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Sunday 28 May 2017 | 2 Ramadan 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7175 | 2 Riyals

Number of Emir and Father Emir receive Ramadan well-wishers mosques in Qatar at 2,000

The Peninsula There are 76 mosques otal number of mosques in Qatar has crossed under construction T 2,000 mark after the in the various Ministry of Awqaf and municipalities of Qatar Islamic Affairs received and at an estimated total operated 16 mosques, entail- cost of QR360m along ing a cost of nearly QR69m, with the Ibrahim Al during the first five months of 2017. Khalil Mosque in the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received on the first The Ministry yesterday Towers Zone in Dafna. day of the holy month of Ramadan at Al Wajba Palace yesterday, their excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, Advisory Council announced projects, which open soon. Speaker and his Deputy, Undersecretaries of Ministries, Advisory Council members, and citizens. → See also pages 2 & 3 were either completed or under construction in different according to the report. The regions of the country, includ- Ministry confirmed that all ing a large mosque in the works were completed ahead Towers Area scheduled to open of the holy month. Travel Clinic at HMC soon. For this purpose, the Min- Workers get tips on rights & health In a report released yester- istry took all measures and SERVICES at the Travel Clinic day, the Ministry said that there conducted maintenance work Irfan Bukhari well-known for providing free imparting training on vocational at Hamad Medical Corpora- are 76 mosques under con- aimed at ensuring the comfort The Peninsula access to computers and inter- safety through well-designed tion’s (HMC) Communicable struction in the various for the worshipers, including net to workers at labour modules. Diseases Center (CDC) is now municipalities of Qatar at an electricity, air conditioning, he ‘Better Connections’ accommodations so that they “In ‘Be Smart, Be Safe’, available twice a week for estimated total cost of QR360m sanitation and other facilities. programme of the Minis- can remain connected with fam- workers have access to an inter- travellers, says a senior offi- along with the Ibrahim Al Kha- Few days back, while Ttry of Transport and ilies and friends. active health and safety module cial. → See also page 4 lil Mosque in the Towers Zone announcing the completion of Communications (MOTC) has An executive report on 'Bet- in five languages; Hindi, Ben- in Dafna. renovation and construction of begun educating thousands of ter Connections' reveals that the gali, Nepali, as well as English RAMADAN The Ministry has also main- 12 mosques, the Public Works migrant workers about their programme not only provides and Arabic, and gain awareness tained and expanded 18 Authority (Ashghal) said that it rights, health, occupational free access to computers and of their rights and responsibili- TIMING mosques and Imam's accom- was expecting to complete an safety and money internet to workers at various ties with regard to health and Today’s Iftar 6:21pm modations in different areas at additional 10 mosques during management. IT halls established at workers’ safety at work,” the report says. Tomorrow’s Imsak 3:07am an approximate cost of QR1m, second half of 2017. This programme was so far housing locations but it is also → Continued on page 4 02 HOME SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017

Emir and Father Emir receive Ramadan well-wishers

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received yesterday at Al Wajba Palace scores of well-wishers in the holy month of Ramadan. Their Highnesses received their excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, Advisory Council Speaker H E Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi and his Deputy, Undersecretaries of Ministries, Advisory Council members, and citizens. The Emir and the Father Emir exchanged greetings with well-wishers on the advent of Ramadan, praying to Allah to gift the State of Qatar and the Qatari people peace and prosperity. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir; H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalifa Al Thani, and H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani attended the reception along with their excellencies sons of H H the Father Emir. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 HOME 03 Emir and Father Emir receive Ramadan well-wishers

Emir exchanges Ramadan greetings

QNA

mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani exchanged greetings on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan with President of the Tunisian ERepublic, Beji Caid Essebsi, during a telephone conversation the Emir held yesterday afternoon. The Emir also exchanged greetings with President Dr Hassan Rowhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 04 HOME SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017

'NHRC produces Travel Clinic Experts discuss education video on and training strategy workers' rights' now open Continued from page 1 Mohammed Osman The report adds: “Fur- The Peninsula thermore, the National Human Rights Committee ith participa- (NHRC), in collaboration with twice a week tion of over 70 the MOTC, has produced a experts repre- video on labourers’ rights senting 21 which is supplied on all of the Fazeena Saleem Vital vaccines Ministries, machines that are installed as The Peninsula Wgovernment and private insti- part of the 'Better Connec- The vaccinations tutions, universities and schools, tions' programme as well as provided at the the Ministry of Education and being accessible on the ervices at the Travel Travel Clinic include Higher Education organised the website.” Clinic at Hamad Med- recommended first workshop on Education and The executive report fur- ical Corporation’s Training Sector Strategy which ther says that the ‘Be Smart vaccines for measles- The first workshop on Education and Training Sector Strategy (HMC) Communicable is part of the National Develop- and Learn’ module takes mumps-rubella at the Shangri La Hotel yesterday. Diseases Center (CDC) (MMR), diphtheria- ment Strategy 2017-2022. users through the basics of Sare now available twice a week The workshop discussed Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula health and safety at work, as tetanus-pertussis, for travellers, says a senior and determined the targeted- Mahmoud, Director, Planning and supervising mechanisms of well as workers’ rights. polio, hepatitis A and official. values of key performance Quality, at the Ministry of Educa- implementation stages, Al Mah- “Training is one pillar of B and the yearly flu The clinic operated only on indicators on education, tion and Higher Education. moud said. the Better Connections Pro- Mondays in the interim and is shot. approved the list of programmes Al Mahmoud added that The challenges being faced gram. The training model now open on Wednesdays as related to the strategy, in addi- strategy is also based on Qatar’s by education and training sec- cascades knowledge from well to meet the increase in the second clinic,” she added. tion to shedding light on the global indicators mentioned in tor include efficiency of volunteers, to digital cham- demand, Dr Muna Al Maslam- The clinic operates on an current and future programme the global reports in particular expenses on education, weak- pions and then the larger ani, Medical Director of the appointment basis and patients of different entities. the competitiveness reports. ness of mechanisms set up for workers community. Themes CDC, told The Peninsula. will be able to call and book by Participants in the workshop Al Mahmoud highlighted that planning, implementation, fol- include introduction to Qatar, It provides travellers with calling 40254003 from 7am to also discussed priorities in areas lessons have been learnt from low-up, accountability and safety at the workplace, counselling, vaccinations and 7pm. of training and educational the implementation of the pre- coordination between stake- mobile money and more. other preventive information Dr Al Maslamani encour- activities and means of enhanc- vious strategy which necessitated holders, Al Mahmoud stressed. One of the most popular on Mondays between 12 noon ages pilgrims going for Umrah ing and improving outcomes of changing from input planning to Regarding governing of the is the “Money Management” and 3pm and on Wednesdays and travellers visiting overseas these programmes. planning bases on outcomes strategy, Al Mahmoud pointed module, which uses an inter- from 8am to 11am. It also pro- countries where vaccinations The Education and Training which means focusing on the out that there is a steering com- active simulator, in five vides assessment and medical and other preventive measures Sector Strategy 2017-2022 is result of the projects, exclusive- mittee which has three languages, that takes users care for travellers returning are required, to visit the travel based on the Qatar National ness, interconnection of planning functional sub-committees — through the complete proc- with travel-related infections. clinic prior to travel. Vision 2030, and the reports on and implementation aspects. pre-primary education ess of using an ATM, while the Any required vaccination is “The World Health Organ- the previous strategy of educa- The strategy includes all committee, committee for pri- “Mobile Wallet” simulator free for all and the clinic ization recommends getting tion and training 2011-2016, education levels, coordination mary to higher schools level and teaches them how to store, charges standard fees required travel advice and especially World Bank Report, Education for between all stakeholders, devel- committee for post secondary spend and transfer money to be paid at any HMC facility vaccinations four to six weeks All, said Turkey Abdullah Al opment of monitoring and school level. through their smart phones. for consultation. prior to the travel date. How- The clinic provides coun- ever, we advise people to come selling for different types of to us at least two weeks before travellers including adults and the travel date as this time is children, pregnant women, old required for the vaccinations people and those with chronic to develop the resistance Thousands have Iftar at Ramadan tents illnesses. power within the body,” she “This is a unique clinic and said. Sanaullah Ataullah we provide comprehensive The vaccinations provided The Peninsula services. Our aim is to protect at the Travel Clinic include rec- the health of travellers by pro- ommended vaccines for housands of workers gathered at viding clinical care along with measles-mumps-rubella huge Iftar tents on the first day of specific advice and informa- (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-per- Ramadan, set up by Sheikh Thani tion for each traveller. tussis, polio, hepatitis A and B bin Abdullah Foundation for Specialised physicians will do and the yearly flu shot. Some Humanitarian Services (RAF) a thorough assessment of the additional vaccines for yellow Tacross the country. Iftar meals included traveller’s physical and health fever, rabies, and diphtheria juices, dates, laban, water in addition to condition as well as travel may also be required for travel, meals consisting of rice mixed with chicken details. We also provide spe- depending on the country being or mutton. cific advice and counselling to visited. “Today, we distributed 2,500 Iftar meals travellers who plan to under- The clinic functions as a to fasting workers because the tent was not take activities such as diving, ‘One Stop Shop’ for travellers ready to host them," a representative of RAF mountain climbing as well as in Qatar and also provides at Asian Town told The Peninsula. cruising. Vaccines for prevent- highly specialised advice and “We are pretty sure, the tent will be ready able diseases are given treatment for those returning tomorrow and we will open it by 4pm People have the Iftar meal at a Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Al Thani Foundation for depending on the country they from overseas trips who sus- whereby the workers can can enjoy their Humanitarian Services (RAF) and Qatar Airways tent in old Airport Area, yesterday. travel to,” said Dr Al pect they may have a iftar meals in comfortable environment. We Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula Maslamani. travel-related illness. will also organise a religious programme in “We started with one clinic “Any person having condi- the language of workers," he added. packages at discount prices for individu- to their respective community members hail- in February and due to the tions such as persistent Community restaurants in Asian Town als and families, The Peninsula has ing from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri increased awareness created diarrhoea, rash and fever is are offering attractive packages of Iftar observed. Lanka, Nepal, Philippines among others. through social media and other advised to visit the Travel Clinic and Suhoor meals to fasting people dur- Over a dozen eateries operating in a food A Pakistani restaurant is offering a buf- channels we have an increased without delay,” said Dr Al ing the holy month of Ramadan. The offers court behind Grand Mall in Asian Town are fet for Iftar at QR59 per person from Sunday demand and recently opened Maslamani. include buffet, home-delivery and monthly offering traditional dishes of Iftar and Suhoor to Wednesday. Airbus honours MoI's Telecom Department

The Peninsula Salim Al Henzab, Director of the Telecom Department said he Telecommunications that the Ministry of Interior was Department of the Min- always keen to be at the fore- Tistry of Interior was front of the latest honoured by Airbus during the communication systems in its Critical Communication World service sector. He said that the (CCW) conference held in Hong Ministry has started work with Kong from May 16-18 for its Tetra system since 2006, with collaboration with the aircraft the beginning of Asian Games maker to create a new product in the country. that connects the Tetra and LTE The Telecom Department networks in the field of secu- has been working to keep pace rity, which is the first of its kind with the global development in the world. This was achived in the field of telecommunica- as a result of efforts of the engi- tions, which resulted in the neers of the Telecom introduction of new systems An official receiving the award in Hong Kong. Department. with the first, second and third Brigadier Ali generation of GSM whereas it the possibility of video and data invention that will serve the two reached now the transmission as well as voice telecommunications services in fourth generation, transmission. one. which is called the He added that the Ministry The telecom engineers from LTE system. of Interior was one of the first the Qatari cadres introduced The Tetra sys- countries in the world — the the idea of integrating the Tetra tem is a security third nation — to introduce the and LTE systems into one net- system that works LTE system in its security work. work with AIRBUS, the with efficiency. Having the use of two networks producers of TETRA system. But the entry of of communication, Tetra and The idea was to create a the (LTE) provided LTE, securitymen in the vari- new product that enables the security services ous security services had to use user to obtain both features of some of the newer two devices at the same time. the two systems through a sin- features than the Meanwhile, the Telecommuni- gle device, thus achieving more Tetra system, as cations Department started to advantages that serve the secu- the (LTE) provided search for developing a new rity work in general. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 HOME 05 Abattoirs expected to receive 4,500 animals daily

Sidi Mohamed outlets were shut down and 96 vio- The Peninsula lations were registered during 8,500 inspection raids since Janu- o meet increased workload ary this year. due to Ramadan, the number “About 96 violations were reg- Tof veterinary doctors has istered against food outlets, which been increased to 30 in four abat- were found violating Law No 8 of toirs of Doha. The abattoirs are 1990 on regulation of human food expected to receive up to 4,500 ani- control. January and April this mals daily during the holy month. year witnessed the highest “The four abattoirs in Doha number of closures — 15 and 14 have recently gone through main- food outlets, respectively,” said tenance and are now ready for AlSayed. Students of the 11th graduating class of Awsaj Academy celebrate by throwing their graduation caps in the air. Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr and the About how inspection raids will number of veterinary doctors has conducted during Ramadan, he said been increased to 30 to meet grow- that there was a routine raid on ing demand during the holy month. food outlets. Awsaj Academy graduates 11th class The abattoirs are expected to "The only new thing in Ram- receive 4,000 to 4,500 animals adan is that we will keep more daily for slaughter,” said Moham- focus on outlets which have more The Peninsula Academy Class of 2017 grad- lives: “I am incredibly grate- and the discovery of your med Ahmed Buhashim AlSayed, demand (pressure) like factories, uation ceremony, Buthaina Ali ful for the Awsaj Academy potential capabilities so as to Health Control Section Head at food distribution points in the atar Foundation’s (QF) Al Nuaimi said: “Today, we are family: parents, siblings, employ them to achieve your Doha Municipality, in an interview Industrial Area and Awsaj Academy has cel- delighted to celebrate the tutors, teachers, and staff; an goals.” with The Peninsula. hypermarkets." Qebrated another graduation of the 11th Class of excellent team that has put in Addressing his fellow He said that as many as 49 food “Any food facility providing milestone by honouring its 11th Awsaj Academy students. With countless hours and unquan- graduates, Jassim Abdulrah- meals to more than 200 people at graduating class at an official determination, risk-taking tifiable energy into the success man Al Thani said: “No matter one time will get special treatment ceremony. based on scientific awareness, of each of these graduates. We where we go or what we do, because in case of a mistake like The ceremony, which took and a well-designed vision, are truly a family here at there will be challenges to poisoning it may harm many peo- place in the Awsaj Academy our students are now ready to Awsaj Academy as we fulfill face. What I'm asking from ple,” AlSayed said. auditorium, was attended by embark on a new journey.” our unique mission to unlock each of you, and from myself, “For Iftar tents, we are coordi- a number of distinguished “Pre-University Education the learning potential of each is to meet those challenges nating with charity organisations guests, including Fahad Al strives to provide high-qual- student.” straight on with your heart and there are two technical aspects Subaiey, Chairman of Awsaj ity education programmes that Ali Al Shaabi, Senior Cur- wide open. Try to excel in eve- we are monitoring: we have to Academy Board of Governors; further our students’ educa- riculum Coordinator, rything you do; strive for check the supplier or the restau- Hanadi Mansoor Al Khater, tion and helps their Pre-University Education, and excellence in every task, large rant which will cook the Iftar meals; Director of Special Education, development, so that they can the keynote speaker, encour- or small.” and we have to check about its Gifted Student Department, be outstanding citizens in their aged the graduates to stay The diplomas were transportation." Office of the Assistant Under- community, capable of build- focused and committed, say- awarded by Fahad Al Subaiey, About electronic inspection, he secretary for Educational ing the future of their country,” ing: “Development and Dr Donald Francis, and Frank said that for a month, food inspec- Affairs; Buthaina Ali Al Nuaimi, she added. achievements do not come Esposito, Secondary School tors were using digital gadgets President of Pre-University In his speech, Dr Donald without endless planning, Principal, Awsaj Academy. Mohammed Ahmed Buhashim during inspection and "it reflects Education (PUE), Qatar Foun- Francis, Director of Awsaj eagerness, and sacrifice. The Awsaj Academy, part of AlSayed, Health Control Section positively on the work of inspec- dation. The event was also Academy, highlighted the best approach to succeed in QF, is a K-12 specialised school Head at Doha Municipality. tors either for transparency or the attended by parents, staff, and important role the staff and life is through knowledge of that addresses the needs of Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah / The speed with which they inspect more faculty members. families played to get students yourself, identifying your students with learning Peninsula food outlets." Commenting on the Awsaj to this successful stage of their strengths and weaknesses, challenges. 06 HOME SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 Mada & NHRC to address rights of disabled people

