Turn- Turnbull is facing growing for their policy on refugees, accusing them of cherry An official of United yesterday. bull said on the sidelines of the outrage both at home and inter- picking human rights issues for self purpose. States Studies Centre T Australia announced last APEC summit in Lima, Peru. A nationally over the treatment of Rodrigo Duterte said western nations appeared to "be week it had reached a deal in at Sydney University transcript of his remarks to jour- the refugees. very accommodating on (some) human rights (issues), but which the United States would said the deal may nalists was issued by his office. A US veto may force him to suddenly change course and say no" when it comes to wel- take a substantial number of the require further Resettlement is unlikely to search for another country will- coming those fleeing conflict. 1,200 refugees held at the Aus- negotiation once come before Trump's January 20 ing to take them. "You stay there, We will build a wall (and put up) barbed tralian-funded offshore Trump was in office. inauguration, and Turnbull said Under Australia's tough bor- wire (between us and you)," he said of the West. "And now processing centres, although the the timeline would be deter- der security laws, asylum the hypocrite is there, staring at us eyeball to eyeball." election of Donald Trump has mined by American officials. seekers intercepted trying to Duterte told the interviewer that the Philippines would injected uncertainty into the for the presidency by advocat- Professor Simon Jackman, reach the country by boat are accept refugees "until we are filled to the brim", adding that agreement. ing a blanket ban on Muslims chief executive of the United sent for processing at detention his decision was based on western countries' failure to help. Trump started campaigning entering the United States, but States Studies Centre at Sydney camps Manus island and Nauru.

Former Malaysian leader NEWS BYTES joins rally to oust Najib Ex-US envoy held in Sri Lanka for graft Kuala Lumpur Malaysia was "controlled by AFP thieves". Colombo: Sri Lanka's former "Time has come for us to ambassador to Washington was topple this cruel regime. Najib arrested on Friday accused of ormer Malaysian leader is no longer suitable to be the misappropriating more than Mahathir Mohamad called prime minister. He is abusing $350,000, the latest mem- Ffor a sustained push to the law," Mahathir said. ber of strongman ex-president topple scandal-plagued Prime Malaysia has been seized Mahinda Rajapakse's family to Minister Najib Razak as thou- since last year by the 1MDB be investigated for corruption in sands rallied yesterday to scandal, which has sparked office. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, demand the premier's resigna- investigations in several a cousin of former president, tion over the 1MDB corruption countries. was detained at Sri Lanka's saga. Najib, 63, and 1MDB deny main international airport as Malaysians clad in the yel- wrongdoing. he tried to leave the island, an low of the reformist Bersih But the US Justice Depart- airport official said. campaign flooded Kuala ment -- which has filed lawsuits The police had obtained a Lumpur for the second time in to seize assets it says were pur- court order preventing Wick- 15 months to vent anger over chased with stolen 1MDB ramasuriya from leaving the allegations that billions of dol- money -- says the fund was pil- country as the authorities probe lars were looted from state laged in an audacious campaign Pro-democracy group Bersih stage 1MDB protest, calling for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib financial transactions at Sri investment fund 1MDB, Najib's of fraud and theft that involved Abdul Razak to resign, in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Lankan embassy in Washington brainchild. an unnamed top Malaysian during his tenure as ambassa- Speaking to a crowd of at official. dor from 2008 and 2014. least 20,000 under the shadow A Malaysian Cabinet offi- fired the attorney general and Bersih as an opposition plot "to threats by the "Red Shirts," eth- of the capital's giant Petronas cial has since admitted that purged ruling-party critics. unseat a democratically- nic-Malay rightists who support Towers twin skyscrapers, individual was Najib. Few expect him to be top- elected government". Najib, to disrupt the demonstra- 5.4 magnitude quake Mahathir, 91, accused Najib of Najib last year abruptly shut pled anytime soon. Tensions in Malaysia rose tion, but no clashes were stealing public money and said down Malaysian investigations, Najib on Friday condemned in the rally's run-up due to reported. rocks western Japan

TOKYO: An earthquake with a Seismologists preliminary magnitude of 5.4 Dhaka foils 125 Rohingya from crossing border shook western Japan yester- day but there was no immediate warn of more reports of damage and a tsu- Dhaka Myanmar, pushed back a group amid an uptick of violent Troops have poured into nami warning was not issued. earthquakes AFP of Rohingya trying to enter the clashes in neighbouring Myan- a strip of land along the Bang- The epicentre of the earth- country late Friday, local Coast mar's Rakhine state. ladesh border, an area which quake, which occurred at in New Zealand Guard official Nafiur Rahman Another coast guard officer is largely home to the state- 11:48am was in Wakayama pre- angladesh coast guards said. said he saw two bodies float- less Muslim Rohingya fecture, western Japan, the Japan SEISMOLOGISTS in New Zea- prevented 125 Rohingya "There were 125 Myanmar ing in the Naf River during a minority, since coordinated Meteorological Agency said. land said that this week's 7.8 BMuslims from entering nationals in seven wooden patrol. attacks on police posts last Earthquakes are common in earthquake was one of the its territory as the group boats. They included 61 women Up to 30,000 people have month. Japan, one of the world's most most complex ever recorded attempted to escape violent and 36 children. We resisted been displaced by violence in The resurgence of violence seismically active areas. Japan and warned there was a high unrest in neighbouring them from entering our water Myanmar's Rakhine state, half in Rakhine has deepened a cri- accounts for about 20 percent likelihood of further power- Myanmar. territory," Rahman said of which occurred during the sis that has already threatened of the world's earthquakes of ful aftershocks. Authorities patrolling the recently. last week when dozens of peo- to derail the new administra- magnitude 6 or greater. As a massive clean-up Naf River, which separates He added that all of the ple died in clashes with the tion led by Myanmar's continued following the Bangladesh's southeastern passengers were Rohingya military, the UN office said on democracy activist Aung San tremor that claimed two lives border from western who tried to enter Bangladesh Friday. Suu Kyi. early Monday, scientists were coming to grips with the "astonishing" scale of the seismic seizure. The official GeoNet sci- Kin gather at Marcos' ence agency said the land moved up to 11 metres along the many faultlines in the South Island disaster zone, tomb amid protest permanently changing the region's geography. Manila nearly 30 years to have him buried GeoNet said recently that AP at the national cemetery, which is the quake ruptured at least reserved for former presidents, four faults and was "clearly... national artists and soldiers. one of the most complex amily members and followers Thousands of pro-democracy earthquakes that has ever of Philippine former president activists who rallied in Manila on Fri- been observed". FFerdinand Marcos gathered yes- day say the decadeslong debate over There have been well terday for a vigil at his tomb, a day the ex-president's final resting place over 2,000 aftershocks since after his secrecy-shrouded burial at was far from over and they were Monday and the agency said the country's Heroes' Cemetery trig- planning more protests in the days statistical analysis showed gered widespread protests three and weeks ahead. residents should prepare for decades following the strongman's President Rodrigo Duterte, who more major shakes in the ouster. gave the go-ahead for the burial, coming weeks. Marcos' widow Imelda, clad in appealed for calm. The current probability of black, thanked supporters and local "I know Ferdinand will at last be quakes of magnitude 6.0 and officials who traveled by bus from at rest here at the Heroes' Cemetery," above hitting in the next Marcos' northern home province to Imelda Marcos said in front of a black month was "about 100 times pay their respects. tomb surrounded by wreaths of white Philippine former first lady Imelda Marcos speaks to supporters at the graveyard of the larger than what we would She said they had given her fam- flowers. "But I know we still have a normally expect", it said. ily strength as they kept the hope for lot of criticisms to face." late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the national heroes' cemetery in Manila, yesterday. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN 13

Combat drills Youth training Pakistan ahead for high-tech skills to support in issuing legal Vision 2025 ISLAMABAD Internews

