SPORT | Page 1 BUSINESS | Page 1 Qatar holds $12bn insurance premium INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-8, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 Feuding Rossi and REGION 9, 10 BUSINESS 1–9, 15-20 potential, Marquez fi red up 17,228.93 10,317.65 37.25 ARAB WORLD 10, 11 CLASSIFIED 10–14 +15.62 -10.19 -1.25 INTERNATIONAL 12–25 SPORTS 1–12 for new season says al-Emadi +0.09% -0.10% -3.25% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10028 March 15, 2016 Jumada II 6, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Enhanced health centre

In brief Umm Al Houl

REGION | Politics SEZ project Expulsion over Hezbollah links Bahraini authorities have deported several Lebanese residents for alleged links to and support of Lebanon’s Hezbollah organisation, enters key phase the interior ministry said on its off icial Twitter account. The HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Located near the Hamad Port south ministry did not give details as to al-Thani yesterday inaugurated the enhanced Bone and Joint Centre, a branch of Al Wakrah City, the Umm Al how many have been deported or of the Hamad General Hospital, at the Old Salata area. The Prime Minister later Houl Special Economic Zone will when they were forced to leave the toured the centre where he was briefed about the expanded facilities and new be dedicated for supporting light country. On Friday, the Arab League services. The centre includes expanded radiology facilities, fracture clinics and a industries declared Hezbollah to be a terrorist dedicated bone and joint elective clinic. Page 2 organisation. It also called on Iran to “immediately stop” its “interference” he “fl ooding of the port basin” at the aff airs of Arab countries. Page 10 the Umm Al Houl Special Eco- Tnomic Zone (SEZ) at the New EUROPE | Science Port Project in Mesaieed has set a mile- Putin orders withdrawal stone as it facilitates maritime industry Joint mission activities at the zone. bound for Mars The high-profi le event at Mesaieed A joint European-Russian mission of Russian forces from Syria yesterday was attended among other aiming to search for traces of life dignitaries by HE the Minister of Trans- on Mars left Earth’s orbit bound AFP tomorrow start the withdrawal of the port and Communications Jassim Seif for the Red Planet yesterday, the Moscow main part of our military contingents Ahmed al-Sulaiti and HE the Minister of HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, right, European Space Agency (ESA) from the Syrian Arab Republic,” Putin Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed and HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin said. A Proton rocket carrying the told Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani. Mohamed al-Thani, centre, witnessed the “flooding of the port basin” at the Umm Al Trace Gas Orbiter to examine Mars’s ussian President Vladimir Pu- televised comments. The Port Basin at the Umm Al Houl Houl Special Economic Zone at the New Port Project in Mesaieed. atmosphere and a descent module tin yesterday ordered the start The Kremlin announced that Putin Special Economic Zone has been estab- that will conduct a test landing on Rof the withdrawal of Moscow’s had called Assad to inform Moscow’s lished to the north of the Hamad Port as ster Middle East Company started Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the its surface had earlier launched forces from Syria in a shock move, as long-standing ally of the shock move part of the Economic Zones Company working on the project in the third close follow-up of HE the Premier and from the Russian-operated Baikonur fresh peace talks began in Geneva. that appears to end the main part of its (Manateq). quarter of 2013 at a cost of QR1.3bn. Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah cosmodrome in the Kazakh steppe. But hopes for a breakthrough at the controversial bombing campaign that The Umm Al Houl Special Economic “The fl ooding of the canal of the bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani are the talks remained remote with both sides began in September. Zone will be providing additional ma- Umm Al Houl Special Economic Zone main reasons for delivering this project WORLD | Health locked in a bitter dispute over the fu- “The leaders noted that the ac- rine facilities to the Hamad Port. is one very important stage on the ahead of schedule, at a cost below the ture of Syrian President Bashar al-As- tions of the Russian air force allowed The basin of that economic zone is project, which will contribute to facili- initial estimations,” al-Sulaiti added. Taking aspirin could sad, on the eve of the fi fth anniversary to radically change the situation in 1.6km long, 500m wide and 10m deep, tating maritime industry activities at The minister stressed that economic protect against cancer of the brutal confl ict. the fi ght against terrorism, to dis- in addition to a 150m-wide entrance that zone,” said HE al-Sulaiti, also the zone projects would contribute to ush- A study has determined that taking “The task that was set before our organise the fi ghters’ infrastructure canal. The quay of the basin is around chairman of the Hamad Port Project ering in new levels of economic diversi- two aspirin a week can lower the risk defence ministry and armed forces and infl ict signifi cant damage on 4,000m long. Steering Committee. fi cation and boosting the growth of the of developing cancer and prevent has as a whole been completed and so them,” the Kremlin said in a state- Hyundai Engineering and Construc- “The wise leadership and compre- private sector and small and medium up to 10,000 cases each year. I order the defence ministry to from ment. Page 11 tion Company and Boskalis Westmin- hensive vision of HH the Emir Sheikh enterprises (SMEs). To Page 28 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 QATAR PM meets chief of Italy’s police PM inaugurates new healthcare facilities

QNA Doha

E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh HAbdullah bin Nasser bin HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Khalifa al-Thani inaugurated holding talks with the Commander General of Italy’s Police (Carabinieri) Tullio Del Sette in Doha the new enhanced facility of the yesterday. They reviewed aspects of co-operation between Qatar and Italy and means to promote Bone and Joint Centre, a branch them, especially in the security areas. of Hamad General Hospital, at the Old Salata area yesterday and the Enaya Continuing Care Cen- tre in Muaither. The Prime Minister toured the In brief upgraded Bone and Joint Centre where he was briefed about the Temporary diversion expansion, which included the addition of 4,500 sqm of fl oor- space, along with the develop- in Al Rayyan area ment of the centre’s facilities Emir condoles and new services. The enhanced facility pro- with Turkish he Public Works Authority in order to enable work on the Al vides a huge increase in terms president (Ashghal) has announced Rayyan sewage network, the au- of capacity and effi ciency in Tthat it will implement a thority said in a press statement. the diagnosis and treatment HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin temporary traffi c diversion on Traffi c will be diverted to a of patients. It also regulates Hamad al-Thani held a telephone Al Shafi Street in the Al Rayyan parallel street during this period, the services in appropriate conversation with Turkish area. as shown on the attached map. and comfortable way through HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, The diversion will cover a Ashghal will install road signs the provision of 19 new treat- Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari are briefed on the services provided by the new during which he expressed his part of Al Shafi Street, stretch- to advise motorists of the diver- ment rooms, pain management facilities. condolences and sympathy to the ing from Al Jassasiya Street to Al sion and has requested all road and anesthesia, and rooms victims of the Sunday’s bombing Rayyan Street. users to abide by speed limits for physiotherapy, as well as a in Ankara in which dozens killed It will be implemented from and follow road signs to ensure multi-purpose room for private and injured. tomorrow and last for six months theirs and others’ safety. clinical observation and mass The Emir also expressed his incidents injuries. strong denunciation of the The centre has a dedicated heinous criminal act which aimed team of nurses and healthcare to destabilise the security and professionals and specialises in stability and to terrorise innocent delivering outpatient services people. for fractures, paediatric ortho- The Emir asserted the State of paedic, spine, foot and ankle in- Qatar’s support to Turkey and its juries, anthroplasty (surgery of people in confronting violence the joint) and sports medicine. and terrorism in all its forms and The centre will include ex- manifestations. panded radiology facilities, male and female fracture clinics and a Qatar condemns dedicated bone and joint elective clinic. Ivory Coast attack The Enaya Continuing Care Centre in Muaither aims to pro- The State of Qatar has expressed vide psychosocial healthcare its strong condemnation and outside the scope of hospitals. denunciation of the attack that The Premier toured the new targeted a tourist resort in Ivory centre and was briefed about its Coast, killing and wounding a facilities and services which in- number of people. clude healthcare and psychoso- A statement released on Sunday cial support for children, adults by the Foreign Ministry Aff airs and the elderly. stressed Qatar’s condemnation Enaya is an important devel- to such criminal acts that aimed opment for psychological health at destabilising the security and services provided by the State of stability, terrorising innocent Qatar, providing mental health- victims and tourists, and leading Malaysian education minister arrives care for children and teenagers, to bloodshed and loss of life. and a daycare programme for chological healthcare for adults service is also provided for the Minister was accompanied by The statement reiterated Qatar’s Malaysian Minister of Education Mahdzir Khalid and the accompanying women who are above 18 years in their homes, where a special elderly who need psychological HE the Minister of Public Health firm position which rejects delegation arrived yesterday in Doha for a two-day visit to Qatar. The and suff er long-term psycho- team follows up patients with support and continuing medical Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari violence and terrorism in all Malaysian minister was welcomed by HE the Minister of Education and logical problems. psychological problems and pro- treatment in their residence. and senior offi cials at Hamad its forms and manifestations, Higher Education Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hamadi. The centre also off ers psy- vides support for them. A similar The Premier and Interior Medical Corporation. whatever its motives and justifications, stressing the need for joint eff orts to eradicate this phenomenon. The Ministry extended its Thundershowers, condolences to states and families of the victims killed QU symposium addresses role of strong winds by this heinous crime, wishing speedy recovery for the forecast for today wounded. Eritrean president collaboration in advancing innovation hundershowers are ex- due in Doha today pected in some parts of Tthe country today along he Qatar University Cen- ous disciplines as well as identify the welcome remarks at the chnology in erosion protection”, Professor al-Maadeed said, with strong winds, the Qatar President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki tre for Advanced Mate- and address prospects for future opening ceremony. “Aluminium & non-hydrocar- “One of the primary research Met department has said. will arrive in Doha today on a visit Trials (QU-CAM) held its interdisciplinary collaborations. The keynote speaker, Qapco bon industries - an educational aims of Qatar University is to Off shore areas, too, are likely to Qatar. seventh Materials Science and Attendees included QU Qapco chief operations offi cer Yousuf experience in Qatar”, “Direct expand the relevance of research to see thunderstorms and strong HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Engineering Symposium re- polymer chair Professor Igor Rebeeh, presented on “Academia methanol fuel cell: a sustainable it carries out and eff ectively winds, along with high seas, ac- Hamad al-Thani and the Eritrean cently. Krupa and QU Qatar Fuel Ad- and Industry: Fostering Innova- green energy technology”, “Im- employ it to overcome local cording to the weather report. president will discuss today The event was organised in ditives Company Limited chair tion through Collaboration”. pacting Qatar for a sustainable challenges, which necessitates The Met department had on aspects of enhancing bilateral co- conjunction with Texas A&M Prof Syed Zaidi, University of The programme agenda com- energy future: building stronger industry-academia collabora- Sunday forecast that unstable operation and means of boosting University at Qatar (Tamuq) and Cambridge head of Electric Car- prised a panel discussion on “Key connections between indus- tion.” weather was expected to aff ect relations between Qatar and sponsored by Qatar Petrochemi- bon Nanomaterials Group Dr to successful industry-academia try and academia”, “Structural Dr Masad noted, “The part- Qatar until tonight, with chanc- Eritrea. cal Company (Qapco). Krzysztof Koziol, Tamuq regents partnerships” and eight sessions health monitoring: selected case nership between Texas A&M es of rain that might become Held under the theme Professor Dallas Little, Qapco presented by experts from CAM, studies” and more. University at Qatar and Qatar thundery over some areas. Advisory Council “Academia and Industry: Fos- learning and development man- Tamuq, Cambridge University, The event also included pres- University continues to grow Scattered rain was reported tering Innovation through Col- ager Abdulla Naji as well as QU Qatalum, Qatar Shell Research entations by two QU materials stronger and more strategic. We from some parts of the country holds meeting laboration”, the symposium and Tamuq faculty, students and and Technology Centre and Qa- science and technology Masters are highly appreciative of the yesterday. Today, Dukhan, Abu brought together more than 100 staff . tar Environment & Energy Re- students, Abdullah Holozadeh support from Qapco that made Samra and Messaied are among The Advisory Council held its researchers, academics and in- QU V-P for research and grad- search Institute. and Sara Ahmad. They gave an it possible to continue to organ- the places where rain is expect- weekly meeting yesterday under dustrial experts. It aimed to pro- uate studies Professor Mariam Topics included “Innovative overview of their working expe- ise the materials symposium and ed. the chairmanship of its Speaker mote dialogue and exchange of al-Maadeed and Tamuq vice- method of polymer stabilisa- rience with the industry as part develop partnerships with the The forecast for both inshore HE Mohamed bin Mubarak al- ideas among experts from vari- dean Dr Eyad Masad delivered tion of soils”, “Role of nanote- of their MSc thesis. industry.” and off shore areas says partly Khulaifi. cloudy to cloudy conditions are The Council discussed the report likely today, along with scattered of the Services and Public Utilities rain that may be accompanied Committee, a draft law on marine by thunder at times. The wind facilities and decided to submit speed may go up to 25 knots dur- its recommendations thereon to ing the thunderstorm, with the the Council of Ministers. sea level rising to 7ft. Meanwhile, the Advisory The minimum and maximum Council’s Financial and Economic temperatures today are expected Aff airs Committee held a to be 19C and 28C, respectively, meeting yesterday chaired by with the forecast for Doha being its rapporteur Mohamed Ajaj 23C and 28C. al-Kubaisi. The Committee discussed a general request presented by Public security chief a members on commercial practices and sale through meets GCC off icials websites in Qatar in the presence HE the Director General of Public of Reem al-Mansoori, Assistant Security Major General Saad bin Undersecretary of Digital Society Jassim al-Khulaifi met the heads at Ministry of Transport and of GCC delegates participating in Communications, where she 32nd GCC Traff ic Week yesterday. explained the Ministry’s views He welcomed the heads of GCC on the request and responded delegations and thanked them to inquiries from committee for their participation in the members. Participants of the symposium. Dr Eyad Masad Interior Ministry’s celebrations. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 3 QATAR

Qatar-Thailand ties reviewed SJC, Transport Ministry sign MoU

QNA Doha

upreme Judiciary Council (SJC) and Government Con- Stact Centre of the Ministry of Transport and Communication yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on providing communication services to the SJC. The MoU, which comes in the framework of the development of council services, was signed by the Director of Administrative and Fi- nancial Aff airs department in SJC Abdulaziz al-Sheikh and Assistant Undersecretary for Government IT Programmes in the Ministry of Transport and Communication Hassan al-Sayed. The Government Contact Centre Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister for Security Aff airs and Minister of Defence Prawit Wongsuwan in the Ministry of Transport and meeting Qatar’s ambassador Jaber bin Ali al-Dosari in Bangkok yesterday. They reviewed bilateral Communication off ers more than relations and ways of enhancing them. 40 services to over 23 government entities in Arabic and English. SJC and Transport Ministry off icials shake hands after signing the MoU.

Minister calls for steps to address Qatar attends Number of vehicles registered Arab transport challenges facing Arab towns meet in Cairo in January fell 15%: Ministry

QNA mous challenges that should be country in all fi elds, particularly Doha addressed through more eff orts, in planning cities and munici- QNA he number of vehi- In terms of plot transac- ary, up 8.3% year-on-year. In co-operation and co-ordination palities, services and in improv- Cairo cles registered in Qa- tion, the number of such deals January last year, Qatar’s pop- to overcome such obstacles and ing their infrastructure, under Ttar in January fell 15% transacted stood at 101 in Jan- ulation stood at 2.23mn. rab towns face enormous crises imposed by current cir- the vision of HH the Emir Sheikh month-on-month to 8,767, uary, down 50.7% month-on- The number of births reg- challenges that require cumstances in the Arab region Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. he technical committee the Ministry of Development month, MDPS said. istered in Qatar in January Amore eff orts, more co- and the world in general. This development, which fo- assigned to oversee the Planning & Statistics has said “This had a direct impact was 2,030 while the number operation and co-ordination to HE the Minister of Municipal- cused on social, economic, envi- TArab transit agreement in a report. on the total number of prop- of deaths was 209 during the address and overcome them, said ity and Environment said that the ronmental and human aspects, is “Transit”, began a meeting in In December last year, the erties sold during January,” same month. HE the Minister of Municipality celebrations highlighted contin- one of the goals and pillars of the Cairo yesterday at the head- number of vehicles regis- the ministry said. At the Hamad International and Environment Mohamed bin ued signifi cance attached by this Qatar National Vision 2030 which quarters of the Arab League tered in Qatar stood at 10,317, The value of properties sold Airport, the number of “arriving Abdullah al-Rumaihi. leading organisation to the cause was launched to serve as a clear General-Secretariat under the MDPS said in its latest ‘Qatar amounted to QR3.98bn in Jan- passengers” in January stood at In a speech on the occa- of sustainable development in roadmap for the future of Qatar to chairmanship of Director of Monthly Statistics’ bulletin. uary compared with QR3.61bn 1.56mn, up 7.7% month-on- sion of the celebrations of the order to achieve prosperity and achieve sustainable development the Arab Co-operation Unit at In terms of traffi c violations, in December. month. This includes transit Arab City Day, which is marked serve their citizens away from for its citizens and residents, HE Saudi Customs Eid Mqubil al- the report showed that these passengers as well. The number on March 15 each year, HE al- disputes and confl icts and in a se- al-Rumaihi said, adding that the Otaibi. have fallen 8.5% month-on- “This had a direct impact of visitors to Qatar in January Rumaihi, who is also Supreme cure and stable environment. Ministry is working to contribute Qatar’s delegation to the month to 130,548 in January. on the total number of totalled 169,311, MDPS said. Chairman of the ‘Arab Towns In this context he pointed to to this development. meeting is headed by Rashid MDPS said the number properties sold during Total broad money supply Organisation Award’, said this the attention given by Qatar to The Minister also appreciated al-Nabit, director of the Land of properties sold in Qatar January” (M2) recorded about QR505bn year celebrations are held at a sustainable development, and the important role played by the Transport Development of the stood at 283 in January, which in January, which shows a time when the Arab towns are underscored the comprehensive organisation to serve all Arab so- Ministry of Transport and Com- was 23.3% down month-on- Qatar’s population, MDPS monthly decrease of 3.2%, the facing more dangers and enor- renaissance witnessed by the cieties. munications. month. said reached 2.42mn in Janu- bulletin showed. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 QATAR MEC scouts for national cadres at QU career fair

he Ministry of Econ- omy and Commerce T(MEC) is participat- ing in the 10th edition of the Qatar University (QU) Career Fair with the aim of familiarising students with employment opportunities and the needs of the labour market. The fair began yester- day and will continue until March 17. The MEC’s participa- tion in the career fair, for the third consecutive year, comes within the frame- work of its eff orts to at- tract national cadres and retain them in positions in line with the needs and vacancies at the ministry as well as build bridges of co-operation with various educational institutions Ministry of Economy and Commerce off icials at the QU Career Fair. across Qatar, according to a statement. scholarship opportunities, competencies that will allow vacancies at the ministry. The ministry will to students, who will also be them to eff ectively join the The QU Career Fair intro- present its plans and pro- informed about the services labour market,” the state- duces students to a number grammes in order to attract provided by the MEC and its ment noted. of diverse opportunities in Qatari cadres and encour- main responsibilities. During its participation in diff erent fi elds, including age them to apply to vari- “Through its participation the previous edition of QU’s academic follow-up, sum- ous job opportunities in in the career fair, the ministry Career Fair, the ministry of- mer training programmes the areas of business man- aims to further enhance co- fered 14 internship opportu- and jobs vacancies in gov- agement, translation, ac- operation with Qatar Univer- nities in the fi elds of business ernment and private agen- counting, public relations, sity, building on a previously management, economics cies. The career fair also economics and interna- held training programme and international aff airs by seeks to familiarise students tional relations. that provided students with providing practical training with disciplines and em- It will also off er training practical and technical skills, opportunities at the MEC in ployment opportunities of- opportunities, in addition with the aim of equipping addition to hiring a number fered by exhibitors and the to internal and external them with essential tools and of graduates according to job needs of the labour market.

Six Nigerians face charge of forging bank statements A Doha Criminal Court has against the six accusing them the others collaborated with He told the court that the bank been reviewing the case of of submitting counterfeited them to produce similar was not harmed in any way or six Nigerian men accused of bank statements with their statements with big sums. sustained any loss consequent counterfeiting bank statements visa applications. The bank off icial concerned to this. of a local bank to get visas of a Investigation revealed that testified that only two Further, the forensic European country. two of the defendants used defendants submitted requests labs report on the case Local Arabic daily Arrayah the original bank statements for bank statements and upon aff irmed that the submitted reported yesterday that the of a local bank and modified reviewing the counterfeited bank statements were embassy of the European them, using counterfeited certificates, he said that they counterfeited. The case is still country filed a complaint signatures and stamps while could be easily detected. being reviewed by the court. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5 QATAR WISH presents research fi ndings on patient safety he World Innovation ent governments, including Rt Summit for Health Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state T(WISH), a global ini- for health in the UK; Hermann tiative of Qatar Foundation for Gröhe, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Com- Health, Germany; Khalid A al- munity Development (QF), pre- Falih, Minister of Health, Saudi sented early findings of research Arabia; Dr Ahmad bin Moham- produced by its Leading Health ed bin Obaid al-Saidi, Minister Systems Network (LHSN) at the of Health, Oman; Alain Berset, inaugural Patient Safety Glo- Minister with the Department bal Action Summit 2016 held in of Home Affairs, Switzerland; London last week. Dr George Pamboridis, Min- The findings identified gaps ister of Health, Cyprus; Chee in patient safety in primary Hong Tat, Minister of state for A Qatargas employee donates blood at the company’s Doha head off ice. care, mental health, and com- Health, Singapore, and Dr Mar- munity healthcare. LHSN will garet Chan, director-general of present its complete report at World Health Organisation. WISH’s upcoming summit on Didi Thompson, policy fellow November 29 and 30 in Doha. at Imperial College’s Centre for The summit, co-hosted by Health Policy and WISH Forum Qatargas organises the United Kingdom and Ger- Fellow, presented the LHSN’s many, brought together high- findings. Her research high- level government ministers, lighted the preliminary recom- policymakers and healthcare mendations from the Network’s blood donation drives experts from more than 15 work on patient safety informa- countries around the world to tion, drawing from case studies discuss how to improve patient Egbert Schillings, CEO of WISH, speaks at the summit on patient safety in eight countries across four atargas employees and sisted by Qatargas medical cen- at the blood bank, Qatargas be- safety. recently held in London. continents, underscoring the contractors recently tre personnel. lieves that such campaigns also Established in 2009, LHSN global scope of the team’s work. Qparticipated in two As part of its corporate so- help disseminate a culture of has worked with 25 health sys- ter Pronovost, director of The ready shown there are big gaps WISH’s research in the area blood donation campaigns cial responsibility initiatives, voluntary blood donation in the tems in more than a dozen Armstrong Institute for Patient in identifying the right indica- has facilitated a global con- organised by the company’s Qatargas has been organis- society, the statement said. countries to help overcome the Safety and Quality at Johns tors that measure error in pri- versation around the search medical department, in co- ing blood donation campaigns Qatargas has also been sup- challenges faced in providing Hopkins. The Network has used mary care, mental health, and for solutions. Egbert Schill- operation with Hamad Medical on its premises over the past porting, as a platinum spon- high-value care to the popu- that research as a springboard community services. This is ings, CEO of WISH, spoke as Corporation (HMC), at the Qa- 15 years in co-operation with sor, the World Blood Donor lations that they serve. LHSN to launch further studies on an area that needs to be looked part of an expert panel on the targas Doha head offi ce and Ras HMC, the company said in a Day celebration organised by is based at Imperial College in how different health systems at. We’ve also identified varia- topic ‘Learning from other in- Laff an headquarters. statement. Hundreds of Qa- HMC over the past three years. London and has partnered with around the world protect pa- tions where the data is collected dustries and countries to im- A fully equipped mobile targas employees and contrac- HMC has felicitated Qatargas WISH to improve healthcare tient safety by reducing medical in the acute section, between prove patient safety’. Copies of blood donation unit arrived tors have donated blood during in recognition of the company’s policy around the world. error. different countries. So we’ve WISH’s reports on Anti-Mi- from the HMC along with a these campaigns. initiative in organising blood In 2013, WISH led a major “This is a taster - a starter, identified big gaps, and a huge crobial Resistance and Patient team of medical professionals. The company organises four donation drives every year and initiative on the critical issue if you’d like,” said WISH ex- amount of error.” Safety were distributed to all It was parked on the Qatargas blood donation drives each year, in appreciation of its support of patient safety, with a re- ecutive chair Prof the Lord Ara The summit brought together of the delegates at the confer- premises to help facilitate the two each in Doha and Ras Laff an. to the World Blood Donor Day search forum chaired by Dr Pe- Darzi of Denham. “We’ve al- ministers from seven differ- ence. drive. The HMC team was as- In addition to boosting supplies celebration. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 QATAR

Mercedes recalls S Class models

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, has announced the recall of Mer- cedes-Benz S Class and S Coupe 2015 models to update software for the telematics services communications module control unit. The ministry will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers HBKU unveils speakers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. for translation conference he Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- versity’s College of Hu- Tmanities and Social Sci- ences will hold its seventh Annual International Translation Confer- ence on March 28-29 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The college has also released the names of the prominent speakers for the conference. The conference aims to create a Gulf-based platform for discuss- ing issues related to translation. Details have been released out- lining the workshops, panels, seminars, and keynote addresses for the conference. The conference this year features a series of talks off ered by elite experts. Dima Khatib, a journalist, writ- er and translator and currently the managing director of AJ+, Al Jazeera’s multi-lingual online digital channel, will present a talk titled ‘Challenges in the Digital World’. Dima has been classifi ed among the most infl uential Arab women on social media since 2011. Another speech, titled ‘Giv- ing Voice to Arab Events: Com- munication, Politics and Relative Truths’, will be delivered by Shiekh Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi, a United Arab Emirates-based columnist whose articles have appeared in the Financial Times, Independent, Guardian, Huffi ngton Post, and The New York Times. Dr Aline Remael, who is the chair of department, head of research, A session from the last year’s Translation Conference. and professor of translation the- ory, interpreting and audiovisual lation Studies.’ His presentation ation be more objective and more tending from Egypt, Spain, the is yet more proof that the fi eld of translation at the University of contributes to thinking, from a effi cient. United Kingdom, Portugal, China, translation is interdisciplinary by Antwerp, will off er a keynote ad- translation point of view, about a Additionally, three workshops Iran, Turkey, Belgium, Switzer- nature. dress titled ‘Audiovisual Transla- series of dichotomies. held at the conference will focus land, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Alge- The conference brings under tion as a Tool for Empowerment.’ Conference attendees will ben- on professional translation, revi- ria, Canada and the United States. one roof Arab and international The conference will also feature efi t from a variety of seminar sion and quality assurance, and the Dr Amal al-Malki, dean of the scholars, opinion writers, media Dr Henri Awaiss, dean of the Fac- choices, including “TranslationQ teaching of writing in Arabic. College of Humanities and Social personalities, political commenta- ulty of Languages of Saint Joseph and RevisionQ”, in which Dr Dirk From the 107 abstracts the col- Sciences, noted “The theme of this tors and professionals from diff er- University –Beirut, whose talk is Verbeke will talk about how tech- lege received, 32 abstracts were conference ‘Politics of Transla- ent backgrounds within humani- entitled ‘Dichotomies in Trans- nology can help translation evalu- selected and panellists will be at- tion: Representations and Power’ ties and social sciences.” Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 7 QATAR Museum hosts Italian business representatives heikh Mohamed bin Faisal al- Thani, president of the Italian SChamber of Commerce in Qatar, recently hosted a gala dinner in honour of Italian Economic Development Min- ister Federica Guidi at Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani Museum. Guidi led a business delegation that included economic development min- istry director general Amedeo Teti and Qatar’s Ambassador to Italy Abdulaziz bin Ahmed al-Maliki al-Jehani. The delegation to Doha was made up of more than 100 representatives of some of top Italian companies based in Qatar. Welcoming the delegation, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, the chairman of Al Faisal Holding, said: “Italy is one of the economic power- houses in Europe – be it industrial, ag- ricultural, economic or the hospitality sector. The country maintains an an- nual development rate that has been increasing steadily, thereby elevating it as a promising business environment for foreign investors.” Commenting on the visit and the potential of conducting business in HE Sheikh Faisal, Sheikh Mohamed, and Minister Guidi with other dignitaries at Italy, Sheikh Mohamed said: “It is a the museum. great honour to host such a remark- able delegation from Italy. The historic broad base of rewarding investment “It’s been fascinating to learn the economic co-operation between Qatar opportunities between the two coun- history of Qatar and be a part of the and Italy serves as a strong foundation tries. The visit of the Italian delegation guided tour provided by HE Sheikh for our two countries to strengthen will further enhance communication Faisal and Sheikh Mohamed. The mu- ties in areas of mutual interest. Qatar regarding investment, trade and cul- seum is a true refl ection of the interest is keen to leverage the vast investment ture.” of the Qatari people and their national prospects to create lucrative economic, At the museum the delegation was heritage as well as cultural identity,” the commercial and investment partner- given a guided tour of its exhibits, Italian delegation said in a statement. ships. comprising artefacts across three main The delegation also indicated its ap- “Italy fi ts perfectly with the objec- themes: Qatar heritage, Islamic art, and preciation of the strategic vision of HH tives of Qatar in expanding investment classic cars. There is also a special sec- the Emir in leading Qatar to become an and paves the way for establishing a tion for coins and currency. emerging economy. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 QATAR Ministry to organise health campaign for Mesaieed workers he Ministry of Public to protect and promote health, focus at these camps is to look Health (MOPH) will or- well-being and safety of all at lifestyle disorders. Generally, Yannick Du Pont and Fahad al-Sulaiti sign the agreement. Tganise a health education workers as well as the sustain- around 5% of the people at these campaign for 500 workers in ability of workplaces. The cam- camps come to know for the fi rst Mesaieed, on Friday. paign provides medical tests, time that they are suff ering from The campaign will be held at health education and consulta- diabetes or hypertension, as a labour camp for Boom Con- tion by ophthalmologists, ENT they had not screened for such struction Company workers. specialists, dermatologists, disorders earlier.” Al Fakhoora launches The doctors there will make a dentists, physiotherapists and Apart from 30 doctors, 30 pre-registration of 500 work- nutritionists. nurses and 150 volunteers, 20 ers considering their age and Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad “We are organising it in Me- physiotherapists will be at the medical history. They will be al-Thani saieed because we want to reach camp to attend to visitors. All put through medical tests such to people working in diff erent medicines will be given free and scholarship programme as clinical examination, meas- Indian Physiotherapist Forum places. Our aim is to hold dif- workers can present their pre- urements of blood pressure and in Qatar as well as several com- ferent campaigns. We also want scriptions for medicines at Well sugar levels, cholesterol, BMI, as panies and institutions in the more partners into the cam- Care Group pharmacies. well as evaluation and treatment private sector. paign. We will hold diff erent Other workers will be pro- by physiotherapists. Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Ha- events in diff erent places.” vided health related lectures and for Syrians, Palestinians The event is being held in co- mad al-Thani, director, pub- Dr Sameer Moopan, of In- educational programmes on en- operation with Hamad Medical lic health at MOPH, said, “The dian Doctors Club, said, “We hancing healthy lifestyle, work- Corporation, V Care Company, campaign is part of the pro- have been holding such medi- place wellness, basic life sup- uilding on its success in offi cer Fahad al-Sulaiti signed dan, and West Bank and East Boom Construction Well Care gramme called ‘Workplace cal camps for workers for the port, CPR training and how to empowering youth in the agreement in London pri- Jerusalem. Pharmacy, Indian Doctors Club, Health Promotion’, which aims last 15 years. What we mainly prevent accidents at workplace. BGaza through access to or to the Supporting Syrian The partnership will also higher education, Qatar-based Conference. provide grounds to explore Al Fakhoora launched its ex- Since its launch in 2009, advocacy campaign to bet- pansion project in support of the programme has success- ter communicate key chal- Syrian youth in partnership fully enrolled approximately lenges facing refugees’ and with Dutch NGO, Spark. 600 students into universities Palestinians’ right to education. Doha Declaration The $8mn pilot component in Gaza and provided interna- EAA, founded in 2012 by HH of a $28.1mn programme will tional scholarships to 30 stu- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, aims provide 800 Syrian refugees dents in specialisations that to build a global movement that and Palestinians from under- contribute to the rebuilding of contributes to human, social committee meets served backgrounds with four the strip. and economic development year scholarships to enrol in The project will off shoot through quality education and universities. and expansion from Fakhoora’s other welfare programmes and he fi rst meeting of the chaired Qatari delegation to the Al Fakhoora, a programme successful Dynamic Futures initiatives. committee tasked with meeting which was attended by of Education Above All (EAA) Scholarship programme, which EAA is the umbrella organi- Tfollowing up the imple- Dr Ahmed Hassan al-Hammadi, The Qatari delegation at the meeting. Foundation, was launched in not only provides students sation overseeing three core mentation of Doha Declaration director, the department of legal 2009, following the Israeli ag- with quality education but fur- programmes: Educate A Child, was held at the UN Offi ce on aff airs at the Foreign Ministry, organisations in Vienna. two sides reviewed the progress gression on Gaza, in support of ther economic empowerment Al Fakhoora and Protect Edu- Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in and Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, The UNODC delegation was made in the implementation of promoting and facilitating ac- for their families, training in cation in Insecurity and Con- Vienna yesterday. Qatar’s ambassador and perma- headed by John Brandolino, UN- the funding agreement, and dis- cess to higher education. leadership and development, fl ict, as well as one special HE Dr Abdullah al-Mal, Ad- nent representative to the Unit- ODC’s Division for Treaty Af- cussed projects that can be ac- Spark director Yannick Du and student aff airs. It will op- project, the Kakuma/Kenya viser to the Minister of Interior, ed Nations and international fairs. During the meeting, the complished by the end of 2016. Pont and EAA chief executive erate in Turkey, Lebanon, Jor- Project.

