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Monday 8 May 2017 | 12 Sha'baan 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Volume 22 | Number 7155 | 2 Riyals

PM meets Bangladesh Foreign Minister Health strategy QA signs FIFA to focus on 16 key areas Fazeena Saleem sponsorship The Peninsula

QATAR Public Health Strat- egy 2017-2022 will address a deal until 2022 wide range of 16 key health areas including diabetes, car- diovascular disease, road The Peninsula safety, occupational health and tobacco cessation, mak- atar Airways was Upcoming events ing it a most comprehensive announced yester- sponsored by Qatar health policy. day as Official Airways will include the The Ministry of Public Partner and Official FIFA Confederations Health (MoPH) is preparing to QAirline of FIFA as formally launch the Qatar Cup 2017, the 2018 FIFA part of a ground-breaking World Cup in Russia, the Public Health Strategy 2017- sponsorship package lasting 2022 later in the year.It will until 2022. Upcoming events FIFA Club World Cup, aim to create the environment sponsored by Qatar Airways the FIFA Women’s World Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and conditions to improve the will include the FIFA Confed- Cup and the 2022 FIFA met with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, and the accompanying health and wellbeing of the erations Cup 2017, the 2018 World Cup in Qatar. delegation. They reviewed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them. population, said Dr Moham- FIFA World Cup in Russia, the mad bin Hamad Al Thani, FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Director of Public Health at Women’s World Cup and the more than two billion people the MoPH, yesterday during 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, per tournament. The airline will the official launch of the Qatar said Qatar Airways in a also have visibility at competi- Unlicensed nurseries warned Public Health Strategy 2017- statement. tions such as the FIFA U-20 2022 Consultation. As an Official Partner of World Cup, the FIFA Futsal → Continued on page 5 FIFA, Qatar Airways will have World Cup and the FIFA Inter- extensive marketing and active World Cup, the world’s against operating from home branding rights at the next two largest online gaming Macron becomes FIFA World Cups, with an tournament. Mohammed Osman and has a set criteria for nurs- or don’t have house maids, France's youngest expected audience reach of → Continued on page 4 The Peninsula ery buildings to ensure security therefore they leave their chil- and safety of the children but dren with other families on daily president he Ministry of Administra- some parents are leaving their basis until they come back from tive Development , Labour children with other families or works, and this is upon individ- EMMANUEL MACRON, a Tand Social Affairs yester- people who are providing nurs- ual agreement which is very 39-year-old pro-Euro- day issued a warning to ery like services illegally, said a difficult to control or prevent, pean centrist, won the individuals or legal entities run- member of the Central Munici- said Al Malki, who added that if French presidency, scor- ning activities similar to those pal Council (CMC) Jassim bin the number was more than one ing a resounding victory carried by the nursery schools Abdullah Al Malki, the former or two children then it had over far-right rival Marine without licences. vice chairman of the council and become a kind of business Le Pen. The Ministry has warned all chairman of Services and Facil- which needed to be licensed. → See also page 15 the individuals and the legal ities Committee, representative In its notice the Ministry entities in the state from receiv- of constituency Number 1. said: “With regard to the super- ing children for holding "In my constituency, Doha visory role it has issued notice activities similar to that of nurs- Al Jadida, I did not come across on nursery schools, and in order ery schools, said the Ministry in such activities but we need to to ensure the protection of chil- its twitter handle recently. differentiate between day-care dren from being exposed to risks The Ministry highlighted that services and illegally established at places that carry out activi- it issued notice “due to the seri- nurseries that provide nursery ties similar to that of nursery ous health and safety risk for services in residential facilities," schools in the state without a Tyres get costlier due children that might result from said Al Malki while talking to licenses according to the provi- Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, with such a practice”. The Peninsula yesterday. sion of Law No 1/2014 which to new regulations FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, after signing the The government has issued There are some parents who regulates nurseries”. sponsorship deal, yesterday. a law regulating these activities cannot afford fees of nurseries → Continued on page 2 → Page 3

Record movement of aircraft & cargo at HIA in March Ministry of Municipality launches e-inspection The Peninsula while 140,200 tonnes handled in Feb- ruary 2017 and 177,325 tonnes in Sidi Mohamed amad International Airport March 2017. 21,842 9,782,202 The Peninsula (HIA), Qatar’s gateway to the HIA served a total of 9,782,202 Total aircraft Number of passengers Hworld, handled a record 21,842 passengers from January to March take-offs and served by HIA from o bring transparency, the inspectors and supervisors aircraft take-offs and landings and 2017, representing a 10 percent landings in March January to March 2017 of municipalities will now be equipped with digital 177,325 tonnes of cargo in the month increase in passenger numbers com- Tgadgets as the age of paper use comes to an end. of March, making it the busiest month pared to the 8,868,066 passengers They will take pictures and record videos of viola- for aircraft movement and cargo han- served during the same time period tions after the Ministry of Municipality and Environment dling yet. in 2016. January 2017 saw 3,534,528 announced the launch of "e-inspection" yesterday. The first quarter of 2017 saw passengers arriving, departing and 177,325 62,913 “From next week, food inspectors will be able to start 62,913 aircraft movements at HIA, transferring through HIA, 3,030,436 tonnes Aircraft movements their inspection electronically. They will register violations representing an 8 percent increase in passengers in February and 3,217,238 Total cargo during Jan-March and save it electronically and also send notifications to aircraft take-offs and landings at the passengers in March. The airport also handled in March 2017 authorities concerned to take decisions about violators,” airport from January to March 2017, handled 7.5 million units of said Dr Mohamed Saif Al Kuwari, Director of the the Munic- compared to 58,288 movements dur- baggage. ipal and Environmental Studies Center of the Ministry. ing the same period last year. A total Commenting on the airport’s fig- Al Kuwari also added: “The first phase is limited to of 21,635 movements were recorded ures, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, food inspectors and we hope by the end of this year all in January 2017 while 19,436 move- Chief Operating Officer at Hamad ministry’s inspectors will be able to use this application ments in February 2017 and 21,842 International Airport, said: “HIA has instead of papers.” movements in March 2017. seen a phenomenal increase in cargo “The work will be easier for inspectors and bring more HIA also handled a total of handling at our state-of-the-art cargo transparency in the system. They can take picture and 469,725 tonnes of cargo in the first terminal. We have also seen a signif- video through the iPad and can also find the location of quarter of 2017 which is 20 percent icant increase in aircraft movements the food outlets and all the information they need about more than the 389,950 tonnes of due to the increased frequency of sev- the companies through entering the license number in cargo handled in the first quarter of eral of our patron airlines’ weekly collaboration with the Ministry of economy and com- 2016. A total of 152,200 tonnes of flights from HIA as well as new air- merce,” Al Kuwari added while talking yesterday in a cargo was handled in January 2017 lines joining our network.” press conference. → Continued on page 2 02 HOME MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

Message to Minister praises young entrepreneurs President of Singapore Amna Pervaiz Rao The Peninsula EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent inister of Economy a written message to President and Commerce of the Republic of Singapore H E Sheikh Ahmed Tony Tan Keng Yam, pertain- bin Jassim bin ing to bilateral relations and Mohammed Al- means of supporting them. MThani said Qatar has placed The message was con- entrepreneurship and SMEs at veyed by Ambassador of the top of its strategic priorities. State of Qatar to Singapore Speaking at Reyada Awards, Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al the Minister said Nama (Empow- Hamar when the President of erment and Entrepreneurship) Singapore met him at the Center is among the most impor- Presidential Palace. tant national initiatives that promotes entrepreneurship among young people and Qatar envoy to encourages them to innovate. The fourth edition of Reyada Montenegro Award Ceremony, held at Doha Exhibition and Convention submits his Center (DECC), was organised by the Nama Social Development credentials Center. Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani with award winners and officials The Minister said Qatar PRESIDENT of the Republic during the Reyada Awards Ceremony held by NAMA Center at DECC yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula looked to implement a host of of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic programmes and policies that received the credentials of promote a constructive partner- development. entrepreneurs. Awarding two Aysha AI Mudakha, CEO of Qatar Sheikh Mubarak bin Fahd Al- ship with the private sector. The Nama Center Regarding the Reyada prizes for each of the two cate- Business Incubation Centre Thani as Qatar's non-resident state is always keen on increas- Nama Center among Award, the Minister said: “Rey- gories; ‘Best Project Plan’ (QBIC), Dr Abdul Rahman Omar ambassador extraordinary and ing the contribution of young the most important ada Awards is one of the most category for promising project Hasna, Head of Projects and plenipotentiary to Montenegro. entrepreneurs in economic important national initiatives plans that can be successfully Shared Services -IT Department The ambassador con- national initiatives development by encouraging that promotes entrepreneurships implemented and ‘Best Existing at Sidra Medical and Research veyed the greetings of Emir to promote them to take initiative and by among young people and Project’ category for successful Center, and Khalifa bin Jassim H H Sheikh Tamim bin providing a suitable environment entrepreneurship encourages them to innovate." existing projects growing at fixed AI- Kuwari, board member at Hamad Al Thani and his for innovation. and innovation. The Minster thanked the and acceptable rates, with the QFSW. wishes of progress and pros- The Minister discussed the Nama Social Development rewarding of successful entre- On this occasion, Maryam perity to the president and legal and legislative frameworks Fourth edition of Center and all authorities that preneurs who have successfully bint Abdullatif AI-Mannai, people of Montenegro. that contributed to developing Reyada Award support entrepreneurs in their completed their projects. Community Services Manager For his part, the president the business environment in the Ceremony, held at bid to make an active contribu- The projects were evaluated Acting Executive Manager of of Montenegro entrusted the country and also discussed the Doha Exhibition and tion to the development of the by a panel of judges who have NAMA Center, said:“ I extend ambassador to convey his initiatives made to create an Convention Center. national economy. expertise in the field of entrepre- my warmest congratulations to greetings to the Emir as well attractive investment environ- The aim of Reyada is to neurship, Amaal Bint Abdullatif the winners, and wish them as his wishes of good health ment for Small and Medium encourage entrepreneurial ini- AI Mannai, CEO of Qatar Foun- ongoing success. I would also to His Highness and his Enterprises (SME). diversifying its economy and tiatives and innovation. The dation for Social Work (QFSW), like to thank QNB (the official wishes of prosperity and The Minister highlighted the enhancing its competitiveness. event was hosted by Abdullah Dr Nizam Mohammad Hindi, sponsor), AI Bandary Real progress to the State of Qatar. launch of the single window for The minister noted that AI-Ghafri, one of the most prom- Assistant Vice President for Aca- Estate (Golden Sponsor), Qatar The president also wished investors, and the economic these efforts led to structural inent social media figures, in the demic Planning and Petrochemical Company the ambassador success in his zones of Manateq logistics which changes in the economy and a presence of important guests and Development at Qatar Univer- “QAPCO” (Silver Sponsor) for new duties, stressing that he aim to lower operating costs for higher contribution by the pri- media representatives. sity, Emad AI Khaja, CEO of Injaz their continued support and all will provide all support to investors and also discussed the vate sector led by SMEs, which In the fourth edition, awards Qatar, Reem AI Suwaidi, Gen- those who contributed to the advance bilateral ties efforts of the State of Qatar in became a main partner in were distributed among four eral Manager of Bedaya Center, success of this event.” between the two countries. Training for 104 inspectors under way

→ Continued from page 1 The e-inspection application was announced yesterday by the Municipal and Environmental Studies Center and Geographi- cal Information System at the Ministry. “Earlier, inspectors used to find difficulties during inspec- tion visits. They had to register violations on papers and bring them back to office. But, now Amer Muhammad Al Humaidi (left) and Dr Mohammed bin Saif they can register violations directly, take pictures and vid- Al Kuwari during the launch of the new electronic inspection eos, send notifications directly system yesterday. Pic: Kammutty V P / The Peninsula to the authorities concerned to take decision” Al Kuwari said. Information System, said: “The about cleaning, fish and animal As many as 104 inspectors e-programme saves time and resources, environment, exca- from different municipalities are efforts and will help inspectors vation and building.” getting training in the use of this to take decisions quickly based Such database which the application. The training started on the available information ministry will create will contrib- yesterday and will continue for which is saved in the applica- ute of classification the five days, Al Kuwari said. tion. Also, inspectors will create institutions either they must be Amer Al Humaidi, Assistant a data base about all the viola- blacklisted or be placed under Director of Geographical tors of ministry’s rules either monitoring. Companies urged to open day care centres → Continued from page 1 opening of home-based busi- According the notice, all those nesses, then why people are not who do not abide by the law “will getting licences to run such busi- be liable to legal prosecution, as ness legally, and people know that well as their subordinates and it is not easy to meet the security employees both for (criminal – and safety requirements for busi- civil liability) as stipulated either ness of day care and nursery in law No 1/2014 regulating nurs- activities," said an inspector at the ery schools or by the penal Code Ministry of Administrative Devel- issued in Law No 11/2004 and its opment who did not want to be amendments”. quoted. "However, the solution is This phenomenon is very to encourage companies and limited as many people are ministries to open day-care cent- aware of the risks of dealing ers at workplaces for mothers to with unlicensed entities or indi- Social Affairs has inspectors to look after their babies," he added. viduals and therefore they hire monitor such activities but Um Anas, a customer, said: “I housemaids or leave their chil- inspectors are not allowed to tried to find a nursery in the area dren in legal nurseries, Al Malki enter houses without legal per- I am living but the woman receiv- (pictured) told The Peninsula. mission from the attorney ing children at home for day care He recalled the sad incident of general, said Al Malki. told me she only accepts the same Villaggio Mall fire where 13 chil- The CMC did not discuss this nationality to avoid language and dren and six adults died, saying: issue before, said Al Malki, when cultural barriers”. Asked how "People have learnt a lot from asked whether the council had much she used to ask for the serv- this incident." raised the issue or not. ices, she said only QR300 per The Ministry of Administra- "When the Ministry of Econ- month. "That is why I brought my tive Development, Labour and omy and Commerce has allowed child to this nursery," she added. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 HOME 03 New tyres stronger but costlier after warranty extension

The Qatar General Authority for Specifications and Standardisation of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment had extended the warranty on tyres from six months to one year last year and asked the importers to bring stronger products.

Sanaullah Ataullah The Peninsula

ew tyres with one- year warranty are strong enough to increase the life expectancy of the Nproduct as required under the trial Area, Street No. 10. new rules but their prices are "We have started receiving higher by around 10 to 15 per- new products from the beginning cent compared to the ones which of this year. The prices of low were previously sold with six- quality of tyres have increased year warranty. by about QR30 from QR160 to The Qatar General Authority QR190 per tyre. The famous for Specifications and Standard- brands of tyres have also wit- isation of the Ministry of nessed price hike of around Municipality and Environment QR50, from QR350 to QR400." had extended the warranty on The prices of tyres for heavy tyres from six months to one year vehicles went up significantly by last year and asked the import- about QR150 because of the new ers to bring stronger products. decision, he added. It is difficult The decision is aimed at for customers, and even some improving the quality of tyres traders, to understand the dif- and give consumers enough time ferences between old and new to discover any manufacturing tyres by looking at it, said a sales- New stocks of tyres displayed at a shop in Doha. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula defects or storage problems as a man at a tyre outlet in Salwa six-month warranty was not Road. enough. All tyres entering the coun- date of manufacturing," said a case of personal use." when the vehicle was running manufacturing date on the side- Following the decision, the try have undergone quality and shopkeeper. The tyres should be "But motorists unaware of on highway,” he added. wall in the form of four numbers suppliers had started importing specification checks at customs valid at least one year from the the dangers of tyre burst due to The Peninsula found an out- usually preceded by the letters tyres with new specifications that before the clearance of the con- date of sale. Outlets are also use of old tyers for long, putting let storing expired tyres in the DOT. These numbers represent could meet the new warranty signments and inspectors visit required to provide warranty for their lives and lives of others at heap of scrap tyres in a corner the week number and year, so period. The traders told The the retail outlets and stores every one year from the date of sale risk. With soaring temperatures, of the shop arguably to hood- 3016 will be week 30, 2016. It Peninsula that new tyres hit the now and then. So the customers and it is banned to showcase or the risk of tyre burst increases," wink the inspectors. means the tyre was manufac- local market in the beginning of need not worry in this regard, store expired tyres, he added. said a salesman. Some customers, especially tured in August 2016. According this year and they are stronger said a shopkeeper. To ensure that outlets are “Today, we received a cus- those looking for cheaper tyres, to experts, tyres are made but "a little bit expensive". "Retail outlets were complying with the rules tomer who suffered tyre burst. could fall victim to the trick of mostly of rubber, and rubber “Now we are providing one instructed to stop selling tyres regarding the expiry date and Thank God the second tyre greedy traders who defy the degrades with ageing. It means year warranty for all tyres avail- of passenger vehicles, buses warranty, the inspectors pay saved the motorist and vehicle laws to make money. They do tyres become useless in the store able in my shop as per the and light trucks after 24 regular visits to the outlets. "We from any harm or damage. It not bother to see the manufac- after a certain period, and there- requirements of the authorities months while the expiry period give warranty of one year but was a refrigerated vehicle car- turing date, which is very fore it is important for motorists concerned," said a manager of a for heavy trucks tyres is 30 tyres could last more than one rying meat products. The important to calculate the expiry to check the expiry date before tyre shop operating in the Indus- months from the year as per its use especially in incident of tyre-burst took place date of tyers. Every tyre has a buying tyres. 04 HOME MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

Qatar and Pakistan to enhance business ties Al Muraikhi meets German envoy

The Peninsula

inister of Commerce of Pakistan, Khurram MDastgir Khan, yesterday met with Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Moham- med Al Thani. Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan is on a two-day visit to Qatar along with a delega- tion of Pakistani businessmen. In the meeting, they dis- cussed bilateral relations and facets of bilateral cooperation and how to advance it further, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad especially in the economic, com- Al Muraikhi with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic merce, and investment fields. of Germany to Qatar, Hans-Udo Muzel. They discussed “The State of Qatar and the bilateral relations and means of developing them as well Islamic Republic of Pakistan have Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani as matters of mutual concern. signed a number of commercial with Minister of Commerce of Pakistan, Khurram Dastagir Khan, yesterday. agreements, including one on the encouragement and protection of Qatar's 21st largest trade partner,” where he was briefed about the minister. investments that was signed in said a statement issued by the project and possible opportu- Today, Dastgir Khan will April 6, 1999. There was also an Ministry of Economy and nities of cooperation between visit Qatar Chamber of Com- agreement on economic cooper- Commerce. two countries. The delegation merce where he will meet QCC ation signed back in April 16, 1984. On the first day of his visit, of Pakistani business, mostly Chairman and will also hold a QA understands power Bilateral trade volume in 2016 Pakistan’s commerce minister representing construction sec- meeting with office bearers of reached QR2.85bn. Pakistan is also visited Lusail City Project tor, was also accompanying the Qatar Business Association. of sport in bringing people together: Al Baker

