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Civil Aviation Authority Qatar informs Chairman holds talks with top ICAO official

MONTREAL: Chairman of the UNSC of airspace Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla Nasser Turki Al Subaey, met here yesterday with Secretary-General of Interna- violation by UAE tional Civil Aviation Organi- zation, Fang Liu. Al Subaey handed the ICAO Secretary-General a written THE PENINSULA The Permanent message from the Minister of Representative of Transport and Communications DOHA: The State of Qatar has Qatar to the United H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, informed the UN Security related to the latest developments Council and the UN Secretary- Nations, H E Sheikha of civil aviation in the region. The General of a latest violation of Alia Ahmed bin Saif two sides then discussed aviation Qatari sovereignty on the part Al Thani, sent a safety in the region, and agreed on QNA of the UAE, reports . message to the UN the importance of increasing effi- The Permanent Represent- ciency in that regard. ative of Qatar to the United Secretary-General The chairman of Qatar Civil Nations, H E Sheikha Alia and to the President Aviation Authority also held sep- Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, said of the UN Security arate meetings with representa- in a message to UN Sec- Council highlighting tives of the African Union, and retary-General Antonio South America to ICAO. They dis- Guterres and to the President the UAE’s continued cussed the latest developments of of the UN Security Council for violation of Qatari Foodies throng Hotel Park civil aviation around the world, this month Ambassador Karel and in the GCC region in particular. sovereignty. A large number of people thronged the Hotel Park yesterday to sample wide-ranging culinary van Oosterom that a military He expressed his appreciation offerings available at 177 food stalls and food trucks at the ninth Qatar International Food Festival transport aircraft CN-35 that during the meeting to the role ICAO belongs to the UAE violated Earlier on March 9, Qatar which runs until March 25. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT /THE PENINSULA has played in maintaining aviation the airspace of Qatar on had informed the United safety and security. March 4 Sunday. Nations Security Council of air- The message described the space violations committed by incident as a severe violation of aircraft of the United Arab international law, highlighting Emirates and Bahrain, the third the UAE’s continued violation such violation (at that time) in Over 120 nations benefit from Doha Declaration programs of Qatari sovereignty could four months. QNA escalate tension in the region In a letter sent the UNSC on Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani terrorism in full respect for cul- Doha Declaration, namely, and does not take into consid- March 9, Qatari authorities had said that the World Program for tural diversity. enhancing the role of the law eration security and stability, said that a Bahraini military air- PARIS: The State of Qatar has the Implementation of the Doha Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al- through educational activities to which can have severe conse- craft overflew the exclusive reiterated its commitment to Declaration, including the Edu- Thani said that Qatar has decided prevent crime and achieving quences on the security and sta- economic zone of Qatar on Feb- supporting international coop- cation for All initiative, is among to build on the success achieved justice through addressing cor- bility of the region. ruary 28. The plane was inter- eration in the interest of the outstanding efforts of Qatar by the 13th United Nations Con- ruption in public institutions. He The government of the State cepted by a Qatari fighter jet achieving peace, stability and to combat crime, terrorism, gress on Crime Prevention and said that the largest project in this of Qatar renewed its call on the before it left Qatari airspace, prosperity for humanity, extremism, corruption and other Criminal Justice held in Doha in framework will be launched by UN to take the necessary according to the letter. employing education in the face related crimes, noting that more 2015 by launching an ambitious the United Nations next month measures to preserve interna- On January 14, an Emirati of extremism and terrorism and than 120 countries have so far program to make the Doha Dec- in Vienna as “the integrity of the tional peace and security by military aircraft also overflew assisting countries in imple- benefited from the activities of laration a reality through coop- global judiciary.” putting an end to the UAE’s con- Qatari territorial waters without menting strategies to prevent all this program. eration with the United Nations Soo-Hyang Choi, Director of tinued violations. permission from authorities in forms of cross-border crime. He stressed that the Edu- Office in Vienna on drugs and the Division of Education for The message also added Doha, the letter further stated, This came in a statement cation for Global Citizenship ini- crime. Peace and Sustainable Devel- that while the State of Qatar adding that on February 25, delivered by H E Sheikh Ali bin tiative, which Unesco experts are He reviewed the outcome of opment of Unesco praised continues to exercise restraint another Emirati military aircraft Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of currently considering in Paris, the 13th United Nations Congress Qatar’s contributions to sup- in the face of such irresponsible approached the Qatari border Qatar to the Republic of Austria should be based on providing on Crime Prevention and porting the projects and activ- and provocative actions, Qatar before changing course after and its Permanent Representative primary and secondary teachers Criminal Justice, held in Doha in ities of the Organization and the condemns any violation of its warnings were issued. to the United Nations Organiza- with mechanisms to support the 2015, which had been adopted progress made in the projects of sovereignty, and that the In another similar letter sent tions in Vienna, in his capacity as principles of human rights, unanimously, in particular the the World Program for the country maintains the right to in January this year, Qatari representative of the Doha World democracy and the rule of law integration of crime prevention Implementation of the Doha respond to any violations, with authorities had informed the Declaration Committee, at the in all areas, particularly in the and social justice on the wider Declaration, funded by the State the message highlighting that UNSC of UAE airspace viola- Consultative Meeting of the prevention of terrorism and United Nations agenda to address of Qatar, and whose programs the country will do whatever is tions, saying they took place in Experts of the United Nations Edu- extremism, with a view to social and economic challenges benefit more than 100 countries, necessary to protect its borders the context of “irresponsible cational, Scientific and Cultural achieving a culture of peace, tol- and strengthening the rule of law. mostly from developing and least and national security in line and provocative” actions by the Organization (Unesco), currently erance and protection from Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani developed countries, the with the international law. UAE against Qatar. in session in Paris. extremism, violence and reviewed the four pillars of the statement said.

Qatar jumps to 32nd place in World Happiness Report Different variables including income, social IRFAN BUKHARI Yemen, Tanzania, South Sudan, The overall rankings of country Venezuela, down 2.2 points on the THE PENINSULA support, healthy life Central African Republic and happiness are based on the pooled 0 to 10 scale. Five of the report’s expectancy at birth, Burundi have been ranked at the results from Gallup World Poll seven chapters deal primarily with DOHA: Gaining three spots in end of the ranking index. surveys from 2015-2017, and show migration. For both domestic and freedom to make life World Happiness Report in one year, In the happiness ranking for both change and stability. There is a international migrants, the report choices, generosity etc. Qatar has been ranked 32nd happiest foreign-born (immigrants), Qatar has new top ranking country, Finland, studies not just the happiness of the are counted for the country in the world in the global been ranked at number 26 out of 156 but the top ten positions are held by migrants and their host communities, happiness ranking released by the countries and the second most hap- the same countries as in the last two but also of those left behind, whether happiness rankings. Sustainable Development Solutions piest country for immigrants in MENA years, although with some swapping in the countryside or in the source Network (SDSN), a global initiative region. The immigrant happiness of places. Four different countries country. The results are generally of the United Nations. rankings are based on the full span of have held top spot in the four most positive. Qatar from 35th position in 2017 Gallup data from 2005 to 2017, suffi- recent reports- Denmark, Swit- The report says that happiness jumped to 32nd place in World cient to have 117 countries with more zerland, Norway and now Finland. can change, and does change, Happiness Report 2018. In 2016, than 100 immigrant respondents. Dif- All the top countries tend to according to the quality of the society Qatar was ranked at the 36th ferent variables including income, have high values for all six of the in which people live. Immigrant hap- position. In the Middle East and social support, healthy life expectancy key variables that have been found piness, like that of the locally born, North Africa (MENA) region, Qatar at birth, freedom to make life choices, to support well-being: income, depends on a range of features of the is the second happiest country. generosity etc. are counted for the healthy life expectancy, social social fabric, extending far beyond Among 156 countries ranked in happiness rankings. support, freedom, trust and gener- the higher incomes traditionally the report; Finland, Denmark, The main focus of this year’s osity. The analysis of happiness thought to inspire and reward Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, report, in addition to its usual changes from 2008-2010 to 2015- migration. The countries with the Australia, Canada, Sweden, Swit- ranking of the levels and changes 2015 shows Togo as the biggest happiest immigrants are not the zerland, and Mexico are respec- in happiness around the world, is gainer, moving up 17 places in the richest countries, but instead the tively the top ten happiest coun- on migration within and between overall rankings from the last place countries with a more balanced set tries in the world while Malawi, countries, says the executive position it held as recently as in the of social and institutional supports Haiti, Liberia, Syria, Rwanda, summary of the report. 2015 rankings. The biggest loser is for better lives. 02 HOME SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 Qatar’s role HMC employee wins international award Mohammad Al Hasel Al Yafei, a photographer in developing in the Corporate Communications Department, was tourism praised announced as the winner earlier this The Sudanese the Qatari experiences in the week when the Minister said that he field of tourism and seek to expand the Qatari support to all awards were handed will visit Qatar soon the states of Sudan. He stressed out on the sidelines to take advantage that the evaluations carried out of the ITB Berlin of the Qatari for Qatari projects in Sudan in Convention in Berlin. experiences in the the fields of tourism showed that they opened wide horizons for field of tourism and Sudan in the field of archaeo- seek to expand the logical tourism, and the areas THE PENINSULA Qatari support to all where the missions of Qatar are the states of Sudan. the most attractive tourist desti- DOHA: An employee from the nations, especially for tourists Corporate Communications coming from European and Department at Hamad Medical QNA Asian countries. Corporation (HMC) has won the He noted that the facilities best photo award at the tenth Mohammad Al Hasel Al Yafei receives the best photo award at the tenth annual Arab Tourism Media KHARTOUM: Sudanese Minister established by Qatar for foreign annual Arab Tourism Media Oscar Awards. of Tourism, Antiquities and missions in Sudan according to Oscar Awards. Wildlife Mohammed Abu Zaid the latest international standards Mohammad Al Hasel Al Mustafa has praised the great have provided infrastructure that Yafei, a photographer in the Cor- including best specialized jour- role of the State of Qatar in can be used in the future in the porate Communications nalist, best television show, best developing tourism in his country development of archeology Department, was announced as documentary tourist program, through continuous support and tourism, adding that Qatar has the winner earlier this week and best Arab news agency, rehabilitation of monuments in enabled Sudan to benefit eco- when the awards were handed among other categories. the North and Naher Al Neil nomically from the tourism of out on the sidelines of the ITB Al Hasel Al Yafei, whose States, Northern Sudan. archeology and expansion and Berlin Convention in Berlin, winning photograph was taken The Minister said in an development of promising future Germany. at Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al interview with the Sudanese plans . Dr. Sultan Al Yahyie, Pres- Thani Museum, expressed his radio today, that Qatar has been This move attains signifi- ident of the Arab Tourism Media great pleasure in receiving the working since 2013 in the resto- cance especially after President Center said more than one and award. He called it a win on ration of monuments in Sudan Omar Al Bashir’s decision to a half million voters partici- behalf of the State of Qatar and has achieved great successes in facilitate entry visas for foreign pated in selecting award thanked those who voted for his this area, adding that the tourists and not restrict their winners through electronic photo for their support. He also program to develop the, Antiq- movement, he said, noting that voting. A total of 187 partici- thanked HMC for the organiza- uities will continue until 2020. cooperation between Qatar and pants from 14 Arab countries tion’s ongoing encouragement The Minister said he will visit Sudan is developing with high entered the competition, which and support of his professional The award winning photograph. Qatar soon to take advantage of coordination. comprised several categories career. Celebrity chef optimistic on future of Filipino cuisine RAYNALD C RIVERA ceremony of QIFF 2018. last night Logarta showcased a and Organic Cuisine Day. THE PENINSULA To propel Filipino food to the delectable Filipino seafood dish Among the 14 celebrity chefs Arab market, he said: “We can which is crab fat fried rice with featured at the Cooking Theatre DOHA: Filipino celebrity chef slowly introduce it to them by fresh lump crab meat topped at the 11-day festival are Qatari Niño Logarta has expressed injecting Arabic ingredients to with crispy fried squid. chef and food programme pre- optimism on the future of make it more familiar to their He returns to the Live senter Aisha Al Tamimi, Indian Filipino cuisine joining other taste buds at the same time Cooking Theatre tonight at 10pm celebrity chef Ajay Chopra, the mainstream Asian foods on the elevate the flavours.” to demonstrate how to cook first blind contestant in US Mas- world stage. A highly respected person- chicken and crab meat embutido terChef and 2012 winner A familiar face on Philippine ality in Philippine culinary scene, with roasted capsicum sauce- Christine Ha, Turkish celebrity TV, Logarta, is the first Filipino Logarta has been consultant of another scrumptious Filipino chef Murat Bozok, Filipino celebrity chef taking part in the several manufacturing com- dish. celebrity TV chef Nino Logarta, Qatar International Food Festival panies and endorser of a number Commenting on the festival, Lebanese celebrity chef Ramzi (QIFF), Qatar’s longest running of brands. He currently handles he said that he is “very impressed Choueiri, Kuwaiti celebrity TV food festival which opened on operations of cooking shows, with the setup and the line-up of chef Sulaiman Al Qassar and US Thursday at the Hotel Park. teaching artists how to prepare activities and events.” Iron Chef Masharu Morimoto. “I’m very hopeful that we’ll the food properly as well as With probably the most This signature QIFF event Filipino celebrity chef Niño Logarta. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA get into the global market. We serves as a faculty Moderne diverse list of celebrity chefs, this provides a space for connois- can probably marry it with other Culinaire Academy. year’s QIFF Live Cooking Theatre seurs and novices to learn all techniques and ingredients to “Filipino food is very simple, to source,” he said. and flavourful, but then I can offers daily themed live cooking about how to handle, prepare, make it more interesting and very straightforward and with On his speciality, he said “I cook anything.” shows such as International cook, present and even photo- appealing to other cultures espe- easy flavours. In many recipes like cooking familiar flavours An archipelago comprising Cuisine Day, Seafood Day, graph food, running alongside cially the way it looks,” Logarta that we do, it doesn’t go over ten which are Asian. They are more more than 7,500 islands, the Dessert Day, Dough/Pasta Day, live competitions and told local media at the opening ingredients which are very easy interesting for me, more dynamic Philippines is rich in seafood, and Veggie Day, Arabic Cuisine Day demonstrations. Qatar University denies website hacking reports

QNA and ignore and report these emails. Qatar University said that “phishing” DOHA: Qatar University has denied the attempts targeting e-mail accounts are information received about the hacking ongoing, both at Qatar University and even of its website, stressing that the infra- in other international e-mail accounts, structure of the website protection warning that the only way to avoid the Various activities during the second day of Empower Youth Conference 2018 organised by Education Above All systems is strong, consistent, and is occurrence of such electronic problems Foundation’s programme, Reach Out to Asia. constantly updated. is to ignore the opening of anonymous Qatar University said in a press emails, or to click on an unknown link, Activities in full swing at Empower Youth Conference statement yesterday that all its website’s and report it immediately to those respon- information is under full protection, sible for the security and protection of THE PENINSULA variety of workshops. In addition, a the Sustainable Development Goals pointing out that it was only an attempt networks. 20-minute short film ‘Al-Johara’ by (SDGs)’, whereas Elizabeth Ann to control some of the students e-mail The statement stressed that Qatar Uni- DOHA: Organised by Education Nora Al Subai, Qatari writer and Koenig, Professional Development accounts, what is technically known as versity is continuously asking its Above All (EAA) Foundation’s director, was also featured during the Director of National Youth leadership “phishing”. employees through e-mails not to respond programme, Reach Out to Asia event. Thereafter, Community council (NYLC), enlightened the Concerning the “phishing” technique, to such messages, and to take maximum (ROTA), the second day of Empower Engagement Manager, Supreme Com- audience on ‘Service Learning’. Qatar University explained that an anon- precautions when dealing with these Youth Conference 2018, Qatar’s mittee for Delivery and Legacy Khalid On his part, Tariq Bekri, ROTA’s ymous email is sent to receiver, asking emails. largest annual youth gathering, was Al-Jumaily took the stage for an inter- International Programs Specialist, the account holder to enter its data, which The statement quoted the Director of packed with activities for the 450 esting presentation titled, ‘Journey To elaborated on ‘Youth Empowerment includes passwords, and to use those Information Technology Services at Qatar youth taking part in the three-day Amazing.’ Furthermore, Aisha Al- and Promoting Youth Voice’ while accounts later to send similar emails to a University Dr. Salem Al Naemi, as saying event. Khaldi and Aisha Al-Muftah made a Mohamed Al Jufairi, Youth Leadership larger number of accounts. that what happened is not a hacking as It included insightful practical presentation on ‘Vendstation Sta- expert, shared his experiences on The university stressed that after reported by some newspapers, which pub- sessions in the form of workshops, tionary’ aims to encourage youth to ‘Leadership’. To enthuse youngsters, follow-up and inventory, it was found that lished inaccurate information, and that panel discussions and inspirational innovate and become an inspirational speech was delivered the number of those affected by this this is technically known as “phishing” in speeches by influential personalities. entrepreneurs. by ROTA’s Literacy Program. attempt is very limited, and their accounts which the user himself presents his or her The day began with workshops As for the main panel discussion The second day also deciphered were fully restored, without losing any account data and this phenomenon is survey instructions, then an inter- on ‘Youth Empowerment Key Oppor- on the inspiring success stories and information, pointing out that the Infor- repeated not only at the university level active activity on the objectives of tunities and Challenges’, which was achievements by artist and social- mation Technology Services Department but in all the systems in the world. Dr. sustainable development, especially moderated by Anas Ghanim, one of media influencer Abdul Hameed Al (ITS), took appropriate security measures Salem Al Naemi reassured everyone that the fourth goal of education, where the ROTA youth Advisory Board Siddiqi; Ruqaya Al Saada, Entrepre- immediately after reporting the “phishing” the matter is simple and is under control, each group was asked to study the Members, different topics were neurship Advisor at Bedaya Center of e-mail accounts, to protect the affected and called on all university employees to issue and propose solutions from a addressed, as Ghanim spoke on and Co-founder of Rwaq; and Salman accounts, and also to inform the university be careful and immediately report any youth perspective, followed by a ‘Global Citizenship and Al Khanji, First Qatari Strava. community not to respond to such emails, suspicious matters. SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 HOME / MIDDLE EAST 03

