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Sunday 22 October 2017 | 2 Safar 1439 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7322 | 2 Riyals

Tamim Al Majd souvenirs Tillerson lauds Car insurance Kuwaiti mediation Washington QNA policies see S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson praised the role UKuwait played ‘to diplo- matically seek a resolution’ for the ongoing Gulf crisis, while US huge increase President Donald Trump lauded the Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sachin Kumar Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al The Peninsula Sabah and his influential role in The value of written the Middle East region. atar’s insurance sec- premium grew by In statements reported by tor has exhibited an over 150 percent to Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) yes- impressive growth in QR13.45bn in 2016 terday, Tillerson hailed the Kuwaiti the past five years from QR5.3bn in 2012, mediation and its role in finding a Qwith value and diplomatic solution to the Gulf cri- according to the Ministry number of premiums growing sis. Tillerson also welcomed substantially. of Development Planning Kuwait’s recent commitments to The value of written pre- and Statistics data. The several of Trump’s regional prior- mium grew by over 150 percent number of insurance ities, including its response to to QR13.45bn in 2016 from Trump’s historic call for action to policies jumped by Customers buying Tamim Al Majd souvenirs at one of the shops in Souq Waqif. QR5.3bn in 2012, according to defeat the ISIS and prevent terror- around 55% to over 1 Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula Ministry of Development Plan- million in 2016 from ism and violent extremism, during ning and Statistics data. The the Riyadh Summit. number of insurance policies 707,840 in 2012. jumped by around 55 percent to over 1 million in 2016 from 707,840 in 2012. sector in coming years. However, When it comes to number cargo insurance share will Unesco: How Qatar took on the world...and nearly won of policies, Qatar insurance increase further with increase in market is dominated by car cargo movement helped by The Peninsula the world’s richest country per Qatari foreign minister lik- insurance. Out of the total 1 mil- opening of Hamad Port,” he said. capita. Among the various alle- ened this ludicrous demand lion policies, around 963,000 After the car insurance, o say that the Middle gations were that Qatar is to if China were to call for the policies were related to car cargo and fire and theft insur- East is a region of insta- funding terrorism. Having an UK to shut down BBC. insurance. ance are another major Tbility would be an amicable relationship with Iran Currently, no evidence has “Qatar is a car loving nation, contributors to Qatar insurance understatement. The ongo- seems to only make things surfaced to back up these so it natural to see car insur- industry. Number of car insur- ing violence in Syria & Iraq worse. claims. On the contrary, Qatar ance dominating the insurance ance policies have increased by receives heavy international The coalition includes has insisted, that along with industry but if you look at in 62 percent to 963,000 policies news coverage. Now though, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the the US, it has fought tirelessly terms of value of written pre- in 2016 from 593,868 policies it seems it’s perpetuated up United Arab Emirates and in the War On Terror. miums then cargo insurance is in 2012. Cargo insurance poli- through to the highest levels Bahrain. The coalition has It would make sense too, also a major category,” said a cies issued last year were 25,361 of diplomacy. called for the shutdown of Al seeing as the US military has senior official of insurance while policies for fire and theft Four months ago, a coali- Jazeera. A preposterous claim, a middle east headquarters at company. “Car insurance will were 9,863. tion of Arab nations abruptly as Al Jazeera is widely consid- the Qatari Al Udeid Airbase. H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz continue to play a dominating cut off all diplomatic ties with ered the only true bastion of role in country’s insurance → Continued on page 4 Qatar. Qatar is famous for being free press in the region. The → Continued on page 2 Al Kawari

Driving licence ban on select QTA plans representative jobs temporary: Al Kharji “People who are concerned about their ineligibility to offices in India and Russia apply for driving licence, with the recent ban on some The Peninsula position to accelerate that job categories, have a news to cheer up as the General growth, and to increase the Directorate of Traffic has said that the ban was a temporary tepping up efforts to pro- number of markets covered by mote Qatar’s tourism offering our promotional efforts.” measure and will be lifted once infrastructure projects are Sinternationally, Qatar Tour- Last month, QTA set up rep- completed,” Brig Mohammed Saad Al Kharji, Director of the ism Authority (QTA) gathered resentative offices in China, with General Directorate of Traffic, toldThe Peninsula in a representatives of its global offices headquarters in Beijing, and with members of the local tour- supporting locations in Shang- two-part exclusive interview. → See page 3 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ism industry at the Tourism hai and Guangzhou. The opening Marketing Framework Summit. came as Qatar was officially At the event, QTA’s interna- awarded Approved Destination tional marketing strategists and Status (ADS), allowing it to members of the tourism sector at the World Tourism Day offi- receive tourists from China and discussed ways to expand the cial celebration in Qatar last to promote Qatar as a tourism Over 20 projects by Ashghal for presence of Qatar’s destination month, details a plan to generate destination within China. brand globally, and increase the global interest in the country and India, Russia and China are impact of international promo- an expansion of Qatar’s network among 80 countries whose tion campaigns, particularly as of tourism promotion offices. It nationals have been granted a Al Shamal and Ruwais under way the tourism industry begins also calls for close collaboration visa waiver by Qatar. This allows implementing the Next Chapter between QTA, Qatar Airways, and them to enter the country visa The Peninsula Sports Club, in presence of a including the project of Al of the Qatar National Tourism destination management com- free, provided they have a pass- number of directors and officials Shamal city’s health and well- Sector Strategy. panies in the country, to package port that is valid for a minimum he Public Works Author- of Ashghal and municipalities, ness center which contract for “We are building a solid products and events that deliver of 6 months, and a return or ity (Ashghal) is that the integrated plan of Ash- its construction was signed at platform in Asia from which we complete Qatar experiences for onward booking. Timplementing more than ghal includes 20 different the signed during the meeting can promote Qatar as a welcom- prospective visitors. Marketing Qatar internation- 20 projects to serve Al Shamal projects. the with Al Jaber Trading and ing, authentic and easily “Our efforts to achieve the ally entails close collaboration City and Ruwais. These projects, The projects include devel- Contracting Company with cost accessible destination,” said targets of the Next Chapter are between public and private sec- with a total budget of over opment of roads, infrastructure, of QR144 mn. Rashed AlQurese (pictured), already underway, and seek to tor partners, including hotels, QR2.2bn, will be completed in sewage and buildings in Al The contract was signed by Chief Marketing and Promotion build on everything we have tourism establishments and the 2022. Shamal city and Al Ruwais to the Chairman of the Public Officer of QTA. “Before the end achieved since 2014,” remarked national airline – Qatar Airways. Dr Saad bin Ahmed Al serve about 3,600 plots of land, Works Authority, Dr Saad Al of the year, we aim to establish Rashed AlQurese. “Thanks to the The quarterly summits allowed Mohannadi, Chairman of the including completed projects Mohannadi and Mohammed presence in India and Russia, foundations we have laid over QTA’s international teams to Public Works Authority revealed worth QR 1.4bn. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Al which are both among the the past few years, from open- interact with their counterparts in a meeting, held with the com- Furthermore, the plan con- Jaber Group. world’s largest exporters of ing nine offices across the world in Qatar, while staying up to date munity leaders and residents of sist a number of new projects tourists,” he added. to launching 260 global cam- with the destination latest Al Shamal City at Al Shamal with value of QR850m, → Continued on page 2 The Next Chapter, launched paigns, we are in an ideal developments. 02 HOME SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017

More than 20 Ashghal projects for Minister attends ARADO session in Rabat Al Shamal & Ruwais under way

Continued from page 1 of roads and infrastructure aim- Al Tamimi noted that the san- ing to rehabilitate the existing itation projects in Al Shamal city Commenting on the event local and interior roads with and Ruwais, includes construc- Dr Al Mohannadi thanked Al- length of 73km. tion of a sewage pumping station Shamal Municipality and all In addition to establishment with a capacity of 95 liters per concerned bodies for facilitat- of a new sewage network with second, and sewage treatment ing the meaningful meeting, length of 91 km and construc- plant of Al Shamal city. which reflects the keenness of tion of 12 intersections, 28 km Engineer Mohsen Al Rashid, the governmental bodies and of sidewalks and 8,000 parking Director of Building Projects at institutions in the state to coor- spaces, installation of about Ashghal, reviewed the plan for dinate and cooperate with each 3,680 lighting poles, and 1,000 building projects in Al Shamal and other to support the implemen- signing boards in the area Al Al Ruwais. The most important of tation of various projects and Tamim were outlined. these is the health and wellness achieve the best for this He also pointed out that these center, which covers a total area country. projects will be completed in the of about 25,000 sqm and differ- Such meetings are essential third quarter of 2019. More ent sections and facilities. to meet citizen’s needs and find projects include construction of He pointed out that the solutions to their demands, listen roads such as the road leading to center includes about 315 to their proposals and desire, the pisciculture project of prawn shaded parking spaces. The which Ashghal authority carefully fish farming at the west of Al project is expected to be com- studies to take them into account Shamal city, Huwailah road to pleted in the fourth quarter of The Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr. Issa bin when it develops projects and link the area of Hawailah with the 2020, he added. provide with services. Al Shamal street and the road Engineer Al Rashid, also Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, with other officials at the meeting of the Executive Board of the For his part, Engineer Saud leading to the complex of animal highlighted the plan for build- 106th Ordinary Session of the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), Al Tamimi, Director of Road farms in Al Shamal he added. ings which included held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. The two-day meeting discussed the implementation Projects, reviewed infrastruc- There are also a number of serv- construction of several six edu- of previous Executive Board decisions, the selection of an audit office for 2018/2019, the ture projects that going to be ice roads serving schools, truck cational projects within the city position of States on their financial obligations to ARADO and the actuarial study of the implemented in the area. The parking, labour camps that will of Al Shamal, including four special funds of the Organisation. plan includes the development be built, he further explained. schools and nurseries. Unesco: How Qatar took on the world...and nearly won Continued from page 1 for”. To add to the drama, President statement Kitts and Nevis has created new bonds Trump of the United States announced about its for Qatar and this indeed has given the This election was widely referred to his plan to withdraw the country from pursuit for small nation a stronger foreign policy as the ‘Arab election’. Uniquely, 4 of the UNESCO. Israel was to follow suit. Both diversity and advantage. 8 candidates in contention were from countries have loudly accused UNESCO understand- His campaign, director by Dentons the Arab world. Up until now, no leader of anti-Israel bias in the past. Whether ing. This strategist Richard Griffiths was hailed as of UNESCO has come from the Arab the thought of a Qatari Director-Gen- election was a great success for Qatar by the interna- world. Many diplomats around the world eral was the last straw is only the perfect tional community as Hamad al Kawari and those in the media have said it’s speculation. Perhaps, President Trump time to visited every country on the 58 member their time. was simply in another insular, anti-dip- appoint an executive board. This intensive campaign- For the fifth and final round of vot- lomatic mood. arab candi- ing gave Qatar and their candidate a ing, the top two candidates from the Al-Kawari was the first candidate date. Instead strong foothold in regions such as Latin previous day would compete. However, to announce his campaign and had of striving to America, South Asia and East Africa. Azoulay and Khattab were tied for sec- begun work almost 2 years ago. Con- depoliticize Even if Al-Kawari had secured the ond. Votes were first taken to decide sidered the underdog from the the agency, it extra 2 votes, would these countries who would go against Al-Kawari. beginning, Al-Kawari visited over 60 allowed itself have kicked their level of spite up a France’s Azoulay prevailed and thus world leaders during that time. Each to be swayed notch? It certainly is not out of the ques- the world waited for the final round of visit, he would seek to understand the by political tion. Rumours suggested that Al Kawari voting against Qatar. needs of each nation so he could best infighting would never take office as Egypt, Saudi The Arab, anti-Qatar coalition had serve them as head of UNESCO. UNESCO gain from the appointment and the bullying of the United States. Arabia and the blockade countries lost their preferred candidate, Khattab. Entering the first round of voting, it of Azoulay? would spare no expense or political cap- Despite Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the was clear he was the underdog no more. For France, not much. France Is Qatar the real winner here? ital to block him from taking office. The UAE not having a seat on the Executive Al-Kawari had already received the firm already has formidable soft-power as a Qatar’s Al-Kawari began the race as UN general conference still would need Board, their influence no doubt is support of many around the world. Sup- nation. It is considered by many to be an underdog, fought his way to the front to confirm him on Nov.10 in New York. substantial. port came from nations as diverse as the cultural capital of the world and is of the pack and it required a regional What remains is the fact that Qatar They could have embraced the fact Sweden, Pakistan, South Africa and Gua- the country frequented most by tour- crisis to defeat him. With the United has shown that when it comes to the that with Al-Kawari, the arab world temala. With such strong support from ists. It’s unlikely that the head of States throwing a tantrum and choos- highest levels of diplomacy, it is a con- could, for the first time, have one of their Latin America, Guatemala’s own can- UNESCO being French will do much for ing to leave the agency, would have tender. Despite the regional squabbles, own at the head of UNESCO. Or they didate pulled out of the race in support it. In addition, France has significant Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bah- Qatar won the support of half of the could choose to act spitefully and under- of Qatar. issues with maintaining its own cultural rain had followed suit? world. Qatar may have lost the Direc- mine his efforts. Unfortunately, they Despite it all, the fierce Arab lobby institutions, the additional burden of Qatar through Al Kawari’s global tor General of UNESCO post but they chose the latter. The Egyptian Foreign against Qatar tipped the balance. In the UNESCO may eventually turn out to be campaign was able to gain significant have gained in Al Kawari an interna- Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry was final round, Azoulay won the required a diplomatic failure for the French Gov- support from the developing nations and tionally known Statesman with rather explicit in this. He was seen majority of 30 votes. Al-Kawari was just ernment as many regions felt France small islands nations. In a highly signif- significant backing globally. openly finger prodding and berating the 2 votes short, with 28. had little or no right to even contest for icant diplomatic bow to his candidature, This support will not be forgotten Ambassador Kenya to vote against The results pose key two the post due to the unofficial regional Guatemala withdrew its candidate in by either side. Perhaps Qatar is just get- Qatar. His words were “despite it being questions: rotation of the UNESCO DG post. favour of Qatar. The support from El Sal- ting started, and the world has shown a blind vote, we’ll know who you voted What if anything did, France or For UNESCO? It doesn’t make a strong vador, Guatemala, Argentina and St. Qatar they can be a player globally.

