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Monday 18 September 2017 | 27 Dhul-Hijja 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7288 | 2 Riyals

Emir patronises opening of US-Islamic World Forum

The Peninsula

mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin The Forum has been Hamad Al Thani yesterday pat- working to build bridges ronised the opening of the US-Islamic World Forum aim- of understanding between ing to explore opportunities to US and Islamic world and Estrengthening cooperation between the create a strong network of Islamic world and the United States of America. relations between US and The opening ceremony of the Forum Islamic leaders at all levels at Conrad Hotel in New York City was attended by State Secretary for Foreign of government and civil Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Annika society. Soder; Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Yusuf Garaad Omar; and High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations and Represent- Excellencies the Ministers and senior offi- ative of the UN Secretary-General in the cials, guests of the US-Islamic World Forum, Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al Nasser; Forum at its headquarters in New York along with a host of senior officials and city yesterday. experts, parliamentarians, academics, → Continued on page 2 opinion leaders, businessmen, economists and media personnel from the United States and the Muslim world, QNA Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al reported yesterday. Thani at the opening of the US-Islamic The Emir met a number of Their World Forum in New York, yesterday.

Deputy Emir meets UK Secretary of Defence Qatar Post unveils new identity

Irfan Bukhari Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, Minis- basis for Qatar’s vision of generations and achieve The Peninsula ter of Culture and Sports building a knowledge-based social and economic well- H E Salah bin Ghanem Al society and a diverse digital being,” Jassim bin Saif Al nder its transforma- Ali, Minister of Endowments economy that will cater to Sulaiti said. tion process to keep (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs the needs of future → Continued on page 4 Uup with the digital age H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak and diversify its portfolio of Al Kuwari and Qatar Air- products and services, Qatar ways CEO Akbar Al Baker. Post yesterday launched its “The launching of new new identity unveiling new identity and strategic direc- logo. tion of Qatar Post represents The ceremony was a new chapter in the achieve- attended by the Prime Min- ments of the modern State of ister and Interior Minister Qatar and an important step H E Sheikh Abdullah bin in realising Qatar National Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Vision 2030 under the wise Minister of Transport and leadership of Emir H H Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with UK Secretary Communications H E Jas- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al of Defence, Sir Michael Fallon, at the Emiri Diwan, yesterday. sim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Thani and the directives of Minister of Energy and Prime Minister and Interior Industry H E Dr Mohammed Minister H E Sheikh Abdul- bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh of Administrative Develop- Thani, which attaches par- Qatar to purchase 24 Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani launching ment, Labour and Social ticular importance to the ICT new logo of Qatar Post. fighter jets from Britain Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad sector and considers it as the

The Peninsula Ministry’s proposed purchase 24 Typhoon INSIDE PAGES aircraft. Both Ministers discussed aspects Hamad Port starts two he Minister of State of Defence of cooperation in the military field, espe- Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Moham- cially in the field of combatting terrorism new shipping lines Foreign Minister : US-Islamic World Tmed Al Attiyah and the Secretary and violent extremism. The meeting also Forum ‘important’ for addressing of State for Defence of the United King- discussed the most important regional The Peninsula Port to the Southeast Asia dom, Michael Fallon, yesterday signed a issues, QNA reported. ports (Shanghai), while the conflicts, political and ideological Letter of Intent at the Ministry’s head- According to press release issued by he Director of Hamad other connects the port to divisions worldwide PAGE 2 quarters, which aims to strengthen British Embassy, Defence Secretary wel- Port Abdul Aziz the ports of the countries | cooperation and mutual support in the comed Qatar’s intent to proceed with the TNasser Al Yafei has of the Mediterranean basin, military and technical fields. purchase of Typhoon aircraft and the fur- announced the inaugura- and each will take one trip The Directorate of Moral Guidance ther strengthening of the UK’s defence tion of two new shipping a week during 21 days. Qatar Social Work Foundation provides at the Ministry of Defence announced that relationship with the State of Qatar. routes linking the Hamad → Full story on page 5 the Letter of Intent also includes → Continued on page 4 services to over 400 beneficiaries from siege countries | PAGE 2 Qatar condemns Afghanistan attack Over 100 UAE firms shift operations to Qatar Qatar urges application of comprehensive IAEA safeguards QATAR has strongly con- Mohammad Shoeb the ongoing blockade, over 250 com- industries, food and food processing, demned the bombing of a The Peninsula panies have already started their drugs, healthcare services, legal serv- to all nuclear activities in local market in south-east- operations with a significant number ices, education, IT and IT-enabled ern Afghanistan, causing a efying the ongoing siege imposed of them shifting from the UAE, one of services. And more than 100 of these the Middle East | PAGE 5 number of deaths and injuries. on Qatar, foreign investors and the blockading countries, said a top newly-registered firms are from the In a statement, the Ministry Dcompanies are showing increas- official of Qatar Chamber. UAE, that are shifting their operations of Foreign Affairs reiterated ing interest in the country to tap the “Over the last three months, more from Dubai’s Jabel Ali Free Zone to Siege: Qatar gains global support for Qatar’s firm position rejecting thriving business opportunities in the than 250 companies have already Qatar,” Saleh Hamad Al Sharqi, Direc- violence and terrorism regard- booming Qatari economy. begun their operations in a wide range tor-General of QC, said. wise policies | PAGE 7 less of motives and reasons. Within the first hundred days of of sectors, including manufacturing → Continued on page 8 02 HOME MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met a number of Their Excellencies the ministers and senior officials, guests of the US-Islamic World Forum at its headquarters in New York city yesterday. The Emir met with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Annika Soder; Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Yusuf Garaad Omar; and High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilisations and Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Forum, Nassir bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasser; Head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Taha Ozhan, and Executive Vice-President of the Brookings Institution, Martin Indyk.

Emir patronises opening of US-Islamic World Forum in NY

Continued from page 1 Communication Office Director, Talks during the meeting and the Islamic world, ending role of the press and media were the stereotypical or false con- The Forum has been work- yesterday, tweeted: “The Forum covered a number of issues of civil wars in the Middle East and also discussed. cepts. Sheikh Saif bin Ahmad ing to build bridges of is building bridges between the mutual concern, mainly the most North Africa region and rebuild- The Forum will serve as an pointed out that “the US Islamic understanding between the US Muslim world and the US by dis- important topics listed on the ing afterwards, the future of opportunity to strengthen the Forum is organised for the first and the Islamic world and cre- cussing the challenges being Forum’s agenda. pluralism, citizenship, and reli- relations between the Islamic time in the US, bringing ate a strong network of relations faced by Muslims in a world of The 13th annual US-Islamic gion in the Middle East. world and the US by correcting together a selection of world between the US and Islamic massive political upheaval”. He World Forum was convened this In addition to issues related misconceptions about the leaders and intellectuals”. leaders at all levels of govern- added that the Forum aims to year under the theme “Crisis and to economy, security and coun- Islamic world and discussing The 12 editions of the US- ment and civil society. create global solidarity in con- Cooperation”. terterrorism, human current issues, in particular the Islamic World Forum were all Commenting on the event, fronting the world’s challenges The two-day forum will development, refugees and cit- vision of the State of Qatar, held in Doha, with the exception H E Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed bin such as terrorism and the refu- touch on several issues related ies, and the global response, highlighting the bright face of of the one that was held in Wash- Saif Al Thani, Government gee crisis. to the relations between the US science and technology, and the Islam and Muslims and redress ington in April 2011. Forum will help resolve conflicts: FM QFSW serves over New York 400 beneficiaries QNA

oreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- from siege nations Fman Al Thani has underlined that the holding of QNA foundation’s keenness to provide the US-Islamic World Forum at all that serves the society and its this time is particularly impor- atar Foundation for Social stability within the framework tant because of the Work (QFSW) said that of clear and deliberate plans and intensification of conflicts and Qthe centres working strategies, especially under the political and ideological divi- under its umbrella have existing siege and the relentless sions that have led to instability received more than 400 bene- pursuit of achieving the desired in many regions of the world. ficiaries of nationals from the goal in maintaining a coherent In a speech at the opening of siege countries (Saudi Arabia, society capable of standing in the 13th Session of the Forum the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt) the face of all circumstances entitled “Crisis and Cooperation” since the beginning of the siege and challenges, in order to in New York, the Foreign Minis- until the end of August. achieve the partnership and the ter said that some just causes of QFSW said in a press complementary role of the civil peoples are still unresolved release yesterday that its cent- society sector with the govern- despite the issuance of several ers provide continuous services ment sector and the private UN resolutions on them, a mat- to the beneficiaries in different sector to serve all members of ter which requires directing Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani addressing the US-Islamic social fields, mainly family society in Qatar. international efforts towards World Forum in New York yesterday. services, rehabilitation, coun- She added that QFSW, as implementing resolutions, seling, legal, psychological and one of the largest civil society enforcing international legiti- religions and cultures, where period witnessed an increased as well as tolerance between the other related services. organizations working in the macy, stopping double national institutions such as the manifestations of intolerance followers of different religions The centers include the Fam- field of social work in Qatar, standards, as well as spreading Doha Center for Interfaith Dia- and misunderstanding of reli- and sects and work to address ily Consulting Center (Wifaq), the continues to exercise its a culture of understanding and logue, as well as the annual Doha gion and linking it to terrorism, the distortion caused by the hyp- Protection and Social Rehabili- humanitarian work in light of coexistence despite the differ- Forum, have been established stressing that religions are inno- ocrites and ignorance and tation Center (Aman), the Social its pioneering role emanating ence after achieving justice, even and many conferences and cent of terrorism and that extremists. Development Center (Nama), from international covenants relatively, since we cannot call meetings have been held to extremists exist in all societies Sheikh Mohammed bin Shafallah Center, the Orphans and conventions related to its the reality of occupation or tyr- strengthen this trend. and countries and belong to dif- Abdulrahman Al Thani added Care Center (Dhreima), the fields of work in the interna- anny coexistence with the other. H E Sheikh Mohammed bin ferent religions. that the distinguished relation- Center for Empowerment and tional community. The Foreign Minister called Abdulrahman Al Thani added He added that there are ship between the Islamic world Elderly Care (Ehsan) and the Best In June, the Family Con- upon the countries of the Islamic that this Forum was established social and economic reasons and and the US faces a major chal- Buddies initiative. sulting Center and the world and the United States of in 2002 under the name of the ideological factors for the emer- lenge of settling the Palestinian The total number of benefi- Protection and Social Reha- America to work to deepen rela- Doha Conference on American gence of terrorism, noting that issue and ending the conflict in ciaries in these centres reached bilitation Center launched a tions based on permanent and Relations with the Arab and relations between the US and the the Middle East, referring in this 405, of whom 103 were Saudis, hotline to receive contacts of open dialogue and on the bais of Islamic World, as part of the glo- countries of the Islamic world regard to the continued failure 33 UAE nationals, 44 Bahrainis, individuals and families respect and mutual understand- bal efforts to address the can affect and be affected by to achieve peace because of and 225 were Egyptians. affected by the siege on Qatar. ing which must be established consequences of the events of them. selective policies in the imple- Executive Director of Qatar The centers provided fam- as principles for dealing among the terrorist attacks on Septem- The Minister said that the mentation of international Foundation for Social Work ily, social, advisory and the States. ber 11, 2001. international community needs legitimacy resolutions and dou- Amal bint Abdullatif Al Mannai rehabilitation services to The Minister stressed that The Minister, in his speech many channels of communica- ble standards, preferring to said that the services are pro- members of families affected the State of Qatar is making con- at the Forum which witnessed tion and dialogue platforms such impose a policy of fait accompli vided to beneficiaries without by the siege, and set up a cri- tinuous efforts to consolidate the participation of a number of as this Forum to build bridges on the principles of justice and distinction, according to pro- sis management team dialogue among civilizations and ministers and senior officials in and strengthen cooperation equity to achieve short-term fessional standards. comprising specialists and coexistence between different the State, said that the previous between peoples and countries narrow interests. She underlined the consultants. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 HOME 03 Complaints continue to pour in over siege

A majority of people have lost their real estate The Compensation Claims Committee so far assets due to the blockade. Some of these has received 6,297 complaints & hundreds assets were for personal use while some were of enquiries. part of their investment. These countries were Qatar Chamber has received 600 encouraging people to invest in their real complaints from companies, of which 197 estate. have been transferred to the committee. Most of the complaints the committee Sidi Mohamed blockade and its closure will be The Peninsula announced through official has received have been transferred to an gazette. international law firm. he Compensation A few people still come to Claims Committee, register their cases, because most More than 3,000 files from the Qatar which was established of the affected citizens have National Human Rights Committee (QNHRC) to protect the rights of already submitted their com- have been transferred to the committee. residents, continues to plaints in the first weeks after the A member of the Compensation Claims Committee receiving Treceive complaints from people Committee was set up. The second category of most affected a complaint from a citizen. affected by the ongoing illegal A majority of people have lost people are students, followed by livestock blockade on Qatar. The commit- their real estate assets due to the tee has so far received 6,297 siege. Some of these assets were political dispute will be solved related to their studies. Qatar owners and there are more than 22,000 complaints. for personal use while some were amicably and residents would University and other universi- camels and other livestock seized in Saudi “Until now, the committee part of their investment. not be pulled into the contro- ties have received those Arabia. has received more than 6,000 A high percentage of the versy, said a visitor to the students. complaints and hundreds of calls complaints is from residents who committee who didn’t want to Also, animals owners have Several families were separated for no from affected residents asking have lost their properties, give his name. lost hundreds of their camels and reason due to the unjust blockade. about the process of filing their because many people had The second category which their loss is estimated to be in complaints,” an official at the invested in these countries. was affected more by the block- millions of riyals. Committee told The Peninsula. These countries were encourag- ade is students who have been The statistics say that there The committee has also ing people to invest in their real banned and are not allowed to are more than 22,000 camels is the families which were sep- H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser received 197 complaints from estate. The investors never complete their studies in the and other livestock seized in arated for no reason and still bin Khalifa Al Thani. Qatar Chamber, and is expected expected such problems to hap- siege countries. They were Saudi Arabia, and their owners can’t understand it especially to receive more in the next com- pen. They thought that any banned to take any papers are not allowed to take them since the Gulf countries lived like Free legal consultation ing days, because the Chamber from Saudi Arabia. They are also a single family and belonged to A group of lawyers have has received over 600 com- barred from sending fodder to the same tribes. decided to offer free consulta- plaints from companies. UAE seized my yacht worth QR1m their camels. Also, there are many human- tions to the affected persons. Issa It has evaluated the damages Many of the citizens have itarian cases. Many families from Al Sulaiti, who is offering free and has legal experts to study “I came to submit my com- tried to bring back their animals the siege countries wish to stay consultation, said that around 15 every case. After studying them, plaint about my yacht which was but their efforts failed as the in Qatar, but they fear that their lawyers were providing free legal the cases are sent to an interna- Saudi government denied entry governments would punish them consultations to residents on tional law firm. Most of the cases seized in the UAE. Its cost is to them. and would not renew their doc- how to submit their documents. the committee has received have around QR1m. The yacht is still Citizens are saying that these uments if they choose to stay “We have received about 30 calls been transferred to the law firm, with the company from which I animals are living in danger here. from people affected by the the source added. bought it. I am communicating because no one is there to take The committee was formed blockade asking different ques- A weekly meeting was held with some people there to see if care of them. At the Committee on July 9, and is chaired by the tions about how to file their recently by the Committee to there is any possibility to bring it headquarters, The Peninsula met Attorney General and includes cases, and we still welcome it”, study the cases and remove any a citizen who said that he had representatives of the Ministry he added. obstacles. The Committee is still here,” said a citizen, Ail Ibra- around 100 camels and two of Foreign Affairs and the Min- He also said that “people receiving complaints at its head- heem Al Fudala. vehicles and he didn’t know any- istry of Justice as members with must get their rights and should quarters at the Doha Exhibition He added: “I brought the doc- thing about them. He had come the possibility of coordination get compensation even if the dis- and Convention Center (DECC). uments needed like the invoice to the headquarters to submit his with several bodies in the State. pute is solved because the It will continue to receive all and other necessary papers.” complaint. It was inaugurated by Prime political issue and legal issue are cases of residents affected by the And the most important thing Minister and Interior Minister different. 04 HOME MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017

PM meets UK Secretary of Defence

Minister for State of Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah (right) and Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Michael Fallon, signing the Letter of Intent yesterday at the Ministry’s headquarters. The LoI aims to strengthen cooperation Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met and mutual support in the military and technical fields. BELOW Officials during the meeting. yesterday with Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Sir Michael Fallon and his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of their visit to Qatar. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and means of boosting them, especially in the security field. The meeting also discussed a number of regional and international issues, led by the Gulf crisis. Qatar to purchase 24 fighter jets from Britain Continued from page 1 cooperation between the two, aircraft by Qatar.” “This will be During a visit to the Gulf state and the opportunity to further the first major defence contract today, Sir Michael Fallon and his enhance the security of all part- with Qatar, one of the UK’s stra- Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin ners in the Gulf Cooperation tegic partners. This is an “The security of the GCC, of relationship, it will benefit years, and today’s Statement of Mohammed al Attiyah, signed a Council (GCC). important moment in our all Gulf countries, is critical to the Qatar’s military capability, and Intent demonstrates continued Statement of Intent concerning Defence Secretary Sir defence relationship and the UK’s own security. The UK and increase security co-operation confidence in Typhoon and Brit- Qatar’s proposed purchase of 24 Michael Fallon said: “After a basis for even closer defence co- Qatar share mutual Defence and interoperability between the ish manufacturing. Typhoon aircraft. number of years of negotiations operation between our two interests, including countering UK and Qatar and other GCC In addition to supporting The UK and Qatar share a between our two countries, I am countries. We also hope that this violent extremism, and ensuring Typhoon partners.” Royal Air Force operations pro- close and longstanding Defence delighted to have been able to will help enhance security within peace and stability in the region. The Typhoon is a multi-role tecting the UK in the skies above relationship, and today’s State- sign today with Qatar’s Defence the region across all Gulf allies “Not only will the purchase combat aircraft that has long- Britain and globally, the Typhoon ment of Intent further reinforces Minister, this Statement of Intent and enhance Typhoon interop- of Typhoon aircraft further term potential to be at the has already been purchased by this, deepening military on the purchase of 24 Typhoon erability across the GCC. strengthen this strong bilateral forefront of air power for many eight nations around the world.

Minister meets US official

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali met yesterday with acting Charge Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with other officials d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Doha, William Grant. During the meeting, they reviewed relations of cooperation between the two friendly countries and means of enhancing them in the fields of culture and sports. Qatar Post unveils new identity

Continued from page 1 New Hijri year Today marks a new beginning for teaming up with key business inister Al Sulaiti under- the postal services of Qatar.” partners both in Qatar and glo- on Thursday lined that Qatar Post has The transformation of Qatar bally. Qatar Post recently boosted Mall the strategic elements Post is based on three strategic its Digital Mailrooms and to achieve the ambition in devel- priorities: To enhance service expanded its Global Priority serv- The Peninsula oping the quality of postal services portfolio & customer experience; ice to both retail and corporate in and the communication sector in to build best-in class postal oper- partnership with UPS network. Its ccording to accurate general in line with Qatar Vision ations with automated postal e-commerce service CONNECTED astronomical calcula- 2030. equipment and modern IT sys- was recently streamlined to Ations by Qatar He stressed the commitment tems; and to nurture reduce the cost of shipping for the Calendar House (QCH), the to provide full support to Qatar organisational capabilities for benefits of customers. Earlier this new crescent of the Hijri Post to complete all the necessary employees by building an effec- year, the organization launched month “Al Moharram 1439 H” requirements for transformation tive work environment. Home Delivery now available to will be born on Wednesday to the business system, to enhance “As Qatar is moving towards all customers already registered 29 Dhul-Hijja at 8:31am. the economy of the sector and a knowledge-based society and a with a P.O Box, a first in the his- The time set of the new increase the quality of services diversified economy as laid out in tory of postal services in Qatar. crescent over Doha sky will according to international the National Vision 2030, Qatar In the months to come Qatar be 21 minutes after sunset and standards. Post is revolutionizing the postal Post will be expanding its footprint the moon will set after sun- Addressing the event Faleh Al industry by streamlining its oper- in Qatar with the opening of new set time over the sky of two Naemi, Qatar Post Chairman and ations, upgrading the postal branches, kiosks and smart lock- Holy Mosques (Makkah & Managing Director highlighted the network, expanding into new ers as well as launching new offers Madinah) and in all the Gulf importance of the organization’s areas of growth, and diversifying for both retail and corporate cus- countries by different dura- transformation process saying: the postal products and services tomers. Following the signature tion (20 - 22 minutes), Dr “Qatar Post’s modernization proc- while delivering a unique cus- of strategic partnerships with UPS, Beshir Marzouk said. ess is under way at full speed and tomer experience,” said a Turkish Post, Qatar Civil Aviation For most Arabic and is impacting all levels of the organ- statement issued by Qatar Post. Authority, Aspire Zone and Al Islamic countries, the time set ization. This journey has just This modernization process Meera, discussions are under way of the new crescent will be begun, and we will continue to is profoundly impacting the way with new partners in Qatar and after sunset time by different invest in order to build a sustain- Qatar Post is operating through- globally. Qatar Post is transform- time durations, where the able postal sector. Modern life is out the entire value chain of the ing the way national postal time duration between Moon nurturing the development of postal services. Qatar Post’s new services are delivered in Qatar. set and sunset will increase world-class products and serv- identity reflects its core values of The ultimate goal of this holistic in countries at the west of ices and is the pillar of our reliability, effectiveness, openness, transformation is to deliver best- Greenwich. The new crescent leadership in the postal sector. It modernity and excellence. Qatar in-class postal services to each is possible to observe over is both a privilege and a respon- Post is fully embracing the digital citizen’s and each business’ door almost of Arabic and Islamic sibility for Qatar Post to build a age and diversifying its product step and to position Qatar Post as countries sky by using astro- connected society in Qatar and to and services portfolio while a leader in the country and on a nomical telescopes. a connect our Nation to the world. investing in e-commerce and global scale. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 HOME 05 Hamad Port begins two new shipping lines