A workshop in progress. QU ITS holds workshops on risk management

atar Univer- More than 10 participants sess and mitigate them in an organisations of all sizes sity Information attended the workshops eff ective manner. to understand and ana- QTechnology Serv- that were conducted by ITS ITS chief information lyse major risks that may ices (QU-ITS) has held a information systems spe- offi cer Trevor Moore pre- threaten the continuity of series of workshops on risk cialist and certifi ed lead au- sented participants with their business. management. ditor for ISO 27001 and ISO letters of appreciation. “A holistic risk manage- The workshops were con- 22301, Hend Hammad. He expressed support for ment process that is repeat- ducted from January 11 to 14 She noted that risk man- the ongoing risk manage- able and measurable is a and from March 6 to 10. agement applied to any ac- ment activities at QU and valuable tool that can help The aim of the workshops tivities or operations and envisions them becom- focus resources where they was to orient members was not restricted to infor- ing embedded in all its IT matter most. The results of the department’s vari- mation technology or secu- operations. of the risk management ous teams on the defi nition rity; that every QU depart- Information security workshops should enhance of risks, expected risks in ment or operation could and compliance manager IT and information secu- daily activities and ways of face risks and should have Mohamed Eljazzar empha- rity management at QU,” he managing them. a process to identify, as- sised the importance for said.

Jeweller jailed for buying stolen items

Doha criminal court tities concerned found the has sentenced a jew- stolen products displayed Aeller to six months at the defendant’s shop in jail and imposed a fi ne during a routine inspection of QR10,000 on him for campaign. buying stolen jewellery. They asked the de- Local Arabic daily fendant to produce doc- Arrayah reported yester- uments in proof of his day that the defendant purchase of such items was convicted by the court and checked the records for failing to follow the in the shop, but could not proper legal procedures fi nd any. to buy gold products and Later, he was issued a vi- jewellery. olation and court convicted The inspectors of the en- him. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 9 REGION

Second UAE fi ghter round of Iran polls set for jet crashes in April 29

AFP Tehran

Yemen, two ran will hold a second round of voting on April 29 to fi ll I69 parliamentary seats for which no clear winner emerged during last month’s elections, Boys hold a part of a UAE Mirage plane that crashed in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden yesterday. state media said yesterday. The run-off is necessary be- pilots killed cause under Iran’s election rules a member of parliament must AFP ity after clashes erupted between The pilot was saved and the win 25% of votes cast, but this Riyadh Yemeni forces and militants. plane’s wreckage was found. only happened for 221 of the Footage from the foot of a hill In May, a Moroccan jet crashed country’s 290 seats. near Aden showed locals pointing in Yemen. Its pilot was later found The fi rst round on February wo Emirati pilots were to debris strewn in the area and dead and his body was returned Top Saudi prince 26 saw allies of Iran’s moderate killed when their fi ghter jet saying it belonged to the crashed home. President Hassan Rouhani make Tcrashed yesterday in Yem- jet. The coalition said at the time major gains against conserva- en, where a Saudi-led coalition is Al Qaeda and the Islamic State that the crash had been caused tives. battling Iran-backed rebels, the group have taken advantage of by a technical fault or human er- But neither group won a ma- alliance said. the confl ict between Iran-backed ror, denying rebel claims that they criticises Obama jority, meaning the outcome of The Mirage jet crashed at dawn insurgents and pro-government had downed the plane. the second round - which will in- “due to a technical fault,” said the forces to reinforce their presence Saudi Arabia and the UAE, AFP “You accuse us of fomenting ing the Saudis for trying to volve only the top two contenders coalition statement published in the south, including in Aden. which play key roles in the coali- Riyadh sectarian strife in Syria, Yemen infl uence other Muslim coun- from the fi rst vote for each seat by Saudi state news agency SPA, A government offi cial said that tion, have suff ered the alliance’s and Iraq. You add insult to in- tries, particularly Indonesia, by left empty - could aff ect the bal- hours after the United Arab Emir- a coalition jet had carried out an heaviest losses in Yemen, with jury by telling us to share our exporting its version of Islam. ance of power in the legislature. ates said one of its jets had gone air raid against the home of a lo- dozens of soldiers killed. senior Saudi royal has world with Iran, a country that He also said the Saudis need Conservatives won 103 seats missing. cal IS commander at dawn, killing In Yemen itself, more than criticised President you describe as a supporter of to “share” the Middle East with last month while the pro-Rou- In a statement on the UAE’s his 18-year-old son near the plane 6,100 people have died - half of ABarack Obama for com- terrorism,” Faisal wrote. their Iranian foes. hani coalition of moderates and offi cial WAM news agency, the crash site. Apache helicopters were them civilians - since the coali- ments accusing the kingdom of Faisal questioned whether “The competition between reformists, dubbed the “List of Emirati armed forces had said the also taking part in the fi ghting yes- tion launched its campaign, ac- feeding Middle East confl icts. Obama has “pivoted to Iran the Saudis and the Iranians - Hope”, won 95, with other seats jet was “missing” without giving terday, security offi cials said. cording to the UN. Saudi Arabia has long been so much that you equate the which has helped to feed proxy going to independents and mi- details. “We saw Apache helicopters Saudi Arabia mounted an Arab a major ally of the US but the kingdom’s 80 years of constant wars and chaos in Syria and norities. It is the fi rst known case of fi re rockets and open machine- air campaign against the rebels relationship has deteriorated friendship with America to an Iraq and Yemen - requires us to Mohamed Reza Aref, a former an Emirati jet from the coali- gun fi re at Al Qaeda militants” in after they closed in on President under Obama. Iranian leadership that contin- say to our friends as well as to vice president and the reformist tion crashing since the Saudi-led Aden’s Mansura district, one wit- Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in his Riyadh has been especially ues to describe America as the the Iranians that they need to leader of the List of Hope, last campaign against the Iran-backed ness said. refuge in Aden, forcing him to fl ee concerned by US support for biggest enemy, that continues fi nd an eff ective way to share week said it aimed to win at least rebels began in March last year. Security sources estimate that to Riyadh. Iran’s nuclear deal with world to arm, fund and support sec- the neighbourhood and insti- 40 of the 69 seats up for grabs in Coalition warplanes turned around 300 heavily armed Al Hadi and senior offi cials spend powers. tarian militias in the Arab and tute some sort of cold peace,” the second round. their crosshairs on Yemen’s sec- Qaeda fi ghters are entrenched in most of their time in Riyadh as se- In an opinion piece pub- Muslim world”. Obama said. “With the approval of the ond city Aden, home to a grow- Mansura. curity situation in Aden contin- lished in Saudi newspapers, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly As the Obama administra- Guardian Council the second ing militant presence, for the fi rst The UAE jet is the third coali- ues to worsen. Prince Turki al-Faisal, the accused Iran of interference tion enters its fi nal months, round of parliamentary elec- time last week. tion warplane to go down since The Houthi rebels overran cap- kingdom’s former intelligence in Arab aff airs, particularly in Faisal said that Saudi Arabia tions will be held on April 29,” Ali Security offi cials and witnesses March 2015. ital Sanaa unopposed in Septem- chief and envoy to Washing- Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Bah- “will continue to hold the Motlagh, secretary of election in Aden said that a jet had crashed In December, a Bahraini F-16 ber 2014 and went on to expand ton, lashed out at Obama’s re- rain. American people as our ally... headquarters, which is part of into a nearby mountain as coalition crashed in Saudi Arabia due to a their control across the south cent comments to The Atlantic In its April issue, The Atlan- Mr. Obama, that is who we the interior ministry, told state warplanes operated in the vicin- “technical error.” Arabian Peninsula country. magazine. tic quoted Obama as reproach- are.” television. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD Bahrain deports Lebanese over Hezbollah links

Agencies rorist Hezbollah,” the ministry of fomenting strife in the island harbours any of its members. plotting attacks on its territory, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja was sen- rested in the Shia village of Sitra Riyadh said. kingdom. Hezbollah has close ties to days after it followed its close tenced to three years in prison in where police found “fi rearms The ministry did not provide The move came after Gulf Iran. Saudi Arabia supports Syr- ally Saudi Arabia in cutting ties December 2014 after being con- and explosives” in his apart- any further details, including on Arab countries declared Hez- ian opposition groups working to with Iran. victed of insulting the king by ment, said prosecutor Ahmed ahrain has deported sever- the number of people involved. bollah a terrorist organisation, topple Assad and criticises Iran Meanwhile, Bahraini police ripping up a photograph of him. al-Hammadi. al Lebanese residents who Lebanese press reported last raising the possibility of further and Hezbollah for helping him yesterday jailed opposition fi g- An appeals court last October He said the man was planning Bit believes had links to or week that up to 10 families had sanctions against the group, retain power after fi ve years of ure Zainab al-Khawaja who was reduced her term to one year be- to use the weapons to carry out a supported the Shia group Hez- been ordered to leave Bahrain which wields infl uence in Leba- civil war. convicted in 2014 for tearing up hind bars, while upholding a fi ne “terrorist” plot. bollah, which Gulf Arab states within 24 hours. non and fi ghts alongside Presi- Last month, Saudi Arabia a poster of King Hamad, media of BD3,000 (about $8,000). The other two were jailed for have declared a terrorist organi- Bahrain’s larger Gulf Arab ally dent Bashar al-Assad’s forces in halted a $4bn military aid pro- and activists said. A Bahraini court yesterday their involvement in the same sation, its Interior Ministry said Saudi Arabia said on Sunday Syria. gramme to Lebanon to protest Khawaja, a Shia, and her tod- sentenced three people to life in case. on Twitter yesterday. it would punish anybody who On Sunday, Saudi Arabia said against Beirut’s failure to sup- dler were taken into custody prison for possessing weapons Bahrain last week jailed three “A number of Lebanese resi- belonged to the Iran-backed it would punish anyone who port the kingdom in a recent row from the family home, Al-Wasat which they planned to use to people for life and sentenced an- dents have been deported after Lebanese group, which Mana- belonged to Iranian-backed with Iran. daily cited her husband as say- carry out a “terrorist” plot, the other to 15 years for attacking a it was confirmed that they be- ma has accused, alongside Te- Hezbollah, sympathises with In January, Bahrain said it had ing. prosecution said. bus during a protest in a Shia vil- longed to and supported ter- hran’s Revolutionary Guards, it, supports it financially or caught an Iranian-linked cell The daughter of rights activist The fi rst defendant was ar- lage two years ago. Russia opposes UN sanctions on Iran over missile tests

AFP missiles capable of carrying a The US ambassador de- United Nations nuclear warhead. scribed the missile launches Tehran maintains that the as “dangerous, destabilising latest missile tests, which took and provocative” and noted ussia yesterday opposed place on Tuesday and Wednes- that Iranian military officials slapping sanctions on day, were not aimed at develop- had claimed that the missiles RIran over recent ballis- ing a nuclear capability. were designed to be a threat to tic missile tests that Moscow’s Churkin noted that the term Israel. UN envoy said did not violate a “called upon” in the new reso- “These were designed to de- Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, awarding the $1mn Global Teacher award to Hanan UN resolution adopted after the lution was an important change liver a nuclear weapon,” said al-Hroub, a Palestinian teacher from the West Bank for her innovative approach of using play to counter violent behaviour, as Sunny landmark nuclear deal. in legal language from previous Power. “This merits a council Varkey, the chairman of the Dubai-based Varkey Foundation that set up the award two years ago, claps. The UN Security Council held adopted texts that barred Iran response.” a closed-door meeting on the from developing such technol- Britain and France had both missile launches at the request ogy. raised concern over the missile of the US, which along with Brit- launches, but the ambassadors ain had pushed for a special re- “We are not going to did not specifi cally say that the port to decide on possible sanc- give up, no matter the tests were a violation of resolu- Palestinian teacher wins $1mn tions. quibbling that we heard tion 2231. But the meeting concluded today about this” “We judge that Iran is in bla- with no specifi c follow-up ac- tant disregard of Resolution tion other than further discus- “A call is diff erent from a ban, 2231,” said British Ambassador sion on the test-launches within so legally you can’t violate a Matthew Rycroft. global award for valuing play a designated Security Council call,” he said. French ambassador Francois committee on Iran. The new resolution “clearly Delattre said “we are worried, AFP emony in Dubai on Sunday. to be effective and inven- broadcast at the ceremony. “We did agree that it’s not raises the requirements of proof because we are in a case of non- Dubai Wearing a traditional Pal- tive through various contexts The foundation, set up by a violation,” Russian Ambas- quite a bit” by stating that the compliance with 2231.” estinian dress and black veil, which include entertainment, Dubai-based education entre- sador Vitaly Churkin told re- missiles must be “designed” to The US slapped sanctions on Hroub was hailed by world drawing and movement,” preneur Sunny Varkey, is paid porters, welcoming “a very have nuclear capability, Churkin Iran in January over its ballistic Palestinian teacher leaders at the ceremony for the Hroub said after she was in instalments and requires the satisfactory outcome of the added. missile programme, even as the from the West Bank Nobel-style award, set up two awarded the prize. winner to remain a teacher for discussion.” US Ambassador Samantha world hailed the implementa- A has won a $1mn award years ago by the Dubai-based “We need to help children at least fi ve years. Russia’s stance as a veto- Power accused Russia of “lawy- tion of the nuclear deal reached for her innovative approach of Varkey Foundation. with questioning, dialogue, In a statement, Varkey said wielding member of the council ering its way to look for reasons between Tehran and Western using play to counter violent Detailed in her book We Play thinking and feeling to help he hoped Hroub’s story “will eff ectively ruled out the pos- not to act rather than stepping powers. behaviour. and Learn, Hroub’s approach them express themselves.” inspire those looking to enter sibility of UN sanctions against up and being prepared to shoul- Israeli Ambassador Danny Hanan al-Hroub, who grew has “led to a decline in violent Video messages from Pope the teaching profession and Iran. der our collective responsibility.” Danon called on the council to up in a Palestinian refugee behaviour in schools where this Francis, UN Secretary Gen- also shine a powerful spotlight The council in July adopted “We are not going to give up, take action, arguing that failure camp in Bethlehem and now is usually a frequent occur- eral Ban Ki-moon, US Vice on the incredible work teach- a resolution that endorsed the no matter the quibbling that to do so “will give Iran a green teaches at a high school in the rence,” the foundation said in a President Joe Biden, Britain’s ers do all over Palestine and nuclear deal and called on Iran to we heard today about this,” said light to continue with its nuclear West Bank, was awarded the statement. Prince William and Micro- throughout the world every refrain from developing ballistic Power. missile tests.” Global Teacher award at a cer- “We can teach children soft founder Bill Gates were day.”

EU is readying Libya sanctions, says Mogherini

AFP Brussels

he EU has started work on sanctions against Libyan fi gures who hold up agreement on a national unity Tgovernment meant to bring peace to the war-torn country, EU foreign aff airs head Federica Mogherini said yesterday. The US and key European allies led by France warned on Saturday that those preventing Libya’s new unity gov- ernment from moving quickly to take up offi ce in Tripoli should be hit with punitive measures. Mogherini, speaking after an EU foreign ministers meet- ing in Brussels, said it was clear Libya needed a functioning government as soon as possible to restore peace and begin reconstruction. The EU was ready to “encourage and support” the new government, she said, adding: “We have also started our internal work to sanction individuals who obstruct this in- ternal Libyan process.” German deputy foreign minister Michael Roth said there was “no decision on sanctions today”, despite a call by French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Thursday for a decision on imposing sanctions. Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 Nato-backed ouster of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi , allowing extremists including the Islamic State group to gain a foot- hold in the once oil-rich country. Since 2014, it has had two rival administrations after militia groups forced the government from Tripoli to seek safety in Tobruk in the east. The UN brokered an agreement in December to set up a new government but lawmakers in Tobruk initially rejected it, only to then change their minds. A European diplomatic source said recently that EU sanctions - travel bans and asset freezes - would likely tar- get Aguila Saleh, speaker of the Tobruk-based parliament, plus Nuri Abu Sahmein of the Tripoli-based General Na- tional Congress and its head Khalifa Ghweil. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 11 ARAB WORLD 3D images of Syria archaeological sites go online

AFP rage by blowing up two temples port of Ugarit, where evidence of desert city of Palmyra causing a The head of DGAM, Maamoun number trying to catalogue hopes be fully online by the end Paris in the Unesco World Heritage the world’s oldest alphabet was global outcry. Abdulkarim, said the operation sites in danger of falling into the of the year and will display life- Site of Palmyra last year. found. The Islamic State group has was essential to “avoid an ir- line of fire. size replicas of Palmyra’s de- The eighth-century Umayyad Its technicians have also been made a point of razing ancient replaceable loss to humanity” The Institute for Digital Ar- stroyed triumphal arch in New D reconstructions of some Mosque in the capital Damascus working alongside 15 specialists shrines and statues it considers given “the dramatic situation in chaeology, created by Oxford and York’s Times Square and Lon- of Syria’s most spectacu- and the Krak des Chevaliers Cru- from the Syrian Directorate Gen- as idolatry and is also suspected our country”. Harvard universities and Dubai’s don’s Trafalgar Square in April. 3lar archaeological sites go sader castle near the ravaged city eral of Antiquities and Museums of involvement in the illegal sale “This solution gives our ar- Museum of the Future, is also The replicas of the arch, blown online today after a big push to of Homs are the two most famous (DGAM) to digitalise some of the of antiquities. chaeological sites a real hope of compiling a record of many vul- up by IS militants in October, are digitalise the war-torn country’s buildings to have been scanned in country’s major museum collec- Work on the “Syrian Heritage” renaissance and allows the mem- nerable sites in Syria and neigh- being made with the world’s larg- threatened heritage. minute detail. tions. database, the biggest 3D record ory of them to be preserved, no bouring Iraq. est 3D printer. French digital surveyors have Photogrammetric technology Hundreds of important her- of the country’s monuments and matter what happens,” he added It has handed out 5,000 low- France’s culture minister been working with Syrian ar- developed by the French start- itage sites have been sacked or treasures, began in December and in a statement. cost 3D cameras to archaeolo- had earlier fl oated the idea of chaeologists to map some of the up Iconem has also been used destroyed during the fi ve-year includes a large number of Otto- The drive, carried out with gists and NGOs with the hope a 3D recreation of the ancient country’s most famous monu- to record the Roman theatre in confl ict, with the destruction of man-era buildings in Damascus the help of the French grande of gathering a million images of city, known as the “Pearl of the ments after Islamic State mili- the coastal city of Jableh and the the fi rst-century temples of Bel as well as its 11th-century citadel, ecole ENS and the research threatened sites. Desert”, based on photos taken by tants sparked international out- Phoenician site in the ancient and Baalshamin in the ancient which looms over the city. institute INRIA, is one of a The million Images Database tourists over the years. Putin orders pullout of Russia forces from Syria Putin gives no withdrawal Russian armed forces has, on the ington and Moscow and accepted deadline, some forces to whole, been fulfi lled.” by Assad’s government and many remain; «main part» of With the participation of the of his foes. Russian contingent to start Russian military, Syrian armed But the limited truce, which Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (centre) at the Kremlin leaving today forces “have been able to achieve excludes the powerful Islamic in Moscow yesterday. Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday ordered the defence ministry to begin the withdrawal of Russian forces from a fundamental turnaround in the State and Nusra Front groups, is Syria today. Reuters fi ght against international ter- fragile. The warring sides have Moscow/Geneva rorism”, he added. accused each other of multiple Kremlin spokesman Dmit- violations, and they arrived in ry Peskov said Putin had tel- Geneva with what look like irrec- resident Vladimir Putin ephoned Assad to inform him of oncilable agendas. said yesterday Russian the Russian decision. The Syrian opposition says the Parmed forces would begin The move was announced on talks must focus on setting up a pulling out of Syria and instruct- the day UN-brokered talks in- transitional governing body with ‘More bombs and blankets’ ed his diplomats to step up the volving the warring sides in Syria full executive power, and that push for peace, as UN-mediated resumed in Geneva. Assad must leave power at the talks resumed in Geneva on end- In Damascus, the Syrian presi- start of the transition. Damascus ing the fi ve-year war. dency said Assad had agreed to says Assad’s opponents are de- Syria said President Bashar the reduction in the Russian air luded if they think they will take can’t fi x crisis: aid adviser al-Assad had agreed on the “re- force presence after it had helped power at the negotiating table. duction” of Russian forces in a the Syrian army to make mili- The head of the government Thomson Reuters Foundation cut-off places soon, he added in starting to get basic supplies to To enable Syrians to resume telephone call with Putin. tary gains. However, it added in delegation, Bashar Ja’afari, de- Barcelona, March a telephone interview. communities who have been cut their lives, diplomats must reach Russia’s military intervention a statement that Moscow had scribed his fi rst meeting with de “But it’s all going to be in vain off for months or more, it is just agreement on a transitional gov- in Syria in September helped to promised to continue support for Mistura yesterday as positive and if there is not a political proc- not enough.” ernance system to overcome po- turn the tide of war in Assad’s Syria in “confronting terrorism”. constructive, adding he submit- he momentum to reduce ess that succeeds,” said Egeland, They said they were extremely litical divisions, Egeland said. favour after months of gains in Syria regards all rebel groups ted a document entitled “Basic hostilities and deliver who is advising the UN special concerned about the situation Only then would it be possible western Syria by rebel fi ghters, fi ghting Assad as terrorists. Elements for a Political Solution”. Tmore aid that has been envoy for Syria, Staff an de Mis- in northern rural Homs and in to start discussing a “Marshall who were aided by foreign mili- De Mistura said some ideas built up in recent weeks in war- tura, on humanitarian issues. Aleppo, where around 500,000 Plan” for rebuilding, reconcilia- tary supplies including US-made “I believe that the task put had been fl oated in a meeting he torn Syria must not be lost at “a “It is so important to repeat people are caught behind active tion and the return of the 4.8mn anti-tank missiles. before the defence ministry described as a preparatory ses- moment of truth” as the confl ict every morning in front of the mir- frontlines, they said. refugees who have fl ed the coun- At a meeting with his defence and Russian armed forces sion, before a further meeting enters its sixth year, said a top ror: there are no military solu- And it was “unacceptable” try, he added. and foreign ministers, Putin said has, on the whole, been tomorrow which would focus on humanitarian adviser to the UN. tions here, but neither are there that medical supplies and equip- The signatories of the joint Russian forces had largely ful- fulfi lled” core issues. Asked about the gulf The fi rst of three rounds of humanitarian solutions. More ment were still being removed at UN statement - which include fi lled their objectives in the Syr- between the two teams, he said peace talks opened yesterday, bombs and more blankets will not checkpoints, they added. its emergency relief and refugee ian operation. But he gave no One rebel group expressed it was the nature of negotiations aimed at negotiating a “clear fi x it.” Some Syrians struggling to eke chiefs as well as the heads of the deadline for the completion of baffl ement. “I don’t understand that both sides start off with roadmap” for a future Syria. In a joint statement issued out an existence amid the fi ght- World Food Programme, the UN the withdrawal and said forces the Russian announcement, it’s tough positions. Jan Egeland, secretary gen- yesterday, the heads of UN hu- ing have seen progress in the in- Children’s Fund and the World would remain at a seaport and a surprise, like the way they en- In a sign of how wide the rift eral of the Norwegian Refugee manitarian agencies said they ternational community’s ability Health Organisation - called for airbase in Syria’s Latakia prov- tered the war. God protect us,” is, de Mistura is meeting the two Council and a former UN aid would keep trying to get food, to assist them, Egeland noted. the political talks to bring “real ince. Fadi Ahmad, spokesman for the sides separately - at least initially. chief, told the Thomson Reuters medicine and other vital assist- For example, more than 150 peace and an end to the suff ering”. One rebel group fi ghting Assad First Coastal Division, a Free The talks must focus on po- Foundation the current cessation ance to 4.6mn civilians trapped truck-loads of aid have been de- “No one wants to see a sixth said Putin’s announcement was Syria Army group fi ghting in the litical transition, which is the of hostilities in Syria is “holding in hard-to-access parts of Syria livered to some 40,000 people in year of confl ict start on 15 as surprising as his decision to country’s northwest, said. “mother of all issues”, the UN better than even sceptics would “by all and any means possible, Moadamiya, who had received March,” they said. launch air strikes on Assad’s op- A US offi cial, who asked not envoy said before his talks with have believed”. however challenging”. nothing in the previous one and a “Young people across Syria ponents had been last year. to be named, said Washington Ja’afari. Separate groups would And a majority of besieged ar- “We are able to reach more half years, he said. need to hope and believe that In Geneva, UN mediator had seen reports of Putin’s com- keep tackling humanitarian is- eas had been reached with aid, people now in besieged areas: “For them it is dramatic, but it their future lies in their home- Staff an de Mistura warned the ments, adding: “We expect to sues and the cessation of hostili- following an agreement in Mu- but we are yet to reach one in is so tentative and it is so vulner- land. That they will have educa- warring parties there was no learn more about this in the com- ties. nich in February between major every fi ve besieged Syrians who able, and it can end tomorrow if tion, healthcare, homes and jobs. “Plan B” other than a resump- ing hours.” “As far as I know, the only Plan and regional powers, with “good urgently need help and protec- there is not political progress,” he That life holds more than fear, tion of confl ict if the fi rst of three Speaking before Putin’s an- B available is return to war, and hopes” to access the remaining tion,” they added. “While we are added. violence and hunger.” rounds of talks which aim to nouncement, de Mistura said to even worse war than we had so agree a “clear roadmap” for Syria Syria faced a moment of truth, far,” he said. 1 in 3 Syrian children know nothing but war: Unicef failed to make progress. as he opened talks to end a war Several ceasefi res and peace Putin said at the Kremlin which has displaced half the pop- talks have been attempted since One in three Syrian children have conflict, Unicef said in a new 270,000 people and, according to “As the war continues, children meeting he was ordering the ulation, sent refugees streaming the confl ict, which has killed known nothing but a lifetime of report. the UN, forced more than half of are fighting an adult war, they are withdrawal from today of “the into Europe and turned Syria into 250,000 people, broke out fi ve war, Unicef said yesterday, as the “Every Syrian child under the age a pre-conflict population of 23mn continuing to drop out of school, main part of our military contin- a battlefi eld for foreign forces years ago this week. country’s conflict enters its sixth of five has known nothing but a from their homes. and many are forced into labour, gent” from the country. and militants. Hundreds of UN monitors were year this week. lifetime shaped by war - that’s an “Five years into the war, millions while girls are marrying early,” “The eff ective work of our mil- The talks are the fi rst in more deployed to observe a ceasefi re in Forced from their homes and estimated 2.9mn children inside of children have grown up too fast Salama said. itary created the conditions for than two years and come amid Syria in 2012, but pulled out after schools, orphaned by violence Syria and at least 811,000 in and way ahead of their time,” said Inside Syria, “nearly 7mn the start of the peace process,” he a marked reduction in fi ghting fi ghting resumed. Peace talks in and drafted into work or neighbouring countries,” the UN Peter Salama, Unicef’s regional children live in poverty, making said. “I believe that the task put after last month’s “cessation of Geneva two years ago collapsed fighting, a generation of Syria’s children’s agency said. director for the Middle East and their childhood one of loss and before the defence ministry and hostilities”, sponsored by Wash- after making no progress. children is being shaped by the Syria’s war has killed more than North Africa. deprivation,” Salama said.

Israeli law to keep out Palestinian workers

AFP arrest and imprisonment, the one worker for a single day. Most of the Palestinians Jerusalem new legislation strikes at Is- “Those who employ more were killed while carrying raelis who employ them and than one illegal worker, or out knife, gun or car-ram- those who transport them. hire an illegal worker for ming attacks. he Israeli parliament Erdan said in a statement more than 24 hours, will face Others were shot dead by yesterday evening that with the passage of the up to four years of incarcer- Israeli forces during clashes Tapproved a tough new new law “the police can be ation,” the site said. or demonstrations, while law to keep out Palestinian expected to mount large- In the case of companies some were killed in air strikes workers, as part of measures scale operations to seize il- who regularly take on un- on Gaza. Many analysts say to quell a fi ve-month wave legal entrants and those who licensed Palestinian staff , young Palestinians are fed of violence. assist them.” they face fi nes of between up with Israeli occupation, The Knesset said on its Among its provisos are 40,000 and 452,000 shekels while Israel blames incit. website that the bill spon- that the Israeli employer of a ($10,550 and $119,000). A government adviser sored by internal security Palestinian who has entered Since October 1, a wave of told a Knesset committee on minister Gilad Erdan passed the Jewish state without violence has killed 193 Pal- Sunday that of the attacks its third reading “by a large the obligatory - and hard to estinians, 28 Israelis, two carried out in Israel, includ- majority”. come by - permit, will face Americans, an Eritrean and ing Jerusalem, 44% were While the workers them- up to two years in prison. a Sudanese, according to an carried out by Palestinians selves are already subject to That is in the case of AFP count. in the Jewish state illegally. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 AFRICA

Militias kill 2 rangers Ivory Coast scrambles to in Congo

Reuters Kinshasa secure tourist hotspots ilitia groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Reuters its perpetrators were not real Muslims. MCongo have killed two Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast The raid also provides further evi- park rangers in one of the world’s dence that Islamist militants in Africa last sanctuaries for the endan- are expanding beyond their traditional gered mountain gorilla, the park vory Coast soldiers armed with as- zones of operation in the Sahara and the said yesterday. sault rifl es yesterday patrolled the arid Sahel region in an increasingly am- A third ranger is missing Ideserted beaches of a resort town, bitious campaign of violence. after the attacks on a day after gunmen from Al Qaeda’s It raises fears over where they might Saturday in Virunga National North African branch killed 18 people, strike next and poses serious security Park, Africa’s oldest national the third major Al Qaeda attack in West questions for former colonial power park and a Unesco World Herit- Africa in four months. France, which has thousands of citizens age site. President Alassane Ouattara declared and troops in the region. Some 18,000 Virunga is home to roughly three days of mourning for the country, French citizens live in Ivory Coast. half the world’s remaining 900 which has never before been hit by Al “I saw all the customers running with mountain gorillas and was the Qaeda. their crying children. I asked and they subject of an Oscar-nominated Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said ‘They’re there on the beach shoot- documentary fi lm in 2014. (AQIM) said it was responsible for ing’,” said Souleymane Ouadreogo, who The park said in a statement storming the beach hotels in Grand works at the Assoyam Beach hotel and four ranger posts on the shores Bassam, a weekend retreat popular with restaurant. “We never thought it would of Lake Edward were attacked by Ivorians and westerners about 40km happen here. Abidjan, maybe. But here? more than 120 rebels belonging east of the commercial capital Abidjan. Never.” to what appears to be a new coa- The Al Qaeda branch, which has In January, gunmen killed dozens of lition of militia groups. spread across the Sahara from Algeria people in a cafe frequented by foreign- Dozens of armed groups and now operates in much of western ers in neighbouring Burkina Faso’s cap- operate in and around the and northern Africa, has also claimed ital, Ouagadougou, and also attacked a 7,800-square-kilometre park, responsibility for attacks that killed hotel. Militants attacked a hotel in the which abuts Congo’s borders dozens of people in Burkina Faso and Malian capital Bamako late last year, with Rwanda and Uganda. Mali since November. killing 20. Two rangers were captured by Fifteen civilians and three members France, which intervened militarily the rebels and killed and a search of the special forces were killed and 33 in Mali in 2013 to try to restore stability is ongoing for the missing ranger, people were wounded in Sunday’s at- after a rebellion in 2012 by ethnic Tuar- the statement said. It said rang- tack, said Interior Minister Hamed egs that was later hijacked by militants ers and Congolese soldiers had Bakayoko. Soldiers stand guard on the beach following an attack by Al Qaeda’s gunmen in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast. linked to Al Qaeda, has 3,500 troops in reclaimed the overrun positions, He said 26 of the wounded were still the region from Senegal in the far west killing one rebel and capturing receiving medical attention. Three mil- still outside started shooting and the many’s Goethe Institut cultural body. culminated in a civil war in 2011. to Chad. another. itants also died in the attack on the re- two seated at the table yelled ‘Allahu There was no sign yesterday of the Ouattara won a landslide election A French military base in Chad, “These rangers were killed in sort town, a sleepy Unesco heritage site Akbar’ and fl ipped over the table,” he street hawkers and vendors who usually victory in October, promising to attract manned by about 600 soldiers, serves situations that may amount to of decaying colonial-era buildings. told Reuters. sell necklaces and bathing suits near the foreign investment to boost business in as a logistical hub for regional opera- war crimes in any other con- Christian Eddy, who works at a bar Swimmers and sunbathers were tar- beach and resort hotels. the largest economy in French-speak- tions against Islamist militancy. fl ict,” park director Emmanuel near one of the places that was at- geted, as well as visitors eating and Soldiers patrolled up and down the ing West Africa. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc de Merode said in the statement. tacked, said four men arrived in a Ford drinking by the shore at lunchtime. For- oceanfront, stopping to speak with Ivory Coast, like other West Afri- Ayrault and Interior Minister Bernard More than 150 Virunga rang- saloon car and went into his bar to order eign citizens from Burkina Faso, Cam- hotel and restaurant staff who were at can countries, has large populations of Cazeneuve will travel to Ivory Coast to- ers have been killed over the last drinks before starting the attack. eroon, France, Germany and Mali were work but had no customers to serve. Christians and Muslims that manage day to off er logistical support and intel- decade, de Merode added, many “They didn’t speak French. They among the victims. The attack is a heavy blow for Ivory relations smoothly. ligence, French diplomatic sources said. battling poachers who target the spoke Arabic. We communicated with Among the dead was Henrike Grohs, Coast, a country recovering from more The country’s high council of imams Counter-terrorism offi cials have also park’s gorillas, elephants and them in English .... The guys who were 51, head of the Abidjan branch of Ger- than a decade of political turmoil that yesterday condemned the attack, saying been sent to help the investigation. other rare animals.

