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Saturday 24 March 2018 | 7 Rajab I 1439 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7475 | 2 Riyals Freedom to roam with Bill Protection! Terms & conditions apply

Emir greets Gulf crisis was a Pakistan bid to change rule President QNA in Qatar, says FM DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday a cable of congratulations to President THE PENINSULA “We are building our of the Islamic Republic of diplomacy on the Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain PARIS: Deputy Prime Minister basis of our principles, on the occasion of his coun- and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh try’s National Day. Deputy Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and we believe that Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Al Thani has said that the State our region needs a Hamad Al Thani also sent a of Qatar is building its diplomacy coherent security similar cable Mamnoon on the basis of its principles, and Hussain on the same believes that the region needs a strategy that enables occasion. Prime Minister and coherent security strategy that people to coexist and Interior Minister H E Sheikh enables people to coexist and live in peace,” H E Abdullah bin Nasser bin live in peace. Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa Al Thani sent a cable In a speech at a meeting on of greetings to Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaking “Qatar’s perspective on regional bin Abdulrahman Al of the Islamic Republic of at the International Diplomatic Academy in Paris. issues” organised by the Inter- Thani said. Pakistan Shahid Khaqan national Diplomatic Academy in Abbasi on the occasion of his Paris, the Deputy Prime Minister diplomacy on the basis of our dimensions, “the first step was to expression. Investing in the human country’s National Day. said that what happened in the has a different approach,” H E principles, and we believe that liberalise our media. We were the element has been one of our main Gulf crisis was an attack and an Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- our region needs a coherent first country in the region to close priorities,” said H E Sheikh Qatar condemns aggression and an attempt to rahman Al Thani said, adding: security strategy that enables the Ministry of Communication Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al change the rule in Qatar. “We refuse to give up our people to coexist and live in and Information. We started leg- Thani. terror incident “This is not new. The same sovereignty”. peace,” he said. “The basic pillar islating free media, guaranteeing He noted that Qatar pro- at Paris shop attempt occurred in 2014, and in The Deputy Prime Minister of our principle is that people are freedom of expression under the duced 650,000 barrels of oil in 1996, this aggression started also pointed out that “no con- not subject to any political deal. law, focusing on human capital 1995 and that “oil prices put the QNA against Qatar, when it started to cerns had been mentioned “When the issue is between the and means of developing it,” he state of Qatar in a difficult adapt to change, implementing before the siege imposed on government and the people, we said. financial situation, but HH the DOHA: The State of Qatar has a different strategy and a dif- Qatar” and that the countries of stand with the people”, H E “We have invited different Emir decided to invest in gas at strongly condemned and ferent vision.” the blockade have created the Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul- universities in different countries, a time when no one believed in denounced the hostage- “These countries do not crisis at a time when the region rahman Al Thani added. including France, the United States the power of gas. taking at a shop in southern accept differences of opinion, faces many challenges. He said that when we started and the United Kingdom, and we France and its unfortunate and do not accept a country that “We are building our this policy we focused on different have given them freedom of →CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 consequences that caused killing and injuring a number of people. In a statement issued yes- terday, the Ministry of Foreign National List of Terrorist Classification published Affairs expressed Qatar’s shock at this terrible crime and affirmed its full solidarity QNA The amendment provides for Qatar in the fight against ter- Targeting Center (TFTC) in Kuwait, prevention of this phenomenon with the French government the inclusion of individuals and rorism, the drying up of its funding attended by all the GCC members by empowering young people and its full support for all DOHA: Qatar National Counter- entities to whom the provisions of and the treatment of its roots con- and the United States on March economically and equipping them measures taken to maintain Terrorism Committee, estab- the law apply in published lists, tinue and regional and interna- between 5 and 6 2018, which was with right and balanced security and stability. lished in 2007, yesterday which is consistent with the require- tional coordination is underway. positive, constructive and pre- knowledge so that they do not fall The statement reiterated announced it has published the ments of the Security Council and In this context, we remind vailed by the spirit of cooperation prey to extremist groups. Qatar’s firm stance rejecting National List of Terrorist Classi- which applies to all states. that the State of Qatar is a sig- and consensus among GCC Finally, The State of Qatar has violence and terrorism fication which includes the clas- It is worth mentioning that natory to the Agreement Estab- countries. recently signed a number of regardless of motives and sification and listing of 20 indi- the State of Qatar has always lishing the Anti-Terrorist The State of Qatar remains an important agreements to combat reasons. viduals and 8 entities. been implementing Security Financing Center in Riyadh, active member of the international terrorism and violent extremism The Foreign Ministry This announcement comes in Council resolutions and penalties which comprises the GCC States coalition against ISIS, and its with a number of countries, expressed Qatar’s condo- accordance with Decree-Law No. since the establishment of the and the United States of America. efforts go beyond confronting ter- notably the recent agreements and lences to the families of the 11 of 2017, which amends certain National Counter-Terrorism In this framework, the State rorist organisations to compre- memorandums of understanding victims, the government and provisions of Law No. 3 of 2004 Committee in 2007. of Qatar participated in the first hensively tackle the phenomenon signed during the Qatar-US Stra- the people of France, wishing on Combating Terrorism. The efforts of the State of meeting of the Terrorist Financing of terrorism. This requires the tegic Dialogue in January 2018. the injured a speedy recovery. Workers’ Cup source of pride 8,000 visit Traffic Week THE PENINSULA the continuous efforts exerted by the State (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi last night crowned the events in two days to protect and promote the rights of expa- champions of the Workers’ Cup final 2018. DOHA: Minister of Administrative Devel- triate workers. The success of the sixth edition of the opment, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Minister of Administrative Development, Workers’ Cup underscores Qatar’s com- SIDI MOHAMED He added that the Traffic Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi has stressed Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad mitment to workers welfare, guarantee their THE PENINSULA Week began last Sunday under that the Workers’ Cup 2018 is a source of Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, and Secretary General of rights, provide them with various means of the theme “your life is a trust”, pride for the State of Qatar as it represents the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy recreation, and enable them to practice their DOHA: Over 8,000 people and will conclude today. More hobbies and improve their lifestyle by visited 34th Traffic Week cele- than 60 entities participated in playing football, he said. brations at Darb Al Saai on the activities in order to spread He added that the interest of Qatar and the Thursday and yesterday to take traffic awareness among Supreme Committee for competition in the part in the traffic awareness visitors. category of workers is of great importance, activities, said a senior official at Al Odaiba said: “The partic- especially in light of the large public presence the General Directorate of Traffic. ipation this year was excellent and interaction with the high technical level “The traffic awareness especially from Qatar Scientific of the final matches. He congratulated the campaign contributes to signif- Club which invented two devices winning team and prayed for the success of icant decrease in traffic acci- that would disconnect cellphone other teams during the coming versions. dents and in the first months of connections in driving vehicles The Minister of Administrative Devel- this year accidents were far less and another one that runs alarms opment, Labour and Social Affairs said that when compared to the same automatically in case a child is the tournament witnessed great cooperation months of last year in terms of left inside the vehicle and can from several companies, which allowed the number of traffic accidents and also rescue the child by opening workers to participate in this event. He called traffic violations,” said Major the windows.” on the rest of the companies to participate Jaber Mohamed Rashid Odaiba, Also, other important par- and contribute to the success of this event Assistant Director of Media and ticipation was a school bus that Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al in the coming years. Traffic Awareness Section of is equipped with camera. Jafali Al Nuaimi and Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the General Directorate of Hassan Al Thawadi, with officials and referees during the final of Workers’ Cup yesterday. →SEE ALSO PAGE 3 Traffic. →CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 02 HOME SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 Qatar affirms Asia-Pacific Group’s commitment to fight racial discrimination

QNA Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani to the UN a strong political will to mobilize all to focus heavily on correcting misun- Racism, affirming that The Durban Dec- General Assembly on behalf of the Asia- efforts at the national, regional and derstandings and combating negative laration and Program of Action is the NEW YORK: The State of Qatar, which Pacific Group on the occasion of the international levels to address all forms stereotypes as well as promoting solid foundation for combating all chairs the United Nations (UN) Asia- International Day for the Elimination of and manifestations of racism, racial dis- harmony and tolerance for cultural, scourges of racism and providing appro- Pacific Group for the month of March, Racial Discrimination. On behalf of the crimination, xenophobia and related ethnic and religious diversity. priate means of redressing victims of stressed the group’s efforts to find ways Asia-Pacific Group, HE Ambassador intolerance through cooperation, part- She also noted the importance of racial discrimination. to promote values of tolerance, accept Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani nership, and integration. acceding to the 2001 International Con- The Ambassador stressed on behalf differences among people and promote expressed concern at the growing Qatar’s Permanent Representative vention on the Elimination of All Forms of the Asia-Pacific Group, for its unwa- a culture of respect for diversity within hatred, ethnic intolerance and negative to UN explained that education and of Racial Discrimination and the full and vering commitment and strong deter- the societies of the groups’ countries and stereotypes based on religion, language, awareness about different cultures and effective implementation of the provi- mination to emphasize the struggle and other countries of the world. culture or ethnic diversity. religions would play a crucial role in sions of the Treaty. In this context, fight for the elimination of racial dis- This came during the speech of HE The Ambassador appealed to the promoting the values of tolerance, Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin crimination as a top priority for the Permanent Representative of the State international community to take con- acceptance, and respect for diversity. Saif Al-Thani referred to the outcome States of the Group and other world of Qatar to UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya crete action and to be accompanied by Her Excellency stressed that the need of the 2001 World Conference Against Powers.

UN Chief praises Qatar’s donation to UNRWA

NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his thanks and appreciations to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for Qatar’s generous pledge of USD 50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The came in a statement released by Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General in New York on Friday. Qatar’s pledge was among other pledges made by donor coun- tries at the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference to support UNRWA which was held in Rome on 15 March. Gulf crisis was a bid to change rule in Qatar CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Qatar was now one of the largest exporters of natural gas. “We have developed technology for this industry and that put us together with the Dr Ron Wyatt, Chief Quality Officer at HMC, addressing the forum at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), yesterday. world’s leading LNG players in terms of production and shipping,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said. He added: “We have worked on diversification as part of our economic vision, where the surplus of our budget and revenues Thousands gather for region’s were invested in different sectors and in different countries, and then the Qatar sovereign fund was established”. largest healthcare quality forum Qatar vows to support global efforts to eradicate Tuberculosis THE PENINSULA The 6th Middle East networks, and Forum on Quality and build partner- QNA DOHA: The largest conference dedicated to Safety in Healthcare ships designed healthcare quality improvement and patient began yesterday with a to support DOHA: The Ministry of Public Health has underlined that marking safety in the Arab world officially opened full day of understanding the World Tuberculosis Day, which falls today, is an occasion to yesterday, with over 2,500 delegates from more pre-conference intensive and drive reaffirm the commitment of the State of Qatar to support and high- than 75 countries registered to attend the event. sessions at the Qatar innovation,” light global efforts to eradicate tuberculosis and mobilize The 6th Middle East Forum on Quality National Convention said Dr. Wyatt, commitment to accelerate progress in this area. and Safety in Healthcare began yesterday Centre (QNCC), who led the The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with Hamad with a full day of pre-conference intensive orientation for Medical Corporation and the Health Care Foundation, celebrates featuring more than 60 sessions and will continue until 25 March at today’s ses- World Tuberculosis Day under the slogan “We need leaders for a sessions delivered by the Qatar National Convention sions along world free of tuberculosis”, a slogan adopted by the World Health over 20 international Centre (QNCC), features more than 60 ses- Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief Medical with Frank Organization and the world’s countries to raise awareness of the and 65 locally-based sions delivered by over 20 international and Officer at HMC and Co-Chair of the Middle Federico, Vice devastating health, social and economic consequences of the tuber- presenters. 65 locally-based presenters. East Forum. President, IHI. culosis epidemic and to intensify efforts to eliminate the global The program, developed in collaboration The epidemic. The theme of this year’s World TB Day focuses on the with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and activities, fostering effective innovation, and ‘Knowledge role of the health sector and all partners in strengthening the com- the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), connecting healthcare leaders and practitioners Zone’, the Forum’s unique exhibition area, mitment to eradicate tuberculosis at all levels. Dr Hamad Eid Al focuses on patient-centered care, the interna- worldwide,” said Dr. Al Khal. Held under the will officially open today and is expected to Rumaihi, Director of Health Protection and Transitional Diseases tionally recognised concept known as ‘joy at theme ‘Building a Culture of Safety’, the three- be a key attraction for delegates, with over at the Ministry of Public Health, said the elimination of TB is a pri- work’, improvement science, patient safety, day conference features the annual event’s largest 20 exhibitors, including the Ministry of Public ority for Qatar’s public health strategy in line with the UN’s sus- and leadership and capacity building. program to date. Dr Ron Wyatt, Chief Quality Health, Primary Health Care Corporation tainable development goals to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030. Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief Officer at HMC and Chair of the Planning Com- (PHCC), Sidra Medicine, the World Inno- He added that the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health in Medical Officer at HMC and Middle East mittee for this year’s Forum, said the ultimate vation Summit for Health (WISH), Qatar Uni- cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Forum Co-Chair, said the annual conference aim of the conference is supporting healthcare versity, Cerner, Qatar Armed Forces, and the Health Care Corporation and related parties in the public and is recognised both locally and across the professionals in their pursuit of evidence-based Ministry of Interior all participating. private sectors and civil society aim to raise awareness of the region as an important learning event for improvement efforts designed to transform their A number of HMC’s specialized centers, disease and provide comprehensive coverage of treatment and healthcare professionals. working practices. including the ITQAN Clinical Simulation preventive services to early detection of the disease while pro- “As a teaching institution and an aca- “With both internationally recognised and Innovation Center, Qatar Organ viding the highest quality standards for these services. demic health center, we see continuing and local experts delivering a topical and Donation Center (HIBA), the Tobacco These services also include the medical check up of all appli- professional development in the areas of thought-provoking agenda, the Middle East Control Center, and Hamad International cants for residency in Qatar, as well as the provision of medicines, patient safety and quality improvement as Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare Training Center, will also have booths with laboratory tests and all types of radiographic imaging developed one of our core principles. Today, and for has become a must-attend event for quality the Ambulance Service, hospital emer- completely free of charge for all patients. the next two days it is all about providing and patient safety-focused professionals. gency teams, and Qatar Red Crescent These efforts have contributed to maintaining very low rates practical knowledge and ideas that can Sessions highlight the latest and greatest holding live simulations. The poster exhi- of tuberculosis in Qatar. Anti-TB drugs are provided under direct be implemented in the healthcare setting things happening in healthcare quality bition, featuring over one hundred posters medical supervision in all cases, in addition to raising awareness by all kinds of health professionals, pro- improvement around the world and this of some of the best improvement work of tuberculosis and prevention methods among citizens and res- moting education and research and trans- conference is an ideal platform for leaders from healthcare professionals in Qatar will idents through lectures, meetings and distribution of publications lating it into quality and safety improvement and practitioners to connect, develop new also open today. and others in different languages. Massive turnout at QIFF impresses Qatari brands

RAYNALD C RIVERA cherry burger, food,” he said. In its second time partici- THE PENINSULA green biryani and, He lauded QIFF for “all the pating at the festival, Tabakh of course, some of efforts that they are trying to Alwalda offers traditional Qatari DOHA: As the ninth Qatar Inter- our authentic Qatari do for us as a local company dishes such as majboos, national Food Festival (QIFF) dishes such as in order to present our brand mashkhool, bukhari and lahoob nears its conclusion, Qatari hares,” said Al in a best manner,” adding that as well as its bestsellers harees, brands taking part in the coun- Ibrahim, who the festival has givent them madhrooba, makarona and try’s biggest food festival expressed satis- the chance to learn more and margoga and delectable sweets expressed content with the faction of the improve their service learning like aseeda, balaleet, khabisa and massive turnout and chance to response from from other participants. sagou. Al Obaidly was happy compete with other companies foodies at the For Ali Al Obaidly of Tabakh getting regular customers who in Qatar’s thriving food and festival. Alwalda (Qatar), QIFF has helped give very good feedback on their beverage industry. “We are glad “So far so good Qatari F&B companies bring offerings at the festival. to be part of this festival this year we have very high them and their products closer “We aim not just to do as it has more participants, cate- interactions with to the people. business but most importantly gories and culinary options from the people, and they “Consumers just don’t enjoy let the people from different Hundreds of food lovers throng the various stalls at the 9th Qatar International all over the world which is really like what we the food in its cheaper price but nationalities know, taste and Food Festival at Hotel Park. PIC:SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA creating a fabulous atmosphere offer and the expe- also built strong camaraderie begin to love traditional Qatari and encouraging everyone to rience that they get among visitors as well as partic- food,” he said. Foodies can still give their best in order to of the passion for food of Qatari of whom has concocted unique with us. Also they like the fact ipating companies as well. QIFF enjoy the wide array of culinary compete,” Qatari Chef Hassan Al friends including Al Ibrahim — a dishes. “We are three chefs each that we are the only Qatari chefs gave every company opportunity offerings and entertainment at Ibrahim of We Café told The pilot and captain, Chef Amina one of us has his own speciality. who are doing almost everything to introduce their products at the QIFF 2018 from 4pm to 12 Peninsula. Mousa — an IT engineer and Chef We offer some of our signature by ourselves starting from their best,” Al Obaidly told The midnight today and tomorrow We Café was established out Dunya Abed — a housewife, each dishes such as volcano burger, cooking all the way to serving the Peninsula. at the Hotel Park. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 HOME / MIDDLE EAST 03