The Peninsula the new route inaugurated today for the country, especially as the goods have arrived directly from is the second direct link between Republic of China is the largest the ports of origin to Hamad Port he Director of Hamad Shanghai and Doha. source of goods to all countries without the need for intermedi- Port, Abdul Aziz He said that the new lines are of the world, adding that the ate ports, pointing to the Nasser Al Yafei (pic- an important addition to enhance direct lines with China will characteristic of shipping from tured), has announced the work of the port and its com- increase the volume of exports the provision of cost to import- the inauguration of petitiveness, noting that there are destined to the State of Qatar, ers. Ttwo new shipping routes linking other shipping lines will be which includes all types of goods He said Hamad Port, which the Hamad Port to the Southeast announced during the coming and products. He stressed the includes three major container Asia ports (Shanghai), while the period. He added that the Hamad Port’s commitment to providing terminals with a capacity of 7.5 other connects the port to the Port aims to complete the work all facilities available to compa- million TEUs per year, will play ports of the countries of the Med- of existing ports in the country nies, adding that the Port is ready a major role in covering domes- iterranean basin, and each will and represents an important to receive all types of shipments tic needs of goods as well as take one trip a week during 21 addition to the system of regional from different regions of the contributing to the needs of all days. and global ports, especially as world. countries in the region. “Hamad Port to receive more most of the ports of the region He pointed out that Hamad “Part of the Port’s strategy is than 1,000 vessels by the end of reached their capacity, noting Port began to reap the economic to acquire 35 per cent of the total this year and about one million that work is underway to make gains since the start of its work, Middle East trade next year and TEUs in the same period,” Al Hamad Port a major point of where it had launched about 15 is rapidly following up on this Yafei said while addressing a bringing re-export to the ports direct lines so far, that contrib- road driven by its strategic loca- press conference on the eve of of the region. ute to reducing the cost and tion and potential as well as the inauguration of two new ship- Al Yafei said that the new shorten the time, which is in the facilities it provides to compa- ping lines. He pointed out that lines will achieve economic gains interest of importers whose nies,” Al Yafei noted . International Primary Health Qatar backs IAEA efforts to safeguard N-activities Vienna Care Conference in November QNA H E Qatar’s Ambassador to the Republic he State of Qatar called for of Austria and Permanent Representative supporting the efforts of to the United Nations and International The Peninsula The International Primary slogan ‘Healthy Communities and Tthe International Atomic Organization in Vienna Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Health Care Conference will be Brighter Future.’ She also said Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Al Thani said that the State of Qatar believed he International Primary held with participation of a lead- that wide invitations that early application of the Agen- Health Care Conference ing group of local and extended to experts, specialists cy’s comprehensive safeguards that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon- Twill be held in Doha on international primary health care and those concerned with pri- agreements (CSAs) to all nuclear free zone in the Middle East that would November 17 and it provides an professionals. The conference is mary health care within and activities in the Middle East as a accelerate international efforts to achieve a opportunity for primary health expected to discuss the most outside the region reflect the con- fundamental step towards the care experts to share knowledge important issues related to this ference importance, especially establishment of a nuclear- peaceful and lasting solution in the region and network with other profes- area, through many sessions and that the group of experts who will weapon-free zone. and to rid the world of nuclear weapons. sionals in a global and diverse lectures that contribute to the participate in the conference Addressing the IAEA Gov- platform, says a senior official. exchange of experiences and through work papers, lectures, erning Council meeting, H E Huda Al Wahidi, Executive information. Al Wahidi added symposiums and workshops will Qatar’s Ambassador to the Director of Corporate Commu- that the conference would present a summary of their expe- Republic of Austria and Perma- accelerate international efforts East, stressing the importance nication at the Primary Health include several topics that will be riences and research in the field nent Representative to the to achieve a peaceful and last- of implementing these resolu- Care Corporation (PHCC), said covered for three consecutive of health care, which enables the United Nations and Interna- ing solution in the region and to tions, especially in the current that the significant preparations days, about health systems, qual- participated countries, especially tional Organization in Vienna rid the world of nuclear weap- circumstances which are wit- are being made within the Cor- ity improvement, management Qatar, to benefit from these expe- Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani ons. Qatar expressed regret over nessing a serious escalation as poration to ensure that the and medical practice, and health riences and employ it to serve the said that the State of Qatar the lack of implementation of North Korea continues its conference is delivered with the promotion and disease preven- citizens. believed that the establishment the international resolutions on nuclear weapons program in the utmost levels of perfection, accu- tion, as well as education, training of a nuclear-weapon-free zone the establishment of a nuclear- absence of international racy and professionalism. and capacity building, under the in the Middle East that would weapon-free zone in the Middle supervision.

Participants during the third annual summer internship, titled ‘Genome Interpretation: From Sequencing to Counselling’, hosted by Qatar Genome Programme. QGP raises knowledge level among interns in genomics

The Peninsula genomic reports, and some clin- screening process, due to high ical issues related to precision demand, including resident phy- atar Genome Pro- medicine. sicians, nurses, and graduates gramme (QGP) Professor Asma Al Thani, from pharmacy and biomedical recently concluded its Chair of the Qatar Genome sciences faculties across Qatari third annual summer National Committee, said, “This universities. Qinternship, a pro- internship aims to support “It was a unique experience. gramme designed to enhance workers in various health sec- The subjects and the selection the knowledge of healthcare tors to open up to the future of of lecturers were distinctive, and providers with the latest genome precision medicine, and to dem- the best part was our sense of issues related to the medical onstrate its importance in all mutual benefit, since each of us sector. different stages of research, came from a different medical The two-week internship analysis, and treatment options, background,” said Dr Sumaya ‘Genome Interpretation: from and genetic counselling; as both Abdul Aziz, whose colleague Sequencing to Counselling’ was genomic research and medicine Iman El-Ezzouani, a researcher attended by a group of resident will play a key role in the future at Weill Cornell Medicine - physicians and nurses at Hamad of healthcare worldwide.” Qatar, added, “The programme Medical Corporation (HMC), as Dr Said Ismail, Manager, helped me understand the future well as biomedical graduates QGP, said, “In Qatar, we aim to prospects of medicine.” and pharmacists from Qatari create a medical community that Another intern, Dr Ahmed Al universities. is ready to integrate with Ghabawi, a resident at HMC, The internship aims to genomic advancements, to pro- shared his experience, saying, “I develop the skills of interns in vide optimal and specialized hope that all healthcare provid- genomics to help them under- healthcare, based on our belief ers become aware of the stand the future of precision that the efforts of all medical applications of precision medi- medicine, with Qatar being one institutions should be combined cine, to provide better care for of the pioneering nations in this to practically apply precision patients.” The interns were men- area. The course includes an in- medicine.” tored by a group of experts in depth discussion on a number Fifteen interns were selected Qatar, comprising members of of issues from genome data, through a competitive various national institutions. 06 HOME MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 Event to broaden Toyota SUV at dream price at AAB

The Peninsula the vehicle and the Bank from assistive technology where the vehicle is financed. bdullah Abdulghani & For more information, the Bros. Co. (AAB), sole prospective buyers can visit services in schools Aagents for Toyota vehi- the Toyota Showroom anytime cles, has begun their exclusive from 8am – 9pm (Saturday – promotion for Toyota SUVs Thursday) and on Fridays from QNA special needs in the field of ‘assis- from September 15. This is an 5pm – 9pm. City Center show- tive technology’. It also aims to opportunity for the prospec- room is open from 9am he event for strengthen- establish training programmes on tive buyers to purchase their — 10pm (Sat urday to Thurs- ing the educational ‘assistive technology’ in public dream SUVs at an attractive day) and on Fridays, the capacity using ‘assistive schools and train 40 teachers in price you would have never showroom is open from 5pm technology programme’ order to directly evaluate the needs dreamt before. AAB is offering – 10pm. Alternately, they can launched yesterday in of 400 students in this category. this benefit for a limited period also call on their hotlines 800 Tcoordination with the Training and The programme’s phases are for limited stock. 1800 which are operational 24 comfortable and fuel efficient Service Station in Industrial Educational Development Center scheduled to be implemented by During the campaign hours from Saturday to Thurs- RAV4 which is powered by a area, Landmark Quick Serv- (TEDC) at the Ministry of Education December 2018, these phases period, AAB is offering very day. In addition to the above 2.5-liter gasoline engine. Toy- ice Center, Abou Hamour and Higher Education and Mada include establishment, training fol- attractive prices in their SUV attractive prices, the customer ota Fortuner has a compelling Quick Service Center, Al Nayef Assistive Technology Center. lowed by expert user projects for range of vehicles where the can also get free registration, design and appealing to cus- Quick Service Center, Wakrah The three-day event targets assistive technology by applying EMI price can be as low as in-house facility, 3 years’ war- tomers with its tough and Quick Service Center, Aziz special education specialists, and acquired skills. QR59 per day for Toyota RAV4, ranty or 100,000km forceful appearance. Fortuner Quick Service Center, Al Khor coordinators and teachers of addi- Special needs are the main fac- QR77/day for Fortuner, QR93/ (whichever comes first) and is available in 2.7L and 4.0L Quick Service Center and the tional educational support sections tor in increasing despairing day for Prado and QR124/day Trade-in facility are also avail- engines. Abdullah Abdulghani newly opened Service Center in schools. academic achievement, using for Toyota Land Cruiser. These able for all Toyota models. & Bros. Co. provides the best near to the Toyota Showroom The event aims to broaden the ‘assistive technology’ allows spe- are calculated based on 10% Terms and conditions apply. after sales facility to their val- (next to Al Mana Tower). assistive technology services in cial needs students to participate down payment and interest Toyota has a very good ued customers. The company Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. government schools and extend the in classroom environments with rate calculated at 4.5% per range of SUV line-up which operates 8 service centers Co. W.L.L. was founded in the special education specialists, coor- their peers. It also develops the annum for 48-month install- are known for their high Qual- across Qatar and some of the year 1958 by one of Qatar’s dinators and teachers with the teachers’ skills and their cognitive ment. However, the EMI may ity, Durability and Reliability. Service Centers operate seven pioneering business families support, skills and knowledge output to increase student vary depending upon the Entry level model of Toyota days a week. Toyota service and is the leading automobile needed to support students with performance. Model Grade, Model Year of SUV is the stylish, locations include: Toyota Main distributor in Qatar.

Qatar Cancer QU goes green as it calculates carbon footprint Society launches The Peninsula metric tons of CO2e over the same creating QU sustainability net- campaign time period. The team included work, with the aim of building an team from the Environ- QU Environmental and Sustaina- expertise base that will exchange ment and bility Specialist Eng Mays Abdalla ideas on issues related to carbon QNA Sustainability Section and student from QU College of emissions, and raise awareness at Qatar University’s Arts and Sciences Khan Moham- on the importance of adopting atar Cancer Society has (QU) Facilities and med Sazzadur Rahman. It is led more sustainable practices both launched an awareness GeneralA Services Department has by QU’s Facilities and General on and outside the campus. He Qcampaign to coincide calculated the QU’s carbon foot- Services Department Environ- also noted that the team followed with the “Childhood Cancer print, with an aim to make the mental and Sustainability the internationally recognized Awareness Month” which campus more environment Specialist Eng Husameldin Campus Carbon Calculator™ falls in September each year, friendly. Talballa. guide, issued by the Sustainabil- and aims at raising public The department has calcu- Eng Husameldin Talballa ity Institute at UNH. awareness of cancer, educat- lated the QU’s carbon footprint Eng Husameldin Talballa, Specialist at QU’s Facilities noted that 2015 values provide the QU’s Facilities and General ing families and strengthening 2013 to 2015, as part of the Uni- and General Services Department Environmental and baseline for developing sound Services Department Director Eng the role of society in support versity’s Sustainability Initiative, Sustainability and (RIGHT) Eng Mohsin Al Hajri, Director at strategies, programs and projects, Mohsin Al-Hajri noted that QU of children infected with the a strategic commitment to envi- QU’s Facilities and General Services Department. and that QU is the first university Campus Carbon Footprint analy- disease. ronmental sustainability through in the GCC region to measure its sis for 2013-2015 will serve to Director-General of Qatar research, teaching, and opera- average amount of emissions per CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) campus carbon footprint as an develop and implement a Climate Cancer Society, Mariam tional activities. person (staff and students) on QU in 2015, while the total campus operational exercise. He added Management Plan to reduce on- Hamad Al Nuaimi, said that The results revealed that the campus was 3.33 metric tons of carbon footprint was 63732.98 that this should be followed with campus carbon emissions. cancer is considered the sec- ond cause of death in children after accidents, according to global statistics, especially that the causes of childhood Katara plans Photography Festival VCUarts expo to mark cancer are often unknown but there are a number of factors that increase the risk, such as The Peninsula opportunity to meet the experts Qatar.” With this festival, Katara 20th anniversary the exposure to excessive and know them better. To help Cultural Village further affirms radiation or ultraviolet radi- atara – the Cultural Vil- further strengthen the country’s its support towards the human ation, smoking during lage Foundation will aspiration to embrace diversity, development pillar of the Qatar The Peninsula pregnancy or pre-fertilisation Kinaugurate its first ever the photographers will repre- National Vision 2030, by bring- period and others. Katara Photography Festival this sent different nationalities. ing together all communities to o mark the 20th anniver- Al Nuaimi noted that the year, while visually connecting Additionally, the festival will celebrate the most beautiful sary for Virginia Qatar Cancer Society is keen the beauty of art and people also host variegated workshops aspect of life – Art. TCommonwealth Univer- to reach all segments of soci- under one roof. The advent of that will be conducted by the The Cultural Village Foun- sity School of the Arts in Qatar, ety by launching awareness the fest will help ameliorate chosen professionals to talk dation is an exceptional project the university will celebrate the campaigns and activities that community living through the about different aspects of this of hope for human interaction diversity and success of their address all groups and ages. lens of art. art form. through art and cultural alumni through a special exhi- In a related context, Qatar The festival will be a first- HE Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al exchange – a project made pos- bition called 20/20/20 in the Cancer Society said that of-its-kind celebration of art Sulaiti, General Manager, Cul- sible thanks to the inspired Gallery at VCUarts Qatar from leukemia (bone marrow and reflecting Katara’s aim to amal- tural Village Foundation vision, solid faith and wise lead- tomorrow to October 31. blood cancers) is the most gamate well-known artists as – Katara, commented on the ership of the Father Emir H H The exhibition is curated by common type of cancer in well as amateurs in the field of upcoming festival stating, “It is Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al alumni and will showcase the children, while brain tumors photography. The fortnight long a great time for Katara Cultural Thani. Keeping pace with the work of 20 alumni from all pro- and the central nervous sys- festival will showcase profes- Village to host a photography emerging global culture that grammes, demonstrating how tem come second. sional photographers and their event that will help reassure and emphasizes the importance of VCUarts Qatar prepares its The Society stressed the work through exhibitions, where instill a sense of belonging and diversity in human alumni to take the leading edge importance of protecting chil- Qatar residents will also get an community in the residents of development. in designing the future. dren by taking a range of The 20/20/20 VCUarts Qatar measures, such as reducing Alumni Exhibition is an excel- radiation exposure during Session on stroke lent way to discover the pregnancy and focusing on outstanding works of a new gen- breastfeeding for at least 6 management held eration of art and design talent months and to ensuring that in Qatar. “Our Alumni show Communications. all required vaccinations are The Peninsula reflects the intellectual and cre- Maryam Yousuf Al-Homaid given. ative ambiance of two decades is an interdisciplinary designer It also called to help chil- multidisciplinary group at VCUarts Qatar and how our holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts dren adopt a healthy lifestyle of educators from collective contributions to art (BFA) in Graphic Design and a that includes healthy eating A Hamad Medical Corpo- and design has had a major Master in Design Studies from habits, exercise to maintain a ration’s Home Healthcare impact on our students, Qatar Virginia Commonwealth Uni- healthy weight, replacing Service (HCCS) recently and surrounding regions. The versity School of the Arts in unhealthy snacks with fruits, hosted a workshop for fam- exhibit gives us an opportunity Qatar. She is currently an Assist- vegetables and nuts, encour- ily members who care for to see how our artists continue ant Professor in the Graphic aging children to play active patients who have experi- to build on excellence and cre- Design department. games rather than electronic enced a stroke. During ate compelling artistry for years Ahmad Oustwani is the games. The Cancer Society sessions in English and Ara- to come,” said Dr. Akel I. Kahera, Alumni Relations Coordinator also stressed the importance bic, family members were VCUarts Qatar Dean. at VCUarts Qatar. Ahmad holds of early detection, which con- taught the benefits of stroke 20/20/20 is curated by a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in tributes to enhance the management at home. They VCUarts Qatar alumni Maryam Graphic Design with an Art His- chance of recovery from the listened to lectures from pro- Yousuf Al Homaid and Ahmad tory minor from Virginia disease through periodic fessionals and were Oustwani. The exhibition iden- Commonwealth University medical examinations of chil- encouraged to ask questions. tity design is created by VCUarts School of the Arts in Qatar and dren and attention to any The workshop covered a Qatar alumnus Moza Khalifa Al- is currently completing a Mas- signs early and report to the range of topics that are Suwaidi (BFA in Graphic Design, ter of Science (M.S.) in Student doctor, especially for those important for the ongoing 2013), who is also a graphic Affairs in Higher Education from most vulnerable to the care and treatment. designer at the Office of Colorado State University. disease. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 MIDDLE EAST 07 Siege: Qatar gains global support for wise policies

Fazeena Saleem The Peninsula The three panelists shared their analysis on the causes and consequences of the crisis, atar has overcome the unjust blockade what prompted Saudi Arabia and the UAE to imposed by siege impose the illegal blockade on Qatar. They countries and gained also highlighted the measures Qatar has taken Qglobal support due to in response politically, economically, and wise political, diplomatic and economic policies adopted by the diplomatically as well as how the country has leadership. Qatar has shown successfully defeated the blockade. resilience under the illegal siege, said experts sharing their insights about the blockade, during a dis- University in Qatar, shared their aspect. If you look at the media, cussion held yesterday at analysis on the causes and con- of the four countries, they are Georgetown University in sequences of the crisis, what attacking Qatar, yet the country Qatar’s, Center for International prompted Saudi Arabia and the that is wining the hearts and and Regional Studies (CIRS). UAE to impose the illegal block- minds of the people is Qatar. It The event ‘Crisis in the GCC: ade on Qatar. They also is because its following a very (FROM LEFT) Mehran Kamrava, Moderator, Center for International and Regional Studies; Causes, Consequences, and Pros- highlighted the measures Qatar high moral and have an ethical Shafeeq Ghabra, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University; Dr Abdullah Baabood, pects’ held at the University’s has taken in response politically, way of wining its goal,” he said. Director of Gulf Studies Program at Qatar University; and Gerd Nonneman, Professor of Education City campus, dis- economically, and diplomatically “Globally Qatar is wining the International Relations and Gulf Studies at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service cussed the impact of the unjust as well as how the country has crisis,” he added. in Qatar; at the panel discussion on crisis in the GCC at Georgetown University auditorium blockade imposed on Qatar since successfully defeated the Dr Ghabra, referred the yesterday. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula June 5. blockade. blockade quoting Winston The three panelists, Dr Dr Baabood said, that Qatar Churchill’s saying as, “We are at with Oman, they created a good words of Churchill, we are at the strong enough. International Abdullah Baabood, director of has shown extreme resilience the end of the beginning.” connection with Iran, managed end of the beginning,” he added. trade has been out on place and the Gulf Studies Program at under the siege and has shaken “Qatar was managing the cri- to workout relationships with the Dr Nonneman, during the the Hamad Port will be fully Qatar University, Dr Shafeeq the expectations of the other sis well. Usually managing crisis Europe,” he said. discussion highlighted that Qatar functional in the coming months. Ghabra, professor of political sci- countries. will make tension. But I saw “There was a one big miscal- is politically and economically So over the coming year, Qatar ence at Kuwait University and “Qatar has followed a high Qataris is calm. There was a min- culation in this entire approach strong at both local and interna- will be in a better position than Dr Gerd Nonneman, professor morale , in terms of how to deal ister working. There was no of blockade by other countries, tional levels.“I think the now,” he said. The event was of international relations and with the people from the four tension the way they managed as a result of that Qatar was able economic means of Qatar are in moderated by Dr Mehran Kam- Gulf studies at Georgetown countries in a humanitarian the crisis. They opened a route to hold itself. In this siege, as the place and banking sector is rava, Director, CIRS. Doha Institute holds Call for cooperation to fight terrorism