Friendly fi re: Ranger kills father, Divisive ruling son in Zimbabwe wildlife park

Reuters “The rangers ... saw move- Zimbabwe since 1982 and his son Harare ment in the thicket, heard voices Max had been born in the south- and opened fi re, accidentally ern African country. shooting and killing on the spot “It seems like an accident. We n Italian father and son the pair,” the parks agency said in are in contact with Foreign Af- have been shot dead by a a statement. fairs to get an offi cial report,” Aranger in a wildlife park in “Unbeknown to them these the offi cial said, referring to the Zimbabwe, the parks and wildlife were fresh deployments who had Zimbabwean government de- agency said yesterday, saying the come to replace the rangers and partment. pair had been mistaken for el- had stopped to attend to a me- Mana Pools adjoins the Zam- ephant poachers. chanical problem on their vehi- bezi River, which runs along The Zimbabwe Parks and cle.” Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia. Wildlife Management Author- It said investigations were un- Authorities have for years been ity (ZPWMA) said Claudio Chi- der way. battling poachers, most of whom arelli and his son Max Chiarelli An offi cial from the Italian come from Zambia and who have were members of volunteer anti- embassy in Harare confi rmed recently been using cyanide to poaching organisation Zambezi the deaths and said the older kill elephants. Society, which was conducting Chiarelli, who is a professional Poachers cut off the dead ani- patrols in Mana Pools National hunter, had been taking eight mals’ tusks and sell them to deal- Park on Sunday. park rangers in his vehicle to re- ers for up to $65,000 a kilogram, The two men had been with a lieve the group from which the according to conservationists. group sent out to relieve a team of shots were fi red. The ivory is ultimately used for rangers deployed the previous day to The offi cial, who declined to be ornamental carving in China and follow a trail of suspected poachers. named, said Chiarelli had lived in other parts of east Asia.

Malawi torches seized ivory The wife of late anti-apartheid hero Chris Hani, Limpho Hani (left), family members and members of the African National Congress demonstrate yesterday outside the Constitutional Court in protest over the parole granted to his killer, Janusz Walus.

AFP Lilongwe Sierra Leone cabinet reshuffled alawi yesterday burnt ierra Leone’s president yesterday carried out the big- 2.6 tonnes of smug- SA turns to Saudi-built gest cabinet reshuffl e of his nine-year tenure, firing four Mgled ivory confi scated Sministers and his army chief as he tries to reverse wan- in the northern town of Mzuzu ing public support for his party. near Tanzania in what was seen solar to cut coal reliance President Ernest Bai Koroma appointed new interior and as a symbolic gesture in its fi ght fi nance ministers and brought opposition leader Mohamed against poaching. Bangura across the divide to install him as information min- Conservationists say China’s Reuters major green projects are going to ister. Former fi nance minister Kaifala Marah will now head up growing appetite for contraband Johannesburg be built in South Africa,” said the Sierra Leone’s central bank, swapping places with bank gov- ivory imports, which are turned Department of Trade and Indus- ernor Momodu Kargbo who takes up the economic portfolio into jewels and ornaments, has try’s (DTI) deputy director gen- in government. fuelled a surge in poaching in Af- outh Africa and Saudi Ara- eral Yunus Hoosen. Koroma’s new minister for tourism, Sidi Yahya Tunis, was rica. bian ACWA Power yester- Chronic energy shortages are formerly spokesman for the country’s National Ebola Re- “This is a milestone for Malawi Sday launched a $328mn so- pushing the government to seek sponse Centre during the latest outbreak. ... we will not allow this country lar power plant in the Northern alternative sources of electricity All cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary ap- to be exploited as a market of this Cape province, as Africa’s most from state-owned power utility proval. In total, 13 ministers were either fi red or moved jobs. illegal trade,” said Bright Kum- industrialised country rushes to Eskom’s coal-powered stations Sierra Leone’s cabinet will now contain four female minis- chedwa, director of Parks and expand its power supply and cut that take much longer to build. ters in the environment, culture, social welfare and fi sheries Wildlife, referring to the cache of its coal reliance. Eskom, which provides virtu- posts, compared with just one previously. 718 pieces of ivory. The Bokpoort Concentrated ally all of South Africa’s power, is Koroma also replaced head of the armed forces Lieutenant “By burning the ivory, we want Solar Power (CSP) Project, devel- facing a funding crunch as it races General Samuel Omar Williams with the army chief’s deputy. to demonstrate to the entire oped by a consortium led by ACWA to bring new power plants online. New ambassadors to Iran, China, the UN and US were also world that Malawi is committed Power, is set to provide 1,300 meg- With year-round sunshine and named. to eradicating wildlife crime,” awatts per hour, powering more thousands of miles of windswept The reshuffl e has been widely welcomed by the general Kumchedwa said in a telephone Malawi Parks and Wildlife off icers write identification details on a than 200,000 homes, a statement coast in South Africa, inves- public and is seen as an attempt by the government to ready interview from Mzuzu, about confiscated elephant tusk at the Mzuzu Nature Sanctuary yesterday. from media fi rm OLB said. tors are warming to the renew- his All People’s Congress party for elections in two years’ time. 400km from the capital Lilong- Construction of the plant be- able energy potential, with 66 “Koroma realised that the ruling party’s image was waning we. the burning by three months but Malawian wildlife authorities gan in 2013, following a success- projects completed or underway and needed a boost so that’s why he has made such a radical A court in Malawi earlier this did not seek a further delay this say Malawi’s elephant popula- ful bid by ACWA Power, as part since the government launched a sweep. It is now clear that the president wants more produc- month said the ivory stockpile time around, offi cials said. tion has halved from 4,000 in the of South Africa’s plan to expand fi rst bid round four years ago. tivity from his ministers,” said Sierra Leonean political analyst worth $3mn could be destroyed. In seeking the delay, Tanzania 1980s. the use of renewable energy. Bokpoort CSP plant is the fi rst Sorie Kargbo. Tanzanian authorities had in had argued that the haul of tusks The country still has an ad- “It is aimed at providing en- in a series of investments that The president is barred under the constitution from stand- September successfully won a should be preserved as evidence ditional 4 tonnes of ivory that it ergy security and diversifi ed en- ACWA Power is making in the ing again after two terms in power. He was elected for the fi rst court order in Mzuzu delaying against poachers. says it plans to burn in the future. ergy. It instils confi dence that power sector in South Africa. time in 2007. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 13 AMERICAS Trump eyes big campaign wins Reuters count and seen as needing to win On Saturday, he was rushed Racism, not Islam, motivated confrontation North Marion, Ohio in his home state to stay in the by a man on an Ohio stage and race, was getting campaign help repeatedly blamed Bernie Sand- The protester who disrupted appeared to a video with what yesterday from Mitt Romney, ers, a candidate in the Demo- a Donald Trump rally in Ohio appeared to be a doctored epublican presidential who was the party’s 2012 presi- cratic race, for the protesters’ over the weekend wanted to picture of DiMassimo with a gun front-runner Donald dential candidate and who deliv- actions. send a message against racism and an ISIS flag. RTrump yesterday faced a ered a furious attack on Trump On the Democratic side, and “violent, white supremacist In the video, Arabic music last day of campaigning before earlier this month. former Secretary of State Hillary ideas,” he said in an interview is laid over images taken from a crucial round of nominating Trump has fi red up enthusi- Clinton has a decent chance to that aired yesterday. an anti-racism march at Wright contests including in Florida and astic crowds with his promise to pull away from Sanders today. Thomas DiMassimo caused State University in which Mas- Ohio, where establishment Re- “make America great again.” But her loss to him last week in a stir Saturday when he tried to simo is seen dragging an Ameri- publicans worked to trip him up. But he has bucked Republican Michigan, which shocked poll- rush the stage in Dayton, where can flag on the ground. Trump supporters and protest- orthodoxy on policies including sters who believed Clinton had a the Republican presidential “USSS (US Secret Service) did ers have clashed at his rallies in free trade and off ended a range of double-digit lead, underscores frontrunner was wrapping up a an excellent job stopping the recent days, fuelling accusations Americans with his calls to tem- the left-leaning US senator’s campaign speech. maniac running to the stage. He that the New York billionaire has porarily ban Muslims from the ability to surprise. “I was thinking that Donald has ties to ISIS. Should be in jail!” created an ugly atmosphere with country and deport illegal im- At a town hall on Sunday night, Trump is a bully, and he is noth- Trump tweeted. his campaign invective against migrants. the two Democrats both devoted ing more than that,” the 22-year But DiMassimo said his mo- groups such as Mexican im- In Florida, US Senator Marco time to attacking Trump, who old college student told CNN. tives had absolutely nothing to migrants and Muslims, and his Rubio, a favourite of the party they say is inciting violence at “He is somebody who is just do with radical Islam. rough tone toward hecklers. establishment, has staked his his rallies, before getting down to saying a lot of bold things, he’s “I was thinking that I Trump, who has rejected accu- survival in the campaign on win- their battle with each other. making bold claims. But I can could get up on stage and sations he is to blame for the ten- ning in his home state. He has It was unclear whether the see right through that and I can take his podium away from him sions, has emerged from the early also suggested a tactical vote to tensions at his campaign events see that he’s truly just a coward. ... and send a message to all nominating contests with a clear stop Trump - encouraging his might hinder Trump’s advance to And he’s opportunistic and he’s people out in the country who lead in the number of delegates supporters in Ohio to cast their the nomination to be the Repub- willing to destroy this country wouldn’t consider themselves needed to win the party nomina- vote for Kasich. lican candidate in November’s for power for himself,” DiMas- racist, who wouldn’t consider tion for the Nov. 8 election. Trump had scheduled appear- election to succeed Democrat simo said. themselves approving of what He is trailed by Ted Cruz, a US ances in North Carolina, Ohio Barack Obama. DiMassimo was prevented type of violence Donald Trump is senator from Texas, and could and Florida yesterday, after sev- “It will help Trump among from reaching Trump by his allowing in his rallies,” DiMas- seize control of the race with big eral days of events marked by hard-core Republicans and hurt security detail and US Secret simo said. wins in today’s voting in Ohio, outbreaks of shouting and shov- him among independents,” said Service off icers who quickly sur- His aim was to “send them a Florida, Illinois, Missouri and ing between supporters and pro- Frank Luntz, a Republican poll- rounded him, shielding him with message that we can be strong North Carolina. testers, who decry what they call ster. their bodies. - that we can find our strength Opinion polls also showed his bigoted and divisive rhetoric. “It will help him among those DiMassimo, a senior at Wright and we can stand up against him with comfortable leads in all Trump cancelled a big rally who resent the left and their pro- State University, has been Donald Trump and against this those states, except Ohio, where in Chicago on Friday evening tests and their disruptions. But it charged with disorderly conduct new wave he’s ushering in of he is roughly tied with the state’s over security after protesters will hurt him among independ- and inducing panic. truly just violent white suprema- Trump supporters scramble to cover up a sign carried by a protester governor John Kasich. swarmed the event, sparking ents who don’t like the chaos and Trump posted a link to what cist ideas,” DiMassimo told CNN. at a campaign rally on Sunday in Boca Raton, Florida. Kasich, trailing in the delegate clashes. the confusion.

Olympian told Trudeau to talk to remove hijab Cop shot dead in attack on on climate, UN

AFP Maryland police station peacekeepers Austin

Reuters then looked out her window to AFP rganisers of the South by Southwest Washington see a man dressed in black fi ring a Ottawa (SXSW) arts festival said on Sunday handgun at the police station. Othey had apologised to Olympian Ibti- “He fi red one shot, and then haj Mohamed after a volunteer said she must gunman opened fi re on a he started pacing back and forth, ncreasing Canada’s contribution to inter- remove her Muslim headcovering to receive police station in the Mary- then fi red another shot,” Las- national peacekeeping, the fi ght against credentials to the event in Austin, Texas. Aland suburbs of Washing- celles Grant, a nurse who lives Iclimate change and advocacy for women’s The Olympic fencer was picking up an ton, DC, on Sunday, killing one nearby, told the newspaper. Grant rights are on the agenda for Prime Minister identifi cation badge at the interactive, fi lm offi cer in what authorities called said she then saw police offi cers Justin Trudeau’s visit to the UN, his offi ce said and music event on Saturday when a volun- an unprovoked attack before the pouring out of the station. yesterday. teer told her she must take off her hijab before assailant and a second suspect Police said the second suspect His visit to UN headquarters in New York to- her photograph could be taken. were arrested. was under questioning Sunday morrow comes one month after Secretary Gen- “Even after I explained it was for religious The accused gunman was night and no other individuals eral Ban Ki-moon praised Ottawa’s renewed reasons, he insisted I had to remove my hijab,” wounded in the ensuing shoot- were believed to have been in- engagement on the world stage. Trudeau has she said on Twitter. out with several offi cers outside volved in the incident. According said his government would contribute more to SXSW organisers said on Sunday in an the station but was expected to to the Post, authorities described mediation and confl ict resolution, peacekeep- e-mail to Reuters that they have since removed survive, Prince George’s County the second suspect as the gun- ing and reconstruction in global hotspots. the volunteer for the duration of the event. Police Chief Henry Stawinski told man’s brother. He said Canada would also seek a seat on the “We are embarrassed by this and have reporters hours later. John Teletchea, president of Security Council. apologised to Ibtihaj in person, and sincerely The second suspect, who was the Fraternal Order of Police un- During his meeting with Ban, the prime min- regret this incident,” SXSW said in the state- believed to have accompanied the ion local, called the fallen offi cer ister “will emphasise Canada’s commitment ment. shooter but fl ed the scene when a “cop’s cop.” to play a positive and constructive role in the Mohamed, 30, will make history in Rio de the gunfi re began, was taken into Maryland Governor Larry world, and to make meaningful contributions to Janeiro as the fi rst Olympian to represent the custody about 30 minutes later Hogan yesterday ordered fl ags issues that include climate change, respect for US wearing a hijab. following a search of the area, lowered to half-staff in honour of diversity and human rights, and support for in- She has become an outspoken critic of Stawinski said. the dead offi cer. ternational peace operations,” a statement from presidential candidate Donald Trump, who Neither suspect was immedi- “The First Lady and I send our Trudeau’s offi ce said. called for a ban on Muslims from entering the ately identifi ed. sincere prayers to the family and That could see more Canadian troops de- US. The police chief said he could Colson … mourned loved ones of Offi cer Colson, ployed as peacekeepers in Africa and Haiti. “I feel like I owe it to people who look like off er no explanation for what who made the ultimate sacrifi ce Le Devoir newspaper last week said as many me to speak out,” Mohamed told reporters might have precipitated the at- Colson, a four-year veteran of attack unprovoked, adding: “My in service to his fellow citizens as 2,000 Canadian police offi cers and soldiers last week. “When I hear someone say some- tack on the District 3 police the force, had been rushed to the understanding is he opened fi re and community,” Hogan said in a could soon be deployed to shore up security in thing like, ‘We’re going to send Muslims back station, which lies adjacent to hospital by a fellow offi cer in the on the fi rst offi cer he saw and statement late on Sunday that or- Haiti, the Western hemisphere’s poorest na- to their countries,’ I say, ‘Well, I’m American. county police headquarters in back of a squad car. then continued that conduct as dered fl ags lowered to half-staff . tion, and take over command of the UN mission Where am I going to go?” Landover, Maryland, about 13km “This man launched an attack offi cers became aware of what The shooting was the sec- from Brazil after its mission mandate expires in After the incident was resolved at the event, east of Washington. on a police station and engaged was going on, and then several ond fatal attack on law enforce- October. Mohamed said that she was issued the wrong “It wasn’t about anything,” several Prince George’s County offi cers engaged him.” ment offi cers in the area in little While in New York, Trudeau will take part identifi cation. Stawinski told reporters at a news police offi cers in a gunfi ght, to One eyewitness was quoted in more than a month. Two Harford in a roundtable discussion on advocacy for the “I was given the wrong ID! From now on my conference outside the hospital which they responded heroical- The Washington Post as saying County sheriff ’s deputies were rights of girls, and will discuss gender equal- name is Tamir & I work for Time Warner Inc” where the slain undercover offi cer, ly,” Stawinski said. she heard the sound of what she shot by a gunman at a restaurant ity with the executive director of UN Women, she tweeted. Jacai Colson, 28, was declared dead. He called the late-afternoon thought were fi recrackers outside, near Baltimore on February 10. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Thousands of homes damaged as fl oods hit southern states

Reuters across eastern Arkansas and New Orleans northern Louisiana. Portions of the lower Missis- sippi Valley are at risk for severe everal people were killed thunderstorms, the NWS said, after drenching thunder- which could trigger fl ash fl ood- Sstorms moved through ing. River levels were expected to Louisiana and Mississippi at the remain high in the region as ex- weekend, triggering fl ooding cessive rain water drains, it said. across the lower Mississippi val- The Louisiana National Guard, ley, authorities said. working around the clock for sev- Rainfall, which meteorologists eral days, said it had rescued more said reached two feet in some ar- than 3,295 citizens and 316 pets. eas, killed three people in Loui- Some 1,300 guardsmen re- siana and one in Oklahoma. Two sponded to fl ooding in more than fi shermen were missing in Mis- 25 parishes, conducting evacua- sissippi on Sunday, according to tions, search and rescue by vehi- emergency management offi cials. cle, boat and helicopter, and pro- President Barack Obama de- viding security and shelter. clared fl ooding in Louisiana a Authorities and meteorolo- major disaster on Sunday, pro- gists described the fl ooding as viding aid for victims. historic and the worst seen in the Louisiana’s emergency man- region apart from that spawned agement offi ce warned in a state- by hurricanes. ment “the crisis is not over.” It Scores of roads and bridges said some 5,000 homes had al- were closed throughout the re- ready been damaged. gion at the weekend. In Missis- The National Weather Service sippi, almost 400 homes suf- (NWS) warned on Sunday night fered damage from the rainfall of a tornado threat and poten- and fl ooding, the state emergen- tial for hail and damaging winds cy agency said. The Louisiana National Guard’s 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company uses a mobile bridge in their door-to-door search for stranded residents near Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 ASEAN

Singapore blogger to pay libel damages to PM over 17 years

AFP accusing him in a blog of misappropri- No interest will be collected but asked for donations to help pay off the Singapore has consistently ranked After being sued by the prime min- Singapore ating state pension funds. should Ngerng default on any pay- amount he was due to hand over to- highly in surveys as one of the world’s ister in 2014, Ngerng was fi red from Ngerng’s lawyer Eugene Thuraisin- ment, he would have to repay the full morrow, adding that he has been doing least corrupt countries, but rights his government hospital job for ad- gam said that under an agreement with sum immediately, added Thuraisin- freelance photography and is searching groups say its leaders have used fi - ministrative reasons which he did not n activist blogger ordered to pay the prime minister, his client would gam, who is representing Ngerng for for a job. nancially ruinous defamation suits to contest. Sg$150,000 ($109,000) in libel pay Sg$30,000 by tomorrow to cover free. “I hope to be able to fi nd a job and silence critics and political opponents. He successfully raised more than Adamages to Singapore Prime the costs of an assessment hearing. A source familiar with the case said make use of my work experience and Singaporean leaders maintain that Sg$112,000 through crowdfunding but Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make To pay the actual damages he would that Ngerng had initially asked to skills,” he wrote. the lawsuits are necessary to protect the cash ran out during his defence. payments in instalments over the next then fork out $100 a month for the next be let off the remainder after paying “I miss contributing eff ectively to their reputations from unfounded al- The local media in Singapore is 17 years, his lawyer said yesterday. fi ve years before the amount increases Sg$36,000. But this was rejected by make positive change.” legations. tightly controlled, leaving bloggers Roy Ngerng, 34, a former govern- to $1,000 a month until the amount the prime minister, who agreed to the Ngerng’s guilty verdict was the fi rst Ngerng initially off ered Sg$5,000 as and other online commentators as the ment employee, was found guilty in is paid, which would take a total of 17 payment in instalments. such ruling in Singapore over a purely compensation to Lee, who rejected the strongest critics of the long-ruling November 2014 of defaming Lee after years. In a blogpost yesterday, Ngerng online article. amount. People’s Action Party. Govt-blocked Eight killed in Thailand Malaysian bank chemical tragedy news portal

AFP focated due to lack of oxygen. Bangkok “There were no wounds found shuts down on their bodies. It was like they were sleeping,” he told reporters. ight people died and seven Investigators spent yesterday AFP Malaysian government) had were injured when they searching for clues to how the Kuala Lumpur made it more diffi cult for a sale Eaccidentally triggered a fi re system was triggered and to be concluded,” it said, add- fi re extinguisher system inside why victims were seemingly un- ing that it had no choice but to the vault of a major Thai bank able to escape the thick cloud of leading Malaysian news close the site. and released a suff ocating cloud chemicals. portal that was blocked The news will fuel further of chemicals, offi cials said yes- “It’s too early to say who is to A by the government af- fears for democratic space and terday. blame. We need time for experts ter it ran reports on a scandal media freedoms under Najib. The accident happened late to investigate the details,” acting linked to Prime Minister Najib Najib, 62, has been under Sunday in a basement security Bangkok police chief Lieuten- Razak is shutting down after pressure for a year over al- vault at the Bangkok headquar- ant-General Sanit Mahathavorn eight years, it announced yes- legations that billions of dol- ters of the Siam Commercial told reporters. terday. lars were pilfered from a state Bank (SCB), one of the country’s Another senior offi cer, Police The Malaysian Insider has fund he oversees, and for his largest fi nancial institutions. Major-General Thawatchai Me- been a key player in the growth own admitted acceptance of SCB blamed the accident kprasertkul, said there was no of plucky online news sites a mysterious $681mn sum. As on contractors who had been evidence of a fi re or explosion that have rapidly gained a fol- calls for his ouster mounted, working to upgrade the build- that might have triggered the re- lowing over the past decade by Najib has purged critics from ing’s chemical fi re extinguisher tardant. reporting on offi cial malfea- his government and taken system but mistakenly set it off , Rescue workers had to bat- sance and corruption, fi lling a other steps that have stalled releasing a chemical retardant tle haze to reach victims. One void left by pro-government investigations. designed to starve any fi re of picture published by local me- traditional media. Najib’s government also oxygen. dia showed fi refi ghters, wearing Last month, Malaysia’s gov- banned publication of The “The work may have triggered masks and handkerchiefs over ernment began blocking access Edge’s print newspaper last the Pyrogen aerosol which, once their faces, extracting work- to the site after it published a year. A court lifted the sus- it works, will decrease oxygen, ers on stretchers from inside a story on corruption allegations pension two months later. that could cause people’s inju- building fi lled with thick, pale swirling around Najib. The The Malaysian Insider’s ries and death,” the bank said in smoke. website’s owner, The Edge Me- blocking last month was a statement. Bodies were brought out dia Group, said in a statement criticised by media and rights Pyrogen manufactures a type wrapped in white blankets while that it had been in negotiations groups, with Human Rights of aerosol fi re extinguisher used paramedics could be seen try- to sell the loss-making portal Watch calling it a “blatant and in places where water would ing to resuscitate victims on the but that talks broke down in the outrageous breach” of media damage documents or electrical pavement. wake of the government block. freedoms and accusing Najib equipment. Rescue workers carry victims after an accident, possibly caused by a fire retardant chemical according to the “SCB would like to express its “We believe the recent of “tightening the noose of The company says on its web- bank, at the headquarters of Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank in Bangkok. sympathy to those injured and problems TMI had with (the censorship and control.” site that its aerosol does not killed,” the bank said in its state- deplete oxygen. But it also ad- Bangkok’s Erawan emergency of them critically, the centre Major-General Porn Suth- ment, adding it was cooperating vises against using it in occupied medical centre said fi ve people added. Police say seven of those eerakhun, commander of Thai- with police. rooms and says “accidental ex- were killed at the scene while killed were contractors, includ- land’s Institute of Forensic The bank said the rest of the posure should be limited to fi ve three others died in hospital. ing one woman. The eighth vic- Medicine, said initial autopsy building was not aff ected and minutes”. Seven workers were injured, four tim was a bank security guard. results showed the victims suf- was open for business. Indonesia detains 14 over alleged Syria travel

Military questions Suu Kyi picks ahead of presidential vote AFP Among those identifi ed Jakarta were a family of fi ve with three children from Tangerang, west Reuters run the country whoever becomes presi- even though the constitution does not er. Suu Kyi has made it clear she would run of Jakarta, Iqbal said in a state- Naypyidaw dent, and her choice looks certain to be stipulate a candidate must be a lawmaker. the country through a presidential proxy. ndonesia has detained 14 ment late Sunday. Five others, confi rmed by parliament as her National The military MP, Major General Than Sources in Suu Kyi’s camp say she has people, including several including at least one child, League for Democracy (NLD) holds a size- Soe, opposed Henry Van Thio because grown increasingly frustrated with mili- Ichildren, as they allegedly were from the Indonesian part yanmar’s powerful military able majority after winning a landslide the armed forces needed time to look into tary intransigence on issues ranging from tried to travel to Syria, police of Borneo island. questioned Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory in a general election in November. whether his stay abroad might disqualify amending the constitution to relatively said, where hundreds of their The group is being held at Mpicks for president and vice Last week, the NLD picked a close him, said the chairman of the joint houses minor formalities such as the location of countrymen have joined ex- the airport while police work president yesterday as tension simmered friend of Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw, as its presi- of parliament, Mahn Win Khaing Than. the handover of power. tremist groups like the Islamic to establish the identities of between the two sides a day before parlia- dential candidate and Henry Van Thio to The candidates were confi rmed anyway NLD lawmakers also privately said the State (IS) group. the remaining suspects. ment votes on who should get the top job. be a vice president to represent numer- as the NLD held sway on the commis- military’s choice of Myint Swe as its can- The Indonesians were Police did not say whether Relations between the armed forces and ous ethnic minorities. The military, which sion, but military disapproval highlighted didate went against the spirit of reconcili- stopped Sunday at the inter- those detained planned to join Suu Kyi will defi ne the success or other- holds a quarter of the seats in parliament, a widening rift between Suu Kyi and the ation Suu Kyi says she is seeking to foster. national airport serving Ja- IS. Hundreds of Indonesians, wise of Myanmar’s most signifi cant break picked a third candidate. armed forces as her party prepares to take Myint Swe served the junta as head of karta as they tried to board a many in families, have trav- from military rule since the army seized Yesterday, the military member of a power on April 1. the feared military intelligence and is on fl ight to Bangkok, from where elled to join the jihadists since power in 1962, even though the constitu- parliamentary commission formed to vet “We will have a new democratic presi- the US sanctions list. If the vote today they planned to continue on to they seized large swathes of tion bars her from taking the presidency. candidates abstained from voting on Htin dent tomorrow anyway. The people will goes as expected, he will become one of Syria, Jakarta police spokes- territory in Syria and Iraq and The democracy leader says she will Kyaw because he is not an elected MP, prevail,” said Zaw Thein, an NLD lawmak- two vice presidents. man Mohamed Iqbal said. proclaimed a “caliphate”.

Singapore to ban cigarette displays in stores Malaysia, Australia to Vietnam activists mark Spratly island battle Singapore’s parliament yesterday voted to ban the display of cigarettes in a bid to further discuss China moves AFP plain-clothed security offi cers, curb the habit in a nation which Hanoi the activists played patriotic already has one of the world’s music and waved Vietnamese lowest smoking rates. From 2017, Reuters where China has been carrying fl ags near the central Hoan merchants must keep tobacco Kuala Lumpur out controversial reclamation ctivists chanted anti- Kiem lake in Hanoi. out of sight and not display any work and stationing advanced China slogans in the Vi- Dozens of activists laid fl o- advertisement of it, according weapons. Hishammuddin said Aetnamese capital yester- ral wreaths covered with black to the the new regulations. Sin- alaysian Defence he would meet Australian De- day to mark the anniversary of ribbons that read “the people gapore joins countries including Minister Hisham- fence Minister Marise Payne a 1988 battle in the Spratly Is- will never forget” at the stat- Australia, Canada, New Zealand Mmuddin Hussein said to ensure eff orts are made to lands, a rare act of protest over ue of Ly Thai To. The protest and the UK in banning cigarette yesterday he will meet his “hold China to their promise an issue that has come to dog lasted about an hour. Vietnam’s displays in stores. Legislators also Australian counterpart next of not placing military assets relations between Hanoi and tightly controlled state media voted to ban all forms of ciga- week to discuss China’s mili- in the area”. Beijing. covered the anniversary but not rette advertising, including online tary buildup in the disputed “If the reports we’ve re- The two neighbours are yesterday’s protest. There was ads. Electronic-cigarettes, as well South China Sea and hold ceived from various sources re- locked in long-standing terri- Anti-China protesters shout “down with invasive China” during a no offi cial comment from the as vapers, are also not allowed talks with fellow claimants the garding the buildup and place- torial disputes over the Spratly gathering to mark the 28th anniversary of the Spratly Islands clashes government. to be displayed, said Amy Khor, Philippines and Vietnam. ment of military assets in the and Paracel Islands, which both between Vietnam and China at a public park in Hanoi yesterday. Beijing’s increasingly asser- the city-state’s Senior Minister China claims most of the Spratlys are true - this forces us countries claim. tive stance in contested wa- of State for Health who moved energy-rich waters through in a pushback against China,” One party Vietnam clamps namese military control — kill- thorities,” Toan added, referring ters has triggered public anger the tobacco bill in parliament. which about $5tn in ship- Hishammuddin told reporters. down on public protest. ing 64 Vietnamese soldiers in to activist claims that the com- and rounds of protests in au- “Though we are fortunate that borne trade passes every year. In September, Chinese Pres- But anti-Chinese demon- the last violent confl ict between munist authorities do not suffi - thoritarian Vietnam where the smoking prevalence in Singapore Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, ident Xi Jinping said China strations have become in- the two nations. ciently commemorate the battle. demonstrations are sometimes has remained relatively low com- the Philippines, Taiwan and had no intention to militarise creasingly commonplace, par- “We are here to commemo- Vietnam’s communist lead- forcefully broken up. pared to many other countries, Vietnam also have claims. its outposts in the Spratly is- ticularly around the March 14 rate our soldiers killed by Chi- ership’s handling of its delicate The Spratlys are claimed by we must not be complacent,” she Beijing is feeling public lands. The 10-member Asso- anniversary of a skirmish be- nese,” teacher Pham Toan said relationship with China - which Hanoi but controlled by Beijing, said. She noted that the smoking pressure at home to show it ciation of Southeast Asian Na- tween China and Vietnam. in front of a statue of Ly Thai is the country’s largest trading which has ramped up activ- rate was brought to an all-time can protect its claims to the tions (Asean) said last month In 1988 China launched an To - the founder of Hanoi and a partner - is a frequent fl ash- ity in the area by rapidly build- low of 12.6% in 2004, but that it waters after the US began con- it was “seriously concerned” attack on Gac Ma Island -- one nationalist fi gurehead. point for domestic criticism of ing artifi cial islands, including slowly crept up to 13.3% in 2013. ducting “freedom of naviga- over developments in the of the larger Spratly Islands “Their sacrifi ce has been long Vietnam’s authoritarian gov- airstrips said to be capable of tion” operations near islands disputed waters. which was formerly under Viet- forgotten by Vietnamese au- ernment. Watched by dozens of hosting military jets. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Balloon festival Concern in Australia over arrest of journalists

AFP were arrested on Saturday Canberra night as they approached the prime minister, with Besser asking him why hundreds of ustralia’s foreign minis- millions of dollars had been ter yesterday expressed deposited in his bank ac- Aconcern at Malaysia’s count. detention of two visiting Aus- According to a Malaysian tralian journalists who had police statement, the pair were tried to question prime minis- detained after they crossed a ter Najib Razak about corrup- “security line and aggressively tion allegations. tried to approach the prime The Australian Broadcast- minister”. ing Corporation journalist and “Both of them were subse- camera operator were detained quently arrested for failing to overnight Saturday after ap- comply with police instruc- proaching Najib as he visited a tions not to cross the security mosque in Kuching on Borneo line,” it said. island. But the ABC’s director of They have since been re- news Gaven Morris said the leased but remain barred from journalists did not “obstruct leaving Malaysia as they await or intend to obstruct any pub- possible charges, their lawyer lic servants in performance of said. their duties”. Foreign minister Julie “They did not see a police Bishop said Australia’s high line and do not believe they commissioner (ambassador) crossed one,” he said. Hot air balloons flying near Australia’s parliament house in Canberra, yesterday on the 30th anniversary of Canberra’s Balloon Spectacular festival. in Malaysia had been in con- Najib, 62, has been under tact with the pair, Four Cor- fire in recent months, includ- ners reporter Linton Besser ing over allegations that bil- and camera operator Louie lions of dollars were stolen Eroglu. from a state firm he founded, “I’m always concerned and over his own acceptance when there are instances of of a murky $681mn overseas a crackdown on freedom of payment. speech — in democracies par- Najib and the state fi rm have Sanctions starting to hurt ticularly,” Bishop said while vehemently denied any wrong- visiting Fiji. doing but he has curbed inves- “I’m also concerned about tigations into the scandals and the freedom that journalists purged his ruling United Ma- have to carry out their work.” lays National Organisation of Pyongyang, says US envoy The ABC said the men critics.