→ Continued from page 1 QM signs MoUs for marine research excitement of each match over Yesterday’s announcement the next two FIFA competition builds on Qatar Airways’ spon- cycles, until the 2022 FIFA The Peninsula reveal and understand how its Describing the benefits of the sorship strategy with major World Cup, which will be Five-year project marine history has contributed project, Al Mahmoud added: sporting clubs and events proudly held in our home coun- atar Museums (QM) Organisations will to the country's social and eco- "This study will help provide around the globe, which try, the State of Qatar.” has signed MoUs with collaborate in a nomic behaviours. information and images of includes partnerships with FC Speaking about the new Qatar University (QU), comprehensive study QM expects that this study Qatar's underwater ecosystem. Barcelona and Saudi Arabia’s partnership FIFA Secretary York University, a on marine features will make new discoveries that It will build capabilities for those Al-Ahli FC, as well as Formula General Fatma Samoura said: Qhighly established will reveal many hidden secrets who are interested in working E races in Paris and New York, “FIFA is delighted to partner and underwater organisation in the field of from the bottom of the sea, in the underwater archeological and the UCI Road World Cham- with the world’s fastest-grow- archeology. marine research, and the Min- which was the region's first field, as it will contribute to pionship, most recently held in ing airline, Qatar Airways. istry of Cultural Heritage and source of income and a major world-class educational pro- Doha, Qatar, alongside long- Known for introducing indus- Activities and Tourism in Italy. The research project, route for commercial vessels. grammes. The research will be standing sponsorships of Qatar try firsts, Qatar Airways is an The agreements will allow the due to start in the Describing the importance able to shed light on Qatar and Total and ExxonMobil Tennis ideal partner for FIFA as we organisations to collaborate in middle of this year, of this project, Mansour bin the region’s history, and on the Tournaments. prepare for the first ever a comprehensive study on will run for almost Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Chief habits and traditions of our Qatar Airways Group Chief World Cup in the Gulf region, Qatar's marine features and five years. Executive Officer, Qatar Muse- ancestors. This partnership Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: the 2022 FIFA World Cup in underwater archeology. ums, said: "This project perfectly brings QM closer to its goal of “Qatar Airways understands the Qatar. We look forward to The partnership will see QM reflects the leading role that QM honouring the traditions of the power of sport in bringing peo- working hand in hand with lead a research project with a and benefit from this significant is playing in protecting and pro- past, while embracing the ple together in the spirit of Qatar Airways to promote team of local and international social and scientific project. There moting Qatar's heritage." future." Dr Hassan bin Rashid Al friendly competition. FIFA, as FIFA competitions and foot- marine archeology experts. The will also be several workshops Al Mahmoud also highlighted Derham, President of Qatar Uni- the governing body of the ball around the world." first of its kind in the region, the and training programmes organ- the uniqueness of this project, versity, said: "We are delighted world’s most popular sporting The Fédération Internation- research will explore the arche- ised in collaboration with local which is looking at underwater to be partnering with Qatar tournament, the FIFA World ale de Football Association ological characteristics of Qatar's schools and universities. archeological sites instead of the Museums and York University Cup, embodies the power of (FIFA) is an association gov- underwater environment. This research project, which usual on-land sites. He also stated for this important initiative,that football’s popularity, and as erned by Swiss law founded in In addition to the team of spe- is due to start in the middle of that QM continues to support col- seeks to preserve a significant such is a natural partner for 1904 and based in Zurich. It has cialised experts, QM will invite this year, will run for almost five laboration with high caliber part of the country's heritage, Qatar Airways. We look for- 211 member associations and relevant community members years. Through this project, QM institutions, such as York Univer- which will ultimately connect ward to celebrating wins with its goal, enshrined in its Stat- such as Qatari divers to take part aims to explore Qatar’s under- sity and Qatar University, to help the future generations with the the fans, being inspired by the utes, is the constant and get a chance to experience water environment to help encourage knowledge transfer. history of their country." artistry of the players, and to the improvement of football. RAF projects for Exhibition to showcase splendour of Islamic calligraphy the poor in Gaza The Peninsula its contribution to the world we live in.” The Peninsula new exhibition – Contemporary Calligra- “The Museum of Islamic Art phy – Mehmet ebi Collection, will open at houses one of the greatest col- heikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Athe QM Gallery Al Riwaq this month, and will lections of Islamic Art in the Humanitarian Services (RAF) has imple- bring together a notable selection of intricate and world, spanning more than Smented 30 income generation projects at a beautiful calligraphic artworks dating from the 1,400 years and covering an cost of over QR2.2m for poor people in Gaza. 1960’s to the present day. enormous variety of art forms The projects were funded by the endowment The exhibition, which will run from May 15 till plays an invaluable role in this fund of Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah, the Founder June 17, 2017, will focus on two traditions, renowned regard. Now, this exhibition at and Honorary President of RAF. for their glorification of the beauty of Islam through the QM Gallery Al Riwaq will Under the income generation scheme, the art. represent an important step in beneficiaries received four stationery shops, five The first is an assortment of Hilye-i ?erif (The this direction and we invite poultry farms, four farms for breeding sheep, Noble Hilya), a form of classic calligraphic art. The audiences from Qatar and four small vehicles, four grocery shops, four shops second is a collection of tesbih (prayer beads), used around the region to experience for household items and five other different types for ruminative prayer. for themselves the wonder of of projects. Collected by renowned Turkish expert Meh- such calligraphic art.” The projects helped poor families making met ebi, more than 200 pieces will feature in the The collection at the QM them financially independent. It also encour- exhibition, which brings together what is widely Gallery Al Riwaq will build on aged other young people to open businesses in acknowledged to be one of the finest collections the strength of the collection of different sectors to earn money. of its kind, anywhere in the world. Islamic Art at the Museum of RAF has a mechanism for the implementa- Mehmet ebi is the founder of the world’s first Islamic Art (MIA), which tion of each project. The beneficiaries were Noble Hilya and Prayer Beads Museum in Suley- includes metalwork, ceramics, provided primary materials required for the maniye-Istanbul, and has been developing his jewellery, woodwork, textiles projects. To ensure the sustainability, RAF super- collection related to classical calligraphy and Noble and glass. Over the years, MIA vised the projects during implementation and Hilya with a contemporary approach to this tradi- has built widespread appreci- kept following up after establishment, so that tional art form since the 1990’s. His collections have ation and interest in Islamic the income could continue for beneficiaries. been exhibited in more than 30 venues in Turkey calligraphy through a variety of and abroad. workshops, education pro- Contemporary Calligraphy – Mehmet ebi Col- grammes, family events and lection will reflect the importance of calligraphy activities. as a major form of artistic expression in Islamic The exhibition will also build cultures and highlight Qatar Museums’ commit- on the hugely successful Qatar- ment to building bridges of understanding between Turkey Year of Culture 2015 cultures through organising broad and varied exhi- which helped further establish bitions and programmes that celebrate art, heritage the profile, reputation and and creativity. Mehmet ebi’s vision in developing importance of Turkish art and the collection is to deepen understanding and artists. The Qatar-Turkey Year appreciation for the art form around the world. One of the calligraphy works to be displayed at the exhibtion at of Culture explored the contem- Commenting on the exhibition, Khalid Al-Ibra- the QM Gallery Al Riwaq this month. porary and traditional cultures him, Chief Strategic Planning Officer at Qatar of Turkey, including world-class Museums said: exhibitions, such as the travel- “One of our key objectives at Qatar Museums Islamic art, building a true appreciation for the sig- ling Pearls exhibition, educational programmes and is to invite people to learn about the full scope of nificance and importance of Islamic culture and cultural exchanges across both countries. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 HOME 05 Girls' school wins core skills competition

Raynald C Rivera Taqaddam contest I’d like to thank and congratu- The Peninsula late our partners in this project This year the — HSBC and the MEHE — and I l Bayan Independ- programme hope that our partnership will ent School for Girls supported 15 continue to grow in the future," was crowned win- teachers and 240 said Dr Frank Fitzpatrick, Direc- ner of the Taqaddam students to develop tor British Council Qatar. competition, British skills, confidence and Richard Keery, Country Head CouncilA Qatar and HSBC Bank of Commercial Banking of HSBC lifelong learning Middle East announced at the in Qatar, said: “HSBC is proud to enabling them to be final held at La Cigale Hotel be partnering with the British yesterday. prepared for the Council in this excellent pro- A total of 240 students from world of work. gramme. Together, we are better 12 Qatari schools competed with preparing the youth of Qatar for their innovative ideas aimed at the future and supporting their tackling global and social chal- prepared for the world of work. development in line with Qatar lenges they identified within “Taqaddam is designed to National Vision 2030.” their communities. encourage young people to play Noor Al Madeed, Expert at Launched last year, an active role in their own jour- MEHE, said: “We at MEHE Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari (centre) and other officials Taqaddam (Move Forward) is a ney of personal development appreciate the partnership and targeted core skills initiative and I must say that I am cooperation with the British during the official launch of the Qatar Public Health Strategy 2017-2022 Consultation. developed by HSBC and the Brit- delighted with the skills and Council for its active role in ish Council using content confidence that students in launching programmes that created by Spark&Mettle, in col- Qatar have gained in such a stimulate student skills to serve Six-year strategy aims to laboration with the Ministry of short space of time. The idea is the aspirations and vision of Education and Higher Educa- to enable them to identify and Qatar 2030. In this context, a tion (MEHE). This year the improve key character programme for the second con- promote healthy lifestyle programme supported 15 teach- strengths, such as resolve, con- secutive year of a group of high ers and 240 students to develop fidence and purpose, and this school students was co-spon- Continued from page 1 skills, confidence and lifelong provides a valuable foundation sored. The programme was issues and lifestyle habits. Sev- learning enabling them to be for a flourishing and happy life. characterised by the effective The event was held on the The new six-year eral attendees of the fifth integration of students into life sidelines of the fifth Middle Middle East Forum on Quality skill activities where students East Forum on Quality and strategy will also and Safety in Healthcare were benefited by arming them with Safety in Healthcare in the focus on areas such seen taking part in the survey skills such as self-confidence, presence of H E Dr Hanan as healthy lifestyle, at a special booth assigned at determination, decision-mak- Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister oral health, maternal the venue. ing, and the ability to maintain of Public Health and many “The Qatar Public Health safety and health. These skills other key officials in the health and child health, Strategy is an incredibly excit- are essential to helping young sector. respiratory diseases, ing six-year plan with the people succeed in today's world “Increasing public under- environmental health, potential to make a real posi- by providing them with learn- standing of health, ensuring air mental health, food tive difference to the lives of ing, life and work skills” quality is of the highest stand- the people of Qatar. Through With the success and ard, establishing more safety, communicable the survey we will receive in- improvement of participants, screening clinics to monitor diseases and cancer. depth information on what the programme has introduced people’s health and providing The strategy will set people want, and need, in rela- new updates including more support for people who 63 objectives to be tion to public health – we will “Taqaddam Tasters” which wish to lead healthier lifestyles then study and utilize this Participants of the Taqaddam competition held at the La opens the Taqaddam experience in all aspects. In line with it, reached through four feedback to ensure that the Cigale Hotel, yesterday. Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah /The Peninsula to 900 young people. the Qatar Public Health Strat- strategic enablers. final strategy is robust and egy will aim to improve the fit for purpose,” said Dr Al health of Qatar’s residents,” Thani. said Dr Al Thani. “To achieve the strategy’s The new six year strategy awareness about healthy life- vision for a healthy population QU and University of Surrey will also focus on areas such style habits, ensuring safer we need individuals, families, as healthy lifestyle, oral health, environment: air water and employers, schools and gov- maternal and child health, res- food, protecting employees ernment to all play their part piratory diseases, from workplace hazards and and take responsibility for join hands for research environmental health , mental improving safety of all road developing a healthier society. health , food safety, commu- users. The Qatar Public Health Strat- The Peninsula Al Maadeed and University of hosting visiting delegations, and nicable diseases and cancer. The launch of the Qatar egy Consultation is a wonderful Surrey President and Vice- joint cultural programmes and The strategy will set 63 Public Health Strategy Consul- opportunity for people to atar University (QU) and Chancellor, Prof G Q Max Lu. internship opportunities. objectives to be reached tation marked the start of an engage with the strategy and University of Surrey – UK The terms of the agreement Commenting on the MoU, through four strategic enablers online public health survey to support its vision to improve Qrecently signed a Memo- includes collaboration on joint Prof Mariam Al Maadeed said: such as Community Engage- seek Qatar residents’ opinions the health and wellbeing of the randum of Understanding (MoU) research projects in areas of “The MoU demonstrates Qatar ment and Empowerment, Data on health issues and feedback nation,” he added. to establish collaboration in the mutual interest including water University’s commitment to Driven Intelligence, Workforce which will be used to inform Also, a panel discussion field of education and research. and food security, environment, advance research in key areas and System Capability, Lead- the strategy prior to its formal focused on the importance of The agreement was signed nanotechnology, and cyber and to provide innovative solu- ership, Regulation and launch. the Qatar Public Health Strat- in Guildford, Surrey, by QU security. Other areas of collab- tions that meet the needs of the Accountability, said Dr Al The Public Health Survey egy in setting out a plan to Vice- President for Research nd oration include the exchange of community and industry, in line Thani. 2017 includes 16 questions on address key health issues in Graduate Studies, Prof Mariam students and visiting scholars, with Qatar National Vision 2030.” It will also aim at raising different aspects of health Qatar. LG G6 mobile launched in Qatar

The Peninsula back delivers crisp, panoramic image with less edge distortion ollowing the initial rollout than before and switching in its home country of between the wide and stand- FSouth Korea, LG Electron- ard lenses is smooth and ics (LG) announced the seamless. And the 5MP availability of the LG G6 in 100-degree field of view front Qatar this week. It is solely dis- camera allows for large group tributed by Video Home & shots without the need to tote Electronic Centre and is widely around a cumbersome selfie available across Jumbo Elec- stick. tronics Showrooms, Spark Sculpted from a blend of Lifestyle Electronics, leading high quality metal and smooth retailers and hypermarkets. glass, the LG G6 is a minimal- Customers can buy the LG G6 ist’s dream. But the aesthetic for QR2,599 and benefit from beauty doesn’t sacrifice dura- an introduction offer that bility, as the phone’s rounded includes a LG quick cover case, from their smartphones, the G6 into two identical perfect edges provide optimal impact a Sandisk 64GB micro SD card, features an unprecedented 5.7- squares, ideal for multi-tasking resistance. Protection from the and an ITL Travel Voucher inch display in a compact with the G6’s camera UX, which elements is guaranteed as the worth QR1,000 that customers 5.2-inch body with minimal was developed with social LG G6 meets the IP68 standard can use at ITL offices for holi- bezels for convenient one- media users in mind. for water and dust resistance. day packages, flight and hotel handed operation without For many customers, LG’s And with Google Assistant bookings. Total benefit is worth sacrificing screen real estate. reputation and heritage of available right out of the box, QR1,298. With an immersive FullVision excellence in smartphone pho- useful information is never far The LG G6 received many display that supports both tography is what separates its away. Moreover, the LG G6 has positive responses at Mobile Dolby Vision and HDR 10, the phones from the competition. the distinction of having met World Congress 2017 earlier LG G6 is compatible with more LG takes photography to the and passed the MIL-STD 810G this year, winning an unprece- HDR content than any smart- next level once again with a standard for durability, con- dented 36 awards from various phone currently available. And wide angle front-facing cam- ducted by independent testing industry publications. With a the unique 18:9 screen aspect era to complement the wide and certification firm MET design based on delivering what ratio of the FullVision display angle dual camera setup on the (Maryland Electrical Testing) everyday consumers wanted allows the screen to be divided rear. The 125-degree lens on the Laboratories. 06 HOME MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 137 graduate from HEC Paris in Qatar

The Peninsula 2017 graduates are Qatari skills that will enable you to lead Majority citizens nationals while the others are your career and contribute EC Paris, one of the More than 50% of from a range of countries such effectively to the society. I wish world’s top three provid- the EMBA 2017 as the US, UK, Turkey, Canada, you all the very best,” he added. Hers of executive graduates are Qatari Yemen, France, Lebanon and “Today is a celebration of the education, has honoured the lat- nationals while the Palestine. A majority of the future, a future you have been est graduates of its highly SBUM graduates, almost 84%, preparing for. As graduates you others are from regarded Executive MBA (EMBA) are Qatari nationals, with are now members of the distin- countries such as US, and Specialized Master in Stra- women accounting for 42% of guished HEC Paris Alumni tegic Business Unit Management UK, Turkey, Canada, those graduates. Community,” said Prof Peter (SBUM) degree programmes Yemen, France, “It’s my great pleasure to Todd, Director General and Dean during the Qatar Foundation’s Lebanon and congratulate this year’s gradu- of HEC Paris. Convocation Ceremony for its Palestine. ates. In partnership with the “With more than 50,000 Education City partners, held at Qatar Foundation, HEC Paris has members globally, our People collect water from a project supported by Qatar the Qatar National Convention combined globally-renowned acclaimed alumni association Centre. who, along with graduates of the executive education with a stim- will provide access to an influ- Charity in cooperation with Sobol Charity in Yemen's Taiz. Prof Peter Todd, Director EMBA and SBUM degree pro- ulating environment and now, ential network of peers that will General and Dean of HEC Paris grammes, have been equipped as HEC Paris graduates, you are enable you to extend the HEC and Dr Nils Plambeck, Dean and with the ability to break new equipped to further elevate your Paris experience, expand your CEO of HEC Paris in Qatar, were ground with their businesses and careers and continue your life- professional network and QC helps provide in attendance at the convoca- careers. Throughout the pro- long journey of discovery and strengthen your links with the tion ceremony, during which 137 grammes, the graduates are learning,” said Dr Nils Plambeck, institution.” Since launching the graduates from HEC Paris in taught to be critical thinkers, to Dean and CEO of HEC Paris in EMBA in 2011 and the SBUM water in Taiz Qatar were celebrated under this generate new ideas, innovate Qatar. “I am certain that our degree program in 2013, HEC year’s convocation theme and confidently address new comprehensive management Paris in Qatar has so far wel- ‘Breaking New Ground’. challenges and serve their programmes have elevated your comed 556 participants, of The Peninsula other projects in Yemen on Among the 137 graduates communities. business acumen with the the- which 336 are Qatari water and sanitation. Al-Ka’bi were a number of entrepreneurs, More than 50% of the EMBA oretical knowledge and practical nationals. on-functioning well thanked the philanthropist of pumps due to the lack of Qatar for donating to help in the Ndiesel encouraged Qatar reoperation of 8 wells in Taiz. Charity, in cooperation with At a cost of QR60,000, QC Sobol Charity, to provide clean previously cooperated with Al water for people in Taiz. Dawa Islamic Organization to This project provides 104 renovate, rehabilitate, and fur- barrels of diesel per month to nish six schools in Marib. ensure the operation of the These six schools are Al pumps of 8 major wells in the Mutawakil, Al Durra, Al Faruq, province, which will provide Jafra, Sahari and Humaidah in water for more than 300,000 Majzr, El Wadi, and El Medina people living in difficult condi- directorates. tions because of the imposed QC has recently imple- suffocating siege. mented “Emergency Relief” Al Ka’bi said that QC imple- project, where it distributed mented this project in Taiz 2,500 food baskets to contrib- aiming at reducing diseases, ute to relieving the effects of displacement of people, and famine in the targeted area, protecting people from the dan- whose population suffers from gers of indiscriminate shelling poverty and rising food prices. during their journey to search The charity helped foster a for water in places far from spirit of social solidarity and their homes. He indicated that securing food needs for HEC Paris in Qatar graduates at the convocation ceremony. Among the graduates, are a number of entrepreneurs. QC has implemented many beneficiaries. HBKU to hold training event on women and entrepreneurship

The Peninsula across six sessions, and will give training on the most essential prising women often face.” participants the opportunity to components of Participants are encouraged amad Bin Khalifa Univer- engage in interactive discussions entrepreneurship. to share their own specific projects sity’s (HBKU) Executive on real-world cases and concepts Speaking on behalf of HBKU to inform discussion sessions. HEducation Center (EEC) that highlight opportunities, lim- and his co-facilitators, Dr Tok said: Through interaction and sharing will be hosting a two-day training itations, and challenges in female “As the number of women entre- with peers, and with the help of programme on women and entre- entrepreneurship. The course is preneurs has been increasing expert coaching provided by preneurship later this month. The being facilitated by Dr Mohamed around the world, their contribu- instructors, participants can build course, taking place on May 21 and Evren Tok, Assistant Professor of tions to economic growth and to on their ideas. The coaching will 23, will delve deep into a variety Public Policy in Islam at HBKU’s addressing various social and eco- cover both conceptual and theo- of topics, such as the barriers and College of Islamic Studies, Dr nomic problems have been retical aspects, as well as the challenges faced by female entre- Damilola Olawuyi, Associate Pro- gaining ascendance. The HBKU applied and cultural elements of preneurs. The training programme fessor of Law at HBKU’s College Women and Entrepreneurship entrepreneurship. will also highlight best practices of Law & Public Policy, and Sana course introduces the concept of The course will enable partic- and success stories of woman Al Buainain, the founder of Jour- women entrepreneurship as a ipants to explore structural entrepreneurs in Qatar, the Arab ney Coaching Consultancy. The form of empowerment, and will dynamics in regional and global Dr Damilola Olawuyi world, and beyond. three experts will present a range provide insights and solutions to economies that facilitate The course will be conducted of topics, providing holistic the problems and barriers enter- entrepreneurship. Sana Al Buainain Maserati Ghibli PHCC provides health care & Quattroporte models recalled advice on World Labour Day