New York praising Qatar’s sponsorship of gathered, in 13 sessions, leaders Forum in cooperation with the orientation meeting QNA the Forum for 13 years. “on the issues we face, includ- State of Qatar, is dedicated to In a speech at the opening of ing devastating wars, independent research. It has he Executive Vice-Presi- the Forum, which is currently transnational terrorism, refugee gathered a large number of dent of the Brookings held in New York, Martin Indyk issues and policies that bring the researchers at the current ses- TInstitution Martin Indyk said that the Forum was held in Muslim world to a lower level of sion for enriching the Forum to has expressed his appreciation the wake of the 9/11 attacks and terrorism”, stressing that there deal with crises, pointing to the to the Emir H H Emir Sheikh brings together international is no more pressing task than need to listen to others and build Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for leaders to discuss differences these issues. bridges as all are affected by the his participation in the opening and build bridges. He said that the Brookings issues that the world is experi- of the US- Islamic World Forum, He noted that the Forum has Institute, which organizes the encing, he added. UN official: Arab societies face increasing injustice The Peninsula experience. They graduated and and intolerance worked in the most prestigious he Doha Institute for Post- Arab and international QNA graduate Studies universities. Tyesterday organised ori- The meeting was addressed E Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al entation meeting for 66 by the Acting President of the Nasr, High Representative professors faculty members for Institute, Dr Yasser Sulaiman Hfor the United Nations Alli- the academic year 2017-2018, Maali, who the professors about ance of Civilizations and the in the presence of Acting Pres- the Institute which established Representative of the UN Secre- ident of the Institute, Dr Yasser to fill a clear lack of interest in tary-General to the US- Islamic Sulaiman Maali, and Dr Hind Al the disciplines of social and World Forum said that Arab and Miftah, Vice-President for human sciences in particular in Muslim societies are witnessing Administrative and Financial Arab countries and societies, increasing injustice and intoler- Affairs. especially in the Gulf region at ance against them. The meeting aimed to intro- the postgraduate level. Dr. Speaking at the US- Islamic duce academic staff the Yasser called on the professors World Forum, organised by the important information about to engage in all its activities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New the Institute, whether those conferences and symposia, and York, H E Al Nasr said that many related to the rules, regulations contribute to publishing in its people have been caught in the and policies in force or the scientific journals. trap of distortion of Muslims administrative and technical Dr Hind Al Miftah, Vice- through the acts of terrorist and affairs and other issues of the President of the Institute for extremist groups , such as ISIS Institute. Administrative and Financial group (Daesh) through despicable This year, the Institute has Affairs, welcomed the faculty. and humiliating deeds .. That these received 20 new university “We hope that your choice to people forgot that the Muslims professors. The total number of join the Doha Institute will lead themselves are the first and main professors in the institute is 66 to an academic and research victims of these acts, he noted . professors, divided into 15 mas- commitment to contribute to He said that the UN Secretary- ter’s programs, all of them from the development of a new gen- General, Antonio Guterres, had backgrounds, academic, eration of intellectually asked him to represent him at this research and professional enlightened young people. important Forum as he attaches great importance to the promo- tion of constructive and positive dialogue as a means of promoting Katara to host Sudanese Forum mutual understanding. “He wishes you fruitful discussions and posi- QNA tive results.”, H E Al Nasr added. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasr said atara will host a Sudanese economic and cultural forum that the main objective of the between October 17 and 20. The forum is scheduled to United Nations Alliance of Civili- Kentail a wide array of events like cultural exhibitions high- zations is to promote dialogue, lighting the Sudanese folklore, photography, tourism, and understanding and tolerance, as archeology. An economic exhibition will also be scheduled and dialogue paves the way for better will feature 20 Sudanese companies showcasing their products. understanding of others and thus The forum will also include a series of cultural seminars, poetry “dispelling the fear of those who evenings and musical nights, which will be held with the partici- differ ethnically, culturally and pation of Sudanese writers, poets, and artists. religiously.” He pointed out that Katara and the Sudanese Embassy in Doha hold this forum as one of the objectives of the Alli- an effort to strengthen the cultural cooperation between both par- ance of Civilizations is to use a ties through hosting events that highlight the Sudanese civilisation comprehensive and multi-polar and to introduce the audience to all the different Sudanese cul- approach to study the state of rela- tures. This cooperation was agreed on during the meeting between tions between modern societies, General Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation- Katara, Dr their worldview and their mutual Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and Cultural Counselor of the embassy understanding which constitutes of Republic of Sudan, Abdel Ilah Abusen. these relations. 08 HOME MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 Expo helps companies to expand business

Sachin Kumar with the company,” Muhammad The Peninsula Bilal, Assistant Manager Market- The two-day event ing, Al Khayarin Plastic Factory ompanies participat- aims to support told The Peninsula. “Such events ing in the exhibition Qatar’s local are helpful in giving important have lauded the exhi- manufacturing leads which can be later con- bition organised industries involved in verted in deals,” he added. jointly by Qatar providing electricity, The two-day event aims to CDevelopment Bank (QDB) in col- support Qatar’s local manufac- laboration with Qatar General water and recycling turing industries involved in Electricity & Water Cooperation services. The providing electricity, water and (Kahramaa). They said the event exhibition seeks to recycling services. The exhibi- has helped them to clinch new connect local buyers tion seeks to connect local deals and expand their to companies and buyers to companies and man- business. manufacturers within ufacturers within the country. Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (centre), and other officials The third edition of ‘Buy “This kind of exhibition is during a tour at the exhibition ‘Buy Local Products 3’ to support Qatar Local Manufacturing the country. Local Products 3’ exhibition very helpful for companies look- at DECC yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula began yesterday at the Doha ing for new contracts. We are Exhibition and Convention by Qatar Development Bank. We participating for the first time get to know about procedures agencies, designers and other officials. “I was very happy to Centre. had a booth in the exhibition and in this exhibition and I am required by Kahramaa,” he said. stakeholders to a common plat- see many of top officials of gov- “I was chasing a big company to my surprise, a senior official hopeful that the exhibition will “We appreciate the efforts by form. We have also attended the ernment departments who for about two-three years to of the same company was at the be useful in getting new orders,” QDB and Kahraama to promote previous two editions of this visited our stall and asked strike a deal but the discussions event. After visiting stalls of other Nadheem V, Project Engineer, small and medium enterprises exhibition,” said Bilal. about our activities,” said a did not result into any concrete companies, he visited our stall Coastal Qatar told The Peninsula. and local companies. It has been Exhibitors were encouraged representative of a company result. Last year, we participated and asked us to visit his office. “Another benefit of participat- very help as it brings, contrac- by the positive and supportive having a stall in the in a similar exhibition organised Later on, I sealed a business deal ing in this exhibition is that we tors, consultants, government attitude of senior government exhibition. Kahramaa offers QR19bn investment opportunities

QNA during the first three months of 2018. sectors and to enhance the competitiveness of The project, which includes the construction small and medium enterprises, which is in the he President of Qatar General Electricity & of 24 reservoirs in five different locations, has interest of the country for economic diversifi- Water Corporation (Kahramaa) Essa bin been divided in some locations for more than cation, allowing the Corporation to obtain its THilal Al Kuwari said that Kahramaa offers one stage in order to benefit from the current equipment and supplies for electricity and water investment opportunities, most of which target capacity of these sites on storage, he added. companies from local suppliers. the domestic market at about QR19bn by 2022. Al Kuwari noted that Kahramaa has suc- Al Kuwari stressed that the Forum is an Al Kuwari said during a press statement on ceeded in moving forward and implementing opportunity for Qatari suppliers, manufacturers the sidelines of the opening of the third edition its projects according to its schedule with the and businessmen to enter into industries related of the Forum “Buy Local Products” that Kah- highest standards of quality despite the siege, to the electricity and water sectors of cables, ramaa needs until 2022 is estimated at QR7bn, due to its adoption of the principle of economic transformers and switches. which is a direct purchase, a priority for the local innovation and finding suitable alternatives He also pointed out that Kahramaa’s main market, while direct contracting contracts dur- locally and globally through economic open- objective is to get the products and equipment ing the same period about QR12bn, considering ness and opening new channels of cooperation it needs from local manufacturers and suppli- these figures represent a good opportunity for with different countries of the world, to diver- ers and to encourage investors and entrepreneurs national companies to enter the sector. sify sources. to enter this vital sector, and to emphasize its He also noted that the strategic water res- He said that Kahramaa was keen to cooper- commitment to the directives of the State to give Officials speak during the event ‘Buy Local Products ervoirs project has taken important steps ate with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to preference to the Qatari companies, as long as 3’ to support Qatar Local Manufacturing at DECC. and has been accelerated. It is expected that enhance the private sector’s ability to enter the they meet the quality and efficiency standards Pic: Sachin Kumar / The Peninsula the first phase of the project will be opened industries related to the electricity and water adopted by Kahramaa. Over 100 UAE firms shift QU receives accreditations for 11 programmes

operations to Qatar Sanaullah Ataullah The Peninsula Continued from page 1 helped Qatar in a big to to leven programmes of three Saleh Hamad Al Sharqi, emerge as one of the most colleges of Qatar Univer- Director-General of QC said: favourite investment destina- Esity (QU) have received “Every successive day we are tions for companies. academic accreditations, taking transforming the challenges in “My phone is flooded with the total list of the accredited to opportunities. In a way the enquiry calls from companies programmes of the varsity to 37. siege has come as a blessing in and individual investors from College of Engineering (CENG) Dr Khalifa Al Khalifa, (left) Dean, College of Engineering, Dr Ahmed disguise for the local economy, all corner the world who are got the highest number of seven Al Emadi, Dean, College of Education (centre), and Dr Tahra El Obeid, while the same has been prov- willing to invest and establish accreditations, followed by the Assistant Professor of Food Technology and Human Nutrition, ing as a double-whammy for businesses in Qatar,” Al Sharqi colleges of Education (CED) Qatar University President the blockading countries as added. which bagged three, and the Col- during the press conference at Qatar University, yesterday. they are losing business oppor- “With the opening of the lege of Health Sciences (CHS) Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula Dr Hassan Al Derham. tunities and market share, in new port (Hamad Port) and received one accreditation. addition to a significant dent in rapidly expanding Qatar Air- The details about the accred- CENG was awarded renewal to QU colleges’ numerous Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa said: the reputation of their econo- ways and Hamad International iting were given by QU officials of its five-year accreditation by achievements. It reflects QU’s “CENG has started a systematic mies in terms of investment Airport, Qatar has been attract- in a press conference held yes- the Accreditation Board for Engi- commitment to advance the process to apply quality assur- destinations.” ing companies from all over the terday to announce the neering and Technology (ABET) quality of its programs and the ance to all its programs. The Since the announcement of world, especially from Turkey, academic accreditation of QU for seven of its undergraduate level of its graduates, and the College continued its efforts of the blockade on June 5, Qatar Pakistan, Azerbaijan, India, colleges of Education (CED), programs — Chemical Engineer- University’s ongoing efforts to re-evaluation of its programs has been witnessing a remark- Kuwait, Oman, and scores of Engineering (CENG), and Health ing, Civil Engineering, Computer strengthen links with the and its academic and research able steady growth in the others.” Sciences (CHS). The press con- Engineering, Electrical Engineer- industry. Accreditation is a very goals, in line with the require- number of new firms register- Al Sharqi reiterated that the ference was attended by CED ing, Industrial and Systems important process to improve ments of its accredited status. ing in the country. illegal siege against Qatar has Dean Dr Ahmed Al Emadi, CENG Engineering, Mechanical Engi- the learning outcomes and to ABET highlighted in its assess- According to official data, proved self-destructive for the Dean Dr Khalifa Al Khalifa, and neering, and Computer Science. ensure that they align with the ment report the strong links that Qatar saw the registration of blockading countries. In the one CHS Human Nutrition Depart- ABET accreditation is the hallmark needs of the labor market. I CENG has built with the labor 1,766 new companies during hand business in those coun- ment Head Dr Tahra El-Obeid of excellence in applied and nat- applaud the efforts of the market, promoting student August 2017, witnessing a dou- tries have lost market access to in the presence of QU President ural science, computing, deans, faculty, and staff in con- engagement in local, regional ble-digit growth of over 11 the Qatari economy, and on the Dr Hassan Al Derham, QU VP for engineering and engineering tributing to this and international activities that percent compared to 1,590 new other, Qatar has explored new Academic Affairs Dr Omar Al technology. achievement.” develop their skills and firms registered during the pre- import and export destinations Ansari, QU officials, faculty and CHS Department of Human Dr Ahmed Al Emadi said: “By capacities.” vious month (July 2017). which are more consistent, reli- staff, as well as the representa- Nutrition was awarded a seven- achieving academic accredita- CHS Dean and QU Biomed- The Director-General of able and cost efficient. tives of the local media. year accreditation by the tion, CED reinforces its position ical Research Center Director Dr QC, the country’s oldest and “Look the number of CED was awarded a 5-year Accreditation Council for Edu- as the first national college of Asma Al Thani said: “The largest private industry repre- options an ordinary consumer accreditation by the Specialized cation in Nutrition and Dietetics education to prepare profes- achievement of the ACEND sentative body, highlighted that in Qatar enjoys today. Take the Professional Association (SPA)/ (ACEND) of the Academy of sional educators who are able to accreditation is a testament that governments firm commitment example of some food items Teachers of English to Students of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). serve the community and meet CHS Department of Human Nutri- about the ongoing massive such as tomatoes, chicken, milk Other Languages (TESOL) for its The ACEND accreditation has the needs of the labor market, tion meets the educational scale of investments and expen- and other dairy products… We Bachelor of Education in Second- been awarded to three univer- in line with international stand- standards of ACEND and that it ditures on mega infrastructure have some 16 varieties of toma- ary Education/English. The sities outside the United States ards. This achievement attests provides its students with the projects and other develop- toes at varying prices suitable College also achieved a 5-year – QU (Qatar), Kyung Hee Uni- to the quality of the educational required knowledge, skills, and mental activities in the run up to all segments of people. Sim- accreditation by the SPA/Council versity (South Korea) and programs offered at CED and competencies to join the dietetics to 2022 Fifa games and Qatar ilarly, we have much better for Exceptional Children (CEC) for Universidad Iberoamericana demonstrates the College’s com- profession”. Dr Tahra El Obeid National Vision 2030, the coun- milk and dairy products com- its Masters of Education in Spe- (Mexico), making QU the first mitment to ensure quality said: “The achievement of the try has come under the spot ing from the UK, Belgium, Iran, cial Education (MSPED), and a university in the Middle East to assurance and to provide an ACEND accreditation attests to light of global investors. Kuwait, India, Oman and scores 5-year accreditation by the SPA/ achieve this accreditation. optimal learning environment the quality of the programs He noted that the constant of other countries, in addition Teachers of English to Students of Commenting on this that contributes to shaping the offered by the Department of improvement in business- to fresh milk and dairy prod- Other Languages (TESOL) for its achievement, Dr Hassan Al future leaders in the field of edu- Human Nutrition and demon- friendly environment and ucts produced by local firms” Diploma in Secondary Education/ Derham said: “The new aca- cation, research and community strates their alignment with legislative changes, has also noted Al Sharqi. English. demic accreditation adds value service.” international standards. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09 Hamas agrees to hand Gaza to unity govt

Cairo/Ramallah planned to meet face-to-face but gave Reuters The Islamist group, which no date. Other Palestinian factions would Fatah welcomes Hamas pledge to end split join the talks later to discuss practical amas has agreed to disman- has ruled Gaza since a steps to implement the agreement, he Ramallah tle the administration that brief Palestinian civil war added. AP runs Gaza, it said yesterday, in 2007, said it had taken Mending fences with Western- a major step towards hand- “a courageous, serious backed Abbas would be another step in PRESIDENT Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement welcomed a pledge by its Hamas ing control of the and patriotic decision to Hamas’ diplomatic push to improve rela- rivals to accept key conditions for ending a decade-old Palestinian political and HPalestinian enclave to a unity govern- tions with its neighbour Egypt, which has territorial split, but said it wants to see vows implemented before making the dissolve the administrative ment after a decade of bitter rivalry with kept its frontier with Gaza largely closed next move. Repeated attempts at reconciliation have failed since the militant President Mahmoud Abbas. committee” that runs the and accused the group in the past of aid- Hamas drove forces loyal to Abbas from the Gaza Strip in 2007, a year after The Islamist group, which has ruled territory of 2 million people, ing Islamist militants in Egypt’s Sinai defeating Fatah in parliament elections. The takeover led to rival governments, Gaza since a brief Palestinian civil war and hand power to some desert, something Hamas denies. with Hamas controlling Gaza and Abbas in charge of autonomous enclaves in in 2007, said it had taken “a courageous, form of unity government. The United Nations’ envoy welcomed the Israeli-occupied West Bank. serious and patriotic decision to dissolve the news. “All parties must seize this Earlier yesterday, Hamas announced that it has accepted key Abbas demands the administrative committee” that runs opportunity to restore unity and open a for ending the split. This includes holding general elections in the West Bank the territory of 2 million people, and administration but could not agree on new page for the Palestinian people,” UN and Gaza, dissolving a contentious Gaza administrative committee and allow- hand power to some form of unity the details. A unity government formed Special Coordinator for the Middle East ing an Abbas-led “unity government,” formed in 2014 but until now unable to government. after Hamas won the last Palestinian gen- Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov said start operating in Gaza, to finally assume responsibility there. Reunification a decade after Hamas eral election, in 2006, was short-lived. in a statement, adding that the UN was The announcement came after separate talks by Hamas and Fatah delega- and Abbas’s Fatah movement battled for Aiming to pressure Hamas to relin- ready to assist the talks in order to alle- tions with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo in recent days. control of Gaza may hinge on whether quish control of Gaza, Abbas cut viate hardship in Gaza. Mladenov Egypt relayed Fatah demands to Hamas that as a first step, it must dissolve complex issues related to power-shar- payments to Israel for the electricity it thanked Egypt for its “tireless efforts in the administrative committee, its de facto government in Gaza, and allow the ing —which stymied reconciliation bids supplies to the enclave, leading to power creating this positive momentum.” unity government to take charge. “We accepted that as a sign of our good will in the past—can be resolved. The Fatah- provided for less than four hours on some Some opinion polls have showed that toward reconciliation,” Hamas official Hussam Badran told The Associated Press. led government, based in the West Bank, days, and never more than six hours a if parliamentary elections were held now, “The administrative committee is now dissolved and the government can hailed the move, announced after Egyp- day. Azzam Al Ahmad, who headed Hamas would win both in Gaza and the come to Gaza today to assume its responsibilities and duties,” he said. tian mediation, as “a step in the right Fatah’s delegation to the talks in Cairo, Israeli-occupied West Bank, the seat of Mahmoud Aloul, the No. 2 in Fatah, told the Voice of Palestine radio that “this direction”. Cairo’s efforts had presented told Wafa: “This step will enhance the Abbas’s Palestinian Authority. is encouraging news.” However, he cautioned that “we want to see that hap- a “historic opportunity” that could lead unity of the Palestinians and end ugly Abbas, 82, is 12 years into what was pening on the ground before we move to the next step.” to a new Palestinian election and ulti- division.” meant to be a four-year term as presi- Hamas has been greatly weakened by an Israeli and Egyptian blockade, mately statehood, a spokesman told the The two parties did not meet at the dent and opinion polls show him to be three wars with Israel and international isolation. Gaza’s economy is in tatters official news agency Wafa. talks which took the form of shuttle- unpopular. He has no clear successor and and residents of the territory have electricity for only a few hours a day. Hamas and Fatah agreed in 2014 to diplomacy with Egyptian officials no new presidential election appears form a national reconciliation mediating. Ahmad said the two sides imminent.

Iraq warns against Doubt looms over ‘second Israel’ in Kurdistan Kenyan poll rerun Baghdad AFP

Nairobi illegalities”, notably in the trans- n Iraqi vice president AFP mission of election results. warned yesterday that The court has until September ABaghdad would not oubts are growing over Ken- 22 to deliver the full ruling, which tolerate the creation of “a sec- ya’s ability to hold a rerun of would give the IEBC little time to ond Israel” after the Jewish Dits presidential election in just make any necessary changes. state became the only coun- one month as key players remain “It is very uncertain,” said Nic try to support a planned unable to agree on how to conduct Cheeseman, a professor of African Kurdish independence refer- a credible vote, analysts say. politics at the University of Bir- endum in northern Iraq. Bickering on all sides and con- mingham in England. “We don’t The leaders of autono- fusion over the process have only know if the Supreme Court is going mous Iraqi Kurdistan must increased as the clock ticks down to say something about technology, “call off the (September 25) to the October 17 vote, called after we don’t know if they are going to referendum that is contrary the Supreme Court annulled the ini- directly impugn any of the individ- to the constitution and does tial August election, citing uals in the IEBC. Will they have to not serve the general inter- widespread irregularities. be replaced? If so, how will that be ests of the Iraqi people, not Supporters of Kenya’s main political opposition, National Super Alliance (NASA) Opposition leader Raila Odinga done in the time frame?” even the particular interests has vowed to boycott the poll if a In the absence of the judge- presidential flag-bearer, Raila Odinga, react during a political rally in the Nairobi suburb of the Kurds”, said Vice Pres- list of demands are not met and on ment, the electoral commission has of Soweto, yesterday. ident Nuri Al Maliki. Sunday he launched a nationwide pushed forward with plans for a “We will not allow the campaign “against any election” new election, dismissing opposi- of seeking to block the vote as rigged through the hacking of its servers. Cheeseman said creation of a second Israel in run by the current electoral com- tion calls to sack its top officials. a way of forcing the president an electronic vote-tallying sys- that with the IEBC suffering the north of Iraq,” Maliki, a mission (IEBC), which he accuses “It was expected that the IEBC to accept a coalition tem. It said many of the from lost legitimacy, an ideal Shiite former prime minister, of rigging the first poll. would move swiftly to undertake government. so-called 34A tallying forms, solution would be for rival par- said at a meeting with US “The challenges are pretty far-reaching reforms. So far this has The National Super Alli- meant to back up electronic ties to sit down and negotiate ambassador Douglas Silliman, extraordinary,” said John Githongo, yet to happen,” the Daily Nation ance (NASA) of opposition results, were delayed and often the path to an election which in a statement released by the a prominent anti-corruption cam- newspaper said in an editorial on parties has formulated a list of had not been signed or could be acceptable to all. vice president’s office. paigner in Kenya, who said he Saturday, denouncing a “stalemate demands including the dismissal stamped, or were illegible or Increasingly bitter rheto- A country set up on a reli- believed the election date “does not which has created paralysis and is of certain officials, a change in lacking serial numbers or ric, however, has driven them gious or ethnic base, like the seem feasible because we are ask- confusing the public”. the procurement of election watermarks. only further apart. “A lot of the Jewish state established in ing people who have failed Fissures within the IEBC, mean- materials and live media cov- French biometrics firm language has been really wor- 1948, would not be accepta- calamitously to run an election after while, were exposed when a leaked erage of the declaration of OT-Morpho, which provided rying,” Cheeseman said. ble, Maliki said. such a short time”. A key hurdle is memo showed chairman Wafula results at tallying centres. the results transmission sys- pointed in particular to com- that the Supreme Court has yet to Chebukati outlining a raft of irreg- “IEBC as currently consti- tem, has said that an audit of ments by Kenyatta referring deliver its full judgement detailing ularities in the election to the tuted... cannot conduct a free its system showed no hacking to Chief Justice Maraga as a Mali mayor to run why exactly it decided to annul Pres- commission’s chief executive Ezra and fair election in October,” or manipulation of data. But “crook” and saying he would ident Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory. Chiloba. Kenyatta has insisted that Odinga said on Sunday. the IEBC has yet to comply “fix” the Supreme Court if re- for presidency Chief Justice David Maraga the election go ahead as planned, The opposition alleges that with a Supreme Court order to elected. He has also threatened mentioned only “irregularities and accusing his longtime rival Odinga the August 8 election was allow independent access to to impeach Odinga if he wins. Bamako AFP Turkey sends military vehicles, he mayor of Mali’s sec- Kuwait orders North Korea’s ond city, Sikasso, Tyesterday became the equipment to Syrian border first candidate to throw his envoy to leave within a month hat into the ring for 2018 Ankara location, along with heavy presidential elections in the Reuters equipment. troubled west African state. A third convoy of armoured Kuwait City The diplomat, who asked state’s ruler in Washington Kalifa Sanogo, who made urkey sent 80 military vehicles was heading to Hatay’s Reuters not to be named, said the earlier this month. his name in textiles before vehicles including tanks Reyhanli district, where Tur- ambassador, So Chang Sik, will Last month the Gulf coun- entering politics, said he Tto its southern border key’s Cilvegozu border gate uwait has ordered North leave following Kuwait’s deci- try stopped direct flights to and would stand for the Alliance with Syria, the state-run Ana- with Syria is located, Anadolu Korea’s ambassador to sion to downgrade the North from Pyongyang as well as for Democracy in Mali dolu news agency said said. Kleave within a month as Korean diplomatic represen- halting entrance visas and (Adema), though he must win yesterday. On Friday, Turkey’s foreign the Gulf country downgraded tation to charge d’affaires commercial licences, state a primary before becoming Citing a military source, ministry said Russia, Iran and diplomatic relations with level. news agency Kuna reported, the official candidate. Anadolu said the deployment Turkey had agreed to deploy Pyongyang, a North Korean dip- Kuwaiti officials did not citing an official at the foreign “At the request of thou- was part of reinforcements for observers around a de-escala- lomat in the Gulf region said immediately respond when ministry. sands of my supporters troops stationed along the bor- tion zone in northern Syria’s yesterday. asked to comment. The Kuwait foreign minis- gathered in Sikasso on Satur- der. The vehicles were sent to Idlib region, which is mostly The United Nations Secu- Kuwait, where around try said at the time it was day, I have accepted to the Iskendurun district of the controlled by militants linked rity Council imposed new 3,000 North Koreans live, has committed to implementing present myself as a candidate southeastern province of Hatay, to a former Al Qaeda affiliate. sanctions after North Korea’s been hosting North Korea’s sole Security Council resolutions on in the presidential election,” Anadolu said. It said the observers would sixth and largest nuclear test diplomatic mission in the Gulf North Korea, adding that it had he said by phone. Late on Saturday, Anadolu look to prevent clashes between this month, and the United region. stopped loans to the Asian state, The declaration may sur- also reported that the army had forces of the Syrian regime and States called on countries to Kuwait’s announcement banned imports and cut the prise supporters of incumbent dispatched first aid trucks and the opposition, and watch for sever diplomatic and financial comes after US President numbers of its diplomats in the President Ibrahim Boubacar military vehicles to the same ceasefire violations. ties with it. Trump met with the Gulf country. Keita. 10 VIEWS MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 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 Palestinian unity