The UN has called for Kim and investigator Marzuki Darusman his associates to be tried for called for leader Kim Jong Un and Taiwan rally calls for rights abuse senior offi cials to be prosecuted for committing crimes against Reuters humanity phase-out of N-power Geneva The United States is work- ing with Japan and the European Union on a resolution to set up a DPA too risky to operate the plants he United States is con- “mechanism of accountability” Taipei in Taiwan, which like Japan is cerned about North Ko- aimed at holding North Korea’s prone to earthquakes. Trea’s investment in nuclear leadership liable for abuses, King “We should not try our weapons, but there are signs that said. housands of protest- chance,” Tokyo-based Taiwan- fresh UN sanctions are starting “But I think we need to be ers turned out Satur- ese writer Liu Li-erh, who has to hurt Pyongyang, the US envoy careful not to start at the top . Be- Tday across Taiwan to lived in Japan for decades, said for human rights in North Korea cause if you start at the top, that’s demand that the government to the crowd. told Reuters yesterday. where you stop.” immediately stop relying on Demonstrators also de- Ambassador Robert King “One of the things that we nuclear power and to fi nd a so- manded that a fourth, nearly called for resuming six-party need to do on accountability is lution to the problem of radio- completed nuclear power plant talks on the Democratic People’s to make sure and to make clear active waste. be permanently abandoned. Republic of Korea (DPRK) that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. to the North Koreans as well that The demonstrations came as Construction at the site was would be aimed at denucleari- people at all levels are going to be Japan marks the fi fth anniver- halted in July. sation, but conceded that in the clear weapons programme, in a “There are some indications lation around 24mn, must now considered,” he added. sary of the nuclear meltdowns “The irresponsible project current climate of regional ten- resolution drafted by the United that suggest that the sanctions be inspected, whereas previously There was “serious drought” at the Fukushima-Daiichi is wasting time and resourc- sions, that would be “pretty States and Pyongyang’s ally Chi- are creating some diffi cult condi- states only had to inspect such last year North Korea, which can plants following an earthquake es. The plant should be just hard”. na. tions for imports,” King said. shipments if they had reason- feed its population “at a very and tsunami. scrapped,” New Power Party “The concern clearly is the North Korea fi red two short- “There are already indica- able grounds to believe they con- minimal level” in the best of Despite heavy rain, more legislator Huang Kuo-chang North Koreans have money that range ballistic missiles into the tions that companies and banks tained illicit goods. times, King said. than 1,000 people marched told the crowd. they are putting into military re- sea last Thursday in defi ance of and so forth that deal with North The US treasury department “The toughest time in North for hours through the capital The government’s deci- sources and proliferation of nu- UN Security Council resolutions, Korea are being much more cau- and White House are still fi nalis- Korea is the time we’re in right Taipei, waving signs that said sion to freeze the plant’s clear weapons, and we’re anxious as South Korean and US forces tious even though the sanctions ing work on the new sanctions, now. This is the time when rice “Farewell to nuclear power” construction was taken in to make sure their ability in those conducted massive war games. haven’t fully been implemented,” King said. “There is an Executive supplies from last fall and the and shouting anti-nuclear slo- response to the strong anti- areas is limited,” King said in an They followed its latest nucle- he said. “My guess is they’ve al- Order being drafted right now harvest from last fall is pretty gans. nuclear sentiment that arose interview. ar test in January and a rocket ready start to bite, they will con- that will deal with these addi- well running out,” he said. Taiwan has three aging nu- after Fukushima crisis. Gov- The UN Security Council launch in February that Wash- tinue to bite, or become tougher tional sanctions.” “And it’s still too early to be clear power plants. The gov- ernment officials promised unanimously agreed new UN ington and its allies said used as they are implemented.” King was speaking after ad- growing crops that will be able ernment aims to phase out nu- to leave the final decision as sanctions this month to starve banned ballistic missile technol- All cargo going to and from dressing the United Nations Hu- to be used this year. It’s the lean clear power by 2025. to the plant’s fate to a refer- Pyongyang of money for its nu- ogy. North Korea, which has a popu- man Rights Council, where UN period.” Demonstrators said it was endum.

Projects in Guinea ‘helping North Full-time ‘ninjas’ Korea earn foreign currencies’ sought for tourism

Agencies about 250 North Korean labour- The US ambassador to the AFP A poster the prefecture cre- Kinshasa ers are in Guinea engaged in con- UN, Samantha Power, said Tokyo ated says the ideal candidates structing a military camp and a that the sanctions went fur- are ones who “enjoy being un- stadium. ther than any UN sanctions der the spotlight even though adio Free Asia (RFA) There are around 60,000 regime in two decades and anted: six full-time he or she is a secretive ninja”. has alleged that North North Korean workers employed aimed to cut off funds for ninjas who have a Japanese speaking ability is R Korea is earning for- in various projects in 50 coun- North Korea’s nuclear and Wway with words and preferable, but non-Japanese in- eign currencies through tries in the world and their re- other banned weapons pro- can do backward handsprings. dividuals passionate about his- projects in Guinea despite mittances form a major source grammes. Pay: about $1,600 a month. tory and tourism are welcome as tough UN Security Council of the government’s foreign ex- All cargo going to and from Central Japan’s Aichi prefec- the troupe will sometimes per- sanctions. change earnings. North Korea must now be in- ture said it is hiring full-time form in English, Adachi said. Citing a news report from the North Korea has been fac- spected as part of the new sanc- ninjas — the martial-arts mas- “Our ninjas also have to be Democratic Republic of Congo ing harsh new UN sanctions to tions. Previously states only ters and stealth special assas- good at talking to promote (DRC), Radio Free Asia said that starve it of money for its nuclear had to inspect such shipments sins of feudal times — to pro- tourism, although ninjas are North Korea is getting an enor- weapons programme following if they had reasonable grounds mote tourism in the area known basically required to be secre- mous amount of money through a unanimous Security Coun- to believe they contained illicit for historic Nagoya castle. tive,” he said. IT and construction projects in cil vote earlier this month on a goods. Newly hired ninjas will re- They also “have to be able to Guinea. resolution drafted by the United UN Secretary-General Ban ceive a one-year contract do backward handsprings and It added that these funds could States and China. Ki-moon has welcomed the with monthly pay of 180,000 some dance moves”, he added. serve “as a key fi nancial source The resolution, which dra- 15-nation council’s move, yen ($1,580) plus bonus, said Successful candidates will go for the North’s nuclear and mis- matically expands existing saying in a statement that Satoshi Adachi of the prefec- through a one-month training sile development”. sanctions, follows North Ko- Pyongyang “must return to full tural government’s tourism course in April. According to RFA, a DRC daily rea’s latest nuclear test on Jan- compliance with its interna- promotion unit. The prefecture is accepting quoted a source as saying that uary 6 and a February 7 rocket tional obligations”. They will also perform acro- applications until March 22. Men a North Korean IT company is launch that Washington and its North Korea has been un- batics, demonstrate the use of and women aged 18 or above of establishing a security system allies said used banned ballistic der UN sanctions since 2006 their trademark “shuriken” — any nationality can apply. in Guinea for its president, in a missile technology. Pyongyang because of its four nuclear ninja star — weapons and pose Nowadays ninjas are mostly $3bn deal. said it was a peaceful satellite tests and multiple rocket Ninjas hired by the Aichi tourism bureau posing during a photo for photographs with tourists, confi ned to history books and According to media reports, launch. launches. shoot. he told AFP on Friday. fi ction. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 BRITAIN

APPEAL ARCHAEOLOGY JUSTICE CRIME POLL Shops told to enforce age Untouched Bronze Age Married couple face jail Wimbledon Prowler strikes MPs who are arrested restrictions on knife sales burial site discovered for £1.6mn benefit scam three times in last fortnight ‘should be identified’

Theresa May yesterday urged retailers to step up An untouched Bronze Age burial site is due to A married couple who flew hundreds of A cat burglar known as the Wimbledon Prowler The public have admonished Parliament after their eff orts to prevent the illegal sale of knives to be excavated thanks to a “lucky” discovery by Bangladeshi migrants into Britain for a day to has struck at least three times in the past fortnight, MPs rewrote rules to stop their names being young people. The home secretary held a summit a pair of metal detector enthusiasts. Matthew claim £1.6mn in benefits are facing jail. Chowdhury it emerged yesterday. The man is now thought to published if they are arrested. Nearly two-thirds with online and high street chains in response to Hepworth and David Kierzek unearthed several Muyeed, 51, and Asma Khanam, 47, supplied have carried out about 450 raids in the south-west of people said in a poll that arrested MPs should concerns that some are failing to enforce the legal rare artefacts in a field in Lancashire, including migrants with sham addresses and mocked-up London suburb in the past 12 years, making him the be off icially identified. The Commons recently ban on sales to under-18s. She said shops could a chisel and a dagger. This led to an ancient wage slips to dupe authorities. They set up a web most prolific burglar in the UK. As part of an appeal nodded through the changes despite warnings also help by storing blades more safely to make barrow being located at the site which had lain of bogus charities and businesses to hide the scam, to identify the man, Scotland Yard yesterday issued that it would make them less accountable to it harder to steal knives. May added that such undiscovered for thousands of years. Hepworth, then flew migrants into Stansted airport to attend a new picture in which his partially hidden face is voters. Dr Michael Turner, director at BMG “crucial” measures would help save lives and make 40, said: “This site is untouched which makes it Job Centre interviews and get National Insurance captured by a CCTV camera in 2008 as he tries to Research which carried out the poll, said: the streets of London safer. Announcing a new very, very rare. It wouldn’t have been discovered numbers. Muyeed, who lived in Ilford, Essex, was break into a home. The intruder is known for his “Tragically for politicians, even the results from drive to combat knife crime, the home secretary if we hadn’t found those artefacts. “I’ve been found guilty of conspiring to dishonestly produce skill in dismantling security alarms and ability to those who tend to trust government, usually said she was pleased with the support of the on the site five times before over 20 years, but false statements of information at Snaresbrook scale the exterior of houses. Police believe the thief cheerleaders for the political establishment, retailers attending the meeting and insisted that metal items do move in the ground. It was just a crown court. Khanam, was freed on bail until the began targeting wealthy homes in Wimbledon as show a majority insisting that politician’s details the law banning sales to juveniles must be upheld. lucky find on the day”. sentencing hearing on April 8. far back as 2006. should in fact be made public.”

Commonwealth Service Evans sorry for London mayor Top Gear stunt at blasts Obama Cenotaph

London Evening Standard London ‘hypocrisy’

hris Evans has apologised “unreservedly” after Cscenes for the new Top Gear series were fi lmed near the Cenotaph. over Brexit Co-host Matt LeBlanc was spotted driving around West- AFP The visit would take place hear how much they actually minster in a souped-up 1965 London around two months before the value Britain’s membership Ford Mustang and photographs June 23 referendum in which of the European Union, just showed large tyre circles were left voters will decide whether to so that the British people are on the roads surrounding the war ondon mayor Boris John- leave or stay in the 28-country properly informed.” memorial. son yesterday accused bloc. Obama is heading to Ger- The stunt was for the new series LBarack Obama of “hy- A spokeswoman for Prime many in late April to talk trade of the BBC 2 show. Evans is the pocrisy” following a report that Minister David Cameron’s with Chancellor Angela Merkel new main host on the programme, the US president is heading to Downing Street office yester- and promote US exports at the due to be broadcast from May. Britain next month to make the day declined to comment on Hanover industrial technology On his Radio 2 show, Evans, 49, case for the UK to stay in the the report. fair, which takes place April 25- said he “completely understood European Union. “Other people will set out 29. the furore” and admitted it had “Coming from Uncle Sam, it their views, the choice for the Washington has long backed been “unwise” to fi lm anywhere is a piece of outrageous and ex- British people is whether or Britain playing a central role near the Cenotaph. orbitant hypocrisy,” Johnson, not they listen to them but then in the EU, the world’s largest He said: “It doesn’t mat- a leading member of the cam- they get to make up their own economic bloc, and has warned ter what actually happened, it paign for Britain to leave the EU minds,” she said. the UK-US “special relation- doesn’t matter what the circum- in a June referendum, wrote in But on a visit to Brussels, ship” could be at risk if it were stances were that could explain his regular column for the Daily Foreign Secretary Philip Ham- to leave. this away, what is important about Telegraph. mond said it was important to Cameron favours keeping this is what these images look like “Can you imagine the Amer- hear from other countries as Britain in the EU, following a and they look entirely disrespect- icans submitting their democ- part of the debate ahead of the renegotiation of the country’s ful, which is not and would never racy to the kind of regime that vote. relations with Brussels. be the intention of the Top Gear we have in the EU?” he asked, “I think it’s important that Opinion polls indicate that team or Matt. adding: “This is a nation born we hear from those people the race is finely balanced, with “On behalf of the Top Gear from its glorious refusal to ac- in the Anglosphere, not just those who want to remain at team and Matt, I would like to cept overseas control.” President Obama but the lead- 51% and those in favour leaving apologise unreservedly for what Johnson went on to point out ers of Australia, New Zealand, at 49%, according to a survey these images seem to portray. that the US does not accept Canada and beyond the Anglo- of polls by the What UK Thinks There have been some very in- that its own citizens could be sphere, Japanese and Chinese research project that excludes cendiary comments written subject to the rulings of the In- leaders,” he said. undecided voters. alongside these pictures and I ternational Criminal Court and “Let’s just hear what they Up to 20% of voters have said completely understand this fu- does not recognise other juris- actually think about their re- they have not yet made up their rore but the Top Gear team would dictions. lations with Britain, let’s just minds which way to vote. never, ever do that. Retrospec- “In urging us to embed our- tively, it was unwise to be any- selves more deeply in the EU’s Vote to leave could lead to higher air fares: study where near the Cenotaph with federalising structures, the this motor car.” Americans are urging us down a Flights between Britain and which represents 1,200 members, Evans said former Friends star course they would never dream Europe could jump in price if the including airlines, tour operators LeBlanc, 48, had been in a car of going themselves,” he wrote. country votes to leave the Euro- and travel agencies. “Our view is called the Hoonicorn with racing “That is because they are pean Union, according to a report that the potential risks and down- driver Ken Block and fi lming could a nation conceived in liberty. commissioned by the Association sides are not matched by an equal continue today. They sometimes seem to forget of British Travel Agents released upside for the traveller,” he added. The stunt was described as that we are quite fond of lib- yesterday. “Our assessment of The report, written by financial “gravely disrespectful” by retired erty, too.” the report’s findings is that a vote services firm Deloitte, concluded Colonel Richard Kemp, who told Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry arrive to attend a Commonwealth The Independent newspaper to leave will lead to uncertain- that “low cost operators with the Daily Telegraph: “This is a sa- Service at Westminster Abbey in central London yesterday. Queen Elizabeth II has been on Sunday reported that Obama, ties and may lead to increased smaller margins” could be hardest cred tribute to millions of people head of the Commonwealth throughout her 60-year reign. Organised by the Royal who has already expressed sup- costs for travel businesses and hit, threatening an end to budget who have done far more for their Commonwealth Society, the service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United port for Britain’s EU member- the travelling public,” said Mark flights to the EU, the main destina- country than Chris Evans and Kingdom. ship, was expected to come to Tanzer, chief executive of Abta, tion for British tourists. Matt LeBlanc ever will.” London at the end of April.

Royals in Croatia Regulator proposes Poison twist to moors fi nancial advice recast death of mystery man Reuters part of their pension pot to pay London for pre-retirement advice fi ve- 10 years before they end work. London Evening Standard his death, although the cause He then went by train to Deloitte consultancy esti- London has yet to be confi rmed by an Greenfi eld 15 miles away where he fi nancial regulator mates that 5mn people in Brit- inquest. he asked at a pub how to get wants to encourage the ain are in the so-called advice A mountain biker found the to the top of a nearby hill. The Tavailability of automated, gap, unwilling or unable to pay mystery man whose man lying on his back with his man is thought to have been or “robo”, fi nancial advice, al- for advice, and at least a million body was found on a re- hands by his side by a moor- last seen walking up a track ready common in the US, to cut people could get their basic fi - Amote hillside after trav- land path. He had no signs of towards the summit. His body the cost of such advice for less nancial advice from robo advis- elling by train from London had injury. There were no credit was found the following morn- well-off consumers. ers. taken a banned drug and swal- cards, wallet or mobile phone ing. The Financial Conduct Au- Robo advisers currently cover lowed a lethal dose of poison, it on his body and no identify- Detective sergeant John thority (FCA) and the fi nance less than a billion pounds of as- emerged yesterday. ing marks on his clothes. All Coleman said: “This is one of ministry said yesterday there sets in Britain, compared with The smartly dressed pen- he possessed were three train those cases when every time was a “clear need” for regulatory $19bn in the US, Deloitte said. sioner found on Saddleworth tickets, including a return to you get one answer you get intervention to reduce the cost Among the recommendations, Moor in December last year had London, £130 in £10 notes a lot more questions. We are of fi nancial advice and make it the FCA will set up a unit to help ingested strychnine, one of the and a small, empty pill bottle still trying to establish how more accessible. fi rms develop automated or robo world’s most powerful poisons. which detectives now believe he got hold of this poison.” He Announcing proposals to im- advice. Traces of the drug Reserpine contained the poison he died said Reserpine, which can also prove the market for fi nancial Some banks, which withdrew — banned in Britain but used from. be used to treat severe agita- advice, they said mass-market from giving fi nancial advice af- in some countries to treat high Strychnine can cause death tion in mental patients, was robo advice would be subject ter costly mis-selling scandals, blood pressure — were also within three hours and is main- still available in some Asian to the same regulatory protec- are looking to re-enter the mar- found in his blood by toxicol- ly used as a pesticide. Police countries such as Pakistan. A tion as face-to-face advice, but ket through automated services. ogy tests. The development is have established he travelled side-effect is depression with would be cheaper and more con- Richard Freeman, chief dis- a bizarre twist in the mystery of to the Pennines after board- reports it has led to suicides. sistent for customers, and boost tribution offi cer at Old Mutual why the man — believed to be ing a Tube at Ealing Broadway DS Coleman added: “The innovation in the “fi ntech” sec- Wealth, welcomed the proposal aged between 65 and 70 — took at about 9am on December 11. question you come back to is tor. to give employees early access to the 200-mile trip from Ealing He went to Euston and took a why a man of that age takes To make it easier for consum- their pensions to fund advice. Broadway to his death on a hill- train to Manchester Piccadilly, a decision to travel 200 miles Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of ers to get advice, the review, “Allowing consumers to ac- side called Indian’s Head in the where he bought food with cash to a remote and desolate loca- Cornwall, walk with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar known as the fi nancial advice cess part of their pension pot Pennines. at a Marks & Spencer store and tion and do what he has done. Kitarovic and her husband Jakov prior to an off icial market review or FAMR, also early in order to fund the cost of Detectives are not believed to made inquiries at the informa- There is no sign he was suffer- welcoming ceremony in Zagreb yesterday. called on the government to al- advice is a bold proposal,” Free- be looking for anyone else over tion counter. ing from a terminal illness.” low consumers to access a small man said. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 17 BRITAIN

Estate agency disputes ex-employee’s ‘infl ated sales’ claims

London Evening Standard more homes than it was in order structed him not to remove them of records and breach of compa- impression of the business by believed the infl ation of market put under any pressure to with- London to boost its value falsely. so they could win more cash. ny procedure” in July 2014. The instructing the claimant and share was being manipulated to draw his grievance. Abdul Samad, 39, says bosses The agent, who resigned in disciplinary proceedings against other branch partners not to re- benefi t the directors and share- Samad claims the fi rm acted in engaged in “misrepresentation of February last year, is suing for him were later dropped. move stock that were no longer holders “as they were incentiv- a “high-handed, malicious and n estate agent is suing a market share” to make the com- constructive unfair dismissal, In papers to an employment available for sale and/or let- ised to earn commission from oppressive manner” and alleges leading London fi rm for pany seem more successful and racial and religious discrimina- tribunal, seen by the Standard, tings from the various market- the wrongdoing”. In the papers, “no attempt was made to inves- A£500,000, claiming he therefore valuable. He believes tion and victimisation, claiming Samad said he believed that as ing portals”. he claimed he was told the dis- tigate his disclosure” or to disci- was forced out after making a this was being done because di- he was targeted after making the FJL was exploring the possibility Samad, who worked for FJL ciplinary proceedings against pline those responsible — which whistleblowing allegation about rectors were considering a po- whistleblowing allegation. The of fl oating its shares, the senior since 2001, claims he was told to him would be discontinued if he believes was a deliberate at- “unethical” practices, the Stand- tential stock market fl otation. company denies all the claims management team promoted a “misrepresent the public, poten- he withdrew his complaint of tempt to cover up the practice. ard has learned. Samad, who worked in the and is defending the tribunal “misleading impression about tial shareholders and customers discrimination and his whistle- The company denies this, stat- A “high-fl ying” senior branch fi rm’s Bow offi ces, claimed man- proceedings. the business for fi nancial gain”. about the respondent’s market blowing disclosure. ing that “there were specifi c and partner for estate agents Felicity J agers and bosses would also re- Samad made the allegations The papers state that as a re- share of properties at the claim- The company insists it dealt reasonable reasons” why dis- Lord claimed the fi rm misled the ceive a bonus or commission for after being accused of “dishones- sult he contends the team was ant’s branch and profi ts”. with the proceedings reasonably ciplinary action was initiated public by pretending to be selling the extra properties listed and in- ty, fraud, deliberate falsifi cation “committed to creating a false The documents state that he and properly and denies he was against him. Police offi cer Crystal Maze is back still drawing full pay despite child porn case

London Evening Standard making indecent photos of a London child. There is no suggestion he manufactured images. He was sentenced at Southwark crown MET police offi cer who court in January. downloaded the highest Watkins was stationed Acategory of child abuse in Bromley but has worked images has been on full pay since across London since joining last summer despite pleading the Met in 1996. He told the guilty. Standard: “I got addicted to Police constable Rupert Wat- normal pornography and I was kins, 45, downloaded over 100 also drinking. I didn’t know images on his phone including what I was doing.” Category A, which depict pen- He claims he clicked on links etrative sexual activity with chil- to child abuse websites adver- dren. tised on adult pornography web- Scotland Yard has still not sites, adding: “Until they sack sacked the offi cer and in Feb- me they can’t not pay me.” ruary his internal misconduct Watkins was given a two-year hearing was suspended for al- community order with an activ- most another month. ity rehabilitation requirement, is Two decades after the cult TV show ended, fans can finally enter the Crystal Maze. The set of the hit Channel 4 series has been meticulously recreated in a warehouse in Angel, The force says it is bound by on the sex off enders’ register and allowing four teams of eight to attempt the challenge. They dash around four zones - Future, Medieval, Aztec and Industrial - completing a series of timed challenges to gain Home Offi ce guidelines meaning was ordered to pay £560 costs. crystals. Each team is guided by a Maze Master, the role played most famously by Richard O’Brien. The experience opens to the public today. Watkins cannot be sacked until it He is in therapy. carries out an internal miscon- His misconduct hearing was duct hearing. due to take place on February However, a hearing can take 29 but did not go ahead due to place in an offi cer’s absence and another case “overrunning”. be fast-tracked when the evi- Harry Davis, campaign man- dence is strong. ager at the TaxPayers’ Alli- It yesterday led to Scotland ance, said: “When cases end Yard being accused of “dragging up dragging on like this, it is out” the case and calls for it to be taxpayers who end up picking fast-tracked. up the bill.” All-night Tube service Watkins, who lives in Bromley The Home Offi ce said: “We with his wife — also a Met offi cer have reformed the police com- — earns about £40,000 a year. plaints and disciplinary systems He claims he became depressed to make them more transparent, at work after being taken off the more accountable to the pub- beat for nine months while being lic and to bring corruption and investigated for alleged homo- misconduct to light. We have set to start in summer phobic comments about col- also introduced legally qualifi ed leagues, which he says he was chairs for disciplinary hearings, London Evening Standard tember 23, more than 12 months yesterday: “London Under- next year and the Docklands so he could at least announce it cleared of. He viewed the im- which are now held in public, and London after the service’s intended ground’s new Night Tube serv- Light Railway by 2021. before he stands down. ages after becoming addicted to we are giving the Independent launch of September 12 last year. ice is set to be launched in Au- Aslef’s organiser on LU, Finn A TfL spokesman denied that adult pornography and turning Police Complaints Commission Businesses say the service will gust. TfL has drawn up plans to Brennan, said: “We were always dates had been agreed. He added: to drink, he admitted. responsibility for all serious and he long-awaited Night give the night-time economy a roll out the new all-night service clear that we were in favour of “No date has yet been agreed for Intelligence, gathered by sensitive cases.” Tube will start in August welcome boost, worth millions line by line. Night Tube. A world-class capi- the launch of Night Tube but we the National Crime Agency’s The Met said Watkins’s hear- Tbut only on two of the of pounds a year. “Passengers will be able to tal city such as London deserves are working hard to deliver it for child exploitation and online ing “was arranged for the fi rst planned fi ve lines, it was claimed Mayor Boris Johnson an- travel through the night on Fri- a world-class public transport London as quickly as possible.” protection centre after he vis- available date after his miscon- yesterday. nounced the plans for a Night days and Saturdays on the Vic- system. We are really pleased Sources told the Evening ited monitored websites, was duct review was completed. As Passengers will be able to Tube in September 2014 but toria and Jubilee lines in August that passengers will be able to Standard that an offi cial an- passed to Scotland Yard’s pae- it was not possible to hold the travel through the night on Fri- the network’s unions refused to and then on the Central, North- enjoy an all-night service from nouncement was expected to dophile unit. hearing...it will be held on the days and Saturdays on the Vic- agree. Subsequent rows over pay, ern and Piccadilly lines in Sep- August.” be made by the mayor this week The force suspended him last earliest, next available date. toria and Jubilee lines, beginning staffi ng and working conditions tember.” Johnson had hoped for Night when he meets new driver re- July when he was arrested. Wat- “Suffi cient notice has to be on August 5. Services on the Pic- led to a series of bitter strikes and There are plans to expand Tube to begin before he leaves cruits for Night Tube. kins, who viewed 45 Category given to ensure any legal repre- cadilly, Central and Northern threats of further industrial ac- night-time running to parts of City Hall on May 5, viewing it The meeting was scheduled to A images, 23 Category B and 47 sentation required by the offi cer, lines will follow in September, it tion, delaying the process. the Metropolitan, Circle, Dis- as an important part of his leg- take place at TfL-owned Ash- Category C, pleaded guilty at and the assistant commissioner is understood. Details of the start were re- trict and Hammersmith & City acy. It is understood he has been fi eld House, a staff training cen- Westminster magistrates’ court who will chair the hearing, is The whole of Night Tube vealed by union Aslef, which lines in the future — and to sec- pressing Transport for London tre which includes a mock sta- in December to three counts of available.” could be in operation from Sep- represents train drivers. It stated tions of London Overground for some weeks for a start date tion, in West Kensington. Yemen ‘off ered to give up Top dog Osborne’s cuts ‘to hit suspect in student murder’ police hardest: expert London Evening Standard 2020, giving Osborne the option London of cancelling them if the econo- London Evening Standard tine, 23, was found under rubble talks in Norway,” he said. “They my improves, while reassuring London in the basement of fl ats in Great said to me if I did this they would the City that he is prepared to Portland Street where he lived. hand over the suspect in Mar- olice and local government take tough action if the global They were both students at the tine’s murder to Interpol. services will bear the brunt economy goes downhill. father’s quest for justice Regent’s Business School and “I found this encouraging. Pof deeper spending cuts “We are talking about the very over the murder of his Magnussen is believed to have This was a strong message to the to be announced by George Os- back end of the parliament,” said ALondon student daugh- shared a cab with him after leav- suspect that he can no longer borne in tomorrow’s Budget, an the offi cial. “In terms of what ter has taken a new twist amid ing nightclub Maddox on the totally rely on the support of expert warned yesterday. gets cut where, that would be for claims that authorities in war- night she went missing. his own people. I hope he is not Although the chancellor has a Treasury chief secretary to de- torn Yemen off ered to surrender Scotland Yard named Abdulhak sleeping so well these days.” described his extra cutbacks as cide some years from now.” a playboy suspect in an attempt as the only suspect and issued an Magnussen said he was pre- a mere 50p in every £100 of gov- Johnson said Osborne would to broker peace talks. international arrest warrant in his pared to do this but only to save ernment spending, they will hit eff ectively be saying tomorrow, Odd Petter Magnussen said he name. However, there is no extra- lives in Yemen, however his ap- some key areas up to six times “This is how I will balance the was approached by an infl uential dition treaty with Yemen and de- proach was unsuccessful. as hard, said Paul Johnson, head books if I have to.” fi gure from Yemen asking if he could spite extensive diplomatic eff orts, Before the civil war Abdulhak of the independent Institute for “Things don’t have to change arrange talks in Norway. In return he has failed to return. was reported to have been living Fiscal Studies think tank. very much at all to reverse this authorities would hand over Farouk Magnussen yesterday said a normal life in the Yemeni capi- He said the reason was David again,” Johnson told BBC radio. Abdulhak — the son of Yemeni bil- he would never give up hope of tal Sana’a and married there two Cameron’s decision to protect However, if they went ahead, the lionaire Shaher Abdulhak and the achieving justice for his daugh- years ago. spending on the NHS, schools impact would be severe on a few prime suspect in the murder of Nor- ter. He said he had been ap- Detective chief inspector Andy and international aid from the departments that have already wegian student Martine Vik Mag- proached by a senior Yemeni Partridge, who is leading the in- Treasury knife, leaving “unpro- shouldered severe cuts since 2010. nussen — to Interpol. fi gure in exile last year when the vestigation, said: “My message tected” departments to shoulder He said: “When you are pro- The off er was revealed yester- civil war was at its height. to the suspect is that we are eight much bigger cuts. tecting health and pensions and day by her father on the eighth an- “I was approached by a contact years down the line but this is not However the cuts, estimated overseas aid and schools and so niversary of her death in London. who represents all the political going away. He will still be want- Marie Burns smiles as she holds “Burneze Geordie Girl” to be £4bn in total, may never on, that 50p out of every £100 Abdulhak, 29, fl ed Britain in parties and factions who asked ed 10 or 20 years from now. I urge (Devon) the West Highland White Terrier, winner of the Best happen. Sources have told the looks more like £2 or £3 in every March 2008, hours after the bat- me to approach the Norwegian him to return, he will be entitled in Show competition at the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham. Standard that they will be pen- £100, at least, of the bits that you tered, semi-naked body of Mar- government to arrange peace to a free and fair trial.” cilled in to happen in around are not protecting.” Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 EUROPE