Attorney General meets President Pakistan Day celebrated of Spanish Senate THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Attorney General The flag was hoisted H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, with National Anthem who is currently visiting of Pakistan and Madrid, has met with the the messages of President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Spain, Pio President and Prime Garcia-Escudero. Minister of Pakistan Discussions during the on the occasion meeting dealt with a number of topics of mutual interest , were readout by as well as the efforts of the the Ambassador of State of Qatar in combating Islamic Republic of terrorism and its financing. Pakistan to Qatar The Attorney General also met with the Spanish People’s Shahzad Ahmad. Advocate F Fernandez, where he learned about the Spanish DOHA: To commemorate the experience of creating the Pakistan Day, the Embassy of position of the People’s the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Advocate, his powers and the Doha, yesterday organised a procedures he carries out within flag-hoisting ceremony at the the framework of the rule of law. Embassy building. The flag was hoisted with Qatar and Tunisia National Anthem of Pakistan and the messages of President discuss enhancing and Prime Minister of Pakistan on the occasion were readout air transport ties by the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Qatar DOHA: The State of Qatar and Shahzad Ahmad. of economic prosperity. The congratulated officers and staff the Tunisian Republic’s civil Mamnoon Hussain, Pres- China Pakistan Economic Cor- of the Embassy on the National aviation authority concluded ident of the Islamic Republic of ridor and other mega devel- Day. They expressed their hap- Shezad Ahmed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, yesterday their meetings, Pakistan in his message said that opment projects are a testimony piness and exchanged views hoisting the flag at the embassy premises, yesterday. which took place in Tunisia. 23rd March is an important to this reality,” the President of with the Ambassador and other PICS: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA The State of Qatar’s del- landmark in the history of our Pakistan further said in the officers of the Embassy. egation was chaired by HE nation. message. Celebrations of National Day Chairman of Qatar’s Civil Avi- “Today, we pay homage to for the creation of Pakistan affected Pakistan. The Paki- A large number of Pakistanis are held all over the world on ation Authority Abdullah bin the Father of the Nation Quaid- through their valiant struggle, stani nation has faced these from all walks of life attended the 23 March organised by Pakistani Nasser Turki Al Subaie. e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, determination and unparalleled challenges with unity and ceremony. The traditional Embassies and Pakistan Cultural The meetings focused on poet philosopher Dr Allama sacrifices.” resilience. And this is enabling breakfast was also served. and Community Organizations. a number of subjects related Muhammad Iqbal and the other “Terrorism and militancy us to dismantle the last During the ceremony, On the occasion, Pakistanis to the civil aviation industry great leaders of the freedom in the region during the last remaining remnants of mili- guests from all walks of life expressed their solidarity and in the two countries. The two movement who paved the way few decades have adversely tancy and usher in a new era interacted with each other and love for their homeland. sides agreed to update an avi- ation services agreement they signed in 1984. They also ini- tialed the updated agreement, ahead of taking the necessary Al Nakheel Landscapes approvals to sign it permanently. win Workers’ Cup title 8,000 visit Traffic Week THE PENINSULA events in two days attended by Abdulla Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Operations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 DOHA: The 2018 Workers’ Cup in QSL, Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, The can register violation came to an end last night as Executive Director of Marketing of not keeping a safe distance thousands of fans enjoyed a in QSL, Mohammed Ahmed from school buses. Replying memorable night of football Abdullah, Executive Director of to a question about possible inside Al Duhail Stadium, Competitions and Sports Affairs cooperation of the where Al Nakheel Landscapes in QSL, Mansour Al Ansari, Sec- department regarding newly- were crowned champions of retary General of QFA as well as launched scientific innova- the sixth edition of the tour- more than 25 ambassadors and tions, Al Odaiba said that the nament. diplomats. Traffic Department will coor- A near capacity crowd of The SC collaborated with the dinate with authorities con- almost 7500 people watched QSL to sponsor the Workers’ Cup cerned and study them spe- Doha Pest Control Team face off for a sixth year this year as part of cially the device that discon- against Al Nakheel Landscapes. its ongoing commitment to use nects cell phone connections The tournament ended with the football as a tool to accelerate in driving vehicles. spectacular prize-giving cer- social and human development. He said that there was emony, which ended in Al In his remarks after the final very useful participation from Nakheel Landscapes lifting the match, Hassan Al Thawadi, Sec- a section of the Traffic champions trophy. retary General of the SC said: “It Department which monitors The match was attended by is such an honour to witness the Al Nakheel Landscapes team captain receiving the 2018 Workers’ Cup Trophy during the presentation road by cameras and these H E Dr Issa Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, incredible passion both on the ceremony at Al Duhail Stadium, yesterday. Nakheel Landscapes defeated Doha Pest Control 2-0 in cameras daily register more Minister of Administrative Devel- pitch and in the stands during this the final to retain the crown. The tournament’s main objective is to promote a culture of sport and than 100 traffic violations opment, Labour and Social tournament, which keeps getting healthy lifestyle in the community of migrant workers engaged in various projects across the State whose data is transferred to Affairs. The final victory was also bigger and better every year. of Qatar, especially those related to the infrastructure of 2022 FIFA World Cup. traffic violations section at the watched by Hassan Al Thawadi, Congratulations to Al Nakheel General Directorate of Traffic. Secretary General of the Supreme Landscapes team for a hard- integration across Qatar’s rich significantly since 2013 to the Supreme Committee for “The aim of these Committee for Delivery & Legacy earned victory. I hope them, their expatriate community. This tour- become a major football event. Delivery & Legacy as we support cameras is not only to catch (SC), Nasser Al Khater, Assistant colleagues and everyone who’s nament is a great example of that “The QSL is proud to support the delivery of the 2022 World traffic violations bit it also Secretary General for Tour- been involved with this year’s promise in action, because you a tournament which uses the Cup and its associated legacy monitors the traffic jam. The nament Affairs at the SC, Khalid tournament has a chance to cel- can see how the Workers’ Cup power of football to support projects.” This year’s tour- participation of this section Al Kubaisi, Chief of Advisory Unit ebrate this achievement.” brings people together. Initiatives positive social change in the nament saw over 640 players in Traffic Week is to send a & Special Projects at the SC, Sakis Nasser Al Khater, Assistant like this form a vital part of our country,” said Al Kuwari. “The in 32 teams competing. 12 of message to people that they Batsilas, Tournament Operations Secretary General for Tour- preparations for the 2022 FIFA Workers’ Cup continues to go these teams were current or have to feel that they are & Planning Executive Director, nament Affairs at the SC, said: World Cup in Qatar.” from strength to strength and is former contractors on 2022 always monitored and the Ahmad Al-Thani, Head of Sport “Our support for the Workers’ The QSL’s Executive now a much-anticipated annual FIFA World Cup projects and 7 police patrols presence on the Events in the SC, and Xavi Cup stems from our promise to Director of Marketing, Hassan event.” Al Kuwari continued: were engaged with the SC’s roads is not always nec- Hernández, the SC Ambassador. use football as an inspirational Rabiah Al Kuwari, said the “We look forward to continuing flagship CSR programme, Gen- essary,” he added. The showpiece final was also means of encouraging social Workers’ Cup had grown our Workers’ Cup journey with eration Amazing.

Erdogan visit revives abandoned Sudan island 6.3 million South Sudanese ANATOLIA on the west coast of the Red and Coordination Agency, markets places, and recrea- face food crisis: Official Sea on Dec. 25, 2017, as part Turkey’s main foreign aid and tional areas. ANKARA: A local Sudanese of his two-day official visit in development body. “We know that TIKA is ANKARA: Unless speedy interna- level of aid can only help less than governor has praised Turkish the northern African nation. In a bid to transform the working for the people of tional support is granted to South 50 percent of people in need,” she President Recep Tayyip The city was under Ottoman island into a cultural and Sudan. It has made great con- Sudan, half of its population — or said. Erdogan’s visit last year to the rule between 1555 and 1865. tourism hub, TIKA had tributions to the people of 6.3 million people —face a food “If things keep going the way former Ottoman port city of Hamid said President restored Suakin’s 200-year- Sudan in all areas,” he said, crisis, while the number of people they are, food sources will be Suakin in northeastern Sudan, Erdogan’s visit to the island old Markaz (central) Adminis- adding that the Turkish agency at risk of starvation could rise by extremely low, as food stocks run saying it “revitalized” the made a huge impact on the tration building, Hamid said, was operating a hospital there another one million in the next out in many parts of the country island now in ruins. people living in the island. adding that the reconstruction as well. three months, an international while the lean season of May to July “The Suakin island has “The island has been revi- of the Customs Area in the Suakin, one of the oldest relief official said Thursday. approaches.” returned to life after President talized. We know that there ancient heart of the island was seaports in Africa, was used by According to Rehana Zawar, “Our Rapid Response Teams Erdogan’s visit,” Ali Ahmad was migration from Suakin about to be completed. African Muslims who set out the Norwegian Refugee Council’s are working overtime to deliver Hamid, the governor of the Island 100 years ago. Now, Hamid also praised Turkey for a pilgrimage to the holy city country director in the Eastern lifesaving aid to devastated areas, Red Sea Province in eastern the island has returned to life for renovating the Ottoman- of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. African country, the country faces but needs are still overwhelming,” Sudan, told Anadolu Agency with Turkey-Sudan joint era Hanafi and Shafi’i The Ottomans used the an acute food crisis. “Tens of thou- said Zawar, explaining the addi- in Turkish capital Ankara projects and investments, mosques. port city to secure Hejaz sands of families are at risk of star- tional massive arrivals of displaced yesterday. supported by TIKA,” he said He said the redevelopment province — present-day vation,” she said in a press release. communities which resulted in The Turkish president referring to the Turkish project also included the western Saudi Arabia— from “Besides the challenges of mounting pressure on already had visited the Suakin island Cooperation opening of new museums, attackers in the Red Sea. restricted access to aid, the current limited resources. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 More Syrian rebels agree to leave Eastern Ghouta REUTERS The withdrawal Thursday. More buses began to will leave only one leave yesterday carrying fighters BEIRUT: Syrian rebels agreed to remaining rebel pocket and their family members. surrender a second besieged Syrian state television enclave in Eastern Ghouta in eastern Ghouta broadcast their departure. From yesterday as their comrades in — the city of Douma behind a half-drawn curtain, a another insurgent pocket in the — and put Syrian woman in a headscarf could be area continued their withdrawal President Bashar Al seen gazing out through a spi- after a month-long assault by the derweb of bullet holes and cracks army. Assad on the brink in the window of a bus as it pre- It will leave only one of his biggest victory pared to carry her into exile. A remaining rebel pocket in eastern over the insurgents small child peered through Ghouta - the city of Douma - and since driving them another window. put Syrian President Bashar Al Meanwhile, rebels in a second Assad on the brink of his biggest from Aleppo in pocket around the towns of Arbin, A picture taken from the regime-controlled Eastern Ghouta town of Ain Tarma shows smoke billowing victory over the insurgents since December 2016. Jobar, Zamalka and Ein Terma from areas targeted by government forces in nearby Hazeh, still under the control of rebel fighters, driving them from Aleppo in said they had also agreed to leave December 2016. for the northwest with their fam- on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, yesterday. His army’s month-long attack 1,600 people. ilies and any other civilians who on the biggest rebel enclave near Insurgents in one of those did not wish to come back under surrendered the other two air power and military support four of its members, as well as Damascus splintered it into pockets - the town of Harasta - Assad’s rule. pockets, it will stand as the last since its intervention in 2015, other civilians, were injured on smaller besieged pockets, seized began withdrawing in a convoy People who wished to stay on battered and besieged rebel area Russia has increasingly cast Friday by an explosion in Harasta. most of its area and, according to of buses for opposition territory would not face prosecution, said in Eastern Ghouta, itself the itself as a peace-broker. Russian The war monitor, the Syrian a war monitor, killed more than in northwestern Syria on Wael Alwan, spokesman for the opposition’s last major bastion representatives have played a Observatory for Human Rights, Failaq Al Rahman group there, near the capital. The Syrian role in negotiating local cease- said the blast was caused by adding that the group would also army’s assault to recapture the fires and evacuations. rebels detonating their arsenal Russian strikes kill 37 civilians in Ghouta’s Arbin release captured government sol- area has been one of the most Assad and his allies say their before departing. State television diers. About 7,000 people would intense in the seven-year war. offensive in Eastern Ghouta is reported that 50 buses had left BEIRUT: Russian air strikes killed 37 civilians in the Arbin area of depart in the deal starting on Sat- It has been marked by necessary to end the rule of mili- Harasta since Thursday, carrying the shrinking rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus over- urday morning, including fighters tactics the army and its ally tants over the area’s people, and to over 2,800 people including more night, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday. carrying light weapons, state TV Russia have increasingly used stop them shelling government than 800 fighters. “Russian air strikes and incendiary weapons killed the civilians reported. to crush resistance - lay siege to areas. Rebel rocket fire has killed In the rebel pocket in the in a basement from burning or suffocation” late on Thursday before But bombs still fell yesterday an area, bombard it, launch a scores of people during the army southern part of Eastern Ghouta, a ceasefire came into effect in the area, Observatory head Rami on the besieged city of Douma, ground assault and finally offer offensive on Eastern Ghouta, state Failaq Al Rahman had Abdel Rahman said. Russia has denied being directly involved in from which thousands of people the rebels and their families safe television has reported including announced its intention to nego- air strikes on Eastern Ghouta. have fled into government ter- passage to the northwest. in a strike that hit a market place tiate on Thursday, when Alwan ritory in recent days. After helping turn the tide on Tuesday. A source in the Syrian said a ceasefire had been After insurgents have of the war in Assad’s favour with Arab Red Crescent agency said agreed.