inally, there are signs of a rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah groups in Palestine. It will be premature to guess Fwhere the current efforts will lead, considering the past failures in reconciliation attempts, but if the moves for unity succeed, it will be the best thing to happen to the Politics of water: Stealing Palestinians struggle for independence and can bring revolutionary changes to their struggle for freedom. The reason is that a lack of unity and the bitter enmity between Hamas and Fatah has been one of the biggest impediments to the realization of Palestinian dreams, Palestinian resources a situation which Israel has been exploiting, and to a large extent abetting, to its advantage. seriously obstructed the Palestinian’s abil- water for Palestinian communities. I also Hamas said in a statement yesterday that it has Dr Shaddad Attili ity to operate an effective water system. announced that we would no longer coop- agreed to a number of steps to end the long-running Al Jazeera Another independent study (pdf) con- erate with the quid pro quo system used feud with its rival Fatah. It has agreed to hold talks, ducted by Amnesty International in the by Israel to support its programme dissolve the Gaza administrative committee and hold same year came to a similar conclusion. expanding illegal settlements. Israel general elections to pave the way for a Palestinian Two years later the French National responded by punishing all West Bank unity government. Hamas called it “a courageous, Assembly report on its mission to the Pal- Palestinians by withholding approval of all serious and patriotic decision to dissolve the he announcement in July of a water estinian territories concluded that Israel PWA water projects. administrative committee” that runs the territory of prices agreement between Israel and was exercising “water apartheid”. The continuing Israeli intransigence two million people, while Palestinian leader Mahmoud the Palestinian Authority (PA) has been Israel attacked these reports and the created serious water shortages and Abbas welcomed the move, saying he would convene a hailed as a model of Israeli-Palestinian institutions that prepared them, but in a severe pressure on the PA to give in to meeting of leaders for discussions upon his return cooperation as well as a major achieve- brief attempt to prove their conclusions Israeli demands, and by early 2017 the PA Tment of the Trump administration’s efforts to wrong, rapidly approved a few Palestinian had returned to a JWC process only slightly from New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly. Both sides have taken the primary step, and broker a comprehensive peace deal in the Middle water projects. Within months, however, modified in ways that allow some limited now the complex issue of power-sharing needs to be East. Both the agreement and the process that Israel returned to its delay/disapprove, water projects — apart from drilling and yielded it, however, reveal a very different quid pro quo approval strategy. rehabilitation of wells — to be imple- addressed. Fatah and reality. It is the data comparisons of Israeli mented without prior JWC approval. Hamas will require plenty The water prices agreement is part of a and Palestinian water use that are ulti- Israel’s occupation authorities and import of determination and an larger Red Sea-Dead Sea conveyance project by mately the most damning. The World restrictions still control the extent and extraordinary willingness Israel, Jordan and the PA to build a conduit to Health Organisation’s minimum standard pace of Palestinian water development. to make concessions to move Red Sea water over mountains and down for domestic water use is 100 litres a day. Steps towards Real Israeli-Palestinian Fatah and Hamas make the current plan into the Dead Sea basin, with three outputs: the However, Israel has kept Palestinian water Cooperation must realise that work. This is because a generation of increased hydroelectric power, use in the West Bank and Gaza to well Despite these challenges, we in Pales- they have wasted plan to form a national more desalinated water for the parties, and an below that minimum, while providing sig- tine would like to enjoy a cooperative reconciliation precious time increase in water for the Dead Sea. nificantly higher amounts for its own relationship with Israel on water issues. administration in 2014 did For more than a decade, this conduit project citizens and the Jewish settlers in the West Israel and the Palestinian Authority could fighting each not succeed because both has been the subject of tense and difficult nego- Bank. On average, Israelis use 240-300 make a good start towards that coopera- other instead sides could not agree on tiations among the three parties. From a litres a day, while Palestinians living under tion by focusing on three joint initiatives. of fighting their the details. Palestinian perspective, this negotiation process Israeli military rule in the West Bank are First, Israelis could work together with Fatah and Hamas must common enemy. has been one of continuous fighting to be limited to 20 (in some rural areas) to 79 (in Palestinians to revise the operating rules of realise that their enmity treated equally and fairly with the other two urban areas), and in Gaza, the water sup- both the JWC and Military Civil Adminis- and the divisions they have states, despite the fact that the Israeli army ply is not fit for human consumption. The tration, with a goal of applying general sown in the Palestinian maintains overall control of occupied Palestine. inequality is even more glaring when con- international practice as occurs on shared society have been one of Even when the parties were agreed in principle sidering that Israeli settlers living next to aquifers and basins. the biggest impediments to on a project, Israel used its power to force Pal- Palestinians in the West Bank use an aver- Secondly, Israel could join the PWA in the fulfillment of estinians to accept less than what is fair. age of 400 litres/day. In many places, giving a high priority to implementing a Palestinian dreams. Instead of uniting against their For example, the three parties agreed in Palestinians struggle to get enough water respected 2011 study of the water crisis common enemy, which is united against them, they December 2013 to a Memorandum of Under- just to survive, while illegal Israeli settlers facing Gaza residents, including recom- spent their time and energy trying to weaken the other standing on Regional Water Sharing, involving a living right next to them water lush green mendations for a sequential programme and consolidate their power. The current desalination plant to be built at Aqaba, Jordan, lawns and fill swimming pools. to develop an effective water supply, dis- reconciliation bid must be the result of a realization coupled with a water swap between Israel and While I served as PA Minister of Water tribution and use system in Gaza. The that they have wasted precious time fighting each Jordan, and a sale of water by Israel to the Pal- and PWA head, we launched a reform proc- water supply in Gaza is currently more other, during which period Benjamin Netanyahu estinians. For three years, Israel insisted on a ess that restructured the Palestinian water than 97 percent polluted, endangering the effectively killed the peace process and grabbed the price for the water that the PA considered sector at all levels: managerial, regulatory health of all Gazans and threatening the remaining Palestinian land. It’s rare in history that a unreasonably high and unfair. After the recent and service provision. We expressed deep failure of the Gaza portion of the Coastal people fighting for freedom are so disunited. intervention by the US envoy, the PA found the concern about the failure to provide fair Aquifer. Israel could begin by providing Israel is expected to do everything to scupper the price “acceptable” even though it was higher access to the water resources in the Jordan the energy needed to support the proper unity bid as it had done in the past because it will be than prices it pays for other water from Israel. River or those in the West Bank aquifer and functioning of all Gaza’s water and waste- the biggest loser. As usual, Netanyahu will say that the The PA’s acceptance is understandable only in opposed Israel’s rigorous blockade of Gaza, water facilities. unity will promote terror and will harm the peace the context of the intense pressure Palestinians including its bombing of water and waste- Finally, Israel could join Palestine in face from ongoing water shortages and an inad- water facilities during its 2009 Gaza war. accepting International Water Law stand- process which he has already killed. equate infrastructure throughout its territories, In 2010, I asked for changes in the ards for allocating water within the Jordan Hamas and Fatah must overcome their differences a direct consequence of Israeli control. operation of the JWC to move its process River Basin by signing the 1997 UN Con- and not fall prey to the machinations of Netanyahu. Israel has been able to use its occupying from one of Israeli domination to joint vention on the Law of the power to extract well over its fair share of water cooperation. This initiative would allow Non-Navigational Uses of International from the main aquifer that lies below the West the PWA to complete Watercourses. This action would signal Bank. Using mechanisms imposed by its army most of its projects with Israel’s acceptance of a fair and equitable and established by the Oslo agreements, Israel useful Israeli advice, but process for allocating and managing joint QUOTE OF THE DAY severely limits Palestinian access to that aquifer, without the threat of water resources. and to the surface water of the Jordan River. Israeli veto, and thus Israel should not build and use its The 1995 Oslo Interim Agreement estab- provide better access to power by depriving the Palestinians it has lished a joint water committee (JWC) to review occupied for the past 50 years of access to If North Korea keeps on and approve all water projects in the West their fair share of their natural resources. with this reckless behaviour, Bank, with the stated objective to enhance While the diplomatic While the diplomatic process remains if the United States has cooperation. Unfortunately, the reality is that process remains largely largely frozen between Israel and the Pal- to defend itself or defend Israeli water experts have used this JWC process frozen between Israel and estinians, by moving forward together to its allies in any way, North to delay or disapprove Palestinian water the Palestinians, by moving solve our water problems we can chart a Korea will be destroyed. projects until Palestinians agree to approve course forward that will safeguard the water projects favouring Israel’s expanded (and forward together to solve vital resource of water for the future of And we all know that. And illegal) settlement programme. The effect: a our water problems we can both peoples. none of us want that. None “quid pro quo” policy, with the Palestinian chart a course forward that of us want war. water system held hostage to Israel’s expanding will safeguard the vital The author is an advisor ranking minister at the settlement activity. Palestine Liberation Organization’s Negotiations resource of water for the Nikki Haley In 2009, the World Bank issued a highly Affairs Department and was Palestinian Author- US Ambassador to the UN critical evaluation of Israeli behaviour in the future of both peoples. ity Minister of Water and Head of the Palestinian water sector in which it noted that Israel had Water Authority (PWA) from 2008 to 2014. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 OPINION 11 Germany’s far-right party is about to be stronger than ever

The result of all of this, said Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian Lochocki, is that identity politics The Washington Post hijacks the national conversation and people stop paying attention to core economic issues. “There’s a reason why the Brit- ish economy is facing some mericans can be forgiven for thinking problems,” he said. “This is not a Germany has already successfully problem in the short term, thwarted Alternative for Germany (AfD), because the German economy is the Deutsch version of the right-wing doing fine. But the European populist movements pounding on the economy and the world economy gatesA of Europe. When the overtly racist AfD’s are highly dependent on the Ger- numbers sank in the polls in March, observers man economy.” across the West felt relieved to know that the Euro- If the AfD is able to amplify its pean Union’s backbone and strongest advocate message with its powerful new would not fall to the far right. parliamentary megaphone, Germans, however, feel little such relief. In fact, dynamics similar to what led to many are worried sick about the virtual certainty of Brexit could unfold in Germany. a far-right party’s entrance to Parliament. That’s But certainly not all is lost. One because even a small AfD presence in the Bun- Bundestag staffer affiliated with destag could have the power to disrupt German the SPD said it is too early to know politics and even derail its economy. whether the AfD will be able to Unfortunately, there are a couple of things wield long-term influence. Americans just don’t understand about Germany. “I think the AfD will become a The first is that in parliamentary democracy, minor significant concern if they manage parties matter. The second is that given the true to establish themselves in the Ger- nature of populist disruption, populists can still Election campaign bus of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in Frankfurt Oder. man political spectrum and ruin everybody’s day even without capturing a sin- become a permanent force on the gle branch of government. opportunity to form coalitions with the major par- expert on right-wing populism at the German Mar- extreme right,” said the staffer, Germany has five parties represented in its ties if the electoral dice land right; they could even shall Fund. Each Bundestag member is given who spoke on the condition of Bundestag. Two are the major parties, Angela Mer- serve as leader of the opposition. money to hire several staffers, so even just 30 or so anonymity. “This is not yet the kel’s center-right Christian Democratic Union and With the AfD set to join the Bundestag after the seats would mean AfD members will have about case.” the center-left Social Democratic Party. But there September 24 elections — it’s polling well above 100 people working for them in the Bundestag. The solution, the staffer and are several smaller parties, as well, each carrying the 5 percent threshold required to make it in — it “That means their organisational capacity will Lochocki agree, is for Germany’s 10 percent of the vote, more or less. These minor will become party number six. In fact, the latest increase massively overnight,” said Lochocki. “This conservative parties to articulate a parties have access to government funding and poll shows the AfD tied for third place behind the is of utmost importance to bear in mind.” strong conservative message that resources, fill committee chairs, and have the CDU and SPD, indicating there’s a strong chance it Up until now, the AfD has primarily had to rely brings AfD supporters back into could become the third-largest party in the German on media coverage or reactions from other parties the fold. The AfD purveys both a Parliament. And if the CDU and SPD continue their to spread the party message for members, he conservative and an anti-demo- grand coalition, what does that mean? explained. But once it’s in the Parliament, “the cratic message. Even if the CDU With the AfD set to join the That an openly racist, anti-euro, anti-immi- party itself will have the chance to build up their swings right, it will never adopt an Bundestag after the September grant, party that has embraced nationalism will momentum on their own.” anti-democratic platform. Merkel, serve as the leader of the opposition in the Ger- Still, it matters that Germany’s far right has no we’re looking at you. 24 elections — it’s polling well man Parliament. chance of winning a majority or taking the chan- above the 5 percent threshold The party will be the first to speak after Merkel cellorship, right? I hate to be the bearer of bad required to make it in — it will gives speeches; members might head up the pow- news. A primary way right-wing populist parties become party number six. In erful budget committee. That’s a terrifying prospect wield influence in politics is by changing how other to anyone even remotely concerned with Germa- parties behave rather than by making policy them- fact, the latest poll shows the ny’s “war burden,” as they call it here. But the selves. Larger, more established parties might AfD tied for third place behind reality is that it doesn’t matter how many seats the co-opt the populist message to attract voters, mak- D-RING ROAD the CDU and SPD, indicating AfD gets in the Bundestag. What matters most is ing sweeping promises they will later have to POST BOX: 3488 there’s a strong chance it could that they will get any. follow through on. Brexit was a perfect example of The AfD could garner up to 70 or so seats. But that. DOHA - QATAR become the third-largest party even if they perform far worse than expected, they Theresa May isn’t technically a member of the [email protected] in the German Parliament. will still have access to a vast amount of govern- UK Independence Party, but she might as well be — ment resources, explained Timo Lochocki, an she’s carrying out their anti-EU agenda for them. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Guatemala is on the verge of a major crisis MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4462 7505 The work of local prosecutors in cooperation political class, but also its close links with the business elite, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR with the CICIG bore fruit, and an anti-corruption which until then had thought itself beyond the reach of the law. Alfredo Ortega Franco TEL: 4455 7769 Al Jazeera movement was born. Civil society demanded results Now, the anti-corruption probes have reached President from the judicial processes and helped push for the Morales himself and his family. His brother and son have been removal of members of the corrupt political estab- accused of alleged fraud and embezzlement and are facing LOCAL NEWS SECTION lishment from office. trial. Furthermore, the CICIG requested Mr Morales’s immu- TEL: 4455 7743 uatemala, as most of Central That same year, general elections took place nity to be lifted on the grounds of alleged illegal campaign America, is known for deep- and Jimmy Morales, a former comedian,was elected financing. Two days later, Mr Morales declared the commis- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION rooted corruption in its to the highest public office. He campaigned on being sioner persona non grata on Twitter and ordered him to leave TEL: 4462 7535 governmental institutions. Yet an outsider and not part of the corrupt political the country immediately. His decision was overruled by the in 2015, the country made glo- class. Although many thought that was true, it was Constitutional Court, but the political crisis is set to continue in SPORT NEWS SECTION Gbal headlines for its efforts to change this. clearly not the case for members of his political the following weeks. TEL: 4455 7745 It came after massive protests party, Frente de Convergencia Nacional (the The unexpected has happened and there is little room for unfolded in response to a variety of high- National Convergence Front - FCN). certainty. The situation is constantly changing and there are ONLINE SECTION level corruption scandals, which resulted The FCN was founded by former military officials credible reports that the president is seriously considering dis- TEL: 4462 7501 in the resignation and indictment of that were allegedly involved in gross human rights obeying the Constitutional Court ruling. This will plunge [email protected] former President Otto Perez Molina and violations during Guatemala’s decades-long civil war. Guatemala into a deeper constitutional crisis and the end his Vice President Roxana Baldetti. These From early on, the party has sought the expulsion of result of such a scenario is anybody’s guess. The national and PUBLIC RELATIONS major happenings opened an unparalleled the CICIG, as they saw it as a threat to the country’s international media, civil society, and the international com- opportunity for the Central American “sovereignty”. This might explain why, after the elec- munity have decried Mr Morales’s actions. The president’s TEL: 4455 7613 country to transform the political system tion, the FCN was quick to ally itself in Congress with political allies are, for the most part, members of the corrupt [email protected] and eliminate deep-rooted corruption. members of the corrupt political establishment alleg- political establishment that seek “stability”, i.e. impunity. At present, however, the political edly tied to organised crime and the criminal Leaders of the private sector, on the other hand, are ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT establishment is divided. As further anti- networks that engulf all branches of government. divided. They are worried that the anti-corruption efforts are TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 graft efforts have led to more than a Throughout 2016, the anti-corruption move- creating an environment of uncertainty that would discourage FAX: 4455 7870 hundred former cabinet members facing ment led by the general prosecutor, in cooperation possible investors and slow down economic growth. However, [email protected] trial, entire sectors of the elite now oppose with the CICIG, continued to pursue a series of business elites must bear in mind that uncertainty and distrust meaningful change, including current investigations against Guatemala’s corrupt elite. It to the country is created by widespread corruption and the CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT President Jimmy Morales. In a stunning persisted even in the face of failed attempts to intro- corrupt political class. Without rule of law, there is no stability TEL: 4455 7857 move, during the early morning hours of duce reforms to strengthen the judicial system, for anyone, let alone investors. [email protected] August 25, the second anniversary of the sabotaged by the supporters and beneficiaries of the On the other hand, parts of civil society are still falling into national strike, he announced his decision status quo with the government and Congress. the trap of equating every single political opponent to the cor- SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION to expel the head of the UN-backed inter- In June 2016, a massive illegal party financing rupt establishment. Failing to recognise the nuances between TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 national commission against impunity scheme was revealed. It involved over 50 high-pro- factions of the private sector only plays into the rhetoric of the FAX: 44557819 (CICIG). file politicians, bankers, and business owners. This defenders of the status quo. Such an extreme measure was consid- rocked the foundations of not only Guatemala’s Emerging political leaders, the private sector, civil society, [email protected] ered by many analysts an outright political and popular movements must recognise that a common suicide. The reasons that led the president agenda benefits everyone except those involved in corruption. go through the unthinkable have been Powerful sectors of the elite which, for now, have remained on All thoughts and views building up over the past year. A renovation of the political the sidelines of this process need to unequivocally support the expressed in these columns 2015: The campaign against the crimi- class is crucial. It is now anti-corruption efforts and a minimum set of reforms. This nal elites includes the overhaul of the judiciary and the electoral system. are those of the writers, not The year 2015 was a watershed clear that the current A renovation of the political class is crucial. It is now clear of the newspaper. moment in Guatemala’s contemporary political establishment is that the current political establishment is only interested in political history. The massive protests that only interested in short-term short-term fixes and very few members are interested in a All correspondence unfolded that year were sparked by a fixes and very few members long-term plan for the country. regarding Views and series of exposes that revealed an intricate Yet, these efforts will be fruitless unless local leaders and Opinion pages should be corruption scheme that involved the sit- are interested in a long-term members of the Guatemalan elite acknowledge that mutual ting president, vice president and a cadre plan for the country. concessions are necessary to consolidate a democratic rule of mailed to the of high-level cabinet officials. law. The success of the fight against corruption depends on it. [email protected] 12 ASIA MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 Modi inaugurates Narmada dam project