Rights body says Turkey targets Kurdish to review Poland’s camps after Ankara blast new law Reuters Victims of Sunday’s attack in- blamed for at least four bomb on spying Ankara cluded the father of Umut Bulut, attacks on Turkey since June a footballer who plays for Turkey 2015, including the killing of 10 and Galatasaray, the Istanbul German tourists in Istanbul in Reuters urkish warplanes struck club said on its website. January. Warsaw Kurdish militant camps in Turkey’s government sees the Local jihadist groups and left- Tnorthern Iraq yesterday, a unrest in its southeast as closely ist radicals have also staged at- day after 37 people were killed in tied to the war in Syria, where a tacks. pan-European rights an Ankara car bombing that se- Kurdish militia has seized terri- The main opposition CHP body said yesterday that curity offi cials said involved two tory along the Turkish border as party has criticised Interior Ait would review a newly fi ghters – one female – from the it battles Islamic State militants Minister Efkan Ala, suggesting amended Polish surveillance Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). and rebels fi ghting President he had not done enough to en- law, in a fresh challenge to the Sunday’s attack, tearing Bashar al-Assad. sure security. conservative government that through a crowded transport Ankara fears those gains are “If a minister is not doing his refl ects international concerns hub a few hundred metres from stoking Kurdish separatist am- duty, that person should leave over Warsaw’s commitment to the justice and interior minis- bitions at home and says Syr- their post,” CHP leader Kemal democracy and the rule of law. tries, was the second such strike ian Kurdish fi ghters share deep Kilicdaroglu said. “Hundreds of Last Friday the Council of Eu- at the administrative heart of the ideological and operational ties our people have lost their lives rope’s advisory panel, known as Turkish capital in a month. with the PKK. because of terror. Who is re- the Venice Commission, issued No one has claimed responsi- They also complicate rela- sponsible for this?” an opinion accusing Poland’s bility for the latest attack. tions with the United States The head of the pro-Kurd- ruling Law and Justice (PiS) However, security offi cials which, while deeming the PKK ish Peoples’ Democratic Party party of eff ectively crippling the told Reuters that a female mem- to be a terrorist group, sees the (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas country’s constitutional court, ber of the outlawed PKK, which Syrian Kurds as an important condemned the bombing as a a verdict that could put Warsaw has fought a three-decade in- ally in battling Islamic State. “terrorist attack that directly on a collision course with the surgency for Kurdish autonomy Such is the complexity and targets civilians” and called on European Union. in Turkey’s southeast, was one sensitivity of alliances in the re- the government to give an ac- While opinions of the Council of suspected perpetrators. The mother of a victim grieves as she waits for the body of her son at the forensic building in Ankara, a gion. count of what happened. of Europe are non-binding, they A police source said her sev- day after a suicide car bomb ripped through a busy square in central Ankara, killing 37 and wounding The explosives were the same Erdogan has previously ac- carry weight with the EU Com- ered hand had been found 300m 125. kind as those used in a February cused the HDP of being an ex- mission, which has begun an un- from the blast site. 17 attack that killed 29 people, tension of the outlawed PKK. precedented inquiry into the rule Evidence had been obtained The militants have so far notion he is struggling to main- mountains of northern Iraq, mostly soldiers, and the bomb In its armed campaign, the of law in Poland that could result that suggested she was born in largely focused their strikes on tain security. controlling operations across had been packed with pellets PKK has historically struck di- in the suspension of Warsaw’s 1992, was from the eastern city security forces in southeastern “With the power of our state the frontier in Turkey. and nails to cause maximum rectly at the security forces and voting rights in the EU. of Kars near the Armenian bor- towns, many of which have been and wisdom of our people, we A round-the-clock curfew damage, a security offi cial told insists that it does not target ci- The Council of Europe’s Par- der, and had joined the militant under curfew. will dig up the roots of this ter- was declared in three southeast- Reuters. vilians. liamentary Assembly (PACE) has group in 2013, they said. But attacks in Ankara and Is- ror network which targets our ern towns in order to conduct The attack is the third in fi ve A direct claim of responsibil- now asked the Venice Commis- The second suspect was a tanbul over the last year, and the unity and peace,” Foreign Min- operations against Kurdish mili- months to hit Ankara. ity for Sunday’s bombing would sion to assess Poland’s amended male Turkish citizen also with activity of Islamic State as well ister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on tants, local offi cials said. More than 100 people were indicate a major tactical shift. state surveillance law, the rights PKK links, a security offi cial as Kurdish fi ghters, have raised Twitter. Many locals fl ed the towns in killed in a double suicide bomb- The Kurdistan Freedom body’s spokeswoman Tatiana said. concerns among Nato allies who The Turkish military said 11 anticipation of the operations. ing in the city in October that has Hawks (TAK) claimed responsi- Baeva said yesterday. Violence has spiralled in see Turkey’s stability as vital to warplanes carried out air strikes Authorities detained 15 people been blamed on Islamic State. bility for the February bombing. The law expands the authori- Turkey’s predominantly Kurd- containing violence in neigh- on 18 targets in northern Iraq in Istanbul in operations against Turkey is part of the US-led TAK says it has split from ties’ access to digital data and ish southeast since a 2-1/2 year bouring Syria and Iraq. early yesterday, including am- the PKK and 50 more elsewhere coalition fi ghting Islamic State the PKK, although experts who loosens the legal framework ceasefi re with the PKK collapsed President Recep Tayyip Er- munition depots and shelters. in the country, CNN Turk re- in Syria and Iraq. study Kurdish militants say the limiting surveillance by law en- in July. dogan is also eager to dispel any The PKK has its bases in the ported. The militant group has been two are affi liated. forcement. Human rights group Amnesty International has de- scribed the law as “a major blow to human rights”. The government says it amended the law to address European-Russian rocket a ruling by the constitutional court that the legislation was imprecise and provided insuffi - cient legal protections. blasts off on Mars mission It says greater surveillance is also needed to combat the threat of terrorism. AFP will examine methane around ping of potential water resources Poland’s independent om- Baikonur Mars while a lander dubbed on Mars, amid growing evidence budsman has said he will chal- Schiaparelli will detach and de- the planet once had as much if lenge the law in a top court, say- scend to the surface of the fourth more water than earth. ing that parts of the legislation joint European-Russian planet from the Sun. A better insight into water on that allow surveillance to be ex- mission aiming to search The landing of the module on Mars could aid scientists’ un- tended to up to 18 months, limit Afor traces of life on Mars Mars is designed as a trial run derstanding of how the Earth court control and expand the blasted off yesterday for the start ahead of the planned second might cope in conditions of in- range of potential targets may be of a seven-month unmanned stage of the mission in 2018 that creased drought. unconstitutional. space journey to the Red Planet. will see the fi rst European rover Schiaparelli, in turn, will PiS, a eurosceptic party which A Proton rocket carrying the land on the surface to drill for spend several days measuring won last October’s election with Trace Gas Orbiter to examine signs of life, although problems climatic conditions including a big majority, rejects the inter- Mars’s atmosphere and a de- with fi nancing mean it could be seasonal dust storms on the Red national criticism of its record. scent module that will conduct delayed. Planet while serving as a test It says it has a broad mandate a test landing on its surface One key goal of the Trace Gas lander ahead of the rover’s an- to assert Warsaw’s independ- launched into an overcast sky at Orbiter is to analyse methane, a ticipated arrival. ence from Brussels and to rede- the Russian-operated Baikonur gas which on Earth is created in The module takes its name sign laws and institutions to re- cosmodrome in the Kazakh large part by living microbes, and from 19th century Italian as- fl ect its traditional values. steppe at 0931 GMT. traces of which were observed by tronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli The Proton-M rocket, carrying the ExoMars 2016 spacecraft to Mars, blasts off from the launchpad at the Support for the party re- The spacecraft carried out a previous Mars missions. whose discovery of “canals” on Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. mains strong, with the latest series of engine burns to get it “TGO will be like a big nose in Mars caused people to believe, poll putting it on 37%, almost 20 onto the right trajectory to Mars space,” said Jorge Vago, ExoMars for a while, that there was intel- to 2m (around 7’) into the Red of the launch that he believed a Laboratory (MSL) mission. points ahead of the opposition and is set to fi nally detach from project scientist. ligent life on our neighbouring Planet in search of organic mat- manned mission to Mars would Curiosity, a car-sized mo- and little changed from its Octo- its Briz-M rocket booster just Methane, the ESA said, is planet. ter, a key indicator of life past or take place “maybe in 20 years or bile laboratory, aims to gather ber showing. after 2000 GMT before begin- normally destroyed by ultravio- The ExoMars spacecraft was present. 30 years”. soil and rock samples on Mars But tens of thousands of peo- ning its 496mn km (308mn- let radiation within a few hun- built and designed by Franco- The ESA said the rover land- Russian-American duo and analyse them “for organic ple regularly attend opposition mile) voyage through the cos- dred years, which implied that in Italian contractor Thales Alenia ing “remains a signifi cant chal- Mikhail Kornienko and Scott compounds and environmental rallies to protest against what mos. Mars’ case “it must still be pro- Space. lenge” however. Kelly earlier this month returned conditions that could have sup- they see as the ruling party’s au- The ExoMars 2016 mission, a duced today”. As for the next phase of Ex- Although the TGO’s main from a year-long mission at the ported life now or in the past,” thoritarianism. collaboration between the Euro- The TGO will analyse Mars’ oMars, ESA director general Jan science mission is scheduled to International Space Station according to Nasa. The Venice Commission’s fi - pean Space Agency (ESA) and its methane in more detail than any Woerner has mooted a possible last until December 2017, it has (ISS) seen as a vital precursor to Space has been one of the few nal opinion on Poland’s surveil- Russian equivalent Roscosmos, previous mission, said the ESA, two-year delay, saying in Janu- enough fuel to continue opera- such a mission. areas of co-operation between lance law may be adopted on is the fi rst part of a two-phase in order to try to determine its ary that “we need some more tions for years after, if all goes The ExoMars mission will Moscow and the West that has June 10-11, Baeva said. exploration aiming to answer likely origin. money” due to increases in well. complement the work of Nasa’s not been damaged by ongoing The Polish government’s questions about the existence of One component of the TGO, a costs. Thomas Reiter, director of “Curiosity” rover which has geopolitical tensions stemming spokesman was not immediately life on Earth’s neighbour. neuron detector called FREND, The rover scheduled for 2018 human spacefl ight at the ESA, spent more than three years on from to the crises in Ukraine and available to comment on the is- The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) can help provide improved map- has been designed to drill up said in televised remarks ahead Mars as part of the Mars Science Syria. sue.

Record surge in 2016 temperatures reported France scales back labour reform

Reuters house gases in the atmosphere tre for Medium-Range Weather current surge than the last big El Reuters leaders said the reforms would Oslo and the strong El Nino event, Forecasts, said that the long- Nino in 1998. Paris have encouraged companies to which releases heat from the term trend of warming “makes “Based on 1998, March and take on more workers on perma- Pacifi c. the implementation of the Paris probably April will also be very nent contracts rather than tem- record surge in tempera- “I think even the hard-core agreement urgent”. warm, before the El Nino infl u- rench Prime Minister porary ones, helping bring down tures in 2016, linked to climate people are looking He noted that 15 of the 16 ence wanes,” he told Reuters. Manuel Valls has unveiled an unemployment rate stuck Aglobal warming and an El at this and saying: ‘What on warmest years since records be- Ice in the Arctic Ocean was at Fa revised labour reform bill above 10%. Nino weather event in the Pacif- Earth’?” David Carlson, director gan were in the 21st century. the lowest recorded for Febru- that makes concessions to trade But the government came ic, is adding urgency to a deal by of the World Climate Research In December 2015, 195 na- ary, the US National Snow and unions following mass protests under increased pressure from 195 governments in December Programme at the UN’s World tions agreed in Paris to a cli- Ice Data Centre said. against the measures. Socialist lawmakers, concerned to curb greenhouse gas emis- Meteorological Organisation mate deal with a goal of cutting At Longyearbyen, on a Nor- Tens of thousands of students about how they will fare in the sions to slow climate change, (WMO), said of the leap in tem- greenhouse gas emissions to a wegian Arctic island, tempera- and trade unionists rallied across 2017 parliamentary election, and scientists said yesterday. peratures. net zero by 2100, shifting from tures hit a peak of 6.6° C on the country last week against Valls: I want a new start for this became wary of the burgeoning Average global temperatures “It’s startling,” he told Reu- fossil fuels in favour of greener January 2, against an icy average the government’s labour reform bill. discontent among students, tra- last month were 1.35° Celsius ters. “It’s defi nitely a changed energies such as solar power. for a normal January of -15.3° C, plans, which put almost all as- ditionally at the forefront of the (2.4° Fahrenheit) above normal planet ... it makes us nervous They set a goal of limiting data from the Norwegian Mete- pects of France’s strictly codifi ed court system. Instead, the new largest protest movements. for February, the biggest tem- about the long-term impact.” global warming to “well below” orological Institute showed. labour rules up for negotiation. limits will be introduced as non- Despite yesterday’s conces- perature excess recorded for Scientists say global warming 2° C (3.6° F) above pre-indus- Reidun Skaland, a climate ex- In the revised version, the gov- binding guidelines. sions, the CGT and FO unions any month against a baseline of is causing more powerful down- trial times, while “pursuing ef- pert at the Institute, said there ernment will no longer impose “I want a new start for this said they wanted the govern- 1951-80, according to Nasa data pours, droughts and rising sea forts” for a 1.5° C (2.7° F) limit. were always big swings in Arc- a cap on severance pay for dis- bill,” Valls told union offi cials. ment to scrap the bill completely, released at the weekend. levels. Phil Jones, of the Climatic tic weather, “but it is a warn- missed workers, a measure many “To reform is a demanding proc- suggesting that Valls and Presi- The previous record was set Jean-Noel Thepaut, head of Research Unit at the University ing message when you see such companies argued would have ess. It’s about proposing, dis- dent Francois Hollande may face in January, stoked by factors the Copernicus Climate Change of East Anglia, said that El Nino high temperatures. There’s an helped reduce the uncertainty cussing and listening.” further protests in the coming including a build-up of green- Service at the European Cen- seemed less to blame for the increasing trend”. of going through the industrial The government and business weeks. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 19 EUROPE

Swedish school statistics Merkel fi rm on refugee aff ected

AFP Stockholm stance despite poll woes AFP referendum on Merkel’s decision Austrian Chancellor Werner But critics say it has left her he failure of immigrant Berlin to open the doors to people fl ee- Faymann said that Merkel must conservatives’ right fl ank ex- students to catch up with ing war. stress that Germany is no longer posed. Ttheir peers in Sweden is a The mass-circulation Bild willing to take in an unlimited In Sunday’s vote, the AfD key factor in the country’s overall erman Chancellor Angela newspaper described it as a “day number of refugees. gained as many as one in four decline in educational achieve- Merkel stood fi rm yester- of horror” for Merkel, as calls “We need clarity. Everyone votes in the eastern state of ment and test scores, the Educa- Gday on her refugee policy, multiplied for her to change tack. must know that it is a false hope Saxony-Anhalt, emerging as the tion Agency said yesterday. despite a drubbing in regional While acknowledging that to think that Germany would second biggest party there. The percentage of immigrant elections described as a “deba- some had cast “protest votes”, simply wave people in,” he told AfD leader Frauke Petry called children in Sweden’s school cle” in which disgruntled voters the German leader refused to Die Welt daily. it a “good day for democracy” population jumped from 3% in turned to the anti-migrant AfD. change her position. Merkel’s strident critics in the while Austria’s Freedom Party 2006 to 8% in 2015. Merkel’s Christian Democratic “I think that the approach is CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the hailed the German party’s suc- At the same time, a drop in Union (CDU) was at the receiv- correct,” she told journalists, re- CSU, also piled on the pressure cess as a win against the “EU academic performance has led ing end of voter anger, suff ering iterating her strategy of a com- after the regional polls, which juggernaut” (see accompanying to an increase in the percentage defeats in two out of three states mon European policy to bolster serve as a key test ahead of gen- report). of students who did not qualify in Sunday’s elections – including the security of the EU’s external eral elections in 2017. Nevertheless, the irony is that for upper secondary school from in traditional stronghold Baden- borders and co-operate with The main reason for the poor Sunday’s polls showed there is no 10% in 2006 to more than 14% Wuerttemberg. Turkey to stem refugee fl ows. CDU showing “is the refugee successor to Merkel, as the CDU’s in 2015, according to the report The stinging result for the Even though she admitted that policy. It makes no sense at all”, biggest mainstream challenger entitled The Importance of Im- conservative CDU was accompa- Balkan states had done Germany CSU chief Horst Seehofer said at and junior coalition partner – the migration for School Results. nied by a surge in backing for the a favour by closing their borders a party meeting yesterday. SPD – emerged weakened in two The agency estimates that up right-wing populist Alternative to migrants – a move that led to Demanding changes, Seehofer out of three states where it came to 85% of this performance phe- for Germany (AfD), which had a signifi cant drop in new arrivals said: “It can’t be that after such in behind the AfD. nomenon was due to immigrant sparked outrage by suggesting – Merkel insisted just days ahead an election result, the answer to And Julia Kloeckner, touted students arriving in Sweden at police may have to shoot at mi- of an EU summit that “we can see the electorate is: everything will previously as a possible CDU an older age and unable to catch grants to stop them entering the from pictures out of Greece that go on as before.” successor to Merkel, failed to lift up with Swedes of the same age. country. that is not a sustainable solu- In the aftermath of the vote the party to a win in Rhineland- Over the past decade, Swed- The AfD’s double-digit score tion”. described as “Black Sunday Palatinate with a campaign that ish test scores on the Organisa- in all three states indicates that Merkel is increasingly isolated for the CDU” by news website challenged Berlin’s line on asy- tion for Economic Co-operation the public outrage fuelling far- on the European stage as she has Spiegel Online, Merkel also came lum. and Development (OECD)’s so- right movements such as France’s refused to impose a cap on arriv- in for criticism for unwittingly Even Seehofer acknowledged called PISA ranking of school National Front and Austria’s als, a decision that is irritating allowing the AfD to fl ourish. that Merkel was still the right performance among 15-year- Freedom Party has also gained a her neighbours who say it en- For most of the last decade, chancellor, while the Frankfurter olds have also dropped dramati- fi rm foothold in Germany. courages migrants to keep com- Merkel enjoyed stellar popular- Allgemeine Zeitung questioned Merkel, Reiner Haseloff t (second right), the top candidate in the cally, and the arrival of so many Sunday’s elections were the ing. ity ratings as she pushed middle- who had the clout to force her to Saxony-Anhalt state election, Guido Wolf (right), the top candidate in immigrant children who are ed- biggest since Germany registered Ahead of Thursday’s summit ground policies which helped her reverse her stance on refugees. the Baden-Wuerttemberg state election, and Julia Kloeckner, the top ucationally lagging is again the a record infl ux of asylum-seekers in Brussels, when leaders are due party capture voters from the “The party has less choice candidate in the Rheinland-Palatinate state election, address a news main reason. that reached 1.1mn in 2015, and to fi nalise a deal with Turkey on centre-left Social Democratic than ever” for its succession, the conference at CDU party headquarters in Berlin. The words behind “We already know that immi- the vote was largely regarded as a stemming the migrant infl ux, Party (SPD). newspaper noted. Merkel read ‘The Middle’. grant students on average have lower performance in school. Now we know more about how much the increasing proportion of immigrant students has af- AfD hails state election results as ‘good day for democracy’ fected overall performance,” said Education Agency director Anna Ekstrom. AFP in this country – and not, like the Germany’s 16 state assemblies the impoverishment of the mid- from the National Front, calling Sweden’s performance in the Berlin left, spread utopian ideas about as well as the European parlia- dle class, where families are in- Marine Le Pen’s group “a party OECD’s PISA survey has also how many millions and billions ment and is hoping to enter the creasingly overwhelmed and the that has deeply nationalist and “declined over the past decade more in taxpayers’ money can be national parliament in elections future of our country is in ques- socialist ideas, which is alien to from around average to signifi - he right-wing populist spent, now that we have realised due late next year. tion.” our party”. cantly below average. No other Alternative for Germany that the fairytale of skilled mi- “Germany voted yesterday in Faced with this situation, “we Meuthen said the AfD is “a country taking part in PISA has T(AfD) party has hailed grants from civil war areas obvi- three regions and we believe that want to be the party of social new conservative force, liberal, seen a steeper fall”, the OECD regional elections in which it ously isn’t true.” this was a good day for democ- peace”, she proclaimed, hailing respectful of civic values, open said in a 2015 statement. achieved breakthrough results as “The AfD wants to re-estab- racy in this country,” said Petry. the AfD victories which she said to the world and at the same time According to Sweden’s educa- “a good day for democracy”. lish the rule of law in this coun- “We are the party that can came “despite an extensive smear patriotic”, insisting that the party tion agency, the unprecedented Its leader Frauke Petry said it try,” she told a Berlin press con- credibly show that it has ad- campaign in recent weeks”. could rightly be labelled “right- wave of asylum-seekers who was time to reassess Chancellor ference, highlighting problems dressed, since its creation in Asked how close the AfD was wing conservative” but not far- have arrived since 2014 should Angela Merkel’s liberal refugee such as “ethnic violence” and 2013, the problems that are being to France’s far- right National right. increase this trend. policy, which she slammed as police no-go areas in big cities. ignored in this country,” added Front and Austria’s Freedom He also said that, although Of the 163,000 asylum-seek- costly and based on false ideas on The AfD was formed three the 40-year-old trained chemist. Party, Petry said that she did not Germany accepts people of dif- ers who arrived in Sweden last how well migrants would inte- years ago as an anti-euro party “German society, not just now wish to engage in “a debate on ferent faiths, “Islam is not part of year, 43% were minors, accord- grate into the labour market. but now running mainly on an but for many years, has experi- labels”. Germany”, rejecting a statement ing to the Swedish Migration AfD chief Petry arriving for a “We have to reassess what is anti-migrant platform. enced a continuous disintegra- Party co-leader Joerg Meu- repeatedly made by Merkel and Agency. news conference in Berlin. doable and what can be fi nanced It is now represented in half of tion which is clearly refl ected in then, however, distanced the AfD other political leaders. Thousands wade through river at sealed border EU struggling with

AFP/DPA rights, Cyprus to seal Idomeni, Greece Turkey migrant deal undreds of desperate mi- grants were stopped by HMacedonian troops yes- Reuters irritated by the way Davutogulu terday after managing to cross Brussels and Merkel presented their mi- the border from Greece, where grant deal, though most have thousands have been left strand- broadly welcomed it. ed after Balkan states slammed U offi cials are racing to Tusk hopes to draft a “rebal- Europe’s migrant door shut. overcome legal concerns anced” EU-Turkey plan by to- The migrants, who had set off Eon human rights and ten- morrow. from an overcrowded Greek refu- sions between Turkey and Cy- “The balance here is not right,” gee camp several hours earlier, prus in order to complete a deal a diplomat from one member waded through a surging river as they hope can stem the migrant state said yesterday. “People ... they found an alternative route crisis when leaders meet later want to push back.” north into Macedonia, bypassing this week. Negotiators are seeking legal the closed regular border cross- At a summit a week ago, EU moves from Turkey to ensure ing. leaders gave broad assent to an that EU states can consider its About 20 journalists who had accord sprung on them by Turk- treatment of asylum-seekers as followed the migrants from the ish Prime Minister Ahmet Da- being in line with international Idomeni migrant camp were tak- vutoglu and German Chancel- standards, offi cials said. en to a police station in Gevgelija, lor Angela Merkel whereby all From Greece, Brussels is seek- just over the border in Macedo- migrants reaching Greece would ing assurances that it will pro- nia. be deported back to Turkey in vide facilities on its islands off As thousands of refugees return for places for Syrian refu- the Turkish coast to ensure that scramble to fi nd ways past the gees in Europe and for EU fi nan- every person arriving can have a Balkan blockade, three Afghans cial help for Ankara. hearing, including an individual drowned in a rain-swollen river Members of a migrant family fall as they try to cross a river into Macedonia, from a makeshift camp near the Greek village of Idomeni. Following criticism from the judicial appeal, against deporta- in Macedonia, while the Greek United Nations and other human tion to Turkey. coastguard was searching for away, closer to the sealed frontier But they were later stopped by ... we are just trying to put out a eration backed by a helicopter off rights bodies, as well as many Yesterday the human rights eight migrants missing in the with Macedonia. Macedonian troops and the jour- fi re,” he said. the Greek holiday island of Kos, European politicians, EU lawyers commissioner of the Council of Aegean. The group was quickly sur- nalists travelling with them taken Earlier yesterday three Afghan the coastguard said. are working to ensure the plan Europe echoed a senior UN of- The Greek-Macedonian bor- rounded by Greek police as, car- to a police station. migrants, including a pregnant They are the fi rst to go missing can be presented as conforming fi cial in warning of illegal mass der – and more specifi cally the rying all their belongings, they On Twitter a group using the woman, were found drowned in in Greek waters for several weeks, to international law, diplomats expulsions. mud-soaked Idomeni camp – crossed hills and a river to reach hashtag #Marchofhope posted a river swelled by heavy rain as as the coastguard and EU bor- and offi cials said yesterday. He urged the EU to scrap the has become the focal point of the the village, an AFP reporter said. photos of people wading through they tried to cross into Macedo- der agency Frontex have begun European Council President proposals with Turkey. crisis in recent weeks, as thou- But twice they managed to get water, with children on parents’ nia from Greece, the Macedonian picking up as many migrants as Donald Tusk, who will chair the A second major obstacle to the sands of migrants fl eeing war in round Greek police, the fi rst time shoulders. interior ministry said. possible in the Aegean in a bid to EU summit on Thursday and deal, whereby the EU would take Syria and Iraq were blocked from because there were too many of Gevgelija is just over the Kons- Another 19 Afghans who tried reduce the number of deadly ac- EU meeting with Davutoglu on in directly from Turkey one Syr- heading further north. them, the second time because ka river which runs parallel to the to cross with them were taken cidents. Friday, is fl ying to Cyprus for ian refugee for every Syrian de- More than 14,000 people have police vehicles could not follow Greek-Macedonian border. to a nearby reception centre and Some 135,000 people have ar- talks today with President Nicos ported back from Greece, is the been stranded at Idomeni in in- the migrants into the river. Babar Baloch, spokesman for four, who were injured, were rived in Greece from Turkey in Anastasiades, seeking to avoid an decades-old Cyprus issue. creasingly desperate conditions A reporter said the group the UN refugee agency, has de- taken to hospital, said ministry fl imsy boats since the beginning eff ective Cypriot veto. Turkey wants its citizens to after the main route to western walked for four hours to skirt the scribed the Idomeni camp as spokeswoman Natalija Spirova of January, according to the In- Cyprus, ethnically split be- have visa-free access to Europe Europe through the Balkans – 3m border fence laced with razor “human misery at its peak”. Kordic. ternational Organisation for Mi- tween Greek and Turkish Cyp- by June and to open new “chap- taken by more than 1mn migrants wire, which was constructed by British volunteer Matthew The deaths came after several gration, with 418 perishing on riots, is represented in the EU ters” of its long-stalled talks on it since the start of 2015 – was ef- Macedonia in recent months to Sheppard said that some of the days of heavy rain in the border the dangerous crossing. by its internationally recognised joining the EU. fectively shut down last week. control the migration fl ow. migrants were getting more and area which has led offi cials to in- Wintry weather and the Bal- Greek Cypriot government and However, both of those will re- Yesterday some 1,000 mi- People helped each other cross more desperate. stigate anti-fl ooding measures. kan border closures have failed to has blocked Turkey’s own eff orts quire the consent of Cyprus. grants set off on foot in search of the small river Crna Reka, swol- “We all know that the only real Separately eight migrants were deter people from heading to Eu- to join the EU. Cyprus blocked parts of Tur- an alternative route into Mace- len after days or relentless rain, solution is for war to stop, to cut reported missing in the Aegean rope in search of new lives, with Peace talks to reunite the is- key’s accession process a decade donia, marching from Idomeni to where the three Afghan migrants off the head of the snake. Here we Sea after their boat sank in rough 1,700 landing on Greek islands in land are now underway. ago when Ankara refused to open the village of Chamilo some 2km drowned hours earlier. are only doing damage control weather, triggering a rescue op- the last 24 hours. Many EU leaders have been its ports to Cypriot shipping. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 INDIA

DEFENCE CRIME LIFESTYLE ALLEGATIONS POLITICS India successfully Businessman’s Pepsi to launch mini Opposition slams govt Antony, Veerendra Kumar test-fires Agni-I missile son kidnapped can, bottles with emojis over beach cleaning drive elected to Rajya Sabha

India yesterday successfully test-fired an A paper merchant’s six-year-old son was Gearing up for the upcoming peak season of The first day proceedings of Goa assembly’s Congress leader A K Antony, Janata Dal (United)’s indigenously built nuclear-capable Agni-I missile kidnapped in Agra by two men whose pictures India’s $1bn-plus carbonated beverages market, budget session got off to a stormy start yesterday, M P Veerendra Kumar and the Communist Party of from a test range off the Odisha coast. Capable have been captured by CCTV camera. Prateek PepsiCo yesterday announced a 150ml mini with the opposition accusing the state tourism India (Marxist)’s K Somaprasad yesterday declared of hitting a target at a distance of 700km, the Varshneya’s son Divya was cycling in the can for its flagship cola, and pet bottles printed ministry of a beach cleaning contract scam. elected to the Rajya Sabha from Kerala. There surface-to-surface missile was test-fired at 9.11am residential compound on Sunday evening in with emojis. PepsiCo India vice president The ruckus forced the speaker to adjourn the were only these three candidates in the fray and from a launch pad of the Integrated Test Range the presence of his mother and grandmother. Vipul Prakash said the 150ml mini can has assembly twice after opposition legislators hence there was no need for an election. With their (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Two people riding a bike picked up the boy and been priced at Rs15. “New packaging is always rushed near the well of the House. Opposition nominations found in order, all three were declared Island), 150km from Bhubaneswar. “It was test- disappeared. Senior police off icial Preetinder exciting and Pepsi cans have always epitomised legislators Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai, elected. While Antony and Veerendra Kumar are fired as part of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) Singh said a rescue operation was launched. ‘cool’. The Pepsi Mini is the perfect bite sized both independents, accused Tourism Minister nominees of the Congress-led United Democratic training exercise and the trial was successful,” Police teams were deployed in various parts of packaging that takes the ‘coolness’ a notch Dilip Parulekar of favouritism in awarding of Front (UDF), the ruling coalition in Kerala, said an off icial of the Defence Research and Agra but there has been no breakthrough yet. further,” Prakash said. About the emoji-printed mechanised beach cleaning contracts to dubious Somaprasad was fielded by the CPMt-led Left Development Organisation (DRDO). The MPs, legislators and leaders of several parties bottles, he said the campaign has the tagline companies. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Democratic Front (LDF). Antony, 75, has served two medium-range ballistic missile developed by the visited Varshneya’s resident late Sunday “Jaisa Mood, Waisa Pepsi” and is aimed to speaking on behalf of Parulekar, said there was consecutive terms since 2005 in the Rajya Sabha. DRDO is equipped with sophisticated navigation night. “This was a scary situation, people particularly attract the younger generation into no illegality in awarding the mechanised beach He was also a member from 1993 to 1995. Kumar, system which ensures it reaches the target with being picked up from inside the safety of their grabbing the beverage based on their mood cleaning work. Parsekar denied allegations of 79, the leader of the Janata Dal-United in Kerala, is a a high degree of accuracy and precision. homes, first such case,” said angry neighbours. and emotions. corruption in awarding the contracts. media baron, heading the Mathrubhumi group.