ID to citizens THE training of youth for high-tech skills of tomorrow ISLAMABAD is imperative to support Paki- Internews Feather in the cap stan Vision 2025 as digital Acknowledging transformation would drive akistan has virtually Pakistan’s knowledge econ- Pakistan’s efforts, attained one of the tar- omy growth and citizen the Asian gets of the Sustainable well-being. Development Goals Development Bank in Pakistan Vision 2025 out- P a report said, the (SDGs) by providing legal iden- lines goals for country to tity to its citizens, including Nadra system is become world’s top 10 econ- birth registration. considered one of omies by 2047 especially in The target 9 of Goal 16 calls the world’s leading economic diversification and upon the member states of the integrated national greater use of Information United Nations (UN) who have identification (ID) and Communication Technol- pledged to achieve the SDGs by systems. ogies (ICTs) in public and 2030, that they provide “legal private sectors. identity for all, including birth Paramilitary troops take part in combat drills during a ceremony in connection with ‘53rd Newly appointed Country registration”. integrated national identifica- Frontier Corps Week’ in Peshawar, yesterday. Manager of Systems Applica- Since its inception in 2000, tion (ID) system was assessed tions and Products (SAP) in the National Database and Reg- as being at an advanced stage, Data Processing Osman Khan istration Authority (Nadra) has as it uses cutting-edge proc- said as Pakistan's economy been issuing Computerised esses and was near universal shifts to knowledge economy National Identity Cards (CNICs) in its coverage. nationwide digital transforma- to Pakistani citizens and its “The duplication process UN hails law on women protection tion will modernise equivalent to Pakistani diaspora. uses biometrics and is robust government services and infra- A CNIC is issued first at the age while third-party integration is ISLAMABAD ran Michael here. said special committees at dis- structure enhancing businesses of 18, after the resident’s biomet- easy and profuse,” the report Internews The visitor remained with trict level were being formed for and daily lives. rics have been captured. said. “The ID system offers a the minister for some time and the promotion and protection He said using cloud and Acknowledging Pakistan’s means to fast-track the devel- he United Nations wel- discussed matters of bilateral of human rights. mobile solutions organisa- efforts, the Asian Development opment process by providing comed the recent interest with special reference The UN representative con- tions can have real time Bank (ADB) in a report said that, the most efficient way to iden- Tlegislation in Pakistan for to the issues related to the pro- gratulated the government on visibility on their lines of “the Nadra system is considered tify people in developing the protection of women rights motion and protection of human the recent legislation for the business while the govern- one of the world’s leading inte- countries.” and said it would continue sup- rights in Pakistan. protection of women and appre- ment can use dashboards to grated national identification The report claimed that porting and cooperating with The minister acknowledged ciated its endeavours for the measure effectiveness of cit- (ID) systems, and has provided although there was no one the country in this respect. the UN support and assistance promotion and protection of izen services.SAP a global technical assistance to the model for providing a legal The assurance was given by for socio-economic develop- human rights including the technology company has more development of many systems identity, the SDGs encouraged UN Resident Coordinator and ment in Pakistan. rights of women, child protec- than 320, 000 customers in in the developing world.” states to provide people with UNDP Resident Representative He highlighted the steps tion and minorities in the 190 countries including Paki- The report titled ‘Identity free or low-cost access to in Pakistan Neil Buhne during a being taken by the government country. He assured the country stan’s innovators in education for Development in Asia and widely accepted, robust ID meeting with Federal Minister for the protection of human of his organisation’s full support manufacturing telecommuni- the Pacific’ says Pakistan’s credentials. for Human Rights Senator Kam- rights, especially women’s and and cooperation in this regard. cations and utilities. ECP to audit lawmakers’ statements of assets Heavy vehicles

ISLAMABAD lawmakers and had directed its with his statements submitted corroboration from the state Internews secretariat to come up with a in the past two years. agencies concerned for an crunch hits Edhi standard operating procedure This simple comparison may informed decision. he Election Commission of for the exercise, including the indicate the range of variation An official of the ECP said Pakistan (ECP) will start modus operandi and timeline. of information in respect of cost, that those found guilty of con- Taudit of lawmakers’ state- The proposed SOP was changing business trends, acqui- cealing their assets or making Foundation’s work ments of assets and liabilities by approved by the commission yes- sition and utilisation of assets any other false declarations December 1 for the financial year terday outlaying the chain of over the past two years and val- would be proceeded against KARACHI which ended on June 30 this year. command and modus operandi. ues of expenditure. under Section 82 of the Repre- Internews Knocking govt doors This was decided by the ECP Under the approved proce- The variation beyond the sentation of Peoples Act (ROPA). The authorities confirmed which met here with Chief Elec- dure, the process will start with common sense and/or envisaged Section 82 of the ROPA pre- escue operations of the receiving requests from tion Commissioner retired classification of statements of business trends during these scribes imprisonment of up to Edhi Foundation have the Foundation for Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza assets. The statements will be three years may guide the rele- three years for a person guilty come to a standstill as the R immediate permission to in the chair. divided into four slabs of value vant section to classify it as a of corrupt practice, and convic- country’s largest charity is wait- Sources said the ECP, which starting from Rs 1m to beyond simple case with an acceptable tion also entails disqualification ing for government’s approval sell 300 vehicles that was earlier contemplating ran- Rs 1bn. range of increase/decrease in from being a lawmaker or con- to sell more than 300 of its used to take part in its dom scrutiny of 25 per cent of The type of assets will also values or needing further evi- testing polls. heavy-duty vehicles to gener- rescue operations. statements of assets, now be categorised and will include dence for justification of the All members of the national ate funds that could be utilised Because of lack of heavy decided that 100pc statements agricultural property, corporate reported variations in different and provincial assemblies are for buying new vehicles needed vehicles the charity has would be examined to see if or business, real estate property, values. bound under Section 42A (1) of to replace the “obsolete and been unable to effectively these contained any discrepan- industrial establishments and The section may ask for the the ROPA to submit statements useless” ones, officials said. mount rescue operations. cies and apparent lies. domestic and offshore invest- required evidence from the sub- of assets and liabilities of their The authorities in Islama- The ECP had decided last ments and entities. mitter of the form and if the own, along with those of their bad have confirmed receiving month to randomly scrutinise The directorate of political evidence was still found not spouses and dependents annu- requests from the Edhi Foun- the rescue purpose.” annual statements of assets and finance, if required, will com- appropriate to support the var- ally to the ECP by September 30 dation, which is headquartered He said that makeshift liabilities submitted to it by pare a statement of a member iation trends, he may request for each year. in Karachi, for immediate per- ambulances from the Edhi mission to sell the 300 vehicles Foundation and vehicles from that used to take part in its res- other charities and government cue operations. Because of lack departments proceeded to Hygiene concern of heavy vehicles the charity bring the injured to Karachi, Pakistani and has been unable to effectively some 250km from the shrine. mount rescue operations. As a result, more than 12 Indian troops This emerged recently in people lost their lives, mainly the wake of a suicide attack on due to excessive bleeding and exchange fire the shrine of Bilawal Shah delay in start of their Noorani in a remote region of treatment. ISLAMABAD Khuzdar district in which more “How can you expect a hi- AP than 50 people were killed and roof van used as an ambulance scores of others injured. to move the critically injured PAKISTAN'S military says “The situation at the shrine people to Karachi from that Indian troops have conducted grew worse when the Edhi mountainous area more than “unprovoked” cross-border Foundation couldn’t mobilise 250m away within a few hours? firing in Kashmir, triggering its heavy-duty vehicles for sur- It was simply impossible as an intense exchange of fire, vivors of the blast and the the distance and the tough ter- but there was no word on injured people,” said a health rain required heavy-duty casualties on either side. official when he was asked rescue vehicles,” said the A military statement yes- about delays in rescue and official. terday said Pakistani troops evacuation operations. He said that in the past the are returning fire and giving “At the time of the attack foundation had been using a “befitting response.” there were over 1,000 people stronger and better vehicles. However, an Indian army at the shrine, who reached The situation set off alarm officer blamed Pakistan for there from across the country. bells at hospitals in Karachi initiating the exchange. We all know the government’s where doctors and paramedics The latest shootout comes resources and it’s the Edhi kept receiving the injured till after Pakistan’s navy claimed Foundation which always does the next morning, more than 12 it had detected and stopped the rescue work. But they also hours after the suicide attack. People use a public toilet in Lahore yesterday on World Toilet Day. The day is marked Indian submarines from enter- were helpless. Faisal Edhi echoed the con- on November 19 every year in a global campaign highlighting issues around health and ing country’s territorial waters They could only send their cerns but what he described as sanitation. in Arabian sea. India quickly hi-roof vans [used as ambu- the reason for the delays proved denied the Pakistani claim. lances] which can never serve to be more shocking. 14 INDIA SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016