Palestinians slam Trump Israel must improve treatment of children: UK security advisor pick Bolton AFP her slapping an Israeli soldier on the Jewish state needed to “do using Tamimi as a pawn in her property in the occupied much more to safeguard vul- staged provocations. RAMALLAH: A senior Palestinian official yesterday slammed US JERUSALEM: The British West Bank. nerable people in its care”. She told reporters on President Donald Trump’s choice of hardliner John Bolton as his government said yesterday that The jail sentence was “We will continue to call Wednesday before the court new national security advisor. Trump on Thursday announced the sentencing of a Palestinian “emblematic of how the unre- upon Israel to improve its prac- accepted the plea bargain that Bolton, an arch-hawk and former United Nations ambas- teenager for slapping an Israeli solved conflict is blighting the tices in line with international agreement that “there is no sador, would replace army general HR McMaster. soldier was “emblematic” of the lives of a new generation”, Brit- law and obligations,” he added. justice under occupation and this Bolton is known for his strong support for Israel and hostility impact of the region’s conflict on ain’s minister for the Middle Tamimi, 16 at the time of the is an illegitimate court”. to Iran. He has previously said the idea of a two-state solution to its youth. East, Alistair Burt, said in a incident, has been hailed as a Tamimi’s sentence includes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dead. Ahed Tamimi, now 17, statement. hero by Palestinians who see her time served and a fine of 5,000 “This man has a long history of hostility to Palestinians, dating agreed an eight-month plea deal He said London remained as bravely standing up to Israel’s shekels ($1,430, ¤1,166), to when he was at the United Nations, where he was protecting on Wednesday after a video concerned by Israel’s jailing of occupation of the West Bank. meaning she is to be released in Israeli immunity,” senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi told went viral in December showing Palestinian children, adding that Israelis accuse her family of the summer. AFP, referring to US vetoes of UN resolutions targeting Israel. With Bolton’s appointment, she said, the Trump adminis- tration “has joined with extremist Zionists, fundamentalist Chris- tians and white racists”. “All this will lead to a devastating reality Egypt opens for Palestine and the region.” In contrast, members of Israel’s government, considered the most rightwing in the country’s history, Gaza border for hailed the appointment. “President Trump is continuing to appoint true friends of Israel to senior positions. John Bolton stands out two-day period among them,” said Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, of the far-right Jewish Home party. ANATOLIA 10 Ugandan aid workers held GAZA CITY: The Egyptian authorities yesterday opened for stealing refugee rations the Rafah border crossing, which links the Gaza Strip to KAMPALA: Ugandan police said yesterday they had arrested 10 Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, for a officials working at a camp housing refugees, mainly from neigh- two-day period. bouring Democratic Republic of Congo, for stealing food aid. According to an Anadolu Benon Byamukama, police chief for the region in western Agency correspondent based Uganda where the Kyaka II refugee camp is located, said they had in the area, passenger buses been caught stealing maize meal and cooking oil meant for ref- began crossing the border ugees at night. “Acting on a tip-off, we have arrested 10 officials into Egypt yesterday while from Kyaka II refugee camp including two staff of Danish Refugee trucks laden with commercial Released girls who were kidnapped from their school in Dapchi, in the northeastern state of Yobe, Council, an implementing agency for the World Food Programme, goods crossed from Egypt into listen to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as he speaks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, for selling on the black market food meant for refugees,” he said. the strip. On Thursday, yesterday. “We have recovered the food and it will be used as exhibit in Egypt announced that the court,” said Byamukama. Kyaka II began as a camp for Rwandan crossing would be opened for refugees in 2005, but violence in DRC has seen citizens from that a two-day period starting Nigerian president meets with country take over as the main residents. According to the United Friday to allow medical cases Nations refugee agency, a fresh outbreak of fighting in DRC saw in Gaza to seek treatment an estimated 17,000 new refugees arrive in December 2017, with abroad and to allow Pales- girls freed from Boko Haram the camp’s population now standing at about 45,000. tinians stranded in Egypt to return to the coastal enclave. AP The move comes a month abducted from the Government have tasked all the security Kurdish rebels to withdraw after Egypt abruptly reclosed Girls’ Science Technical College agencies to work to ensure that the crossing after having ABUJA: Nigeria’s president in Dapchi on February 19, 105 we do not witness any recur- opened it briefly on Feb. 21. yesterday welcomed more than have been released. One girl rence of these incidents.” from Iraq’s Sinjar town The Palestinian side of the 100 schoolgirls who were remains a prisoner of Boko Boko Haram extremists Rafah crossing is currently released by Boko Haram Haram because she is Christian returned the girls on BAGHDAD: A Kurdish rebel group will withdraw from the town run by the Ramallah-based Wednesday after being and refused to convert to Islam. Wednesday, dropping them off of Sinjar in northern Iraq, it said in a statement, following threats Palestinian government, kidnapped last month. Five others are unaccounted for with a warning: “Don’t ever put of attack from Turkey’s president who has launched a series of which took over control of the The girls, wearing hijabs, and are presumed to have died your daughters in school again.” airstrikes against suspected Kurdish rebel camps over the past strip’s border crossings from were served a meal and posed in a stampede when the girls Boko Haram means “Western week. The Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, said it moved into Hamas last November. The for a photograph with President tried to run away from their education is forbidden” in the Sinjar to protect the Yezidi people “from genocide” at the hands handover was carried out in line Muhammadu Buhari, who captors. Hausa language. The group is of the Islamic State group and are now withdrawing “having with an Egypt-sponsored rec- promised his government would Buhari said that in future waging a violent campaign in reached that aim,” according to the statement. onciliation agreement between beef up security around vul- schools would have better northeastern Nigeria to impose PKK fighters moved into Sinjar — about 120km west of Mosul Hamas and rival Palestinian nerable schools. protection. Shariah law and is against - in 2015 with an offensive led by Iraqi Kurdish fighters known as faction Fatah signed in Cairo last Buhari said the government “The security services have western education, especially the Peshmerga and backed by the US-led coalition. October. The Gaza Strip, which negotiated with Boko Haram to since been directed to put in for girls. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to expand has groaned under a crippling try to protect the abducted stu- place further measures around The Nigerian government an ongoing military offensive in the Syrian town of Afrin into other Israeli-Egyptian blockade — by dents. He vowed to work for the all schools vulnerable to attacks denies that it paid a ransom or Kurdish-held areas across northern Syria and even into neigh- air, land and sea — since 2007, release of others abducted by to ensure the safety of our made a prisoner swap in boring Iraq. “We’ll continue this process until we completely abolish has seven border crossings extremists. pupils, students and teachers exchange for the Dapchi girls’ this corridor,” Erdogan said earlier this week, referring to a string linking it to the outside world. Of the 111 schoolgirls and school workers,” he said. “I freedom. of Kurdish-held town in northern Syria. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 ASIA 05 Congress tables notice for no-trust motion IANS “We have a long list of Speaker Sumitra business. I hope the Parlia- Mahajan could mentary Affairs Minister and the NEW DELHI: The impasse in not take up the government will also take into both the Houses of Parliament confidence the members of dif- continued yesterday and no-confidence motion ferent political parties and come Parliament failed to transact any in the din. Protests to some understanding by business for the 15th consecutive started as soon as Monday. At least the House working day. the House met with should run and have all this Meanwhile, the Congress too business,” the Chairman said. tabled in the Lok Sabha a notice members from the Earlier in the day, Naidu said: for no-confidence motion Telangana Rashtra “Today (Friday) we are com- against the Narendra Modi Samithi and the pleting three weeks (of logjam). government. AIADMK trooping near During my long stint in public life, “This House expresses no I have seen very few distressing confidence in the Council of the Speaker’s podium. events as the present one. Rajya Ministers,” read the notice Sabha, the House of elders, could tabled by Mallikarjun Kharge, not discharge the mandated the Leader of Congress in the till noon. duties for three weeks. As the lower House. The scene was no different Chairman, I tried everything that Social activist Anna Hazare pays tribute at Rajghat ahead of the start of an indefinite protest against Already, the TDP and YSR when it met again, with Mahajan I could but no result. the central government in New Delhi yesterday. Congress Party have filed notices urging the protesting members “All sections of the House for no-confidence motion against to return to their seats so that need to introspect as to why as the government over the issue of the no-confidence motion could the Upper House of Parliament, Anna Hazare attacks Modi govt special category status for Andhra be taken up. we have let down the people of Pradesh, but they have not been As the protests continued, the country for three long taken up due to continued dis- Mahajan announced that March weeks.” ruption of the House. 26 will be a holiday on account Naidu said that persisting on Lokpal and agrarian crisis Yesterday too, Speaker of Ram Navami, before with disruptions for three weeks Sumitra Mahajan could not take adjourning the House for the day. had no justification. IANS ensure fair prices.” Mohan Singh and some min- up the no-confidence motion in The Rajya Sabha was He said he had been getting Hazare has been pressing for isters from Maharashtra met the din. adjourned for the day amid queries from the public as to NEW DELHI: Launching a fresh setting up Lokpal at the Centre and him on Thursday and gave Protests started as soon as vociferous protests by the why the House was not being anti-corruption agitation with Lokayuktas in the states to probe certain assurances. the House met with members Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the adjourned sine die. an indefinite fast here yesterday, corruption cases, bring in new elec- “But I said I don’t trust you. from the Telangana Rashtra AIADMK and the Congress on “Will the next week be any social activist Anna Hazare said toral reforms and implementation How many promises you have Samithi (TRS) and the AIADMK different issues. different? I am sad to note that his efforts to communicate with of the M S Swaminathan Com- fulfilled so far? Nothing. So trooping near the Speaker’s Chairman M Venkaiah I would not like to hazard any the Modi government on issues mittee report to address the come with concrete action podium. Congress members Naidu urged the government to guess. I leave it to the leaders of Lokpal and agrarian distress agrarian crisis in the country. plan,” he said in his address to protested from their seats over reach out to the agitating parties and honourable members of had yielded no result. He said he would hold dis- thousands of supporters the Supreme Court verdict on and also asked “all sections of Parliament of all sides to reflect “I have written 43 letters to the cussions with the government gathered at the iconic ground in the SC/ST Act. the House” to introspect and let and decide if you are going to Modi government in the last four during the agitation but his the heart of Delhi. The AIADMK and the TRS the House function. change for better... It is for you years but did not get any reply,” he indefinite hunger strike, called Hazare said the Commission have been paralysing the House Soon after the House met, to rekindle the hope. You have said soon after he began his hunger ‘Satyagraha’, would continue for Agricultural Costs and Prices with protests, pressing for their Naidu expressed his anguish to decide,” the Chairman said. strike at the sprawling Ramlila “till the government comes out (CACP), which decides prices for demands for setting of Cauvery over the continued disruption After the laying of papers, Maidan here after paying tributes with a concrete action plan”. 23 crops, should be made auton- Water Management Board and and hoped it would function Minister of State for Parlia- to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The activist, who held a omous for fair price fixation. increase in the reservation from Monday as there was a mentary Affairs Vijay Goel listed “The farmers in the country major agitation in 2011 against Currently, the Central gov- quota for jobs in Telangana. long list of pending Bills before the details of the pending Bills are in distress as they are not corruption catching the imagi- ernment controls CACP and cuts As the din continued, the adjourning the proceedings for for passing and discussion next getting remunerative prices and nation of Indians, said Union the fair price rates suggested by Speaker adjourned the House the day. week. the government is not acting to Agriculture Minister Radha states by 30-35 per cent, he said.

Karti gets bail from High Court High Court restores 20 disqualified AAP legislators IANS A division bench of Justice cluded their arguments. cabinet ministers and include In his first reaction after the in INX media case Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Delhi Chief Minister and AAP more MLAs in governance work. High Court verdict, Patel said: NEW DELHI: In a major relief Chander Shekhar said the convenor Arvind Kejriwal described The post comes with perks “The court has said this case will to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), January 19 poll panel recom- it as a victory for truth. “The truth similar to that of a minister. The be reopened. I had just raised a IANS the Delhi High Court yesterday mendation given to the President has triumphed. The people whom law bars elected representatives constitutional issue. There is no restored the legislatorship of 20 “is vitiated and bad in law for Delhi had voted as their represent- from holding offices-of-profit setback for me.” On January 19, NEW DELHI: Senior ruling party MLAs who were failure to comply with principles atives were wrongly disqualified,” during their tenure. the poll panel recommended the Congress leader P disqualified for holding offices- of natural justice”. It said there Kejriwal tweeted. Lawyer and petitioner in the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs. Chidambaram’s son Karti of-profit. was a “violation of natural justice The MLAs were disqualified case Prashant Patel was the first Of the 21, Jarnail Singh had Chidambaram was given bail Setting aside the Election and no oral hearing was given on charges of holding offices-of- to complain to then President resigned from the assembly to yesterday by the Delhi High Commission recommendation to the AAP MLAs before disqual- profit because they were Pranab Mukherjee that the MLAs contest the Punjab elections. Court after over three weeks disqualifying the MLAs, the court ifying them as legislators”. appointed Parliamentary Secre- holding the offices of Parlia- The disqualified lawmakers of his arrest in the INX Media quashed the January 20 presi- The court had reserved its taries in March 2015. mentary Secretaries was in vio- moved the High Court last month corruption case. dential order and referred the judgment on February 28 The Delhi government lation of the Constitution. contending that the poll panel Justice S P Garg directed case back to the poll panel for a after the MLAs and the appointed 21 AAP MLAs as Par- Mukherjee referred the complaint notification was a gross violation Karti to furnish a surety of Rs10 fresh hearing. Election Commission con- liamentary Secretaries to assist to the Election Commission. of natural justice. lakh and asked him not leave the country without taking prior permission from the Central Bureau of Investigation JMM legislator (CBI) which is probing the case. “There appears no possi- given two-year bility of the petitioner (Karti) to flee from justice. His jail, may lose parents are senior advocates, he has family to take care of, membership he has roots in the society and is not a previous convict,” IANS Justice Garg said, granting the bail. RANCHI: A Ranchi court Karti was arrested on Feb- yesterday convicted Jharkhand ruary 28 for allegedly taking Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislator money to facilitate Foreign Amit Mahto and pronounced a Investment Promotion Board two-year jail term for him in a (FIPB) clearance to INX Media case over beating up of a in 2007 when his father was government official. the Finance Minister in the UPA Following his conviction, government. he is likely to lose the mem- The CBI has alleged irreg- bership of state assembly. ularities were committed in The charges against Amit Win Myint (right), former speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, leaves giving INX Media clearance Mahto are that he and his sup- parliament in Naypyitaw, yesterday. to receive Rs305 crore in porters beat up a government foreign investment. officials in 2006 and obstructed Imposing additional con- official work. Ranchi District ditions in his bail order, Justic Myanmar selects expected presidential choice Court judge Diwakar Pandey Garg strongly directed Karti not delivered verdict in the 12-year- to contact the prosecution wit- AP respectively. One of the vice-presidents old case. Later in the day, the nesses or temper with evidence gets to serve as president, and Win Myint’s court granted bail to the JMM or criminally intimidate any YANGON: Myanmar’s parliament took selection next week by the combined legislator. witness in any manner. a first step yesterday in selecting a houses of parliament is virtually assured. As per constitutional The court also asked Karti replacement for President Htin Kyaw, Win Myint, 66, is a longtime member norms, he could lose his not to close any of his bank who retired this week with ill health, by of Suu Kyi’s party and a former political membership of the House, accounts in India or abroad filling the empty seat of one of the coun- prisoner. He was a successful parlia- like two other Jharkhand leg- without informing the CBI about. try’s three vice-presidents. mentary candidate in the 1990 general islators lost membership The prosecution had Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League election that was invalidated by the mil- after conviction in different opposed his bail plea alleging for Democracy party used its majority in itary, denying him his seat, but then was cases. that the accused had “already the lower house to elect Win Myint as the elected in the next polls contested by the JMM legislator Yogendra destroyed evidence” and was new vice-president, joining the two NLD, the 2012 by-elections. Mahto was sentenced by a an “influential” person to existing vice-presidents selected two years In yesterday’s voting, he handily Ramgarh court for two years influence witnesses. ago by the upper house and the military, defeated Thaung Aye. and he lost his membership. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 Pakistan poll body now more powerful than caretaker govt