The Peninsula ecosystem of persons with dis- Under the MoU, abilities and their right to ada Assistive accessibility. Technology the two parties It was also agreed that both Participants at the networking event. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula Center signed an will launch joint parties would work on training MoU with the community and capacity-building of differ- National Human awareness campaigns ent institutions to promote such QPWN meet emphasises on gender MRights Commission (NHRC) awareness. which aimed at working that promote In addition to collaborating towards achieving their com- understanding of the and sharing experiences when equality & women empowerment mon objectives. ecosystem of persons conducting studies and statis- The Memorandum of tics on the status of the rights of Understanding that was signed with disabilities persons with disabilities. More- Amna Pervaiz Rao strategies for advancing women rank high on the United Nation’s by Maha Al Mansouri, Mada and their right to over, accessing and analyzing The Peninsula in the society. It also discussed the Development Programme’s Gen- CEO, and Mariam Abdullah Al accessibility. the external and internal envi- role of expat women in the local der Equality Index — ranking Atiah, NHRC General Secretary, ronment that helps set goals, atar Professional Women community. third and fourth, respectively. is intended to exchange experi- initiatives, projects and Network (QPWN) hosted a Ewa Polano highlighted the Dr Bahia G. Tahzib said: “In ences and highlight common cooperating to conduct studies programmes. Qnetworking event titled current scenario of women's role context of equality, I would say concerns in the various fields on best practices for the rights In accordance with the pro- 'The Evolving Role of Women in in governmental and political as I always say women are meant related to the rights of persons of persons with disabilities. visions of this memorandum, the the Arab World' in which the entities. “In Sweden’s govern- to build peace in the society. As a with disabilities. Especially with regards to acces- two parties shall form a joint guest speakers emphasised on mental entities and political bird has two wings and if one The Memorandum of sibility, and to study the executive committee who will gender equality and women parties, women have reached to wing is not strong enough the bird Understanding aims to work environment that helps to set prepare the draft programmes empowerment. around half of the representation. is unable to fly. Same is the case within the field of capacity goals and initiatives.” required for the implementa- A panel of three distinguished For 20 years, we are following between men and women. Equal- building and exchange experi- “This MoU will play an tion of the provisions of this speakers Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie, this pattern to ensure that equal- ity is necessary.” “We (referring ences to enhance joint action important role in supporting memorandum. Ambassador of the Netherlands ity should exist in all the to herself and Swedish ambassa- and enable full potential of per- people with disabilities in Qatar Furthermore, they will to Qatar; Ewa Polano, Ambassa- governmental bodies,” Polano dor) belong to the public sector sons with disabilities. and developing the assistive determine the obligations, the dor of Sweden to Qatar, and added.“In Norway, not in Swe- and have to take stand for women In addition to ensuring the technology sector. The signing costs, and follow up, as well as Professor Beverley Milton- den, there is a legislation that in because women are key players implementation of laws and reg- of this agreement will support implement the provisions of this Edwards, visiting faculty at future 40% of the board of direc- in any society to build peace,” she ulations to guarantee that our efforts towards Qatar’s memorandum. Brookings Doha Center, spoke at tors, members should be women added. persons with disabilities have National Vision 2030 and the In addition to developing a the event. in the private sector. In Sweden, Polano further said:“I always access to all their rights, and to National Development Strategy. vision for training, capacity Zahra Babar, Associate Direc- women hesitate to be selected,” say this to my Swedish sisters and agree on responsibilities from It is also vital to implementing building, exchange of experi- tor for Research Center for she added. all the ladies I come across that it both sides to build capacity, Qatar's policy of general acces- ences, and suggestions on International and Regional Stud- Beverley Milton-Edwards is very important to think about competencies and raise sibility and e-accessibility, and solutions to any difficulties that ies, Georgetown University School said: “The role of women in the your position in the society. awareness. the United Nations Convention may be encountered in the of Foreign Service in Qatar, was modern history of the Middle East Ladies should not stay behind Al Mansouri said: "We are on the Rights of Persons with implementation of areas and the moderator of the discussion. has evolved and grown signifi- men as equality is essential. committed to empowering peo- Disabilities,” she added. aspects of joint cooperation. The The discussion was on the cantly. Women have made many Whenever I see any woman on ple with disabilities in Qatar Under the MoU, the two par- parties will also propose new successes and barriers in eco- progresses in this part of the the top in any profession, I admire through education, employ- ties will launch joint community frameworks for cooperation, nomic and political region and it is extremely inspir- her and her qualities as she would ment, and community awareness campaigns that pro- both in the areas covered by the empowerment of women in the ing to see women empowered.” have won the top position due to initiatives, as well as mote understanding of the memorandum or others. Arab world as well as possible The Netherlands and Sweden her capabilities and talents.” HBKU Law School’s Legal Lab focuses on innovative approach

The Peninsula legal industry, it’s important to various industries in side of the class.” recognise that new problems Qatar. In a range of Rebecca Schillings, an assist- t Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- demand new solutions. The Legal disciplines, from the ant professor at HBKU’s CLPP versity (HBKU), the Lab introduced us to this phenom- environment and who presented Legal Lab at the ACollege of Law and Pub- enon by enabling us to research corporate law, to 12th Annual Global Legal Skills lic Policy’s (CLPP) Legal Lab, is ways in which innovation can be human rights and Conference in Mexico, was rec- bringing a nuanced perspective brought to the world of law.” beyond, the students ognized with an award by the to understanding and studying At the Legal Lab, students resort to problem- academics and legal scholars in law in the region, with empha- from HBKU’s CLPP engage with solving techniques, attendance for her work with the sis on addressing legal challenges prominent legal specialists derived from an anal- lab. Her presentation highlighted with empathy and innovation as across Qatar to research and ysis of human impact, the importance of using a holis- fundamental principles. identify current legal challenges. to better address the tic approach to understand legal Legal Lab is a core require- As future law experts, the stu- legal challenges the studies, and emphasized how it ment for CLPP’s Juris Doctor (JD) dents are encouraged to analyse society faces today. needs to be a core part of legal candidates, where students are different facets that form the Ammar Saed Ald- curricula globally. encouraged to approach legal legal framework in Qatar, using ien, a student at She said: “Legal Lab at studies under the lens of creativ- a myriad of theories, principles, HBKU’s CLPP, HBKU’s CLPP was developed as ity and human centricity. CLPP’s and tactics. The lab’s methodol- describes Legal Lab an attempt to engage students in Legal Lab was even lauded and ogy is focused on using a as an opportunity to experimentation and interactive recognised for its innovative human-centric approach in deal- “use creative think- prototyping in order to develop approach at the 12th Annual Glo- ing with legal issues, and GLS Award presented to Rebecca Schillings, recognising the Legal Lab. ing to develop an new approaches to the legal bal Legal Skills Conference in devising creative solutions for idea to change an practice. I believe the ability to Mexico earlier this year. Com- today’s legal challenges. usually teaches lawyers to look innovative techniques when aspect about the think about how the practice of menting on her experience with Speaking about the Legal in the past for precedent when brainstorming solutions.” Qatari legal system, unlike other law can be improved on a con- the Legal Lab, Asma Al Khulaifi, Lab’s unique approach, Al Khu- defending their cases. The class, As part of Legal Lab, JD stu- classes where we just analysed sistent basis is of utmost JD candidate at HBKU, said: “In laifi said: “It was particularly however, teaches us the exact dents work on out-of-the-box a legal issue and dealt with cases importance in today’s fast paced order to shape the future of the interesting because the industry opposite, asking us to use ideas with legal experts across critically without applying it out- and changing world.” WISH urges public participation to strengthen national health strategy

The Peninsula individual members of society should also play their part. he World Innovation Sum- Commenting on the impor- mit for Health (WISH) has tance of community engagement Turged the public participa- in improving the health of Qatar’s tion to strengthen Qatar’s national population, Schillings said, “What health strategy. Egbert Schillings, we have seen over and over again CEO of WISH, an initiative of is that local employers, schools, Qatar Foundation (QF), gave a community organisations, and presentation at a special session individuals are eager and ready that launched the Qatar Public to make a positive impact on the Health Strategy 2017-22 Consul- Egbert Schillings, CEO, WISH, population’s health. tation during the Middle East speaks at the launch of Qatar “Encouraging wide-ranging Forum on Quality and Safety in Public Health Strategy 2017- community engagement is a cru- Healthcare 2017, organised by 2022 Consultation. cial element of Qatar’s aim of Hamad Medical Corporation creating a healthy population in (HMC) in collaboration with the the public to take an active role the long-term. The factors that United States-based Institute for in the task of improving the determine a population’s health Healthcare Improvement (IHI). nation’s health by completing the are numerous and intertwined; Qatar Public Health Strategy first-of-its-kind survey. He health is shaped by the conditions 2017-22 Consultation – a survey pointed out that creating a health- in which we are born, grow, live, created by the Ministry of Public ier society in Qatar should not be work, play, and age. We are all Health that invites feedback on viewed as solely the responsibil- co-creators of our health and the public health issues in Qatar. Dur- ity of those working in the public cannot be passive in devel- ing his speech, Schillings urged healthcare sector, but that oping a strong health strategy.” SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 HOME 07 ABHAIF & National Council on US Arab Relations ink MoU

Huda NV public about our culture and tra- The Peninsula The agreement ditions. We will work on this challenge, establish a methodol- imed at enhancing glo- eyes cooperation ogy and methods to showcase who bal awareness about between two parties we are,” he said. the Arab world, the in the fields of Al Attiyah Foundation is the Abdullah bin Hamad development, boosting first think-tank of its kind in the Al Attiyah Interna- Middle East. As per MoU, books, tionalA Foundation For Energy And cooperation in various publications and journals and Sustainable Development sectors of common research works issued by both (ABHAIF) signed an MoU with the concerns, exchanging organisations will be shared with National Council on US Arab Rela- each other. The move aims at tions, recently. information and strengthening relation between The agreement signed by H E experiences to two organisations in the field of Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, continue cooperation energy, sustainable development, Chairman, ABHAIF, and Dr John and coordination. exchange of knowledge and sci- Duke Antony, Founding President entific and social activities. and CEO of the National Council, Founded in 1983, the National eyes cooperation between two Arab world. Currently, the Arabs Council on US-Arab Relations is parties in the fields of develop- and the Muslims must work an American non-profit, non-gov- ment, boosting cooperation in harder to put themselves in the ernmental, educational various sectors of common con- front. There are extremists in every organisation dedicated to improv- cerns, exchanging information and religion and they are segregating ing American knowledge and ABHAIF Chairman H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah and Dr John Duke Antony, Founding President experiences to continue cooper- people. Islam is against killing the understanding of the Arab world. and CEO of the National Council on US Arab Relations, at the ceremony. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula ation and coordination. innocent,” said Al Attiyah “ The “Over the last few years in US, The MoU also aims at easing MoU gives us strength to do more, the level of misunderstandings and through education and sharing understanding of the Arab and meetings of the heads of a dozen the jobs of researchers and creat- create more understanding, and misrepresentation of the Arabs information, we have a better Islamic culture and tradition.” Arab-US relations organisations ing opportunities to them to utilise will help creating a more vision- have grown. Each day, Arabs are understanding of the Arabs. From its offices in Washing- devoted to sharing information, the available scientific facilities as ary road map for future interest. seen as an object to be manipu- Understanding Arab culture and ton, the National Council works discussing strategies, avoiding per the rules and regulations and We will organise workshops, sem- lated, controlled influenced and principles, people say has made with sister organisations to share duplication of effort, and identi- system followed by both parties. inars and round tables to discuss rejected. This is dangerous and is me a better human being. So resources and maximise effective- fying and pursuing opportunities “Through the agreement, we aim issues of mutual interest. We will rooted in ignorance,” said Dr through this agreement we aim to ness. The council has played a for greater inter-organisational at raising the awareness about work on ways to convince the Anthony. “However, widen the reach and leading role in convening regular cooperation. RAF launches QR75.1m projects for Syrians

The Peninsula campaign — Qatar Charity, Eid provide health services to more displaced people living in poor Charity, Qatar Red Crescent Soci- than 1.4 million displaced people. quality tent facilities. heikh Thani bin Abdullah ety, and Afif Charity under the The health projects include port- Six projects have been inau- Foundation for Humanitar- supervision of Charities Regula- able medical units and operating gurated to create educational Sian Services (RAF) launched tory Authority. Dr Ayed bin the hospitals. In food security, RAF opportunities to displaced chil- a slew of projects related to health, Dabssan Al Qahtani, Chairman, launched five projects at a cost of dren. More than 741,000 students education, development and Board of Trustees, and General QR15.3m. More than 128,000 peo- and teachers are expected to ben- housing at a cost of QR75.1m to Director, RAF and Dr Mohamad ple are expected to benefit from efit from these projects. Under rescue displaced people in north- Salah Ibrahim, Deputy Director of the project s. Farmers were pro- educational projects, 30 school ern part of Syria. RAF inaugurated the projects in vided agricultural inputs and buildings damaged in the incident The projects were initiated four sectors — health, food secu- animals for breeding in Rif, Aleppo will be repaired. In addition, 3.5 under phase-2 of "Save Aleppo" rity, shelters and education. and Hums.Under shelter project, million text books will be pub- campaign by RAF with other four Nine projects at a cost of over new insulated tents at a cost of lished. Salaries of 6,500 teachers Syrian children of displaced families in an educational facility Qatari charities participating in the QR28m were inaugurated to QR2.1m were distributed to will be paid for nine months. provided by RAF in northern part of Syria.