NEWS BYTES Cash crunch: Three soldiers dead in Assam RBI faces ambush NEW DELHI: At least three soldiers were killed when militants fired at an army convoy in Assam's Tinsukia district early Mamata's ire yesterday morning. Union Home Minis- Kolkata Seeking answers ter Rajnath Singh spoke IANS to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal The West Bengal arrying forward her after the militant attack protest against Chief Minister at Pengeri around 5.30 demonetisation, volleyed a number am and said his ministry West Bengal Chief of questions on RBI was closely monitoring Minister Mamata officials asking: the situation. CBanerjee yesterday marched to "How many Rs 100, Defence spokesman the Reserve Bank of India office, Rs 50 denomination Lt. Col. Suneet Newton summoned bank's officials on notes have you in Police detain supporters of Congress party during a protest outside the Reserve Bank of India, earlier said the militants the street and sought answers stock? How many in Ahmedabad, yesterday. first triggered an impro- to her volley of questions about old and new Rs 500 vised explosive device currency situation in the state. notes do you have? Derek O'Brien and a posse of Banerjee also countered the accept all this," she said. blast and then fired indis- "I have the right to seek How much money is mediapersons, waited outside the official, when the latter said peo- When the official said "We criminately attacked the information about my state. In there in the ATMs? RBI office in central Kolkata for ple can deposit old Rs 500 notes will try" -- Banerjee shot back, convoy. fact I would have liked to get 40 minutes before the officials in banks and take out upto Rs "Madam, try is a vague word." information about the entire came out again with some pieces 24,000 from the branches. Banerjee asked them to give country. But you people only of paper. "No, they are not allowing. her the details of the information High turnout in look after this region," Baner- "People are not getting An RBI officer told Banerjee They are not giving. This is not she had sought. Puducherry & TN jee told RBI officials, who money. So I need information." they had Rs 5,586 crore worth the correct information." As two officials gave her two seemed visibly tense. Banerjee When an RBI official told notes. Banerjee told the officials chits, she said "First calculate. by-polls let loose a barrage of her "We will send the informa- But when Banerjee was told four people have committed sui- You're giving two separate chits. questions. tion to you," Banerjee cut her that the new Rs 500 notes had cide in the state over the past 48 This means you are not CHENNAI: Demonetisa- "How many Rs 100, Rs 50 short. arrived only on Friday and were hours as they could not withdraw prepared." tion issues did not deter denomination notes have you "That will not do. I am wait- being despatched to banks yes- money from banks. She then asked the officials voters in three assembly in stock? How many old and ing. Go inside, collate the terday, the Chief Minister "I have no personal griev- to go back to their office. constituencies of Tamil new Rs 500 notes do you have? information and give it to me remarked "That means not a sin- ances against any of you. What The West Bengal Chief Min- Nadu and the lone one How much money is there in here," she snapped. When the gle one of them have been given will you do if they (the govern- ister has been at the forefront of in uducherry in coming the ATMs? How much money RBI officials requested her to to the people of my state so far." ment) don't give you the notes? criticism of the Central govern- out in large numbers to is there in the branches? How come inside the office, the Chief "Now you are saying you are The government is only lying." ment's November 8 move to exercise their constitu- much is the demand? Is the Minister flatly refused. sending. But will the notes reach "Situation is very bad. Please demonetise 500 and 1,000 rupee tional right. According available money adequate to Banerjee, accompanied by people after there are more ensure notes are available in notes, and demanded its with- to Election Commission meet the demand?" her party's Rajya Sabha leader deaths?", she questioned. banks. Otherwise people will not drawal forthwith. officials polling came to an end at 5 p.m. in all the four constituencies. While Thirupparankun- dram saw around 85 per 'Many don't mind inconvenience' MNS chief flays Modi cent polling, Aravakku- richi saw a turnout of New Delhi 200 cities participated in the government later like the use around 81 per cent. How- IANS survey, conducted by citizen of indelible ink, special provi- ever, Thanjavur recorded engagement social platform sion for weddings, mobile for poor planning around 69 percent polling. round 51 per cent of LocalCircles. ATMs and cash availability for In Puducherry's Nellithope respondnets in a survey While currency demoneti- farmers should have been Mumbai "I have spoken to people in constituency where Chief Ahave found implementa- sation was a drastic step, included early on. IANS the BJP, I have discussed it with Minister V Narayanasamy tion of currency demonetisation citizens believe that better According to the survey, 79 RSS people, nobody seems to be is contesting, the polling measure a good step while 24 planning must have been done per cent said they 'on't mind the aharashtra Navnirman happy about it, but all are keep- percentage was around 85. per cent explicitly termed it by the government to avoid inconvenience while another 18 Sena President Raj ing silent.. Even Mohan Bhagwat The figures are provisional poor. long queues at ATMs and banks per cent said its been painful but MThackeray launched a has not yet reacted on it... I won- as the Election Commission Another 25 per cent called for over 10 days now. Also, they still support it. Only 3 per blistering attack on Prime Min- der what's really going on," has to collate final figures. the implementation average. some of the steps suggested by cent said that they were against ister Narendra Modi for the Thackeray observed, addressing Over 9000 citizens from across citizens and taken by the this step of the government. November 8 demonetisation of a large meeting of party leaders high-value currency notes and and grassroots workers. Jayalalithaa warned that if it fails, the coun- He demanded why action has shifted to special try will be pushed to anarchy. not been taken against those Questioning government's hoarding black money and instead room from ICU assertions that preparations for ordinary masses are being pun- demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 ished and made to stand in long CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu rupee notes were made 10 months queues, and more than 40 people Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in advance, Thackeray said if so, have lost their lives. was yesterday to a special "then how come it (the new notes) "There are few ads in print room from the Intensive bears the signature of the new (RBI) media and on TV there are only Care Unit in the Apollo Governor (Urjit Patel)?" commercials by Patanjali (owned Hospitals here, a senior "The BJP has still not submit- by Baba Ramdev)...we know AIADMK leader said. ted its election expenditure for where these come from," Thack- "She has been shifted to a the 2014 polls... If there was so eray said throwing dark hints. special spacious room just much aversion to black money, "There was absolutely no now," AIADMK spokesper- how did Modi get elected," he planning or preparedness before son C Ponnaiyan said. asked, directly targeting the Modi implemented the demon- Apollo Hospitals Chairman Prime Minister. etisation... Everybody says it is Pratap C. Reddy had earlier Denouncing the new decisions good for the nation, but even the said Jayalalithaa is fine and announced daily on money with- PM is not telling how we will ben- she can go home whenever drawals or deposits in banks, efit. We can only pray to God that she chooses to.Reddy had Thackeray claimed it is evident something good comes out.. said Jayalalithaa is breath- now such a major policy was Because, it it fails, the country will ing and sleeping well, and "rushed through" without making be pushed behind by 20-25 years is on ventilator only for 15 Senior citizens gather outside a bank as they wait to deposit and exchange 500 and 1000 proper studies or adequate and be in severe crisis," Thack- minutes daily. rupee notes in Amritsar, yesterday. groundwork on the implications. eray declared. Normalcy returns to Kashmir after 132 days of closure