Macron visits Qatar stand at Paris Book Fair QNA fair its publishing work, particularly Qatar takes part in ‘Lebanon ones translated to and from French. PARIS: President of France, Emanuel They will also display other pub- Macronm inaugurated yesterday the lishing work of different state insti- Contact Group’ meet in Rome 38th edition of Paris Book Fair, with tutions. Qatari writers will participate QNA more than 1,250 publishing houses in a talk as well that takes place on participating from across the globe. the second day of the event. The French President visited the According to the information ROME: The State of Qatar participated Qatari section, as part of his tour of available, Dr Hashem Al Sayed and in the ‘Lebanon Contact Group’ meeting the fair, in the attendance of the State Dr Shorouq Al Malki, two Qatari which was held in the headquarters of of Qatar’s Ambassador to France, Dr writers, will also participate in the Italy’s Foreign Ministry (Palazzo della Khalid bin Rashid Al Mansori, Per- event to present their work which was Farnesina) in Rome. manent Representative of the State translated to French and English. The Secretary-General of the of Qatar to Unesco H E Ali Zainal, and Paris Book Fair “Livre Paris” will Foreign Ministry, H E Dr Ahmed bin a number of officials from the Min- have 1200 exhibitors, with 45 coun- Hassan Al Hammadi, headed the Qatari istry of Culture and Sports. tries taking part. There will also be delegation which comprised Qatar’s The Ministry will present in the 800 conferences and events. Ambassador to Italy, Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Malki Al Jahni, and Vice- Chariman of Military Cooperation Two Israeli soldiers dead in car attack Authority in Qatari Ministry of Defence Brigadier Fahad bin Hamad Haie Al ANATOLIA driver of the vehicle was lightly Sulaiti. wounded and has since been taken to During the meeting, Lebanon RAMALLAH: Two Israeli soldiers were hospital for further treatment,” it Contact Group members states dis- killed yesterday in an alleged vehicular added. cussed ways to support the Lebanese attack in the occupied West Bank, The Palestinian territories have Armed Forces and the National Security according to the Israeli army. remained tense since last December, Apparatus, with a view of establishing In a statement, the army said that when U.S. President Donald Trump rec- stability and security in Lebanon and a 26-year-old man — his name was not ognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. assisting the Joint Support Fund for given — had driven his car into a group The move drew condemnation coordination between the Government of soldiers manning the entrance of the from across the region and sparked of Lebanon and international donors, Jewish-only Mevo Dotan settlement angry protests in the Palestinian terri- to strengthen the efficiency of the Leb- The Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, H E Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al near Jenin. “Two Israeli soldiers were tories -- and several clashes with Israeli anese Armed Forces and internal Hammadi, at ‘Lebanon Contact Group’ meeting at the headquarters of Italy’s killed and two others were moderately troops -- that have left at least 25 Pal- security forces and to seek to complete injured,” the statement read. “The estinians dead. UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Foreign Ministry (Palazzo della Farnesina), in Rome yesterday. 90 physicians attend HMC’s first Men’s Health Club Meeting THE PENINSULA Dr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, symptoms, diagnosis, and Head of Urology at treatment options. DOHA: Last week officials from Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, Asso- Hamad Medical Corporation’s HMC, said the meeting, ciate Professor of Clinical (HMC) Urology Department which is thought to be Urology at Weill Cornell Medical organised the first Men’s Health the first initiative of College in New York, presented Club Meeting. a research paper on the impor- Held on March 8 at the its kind in the country, tance of men’s health issues as Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and provided a platform part of the public health agenda. Convention Hotel, the event was to discuss the latest Dr. Al Rumaihi noted that the attended by 90 physicians from scientific and research establishment of the Men’s the private and public sector spe- Health Club is twofold; bringing cialising in urology, nephrology, developments related public attention to the impor- endocrinology, diabetes, cardi- to men’s health. tance of men’s health conditions ology, and community and educating medical profes- medicine. sionals about the latest research The participants pose during the inaugural Men’s Health Club Meeting organised by HMC at the Dr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Head research developments related related to conditions that affect Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel on March 8. of Urology at HMC, said the to men’s health. it, both physical and psycho- meeting, which is thought to be Topics of discussion included logical and spanning from the first initiative of its kind in the health effects of low testo- research papers that detailed the health conditions, including type obesity and low testosterone puberty to old age. The Men’s the country, provided a platform sterone, with much of the con- relationship between low testo- 2 diabetes, infertility, and var- levels was also examined, with Health Club Meeting will be held to discuss the latest scientific and versation focused on five sterone and other icose veins. The link between attendees discussing common every three months.

Iraq’s Kurds observe 30th Libya seizes anniversary of gas attack oil tanker, AP Halabja attack “we affirm our pride in arrests crew the unity of our people,” he said in the AFP IRAQ: Iraq’s Kurdish region yesterday statement. commemorated the 30th anniversary Tensions between Iraq’s Kurds and of Saddam Hussein’s 1988 gas attack in the central government have spiked TRIPOLI: Libya’s navy has the northeastern Kurdish town of recently following a controversial vote seized an oil tanker suspected Halabja that killed 5,000 people. on independence held by the auton- of illegally loading fuel and Kurdish officials delivered speeches omous Kurdish region in September. arrested its Greek crew, a to a crowd of hundreds gathered for the In Halabja, residents described navy spokesman said. ceremony at a stadium in the town. decades of government neglect. The tanker was inter- At a cemetery where many of those “We are still carrying the same suf- cepted on Wednesday killed in the attack are buried, relatives fering that we suffered in the past. Until evening off Libya’s western of victims, survivors of the attack and now, those injured in the chemical attack coast, about eight nautical officials laid flowers beside rows of have not received proper treatment,” miles from the Abu Kamash headstones. said Hikmat Faiq Arif, a 45-year old res- oil plant, said spokesman From Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister ident, adding that much of the city also Ayoub Kacem. Haider Al Abadi described the attack as remains damaged. Abu Kamash is the site of The Secretary-General of the Iraqi Council of Ministers, Mahdi Al Alaq (centre right), a “crime that shook the conscience of “Iraq must be obligated to pay com- one of the oil-rich North and a representative of the Iraqi Prime Minister pay respects at the Halabja Memorial the world,” according to a written pensation for the destroyed city of African country’s largest pet- Monument as they gather yesterday, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Halabja gas statement released by his office. Halabja, because it is a part of Iraq,” he rochemical complexes, west massacre that killed some 5,000 people. As the country commemorates the said. of Tripoli and near the Tunisian border. The Togolese-regis- tered ship, Lamar, was spotted in Libyan territorial European powers propose new Iran sanctions waters “without authori- sation... and in a suspicious area where fuel smuggling BRUSSELS by world powers that curbs persons and entities that we foreign ministers will discuss the powers as they try to mollify the operations take place,” Tehran’s ability to develop believe should be targeted in proposal at a closed-door Trump administration, which is Kacem said. REUTERS: Britain, France and nuclear weapons, namely by view of their publicly demon- meeting on Monday in Brussels, split between those who want to “Many ships have been Germany have proposed fresh EU showing U.S. President Donald strated roles,” the document said, diplomats said. tear up the agreement and those seized in the past in this same sanctions on Iran over its ballistic Trump that there are other ways referring to Iranian ballistic Analysts say the nuclear who wish to preserve it. area whilst illegally loading missiles and its role in Syria’s to counter Iranian power abroad. missile tests and Tehran’s role agreement, touted at the time as A US official cited “very good” fuel,” he said. war, according to a confidential Trump delivered an ulti- backing Syria’s government in a breakthrough reducing the risk talks with London, Paris and The tanker and eight crew document, in a bid to persuade matum to the European signa- the seven-year-old civil war. of a devastating wider war in the Berlin this week in Vienna on the members, all Greeks, were Washington to preserve the 2015 tories on January 12. It said they The steps would go beyond Middle East, could collapse if issue. “PROLIFERATION” OF taken to a naval base in nuclear deal with Tehran. must agree to “fix the terrible what a US State Department Washington pulls out. IRANIAN MISSILES The European Tripoli and were waiting to The joint paper, seen by flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” - cable obtained by Reuters last The document said Britain, document referred to sanctions be questioned, he added. Reuters, was sent to European which was sealed under his pred- month outlined as a path to France and Germany were that would “target militias and According to the infor- Union capitals yesterday, said ecessor Barack Obama - or he satisfy Trump: simply committing engaged in “intensive talks with commanders”. It proposes mation available from two people familiar with the would refuse to extend US sanc- to improving the nuclear deal. the Trump administration to building on the EU’s existing sources, the tanker was car- matter, to sound out support for tions relief on Iran. US sanctions It also reflects frustration “achieve a clear and lasting reaf- sanctions list related to Syria, rying about 950,000 litres of such sanctions as they would will resume unless Trump issues with Tehran. “We’re getting irri- firmation of U.S. support for the which includes travel bans and fuel when it was “inter- need the support of all 28 EU fresh “waivers” to suspend them tated. We’ve been talking to them (nuclear) agreement beyond May asset freezes on individuals, and cepted... then directed to the member governments. on May 12. for 18 months and have had no 12”. The proposal follows weeks a ban on doing business or Tripoli naval base”, Colonel The proposal is part of an EU “We will therefore be circu- progress on these issues,” a dip- of talks between the State financing public and private Abouajila Abdel Barri, a Coast strategy to save the accord signed lating in the coming days a list of lomat said. European Union Department and European companies. Guard officer, said. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 100 killed in single day in Syria: Monitor AGENCIES Air strikes killed decided to leave, whatever the dozens of civilians in cost,” the 40-year-old said. BEIRUT: A Syrian monitoring Hundreds of them were group says more than 100 Eastern Ghouta and crammed in a centre on the edge civilians have been killed in forced thousands of Eastern Ghouta on Friday, government, Russian, and Turkish to flee their homes unsure what the next step would airstrikes and shelling on towns yesterday as Syrian be after walking straight into the inside Syria. arms of the forces that have The Britain-based Syrian and allied forces relentlessly pounded their homes Observatory for Human Rights pressed their blistering for weeks. says government and Russian assault on the six-year- They were sitting on the forces have been bombing rebel- old rebel stronghold. ground and had little access to towns areas outside Damascus sanitation as the sudden exodus throughout yesterday, killing 64 appeared to have caught the gov- people in Kafr Batna and another Turkish-led forces pressed an ernment flat-footed. 12 in Saqba. The Syrian Civil operation to seize the Kurdish- Despite mild temperatures, Syrian civilians, evacuated from rebel-held areas in the Eastern Ghouta, gather at a school in the Defence search-and-rescue group majority region of Afrin, sending most of them were wearing regime-controlled Hosh Nasri, on the northeastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, yesterday. reported 61 fatalities in Kafr thousands more civilians on to the several layers of heavy winter Batna. roads. clothes, the same they had kept The Syrian government is On the edge of Ghouta, a on for weeks in their freezing determined to seize Kafr Batna, sprawling semi-rural area basements. Erdogan: Turkey controls Saqba, and the rest of the besieged within mortar range of central The Syrian army in a message eastern Ghouta region from Damascus, hundreds of broadcast on state television rebels, after 7 years of war. civilians were still streaming urged all residents to use “cor- The Observatory says Turkish out of destroyed towns, car- ridors” to leave the enclave as it three-fourths of Afrin shelling and airstrikes have killed rying scant belongings in bags claimed to have recaptured 70 ANATOLIA another 27 people in the Kurdish- and bundles. percent of rebel territory. Erdogan also spoke about the operation aims to establish held town of Afrin, in north Syria. Exhausted and distraught, The ground offensive pressed presence of terrorists on the security and stability along Tur- Turkey is waging a war on a the estimated 40,000 people by Syrian troops and allied militia ANKARA: President Recep eastern side of the Euphrates key’s borders and the region as Syrian Kurdish militia that con- who poured out of Ghouta on has splintered Eastern Ghouta into Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday- River in Syria. well as to protect Syrians from ter- trols Afrin and the surrounding Thursday had harrowing tales three pockets. three-fourths of Afrin in north- “If America really wants to rorist oppression and cruelty. The region. of life in fear and deprivation, Most of the civilians fleeing western Syria has been liberated cooperate with us against terror operation is being carried out Air strikes killed dozens of trapped for weeks in their cellars since Thursday have left from the during Operation Olive Branch. it must start by removing ter- under the framework of Turkey’s civilians in Eastern Ghouta and as regime and Russian jets town of Hammuriyeh, in the south Speaking at a local congress rorists from east of Euphrates. rights based on international forced thousands to flee their rained bombs. of Eastern Ghouta. of ruling Justice and Devel- We will definitely remove those law, UN Security Council reso- homes yesterday as Syrian and “We were around 66 families The Islamist and jihadist opment (AK) Party in eastern terrorists from the areas they lutions, its self-defense rights allied forces pressed their blis- in the basement, with seven groups which have dominated this Erzurum province, Erdogan said have invaded,” Erdogan said. under the UN charter, and respect tering assault on the six-year-old people per family,” Hussein Samid area of the enclave over the past Turkey has resolved the Afrin On January 20, Turkey for Syria’s territorial integrity, it rebel stronghold. said, pausing on the roadside to few years retook much of the issue to a great extent. launched Operation Olive Branch said. The military also said only The war entered its eighth smoke a cigarette. town they had almost lost a day “Until now, we have estab- to clear YPG/PKK-Daesh terrorists terror targets are being destroyed year with another deadly assault “Those of us who were in earlier, the Syrian Observatory for lished control in three-fourths from Afrin. According to the and that “utmost care” is being unfolding in the north, where the cellar got together and Human Rights said. of the Afrin region,” he said. Turkish General Staff, the taken to avoid harming civilians.

Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi in secret talks to end war: Sources 7 US personnel REUTERS dead in Iraq Two diplomats and two negotiations with the Houthis, drove Hadi’s government into from seasoned Houthi fighters. Yemeni officials said the Houthi and reaffirmed support, in a Saudi exile several month later. With no victory in sight, and copter crash ADEN/DUBAI: SAUDI Arabia spokesman Mohammed Abdul- statement to Reuters, for UN The hoped-for accord would as the war pushes the country and its adversaries in Yemen’s Salam had been in direct com- peace efforts aimed at reaching begin with a truce to pause towards famine, Saudi officials WASHINGTON: Seven US armed Houthi movement are munication with Saudi officials a political solution. Houthi offi- fighting on nationwide battle- including the powerful crown troops were killed when their holding secret talks to try to end in Oman on a comprehensive cials did not provide an official fronts and culminate in the prince and Defence Minister helicopter crashed during a a three-year-old war that has solution to the conflict. comment. signing of a peace deal addressing Mohammed bin Salman have transport mission in western unleashed the world’s worst “There are consultations The internationally-recog- the political interests of the expressed a desire to wrap up the Iraq, a defense official said. humanitarian crisis, diplomats between the Houthis and the nised Yemeni government of warring parties, the sources conflict. The Sikorsky HH-60 and Yemeni political sources said. Saudis, without a representative President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi added. Thousands of Saudi-led Diplomats said the Saudi- Pave Hawk chopper was on A Saudi-led coalition is of the internationally recognised vehemently denied the talks in a air strikes have killed hundreds Houthi dialogue had been going a routine troop transport fighting to counter the influence government, and it is clear that statement posted on state news of Yemeni civilians, while on for about two months and operation Thursday flying of Riyadh’s arch-foe Iran, an ally there is a desire of the Houthis agency Saba, calling the report Houthi-led cross-border rocket appeared aimed at providing a from Iraq to Syria when it of the Houthis, who deny any and the coalition to go toward a of them “lies” and “misleading attacks on Saudi Arabia have led framework for a resolution to went down, the official said. help from Tehran and say they comprehensive agreement,” one news”. to hundreds of casualties. Coa- coincide with the arrival of a new “There were seven are fighting a revolution against diplomat told Reuters. Hailing from Yemen’s Zaydi lition forces have made modest U.N. envoy to Yemen, former people aboard -- they are all corrupt politicians and Gulf A coalition official denied Shia sect, the Houthis seized the territorial gains but appear far British diplomat Martin Griffiths, believed to be dead,” the powers in thrall to the West. that Saudi Arabia had any capital, Sana’a, in late 2014 and from seizing back the capital who began his term on Sunday. official added. The four crewmembers were all in the Air Force, but it was not immediately known which service the Zuma faces trial in other troops were from, another official said. Investigators are probing S Africa graft case the crash’s cause. A Pentagon statement said it did not appear to be a result of enemy BLOOMBERG charges came after the Supreme activity. Court of Appeal in October An accompanying US CAPE TOWN: Former South upheld a lower court ruling that helicopter reported the African President Jacob Zuma the decision to drop the charges crash and a quick reaction will face trial on 16 charges in 2009 was “irrational” and that force comprised of Iraqi including graft and racketeering the political considerations that Security Forces and US-led after prosecutors announced had tainted the investigation coalition members secured they’re pursuing a case shelved were irrelevant to the integrity the scene. nine years ago amid allegations of the case. While the order paved “This tragedy reminds us of political interference. the way for a trial to proceed, of the risks our men and The decision compounded prosecutors allowed Zuma to women face every day in Zuma’s dramatic fall from power make representations as to why service of our nations. We are after he was forced to step down he shouldn’t be indicted. thinking of the loved ones of as president last month and was Zuma failed to convince the these service members replaced by new ruling party National Prosecuting Authority today,” Brigadier General leader, Cyril Ramaphosa. That, not to pursue the case, chief Jonathan Braga said. and a commission of inquiry into prosecutor Shaun Abrahams Rescue operation “We are grateful to the alleged undue influence by told reporters in Pretoria, the Iraqi security forces for their Migrants in a dinghy are rescued by Libyan coast guards in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Zuma’s friends the Guptas over capital. “I am of the view that immediate assistance in his administration, will bolster there are reasonable prospects Libya, yesterday. response to this tragic the new president’s campaign of a successful prosecution of incident.” against corruption. Zuma,” he said. “This announcement today NPA officials in the eastern is a definite indication that the KwaZulu-Natal province will tide has been turning and this now make the necessary in line with Ramaphosa’s new arrangements for Zuma to Bahraini death row inmate tortured: Amnesty political regime in place,” said appear in court to face 12 Susan Booysen, a political charges of fraud, one of rack- DUBAI: A Bahraini detainee sentenced to Ali Al Arab and another Bahraini man to Arab may have been tortured every night for science professor at the Uni- eteering, two of corruption and death earlier this year for allegedly forming death in a mass terrorism trial that saw around one week. versity of Witwatersrand’s one of money laundering. a “terror” cell has been tortured behind bars, dozens more sentenced to lengthy jail terms Al Arab and the second convict, both School of Governance. “I don’t The NPA spent eight years Amnesty International said yesterday. and stripped of citizenship. Shias, were found guilty of forming a “terror” think Ramaphosa was directly investigating allegations that The Gulf kingdom has been rocked by “According to information received by cell, facilitating a jailbreak, travelling to Iraq involved in this decision, but Zuma, 75, took 4.07m rand anti-government protests since 2011 and has Amnesty International, Ali Mohamed Hakeem and Iran for military training and engaging once political power changes at ($341,000) in bribes from arms cracked down on all dissent, jailing hundreds Al Arab was tortured upon transfer to Jaw in a gun battle with police. the top then the rest of the dealers and charged him with in cases slammed by rights groups as failing prison,” outside of the capital Manama, the Bahrain accuses Iran of inciting protests political game changes as well.” corruption, racketeering, fraud to meet the standards of a fair trial. rights watchdog said. among its Shia citizens, which make up the The move to pursue the and money laundering. On January 31, a criminal court sentenced Amnesty said it had information that Al majority of the population. SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 ASIA 05 TDP quits Modi govt, moves no-trust motion

IANS The TDP with 16 MPs Congress tabled the no-confi- in the Lok Sabha — dence motions with the Lok NEW DELHI: In a major setback Sabha Secretary General, drawing to the BJP, the TDP yesterday quit the second biggest instant support from opposition the NDA and tabled a no-confi- ally of the BJP after parties like the Trinamool, CPI-M dence motion against the Modi the Shiv Sena (18) and AIMIM. government over its refusal to — announced the The Congress and the AIADMK grant special category status to didn’t make it clear whether they Andhra Pradesh, a move that may decision to exit from would support the motion. But the herald a new political alignment the NDA after Andhra Congress said it has always sup- before the next year Lok Sabha Pradesh Chief Minister ported the demand for special cat- polls. N Chandrababu Naidu egory status for Andhra Pradesh, The TDP with 16 MPs in the an issue on which the TDP quit Lok Sabha — the second biggest held a politburo the NDA. ally of the BJP after the Shiv Sena meeting with his Naidu told the Andhra Members of the Telugu Desam Party demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh, outside (18) — announced the decision to MPs in Delhi. Assembly that the TDP’s with- Parliament in New Delhi, yesterday. exit from the NDA after Andhra drawal from the NDA was not Pradesh Chief Minister N Chan- taken for selfish reasons but in drababu Naidu held a politburo Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh the interest of the state on which Pawan Kalyan to weaken the the Centre to Andhra Pradesh the Lok Sabha, telling Speaker meeting through teleconfer- and one in Bihar -- came as a injustice has been committed by TDP. He said both Jagan and after Telangana was carved out Sumitra Mahajan that they want encing with his MPs in Delhi. game of one upmanship went on the BJP. He asked his partymen Pawan had a secret under- of it in 2014. to move the motion. But the The Modi government, with its rival in Andhra, the to be one in facing the BJP standing with the BJP. He said Its main demand was special Speaker rejected it, saying she however, said it had the numbers YSRCP, which has also tabled a challenge. while Jagan entered into a secret status which would have ensured was duty bound to bring the in Parliament to defeat the similar motion in the Lok Sabha. He also told the politburo deal to save himself in several a large infusion of central funds notice to the House but it can’t be motion. On a rough count, the On March 8, the TDP had members that he would write to corruption cases, Pawan was tar- to help the state tide over the done when the House was not in ruling NDA -- minus TDP -- pulled out its two Ministers -- other constituents of the NDA to geting the TDP instead of pulling revenue deficit and facilitate order due to disruptions. appears to have the support of Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. explain why he joined the front up BJP and Prime Minister development of new state capital Protesting AIADMK and Tel- 315 members in a House with an Chowdary -- from the Modi gov- four years ago and what made Narendra Modi for not fulfilling Amaravati. angana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) effective strength of 538. On its ernment. The TDP is the first the party to pull out. the commitments made to Thota Narasimham of TDP members came near the own, the BJP has 274 members party to leave the coalition since During the teleconference, Andhra Pradesh. submitted notices of no-confi- Speaker’s podium while those -- well above the halfway mark it came to power at the Centre in Naidu lashed out at the BJP and The TDP had been expressing dence motion to the Lok Sabha from the Congress, Left and some to prove its majority. 2014. accused it of using YSR Congress its unhappiness with the BJP over Speaker. other parties stood at their seats. The TDP decision -- two days TDP’s Thota Narasimham and leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy the last few weeks for not ful- The TDP and YSRCP Mahajan adjourned the House till after the BJP lost both the Lok and Y.V. Subba Reddy of the YSR and Jana Sena party President filling the commitments made by attempted to rake up the issue in Monday.

Air India to UN launches $1bn Rohingya refugee appeal Two top AAP AFP fly over Saudi time” before any Rohingya can leaders in return to their home in Myan- airspace GENEVA: The United Nations mar’s Rakhine state, in the Punjab resign yesterday launched an appeal for absence of any evidence that IANS nearly $1bn to care for Rohingya they will be safe if they go back. to Israel refugees in Bangladesh, while The Rohingya fled after underscoring that efforts must Myanmar launched a brutal NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi AFP remain focused on securing the crackdown on insurgents six Party’s (AAP) Punjab unit chief safe return to Myanmar of those months ago that the UN has Bhagwant Mann and co-Pres- NEW DELHI: India’s state- displaced. UN agencies asked for called “ethnic cleansing” -- a ident Aman Arora yesterday run carrier Air India said $951m through the rest of the claim the country vehemently resigned from their posts, a yesterday it will fly over Saudi year to provide basic needs for denies. But Grandi insisted that day after party Convenor airspace to Tel Aviv, a move the nearly one million Rohingya despite those circumstances, he Arvind Kejriwal apologised to that ends a decades-long Muslims in Bangladesh, including would not stop fighting for the a former state Minister for Saudi ban on the use of its the almost 700,000 who have repatriation of those who wish accusing him of involvement airspace for flights to Israel. crossed the border since August. to return home. in the drug trade. The decision comes at a The head of the UN refugee “I think it is very important Mann, who announced time of growing ties between agency, Filippo Grandi, told to talk about the right of the his resignation on Twitter, India and several Middle reporters that the immediate Rohingya to return,” he said, Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. said his fight against the drug Eastern countries, and after concern was mobilising life- adding that he “cannot entertain mafia would however con- Israel’s leader Benjamin saving aid for refugees, especially the notion” where their dis- has lived for generations. But, he added, those talks “have tinue. “I’m resigning as Pres- Netanyahu hinted at a diplo- with monsoon season placement is deemed permanent. Grandi conceded that the continued”. ident of AAP Punjab... but my matic realignment in the approaching and tens of thou- Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed conditions for safe return are not “We have to take this thing fight against the drug mafia region earlier this month. sands of people living in areas in November to begin repatri- in place and that discussions with one step at a time,” he said, reit- and all kinds of corruption in “The Air India flights to prone to landslides and floods. ating Rohingya who volunteered Myanmar on repatriation “have erating the need for humani- Punjab will continue as an Israel will start from March Grandi again acknowledged to return to Rakhine state, where been pretty basic, not very fre- tarian assistance while repatri- Aam Aadmi (common man) 22. The flights will take that it “may take a very long the persecuted Muslim minority quent (and) not very advanced”. ation negotiations play out. of Punjab,” Mann tweeted. around seven hours and five minutes, and fly over... Saudi airspace,” airline spokesman Praveen Bhatnagar said. Sri Lanka lifts ban on Facebook imposed after violence ends The new route was REUTERS announced by Indian Prime on Facebook, according to the immediate effect. met Sri Lankan government offi- some hardline Buddhist groups Minister Narendra Modi last government, which cut access to Government officials have cials to outline the company’s accusing Muslims of forcing July, with Netanyahu first COLOMBO: Sri Lankan officials Facebook, Viber and WhatsApp said Facebook’s action against community standards and com- people to convert to Islam and suggesting in January the said yesterday they had lifted a on March 7. It initially said the those who spread hate speech mitment to removing hate speech vandalising Buddhist archaeo- route could pass over Saudi ban on Facebook after discus- ban would last for three days but had been too slow. and incitement to violence from logical sites. Muslim groups deny Arabia. sions with the social network, a extended the block without “Facebook officials agreed to its platform. the allegations. Riyadh has no official ties week after blocking access on the informing the public, users said. speed up the response time,” tel- “We have clear rules against Fernando said on Tuesday with Tel Aviv, with Israel’s grounds it was being used to fuel “On my instructions, my sec- ecommunication minister Harin such content, and will remove it the government could not control national carrier El Al cur- communal violence. retary has discussed with officials Fernando, who participated in when we’re made aware of it. We hate speech and fake messages rently taking a detour over At least two people were of Facebook, who have agreed the discussion with Facebook are glad access to our services, on Facebook by “extreme” Bud- the Red Sea on its India killed in clashes last week when that its platform will not be used officials, told Reuters. and important connections for dhists and Muslims and it had service to avoid Saudi and Sinhalese Buddhists, angered by for spreading hate speech and “We have discussed how we people and businesses, have been become a menace to national Iranian airspace. the killing of a Buddhist driver by inciting violence,” President can create new windows to make restored,” the statement said. security. Netanyahu told reporters Muslims, attacked mosques and Maithripala Sirisena said on his sure easy removal of these hate The government lifted the Police are investigating in Washington earlier this Muslim-owned properties in the Twitter feed. speech items,” he said without ban on Viber and WhatsApp whether 10 suspected ringleaders month that Air India had central Kandy district. He said he had instructed the elaborating. earlier this week. of the wave of attacks on Muslims reached an agreement with Some of the violence was telecommunication regulator to Facebook Inc said in a Communal tensions have had outside funding or foreign Saudi Arabia for the route. instigated by threatening posts remove the temporary ban with statement to Reuters its officials grown over the past year, with help. Paraplegic aims to reach Everest with wheelchair AFP specially designed wheelchair await him in the Himalayas. steps and narrow paths hewn into with mountain bike wheels when The dramatic trek to Everest the valley wall, forcing hikers to KATHMANDU: A wheelchair- the trails allow, but thinks he will base camp begins from Lukla -- clamber over rocks and occa- bound Australian is aiming to mostly be on his hands with a 140 kilometres (86 miles) east of sionally trek in snow or mud, all become the first paraplegic to friend holding his legs in a move Kathmandu — and follows an at an altitude where limited reach Everest base camp unaided, he’s dubbed “wheelbarrowing”. ancient trading route that once oxygen can cause headaches and a breathless trek he reckons he “I jump out of my chair and linked Nepal and Tibet, taking nausea, and if left untreated a will make mostly on his hands. my mate Matt, he’ll grab me and hikers over a soaring pass before potentially fatal build-up of fluid Scott Doolan (pictured), 28, hold my ankles and I basically dropping down into the lush in the lungs. sets out yesterday for Mount walk on my hands,” he said, Khumjung valley. “I have no idea what it’s Everest’s base camp, which lies explaining a technique that’s A series of narrow sus- going to be like. Obviously there 5,364 metres (17,598 feet) above similar to the wheelbarrow race pension bridges criss-cross the are going to be parts when I can’t sea level and is traditionally only of school sports days. river that runs along the valley physically go in a wheelchair so accessible on foot or by heli- Doolan has spent the last floor, before the route climbs I’m going to get out and use my copter. He is out to prove that it eight months training for the trek, He also spent time in Aus- wearing a mask that limits sharply towards the base of hands. That will probably be the is also accessible to wheelchair doing daily cardiovascular and tralia’s Blue Mountains to get oxygen flow in a bid to replicate Mount Everest. most challenging of it all,” Doolan users. Doolan will be using a strength training. some experience on trails, the high altitude conditions that Along the route there are said. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 PPP nominee to become oppn leader in Senate INTERNEWS The announcement the deputy chairman on Monday. of Sherry Rehman’s While Rehman has sub- ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: After mitted her nomination papers, getting its candidates elected as nomination had been the PTI is yet to nominate its Senate Chairman and Deputy made by PPP chairman candidate for the office. Chairman, the Pakistan Peoples Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari The announcement of Reh- Party (PPP) is now set to occupy through his official page man’s nomination had been the office of the opposition made by PPP chairman Bilawal leader as its nominee as Sherry on Twitter, expressing Bhutto-Zardari through his Rehman yesterday submitted hope that Rehman would official page on Twitter, her nomination papers become the first woman expressing the hope that supported by 33 members to to hold the office of Rehman would become the first Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani. woman to hold the office of After meeting Sanjrani with opposition leader in opposition leader in the Senate. Deputy Chairman of the Senate the Senate. “(The) PPP (is) ready to make Saleem Mandviwalla and other history again. We nominate PPP members, Rehman claimed Senator Sherry Rehman for the that she had submitted a list of the two members of the JI had position of Leader of Opposition. the opposition members who also assured her of their support Insha Allah she will be the first A family takes a picture under flowering and blossoming trees along a roadside in Islamabad, yesterday. had put their signatures on her and they could not sign the doc- woman to lead the opposition in nomination papers for the office ument as they were attending a the Senate,” Bhutto-Zardari had of the opposition leader, the party event in Mansoora, Lahore. stated in his Tweet. position that was previously held According to Rehman, Earlier, Benazir Bhutto had Pakistanis happiest in region by her party colleague Aitzaz besides 21 senators from her served as leader of the oppo- INTERNEWS Ahsan. own party, she was being sup- sition in the National Assembly ahead of Afghanistan on the the happiest country of the world She said that except for the ported by six independents from during the two previous PML-N ranking table of happiness. The and Burundi bagged the last Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the Federally Administered governments in the 1990s. KARACHI: Pakistani people are UN Sustainable Development position. Bangladesh was ranked Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Tribal Areas, four independents Meanwhile, in Karachi, common the happiest among all their Solutions Network’s annual 115, down 40 points compared Pakistan (MQM-P) and Jamaat- from Balochistan and one stance against the PPP brought bordering nations, a 2018 United survey report ranked Pakistan to Pakistan, Sri Lanka was i-Islami (JI), the members of all member each from the Balo- political rivals PTI and a faction Nations report on happiness on the 75th spot among 156 ranked 116, China 86, Iran 106, other opposition parties and chistan National Party-Mengal of the MQM-P close to each other revealed. countries. The ranking was India 133, and Afghanistan was independent senators had and the Awami National Party. as the latter announced on According to the sixth World based on six indicators: income ranked 145 on the index. endorsed her nomination as the The other contender for the Friday that it would support the Happiness Report, Pakistan is 58 per capita, life expectancy, social Norway, Denmark and new leader of the opposition in opposition leader’s office is the former’s nominee for the office points ahead of India, 11 points support, freedom, generosity and Iceland clinched the second, the upper house of parliament. PTI, which had supported the of the opposition leader in the ahead of its all-weather friend corruption, according to a report. third and fourth position, She, however, claimed that PPP’s candidate for the office of Senate. China, 31 of Iran, and 70 points The report declared Finland respectively.