‘Maharat Qatar’ boosts students’ skills Meet condemns hate speech The Peninsula applied learning, so students can expe- Kiev rience the importance of STEM, and QNA atar National Robot Olympiad encourages pursuit of these subjects (NRO) 2017, Aspire Ladies Sports once they reach post-secondary, STEM articipants in the international conference on QHall, in collaboration with Qatar careers are vital to growing and the role of religious values in promoting com- Shell, and North Atlantic Qatar (CNA- advancing Qatar’s economy” Dr. Ken Pmunity stability and spreading a culture of Q) hosted “Maharat Qatar” event. MacLeod, President, CNA-Q said. coexistence and rejection of hatred, which was Maharat Qatar is a program to sup- During competition, students were organised by Doha International Center for Inter- port student engagement and skills in tasked with building and programming faith Dialogue (DICID) in the Ukrainian capital of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer- LEGO MINDSTORMS robots under strict Kiev in cooperation with Ukrainian Dialogue and ing and Mathematics) subjects, and to time limited to complete set of chal- Communications Center, called for enhancing reli- promote the application of technology lenges. Mohammed Abu Jbara, gious values in societies, particularly among youths, which will enhance the learning envi- Cooperate and Social Responsibility through correct understanding of religious issues. ronment for students. Manager at Qatar Shell, said “I was highly In the final statement of the conference, par- Andrew Faulkner, Managing Direc- impressed with the level of commitment ticipants called for hard work and constant search tor and Chairman of Qatar Shell and talent that students showed today for the reasons for people’s fall for hatred and Companies, said “We are proud to be and we believe Maharat Qatar program working to overcome it. They also condemned all sponsoring Maharat Qatar 2017 with will help contribute to students pursu- kinds of hate speech and intolerance that lead to CNA-Q, which we believe will support ing science tracks at school and later violence. the Qatar’s vision of nurturing the next increase the number of those pursuing The conference stressed the main role of reli- generation of leaders in STEM area in technical and engineering majors in their gious leaders in promoting a culture of dialogue and line with the human development pil- post-secondary studies” peaceful coexistence and the need for solidarity with lar and Qatar National Vision 2030”. “It was great to see the students from individuals and communities who are exposed to “This weekend has been a truly schools across Qatar competing in NRO, hate speech, highlighting the importance of the Kiev magnificent display of talent from We have delivered robotics training to Initiative for the protection of religious freedom and Qatar’s best and brightest, giving stu- over 300 school teachers this year at enhancing human rights. dents opportunity to compete against CNA-Q, it is wonderful to see the train- DICID Chairman Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi their peers in robotics activities helps ing has been passed on to their students, presented a working paper on the contributions of harness their creativity and introduces With Qatar Shell’s support, we will be the State of Qatar and DICID in spreading the cul- them to wonderful world of STEM, as able to expand our skills development ture of coexistence and rejection of hatred. Qatar’s premier technical College of framework and further engage students A group of intellectuals and researchers from applied learning, CNA-Q is proud to and teachers from schools throughout the three heavenly religions took part in the con- host such an event, for the first time Qatar in other STEM-related competi- ference, which is the first of its kind to take place this year with Qatar Shell, Maharat tions” Dr. Theodore Chiasson, Dean of under official sponsorship from Ukraine’s Depart- Qatar program speaks to the power of Information Technology at CNA-Q, said. ment for Religions and Nationalities. SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 03 Driving licence ban on select jobs temporary

100,000 vehicles Brigadier Mohammed Al Kharji also said that the Saad Al Kharji, number of vehicles which have Director of the registered this year is about General Directorate 100,000 vehicles, which means of Traffic said, “Once Qatar economy is strong and the number of investors has increased. the construction of There is direct co-relation between roads is completed, the the number of vehicle registrations banned professions and the number of driving licenses will be allowed to he added. More than 99 percent of traf- apply for driving fic accidents which cause serious licenses. Actually, I injuries involve just one party can’t say it was a ‘ban’ where a driver meets accident due but I can say it is just the banned professions will be to careless driving and over- allowed to apply for driving speeding. Vast majority of the temporary decision.” licenses. Actually, I can’t say it was vehicles found after accident are Various training cars at the Gulf Driving School, yesterday. Pics: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula a ‘ban’ but I can say it is just tem- free of defect, Al Kharji said add- porary decision” he stressed. ing our major challenge is The General Directorate of over-speeding. should appreciate the fact that the violations, in addition to radars, less width than the allocated lane Sidi Mohamed Traffic at the Ministry of Interior The accidents between two awareness among Qatari youth has especially the mobile radars, is allowed but they have to take The Peninsula (MoI) had banned around 180 job parties usually cause minor inju- increased about the risk of traffic because motorists don’t know its license for it. categories from getting driving ries and rarely lead to serious accidents”. locations so remain careful, unlike He also added that all the eople who are concerned licences. injuries or death. He said that the department is the fixed ones as people know its motorcycles which is more than about their ineligibility The job categories that are Over the department’s efforts focussing on spreading awareness location and they reduce speed 50cc must get a number plate and to apply for driving barred from securing a driving to reduce traffic department, he through all media specially social only when they reach near them. also the caravans because it is like licence, with the recent licence include grocer, newspaper said that the department rely on media so that the message can All these things have contributed the vehicles. There is a committee ban on some job cate- vendor, barber, servant, cosme- awareness among motorists. We reach to every section of the soci- of decreasing traffic deaths. which is sent to winter campers Pgories, have a news to cheer up as tologist, security guard, porter, encourage them to avoid speed, ety. Also the presence of police is for license and to put plate number the General Directorate of Traffic shepherd, butcher, tailor, gold- mentioning that “we necessary to control traffic Number of deaths falls on the caravans because the car- has said that the ban on some job smith, agricultural worker, The first statistics this year avans can block the camera to categories to get licence was a decoration technician, mining until now mentioned that the capture the vehicle’s number in temporary measure and will be technician, beautician and number of deaths due to traffic case it has committed any traffic lifted once infrastructure projects mechanic etc. accidents in Qatar has declined violation. are completed. To address traffic jams, a compared to previous year but the New motorcycles can now “The ban of many job cate- number of roads and bridges will next two months will be a chal- renew their (Istimara) in the first 3 gories to apply for driving license open soon during next two months, lenge as the winter season is years without technical inspection is a temporary decision and not Al Kharji said adding that “Lusail beginning and the movement of The owners of new motorcycles a permanent one. It is just underpass and Al Rayyna bridge vehicles will increase. can now renew their road permits because that many roads are (near of Al Rayyan park) both will Road fatalities dropped to 178 (Istimara) in the first three years under constructions and devel- open by the end of December. This in 2016 from 227 in 2015, accord- without technical inspection like opment, so the department opening will contribute to reduce ing to data released by the General the cars. Few weeks ago an offi- excluded some job categories traffic jams. Directorate of Traffic. cial from technical inspection of from securing licenses, especially About the pedestrian bridges, Al Kharji urged people to tell the Traffic Department said that the categories in which cars are he said that the General Directo- police in case they have caravans, new motorcycles have to pass not necessary for their profes- rate of Traffic is coordinating with and trailers, which they want to technical inspection every year. sions,” Brigadier Mohammed Saad Ashghal to allocate the spots which move if its width is more than 3.65 Many bikers were not satisfied Al Kharji, (pictured) Director of witness more of traffic accidents metre which is more than the allo- with that but Al Kharji said that the General Directorate of Traffic specially run-over accidents and cated lane for every vehicle. If the according to the traffic law the new told The Peninsula in an exclusive Ashghal has started building a size is more than a police patrol motorcycles is like any other new interview. number of such bridges and soon must accompany the caravan, oth- vehicle and do not need to pass Al Kharji also added “Once the will start in important areas inside An instructor at the Gulf Driving School advising new students erwise it may cause traffic technical inspection in the first construction of roads is completed, Doha. during a gear-shifting exercise using simulators. accidents. The small caravans with three years. Five QU students learn principles of biobanking

The Peninsula

atar Biobank recently concluded its ‘Summer QExperience Program’ for university students and recent graduates. Five students – three graduates and two undergrad- uates from the biomedical sciences programme at Qatar University – completed the four-week programme, which is aimed at understanding the principles of biobanking and in particular, the work carried out by Qatar Biobank. The students also learned about the laboratory techniques used by Qatar Biobank, includ- ing DNA extraction and quantification. The Summer Experience Program is part of Qatar Biobank’s continuous efforts to train future leaders in biobanking. “As Qatar Biobank works to create a healthier local popu- lation, it’s critical that the nation’s youth undertake biobanking and genomic stud- ies, so the next generation of healthcare providers can build on the work we’ve already done,” said Dr. Nahla Afifi, Edu- Students from Qatar University listen to an expert about cation and Scientific Manager, and Acting Director of Qatar biobanking and other laboratory techniques during the Qatar Biobank, a member of Qatar Biobank Summer Experience Program. Foundation for Education, Sci- ence and Community better health for the people of greatest health challenges fac- Development. Qatar. ing Qatar and the region, Through its ongoing collect- As the largest population- including cardiovascular dis- ing of information about the based health initiative ever ease, obesity, diabetes, and health and lifestyles of local undertaken in Qatar, Qatar cancer. populations and biological sam- Biobank will make it possible For more information about ples, Qatar Biobank is creating for researchers and scientists Qatar Biobank, please visit: a path towards personalized to conduct research into the www.qatarbiobank.org.qa/ medicine that will promote risk factors for some of the home 04 HOME SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017

Insurance sector 6,000 breast screenings held shows major growth Continued from page 1

through HMC & PHCC program There are 18 insurance companies currently work- The Peninsula increases survival rates. a Mobile Mammogram Screening ing in Qatar. In recent years “The Breast and Bowel Screen- Unit regularly visits the other cent- Qatar’s insurance sector has creen for Life’, the ing Program is a life-saving ers. To book a screening expanded swiftly, on the back National Breast and initiative that aims to promote edu- appointment the public should call of government spending, eco- Bowel Cancer Screening cation, awareness and early one of the centers or ask to be nomic development and ‘SProgram led by the Pri- detection of breast and bowel can- referred by their primary health steadily increasing awareness mary Health Care Corporation cer in Qatar. Screening tests can care physician. of the benefits of coverage (PHCC) and supported by Hamad help find cancer at an early stage The National Breast and Bowel among the nation’s rapidly Medical Corporation (HMC), has before symptoms appear. By the Cancer Screening Program is growing population. conducted over 6,000 breast time symptoms appear, the can- essential to reducing the incidence Between 2005 and the screenings since the program was cer may have grown and spread. of breast cancer in Qatar by pro- end of 2015 the industry launched in 2016. Early diagnosis and treatment of viding fast, high-quality services posted a compound annual The program, which is con- breast tumors significantly improve that help in the early detection of growth rate (CAGR) of 21 per- ducted under Qatar’s National survival rates,” said Dr. Al Obaidly. breast tumors and the develop- cent, according to data from Cancer Program, represents a shift She added that if something sus- ment of appropriate treatment Moody’s. By the end of 2014, towards preventive and commu- picious is found during the initial plans. Qatar was the third-largest nity-based care and mainly targets screening, patients are referred to Dr. Al Obaidly says that women insurance market in the women aged 45 to 69. HMC for additional tests. HMC and aged 45 and above are encouraged region, accounting for around According to Dr. Amal Al PHCC have worked together to to be screened for breast cancer. She 10 percent of premiums writ- Obaidly, Deputy Chair and Senior develop a process that facilitates says women should be observant ten in the GCC, noted Oxford Consultant in Radiology at the early detection and diagnosis and for any persistent lumps in the Business Group. National Center for Cancer Care treatment, ensuring patients feel breast or armpit, changes in the Experts say that insur- and Research (NCCCR), the pro- supported. At NCCCR, patients shape or size of their breasts, and ance activity will further get gramme encourages women with undergo more extensive screen- breast skin changes, such as dim- a boost by ongoing infra- no symptoms to receive breast can- ing, including an ultrasound or pling, puckering, redness, increased structure projects related to Dr. Amal Al Obaidly, Deputy Chair and Senior Consultant cer screening through biopsy. warmth, thickening, or itching. She the FIFA World Cup in 2022. mammography, which is gener- Dedicated breast and bowel also advised that nipple changes, in Radiology at the National Center for Cancer Care and The ongoing illegal blockage ally considered safe, quick, and screening centers have been such as sudden inversion, discharge, Research (NCCCR), explains about ‘Screen for Life’, the imposed by the siege coun- relatively painless. She said early opened at PHCC’s in Al Wakra, or scaling may be a warning sign of National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Program, led tries will not have any impact detection of breast cancer vastly Leabaib, Rawdat, and Al Khail, and breast cancer. by PHCC and supported by HMC. on Qatar’s insurance sector. QIC holds blood donation campaign Students design hovercraft

The Peninsula

atar Insurance Company at Texas A&M at Qatar camp (QIC), the leading insurer Qin the MENA, recently held The Peninsula a blood donation campaign at QIC’s headquarters in West Bay. early 40 students in The campaign was organ- grades 7 through 9 from ised by QIC’s Corporate Neight local schools Communications & Public Rela- across Qatar recently partici- tions Department in pated in Engineering Explorers collaboration with Hamad Med- STEM enrichment programme ical Corporation (HMC) Blood hosted by Texas A&M Univer- Donation Unit. HMC mobilised sity at Qatar. its blood donation bus along The thirty-six students — 24 with its medical unit to assist in girls and 12 boys — represented the successful completion of the Hayat Universal School, blood donation drive. Many QIC Dukhan English School, Qatar staff donated blood during the Academy, Qatar Academy This file photo shows Salem Al Mannai, Deputy Group blood donation campaign. Sidra, Awsaj, Sukaina Prepar- Delighted by the excellent turn- President & CEO QIC MENA, during the blood donation camp. atory School for Girls, Gharnata out of employees who Girl Preparatory School for volunteered and supported the gratifying to see such support donation drive is an integral part Girls and AlBayan Girls cause, Abdulla Y. Al Mulla, from our staff and I hope this of the framework of QIC’s Cor- Preparatory. Group Chief Administrative would serve as a source of inspi- porate Social Responsibility The four-day event aimed Officer of QIC Group, thanked ration for others in the future.” (CSR) and engagement towards to familiarise young students the staff for their participation Commenting on the initia- the community. As a responsi- with engineering and the sci- and stated, “It is indeed tive Mulla stated, “The blood ble corporate citizen, we will ence behind it. The programme continue to participate in included science activities, activities related to health, hands-on engineering projects Students work on a project at the Engineering Explorers STEM wellness, environment to and contests to challenge stu- enrichment programme by Texas A&M University at Qatar. demonstrate our unwaver- dents’ math and science skills. ing commitment towards the Students learned about science A&M at Qatar’s STEM Hub, payload and reliability in coastal community and the Nation.” concepts, design, teamwork and funded by Qatar National cleanup. “The Mechanics” com- creativity through interactive Research Fund. prising students from Qatar activities conducted in Texas Engineering Explorers is the Academy Sidra and Dukhan Eng- latest in a series of STEM lish School won the first prize for (science, technology, engi- their design, exceptional team- neering and math) work and outstanding workshops offered by Texas construction. A&M at Qatar. The work- Dr. César O. Malavé, dean of shops are designed to Texas A&M at Qatar, said, “Texas interest bright, young stu- A&M at Qatar is dedicated to dents in pursuing helping Qatar meet its need for engineering and science new engineers that will move career paths to develop the the country toward its goals. scientific workforce Qatar Through engaging STEM pro- needs to reach the goals of grams such as Engineering Qatar National Vision 2030. Explorers, we hope to inspire a Built around the engi- new generation of engineering neering design and leaders who will drive Qatar to fabrication processes, Engi- its future success.” neering Explorers teaches Dukhan English School stu- students how to solve prob- dent and returning participant lems systematically and Khalid Hamad Al-Jabari, who understand how to imple- said he wants to be an electri- ment STEM basics into their cal engineer like his dad, said, future science projects. With “Engineering Explorers is a a theme of using technology challenging program, which for coastal cleanup, the stu- taught me how to create a dents designed a machine from scratch using the battery-powered hovercraft engineering design process. capable of cleaning the Texas A&M at Qatar programs coastline offshore and show how engineers use their onshore. talent to turn dreams into real- The students researched ity and this gives me an idea hovercraft theory and ways what to expect in the future.” in which components of the Cynthia Bolton, Gifted hovercraft contribute to how Coordinator for Qatar Founda- it works. They then imple- tion, said, “The Texas A&M mented their designs using University at Qatar Engineer- 3D printing technology. ing Explorers program gave our The workshop ended students an exceptional oppor- with a competition between tunity to see science in action the fabricated hovercrafts to in a collaborative environment evaluate design, speed, with like-minded peers.” SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 HOME 05 Community school for Nepal on the anvil

Sanaullah Ataullah The Peninsula Ahmad Jassim Al Jolo, President of the atari job market needs Federation of Arab Engineers and Chairman a big number of engi- Qatar Society of Engineers, said: “We have neers of all many development projects related to specialisations, said FIFA World Cup -2022 and Qatar National QAhmad Jassim Al Jolo, President of the Federation of Vision -2030 that require a huge number of Arab Engineers and Chairman engineers”. Qatar Society of Engineers. Speaking with The Peninsula project has been completed, country. The students of other on the sideline of a programme Birendra Kumar Sah, First Vice- community will be allowed to to celebrate 55th Engineers’ Day, President of the Association told take admission. Al Jolo, said “we have many The Peninsula. “More than 300 Nepali expa- development projects related to Sah said that the Association triate families with about 600 FIFA World Cup -2022 and Qatar had made a proposal to Nepal school going children are living National Vision -2030 that Embassy for building a school in Qatar and currently the stu- require a huge number of and cultural center and the pro- dents are going to different engineers”. posal has reached its final stage. schools. The proposal aims at He said that construction “The embassy has processed bringing all Nepali students sector needs huge workforce the proposal and has forwarded under one roof, said Sah. Ahmad Jassim Al Jolo (Third left), President of the Federation of Arab Engineers and Chairman including engineers, technicians, to Nepal to get approval from the He said that the association Qatar Society of Engineers, and Abdullah Ibrahim Nur Al Emadi with the members of NEA and other professionals and government. The proposal has has succeeded in set up relations workers. been approved from Nepal gov- with Nepal Embassy, local con- guests during the launch of the souvenir of 55th Engineers’ Day. The event was organised by ernment. Only the financial sultancies and contracting firms. Nepal Engineers’ Association aspects of the projects are left to “More than 500 Nepali engi- Ibrahim Nur Al Emadi,” former engineers in Qatar to be part of engineers, belonging to various (NEA) to mark 55th Engineers’ be sorted”, said Sah. neers are working in Qatar. Chargé d’Affaires of Qatar the development for the pros- engineering disciplines includ- Day at Radission BLU hotel on Sah said that the proposed Today around 145 engineers with Embassy to Nepal. perity of Nepal”, said Sabkota. ing architects, civil, electrical, Friday. school, which will be the first their families got together to cel- First Secretary of Nepal Mohammad Ayub, member mechanical, electronics among An ambitious project of NEA Nepalese school, with the capac- ebrate Engineers’ Day,” said Sah. Embassy, Nitesh Sabkota called of Executive Committee of NEA others and coming from both the to construct a community school ity of around 1,000 seats will “Nepalese engineers and Nepalese engineers in Qatar to gave thanksgiving speech. public and private sector. and a cultural centre for Nepa- have international curriculum workers are part of the develop- make their contribution in the NEA is an independent non- The event also witnessed cul- lese expatriates will soon see the including subjects required by ment of Qatar and they are development of their country, profit organisation of Nepalese tural programs and launch on light of the day. “About 70 per- national curriculum like social playing significant role in vari- Nepal. engineers established in 1962. It Souvenir of 55th Engineers Day cent paper work on the proposed science and history of the ous sectors, said Abdullah “I request all Nepalese represents around 35,000 Edition for 2017 . Education City deans meet with US Embassy Charge d’Affaires