Srinagar mid-July. Valley witnessed traffic jams as separatists announced evening "I had fixed a new battery in seeing them starve to death," said IANS Many buses and other pub- people came out in large num- relaxations. "Today is different. the vehicle before the trouble Abdul Hameed, 42, who sells lic vehicles started plying early bers to go about their daily Everything is just normal." started here. I would also occa- beddings on a pedestrian mall fter 132 days of closure, the in the morning as people came chores or simply to have a feel Some distance away, Ram- sionally run the engine idle for here. Kashmir Valley burst into out to attend their offices, open of normalcy. zan Sheikh, 54, a shoeshine, said during the hartal to ensure that the The stoic statement from Alife on Saturday morning their shops and visit banks to Muhammad Maqbool, 42, an he made Rs 80 -- his "first earn- battery did not run down. But, Hameed is a terse reminder for with a large number of vehicles withdraw cash. electronics appliance store ing" after all these months of today the vehicle would just not those who believe life can be out on the roads, and markets, Separatist leaders, who had owner in Lal Chowk, is just violence. "I had four customers. start. I had to get a truck to pull- hostaged for too long either by schools, offices and businesses been spearheading the agitation happy to be at his shop during Each one of them gave me Rs 20 start my bus," said Muzaffar. the protest shutdowns or through open for the first time after with their weekly protest calen- normal working hours, hoping for polishing shoes." Ironically, pavement ven- curfews imposed by the months of separatist-sponsored dars, relaxed the shutdown for to stay open till midnight. Asked if he worked during dors, wayside fruit sellers and authorities. shutdown and violent protests. two days, asking people to "I don't want to talk about my the evening relaxation period, roadside barbecue sellers have Officials said attendance in Shoppers thronged Srinagar resume normal activities over losses because that nobody is Sheikh said: "Who would want been better placed than other government offices, banks and markets in large numbers even the weekend. going to make good for me. Yet, a shoe shine when the entire city shopkeepers during the days of post offices was almost full for as demonetisation inconven- Authorities also did not the feeling that I have opened my was closed and on the run?" shutdown. the first time since the unrest, ienced people in the Valley impose restrictions anywhere shop first time during day hours In north Kashmir's Gander- "We have continued some- which left nearly 100 persons where the November 8 surprise yesterday to facilitate free move- after so long is great," Maqbool bal district, Sooda Mir and his son how with our business for the dead, started a day after Hizbul announcement had had little or ment of people and traffic. said. Muzaffar had a tough time start- last two months by risking our Mujahideen commander Burhan no effect because businesses and Many places in Srinagar and He said he had briefly ing their mini bus after all these lives. But it is better to die earn- Wani was killed in a gunfight other activities were closed since other district headquarters in the opened his store earlier when days. ing bread for one's family than with security forces on July 8. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 EUROPE 15 May’s partymen urge her to drop Brexit appeal

London appeal could delay the trigger- administrations some rights or “I wouldn’t have a bet on the May initially wanted to use Fears of delay AFP ing of Article 50 of the European even some veto powers”. government winning this one,” her executive powers to trigger Union’s Lisbon Treaty, which Garnier called on May to he told BBC Radio 4. “It is not the start of the process without Three prominent hree prominent mem- begins formal exit talks. “avoid an unnecessary legal row” good to have a confrontation parliamentary approval by the members of ruling bers of British Prime The comments come a day that could pit judges against the with the courts.” end of March, but the High Court Conservative Party, Minister Theresa May’s after the court ruled the devolved government and involve a “lot In response, 60 Conservative ruling could delay the process. Oliver Letwin, Conservative Party Scottish and Welsh governments of unnecessary expense.” Grieve MPs backed a statement sent to The initial ruling prompted former Edward yesterday urged her to will be allowed to intervene in added that he “can’t see the point the Daily Telegraph calling on outrage among Brexit support- Tdrop the government’s appeal the appeal that is due to take in the government continuing May to seek a full exit from EU ers and parts of the conservative Garnier and Dominic Grieve against a court ruling that par- place next month. with the case and... if they enact institutions, including the single press, with one tabloid branding liament must approve the Letwin told BBC Radio 4 primary legislation, they will get market. the judges “Enemies of the peo- warned that the process to trigger Brexit. that the government should it through parliament.” “The UK must leave the ple”—an attack that sparked a Supreme Court Oliver Letwin, former head scrap the appeal and instead All three were in favour of European Economic Area (EEA) fierce controversy. appeal could delay of government’s Brexit prepara- deliver a “fast and tightly time- Britain remaining in the EU, but and the Customs Union,” said the The concern among the pro- the triggering of tions, former law officer Edward tabled and constrained bill” to pro-Brexit former cabinet min- statement, backed by seven Brexit camp is that pro-European Article 50 of the Garnier and former attorney parliament, avoiding “any risk ister Owen Paterson also urged former cabinet ministers includ- lawmakers will seek to water EU's Lisbon Treaty. general Dominic Grieve all of the Supreme Court deciding the government to shelve the ing Michael Gove and Iain down the break with the EU and warned that the Supreme Court to accord the devolved appeal. Duncan Smith. derail May’s timetable.

Call to shun Green illumination Merkel hints at vote against Hofer in seeking fourth term Berlin Austria polls AP

Vienna erman Chancellor Angela AFP Merkel (pictured) Gdeclared that she feels a SEVERAL top Austrian con- duty to serve her country and servatives yesterday urged Europe, adding fuel to rampant voters to shun far-right can- speculation she’ll seek a fourth didate Norbert Hoffer in next term when Germany holds a month’s presidential election, general election next fall. highlighting fears he could After she hosted a meeting take the country out of EU. of outgoing US President In a manifesto published Barack Obama and the leaders yesterday, senior conserva- of Spain, Italy, France and Brit- tives including former EU ain, Merkel was asked by agriculture commissioner reporters how she sees her Spanish Prime Minister Franz Fischler and ex-vice short- and long-term Mariano Rajoy, who recently chancellor Wilhelm Molterer, Visitors walk along illuminated objects during the Christmas Garden event at botanic responsibilities. won his country’s Parliament’s both from People’s Party garden in Berlin, Germany. “I want to perform my task backing to head a minority gov- (OeVP), said the next presi- as German Chancellor, which ernment after 10 months of dent must be “dependable”. on the one hand is to serve the political deadlock, said Germa- To protect its economic people of Germany, but it also ny’s stability was important for vitality, “Austria must remain includes working for the cohe- Europe as a whole. a trustworthy European and sion and success of Europe,” she “It’s fundamental for international partner,” they Zika no longer a health emergency: WHO replied. Europe that things go well in wrote. The manifesto offered Merkel, 62, is scheduled to Germany, as fortunately they support for Hofer’s liberal rival, Geneva against WHO's decision. Researchers earlier this year hold a news conference late are at this moment,” he said. the independent ecologist AFP “The Zika virus remains a warned that at least 2.6 billion tonight after meeting with sen- Rajoy noted the headway Alexander Van der Bellen. highly significant and long term people live in parts of Africa, ior members of her Christian that populist political groups on Hofer, who heads the far- he World Health Organi- problem, but it is not any more Asia and the Pacific where Zika Democratic Union party. both the left and the right have right Freedom Party (FPOe), sation announced that the a public health emergency of could gain a new foothold, with So far, she has refused to made in Europe lately. In Ger- has not ruled out a referen- TZika virus outbreak, linked international concern,” WHO's 1.2 billion at risk in India alone. say if she plans to run again many, Merkel faces fierce dum on Austria’s future in the to deformations in babies’ heads emergency committee chair Dr Brazil said it would continue But with Europe facing an opposition over her decision to European Union following and brains, no longer poses a David Heymann said. to treat the outbreak as an unresolved conflict in Ukraine, take in hundreds of thousands Britain’s shock vote in June to world public health emergency, While Zika causes only mild emergency. tough talks over Britain’s exit of refugees last year. quit the EU. though it warned the epidemic symptoms in most people, preg- The WHO was careful not to from the European Union and “I’m confident, although “We do not want to be remains a challenge. nant women with the virus risk dismiss the risk still posed by the a politically sensitive influx of next year will be a difficult one faced with speculation about Brazil, the epicentre of the giving birth to babies with virus, which has been detected migrants, whether Merkel will from an election point of view Austria leaving the EU,” the outbreak, has however refused microcephaly—a deformation in 73 countries worldwide, remain as leader of Europe’s in Europe, that things will begin declaration said, referring to to downgrade the risk, while that leads to abnormally small mainly in Latin America and the biggest economy has generated returning to normal,” Rajoy a recent controversy. experts swiftly lashed out brains and heads. Caribbean. interest. said.