Asala Honey offerings on display. Asala Honey unveils latest offering 'Ora Manuka Honey'

The Peninsula Hydrogen Peroxide. What sets Research has shown it to be Ora Manuka Honey apart, is that beneficial for pain associated sala Honey, renowned its UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) with stomach ulcers and also to Qatari honey brand that active. UMF Manuka honey has help with shortening the dura- Aspecialises in producing been tested and certified to have tion of and rehydration of and providing premium Yem- a specific level of antibacterial patients with bacterial diar- eni honey, Honey activity and is most effective rhoea. It has also been shown to confectioneries, and Middle against most types of bacteria, be beneficial for oral hygiene Eastern Honey, has unveiled its and is adverse to the effects of and as an energy food to latest offering, Ora Manuka heat and light during storage. enhance the body’s stamina. Honey, at Gold Gourmet The UMF active honey has been Asala Honey has quickly Pearl and City Center, and at utilised by many medical pro- grown to become one of Qatar’s Asala boutiques: Villaggio, Doha fessionals around the world in leading honey brands. Sourced Festival City and Mall of Qatar. the treatment of wounds, skin from the best regional and inter- Manuka Honey, produced in and stomach ulcers, and is national hives, Asala Honey is New Zealand, comes from the proven to be beneficial for oral 100% pure and available in a nectar of Manuka flowers, and is hygiene and as an energy source variety of flavours: wild flow- renowned for its healing prop- to enhance the body’s stamina. ers, acacia, lavender, rosemary, erties, and its rich distinctive Many medical professionals oak, chestnut, sunflower, flavour. Ora Manuka honey has around the world are having Manuka, in addition to the more been scientifically proven to pos- good results with the treatment popular multi-flora and golden sess powerful antiseptic and of wounds and skin ulcers, many nectar flavors that are packaged antibacterial properties, all due of which have not responded to in the finest of jars and to its active ingredient, other standard treatments. canisters. 08 HOME SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 Ooredoo tv New Home Healthcare Services office opened The Peninsula

amad Medical Corpora- offers Ramadan tion (HMC) has Hinaugurated a new satel- lite office for the Home Healthcare Services (HHCS) and the bespoke seating and mobil- promotions ity service, located in a building adjacent to the Al Wakrah Health Center. The Peninsula Ali Janahi, HMC Chief of Mega offer Business Services, and Mahmoud o help encourage New Ooredoo tv Al Raisi, HMC Chief of Continu- family bonding this customers can enjoy ing Care, inaugurated and toured holy month, Ooredoo free fibre speed the facility and met with staff has announced a new upgrade for three and patients. The new HHCS sat- Ooredoo tv promo- ellite office, which will serve as months. Ttion yesterday, as well as a a base from which healthcare jam-packed schedule of enter- teams conduct home visits, will tainment for viewers. For three months, provide administrative support With the this offer, new new 10Mbps Ooredoo for patients and families in Al Ooredoo tv customers will tv customers (QR250 Wakrah and the surrounding enjoy a free Ooredoo Fibre per month) will enjoy region. Officials demonstrate power chairs and other mobility devices to guests. speed upgrade for three 25Mbps speeds, “Both services form an inte- months, enabling users to enjoy 25Mbps customers gral part of Hamad’s continuing occupational and speech it also means they can provide country. Often this service offers super-fast speeds as well a (QR350 per month) care service offering and are in therapy. a more timely response to a new lease of life to patients stunning 4K content via the will enjoy 100Mbps alignment with Qatar’s National This model of care supports patients’ needs in their home.” whose condition would previ- Ooredoo tv smart speeds and 100Mbps Health Strategy goals to provide patients’ timely discharge from The seating and mobility ously have kept them house and set-top-box. customers (QR500 more preventative and commu- hospital and the clinical care and service provides disabled even bed-bound,” said Janahi. Customers who sign-up to per month) will enjoy nity-based care across the medical supervision provided patients who are experiencing “About 60 percent of our Ooredoo tv until June 30 can super 300Mbps country,” said Janahi. “The new helps to reduce Emergency and mobility issues with an objec- patients are adults and 40 per- enjoy over double their fibre speeds. Al Wakrah branch office for Outpatient Department visits tive and systematic assessment cent are children who have speed at no extra cost. Home Healthcare Services is an and hospital admissions. of their seating and mobility received a custom-built power- For three months, new excellent example of this strat- Patients or family members needs. chair, wheelchair or even 10Mbps Ooredoo tv customers dedicated Ramadan offers from egy in action and is already can request these services and The service was moved from customised vehicles, enabling (QR250 per month) will enjoy Ooredoo. delivering significant benefit to other related home healthcare Rumailah Hospital to this new them to move about more freely 25Mbps speeds, 25Mbps Oore- This year Ooredoo’s Ram- over 300 patients.” resources by referral from their dedicated office which includes and independently,” Al Raisi doo tv customers (QR350 per adan campaign will come under The HHCS provides care for doctor. The service is available assessment, training and edu- added. “While the service is free month) will enjoy 100Mbps the umbrella “Ooredoo Ram- children, adult and older resi- from 7am to 8pm, Sunday to cation facilities as well as an to Qatari patients, our teams speeds and 100Mbps Ooredoo adan 1438” and customers can dents who are temporarily or Thursday, with extended care onsite workshop with skilled have worked closely with char- tv customers (QR500 per follow all promotions, events permanently housebound. The available if required. technicians who customise and ities and donors to help many month) will enjoy super and competitions during the multidisciplinary care approach “Our patients, especially adapt equipment for the indi- non-Qatari patients benefit from 300Mbps speeds. month on social media with the includes home visits by doctors, those living in the south of Qatar, vidual patients’ needs. this amazing service.” The bonus Ooredoo Fibre #Ramadan1438. nurses and allied health profes- have asked for easier access to “We are immensely proud The HHCS and seating and speed upgrade will be immedi- As well as dedicated pro- sionals who perform a variety specialised care in the home,” of the seating and mobility serv- mobility service are managed by ately activated after subscription motions, Ooredoo will take part of medical support procedures, said Al Raisi. “The Al Wakrah ice, which provides specialised the Qatar Rehabilitation Insti- to Ooredoo tv via an Ooredoo in a host of activities to give such as oxygen administration, office allows the HMC Home seating and mobility assessment tute, which is part of HMC’s Shop and will be valid for three back to the community includ- catheter changes and a number Healthcare Services team to be and equipment to over 2250 Continuing Care Group which months from activation date. ing hospital visits, children’s of therapies and services, includ- more accessible to patients and children and adults with physi- includes long-term and commu- This is the latest in a series of mall activities and more. ing respiratory, physical, families who live south of Doha; cal disabilities throughout the nity-based care programmes.

Aspire Academy Nursing meet highlights importance of palliative care concludes The Peninsula nurses through an ongoing learn- ing process.” She added: “We are football season he Nursing Department at confident that NCCCR as a spe- the National Center for cialized institute can continue to DOHA: Aspire Academy TCancer Care and Research support the development of our Football Department has (NCCCR), a member of Hamad clinical teams to ensure we have celebrated the conclusion Medical Corporation (HMC), highly qualified staff who help of 2016/2017 football season recently held an educational improve the lives of their patients with two closing ceremonies. event for staff aimed at promot- on a day-to-day basis.” The events witnessed ing knowledge sharing among Michel Harkous, Director of various football activities for nurses to improve their profes- Nursing Education at NCCCR, its student-athletes and the sional skills and ultimately said: “This is the third time we Feeder Group programme. enhance the quality of care deliv- have organized a Nursing Grand This programme pre- ered to patients. Round at NCCCR. This educa- cedes enrolment at the The educational event held tional event is a great opportunity Academy and is responsible at HMC’s Hajar Auditorium at the for our nurses to exchange exper- for training students below Medical Education Center high- tise, improve their skills, and the age of 12 who showcased lighted the importance of understand the importance of exceptional football skills in palliative care and shed light on providing effective nursing care. the scouting process. the best nursing practices in the Our aim is to highlight the chal- Aspire Academy’s foot- care of cancer patients. lenges nurses face in providing ball programme is widely Held under the theme “Jour- palliative care, to empower our recognised as one of the ney to Palliative Care,” the event clinical nurse specialists and to strongest in the world showcased a variety of insightful The Nursing Department at NCCCR hosts Grand Round. give them a platform to expand in terms of identifying, presentations by nurses and phy- their knowledge and share their evaluating and nurturing tal- sicians featuring prominent from the physical and emotional care aimed at enhancing patient Director of Nursing at NCCCR, experiences with their colleagues ent, as well as training palliative care topics, including to the spiritual and social. Thus outcomes. commented on the significance across HMC as well as those from players and giving them the latest management tech- the professional development The half-day event served as of the event. She said: “We are other healthcare organizations in scope and opportunities to niques and the challenges faced event involved a large multi-dis- a valuable teaching intervention firm believers in the potential of Qatar.” compete. by nurses in their role of caring ciplinary team among which the and a platform to provide nurses nursing and in the value of the As the main healthcare pro- The Academy’s training for patients with cancer. nurse and clinical nurse special- with the opportunity to share clinical nurse specialist role vider in Qatar, HMC is committed philosophy is tailored to the Palliative care aims to ist roles are key. clinical expertise and best nurs- within the multi-disciplinary care to providing the safest, most capabilities, talents and goals improve the quality of life for Over 300 nurses gathered to ing practice in a setting that team in improving patient out- effective and most compassion- of Qatar as a footballing patients as they approach the end share the latest medical knowl- recognizes their valuable and comes. This is particularly evident ate care to patients. This nation and it follows a strat- of their life. It takes a holistic edge, promote up-to-date, unique contributions to the nurs- in the specialist area of palliative continuum of educational initia- egy that is geared towards approach to addressing the full evidence-based nursing practice, ing profession. care and it is our wish to continue tives is a testament to this the development of individ- spectrum of a patient’s needs, and endorse high-quality patient Catherine Gillespie, Executive to support the development of commitment. ual players. KidzMondo Doha celebrates Ramadan with indoor theme park

The Peninsula entertaining activities; Saturdays cooperation with Qatar Charity, of the Ramadan ‘Mesaharati’ – Youngsters will enjoy getting ready for Ramadan, we gear up to Thursdays from 9:00 AM till Tayf and Jouf water which will who will take a walk around the involved in the celebration of the for a purposeful time for children idzMondo Doha, Qatar’s 1:00 PM and from 8:00 PM till encourage children to be more indoor theme park, beating his holy month by creating Ramadan and their families, who will ben- one-of-a-kind edutain- 12:00 AM, and on Fridays from involved in corporate social drum in honour of the traditional lanterns and gift boxes, get a taste efit from the plentitude of Kment city, celebrates the 8:00 PM till 12:00 AM. responsibility initiatives. To fur- drummer that walks the streets of Ramadan Arabic sweets and adventures awaiting them at our holy month of Ramadan for the At the heart of its innovative ther encourage the kids to ‘Live before dawn to wake those that cookies, as well as being treated indoor theme park. We are posi- first time by offering visitors concept, KidzMondo unlocks the the Spirit’, a story-teller — ‘Haka- are sleeping, in order to have a to traditional folkloric Ramadan tive that the time spent at unprecedented experiences upon gate to creativity for children who wati’ — will bring the children to small meal before fasting resumes. stories that will further perpetu- KidzMondo Doha will not only their visit to the 'Kid-sized' city. dress up and ‘Live the Role’ gather round and listen to special Commenting on the occasion, ate the spirit of the season.” impart knowledge and teach them The indoor theme park will grant through an array of fun and edu- anecdotes and mementos of tra- Eman Baker Abu El Hawa, Kidz- She added: The various activ- valuable skills, but will also give families and visitors the oppor- cative activities, and in the spirit ditional practices, educating them Mondo Doha’s General Manager, ities at our kid-sized city promote them a richness of experiences tunity to celebrate the season of of Ramadan, kidizens will have the with the significance of the virtues said: “KidzMondo Doha welcomes the spirit of togetherness and pro- that would remain with them as generosity and togetherness with opportunity to learn about doing surrounding Ramadan. it’s first-ever Ramadan, and with vides our visitors memorable they grow to become tomorrow’s special engagements for chil- ‘Sadaqa’ – donation – as part of Another special on-ground that an exciting range of Ramadan experiences that will nurture the leaders, policy makers, creative dren, along with several KidzMondo Doha’s initiative in engagement will be the presence inspired activities for our Kidizens. values of Ramadan. As we get artists and honourable citizens”. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 MIDDLE EAST 09 Syrian army and allied militia gain ground against IS

Beirut Islamic State group in Syria's secured an area nearly half the controlled by IS. The state-con- The large swath of desert, on Syrian government and allied AP northeast, acknowledged it has size of neighboring Lebanon. The trolled Syrian Central Military parts of which were in rebel troops near the border with conducted airstrikes near the IS- strategic juncture in the Syrian media said the new advances hands, also abuts the Damascus Jordan. yrian troops and allied mili- controlled town of Mayadeen desert aids government plans to secured over 5,000 sq km in the and its suburbs. With their new The opposition Britain-based tia have pushed back earlier in the week, targeting the go after IS in Deir Al Zour, one of desert area, widening the gov- gains, the government and allied Syrian Observatory for Human SIslamic State militants and group's "propaganda facilities." the militants' last major strong- ernment's control south of forces have successfully isolated Rights said the government and U.S-backed opposition fighters, In a statement, the US-led coa- hold in Syria. The oil-rich Palmyra in Homs province and anti-government rebel fighters allied troops seized Saturday al- gaining control of a large swath lition said it is looking into province straddles the border the highway linking the ancient in the desert area east of Damas- Ilianiya, an area controlled by of territory in the country's stra- reports the airstrikes killed over with Iraq and is the group's last city to the capital Damascus. cus, denying them advances Syrian opposition fighters, tegic southern desert, the two dozen civilians, but added gate to the outside world. The area was the backyard toward the strategic Homs desert backed by the US and western government-controlled media the claims were "unsubstanti- The government and its allies of territories once controlled by area. countries, in the desert near the and a war monitor said ated" and lacked "specificity or have restored government con- IS militants — linking Palmyra, The multi-pronged offensive border with Jordan. The Observ- yesterday. evidence." trol over mineral and oil the Jordanian border area, the IS has been ongoing for over two atory said the government seized Also, the US-led coalition With the new advances, the resources, including the phos- de-facto capital Raqqa, and the weeks and caused tension in the over 6,000km since the offen- leading the campaign against the government and allied troops phate mines in Khneifes, once oil-rich Deir Al Zour. area, prompting a U.S. airstrike sive began earlier this month. 10 VIEWS SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL A barbaric attack

he killing of 29 Coptic Christians in the Egyptian province of Minya by Islamic State militants is another despicable attempt by Tthe militants to terrorise a minority and make up for the losses this terrorists group has suffered in the recent past. The choice of the venue and attack was meant to cause maximum Iraq must invest in education damage and hatred. A group of Christians travelling to a monastery in central Egypt were targeted, and the victims included several children. Three vehicles were to secure its future attacked; a bus and a car transporting children and families to the monastery were the initial targets. It was burglary too. The militants took all the gold the This can be achieved through a learning opportunities outside school, women were Peter Hawkins number of concrete steps: improving the are having as little as 10 contact hours of carrying. But more than an attack on a minority, it Al Jazeera efficiency of the educational system; interaction with their teachers on aver- was an attack on Islam, the religion which the providing more equitable access to edu- age a week, and this lack of contact is militants claim to represent. cational opportunities; investing more in depriving them of quality education. The attack shocked Egypt and the world, and teachers’ training; rewriting the curric- Only 70 per cent of the children who condemnations and condolences poured in. The IS ula; and elevating the quality of attend the evening shift in their school has repeatedly targeted the embattled Coptic minority ven though 200,000 people - 85,000 children’s overall learning outcomes. can pass the national assessment. in Egypt, and Friday’s attack follows two church of them children - continue to be The economic cost of dropouts and Quality education is not entirely bombings last month that killed more than 45, also trapped in the violence raging in west grade repetitions that largely result from about teaching children technical skills; claimed by the group. Such frequency of attacks and Mosul’s Old City area, work is ongo- academic failure, accounts for almost 20 it’s also about making sure that they high casualties are enough to keep a minority on edge ing to re-open 47 schools in the areas per cent of the country’s education learn life skills and values. It serves the Eof west Mosul that were retaken from the Islamic budget. social function of cultivating a genera- and make them live in fear. Minorities everywhere, irrespective of their creed or caste, are a vulnerable State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known While we see Iraqi children lining tion that is ready to rebuild a peaceful lot. Terrorists find them an as ISIS) by Iraqi forces. up to go back to their classrooms, it is Iraq. I visited east Mosul, which was fully a fact that half of the nation’s schools Education has been identified as one easy prey. recaptured by Iraqi forces in January this are in need of repair. Many schools in of the key conditions for sustainable In retaliation for the year, after the violence wound down. I spoke Iraq are currently running on a mul- peace and reconciliation within socie- attack, Egyptian air force to many parents; their one request was for tiple system - we sometimes see ties. Just one extra year of schooling can The attack on destroyed several camps schools to re-open and for their children to triple or even quad- significantly reduce the probability of a Coptic Christians on the eastern finally continue their education after being ruple shifts in young person engaging in violent in Egypt by the Libyan city of Derna deprived of it for so long. schools. crimes. IS shows that that trained the militants Since then, many schools in east Mosul are Iraqi students, who Iraq needs decentralised and which participated in the the militants are reopened with remarkable success. Although have very limited community-based management. This attack. “The strikes led to many challenges remain for families living in needs to be facilitated by school- trying to expand the destruction of the this section of the city, more than 380,000 based grants and a curriculum that their network planned targets, which children are now back in school. encourages personal empowerment after setbacks in included concentrated We have seen this enthusiasm for educa- Iraq needs decentralised and active citizenship as well as facil- areas for the training of Iraq and Syria. tion in the face of incredibly difficult and community-based itating quality learning and terrorist elements that circumstances across Iraq: in Fallujah and in management. This needs employability. participated in the Ramadi we have seen young children, girls to be facilitated by The cost of investing in Iraq’s educa- planning and holding hands, step their way through the tion will be high, but the return of this implementation of debris of war to reach their school. And even school-based grants and a investment will be immense. the Minya attack,” an Egyptian military if there’s no electricity and it’s dark in the curriculum that encourages spokesman said. In an address to the nation, classrooms, or there is not enough space, Iraqi personal empowerment The writer is the UNICEF Representative in Iraq. He has more than 20 years of experi- President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt would not children and their teachers go to school every and active citizenship as hesitate to carry out further strikes against camps that morning. ence in the humanitarian and international trained people to launch attacks against Egypt. Children tell us that they see their school well as facilitating quality development sector. He previously worked Egypt will have to beef up security and strengthen like a second home, a place where they can learning and employability. in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia and its intelligence network to prevent a repetition of not only study but also play with their friends. Nigeria. attacks on minorities. As Sisi rightly noted, setbacks to Teachers have told us how happy they are to IS in Syria were driving its fighters to try to relocate to be back in their classrooms, and they have Libya and Egypt’s Sinai. While the operations in Sinai asked for more books, more materials, more can be monitored, Libya poses a problem and offers a training. fertile ground for militant activities because of the Just like teachers, Iraqi families are also lack of a central government which has control all committed to providing a good education to over the country. their children. They know that without edu- The attacks in Manchester and Egypt are evidence cation, their children will not be able to that the IS is trying to expand its operations. But like achieve their potential, their hopes, their Al Qaeda, the IS too has to fade out. dreams and aspirations. But a report on “The Costs and Benefits of Education” recently released by the Iraqi Min- istry of Education with the support of UNICEF, notes that Iraq spent only 5.7 per cent of its government expenditure on education in the 2015-16 school year, which puts the country on the bottom rank of Middle East countries QUOTE OF THE DAY in any given year. The report states that a relatively large gender gap remains in Iraq’s education sys- tem and adds that children from poor I told Donald Trump that families are more likely to be out of school it was crucial that the compared with children from well-off United States remained families. fully engaged in the Paris According to the report, only half of Iraq’s climate change deal as the internally displaced children have access to accord was vital for the school and the cost to Iraq’s economy of hav- ing so many children out of school is roughly interests and reputation of $1bn in unrealised potential wages. the United States. There is an urgent need to increase investment in the country’s education sector if we do not want to lose one of Iraq’s key accomplishments, namely Emmanuel Macron Children play a game outside a Unicef child-friendly space in Hasansham French President being a leading country on education in the Middle East. Camp in Iraq. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 OPINION 11 Hezbollah’s mission impossible