Reservation policy to stay, says Fall in retail minister

IANS New Delhi infl ation

he government yesterday reiterated in the Rajya Sab- Tha that there was no plan to change the reservation policy in the country. raises hopes The clarifi cation came as the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party sought to know from the government about the issue, after the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said demand for reserva- tion by the affl uent sections of so- of rate cut ciety only refl ected deviation from The RBI aims to bring retail of Commerce and Industry earlier some momentum to the still the spirit of the Constitution. inflation down to 5% by March showed. weak investment and consump- The issue was raised soon after 2017 and 4% a year later The RBI aims to bring retail in- tion cycle.” the upper house met, but Deputy fl ation down to 5% by March 2017 What has left the industry fur- Chairman P J Kurien said the RSS Agencies and 4% a year later. New Delhi ex- ther worried is: At the use-based was a private organisation and New Delhi pects depressed global commod- classifi cation of six industries, members should not be con- ity prices and subdued domestic the index for capital goods was cerned. demand to help achieve the tar- down as much as 20.4% in Janu- “There is no diff erence in RSS ndia’s retail infl ation eased in get, opening the window for fur- ary, while that for consumer non- and government,” Samajwadi February, helped by smaller ther monetary easing. durables was down 3.1. Consumer Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav Irises in food prices after edg- Retail food infl ation in Febru- goods sub-index remained un- said while describing it as a “con- ing up for six straight months, ary eased to 5.30%, compared changed. spiracy to end reservation”. raising expectations of a central with 6.85% recorded the previous “The Index of Industrial Pro- BSP leader Mayawati alleged bank rate cut next month. month. duction (IIP) numbers released it was a plan for systematic de- Analysts said Reserve Bank of However, Rajan remains wor- last week reported negative struction of reservation. India (RBI) Governor Raghuram ried about services infl ation that growth for the third consecutive Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Rajan could be encouraged to cut has been sticky since September month in January and highlight however, clarifi ed that the gov- policy rates. Finance Minister 2015, keeping household infl ation that signs of pick up in the manu- ernment had no intention to end Arun Jaitley has also stuck to a expectations elevated and push- facturing sector remain elusive,” reservation. fi scal defi cit target of 3.5% of GDP ing up urban wages. Neotia added. “The government policy is for next fi scal year in his third The central bank’s monetary “The manufacturing sector clear, reservation will continue... budget last month. stance should remain tight to en- has continued to remain in the And the proposal you are talking “For now, with infl ation read- sure a durable reduction in infl a- red for the last three months with about does not say what you are ings well below the central bank’s tion, supported by measures to both capital goods and consumer saying,” said Jaitley. target, and the government deliv- boost food supply, the Interna- non-durables showing a decline Mayawati, however, said that ering on its fi scal targets, the case tional Monetary Fund said earlier in growth,” said Chandrajit Ban- the RSS has sought reservation on for a 25bp cut at the April meeting this month. erjee, director general of the Con- economic, and not social, basis. remains on the table,” said Radhi- “The union budget for 2016-17, federation of Indian Industry. “I want to remind the leader ka Rao, an economist at DBS Bank announced last month, has given “At this juncture when the of the house, in Indian constitu- in Singapore. due focus on boosting demand growth momentum is below ex- tion... there are three criteria - Jaitley hiked annual state and encouraging domestic value pectations and the government social, education and economic spending for the farm sector by addition. We have also seen that has committed to stay the course backwardness. Sadly, every other 44% for the next fi scal year to the fi scal framework will be ad- of fi scal consolidation, CII is day RSS is giving statement that over $5bn and eased import curbs hered to by the government,” in- hopeful the RBI would work in reservation should be given on to restrain price rises. dustry body Ficci said in a state- sync with the government for economic basis and not social,” Annual consumer prices, which ment. building a resilient growth trajec- she said, to which Jaitley imme- the RBI closely tracks to set its in- “Given this, we fi rmly believe tory by initiating monetary eas- diately responded: “This is not terest rate policy, eased to 5.18% that the Reserve Bank of India ing measures to complement the going to happen.” in February from a year ago, data should supplement eff orts of the supportive fi scal initiatives an- The RSS on Sunday said de- released by the Ministry of Statis- government to strengthen demand nounced in the budget.” mands for reservation by the af- tics yesterday showed. and continue with its accommo- Rising prices are squeezing fl uent sections of society only re- Economists had forecast retail dative stance in the forthcoming the budget of Sanjay Kumar, a fl ected deviation from the spirit infl ation to edge down to 5.60% monetary policy,” Ficci president 38-year-old worker in New Delhi, of the Constitution. in February compared with 5.69% Harshavardhan Neotia said. who earns Rs10,000 a month. “Reservation has helped weak- in January. “A further cut in the policy “My biggest worry is rising er sections of the society and if The wholesale price index fell rate at this juncture and its household expenses and educa- the affl uent sections demand res- for a 16th straight month in Feb- transmission by the banks in tion costs for my three daugh- ervation, it does not sound good,” Employees work inside a grocery store at a residential area in Mumbai yesterday. India’s annual ruary, declining an annual 0.91%, the form of lower lending rates ters,” said Kumar, who works as RSS general secretary Bhaiyyaji consumer price inflation eased to 5.18% in February from a year ago, helped by a fall in food prices, driven down by tumbling oil pric- would benefi t both companies a housekeeper in a private com- Joshi said in Nagaur, Rajasthan. after edging up for six straight months. es, data released by the Ministry and consumers alike and impart pany.

Rahul gets LS notice on Kerala CM’s former aide nationality The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee headed by Bharatiya Janata Party veteran L K Advani has served receives award for startup notice on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on his alleged dual By Ashraf Padanna Healthcare City, last month start- Mather has an MBA in fi nance nationality issue, BJP MP Arjun Gulf Times Correspondent ed operations in Punjab with an from the University of Bridgeport Ram Meghwal said yesterday. Thiruvananthapuram initial focus on Chandigarh, Mo- and in general administration “The ethics committee will act on hali and Panchkula. from the Joseph M Katz Graduate the matter only after a reply from With one tap on the app, the School of Business at the Univer- the Congress member,” Meghwal startup launched by Shaffi nearest doctor, nurse or para- sity of Pittsburgh. said. Mather, the former eco- medic comes to the rescue of a He also obtained a law degree “Rahul Gandhi has been issued Anomic adviser to Kerala patient within minutes. from the School of Legal Studies notice to seek his response on why Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Powered by Google for Entre- at the Cochin University of Sci- he declared himself a British citizen. has won global recognition for his preneurs, the global startup com- ence & Technology and a masters The complaint was received by the venture. munity aggressively educates, in public administration from speaker (Sumitra Mahajan) and she His MUrgency, a mobile app inspires and connects entrepre- Harvard. has forwarded the complaint to the which connects people who need neurs. The Startup Grind 2016 He was a Mason Fellow in Pub- ethics committee,” said Meghwal, a an emergency response in real Programme will provide mentor- lic Policy at the John F Kennedy member of the panel. time saving precious lives and ship, help connect to partners, School of Government at Har- In response, the Congress said time, was chosen as the Startup pursue funding and help MUr- vard University. He is a visiting Gandhi’s Indian nationality can of the Year 2016 at the prestigious gency reach new users. lecturer at the London School of never be questioned. Startup Grind 2016 Conference in “The experience we have Economics, where he was also “The matters being examined Redwood City in Silicon Valley. gained following the discussions a Chevening Senior Scholar in by a parliamentary panel or There were 1,100 startups from from leaders in Silicon Valley has 2004. any decision on this should be 200 cities around the world. been our greatest take away from The social entrepreneur was considered confidential. But Mr Startup Grind will work with the Startup Grind programme,” drawing a token salary of Re1 (Rahul) Gandhi need not prove his MUrgency to plug into its network the founder and CEO of MUrgen- while advising Chandy on eco- credentials as an Indian,” Congress across the world, said Mather, a cy said in a statement. nomic aff airs. spokesman Randeep Singh Harvard fellow. “In a few days, we have been “Of the 1,100 startups that ap- Surjewala said. Mather was humiliated and approached by several partners plied, 50 were selected. These Surjewala said the government was forced to leave two years back and potential funders who want startups have great teams, trac- trying to malign the image of the after corruption charges which to work with us, expand our reach tion, technology and massive Congress and counselled that the were never proved. and build MUrgency as the lead- markets,” the statement quoted government should instead focus His San Francisco-based fi rm, ing emergency response brand Derek Andersen, founder & CEO on bringing back to the country the which operates out of Dubai across the world.” of Startup Grind, as saying. Shaff i Mather at the Startup Grind 2016 Conference in Redwood City in Silicon Valley. likes of liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 21 INDIA Kerala village boasts of revolutionary e-toilet

IANS run school here is successfully - has been married to the NEW- waste from the two e-toilets, user and switches on a light - thus cessfully inducting high tech- sor at USF’s Department of Civil Thiruvananthapuram hosting a pilot project where over gen technology, also funded by said Anvar Sadath, CEO of Eram. saving energy - and directs the nology into the sanitation sector & Environmental Engineering, 150 students use two e-toilets grants from the foundation. “The water that comes out as person with audio commands. It and simplifying it for the user, fi rst came up with the idea of a that have incorporated technolo- Eram’s e-toilets see the conver- waste from the toilets is recycled is programmed to fl ush 1.5 litres of we are confi dent that this inte- “resource-recovery machine” ulluvila, a sleepy hamlet gy developed by the University of gence of electronics, mechanical, and goes back in and is used for water after three minutes of usage grated system will be adopted for while he was working on his post- located close to the airport South Florida (USF) called NEW- web-mobile technologies to con- fl ushing, while the solid waste is or 4.5 litres if usage is longer. They its simplicity and mass scalabil- doctorate at Stanford University. Phere, has earned a place generator - with NEW standing trol the entry, usage, cleaning, exit converted into nitrogen, phos- are also programmed to clean the ity,” said Sadath. “So what that means is it con- for itself on the global sanitation for nutrients, energy and water. and remote monitoring of the toi- phorus and potassium which can platform with a complete wash The Pulluvila pilot project is verts the waste materials - either map - it boasts of the world’s This is the fi rst time that the let. And NEWgen is a machine in a be stored and used as fertilisers. down after 10 or so uses. part of an India-specifi c pro- human waste or food waste, var- fi rst e-toilet which also uses award-winning automated elec- box that recycles water, harvests The gas from urine is converted Eram is the sole manufacturer gramme modelled on the Gates ious types of wastewater,” Yeh technology that turns waste into tronic toilet, or e-toilet - devel- energy, creates fertilisers and, ul- into methane and can be used for of eTtoilets in India and has set Foundation’s global Reinvent is quoted as saying on the USF fertiliser, generates power and oped by local fi rm Eram Scien- timately, turns waste into profi t. burning,” Sadath said. up more than 1,600 e-toilets in the Toilet Challenge and is called website. “We will convert that even makes potable water. tifi c Solutions using a Bill and In simple terms what NEW- The e-toilet itself is revolution- around 19 states. RTTC-India. to benefi cial products: nutrients, Since January, a local church- Malinda Gates Foundation grant Gen does is to process the entire ary. A coin opens the door for the “With our experience in suc- Daniel H Yeh, associate profes- energy and water. Court stays Mega festival concludes ban on sale of popular cough syrup

Reuters As the cough syrup contains Mumbai/ New Delhi the narcotic codeine, India has been privately pressuring manu- facturers to better police supply court granted US phar- chains to tackle smuggling and maceuticals fi rm Pfi zer addiction. AInc’s Indian unit a stay Akun Sabharwal, drugs con- order yesterday, pending a fur- troller for the Telangana which ther hearing, on a government last year detected an “illegal di- ban on its popular cough syrup version” of Phensedyl worth Corex, two lawyers representing about $8.5mn, said he believed the the drugmaker said. ban would end the syrup’s abuse. India’s health ministry banned The medicine was among 344 the combination of chlorphe- fi xed-dose combination drugs Labourers sit as others dismantle the stage after the three-day-long World Cultural Festival concluded on Sunday in New Delhi, yesterday. niramine maleate and codeine India banned, saying a panel of syrup, which Pfi zer sells as the experts found the drugs lacked cough syrup Corex, in a notice “therapeutic justifi cation”. over the weekend saying it could Market researcher AIOCD pose a risk to humans. AWACS estimated it could cut The Delhi High Court granted sales in the local pharmaceutical Pfi zer a stay, saying the govern- industry by up to $522mn, with ment had not issued the compa- Pfi zer and Abbott among the ny a “show cause notice” before worst hit. banning the medicine, the law- Sale of fi xed dose combina- yers said, declining to be named. tion medicines in India requires Attack on student an The next hearing by on Pfi zer’s approval of the central govern- plea is slated for March 21. ment. But several drug combi- The Indian unit of Abbott nations have entered the market Laboratories, which sells the over the years based on approval same combination under the solely from states. brand Phensedyl, also fi led a writ India has made intermit- petition at the same court that tent eff orts to shut this avenue, honour killing: activists will come up for hearing today, but success has been limited. In local television channels said. 2007 it ordered states to recall Despite growing board a bus in Udumalaipettai against low-caste communities ed in India in 2014. Activists say carried out at the behest of her Sanjay Jain, a lawyer rep- about 300 such combination cosmopolitanism, in the textile town of Tirupur, persists. the crime is under-reported and parents, Vivekanandan said. resenting the health ministry, drugs, but drugmakers chal- discrimination against low- police said. The intermingling of caste many such killings are covered up Her father C Gopalasamy wasn’t immediately available to lenged it in court and the order caste communities persists Shankar died on his way to and religion remains a taboo and made to look like suicides. surrendered in a court, saying comment. was stayed. in India the hospital. Kousalya was un- in Indian marriages- not only “In Tamil Nadu, we have he was scared and not because Pfi zer’s Indian business said In 2014, India set up a panel dergoing treatment for her in- among rural populations, but documented 81 honour killings he was involved with the killing. earlier yesterday it had stopped of experts to review over 6,000 Agencies juries, deputy superintendent even for educated, well-off since July 2013,” said A Kathir of He was remanded in judicial selling Corex, and expected its such drug combinations, and Chennai of police N Vivekanandan said. families in urban India. the non-governmental organi- custody till March 21 and taken profi t to be hit, as the brand asked companies to submit data The attack was witnessed by “A section of youth are made sation Evidence. to the Central Jail in Madurai. generated sales of about $26mn to prove safety and effi cacy of scores of people, many of whom to feel that it is their responsi- But according to the govern- Velu Samy, the distraught fa- in the nine months through De- their drugs. Three hundred and daylight attack on a stood frozen by terror. Others bility to defend the caste honour ment of Tamil Nadu, no “hon- ther of Sankar, alleged that Kaus- cember. Its shares closed down thirty-four of those have been newly married couple fl ed, police offi cials said. by controlling women in their our killings” have taken place in alya was abducted by her parents 9% in Mumbai, before the stay banned. Anear a bus stop in Tamil “This is not an ordinary mur- families and communities,” said the state in the last fi ve years. once and locked up in their house. order was issued. OPPI, a lobby group for multi- Nadu, in which the husband der,” P Sampath of the campaign activist Vasuki of the All India Activists said Sunday’s attack It was only after a police case was Abbott’s Phensedyl com- national drugmakers, criticised was killed, was an “honour kill- group Tamil Nadu Untouch- Democratic Women’s Associa- was a clear example. fi led that she was allowed to re- mands around a third of In- the move, saying codeine-based ing” carried out because the ability Eradication Front said. tion. Shankar, from the Dalit com- turn to her husband. dia’s cough syrup market and combinations under the ban groom was from a lower caste, “The bold attack happened “And the killing is supposed munity, and Kousalya were stu- He said Sankar and Kaus- makes up over 3% of the com- have the approval of India’s drug said activists, demanding swift because a young boy married to be a ‘lesson’ to other girls in dents at a private engineering alya used to get frequent death pany’s $1bn in revenue in India. controller, and companies were police action. a girl who was from a diff erent the community,” she said, re- college when they fell in love. The threats. The shares of Abbott’s Indian never made aware that these On Sunday, 22-year-old en- community, a higher one in the ferring to women who choose to couple married eight months ago Velu Samy said he had felt arm fell about 3% after it said it were being reviewed. gineering student V Shankar social ladder. It should be inves- marry someone outside of their despite opposition from the girl’s that his son would be eventu- would comply with the ban. Drug Controller General G and his wife Kousalya were at- tigated accordingly.” community. upper caste Thevar family. ally accepted by the girl’s fam- Both companies declined to N Singh was not immediately tacked by three men armed with Despite India’s growing cos- Government fi gures show that In her statement, Kousalya ily. “But that did not happen. comment on the cases. available to comment. sickles as the couple waited to mopolitanism, discrimination 18 “honour killings” were report- told police that the attack was We have lost him.” Hail threatens farmers with Actor Prashanth fourth straight crop loss commits suicide IANS also urged his wife to give up Agencies drop by 5 to 7%,” R K Gupta, chief received compensation from the Chennai her anger and said he had been New Delhi of state-run Directorate of Wheat government for the loss that we a good father to his daughter Research, said in the northern suff ered in February and March Rakshitha. city of Karnal, a wheat belt. last year,” said Dharmendra Ku- opular Tamil televi- He also wrote that he was a ail and rain have dam- If weather conditions remain mar, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh. sion actor Sai Prashanth “problem” for himself. aged ripening wheat, favourable now, farmers will be Last month the agricul- Pcommitted suicide at his In his letter, Prashanth Hchickpea and rapeseed in able to salvage crops by draining ture ministry forecast India’s residence in Chennai, police thanked actress Radikaa Sar- India’s key farm belts, potential- water from their fi elds, Gupta 2016 wheat output at 93.82mn said, adding he had left a sui- athkumar, with whom he ly cutting output and exposing said. But the loss could be as high tonnes, lower than a 94.75mn cide note saying no one must worked in serials, and her millions of farmers to a fourth as 7 to 8% if hail and heavy rains tonne target, but higher than last be blamed. company Radaan for their crop loss in a row. return, warned Gupta. year’s 86.53mn tonnes. Prashanth is said to have support. Torrential rains at the week- The weather offi ce has fore- The central government yes- mixed poison in his drink and Radikaa expressed shock end lashed Punjab, Haryana and cast rains from tomorrow. terday sought reports from the consumed it on Sunday. He over Prashant’s death. parts of Uttar Pradesh and Mad- Indian farmers sow wheat in states on crop damage, hours was 30. “So shocked and saddened hya Pradesh, states which ac- October and November, with after Congress vice president Police said the reason be- to hear of actor Sai Prashanth’s count for the bulk of wheat out- harvests from end of March and Rahul Gandhi demanded com- hind Prashanth’s suicide death. What is it about life that put in India, the world’s biggest April. Repeated squalls around pensation for the farmers. could be loneliness and de- you give up at this age?? Sad. producer after China, fl attening the same time last year hit out- “I have personally spoken to pression. Just fi nished work, but mind is crops and fl ooding farms. put, leaving farmers in penury the agriculture ministers of Uttar In his suicide note Prashan- disturbed,” she tweeted. Lower crop yields will cut and driving some to suicide. Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh th said neither his second wife Known for working in serials India’s wheat output for the After two straight droughts in and Rajasthan to assess the crop Sujitha nor anyone else should such as Annamalai, Selvi and second straight year, depleting India, where more than half of damage,” Agriculture Minister be blamed for his decision. Arasi, Prashant also starred in stocks at state warehouses. Any farmlands lack irrigation, farm- Radha Mohan Singh said. He also said his death would Tamil fi lms like Neram, The- fall in chickpea and rapeseed ers complain of mounting debts Singh said the aff ected states not create any problems for gidi and Vadacurry. production will force New Delhi as lower food prices in India and have said it would take three to Sujitha and that his parents Prashanth started his career to step up imports of pulses, or a rout in the global commodity four days to make an assessment. would return all her jewellery as a video jockey and hosted a lentils, and vegetable oil. market have eroded incomes. “Central teams will visit the along with Rs500,000. popular show, Dil Dil Mana- “It is a little early for us to “After last year’s untimely rains, aff ected areas after receiving the After divorcing his fi rst wife, dhil. know the exact extent of the most of us have had a sense of deja reports from the states and as- Farmer Pakhir Singh examines his damaged wheat crop after days Prashanth remarried three His last day of shoot was on damage but initial reports sug- vu but our worst fears have come sistance will be provided on the of heavy rain and strong wind on the outskirts of Jalandhar in months ago. the sets of Radaan’s Tamil se- gest that wheat production could true now. In fact most of us haven’t basis of their reports,” he said. Punjab yesterday. In the suicide note, the actor rial Thamarai on March 10. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

CONFLICT CRIME LAW AND ORDER SCANDAL BUSTED Farc rebels say talks Five marines detained Ten killed in $2bn sought from Huge cocaine haul seized stalled over truce over man’s disappearance Mexico gunfight Odebrecht, Petrobras staff off coast of the Galapagos

Colombia’s Farc rebels yesterday said peace Five Mexican marines have been detained in At least 10 suspected gang members were Brazilian prosecutors accused executives from Ecuador seized 1.9 tonnes of cocaine off the coast talks with the government are stalled over the connection with the 2013 disappearance of a killed in an early morning firefight with federal construction conglomerate Odebrecht and state- of the Galapagos Islands, as traff ickers ply new issue of a bilateral ceasefire, the latest snag in man in Nuevo Leon, the navy said. The troops security forces in the dangerous northeastern run oil company Petrobras of misconduct and routes to smuggle their illicit cargo, off icials said. a bid to end five decades of conflict. Speaking were being held in a military prison after a court Mexican city of Reynosa, the state government demanded they pay $2bn in damages. Prosecutors The operation - part of a joint eff ort by police and after both sides acknowledged that a March 23 charged them on March 8 and 9 with “forced said. The gunfight began during an operation accused Odebrecht of paying bribes to win the Ecuadoran navy - intercepted the equivalent deadline they had set themselves would likely disappearance” - a crime meaning that an off icial against a gang based in Reynosa, the Tamaulipas contracts with Petrobras as part of a corruption of more than seven million individual doses of the pass without the signing of a final accord, Farc illegally detained or abducted someone. The state government said in a statement. At least scheme that implicated dozens of politicians and contraband drug, the interior ministry announced. negotiator Carlos Lozada said the talks were statement said the marines were detained over a 10 people died in the operation, which included top executives. Odebrecht is currently under The shipment had an estimated street value of stumbling over the details of an eventual truce. case dating from August 3, 2013, in Nuevo Leon. It members of the marines, army and federal investigation for its involvement in the graft some $40mn. Traff ickers, many based in Colombia, The Marxist guerrillas have been observing did not name the victim but Amnesty International police. Four members of the security forces were and influence-peddling scandal at Petrobras. are exploiting a vast and expanding swathe of a unilateral ceasefire since July. But while said earlier this week that the marines were injured when a vehicle was upended. As a result Prosecutors of the task force investigating the ocean, from one end of the Americas to the other, the government has stopped bombing Farc suspects in the disappearance of Armando del of the operation, other members of the gang scheme said they had evidence that Odebrecht for the illicit drug trade. The cocaine seized last positions, it has yet to accede to the rebels’ Bosque Villarreal, a 33-year-old man whose body blocked off major avenues in the city to try and paid bribes to win contracts at the oil refineries week appeared to have travelled from coastal demand for a bilateral ceasefire. found two months after he was detained by troops. halt the attack, the statement said. Getulio Vargas and Abreu e Lima as well as in Rio. areas near the border of Colombia and Ecuador. Rousseff Violence against women slammed faces political dead end after historic protest

AFP congress discussed pulling out Brasilia altogether, with a decision to be taken in 30 days. Relations between the Work- razil’s leftist President ers’ Party and the PMDB have Dilma Rousseff appeared been strained for a long time. Bto be heading for a politi- But the PMDB leader Michel Te- cal dead end yesterday after huge mer is Rousseff ’s vice president crowds took to the streets to call and as such would replace her for her resignation. automatically should she be im- Between one and 3mn people peached - a tempting incentive fl ooded the streets of Sao Paulo, for the biggest party in Congress. Rio, Brasilia and some 400 other Analysts said all parties were cities in Latin America’s biggest watching the turnout on Sunday country on Sunday, according to and that the big crowds could confl icting data. help push all but the most die- Turnout in Sao Paulo was esti- hard Rousseff loyalists to sup- mated at 500,000 by the research port impeachment. centre Datafolha and 1.4mn by “This has been a very bad the Sao Paulo military police. The weekend for the government,” fi gures surpassed estimates by said analyst Sergio Praca at the either organisation in previous Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio. Activists protest against the murder of more than 600 women in the last four years, in Ecatepec, Mexico. opposition demonstrations. “The demonstrations were very Protesters said they were fed powerful... It’s the worst scenario up with the country’s worst re- possible for the government.” cession in 25 years, a massive The Workers’ Party itself is on corruption scandal unfolding at the ropes. state oil company Petrobras and Party founder and leftist icon, the government’s complete in- ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da ability to pass laws in Congress. Silva, faces money laundering The historic rebuff on the charges related to the corruption streets left Rousseff few options probe at Petrobras. Prosecutors as another gruelling week start- indicate that his legal troubles Economic suff ering looms ed, with Congress geared up to are only just beginning and there relaunch stalled impeachment has been a request to a judge that proceedings. he be put into preventative de- An attempt to impeach the tention. country’s fi rst female presi- Rousseff needs Lula to main- dent began last year but fi zzled tain her links to the party base, out on technicalities. The Su- where she is unpopular. without debt deals: Macri preme Court was tomorrow or on As the party takes hammering Thursday expected to set out the upon hammering, pro-govern- Reuters Macri’s centre-right gov- Asked what would be the product in 2015 from 2.8% a Yet in a sign Macri’s camp rules, opening the door for Rous- ment demonstrations planned Buenos Aires ernment, which took office consequence of a defeat in Con- year earlier. has more last-minute work seff ’s many enemies in the legis- for this Friday could be a mo- three months ago, recently gress, Macri said: “austerity or The lower house in Congress to do, state-run news agency lature to ramp up the pressure. ment of truth - when the depth reached deals with creditors hyperinfl ation. There is no al- is due today to vote on the bill Telam reported Macri of- The impeachment case rests or growing absence of support rgentina will be head- who had balked at the previ- ternative.” containing the debt deals, in- ficials will be meeting again on allegations that Rousseff ’s for Rousseff will be made clear. ed toward aggressive ous government’s settlement cluding a $4.65bn cash payment with lawmakers aligned with government illegally manipu- Rousseff herself made only a Aspending cuts or hy- terms in the wake of the coun- Macri allies have been to the lead holdout creditors su- defeated presidential candi- lated accounts to boost public brief public reaction to Sunday’s perinfl ation if Congress fails try’s 2002 default on $100bn lobbying moderate ing Argentina in a US court. date Sergio Massa and a group spending during her 2014 re- dramatic scenes. to support debt deals brokered in bonds. Peronist legislators who Macri’s ‘Let’s Change’ alli- of Peronist parliamentarians election campaign. In a one paragraph statement with creditors holding its de- Macri needs lawmakers to opposed Fernandez’s ance is the largest party in Con- who split with Fernandez in During the fi rst push last year late Sunday, she praised the faulted bonds, President Mau- pass those deals to access bil- hardline refusal to gress’s lower chamber, but it February. analysts reckoned that Rousseff peaceful crowds for showing the ricio Macri warned. lions of dollars in new fi nanc- negotiate a settlement needs to secure pacts with op- Treasury offi cials will be could still get enough votes from country’s ability to “coexist with In an interview on America ing and persuade wary foreign position lawmakers to push the seeking to allay any concerns sympathetic deputies to survive. diff erent opinions.” TV, Macri said the South Amer- businesses that Argentina is a Macri’s comments came just bill through. over the decision by a US ap- That is becoming increasingly The problem for Dilma, as ican country would remain a fi - safe investment destination. after his finance minister said Macri allies have been lobby- peals court on Friday to put on unclear. she is known to nearly everyone nancial pariah shunned by glo- But loyalists of former leader he would be “forced to im- ing moderate Peronist legisla- hold the lifting of the injunc- Her Workers’ Party is in a in Brazil, is that increasingly bal credit markets if it failed to Cristina Fernandez, a Peronist, plement tremendous cuts” to tors who opposed Fernandez’s tions that restrict Argentina shaky coalition with the bigger the only opinion left is that she resolve the 14-year battle with say he is caving into the greed of plug a fiscal deficit that wid- hardline refusal to negotiate a from servicing its restructured PMDB. On Saturday, a PMDB needs to go. creditors. Wall Street. ened to 5.3% of gross domestic settlement. debt, Telam said. Kuczynski second in Official meeting Obama vows human rights talk with Castro poll on Peru elections AFP The White House confi rmed Washington that the letter was authentic. When Obama sets foot Reuters maker Veronika Mendoza and absolute majority needed to win in Havana on March 20, the Lima centre-left politician Alfredo outright in the fi rst round of bal- S President Barack White House imagines a “Ber- Barnechea also jumped fi ve loting on April 10. Obama, who visits lin Wall moment” - a singular points each from last month to Fujimori recovered two points UCuba in a week, prom- legacy-gilding event like Ron- nvestor-favourite Pedro Pa- 9%, tying them at third. to garner 32% of voter support ised dissidents he would di- ald Reagan’s 1987 address be- blo Kuczynski jumped back in the Ipsos poll, but the share rectly discuss human rights is- fore the Brandenburg Gate. Iinto second in Peru’s presi- Kuczynski has pledged to of voters determined to vote sues with their president, Raul While Reagan sought to end dential race behind longtime draw $20bn in investments against her rose four points to Castro. the Cold War division of Eu- frontrunner Keiko Fujimori, af- to the country, but his 44%. Obama told the Ladies in rope, Obama hopes to sym- ter two key rivals were disquali- age and perception that The poll did not include sec- White, a group of wives and bolically “tear down” decades fi ed from next month’s vote, an he is a light-skinned ond-round scenarios. In the children of political prison- of Cold War antagonism across Ipsos poll showed. foreigner have weighed on last Ipsos surveys, Kuczynski ers, that he understood their the narrow Florida Straits. Kuczynski rose by fi ve per- presidential bid was seen losing to Fujimori by struggle, in the letter dated Obama will visit the island centage points to 14% of voter fi ve points in a run-off vote that March 10 but published online March 20 to 22. support in the new electoral The race has been shaken by would take place June 5. by the dissident organisation Obama’s Republican foes scenario, his best showing since the electoral board’s unprec- Guzman had been seen as three days later. accuse him of betraying the December when he peaked at edented move to bar two candi- neck and neck with Fujimori “I fully understand the ob- cause of human rights in 16%, according to the poll pub- dates - Julio Guzman and Cesar in the second round before stacles that ordinary Cubans Cuba by engaging with the lished in the local daily El Com- Acuna - just a month before he was barred on a technical- face in exercising their rights,” Castro regime, the Americas’ ercio. elections. The two had tapped ity - a controversy he is calling Obama wrote in English. “The only one-party Communist The 77-year-old former voter frustration with tradi- “fraud” that threatens to tar- US believes that no one in Cuba state. World Bank economist has tional politicians and took turns nish the legitimacy of the next or anywhere else should face In a bid to fend off such pledged to draw $20bn in in- bumping Kuczynski from second president. harassment, arrest, or physical criticism, the White House has vestments to the global mining place. The share of voters intending assault just because they are announced Obama will meet powerhouse over three years, Fujimori, the centre-right to cast spoilt ballots rose four exercising a universal right to with anti-regime dissidents but his age and the perception 40-year-old daughter of impris- points to 12% in the Ipsos poll of have their voices heard.” in Havana, although it has that he is a light-skinned for- oned former president Alberto 1,851 Peruvians, which had a 2.3 “As I have in the past, I will not given any details beyond eigner have weighed on his sec- Fujimori, has enjoyed a wide lead point margin of error and was Bolivia’s President Evo Morales meets members of raise these issues directly with insisting that the Cuban gov- ond presidential bid. over all of her rivals for months conducted March 5-10. Voting is Uru-Chipaya ethnicity at the presidential residence in La Paz. President Castro,” Obama ernment will not be allowed to Voter support for leftist law- but is not expected to secure the mandatory in Peru. stressed. hand-pick them. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN I want my fi lms to initiate social change: Shamreen