The Peninsula University’s new state-of-the-art Dean Ahmad S. Dallal from Geor- share some of NU-Q’s most sig- media and communication getown University in Qatar and nificant achievements,” said illiam Grant, the Chargé building. Dean Akel I. Kahera from Virginia Dennis. “The US Embassy has d’Affaires, interim of The purpose of the visit was Commonwealth University supported our mission from the Wthe US Embassy in to introduce Grant, who was School of the Arts in Qatar joined very beginning and we always Doha, Qatar, visited Northwest- recently appointed to Qatar, to NU-Q Dean Everette E. Dennis welcome the opportunity to ern University in Qatar (NU-Q) as the American campuses in Edu- for the meeting. explore areas of mutual collabo- part of a visit to all American uni- cation City, showcasing “We were honoured to host ration.” After the meeting, Grant versities in Education City. institutional achievements and Grant’s visit to the American uni- took a tour of NU-Q’s building. In addition to attending a academic offerings, as well as dis- versities in Education City, and During his tour, Grant spoke with William Grant, the Chargé d’Affaires, interim of the US meeting with Education City cussing opportunities between to have the opportunity to show- faculty and students about their deans, he also took a tour of the the universities and the embassy. case our new building and to experiences at NU-Q. Embassy in Doha, during the visit to NU-Q. NAMA Center signs agreement with UNFPA to develop youth programs The Peninsula       n continuation of its youth development and empower-          Iment approach, NAMA Center, one of Qatar Foundation for Social Work’s (QFSW) affiliated     ƾ  !   Centers, has signed a coopera- tion agreement with the United  "  "      Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to develop the youth programs provided by the Center. #    $   % &  The signing ceremony was held at NAMA Center’s headquar-    ' !    ( ters, where the Center’s Acting Executive Manager, Maryam bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, signed the )   *+,,,, ! +,-./ 0 * 12 34* +.,.5 agreement on behalf of NAMA, while the UNFPA Director for the NAMA Center’s Acting Executive-Manager, Maryam bint           Arab States Regional Office, Dr. Abdullatif Al Mannai, signs the agreement with the UNFPA Luay Shabaneh, signed on behalf Director for the Arab States Regional Office, Dr. Luay Shabaneh, of the United Nations Fund. at NAMA Center’s headquarters. UNFPA is one of the most MOSQUEMOMOSQSQUEUE OFO F ABUA BU BAKR BAKR supportive institutions of youth issues, including their right to them refine their abilities and contribute to the achievement of quality education and health hone their personal and practi- the Qatar National Vision 2030. services of all kinds, in order to cal skills to qualify them to This also comes as part of the D empower youngsters with the participate effectively in their State of Qatar’s policy in the field OA

knowledge and skills to protect own personal development and of human development and RO ROA G

themselves and make appropri- that of their community. We are entrepreneurship support, which N I

ate decisions to realise their full definitely looking forward to underlines the importance of the R CRING ROAD C ROAD potential, towards contributing more cooperation with interna- role of youth in the efforts to to positive economic and social tional bodies and organizations achieve sustainable growth and DOHADODOHAHA MMUNICIPALITYUNUNICICIPIPALALITITY transformation in their active in the fields of youth prosperity in the country. communities. development, as a service to our It is worth mentioning that, UNFPA is also investing in future generations and develop- emanating from her desire to youth as the vanguard of future ing our society.” achieve human and social devel- leadership of their countries who NAMA Center offers many opment in the State, H H Sheikha TOTO DOHA DOHA are capable of achieving stabil- initiatives, programs and scien- Moza bint Nasser established MUNICIPALITYMUNICIPALITY ity and prosperity. tific and practical courses aimed NAMA center in 1996, with the

On this occasion, Maryam at youth in various fields. The aim of providing a stimulating D

bint Abdullatif Al Mannai, Acting Center also strives to meet the environment that contributes to A O

Executive Manager at NAMA requirements for social entrepre- investing in the potential and RO

G PETROLPETROROOOL STATIONSTTATATATION

Center, said: “The signing of this neurship, as well as support creativity of youth, as well as to N I

important agreement with the startup owners and provide them meet their needs and aspirations R CRING ROAD CRING ROAD C ROAD CRING ROAD UNFPA comes in the context of with all forms of moral, material, as partners in civil work, while the Center’s continuous efforts consultative and logistical sup- exploring the best opportunities  to cooperate with international port in order to help them and innovating to lead the ren- With Regards Public Relations and Communication Department

developmental institutions and achieve their aspirations, which aissance of their communities. CALL CENTER : 184 ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES : 998 organizations concerned with serve the community, diversify “By youth and with youth, we youth, with the aim of helping the national economy and shape our stances towards Qatar” 06 HOME / MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017

Somalia readies NEWS BYTES Trump: Raqqa fall to for ‘state of war’ as toll reaches 358 Toll from Egypt gun battle rises to 52 CAIRO: At least 52 Egyptian police and conscripts were killed Mogadishu and six more wounded in a gun battle on Friday during a raid on see end of IS caliphate AP a suspected militant hideout in the western desert, three secu- rity sources said yesterday. Sources had said late on Friday at omalia’s president yester- least 30 police were killed. Egypt is battling an Islamist insur- Washington President Bashar Al Assad. He day urged troops to gency concentrated in the Sinai peninsula from two main groups, Reuters also did not spell out how the prepare for a “state of including an Islamic State affiliate, that has killed hundreds of Trump said the US S United States would support war” against the Al Shabaab security forces since 2013. The interior ministry said security S President Donald campaign against local security forces. extremist group blamed for the forces hunting down Islamist militants in the region were attacked Trump yesterday Islamic State, which A White House spokesman country’s deadliest attack, as late on Friday on a road to the Bahariya oasis, some 200km hailed the defeat of was launched by his said US policy towards Assad the toll reached 358 with doz- southwest of Cairo. An official statement said a number of the Islamic State fight- predecessor Barack “remains the same.” US officials ens still said to be missing a attackers were killed, but did not give any figures for losses on ers in their Obama, would soon enter have said Assad has no future week after the truck bombing either side. According to a source close to the security services, Uself-proclaimed capital of Raqqa governing Syria and US envoy in Mogadishu. the convoy was hit by rocket fire. The attackers also used explo- as “a critical breakthrough” in a a new phase, in which to the United Nations, Nikki The United States is sive devices. There has not yet been a claim of responsibility. A worldwide campaign against the the United States would Haley, said last month a stable expected to play a supporting fake claim in the name of the small extremist group Hasm, militants. “support local security Syria was not possible while he role in the new offensive, a reported by multiple local media, spread on social media soon On Friday, the Kurdish- forces, de-escalate remained in place. Somali military official said. The after the attack. dominated Syrian Democratic violence across Syria, and The fight against Islamic official spoke on condition of Forces (SDF) formally advance the conditions State has taken place amid a anonymity because he was not announced Raqqa’s liberation wider, multi-sided civil war authorized to speak to report- Syrian troops capture town from IS from Islamic State after four for lasting peace, so that between Assad’s government, ers. While President Mohamed months of battles and said the the terrorists cannot which is backed by Iran and Abdullahi Mohamed’s emer- BEIRUT: Syrian government forces and their allies regained con- city would be part of a decen- return to threaten our Russia, and an array of rebel gency speech to lawmakers was trol yesterday of a predominantly Christian central town that tralized federal Syria. collective security again.” groups supported by other postponed, he spoke to army sleeper cells of the Islamic State group captured late last month. “Together, our forces have powers, including the United units at a training camp on the The government-run Syrian Central Military Media said “the Syr- liberated the entire city from States. outskirts of the capital. Army ian army and its allies have restored security and stability to ISIS control,” Trump said in a Experts believe the defeat of spokesman Capt. Abdullahi Qaryatayn” after clearing the town of out IS fighters. The cap- statement. local security forces, de-esca- ISIS at Raqqa may only be the Iman said the offensive involv- ture of Qaryatayn came after nearly three weeks of fighting that “The defeat of ISIS in Raqqa late violence across Syria, and start of a wider struggle by the ing thousands of troops will try saw IS capture areas it had earlier lost in an offensive by Syrian represents a critical break- advance the conditions for last- United States to contain any to push Al Shabaab fighters out government forces and Iranian-backed militiamen under the through in our worldwide ing peace, so that the terrorists insurgency launched by the mil- of their strongholds in the Lower cover of Russian airstrikes. Earlier this week, IS lost control of campaign to defeat ISIS and its cannot return to threaten our itant group and to stabilize the Shabelle and Middle Shabelle the northern city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of its self-declared wicked ideology. With the lib- collective security again.” region, as Washington grapples regions where many deadly caliphate, after a four-month offensive by the US-backed Kurd- eration of ISIS’s capital and the “Together, with our allies with defining a comprehensive attacks on Mogadishu and on ish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Last week, IS lost its stronghold vast majority of its territory, the and partners, we will support strategy in Syria. Somali and African Union bases of Mayadeen in eastern Syria. IS still holds parts of Syria’s east- end of the ISIS caliphate is in diplomatic negotiations that end On Friday, French President have been launched. ern Deir el-Zour province and Iraq’s Anbar province, as well as sight.” the violence, allow refugees to Emmanuel Macron said France’s The truck bombing, which small, scattered pockets elsewhere. The loss of Qaryatayn is Trump said the US campaign return safely home, and yield a military would continue its fight Somali intelligence officials another blow for the extremist group. against Islamic State, which was political transition that honors against Islamic State in Syria, have said was meant to target launched by his predecessor the will of the Syrian people,” but that the fall of the militant the capital’s heavily fortified Barack Obama, would soon he said. group’s bastion in Raqqa needed international airport where 120,000 Iraqis flee to Erbil, Sulaymaniya enter a new phase, in which the Trump’s statement made no to lead to an inclusive political many countries have their United States would “support mention of the future of Syrian system to restore stability. embassies. BAGHDAD: The Ministry of Immigration in Iraq said yesterday that about 120,000 people have been displaced from Kirkuk and Tuzkhurmatu districts of Salah Al Din province, since the Iraqi forces launched a military campaign last Monday. They fled to the provinces of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah where they were pro- QatarDebate workshop vided relief assistance in the northern region of the country, in anticipation of clashes between the federal forces and the Kurd- ish Peshmerga, according to a statement. The Iraqi forces began for Diplomatic Institute staff to move, on Monday, towards the positions taken by the Pesh- merga forces three years ago after the withdrawal of the Iraqi The Peninsula former Arabic and English army in front of attacks by the Islamic State who seized control Debater, praised the importance of large areas in the north and west of the country, in response o implement ambitious of debate for a diplomat who to the authorities of the Kurdistan region popular referendum programmes support- needs to build a clear argument for separation from Iraq last month, considered by the Iraqi fed- ing the activities and to convince others and to build eral government is illegal. programmes of Qatar the argument properly and institutions, a training rationally because the debate is Tworkshop was started by a daily lifestyle and practice that 13 Niger gendarmes dead in attack QatarDebate Center (QD) a we need both inside and outside member of Qatar Foundation the home. It organises the bases Participants at the workshop. NIAMEY: Gunmen on pick-up trucks and motorcycles coming (QF), targeting 30 participants of dealing with the various from Mali killed 13 gendarmes and wounded five more in an of the Diplomatic Institute groups of society and roots the organization. The debate is a instructor Nazar Mukhtar, for attack on their base in western Niger, security sources said. The employees. The workshop real balance is integrated among step towards a better and more four consecutive days. village is a few dozen kilometres from where militants killed four included theoretical and practi- its members. successful future. It is worth mentioning that US soldiers in an ambush on Oct. 4 that has thrown a spotlight cal lectures on debate skills in Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser Al Noting that the constructive the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on US counterterrorism mission in Niger, which straddles a large order to create a comprehensive Thani, International Affairs debate on the tricky issues and is striving to provide training expanse of the Sahara. Niger’s military officials confirmed the view of the participants in var- Researcher, said that the reper- dealing with it on a scientific in exceptional academic stand- attack and death toll but gave no further details. The assailants ious issues that are put on the cussions of the training basis and clear criteria give sat- ards for employees in all fields crossed over the border from Mali and drove up to the village of platforms inside and outside the workshop are very important isfactory solutions to the in order to raise diplomatic Ayorou, about 40km inside, before springing their attack, the country. especially for diplomats, they divergent opinions. efficiency in the management security sources said. Khalid Al Khulaifi, an Inter- officially representing a country The training workshop was and follow-up of foreign national Affairs Researcher and abroad at an embassy or an presented by QatarDebate affairs.