The Peninsula The Peninsula importance of their role and information on how to deal contribution to the country’s with such risks. he Ministry of Economy he Primary Health Care development and progress. PHCC distributed fresh and Commerce, in col- Corporation (PHCC) cel- These celebrations are part fruits and water to the labour- Tlaboration with Alfardan Tebrated the World of the Corporation’s drive for ers in the streets, public places Sports Motors, dealer of Labour Day, which falls on May initiatives and programmes and workplaces. In addition, Maserati vehicles in Qatar, has 1 every year. PHCC shared with focused on the labourers of awareness cards with written announced the recall of labourers their happiness on Qatar, raising awareness of advice in more than one lan- Maserati Ghibli and Quattro- this day in appreciation of their health risks during work and guage on the importance of porte 2014-2016 models over hard work, and recognised the providing educational adherence to hygiene to pre- potential fuel leaks from the vent common infectious fuel delivery pipe. diseases were also provided. The Ministry said the PHCC shared material encour- recall campaign comes within aging healthy lifestyle and well the framework of its ongoing being. efforts to protect consumers Huda Al Wahide, Execu- and ensure that car dealers tive Director of Corporate follow up on vehicle defects Communication Department and repairs. at PHCC, said: "This celebra- The Ministry said that it tion is part of the PHCC's will coordinate with the commitment to fulfilling its dealer to follow up on the mission and role in social maintenance and repair development within Qatar and works and will communicate raising the level of health and with customers to ensure that safety among all segments of the necessary repairs are car- society, in order to reduce the ried out. The Ministry urged incidence of diseases thus customers to report any vio- reducing the demand for med- lations to its Consumer ical care facilities and Labourers receiving fresh fruits and awareness cards on Protection and Anti-Com- reducing absenteeism due to mercial Fraud Department. World Labour Day. sickness. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 HOME 07

Malabar Gold & Diamonds raffle draw winners announced Delegation HMC creates from Morocco awareness of visits port QNA

delegation of Moroc- co's Ministry of midwives' role AEquipment, Transport and Logistics was briefed on planning, disease screenings the modern facilities of Labouring ahead and more. Hamad Port as well as the Midwives play a “Midwives play an impor- operations and equipment. crucial role in tant role in providing positive During a visit to Hamad maternal and infant birth and postpartum experi- Port, the delegation learned health. Women who ences for women and their about the stages of establish- have access to a families. They are a valued part ing the port and plans to of our health system and the transform Qatar into a vibrant midwife experience International Day of the Mid- commercial hub in the region. less preterm births, wife provides an opportune The visit of the Moroccan fewer interventions time for us to celebrate and delegation comes as part of a during labour and reflect on the important role tour of the GCC countries to shorter hospital played by this professional learn about the latest devel- stays. group,” said Dr Badriya Al Len- Malabar Gold & Diamonds announced the raffle draw winners of their festive campaign opments, experiences and jawi, Executive Director of — ‘Win up to 30 kilos of gold in 18 days’ at an event held at their outlet in Doha. The benefits from plans and strat- Nursing, Corporate Nursing and draw was conducted by Mohammed Al Marri from the Ministry of Business & Trade in egies related to maritime The Peninsula Midwifery Department. the presence of Santhosh T V — Regional Head, Noufal Thadthil — Zonal Head, Raju T transport. Midwives employed at HMC Johny — Deputy Branch Head and other officials of Malabar Gold & Diamonds. S Sankar It is also part of the n recognition of Interna- are experts in normal preg- and Abdul Raheem have each won the prize of 500 gramme of gold in the raffle draw. framework of the coopera- tional Day of the Midwife, nancy and birth, who have tion between Gulf Coperation Hamad Medical Corpora- successfully completed a mid- Council (GCC) countries and tion (HMC) is raising wifery education programme Morocco in transport and awareness about the that is duly recognised in the communications sector and Iimportant role midwives play country where it is located and in implementation of the in supporting, caring for and that is based on the Interna- Katara to open 'A Window on decision of the Committee of advising women during preg- tional Confederation of Officials of Port Authorities nancy, labour and the Midwives (ICM) Essential Com- and Maritime Departments in postpartum period. petencies for Basic Midwifery Contemporary Arab Cinema' the GCC countries at its 25th The International Day of the Practice and the framework of meeting held last October. Midwife is celebrated around the ICM Global Standards for the world on May 5. The day Midwifery Education. The Peninsula Geneva meet was initially recognised by the Rim Bent Hedi Sdiri, a Head International Confederation of Nurse in the Labor and Delivery he Doha Film Institute Cin- aims at future Midwives (ICM) in celebration Unit at HMC’s Women’s Hospi- ema (DFI Cinema) will of the role of midwives and tal, said the International Day of Tscreen a captivating selec- free of toxins midwifery. the Midwife is a day to pause tion of films by emerging Arab Midwives play a crucial role and recognise the role midwives talents as part of ‘A Window on in maternal and infant health. play in keeping women and Contemporary Arab Cinema’ QNA According to the ICM, women their babies safe during one of showcase to be held from May who have access to a midwife life’s major events. 10 to 12 at Katara Drama Thea- he Ministry of Munici- experience less preterm births, “Labour and delivery can be tre, Building 16. pality and Environment fewer interventions during both an exciting and stressful The series focuses on T(MME) participated in labour and shorter hospital time for women and their fam- emerging talents from the Mid- the high-level meeting held stays. As part of the multidisci- ilies. Midwives assist in critical dle East and includes the Qatar recently at the conclusion of plinary team, midwives provide decision making regarding premieres of four ground- the conferences of the parties woman-centered and support- appropriate care during preg- breaking feature films, alongside A still from Eyes of a Thief to the Basel, Rotterdam and ive care that goes beyond nancy, labour and the a selection of short films by Stockholm conventions in the childbirth and includes family postpartum period", said Sdiri. young artistes from across the present our stories to global Mohamed Ben Attia is about the Swiss city of Geneva. region. All films included in the audiences in their unique voices eponymous title character, who The meeting discussed line-up are recipients of the and perspectives. The screenings takes over the vehicle of her three main themes that fea- Doha Film Institute’s Grants also highlight the re-invention taxi-driver husband after his tured the prospects to achieve Programme, that supports of Arab cinema and its increased accidental death. a toxin-free future through 200 Shafallah seedlings planted emerging talents, and presents focus on fresh narrative styles Waves ’98 (Lebanon, the achievement of sustain- new cinematic voices and pow- and powerful stories.” Qatar/2015), the winner of Palme able development goals 2030 QNA known as ‘Shafallah’, in Um Al erful stories. The screenings commence d’Or at the Festival de Cannes in and the opportunities to Amd Natural Reserve. The Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief on May 10 at 5:30pm, with the 2015, is an animation directed by enhance the implementation he Ministry of Municipal- Department of Agricultural Executive Officer of the Doha host films showcase that Ely Dagher, that imagines the of the three agreements ity and Environment, Affairs cultivated nearly 200 Film Institute, said: “We are includes Maqloubeh (Palestine, relationship of contemporary through different partner- Trepresented by the seedlings of Shafallah, despite delighted to celebrate these very France, Qatar/2012), directed by Beirut residents to their troubled ships , as well as opportunities Department of Agricultural the difficulty in germination, special films that have been nur- Nicolas Damuni, a dark comedy home city. Eyes of a Thief (Pal- to reduce pollution and haz- Affairs and in cooperation with in preparation for their return tured through our Grants about five young art students, estine, Algeria, France, Iceland, ardous waste while the Department of Nature to the Qatari ranch. The per- programme, underlining the cre- who decide to prepare a Jordan, Qatar/2014) by Najwa maintaining economic and Reserves, has planted and ennial plant bears rounded, ative talent we have in our ‘maqloubeh’ for lunch during a Najjar screens on May 10 at 8pm. social growth. resettled the Capparis spinosa fleshy leaves and large white region. These young filmmakers curfew, and then unexpected The film is a rare glimpse into The meetings to the three (Capparidaceae), locally to pinkish-white flowers. reflect the cinematic ambitions guests arrive ; Selma (Tunisia, Palestinian society from the conventions agreed on a of the next generation, and Germany, Qatar/2013), by inside. number of resolutions. QC & Quality launch Charity Loyalty Card

The Peninsula

atar Charity and Quality Group International have Qlaunched a Charity Loy- alty Card that allows their holders to contribute the points earned on every purchase at Quality Retail Outlets and donate points to Qatar Charity to support community service, development projects and humanitarian action both inside and outside the country. The launch of the project, held at Quality Mall, Al Hilal, was attended by Abdullah Qatar Charity and Quality Group International officials launching the card at Quality Mall Mezher Saleh Al Shammari, in Al Hilal. Director of Collection Depart- ment, Qatar Charity, Ali Al Shammari, Director of Collec- with Qatar Charity. "We look forward with Ghareeb, Director of Public tion Department, Qatar Shahid V, Executive Man- optimism about our new part- Relations and Events, Hamed Charity, expressed immense ager of Quality Group, said, nership which represents Alaeddin, Director, Community satisfaction with the project, “We hope that customers of undoubtedly an important Responsibility and Youth Ini- noting that this is part of Qatar Quality Group will be able to addition to our efforts to build tiatives, Qatar Charity, Shahid. Charity's policy to broaden its connect with this huge project." a strong humanitarian partner- V, Executive Manager of Qual- affiliations with private and By virtue of this agreement, ship with the business ity Retail Group, Ramshad public institutions to contrib- Quality Group adheres to sup- community and civil society Hassan, Commercial Manager, ute actively and dynamically port the charitable and organisations. Ammar Shuqair, Business to the culture of charity work humanitarian projects, exe- Qatar Charity and Quality Development Manager. among the members of the cuted by Qatar Charity. He Retail Group signed a partner- On the occasion of the community. He thanked Qual- added that the charity gift card ship agreement last year to launch of the Charity Card, ity Group International for can be obtained from any of implement a number of Abdullah Mezher Saleh Al their continued cooperation the Quality Group branches. activities. 08 MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 Hundreds of suspected cholera cases in Yemen

Sana'a cholera-related deaths had been AFP The World Health confirmed in Sanaa, three in the central Ibb province and four in t least 570 suspected Organisation now the western Hodeida province. cases of cholera have classifies Yemen as Yemen has been devastated surfaced in war-torn one of the worst by two years of conflict between Yemen in the past humanitarian Huthi rebels and forces loyal to three weeks, spark- President Abdrabuh Mansur ingA fears of a potential epidemic, emergencies in the Hadi, including a Saudi-led mil- Doctors Without Borders said world alongside Syria, itary coalition. yesterday. South Sudan, Nigeria The Shia Houthis control the Healthcare has dramatically and Iraq. capital, much of the Red Sea deteriorated in Yemen as con- coastline and the northern prov- flict between Iran-backed rebels ince that borders Saudi Arabia. and the Saudi-supported govern- hospitals are destroyed... and The United Nations estimates ment continues to escalate, government employees' salaries more than 7,700 people have leaving hospitals destroyed and have not been paid," Abou Chaar been killed and millions dis- millions struggling to find access said. placed since the Saudi-led to food and clean water. He said MSF had seen a coalition intervened in Yemen in The World Health Organisa- marked hike over the past week March 2015. tion now classifies Yemen as one in suspected cholera cases in five The fighting has left 19 mil- of the worst humanitarian emer- provinces across the country. lion people — or 60 percent of gencies in the world alongside A general strike in the capi- the population — struggling to Syria, South Sudan, Nigeria and tal Sanaa has also sparked find food, the United Nations Iraq. "We've treated more than sanitation concerns in the capi- says, with a third of the country's 570 cases we suspect may be tal, as the streets began to flood provinces on the brink of fam- cholera over the past three with garbage at the weekend. ine. A cholera and acute watery weeks," Doctors Without Borders An official with Yemen's diarrhoea outbreak last year (MSF) spokesman Ghassan Abou health ministry confirmed chol- killed 99 people, with 15,658 sus- Chaar said. era had reappeared last week in pected cases of cholera reported. "There are fears that the dis- Yemen, with cases reported in Cholera, a bacterial infection ease could turn into an epidemic. 10 provinces across the country. which causes severe diarrhoea A Yemeni child suspected of being infected with cholera receives treatment at a hospital in Two years into the war, the Ministry spokesman Abdelhakim and dehydration, can be fatal if healthcare system has collapsed, al-Kahlani told AFP two not treated immediately. Sana'a, yesterday.

Israeli police Rowhani faces protests at site of mine collapse shoot dead Tehran The accident is thought to Palestinian girl AFP have been caused by concen- trated methane gas that was ran's President Hassan Row- triggered when workers tried to Jerusalem hani faced furious protests jump-start an engine. AFP Ifrom victims' families yester- Thousands of factories and day when he visited the site of a industrial sites across Iran have PALESTINIAN teenager mine accident that claimed doz- struggled to keep up with pay- attempted was shot ens of lives, two weeks ahead of ments in recent years due to the Adead by Israeli police an election. stagnant economy. at an entrance to Jerusalem's Local news agencies showed Conservative presidential Old City. people stamping on Rowhani's candidates trying to unseat Row- Police said the assailant car and beating the windows as hani have focused on the poor, approached officers while it tried to make its way through saying government policies have pulling out a knife at Damas- an angry crowd at the site in the only benefited the wealthy. cus Gate, one of the main northern Golestan province, The miner's spokesman said entrances to the Old City and where at least 26 people were workers earned 10 million rials the site of a number of such killed by an explosion on ($265) a month. incidents in recent months. Wednesday. "Can you live with that?" he The 16-year-old teenager "Why is there no safety at the asked the president. "Look at this was named as Fatima Hajiji, mine? Why does no one care?" mother with seven children. We a resident of Qarawat Bani shouted one emotional spokes- have nothing to eat." Zeid, north of Ramallah, man for the miners at the scene, Labour Minister Ali Rabii according to the Palestinian in a video shared on social travelled 1,400 metres deep into health ministry. A wave of media. the mine earlier on Sunday, unrest which erupted in Octo- "Last year, we gathered in where rescue teams have been ber 2015 has claimed the lives front of the governor's office trying to unblock the collapsed of 262 Palestinians, 41 Israelis, together with our wives because tunnel. two Americans, one Jordanian, we were unpaid for 14 months. Iranian President Hassan Rowhani sitting through the roof of a car, speaking with coal miners The president has ordered a an Eritrean, a Sudanese and a And you, the president, didn't and rescue workers at the scene of a coal mine which suffered from an explosion in Azadshahr, task force to investigate the Briton. The violence has greatly even notice," he added. in northern Iran, leaving dozens of miners trapped inside, yesterday. causes of the explosion and han- subsided in recent months. Rowhani, who is standing for dle compensation for victims and re-election on May 19, earlier their families. addressed the crowd, saying: accident. with accordingly, without any were trapped inside after "We are all responsible in Turkish Airlines "The entire Iranian nation shares "Those responsible and any- exceptions." Wednesday's explosion, but offi- this incident," said Rowhani, the sorrow of families of those one who had a fault in the As well as 26 confirmed cials say there is little chance calling for tighter regulations in offers laptops on killed in the Zemestan Yort mine incident must be found and dealt dead, at least nine more miners they have survived. the mining sector. US-bound flights Istanbul Anatolia

Turkey's CHP expels deputy urkish Airlines started Morocco fights to save its iconic monkey to offer laptops for its over criticism on leader Tbusiness class passen- gers on US-bound flights. Chefchaouen, Morocco Today, the only native pri- $110 and $330 (100 and 300 A statement by the AFP mate north of the Sahara, apart euros) despite laws forbidding Ankara national flag carrier said that from humans, is in danger of the trade. Anatolia laptops with a touchscreen "IF NOTHING IS DONE, this extinction, according to the "A lot of foreigners buy were equipped with "a secu- species will disappear within International Union for Con- monkeys as pets," he said. urkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) rity system that protects 10 years," warns a poster on servation of Nature (IUCN). Seen as quiet and cute has sent one of its lawmakers to the party's disciplinary board passengers' personal Ahmed Harrad's ageing 4x4 Conservationists blame when it is young, the adult Tover his criticism on the party's leader, seeking dismissal information". showing Morocco's famed Bar- illegal poaching, tourists who monkey can become a burden, yesterdayy. "After using the compu- bary macaque monkey. feed the monkeys and overex- Harrad said. Fikri Saglar, who is the party’s deputy from Mersin, was sent ter, passengers can copy their Harrad spends his time ploitation of the cedar and oak "It breaks things, bites, to the High Disciplinary Board for a permanent dismissal as the data to an external storage crisscrossing northern Morocco forests that form the species' fights with children and climbs decision was taken by the party assembly, 38 members approv- unit (USB drive) if they wish, to try to convince locals to pro- natural habitat. the curtains," prompting many ing while 19 said No. and all personal works of the tect the endangered monkey. In response, Morocco has owners to abandon their pets, Following the party’s Central Executive Board meeting on passengers will be automat- The only species of launched a campaign to save he said. Wednesday, a request for a disciplinary investigation against Saglar ically and completely deleted macaque outside Asia, which the species. But that hasn't stopped the was sent to the party's assembly. from the computer when the lives on leaves and fruits and "We are working on two tailless monkeys, with their Talking to journalists, the CHP's spokesperson Selin Sayek computer is turned off," the can weigh up to 20kg (45 areas -- monitoring and mak- thick grey-and-ginger fur, Boke said Wednesday that the request to investigate the law- THY added. Regulations for- pounds), was once found ing a census of the species in being highly sought-after by maker was taken "by unanimous vote" at Wednesday's bidding passengers from throughout North Africa and the Rif and raising awareness passing travellers throughout meeting. carrying electronic devices parts of Europe. among locals so that they the ages. Later in Wednesday evening, the party's chairman Kemal larger than cell phones But having disappeared actively help rescue it," Harrad According to National Geo- Kilicdaroglu called an extraordinary meeting of the party assem- aboard the plane are cur- from Libya and Tunisia, it is said. graphic, skeletal remains of bly on Sunday to discuss the issue. rently in place for Turkish now restricted to mountainous As head of a local associa- macaques have been discov- Saglar, who is a leading figure of the intraparty opposition, Airlines passengers. regions of Algeria and Moroc- tion, Barbary Macaque ered "in the ashes of Pompeii, was quoted by the daily Aksam newspaper as saying: "Kemal On March 21, the US co's northern Rif region. Awareness & Conservation deep within an ancient Egyp- Kilicdaroglu is not allowing any decisions to be taken in the party Department of Homeland Secu- Another semi-wild population (BMAC), Harrad has become a tian catacomb, and buried assembly. We discuss things for 6-7 hours but he gives his deci- rity said the restrictions would of about 200 individuals in tireless advocate for the ani- beneath an Irish hilltop where sion according to what is whispered in his ear." apply to flights from 10 foreign Gibraltar are the only free- mal. He says it is often sold to the Bronze Age kings of Ulster "Kilicdaroglu made propaganda during the referendum cam- airports in eight Muslim-major- ranging monkeys in Europe. buyers in Europe for between once held court". paign by saying 'we are against one man rule', but he became the ity countries, including Ataturk one man," he added. International Airport. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09