IANS As the fi lm made headlines fi lms have “a way of revealing tary maker, who fi rst won the the issue we were highlighting.” New Delhi across the globe with its Acad- the core of an issue that might Oscar for her 2012 movie Sav- While Pakistan is re-estab- emy Award nomination, and otherwise be seen as a mere ing Face on women acid attack lishing its fi lm industry, in that later win, it was screened for the headline or statistic”. victims. scenario, what does it mean to proud winner of two Os- country’s Prime Minister Nawaz “I want my fi lms to serve as Obaid-Chinoy pointed out be bringing back home an Oscar cars, Pakistan’s celebrat- Sharif, who endorsed his sup- vessels of information that con- how a number of the refugees for the second time? Aed fi lmmaker Sharmeen port in helping to end honour nect audiences, prompt dia- featured in her fi lm Iraq: The “The Pakistani fi lm industry Obaid-Chinoy says for her a killings in the country. logue, and initiate social change. Lost Generation – about Iraqi is beginning to slowly stand on “bigger accomplishment” is the “He asked his team to redraft I view my fi lms as active stories refugees in Syria and Jordan – its own two feet. Filmmakers fact that her fi lms prompt dia- laws on honour killings to help that come to life when they are were granted asylum afterwards; are experimenting with style logue for social change. ensure that perpetrators are viewed and discussed - the fi lm and how her fi lm City of Guilt, and form and we are slowly Her latest Academy Award punished and victims are pro- is often times just the fi rst step which focussed on clandestine starting to carve out a place for winning movie A Girl in the tected. The possibility of having in a larger and fruitful conversa- abortions in the Philippines, ourselves in the international River: The Price of Forgiveness new legislation that protects the tion. was picked up by a person who sphere. – on honour killings in Paki- women of Pakistan reaffi rms my “I have always maintained lobbied the government for in- “Bringing home an Oscar stan – which won laurels in the belief that this form of story- that for me, the biggest accom- creased access to contraceptives is testament to the fact that it Documentary (Short Subject) telling is enough to bring about plishment is when my fi lms are for women. doesn’t matter where you come category at the prestigious gala change,” Obaid-Chinoy told used by non-profi ts and activ- Yet, she felt she was “the dark from, if you do good work it will last month, turned out to be a IANS in an interview from Ka- ists to create social awareness horse” at the Oscars this year. be appreciated worldwide - and wake-up call for the Pakistan rachi. and raise funds for marginalised “I wasn’t expecting to win - there is no lack of talent in Paki- government. The fi lmmaker believes that individuals,” said the documen- but it felt great to win because of stan.” Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy SC to hear appeals Pakistan rain havoc toll rises to 49 IANS Islamabad against military t least 49 people were killed and 80 injured Aover the last four days in accidents caused by a spell of torrential rains in Pakistan, the authorities said yesterday. court convictions The country’s National Dis- aster Management Author- ity (NDMA) said the country’s Agencies Earlier this year the Ministry “They (government) are hang- Balochistan province was the Islamabad of Interior and Narcotics Con- ing petty criminals but known worst hit where 18 people were trol said 332 people had been ex- terrorists on death row are await- killed, 22 injured and 49 houses ecuted in the country. ing their punishment for years,” collapsed in incidents caused he Supreme Court of Pa- Following the attack on the Asma Jahangir, a lawyer and hu- by rains, Xinhua reported. kistan will commence school, senior lawyer Salim Shah man rights activist in Pakistan, The northwest tribal area of Thearing 10 appeals in- Hoti had said persons found in- has been quoted as saying. the country also received heavy stituted against military court volved in helping militants in car- She has accused the govern- rains which caused several roof convictions of militants from ry out terror attacks (facilitators) ment of failing to act consist- collapse accidents. tomorrow, the media reported are liable to be sentenced to death ently, citing the men convicted The NDMA said that 15 peo- yesterday. in accordance with the law of the of murdering journalist Daniel ple were killed, 25 others injured The appeals will be taken up land. Military courts had been Pearl in 2002, who were handed and three houses collapsed due by a fi ve-judge larger bench, set up after the passage of 21st death sentence years ago but to heavy rains in the area. headed by Chief Justice of Paki- Amendment in Jan 2015 to pro- have yet to be hanged. The authority said seven la- A Pakistani nurse treats a victim injured when a coal mine collapsed at a hospital in Peshawar on stan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali, ceed with terror- related cases. But supporters of the plan ar- bourers were killed and 10 in- March 13. At least five labourers were killed when a coal mine collapsed in northwest Pakistan. More Dawn online reported. gue that executions are the only jured when a coal mine caved than 30 miners were trapped in the far-flung mountainous Orakzai tribal district after a shaft collapsed At the last hearing, on Febru- “They (government) are eff ective way to deal with the in due to landslide caused by amid heavy downpours on March 12. ary 24, Jamali had ordered that hanging petty criminals but scourge of militancy in Pakistan. heavy rains in Orakzai area of all the challenges against mili- known terrorists on death Earlier this month, the Senate the tribal belt. In the country’s northwest stan Met offi ce said the current country does not witness such tary court decisions be clubbed, row are awaiting their of Pakistan proposed changes in The country’s east Punjab Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, weather condition will persist a severe rain pattern in spring with the directive that execution punishment for years” the laws pertaining to counter- province was also aff ected by six people were killed, 15 in- till Monday and a new spell of season, but due to El Nino cli- of the convicts would remain terrorism strategy to ensure the rains where 10 people were jured and 19 houses destroyed rain is expected to hit the coun- mate cycles, the temperatures suspended until the pending pe- After lifting of the morato- swift dispensation of justice killed, 18 injured and four hous- due to torrential rains. try from tomorrow. of the Pacifi c Ocean is warmer titions were decided. rium on death penalty through along with mechanism for secu- es collapsed. The director general of Paki- He said that normally the than normal. Two of the convicts were an executive order following rity and protection of witnesses, awarded death sentence by the the Army Public School attack, prosecutors and judges. military courts for their alleged these courts were authorised to The report of the Commit- involvement in the December 16, sentence to death facilitators, tee of Whole, Senate of Paki- 2014, carnage at the Army Public abettors and handlers of the ter- stan 2015 emphasised enhanced School in Peshawar, which killed rorists without any distinction. evidential value of confessional ‘Sartaj Aziz to meet Sushma Swaraj in Nepal’ more than 150 people, most of The interior ministry was re- statements in terrorism cases them school children. quired to send the case of facili- and increased co-ordination be- The South Asian nation un- tators arrested by security forces tween police and military-run IANS the possibility of a meeting be- eign Ministers of Saarc Coun- The eff orts to resume the veiled a sweeping plan to curb for their involvement in the at- intelligence agencies. Islamabad tween Sushma Swaraj and Aziz tries on the sidelines of the India-Pakistan Comprehensive militancy after the attack. tack at Bacha Khan University to Regarding the enforced disap- and also between the foreign Saarc Council of Ministers’ Bilateral Dialogue hit a dead- A six-year moratorium on the the military courts because the pearances, the Senate’s report secretaries of the two coun- meeting on 17 March 2016 in lock after the terror attack on country’s death penalty was lift- law applied to them. states that the Constitution’s akistan’s Adviser on For- tries in the Nepali tourist city of Nepal,” a foreign ministry re- Pathankot airbase. ed and the constitution amend- However, opponents of the articles regarding fundamen- eign Aff airs Sartaj Aziz is Pokhara. lease here said. Sources said Aziz and Sis- ed to allow military courts to try policy stress that Pakistan’s legal tal rights of citizens should be Pexpected to meet Indian Aziz and Swaraj will be in “Aziz will extend Sharif’s hma Swaraj, if they meet, will those accused of carrying out system is unjust, with rampant taught in all academies run by External Aff airs Minister Su- Pokhara for the South Asian formal invitation to their re- discuss the possibility of an attacks. police torture and poor repre- military, para-military forces shma Swaraj in Nepal, sources Association for Regional Co- spective Heads of State/Heads interaction between Prime Hangings were initially rein- sentation for victims during and police. said yesterday. operation (Saarc) Council of of Government for the 19th Minister Nawaz Sharif and his stated only for those convicted of unfair trials, while the majority The Senate has given 90 days Quoting diplomatic sources, Foreign Ministers’ meeting to- Saarc Summit, being hosted Indian counterpart Naren- terrorism, but in March they were of those who are hanged are not to the government to adopt its Express News reported that In- morrow and 17th. by Pakistan in Islamabad this dra Modi later this month in extended to all capital off ences. convicted of terror charges. recommendations. dia and Pakistan were exploring “Sartaj Aziz will meet For- year,” it added. Washington. Afghan strongmen tame Taliban bastion where US struggled

AFP the Taliban.” His hands bound to a po- the air,” said Haji Mohamed, a Kabul To get a full measure of the lice vehicle, the video which policeman at an abandoned US turnaround, juxtapose Panjwai went viral shows the man being base in Panjwai. against the turmoil convulsing dragged along the road before a “But the insurgents were able captured Taliban rifl e the wider region, increasingly mob turns on him and one offi cer to plant mines next to their bas- dangling at his side, com- drawing Nato troops back into tries to bite the fl esh off his arm. es. Whenever they stepped out Amander Sultan Mohamed the confl ict a year after their To the supporters of Raziq and their armoured cars turned into swaggers through a bomb- combat mission ended. Mohamed, such savagery has coffi ns.” cratered district that was once Neighbouring opium-rich made them a bulwark against the He said local residents fumed a hornet’s nest of insurgents, Helmand, Afghanistan’s larg- stubborn insurgency, more vital when US soldiers entered homes symbolising a rare Afghan mili- est province, is teetering on the than ever as Afghanistan spirals and mosques, aff ronting cultural tary triumph where US forces brink of collapse. into chaos. sensitivities, and razed orchards failed. Overstretched Afghan troops But their success is spawning that blocked the view from their Panjwai was one of the cen- are retreating from vola- ever more brutality. spy balloons. trepieces of US President Barack tile southern districts, ceding “If I catch a Taliban supporter In 2012 Robert Bales, a battle- Obama’s 2009 troop surge am- swathes of key areas to the Tali- planting a landmine, I will make jaded American soldier, mas- bitiously aimed at crushing the ban. him sit on it and blow him up,” sacred 16 civilians in Panjwai Taliban, but the southern dis- And confl ict-induced dis- said Serajuddin Afghanmal, a in a rampage seen as the worst trict soon became a poster child placement is edging towards a police offi cial credited for clear- American wartime atrocity in of the failed intervention. new record as the Taliban now ing thousands of mines in Pan- decades, further aggravating Strongmen including Mo- control more territory than in jwai. anti-US sentiment. hamed, the Panjwai police chief any year since 2001. Under the Americans, Pan- Analysts warn Panjwai’s with a reputation for brutality, in Panjwai off ers a striking con- jwai was so heavily riddled with gains are at risk of unravelling recent years did what the Ameri- trast: children in schools learn- underground bombs that it was as forced eradication of poppy cans could not — tame the insur- ing algebra instead of a Taliban commonly joked the district crops creates economic hardship gent haven that had come to be curriculum, grape farmers tend- grows mines more than pome- and as violence spills over from known as the “blood fountain”. ing their vines even after sun- granates, grapes and tomatoes. neighbouring Helmand. The Taliban are now out of down, and once-wary visitors When Obama’s But, says Mohamed the police sight in the district in Kandahar, jaunting around on pheasant- 30,000-strong troop surge chief, the battle for Panjwai was pomegranate orchards stand on hunting trips. Afghan anti-Taliban militia commander Abdul Wadud, 63, gestures as he speaks during an interview with ended in 2012, the district was won on the day the last US sol- fi elds once awash with land- The transformation of Pan- AFP in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. ranked by the US Pentagon diers pulled out. mines, and poppy farms that jwai, birthplace of the Taliban among Afghanistan’s 10 most “With the Americans gone, boosted militant coff ers are just movement, defi es the common ics. And unlike neighbouring But the turnaround is also “’His brief to his men is sim- dangerous districts. the Taliban have no moral jus- a memory. perception that Afghan security districts gripped by violence, widely credited to anti-Taliban ple: ‘Don’t bring the enemy US forces showered Panjwai tifi cation to be here,” he said, “When US forces were here, forces — bedevilled by high cas- it does not fall on a major drug strongmen such as General Ab- alive’,” an offi cial close to Raziq with aid money but calm could clasping an M4 assault rifl e the Taliban were within 1km ualties and desertions — cannot traffi cking route. dul Raziq, Kandahar’s powerful yesterday. not be purchased. Rabid dogs snatched from the insurgents, of their bases. Now they aren’t stand alone without Nato back- “Being a backwater has helped police chief who controls the Last week the interior minis- now occupy some of the clinics now his personal weapon. even within 100km,” Mohamed ing. Panjwai achieve detente that has province with an iron hand and try said it was probing a graphic they built. “Foreigners can prop us up said, trailed by armed loyalists. To its advantage, observers seen many local insurgent fi ght- is accused of running secret tor- video apparently showing Mo- “The Americans thought they with weapons but they don’t be- “We did what American sol- say Panjwai is not a messy froth ers return to farming,” a Kabul- ture chambers, an allegation he hamed’s men abusing an alleged could restore security by fl oating long here. Only Afghans can re- diers could not — rid the area of of tribal and economic dynam- based Western offi cial said. denies. suicide bomber. balloons (surveillance blimps) in ally win Afghanistan’s war.” Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Port call Marcos Jr slams Comelec for ‘undermining’ poll credibility

By Jaime R Pilapil the vulnerabilities in the & Joel M Sy Egco automated election system Manila Times (AES).” “We oppose moves to post- pone the elections, not sim- enator Ferdinand ply because it is against the “Bongbong” Marcos Constitution, and defi nitely SJr yesterday slammed not because we believe in its the Commission on Elec- promise of change, but be- tions (Comelec) for seriously cause a delay in the polls will undermining the credibility ultimately favour the incum- of the coming elections with bent Aquino regime,” Reyes its refusal to comply with the pointed out. Supreme Court (SC) order re- He said a delay “will allow quiring the issuance of printed the ruling regime to further ballot receipts. use the huge resources of gov- The poll body has warned ernment in its favour.” that it may be forced to move Already, the administra- the elections to June or re- tion is being criticised for sort to manual counting if it mobilising funds under the will follow the directive of the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) High Court. programme to boost chances With such pronounce- of the LP bets led by Manuel ments, Marcos said, “the “Mar” Roxas. Comelec is seriously under- “A delay will allow adminis- mining the credibility of the tration bets to use this advan- The US Navy’s guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) is seen docked at a port in Manila yesterday. The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam is in elections with its posturing.” tage to increase their ratings Manila for a scheduled port visit. He noted that it is puzzling and infl uence the outcome of why the poll body is not only the automated polls. The pub- refusing to obey the order of lic should be wary of this delay the SC but is presenting alter- threat by Comelec and Smart- natives that violate the 1987 matic,” the Bayan leader said, Constitution and the Auto- referring to the foreign tech- mated Election Law. nology provider. “I can’t understand why The poll body said it no they are saying these things. longer has enough time to im- Comelec chairman Andres plement changes to comply Bautista is a lawyer and the with the SC order to activate Poe tops survey after Constitution clearly says that the voters verifi cation paper the elections should be held audit trail (VVPAT), one of on the second Monday of May. the security features required Also, the law says that elec- under the automated election tronic counting of votes is re- law. quired for national and local In a special report by Manila elections,” Marcos said. Times two weeks ago, several court nod for contest “You can’t help but think we information technology ex- are being led to a set-up,” he perts claimed that the AES is By Joel M Sy Egco In the vice presidential race, survey results will serve as a and days before the Supreme added. not fool-proof and is, in fact, & Llanesca T Panti Senators Francis “Chiz” Escu- wake-up call. “That is okay. I am Court ruled that Poe can run for “And who are going to have susceptible to manipulation. Manila Times dero and Ferdinand “Bongbong” glad because I am with you, what president. the advantage if there is con- Bautista had said the SC Marcos Jr were statistically tied I see is what is reality,” he said The survey had a ±2-point fusion? Of course not the in- ruling turned the election for the top spot. in an interview. “For whatever sampling error margin, mak- dependent candidates like me, timeline upside down, noting arely a week after the Su- Escudero got 28%, up by two it may be for, the survey is like ing those with two percentage not those who are leading in that the commission needs preme Court (SC) cleared percentage points from the Feb- a wake-up call to us,” the vice points diff erence as “statistically the surveys.” three months to prepare to Bthe way for her presi- ruary poll, while Marcos got president added. tied.” PCOS refers to Precinct carry out the SC order to issue dential run, Senator Grace Poe 26%, the same score he got in Malacanang also welcomed Analysts had predicted that Count Optical Scan machine, voting receipts without com- topped the latest Social Weather February. the SWS poll, calling it “a snap- Poe will gain from the High which is a paper-based ballot promising the credibility and Stations (SWS) survey, sidelin- Like Roxas, LP vice presi- shot of public opinion” that Court’s decision. voting and counting device orderliness of the May elec- ing United Nationalist Alliance dential bet Rep. Leni Robredo “reveals that the electorate is LP-led administration coali- that was fi rst used in the Phil- tions. (UNA) standard bearer and Vice climbed fi ve points from 19% in troubled by integrity questions tion spokesman Ibarra Gutierrez ippines in the 2010 elections. Reyes said these recent de- President Jejomar Binay. February to 24% this month to against candidates.” said the survey results show that Thousands of PCOS ma- velopments also highlighted The pollster reported yester- secure the third spot. “It shows the continuing Roxas’ rating is slowly inching chines will be deployed for the the need for the eventual day that Poe got 27% during the Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano consolidation and expansion of up. May 9 polls. scrapping of the Smartmatic- March 4 to 7 survey, three per- placed fourth with 11%, followed voter preference for the tandem “We’re happy about it, of Marcos said the Comelec controlled system. centage points higher than her by Sen. Antonio Trillanes at 6% of continuity, integrity and re- course, because it is a vindica- should comply with the SC or- But Bautista dismissed 24% rating in February. and Senator Gregorio Honasan, form,” Malacanang spokesman tion of what we have been saying der and hold the elections on fears of a no election scenario, Binay slid down to second 5%. Edwin Lacierda said, alluding to all along, that we see a slow and the second Monday of May. saying elections will be held place after shedding fi ve points Although Poe topped the sur- the LP tandem of Roxas and Ro- steady rise in our survey ratings. “And the voting should not but probably not on May 9. He from the 29% he got last month, vey, she said the presidential bredo. We see the debate having an im- be manual,” the senator in- said the commission is con- getting 24% during the March race will be very diffi cult. “Despite the mudslinging and pact because it showed that Sec- sisted. sidering all options, including review period. The senator added that she is concerted attacks against the retary Mar has thought out his The Bagong Alyansang postponing the elections, but Poe and Binay, however, are praying that her ratings will im- administration and its record of plan for the country,” Gutierrez Makabayan (Bayan) agreed added that it would be best if still considered statistically tied. prove. Grace Poe: tops survey public service, not only has the noted. that postponing the elections, the High Court will reverse its Liberal Party (LP) standard- “This elections will not be straight path coalition endured, “Equally important is the fact besides being illegal, would ruling because overturning it bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas easy. The ratings of the candi- spiration for her to continue to but it is gaining ground as our that the campaign of Secre- only benefi t candidates of the will guarantee the holding of gained four points to land at dates are not that far from each push for her platform of govern- fellow citizens continue to ask tary Mar across the country has Liberal Party (LP). the polls on May 9 as sched- third place with 22% while Dav- other,” she said. ance. The data from the survey tough questions and demand been taking eff ect. He is on the In a statement, Bayan sec- uled. ao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Valenzuela City (Metro Ma- will serve as guide for her next concrete solutions from all the ground, relatable and is easy to retary general Renato Reyes “If we postpone the elec- got only 21%, suff ering a three nila) Mayor Rex Gatchalian, campaign moves. Our resolve is candidates,” he added. have around. He’s approacha- Jr said that instead of toying tions, we need a law from percentage point drop from his Poe’s spokesman, said the sena- to remain focused on amplifying The survey covered 1,800 val- ble, kind and open-minded. His with the idea of delaying the Congress. If we opt for man- ranking last month. tor is humbled and is grateful to our message of inclusive govern- idated voters and was held two character is leaving an imprint polls, the Comelec should ual polls, we would violate Sen. Miriam Defensor-San- her supporters. ance,” he added. weeks after the fi rst presidential and that is refl ected in the sur- “hear the growing clamour the Automated Election Law,” tiago got 4%. “Their support serves as in- Binay, meanwhile, said the debate in Cagayan de Oro City veys,” he said. to address, in the short-term, Bautista said. Kin of jail inmates Public told to report suspected Zika cases denounce ‘torture’ By Dayanara Cudal The DOH has created a na- Manila Times tional action plan against Zika, which includes four strate- By Michael Joe T Delizo Rights (CHR) has started inves- gies — surveillance and clinical Manila Times tigating the jail riot, noting that he Department of Health management, vector control, 90% of the 522 inmates bore in- (DOH) called on the pub- management of potential im- juries, with “bruises from night- Tlic to report suspected pact on pregnant women and elatives of inmates at the sticks, etc.” cases of Zika as the disease health promotion. Makati City Jail yesterday Political detainees in Camp has been offi cially classifi ed as Eloi Yao, public information Rdenounced the alleged Bagong Diwa, Taguig City also category one, joining the likes offi cer of the World Health Or- beating of detainees. slammed the “brutal suppres- of the Middle East respiratory ganization (WHO) Western Pa- Families of the inmates were sion” of Makati inmates. syndrome coronavirus (Mers – cifi c Region, said the agency’s fi nally allowed to visit four days “We, political detainees at the CoV) and Ebola virus. Zika Strategic Response Frame- after the holding of a noise bar- Sica1 Jail, suff ered much in sym- Zika’s inclusion in the re- work and Joint Operations Plan rage that killed one and injured pathy as we saw on TV how the sponse system means that any is in the works. 30 detainees. jail authorities continued to beat suspected case of the disease The framework consists The Bureau of Jail Manage- up the protesting inmates there, should be reported within 24 mainly of three parts – surveil- ment and Penology (BJMP) who then were already under hours. All samples collected lance, response and research. opened the visitation on Sunday control and were only squatting shall be sent to the Research “We mainly focus on com- but only for the immediate fami- on the fl oor and entirely de- Institute for Tropical Medicine munity engagement in provid- lies of the inmates. fenceless. (RITM). ing accurate information on Those who visited said the “Some were maimed and one Health Secretary Janette Lo- miscommunication. As you inmates, including the old and of them even died because of the reto- Garin said all reported know, the level of anxiety is very ailing, suff ered wounds and beatings,” said a joint statement cases will be tested and verifi ed. high so the goal is to reduce that bruises, believed to have been of National Democratic Front of “But we reiterate these are anxiety and also address poten- sustained when jail guards the Philippines (NDFP) peace not all Zika cases. Each will go Department of Health (DOH) secretary Janette Garin gestures during a press conference on the Zika virus tial stigma that may arise from stopped the noise barrage. consultants Adelberto Silva, Alan through a process of verifi ca- at the DOH headquarters in Manila yesterday. the outbreak,” Yao said. A video was recently released Jazmines, Ernesto Lorenzo, Ru- tion and validation,” Garin said. Garin said the DOH has test- by a TV news programme show- ben Saluta and Tirso Alcantara. Irma Asuncion, director of with reported Zika cases should increase in incident of micro- causes, most of them remains ed 827 suspected Zika cases but ing jail guards beating up in- The Makati inmates report- the department’s Epidemiol- report to the DOH. cephaly, that there is tripling unknown, but if there are cases all turned out to be negative. mates. BJMP spokesman Senior edly held the noise barrage to ogy Bureau, said those who The DOH denied reports that or doubling of cases at Fabella of microcephaly, it is not alarm- She said cleanliness remains Inspector Xavier Solda, however, protest the rampant traffi cking have fever, conjunctivitis, skin cases of microcephaly have in- hospital and other government ing. That is why we are call- the key to prevention, as he refused to identify the jail guards of illegal drugs in the peniten- rash, headache, myalgia, ma- creased. hospitals within Luzon,” Garin ing on the public to report Zika urged the public to clean up all while the investigation is ongo- tiary and the poor quality of food laise, joint pains, retro orbital “We would like to clarify said. cases, so that we can document possible breeding grounds of ing. The Commission on Human being rationed to them. pain and have travelled to areas the allegations that there is an “Microcephaly has many them,” she added. mosquitoes. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES Lanka troops to guard Bangladesh arrests fi ve key power stations militants over AFP automatically on Sunday afternoon. dairy products were spoilt be- Colombo Power and Energy Minister cause there was no refrigeration. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said Small businesses said they were they had not ruled out sabotage. trying to hire generators to keep bomb plot ri Lanka deployed troops “We were investigating tech- their establishments open. yesterday to guard elec- nical reasons for the previous “I tried to hire a small genera- Strical installations as au- breakdown, but now we have tor this morning, but I was told Reuters Muslim nation of 160mn. thorities investigated whether another blackout,” the minister everything had been snapped Dhaka At least fi ve militants of sabotage was behind the island’s told reporters. up,” said Chaandana Wijesekera, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen have worst blackout in 20 years. “This means we have to look who runs a mid-size tailoring been killed in shootouts since President Maithripala Sirise- at other possibilities too.” business in Colombo. ffi cials of Bangladesh’s November, as security forces na ordered stepped-up security The state-run Ceylon Elec- “I will not be able to execute anti-terrorism unit have stepped up the crack- a day after outages plunged the tricity Board worked through the my orders in time.” Oyesterday detained down on Islamist militants entire country into darkness for night to repair the centre and re- It was the second major power fi ve suspected members of looking to establish a Sharia- at least seven hours. store power to most of Sri Lanka, failure in less than a month, fol- a banned Islamist militant based Islamic state. “The president has instructed although several suburbs of lowing a three-hour disruption group for planning attacks The group has designated that security forces be deployed Colombo were still in darkness in late February, and the worst during celebrations of the no representatives to provide to guard electricity installa- yesterday morning. since May 1996 when the entire Bengali New Year next month, comment. tions,” power and energy minis- The hours-long blackout country was without electricity a spokesman said. Celebrations of Bengali New try spokesman Pathum Pasqual brought water shortages as for four days. Muslim-majority Bangla- Year in April 2001 were marred said. pumping stations could not op- Power blackouts occur spo- desh has experienced a surge by bomb blasts in Dhaka set “In the meantime, we erate without electricity. Most radically in Sri Lanka. in Islamist violence, target- off by another militant group, are restoring supplies after businesses were forced to close Sunday’s nationwide outage ing liberal activists, members Harkat-ul Jihad Islami, which yesterday’s breakdown.” and Internet and phone con- came as an investigation was of minority Muslim sects and killed at least 10 people. Authorities are probing the nections in many areas were under way into last month’s other religious groups. In 2005, the Jamaat-ul- cause of an explosion and fi re disrupted. embarrassing disruption dur- The fi ve members of Mujahideen set off nearly 500 at a main distribution cen- Hospitals in the capital ing a visit by New Zealand Prime Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen bombs almost simultaneously tre outside the capital Co- continued to function after Minister John Key, who had de- Power and Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya: “We were Bangladesh were arrested in on a single day, including in lombo that caused the entire switching to generators. scribed Sri Lanka as a shining investigating technical reasons for the previous breakdown, but now an overnight raid on the out- Dhaka. Subsequent suicide electricity grid to switch off Tonnes of frozen food and light in Asia. we have another blackout.” skirts of the capital, Dhaka, attacks on courthouses by its said Mizanur Rahman Bhui- militants killed 25 people and ya, spokesman of the coun- injured hundreds. Dhaka to make try’s Rapid Action Battalion, The group, thought to have drawn from its police and been lying low since six of its announcement military. top leaders were hanged in Nepal to today about top “Acting on a tip-off , the 2007, is blamed for a spate of Rapid Action Battalion arrest- recent attacks, including the Maldives ‘worried’ bank after heist shooting of three foreigners, ed them from an apartment,” have fi rst he said, adding that a large two of whom died. Bangladesh’s finance ministry quantity of gel explosives and Militant group Islamic State will make a major announcement other bomb-making materials has claimed responsibility for woman today about the central bank, were seized. some recent attacks, including about IS recruitment the killing of a Hindu priest a ministry spokesman said He said the group had been yesterday, after cyber criminals planning to target celebra- last month, but the govern- chief justice AFP bigger and more developed ment and carry out any stole $81mn in one of the largest tions of Bengali New Year, the ment denies it has a presence New Delhi nations, is “fi nding it diffi cult prosecutions. bank heists in history, Reuters biggest event in the moderate in Bangladesh. to grasp the situation”. Experts say poor young reports from Dhaka. IANS Former president Mo- people from outlying islands Earlier, Finance Minister Abul Mal Two killed as villagers, Islamists clash Kathmandu he Maldives govern- hamed Nasheed, whose are vulnerable to recruitment, Abdul Muhith had told reporters ment is “extremely conviction and jailing last along with those caught up the government planned to Thousands of Bangladeshi to the scene fired rubber Tworried” about the year has been widely criti- in organised crime including make the announcement on villagers clashed yesterday bullets and tear gas at the fter its fi rst woman presi- number of nationals from cised, has warned that up gang violence or targeted by Monday. with members of a minority rampaging villagers to try to dent and speaker, Nepal is the troubled honeymoon is- to 200 Maldivians were radical preachers. Muhith did not specify what the Islamic group who are often halt violence, police said. Aset to have its fi rst woman lands joining the Islamic State fi ghting for IS in Iraq and The Maldives’ reputation statement would say, but has regarded with suspicion, Hizbut Tauhid (HT), founded chief justice. (IS) group, a top offi cial said Syria. as a luxury holiday destina- expressed unhappiness that leaving two dead people and by the scion of a centuries- A meeting of the Judicial Coun- yesterday. Mohamed denied the fi g- tion has been tarnished by Bangladesh Bank did not inform scores injured, an off icial old aristocratic family, has cil yesterday recommended Su- Maldives foreign secretary ure was that high, but said political turmoil since Nash- him about the heist at the time. said, AFP reports from won tens of thousands of shila Karki, the seniormost judge Ali Naseer Mohamed said as vulnerable groups were be- eed, the country’s fi rst demo- Central bank governor Atiur Dhaka. converts in recent years by in Nepal’s Supreme Court, as the many as 40 people have trav- ing targeted for recruitment cratically elected president, Rahman has been in India since Villagers rallied in the calling on them to follow a next chief justice of the country. elled to the Middle East from including online, and the is- was toppled four years ago in late last week for a conference, southern coastal district of purer form of Islam. The Judicial Council decided the Indian Ocean archipelago, land chain was “extremely what he called a coup led by and arrived back in Dhaka late Noakhali to demand a halt But the government has to forward her name to the Con- which has a population of vulnerable”. mutinous police and soldiers. yesterday. Rahman could not to construction of a local banned one of HT’s books, stitutional Council headed by just 350,000 - mainly Sunni The Maldives last year Mohamed said the prison be immediately reached for Hizbut Tauhid mosque, which had enraging the prime minister which is re- Muslims. introduced a tough anti- offi ce was awaiting more comment. executive magistrate M mainstream groups by sponsible for approving the head “It is a big concern for us, terror law intended to target documents before deciding Bangladesh’s central bank Nikaruzzaman said. calling on Muslims to shun of the judiciary. it is a social concern, it’s a suspected IS sympathisers on Nasheed’s request to ex- confirmed on Sunday that cyber “As the clashes spread, some conventional forms of Islam. Karki will take charge once security concern and we are among others. The opposi- tend his 30-day release from criminals tried to withdraw 5,000 villagers attacked In recent years, police have President Bidhya Devi Bhandari extremely worried about it,” tion has criticised the law, prison to travel to the UK for $951mn from its US bank hundreds of followers of arrested hundreds of HT clears her nomination. the country’s top diplomatic warning it would be used to medical treatment. account. Hizbut Tauhid with sticks members for holding closed- She will take charge after April offi cial told reporters in New further crack down on dis- Nasheed, who has met Unknown hackers breached and rocks. Two people were door meetings which they 13 when incumbent chief justice Delhi. sent in a country that has Prime Minister David Cam- the computer systems of killed and some 60 people considered suspicious, as retires, Judicial Council secre- “The total number of peo- been reeling from political eron since fl ying to Britain in Bangladesh Bank and transferred were injured. The villagers Bangladesh reels from rising tary Krishna Giri said after the ple we believe that have gone turmoil. January, was jailed last year $81mn from its account at the also torched two homes of Islamist violence. meeting. to the Middle East to engage Mohamed said the Mal- on terrorism charges relating Federal Reserve Bank of New Hizbut Tauhid members,” However the group, whom Karki’s recommendation was in this illegal warfare is less dives was being careful not to the arrest of an allegedly York to casinos in the Philippines he said. many mainstream Muslims hailed by the social media. Karki is than 40.” to encroach on human rights corrupt judge in 2012, when between February 4 and Hundreds of police and call deviant, says it rejects all known to be a fearless judge with He said the Maldives, like as it tries to stem recruit- he was still in power. February 5. paramilitary off icers sent forms of violence. zero tolerance for corruption. She holds a post-graduate degree in political science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in India. Oli advised to Saarc ministerial Traffi cked Nepali, Bangladeshi meet begins prioritise key The 37th meeting of the Saarc Council of Ministers began women trapped in Syria yesterday in Nepal’s lake city of Pokhara. deals in China To take part in the meeting, India’s AFP In Bangladesh, Shahinoor Be- infl uence in the region and no em- ed the case to local newspapers, External Aff airs Minister Sushma Murali Bhanjyang, Nepal gum lies in a Dhaka hospital bed bassy in Syria. kicking off a social media cam- Swaraj will arrive here tomorrow IANS recovering from her seven-month A Nepal government ban on mi- paign. Expat Nepalis as far afi eld while Indian Foreign Secretary S Kathmandu ordeal after being traffi cked into grant workers travelling to Syria as Finland and Hong Kong raised Jaishankar will arrive today. epali villager Sunita Magar Syria as a sex slave. has failed to stop the traffi ckers, $3,800 to pay off her employers. Both will meet Nepal government thought she was heading “I was sold to a Syrian man who an International Labour Organi- Magar, who fi nally arrived in political leaders, including Prime epalese Prime Nto a safe factory job in Ku- tortured and raped me every day, sation (ILO) offi cial said. Kathmandu, counts herself among Minister K P Oli, and senior off icials. Minister K P wait, but only when she landed in sometimes along with his friends,” “Nepal’s government thinks a the lucky few to have escaped. Six foreign ministers of the Saarc NSharma Oli has Damascus did she realise “some- Begum, also a single mother-of- ban is the easiest solution, it ba- Rohit Kumar Neupane’s aunt member states are participating been advised by senior thing had gone very wrong”. two, said. sically allows them to wipe their was traffi cked to Damascus last in the regional meeting which is offi cials to prioritise bi- Frequently beaten with a baton “I begged for mercy, but they hands of the issue,” said Bharati spring. She alerted her family also called mini summit. lateral co-operation deals KP Sharma Oli ... set for and given only one meal a day, didn’t have any. Instead they used Pokharel, ILO national project via Facebook a few months later, Meetings of programme during his upcoming visit China visit Magar says she spent 13 months to beat me so badly that I broke my co-ordinator in Kathmandu. prompting Neupane to repeatedly committee at joint secretary- to China, the media re- working as a maid for a Syrian arms,” she said. “Traffi ckers know Nepal is weak seek help from government offi - and foreign secretary-levels are ported yesterday. side about Nepal’s need household and pleading to be al- Accompanied by labour agents, and that they will face no legal action cials without success. scheduled to take place for three At a meeting called by to diversify its commerce lowed to go home. the 28-year-old and several other for their activities,” Pokharel said. A foreign ministry offi cial said days starting yesterday. Saarc Oli on Sunday for sug- and trade. “People have “I was just in shock, I couldn’t women left Bangladesh on the Illiterate, trusting and desperate Neupane’s request had been for- secretary general Arjun Bahadur gestions ahead of his high expectations from stop crying,” the single mother- promise of working as maids in to dig herself out of poverty, Magar warded to its overworked em- Thapa inaugurated the meeting. China visit which begins your visit to China this of-two said. Jordan. didn’t hesitate when a labour bro- bassy in Cairo, which covers nine All visiting dignitaries and off icials on March 20, the offi - time. Our trade and com- Magar is among scores of poor But they were taken to Syria. ker approached her with a promise countries including Syria. will be flown to Pokhara directly cials suggested that Ne- merce need to be diversi- Nepali and Bangladeshi women Begum eventually developed of a well-paid job in Kuwait. The “Frankly, we are not in a posi- from Kathmandu on a special pal should give priority fi ed as per the changed who travelled to the Middle East kidney disease, prompting traf- 23-year-old says she didn’t realise tion to manage these cases from flight operated by the Nepal army. to developing long-term context,” Ghimire said. on the promise of a good job, only fi ckers to contact her ageing she had been duped until the plane Cairo ... what we need is precau- Deputy Foreign Minister of co-operation with China. Another former foreign to be traffi cked into Syria, wracked mother to demand money for her landed in Damascus. tionary action to prevent them Afghanistan Hekmat Khalil Karzai Former prime minister minister, Prakash Chan- by fi ve years of civil war. safe return home. “I was always exhausted, always from coming to Syria in the fi rst and Pakistan Foreign Aff airs Baburam Bhattarai em- dra Lohani said the prime Nepal’s top diplomat in the region Lt Colonel Golam Sarwar said hungry, always afraid,” Magar said place,” said diplomat Ray. Adviser Sartaj Aziz will also phasised the signifi cance minister should make ef- said nationals from other countries, his team from Bangladesh’s Rapid of working 20 hours a day for no But an apparent nexus between participate in the meeting. of seeking economic co- forts towards fi nalising the which, like Nepal and Bangladesh, Action Battalion is investigat- pay and sleeping on her employer’s local labour brokers involved in The meeting convenes ahead operation in the fi elds Transit and Transporta- have large migrant labour popula- ing her case and two others — al- penthouse balcony. traffi cking and corrupt Nepali of- of the upcoming Saarc Summit of trade, infrastructure tion Agreement as well as tions, stopped working in Syria. though families of 43 other wom- When a massive earthquake hit fi cials means they operate freely, which also sets the tone for the development and foreign an agreement on import- “Since then traffi ckers have en have lodged similar complaints. Nepal last April, Magar stepped according to experts. summit meeting. direct investment in Ne- ing petroleum and gas. been targeting Nepalis,” said “Bangladesh is apparently a soft up pleas to her employers, who “Even in the rare instance that The date of the 19th Saarc Summit pal from China. Responding to the sug- Kaushal Kishor Ray, head of Ne- target for the traffi ckers,” Sarwar had confi scated her passport, to a case is fi led, it will just drag on meeting, to be held in Pakistan, Madhav Prasad gestions from the former pal’s diplomatic mission in Cairo. said. return home. with no possibility of resolution or a is expected to be announced at Ghimire, a former for- offi cials, the prime minister “The numbers have gone up Criminal networks target na- They contacted the broker who guilty verdict,” said Krishna Gurung, the Council of Ministers meeting eign minister, said that said that he wants to take hugely in recent years, we esti- tionals from Nepal and Bangla- then demanded payment from project co-ordinator at Kathman- which will also appoint a new the Nepalese leadership bilateral relationship with mate there must be around 500 desh in part because their gov- Magar’s family to ensure her re- du’s Pourakhi emergency shelter Saarc secretary general. should talk to the Chinese China to a greater height. Nepali women in Syria,” Ray said. ernments have little diplomatic lease. Her mother then highlight- house for female migrant workers. Gulf Times 26 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed It’s wrong to write Russia Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar off as diff erent from West [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), We have to be very careful intellect. (He later became Russian authoritarianism and democracy. For statement “The press should be 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) about drawing conclusions deputy prime minister and minister of example, we asked, “On a holiday, protected by the law from persecution Fax 44350474 state property under president Boris when there is a great demand for by the government.” Only 2% about national character Yeltsin, left the Russian government fl owers, their prices usually go up. Is disagreed in 1990; in 2015, Russians from isolated events before Vladimir Putin came to it fair for fl ower sellers to raise their were substantially more likely to power, and recently came to the US, prices like this?” disagree (20% did), suggesting a By Robert J Shiller where he is lecturer in economics Just as the IMEMO economists decline in democratic values. But New Haven at Harvard and Brown.) We had a predicted, most (66%) of those who the real surprise is our 2015 results lively conversation. I told him that answered this question in Moscow in New York for the same question: GULF TIMES many Americans also think capitalist thought it was unfair. But there was a 27% disagreed. New Yorkers appear ussia’s practices are unfair. Were attitudes in surprise: New York yielded virtually less supportive of a free press than aggression the two countries really diff erent? identical results (68% thought it was Muscovites today! against It appears no one had ever unfair). The biggest diff erence of all RUkraine and conducted a survey about such So we decided last year to fi nd between Moscow and New York came the Russian public’s attitudes. In 1989, however, it was out whether the same similarity from the GDT statement “It is better T20 cricket can acquiescence in direct government possible to do just that. We decided between Moscow and New York to live in a society with strict order control of news media have many on the spot to carry out a careful persists today, or whether, given the than to allow people so much freedom people wondering if Russians are questionnaire survey comparing revival of authoritarianism in Russia that they can bring destruction to predisposed to authoritarianism. It attitudes toward free markets. today, attitudes toward markets the society.” In 1990, 67% of the now proudly seems like a sensible question. But I there had become more negative. Muscovites agreed, and 76% agreed in have learned from experience that we In 1991, we concluded We administered the identical 2015, while in New York in 2015 only have to be very careful about drawing questionnaire in the two cities in 36% agreed. Maybe this is important, conclusions about national character that the Russian 2015. We presented the results at the but it is an outlier – the most extreme claim legitimacy from isolated events. American Economic Association’s diff erence between Moscow and New In 1989, I was invited to an national character annual meeting this January. York in our entire survey. economic conference in Moscow, then In the fl ower question, we found Overall, while there are diff erences, in the Soviet Union, sponsored jointly was not an obstacle very little change in attitude in the results do not lend strong support to Test cricket appears to be in its last throes. Unless by the Soviet think tank IMEMO Moscow (67% said raising prices on the idea that recent events have a simple something drastic is done by the International Cricket (now called the Primakov Institute to creating a market holidays was unfair). In New York, by explanation in terms of diff erences in Council to rejuvenate it, it won’t be long before the of World Economy and International contrast, public opinion had become deep attitudes toward free markets or Relations) and the US National Bureau economy in Russia somewhat more pro-market (55% said authoritarianism. It’s wrong to write ever-rising popularity of the exciting Twenty20 of Economic Research. Such joint raising prices was unfair). Russia off as fundamentally diff erent format pushes the traditional version of the game conferences were part of a historic After labouring over subtleties For our 2015 survey, Boycko and I from the West. completely into oblivion. breakthrough, resulting from a thaw of translation and possible decided to examine attitudes toward In 1991, we concluded that the Purists and Test cricket romantics still exist, of in US-Soviet relations. The Soviet extraneous associations that might democracy itself. Fortunately, we were Russian national character was not economists seemed enthusiastic about bias respondents’ answers, we able to fi nd a study conducted in 1990 an obstacle to creating a market course, but even they would admit they are a fast- a transition to a market economy, and arrived at a set of virtually identical by the political scientists James Gibson, economy in Russia – and were proven dying breed as the T20 version keeps winning converts I was struck by how openly they spoke questionnaires in both Russian and Raymond Duch, and Kent Tedin (GDT), right. We hope we are right again, to its cause. When it was introduced a few years ago, to us during coff ee breaks or at dinner. English. We administered the survey which asked questions in Moscow that, and that national character will not many dismissed it as a passing fad, an aberration But, signifi cantly, the Soviets (with the help of Ukrainian survey like ours, got past slogans to assess prevent Russia from becoming a truly expressed serious doubts at the expert Vladimir Korobov) in New York basic values. Though they did not do a democratic society someday.- Project and even an insult to the exalted status that fi ve-day conference that their public could and Moscow in 1990 and published comparison with New York, we thought Syndicate cricket enjoyed. ever allow free markets to function. our results in the American Economic to add it in 2015. Not anymore, though. T20 cricket has evolved over Individual market actions, they said, Review in 1991 and in the IMEMO Surprisingly, most of the results zRobert J Shiller, a 2013 Nobel the years and can now proudly claim legitimacy. It sets would strike the public as wrong, journal MEIMO in 1992. concerning democratic values do not laureate in economics and professor unfair and intolerable. The diff erences we found in support the idea that Russians prefer of economics at Yale University, is the adrenalin pumping, it shocks people out of their I met one of the younger IMEMO attitudes toward free markets strong authoritarian government. co-author, with George Akerlof, of senses and it delivers knockout punches. To look at it economists, Maxim Boycko, and were often small, and it was hard For example, GDT asked in 1990 Phishing for Phools: The Economics of as a mere dispenser of cheap thrills that appeal only to was impressed by his sincerity and to make sense of them in terms of if respondents agreed with the Manipulation and Deception. a certain class of fan who can’t appreciate the ‘fi ner’ aspects of the game that only Test fans are capable of, is no longer a valid argument. Recent fi gures of people watching T20 cricket are enough to prove the point. In Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) last season, matches attracted an average of 23,539 spectators each. At least half of the spectators who attended those matches came as part of a family and a quarter of them were 16 or under. That proves one It sets the thing: parents as well as kids fi nd T20 matches adrenalin enjoyable. But most pumping, it notably these kids would progress into shocks people adulthood carrying memories of the out of their thrilling moments they senses and have had at T20 games. They are more likely to it delivers idolise the big-hitters knockout like David Warner or Glenn Maxwell, much punches like traditionalists who still reminisce about the silken skills of David Gower or the defensive prowess of Sunil Gavaskar. When Lalit Modi, the man who served as IPL commissioner from 2008 to 2010 before falling foul of the authorities, said cricketers would one day receive European football-type salaries, it was dismissed as a hollow boast. But although the salaries have still not reached Author John Grisham, right, and Neal Kassell, neurosurgeon and founder of the Focused Ultrasound. A new book by bestselling author Grisham is sparking interest those levels, top T20 players still earn in one year what from scientists, patients and investors in a handful of companies developing what they say could be a trailblazing treatment for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. many of the Test greats of the past did not earn in an entire career. Indeed, many have gone to the extent of abandoning their Test careers to make a killing out of Book turns spotlight on futuristic cancer treatment the T20 leagues that have sprung up around the world. More evidence of the format’s popularity would By Amrutha Penumudi needed to take this niche technology was neither paid to write the book nor “I don’t think this will become come in the following three weeks when the T20 Reuters into the mainstream, said several stands to gain fi nancially. standard of care any time soon,” said World Cup is played in India, a country that played company executives and physicians In an e-mailed response to Tewari. interviewed by Reuters. questions, he said “a lack of awareness Treatment is more expensive than a pioneering role in its popularity by launching the new book by bestselling “Having a world-famous author talk about focused ultrasound is a major lasers and other thermal devices money-spinning IPL. author John Grisham is about it can only help raise awareness,” impediment to development of in everyday use. Big US insurance The build-up has been unfortunately marred by giving new impetus to said Mark Carol, chief executive of widespread use of this promising companies have paid out on a case- rows over security for Pakistan and the late release Aa handful of companies Charlotte, North Carolina-based technology”. by-case basis, unwilling to provide striving to develop what they say SonaCare Medical LLC. For Sherman Oaks, California- widespread coverage for what is a of tickets. But while some level of uncertainty always could be a trailblazing treatment for SonaCare has two focused based BrainSonix Corporation, which relatively untested technology. accompanies the start of any major sports event in the cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. ultrasound devices on the market, one is conducting early-stage research Thomas Andreae, marketing subcontinent, the fact remains that everything falls The Tumor is a fi ctional account of to treat diseased cells in soft tissue and on brain mapping, the book has led director of magnetic resonance into place once it gets underway. At least that is what a 35-year-old man with brain cancer another to ablate prostate tissue. to a spike in enquiries from scientists therapy at Philips Healthcare, said who, a decade into the future, is Men using SonaCare’s device as and investors, said chief executive demand for the company’s focused cricket fans all over the world would be hoping for. treated with focused ultrasound - a a treatment for prostate cancer had Alexander Bystritsky. ultrasound devices was strongest in Over to the action now. real-life technology that is currently a 9-in-10 chance that an MRI scan Other companies, such as Ann countries where a reimbursement being researched as a potential cure would show no sign of a tumour Arbor, Michigan-based HistoSonics structure was in place. The company, for more than 50 diseases. after 12 months, according to a study Inc and France-based, Nasdaq-listed part of Dutch conglomerate Philips, Focused ultrasound uses published in The Lancet Oncology in EDAP TMS SA , say the main benefi t of sells devices for the treatment of To Advertise soundwaves to destroy damaged tissue 2012. (http://bit.ly/1ppfkHR) the book will be to spread word among uterine fi broids outside the US. deep within the body, doing away with InSightec Ltd, a company backed patients. Ultimately, the potential for [email protected] the need for incisions or radiation by General Electric’s GE Healthcare To date, successes such as this focused ultrasound could expand Display therapy. It has been approved in unit and York Capital Management, month’s fi rst prostate ablation beyond surgical oncology to the Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 the US as a treatment for several has approval for diff erent uses: the treatment using technology developed treatment of Alzheimer’s and other conditions, including prostate cancer. treatment of bone metastases and by EDAP, have not translated into any neurodegenerative diseases, said Classified As a treatment for brain and other uterine fi broids, benign growths in the prolonged bump in stock prices. Kevyan Farahani, programme director Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 cancers, it remains a futuristic walls of the uterus. That’s partly because focused at the National Cancer Institute’s concept. Research is at an early stage Grisham is on the board of the ultrasound has been used only on imaging guided intervention branch. Subscription and, with clinical data in short supply, Focused Ultrasound Foundation, a small tumours that were diagnosed The technology’s potential to cut [email protected] US insurers have so far been reluctant non-profi t organisation. He describes early and are easily visible on an through a protective layer known as to provide coverage. The Tumor as “the most important imaging device, said Ashutosh Tewari, the blood-brain barrier would make But the book, which Grisham has book I’ve ever written”. chairman of urology at Mount Sinai it capable of delivering drugs straight 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved released free of charge, could help The author of legal thrillers The Health System, a New York City to the brain, tackling a crucial issue in developers to make a case for funding Firm and The Pelican Brief says he hospital network. treating such diseases. Gulf Times Tuesday, March 15, 2016 27 COMMENT Room for robots in hotel industry