Taliban-linked cleric among seven dead in home blast Body of UN AP yesterday. According to Deputy Mohammad Yousaf, the police Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan - the Quetta is the capital of Balu- driver found Commissioner Shafqat Shahwali, chief in the town. Yousaf said Pakistani Taliban. He said the chistan, which has long been the QUETTA: A Taliban-linked Paki- more than 10 people, including some of the wounded were in blast also damaged nearby scene of a low-level insurgency in Kabul stani cleric and six of his family women and children, were also critical condition in hospital. homes. by Baluch separatist groups that AP members were killed in a wounded in the Thursday night He identified the slain cleric Mohammad Aslam, a police demand a greater share of the powerful explosion at the cleric’s blast in the town of Qillah as Habibullah Khan, who was officer, told reporters that the province’s resources. home in a remote southwestern Saifullah in Baluchistan province. known for public support of the blast was so strong that rescue The province is also believed AFGHANISTAN: The body of town near the border with The explosion apparently Afghan Taliban. However, Khan’s workers were pulling body parts to be a hiding place for the a UN driver who was Afghanistan, police and a occurred when a bomb was being cousin, Khair Mohammad, said from the debris of the house, Afghan Taliban and Pakistani abducted together with a government official said loaded in a vehicle, said the cleric was a member of which had completely collapsed. militant groups. female UN employee and her child was found in Kabul yesterday, in the same location where the three Afghans were abducted two Philippines gives months ago, the city’s police chief said. According to the police chief, Dawood Amin, the body official notice to was found early in the morning and has been sent for an autopsy. There was no UN to quit ICC information on the wherea- bouts or condition of the Afghan woman and her child, AFP Manila, said the Philippines was he added. quitting due to “the well- The United Nations in MANILA: The Philippines has orchestrated campaign to Kabul did not immediately given official notice to the mislead the international com- reply to email requests for United Nations that it is with- munity, to crucify President information. No militant drawing from the International Duterte... by distorting the group claimed the abduction Criminal Court, which is human rights situation in the and the police have had no probing President Rodrigo country”. information as to who might Duterte’s deadly drug war, But the tribunal urged have carried it out. Manila said yesterday. Manila to reconsider its Taliban spokesman, The move comes two days decision, and the president of Zabiullah Mujahid, said that after Duterte announced his its governing body, the the insurgents were not nation would quit the court, and assembly of state parties (ASP), involved in this “criminal act.” triggered warnings Friday from said he deeply regretted the In other developments, a a top tribunal official that it move. rocket hit in a civilian house would harm global efforts to “A state party withdrawing Evening paddle yesterday in southern end impunity for the world’s from the Rome Statute would Helmand province, killing Young boys paddle in a raft in North Bay in Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines, yesterday. worst crimes. negatively impact our collective one person and wounding 10 The ICC, based in The efforts towards fighting children. Omar Zwak, Hague, last month launched a impunity”, said ASP president, spokesman for the provincial preliminary inquiry into O-Gon Kwon. governor, said the attack took Duterte’s bloody crackdown on “The ICC needs the strong place in Nad Ali district and narcotics, amid allegations that support of the international that the house that was hit actions by Philippine security community to ensure its effec- was near to a police check- forces amount to crimes against tiveness. I encourage the Phil- Philippines & Kuwait agree on point. He blamed the Taliban humanity. Philippine police say ippines to remain as a party to for the attack, saying the they have killed roughly 4,000 the Rome Statute.” Officially insurgents had likely targeted suspects who fought back quitting the court requires a migrant labour protection pact the checkpoint. during arrest, but rights groups year’s notice and does not stop AP allege the actual number is the ICC from continuing its unless Filipinos get better pro- and cellphones, which is normal three times higher and accuse investigation of the killings, tection in Kuwait and justice is for skilled workers like teachers 141 to get civil the authorities of murder. which have drawn international MANILA: The Philippines and served for the Filipina woman, and office workers. But many The ICC opened in 2002 to concern. Kuwait agreed on a draft migrant Joana Demafelis, whose death employers have seized the awards on try abuses in countries where - ‘No impact’ on ICC probe labour protection pact yesterday sparked outrage in the Philip- phones and legal papers, which national courts cannot or will - “A withdrawal would have no evening, Manila’s Labour pines. Bello said earlier that even Bello said prevented maids from Pakistan Day not prosecute. Manila joined the impact on ongoing proceedings Secretary said, after talks set off if a pact was reached Duterte rapidly seeking help when they INTERNEWS Rome Statute in 2011. or any matter which was by the discovery of a maid’s body wanted to see justice served in were abused. Philippine officials But on Thursday the Philip- already under consideration by last month in a freezer in an her case before lifting the ban. have also sought a minimum ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Pres- pines said in a letter to the UN, the court prior to the date on abandoned apartment in the Bello said the pact would be monthly wage of at least $400 ident Mamnoon Hussain has which oversaw negotiations to which the withdrawal became oil-rich Arab nation. signed at an agreed time and for housemaids. Demafelis’ body announced 141 ‘Pakistan Civil found the court, that it was effective,” the ICC said Friday, A ban on sending Filipinos venue in the near future. The last was found in the abandoned Awards’ for citizens of pulling out of the Rome Statute, its first comment since Duterte’s to work in Kuwait will remain issues to be settled involved the apartment where she had Pakistan as well as foreign the tribunal’s founding guide- announcement. in place, Labour Secretary Sil- work contracts and the handling worked for a Lebanese man and nationals for showing excel- lines. “The decision to withdraw “The court encourages the vestre Bello III said in a phone of passports of Filipinos in his Syrian wife, both of whom lence and courage in their is the Philippines’ principled Philippines to not follow interview after the sides engaged Kuwait, where more than have been arrested. She had respective fields. stand against those who would through with the reported/ in two days of talks resolved 260,000 Filipinos work, many likely been dead for more than The investiture ceremony politicise and weaponise human stated intention to withdraw, as their last remaining issues over of them as housemaids. a year. Many of the mourners at of these awards will take rights,” the letter said. it is... an integral part of the dinner. Philippine officials have Demafelis’s burial in her central place on Pakistan Day (March Foreign Secretary Alan international criminal justice President Rodrigo Duterte demanded that housemaids be Philippine hometown demanded 23), said a press release issued Peter Cayetano, speaking from system,” it added. has said the ban won’t be lifted allowed to hold their passports justice for her. here yesterday. SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 ASIA 07 UN reports N Korea sanctions violations AFP In the meantime, Turkish government’s official Turkey has announced gazette yesterday, a daily printed UNITED NATIONS: The United record of legislative acts and Nations yesterday published a a change on the notices. lengthy experts’ report on North sanctions currently According to the official Korea’s repeated violations of imposed on North gazette, the Council of Ministers the sanctions it faces over its Korea. decided the change on the sanc- nuclear and missile programmes, tions under the framework of the including the banned export of decisions of the United Nations nearly $200m worth of goods, violating UN sanctions with coal Security Council (UNSC). diplomats said. and petroleum transfers, but the According to the change, gold The experts’ findings were experts said much more must be transfer to and from North Korea first reported in early February done to confront “these rampant will be prohibited in that it might and other news outlets who were illicit activities.” The report is contribute to the country’s given access to the document. available at documents.un.org, nuclear program or cause an As revealed last month, by using the system number avoidance of the sanctions North Korea has flouted sanc- S/2018/171. against the country. tions by: continuing to export In the meantime, Turkey has Turkish citizens will no coal, iron, steel and other banned announced a change on the longer be allowed to buy lead North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho (centre) leaves the Swedish government building Rosenbad commodities; using ships with sanctions currently imposed on and lead ore from North Korea in central Stockholm, yesterday. false flags of convenience; car- North Korea, according to the through planes and vessels. rying out goods transfers at sea; and using fraudulent documents to mask coal shipments. Ministerial level ‘good and constructive’ talks in Sweden The Security Council last AP year adopted a series of resolu- whether she and North Korea’s Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Berlin, did not answer directly Demilitarized Zone between the tions to tighten and expand Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump- Lofven. whether his country had US Koreas is seen as more likely. exports bans aimed at cutting off STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s Foreign Kim meeting in brief comments Wallstrom earlier said support to organise talks with Ri’s visit to Stockholm, where revenue to North Korea’s mil- Minister held what she called as she left the Stockholm villa Sweden is hoping that “we can North Korea. “We have always he once served as a diplomat at itary programs. “good and constructive” talks where the meeting took place. use our role and also our con- said we want to be a mediator the North Korean Embassy, has The United States led the with her North Korean coun- The building is close to the tacts,” but stressed that it is up to that facilitates this process.” been shrouded in secrecy. push for tough economic sanc- terpart yesterday amid growing embassies of South Korea and the the countries concerned to decide Trump has agreed to meet The Swedish foreign ministry tions after North Korea’s sixth speculation about a possible United States. “which way we are going.” She Kim by May. So far, North Korea said ahead of his visit that talks nuclear test and a series of bal- meeting in the Scandinavian “We’ll see what happens said that “we value this oppor- has yet to comment publicly on would focus on “Sweden’s con- listic missile launches that raised country between President next,” Wallstrom said. Ri has not tunity to arrange a meeting,” what it hopes to gain from the sular responsibilities as a pro- fears that the US mainland could Donald Trump and North Korean made any public comment during though she didn’t specify what talks. Sweden has been rumoured tecting power for the United soon be within reach. leader Kim Jong Un. a visit to Stockholm that started she meant. Lofven, speaking at a as a possible site for the summit, States, Canada and Australia” but Seven ships have been Foreign Minister Margot Wall- late Thursday. He also held a brief press conference with German though a truce village on the also would address the security barred from ports worldwide for strom refused to comment on meeting earlier yesterday with Chancellor Angela Merkel in South Korean side of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Abe’s support falls Indonesia pushes for to 39.3% amid patrols in scandal doubts disputed sea REUTERS REUTERS reason. Aso told a parliamentary committee on Friday that he did SYDNEY: Indonesia has TOKYO: Japanese Prime not intend to quit and said his lobbied Southeast Asian Minister Shinzo Abe’s support job was to find the reason why countries to carry out has fallen 9.4 points to 39.3 the documents were doctored maritime patrols in the percent, according to a survey and to prevent something disputed South China Sea, by Jiji news agency, as suspicion similar from happening again. claimed in most part by swirls over a suspected “I am saying that I do not China, to improve security, cover-up linked to cronyism, intend to resign,” Aso told the Defence Minister Ryamizard Abe’s worst crisis since taking upper house committee, where Ryacudu said yesterday. office. opposition lawmakers grilled Indonesia says it’s a non- Abe and his Finance Min- him along with finance ministry claimant state in the S China Vietnamese and US representatives pay their respects at a war memorial dedicated to the victims ister, Taro Aso, 77, have been bureaucrats and other officials Sea dispute but has clashed of the My Lai massacre at the village of Son My in Quang Ngai province during a ceremony marking under fire since the Finance about the scandal, including with China over fishing rights Ministry said on March 12 that who knew what and when. the 50th anniversary of the massacre, yesterday. around the Natuna Islands it had altered records relating Aso has said that responsi- and expanded its military to a discounted sale of state- bility for the land sale lay with presence there, and also owned land to school operator Nobuhisa Sagawa, who stepped Vietnam commemorates 50th renamed the northern Moritomo Gakuen, which had down as tax chief on Friday last reaches of its exclusive eco- ties to Abe’s wife, Akie. week. Sagawa headed the nomic zone, asserting its own Abe and Aso have both finance ministry division that anniversary of My Lai massacre maritime claim. denied wrongdoing. submitted the documents before Austalian Foreign Min- AP But opposition parties are he became tax agency chief in commemoration, provincial Do Ba was 9 when American ister Julie Bishop and Defence calling for Aso to resign, while July. Chief Cabinet Secretary official Dang Ngoc Dung said My soldiers came to his house and Minister Marise Payne held the affair could dash Abe’s Yoshihide Suga said on MY LAI: More a thousand people Lai was a typical case of “cruel rounded up his mother, three talks with their Indonesian hopes of winning a third three- Thursday that the land ministry in Vietnam marked yesterday’s crimes committed by aggressive siblings and himself and took counterparts Retno Marsudi year term as head of his Liberal had told his deputy on March 5 50th anniversary of the My Lai and hostile forces” during the them to a drainage ditch. His and Ryacudu in Sydney, Democratic Party in a Sep- about possible differences massacre, the most notorious war. He did not mention the mother and sibling were among ahead of ASEAN summit. tember party leadership between copies of documents episode in modern US military United States by name. the 170 people killed there. Australia is hosting the election. Abe took office in in its possession and versions history, with talk of peace and But Dung said Vietnam Ba was wounded, covered in meeting, despite not being a December 2012. the finance ministry had sub- cooperation instead of hatred. wants to set aside the past and blood and buried under bodies. member, as it seeks to tighten Abe’s level of support is mitted to parliament. On March 16, 1968, the befriend other countries to build He played dead out of fear the political and trade ties in the lower than the 40.4 percent Suga told reporters he American soldiers of Charlie a better future in which peace soldiers would come back to kill region amid China’s rising who do not support him, the himself was told about the issue Company were sent on what and happiness can thrive. him. He was finally rescued by influence. first time since October that his on March 6 and he said he they were told was a mission to The commemoration comes a U.S Army helicopter crew that support has slipped below the thought his deputy told Abe confront a crack outfit of their at a time when bilateral relations landed amid the massacre and level of those who don’t back about the matter the same day. Vietcong enemies, but met no between the US and Vietnam are intervened to stop the killing. him, according to the survey, Abe had said he received a resistance and over three to four the strongest they’ve been since Several girls wearing traditional Two dead in published on Friday. More than report on the altered documents hours killed 504 unarmed their normalization of relations Ao Dai outfits, performed dances 25 percent of those who did not on March 11. On March 8, the civilians, mostly women, in 1995. The United States is now in tribute for the victims. Partic- Cambodia support Abe in the Jiji survey, finance ministry submitted children and elderly men in My one of Vietnam’s top trading ipants including government conducted between March 9 copies of what it later acknowl- Lai and a neighbouring partners and investors, and rela- leaders, villagers and a group of land mine and March 12, cited a lack of edged on March 12 were altered community. tions have also expanded to American veterans laid flowers trust in the premier as their documents. Speaking at yesterday’s security and defense. to pay tribute to the victims. explosion AP

CAMBODIA: A land mine Hong Kong mulls three years jail for anthem disrespect exploded accidently during clearance training at a AFP already bar people from per- banners during matches as some Critics say this is further evi- who alters the lyrics of the military base in western forming it at parties, weddings activists call for the city to split dence of a clampdown on the anthem or who is judged to insult Cambodia, killing two people, HONG KONG: Hong Kong and funerals. with the mainland, a notion that city’s freedom of expression, after it, according to the proposal. including an Australian, and announced plans yesterday to Changes to China’s criminal infuriates Beijing. a raft of jailings of democracy The city’s leader “shall pre- injuring three others, police punish anyone who disrespects law made in November increased The city is expected to enact activists and the disqualification scribe the occasions where the said. the Chinese national anthem with the punishment for disrespecting a local version of the mainland’s of rebel lawmakers from the national anthem must be per- National police said the up to three years’ imprisonment the song from a jail term of 15 anthem law after China in city’s legislature. formed and sung”, the proposal explosion occurred Thursday as Beijing ups pressure on the days to three years in “serious” November inserted the legislation Pro-democracy lawmaker said. Secondary and primary in Kampong Speu province semi-autonomous city to fall into cases. Defiant Hong Kong football into Hong Kong’s Claudia Mo described the push schools would also be required when a soldier who was being line. fans have booed the anthem at mini-constitution. as a “psychological weapon to to teach students to sing the trained mishandled a Hong Kong has been pre- matches for years as concerns The proposal, submitted by dare (the crowds) to boo the anthem and to “understand the decades-old land mine that paring to introduce the contro- grow that Hong Kong’s liberties the Hong Kong government to national anthem” and to make history and spirit” of the song.The had been removed from the versial law since China fine- are under threat. the city’s legislature for “advice” residents “feel more Chinese law would only need a simple ground. They said a 45-year- tuned legislation last year on the Fans have also previously on Friday, mirrors Beijing’s rather than being (from) Hong majority in the city’s legislature, old Australian was killed and proper way and place to sing the turned their backs and displayed penalty of prison time along with Kong”. The fine and three-year which is weighted towards the another 41-year-old Aus- anthem, tightening rules that Hong Kong independence a fine of HK$50,000 ($6,370). jail term could apply to anyone pro-Beijing establishment. tralian was wounded. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018