Dabhoi IANS The project, whose foundation stone was laid rime Minister Naren- on April 5, 1961, by India’s first Prime Minister dra Modi inaugurated Jawaharlal Nehru, is expected to benefit the ambitious 138 Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and metre inter-state Maharashtra. Other than water, the hydro power Sardar Sarovar Dam project at Narmada dam produces 1,450 MW of Pproject on Narmada river on his 67th birthday yesterday, linking power too. it with his “mission” to create a new India and roared: “I will live for your dreams, I will die for have been on the path to progress strut hundreds of kilometers for your dreams.” much earlier. But it was our mis- water and poor farmers”. The Prime Minister, who was fortune that we had to lose Modi said, “This is an emo- expected to reach the dam site at them,” he said speaking in Hindi tional moment for me. I don’t Kevadiya Colony around 9.15am to a large, attentive crowd. celebrate birthdays but today is Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the Sardar Sarovar Dam project in Gujarat yesterday. from Gandhinagar after receiv- He said governments formu- ‘vishwakarma jayanti’ and today ing blessings from his late and implement schemes, a son has blessings of lakhs of octogenarian mother Heeraba, some of them face problems too, mothers. This is not a govern- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and had to take a de tour due to bad but “Maa Narmada is the only ment programme, this is not a Maharashtra. Other than water, Modi’s birthday marked weather. He landed in Dabhoi one which encountered the max- BJP event, this is a celebration of the hydro power project at Nar- and travelled to Kevadiya Col- imum hurdles. At one time, the the people. mada dam produces 1,450 MW ony by car, reaching a little over entire world had ganged up “The quantity of cement con- of power too. as ‘Sewa Divas’ by BJP an hour later. against the scheme, the World crete that has been used to set up Earlier, on reaching Addressing the valedictory of Bank decided and stopped the this dam is incredible. The mate- Kevadiya, Modi performed reli- New Delhi Ministers picked up brooms a Narmada Mahotsav organised loan to the ambitious project on rial required to construct an gious rituals and dedicated the IANS and swept the streets in Delhi by the ruling BJP through 85 the pretext of environment but eight-kilometer-wide concrete completed Sardar Sarovar Dam promoting Modi’s Swachh chariots that went around the the people of Gujarat stood firm. road from Kashmir to Kanyaku- project, whose foundation stone ishes poured in for Bharat Abhiyan. state during the last 10 days “They were committed to mari and from Kandla to Kohima was laid on April 5, 1961, by Prime Minister Naren- Defence Minister Nirmala before reaching Dabhoi, an complete the dam even if the has gone into putting this struc- India’s first Prime Minister Jawa- Wdra Modi on his 67th Sitaraman took part in a clean- hour’s drive from the dam site, Word Bank stopped giving ture,” Modi said. harlal Nehru. birthday yesterday, being liness drive at Gopinath Bazar in Modi said: “Today is the culmi- money. Even temples of this state “The Sardar Sarovar Project The project has since under- observed by the ruling Bharatiya Cantonment area. Environment nation of a dream that Sardar organised donations for this is an engineering marvel. It gone several upheavals before Janata Party (BJP) as “Sewa Minister Harsh Vardhan hosted Patel saw to end the water crisis dam,” Modi said, adding that the should be part of the curriculum seeing light of the day 56 years Divas” or day of service. an eye check-up camp and took of the states in western India water of Narmada was not sim- of engineering studies in the later. According to the Gujarat As the Prime Minister inaugu- part in cleanliness drive. much before I and many of us ple water but “it is paaras”. country.” government, drinking water rated the Sardar Sarovar project Bihar Chief Minister Nitish were born. He said he had never Dubbed as ‘Lifeline of would be supplied to 8,221 vil- at Kevadia in Gujarat, BJP leaders Kumar, Finance Minister Arun “There were just two indulged into politicking over the Gujarat’, the height of the Sardar lages, 159 towns and eight cities and ministers took a lead in clean- Jaitley, BJP President Amit Shah mahapurush (great statesman), Narmada dam since it satiates the Sarovar dam was recently across the state through the dam. liness and other campaigns. and Home Minister Rajnath Sardar Patel and Babasaheb thirst of “lakhs of mothers, who increased to 138.68 meters, tak- A total of 17.92 lakh hectares “On his 67th birthday, wish- Singh greeted the Prime Minis- Ambedkar, in India. If they had used to trek kilometres, tribals ing the water storage capacity to of land across 3,125 villages ing Prime Minister Narendra ter. “Seva is the best way to lived even a few more years, the who had to migrate far away, 4.73 million acre feet (MAF). would be irrigated with Narmada Modi a long life and many years celebrate the birthday of Prad- western states would already jawans at the borders in parched This is expected to benefit the dam waters, with flood control of service to the nation,” Presi- han Sewak Narendra Modi,” have had water and India would regions, mute cattle who had participating states Gujarat, benefits in 30,000 hectares. dent Ram Nath Kovind tweeted. Shah tweeted.

NEWS BYTES Nation mourns death of hero Marshal Arjan Singh

Railways reduces sleeping time in train New Delhi first five star officer of the IAF. he never forgot his discipline.” NEW DELHI: Arguments between passengers allotted the IANS President Kovind, also the In Delhi, Defence Minister lower and middle berths in reserved train coaches are com- Supreme Commander of Indian Nirmala Sitharaman laid a mon and in a bid to end this issue, the Railways has decided resident Ram Nath Kovind Armed Forces, said he was wreath on the air warrior’s body to reduce the official sleeping hours in its trains by an hour. and Prime Minister Naren- “extremely saddened to learn on behalf of the Prime Minister. According to a circular issued by the Railway Board on August Pdra Modi yesterday led the about the passing of our great and Sitharaman said a state funeral 31, the passengers allloted to the lower berths in the reserved nation in mourning the death of cherished air warrior — a hero of would be given to Arjan Singh. coaches can only sleep between 10pm and 6am and must allow Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) World War II who won our And if weather permitted, a fly- those allotted middle or upper berths to sit there for the rest Arjan Singh (pictured), who will nation’s gratitude for his military past may also take place to of the time. Earlier, the existing permissible time for sleeping be given a state funeral today leadership in the 1965 War”. honour the soldier. in reserved coaches was between 9pm and 6am. morning. Remembered for his Modi, who was in Gujarat to The cortege will leave at 8.30 role in leading the fledgling IAF dedicate the Sardar Sarovar Dam a.m. on a gun carriage and will Activists want Yamuna cleaned to save Taj in the 1965 war with Pakistan, to the nation on his birthday, reach Brar Square in Delhi Can- Arjan Singh died in a hospital paid tributes to the “brave tonment area around an hour AGRA: River activists yesterday demanded firm steps to revive here yesterday after a massive soldier”. later for the last rites. and rejuvenate the virtually dying Yamuna river. Braj Mandal heart attack. He was 98. “Even at the age of 98, he Three service chiefs -- Heritage Conservation Society President Surendra Sharma His mortal remains were would be dressed in uniform. He Admiral Sunil Lanba, General said there was an urgent need to construct a barrage some kept at his residence 7A, Kauti- would come on a wheelchair but Bipin Rawat and Air Chief Mar- 10km downstream of the Taj Mahal to ensure that the river lya Marg for people to pay whenever he would see me, he shal B S Dhanoa — also paid their was always full of water behind the 17th century monument. respects to the war hero — the would stand. He was a soldier, respects. This would also bring down the high dust level in the ambi- ent air which was proving a threat to the safety of the world heritage monument, he said. Shravan Kumar Singh of the River Connect Campaign said union Minister Nitin Gadkiri Congress starts had promised that within two years steamers and ships would Talks with Pakistan meaningless till be ferrying tourists from Delhi to Agra but so far not a single signature concrete step had been taken. it stops exporting terror: Rajnath campaign against Yesudas seeks permission to pray at temple fuel price rise Nizamabad said this had no parallel in the THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Legendary playback singer K.J. IANS country’s history. He said after Yesudas has applied for a permission to pray at the famed Sree killing of five Indian civilians in New Delhi Padmanabha Swamy temple here on the occasion of Vijay- nion Home Minister the border by Pakistan in 2014, IANS adeshmi. Vijayadeshmi falls on September 30 this year. The Rajnath Singh (pictured) he had directed Border Security letter from Yesudas, who was born to a Roman-Catholic family, Uyesterday said that talks Force (BSF) to give a strong elhi Congress chief was sent through a special messenger to the temple author- with Pakistan will have no reply. Ajay Maken yesterday ities. A final decision will be taken by the temple committee. meaning unless the neighbour- “I told Director General of Dbegan a campaign in ing country stops exporting BSF that India believes in non- the national capital to collect terrorists to India. violence and hence we will not 10 lakh signatures against the He alleged that Pakistan was fire the first bullet but if Paki- rise in the price of petrol and continuing its attempts to desta- stan starts firing, nobody should diesel. He said the party will bilise India by sending terrorists be able to even count the Indian stage a protest on September and by violating the ceasefire on bullets,” he said. 20 at Jantar Mantar to the borders. terrorists to destabilize India, Rajnath Singh vowed to root demand rollback of the excise Addressing a public meet- talks with Pakistan will have no out the problems of terrorism, and VAT (value added taxes) ing organised by the Bharatiya meaning,” he said. extremism and Maoism. He said on petrol and diesel. Janata Party in this Telangana Stressing India wanted good India had emerged as a power- Maken arrived at a petrol town to mark ‘Telangana Lib- relations with all its neighbours, ful country and no power can pump near Zakir Hussain eration Day’, the Minister he recalled that it was with this cast evil eye on it or threaten its College, in central Delhi, claimed that situation on the intention that heads of states of sovereignty. along with scores of party border had changed and that all neighbours were invited to The Home Minister said the workers to collect signatures India is no longer a weak the swearing in of the new gov- 13 month period from August 15, — the party proposes to col- country. ernment but one neighbour 1947 to September 17, 1948 was lect signatures of 10 lakh A mahout riding an elephant as he collects money “Some people say talks - Pakistan - never responded a dark chapter in India’s history people from the city. Maken from a driver on the National Highway, some 35kms should be held. We are saying positively and continued its as the ruler of Hyderabad State accused the Bharatiya Janata from Dharmanagar in the northeastern state of Tripura, we can have talks with anybody attempts to weaken India. committed repression on peo- Party (BJP) government of yesterday. but unless Pakistan stops Stating that India is giving a ple, who want to merge with hiking the excise duty on pet- exporting terror and sending befitting reply to the terror, he India. rol and diesel by 11 times. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 ASIA 13 Army chief Rain and evictions add to Rohingya misery Ukhia AFP urges unity eavy monsoon rain heaped new misery yes- Hterday on hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohinyga stuck in makeshift camps in over Rohingya Bangladesh after fleeing violence in Myanmar, as authorities started a drive to force them to a Yangon new site. AFP Yesterday, With food and water short- Myanmar’s ages already making life tough, yanmar’s army chief has torrential rain brought back urged the country to government hinted swamp-like conditions to many Munite over the “issue” of that it may not parts of the border town of Cox’s the Rohingya, a Muslim group take back Rohingya Bazar which has become a mag- he says has no roots in the coun- who fled across the net for the Rohingya. try, and which his troops are About 7.7cm of rain fell in 24 accused of systematically border, accusing hours and more is predicted in purging. those refugees of the next two days, the Bangla- The military says its “clear- having links to the desh Weather Department said. ance operations” in northern militants. Bangladesh authorities, who Rakhine state are aimed at have already issued travel flushing out Rohingya militants restrictions on the Rohingya, A fight breaks out during the distribution of bananas in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s who attacked police posts on truth,” the post said. launched an operation late Sat- Bazar, Bangladesh, yesterday. August 25. The defence of his army’s urday to get tens of thousands out But the violence has operations comes amid strident of roadside camps and hillside being cleared to build new villages made their way to the order even prevented them from engulfed the border region and global condemnation of the vio- shanties into a giant new camp. shelters. other country for fear of being taking shelter with friends and triggered an exodus of more lence, which has strapped The United Nations says “We are shifting them from arrested as they got involved in relatives. than 400,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh with the over- 409,000 Rohingyas have now the roadsides where many of the violent attacks. Legal protec- Checkpoints have been set up Bangladesh, where they have whelming task of providing overwhelmed Cox’s Bazar since them have been staying,” Kha- tion will be given to the villages at key transit points. told of soldiers slaughtering shelter and food to a rising tide August 25 when the military in led Mahmud, a government whose residents did not flee,” the With thousands more civilians and burning down of desperate refugees. Buddhist-majority Myanmar spokesman for Cox’s Bazar dis- government’s Information Com- Rohingya arriving each day, entire villages. But inside Myanmar the launched operations in Rakhine trict told AFP. mittee statement said. Bangladesh authorities fear the UN leaders have described army is riding a new wave of state. As existing camps are Mahmud said gradually all Previous statements have refugees could swamp other the campaign as having all the support from a public that has already full with 300,000 the new Rohingya would be said the country will set up relief towns and cities across the coun- hallmarks of “ethnic cleansing” incubated hatred against the Rohingya fleeing earlier violence, taken to Balukhali to bring order shelters in northern Rakhine for try. But the United Nations is of the Rohingya, a stateless Rohingya for years. many of the Rohingya have been to the chaotic aid operation. Muslims “who can guarantee already warning of intolerable group that has endured years of Yesterday, Myanmar’s gov- forced to live in the open air or On Sunday Myanmar’s gov- they are in no way connected to conditions in the camps around persecution and repression. ernment hinted that it may not under flimsy plastic sheets. ernment hinted that it may not the terrorists”. Cox’s Bazar. The status of the Muslim take back Rohingya who fled Police toured streets with take back Rohingya who fled On Saturday, Bangladesh The rain “has doubled their minority has long been a explo- across the border, accusing loudspeakers ordering exhausted across the border, accusing those police issued tough new orders misery”, said Mohammed Kai- sive topic in Myanmar. those refugees of having links families to go to the Balukhali refugees of having links to the banning the Rohingya from mov- Kislu, police chief at Ukhia near Many in the Buddhist major- to the militants. camp in Cox’s Bazar, which is militants. “Those who fled the ing out of designated areas. The Cox’s Bazar. ity view the group as foreign “Those who fled the villages interlopers from Bangladesh made their way to the other and deny the existence of a country for fear of being Beijing bans Rohingya ethnicity, insisting arrested as they got involved in Philippines President likens they be called “Bengalis”. the violent attacks. Legal pro- General Min Aung Hlaing, tection will be given to the works in winter Myanmar’s globe-trotting army villages whose residents did not chief, trumpeted that view in flee,” the government’s Infor- rights chief to child abuser to improve comments posted on his official mation Committee statement Facebook page Saturday. said. Manila in teenagers? I am questioning saying “remarks such as these air quality “They have demanded rec- Previous statements have AFP this.” are unhelpful and deviate the ognition as Rohingya, which has said the country will set up relief Duterte also insisted that public’s attention away from Beijing never been an ethnic group in shelters in northern Rakhine for hilippine President Rodrigo killing children was not excep- critical human rights issues”. Reuters Myanmar. (The) Bengali issue is Muslims “who can guarantee Duterte has likened the tional, as he accused the rights “The death of children con- a national cause and we need they are in no way connected Pnation’s human rights chiefs and other critics of using cerns us all as they are especially eijing will suspend con- to be united in establishing the to the terrorists”. commissioner to a “paedophile” the teenagers’ deaths as part of vulnerable and need state pro- struction of major for expressing concern over the a political opposition tection,” the statement from Bpublic projects in the police killing teenagers in the campaign. commission spokeswoman Jac- city this winter in an effort to leader’s ongoing war on drugs. “It is all politics. Why can’t queline de Guia said. improve the capital’s notori- Police have reported killing you move on to other issues that Duterte won last year’s pres- ous air quality, official media more than 3,800 people in anti- are besetting this country,” idential election on a said yesterday, citing the drug operations since Duterte Duterte said, referring to an law-and-order platform in municipal commission of took office 15 months ago, while insurgency conducted by Islamic which he promised an unprec- housing and urban-rural thousands of others have been militants in the south of the edented campaign to eradicate development. All construction murdered in unexplained country. “Just because a kid was illegal drugs in society by killing of road and water projects, as circumstances. killed? That happens up to 100,000 traffickers and well as demolition of hous- The recent deaths of two everywhere.” addicts. Many Filipinos back the ing, will be banned from teenagers have fuelled rising The policemen involved in drug war, seeing it as a quick November 15 to March 15 opposition to the campaign, with the teenagers’ deaths initially solution to widespread crime, within the city’s six major dis- the influential Catholic Church said they killed them in self according to a series of polls over tricts and surrounding and leftist activists among the defence. However, the National the past year. Duterte and his suburbs, said the Xinhua most prominent critics. Bureau of Investigation said the aides frequently seek to discredit report. During a speech late Satur- policemen murdered one of the or disempower critics of the drug The period spans the four day, Duterte turned on Jose Luis boys and planted a gun on him, war. Duterte’s allies in the lower months when heating is sup- Gascon, the head of the Commis- and are still investigating the house of Congress last week plied to the city’s housing and sion on Human Rights. death of the other teenager. voted to cut the annual budget other buildings. “That Gascon, how many Public attorneys allege that of the Commission on Human China is in the fourth year Rohingya refugees protect themselves from rain in Balukhali days has he been saying: ‘teen- police also murdered the other Rights, a body mandated under of a “war on pollution” refugee camp near the Bangladesh town of Gumdhum ager, teenager’? Duterte said. boy. The Commission on Human the constitution, from $13.5m to designed to reverse the dam- yesterday. “Why are you so interested Rights responded to Duterte by just $20. age done by decades of untrammelled economic growth and allay concerns that hazardous smog and widespread water and soil High stakes in Myanmar ahead of Suu Kyi’s TV address contamination are causing hundreds of thousands of early deaths every year. Bangkok will break a near silence since sparked by Rohingya militants’ she is choosing the lesser of two political future with a bloc of leg- Beijing has promised to AFP the ulcerous ethnic and religious raids on 30 police posts in evils. “She’s signalling that her islative seats and total control impose tough industrial and hatreds in western Rakhine state Rakhine state. chief priority is the relationship over security. traffic curbs across the north s Rakhine state burns and erupted into killings on August The UN calls the army fight- between the government and Over the last two years, Suu of the country this winter in Rohingya flee, Aung San 25, sending 400,000 Muslim back a “textbook example of military and that the pogrom is Kyi’s gradualism, and her refusal a bid to meet key smog ASuu Kyi is preparing to minority Rohingya fleeing into ethnic cleansing” with villages secondary to that,” Francis to upset the organisation that targets. address Myanmar on the crisis Bangladesh. set ablaze to drive Rohingya Wade, author of ‘Myanmar’s kept her under house arrest for In the capital, it is aiming for the first time — a high wire Some 30,000 ethnic Rakhine civilians out. Enemy Within: Buddhist Vio- almost two decades, has seen the to reduce airborne particles act seeking to soothe global out- Buddhists and Hindus have also Many abroad are puzzled as lence and the Making of the sprouting of the first green known as PM2.5 by more than rage without baiting an army been internally displaced. to how rights can be flagrantly Muslim ‘Other’’ told AFP. shoots of the rule of law in a quarter from their 2012 lev- that is again showing its teeth. In an interview with the BBC, denied to a specific group by a “This obviously raises ques- Myanmar. els and bring average Suu Kyi took office last year UN Secretary General Antonio people who once nobly tions about the quality of But the eruption of violence concentrations down to 60 as Myanmar’s first civilian leader Guterres said the stakes were demanded their own in the face leadership she seeks to bring, but in Rakhine and the pressure microgrammes per cubic after 50 years of junta rule. high for tomorrow’s speech, call- of a junta. also that the political game in from the outside world for her metre. She has since focused her ing it a “last chance” to stop the Suu Kyi’s televised address Myanmar is worth the sacrifice to “do something about it” risks The city experienced near energy on the delicate political unfolding humanitarian — likely at least in part to be in of entire communities.” upsetting that balance. record-high smog in January dance between her civilian gov- calamity. English — comes ahead of a Suu Kyi’s National League for All the more so in a country and February, which the gov- ernment and the generals who “If she does not reverse the meeting at the UN General Democracy (NLD) swept the where the majority of the pop- ernment blamed on still hold many of the levers of situation now, then I think the Assembly in which Myanmar is board when the military permit- ulation shares the military’s view “unfavourable weather power. tragedy will be absolutely hor- expected to be hammered over ted elections in 2015. that Rohingya Muslims — whom conditions” Tomorrow, the Nobel laure- rible, and unfortunately then I the crisis. Before they loosened their it disparagingly calls “Bengalis” Some ‘major livelihood ate will give the biggest speech don’t see how this can be But analysts say her power chokehold on power, the gener- — are interlopers bent on taking projects’ such as railways, air- of her time in office. reversed in the future,” he said. to stay the military is limited, and als wrote themselves into the land and resources from ports and affordable would, The nationally-televised turn The latest violence was her response thus far indicates constitution, embedding their Buddhists. however, continue. 14 ASIA MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017