Robots are making an entry to the moon long before we thought into the hospitality industry about adding wheels on a suitcase.” If robots are still a nascent discovery that has until now always in the industry, virtual reality (VR) has prided itself on delivering a charmed operators. German high-tech association warm and personable touch Bitkom said virtual reality is the technology that “perhaps has the By Marie Julien greatest potential” in the travel AFP/Paris industry. At several stands at the ITB fair, which concluded on Sunday, guests n a hotel not in a galaxy far, far put on virtual reality glasses and away, a robot bids you welcome escaped the gloomy Berlin winter. as you pull into the driveway. In one case, you could lounge on a I Another hands out the keycard tropical terrace and watch elephants to your room, and a third gives you the lumbering against the backdrop of the password to the WiFi network. setting sun, while a waiter delivers a Robots are making an entry into the colourful cocktail. hospitality industry that has until now The hotel chain Cinnamon, which is always prided itself on delivering a active in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, warm and personable touch. is using the “new marketing tool” to At an entrance to Berlin’s exhibition allow potential visitors to get “closer hall where thousands of travel to the product you see”, said marketing industry professionals are gathering director Dileep Mudadeniya. for the ITB trade show, humanoid At the stand for southern Germany’s robot Chihira Kanae greets visitors Bavaria region, young women dressed - in English, German, Chinese and in the traditional dirndl dress were Japanese. also trying to tempt visitors to put Dressed in a blue jacket with a neck on the glasses for a glimpse of its scarf, Chihira Kanae is on her fi rst green meadows and snow-capped visit to Europe where she is seeking mountains. potential employment for herself and British tour operator Thomas Cook her kind. has been a pioneer in giving its clients Three months ago, her “sister” a VR preview of adventure - a tour by began working as a meet-and-greeter helicopter above Manhattan. in a Tokyo shopping centre. Professor Armin Brysch, from Their creator, Toshiba, also foresees Robot Chihira Kanae developed by Toshiba. Kempten’s Applied Sciences University a great future ahead for them in in southern Germany, believes that VR is tourism. Standing just 50cm tall, Mario is if he acknowledges that humans can work as waiters, dishwashers, tour Germans are more reticent. here to stay in the industry as it provides Mario has already found a job - at white with red stripes, has speakers never be fully replaced by machines in guides or even chauff eurs. Taleb Rifai, secretary general of the a “new quality of experience” that the Ghent Marriott Hotel in Belgium, for ears and a total of just six fi ngers. the hotel business. What is key is that they should World Tourism Organisation, said the could entice people to book holidays where he has welcomed visitors since But his employer is pleased with his Oxford University’s Carl Benedikt do tasks that require only basic industry should broaden its usage of in destinations that they may not have June. work. Frey believes, however, that robots do communication, he said. technology and robots. considered. He is also multi-lingual, speaking 19 He “puts a smile on everybody’s have a big future in the industry. In fact, a survey of 6,000 travellers “I would not put any limit on the But would people just opt to see the languages to be precise. On top of that, face”, said Roger Langhout, director “In tourism, quite a few jobs remain by US online bookings company use of technology or innovation in any world from their armchairs? he helps with serving at hotel buff ets, general of the hotel, adding that “it’s non-automatable, like concierges or Travelzoo found that two in three hotel or tourism facility,” he said. Unlikely, said Rifai. and entertains guests by singing and a good way to get people to remember chefs,” he said. people are comfortable with seeing “As a matter of fact, we are “To think that virtual reality could dancing. our hotel”. “But a wide range of jobs are very robots in the tourism industry. way behind as a sector in the be used so that you stay at home and Unlike Chihira Kanae, Mario doesn’t “We are still exploring the much sustainable to automation,” he The Chinese are among the most implementation of technology and the travel the world, it is not going to pretend to look like a human. possibilities of Mario,” he said, even added, suggesting that robots could enthusiastic, while the French and use of it. We were able to send a man happen - I hope,” he said. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Trials of obtaining road test was frustrating. There z If you fail in your fi rst road test, High: 28 C were more than 40 to 50 people for you have to wait for at least one more Low : 23 C Expected thunderstorm associated a driver’s licence the road test and it is carried out month for the next test. This gap with strong wind and high seas from 7am to 11am . The results were should be shortened. Please send us Dear Sir, announced after that; it means a zThough I paid QR4,000 for my person appearing for the test at 7am course, there was no guarantee that your letters WEDNESDAY I’m an Indian expatriate working has to wait around four hours to I would get a licence for sure. This, High: 27 C in Qatar, holding a driving licence know the final results. to me, is akin to overcharging for a By e-mail Low: 21 C from my country. But as expatriates I watched the offi cial assessing the “non-service”. [email protected] Cloudy from many Asian countries still have road test of an applicant who was in zExpats from some select countries Fax 44350474 to undergo the local test to get a the vehicle with three other persons. are eligible to drive in Qatar by Or Post licence in Qatar, I enrolled myself in The offi cial, I got the impression, was transferring their own national THURSDAY a driving school, paying QR4,000 for not assessing the candidate’s real licences but how could one be sure Letters to the Editor High: 28 C half a course as a VIP customer, with ability and driving skills; he seemed to that they would drive well and not Gulf Times Low: 21 C an extra fee of QR1,200. I passed my just score marks randomly irrespective violate local traffi c laws, especially P O Box 2888 P Cloudy parking test but failed in the fi nal road of whether the applicant was right or since they don’t have to undergo any Doha, Qatar test. wrong. That was my perception. local courses? I felt that my driving skills were The offi cial, it seemed, wanted to zIf driving schools are unable to Fishermen’s forecast not assessed properly by the offi cial fail at least two candidates in a vehicle give learner drivers test dates at their All letters, which are subject to editing, should OFFSHORE DOHA concerned during the test. He and to pass just one. course’s end, they should not admit Wind: NW 10-20 KT assessed my driving after three other I also noticed the following issues new candidates. have the name of the Waves: 3-5 Feet candidates had completed their tests. during the road test and feel that they zThe application process for writer, address and phone INSHORE DOHA need to be sorted out by the Traffi c getting licences should be made Wind: NE-SE 03-12/25 KT Why should the assessor delay the number. The writer’s Waves: 1-2/3 Feet process, I can’t understand. The delay Department. easier for professionals from Asian name and address may be could infl uence the offi cial’s verdict as zThe assessment could be done countries. Around the region he has to remember correctly the way more methodically; the skills and withheld by request. Weather Weather an applicant had performed. ability of the candidate are not Sudhakar Balakrishnan today Max/min tomorrow Max/min My next test is due on April 9. The properly taken into account now. (e-mail address supplied) Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 33/23 P Cloudy 31/21 Baghdad M Sunny 25/13 M Sunny 24/12 Dubai P Cloudy 28/21 Cloudy 28/22 Kuwait City P Cloudy 27/16 Sunny 27/17 Manama M Cloudy 27/21 P Cloudy 24/21 Muscat M Sunny 32/24 Sunny 31/24 Riyadh P Cloudy 31/19 M Cloudy 26/16 Live issues Tehran Rain 18/07 M Sunny 16/07 How to manage your former peer

By Marie G McIntyre certifi cations that must be Tribune News Service sponsored by an employer. Because of his extensive experience and training, he could UESTION: Two months easily become certifi ed within six ago, after my manager months, but stating this on his moved to another resume hasn’t helped. How can he Qdepartment, I was get past this obstacle? chosen to replace him. Three of A: Your question raises two my four co-workers welcomed red fl ags. First, based on the 60 this decision, saying they always applications, I wonder whether assumed I would be his successor. trolling the Internet has become your The fourth one, “Ron”, also applied hubby’s primary job search strategy. for the position and was clearly While there’s nothing wrong with not happy with the outcome. applying online, these postings are Around the world When I asked my former boss so accessible that competition is Weather Weather for advice about starting this new steep and results are often limited. A today Max/min tomorrow Max/min job, he suggested meeting with better approach would be to network Athens Cloudy 13/09 M Cloudy 13/07 employees individually to discuss with contacts from his “extensive Beirut Showers 16/13 Rain 16/13 the change and then having a experience and training” who may Bangkok Sunny 34/27 Sunny 34/27 Berlin Cloudy 06/0 M Sunny 10/-1 planning session with the entire tricky, discussing the transition is our team. It may also reduce your know about useful job leads. Cairo M Sunny 23/11 M Sunny 23/12 team. This approach worked well extremely important. As for your chances of getting future promotions. The second concern is his Cape Town Cloudy 25/18 Sunny 29/17 with everyone except Ron, who pouting staff member, two months We’ve worked well together before, so assumption that certifi cations are Colombo M Sunny 32/25 P Cloudy 32/25 avoids talking to me and never is more than long enough to get I’m hoping we can continue to do so. the problem. If numerous employers Dhaka P Cloudy 33/24 Sunny 34/22 Cloudy Cloudy 18/16 speaks in staff meetings. his feelings in check, so it’s time to What are your thoughts about this?” provided this feedback, that might Hong Kong 16/13 Istanbul M Cloudy 08/04 Cloudy 09/04 Ron and I previously had a address the issue. If Ron responds favourably to this be a reasonable conclusion. However, Jakarta T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 31/25 good relationship, but losing this While you don’t want to chastise gentle reminder, then your problem is the most common barrier to getting Karachi P Cloudy 31/18 Sunny 31/22 position has obviously upset him. Ron or threaten him, you must clearly solved. But if his obstinacy continues, interviews is an inadequate resume, so London Cloudy 11/06 P Cloudy 09/02 Although this is understandable, convey that this sulky behaviour has consider asking your manager to have having an objective expert review that Manila P Cloudy 32/24 P Cloudy 33/24 Moscow P Cloudy 01/-5 Cloudy 04/-1 I’m concerned that his negative to change. He should also understand a word with him. Involving the boss is document would not be a bad idea. New Delhi Sunny 29/16 M Sunny 29/15 attitude will drag down team that if he hopes to be promoted, he always a last resort, but sometimes a New York Cloudy 14/10 M Cloudy 16/10 morale. How long should I give may be shooting himself in the foot. little more fi repower helps to get the zMarie G McIntyre is a workplace Paris M Sunny 13/04 M Sunny 11/03 Ron to accept the situation? For example: “Ron, I know you’re message across. coach and the author of Secrets to Sao Paulo S T Storms 27/18 T Storms 27/18 M Sunny P Cloudy 13/02 Winning at Offi ce Politics.Send in Seoul 10/01 ANSWER: First of all, kudos to disappointed about the management Q: After applying for 60 jobs, Singapore P Cloudy 34/26 P Cloudy 35/26 you for seeking out and following job, which is perfectly understandable. my husband still hasn’t gotten questions and get free coaching tips at Sydney Rain 24/19 Showers 24/18 your boss’s sound advice. Because However, your unhappiness is obvious any interviews. The problem http://www.youroffi cecoach.com, or Tokyo Clear 13/05 Cloudy 15/04 managing former peers is always to everyone, which is not helpful for is that these positions require follow her on Twitter @offi cecoach. Gulf Times 28 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 QATAR

Sheikha Mayassa attends opening of QM exhibition

Qatar Museums chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, joins internationally acclaimed New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang and local dignitaries at the off icial opening of ‘What About the Art? Contemporary Art from China’ on Sunday at Al Riwaq. The exhibition, which is one of the highlights of the Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture, includes works by 15 contemporary Chinese artists and is open until July 16. US doctors’ delegation tours WCM-Q octors from renowned US teaching hospitals Dvisited Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) to hear about the college’s cur- riculum and meet its students and faculty. The US doctors are respon- sible for residency programmes in the US, and the majority of WCM-Q students apply to such residencies once they have completed their medical degree. The annual Residency Pro- gramme Directors’ Symposium allows the directors to learn more about WCM-Q and also gives students the opportunity to ask questions in an informal environment, ascertaining what the directors look for when ac- cepting students into residency programmes. Dr Marcellina Mian, WCM- Q’s associate dean for medical education, said that the annual visit by residency programme directors was hugely benefi cial as it allowed the college to show- case its curriculum, faculty, fa- cilities and its students. Dr Mian said: “This sympo- sium allows us to demonstrate that we are world-class and that we are producing doctors who are of the same calibre as any US medical college.” This year 13 di- The visiting delegation with WCM-Q off icials. rectors visited the college, most of whom had never been to Qatar directors spent four days in Qa- its facilities and programmes. directors about the residency alumna Nadia Merchant, who Hamad Medical Corporation the college’s biomedical research before. tar, during which they learned They met with the college’s programmes, and heard about graduated in 2011. and toured WCM-Q’s research programme and its focus on dis- The residency programme about WCM-Q’s curriculum, student body who asked the the experience of WCM-Q The US doctors also visited laboratories, learning more about eases prevalent in the region. Minister praises project’s major ‘safety milestone’

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The Ministry of Trans- port and Communications “works in full swing to pro- vide an integrated plan based on multimodal transportation sys- tem, which, in turn, would stim- ulate internal and external trade and smooth people and cargo transportation,” al-Sulaiti said. The “flooding of the port basin” at the Umm Al Houl Special Economic Zone at the New Port Project in The minister praised the “great Mesaieed has set a milestone as it facilitates maritime industry activities at the zone. The high-profile event at eff orts” made by the project team Mesaieed yesterday was attended among other dignitaries by HE the Minister of Transport and and the follow-up team at the Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti and HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh ministry, as well as the eff orts Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani. The Port Basin at the Umm Al Houl Special Economic Zone was of the contractors who achieved established to the north of the Hamad Port as part of the Economic Zones Company (Manateq). The Umm Al around 7,700mn person-hours Houl Special Economic Zone will be providing additional marine facilities to the Hamad Port. The basin of that without any lost time injury economic zone is 1.6km long, 500m wide and 10m deep, in addition to a 150m-wide entrance canal. The quay (LTI), which is a “major safety of the basin is around 4000m long. Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company and Boskalis Westminster milestone” for the Hamad Port Middle East Company started working on the project in Q3, 2013 at a cost of QR1.3bn. Project Steering Committee. There are some 9,811 concrete blocks in the basin quay wall and 230,000 cubic metres of con- crete were used to make those blocks. The number of concrete blocks installed in a single day reached 143. tools were used in the project tries, supply and equipment reational boats, maritime plat- The quayside has 300 including two Hitachi EX1900 services, in addition to some forms, drilling and dredging 30-tonne-capacity ‘Bollard’ mining excavators. The number other unique services for several equipment as well as fuelling, berths and 2,250-tonne-capac- of workers at the peak of the sectors including the logistics storage and distribution sta- ity Bollard berths. The quay has project had hit 1,560, an offi cial sector. tions, the release added. some 816 fenders in diff erent release said. Supply and equipment areas The ceremony was attended sizes and 163 gangways. Located near the Hamad Port, alongside the coast have been by a number of offi cials from Some 830,000cu m of rocks south of Al Wakrah City, the dedicated to supporting the the Ministry of Transport and are used at the northern and Umm Al Houl Special Economic Hamad Port Project and mari- Communications, the Ministry southern breakwater. Dredging Zone will be dedicated for sup- time industries sector by pro- of Economy and Commerce, the operations were 6.5km in length, porting light industries includ- viding support for a wide range Qatar Ports Management Com- 150m in width and 7.5m deep un- ing petrochemicals, building of maritime industries such as pany (Mawani Qatar) and the der sea level. materials, metals, food process- medium-size ship building and Economic Zones Company Qa- As many as 410 machines and ing, auto and machinery indus- maintenance, brigantines, rec- tar (Manateq).