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

Call for action he freedom to co-exist is the fundamental right of every citizen. But the illegal siege What will the Trump era bring Timposed by four countries against Qatar since last June affecting thousands of residents, expatriates, families and businesses at large are a clear violation of human rights. for Palestinian refugees? Qatar has been calling on the UN Human Rights Council and the West to act swiftly against the grave violations caused by the siege countries. Israeli position over the years. To this claiming that the issue should be The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the day, Israel argues that the tragedy of resolved as part of the negotiations United Nations Office at Geneva Ambassador Ali the Palestinian refugees only began between the Palestinians and the Khalfan Al Mansouri said the report of the tech- when the Arab countries launched a Israelis, and there is no need for such nical mission of the Office of the High Commis- war to stop the formation of the state dated resolutions. When George Bush sioner for Human Rights, which was prepared of Israel in 1948 and lost it. Therefore, took over the presidency, he called for it claims that the Arab states, and not an “agreed, just, fair, and realistic based on its visit to Qatar last November, con- ARAFAT SHOUKRI cluded that the siege nations’ actions have been Israel, hold the responsibility for the solution” to the Palestinian refugee arbitrary, discriminatory and disproportionate, AL JAZEERA exodus of more than 700,000 Pales- problem. His use of the terms “agreed” and have resulted in gross and continuing viola- tinians from their land. The US also and “realistic” scared many refugees, tions of human rights. At the same time he hen the US adminis- repudiates any responsibility for this as they knew that Israel does not agree expressed surprise that no action has been taken tration announced in tragedy, despite its heavy involvement on the return of any Palestinian and so far to demand the cessation of such January that it will be in the creation of the State of Israel. consider this an unrealistic and violations. withholding $65m out of And currently, it openly sides with impractical solution. W Israel on the issue of Palestinian The Trump era Today, Trump’s Chairman of Qatar’s a $125m aid package earmarked for National Human rights Com- UNRWA, millions of registered Pales- refugees. attitude towards the Palestinian ref- mittee, Dr Ali bin Samikh Al tinian refugees living in the occupied But the US did not always accept ugees is nothing but a continuation of Marri, too has called on Tom territories, Lebanon and Jordan were the Israeli version of events. In the increasingly more pro-Israel pol- Lantos Human rights Com- understandably alarmed. The refugees December 1948, as the tragedy icies implemented by previous admin- mission in the US Congress were not disturbed by the decision unfolded and the refugee problem istrations. The US still recognises Israel The UN Human and several members of only because the budget cut was started to overwhelm the hosting as a Jewish state and it is demanding Congress to ask US President undoubtedly going to make their living countries, the UN general assembly the Palestinians to also recognise it Rights Council Donald Trump to put conditions passed Resolution 194, stating that such. In this context, it is unrealistic for and the West forward the human rights worse. They “refugees wishing to return to their the US to fight for the refugees’ right to issue as a priority during were concerned homes and live at peace with their return to their homelands. The last must take a As we approach decisive stand consultations which will take because it sig- neighbours should be permitted to do three American Presidents - Clinton, place in Camp David aiming the 70th naled what US so at the earliest practicable date”. The Bush and Obama - already stated that and act swiftly at resolving the Gulf crisis. Al anniversary President US was among those who voted for the long-lasting solution to the Pales- against the grave Marri warned that pro- of the Nakba, Donald Trump’s this resolution. Furthermore, in tinian refugee problem will be their longing the crisis would lead infamous “Deal December 1949 the US also voted for settlement in the future state of Pal- rights violations the US policy caused by the to a feeling of insecurity and of the Century” the resolution 302(IV) which estab- estine, not Israel. Several US media loss of confidence. on Palestinian would mean for lished the United Nations Relief and outlets recently reported that in his siege countries. The approach to UN refugees seems their future. Works Agency for Palestinian Ref- upcoming peace plan, Trump won’t Human Rights Council to to be becoming Today, as ugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The even mention a “fair” and “just” reso- take measures against the we approach main task for this agency was to lution to the Palestinian refugee siege reflects Qatar’s belief and respect for the more visibly the 70th anni- provide employment, development problem. international law. H E Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed bin pro-Israel, and versary of the and direct relief. Yet, over the years For President Trump, the way has Saif Al Thani, Director of the Government Com- Washington’s Nakba, the US the role of UNRWA became even more been paved on this issue and he does munications Office, speaking to Spanish news- policy on Pales- significant. Today the agency provides not need to devise a new policy. All he paper El Pais in London recently, said: “We respect support for the tinian refugees healthcare, education and social needs to do is to follow the steps of international law. We believe in international law. refugees’ right of seems to be services for the masses of Palestinian his predecessors and continue with We have approached the UN from the start to return seems to becoming more refugees scattered in the occupied ter- the same approach of denying the keep them aware of the illegal actions that have be nonexistent. visibly pro- ritories and Arab countries. right of return of the Palestinian ref- been taken not just on Qataris but on expats, on Israel, and Resettling refugees in Arab states ugees. Trump may go one step further Gulf citizens, everyone that has been affected by Washington’s In 1950s and 60s, while the refugee and say this out loud - something his the illegal blockade. More than 26,000 people support for the issue was still relatively fresh, the US predecessors chose not to do. In case have been affected. He pointed out that Qatar refugees’ right of return seems to be wanted to solve the problem by reset- that happens, would it lead to a big follows legal procedures, whether through the nonexistent. tling Palestinian refugees in neigh- outcry among the Palestinian ref- United Nations or through other mechanisms to But is Trump really doing some- bouring Arab States or outside the ugees? Certainly yes. But would that ensure accountability and punishment of the thing significantly different from his Middle East. Back then, Washington change a lot on the ground? Doubtful! countries of the blockade on their actions, and predecessors? Is UNRWA really facing also believed that a limited number of As a result of these concerns, in the noted that Qatar would not like to see what hap- an existential threat? To be able to refugees, when possible, should be eyes of Palestinian refugees, Trump’s pened to it to be repeated to another country. answer these questions, we need to sent back to the lands they originally upcoming plan has died before it was It is high time the UN Human Rights Council look back at how US policy on Pales- came from. To make this happen, the born. and the West take a decisive stand on the issue tinian refugees evolved over the years. US continued its support for the This brings us to the issue of and tell the siege countries to bear responsibility From Truman to Obama From UNRWA and pushed for the economic UNRWA. Although it has been subject for their actions and pay compensation for President Truman to President development of the countries that to many attacks from Israel and its damages suffered by Qatar. Obama, the US policy on Palestinian were hosting refugees. This policy was friends in the US, UNRWA’s position is refugees changed dramatically. clear in the Johnston Plan in 1952, the still strong. Nearly every year, we Throughout his tenure as president, Dulles Project in 1955, the Eisenhower witness an attempt by some pro-Israel Harry S Truman tried hard to convince Doctrine in 1957, Lyndon Johnson’s forces in the US Congress to target Israel to accept the return of two speech in the UN in 1967 and other UNRWA either for “corruption” and hundred thousand Palestinian ref- successive initiatives. “mismanagement” or sometimes for ugees to their homeland. He wrote a In the 70s and 80s, US administra- “harbouring terrorists” and teaching letter to Israeli Prime Minister David tions started to used vague language “militant conflict” to the Palestinian Ben-Gurion on the issue; and also while talking about the future of the children. However, the American QUOTE OF THE DAY instructed Mark Ethridge, the US refugees, simply saying “a just financial support for the agency is still member of the Palestine Conciliation solution” is necessary. They stopped continuing. Since its inception, the US Commission in Lausanne Conference referring to the relevant UN resolu- has been the biggest donor to UNRWA The presence of 1949, to pressure Israel to accept the tions and pressuring Israel to take an and in 2017 it donated around $368 of unauthorised return of the refugees. Israel did not active role in the solution of this million to the agency. weapons in the back down on the issue, and even- problem. Eventually the US adminis- Despite the announced cuts, the US hands of Hezbollah tually Truman was forced to abandon trations of this era stopped talking support for the agency is likely to con- this proposal. about this issue completely, arguing tinue into the future because both remains of serious When Barack Obama moved in to that it will resolve itself naturally Israel and the US view UNRWA as a concern and warrants the White House decades later in when a settlement is reached in the stabilising element in the region. condemnation. 2008, the US position on the issue was Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UNRWA is currently maintaining the significantly different. Unlike Truman, In the 90s and 00s, Washington’s status quo concerning refugees - If Obama argued that the Palestinian pro-Israeli stance on this issue became UNRWA seized to exist, Israel as the Antonio Guteres refugees should return not to Israel even more clear. During Bill Clinton’s occupying power in the West Bank UN Secretary-General but to a future Palestinian state, if and presidency the US chose not to vote and Gaza Strip would be responsible when it is established. for the annual renewal of Resolution for the millions of refugees living in US policy on the issue of Pales- 194 for the first time, and later voted these areas. Obviously, Israel is not in tinian refugees came closer to the against the renewal of the resolution, the mood to carry such burden. SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 OPINION 09 Interfaith dialogue and crimes against minorities

he 13th Doha Conference on understand the political situation in international criminal tribunal or interfaith understanding would Interfaith Dialogue took place the country and region. court that prosecutes crimes against assist in preventing future conflict. in Doha from February 20 to My current work and doctoral religious minorities is a strong It is vital to assess the role of 21 with the theme religion and research focuses on international message to potential perpetrators that international law in responding to T such actions will be prosecuted at the human rights. Organised by the Doha criminal law and the prosecution of religious minorities and their per- International Centre for Interfaith international crimes at international international level. However, in secution, however in doing so it is Dialogue (DICID) this annual con- courts and tribunals such as those practice, the deterrent effect of these essential to consider minorities as SHANNON MAREE TORRENS ference aims to foster a collaborative established for the former Yugoslavia, international courts is undermined by powerful, transformational agents dialogue between the world’s reli- Rwanda, Cambodia, Sierra Leone and the fact that not all individuals who in their own story. International gions. Under the guidance of Pro- the new permanent International commit crimes can and will face pros- criminal law can facilitate a meta- fessor Ibrahim Saleh K Al-Naimi, Criminal Court. The establishment of ecution. Even when individuals do morphosis in the identity of victims DICID aims to spread the culture of these tribunals and courts and the face trial, there have been accusations of religious crimes through collab- dialogue, the peaceful coexistence of trials they undertake generally occur of unfair trials and allegations that orating more closely with victims humanity and the acceptance of in the context of post conflict states, international trials have a neo- and religious leaders, to better others. A variety of thought provoking where the country has been damaged colonial character. foster understandings of human topics were discussed at the con- and fractured by what has taken place. As modern international criminal rights, such as through interfaith ference including human rights in International conflicts and civil justice progresses, there is an dialogue and collaboration. religions, as viewed through vision wars often have a religious element, increasing tendency to look outside In this context, the role of the and concepts, theory and practice and featuring the persecution of a reli- the conventional justice model to victims of religious persecution in in the case of my presentation, gious minority. The research that I other avenues of justice response. In terms of reconciliation and through international covenants. presented at the conference focuses this context, it might be possible to capacity building is particularly As an international and human on the response of international create a local response to religious important in the reform of institu- The role of the rights lawyer from Sydney, I am criminal law to the persecution of persecution, rather than merely tions and mindsets. It is also rel- victims of religious keenly interested in these issues and religious minorities and ethnic relying on an international court or evant in this context to consider in the work of DICID in fostering a cleansing, namely through the prose- tribunal. Local justice initiatives do whose justice the international persecution in terms collaborative approach to the pro- cution of religious related crimes at exist in some post conflict states but community is trying to implement of reconciliation and motion of peace amongst the world’s international criminal courts and tri- could be better reformed to include and to be wary of subscribing auto- capacity building is religions. I was therefore very inter- bunals. My research concludes that greater focus on crimes against reli- matically to western notions of particularly important ested in the prospect of taking part in whilst there are avenues available to gious minorities. accountability. the Doha Interfaith Dialogue. Also respond to crimes committed against In the local context, interfaith dia- Professionally, intellectually, in the reform of given the current diplomatic crisis religious minorities, in practice, logue could potentially contribute culturally and personally I had an institutions and involving Qatar, including the illegal political and logistical impediments towards responding to and preventing enriching and incredibly memo- mindsets. blockade, I was intrigued to visit prevent this from occurring. future international crimes against rable experience in Qatar at the Qatar for the first time to better In theory, the mere existence of an religious minorities as an adjunct, or Doha Conference on Interfaith Dia- alternative to the modern interna- logue and very much hope to tional criminal court or tribunal. In a return to Qatar for the next post conflict, multi-religious setting, conference. resolution and reconciliation could be facilitated through discussions held Shannon Maree Torrens is an with different religions in a particular international and human rights region in an effort to ensure greater lawyer from Sydney Australia and understanding and collaboration on a PhD Candidate in international issues of peace and conflict. criminal law at the University of Interfaith dialogue could also be Sydney Law School. She has utilised as a form of community edu- worked at the international cation through what international criminal tribunals and courts for criminal justice calls “outreach” Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, which is conducted in the post conflict Sierra Leone and Cambodia. state. Outreach focuses on educating the affected community on the work of the respective international court or tribunal and on general principles of international criminal law. It could however also be utilised to facilitate interfaith dialogue and the resolution of religious and ethnic tension that D-RING ROAD would benefit the post conflict region POST BOX: 3488 not only in its tenuous state but also DOHA - QATAR going forward into the future, where [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE ome of the most spectacularly with the total fertility rate going from sub-Saharan Africa. With a fertility TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 wrong predictions in history 4.9 in 1960 to to 2.4 in 2015. That rate rate of about five births per woman, FAX: +974 4455 7758 have been made by those who is just an estimate, based on the it’s the only region of the globe that claim that overpopulation is number of children women have been has not yet made the jump to small MANAGING EDITOR S families. But even here, there are TEL: 4462 7505 going to swamp the planet. Thomas having. When the rate is lower than Malthus, a British economist writing about 2.1, it means total population signs of change in a small but growing in the late 1700s, is the most famous will eventually stabilize and decline. number of countries. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769 NOAH SMITH of these. Extrapolating past trends into The world is now approaching Nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, the future, he predicted that popu- that magic level, thanks to a phe- Tanzania and the Democratic BLOOMBERG LOCAL NEWS SECTION lation growth would inevitably nomenon known as the fertility tran- Republic of the Congo still have very TEL: 4455 7743 swamp available food resources, sition. In most countries, total fertility high fertility rates. But if these last leading to mass starvation. That didn’t falls from a high level of about six or holdouts fall, the global triumph of BUSINESS NEWS SECTION seven children to two or below, and small families will be complete. TEL: 4462 7535 stays there. Once smaller families Fortunately, there are two other become the norm in a country or patterns that suggest Africa will not SPORT NEWS SECTION region, they very rarely go back up. buck the trend and overpopulate the TEL: 4455 7745 There are a number of theories for world. First, there’s a strong associ- Worldwide population why this happens. The shift from agri- ation between fertility and income ONLINE SECTION culture to urban life means less levels -- once a country passes about TEL: 4462 7501 incentive for families to have kids to $5,000 in per capita annual gross [email protected] bomb has been defused work on farms. Urban life also domestic product, it almost never has increases the cost of raising a kid. a high fertility rate. Rapid growth in a PUBLIC RELATIONS Higher education levels for women, number of African countries means TEL: 4455 7613 freeing them from traditional gender that this level will be in reach within a [email protected] norms, are probably a big factor as few decades. Also, the transition appears to be happening much faster happen -- we continued to develop well. Importantly, none of these ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT than in the past -- it took the U.K. 95 new technologies that let us stay factors are temporary. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 ahead of the reaper. Still, as overall world fertility has years to drop from a fertility rate of FAX: 4455 7870 In 1968, Stanford biologist Paul fallen, overpopulation concerns have six children per woman to three, but it [email protected] Ehrlich wrote “The Population Bomb,” shifted from global to regional. If some took Botswana only 24, Bangladesh warning that unchecked population regions continue to have big families 20 and Iran only 10. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT growth would lead to mass starvation forever, they will eventually outgrow Of course, it’s worth noting that TEL: 4455 7857 in the 1970s. He was just as wrong as the regions with limited population lower fertility won’t immediately [email protected] Malthus. Global population did surge, growth, causing the overall world fer- defuse the population bomb. The but food production managed to keep tility rate to go back up. People who number of people in a country con- SUBSCRIPTION & up. worry about overpopulation are now tinues to rise for years after young DISTRIBUTION So far, the prophets of overpopu- concerned that some cultures will people stop having lots of kids -- a TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 lation have been defeated by tech- simply always have more kids. phenomenon known as population So far, the prophets FAX: 44557819 nology. But human ingenuity alone So far, those concerns seem to be momentum. Thus, the United Nations [email protected] of overpopulation can never deliver a final victory in the unfounded. A decade ago, many continues to project that global popu- have been defeated battle to feed the world -- eventually, believed that Muslim culture, with its lation will rise from about 7.6 billion by technology. But population growth will overwhelm emphasis on traditional gender roles, today to more than 11 billion by the the Earth’s ability to provide calories. would defy the fertility transition. But end of the century. All thoughts and views human ingenuity That’s why in order to put Malthus then fertility rates in majority-Muslim Nor will lower global population alone can never and Ehrlich finally to rest, a second countries plunged. Iran, Saudi Arabia, growth mean the end of all demo- expressed in these columns deliver a final component is needed -- lower fertility Bangladesh and Indonesia have graphic problems. Much of sub- are those of the writers, victory in the rates. To save both the environment mostly completed their fertility transi- Saharan Africa will be overflowing not of the newspaper. and themselves, humans must have tions, while Egypt’s and Pakistan’s are with people for decades to come, and battle to feed the fewer kids. underway. many of those people will want to world -- eventually, Fortunately, this is happening. As an aside, it’s worth noting that migrate to wealthy, aging countries in All correspondence population growth During the lifetimes of Malthus and these World Bank estimates of total search of better economic opportu- regarding Views and will overwhelm the Ehrlich, humans still tended to have fertility rates tend to err on the high nities, or to escape wars. That Opinion pages should be large families, with each woman side — the CIA, which also tracks fer- migration pressure will be a touchy send to editor-in-chief Earth’s ability to bearing an average of five children tility, places Pakistan’s number all the subject for many nations, as the provide calories. over her lifetime. But shortly after way down at 2.62. recent refugee wave in Europe has office or mailed to the Ehrlich’s book, that began to change, So now the worry has shifted to shown. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018