IS holds off Bill to declare US-backed force in Syria's Israel a Jewish Tabqa

Beirut state on agenda AFP DOZENS of Islamic State (IS) group fighters cornered in a Jerusalem northern part of Syria's Tabqa Reuters A ministerial are holding off US-backed forces that hold almost all of srael’s cabinet breathed committee approved the city, a monitor said yester- new life yesterday into a revised version of day. Tabqa sits on the efforts to anchor in law a bill first proposed Euphrates River and on a stra- the country’s status as a in 2011 that declares tegic supply route about 55km Jewish state, legislation west of Raqaa, the Syrian heart IPalestinians have described as the “State of Israel is of IS's so-called caliphate. an obstacle to peace. the national home of In their drive for Raqa, the A ministerial committee the Jewish people”. US-backed Syrian Democratic approved a revised version of a Forces have captured more bill first proposed in 2011 that than 90 percent of Tabqa, but declares the “State of Israel is the peace”. In meetings in Israel, have not been able to fully Displaced Iraqis from the Al Haramat neighbourhood, north of Mosul, react as they flee national home of the Jewish peo- Trump will discuss how he clear the jihadists out of the city their homes during the ongoing military offensive to retake the area from Islamic State (IS) ple”, its author, Avi Dichter of plans to broker peace between or the adjacent dam. Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- Israelis and Palestinians, a goal group fighters. "The SDF hasn't been able yahu’s right-wing Likud party, that has evaded many previous to seize complete control of wrote on Facebook. administrations. He is also Tabqa because IS fighters are The legislation still has to scheduled to meet Abbas dur- still present in the neighbour- go through further drafting by ing the trip. IS mounts fierce resistance hoods of Wahdah and the Justice Ministry and pass Critics have described the Hurriyah," said Rami Abdel several votes in parliament in proposed legislation, which also Rahman, who heads the Syr- what could be a lengthy proc- declares that the “right to self on new Mosul front ian Observatory for Human ess. But the cabinet-level determination” in Israel is Rights. The two districts are step—two weeks before a visit “unique to the Jewish people” in the city's north near Tabqa by US President Donald as impinging on the rights of its Baghdad handful of remaining districts southern districts stalled around Dam, Syria's largest. Trump—could help Netanyahu Arab minority, who make up Reuters held by Islamic State in Mosul, the Old City where the iconic Abdel Rahman said "doz- shore up relations with far-right some 20 percent of the including the Old City. mosque from which Islamic ens" of IS fighters were laying members of his government population. raqi forces faced stiff resist- The Iraqi military said on State leader proclaimed a mod- mines and engaging in small- and underpin his campaign to Opponents said that the bill ance from Islamic State (IS) Saturday the Musherfa district ern-day caliphate is located. scale skirmishes with the SDF, press Palestinians to recognise designates only Hebrew as the Iin northwest Mosul yester- had been fully retaken, but offic- Iraqi forces are backed by a but had not deployed suicide Israel as the “nation-state” of country’s official language, day after opening a new front ers said yesterday there was still US-led coalition which is carry- bombers in recent days. the Jewish people. although it requires govern- against the militants there in a fighting there and smoke could ing out airstrikes and advising An SDF commander Such acknowledgement has ment services and forms to be push to rout them from the city be seen rising over the area by them on the ground. inside Tabqa said yesterday been a key Netanyahu demand available in Arabic as well. after seven months of fighting. a reporter in east Mosul. Iraqi officers said additional that his forces were locked in for reviving Israeli-Palestinian “The nation-state law is tyr- Trapped in a steadily shrink- “Fighting Daesh in Musherfa reinforcements from the Rapid "violent clashes" in the north- peace talks that collapsed in anny by the majority and ing area of the city, the militants with a large number of families Response Division had arrived ern part of the city. "The 2014 and which Trump has ‘legally’ turns us into second- are fighting back with a barrage still locked in their houses is in northwest Mosul yesterday to operation is going slowly pledged to pursue. class citizens,” Arab legislator of suicide car bombs and snip- making the battle more compli- help clear areas on the banks of because of the presence of Palestinians say accepting Ayman Odeh wrote on Twitter ers concealed amongst cated,” said a colonel from the the River Tigris that bisects the civilians being used as human Netanyahu’s call could deny after the cabinet committee’s hundreds of thousands of civil- ninth armoured division, which city. “The brigade will partici- shields by IS," the com- Palestinian refugees of past decision. Dichter, however, ians they are effectively holding is taking part in the offensive, pate in the battle to retake Hawi mander said, saying his forces wars any right of return. Pal- called the move “an important hostage. referring to Islamic State by its Al Kanisa and also help the ninth were trying to advance "care- estinian President Mahmoud step in entrenching our iden- Having gained a foothold in Arab acronym. army division step up pressure fully and accurately". "Soon Abbas has characterised such tity, not only in consciousness the northern Musherfa district The new push from the on Daesh fighters,” said a Rapid we will be able to announce “nation-state” legislation as of the world but primarily in last week, Iraqi forces are try- northwest began last week after Response officer on condition the city fully cleared of putting “obstacles in the way of our own minds”. ing to push down into the other fronts in the city’s of anonymity. Daesh," he added. Senior Shabaab 82 freed Chibok girls to meet Three years of ordeal chief dead in Abuja fighting Reuters MOGADISHU: An Al Shabaab President after swap deal chief, Moalim Osman Abdi oko Haram militants freed 82 of more than 200 school- Badil, and three fighters were Abuja carrying a baby with her, a boy were released," a statement girls they kidnapped from the northeastern Nigerian town killed in fighting in Lower AFP of less than two years," said the said. "After lengthy negotia- Bof Chibok in April 2014 in exchange for prisoners, the Shabelle region on Friday, source on condition of tions, our security agencies government said. Somalia’s information min- ighty-two of the more than anonymity. have taken back these girls, in Three years ago, the abduction of the girls from their ister said in a statement. A US 200 schoolgirls kidnapped The International Commit- exchange for some Boko secondary school by the jihadist group Boko Haram sparked Navy SEAL was killed and two Eby Boko Haram in north- tee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Haram suspects held by the global outrage and a celebrity-backed campaign troops wounded in a raid on east Nigeria in 2014 arrived in which said it "facilitated the safe authorities." #bringbackourgirls. Friday on an al Shabaab mil- Abuja yesterday to meet Presi- return" of the girls as a "neutral No details were given about For more than two years there was no sign of the girls. itant compound in what dent Muhammadu Buhari after intermediary", tweeted phot- how many suspects were But the discovery of one of them with a baby last May raised appeared to be the first US a prisoner swap deal secured graphs of a line of girls boarding released or their identities. hopes for their safety, with a further two girls found in later combat death in the African their release. a military helicopter. Shehu Sani, a Nigerian sen- months and a group of 21 released by the Islamist militants country since the 1993 “Black Presidency spokesman Femi A meeting with Buhari, who ator who has been involved in in October. Hawk Down” incident. “On Adesina said the schoolgirls was swept to power in 2015 on previous negotiations, said the Nigeria thanked Switzerland and the International May 5, the Somali national from Chibok, in Borno state, a promise to defeat Boko talks lasted for "three to four Committee of the Red Cross - who brokered the October army killed an al Shabaab were met at the capital's airport Haram, was scheduled for 4:00 months". release - for helping secure the freedom of the 82 girls after leader, Moalim Osman Abdi by Buhari's chief of staff Abba pm local time (1500 GMT), offi- The government would now “lengthy negotiations”, the presidency said in a statement. Badil, and three fighters,” a Kyari. cials in Abuja said. look to secure the release of the Following this release, 113 of the Chibok girls are statement from Somalia’s Military and civilian militia The presidency announced remaining hostages, he added. believed to be still in captivity. information minister said. sources in the town of Banki, on late on Saturday that months of Boko Haram fighters Here are some key facts about the Chibok girls and Boko the border with Cameroon, said talks with the jihadists had stormed the Government Girls Haram: the girls had left for Borno state "yielded results" some six Secondary School in Chibok on  Since 2009, Boko Haram has waged an insurgency to 21 dead as truck capital Maiduguri on board six months after 21 other Chibok the evening of April 14, 2014, carve out an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria that has killed military helicopters at 6:10 am girls were freed with the help of and kidnapped 276 teenaged at least 20,000 people and displaced more than two million. hits bus in Guinea (0510 GMT). international mediators. girls who were preparing to sit  The most high-profile attack took place on April 14, CONAKRY: At least 21 peo- "One of the girls was "Today 82 more Chibok girls high school exams. 2014, when Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a ple, mostly women, were secondary school in Chibok in northeast Borno state. Around killed in a head-on crash 50 of the girls escaped in the initial melee but 219 were between a truck and a mini- captured. bus packed with passengers  Nigeria’s government and military, then under the in Guinea, police said.. command of former president Goodluck Jonathan, faced The deadly crash took heavy criticism for their handling of the incident, with towns place on Saturday just north and cities across the nation witnessing protests. of the capital Conakry, with  The kidnappings sparked a strong social media the minibus crushed by a reaction, with the phrase #bringbackourgirls tweeted truck which was carrying around 3.3 million times by mid-May 2014, and the global sand, authorities and corre- campaign which followed backed by then U.S. First Lady spondents at the scene said. Michelle Obama. "The toll from the deadly  Hope for the girls was briefly raised in April 2015 accident on Saturday near when the Nigerian military announced it had rescued 200 Dubreka is at least 21 dead, girls and 93 women from the Sambisa forest, northeast of including 12 women," said Chibok. It was later revealed that the Chibok girls were not road police official Babacar among them. Sarr, referring to a town some  One of the Chibok girls, Amina Ali, was rescued in May 50km north of the capital. 2016. Held for months by the Nigerian government, she told Another 33 people were her mother the girls were starved and resorted to eating raw injured, Sarr said, explaining A group of girls, released by Boko Haram militants after kidnapping them in 2014 in the north maize, and that some had died in captivity, suffered broken that the minibus was Nigerian town of Chibok, sitting in a hall as they are welcomed by officials in Abuja, Nigeria. legs or gone deaf after being too close to explosions. "packed" with passengers up to "the luggage rack". 10 VIEWS MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Save the planet

worried world is waiting for US President Donald Trump’s decision on the Paris climate agreement, which might come as early as this week. Tension is building up because the question uppermost in most minds A is whether Trump would destabilise the A Palestinian state on 1967 agreement by choosing to pull out. If it happens, the world will be staring at a catastrophe, and years of hard work and painful negotiations and compromises will be nullified, taking us back to borders: Hamas’ document square one. The sense of fear is real and intense. Trump has openly expressed his disdain for the Paris The new strategic position of Hamas united Ireland (one which, if Brexit hap- deal and there is a precedent, too. We saw a similar David Hearst places it in a unique situation. If Hamas pens, is probably closer to being realised situation when George W Bush came to power and stays true to its principles, which is not than at any time before, ironically at the backed away from the Kyoto protocol. to recognise Israel, it cannot sit down at behest of Brussels). The Paris agreement is considered a landmark a negotiating table with representatives This is exactly the dilemma now fac- deal, struck by nearly 200 nations to lower of the Israeli state. ing a Hamas which recognises the 1967 greenhouse gas emissions, and was ratified last year. This means it has to rely on other borders. How can it enter the PLO and Environmental activists and those countries he launch of Hamas’ new declaration Palestinian factions to be part of the leadership of the Palestin- particularly vulnerable to the disastrous of principles on Monday night proved make the necessary ian people and stay true to its principles? consequences of climate change, consequences like as complex as the document itself. The compromises on bor- If it negotiates, it abandons its principles rising seas, heatwaves and droughts wrought by management of the Intercontinental ders, refugees, and effaces any difference with Fatah. If increasing global temperatures, were particularly Hotel in Doha cancelled the booking Jerusalem, while Hamas it leaves the negotiation to others, it can- relieved at the deal. It’s rarely that the world Tfor the news conference at the last moment, and not be part of the leadership. witnesses such landmark deals. The negotiations the week before, the Hamas delegation in Cairo Sinn Fein has now become the larg- involved were massive and ran into years at various was refused permission to leave, because Egypt est political party on the island of levels. There was only factor which made it a reality: claimed a piece of the action. Ireland. This is not Hamas’s destiny if it the strong determination of countries to make the The logistical difficulty of holding a The major achievement of this limits its vision of a Palestinian state to earth habitable for future news conference outside Gaza was document is to redefine the 1967 borders. It would neither end the generations. emblematic of Hamas’s imprisonment enemy. In the original charter, fragmentation of the Palestinian people, Given the magnitude inside the enclave. And a good reason why it was Jews and Judaism. nor would it solve the problem of the of the success the world the political leadership now wants to break abandonment of Palestinians inside 1948 The world must has achieved in this out of its confinement by stating a position In this document, Hamas’ Israel, nor would it solve the problem of plead with regard, it will be both closer to other Palestinian factions. enemy is the Zionist project the refugees. This process, however, is fraught with dif- President Donald ridiculous and painful to of settlement and occupation. let one country fritter ficulty for Hamas. The real choice, the real enemy Trump not to Almost with one voice, the Western media The two are very different, Israel has long since abandoned the away the gains. This and have been throughout pull out of the means all those who interpreted the document as a softening of right of return for Palestinian refugees, Hamas’ position on Israel and as a challenge and even the most generous models dis- Paris climate worked tirelessly and Jewish history, both after to Fatah’s monopoly of the principle of a Pal- cussed the return of only 100,000, out of assiduously for this deal and before the Balfour agreement. estinian state on the borders of 1967. a potential diaspora of six million. will have invest their However, the document itself set three Declaration. This redefinition And why would Israel accept Hamas energy again to protect conditions which fell short of following Fatah could open the path for talks as a negotiator when it has rejected the deal. Though difficult, on its doomed journey. It refused to recog- Fatah, which has for more than 20 years it is an attainable goal. and for peace. But it will need nise Israel, refused to relinquish its claim on a clear vision for the way been its most flexible friend? What Trump must be made to see the truth and if he all the land from the river to the sea, and incentive would Israel have to negotiate refuses, such stubbornness must come at a cost. The demanded the unfettered return of all Pales- forward. It certainly is a bold a “hudna” with Hamas, when it knew onus is on environmental activists, scientists and the tinian refugees. step. It may not, however, be that from Hamas’s point of view, this media in the US to exert pressure on their president the final one. would not be an end of conflict? and convince him that he must step back from the Strategic shift To stay Hamas, to be true to its princi- brink. That is a good question. There is no doubt ples and to reap the political benefits of Trump’s scorched-earth approach to Hamas went into this debate with its eyes entering politics, the movement would environmental protection is worrying people in the open. Unlike the original charter which was have to accept the one-state solution, US and the world. He has started abrogating some of written by one man in a state of war, this doc- essentially looks the other way in the which would do all of the things Hamas the pollution rules imposed by the Barack Obama ument was the fruit of four years of internal name of keeping the consensus. This, in has strived for. It would allow Hamas to administration. He has given green signal to debate. The document itself was extensively turn, means that Hamas cannot lead the lead the PLO. It would reunite a frag- Keystone XL and Dakota Access, two major and leaked. The message was backed by the lead- political process or even derive much mented Palestinian people. It would controversial oil pipelines. Last week, he ordered ership. There is no doubt it represents a benefit from it. represent Palestinians who are citizens reviews of protected areas on land and water to deliberate and major strategic shift. This puts Hamas in a different posi- inside Israel and the Palestinian diaspora. open them up for oil and gas drilling. But is the strategy itself right? tion from say, the IRA, under the It would give Palestinians a clear Several world leaders have expressed concern Hamas is reaching for the borders of 1967 leadership of the late Martin McGuin- vision in a world where the real choice is about Trump plans. Frank Bainimarama, the prime at the exact time when everyone else who has ness. Both Hamas and the IRA have seen not between a one-state or a two-state minister of Fiji, has written to Trump to urge him to been pursuing an independent state next to the limits of military action, although the solution. The real choice today is stay within the Paris deal. Withdrawal of US would Israel is abandoning this patch of land. Almost IRA did not start the decommissioning between a one-state solution enforced wreck the climate deal because it is responsible for 24 years after Oslo, the brights lights of settle- process until a peace accord was by Israel or a political entity where Jew almost a fifth of all emissions on the planet. ments twinkle every night on almost every reached. Both were drawn to politics as and Arab are treated as equal. hillock in the West Bank. a way of achieving a united Palestine The major achievement of this docu- There are 200,000 settlers in Palestinian and a united Ireland. ment is to redefine the enemy. In the areas of Jerusalem and 400,000 in the West McGuinness’s recent death produced original charter, it was Jews and Juda- Bank. Outside the three main settlement tributes from the most unlikely of quar- ism. In this document, Hamas’ enemy is QUOTE OF THE DAY blocks, which Israel refuses to abandon, there ters. People who, in my days as reporter the Zionist project of settlement and are a further 150,000 settlers. Two decades of in Belfast, would have cast McGuinness occupation. The two are very different, peace process has led to the irreparable frag- as the devil incarnate, praised the jour- and have been throughout Jewish his- mentation of a putative Palestinian state. ney he travelled from IRA leader to tory, both after and before the Balfour The tireless efforts of the Israel itself has all but abandoned the idea Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister. Declaration. Italian Coast Guard, in of a separate Palestinian state. Barring the lit- Lady Paisley, the wife of the late Ian This redefinition could open the path coordination with Frontex tle piece of theatre produced by the Paisley, McGuinness’s first partner in the for talks and for peace. But it will need a .. and of NGOs are truly evacuation of Amona (here’s a maths ques- power-sharing government, claimed the clear vision for the way forward. It cer- tion: if 3,000 police spent 24 hours evacuating Republican experienced something akin tainly is a bold step. It may not, however, remarkable. Together, 40 families, how many would it take to evac- to St Paul’s conversion at Damascus. be the final one. they have saved tens of uate 600,000 settlers?) the political mood in Gerry Adams rightly denied this. He thousands of lives. Israel is turning now to annexation. said McGuinness remained a committed The writer is Editor-in-chief of Middle East Eye. Republican, who never abandoned his IRA He was chief foreign leader writer of The Guard- Staying true to principles comrades as a result of the peace process ian, former Associate Foreign Editor, European At the news conference in Doha, the out- or power-sharing with Unionists. Editor, Moscow Bureau Chief, European Corre- Filippo Grandi going political leader Khaled Meshaal was In other words, the Republican spondent, and Ireland Correspondent. He joined UN High Commissioner asked whether Hamas would now negotiate movement ended the armed struggle The Guardian from The Scotsman, where he was for Refugees with Israel. This too is a good question. while staying true to its principles of a education correspondent. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 OPINION 11 South Korea’s elections and the North Korean threat