to, debunk Hezbollah’s alleged Dr Makram Rabah guardianship of the Shiites since Anatolia the reality of the Shias, both in Leb- anon and Syria, reveals a very sad reality as well as a bleaker prospect. At present, the 17,000 inhabit- ver since its formation in 1985 as an ants of Fu’ah and Kefraya, advanced post for the Iranian revolution in displaced never to return to their Lebanon, Hezbollah has tried to refashion lands, have been relocated to a itself in line with the changing realities on small area outside Aleppo’s airport, local and regional levels. where they are living in subhuman EIn the early 1990s, a Syrian-Iranian agreement conditions. saw late Syrian president Hafez Al Assad appointing Adding insult to injury, this Hezbollah as the supposed sole “resister” of the makeshift refugee camp has fallen Israeli occupation of the south of Lebanon, which victim to pro-Assad militias most of ended in May of 2000. More recently, the Syrian rev- whom look upon it as an opportu- olution against Bashar Al Assad witnessed nity to extort money and make Hezbollah’s self-depiction as a “protector of the them pay hefty prices for basic sup- Shias” against an ever-looming threat of Sunni plies entering the area. Islamic fundamentalism. More drastically, Iran’s and Hezbollah’s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s Hezbollah’s callousness have left recent public speech last week was one more occa- the Syrian Shias out in the open sion to reiterate these talking points and to declare when at least half of their fellow that Hezbollah has dismantled its military positions Syrians are opposed to the Assad on the Lebanese side of the eastern border, after suc- regime. cessfully accomplishing its mission. This stark reality also applies to Nasrallah’s victory speech and its undercurrent, the Lebanese Shias who have been however, seem to be highly unconvincing, if not transformed from friends of the delusional, as a proper examination would reveal Syrian people to a virtual occupa- that the Shiite community’s wellbeing is greatly tion force commanded by Iran. exaggerated. Nasrallah will certainly con- Women wave Hezbollah flags as they watch Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah appears Hezbollah’s immersion in the Syrian crisis was tinue to deliver his fiery speeches initially communicated to the public as a limited act on a screen during a live broadcast to speak to his supporters at an event marking Resistance and to justify his party’s suicidal actions aimed at protecting the Shia holy sanctuaries in Liberation Day in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. both in Syria and Lebanon and to Syria, but soon it found itself doing much of the leg- try to reassure his constituency that work for the regime and its crumbling army who was well as across the borders into Lebanon. for Hezbollah’s reckless involvement in Syria. what awaits them is a bright and failing to even protect the capital Damascus. The full Consequently, Hezbollah’s Syrian incursion left it The case of the Shias of Syria, however, is much safe future. deployment of Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian mili- faced with the threat of suicide bombers who tried to more perilous than their Lebanese coreligionists as Notwithstanding, it would per- tias from Iraq and Afghanistan across Syria made an target deep into its hinterland in the southern sub- they are caught between the hammer of the anti- haps be wise to remember that this already volatile Sunni-Shia schism even worse, pro- urbs of Beirut as well as alongside the eastern border regime forces, especially the Islamic factions, and same rhetoric is what the people of voking a reprisal against the Shiites both in Syria as with Syria and its overwhelmingly Shia villages and the anvil of the regime and its allies. While fairly Fu’ah and Kefraya used to hear all towns. small in number, the Shiites of Syria have always the time and it has certainly proved While Hezbollah likes to maintain that its ability been part and parcel of the Syrian national fabric a false prophecy. to fend off this terrorist threat was largely its own and have never been singled out by any faction up Nasrallah will certainly making, it was the intervention of the Lebanese state until now. continue to deliver his and its army that effectively secured the Shia areas Four of the main Syria Shia villages in Aleppo fiery speeches to justify from any future threat. (Zahraa and Nubl) and Idlib (Fu’ah and Kefraya) have The Lebanese Army, supported through foreign been besieged for the duration of the conflict as the his party’s suicidal actions military aid mainly from the United States and the Syrian opposition have tried to use these villages to both in Syria and Lebanon United Kingdom, deployed a series of watch towers negotiate the lifting of similar sieges by the regime D-RING ROAD and to try to reassure his along the border as well as aerial surveillance, which and their allies elsewhere. POST BOX: 3488 constituency that what restricted, and in some instances, eliminated terrorist Just recently, the last of the inhabitants of Fu’ah incursions. and Kefraya were evacuated in exchange for a simi- DOHA - QATAR awaits them is a bright and Perhaps equally important was the conscious lar evacuation of the Sunni inhabitants of Madaya [email protected] safe future. decision of all the Lebanese factions to support this and Zabadani in the Damascus countryside. initiative so as not to leave the Lebanese Shias to pay The Four Towns, as they are commonly referred EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Donald Trump seems powerless to stop leaks MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505 firing Comey. “That’s taken off,” DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Trump reportedly said. Callum Borchers TEL: 4455 7769 The Washington Post • On May 22, The Post reported that Trump asked the director of national intelligence, Daniel Coats, LOCAL NEWS SECTION and the director of the National TEL: 4455 7743 Security Agency, Adm. Michael S. few weeks after Inauguration Rogers, to publicly deny the exist- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Day, White House policy ence of any evidence of collusion TEL: 4462 7535 adviser Stephen Miller declared between the Trump campaign and on national television that “the Russia during the 2016 election. SPORT NEWS SECTION powers of the president to pro- - On May 24, the Times TEL: 4455 7745 tectA our country are very substantial and reported that Russian officials will not be questioned.” schemed last summer to influence ONLINE SECTION Three months later, it is increasingly Trump through Flynn and cam- TEL: 4462 7501 clear that the powers of the president to paign chairman Paul Manafort. [email protected] stop leaks are rather unsubstantial and - On May 25, The Post and NBC will be questioned almost daily. News identified Kushner as the PUBLIC RELATIONS The Washington Post reported Friday - senior White House adviser under based on information from US officials scrutiny by federal investigators. TEL: 4455 7613 briefed on intelligence reports — that Presi- “Leak” might not be the right [email protected] Demonstrators protest outside the Nato headquarters in Evere, Brussels as world dent Trump’s senior adviser and word. Perhaps “gusher” is more leaders gather for a Nato summit. US President Donald Trump on May 25, ran son-in-law, Jared Kushner, discussed set- descriptive. Trump has railed ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT ting up a secret communications channel into the first problems of a landmark European trip, embarrassingly called out against unauthorized disclosures TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 between Trump’s transition team and the in public over Russia and on leaks into the Manchester terror attack. to the press since he took office, FAX: 4455 7870 Kremlin using Russian facilities in Washing- but the issue came to a head [email protected] ton when he met in December with Sergey stretch of leaks to the press. Let’s recap: Thursday on a matter unrelated to Russia. After the name of Kislyak, the Russian ambas- • On May 15, The Post reported that Trump the suspected Manchester concert bomber leaked to US news CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT sador to the United States. divulged classified information about a terrorist plot outlets, along with crime scene photos, Britain briefly sus- TEL: 4455 7857 The revelation caps a to Kislyak and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lav- pended intelligence sharing on the case. [email protected] remarkable two-week rov during a meeting in the Oval Office five days Trump tasked the Justice Department with rooting out the earlier. source of the leaks, and Britain resumed intelligence sharing SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION • On May 16, the New York Times and other after receiving what police there described as “fresh assur- TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 news outlets reported that the intelligence Trump ances.” Yet the strength of such assurances seems dubious. FAX: 44557819 As Trump shuts down White revealed to the Russians came from Israel. The leaks just keep coming. House access to reporters, they • On May 16, the Times reported that Trump in I feel compelled, at this moment, to credit Politico’s Jack [email protected] will infest the departments February asked James B Comey, the FBI’s director at Shafer with nailing a pre-inauguration prediction. Arguing and agencies around town that the time, to drop an investigation centered on that Trump’s animosity toward the media might actually pro- former national security adviser Michael Flynn. duce better journalism, Shafer wrote the following on January the president has peeved. The All thoughts and views • On May 17, The Post reported that House 16: expressed in these columns intelligence establishment, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told fellow Repub- “As Trump shuts down White House access to reporters, are those of the writers, not which Trump has deprecated licans last year that he thinks Russian President they will infest the departments and agencies around town of the newspaper. over the issue of Russian Vladimir Putin pays Trump. that the president has peeved. The intelligence establishment, • On May 19, The Post reported that a federal law which Trump has deprecated over the issue of Russian hack- hacking, owes him no favours enforcement probe of ties between Trump’s team ing, owes him no favours and less respect. It will be in their All correspondence and less respect. It will be in and Russia had reached a current senior White institutional interest to leak damaging material on Trump.” regarding Views and their institutional interest to leak House adviser. That is exactly how things have played out. And Trump Opinion pages should be • On May 19, the Times reported that Trump said seems powerless to stop it. damaging material on Trump. during his meeting with Kislyak and Lavrov that he mailed to the “faced great pressure because of Russia” before The writer covers the intersection of politics and media. [email protected] 12 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 EU presented Turkey with 12-month diplomatic timetable: Erdogan

Ankara foreign and EU affairs ministries visa-free travel for Turks to is the heavy-handed nature of not received any sign from Ber- Turkey, which has seen its dec- Reuters would work towards the Europe and ¤3bn ($3.35bn) in EU the clamp-down following the lin on the possible withdrawal of ades-old bid to join the bloc timetable. financial aid. But Brussels first coup attempt, and for the behav- troops stationed at the base in move at snail’s pace due to con- urkish President Recep Turkey’s relations with the wants Ankara to modify anti-ter- iour of Turkish politicians while southern Turkey. cerns over its human rights Tayyip Erdogan said the European Union, particularly rorism laws that it says are too visiting their countries. At their meeting in Brussels, record, ethnically-split Cyprus, TEuropean Union had pre- Germany, have deteriorated broad. Turkey this month blocked Erdogan told German Chancel- and reluctance among some sented Turkey with a new sharply after a series of diplo- Most recently, Turkey has German lawmakers from visit- lor Angela Merkel that a European countries to admit a 12-month timetable for renew- matic rows. expressed anger that Germany ing the troops at Turkey’s Incirlik parliamentary delegation would largely Muslim nation. ing their relations, the Hurriyet Erdogan was quoted as say- is granting asylum to Turks, more air base, prompting Berlin to say be allowed to visit Incirlik if the Erdogan has suggested Tur- daily said on Saturday. ing he had put the issue of the than 400 of them with diplo- it may consider moving the German foreign minister pre- key could hold a referendum on Speaking to reporters on the visa liberalisation on the agenda matic passports and government troops. Some 250 German troops sented a list of names to Turkey continuing EU accession talks, return flight from this week’s during meetings with EU offi- working permits, accused of par- are stationed at Incirlik, where beforehand. and possibly another on reinstat- Nato summit in Brussels, cials, and that Turkish and EU ticipating in a failed coup in July. they contribute to the US-led “There can be some among ing the death penalty. Erdogan was cited by Hurriyet officials would work together on The failed putsch prompted a fight against Islamic State. German lawmakers who openly Restoring capital punish- as saying that during the sum- the issue. purge of the Turkish military, Erdogan said Turkey would support terrorists,” Erdogan was ment, which Turkey abolished mit, Turkey and the EU had Turkey agreed in early 2016 judiciary and civil service. say “goodbye” if Germany quoted as saying. over a decade ago, would all agreed on giving a new impetus to help curb a flood of migrants Western countries have crit- decided to withdraw its troops The row has placed Europe but end Turkey’s bid to join to relations and added Turkey’s into Europe in return for icised Turkey for what they say from Incirlik, adding Ankara had in an awkward position with the EU.

Turkey charges oppn daily staff Palestinian over coup links Ankara prisoners end AFP