Philippines unrest Rise in suicide Ex-Pakistan numbers among Afghan women

Kabul PM’s wife set Anatolia p to 3,000 people are committing suicides in UAfghanistan each year, to win bypoll 80 percent of whom are women, an official said yes- terday. Speaking at an event Lahore “First of all thank Allah mil- on suicide prevention in cap- AFP lions times because he has ital Kabul, Afghanistan blessed your mother and leader Independent Human Rights he wife of former Paki- with the success,” she said. Commission (AIHRC) Com- stani Prime Minister The unofficial results were missioner Qudri Yazdan said TNawaz Sharif was on compiled by officers at polling while suicides continue to be course to win a parliamentary stations and handed to officials on the rise in the country, sev- by-election for her husband’s from contesting parties. Elec- eral cases go unreported. seat, which became vacant tion Commission of Pakistan “Families avoid reporting when he was ousted from will announce the final and offi- cases of female suicides due office, according to unofficial cial results later this week. to [fear that it would tarnish early results yesterday. Sharif’s supporters cele- their] ‘honour’. Smoke billows from houses after aerial bombings by Philippine Airforce planes on Islamist The Supreme Court ended brated in the streets yesterday She pointed out the militant positions in Marawi City on the southern island of Mindanao, yesterday. Sharif’s tenure as prime minis- night, dancing to drums and alarming fact that 80 percent ter and banned him from songs blaring from loudspeak- of the cases were females. holding public office in July fol- ers and shouting slogans while lowing an investigation into the Lahore sky was lit by corruption allegations against fireworks. him and his family, triggering Traditional sweets were the by-election for his Lahore distributed by the workers and Japan PM considers snap vote in October seat. supporters to celebrate the Sharif’s daughter Maryam expected victory. led the campaign on behalf of The PTI party, on course to Tokyo junior coalition partner, the or after an expected visit by U.S. public, including how we will her mother Kalsum, the candi- finish second, is led by former Reuters Komeito party, that he might dis- President Donald Trump in early cope with the threat from North date, who is being treated for cricketer Imran Khan, who solve parliament’s Lower House November. Korea,” Koichi Hagiuda, a sen- throat cancer in London. The played a key role campaigning apanese Prime Minister for a snap poll after the legisla- Abe will probably make a ior LDP executive, told NHK. seat has long been controlled for Sharif’s dismissal. Shinzo Abe is considering call- ture convenes for an extra decision after returning from a Given that there is no need by Sharif and his allies, but the A candidate from the Milli Jing a snap election for as early session from Sept. 28, the September 18-22 trip to the for a general election until late by-election was seen as a test Muslim League, a new political as next month to take advantage sources said. United States, the sources said. 2018, a snap poll could prompt of the popularity of his party, party backed by Jamaat-ut- of his improved approval ratings Top LDP and Komeito offi- Abe’s ratings had sunk below criticism of Abe for creating a Pakistan Muslim League Dawa (JuD), which is listed by and disarray in the main oppo- cials will meet today to discuss 30 percent in some surveys in political vacuum at a time of ris- Nawaz. the United Nations as a terror sition party, government and preparations, they added. July, battered by suspected cro- ing tensions over regional According to unofficial outfit, was expected to finish ruling party sources said “Until now, it appeared the nyism scandals and a perception security. However, an early vote results from most of polling sta- third in the race. yesterday. election would be next autumn, that he had grown arrogant after would not only take advantage tions, Kalsum had secured more Another candidate, Abe’s ratings have recovered but ... we must always be ready more than four years in office. of Democratic Party disarray but than 59,000 votes while her Muhammad Yaqub Sheikh — to 50 percent in some polls, for battle,” domestic media His popularity rebounded could also dilute a challenge main rival Yasmin Rashid from who ran as an independent helped by public jitters over quoted Komeito party chief Nat- somewhat after a cabinet reshuf- from an embryonic party that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) because his party has not yet North Korea’s missile and suo Yamaguchi as telling fle in early August and has since allies of popular Tokyo Gover- party had bagged more than been registered — appeared on nuclear tests and chaos in the reporters on Saturday during a been helped by worries over a nor Yuriko Koike, an ex-LDP 44,000 votes. campaign posters alongside opposition Democratic Party, visit to Russia. volatile North Korea, which on lawmaker, are trying to form. “Today people have given Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the which has been struggling with One option is to hold a snap Friday fired a ballistic missile Abe’s coalition would be their verdict over the (court) leader of JuD, who has a $10m single-digit support and election on October 22, when over Japan, its second such move likely to lose its two-thirds verdict,” Maryam told a jubi- bounty on his head and is defections. three by-elections are sched- in less than a month. “super majority” in the lower lant crowd gathered at the under“preventative Abe told executives of his uled, the sources said. Other “If we have a snap election house but keep a simple major- party’s office. detention”. Liberal Democratic Party and its possibilities are later in October now, we need to explain it to the ity, political sources have said. Students Thai investigators trail funds to nail down wildlife traffickers sent home Bangkok number of cases illustrating how crimes. That allows law enforce- vulnerable node in the syndicate Suspicious transactions and AP nations are shifting tactics in ment agents to use actions without whom the syndicate bank clients can be “red flagged” from Islamic fighting a global wildlife traffick- against traffickers such as seiz- wouldn’t work,” said Galster, for agencies including financial n most cases, the conviction ing market worth up to $23bn, ing assets, monitoring of whose group has teamed up with intelligence units to monitor and school of a Thai man trafficking after decades of relying on head- financial transactions and red- law enforcement agencies to investigate, it says. Watch lists Irhino horns through a bizarre line-grabbing police raids that flagging suspicious accounts or bring down several trafficking of alleged poachers can be scheme that involved hiring have had little overall effect in individuals. rings in recent years. shared. Jakarta women to pose as trophy hunt- halting illicit trades. With crime gangs increas- A new report this week calls “We’ve been very slow to Reuters ers would have marked the end The idea is “to pick the ingly turning to wildlife this effort “urgent,” given how recognise wildlife crime as seri- of the story. pocket of the wildlife traffickers smuggling as a lucrative trade, quickly crime gangs are ous transnational organised tudents at an Islamic But investigators took an and try to freeze them in their experts say customs agents and evolving. crime,” said Cathy Haenlein, one school that Indonesian unusual, next step — deciding to tracks,” said Steve Galster, police need to begin adopting Agencies fighting wildlife of the report’s authors. Sauthorities have linked “follow the money” that helped founder of the anti-trafficking these tools commonly used to crime need to conduct finan- The trafficking epidemic has to Islamic State returned bankroll the South African oper- Freeland Foundation. fight drug lords and other crime cial investigations after every surged in recent years as home after villagers nearby ation. That led to a court order The approach is quickly kingpins. bust — to identify broader incomes in Asia have risen. demanded its closure, a last year to seize Chumlong Lem- becoming mainstream. “We’ve gone beyond kicking crime networks and uncover Tonnes of carved ivory, ivory school spokesman said tongthai’s Thai bank accounts The UN General Assembly down the door and looking for criminal proceeds that can be tusks, rhino horns, live pango- yesterday. and other assets, including a this week urged the world’s animals in the back room, to frozen or confiscated, says the lins and pangolin scales have A Reuters investigation house worth $142,000, to shut nations to adopt laws that allow looking at who’s the kingpin, report by the Royal United been seized in just the last few published this month found him down. wildlife crimes to be investigated who’s the transportation coor- Services Institute, a British months in Malaysia, Thailand, at least eight staff and four It was one of an increasing as potential money-laundering dinator, who ultimately is the think tank. Vietnam and Indonesia. students from the Ibnu Mas’ud school in Sukajaya, West Java, either travelled or tried to travel to Syria to join Monkey King at Tiananmen the jihadist group between Man dies in ‘Buried 2013 and 2016. Spokesman Jumadi told Reuters the school was empty after the local police chief Alive’ haunted house said failure to comply with the closure demands would Hong Kong Halloween-themed festival at lead to a “big demonstration” AFP Ocean Park running from Octo- by residents from five sur- ber 5 to 31. rounding districts. man has died in a The park’s website said vis- The school denies it sup- haunted house attraction itors would “experience being ports IS, or any other militant Acalled “Buried Alive”, as buried alive alone, before fight- groups. It also says it does not Hong Kong’s largest amuse- ing their way out of their dark advocate a violent or extreme ment park prepared to kick off and eerie grave”. version of Islam. its annual Halloween festival. Visitors are supposed to get Jumadi, who goes by only The 21-year-old man, sur- inside a coffin-turned-slide, one name, said the police named Cheung, was hit by a local media said, and slip warning prompted the school coffin on Saturday, local media through into the haunted house to call parents to pick up the said. Cheung was found uncon- where they would experience roughly 250 students. scious five minutes after he what the park’s website Police could not be entered the attraction, Ocean described as “a rocky maze immediately reached for Park chief executive Matthias filled with dreadful ghouls”. comment. Li said Saturday, expressing Hong Kong’s government One of the four students, “deep sorrow” over the said it believed Cheung entered Hatf Saiful Rasul, left for Syria tragedy. the house safely but wandered A participant dressed as Monkey King runs past Tiananmen Square during the annual when he was 11 and died He was confirmed dead in off into a restricted area where fighting with IS a year later in Beijing Marathon in China yesterday. hospital, police said. he was struck by September 2016. “Buried Alive” is part of a machinery. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 ASIA 15 US ratchets up pressure on Pyongyang Somerset way, North Korea will be AP destroyed and we all know that Trump tweeted and none of us want that,” Haley op advisers to Presi- yesterday that he said. “None of us want war. But dent Donald Trump and South Korean we also have to look at the fact yesterday warned President Moon that you are dealing with some- North Korea to give up one who is being reckless, its missile and nuclear Jae-in discussed irresponsible and is continuing Tweapons programmes and to North Korea during to give threats not only to the quit making threats against the their latest telephone United States, but to all their US and its allies or face conversation on allies, so something is going to destruction. have to be done.” The warnings came a day Saturday. McMaster also addressed after leader Kim Jong Un vowed published reports that Trump has to continue the weapons pro- changed his mind about with- grammes, saying North Korea is H R McMaster said Kim is “going drawing the US from a global nearing its goal of “equilibrium” to have to give up his nuclear climate agreement. And he sug- in military force with the United weapons because the president gested that Friday’s bomb attack States. They also came as world has said he’s not going to toler- in London could lead Trump to leaders begin arriving in New ate this regime threatening the introduce a stronger travel ban. York for the annual meeting of United States and our citizens The Wall Street Journal and the UN General Assembly this with a nuclear weapon.” other news organisations week, where North Korea will Asked if that meant Trump reported Saturday that Trump be high on the agenda. would launch a military strike, administration officials, speak- Trump is making his first McMaster said “he’s been very ing at a climate meeting in appearance at the UN General clear about that, that all options Montreal, discussed a compro- Assembly, his biggest moment are on the table.” mise that would involve staying on the world stage since Janu- Some doubt Kim — Trump North Koreans watch news report showing North Korea’s Hwasong-12 intermediate-range in the deal but revising US cli- ary’s inauguration. He is referred to him as “Rocket Man” ballistic missile launch on electronic screen at Pyongyang station in Pyongyang, North Korea. mate change goals. scheduled to address the world in yesterday’s tweet — will ever The White House denied Sat- body, which he has criticised as agree to give up his arsenal. most powerful bomb. “too bad.” Haley also warned of a “massive military response, a urday that Trump’s position had weak and incompetent, “I think that North Korea is The UN Security Council has a tougher US response to future response both effective and changed. McMaster also said the tomorrow. not going to give up its pro- voted unanimously twice in North Korean provocations, say- overwhelming.” reports are false. He said Trump Trump tweeted yesterday gramme with nothing on the recent weeks to tighten eco- ing the Security Council has Trump has threatened to rain decided to leave the Paris climate that he and South Korean Pres- table,” said Senate intelligence nomic sanctions on North Korea, “pretty much exhausted” all of “fire and fury” on North Korea if accord because it is bad for the ident Moon Jae-in discussed committee member Dianne including targeting shipments of its options and that she would be the North continues with its American people and the envi- North Korea during their latest Feinstein, a California oil and other fuel used in missile happy to turn the matter over to threats. Haley said that wasn’t ronment, but that “the president’s telephone conversation on Sat- Democrat. testing. US Ambassador to the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis an empty threat from the presi- ears are open” to possible par- urday. Trump spoke with Moon Kim has threatened Guam, a United Nations Nikki Haley said “because he has plenty of mili- dent but she declined to describe ticipation in a new agreement from his New Jersey golf club, US territory in the Pacific, and North Korea was starting to “feel tary options.” the president’s intentions. that addresses his concerns where aides said he was spend- has fired two missiles over Japan, the pinch.” Mattis said after Kim tested “If North Korea keeps on about the original 2015 deal. ing the weekend preparing for a US ally in Asia, including a mis- Trump tweeted yesterday a hydrogen bomb earlier this with this reckless behaviour, if Trump said as much earlier his UN debut. sile launched on Friday. North that long lines for gas are form- month that the US will answer the United States has to defend this year when he announced his US National Security Adviser Korea also recently tested its ing in North Korea and called it any threat from the North with itself or defend its allies in any decision to withdraw.

Malaysia politician Haley threatens North Korea with destruction back in Washington Russia, which is hosting tens of staggering casualties. AFP thousands of North Korean So far, every effort to per- workers. suade the North to back away Najib’s party onald Trump’s adminis- Washington’s ambassador to from its fast-developing nuclear tration ramped up the the United Nations, Nikki Haley, and missile programmes — Bloomberg Dpressure on North Korea kept up the rhetorical pressure including its most powerful Washington yesterday ahead of a week of ahead of the upcoming meetings nuclear test yet, on September high-stakes diplomacy at the in New York, asserting that if the 3 — has proved futile, at times former Malaysia gov- United Nations, warning North should pose a serious even seeming to prompt new ernment minister who Pyongyang will be “destroyed” threat to the US or its allies, acts of defiance from Ashifted allegiance to if it refuses to end its “reckless” “North Korea will be destroyed.” Pyongyang. the opposition has returned nuclear and ballistic missile As the US and its allies At the request of the United to the ruling party, according drive. emphasise the diplomatic track, States, the Security Council will to Prime Minister Najib With US officials and their South Korea is also deploying a hold a ministerial-level meeting Razak. allies scrambling to find ways to state-of-the-art US missile Thursday on ways to enforce the Muhammad Muhammad contain an increasingly bellig- defense system. In their latest latest sanctions, which include Taib, known as Mat Taib, is erent Pyongyang, the US call, the White House said Trump an export ban on textiles, freez- rejoining the United Malays president will address the UN and Moon had committed to ing work permits to North File picture of White House National Security Adviser H R National Organisation from General Assembly tomorrow and “take steps to strengthen deter- Korean guest workers and cap- McMaster looking on as UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks the People’s Justice Party, or then confer Thursday with his rence and defense capabilities” ping oil supplies. during a press briefing at the White House. PKR, Najib told reporters Japanese and South Korean of South Korea, offering no Haley said sanctions had yesterday. counterparts on the sidelines of details of how it might do so. already provided a “punch in the everything they can, short of a to protect itself from “hostile” US Local reports earlier in the meeting. Analysts say that in the event gut” to Pyongyang but that strict military conflict, to resolve this forces and is determined to build the day said a “major The Security Council last of hostilities, millions of people enforcement was crucial. problem.” the capacity to deliver a nuclear announcement” would be Monday imposed a new raft of in the Seoul area — as well as the Separately, Trump’s national But if diplomacy and eco- warhead that could hit the US made, sparking speculation sanctions on North Korea — but 30,000 US troops in South Korea security adviser, H R McMaster, nomic pressure fail, he added, mainland. Najib would announce snap their impact depends largely on — would be vulnerable to attack agreed that “the critical thing is “We have to prepare all options.” North Korea said Saturday it elections. whether China, Pyongyang’s ally by the thousands of artillery going to be to get all countries, Pyongyang, an insular coun- was bent on nothing less than The government is tout- and main economic partner, will pieces the North has positioned every one, to do all they can to try with few outside contacts, military “equilibrium” with the ing Mat Taib’s return ahead fully implement them and on near the border, with potentially enforce those sanctions, to do says it needs nuclear weapons United States. of an election as a sign the opposition can’t deliver on its promises, especially to the ethnic Malay majority. A vote Typhoon hits Japan must be held by August 2018 Food for thought: but could come before the end of the year as Najib seeks to capitalise on disarray in the opposition. Eatery innovates “He realised that the opposition’s struggle, namely PKR, is in vain,” Najib said in Tokyo servers need not fear the conse- a Twitter posting after yes- Reuters quences of any errors they might terday’s briefing, referring to make. “It was truly great that Mat Taib. “I am certain he is iners have no complaints everyone believed that they able to contribute to the suc- about the service at a would be able to do this job, as cess of UMNO” and the Dpop-up restaurant in long as they had proper sup- broader Barisan Nasional rul- central Tokyo, where the 17 port in place,” Ogino said. ing coalition, he said. waiters and waitresses all suf- Makoto Ichikawa, a cus- Taib doesn’t hold any par- fer from dementia. tomer, said he enjoyed talking liamentary or state assembly “The Restaurant of Order to a waitress who briefly forgot seat, and it’s not immediately Mistakes” — a play on the title of her role and sat down across clear what he brings to the a classic Japanese children’s from him to chat. table for UMNO. book, “The Restaurant of Many Professional cooks pre- He was dropped from the Orders” — is the brainchild of pared the dishes for diners who cabinet in April 2009 when NHK television director Shiro were required to register in Najib came to power and Oguni, 38. The goal of his project, advance, at a venue in Roppon- reshuffled his team. Taib was scheduled to run September gi’s Ark Hills complex. minister for rural and 16-18, is to raise awareness about The organisers included a regional development at the Pedestrians walk on a crossing as rain falls due to weather patterns from Typhoon Talim dementia ahead of World Alzhe- dementia nursing care home. time and had lost an UMNO in Tokyo yesterday. A powerful typhoon ripped into southern Japan, dumping torrential imer’s Day on September 21, and Following the success of a party vote the prior month to rain, grounding hundreds of domestic flights and halting train services. allow the public to interact with similar pop-up restaurant in become its deputy those who have the condition in June, Ogino turned to crowd- president. a safe environment in which the funding to back the event. 16 EUROPE MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017

Berlusconi lays UK lowers terror out platform, eyes victory threat level after Rome Reuters

FORMER Prime Minister Sil- vio Berlusconi, marking a second arrest formal return to Italy’s polit- ical stage, laid out his policy priorities yesterday for the London forthcoming election, por- AP The downgrading of traying himself as a the threat level from pro-European moderate. he British government “critical” to “severe” Speaking at a meeting of lowered the country’s means authorities his Forza Italia (Go Italy) official terrorist threat party, Berlusconi said he level yesterday after a no longer believe an wanted to lead the group second man was arrested attack is imminent. The into the national ballot, Tin connection with the attack on a “severe” classification, which is expected by next London subway train where a the second highest level March, promising hefty tax bomb partially exploded. cuts if the centre-right The downgrading of the threat of alert, is based on regained power. level from “critical” to “severe” the assessment that an Subsumed by sex scan- means authorities no longer believe dals and legal woes, attack is “highly likely.” A police officer stands outside a property being searched after a man was arrested in an attack is imminent. The “severe” Berlusconi largely vanished classification, the second highest connection with an explosion on a London Underground train, in Stanwell, near Heathrow from politics after being level of alert, is based on the assess- second suspect was being held airport, Britain, yesterday. ousted from power in 2011. ment that an attack is “highly under the Terrorism Act and ques- But he has emerged from likely.” tioned at a south London police counter-terrorism coordinator Neighbours said two young number of injured from 29 to the shadows this year and Home Secretary Amber Rudd station Sunday, but has been nei- Neil Basu said. men had been staying with 30. That includes 19 people Forza Italia, with its tradi- said the easing of the alert indicates ther charged nor identified. Residents of the Sunbury them recently. Police have not who were taken from the tional rightist allies the that police and security services are Police also launched an urgent neighborhood where an armed provided details about the explosion site at Parsons Green Northern League and making “good progress” in the search of a property in the south- police search started Saturday extensive search, which began station to the hospital and 11 Brothers of Italy, have sprawling investigation into the western suburb of Stanwell that were evacuated in a rush and several hours after an 18-year- who came in for treatment later combined backing of some attack on a subway train that authorities said was linked to the kept away for nearly 10 hours old suspect in the subway on their own. 35 percent, according to injured 30 people during the rush latest arrest. before they were allowed to bombing was arrested at Home Secretary Rudd said polls, making them the hour Friday morning. They continued searching a return to their homes. Dover’s ferry port. the casualties would have been largest single bloc. Rudd cautioned that the inves- home in Sunbury, another south- The property belongs to an The Islamic State has said far higher if the bomb had fully “We predict a great vic- tigation was ongoing. Police western London suburb where elderly couple who have for Friday’s subway attack was car- detonated. Frustrated by the tory for the centre-right,” said announced the second arrest early neighbors were evacuated on Sat- years taken in foster children, ried out by one of its affiliated string of terrorist attacks in Berlusconi, 81, looking thin yesterday, offering the clearest urday. During the attack on a including refugees from con- units. The improvised explosive recent months, she said offi- and fit during a speech near indication yet that authorities do stopped train at the Parsons Green flict zones in Syria and Iraq. device placed on the subway cials will have to work harder Rome that effectively not believe the person who planted station, a bomb hidden in a plastic The pair — Ronald Jones, train only partially detonated, to make bomb components launched the Forza Italia the homemade bomb acted alone. bucket inside a supermarket freezer 88, and his wife, Penelope limiting the number of injuries. more difficult to obtain. election campaign. The first person arrested was bag only partially exploded, spar- Jones, 71 — have been honored The National Health Serv- Britain has endured four While his allies have an 18-year-old man who was taken ing the city much worse carnage. by Queen Elizabeth II for their ice says all but one of the 30 other attacks this year, which repeatedly denounced the into custody Saturday in the depar- The two arrests indicate police work with children in need of people treated for injuries has have killed a total of 36 people. European Union, Berlusconi ture area of the port of Dover. The and security services believe the a stable home. been released from the hospi- The other attacks in London — said he wanted more Europe, Metropolitan Police force said a attack was part of a coordinated A friend, Alison Griffiths, tal. One person is still being near Parliament, on London not less, calling for common 21-year-old man was arrested Sat- plot, not the act of a single person. said the Joneses are “great pil- treated at Chelsea and West- Bridge and near a mosque in defence, foreign, industrial urday shortly before midnight in “We are still pursing numerous lars of the community” who minster Hospital, which has a Finsbury Park in north London and fiscal policies. the west London borough of lines of enquiry and at a great have taken in several hundred special unit for treating burns. — used vehicles and knives to “I do not think we can Hounslow. The force said the pace,” Metropolitan Police children in the last 40 years. Officials have raised the kill and wound. leave the euro,” he said, fur- ther underscoring how the anti-euro rhetoric once heard from many Italian parties is receding as the vote nears. Boris Johnson accused of Brexit ‘backseat driving’ Berlusconi, who had open heart surgery last year, can- not run for office due to a London Interior minister Amber Rudd “I think that he, like I, sup- would not pay to access Euro- Statistics Authority, said he was 2013 tax fraud conviction. But Reuters said it was “absolutely fine” for the ports the prime minister at this pean markets in the future. Once “surprised and disappointed” he hopes the European Court foreign secretary to intervene difficult time as we try to con- out of the EU, the country should that Johnson was still quoting a of Human Rights overturns ritain’s foreign minister publicly but that she did not want clude the negotiations with the borrow to invest in infrastruc- figure that confused gross and this ban when it reviews his Boris Johnson was accused him managing the Brexit process. EU,” she said. ture, reform the tax code and set net contributions. case in November. Bby cabinet colleagues yes- “What we’ve got is Theresa May May’s deputy, Damian Green, immigration levels as it sees fit, “It is a clear misuse of offi- “I expect that Europe terday of “backseat driving” on managing that process, she’s driv- also weighed in on Sunday, say- he said. A prominent Brexit cam- cial statistics,” Norgrove said in completely restores my hon- Brexit after setting out his own ing the car,” Rudd told the BBC’s ing that Johnson had written a paigner in last year’s a letter to Johnson on Sunday. our ... But court or no court, I vision of the country’s future Andrew Marr. Asked if Johnson “very exuberant” article but it is referendum, Johnson also The timing of Johnson’s arti- promise you that I will take outside the European Union. was backseat driving, she replied: “absolutely clear to everyone repeated the Brexit campaign cle—published a day after a part in the election cam- Only days before Prime Min- “Yes, you could call it backseat that the driver of the car in this claim that the government would bomb injured 30 people on a paign,” said the four-times ister Theresa May is due to speak driving, absolutely.” instance is the prime minister”. be ¤350m ($476m) a week bet- train in London—also drew crit- premier. in Italy about Britain’s planned Johnson’s article re-ignited “It is the job of the rest of us ter off outside the EU. icism from some colleagues. If Forza Italia won power, EU departure, Johnson on Sat- speculation that he would chal- in the Cabinet to agree on a set Government officials criti- Reacting to the furore his he said he would introduce a urday published a 4,300-word lenge May for the leadership of of proposals and get behind cised Johnson for repeating the article had generated, Johnson flat tax and eliminate inher- newspaper article that roamed the Conservative Party. those proposals and get behind claim, saying the figure does not tweeted on Saturday: “Looking itance tax, hike minimum well beyond his ministerial brief Rudd, however, said she did the prime minister,” Green told take into account the funding forward to PM’s Florence Speech. pensions, offer pensions to and, in some cases, the approach not think Johnson was laying the BBC TV. Johnson had written in Britain receives back from Brus- All behind Theresa for a glorious housewives and give more to set out by the government. groundwork to challenge May. the Daily Telegraph that Britain sels. David Norgrove, of the UK Brexit.” impoverished families.