situation. Inspired from the phrase Peter Ward “Japan Passing”, it implies that Al Jazeera South Korea’s view on North Korea is not being taken seriously by the outside world. Just like Yoo, I want South outh Korea is a deeply divided country. It is Korea to be taken seriously, but in divided by socioeconomic inequality. It is order for this to happen, it might divided by its past, its present, and its need to try something different, future. But most importantly, it is divided by something radical — such as doing North Korea and the US. what is good for peace, regardless SWithin South Korea, North Korea has been a of what the Trump administration permanent point of friction between Liberals and thinks. Conservatives. These two major parties, which rep- North Korea already has the resent the centre-left and the centre-right in South ability to destroy the South with Korea’s parliament, get into fights that reduce the conventional forces along with its North Korean issue to a number of hackneyed slo- existing nuclear stockpile, so a gans before every election. The upcoming election, freeze on North Korea’s nuclear which will take place on May 9, is no different. programme is less in the interests The previous administration ended in the igno- of South Korea than the United miny of now former President Park Geun-hye being States. It is very true that America arrested for her alleged involvement in an extortion has kept the peace and kept South ring, where she leveraged her position as president, Korea secure for the past 70 years. with a close friend named Choi Soon-sil. And Park’s South Korean presidential election candidates, from left, Moon Jae-in, Hong Joon-pyo , Yoo Seong- But a threatened US strike on North decisions on her country’s North Korea policy, as min, Sim Sang-jung and Ahn Cheol-soo before a televised debate for the upcoming election in Seoul. Korea could result in an attack on expected, also played a central role in this scandal. Seoul. It has been alleged that Park’s friend Choi was The truth is that South Korea directly involved in a decision to close an industrial resort in North Korea that welcomed tourists from Hong also argues that the KIZ and other North- and America may no longer be nat- complex that was viewed as the main symbol of the south between 1998 and 2008. South cooperation projects are effectively ural allies. No candidate will say inter-Korean cooperation in early 2016. It may look like a fair deal to a South Korean lib- employment plans for North Korea’s young people, such a thing for fear of provoking a Park’s liberal predecessors established the eral, but in a way it misses the point: North Korea and emphasises that South Korea itself has a youth genuine controversy that they can- Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) in 2004 inside did not develop nuclear weapons to force the South unemployment rate of 25 percent. Hong seems basi- not control. But truth be told, Moon North Korea to help the country to reform its econ- Korean government to invest in their development cally to have no new ideas - no surprise there. Jae-in and Donald Trump may omy and ease tensions between the two Koreas. In or to send tourists to their beach resorts. Moon’s Befitting a small ‘c’ conservative, he simply wants to have to choose between the safety the KIC, South Korean companies were allowed to condition to reopen both these establishments is continue what has gone before. Not exactly inspir- of Seoul and San Francisco. manufacture their products using North Korean simple: a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear pro- ing, to put it mildly. He is the candidate from Park Kim Jong-un may yet witness a labour. Choi’s involvement in the decision to close gramme, and an agreement to start negotiations Geun-hye’s party, and has been third in the polls for nuclearised South Korea that no down the KIC may be a conspiracy theory, or it may aimed at ultimately ending it. most of the race. longer relies on US support for its even be true, but the controversy and speculation Indeed, the North Korean government quite In the centre ground of the polls and of this security. From such a position of surrounding this closure demonstrate that policy on happily developed nuclear weapons and missiles debate sits Ahn Cheol-soo. A successful tech entre- nuclear equality, inter-Korean eco- North Korea is a highly divisive subject among South while accepting South Korean investment and aid in preneur, Ahn is relatively new to politics and looks nomic engagement starts to look Korea’s political elite. the 2000s, and it is unlikely that a future President decisively awkward under questioning. like a viable, progressive option The frontrunner in the race, Moon Jae-in, the Moon could stop them continuing to do so. He briefly came close to leading in the polls, but once again. candidate for the liberal left who lost the presidency This is the basis of one of the main criticisms that has since been pushed back to a distant second. in the last election, wants to reopen the KIC. Moon Moon has faced during the election race. The cen- Basically, Ahn has been reduced to being a Hong-lite also wants to re-open Mount Kumgang, a tourist tre-right candidate in the presidential race, Hong as he seeks to appeal to both the parts of the centre- Jun-pyo, has repeatedly accused Moon of planning left that backed his party in general elections last to form a left-wing government that would be too year and the parts of the centre-right that loathe to soft on North Korea. see Moon become president but do not want Hong The truth is that South Korea One of the main pieces of evidence supporting to assume power either. He is now being squeezed and America may no longer Hong’s allegation is Moon’s close relationship with by both sides and might finish third - he was joint the last liberal president in the Blue House, Roh second in one of the polls before the election, with be natural allies. No candidate D-RING ROAD Moo-hyun — who has also been criticised for being momentum swinging in Hong’s direction. POST BOX: 3488 will say such a thing for too soft on North Korea. It has recently been alleged At any rate, whoever wins the race to the Blue DOHA - QATAR fear of provoking a genuine that in 2007, while he was working as an aid to Roh, House will have to balance between a Trump presi- [email protected] controversy that they cannot Moon had suggested the Seoul government consult dency seeking to get tough on North Korea and the Pyongyang before deciding its position on a UN res- desire for peace and stability on the Korean control. But truth be told, olution condemning North Korea’s human rights peninsula. Moon Jae-in and Donald abuses. Moon denied the accusation. Yoo Seung-min, the other principal conservative EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Trump may have to choose Hong’s policy alternative has a catchy name, candidate in the race — and also by far the most TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 Armed Peace, but it generally involves the continua- qualified and knowledgeable of all the candidates, FAX: +974 4455 7758 between the safety of Seoul tion of the status quo of frozen relations with the in my opinion - highlighted this predicament that and San Francisco. North, combined with a larger defence budget and South Korea continuously finds itself in. “Korea MANAGING EDITOR continued reliance on US military support. Passing” is maybe the term that best describes the TEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR India can bolster Snapchat’s prospects as Facebook goes after it TEL: 4455 7769 LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743 York Times as Facebook’s “brazen heist” over Snap- “Like other internet giants, Facebook leverages the power Nishant Arora chat. It is Snapchat which has popularised animated of the ecosystem, same as Tencent or Alibaba in China. It’s not BUSINESS NEWS SECTION IANS AR selfie masks and facial filters. the battle between Facebook and Snapchat, rather than eco- TEL: 4462 7535 Facebook has also added Snapchat-style “Sto- system strategy vs a single-platform strategy,” Wang told IANS. ries” and camera special effects to all its core social According to Anoop Mishra, one of the nation’s leading social SPORT NEWS SECTION apps: Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and Insta- media experts, most of the product-based companies involve TEL: 4455 7745 gram. Facebook has also added Geostickers to their research and development team to keep a close eye spe- ounded in 2004, Facebook — on Instagram, offering location-specific tags in two cit- cially on the features implemented by surrounding chasers. ONLINE SECTION track to hit two billion active ies (New York City and Jakarta) that users can paste “Features like Poke (2012), Slingshot (2014), Bolt (2014), TEL: 4462 7501 monthly users this year — is now over images. Snapchat launched Geofilters back in One-Hour Messages (2015), News Feed-Only Posts (2016), [email protected] the fifth-largest US firm by mar- 2014. Quick Updates (2016) and Instagram Stories (2016) are some- ket capitalisation (exceeding Why does a giant need to “copy” or borrow fea- how imitated, snatched or neatly cloned in recent history by PUBLIC RELATIONS F$400 billion) and owns the world’s most tures at all when it can innovate at will? Facebook from Snapchat,” Mishra told IANS. popular apps: WhatsApp, Instagram and “Facebook is not just learning/borrowing fea- “This could be a part of their strategy to influence more and TEL: 4455 7613 Messenger. tures from Snapchat (mostly to Instagram), but it more active users and keep themselves ahead of the surround- [email protected] On the other hand, popular image has been borrowing features from other messaging ing competitors which helps them gain internet ad revenue messaging platform Snapchat’s parent apps too. For example, Facebook Messenger learned share as well,” Mishra added. Unfortunately, the biggest irony ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT company Snap Inc grew to $25 billion in a lot of features from WeChat (China) since last with online e-services is that there is hardly anything from the TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 market capitalisation after its mega IPO in year’s F8, such as creating branded accounts and offerings perspective to sustain differentiation. FAX: 4455 7870 March. Launched in 2011, Snapchat today letting brands use it for customer services,” “However, execution is what will matter in the end. In [email protected] has a little over 160 million active daily Xiaofeng Wang, Senior Analyst with US-based mar- this case, if Snapchat has a better execution, it will grow big users. ket research firm Forrester, told IANS. or else Facebook could make it irrelevant by looping in fea- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT That Facebook is going after Snapchat The new group chatbot feature announced at F8 tures on features,” Faisal Kawoosa, Principal Analyst TEL: 4455 7857 is not news, but the battle has now become this year is also very similar to what “Line” (Japan) (Telecoms) at CyberMedia Research (CMR), told IANS. [email protected] somewhat ugly. At its recently-concluded has already offered. “Ultimately it’s about what makes the application more F8 developer conference in San Jose in the It’s not unusual in the tech industry to create productive and meaningful, thus increasing the chances of SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION US, CEO Mark Zuckerberg launched similar features inspired by other companies. Line keeping users engaged,” Kawoosa told IANS. TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 “Camera Effects Platform” and WhatsApp picked up the idea of a voice mes- Zuckerberg even tried to acquire Snapchat for $3 billion FAX: 44557819 to encourage augmented saging feature from WeChat too. in 2013, but its co-founder Evan Spiegel refused the offer. reality (AR) effects — a “Legally, it’s hard to prove ‘copy’. But Facebook Now Spiegel is engaged in a different kind of battle with [email protected] move reported by The New has been launching new features to retain user- Facebook. activity and attract younger generations as Spiegel, who was in the news recently for his purported Snapchat attracts the younger generation better disinterest in expanding business to “poor countries” like All thoughts and views than Facebook,” Wang noted. India — something that created an uproar in social media and expressed in these columns Zuckerberg even tried Originally launched by Snapchat, the “Stories” was later refuted by the parent company Snap — must actu- feature shows photos and videos shared in chrono- ally have a fresh look at India. are those of the writers, not to acquire Snapchat for logical order that disappear after 24 hours. There are over 200 million WhatsApp users in India of the newspaper. $3 billion in 2013, but its Facebook introduced something similar in its while Facebook has nearly 166 million. Snapchat? A mere co-founder Evan Spiegel app Instagram last August. Today, Instagram has four million, according to media reports. All correspondence refused the offer. Now Spiegel over 200 million people Stories daily -- more than This is where Spiegel needs to focus as the Indian market regarding Views and even Snapchat. is among the world’s largest — and growing — when it comes Opinion pages should be is engaged in a different kind Today, Messenger, WhatsApp and the main to social media use. Ignoring the “rich” millenials in the of battle with Facebook. Facebook app have all added “Stories” feature (In country will only harm Snapchat as Facebook will gobble mailed to the WhatsApp, it is called ‘Status’). them up. [email protected] 12 ASIA MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 Kejriwal faces graft charges; urged to quit

New Delhi AAP crisis deepens can't imagine him to be IANS corrupt. "I saw Jain handed "If there was anything acked Delhi Water Min- over Rs2 crore in wrong, Mishra should have ister Kapil Mishra cash to Kejriwal. raised it in the party platform," yesterday alleged that When I asked about he said, adding if he had any Chief Minister Arvind the money, Kejriwal proof against Jain or Kejriwal he Kejriwal took Rs2 crore refused to answer. He should reveal it. Sin cash from a cabinet colleague, He said the AAP Political said there are certain triggering a mocking denial Affairs Committee would decide things in politics from the ruling AAP. The BJP action over the issue. which are explained and the Congress immediately The Bharatiya Janata Party clamoured for Kejriwals later," Kapil Mishra demanded Kejriwal's resigna- resignation. said. tion while the Congress called A day after he was dismissed for criminal proceedings against as minister, Mishra claimed he Neither Kejriwal nor him. Demonstrators shout slogans during a funeral procession for rebel Fayaz Ahamed, also known saw Health Minister Satyendar Jain responded to the "Kejriwal has no moral right Jain hand over the cash to Kejri- allegations. But to hold the post of Chief Minis- as Setha, at Qaimoh in Kulgam, yesterday. wal at his residence on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister ter. He must resign plunging the Aam Aadmi Party Manish Sisodia and immediately," Delhi BJP Presi- (AAP) into a new crisis after AAP leader Kumar dent Manoj Tiwari said. Five dead in Kashmir violence election setbacks and subse- Vishwas defended Delhi Congress President quent infighting. the Chief Minister. Ajay Maken said Mishra's claims "I saw Jain handed over Rs2 were not mere allegations but a Srinagar Yesterday, thousands of militant groups, the roughly crore in cash to Kejriwal. When "testimony of an eyewitness". AFP local residents gathered to 500,000 Indian soldiers I asked about the money, Kejri- responded to the allegations. But "The Centre, the Anti-Cor- mourn the dead militant at a deployed in Kashmir are regu- wal refused to answer. He said Deputy Chief Minister Manish ruption Branch and the CBI uspected militants launched funeral where rebels fired shots larly involved in clashes with there are certain things in poli- Sisodia and AAP leader Kumar should immediately take action an attack in Kashmir killing into the air as a mark of respect. civilians, fuelling growing tics which are explained later," Vishwas defended the Chief and register an FIR against Sthree civilians and a police- The Press Trust of India said resentment against New Delhi. Mishra told the media. Minister. Kejriwal," he told the media. man, the latest violence to hit the the attacker had been identified The clashes have become Mishra said he told Lt Gov- "The kind of allegations Social activist Anna Hazare, restive valley, authorities said as Fayaz Ahmed Ashwar, who more frequent since the killing ernor Anil Baijal about this against Kejriwal are unsubstan- with whom Kejriwal started an yesterday. One of the militants carried a bounty of Rs200,000 of popular rebel leader Burhan yesterday and would provide tiated. No one will believe anti-corruption crusade in 2011, was also killed when they on his head over his role in an Wani last July which sparked details to investigating agencies. them," said Sisodia. said he was deeply saddened by attacked policemen clearing the attack on a military convoy in widespread unrest. He also accused Jain of facilitat- He questioned why Mishra the allegations against his site of a road accident late Sat- 2015 that killed two soldiers. Kashmir has been divided ing a land deal worth Rs50 crore was speaking only after he was former protege. urday near Kulgam district. Anti-India sentiment runs between India and Pakistan since for a Kejriwal relative. removed as a minister. Mishra "It was because of the anti- "A police party was at the deep in the predominantly Mus- the end of British rule in 1947 but "Jain himself told me about said he was removed because corruption fight in Delhi that accident site when they were lim Kashmir valley, one of the both claim the territory in its the deal," he said, adding he was he had already begun speaking Kejriwal became the Chief Min- attacked. In the cross-fire, one world's most heavily militarised entirety. On Monday, five police- sure the Health Minister would about such issues within the ister. Today, I cannot tell how policeman and three civilians areas, where most people favour men and two civilians were soon be put behind bars. party. Kumar Vishwas said even deeply sad (I am)," he said in his died. One of the attackers also independence or a merger with killed when militants attacked a Neither Kejriwal nor Jain the worst enemies of Kejriwal hometown in Maharashtra. died," a police source said. Pakistan. Apart from armed bank van in Kulgam.

New Delhi Odisha CM reshuffles ministry under grip Bhubaneswar Sashi Bhusan Behera was Mallick, who retained the Steel of heat wave IANS given charge of the Finance and and Mines Department, also got Excise Department while Par- charge of Energy Department. disha Chief Minister liamentary Affairs and Rural Pratap Jena was named the conditions Naveen Patnaik yester- Development was allocated to new Health Minister while Oday inducted 10 new Bikram Keshari Arukh. Ramesh Majhi has been given scorching sun created faces into his ministry, includ- Damodar Rout, who earlier charge of SC/ST Development heat wave conditions in ing six Cabinet and four was in charge of Excise, got Department. Prafulla Samal has Asome parts of the capi- Ministers of State. Two MoS Agriculture and Public Enter- been named the Women and tal yesterday as mercury rose were elevated to Cabinet rank. prises while Pradeep Maharathy Child Welfare Minister. five notches above the season's The new Cabinet ministers are got the Panchayati Raj Depart- There was no change in the average to 44.1°C, making it the The two Jet Airways planes involved in a collision at Delhi’s Niranjan Pujari, Surya Naryan ment. Bijayshree Routray has portfolios of Ashok Panda and hottest May 7 since 2011, the Indira Gandhi International Airport, yesterday. Patro, Prafulla Samal, Pratap been given the charge of Forest Snehangini Chhuria, who Met office said. Today is likely Jena, Sashi Bhusan Behera and and Environment Department. retained Tourism and Culture to be as hot though with a Maheswar Mohanty. Prafulla Usha Devi has been Department, and Handloom and partly cloudy sky. Two Jet Airways flights Mallick and Ramesh Chandra appointed the new Planning, Textile portfolios respectively. "There would be partly Majhi have been elevated. Coordination and Technical Among the Ministers of cloudy sky today. Heat wave The Ministers of State are Education Minister while Surya State, Nrusingha Charan Sahu conditions are likely at a few collide at Delhi airport Sushant Singh, Nrushingha Sahu, Narayan Patro will be the Food has been allotted Commerce and places in Delhi and NCR Chandra Sarathi Behera and Supplies and Cooperation Min- Transport, while Chandra Sar- (National Capital Region)," Ananta Narayan Das. The Chief ister. Maheswar Mohanty has athi Behera has been given said an official of the India New Delhi incident during taxi, while pre- Minister later allocated portfo- been allocated the Revenue charge of Sports and Youth Meteorological Department, IANS paring for departure from IGI lios to his ministers, retaining the portfolio, Niranjan Pujari Indus- Affairs and IT. Ananta Das has adding the maximum and Airport. four portfolios of Home Depart- try and Urban Development and been given charge of Higher minimum temperatures are ir passenger carrier Jet "All guests and crew on- ment, General Administration, Badri Narayan Patra School and Education and Susanta Singh likely to hover around 44 and Airways yesterday board both aircraft are safe and Water Resources and Works. Mass Education. Prafulla Labour and ESI Department. 26°C respectively. Agrounded two of its air- are being taken to the terminal craft after they were involved for re-accommodation in sub- in a minor collision at the IGI sequent flights," the airport here. spokesperson said. An airport official said the "The aircraft are currently Govt to review security in Maoist-hit states incident occurred in the after- being inspected by the Jet Air- noon when the two aircraft, ways engineering team. The New Delhi 10 Maoist-hit states and union devising new strategies to main- intelligence issues like vacancies belonging to Jet Airways, airline has reported the event to IANS ministers for Road Transport tain the momentum achieved in in state police forces, capacity brushed against each other the regulatory authorities. Both and Highways, Railways, Civil 2016 in the drive against Mao- building of state intelligence units while "taxiing out" to runway sets of crew have been de-ros- lmost a fortnight after Aviation, Rural Development, ists, notwithstanding a couple of and other Ministry-wise related 29. The official said the pas- tered pending investigation." Maoists killed 25 CRPF Power, New and Renewable incidents, he said. matters will be discussed," the sengers and crew on-board The aviation regulator, Apersonnel in an ambush in Energy, and Telecom, a Home "The day-long meeting will official said. both the flights numbered over Directorate General of Civil Avi- Chhattisgarh, the Centre will hold Ministry official said yesterday. include two sessions to discuss Officials of the ministry's Left 200. ation, has ordered an enquiry a ministerial-level review meet- "Operational issues, as well issues like role of states in oper- Wing Extremism Division will According to a Jet Airways into the incident. ing today to discuss security as infrastructure and logistics ations by Central Armed Police also participate, apart from Sec- spokesperson, the two Jet Air- On April 26, a similar acci- issues in Maoist-affected states. requirement, to combat the Mao- Forces, and raising and deploy- retaries in various Ministries as ways aircraft -- operating flight dent was reported from the Home Minister Rajnath ists will be taken up, as also the ment of India Reserve Battalions well as Chief Secretaries and 9W 603 from Delhi-Srinagar Delhi airport in which a cater- Singh will chair the meeting at rapid development of affected and Special India Reserve Directors General of paramili- and 9W 730 from Delhi-Patna ing van had collided with an Air Vigyan Bhavan here, to be areas," the official added. Battalions. tary forces deployed in these -- were involved in a ground India plane, damaging its door. attended by Chief Ministers of The meeting will focus on "Capacity building and states.