Positive signs for Ta’allum Education Group organises resolving visa crisis Staff Appreciation and Awards event with US: Turkish FM

The Peninsula ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu he Ta’allum Education yesterday said the US-Turk- Group, a subsidiary of ish talks on the suspension of TGhanim Bin Saad Al Saad & granting entry visas to citizens Sons, comprising Al Jazeera Acad- of the two countries wit- emy, Al Maha Academy for Boys nessed “positive” and Al Maha Academy for Girls, atmospheres. celebrated its annual Staff Appre- In a press statement in ciation and Awards Ceremony. Antalya, Cavusoglu said if As many as 170 staff mem- Washington does not grant bers were given trophies, entry visas to the Turkish peo- certificates of appreciation and ple, Ankara will take a similar cash rewards for their extraor- step. dinary performances in various He added that the US cre- departments across the ated the problem, expressing Ta’allum Group Academies. his hope for reaching a reso- Academic and administra- Officials during the award event. lution to the crisis, according tive staff members were to Turkey’s news agency honoured with a range of leadership on behalf of Ghanim to prepare students to be suc- (Anadolu). awards including; outstanding Bin Saad. cessful leaders and active A US delegation headed student results in internal, The CEO expressed his grat- members in their Qatari soci- by Deputy Assistant Secretary IGCSE & AS exams for the itude to all employees, ety through the implementation of State Jonathan R. Cohen 2016/17 Academic Year, the especially those who demon- of a well-developed educa- last Wednesday discussed the CEO Award, long service Award strated significant dedication tional curriculum. suspension of entry visas with and the overall School of Excel- and effort in progressing the The ceremony was the Turkish officials. lence. Staff members with 10 development of the organisa- attended by Saad Ben Ghanim On October 8, the US years of service were recog- tion and achieving continued , board member, who honored Embassy to Turkey nized and thanked, and Ahmed success. In addition, the Direc- several staff member for their announced the suspension of Al Mannai our Ta’allum Group tor of Education, Dr Mohamed dedication, care , creativity , visas to the Turkish people CEO was given special recog- Saefan sincerely thanked all and commitment to their school and Ankara took a similar nition for his outstanding employees for their persistence work. move. SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 ASIA 07

Kin of Indians Linking Aadhaar missing in Iraq to undergo to bank accounts DNA test

Chandigarh mandatory:RBI IANS he families of the 39 Indians who went miss- New Delhi Ting in Iraq’s Mosul in IANS Clarification June 2014 have been asked to provide their DNA samples, The apex bank t a time when cus- but no reason has been given, tomers are rushing further clarified that the kin said yesterday. to link all their bank in applicable cases, The families of some of accounts with Aad- linkage of Aadhaar the missing Indians from haar, the Reserve number to bank Amritsar district were yester- BankA of India (RBI) has clarified account is mandatory day asked to come to the that it never issued any such Government Medical College under the Prevention The Indian Air Force Sarang helicopter displaying team flies HAL Dhruv aircraft during an directions, it was the decision in Amritsar to give DNA sam- of Money-laundering event to mark the 85th anniversary of the Indian Air force in Allahabad, yesterday. of the Indian government. Second Amendment ples. However, the samples The apex bank further clar- were not taken yesterday. ified that in applicable cases, Rules, 2017. “We were told to come to linkage of Aadhaar number to Fighter jets to land on UP expressway the Government Medical Col- bank account is mandatory Reserve Bank has not yet issued lege and provide DNA under the Prevention of Money- instruction in this regard”. New Delhi district, around 65 km from fighter jets, again in two groups samples, We have no idea why laundering Second Amendment Clarifying its position, RBI IANS Uttar Pradesh’s capital Luc- of three each. The event is being this is being done. We have not Rules, 2017. in a statement yesterday said: know. The exercise, second of organised by the IAF, together been told anything. We got a In a response to a Right to “...in applicable cases, linkage C-130 transport aircraft its kind and first at this scale, with the state government. message from the SDM office Information (RTI) Act applica- of Aadhaar number to bank with special forces com- around 16 aircraft will land or On May 21, 2016, a Mirage regarding this,” Sarwan Singh, tion filed by Moneylife India and account is mandatory under the Amandos and frontline touchdown. 2000 fighter plane of the IAF whose brother is among the carried by it on October 18, the Prevention of Money-launder- fighters from Indian Air Force The exercise will start with had touched down on the 39 missing Indians, said. The RBI said: “The Government has ing Second Amendment Rules, (IAF)’s inventory will be part of a C-130 Hercules transport air- Yamuna Expressway as a dis- families have been asked to issued a Gazette Notification 2017 published in the Official an exercise to use highways as craft of IAF making an assault play of capability to land fighter come back tomorrow to pro- GSR 538(E) dated 1 June 2017 Gazette on June 1, 2017. These landing strips next week. landing with Garud comman- jets on highways. vide the DNA samples. regarding Prevention of Money Rules have statutory force and, On October 24, a patch of dos. These commandos will also According to officials of the “No one from the admin- laundering (Maintenance of as such, banks have to imple- Lucknow-Agra Expressway will be extricated from the same spot Road and Transport Ministry, 12 istration is telling us why the Records) Second Amendment ment them without awaiting double up as a landing strip, a as the final act of the exercise highways have been cleared for DNA samples are being col- Rules, 2017, inter-alia, making further instructions.” part of government’s plan to when the C-130 will make a similar landing operations, with lected,” a woman relative of furnishing of Aadhaar (for those The government has made identify and develop a number landing for the second time. three of those connecting Mao- one of the missing men said. individuals who are eligible to it mandatory to link bank of highways for use as runways The fighter jet that will land ist-affected areas in Odisha, It has been over three be enrolled for Aadhaar) and accounts with the 12-digit bio- during emergencies. on the highway will include Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, years that 39 Indians, mostly permanent number (PAN) man- metric identification number. The exercise will be carried three Jaguar fighters, six Mirage which also witness vagaries of from Punjab, went missing in datory for opening a bank The deadline to do it is Decem- out on the stretch of the express- 2000 fighters -- in two groups nature like floods and cyclones Iraq’s Mosul town when it was account. It may be noted that ber 31, 2017. way near Bangarmau in Unnao of three each, and six Su-30 almost every year. overrun by the Islamic State. BJP under fire OBC leader Alpesh to join Congress for demanding cuts in Tamil film Ahmedabad Gandhinagar tomorrow. Rahul IANS Gandhi would fly down specially for the rally. New Delhi ggressive young Gujarat “It is time to throw out the AFP OBC leader Alpesh Tha- BJP in Gujarat. Unemployment Akore (pictured) yesterday is a huge problem with lakhs of rime Minister Narendra announced he was joining the youngsters without jobs, more Modi’s ruling party came Congress, as state Congress chief than 74,000 farmers are neck Punder fire yesterday for Bharatsinh Solanki urged fire- deep in debt, illicit liquor flows demanding cuts to an Indian brand Patidar spearhead Hardik freely in the state despite pro- film, claiming it showcased Patel and Dalit leader Jignesh hibition and education and “anti-Modi hatred”. Mewani to also join the party. health sectors are in a total A scene in the Tamil-lan- The ruling BJP got a boost as two mess,” Thakore told reporters guage film “Mersal” shows a leaders from Patel’s Patidar in Delhi. character delivering a fiery Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) He added, “Me, Hardik Patel monologue in which he shook hands with the party. have considered all their and Jignesh are all going to join attacks the government’s fail- Thakore, who has emerged demands. hands with the Congress party ure to provide free public as a strong OBC leader along “We were fighting for the to defeat the BJP.” healthcare despite charging with Hardik Patel and Jignesh community and not working as Reacting to the Congress a national goods and services Mewani during the last two agents of any political party or invite to join and offer party tax (GST) of up to 28 years, announced his move in to broker their ambitions,” tickets, Hardik Patel, who has percent. New Delhi after an evening Reshma Patel said. Asked if they been publicly saying that he is “People are paying seven meeting with Ahmed Patel, were not acting as agents of the out to defeat the “dictatorial and percent GST in Singapore and political secretary to Congress BJP, both claimed their fight inhuman” BJP and had once receiving free medical care. chief Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul right from the beginning was for appealed to Patidars at large to The Indian government is Gandhi. the community and to support grant the Congress an opportu- taking 28 percent GST from Soon after, Varun Patel and whoever backed the Patidars’ nity, said, “I am not here to people. Why can’t the govern- Reshma Patel, Patidar leaders cause. contest elections and my age ment provide free medical closely associated with the PAAS Alpesh Thakore, meanwhile, does not permit it, but other care?,” says the character, movement, joined the BJP, pro- said he and his supporters would PAAS (Patidar Anamat Andolan played by south Indian star fusely praising the ruling party formally join the Congress at a Samiti) members are free to do Vijay, who goes by one name. which they suddenly found to massive rally in state capital so.” 08 VIEWS SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL

Dialogue not derailment

he drama of political tussle among various political parties of Pakistan has entered into the final phase with the indictment of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family in corruption cases by an accountability Tcourt. All tools employed to delay the process of trial by the Islam in China: Past and present ruling party - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - have failed to win any relief for the embattled Sharif family. The accountability court as per ruling of the Supreme There is also an Islamic organisation Court has to decide corruption cases framed against called the “Islam Organisation of China” Nawaz Sharif, his family and incumbent finance QNA based in Beijing. It was founded in July minister Ishaq Dar by mid March next year. 1952 and offers various services to Mus- Until now, the Sharif family and a segment of the lims. It has several offices to teach Islam PML-N have been harshly criticising the disqualification and Arabic language, as well as an of former premier Sharif by muddying the waters that ith the beginning of the Islamic international office to promote commu- There are 30,000 mosques the disqualification was owed to the controversial conquests, the religion of nication with Muslims in various ‘iqama’ while no corruption case was proved by the Islam began to spread countries in addition to Travel office to in China, including 70 opponents. throughout the land, espe- organise travelling to perform Haj, and mosques in the capital city Now the trial gets underway which is likely to bring cially in the East until it another to edit news and magazines of Beijing, which has an details of matters revolving around money (white or Wreached to what is today known as the South related to Islam. East Asian countries and China in the middle The oldest mosque in Beijing is the area of more than 16,000 black), offshore companies, foreign accounts and square kilometres, and the London estates to the public via media. In the coming of the 7th century with Muslim merchants Al-Baqra Mosque, which was founded days, old defence constructed on controversial ‘iqama’ through the Silk Road. in 966 or 1040 years ago. It was named site provides a service to will never work and the ruling party and its leaders will The revival of the (Silk Road), the gate- because Muslims were selling Muslim- listen to the Holy Quran and try to malign the institutions particularly the judiciary. way to Islam, would certainly be the most style slaughtered cows in this prominent item on the sidelines of the 19th neighborhood, where Chinese Muslims the Prophet’s (PBUH) Hadith On the other hand, the patience of state institutions translated into Chinese. particularly the judiciary and the military towards the National Congress of the ruling Communist find everything they need for their Party of China (CPC) to elect a new central lives including foodstuff and medi- unending criticism hurled command. cines. Non-Muslim Chinese visit this against them by the In 651 AD, the Emperor of China entered neighbourhood to taste Muslim food. beleaguered Sharif family is a delegation of Muslims, which was the first There are also several museums in also running thin. Pakistan’s If the existing time that Islam entered China. The Emperor China with Islamic monuments, the Federal Investigation Agency asked the Muslim merchants about Islam most famous of which is the Islamic political chaos has arrested few social and uncertainty religion and he was impressed after what he wing of the Nang Sha Museum, which is media activists affiliated heard from them, he allowed to build a one of the largest museums in the coun- in Pakistan grows, with the PML-N who were mosque which is still stands in an area that is try. It contains some Islamic it will hit hard involved in insulting and now called Xi’an. monuments such as Islamic dress, a the already ailing defaming state institutions In general, Muslims are spread through- copy of the Holy Quran translated into on social media sites. out most of China. There are 10 nationalities There are also several Chinese, in addition to a blue panel economy. Other PML-N stalwarts that condemn Islam from China’s 56 million museums in China with adorn the entrance with Seek knowl- including Punjab chief people, some of them are working in the Chi- Islamic monuments, the edge even if you have to go as far as minister, Shehbaz Sharif nese government with some high-ranking China written in golden colour. who disagree with the posts, such as vice chairman of the Standing most famous of which is the A statue of the famous Arab traveler hawkish politics of former premier Nawaz Sharif and Committee of the National People’s Congress Islamic wing of the Nang Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Moham- his ambitious daughter Maryum Nawaz are advising (NPC), as well as regular posts. Sha Museum, which is one med bin Ibrahim al-Lawati al-Tannji, them to calm down to avert the possible derailment of There are 30,000 mosques in China, of the largest museums who was known as Ibn Battuta, who democratic order. including 70 mosques in the capital city of traveled to many countries, including The disqualification case of main opposition leader Beijing, which has an area of more than in the country. It contains China, was placed at entrance from the and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman, Imran Khan 16,000 square kilometres, and the site pro- some Islamic monuments outside. He wrote a summary of his is also being heard by the apex court and in case he too vides a service to listen to the Holy Quran such as Islamic dress, a trips which lasted many years in his like Nawaz Sharif is disqualified, the country will plunge and the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) copy of the Holy Quran book “ / Which was famous for Ibn Bat- Hadith translated into Chinese. tuta Trips. deep into political chaos of no-way-out nature. translated into Chinese, in Pakistan’s economy is already facing serious There are several translations of the Holy They have a lot of grapes, pears, challenges with burden of foreign and domestic loans Quran into Chinese, but the most famous one addition to a blue panel sugar and wheat, and they prefer on the constant rise. Few days ago, Pakistan’s chief of is the translation of Dr JN, who was the dean adorn the entrance with chicken and goose meat especially in army staff expressed serious concerns over country’s of the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Ori- Seek knowledge even if you Chinese restaurants,” Ibn Battuta wrote ental Languages Institute at Beijing about the Chinese in his book, describ- economy prompting government team to give a detailed have to go as far as China briefing to military top brass on affairs of economy. University which is the most famous univer- ing their food, clothing, living, and If the existing political chaos and uncertainty in sity in China and there are also schools for written in golden colour. industry as well as the situation of Chi- Pakistan grows, it will hit hard the already ailing the children of Muslims. nese Muslims. economy. The overall political, security and economic scenario demands all political parties to backtrack from their aggressive political designs and sit on negotiation table to find solutions of lingering issues in the parliament instead of settling disputes on the streets, through media or in the courts of law.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

We will soon transition into a new phase in which we will support local security forces, de-escalate violence across Syria, and advance the conditions for lasting peace, so that the terrorists cannot return to threaten our collective security again.

Donald Trump Students enter a prayer hall at a Muslim school in Honggangzi Village in northern China’s Ningxia region. RIGHT: Muslims US President pray in a mosque in Xining City. SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 OPINION 09 Trump should focus on deterring North Korea

eventual reunification with the Michael Singh South, and thereby dissuade Bei- Foreign Policy jing from taking steps to shore up the Kim regime. Yet another audience would be ordinary North Koreans, whom we should seek to reach in an ew foreign policy challenges are more effort to loosen the regime’s vice- urgent than the one posed by North Korea, grip on the flow of information in which has detonated its sixth nuclear test hopes of fostering change from and appears to have successfully devel- within. oped an intercontinental ballistic missile. And yes, the Kim regime itself FThe Trump administration has struggled to publicly should be a target of US diplo- articulate its policy toward Pyongyang. In a recent macy. Being realistic about pronouncement, President Donald Trump dismissed negotiations with North Korea prospects for negotiations, and enigmatically does not mean refusing to talk. insisted that “only one thing will work.” Channels of communication will Yet in reality there is no one thing that will work be vital should prospects for to solve the problem of North Korea’s nuclear threat. diplomacy improve in the future. A sensible policy toward Pyongyang must begin by And they are also useful for deliv- ending the search for silver bullets solutions and ering clear, unfiltered threats. To embracing a policy that employs all of the levers of be effective, however, these must US power in concert. clearly be threats of retaliation The case against resorting prematurely to the rather than preemption if they are A military parade taking place at Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang. military option is clear enough. Even a limited strike to deter rather than provoke against North Korea could result in countless casu- Pyongyang. And they must be tied alties across the border in South Korea. It could could match their value, much less one that Wash- handled skillfully, even engaging in such talks can to red lines that we are willing to spread beyond the Korean peninsula, triggering ington would be ready to concede. It is just as hard raise allies’ fears (and Pyongyang’s hopes) that our enforce if they are to be taken regional conflict and even hostilities between the to conceive of any level of pressure that would regional presence and alliances are negotiable. seriously. United States and China. If the stakes were high prompt Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal. Kim and Thankfully, war and negotiation are not our only A successful North Korea policy enough, all of this might be worth risking, if one his predecessors have demonstrated their willing- options. Instead, even as we hold fast to denucleari- will require that we discard the could be confident a strike would be effective. Yet ness to endure isolation and to inflict a terrible price zation as a long-term aim, the United States should notion that there is any quick fix to US commanders have publicly stated that we lack on the North Korean people for the sake of this pursue a policy aimed at deterring North Korea this challenge, and understand that sufficient intelligence on targets within North Korea prize. from using its nuclear weapons, or using them as the effort to grope for one may do to ensure that a strike would quickly achieve its Prospects seem bleak even for a more modest cover for stepped-up military and cyber aggression. more to undermine than to objective. negotiating aim, such as a freeze on North Korean Deterrence is not a solution to the problem, but a advance our interests. The Trump Yet Trump is right that negotiations with North nuclear and missile tests. There is little evidence way of coping with the absence of solutions. It is not administration should not see mili- Korea hold little promise either. Kim is willing to entertain a freeze: The tests appear the “one thing” that will address the challenge, but tary threats and diplomacy as The first question that must be asked about to be not merely designed to send messages or serve many things done consistently over time. Militarily, separate options, but as the ele- negotiating with North Korea is, “To what end?” A as bargaining chips. Instead, Pyongyang likely seeks such a policy will require bolstering our regional ments of a single, sustained goal of denuclearisation — that is, persuading North to perfect and demonstrate a militarily useful defense posture and our aid to allies. It will also strategy. Korean leader Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile capability. mean finding ways to respond forcefully to non- weapons through a combination of incentives and Even if North Korea agreed to a freeze, there is nuclear provocations by the Kim regime. The writer is a former senior director pressure — is unrealistic. For Kim, giving up nuclear little historical basis for the idea that it would hon- Economically, it will require employing sanctions for Middle East affairs at the US weapons would threaten his highest priority: regime our its word. Pyongyang has been caught cheating more aggressively to constrict further Pyongyang’s National Security Council. (i.e. personal) security. on past accords, including the landmark 1994 security sector, to punish the North for its reckless- It is difficult to imagine any inducement that Agreed Framework. And while detecting cheating ness and ensure that an end to its isolation remains on any testing freeze would be straightforward, ver- tied to eventual nuclear compromise. ifying that the North had halted the production of But the most important element of such a strat- nuclear weapons would be far harder. egy is diplomacy, which would be targeted at Even a limited strike against Most importantly, there is the question of what multiple audiences. Most vital of these would be our North Korea could result in the United States would have to concede in regional allies like Japan and South Korea, with D-RING ROAD countless casualties across exchange for a freeze. While we might hope to whom we should be coordinating closely in all POST BOX: 3488 merely freeze the implementation of new sanctions, aspects of policy. the border in South Korea. Pyongyang’s wish list would surely be more ambi- Another audience would be China, which the DOHA - QATAR It could spread beyond the tious. It would likely include longtime thorns in its United States should not only lobby to pressure [email protected] Korean peninsula, triggering side, like the joint military exercises in which the Pyongyang, but with which we should discuss con- regional conflict and even United States engages with regional allies, along tingency scenarios should North Korea become with US military deployments and military assist- destabilized as a result of international pressure or EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE hostilities between the United ance to allies. Giving these things up would mean of problems of Pyongyang’s own making. Such dis- TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 States and China. trading a sensible policy of long-term deterrence for cussions would aim to assuage Chinese concerns FAX: +974 4455 7758 an untrustworthy North Korean freeze. And if not about the impact of instability in North Korea or its MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR We slept out in the open air like wild animals TEL: 4455 7769