Urban cable car French conservatives rally voters for primaries Paris Reuters

he race for France’s con- servative presidential Tnomination looked tighter than ever yesterday, with vot- ing due to begin within 24 hours and polls suggesting whoever emerges on top will make it all the way to the Elysee Palace. Ahead of today’s vote, which will select two candidates for the decisive November 27 second round, centrist Alain Juppe had lost most or all of his early poll- ing lead as his fellow former FROM LEFT: Former prime minister and member of parliament Francois Fillon, former prime prime minister Francois Fillon minister and Bordeaux's mayor Alain Juppe, and former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. enjoyed a late surge. After Britain’s shock “Brexit” vote in June and last week’s elec- “I can sense a surprise com- Lack of confidence in poll- nomination to face Le Pen in the tion of Donald Trump as US ing,” Fillon told supporters at a sters, who failed to predict deciding vote. Juppe is seeking President, the French election rally in Paris. He urged them to Trump’s win and Britain’s vote to draw support from centrists next spring will be the next test “shake up” the primaries, win- to quit the EU, has deepened and left-wing voters determined of strength between weakened ning wide applause and shouts uncertainty surrounding con- to prevent a Sarkozy comeback mainstream political forces and of “Fillon for president” from a servative and Socialist primaries or Le Pen’s National Front from rising populist insurgents. crowd of over 3,000. as well as the election itself. winning power. Opinion polls have for Long trailing in the polls, Fil- But Juppe was confident that Sarkozy, whose campaign months suggested that far-right lon has come from behind in the no such upset will happen. “I am has emphasised law and order, National Front leader Marine Le past week, making the race even not Hillary Clinton,” he said on mocked Juppe at a rally in Pen will make it to the decisive harder to call. He was judged the public radio, “and France is not Nimes, southern France, for run-off in May, but that Juppe winner of Thursday’s final tele- America”. being too “soft”. “I will be the would beat her if he won the vised debate before the weekend Under unpopular President president who re-establishes the conservative Les Republicains vote, an opinion poll showed. Francois Hollande, France’s rul- authority of the state,” he said. nomination. His lead, however, Anyone can vote in the pri- ing Socialists are deeply divided Some market analysts have has been eroded by two party mary, in which there are seven and seen as unlikely to get past started taking more seriously the rivals to his right — ex-president candidates, which opens an the presidential election’s first possibility Le Pen could become The first urban cable car during its inauguration in Brest, Nicolas Sarkozy and Fillon, who already unpredictable contest to round next April. That would president, an event some believe western Fance, yesterday. served as Sarkozy’s prime min- tactical participation by left- clear the way for whoever could weaken or break up the ister from 2007-2012. leaning and far-right voters. clinches the conservative EU and the euro zone. 16 EUROPE SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 Denmark PM IS attack threat looms in Europe: Expert aims to NEW YORK Security concern that will pose a danger to the threat balances “repression and said. “There are some in the broaden govt AP national security of the Neth- prevention” and relies on Netherlands who say shut down Dutch erlands and other European strong cooperation between mosques. That’s absolutely Copenhagen ntelligence experts estimate counterterrorism countries, he said. local and national authorities. wrong policy.” Reuters that the Islamic State (IS) coordinator Dick Schoof said even though the On the “repression” side, he But Van Aartsen said there is extremist group has Schoof said IS group Netherlands hasn’t been hit by a said, fighters returning from a need for vigilance. “The appa- DENMARK'S Prime Minister between 60 and 80 oper- has 60-80 operatives major attack by Islamic extrem- Syria or Iraq are taken into cus- ratus of local government can be Lars Lokke Rasmussen has atives planted in Europe to planted in Europe to ists such as those in Belgium and tody, and courts have recently very important as a watchdog decided to invite two allied Icarry out attacks, the Dutch France, “the chance of attack in handed down six-year prison against radicalization,” he said. political parties to join the carry out attacks. counterterrorism coordinator the Netherlands is real.” sentences in several cases. Schoof stressed that the government ahead of reform said yesterday. “We have seen 294 terror- The government also takes Netherlands does not tolerate negotiations that could lead Dick Schoof said in an inter- ist fighters go overseas in Iraq away passports, freezes assets, “anti-democratic behaviour.” to a snap election. view with The Associated Press The would-be and Syria and there are still 190 and has beefed up security “We try to prevent hate Since last year’s election that would-be fighters are also fighters are also over there,” he said. “And what measures and the police force, preachers coming in by not giv- the government has consisted heeding messages from the mil- heeding messages happened in France and Brus- he said. ing them a visa,” he said. only of Rasmussen’s Liberal itant group “asking them not to from the militant sels and Germany could happen On the prevention side, The government is also con- Party, which holds just 34 of come to Syria and Iraq, but to group “asking them to us.” Schoof said, there’s a lot of cerned about the development 179 seats in parliament, mak- prepare attacks in Europe.” not to come to Syria There are probably between family support, with local of an ultraconservative strain of ing it difficult at times for him One result is that over the and Iraq, but to 4,000 and 5,000 European “for- authorities deciding the best Islam known as Salafism, he said. to gain the majority needed last six months the number of prepare attacks in eign terrorist fighters” in Iraq interventions and providing Last week, Schoof said, the to push through policies. “foreign terrorist fighters” hasn’t Europe, Schoof said. and Syria, Schoof said. education and psychological Federation of Mosques, without “It is my assessment that grown, he said, but the fact that While the number from the help if needed — but there also any urging, sent a letter to all the right thing to do would be they’re not traveling “does not Netherlands, a nation of 17 mil- could be arrests. mosques in the country saying to invite the Liberal Alliance mean that the potential threat of lion people, may seem low, he Jozias van Aartsen, the “the mosques themselves must and the Conservative Party to those who would have traveled and Iraq are scattering the said, “whether there’s 190 or mayor of The Hague, said build- realise that hate speech should join the government with our is diminished.” extremist group’s fighters and 350, I think the number is big ing trust and having close not be accepted in the mosques.” party,” Rasmussen told the Schoof said military opera- supporters. enough to worry.” relations with the Muslim com- “Those are important signals audience at his party’s annual tions to oust the IS from its This will probably lead to a Schoof said the Nether- munity is very important. that you can build on in your convention yesterday. self-declared caliphate in Syria gradual increase of refugees lands’ program to deal with the “They are Dutch citizens,” he trust relationships,” he said. The government on Friday clinched an overdue budget deal for 2017, but still faces tough negotiations on a broad Chugging back to history 10-year financial reform. Frenchman gets life A main hurdle for the reform has been a demand by the Liberal Alliance to cut the for Briton's murder top rate of income tax by 5 percentage points. Agen, France he said after having asked mem- The Liberal Alliance has AFP bers of the victim’s family to threatened to topple the gov- leave the court before reading ernment if that demand is not 32-year-old Frenchman out the long list of physical inju- met. However, it seems was sentenced to life in ries suffered by Price. unlikely that Rasmussen will Aprison for abuse and “He’s not someone who be able to gain support from murder of an 80-year-old Brit- really regrets what he’s done,” a majority in parliament for ish woman in southwestern said the prosecuting attorney. the tax cut. France. Mahaboudi, who was said Pundits have speculated Following the murder, Madi to be addicted to cannabis, was that an invitation to join the Mahaboudi, who has a previ- brother of the victim’s government could soften Lib- ous conviction for a 2005 daughter-in- law. eral Alliance’s demand, but unlawful killing for which he On April 11, 2015, he went the party has not signalled was sentenced to eight years, to Price’s house hoping to find that so far. cut up the body of Violet Price his ex-girlfriend, who had Rasmussen did not extend into seven pieces and discarded recently left him. Price let him his invitation to Danish Peo- them in a field. in and offered a cup of coffee, ple’s Party, the largest of three The court in Agen heard on which his DNA was found. parties supporting his gov- from a medical examiner who Mahaboudi also strangled ernment. He had analysed the said the attack last year on Price the woman he killed in 2005. parliamentary situation and had been particularly violent. “It was stronger than me,” concluded it would be best to Second-hand model railway locomotives are displayed for sale at the Wakefield Railway “In 15 years of practice, I had he said of the urge to murder invite the two other parties, never seen such a degree of Price. “I took hold of her neck Modellers' Society's 55th Annual Exhibition in Wakefield, northern England. with which his party shares bruising on the throat and neck,” and squeezed.” many values, he said. Teachers in Macedonia: 10 intelligence staff suspects in wiretap scandal Poland decry Skopje, Macedonia accusing the prosecutor’s office The large-scale wiretapping foreign spies — and accused Zaev had published dozens AP of working for the opposition. scandal, whose 20,000 alleged Zaev of plotting a coup. of allegedly illegally wire-taped education The special prosecutor’s victims included politicians, The ensuing political crisis, conversations last year, claim- ourt authorities in Mace- office said in a statement that it journalists, judges, police and the deepest since Macedonia ing Gruevski and his aides were donia named 10 former and also believes the illegal eaves- religious leaders, was revealed declared independence from involved in multi-million cor- reforms Cactive intelligence service dropping continued even after last year by the country’s leftist Yugoslavia in 1991, has resulted ruption deals, fabricating employees, including a former the scandal broke in early 2015, opposition leader, Zoran Zaev. in early elections now scheduled election results and intimidating Warsaw head of the agency, as suspects in and unknown persons destroyed He laid blame on conserva- for December 11 after being twice political opponents. AFP the illegal wiretapping of more key evidence of the wiretaps. tive former Prime Minister Nikola postponed earlier this year. Prosecutor Fatime Fetai told than 5,800 phone numbers The 10, including an Gruevski — who governed from Campaigning starts on Mon- reporters in the capital Skopje TEACHERS from all over between 2008 and 2015, a scan- unnamed former head of intel- 2006 until earlier this year and is day, and Gruevski’s conservative that the special prosecutor’s Poland were amongst thou- dal that plunged the country into ligence service, are suspected of running for re-election next party issued a press release office has evidence that the sands protesting in Warsaw a deep political crisis. abuse of power and authority. month — and former intelligence accusing chief special prosecu- unlawful interception of com- yesterday against education The announcement has The special prosecutor’s office chief Saso Mijalkov, who is tor Katica Janeva’s office of being munications continued into this reforms proposed by the stoked tensions ahead of next said any charges would be Gruevski’s cousin. Zaev’s “extended arm” and inter- year, albeit on a smaller scale, right-wing government that month’s early elections, with the brought after conclusion of an The conservatives deny the fering with the election despite the revelations nearly critics say could see thou- governing conservative party investigation into the case. charges — fingering unnamed campaign. two years ago. sands of jobs slashed. The demonstrators are also concerned over proposed changes to the school curric- ulum, including the inclusion France trains eagles Best of the past of “patriotic values” espoused by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. to down drones “I call upon Prime Minis- ter Beata Szydlo and the PARIS reporters. The idea, he says, was government not to destroy Reuters inspired by Dutch police trials. the assets” of the current edu- The millennium-old art of cation system, said Slawomir n a battle between ancient falconry has an advantage over Broniarz, head of the main arts and modern technology, gun use, he said, in cases where teachers’ union. IFrance’s army is teaching large crowds are present, such Whistle-blowing demon- birds of prey to bring down as during annual street parades strators cheered Broniarz at remote-controlled drones where thousands turn out to see Warsaw’s central Pilsudski when they enter no-go urban fireworks shows or the coun- Square. They shouted slogans airspace. try’s president on July 14, a such as “No to chaos in Four golden eagles are get- national holiday. schools”, “Stop education ting military training for combat In theory, the birds can grab reforms”, and “No to revolu- against battery-charged drones or at least halt a drone, many of tion in schools”. that anybody can buy in a local which are now sold in toy shops The reforms envisage store, and fly into security-sen- or stores for enthusiasts of changing the three-tier school sitive zones such as presidential remote-control objects - or system to just two levels, palaces, wittingly or not. would-be militants looking for a which means that many high “These eagles can spot the way to drop explosives from afar. schools will be closed. drones several thousand metres The eagles reduce the risk A stairwell is seen in an apartment block that one of its residents, 65-year-old Volodymyr Critics say the proposal away and neutralise them,” posed by use of bullets in Chayka, has spent the last five years decorating by himself in an elaborate, old-fashioned was drafted in haste and has Jean-Christophe Zimmerman, crowded zone, said style, in a residential district of Kiev, Ukraine. many flaws. a French air force general, told Zimmerman. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 AMERICAS 17