Russian govt Britain claims opens probe into poisoning

Putin ordered AFP MOSCOW: Russia yesterday opened a probe into the spy poisoning “attempted premeditated murder” of Yulia Skripal, who along with her father was poisoned by a nerve agent in AP British Prime Minister Britain. Theresa May seeks The Investigative Com- MOSCOW: Britain’s foreign a global coalition of mittee has also begun a separate secretary accused Russian Pres- probe into the suspected murder ident Vladimir Putin of personally countries to punish of a Russian living in London, ordering a nerve agent attack in Moscow. Nikolai Glushkov, even though Britain, ratcheting up tensions British police were still treating yesterday in an increasingly the crime as “unexplained.” global showdown over alleged post-Cold War low. The committee, which Russian meddling abroad. “Our quarrel is with Putin’s reports directly to President While Britain has accused the Kremlin, and with his decision, Vladimir Putin, opened a case Russian state of ordering the poi- and we think it overwhelmingly based “on the fact of attempted Personel collate sample after swabbing railings near a bench covered in a protective tent at The soning of former spy Sergei likely that it was his decision, to premeditated murder of Russian Maltings shopping centre in salisbury, southern England, yesterday, as investigations and operations Skripal, British Foreign Secretary direct the use of a nerve agent on national Yulia Skripal,” it said Boris Johnson took it a step the streets of the UK, on the continue in connection with the major incident sparked after a man and a woman were apparently in a statement. further yesterday and said it’s streets of Europe, for the first poisoned in a nerve agent attack in salisbury on March 4. The statement did not “overwhelmingly likely” that time since the Second World mention Yulia Skripal’s father Putin himself ordered the attack. War,” Johnson said. Sergei, who is also in a critical Putin’s spokesman Putin spokesman Dmitry Russia vows response to expulsions condition in hospital after being denounced the claim as Peskov was quoted by Russian poisoned with a Soviet-designed REUTERS “shocking and inexcusable.” news agencies as calling John- Organisation for the Prohibition nerve agent called Novichok. Geopolitical tensions have son’s statement a “shocking and of Chemical Weapons in The Russian investigators said been mounting since the poi- inexcusable breach of diplomatic ASTANA: Russia is set to expel Hague, which monitors com- that they were “ready for joint soning of Skripal and his propriety.” Peskov reiterated British diplomats in retaliation pliance with the global con- work with the relevant British daughter Yulia in the English city Russian denials of involvement for Prime Minister Theresa May’s vention outlawing the use of authorities.” The Investigative of Salisbury on March 4, in what in the attack that has left both decision to kick out 23 Russians such weapons, to obtain inde- Committee also said that it had Western powers see as the latest Skripals in critical condition. as relations with London crashed pendent verification of the sub- opened a murder probe into the sign of increasingly aggressive “We have never encountered to a post-Cold War low over an stance used. death of Glushkov, a former Russian interference in foreign this level of discussion on the attack with military-grade nerve Skripal, a former colonel in deputy general director at the countries. global stage,” Peskov said. agent on English soil. the GRU who betrayed dozens Aeroflot airline and associate of Australia yesterday joined the Lithuanian Foreign Minister After the first known of Russian agents to British intel- the late Kremlin opponent Boris condemnation of the nerve agent Linas Linkevicius said that the offensive use of such a weapon Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister ligence, and his daughter have Berezovsky. attack, as British Prime Minister Salisbury attack is a direct chal- in Europe since World War II, Sergei Lavrov (pictured) smiled been critically ill since March 4, Glushkov was found dead Theresa May seeks a global coa- lenge to Europe that will likely May blamed Moscow and gave and said: “We will, of course.” when they were found uncon- at his home in London on March lition of countries to punish be discussed at an EU ministers’ 23 Russians who she said were Kremlin spokesman Dmitry scious on a bench. 12, days after the poisoning of Moscow. The US, France and meeting Monday in Brussels. He spies working under diplomatic Peskov said Russia could A British policeman was also the Skripals. Germany have already lined up said Russia’s recent provoca- cover at the London embassy a announce its response at any poisoned when he went to help London’s Metropolitan against Russia on this attack, and tions need a tough response, week to leave. minute. them is, and is in a serious but Police have so far been treating top EU diplomats may discuss including action against Russian Russia has denied any Russia has refused Britain’s stable condition. the death as “unexplained”. next steps at a meeting on oligarchs with questionable ties involvement, cast Britain as a demands to explain how Nov- British investigators are A spokesman said that the Monday. who have used London as a safe post-colonial power unsettled ichok, a nerve agent developed working on the theory that an police were awaiting the results Russia ordered a halt to high- haven. by Brexit, and even suggested by the Soviet military, was used item of clothing or cosmetics or of a post-mortem expected later level meetings with the UK. The source of the nerve agent London fabricated the attack in to strike down Sergei Skripal, 66, a gift in the luggage of Skripal’s in the day. The Russian embassy Britain is expelling 23 Russian used - which Britain says is the an attempt to whip up anti- and his daughter Yulia, 33, in the daughter was impregnated with in London said this week that it diplomats and taking other steps Soviet-made Novichok - is Russian hysteria. southern English city of the toxin, and then opened in had asked British authorities for against Russian interests as the unclear, as is the way it was Asked if Russia planned to Salisbury. Skripal’s house in Salisbury, the details about Glushkov’s death two nations’ relations sink to a administered. expel British diplomats from Britain has written to the Daily Telegraph said. in New Malden.

Iraqi teen guilty France okays third life sentence of London for Venezuelan extremist AP subway bombing the court. She says Ramirez PARIS: The life sentence given Sanchez is likely to appeal to AP to the former political extremist France’s highest court. known as Carlos the Jackal for Carlos, now 68, has long LONDON: A teenage Iraqi a 1974 hand grenade attack that denied involvement in the asylum-seeker who told killed two people in Paris was explosion at the Drugstore Pub- police he had been trained by upheld by a French court. licis shopping center. Along with the IS militant group was Venezuelan-born Ilich the two deaths, the grenade convicted of attempted Ramirez Sanchez already is injured 34 people. murder yesterday for planting serving two other life sentences The case initially was dis- a home-made bomb on a in France for murders and missed for lack of evidence, but London subway train. attacks he was convicted of per- reopened after Ramirez Ahmed Hassan, 18, petrating or organising during Sanchez’s 1994 arrest. Defense showed no emotion as he was the 1970s and 1980s. challenges kept it from going to found guilty at London’s Once the world’s most- trial until March 2017, when a Central Criminal Court. wanted fugitive, Ramirez lower court found him guilty of The bomb partially Sanchez spent more than two murder. exploded on a London Under- decades engaged in militant In one of his most dramatic ground train at Parsons Green activities to promote the Pales- operations as a militant, Carlos station on September 15, tinian cause and communist he led an attack on a meeting sending a fireball down the revolution. of the Organization of the packed carriage that left 23 Intelligence agents captured Petroleum Exporting Countries people with burn injuries. him in Sudan in 1994 and in Vienna, Austria, in December Police say 28 more were hurt smuggled him to France in a 1975. More than 60 people, in a panicked rush to leave the sack. Defence lawyer Isabelle including 11 OPEC ministers, train. Prosecutors said there Coutant-Peyre rued what she were taken hostage and three An activist distributes election leaflets in support of presidential candidate Vladimir Putin on a would have been many more called a “political decision” by people were killed. street, in downtown Moscow, yesterday. injuries and probably deaths if the device had operated properly. Prosecutor Alison Morgan told jurors it was just Putin urges high voter turnout “a matter of luck” that the bomb didn’t fully detonate. Eight hurt at Georgia Hassan admitted building ahead of Russian election the bomb but denied AP ski resort accident attempted murder, saying he make Putin’s victory as impressive Ksenia Sobchak, a 36-year- AFP had not meant for it to as possible. old TV host who has campaigned caused by an electricity outage”. explode. On the witness stand MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to “use on a liberal platform and criticised TBILISI: At least eight tourists, “The interior ministry has he said he only wanted to Putin has urged Russians to cast their right to choose the future for Putin’s policies, announced the including a pregnant woman launched a criminal probe into cause a fire because he was ballots in tomorrow’s election, the great Russia that we all love.” creation of a new political party. from Sweden, were injured alleged violation of safety “bored and stressed”. which he is certain to win, saying He warned that failure to cast a Addressing an enthusiastic yesterday when a chair lift ran norms,” he added. Prosecutors said Hassan that the vote will shape the coun- ballot would mean that “this crowd of mostly young supporters out of control in the Georgian Health Minister David Ser- built the device from eve- try’s future. decisive choice will be made in Moscow, Sobchak said the Party ski resort of Gudauri, officials geenko said the tourists -- who ryday ingredients, following Putin said in a televised without your opinion taken into of Change that she will lead said. were Georgiain, Russian, instructions he found online. address yesterday that “the will of account.” together with former lawmaker Video of the accident Swedish and Ukrainian -- did He ordered hydrogen per- the people, the will of each Yesterday, the final day of the Dmitry Gudkov would seek to showed skiers being flung out not suffer serious injuries. oxide and other chemicals to Russian citizen will determine the campaign, the president is set to unite pro-reform forces. “We of their chairs as they turned a “Two of them - including make the explosive TATP, and path the country will take.” visit a medical centre in St stand for a broad coalition of dem- bend as other resort visitors a pregnant woman from bought nuts, bolts and knives The Russian leader, whose Petersburg, his home city. ocratic forces,” she said. screamed in terror. Sweden -- were airlifted to a for shrapnel at supermarkets. approval ratings top 80 percent, The president has traveled Some see Sobchak, the An emergency stop led to hospital in Tbilisi.” He set a timer and left the is set to easily win another six- across Russia, promising to raise daughter of Putin’s one-time the chairs sliding back at high Video footage of the bomb, inside a white bucket, year term against seven chal- wages, modernise crumbling patron, as a Kremlin project speed, Economy Minister accident posted on Facebook aboard a London Under- lengers, but the Kremlin has been health care and education and intended to add a democratic Dimitry Kumsishvili said, adding has been viewed more than ground train during the concerned about voter apathy and pour more funds into dilapidated veneer to the vote and help split that the incident was “allegedly 600,000 times. morning rush hour. has sought to boost turnout to infrastructure. the ranks of Kremlin critics. SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 EUROPE 11 Slovak PM’s resignation fails to quell protests