cases, forcibly evicting them. They said they had dents said they did not understand what this meant. LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743 Juliana Nnoko-Mewanu little or no opportunity to negotiate for compen- Felicia said her family had lived on that land for dec- Al Jazeera sation or resettlement. Some families had to move ades. No one mentioned any conversion of the land from to areas with poor quality soil and could no “customary” to “state” land that could be rented out. No BUSINESS NEWS SECTION longer grow sufficient food. one offered compensation or resettlement. TEL: 4462 7535 The commercial farms pushed them further Some commercial farms have not complied with the away from water sources, burdening women and law. They have cleared land, displaced residents and SPORT NEWS SECTION e slept out in the girls in particular with spending far more time started cultivation without conducting an environmental TEL: 4455 7745 open air like wild fetching water from distant streams. Many chil- and social impact assessment or obtaining official animals. Our dren dropped out of school because their authorisation. Some commercial farms evicted residents ONLINE SECTION children fell sick previous schools were too far away and the new with little or no compensation. TEL: 4462 7501 because of the area did not have a school. Government oversight of these farms in Serenje dis- [email protected] “Wcold,” Felicia K told me. “We had not put “I used to live in Mulembo ... we had a river trict has been minimal. Zambia’s environment up any proper structures. We were using flowing and lots of water,” Felicia said. “Where monitoring agency lacks the resources and capability to PUBLIC RELATIONS leaves.” Felicia, a 52-year-old mother of we have settled now, there is no water.” Felicia monitor operations of these ventures. Local authorities 10, is one of many rural Zambians who sat in front of her basic kitchen in a forest area are barely involved in mediating displacement or reset- TEL: 4455 7613 have lost land, homes and livelihoods where her family has camped for four years. As tlement. Government officials we interviewed pointed [email protected] when commercial farms displaced them. we watched her grandchildren play with a make- fingers at each other as to who is responsible for protect- The Zambian government is pro- shift football, she told me how employees of a ing local communities. ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT moting large-scale agricultural commercial farm kicked her and her family out. To its credit, Zambia adopted a National Resettlement TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 investment to diversify the economy She said that in June 2013, farm contractors Policy in 2015, and also has compensation guidelines for FAX: 4455 7870 and combat rural poverty. It is encour- came with two bulldozers, demolished her house, internally displaced people. But Zambians are barely [email protected] aging large commercial farms to lease uprooted her crops, and carried her and other aware of those policies, nor do local officials enforce large swaths of land and produce soy- residents off the farm with what belongings they them. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT beans, wheat, corn and other crops for could save on a tractor. They were dropped by the The government could fix this. It has begun a process TEL: 4455 7857 export. But some agricultural develop- roadside. Felicia and her family lived in the open to develop a new national land policy, though it appears [email protected] ment programmes that the government in a forest where they are not allowed to farm, stalled. In addition, a customary land administration bill claims will be a “panacea” for rural with no shelter, for months before a government that would protect customary land rights is pending in SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION poverty are resulting in forced evic- agency gave them tents. Zambia’s National Assembly, with no sign that it is mov- TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 tions and devastation for the rural The commercial farm owner said the govern- ing forward anytime soon. These could clarify the rights FAX: 44557819 poor. ment had leased him the land, which he and the to land and strengthen how land is managed. Meanwhile, Over the past year, we have investi- government claimed had been converted from the government should enforce existing laws and protect [email protected] gated the human rights impact of “customary” to “state” land in the 1990s. The resi- rural residents. commercial farming in Serenje district, Commercial farmers also have a responsibility to in Zambia’s fertile central province. We identify the impact of their operations to avoid causing, All thoughts and views interviewed Felicia and more than 130 If agricultural development contributing to, or being complicit in human rights expressed in these columns other rural residents affected by com- abuses, and to ensure that any abuses are remedied. mercial farming, as well as government is to be a “panacea” for “All we have now is hunger,” Felicia told me. “Hunger are those of the writers, not officials, commercial farmers, and oth- rural poverty, Zambia’s and no water”. If agricultural development is to be a of the newspaper. ers. What happened to these people government and commercial “panacea” for rural poverty, Zambia’s government and illustrates the risk of expanding com- commercial farmers have to stop putting people like Feli- All correspondence mercial agriculture without proper farmers have to stop putting cia and her children in peril. people like Felicia and her regarding Views and government oversight. Opinion pages should be Many residents told us the commer- children in peril. The writer is researcher on women and land at Human Rights cial farms had displaced them — in some Watch. mailed to the [email protected] 10 ASIA SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 Abe heads into Japan vote in pole position

Tokyo Throughout the short 12-day AFP campaign, the premier has railed Polls show Abe and against Pyongyang, keeping a rime Minister Shinzo his conservative hawkish stance and backing the Abe yesterday vowed Liberal Democratic US line that “all options” are on to step up pressure on Party (LDP) are clear the table. Abe enjoys only luke- North Korea to protect warm public support but the the Japanese people as favourites to win weak and fragmented opposi- Phe wrapped up an election cam- today’s election, tion has been unable to make paign dominated by threats from handing him a fresh inroads into his poll lead. Pyongyang. mandate for his The two main opposition Polls show Abe and his con- parties — the “Party of Hope” servative Liberal Democratic hardline stance on created by the media-savvy Party (LDP) are clear favourites North Korea and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to win today’s election, handing “Abenomics” growth and the new centre-left Consti- him a fresh mandate for his hard- strategy. tutional Democratic Party — are line stance on North Korea and trailing far behind, predicted to “Abenomics” growth strategy. win around 50 seats each. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, greets his supporters Abe’s coalition is on track to Aside from North Korea, at an election campaign rally in Tokyo yesterday. win around 300 seats in the 465- many voters regard the economy seat lower house of parliament, diplomacy,” said Abe, vowing and reforming the costly social free childcare in a bid to get and it is already coming to an walked away and it is a ship according to a projection pub- to work with both US President security system as their priority more women into the work- end,” she said. “If things stay the that suddenly has no captain,” lished by the Nikkei daily. If the Donald Trump and Russian concerns, as Abe has struggled place. Koike wants to scrap the same, you will have to accept an Michael Cucek from Temple polls are correct, 63-year-old leader Vladimir Putin to to revive the once world-beat- tax hike, arguing it would throt- unchecked Abe regime.” University said. Another brand- Abe is on course to be the long- achieve his goal. He cried: “We ing Japanese economy after five tle a recovery that has seen Koike enjoyed a blaze of new party, the centre-left est-serving premier in post-war must not yield to the threat of years in power. Japan’s longest stretch of publicity when launching her Constitutional Democratic Party, Japan, the world’s third-biggest North Korea” which has threat- Abe says his trademark growth in a decade. new “Party of Hope”, but the appears to have some momen- economy and key US ally in Asia. ened to “sink” Japan into the “Abenomics” strategy of ultra- In a last-ditch appeal to vot- bubble appears to have burst tum going into the poll and could In a final and passionate sea and fired two missiles over loose monetary policy and big ers, Koike urged voters to help for the popular 65-year-old do better than expected. campaign speech at Tokyo’s Aki- the country. fiscal spending is the best way to build an opposition force big former newscaster, partly With little suspense over the habara shopping district, Abe “We are the ones who can pep up the economy, which is enough to serve as a counter- because she declined to run overall outcome, the main ten- pledged to apply so much pres- defend people’s lives, protect our weighed down by debt and weight to the powerful Abe. herself for prime minister. sion is over whether Abe and his sure on North Korea that the happy way of life, and open the struggling with deflation. “Look at consumer spending. “Every party has to have, to junior coalition partner Komeito regime would change its ways future for our children and our He has also pledged to use You cannot say Abenomics has be credible, a candidate for will retain their two-thirds and ask for negotiations. nation,” he pledged, referring to part of the proceeds from a borne its fruits,” Koike said “This prime minister and she would majority in the lower house of “What is needed is strong his LDP party. planned sales tax hike to fund election started in a chaotic rush have been it but then she parliament. Duterte says he will shoot criminals in war on drugs

Manila about the PDEA being able to more than 3,900 “drug person- headquarters under the guise of AFP contain illegal drugs. “Those alities”. Another 2,290 purple an anti-drug operation. who rape children, who rape have died in unsolved “drug- He had then described the hilippine President Rod- women, those sons of... if you related” killings, government police as “corrupt to the core” rigo Duterte (pictured) don’t want the police, I am here figures show. and gave PDEA the lead role in Phas offered to shoot crim- now. I will shoot them. That’s Many Filipinos continue to the drug war. But Duterte inals himself, while warning he true! If nobody would dare it, I support the charismatic Duterte, quickly reinstated the police may bring police back to the will pull the trigger,” he said. seeing him as the solution to without making any major frontlines of his deadly war on Duterte said he was already crime and corruption. But reforms. Police officials swiftly drugs. considering bringing the police human rights and Catholic announced a revitalised anti- South Korea Duterte made the comments back to run the drug war. “Okay, Church leaders charge thou- drug campaign named: “Double late on Friday following his let us see, six months from now. sands of extra-judicial killings Barrel Re-Loaded”. protesters announcement on October 11 to 165,000 for the police force. If things get worse again, I will have been carried out by police Asked for a reaction to withdraw the police from his Duterte has repeatedly insisted say to these apes: ‘Go back to and vigilantes as part of the drug Duterte’s latest comments, call for Park’s anti-drug war after they were he has not ordered or incited this job. You solve this problem war. PDEA spokesman Derrick accused of rights abuses in kill- police to murder drug addicts of ours’,” he said, referring to the Authorities insist police only Arnold Carreon conceded the ing thousands of people while or suspects, while at other times police. kill in self defence. Duterte in agency faced a tough battle and early release following his orders to eradicate he has said he would be happy Duterte was elected to office January made a similar move to was prepared to stand aside for Seoul illegal drugs in society. to slaughter them or have tens last year after vowing during the give the appearance of sidelin- the police. AFP He replaced them with the of thousands killed. campaign that 100,000 people ing the police from the drug war “If the president so decides, Philippine Drug Enforcement On Friday, he said he would would die as he eradicated ille- after revelations that officers we will welcome that,” Carreon undreds of demonstrators Agency (PDEA), which has about be prepared to kill criminals gal drugs in society. Since then, murdered a South Korean busi- said. “We are strained. Defi- yesterday called for the 2,000 officers compared with himself, as he raised doubts police have reported killing nessman in the police nitely it will be an uphill climb.” Himmediate release of South Korea’s ousted president Park Geun-Hye (pictured) whose corruption trial has been put on hold following mass res- Pomp and pageantry ignations by her lawyers. Park’s trial was put on hold on Thurs- day after her lawyers resigned in protest over what they called as Thailand rehearses biased proceedings following a court decision to extend her detention warrant for another six the late King’s funeral months. Park condemned the trial as Bangkok Yesterday, thousands of black- “political revenge” in her first AFP clad Thais watched a dress public statement since she was rehearsal of the procession that arrested, while her lawyers pro- ilded chariots, horses and will deliver Bhumibol’s body to the tested over the extension of the columns of military men tiered funeral pyre on October 26. warrant, saying that the princi- Gin bright costumes swept Onlookers marvelled at the ple of the presumption of through Bangkok’s old quarter rich array of ancient garb on dis- innocence was “collapsing”. A yesterday in a final dress play — from puffy blue helmets crowd of 1,000 pro-Park protest- rehearsal for late King Bhumi- to embroidered red caps and ers marched through Seoul for bol Adulyadej’s funeral — a pointy white hats — as march- more than an hour, chanting slo- meticulously-planned spectacle ers beating drums and bearing gans and waving South Korean of devotion to a man known as tiered umbrellas strutted through and US flags. “Release President the “soul of the nation”. Bangkok’s historic heart. Park Geun-Hye immediately”, Steered by the Buddhist rit- Junta chief Prayut Chan-O- they chanted. ual, palace protocol and social Cha and the late king’s daughter, Thai royal guards salute during a funeral rehearsal for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej The sprawling scandal hierarchy that underpin Thai- Princess Sirindhorn, were also near the Grand Palace, in Bangkok, yesterday. involving the 65-year-old former land’s powerful monarchy, the among those striding through the leader and her powerful secret elaborate cremation ceremony blistering heat. “Officials had to confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, will befit a king who commanded study and work very hard to Royal propaganda has gone on social media. Strict dress paragon in a country riven by unleashed massive nationwide a cult-like following during his manage this event, because it into overdrive in the run-up to codes for the royal funeral have corruption. Many Thais refer to protests last year, culminating in 70-year reign. The five-day fan- is the first time our generation his cremation, with portraits of been set for the public and him as the “father” of the nation her impeachment in March. fare, which kicks off next has prepared for a king’s the bespectacled monarch pop- officials. and are moved to tears at the Park — who faces multiple Wednesday, is the culmination funeral,” 54-year-old Rataya ping up all over the country. A Boosted by the late king’s prospect of bidding him a final charges including bribery, coer- of months of painstaking prep- Kobsikarn said. “All of us love draconian royal defamation law charisma, Thailand’s once- goodbye next week. cion and abuse of power for aration that began after our King so much and this is the criminalises criticism or per- weak monarchy grew in Bhumibol’s heir, 65-year- offering governmental favours Bhumibol died a year ago, aged last chance we have to be close ceived snubs of the popularity during Bhumibol’s old King Maha Vajiralongkorn, to business tycoons who helped 88, plunging the nation into grief. to him,” she added. monarchy. reign and the palace revived has yet to command that level enrich Choi — refused to appear It will feature mass parades, Many Thais have worn only Prosecutions under the law royal rituals that had been of devotion and spent much in court on Thursday, citing her cultural performances and Bud- black-and-white since Bhumi- have surged since the arch-roy- dropped by previous sover- of his first year in power allegedly poor health. The court dhist ceremonies centred around bol’s death, draining colour from alist junta grabbed power in a eigns. By the time of his death, abroad. He is expected to be has been adjourned to an a gleaming funeral complex that Bangkok’s streets in a striking act 2014 coup, with record dec- Bhumibol sat at the apex of formally crowned after his unspecified date till it appoints has been erected from scratch out- of collective mourning encour- ades-long sentences handed Thailand’s power networks and father’s cremation, though no state attorneys to replace the side Bangkok’s Grand Palace. aged by the ultra-royalist junta. down for insults often posted was revered as a moral date has been set. lawyers who have stepped down. SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 ASIA 11 Election law a nightmare for inactive parties in Pakistan

Islamabad list of at least 2,000 members political party enlisted by the has been cancelled may, within constitution and manifesto and major parties are seen to be Internews along with their signatures or commission before the com- 30 days of the refusal or cancel- details of the so-called intraparty holding sham elections. thumb impressions, besides cop- mencement of the act shall be lation of enlistment, file an elections, were the only require- Prior to the 2013 general he recently-passed election ies of their computerised deemed to have been enlisted, appeal in the Supreme Court. ments for getting a party elections, the number of par- law in Pakistan that has national identity cards. provided it has filed the required He described the act as a first registered, the official said. ties enlisted with the ECP Timposed new conditions The notice reminds the par- documents, and if not it shall step towards checking the mush- Most of the parties don‘t outnumbered the available for registration of political par- ties that under the Elections Act, submit the documents within 60 room growth of political parties conduct intraparty elections; election symbols when it ties has become a nightmare for 2017, they are required to com- days of the enforcement of the in the country and hoped that doing so is otherwise manda- climbed to 216. Currently, the a large number of the parties that ply with the provisions of its law, according to the notice. dozens of inactive parties formed tory under the law, which number of registered political exist on paper only, as the Elec- sections 201, 202, 209 and 210 Under its Section 5, if an overnight would disappear with requires that the party chief and parties stands at 352. tion Commission of Pakistan within 60 days of its enforce- enlisted party fails to file docu- their failure to comply with the other office bearers of every Under the law, no political (ECP) has issued notices to all the ment. ‘In case an enlisted ments within the stipulated time new conditions. political party shall be elected party is allowed to ‘promote sec- 352 parties enlisted with it and political party fails to comply frame, the commission shall can- Before the enactment of the periodically in accordance with tarian, regional and provincial asked them to meet its require- with the provisions... the Elec- cel its enlistment after giving it a new law, it was very easy for a the party‘s constitution through hatred‘, but many of them are ments by December 2. tion Commission of Pakistan chance to explain the reasons. few individuals to form a party, a ballot based on a democratic working on the agenda of Under the new conditions, shall cancel the enlistment of the According to an ECP official, just for the sake of fun or public- and transparent system. spreading sectarian hatred. Even the parties are required to political party under Section under Section 6 of the Act, a ity or some ulterior motives. A The smaller parties are some banned outfits have man- deposit an enlistment fee of 202(5) of the act, says the notice. party that has been refused document prepared in a draw- unlikely to comply with the aged to get their political fronts Rs200,000 each and provide a Under its Section 4, a enlistment or whose registration ing room, including copied requirement when even the registered.