Trump demands Trump defends apology from ‘very rude’ cast settlement in of Hamilton show New York Reuters

fraud lawsuits PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump on Saturday demanded an apology from the cast of New York Sharp U-turn the Broadway hit “Hamilton” AFP for appealing from the stage In a sharp about-turn to Vice-President-elect Mike S President-elect after years of Pence to uphold American val- Donald Trump said refusing to settle, the ues, with the conservative in Saturday that he real estate billionaire the theatre. would pay $25m to said the amount was “The Theatre must always settle lawsuits over a good deal and be a safe and special place. Ualleged fraud at Trump Univer- The cast of Hamilton was very insisted he would sity because he is focused on rude last night to a very good have won the cases leading the country, dismissing man, Mike Pence. Apologise!” any hint of guilt. had they gone to Trump wrote on Twitter, tak- In a sharp about-turn after trial. ing time out from his search years of refusing to settle, the US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice-President-elect Mike Pence welcome Mitt Romney for appointees to his incom- real estate billionaire said the as he arrives for a day of meetings at the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, ing administration. amount was a good deal and who failed to succeed had only New Jersey, yesterday. “Our wonderful future VP insisted he would have won the themselves to blame. Mike Pence was harassed last cases had they gone to trial. But with the resident-elect night at the theatre by the cast “I settled the Trump Uni- apparently seeking to put the of Hamilton, cameras blaz- versity lawsuit for a small thorny matter to rest as he Surge in US deportations could ing. This should not happen!” fraction of the potential award builds his cabinet, a deal was Trump wrote. because as President I have to reached. Pence was greeted with a focus on our country,” he “Today’s $25m settlement swamp an overtaxed system mix of boos and cheers as he tweeted. agreement is a stunning entered the Richard Rodgers “The ONLY bad thing reversal by Donald Trump and Theater in New York on Friday about winning the Presidency a major victory for the over Washington authorised. could be redeployed to other night to watch a performance is that I did not have the time 6,000 victims of his fraudulent Reuters The Executive Office of areas, more agents would likely of the highly acclaimed musi- to go through a long but win- university,” New York state Immigration Review, which need to be hired if deportations cal about the country’s ning trial on Trump U. Too Attorney General Eric Schnei- S President-elect Donald adjudicates immigration cases, were sharply escalated, said an founding fathers, played by a bad!” he added. A trio of suits derman said. Trump’s plan to rapidly has so far been able to fill only Immigration and Customs racially diverse cast. brought by former students in A spokesperson for Schnei- Udeport two to three 294 judge positions out of the Enforcement official who asked After the show, Brandon New York and California derman’s office said the million illegal immigrants with 374 Congress has authorized not to named. The agency Victor Dixon, who plays alleged that the Trump train- settlement covers all three criminal records would further because the process is slow by would probably need to add America’s third vice-presi- ing programme—which was class-action lawsuits against tax a system already stretched necessity. Candidates for the job detention space as well, the dent Aaron Burr, read a not an accredited college or Trump University: two in Cali- to its limits, current and former “face a rigorous screening official added. statement directed at Pence university, and operated from fornia dating to 2010 and one US immigration officials say. process comparable to that of More apprehensions of while standing in front of the 2005 to 2011 — fleeced stu- in New York filed in 2013. Immigration courts, which the appointment of a US migrants could also strain the cast in full costume. dents by tricking them with Robert Guillo, a 76-year- issue deportation orders, set attorney,” said spokeswoman Border Patrol, which has “We, sir - we - are the aggressive marketing. old New Yorker who spent bond and grant or deny asylum, Kathryn Mattingly. struggled to fill open positions. diverse America who are Students paid as much as nearly $40,000 on tuition currently have a backlog of Trump said last week after Congress has mandated a force alarmed and anxious that $35,000 to enroll, wrongly alongside his son, previously more than 500,000 cases. his election victory that once he of more than 21,000 border your new administration will believing they would make it told reporters that the pro- Boosting staff could help takes office he will move to agents, but it currently stands at not protect us, our planet, our big in real estate after being gramme was an “absolute address the problem but that deport or incarcerate up to three just over 19,000. children, our parents, or taught by what the Manhattan scam.” “I learned absolutely could prove difficult. Officials at million illegal immigrants who Former US Border Patrol defend us and uphold our mogul described as experts he nothing,” he said. “He fooled the Departments of Justice and have criminal records. chief Mike Fisher said the inalienable rights,” Dixon had hand-picked, the suits me for $35,000.” Homeland Security say they At the US Immigration and agency ran into problems a said. Pence had already said. The agreement came just have had trouble quickly finding Customs Enforcement, a force decade ago after Congress asked begun to leave his seat as Trump’s lawyers had coun- before a hearing in a San Diego and vetting enough qualified of 6,200 agents responsible for it to double the number of Dixon began his remarks, vid- tered for years that many federal court was about to begin candidates to fill all the positions arresting and deporting Border Patrol agents from 6,000 eos posted on social media students had given the pro- deciding on Trump’s request to for judges and immigration criminal migrants is already to 12,000 between 2004 and showed. gramme a thumbs-up and those delay the trial. agents that Congress has spread thin. While some agents 2006.