INTERNEWS The caretaker authority by the future elected government is now Government; (c) enter into ISLAMABAD: The recently- major contract or undertaking passed Election Act 2017 makes restricted by law to if it is detrimental to public the Election Commission of perform only day-to- interest; (d) enter into major Pakistan (ECP) more powerful day matters and is international negotiation with than the caretaker government not even allowed to any foreign country or interna- that is constitutionally mandated tional agency or sign or ratify to oversee elections. take any major policy any international binding The caretaker government decision or make instrument except in an excep- is now restricted by the same major administrative tional case; (e) make promotions law to perform only day-to-day or major appointments of public matters and is not even allowed changes. officials but may make acting or to take any major policy short term appointments in decision or make major admin- public interest; (f) transfer public istrative changes. The Clause 230 of the officials unless it is considered Air Force soldiers march past missiles during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, yesterday. Under the law, the caretaker Election Act 2017 deals with the expedient and after approval of government will primarily be function of the caretaker gov- the Commission; and (g) attempt there “to assist the Commission ernment. The said clause reads: to influence the elections or do to hold elections in accordance “Functions of caretaker Gov- or cause to be done anything Pakistan celebrates National with law” and will not be able ernment.-(1) A caretaker Gov- which may, in any manner, to transfer the officers unless ernment shall- (a) perform its- influence or adversely affect the asked by the ECP. functions to attend to day-to- free and fair elections.” Decisions like withdrawing day matters which are necessary Sub-clause (3) of the Clause Day with military parade high treason case against former to run the affairs of the Gov- makes it mandatory for the military dictator Pervaiz Mush- ernment; (b) assist the Com- caretaker Prime Minister, Chief AP success in routing militants, but fought two of their three wars arraf or suspending a possible mission to hold elections in Minister, and their cabinet min- violent attacks have has over Kashmir. jail sentence of former prime accordance with law; (c) restrict isters to submit to the Com- ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis cele- continued. Authorities blocked some minister Nawaz Sharif, are itself to activities that are of mission a statement of assets brated yesterday their National As part of security roads in Islamabad during the clearly out of the purview of the routine, non-controversial and and liabilities including assets Day with a military parade in the measures in Islamabad, parade, considered a main event caretaker government. urgent, in the public interest and and liabilities of their spouse capital, Islamabad, showcasing authorities suspended mobile in the day’s festivities. Later yes- Under the new law the care- reversible by the future Gov- and dependent children as on short- and long-range missiles, phone services during the terday, 141 Pakistanis and for- taker government is asked to ernment elected after the elec- the preceding 30th day of June tanks, jets, drones and other parade, presumably as a pre- eigners were to be honoured for “restrict itself to activities that tions; and (d) be impartial to on Form B. The Election Com- hardware. Troops, including caution against homemade outstanding services and achieve- are of routine, non-contro- every person and political mission as per law shall publish female soldiers, marched past a bombs being triggered ments, as part of the celebrations. versial and urgent, in the public party.” these statement of assets and stand with political and military remotely by cell phones. This year, Cuba’s late ruler interest and reversible by the Sub-clause (2) of the same liabilities in the official Gazette. leaders. Pakistani President Mamnoon Fidel Castro was to be honoured, future government elected after clause 230 imposes restrictions Under the Election Act 2017, Thousands chanted “Long Hussain used the occasion to in gratitude for sending Cuban the elections”. on the role of the caretaker gov- after the Election Programme has Live Pakistan” as Pakistani air promise to defeat militants who doctors to Pakistan in the 2005 ECP sources say unlike the ernment. It reads as: “The care- been issued and till the publi- force jets flew over, showing off have killed thousands of people earthquake that killed 75,000 past and following electoral taker Government shall not- (a) cation of the names of the the country’s air power, and in attacks over the past decade. people. reforms codified in the Election take major policy decisions returned candidates in the official paratroopers jumped out of In a televised speech, he also crit- Pakistani right activist Asma Act 2017, the upcoming care- except on urgent matters; Part Gazette, any government or helicopters. icized neighbouring India for Jahangir, who died last month taker government to be I] The Gazette of Pakistan, authority shall not post or transfer Pakistan air force has been what he called human rights vio- in Lahore and often criticized appointed ahead of general Extra., October 2, 2017 1547 (b) any official appointed or deputed critical to the military’s offensive lations in the disputed Himalayan the military’s interference in elections scheduled for the take any decision or make a in connection with an election against militant hideous in the region of Kashmir. civilian affairs, would also be summer, will have a limited role policy that may have effect or without prior approval in writing tribal regions bordering Afghan- Pakistan and India have honoured. Her family will to play. pre-empt the exercise of of the Commission. istan. The military has claimed tensed relations and they have receive her award.

Evening courts French female IS fighter caught in Afghanistan and justice AFP chise in the restive province. woman or where she had come for the Nato-led Resolute Thursday in Mughul village in “In a joint operation between from. Support mission in Afghanistan Darzab, the statement added. It approved for KABUL: A French woman NDS and Afghan special forces, Provincial police chief Faqir declined to respond. made no mention of a French fighting for the Islamic State five Afghan men and a French Mohammad Jawzjani said that Afghan and US special forces female fighter. Islamabad group in Afghanistan has been woman fighting for IS were US forces were also involved in have ramped up airstrikes and Most of the fighters in Jowzjan detained, Afghan officials said arrested in Darzab district of Thursday’s operation. “Four ground offensives against IS were “Pakistani Pashtun”, General INTERNEWS yesterday, amid fears that IS Jowzjan,” the National Directorate Daesh fighters were killed and fighters in Jowzjan in recent John Nicholson, commander of US militants fleeing Syria and Iraq of Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s one French woman... was also months, which the Americans and Nato forces in Afghanistan, ISLAMABAD: A proposed law are finding their way to the spy agency, said in a statement. detained,” Jawzjani said, using say have “disrupted” the group’s said in the statement. to establish evening courts country. The Defence Ministry con- the Arabic acronym for IS. capacity to use foreign fighters. Some were from the Islamic and justice system in Paki- The woman was captured firmed that a “French insurgent He added that two other In January, Afghan forces Movement of Uzbekistan and stani federal capital city during a military operation in the woman was among those French IS fighters were killed in caught the group’s “head facili- there was “probably 10 percent Islamabad has been approved northern province of Jowzjan — detained”. Six IS fighters were the province recently. tator of foreign forces”. Two that’s from a variety of sources by the National Assembly an IS stronghold — on Thursday also killed, it said. Jawzjani said Afghan and US months later, his two successors around the world”, he added. Standing Committee on Law night, several officials said. Afghan officials did not clarify forces took the woman into were killed in a US airstrike, a IS has a relatively small but and Justice. A recent report said that how they identified the woman’s custody — which was confirmed Resolute Support statement on potent presence in Afghanistan, After approving the bill French and Algerian fighters, nationality. One described her as by the provincial governor’s Thursday said. mainly in the eastern province this week, the committee has some arriving from Syria, had “French speaking”. They provided spokesman Reza Ghafoori. US and Afghan forces con- of Nangarhar and more recently decided to send the bill back to joined the group’s Afghan fran- no further details about the But a US military spokesman ducted a “nighttime raid” on Jowzjan. It also has cells in Kabul. the National Assembly. It is expected that the bill will also be passed smoothly in the Senate, as no one opposed it in the standing committee. Once passed by both Woman to lead oppn houses of parliament — the National Assembly and Senate — the law will make in Pakistani Senate Islamabad the first city in Pakistan to operate evening courts. INTERNEWS for health and information. She Establishing evening was later appointed the ambas- courts has been proposed as ISLAMABAD: Sherry Rehman sador to the United States. a way to overcome the pen- has become the first woman in The Senate Secretariat has dency of cases, ensure speedy the history of Pakistan to also notified seat allocations for trials and diminish the assume the office of the leader independent members of workload on morning courts. of the opposition in the Senate. Senate. Of the total 31 inde- The committee was With support of 34 members pendents, only 17 have opted to informed that the bill was from opposition benches, Bilawal sit on the treasury benches. drafted by the law ministry, Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party “I would like to thank and that after evening courts candidate follows in the footsteps Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto, are set up in Islamabad pro- of assassinated former prime Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and vincial governments will also minister Benazir Bhutto who was party peers on this occasion. follow suit. the first woman to serve as oppo- Congratulations to everyone! I The government has sition leader in the National would also like to thank [senators already sought the federal Assembly. from tribal areas], the Awami cabinet’s approval to initiate This has also given the PPP the National Party and others who the process to establish distinction of nominating the first pledged support. The PPP wants evening courts in Islamabad. woman prime minister, the first everyone to work in unison to It was asked during the women leaders of the opposition ensure the Senate continues to meeting where there were any in both houses of parliament and deliver,” Rehman shared in a proposals under the govern- the first female speaker of the video message. ment’s consideration to keep National Assembly. Among these are 15 sen- the courts open round the Hong Kong’s rail link to mainland China Born in Karachi on December ators who were originally clock to ensure speedy justice. 21, 1960, journalist-turned-poli- Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim However, the govern- Chief Executive Carrie Lam (centre) looks at the line dividing the Hong Kong (left) and mainland tician Sherry came to parliament League-N candidates for March ment’s side responded that Chinese control zones (right) as part of the joint immigration check point in the West Kowloon as an member of National 3 elections but elected as inde- there were no such proposals terminus of the high-speed rail to Guangzhou in Hong Kong, yesterday. The high-speed connection Assembly in 2002 and then in pendents due to party ticket under consideration. The out of the harbour front West Kowloon station is set to open in 2018, linking Hong Kong to the 2008 on women’s reserved seats. issue after the Supreme Court timings of the evening courts southern Chinese city of Guangzhou 130km away and then onto China’s national rail network. During the PPP’s 2008-13 stint disqualified Sharif from have also not yet been in power, she served as minister heading any political party. decided. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 ASIA 07

13 die, 23 hurt US warship sails near disputed islands in Vietnam REUTERS The US has criticized It described the actions region to protect peace, The US military put condominium China’s construction of US officials said of the American ship as stability and tranquility, countering China and WASHINGTON/BEIJING: islands and buildup of mil- the destroyer seriously harming China’s and not make trouble out Russia at the center of a complex fire A US Navy destroyer itary facilities in the area, Mustin travelled sovereignty and security, of nothing and stir up new national defense carried out a “freedom of and is concerned they which threatens regional havoc,” it said. strategy unveiled in AP navigation” operation could be used to restrict close to Mischief peace and stability. “The provocative January. yesterday, coming within free nautical movement. Reef in the Such actions cause behavior by the US side will China’s navy will carry HANOI: Residents startled 12 nautical miles of an arti- The latest operation, Spratly Islands forces from both countries only cause the Chinese mil- out combat drills in the awake by loud noise and ficial island built by China the first since January, and carried out to come into close proximity itary to further strengthen South China Sea, the mili- smoke signalled for help with in the South China Sea, U S occurred just a day after US and could easily cause a building up defense abil- tary’s official newspaper lit mobile phones and crawled officials said. President Donald Trump lit manoeuvring misjudgment or accident, ities in all areas.” The US said on Friday, calling the onto cranes from their The operation, which a slow-burning fuse by operations. and create serious political military has a long- move part of regular balconies to escape a fire infuriated Beijing, was the signing a presidential and military provocation for standing position that its annual exercises. yesterday at a large condo- latest attempt to counter memorandum that will China, it added. operations are carried out Taiwan’s defence min- minium complex in southern what Washington sees as target up to $60bn in and regular freedom of China has always dedi- throughout the world, istry said on Wednesday it Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. China’s efforts to limit Chinese goods with tariffs, navigation operations, as cated itself to protecting including in areas claimed had shadowed a Chinese At least 13 people were killed freedom of navigation in following a 30-day consul- we have done in the past freedom of navigation and by allies, and they are sep- aircraft carrier group tra- and 28 injured, with police the strategic waters. tation period that starts and will continue to do in overflight in the South China arate from political versing the Taiwan Strait saying it was unclear if The officials, speaking once a list is published. the future,” said Lieutenant Sea, but opposes “illegal and considerations. in a southwesterly anyone was missing. on condition of anonymity, When asked about the Commander Nicole provocative” moves in the China’s claims in the direction — meaning into State media quoted the said the destroyer Mustin latest operation, the US Schwegman, a spokes- name of freedom of navi- South China Sea, through the disputed South China city’s police and fire travelled close to Mischief military said its activities woman for US Pacific Fleet. gation, it said. which about $5 trillion in Sea — in what Taiwan department as saying police Reef in the Spratly Islands are carried out under inter- China’s Defence Min- “We demand the US ship-borne trade passes judged to be a drill. rescued more than 100 resi- and carried out manoeu- national law and American istry said two Chinese side earnestly respects each year, are contested by The United States has dents while more than 1,000 vring operations. China has forces operate in the region naval ships had been sent China’s sovereignty and Brunei, Malaysia, the Phil- been pushing allies to carry escaped the fire themselves. territorial disputes with its on a daily bases. to identify the US ship and security and the strong ippines, Taiwan and out freedom of navigation The three buildings with neighbours over the area. “We conduct routine warn it to leave. wishes of countries in the Vietnam. operations as well. 14 to 20 floors have more than 700 apartments. They were built six years ago in Vietnam’s southern com- mercial hub, formerly called Philippines widens Saigon. State media said most people died of suffocation or crackdown on jumping from high floors. The official Vietnam News Agency said more than human trafficking 200 firefighters worked more than an hour to put the fire REUTERS Visayan Forum Foundation. under control. “We need to be proactive The fire started in the ANGELES: From intercepting and focus on prevention to basement garage, with state trafficking victims at the airport break the cycle of trafficking,” media saying doors that sepa- to helping survivors find jobs, a said Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, rated the garage from the city-wide drive to combat the the founder and head of the upper floors should have been growing crime launched Manila-based anti-trafficking shut, but they were opened, yesterday in Angeles, in the charity. which allowed the smoke to Philippines. “We see a lot of raids and rise to the upper floors. Police, prosecutors, char- rescues... but the culture has not Tuoi Tre newspaper ities, and government and avi- changed and people need to be quoted Ho Chi Minh City Mayor ation officials in the city are aware of the crime,” she said. Nguyen Thanh Phong as saying joining forces to boost support Rights groups say the Phil- he was told by residents that for victims and educate people ippines is a huge regional hub the fire alarm system did not to prevent them being for human trafficking. work and residents alerted trafficked. Victims include domestic others to the fire themselves. Angeles — north of the workers being exploited and Combatting drug menace Major General Phan Anh capital Manila — is considered enslaved overseas, as well as a Minh, the city’s deputy police Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino (centre), Richard a trafficking hotspot in the booming sex industry inside the chief, told state media that the Stanford (left), a Detective Superintendent, Australian Federal Police and other officials show bags Southeast Asian country. country — from forced prosti- fire could have started from a Nearby Clark airport is a major tution to cybersex child traf- full of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu”, before destroying them in Trece motorbike’s electrical system travel hub and common entry ficking, whereby victims are Martires, Cavite, South of Manila, yesterday. but the possibility of explosions and exit point for both traf- abused over livestreams. has not been ruled out. fickers and their victims, About 400,000 people in according to activists. the country — or one in 250 of “From giving shelter to pro- the population — are estimated viding livelihood projects for to be trapped in modern slavery, victims, we must all work hand- found the 2016 Global Slavery Air strikes routed IS extremists: Freed Filipino in-hand to eradicate human Index by the Walk Free trafficking,” Angeles gov- Foundation. ernment official Purita David Yet the Philippines is the AP he described how he and other shattered buildings and mosques, and civilians dead and forced said. only nation in the region to have hostages constantly feared for where the militants ordered hundreds of thousands of resi- The anti-trafficking part- received the top ranking for MANILA: A Filipino Roman their survival amid the air strikes them to lie low during intense dents to abandon the mosque- nership — made up of a dozen efforts to combat the crime in Catholic priest taken hostage last and gun battles in southern fighting, said Soganub, who studded city and outlying towns groups — also aims to engage the United States government’s year by Islamic State group- Marawi city. couldn’t recall how many near- and flee to emergency shelters. children at school and in vul- “Trafficking in Persons” report linked militants recounted The 57-year-old priest said death moments he Despite the military victory nerable communities, and work for two consecutive years, local yesterday how military air strikes he and other hostages were experienced. in Marawi, Soganub said the gov- with local leaders to raise officials said at the launch event. helped crush an extremist siege, forced by their captors to collect “Every moment, day and ernment should address the awareness. The partnership in Angeles but said a Muslim autonomy deal explosive powder from fire- night, we were facing death,” he decades-long neglect of Muslim While similar initiatives would send out a strong is crucial in preventing new crackers and unexploded mil- said. “We didn’t know if we’ll still communities and implement a have been adopted in other message to traffickers who have bloodshed. itary ordnance, which the mili- be alive in the next hour or next new autonomy deal to empower parts of the country, long acted with impunity, said The Reverend Teresito tants used to make improvised minute.” Troops rescued minority Muslims and allow including the capital, the one Alexander Cauguiran, the chief Soganub recalled his 116-day bombs. Soganub in September before them to chart their own destiny in Angeles is the most com- executive of Clark International captivity in a rare appearance at Gunfire and explosions crushing the Marawi siege, which in the largely Catholic prehensive to-date, said the Airport. a Manila news conference, where repeatedly shook the ground and left more than 1,100 combatants Philippines.