Australia police 15 Afghan army offer $4.75m rewards in serial cadets dead in killer case Sydney AFP

Taliban attack ustralian police offered a record $4.75m in Arewards yesterday to Kabul catch the serial killer or kill- AFP ers behind the murders of six It was the second Melbourne women in the suicide bomber killed suicide bombing in the 1980s. 15 Afghan army Afghan capital in 24 The women, ranging in trainees as they trav- hours and the seventh age from 14 to 73, disap- elled home from peared in separate incidents their base in Kabul major assault in the as they traveled on foot yesterday,A officials said, as mil- country since Tuesday. around Melbourne over an itants intensify a deadly rampage 18-month period in 1980- that has claimed more than 200 1981. Their remains were Afghan security personnel gather as they keep watch near the site of a suicide bomb attack lives this week. found in scrubland in several It was the second suicide insurgents. “This afternoon when near the Marshal Fahim military academy base in Kabul yesterday. locations on the outskirts of bombing in the Afghan capital in a minibus carrying army cadets the city. 24 hours and the seventh major was coming out of the military the asphalt. The spate of deadly It was the fifth time since base in the Chashmo area of The police in Victoria assault in Afghanistan since Tues- academy, a suicide bomber on attacks underscores deteriorat- Tuesday that the Taliban have Maiwand district to the ground, state, where Melbourne is day, capping one of the bloodiest foot targeted them, martyring 15 ing security across Afghanistan launched a major attack against according to the defence min- located, announced on Sat- weeks in the war-weary country and wounding four,” defence as the resurgent Taliban step up Afghanistan’s beleaguered secu- istry. On the same day Taliban urday six rewards of AUS$1m in recent memory. ministry spokesman Dawlat their assaults on security instal- rity forces, which are already militants besieged a police ($780,000) each for informa- The latest attack comes after Waziri said. lations to devastating effect and badly demoralised by high cas- headquarters in the southeast- tion leading to the arrest and a suicide bomber blew himself up Kabul Crime Branch chief the Islamic State group targets ualties and desertions. In the ern province of Ghazni, conviction of whoever was in a Shia mosque during evening General Mohammad Salim Shiite mosques. deadliest of the recent attacks, attacking it for the second time behind the murders. prayers in Kabul on Friday, kill- Almas said police have launched Nato’s Resolute Support mis- around 50 Afghan soldiers were this week. “Investigators are seeking ing 56 people and wounding 55 an investigation into the attack sion in Afghanistan tweeted that killed in an assault on a military Afghan security forces have public assistance to help solve others in an assault claimed by the which happened in the west of the assault on the army trainees base in the southern province of faced soaring casualties in their these six murders, and are Islamic State group. the city. “The minibus was car- was an “attack on the future” of Kandahar on Thursday. attempts to hold back the insur- appealing directly to any per- In an email to journalists the rying army trainees to their the country and its security Insurgents blasted their way gents since Nato combat forces sons with knowledge of these Taliban said it was responsible homes from Marshal Fahim mil- forces. “This attack in #Kabul into the compound using at least pulled out of the country at the crimes and of those responsi- for the ambush on the army itary academy,” Almas said. shows the insurgents are desper- one explosives-laden Humvee end of 2014. Casualties leapt by ble to come forward and cadets, taking to five the number Security forces blocked the ate and cannot win” against — a tactic used in three separate 35 percent in 2016, with 6,800 sol- contact police,” the department of attacks on police and military road leading to the scene of the Afghanistan’s security and attacks this week — officials said. diers and police killed, according said in a statement. It said the bases this week that involved the attack as firefighters hosed down defence forces, it said. The militants then razed the to US watchdog SIGAR. AUS$6m was the largest reward amount ever offered by the department. Fighting in Marawi may No excuses for foreign officials end imminently: Military meeting Dalai Marawi City their shrinking position. Reuters Another general said they were Lama: China also looking for a prominent he Philippines is prepar- Indonesian militant. The mili- BEIJING: Foreign leaders ing to declare the end of tary is concerned Hapilon’s can’t think they can get away Tfighting in a southern city sons and these foreign fighters with meeting exiled Tibetan seized for five months by pro- could succeed core leaders of spiritual leader the Dalai Islamic State rebels, a top the alliance killed this week. Lama just because they are military commander said yes- Hapilon and Omarkhayam doing it in a personal capac- terday, as troops continued a Maute were killed by comman- ity, as they still represent their phased withdrawal from the does on Monday. Malaysian government, a senior Chinese devastated lakeside city. Mahmud Ahmad, who experts official said. Only 20 insurgents say may have funded the China considers the Dalai remained in a small area in Marawi siege, was also dead, Lama, who fled into exile in Marawi City, including five “sig- according to a freed hostage, India in 1959 after a failed nificant” figures, and three but his body has yet to be found. uprising against Chinese rule, Rescue workers at a construction site after it was hit by a landslide in Tanjung Bungah, yesterday. battalions of troops were clos- The defence ministry said to be a dangerous separatist. ing in on their positions, said that forensic tests by the US The Nobel Peace Prize win- Lieutenant-General Carlito Federal Bureau of Investigation ning monk says he simply 14 feared dead in Penang landslide Galvez. “Most probably tomor- had confirmed that the man seeks genuine autonomy for row, we can do it,” Galvez told killed was Hapilon. his Himalayan homeland. Tanjung Bungah Myanmar were pulled from the employed in low-paying, physi- reporters when asked when the The deaths of the leaders Visits by the Dalai Lama AFP debris. cally-demanding industries such military can declare fighting is could slow down any effort by to foreign countries infuri- The other 11, who included as construction in Malaysia. The over. “We can declare it is IS to establish a presence in ate China, and fewer and hree foreign workers were one Malaysian supervisor and weather was dry at the time of the totally complete.” Mindanao. Galvez, head of the fewer national leaders are killed and 11 others were workers from Indonesia and accident and Penang had not had Galvez said troops are zero- Western Mindanao Command, willing to meet him, fearing Tmissing yesterday after a Bangladesh, were still unac- heavy rains for some days, ing in on three sons of Isnilon inspected troops in Marawi and the consequences of Chinese landslide at a construction site on counted for at the site in the according to officials. Hapilon, the slain “emir” of sent off a battalion of marines anger, though some have the popular Malaysian tourist Tanjung Bungah area, said local The landslide added to con- Islamic State in Southeast Asia, central to military operations . tried to placate Beijing by island of Penang, officials said. police official Anuar Omar. cerns in Penang about the pace and two Malaysians, including It was the second unit to leave saying they are meeting him Huge mounds of earth Bangladeshi Mohammad of development, particularly Amin Baco, who has been cen- the conflict area. The military in a personal not official slipped off a hillside in the Jashim Hussein Ahmad, who near the island’s hills, which tral to facilitating the movement declined to divulge the number capacity. morning and buried the men as was working in the area at the critics say is damaging the envi- of foreign fighters in the region. of troops remaining in Marawi. Zhang Yijiong, who they worked on two apartment time, told the state-run Bernama ronment and increasing the risk “We cannot say our mission The military said eleven heads the Communist Par- blocks. About 160 rescuers were news agency the landslide hap- of such accidents. is totally accomplished or com- hostages were “processed” ty’s Tibet working group, deployed to hunt for the work- pened suddenly and was over Penang Chief Minister Lim pleted if the five persons are ysterday to determine whether told reporters on the side- ers, and police said that the in minute, and the other work- Guan Eng pledged a state-level still there,” he said, adding the they were really captives or lines of a party congress that bodies of two Bangladeshi ers had no time to run. inquiry would be held into the remaining militants are “strug- militant members and sympa- there could be no excuses to workers and one from Many migrant workers are accident. gling to survive” and to protect thisers trying to slip away. meeting the Dalai Lama. 12 EUROPE SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 Spain to sack Catalan govt; calls for elections

Madrid Drastic measures Autonomy is a highly sensi- AFP tive issue in Catalonia, which saw Catalan leader Carles its powers taken away under the pain took drastic meas- Puigdemont and his dictatorship of General Francisco ures yesterday to stop regional ministers— Franco. Catalonia from break- who sparked Spain’s Home to 7.5 million people, ing away, announcing it worst political crisis in the wealthy northeastern region will move to dismiss the decades by holding a fiercely defends its language and Sregion’s separatist government banned independence culture and enjoys control over and call fresh elections. referendum—will be its policing, education and Catalan leader Carles Puig- stripped of their jobs: healthcare. demont and his regional Under Article 155 of Spain’s Rajoy ministers—who sparked Spain’s constitution, Madrid has the worst political crisis in decades power to wrest back control of by holding a banned independ- Puigdemont says 90% rebellious regions, but it has ence referendum—will be backed independence never used them before. stripped of their jobs, Prime Min- in the referendum, but Rajoy said he had been left ister Mariano Rajoy said. turnout was 43% as with no choice following Puig- Puigdemont’s threat to many Catalans who demont’s refusal to drop his declare a breakaway state “has back unity stayed threat to declare independence been unilateral, contrary to the away while others based on the results of the Octo- law, and seeking confrontation,” were hindered from ber 1 referendum, which had said Rajoy, announcing meas- been ruled unconstitutional. voting by a police ures that could give the central “This was neither our desire crackdown. government direct control over nor our intention,” Rajoy said. Catalonia’s police force and “We are applying Article 155 allow for its public media chiefs because the government of a Catalan government officials hold signs reading "Free the Jordis" during a demonstration, in to be replaced. and his efforts to prevent a democratic country cannot Barcelona, yesterday. Elections for the semi-auton- break-up of Spain have the back- accept that the law is ignored.” omous region must be called ing of other major parties. Allowing 54 days for cam- Barcelona have been gathering FC, one of the world’s best- ing by a police crackdown. within six months, he added, Catalan government number paigning, new elections would for a rally urging the release of known symbols of Catalan Catalonia is roughly evenly with Spain’s national ministries two Oriol Junqueras reacted furi- fall in mid-June at the latest. two influential separatist activ- identity, threw his weight behind split over whether to break away to take over the jobs of Puigde- ously, posting on his Twitter Separatists of all political ists, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi the region’s institutions. from Spain, according to polls, mont and his team in the account: “Today the PP and its stripes, from Puigdemont’s con- Sanchez, who are being held on “We must reiterate our abso- with supporters saying the region meantime. allies have not only suspended servatives to the far-left, have sedition charges. But Madrid’s lute support for the democratic pays too much into national cof- Tens of thousands of inde- autonomy, they have suspended dominated the Catalan parlia- decision was on the minds of institutions of Catalonia chosen fers but their opponents arguing pendence supporters have democracy.” ment since the last elections in many as the crowds grew. by its people,” Josep Maria Bar- that it is stronger as part of a big- gathered in the tense regional And though she opposes the 2015, holding 72 seats out of 135. “I feel totally outraged and tomeu said, urging a “civil and ger country. capital Barcelona, with Puigde- independence drive, Barcelona Prosecutors said yesterday extremely sad,” said Meritxell peaceful” reaction to Rajoy’s Two weeks of political limbo mont, joining the crowds, due to mayor Ada Colau also deplored they would take mop-haired Agut, a 22-year-old banker. decision. have already taken a toll on one give his response at 9:00pm. the decision, tweeting: “Rajoy has former journalist Puigdemont to “They’ve trampled on our Puigdemont says 90 percent of Spain’s most important The measures must now pass suspended the self-government court for “rebellion” if he makes rights and our ideas as Catalans,” backed independence in the ref- regional economies, with nearly through the Senate—a process of Catalonia for which so many any attempt to declare inde- she said, adding: “They can erendum, but turnout was 43 1,200 companies shifting their that will take about a week—but people fought. A serious attack pendence, a crime punishable destroy everything they want but percent as many Catalans who legal headquarters elsewhere in Rajoy’s conservative Popular on the rights and freedoms of with up to 30 years in jail. we’ll keep on fighting.” back unity stayed away while a bid to minimise the Party (PP) holds a majority there everyone.” Independence supporters in The president of Barcelona others were hindered from vot- instability. Greece govt to Malta offers reward for raise cruise ship sunk in 2007 murderer’s whereabouts Valletta journalistic freedom and Athens AP insisted that rule of law prevail AP in the tiny member nation. alta’s government on Malta is widely considered a tax he Greek government has Saturday offered an haven and a tempting venue for ordered the raising of a M“unprecedented” those looking to launder or hide Tsunken cruise ship that $1.18m reward and full protec- ill-gotten revenues. foundered just off the holiday tion for anyone with The blast, which blew up the island of Santorini ten years information on who killed an car Caruana Galizia was driving ago, leaving two passengers investigative reporter with a car just a few hundred metres from missing and presumed dead. bomb. her home, stunned citizens, who The Merchant Marine The government statement eagerly followed her Running Ministry said that the wreck called the October 16 car bomb Commentary blog on corruption of the Sea Diamond poses a slaying of Daphne Caruana Gal- to see which business, financial potential environmental risk izia, 53, whose reporting on or political figures were the lat- and is a hazard to shipping. corruption targetted the prime est in her sights. On April 5, 2007, the 143- minister and other top figures Her husband and her three Police officers guard the site where a man injured several people in a knife attack in Munich, metre cruise ship struck a on the southern Mediterranean sons - including one, Matthew, volcanic reef in the sea-filled yesterday. island, a “case of extraordinary who is an investigative journal- crater formed by a massive importance.” ist himself - didn’t immediately volcanic eruption 3,500 years It said in an “unprecedented comment on the government’s ago. It lies more than 91 8 wounded in Munich stabbing spree measure” it was offering the move yesterday. But earlier in metres deep. sum to “whomever comes for- the week, the family said Prime Nearly 1,600 people were Berlin He expressed confidence a 12-year-old boy, six men and ward with information leading Minister Joseph Muscat had retrieved from the sinking AFP that they had detained the per- one woman, said Andrae. to the identification of those asked for their “endorsement” ship in a three-hour rescue petrator of the attacks and that Six of the people were Ger- responsible” for her slaying. for offering a reward. operation, but some passen- knife-wielding man ran- there was no longer any threat mans, one Italian and one “The government is fully Their reply: “This is how he gers complained of an domly attacked passersby to the public. Romanian. Most of the injuries committed to solving the mur- can get it: show political insufficient supply of life A in central Munich yester- Andrae said the man has so were superficial cuts. der” and to “bringing those responsibility and resign ... for vests, little guidance from day, lightly injuring eight people, far refused to speak to police The attacks occurred in six responsible to justice,” the failing to uphold our funda- crew members and being police said as they excluded ter- and his motive remains separate locations near Rosen- statement said. mental freedoms” to the point forced into a steep climb rorism as a motive after unknown. heimer Platz in the eastern part A few years ago, the Mal- where their mother “no longer down rope-ladders to safety. detaining the suspected But “absolutely no element” of the city centre at around 0630 tese government offered money felt safe walking down the A 45-year-old French perpetrator. of the investigation leads police GMT. The suspect then fled by in a bank heist case, but this street.” They also called on the passenger and his teenage The 33-year-old suspect to believe it was a politically or bike. was believed to be the first-ever government to replace the top daughter are presumed to already has a police record for religiously-motivated act of ter- During the several hours he time the government was post- police commissioner and the have drowned. theft and violence and appears ror, he said. remained at large there was a ing a reward in a murder case. attorney general so “then we The ministry did not say to suffer from “psychiatric prob- The man attacked people palatable sense of panic in the Top European Union offi- won’t need a million-euro when the ship would be lems”, Munich police chief with his knife at random, caus- city, with police urging residents cials have denounced her reward and our mother raised. Hubertus Andrae said. ing light injuries to eight people: to stay indoors. slaying as an attack on wouldn’t have died in vain.” Ukraine president vows to launch anti-corruption court