BLOOMBERG The organisers of detractors, it weakens the the protests said on position of one of the only gov- BRATISLAVA: Tens of thousands ernments in the EU’s eastern of Slovaks took the streets for a Facebook: Slovakia’s wing that has portrayed itself as third week to demand early elec- coalition leaders a counterweight against tions, saying this week’s resig- “deceived and euroskeptic forces across much nation by Robert Fico as prime humiliated the public. of the region. minister was insufficient to guar- Fico picked as his antee a crackdown on corruption. The new government replacement deputy Premier Crowds thronged a main is not a real fulfilment Peter Pellegrini, who is now in square in capital, Bratislava, yes- of the demands of talks to form a new cabinet as terdat evening, protesting against tens of thousands soon as next week. He has what they said was only a cos- pledged to continue with Fico’s metic change in government that people who took to pro-EU orientation. will allow Fico’s Smer party to the streets asking for a Smer has made eliminating keep its grip on power. decent Slovakia. corruption a priority after media Similar rallies began in more reports on intransparent tenders than 30 other cities across the and tax fraud by businessmen eastern European Union member. backsliding to endemic graft. linked to politicians. But no active It was a continuation of the coun- Another pro-EU leader -- Slov- senior politician has every been try’s biggest demonstrations since enian Premier Miro Cerar -- convicted in the country of 5.4 the fall of the Iron Curtain that announced he would quit the million. began after the murder of a same day in the midst of a public- In his last story, published reporter investigating state cor- sector strike before a summer after he was slain with his fiancee ruption last month. ballot. Slovakia’s coalition leaders in an execution-style hit, the jour- People attend a protest to demand new elections at the SNP (Slovak National Uprising) Square after The rallies illustrate undi- “deceived and humiliated the nalist Jan Kuciak reported on recent murder of Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, in Bratislava, yesterday. minished outrage after Fico public,” the organisers of the pro- links of Fico associates to Italian resigned on Thursday with the tests -- young people who say companies allegedly stealing EU protesters and the coalition Most the head of Smer. The main Party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, in condition that Smer name his they have no links to politics -- funds in eastern Slovakia. party, which had asked for his concern among the protests’ Poland -- will continue to steer replacement, defying protesters’ said on Facebook. The outgoing premier has dismissal. After Most demanded organisers is that Fico will con- the government from the back- demand that the three-party coa- “The new government is not repeatedly denied wrongdoing a snap vote, Fico quit in a last- tinue to run the government from ground,” Otilia Dhand, an analyst lition open the way to early a real fulfillment of the demands by his government. ditch effort to salvage the ruling behind the scene like his fellow at Teneo Intelligence in Brussels elections. of tens of thousands people who Fico held to his post until the grouping two years before ruling-party bosses in Romania said in a note. The protests echoed other took to the streets asking for a last minute, hoping the resig- general elections. and Poland. “It cannot be ruled out that anti-government rallies across decent Slovakia.” nation of his protege, Interior But even without pre- “It’s likely that Fico -- simi- public pressure will force a eastern Europe over issues While Fico’s resignation is at Minister Robert Kalinak, on miership, he will keep a strong larly to the leader of the ruling change of heart among some ranging from democratic least a partial victory for his Monday would appease voice in running the country as conservative Law and Justice members of parliament.” German nurse faces trial over 97 deaths Madrid calls for calm AFP testified that at times he acted out of “boredom”, feeling euphoric after migrant’s death BERLIN: A German male nurse when he managed to bring a AFP serving a life term for killing six patient back to life. migrants clashing again with hospital patients with lethal He was found guilty of six police in the morning, throwing drugs out of “boredom” will go killings in two earlier trials, but MADRID: Madrid’s deputy chairs at security forces, and a on trial in October for another 97 investigators have pushed on mayor called for calm yesterday protest planned in the early murders, the court said with toxicology tests on hundreds following violent clashes between evening. yesterday. more exhumed bodies. police and protesters demon- Candles had been lit on the The regional court in Old- In January, Oldenburg pros- strating in anger over the contro- street where Mame Mbaye enburg said in a statement that ecutors said they had charged versial death of a Senegalese Ndiaye, a 35-year-old man from it would hear the proceedings him with 97 additional murders street vendor. Senegal, died of cardiac arrest in against 41-year-old Niels Hoegel, on top of the six he has been con- Authorities arrested six as-yet undetermined accused of being the worst serial victed of, while saying toxicology people during the protest in the circumstances. killer in German post-war A file photo of German former nurse Niels H hiding his face behind tests did not find conclusive Lavapies district of the Spanish Mbaye is one of many street history, which are expected to a folder as he waits for the opening of another session of his trial proof in three more cases. capital on Thursday evening, vendors in Madrid who lay out last until at least May. at court, in Oldenburg, northwestern Germany. Hoegel was jailed for life in which saw demonstrators set fire items like perfume or hats on The trial will take place in a 2015, but at the time it was sus- to dustbins and motorbikes, and white sheets, which they can large hall in the city to accom- injecting patients with drugs that his medical peers and pected he had murdered many throw stones at riot police. quickly pick up and take away modate “120 co-plaintiffs, their cause heart failure or circulatory superiors. more patients, with investigators At least 10 police officers when the police arrives. 17 lawyers, interested members collapse so he could then try to In a case police have called admitting they may never know were injured in the unrest, police While illegal, the trade is of the public and reporters”. revive them and, when suc- “unique in the history of the the true number as some remains said, while emergency services often the only way to make a Hoegel has admitted to cessful, shine as a saviour before German republic,” he earlier had been cremated. said four people were slightly living for migrants struggling to hurt. “We understand the spon- find other employment. taneous expression of pain that According to city councillor took place in our streets yes- Jose Javier Barbero Gutierrez, Romanian court terday,” Deputy Mayor Marta Mbaye had been selling his wares Rights body slams Kiev’s disclosure law Higueras said, replacing Mayor on the central Puerta del Sol Manuela Carmena who was in square, which attracts scores of insists living man REUTERS setting out a different financial proposed by Ukraine fall short Paris but decided to cut her visit tourists daily, when police is legally dead reporting rule for NGOs. of democratic norms. short to return to Madrid. intervened. KIEV: Ukraine’s plans to force But the new drafts have also It also said Ukraine must “We want to call for calm,” Fellow vendors said police AFP activists and non-governmental been criticised in a joint opinion follow through on its decision to Higueras said as Lavapies chased him through the streets, BUCHAREST: In Romania, organisations to declare detailed published by the OSCE Office for scrap the requirement for remained tense on Friday (yes- forcing him to run with his heavy birthplace of the world’s most financial information are likely Democratic Institutions and activists to file online wealth terday), with several dozen merchandise wrapped in a sheet. famous member of the living to have a chilling effect on civil Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) declarations. dead, Dracula, turning up in society, two leading interna- and the Venice Commission, a “It is crucial that Ukraine’s front of a judge may not be tional rights bodies said body which rules on rights and plans to cancel the e-declaration enough to prove you are alive. yesterday. democracy disputes in Europe. requirements for anti-corruption Constantin Reliu, from the Ukraine’s lawmakers and Member states, which include activists, which likewise raise eastern town of Barlad, learnt civil servants must already Ukraine, are committed to several serious human rights this the hard way last week: declare their income and assets respecting its decisions. issues, are implemented as a a court rejected his request in an online database, under a “The new financial reporting matter of urgency,” the joint for the annulment of a death law rolled out in 2016 to tackle and disclosure regime, if intro- opinion said. The next filing certificate which was issued corruption in state institutions. duced, would conflict with deadline for online wealth dec- in his name in 2016, according Authorities say regulation is freedom of association, the right larations is April 1. On Thursday, to a judgement seen on the also required to promote trans- to respect for private life and the senior presidential official court’s website yesterday. parency in the NGO sector and prohibition of discrimination,” Dmytro Shymkiv urged par- The reason for the court’s prevent the pursuit of vested the joint opinion said. liament to cancel the decision has not been con- interests through illicit financing. The laws “are likely to have requirement for activists next firmed, but according to A law forcing NGOs and a chilling effect on civil society week. Romanian media it was due activists to file online wealth dec- in Ukraine and should be “The alternative would be to the deadline for changes to larations, like officials, has drawn removed in their entirety or sig- the country’s shame in the inter- Spanish national police officers carry a man during a protest the certificate having passed. strong criticism and Kiev has pro- nificantly narrowed down”. national community from April following the death of a street vendor at Lavapies district in Reliu left the country in posed cancelling it. Instead The judgement is its latest in 1. This is sad and insulting,” he the early 1990s to work in authorities have drafted two laws a series of rulings that laws said in a post on Facebook. Madrid, yesterday. Turkey and returned to Romania in January of this year. After his arrival, he found out he had been declared dead by his family, who had not Norway’s oppn backs no-confidence motion against justice minister heard from him in his absence, REUTERS local media reports said. massacre - of putting terrorists’ ammunition with the text: Some opposition parties, the right, without judicial review, Without any official proof OSLO: Norway’s opposition Centre rights before national security. “Labour thinks terrorists’ rights however, said her gesture was to strip individuals suspected of that he is alive, Reliu, 63, can Party said yesterday it would join On July 22, 2011, far-right are more important than the not sincere enough. terrorism or joining foreign mil- not enter employment or three left-wing parties in backing extremist Anders Behring Breivik nation’s security. Like and Share”. “The role of justice minister itant groups of their Norwegian claim benefits. He has no a no-confidence motion against killed eight people in downtown Her post coincided with the is a special role. It is about pre- citizenship. Labour wanted the contact with his family, who Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug, Oslo with a car bomb and then premiere in Oslo of “Utoeya July paring for emergencies and courts to make such rulings. have moved abroad, and is heightening the risk that the shot dead 69 people, many of 22”, a movie about Breivik’s stopping hateful rhetoric. We The uproar underlines how currently surviving. minority cabinet will fall. them teenagers, at a Labour party deadly rampage, though she later want a peaceful justice minister,” Breivik’s attacks, seen as the He faces another legal Last Friday, Listhaug rocked camp on Utoeya Island. said she had no intention of Centre Party leader Trygve worst acts of violence committed process to prove with docu- Norway’s traditionally con- On Facebook last week, linking the two. Slagsvold Vedum said. in Norway since World War II, mentation that he has been sensual politics by accusing the Listhaug posted a photograph of But her comments triggered The dispute erupted after are still touching a raw nerve in alive since the certificate was opposition Labour Party - target masked people clad in military a political storm, and she apolo- Labour voted against a Listhaug- the affluent Nordic state nearly issued. of the country’s worst peacetime fatigues, black scarves and gised in parliament on Thursday. sponsored bill allowing the state seven years on. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 Trump offers support for Nevada senator BLOOMBERG Republican Danny Tarkanian could beat Heller in Tarkanian said in a the primary, then lose to Rosen CARSON CITY: Republicans got in the fall. That would be a repeat a rare bit of good news yesterday statement that he of Nevada’s 2010 Senate contest, in a congressional election year believes he would have when Tea Party-backed Sharron where Democrats show won the Senate seat, Angle emerged as the GOP increasing momentum: The most “but the president nominee, but only drew 45 vulnerable GOP senator on the percent of the general election November ballot, Dean Heller of is adamant that a vote against incumbent Senate Nevada, will no longer face the unified Republican Democratic Leader Harry Reid. prospect of a divisive June ticket in Nevada is Tarkanian is the son of Jerry primary. the best direction Tarkanian, the former UNLV Republican Danny Tar- basketball coach, and Lois Tar- kanian, a perennial and unsuc- for the America First kanian, a Las Vegas city coun- Law enforcement and members of the National Transportation Safety Board investigate the scene cessful candidate for Nevada movement.” cilwoman. In 2016, he ran where a pedestrian bridge collapsed a few days after it was built, in Miami, Florida, yesterday. elective office, said he’s dropping unsuccessfully against Rosen for his bid to challenge Heller after her congressional seat, and he President Donald Trump urged he’s the only GOP incumbent said Friday he’ll seek that seat him to seek a House seat instead. facing voters in a state that Dem- again. Tarkanian also ran Six dead in Florida bridge collapse Tarkanian was seen as a ocratic presidential nominee unsuccessfully for the House ANATOLIA potential threat to Heller, and Hillary Clinton won in 2016. in 2012, for the Senate in 2010, trying to determine what caused muters and pedestrians and pre- also to the GOP, because he’s Earlier this week, Democrat and for Nevada secretary of the collapse, but officials cau- venting traffic issues. seen as a weaker opponent for Conor Lamb declared victory state in 2006. WASHINGTON: At least six tioned the probe as well as the Although it was not on Democratic US Representative while holding a narrow lead in Heller’s race is rated a people were killed when a recovery effort will take time. campus property, the bridge was Jacky Rosen, who is running for a special election for a Repub- “toss-up” by the nonpartisan pedestrian bridge collapsed on Officials expect to find addi- frequently used by pedestrians the Senate seat. lican-held House seat in Penn- Cook Political Report. The other to a roadway below, authorities tional victims under the debris. from Florida International Uni- Tarkanian said in a sylvania. The results have yet to two GOP seats viewed as com- in the state of Florida confirmed The $11.4m 950-tonne versity, which has nearly 60,000 statement that he believes he be certified in the district, which petitive are being vacated by Ari- yesterday. “This is a tragedy that bridge, which stretched across students with more than 90 would have won the Senate seat, Trump won by 20 percentage zona’s Jeff Flake and Tennessee’s we do not want to reoccur a highway in Miami, was percent living off campus. “but the president is adamant points in 2016. Republicans also Bob Corker. anywhere in the United States,” installed last Saturday using an Florida Senator Marco Rubio that a unified Republican ticket lost a special election for a Democrats have eight seats Miami-Dade Police Director Juan innovative method called accel- confirmed suspension cables had in Nevada is the best direction Senate seat in Alabama in seen as at risk of switching to Perez said. erated bridge construction in been loosened and the engi- for the America First movement.” December, with Democrat Doug the GOP, including those held Authorities switched opera- which it was built to the side and neering firm in charge of oper- Heller holds what is con- Jones prevailing and narrowing by Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Joe tions from search and rescue to later raised by a rig, swung over ations ordered they be tightened. sidered the most vulnerable of the GOP majority in the chamber Manchin of West Virginia and a recovery mission yesterday the highway and dropped into The bridge collapsed while the the 10 Republican Senate seats to 51-49. Heidi Heitkamp of North after exhausting resources. State, place. The method is aimed at cables were being tightened, he on the November ballot because Republicans had feared Dakota. local and federal investigators are reducing risks to workers, com- said on Twitter. US says Russian hack did not compromise N-plants AP as operational “islands” that are Homeland Security and intelli- to have been penetrated, but Office of Cyber Security and WASHINGTON: A Russian not connected to the internet and gence agencies determined additional breaches could be dis- Emergency Response to consol- government hacking operation other networks. Nuclear power Russian intelligence and others covered, officials said. idate and strengthen efforts to aimed at the US power grid did provides about 20 percent of the were behind a broad range of The NRC, in its statement “combat the growing nefarious not compromise operations at nation’s electricity. cyberattacks starting a year ago. yesterday, said the five-member cyber threats we face.” any of the nation’s commercial The Nuclear Energy Institute, Russian hackers infiltrated the commission and the nuclear The accusations that Russia nuclear power plants, federal an industry lobbying group, said networks that run the basic industry “are vigilant in cyber- was behind the cyberattacks on Congresswoman regulators and the nuclear the Russian hacking campaign services Americans rely on each security. Every nuclear power US infrastructure came as the industry said yesterday. targeting US infrastructure “dem- day: nuclear power, water and facility must meet the NRC’s reg- Trump administration targeted from NY dies at 88 Corporate networks at some onstrated that America’s nuclear manufacturing plants. ulations for an approved cyber- Russians with sanctions for of the 99 plants licenced by the plants can withstand a nation- US officials said the hackers security program, which includes alleged election meddling for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission state sponsored attack.” chose their targets methodically, separation of critical and non- first time since President Donald AP were affected by the 2017 hack The Trump administration obtained access to computer critical systems.” Trump took office. WASHINGTON: Veteran US aimed at the energy grid and accused Moscow on Thursday of systems, conducted “network Energy Secretary Rick Perry The list of Russians being Rep Louise Slaughter, a other infrastructure, but no an elaborate plot to penetrate reconnaissance” and then said his department worked punished includes all 13 indicted Kentucky blacksmith’s safety, security or emergency America’s electric grid, factories, attempted to cover their tracks closely with other agencies and last month by special counsel daughter who went on to chair preparedness functions were water supply and even air travel by deleting evidence of the intru- energy providers to help ensure Robert Mueller, a tacit acknowl- one Congress’s most important impacted, the NRC said in a through cyber hacking. sions. The US government has that hacking attempts “failed or edgement by the administration committees, died yesterday at statement. US national security officials helped the industries expel the were stopped.” that at least some of Mueller’s a Washington hospital where US nuclear plants are designed said the FBI, Department of Russians from all systems known Perry said he is creating an Russia-related probe has merit. she was being treated after falling in her home, her top aide said. She was 88. The New York Democrat 1,100 students died at George Washington University Hospital a week Travellers warned over yellow fever in Brazil get detentions after a fall in which Slaughter AFP had sustained a concussion, fever was not traditionally con- travelers to be vigilant, even if Officials warned of a spe- for walkouts said Liam Fitzsimmons, her MIAMI: A deadly and growing sidered to be a risk,” said the they run into difficulties cific hotspot on Ilha Grande, a in Chicago chief of staff. yellow fever outbreak in Brazil report by the US Centers for obtaining a vaccine due to low forested island off the coast of Slaughter had been the has killed at least four interna- Disease Control and availability. Rio de Janeiro, where eight AP first woman to chair the tional visitors, and US health Prevention. “Because of the challenge international visitors have con- House Rules Committee and officials on Friday warned Affected areas include the of getting the vaccine we don’t tracted yellow fever. Four of DOWNERS GROVE: About was her party’s top member travelers to get vaccinated or states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas want them to hesitate and think, them died -- a Swiss national, 1,100 students at two on the panel when she died. stay away. Gerais and Sao Paulo, including ‘Oh I will just go without it. It a German and two travelers suburban Chicago high Slaughter was serving her Yellow fever is a mosquito- areas close to the city of Sao can’t hurt, my friends have gone from Chile. schools will serve hour-long 16th term in the House, and borne disease that often causes Paulo. before and nothing has hap- “This suggests Ilha Grande detentions for participating her 31 years in the chamber no symptoms. Some people “Be protected or don’t go,” pened,’” he told reporters on a is an exceptionally hot spot for in this week’s walkout to made her its third longest- may experience fever and said Marty Cetron, director of conference call. yellow fever virus trans- protest gun violence. serving woman, according to nausea, and in about 15 percent the CDC division of global The vaccine should be mission,” said Cetron. Students at Downers the official House website. She of cases the infection can turn migration and quarantine. given 10 days before travel. Brazil’s health officials Grove North and South High chaired the rules committee severe and lead to jaundice and He warned that the A total of 10 international have confirmed 920 cases of Schools can serve their deten- from 2007 through 2010. multiple organ failure. intensity of transmission was visitors from Europe and South yellow fever, including more tions before or after school on A special election will be Since early 2017, the virus “highly unusual” and the risk to America who were not vacci- than 300 deaths since July 2017 weekdays or on Saturdays. held to elect someone to serve has been spreading in several travelers is “somewhat nated prior to traveling to Brazil far higher than the previous Community High School out the rest of Slaughter’s of Brazil’s eastern states, unprecedented.” have been infected with yellow year which saw 196 deaths. District 99 spokeswoman Jill term, which expires on “including areas where yellow He urged potential fever already this year. Browning said that the deten- December 31. tions were given after school officials met with students before Wednesday’s walkout and offered alternatives “that would not disturb the educa- Tillerson says he’s praying for America tional environment.” Browning says students AP corps to “continue to exhibit the to remain focused on our shared have said they consider the WASHINGTON: Fired top leadership qualities for which mission and embrace an orderly detentions “a ‘badge of diplomat Rex Tillerson said he’s you are distinguished” as they and smooth transition process. I honour’ and a symbol they praying for America. prepare for new leadership. have every confidence that you truly are protesting and Tillerson, in a message sent Tillerson, whom Trump will continue to work diligently standing up for their rights at to US embassies and consulates unceremoniously fired Tuesday, to advance our national interests a personal cost.” three days after President did not mention the president or and our values as a nation.” Students across the US Donald Trump ousted him, also his designated successor, CIA Tillerson was criticised for walked out of classes on told American diplomats he was Director Mike Pompeo, in the trying to slash the State Depart- Wednesday in the largest proud of them and would be message. But he said the State ment’s budget and staffing, protest against gun violence cheering for their success. Department was “in good hands” sending morale plummeting. seen in years, demanding “Know that I will continue to with its interim chief, Deputy Sec- Nevertheless, he praised the dip- action following last month’s pray for our country, our leaders, retary of State John Sullivan. lomatic corps for their dedi- shooting rampage at a Florida and your efforts to make this “In this time of transition, I cation, talent and patriotism as high schoo A file photo of US President Donald Trump, US National Security world a better place than we know you will continue to exhibit well as their willingness to serve Browning said 3,900 stu- Adviser H R McMaster (left) and secretary of state Rex Tillerson found it,” Tillerson said. the leadership qualities for which the nation far from home and dents remained in class during the 12th East Asia Summit in Manila, Philippines. He urged the diplomatic you are distinguished. I urge you often at personal risk. during the walkout. 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For advertisements, call: 44557857 Pen.Mag Every Sunday - Thursday SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 HOME 15 Aspetar gives medical support to FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series DOHA: In keeping with its pivotal role helping star athletes achieve maximum results, Aspetar – the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in Qatar – has provided medical support to the FINA/ HOSA 10km Marathon Swim World Series 2018, held at Doha’s Corniche, recently. Through its National Sports Medicine Programme (NSMP), Aspetar has set up onsite facilities to offer a range of com- prehensive medical services to all par- ticipating athletes, and has utilised some of its top-notch NSMP physiotherapists, sports massage therapists, doctors and nurses on the ground to provide imme- diate medical care throughout the event. In the days preceding the tour- nament, Aspetar welcomed the French Qatari-French collaboration in relevant as it falls under our training objectives. of course the Tokyo Olympic Games range of 500 to 5500m, enabling ath- national swimming team, led by their fields. The installation, people and physiother- 2020.” letes to “‘live high, train low”’ by residing manager Stéphane Lecat, during their Commenting on their visit, Lecat apists here are top level, so the possi- Aspetar’s altitude rooms are the first in comfort at raised altitudes while visit, the team attended a briefing about said: “I came to Aspetar to see the facility bility is very high. Last summer, our team fully-integrated dormitory of its kind in training at sea level. the services the hospital provides for ath- and its installations. We are very inter- won six medals at the World Champi- the world. The purpose built normobaric This allows athletes to improve letes and went on a tour of some Aspe- ested in Aspetar’s Normobaric Hypoxic onships, including four gold medals. This hypoxic facility that utilises an oxygen endurance by stimulating the body to tar’s facilities such as athletes’ rehabili- (Altitude) Rooms. We might be looking makes us the first nation in the world [to filtration system to reduce the concen- increase production of red blood cells, tation and improvement departments. to return to Aspetar to prepare for high achieve this], and we hope to continue tration of oxygen in the air. thus increasing the proportion of oxygen Both sides also discussed potential level competition in the hypoxic rooms on this level. Our main objective now is The rooms can replicate an altitude in the blood. KSQ elects new president and committee DOHA: Karnataka Sangha Qatar the elections were held as per Secretary; Dinesh Gowda, (KSQ), an associated organisation the new guidelines of the Logistics and Special Needs Co- of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Constitution. ordinator; Yogesh Pai, Joint Sec- under the aegis of Embassy of Below is the list of new office retary and Membership Co- India, Qatar, went to polls recently bearers: Venkat Rao, President; ordinator; Rashmi Jayarama, to elect its new committee. Ravi Shetty, Vice-President; Joint Cultural Secretary; Asha Venkata Rao won the Presidential Sandeep D S, General Secretary; Nanjappa Ladies and position of KSQ along with the 10 Muralidhar Rao, Treasurer; H K Children Co-ordinator and new management committee Madhu, Chairman Advisory Shashidar Hebbal, Environ- members for 2018 to 2019. Board; Ashwin P Kumar, Cultural mental and Kannada Related H K Madhu, the immediate Secretary; Anil Boloor, Sports Co-ordinator past president also in the AMUAAQ holds second Alumni meet for 2018 capacity of Advisory Panel Chairman, handed over the reign DOHA: Aligarh Muslim by Zeyaul Haque,Sarwar Mirza, were introduced and Annual to the newly-elected President University Alumni Qatar Javed Sultan, Danish Ali khan Report - including finance - for Venkata Rao to assume the office (AMUAAQ) organised its second and Farman Khan and was sup- 2017 was announced. along with his team. Alumni meet and General body ported by ladies: Reshma, Nazia, The existing Constitution and The election was held as per meeting for 2018 under the Dr.Ashna and Zoobi. Rules and Regulations of the new Constitution drafted and managing committee presided The added attraction of the AMUAAQ was discussed if it is finalised by the Embassy of India by Jawed Ahmad. meet was the games for kids and required to amend or not. for all the Indian associations Over 160 alumni and guests ladies and reminiscing the college Visions towards Jobs, affiliated to ICC. attended the meet at Museum of days. Winners and runners up involvement and support in KSQ became the first asso- Islamic Park recently. were rewarded with gifts. Qatar for FIFA 2022 was dis- ciated organisation of ICC to The meet was coordinated New members cussed as well. adopt the new Constitution and