Sailors rescued from sand dredger Human Rights Watch ‘biased off Malaysia AFP and untruthful’: Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR: Two AFP launching legal action against statements about Singapore,” Chinese sailors were rescued the grandson of founding prime the ministry said, adding the alive yesterday from the engine SINGAPORE: Singapore minister Lee Kuan Yew over a organisation “knows that its room of a sand dredger two yesterday slammed Human Facebook post linked to a family report will not withstand any days after the vessel capsized Rights Watch for a “pattern of feud. scrutiny”. off Malaysia, while 12 others issuing biased and untruthful In a statement, the law min- “HRW, by its conduct, has remain missing, an official said. statements” about the city-state istry criticised HRW for not shown that it cannot be taken The rescued crew were as the government mulled new sending a representative to a seriously as a commentator or “conscious but weak”, said laws to fight fake news. parliamentary committee exam- interlocutor on issues relating to coastguard official Sanifah The Ministry of Law zeroed ining possible measures, Singapore,” it said. Yusof, after being trapped in in on a report by the New York- including legislation, to tackle HRW was not immediately the JBB Rong Chang 8 since it based HRW last year which said false online information. available for comment. overturned on Wednesday. that while the financial hub was The rights watchdog was Singapore is among several Twelve other sailors an economic success, it was time among scores of individuals and countries looking at legislation remain missing. One Chinese to relax tough regulations which organisations invited to testify to rein in fake news but critics sailor was killed and three are not in line with international and give input. have cautioned this could be others were rescued alive human rights standards. The ministry said HRW used to curb free speech. The when the Chinese-owned The rights group said harsh agreed initially to send a repre- government has denied it is boat first flipped over. laws in Singapore were stifling sentative but later declined trying to restrict free speech. The boat had stayed South Korean President visits Vietnam free speech and had been used when it was told it would have Executives from Facebook, afloat despite capsizing and more frequently in recent times. to defend its report. Google and Twitter appeared South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) and Vietnamese hopes were raised that some This included prosecuting “HRW’s stance is disap- before the committee Thursday, Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, at of the missing had survived human rights activist Jolovan pointing, but not surprising. and are among scores of experts, after divers heard sounds the National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam, yesterday. Wham for organising public pro- HRW has a pattern of issuing academics and activists called from inside the hull. tests without a permit and biased and untruthful to testify over eight days. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Iraq’s invasion brought Airport of the future nothing but disaster amad International Airport (HIA) has added another feather to its crown of glory. The award- Hwinning airport moved up one place from last Iraq, and to support groups opposed to years later called his deception a “blot” year and was ranked fifth ‘Best Airport in the World’ Saddam in order to transition the on his career. The only thing Powell at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2018. HIA is the country from dictatorship to appeared to be concerned with was the only airport in the Middle East in the world’s top 10 air- democracy. perception of his career, rather than ports of 2018. Some of the groups that Wash- the countless innocent Iraqi lives he The award is in recognition of the airport’s inno- ington had co-opted into its plan were helped to take. vative facilities and five-star customer service. The ter- Kurdish separatist political move- The invasion itself was nothing minal has been described as the most architecturally TALLHA ABDULRAZAQ ments, theocratic Shia Islamist parties short of being absolutely calamitous. significant terminal complex in the world, as well as ANATOLIA linked to Iran, and other disgruntled The Lancet, a prestigious British being the most luxurious. HIA is one of the world’s most Iraqi opposition groups. Interestingly medical journal, published a study in technologically advanced airports with expansive retail 5 years ago, the United States and enough, most of these groups had 2006 that showed that approximately options, leading dining facilities, exclusive lounges, and its allies launched the opening about as much to do with democracy 655,000 Iraqis had died as a direct a hotel and wellness centre including a gym, squash salvos of a devastating military as cancer does with the notion of good result of the invasion. In other words, court, swimming pool and spa. campaign against Iraq that would health. Still, the US decided to go hand- in less than three years, the United 1 States, al-Qaeda and the sectarian Shia HIA also took home the title of ‘Best Airport in the forever change the face of the Middle in-glove with these groups not because Middle East’ for the fourth year in a row, ‘Best Staff East, and have reverberating effects they cared about democracy and militias loyal to Iran managed to kill a Service in the Middle East’ for the third year in a row that would affect the entire world. The human rights in the Middle East, but third more people than the Syrian Baa- and was ranked fourth ‘Best Airport for Shopping’ in Baathist dictatorship of Iraq under purely because the regime of Saddam thist regime, Russia and more pro-Iran the world, up one place from last year. Saddam Hussein was swiftly toppled, Hussein was not willing to play by militants managed to kill in Syria in six Qatar Airways Group Chief and although Washington’s rules. years of war. To make matters worse Executive, Akbar Al Baker said: Iraqis were Following the election of George W. for the architects of the illegal invasion, “I am extremely proud to see our promised Bush and the tragedy of 9/11, one of the the British defense ministry’s chief sci- home and hub, Hamad Inter- peace, pros- first acts of the Bush administration entific adviser said that the study pub- national Airport, achieve perity and was to push for war against Iraq. lished by The Lancet was “robust”. another significant milestone in democracy, Barely five hours after al-Qaeda ter- The US occupation lasted a further Gearing up its journey, and continue to be The invasion they rorists flew a commercial airliner into five years after the publication of that to welcome recognised for its excellence on itself was nothing received the Pentagon, Defense Secretary study, and violent Iran-backed sectar- 50 million a global scale. At HIA, we are short of being almost Donald Rumsfeld was issuing orders to ianism, Baghdad-sponsored torture passengers in committed to ensuring that our absolutely nothing but his aides to come up with a plan to programs and death squads, and passengers’ experience is as death, terror attack Iraq. This, despite the fact that it Daesh (ISIS) terrorism have managed the years to exceptional on the ground as it calamitous. and chaos. would have been impossible for to claim many more lives since. We come, HIA is is in the sky. Being ranked fifth The Lancet, The US did Rumsfeld to determine that Iraq had should not be surprised if millions of implementing Best Airport in the World truly a prestigious not only aim ordered the terrorist attack, let alone Iraqis have died as a direct result of its Smart Airport inspires us to continue to British medical to destroy aided and abetted it. This shows an the invasion, and we should be innovate, ensuring that this out- the Baathist extreme and ideologically fueled pre- ashamed that the media has tended to Programme standing facility is not just an journal, published regime, but disposition to wanting any excuse to ignore effective coverage of this aimed at airport, but truly a destination a study in 2006 also Iraq as a invade Iraq, with a complete disregard humanitarian disaster in favor of cov- empowering experience in itself”. that showed that nation and for the human cost of such military ering more sensational stories such as Gearing up to welcome 50 as a multi- adventurism. Daesh executions and war crimes. passengers million passengers in the years approximately ethnic, What followed was a series of lies, An entire generation of Iraqis has through to come, HIA is implementing 655,000 Iraqis multi-faith fabrications and outright deception of been lost because of the US-led cutting-edge its Smart Airport Programme had died as a people. the both the international community invasion. This is unforgivable and, just technologies. aimed at empowering pas- direct result of Contrary as well as domestic audiences. The as Germany was forced to pay repara- sengers through cutting-edge to popular Bush administration began fabricating tions for the crimes of the Nazi regime technologies. The airport’s pas- the invasion. belief, it was evidence regarding alleged weapons of following the Second World War, it senger-centric approach is not the mass destruction possessed by Iraq. In would seem only fair that those coun- designed to give passengers full control and inde- events of the Britain, the government of Prime Min- tries that directly participated in the pendence over their journey, from arrival and transfers 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City ister Tony Blair falsified evidence in mass destruction and genocide of the to boarding, achieving minimal and seamless con- that prompted Washington’s desire to what became known as the “Dodgy Iraqi people support Iraqis in finally nection time. HIA is thriving to introduce automated enact regime change in Iraq. In 1998, Dossier” that alleged Saddam Hussein being free of the corrupt political processes and self-service at every touch point of the and under the administration of Pres- could deploy WMDs within 45 minutes, process forced down their throats at travel journey in order to facilitate faster passenger ident Bill Clinton, the Iraq Liberation posing a threat to the West. In reality, gunpoint, and to compensate them so movement within the terminal, while complying with Act was signed into law, and specifi- there were no WMDs, despite the fact that they can rebuild their country and the highest standards for service quality, security and cally stipulated that it would become that then-Secretary of State Colin heal. Otherwise, we all know who to safety. US policy to seek to “remove the Powell openly lied to the United blame for probably the biggest crime of Last month, the airport was listed among the 14 regime headed by Saddam Hussein” in Nations prior to the invasion, and 13 this millennium so far. most beautiful airports in the world by the financial news website ‘Business Insider’. The airport was recently recognised for its punctuality, ranking next to first, among the most punctual major airports with a score of 85.41 percent on-time performance (OTP), as dem- Trump’s big, bold plan to punish the US economy onstrated in aviation analysts OAG’s 2017 Punctuality BLOOMBERG Report released recently. investment by Chinese firms in the US The president may be deluding Hamad International Airport is one of the most Maybe Trump hopes these threats himself that he can change China’s advanced airports in the world and is accelerating its ne thing to understand will lead China to make trade conces- behavior merely by bullying. A far better digital transformation to become the airport of the about President Donald sions and he will not need to actually plan would be to bind an increasingly future. Trump’s proposed new put these tariffs in place. Conceivably, powerful China into this system as a Otariffs on China is that they it could work out that way: Premier Li matter of mutual advantage. This is a are, in the first instance, a tax on US Keqiang said this week China will multilateral effort, involving the producers and consumers. The open its economy further, do more to European Union and Japan, and it would revenue they’ll raise won’t come from protect intellectual property, and be made more difficult by the unilateral China, but from the pockets of Amer- restrain its efforts to get foreign rule-bending (or -breaking) that the QUOTE OF THE DAY icans who’ll have to pay more for investors to transfer technology. If Trump administration is proposing. Chinese goods. China follows through, that might be How wise is it, really, to tell China, “Do Imposing this tax requires a strong enough for Trump to declare victory as you’re told: Might is right”? We will talk about justification, or at least an intelligible and move on to his next adventure. On intellectual property and tech- anything in principle rationale. The Trump administration The danger is that Trump actually nology transfer, China is widely agreed with a country that offers neither. It’s true that the US has believes his own bombastic rhetoric to have done some rule-bending of its respects WTO rules. legitimate trade grievances with about winning a trade war -- that the own. That does need to be addressed China, but there are much better ways time for talking is past, that China’s — and the existing system provides We will not talk about of resolving them. promises are worthless, and that the ways to do so. Oddly enough, the anything when it is The White House says it will administration will keep raising taxes Trump administration acknowledges with a gun to our impose tariffs on $50 billion (or maybe on US producers and consumers until as much; it announced this week that $60 billion) of China’s annual imports the trade deficit with China is elimi- the US would launch a new case at the head. to the US Not quite yet, though: Details nated. That would be a lunatic growth- World Trade Organization on China’s will follow in 15 days, and there’ll be killing plan even if China didn’t rules for licensing technology, and it Emmanuel Macron 30 days for comments before any retaliate. If China did push back, and has also relied on the expertise of French President tariffs take effect. At the same time, the raised tariffs of its own against US CFIUS, the committee on foreign Treasury has been given 60 days to exports, the impact on both countries’ investment, to block deals on national- come up with new restrictions on growth would be worse. security grounds. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 OPINION 09 Here’s one way to help Facebook protect data