Kiev anti-government protests since ruption court. response to Poroshenko’s at tackling state corruption could pushing on with reform,” Ash AFP Ukraine’s 2014 pro-European “This testifies to the state promise from Ukraine’s credi- be set up until 2020. wrote. Union revolution. leadership’s firm commitment tors at the International “Is Poroshenko playing the But Poroshenko was given a krainian President Petro The Ukrainian leader left to launching this vitally impor- Monetary Fund (IMF) or protest IMF and markets for a fool?” jolt when nearly 5,000 protest- Poroshenko vowed to Kiev on Friday to meet soldiers tant judicial body next year,” leaders in Kiev. London-based emerging mar- ers rallied outside parliament on Ulaunch an anti-corruption and reaffirm his support for insti- Poroshenko said. Poroshenko’s critics and kets economist Timothy Ash Tuesday demanding the court’s court demanded by Kiev’s West- tutional changes he had “The way I see and plan it, some Western economists have asked in an article published in immediate introduction and the ern allies and protesters camped promised when elected president the timeline for the new court’s accused the Ukrainian leader of the English-language Kyiv Post passage of a law stripping mem- out in a tent city near in place of the ousted Russian- creation foresees the president’s deliberately dragging his feet weekly. bers of parliament of their parliament. backed regime of Viktor signature on an anti-corruption over the court’s creation in order “Not sure what the IMF can immunity from prosecution. Poroshenko’s firmest com- Yanukovych. law by the end of the year,” Poro- to preserve the current political do when (Ukraine) is intent on Poroshenko branded the mitment yet to the new judiciary Poroshenko revealed that shenko said. “This is completely order. just going through the motions, activists as “provocateurs who body comes against the backdrop next year’s draft budget already feasible.” He has previously said that trying to keep the IMF and mar- were thirsting for blood instead of the first sustained wave of earmarks money for an anti-cor- There was no immediate no special judiciary body aimed kets warm, but stalling on of reforms”. SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 EUROPE 13 Czech tycoon clinches victory in elections

Prague ANO bags 78 seats (22 seats) and coming in third. AFP Bartos also ruled out teaming up State election officials with Babis. ith voters upset citing results from 99.9 The far-right Freedom and over tradi- percent of polling Free Democracy (SPD) party of tional parties stations said Babis’s Tokyo-born entrepreneur and and orders ANO (YES) movement lawmaker Tomio Okamura from Brussels, won with 29.7% scored 10.6 percent (22 seats) Wbillionaire populist Andrej Babis, support on strong anti-EU, anti- support - 78 parliament dubbed the “Czech Trump”, migrant, similar to surging seats - followed by the clinched victory in the Czech far-right parties in neighbour- eurosceptic right-wing Republic’s election yesterday, ing Austria and Germany. while eurosceptics backed by ODS party on 11.3% - France’s far-right National France’s National Front made 25 seats. Turnout was Front Marine Le Pen sent Oka- strong gains. at 60%. mura a message of support Andrej Babis (centre), Chairman of the ANO movement (YES), delivers a speech at ANO State election officials citing before the vote. headquarter after Czech elections, in Prague, yesterday. results from 99.9 percent of poll- A 63-year-old Slovak-born ing stations said Babis’s something analysts warned chemicals, food and media anti-corruption and anti-euro could trigger instability, even tycoon, Babis has vowed to steer smaller KDU-CSL Christian many things in the social sphere heavily reliant on car exports is ANO (YES) movement won with chaos. clear of the eurozone and ech- Democrats who scored 5.8 per- in the past four years, people are slated to grow by a healthy 3.6 29.7 percent support (78 parlia- Babis insisted ANO was “pro- oes other eastern EU leaders who cent support (10 seats). increasingly in favour of percent this year. ment seats) followed by the European” and did “not threaten accuse Brussels of attempting to “I think the number of votes extreme views?” Sobotka said Despite the strong economy, eurosceptic right-wing ODS democracy” in a televised vic- limit national sovereignty by suggests above all we’ll end up recently. young Prague voter Jiri party on 11.3 percent (25 seats). tory speech in which he also imposing rules like migrant quo- in opposition. I think it’s hard to Tomas Lebeda, a political Chaloupek said he chose the SPD Turnout was at 60 percent. railed against a two-speed tas. He favours a united Europe negotiate about a government analyst at Palacky University in as “this country needs a change, Despite the country’s eco- Europe, while inviting all parties and balks at talk of a “Czexit”. with these votes,” Zaoralek said. the central city of Olomouc, said a rather radical change.” nomic success, analysts say in parliament for coalition talks. The anti-EU Communists KDU-CSL leader Pavel he saw the SPD’s gains “as a Analyst Lebeda said “we many Czechs who are heavily in But most parties appeared to took fifth spot winning 7.8 per- Belobradek also said his party threat to liberal democracy” in have a very strange atmosphere debt or working long hours for shun the controversial billion- cent support (15 seats), while the was not keen on cooperating this EU member of 10.6 million with a number of emotions that low wages feel they have been aire, who was recently indicted left-wing Social Democrats with Babis, due to his people. absolutely do not correspond to left behind and are turning to on suspicion of EU subsidies (CSSD) who head the outgoing indictment. Voting in Prague, pensioner the social and economic populist, eurosceptic and far- fraud. coalition government took a Outgoing Prime Minister Alena Kolarova praised Babis for reality.” right anti-EU parties to vent their ODS leader Petr Fiala ruled bruising, coming in sixth with 7.3 Bohuslav Sobotka, a Social Dem- “restoring order in public “I’m asking myself what the ire. out going into coalition with percent (15 seats) of the vote. ocrat, was shell-shocked by the finances and tax collection” dur- elections would look like if we Far-right and far-left anti- ANO, insisting it will not be able Social Democrat party leader rise of the far-right. ing his three-year stint as finance weren’t in such good shape EU parties made gains in the to deliver on its promises. Lubomir Zaoralek appeared to “How is it possible that in minister that ended in May. economically.” fragmented vote that put nine The anti-establishment rule out forging a new coalition the Czech Republic, in a situa- “I think his policy is for the Two small centre-right par- parties into the 200-seat Czech Pirates led by the dreadlocked with Babis’s ANO. The two par- tion when the country is doing people.” ties also entered parliament, parliament with few obvious Ivan Bartos made their debut in ties currently form the very well, when we are a stable, With joblessness at 3.8 per- each scoring around five percent coalition allies among them, parliament, scoring 10.8 percent government along with the safe country, we have achieved cent in September, an economy of the vote.

Austrian coalition Belarus opposition urges Lukashenko to resign Minsk They criticised some of the Police allowed the protest- AP laws he recently pushed ers chanting “For shame!” to talks set to begin Activists criticised through, including one forcing rally outside the seat of gov- some of the laws ome 200 people rallied citizens to register with the ernment and KGB Vienna the president yesterday in the Belaru- state employment exchange or headquarters. Anatolia recently pushed Ssian capital of Minsk, pay a hefty fine. They did not make any calling for the resignation of the “We demand that authori- arrests during the protest, but fter getting the green light through, including president who has ruled the ties stop stealing from people a reporter saw at least two peo- from Austria’s president, one forcing citizens former Soviet republic since — and only Lukashenko’s res- ple detained afterward. Athe leader of the victori- to register with the 1994. ignation can change that,” said Lukashenko, who has been ous conservative party in last state employment Opposition activists carry- Mykola Statkevich, a former described as Europe’s last dic- Sunday’s Austrian general elec- ing Belarusian and European presidential candidate who tator, in recent years has often tion is set to hold coalition talks exchange or pay a Union flags urged President spent five years in prison on allowed Belarusian opposition, after falling short of an abso- hefty fine. Alexander Lukashenko to step what was largely viewed as fragmented and largely unpop- lute majority in parliament. down. politically motivated charges. ular, to protest unhindered. According to the official results, the center-right Aus- Party, or FPO, which used anti- trian People’s Party (OVP) won immigrant and especially the parliamentary election with anti-Muslim rhetoric during the a clear victory over their rival election campaign. Polish man faces Social Democrats, capturing On Friday, Kurz was offi- 31.6 percent of the vote, up from cially asked by the country’s charges after 24 percent four years ago. President Alexander van der OVP leader Sebastian Kurz Bellen to form a new knife attack (pictured) said on Sunday night government. that he was open to talks with all Chancellor-designate Kurz, parties in parliament on forming 31, is expected to meet with the Warsaw a coalition government. leaders of FPO and Social Dem- AP He did not rule out a coali- ocratic Party (SPO) on possible tion with the far-right Freedom coalitions. man has confessed to stabbing people at a Ashopping mall in Poland, killing one and injur- ing nine, and faces charges of Thousands rally over Portugal homicide and attempted homicide, a prosecutor said wildfires as govt pledges aid yesterday. The 27-year-old wield- Lisbon ing two knives attacked Reuters people at the VIVO! mall on Friday afternoon in the s thousands of Portuguese protested yesterday over the southeastern town of Sta- A letter written on April 13, 1912 and recovered from the body of Alexander Oskar Holverson, government’s handling of massive wildfires that have lowa Wola. Akilled 108 people since June, government ministers a Titanic victim, was due to be auctioned, in London. He was detained by shop- pledged to spend over $470m in aid. pers and handed over to The decision, announced during a special cabinet meeting police. which continued into the night, came on the same day as a new Titanic victim’s letter up for auction Prosecutors identified interior minister took over after his predecessor resigned, and him only as a local resident, ahead of Tuesday’s parliamentary vote on a motion of no-con- London “on-board” stationary, the let- the southern English town of Konrad K, in line with fidence launched by the opposition. Reuters ter to his mother describes his Devizes. Iron keys from Titanic Poland’s privacy laws. Earlier, thousands of protesters gathered on Lisbon’s main impressions of the palatial ship, also sold for 76,000 pounds. A local court ordered his Comercio square, in Porto and other cities to mourn the vic- personal letter found on praising the food and music. “The prices illustrate the con- detention for at least three tims of the Portugal’s worst tragedy in living memory and the body of a man killed “If all goes well we will tinuing interest in the Titanic and months at a prison that pro- demand better fire prevention policies in the country, which A in the sinking of the arrive in New York Wednesday her passengers and crew,” said vides psychiatric treatment despite its relatively small size has suffered the largest forest Titanic sold at auction yester- am,” Holverson wrote the day auctioneer Andrew Aldridge. in the southern city of fires in Europe this year. day for $166,000, a record price before the ship’s fateful encoun- “I’m delighted with the new Krakow. The cabinet considered a detailed report by independent for correspondence from the ter with an iceberg. world record for the Titanic let- Regional prosecution experts on the first wave of forest fires in June when 64 peo- doomed liner. Holverson was a Minnesota- ter. It reflects its status as the head Janusz Woznik said the ple died in central Portugal, and the first official accounts of The letter is one of the last born salesman, who was most important Titanic letter we man blamed society for his the more widespread fires on October 15 and 16, which killed known to have survived the travelling on the ship with his have ever auctioned.” problems. 44. The main report pointed to failures on practically every sinking and still carries stains wife, Mary Alice, who survived In his letter Holverson also If convicted, he could face level from fire prevention and monitoring during an unusually from its time in the Atlantic. the sinking. described his experiences rub- life in prison. hot and dry summer to civil protection response, emergency Written by first-class pas- The letter was sold by the bing shoulders with one of the Eight people were hospi- communications and the alerting of the population. senger Alexander Oskar Holverson family at an auction ship’s most famous talized, two of them in critical Holverson on embossed Titanic held by Henry Aldridge & Son in passengers. condition. 14 AMERICAS SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 Former presidents sparring with Trump