Female candidate asked to remove top innerwear at NEET exam centre

Kannur/Kerala Other women candidates too undergraduate medical courses her mother. Another candidate, to a shop about three km away "I know of a Muslim family IANS faced a harrowing experience in government and private med- who was wearing a pair of jeans, from the exam centre and which gave six tops to candidates due to a strict dress code in ical colleges in the country -- that was asked to remove a pocket as bought a new dress for her after to wear. Even more shocking was n a shocking incident, a force. she was asked by the examina- well as metal buttons from the getting the shop opened." the fact that authorities did not female candidate who The anguished candidate tion centre's officials to remove clothing. Those living in the vicinity permit anyone to wear full- Iappeared at a NEET centre told media persons after her innerwear. Her father said: "She was of the school where the NEET sleeved top. Those wearing such here yesterday claimed she had attempting the National Eligibil- "My daughter went inside the wearing jeans. Since it had centre was set up came forward sleeves had to cut it to make it to remove her innerwear before ity-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) centre, only to return later and pockets and metal buttons, they to help candidates by giving short-sleeved," said another har- sitting for the entrance test. -- conducted for admission to hand me her top innerwear," said needed to be removed. I went them suitable clothes to wear. ried parent. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 ASIA 13 Iran & Afghanistan to jointly fight terrorism

Kabul promoting it,” the minister said Anatolia War on terror yesterday. Afghanistan Foreign Salahuddin Rabbani said ter- isiting Iranian For- Minister Salahuddin rorism a mutual threat for the eign Minister Javad stability of Afghanistan and Iran, Rabbani said Zarif has underlined the region and the world. terrorism a mutual the need to jointly “The current global fight fight terrorism with threat for the against terrorism will be success- Afghanistan.V stability of ful when the Muslim world Zarif arrived in Kabul yes- Afghanistan and clearly defines terrorism, and the terday on an official visit which Iran, the region and Islamic countries jointly fight he described as aimed at the world. against violent groups, without strengthening ties with separating them into good and Afghanistan. bad," he said. Addressing a joint press con- are movements to strengthen Kabul has long been blam- ference with his Afghan extremists and promote violence ing Pakistan for sparing "good Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani (right) with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani, in this region which is certainly Taliban" and using them for stra- Zarif said there was a need to detrimental to all. The terror, tegic goals in Afghanistan. Javad Zarif during a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry, in Kabul, yesterday. jointly fight extremism, terror- violence and extremism are not Afghan officials in southern ism and narcotics. limited to any specific area, but parts of the country have also supporting and arming the Heading a high-level dele- minister is also scheduled to “Just like in the past, there it would also engulf those blamed Iran and Russia for Taliban. gation, the Iranian foreign meet President Ashraf Ghani. Kabul rejects Pakistan death toll claim Police reject IS group Quetta -- more than 50 of their soldiers claim on Manila blast AFP were killed and above 100 were wounded," Major General Nadim akistan's military yester- Ahmad, head of the paramilitary Manila The bomb was carried in a day said it had killed more Frontier Corps said. AFP package by a hired delivery Pthan 50 Afghan soldiers in "We are not happy for their man who handed it over to an a clash on a major border cross- losses but we were forced to hilippine police believe a aide of Abinal just before it ing two days earlier, a claim retaliate," he said, adding two Shia cleric was the likely went off, killing them both. quickly rejected by Kabul. Pakistani soldiers were killed and Ptarget of explosions that "As police were searching The skirmish took place on nine wounded in the incident. killed two people in Manila, an the blast site late Saturday, Friday at the Chaman border Kabul quickly denied the official said yesterday, reject- another explosion rocked the that divides Pakistan's southwest claim. ing Islamic State claims of area, possibly from a second Balochistan province and "A very false claims by a involvement. bomb planted earlier," said Afghanistan's southern Kanda- Pakistani Frontier Corp that as Six others were injured Albayalde. har, as Pakistani officials were many as 50 Afghan soldier lost when two explosions rocked "This has nothing to do with carrying out a census count. their lives in Pak retaliation; the office of the imam, Nasser terrorism. There is no indica- At least eight civilians were totally rejected," tweeted Sediq Abinal, in the capital's busy tion that this was done by a killed, according to previously Pakistani activists from the Jamhoori Wattan Party shout Sediqqi, a government Quiapo district on Saturday. terror group, local or foreign". stated tolls by officials -- seven slogans during a protest against unrest on the border with spokesman. Oscar Albayalde, head of The Islamic State group has on the Pakistani side, and one Afghanistan at the Afghan consulate, in Quetta. Samim Khpalwak, a spokes- police forces in the capital, said claimed it staged the on the Afghan side. man for the governor of the bomb was apparently explosion. Afghanistan had blamed charge denied by Islamabad. dramatic losses. Kandahar province, instead said intended for Abinal who is also "Five Shias were killed and Pakistani census enumerators Yesterday, Pakistani forces "We are not pleased to tell two troops were lost in the government tax officer for the six others wounded in a bomb accompanied by soldiers for elevated their rhetoric by say- you that five Afghan check posts attack, in addition to the death Manila region. blast by Islamic State fighters straying across the border, a ing Afghan forces had suffered were completely destroyed of a civilian. He was not at the office at in the centre of Manila," said a the time. statement from Amaq, IS's "He admitted there were propaganda arm. threats to his life in the past" Albayalde said this was just Four dead as while being questioned by the IS custom of taking credit Families flee Taliban Kunduz assault police, Albayalde said. for any such incidents. troops clash Kunduz the provincial capital of house and the Afghan National with militants AFP Kunduz. Security Forces from the other The Norwegian Refugee side. A rocket landed in my gar- in Basilan undreds of Afghan fam- Council, which has offices in den. My wife told me that if I ilies have fled fighting Kunduz, said in a statement that didn't flee, she would leave the Zamboanga City Hbetween the Taliban and some families were forced to house alone with our two Anatolia government forces near the sleep in the open while others daughters," said another resi- northern city of Kunduz as the moved into the homes of dent, 29-year-old Rahman FOUR soldiers and two sus- insurgents captured a strategic relatives. Gerdi. pected Abu Sayyaf members district soon after launching "Around 2.30am Taliban Mahfuzullah Akbari, a gov- were killed in clashes in the their annual spring offensive. fighters came to our houses and ernment spokesman, said troubled southern Philippines The militants began their asked us to evacuate. They told Afghan forces retreated from the province of Basilan late Sat- assault on the Qala-e-Zal dis- us not to make any sound. We district to avoid civilian casual- urday. trict in Kunduz province on were all afraid," said Abdul ties while a Taliban spokesman Capt Jo-Ann Petinglay, Saturday and captured most of Karim, 31 who fled Qala-e Zal said in a statement they had spokeswoman for the West- it including the district centre. with his family to Kunduz city, forced them out. ern Mindanao Command, The attack triggered intense according to the statement. "We have launched an oper- Police officers stand guard near a Mosque in Quiapo, Manila confirmed the death of four fighting with government forces "Taliban fighters were ation to retake the district," troops in two related encoun- that sent civilians fleeing toward shooting from one side of our Akbari said. yesterday. ters against the IS-linked militants. According to Basilan Gov- ernor Jim Salimman, Australians win government troops set up several roadblocks in the Pakistan and US discuss regional stability town of Sumisip as a food race up Taiwan blockade against the group. skyscraper Islamabad was part of our policy to main- Chaudhary also briefed the An encounter with armed Internews Pakistan is ready to tain close contact with the US NSA about prospects of eco- men at a checkpoint left two government and a follow up to nomic engagement between the suspected militants dead, he Taipei s the Trump administra- work with the United the discussions held recently. I two countries and the invest- added. Reuters tion finalises its Afghan States for regional apprised the NSA that for Paki- ment opportunities emerging The military, however, Apolicy, Pakistan held the peace and stability stan peace in Afghanistan is a in Pakistan after the economic said it was still confirming TWO Australians won this third round of talks with the as well as to pursue high priority. turnaround. This environment, reports that Abu Sayyaf mil- year's race up Taiwan's tallest White House on its role in the A peaceful Afghanistan is he said, was ideal for foreign itants were killed in the skyscraper yesterday, climb- regional peace and stability. our shared interests vital to consolidate the enor- investments in energy and encounters with government ing 2046 steps in the annual “Pakistan’s commitment to in the economic mous gains Pakistan has made infrastructure sectors. troops. "Taipei 101 Run Up". regional peace,” said Ambas- domain: Ambassador to achieve domestic stability,” Gen McMaster “under- Petinglay said the military Some 4,500 runners from sador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Chaudhary said. “The broader scored the need for continued had been pursuing the Abu 36 countries took part in the when asked “what was the regional stability also came cooperation for a stable and Sayyaf in Basilan in a bid to race to the 91st floor of the focus of your talks with US US President Donald Trump under discussion.” prosperous region,” said a crush the militant group Taipei 101 tower - formerly National Security Adviser Gen late April and the third between The ambassador said Paki- statement issued by the Paki- within six months. known as the Taipei World H R McMaster?” Gen McMaster and the Pakistani stan believed that only a stan Embassy. Sumisip is one of the Financial Center a landmark “Pakistan is ready to work administration over the past political process could restore The US, which once deployed havens of the Abu Sayyaf in supertall skyscraper in Xinyi with the United States for two months. peace to war-torn Afghanistan more than 100,000 troops in the southern province. District. regional peace and stability as Gen McMaster visited as “there’s no military solution Afghanistan, still has around Since its inception in 1991, Australian Mark Bourne well as to pursue our shared Islamabad on April 17, a day to this conflict”. 8,400 troops there with another the group has carried out won the men's event with a interests in the economic after he urged Pakistan to pur- He said that the NSA’s visit about 5,000 from Nato allies. bombings, kidnappings, assas- time of 11 minutes, 24 sec- domain,” he said. sue its interests in Afghanistan to Pakistan was useful for both It is also working on paral- sinations, and extortion in what onds. Australian Suzy This was the ambassador’s through peaceful means and sides to better understand each lel efforts to negotiate a peace they describe as their fight for Walsham was the fastest first cabinet-level interaction not by using violent proxies. other’s perspective on issues of deal between Kabul and the an independent Islamic prov- woman with a time of 13 min- after presenting credentials to “The meeting on Thursday mutual interest. Taliban. ince in Philippines. utes, 36 seconds. 14 ASIA MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

Sumatra jail China to tighten Internet controls break: About 200 at large Beijing New regulations limiting and guiding online yesterday, without giving any controls are necessary in the face Reuters discussion. details. of growing security threats, and The five-year The five-year cultural devel- Xi has been explicit that are done in accordance with the Pekanbaru hina will further cultural opment and reform plan media must follow the party line, law. AP tighten its Internet development and released by the party and State uphold the correct guidance on Speaking more broadly regulations with a reform plan released Council, or Cabinet, calls for a public opinion and promote about the country's cultural sec- INDONESIAN authorities said pledge yesterday to by the party and "perfecting" of laws and rules "positive propaganda". tor, the plan calls for efforts to about 200 inmates remained strengthen controls State Council, or related to the Internet. The plan comes on top of reinforce and improve "positive at large two days after a mass Cover search engines and online That includes a qualification existing tight Internet controls, propaganda". escape from an overcrowded Cabinet, calls for a news portals, the latest step in system for people working in which includes the blocking of "Strengthen and improve prison on Sumatra island. "perfecting" of laws President Xi Jinping's push to online news, according to the popular foreign websites such supervision over public opinion," The prison break on Fri- and rules related to maintain strict Communist Party plan, carried by the official Xin- as Google and Facebook. it added. day occurred when the control over content. the Internet. hua news agency. The government last week The plan also calls for more prisoners were let out of their Xi has made China's "cyber "Strike hard against online issued tighter rules for online effort to be put into promoting cells at Sialang Bungkuk sovereignty" a top priority in his rumours, harmful information, news portals and network China's point of view and cul- Prison in Pekanbaru, the cap- sweeping campaign to bolster He has also reasserted the fake news, news extortion, fake providers. tural soft power globally, though ital of Riau province, to security. ruling Communist Party's role in media and fake reporters," it said Regulators say such Internet without giving details. perform prayers. They broke through a prison door, overwhelming the few guards on duty. Local police chief Susanto North Korea detains said 242 men were recap- tured yesterday morning leaving about 200 still at large. another US citizen Authorities were initially uncertain about how many Seoul suspension of his hostile acts prisoners had escaped from Reuters against it," KCNA said. the prison, estimating the A third US citizen, Kim Sang numbers at between 100 and orth Korea said yester- Dok, who was associated with 300. day it has detained the same school, was detained Police said some of the Nanother American citi- in late April for hostile acts, men surrendered or were zen on suspicion of acts against according to the North's official returned by their families the state, which if confirmed media. while others were captured would make him the fourth US The reported detention by residents, police and sol- citizen to be held by the isolated comes as tensions on the diers. Various officials have country amid diplomatic Korean peninsula run high, said the prisoners were angry tensions. driven by harsh rhetoric from at poor conditions and "Kim Hak Song, who was Pyongyang and Washington treatment. detained on Saturday, worked over the North's pursuit of The prison has a capacity for the Pyongyang University nuclear weapons in response of about 360 but according to of Science and Technology," the to what it says is a threat of US- local police spokesman Gun- North's KCNA news agency instigated war. tur Aryo Tejo it is holding said. The Pyongyang University more than 1,870 men. "A relevant institution of the of Science and Technology Hundreds of police and DPRK detained American citi- (PUST) was founded by evan- soldiers have been deployed zen Kim Hak Song on May 6 gelical Christians and opened since Friday in the hunt for People observe a minute of silence near the body of Nepali mountain climber Min Bahadur under a law of the DPRK on in 2010. the prisoners. Sherchan, in Kathmandu, yesterday. Everest climber died of natural causes

Kathmandu altitude sickness," Shiv Raj Everest in 2008 when he was Eleven dead in Vietnam bus crash AFP Thapa of Summit Nepal Trek- 76, but he lost the record five king said yesterday after an years later when Miura reached Hanoi according to state-controlled break the bus door to rescue n 85-year-old ex-Gurkha autopsy. the 8,848-metre peak at the age AFP Vietnam News Agency. them and take them to hospi- who was attempting to Min Sherchan was resting of 80. The truck was believed to tal," online newspaper Areclaim his title as the at the base camp and waiting Speaking to AFP earlier this truck driving in the have hit the bus head-on. VnExpress quoted Pham Van world's oldest person to summit for the weather window to year, the slightly hard of hear- wrong direction on a The bus was carrying 36 Uan, head of Gia Lai province's Mount Everest died of altitude summit in a single attempt, ing grandfather said he just A one-way road smashed passengers, state media said traffic police, as saying. sickness, the expedition organ- skipping the usual multiple wanted to prove to himself that into a bus in Vietnam's central yesterday. Road accidents are com- iser said yesterday. acclimatisation rotations he could still make it to the top highlands yesterday killing at The coach driver was mon in Vietnam, with nearly Min Bahadur Sherchan died because of his age. of the world. least 11 people, state media among the dead, the report 9000 people killed last year. at Everest base camp on Satur- He was on a bid to reclaim "My aim is not to break any- said. added. It is not known whether Narrow highways, poorly day and his body was airlifted a title that he lost to Japanese body's record, this is not a The accident in Gia Lai the truck driver survived. maintained vehicles and driv- to Kathmandu. mountaineer Yuichiro Miura in personal competition between province occurred in the early "The victims were trapped ers' disregard for road safety "Doctors said that he died of 2013. individuals. I wish to break my hours of Sunday morning, also inside the coach. The authori- and traffic rules are blamed for natural causes. There was water The former soldier became own record," Sherchan had said injuring 23 passengers, ties and local residents had to most fatalities. build-up in his lungs because of the oldest person to summit in February. Two suspected Vietnam fires official militants dead in Dhaka raid over illegal projects Dhaka Hanoi Misconduct Reuters Reuters The party said that TWO suspected militants ietnam's ruling Commu- while he was blew themselves up yester- nist Party yesterday chairman of day when counter-terrorism Vdismissed a high-profile PetroVietnam police stormed a house in west- party official from his politburo between 2009- ern Bangladesh, police said, position for misconduct while 2011, Thang had the latest in a series of raids he headed the country's state committed on Islamist hideouts. oil and gas firm. "weaknesses and Police said the two men The vote to remove Dinh La serious violations in killed themselves by detonat- Thang, 56, one of the 19 mem- ing explosives as officers bers of the country's most his leadership, launched an early morning powerful politburo, was a rare command and staff raid in a village in Jhenidah sanction for such a prominent works. district, about 160km west of official in the one-party state. the capital Dhaka after a In an online statement, the tip-off. party said that while he was The bank's founder and ex- "Two police officers were chairman of PetroVietnam chairman was arrested in 2014. also seriously injured as the between 2009-2011, Thang had Thang's dismissal comes militants opened fire and committed "weaknesses and amid a wider crackdown on People run with their pets during a mini-marathon for dogs in Bangkok, yesterday. exploded bombs," district serious violations in his lead- corrupt officials at PetroViet- police chief Mizanur Rahman ership, command and staff nam and its subsidiaries, said. works...sparking annoyance including Drilling Mud Corp. Rahman said they were Hundreds of dogs join Bangkok fun run among officials, party members In its statement, the party members of a faction of the and the people." made no mention of whether Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bang- Bangkok Nobody was racing against "This way dogs can also con- On April 27, the party's Thang would retain his post as ladesh group, known as New Reuters the clock at the "Maa-Rathon" - tribute to help humans," said inspection committee said party chief of Vietnam's eco- JMB, blamed for a spate of maa is Thai for dog - and there organiser Pimpicha Utsahajit, Thang had been responsible nomic hub Ho Chi Minh City. deadly attacks targeting for- rom tiny chihuahuas to was no prize for the fastest dog yesterday. numerous illegal projects and Thang was an unusually eigners and religious 60kg mastiffs, hundreds of and owner around the 1.7km The marathon event started big financial losses of PetroVi- outspoken official among nor- minorities in the countr. Fdogs and their owners course. early yesterday to avoid tem- etnam, and overseen the mally-reticent Communist New JMB has pledged jogged through a Bangkok park Entrants paid $30 per dog peratures above 36 degrees company's acquisition of an Party apparatchiks, known for allegiance to the Islamic State yesterday to raise money for to raise funds for a new build- Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) later in excessive stake in Ocean Bank his forthright comments on jihadist group. charity. ing at the Siriraj Hospital. the day. of Ocean Group. sensitive issues. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 EUROPE 15 Macron wins French presidential polls

LEFT: Brigitte Trogneux, wife of French presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron, casts her ballot in the second round of 2017 French presidential election, at a polling station in Le Touquet, France, yesterday. CENTRE: Marine Le Pen, French National Front (FN) political party candidate casts her ballot at a polling station in Henin-Beaumont. Outgoing French President Francois Hollande visits a kitchen in a sports centre after casting his ballot at a polling station in Tulle, central France, yesterday.

Paris AP Marine Le Pen, his far- right opponent in the rench voters elected presidential runoff, centrist Emmanuel Macron as the coun- quickly called the try's youngest 39-year-old Macron president ever yester- to concede defeat Fday, delivering a resounding victory to the unabashedly pro- after voters rejected European former investment her "French-first" banker and strengthening nationalism by a large France's place as a central pillar margin. of the European Union. A crowd of Macron support- ers roared with delight at the news, jubilantly waving red, Macron now becomes not white and blue tricolour flags at only France's youngest-ever a victory party outside the Lou- Supporters of President Elect Emmanuel Macron celebrate president but also one of its most Twin sisters vote at a polling station in Nice yesterday during vre Museum in Paris. near the Louvre museum after results were announced. unlikely. Until now, modern the second round of the French presidential election. Marine Le Pen, his far-right France had been governed either opponent in the presidential run- — following elections in Austria that the presidential vote showed by the Socialists or the conserv- steering France into unchartered Le Pen immediately turned off, quickly called the and the Netherlands — that an embrace of the EU. atives — but both Macron and Le political territory. her focus to France's upcoming 39-year-old Macron to concede European voters shot down far- Many French voters backed Pen upended those political In a first for postwar France, legislative elections in June, defeat after voters rejected her right populists who wanted to Macron reluctantly, not because traditions. neither of the mainstream par- where Macron will need a work- "French-first" nationalism by a restore borders across Europe. they agreed with his politics but Unknown to voters before ties on the left or the right ing majority to govern large margin. The election of a French presi- simply to keep out Le Pen and his turbulent 2014-16 tenure as qualified in the first round of vot- effectively. "I call on all patriots The result wasn't even close: dent who championed European her far-right National Front France's pro-business economy ing on April 23 for yesterday's to join us," she said. "France will Pollsters projected that Macron unity could strengthen the EU's party, which is still tainted by its minister, Macron took a giant winner-takes-all duel between need you more than ever in the won 65 percent of the votes. Le hand in its complex divorce pro- long anti-Semitic and racist gamble by quitting the govern- Macron and Le Pen. months ahead." Pen's projected 35 percent score ceedings with Britain, which history. ment of outgoing Socialist Despite her loss, Le Pen's Le Pen said she got 11 million was lower than her polling num- voted last year to leave the bloc. After the most closely President Francois Hollande to advancement to the runoff for votes. If confirmed, that would bers earlier in the campaign, and In a statement minutes after watched and unpredictable run as an independent in his first the first time marked a break- be double the score of her father, dashed her hopes that the pop- the last polls closed yester- French presidential campaign in electoral campaign. through for the 48-year-old. She National Front co-founder Jean- ulist wave which swept Donald daynight, Prime Minister Bernard recent memory, many voters His startup political move- had placed third in the 2012 Marie Le Pen, at the same stage Trump into the White House Cazeneuve announced Macron's rejected the runoff choice alto- ment — optimistically named, presidential vote, underscoring in the 2002 presidential election. would also carry her to France's victory. "(This) testifies to the gether. Pollsters projected that "En Marche!," or "Forward!" — a growing acceptance for her The candidates' polar-opposite presidential Elysee Palace. lucidity of the voters, who French voters cast blank or caught fire in just one year, fierce anti-immigration, France- visions presented the 47 million Macron's victory marked the rejected the deadly project of the spoiled ballots in record num- harnessing voters' hunger for first nationalism among registered voters with the stark- third time in six months extreme right," he said, adding bers yesterday. new faces and new ideas and disgruntled voters. est possible choice. Brief security alert at Louvre plaza