ark Zuckerberg has apolo- browse anything on a digital platform should be talking about now is actors. Well, what’s now more gized for “mistakes” and “a that seems far away in that nebulous whether websites like Facebook, American than the internet we all major breach of trust” realm we’ve grown accustomed to YouTube, Twitter and also spots like individually surf as a collective Mafter it came to light that calling “cyberspace,” you’re opening Amazon - or even Hulu or Netflix - whole? the data of millions of Facebook users yourself up to being violated in this should be designated critical national DHS didn’t force states into the was compromised by a formerly little other realm, commonly referred to as infrastructure - along with all the con- election program, rather the des- MATT LASLO known consulting firm, Cambridge reality. sumer protections that go along with ignation enabled states to coor- REUTERS Analytica. But if you’re tempted to join It’s not like this everywhere. In that. dinate with their federal counter- the growing chorus of people pledging Europe web surfers have to physically Sure, they’re all private corpora- parts. Today, these tech giants to boycott the behemoth tech giant, opt-in to having their data mined. tions. But they’re also entities most of ought to ask, even beg, the federal you should also be involved in finding Many choose to take the leap because us rely on to get through our regular government to help them protect a way to prevent this happening they’ve tasted the seamless glory of an routines, especially when it comes to users’ data. At the very least that again. inanimate screen that knows and conversing with our neighbors who could renew trust in these com- Facebook isn’t the only company remembers them - quirks, refined live down the block or an ocean away. panies, but it would also be in their Facebook isn’t the that’s vulnerable to cyber intrusions. tastes and dark secrets alike. That makes these firms more like own self-interest because when only company that’s Unless you live off the grid, the (Although in some cases they’re the telephone lines dotting the they’re breached again - and it will chances you’ve had your electronic tracked even if they explicitly opt out.) national landscape than they are like happen again - then they can pass vulnerable to cyber data mined by a social media Here in America we only know an CBS or CNN. No one will ever own the the blame up the chain to Wash- intrusions. Unless you company or an online retailer hovers internet that owns us and that poten- internet, just as no one will ever own ington, where it rightfully belongs. live off the grid, the at just about 100 percent. And while tially knows more about our tastes, the television airwaves or radio Even without that declaration, chances you’ve had there’s no easy answer to the question desires and infidelities than we do signals. But web-based companies are Congress needs to stop living in a of how to stop abuse of that infor- ourselves. That’s because in the as vital to the contemporary way of sleepy 1950s mindset. This social your electronic data mation, the time is long overdue for United States the web demands that life as highways, airplanes and rail media era is the time for law- mined by a social Americans to have a blunt conver- we actively opt-out of being tracked - lines. makers to exert pressure by media company or an sation about our data and the federal and we lose some functionality if we The internet’s reach gives it almost demanding accountability from the online retailer hovers government’s role in protecting it. do. unimaginable power. The political likes of the Zuckerbergs, Tim Cooks In America, data mining is built American capitalism is the foun- consultants at Britain’s Cambridge and Jeff Bezos’ of the world. Their at just about 100 into the DNA of the internet. Most dational underpinning of our internet. Analytica are said to have embezzled products may be their own, but percent. every time you click an icon or That’s fine and good, but what we personal data to build voting profiles they belong to the rest of us now of millions of Americans who for- too. merly trusted Facebook. But cyber This is in no way calling for criminals have also recently stolen censorship. In fact, social media credit card details, social security censorship is dangerous and raises numbers, addresses and even more serious First Amendment concerns. intimate data from the likes of Yahoo! Americans also need to demand (3 billion!), My Space (360 million!), their privacy is guarded when the Equifax (145 million!), eBay (145 federal government takes a more million!), Target (110 million!), hands-on role in protecting their LinkedIn (100 million!) or even Uber data, but for the moment action (57 million!). against hacking needs to be a Just because these are private priority. companies shouldn’t mean the federal For now, it’s time to let eve- government doesn’t have a duty to ryone know the risk of logging on safeguard the data of American cit- so they can either opt-in or opt-out. izens. Sure, we’re now talking about And I bet more would opt-in with Facebook, but tomorrow it will be... carefree ease if they only were (insert any company you love, trust given something more tangible to and have grown to rely on here). put their trust in. Every website is vulnerable. The Department of Homeland Security deemed election centers across America as critical national infrastructure in 2016 in order to help the local entities combat cyber intrusion from powerful foreign D-RING ROAD POST BOX: 3488 DOHA - QATAR espite a propaganda blitz Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to weapons of mass destruction as a [email protected] meant to shift the blame for help the UK with independent precedent for the Skripal-related the poisoning of former analysis. accusations against Russia. Well, double agent Sergei Skripal That behavior hasn’t boosted Mos- Bolton is an unrepentant advocate of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE D the US military response to these TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 and his daughter Yulia in the UK cow’s credibility with European heads earlier this month, Russia looks set to of state. While Greece, Italy and claims. He has also called for a FAX: +974 4455 7758 face bruising consequences. The new- several other countries weren’t stronger response to the Skripal poi- LEONID BERSHIDSKY MANAGING EDITOR BLOOMBERG found unity among European Union inclined to jump to conclusions in the soning than diplomat expulsions. And leaders on the matter and the run-up to Thursday’s EU summit, the if his predecessor H.R. McMaster was TEL: 4462 7505 final wording was harsh. The considered tough on Russia and part European Council, made up of EU of a camp inside the administration DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR national leaders, said it “agrees with pushing Trump to ignore his instinct TEL: 4455 7769 the United Kingdom government’s to “get along with Russia,” Bolton’s Escalation with Russia assessment that it is highly likely that views are even more extreme: LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743 the Russian Federation is responsible According to his previous public state- and that there is no plausible alter- ments, he doesn’t believe one can BUSINESS NEWS SECTION becomes more likely native explanation.” make any kind of deal with Putin and TEL: 4462 7535 This is a rare success for UK Prime other authoritarian rulers because Minister Theresa May who, thanks to they can never be held to their SPORT NEWS SECTION with Bolton Brexit, isn’t a popular figure with commitments. TEL: 4455 7745 fellow EU leaders. May owes it to The question is whether even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Merkel and the strengthened US hawks ONLINE SECTION appointment of fierce Russia hawk who is back as a fully fledged leader can put together a convincing TEL: 4462 7501 John Bolton as President Donald now that Germany has a stable gov- response. Relatively soft, personalized [email protected] Trump’s national security advisor are ernment. Merkel shepherded the sanctions against Putin friends and Council when it introduced sanctions state-owned companies were largely potential precursors of collective PUBLIC RELATIONS on Russia following the Crimea exhausted in previous years. Now, only Western action against Russia. TEL: 4455 7613 annexation and the MH 17 incident, a list of far stronger options remains The difficulty lies in figuring out [email protected] how far that action could go without and she appears to be doing it again. open: Sanctions against Russian gov- ernment debt, restrictions on its energy releasing President Vladimir Putin’s The precise nature of the response ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT exports, an end to the NordStream-2 Kremlin from any remaining trace of isn’t clear yet. The EU has recalled its TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 civilized restraint. Risk aversion may ambassador in Russia “for consulta- pipeline project to supply more FAX: 4455 7870 still prevail at the end. tions” and more measures are Russian gas directly to Germany, an [email protected] Mindful that the Skripal case is expected next week. “It’s much harder attempt to get Russian banks removed essentially about the use of a chemical than during the Cold War,” Bulgarian from the Brussels-based Swift CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT weapon on foreign territory, official Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said. transfer-facilitating system. TEL: 4455 7857 Moscow decided, after a brief period “There were some rules back then. These moves are risky. They could [email protected] of hiding its collective head in the Now everyone is so tough that I’m not prompt an asymmetric response from sand, to push back hard against the optimistic.” Borisov also said he asked the Kremlin -- perhaps even military SUBSCRIPTION & UK government’s conviction that it for definitive proof of Russia’s action somewhere the West doesn’t DISTRIBUTION was behind the poisoning. On March involvement -- but added that “what’s quite expect. I’ve never believed Putin TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 21, the foreign, defense and trade important is that despite Brexit, the capable of raising the stakes so high FAX: 44557819 ministries held a conference for UK and EU showed they are one and that an all-out war against the [email protected] foreign ambassadors in Moscow, the same.” That’s the same spirit that Western alliance becomes a real pos- claiming Russia did not produce the resulted in Russia sanctions the last sibility. But given his record of seeking toxic agent named by the UK gov- time around. to assert Russia’s power rather than The difficulty lies in ernment and that since its formula The pressure from Merkel to take work out mutually acceptable rules, it All thoughts and views figuring out how far had been published by the Russian a united stand and the help she gets doesn’t seem far-fetched to me that expressed in these columns that action could go whistleblower Vil Mirzayanov, from Russia’s unfriendly neighbors Putin might make a surprise move in are those of the writers, without releasing anyone could make it, including create a window of opportunity for the Middle East or even in Ukraine in Western nations. It crowned two Russia hawks in the US administration response to tougher economic sanc- not of the newspaper. President Vladimir weeks of denials and alternative ver- to achieve, for the first time since tions. Post-Communist countries in Putin’s Kremlin from sions offered by state-owned media 2014, a consensus on more pun- Europe also have things to fear from All correspondence any remaining trace and officials in a pattern familiar from ishment for Russia. Coincidentally, him -- if not all-out military attacks, regarding Views and of civilized restraint. the downing of Malaysia Airlines with Bolton’s appointment, the hawks’ then all kinds of subtler subversion. Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in July, influence in the Trump administration Pushing for a united European Opinion pages should be Risk aversion may 2014. As then, Moscow has worked to has just been boosted. response to the Skripal case is a no- send to editor-in-chief still prevail at the confuse rather than convince, at the Predictably, foreign ministry brainer for May who needs to show office or mailed to the end. same time questioning the formal official Vladimir Yermakov cited the Britons both authority and solidarity right of the Organization for the erroneous claims that Iraq had against an external threat. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 Three dead in France shooting spree AFP Security forces killed The killing spree came with France still on high alert after a TRÈBES: At least three people the gunman -- believed string of jihadist attacks since were killed yesterday in a to be a Moroccan who 2015. shooting spree and hostage siege was on a watchlist of French President Emmanuel in southern France by a man suspected IS militants Macron paid tribute to the quick claiming allegiance to the IS reactions of the emergency militant group, security sources -- after he carried out services and said he would be said. three separate attacks returning to Paris from Brussels Security forces killed the in the medieval town at the end of an EU summit so he gunman -- believed to be a of Carcassonne and can coordinate the national Moroccan who was on a watchlist response. of suspected IS militants-- after nearby Trebes. Three helicopters could be he carried out three separate seen circling over Trebes, a pic- attacks in the medieval town of turesque medieval town of A general view shows gendarmes and police officers at a supermarket after a hostage situation, in Carcassonne and nearby Trebes. “A man shouted and started around 5,000 people, while Trebes, France, yesterday. The man first hijacked a car firing several times,” one shopper heavily armed police had closed in Carcassonne, killing a pas- at the supermarket told Fran- down roads surrounding the Collomb was on his way to the In July 2016, in another attack deadly assault in France by a sus- senger and injuring the driver, ceInfo radio station. “I saw an supermarket. scene. claimed by IS militants, a man pected jihadist since October, before shooting a policeman who open door for a refrigerated area The local prosecutors’ office The terror attacks in France drove a truck through revellers when two young women were was out jogging with his col- and I told people to come to were treating the incident as a started in January 2015 with the celebrating Bastille Day in the stabbed to death outside Mar- leagues nearby. shelter there.” terror attack and said the gunman assault on satirical magazine Riviera resort of Nice, killing 84 seille’s main train station. He then drove to a Super U “We were 10 people and we had claimed to be acting in the Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people people. The area of southwest France supermarket in the sleepy town got out by the emergency exit at name of IS. dead. A state of emergency put in where yesterday’s shootings took of Trebes and holed up there for the back.” “All the information we cur- France also suffered major place just after the Paris attacks place has been traumatised by IS more than three hours with hos- After letting his hostages go, rently have leads us to believe it attacks in Paris in November 2015 was finally lifted in October last extremism before. tages, killing at least two people, the gunman remained in the store is a terrorist act,” Prime Minister when IS militants killed 130 year, but soldiers continue to In 2012, Mohamed Merah according to sources. with just one policeman, who Edouard Philippe said while on people in bombings and shootings patrol major tourist sites and shot dead seven people including A witness reported that the along with another officer was a visit to Mulhouse in eastern at bars, restaurants, the Bataclan transport hubs under an anti- three Jewish schoolchildren in assailant was armed with knives, shot and injured when anti-terror France, cutting short the trip. concert venue and the national terror mission. nearby Toulouse and a gun and grenades. forces swooped on the building. Interior Minister Gerard stadium. The attacks were the first Montauban. EU leaders adopt Brexit talks guidelines Spy attack: EU to take AFP the red lines for talks on the EU President Donald Tusk trading relationship, he told a new steps against Russia future relationship including said the bloc would now use the summit press conference. BRUSSELS: European Union trade, and approved a deal for a “positive momentum” to tackle “Leaders will assess in June if the REUTERS leaders approved guidelines 21-month transition period “outstanding issues”, including Irish question has been resolved enforcement has divided the EU yesterday for the next phase of Prime Minister Theresa May how to avoid border checks and how to go about a common in the past. Brexit talks with Britain, but set said the move by the remaining between the British province of declaration on our future.” BRUSSELS: European Union Czech Prime Minister a June deadline for progress on leaders created a “new dynamic” Northern Ireland and EU Britain has said it is leaving member states agreed at a Andrej Babis said he was likely the key issue of Northern Ireland. for what promises to be tough member Ireland. the EU’s single market and summit in Brussels to take to announce the expulsion of At a summit in Brussels, 27 negotiations ahead of Britain’s These would take place “in customs union, but the prospect further punitive steps against several people on Monday, after leaders without Britain backed departure in a year’s time. parallel” with talks on the future of a “hard” border in Ireland has Russia in the coming days for returning to Prague and con- sparked concerns about the the nerve agent attack in sulting with his foreign fragile peace on the island. Salisbury, as Moscow accused minister. The EU and Britain have the bloc of joining a London- Lithuanian President Dalia agreed a “backstop” that driven hate campaign against Grybauskaite said she was Northern Ireland would remain it. ready to expel Russian spies, part of the EU’s customs union Late on Thursday, in a boost whose activities she said were if there is no better idea – but for British Prime Minister deeply harmful: “It is certain London is deeply opposed to Theresa May, the 28-member that a coordinated action will this. EU collectively condemned the be taken next week, maybe at May said yesterday: “We will attack on a former Russian spy the start of it,” she said. “It’s now be sitting down and deter- and said it was “highly likely” absolutely obvious that the mining those workable solutions Moscow was responsible. They network exists and that it acts for Northern Ireland but also for also recalled the EU ambassador aggressively.” our future security partnership to Russia. Romanian President Klaus and economic partnership.” “Additional steps are Iohannis stressed that national The adoption of the EU expected as early as Monday at governments wanted to retain guidelines, and approval of the the national level,” summit control of the details in an area post-Brexit transition deal, chair Donald Tusk said. where they guard their sover- marks a “decisive step in these French President eignty from Brussels. But most difficult and extraordinary nego- Emmanuel Macron said Paris of those present would go home tiations”, the bloc’s Brexit nego- and Berlin would be among and prepare suitable steps. tiator Michel Barnier said. countries taking further rapid Russia has denied respon- But the imposition of a new and coordinated measures sibility for the March 4 attack deadline for progress on the Irish which other leaders said would on former Russian spy Sergei issue steps up the pressure on include the expulsion of Russian Skripal and his daughter, the FROM LEFT: Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, British Britain to find a solution to one officials and possible other first known offensive use of a Prime Minister Theresa May and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite attending a meeting on the of the thorniest problems of retaliatory actions. nerve toxin in Europe since second day of a summit of EU leaders at the European Council headquarter, in Brussels, yesterday. Brexit. Standing beside Macron World War Two. A British judge and echoing his view that said on Thursday that both Russia had breached the sov- victims may have suffered brain ereignty and security of the damage from the attack. Woman jailed in Union, German Chancellor Yesterday, the Russian Girl’s ominous gesture to Russian MP goes viral Angela Merkel told a joint news foreign ministry described the conference that EU countries EU accusation as “baseless” and France for death AP Wearing a pink ski cap and of children in the town of would debate what measures accused the bloc of spurning of five babies bright jacket, Tanya Lozova was Volokolamsk, west of Moscow. to take “and then act”. cooperation with Moscow and MOSCOW: A little girl in pink caught on cameras pointing her Tanya told Dozhd TV late on One senior official familiar joining “another anti-Russian AFP has become an Internet hero in finger in a cut-throat gesture at Thursday that her gesture was with discussions said the extent campaign deployed by London Russia after making a menacing Governor Andrei Vorobyov as meant to say “You are killing us!” of measures in the coming and its allies overseas with an BORDEAUX: A mother in gesture at the governor of the he was promising furious pro- The 10-year old said she wants weeks could be “surprising” and obvious goal: to put another southwest France who Moscow region as he sought to testers that he would quickly the landfill to close so that not confined to expulsions. obstacle on the path to the nor- drowned five of her newborn calm a protest over a toxic deal with the impact of the “people finally could breathe There is no talk of more malisation of the situation on babies and hid them in a landfill dump. landfill that has sickened dozens fresh air.” economic sanctions, whose the European continent”. freezer before her family made the grim discovery, was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday. A frail Romana Canete, Ukrainian lawmaker may face life in prison over ‘coup plot’ 37, tearfully asked the court AFP in Bordeaux for “forgiveness” authorities had “sufficient “politically motivated.” She at the end of her trial this grounds” to suspect Savchenko added that she had been under week, saying it had “reopened KIEV: A Ukrainian lawmaker of plotting the attack which he surveillance for around a year. terrible and cruel once hailed as a hero and a said was punishable by up to life Speaking to lawmakers in memories.” symbol of resistance against in prison. parliament, Lutsenko accused the She admitted to drowning Russia could face up to life in Savchenko was stripped of woman of making a deal with the five newborns, which prison for plotting a terrorist her immunity on Thursday by leaders of Russian-backed sep- police estimate occurred attack in Kiev, authorities said- parliament, which also aratist regions to obtain weapons between 2009 and 2015, after yesterday. authorised her arrest. and sow chaos in Kiev. giving birth in a bathtub at her Former combat pilot Nadiya Yesterday, she declared a He showed lawmakers a home in Louchats, about Savchenko, 36, is accused by hunger strike as a court in Kiev 30-minute video of a woman 40km south of Bordeaux. prosecutors of planning “a large- was to decide whether she should who looked like Savchenko One of her two daughters scale terrorist attack” in Kiev that be remanded in custody. speaking about plans to attack found one of the babies in a would have brought a “sea of Sporting a black jersey with parliament. bag in a freezer, and police blood,”. a white trident, Ukraine’s state “I myself will certainly be found the others after being Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiya Savchenko attends a court hearing in Prosecutor Oleksandr emblem, Savchenko said that able to throw six grenades,” the alerted by Canete’s husband. Kiev, yesterday. Bannyk said yesterday the the case against her was woman in the video said. SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 EUROPE 11 13 Catalan leaders face rebellion charges AFP Judge Pablo Llarena The separatist parties won accused Catalonia’s regional elections in December BARCELONA: Spain’s Supreme sacked president called by Madrid after they Court said yesterday 13 key attempted to secede, retaining Catalan separatists would be Carles Puigdemont their absolute majority in prosecuted for “rebellion” as of organising the parliament. Marta Rovira became the latest independence But they have still not been leading pro-independence figure referendum in October able to form a government and to flee abroad to escape charges face growing legal pressures that over the region’s breakaway bid. last year despite a have seen many moderate their Among those charged are ban from Madrid and tone. Catalonia’s sacked president “grave risk of violent With numerous leaders Carles Puigdemont and his des- incidents”. abroad or in jail, the separatists ignated successor, Jordi Turull. have struggled to re-organise or If found guilty, they face up even remain in politics. Three to 30 years in prison. seeking a new leader. more members of the parliament Judge Pablo Llarena accused But one of the “rebels”, Marta announced Thursday they were Puigdemont -- currently in self- Rovira, ignored the summons and giving up their sears. imposed exile in Belgium -- of instead announced she was In a broad alliance swinging organising the independence ref- taking “the road to exile”. from centre-right to far left, the erendum in October last year Rovira is deputy leader of the separatists failed to elect a new despite a ban from Madrid and leftwing separatist ERC party, regional president on Thursday “grave risk of violent whose chief is currently in jail. after their most radical faction incidents”. She was placed under judicial refused to back Turull in a vote Llarena said he considered control in February, but the judge of confidence. A second round the “attack on the State” of a stopped short of putting her parliamentary vote was due to “gravity .. without comparison in behind bars for the duration of take place today. neighbouring democracies.” an ongoing probe into charges of Nine members of Puigde- Catalan separatist leaders Jordi Turull (centre) and Josep Rull arrive at the Supreme Court, in Madrid, Turull, a former Puigdemont rebellion, sedition and misuse of mont’s cabinet face not only yesterday. government spokesman, is public funds. rebellion charges but also already under investigation over In a statement released by her embezzlement. which some jurists say did not attacks by police against voters most peaceful and massive dem- Catalonia’s secession drive but party, Rovira said she felt her Judge Llarena charged they happen. waiting outside polling booths. onstration in recent European so far remains free under bail. “freedom of expression was being had diverted nearly $2m of public A key element, the judge said, By encouraging people to history,” Puigdemont said from He was due to appear in court censored by the courts which money to stage the referendum was Puigdemont’s refusal to call resist the police, the separatist Finland where he is travelling. yesterday along with four other intimidate and shamelessly apply on self-determination last off the referendum despite police leaders wanted “the State to give In total 25 people – all the leading separatists. If detained, political criteria”. October 1. warning of a “grave risk of violent up in the face of violent determi- hard core of the separatist lead- he will not be able to attend Rovira, who did not specify His 70-page finding sets out incidents”. nation,” from a section of the ership – are today facing charges. today’s Catalan parliament where where she was headed, is the the reasons for the rebellion Some 60 policemen were hurt population, Llarena wrote. They can appeal in the he is due to succeed Puigdemont, seventh separatist to flee abroad charges which imply the trying to stop the vote, the judge “That is enough to pass off as Supreme Court which may confirm leaving the separatists still to escape charges. existence of a “violent uprising”, noted, without mention of the ‘violent’ those who organised the the charges and order trials.