A TURKISH COURT formally arrested two staffers from opposition daily Sozcu over hunger strike alleged links to last year's failed coup, the paper and state media reported. Jerusalem The latest arrests will Reuters About 1,100 inmates raise further concerns over had initially taken press freedom in Turkey undreds of Palestin- where scores of journalists ian prisoners part in one of the are behind bars. yesterday ended a largest such hunger Gokmen Ulu, a corre- 40-day hunger strikes, which began spondent in the western city strike over condi- on April 17. of Izmir, and Mediha Olgun, Htions in Israeli jails, the Israel an executive in charge of Prison Service and a Palestinian Sozcu's website, were official said. charged with "deliberately About 1,100 inmates had ini- prisoners’ conditions, a Prison and willingly giving help to a tially taken part in one of the Service Statement said. Relatives of Palestinian prisoners celebrate at Es Saraya Square, Gaza City yesterday, after the terrorist organisation", state- largest such hunger strikes, which On Wednesday, the UN High prisoners in Israeli jails ended their 40-day hunger strike. run Anadolu news agency began on April 17. It raised ten- Commissioner for Human Rights reported. sions between Israel and the Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein urged inmates, said some points of the to thousands of prisoners since show many Palestinians want Turkey refers to the Palestinians, with protests in sup- Israel to improve conditions. agreement would be discussed the 1980s. Israel says that meas- him to be their next movement led by US-based port of the strikers spilling over Neither the Prison Service further. “Issues that had been ure is necessary to prevent president. Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen into clashes in the West Bank and nor the Palestinian Authority agreed upon were improving attacks and protect security Israeli Public Security Min- as the "Fethullah Terrorist along the Israel-Gaza border. divulged the full details of the visits and prison conditions,” sources. Barghouti, a leader in ister Gilad Erdan has said Organisation" (FETO), and More than 800 inmates, who agreement. However, the Prison Fares said.. Palestinian President Mahmoud Barghouti started the strike in him and his followers of had stuck with the hunger strike Service did say that a second The strike was called by Mar- Abbas’s Fatah movement, was order to garner political support. launching the failed coup. until yesterday, ended it after monthly family visit would be wan Barghouti, the most convicted of murder over the The Prison Service said that Ulu was also charged with talks held with the International reinstated after it had been cut high-profile Palestinian jailed in killing of Israelis during the most of the inmates on strike "facilitating the physical Committee of the Red Cross in the past. Qadoura Fares, head Israel, to protest against solitary second Palestinian intifada, or were aligned with Fatah. Eight- assault and assassination of (ICRC) and the Palestinian of the Palestinian Prisoners’ confinement and detention with- uprising, and sentenced in een were being treated in the president", Anadolu said. Authority to change some of the Club, which works on behalf of out trial, which has been applied 2004 to five life terms. Surveys hospital. Yonca Yucekaleli, a finance executive at the paper who had also been detained, was released by the court, the Morgue workers in Tanzania jailed for agency said, while charges against Ulu and Olgun of IS claims deadly Egypt attack stealing drugs from corpse's stomach belonging to a terror group were dropped. Cairo the IS carried out an attack yes- trained the militants who killed NAIROBI: Tanzanian police said yesterday that they had arrested Agencies terday in Minya," the group's self dozens of Christians in south- two morgue employees in Dar es Salaam after they admitted to styled Amaq news agency ern Egypt on Friday, the cutting open a dead man's corpse and stealing the drugs hidden he Islamic State (IS) group reported. Egyptian military said in his stomach. "The two morgue workers admitted to cutting open 52 dead in militia yesterday claimed Masked gunmen in three yesterday. the body" a week ago to take the drugs, local police official Simon Tresponsibility for shoot- pick-up trucks had attacked the The statement from the mil- Sirro said in a statement, adding that the dead man had died of an clashes in Libya ing dead 29 Christians on a bus bus as it was heading for Saint itary spokesman did not specify overdose. Drug traffickers regularly employ drug "mules" to trans- in central Egypt, an attack that Samuel monastery in Minya precisely where the strikes were port merchandise by stuffing the drugs in small airtight bags which Tripoli prompted retaliatory air strikes province, more than 200km conducted but state television are then swallowed or inserted in someone's stomach. AFP on jihadists in neighbouring south of Cairo, before fleeing, said that operations were But the technique is hardly foolproof as the bags can be eaten Libya. according to the interior focused on the eastern Libyan away by stomach acid and cause an overdose — which is what FORCES loyal to Libya's The shooting in the province ministry. city of Derna. may have happened to the dead man. The man, a Ghanaian unity government said yes- of Minya on Friday, as the Cop- IS claimed all the bombings “The air force has conducted national, was found dead in a hotel room in Dar es Salaam, Tan- terday that 52 of its tic Christians were travelling on and threatened more attacks on several intensive day and night- zania's economic capital, and transported to the morgue at fighters were killed as they a bus to a monastery, was the the Copts, who make up about time strikes. They targeted Mwananyamala hospital, where the two employees worked, Sirro repelled rival militias in latest in a series of attacks by IS 10 percent of Egypt's 90-million several gatherings of terrorists said. According to police, the workers said they then sold the 32 fierce clashes in the capi- that have killed more than 100 population. elements within Libyan territory drug capsules to an unidentified businessman, who in turn sold tal Tripoli. Copts since December. Air raids over Libya have after coordinating and fully ver- the merchandise to Ally Nyundo, a suspected drug trafficker. Those Apart from sporadic gun- "A security detachment from destroyed several camps that ifying all information,” it said. two men were also arrested, police said, without identifying the fire in southern Tripoli, calm drugs. returned to the city on Satur- day, the first day of the Morocco hunts protest leader in Rif region Muslim holy month of Ramadan night in Syria Ramadan. AL HOCEIMA: Moroccan authorities were engaged in a manhunt Among the 52 killed in for a protest leader in the neglected Rif region after his arrest was Friday's clashes which cen- ordered for interrupting an imam's prayer sermon following more tred on the southern district than six months of social unrest. The king's prosecutor lordered of Abu Slim, said Hashem "the opening of an investigation and the arrest of Nasser Zefzafi" Bichr, a security official of the after he "obstructed, in the company of a group of individuals, Government of National freedom of worship in the Mohammed V mosque in Al Hoceima". Accord, were 17 members of The northern port city has been rocked by protests since the death pro-GNA forces who had in October of a fishmonger crushed in a garbage truck as he pro- been "executed". tested the seizure of swordfish caught out of season. There was no immediate confirmation from medical or other independent sources of S Sudan frees UN scribe held without charge the death toll, updated from Friday's health ministry fig- NAIROBI: South Sudan has released a United Nations journalist ures of 28 dead and more held for two and a half years without trial, the UN announced yes- than 100 wounded that did terday. George Livio was arrested in August 2014 because of his not give a breakdown of the work and was not charged with any crime. U.N. officials feared casualties. he would be accused of treason, which they said carries the death UN special envoy Martin penalty. A government spokesman was not immediately availa- Kobler condemned the fight- A vehicle decorated with lights and a crescent moon, which signals fasting month of ble for comment. The UN did not give a reason for Livio's release, ing in which heavy artillery Ramadan, drives through the streets in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern but the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, and tanks were used, urging outskirts of Damascus in Syria, yesterday. David Shearer, has been negotiating with the government for his restraint from all sides. freedom. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 ASIA 13 Top Hizbul leader dead in Kashmir NEWS BYTES Sri Lanka flood death toll rises Srinagar Widespread protests militants had been using as for- forces. A spontaneous shutdown IANS tified bunkers were destroyed, was observed in all districts and to 113; 500,000 displaced Abu Zarar, a close police said. major towns of the Valley and COLOMBO: Sri Lanka stepped up its military-led relief op Hizbul commander aide of militant State police chief S.P. Vaid protests started in Anantnag, operations yesterday as nearly half a million people were Sabzar Ahmad Bhat 'poster boy' Burhan had earlier said that three mili- Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, displaced after a monsoon deluge killed at least 113 people. alias Abu Zarar, a Wani, was killed tants were trapped in the Badgam, Ganderbal, Srinagar Rainfall on Friday triggered the worst flooding and land- close aide of militant yesterday after a security force cordon, but dur- and Kupwara. slides in 14 years in the southern and western parts of the 'poster boy' Burhan gunfight in Tral in ing search the bodies of only two Public transport went off the island and although the rain eased yesterday, low-lying TWani, was killed yesterday after were recovered from the debris roads throughout the Valley as areas remained under water, the authorities said. Govern- south Kashmir, a gunfight in Tral in south Kash- of the demolished houses. One people rushed home in their pri- ment spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said a total of 113 people triggering widespread mir, triggering widespread of them was identified as of Bhat, vate vehicles while others were confirmed dead while over 100 remained missing. protests in the Valley protests in the Valley once again, carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh walked long distances. Schools "Most of the fatalities were due to landslides and only a very with one civilian death reported. once again. on his head. and colleges were also shut. few drowned," said Senaratne who is also the health minis- Authorities were bracing up to "The bodies of Sabzar Bhat Over 30 people were injured ter. He said nearly 500,000 people were forced from their In another incident, prevent a recurrence of the 2016 and his accomplice identified as in clashes at different places in homes and most of them had moved into temporary shelters. unrest that saw nearly a 100 six militants were Faizan Ahmad have been the Valley. Some persons The military stepped up search operations in landslide-hit dead. killed by the army retrieved and identified," police reported at hospitals with pellet areas and the airforce deployed five aircraft for rescue oper- In another incident, six mil- when an infiltration said. As soon as news about the gunshots, according to attend- ations and another five to transport emergency supplies to itants were killed by the army bid was foiled gunfight spread to neighbour- ing doctors. villagers who could not be reached by road. At the village when an infiltration bid was yesterday in Rampur ing villages, dozens of protesters Curfew-like restrictions of Bulathsinhala, relatives were seen loading coffins of 10 foiled yesterday in Rampur sec- sector of the LoC. marched to the site and pelted have been imposed in parts of victims onto army armoured personnel carriers to trans- tor of the Line of Control in stones at the security forces. Srinagar city till further orders, port them across flooded streets to high ground for burial. Baramulla district. A civilian was killed and over according to authorities. The military vehicles also ferried villagers along roads con- Sabzar, 28, was killed in a army's counter-insurgency unit two dozen protesters were Vaid said the clashes during verted into riverways by the rainfall, passing submerged four-hour-long gunfight in a vil- Rashtriya Rifles was fired upon injured during the clashes in the day were of "minor nature" traffic signs and flooded houses. There were similar scenes lage in Tral sub-division of near Tral town late on Friday Tral. Police sources said that the and the situation was well under in the adjoining Ratnapura district, the island's gem capital, Pulwama district. He was named evening and security forces third militant, a foreigner, took control which was also flooded. The authorities arranged funerals as the successor of Wani after quickly surrounded two houses advantage of the tumult to Authorities quickly sus- for dozens of victims. President Maithripala Sirisena, who the latter was killed in a gunfight in Saimoh village where the mil- escape. pended Internet services in the returned from a state visit to Australia, travelled to Kalu- with security forces on July 8 last itants had taken shelter. Valley police chief Muneer Valley and blocked all social net- tara, one of the worst affected districts south of Colombo, to year. A fierce gunfight started in Khan said the civilian died in working sites, which had been supervise relief operations. "The government will give new The Tral gunfight ensued the village yesterday morning cross firing between the holed restored only on Friday after houses to those who lost their houses," he said on twitter. The after a patrol of the and ended when the houses the up militants and the security over a month. authorities dropped thousands of life jackets for marooned people in a bid to protect them until they could be moved to safer ground. Rahul blames Myanmar's hardline monks Yogi govt for gather despite ban YANGON: Hundreds of monks and supporters of Myan- Saharanpur mar's ultra-nationalist Ma Ba Tha movement gathered in a Yangon monastery yesterday, in a defiant meeting days after Buddhist authorities banned their network, which violence has been accused of stoking Islamophobia. The monk-led movement grew in strength under the country's previous Saharanpur military-backed government, peddling a brand of Buddhist IANS nationalism that aggravated religious unrest mainly tar- geted at minority Muslims. But after months of distancing ongress Vice-President itself from the radical group, Myanmar's top Buddhist clergy Rahul Gandhi yesterday on Tuesday ordered the Ma Ba Tha to cease all activities by Cheld the Yogi Adity- mid-July or face prosecution. The threat did not deter hun- anath government in Uttar dreds of maroon-robed monks, nuns and followers from Pradesh responsible for caste attending a weekend summit at a Yangon monastery deco- violence in Saharanpur dis- rated with Ma Ba Tha banners. trict and said the clashes escalated due to its "preju- diced action". Cargo plane crashes near Mount There is no town or city in Uttar Pradesh where crime Mauritius' Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Everest; one dead is not soaring after the Narendra Modi at a meeting in New Delhi, yesterday. Bharatiya Janata Party gov- KATHMANDU: A cargo plane crashed yesterday as it was ernment led by Yogi trying to land at a small airport near Mount Everest, killing Adityanath has been sworn the pilot and seriously injuring the two other crew members India and Mauritius sign in, the Congress leader said. on board, officials said. All three crew members were pulled He also targetted the Cen- alive from the wreckage of the plane, which broke into three tre, saying both the state and pieces when it crashed as it was attempting to land at Lukla central government have airport in heavy fog. The pilot died shortly after reaching maritime security agreement "miserably failed on all fronts". hospital, local police officer Madhav Budhathoki said. The Gandhi made the comments co-pilot and air hostess are currently undergoing treatment after meeting persons affected and are in a serious condition. "A cargo plane has crashed New Delhi management of conventional would support the National by the Saharanpur violence at in Lukla and we are trying to get more details. It crashed India and non-conventional threats Coast Guard (NCG) of Mauritius a roadside eatery in Sarsawa on approach to the airport," said Sagar Acharya of Summit in the Indian Ocean is essential in augmenting its capacity on the Uttar Pradesh-Hary- Air, which operates the aircraft. ndia and Mauritius yesterday to pursue economic opportuni- through Project Trident, an inte- ana border. He also criticised signed an agreement for ties, protect the livelihood of our grated development project of PM Narendra Modi over the Imaritime security as New communities and provide secu- the NCG. "We have also taken Kashmir violence and said Two Nepal parties to withdraw Delhi extended a $500m credit rity to our people," he said. a decision to renew the life of Pakistan had benefitted due line to the Indian Ocean island He said that both countries the Coast Guard Ship Guardian, to the situation in the Valley. impeachment motion against CJ nation following delegation level must be vigilant against piracy that was provided to Mauritius, On Friday, the Uttar talks here headed by Prime Min- that impacted trade and tourism, under a grant assistance pro- Pradesh government had KATHMANDU: Two Nepal parties which moved an impeach- ister Narendra Modi and his drugs and human trafficking, gramme," he stated. denied permission to Gandhi ment motion against Chief Justice Sushila Karki in April, Mauritian counterpart Pravind illegal fishing and other forms of The Indian Prime Minister to visit the villages where caste yesterday decided to withdraw it, a move expected to end Jugnauth. illegal exploitation of marine said that the agreement on a conflicts since May 5 have left an unsavoury row between the executive and judiciary in "As frontline states of the resources. "The conclusion of the $500m LoC from India to Mau- at least two dead and over two the Himalayan country. Yesterday, leaders of both the par- Indian Ocean, Prime Minister bilateral Maritime Security ritius was "a good example of dozen others injured. Clashes ties held parleys with the main opposition Communist Party Jugnauth and I agree that it is Agreement today will strengthen our strong and continuing com- between the Dalits and of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist and decided to withdraw our responsibility to ensure col- our mutual cooperation and mitment towards the Rajputs erupted on May 5 in the motion by today evening tomorrow. "The impeachment lective maritime security around capacities," Modi said. development of Mauritius". Shabbirpur village in Saharan- motion registered against the Chief Justice will be withdrawn our coasts and in our EEZs "We have also agreed to fur- "It will also help in the pur after objections were by this (today) evening or by tomorrow morning," CPN-UML's (exclusive economic zones)," ther strengthen our implementation of priority raised over the playing of loud Parliamentary Party leader Subash Nembang quoted Prime Modi said while jointly address- wide-ranging cooperation in projects," he said. "Prime Min- music in connection with the Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' as saying. ing the media with the visiting hydrography for a secure and ister Jugnauth and I welcome celebration of the birth anni- Dahal, who had announced his resignation as the Prime Min- dignitary following the talks. peaceful maritime domain." the progress in ongoing versary of warrior king ister on Wednesday to honour an agreement with the Nepali "We agree that effective Modi also said that India projects." Maharana Pratap. Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, said the process to withdraw the motion has already been initiated. Malaysian police arrest six Kerala CM asks Modi to repeal new cattle sale rules Islamic State suspects

Thiruvananthapuram "intrusion into the rights of intervene in this matter and repeal Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian authorities have arrested six IANS states". the newly imposed restrictions, and West Bengal, non vegetari- local men for suspected involvement with the Islamic State The opposition Congress also so that the lives and livelihoods of ans out number vegetarians." militant group, police said yesterday. Muslim-majority Malay- ven as the Centre has intro- slammed the new rules, saying millions of our fellow countrymen Congress leader A K Antony, sia has been on the watch for Islamic State-linked militants duced stringent rules the Rashtriya Swayamsevak can be protected, while safe- speaking at a party meeting here, since an attack last year by the group in Jakarta, the capi- Eregarding cattle slaughter, Sangh (RSS) was behind the guarding the fundamental yesterday said the order in Ker- tal of neighbouring Indonesia. Inspector-general of police it was business as usual for beef move as they were "trying to principles of our constitution." ala will have "the value of a Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that the six suspects sellers across Kerala yesterday, divide the society". He pointed out that in Ker- paper only" and it's "dangerous were detained from separate raids in four states from May with people queuing up to buy Vijayan, who has earlier con- ala, vast majority of the to implement this here". 23-26. The first arrest was of Muhammad Muzafa Arieff Jun- one of their favourite food items. demned the beef ban in some population consumes meat, as is "This order will be torn and aidi who surrendered after police issued a media statement Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan states as nothing but a ploy to go the case with all other South and thrown into the dust bin. The RSS requesting the public to come forward with information about wrote to Prime Minister Naren- forward with the RSS agenda, in Northeast states. "Even in states is behind the move as they are him. The 27-year-old cow farmer was wanted by police for dra Modi, asking for repeal of the his letter to the Prime Minister like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, trying to divide the society," said smuggling arms for Malaysia-based Islamic State militants. new rules, which he termed an said: "I request you to kindly Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Antony. 14 ASIA SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 Philippines peace talks with rebels break down