Washignton Bush and Obama themselves children,” he said in New York. does not believe that feuding nicknames on critics — includ- AP More to follow were preceded by other promi- Never a fan of Trump’s, Bush with Republican senators could ing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, nent figures. In recent weeks, drew his biggest applause with get in the way of his agenda for Bush’s brother, during the 2016 Remarks on the same ormer presidents are Republican Sens. this line: “The only way to pass tax cuts and a new health care GOP primary. shedding a traditional day by George W Bob Corker of Tennessee and along civic values is to first live law. To be sure, there remains a reluctance to criticize Bush and Barack Arizonans John McCain and Jeff up to them.” “I think, actually sometimes long slate of Cabinet members their successors, Obama raise the Flake have taken swipes at a Three hundred miles to the it helps,” Trump said in an inter- and lawmakers who try not to unleashing pointed prospect that more president who has pushed the south, Obama, a Democrat, used view on Fox Business Network. cross Trump in public — from Fattacks on the Trump White dissenters will follow. limits of polite political discourse a similar approach to denounce “Sometimes it gets people to do Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, House and the commander in and has seemed to relish public Trump’s brand of politics. what they’re supposed to be to most of the Senate Republi- chief — but without mentioning The only way to fights over sensitive subjects, “Why are we deliberately doing.” can caucus. him by name. pass along civic including nuclear war, race rela- trying to misunderstand each However coincidental, Bush In the age of social media Remarks on the same day by values is to first live tions, immigrants and, this week, other and be cruel to each other and Obama’s comments capped and under a president with a del- former Presidents George W up to them, says the war dead. and put each other down? That’s periods of reticence for both icate Twitter trigger, the Bush and Barack Obama raise George W Bush. Bush this week delivered a not who we are,” he said during men during Trump’s tumultu- retaliation can be brutal. the prospect that more dissent- speech that was remarkable for a political appearance in Rich- ous first months in office. “In 1982, I could have said ers will follow in defiance of its takedowns of key features of mond, Virginia. At the White Neither mentioned Trump’s anything and my constituents President Donald Trump and his communication and rhetorical the political movement that put House on Friday, presidential name, but the pair left no doubt may or may not have known policies. theory at the University of Penn- Trump in power. spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee who they were talking about. about it,” said Dan Glickman, a “What they are doing is lay- sylvania. “They’re saying, ‘We “Bullying and prejudice in Sanders said the administration Trump has pursued a ban on former member of the House ing down a marker for don’t stand for that kind of lan- our public life sets a national believes the former presidents’ Muslim immigration, feuded from Kansas. “But now, the acceptable public discourse,” guage and behavior. These are tone, provides permission for remarks “were not directed with disabled Americans, hur- comments and the reaction said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a our values, these are our cruelty and bigotry, and compro- towards the president.” ricane victims and Gold Star beams around the world professor of political principles.’” mises the moral education of Trump said on Friday he parents and bestowed belittling instantaneously.” Air Force to Trump ‘will allow’ tackle pilot shortage release of Kennedy Washington AFP assassination files resident Donald Trump has signed an executive Washington But the law placed a Porder allowing the Air AFP 25-year hold on a small per- Force to bring up to 1,000 centage of the files that expires pilots back to active duty as S President Donald October 26. Some reports put it grapples with an aviator Trump said yesterday he the number withheld at 3,100. shortage, the Pentagon said. Uwill allow long blocked Tens of thousands of files that The Air Force has com- secret files on the assassination had been released with portions plained for years that it is of John F Kennedy to be opened blacked out are also set to be struggling to retain pilots, to the public for the first time. fully declassified. who are often lured away by The November 22, 1963 Kennedy was only the better-paying commercial assassination -- an epochal fourth US president to be cut airlines. event in modern US history -- down by an assassin’s bullets, Additionally, pilots often has spawned multiple theories and his death at age 46 proved choose to leave the military challenging the official version a traumatic turning point as the due to the strains of extended that Kennedy was killed a lone United States headed into a Steve Bannon addresses the California GOP 2017 Convention in Anaheim. Bannon was the deployments overseas. gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald. period of turbulence over civil “We anticipate that the keynote speaker at the event. So the release of all the rights and the Vietnam War. secretary of defense will del- secret documents has been The shocking images of Jac- egate the authority to the eagerly anticipated by histori- queline Kennedy cradling her secretary of the Air Force to Bannon faults George W Bush ans and conspiracy theorists mortally wounded husband in recall up to 1,000 retired alike. the back of an open presiden- pilots for up to three years,” Trump’s announcement fol- tial limousine froze the moment Commander Gary Ross, a for ‘destructive’ presidency lowed reports that not all the files in the public consciousness. Pentagon spokesman, said in would be released, possibly to A ten-month investigation a statement. protect still relevant intelligence led by Supreme Court chief jus- Previously, the Air Force California Republican Party convention, gathered outside the hotel where sources and methods. tice Earl Warren concluded that had been limited to recalling AP said Bush had embarrassed Bannon spoke, chanting and wav- But Trump appears to have Oswald, a former Marine who 25 pilots. “The pilot supply himself and didn’t know what ing signs — one displaying a Nazi decided otherwise. “Subject to had lived in the Soviet Union, shortage is a national-level ormer White House adviser he was talking about. swastika. the receipt of further informa- acted alone when he fired on challenge that could have Steve Bannon depicted Bannon said Bush has no The protesters were kept tion, I will be allowing, as Kennedy’s motorcade, hitting adverse effects on all aspects Fformer President George idea whether “he is coming or behind steel barricades on a plaza President, the long blocked and the president with two shots, of both the government and W Bush as bumbling and inept, going, just like it was when he across an entrance road at the classified JFK FILES to be one through the upper back and commercial aviation sectors faulting him for presiding over was president.” “There has not hotel, largely out of view of peo- opened,” he said in the tweet. the other in the head. for years to come,” Ross said. a “destructive” presidency dur- been a more destructive presi- ple entering for the event. No The files are due to be Oswald, arrested two hours The Air Force welcomed ing his time in the White House. dency than George Bush’s,” arrests were reported. opened in their entirety Thurs- later after murdering a Dallas the new rule. “As the Air Force Bannon’s scathing remarks Bannon added, as boos could be Bannon also took aim at the day nearly 54 years after police officer, was shot to death pursues a variety of initiatives on Friday night amounted to a heard in the crowd at the men- Silicon Valley and its “lords of Kennedy’s assassination in Dal- two days later by nightclub to counter the shortage, it will retort to a Bush speech in New tion of Bush’s name. technology,” predicting that tech las -- unless the US president owner Jack Ruby as he was take care to balance new York earlier this week, in which The remarks came during a leaders and progressives in the decides otherwise. being transferred from the city accessions with voluntary the 43rd president denounced speech thick with attacks on the state would try to secede from Millions of classified jail. The Warren commission’s programs for retired and sen- bigotry in Trump-era American Washington status quo, echoing the union in 10 to 15 years. He Kennedy files have been made finding was challenged in 1979 ior pilots to ensure the service politics and warned that the rise his call for an “open revolt” called the threat to break up the public under a 1992 law passed by a special House investiga- maintains a balance of expe- of “nativism,” isolationism and against establishment Republi- nation a “living problem.” in response to a surge in pub- tive committee that concluded rienced aviators throughout conspiracy theories have clouded cans. He called the “permanent He also tried to cheer long- lic demand for disclosure in the Kennedy was “probably assas- the coming years,” Air Force the nation’s true identity. political class” one of the great suffering California Republicans, wake of Oliver Stone’s conspir- sinated as a result of a spokeswoman Erika Yepsen But Bannon, speaking to a dangers faced by the country. in a state that Trump lost by over acy-heavy movie on the conspiracy” and there were said. capacity crowd at a California A small group of protesters 4 million votes. assassination. likely two shooters.

Poll finds Las Vegas shooting Search for engagement ring doesn’t alter opinions on guns

Atlanta weeks after 64-year-old he’s torn about whether tighter AP Stephen Paddock fired on a gun laws would lead to a reduc- crowded musical festival taking tion in mass shootings. he slaying of five dozen place on across the street from “That’s the hard part,” Gar- people in Las Vegas did lit- his hotel room, killing 58 and cia said. “How do you control Ttle to change Americans’ wounding more than 540 before something like that when you opinions about gun laws, a poll killing himself. have no idea where it’s coming finds. In this latest survey, 61 per- from, whether you control the The nation is closely divided cent said the country’s gun laws guns or not?” on whether restricting firearms should be tougher, while 27 per- Still, he’s frustrated by easy would reduce such mass shoot- cent would rather see them availability of some devices — ings or homicides, though a remain the same and 11 percent such as the “bump stocks” used majority favors tighter laws as want them to be less strict. by the Las Vegas shooter to they have for several years, That’s similar to the results of make his semi-automatic guns according to the poll from The an AP-GfK poll in July 2016. mimic the more rapid fire of Associated Press-NORC Center Nearly 9 in 10 Democrats, automatic weapons. for Public Affairs Research. but just a third of Republicans, “They give people access to The massive divide on want to see gun laws made these things, then they question Residents search for an engagement ring at a burned residence in Santa Rosa, California. stricter limits remains firmly in stricter. after something horrible hap- Residents are being allowed to return to their burned homes to grieve and search through place. Kenny Garcia, a 31-year-old pens, but yet the answer is right remains. Around 5,700 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the fires, the The survey was conducted resident of Stockton, California, there,” he said. “It just doesn’t deadliest in California’s history. from October 12-16, about two and a former gun owner, said make sense.” SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 AMERICAS 15

50th Anniversary of the 1967 March on the Pentagon Maduro warns Brazil to revise of repeat polls in states won controversial by opposition Caracas slavery decree Reuters enezuelan state elec- tions may be repeated Brasilia Vin the five states won by Reuters No repeal the opposition if the governors- President Michel elect continue to refuse to be razil’s government will Temer said the sworn in by a controversial issue a new decree pro-government legislative controversial changing the country’s superbody, President Nicolas B decree would be definition of slavery following Maduro has warned. an earlier order that was widely modified but not His warning came in a criticized as a reversal in the revoked. televised speech after the fight against forced labour, a government on Sunday unex- presidential aide has said. Under Brazilian law, pectedly won 18 of 23 states In Brazil, forced labour has forced labour in a vote which the opposi- been defined as a form of mod- is defined as tion calls fraudulent. ern-day slavery. This includes a form of People gather outside the Pentagon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 March Authorities have mandated debt bondage, degrading work modern-day slavery. on the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia. Organised by the Vietnam Peace Commemoration that all elected governors par- conditions, and long work Committee, participants gathered to hear from people who organised and participated in ticipate in a ceremony before hours that pose a risk to a the march, which is credited with helping turn public support against the war in Vietnam. the pro-government Constit- worker’s health or life, and vio- said the suggestions would be uent Assembly, but the five late their dignity. used to reissue a new decree. opposition winners did not Human rights campaigners “The president instructed the take part. said a decree issued by the labour minister to study them “Anyone who wants to be labour ministry on Monday and see which can be incorpo- governor will have to recog- changed the way slavery was rated in a new decree,” the Cuba unveils replica of Jose Marti statue nize the Constituent National defined, limiting it to a victim’s spokesman said. Assembly; otherwise elections freedom of movement but dis- Rights groups estimate hun- will be repeated in states regarding other abuses. dreds of thousands of people Havana not far from the gleaming weeks ago, after a series of set- where the Assembly is not The new decree, sought by work in slave-like conditions Reuters Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. backs in the normalization of recognized,” Maduro said at Brazil’s powerful farm lobby, on farms, sugar cane planta- After former US President relations between the old Cold the inauguration of one of the would derail enforcement efforts tions and cattle ranches across uba unveiled a replica of Obama and Cuban President Raul War foes. socialist candidates in west- that have freed 50,000 workers Brazil’s remote and jungle a New York statue of inde- Castro announced a detente in The Republican Trump ern Lara state. from slavery-like conditions areas, as well as in urban fac- Cpendence hero Jose Marti 2014, the Bronx Museum of the imposed new restrictions on The opposition says that by since 1995, according to federal tories and construction sites. on Friday, putting a gift from the Arts decided to gather donations travel and trade with the Com- law, the oath must be taken prosecutors and labor inspectors. The government decree as hometown of US President Don- to make a copy of the sculpture munist-run island in June, as he before regional parliaments Responding to the criticism, Pres- issued would close 506 of 706 ald Trump on public display at as a gift for Havana. disparaged what he called his and not before the Constituent ident Michel Temer said on working conditions cases under a time of heightened US-Cuba The goal was “to strengthen Democratic predecessor’s “ter- Assembly, but so far none of Friday the decree would be mod- investigation, which would no tensions. the bridge between our two rible and misguided” policy their candidates have under- ified but not revoked. longer be considered slave The equestrian statue countries,” the museum said. toward Cuba. Since August ten- gone that process and formally In an interview with the labor, a spokesman for Brazil’s depicts Marti moments before Marti, a poet and political sions between the two countries assumed their roles. Poder360 news website, Temer federal prosecutors office said. his death in a cavalry charge in essayist, was living in New York have deteriorated further. Venezuela’s opposition said the measure would be Temer bowed to pressure from 1895, during the fight against at the time he drew up plans for “By unveiling this monu- leaders have said they would “perfected” with suggestions by the farm lobby to modify the Spanish colonial rule. an invasion of Cuba as part of ment that comes from over travel abroad to denounce prosecutors, among them the decree at a time when he is rely- The original, sculpted by US the rebellion against Spain. there ... we say this is the only what they call dirty tricks by creation of a police department ing on the group’s votes in artist Anna Hyatt, has stood for The nearly 19-foot (6-meter) path forward, there is no other,” the government and outright for slave labor crimes. Congress to block corruption decades at the south en trance tall statue was just delivered said Eusebio Leal, the official fraud in the minerals-rich A presidential aide later charges next week. to New York City’s Central Park, from the United States two Havana City Historian. state of Bolivar. New York greets Puerto Ricans displaced by hurricane Maria

New York Reuters

here were only a few min- utes left before baggage Tcarousel No 4 jolted to life at John F Kennedy International Airport, soon to be ringed with people coming from Puerto Rico on one-way tickets they never would have bought if not for the hurricane. Moving at a canter, Emily Pagan and three colleagues from various New York state govern- ment agencies carted their fold-up table halfway down the Terminal 5 arrivals hall, setting it up by the carousel against a A New York state government official, greets and helps people pillar. arriving from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands at John They had volunteered to F Kennedy International Airport in New York. help orient the latest batch of the tens of thousands of Puerto island, flipping between English put those disagreements on Ricans that New York officials and Spanish: “Hi, I’m Emily, and hold. estimate will flee from the lin- I represent the state.” “Four days, no running gering devastation wrought a Lissette Feliciano, who had water,” Madeline said of their month ago by Hurricane Maria. driven down from Bridgeport, hometown, Isabela. She did not Many are expected to stay Connecticut, was among those know when they could return. for months - or years - and some grateful for a leaflet. Then bags “They’ll stay with me until forever, in a largely reluctant began thudding onto the carou- we can find something for her,” wave of migration abetted by sel and the automatic doors slid said Lissette, who had already the spare mattresses and open to admit her 10-year-old found a bilingual school for couches of the one million nephew, sporting an Incredible Carlos. Puerto Ricans who already call Hulk T-shirt, alongside her They headed out, with the New York area home. youngest sister, Madeline Madeline and Carlos added to “A lot of them are saying Feliciano. the tally on Pagan’s clipboard. they came to start a new life The nephew, Carlos, grinned People gravitated toward here because they lost every- as he was nuzzled by his aunt. Pagan and her purple top bear- thing,” Pagan said on her third It was their first time leaving the ing the logo of New York’s day of greeting arrivals from the island. Office of Temporary and Dis- US territory, where the power They never expected an air- ability Assistance, where she grid and water supply remain in plane cabin would be so cold, normally works as a compli- disarray. he said, shivering. ance officer. She tried to make the make- “I’m so-so,” his mother said, Born in Puerto Rico, Pagan, shift help desk look nice, looking daunted. 42, listened to the accounts of centering a bowl of mints and Many Puerto Rican families each new arrival that made her squaring off the piles of leaflets are divided between those who beautiful native island seem about health and job resources. prefer the island’s warmth and unfamiliar: no water, no power, A clipboard wedged into her those who cannot understand no green left on the tropical elbow, Pagan hurried up to any- why one would not move to the trees, no sort of place where a one who looked like they were mainland’s hustle, as Lissette did child or grandparent could waiting for relatives from the seven years ago. But the storm thrive. 16 MORNING BREAK SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.19 am Hundreds attend launch of Outdoor SHOROOK 05.35 am ZUHR 11.18 am MAGHRIB 05.03 pm Leisure Trail at Doha Festival City ASR 02.35 pm ISHA 06.33 pm

WEATHER TODAY The Peninsula

o o he launch of Doha Festival City’s Outdoor Leisure Trail 28 C 36 C was the definition of family Minimum Maximum and fitness fun this weekend as hundreds attended its Tlaunch and took part in activities from the early hours of the morning. Members of the Qatar Cycling Fed- eration kicked off proceedings with a fast-paced time trial around the cir- cuit, with David Nichols winning with a time of 6minuites and 10 seconds. Participants then walked, ran and cycled their way around the 3km track surrounding the Mall. All those taking part in the races showcased a lot of passion and determination, and the running, walking and cycling sessions drew a huge crowd of both participants and spectators. XREBEL stunt riders from XTRK gave three breath-taking shows that wowed spectators, who also enjoyed a special appearance from Red Bull BMX athlete, Mansour Al Safran. The XREBELS also gave some lucky audi- ence members the chance to ride BMX bikes and pull some of their own stunts. Hundreds walked, ran and Visitors enjoyed a festival style cycled around Doha Festival Hazy to misty at places at first be- event with IKEA, Toys R Us, Tim Hor- City’s new Outdoor Leisure Trail, comes hot daytime with some lo- tons, Shake Shack, Go Sport and Red cal clouds. which was officially opened on Bull hosting kiosks in the event Saturday. village. Pics: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula Trevor Hill, General Manager of Doha Festival City Mall, said: “We were HIGH TIDE 06:30 – 17:45 LOW TIDE 12:45 – 00:00 very excited to welcome our first vis- Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department itors to the Outdoor Leisure Trail today, offers various surfaces with inbuilt it’s amazing to see our vision of creat- gradients and obstacles to suit all ing a space for the whole community, abilities of mountain bikers and was come to life. The trail has been spe- designed by British company, Archi- cially designed for people of all ages trail. The running track also has and abilities to enjoy so we want to exercise stations along the route, encourage everyone to come down, allowing both casual and more seri- try it out and get active!” ous runners to exercise and enjoy the The mountain bike cycle track has green spaces being created as part 13 different technical trail features and of the project.

Marcel Khalife to perform

The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation, has announced that Marcel Khalife, a Unesco artist for peace, will perform on November 3, Friday, in ‘The Music of Marcel and Rami Khalife’ show at the Qatar National Convention Centre Auditorium 3.

Ex-councilwoman’s donation helps save 19 cats in house fire

Allentown AP

Pennsylvania town’s fire department is prais- ing an ex-councilwoman whose donation Ahelped save the lives of 19 cats in a house fire. The Allentown Fire Department tells The Morn- ing Call former councilwoman Gail Hoover’s gift of $4,000 enabled it to buy pet-friendly oxygen masks and collapsible animal crates. Chief Lee Laubach says the contribution was inval- uable when a fire struck a home filled with about 50 cats and several dogs last weekend. Nineteen cats survived. It’s unclear how many dogs survived. The chief says firefighters are struggling with what they encountered in the home, where the animals were crying for help. The cats’ owners were away. Firefighters and officials held a press conference Friday to thank Hoover. Hoover holds a birthday bash every March and instead of gifts collects donations for her favourite causes.