Paris who have been accredited for the AFP post-election rally were asked to briefly move away from the site. he plaza outside the Lou- The Louvre, the most visited vre Museum in Paris, where museum in the world, is situated TFrench presidential front- on the banks of the River Seine runner Emmanuel Macron plans in the heart of Paris. a victory party if elected, was The plaza is the square briefly evacuated yesterday fol- between the two long arms of the Bomb disposal units arrive to the Louvre Museum in Paris, lowing a security alert, sources building, where its famous glass yesterday, following an evacuation due to a security alert, said. pyramid entrance is located. during the second round of voting. A spokesman for Macron's The second-round vote in movement said the alert was due France's presidential election is Egyptian wielding knives avenue, in an attack claimed by to a "suspicious package." taking place amid tight security, attacked troops patrolling the the Islamic State (IS) group. On The check was completed with tens of thousands of police underground access to Louvre. Friday, a suspected extremist was around 1230 GMT. A police and troops mounting guard. He was shot and wounded by the detained near a military base out- source said the area was cor- A string of jihadist attacks patrol. side Paris. doned off and searched by a since January 2015 have left at On April 20, three days Guns were discovered as well French nationals queue outside the French general consulate police team "simply to banish any least 230 dead and hundreds before the first round of the pres- as a pledge of allegiance to IS and in Madrid to cast their ballots yesterday during the second doubts." injured. idential poll, a policeman was several of the group's flags, round of the French presidential election. Several hundred journalists On February 3, a 29-year-old shot dead on the Champs-Elysees sources close to the case said. Kidnapped Frenchman freed in Darfur

Khartoum demanded an undisclosed ransom at the airport. "I was treated well his captors to Sudan," it said in a Reuters for Thierry Frezier, an employee during my kidnapping ... I thank statement. of a French mining company oper- the Sudanese civil and military Sudan has been working with Frenchman who was kid- ating in Chad. He was abducted forces for my rescue operation," Chadian and French authorities for napped in Chad in March south of Abeche, a mining area Frezier said. The French presi- weeks to secure Frezier's release. Aand taken to the Darfur area about 800km east of Chad's cap- dent's office confirmed that he had Mohamed Tabiedy, a spokes- of Sudan has been rescued in a raid ital, N'Djamena, and 150km from been freed, without giving details man for the Sudanese security and organised by France, Chad and the border with Sudan . of the rescue. "The President of the intelligence service, said the Sudan and was handed over to Frezier arrived yesterday Republic has learned with great Frenchman had been freed in a French authorities yesterday, morning in the Sudanese capital satisfaction about the release of rescue mission carried out in coor- Sudanese officials said. Khartoum, where he was handed our compatriot who was abducted dination with Chad and French Thierry Frezier, a French mineworker who was kidnapped in They said the kidnappers had over to French embassy officials in eastern Chad and then taken by intelligence. Chad on March 23, at Khartoum Airport, yesterday. 16 EUROPE MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 Outcry over Moscow Victory Day rehearsal plan to raze old flats

Moscow do live in awful conditions," said AFP Backed by President the lawmaker. Vladimir Putin, Tolstoy co-authored the bill aleriya Yevseyeva on the demolitions that got the and her husband Moscow Mayor Sergei preliminary backing of parlia- Alexei bought a flat Sobyanin wants to ment, but many details are vague last year in a five- knock down low-rise and remain left to be worked out. storey brick building housing, focusing Under the programme peo- nearV a Moscow park where they ple are promised a flat of love to cycle. on the five-storey "equivalent" size — not the same Now they face the possibil- buildings thrown up value — in the same, albeit likely ity that authorities will demolish under Soviet leader spread-out, district. It would be their 1950s-era building and impossible to legally contest rehouse them in a tower block, Nikita Khrushchev in eviction — only the new flat's size in an urban development plan the 1950s and 1960s — and residents have just 60 not seen since Soviet times to as the USSR rushed days to move out. Russian servicemen march at Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military demolish more than 4,500 apart- to build housing for parade in Moscow, yesterday. ment blocks and relocate 'Nightmare' hundreds of thousands of Mus- everyone. Some people are happy to covites. "This is a brick building, swap their pokey flats for new everyone knows they can stand means and methods so as to not ones. "The building's worn-out: for up to 150 years, so this is a breach the rights of citizens." there's not much pleasant about shock," said 31-year-old Yev- it," said one resident, who gave Super-rich in UK got richer seyeva, who works for a medical 'Deportation of Muscovites' only her first name Yekaterina, device company. Authorities initially wanted adding her kitchen measures just Backed by President to demolish 8,000 buildings, 54 sqft. But many are deeply Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor home to 1.6 million people, but upset and have not been afraid despite Brexit worries Sergei Sobyanin wants to knock reduced the scale this month to express their anger. Yev- down low-rise housing, focus- after conducting opinion polls. seyeva, who lives in a spacious ing on the five-storey buildings The first five-storey buildings 1957 building with high ceilings London Robert Watts. "We expected to topped the year last year, fell thrown up under Soviet leader — nicknamed khrushchevki after and thick walls, was horrified to AFP see a chilling effect in the run- down two places despite add- Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s the Soviet leader — rehoused realise her home could be at risk up to the EU referendum, but ing £900m to their £14bn and 1960s as the USSR rushed to people living in communal flats if demolition plans for her build- ritain's super-rich "kept that simply did not fortune. Among the 58 newcom- build housing for everyone. — where entire families were ing go ahead. "We were sure it calm and carried on mak- materialise." ers — a minimum of £110m is Supporters argue the vast squeezed into one room — and didn't face any threat, but Bing billions" despite Britain voted in June 2016 to now required to make the list 3.5-trillion rouble ($62.1bn) were celebrated as a symbol of according to this bill, it's possi- worries about Brexit, according leave the EU after more than compared to just £15m in 1997 project is vital, replacing the social progress in films and ble to take away any property," to The Sunday Times newspa- four decades of membership in — are famous names including smaller, aged buildings with Dmitry Shostakovich's 1958 she said, calling the plan "a per's Rich List for 2017, with a referendum that sent shock- chart topper Adele. high-rise housing in Russia's fast- operetta, "Moscow, nightmare". more billionaires living in the waves across Europe. The singer, who released her developing capital of 12 million Cheryomushki". She has joined a Facebook country than ever before. Despite gloomy forecasts third studio album "25" and which faces a housing crunch Now, some seven decades protest group with 16,000 mem- In the past 12 months, the ahead of the referendum, the UK went on a world tour in 2016, is and rising rents. later, those backing the project to bers and held a placard against total wealth of Britain's richest economy proved resilient in the now worth £125m, making her But the programme — due to pull them down are billing it as "deportation of Muscovites" at a 1,000 individuals and families last six months of 2016 with a the sixth richest person under start again in September — has an equally important transforma- rally — the first she ever surged 14 percent to £658bn weaker pound and record low 30. Football player Zlatan Ibra- prompted protests from resi- tion. "It's a historic step. There attended. In theory, a majority ($854bn), the paper said. interest rates helping to boost himovic and "Fifty Shades of dents fearful of losing their probably hasn't been such large- of residents in each building will It said that there are now exports and investor confidence. Grey" author EL James also homes and who say it rides scale change to Moscow since the need to approve demolition and more UK-based billionaires than "A buoyant stock market usu- made the cut for the first time. roughshod over their property 1950s," said ruling United Russia only unsafe buildings will be ever before, at 134. ally drives the wealth of Rich Other well-known names rights. And the level of outcry has party MP Pyotr Tolstoy. touched, but with property Industrialist brothers Sri and Listers higher, and since last include Paul McCartney even forced Putin to react in a Often situated in leafy com- developers standing to profit Gopi Hinduja topped the list June equities have soared," (£780m), Elton John (£290m), bid to reassure residents. munal settings, the apartment from taking over prime real with a combined wealth of Watts said. Lewis Hamilton (£131m), and "The aim is to improve hous- blocks were built without lifts estate, many people say they are £16.2bn, up £3.2bn over the pre- London remains the city David and Victoria Beckham ing conditions for people who and kitchens are small. The worst worried they will be forced out. vious year. "While many of us with the most billionaires at 86, who have a combined wealth of live in buildings that are falling are made of pre-cast concrete "We risk handing Moscow over worried about the outcome of up nine over the previous year. £300m. down," the Kremlin strongman panels but many are brick. to business and city contractors," the EU referendum, many of Overall, 19 people increased "Harry Potter" creator JK told ministers. "It goes without "They're outdated. It's impossi- warned lawmaker Mikhail Degt- Britain's richest people just kept their wealth by £1bn or more in Rowling continued to work her saying that this should be done ble to repair, renovate or yarev, of the nationalist Liberal calm and carried on making bil- a year. Publicity-shy brothers magic, adding £50m to bring her in such a way and with such reconstruct them — people really Democrat Party, in parliament. lions," said the list compiler, David and Simon Reuben, who estimated fortune to £650m.

Ukraine bars Gauner Festival in Austria Eurovision UN defends migrant entry of scribes rescue groups from Russia Kiev under fire in Italy AFP

krainian officials yes- Geneva representing over 26 percent terday said they had AFP of all rescue operations. This Ublocked several Rus- trend continues, reaching 33 sian journalists who visited he UN refugee agency percent since the beginning of the annexed Crimea penin- sprang to the defence the year." sula from entering the Tyesterday of aid groups Some 6,000 migrants were country to cover the Eurovi- that rescue migrants in the rescued over Friday and Sat- sion Song Contest in Kiev. Mediterranean, some of which urday in the Mediterranean in Border service spokes- have come under fire in Italy some 40 operations coordi- man Oleg Slobodyan said two for alleged complicity with Lib- nated from Rome by Italian unnamed Russian journalists yan people smugglers. coastguards, as well as by sev- were on Sunday "not allowed An Italian prosecutor said eral NGOs. across the frontier and last month that charity boats But these groups, in partic- banned from entering were colluding with traffick- ular SOS Mediterranee and Ukraine for three years" over People in traditional Tyrolean clothes attend a parade at the annual Gauner Festival in ers off Libya, in what EU Medecins sans Frontieres visits they made to the Cri- Zell am Ziller, Austria, yesterday. border agency Frontex (MSF), have been for some days mea region seized by described as tantamount to the target of criticism from Moscow. "The state border providing a "taxi" service to prosecutors and politicians in service notes that having Europe. Italy. NGOs have all dismissed accreditation for Eurovision But UN High Commissioner suggestions of de facto collu- does not give you the right to Labour: No tax rise for middle class for Refugees Filippo Grandi sion with smugglers as a cross the border," Slobodyan paid tribute to the role of non- baseless slur on volunteer wrote on Facebook. governmental organisations crews whose only mission is to Officials said on Saturday London polls, have attacked Labour's is now the party of low taxes for (NGOs), in comments about save lives in the absence of EU they had also banned a Rus- Reuters spending plans, claiming a vic- middle and lower earnings," he Mediterranean crossings over governments acting effectively sian state news agency tory for Jeremy Corbyn's party said in a speech. the weekend. to do so. photographer from entering ritain's opposition Labour would lead to more debt and However, those earning "The tireless efforts of the The number of people the country for the same rea- Party said middle and low higher taxes. above that threshold would be Italian Coast Guard, in coordi- leaving Libya in the hope of son. This year's glitzy Bearners would not face tax Labour's finance spokesman asked to pay "a modest bit" nation with Frontex .. and of starting a new life in Europe is Eurovision contest — which hikes to fund its spending plans John McDonnell said he would more to help fund public serv- NGOs are truly remarkable," up nearly 50 percent this year culminates in the final on May if it wins next month's election, guarantee no tax rises for five ices, he said on the BBC's he said in a statement. compared with the opening 13 — has been overshadowed with the burden falling instead years for all those earning less Andrew Marr show. "Together, they have saved months of 2016. by a dispute between foes on the top five percent of earn- than £80,000 if the party were Businesses would also be tens of thousands of lives. In With most departures com- Ukraine and Russia after Kiev ers and big business. elected. There would be no hikes asked to stump up to pay for 2016, non-governmental ing in the warm summer banned Moscow's entrant Prime Minister Theresa in value-added sales taxes and upgrades to Britain's infrastruc- organisations rescued more months, the trend points to over a concert she held in May's Conservatives, which no changes in national insur- ture, such as high-speed than 46,000 people in the cen- around 250,000 people arriv- Crimea. have a commanding lead in the ance either, he pledged. "Labour broadband and new railways. tral Mediterranean, ing over the course of 2017. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 EUROPE 17 Merkel scores strong win in state poll test

Kiel and has been an energetic oppo- AFP sition leader at the regional Voters in the small, parliament. hancellor Angela Mer- northern state of The centre-right group there kel's conservatives Schleswig-Holstein has sparked debate across Ger- secured a strong win on the Baltic Sea many in recent years with yesterday in state populist proposals. polls in northern Ger- handed her CDU party This year's campaign has Cmany, early results showed, 34 percent, while seen battles over education, lending a boost to her bid to the centre-left Social policing and roads, a top concern retain power in September's Democratic Party in a state with a population of 2.8 national elections. million thinly spread across Voters in the small, northern clinched 27 percent. almost 16,000sqkm. state of Schleswig-Holstein on Another battleground is wind the Baltic Sea handed her CDU farm construction near residen- party 34 percent, while the cen- week ahead of a far bigger tial areas — no small matter in a tre-left Social Democratic Party regional vote in their stronghold windy coastal region whose tur- (SPD) clinched 27 percent, of North Rhine-Westphalia, also bines are a key element in according to public broadcaster Germany's most populous state. Germany's "energy transition" ZDF. Another public broadcaster SPD deputy chief Ralf Steg- away from nuclear and fossil ARD gave the CDU 33 percent ner called the result fuels. Both major parties have and the SPD 26 percent. "disappointing" and a "bitter day sent their heaviest hitters to Sch- The results marked a blow for Social Democrats in leswig-Holstein in recent days, for the Social Democrats who Schleswig-Holstein". with Schulz making appearances had earlier this year seen a surge Merkel's CDU meanwhile in Kiel and Luebeck Thursday. in support since new leader Mar- was confidently looking to next But his interventions have tin Schulz was chosen in Sunday's polls. "A good election Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Torsten Albig and his partner Baerbel Boy cast their vote done little to counteract criticism February. result gives us motivation to go for the regional state elections in Kiel, yesterday. that the former president of the But this enthusiasm on fighting," said lawmaker European Parliament has so far appeared to be fading, and Michael Grosse-Broemer, who into Germany since 2015. first seats in the state parliament last-but-one regional election failed to offer concrete attacks Schulz's supporters are increas- heads the CDU parliamentary But with the pace of new in Kiel, despite a vicious falling- before the September general against Merkel and the right. ingly fearful that the momentum group in the Bundestag. arrivals sharply slowing, surveys out between moderates and elections, there were plenty of Schulz has an uphill battle he had been surfing will not Merkel's party has seen a show the conservatives gaining hardliners inside the party. local peculiarities in the vote. ahead to defeat Merkel, a leader carry him into the chancellery, comeback, after losing a string ground. The result was however a far Popular SPD state premier so popular that one CDU elec- which Merkel and her Christian of state elections over the past The populist AfD (Alternative worse showing than at the end Torsten Albig, 53, has led a coa- tion poster in 2013 simply Democratic Union (CDU) have two years as voters punished the for Germany), which has railed of last year, when it was the third lition of SPD, Greens, and local showed her fingers clasped in held since 2005. German leader for her liberal against the migrant influx, most popular party Danish minority party SSW since their habitual diamond shape The blow to the Social Dem- refugee policy that allowed more scrapped through yesterday with nationwide. 2012. His CDU challenger Dan- alongside the slogan "Germany's ocrats' confidence came one than one million asylum seekers 5.5 percent support, winning its Beyond its significance as the iel Guenther is 10 years younger Future In Good Hands". German army searches 50,000 evacuated over WWII bombs all barracks after Nazi Berlin AFP

erman police yesterday memorabilia found evacuated 50,000 people Gfrom the northern city of Berlin root out right-wing extremism. Hanover in one of the country's Reuters "We are training people with largest post-war operations to weapons. It is right that there are defuse World War II era bombs. he head of Germany's higher standards for us. A 'carry Residents in a densely pop- armed forces has called on' attitude is out of the ques- ulated part of the city were Tfor an inspection of all tion," she told weekly ordered to leave their homes for army barracks after investiga- newspaper Bild am Sonntag. the operation, planned since tors discovered Nazi-era Displaying Nazi items such mid-April, to remove several military memorabilia in a gar- as swastikas is punishable recently discovered unexploded rison, broadening a scandal under German law, though pos- bombs. about right-wing extremism session of regular Wehrmacht Authorities had expected to among soldiers. items is not. However, von der remove as many as five bombs The discovery at a barracks Leyen said last week she would but as the day developed it in Donaueschingen, in south- not tolerate the veneration of emerged that there were fewer. west Germany, was made in an the Wehrmacht in today's army, By mid-afternoon, experts investigation that began after the Bundeswehr. had extracted three British similar Nazi-era items were Von der Leyen provoked bombs — two of which were found in the garrison of an criticism from a soldiers' group defused successfully. The third army officer arrested on suspi- last week when she criticised bomb will require special equip- cion of planning a racially what she called "weak leader- ment to be made safe. motivated attack. ship" in the military after the At two other sites, only scrap As a result, General Inspec- officer's arrest on suspicion of was found. tor Volker Wieker ordered a planning a racist attack. Seven retirement and nurs- A police officer helps an old woman from the district of Vahrenwald in Hanover, central wider search of barracks. On Thursday, she apolo- ing homes were affected and Germany, during the evacuation, yesterday. "The General Inspector has gised for the tone of her some rail traffic through the city instructed that all properties be criticism of the military over its was disrupted because of the inspected to see whether rules handling of the racism case, as operation, which was expected for free, while cinemas offered Local church groups also by the Allied forces against Nazi on dealing with heritage with she sought to contain a divisive to last all day. special screenings at discounted joined in to distribute food, Germany. regard to the Wehrmacht and row in the build-up to national Local authorities arranged prices. added the newspaper. The biggest such evacuation National Socialism are being elections in September. sports, cultural and leisure activ- Those who needed rest could More than 70 years after the took place last Christmas, when observed," a Defence Ministry A preliminary report into ities, including museum visits head to three sites where almost end of the war, unexploded an unexploded British bomb spokesman said. the inspection of all barracks is and film screenings for residents 1,000 beds were available, as bombs are regularly found bur- forced 54,000 people out of their Defence Minister Ursula Von due tomorrow. With the final affected by the evacuation. well as 10,000 portions of gou- ied on German land, legacies of homes in the southern city of der Leyen said the military must results on May 16. Museums opened their doors lash, said Bild daily. the intense bombing campaigns Augsburg. Greek unions protest against Sunday trading

Athens banners in Greek reading "Never protest against the new measures, AFP work on Sunday". whose adoption is a prerequisite Shops in Greece are currently for unblocking a new €7m ($7.7m) undreds of people gath- compelled to open on the first tranche of loans that Athens needs ered in central Athens to Sunday of every month in a step to meet its debt repayment sched- Hprotest against plans to imposed three years ago by the ule in July. Deregulation has been increase Sunday trading hours in country's creditors. at the heart of the "reforms" a rally organised by unions and The reform would increase demanded by Greece's creditors communist groups. the number of Sundays from 12 since the explosion of the coun- The demonstration largely times a year to 30. try's debt crisis in 2010, with the drew members of the PAME com- Extending Sunday trading is aim of boosting growth. munist labour union alongside one of a list of demands by the Following an unprecedented others representing small- and creditors, the European Union and six-year recession, the Greek medium-sized businesses (SMEs) the International Monetary Fund, economy is still struggling to who oppose reforms demanded which are among the measures recover with growth flat in 2016. by Greece's international that must be approved by the For 2017, the European Com- creditors. Greek parliament by mid-May. mission has revised down its Members of the Greek Communist Labour Union (PAME) shout slogan during a protest against Demonstrators rallied in the Unions have called a 24-hour growth projections for Greece, the opening of shops 30 Sundays per year, yesterday. city centre carrying flags and general strike on May 17 to from 2.7 percent to 2.0 percent. 18 AMERICAS MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

Residents of Ile Mercier south of Quebec evacuate their homes. Relentless flooding hit the eastern Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The flood is considered the worst in more than 50 years causing hundreds of families to evacuate their homes and closure of major roads in the provinces. Canada braces for worst flooding; troops deployed

Ottawa days,” he said after visiting the Rivers overflowing could reach between 90 and 125 hardest hit by the flooding, more who went missing Friday as he AFP town of Rigaud, east of Montreal, millimeters (3.5 to 5 inches). than 1,500 homes have been was checking creek water levels. which has been flooded for more In Quebec, the “The ground, already near flooded in 121 towns and cities The search included swift aterlogged parts than a week. province hardest hit saturation, has little ability to and nearly 1,000 people evacu- water technicians and dog of eastern Water levels continued to by the flooding, more absorb further rainfall,” Environ- ated, the emergency services teams, Corporal Dan Moskaluk Canada were rise across an area of some than 1,500 homes ment Canada said in a weather said. “I understand people are said in a news release. hit with more 500km, from Toronto and Lake have been flooded in alert for the region. reluctant to leave their homes,” A 76-year-old man was rain early yes- Ontario and stretching down- 121 towns and cities. “Even shallow, fast-moving Couillard said, “but if you’re missing after a mudslide swept Wterday, as freshly deployed stream along the St Lawrence water across a road can sweep asked, do it for your own safety.” away his home in the commu- troops helped evacuate residents River. The flooding was espe- a vehicle or a person away. Meanwhile, in British Colum- nity of Tappen early Saturday, ahead of peak flooding expected cially bad in Quebec province, Water levels Don’t approach washouts near bia on the opposite side of the CBC reported. in the coming days. where some 400 troops have continued to rise rivers, creeks and culverts. country, the same combination First responders rushed to Torrential rains combined been dispatched. across an area of Consider moving valuable items of rain and snow melt had the scene but were forced to pull with runoff from melting snow “Our troops are responding some 500km, from to higher levels.” caused flooding and mudslides back. “It sounded like a freight have caused rivers to overflow quickly and professionally and Toronto and Lake Near the Atlantic, the New that left at least two people miss- train coming down the moun- their banks, posing a critical sit- are already beginning to deliver Ontario and stretching Brunswick Emergency Measures ing, media reports said. tain... We heard trees snapping uation from Ottawa to Montreal. critical support to Canadians downstream along the Organisation warned residents Residents of several dozen and it got louder and louder, so The worst is yet to come, Que- affected by the flooding,” St Lawrence River. to remain on alert until today, homes were ordered to move to we got out of there,” Tappen bec Premier Philippe Couillard Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan saying water levels are near or safety. The Royal Canadian Sunnybrae Fire Department warned. said. above flood stage in many Mounted Police were searching Chief Kyle Schneider told the “The water will continue ris- Emergency services warned regions east of Montreal, where regions and expected to rise. for Clayton Cassidy, 59, the fire broadcaster. The slide forced the ing over the next two or three that rising waters would reach precipitation by Sunday night In Quebec, the province chief of the village of Cache Creek closure of two highways.