Manila responded to his declaration by AFP Attacks to intensify ordering their forces to "carry out The two sides had more tactical offensives". eace talks between the just opened formal But communist alliance nego- Philippine govern- talks when chief tiators blamed government ment and communist government officials, saying their statement insurgents broke negotiator Jesus resulted from government offi- down yesterday after cials announcing that New Dureza objected to Pa dispute over the rebels' order- People's Army fighters would also the communists' ing their fighters to step up be targeted in Manila's crack- attacks. But communist negoti- telling guerrillas to down on Islamic extremists. ators remained hopeful that the intensify attacks in This was despite an assur- discussions being held at a sea- response to ance by Duterte — relayed by side resort town in the President Rodrigo government negotiator Silvestre Netherlands would continue, Duterte's declaration Bello — that the Mindanao mar- despite the suspension of martial law in tial law was not against the NPA, announced by government parts of the country. the NDFP, a coalition of several Black smoke billows from burning houses after government planes and helicopters bombed negotiators. groups, of which the Communist The two sides had just opened Party of the Philippines (CPP) is militant's positions in Marawi, in southern island of Mindanao, yesterday. formal talks when chief govern- not resume until there were indi- among the most prominent, said ment negotiator Jesus Dureza cations of an "environment in a statement. afterwards. But chief rebel nego- could be reached, the talks been conducted on and off for objected to the communists' tell- conducive to achieving just and "The facts on the ground tiator Fidel Agcaoili told "could resume tomorrow," said 30 years, and were revived after ing guerrillas to intensify attacks sustainable peace". belie the clarification made by journalists he was hopeful the Agcaoili, chief negotiator for the Duterte, a self-declared social- in response to President Rodrigo Philippines President Rod- Bello," it added. Senior rebel talks could resume, despite the NDFP said earlier. The CPP's ist, was elected president last Duterte's declaration of martial rigo Duterte declared martial law negotiator Luis Jalandoni said government's suspension. "The armed wing is the 4,000-mem- year. law in parts of the country. over the southern third of the that despite the government's talks are not closed," Agcaoili ber NPA guerilla unit. Norway had coaxed the two "The government panel is country on Tuesday to quell ultimatum, the guerrillas' attacks said. The communist insurgency sides back to the negotiating now left without any other fighting with pro-Islamic State would continue. Government "Of course we intend to sit in the poverty-stricken Asian table in August, but little progress recourse but to announce... that group militants in a southern negotiator Silvestre Bello said the down again, the two panels, and country which began in 1968 is has been made since then. it will not proceed to participate city. rebel panel had originally asked then perhaps find some con- one of the longest running in the The talks were moved to in the fifth round of peace nego- Communists insurgents, who for a 10-minute recess to discuss structive solution between the world. It has claimed an esti- Noordwijk aan Zee, about 70km tiations," he said. are active in wide areas of the the government's threat but two of us to continue the fifth mated 30,000 lives, according from Utrecht, where several of He added that talks would archipelago, including the south, refused to return to the table round of talks." If a solution to the military. Peace talks have the rebel leaders live in exile.

Australian trafficker Corby deported from Bali NEWS BYTES Rights group calls on Myanmar Denpasar AFP to probe alleged military abuse ustralian Schapelle Corby was yesterday YANGON: Human rights advocates called on Myanmar to deported from Bali 12 years after being con- investigate the actions of some of its soldiers yesterday after Avicted of drug trafficking on the holiday footage of people being treated violently by uniformed men island, battling through a media storm in a dramatic went viral. Myanmar's armed forces have often been accused end to a saga that has captivated her homeland. of abuses by human rights groups and Western governments Her final day on the Indonesian island was a blaze during decades of conflict with myriad ethnic armed groups. of media attention, as she was hustled out of a villa The footage, which was posted on Facebook early yesterday, with her face hidden under a scarf, and then chased surfaced as some of the country's armed rebel groups gathered by a huge pack of journalists across Bali before board- in the capital, Naypyitaw, for a new round of peace talks with ing a flight home. In a final twist, she managed to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a tough first year in outsmart the media by heading back to Brisbane on power for her that saw the worst fighting with rebels in years. a different flight than had been widely expected, apparently to avoid travelling with a large contin- gent of reporters. The day of drama was a fitting finale Pakistan to launch e-pay gateway to a story that has fascinated the Australian public like few others in recent times. The beauty school ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Finance Minister Ishaq dropout was arrested in 2014 at Bali airport with sev- Dar announced yesterday that Pakistan would open inter- Australian drug convict Schapelle Corby is escorted by police before her eral kilos of hashish stashed in her surfing gear, and national electronic payment gateways ahead of the likely was jailed the following year for 20 years. deportation to Australia, in Denpasar, Bali, yesterday. arrival of PayPal and Alipay in the country. While presenting the budget for 2017-18 in the National Assembly, the finance minister said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was develop- ing a state-of-the-art e-gateway at a cost of Rs200m. “The system will facilitate transactions through mobile banking,” South Korean vessel outruns pirates he said. “The Rs200m investment is being undertaken by the Duterte under SBP.” Even though PayPal is a world-renowned international Seoul the ministry said in a months and three successful e-payment system, Alipay is not as common across the globe. fire over AFP statement. hijackings. sickening joke The ship had raised the Last week the Indian navy fishing vessel, initially alarm that it was being chased thwarted an attempted hijack- Beijing appoints Cai Qi as party chief Manila believed to have been before contact was lost, prompt- ing, chasing away at least three AFP A hijacked off the Somalian ing a South Korean anti-piracy boats that had swarmed a cargo BEIJING: Beijing's mayor Cai Qi has been appointed as party coast early yesterday, was con- naval ship in the area to sail to vessel off Somalia's northeast. chief of the capital city of Beijing, the official Xinhua news hilippine President firmed to be operating as its rescue. Lawlessness and a lack of job agency reported yesterday. Cai is close to Chinese President Rodrigo Duterte normal, the South Korean for- "Contact has been re-estab- opportunities in Somalia, com- Xi Jinping, sources with ties to the leadership have told Reu- Pcame under fire eign ministry said. lished with the (South Korean) bined with the waning attention ters, and is virtually assured a seat in the decision-making yesterday for making a The Mongolian-flagged ship skipper and it has been con- of international anti-piracy Politburo during the 19th Party Congress in autumn. The Polit- second joke about rape, -- with a South Korean captain, firmed the crew are all safe", the patrols has given piracy new life. buro currently has 25 members but it is unclear whether the with Chelsea Clinton and two South Korean and 18 ministry's statement added. Somali pirates began staging number of seats could be expanded, reduced or remain the leading online outrage Indonesian crew members -- Somali pirates hijacked an attacks in 2005, seriously dis- same later this year. Cai and Xi overlapped during their time and a rights group successfully outdistanced a Iranian fishing boat with a crew rupting a major international in various government positions both in the eastern prov- branding his sense of suspicious boat that had pursued of up to 20 on Tuesday. There shipping route and costing the ince of Zhejiang and the southeastern province of Fujian. humour "sickening". it for more than an hour in an have been at least eight attacks global economy billions of dol- This is the latest move by Xi to put his allies in key positions. In a speech at a mil- apparent attempt to capture it, by Somali pirates in recent lars a year. itary camp on Friday aimed at lifting troops' spirits after he imposed martial law across the southern Philippines, Pakistan reopens Afghan border Duterte told them they were allowed to rape up Islamabad Afghanistan had viewed a 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) to three women. AFP some of the villages visited by frontier drawn by the British in "I will be imprisoned the Pakistani census takers as 1896 and disputed by Kabul, has for you. If you rape three akistan announced it was within their territory, but the two witnessed increased tension (women), I will say that I reopening its volatile south- countries later agreed to use since Pakistan began trenching did it. But if you marry Pwestern border with Google Maps to help settle the along it last year. four, son of a whore you Afghanistan at the start of the dispute. After weeks with traffic Ethnic Pashtuns living in the will be beaten up," he said. holy month of Ramadan yester- between the neighbours choked remote region have traditionally Duterte, who uses day, weeks after bloody clashes off at the border, the Pakistani paid little heed to the frontier and profanities regularly, broke out between the two coun- military yesterday said it would villages straddling it have also attracted contro- tries' militaries in the area. reopen the crossing "on human- mosques and houses with one versy last year when Islamabad decided to close itarian grounds". door in Pakistan and another in during an election cam- the major crossing at Chaman in In a statement the army said Afghanistan.The border is not the paign speech he joked early May after Afghan troops it had the area on its side of the only area of dispute between the that he had wanted to opened fire on a Pakistani cen- frontier under control, "having neighbours: Afghanistan has long rape a "beautiful" Aus- sus team, sparking a deadly pushed back Afghan Border accused Pakistan of sponsoring tralian missionary who firefight across the frontier, leav- police troops", adding that "no the Afghan Taliban, though Islam- had been murdered in a Afghan men inspect a car damaged in a suicide car bomb attack ing at least eight civilians dead border violation will be abad says it provides the militants Philippine prison riot. killed 18 people in the eastern Afghan city of Khost, yesterday. and an unconfirmed number of acceptable". with safe haven as a "lever" to military casualties on both sides. The so-called "Durand Line", bring them to peace talks. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 EUROPE 15 UK lowers terror threat level as more arrested

London Probe advances and houses were evacuated with Reuters a bomb disposal unit sent to the A significant amount scene. ritain lowered its secu- of police activity has Security services had feared rity threat level to taken place over the an experienced bomb-maker "severe" yesterday fol- last 24 hours and could be large but a source with lowing significant knowledge of the investigation there are now 11 activity by police said on Thursday Abedi might suspects in custody: Binvestigating the suicide bomb have made the bomb himself or attack on a pop concert in Man- May with an accomplice, lessening chester, Prime Minister Theresa the risk of another attack. May said. An official advised "We are getting a greater Earlier, police hunting a sus- people to be vigilant understanding of the prepara- pected network behind Salman but to "go out as you tion of the bomb," Britain's most Abedi, the bomber who killed 22 planned and enjoy senior counter-terrorism officer people on Monday night, said yourselves". Mark Rowley said. they had made two further "There is still much more to arrests overnight as they closed do. There will be more arrests." in on other possible cell now been returned to the level Rowley, who said on Friday members. it was at prior to the attack in police were confident they had May said this meant the inde- Manchester, northwest England, apprehended a "large part of the pendent body which sets the and means soldiers who have network", said there had threat level had decided it should been assisting police, would be searched or were still examin- be lowered from its highest rat- withdrawn from Britain's streets ing 17 addresses, mainly in ing "critical", which meant an from midnight on Monday. northwest England, and there attack could be imminent, to "As well as killing 22 people, would be further raids. Armed police officers walk along the South Bank in London, Britain, yesterday. "severe". including seven children, Mon- "There will be more searches "A significant amount of day's blast injured 116 with 63 but the greater clarity and police activity has taken place still in hospital and 20 in critical progress has led JTAC, the inde- The Times newspaper who were thought to pose a Great Manchester Run. over the last 24 hours and there care," health officials said. pendent body which assesses reported yesterday that intelli- threat. While police and politicians are now 11 suspects in custody," In the latest police action, threat, to the judgement that an gence officers had identified However, Rowley advised have praised communities in May said. officers used a controlled explo- attack is no longer imminent," 23,000 jihahist extremists living people to be vigilant but to "go Manchester for their reaction to "The public should be clear sion to gain entry to an address he said. in Britain. out as you planned and enjoy the bombing, Greater Manches- about what this means. A threat in the north of the city where two However, extra armed offic- Earlier this week a source yourselves". ter Police Chief Constable said level of severe means an attack men were detained yesterday ers will still be on duty across the with knowledge of the matter There are a number of high- there had been a rise in reported is highly likely. The country Some hours later, police cor- country with security stepped up said the security services were profile events over the weekend hate crimes, from an average of should remain vigilant." doned off a large area in the Moss at some 1,300 events over the managing 500 active operations including soccer cup finals in 28 to 56 incidents on The threat assessment has Side area of south Manchester long holiday weekend. involving some 3,000 people London and Glasgow, and the Wednesday. Macedonia govt to end protracted standoff Skopje ties in a December election. Albanian an official language, a AFP The conservative president key demand of the minority had been refusing to grant the parties. new Macedonian coalition SDSM a mandate, saying "It is not enough just to have government comprising national unity would be under- a simple majority," said Xhaferi, A Social Democrats and mined by the demands of as constitutional reforms require Albanian minority parties will Albanian groups, before recant- the support of two-thirds of emerge next week, putting an ing after the SDSM secured a parliamentarians. end to a protracted standoff, majority. Xhaferi added he wanted to according to parliamentary SDSM leader Zoran Zaev saw see an investigation into the vio- speaker Talat Xhaferi his party and his allied Albanian lence on April 27, when (pictured). crisis ahead of the eventual parties win 67 of 120 seats in the rightwing militants stormed par- Greek and Turkish Cypriots during a demonstration, at "I expect to receive in a day transfer of power to the long- country of some two million liament and assaulted several Ledra's checkpoint, in Nicosia, yesterday. or two the programme of this time opposition, which now people, which aspires to join lawmakers, to "establish the cabinet and then to convene a looks to be imminent. both the European Union and political responsibility" of those session of parliament for the President Gjorge Ivanov on Nato. who participated. Greek & Turkish Cypriots coming week," Xhaferi said. Wednesday gave the Social Xhaferi said that a new gov- Xhaferi, recently faced crit- Macedonia has endured Democrats (SDSM) a mandate ernment would have to seek icism from conservatives for almost two years of protracted after they won the support of widespread parliamentary sup- placing a small Albanian flag on support reunification talks and sometimes violent political minority ethnic Albanian par- port for changes such as making his desk in parliament.

Nicosia island's reunification talks AP appear to be faltering. Protesters said yester- British Airways ozens of Greek and day's event was to remind Chisinau mayor detained for misconduct Turkish Cypriots have politicians not to let ordinary cancels flights Dlinked arms across a people down. Bucharest deputy to sign a contract with Liberal Party and his party said UN-controlled buffer zone On Friday, a UN envoy AP Austrian company EME Par- that it was pulling out of the rul- cutting across ethnically called off meditation efforts kleitsystem GmbH Chirtoaca, ing coalition in the former Soviet after IT outage divided Cyprus' capital of with the island's Greek Cyp- he mayor of Moldova's who is under house arrest for republic over his arrest. Nicosia to voice their support riot President Nicos capital was put under 30 days, has not commented on Party leader Mihai Ghimpu London for reunification agreement. Anastasiades and Turkish Thouse arrest on suspicion the charge. said the party's three Cabinet Reuters Beating drums, blowing Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci of influence trafficking in a city The anti-corruption centre ministers and one deputy prime whistles and singing tradi- after failing to find "common parking contract, sparking a said the company won contracts minister would resign Saturday, BRITISH Airways has can- tional Cypriot folk songs, the ground" on convening a final conflict within the country's due to "concerted actions" from which would leave the govern- celled all its flights from demonstrators said real peace summit for an overall reuni- pro-Europe governing city hall officials. Chirtoaca sus- ment without a majority in London's two biggest airports lies in the hands of ordinary fication deal. coalition. pended the contract with the parliament. until yesterday evening after a people from both sides of the But officials insisted talks The National Anti-Corrup- company this month. He called Chirtoaca's arrest a global computer system outage divide as the Mediterranean haven't collapsed. tion Center alleged Chisinau The 38-year-old mayor is political move, saying there was caused confusion and chaos, Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca told his also deputy chairman of the insufficient proof to detain him. with thousands of passengers queuing for hours and planes left stuck on runways. The airline, which said Art creation there was no evidence the Estonia to expel Russian envoys problem had been caused by a cyber attack, said terminals at Heathrow and Gatwick had Copenhagen mostly Estonian citizens but also become extremely congested AP A statement from Russians. because of IT failure. the Russian Foreign "The openly hostile action "Please do not come to stonia has informed Rus- taken by the Estonian authori- the airports. We have expe- sia that two of its Ministry called the ties will certainly further rienced a major IT system Ediplomats in the country move "provocative complicate bilateral relations failure that is causing very will be expelled, the Baltic coun- and baseless". already basically deadlocked by severe disruption to our flight try's foreign ministry said Tallinn," the Russian Foreign operations worldwide," said yesterday. Ministry was quoted as saying BA, part of Europe's largest Estonian Foreign Ministry by Russian news agency TASS. airline group IAG, spokeswoman Sandra Kamilova News agency Baltic News The Estonian Internal Secu- yesterday. said that the Russian Embassy Service reported that the diplo- rity Service, or security police, "We are extremely sorry in Tallinn had been informed of mats were Russian Consul told local media outlets that it for the inconvenience this is the decision, but the ministry General Dmitry Kazennov and was aware of Friday's case, but causing our customers and declined to provide further consul Andrey Surgaev, both in wouldn't comment further. we are working to resolve the details. It wasn't clear when the Narva, Estonia's third-largest It has repeatedly said Rus- situation as quickly as diplomats would be deported. city, which sits on the border sia's intelligence services have possible." A statement from the Rus- with Russia. strong interest in the Baltic Nato The problems, which pas- sian Foreign Ministry called the Estonia's relations with Rus- member - a former Soviet sengers said had affected move "provocative and base- sia have remained uneasy since republic. flights across Britain, came on less" and "of course, it will not the former Soviet republic Ties also have been uneasy People walk around the art creation "Catene de a particularly busy weekend remain without appropriate gained independence in the year because of Moscow's support for conteneurs" by Vincent Ganivet, installed for the 500th with a public holiday on response," suggesting that Rus- 1991. separatist rebels fighting in anniversary of the city of Le Havre, in northwestern Monday and many children sian would expel two Estonia has caught several Ukraine, and Russia's annexa- France, yesterday. starting their school half- Estonians. spies working for Moscow, tion of Crimea. term breaks. 16 EUROPE SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 Minister seeks more sanctions on Russia Bratislava crisis, Lithuania's foreign minis- Ukraine crisis Reuters ter said yesterday. The 28-nation European Lithuania's foreign estern nations Union and the United States minister said that the should add imposed sanctions on Russia current sanctions sanctions after Moscow annexed Crimea against Russia are not against Russia from Ukraine in 2014 and then working well enough as the current backed separatist rebels in east- to resolve the Ukraine Wones are not working well ern Ukraine. enough to resolve the Ukraine The EU has so far kept a crisis.