2 moose found Obama bans parts frozen mid-fight near remote of Arctic off-limits Alaska village for oil drilling Anchorage, Alaska AP Washington migration routes, crucial feed- AFP ing grounds, seafloor habitats TWO moose were recently and the larger Arctic marine discovered frozen in battle S President Barack ecosystem, said the Pew Char- and encased in ice near a Obama declared por- itable Trusts. remote village on Alaska’s Utions of the Arctic Oceana’s senior vice pres- unforgiving western coast. off-limits for oil exploration ident for the United States, Brad Webster, a middle for the next five years, dealing Jackie Savitz, said she was school teacher in Unalakleet, a blow to Republican efforts “hopeful” about charting a captured images of the mas- to expand fossil fuel new course for protecting the sive animals poking through extraction. Arctic, rather than trying to the ice as they lay on their The decision means new exploit it. sides with antlers apparently oil and gas exploration leas- “The decades-long push to locked together. ing in the Chukchi Sea and drill in the Arctic has put this Demonstrators march during a protest against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near He had taken a friend Beaufort Sea will not be con- unique and diverse ecosystem the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. who recently moved to the sidered until after 2022. at risk, cost tens of billions of village for a walk on Novem- “Given the unique and dollars and created significant ber 2 near a frozen slough at challenging Arctic environ- controversy without provid- Dakota Access 'pipeline not to be rerouted' Covenant Bible Camp, where ment and industry’s declining ing the promised benefits,” she Webster volunteers as a camp interest in the area, forgoing said. steward. “That’s when we lease sales in the Arctic is the “Companies have been Washington since September, when federal the permitting issues, citing pro- saw it,” he said in a phone right path forward,” Interior given every opportunity to find Reuters regulators including the Army tests that have sometimes interview. He initially thought Secretary Sally Jewell said in oil and have failed at every Corps of Engineers decided to re- turned violent at Cannon Ball, it was just one moose that a statement. turn because of the extreme nergy Transfer Partners LP review permitting under Lake where the Standing Rock Sioux had been shot but when he The US government made conditions and limited win- Chief Executive Officer Oahe, a federally owned parcel have erected a large camp that got a closer look, he saw the a similar announcement in dow for operations there.” EKelcy Warren said the of land where the pipeline needs they plan to man throughout the second moose. March, when it removed the The US plans offered 11 company will not consider to cross. winter. He also asked for assist- It took him a moment to Atlantic Ocean from the five- potential lease sales -- 10 in rerouting its Dakota Access oil The stoppage came after ance in law enforcement from realise what he was seeing, year road map. the Gulf of Mexico and one off pipeline despite concerns voiced protests from the Standing Rock federal authorities. he said. It was the end of Environmental groups the coast of Alaska in the Cook by US native groups. Sioux tribe, whose reservation “Further delays simply pro- moose rutting season, and the hailed yesterday's decision as Inlet area. President Barack Obama is adjacent to the federal land long the risks to public safety, animals likely were fighting historic and coming at a key “The plan focuses lease said earlier this month the gov- where the pipeline runs. prolong the hardships endured over a female moose. Web- moment, as President-elect sales in the best places—those ernment was examining ways The US Army Corps of by area residents and increase ster speculates that one of the Donald Trump has promised with the highest resource to reroute the pipeline. Engineers elected to review costs incurred by the state of animals was wounded by the to expand drilling for oil and potential, lowest conflict, and Energy Transfer did not their permitting again, and this North Dakota and Morton other animal’s antlers, and to revive the American coal established infrastructure— immediately respond to calls past week deferred a decision, County,” he said in a perhaps died as their antlers industry. “Today’s news and removes regions that are seeking comment. Warren did citing concerns about the tribe statement. were caught together, drag- couldn’t come at a better simply not right to lease,” said say that he would like to meet having been moved off its The 1,885-km pipeline is ging the rival down with it. time,” said the Sierra Club. Jewell. tribal leaders to ease their con- lands in the past. expected to take oil from North “It was a very interesting “President Obama has pro- House Speaker Paul Ryan, cerns about the project. Early yesterday, North Dakota’s Bakken shale region experience,” Webster said of tected the Arctic and Atlantic a Republican from Wisconsin, The Dakota Access Pipeline Dakota Governor Jack Dalrym- to Patoka, Illinois, en route to the discovery. Oceans from Big Oil.” The said lawmakers would work has been delayed ple asked the Army to resolve the Gulf of Mexico. decision will protect wildlife to overturn the plan. 18 AMERICAS SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 Obama faces tough questions about Trump

Lima faces an uncertain future. Matthew Goodman, an expert on prompted concern in Japan and not be abandoned. AFP TPP deal meet Although the White House Asian economics with the Center South Korea in particular by Many Pacific countries are The US President admits the chances of passing the for Strategic and International questioning decades-old mutual clamouring for deeper trade ties S President Barack planned to meet deal are slim, Obama will urge Studies. defense obligations that under- with the rest of the world. Obama faced tough leaders to give the new president “But there are 11 other coun- pin their security. leaders of the 12 But in the United States and questions yesterday time to formulate his policy. tries in TPP and I think that it is National Security Advisor throughout the West, opposition countries in Lima, about Donald From Obama down, officials possible that they will agree to Susan Rice said ahead of is growing to deals that many say Trump’s victory on Peru negotiating the have stressed that the election go ahead and pass TPP,” he Obama’s visit that allies should have contributed to jobs being Uthe last foreign visit of his pres- Trans-Pacific has not changed US economic added in an interview, saying the expect those obligations to hold. sent overseas. idency, to a summit of Pacific Partnership, a vast and strategic interests, and that others could “tweak” the agree- “It is manifestly in the United Obama is likely to make the leaders that has been upended US-led trade accord Trump may yet recalibrate his ment to keep it alive without US States’ interests for these alli- case that globalisation is a fact by the US election and concerns that Trump opposes views. participation. ances to endure and to be a of life, and modern trade deals— about China’s rise. and now faces an But there is little chance Some allies are turning their source of confidence to our part- with sturdy environmental and The US president and other uncertain future. Trump’s Republican allies in attention to a rival Chinese- ners and for them to understand labor provisions—help shape that top world leaders, including Chi- Congress would ratify TPP any- backed free-trade agreement. that they don’t need to come out trend in the right direction. na’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s time soon. Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, from under the US umbrella,” she Obama is also set to hold Vladimir Putin, are in Lima, Peru “That is a real blow to US who took domestic political risks told reporters. talks with the leaders of Russia, for an Asia-Pacific Economic Obama is set to meet leaders interests, economically and stra- to back TPP, visited Trump in Stressing that she did not Canada, Australia, Peru and, cru- Cooperation (APEC) summit of the 12 countries negotiating tegically, in terms of our position New York on Thursday to hear want to speculate about Trump’s cially, China’s Xi—the final whose staid agenda has been the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or in Asia, but I think that is the from the president-elect foreign policy, she sought to meeting between the leaders of hijacked by Republican billion- TPP, a vast US-led trade accord reality, that the US is not going himself. reassure key US allies in NATO the world’s two largest economic aire’s shock election win. . that Trump opposes and now to be participating,” said The real estate mogul has and the Pacific Rim that they will powers. New deaths spark Giant blob of foam fears for fragile fills California street San Francisco AFP