5 dead, 30 injured as fierce storm hits May: Trump visit still on western Romania despite terror tweets BUCHAREST: Authorities say five people have died and at least 30 were injured during a Washington demented people who were in the between the two countries was violent storm in western Roma- AFP sights of Scotland Yard.” that “when we do disagree we’re nia that produced winds of up to Britons expressed outrage at able to say so — and pretty 100km an hour. Elena Meghe- ritish Prime Minister the president’s suggestion that bluntly.” rea, a General Inspectorate for Theresa May has insisted a British authorities had advance As an example, she cited the Emergency Situations spokes- Blong-awaited state visit by knowledge about the attackers. sharp differences over the Paris woman in Timis County, said one Donald Trump will go ahead as May herself told journalists Fri- climate change agreement. “I’ve of the two people who died in the planned despite a diplomatic spat day that “I never think it’s helpful made very clear I was dismayed city of Timisoara was hit by a triggered by the US president’s for anybody to speculate on what when America decided to pull out billboard. comments after a terror attack in is an ongoing investigation.” of that,” she said, adding that she Two more people died in the London. Trump’s keenness to under- hoped the US administration western town of Buzias. No Speaking to ABC News from line a series of attacks in Britain would be “able to find a way for details were available about their Downing Street in an interview has led to repeated outcry across America to come back into the deaths. Elena Tarla, an Emer- that aired Sunday, she added that the Atlantic that has helped indef- agreement.” gency Situations spokeswoman London was in talks with inter- initely delay his much-vaunted After reports that some Euro- for Caras-Severin County, says net giants Google and Facebook state visit. pean officials believed the US the storm ripped out trees and about “doing more” to assist But in her ABC interview, May might return to the agreement, downed power lines. She says authorities in tracking extremists made clear the planned visit is the White House said Saturday many homes are without elec- using the web to plan attacks, an still on. that it would do so only if it could tricity. Officials warned residents issue she said she would take up “Her Majesty the Queen negotiate more favorable terms. to stay at home or take shelter, at the UN General Assembly next issued the invitation,” she said. May also emphasized the to remove appliances from sock- week. “The president has accepted it. It’s need to block terrorists from ets, and to stay away from power After an explosion in the Lon- just a question of getting dates to using the internet for planning Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip transmission towers. Yesterday’s don subway early Friday injured -- and sorting out the logistics.” attacks and “for the spread of attend a service marking the 77th anniversary of the Battle of storm followed days of high more than 20 people, Trump on May said the point of the his- extremism, of hatred, of temperatures. Twitter blamed “sick and toric “special relationship” propaganda.” Britain at Westminster Abbey in central London, yesterday. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 EUROPE 17 4 US tourists attacked with acid in France

Paris have been hospitalized, two of or the victims, including where U.S. consulate in Marseille was officials said it wasn’t AP The spokeswoman them for shock. in the United States the tourists in contact with French authori- terror-related. The spokeswoman said the were from. ties about the attack In April, French police say our young American said all four of the 41-year-old female suspect did The Marseille fire depart- investigation and the condition they thwarted an imminent “ter- women were attacked women, who are in not make any extremist threats ment was alerted just after 11 of the American women. ror attack” and arrested two with acid yesterday in their 20s, have been or declarations during the attack. a.m. and dispatched four vehi- US authorities in France suspected radicals in Marseille the French city of Mar- hospitalised, two of She said there were no obvious cles and 14 firefighters to the are not immediately com- just days before the first round seille by a woman who indications that the woman’s train station, a department menting further on what of France’s presidential election. Fhas been arrested, the Marseille them for shock. The actions were terror-related, but spokeswoman said. happened to protect the pri- Paris prosecutor Francois Molins prosecutor’s office said. 41-year-old female added that officials could not be Two of the Americans were vacy of the American tourists, told reporters the two suspects Two of the tourists were suspect did not make 100 percent sure about ruling out “slightly injured” with acid but embassy spokesman Alex “were getting ready to carry out injured in the face in the attack terror links at such an early stage did not require emergency med- Daniels said. an imminent, violent action” on in the city’s main Saint Charles any extremist threats of the investigation. ical treatment from medics at the Marseille is a port city in French territory. train station and one of them or declarations during The spokeswoman spoke on scene, the spokeswoman said. southern France that is closer to In January 2016, a 15-year- has a possible eye injury, a the attack. condition of anonymity, per the She requested anonymity in Barcelona than Paris. old Turkish Kurd was arrested spokeswoman for the Marseille custom of the French judicial keeping with fire department In previous incidents in Mar- after attacking a Jewish teacher prosecutor’s office told The system. protocol. seille, a driver deliberately on a Marseille street. He told Associated Press in a phone She said all four of the She did not release any fur- A spokesman for the United rammed into two bus stops last police he acted in the name of call. women, who are in their 20s, ther details about the suspects States embassy in Paris said the month, killing a woman, but the Islamic State group.

Spanish police seize Car-free Sunday Nato concerned about Russia’s pro-Catalan pamphlets transparency on military games Madrid threatened to arrest Catalan AFP mayors who allow the vote. Also on Sunday, hundreds Tirana panish police yesterday- of people attended a meeting AP seized 1.3 million in Madrid to show support for Spamphlets and posters the referendum, some waving senior NATO official supporting Catalonia’s inde- pro-independence leaflets. says there’s reason to pendence referendum, the The meeting was held in a Abe concerned about the latest move to try to block the small theatre in the central dis- large-scale Zapad 2017 mili- vote. trict of Lavapies after a court tary maneuvers being Catalonia’s pro-separatist banned holding it in a cultural conducted now by Russia and government is determined to centre owned by the town hall. Belarus, since they could be hold a referendum on October “Faced with their ban, we seen as “a serious prepara- 1, despite it being banned by are determined,” Jordi Cuixart, tion for big war.” Spain’s Constitutional Court. head of Omnium Cultural, a Gen. Petr Pavel, head of The documents were seized Catalan cultural organisation, Nato’s Military Committee, told at an advertising distribution said to applause from the pub- the Associated Press in an company near Barcelona, the lic inside and outside the interview that Nato is increas- Spanish interior ministry said theatre. ing efforts to re-establish the in a statement. “We need your solidarity People enjoy the car-free Sunday at the streets of Brussels, Belgium. military-to-military commu- Among the documents now more than ever. What we nications with Russia to avoid were about 700,000 leaflets are experiencing today is a true any “unintended consequences promoting a “yes” vote in the breakdown of democratic of potential incidents during referendum and 370,000 fly- process.” the exercise.” ers with logo of the Catalan Outside the meeting, some Russia and Iraq restore air service after 13 years The defence chiefs of government along with chanted “Freedom of expres- Nato member countries were 138,000 posters for the far-left sion”, “Right to decide” and “We Moscow country. An Iraqi Airways plane authorities that Russian nation- holding their annual confer- Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) are not afraid” under the watch AFP left Baghdad at 10.31 am and als can safely visit Iraq.” ence this year in the Albanian party. of several police officers. landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo air- The two countries may also capital of Tirana to discuss Faced with a determined “This is no longer a ques- ussia and Iraq restored port at 2.19pm. later agree on air travel to the fighting terrorism, the situa- Catalan government, Spain has tion of Catalans and Spaniards, scheduled commercial air- “The first commercial flight Iraqi city of Basra, Izvolsky said. tion in the Western Balkans multiplied its efforts to crack it is a question of the quality of Rline services yesterday for arrives today,” Sergei Izvolsky, Russia suspended regular flights and the new US strategy on down on the referendum, hav- our democracy,” Maria Jose the first time since 2004, in what spokesman for Russia’s civil avi- to Iraq in 2004 after the US-led Afghanistan. ing previously seized Hernandez, a 40-year-old old officials hailed as a sign of stabil- ation authority, said. “It is a invasion in 2003 plunged the The Zapad war games, propaganda material and graphic designer, said. ity returning to the war-torn signal on the part of the Iraqi Arab country into war. being conducted this year mostly in Belarus, run until Sept. 20 and reportedly involve 5,500 Russian and 7,200 Belarusian troops. Despite assurances from Far-right party calls for Merkel to be punished Moscow that “Nato is not con- sidered as an enemy” and that “the exercise is not aimed at Berlin party would use parliamentary speeches Nato,” Pavel said Russians have Reuters to draw attention to the cost of the migrant not been transparent about the crisis, troubles in the euro zone - which facts of the exercises. he first far-right party set to enter the AfD wants Germany to leave - and Germany’s parliament for more than problems related to the European Union. Ta half a century says it will press for “We’ll have a voice when we’re in par- Security scare Chancellor Angela Merkel to be “severely liament,” he said. “We won’t be an easy punished” for opening the door to refu- opposition.” forces BA flight to gees and migrants. He expects other parties will shun the The Alternative for Germany (AfD), AfD for a year or two but ultimately work evacuate in Paris which has also called for Germany’s with it, pointing to the regional assembly immigration minister to be “disposed of” in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, Paris in Turkey where her parents come from, where the AfD and Merkel’s Christian AFP could become the third largest party with Democrats voted to set up a committee up to 12 percent of the vote on Septem- to investigate left-wing extremism. London-bound British ber 24, polls show. Gauland told Reuters the AfD would Airways flight was That is far less than similar move- call for a committee to investigate the Aevacuated at Paris’s ments in other European countries - in chancellor after entering parliament: “We Charles de Gaulle airport on France far-right leader Marine Le Pen want Ms Merkel’s policy of bringing 1 mil- Sunday due to a security won 34 percent of the vote in May and in lion people into this country to be scare, but was later cleared the Netherlands far-rightist Geert Wilders investigated and we want her to be for take-off, the airport’s scored 13 percent in a March election. severely punished for that.” operator said. But the prospect of a party that the MPs have already changed the qual- A spokesman for Aero- foreign minister has compared with the ification for the ceremonial post of doyen ports de Paris said an incident Nazis entering the heart of German of parliament to the longest-serving MP “linked to security” had led democracy is unnerving the other par- rather than the oldest, likely to have been staff to evacuate the 130 pas- ties. They all refuse to work with the AfD German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves a news conference with children at an AfD member. sengers onboard and no one wants to sit next to them in the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) party election campaign meeting Sahra Wagenknecht, top candidate of Heathrow-bound flight parliament. centre in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. the radical Left party, told Reuters it was BA303. “There was an inci- Leading AfD candidate Alexander important to look at individuals for com- dent that led authorities to Gauland denies they are Nazis, saying oth- mittees but added: “I won’t elect any AfD decide to keep the plane on ers only use the term because of the 76-year-old lawyer said Germany countries across Europe. The AfD could member who belongs to Bjoern Hoecke’s the ground and to disembark party’s popularity. It has won support with belonged to the Germans, Islam had no end up as the biggest opposition force in wing and who really represents Nazi the passengers a few minutes calls for Germany to shut its borders place here and the migrant influx would the national assembly if there is a re-run views into any position of before take-off, to carry out immediately, introduce a minimum quota make everyone worse off. of the current coalition of Merkel’s con- responsibility.” additional checks,” the for deportations and stop refugees bring- Gauland provoked outrage for saying servatives and Social Democrats (SPD) Hoecke has denied that Adolf Hitler spokesman said. ing their families here. at another event that Germans should no — one of the most likely scenarios. was “absolutely evil”, described Berlin’s The checks had been “We’re gradually becoming foreign- longer be reproached with the Nazi past That would mean it would chair the Holocaust Memorial as a “monument of completed and passengers ers in our own country,” Gauland told an and they should take pride in what their powerful budget committee and open the shame” and demanded a “180 degree were due to reboard, he added. election rally in the Polish border city of soldiers achieved during World War One general debate during budget consulta- turnaround” in the way Germany seeks Britain has raised its terror Frankfurt an der Oder. and Two. tions, giving prominence to its alternatives to atone for Nazi crimes. The justice min- threat level to “critical” follow- A song with the lyrics “we’ll bring hap- The Nazis ruled Germany from 1933 to government policies. ister said some of the AfD’s programme ing the bombing of a London piness back to your homeland” blared out to 1945, during which time they killed 6 Georg Pazderski, a member of the like its demand to ban minarets is Underground train on Friday of a blue campaign bus and the million Jews in the Holocaust and invaded AfD’s executive board, told Reuters his unconstitutional. that left 30 people injured. 18 AMERICAS MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 Trump to make maiden UN speech tomorrow

New York His approval ratings at home AFP UN General Assembly are already historically low and supporters are quick to cry The President’s onald Trump makes betrayal at any perceived devi- his maiden address appearance — which ation from his hardline “America to the United aides say will last First” rhetoric. Nations tomorrow, around a half-hour — More tub-thumping at the a spectacle closely is the centerpiece of UN would thrill his diehard fans, Dwatched at home and around the a week-long but bellicose warnings of world, with the potential to move marathon of remarks impending “fire and fury” would armies, markets and polls. by world leaders, undoubtedly make Tokyo and His appearance — which each vying to make Seoul—both well within range of aides say will last around a half- their mark on the North Korean artillery or ballis- hour — is the centerpiece of a global stage. tic missiles—uneasy. week-long marathon of remarks Shredding the “bad deal” that by world leaders, each vying to curbs Iran’s nuclear programme make their mark on the global lurching superpower foresees its could burnish Trump’s hard- Pedestrians navigate their way through barricades amid heightened security before the start stage. But the US president will future place in the world. charging businessman brand, but of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, yesterday. need no Nikita Khrushchev shoe- “They are all very anxious to would infuriate European allies banging on the table, nor the hear what he has to say. And I and risks setting loose the dogs guns and olive branches of think that he will make quite an of war across the Middle East. Yasser Arafat to stand out. impact,” said Nikki Haley, Amer- Trashing the United Nations NY prepares for ‘Super Bowl’ of security “We always had the sense ica’s ambassador to the UN. That as “just a club for people to get that it was an incredibly closely Haley has already read a draft of together, talk and have a good New York Department. countries, including a rally against watched speech,” said top Barack the speech, suggests Trump may time” is unlikely to win over Reuters Trump will be on hand today Iran President Hassan Rowhani. Obama advisor Ben Rhodes, who be more scripted than usual. friends among the delegates who and tomorrow, when he will The NYPD’s elite counterter- helped draft eight presidential But that does not mean the vote on US proposals at the UN ew York police and a host address the body of world lead- rorism unit, along with detectives addresses to the UN. bombastic president will Security Council. of federal agencies are ers for the first time. It was not from the intelligence bureau and “A single line in an UNGA embrace the UN’s typical diplo- In New York, Trump’s audi- Npreparing for the annual immediately clear whether he officers from the aviation, har- address could signal a new pri- matic platitudes and studied ence will be as much Iran’s Ali traffic and security nightmare would stay at his Manhattan bor, highway and traffic units, oritization of a particular issue, ambiguity. “He slaps the right Khamenei and China’s Xi Jinping known as the United Nations penthouse about a mile away will be on hand throughout the a new policy direction and could people, he hugs the right people,” as red-cap wearing supporters General Assembly, featuring a from United Nations headquar- week. Donald said the depart- send ripples out into the diplo- Haley said of the remarks. in Cincinnati or Jacksonville. But week of speeches by US Presi- ters or sleep at his golf course in ment has plenty of “muscle matic community that lasted for Trump is certain to take aim if Trump were restrained and dent Donald Trump and a parade Bedminster, New Jersey. memory” from previous years. many months to come.” at North Korea, which has measured, would it be of other dignitaries. A handful of anti-Trump pro- “It’s a full assortment of per- Trump’s speech to the General embarked on a headlong rush to believable? The meeting of the world’s top tests in New York have been sonnel from nearly every part of Assembly may be even more marry the sinister power of “One of the challenges for leaders and diplomats, scheduled scheduled, with more sure to the police department,” Donald closely watched than those of his nuclear and ballistic weapons. president Trump is that, because to begin tomorrow, will bring come. A march today to combat said. “We’ll be prepared for any- predecessors.During eight months The White House has made of Twitter, the entire world has street closures, thousands of police “white supremacy” will start thing. We’ll have backup plans in office, Trump has brusquely plain its impatience with seen him unfiltered so many officers and hundreds of protest- from Grand Central Terminal, and backup plans for the backup questioned decades-old alliances Pyongyang’s behavior, but on times,” said Vinca LaFleur, a for- ers to midtown Manhattan, an area while the left-wing activist group plans.” The US Secret Service, the and ratcheted up the heat on sim- this, as other issues — from the eign policy speech writer for then already plagued with gridlock on Code Pink has organized a march FBI, the Department of Home- mering disputes with foes in North Paris climate deal, to trade, to the president Bill Clinton. The United an average weekday. tomorrow to the UN to protest land Security and various other Korea and Iran. Iran nuclear deal — Trump has Nations is just a 20 minute stroll “It’s the equivalent of the Trump and Israeli Prime Minis- federal agencies are also Allies and foes alike will struggled to calibrate his mes- away from Trump Tower, but it Super Bowl of security,” said J ter Benjamin Netanyahu. involved in providing security rummage through his words for sage for both domestic and is an unfamiliar world for this Peter Donald, a spokesman for Other protesters will gather during both Trump’s visit and the a better idea of how this foreign audiences. tough-talking president. the New York City Police outside the UN to call out specific general assembly.