Early spring snow Norway seeks to ban full-face veils in schools and floods bring

REUTERS havoc to Balkans Finance Minister Siv Jensen said apply throughout working hours culturally alien or a symbol of the Norway’s minority gov- in a statement. Denmark plans at kindergartens. oppression of women. ernment, a coalition of the Con- AP OSLO: The Norwegian to fine people who cover their “A ban on face-covering gar- The niqab covers everything servatives, the Progress Party and government proposed yesterday face in public. ments will ensure open commu- but the eyes, while the burqa also the centrist Liberals, said in June ZAGREB: Heavy snow and a nationwide ban on the wearing Jensen, who is also the leader nication with children, students covers the eyes with a trans- it was confident it would find flooding wreaked havoc of full-face veils, such as the of the anti-immigrant right-wing and newly arrived immigrants in parent veil. enough support for the move in across large parts of the burqa and the niqab, in univer- Progress Party, said the ban educational situations,” Jan Tore Under the Norwegian pro- parliament. If it does, the ban Balkans yesterday, forcing sities, schools, and kindergartens. would send a strong signal that Sanner, minister of knowledge posal, employees who broke the would start in August. road closures, flooding homes France, the Netherlands, Norway is “an open society and integration said in the rule several times would risk Separately, Oslo police said in and stopping ferries along the Belgium, Bulgaria and the where we are going to see the statement. Sanner belongs to the losing their jobs, and students a report the capital had seen the Adriatic coast. German state of Bavaria have all face of each other”. centre-right Conservatives. would face expulsion, the gov- highest reported number of hate The spate of fresh snow imposed restrictions on wearing The government amended an Full and partial face veils ernment said. The ban would not crimes last year, with 198 incidents came as Croatia was already full-face veils in public places. initial proposal, first presented such as burqas and niqabs divide apply to headgear. considered, against 175 in 2016. struggling to contain over- If passes by parliament, in June, to allow the wearing of opinion across Europe, setting Local bans on wearing burqa “The biggest increase we see flowing rivers that were Norway could become the first full-face veils during breaks and advocates of religious freedom and niqab have been already among are women insulted in the swollen from melting snow. Nordic country to introduce such staff meetings in schools and uni- against secularists and those who introduced in some upper sec- category of religion,” said the Croatian authorities said ban in the education sector, versities, but it would have to argue that such garments are ondary schools in Norway. police in a statement. that only small vehicles were allowed on main roads leading toward the coast while trucks or buses could not pass. Citizens have been Progress seen in Macedonia urged to avoid traveling. Snow has also fallen in and Greece name dispute neighbouring Serbia, sur- prising the region in early REUTERS Skopje to discuss details of the spring, while a thaw has draft proposals their gov- brought flooding to Bosnia. BELGRADE: Macedonia and ernment made on how to The US Embassy in Bel- Greece yesterday “made steps” resolve the dispute. grade, announced it was to resolve a dispute over the “Today we made steps to closing due to inclement former Yugoslav republic’s solve the problems,” Kotzias weather, and that appoint- name which has bedevilled said after meeting his Mace- ments for consular services relations for more than two donian counterpart Nikola had been suspended. decades, Greek foreign minister Dimitrov. In Albania, snow and rain Nikos Kotzias said. “Texts are made to clarify cut off parts of the north and Success in resolving the issue the positions and suggestions of northwest, with 5,000 hectares would open Macedonia’s path both sides. What is agreed of land, 680 houses and many towards Nato and EU mem- between us, (UN special envoy schools affected by flooding. bership, which has been blocked Matthew) Nimetz will put into Families were evacuated from by Athens which says the name one text that will be submitted flood-stricken areas. Macedonia implies a territorial to the Security Council and the Some 200 army emer- claim over Greece’s own General Assembly of the UN,” gency personnel handed out northern region of that name. he said. “We have agreed in food packages, drinking Kotzias and his Macedonian great degree what we want for water and food for livestock A view of the Italian Senate during its first session, following the March 4 vote, in Rome, yesterday. counterpart met yesterday in the future.” in rural areas.

Italian parliament ends in deadlock AP Movement and the right-wing future government is likely to Royal Caribbean picks up world’s largest cruise ship League - to divvy up the two persist for weeks and the outcome AFP ROME: Italian lawmakers chambers. of the consultations that will start It holds an ice rink, water always make our ships better.” formally reconvened parliament As if to underscore the later this month remains highly park and full-size basketball Built over two years, the yesterday without any accord in discord, police quickly removed uncertain,” noted Wolfango SAINT-NAZAIRE: French ship- court along with 2,700 cabins. Symphony can hold up to 8,000 sight as to the formation of a new street art that appeared near Piccoli, analyst from London- builder STX handed over the “We said thank you in a people including 2,200 staff government following incon- Parliament overnight of League based Teneo Intelligence. world’s biggest cruiseliner, the fairly tangible way. We actually and is billed as faster and clusive March 4 elections. leader Matteo Salvini and 5-Star The 5-Stars won the most Symphony of the Seas, to US said it a billion times and each quieter than the Harmony. Even the first order of business leader Luigi Di Maio kissing. votes of any single party, with giant Royal Caribbean Interna- one was one euro,” joked Royal The Symphony will start its - the election of presidents of the Analysts said even if the 32 percent. The League-led tional yesterday ahead of its Caribbean boss Richard Fain, maiden voyage today, heading two parliament chambers - League and 5-Stars eventually centre-right coalition grabbed maiden voyage in the Mediter- referring to the ship’s to Malaga in Spain and spending proved divisive. The first rounds reach a deal on the presidents of 37 percent, but neither has ranean. pricetag. its first season in the Mediter- of voting resulted in a vast the Senate and Chamber of Dep- enough of a parliamentary The ship, which weighs “The Symphony of the Seas ranean before heading to its majority of blank ballots being uties, the possibility of an majority to govern. The centre- 228,000 tonnes, is at 362 is the biggest liner in the world home port of Miami. cast as lawmakers waited until the alliance that could govern left led by the ruling Democratic metres long just 20 metres shy by less than one percent,” STX STX, which has a staff of threshhold margins fell to start remains unlikely given the oppo- Party was a distant third in the of the length of the Empire State boss Laurent Castaing told a 8,000 and also builds warships, gunning for their candidates. sition by the League’s main ally worst-ever showing by the left. Building. It is marginally bigger handover ceremony in the is currently also building the The process has been mired in the center-right coalition, the With the seating of par- than its sister ship, the Harmony western French port of Celebrity Edge, the first of a in conflict, with the apparent Forza Italia party of Silvio Ber- liament, official consultations of the Seas, which STX France Saint-Nazaire. series of smaller and more lux- collapse of a deal between the lusconi, to any power-sharing are expected to begin soon, but delivered to Royal Caribbean “That one percent extra urious liners for Royal two main populist vote-getters alliance with the 5-Stars. the jostling is expected to drag in 2016. shows that together we can Caribbean. - the anti-establishment 5-Star “The lack of visibility on the on for weeks. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 Trump signs spending bill after veto threat

AP Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” in the package, in part because it did not fully WASHINGTON: President fund his plans for a border wall with Mexico Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending measure and did not address some 700,000 “Dreamer” yesterday, averting a midnight immigrants who are now protected from government shutdown just hours deportation under a programme that he has after declaring he was consid- moved to eliminate. ering a veto. Trump said he was “very dis- appointed” in the package, in part BORDER WALL, which is desper- Asked why he’d made the because it did not fully fund his ately needed for our National threat, Trump said he’d “looked plans for a border wall with Defense, is not fully funded.” very seriously at the veto,” but Mexico and did not address some Trump’s veto threat was at “because of the incredible gains 700,000 “Dreamer” immigrants odds with top members of his that we’ve been able to make for who are now protected from administration and House the military that overrode any of US President Donald Trump delivering speech during spending bill signing ceremony, in the Diplomatic deportation under a programme Speaker Paul Ryan, who had said our thinking.” Room of the White House, in Washington, DC, yesterday. that he has moved to eliminate. on Thursday that he was sup- Trump also warned Congress: But Trump praised the portive of the measure. “I will never sign another bill like group would “fully support” a wanted to avoid. included providing a temporary increases the bill provides for The White House also issued this again.” veto, adding that Congress should While Trump has repeatedly extension of the DACA pro- military spending and said he had a formal statement of adminis- The will-he, won’t he episode pass a short-term budget reso- criticised Democrats over DACA, gramme. White House budget “no choice but to fund our tration policy indicating Trump came hours after the Senate early lution while Trump and congres- he canceled the program last fall, officials have nonetheless tried military” would sign the bill. Several yesterday morning passed the sional leaders “negotiate a better ending the issuance of new DACA to spin the funding as a win. “My highest duty is to keep advisers inside and outside the $1.3 trillion spending package deal for the forgotten men and permits. A judge has forced the “We ended up asking for 74 America safe,” he said. White House said earlier yes- aimed at keeping the government women of America.” administration to continue miles worth of wall, we get 110. The bill signing came a few terday that they suspected the open past midnight. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn, issuing renewals. Not exactly what we wanted hours after Trump created last- tweet was just Trump blowing off Trump has been increasingly also egged Trump on. “Please do, The spending package where we wanted,” budget minute drama by saying in a steam. frustrated with media coverage Mr President,” he tweeted. “I am includes $1.6bn for Trump’s long- director Mick Mulvaney said tweet that he was “considering” Finally, in made-for-TV of the bill, spurred on by conserv- just down the street and will bring promised border wall with Thursday. “But generally a veto. scheduling, Trump took to twitter ative Republican lawmakers and you a pen. The spending levels Mexico. But less than half of the speaking, we think this is a really, With Congress already on again to announce he’d be other critics who had spent recent without any offsets are grotesque, nearly 153km of border con- really good immigration recess, and a government holding a news conference to talk days calling the president, throwing all of our children under struction that have been approved package.” shutdown looming, he said that about the bill. The drama was inciting him, and making their the bus. Totally irresponsible.” can be spent on new barriers. The The House easily approved young immigrants now protected short-lived: An aide said the cases loudly on cable news shows “Make my day, Mr President,” rest can only be used to repair the spending package on in the US under Barack Obama’s signing was on. And telegraphing Trump is known to watch. taunted Rep Kurt Schrader, existing segments. Thursday, 256-167, a bipartisan Delayed Action for Childhood the outcome, an internal tele- Rep Mark Meadows, R-NC, D-Ore. The money was far less than tally that underscored the popu- Arrivals “have been totally aban- vision feed advertised its next chairman of the House Freedom Senate passage of the bill the $25bn over 10 years Trump larity of the compromise, which doned by the Democrats (not program: “President Trump Par- Caucus and a friend of the pres- averted a third federal shutdown had asked for as part of a last- funds the government through even mentioned in Bill) and the ticipates in a Bill Signing.” ident, said in a tweet that the this year, an outcome both parties ditch deal that would have September.

Two dead in First Lady recognises 10 women Pennsylvania with global courage awards building collapse AP

AP WASHINGTON: Melania YORK: A section of a burned- Trump (pictured) is helping out former piano factory in recognise 10 women from Pennsylvania collapsed around the world for acts of yesterday a day after a fire, courage. killing two firefighters and The First Lady said the injuring two others who were women are heroes who have looking for hot spots and inves- made the world a better place. tigating the cause of the blaze. Her public appearance yes- Firefighters Ivan Flanscha terday followed CNN’s and Zachary Anthony died at broadcast of an interview with a local hospital, York Mayor a former model who said she Michael Helfrich said in a had an affair with President showing courage and leadership statement, calling it a “tragic Donald Trump in 2006. Melania in advocating for peace, justice, day in York’s history.” did not address the model’s human rights, gender equality The two other firefighters claim in her remarks. and women’s empowerment - injured in the Thursday col- The First Lady presented the often at personal risk. lapse, Assistant Chief Greg awards at a State Department The recipients are from Altland and firefighter Erik Peru’s vice-president Martin Vizcarra is sworn in as President at the Peruvian Congress building, ceremony. Afghanistan, Guatemala, Hon- Swanson, were in stable con- in Lima, yesterday. The Secretary of State’s duras, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, dition and being treated for International Women of Courage Kosovo, Mauritania, Rwanda injuries that are not life- Award recognises women for and Thailand. threatening, the mayor said. The four firefighters were Peru swears in new President looking for hot spots and the AP cause of a fire that broke out plotting to undermine his rule. A last-minute hitch yes- Maryland high school Wednesday when a large Vizcarra received something terday had threatened to delay section of the former Weaver LIMA: A little-known former of a hero’s welcome shortly after the transition of power. shooting victim died Organ and Piano factory governor was sworn in as Peru’s midnight yesterday when he Kuczynski said in a tweet building’s wall collapsed on president yesterday hours after arrived to Peru from Canada, that the proposed language of a AP them, York officials said. the congress voted to accept the where he had been serving as congressional resolution The former factory was resignation of President Pedro ambassador, amid one of the approving his resignation is being converted into resi- Pablo Kuczynski following a most politically turbulent “unacceptable,” and if law- MARYLAND: A teenage girl who was shot when a classmate opened dential units, and was corruption scandal. periods in Peru’s recent history. makers press forward with the fire inside their Maryland high school has died, authorities said expected to be completed by Martin Vizcarra took the Supporters welcomed him at wording he would reverse his yesterday. this summer in the city about oath of office shortly after 1pm the airport with a large cake in the decision to quit, forcing congress The St Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said Jaelynn Willey died 160km west of Philadelphia. and was given the presidential red and white colours of Peru’s to go forward with plans to try at 11:34pm on Thursday. Earlier that night, her family had said she The collapse trapped all sash by congressional president flag celebrating his 55th birthday and impeach him. would be taken off life support at the University of Maryland Prince four of the firefighters, who Luis Galarreta. on Thursday. A marching band In the end, the language was George’s Hospital Center. Melissa Willey said on Thursday night were rushed to an area hos- Earlier, congress voted was on hand and some people removed. But congress none- that her daughter was brain dead and had “no life left in her.” pital after being rescued. 105-12 to grant Kuczynski’s carried signs reading “Peru is with theless rebuked Kuczynski, The mother, holding a young baby, said, “On Tuesday ... our “This is the worst day in request to step down after just Vizcarra.” scolding him for a “political crisis lives changed completely and totally forever. My daughter was my career, this is the worst 20 months in power, but “With faith and optimism, that that is the result of wrongful hurt by a boy who shot her in the head and took everything from day for the York City Fire rejected his written arguments Peru will always move forward,” acts that the president himself our lives.” Department,” said York Fire that he was doing so as a result he said in brief remarks from his has committed,” according to the The teen was shot on Tuesday by 17-year-old Austin Rollins Chief David Michaels. of his opponents’ constant home. final text of the resolution. at Great Mills High School in St Mary’s County. Trump names former envoy as new National Security Adviser BLOOMBERG AmbJohnBolton will be my new coming weeks and as he faces a contributor and senior fellow at saying he would defer to the National Security Advisor,” key decision in May on whether the conservative-leaning president’s judgment. WASHINGTON: President Trump said in a tweet. “I am very to maintain the Iran nuclear deal. American Enterprise Institute. He “I’ve never been shy about Donald Trump is replacing White thankful for the service of Trump fired Secretary of State Rex has also been a frequent behind- what my views are,” Bolton said. House National Security Adviser General HR McMaster who has Tillerson on March 13, saying the the-scenes visitor to Trump in the But, he added, that “now is HR McMaster with John Bolton, done an outstanding job & will two had disagreed over Iran and Oval Office and had campaigned behind me, at least effective April (pictured) a former US Ambas- always remain my friend. There other matters of foreign policy. openly to replace McMaster in 9, and the important thing is what sador to the United Nations will be an official contact Bolton brings a far more recent weeks. the president says and what famed for his hawkish views, in handover on 4/9.” interventionist view into Trump’s Bolton downplayed the sig- advice I give him.” the latest shakeup of his admin- Trump is reshaping much of inner circle. He is best known for nificance of his past public state- Bolton’s appointment marks istration. his national security team ahead his ardent support of the 2003 ments in an interview with Fox another step to the right as Trump “I am pleased to announce of planned talks with North US invasion of Iraq and he has News shortly after the swaps out foreign policy that, effective 4/9/18, @ Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in the since served as a Fox News appointment was announced, moderate SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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For advertisements, call: 44557857 Pen.Mag Every Sunday - Thursday SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018 HOME 15 Marriott International Doha Malayalam journalist honoured DOHA: O Radhika, a Malayalam Madani inaugurated the event. teacher and organiser. Heavy journalist who wrote a series of Aboobaker Kaakkunnu was activities took a toll on the health hotels support Earth Hour news reports on children in a man of extensive reading and of Karakkunnu, who succumbed conflict with the law, was deep thoughts, he recalled. “We to lung cancer in February 2011, DOHA: Marriott International presented with Aboobaker Kara- were in the same batch in at the age of 46.” Madani said. Doha hotels, including Sheraton kkunnu Journalism Award. college. Ashraf Thoonery, the pres- Grand, Marriott Marquis, W In an event held in Skills Aboobaker Karakkunnu was ident of Aboobaker Karakkunnu Doha, The St Regis, The Westin, Development Centre, New a visionary leader, dreamer and Foundation, chaired the event. Doha Marriott, Sharq Village and Salata, Aljazeera Public Liberties a lifelong learner who estab- Kerala Union of Working The Ritz-Carlton will go dark for and Human Rights Centre lished and led various educa- Journalists president Kamal Var- one hour tonight to shine a light Director Sami Alhaj handed the tional, media, social ventures in adoor, KMCC Qatar secretary on climate action in support of plaque and prize money to the his short, but eventful life. Abdunnasar Nachi, OICC global Earth Hour 2018 by offering winner. Having graduated in Arabic lit- general-secretary KK various activities for guests and Sami Alhaj, a journalist erature and Islamic studies, Kar- Usman, Indian Islahi Centre associates alike, such as the himself and was falsely held for akkunnu, rose to become the general secretary Shameer Val- candlelight meditation guided six years in Guantanamo Bay editor of Shabab Weekly, a reli- iyaveettil, Indian Media Forum by yoga experts. detainment camp run by the gious yet current affairs mag- secretary Omanakkuttan and The World Wildlife Fund United States, reminisced his azine in Kerala, India. Jaffer Thayyil, Abdul Naseer (WWF) created the annual global critical role in taking on our student days in Pune in India. “I Later, he branched out his Panoor spoke. Aboobaker Kar- environmental awareness event world’s most pressing social and always tell my children mission to a wide spectrum of akkunnu Foundation general- 11 years ago to emphasise the environmental issues, including about those days. I lived there activities. He wrote columns, secretary Shahul Hameed wel- threat of climate change. Mar- climate change. Earth Hour like I lived in a family,” he said. authored books, ran a struggling comed the gathering, and riott International Doha hotels reflects a philosophy we aim to Qatar Indian Islahi Centre newspaper. All along, he has treasurer A Faseeh Ali expressed will join millions around the practice year-round through our President KN Sulaiman been an orphan-care worker, vote of thanks. world in turning off their lights sustainability and social impact from 8.30pm to 9.30pm to illu- platform, Serve 360.” minate a powerful message Last year, Earth Hour broke about environmental awareness records to cement itself as the and action. largest voluntary action for the All these hotels will partic- environment. ipate in Earth Hour by turning Iconic buildings and land- off exterior signage lighting, marks from Asia Pacific, Europe, dimming and turning off non- Africa and Americas were essential interior lighting and echoes Marriott International’s switched off, and people across using candlelight in appropriate global focus on the environment” the world turned off their lights public areas such as restaurants said John Louie, Chairman of and came together in celebration and clubs. Marriott International Business and contemplation of the one “It’s a privilege for us to Council in Doha. thing we all have in common, the support Earth Hour because it “Today, business plays a protection of our planet.