CPR drill Barack Obama NEWS BYTES to get ‘Profile in Courage’ award Colombia govt & ELN rebels Boston to resume peace talks Reuters BOGOTA: Colombia’s government and the country’s last active ormer US president rebel force, the ELN, will resume peace talks in just over a Barack Obama is to week, the lead state negotiator confirmed. The return to the Freceive the John F table was meant to have happened last Wednesday but was Kennedy Foundation’s annual put off because of an information-sharing meeting in Cuba “Profile in Courage Award,” between the ELN and the bigger leftist rebel group, the FARC, honouring his accomplish- which has already struck an accord with the government. ments during his two terms “Ecuador has generously hosted the peace talks between the in office in the face of intense Colombian government and the ELN, which will resume on political opposition. May 16,” Juan Camilo Restrepo said on Twitter. A visit to “President Kennedy Colombia by Ecuador’s president-elect, Lenin Moreno, to called on a new generation of take place today also pushed back the resumption of talks. Americans to give their tal- In November, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ents to the service of the (FARC), signed their peace deal with the government after country,” said Caroline four years of talks. The National Liberation Army (ELN), Participants practise cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during a drill organised by Kennedy, John F Kennedy’s launched its peace negotiations in February. It has an esti- Mexican members of the Red Cross at the Revolution Monument in Mexico City yesterday. daughter, who will present mated 1,500 fighters, compared with the FARC’s 7,000. the award at a ceremony. “With exceptional dignity Teen charged in shooting that and courage, President Obama has carried that torch into our wounded two Chicago officers own time, providing young Punching in past 65: Older-worker people of all backgrounds with CHICAGO: An 18-year-old has been charged for his alleged role an example they can emulate,” in a shooting that wounded two plainclothes Chicago police Kennedy said. She served as US officers as they sat inside an unmarked vehicle. Police spokes- rate the highest since 1962 ambassador to Japan during man Anthony Guglielmi said that Angel Gomez faces two counts the Obama administration. each of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a fire- Previous recipients include arm. He said Gomez is suspected of driving the vehicle in which New York for a simpler, darker reason: higher than its median over the presidents Gerald Ford and the shooters were riding. Two vehicles pulled up alongside the AP They can’t afford not to. last 30 years, though it’s down George H W Bush, former US officers and opened fire Tuesday in the Back of the Yards neigh- More than a quarter of work- from earlier this year. representative Gabrielle Gif- borhood on Chicago’s South Side. One officer was shot in the etire by your mid-60s? ers age 55 or older say they have The numbers may rise still fords, who survived an arm and hip and the other in the back. They have been released How 1960s. More Ameri- less than $10,000 in savings and higher, critics say. Congress assassination attempt, US Sen- from the hospital. The officers were conducting a follow-up Rcans age 65 and over are investments, according to the lat- recently voted to overturn a fed- ator and former prisoner of investigation to a previous incident and were wearing civilian still punching the clock, and the est retirement confidence survey eral rule designed to help states war John McCain and US Rep- clothes with vests bearing police badges. last time the percentage was this by the Employee Benefit Research give more workers access to resentative and civil rights high was when John F Kennedy Institute. Perhaps because of slim retirement savings plans. leader John Lewis. Rights activist found dead in Mexico was in the White House. nest eggs, nearly a third of work- Several states have been The award takes its name Last month, 19 percent of ers in that age group say they pushing to create their own plans from Kennedy’s 1957 book COATZACOALCOS: A human rights and environmental cam- Americans age 65 and over were expect to work until at least 70, if to get more workers into plans profiling eight US senators paigner, apparently from the United States, was killed in still working, according to gov- they retire at all. like a 401(k) that automatically who risked their careers by Mexico in a state plagued by organized crime, the authori- ernment data released Friday. Older workers still heading deduct savings from each pay- taking politically unpopular ties said. The body of the as-yet unnamed man was found in That’s the highest rate since for jobs may also be the lucky check. Low-income workers tend stands. The ceremony will be Veracruz state, in a home in the city of Teocelo, a state pros- 1962, and it caps a long trend ones. Many older Americans to have much less access to sav- held at Kennedy’s waterfront ecutor’s office statement said. “On the man’s body, injuries higher since the figure bottomed would like to work but say they ings plans through their jobs. library, which overlooks Bos- produced by gunfire can be seen on the right side of the cra- out at 10 percent in 1985. can’t find a job, whether because Republicans and players in ton Harbour. nium,” the statement said. Local residents said the man was As America grows older and they lack the skills or because the investment industry, though, In his few public appear- Gordon Strom, a US national who had been living in Teocelo as life expectancy gets longer, employers are looking for some- argue that the state-run plans ances so far this year, Obama for years doing community work and teaching about envi- some workers keep heading to one younger. The could end up being much more has urged young people to ronmental issues and human rights. His body was found with the office because they like it unemployment rate for work- expensive than imagined and remain politically active. Last signs that he had been tortured in his home, and his was sto- and still feel engaged. But many ers age 65 and over was 3.7 would water down safeguards week. he laid out plans for his len, the authorities said. others are continuing to work percent last month. That’s a tick in place to protect investors. Chicago presidential library. MONDAY 8 MAY 2017 AMERICAS 19 Top Obama officials to testify in espionage probe

Washington what keynote legislation the Russian role in polls by Russian President Vladimir election against Clinton last year Clapper, still bound by secrecy AFP president could push through in Putin. In an interview with CBS’s through hacking and disinfor- requirements of his former job, his first 100 days, a milestone Sally Yates could bring “Face the Nation” program mation. Nor do they doubt that might not add more than what he scandal over Rus- reached last week. new pressure on the marking his 100 days, Trump last people closely associated with the intelligence community has sian meddling in last Congressional investigations White House over week again rejected the official the Trump campaign — includ- already said publicly about the year’s US presidential into Russian meddling have also what it knew about view that Russians hacked Dem- ing Flynn, onetime foreign affairs scandal. election returns to the been held up by infighting former national ocratic Party computers and adviser Carter Page and former The more serious investiga- forefront of Washing- between Democrats and Repub- communications. “(It) could have campaign chairman Paul Man- tive action in the coming weeks security adviser Tton politics after weeks of quiet licans over how aggressively to been China, could have been a lot afort — all had ongoing contacts will take place out of the public Michael Flynn’s today, when two top officials pursue a matter that continues of different groups,” he said. with Russians. eye. The House and Senate intel- from the Obama administration to cast a cloud over Trump’s communications with On Tuesday, he again branded But whether those contacts ligence committees are holding are set to testify in Congress. election win. Russian officials. the whole story as fake. “The resulted in any collusion with Mos- interviews with current intelli- Sally Yates — acting attorney Dianne Feinstein, the top phony Trump/Russia story was an cow remains unproved. Asked on gence and Trump campaign general in the Trump adminis- Democrat on the Senate Intelli- Congressional probes excuse used by the Democrats as CNN last week if she had yet seen officials behind closed doors. tration for 10 days before being gence Committee, which also is into Russian meddling justification for losing the elec- evidence of collusion in private The Senate side has warned fired — could bring new pressure investigating Russia’s role in the have also been held tion,” he said on Twitter. intelligence briefings, Feinstein possible witnesses, including on the White House over what it election, said she is eager to hear Trump’s dismissals notwith- responded: “Not at this time.” Flynn, Page and Manafort, that up by infighting knew about former national Yates’s testimony. “Sally Yates is standing, the Senate Judiciary In today’s open hearing, they could be subpoenaed to tes- between Democrats security adviser Michael Flynn’s very much respected. She’s a Committee — where Yates and Yates — an Obama deputy attor- tify if they do not voluntarily communications with Russian professional. She’s not a politi- and Republicans over Clapper are to appear on Mon- ney general who was fired by cooperate, according to the New officials. cian. She’s spent a lot of time in how aggressively to day — and the House and Senate Trump for refusing to support his York Times. Obama’s director of national the department,” Feinstein told pursue a matter that intelligence committees are step- immigration ban — reportedly In a statement on Friday, the intelligence James Clapper is also NBC News’s “Meet the Press” continues to cast a ping up their probes, calling could testify that she warned the top senators of the Senate com- set to testify, after repeatedly program. cloud over Trump’s numerous current and former incoming administration in Jan- mittee specifically warned Page, warning of the need to get to the “She apparently has some election win. government witnesses to testify, uary that Flynn’s discussions a former Moscow-based invest- bottom of how the Russians information as to who knew mostly behind closed doors. And with Russia’s US ambassador left ment banker, to meet their interfered in the election, and what when that she is willing to the FBI is continuing its own Flynn vulnerable to blackmail. week-old request for specific whether anyone on President share — and that would be what his dismissal of US intelligence investigation into possible A former military intelligence documents. “Should Page choose Donald Trump’s team colluded she knew about Michael Flynn’s chiefs’ conclusion that Moscow collusion. chief, Flynn was Trump’s to not provide the material with Moscow. connections to Russia,” said had sought to boost his campaign The country’s top intelligence national security adviser for 24 requested” by specified dates, The case simmered for Feinstein. over his Democratic rival Hillary officials say they have no doubt days before he was fired for lying they said, “the committee will weeks as attention focused on Trump last week repeated Clinton’s in an effort overseen that Moscow tried to swing the about the substance of the calls. consider its next steps”.

Puerto Rico Hot-air balloons festival to close 179 School faces backlash over public schools amid crisis Trump ‘resistance’ class Indianapolis But Indiana has been comparatively San Juan AP placid. While students at Butler first AP started registering for fall classes last private college in Vice President month, the course description — which uerto Rico is closing 179 Mike Pence’s home state of Indi- has since been edited to remove the public schools in a Aana is facing backlash after incendiary verbiage — received more Pmove expected to save offering a “Trumpism & US Democracy” attention after former Indiana state Sen. more than $7m amid a deep course that described the president in Carlin Yoder, a Republican, tweeted a economic crisis that has class materials as a purveyor of “white photo of it on Tuesday. sparked an exodus to the US supremacy, xenophobia, nationalism, By Thursday, the university was mainland in the past decade, nativism and imperialism.” receiving considerable criticism, includ- officials said. Now officials at Butler University in ing social media posts revealing a phone More than 27,000 stu- Indianapolis are doing damage control number and photos of the course’s dents will be moved after conservative news outlets picked instructor, Professor Ann Savage. Savage elsewhere when their schools up on the description of the fall class, did not reply to a request for comment. close at the end of May, said which also indicated students would Conservatives suggest the course is newly appointed Education discuss and “potentially engage” in yet another example of a perceived left- Secretary Julia Keleher. “We “strategies for resistance” to President wing bias in academia, but some have a fiscal crisis and few Donald Trump. students apparently didn’t have the resources and we’ve spent 10 “As a result of the recent media cov- same concern: School records show the years handing out nearly erage, the University has been the class is enrolled to capacity. $3bn in a system that hardly recipient of numerous concerns about Hunter Butterworth, vice president has any books,” she said. “We the course,” Butler Provost and Vice of Butler’s College Republicans, called cannot keep doing what we’re President for Academic Affairs Kath- the class “ridiculous” and questioned doing because we don’t have ryn Morris wrote in a letter posted to whether school officials would have the resources.” the school’s website. “Just as I support offered a similar course focused on The news about the this course, I would support a course resistance to former President Barack school closures raised con- that is complimentary of the President. Obama. That said, Butterworth said he cerns it could speed up the Butler offers a variety of courses that supports free speech and the school’s ongoing exodus from Puerto tackle controversial topics. Like any right to offer the class. “It doesn’t sur- Rico. Nearly 450,000 people University, Butler should — and does prise me at all,” said Butterworth, who over the last decade have — promote an environment of critical will be a junior next year. “Obviously, already left for Florida and inquiry and engagement on controver- most college campuses are known to other parts of the U.S. main- sial and unpopular topics.” have a left-wing or liberal bias.” land to flee the worsening Campuses have been a hotbed of Butler is also not the first to offer a economic crisis. activism since Trump’s election. That course examining Trump’s improbable Officials initially had said includes efforts to block speeches by rise. Prior to the election, Savannah A peddler sells souvenirs during the hot-air balloons festival in Cajititlan, 184 schools were closing but provocative figures tied to the alt-right, State University in Georgia offered a then announced at the last Jalisco state, Mexico, yesterday. a fringe movement that helped propel Trump-focused class last summer that minute that five of those Trump into office. included studying Trump’s biography. schools would remain open. The school shutdown will be the largest mass closure of schools in the island’s history, with officials saying it will in Black women at forefront in fight for racial equality part lead to millions of dol- lars in savings a year for an education department that New York Combahee River Collective, an have been no strangers to the A new era of black, female Black Lives Matter, called black represent nearly 30 percent AP early and influential black fem- quest for social change. leadership emerged in 2014 with women “the curators of the of Puerto Rico’s $9bn budget. inist group. Sojourner Truth was a leading the Black Lives Matter Move- social justice movement” and the Officials shuttered 150 ree Newsome snatched Unlike many of their prede- abolitionist. Ida B Wells led a ment, Cobb said. “At any given canaries in the coal mine for all schools over the span of five down a Confederate flag cessors from previous decades, crusade against lynching during point, the majority of the voices American minorities. “What hap- years from 2010 to 2015. Bat the South Carolina this generation of black women the early 20th century. Fannie you heard would be female, pens to black women is soon to Aida Diaz, president of Statehouse. Lesha Evans calmly is “demanding that they be Lou Hamer demanded voting which is very atypical of the way happen to everybody,” Garza Puerto Rico’s Association of faced down officers in riot gear respected. They can assert that rights in the 1960s. Black women things have traditionally oper- said. “The conditions of black Teachers, said Keleher’s plan at a Baton Rouge march. publicly and have impact and founded the Black Lives Matter ated,” he said. “It can almost be women can tell us a lot about makes sense, compared with Widely published photo- visibility, because of all the movement. taken as a given that women where this country is headed. We previous closures under graphs of these and other black movement work that has come But they have often been have a right to be in leadership. are caught in the crosshairs of former administrations. women offer some of the most before,” Smith said. overshadowed — during the suf- That’s crucial, because it’s been multiple forms of oppression.” “Leaders thrive off con- arresting images to emerge from Newsome scaled a flagpole fragette movement by white a stumbling block for decades.” Those circumstances often troversy, but I cannot dispute the protest movement of recent in 2015 to tear down the Confed- women who relegated them to A longstanding attraction to compel action. Tamika Mallory, the plan,” she said. She said years. The photos have come to erate banner in the aftermath of the rear during marches and put a male leadership model often the daughter of activists, cut her many of the schools closing symbolise the effort by today’s the attack at a Charleston church their own rights first, and by the drowned out women’s voices. teeth in the National Action Net- have few students and crum- African-American women to where a white supremacist shot black men lionized during the “Black women were really work led by the Rev Al Sharpton. bling infrastructure as well as take, and keep, a place at the nine worshippers to death dur- civil rights movement. “You can made to feel guilty during the She said “young women in par- a lack of air conditioning in forefront of the fight against ing a Bible study. Evans acted last find that overshadowing civil rights era,” said Deborah ticular are being really an island where summers are racial bias in law enforcement, summer after the police killings throughout all these movements Gray White, a historian at Rut- intentional about the idea that brutal. the workplace and politics. of two black men — Philando until very recently,” said Jelani gers University. “That was a women have been leading, can The announcement, how- “We as feminists of colour ... Castile in a suburb of St. Paul, Cobb, a historian and journalism function of American racism and lead and are probably the best ever, angered many parents have been involved in building Minnesota, and Alton Sterling in professor at Columbia Univer- sexism. Now black women are folks to follow in this hour.” at one school in the capital of these movements over the dec- Baton Rouge. Images of both sity. “These movements that going back to their foremothers Women, she added, “are the pro- San Juan who said they ades, but we have never been women become powerful were trying to achieve democ- and realizing they can and do tectors. We carry the weight of learned about the closure acknowledged as leaders,” said emblems of protest and unrest. racy were not always functioning represent the race.” the entire community on our through the media. Barbara Smith, co-founder of the Historically, black women democratically.” Alicia Garza, co-founder of backs”. 20 HOME MONDAY 8 MAY 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Taking power conservation light-ly FAJR 03.30 am SHOROOK 04.54 am

ZUHR 11.30 am MAGHRIB 06.10 pm ASR 02.58 pm ISHA 07.40 pm

WEATHER TODAY

30oC 41oC Minimum Maximum

Street lights on D-Ring Road switched on during the day, yesterday. Pic: Kammutty VP/ The Peninsula

Hot day time with slight dust and Qatar Duty Free opens two restaurants at HIA scattered clouds with weak chance of light rain at times. HIGH TIDE 02:45 - 16:30 LOW TIDE 09:30 - 22:00 The Peninsula Burger Federation, a casual din- from premium angus beef and the fin- enhance its portfolio of quality eater-

Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department ing concept, opened its doors to est fresh toppings. ies inside the award-winning HIA with atar Duty Free (QDF), in part- travellers in the North Node of HIA’s Guests will also be welcomed at the addition of these two wonderful LATEST NEWS nership with HMSHost main terminal serving burgers that Spizzico, a quick-service, contempo- new restaurants. We invite travellers UPDATE QInternational, the leading com- have been reinvented as contempo- rary bread and pizza bakery offering to try Burger Federation and Spizzico pany in providing the best dining rary gourmet cuisine. HMSHost a wide assortment of gourmet pizzas, located at the North Node as well as experiences for travel venues, has responded to customers’ growing freshly baked paninis, pastries and the more than 30 restaurants and www.thepeninsulaqatar.com opened two new restaurants in the demand for high-quality meat, serv- salads. grab-and-go-style establishments North Node of Hamad International ing both locally and Senior Vice-President QDF, Luis offering an extensive selection of cui- Airport (HIA). internationally-inspired burgers made Gasset, said: “QDF is delighted to sine from all corners of the globe.