CROSSWORD NOVO Pearl Qatar ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Tomb Raider 10:00, 11:30am, 12:30, 2:00, 3:00, 4:30, 5:30, 7:00, 8:00, Bonnie Bear: A Mystical Winter (2D/Animation) 2:30, 4:30 & 5:30pm 9:30, 10:30pm & 12:00midnight Death Wish (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15 & Tomb Raider (2D/Action) 2:30, 6:30, 8:45 & 11:00pm 11:30pm Gnome Alone (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, Raid (2D/Hindi) 3:00, 9:15 & 11:30pm 4:00 & 6:00pm The Lodgers (2D) 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Ragdah Almotawahesha (Arabic) 5:00 & 7:00pm Boonie Bears: Mystical Winter (2D) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm Talq Sena3y (2D/Arabic) 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight The Arabian Warrior (2D/Drama) 7:30pm In Syria (2D) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm In Syria (2D/Arabic) 8:45pm Ragdah Almotawahesha(2D) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00&12:00midnight Aami (2D/Malayalam) 11:00pm Hangman (2D) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm Okdat Al Kawja (2D/Arabic) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00mid- night Black Panther (2D) 10:30am, 3:15 & 8:00pm Game Night 1:15, 6:00 & 10:45pm ASIAN TOWN Tomb Raider (2D) 12:00noon, 2:45, 5:30, 8:15 & 11:10pm Raid (Hindi) 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30, 11:00 & 11:15pm Tomb Raider (3D IMAX) 10:30am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm Kirrak Party (Telugu) 12:15pm Captain (Malayalam) 2:45pm MALL Kaly (Malayalam) 12:30 & 8:15pm Maya Nadhi 3:15pm Hate Story 4 (Hindi) 6:00pm Bonnie Bear: A Mystical Winter (2D/Animation) 2:30, Aami (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00, 4:15 & 6:00pm Raid (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 11:30pm 12:30 & 02:00am Kirrak Party (Telugu) 2:30pm Tomb Raider (2D/Action) 5:00, 7:15, 9:30 & 11:30pm Ragdah Almotawahesha (Arabic) 5:30 & 7:30pm AL KHOR The Arabian Warrior (2D/Drama) 8:00pm In Syria (2D/Arabic) 9:15pm The Lodgers (Horror) 9:45pm Tomb Raider (Action) 11:00am, 1:30, 4:00, 6:30, 9:00 & 11:30pm Aami (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm Raid (Hindi) 12:15, 3:00, 5:45, 8:30 & 11:15pm Kirrak Party (Telugu) 11:00am & 5:00pm LANDMARK Aami (Malayalam) 2:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Aami (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm Tomb Raider (2D/Action) 2:30, 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30pm ROXY Bonnie Bear: A Mystical Winter (2D/Animation) 3:00, 5:00 & 7:15pm Bonnie Bears: Mystical Winter 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 Raid (2D/Hindi) 4:45, 9:00 & 11:30pm & 6:30pm Tomb Raider (Action) 10:30am, 1:00, 3:30, 5:00, Ragdah Almotawahesha (Arabic) 5:30, 7:15 & 9:15pm 6:00, 8:30, 10:30, 11:00 & 12:30pm Kirrak Party (Telugu) 11:15pm The Arabian Warrior (Action) 8:30 & 10:45pm Aami (Malayalam) 10:30am, 1:45 & 7:30pm Yestserday’s answer FLIK Mirqab Raid (Hindi) 10:30am, 1:103:50, 6:30, 9:10 & 11:50pm Aami 3:10, 6:30 & 9:50pm Black Panther 2:30, 5:10, 6:35, 7:50, 9:15, 10:30pm Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Boonie Bears: Mystical Winter 1:30, 4:35 & 6:30pm Death Wish (Action) 2:00 & 4:15pm Early Man 2:40pm Ferdinand 10:30am Game Night 6:15pm Gnome Alone (Animation) 3:45 & 5:35pm In Syria 3:35 & 10:40pm Ragdah Almotawahesha 1:40, 7:25, 9:25 & 11:25pm The Lodgers 8:30, 10:40pm & 12:35am Tomb Raider 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 8:20, 10:00pm & 12:20am 3D 2:00, 4:20, 6:40, 9:00 & 11:20pm

Raid is a 2018 Indian period crime thriller film written by Ritesh Shah and directed by Raj Kumar Gupta. It features Ajay Devgn, Ileana D’Cruz, Saanand Verma and Saurabh Shukla. 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 26 AM World’s expensive chocolate on display in Portugal SHOROOK 05. 42 PM REUTERS ZUHR 11. 42 AM MAGHRIB 05. 45 AM ASR 03. 08 PM ISHA 07. 15 PM LISBON: The world’s most expensive chocolate went on display at a chocolate WEATHER TODAY fair in Obidos in Portugal yesterday. Priced at ¤7,728 ($9,489) and covered in edible gold, the chocolate is part of a limited edition of 1,000 bonbons. It has a filling of saffron threads, white truffle, vanilla from Madagascar and gold flakes. It was guarded by two uniformed men. Its creator, Portuguese chocolatier Daniel Gomes, said the diamond-shaped chocolate was certified as the world’s most expensive by the Guinness Book of Records, which in 2017 listed $250 La Madeline au Truffe made by Danish artisan chocolate-maker Fritz Knipschildt’s as the record holder. Its crown-shaped box o o is decorated with 5,500 23 C 32 C Swarovksi crystals and also carries personalised The Eiffel Tower made in chocolate is on display during International Chocolate Fair in Obidos, Portugal, yesterday. Minimum Maximum pincers. Partly cloud to cloudy at first with weak chance of light rain at places becomes relatively hot daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at times

HIGH TIDE 05:00 –17:15 LOW TIDE 11:45 – 23:00 Space travel may cause Earliest Homo sapiens exhibited Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department long-term change to DNA unexpected sophistication WASHINGTON: Seven percent of astronaut Scott Kelly’s genes linked to the immune system, REUTERS DNA repair and bone formation, showed an unex- The researchers found materials, a dark brownish color pected change as a result of spending nearly a abundant evidence of long-dis- from manganese and bright red year in space, reveals NASA’s “Twins Study” aimed WASHINGTON: On a grassy tance transfer of obsidian to the from ochre. to unravel the genomics era of space travel. African landscape, some of the Olorgesailie Basin location from “The choice of importing the As part of the study, Scott spent a year in earliest members of our species, sites up to 55 miles away over ochre from a distance rather than space while Mark, his identical twin, stayed on Homo sapiens, engaged in surpris- rugged terrain, leading them to using a more common local Earth as a control subject to look at the effects ingly sophisticated behaviors believe it was acquired from material which accomplishes the of space travel on the human body. including using color pigments, another group through trade same purpose argues that having The findings showed that after returning to creating advanced tools and trading although it was unknown what was a red face or hair or clothing or Earth, Scott started the process of readapting for resources with other groups of provided in exchange. weapons also carried a symbolic to Earth’s gravity. Most of the biological changes people. The findings indicate advances message of some sort,” said pale- he experienced in space quickly returned to Those findings were reported in technology and social structures oanthropologist Alison Brooks of nearly his pre-flight status. While 93 per cent on Thursday by scientists who unexpected so early in our species’ George Washington University and of Scott’s genes returned to normal after landing, examined artifacts dating from history, they said. the museum’s Human Origins seven per cent remained unchanged. 320,000 years ago unearthed in “My view is that these newly Program. This remaining seven per cent points to the southern Kenya, roughly the same evolved mental and social abilities The researchers described possible longer term changes in genes related age as the earliest-known Homo -- including awareness of distant obsidian tools that were smaller, to his immune system, DNA repair, bone for- sapiens fossils discovered else- groups, use of pigments and inno- more carefully crafted and more mation networks, hypoxia and hypercapnia, where in Africa. vative technologies including pro- specialized than larger stone tools the US space agency said in a statement. The researchers described jectile points -- were at the foun- called handaxes used by earlier By measuring large numbers of metabolites, ochre pigment that produced a dation of our species’ origin,” said human species. cytokines and proteins in Scott’s body the team bright-red color, which could have paleoanthropologist Rick Potts, The obsidian was used in a learnt that spaceflight is associated with oxygen been used for body painting or director of the Smithsonian wide range of tools including deprivation stress, increased inflammation and other symbolic expression, and National Museum of Natural His- scrapers, implements with chisel dramatic nutrient shifts that affect gene tools fashioned from obsidian, a tory’s Human Origins Program. and gouging edges and also in small expression. volcanic rock that yields extremely “They may have actually been points that could be placed at the Previous studies showed the effect on the sharp blades, that contrasted with the behaviors that distinguished end of a wood or bone shaft for use body after the standard-duration six-month clunkier ones used by earlier our lineage/gene pool from other as a projectile weapon. missions aboard the International Space Station species in the human evolutionary early human species.” The research was published in (ISS). lineage. The team discovered pigment the journal Science.

Rihanna hits Snapchat over beating Ava DuVernay to Drake breaks new streaming direct DC Comics record in video games ad, sending shares tumbling superhero film AFP platform was becoming passé. AFP AFP A Snapchat spokesperson NEW YORK: Rihanna said that the advertisement NEW YORK: Hip-hop superstar Drake (pictured), denounced featuring Rihanna had been LOS ANGELES: Director Ava (pictured), has broken a new record Snapchat after an adver- “reviewed and approved in DuVernay, the first African- in streaming — this time in video tisement made light of her error, as it violates our adver- American woman to helm a games. The most streamed artist on beating by fellow pop star tising guidelines.” “We imme- film with a budget over Spotify, whose latest hit “God’s Plan” Chris Brown, sending the diately removed the ad last $100m, will now take on has spent the last seven weeks at company’s share prices weekend, once we became superhero film “The New number one on the US singles chart, tumbling. aware. We are sorry that this Gods,” sources said. made waves this week when he joined The social media platform happened,” the spokesperson The 45-year-old film- the streaming video-game platform -- which counts 187 million said in a statement. maker, who directed Oscar- Twitch. users, especially young people Snapchat came under fire nominated civil rights drama His livestream — on which he drawn to its quickly vanishing much of them...but all the from activists and social media “Selma,” is finalising an joined the shoot-’em’-up adventure posts -- had featured an adver- women, children, and men that users who questioned how the agreement with DC Comics “Fortnite” with players including tisement for “Would You have been victims of DV in the post made it past the plat- and Warner Bros. to shoot the video-game star Ninja -- drew Rather?,” a game app that asks past and especially the ones form’s review process. film, an adaptation of the 628,000 viewers, Twitch said, far out- sometimes provocative who haven’t made it out yet.... “Just awful. Awful that eponymous comic book by pacing the previous record of 388,000. interviews, spoke at length with Ninja questions. you let us down! Shame on you.” anyone thinks this is funny. Jack Kirby, sources close to the Twitch, which is owned by retail as they played “Fortnite” on The commercial showed Suggesting that fans may Awful that anyone thinks this director and the studio said. behemoth Amazon, saw in the success Wednesday night, for a time making the two singers and asked have as little need for Snapchat is appropriate. Awful that any It would be the second signs for future growth of the platform, the episode a trending topic on Twitter. Snapchat users whether they as she has for its explications, company would approve this,” major superhero film in which video-game aficionados Among tidbits into his life that would rather “slap Rihanna” she wrote: “Throw the whole Chelsea Clinton, the daughter directed by a woman after watch and interact with players online. drew wide notice on social media, or “punch Chris Brown.” app-oligy away.” In a sign of of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Patty Jenkins directed “Seeing a top gamer and musician Drake revealed that he is a vegetarian The company pulled the Rihanna’s power, shares in wrote on Twitter. Chris Brown “Wonder Woman,” a film also come together on Twitch and unite and that he is a fan of pineapple on advertisement and apologized, parent company Snap Inc. fell was convicted in 2009 of drawn from the DC Comics their large and passionate commu- pizza. The Toronto star has seized on but Rihanna took to rival 3.64 percent on a largely stable beating Rihanna, his then girl- universe that was released nities is a cultural moment in terms of streaming as he built his career, platform Instagram to day on Wall Street. friend, who was forced to miss last summer. building awareness around the appeal including through a marketing deal denounce Snapchat. “You It was the only the latest the 2009 Grammy Awards. DuVernay directed of social video and it’s only going to with Apple. His Jamaican-inspired spent money to animate some- celebrity-inflicted blow to The assault further shocked recently-released “A Wrinkle grow from here,” Kate Jhaveri, track “One Dance” remains the second thing that would intentionally Snapchat, whose rise has been many observers when In Time,” smashing the Twitch’s senior vice president for mar- most streamed song ever on Spotify. bring shame to DV (domestic heavily linked to its pop Rihanna, one of the most suc- $100m budget barrier, as keting, said in a statement. Drake and Ninja, whose real name violence) victims and made a culture appeal. Last month, cessful singers of the 21st well as “13th,” an Oscar- Twitch has drawn followers not is Tyler Blevin, were joined in playing joke of it!!!!” she wrote. Snap share prices also went century, temporarily resumed winning documentary about only for the games, but also for the the game by rapper Travis Scott and “This isn’t about my per- into a tailspin after socialite her relationship with Brown mass incarceration of talk-show-like chatter that accom- Pittsburgh Steelers football player JuJu sonal feelings, cause I don’t have Kylie Jenner tweeted that the afterward. African-Americans. panies them. Drake, who gives few Smith-Schuster.