US looks to work UN provides Cuba with food with Paris climate aid after Irma rips up coast accord ‘partners’, says Tillerson Havana more. It would start by distributing Reuters for free rations of rice and beans in Washington the most vulnerable areas. AFP he United Nations’ World Food Irma’s impact on food availa- Programme said on Saturday bility in the a nation of 11 million fter a succession of Tthat it was launching a $5.7m inhabitants may be both short and mixed messages on the operation in Cuba to help feed nearly medium-term, Beasley said. AUS stance on climate 700,000 people in areas most “We are talking about 60,000 change, Secretary of State Rex affected by Hurricane Irma. hectares of agricultural land that Tillerson said yesterday that The monster storm ripped last have been dramatically impacted, the Trump administration weekend along the length of the banana trees, citrus, rice maize, eve- was seeking “ways in which northern coastline of the Carib- rything,” Beasley said. Cuba would we can work with partners in bean’s largest island, tearing off need to assess the soil’s salinity to the Paris climate accord.” roofs, wrecking the power grid and ascertain how that would affect the “We want to be produc- damaging crops. next planting season, he said. tive, we want to be helpful,” “This hurricane just went down In the light of climate change, Tillerson said on the CBS pro- the entire coastline, the volume of Irma could be a “sign off more gram “Face the Nation.” His impact is just unprecedented,” WFP things to come”, Beasley warned. comments did not amount to Executive Director David Beasley “Fifty to forty years ago, the hur- a reversal from US President said during a visit to Havana, after ricanes were less frequent, and less Donald Trump’s widely crit- meeting with Cuban Vice President severe,” he said, adding that WFP icized decision in June to Miguel Diaz-Canel. was working with the Cuban lead- withdraw from the landmark The WFP already had more ership to prepare for such change. At pact, signed by nearly 200 than 1,600 tonnes of food pre-posi- the height of its strength, Irma was UN World Food Programme Executive Director David M Beasley (centre) poses for a photo countries. tioned around Cuba available to the first Category 5 hurricane to with children while visiting the Jaimanitas neighbourhood of Havana that was affected But Tillerson did appear distribute and had funds to buy make landfall in Cuba since 1932. by Hurricane Irma, yesterday. to signal a softening from Trump’s earlier characteriza- tion of the deal as a “draconian” pact that impinged on American sov- St Louis remains on edge after violent protests ereignty and unfairly favored countries like China and India over the US. Chicago and hurling chunks of concrete Louis judge on Friday found a Entertainment firm Live soon as possible. When European environ- AFP at the police, the authorities and white former police officer, Jason Nation and U2 jointly announced Stockley, the former police- ment officials suggested over media reports said. Stockley, not guilty of murder- the cancellation of that group’s man, shot 24-year-old Smith five the weekend that the United he US city of St Louis Marching through two shop- ing Anthony Lamar Smith, a scheduled Saturday show in a times after a December 2011 car States might be ready to reen- remained on edge yester- ping malls, protesters chanted, suspected drug dealer, follow- statement citing concerns about chase that followed a suspected gage with the pact, the White Tday after a second night of “The whole damn system is ing a high-speed chase in 2011. fans’ security. “We have been drug deal. House said that its position at-times violent protests over the guilty as hell”. The police The case — the latest high- informed by the St. Louis Police He was caught on an in-car was unchanged, and that it acquittal of a former police reported at least seven arrests profile incident of police using Department that they are not in camera video telling his partner, could stay only if more “favo- officer in the shooting death of overnight on charges of resist- violence against a black suspect a position to provide the stand- Brian Bianchi, “Going to kill this rable” terms were achieved. a black man. ing arrest and destroying — has touched a nerve in St. ard protection for our audience (expletive), don’t you know it.” But Tillerson said Trump’s Saying police had advised property. Sidewalks in the inner Louis, where racial tensions as would be expected,” they said. Prosecutors brought first degree chief economics adviser, Gary them that security could not be suburb of University City were were heightened by the 2014 “We cannot in good conscience murder charges in 2016, alleg- Cohn, was studying ways the assured, rock giants U2 and pop strewn with broken glass. killing of a black man, Michael risk our fans’ safety.” ing that Stockley’s comments US could cooperate with other star Ed Sheeran called off sched- Ten officers had been injured Brown, in the suburb of Fergu- U2 superstar Bono later showed premeditation and that countries on what, he said, “is uled weekend concerts in the late Friday as they clashed with son by a white police officer. posted on Instagram that he was he had planted a silver revolver still a challenging issue.” Missouri city. rock-throwing protesters, With the city shaken by the “deeply saddened at what has in Smith’s car. The remarks came after Demonstrators spilled into according to police, who made Stockley verdict, the U2 and Ed happened in St. Louis” and had But Judge Timothy Wilson two devastating hurricanes city streets for a second night at least 23 arrests at that time. Sheeran concerts were among asked himself, “Is this 1968 or acquitted Stockley, finding that struck the US mainland in running on Saturday, and ini- “We will not tolerate violence,” several events canceled. Others 2017?” And Briton Sheeran, in the evidence on the gun, as well recent weeks — made more tially peaceful rallies turned Acting Police Chief Lawrence included a St. Louis Symphony announcing that he was pulling as the officer’s videotaped com- intense, some scientists said, violent, with protesters break- O’Toole told reporters. Orchestra concert and a “Shake- the plug on a show set for Sun- ment, provided insufficient by waters warmed by climate ing windows, throwing debris, The rioting came after a St. speare in the Streets” event. day, said he hoped to return as grounds to convict. change. MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017 AMERICAS 19 Fight over electoral district maps heads to top US Court Washington The map, drawn after the guarantee of equal protection John Kasich have joined critics change from one election to the Reuters Verdict awaited 2010 US census, enabled them under the law and First Amend- who argue that partisan gerry- next. Goedert noted that large The justices will hear to win a sizable majority of Wis- ment right to freedom of mandering distorts the shifts in the mood of voters can t is a political practice arguments on consin legislative seats despite expression and association. democratic process. cause even highly biased elec- nearly as old as the United October 3 in losing the popular vote statewide Over the decades, both Wisconsin Republicans toral maps to flip. States - manipulating the to the Democrats. The party’s Republicans and Democrats have argued that election results since “Partisan maps have a ten- Wisconsin’s appeal boundaries of legislative majority has widened since. been accused of gerrymander- their redistricting plan was dency to backfire on the party of a lower court districts to help one party The justices must decide ing. Since 2010, Republicans’ passed in 2011 reflect the state’s that drew them,” Goedert said. Itighten its grip on power in a ruling that found whether courts should have a say control of redistricting has coin- political geography, with Dem- The case began in 2015 when a move called partisan gerryman- that the electoral in such matters. The Supreme cided with major seat advantages ocrats concentrated in cities like dozen Wisconsin Democratic dering - and one the Supreme map drawn by state Court for decades has been will- for them in state legislatures, the Milwaukee and Madison and Party voters sued state election Court has never curbed. Republicans ran ing to invalidate state electoral Brennan Center said. Republicans more spread out officials claiming the redistrict- That could soon change, with afoul of the US maps on the grounds of racial It is not just Republicans who around the state. The state also ing law intended to discriminate the nine justices making the legal Constitution. discrimination but never those are accused of abuses. Republi- took issue with metrics that the against them for their political fight over Republican-drawn drawn simply to give one party can voters sued over districts lower court used to determine beliefs and create enduring electoral maps in Wisconsin one an advantage. drawn by Democratic lawmak- that there was a significant par- Republican majorities. of the first cases they hear dur- ers in legislative elections. The justices have never set- ers in Maryland and have tisan bias in the redistricting They urged the justices to ing their 2017-2018 term that “There is a sense that some- tled on a standard by which appealed to the Supreme Court. plan. This “social-science hodge- either greenlight the lower begins next month. Their ruling thing has gone amiss with partisan gerrymandering claims State and federal legislative podge,” the state told the justices, court’s method of deciding cases in the case could influence Amer- American democracy, that there can be measured. In a 2004 case, district boundaries are reconfig- makes it impossible for judges to of partisan gerrymandering, or ican politics for decades. is this effort to rig the rules of the Justice Anthony Kennedy left the ured after the US government fairly determine when an elec- create their own. “Government Wisconsin officials point to game,” said Michael Li, an expert door open for a “workable stand- conducts a census every decade toral map is unlawful. should treat voters equally the difficulty of having courts in redistricting at New York Uni- ard” to eventually be found. so that each one contains about “Plaintiffs’ social-science regardless of their viewpoint and craft a workable standard for versity School of Law’s Brennan Kennedy, a conservative who same number of people, typically approach would sow chaos. Each we have ways to measure it,” when partisan gerrymandering Center for Justice. “Gerryman- sometimes sides with the liberal by the party that controls the legislatively drawn plan would said Danielle Lang, an attorney violates constitutional protec- dering used to be a dark art, and justices on a court with a 5-4 state legislature. be immediately challenged in for the plaintiffs. If the justices tions. Opponents of the practice now it’s a dark science.” The jus- conservative majority, could cast The Republican National federal court,” the state said in a rule that courts must stay out of said limits are urgently needed, tices will hear arguments on the deciding vote in the Wiscon- Committee and several conserv- legal brief to the justices. this highly political process, vot- noting that sophisticated techno- October 3 in Wisconsin’s appeal sin case. A federal three-judge ative groups have backed Nicholas Goedert, a Virginia ers will lose, Lang said. “There logical tools now enable a of a lower court ruling that found panel ruled 2-1 last November Wisconsin, but leading Republi- Tech redistricting expert who would be no way for voters to dominant party to devise with new that the electoral map drawn by that Wisconsin’s redistricting cans including Senator John testified in court for Wisconsin, rein in partisan gerrymandering, precision state electoral maps that state Republicans ran afoul of the plan violated the US Constitu- McCain, 1996 presidential nom- said the metrics may be inappro- no way for voters to take back marginalize large swathes of vot- US Constitution. tion’s 14th Amendment inee Bob Dole and Ohio Governor priate because their results can control of their government.”

US may close embassy in Cuba Diplomacy after ‘attacks’ on diplomats

New York “We’ve brought some of those responsible for this.” AFP people home,” he added. “It’s The State Department, cit- under review.” ing respect for the privacy of its he United States may again US officials have said they employees, has not discussed close its embassy in Cuba, believe some kind of sonic the diplomats’ symptoms pub- Twhich reopened two years device was used to covertly licly, but Nauert said the form ago after a half-century stand- undermine the health of staff of injury “can be different in dif- off, following a series of mystery members at the mission, who ferent people.” “health attacks” on its diplomats, began reporting sick last year. Relations between the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson The American Foreign Serv- United States and Cuba were said yesterday. ice Association — the labor restored by then president At least 21 members of the union representing US diplo- Barack Obama and his counter- US mission in Havana and a mats — spoke to 10 of those who part Raul Castro in 2015 after a smaller number of Canadians received treatment and said half-century. But tensions have suffered brain injuries and their diagnoses included mild mounted again after Obama’s hearing loss in what have been traumatic brain injury and per- successor Donald Trump, who Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) and his Panamanian counterpart Isabel De reported as “acoustic attacks”, manent hearing loss. won many Cuban American although US officials say their At least five Canadian dip- votes by promising a tough line, Saint Malo at a press conference at the Simon Bolivar Palace in Panama City yesterday. origin remains unclear. lomats and their families were rolled back detente. Wang Yi is making his first official visit to Panama since the Central American country The incidents began last also affected by “sonic attacks,” In June, Trump tightened established formal diplomatic ties with China in June 2017. year, and the latest was though none suffered perma- rules for Americans traveling to recorded in August, despite US nent injury, public broadcaster Cuba, banned ties with a mili- authorities having complained CBC reported Friday. Canada tary-run tourism firm and to Cuban officials in February has said Cuban officials are not reaffirmed the existing US trade and having expelled two Cuban suspected. The Cuban foreign embargo. The US embassy was Trump’s eldest diplomats from Washington in ministry has said it is cooperat- closed in 1961 at the height of Peru’s Kuczynski forms Cabinet May. Some of those hurt were ing with the US investigation the Cold War when diplomatic son will testify evacuated to Florida and some into the “alleged incidents”. relations broke down between Buenos Aires/Lima opposition party Popular Force, treated in place. On Thursday, State Depart- Washington and Fidel Castro’s Reuters dismissed Kuczynski’s Cabinet publicly on The mission remains open, ment spokeswoman Heather revolutionary regime. in a 77-22 vote of no-confidence and US officials have warned Nauert confirmed the number The mission reopened as a eruvian center-right Pres- on Friday. That deepened a that Cuba is responsible for the of Americans hurt had risen to “special interests section” rather ident Pedro Pablo standoff that could lead to new Russia: Senator safety of diplomats on its soil, 21. “We hope that that number than a full embassy under an PKuczynski plans to make legislative elections if lawmak- without accusing them directly. will not increase. We certainly agreement between Castro and Vice President Mercedes Araoz ers reject the incoming Cabinet. Washington With the injury toll continuing can’t count that out. We are hav- US President Jimmy Carter. his new prime minister and Kuczynski, who took office AFP to rise, and no explanation for ing our people medically tested,” American diplomats in Havana replace five other ministers in a year ago, cannot reappoint his what Washington has called an she said. “Our folks are able to and their Cuban rivals in Wash- a Cabinet shuffle aimed at pla- outgoing prime minister, Fern- onald Trump Jr. will “unprecedented incident,” some leave Havana, leave Cuba, and ington both complained of cating the opposition-ruled ando Zavala, but can do so for testify publicly before US lawmakers have called for return back home if they wish to harassment or heavy-handed Congress, three government other ministers. Kuczynski had Da congressional com- the embassy to be closed down do so — I think we call it compas- surveillance — but never of sources said yesterday. been considering appointing his mittee probing Russia’s once again. sionate curtailment or something sonic attack. Washington has Kuczynski has decided to other vice president, Martin meddling in the 2016 presi- Asked about this on CBS like that — where they’re able to not said whether it suspects any name Deputy Economy Minis- Vizcarra, as his new prime min- dential campaign and possible News’ Face the Nation, Tiller- switch out a job,” she said. nation or militant group of ter Claudia Cooper as his new ister but opted for Araoz collusion by his father’s cam- son did not rule this out. “We “The investigation into all of ordering the “health attacks”, finance minister and to replace following a meeting with law- paign, a Democratic senator have it under evaluation. It’s a this is still underway. It is an and no country is known to pos- his justice, education, health makers in his party who argued said yesterday. very serious issue with respect aggressive investigation... and sess the kind of acoustic weapon and housing ministers, said the she would be better able to ease “Well, it will be this fall. I to the harm that certain individ- we will continue doing this until that could cause such apparently sources. Congress, which is con- hostilities with the opposition, know that for sure,” Senator uals have suffered,” he said. we find out who or what is targeted distress. trolled by the populist right-wing two of the sources said. Dianne Feinstein, the rank- ing Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in an interview with CNN. It would be the first public Trump hypes mock video of golf ball seen striking Hillary testimony on the Russia affair by a member of President Don- ald Trump’s inner circle, and Washington The video, retweeted by sev- Clinton had been back money but, in the end, had no the book, responded to Trump’s by no less a figure than his eld- Reuters eral users, shows Trump on a on the Republican game!” earlier criticism on Twitter with a est son, the co-director of the golf course hitting a ball before president’s Twitter White House spokeswoman suggestion that he read her ear- family business. S President Donald Trump segueing to the doctored shot of Sarah Sanders said later that day lier book, “It Takes a Village,” a “Don Jr” already has testi- yesterday retweeted a a golf ball hitting then-secretary feed in recent days as that Clinton was pushing “false picture book for children. fied behind closed doors, Udoctored video of himself of state Clinton in the back as she she promoted “What narratives” in the book. Clinton A senior Democrat, US Rep- answering questions by Sen- taking a golf swing and hitting is boarding a plane. The original Happened,” her new admits mistakes during the cam- resentative Adam Schiff, said the ate Judiciary Committee former Democratic presidential video of Clinton, from 2011, does book about the 2016 paign in the book but gives a retweet did not make him ques- investigators for five hours on rival Hillary Clinton, who then not show a golf ball. harsh account of factors she tion Trump’s recent outreach to September 7. Jared Kushner, stumbles as she boards a plane. “Donald Trump’s amazing golf presidential election, believes led to Trump’s victory, Democrats but was disturbing. the president’s son-in-law, also Clinton had been back on the swing #CrookedHillary,” the tweet with Trump resuming including alleged interference by “It is distressing, though, to testified behind closed doors Republican president’s Twitter read. Trump attacked Clinton his campaign attack of Russia on his behalf and former have a president that frankly will before several congressional feed in recent days as she pro- directly last Wednesday in a pair “Crooked Hillary”. FBI Director James Comey tweet and retweet things as juve- committees in July. But the moted “What Happened,” her of Twitter posts. “Crooked Hillary announcement that investiga- nile as that,” Schiff said on ABC’s lawmakers want the various new book about the 2016 pres- Clinton blames everybody (and tors were looking at a new trove “This Week” program. “It doesn’t Trump insiders to publicly idential election, with Trump every thing) but herself for her ‘deplorables’ came back to haunt of emails related to Clinton. help, I think in terms of his stat- explain, under oath, their con- resuming his campaign attack of election loss,” he said. “She lost the Hillary. They expressed their feel- Clinton, who has been giving ure, it doesn’t help in terms of the tacts with Russians before and “Crooked Hillary”. debates and lost her direction! The ings loud and clear. She spent big a series of interviews promoting stature of our whole country.” after the November election. 20 HOME MONDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Indian magazine praises Al Kawari’s candidacy

FAJR 04.04 am SHOROOK 05.21 am The Peninsula He emphasized that although it is the first time that Qatar aspires to such ZUHR 11.28 am MAGHRIB 05.37pm ailing the credentials of an important position, he recalled that ASR 02.55 pm ISHA 07.07 pm Qatar’s candidate for he does not only represent his coun- Unesco’s top position, try but also the whole Arab world with H E Dr Hamad bin this candidacy. WEATHER TODAY Abdulaziz Al Kawari, “Unesco is going through a very HIndian magazine ‘Indian Dominion’ big financial crisis, but this is a politi- o o has noted that Qatar’s candidature cal problem. If there are no political appears to be the strongest solutions, it will be very difficult to 31 C 39 C candidate. solve economic problems,” said the Minimum Maximum “According to international media former minister of culture. and political observers all over the He stressed that he will work to world, Qatar’s candidature appears to bring back the United States as an be the strongest candidate. The rea- active member of the organization and son is Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari’s assured that the return of Americans highest credentials. He is a very qual- will not only strengthen Unesco, but ified candidate and has a record of long will help to obtain better tools to face and successful diplomatic career too. the real threats that exist today like He is a popular figure not only in the terrorism. Arab world but in Europe and Asia as “We want to fight terrorism and well,” said Indian Dominion’. the United States is one of the coun- The position of the Unesco Direc- tries that are at the forefront of this tor-General has never been filled by fight,” said Al-Kawari, who said that an Arab. Dr Al Kawari has been focus- this fight is not only fought with mil- ing on Qatar’s efforts in cooperation itary means but also with with the UN to launch the Educate A H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari. education. Child programme that helped in the “If we do not solve the problems education of 10 million children historical proportions. He pointed that Unesco has a significant role in of poverty, the problems related to around the world, promising that it is our duty to massively magnify its combating terrorism, the Qatari can- respect for culture, then we will not be education, particularly in Africa, will engagement towards education. didate said, noting that military action able to fight terrorism. Unesco had receive special attention as the cor- The Indian publication said that he isn’t enough and Unesco plays a major been setup to implement peace, so we nerstone of development through has been working through his diplo- role in this regard because terrorism are going to fight terrorism through cooperation between Unesco and the matic ties to encourage countries that can’t be eradicated without overcom- Unesco with education, “he said. African Union to achieve the best haven’t paid their financial dues to the ing poverty and ignorance, boosting He considers that an efficient way outcome. organisation to pay them as well as awareness of the importance of edu- to fight terrorism is to develop critical Recently, Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al create attractive Unesco programmes cation, and spreading multiculturalism. thinking through quality education by Hazy to misty / foggy at places at first Kawari visited the capital of India and in the fields of education and culture Dr Al Kawari said that Qatar nomi- allowing the youth to have the means becomes hot daytime with chance of shared his ideas, vision and mission to encourage strategic sponsors and nated him out of its belief in the role to defend themselves against fanatic local rainy clouds by afternoon and for Unesco with the media. He started partners. He also proposed a Davos- of Unesco in establishing peace as well thoughts and doctrines. humid by night. with his concerns about the current like conference to discuss means of as the organisation’s interest in human His vision encompasses also the status of Unesco and his vision after solving problems and finding proper heritage. preservation of the world tangible and the victory: “Over seven billion inhab- solutions, adding that he will hold talks Qatar hosted in 2015 the 38th ses- intangible cultural heritage that dark HIGH TIDE 03:15 – 15:45 LOW TIDE 08:45 – 22:45 itants call Earth home. How many of with the United States to discuss its sion of the World Heritage Committee forces are trying to destroy. The world Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department them are illiterate? How many actu- responsibilities towards Unesco in and called for establishing a fund to heritage is the shared human memory ally benefit from proper education? terms of achieving the organisation’s protect human heritage and donated and those harming it are harming our Unesco is facing a responsibility of goal of global peace. $10m at the time. collective cultural heritage. 10,000 students QU to launch new courses attend Awqaf’s related to blockade

Sanaullah Ataullah security and transport in a bid touch with the Ministry of Munic- Holy Quran classes The Peninsula to meet the requirements of ipality and Environment on local job markets in public and launching a new program —agri- atar University has private sector amid assuming cultural science. “The College of QNA announced adding new importance for such specialisa- Engineering has good experience Qcourses related to block- tions due to blockade. related to cooling system as it he Holy Quran Education Centers at the Minis- ade imposed on Qatar in the Qatar University also coordinated with the Supreme try of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has resumed its college programs of law, soci- showed its readiness to help Committee for Delivery and Leg- Twork with the start of the new academic year. ology and media. local farmers in sharing experi- acy in installing cooling system About 10,000 students are attending the Holy Quran QU President Dr Hassan Al ences related to setting up at stadiums. We received request classes distributed in 111 centres all over the Derham yesterday announced cooling system for their green- from the Ministry of Municipal- country. that Qatar University was houses. The details were given ity and Environment to transfer The students follow up on their assessment launching four new courses by the official of Qatar Univer- this experience in installing cool- according to the Ministry’s review curriculum, which related to the blockade which sity in a press conference held ing system to some farms includes the various classes of students, from the les- would be optional. yesterday to announce the new connected with the Ministry,” sons of the alphabet to the completion of the Holy Giving details about the accreditation obtained by the said Al Khalifa. Quran. Director of Da’wa and Religious Guidance courses, Al Derham said that one varsity. Al Khalifa said that the new Department at the Ministry of Awqaf Mohammed bin course will be presented at Law The College of Engineering courses will be proposed to the Hamad Al Kuwari said in a press statement that all College and the subjects will be of Qatar University received Authorities Concerned in future the centres of the Holy Quran teaching were prepared related to the blockade on the requests from government insti- for approval. “Qatar University in advance to meet their students and staff to follow aspect of law. “College of Busi- tutions to launch new programs as national varsity is keen to up on their memorization and review. ness and Economics will have a in their specialisations. “The launch specialized courses to Al Kuwari said that the studying time at the cen- subject related to the economic College received communica- meet the needs of the country,” tres is on two periods, morning and evening, the aspect of the blockade and the tions from Qatar Development he added. morning period is from the 8-11 am , while the evening College of Arts and Sciences will Bank and state security agency The College of Health and begins after the Asr prayer and continues until before get two courses media and about launching two programs Science is also working to the Isha prayer. He pointed to the importance of reg- social sciences related to the – agricultural science and cyber launch new programs in food ularity and commitment of students to attend the Holy blockade,” he said, while security,” said Dean of the Col- safety and processing. “The Min- Quran classes, calling on children to better use their addressing a press conference lege of Engineering, Dr Khalifa istry of Public Health requested energies and skills and the use of leisure time in stud- to announce the academic Al Khalifa. “We are conducting to Qatar University to offer pro- ying Share’aa science through reading and memorizing accreditation of QU colleges of a feasible study to launch the grams on food safety and the Holy Quran. Education (CED), Engineering programs. It could be bachelor processing,” said CHS Human He also referred to the social and educational roles (CENG), and Health Sciences courses or diplomas as pr the Nutrition Department Head Dr of the Holy Quran centres, noting that the children (CHS).. needs of the institutions” he Tahra El Obeid. “The college will enrolling in these centres will enhance the values of Qatar University is mulling added. submit the proposals for Islam and raise the good morals which reflect posi- over launching new programs Al Khalifa said that the Col- approaval next week,” she tively on their educational life. about food security, cyber lege of Engineering is also in added.

MEC spots 119 violations in August Plan to evaluate schools QNA prices approved by the con- violations to protect consumer cerned management, not rights to monitor if suppliers were THE Department of Assessment in the Min- he inspection campaign complying to recording all abiding by the obligations stipu- istry of Education and Higher Education is held by representatives explanatory statements relating lated by Law No. (8) of 2008 on preparing to evaluate 40 public schools, 24 Tfrom the Ministry of Econ- to the offered commodity, not consumer protection. for boys and 16 for girls, after completing its omy and Commerce (MEC) in describing, advertising or dis- The penalties included plan for the new academic year 2017/2018. August resulted in the seizure playing the item in a manner that administrative closure and finan- The Department has established internal and issuance of 119 violations, contains false or deceptive data, cial fines which vary between work committees to review the evaluation which include the non-compli- non-existence of receipts and QR5,000 and QR30,000 accord- system, based on the observations and sug- ance with prices of vegetables failure to add cards on dis- ing to the laws and decisions gestions of evaluation specialists and school and fruits bulletin, non-display counted products. governing the work of consumer administrations, in line with the latest global of product and service prices, The intensive inspections are protection departments. accreditation systems. The work will con- non-display in Arabic and non- part of the Ministry’s keenness to The Ministry confirmed it will tinue to produce the final evaluation manual issuance of receipts in Arabic. regulate and monitor the markets be firm against all those negligent and apply it in the next academic year 2018- The violations also included and commercial activities in the to those not complying to the con- 2019, in order to give a longer period to failure to display the original country with the aim of control- sumer protection law and its evaluate the updated procedures. prices alongside the discounted ling prices and detecting executive regulations.