Division H Toastmasters holds annual speech contest DOHA: The annual speech contest of 17 participants in each category and 22 Chief Guest for the event, Rajeshwar Toastmasters clubs under Division H, competed for the be division Sundaresan DTM and Guest of honour, Qatar was held at Doha Marriott Hotel champion. the Past Regional Advisor, Sonny Var- recently. A total of 125 Toastmasters took The Division Speech Contest Cham- ghese DTM, several division dignitaries part in the event. pions are Rashed Al Nasa’a (Table topic and guests, graced the event. Division H Director TM Joseph and Evaluation), Chandrashekar Dhude As part of closing ceremonies, Stanley and Program Quality Director (Humorous) and Nufaisa MR (Interna- Division H Director Joseph Stanley con- TM Sunita Saini opened the session. tional). Champions will represent gratulated all the winners and appre- The speech contest was held over four Division H and Qatar at district level ciated the support and praiseworthy categories: Table Topics, International, speech contest to be held in Kuwait this contribution of each person involved in Evaluation and Humorous, with 8 May. this event.

CROSSWORD NOVO Pearl Qatar ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Pacific Rim: Uprising 10:30, 11:30am, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:30, 6:00, Sherlock Gnomes (2D/Animation) 2:15 & 5:45pm 7:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 11:00pm & 12:00midnight Tall Tales (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 4:00pm Sherlock Gnomes 3D 10:00am, 2:00 & 6:00pm 2D 12:00noon & Raid (2D/Hindi) 2:30pm Tomb Raider (Action) 4:45pm 4:00pm Red Sparrow (2D) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 12:45, 3:30, 6:00, Pacific Rim: Uprising (2D/Action) 3:30, 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm 6:15, 8:00, 9:00 11:00, 11:45pm & 12:00midnight Hichki (2D/Hindi) 5:30pm Red Sparrow (2D/Thriller) 7:00pm Tomb Raider (2D/Action) 10:30, 11:30am, 1:00, 2:00, 3:30, 4:30, 6:00, Midnight Sun (2D/Romantic) 7:45pm 7:00, 8:30, 9:30, 11:00pm & 12:00midnight The Forgiven (2D/Thriller) 9:30pm The Forgiven (2D) 10:30am, 2:40, 6:50 & 11:00pm Journey’s End (Drama) 9:30pm IRA (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm Midnight Sun (2D) 12:40, 4:50 & 9:00pm Johnny Franks Garrett’s Last Word (2D/Horror) 11:30pm Black Panther(2D) 10:00am, 3:00 & 8:00pm Bilghalat (2D) 12:40, 5:40 & 11:00pm ASIAN TOWN Pacific Rim: Uprising (3D IMAX) 11:00am, 1:30, 4:00, 6:30, 9:15 & 11:50pm Hichki (Hindi) 1:00, 6:00 & 11:00pm MALL MLA (Telugu) 12:15 & 5:15pm Raid (Hindi) 3:30 & 8:30pm IRA (Malayalam) 12:30, 1:30, 3:15, 4:15, 6:00, 7:00, 8:45, 9:45 & IRA (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 11:30pm Raid (Hindi) 2:30pm 11:30pm Captain (Malayalam) 2:45pm Tall Tales (2D/Animation) 2:15 & 4:30pm Aami (Malayalam) 8:00pm Sherlock Gnomes (2D/Animation) 4:00 & 6:00pm Tomb Raider (Action) 5:45 & 9:30pm AL KHOR Pacific Rim: Uprising (2D/Action) 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm Journey’s End (Drama) 5:00pm Hichki (2D/Hindi) 7:45pm Pacific Rim (Action) 11:00am, 1:30, 6:30 & 11:30pm Red Sparrow (2D/Thriller) 7:00 & 11:45pm Sherlock Gnome (Animation) 11:00am, 3:00 & 7:00pm The Strangers: Prey At Night (Horror) 10:00pm Hichki (Hindi) 10:40am & 4:00pm MLA (Telugu) 9:15pm Gnome Alone Animation) 1:00 & 5:00pm Tomb Raider 4:00 & 9:00pm LANDMARK Red Sparrow 1:15 & 6:30pm Sherlock Gnomes (2D/Animation) 2:15, 5:30 & 7:15pm IRA (Malayalam) 9:00 & 11:45pm Tall Tales (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:00pm Hichki (2D/Hindi) 3:00 & 11:30pm Raid (Hindi) 4:00pm ROXY Tomb Raider (Action) 5:00pm IRA (2D/Malayalam) 6:30 & 11:00pm Sherlock Gnome 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30pm Pacific Rim: Uprising (2D/Action) 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00pm Pacific Rim (Action) 10:30am, 12:50, 6:00, 8:20 &10:40pm The Strangers: Prey At Night (Horror) 9:00pm 10:30am, 3:50, 6:20 & 8:50pm Red Sparrow (2D/Thriller) 9:00pm Tomb Raider (Action) IRA (Malayalam) 10:30am, 1:20, 4:10, 7:00, 9:50pm & 12:30am 6:30, 9:20pm & 12:10am Yestserday’s answer FLIK Mirqab Hichki (Hindi) Red Sparrow (Action) 1:00, 3:00 & 11:20pm Black Panther 4:00pm Gnome Alone (Animation) 3:25pm Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Hichki (Hindi) 1:30, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15 & 11:50pm Midnight Sun 9:25 & 11:20pm PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING Pacific Rim: Uprising 1:40, 3:00, 5:20, 7:40, 8:25, 10:00pm & 00:20am 3D 2:00, 4:20, 6:40, 9:00 & 11:20pm Red Sparrow 4:00, 7:20 & 10:50pm Sherlock Gnomes 1:50, 2:20, 5:15 & 6:20pm Tall Tales 1:30 & 4:25pm The Strangers Prey At Night 9:40, 11:30pm & 12:25am Tomb Raider 2:40, 4:00, 6:20, 8:40, 10:05 & 11:00pm

Rising up to become the most powerful defense force to ever walk the earth, they will set course for a spectacular all-new adventure on a towering scale. Pacific Rim Uprising is directed by Steven S. DeKnight . 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS Aspire Lake Festival opens FAJR 04. 18 AM SHOROOK 05. 34 AM

ZUHR 11. 40 AM MAGHRIB 05. 49 PM ASR 03. 07 PM ISHA 07. 19 PM

WEATHER TODAY

Snaps from the o o opening of the 21 C 30 C Second Aspire Minimum Maximum Lake Festival at Aspire Park, Misty to foggy at places by early morning yesterday. becomes relatively hot daytime and some clouds.

HIGH TIDE 08:45– 23:15 LOW TIDE 04:45 – 15:15 PICTURES: KAMMUTTY V P / Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department THE PENINSULA

Nature’s alarming decline threatens food, water REUTERS Almost two-thirds of those natural contribu- exploitable fish stocks in the Asia-Pacific region by tions were in decline in the Americas, it said. Robert mid-century. Around the world, ever more animals OSLO: Human activities are causing an alarming Watson, chair of the Intergovernmental Science- and plants were under threat from human activities, decline in the variety of plant and animal life on Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem ranging from elephants in Africa to rare mosses and Earth and jeopardising food, clean water and energy Services (IPBES), said biodiversity was not only about snails in Europe, the study said. supplies, a UN-backed study of biodiversity said. saving rare butterflies, trees, birds or rhinos. “By 2100, climate change could... result in the Climate change will become a steadily bigger While that was important, he told Reuters a key loss of more than half of African bird and mammal threat to biodiversity by 2050, adding to damage message was: “Please stop thinking of biodiversity species,” said Emma Archer of South Africa, the co- from pollution and forest clearance to make way for just as an environmental issue. It’s way more chair of the African assessment. agriculture, according to more than 550 experts in important than that”. Among other economic esti- Rising human populations in many developing a set of reports approved by 129 governments. mates, the Africa report said the absorption of green- nations would require new policies, both to protect “Biodiversity, the essential variety of life-forms house gases by a hectare (2.5 acres) of forest in nature and to meet U.N. goals of eradicating poverty on earth, continues to decline in every region of the Central Africa was worth $14,000 a year. Unless and hunger by 2030. world,” the authors wrote after talks in Colombia. governments take strong action to limit greenhouse In Europe and Central Asia, wetlands have “This alarming trend endangers the quality of life of gas emissions, “climate change may be the biggest declined by half since 1970, threatening many people everywhere.” threat to biodiversity” by mid-century, Watson said. species. Amid the gloom, there were some bright Four regional reports covered the Americas, Asia He said U.S. delegates had not challenged spots. Forest cover had risen by 22.9 percent in China and the Pacific, Africa, Europe and Central Asia - all findings about man-made climate change, although and other nations in northeast Asia between 1990 areas of the planet except the poles and the high US President Donald Trump doubts mainstream sci- and 2015. Parks and other protected areas were seas. For the Americas, the report estimated that entific opinion and plans to pull out of the 2015 Paris expanding in many regions, including the Americas the value of nature to people - such as crops, wood, climate agreement. and Asia-Pacific. And populations of animals such water purification or tourism - was at least $24.3 For pollution, eight of 10 rivers around the world as the Iberian lynx, Amur tiger and far eastern trillion a year, equivalent to the region’s gross with most plastic waste were in Asia. On current leopard were coming back from the brink of domestic product from Alaska to Argentina. trends, overfishing meant there could be no extinction thanks to conservation. Selfies banned on red carpet at Cannes film festival

AFP and so the entire festival,” he between morning press added. screenings and evening pre- PARIS: The head of the Cannes Hollywood stars have also mieres. Critics get more time film festival said yesterday he been known to take selfies of to write more considered was banning selfies on the red themselves on the Cannes red reviews, and the films don’t get carpet, claiming they caused carpet. their buzz stomped on. Eve- “unwanted disorder” before Fremaux also raised the rybody wins. Why can’t Cannes premieres. hackles of some film critics with do this?” Thierry Fremaux tried once major changes to the timings of Cannes has always been before to ban the “ridiculous and press screenings, which were notorious for the reaction of the grotesque” practice at the traditionally held before the gala critics, with some booing films, Sunset view world’s most prestigious film red carpet premieres in the which can damage their pros- Indians take an evening boat ride during sunset at the Sangam, the confluence of the Yamuna and festival in 2015, before backing evenings. pects long before they are Ganges river, in Allahabad in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. down. But critics will now have released. Instead, he pleaded with to wait for the next morning Lodge said the change film goers, who are usually to see half of the films in the would ultimately lead to publi- dressed to the nines in main competition, while cists showing films to select tuxedos and evening gowns, others will be shown at the critics ahead of time -- “not to contain themselves as same time. quite the great leveller that Prince Charles lavish spender, says book much as they could. But this The Guardian’s critic Peter Fremaux has in mind”. time there would be no Bradshaw led the revolt against The festival’s director had IANS “trembled” at the sight of an magnate Mohamed Fayed, reprieve, he said. the move, tweeting, “Whoa! earlier hinted to Screen mag- unknown plastic substance cov- claimed that the Prince “Selfies will be banned for Why not just have an embargo? azine that a major change was LONDON: An unauthorised new ering his dinner, only to be told brought his own mattress, spectators on the red carpet,” Is it that hard to enforce? in the offing. biography of Prince Charles “It’s cling film, darling”, by his toilet seat, Kleenex Velvet Fremaux told the Film Francais “I can’t help thinking “Don’t you think that it says his lavish spending wife Camilla, the Guardian toilet paper and two “land- magazine. But it was unclear Cannes is saving up grief for could be better to have the press reveals a monarch utterly reported. scapes of the Scottish High- whether the ban will also apply itself with this!” screening and the gala screening divorced from the life of On another occasion, lands” when visiting a friend to the cast and crew of the films Variety’s Guy Lodge warned in the same day, in the same ordinary people, a media Bower, who has previously in north-east England. being shown. that some critics would inevi- moment, in the same hour, in report said yesterday. written unauthorised biogra- The biography also alleged “The triviality and tably be shut out of the evening order for the film team to arrive According to Tom Bower’s phies of former British Prime that Charles took a trip on the slowdown caused by the screening. in total innocence, to make both “Rebel Prince”, published on Minister Tony Blair, Virgin royal train from Highgrove to unwanted disorder created by He said that the rival the gala screening and the press Thursday by William Collins, Group CEO Richard Branson Penrith to visit a pub, a journey the practice of selfies harms the Berlin film festival “success- screening two big world Charles once “shrieked” and and Egyptian business that cost £18,916. quality of the climb up the steps, fully enforces an embargo events?” he said.