An official confirmed that US will maintain Ukrainians appeal to Macron Ukraine-related over Putin's prisoners sanctions on Russia. Kiev tages of the Kremlin." united front in keeping sanctions FROM LEFT: Nato Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller; Minister of Foreign Affairs of AFP The letter was published until a ceasefire agreement the Republic of Lithuania, Linas Linkevicius, and retired US Marine Corps four-star general on a website called Let My signed in Minsk in 2015 is imple- John Allen during the 12th annual GLOBSEC regional security forum in Bratislava, yesterday. elatives of Ukrainians People Go that monitors the mented, despite criticism from jailed by Russia in cases cases of 44 Ukrainian citizens some leaders of the bloc. West had to press Russia. Donald Tusk urged Group of Cohn said, "We're not lowering Rthey call "political" imprisoned "for political The United States' resolve, "If they are not working well, Seven leaders on Friday to stick our sanctions on Russia. If any- have appealed to French reasons." though, has sometimes come let's add sanctions," he said at the to the sanctions policy. thing we would look to get President Emmanuel Macron Those Ukraine view as under doubt under new Presi- GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum Tusk was responding to tougher on Russia. The president to demand their release when political prisoners in Russia dent Donald Trump. when asked whether the current comments by White House eco- wants to keep the sanctions in he meets Vladimir Putin include Ukrainian film direc- Lithuania shares a border sanctions were working. nomic adviser Gary Cohn on place and I think the president tomorrow. tor and scriptwriter Oleg with Russia and the annexation "I believe we should but it is Thursday that appeared to dif- has made it clear how the Rus- In a letter published on Sentsov, who has been sen- of Crimea has raised worry in it not so easy," he added. fer to those from US Secretary of sians could have the sanctions Friday, relatives and activists tenced to 20 years in a and its Baltic neighbours over The diplomatic stand-off State Rex Tillerson, who has lifted." urged Macron to "express to Russian prison colony on ter- Russian aggression. with Russia has dragged relations repeatedly said sanctions must Fighting between pro-Rus- Vladimir Putin our demand rorism charges over arson Foreign Minister Linas between Moscow and the West remain until Minsk is put in sian rebels and government to free all the political hos- attacks in Crimea. Linkevicius said sanctions to a post-Cold War low. place. forces first broke out in April remained the only leverage the European Council President But speaking on Friday, 2014. Poland confident Trump committed to Nato Spain rescues 73 migrants Warsaw mention of it at Thursday's sum- this month to command some America is in Nato, America to pay their fair share of the AFP mit in Brussels. 6,000 of its troops deployed in wants to be in Nato, America will defence bill. Madrid But Polish Defence Minister Nato and Pentagon operations always support Nato," Maciere- "This is not fair to the people AP oland's defence minister Antoni Macierewicz said that he across the alliance's eastern wicz said of Trump's words at the and taxpayers of the United said he was confident had "heard" Trump at talks held flank aimed at deterring nearby Brussels summit. States. Many of these nations SPAIN'S maritime rescue Pabout US President Don- behind closed doors and "had no Russia. The Polish defence minis- owe massive amounts of money service says it has saved 73 ald Trump's commitment to Nato doubt that the US will absolutely The move is one of the larg- ter said he believed that from past years," Trump said. migrants from three small (North Atlantic Treaty Organi- respect Article 5 and the troop est deployments of US forces in Trump's doubts were focused Nato members agreed in boats attempting to cross the zation) amid doubts raised by his commitments they have made" Europe since the Cold War and on the alliance's finances and 2014 to allocate two percent of Mediterranean Sea. failure to publicly endorse the on Nato's eastern flank. is meant to reassure Nato's east- "the wealthiest countries that GDP to defence, but few have so The service says that the alliance's guarantee of collective "It was very clearly said that ernmost allies spooked by benefit from US protection in far met that target. first boat carrying 27 men and defence. the US is committed to Nato and Russia's frequent military exer- Nato... but don't want to con- Just days ahead of the sum- six women was located in Allies who had hoped to hear to security on its eastern flank," cises near the region and its 2014 tribute in line with their mit, Macierewicz endorsed plans waters east of the Strait of Trump declare his commitment Macierewicz added. annexation of Crimea from abilities." to raise Poland's defence spend- Gibraltar late on Friday after to Nato's Article 5 were left dis- The US Army Europe set up Ukraine. Trump accused "23 of the 28" ing from the current two percent being spotted by a Spanish appointed as he made no public a new headquarters in Poland "It was very clearly said: Nato member nations of failing of GDP to 2.5 percent by 2030. military plane. Another rescue boat inter- vened early yesterday to pull five men from another boat. Russia police A third craft in danger of sinking with 35 men aboard Burger chain ad angers Belgian monarchy was then spotted by a Span- detain boy for ish navy outpost on the Brussels Philippe" on the left and approach," royal spokesman shareholder the Bertrand group Alboran Island between Spain reciting poetry AFP "Burger King" on the right. Pierre Emmanuel de Bauw said, bought French fast-food rival and Morocco. Those who choose Philippe saying the monarchy had con- Quick in 2015 and has steadily The Spanish military Moscow he Belgian royal family -- represented by a cartoon tacted the burger chain over the re-branded Quick outlets in helped the boat dock on the AFP yesterday rapped Burger image that doesn't seem to ad. France. island, where the migrants TKing over an online resemble the real monarch -- "The use of the King's image But the deal maintained the were to be picked up by the THE heavy-handed arrest and advertising campaign suggest- are then asked: "Are you sure is subject to authorisation". Quick brand in Belgium, Lux- rescue service. detention by Moscow police ing a new "king" for the you want to elect King "In this particular case, we embourg and outside of Europe, All the migrants were in of a 10-year-old boy who had European nation. Philippe? He won't be the one received no requests. Since it is which is now being partially good health, according to touched passersby by reading The offending advert, found to cook your fries". for commercial purposes, we phased out with Burger King set authorities. poetry on the street shocked on the whoistheking.be web- But the Belgian royal fam- would not have given our to open its first Belgian outlet Tens of thousands of Russians yesterday. site in French and Dutch, asks ily was not amused. authorisation." in June in the northern port city migrants try to reach the Officers were shown bun- users to pick between "King "We disapprove of this Burger King's majority of Antwerp. shores of Spain and Italy by dling the screaming boy into boat each year. a police car in central Mos- cow as he shouted "Save me!" in distressing cell phone foot- age aired on Russian television. Police claimed the boy, Hundreds protest G7 Summit amid tight security named by media as Oskar Mironov, had been "begging" Giardini Naxos carrier for the world's military communist party, said there had on the street on Friday Reuters powers." been a media campaign of fear evening. They held him at a US President Donald Trump against the protesters, which police station until the early undreds of people and the heads of Italy, France, kept numbers low. hours. marched yesterday amid Britain, Germany, Canada and "It was hard to get here," The Investigative Commit- Hmassive security meas- Japan had been meeting in D'Alessandro said. "But we tee of Moscow, which probes ures put in place for the Group Taormina. came to tell the world's most serious crimes, said it would of Seven summit nearby, protest- Bus loads of police lined the powerful people that we check the police's handling and ing against world leaders who route of the march in what is oppose their military and cap- the parents' actions. Moscow they said ignored the interests of normally a sleepy town of italistic worldview. We're here police said they were also car- regular people. beach-going tourists, while a to defend the interests of the rying out a check and would Some 3,500 were expected police helicopter circled above. weakest." "make public" the result. to turn up, but actual turnout Giordano came to air his Fears of violent protests like Days before a journalist appeared to be about half of that. opposition to the Mobile User the ones seen during a G7 sum- at Moskovsky Komsomolets Salvatore Giordano, a high Objective System (MUOS), mit in the northern Italian city popular daily had praised the school professor from the island part of an ultra-fast satellite of Genoa in 2001 prompted the boy for his street poetry read- of Sicily, blamed the low turn- communications network for the mayor of Giardini Naxos to order ing, posting a Facebook video. out of in part on heavy American military that he says all local businesses to close for The slight boy in glasses security. poses a health risk to people liv- the day. is shown reading by heart the He was stopped by police ing near the infrastructure. Sixteen years ago throngs of Hamlet "To be or not to be" multiple times and blocked for Another group of protesters protesters in Genoa clashed with monologue on Arbat, a pop- a half-hour at the highway exit Protesters face anti-riot policemen during a rally against the carried red flags bearing the authorities in street battles ular pedestrian area. before finally being let through. G7 Summit in Giardini Naxos, in Sicily, yesterday. communist hammer and sickle spread out over two days, and The journalist, Alexander Police were also stopping buses symbol. police shot dead an anti-globali- Minkin, called the boy "a and searching them, he said. dissent. We're pacifists. We're to protest against Sicily being Alessandro D'Alessandro, the sation protester during some of street prince" and "my hero." "They are criminalising our not here to break windows, but turned into a giant aircraft coordinator of Sicily's Italy's worst-ever riots. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 AMERICAS 17 Trump calls foreign trip 'home run' as challenges await

Sicily Union, then in Sicily for G-7 — AP Climate decision but will leave Italy without US President making clear where he stands. resident Donald Trump promised an As the G-7 summit came to yesterday said his a close Saturday, the six other imminent decision maiden trip abroad members — Britain, France, Ger- on the much- was a "home run" and many, Italy, Canada and Japan he vowed to overcome discussed Paris — renewed their commitment to Pthe threat of terrorism, conclud- climate agreement. the accord. The summit's com- ing a grueling five-stop sprint munique noted that the Trump that ended with the promise of Trump held no news administration would take more an imminent decision on the conferences during time to consider whether it will much-discussed Paris climate the 9-day trip, which remain committed to the 2015 accord. allowed him to avoid Paris deal to rein in greenhouse Trump ended his nine-day questions on Russia. gas emissions. trip with a speech to US troops Backing out of the climate in Sicily, where he recounted his accord had been a central plank visits to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bel- to withdraw from the climate of Trump's campaign and aides gium and Italy and his work to pact. European leaders he met have been exploring whether counter terrorism. The president with at the Group of 7 summit in they can adjust the framework said recent terrorist attacks in Sicily have been pressuring of the deal even if they don't opt Manchester, England and Egypt Trump to stay in the accord, out entirely. Other G-7 nations underscored the need for the U.S. arguing that America's leader- leaned heavily on Trump to stay to "defeat terrorism and protect ship on climate is crucial. in the climate deal, with German civilization." Besides reaching a decision Chancellor Angela Merkel say- "Terrorism is a threat, bad on the climate agreement once US President Donald Trump waves before boarding Air Force One along with First Lady Melania ing "we put forward very many threat to all of humanity," Trump back in Washington, Trump will Trump at Sigonella Air Force Base in Sigonella, Sicily, Italy, yesterday. arguments." said, standing in front of a mas- also face a new crush of Russia- The president's trip has sive American flag at Naval Air related controversies. On Friday, Trump held no news confer- about Kushner during a press and Israel, though he has come largely gone off without a major Station Sigonella. "And together the Washington Post reported ences during the nine-day trip, briefing yesterday. under more pressure in Europe, misstep, with the administration we will overcome this threat. We that Trump's son-in-law and which allowed him to avoid The White House had hoped particularly over the Paris touting the president's efforts to will win." senior adviser Jared Kushner questions about the Russia inves- to use Trump's five-stop trip as accord. birth a new coalition to fight ter- Trump tweeted earlier in the spoke with Russia's ambassador tigations. His top economic and a moment to reset. The president Trump was cajoled for three rorism, while admonishing day that he would make a final to the U.S. about setting up secret national security advisers was warmly received on his days — first in Brussels at meet- partners in an old alliance to pay decision next week on whether communications with Moscow. refused to answer questions opening stops in Saudi Arabia ings of NATO and the European their fair share. Supreme Court travel Kushner proposed 'secret back channel with Kremlin'