Colombia ceasefire A GIANT moving blob of foam filled a street in Santa Clara, California, pro- Bogota to raise funds in the past. viding hours of entertainment after a AFP Avila warned the ceasefire snafu at a fire-suppression system in “could break down... because an airport hangar. he deaths of two Colom- the conditions for the gather- “It looks like a huge foam party bian guerrillas sparked ing of the forces are not clear, gone bad,” an unnamed witness told Tfears this week that the or because the FARC in their ABC affiliate KGO television. country’s fragile peace process camps are out of money and are The outlet said the foam was at could be in peril after voters trying to raise funds.” least 10 feet tall at one point as it spilled rejected an accord to end the Senior FARC commander out of the building, a new private jet half-century conflict. Carlos Antonio Lozada said the hangar at San Jose airport, and filled Colombian authorities said force demanded “a forensic the equivalent of an entire city block. the two fighters of the Revolu- investigation to determine One man biked through it, emerg- tionary Armed Forces of whether there was fighting or ing covered in the white stuff. Colombia (FARC) died Sunday not,” in a video message “It just feels like soap,” the man in a clash with the army. released on Thursday. said. “Kind of smells like it too.” They were the FARC’s first United Nations observers The San Jose Fire Department said fatalities since the government are in Colombia preparing to the foam, a fire retardant usually used joined it in a bilateral ceasefire monitor the FARC’s demobili- A TV cameraman films fire retardant foam blowing in the wind after a fire alarm to put out blazes, oozed out due to an in August—though the rebels sation under the hoped-for malfunctioned in a hangar, near the San Jose airport in Santa Clara, California. alarm malfunction. cast doubt on whether fighting accord. had taken place. The monitoring body, “This shows how fragile the grouping UN, Colombian gov- bilateral ceasefire is,” said Ariel ernment and FARC Avila, an analyst at the Peace and representatives, expressed Venezuelan first lady’s kin convicted in drug trial Reconciliation Foundation. “concern” over the possible The FARC had gathered its impact of Sunday’s deaths. New York individuals tied to Venezuelan Prosecutors said recordings David Rody, a lawyer for members in special demobili- In a statement, the monitor Reuters government to drug trafficking. of meetings with two DEA Flores de Freitas, told jurors sation camps to await the final said it was investigating and They face up to life in prison informants showed the nephews much of the evidence came from approval of the accord. But the would make “the necessary wo nephews of Venezue- when they are sentenced. Their wanted cash to counteract a paid DEA informant posing as “No” vote on October 2 threw recommendations so that this la’s first lady were found lawyers indicated in court they money they believed the US was a Mexican cartel member who their future into uncertainty. kind of incident does not occur Tguilty on US charges that planned to file post-trial motions supplying to opposition before later pleaded guilty to lying to The government and the again.” they tried to carry out a multi- challenging convictions, though Venezuela’s December 2015 the government to engage in FARC announced a new deal on The UN High Commission million-dollar drug deal to did not specify on what grounds. National Assembly elections. drug trafficking himself. November 12, but the level of for Human Rights representa- obtain a large amount of cash to “Our client’s obviously disap- Maduro’s Socialist Party lost The informant, Jose Santos- support it enjoys remains tive in Colombia, Todd help their family stay in power. pointed, but we want to see what its parliamentary majority after Pena, subsequently testified at unclear. Howland, warned that violence Franqui Francisco Flores de next steps are,” said Randall Jack- the election. trial under the terms of a coop- Colombian President Juan was rising in former conflict Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo son, a lawyer for Campo Flores. Defence lawyers said neither eration agreement with the US Manuel Santos himself warned zones. Flores, nephews of Cilia Flores, Flores de Freitas, 31, and man was sophisticated enough government that would have in announcing the new agree- Criminal groups are seek- wife of Venezuelan President Campo Flores, 30, were arrested in to have carried out such a mas- helped him avoid a lengthy ment that “the ceasefire is ing to fill the “power vacuum” Nicolas Maduro, were convicted Haiti in November 2015 and flown sive drug transaction, nor did prison sentence if he testified fragile.” left by the FARC when it by a federal jury in Manhattan of to the US following a sting opera- either intend for any drugs to be truthfully. “The uncertainty generates regrouped to disarm, he said. conspiring to import cocaine into tion orchestrated by US Drug shipped into the United States. But after defence lawyers fear and increases the risk of Sunday’s violence alone the United States. Enforcement Administration. The government of Venezuela presented evidence they said this immense effort being was “not enough to break down The case has been an embar- Prosecutors said the two has not commented on the trial showed he was lying on the thrown away,” he said. the ceasefire,” said Frederic rassment for Maduro amid men plotted to use a Venezue- and did not respond to a request stand and orchestrating drug Some sources suggested the Masse, an expert at Bogota’s economic and political crises in lan airport’s presidential hangar for comment on the verdict. Last deals from prison prosecutors FARC members were killed Externado University. the South American nation. The to send 800 kgs of cocaine to January, the Venezuelan first lady took unusual step of announc- while extorting money from “But it must not be repeated case was one of several in which Honduras for shipment into the said her nephews were kidnapped ing Santos-Pena’s cooperation civilians, as the FARC have done too often,” he told reporters. US prosecutors have linked United States. by US authorities. deal would be ripped up.

Gunmen kidnap 12 people Cry for water in southern Mexico Acapulco, Mexico missing have received phone “There has been a phenom- AFP calls from kidnappers demand- enon in Tierra Caliente, which ing ransom money. is a very poor, rural and isolated unmen have kidnapped The abduction may have area, of mass kidnappings by at least 12 people, includ- been perpetrated by a criminal members of organized crime Ging two children, in a group known as Los Tequileros, who are doing business with this southern Mexican region where Alvarez said. type of crime,” Alvarez said. gangs have perpetrated a series The mass kidnapping took Police have detained kid- of mass abductions, authorities place in a region known as nappers, “but this phenomenon said early yesterday. Tierra Caliente, or Hot Land, continues to defy the authori- The van that was used to where 21 men were kidnapped ties,” he said. transport the group was found in January and found alive days Such kidnappings show that burnt on a road between the later. That same month, four gangs specialising in kidnap- hamlets of San Jeronimo and teachers who had been kid- pings are no longer targeting just San Cristobal, Guerrero state napped elsewhere were wealthy victims in Mexico. security spokesman Roberto rescued, while another was Officials at the state prose- Alvarez said, citing witnesses. found dead. cutor’s office say Los Tequileros He spoke of around 30 Another 21 people were kid- are hired guns of the Guerreros armed people who abducted “a napped and later rescued by Unidos drug cartel, which con- group of between 12 and 14 police in a cave in the same trols much of the opium poppy A demonstrator holding a bucket protests over the ongoing drought in the center of La people.” region in early 2015, and 13 sus- production and heroin smug- Paz, Bolivia, early yesterday. Some of the relatives of the pects were arrested. gling in the region. SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016 HOME 19

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.34 am Kids take to the ramp at UDC fashion show SHOROOK 05.54 am

ZUHR 11.19 am MAGHRIB 04.46 pm ASR 02.23 pm ISHA 06.16 pm

WEATHER TODAY

21oC 30o C Minimum Maximum

The Peninsula the runway, focused on warm winter colours, rich season fabrics and a mix nited Development Com- of sporty and elegant fashion picks for pany (UDC), a Qatari boys and girls, the line-up was meant leading shareholding to encourage parents to embrace mix- company and master and-match tips and tricks to dress up developer of The Pearl- their little ones for any occasion. UQatar, is continuing its series of This fashion show was hosted as successful family entertainment events part of UDC’s on-going efforts to build held during weekends at its iconic synergies with retail tenants at its flag- Island destination, with a second Kids ship development, while maximising Kids showcasing the collection. Fashion Show dedicated to children’s exposure of their offerings to the

Expected strong wind and high couture which was held last Friday. increasing number of visitors during seas. Hazy to misty at places at first Sponsored by Blue Salon Kids, peak weekend hours. service for all children models and them the values of team work and dis- becomes mild daytime with slight Mimisol and Barcarola boutique for A stunning showcase of talent Hospitality Development Company cipline, alongside the opportunity to dust and some clouds, relatively clothing and Trinity Talent Qatar for staged by little stars of various ages offered event catering and gift vouch- embrace the limelight within a fash- cold by night. young models, catwalk training and and nationalities – the second Kids ers for kid models. ion event of this caliber. HIGH TIDE 09:15 - 21:30 LOW TIDE 01:15 - 17:30 music, the event featured little fash- Fashion Show was seen by all retail- All other children attending the The Pearl-Qatar where the fash- ionistas which strutted the runway at ers at The Pearl-Qatar as a spectacular event were treated to goodie bags ion show event took place is a unique Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department the internal shopping arcade in 1 La treat for shoppers and a magnet for sponsored by Tickles and Giggles and and innovative urban development in Croisette, allowing parents and chil- families. Cool de Sac at The Pearl-Qatar and Qatar that portrays a glamorous water- LATEST NEWS dren to visit Blue Salon Kids and Creative Party offered water, pop Twyla Nursery participated with a front lifestyle for both its residents and UPDATE Mimisol’s nearby stores and Barcarola corn and cotton candy for the fashion table stand showcasing its unique, one- visitors. This architectural marvel in boutique in 18 La Croisette to view the show audience while KobecoConcept of-a-kind preschool concept in Qatar the form of an island offers several complete winter season’s collections created a both elegant and joyful setup at The Pearl. types of accommodation and residen- www.thepeninsulaqatar.com after the show. for kids and their families. Makeup The idea of the show is to give chil- tial districts with lavish retail, marinas While the collections for District extended hair and make up dren confidence and help instill in and entertainment facilities. 20 HOME SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2016