ban case could Washington Trump's chief national security Post, which said he proposed standard diplomatic meetings. AP adviser at the time, Michael using Russian diplomatic facili- One White House official at the Flynn, with Russian military ties for the discussions, time characterized it as a brief resident Donald Trump's leaders, said this person, who apparently to make them more courtesy meeting and confirmed test Trump's reach son-in-law and now top wasn't authorized to publicly difficult to monitor. that Flynn was in the room. PWhite House adviser Jared discuss private policy delibera- The newspaper cited anon- Flynn served briefly as Washington At issue in the case are state- Kushner proposed a secret back tions and spoke on condition of ymous US officials who were Trump's national security adviser AP ments Trump made during the channel between the Kremlin anonymity. Russia has backed briefed on intelligence reports before being fired in February campaign, in interviews and in and the Trump transition team Syrian President Bashar Assad, on intercepted Russian after officials said he misled Vice- he Supreme Court may his actions as president. during a December meeting with often at the expense of civilians communications. President Mike Pence about soon decide how courts "We've never really had, at a leading Russian diplomat, The during a long civil war. The Post wrote that Kislyak whether he and the ambassador Tare supposed to view least in recent decades a case Associated Press has learned. The Trump team eventually was reportedly taken aback by had discussed U.S. sanctions presidential power in the age like this which involves blatant Kushner spoke with Ambas- felt there was no need for a back the suggestion of allowing an against Russia in a phone call. of Donald Trump. evidence of pretextual discrim- sador Sergey Kislyak about channel once Rex Tillerson was American to use Russian com- Sally Yates, the former acting The administration has ination by the president himself creating that line of communi- confirmed as secretary of state, munications gear at its embassy attorney general, told Congress promised a high court appeal and also in the immigration cation to facilitate sensitive and decided to communicate or consulate — a proposal that this month that that deception left of a ruling blocking the presi- sphere," said Ilya Somin, a pro- discussions aimed at exploring with Moscow through more offi- would have carried security risks Flynn vulnerable to being black- dent's ban on visitors from six fessor at George Mason the incoming administration's cial channels, according to the for Moscow as well as the Trump mailed by the Russians. Flynn majority Muslim countries. The University's Antonin Scalia Law options with Russia as it devel- person familiar with the team. remains under federal investiga- case could be a major test for School. oping its Syria policy, according developments. The White House confirmed tion over his foreign business ties the young administration and The 4th US Circuit Court of to a person familiar with the Kushner's involvement in the in March that Kushner met with and was interviewed by the FBI for a court that has its 5-4 con- Appeals ruled against the travel discussions. proposed back channel was first Kislyak at Trump Tower in in January about his contacts with servative majority restored with policy Thursday, saying that The intent was to connect reported by The Washington December, dismissing them as Kislyak. the confirmation of Trump Trump's comments helped nominee Neil Gorsuch as the show that the policy was ninth justice. "steeped in animus and directed First, the justices must at a single religious group." Former national agree to intervene — something One key issue may be Commencement ceremony they'll probably do considering whether statements from candi- security adviser the importance of the issue. If date Trump should carry any so, then they will be dealing weight. Three dissenting judges Brzezinski with an area of the law, immi- on the 4th Circuit said the state- dies at 89 gration, where courts have ments shouldn't because given presidents a lot of candidates say many things Washington leeway. while campaigning and shouldn't Reuters But the president's power necessarily be held to them. over immigration is not abso- Josh Blackman, a professor bigniew Brzezinski, who lute, and several lower courts at the South Texas College of served as US President have prevented Trump from Law in Houston, said he thinks ZJimmy Carter's national putting in place a temporary the Trump factor that was cen- security adviser during the ban on travel to the U.S. by res- tral to the 4th Circuit's ruling Iran hostage crisis and the idents of Iran, Libya, Somalia, could be less pronounced at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Supreme Court. and drove a normalization of The travel policy was first The court could pay more relations with China, has died. issued a week after Trump took attention to declarations from He was 89. Brzezinski's daugh- office on Jan. 20 and then Attorney General Jeff Sessions ter Mika said her father died revised following initial unfa- and Homeland Security Secre- peacefully on Friday. She did vorable court rulings. The tary John Kelly in support of the not give the cause of death. dispute is unusual because policy. "The justices recognize "He was known to his Trump himself has supplied their decisions will long outlive friends as Zbig, to his grand- much of the evidence that Donald J. Trump. They'll be a children as Chief and to his wife Graduating cadets march to their seats together during commencement ceremonies at opponents said demonstrated little more careful to recognise as the enduring love of her life. that anti-Muslim prejudice lay that this isn't only for or about the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, US, yesterday. I just knew him as the most behind the policy. Trump," Blackman said. inspiring, loving and devoted father any girl could ever have," she said on Instagram. Brzezinski, the hawkish son of a Polish diplomat, was California bills target private business to help immigrants national security adviser for all four years of the 1977-81 Carter presidency. The period Sacramento of state government, and lead- are taking aim at private if employers or landlords are Democratic Assemblyman David saw tumultuous international AP ers have vowed to resist Trump businesses. complying with a warrant or Chiu of San Francisco. He said events, including the Iranian administration policies at every A measure that would bar subpoena. they are necessary to protect revolution, the taking of 52 alifornia Democrats are turn. Immigration is among their landlords from disclosing tenants' Ann Morse, who tracks against deportation of immi- Americans as hostages in expanding their efforts to key issues, but most legislation immigration status or reporting immigration bills for the National grants who haven't committed Tehran and a failed rescue Cresist President Donald so far has been aimed at limit- them to immigration officials Conference of State Legislatures, crimes since entering the mission, and the Soviet inva- Trump's crackdown on immi- ing what police can do to help passed the chamber. A bill prohib- said the California measures are country. sion of Afghanistan. grants in the country illegally immigration authorities and pro- iting public and private employers the only ones she knows of that Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, Brzezinski was plucked by with bills aimed at limiting how viding additional state services from letting immigration agents aim to limit landlords and pri- who opposes the measures, said Carter from the academic much private businesses can and support to immigrants in the come into their worksites or view vate businesses' cooperation and he thinks they could actually world and saw many of the cooperate with federal immigra- country illegally. their employee files cleared a communication with immigra- promote fear in immigrant com- Soviet Union's foreign policy tion authorities. Now, two bills that advanced committee. tion enforcement. munities, and existing laws moves as evidence it could Democrats control all levels in the Assembly in the past week Both bills contain exceptions Both bills are sponsored by already protect tenants. not be trusted. 18 AMERICAS SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 Conservatives to elect new leader to take on Trudeau

Ottawa O'Toole are leading in polls, fun- Reuters Tough race draising and endorsements. But The race between 13 analysts have been wary about anada's official opposi- candidates is too predicting how preferences will tion Conservative Party close to call but the shake out on multiple ballot is set to elect a new winner faces an counts required for one candi- leader, seeking to uphill battle to date to win a majority of votes. regroup and rebrand as re-unite the party. Bernier was bolstered in late Cit gears up for the 2019 election April when front-runner Kevin race against Prime Minister Justin O'Leary, a reality TV star and busi- Trudeau's still-popular Liberals. Trudeau is the nessman, withdrew from the race The race has had moments preferred choice as and threw his support behind him. of Trump-like populism with a prime minister Bernier might be best known to reality TV star and a candidate among 46.3% of the wider public for resigning from critical of immigration getting Canadians, says a poll. Harper's cabinet after leaving con- early attention. But three main- fidential documents at the house stream politicians have emerged of a girlfriend with links to organ- as front-runners, suggesting the shock majority in 2015. ized crime. Conservative leadership candidate Erin O’Toole (right) waves on stage with his daughter Mollie, wave of populism that swept "The challenge will be to Like Trudeau, Bernier is from wife Rebecca and son Jack after delivering a speech at the Conservative Party of Canada Donald Trump to the US presi- attack Justin Trudeau's weak- Quebec, the predominantly dency in November will not nesses, but also to bring French-speaking province which leadership convention in Toronto, Ontario. extend to Canada. Conservatives who have left the holds 78 of the 338 seats in the The race between 13 candi- party back into the fold," said House of Commons and is vital despite rising dissatisfaction with Party doesn't have a strong lead dian party leaders. dates is too close to call but the Queen's University political sci- to a party's prospects. the economy and a series of over the Liberals on the question To win, Bricker said the new winner faces an uphill battle to ence professor Jonathan Rose. None of the candidates have spending and entitlement of which party has the best eco- leader must rebuild strength in re-unite the right-of-center Libertarian former Foreign the high profile of Trudeau, controversies. nomic plan, it will struggle." rural and Western Canada as party that held power for nearly Minister Maxime Bernier, former whose approval ratings have fal- "For Conservatives, it is really According to a Nanos poll, Trudeau well as the vote-rich suburbs in a decade under former Prime House of Commons Speaker tered after nearly two years in all about the economy," said Dar- is the preferred choice as prime Ontario. And he argues they don't Minister Stephen Harper before Andrew Scheer and former Vet- office but remain higher than any rell Bricker, pollster with Ipsos minister among 46.3 percent of need a leader with the charisma the center-left Liberals won a erans Affairs Minister Erin opponent on the left or right, Public Affairs. "If the Conservative Canadians, far ahead of other Cana- of Trudeau.

US to carry out first ICBM Trump's budget renews debate on Arctic oil drilling intercept test Alaska the promise of jobs and prosper- the coastal plain, tundra stretch- hoe Bay have declined. roads, no campgrounds, not even AP ity through "opening ANWR." ing from the Beaufort Sea to the Alaska is draining billion- established trails. And the envi- on Tuesday The refuge covers 2,300 foothills of the Brooks Range, dollar savings accounts to pay ronmental community and some resident Donald Trump's square miles (5,957 square kil- should be studied. Another act for schools and roads and is anx- Alaska Native groups want to Washington plan to help balance the ometers), an area the size of of Congress and presidential ious to find more revenue. Gov. keep it that way. Reuters Pfederal budget features a West Virginia and Connecticut approval can open it to drilling. Bill Walker says it's frustrating Besides polar bears, the new attempt to open the coastal combined in Alaska's northeast The US Geological Survey to be denied access to billions of coastal plain is home to he United States will test plain of Alaska's Arctic National corner. Some things to know estimates the coastal plain holds barrels of oil in an area specifi- muskoxen, the nests of 200 spe- an existing missile Wildlife Refuge to petroleum about the debate: 10.4bn barrels of oil — compared cally set aside to be evaluated for cies of migratory birds, and for Tdefence system to try to drilling. Alaska Natives have used it with 25bn at the older Prudhoe resource development within part of the year, the vast Porcu- intercept an intercontinental The effort is the latest chap- as subsistence hunting grounds Bay oil field to the west. miles of a pipeline that's three- pine Caribou Herd — 197,000 ballistic missile (ICBM) next ter in a long-running political for thousands of years. President Republican US Sen. Lisa quarters empty. animals that roam between the week, US officials said, at a fight between two camps: envi- Dwight Eisenhower in 1960 Murkowski of Alaska calls the ref- North Slope crude was sell- refuge and Canada's Yukon and time when North Korea is try- ronmentalists, who revere the signed legislation creating the uge's coast plain North America's ing for nearly $54 a barrel Northwest Territories. ing to develop one. plain as a maternity ward for refuge. greatest prospect for conventional Tuesday. Alaska could benefit Environmentalists say Amer- The test, scheduled for polar bears, caribou and migra- Congress in 1980 expanded oil production. The plain is 60 from jobs, additional taxes and ica should pivot toward Tuesday, is the first time the tory birds; and politicians, it and declared much of it wil- miles (97 kilometers) east of the federal revenue sharing if the renewable energy, not add to cli- United States will try to inter- including those in Alaska's con- derness, but threw in a wild card: trans-Alaska pipeline, which oper- refuge opens. mate warming by burning oil cept an ICBM. gressional delegation, who have Recognizing the oil production ates at one-quarter capacity as The refuge is about as wild a extracted from wilderness and The United States has campaigned for four decades on potential, Congress declared that North Slope oil fields such as Prud- place as there is. There are no generating greenhouse gases. used the Ground-Based Mid- course Defence (GMD) system, managed by Boeing Co. and in place to counter attacks from rogue states Drug gangs take aim at such as North Korea, to inter- cept other types of missiles but never an ICBM. police officers in Colombia While US officials believe Pyongyang is some years Bogota have captured 500 Gulf Clan away from mastering re- AP members this year alone, entry expertise for perfecting though the group's leader, Dairo an ICBM, it is making ith a shot to the chest, Antonio Usuga, remains at advances. Alejandro Caro fell large. This week the head of the Wfrom his motorbike "In Colombia, every time a US Defence Intelligence while on patrol in a small town criminal group turns to killing Agency said that if left in northern Colombia, another police, they do it as a desperate unchecked, North Korea is on victim of criminal gangs who measure," said Vice President an "inevitable" path to obtain- have killed 11 officers over the Oscar Naranjo, who battled the ing a nuclear-armed missile past month, mostly in gang- nation's drug cartels as national capable of striking the United dominated regions. police chief. States. Caro's mother, Consolacion The rash of shootings has The remarks are the lat- Jabe, is still stunned by his taken place in pockets around est indication of mounting US death. She said the youth had the nation but is concentrated concern about Pyongyang's always dreamed of being a largely in the north and along advancing missile and policeman and even after being the border with Panama, a nuclear weapons pro- injured earlier, he "survived region with a long history of grammes, which the North and kept fighting for his coun- drug trafficking. Most of the 11 says are needed for try. ... Now he is definitely were shot while on patrol. Anti-government protesters block the Francisco Fajardo highway in Caracas during a self-defence. gone." In response, the military is US officials said that the demonstration against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, yesterday. Colombia's largest illegal sending troops to accompany test had been planned well organization, the Gulf Clan, has police. Officers are also being in advance and was not in distributed leaflets that call for encouraged to arrive to work reaction to any specific Venezuela protesters seek press freedom killing police, and police intelli- in plainclothes, wear bullet- event. gence officials say the gang proof vests and travel in pairs. The Missile Defence Caracas Yesterday's protest in Cara- "democratize" the airwaves in members are offering would-be The killings come at a time Agency said an interceptor AFP cas was held to mark 10 years Venezuela. assassins up to $600 per death of flux in Colombia's drug war. based out of Vandenberg Air since the government shuttered Since its demise, a state tel- — nearly triple the nation's Coca production in the Force Base in California, one rotesters descended yes- a popular television station seen evision broadcaster, TVES, was monthly minimum wage. country surged 18 percent last of 36 in California and Alaska, terday on the offices of as having anti-government founded and has been operat- Authorities compare the year to levels unseen in nearly will be used in the test to PVenezuela's state media leanings. ing in its stead. killings to Pablo Escobar's "pis- two decades of U.S. eradication shoot down a target similar regulator, the latest in nearly The network, RCTV, was On Friday, riot police tol plan," a strategy the drug efforts, according to a White to an ICBM over the Pacific two months of often-violent shut down by Maduro's prede- greeted throngs of protesters kingpin devised in his final House report. Authorities have Ocean. protests demanding the ouster cessor, the late populist leader who took their demonstration years to target officers. Hun- set a goal of destroying 100,000 The system has carried of President Nicolas Maduro. Hugo Chavez, after more than a to the complex of buildings dreds of policemen were killed hectares of coca crops this year out successful intercepts in Demonstrations that got half-century on the air, for its housing the defense ministry in in the city of Medellin alone through a combination of man- nine out of 17 attempts dat- underway in late March have outspoken criticism of his in Caracas. before Escobar was gunned ual eradication and voluntary ing back to 1999. claimed the lives of 58 people, government. Demonstrators had hoped down there in 1993 crop substitution agreements The most recent test was as opposition leaders seek to The move "was an atrocious to sway the support of the Some see the killings as a with farmers. in 2014. ramp up pressure on Venezue- act against freedom of expres- armed forces against Maduro, response to a crackdown that Meanwhile, the Revolution- Last year a science advo- la's leftist president, whose sion", Julio Borges, leader of the who has been resisting oppo- has reduced the Gulf Clan's ary Armed Forces of Colombia, cacy group said the system already-low popularity has cra- opposition-led legislature, said sition calls for early ranks to about 1,500 members the nation's largest rebel group, has no proven capability to tered amid ongoing shortages at the protest. elections. — half the number it had in is abandoning territories it long protect the United States from of food and medicines, among At the time, officials said the Organizers said more pro- 2010, according to the Defense controlled, a withdrawal that is attacks. other economic woes. move to close RCTV aimed to tests are planned for Monday. Ministry. Authorities say they part of a peace accord. SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017 HOME 19 20 MORNING BREAK SUNDAY 28 MAY 2017

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Creations from flowers during flower festival "Japan through the eyes of Ukraine", dedicated to the Year of Japan in Ukraine, in Kiev, yesterday. About 250,000 flowers, as well as traditional elements of Japanese culture — a pagoda, a garden of stones, and a tea ceremony, decorated with flowers were set up at the Pechersk Landscape Park in the Ukrainian capital. RIGHT: A girl with a flower bouquet on her head visits the flower festival.

Strong wind at places daytime with poor visibility expected by after- Hit man thriller delivers a punch at Cannes noon. Hot daytime with slight dust to blowing dust at places daytime. Cannes a taught, bloody thriller from Scottish still editing “You Were Never Really that’s (got) self indulgent scenes in it,” HIGH TIDE 05:45 - 19:30 LOW TIDE 01:45 - 11:45 Reuters director Lynne Ramsay whose repu- Here”, prompting one journalist to beg she said, a description that could apply Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department tation is such that she was allowed to her not to cut too much from the to many of the films screened this year. s a hired killer whose weapon enter the movie for the Palme d’Or 85-minute version shown to the press. Variety’s Guy Lodge, who said LATEST NEWS of choice is a particular brand without showing the selection com- “I didn’t want to bore you all at Ramsay may be the world’s “greatest UPDATE Aof hammer, Joaquin Phoenix mittee a finished version. Cannes,” said Ramsay whose movies working filmmaker”, called her new delivered a short, sharp shock of a Ramsay, whose last movie, the high all come in under 90 minutes. film “astonishing ... a stark, sinewy, movie to close the Cannes Film Festi- school massacre drama “We Need to “There’s nothing worse than being slashed-to-the-bone hitman thriller www.thepeninsulaqatar.com val’s main competition yesterday. Talk About Kevin”, competed at at the end of this festival and watch- far more concerned with the man than “You Were Never Really Here” is Cannes in 2011, told reporters she was ing a two-and-a-half-hour-long film the hit”.